LAPPET-FACED VULTURE

434         LAPPET-FACED VULTURE                Torgos tracheliotos

South Africa             (102)

Also known as Nubian Vulture. Ranges in patches throughout most of Africa, absent from much of central and western parts. Lives in dry savannah, thorn bush, arid plains, desert with scattered trees in wadis, open mountain slopes; usually found in undisturbed open country with a scattering of trees and minimal grass cover.

AFRICAN STONECHAT

African Stonechat, male

433           AFRICAN STONECHAT            Saxicola torquatus

South Africa            (101)

Used to be referred to collectively as Common Stonechat. Inhabits sub-Saharan Africa, in Southern Africa distributed across central north to the east, down eastern half and across south. Found in grassland, fynbos and scrub, often on fringes of wetlands or forest edges. Occurs singly or in pairs, perching on twigs or stems and dropping into the grass to feed

African Stonechat, female.

DOUBLE-BANDED PLOVER

Photographed in Tasmania, a Double-banded Plover in non-breeding plumage.

432            DOUBLE-BANDED PLOVER           Charadrius bicinctus

Australia             (300)

Also known as Double-banded Dotterel. 17.5-19 cm. This is the only wader to breed in NZ and then migrates to Australia for the winter. Ranges around coast and some distance inland from Perth across south and up east to Brisbane, and right across Tasmania. Found on wide beaches, tidal mudflats, salt marsh; wide, sparsely vegetated margins of shallow saline and freshwater wetlands; paddocks with sparse vegetation; ploughed fields and airfields.

The uncropped photograph of above, Double-banded
 Plover on right

Photographed Culburra Beach (NSW) March 2015

VARIED SITTELLA

431            VARIED SITTELLA            Daphoenositta chrysoptera

Australia              (299)

Also known as Barkpacker, Treerunner and 'Woodpecker". 11-12.5 cm. settlers are made up of 5 (or 6) distinct geographic races spread over the continent. Ranges over most of mainland, except ne SA, se WA and central WA. Found in open eucalypt forest/woodlands, mallee, inland acacia, coastal tee-tree scrub, golf courses, shelter belts, orchards and parks.

Subspecies pileata, photographed Gluepot Reserve, SA June 2016

Subspecies leucoptera, photographed Roebuck Plains, WA, September 2016

KURRICHANE THRUSH

430         KURRICHANE THRUSH           Turdis libonyana

South Africa           (100)

21-22 cm. Range is ne third of Southern Africa. Found in woodlands with an open understory, also parks and gardens.