THE EASTERN NICATOR: A LITTLE BIRD WITH A BIG PERSONALITY

In the quiet of early morning, a lively, musical jumble sometimes rings out from deep within the thickets of our Greater Ukuwela Nature Reserve. The singer is often hidden from view, tucked away among dense leaves, but if you’re lucky enough to spot it, you’ll see a small, olive-grey bird with striking yellow wing spots and a stocky build. This is the Eastern Nicator, one of the reserve’s more secretive residents. 

NATURE’S LITTLE OPPORTUNIST

The Eastern Nicator is a master insect hunter, snapping up beetles, grasshoppers, mantids, and—occasionally—small skinks. But it’s their unusual hunting tactic that really makes them stand out. 

Rather than always foraging alone, these clever birds often tag along with much larger animals—warthogs, impalas, nyala, even zebras—waiting for them to disturb insects from the grass and leaf litter. The moment a moth flutters or a beetle scrambles, the Nicator darts in for an easy meal. 

We’ve witnessed this fascinating behaviour a few times here at our Ukuwela reserve, watching as they shadowed antelope and warthog, weaving quickly between their legs to snatch up fleeing prey. In isiZulu, the Nicator is known as umalusinkomo, which means “the one who herds cattle.” 

Our reserve manager Kevin knows this secretive bird well. "They have a habit of following Nyala, as they disturb insects as they walk through the dense bush. I have on occasion seen them riding on the backs of Nyala.”  

An Eastern Nicator seen on our Greater Ukuwela Nature Reserve.

FAMILY LIFE & DEFENSIVE DRAMAS

Eastern Nicator nests are shallow platforms of twigs, resembling those of some bush shrikes. They are placed low down in the sub-canopy of bush or low tangle. 

Approach too closely, and you might be treated to an extraordinary performance: the parent bird will drop to the ground and flop about like an injured bird, wings spread, calling pitifully to lure you away from the chicks. Once you retreat far enough, the “injured” bird miraculously recovers and flits back into the bushes.

A VOICE YOU CAN’T IGNORE

Even if the Nicator remains hidden, its call is unforgettable—a loud, rhythmic, bubbling cadence of notes, sometimes described as a rich jumble, and occasionally including mimicry of other species. From deep in the undergrowth or high in a tree, its voice carries far, adding a unique note to the forest’s daily soundtrack. 

“Their calls are certainly an ever-present backdrop to the Zululand summer bird chorus” says Kevin who runs our bird ringing (banding) research program. “It is always a treat to see them, as they are a hard species to see in summer, although their calls can be heard all over the reserve.” Kevin couldn’t help but add, “Aways a thrill to catch one while ringing” 

Can you spot the Eastern Nicator who is following an impala ram?

WHERE TO FIND THEM 

Eastern Nicators range from Somalia down to Mozambique, Eswatini, and south to St Lucia along the KwaZulu-Natal coast. At Wild Tomorrow’s reserve in north-eastern KwaZulu-Natal, they prefer dense forest edges, riverine thickets, and lush woodlands—habitats where their secretive nature keeps them well-hidden from casual observers.

Next time you’re in Southern Africa and hear a loud, bubbling call, take a moment to scan the bushes or follow the movements of a passing antelope. You might just spot a small bird shadowing a much bigger animal, ready to claim its share of the action. The Eastern Nicator is proof that in the wild, sometimes the smartest way to find food is to let someone else do the hard work.  

This remarkable little bird is just one of the many special animals and birds that call the Greater Ukuwela Nature Reserve home. Protecting and preserving their habitat ensures that these unique behaviours and interactions continue for generations to come.

Interested in visiting our reserve to hear the call of the Eastern Nicator and 420 other amazing bird species? Join us to help hands-on with our conservation work, including bird banding with our reserve manager. Learn more about our conservation experience trips here.