FORAGING PATTERNS OF SOME SOUTH AFRICAN FLYCATCHERS

Fraser, W. 1983. Foraging patterns of some South African flycatchers. Ostrich 54:150-155.

The foraging behaviour of eight species of flycatchers found in South Africa was studied. Four feeding techniques were recognized: hawking, hawking-gleaning, gleaning and pouncing. The Chinspot Batis Batis molitor, Pririt Batis Batis pririt, Paradise Flycatcher Terpsiphone viridis and the Leadcoloured Flycatcher Myioparus plumbeus use hawking-gleaning as their main feeding technique and forage predominantly within the canopy of the vegetation. The Fiscal Flycatcher Sigelus silens, Black Flycatcher Melaenornis pammelaina and Marico Flycatcher Melaenornis mariquensis use pouncing as their main feeding technique and forage outside the canopy. The Spotted Flycatcher Muscicapa striata uses hawking as its main feeding technique and also forages outside the vegetation. While foraging the canopy-feeders are active and continually on the move through the vegetation in their search for prey whereas those foraging outside the vegetation are far less active and employ still-hunting, waiting for their prey to appear.