Cover image by Sue Gie – Aquila Game Reserve, Western Cape – BirdPix No. 229310

Identification

The Namaqua Warbler is a small, slender, prinia-like species. Its most diagnostic features are the pale whiteish face and supercilium combined with the russet back and rump. The tail is long and graduated and lacks buff-coloured terminal spots. The breast is variably but finely streaked. This streaking is confined to the breast and does not extend onto the belly or flanks.

The sexes are similar but males show more prominent streaking on the breast.

Immatures are similar to adults but are paler brown above and have shorter tails. The supercilium and facial area is also buff-coloured as opposed to the whitish face of the adults. Young birds have less conspicuous streaking on the breast.

Status and Distribution

The Namaqua Warbler is endemic to South Africa and southern Namibia. It is localised but fairly common in suitable habitat.

In South Africa it is found throughout the Northern Cape and in the drier parts of the Western Cape, Eastern Cape and Free State provinces. The paucity of records from the northern Karoo and Bushmanland, south of the Orange river is largely due to a lack of drainage lines in that region.

Habitat

The Namaqua Warbler is found throughout the Karoo but is characteristically associated with water-courses, where it occupies fringing thickets and reeds. It favours drainage lines with a mix of Acacia (Vachelia) Karoo thicket and Phragmites reeds. It also forages in nearby karoo scrub and has adapted to overgrown gardens and orchards along drainage lines. Dry water courses may provide suitable habitat but a prolonged absence of water can cause the habitat to become unsuitable.

Behaviour

During the breeding season the Namaqua Warbler is usually to be found solitarily or in pairs. They are found in small family groups after breeding.

Forages by searching among leaves, twigs and tangled vegetation, sometimes forages on the floor. Keeps largely to dense bushy growth. Their movements are quick and restless. Males sing from the tops of trees or bushes

The diet consists largely of insects and other small arthropods. Also feeds on small berries and fruit when available.

Breeding may take place from August to April. The nest is a deep cup composed of grass and strips of bark. The nest is attached to upright plant stems with grass. The nest interior is lined with feathers, fluffy seeds, hair and other fine plant material. The outer parts of the nest are camouflaged with lichen, twigs, dead leaves and bits of bark.

2 to 4 (3) eggs are laid per clutch. The eggs range in colour from pale to deep blue with red-grey spotting. The incubation period lasts around 16 days and the chicks are fully fledged after at least another 15 days.

Further Resources

Species text adapted from the first Southern African Bird Atlas Project (SABAP1), 1997.

The use of photographs by Dawie De Swardt, Gerald Wingate, Sue Gie, Sybrand Venter, Tino Herselman and Zenobia van Dyk is acknowledged.

Virtual Museum (BirdPix > Search VM > By Scientific or Common Name).

Other common names: Namakwalangstertjie (Afrikaans); Namaqua-prinia (Dutch); Prinia du Namaqua (French); Namasänger (German); Prínia da Namaqua (Portuguese)

Recommended citation format: Tippett RM 2023. Namaqua Warbler (Phragmacia substriata). Biodiversity and Development Institute. Available Online at http://thebdi.org/2023/01/28/namaqua-warbler-phragmacia-substriata/

Bird identification, birding

Cover image by Phillip Nieuwoudt– Garingboom Guest Farm, Free State – BirdPix No. 229310

Identification

Burchell’s Courser is a smallish plover-like species. Its most diagnostic feature is the blue-grey hind crown and nape, distinguishing it from the similar Temminck’s Courser. It has a white supercilium that extends from the eye onto the nape. There is a narrow, sometimes indistinct, black line behind the eye. The back and chest are uniformly brown with little contrast between the two. There is an indistinct black band separating the brown upper belly from the white lower belly. The vent and lower belly are white. The bill is relatively long when compared to other coursers and the legs are whiteish.

The sexes are alike.

Immatures have mottled cream and black upper parts and lack the distinctive head markings of the adult.

In flight shows a broad white trailing edge to the secondaries. This is distinct from other coursers in the region.

Status and Distribution

The Burchell’s courser is endemic to Southern Africa, extending marginally into south-western Angola. It is generally uncommon across its range but may be locally common at some sites in Namibia and the arid west of South Africa.

The population, notably near the edge of its distribution in the south and east, is known to have declined sharply in recent years. In the past it was regularly recorded from Botswana but recently there have been very few confirmed sightings. The nature and causes of its decline are not understood and should be investigated.

Habitat

Burchell’s courser inhabits dry, open short or burnt grassland, Karoo scrub, stony semidesert and open desert plains. It is very partial to bare saltpans and ploughed and fallow lands. It is absent from fynbos and avoids woodlands of any kind.

Behaviour

Burchell’s Courser is highly nomadic and possibly seasonally migratory in some areas. This species feeds on a range of insects and is especially fond of Harvester Termites. It runs rapidly and forages by pecking at the ground after running a short distance. It may dig with its bill in soft soil. The posture is very upright and when alarmed bobs its tail and sways its body while holding its head still. May be found in pairs but is more often gregarious in groups of 5 to 15 birds.

Breeding may take place during most months but mainly August to December. 1 or 2 eggs are laid per clutch, usually directly on the substrate. No true nest is constructed, but the site may be lined with antelope or sheep droppings, stones or clumps of earth.

The eggs are incubated by both sexes, however, further details are unrecorded.

Further Resources

Species text adapted from the first Southern African Bird Atlas Project (SABAP1), 1997.

The use of photographs by Garth Aiston, Gerald Wingate, Gregg Darling, Michael Wright, Phillip Nieuwoudt, Tino Herselman and Zenobia van Dyk is acknowledged.

Virtual Museum (BirdPix > Search VM > By Scientific or Common Name).

Other common names: Bloukopdrawwertjie (Afrikaans): Ingegane (Xhosa); Makopjoane (South Sotho); Rosse Renvogel (Dutch); Courvite de Burchell (French); Rostrennvogel (German); Corredor de Burchell (Portuguese)

Recommended citation format: Tippett RM 2023. Burchell’s Courser (Cursorius rufus). Biodiversity and Development Institute. Available Online at http://thebdi.org/2023/01/25/burchells-courser-cursorius-rufus/

Bird identification, birding

Cover image by Desire Darling – Mountain Zebra National Park, Eastern Cape – BirdPix No. 229310

Identification

The Double-banded Courser is a small, pale coloured species. Its most distinctive feature is the two narrow black bands across the breast, which are diagnostic. The undersides are pale sandy or cream coloured. The upper sides are sandy brown with white edging to the feathers, giving a scaled appearance. The neck is slightly darker with fine vertical streaking. The crown is plain and there is a prominent cream-coloured supercilium. The long legs are pale whiteish.

The sexes are alike.

In flight shows distinctive rust-coloured secondaries and inner primaries and white uppertail coverts.

Juveniles are similar to the adults but have chestnut breastbands and a less defined supercilium.

Distribution

The Double-banded courser is widespread and found in three separate populations, in Southern Africa, East Africa and North-east Africa. In South Africa it occurs mainly in the arid western and central regions.

Habitat

A species of flat plains with low, sparse vegetation and bare open areas. Often found in stony places and dry pans. It is partial to pale calcrete gravel and is most numerous in Nama Karoo shrublands, arid grasslands and the Kalahari. The species also occurs in sparse Mopane scrub in northern Botswana and Namibia.

Behaviour

The Double-banded Courser feeds on a range of insects and is especially fond of Harvester Termites. It forages by pecking at the ground after running a short distance. This species may be found solitarily, in pairs or in small groups of three to four birds.

Breeding may take place at anytime of the year. 1 egg is laid per clutch, either in a shallow scrape on directly on the substrate. The nest site is often lined with small stones, sheep or antelope droppings or bits of dried plant matter.

The egg is incubated by both parents for 26 to 27 days. Chicks are known to fledge after 5 to 6 weeks and they are fed by both parents.

The Double-banded Courser is known to be highly nomadic throughout its range and it appears to be most numerous during dry conditions.

Further Resources

Species text from the first Southern African Bird Atlas Project (SABAP1), 1997.

The use of photographs by Dave Brown, Desire Darling, Janet du Plooy, Sybrand Venter and Tino Herselman is acknowledged.

Virtual Museum (BirdPix > Search VM > By Scientific or Common Name).

Other common names: Dubbelbanddrawwertjie (Afrikaans): Segolagola (Tswana); Dubbelbandrenvogel (Dutch); Courvite à double collier (French); Doppelband-Rennvogel (German).

Recommended citation format: Tippett RM 2023. Double-banded Courser Rhinoptilus africanus. Biodiversity and Development Institute. Available Online at http://thebdi.org/2023/01/23/double-banded-courser-rhinoptilus-africanus/

Bird identification, birding

View the above photo record (by Ryan Tippett) in LacewingMAP here.

Ascalaphidae (Owlflies)

Ascalaphus bilineatus

 (Kolbe, 1897)

Identification

Size: Medium sized (Wingspan 60mm)

Adults can be recognised by the pair of broad, parallel, dark brown lines on the upper thorax – hence the name “bilineatus”.

The body is predominantly orange-yellow with a checquered pattern of brown yellow and white along the abdomen. The wings are clear with a conspicuous amber-coloured leading edge.

As with other owlflies, they possess long, clubbed antennae.

Habitat

Ascalaphus bilineatus inhabits damp places such as moist or flooded grassland as well as marshes, floodplains and other wetlands fringes.

Behaviour

Adults are recorded during Summer from October to April.

The winged adults are frequently flushed from long grass. They fly rapidly but will soon settle again on a grass stem in typical posture, wings pointing downwards and the abdomen held out at an angle to the grass stem.

Eggs are laid in batches on blades of grass (about 30-35 per batch).

The larvae are sit-and-wait ambush predators and seldom move position. They take about a year to progress from egg stage to adult.

Status and Distribution

Ascalaphus bilineatus is common and widespread in the northern parts of South Africa, including Mpumalanga, KZN, North-West and Limpopo. Its range extends northwards to Zimbabwe, Malawi, Tanzania and Kenya. It has also been recorded from eSwatini (formerly Swaziland).

Taxonomy:

Order: Neuroptera Family: Ascalaphidae Subfamily: Ascalaphinae Tribe: Ascalaphini Genus: Ascalaphus Species: bilineatus

Further Resources

Virtual Museum (LacewingMAP > Search VM > By Scientific or Common Name)

Acknowledgements:

The use of photographs by Richard Johnstone is acknowledged. This species text has benefited enormously from comments made by Mervyn Mansell on records he has identified in LacewingMAP. We acknowledge his important contribution.

Recommended citation format for this species text:

Tippett RM 2022. Ascalaphus bilineatus. Biodiversity and Development Institute, Cape Town.
Available online at http://thebdi.org/2023/01/12/ascalaphus-bilineatus/

View the above photo record (by Stephen Ball) in LacewingMAP here.

Ascalaphidae (Owlflies)

Eremoides bicristatus

 (Banks, 1924)

Identification

Size: Medium sized (Wingspan 60mm)

Males have very characteristic “epaulets or flanges” on the thorax – hence the name “bicristatus”, each ending in a small hook. The flanges are absent in females.

The body is predominantly yellow with some brown lines running lengthwise down the abdomen. The wings are clear with a conspicuous brown leading edge.

As with other owlflies, they possess long, clubbed antennae.

The larvae of this species are unknown.

Habitat

Eremoides bicristatus is a species of grasslands and grassy areas in woodland and savanna. It is often found in damp places near wetlands.

Behaviour

Adults are frequently flushed from long grass. They fly rapidly but will soon settle again on a grass stem. They hawk smaller flying insects at dusk.

Eremoides bicristatus is sometimes attracted to light. Adults are recorded during Summer from September to March.

The larvae, like others in the genus, are thought to live on vegetation where they are ambush predators of other insects.

Status and Distribution

Eremoides bicristatus is fairly common and widespread in the northern parts of South Africa and is also known from Botswana, Mozambique, Namibia, Swaziland, Zimbabwe and Zambia.

Taxonomy:

Order: Neuroptera Family: Ascalaphidae Subfamily: Ascalaphinae Tribe: Ascalaphini Genus: Eremoides Species: bicristatus

Further Resources

Virtual Museum (LacewingMAP > Search VM > By Scientific or Common Name)

Acknowledgements:

The use of photographs by Aletta Liebenberg, Evert Kleynhans, Jacobus Labuschagne and Stephen Ball is acknowledged. This species text has benefited enormously from comments made by Mervyn Mansell on records he has identified in LacewingMAP. We acknowledge his important contribution.

Recommended citation format for this species text:

Tippett RM 2022. Eremoides bicristatus. Biodiversity and Development Institute, Cape Town.
Available online at http://thebdi.org/2023/01/09/eremoides-bicristatus/

View the above photo record (by Ryan Tippett) in LacewingMAP here.

Myrmeleontidae (Antlions)

Syngenes longicornis

(Rambur, 1842)

Identification

Size: Medium sized

Syngenes longicornis is an attractive species with a bold black and yellow abdomen and intricately patterned wings. The thorax and legs are covered in conspicuous bristle-like setae (hairs).

Larvae: The large larvae have a striking white colouration.

Habitat

Syngenes longicornis occupies sandy, well-wooded habitats including bushveld, Sandforest and dune forest along the East Coast of South Africa.

Behaviour

Adults often form aggregations on the undersides of branches where they are well camouflaged against tree bark. They are occasionally attracted to lights and are active during late Summer from December to April.

The larvae live in coastal dune sand and are very active, but do not construct pits.

Status and Distribution

Syngenes longicornis appears to be uncommon but is perhaps overlooked. This species is confined to the east coast of Southern Africa, extending from Wilderness in the south, northwards along the coastal plain to Mozambique.

Taxonomy:

Order: Neuroptera Family: Myrmeleontidae  Subfamily: Myrmeleontinae Tribe: Acanthaclisini Genus: Syngenes Species: longicornis

Further Resources

Virtual Museum (LacewingMAP > Search VM > By Scientific or Common Name)

Acknowledgements:

The use of photographs by Marie Delport, Richard Johnstone and Ross Hawkins is acknowledged. This species text has benefited enormously from comments made by Mervyn Mansell on records he has identified in LacewingMAP. We acknowledge his important contribution.

Recommended citation format for this species text:

Tippett RM 2022. Syngenes longicornis. Biodiversity and Development Institute, Cape Town.
Available online at http://thebdi.org/2023/01/03/syngenes-longicornis/

View the above photo record (by Ryan Tippett) in LacewingMAP here.

Myrmeleontidae (Antlions)

Neuroleon chloranthe

(Banks, 1911)

Identification

Size: Small

Neuroleon chloranthe is characterised by its distinctive pale-spotted abdomen pattern. The wing markings are also a useful aid to identification.

Males have more elongate abdomens than the females.

This species is is similar to Neuroleon guttatus but lacks the obvious black spots in the forewings.

Habitat

Neuroleon chloranthe occupies a range of habitat types including savanna, fynbos and Karoo scrub.

Behaviour

Adults are readily attracted to light.

The larvae live concealed on dusty rock ledges in small caves and under rock overhangs. They are sit and wait hunters and do not actively seek out their prey.

Adults are most active during the warmer months from September to April but may be active all year in hotter areas.

Status and Distribution

Neuroleon chloranthe is a fairly common and widespread species, occurring over most of South Africa and all neighbouring countries.

Taxonomy

Order: Neuroptera Family: Myrmeleontidae Subfamily: Nemoleontinae Tribe: Nemoleontini (Pit-trapping Antlions) Genus: Neuroleon Species: chloranthe

Further Resources

Virtual Museum (LacewingMAP > Search VM > By Scientific or Common Name)

Acknowledgements:

The use of photographs by Aletta Liebenberg, Johan Heyns and Zenobia van Dyk is acknowledged. This species text has benefited enormously from comments made by Mervyn Mansell on records he has identified in LacewingMAP. We acknowledge his important contribution.

Recommended citation format for this species text:

Tippett RM 2022. Neuroleon chloranthe. Biodiversity and Development Institute, Cape Town.
Available online at http://thebdi.org/2022/12/16/neuroleon-chloranthe/