AS part of its natural way of combating rodents in and around Thaba Eco Hotel, the establishment has taken in three black-shouldered kites of six weeks old, which are being homed in a big cage, until they have grown used to fending for themselves. They will then be released and hopefully stay living in the area of Thaba.
The black-shouldered kite is a small, graceful raptor and the most voracious eater in the raptor family. It needs to consume up to 25 per cent of its body mass every day, the equivalent of about two mice. This means each bird probably kills around 700 mouse-sized animals a year.
Perhaps the most remarkable refinement to avian vision, in general, and in raptors, in particular, is the ability to see in the ultraviolet (UV) light range. For raptors, who prey on rodents such as mice, this ability gives them a distinctive edge when hunting. Specifically, rodents, like many other species, use scent as a communication mechanism for marking territories, mating and so on, with long scent trails becoming obvious markers of where the animal has been.
This ability, to perceive reflected UV, is particularly useful in the spring before the scent marks are covered by vegetation.
Through the partnership between the SPCA and EcoSolutions, the black-shouldered kites (Elanus axillaris) were brought into EcoSolutions, from the West Rand, unable to be returned to their nest.
“Thaba Eco Hotel is an ideal site for the black-shouldered kite juveniles,” said André du Toit, eco park manager at Thaba Eco Hotel.
