A White-Headed Saw-Wing

There’s an all-black Swallow-type bird next to our route, as we drive along the dusty compressed-earth tracks of the Masai Mara. This one has a very distinctive white head with a thin black eyestripe.

White-Headed Saw-Wing - The Hall of Einar - photograph © David Bailey (not the)

It’s a White-Headed Saw-Wing, a member of the Swallow family. This one is a male, which has the full white head, rather than the white throat-patch of the female.

We drive past and I don’t see another, or get the chance to take a better photograph. This glimpse was enough. There are so many other opportunities to see wildlife here.

More adventures on safari in Kenya

African Spoonbill - The Hall of Einar - photograph © David Bailey (not the) An African Spoonbill I've seen Spoonbills in Somerset and in Italy but they were the Eurasian Spoonbill, Platalea leucorodia. I'm in Kenya now… read more
Three-Banded Plover - Kenya Safari - The Hall of Einar- photograph © David Bailey (not the) A gorgeous Three-Banded Plover and a Lilac-Breasted Roller We're in a four-wheel-drive vehicle. I think it's an indestructible Toyota Land Cruiser. Gladys is our local Kenyan guide for… read more
Little Bee-Eater - The Hall of Einar - photograph © David Bailey (not the) Spotting a Little Bee-Eater There's a beautifully coloured bird with vibrant yellow cheeks flitting from perch to perch. It's a Little Bee-Eater, Merops pusillus.… read more
Cattle Egret - The Hall of Einar - photograph © David Bailey (not the) Cattle Egret portrait I've seen Cattle Egrets in Devon, but never been as close as I am now to this Cattle Egret in… read more
African Wattled Plover - The Hall of Einar - photograph © David Bailey (not the) African Wattled Plover No sweat. That's the problem with being a bird. Humans have sweat gland which act to produce water which cools… read more
Batleur Eagle - The Hall of Einar - photograph © David Bailey (not the) The street performer – a Bateleur Eagle with a rat We spotted a Bateleur Eagle as soon as we arrived in the Masai Mara. It was distant. All I could… read more
Lion - The Hall of Einar - photograph © David Bailey (not the) A Lion’s yawn shows its lingual frenulum This male Lion is having a bit of a yawn. I adore the wrinkles on its nose and its wavy,… read more
Elephants - The Hall of Einar - photograph © David Bailey (not the) Why Elephants love a dust bath Elephants love a dust bath. I'm sorry, but please don't scroll past the photograph above without giving that baby Elephant… read more
Pied Kingfisher - The Hall of Einar - photograph © David Bailey (not the) A male Pied Kingfisher There's a perched male Pied Kingfisher on a branch nearby here in the Masai Mara. They are large, impressive birds.… read more
Zebra - The Hall of Einar - photograph © David Bailey (not the) A fluffy young Zebra Seeing Zebras at a watering hole in the Masai Mara is a pleasure. It's dry work munching the parched vegetation… read more
Sundowner - The Hall of Einar - photograph © David Bailey (not the) Plunge pools, Superb Starlings and sundowners Here at Mara Ngenche Safari Camp the luxury is embarrassing. A beautiful two-room tent with outside shower and private plunge… read more
Green Woodhoopoe - The Hall of Einar - photograph © David Bailey (not the) The marvellous Green Woodhoopoe My safari guide Johnson has spotted the nest of a Green Woodhoopoe in a hole in a tree. I love… read more

Feel free to leave a Reply :)