Two millimetres above the apex of the tiled roof of my wooden hut a monster BANG! made me jump in my office chair where I was sitting, shortening my life according to longevity influencers. Buh-Liksem! That was LOUD!
It was the second-loudest thunderclap I’ve ever heard, I think. The loudest was in the Drakensberg near The Cavern many moons ago.
Some rain fell, the clouds parted, the sun shone and the birds started back up, saying, like me, What The Hell Was That? Hadedas, Trumpeter Hornbills, Lesser Honeyguide, Darkbacked Weaver, Scarlet-chested Sunbird, White-eyes and an African Green Pigeon:
Next day: An African Harrier Hawk – gymnogene – calling.
~~oo0oo~~
Another loud and close bang was in Hilltop Camp in Hluhluwe Game Reserve back in 2015.
~~oo0oo~~
Pigeon recording from xeno-canto.org, thanks!
Buh-liksem! – Day-amn! Shee-yit!
Skrik my dood (as they say)