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the island. Finally, after obtaining some fairly good recordings, he was able to lure at least two individuals down from the canopy by playing back their calls. Both individuals were rich rufous , resembling the rufous morph of the São hot hatch Tomé Scops Otus hartlaubi, which is fairly common on the neighbouring island of São Tomé. The strongest evidence that the Príncipe scops owl is a distinct species comes from its call. Otus scops are notoriously di­ verse, differing mainly in their calls, which are innate (not learnt) and thus give a good indication of species limits. The Príncipe owl gives a series of soft ‘hoop hoop hoop hoop’ notes, which are slightly deeper, shorter (less than 0.2 seconds) and repeat­ ed much faster (approximately one note per second) than the call of the São Tomé Scops

Owl, which gives a call lasting about 0.35 albert froneman seconds every 12 to 15 seconds. The Prín­ Zebra Finches prepare their chicks for warm conditions cipe also appears to duet and has been new Philippe Verbelen heard to give a cat-like ‘kee-a-u’ call as well. n general, science advances in small researchers that the call was being directed Recent findings from Australian Zebra Finches Melo and Dallimer heard the scops owl increments. A study is designed after at the eggs. Mariette and Buchanan also suggest that southern African species such as calling from three sites in lowland forest careful consideration of what is known noticed that these vocalisations occurred Black-faced Waxbill may have the ability to scops owl on Príncipe in southern Príncipe, and Verbelen’s team Iabout a question or problem. Observations only on hot days and only within about programme their chicks for a warmer future. also heard multiple scops owls calling are made, experiments are conducted, data five days before hatching. Since 1928 there have been sporadic reports of a small owl on the around their campsite at Rio Porco, sug­ are analysed and a paper is written and Intrigued by these observations, they re­ The implications are staggering: Mari­ island of Príncipe in the Gulf of Guinea. However, it eluded collec- gesting that the scops owl is not uncom­ hopefully published. The process is rather corded the incubation calls and designed ette and Buchanan have shown that Zebra tors and birders until July 2016, when Belgian ornithologist Philippe mon locally in mature lowland forest. It like building a wall; each new study repre­ an experiment to establish what effect, if Finches – and very likely other species – Verbelen finally managed to record and photograph what is almost might seem remarkable that the bird could sents a single brick added to a particular any, the calls were having on the devel­ can programme their offspring to cope have eluded detection for so long on such layer of understanding in a structure that oping embryos. They removed eggs from better with hot conditions in later life. Al­ certainly a new species of scops owl. a small island, but there are several other may have been under construction for nests and placed them in artificial incuba­ though it has been known for some time cases of scops owls being overlooked on centuries. tors and then used speakers to play incuba­ that birds can communicate with embryos ituated 215 kilometres off the coast African Ornithology. In 2002 Melo re­ forested islands. For example, on the Occasionally, however, a serendipitous tion calls to one group of eggs and adult via incubation calls, the idea that acoustic of Equatorial Guinea, Príncipe is one corded a strange call in the lowland for­ Como­ro Islands, the Anjouan Scops Owl observation leads to findings so startling contact calls to a second group. As soon as communication between adults and their of the two main islands compris­ est of southern Príncipe that he suspected O. capnodes went unrecorded from 1886 and unprecedented that they leave the sci­ the eggs hatched, the chicks were placed eggs can lead to such profound and long- Sing the nation of São Tomé and Príncipe. might be the long sought-after owl. In to 1992 and an entirely new species, the entific community dumbstruck and in an back in their parents’ nests and their sub­ lasting physiological and behavioural ef­ Most of this tiny country’s 150 000 inhab­ 2007 he returned to the area with Martin Mohéli Scops Owl O. moheliensis, was dis­ instant change the perspective from which sequent development monitored. fects is unprecedented. itants live on São Tomé, the larger island Dallimer specifically to search for the pu­ covered in 1995. we view an entire field of enquiry. In Au­ The differences between the chicks from This remarkable study raises a host at 845 square kilometres. Príncipe is much tative owl, as well as the Príncipe Thrush Announcing the owl’s discovery at a con­ gust 2016, a paper published in the journal the two groups were profound. Those that of questions and will no doubt trigger a smaller (136 square kilometres) and sup­ Turdus xanthorhynchus. However, despite ference on island biology held recently in Science revealed a wholly unexpected new heard the incubation call during the five flurry of similar studies on other species. ports only some 6000 inhabitants, who hearing the call at multiple sites during the the Azores, Melo said that although solv­ mechanism whereby birds prepare their days before they hatched were smaller and Its findings also offer a glimmer of hope in live mainly in the north of the island. The day and at night, they were unable to lo­ ing this long-standing mystery is exciting offspring for warm conditions. more vocal than chicks from the control the context of climate change, as they sug­ south supported plantation agriculture cate its origin. from an ornithological perspective, the Mylene Mariette and Kate Buchanan of group. But the differences went far beyond gest that some species may be better able during the Portuguese colonial era, but Intrigued, Philippe Verbelen led an ex­ most important result is that it confirms the Australia’s Deakin University were work­ body mass and begging behaviour. Chicks to adapt to hotter conditions than we cur­ now forest blankets the entire southern pedition to the island to try to find this immense conservation importance of Prín­ ing with a captive breeding colony of Ze­ that heard the incubation call before rently appreciate. half of the island, most of which is pro­ mysterious owl. Accompanied by Felipe cipe’s lowland rainforests. If it indeed is a bra Finches Taeniopygia guttata when they hatching went on to show higher breeding ANDREW McKECHNIE tected in a national park. Spina from Fauna and Flora Interna­ new species, it will be at least the eighth bird noticed that the parents gave a distinct call success when raising their own young un­ Martim Melo first heard about a pos­ tional/Príncipe Trust, and Bikegila and species endemic to Príncipe and will bring when alone with their eggs. The incubation der hot conditions. Conversely, individu­ Reference sible owl on the island from parrot col­ Sátiro, former parrot harvesters who now to 29 the number of species endemic to São call was different to the contact calls that als from the control group that did not Mariette, M.M. and Buchanan, K.L. 2016. lectors in 1998 while he was studying the work to conserve the forests on Príncipe, Tomé and Príncipe – an unpre­cedented to­ adults use to communicate and because have incubations calls played to them be­ ‘Prenatal acoustic communication programs local population of African Grey Parrots Verbelen camped for five days in the re­ tal for two small oceanic islands. only finches whose partners were away fore hatching were more successful when offspring for high posthatching tempera­ as a student at the FitzPatrick Institute of mote rainforests in the southern part of PETER RYAN from the nest gave the call, it seemed to the breeding under cool conditions. tures in a songbird’. Science 353: 812‒814.

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birds they had rescued were not Marsh on the one hand it was birds flying into the nesting area in the Owls but African Grass Owls, a special incredible to see such evenings. By this time Brendan and I felt species. ‘We were super chuffed and that we had done all we could for the a special species going took care of the chick with extra caution chicks and it was now up to them and through the night,’ said Sophia. back into the wild, but on their parents to do the rest. When Brendan arrived very early on the other I was fearful Thursday morning to assist Jaco and So­ his whole event has been an in­ that the parents may not phia he noted that the chick was about credible learning experience for six weeks old and almost ready to fledge. return or that a preda- all involved and as far as I know it On going out to investigate the burnt re­ Tis the first time that African Grass Owls tor would discover the mains of the nesting site, he discovered chicks have been successfully released in this > a small, grass-covered ditch that had es­ caped the fire – and a third chick sitting The following evening Brendan went to in it! He decided that returning the other check on the owls and found only two in two chicks to the same area would be the nest, but they looked healthy and he the best course of action, as the parents felt confident that the other chick would would hopefully come back during the be nearby. I returned to the site the next night to look after them. morning with Anton van Niekerk, who is News of the owl chicks had spread also a member of GEKCO and has been through the community and when it working with the Grass Owls in the con­ reached GEKCO I contacted Sophia to servancy for a number of years. As we offer my assistance. I then phoned my carefully approached the nesting area and contacts at the Endangered Wildlife Trust positioned ourselves to get a good view (EWT) who had helped us to monitor oth­ from a distance, I felt my stomach churn­ er African Grass Owl nesting sites in the ing in anticipation of what we might find. conservancy. Matt Pretorius (a Grass Owl Much to my relief, all three chicks were specialist and senior field officer for the in the nest. We were extremely excited to Wildlife and Energy Programme), Emily see that they were doing well and took a above Jaco and Sophia Combrink, on whose Taylor (coordinator of the Urban Con­ few quick photos before backing away. property the owls were found, waiting for servation Project) and Marianne Golding Jaco and Sophia subsequently found sunset to return the chicks to the nest. (administrator of the Wildlife and Energy the remains of a rat near the nesting site, Programme) suggested that I assess the site which indicated that the parents were below Brendan Murray of the Owl Rescue and then we could make an informed deci­ feeding the chicks, and they have since Centre (left) and the author check the chicks sion on what to do with the chicks. I also reported that they have seen the adult before reuniting them in the nest. contacted Brendan and he gave me further details, including the fact that there was f ired up still a viable nesting area at the site. After some debate we decided to collect the first Grass Owls’ narrow escape chick from Friends of Free Wildlife and reunite it with its two siblings. TYRONE MCKENDRY (2) As the sun began to set, Sophia, Jaco, n the evening of 13 July 2106 I rescue, Sophia Combrink, and she told the young birds using a towel, put them Brendan and I quietly approached the received a WhatsApp message me what had happened. in a box and take them to the nearest vet ‘nest’ with the two Grass Owl chicks in to the effect that Marsh Owl That morning, a veld fire had blazed in case they needed treatment. a box, ready to be released. Quickly and Ochicks had been rescued from a veld fire through the open grassland next to her Only one chick was visible when So­ quietly we took them out of the box and in the Greater Kyalami Conservancy property. ‘As I was keeping an eye on the phia returned to the veranda, so she placed them in the nesting area. To our (GEKCO). From photographs accompa­ fire from our veranda, I noticed that two assumed that the other one had flown surprise, the third chick flew up and into nying the message I immediately realised tiny owls were crouched in the corner of away. She managed to catch the remain­ a nearby patch of grass – a good sign be­ that the chicks were not Marsh Owl but our property, just out of reach of the heat ing chick and took it to Friends of Free cause if it could fly it would be less vul­ African Grass Owl capensis, a Red and burning veld,’ she explained. The owl Wildlife. On returning home, she and nerable to predators. Nevertheless, I had Data species in South Africa. I managed chicks had somehow managed to make it her husband Jaco noticed that the sec­ mixed feelings: on the one hand it was to contact the person responsible for the past two electric fences into the safety of ond chick was in fact hiding in nearby incredible to see such a special species Sophia’s garden and appeared unharmed. shrubs. Jaco suggested they telephone going back into the wild, but on the other One of the African Grass Owl chicks after it Concerned for the chicks and unsure the Owl Rescue Centre for assistance and I was fearful that the parents may not re­ had been rescued from a veld fire in Kyalami, what to do, Sophia phoned Friends of Brendan Murray responded to the call. turn or that a predator would discover Gauteng. Free Wildlife, who advised her to catch He informed Sophia and Jaco that the the chicks. jaco combrink

12 african birdlife november/december 2016 news & views 13 news & views Birdnews Photography & views

way. Congratulations to all who habitat specialists that require a Safaris & were involved and a special thank specific type of grass that is tall and Earliest regional breeding record you to Jaco and Sophia for going dense enough in which to build Workshops to such great lengths to ensure that their nests and the tunnels where for White-backed Vulture the chicks got the best care possi­ they spend their days. If grassland is with Albert & ble. It feels fantastic to report on a burnt too regularly, potential nest­ conservation story with a positive ing sites become degraded and un­ Marietjie Froneman outcome at a time when the envi­ suitable for use and the birds have Join us on a specialised bird ronment is under so much pressure to seek new territories elsewhere. from urbanisation. It is inspiring to This is likely to have a negative im­ photography safari and learn see the time and care that people pact on the overall population of from the experts in the field are willing give in order to protect a Grass Owls. species that many have never heard If you own property in the grass­ of. It gives me great hope for our lands, please consider: leaving as conservation projects in the future. much as possible intact to provide Veld fires are a natural part of a refuge for local biodiversity; creat­ many of South Africa’s ecosystems ing firebreaks that can help prevent and are particularly common in TYRONE MCKENDRY fires from spreading too far; and tania anderson Gauteng because the extensive grass­ The Grass Owl chicks a couple days after their cutting the grass instead of burning White-backed Vulture chick on The White-backed Vulture chick in its nest in a lands in the province become extremely successful release. it to have less of an impact on the ecosys­ a nest already? Surely it’s rather tall knob thorn tree. dry in winter. These fires are important for tem and reduce the risk of a fire spread­ early?’ I wondered as Mark and many natural processes, but they can also natural habitat has been fragmented and ing into areas where it was not intended. I‘A drove slowly alongside the drainage line G. coprotheres, lays from the end of March be extremely destructive when they occur species become isolated. In addition, fires Responsible grassland management can supporting scattered knob thorns, marula into April at Kransberg, Marakele National too frequently. Species that depend on the tend to occur more often because con­ make a significant difference in the sur­ and apple-leaf trees on Hull, Klaserie Pri­ Park in Limpopo Province. grasslands for survival are often caught trolled burning and accidental burning vival of local bird populations, including vate Nature Reserve in Limpopo Province. In Namibia, White-backed Vulture lay­ in a blaze and are badly injured or killed. take place simultaneously. those of the African Grass Owl. There, in a nest at the top of a tall knob ing peaks in mid-May, but there are a few In urban environments the impact of the For African Grass Owls, veld fires are TYRONE MCKENDRY thorn, a large downy chick was peering early records of clutches during the last fires tends to be more severe because the a serious problem because the owls are BIODIVERSITY SPECIALIST, GEKCO down at us. One of the parents was flying week of March and first week of April in overhead, keeping a watchful eye on our Etosha National Park. This is a week ear­ movements. lier than the central and western Namibia Later on that warm Lowveld day of areas, according to a 2015 article in Or- 27 June 2016, Mark contacted several nithological Observations by Chris Brown vulture experts to try to ascertain what and colleagues. the earliest breeding records were for this So it seems that we have a new record MINOX - Precision in all areas. species. ‘Vulturephiles’ Peter Mundy, Pat­ for the earliest laying and hatching date rick Benson, Angus Anthony and Dirk for the White-backed Vulture in South Af­ van Stuyvenberg were as surprised as we rica. Could this early breeding incident in Powerful binoculars All-round binoculars with Superior optics were. They estimated the chick to be ap­ Klaserie be a reaction to the past few years proximately 30 days old and we therefore of drought in the region and the ensuing Affordable bird photography for the outdoors. open bridge design. “Made in Germany”. established that the egg was laid dur­ greater food availability? Or is it possibly workshops and courses MINOX BF-Line MINOX BV-Line MINOX BL HD-Line ing the last week of March or first week a result of the warmer early winter experi­ tailored to your individual level of April and hatched on about 27 May. enced in 2016? of expertise will teach you the Angus Anthony mentioned that for the In addition to selling vulture parts for best camera settings and easiest 23 years of breeding data for Dronfield perceived medicinal reasons, some tradi­ post-processing techniques. x44 BV 8 Game Farm near Kimberley the earli­ tional healers claim that one can become R 5980 SRP est hatching date was 23 June, almost a clairvoyant and win the lottery by con­ x33 HD Destinations for 2017 include: BL 8 month later. Peter Mundy has 20 April suming vulture brains. This is based on x42 on record as being the earliest laying date the vulture’s exceptional vision and acute Kgalagadi – the best for raptors BF 10 R 8650 SRP for this species in the Chizarira/Chirisa ability to locate carcasses. I doubt that this Okavango – the ultimate bird R 3450 SRP area of north-western . Dirk newly professed traditional use has any photography destination van Stuyvenberg concurred that White- merit whatsoever, but we can only hope Zambezi River – spectacular Carmine Bee-eaters backed Vulture Gyps africanus chicks that vultures can sense that the climate is Indlovu River Lodge – custom-built, usually hatch towards the end of June changing and that they are sufficiently re­ water-level hides in Big 5 bushveld into July in North West Province. silient to adapt in response to ensure the Patrick Benson’s records show that a survival of the species. L&O Group South Africa Tel: +27 (12) 819 7800/11 | Email: [email protected] closely related species, the Cape Vulture TANIA ANDERSON Space is limited so book now to avoid disappointment. www.minox.com German. Performance. Optics. Visit www.wildlifephotography.co.za november/december 2016 news & views 15

MIN_AZ_215x130_News_Binos_2016_ZA_quer.indd 1 12.10.16 08:46 on the shelf

Terrestrial Gamebirds Eurasian Woodcock. Personally, I’d have & Snipes of Africa restricted the scope to the 54 species of Galliformes and omitted the sandgrouse Guineafowls, Francolins, Spurfowls, and snipe, as that would have been plen­ Quails, Sandgrouse & Snipes ty for a single sitting. Rob Little Secondly, and equally ambitiously, it relies exclusively on photographs to il­ Jacana Media, Johannesburg lustrate its subjects, and this must be Softcover; 304 pages. R280. the most comprehensive photographic ISBN 978-1-4314-2414-6 coverage of these birds currently avail­ able. As is to be expected, the quality of here is an honoured tradition these images varies, and it is particularly of gamebirds inspiring the pro­ noticeable in some of the more obscure duction of lavish monographs, species. Certainly one of the Grey- into the passionate world of an author Ttypically anchored with fine artwork. striped Spurfowl images should have who has the authority and reach to guide Horsburgh’s Game-birds and Water-fowl remained a ‘record’ (rather than a pub­ you to the summit of everything known of South Africa (1912) and Clancey’s lished) shot. One species, Ring-necked about these characterful busybodies of Gamebirds of Southern Africa (1967) Francolin, has never been photographed the African landscape. come to mind. Indeed, Rob Little was the at all. The cropping and scaling of some Despite this, and I suspect at least senior author of a distinguished member images is poor and many a bird has its partly because of it, the book has some of this lineage published some 16 years tail or feet summarily chopped off. Sure­ rough edges, particularly as regards ago with a title identical to Clancey’s ef­ ly the photograph of a nervous Com­ grammar and editing. Tenses are in­ fort. The crossover appeal of such books mon Quail backed up against an ugly consistent, singular and plural confused beyond just the ornithological and bird­ fence-line could have been replaced with beyond measure, redundancies abound, ing community to the hunting lobby something more aesthetically pleasing? capitalisation lacks uniformity and sci­ further promotes such coverage, perhaps And it is disappointing to see old faith­ entific names are reiterated ad nauseam. especially given the deep pockets of the fuls trotted out yet again: the image of a Some text is presented in a bulleted for­ well-heeled wingshooting fraternity. startled and slightly blurred Blue Quail mat but to no real advantage and in the What new does this publication bring that I first saw more than 25 years ago case of the sections covering ‘Descrip­ to the party? Well, first and foremost, (and have seen many times since then) tion’ this actually reduces clarity. The it boldly extends the scope to cover all has truly exceeded its shelf-life. order of presentation of some of the spe­ of Africa’s terrestrial gamebirds, that Overall, though, this is a book that cies accounts defies understanding, for is, 74 species comprising guineafowls backs itself, and it has a cutting-edge, example in the ‘red-winged francolins’, and Congo Peafowl, francolins and even slightly racy aura to it. You feel swept where it is expressly not taxonomic but partridges, spurfowls, quails, nor does the sequence follow any other sandgrouse, and snipes and discernible pattern. But the sheer ground-breaking nature of this book carries the day. My interest was continually piqued by insights such as the basal position of guineafowl in the evolution of modern Galliformes, that Congo Peafowl nest in trees and that there may be fewer than 500 Djibouti Spurfowl left in existence. Above all, I wonder if that Burchell’s Sandgrouse straining to escape a lunging Kalahari leopard made it or not... DAVID ALLAN

16 african birdlife