African Wattled Plover

No sweat. That’s the problem with being a bird. Humans have sweat gland which act to produce water which cools the body when it evaporates. That’s great as long as you don’t get dehydrated. Which reminds me, I really must drink more water on safari if I want my kidneys to keep functioning.

Birds have a few different methods to reduce their body heat in hot weather. If you’ve ever had a panting blackbird on your lawn, you’ll recognise one of them. Another is having ‘wattles’ They are the decorative flaps of bare skin hanging from the face of this African Wattled Plover, Vanellus senegallus.

Another bird with wattles is the chicken. As well as pumping them with blood to lose heat they are used for courtship display.

I wonder whether this African Wattled Plover does the same.

Sometimes wattles may be used to make head movements more obvious, such as when roosters offer food to females.

They certainly make a distinctive display when head-on.

What a gorgeous bird.

I love their pale eyes and that intense red at the top of the wattles.

It’s been a pleasure to spend time with them.