Yesterday i heard a rumour that the very rare (like hen's teeth) yellow form of the Crimson-breasted Shrike was seen at Hwange Main camp. Now this is a bird we have all seen illustrated in the field guides but about the same number of people have seen it as saw the "third gunman on the grassy knoll!"
What makes it so special is it is a bright yellow version of a bright red bird!!
As a safari guide in Hwange years ago i imagined one day seeing one with clients and being asked "what bird is that?"...the clients would have thought i was colour blind when i would have said "why that is a Crimson-breasted shrike".
Well today my dream came true....i was sitting here in the office when my phone rang and a fellow birder, Jean Blake, said ...Brent! guess what i have here.......
Interestingly there are actually two yellow individuals, one an adult and one a juvenile being fed by parents of two different colours!
Get yourselves to Hwange and see them for yourself
The Hwange Birder
Wow! This is awesome!
ReplyDeleteI am so envious! I must call Matt tonight and ask him if he feels a little bit homesick... ;-) Enjoy the watching and take plenty plus pictures!!!
This is a rarity!!!!!
Cheers