SANParks.org Forums

There was a poll about this on a bird site but cannot remember where, maybe Simply Birding.

It is one of those things that people have different views on: some use it a lot others are of the opinion it should never be used and others use it on occasion.

I've used my PDA to play a call with the intention to call up a bird only on a hand full of occasions in the past. I agree with those who say it should be kept to the bare minimum.

Like FD says, you have a variety of opinions... but, like with all things overuse should be avoided.

I spent some time with the best phisher (calling birds with sounds made by yourself, i.e. no help from recordings) I have met to date. This guy would call a few times only, if there was no reaction he'd move on. "If you do not get a reaction after the third attempt, you are not likely to get anything at all," he believes.

I also saw an amazing example of how well calling works for certain species... Retz helmet shrikes came from more than 500 m away reacting to its call made only once!

Many bird species will come closer to inspect a recording of their calls. I would be careful as to how often, and how long, I did this for. The location at which you are trying this is important too. In areas regularly visited by other birders and photographers, I wouldn't do it at all. It could confuse them into your birding space trying to find the source of the sounds...

If you are way out in the back of the sticks, using a tape now and then is not a big deal.

To me as with all things in life, one should consider the circumstances and effect it will have.

Calling a helmet shrike that is just foraging does no harm. Distracting Pels from nesting / breeding is a big NO-NO.

I've called many Pearl Spotted Owlets as their call is easy to imitate. Some times they "play" along, but I've had a few that from the tone and insistency of the call you can pick up that they are really upset about the "intruder". If it causes stress, you stop!

Couldn't agree more! This is a great way to make sure no one else finds this bird - again! I am adamant that this is one of the reasons for the decline in Pel's numbers along the Olifants river.

I’m inclined to agree with you, Imax (and WTM)….especially considering that these birds seem to be easily disturbed by human activity….this is however the first time I have heard of somebody successfully using this on a Pel’s….hopefully it does not happen too often.




This sounds like good principles. I have never ever considered using this before….. but might be tempted to try it with the Retz Helmet Shrikes (thanks for the hint JvR )…we have a flock of these shrikes that often visit the area around our house in Marloth…I’m battling to get good photos of them (mostly too far of or blurred because they are so active)….one of the group is leucistic and I’m desparate to get a photo.

I read on the website of one of the private lodges in the s*** s**** that they spotted a pels on the sabie river two weeks ago. This is exciting! I do hope that it has a mate there and I hope that they are breeding (successfully).

There's a female Pel's at a certain, well known, non-SA spot (PM me if u want the location). She was ringed something like 17 years ago and is still around. We found her twice, just ambling around, not really looking and once from a boat. It was fantastic!

After searching for Pel's on numerous trips for the past four years I finally found one last month. I must admit that it took the help of two guides and it was in Botswana and not South Africa, but I'm so chuffed with this sighting that I'll post it here anyway

Got the following info from the SASOL Birds of Prey guide, obviously relating to these kinds of birds: Don't play the calls of birds of prey as this truly upset their routine. They may get obsessed with trying to find the "intruder" to the extent that they neglect their nests. A less invasive method would be to play the sounds made by their prey. This should interest them without upsetting them.

So the question raised by this: Who has MP3's along these lines!?

Id rather ask what does a fish sound like

Sometimes I visit this farm along the Limpopo West of Mapungubwe - one day I flushed what I thought was a Pel's. Returned to the same area and found a feather of one in a pool nearby. Cant be convinced by the bird I flushed but nice to know by the feather which I still have, that they are present outside our National Parks!

We saw 2 Pells fishing owls on a trip near Pafuri on one our visits to Kruger Sorry no pic as we had no camera.Is this the only area in Kruger they are found. I also saw a Pells in Ndumu In the trees next to the river.
Again no photo as the owl went behind some foilage and was very high up. So where else in South Africa have there been sightings of this bird??
Elizabeth

Huge - in Kruger, I have seen them along the Olifants river while walking - on two occasions. And I recall reading that our guru, Owl, saw one at Lake Panic a little while ago.

My 3rd Pel's sighting in a 3rd different place, in the fig tree forest in uMkhuze Game Reserve in KZN. This juvenile showed nicely while an adult was sitting a bit further away. My other 2 sightings were also at well-known Pel's sites: Olifants River in KNP and Shakawe in Botswana.

I saw one very briefly in 1992 to the west of Olifants trail camp on the northern bank of the river .
If I recall correctly the rails ranger mentioned they readily fly when approached - is this commonly agreed upon ?
Is direct human presence a contributory factor to their scarcity along the Olifants river in KNP ?