Vocalizations of the South African cliff swallow Hirundo spilodera

The vocalizations of both adult and juvenile South African cliff swallows Hirundo spilodera are described. This swallow has a large vocal repertoire considering that it is a highly colonial species, and at least seven distinctive calls are recognized. In chicks there is a gradual change in the food soliciting call and it develops into the contact call. Contact calls of both chicks and adult birds were individually recognizable

Diet of the ant-eating chat Myrmecocichla formicivora in relation to terrestrial arthropod abundance

During a survey of terrestrial arthropods in the central Orange Free State we collected a sample of ant-eating chats Myrmecocichla formicivora over a 12-month period to analyse the stomach contents. Throughout the year Hymenoptera (ants) were the most abundant arthropods in the pitfall traps with Isoptera common in winter. Although a wide variety of arthropod prey items was taken, there seemed to be some selection from the available prey. During winter a significantly higher number of prey items was taken than during summer. It is postulated that the different foraging methods employed during summer and winter, as well as the variation in the numbers and diversity of the prey, are responsible for the observed differences between the summer and winter diets of the ant-eating chat

The Leucocytozoidae of South African birds. The Muscicapidae sensu latu

The leucocytozoids of the Muscicapidae sensu latu are reviewed and Leucocytozoon phylbscopus of the Sylviinae, L. liothricis of the Timaliinae, L. dubreuili, L. mcclurei and L. shaartusicum of the Turdinae are redescribed. Leucocytozoon francai, L. gbvannolia and L. mirandae are declared synonyms of L. dubreuili. Leucocytozoon timaliae n. sp. is described from a South African babbler

First African record of Leucocytozoon tawaki (Apicomplexa: Leucocytozoidae) from the Jackass Penguin Spheniscus demersus

The occurrence of Leucocytozoon tawaki is recorded from blood smears of the jackass penguin Spheniscus demersus taken along the South African coast. Illese records represent both the first African specimens of this parasite as well as the first records since its description from the Fiordland crested penguin Eudyptes pachyrhynchus in New Zealand in 1976

The Leucocytozoidae of South African birds. The Coliiformes and Coraciiformes

The leucocytozoids of the avian orders Coliiformes and Coraciiformes are reviewed. Leucocytozoon colius of the Coliidae, L. alcedinis and L. dacelo of the Alcedinidae and L. bucerotis of the Bucerotidae are described as new species. Leucocytozoon eurystomi, L. nyctyornis and L. communis of the Coraciidae, Meropidae and Upupidae respectively are redescribed. Leucocytozoon coraciae, L. francae, L. leitaoi and L. melloi are declared synonyms of L. eurystomi. Leucocytozoon apiaster of the Meropidae and L. musajevi of the Coraciidae have previously been declared nomina nuda

Babesia peircei sp. nov. from the jackass penguin

An avian piroplasm, Babesia peircei sp. nov. is described from the jackass penguin Spheniscus demersus. Morphological differences between Babesia peircei sp. nov. and the other valid Babesia spp. are discussed together with the possible vectors

Time budget of South African cliff swallows during breeding

The use of time by the South African cliff swallow was determined and use of energy calculated by using equations for predicting standard metabolic rate and the cost of flight. The highest daily energy expenditure was during the feeding of nestlings when 9,22 h were spent foraging. The cost of 127 kJ for building a nest is very low if it is considered that the nest is usable for a number of years

Features of spermatogenesis in the laughing dove Streptopelia senegalensis

Spermatogenesis in the testis of the laughing dove Streptopelia senegalensis, a non-seasonal breeder, differs markedly from that in seasonal breeding birds. The testes probably never regress fully after reaching the mature stage and the tubules are kept in a development/regression equilibrium which allows mature spermatozoa to be produced throughout but also leaves some parts of the tubules in a resting condition. Spermatogenic development in the longitudinal as well as the horizontal level of each tubule can range from primary spermatocytes to mature spermatozoa

Knots (Calidris canutus) from Germany and South Africa parasitised by trematode Cyclocoelum mutabile

Two Knots, among 88 dissected, contained the trematode Cyclocoelum mutabile. One represents the first record of this trematode from the Afrotropics. Both birds showed retardation of moult, and it is possible that such parasites have an indirect lethal effect, and that they affect breeding performance of this migrant wader with a tight annual schedule