South African Garden Birds

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With a dark back, yellow bill and dull orange underparts, the Olive Thrush is commonly seen in gardens hopping on the ground, scratching for insects and earthworms. The female is the worker in this monogamous relationship, building the nest made from dry leaves, twigs and moss, laying eggs in the warmer spring months, then incubating them for fourteen days.

The male steps in and assists with brooding and feeding the fledgelings and, of course, defending their territory. Listen out for their flute-like notes in the pre-dawn, sometimes mimicking the call of the Cape White-eye amongst others.

The Cape White-eye can be found moving in pairs or small parties in wooded areas from the sea to the mountains looking for insects, fruit and nectar. They are home bodies, preferring to stay in a localised area. Cape White-eyes are gregarious, roosting close to each other on a branch and often seen preening one another. Look out for the small, deep, cup-nest built by the monogamous pair in leafy foliage.

All passerines (perching or song birds, characterised by three toes facing forwards and one facing backwards), including the above two, have offspring born altricial, which means they are naked and blind (partially underdeveloped) unable to fend for themselves and fully reliant on the adult for warmth, protection and food.