Our journey continued eastward across the southern half of South Africa, ending up on Day 7 at the Fairy Knowe Hotel. This picturesque cluster of thatched-roof buildings lay just east of the town of George which is just about where the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans meet. The hotel itself sat alongside the Touwsrivier River, a couple of miles from the coastline. A Great Crested Grebe floated on the river just outside of our room so I had to get a reflection shot. It was a nice bird, but not the most spectacular bird we saw there.
As was Josh’s habit, we went out looking for birds before breakfast, walking down the drive that led away from the hotel. After walking only 100 yards or so Josh spotted a large bird in a tree. The morning mist and the tree leaves obscured it and I couldn’t get a shot of it. Suddenly it vaulted off its perch and flew across the roadway; I was able to get one quick picture of it.
What an amazing bird! Bright red wing feathers and a triangular head – it couldn’t be any more distinctive. I needed a better look at it, but it disappeared into the forest. This was my first look at a Knysna Turaco and I wanted more.
After breakfast we headed out exploring the area, searching for birds. Over the course of the day we came across the Knysna Turaco three more times, each one affording better looks. My first good pictures of this spectacular bird was at the Ebb ‘n Flow bridge in Wilderness National Park. One of the birds was feeding high in a tree pretty far away. Note that the red wing feathers are not seen when it is perched, only when flying.
As we hiked through Wilderness National Park we came upon another one nicely perched next to the trail. Such striking head features with red eye ring and tiny beak with white outlining the eye and triangular crest.
Here’s a closeup of the head. I don’t know how well you can see it (click the pic to bring up a larger view), but the feathers covering its head and neck are so fine, wavy and long they resemble fur, adding to the overall spectacular look.
Yes, we saw other birds that day, but none of them could compare to the Knysna Turaco. Next up – into the Karoo.
CLICK HERE to see all the posts about our South Africa Bird Tour. Karen and I have had the opportunity to travel to many interesting places in search of birds. If you would like read about some of our other Bird Tours CLICK HERE.
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