defying the ODDS

I must admit that the birdlife in our Western Cape garden is always ex-citing: owls, goshawks and a host of other less common species grace us with their presence, due mainly to the proximity of a yellowwood forest.

- 

Yet despite being able to enjoy such fantastic sightings on our doorstep, a rather ordinary, often-overlooked bird stole centre stage recently.

Fiscal Flycatchers have been resident in our garden for as long as I can remember, with their all-seeing dark brown eyes, their fondness for conspicuous perches and an occasional willingness to show offtheir speckled brown fledglings. But early in November last year, the continual wing-fluttering of the male flycatcher made me realise something was wrong. A closer inspection revealed that his right leg was damaged and the foot twisted outwards. I watched as he struggled to cope, using his right wing to balance and gain leverage when taking off. Some weeks later, the hapless bird had lost the whole leg and only a stump remained.