ADVERTORIAL LISTEN UP! WIN! 10 lucky readers can each win a copy of Sappi Birds of South Africa, plus the Callfinder®. Send your name and contact details to [email protected], SCARLET-CHESTED SUNBIRD GERRIT LOTZ using ‘Sappi Birds – African Birdlife’ in the subject line. The closing date for entries in this lucky draw is 12 pm on Ground-breaking field guide 15 January 2014. features bird call sounds Point the Callfinder® to an image to appi Birds of South Africa, an innovative new publication hear the bird – it’s simply brilliant!’ by Saartjie Kidson and Herman van Niekerk, enables readers says Simon Gear from the 50/50 to also hear the call of a bird. Simply by pointing the unique television series. ‘Birding has never SCallfinder® device at a bird’s photograph on the page, it unlocks ‘ been easier and more enjoyable. the sound. This all-in-one bird guide will change the way in which This book is the ideal guide for nature-lovers study birds. any bird-lover and gives the user This inventive product combines the practicality of a printed field knowledge – anywhere, anytime. guide with the ease of technology, and takes birding to a new level. Birders are no longer constrained by slow internet connections, poor network coverage or text that is difficult to read in the field if they want to discover a species’ call. SPECIAL OFFER! The printing technology used in this publication overlays an in- ’ In this special offer to African Birdlife visible grid over each photograph. The ‘eye’ of the Callfinder® reads readers, you can buy the book and the this grid and translates it into sound, allowing the field guide-user Callfinder® for R680, including postage. to instantly hear the vocalisation of a particular species. The usual selling price of this package is The Callfinder® works on a rechargeable battery and is very easy R710, including postage. (Prices valid with- to operate, without any complicated menus or instructions. Whereas other devices rely on in South Africa. For international postage smartphone applications or internet-based software, the Callfinder® has all the information prices, e-mail [email protected]) stored in its memory. To take advantage of this offer, e-mail Sappi Birds of South Africa is ideal for birders of all levels, tour guides, trainers and game [email protected], quoting ‘Sappi Birds – rangers. Its layout facilitates quick and easy identification of more than 720 bird species that African Birdlife’ in the subject line. Include are illustrated in over 800 high-quality your name and full contact details, and Western Barn Owl 392 photographs. In addition to the Callfinder®, how many copies you would like to order. Slender. Heart-shaped white face, 400 small dark eyes. Orange-brown Cape Eagle-Owl body with grey spots and smudges. W Prominent ear tufts, large feet with hite underwing in fl ight, short, barred strong talons. Dark spotted above, for African Grass Owl. Widespread. P tail. May be mistaken refers open habitat bold brown and rufous blotching on wherever there is an abundance of You will then be sent a pro-forma invoice small rodents and insects. chest, heavy barring on whitish belly. Or the book allows users to identify birds by Hisses and clacks bill when threate ange eyes. ned. Also roosts and May be confused with smaller Spotted Eagl breeds in tops of palm trees, lofts, m e-Owl. Juv. similar ine shafts and other man- to adult but with smaller ear tufts. Mostl made structures, old Hamerkop nest y inhabitant of rocky s or any other suitable and mountainous areas. Will perch in the cavity. Seems to glow at dusk because where it will be vigorously mobbed by open when fl ushed of deposit of luminous other birds. Mating ritual bacteria or fungi from nest on feathers. C while exchanging hoots. Female will osmopolitan species. remain upright, male Nonnetjie-uil; Tyto alba facing her and bowing with each hoot. Ne means of shape, grouping and habitat. and once proof of payment has been fl oor or sheltered ledge, or hidden behindst thi scrape on cave Unobtrusive. Scarce. ck vegetation. Kaapse Ooruil; Bubo capensis M Pret J Gro Quick reference searches are further simpli- received, the order will be despatched to African Grass Owl 393 Slender. Heart-shaped white face, sm all black 401 eyes, no ear tufts, distinct rounded w Spotted Eagle-Owl ings, short tail – in fl ight legs protrude beyond tail. Dark Prominent ear tufts. Common grey-br brown above, tawny-buff below. D own form you. This offer is valid until 31 January 2014. blotched above, fi nely barred below, b ark underwing in fl ight. Juv. right fied by a bilingual index of all the birds listed face and body more soft yellow. Ma yellow eyes. Uncommon rufous form y be confused with Barn with Owl. Found in tall grass, damp vleis and yellow-orange eyes. May be confuse marshes, living in d with larger Cape Eagle- tunnels made in long, dry, grass. Diffi cult t Owl. Inhabits wide variety of habi o fl ush. Flies short tats. Also encountered where distances with dangling legs. Lives predo humans are active. Closes eyes to a slit Nest a scraping in ground at end of grassminantly on vlei rats. and raises ear tufts to tunnel. Rarely calls. maximum height to disguise itself. Swallo Mostly solitary. Rare and vulnerable much head-jerking. Will sometimes pausews prey whole with . and rest with part of by their common group names, such as duck Grasuil; Tyto capensis the prey still protruding. Courtship consi calling in duet. Variety of nesting sites susts of male and female ground, fork in a tree and even a fl owe ch as scrape in the r box. Gevlekte Ooruil; Bubo africanus or sparrow. M Pret L HanL Marsh Owl 395 Brown with black bill. Dark marks aroun 402 brown eyes. Small ear tufts, not norm d Verreaux’s Eagle-Owl ally shown. Barred buff-brown tail seen i This soft-cover book comprises 320 pages One of the largest owls. Prominent ea n fl ight. r tufts. Found in grassland, vleis and marsh Powerful feet and talons. Female large es. Prey mostly rodents, r than birds and insects. Hunts from perch, o male. Facial disc with black outer rim. r by fl ying over grassy Conspi- habitat, sometimes hovering. Store cuous and distinctive pink eyelids. s food when there is an Soft, vermiculated grey excess. Grass nest in tall grass. Usu below. White throat distinctive when ally seen at last light calling. Juv. grey- performing aerobatics prior to hunting. Ver brown. Prefers large, leafy trees alo daytime. On dull days often seen perche y rarely hunts during ng watercourses. Food and is available in English and Afrikaans d alongside roads. mainly small mammals such as young mo Gregarious. eat fl amingos, Secretarybirds and Pel’s nkeys. Known to Vlei-uil; Asio capensis hunts on foot. Will wade in water in searFishing Owls. Also Constructs nest of sticks in tree. May ch of fi sh and frogs. also use natural cavity in tree to nest or occupy old Hamerkop nest. Only single chick reared. Widespread. Uncommon. Reuse Ooruil; editions from December 2013. Bubo lacteus M Pret 120 J Am TM 100–127.indd 120-121 121 10/1/2013 3:01:53 PM.