jackal – Christian Sperka Photography

2024-03-16

Pecking Order

When it comes to cleaning up kills from large predators there is a pecking order in place.

One of the first scavengers to arrive after the killers have left are often Black-backed Jackals (as the one in this picture).

On some occasions they even sneak in while Lions or Hyenas are still on a kill. Especially if the carcass was torn apart during the large predator’s feeding frenzy and the remains had been spread around.

This is a list of the most common members of the Thanda Safari cleanup crew, sorted according to their position in the pecking order:

⁃ Spotted Hyenas

⁃ Black-backed Jackals

⁃ Side-striped Jackals

⁃ Lapped-faced Vultures

⁃ White-backed Vultures

⁃ Hooded Vultures

⁃ Tawny Eagles

⁃ Bateleurs

⁃ Yellow-billed Kites

⁃ African Woolly-necked Storks

⁃ Pied Crows

… and always Maggots

Technical data: Canon R6 with RF lens f11/800mm | ISO 1250 | 1/500sec | ev-0.5 | WB 6500K | AV Mode | Crop to 20% of original image

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2024-01-28

Feeding Order!

A few days ago I took these pictures of a few species which feed on a kill in a clearly defined order:

Lions are the actual killers and feed until they are completely full.

Hyenas are the first in the the cleanup crew lineup to work on the carcass.

Jackals are next for the leftovers (and sometimes sneak in for a bite when the Lions and Hyenas are inattentive).

White-backed Vultures and Hooded Vultures fly in once all the four-legged creatures have left. They are often accompanied by large Lappet-faced Vultures (no pictures). Each vulture species‘ beak is designed to support them in their size-dependent role.

And many other birds, like Yellow-billed Kites, Tawny Eagles, Bateleurs, Wolly-necked Storks, and Pied Crows will follow after the vultures.

Technical data: Canon R6 with RF lens f11/800mm | ISO various | 1/500sec | ev+0 | WB 6500K | AV

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2021-02-16

OUTLOOK

This Black-backed Jackal used one of the Kruger NP sign blocks as a lookout.

Tihongonyeni Waterhole, Tropic of Capricorn Road S-143 | Kruger National Park

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@SperkaChristian

2020-07-14

THE EVENING POST – LEFT-OVERS BREAKFAST

This Black-backed Jackal enjoyed his left-overs breakfast of an Impala kill. Our arrival had conveniently spooked a Hyena and all the Vultures who were feasting on the antelope remains. So this little one moved right in and got his fair share 😊

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2020-05-24

STAY-AT-HOME SUNDAY

This morning I had the perfect sighting to explain the members of the ‘bush cleanup crew’.

This important team is lead by Spotted Hyena and includes White-backed Vultures, Hooded Vultures, Black-Backes Jackals, Woolly-necked Storks and Pied Crows. I found all of them together in one sighting on the Thanda Safari savanna.

The Hyena was feeding on an Impala carcass and all the others tried to get bits and pieces as the Hyena dragged the animal remains around.

All of the creatures play a major role in keeping the bush tidy and clean.

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2012-08-03

Relaxed!

No “Big Five” on this afternoon’s game drive, but we had a photo session with the most relaxed Black-backed Jackal I have ever seen. He lay in front of the car, yawned, walked in front of us, dug up some goodies to eat and finally went after another Jackal (probably of the opposite sex :-)).

We also had a fantastic sunrise this morning!

2012-06-30

Unexpected!

I thought I would have nothing to post today, but I was wrong.

When I left this morning at 6:45am to drive to Richards Bay I met a very unexpected scene. A Spotted Hyena was chasing a small Black-backed Jackal into a thicket next to the road. By the time I had my camera out they were gone 😦

I see this little scavenger regularly along the fence line, which I have to drive along to get from Thanda House to the gate of the reserve. The picture above is from one of these encounters.

Enjoy your Sunday!