The spotted dikkop (Burhinus capensis) -- well it is now a "thick-knee" in English but still a dikkop in Afrikaans - Gewone dikkop. These are found mainly in the drier parts of Rooiels. The slightly smaller Water thick-knee (Burhinus vermiculatus) can also be found in Rooiels but usually on properties nearer the beach and river. Above the pair would take turns to sit on their egg - they only had one. The other would stand nearby and then a few times a day they would briefly meet and change positions. The photo on the right was when it was born. I thought that it had died at birth -- but no -- it took a few hours to resuscitate after its birth and then joined its parents. We watched it grow until 2 weeks old - and then it disappeared (most likely the mongoose). So sad. But late July the pair returned and perhaps they will manage to keep it safe from the mongoose this time.
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Photos and anecdotes from RooielsersPlease share the beauty Archives
May 2024
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