Now that I’m in Cameroon, I’ve been trying to keep track of all the birds I’m seeing. I haven’t been quite as diligent as Bolt at the whole birding thing. Unlike him, I like sleeping in the morning. But I have enjoyed what I’ve been able to see during the “in between” moments of the day.

For the most part, I’ve recorded only the first time I’ve seen a particular bird.

5-26
CABTAL Center in Yaounde

• Northern Grey-headed Sparrow
• Bronze Mannikin
• Village Weaver
• Pied Crow

5-27
Lodgings in Tombel

• Common Bulbul

These things really are common. They seem to be pretty much everywhere.

5-29
Bible Translation Office in Tombel

• Black Weaver

I also got to see Black and Village Weavers actually weaving for the first time here. The process is really quite complicated and impressive. They make little upside-down baskets using strands of leaves for their nests.

Near the Presbyterian Church in Nyasoso

• Little Swift

I took some video of this one that should show up on Bolt’s blog eventually.

5-30
Lodgings in Tombel

• Black Sawwing

5-31
Driving out of Tombel

• Yellow-mantled Widowbird

This one was fun because I actually helped Bolt identify it in the field guide instead of just having him figure it out for me.

6-2
Lodgings at Bambalang

• African Green Pigeon
• Red-eyed Dove
• Tropical Boubou
• Splendid Sunbird
• Red-cheeked Cordon-bleu
• Splendid Glossy Starling

At the lake in Bambalang

• Intermediate Egret
• Squacco Heron
• Long-tailed Cormorant
• African Jacana
• Grey-headed Gull

This day was definitely good for birding. I was so used to waking up early that I had some extra time in the morning. Then, while we were out at the lake, we had some time to kill while Alan was taking photos.

The birds here in Africa sure seem to be more colorful than the ones from back home. Our Rock Pigeons really can’t hold a candle to the African Green Pigeon, and the iridescent Splendid Sunbirds and Splendid Glossy Starlings are splendid indeed! I guess our European Starlings are a little bit shiny too, but they’re not bright blue like the Splendid Glossy ones.

6-3
Walking around Bamunka

• African Paradise Flycatcher

This one was particularly amazing. The Scissortails back in Texas have always been a favorite of mine, and this one looks even more incredible than those.

6-4
Lodgings at Bamunka

• Western Grey Plantain-eater

6-7
Lodgings at Bafanji

• Woodland Kingisher