Hadeda ibis

This seemingly inoffensive bird woke me up a few times with the uncanny noise it makes. I came across a poem about this in Antjie Krog's Fynbos Feetjes. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antjie_Krog

 

I am taking the liberty of quoting the poem below:

 

HADEDA-HEKSE

 

die Hadedas in die tuin

is twee hekse wat op besemstokke

saans oor die dakke skil

 

die Hadedas in die tuin

het albei hoogtrevees - dis

waarom hulle so waansinniglik gry.

 

Here's what the English version of this book says (a free translation of the above):

 

HADEDA WITCHES

 

The Hadedas in our suburb sweep

like witches on a broomstick flight

above our rooftop every night.

 

Now here's a secret you should keep:

their fearful cries that make flesh creep,

tell us these birds are scared of heights.

Done