UCT Open Access Journals (Univ. of Cape Town)
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Carrion attraction: Goshawks and other birds captured on camera traps
No full textSouthern Pale Chanting Goshawks Melierax canorus have a catholic diet that includes carrion as well as a wide variety of mammals, birds, reptiles, frogs, insects and other invertebrates. Malan and Crowe (1996) summarise observations of them feeding on carrion, listing Spotted Eagle Owl Bubo africanus, Spotted Thick-knee Burhinus capensis, Steenbok Raphicerus campestris, Bat-eared Fox Otocyon megalotis and hares Lepus spp. We report how a pair of adult Southern Pale Chanting Goshawks fed on a dead Egyptian Goose Alopochen aegyptiaca in the Hantam Karoo near Calvinia in July 2012. The goose was one of 15 put out under power lines to see which scavengers removed bird carcasses from under the lines. Such data are important when estimating how many birds are actually killed after colliding with power lines from the numbers detected by researchers who check the lines at regular intervals
What is the status of the Southern (Mashona) Hyliota Hyliota australis in South Africa?
No full textThe status of the Southern (Mashona) Hyliota Hyliota australis in South Africa is assessed using newly collated bird and habitat distribution data. The three potential scenarios are discussed, and it is emphasized that all are of considerable interest. (1) If the Hyliota is isolated in the Soutpansberg, it is one of the rarest breeding species in South Africa and needs active conservation management. (2) If it is a vagrant, then the source populations need to be identified as the conventional wisdom suggests movement over much shorter distances than the known populations on the Zimbabwean Plateau and outliers in northern Gonarezhou National Park. (3) A third scenario relying on both periodic breeding and periodic immigration is favoured /- suggesting a metapopulation operating across the Save-Limpopo Valley and adjacen plateau areas. The implications for its conservation management are discussed and attention is drawn to the riparian corridors which are under pressure from humans outside conservation areas and from elephants inside them
Disabled Dikkop (Thick-knee)
Get PDFThe Spotted Thick-knee Burhinus capensis in this observation taken up residence in the grounds of a village complex in Edgemead some time in 2011. The point of note is that it has no feet. Both feet are gone and it gets around by hopping on the two stumps
Seasonal and medium term changes in observed densities of woodland birds in Groenkloof, Pretoria
No full textThe changes in observed densities of bird species in a suburban environment in Groenkloof, Pretoria were monitored over five years. The populations of fourteen species were found to increase during the study period and six species were found to decrease. The Amethyst Sunbird Nectarinia amethystina was found to be predominantly a non-breeding migrant, and strong evidence for seasonal movements by part of the Karoo Thrush Turdus smithi population was produced. Daily movements in and out of the study area are described for some species, most notably the Red-collared Widowbird Euplectes ardens. The Grey-headed Bush Shrike Malaconotus blanchoti apparently became established as a resident of the suburban habitat during the study period. The medium term changes in density of woodland species were found to be on average significantly smaller than those at a rural site 100 km north of the study site
Confirmation: Village Indigobird parasitizing Red Red-billed Firefinch in central Namibia
No full textThe Village Indigobird is a species primarily known to parasitize nests of Red-billed Firefinch (Tarboton 2001). The confirmed sightings were from the Okavango Delta approximately 600 km northeast of Windhoek. However, no records of Village Indigobird actually parasitizing Red-billed Firefinch have previous been confirmed
Bank Cormorant chick entangled in fishing line dies after more than 88 hours
Get PDFThe Bank Cormorant Phalacrocorax neglectus is endemic to southern Africa, breeding along the Namibian and the west coast of South Africa including the Robben Island harbour (Ludynia et al. 2010, Sherley et al. 2011). The species has had an IUCN Red List status of Endangered since 2004 (BirdLife International 2012) after first being classified as Vulnerable in 2000 (Barnes 2000). From 1990 to 2006, over a 16-year period, Kemper et al. (2007) reported a 4.3% annual population decrease. Neither Barnes (2000), Kemper et al. (2007), nor BirdLife International (2012) list entanglements with fishing line as a threat to the species
Torpidity as a factor in Speckled Mousebird predation by Black-headed Heron
No full textThe Black-headed Heron Ardea melanocephala is well known as an opportunistic predator with a very catholic diet (Stuart and Dürk 1984). Less reliant on wetland habitats than other large herons, one is as likely to find the bird in agricultural land or short grassland as in marshland or recently flooded areas. One of the most horrifying experiences of my birding youth was witnessing a Grey Heron Ardea cinerea gobble up a lone duckling that had obviously become detached from its siblings. The Grey Heron became Felonious Heronious in our house and, for a long time, I viewed them as villains, in spite of their elegance
Black Sparrowhawk lost battle against Egyptian Geese
Get PDFThe Black Sparrowhawk Project has been running on the Cape Peninsula in the Western Cape for 11 years. The nesting territories are scattered in the pine plantations along the edges of the mountain range, green belts, cemeteries, golf courses, vineyards and large leafy gardens. Since the project started 248 birds have been ringed with unique colour combinations. Fearsome hunters, these birds target mainly doves and pigeons and find rich pickings in the suburbs where many people feed birds
Olive Thrush with middle claws missing
Get PDFthe claws on both middle toes were missing but all the other claws were present and in good condition. this a common occurrence in Olive Thrush? Is it the result of their feeding behaviour or other forms of behaviour? 
Nature recycles: Egyptian Goose breeding in old Secretarybird nest
Get PDFThe Egyptian Goose Alopochen aegyptiaca mostly nests on the ground, not far from water, but also in trees such as on top (or inside) old Hamerkop Scopus umbretta nests, on top of Sociable Weaver Philetairus socius nest masses and also on old nests of crows, herons or cormorants (Tarboton 2011). They also use old raptor nests such as those of Black-winged Kites Elanus caeruleus Long-crested Eagles Lophaetus occipitalis, African Fish Eagles Haliaeetus vocifer and Black Sparrowhawk Accipiter melanoleucus (Davies and Allan 2005)