Page 30 - may2022

gardening for birds

Many species cannot tolerate our cold Botswana winters, so they

migrate mostly to Europe and Central and North Africa. Sadly,
several of these are our most colourful species. The good news is that
some brightly coloured birds do remain with us.

The multi-coloured resident stars of the beauty-parade include
Lilac-breasted Rollers, Little Bee-eaters, Crimson-breasted Shrikes, African
Hoopoes and a host of others not described as “little brown jobs”.

What about Orange-breasted and Grey-headed Bush-Shrikes and Malachite
Kingfishers I hear you ask? Indeed, these are all magnificent birds which
have to be included. The gist of my discussion is that, although attractive
migrants have left us temporarily, there are many beautiful residents to keep
us involved in birding during winter. Please don’t forget about Violet-eared
Waxbills and Green-winged Pytilias which are also candidates for the

Winter Beauty Pageant.
by Harold Hester & Photographs by Ian White
( For more information - www.birdlifebotswana.org.bw )

Green-winged Pytilia

30 Red-eyed Bulbul