Malcorus pectoralis
The Rufous-eared Warbler is eminently at home in semi-desert scrublands and grasslands and, despite the sparse vegetation of its chosen habitat, can be frustratingly difficult to get a clear view of. It is shy and feeds close to or at ground-level, being very rodent-like in its movements, and subsisting mainly on invertebrates with seeds and small berries making up only a small portion of its diet.
Rufous-eared Warblers are seen singly, in monogamous pairs or in small family groups. They may breed throughout the year, though there is a peak in nesting activity after the first rainfall in their arid haunts. Their nests are untidy oval-shaped balls built in thorny shrubs just slightly above the ground. Clutches usually contain 2-4 eggs, but sometimes as many as 7, and are incubated for 2 weeks. The chicks grow quickly, being fed by both parents, and leave the nest two weeks after hatching. Adults have a total length of about 15cm and weigh only about 10g.
This delightful little bird occurs in South Africa’s drier western half and can be found widely in the Eastern, Northern and Western Cape and Free State Provinces. Beside South Africa, the Rufous-eared Warbler is also found in Botswana and Namibia, and the IUCN considers it to be of least concern.
DeWetsWild 
What a striking little bird, Marilize!
And yet not keen to show off at all!
Your patience was well-rewarded – lovely to see your pics of this hard-to-see bird.
Thank you, Carol!
What a sweet little bird. The name is lovely too. I looked up the meaning of rufous and saw it means reddish brown. You learn something every day. 👏🏻
Rufous sounds just so much more attractive than reddish-brown, doesn’t it, Sylvia!?
Pragtige voeltjie! Sal moet kyk of hier van hulle in ons omgewing is!
Volgens die verspreidingskaart gaan jy hulle noord van Vredendal en oos van Clanwilliam en die Cederberge begin sien, Aletta, maar ongelukkig nie in jul direkte omgewing nie.
Dis jammer, sal kyk as ek in daardie omgewing is. Dankie vir die inligting Dries
Lovely photos! As you say they are difficult to see when concealed in a bush, but they are known to have a habit of working their way from the bottom of a small bush to the top where they pop out briefly before flying to the next bush – so the patient photographer can get a clear shot as you have done!
Thanks very much, Don! They really make you work for every picture.
Something tells me a trip to Kgalagadi must be planned before too many years pass under the bridge.
You could never go wrong with a trip to the Kalahari, Anne. And along the way why not stop off at Mokala and Augrabies as well?
I have not yet been to Mokala, but love Augrabies!
You’re going to love Mokala too, Anne!
Handsome little bird, Nice post, D. 🙂
Thanks, H.J. They’re difficult to see but so rewarding when you do!
Not flashy but still very attractive.
This beauty is quite shy!
Delightful is the perfect description for this little cutie.
Of course we agree with you entirely, Lois!