Photos with this report (click to enlarge) | |||
 Secretarybird |
 African Elephant |
 Orange-breasted Sunbird |
|
 Cape Rockjumper |
 Cape Petrel |
 Chestnut-banded Plover |
|
Overview
This custom tour was prepared for a group of Spanish birders and was, unfortunately, one of many Covid-postponed tours. It was eventually run in August 2022.
This tour began in Cape Town, following our ‘usual’ 8-day Cape Town and Beyond itinerary. We spent several days on and around the Cape Peninsula, including a pelagic off the coast and a jaunt out beyond False Bay to look for Cape Rockjumpers and other endemics. A brief stint up the west coast, north of Cape Town, followed. We transited inland to the Tankwa Karoo for some endemic-rich birding and then back to Cape Town for our flight to Johannesburg in northern South Africa.
The eastern leg began, with the group heading to the world-famous Kruger National Park, stopping along the way at Dullstroom for some further endemic birding. Visiting this park during the dry winter months is always special, with large numbers of game easily visible and excellent birding. We moved away from the diverse bushveld into the montane forests of the Magoebaskloof hills. We then gradually made our way back to Johannesburg, first stopping north of the city in the Rust de Winter Nature Reserve. We saw many species, both birds and mammals, please see the full detailed list at the end of this report.
Detailed Report
Day 1, 1st August 2022. Arrival into Cape Town
Our first day started around mid-morning when the group arrived at Cape Town International Airport. We collected our vehicle and headed for our lodge in Simon’s Town. After settling in, we headed out for some afternoon birding. We decided that Kommetjie would be a good nearby birding spot for the first taste of South African birding. We were very fortunate to record all four of the possible marine cormorant species here, Bank, Cape, Crowned, and White-breasted Cormorants. Terns were in short supply with the only ones seen being Greater Crested (Swift) Tern and Common Tern. A couple of Spotted Thick-knees put in a good showing, to everyone’s delight, as we started heading back to the vehicle.
Day 2, 2nd August 2022. Cape Rockjumpers, Rooiels and Betty’s Bay
Our second day started with a scrumptious breakfast at the lodge. We had a full schedule and spent a fair amount of time at Rooiels, enjoying the good birding there. We started with a cracking individual Fairy Flycatcher, a species the tour guide had never seen there before. Fairly distant views of Ground Woodpecker were followed by a sighting of Grey Tit (Luis Mario only), Grey-backed Cisticola, Orange-breasted Sunbird and Cape Rock Thrush. We had to work for Victorin's Warbler but were eventually rewarded with a good sighting of this notorious skulker. Our main target here, the endemic Cape Rockjumper, took a while to show but in the end gave us fantastic views. An overly long lunch break was followed by a visit to the local penguin colony where we got to see African Penguin, Water Thick-knee, Hartlaub’s Gull and a repeat performance of all four of the marine cormorant species. A quick, late afternoon visit to Harold Porter Botanical Gardens delivered a number of new species, with a stunning Klaas’s Cuckoo as the first act. Brief views of Cape Sugarbird followed and we were also treated to sightings of Cape Spurfowl, White-necked Raven, Sombre Greenbul and Brimstone Canary, as well as several Streaky-headed Seedeaters. On our way out we were treated to fine sightings of African Dusky Flycatcher and Swee Waxbill.
Day 3, 3rd August 2022. Pelagic off Cape Town
Today was scheduled for a pelagic and the group was fortunate to be greeted by very calm seas. Bilen and I dropped everyone at the harbor before making our way to Strandfontein Sewage Treatment Plant, where we would spend the day, opting out of the pelagic trip. Here we were treated to our first Jackal Buzzard of the trip, followed by the likes of Great White Pelican, Cape Teal, Maccoa Duck, Southern Pochard and a rather rare find around Cape Town, Fulvous Whistling Duck. Both Lesser and Greater Flamingo were present in good numbers. Linking up with the group in the afternoon, they recounted their productive pelagic trip, with a summary of the species as below:
Northern Royal Albatross - one
Shy Albatross - hundreds
Black-browed Albatross - hundreds
Indian Yellow-nosed Albatross - two
Northern Giant Petrel - five
Southern Giant Petrel - two
White-chinned Petrel - hundreds
Sooty Shearwater - hundreds
Soft-plumaged Petrel - one
Cape (Pintado) Petrel - tens
Cape Gannet - hundreds
Brown Skua - tens
Hump-backed Whale - two
Sunfish - one
Day 4, 4th August 2022. Birding from Cape Town to Langebaan
The drive from Cape Town went pretty smoothly with traffic flowing well. We left the northern suburbs of the city and our first stop at a gas station en route gave us a super obliging Little Rush Warbler and a juvenile Black-crowned Night Heron at a little pond. From there we headed straight to the Darling Hills area near the town of Darling, in search of several target birds on our list. It started fairly slowly, but we soon heard Grey-winged Francolin calling and managed to lure a couple of them into the open for good but fairly distant views. We did not wait long to find our first displaying Cape Clapper Lark and soon we had several birds doing their typical wing-snapping followed by a whistle display. There were also several Large-billed Lark calling in the area and good visuals were obtained before we were all alerted to a Verreaux’s Eagle soaring overhead in search of prey. After a quick lunch in Darling we made our way to West Coast National Park, where our first stop produced several calling Southern Black Korhaan, as well as our first Common Ostrich for the trip. At Geelbek hide we were treated to a nice selection of over-wintering shorebirds which included Grey Plover, Eurasian Whimbrel, Eurasian Curlew, Bar-tailed Godwit and Curlew Sandpiper. The rest of the group also had a chance to catch up on both flamingo species (Greater and Lesser Flamingo) here and we soon added Caspian Tern as well.
Day 5, 5th August 2022. Birding from Langebaan to the Tankwa Karoo
This was supposed to be a morning excursion to the Vredenburg area to look for Cape Long-billed Lark. However, several of our planned routes were closed due to road works, and we had to decide on alternative routes. Fortunately, all worked out well and we soon had excellent views of this weird looking lark with its immense bill. Other good birds in the area included a stunning Martial Eagle and our first Namaqua Dove for the trip. From Vredenburg we headed to Velddrift where we were soon rewarded with views of Chestnut-banded Plover, Black-necked Grebe, Pied Kingfisher and Purple Heron. The rest of the drive was rather uneventful, but we did manage to find our first Blue Crane, as well as a rather early Barn Swallow.
Day 6, 6th August 2022. Birding the Tankwa Karoo
Waking up in the serenity of the Karoo has to be experienced to be appreciated. Couple this to arguably the best breakfast of the trip and excellent birding to follow and you have the perfect recipe for an incredible day. We found our first and probably our most wanted target, Cinnamon-breasted Warbler before even exiting our base camp. With that pressure off, we soon added the likes of Mountain Wheatear, Karoo Chat and Rufous-eared Warbler. A bit further along we found a pair of South African Shelduck at a puddle of water and recorded several Pale Chanting Goshawk along the way. Karoo Lark were plentiful, but we had to travel quite far north to find our first Karoo Korhaan and Tractrac Chat. Other good birds included Booted Eagle, White-throated Canary, Sickle-winged Chat and Pririt Batis.
Day 7, 7th August 2022. Birding from the Tankwa Karoo to Cape Town
After another scrumptious breakfast, we looked for the Red-chested Flufftail that we had heard the previous day, as it would be a lifer for Luis Mario. It took a bit of perseverance but we were eventually rewarded with cracking views of this super-shy rallid! From there we worked a patch of suitable-looking habitat for Karoo Eremomela and did not wait long before laying eyes on this stunning bird. On our way back towards Ceres we stopped at Karoopoort where we soon found Layard’s Warbler, Namaqua Warbler and Acacia Pied Barbet. Our final target for the day was the rather elusive Protea Canary and again we prevailed, with everyone having great views of this South African endemic. There were also incredibly many Cape Sugarbird in this area, to everyone’s delight. There was very little left of the day, but we managed to squeeze in a quick stop at Strandfontein to try and locate Fulvous Whistling Duck for Luis Mario, unfortunately without success.
Day 8, 8th August 2022. Transfer from Cape Town to Johannesburg – the eastern leg
After breakfast at our lodge in Cape Town we headed to the airport for our flight to Johannesburg, where we arrived around midday. After collecting our rental vehicle and a quick lunch, we headed due east to the town of Dullstroom. Our lodge was a little distance from Dullstroom itself, with atypical habitat for the area and thus yielded a surprising number of birds not usually associated with the greater Dullstroom area. It did not take us long to record our first Swainson’s Spurfowl en route, with several Long-tailed Widowbird also putting in a showing, albeit without their characteristic long tails, which they lose during our winter months. Nearer the lodge, Southern Black Flycatcher was abundantly common and a showy Fiery-necked Nightjar topped off our day.
Day 9, 9th August 2022. Birding Dullstroom, and transfer to Kruger
Some brief birding the next morning along the entry road to the lodge produced a pair of Yellow-fronted Tinkerbirds and we heard several Coqui Francolin in the vicinity. Further along we made a quick U-turn as we spotted several Southern Bald Ibis feeding in a field, followed by a Long-crested Eagle perched on a roadside utility pole. After a quick stop for breakfast in Dullstroom, we hiked up a mountain to search for the highly sought-after Cape Eagle-Owl. This was well worth it, with great sightings of the owl and a chick. A pair of Malachite Kingfisher showed well at a local dam and an African Darter was recorded as well. The next stop was the protea-covered slopes of a nearby mountain stakeout for our second and last species of sugarbird, Gurney’s Sugarbird. It took some searching, but we were rewarded with great views and added several other species, such as Cape Vulture, Greater Double-collared Sunbird, Lazy and Wailing Cisticola in the process. After this, we made steady progress to Kruger, with no noteworthy stops along the way, as we were a bit pressed for time. Once in Kruger, we slowed the pace and managed to record White-backed Vulture and Woolly-necked Stork before getting to camp with only a minute to spare before the gates were closed for the night.
Days 10 – 12, 10th – 12th August 2022. Kruger National Park
Our time in the Kruger National Park was spent between the camps of Skukuza and Satara. We followed a variety of routes to maximize our chances of finding as many bird species as possible and to afford us the best chances of spending time with some of the iconic wildlife to be found in South Africa’s flagship national park. The days tended to blur together, so we have run through our time in Kruger as one piece below.
We were to use an open game drive vehicle for the entire time we were in the park. Our first day got off to a great start as we headed south towards the Malelane/Berg-en-Dal area, focusing on the gravel road network. We soon found a pair of Double-banded Sandgrouse right on the road, providing amazing photo opportunities. Not long afterwards we found our first herd of African Elephant, which turned out to be just one of many sightings of these incredible giants of Africa. Good birds along the way included Emerald-spotted Wood Dove, Burchell’s Coucal, Hooded and Lappet-faced Vulture. Perhaps one of the best sightings, bird-wise, had to be a perched Ovambo Sparrowhawk, a bird not often seen in the park. As it turned out, this morning would be our best morning as far as mammals go. Having just found three White Rhino at a waterhole, we were alerted to a pride of Lion nearby. We rushed over and had good sightings of some of the members of the pride who had made a kill just out of sight in the riverbed. To top that, one of the participants noticed some movement near the vehicle and upon closer inspection it turned out to be a beautiful female Leopard. We followed her for a while as she made her way through the brush and even had her crossing the road right in front of us. We were treated to even more rhino and lion sightings before heading to a nearby picnic site for coffee and breakfast. We found Greater Honeyguide, African Green Pigeon and African Openbill along the way. At Berg-en-Dal we found our first Knob-billed Duck in the rather dry dam with Hamerkop also in attendance. On the way back to Skukuza we were treated to Little and White-fronted Bee-eater as well as a calling Red-chested Korhaan.
The next two days saw us finding an incredible number of mammal species, including the likes of African Buffalo, several antelope species and even more Lion and African Elephant. Some time was spent around the Lower Sabie area, Lake Panic bird hide and the general area around Satara. Around Skukuza, we sighted Purple-crested Turaco, Brown-headed Parrot, African Goshawk and Southern Ground Hornbill. Around Lower Sabie we found Common Ostrich, Bateleur, Yellow-billed Stork, Marabou Stork and Goliath Heron. On the way to Satara we saw Shelley’s Francolin, Crested Francolin, Kori Bustard, Mourning Collared Dove, Saddle-billed Stork and African Hawk Eagle. In Satara camp we soon found the resident African Scops Owl at its daytime roost, much to everyone’s delight. Oher good birds in camp included White-crested Helmetshrike, Jameson’s Firefinch and Southern Yellow-billed Hornbill. Near camp we also found our first Temminck’s Courser, Red-billed and Yellow-billed Oxpecker, Grey-backed and Chestnut-backed Sparrow-Lark, Southern White-crowned Shrike and Tawny Eagle.
Day 13, 13th August 2022. Transfer from Kruger to Magoebaskloof
All too soon we had to say goodbye to Kruger, but not before spending our last morning birding in the vicinity of Satara camp, with good finds in the form of Gabar Goshawk, Greater Blue-eared Starling, Brown-hooded Kingfisher, Crested Barbet and Marico Sunbird. A quick stop at Orpen gate to grab a coffee saw us finding our first White-throated Robin-Chat for the trip, followed by the first and only Purple Roller just outside the park. We arrived in Magoebaskloof in the late afternoon and settled in to our hotel for a bit of rest before dinner.
Day 14, 14th August 2022. Birding the Magoebaskloof forests
The following day was spent exploring the famous Woodbush Drive, traversing exquisite remnant patches of indigenous montane forest. We had hardly entered the forest before encountering our first feeding flock, comprising the sought-after Black-fronted Bushshrike and other great species like White-starred Robin, Chorister Robin-Chat, Square-tailed Drongo, Cape Batis and Sombre Geenbul. Our drive continued with regular stops to bird on foot. Soon enough I heard the familiar call of Orange Ground Thrush, another highly sought-after, but difficult to view, species. We spent some time locating the calling bird and most of the group got good views before it moved off, we managed to relocate it and this time everyone got onto the bird. Other good birds here included Narina Trogon, Black Saw-wing, Olive Woodpecker, Yellow-streaked Greenbul and even Green Twinspot. We found a very obliging Forest Buzzard in a patch of pine and also Brown-backed Honeybird and Knysna Turaco nearby. Our late afternoon visit to a local stakeout for Bat Hawk unfortunately failed to turn up any sign of them.
Day 15, 15th August 2022. Birding from Magoebaskloof to Rust de Winter
A quick drive before breakfast with some of the group back to Woodbush Drive scored us our target, Cape Parrot, and we were treated to some good fly-by’s. Back at the hotel we enjoyed a good breakfast and then made our way to Polokwane Game Reserve where we hoped to find our target, Short-clawed Lark, without too much trouble. Once inside the reserve we were soon rewarded with an obliging pair of Groundscraper Thrush at the entrance. Namaqua Dove was common throughout the reserve. It was pretty quiet on the way to the water hole, but this changed at the water hole, with birds coming and going all the time to drink. We soon notched up Green-winged Pytilia, Black-faced Waxbill, Violet-eared Waxbill, Crimson-breasted Shrike and many more. A noisy little flock of Burnt-necked Eremomela betrayed their presence and then we found a Brown Snake Eagle in a tree nearby. After seeing several Sabota Lark, we eventually found and enjoyed great views of the localized Short-clawed Lark. On the way south we found our first White Stork of the trip. We arrived at the entrance road to Zenzele River Lodge and on the way in found another great species in the way of Bushveld Pipit.
Day 16, 16th August 2022. Birding Zaagkuilsdrift and surrounds
This day saw us birding along the famous (in birding circles) Zaagkuilsdrift road, where we soon found species such as Marico Flycatcher, Black-chested Prinia, Pearl-breasted Swallow, Black-chested Snake Eagle and many species we’d encountered earlier in the trip. Zenzele itself, with its location on the Elands River, was an oasis that proved to be a magnet for birds. Both Giant and Half-collared Kingfisher were common here and the likes of Squacco and Striated Heron put in a regular showing. In the grounds we were treated to good sightings of Little Sparrowhawk, Lesser Honeyguide and a nesting pair of Golden-tailed Woodpecker, amongst others.
Day 17, 17th August 2022. Departure from Johannesburg
For some bizarre reason we had, as yet, failed to find Secretarybird on the trip and, as this was high on everyone’s wishlist, we decided to make a special detour to the Devon area, east of Johannesburg, to see if we could finally connect with it. After a long drive, arriving around mid-morning, we started traversing the network of farm roads. We covered a lot of ground, finding another target, Blue Korhaan, before eventually finding our first Secretarybird, to everyone’s delight. The trip was rounded off successfully with a great target bird under the belt. We made our way back to Johannesburg, where the tour came to a close in the afternoon with the group departing back home.
Bird List - Following IOC (12.2)
Birds ‘heard only’ are marked with (H) after the common name, all other species were seen.
The following notation after species names is used to show conservation status following the IUCN Red List:
CR = Critically Endangered, EN = Endangered, VU = Vulnerable, NT = Near Threatened.
Common name Scientific name
Ostriches (Struthionidae)
Common Ostrich Struthio camelus
Ducks, Geese, Swans (Anatidae)
White-faced Whistling Duck Dendrocygna viduata
Fulvous Whistling Duck Dendrocygna bicolor
Spur-winged Goose Plectropterus gambensis
Knob-billed Duck Sarkidiornis melanotos
Egyptian Goose Alopochen aegyptiaca
South African Shelduck Tadorna cana
Cape Shoveler Spatula smithii
Yellow-billed Duck Anas undulata
Cape Teal Anas capensis
Red-billed Teal Anas erythrorhyncha
Southern Pochard Netta erythrophthalma
Maccoa Duck – EN Oxyura maccoa
Guineafowl (Numididae)
Helmeted Guineafowl Numida meleagris
Pheasants & Allies (Phasianidae)
Crested Francolin Ortygornis sephaena
Coqui Francolin Campocolinus coqui
Grey-winged Francolin Scleroptila afra
Shelley's Francolin Scleroptila shelleyi
Cape Spurfowl Pternistis capensis
Natal Spurfowl Pternistis natalensis
Swainson's Spurfowl Pternistis swainsonii
Nightjars (Caprimulgidae)
Fiery-necked Nightjar Caprimulgus pectoralis
Freckled Nightjar Caprimulgus tristigma
Swifts (Apodidae)
African Palm Swift Cypsiurus parvus
African Black Swift Apus barbatus
Little Swift Apus affinis
Turacos (Musophagidae)
Grey Go-away-bird Crinifer concolor
Purple-crested Turaco Gallirex porphyreolophus
Knysna Turaco Tauraco corythaix
Bustards (Otididae)
Kori Bustard Ardeotis kori
Blue Korhaan Eupodotis caerulescens
Karoo Korhaan Eupodotis vigorsii
Red-crested Korhaan Lophotis ruficrista
Southern Black Korhaan - VU Afrotis afra
Northern Black Korhaan Afrotis afraoides
Cuckoos (Cuculidae)
Burchell's Coucal Centropus burchellii
Green Malkoha (H) Ceuthmochares australis
Klaas's Cuckoo Chrysococcyx klaas
Sandgrouse (Pteroclidae)
Double-banded Sandgrouse Pterocles bicinctus
Pigeons, Doves (Columbidae)
Rock Dove Columba livia
Speckled Pigeon Columba guinea
African Olive Pigeon Columba arquatrix
Lemon Dove Columba larvata
Mourning Collared Dove Streptopelia decipiens
Red-eyed Dove Streptopelia semitorquata
Ring-necked Dove Streptopelia capicola
Laughing Dove Spilopelia senegalensis
Emerald-spotted Wood Dove Turtur chalcospilos
Namaqua Dove Oena capensis
African Green Pigeon Treron calvus
Flufftails (Sarothruridae)
Red-chested Flufftail Sarothrura rufa
Rails, Crakes & Coots (Rallidae)
African Rail Rallus caerulescens
Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus
Red-knobbed Coot Fulica cristata
African Swamphen Porphyrio madagascariensis
Black Crake Zapornia flavirostra
Cranes (Gruidae)
Blue Crane – VU Grus paradisea
Grebes (Podicipedidae)
Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis
Great Crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus
Black-necked Grebe Podiceps nigricollis
Flamingos (Phoenicopteridae)
Greater Flamingo Phoenicopterus roseus
Lesser Flamingo Phoeniconaias minor
Stone-curlews, Thick-knees (Burhinidae)
Water Thick-knee Burhinus vermiculatus
Spotted Thick-knee Burhinus capensis
Oystercatchers (Haematopodidae)
African Oystercatcher Haematopus moquini
Stilts, Avocets (Recurvirostridae)
Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus
Pied Avocet Recurvirostra avosetta
Plovers (Charadriidae)
Blacksmith Lapwing Vanellus armatus
White-crowned Lapwing Vanellus albiceps
Crowned Lapwing Vanellus coronatus
African Wattled Lapwing Vanellus senegallus
Grey Plover Pluvialis squatarola
Kittlitz's Plover Charadrius pecuarius
Three-banded Plover Charadrius tricollaris
Chestnut-banded Plover Charadrius pallidus
Jacanas (Jacanidae)
African Jacana Actophilornis africanus
Sandpipers, Snipes (Scolopacidae)
Eurasian Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus
Eurasian Curlew Numenius arquata
Bar-tailed Godwit Limosa lapponica
Curlew Sandpiper Calidris ferruginea
Marsh Sandpiper Tringa stagnatilis
Common Greenshank Tringa nebularia
Coursers, Pratincoles (Glareolidae)
Temminck's Courser Cursorius temminckii
Gulls, Terns, Skimmers (Laridae)
Grey-headed Gull Chroicocephalus cirrocephalus
Hartlaub's Gull Chroicocephalus hartlaubii
Kelp Gull Larus dominicanus
Gull-billed Tern Gelochelidon nilotica
Caspian Tern Hydroprogne caspia
Greater Crested Tern Thalasseus bergii
Sandwich Tern Thalasseus sandvicensis
Common Tern Sterna hirundo
Skuas (Stercorariidae)
Brown Skua Stercorarius antarcticus
Penguins (Spheniscidae)
African Penguin – EN Spheniscus demersus
Albatrosses (Diomedeidae)
Northern Royal Albatross - EN Diomedea sanfordi
Black-browed Albatross - EN Thalassarche melanophris
Shy Albatross Thalassarche cauta
Indian Yellow-nosed Albatross - EN Thalassarche carteri
Petrels, Shearwaters, Diving Petrels (Procellariidae)
Southern Giant Petrel Macronectes giganteus
Northern Giant Petrel Macronectes halli
Cape Petrel Daption capense
Soft-plumaged Petrel Pterodroma mollis
White-chinned Petrel – VU Procellaria aequinoctialis
Sooty Shearwater Ardenna grisea
Storks (Ciconiidae)
Yellow-billed Stork Mycteria ibis
African Openbill Anastomus lamelligerus
Woolly-necked Stork Ciconia episcopus
White Stork Ciconia ciconia
Saddle-billed Stork Ephippiorhynchus senegalensis
Marabou Stork Leptoptilos crumenifer
Gannets, Boobies (Sulidae)
Cape Gannet – EN Morus capensis
Anhingas, Darters (Anhingidae)
African Darter Anhinga rufa
Cormorants, Shags (Phalacrocoracidae)
Reed Cormorant Microcarbo africanus
Crowned Cormorant Microcarbo coronatus
Bank Cormorant – EN Phalacrocorax neglectus
Cape Cormorant – EN Phalacrocorax capensis
White-breasted Cormorant Phalacrocorax lucidus
Ibises, Spoonbills (Threskiornithidae)
African Sacred Ibis Threskiornis aethiopicus
Southern Bald Ibis – VU Geronticus calvus
Hadada Ibis Bostrychia hagedash
Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus
African Spoonbill Platalea alba
Herons, Bitterns (Ardeidae)
Little Bittern Ixobrychus minutus
White-backed Night Heron Gorsachius leuconotus
Black-crowned Night Heron Nycticorax nycticorax
Striated Heron Butorides striata
Squacco Heron Ardeola ralloides
Western Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis
Grey Heron Ardea cinerea
Black-headed Heron Ardea melanocephala
Goliath Heron Ardea goliath
Purple Heron Ardea purpurea
Great Egret Ardea alba
Little Egret Egretta garzetta
Hamerkop (Scopidae)
Hamerkop Scopus umbretta
Pelicans (Pelecanidae)
Great White Pelican Pelecanus onocrotalus
Secretarybird (Sagittariidae)
Secretarybird – EN Sagittarius serpentarius
Kites, Hawks, Eagles (Accipitridae)
Black-winged Kite Elanus caeruleus
African Harrier-Hawk Polyboroides typus
Hooded Vulture – CR Necrosyrtes monachus
White-backed Vulture - CR Gyps africanus
Cape Vulture – VU Gyps coprotheres
Lappet-faced Vulture – EN Torgos tracheliotos
Black-chested Snake Eagle Circaetus pectoralis
Brown Snake Eagle Circaetus cinereus
Bateleur – EN Terathopius ecaudatus
Martial Eagle – EN Polemaetus bellicosus
Long-crested Eagle Lophaetus occipitalis
Wahlberg's Eagle Hieraaetus wahlbergi
Booted Eagle Hieraaetus pennatus
Tawny Eagle - VU Aquila rapax
Verreaux's Eagle Aquila verreauxii
African Hawk-Eagle Aquila spilogaster
Gabar Goshawk Micronisus gabar
Pale Chanting Goshawk Melierax canorus
African Goshawk Accipiter tachiro
Little Sparrowhawk Accipiter minullus
Ovambo Sparrowhawk Accipiter ovampensis
Black Sparrowhawk Accipiter melanoleucus
African Marsh Harrier Circus ranivorus
Yellow-billed Kite Milvus aegyptius
African Fish Eagle Haliaeetus vocifer
Forest Buzzard Buteo trizonatus
Jackal Buzzard Buteo rufofuscus
Barn Owls (Tytonidae)
Western Barn Owl (H) Tyto alba
Owls (Strigidae)
Pearl-spotted Owlet Glaucidium perlatum
African Scops Owl Otus senegalensis
Cape Eagle-Owl Bubo capensis
Verreaux's Eagle-Owl Bubo lacteus
Mousebirds (Coliidae)
Speckled Mousebird Colius striatus
White-backed Mousebird Colius colius
Red-faced Mousebird Urocolius indicus
Trogons (Trogonidae)
Narina Trogon Apaloderma narina
Hoopoes (Upupidae)
African Hoopoe Upupa africana
Wood Hoopoes (Phoeniculidae)
Green Wood Hoopoe Phoeniculus purpureus
Common Scimitarbill Rhinopomastus cyanomelas
Ground Hornbills (Bucorvidae)
Southern Ground Hornbill - VU Bucorvus leadbeateri
Hornbills (Bucerotidae)
Southern Red-billed Hornbill Tockus rufirostris
Southern Yellow-billed Hornbill Tockus leucomelas
African Grey Hornbill Lophoceros nasutus
Rollers (Coraciidae)
Purple Roller Coracias naevius
Lilac-breasted Roller Coracias caudatus
Kingfishers (Alcedinidae)
Brown-hooded Kingfisher Halcyon albiventris
Malachite Kingfisher Corythornis cristatus
Half-collared Kingfisher Alcedo semitorquata
Giant Kingfisher Megaceryle maxima
Pied Kingfisher Ceryle rudis
Bee-eaters (Meropidae)
Little Bee-eater Merops pusillus
White-fronted Bee-eater Merops bullockoides
African Barbets (Lybiidae)
Yellow-fronted Tinkerbird Pogoniulus chrysoconus
Acacia Pied Barbet Tricholaema leucomelas
Black-collared Barbet Lybius torquatus
Crested Barbet Trachyphonus vaillantii
Honeyguides (Indicatoridae)
Brown-backed Honeybird Prodotiscus regulus
Lesser Honeyguide Indicator minor
Greater Honeyguide Indicator indicator
Woodpeckers (Picidae)
Ground Woodpecker Geocolaptes olivaceus
Golden-tailed Woodpecker Campethera abingoni
Bearded Woodpecker Chloropicus namaquus
Cardinal Woodpecker Dendropicos fuscescens
Olive Woodpecker Dendropicos griseocephalus
Caracaras, Falcons (Falconidae)
Rock Kestrel Falco rupicolus
Lanner Falcon Falco biarmicus
African & New World Parrots (Psittacidae)
Cape Parrot - VU Poicephalus robustus
Brown-headed Parrot Poicephalus cryptoxanthus
Old World Parrots (Psittaculidae)
Rose-ringed Parakeet Psittacula krameri
Wattle-eyes, Batises (Platysteiridae)
Woodwards' Batis Batis fratrum
Chinspot Batis Batis molitor
Pririt Batis Batis pririt
Bushshrikes (Malaconotidae)
Grey-headed Bushshrike Malaconotus blanchoti
Black-fronted Bushshrike Chlorophoneus nigrifrons
Olive Bushshrike Chlorophoneus olivaceus
Orange-breasted Bushshrike Chlorophoneus sulfureopectus
Bokmakierie Telophorus zeylonus
Brown-crowned Tchagra Tchagra australis
Black-crowned Tchagra Tchagra senegalus
Black-backed Puffback Dryoscopus cubla
Southern Boubou Laniarius ferrugineus
Crimson-breasted Shrike Laniarius atrococcineus
Brubru Nilaus afer
Vangas & Allies (Vangidae)
White-crested Helmetshrike Prionops plumatus
Shrikes (Laniidae)
Magpie Shrike Urolestes melanoleucus
Southern White-crowned Shrike Eurocephalus anguitimens
Southern Fiscal Lanius collaris
Figbirds, Old World Orioles, Piopios (Oriolidae)
Black-headed Oriole Oriolus larvatus
Drongos (Dicruridae)
Fork-tailed Drongo Dicrurus adsimilis
Common Square-tailed Drongo Dicrurus ludwigii
Monarchs (Monarchidae)
Blue-mantled Crested Flycatcher Trochocercus cyanomelas
Crows, Jays (Corvidae)
Cape Crow Corvus capensis
Pied Crow Corvus albus
White-necked Raven Corvus albicollis
Rockjumpers (Chaetopidae)
Cape Rockjumper Chaetops frenatus
Fairy Flycatchers (Stenostiridae)
Fairy Flycatcher Stenostira scita
Tits, Chickadees (Paridae)
Southern Black Tit Melaniparus niger
Grey Tit Melaniparus afer
Larks (Alaudidae)
Spike-heeled Lark Chersomanes albofasciata
Short-clawed Lark Certhilauda chuana
Cape Long-billed Lark Certhilauda curvirostris
Chestnut-backed Sparrow-Lark Eremopterix leucotis
Grey-backed Sparrow-Lark Eremopterix verticalis
Sabota Lark Calendulauda sabota
Karoo Lark Calendulauda albescens
Cape Clapper Lark Mirafra apiata
Large-billed Lark Galerida magnirostris
Red-capped Lark Calandrella cinerea
Bulbuls (Pycnonotidae)
Sombre Greenbul Andropadus importunus
Yellow-bellied Greenbul Chlorocichla flaviventris
Yellow-streaked Greenbul Phyllastrephus flavostriatus
Dark-capped Bulbul Pycnonotus tricolor
Cape Bulbul Pycnonotus capensis
Swallows, Martins (Hirundinidae)
Black Saw-wing Psalidoprocne pristoptera
Brown-throated Martin Riparia paludicola
Rock Martin Ptyonoprogne fuligula
Pearl-breasted Swallow Hirundo dimidiata
White-throated Swallow Hirundo albigularis
Wire-tailed Swallow Hirundo smithii
Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica
Red-breasted Swallow Cecropis semirufa
Mosque Swallow Cecropis senegalensis
Lesser Striped Swallow Cecropis abyssinica
Crombecs, African Warblers (Macrosphenidae)
Cape Grassbird Sphenoeacus afer
Long-billed Crombec Sylvietta rufescens
Victorin's Warbler Cryptillas victorini
Leaf Warblers (Phylloscopidae)
Yellow-throated Woodland Warble Phylloscopus ruficapilla
Reed Warblers & Allies (Acrocephalidae)
Lesser Swamp Warbler Acrocephalus gracilirostris
Grassbirds & Allies (Locustellidae)
Barratt's Warbler Bradypterus barratti
Little Rush Warbler Bradypterus baboecala
Cisticolas & Allies (Cisticolidae)
Red-faced Cisticola Cisticola erythrops
Lazy Cisticola Cisticola aberrans
Rattling Cisticola Cisticola chiniana
Grey-backed Cisticola Cisticola subruficapilla
Wailing Cisticola Cisticola lais
Levaillant's Cisticola Cisticola tinniens
Neddicky Cisticola fulvicapilla
Zitting Cisticola Cisticola juncidis
Cloud Cisticola Cisticola textrix
Tawny-flanked Prinia Prinia subflava
Black-chested Prinia Prinia flavicans
Karoo Prinia Prinia maculosa
Namaqua Warbler Phragmacia substriata
Bar-throated Apalis Apalis thoracica
Rufous-eared Warbler Malcorus pectoralis
Green-backed Camaroptera Camaroptera brachyura
Grey-backed Camaroptera Camaroptera brevicaudata
Yellow-bellied Eremomela Eremomela icteropygialis
Karoo Eremomela Eremomela gregalis
Burnt-necked Eremomela Eremomela usticollis
Sylviid Babblers (Sylviidae)
Layard's Warbler Curruca layardi
Chestnut-vented Warbler Curruca subcoerulea
White-eyes (Zosteropidae)
Cape White-eye Zosterops virens
Laughingthrushes & Allies (Leiothrichidae)
Arrow-marked Babbler Turdoides jardineii
Southern Pied Babbler Turdoides bicolor
Sugarbirds (Promeropidae)
Cape Sugarbird Promerops cafer
Gurney's Sugarbird Promerops gurneyi
Starlings, Rhabdornises (Sturnidae)
Common Myna Acridotheres tristis
Common Starling Sturnus vulgaris
Wattled Starling Creatophora cinerea
Cape Starling Lamprotornis nitens
Greater Blue-eared Starling Lamprotornis chalybaeus
Burchell's Starling Lamprotornis australis
Pied Starling Lamprotornis bicolor
Red-winged Starling Onychognathus morio
Oxpeckers (Buphagidae)
Yellow-billed Oxpecker Buphagus africanus
Red-billed Oxpecker Buphagus erythrorynchus
Thrushes (Turdidae)
Orange Ground Thrush Geokichla gurneyi
Groundscraper Thrush Turdus litsitsirupa
Olive Thrush Turdus olivaceus
Kurrichane Thrush Turdus libonyana
Chats, Old World Flycatchers (Muscicapidae)
Karoo Scrub Robin Cercotrichas coryphoeus
White-browed Scrub Robin Cercotrichas leucophrys
Southern Black Flycatcher Melaenornis pammelaina
Marico Flycatcher Melaenornis mariquensis
Fiscal Flycatcher Melaenornis silens
African Dusky Flycatcher Muscicapa adusta
Cape Robin-Chat Cossypha caffra
White-throated Robin-Chat Cossypha humeralis
Chorister Robin-Chat Cossypha dichroa
White-starred Robin Pogonocichla stellata
Cape Rock Thrush Monticola rupestris
African Stonechat Saxicola torquatus
Sickle-winged Chat Emarginata sinuata
Karoo Chat Emarginata schlegelii
Tractrac Chat Emarginata tractrac
Mocking Cliff Chat Thamnolaea cinnamomeiventris
Ant-eating Chat Myrmecocichla formicivora
Mountain Wheatear Myrmecocichla monticola
Capped Wheatear Oenanthe pileata
Familiar Chat Oenanthe familiaris
Sunbirds (Nectariniidae)
Collared Sunbird Hedydipna collaris
Orange-breasted Sunbird Anthobaphes violacea
Olive Sunbird Cyanomitra olivacea
Amethyst Sunbird Chalcomitra amethystina
Scarlet-chested Sunbird Chalcomitra senegalensis
Malachite Sunbird Nectarinia famosa
Southern Double-collared Sunbird Cinnyris chalybeus
Greater Double-collared Sunbird Cinnyris afer
Marico Sunbird Cinnyris mariquensis
White-bellied Sunbird Cinnyris talatala
Old World Sparrows, Snowfinches (Passeridae)
Cape Sparrow Passer melanurus
Southern Grey-headed Sparrow Passer diffusus
House Sparrow Passer domesticus
Weavers, Widowbirds (Ploceidae)
Red-billed Buffalo Weaver Bubalornis niger
White-browed Sparrow-Weaver Plocepasser mahali
Scaly-feathered Weaver Sporopipes squamifrons
Thick-billed Weaver Amblyospiza albifrons
Cape Weaver Ploceus capensis
Lesser Masked Weaver Ploceus intermedius
Southern Masked Weaver Ploceus velatus
Village Weaver Ploceus cucullatus
Red-billed Quelea Quelea quelea
Southern Red Bishop Euplectes orix
Yellow Bishop Euplectes capensis
Fan-tailed Widowbird Euplectes axillaris
White-winged Widowbird Euplectes albonotatus
Long-tailed Widowbird Euplectes progne
Waxbills, Munias & Allies (Estrildidae)
Swee Waxbill Coccopygia melanotis
Green Twinspot Mandingoa nitidula
Black-faced Waxbill Brunhilda erythronotos
Common Waxbill Estrilda astrild
Violet-eared Waxbill Granatina granatina
Blue Waxbill Uraeginthus angolensis
Green-winged Pytilia Pytilia melba
Red-billed Firefinch Lagonosticta senegala
African Firefinch Lagonosticta rubricata
Jameson's Firefinch Lagonosticta rhodopareia
Indigobirds, Whydahs (Viduidae)
Purple Indigobird Vidua purpurascens
Pin-tailed Whydah Vidua macroura
Shaft-tailed Whydah Vidua regia
Long-tailed Paradise Whydah Vidua paradisaea
Wagtails, Pipits (Motacillidae)
Cape Wagtail Motacilla capensis
African Pied Wagtail Motacilla aguimp
Cape Longclaw Macronyx capensis
African Pipit Anthus cinnamomeus
Buffy Pipit Anthus vaalensis
Bushveld Pipit Anthus caffer
Finches, Euphonias (Fringillidae)
Black-throated Canary Crithagra atrogularis
Yellow-fronted Canary Crithagra mozambica
Yellow Canary Crithagra flaviventris
Brimstone Canary Crithagra sulphurata
Streaky-headed Seedeater Crithagra gularis
White-throated Canary Crithagra albogularis
Protea Canary Crithagra leucoptera
Cape Canary Serinus canicollis
Buntings (Emberizidae)
Cape Bunting Emberiza capensis
Golden-breasted Bunting Emberiza flaviventris
Species seen: 382
Species heard: 2
Total species recorded: 384
Mammal List
The following notation after species names is used to show conservation status following the IUCN Red List:
CR = Critically Endangered, EN = Endangered, VU = Vulnerable, NT = Near Threatened.
Common name Scientific name
Hyraxes (Procaviidae)
Rock Hyrax Procavia capensis
Elephants (Elephantidae)
African Elephant - EN Loxodonta africana
Rabbits and Hares (Leporidae)
Scrub Hare Lepus saxatilis
Old World Porcupine (Hystricidae)
Cape Porcupine Hystrix africaeaustralis
Squirrels and Relatives (Sciuridae)
Smith's Bush Squirrel Paraxerus cepapi
Bushbabies (Galagidae)
Thick-tailed Greater Galago Otolemur crassicaudatus
Old World Monkeys (Cercopithecidae)
Chacma Baboon Papio ursinus
Vervet Chlorocebus pygerythrus
Cats (Felidae)
Lion - VU Panthera leo
Leopard - VU Panthera pardus
Civets, Genets, Linsangs and allies (Viverridae)
Common Genet Genetta genetta
Hyaenas and Aardwolf (Hyaenidae)
Spotted Hyaena Crocuta crocuta
Mongooses and Fossa (Herpestidae)
Yellow Mongoose Cynictis penicillata
White-tailed Mongoose Ichneumia albicauda
Cape Grey Mongoose Herpestes pulverulentus
Slender Mongoose Herpestes sanguineus
Marsh Mongoose Atilax paludinosus
Common Dwarf Mongoose Helogale parvula
Banded Mongoose Mungos mungo
Canids (Canidae)
Black-backed Jackal Lupulella mesomelas
Eared Seals (Otariidae)
Subantarctic Fur Seal Arctocephalus tropicalis
Mustelids (Mustelidae)
African Clawless Otter Aonyx capensis
Horses, Asses and Zebras (Equidae)
Plains Zebra Equus quagga
Rhinoceroses (Rhinocerotidae)
White Rhinoceros Ceratotherium simum
Hogs and Pigs (Suidae)
Common Warthog Phacochoerus africanus
Hippopotamuses (Hippopotamidae)
Hippopotamus - VU Hippopotamus amphibius
Bovids (Bovidae)
African Buffalo Syncerus caffer
Nyala Tragelaphus angasii
Cape Bushbuck Tragelaphus sylvaticus
Greater Kudu Tragelaphus strepsiceros
Common Eland Tragelaphus oryx
Impala Aepyceros melampus
Steenbok Raphicerus campestris
Springbok Antidorcas marsupialis
Southern Reedbuck Redunca arundinum
Waterbuck Kobus ellipsiprymnus
Sable Antelope Hippotragus niger
Gemsbok Oryx gazella
Topi Damaliscus lunatus
Blesbok Damaliscus pygargus
Common Wildebeest Connochaetes taurinus
Common Duiker Sylvicapra grimmia
Klipspringer Oreotragus oreotragus
Giraffes and Okapis (Giraffidae)
Southern Giraffe Giraffa giraffa
Rorquals (Balaenopteridae)
Humpback Whale Megaptera novaeangliae
Species Seen 45
Total species recorded 45