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gardening for birds

The theme for this month is “anything and everything green”, so let’s
consider several green-coloured birds which are seen in gardens locally.

The first ones that come to mind are Klaas’s and Diederik Cuckoos. Both are
common migrants and like a variety of woodland habitats. Both eat caterpillars and
butterflies and parasitise a wide range of species. Bee-eaters are multi-coloured, but
the Blue-cheeked, Little and White-fronted are mainly green.

Bush-Shrikes are breathtakingly beautiful with a variety of colours. Two local
species, the Orange-breasted and Grey-headed are mainly green. The former is
insectivorous while the latter is carnivorous and has a penchant for small birds.
The White-bellied Sunbird has an iridescent green throat and back. Green
Wood hoopoes have a dark green sheen and please don’t ignore the Black-chested
Apalis, whose back is mainly green.

Enjoy all your garden birds, not necessarily only the green ones…and add in some
bird boxes, bird feeders and bird baths around your garden to keep them happy.
If you want more information in terms of the conservation of Botswana’s birds or
threatened species, please check our website below. Birdlife Botswana is instrumental
in many conservation projects and donations to help protect the beautiful birds of
Botswana would always be appreciated. Volunteers and members are also always
welcome to join! by Harold Hester & Photographs by Pixabay

( For more information - www.birdlifebotswana.org.bw )

30 Red-eyed Bulbul