Bird of the Week – Southern black flycatcher
The Zulu name is umMbesi and in Afrikaans die swartvlieevanger.
A common resident from Port Elizabeth northwards along the coastal region of the whole of KZN, Limpopo province, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, the Caprivi and eastern Botswana.
They like any woodland, forest edge, exotic plantations and gardens. These flycatchers are usually in pairs and sometimes small groups of five birds. They catch insects in flight or mostly on the ground. They perch at almost any height above the ground, usually on leafless branches, fence posts or wire. They hop on the ground and sit high on their legs. Nectar of aloes and small fruits are also part of their diet.
The song is a rather thin high pitched tseep – tseep – tsoo with an occasionally lightly pitched trill. They imitate other bird calls.
Breeding takes place from September until January. The nest is a shallow cup of twigs and stems, neatly lined with rootlets. The site chosen can be the top of a broken stump, a tree hollow, top of a drainpipe or the base of a large aloe leaf, even in a bunch of bananas. Usually three pale, greenish-white eggs heavily spotted with brown are laid. Incubation is 13 to 14 days and nestlings remain for 15 days.
The Zulu name is umMbesi and in Afrikaans die swartvlieevanger.
DID YOU KNOW?
Click on the words highlighted in red to read more on this and related topics.
To receive news links via WhatsApp, send an invite to 061 694 6047
The South Coast Sun is also on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest – why not join us there?
Do you have more information pertaining to this story?
Feel free to let us know by commenting on our Facebook page or you can contact our newsroom on 031 903 2341 and speak to a journalist.
(Comments posted on this issue may be used for publication in the Sun)
