Saturday, 31 July 2021
Friday, 30 July 2021
Thursday, 29 July 2021
Wednesday, 28 July 2021
Tuesday, 27 July 2021
28-3-2018 OUDTSHOORN, SOUTH AFRICA - SOUTHERN DOUBLE COLLARED SUNBIRD (FEMALE) (Cinnyris afer)
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The Southern double-collared sunbird, or lesser double-collared sunbird, Cinnyris chalybeus, is a diminutive and vibrant passerine bird endemic to southern Africa. The adult male is particularly striking with a glossy, metallic green head, throat, upper breast, and back. A brilliant red band, edged with a narrow metallic blue stripe, adorns the chest. The underparts are predominantly whitish, and during displays, yellow shoulder tufts may be revealed. Females and juveniles are more subdued in coloration, with the female sporting brown upperparts and yellowish-grey underparts.
When identifying the male Southern double-collared sunbird, look for its smaller stature, narrower red chest band, and shorter bill compared to the similar greater double-collared sunbird. The female can be distinguished from other species by her greyer underparts compared to the orange-breasted sunbird and a darker shade than that of the dusky sunbird.
This sunbird is commonly found in a variety of settings including gardens, fynbos, forests, and coastal scrub. It is a versatile resident of its southern African home.
The species is mainly resident throughout its range, with some partial migration noted in the northeastern areas. It is a familiar sight across its habitat, gracing many a garden and natural landscape with its presence.
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The Southern double-collared sunbird is often observed alone or in small groups. It exhibits a fast and direct flight, utilizing its short wings adeptly. While it primarily feeds on nectar, it also consumes fruit and occasionally insects and spiders, especially when feeding its young. It is capable of hovering like a hummingbird but typically prefers to perch while feeding.
The call of this sunbird is a distinctive hard 'chee-chee', while its song is a high-pitched medley of tinkling notes that vary in pitch and tempo, lasting for several seconds.
Breeding occurs from April to December, varying by region. The species constructs a closed oval nest from grass, lichen, and other plant materials, all bound together with spider webs. The nest features a side entrance, sometimes adorned with a porch, and is lined with soft materials such as wool, plant down, and feathers.
The Southern double-collared sunbird's diet consists mainly of nectar, which it gathers from flowers. It is also known to consume fruit and, particularly when feeding offspring, will hunt for insects and spiders.
The IUCN Red List categorizes the Southern double-collared sunbird as Least Concern, indicating a stable population without significant threats to its survival at present.
26-7-2021 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - SPLENDID HELIX (Pseudotachea splendida)
https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/111104-Pseudotachea-splendida
Monday, 26 July 2021
29-3-2018 OUDTSHOORN, SOUTH AFRICA - CAPE SPARROW (FEMALE) (Passer melanurus)
The Cape sparrow, or 'mossie' as it is affectionately known, is a medium-sized bird measuring 14–16 centimeters in length. It boasts a distinctive plumage with large pale head stripes present in both sexes. The male is particularly striking with bold black and white markings on its head and neck, while the female is somewhat duller with a grey head. The plumage across both sexes is a blend of grey, brown, and chestnut hues.
When identifying the Cape sparrow, look for the male's black head with a broad white mark curling from behind the eye to the throat, and a narrow black band connecting the black bib of the breast to the black of the head. The female, though less vivid, shares a similar pattern but with a grey head. Juveniles resemble females, but young males begin to show black head markings early on.
The Cape sparrow is found in semi-arid savannah, cultivated areas, and urban environments. It has adapted well to human settlements and agriculture, often seen in parks, gardens, and other open spaces within towns.
This species ranges from the central coast of Angola through Namibia, Botswana, southern Zimbabwe, and into eastern South Africa and Eswatini. It is less common in the driest parts of the Namib Desert and the wet forests of Limpopo and KwaZulu Natal.
Cape sparrows are highly social, forming large nomadic flocks when not breeding. They typically breed in colonies and exhibit a unique social behaviour in Johannesburg, where groups stand closely together in an unexplained ritual.
The calls of the Cape sparrow are more musical and mellow than those of the house sparrow. The basic call, used in flight and while perching socially, can be transcribed as 'chissip' or 'chirrup'. Males have a loud call to advertise nest ownership, written as 'tweeng' or 'twileeng', which can extend into a repetitive song.
Breeding usually occurs in colonies, with the nest constructed in a variety of sites including trees, bushes, cavities, or even disused nests of other species. Clutches typically contain three or four eggs, with both parents involved in the breeding process from nest building to feeding the young.
The Cape sparrow can be confused with the southern grey-headed sparrow and the house sparrow, but it is distinguished by its unique head markings and the male's distinctive plumage.
Primarily seed-eaters, Cape sparrows forage in trees and on the ground, favoring larger seeds of cereals and wild grasses. They also consume buds, soft fruits, and insects, particularly when feeding nestlings.
Sunday, 25 July 2021
Saturday, 24 July 2021
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