Live and recent posts from across the Fediverse tagged #birdsoflagos, aggregated by home.social.
Variable Sunbirds (Cinnyris venustus) are active nectar-feeders, visiting a wide variety of flowering plants and helping to pollinate them in the process.
They also take small insects and other invertebrates, particularly when feeding their young.
Males are often conspicuous around flowering vegetation, where they defend feeding territories and their brilliant plumage catches the light as they move rapidly from flower to flower.
Variable Sunbirds (Cinnyris venustus) are active nectar-feeders, visiting a wide variety of flowering plants and helping to pollinate them in the process.
They also take small insects and other invertebrates, particularly when feeding their young.
Males are often conspicuous around flowering vegetation, where they defend feeding territories and their brilliant plumage catches the light as they move rapidly from flower to flower.
Best known for its ability to hover motionless in the wind, the Common Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus) can spot small prey from surprising distances before swooping with pinpoint accuracy.
In spite of its unassuming appearance, the Common Bulbul (Pycnonotus barbatus) is an important seed disperser.
It feeds on fruits, berries, nectar, and insects, carrying seeds away from the parent plant and helping regenerate forests and woodlands.
It is also one of the first birds to colonise disturbed habitats, thriving in parks, farms, and urban areas where many other species struggle.
One of Africa’s most familiar city birds, the Speckled Pigeon (Columba guinea) is recognised by its crimson eye-ring and boldly spotted wings.
Originally a bird of cliffs and rocky outcrops, it has adapted so well that buildings now serve as its modern-day cliffs.
In many parts of Africa, the Woodland Kingfisher’s (Halcyon senegalensis) arrival coincides with the onset of the rains, making it a familiar seasonal herald.
This species spends surprisingly little time fishing, hunting mainly large insects, as well as small lizards, frogs, and occasionally mice.
They typically perch quietly on an exposed branch or wire, then swoop down to seize prey on the ground.
The Yellow-billed Kite (Milvus aegyptius) is an agile and opportunistic African raptor, commonly seen soaring over open country, wetlands, farmland and urban settlements. With its broad wings, subtly forked tail and distinctive yellow bill tipped in black, it rides rising air currents with remarkable ease, scanning the landscape below for food.
Known for their loud, unmistakable calls, Western Plantain-eaters (Crinifer piscator) are among the most charismatic birds of West Africa.
Despite their name, they don't eat plantains only, feeding on a wide variety of fruits, berries, flowers, and young leaves.
Silent hunter of the night, the Western Barn Owl's (Tyto alba) heart-shaped face gathers the faintest sounds, while extraordinary hearing and virtually silent flight make it one of nature's most accomplished nocturnal predators.
Courtesy: Fiyin
Best known for its ability to hover motionless in the wind, the Common Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus) can spot small prey from surprising distances before swooping with pinpoint accuracy.
The Red-eyed Dove’s (Streptopelia semitorquata) crimson iris and gentle, mournful call make it one of Africa’s most recognisable garden birds.
Despite its peaceful appearance, both parents work tirelessly to raise their young, feeding them with nutrient-rich crop milk.
The species name semitorquata means "half-collared," referring to the narrow black patch on the back of its neck, unlike the full collar of some related doves.
The Broad-billed Roller (Eurystomus glaucurus) is one of Africa’s most striking forest-edge birds, though its richest colours are often hidden until it flies.
Unlike many rollers that hunt from exposed perches in open country, it prefers woodland, forest edges, and riverine forests.
It catches much of its prey—large insects such as beetles, flying termites, dragonflies, and grasshoppers—mid-air, making graceful sallies from a perch before returning to the same lookout.