SAFRING results

Cape Sugarbird Promerops cafer

1. Numbers ringed with SAFRING rings, 1948-2002

• Total ringed: 7626
• First ringed: 1950/51 ringing year
• Trapping method: Mistnets, nestlings

Number of Cape Sugarbirds ringed per year with SAFRING rings

Note that a total of 57 (average 14.25 per year) were ringed in the period 1970-73; the individual year totals are not known.

2. Computerised records, 1975-2002

Note: electronic records sent by ringers were extracted; no attempt was made to computerise other records.

• Number of records: 4448
• Ring sizes used: 4 with E prefix (2.5-4), 180 with 3 mm, 11 with 3.3 mm, 3176 with 3.5 mm, 17 with 4.2 mm, 1052 4.3 mm rings
• Recommended ring size: 4.3 mm Incoloy or Stainless Steel
• Top ringers: 31 ringers; top 5 ringers: Prof LG Underhill (1314), Mr G Scholtz (1114), Mr G Underhill (956), Mr A Martin (609), Mr M & L Fraser (86)
• Bird age distribution: Unknown (234), Nestling (38), Juvenile (365), Immature (250), Adult (3290), 0-6 months (50), 6-12 months (180), 1-2 years (34)
• Bird sex distribution: Unknown (787), Male (1347), Female (1768), Possibly male (154), Possibly female (385)
• Markings: Metal only (2949), Metal plus colour rings (1489), Wing tag (3)
• Condition: Good (4435), Released away from capture locality (6)
• Birds ringed per region:

  Locality	n
  Western Cape, South Africa	4364
  Eastern Cape, South Africa	76
  Free State, South Africa	1

Map of localities where Cape Sugarbirds have been ringed, 1975-2002

The Free State Province record is extralimital: read the full story at Cape Sugarbird in Bloemfontein, South Africa

3. Biometrics and moult for Cape Sugarbirds

Mass data (g)

Age	n	Min	Mean	Max
Adult male	1157	21	36.9	53
Adult female	1413	19	32.4	88

Wing length (mm)

Age	n	Min	Mean	Max
Adult male	639	73	92.5	105
Adult female	842	70	83.2	118

Moult data

Primary moult usually starts in October or November and ends in January or later.

4. Recovery history (SAFRING's database)

• Number of recoveries: 38 recoveries and 615 recaptures
• Greatest distance: 365 km (CC17092)
• Greatest elapsed time: 12y 2m 13d (454098)
• Causes of mortality of ringed birds:
  • Killed or attacked by domestic cat (9)
  • Collision with motor vehicle (or found next to road) (9)
  • Killed by predator while in mistnet (4)
  • Collision with a window (3)
  • Drowned (2)
  • Rest unknown

5. Ringing references

Craig A & Simon C. 1991. Sunbird and sugarbird seasons. Safring News 20:9-12.

Fraser M & McMahon L. 1992. Habitat change by Cape Sugarbirds and Orangebreasted Sunbirds in an apparent response to fire in old mountain fynbos. Safring News 21:51-54.

Oschadleus D & Fraser M. 1988. Observations of colour-ringed Cape Sugarbirds at Kirstenbosch. Safring News 17:59-64.

Scholtz G. 1999. Cape Sugarbird Ringing Project. Safring News 28:24.

Seiler HW & Fraser MW. 1985. Ageing and Sexing guide: Cape Sugarbirds. Safring News 14:91-92.

6. Research

Colour-ringed Cape Sugarbirds (Scholtz 1999).