The name “sparrowhawk” comes from the prey (sparrows) of some species of sparrowhawks, and does not refer to the size of the raptor itself. Continue reading “Black Sparrowhawks in urban areas: Where to now?”
Here is a bird that lives up to its beautiful name – the word “oriole” derives from the Latin for “golden”. Continue reading “Black-headed Oriole: Golden bird of the African treetops”
When I see birds and monkeys enjoying these purple berries, I invariably think of the song “Wooden Ships”. The link between the Waterberry tree (commonly referred to by its Zulu name umDoni) and the song is purple berries. Continue reading “Say can I have some of your purple berries?”
Because doves and pigeons mate for life, people in many cultures have attributed to them the qualities of loyalty, love and devotion, virtues that, sadly, have had paradoxically lethal consequences for these birds characterised (pigeon-holed?) as being gentle and unaggressive. Continue reading “Redeyed Doves, Turtle Doves, monogamy and sacrifice”
Many birds die or are seriously injured when they inadvertently fly into window panes. Reflections of sky and landscape on the glass or else seeing through a window to plants or light on the side can mislead them. Big plate glass windows are the worst for flying birds because of their large seamless reflections. Continue reading “Making your windows more visible to flying birds”
He built this nest in anticipation of attracting a mate. Continue reading “Anticipating attracting a mate”
Even in sunny South Africa, European winter traditions are evident at Christmas time. There are Christmas cards that feature red-breasted European robins and there was a time when shop windows sported cotton-wool snow and plastic holly, even though December is at the height of the southern hemisphere summer! Continue reading “Christmas cards and robins”
The Southern Boubou is most noticeable on account of its ringing duetting call. It is an audible presence in our garden, and we catch glimpses of the pair hopping through low dense foliage, but they are shy and it is difficult to get a clear view of them. These photos were taken on a recent road trip to the Western Cape and back. Cheating perhaps? Continue reading “Southern Boubou: A bushshrike that’s usually quite shy”
What catches the eye is not so much the bright red collar as the iridescent green sheen of this Southern Double-collared Sunbird. Continue reading “Sunbird shine”
