The clock is ticking ⏰⏳ The deadline to apply to join the class of 2027 Conservation Biology Masters programme is the 31st of August. Follow the link to instructions for applicants: science.uct.ac.za/fitzpatrick/... #AfricanOrnithology

Strong friendships aren't just important for humans. A long-term study of Sociable Weavers found that birds with more strong social bonds were more likely to survive in both summer and winter. Social connections can play a key role in survival. doi.org/10.1111/1365... #AfricanOrnithology

How can deep learning transform the study of animal behaviour in the wild? Join Dr Rita Covas for our next Fitz seminar, exploring AI-based methods for individual recognition and automated behavioural monitoring. 📅 13 August | 13:00 📍 Niven Library

Do males and females follow the same social rules? An 11-year study of Sociable Weavers found male dominance increased with age, while female dominance did not, suggesting males and females use different strategies or cues to navigate their social world. #AfricanOrnithology #AnimalBehaviour

🌍 From nest-scale microclimates to colony-wide patterns, the Hot Birds Research Project at the FitzPatrick Institute is investigating how warming temperatures affect breeding by albatrosses and giant petrels on Marion Island. www.acap.aq/latest-news/... #AfricanOrnithology

Southern Ground-Hornbills are generalist predators, feeding on everything from insects and frogs to snakes, tortoises and small mammals. Groups forage together across the savanna, helping feed both the nesting female and the chick during breeding. #AfricanOrnithology

Artificial nesting sites (nestboxes) can boost breeding opportunities for the Southern Ground-Hornbill. In South Africa, nestboxes increased the number of breeding groups, revealing their value as a conservation tool where natural nest sites are scarce. doi.org/10.1017/S095... #AfricanOrnithology

🐧 Join us for our next FitzPatrick Seminar! Khaya Ntwimbi will explore African Penguin conservation and rehabilitation, and the marine threats facing these birds, from oil spills to food scarcity. Plus, discover careers in conservation. #AfricanOrnithology

Raising a Southern Ground-Hornbill chick takes a team. These birds live in cooperative groups where helpers assist with feeding and protection. Despite this teamwork, groups can raise only a single chick per breeding attempt, and successful breeding events may be years apart. #AfricanOrnithology

🌡️ Hotter and drier conditions pose a challenge for Southern Ground-Hornbill populations. A 17-year study found that high temperatures delayed laying dates and reduced nestling mass, while drought reduced breeding probability. doi.org/10.1086/739305 #AfricanOrnithology

What is iOrnithology? This emerging field uses web-sourced photos and videos to study birds. A review of 64 studies highlights its growing role in understanding the ecology, biology, and conservation of avian species. doi.org/10.1111/ibi.... #AfricanOrnithology

How much space does Africa's smallest diurnal raptor need? We tracked Pygmy Falcons with miniaturised GPS tags and found that the breeding home range averaged just 0.93 km². This provides baseline data for the spatial requirements of small raptors. bit.ly/3SHwPpu #AfricanOrnithology

🔊 Heard a deep booming call at dawn? It might be a Southern Ground-Hornbill. Their iconic calls travel for kilometres, helping groups defend vast territories and identify neighbouring groups through unique vocal signatures. #AfricanOrnithology

The nestlings of the Zitting Cisticola may have a clever defence against predators. Research suggests their hissing calls resemble those of snakes, potentially deterring would-be nest predators through acoustic mimicry. #AfricanOrnithology doi.org/10.1080/0394...

Cisticolas are notoriously difficult to identify, with many species looking remarkably similar. New species are still being discovered; two were formally described as recently as 2021, highlighting Africa’s hidden avian diversity. #AfricanOrnithology doi.org/10.1111/ibi....

Identifying cisticolas can be even harder than you might think! Many species undergo dramatic seasonal changes, with breeding birds showing darker bills, brighter plumage, and shorter tails than their non-breeding counterparts. #AfricanOrnithology

🐜🐟🐦‍🐬👩‍🔬 What does it take for completely different species to work together? A global team of researchers explores the communication behind remarkable cross-species partnerships in a new review in Animal Behaviour. 📄 doi.org/10.1016/j.an... #AfricanOrnithology

Cisticolas are masters of coexistence. In some parts of Africa, up to 15 species live side by side in the same area, each occupying its own ecological niche. #AfricanOrnithology

With 53 recognised species worldwide, the genus Cisticola ranks among the most species-rich bird genera on Earth. All but one species occur in Africa, highlighting the continent's incredible avian diversity. #AfricanOrnithology

The Sociable Weaver Project is seeking a Field Manager from August 2026 (6–8 months minimum). Join a long-term research project at Benfontein Nature Reserve studying cooperation in sociable weavers. 📅 Apply by 15 June 2026 sociableweaverproject.com/recruitment/...

🎓 Applications are open for the 2027 Conservation Biology MSc at the FitzPatrick Institute of African Ornithology. Train to tackle real-world conservation challenges in an interdisciplinary, science-based programme. 📅 Applications close 31 August 2026. #AfricanOrnithology bit.ly/3Q15FJg

Wind energy creates a “green–green” dilemma: cutting emissions but risking biodiversity. For Verreaux’s Eagle, fixed high-risk collision models improve protection by ~6–7% without reducing developable space, helping bridge the research–implementation gap. #AfricanOrnithology doi.org/10.1111/1365...

Reminder: our next FitzPatrick Seminar is on Thursday 21 May at 13:00 📚 Zafar Monier will present on plant-animal interaction networks, pollination ecology, and the processes shaping these systems in the Cape Floristic Region. 📍 Niven Library #AfricanOrnithology

🦅The distribution of Verreaux's Eagles is closely tied to mountains and hyrax across sub-Saharan Africa. Long seen as a hyrax specialist, some populations show higher breeding success with a more diverse diet, revealing surprising ecological flexibility. #AfricanOrnithology doi.org/10.1111%2Fja...

Bird of the Month: Verreaux’s Eagle 🦅 This month, we spotlight the Verreaux's Eagle, a powerful cliff-dwelling raptor of Africa’s rocky landscapes. Known for the striking white “V” on its back and its precision hunting, it’s a key apex predator in these ecosystems. #AfricanOrnithology

Please note: Today's seminar scheduled for Wednesday 13 May at 13:00 with Charles Mpofu has been cancelled. We apologize for any inconvenience and appreciate your understanding. #AfricanOrnithology

We’re excited to announce the next Seminar on Wednesday 13 May at 13:00 📚 Charles Mpofu will present on Wattled Crane ecology, movement patterns, breeding success, and conservation in the Okavango Delta. 📍 Niven Library, John Day Building #AfricanOrnithology

The Greater Honeyguide is a brood parasite, laying its eggs in the nests of other bird species and leaving foster parents to raise its chicks - an extraordinary reproductive strategy used by only 1% of bird species, including cuckoos. #AfricanOrnithology

We are excited to announce our next Seminar on Tuesday 28 April at 13:00 📚 “AviList Africa: a unified taxonomy for Africa’s birds,” presented by Dr Gabriel Jamie, explores how new research is reshaping bird classification and conservation. 📍 Niven Library, John Day Building #AfricanOrnithology

📢 Applications are now open! Join the FitzPatrick Institute as a Postdoctoral Fellow in Quantitative Raptor Biology 🦅 Contribute to innovative, data-driven research supporting the conservation of Africa’s birds of prey. Deadline: 15 May 2026. science.uct.ac.za/fitzpatrick/... #AfricanOrnithology