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Michael Lund Markussen

@mlmarkussen.bsky.social
1.6K followers 790 following 982 posts

Traveller of East Africa, birder, amateur photographer, conservationist, coin collector, bookwyrm, local politician. All my pictures are my own.

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Michael Lund Markussen @mlmarkussen.bsky.social · 28/01/2026
Fischer's Lovebird Rødhovedet Dværgpapegøje Agapornis fischer #birds #birding #Kenya #photography #nature #naturephotography #wildlifephotography #wildlife #ornithology #birdphotography #animalphotography
Fischer’s Lovebird (Agapornis fischeri) 🦜💚

Native to East Africa, especially northern Tanzania, Fischer’s lovebirds are known for their strong pair bonds and lively personalities. They’re often seen sitting close together, preening one another, and moving as a pair — true to the name lovebird.

✨ Facts:

Bright green body with a yellow–orange face

Red beak and a distinctive blue rump

Highly social, active, and vocal

Live in flocks in the wild

Lifespan of 10–15 years (often longer in good care)

In the wild they inhabit savannas, open woodlands, and farmland, feeding on seeds, grasses, berries, and fruit.

Fun detail: males and females look alike — you can’t tell them apart just by appearance!

Small bird. Big personality. 💛Fischer’s Lovebird (Agapornis fischeri) 🦜💚

Native to East Africa, especially northern Tanzania, Fischer’s lovebirds are known for their strong pair bonds and lively personalities. They’re often seen sitting close together, preening one another, and moving as a pair — true to the name lovebird.

✨ Facts:

Bright green body with a yellow–orange face

Red beak and a distinctive blue rump

Highly social, active, and vocal

Live in flocks in the wild

Lifespan of 10–15 years (often longer in good care)

In the wild they inhabit savannas, open woodlands, and farmland, feeding on seeds, grasses, berries, and fruit.

Fun detail: males and females look alike — you can’t tell them apart just by appearance!

Small bird. Big personality. 💛
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Michael Lund Markussen @mlmarkussen.bsky.social · 23/01/2026
Green Wood Hoopoe Purpurskovhærfugl Phoeniculus purpureus #birds #birding #Kenya #photography #nature #naturephotography #wildlifephotography #wildlife #ornithology #birdphotography #animalphotography
Green Wood Hoopoe
Purpurskovhærfugl
Phoeniculus purpureusGreen Wood Hoopoe
Purpurskovhærfugl
Phoeniculus purpureus
0252
Michael Lund Markussen @mlmarkussen.bsky.social · 22/01/2026
Hildebrandt's Starling Masaiglansstær Lamprotornis hildebrandti #birds #birding #Kenya #photography #nature #naturephotography #wildlifephotography #wildlife #ornithology #birdphotography #animalphotography
Hildebrandt's Starling
Masaiglansstær
Lamprotornis hildebrandti 
One of East Africa’s most striking birds.
Its metallic blue-purple head, rich chestnut belly, and intense red eye make it truly unforgettable.

Found mainly in Kenya and Tanzania, Hildebrandt’s Starling inhabits open woodland and savanna, often seen calmly foraging on the ground or perched low in the shade.

A reminder that nature doesn’t need exaggeration — just good light and patience.
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Michael Lund Markussen @mlmarkussen.bsky.social · 21/01/2026
Ashy Starling Ensfarvert Glansstær Lamprotornis unicolor #birds #birding #Kenya #photography #nature #naturephotography #wildlifephotography #wildlife #ornithology #birdphotography #animalphotography
Ashy Starling
Ensfarvert Glansstær
Lamprotornis unicolor

Endemic to a small corner of northern Tanzania, the Ashy Starling is one of Tarangire’s true local specialties.
Unlike most starlings, it lacks iridescent colors. Instead, it wears a subtle ash-grey plumage that blends perfectly into the acacia savanna — understated, elegant, and easy to overlook.

Often seen in lively flocks, these birds forage on the ground for insects, seeds, and fallen fruit, their bright yellow eyes standing out against the muted tones of the landscape.

A reminder that not all beauty is loud — some of it belongs only to one place, and only to those who take the time to notice.
0223
Michael Lund Markussen @mlmarkussen.bsky.social · 20/01/2026
Grasshopper Buzzard Græshoppevåge Butastur rufipennis #birds #birding #Kenya #photography #nature #naturephotography #wildlifephotography #wildlife #ornithology #birdphotography #animalphotography
Grasshopper Buzzard
Græshoppevåge
Butastur rufipennis

Ever seen a raptor with golden eyes like this? 👀🦅
Meet the African Grasshopper Buzzard — a master hunter of the savanna, standing tall and scanning the land for its next meal.
Nature never stops amazing me.
0122
Michael Lund Markussen @mlmarkussen.bsky.social · 19/01/2026
Lilac-breasted Roller Lillabrystet Ellekrage Coracias caudatus #birds #birding #Kenya #photography #nature #naturephotography #wildlifephotography #wildlife #ornithology #birdphotography #animalphotography
0535
Michael Lund Markussen @mlmarkussen.bsky.social · 08/01/2026
Black-winged Kite Blå Glente Elanus caeruleus #birds #birding #Kenya #photography #nature #naturephotography #wildlifephotography #wildlife #ornithology #birdphotography #animalphotography
Black-winged Kite
Blå Glente
Elanus caeruleus

Perched calmly in Tsavo, Kenya — this small raptor may look delicate, but it’s a razor-sharp hunter, famous for its hovering flight and lightning-fast dives on rodents. Often seen at dawn and dusk, it’s one of Africa’s most graceful birds of prey.
1453
Michael Lund Markussen @mlmarkussen.bsky.social · 07/01/2026
Eastern Chanting Goshawk Somalisanghøg Melierax poliopterus #birds #birding #Kenya #photography #nature #naturephotography #wildlifephotography #wildlife #ornithology #birdphotography #animalphotography
Eastern Chanting Goshawk
Somalisanghøg
Melierax poliopterus

A sentinel of the African bush.
Perched high and fully exposed, the Eastern Chanting Goshawk surveys its territory with calm authority. Unlike many raptors that prefer cover, this species is often seen out in the open—watching, waiting, and occasionally announcing its presence with its distinctive, melodious call that gives it its name.

With its ash-grey plumage, barred underparts, and striking yellow legs and cere, it is both elegant and unmistakably predatory. From such vantage points it scans for lizards, small mammals, and birds, dropping down with sudden speed when the moment is right.

A true embodiment of patience and precision in the African landscape.
0231
Michael Lund Markussen @mlmarkussen.bsky.social · 06/01/2026
Wahlberg's Eagle Savanneørn Hieraaetus wahlbergi #birds #birding #Kenya #photography #nature #naturephotography #wildlifephotography #wildlife #ornithology #birdphotography #animalphotography
Wahlberg's Eagle
Savanneørn
Hieraaetus wahlbergi

A quiet sentinel of the African skies.
Wahlberg’s Eagle is one of Kenya’s elegant migrants — arriving with the rains, perching silently in woodland and savanna, often overlooked because of its calm, unobtrusive nature.

Uniform dark brown plumage, a keen eye, and a patient posture mark a hunter that relies more on precision than power. It may not shout for attention, but it commands respect — a reminder that true presence doesn’t need noise.
0522
Michael Lund Markussen @mlmarkussen.bsky.social · 06/01/2026
Lilac-breasted Roller Lillabrystet Ellekrage Coracias caudatus #birds #birding #Kenya #photography #nature #naturephotography #wildlifephotography #wildlife #ornithology #birdphotography #animalphotography
Lilac-breasted Roller
Lillabrystet Ellekrage
Coracias caudatus
One of Africa’s most iconic birds — and for good reason.
The lilac-breasted roller is a living palette of turquoise, violet, emerald and chestnut, perfectly at home on an open perch where it scans for insects before launching into swift, acrobatic flights.

Often called the most colourful bird in Africa, it is also Kenya’s national bird — a symbol of wild beauty and freedom.
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Michael Lund Markussen @mlmarkussen.bsky.social · 04/01/2026
Olive Bee-eater Madagaskar-biæder Merops superciliosus #birds #birding #Kenya #photography #nature #naturephotography #wildlifephotography #wildlife #ornithology #birdphotography #animalphotography
Olive Bee-eater
Madagaskar-biæder
Merops superciliosus 
Two Olive Bee-eaters sharing a quiet perch—elegant, alert, and always ready to launch after passing insects. Their subtle green tones, sharp bills, and graceful posture make them easy to overlook, but once noticed, they’re hard to forget.

A beautiful reminder that even the understated birds add richness to Africa’s skies. 🐦✨
0241
Michael Lund Markussen @mlmarkussen.bsky.social · 03/01/2026
Craig died this morning. Craig was born in January 1972 to Cassandra of the CB family. Craig had just turned 54 years old. He led a long life and no doubt fathered many calves. He died peacefully of natural causes. www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=1...
Craig died this morning. Beloved by many people but particularly by the local community with whom he shared his range, Craig was born in January 1972 to Cassandra of the CB family. We were never certain but we suspected that he had a twin sister, Cerise, who is the matriarch of the CB family today. Craig had just turned 54 years old. He led a long life and no doubt fathered many calves. Thanks to his many protectors he died peacefully of natural causes. Craig represented all that is wondrous about the Amboseli elephants.
050
Michael Lund Markussen @mlmarkussen.bsky.social · 02/01/2026
White-browed Coucal Hvidbrynet Sporegøg Centropus superciliosus
White-browed Coucal
Hvidbrynet Sporegøg
Centropus superciliosus
A striking and often overlooked bird of African scrub and woodland. Unlike most cuckoos, the White-browed Coucal prefers to move slowly through dense vegetation, hunting insects, small reptiles, and frogs. That deep chestnut wing and bold white eyebrow make it unmistakable once you spot it.

Nature rewards patience. 🪶🌿
2415
Michael Lund Markussen @mlmarkussen.bsky.social · 29/12/2025
Peregrine Falcon Vandrefalk Falco peregrinus #birds #birding #Kenya #photography #nature #naturephotography #wildlifephotography #wildlife #ornithology #birdphotography #animalphotography
Peregrine Falcon
Vandrefalk
Falco peregrinus 
Spotted at Ngutuni, Voi, Kenya — perched calmly, but always ready. This legendary raptor is the fastest animal on Earth, capable of reaching over 300 km/h in a hunting dive. From city skyscrapers to African savannahs, the peregrine is a master of adaptation and aerial dominance.

A moment of stillness from a bird built for motion.
0313
Michael Lund Markussen @mlmarkussen.bsky.social · 28/12/2025
Spotted Thick-knee Plettet triel Burhinus capensis #birds #birding #Kenya #photography #nature #naturephotography #wildlifephotography #wildlife #ornithology #birdphotography #animalphotography
Spotted Thick-knee
Plettet triel
Burhinus capensis
1361
Michael Lund Markussen @mlmarkussen.bsky.social · 23/12/2025
Village Indigobird Atlasfinke Vidua chalybeata #birds #birding #Kenya #photography #nature #naturephotography #wildlifephotography #wildlife #ornithology #birdphotography #animalphotography
Village Indigobird
Atlasfinke
Vidua chalybeata
✨ A small bird with a big story ✨
This is the Village Indigobird (Vidua chalybeata), photographed on the red soils of Tsavo, Kenya 🇰🇪
With its glossy, almost metallic black plumage, it may look modest at first glance—but this species is one of nature’s most clever tricksters, famous for letting other birds raise its chicks.
African birdlife never fails to surprise 🐦

📍 Tsavo, Kenya
👍 Like & share if you love discovering the hidden stories behind wildlife!
0131
Michael Lund Markussen @mlmarkussen.bsky.social · 23/12/2025
Water Thick-knee Vandtriel Burhinus vermiculatus #birds #birding #Kenya #photography #nature #naturephotography #wildlifephotography #wildlife #ornithology #birdphotography #animalphotography
Water Thick-knee / Vandtriel
Burhinus vermiculatus

A master of camouflage on the African riverbanks. With its huge yellow eyes and long, slender legs, the Water Thick-knee often freezes in place, trusting its mottled plumage to blend perfectly into sand and stone. Mostly active at dusk and night, it’s a bird you’re more likely to notice before you truly see it.

One of those quiet, watchful species that rewards patience—and a reminder of how subtle and beautiful wildlife can be when it chooses stillness over spectacle.
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Michael Lund Markussen @mlmarkussen.bsky.social · 21/12/2025
Eastern Paradise-Whydah Paradisenke Vidua paradisaea #birds #birding #Kenya #photography #nature #naturephotography #wildlifephotography #wildlife #ornithology #birdphotography #animalphotography
Eastern Paradise-Whydah
Paradisenke
Vidua paradisaea
0191
Michael Lund Markussen @mlmarkussen.bsky.social · 20/12/2025
Black-headed Weaver Sorthovedet Væver Ploceus melanocephalus #birds #birding #Kenya #photography #nature #naturephotography #wildlifephotography #wildlife #ornithology #birdphotography #animalphotography
Black-headed Weaver
Sorthovedet Væver
Ploceus melanocephalus
0181
Michael Lund Markussen @mlmarkussen.bsky.social · 19/12/2025
Northern Red-billed Hornbill Rødnæbbet Toko Tockus erythrorhynchus #birds #birding #Kenya #photography #nature #naturephotography #wildlifephotography #wildlife #ornithology #birdphotography #animalphotography
Northern Red-billed Hornbill
Rødnæbbet Toko
Tockus erythrorhynchus
0212
Michael Lund Markussen @mlmarkussen.bsky.social · 18/12/2025
Red-and-yellow Barbet Pragtperleskægfugl Trachyphonus erythrocephalus #birds #birding #Kenya #photography #nature #naturephotography #wildlifephotography #wildlife #ornithology #birdphotography #animalphotography
Red-and-yellow Barbet
Pragtperleskægfugl
Trachyphonus erythrocephalus
0132
Michael Lund Markussen @mlmarkussen.bsky.social · 16/12/2025
White Stork Hvid Stork Ciconia ciconia #birds #birding #Kenya #photography #nature #naturephotography #wildlifephotography #wildlife #ornithology #birdphotography #animalphotography
White Stork
Hvid Stork
Ciconia ciconia
0182
Michael Lund Markussen @mlmarkussen.bsky.social · 15/12/2025
Isabelline Wheatear Isabellastenpikker Oenanthe isabellina #birds #birding #Kenya #photography #nature #naturephotography #wildlifephotography #wildlife #ornithology #birdphotography #animalphotography
Isabelline Wheatear
Isabellastenpikker
Oenanthe isabellina
0202
Michael Lund Markussen @mlmarkussen.bsky.social · 13/12/2025
Long-crested Eagle Topørn Lophaetus occipitalis #birds #birding #Kenya #photography #nature #naturephotography #wildlifephotography #wildlife #ornithology #birdphotography #animalphotography
Long-crested Eagle
Topørn
Lophaetus occipitalis
0141
Michael Lund Markussen @mlmarkussen.bsky.social · 12/12/2025
Broad-billed Roller Brednæbbet Ellekrage Eurystomus glaucurus #birds #birding #Kenya #photography #nature #naturephotography #wildlifephotography #wildlife #ornithology #birdphotography #animalphotography
0162
Michael Lund Markussen @mlmarkussen.bsky.social · 11/12/2025
Red-naped Bushshrike Sodbrun Busktornskade Laniarius ruficeps #birds #birding #Kenya #photography #nature #naturephotography #wildlifephotography #wildlife #ornithology #birdphotography #animalphotography
Red-naped Bushshrike
Sodbrun Busktornskade
Laniarius ruficeps
0111
Michael Lund Markussen @mlmarkussen.bsky.social · 11/12/2025
European Roller Ellekrage Coracias garrulus #birds #birding #Kenya #photography #nature #naturephotography #wildlifephotography #wildlife #ornithology #birdphotography #animalphotography
European Roller
Ellekrage
Coracias garrulus European Roller
Ellekrage
Coracias garrulus European Roller
Ellekrage
Coracias garrulus
0201
Michael Lund Markussen @mlmarkussen.bsky.social · 10/12/2025
Augur Buzzard Augurvåge Buteo augur #birds #birding #Kenya #photography #nature #naturephotography #wildlifephotography #wildlife #ornithology #birdphotography #animalphotography
Augur Buzzard
Augurvåge
Buteo augur
0171
Michael Lund Markussen @mlmarkussen.bsky.social · 09/12/2025
African Woolly-necked Stork Afrikansk uldhalsstork Ciconia microscelis #birds #birding #Kenya #photography #nature #naturephotography #wildlifephotography #wildlife #ornithology #birdphotography #animalphotography
African Woolly-necked Stork
Afrikansk uldhalsstork
Ciconia microscelis
0191
Michael Lund Markussen @mlmarkussen.bsky.social · 02/12/2025
Superb staring at the breakfast table
031
Michael Lund Markussen @mlmarkussen.bsky.social · 23/11/2025
Common buttonquail Europæisk løbehøne Turnix sylvaticus
Common buttonquail
Europæisk løbehøne
Turnix sylvaticus
081
Michael Lund Markussen @mlmarkussen.bsky.social · 23/11/2025
Eurppean roller Ellekrage Coracias garrulus
Eurppean roller
Ellekrage
Coracias garrulus
061
Michael Lund Markussen @mlmarkussen.bsky.social · 23/11/2025
Golden pipit Guldpiber Tmetothylacus tenellus
Golden pipit
Guldpiber
Tmetothylacus tenellus
061
Michael Lund Markussen @mlmarkussen.bsky.social · 12/11/2025
African Harrier-Hawk Afrikansk Klatrehøg Polyboroides typus #birds #birding #Kenya #photography #nature #naturephotography #wildlifephotography #wildlife #ornithology #birdphotography #animalphotography
African Harrier-Hawk
Afrikansk Klatrehøg
Polyboroides typus
0222
Michael Lund Markussen @mlmarkussen.bsky.social · 11/11/2025
Broad-billed Roller Brednæbbet Ellekrage Eurystomus glaucurus #birds #birding #Kenya #photography #nature #naturephotography #wildlifephotography #wildlife #ornithology #birdphotography #animalphotography
Broad-billed Roller
Brednæbbet Ellekrage
Eurystomus glaucurus
0385
Michael Lund Markussen @mlmarkussen.bsky.social · 03/11/2025
Woodland Kingfisher Skovisfugl Halcyon senegalensis #birds #birding #Kenya #photography #nature #naturephotography #wildlifephotography #wildlife #ornithology #birdphotography #animalphotography
Woodland Kingfisher
Skovisfugl
Halcyon senegalensis
0333
Michael Lund Markussen @mlmarkussen.bsky.social · 25/10/2025
Little Bee-eater Dværgbiæder Merops pusillus #birds #birding #Kenya #photography #nature #naturephotography #wildlifephotography #wildlife #ornithology #birdphotography #animalphotography
Little Bee-eater
Dværgbiæder
Merops pusillus
1252
Michael Lund Markussen @mlmarkussen.bsky.social · 24/10/2025
Malachite Kingfisher Malakitisfugl Corythornis cristatus #birds #birding #Kenya #photography #nature #naturephotography #wildlifephotography #wildlife #ornithology #birdphotography #animalphotography
Malachite Kingfisher
Malakitisfugl
Corythornis cristatus
1504
Michael Lund Markussen @mlmarkussen.bsky.social · 23/10/2025
Sacred Ibis Hellig Ibis Threskiornis aethiopicus #birds #birding #Kenya #photography #nature #naturephotography #wildlifephotography #wildlife #ornithology #birdphotography #animalphotography
Sacred Ibis
Hellig Ibis
Threskiornis aethiopicus
0304
Michael Lund Markussen @mlmarkussen.bsky.social · 22/10/2025
Lilac-breasted Roller Lillabrystet Ellekrage Coracias caudatus #birds #birding #Kenya #photography #nature #naturephotography #wildlifephotography #wildlife #ornithology #birdphotography #animalphotography
Lilac-breasted Roller
Lillabrystet Ellekrage
Coracias caudatus
0231
Michael Lund Markussen @mlmarkussen.bsky.social · 20/10/2025
Lilac-breasted Roller Lillabrystet Ellekrage Coracias caudatus #birds #birding #Kenya #photography #nature #naturephotography #wildlifephotography #wildlife #ornithology #birdphotography #animalphotography
Lilac-breasted Roller
Lillabrystet Ellekrage
Coracias caudatus
592236268
Michael Lund Markussen @mlmarkussen.bsky.social · 18/10/2025
Hunter's Cisticola Kilimanjarocisticola Cisticola hunteri #birds #birding #Kenya #photography #nature #naturephotography #wildlifephotography #wildlife #ornithology #birdphotography #animalphotography
Hunter's Cisticola
Kilimanjarocisticola
Cisticola hunteri
0345
Michael Lund Markussen @mlmarkussen.bsky.social · 16/10/2025
White-eyed Slaty-Flycatcher Brillefluesnapper Melaenornis fischeri #birds #birding #Kenya #photography #nature #naturephotography #wildlifephotography #wildlife #ornithology #birdphotography #animalphotography
White-eyed Slaty-Flycatcher
Brillefluesnapper
Melaenornis fischeri
1414
Michael Lund Markussen @mlmarkussen.bsky.social · 15/10/2025
Hunter's Cisticola Kilimanjarocisticola Cisticola hunteri #birds #birding #Kenya #photography #nature #naturephotography #wildlifephotography #wildlife #ornithology #birdphotography #animalphotography
Hunter's Cisticola
Kilimanjarocisticola
Cisticola hunteri
2777
Michael Lund Markussen @mlmarkussen.bsky.social · 14/10/2025
Pygmy Falcon Afrikansk Pygmæfalk Polihierax semitorquatus #birds #birding #Kenya #photography #nature #naturephotography #wildlifephotography #wildlife #ornithology #birdphotography #animalphotography
Pygmy Falcon
Afrikansk Pygmæfalk
Polihierax semitorquatus
0142
Michael Lund Markussen @mlmarkussen.bsky.social · 13/10/2025
Golden-winged Sunbird Gyldenvinget Solfugl Drepanorhynchus reichenowi #birds #birding #Kenya #photography #nature #naturephotography #wildlifephotography #wildlife #ornithology #birdphotography #animalphotography
Golden-winged Sunbird
Gyldenvinget Solfugl
Drepanorhynchus reichenowi
0391
Michael Lund Markussen @mlmarkussen.bsky.social · 10/10/2025
Cape Robin-chat Kapdrosselsanger Cossypha caffra #birds #birding #Kenya #photography #nature #naturephotography #wildlifephotography #wildlife #ornithology #birdphotography #animalphotography
Cape Robin-chat
Kapdrosselsanger
Cossypha caffra
0181
Michael Lund Markussen @mlmarkussen.bsky.social · 08/10/2025
Lilac-breasted Roller Lillabrystet Ellekrage Coracias caudatus #birds #birding #Kenya #photography #nature #naturephotography #wildlifephotography #wildlife #ornithology #birdphotography #animalphotography
Lilac-breasted Roller
Lillabrystet Ellekrage
Coracias caudatus
1403
Michael Lund Markussen @mlmarkussen.bsky.social · 06/10/2025
African Woolly-necked Stork Afrikansk uldhalsstork Ciconia microscelis #birds #birding #Kenya #photography #nature #naturephotography #wildlifephotography #wildlife #ornithology #birdphotography #animalphotography
African Woolly-necked Stork 
Afrikansk uldhalsstork
Ciconia microscelis
0314
Michael Lund Markussen @mlmarkussen.bsky.social · 05/10/2025
Helmeted Guineafowl Perlehøne Numida meleagris #birds #birding #Kenya #photography #nature #naturephotography #wildlifephotography #wildlife #ornithology #birdphotography #animalphotography
Helmeted Guineafowl
Perlehøne
Numida meleagris
1281