Index to Photos, Gallery and brief Descriptions of Southern African Birds
Southern Africa's wealth and diversity of habitats plays host to nearly
900 species of birds - that's almost 10% of the world's population.
Of the 900 species 160 species are either endemic or near endemic
Picture: Immature Crowned Eagle and Jackal Buzzard - Territorial Fight or rather Squabble
Birds of Prey
Birds are found everywhere : open oceans, forests, mountains, wetlands,
bushveld, desert and even in your own back yard
It's a world of colour
and beauty, of different behaviours, of differing shapes and sizes,
of nests big or small.
Birding will tweak your natural curiosity
Raptors.
Eagles, hawks, buzzards, vultures, kites and falcons.
Also considered raptors are the owl family.
Raptors have superb eyesight allowing them to spot prey many miles away.
Powerful talons are used for capturing prey whilst their hooked beak is used for tearing.
Shore Birds
This large family of birds include: Egrets - Herons - Ibis - Spoonbills
to name just a few and are found in and around water sources.
Bills are specially adapted to their hunting methods.
A long flattened spoon shape bill is that of the African Spoonbill.
When feeding the bill moves from side to side sweeping the water for food.
The African Spoonbill will feed their chicks by regurgitating nutritious fish meals.
Common Birds
A listing of the more common types of birds: from Barbets - to drongos -
kingfishers to puffbacks - robins to weavers.
Are the weavers master builders?
Fine displays of building are shown by this family of
birds with different weavers building differently shaped nests.
Water Birds
Coots - cormorants - geese - pelicans, Gone fishing takes on a new meaning for these birds.
For the pelican his fishing method is trawling and expands his pouch into a large bowl shaped bag.
This pouch can actually hold more than the entire contents of his stomach.
The Great White Pelican is monogamous - mating with one partner for life unless the mate dies.
Bird watching will take you to great places in Africa where you can socialise and
share with fellow birders your sightings and tales
In the Kgalagadi
Trans frontier Park more than 25 species of raptor can be viewed
Kruger
National park is perhaps one of South Africa's best birding location
with up to 500 species
Bird life in Zambia -740 species have been recorded
Whether you are on a game drive, a walking safari or canoeing the mighty
Zambezi - you will have many fabulous opportunities to find those 900
bird species
Its
quite a Challenge to Identify Birds but it's also Tremendously Rewarding - Try These
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