There are an estimated 1.5 billion (plus) red-billed quelea in the world.
When I read about the passenger pigeon weighing down tree branches with their sheer numbers, I think of quelea--the only thing I can personally relate those historical references to. What a beast, what a sight.
Tens of thousands of red-billed queleas congregating at the quarry. This site is the only large surface water available in the area for several months.
Quelea masses are an awesome sight to behold, and I'm skeptical that still photographs do the scene justice. Will try to upload a video and provide a link here.
A few meters away from a meerkat family.
Around a house, bird bath.
Around a house, bird bath.
Around a house, bird bath. The close-up shot on a tree is a dazed melba finch who collided with a window, and then was set up in a tree to recover.
Non-breeding plumage.
Around a house, bird bath.
In a bird bath, set on ground.
Around a house, bird bath.
Males in non-breeding plumage.
Around a house, bird bath.
