An active warbler

GREETINGS all! This week we are going to look at a bird which is neither common or rare – just localised as far as its choice of habitat in our immediate area is concerned.

The yellow-throated woodland warbler is found in the larger forests of our area. I have seen it at on occasion at Woody Cape (Alexandria forest) and near Bathurst, although the mountain forests at Hogsback and Stutterheim, as well as the more “true” coastal forests near East London and Knysna seem to be where it is more regularly encountered. In some places, they are altitudinal migrants, meaning they will move from higher-lying areas down to the coast in certain seasons.

Although they aren’t exactly skulkers, and they can perch quite openly, they do tend to stick to the canopy of the trees, where they are not always that easy to see. Occasionally, however, they will come down to the mid-strata of the forest, where one can have a better look at this delightful little bird. It can easily be identified by its rusty rufous cap, yellow eyebrow, throat and chest and olive-green wings. The colour of the belly varies regionally. Further up north in southern Africa, the belly is all-grey. Down in our area, the yellow on the chest extends down the centre of the belly, but most of the sides are still grey.

The call is a somewhat variable, cheerful series of rhythmic twitters, as can be heard on my recording at This song is often the first sign of the bird’s presence. They are quite active as they fly quite quickly from one treetop to the next, feeding on insects.

Well folks, that’s it for this time. Please remember I am available for birdwatching tours in and around our area. You can contact me on 072-314-0069 for more information. Happy birding!