Crested Barbet claims the Free State (1 Viewer)

Top item of Latest News on the SABAP2 website shows how the Crested Barbet has expanded its range 100s of km southwestwards in recent decades --- it now virtually covers the entire Free State --- see http://sabap2.adu.org.za

Les Underhill said:

Top item of Latest News on the SABAP2 website shows how the Crested Barbet has expanded its range 100s of km southwestwards in recent decades --- it now virtually covers the entire Free State --- see http://sabap2.adu.org.za

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Thanks, Les.....any comments on why these distributional changes might be happening?
Dave

In this case, range expansion is by island hopping from one farm house surrounding by alien trees to the next, with totally unsuitable habitat in between. Full story is on the SABAP2 website, http://sabap2.adu.org.za

Les Underhill said:

In this case, range expansion is by island hopping from one farm house surrounding by alien trees to the next, with totally unsuitable habitat in between. Full story is on the SABAP2 website, http://sabap2.adu.org.za

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Thanks - that is akin to Sociable Weavers extending their range via telephone poles / power lines along highways.

Urbanisation is having a significant effect on distribution - we moved into the West Rand in 1989, since which time the following species have appeared, and in some instances become common residents -

Grey Go-away Bird, Grey Hornbill, Black-throated Apalis, Thick-billed Weaver, Freckled Nightjar, Green Wood-hoopoe, African Harrier Hawk (which hunts sparrows etc under the eaves of bungalows), Amur Falcon, Jackal Buzzard, Hamerkop, Fairy Flycatcher, African Paradise-flycatcher, Common Waxbill, Streaky-headed Seed-eater

No doubt there are others - but the shift from upland and rocky grassland to what is now, from a bird's point of view, woodland/forest, has been significant. On the downside, over 23 years of increasing urbanisation, we seem to have lost Mountain Wheatear and Mocking Cliff-chat, which were relatively common when we arrived.
Best wishes,
Dave

New range-change map on the website today for Yellow-bellied Greenbul --- http://sabap2.adu.org.za and curated longterm at http://sabap2.adu.org.za/news.php?id=2576 --- I will check out the range-change maps for some of the species you mention ---thanks, les

Dave Kennedy said:

Thanks - that is akin to Sociable Weavers extending their range via telephone poles / power lines along highways.


Grey Go-away Bird, Grey Hornbill, Black-throated Apalis, Thick-billed Weaver, Freckled Nightjar, Green Wood-hoopoe, African Harrier Hawk (which hunts sparrows etc under the eaves of bungalows), Amur Falcon, Jackal Buzzard, Hamerkop, Fairy Flycatcher, African Paradise-flycatcher, Common Waxbill, Streaky-headed Seed-eater
Dave

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Erratum -

"Black-throated Apalis" should read "Bar-throated Apalis"
Apologies
Dave