Kelp Gull
Sometimes seen flying overhead, especially when cold fronts are rolling in. This is a large black and white gull, common on the sea shore, but not likely to settle on the estate.
Hartlaub's Gull
This is a common endemic gull which is sometimes seen flying overhead, generally before a cold front moves in. They are common on Fish Hoek Beach but haven’t been recorded in the estate itself.
Reed Cormorant
These small, fresh-water coromorants resemble the exclusively marine Crowned Cormorant. They are common on all the dams around the estate and are often seen flying between the wetlands and roosting in the reeds. They feed on small aquatic species.




















































This species is not as common on the estate as the Speckled Mousebird. They also occur in flocks and have a distinctive call. The red mask is not always that obvious unless seen from close up. They are fruit eaters.
Pied Kingfisher
Cape Wagtail
Pied Crow

This is the only kingfisher recorded on the estate so far but it is very possible that Malachite Kingfisher also occurs. Breeding is likely if the wetlands are left undisturbed so that birds like kingfishers can become resident and confident about breeding here.

These little birds do occur on the estate but their presence is erratic. At times they can be heard calling from the rooftops or seen wandering around but they are certainly not common. Wagtails have been affected over the years by the indiscriminate use of herbicides on lawns and golf courses.

Crows are common on the estate, especially on rubbish collection day. They are noisy and always on the lookout for something tasty to eat. They are often chased by nesting birds like Red-winged Starlings. Although some people dislike them because of their habit of harassing raptors, they are indigenous to the area and not as much of a problem as the Indian House Crow (not been recorded here).
White-necked Raven

Ravens are known as “honorary raptors” in the region because of their cliff-nesting habits. They are sometimes seen flying (usually in pairs) over the estate. They are actually corvids, like crows, and sound very much like them. They are often mistaken for the more numerous Pied Crow, but they lack the white breast typical of the latter species.
Cape Bulbul

Common on the estate and can be encouraged with fruit. Note the distinctive white eye-ring. Bulbuls are delightful to have around and have a distinctive call. Their cousins further north lack the white eye-ring.
Cape Robin-Chat

These birds were not common when I first moved here, but I am hearing and seeing them more frequently. They like “wooded” areas and are not often seen in the open, but can be quite obliging. They are now well established and common on the estate. Often recognised by their rufous tails as they disappear into shrubs and bushes. They sing merrily in the mornings and evenings.
Familiar Chat

This little bird is often overlooked. It seems to be more common on the Fish Hoek side of the estate. It is commonly found hopping about on rocks in fynbos and frequently flicks its wings. It was once known as “Spekvreter” because it used to feed on the fat used to grease wagon wheels.
Little Rush-Warbler

Previously known as African Sedge Warbler, this drab brown warbler seems to have settled well on the estate and is presumed to be breeding. The call is distinctive- likened to a stick in the spokes of a bicycle wheel. This species calls repetitively in the wetland while breeding and displays in the reedbeds. They are vulnerable to disturbance and should be left alone during the spring months when they are establishing a territory.
Lesser Swamp-Warbler

Previously known as Cape Reed Warbler, it occurs on most of the dams and is as common as the similar Little Rush-Warbler. The Lesser Swamp-Warbler is paler underneath and has a distinct white eye-stripe. Look out for it in the Typha (Bull Rush), where it breeds. Disturbance and clearing of the wetlands will, however, interfere with breeding success and the establishment of territories. The Little Rush Warbler seems to be more vocal and settled here.
Cape Grassbird

The Grassbird is well known amongst bird- watchers for its very pleasant “typically fynbos” song. It is quite similar to the call of the Lesser Double-collared Sunbird. It also has a distinctive alarm call. A very attractive species which blends in well with the habitat. It is not a typical garden bird, although common in the fynbos around us, but I see and hear it quite frequently in my overgrown garden.
Levaillant’s Cisticola

This little wetland bird can be recognised by its call. They are not nearly as common as they were in the early days of the estate. They have possibly moved off due to development. This cisticola is generally found in wetland areas and the rufous crown and black back are conspicuous.
Karoo Prinia

These noisy little birds are common and do come into gardens. I have a pair breeding in my garden at present and they are partial to Wild Rosemary- they, like many other species, use it for lining their nests. These little birds with speckles on the chest (formerly known as Spotted Prinia) are often overlooked because of their size. They eat small insects and spiders, so are wonderful friends of the gardener. I often see them feeding on aphids and other small insects.
Common Fiscal

Fiscal Shrikes (their previous name) are also common and quite noisy. Their chicks are demanding when fledged. Attractive birds to have around, but they are known to feed on chameleons, which can be a problem if you have these charming little reptiles in your garden. They can also be a nuisance to other birds. They have a habit of impaling large insects, reptiles and even mice on barbed wire and fences.
Southern Boubou

This is possibly the most charming of all the feathered residents, although it is often scarce. It has a very distinctive call, not unlike that of the more common Bokmakierie, and also often calls in duet. It looks a bit like a larger version of the Common Fiscal, but is quite skulking and does not always show itself. I had one in the garden almost every day for a period and it was noisy and often out on the lawn, but I haven’t seen it for a while.
Bokmakierie

Bokmakieries are common and vocal around the estate, especially at the start of the breeding season. They generally occur in pairs and call in duet. They appear to be breeding successfully. They belong to the Bush Shrike family and are very striking with their bold black and yellow colouring. Hard to mistake for anything else, although the immature birds are dull in comparison.
Red-winged Starling

These birds are common on the estate and throughout the region. Their red/orange primary feathers are obvious in flight. They are fruit eaters and quite noisy, especially when alarmed. The male is all black and the female has a grey head. They occur in pairs (I had a pair roosting above my deck for about seven years), but tend to form larger flocks when not breeding. Not to be confused with the noisy Common Starling, which is not indigenous and occurs in large flocks.
Common Starling

Common Starlings are reasonably frequent on the estate and generally occur in flocks. They are very noisy and often mimic the calls of other species. They are an exotic species and they can become problematic when numbers get out of hand. The habitat is not suitable and I don’t think they are resident anywhere on the estate.
Cape Sugarbird

This is a very impressive bird, endemic to fynbos and generally associated with protea shrubs in flower. Although it resembles a large sunbird, the families are not closely related. Sugarbirds are nomadic and tend to move around the Peninsula depending on which species are flowering at the time. They breed during the winter months, which is unusual for birds, and feed their chicks on insects attracted to the blooms. We are seeing more of them around the estate as the indigenous shrubs become more established. They have a distinctive grating call.
Malachite Sunbird

Malachite Sunbirds are common on the estate and easy to identify due to their large size and stunning iridescent green plumage. Their call is distinctive and they are attracted to aloes in bloom. They are particularly active during spring and are less colourful (eclipse plumage) during the non-breeding months. The females, as in all sunbirds, are drab in colour but obviously larger than the other local species.
Southern Double-collared Sunbird

Previously known as Lesser Double-collared, these colourful little birds are not uncommon. Unlike the Orange-breasted Sunbird, this species is not confined to fynbos and frequently visits gardens. They are attracted to aloes in flower and to Cape Honeysuckle and other nectar-producing plants. The red breast band is distinctive.
Orange-breasted Sunbird

Not common on the estate. These attractive little sunbirds are endemic to fynbos, but seldom seen in gardens here. The first one I saw in my garden was during the fires up on Blackhill. Planting ericas and other similar plants may encourage them onto the estate. They are shy and scarce, yet quite confiding when encountered in areas like Silvermine Nature Reserve where they are more at home.
Cape White-eye

White-eyes are found throughout the estate and visit gardens when food is available. They are fruit eaters and also feed on the flowers of Salvia and other species when in bloom. They form large flocks during the winter months and are often heard early in the mornings when they visit their favourite plants to feed. The white ring around the eye is unmistakable.
Cape Sparrow

This striking endemic bird, also known as “Mossie” has become very well established on the estate and is attracted to seed feeders. It is breeding well and numbers have increased considerably. Numbers are down in other parts of the Peninsula so it is good to know that it is doing well here.
House Sparrow

This is an introduced species that is always found around human habitation. It is rare on the estate and I have only recorded it at my seed feeder on one occasion. It can be confused with the indigenous Cape Sparrow, but is quite a bit smaller and less boldly marked.
Southern Grey-headed Sparrow

This species is new to the Peninsula and is not often recorded. I had one in my garden for about a month, visiting the seed feeder, but I haven’t seen it for a long time. It can be confused with the female Cape Sparrow, but lacks the white eye-stripe.
Cape Weaver

These noisy, bright yellow birds are doing well here. They are breeding in the Typha on most of the dams and visit the seed feeder regularly. Enthusiastic immature birds often attempt to build clumsy nests as they practice their skills with little success. Interestingly, the nest- building birds (the males) collect buchu to line their nests- possibly as an insect repellent. The males become vivid yellow in the breeding season, sing and display incessantly and have several mates.
Common Waxbill

These beautiful little finch-like birds are very common around the estate. They are generally associated with wetlands, but they are attracted to seed feeders and occur in large numbers. They have a distinctive call. They are the host species of the Pin-tailed Whydah, which has also become common and they are constantly harassed when feeding. I have no record of the similar Swee Waxbill for the estate.
Pin-tailed Whydah

Anyone who has a bird feeder will know this arrogant little bird. He is very attractive when in breeding plumage- red bill, black and white with a long flowing tail. He spends all day defending his territory, chasing off rivals and trying to impress his females. Whydahs are brood parasites- hence the association with Common Waxbills. He tends to disappear when the spring breeding rush is over, but returns early the following season and can be seen transforming into his striking breeding attire.
Brimstone Canary

Also known as Bully Canary, this bird is not common on the estate, but has been reported in gardens and I have seen it feeding on my Salvia bush. Generally occurs singly. It is a large canary with a heavy bill and is more striking than the Cape Canary.
Cape Canary

Cape Canaries tend to move through in flocks and make their presence known by constantly singing, especially from tree tops. They tend to feed on the ground during spring and perch on fences and bushes. They differ from the larger and bolder Brimstone Canary by having grey heads. The females are duller and less colourful than the males.
Cape Bunting

This little bird is recognised by its distinctive call and can be quite confiding. It is quite common in fynbos but not all that common around the estate. I have recorded it in my garden- usually during summer when it comes to drink at the bird bath. I would imagine it may be more common in more open, rocky gardens which resemble its mountain habitat.

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