From Opus

This article is incomplete. This article is missing one or more sections. You can help the BirdForum Opus by expanding it.

Photo from Kgalagadi Transfontier Park, South Africa, by Mybs

Cercomela familiaris

[edit] Identification

Size 14-15cm - this bird is similar in size to a Cape Sparrow, but quite stockily built. The bill is short and straight. It is black in color. The legs and feet are black. This is a dull brown bird, which is paler below. It often has a orange looking patch on the ear-coverts. It has a shortish tail, which has dark brown centre feathers, and orange-buff outer tail feathers and rump.

[edit] Distribution

[edit] Taxonomy

[edit] Habitat

Rocky mountain slopes and its outcrops, eroded gullies, sparse woodland along drainage lines, farmyards and village gardens.

[edit] Behaviour

[edit] Forage & Food

The Afrikaans name "spekvreter" (means "fat-eater"), and comes from the fact that it developed the habit of feeding on the lard used to grease wagons by the voortrekkers. It is a friendly bird and often hangs around farmhouses and homesteads. It eats insects, fruit, animal fat and scraps from around the house or farmyard by flying down to the ground from its perch and snaps up its prey.

[edit] Breeding

It nests July- April, but will breed at any time when conditions are right - especially in the drier areas. The nest is a cup of hair, wool, feathers or soft plant material on a larger pad of coarser material, often anchored on a base of earth or stones. This is situated in a hole in the ground, the wall of a donga or rock face. It also nests on buildings, in nest boxes or even in disused Sociable Weaver nest.

[edit] Vocalisation

The call is a harsh chak-chak or peep-chak-chak when alarmed.

[edit] External Links