Ongoing research into bird behavior continues to reveal fascinating facts about the multitude of feathered creatures that share our planet. Results from recent research indicates that when a rival flock has defeated them in a raucous show of superiority, Green Woodhoopoes display supportive behavior to their fellow flock-mates in a manner that researchers have likened to football fans commiserating with one another when the team they are supporting loses.

These attractive metallic dark green and purple South African birds live in groups of around twelve members and are known to challenge rival groups by means of raucous vocal displays, much like opposing football team supporters try to outdo one another in chanting and cheering for their team during a match. At the height of a conflict, one bird may pluck a flower or piece of lichen and this is passed from one bird to the other, in a manner similar to waving a flag. These intense displays can continue for extended periods, with subordinates contributing more than dominants, until one group gives up and retreats.

Unlike football fans though, following their defeat the group of Green Woodhoopoes don’t go off to the nearest pub to drown their sorrows, but rather engage in preening one another. Dominant birds focus on preening their subordinates in what is thought to be an encouragement to stand their ground in future conflicts. The longer and harder the battle, the more intense the preening is. In a report in “Proceedings of the Royal Society, Series B”, Dr. Andy Radford, shows that Green Woodhoopoes (Phoeniculus purpureus) have the highest number of conflicts with their neighbors, and they also have the highest preening rates. This finding supports a long-held theory that the amount of conflict which a group is involved in, directly influences the level of supportive behavior displayed by its members. Radford sees this as an indication that preening may reduce stress, while at the same time enhancing unity among group members. This validation of a group member’s worth would be particularly important following battles that are lost. The likelihood of future battles being won depends to a great extent on the numbers of the group. When group members are supportive of one another following a defeat, and especially dominants supporting subordinates, this ensures that members stick to the group.

This behavior among Green Woodhoopoes is reportedly the first time that animals other than humans have been observed displayed an intensifying of bonding following a loss. Certainly, as researchers discover more about bird behavior and intelligence, it would seem that being called “bird-brain” should be viewed as a compliment.

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The lush Garden Route area along the coast of South Africa can readily be described as a piece of paradise. The world’s largest free flight bird sanctuary, Birds of Eden, is situated in the heart of this piece of paradise. A single birdcage spans two hectares of indigenous forest, including a gorge, and is home to more than 2,000 birds of 180 species from various continents. These include parrots, parakeets, toucans, hornbills, thrushes, conures, cranes, flamingoes, ibises, swans and many more.

This unique sanctuary has been designed to allow the birds to live as they would in the wild – but with no predators. The aviary was constructed with 27 masts of varying heights, linked by a series of cables to form a grid, which the wire mesh rests on. One hundred kilometers of cable and 3.2 hectares of bird mesh, all painted green, were used in the project. Special features incorporated into the sanctuary include an irrigation system that simulates rain together with sound-system thunder, a walkway behind a stunning waterfall, a 200-seater amphitheater and 1.2 kilometers of paraplegic-friendly walkways. Birds of Eden in South Africa incorporates several dams, with the largest featuring a floating bridge with seating for visitors to relax and enjoy refreshments. There are also two restaurants in the sanctuary, both strategically situated to allow visitors to enjoy the beauty around them to the greatest degree.

The Birds of Eden sanctuary was initiated and developed by Tony Blignaut who is the CEO of the Monkeyland Primate Sanctuary situated nearby. Blignaut saw the need for a sanctuary to accommodate birds as well as smaller primates, such as marmosets and tamarins, which could not be safely incorporated into Monkeyland. Birds of Eden would also serve as a safe haven to release captive bred and ex-pet birds. A surprising number of birds from the parrot family are discarded after a year or two with an owner who no longer wants the responsibility of caring for them. These birds are carefully and gently rehabilitated, bearing in mind that many of them have come from small suspended aviaries or indoor cages. After a quarantine period, the new bird is exposed to other birds and then moved into an indoor aviary. From there they are moved to a larger free flight aviary to allow for development of its flight muscles. Only after a bird has successfully adapted to these various environments, will it be released into the sanctuary area.

The fact that many of the birds in the sanctuary were once pets means that they generally have no fear of humans. This allows visitors to get really close to the birds, but be warned that sometimes up close and personal comes with a friendly nip of the finger or ear and there are a couple of “thieves” who will try and get away with something shiny, such as an earring, if they are given half a chance. Visitors have expressed amazement at seeing different species of birds like macaws, starlings, toucans and doves sharing a communal dinner table, often in the company of a tamarin or two. Fresh food catering to each species’ needs is provided twice a day, so there is no need to squabble to establish a pecking order – there is plenty for all.

Clearly the people behind Birds of Eden are animal lovers in the superlative sense and this is what visitors to the sanctuary will come to appreciate. Most certainly all the ex-pets living in this piece of paradise have found a home like no other.

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Research has revealed that bird excrement is a major cause of transmission line faults in South Africa and it occurs across the country. Of course, this is not the only ‘natural’ cause of transmission line faults but it would appear to be a major factor. In fact, the serious nature of the problem was identified as early as the year 2000 and since then major efforts to curb the effect of bird excrement on power lines have been put in place. These include the fitting of ‘combs’ on top of power pylons as part of efforts to discourage birds from nesting on them or perching on them. South African power company Eskom has implemented these and other measures to try and ensure that power lines are kept as bird-free as possible.

In a meeting wherein a recent number of power outages in the Western Cape Province were being discussed in January 2006, Jacob Maroga – the then acting chief executive of Eskom – noted that ‘Bird excretion can cause shorts and trips on our transmission system’. During the course of the meeting Eskom presented a graph which indicated that some 400 transmission line faults which had occurred during the year 2000 had been caused by birds. Fortunately, recent surveys have shown that this number has decreased significantly since the implementation of several bird deterrents on power lines and pylons. These strategic efforts to discourage birds from nesting in these sights has also been met by bird lovers with much enthusiasm as they provide a non-violent deterrent to birds and so possibly save hundreds or thousands of birds from dying from electric shock and other power line related dangers.

Unfortunately, the problem of birds on power lines is not the only natural cause of power outages in South Africa. It would seem that bush fires, snow, tornadoes, ice and lightning can also be factors. Fortunately most of these are seldom encountered in South Africa.

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Any bird watchers planning to travel to South Africa should definitely make the effort to visit the Austin Roberts Bird Sanctuary. The sanctuary combines great food with a large habitat, which is simply brimming with birds and animals. It is the perfect place to enjoy a tasty meal while taking in the sights and sounds of nature.

The Austin Roberts Bird Sanctuary is named for J Austin Roberts: one of the greatest ornithologists and mammologists to have been born and raised in South Africa. Roberts was born in Pretoria in 1883 and he grew up a short distance away in Potchefstroom. Despite his father’s love for the cloth, Roberts was attracted to the wonders of nature from an early age. He received an early grounding in ornithology from Thomas Ayres before going on to receive an honorary doctorate from the University of Pretoria for his reference books on mammals and birds. Unfortunately, Austin Roberts was killed in an automobile accident in 1948. During his lifetime he probably contributed more to the study of birds and mammals in his home country than any other person before or after him. Hence, it was only natural that when the 11.8 hectare sanctuary was being developed that it should be named after Roberts. Some 37 years after his death in 1985, the Austin Roberts Bird Sanctuary in Pretoria was opened to the public.

The South African bird sanctuary is fed by two streams which help to create a wetland basin and to feed the nine small perennial dams which attracts dozens of birds. Thus the dams attract a wide array of water bird species. In fact, there are roughly 170 species of bird living in the sanctuary and the average visitor will see as many as 40 different species during the course of one short morning visit. Most visitors enjoy spending time at the hide which is situated near the dam – an excellent place from which to observe birds. There are also patches of woodland and exotic trees which attract other bird species.

The sanctuary was fenced in 1970, to ensure the continued survival of the various birds, and has since become a valued educational and recreational public attraction. Unfortunately all visitors must observe the birds from beyond the perimeter fence which some may find disappointing. This is, however, a safety measure that has been taken to ensure that the birds remain undisturbed in their natural habitat. Visitors can take in a meal at the Blue Crane restaurant – which some birds enjoy visiting of their own accord – before visiting the bird hide or taking a guided walk around the bird sanctuary. There is also a recreational park nearby where children can find amusement for hours. So visit the Austin Roberts Bird Sanctuary and enjoy a day filled with beautiful birds.

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