Exploring Pigeon Valley: Narina Trogon

The riches of Pigeon Valley Nature Reserve explained by Crispin Hemson, Glenwood resident and chair of the Friends of Pigeon Valley. This is the 116th 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 is the Narina Trogon

I once encountered a group of young birdwatchers at the top of the main track in Pigeon Valley. One was new to the pastime; as the rest of us peered at birds in a tree, we heard her say, ‘Oh, there’s a pretty bird. It’s sitting with its back to us!’

We all immediately knew what it was; in the presence of someone watching it, the Narina Trogon typically sits with its back to the viewer. Occasionally, as in this photo from some years back, it does not, revealing (in the case of males like this one) the most beautiful colours, with the bright red contrasting with the intense green and pale blue.

Also read: Exploring Pigeon Valley: Speckled Mousebirds

I can imagine that this bird evolved so as not to draw particular attention to itself from humans. The female has a duskier front. The ornithologist Levaillant named the bird after his Khoikhoi mistress; ‘narina’ comes from the Khoikhoi word for ‘flower’.

This is a very infrequent visitor to the reserve, and its visits have been fewer in recent years, though one was spotted last year. The likely reason is the destruction of natural habitat in the broader city area; it has probably not bred in the reserve since Pigeon Valley was reduced to its present size.

The birds will not breed in an area where there is frequent disturbance. The fact that the construction of the stormwater project has now taken 18 months, instead of the projected three months, certainly does not help.

Also read: Exploring Pigeon Valley: Male Black Cuckooshrike

The Trogon may, however, visit without detection, as it sits often quietly in the canopy. Its call is a distinctive hooting call, and, in a suburban environment, people unfamiliar with it may think they just heard a dog bark. We did have a female visiting the reserve for a number of weeks a few years back. A young member of my extended family sat in my car at the entrance playing loud music while I was trying to find it; finally he came to where I was searching and said, ‘Isn’t that the bird you are looking for?’, pointing to the Trogon just near the car. Birding can be unpredictable.

Do you want to receive news alerts via Telegram? Send us a message (not an sms) with your name and surname to 060 532 5535.

You can also join the conversation on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

PLEASE NOTE: If you have signed up for our news alerts you need to save the Berea Mail Telegram number as a contact to your phone, otherwise you will not receive our alerts

Here’s where you can download Telegram on Android or Apple.