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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
When considering the hues of nature, birds stand out among the most colorful aspects of the biosphere. Evolution has transformed avian species over millennia, from the primitive Urvogel with its (likely) black plumage to the vibrant peafowl and...
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...
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...