BirdLife SA’s 2024 Bird of the Year

Discussions and information on all Southern African Birds
Post Reply
User avatar
Lisbeth
Site Admin
Posts: 66528
Joined: Sat May 19, 2012 12:31 pm
Country: Switzerland
Location: Lugano
Contact:

BirdLife SA’s 2024 Bird of the Year

Post by Lisbeth »

Meet the majestic bateleur

Image
The bateleur, known for its regal appearance and remarkable aerial behavior, is classified as regionally endangered with a population reduction of over 50% in the past 40 years. (Photo: Warwick Tarboton)

The bateleur, a majestic bird with a striking resemblance to the emblem of Zimbabwe, has been chosen as BirdLife South Africa's Bird of the Year for 2024, sparking debate about the connection.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
The first thing I wondered when I saw a bateleur and its imperious visage — near Mjejane in the Kruger Park — was where I’d seen this face before.

It came to me: Zimbabwe. It looked just like the one sitting on the top of that country’s coat of arms.

BirdLife South Africa has just chosen the bateleur (Terathopius ecaudatus) as its Bird of the Year for 2024 and it is interesting to learn that there’s still some debate about whether there is a connection to the Zimbabwean emblem.

The bateleur is famous not only for its striking regal appearance but also for its remarkable aerial behaviour. The sad news is that, despite the bold, majestic, strong image, these birds are classified as regionally endangered, with an estimated population reduction of more than 50% over the past three generations (40 years). All that’s left is a regional population of fewer than 1,000 mature individuals.

Image
The bateleur is native to sub-Saharan Africa. (Photo: Albert Froneman)

Home for this eye-catching bird of prey, with its distinctive plumage — a combination of black, white and vibrant red-orange on the face and legs — is the bushveld of the Kruger National Park and the arid Kalahari Desert.

The decrease in numbers is suspected to be because of habitat transformation, which has led to a shortage of available prey.

The bateleur’s tendency to scavenge puts the species at particular risk from indiscriminate poisoning, especially by small-stock farmers. Illegal harvesting of the species for the muthi trade is another recent trend, one that BirdLife South Africa believes needs to be further investigated.

Image
The bateleur. (Photo: Chris van Rooyen)

The name bateleur was coined by famed French explorer, writer, ornithologist, and Africa’s foremost bird species specialist in the 18th century François Levaillant, and is said to be French for a “tumbler” or “tightrope walker”, which aptly describes the bird’s graceful aerial acrobatics.

BirdLife Africa will be following up their choice of the bateleur with some interesting awareness programmes. DM


"Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world." Nelson Mandela
The desire for equality must never exceed the demands of knowledge
User avatar
Richprins
Committee Member
Posts: 75412
Joined: Sat May 19, 2012 3:52 pm
Location: NELSPRUIT
Contact:

Re: BirdLife SA’s 2024 Bird of the Year

Post by Richprins »

\O


Please check Needs Attention pre-booking: https://africawild-forum.com/viewtopic.php?f=322&t=596
User avatar
Mel
Global Moderator
Posts: 27438
Joined: Sat May 19, 2012 12:31 pm
Country: Germany
Location: Föhr
Contact:

Re: BirdLife SA’s 2024 Bird of the Year

Post by Mel »

Beautiful raptor!


God put me on earth to accomplish a certain amount of things. Right now I'm so far behind that I'll never die.
Post Reply

Return to “Birds”