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African Birds Iconic Species Of Southern Africa

African Birds: Iconic Species of Southern Africa

African Birds: Iconic Species of Southern Africa.

Southern Africa is a birdwatcher’s heaven, regardless of your level of interest in birds or your desire to simply see and hear them. Approximately 70 of the less than 1000 bird species that call it home are endemic or near-endemic African birds.

Birdwatchers will undoubtedly cross off some of their must-sees, from the small sunbird to the enormous, humorous-looking ostrich and everything in between!

What about others who aren’t so ardent birdwatchers? We are confident that you will return home a birdwatcher after witnessing the flamingo’s pink plumage, hearing the beautiful cry of a fish eagle, or simply resting in the bush and listening to the diverse array of twitterings!

Phoenicopterus minor, the lesser flamingo

These stunning, long-legged, pink-plumed birds, known as the ballerina of African birds, congregate in big flocks to create vibrant pink landscapes in wetlands. They may be familiar to you from the plastic ones that are found on many lawns. It is far more amazing in real life.

They filter feed by drawing food from the water and then ejecting it again through their long, flexible necks, which are made possible by their many vertebrae.

Although flamingos can be found in wetlands over most of southern and eastern Africa, they only have a very small number of breeding places. They swarm to South Africa’s Kamfers Dam, Namibia’s Etosha Pan, Botswana’s Sua Pan, and Tanzania’s Lake Natron during the breeding season.

(Struthio camelus) Ostrich

Ostriches don’t lay their heads in the sand, unlike what many people believe. However, it is true that they are the largest birds now in existence—some can grow up to 2.8 meters in height and weigh up to 150 kilograms!

Therefore, it should come as no surprise that they cannot fly. Ostriches can run at 50 km/h and undertake short sprints of 70 km/h, so don’t challenge them to a running race!

With their spherical bodies, long necks, two-toed feet, and gorgeous feathers (black for males and gray for females) that they can inflate out like puffer fish, ostriches are amusing-looking animals. Their eyelashes are so long that it’s difficult not to be enchanted.

Despite being widely cultivated, ostriches can be found in the wild throughout most of southern Africa, particularly in drier regions like the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park and the Karoo National Park.

Sagittarius serpentarius, the secretary bird

Another large one is the Secretary Bird, a 1.3-meter-tall African predatory bird. It appears to be wearing a Native American headdress because of its unusual black head feathers. It is nearly as funny as the ostrich, with an eagle-like body, crane-like legs, and a hooked bill. Then there are its fashionable black knickers.

On the other hand, the Secretary Bird only flies when absolutely necessary. It hunts primarily on foot, sometimes in flocks and other times in pairs, in contrast to other predatory birds. They essentially smash their prey out of the meadows where they are hiding. They are quite strong and may easily crush a snake to death.

It is mostly found in grassy plain/savannah regions of sub-Saharan Africa. In the Satara and Lower Sabie areas of the Greater Kruger National Park, they are frequently sighted.

Carmine Bee Eaters in the South (Merops nubicoides)African Birds Iconic Species of Southern Africa

These colorful small African birds are a sight to behold, weighing only 34 to 59 grams. They usually congregate out in big flocks, making for a spectacular sight with their carmine bodies, vivid blue heads, and undertails.

They migrate three times a year and build their nests in the mud banks of rivers. These tiny gems of the sky spend their time in equatorial Africa (March to August), northern South Africa (December to March), and Zimbabwe/Zambia/Namibia (August to November).

To catch a glimpse of these stunning creatures as they hunt flying insects in a flurry of color, carefully plan your trip. To witness this amazing spectacle during mating season, go to locations such as Chobe or The Hide at Hwange in October. See it from a boat, such as the Zambezi Voyager, for an even better experience.

Anthropoides paradise, or the blue crane

These feathery companions, which are native to South Africa and its national bird, are in grave risk of extinction. They have wings that terminate in long, dark grey feathers that droop like a shawl to the ground, and they are tall and willowy with blue-grey feathers.

These lovely African birds are typically seen in tiny family flocks or in pairs. Their mating ritual involves jumping, throwing objects into the air, and running in circles around one another. Breeding begins in October. Seeing it is a unique experience.

These blue wonders abound in the Overberg region, which is close to Cape Town, and along the Blue Crane Route across the Eastern Cape.

Haliaeetus vocifer, the African Fish Eagle,

Any African will get homesick when they hear the Fish Eagle’s call.

The majority of sub-Saharan Africa is home to these magnificent African birds. They are skilled fishers and prefer to be near bodies of water, such as lakes and rivers.

They exude strength with their characteristic brown body, black wings, and white head, chest, and tail. As they soar across rivers and seize fish with their strong claws, their wingspan can exceed 2.4 meters.

Fish Eagles can be seen in northern Kruger National Park at Parfuri River Camp on the banks of the Luvuvhu River and Goukamma Nature Reserve on the picturesque Garden Route.

Upapa Africana, or African Hoopoe

This is another lovely African bird that is really different. Named onomatopoeically because of their call, hoopoes have long, narrow beaks, wings with stripes of black and white, orange chests, and a noticeable crest composed of black and orange feathers.

It is a bird’s equivalent of a Mohawk when its crest is up.

Hoopoes can be found in parts of Tanzania, southern Kenya, and southern Africa.

Hornbill of the Southern Ground (Bucorvus leadbeateri)

Although it is considered impolite to declare someone ugly, these African birds are undoubtedly adored by their mothers despite their lack of beauty. This contributes to their allure. They are big birds that can grow up to 1.3 meters tall and weigh up to 6 kilograms.

The characteristic red wattle, or bare red skin, surrounding the face and throat of the ground hornbill is what makes them unique. They are known as “thunder birds” because when they call, their wattle expands and they produce a loud sound that has been likened to a lion’s.

With an estimated 1500 individuals in South Africa, half of which are located in the larger Kruger National Park, they are also extremely threatened. See these aesthetically unappealing critters by traveling to Sabi Sabi.

Eagle-Owl spotted (Bubo africanus)

During the day, these nocturnal birds—the most prevalent owls in southern Africa—can be observed dozing off in trees. Their speckled feathers and tufts of feathers on their heads that resemble ears or horns help to identify them.

They stealthily take off at dusk to spend the night hunting small rodents. They have a soft, lovely sound, and as they fly, they are totally quiet.

In the Kruger National Park, spotted eagle owls can be frequently seen at Berg-en-Dal and five Lebombo Lodge. If you know where to look, you might even notice the resident owl perched in a tree at Kirstenbosch Gardens in Cape Town.