SOUTH AFRICAN BIRDS AND THEIR DIET 



shrubs and trees. They feed eagerly on winged termites. 

 Glossy starlings, when numerous, sometimes invade orchards 

 when the fruit is ripe, and do more or less damage. 



Golden Oriole. 



(Oriolus galbula.) 



Andersson's oriole [Oriole iiotatus) ; black-headed oriole 

 {Onolus larvatiis). 



Diet. — Consists of winged termites, caterpillars, beetles, and 

 a large variety of other insects ; also wild fruits, berries, and 

 soft seeds. Caterpillars, however, are the oriole's chief diet. 

 The black-headed species is the commonest oriole in South 

 Africa. It is a policeman of the forests. 



Weaver Birds, commonly known as Finks or Vinks. 



There are several species of the weaver birds of the genus 

 Hyphantornis. 



Diet. — All feed on grain, seeds, berries, and insects of 

 various kinds. Their young are fed exclusively on soft larvae, 

 caterpillars, young grasshoppers, and other forms of insect life. 

 When winged termites emerge, these birds feed exclusively on 

 them. A pair of winged termites is a potential colony of 

 termites. 



When weaver birds increase unduly in numbers they often 

 make serious inroads on the ripening grain in the fields. 



Smith's Weaver Bird. 



{Sitagra ocularia.) 



Diet. — Wood bugs, caterpillars, small beetles which feed 

 on bark, twigs, and leaves. They diligently search orchards, 

 gardens, and shrubberies, in pairs, for insect pests. When 

 insects are scarce they feed on berries and soft seeds. 



