Sylvia subcoerulea
With an unfortunate English name drawing even more attention to its most noticeable characteristic, the Chestnut-vented Warbler (or Chestnut-vented Tit-babbler) would probably prefer to go by its Afrikaans name “Bosveldtjeriktik” which imitates the first notes of its cheerful song.
Chestnut-vented Warblers are found in dry savannas, woodlands and thickets along drainage lines and hillsides and will also venture into gardens in small towns. They are very active when foraging, looking for insects, fruits, seeds and nectar amongst the foliage and flowers of trees and shrubs. Chestnut-vented Warblers are common and confident little birds usually seen singly or in pairs.
Chestnut-vented Warblers may breed at anytime of year, though there is a distinct peak in spring. Their nests are thin-walled cups of dry grass and twigs built in a tree or shrub. The parents take turns to incubate the clutch of 2-4 eggs and feeding the hatchlings until they fledge, both stages taking around 14 days. Fully grown they measure around 15cm in length and weigh 16g.
The Chestnut-vented Warbler occurs throughout South Africa and also in Angola, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Eswatini and marginally in Lesotho. The IUCN considers it to be of least concern.
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It must have taken much patience and some stealth to capture these busy little birds amongst the foliage. You have some lovely photos of these intense little birds.
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Nice guy, strong voice. Thanks, D. 🙂
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Thank you, H.J!
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Bosveldtjeriktik is a good name for this warbler. Great shots as usual, Dries! That chestnut color shows well in several pictures.
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Very kind of you, Hien – thank you!
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Lovely looking bird. The shot bottom row, left, captures it very well.
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Thanks, Brian!
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Give me the Afrikaans name any day 🙂 🙂 🙂
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I’m with you there, Anne!
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I love the way it appears to be peering out in that first shot. 🙂
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Thanks, Janet – as you can see from the photos this little bird rarely poses away from the twigs!
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A shy guy.
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They remind me of that black-throated canary you posted about. Different burst of color, but same body location. Are they at all related?
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Just a lucky coincidence, Lois, and not at all related.
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