Many bird enthusiasts often find Protea Canaries as the most challenging endemic to locate. Probably because the movements of the birds are not consistent and are one of the least vocal canaries in the region. Protea Canaries also don’t behave like the idea in one’s mind of a canary and are rather shy and elusive, not normally perching in the open. Another factor is their dull-grey colouration which makes them nearly invisible among fynbos vegetation and may appear as dead leaves or bark.
Protea Canary (first two), last image is Streaky-headed Seedeater ©Ruven Schoeman
They are also well-known for their specialized diet which largely includes the seeds of Protea trees. Slopes along the Cape Fold Mountains with large numbers of either Protea nitida, Protea neriifolia or Protea repens area good stakeouts for these canaries. Increased awareness of the bird indicates that they also occur among well-vegetated streams or kloofs as well as forest edges and pine plantations. A well-known stakeout includes the Paarl Mountain Reserve which is convenient for Cape Town birders as it is only a 30-40 minute drive. There is also a high reporting rate of this species in the Cederberg mountain range, especially in the Citrusdal area and an hour’s drive along the R303 towards Ceres. For the birders in the Garden Route, the Swartberg Pass is just as reliable and I’ve indicated where the birds are regularly seen in a previous post. Of course, these aren’t the only locations where Protea Canaries should be searched for, and practically any area that matches the habitat description above potentially holds these birds.
Protea neriifolia, Protea nitidea, Protea repens
Protea Canaries are small birds with an average length of 15 centimeters. They have a predominantly brown colouration and as previously mentioned, can be easily overlooked due to their dull appearance. However, they have a distinctive dark brown head, with a dark eye and surrounding area, extending to just before the beak. They also have a pale, triangular bill which they use to extract seeds from Protea flowers. Birds also have a white chin patch which extends to their neck, and brown/green rump and tail. Also, note the two white bars on their wings. Remember that the bird may occur among Streaky-headed Seedeaters, especially in vegetated streams and forest edges. Note their clear white eyebrow and thinner bill.
The song is typical of a canary and includes sweet whistles, chirps, and liquid trills as well as mimicry of several other fynbos/ forest birds. Their contact or flight call is loud and piercing which includes “twee-wee-wee” notes that can be repeated several times. The bird adds chirps in between the call and song. Depending on the bird’s mood, it may react to playback and in many cases strongly does. Although this should only be used as a last resort and in most sightings, playback wasn’t needed for most previous sightings. The periods when birds are most vocal and active are not consistent, but early, spring mornings may be your best chance. When were at a place a friend of ours recommended, we went on three occasions, once in the middle of the day, once later in the afternoon and the last time just after sunrise. The only time we could hear and see the bird was during the early morning stakeout.
These information should help locating this elusive endemic. Good luck!
Plant photo credits:
(1) ©Auckland Botanic Gardens
(2) ©Dwergenpaartjie (Wikipedia)
(3) ©Phillipskop Nature Reserve
Please feel free to contact me on any further details or inquiries
Written by Levi Bass, compiled and edited by Ruven Schoeman