30-3-2018 KYNSNA, SOUTH AFRICA - GREY HERON (Ardea cinerea)

Grey Herons are unmistakeable – tall, with long legs, a long beak and grey, black and white feathering. They can stand with their neck stretched out, looking for food, or hunched down with their neck bent over their chest.

The Grey Heron is a distinctive species with grey, black, and white plumage. It is often seen along rivers or lake margins, or standing in flooded fields.

In flight their large size, impressive wingspan, long legs, and folded neck give them an unmistakable silhouette. Largely silent away from colonies, flight is sometimes accompanied by a harsh ‘kraank’ call.

Grey Herons gather to nest in treetop sites called heronries, some of which have been occupied for many decades. These have been monitored in the UK since 1928 through the Heronries Census. Overall the UK's breeding population has increased, with numbers peaking in the early 2000, but with some more recent declines.

The Grey Heron (Ardea cinerea) is a statuesque wading bird belonging to the family Ardeidae. It is a familiar sight in both rural and urban settings, often seen standing stoically along the water's edge. An adult Grey Heron is a large bird, reaching up to 100 cm in height, with a wingspan between 155 to 195 cm. It weighs between 1 to 2 kg. The plumage is predominantly ashy-grey above, with a greyish-white underbelly and some black on the flanks. A striking feature is the white head and neck adorned with a broad black stripe that extends from the eye to the black crest. The beak is pinkish-yellow, long, and sharply pointed, while the legs are a brown hue.

29-3-2018 OUDTSCHOORN, SOUTH AFRICA - SOUTHERN DOUBLE COLLARED SUNBIRD (Cinnyris afer)

The greater double-collared sunbird, Cinnyris afer, is a small and vibrant member of the sunbird family. This species exhibits a striking sexual dimorphism. The male is adorned with a glossy, metallic green head, throat, upper breast, and back. A brilliant red band, edged with a narrow metallic blue stripe, graces his chest. The rest of his underparts are a pale grey. When in display, one may observe yellow tufts on his shoulders. The female, in contrast, is clad in more subdued tones of pale grey, with darker wings. Both sexes possess a long, decurved bill, black in color, matching their legs and feet, and dark brown eyes.

To identify the greater double-collared sunbird, look for the male's broad red chest band and the distinctive blue band above it. The female is less colorful but can be recognized by her grey plumage and darker wings. The species can be distinguished from the similar lesser double-collared sunbird by the male's larger size, wider red chest band, and longer bill.

The greater double-collared sunbird is commonly found in gardens, fynbos, forest edges, and coastal scrub across southern South Africa.

This sunbird is mainly resident but partly migratory in the northeastern parts of its range within southern South Africa.

The greater double-collared sunbird is typically observed alone or in pairs. It exhibits a fast and direct flight on its short wings.

The call of this sunbird is a hard "chut-chut-chut," while its song is a high-pitched jumble of tweets and twitters, richer than that of its lesser double-collared counterpart. Additionally, it produces a shrill whistle and click, sounding like "wrew wrew wrew ch ch."

Breeding occurs throughout the year, peaking from July to November. The sunbird constructs a closed oval nest from grass, lichen, and other plant materials, all bound together with spider webs. The nest features a side entrance, occasionally adorned with a porch, and is lined with soft feathers.

The diet of the greater double-collared sunbird primarily consists of nectar from flowers. It also consumes fruit and, particularly when feeding young, insects and spiders. It has a unique habit of hovering in front of webs to pluck spiders and can hover like a hummingbird to feed on nectar, though it typically perches to do so.

The IUCN has classified the greater double-collared sunbird as Least Concern, indicating a stable population without significant threats to its survival.

30-3-2018 OUDTSCHOORN, SOUTH AFRICA - AFRICAN HOOPOE (Upupa epops ssp. africana)

The African hoopoe (Upupa africana) is a species of hoopoe in the family Upupidae. Previously considered as a subspecies (Upupa epops africana) of the Eurasian hoopoe, it is a resident species of southern Africa.

The African hoopoe has the average size of 25 to 29 cm (9.8 to 11.4 in), with a wingspan between 44 and 48 cm (17 and 19 in).[4] The weight is between 38 and 67 g when fully grown. This is about the size of the average American robin. African hoopoes have a crest which is chestnut coloured with black on the tips. It is raised when the bird has been startled or disturbed, especially when eating. No eyerings or eye-stripes are present, but the bill is long, dark and narrow and slightly down curved. The male is typically fully chestnut colored, whereas the female has a grayer body. Both males and females have black and white stripes on their wings and tail which are rounded. This black and white striped pattern leads to a V-formation on their backs. Juveniles are similar in appearance to females except that they have a shorter beak. In adults, the beak is about the same size as the head.

When these birds are in flight, they flap between 4 and 5 beats, then pause in which their body drops, and then continue to beat their wings 4 to 5 times. When in the air, you'll notice the same black and white striping on the wings and tail on their underside as when they are perched.

The African hoopoe differs from the Eurasian hoopoe in having plumage which is deep rufous rather than pale sandy buff.

The African hoopoes most common call is very distinctive "oop-oop" or "oop-oop-oop". This will be repeated after a pause. This call is only made by males and is usually used during the mating season. Besides the "oop" call, the male will also produce a “swizzling” sound: “swizzle-swizzle-swizzle”. When not in mating season, these birds are more silent but still have some sounds such as the “rattle” and “huk”. These sounds are used more often when the bird has been disturbed and is used by both the males and females. Lastly, a sound: "choorie, choorie, choorie" is used by males when he gives food to the female during the mating season.

The African hoopoe is widely distributed throughout southern Africa from Central Democratic Republic of Congo across to central Kenya and all the way south to the Cape of Good Hope. A list of countries where the African hoopoe is commonly seen is as follows: South Africa, Lesotho, Eswatini, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Angola, Zambia, Malawi, Tanzania, Kenya and the southern half of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Unlike the Eurasian hoopoe that often migrates, the African hoopoe is usually resident but may make short-distance movements.

The species prefers open and bushy areas, including thornveld, a landscape with mostly thorny bush and trees, and riverine woodlands in dry areas. It inhabits broadleaf forests and savannah.

Only a limited amount of research has been carried out on the African hoopoe, but it appears to be similar in behaviour to the Eurasian hoopoe, although it occupies a different ecological niche. The biggest threat predatorily are raptor species which include hawks and eagles.

African hoopoes eat mainly insects. These include Coleoptera, which are beetles, Dermaptera (earwigs) and Orthoptera, grasshoppers, locusts and crickets. Besides these, small reptiles have been found to be fed to chicks as well as worms, slugs, and small snakes. Small seeds and berries may even be eaten. To find the insects, the African Hoopoe uses its long beak to penetrate the soil and then may whack the insect or prey onto the ground to break it up into smaller pieces. They prefer to do this in shorter grass. Unlike the rest of the year, African hoopoes maintain a specific territory throughout the breeding season in which they feed.

The African hoopoa bird is monogamous. The mating season begins in mid April where the male seeks out a female and offers her small pieces of food. Breeding occurs later in August. The African hoopoe does not make its own nest but rather finds a nest hole that is just slightly larger than its body. The nest hole is probably chosen by the male. The nests are located from ground level up to a maximum of about eight meters above the ground. The clutch varies between four and seven eggs which are laid at one or two day intervals. The eggs are smooth and blue-green when freshly laid but with age they become rougher and the colour fades. Only the female incubates the eggs which hatch after 14 and 16 days. The chicks are fed mostly by the male until close to their fledging date when the female and male share the responsibilities. The chicks fledge after between 26 and 32 days. These birds are double brooded and have two sets of chicks per year. The breeding season ends in December. The greater honeyguide may use the nests of African hoopoes to lay their own eggs making them brood parasites.

25-3-2018 TABLE MOUNTAIN AVIARY, CAPE TOWN - SOUTHERN GROUND HORNBILL (Bucorvus leadbeateri)

The Southern Ground Hornbill (Bucorvus leadbeateri), formerly known as Bucorvus cafer, is a remarkable bird, the largest in the hornbill order and found exclusively within Africa. This majestic creature, with a length ranging from 90 to 129 cm and a wingspan of 1.2 to 1.8 meters, is a sight to behold. The males, larger than the females, can weigh between 3.5 to 6.2 kilograms, while females range from 2.2 to 4.6 kilograms. They are predominantly black with striking red patches of bare skin on the face and throat, which serve to keep dust from their eyes while foraging. In flight, the white tips of their wings are distinctly visible. The beak is robust, black, and slightly curved, with a casque more pronounced in males. Females are identified by their violet-blue throat skin, while juveniles have a paler, greyish patch instead of the vibrant red.

To identify the Southern Ground Hornbill, look for its large size, black plumage, and the vivid red or violet-blue skin on the throat. The male's throat is a pure red, while the female's is deep violet-blue. Juveniles can be recognized by their duller grey throat patch. In flight, the white primary feathers are a key distinguishing feature.

The Southern Ground Hornbill is found in woodlands and savannas, requiring a habitat with large trees for nesting and short grass for foraging.

This species ranges from Kenya to South Africa, with its presence also noted in northern Namibia and Angola to southern Zimbabwe and Burundi.

Living in groups of 5 to 10, these birds are apex predators and play a crucial ecological role. They forage on the ground, hunting a variety of prey from insects to small mammals. They are known for their loud, chorus-like calls that can be heard over great distances, serving as a means of maintaining their territory.

The Southern Ground Hornbill's calls are a distinctive aspect of their behavior, used for communication and territorial purposes. These calls can be heard up to 3 kilometers away.

Breeding pairs are assisted by at least two other birds, and experience as helpers is essential for successful rearing of young. They reach sexual maturity around 4-6 years of age and start breeding at about 10 years. Nesting typically occurs in high tree cavities or cliff face rock holes. They lay one to three eggs, but only one chick is usually reared to fledging.

The Abyssinian Ground Hornbill (B. abyssinicus) is similar but can be distinguished by its size and range.

Southern Ground Hornbills are carnivorous, feeding on reptiles, frogs, snails, insects, and mammals up to the size of hares. They forage on the ground and rarely drink water.

The IUCN lists the Southern Ground Hornbill as Vulnerable globally, with an Endangered status in South Africa, Lesotho, Namibia, and Eswatini. Their numbers are declining due to habitat destruction, persecution, and other factors. Conservation efforts include habitat preservation and captive breeding programs.

25-3-2018 TABLE MOUNTAIN AVIARY, CAPE TOWN - SOUTHERN BALD IBIS (Geronticus calvis)

The Southern Bald Ibis, Geronticus calvus, is a striking bird endemic to the highlands of southern Africa. This large, glossy ibis is adorned with iridescent plumage of blue-black, with hints of green, violet, and bronze. The species is distinguished by its unfeathered red face and head, reminiscent of a "bald, old man," and a long, decurved red bill. The neck is graced with elongated feathers of a blue-green hue, while adults boast coppery shoulders. Juveniles, however, present a more subdued grey plumage.

To identify the Southern Bald Ibis, look for its bare, wrinkled head with a prominent red, dome-shaped crown. The bird's down-curved, red bill and legs, along with orange-red eyes, are key features. Adult plumage shimmers with iridescent streaks, while juveniles are more uniformly grey.

This species favors mountainous grasslands, known as 'sour' for their low nutritional value, at altitudes between 1,200 and 2,000 meters. They are cliff-nesters, breeding on open ledges of mountain faces, river gorges, and occasionally near waterfalls.

The Southern Bald Ibis has a very restricted range, primarily confined to the eastern regions of South Africa, extending into the highlands of Lesotho and Eswatini. The total breeding population in South Africa is estimated at around 4,600 birds.

These ibises are gregarious, feeding and roosting in substantial groups, sometimes numbering up to 100 individuals. They are known to travel together to foraging areas and exhibit a fast-walk feeding technique.

The Southern Bald Ibis is relatively quiet, occasionally emitting a weak gobbling sound. In flight and near nesting areas, it may produce a high-pitched keeaaw-klaup-klaup call, reminiscent of a turkey.

Breeding occurs predominantly in colonies on cliff ledges, with females laying eggs from late July to mid-October. The nests, constructed from sticks and grass, host eggs that incubate for 26 to 32 days. Chicks fledge after 40 to 50 days but remain near the nest for some time.

The Southern Bald Ibis can be confused with other ibis species, but its unfeathered red face and head, along with its cliff-nesting habit, set it apart.

An insectivorous bird, the Southern Bald Ibis forages in burnt grasslands, harvested maize fields, and overgrazed pastures. Its diet includes caterpillars, grasshoppers, beetles, earthworms, snails, and occasionally small vertebrates.

 

Listed as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, the Southern Bald Ibis faces threats from human disturbance and habitat degradation. While not in immediate danger of extinction, conservation efforts are crucial, particularly on privately owned lands where most breeding sites are located.

25-3-2018 HERMANUS, SOUTH AFRICA - SPECKLED PIGEON (Columba guinea)

The Speckled Pigeon, known scientifically as Columba guinea, is a robust avian resident of Africa, south of the Sahara. This species is often seen in open habitats and is recognized by its rufous back and wings, which are adorned with a multitude of white speckles. The pigeon's head is a subtle grey, accented with striking red patches encircling the eyes, while the neck displays a brownish hue interlaced with white streaks. The legs of this bird are a vivid red, adding a dash of color to its otherwise muted blue-grey plumage. Both sexes appear similar, with the immature birds presenting a browner plumage and lacking the distinctive red eye patches.

When identifying the Speckled Pigeon, look for its large size, measuring at 41 cm in length. The white speckles on the rufous wings are a key feature, along with the red eye patches in adults. The bird's flight is characterized by quick, regular beats interspersed with occasional sharp flicks of the wings, typical of pigeons.

This pigeon favors open habitats and is commonly found in proximity to human settlements and cultivated lands.

The Speckled Pigeon boasts a widespread presence across much of Africa, though its distribution does exhibit significant gaps. It is a resident breeder in the region, ensuring its regular sighting throughout the year.

25-3-2018 TABLE MOUNTAIN AVIARY, CAPE TOWN - NILGIRI WOOD PIGEON (Columba elphinstonii)

30-3-2018 KYNSNA, SOUTH AFRICA - BLACKSMITH LAPWING (Vanellus armatus)

The Blacksmith Lapwing, known scientifically as Vanellus armatus, is a striking bird with a bold pattern of black, grey, and white, which may serve as a warning to predators. Its red eyes are a distinctive feature, shared with only four other lapwing species across the globe. Adorning the wrist joint is a carpal spur, a sharp black protrusion used in defense of their young, with aggressive aerial dives often aimed at the heads of intruders.

When identifying the Blacksmith Lapwing, look for its red eyes and the contrasting pied plumage. The bill and portions of the legs are black, with the legs sometimes showing a white-grey mottling. The sexes appear similar, though females tend to be slightly larger and heavier.

The Blacksmith Lapwing is a common sight from Kenya through central Tanzania to southern and southwestern Africa. They have expanded their range in the 20th century, notably establishing a presence in the western Cape region of South Africa since the 1930s.

Partially migratory, the Blacksmith Lapwing does not engage in large-scale, regular migrations. They are known to be aggressive during the breeding season, particularly towards other lapwings or African jacanas entering their territory.

This lapwing species is commonly found in association with wetlands of varying sizes, from expansive marshes to the smallest damp areas caused by spilling water troughs. In South Africa, they are particularly abundant in mesic grassland regions.

Breeding occurs in spring, with nests being shallow depressions on bare ground or short grass near water. The nests are typically spaced at least 400 meters apart. After breeding, the young gradually separate from their parents and do not return to their natal areas.

The diet of the Blacksmith Lapwing consists of aquatic and terrestrial invertebrates, which they forage for in their wetland habitats.

The IUCN Red List classifies the Blacksmith Lapwing as Least Concern, indicating that the species does not currently face a significant risk of extinction.

29-3-2018 OUDTSCHOORN, SOUTH AFRICA - SOUTHERN MALACHITE SUNBIRD (Nectarinia famosa ssp.famosa)

The Malachite Sunbird, Nectarinia famosa, is a small, nectarivorous bird adorned with a dazzling metallic green plumage during the breeding season. Males are particularly striking with their long central tail feathers, reaching a length of 25 cm, while females are more modest at 15 cm with a shorter tail. The male's non-breeding plumage is a more subdued brown with green wings and tail, the latter retaining its elongated feathers. Females have brown upperparts and dull yellow underparts, with a square-ended tail and juvenile birds resembling the female.

In breeding plumage, the male Malachite Sunbird is unmistakable with its iridescent green body and elongated tail feathers. The wings are blackish-green with small yellow pectoral patches. Females and non-breeding males can be identified by their yellow underparts, flecked with green, and the characteristic down-curved bill and brush-tipped tubular tongue of sunbirds.

The Malachite Sunbird is found in a variety of habitats including hilly fynbos, protea stands, aloes, montane and coastal scrub, and even urban parks and gardens. It thrives up to 2,800m altitude in South Africa and is known to move to lower elevations during winter.

This species ranges from the highlands of Ethiopia, southwards to South Africa, with subspecies N. f. famosa mainly in South Africa, Lesotho, western Eswatini, southern Namibia, and Zimbabwe, and N. f. cupreonitens in the highlands from Ethiopia to northern Mozambique.

The Malachite Sunbird is monogamous and territorial, especially when nesting. It can be aggressive in defending its territory but becomes highly gregarious outside the breeding season, forming flocks of over a thousand birds. It feeds mainly on nectar but will also consume insects, particularly when feeding young.

The call of the Malachite Sunbird is a loud 'tseep-tseep'. The male's song is a twittering melody, often performed with an upward head point and display of yellow pectoral tufts. Males also engage in an elaborate display flight and have been observed displaying their pectoral tufts throughout the night, possibly as a predator deterrent.

The Malachite Sunbird is known to be double-brooded, with the female incubating one to three greenish eggs, blotched with dark marks, for two weeks. Both parents feed the chicks, which return to the nest to roost for a time after fledging. The species may be parasitized by Klaas's Cuckoo or Red-chested Cuckoo.

The Malachite Sunbird can be confused with other sunbird species, but its size, long tail feathers in males, and distinctive breeding plumage set it apart. The Green Sugarbird is also similar but belongs to a different genus.

The diet consists mainly of nectar from a variety of flowering plants, particularly those with long corolla tubes such as aloes and proteas. It also consumes insects, adopting a flycatcher-like hunting technique from a perch.

The Malachite Sunbird is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN, indicating a stable population without significant threats at present.

20-3-2018 EL RETIRO PARQUE, MADRID - LESSER SPOTTED WOODPECKER (Dryobates minor)

The lesser spotted woodpecker (Dryobates minor) is a member of the woodpecker family Picidae. It was formerly assigned to the genus Dendrocopos (sometimes incorrectly spelt as Dendrocopus). Some taxonomic authorities continue to list the species there.

The range of the lesser spotted woodpecker is the Palearctic region, but several subspecies are recognised.

Its habits are very similar to those of the great spotted woodpecker, and it has the same stumpy appearance, almost triangular, when bounding from tree to tree. Its note is a repeated "keek", loud for so small a bird, and its vibrating rattle can with experience be distinguished from that of the larger species. This substitute for a song may be heard at all times, but most frequently when courtship begins early in the year.

Its insect food is similar to that of the great spotted woodpecker. When hunting for wood-boring larvae it chips away at the rotten wood, and the litter at the foot of a tree is often the first indication that insects are attacking upper branches. From autumn to spring it hunts mainly on wood-living insect larvae, frequently from thin dead branches in living trees. Through the breeding season, surface-living insects from the foliage and bark of trees make up an increased amount of the diet. Nestlings are mainly fed with surface-living insects, such as aphids and larval insects. At night it roosts in old holes.

 

27-3-2018 FERNKLOOF, SOUTH AFRICA - CAPE SUGARBIRD (Promerops cafer)

The Cape sugarbird, a native to the Fynbos biome of South Africa, presents a striking figure with its grey-brown plumage. Males are particularly notable for their elongated tail feathers and a distinctive yellow patch beneath their tails. They range in size, with males measuring from 34 to 44 centimeters in length, while the more modestly adorned females span 25 to 29 centimeters.

When observing the Cape sugarbird, look for the male's remarkably long tail and the yellow spot under the tail. Females are identified by their shorter tails and bills, and lighter breast coloration. Both sexes can be recognized by the unique frrt-frrt sound produced by their wings in flight, a trait evolved to attract mates.

The Cape sugarbird thrives within the Fynbos, a fire-driven ecosystem dominated by flowering proteas and ericas. It favors areas that have not recently experienced burns and can be found visiting gardens during the summer months.

This species is endemic to the Western and Eastern Cape provinces of South Africa, where it is widespread throughout the Fynbos region. It is less common in areas that have been recently affected by fire.

The Cape sugarbird exhibits a preference for mature Protea stands during the breeding season, where males establish territories and perform vocal displays to attract females.

The flight of the Cape sugarbird is accompanied by a distinctive frrt-frrt sound, which is part of its courtship behavior.

Winter marks the breeding season for the Cape sugarbird, coinciding with abundant food supplies. Males become territorial and engage in vocal displays within Protea bushes to attract mates.

Specializing in nectar from Proteaceae, the Cape sugarbird uses its long, sharp beak and brush-tipped tongue to feed. While nectar forms the bulk of its diet, it also consumes spiders and insects. Adaptations such as sharp claws help it navigate the strong winds of the Cape while feeding on protea heads.

The Cape sugarbird is currently classified as Least Concern by the IUCN, thanks to its large population and extensive range within its native habitat.

27-3-2018 FERNKLOOF LAKE, SOUTH AFRICA - THREE BANDED PLOVER (Charadrias tricollaris)

The Three-banded Plover, or Charadrius tricollaris, is a small wader, measuring 18 cm in length, with a distinctive elongated profile characterized by its long wings and very long tail. This bird is easily recognized in flight by its white front and the white side of the tail and rump. The adult's upperparts are a medium brown, while the underparts are predominantly white, featuring two black breast bands separated by a white band, which are the hallmark of this species. The head boasts a striking pattern with a black crown and white supercilia extending from the white forehead to meet at the back of the neck. The face is grey, transitioning to brown on the neck, and the orbital ring is a vivid orange-red. The bill is mostly black with a rosy red base.

When identifying the Three-banded Plover, look for the unique combination of the two black breast bands and the white band in between. The long wings and tail are also key features, setting it apart from most other small plovers. The thin white bar above the wings and the dark smudge over the primary coverts below are visible in flight. The Malagasy subspecies can be distinguished by a grey band between the bill and the white forehead, and grey sides of the head.

This species is typically found along inland rivers, pools, lakes, and pans, where it frequents exposed shores.

The Three-banded Plover is resident and generally sedentary across much of East Africa, southern Africa, and Madagascar.

Often seen as solitary individuals, the Three-banded Plover may also gather in small flocks. It hunts primarily by sight, searching for insects, worms, and other invertebrates.

The call of the Three-banded Plover is a sharp, whistled "weeet-weet."

Breeding involves a simple nest, which is a bare scrape on shingle. Egg laying varies by region, occurring from March to June in the tropics, but predominantly from July to October in southern Africa.

The Forbes's Plover is a larger and darker-plumaged species that replaces the Three-banded Plover in West Africa and the moist tropics. The Forbes's Plover can be differentiated by its brown forehead and the absence of a white wingbar.

The diet consists of insects, worms, and other small invertebrates, which the Three-banded Plover hunts by sight.

The IUCN Red List classifies the Three-banded Plover as Least Concern, indicating that it is not currently at significant risk of widespread decline.

27-3-2018 FERNKLOOF, SOUTH AFRICA - ORANGE BREASTED SUNBIRD (MALE) (Antohobaphes violacea)

The orange-breasted sunbird, Anthobaphes violacea, is a small, nectar-feeding bird endemic to the fynbos biome of southwestern South Africa. It is the sole representative of its genus, Anthobaphes, within the family Nectariniidae. Exhibiting sexual dimorphism, the male is a vibrant mix of orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple, particularly on the head and neck, while the female is dressed in more subdued olive green tones.

Males can be identified by their metallic green head, throat, and mantle, violet upper breast, and bright orange lower breast, which fades into yellow on the belly. Their long, decurved bills are adapted for nectar feeding, with the male's bill being notably longer than the female's. Females and juveniles are less conspicuous, with olive-greenish grey upperparts and paler underparts.

The orange-breasted sunbird is a denizen of the fynbos, a unique heathland habitat. It is particularly associated with ericas and proteas, which provide much of its nectar diet.

This species is confined to the Western Cape of South Africa, where it is a common breeder within its range.

The orange-breasted sunbird is known for its territorial nature, especially during breeding season when males vigorously defend their territories. Outside of breeding, they can be quite gregarious, forming flocks that may number up to a hundred individuals.

The sunbird's call is a distinctive twangy, weak ssharaynk or sskrang, which it often repeats.

Breeding occurs from February to November, peaking in May through August. The female primarily constructs the nest, an oval structure made of rootlets, fine twigs, and grass, bound with spider webs and lined with brown protea fluff. The nest features a side top entrance. Two eggs are typically laid, incubated by the female, and both parents contribute to feeding the chicks with a diet rich in insects and spiders.

While nectar from ericas and proteas forms the bulk of its diet, the orange-breasted sunbird also consumes small insects and spiders, which it sometimes catches in flight.

27-3-2018 HERMANUS, SOUTH AFRICA - AFRICAN OYSTERCATCHER (Haematopus maquini)

The African oystercatcher or African black oystercatcher (Haematopus moquini), is a large charismatic wader resident to the mainland coasts and offshore islands of southern Africa. This near-threatened oystercatcher has a population of over 6,000 adults, which breed between November and April. The scientific name moquini commemorates the French naturalist Alfred Moquin-Tandon who discovered and named this species before Bonaparte.

The African oystercatcher is native to the mainland coasts and offshore islands of Southern Africa sometimes occurring as a vagrant in Angola and Mozambique. Its breeding range extends from Lüderitz, Namibia to Mazeppa Bay, Eastern Cape, South Africa. There are estimated to be over 6,000 adult birds in total.

Typically sedentary African oystercatchers rarely leave their territories, which include a nesting site and feeding grounds. These will usually be located on or near rocky shores where they can feed.

26-3-2018 CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA - RED WINGED STARLING (Onychognathus morio)

The Red-winged Starling, Onychognathus morio, is a striking bird native to eastern Africa, with a range extending from Ethiopia to South Africa's Cape. This species exhibits sexual dimorphism; the male is predominantly iridescent black with chestnut flight feathers, while the female sports an ash-grey head and upper breast. Juveniles resemble males but have a duller sheen and brown eyes. The Ethiopian subspecies, O. m. rupellii, is characterized by a longer tail and intergrades with the nominate form.

When observing the Red-winged Starling, look for the male's glossy black plumage contrasted by chestnut flight feathers, especially visible in flight. Females can be identified by their streaky grey head plumage. The bird's dark, almost black eyes distinguish it from the similar Pale-winged Starling, which has bright red or orange eyes. The robust structure of the Red-winged Starling is adapted to support its weight while feeding on nectar from sturdy flowers.

This adaptable bird occupies a variety of habitats, including forests, savannahs, grasslands, wetlands, fynbos, farmlands, and urban areas. Its preference for cliffs and mountainous regions for nesting has translated well to the urban environment, where tall buildings mimic its natural nesting sites.

The Red-winged Starling is found along eastern Africa, from Ethiopia down to the Cape, Kwa-Zulu Natal, and Gauteng in South Africa. Its adaptability has allowed it to thrive in both natural and urban settings.

This starling is known for its territorial and aggressive nature during the nesting season, boldly defending its nest against intruders, including humans. Outside of breeding times, it is highly sociable, forming large flocks with its conspecifics.

The Red-winged Starling communicates with a variety of whistled calls, with the most common being a contact call described as "cher-leeeoo."

Nesting on rocky cliffs and outcrops, the Red-winged Starling constructs a grass and twig nest with a mud base on ledges. It typically lays two to four blue, red-brown spotted eggs. The female incubates these for about two weeks, and the chicks fledge in another three to four weeks. This species often produces two broods per season and may be parasitized by the Great Spotted Cuckoo.

The Pale-winged Starling is the most similar species, distinguishable by its whitish primaries edged with orange and its bright eye color.

An omnivorous generalist, the Red-winged Starling feeds on a variety of seeds, berries, nectar, and invertebrates. It also consumes fruit from both wild and cultivated sources and will scavenge carrion and human food scraps. In rural settings, it may perch on large mammals to forage for insects and ectoparasites.

The IUCN lists the Red-winged Starling as Least Concern. While not endangered, it can be considered a nuisance in some areas due to its habit of raiding orchards and aggressive behavior near its nesting sites.

24-3-2018 BOTANICAL GARDENS, CAPE TOWN - TALL SILVER SUGARBUSH (Protea roupelliae ssp roupelliae)

Protea (/ˈproʊtiːə/ is a genus of South African flowering plants, also called sugarbushes (Afrikaans: suikerbos). It is the type genus of the Proteaceae family.

About 92% of the species occur only in the Cape Floristic Region, a narrow belt of mountainous coastal land from Clanwilliam to Grahamstown, South Africa. Most protea species are found south of the Limpopo River. Protea madiensis grows in Afromontane enclaves across tropical Africa, from Guinea to Sudan, Mozambique, and Angola. Protea afra ranges from the Cape region to Uganda and Kenya, including in the chaparral zone of Mount Kenya National Park. The extraordinary richness and diversity of species characteristic of the Cape flora are thought to be caused in part by the diverse landscape, where populations can become isolated from each other and in time develop into separate species.

The family Proteaceae to which Protea species belong is an ancient one among angiosperms. Evidence from pollen fossils suggests Proteaceae ancestors grew in Gondwana, in the Upper Cretaceous, 75–80 million years ago. The Proteaceae are divided into two subfamilies: the Proteoideae, best represented in southern Africa, and the Grevilleoideae, concentrated in Australia and South America and the other smaller segments of Gondwana that are now part of eastern Asia. Africa shares only one genus with Madagascar, whereas South America and Australia share many common genera – this indicates they separated from Africa before they separated from each other.

Proteas usually flower during spring. Protea flowers have large heads made of small florets packed on a woody receptacle, each floret is reddish or pinkish in color and measures between 28.4 and 53.8 millimeters. The carpel in the flower's center is cream colored. The ovary is protected by the receptacle, and thus is not seen when looking at the flower, but the anthers are present at the top of the flower, which can then easily transfer the pollen to the vectors.

Proteas are pollinated by birds, insects, and wind. All the florets open big enough for small and medium beetles to land and feed on their nectar before flying to other heads pollinating them in the process. Some protea flower species, like the king protea flower, are self-pollinating flowers. Other protea species, however, such as P. cordata, P. decurrens, and P. scabra are self-incompatible, and thus rely on cross-pollination for successive seed sets. Some Protea species exhibit both self-pollination and cross-pollination as a method of reproduction. Cross-pollination is preferred, though, as a method of reproduction because it provides genetic diversity in the population. When cultivating proteas, breeders use hand pollination as a controlled method to transfer pollen from one flower to another.

24-3-2018 BOTANICAL GARDENS, CAPE TOWN - CAPE SPURFOWL (Pternistis capensis)

The Cape spurfowl, or Cape francolin, is a robust gamebird of the pheasant family, Phasianidae, and is the largest francolin native to southern Africa. It is a bird that, from afar, appears uniformly dark save for its striking red legs. Upon closer inspection, one can appreciate its finely vermiculated grey and white plumage, with a plainer crown and nape. The male is distinguishable by his two leg spurs, while the female may have a single, shorter spur.

Adult Cape spurfowls measure between 40–42 cm in length. Males are heftier, weighing in at 600–915 grams, while females are lighter at 435–659 grams. Juveniles resemble adults but have duller leg coloration and more pronounced vermiculations. The species is unlikely to be confused with others within its range due to its size and distinctive leg coloration.

This species thrives in the strandveld, renosterveld, and fynbos regions of the Western Cape, favoring areas near water. It is also found in the succulent karoo and along riverbanks in the Nama karoo.

Endemic to southern Africa, the Cape spurfowl is predominantly found in the Western Cape province of South Africa and extends locally northward to southern Namibia. It has been introduced to Robben Island, where it enjoys a parasite-free environment.

The Cape spurfowl is a ground-dwelling bird that prefers scrubby open areas. It is most vocal during the breeding season in spring and early summer. When disturbed, it tends to run rather than fly, though it is capable of strong flight from a young age. This species can become quite tame in areas with limited disturbance, often feeding in gardens or alongside farmyard chickens.

The call of the Cape spurfowl is a distinctive and loud "cackalac-cackalac-cackalac," particularly resonant during the breeding season.

Breeding occurs in spring and early summer. The nest is a simple grass-lined scrape under a bush, where typically six to eight eggs are laid. Occasionally, two females may share a nest.

The Cape spurfowl's closest relative is the Natal spurfowl, which shares a similar vermiculated plumage but is distinguishable by range and specific markings.

This adaptable bird forages in a variety of altered habitats, including parks, croplands, orchards, vineyards, and areas with invasive rooikrans.

The Cape spurfowl is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN, indicating that it is not currently threatened. Its adaptability to altered environments has likely contributed to its stable status.