Around You

Birds Around You? By Albert Roos This article is based on migratory birds that you can expect to see around your garden this spring. To keep it short and sweet I name only 3 species mostly found in the Gauteng region. African Paradise Flycatcher: Roberts no 708 The adult male African Paradise Flycatcher is approximately 17 cm long, but the very long tail streamers easily double this length. It has a black head, neck and underparts and chestnut wings and tail. There is a prominent white wing bar. The female has a browner tint on the underparts and lacks the wing bar and tail streamers. Young birds are similar to the female, only duller. It builds a neat cup nest in which it lays a clutch - usually two or three eggs. The African Paradise Flycatcher feeds mainly on insects. Greater Striped Swallow: Roberts no 526 The Greater Striped Swallow is 18 to 20 cm long. It has dark blue upperparts with a pale orange rump and a chestnut crown, nape and sides of the head. The underparts