Exploring Pigeon Valley: The Red-backed Shrike

This is the 47th 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 Red-backed Shrike.

I was delighted to see this bird perching on the edge of the reservoir at Pigeon Valley this last week. It is very occasionally present at this time of year – my last record was in 2015. It is not uncommon in South Africa in summer, but it has had a very long voyage to get here – it breeds in Europe, as far north as Scandinavia, and has even been found far to the south on Marion Island.

With its striking eye mask and red, grey and black colours, the male is an attractive bird that visitors to game reserves typically see perching on a bush waiting to pounce on an insect, spider or beetle – even small birds. Like our Common Fiscal, it may impale its prey on thorns, so it has a larder to return to. The female differs in appearance, typically having thin scallop markings across its chest and rufous marking on the head.

ALSO READ: Exploring Pigeon Valley: The African Pygmy-Kingfisher

Like the other long-range migrants, such as Barn Swallow and Honey-Buzzards, its presence is a reminder of our connectedness to the rest of the world.

Many people ask me when the park will again be open; this I do not yet know. The replacement of the waterway is requiring major earthmoving and the rains have done further damage. I will though keep you posted.

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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