11 Feb 2015
Socotra starling (Onychognathus frater)
This is the only confirmed photograph of both sexes of the endemic species I got during my visit, as this is a couple (both sexes look the same, opposed to the…
11 Feb 2015
Socotra starling (Onychognathus frater)
A Socotra starling landing in the canopy of a dragon blood tree (Dracaena cinnabari) where large amounts of fruits await. Firhmin Forest is a forest of dragon…
11 Feb 2015
Socotra starling (Onychognathus frater)
A Socotra starling enjoying a mouthful of dragon blood tree (Dracaena cinnabari) fruit. Firhmin Forest is a forest of dragon blood trees, and within it a…
11 Feb 2015
Somali starling (Onychognathus blythii)
This is the male Somali starling - all-black opposed to the female. He's observing me from the branches of the endemic dragon blood tree (Dracaena cinnabari)…
6 Feb 2015
Belonogaster saussurei
During bloom the widespread shrub croton socotranus is an important food source for insects of all sizes. Here the paper wasp belonogaster saussurei is…
4 Feb 2015
Somali starling (Onychognathus blythii)
There are two species of starling found on Socotra, but only the Socotra starling (Onychognathus frater) is endemic. This is a female Somali starling, which…
4 Feb 2015
Somali starling (Onychognathus blythii)
This female Somali starling is in the middle of a morning preening and beauty session on the beautiful Shuab beach of Socotra. Ruffling the feathers and…
3 Feb 2015
Belonogaster saussurei
A beautiful specimen of Ochradenus socotranus, untouched by livestock due to its position high up a sheer cliff face. In the morning shade from the towering…
1 Feb 2015
Somali starling (Onychognathus blythii)
Around the cave by the beautiful Detwah lagoon I found a large group of Somali starlings. They were congregating on the rock face around the opening and they…