robbed, is equivalent to a definite increase in insects with which he
already has to struggle. He will soon appreciate the fact that he has
a personal interest, and a strong one, in the preservation of birds.
- Henry Oldys
The Blackeyed Bulbuls are regular visits to my garden, enjoying a snack at the various bird tables and splashing in the shallows at the pond. They are very gregarious birds and will call one another incessantly should they lose sight of one another. They are also always the first to spot a snake in my garden, and their alarm calls always lure me out to see what's going on. They eventually have the whole garden bird population in uproar, flitting from branch to branch above the snake, letting it know in no uncertain terms that it's definitely not welcome! They have the same reaction when they spot Torti, my Mountain tortoise, although I can't for the life of me think why!
Found just about everywhere in Africa except in the dry South West and on the Cape.
Nice panting..!
ReplyDeleteWhat a handsome, cheeky-looking fellow! And thank you for the fascinating observations - love them!
ReplyDeleteLove that saucy look on his face. Well captured Maree.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Studio, pleased you liked their behaviour!
ReplyDeleteThanks Teri, they certainly do have an air about them!
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun bird! Wish I had one in my yard to alert me to snakes. That would be much more pleasant than almost stepping on one. Wonderful sketch.
ReplyDeleteGreat sketch Maree. I love this fellow. Wish I had them in my yard to alert me to snakes. That would be much more pleasant than almost stepping on one.
ReplyDeleteLove your snake alarm, Maree!
ReplyDeleteGlad you like the sketch Paula. And yes, it certainly is great knowing the snakes are around before you come upon it unexpectedly! But even then, when looking for it while all the Bulbuls are having such a heart attack, the snakes are sometimes VERY difficult to see, especially when they're hiding in a very thick part of the garden. If it wasn't for the fact that all the Bulbuls were all screaming from one tree, one would never find it!
ReplyDeleteThanks a lot Kate!
ReplyDelete