26 thoughts on “Satara Summer 2021 – Vervets versus Dikkoppe”

1. Pingback: Satara Summer 2021 – Primate Romps | de Wets Wild

2. Playamart - Zeebra Designs January 20, 2022 at 8:17 am

   That is a great series of photos.. Your blog allows easy scrolling through the photos in larger size – really nice to do that with this series.

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   1. de Wets Wild Post authorJanuary 20, 2022 at 3:02 pm

      Thank you, Lisa! I’m glad if the photo sequence helped to convey the story!

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3. photobyjohnbo January 19, 2022 at 3:14 pm

   I can always count on your posts containing fascinating glimpses into the wildlife on your continent. Fascinating photo series!

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   1. de Wets Wild Post authorJanuary 20, 2022 at 4:35 am

      Thank you very much, John, for another kind and generous comment!

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4. wetanddustyroads January 19, 2022 at 1:47 pm

   Ai tog, die arme dikkoppe! Dis maar hoe dit in die natuur werk, maar ek sou sommer daai klomp ape met klippe gooi – hulle is darem baie astrant!
   Goeie reeks foto’s!

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   1. de Wets Wild Post authorJanuary 20, 2022 at 4:35 am

      Baie dankie, Corna. Was n interessante petalje om dop te hou!

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5. naturebackin January 19, 2022 at 1:24 pm

   Fascinating. It is surprising that the monkeys continued hassling the dikkops even after they had taken the eggs. Perhaps they saw the dikkops as challenging them. It certainly does not look like a game. It is surprising that any dikkops survive beyond the egg stage even given the brave defensiveness of the parents.

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   1. de Wets Wild Post authorJanuary 20, 2022 at 4:34 am

      We were also baffled by the monkeys’ persistence in harassing the birds, and keeping them away from what remained of the nest.

      A pair of Spotted Dikkop routinely uses my mom’s garden to breed. While they are usually successful in incubating all the eggs in the clutch they seldom raise more than one chick. Even in suburbia there are many dangers. As you say, it is a wonder any survive out in the wild.

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6. sustainabilitea January 19, 2022 at 6:20 am

   That was really interesting! The birds didn’t stand a chance of defending their eggs.

   Sorry I’m running behind on visiting and commenting. Busy times with getting Mom ready to move into a care home.

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   1. de Wets Wild Post authorJanuary 20, 2022 at 4:26 am

      Totally understandable, Janet. Family first! All the best with your mom’s move and getting her settled in.

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      1. sustainabilitea January 20, 2022 at 5:07 am

         Thanks so much.
7. neihtn2012 January 18, 2022 at 2:36 pm

   Did you film this with your camera?

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   1. de Wets Wild Post authorJanuary 19, 2022 at 4:15 am

      Indeed, Hien. Both Joubert and I use Canons. The overcast conditions and the distance between us and our subjects worked against us though. I hope the photos were clear enough though to convey a sense of the drama.

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8. Anne January 18, 2022 at 5:34 am

   Always a Dikkop! Even a pair of them stand no chance against a raiding horde of monkeys. It must nonetheless have been very interesting to witness this battle between them.

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   1. de Wets Wild Post authorJanuary 19, 2022 at 4:14 am

      It was very interesting, Anne. Most of all the way the monkeys persisted in pestering the Dikkoppe even long after the eggs were gobbled up. As if they took some kind of pleasure from being bullies.

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      1. Anne January 19, 2022 at 7:17 am

         That does appear to be rather strange behaviour.
9. scrapydo2.wordpress.com January 18, 2022 at 4:20 am

   Dis nou jammer van die Dikkoppies, dis egter hoe dit maar gaan in die natuur. Hoop die aap wat eiers geëet het kry goed maagpyn.

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   1. de Wets Wild Post authorJanuary 19, 2022 at 4:12 am

      Ek het my nogal verstom dat die ape so aggressief opgetree het en dit vir n happie van 2 klein eiertjies.

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      1. scrapydo2.wordpress.com January 20, 2022 at 12:32 am

         Ek dink die apies het mekaar maar opgewerk om te kyk wie eiertjies gaan kry. Jul is mos maar jaloers en kannie verdra dat iemand anders die happie kry nie.
      2. de Wets Wild Post authorJanuary 20, 2022 at 4:39 am

         Hoe dit ook al sy, die dikkoppe het aan die korste ent getrek.
      3. scrapydo2.wordpress.com January 21, 2022 at 4:29 am

         Dis dan ‘n oormag van ape gewees. As dit net een was het hul nog dalk n kans gestaan. Is maar met gewone kiewiete ook. Hul duik en jaag en maak’n lawaai. Als meestal verniet.
10. H.J. for avian101 January 18, 2022 at 1:40 am

    These couple of thick-knees picked the sandy edge of the water because it will make easier for incubation. Didn’t count on the primates that must be hungry. Great series, D. 🙂

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    1. de Wets Wild Post authorJanuary 19, 2022 at 4:11 am

       Thanks, H.J! The eggs are superbly camouflaged but the monkeys were clever enough to deduce where the eggs were based on the Dikkoppe’s behaviour.

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11. anne leueen January 18, 2022 at 12:34 am

    The hierarchy of nature can be hard sometimes.

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    1. de Wets Wild Post authorJanuary 19, 2022 at 4:10 am

       Indeed, Anne. And danger comes in many forms!

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