I suspect that few birders realise just how common the Black-throated Canary Crithagra atrogularis really is – unless you are familiar with their sweet, high-pitched calls which are usually given while the birds are flying overhead. Even in suburban areas of Pretoria and Johannesburg, I hear these canaries passing overhead at least once or twice a day. Note however, that their flight calls are not so easily distinguished from those of the related and overlapping Yellow-fronted Canary. This species is often found in high numbers in agricultural areas, which is what I depicted in this image with the mielie fields and silos in the background. They may gather in numbers in areas where grain has been spilled, e.g. alongside country roads. When groups fly up, they can be instantly identified by their bright yellow rumps contrasting with their otherwise drab plumage.