003 | BIRD CALL ASSOCIATIONS & INTERPRETATIONS

3
BEST BIRD CALL ASSOCIATIONS & INTERPRETATIONS 0F SOUTHERN AFRICA 

(Stefan Rust) (2011) 

Introduction 
The main purpose of this booklet is to having gathered and summarized interesting and often humorous associations of birdcalls and where possible to interpret birdcalls into human words combined with funny sketches. Up to the presence of this book, many scientific books included these valuable descriptions of bird calls which would perhaps get lost in future years to come because the broad public does not necessarily read scientific bird books and therefore I wrote this easy to read booklet, in the hope that these interesting and typical associations and interpretations don’t get lost with future generations.
It is also meant to be a useful guide in identifying a bird in the field by listening to its call.
Also for people in the tourism sector it is useful in entertaining their guests and telling them more about southern Africa’s profound birdlife!
Please note that often the described birds have more than only the described call. Sometimes the described call is an alarm call, song, contact call etc. 

Black-collared Barbet 
Lybius torquatus 
Halsband-Bartvogel 
Rooikophoutkapper 
Birdcall: 10-20 x repeated synchronized duet 
Interpretation: clean-collar, clean collar 

Crested Barbet 
Trachyphonus vaillantii 
Haubenbartvogel 
Kuifkophoutkapper 
Birdcall: Loud and unmusical trill 
Association: Sounds like the winding of a fishing reel or: Sounds like an alarm clock with the bell removed 

Cape Batis 
Batis capensis 
Kapschnaepper 
Kaapse Bosbontrokkie 
Birdcall: Deep toned grinding noise 
Association: Sounds like rubbing two stones against each other 

Chinspot Batis 
Batis molitor 
Weissflankenschnaepper 
Witliesbosbontrokkie 
Birdcall: 3 descending notes 
Interpretation: three-blind-mice 

Red-billed Buffalo-Weaver 
Bubalornis niger 
Bueffelweber 
Buffelwewer 
Birdcall: Loud call 
Interpretation: look at it-look at it-look at it 

Dark-capped Bulbul 
Pycnonotus tricolor 
Graubuelbuel 
Swartoogtiptol 
Birdcall: Loud 3-7 disjointed notes 
Interpretation: come back to Calcutta or: wait-a-bit 

African Red-eyed Bulbul 
Pycnonotus nigricans 
Maskenbuelbuel 
Rooioogtiptol 
Birdcall: Loud 3-7 disjointed notes 
Interpretation: wake-up, Gregory 

Cabanis’s Bunting 
Emberiza cabanisi 
Cabanisammer 
Geelstreepkoppie 
Birdcall: Sweet penetrating song 
Interpretation: sweet-sweet-sweet-sweet 

Cape Bunting 
Emberiza capensis 
Kapammer 
Rooivlerkstreepkoppie 
Birdcall: Nasal contact call 
Interpretation: chair, rare, rare 

Cinnamon-breasted Bunting 
Emberiza tahapisi 
Siebenstreifenammer 
Klipstreepkoppie 
Birdcall: Fast jumble of notes 
Interpretation: I see you, I see you 

Golden-breasted Bunting 
Emberiza flaviventris 
Gelbbauchammer 
Rooirugstreepkoppie 
Birdcall: Plaintive whistle 
Interpretation: prettyboy-prettyboy-prettyboy 

Grey-headed Bush-Shrike 
Malaconotus blanchoti 
Graukopfwuerger 
Spookvoel 
Birdcall: Haunting and hooting whistle 
Association: Sounds like a ghost 

Orange-breasted Bush-Shrike 
Telophorus sulfureopectus 
Orangebrustwuerger 
Oranjeborsboslaksman 
Birdcall: Fast phrases 
Interpretation: what-to-to-dooo? 

Black-bellied Bustard 
Lissotis melanogaster 
Schwarzbauchtrappe 
Langbeenkorhaan 
Birdcall: Loud frog-like call followed by kw-ick 
Association: Sounds like a cork popping out of a bottle 

Jackal Buzzard 
Buteo rufofuscus 
Felsenbussard 
Rooiborsjakkalsvoel 
Birdcall: keoow, keoow, keoow… 
Association: Sounds like a jackal-like yelping 

Green-backed Camaroptera 
Camaroptera brachyura 
Gruenruecken-Camaroptera 
Groenrugkwekwevoel 
Birdcall: kwit-kwit-kwit… 
Association: Sounds like knocking two stones together 

Brimstone Canary 
Crithagra sulphurata 
Schwefelgirlitz 
Dikbekkanarie 
Birdcall: Deep alarm note 
Interpretation: see-it 

Cape Canary 
Serinus canicollis 
Gelbscheitelgirlitz 
Kaapse Kanarie 
Birdcall: Long ascending call note 
Interpretation: sweeeet 

Boulder Chat 
Pinarornis plumosus 
Steindrossling 
Swartberglyster 
Birdcall: High-pitched notes 
Association: Sounds like a squeaky bicycle wheel 

Buff-streaked Chat 
Oenanthe bifasciata 
Fahlschulterschmaetzer 
Bergklipwagter 
Birdcall: Sharp clicking notes 
Association: Sounds like stones knocked together 

Croaking Cisticola 
Cisticola natalensis 
Strichelzistensaenger 
Grottinktinkie 
Birdcall: Double-noted alarm call 
Interpretation: chip-munk or: kick-through 

Rufous-winged Cisticola 
Cisticola galactotes 
Schwarzruecken-Zistensaenger 
Swartrugtinktinkie 
Birdcall: prrit, prrit 
Association: Sounds like a machine gun 

Reed Cormorant 
Phalacrocorax africanus 
Riedscharbe 
Rietduiker 
Birdcall: Bleating laughing call at roost 
Interpretation: hahahaha 

Temminck’s Courser 
Cursorius temminckii 
Temminckrennvogel 
Trekdrawwertjie 
Birdcall: err-err-errrr 
Association: Sounds like a squeaky gate or a rusty hinge 

Burchell’s Coucal 
Centropus burchellii 
Tiputip 
Gewone Vleiloerie 
Birdcall: Cascade of bubbling notes 
Association: Sounds like water coming out of a bottle 

Spotted Crake 
Porzana porzana 
Tuepfelsumpfhuhn 
Gevlekte Riethaan 
Birdcall: kwit (about once a second) 
Association: Sounds like water dropping into a full barrel 

Blue-mantled Crested-Flycatcher 
Trochocercus cyanomelas 
Blaumantelschopfschnaepper 
Bloukuifvlieevanger 
Birdcall: Melodious song 
Interpretation: say, say, say, say … 

African Emerald Cuckoo 
Chrysococcyx cupreus 
Smaragdkuckuck 
Mooimeisie 
Birdcall: Loud ringing 3-note call 
Interpretation: pretty-Geor-gie or: hel-lo aunt Bet 

Black Cuckoo 
Cuculus clamosus 
Schwarzkuckuck 
Swartkoekoek 
Birdcall: Slow and mournful call 
Interpretation: I’m so sick or: I’m so sad or: send more rain or: poppa’s boy or: christmas box 

Diederick Cuckoo 
Chrysococcyx caprius 
Diderikkuckuck 
Diederikkie 
Birdcall: Sad 5-7 high pitched notes 
Interpretation: dee-dee-deederik 

Lesser Cuckoo 
Cuculus poliocephalus 
Gackelkuckuck 
Kleinkoekoek 
Birdcall: Husky chattering call 
Interpretation: that’s your CHOKY pepper 

Red-chested Cuckoo 
Cuculus solitarius 
Einsiedlerkuckuck 
Piet-my-vrou 
Birdcall: Persistant and monotonous call 
Interpretation: Piet-my-vrou (Africaans) (Piet my wife) or: Skiet-my-nou (Africaans) (shoot me now) 

Thick-billed Cuckoo 
Pachycoccyx audeberti 
Dickschnabelkuckuck 
Dikbekkoekoek 
Birdcall: Ringing three notes 
Interpretation: we, yes, yes 

Grey Cuckooshrike 
Coracina caesia 
Grauer Raupenfaenger 
Bloukatakoeroe 
Birdcall: chi-oo 
Association: Sounds like sneezing 

Red-eyed Dove 
Streptopelia semitorquata 
Halbmondtaube 
Grootringduif 
Birdcall: 6-note KOO KOO, ku-ku KOO-koo 
Interpretation: coo-coo, why DON’T you work? or: father, why DON’T you work? or: I’m a RED-eyed Dove 

Fork-tailed Drongo 
Dicrurus adsimilis 
Trauerdrongo 
Mikstertbyvanger 
Birdcall: Loud creaking and rasping calls 
Association: Sounds like an unoiled wooden wagon wheel 

Spotted Eagle-Owl 
Bubo africanus 
Fleckenuhu 
Gevlekte Ooruil 
Birdcall: 2-3-syllable hoots 
Interpretation: who are you? 

African Finfoot 
Podica senegalensis 
Afrikanische Binsenralle 
Watertrapper 
Birdcall: skwak 
Association: Sounds like two blocks of wood knocked together 

Pel’s Fishing Owl 
Scotopelia peli 
Fischeule 
Visuil 
Birdcall: Low deep and screechy howl 
Association: The ending sounds like the scream of a lost soul fading into a bottomless pit 

Buff-spotted Flufftail 
Sarothrura elegans 
Schmuckzwergralle 
Gevlekte Vleikuiken 
Birdcall: Spitting alarm call 
Association: Sounds like a spitting cat 

Ashy Flycatcher 
Muscicapa caerulescens 
Schieferschnaepper 
Blougrysvlieevanger 
Birdcall: 4-syllable call 
Interpretation: pit PIT pit-pit 

Fiscal Flycatcher 
Sigelus silens 
Wuergeschnaepper 
Fiskaalvlieevanger 
Birdcall: High-pitched notes 
Interpretation: chat, chat, chat 

Crested Francolin 
Dendroperdix sephaena 
Schopffrankolin 
Bospatrys 
Birdcall: Well-synchronized duet between male and female 
Interpretation: pump handle, pump handle… 

Red-winged Francolin 
Scleroptila levaillantii 
Rotfluegelfrankolin 
Rooivlerkpatrys 
Birdcall: Five rapidly uttered notes 
Interpretation: I’ll-drink-yer-beer, Bill 

Shelley’s Francolin 
Scleroptila shelleyi S
helleyfrankolin 
Laeveldpatrys 
Birdcall: Distinctive 4-note call, repeated 3-4 times 
Interpretation: I’ll drink YOUR beer or: Vater Fillip, Vater Fillip (German) (father Fillip, father Fillip) 

Southern Giant-Petrel 
Macronectes giganteus 
Riesensturmvogel 
Reuse Nellie 
Birdcall: Loud at breeding grounds and when fighting over food 
Association: Sounds like croaking, neighing, mewing, retching and hissing sounds 

Grey Go-away-bird 
Corythaixoides concolor 
Graulaermvogel 
Kwevoel 
Birdcall: A loud nasal call 
Interpretation: go-away 

Moustached Grass-Warbler 
Melocichla mentalis 
Bartgrasssaenger 
Breestertgrasvoel 
Birdcall: Melodious phrases 
Interpretation: chir-chir-chir, does it tickle you? 

Sombre Greenbul 
Andropadus importunus 
Kapgruenbuelbuel 
Gewone Willie 
Birdcall: Rapid jumble of loud notes ending in nasal slurr 
Interpretation: Willie, come-and-have-a-fight, sca-a-a-ared? or: Willie, what’s-the-mat-ter, sca-a-a-red? or: Willie, Willie, get-behind-the-bush-will-you, please 

Stripe-cheeked Greenbul 
Andropadus milanjensis 
Strichelgruenbuelbuel 
Streepwangwillie 
Birdcall: Sharp guttural notes 
Interpretation: I’m not such a silly old fool 

Yellow-streaked Greenbul 
Phyllastrephus flavostriatus 
Gelbstreifenlaubbuelbuel 
Geelstreepboskruiper 
Birdcall: Series of nasal notes 
Interpretation: do you hear, do you hear, I’m here, here, here, here 

Helmeted Guineafowl 
Numida meleagris 
Helmperlhuhn 
Gewone Tarentaal 
Birdcall: A two-note contact call 
Interpretation: buck-wheat, buck-wheat, buck-wheat or: come-back, come-back, come-back 

African Cuckoo Hawk 
Aviceda cuculoides 
Kuckucksweih 
Koekoekvalk 
Birdcall: 4-note call 
Interpretation: tickey-to-you 

Goliath Heron 
Ardea goliath 
Goliathreiher 
Reuse Reier 
Birdcall: mmmmm-haw-haw-haw-haw 
Association: Sounds like a hippopotamus call 

Green-backed Heron 
Butorides striatus 
Mangrovereiher 
Groenrugreier 
Birdcall: Harsh call 
Association: Sounds like sneezing 

Grey Heron 
Ardea cinerea 
Graureiher 
Bloureier 
Birdcall: Loud croak 
Interpretation: Frrank 

Greater Honeyguide 
Indicator indicator 
Grosser Honiganzeiger 
Grootheuningwyser 
Birdcall: chitik-chitik-chitik 
Association: Sounds like a matchbox shaken lengthwise 

Scaly-throated Honeyguide 
Indicator variegatus 
Honiganzeiger 
Gevlekte Heuningwyser
Birdcall: Fast trill 
Association: Sounds like a finger run down a hair comb 

Silvery-cheeked Hornbill 
Bycanistes brevis 
Silberwangen-Hornvogel 
Kuifkopboskraai 
Birdcall: waak-waak-waak 
Association: Sounds like a blast on a toy trumpet 

Trumpeter Hornbill 
Bycanistes bucinator 
Trompeterhornvogel 
Gewone Boskraai 
Birdcall: Loud nasal wailing 
Association: Sounds like a crying baby 

Grey Kestrel 
Falco ardosiaceus 
Graufalke 
Donker Grysvalk 
Birdcall: keek-keek-keek 
Association: Sounds like a squeaky wheel 

Black-bellied Korhaan 
Eupodotis melanogaster 
Schwarzbauchtrappe 
Langbeenkorhaan
Birdcall: Hoarse squeak-pop effect 
Association: Sounds like a cork drawn from a bottle 

Blue Korhaan 
Eupodotis caerulescens 
Blautrappe 
Bloukorhaan 
Birdcall: Frog-like croaks 
Interpretation: knock-me-down 

Karoo Korhaan 
Eupodotis vigorsii 
Namatrappe 
Vaalkorhaan 
Birdcall: Loud mellow 2-syllabled croaking 
Interpretation: hotnot, platvoet 

Blacksmith Lapwing 
Vanellus armatus 
Schmiedekiebitz 
Bontkiewiet 
Birdcall: Piercing metallic call 
Association: Sounds like a blacksmith’s hammer on an anvil 

Spur-winged Lapwing 
Vanellus spinosus 
Spornkiebitz 
Spoorvlerkkiewiet 
Birdcall: Loud screeching sound 
Interpretation: did-you-DO-it? 

Flappet Lark 
Mirafra rufocinnamomea 
Baumklapperlerche 
Laeveldklappertjie 
Birdcall: phrrrr-phrrr 
Association: Sounds like castanet wing-rattles 

Monotonous Lark 
Mirafra passerina 
Sperlingslerche 
Bosveldlewerik 
Birdcall: Monotonous song 
Interpretation: for syrup is sweet or: oom Piet Retief (Africaans) (uncle Piet Retief) 

Rudd’s Lark 
Mirafra ruddi 
Spornlerche 
Drakensberglewerik 
Birdcall: Clear phrase of 3-5 notes 
Interpretation: for-see-is-it-wee? 

Rufous-naped Lark 
Mirafra africana 
Rotnackenlerche 
Rooineklewerik 
Birdcall: Short phrase of four or five syllables 
Interpretation: hope-you-can see me 

Lesser Moorhen 
Gallinula angulata 
Zwergteichhuhn 
Kleinwaterhoender 
Birdcall: 5-6 hollow notes 
Association: Sounds like a distant pump 

Neddicky 
Cisticola fulvicapilla 
Brauner Zistensaenger 
Neddikkie 
Birdcall: weep, weep, weep 
Association: Sounds like a bicycle pump sound 

Fiery-necked Nightjar 
Caprimulgus pectoralis 
Rotnacken-Nachtschwalbe 
Afrikaanse Naguil 
Birdcall: Very characteristic call 
Interpretation: good lord deliver us or: jag weg die wewenaar (Africaans) (chase away the widower) 

Freckled Nightjar 
Caprimulgus tristigma 
Fleckennachtschwalbe 
Donkernaguil 
Birdcall: pow-wow-wow 
Association: Sounds like a dog-like yelp 

Rufous-cheeked Nightjar 
Caprimulgus rufigena 
Rostwangen-Nachtschwalbe 
Rooiwangnaguil 
Birdcall: Sustained churring at set speed 
Association: Sounds like an engine running in the distance or: Sounds like a small-engined motorcycle or: Sounds like a two-stroke engine 

Square-tailed Nightjar 
Caprimulgus fossii 
Gabunnachtschwalbe 
Laeveldnaguil 
Birdcall: Continuous churring, changing speed and pitch 
Association: Sounds like a motor changing gear 

Eurasian Golden Oriole 
Oriolus oriolus 
Europaeischer Pirol 
Europese Wielewaal 
Birdcall: 3-note call 
Interpretation: who-are-you? 

Common Ostrich 
Struthio camelus 
Strauss 
Volstruis 
Birdcall: Deep booming call 
Association: Sounds like a lion’s roar at a distance 

Marsh Owl 
Asio capensis 
Kapohreule 
Vlei-uil 
Birdcall: Grating croak 
Association: Sounds like tearing canvas 

Greater Painted-Snipe 
Rostratula benghalensis 
Goldschnepfe 
Goudsnip 
Birdcall: Hooting call 
Association: Sounds like air blowing across a large-mouthed bottle 

African Penguin 
Spheniscus demersus 
Brillenpinguin 
Brilpikkewyn 
Birdcall: Braying call 
Association: Sounds like a donkey braying 

Maccaroni Penguin 
Eudyptes chrysolophus 
Goldschopfpinguin M
acaronipikkewyn 
Birdcall: Harsh and nasal sound 
Association: Sounds like loud trumpeting and harsh barking 

Blue Petrel 
Halobaena caerulea 
Blausturmvogel 
Bloustormvoel 
Birdcall: Cooing sound 
Association: Sounds like pigeon-like cooing 

Acacia Pied Barbet 
Tricholaema leucomelas 
Rotstirnbartvogel 
Bonthoutkapper 
Birdcall: pehp, pehp, pehp 
Association: Sounds like a toy tin trumpet 

African Quailfinch 
Ortygospiza atricollis 
Wachtelastrild 
Gewone Kwartelvinkie 
Birdcall: Flight call given in quick succession 
Interpretation: drink 

Cardinal Quelea 
Quelea cardinalis 
Kardinalweber 
Kardinaalkwelea 
Birdcall: chit chit chit chitchitchitchit 
Association: Sounds like fingernail run fast over teeth of comb 

Spotted Redshank 
Tringa erythropus 
Dunkler Wasserlaeufer 
Gevlekte Rooipootruiter 
Birdcall: Rapid call 
Interpretation: chew-it 

White-starred Robin 
Pogonocichla stellata 
Sternroetel 
Witkoljanfrederik 
Birdcall: Piping complex call 
Interpretation: there are, six, white horses 

Cape Robin-Chat 
Cossypha caffra 
Kaproetel 
Gewone Janfrederik 
Birdcall: Short melodious phrases 
Association: Sounds like someone reading a shopping list 

Red-capped Robin-Chat 
Cossypha natalensis 
Natalroetel 
Nataljanfrederik 
Birdcall: 2-syllabled contact call 
Interpretation: see-saw, see-saw 

White-browed Robin-Chat
Cossypha heuglini 
Weissbrauenroetel 
Heuglinse Janfrederik 
Birdcall: Flute-like phrases 
Interpretation: don’t-you-DO-it or: think-of-it, think-of-it, THINK-OF-IT or: it’s-up-to-you, it’s-up-to-you, up-to-you, UP-TO-YOU 

Cape Rock-Jumper 
Chaetops frenatus 
Kap-Felsenspringer 
Kaapse Berglyster 
Birdcall: pee-pee-pee-pee… 
Association: Sounds like a running down alarm clock, falling in pitch 

Little Rush-Warbler 
Bradypterus baboecala 
Sumpfbuschsaenger 
Kaapse Vleisanger 
Birdcall: Series of accelerating notes 
Association: Sounds like a stick in the spokes of a bicycle wheel that is turning faster and faster 

Double-banded Sandgrouse 
Pterocles bicinctus 
Nachtflughuhn 
Dubbelbandsandpatrys 
Birdcall: After sunset call when coming to drink 
Interpretation: don’t WEEP so Charlie, don’t WEEP so Charlie or: oh NO, he’s gone and done it aGAIN, oh NO, he’s gone and done it aGAIN 

Namaqua Sandgrouse 
Pterocles namaqua 
Namaflughuhn 
Kelkiewyn 
Birdcall: Flight call 
Interpretation: kelkie WYN, kelkie WYN, kelkie WYN (Africaans) (chalice wine, chalice wine, chalice wine) or: met die LYN, met die LYN, met die LYN (Africaans) (with the line, with the line, with the line) 

White-browed Scrub-Robin 
Cercotrichas leucophrys 
Weissbrauen-Heckensaenger 
Gestreepte Wipstert 
Birdcall: Melodious whistled phrases 
Interpretation: hey-who-ARE-you, who-ARE-you, who-ARE-you? or: a pretty girl, a pretty girl, and is she rich, and is she rich? 

Audobon’s Shearwater 
Puffinus lherminieri 
Audobonsturmtaucher 
Swartkroonpylstormvoel 
Birdcall: Various loud calls at breeding grounds 
Association: Sounds like see-saw cries 

Sooty Shearwater 
Puffinus griseus 
Dunkler Sturmtaucher 
Malbaatjie 
Birdcall: Loud at breeding grounds 
Association: Sounds like howling and coughing 

Northern Shoveler 
Anas clypeata 
Loeffelente 
Europese Sloopeend 
Birdcall: Short call by male 
Interpretation: took 

Souza’s Shrike 
Lanius souzae 
Souzawuerger 
Souzase Laksman 
Birdcall: Ringing sound 
Interpretation: beeeeeeer 

African Snipe 
Galinago nigripennis 
Afrikanische Bekassine 
Afrikaanse Snip 
Birdcall: tchek 
Association: Sounds like foot being drawn out of mud 

Hartlaub’s Spurfowl 
Pternistis hartlaubi 
Hartlaubfrankolin 
Klipfisant 
Birdcall: High-pitched duet 
Interpretation: watch your video 

Yellow-billed Stork 
Mycteria ibis 
Nimmersatt 
Nimmersat 
Birdcall: Loud squeaks 
Association: Sounds like a squeaking hinge 

Anchieta’s Tchagra 
Antichromus anchietae 
Sumpftschagra 
Vleitjagra 
Birdcall: 3-6 whistling notes 
Interpretation: today or tomorrow 

Black-crowned Tchagra 
Tchagra senegala 
Senegaltschagra 
Swartkroontjagra 
Birdcall: 5-10 ringing whistles 
Interpretation: why did you do that? 

Antarctic Tern 
Sterna vittata 
Gabelschwanz-Seeschwalbe 
Grysborsseeswael 
Birdcall: chit-chit-churr 
Association: Sounds like rattling pebbles 

Sooty Tern 
Sterna fuscata 
Russseeschwalbe 
Roetsterretjie 
Birdcall: 3-syllabled call 
Interpretation: wide-awake 

Grey Tit 
Parus afer 
Kapmeise 
Piet-tjou-tjou-grysmees 
Birdcall: Scolding call 
Interpretation: give-ear, give-ear 

Ross’s Turaco 
Musophaga rossae 
Rossturako 
Rooikuifloerie 
Birdcall: ttrer-r-ttrer-r-ttrer… 
Association: Sounds like a bicycle wheel with faulty bearings 

Cape Turtle-Dove 
Streptopelia capicola 
Kapturteltaube 
Gewone Tortelduif 
Birdcall: 10-40 x repeated loud call 
Interpretation: work HArder, work HArder or: werk STAdig, werk STAdig (Africaans) (work slowly, work slowly) or: drink LAger, drink LAger or: how’s FAther, how’s FAther or: where’s FAther, where’s FAther or: tell FAther, tell FAther 

River Warbler 
Locustella fluviatilis 
Schlagschwirl 
Sprinkaansanger 
Birdcall: ziki-ziki-ziki-ziki 
Association: Sounds like a distant steam locomotive 

Black-throated Wattle-Eye 
Platysteira peltata 
Schwarzkehl-Lappenschnaepper
Beloogbosbontrokkie 
Birdcall: chit-chit-chit 
Association: Sounds like two bits of metal tapped together 

Red-collared Widowbird 
Euplectes ardens 
Schildwida 
Rooikeelflap 
Birdcall: skheeee 
Association: Sounds like puffadder 

Emerald-spotted Wood-Dove 
Turtur chalcospilos 
Bronzeflecktaube 
Groenvlekduifie 
Birdcall: Slow hoo wuhoo hoo whoo speeding up 
Interpretation: My father is dead! My mother is dead! All my relations are dead! Boo hoo hoo hoo! 

Green Wood-Hoopoe 
Phoeniculus pupureus 
Steppenbaumhopf 
Rooibekkakelaar 
Birdcall: Characteristic high-pitched cackling 
Association: Sounds like the hysterical laughter of old women 

African Wood-Owl 
Strix woodfordii 
Woodfordkauz 
Bosuil 
Birdcall: Rhythmic series of calls 
Interpretation: who who, who who who-are-you? or: where-are-you? where-are-you? or: oh my mother

Golden-tailed Woodpecker 
Campethera abingoni 
Goldschwanzspecht 
Goudstertspeg 
Birdcall: Distinctive short call 
Interpretation: hair 

Ground Woodpecker 
Geocolaptes olivaceus 
Erdspecht 
Grondspeg 
Birdcall: chik-ree, chik-ree 
Association: Sounds like sharpening a saw 

Barred Wren-Warbler 
Calamonastes fasciolatus 
Bindensaenger 
Gebande Sanger 
Birdcall: preep-preep-preep 
Association: Sounds like the squeak of a bicycle pump 


INDEX TO ENGLISH NAMES 

Barbet Black-collared Barbet Crested Batis Cape Batis Chinspot Buffalo-Weaver Red-billed Bulbul Dark-capped Bulbul African Red-eyed Bunting Cabanis’s Bunting Cape Bunting Cinnamon-breasted Bunting Golden-breasted Bush-Shrike Grey-headed Bush-Shrike Orange-breasted Bustard Black-bellied Buzzard Jackal Camaroptera Green-backed Canary Brimstone Canary Cape Chat Boulder Chat Buff-streaked Cisticola Croaking Cisticola Rufous-winged Cormorant Reed Courser Temminck’s Coucal Burchell’s Crake Spotted Crested-Flycatcher Blue-mantled Cuckoo African Emerald Cuckoo Black Cuckoo Diederick Cuckoo Lesser Cuckoo Red-chested Cuckoo Thick-billed Cuckooshrike Grey Dove Red-eyed Drongo Fork-tailed Eagle-Owl Spotted Finfoot African Fishing Owl Pel’s Flufftail Buff-spotted Flycatcher Ashy Flycatcher Fiscal Francolin Crested Francolin Red-winged Francolin Shelley’s Giant-Petrel Southern Go-away-bird Grey Grass-Warbler Moustached Greenbul Sombre Greenbul Stripe-cheeked Greenbul Yellow-streaked Guineafowl Helmeted Hawk African Cuckoo Heron Goliath Heron Green-backed Heron Grey Honeyguide Greater Honeyguide Scaly-throated Hornbill Silvery-cheeked Hornbill Trumpeter Kestrel Grey Korhaan Black-bellied Korhaan Blue Korhaan Karoo Lapwing Blacksmith Lapwing Spur-winged Lark Flappet Lark Monotonous Lark Rudd’s Lark Rufous-naped Moorhen Lesser Neddicky Nightjar Fiery-necked Nightjar Freckled Nightjar Rufous-cheeked Nightjar Square-tailed Oriole Eurasian Golden Ostrich Common Owl Marsh Painted Snipe Greater Penguin African Penguin Maccaroni Petrel Blue Pied Barbet Acacia Quailfinch African Quelea Cardinal Redshank Spotted Robin White-starred Robin-Chat Cape Robin-Chat Red-capped Robin-Chat White-browed Rock-Jumper Cape Rush-Warbler Little Sandgrouse Double-banded Sandgrouse Namaqua Scrub-Robin White-browed Shearwater Audobon’s Shearwater Sooty Shoveler Northern Shrike Souza’s Snipe African Spurfowl Hartlaub’s Stork Yellow-billed Tchagra Anchieta’s Tchagra Black-crowned Tern Antarctic Tern Sooty Tit Grey Turaco Ross’s Turtle-Dove Cape Warbler River Wattle-Eye Black-throated Widowbird Red-collared Wood-Dove Emerald-spotted Wood-Hoopoe Green Wood-Owl African Woodpecker Golden-tailed Woodpecker Ground Wren-Warbler Barred