Chirping with Kloof Conservancy – Black-backed Puffback
Find out more about this feathered Highway local below.
Kloof Conservancy
THIS is a striking and ever-busy bird with eyes that seem to glare at you. The male has an unusual habit of ‘puffing up’ to make himself look double its size. It is not generally shy and will, on occasion, stare inquisitively at observers that often creates the opportunity for a good photograph.
Description
These are smallish birds and are about 17cm in length, but they are quite distinguishable by their colouration and striking red-ringed eyes. Their upperparts are predominantly black on the head and back with the rest of the feathers being mainly white. The males and females are very similar. The females are slightly dull in comparison with greyish/white, particularly around the eyes. They can sometimes be confused with the BruBru, which is smaller. Look for the orange feathers on the flanks of the BruBru as a distinguishing feature.
Distribution
The Black-backed Puffback is found in most wooded regions of sub-equatorial Africa and in South Africa, mainly along moist areas on the east side of the country, but also across northern and north-west provinces.
Habitat
They live almost exclusively in evergreen riverine forests but have also been known to frequent gum plantations. They can also be spotted in well-wooded gardens that are near forests.
ALSO READ: Chirping with Kloof Conservancy – African Goshawk
Feeding
They feed primarily on insects, but will also eat fruit. They always feed quietly and in fast moving bursts, high up in the forest canopy. They are rarely seen on the ground. As with most insect eaters, they love to take flying ants in the air and are quite nifty in flight.
Breeding
This is a monogamous species and pair for life. The nest building is left entirely to the female and, in our area, two or three eggs are laid in the period of September to December. Incubation is approximately 13 days and most of it is done by the female. Feeding of the chicks is done by the female using food brought by the male.
Predators and threats
This species is vulnerable to attack by the African Goshawk and the nestlings are known to have been attacked and killed by Crematogaster (cocktail) ants. Their nests are also used by the black cuckoo and emerald cuckoo to lay their eggs in and then the Puffbacks are left to look after the cuckoo chicks. Overall, these birds have a bit of a tough time!
ALSO READ: Chirping with Kloof Conservancy – Mountain Wagtail
Local information
As these are forest birds, you will need to visit our riverine areas of which we are fortunate to have many. In the Krantzkloof Nature Reserve, the best trails will be the Longshadow Trail or the Mpithi Trail, although you will also spot them deep in the gorge on the Molweni River. The Everton Gorge and Glenholme Nature Reserve are also good areas to look for them.
Although it has been reported they can be spotted in small groups, in our area it is more likely that you will see them on their own.
Interesting facts
The males are well-known for ‘puffing up’ their back feathers during mating displays and hence their name. Sometimes they will fly off with their feathers ‘puffed up’ and look like an odd white ball flying through the air!
To support the work of the Kloof Conservancy, visit https://www.kloofconservancy.org.za/ to make a donation.
Caxton Local Media Covid-19 reporting
