Narina TrogonApaloderma narina BosloerieTrogon Narina Stephens, 1815, in Shaw's Gen. Zool., 9(1):14; 'country of the Auteniquoi to the river Gamtoo', ie George, W Cape(ex Levaillant). narina (Khoikhoi) = flower, original name given by Levaillant (1807). Uncertain whether Levaillant's choice was because of its colourful plumage,or because the bird reminded him of a beautiful young Khoikhoi woman by the same name. That Stephens capitalised Narina suggests the latter. 1. A. n. narina; 2. A. n. rufiventre; 3. A. n. littorale. |
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Male with dwarf chameleon prey Dlinza Forest, Eshowe, KwaZulu-Natal Photo Hugh Chittenden (D) |
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GENERAL HABITS: Usually solitary or in pairs. Easily overlooked; silent and very unobtrusive during non-br season15. Perches motionless for up to 30 min, frequently on high branches, ventral plumage fluffed out such that red at sides is visible even from behind. Birds aware of human presence turn their (green) backs towards observer, concealing bright red underparts and becoming difficult to see against foliage22. Usually sits upright, with head sunk into shoulders and tail hanging down. Only discernible movement an occasional turning of the head, upwards, downwards, and rotating to the back before jerking it into forward position again31. Flight strong, buoyant and silent; tail used to steer past obstructions15. Flaps downward before gliding up to perch18. Flutter of short wing-beats characteristic reaction to call of intruder15. Males in territorial dispute face each other while giving deep growls and soft hoots while fanning tails so that short white outer tail feathers are almost at 90° to longer, dark central tail feathers44. 1 male periodically flies in circle behind the other, then rapidly drops onto adversary's back44. Territorial disputes last up to 1 hr, and take place from ground level up to 8 m, ie below canopy level44. Occasionally joins mixed species foraging flocks, probably when these move through territory15,31. Mobbed by Dark-capped Bulbuls, House Sparrows and Village Weavers in suburban garden23.
FORAGING & FOOD: Perch-and-sally predator, flying to snatch prey from foliage or branch before returning to perch18,42. Rarely takes prey from ground; 1 bird sat still on a branch moving only its head from side to side, and up and down, and then dropped to ground to snatch an item, barely alighting before returning to perch42. Another bird dropped to ground to take lizard51. Eats mainly invertebrates, incl hairless caterpillars (Papilionidae, Sphingidae, Charaxidae)18; occasionally eats hairy caterpillars42. Caterpillars are softened before swallowing; 1 bird landed on branch carrying hairy caterpillar that it worked backwards and forwards 3-4 x through its beak until holding it at 1 end and attempting to swallow it42. Also eats spiders, mantids, cicadas, tree grasshoppers (Acrididae and Tettigonidae), beetles, termite alates and moths; occasionally, small arboreal reptiles, incl skinks (Mabuya spp), and chameleons18. Vertebrate prey beaten on perch before swallowing18,47. 1 stomach contained grasshoppers, ladybirds, small beetles and 1 hairy caterpillar42. |
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Male with spider prey Dlinza Forest, Eshowe, KwaZulu-Natal Photo Hugh Chittenden (D) |
Male with mantid prey Dlinza Forest, Eshowe, KwaZulu-Natal, Dec 2005 Photo Hugh Chittenden (D) |
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Female with grasshopper prey Photo Warwick Tarboton |
Male with dragonfly prey Dlinza Forest, Eshowe, KwaZulu-Natal, Dec 2005 Photo Hugh Chittenden (D) |
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Female with dwarf chameleon prey Dlinza Forest, Eshowe, KwaZulu-Natal, Dec 2005 Photo Hugh Chittenden (D) |
Male with dwarf chameleon prey Dlinza Forest, Eshowe, KwaZulu-Natal, Dec 2005 Photo Hugh Chittenden (D) |
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Female with caterpillar prey Dlinza Forest, Eshowe, KwaZulu-Natal, Dec 2005 Photo Hugh Chittenden (D) |
Female perched with caterpillar prey Dlinza Forest, Eshowe, KwaZulu-Natal Photo Hugh Chittenden (D) |
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