Birds of Africa

Weavers, what beautiful birds, especially during its frenetic breeding season. After molting, the males display their beautiful new colors. This brings the annual race to start weaving and building their intricate nests. They use their excellent weaving skills to create elaborate nests in the hope of attracting a mate. I love these birds and am fortunate to have three species of Weavers nesting outside my window. That being the Eastern Golden Weaver, the Broad-billed Weaver, and the Village Weaver. Weavers are named after their beautifully woven nests. Their nests come in all different shapes and sizes. Each species has its… Read more

Raptors are the supreme predators of the skies. Adapted for the hunt, they are equipped with sharp vision, large wings, hooked bills, and powerful talons.  Birds of prey are generally associated with hunting large vertebrates. However, many non-raptors are also able to take down substantial game. And some raptors hunt smaller prey, including invertebrates. So, what exactly defines a raptor? What Are Raptors? The word raptor is Latin for “ravisher” or “plunderer” and comes from the Latin word rapere, meaning “to seize.” Birds classified as raptors share common ancestry, evolving over millennia from their terrestrial vertebrate-hunting predecessors. Modern-day raptors are… Read more

The quintessential bird of prey and symbol of strength, courage, and prestige, among others—varying across cultures, the eagle is one of the most heralded animals on Earth. Eagles belong to the Accipteridae family, which includes other hook-billed raptors such as hawks, kites, honey buzzards, Old World vultures, and harrier hawks Of the near-seventy species of eagles, most are native to the continents of Africa and Asia. Africa alone boasts over twenty breeding or resident eagle species.  These majestic raptors can be split into four groups. Booted eagles, also known as true eagles, are named for the feathering on their lower… Read more

With twenty National Parks, thousands of nature reserves, and over 100 bird sanctuaries, South Africa remains a sought-after destination for birding and wildlife viewing. But with the sheer diversity and abundance of birdlife, you don’t even need to leave the backyard of your home, chalet, or holiday house to do some birding. And if you’re in the company of locals, you are sure to pick up some interesting folklore, vocabulary, and onomatopoeia while you’re at it,  In addition to their common English names, birds in South Africa are also given names in other official languages, which are often more descriptive.… Read more

From folklore to pop culture, owls have fascinated humans for centuries. These peculiar birds of prey belong to the order Strigiformes, comprising over 200 species – around 50 of which can be found on the African continent. There are two families of owls: the true owls of the Strigidae family and the barn and bay owls of the Tytonidae family. Africa is home to eleven known genera. Let’s take a look at the types of owls you can find in Africa. Eagle owls Close relatives of the horned owls of the Americas, eagle owls also bear the characteristic ear tufts… Read more

A visit to South Africa would be incomplete without a trip to the bush. And there is a lot more than the Big Five to look out for. Birdlife in South Africa is reflective of the sheer diversity that can be found here. And birding tours are becoming increasingly popular in the region. Some of the best Safari-birding hotspots in the country include the Kruger National Park, the southern Drakensberg, mKhuze Game Reserve, and the Isimangaliso Wetlands Park World Heritage Site.  Common birds you can expect to see on a South African safari include the yellow-billed hornbill, helmeted guineafowl, and… Read more

The southernmost land of the African continent is home to over 700 resident bird species, with around 850 species recorded in the region. South Africa’s diverse environment offers nine biomes for its abundance of birdlife. Most of the country lies within savannah and grasslands, boasting iconic species, like the African fish eagle and the blue crane—South Africa’s elegant national bird. The Cape Floral Kingdom with its fynbos shrublands, provides a unique and specialized habitat for several endemic species, such as the Cape sugarbird, the orange-breasted sunbird, and the rare fynbos buttonquail. Even the karoo region is rich in birdlife, with… Read more

The African continent is a veritable Shangri-La for wildlife and birding, from the Sahara Desert to the Great Plains, from the sub-Saharan grasslands to the rainforests of tropical Africa. While South America and Asia boast some of the world’s most colorful and unique birdlife, Africa is home to a profusion of spectacular species. When we talk about bird nativeness, we refer to their breeding range. As you know, resident birds are those that remain in the same region year-round, whereas migrating birds typically move with the seasons. The warm African climate makes for an idyllic winter escape for species from… Read more