bateleur – Christian Sperka Photography

2023-10-10

Angry Bird?

Not at all. I met this juvenile Bateleur at a bird show at the ‘Dullstroom Bird of Prey and Rehabilitation Centre’ (www.birdsofprey.co.za), an organization which does great work in raptor rehabilitation.

I love the frontal portrait shot of this beautiful creature. The rescued eagle was rather curious and friendly, despite its ferocious stare.

The centre also offers a photography day to take pictures of many different raptors in the centre. I will be back soon to get more stunning images of these hunters in the sky.

Technical data: Canon R6 with RF lens f4-6.3/24-240mm | ISO 1600 | 1/2000sec | f6.7 | ev+0 | 200mm | WB 6500K | AV Mode | Crop to 30% of original image

#amazingwildlife #africansafari #safarigetaway #christiansperkaphotography #thandasafari #big5 #gamereserve #wildlifephotography #learnphotography @dullstroombirdofprey

2020-06-052021-02-15

THE MORNING POST – THE ACROBAT

My favorite eagle, the Bateleur, has a French name which stands for ‘Tide Rope Walker’ or more freely translated juggler or acrobat (German: Gaukler / Zulu: iNgqungqulu). Due to its very short tail it got a very distinct way of flying which probably led to this rather unusual name.

It is the most colorful of the eagles in Africa. At Thanda we are at the Southern end of its distribution range and we are lucky to see them regularly on the reserve.

I realize that I have neglected my bird posts a bit over the last few weeks, but I will try to do better in the future 😊.

Have a good day!

#Christiansperkaphotography @christiansperkaphotography #lockdownsafari #bateleur

2012-07-12

Cold and Bliss

The morning game drive was very quiet. The cold morning air combined with wind had driven most animals into thick bush. But we had an early morning sighting of this juvenile Bateleur (Eagle). His puffed up feathers suggest that he was a bit cold!

He is at the stage where his plumage turns from the brownish colors of the juvenile bird to the black, brown and white design of the the adult. The morning drive ended with a Cheetah sighting on the savanna.

In the afternoon we saw a herd of Buffalo, White Rhinos and an Elephant Bull. This young Rhino bull was part of a crash of seven animals. I enjoyed his facial expression and his groans when he gave himself a good scratch – Pure Bliss.

2011-12-252011-12-25

Picture of the Week 52 – Walking the tight-rope!

This week’s picture of a male Bateleur was taken at Phinda Private Game Reserve, Kwazulu Natal South Africa.

To review all 2011 pictures of the week go to www.sperka.biz/potw2011/slideshow

About Bateleur …

The Bateleur (Terathopius ecaudatus) is a medium-sized eagle. It is a common resident species of the open savanna country in Sub-Saharan Africa. Bateleurs pair for life, and will use the same nest for a number of years. Unpaired birds, presumably from a previous clutch, will sometimes help at the nest. The Bateleur is a colourful species with a very short tail which makes it unmistakable in flight. Immature birds are brown with white dappling. The prey of this raptor is mostly birds and also small mammals; it also takes carrion. “Bateleur” is French for “tight-rope walker”. This name describes the bird’s characteristic habit of tipping the ends of its wings when flying, as if catching its balance.

For more Bateleur pictures go to www.sperka.biz/bateleur