H3_W4_014

Date: 2018

Location: Chobe National Park, Botswana

Did you know?

Burchell's sandgrouse is a species of bird found in arid and semi-arid regions of southern Africa. It is a plump, pigeon-sized bird with a small head and short legs. The name of this bird commemorates William John Burchell, an English explorer, naturalist, traveller, artist, and author. His thousands of plant specimens, as well as field journals from his South African expedition, are held by Kew Gardens in London, and his insect collection is with the Oxford University Museum. He is well-known for his lengthy and accurate notes that accompanied every collected specimen, detailing habit and habitat, as well as the numerous drawings and paintings of landscapes, portraits, costumes, people, animals, and plants.

About the picture

This female Burchell’s Sandgrouse had walked up to a pond to quench its thirst. These sandgrouse are known to frequent areas of rough grass and scrub. I clicked this photo at Chobe National Park in 2018.

Fun Fact

William John Burchell has numerous animal species named in his honour – Burchell's Zebra, Burchell's Coucal, Burchell's Sandgrouse, Burchell’s Sand Lizard, and the Burchell's Courser. His surname, Burchell, also features in the latin name of the Eciton Army ant (Eciton burchellii).