Exploring Pigeon Valley: The Sombre Greenbul
The riches of Pigeon Valley Nature Reserve explained by Glenwood resident and chair of the Friends of Pigeon Valley.
This is the 38th 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 Sombre Greenbul.
Perhaps because it is common and because of its subdued colouring, birdwatchers seldom give this bird much attention. Its muted tones make it hard for newcomers to birding to recognise it, but the white ring in the eye is a giveaway.
Its call is one of the most strident and distinctive in Pigeon Valley, often given from the top of the canopy. The first syllable of the IsiZulu name, uWili, captures the penetrating note of the contact call.
ALSO READ: Exploring Pigeon Valley: Two signs of Spring
The Sombre Greenbul is rather shy, yet watching it can be most rewarding.
I will typically see it trying to grab some fruit, sometimes before its relatives, either a Dark-capped Bulbul or Terrestrial Brownbul, can get there first.
The bird in the photo had been plucking seeds from the pod of the Secamone gerrardii, an otherwise inconspicuous creeper.
In late winter and early spring these parachutes float through still air, sometimes getting captured by birds for use in nests. Why is it doing this? Who knows, maybe like a child it just wanted to watch the seeds glide through the air.
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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