Exploring Pigeon Valley: The African Paradise-Flycatcher

This is the 45th in an ongoing series that highlights the riches of Pigeon Valley, the urban nature reserve in the heart of Glenwood. The focus of this article will be the African Paradise-Flycatcher.

I have strenuously avoided reporting on this bird so far, I guess because it is beautiful and well known and I wanted people to notice other fascinating forms of life in Pigeon Valley. However, the other day, one male insisted on stopping and staring sternly at me, no doubt in reproach. I must now write something.

Across much of the eastern parts of South Africa, this bird is present in summer months and is absent in winter; however, it is always present in Pigeon Valley. The male is resplendent in that, in breeding season (which around here seems to start as early as August), its tail becomes very long and there is a bright blue circle around its eye and bright blue bill. When the bird flies through the forest, you have a sense of an orange rocket, often swooping as it pursues an insect in its sights.

This is a bird that likes to bathe, but this is a dramatic process as it must plunge into the water, not sit in a decorous fashion. Despite its dainty look, the Paradise-Flycatcher can be very aggressive, and I have seen it mobbing raptors like the Black Sparrowhawk. Its call is frequently heard early in the morning.

ALSO READ: Exploring Pigeon Valley: The Cape Chestnut

At this time of year visitors to the reserve will frequently see both the male and the female flitting into a tree, often over the walkway. If you peer carefully you will see the adult on the nest. Sometimes the nests are parasitized by cuckoos, but this is a bird that generally breeds very successfully, including in gardens.

With the arrival of summer, there are now some different sounds. An infrequent visitor to the reserve is Burchells Coucal, which is now calling regularly. A most welcome visit is that of a Green Malkoha, the striking bird that creeps through the canopy – and, for those who are pining for the Black Mamba, be reassured that I saw one climbing a tree just outside the reservoir fence this week.

Crispin Hemson chairs the Friends of Pigeon Valley, a group that undertakes clearing of alien plants, keeps records of bird and mammal sightings and alerts management to any problems.

The Friends have a monthly walk at 7.30am on the second Saturday of each month. Email: friendsofpigeonvalley1@gmail.com.

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