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Bokmakierie | Telophorus zeylonus
The Bokmakierie is a Southern African bird that belongs to the Malaconotidae bird family group which includes birds such as Bush-shrikes, Puffbacks, Tchagras, Boubous, Helment-shrikes, Batises, Wattle-eyes. The description for the Bokmakierie (Latin name Telophorus zeylonus) can be found in the 7th Edition of the Roberts Birds of Southern Africa. The Telophorus zeylonus can be quickly identified by its unique Roberts identification number of 746 and the detailed description of this bird is on page 700. You will find a picture of the Bokmakierie on page 721. NOTE: The reference for the information following is "Roberts Birds of Southern Africa", 7th Edition*. This edition contained a number of taxonomic changes as well as changes to English names used traditionally and in earlier editions of most bird books in South Africa. The following paragraph notes such changes if any. There have been no changes in the common name between the Roberts 6th and Roberts 7th Edition. There have been no changes in the Latin name for the Bokmakierie between the Roberts 6th and Roberts 7th Edition The Bokmakierie is known in Afrikaans as Bokmakierie. The Bokmakierie is near Endemic to the Southern African Region which means it is mainly found in this region but is not restricted here alone. The Telophorus zeylonus can be found in other parts of the world. The Bokmakierie has a height of 23 cms and weighs around 65 gms. The head is coloured yellow while the bill is coloured black. The Telophorus zeylonus has a yellow coloured throat, blue legs and a yellow coloured back. The eyes are brown. Take note of the main distinguishing features such as colour, size and leg length relative to the body size. Colours of body parts can be helpful. Be aware what may appear brown to one person is described in Roberts using some other word ... for example brown, black. See colours used in Roberts. Head is yellow Eyes are brown Bill is black Legs are blue Throat is yellow Back is yellow Feeding Habits ...This bird forages for food on the ground The Telophorus zeylonus attacks its prey aerially and feeds on wing or takes the prey to a secluded venue where it is killed, torn into small pieces and eaten This bird eats insects such as butterflies, bees, wasps, locusts and ants. These invertebrates are usually hawked aerially, killed and then eaten . Breeding, Habitat and Nesting Habits ...The Bokmakierie is a monogamous bird which means that the bird finds and breeds with one partner for the rest of its life. The bird lays between 2 to 5 eggs and they are coloured blue. The nest is built high up in the tree canopy and is protected from predators by branches and the dense green foligae. The bird is mainly found in the Savanna grasslands where it breeds and feeds. The bird is an urban dweller as well, being at home in parks, gardens and in old vacated buildings Seen in Flocks, Singles or Pairs Normally ...It is also seen in flocks |
