South African Garden Birds

Send us your photos of common garden birds and you may see them published in one of our upcoming issues! Photos can be submitted to editor@seniorlivingmag.co.za

Black-Collared Barbet – characterised by the black collar and red face as well as their synchronized duet; one bird giving “two”, the other “puddle” making up “two-puddle, twopuddle …” Birds living in densely wooded habitats rely on sound to communicate, but thick vegetation dampen and distort calls, so these birds use loud, repeated notes and simple structures. As we know, Barbets love our fruit trees, especially fi gs, but also eat insects and nectar. Black-Collared Barbets have “zygodactyl” feet - two forward and two backward toes - for climbing and clinging to vertical branches. Honeyguides lay their eggs in the Black-Collared Barbets nest where the newly hatched chicks kill the host chicks.

Red-Chested Cuckoo – the only Southern Africa cuckoo with a rufous breast, it’s monotonous “pietmy-vrou” call is easily recognised this time of year. The Red-Chested Cuckoo is a generalist “brood parasite” laying its eggs in the nests of at least 15 species, including Robin-Chats, Chats, Thrushes and Flycatchers. Their eggshells are thick so they can be safely laid in a matter of seconds while the host bird is away, and their incubation period is short so that they hatch before nestmates, giving them an advantage. Red-Chested Cuckoos breed in both northern and southern Africa then converge to spend the non-breeding season in the tropics. Their main diet is hairy caterpillars - so there is your trade-off for putting up with their endless calls.

DBN/Highway

DBN/Highway PMB/Midlands