The Cape robin-chat (Cossypha caffra) is an elusive bird in my garden. It always knows that I am looking, it always knows I want to take a photograph. In a renewed sanctuary me and my dad are trying to build, two Cape robin-chats always visit, but only briefly. The one is still a juvenile, the other one full-grown. Or so I think. In either case, the two do not like each other that much. Fierce territorial fights sometimes break out. It can get so bad that they forget about me and almost fly into me. I am yet to photograph such an epic fight.
Today, I had the opportunity to take some close-up photographs of what I presume is the juvenile Cape robin-chat. It sat on a piece of wood, and it was almost strange as to how close I could get. But lucky for me, I got the shots, and I think these are three of some of the best I have ever taken. Luck. That is all it was. I share these three "shots", after which I show a video of a different Cape robin-chat I caught on video eating worms from the compost I just threw out into the garden as a mulch layer. Again, I got really close, something strange for me. I then showcase the other photographs of him eating some dates between the soon-to-be-planted new plants. I hope you enjoy the photographs and video of the stunningly beautiful bird.
The Three Shots
The Compost-Worms Feasting Video
I use my compost mostly to grow cuttings with, to plant new plants with, and mainly as mulch. When I mulch, the birds are sure to be there first! Especially, after I watered the plants, the bugs and worms come to the surface. The Cape robin-chat loves to eat these worms. Here are two videos showcasing this event. I was so lucky to get so close. I laid flat on my stomach in the water but I got these awesome videos!
Eating Some Dates
Not all dates are created equally. I think these dates are not those we find in the store. Or, I know this for a fact. They are small and not that nice. But the birds love them. They fall to the ground, and for the first time, I saw that the Cape robin-chat also loves them! Here are three "action" photographs of him eating some dates. I always thought that Cape robin-chats mainly eat worms and bugs. Maybe there were worms in the dates, or they like something sweet now and then!
The Other Attempts
Post scriptum, or the Importance of Human Intervention
This is one of the most beautiful birds in my garden for me. They have a lovely song, and they are so shy. Along with the olive thrush (Turdus olivaceus), they sing in the early morning hours. I have a love-hate relationship with their song! But either way, I love it.
It is funny how easily we humans can destroy, yet I think we can achieve so much as well. These birds would have been better off without us, we are after all encroaching onto their territory. But as a kind of consolation, I think we also have the unique opportunity (in a bad situation) to help these friends. Providing them with ground or soil that is teeming with life, they can feast on these bugs. If we spray the ground to "kill" weeds and to "kill" bugs, we are in fact killing the soil. With the soil devoid of life, the Cape Robin-chats and friends will not have food. This will have a ripple effect throughout the ecosystem. Strange how balanced life is.
I hope you enjoyed this beautiful bird, and I hope I could present a unique presentation of them eating some worms and dates! All of the photographs/videos were taken by me (either with an iPhone (videos) or a Nikon D300 with Tamron zoom lens (photographs)). Stay safe, and happy birding!
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Beautiful little friend around the garden, did not realize they eat fruit perhaps a little added extra might be flies hovering around or smaller insects attracted to the fruit.
Diving down to the ground to capture video, sound as crazy as few others around here I see 😁
@tipu curate 2
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My thoughts exactly! It was rather funny. I still think that there might have been insects inside of the fruits, like fly larvae.
Indeed! We have to be extreme to capture these acrobats!
Exceptionally shy birds normally in undergrowth, Cape Robin-chat one bird with grey belly feathers 😅
They do apparently enjoy some seed, berries, grains, perhaps will adapt well with some help if you wish to keep them around.
I have been seeing this particular one every morning, eating some of the dates. We have been trying to talk to him every morning as well, and it seems like he is there to stay now! Such a lovely and wonderful bird.
Sounds like you are making inroads with new little friend, would be wonderful to see them stay and raise their young in the neighbourhood. Lovely to wake up to their early song!
Exactly! I have a love-hate relationship with their early morning song though. When I used to work at the bakery, they kept me company at 4am in the morning. When I wake in the morning and hear their song it fills me with a strange feeling of nostalgia and dread for the past. But alas, I am trying to rid myself of those memories!
Perhaps your first town crier to wake everyone up, we have the Hadada normally. When up in the Drakensberg I could not place the Robin call till the owner of the establishment put me right, yes first call in the morning, good alarm clock as well. Memories come in strange guises 😄
Cute & good photography dear. ❤️ gr8 composition, colour and focus.
Thank you so much! All credit goes to nature, I am merely photographing.