NEWCASTLE KZN: Which summer birds are flocking to your garden? (Part 2)
This is a continuation of the series on migrant birds, in collaboration with Sylva Francis.
In part 2 of this series on bird migration, ‘bird lady’ Sylva Francis provides more details on which birds may be seen in local gardens during the Southern Hemisphere summer.
As stated by Francis in part 1, migrant birds fall into three general types: inter-town, inter-Africa and Palearctic (which fly to mostly Europe and Asia). Some of these birds also use the opportunity of migration to breed.
Approximately 100 species of birds are migrant, explains Francis. Just more than half of these species are Palearctic and the remainder are inter-Africa migrants.
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Starlings – of the 13 South African species, only one migrates. The violet-backed starling, noted for its wondrous plumage, migrates inter-Africa.
First to leave on migration, and likely the last to return, is the paradise flycatcher. Common in coastal areas like Saldanha and Kosi Bay, this bird may even stay if conditions are favourable. The paradise flycatcher – contrary to popular belief – is identified by the blue around the eyes and not the long tail.
Francis mentions the fascinating habits of some migrant birds, including the ruff. The males of the species migrate first, heading into areas of Russia to clean plains of stones and twigs in anticipation of the females’ arrival.
“When the females arrive, they watch the males dancing and choose a partner, based on who dances best! The ruffs actually lose their drab colours overseas and are quite beautiful.”
Of the 10 local species of kingfisher, four migrate. The pygmy kingfisher is one of the smallest birds and migrates inter-Africa.
The greater striped swallow nests in the Newcastle area, and is thus named because of its size (and not because its stripes are greater than that of its lesser kin). Barn swallows are also common. Another regular visitor is the white-throated swallow, which builds a cup-shaped nest instead of a more traditional sort.
Of the cuckoo species, 10 are inter-Africa migrants and two do not migrate at all. Emerald cuckoos are considered scarce but may be spotted in thick forested areas. The red-chested cuckoo is also known to many as Piet-my-vrou for its unusual call. Both the diederik and Klaas’s cuckoos also have sounds which easily identify them.
In addition, Francis mentions two of the five species of rollers do not migrate, only two species of storks migrate and of the nine species of tiny bee-eaters, seven are migrant. Other migrant species of bird include warblers, waders, swifts and martins.
“These are the birds people will likely see here. These birds will stay with a partner for the season at least; very few swop partners but there are some who have a harem of females, like weavers.”
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