It was surprisingly mild this morning with no wind, a huge blue sky instead of the usual heavy mist and rolling golden grasslands, such a treat to be out. We had some special sightings too, plenty of firsts for the year, Oribi, Black Wildebeest and 3 Serval moving through the grass but at some distance from us. Saw some winter faithfuls in the reserve like Sentinal Rock-Thrush, Ground Woodpeckers, Eastern Long-billed Larks among others.
The plan was to then try and find the Gurney's Sugarbird along the De Berg drive by searching the extensive stands of Proteas along the roadside.
We were rewarded by seeing at least 6 birds in among some mature proteas and Fred had a fine time creeping up on the calling males at the tops of the bushes, taking some great photos.
Here is a photo taken at the start of the Big Birding Year in Kirstenbosch which shows some of the differences between the Cape Sugarbird and our newest sighting the Gurney's. The russet breast and forecrown of the Gurney's is distinctive but the tail of the Cape Sugarbird is fabulously long.
These are the only two sugarbirds of the world and they are found in Southern Africa. Did not know this until right now!
Blurb from Wiki: The sugarbirds are a small family, Promeropidae, of passerine birds which are restricted to southern Africa. The two species of sugarbird make up one of only two bird families restricted entirely to southern Africa, the other being the rock-jumpers Chaetopidae. In general appearance as well as habits they resemble large long-tailed sunbirds, but are possibly more closely related to the Australian honeyeaters. They have brownish plumage, the long downcurved bill typical of passerine nectar feeders, and long tail feathers.
