Familiar Chat. Quarterly Magazine of Birdlife Botswana. Save the Date! Monthly Walk. 7 February 2016

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1 S U M M E R the Familiar Chat Quarterly Magazine of Birdlife Botswana Chit Chat! Subscriptions are due Please remember that the annual subscriptions are now due. You are welcome to pay at Birdlife offices, our shop or directly in to our bank account (but please send proof of payment). We would like everyone to fill an entrance form to ensure we have the correct details to keep in touch. Bird Count Remember to do the bird count this February if you agreed with Keddy you would Summer is here! (And don t we know it) We do hope you enjoy the Summer 2016 edition of the Birdlife Botswana quarterly magazine. As always, thank you to all those people who contributed and who were kind enough to send feedback on the last edition. Some of the highlights of this edition are the second article in the series of five on vultures by Doreen McColaugh (the first appeared in the Spring 2015 edition). This time she has written in detail on the Lappetfaced Vulture. It makes for fascinating reading. We have re-produced the wonderful stamps issued by Botswana Post to highlight the article and as a wee reminder to go and buy them as well as some of Ian White s breathtaking photos There is also an update on Nature Chobe from Harold Hester, some very encouraging developments have taken place. We have included a donation form if you would like add your contribution to this fantastic legacy project. Enjoy! And keep praying for rain! Save the Date! Monthly Walk 7 February 2016 The walk will be along the Metsemahlaba River, just before entering Bokaa Dam. Meet at the Molapo Crossing car park at 06:30. Bring a chair, some refreshments and binoculars if you have. Beginners welcome!

2 Botswana Vultures Who we are and what we do LAPPETFACED VULTURE (Torgos tracheliotos) Looking more closely at the five species of vultures that commonly occur in Botswana we start with the aweinspiring Lappetfaced Vulture that is often called the King Vulture. Although not quite as tall as the Cape Vulture, the Lappetfaced Vulture is a much more heavily-built, impressive figure that has inspired many stories and legends about its capabilities and dominance over other vultures. An adult can weigh between 6.0 and 8.0 kg and has a wingspan of 2.80 metres. Lappet refers to folds or flaps such as you might have on clothing, but here refers to the folds or long flaps of red skin on the sides and the back of this vulture s neck, thus giving it its name. The red skin also partially covers the head and combined with the large, powerful beak and distinctive dark blackish brown and white plumage, including white pants or trousers makes the Lappetfaced Vulture impressive and unmistakeable. This vulture is mostly found in semi-arid or desert areas in Africa and the Middle East. They seem to prefer open areas that have scattered rather short thorn trees. There are several subspecies or races of Lappetfaced Vulture in their different range areas, with the main differences being in slight variations in the colour of the beak, plumage and head and neck skin. Although early explorers reported seeing large gatherings of 20 to 50 of these vultures at carcasses and at waterholes in Africa, now with diminished numbers they are usually seen as individuals or in pairs. They once were found across North Africa but are now locally extinct in the northern African countries and are also locally extinct in some Middle Eastern countries. Fortunately we still have these magnificent vultures in Botswana, but here their numbers have also diminished notably.

3 The adult Lappetfaced Vultures found in Botswana and other parts of southern Africa have an almost completely naked head and neck that are usually a dull red in colour, but this can be flushed to a bright red/scarlet when it is excited. This is called blushing. The eyes are dark and there is purple along the jaw line and the cere that stretches over the nostrils on the yellow beak is light blue. This vulture has the most massive beak or bill of all the birds classified under Birds of Prey. (Yes, vultures are listed under Birds of Prey even though they are scavengers and seldom prey on anything as they normally feed on carrion, which is The King of Vultures animals that are already dead.) There are white downy feathers on the chest around the black skin of the crop and these white downy feathers cover the underside. Strangely, there are long blackish, pointed feathers sparsely mixed in with the small white downy feathers on the chest and belly. On the thighs these white feathers become thicker in coverage and are said to be almost silky in texture. They continue on down about three quarters the length of the legs. Ornithologists call this feathering pattern on the legs pants or trousers. The feathers of the back, shoulders, wings and tail are a dark blackish brown. The feet are light blue and the same colour as the cere. As with many other birds, juvenile Lappetfaced Vultures differ in colour from adults. Juveniles are browner all over and the skin on the head and neck is pink, not red. The beak is blackish. The pants or trousers are brown and the feet a paler brown. It takes about six years for a juvenile to gain its adult plumage. Males and females look alike and are approximately the same size, with the female maybe being slightly larger. Lappetfaced Vultures build huge flat nests of sticks with a wide, shallow cup in the centre, usually on the tops of Acacia trees, although other trees as long as they are 7-9 m in height are used. These nests may be reused or the pair may build a new nest each season. The pair line these nests with grass and sometimes hair and skin, and normally lay only one egg which is incubated by both the male and the female. The egg hatches in about 55 days and the chick, which is covered in white down when it hatches, stays in the nest for approximately 125 days where it is fed by both parents. During its time in the nest the chick goes through various plumage changes before it fledges. The parents continue to feed it at or near the nest for up to six months. Lappetfaced Vultures pair for the mating season and some researchers believe that they remain mates for many years or for life. The Lappetfaced Vulture flies at lower altitudes than some other vultures, and actively look for food and so is usually the first to arrive at a carcass. It is known that other species of vultures that fly at higher altitudes also watch each other and if one goes down to land at a carcass, they all soon head to the same spot. As it is the first to arrive, the powerful Lappetfaced Vulture gets first turn at a carcass and even if it arrives later it still might get first turn as its bill is strong enough to tear open a carcass, something that the smaller vultures cannot do. It is sometimes seen strutting around displaying when near a carcass or a group of other vultures as if to say I am the King, get out of my way!. The various vultures that gather at a carcass do have their pecking order and it is interesting to identify the vultures that have gathered and then watch to see the order of who is allowed access to the carcass and what their feeding specialities are. Although the Lappetfaced Vulture may be the first one to arrive and open up a carcass, it may not

4 dominate the carcass for long. With its very strong beak it can tear off chunks of meat and tough tendons and sinews quickly and then it often moves to the side while others feed. Researchers report that these vultures favour skin and course tissue over meat, organs and intestines. Remains left in nests from feeding chicks indicate that Lappetfaced Vultures may also catch (thought to be by knocking them down) and eat small mammals such as hares, mongooses, lizards and flamingo chicks, but it is not known how much these contribute to the vulture s diet. Like other vultures, Lappetfaced Vultures spend time at waterholes, where they come to drink, bathe and then bask to dry their feathers, or rest. Although they spend time on the ground with such activities, they roost in trees at night. They fly with ease and grace despite their huge size, with lots of gliding and little flapping needed. The underwing is black but the white down shows through in a line along the front of the wing and combines with the white trousers to form a white V when in flight and this pattern helps identify this vulture when observed from below. Much concern has been expressed for this species due to its diminishing numbers and many consider it severely at risk. BirdLife Botswana has a project to monitor Lappetfaced Vultures, among other vulture species. If you haven t had the opportunity to see this vulture in the wild there are some at the Animal Sanctuary at Mokolodi Nature Reserve where they and other vultures that also have been injured are cared for. By Doreen McColaugh References Boshoff, A.F., M.D. Anderson and W.D. Borello, Eds Vultures in the 21 st Century. Proceedings of a workshop on vulture research and conservation in southern Africa, McGregor Museum, Kimberley 23-25/10/1997. Johannesburg: Vulture Study Group, Endangered Wildlife Trust. 6-things-you-might-not-know-aboutvultures. Vultures: One of the environment s most necessary but often overlooked creatures. Accessed 2015/08/06. vultures.html.accessed 2015/08/06. Seven surprising facts about vultures. Accessed 2015/08/06. Mundy, Peter, Duncan Butchart, John Ledger and Stephen Piper The Vultures of Africa. Randburg, RSA: Acorn Books and Halfway House, RSA: Russel Friedman Books in association with the Vulture Study Group. Newman, Kenneth Birds of Botswana. Cape Town: Southern Book Publishers Tarboton, Warwick A guide to the Nests & Eggs of Southern African Birds. Cape Town: Struik Publishers. VULPRO What s cool about vultures and what YOU can do to help! RSA: VULPRO [Vulture Programme of the Rhino & Lion Wildlife Conservation NPO. Vulture Study Group, Endangered Wildlife Trust Vultures & Farmers. Parkview, RSA: Vulture Study Group. Vulture Study Group of the Endangered Wildlife Trust Southern African Vulture Conservation. Strategic Planning Conference. Kimberley 4-7/04/2004. Johannesburg: Vulture Study Group. Endangered Wildlife Trust. This is the second in a series of five articles about vultures in support of our I want Botswana vultures ALIVE not DEAD campaign. The aim is to educate the public about the need to understand and appreciate the role vultures play in our environment.

5 Nature Chobe We have lift off! Thanks to a generous donation from Sandy Kelly, an enthusiastic supporter of BirdLife Botswana, we are able to offer a contract to our consultant Dr Mike Bruton, based in Cape Town. Mike will be working on our conceptual, project and business plans in the next few months, so that we can see where we are going. He has been very much involved with Kabelo and me for the last six months as we have conceptualised what we want and don t want at Nature Chobe. He brings a wealth of experience in designing science centres around the world and is as enthusiastic about it as we are. But you and I know this will not be a common science centre, but a state of the art interactive nature centre where visitors will get a hands-on appreciation of the scope and variety of Nature. Trust me, Nature Chobe is going to be It is going to be exceptional exceptional, a unique display of all of nature, the complexity and simplicity of it. The big and the small, the flying, swimming and burrowing, the blossoming, flowering, fruiting of it, the day and night of it, the vastness and microscopic of it, it will be there for all of our guests to wonder in awe and amazement at our God-given Creation. As you know there will be a 2.5km walkway linking the amphitheatre, activity and educational centres and various pavilions in a natural environment, supplemented by trees, bushes and flowers from the area. Visitors will have access to four hides overlooking interesting sites with different natural regimes. We have identified at least twenty biomes on our 45 hectare plot, kindly donated by Jonathon Gibson, and we hope to make the most use of these biomes in educating our guests. We want all to leave with a far better appreciation of nature around them and informed about the range of environmental issues which we face today. A goal is for our visitors to leave Nature Chobe determined to improve their home environments and make a difference to the world in which we live. Maybe, just maybe, we will be able to delay the sixth mass extinction facing all of us. Come to Nature Chobe when it is complete and be better informed. Any donations to this worthy cause would be much appreciated. Please find appended a donation form. Harold Hester

6 Donate to Nature Chobe I would like to make a donation to support BirdLife Botswana s NATURE CHOBE Project. All of BirdLife Botswana s work to protect the birds and nature of Botswana. I am associated with a foundation or company that might provide a grant/corporate matching grant; please contact me. I would like to ask my employer for a matching contribution. Please contact me as I would like further information before donating I am would like to donate: Pula / / $ (please circle relevant currency) one off monthly annual Please complete in BLOCK CAPITALS: Title First Name/s Surname Address City County/State ZIP/Post Code Country Tel (please write clearly) Please ensure your is included if you would like project updates. Today s Date Where did you obtain this form? Payment Options: Cheque Please make payable to BirdLife Botswana and send with form to address below. Cash Please hand to a staff member with this completed form. Bank transfer I have paid a transfer to: BirdLife Botswana. First National Bank Botswana, Kgale View , Botswana. Account # , Swift FIRNBWGX. Please include Reference Nature Chobe to ensure that your donation is allocated to the correct project. We would be grateful if you could post/ us this form. I live in the USA or Europe and would like to donate to this project through an organisation based in : USA UK Please tick the relevant box and we will contact you accordingly with bank and contact details. If you would like to receive our project updates, please include your address above. We guarantee that your details will not be given to another group. Please check this box if you do not wish to receive updates from BirdLife Botswana. Nature Chobe, BirdLife Botswana, P O Box 26691, Game City, Gaborone, Botswana Tel/Fax: /1 : blb@birdlifebotswana.org.bw : Website: Botswana Association of Societies Registration Number: CR6390

7 The Mocking Cliff-Chat Soap Opera From time to time I have contributed notes on the Mocking Cliff-Chats (formely Mocking Chat, Thamnolaeat cinnamomeiventris) that we share our house with in Mokolodi Nature Reserve. Several generations down the line, we still continue to observe the ongoing soap opera The male and the female build the nest together. Pairs used to try and build their nests inside the house but several years ago we obtained a clay bird house and placed it outside the kitchen window. As these chats normally use the tunnel nests built by Greater and Lesser Striped Swallows they break off the tunnel and then build their own cup-shaped nest inside they adapted themselves to the man-made clay one and built their nest inside. Generations of chats have used this clay bird house over the years. The breeding season starts and the three eggs are laid between August and January but here normally in October or November. This year the chats started building the nest in the second week of September and the normal number of three eggs were laid by 8 th October. Incubation takes 14 days. Fourteen days passed, then 15, 16 and 17. We then thought When have we last seen the female? Only the female incubates the eggs not that she spends a lot of time doing it. Warwick Tarboton says in Nests and Eggs she may only be on the nest 20% of the time, but previously the chicks have always hatched on time. As the days passed it was obvious that only the male was present and the three eggs were still in the nest after a month s time and the female nowhere to be found. Remains of the nest The chats normally have two broods during the breeding season. The day after the first brood has fledged the male and the female tear out the nest they have built in the clay bird house and clean it out before starting to build a new nest for the second brood. The nests are strong and cup-shaped. They

8 PHOTO GALLERY The Soap Opera continues are made of grass, small roots, twigs and things from around the house such as string if any, and other such things. Soft plant material and animal hair are used to line the nest. After the female had gone missing the unhatched eggs were still in the nest for a month before the male tore out the nest. He was still alone but then started to build another nest inside the clay bird house by himself. He worked tirelessly. He also started to do a lot of singing (usually both the male and the female sing, but we neither heard nor saw a female around). Then the male was quite busy around the nest again and we checked and there was one egg on 21 November - but still no sighting of an egg layer. Then the next day we spotted her a very shy one we hadn t seen before. The following day everything was torn out of the nest including the egg. We were astounded when we went through the nest material that was now on the ground - it was all mostly white, long animal hair! We know that if a female weaver doesn t like the nest the male builds, he cuts it down and starts another one but chats? Which one tore out the nest male or female? We didn t observe them doing it, but think probably the female who must have thought that it really wasn t a proper Mocking Cliff-Chat nest! The last few days we have seen both chats around but although he is singing to her, she doesn t respond and sing back to him nor have they started building a new nest together as yet. Will they raise some chicks or? From our correspondent and photographer on the scene Doreen McColaugh Top to bottom: White-fronted Bee-eater (Merops bullockoides) Jacobin Cuckoo (Clamator jacobinus) Spotted Crake (Porzana porzana) All photos by Ian White Don t forget to visit our shops Gaborone shop is next door to Cafe Dijo at Kgale Spar complex, the one in Kasane is in the Audi Centre and in Francistown it is in the Ngwato Boswa Museum. Our website is:

9 Familiar Fun! Down 1. The name of Harry Potter s owl (6) 2. Another name for birds of prey (7) 3. These are mammals but they can still fly (4) 4. Guess what! This little bird can fly backwards 9. This bird can turn their heads almost The symbol of the United States of America (4-5) These cover the bodies of all birds and help them fly (8) 12. This common bird (whose eggs you eat for breakfast) is related to the Tyrannosaurus Rex (7) Across 1. My name is Zazu from the Lion King? What bird am I? (8) 5. We can fly higher than any other bird (7) 6. You have five on each hand believe it or not birds have (5) 7. A group of crows (6) 8. This type of bird cannot fly but loves to swim (7) 9. The largest bird in the world (7) 11. Lots of birds together are called a (5) 13. This fiery bird s name comes from the Spanish word flamenco (8) 14. He s bright yellow and lives on Sesame Street (3-4) 15. This type of penguin lives in Antarctica (7) 16. Small to large seabirds, often live inland for at least part of the year. Most are grey, black and white 17. I have the most amazing brightly coloured tail (7)

10 Anything to add? If you would like to contribute to the Familiar Chat we would love to hear from you and include your contribution in the next edition. Whether it is a serious article about birds or a birding puzzle for children we would like to include it. Photo by Doreen McColaugh Happy Birding Kind Sponsors to the Familiar Chat Photo by Ian White Contact Us BirdLife Botswana, P O Box 26691, Game City, Gaborone, BOTSWANA Tel: Fax: ; blb@birdlifebotswana.org.bw Website: Facebook: