On Saturday, 10 May 2025, from 7:00 to 11:00, Dawie de Swardt, the head of the Ornithology Department at the National Museum, will lead a bird-ringing demonstration at Oliewenhuis Art Museum. This event, organised as part of the annual BirdLife South Africa Bird of the Year celebrations, provides a unique opportunity to witness bird ringing in action and learn more about birds, birding, and conservation.
The Ornithology Department has hosted a bird-ringing demonstration at Oliewenhuis Art Museum every May for several years. Bird ringing at the koppie area of Oliewenhuis began in 1988, making it a long-established and ideal location for both ringing birds and providing training for prospective bird ringers. The site also serves as a venue to gather valuable data through the recapture of previously ringed birds.
This demonstration will offer visitors insight into the bird-ringing process, showcasing the techniques used to track and study bird populations. The event is open to the public, and no prior experience is needed to attend.
As part of the bird ringing demonstration, the event will also highlight the 2025 ‘Bird of the Year,’ the Red-billed Oxpecker (Buphagus erythrorhynchus). Known locally as the Rooibekrenostervoël in Afrikaans, Ihlalankomo in isiZulu, and Ihlalanyathi in isiXhosa, these birds are commonly associated with large herbivores such as buffalo, rhinoceros, and cattle, feeding on ticks and other parasites found on them.
Admission to the event is free of charge, with secure parking available for a fee of R10 per car, payable in cash only.
Join us at Oliewenhuis Art Museum for a morning of learning and appreciation for South Africa’s avian wildlife.
For more information, please contact Dawie de Swardt at 083 638 1604 or via email at dawie@nasmus.co.za. For inquiries about Oliewenhuis Art Museum, contact the Museum at 078 968 4300 or via email at oliewen@nasmus.co.za. Stay up to date with all upcoming exhibitions and events by following Oliewenhuis Art Museum on Facebook, Instagram, and X.
