Exploring Pigeon Valley: The Red-capped Robin-Chat

This is the 32nd 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 on the Red-capped Robin-Chat.

It may seem strange that it is only now that I write about possibly the most recognised of all birds of Pigeon Valley, the bird formerly known, not as Prince, but as the Natal Robin. The local birding community was peeved when it was renamed as Red-capped Robin-Chat, in particular because the local race of this bird is not red-capped at all, but rather a blueish-brown.

Despite that, what counts for us is its charm. Its colouring is mainly a rich orange and slate, it is very responsive to humans and it has a remarkable repertoire of calls. When I first came to Pigeon Valley, I was concerned that there were people hiding in the bush who were whistling – it was instead this bird. In contrast, though, its contact call is a particularly monotonous and repetitive dree-drah. The one in the photo presented itself to me this morning and demonstrated the call, just in case I was not clear about it. On various occasions people have asked me what bird it is that calls in the undergrowth near their home, and this is the one most likely to be responsible.

Some years ago the ecologist Richard Boon did a study of this species in Pigeon Valley and found over 50 birds in summer – supplemented by others who come in winter from inland or the south. They can live for a long time – in some cases over 20 years – and are territorial in summer. My experience of pulling out alien plants under thorny thickets is that, at some point, I will be joined by one of these birds, anxious to capitalise on whatever insects my activities would reveal. At those times it will come very close; when you return it will readily come back for more.

ALSO READ: Exploring Pigeon Valley: The Grey-headed Bush-Shrike

Two years ago I found a nest of this bird hidden cunningly just on the shelf at the rear of the noticeboard, in a position difficult to see from anywhere else. There were three olive-green eggs on it. The next day, one of the Friends of Pigeon Valley came just after they had hatched and saw a gathering of inquisitive birds of different species come to inspect the new arrivals. They were not trying to attack the nestlings or the nest itself. It was just like humans coming to visit the new-born.

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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