The two penduline-tits are of the smallest birds in southern Africa, at a mere 9cm in length. They are best known, however, for their remarkable nests with a false entrance to trick predators.
On 31 August we held an open ringing session at Grotto Bay Private Nature Reserve. We caught many typical fynbos birds. In the late morning, near the end of the session, I noticed two small birds at one of my far nest. I heard a Karoo Prinia calling from there and assumed that the birds at the nets were prinias. As I got closer, one bird flew out the net and the other that had been fluttering nearby followed. One bird was loosely caught again and I quickly moved to secure it. At this stage I saw that it was a Cape Penduline-tit, but sadly the second bird flew off.
I had tried twice previously at Ouberg to catch this species (eg May 2024), but birds fluttered near the nets and flew off without being caught. On this occasion we were not aware of the penduline-tits until one had been caught, another ringing lifer for me!
Thanks to Michelle and Grotto Bay for hosting us!
Fact sheet:
Number ringed to date (SAFRING): 417 [1948-2024]
Longevity: 2y 9m 28d [111 retraps]
Trip report: BDI report
Reason special: smallest bird, ringing lifer
