Xakanaxa Lagoon – Part 3
Botswana – Okavango | Anno 2022
Paradise Pool
Like the sacred ibis, the Egyptian goose was also considered a sacred animal in ancient Egypt. In fact, it is neither a goose nor a duck
The squacco heron is a relatively small heron. It is a migratory bird, but it can be found in the Okavango Delta year-round
Paradise Pool
With its glossy chestnut brown body and wings, white neck and blue beak, the African jacana is easily recognisable
Water is essential for the jacana. It searches for food – insects and other invertebrates – among the plants. Its large toes enable it to walk on floating aquatic plants
A blacksmith plover will react aggressively to a nearby jacana and chase away the 'intruder'
A long beak as fine as a needle, enormously long, pink legs, and a tiny body between them – this must be a black-winged stilt. It wades through the water in search of insects, snails, and worms
In the greater blue-eared starling, the typical metallic plumage is more greenish. The yellow iris of the eye is striking
Little bee-eaters are ubiquitous in Africa. Their numbers are estimated at 60 to 80 million
Burchell’s starling has a fourth receptor on the retina of its eye. This allows it to perceive ultraviolet light. This allows it to, among other things, assess the ripeness of fruit
The carmine bee-eater lives up to its name. No less than eighty percent of its diet consists of honeybees
The shape of its head with a long bill and crest at the back is reminiscent of a hammer, which has given this species its name hamerkop after the Afrikaans word for hammerhead. Frogs are its favourite food
A few four-year-old male lions are resting under a tree. It doesn't provide much shade; it seems more a matter of habit
Together with the tiger, leopard, panther and jaguar, the lion belongs to the genus of panthera
The lion's roar is one of the most iconic sounds of the African savanna
Male lions have impressive manes. It usually takes six years for them to fully develop
In 2012, an estimated 32,000 lions lived in Africa
But lion numbers are steadily declining, mainly due to disease and human intervention
The species is therefore classified as vulnerable
Termite mound
Bush elephants aren't picky eaters. They eat almost anything plant-based. However, they do have a preference for wet grasses and herbs
With its trunk the elephant tears the grass, rinses off the mud and puts it in its mouth
The sacred ibis is found almost exclusively in wetlands or muddy plains. Its greatest predator is the African fish eagle
With its long, slightly curved beak, the African hoopoe searches for insects underground. If it is disturbed while foraging, its chestnut-brown comb rises
The reed cormorant is half the size of a common cormorant and barely a third of its weight. It can dive to considerable depths, but prefers to forage in shallow water
The red iris is particularly striking on this beautifully feathered bird
Elephants are wreaking havoc on the landscape
Jaak Palmans
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