220 : Crested Guineafowl

Crested Guineafowl - Guttera pucherani 

These are a little less reptilian than the Helmeted Guineafowl which was the other species of Guineafowl we saw in Africa this Summer. These are a "shaggy crested forest Guineafowl" as opposed a bald fleshy casqued Gunieafowl I guess. Bizzare birds - I have to stray up into Kenya at some point in search of the Vulterine Guineafowl - a bird possessed of a naked blue head and neck and scrawny composure barely mitigated by an attractive feather boa round the neck of the male bird. Who knew there was so much diversity within 1000 miles with Guineafowl.

You can see that this is a very early morning shot caught with a flash. As its picture "number 1" this was the first bird on our early morning game drive the night after a spectacular fairy light lit forest meal. Our tree cabins were gorgeous and it was a shame we opted for one night but it was prohibitively expensive so we did it as a start of holiday treat to get us in the mood.

I will get back to my habit of spreading the love away from birds -

I am not sure what flavour of Mongoose these are but they were comical little things. They scurried around in family packs of perhaps 20 animals. Apparently the leader - an older male has the most dangerous job. After a sprint across any open space such as a road or clearing he will turn back and sit up to keep watch and also to make sure that there are no stragglers from the group. They live in a high state of tension as animals their whole lives. Apparently the life expectancy of the old sentinals drops dramatically after they take on the extra responsbility - a suicide mission no less acting as a decoy for every hungry eagle, snake or small hunting cat in the neighbourhood. I grew quite fond of these creatures. A road crossing was always a fun and somewhat frenetic event. This guy has a couple of helpers auditioning for the job - waiting for the inevitable day when there is a shadow cast over his silvered fur and then no more - job done for a few weeks - the youngsters all across the clearing safely. Its a strategy I guess - not one I approve of as a middle aged man but there you go. You would have thought he could see out his twighlight years in peace and let the youngsters take a few risks. I like him - a risk taker for the good of the tribe. I expect he earns "favours" from the role so his genes survive even if his life expectancy drops - so perhaps not such a stupid strategy.

July 2012

Lake Manyara, Tanzania