Cape Town Guinea Fowl

[Gill-b]

Oscar the Ostrich in 2018, early in the morning, snapped quickly while on route to my parents house...

The big arrow on the left is pointing to Oscar; the big arrow on the right is pointing to two of Oscar's girls; the small arrow on the right is pointing to the electrical power-line pole and power-lines where our neighbourhood Guineas roost at night; and the small arrow on the left is pointing to the tree which I have mentioned before where the crows roost at night. (Link to the post in this thread where the tree in mentioned.)

Another quick snap of Oscar while driving past on another early morning.

 

[Gill-b]

We got our first predicted snow weather report for South Africa today, with lots of heavy rain predicted for the Western Cape province over the coming weekend. Brrrrrr!

 

[Gill-b]

Cold and with mist in the play park.

 

[Gill-b]

This morning I happened to see, out of the corner of my eye, a Guinea about to fly onto my yard wall and so as quickly as I could I took photographs of it doing so. Here are the interesting results...

The shape of the Guinea flying up reminded me of something so I did this... (see next post)...

 

[Gill-b]

"Guinea ready for formation."

"Formation is a Go! Smoke is a Go."

"Wico. Roger. Roger."

The Guineas here sure know how to fly!

 

[kikiruru]

"Guinea ready for formation."
View attachment 4148023

"Formation is a Go! Smoke is a Go."
View attachment 4148024

"Wico. Roger. Roger."
View attachment 4148025

The Guineas here sure know how to fly!

They look like the US Navy blue angels

 

[BDutch]

Thank Gill-b for sharing some of your wildlife birds behaviour, the beautiful photo’s and gif’s. Great images and shorts/gifs of the ‘poulepetaten’ as my mother used to call the guineafowl.

And thanks for the unmeant tip to make my own gifs to post on BYC. I didn’t know before I can post these directly on BYC with the drop image or photo tool . With the tool ‘shortcut app’ I can easily make gifs from short videos on my iPhone to upload. Larger gifs are not allowed. https://geekchamp.com/how-to-turn-a-video-into-a-gif-on-iphone-2/

A real fun chicken I had (Grafy) on the swinging branche.

 

[Gill-b]

It seems that a big young male has 'taken over' the flock and by doing so has disrupted the usual tranquil behaviour of my visiting Guinea Fowl. They are all skittish, and this new bully of a male chases the members rather than stands protective watch over them.

I am quite dispirited by this as the Guineas no longer make sweet chirping noises while visiting with me, rather there is an anxious feeling which transfers itself to my own mood.

Poor Two-toes is no longer the confident guardian of his family, but a nervous wreck. Hop-a-long's leg appears to be hurting him more from trying to escape the bullying. Fortunately Hop-a-long is very quick to learn and he comes into my garden where I can control who may fly in over the fence. The bully is not invited!

This has been going on for a few weeks. I had hoped that things would settle down and return to a harmonious state, but with spring and the breeding season approaching, the young male's bullying seems to be escalating.

Interesting to watch nature at work.