Page 10 - 31 May 2024

PAGE 10 · THE REPORTER 31 MAY 2024

This week Kevin and I did not
venture forth further than the
Golf Club.
We took the dogs for a walk
to the Golf Club and were
fortunate to bump into the
resident flock of Blue
Korhaans (Bloukorhaan). We
see these birds so often that
we sometimes forget just
how fortunate we are. We are Blue Korhaan (Bloukorhaan) 2 males and a female. The photograph was A pair of Blue Korhaan (Bloukorhaan). The female has the brown cheek
able to get close and to really taken on Saturday at the Barkly East Golf Club. patch.
watch them.
recorded as carrying at least matter. stunning to watch.
T h e B l u e K o r h a a n 3 or 4 kilometers and can T h e m a l e s a r e v e r y For the rest of the time we just
(Eupodotis caerulescens) is carry on for 10 to 15 aggressive towards rival enjoyed our usual garden
of the family Otodidae and minutes. This is the only groups. We have witnessed birds, like the Laughing Dove
are native to South Africa. Korhaan with a blue belly. two rival groups having a (Rooibors-duifie). We also had
Their call is a frog-like croak, The male and female are "fight", it was actually seeing a few Red-billed Quelea
often made when displaying very similar, but the female which group could outcall (Rooibekkwelea) feeding at
or when in flight. It always has a brownish cheek patch. the other. We have also our feeder amongst the
astounds me how far their The immature birds are witnessed strange behaviour Bishops and Weavers in their
call carries. Walking to work similar to the female but they when they are breeding and winter attire.
in the early morning, I often have heavy black streaking you by mistake step into Get out there and enjoy the
hear them group-calling all on the face. their breeding area. They beauty of nature right where
the way from the Golf Club. They are omnivorous, eating puff themselves up and you are.
This sound has been mainly insects and vegetable "dance" and display. It is
Right: Red-billed Quelea
(Rooibekkwelea). We do not
get the huge flocks of these
birds that are found in some
areas. When in their winter
plumage, they can still be
identified by their bright red
bill and red eye-ring.

Blue Korhaan (Bloukorhaan). This is a photograph Kevin took of two male birds on 24
March 2024

Cape Wagtail (Gewone Kwikkie) in the
frost on the Golf Course, Barkly East, 25
May 2024. These charming birds with their
‘tail-wagging’ gait are common residents Laughing Dove (Rooiborsduifie). According
and often congregate in communal roosts. to the bird books, the female is paler than
Their diet consists mainly of insects, the male. The white outer tail feathers are
snails, tadpoles and even small fish. They conspicuous in flight of these little pink
won’t turn down a few household scraps doves. They have a sweet, soft laugh-like
either. call.