Raeesah Habib

Raeesah Habib is a South African conservationist and freelance writer. She completed a diploma in nature conservation in 2016 through the University of South Africa (UNISA). During her internship, she spent a year working with wattled cranes on the Wattled Crane Recovery Programme (WCRP).

The program aims to prevent the local extinction of the wattled crane in Southern Africa through the release of captive-reared individuals into critically endangered wild populations across the country. During her time at the research facility, she was also responsible for the general monitoring and husbandry of other magnificent species, including blue cranes and secretary birds.

Following her internship, she was fortunate to have worked in some spectacular wilderness areas across the country, including the Cradle of Humankind, the Kruger National Park, and the northern Zululand. As a wildlife monitor, her responsibilities included conducting bird point counts. Birds surveys are a useful means to collect data on the avian populations in an area. The data helps researchers gain an understanding of population trends and ecosystem health.

When not in the field, Rae enjoys writing to share her passion, knowledge, and experiences with others.

Tawny eagle

The Eagles of Africa

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...

Black-collared barbet

17 Garden Birds of South Africa (With Pictures)

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...

African scops owl

The Owls of Africa

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...

Bateleur

Safari Birds of South Africa

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...

Southern yellow-billed hornbill

Birds of South Africa

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...

Violet-backed starling

15 of The Most Beautiful Birds of Africa

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...

Boat-tailed Grackle

Ravens vs Crows vs Blackbirds – How to tell them apart

Oh black bird, what omen doth ye bring? Since ancient times, ravens and crows have been perceived as harbingers of darkness. In Greek and Roman mythology, ravens are associated with Apollo—the god of prophecy, or Phoebus, as the Romans would say...

Peacock

Plumage Extravaganza – Why Peacocks Spread Their Feathers

A uniquely magnificent bird revered for its dazzling display, the peacock has long been associated with power, strength, and divinity. In its native India where it is the national bird, the peacock represents the flow of time. According to Hindu...

Large flightless birds

Types of Large Flightless Birds

The Struthioniformes, also called the Ratites, are a diverse group of flightless birds. Most species are large and long-legged, but they range in size from the common ostrich at nine feet tall to the chicken-sized kiwis. Aside from the ostriches of...