Emerald-spotted Wood Dove Turtur chalcospilos Turtur is Latin for 'turtle dove' chalcospilos from Greek, khalkos, 'copper' and spilos 'spot'. Saddest call in the bushveld: My mother is dead, my father is dead, all my family are dead, and my heart goes du du du du du du du.

Bronze Mannikin Spermestes cucullata Spermestes from the Greek, sperma, 'seed' and estes-, 'eater'. cucullata is from the Latin for 'hooded'. Mannikin is from the Dutch for 'little man' and is also the root of mannequin. Little, hooded seed-eating man. Very apt. Such cute birds.

Red-crested Korhaan Lophotis ruficrista Lophotis from the Greek 'lophos' for crest and 'otis' for bustard. ruficrista is, unsurprisingly from the Latin : 'rufus' meaning red or ruddy and 'crista', crest.

Prof Peter Ryan, Director of FitzPatrick Ins has been awarded the Gill Memorial Medal. Read all about his award here: bit.ly/3OSvJzC Photo: Peter Ryan on Scott Island in the Ross Sea, Antarctica. Photo Credit: François Bernard Ostrich Journal of African Ornithology Claire Spottiswoode BirdLife South Africa 🇿🇦 @Birdlife

Southern Carmine Bee-eater Merops nubicoides Merops is Greek for 'bee-eater' nubicoides is 'resembling nubicus', the Latin form of Nubian, referring to the Northern CBe Carmine is the red pigment obtained from cochineal; why we were taught that red Smarties were made from beetles

I salute John Cooper in acknowledgement of the many sterling contributions in his career. He has not stopped working after retiring from UCT, and remains involved in several bird conservation projects. [email protected] #acap FitzPatrick Ins BirdLife South Africa 🇿🇦 acap.aq/latest-news/44…

Do not miss Carina Pienaar's talk about Southern Bald Ibis research and conservation on Tuesday 16 August. There's more information at birdlife.org.za/blsa-conversat… BirdLife South Africa 🇿🇦 BirdLife Africa BirdLife International

Lesser Masked Weaver Ploceus intermedius Ploceus from the Greek for a weaver, braider or plaiter. intermedius is given to species that lie between two others. In this case, I assume, between the Village and Southern Masked Weavers.

BirdLife International is 100 years' old! Read about this wonderful organisation's history and its many achievements at birdlife.org/birdlife100/. BirdLife South Africa 🇿🇦 is immensely proud to be the country partner of BirdLife. BirdLife International BirdLife Africa Interim BirdLife CEO; please see @martinBirdLife

We are on the hunt for fresh new talent - do you want to make a meaningful contribution to conservation? Do you meet the criteria for being our new rearing facility officer? Click here for the job ad: ow.ly/I9oi50KoHiO

We are so honoured to be featured in the Gataway magazine; showcasing our work but more importantly, the plight of Africa's vultures. Share the love for our work widely and lets use the rest of this month to continue spreading the awareness. getaway.co.za/travel/nature-…

Seeking a field assistant to come with me to the Kalahari to work on heat stress and cognition in pied babblers. Fieldwork starts from the end of October! 👇👇🐦☀️

📢The Global South Climate Database is live! After months of work, I am SO excited to share this resource! Please use this free, searchable database of climate experts from the global south to help elevate under-represented voices. #GSCD bit.ly/GSClimateDatab… 🧵 1/n

Call for papers: Special issue of Ostrich in memory of W. Richard J. Dean fitzpatrick.uct.ac.za/news/call-pape…

Birding Big Day, on 3 December this year, is South Africa's biggest annual birding event. There are details at birdlife.org.za/support-us/eve… BirdLife South Africa 🇿🇦