The Bird of the Year for 2021, the Cape

BIRD OF THE YEAR 2021 CAPE ROCKJUMPER egg-eating boomslang, thrives in the increasing temperatures associated with climate change. Cape Rockjump- ers have to adjust their behaviour in high temperatures as, instead of coping with the heat by panting (which means losing water), they hide in the limited shade that fynbos provides. The species is a facultative coopera- tive breeder and the dominant male in a territory will occasionally be assisted by a younger, up-and-coming male. The female tends to work equally hard, regardless of the number of helpers. She usually lays two, sometimes three eggs in a nest on the ground, partially sheltered by a nearby boulder. Adults provision their chicks for up to 22 days, usually supplying insects and other invertebrates, but also offer- PETER RYAN ing the odd gecko or chameleon. The chicks are vulnerable to being preyed on by mongooses, honey badgers and snakes. The rockjumper’s territ ory is maintained year-round and is de- fynbos icon fended by both the male and female by way of loud calls and dramatic fanned he Bird of the Year for 2021, the tail displays to ward off competing Cape Rockjumper Chaetops neighbours. frenatus, is not only an exam- The easiest places to see Cape Rock- pleT of the charismatic birds found in jumpers are at Rooi Els and its asso- South Africa, but a model for study- ciated hills, and the Swartberg Pass ing the potential impacts of climate north of Oudtshoorn. Of course, those change on South Africa’s unique avian who are energetic enough to climb heritage. Over the past decade the spe- mountain peaks may find the birds on cies, Red Data-listed and considered almost all of the rocky and exposed Near Threatened, has been the focus ridges of the Cape Fold Mountains of research based at the FitzPatrick In- through the Western Cape and into the stitute at the University of Cape Town, colourful and vocal species is associ- Eastern Cape. Good locations for such and at Nelson Mandela and Rhodes ated mostly with the higher-altitude, exploration are the Wolfberg Arch universities. These projects have pro- rocky slopes of the Cape Fold Moun- in the Cederberg or Blue Hill Nature vided valuable information about var- tains. As a terrestrial bird, the open Reserve near Uniondale, which has ious aspects of the biology and overall habitat of mountain fynbos suits this been the focus of much rockjumper ecology of the Cape Rockjumper, in- species best, as it can keep a close eye research over the past eight years. creasing our knowledge of the life his- on potential predators by hopping up ALAN LEE AND KRISTA OSWALD tory of this fynbos endemic. onto large boulders. In other parts of With the exception of the much- the fynbos, vegetation recovery after photographed individuals at Rooi fire soon produces dense habitat that Els on the Western Cape coast, this is difficult for this species to navigate, and evidence reflects lower nesting above The male Cape Rockjumper, with his success in such areas. It also has lower piercing red eyes and black face with white breeding success in hot weather, partly malar stripe, is a strikingly beautiful bird. because its arch enemy, the chick- and 66 AFRICAN BIRDLIFE.

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