BY DR MICHELINA ANDREUCCI
As children we were taught to sing and live with the birds.
Most of us can remember the pre-school ditty: “Shiri yakanaka wuya neni -wuya, wuya, wuya neni, shiri akanaka uno ende pi”, etc. Come and fly with me beautiful bird; where do you fly to beautiful bird, lets fly together beautiful bird.
If you were raised in the country like I was, you will recall the rich, melodious sounds of birds we imitated as children. The common “go away bird” singing “Kurwe-ee” we would jokingly imitate the bird song of the fiery-necked night jars singing “Mwari tiregerereiwo!!” – Good Lord save us; they were also known as litany birds.
We knew that if we saw more than one Secretary Bird, it meant there were snakes in the vicinity and if you heard the call of the Rain Bird – “Hwaya”, the rains were close. On seeing the white cattle egret Bubulcus Ibis – “mufudza mombe”, we knew that the cattle were close by and water was in the vicinity.
The Zimbabwean national anthem alludes to the adornment of the land; how many of us understand and appreciate what the words mean and what God has endowed our country and people with?
For a socio-political appreciation of the land to be comprehensive, it should not be divorced from the knowledge and appreciation of plants, animal life, bird life, water bodies, rocks, stones and minerals, and even the insects that go to make up Zimbabwe.
Avifauna is known scientifically as ornithology, was part of our indigenous cultural life, natural science and human ecology.
Amongst our most revered totems are Hungwe, Shiri, Kondo, Dziva, etc; all taken from the closeness and significance of birds in our indigenous culture.
Amongst the Pioneer Column of 1890, were botanists, anthropologists and scientists whose duty it was to record each and every living species within their newly-colonised land and re-named it according to their own nomenclature. As a result, the true meaning and language of birdlife in our culture was removed.
In our traditional culture it was forbidden to kill birds other than field fowl for our sustenance. Birds were seen as the emissaries of nature.
Birds could foretell upcoming events.
Birds were seen as omens of good fortune or sentinels that informed one of an impending attack or other unusual activity in the forests.
Even during the War of Liberation, birds, insects and other animals informed the liberators which water was safe to drink in the perilous lands of the Frontlines they traversed.
Birds informed farmers of the oncoming rains; certain migratory birds foretold of an impending drought. The migratory bird Shuramurove – the Abdim Stork, forecasts an abundant rain season.
Sadly though, the habitats of Shuramurove have been disappearing in recent years, due to human activities.
Undoubtedly, birds were an indispensable part of our natural environment, heritage and necessity for human survival.
In fact, so ingrained in our culture is the sound of birds, that both traditional and modern pop music seek inspiration in the sounds, movements and habitats of the birds.
Their spiritual significance in indigenous socio-religion is also apparent in songs by Stella Chiweshe, Mbira dze Nharira, etc. In the African Pop genre, the famous Orchestra Dendera Sounds made popular by Simon Chimbetu was inspired by the great Hornbill of Zimbabwe. Both the sound intonations and dance movements choreographed by Chimbetu were derived from the movements and sound of the Hornbill.
The instinct and wisdom demonstrated through bird’s behaviour illustrates how indigenous people were keen observers of natural sounds and adopted much of their living technology from nature.
For example, the weaving and thatching of grass huts and roofs and the patterns of basketry were derived from the study of birds’ nests.
Colonisation and lately urbanisation, inadvertently removed much of our traditional knowledge systems, including our ethnological avian heritage, therefore, in conclusion, the greater appreciation of the land that our forefathers fought for should be inculcated into the educational curriculum system.
Nature studies and natural science and the study of our ornithological heritage create a Zimbabwean who will not only be conscious of his surroundings, but appreciative of the knowledge, survival skills, and the benefits of conserving nature and the environment.
The abundant avifauna is evident throughout Zimbabwe. But birds today are seen as “pot shot” targets for young boys and men with catapults (nerekeni.) Our indigenous cultural laws did not advocate for the unsanctioned killing of birds and/or other wildlife, but for their conservation and preservation for future generations.
End of notes at Great Zimbabwe there are over 194 bird species; a great number of them are exotic and specific to the region, such as the cardinal woodpecker – Dendropicos fuscescens, and the giant kingfisher The tchagra senegala Megaceryle maxima-The Victoria Falls region boasts of over 400 species of birds above and below the falls; including a wide range of water birds along the Zambezi.
Birds as varied and colourful as the Heuglin’s robin (Cossypha heuglini), Knysna turaco (Tauraco corythaix), trumpeter hornbill (Bycanistes bucinator), whitebacked night heron (Gorsachius leuconotus), African finfoot (Podica senegalensis) and rock pratincole (Glareola nuchalis), to the rare Taita falcon (Falco fasciinucha (although widespread in Eastern and Central Africa), the Ciconia nigra – Black Stork, Aquilla verreauxi – Black Eagle, Falco peregrines – Peregrine Falcon and Buteo rufofuscatus augur – Augur Buzzard that breed in the gorges.
The Matobo Hills National Park, south of Bulawayo, is a beautiful area rich in human history.
Bushmen lived there 2,000 years ago, leaving behind a superb collection of Rock Art amongst the enormous red-tinged granite kopjes where white and black rhino Africa’s largest concentration of leopard and other game is found. Matobo is the exclusive habitat with the largest concentration of the Black Verreau’s Eagles in the world.
In the Eastern border mountain ranges of Inyanga, Vumba and Chimanimani, dominated by a series of dramatic and beautiful mountains, lush forests and open heath land, provide a habitat for a great number of species including; duikers, bushbuck, eland, sable and the rare samango monkey.
Avifauna in these mountain ranges is particularly prolific, with Eagles and other birds of prey commonly observed.
Surprisingly, Harare appears to have become a habitat in which more and more birds are making their home.
The fact that residents have planted many trees and maintain their lawns has made Harare a unique habitat – an oasis for the birds.
However, outside Harare city limits deforestation is taking place at an alarming rate; making it increasingly difficult for birds to travel between the suburbs and woodlands as the distances between them increase.
Amongst the more colourful birds found in the gardens are the cuckoos. Klaas’s and Diderick Cuckoos are lovely, metallic, green-backed birds with white bellies, both have distinctive calls. More commonly heard then seen is the Red-chested Cuckoo.
The African Pygmy-Kingfisher, are seen in woodlands, particularly around termite mounds, gullies and banks where they tunnel to nest.
Birds connect the continents and oceans.
Each year birds fly several thousands of kilometres across all Continents to breed or find food.
For Zimbabwe September heralds the spring and with it the start of the “summer migrants” – referring to the regular bi-annual migration of bird species, usually between breeding in the Northern hemisphere and wintering in the Southern hemisphere regions.
Zimbabwe has 20 areas where migratory birds come to breed from September to May. The mountainous Eastern Highlands areas of Nyanga and Chimanimani are known to host the Blue Swallow, which flies across all the way from Europe. Lake Chivero just outside Harare is another such habitat.
Birds and humans are connected in many different ways. Migratory birds are good indicators of human interface with their surroundings. Through their reliance on particular habitats during their migration, birds are the first to suffer the effects of changing environments. They are therefore key indicators of the quality of the environment
Migratory behaviour for birds is quite complex and involves all manner of strategies, from the right time to leave, the numerous perils encountered on the journey, how to navigate and when to return.
Amur Falcons migrate all the way from China to stay over by the thousands in Harare, mainly in high-density suburbs, during the winter period. These little falcons that may number more than 12 000 make a wonderful spectacle on summer evenings as they congregate on power-lines in preparation for their nightly roost.
Urban legend suggests that their collective weight has even snapped power lines!
Some migrating birds will not arrive until summer is well set and the rains have begun. Yellow-billed Kite and Wahlberg’s Eagles arrive in Harare in August; both of these raptors breed locally and are in reality intra-African migrants.
By the end of September a number of European Bee-eaters usually arrive.
These fiercely independent creatures of prey usually inhabit untamed, rugged landscapes or raptors are not immediately associated with cities, but.
In Zimbabwe 20 bird species are at present under threat, amongst them are the Abdim Stork, Barn Swallow, White Stork, Cape Vulture, Martial Eagle, Peregrine Falcon and Wattled Crane.
In 2006 the 12th of May, each year was declared World Migratory Bird Day by the United Nations (UN), initiated to raise awareness of the need to protect migratory birds and their habitats.
60 raptor species occur in Zimbabwe; 39 species are found in Harare, and 17 species actually breed within city limits, where the diversity is comparable to wilderness areas such as Umfurudzi with 34 species recorded.
Whilst the attraction of city life for raptors is not apparent, a tall building makes a favoured nesting site of Peregrine and Lanner Falcons.
A mosaic of widely diverse micro-scaled habitats is revealed which varies from regular cliffs and gorges formed by buildings, to the multi-layered woodlands of suburbia that are punctuated by wetlands, grassland and paying fields.
Since habitat variability may be indicative of species diversity it is not surprising that Harare supports a host of creatures that are suitable fare for raptors that are exploited exclusively by raptors as many other predators, including those that prey upon raptors such as baboons and genets, are excluded from the urban environment . . . rodent to offer itself as a meal.
A favoured prey of Peregrine and Lanner Falcons, are Feral pigeons and doves, a common sight in Harare,are caught in a swift steep dive that can exceed 200km/h. Spectacular displays of flight are witnessed as pigeons gink erratically amongst buildings of the CBD while evading a pursuing falcon.
In contrast, the Black Sparrow hawk prefers to tail doves and pigeons relentlessly chasing them in ringing flight, until one of them fails. Unfortunately, the Black sparrow hawk and its smaller relative, the African Goshawk, are also partial to an easy meal so are accomplished poultry thieves that prey on free-ranging fowls.
Both species are typically forest dwellers, so are mostly found in the suburbs with stands of large trees. The African Goshawk can also be confused with the shier, less voracious African Cuckoo Hawk that preys on slow moving creatures, such as chameleons.
Suburban gardens also host a number of smaller, pigeon-sized raptors including the secretive African Little Sparrowhawk, Ovambo Sparrowhawk, and Shikra. generally, lurk in trees waiting to ambush a small bird to eat.
The bold Gabar Goshawk is common throughout the city, even occupying industrial sites. This species has a variety of guises exhibiting two distinct colourations of juvenile and adult plumage
The Lizard Buzzard, Black-shouldered Kite and Long-crested Eagle are probably the most commonly
seen raptors in Harare sine they hunt from prominent roadside perches, such as lamp posts and
power lines. Seemingly oblivious to traffic, they frequently perch right above the road offering good opportunities for close scrutiny.
The Lizard Buzzard is a light gray hawk, smaller than a crow, with barring across its chest. Bright red legs and a prominent black trip under the chin are key characteristics of this species.
The elegant pigeon-sized Black-shouldered Kite with its white breast, gray back and distinctive charcoal shoulder patches, sometimes abandons still hunting to hover above the grass when searching for prey.
The strike is a slow-motion parachute into the grass, often followed by hasty retreat across the road right in front of your bonnet.
Aptly named, the large predominantly brown, Long-crested Eagle sports an unruly long feathered headdress that is unmistakable. In flight this species displays contrasting white “windows” on the wing panels that quickly distinguish it from other brown eagles, such as the Wahlberg’s Eagle.
Eagles differ from other raptors as the trouser-like feathering on the legs goes down to the feet rather than stopping at the ‘knee’.
The snake-eagles, which s their name suggests, feed mostly on snakes, are the exception as feathering on their legs is replaced by thick scales that offer protection against venomous bites. The black-chested Snake-Eagle is resident in Harare and may be confused with the massive Martial Eagle that prefers the open country outside of the city.
Although the Martial Eagles undoubtedly venture into the confines of city limits, as does Africa’s most formidable raptor, the African Crowned Eagle, neither are commonly seen. However, Harare out of anywhere in Zimbabwe probably offers the best chances of seeing the rare Ayre’s Hawk-Eagle.
At the very least, if you hear the unmistakable call of an African Fish-Eagle, or an explained shadow crosses your path, look skyward and you may just see one of these magnificent birds.
Dr.Michelina Rudo Andreucci is a Zimbabwean-Italian Researcher and a published author in her field. For Comments E- mail: linamanucci@gmail.com
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