Photos with this report (click to enlarge) | |||
 Sooty Falcon |
 Purple-crested Turacos |
 Cape Longclaws |
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 Cape Parrots |
 Black-fronted Bushshrike |
 Cape Penduline Tit |
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Overview
This private South African birding tour was designed for Steve and Anne to target as many of the specials found in the eastern half of the country, with enough time at each destination to enjoy some relaxation time too. We went from the Afromontane forests of Magoebaskloof, south to the highveld grasslands of Wakkerstroom, through the Zululand coastal plain, and finished in the high altitude of the imposing Drakensberg Mountains. Due to the large diversity of habitats visited, we built an impressive species list with many of the country’s endemics and specials seen. We were a little unlucky with weather on this trip as the eastern half of South Africa received huge amounts of rainfall throughout the duration of this trip. Nevertheless, we did not let this hold us back and, despite the weather, did not lose out on much birding time and managed to find most of our targets.
Some of the trip’s many highlights included Swamp Nightjar, Blue Korhaan, Eastern Bronze-naped Pigeon, views of both Red-chested and Buff-spotted Flufftails, Grey Crowned, Wattled and Blue Cranes, Bearded Vulture, Southern Banded Snake Eagle, African Grass and Marsh Owls, Southern Ground Hornbill, Sooty Falcon, Cape Parrot, Woodward’s Batis, White-breasted Cuckooshrike, Drakensberg Rockjumper, Short-clawed, Rudd’s, Pink-billed, Eastern Long-billed and Eastern Clapper Larks, Spotted and Orange Ground Thrushes, Black-fronted Bushshrike and many other South African endemics and specials. We also had some unusual mammal sightings on this trip including Serval, Side-striped Jackal, Spotted-necked Otter, Suni and Oribi.
Detailed Report
Day 1, 3rd February 2023. Pretoria to Magoebaskloof, birding en route
I fetched Steve and Anne from their accommodation in northern Pretoria (ticking Karoo Thrush on the lodge lawns) and we were soon on our way northeastwards to bird some highveld grasslands which held a few of our targets. A quick stop produced a pair of Pearl-breasted Swallows and our first Black-winged Kite of the trip. The roadside birding was excellent and we soon added the likes of African Hawk-Eagle, Black-chested Snake Eagle, African Harrier-Hawk, Greater Kestrel, Cape Longclaw, Ant-eating Chat, Red-collared, White-winged and Long-tailed Widowbirds, Rufous-naped Lark and an assortment of cisticolas including Desert, Zitting, Cloud, Wing-snapping and Levaillant’s. With the low clouds it meant many aerial feeders were feeding low and we managed to pick out Little, White-rumped and Alpine Swifts, Barn, Greater Striped, Red-breasted and South African Cliff Swallows and Banded Martin. Our rarest find of the afternoon was brief views of the enigmatic Short-tailed Pipit which, of course, was only seen as it flushed from our feet. Despite our best efforts, we only heard a distant Melodious Lark and could not see any of these range-restricted larks.
As we neared Magoebaskloof we saw a small group of Abdim’s Storks feeding in a field, had brief views of Burchell’s Coucal and saw our first Pale Chanting Goshawks. After a busy day, we made it to Magoebaskloof in the late afternoon and enjoyed Friday night curries, as we discussed the exciting trip ahead.
Day 2, 4th February 2023. Birding lowveld woodlands and the Tzaneen area
We were lucky enough to spend the next two full days with local birding legend David Letsoalo, and his intimate knowledge of the area and its birds helped us find many of our targets. We were up well before sunrise this morning and decided to head east into some lowveld woodlands instead of birding at the higher elevations of Magoebaskloof where the weather was miserable. The decision proved a good one as we had a fantastic morning’s birding and managed many new species such as Crested Francolin, Jacobin and African Cuckoos, Marabou Stork, Hooded and White-backed Vultures, Martial Eagle, Southern Red-billed Hornbill, Woodland Kingfisher, Bennett’s Woodpecker, Grey-headed Bushshrike, Retz’s and White-crested Helmetshrikes, Red-headed Weaver and Arnot’s Chat. Just before we were about to leave the woodlands, we found a mixed flock of Yellow-bellied Eremomela, Icterine Warbler and Grey Penduline Tits before Steve spotted a male White-breasted Cuckooshrike which eventually showed well for us all. There were many seedeaters seen throughout the woodlands, such as Village and Purple Indigobirds, Long-tailed Paradise Whydah, Cut-throat Finch and Yellow-throated Bush Sparrow.
We then headed back west towards Tzaneen, where we enjoyed our lunch, while getting distracted by Cardinal Woodpecker, Black Cuckoo, Holub’s Golden Weaver, Yellow Bishop and Purple-crested Turaco. After lunch we headed to the nearby Bat Hawk roost site where David did well to spot a well-hidden adult which we then enjoyed for the next while.
Our last stop of the day was a pecan nut farm where Cape Parrots regularly feed and, upon our arrival, we heard a bird calling. It took some work to spot but eventually gave us relatively close and prolonged views of this endemic parrot. A lovely way to end an incredibly productive day of birding!
Day 3, 5th February 2023. Magoebaskloof and Polokwane birding
We were out at around sunrise this morning and with the weather having cleared nicely we decided to bird Woodbush Forest to try and see some of the many forest bird specials in the area. Right after we left our accommodation, the first excitement of the day was a single Side-striped Jackal which hung around for some nice views and was not perturbed by our presence. As we made our way towards the forest we passed through some grasslands and scrub which yielded African Yellow Warbler, Natal Spurfowl and Drakensberg Prinia, while the forest edge had Swee Waxbill, Green Twinspot, Forest Canary and a couple of flyover Cape Parrots.
The birding in the forest was incredibly productive and we spent most of the morning birding the trails, with David’s impressive knowledge of the forest and its birds helping us find most of our targets. Some of the many highlights included Olive Woodpecker, Grey Cuckooshrike, Orange Ground Thrush, Yellow-streaked Greenbul, Blue-mantled Crested Flycatcher, Common Square-tailed Drongo, Cape Batis, Yellow-throated Woodland Warbler, Scaly-throated Honeyguide and the spectacular Knysna Turaco. We were starting to get worried about finding Black-fronted Bushshrike, when we heard its calling coming from within a feeding flock and, after a few minutes of searching, found a single bird which provided us with great views. Unfortunately, despite our best efforts the many calling Barratt’s Warblers would remain unseen for now.
We then left the shade of the forest and headed west of Magoebaskloof where we birded open grasslands and woodlands for some more of our targets. Short-clawed and Pink-billed Larks proved straightforward at David’s stakeout. Afterwards, we birded some short woodlands with the hope of finding Bushveld Pipit, however, despite a couple of hours of searching, we drew a blank on this tricky pipit. There were, however, many other species to keep us entertained, including the likes of Cape Penduline and Ashy Tits, Long-billed Crombec, Barred Wren-Warbler, Black-chested Prinia, Acacia Pied and Crested Barbets, Scaly-feathered Weaver, Kalahari Scrub Robin and Lanner Falcon. Many of these species are found here at their eastern limit and so it was great to catch up with them today, as we headed east the following day. After a long but thoroughly enjoyable day, we arrived back at our accommodation, said goodbye to David, and enjoyed another tasty dinner to finish off our final full day in Magoebaskloof.
Day 4, 6th February 2023. Magoebaskloof to Wakkerstroom
Magpie Mannikin was our primary target this morning and so we left our accommodation early and headed to a stakeout just outside of Tzaneen. It took a while, with African Paradise Flycatcher, Tawny-flanked Prinia, and Common Scimitarbill as distractions, but eventually a single Magpie Mannikin showed up and gave us good views of it. After a successful early morning out, we headed back for an enjoyable breakfast but still could not quite get views of Barratt’s Warbler, which was calling from thick bush near the restaurant.
Today was primarily a travel day and so after breakfast we hit the road and made our way south to the grassland birding hotspot of Wakkerstroom. After a long day in the car, we arrived at our lovely accommodation, right on the edge of the wetland, and were greeted by our lovely hosts as well as a very lost juvenile Grey-headed Kingfisher.
Before dinner, we quickly stopped at the wetland where we enjoyed a beautiful sunset with Grey Crowned Crane, Red-billed and Blue-billed Teals, Cape Shoveler and Southern Pochard all showing for us. A lovely way to finish a long day of travel.
Day 5, 7th February 2023. Wakkerstroom birding
The excitement of a full day’s birding around the grasslands of Wakkerstroom got us up early and we soon met our guide David Nkosi, one of the area’s finest birders, who would be showing us around for the day. The day started with a bang when, within very little time at all, we had ticked off Jackal Buzzard, Pale-crowned Cisticola, Buff-streaked Chat, Cape Weaver, Eastern Long-billed and Spike-heeled Larks, Yellow-breasted Pipit, Sentinel Rock Thrush, Red-winged Francolin, Cape Bunting, Cuckoo-finch and Denham’s Bustard. We then made our way to the Rudd’s Lark site and a singing male soon obliged for us as well as many Southern Bald Ibis.
We then headed back to our accommodation for an enjoyable sit-down breakfast (with Horus Swift and Wailing Cisticola seen en route) and then quickly made our way back out again to hit the grasslands. First stop was a field where Marsh Owl had been showing recently and it did not take long until we saw a single bird which have us fantastic views, with Blue Cranes feeding in a distant field. We thought we were done here but then on our way back to the car, we flushed a Corn Crake – a very difficult bird to see here on its African wintering grounds.
With our targets obliging, we kept heading west and David soon spotted a nearby pair of Blue Korhaan, another of the day’s many highlights. Next stop was a large dam where we quickly found Great Crested and Black-necked Grebes, Maccoa and White-backed Ducks, Whiskered Tern and flushed a couple of Common Quails. On our way back to Wakkerstroom, we kept trying for Grey-winged Francolin, which unfortunately would not show for us, but we did get lovely views of some drinking Quail-finches. On our way back to the village, we stopped in a field where David had seen Eastern Clapper Larks and within a few minutes, we had great views of our target.
To finish off the day’s birding we headed back out to our African Rock Pipit site and after climbing up a rocky slope, eventually had distant views of a couple of birds. David tried his best to force them closer to us but they were determined to keep their distance today. As we left the hillside, three Lanner Falcons flew overheard, likely a mother with two juveniles.
After a busy day out, we said goodbye to David and then went out for an enjoyable meal that evening. We decided to do a quick night drive after dinner, which proved incredibly successful as we had amazing views of a Serval and then immediately after that we heard and then saw an African Grass Owl - the day could not have ended any better!
Day 6, 8th February 2023. Wakkerstroom to Mkhuze area
Another early start saw us heading out to look for Grey-winged Francolin, which still eluded us, nevertheless we picked up Little Bittern and closer Blue Cranes in the general area. We then made our way to the edge of the wetland where we were hoping to see some elusive rallids. We spent an incredible 40 minutes here where we saw Red-chested Flufftail (twice), African Rail and had brief views of Baillon’s Crake with an African Crake calling in an adjacent field. While working on the rallids, we also had lovely looks at a Little Rush Warbler. What a way to start the day!
After another delicious breakfast, we said our goodbyes and hit the bumpy road south to Mkhuze area. We decided to stop at Pongola Nature Reserve en route where we saw Burnt-necked Eremomela, Magpie Shrike, Red-billed Buffalo Weaver, Swainson’s Spurfowl, Pearl-spotted Owlet, Black-bellied Bustard, Arrow-marked Babbler, Bateleur and a calling Olive-tree Warbler. First prize however went to a beautiful adult Sooty Falcon – a rare bird in the area!
We then did the final stretch to the Mkhuze area, adding Southern Crested Guineafowl, European Roller, Crowned Hornbill, Green-winged Pytilia and Namaqua Dove en route, before settling into our accommodation and enjoying a traditional South African dinner.
Day 7, 9th February 2023. Mkhuze Game Reserve birding
Today we spent most of the day in the incredibly birdy Mkhuze Game Reserve and had a thoroughly enjoyable day. The day started well when we passed by Muzi Pan and saw three adult Allen’s Gallinules with some tiny chicks in tow. We then birded a nearby riverine forest in the hopes of finding Pel’s Fishing Owl. Unfortunately, the heavy rain on the previous days meant the area was mostly under water, and it continued to rain as we birded the area, so we decided to cut our fishing owl hunt short. Gorgeous Bushshrike, Rudd’s Apalis and Marsh Warbler all eventually showed themselves and were a small consolation prize.
We then made it into Mkhuze Game Reserve and spent most of the morning driving around the reserve and visiting some of the park’s impressive hides. Highlights of our time in the park included Crested Francolin, Southern Crested Guineafowl, Purple-crested Turaco, Bearded Scrub Robin, Yellow-bellied Greenbul, Senegal Lapwing, Trumpeter Hornbill, White-throated Robin-Chat, Broad-billed Roller, Striped and Woodland Kingfishers, Southern Boubou, Brubru, Pale and Ashy Flycatchers and Lesser Masked Weaver. We were quite surprised to find another Grey-headed Kingfisher at Kumasinga Hide, a tricky bird in the province of KwaZulu-Natal. A good selection of raptors was seen throughout our time in Mkhuze and included Tawny, Wahlberg’s, Martial and Crowned Eagles, Bateleur and White-backed Vulture.
We made a brief stop at Muzi Pan on our way back to our lodge, and here we found Great, Intermediate and Little Egrets, Black Heron, Pink-backed Pelican and Black Crake with a single Grey-rumped Swallow seen further down the road. Another lovely day’s birding in Zululand!
Day 8, 10th February 2023. Mkhuze to St Lucia, birding en route
We awoke to some overcast weather and rain today, but we had birds to see and so were soon out of the door and made our way to a small patch of sand forest nearby. As we got out of the car, Steve spotted a large raptor, which turned out to be a Verreaux’s Eagle-Owl and was a great way to start the day. Our first target, African Broadbill, proved easy and we enjoyed prolonged views as it went about doing its unusual display flight and puffing out its back feathers. Pink-throated Twinspot was also seen well as it fed on the ground with a few Blue Waxbills. The birding in the sand forest was very productive and we soon had Tambourine Dove, Red-fronted Tinkerbird, Rudd’s Apalis and White-throated Robin-Chat. Neergaard’s Sunbird however did not call at all during our time here and despite a couple of other tries later in the day, we could not find this sand forest special.
After breakfast we packed up and hit the road to Mpempe Pan, where the grasslands were mostly flooded, but we still managed to find Senegal, Crowned and Black-winged Lapwings, Ruff, Wood and Curlew Sandpipers and Western Yellow Wagtail. After some searching, we eventually had good looks at a single Lesser Jacana. With the rain continuing to fall, we decided to head back south to St Lucia where we were based for the next three nights. En route we had great views of a small flock of Lemon-breasted Canaries and then took it easy for the remainder of the afternoon.
Day 9, 11th February 2023. Isimangaliso Wetland Park birding
With the predicted heavy rain having arrived, we decided to head into the Isimangaliso Wetland Park’s Eastern Shores section and essentially limited ourselves to birding from the car for the day. The early morning’s birding was mostly quiet, however we did find our main target species, Southern Banded Snake Eagle, which showed wonderfully well for us.
After a scrumptious sit-down breakfast, we headed back out into Eastern Shores and briefly managed to bird on foot in a small forest patch which yielded Red-capped Robin-Chat, Dark-backed Weaver and the tricky Woodward’s Batis. Soon after, the heavens opened again and we were again limited to birding from the car. We saw another of the day’s big targets, African Cuckoo-Hawk, as it hunted from its perch. The remainder of the day’s birding was very enjoyable, despite the weather, and we added Crowned Eagle, Secretarybird, Black-bellied Bustard and another more obliging African Cuckoo-Hawk. We decided that it was quality rather than quantity today, eventually accepting defeat and heading back to our guest house in the pouring rain.
Day 10, 12th February 2023. St Lucia birding
Thankfully, when we awoke this morning the weather had cleared and the birds were out and were singing in full voice. We headed to some nearby coastal forest and immediately set about trying to find Buff-spotted Flufftail, however, after around 30 minutes with just the bird heard calling, we gave up here. Other good birds in the area included Livingstone’s Turaco, Black-throated Wattle-eye, White-eared Barbet and Terrestrial Brownbul.
We then tried another section of the trail, and within seconds of playing its call, out popped an inquisitive male Buff-spotted Flufftail, which gave us incredible prolonged views. A magical start to the day! Other good birds along the trail included Common Square-tailed Drongo, Black-bellied Starling and a pair of Grey Waxbills, which were busy constructing a nest!
After another tasty breakfast, we headed back out and stopped on the bridge where Eastern Golden, Lesser Masked, Thick-billed and Southern Brown-throated Weavers were all breeding and showing well for us. We then popped to a small patch of forest where Eastern Nicator gave us good views, along with Black-and-white Mannikin and Dark-backed Weaver.
We then took some time off during the heat of the early afternoon and met in the late afternoon for a walk down to the St Lucia estuary mouth. There was an impressive tern roost at the mouth today, which was fun to work through and pick out different species. Most of the bulk of the terns included Common and Little Terns however with some patience we managed to pick out Sandwich, Greater Crested and Lesser Crested Terns with a good number of Caspian Terns around too. We enjoyed seeing two vagrant African Skimmers here, which had been at this site for the prior few weeks. There were a few waders around too, such as Eurasian Whimbrel, Grey and White-fronted Plovers, Sanderling, Little Stint and a small group of African Oystercatchers. After yet another enjoyable day, we headed back for dinner and enjoyed a good night’s sleep, with flufftail-filled dreams!
Day 11, 13th February 2023. St Lucia to Eshowe, birding en route
We had one final walk along the same forest track this morning in search of Green Malkoha and other missing forest species. The walk proved productive and Steve did well to spot a Green Malkoha creeping around high up in the canopy. A Golden-tailed Woodpecker played hide-and-seek with us and, despite a couple of flight views, we could not find the bird. An eclipse-plumaged male Purple-banded Sunbird showed well for us too. We then enjoyed our final St Lucia breakfast, before packing up and hitting the road south to Eshowe, where we were based for the next two nights.
En route to Eshowe, we stopped at some coastal grasslands and immediately found Black Coucal and also had good looks at a very confiding Pale-crowned Cisticola – a difficult bird on the coastal plain. Rufous-winged Cisticola took longer than usual but we eventually enjoyed prolonged views of a calling bird. A quick stop at a nearby dam produced a pair of attractive African Pygmy Geese, along with many Eastern Golden Weavers.
We tried birding at Ongoye Forest en route to Eshowe but soon gave up as it started pouring and we decided to head back here the following day instead. After arriving in Eshowe, we did have time for a quick visit to Dlinza Forest, where in the deep forest gloom we managed to find a very secretive Spotted Ground Thrush while the small hide had a pair of Green Twinspots and Lemon Doves. Calling African Wood Owls at our accommodation were a nice way to end the day.
Day 12, 14th February 2023. Birding the forest around Eshowe
We had the full day to bird the forests and grasslands around Eshowe today and so set off early for Entumeni Forest where, after some patient searching, we had fantastic views of a male Eastern Bronze-naped Pigeon (well spotted Steve!) and, while enjoying the pigeon, out popped a couple of Lazy Cisticolas. After this, our luck seemed to run out and, despite hearing Chorister Robin-Chat and Olive Bushshrike in the forest, the birds would not show themselves, and the African Firefinches played hard-to-get too. A distant Southern Tchagra was heard giving its alarm call, but this too would not show itself. We eventually decided it was time for breakfast and headed back to our accommodation.
Later in the morning after our breakfast, we made our way to the picturesque Ongoye Forest which, with its rolling grasslands on the edge of the forest, must be one of the prettiest areas in Zululand. The birds were again equally difficult to find, nevertheless we persevered and, after some work, found Green Barbet, Brown Scrub Robin, and a family group of Southern Ground Hornbills as they walked through the grasslands. Despite much effort we could not get views of the singing Chorister Robin-Chat.
Later that afternoon, we paid a quick visit to Dlinza Forest to try our luck with Chorister Robin-Chat, but we ran out of time just as we homed in on a calling bird. After dinner that evening, we headed to a nearby Swamp Nightjar stakeout, where the bird showed immediately upon our arrival. We were very relieved and felt like we deserved an easy bird after all the hard work we had put in today.
Day 13, 15th February 2023. Eshowe to Drakensberg
We had another early start at Entumeni Forest this morning and thankfully the birds played along. Within a couple of hours we had found Southern Tchagra, Swee Waxbill, African Firefinch and a displaying trio of Brown-backed Honeybirds, which is an unusual bird for the area. We then nipped back to Dlinza Forest and relocated the calling Chorister Robin-Chat from yesterday afternoon and after much stalking and patience, managed good looks of this forest songster.
We had a long day’s drive ahead of us today as we made our way to the Drakensberg Mountains in the interior of KwaZulu-Natal and so immediately jumped in the vehicle and hit the road after our breakfast. Today was not simply a transfer day, however, and we had several birding stops planned en route. First up was a colony of Red-headed Queleas which obliged and gave us excellent looks alongside Thick-billed and Eastern Golden Weavers and Southern Red Bishops.
We then headed inland and made a stop at Roselands, where a beautiful male Blue Swallow soon showed up and gave us fine views, as did a very vocal Cape Grassbird. After enjoying our time at Roselands we drove through the impressive Umkomaas Valley which, aside from the incredible views, also had a showy pair of Red-necked Spurfowl and a Golden-tailed Woodpecker (at last)! After a long but productive day on the road, we arrived at our beautiful accommodation in the Drakensberg and were welcomed by an attractive Half-collared Kingfisher, after which we had a lovely home-cooked chicken curry for dinner.
Day 14, 16th February 2023. Sani Pass birding
We were lucky enough to have local birding expert Stuart McLean guide and drive us up Sani Pass today and, after a quick breakfast and inspection of the target bird list, started making our way up this famous birding destination. The birds came thick and fast and before we knew it, we had added Greater Double-collared Sunbird, Red-throated Wryneck, African Black and Horus Swifts, Cape Rock Thrush, Bush Blackcap and a displaying Fan-tailed Grassbird. We had superb views of Gurney’s Sugarbird as it posed on top of a protea flower for us.
As we climbed in elevation, we started encountering more new birds, such as Barratt’s Warbler and Ground Woodpecker. Unfortunately, as we gained in elevation the weather deteriorated and our visibly went down to almost zero. We persevered however, and as we made it into the highlands of the Kingdom of Lesotho, the weather improved and we were able to find more of our targets. We concentrated on finding the high-altitude specials and within very little time we had found Drakensberg Siskin, Drakensberg Rockjumper and Mountain Pipit.
At our lunch stop we added Karoo Scrub Robin and an obliging Black-headed Canary, both here at their very eastern limit of their range, and had Bearded and Cape Vultures soaring overhead. As we started making our way back to Sani Pass, we added the likes of Sickle-winged Chat, Fairy Flycatcher, Sentinel Rock Thrush, Grey Tit, Karoo Prinia, Yellow Canary, Layard’s Warbler and White-necked Raven. Unfortunately, the calling Grey-winged Francolins would not show themselves for us. Despite a wet, cold and misty day up Sani Pass, we managed to see just about all of our targets and had a thoroughly enjoyable day out.
Day 15, 17th February 2023. Birding the Drakensberg foothills
Today was our final full day of the tour and with just about all of our targets already found, we decided we would look for the remaining few and then have some downtime later in the day. Our pre-breakfast birding finally landed us a Nicholson’s Pipit, which we had missed yesterday despite searching extensively. We also enjoyed some time pulling wattle saplings – an invasive alien plant species – so we felt we were doing our bit for the ecology of Sani Pass.
We enjoyed a sit-down breakfast with lovely views out over the lake, and then made our way through Underberg in search of Wattled Crane. En route to the crane stakeout we came across a massive flock of around 2,000 Amur Falcons, which was a spectacle to observe. Steve and Anne did well to pick out a single Red-footed Falcon, a tough bird in the area. Around the corner, a pair of Wattled Cranes showed with a single near-adult chick, and we enjoyed scope views. We also had fun watching a pair of Grey Crowned Cranes as they displayed to each other. We had a last drive around the area and managed good looks at many Red-billed Quelea and brief views of African Rail before we took the rest of the afternoon off and enjoyed a tasty South African braai (barbeque) to finish the trip.
Day 16, 18th February 2023. Drakensberg to Durban and tour conclusion
We had a later start this morning and appreciated another lovely sit-down breakfast before packing up and leaving the Sani Pass area. We had planned to stop off around Pietermaritzburg for some last-minute birding, however the weather had different plans for us and, after trying in vain to eke out some missing species, we accepted defeat and headed to the airport a bit earlier. We had our final meal of the trip and then said our goodbyes after what had been a thoroughly enjoyable time in eastern South Africa.
Bird List - Following IOC (13.1)
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 BirdLife International: CE = Critically Endangered, EN = Endangered, VU = Vulnerable. South African endemics are bolded.
Common Name Scientific Name
Ducks, Geese, Swans (Anatidae)
White-faced Whistling Duck Dendrocygna viduata
White-backed Duck Thalassornis leuconotus
Spur-winged Goose Plectropterus gambensis
Egyptian Goose Alopochen aegyptiaca
South African Shelduck Tadorna cana
African Pygmy Goose Nettapus auritus
Blue-billed Teal Spatula hottentota
Cape Shoveler Spatula smithii
Yellow-billed Duck Anas undulata
Red-billed Teal Anas erythrorhyncha
Southern Pochard Netta erythrophthalma
Maccoa Duck - VU Oxyura maccoa
Guineafowl (Numididae)
Helmeted Guineafowl Numida meleagris
Southern Crested Guineafowl Guttera edouardi
Pheasants & Allies (Phasianidae)
Crested Francolin Ortygornis sephaena
Red-winged Francolin Scleroptila levaillantii
Grey-winged Francolin (H) Scleroptila afra
Common Quail Coturnix coturnix
Natal Spurfowl Pternistis natalensis
Swainson's Spurfowl Pternistis swainsonii
Red-necked Spurfowl Pternistis afer
Nightjars (Caprimulgidae)
Swamp Nightjar Caprimulgus natalensis
Swifts (Apodidae)
African Palm Swift Cypsiurus parvus
Alpine Swift Tachymarptis melba
African Black Swift Apus barbatus
Little Swift Apus affinis
Horus Swift Apus horus
White-rumped Swift Apus caffer
Turacos (Musophagidae)
Grey Go-away-bird Crinifer concolor
Purple-crested Turaco Gallirex porphyreolophus
Livingstone's Turaco Tauraco livingstonii
Knysna Turaco Tauraco corythaix
Bustards (Otididae)
Denham's Bustard Neotis denhami
White-bellied Bustard (H) Eupodotis senegalensis
Blue Korhaan Eupodotis caerulescens
Black-bellied Bustard Lissotis melanogaster
Cuckoos (Cuculidae)
Burchell's Coucal Centropus burchellii
Black Coucal Centropus grillii
Green Malkoha Ceuthmochares australis
Jacobin Cuckoo Clamator jacobinus
Diederik Cuckoo Chrysococcyx caprius
Klaas's Cuckoo Chrysococcyx klaas
African Emerald Cuckoo (H) Chrysococcyx cupreus
Black Cuckoo Cuculus clamosus
Red-chested Cuckoo Cuculus solitarius
African Cuckoo Cuculus gularis
Pigeons, Doves (Columbidae)
Rock Dove Columba livia
Speckled Pigeon Columba guinea
African Olive Pigeon Columba arquatrix
Eastern Bronze-naped Pigeon Columba delegorguei
Lemon Dove Columba larvata
Red-eyed Dove Streptopelia semitorquata
Ring-necked Dove Streptopelia capicola
Laughing Dove Spilopelia senegalensis
Emerald-spotted Wood Dove Turtur chalcospilos
Blue-spotted Wood Dove Turtur afer
Tambourine Dove Turtur tympanistria
Namaqua Dove Oena capensis
African Green Pigeon Treron calvus
Flufftails (Sarothruridae)
Buff-spotted Flufftail Sarothrura elegans
Red-chested Flufftail Sarothrura rufa
Rails, Crakes & Coots (Rallidae)
African Rail Rallus caerulescens
African Crake (H) Crecopsis egregia
Corn Crake Crex crex
Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus
Red-knobbed Coot Fulica cristata
Allen's Gallinule Porphyrio alleni
Black Crake Zapornia flavirostra
Baillon's Crake (H) Zapornia pusilla
Cranes (Gruidae)
Grey Crowned Crane - EN Balearica regulorum
Wattled Crane - VU Grus carunculata
Blue Crane - VU Grus paradisea
Grebes (Podicipedidae)
Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis
Great Crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus
Black-necked Grebe Podiceps nigricollis
Stone-curlews, Thick-knees (Burhinidae)
Water Thick-knee Burhinus vermiculatus
Oystercatchers (Haematopodidae)
African Oystercatcher Haematopus moquini
Plovers (Charadriidae)
Blacksmith Lapwing Vanellus armatus
Senegal Lapwing Vanellus lugubris
Black-winged Lapwing Vanellus melanopterus
Crowned Lapwing Vanellus coronatus
African Wattled Lapwing Vanellus senegallus
Grey Plover Pluvialis squatarola
Common Ringed Plover Charadrius hiaticula
Kittlitz's Plover Charadrius pecuarius
Three-banded Plover Charadrius tricollaris
White-fronted Plover Charadrius marginatus
Jacanas (Jacanidae)
Lesser Jacana Microparra capensis
African Jacana Actophilornis africanus
Sandpipers, Snipes (Scolopacidae)
Eurasian Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus
Ruff Calidris pugnax
Curlew Sandpiper Calidris ferruginea
Sanderling Calidris alba
Little Stint Calidris minuta
Wood Sandpiper Tringa glareola
Gulls, Terns, Skimmers (Laridae)
Grey-headed Gull Chroicocephalus cirrocephalus
Hartlaub's Gull Chroicocephalus hartlaubii
Kelp Gull Larus dominicanus
Caspian Tern Hydroprogne caspia
Greater Crested Tern Thalasseus bergii
Lesser Crested Tern Thalasseus bengalensis
Sandwich Tern Thalasseus sandvicensis
Little Tern Sternula albifrons
Common Tern Sterna hirundo
Whiskered Tern Chlidonias hybrida
African Skimmer Rynchops flavirostris
Storks (Ciconiidae)
Yellow-billed Stork Mycteria ibis
Abdim's Stork Ciconia abdimii
Woolly-necked Stork Ciconia episcopus
White Stork Ciconia ciconia
Marabou Stork Leptoptilos crumenifer
Anhingas, Darters (Anhingidae)
African Darter Anhinga rufa
Cormorants, Shags (Phalacrocoracidae)
Reed Cormorant Microcarbo africanus
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
Striated Heron Butorides striata
Squacco Heron Ardeola ralloides
Western Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis
Grey Heron Ardea cinerea
Black-headed Heron Ardea melanocephala
Purple Heron Ardea purpurea
Great Egret Ardea alba
Intermediate Egret Ardea intermedia
Black Heron Egretta ardesiaca
Little Egret Egretta garzetta
Hamerkop (Scopidae)
Hamerkop Scopus umbretta
Pelicans (Pelecanidae)
Pink-backed Pelican Pelecanus rufescens
Secretarybird (Sagittariidae)
Secretarybird - EN Sagittarius serpentarius
Ospreys (Pandionidae)
Western Osprey Pandion haliaetus
Kites, Hawks, Eagles (Accipitridae)
Black-winged Kite Elanus caeruleus
African Harrier-Hawk Polyboroides typus
Bearded Vulture Gypaetus barbatus
European Honey Buzzard Pernis apivorus
African Cuckoo-Hawk Aviceda cuculoides
Hooded Vulture - CR Necrosyrtes monachus
White-backed Vulture - CR Gyps africanus
Cape Vulture - EN Gyps coprotheres
Black-chested Snake Eagle Circaetus pectoralis
Brown Snake Eagle Circaetus cinereus
Southern Banded Snake Eagle Circaetus fasciolatus
Bateleur - EN Terathopius ecaudatus
Bat Hawk Macheiramphus alcinus
Crowned Eagle Stephanoaetus coronatus
Martial Eagle - EN Polemaetus bellicosus
Long-crested Eagle Lophaetus occipitalis
Wahlberg's Eagle Hieraaetus wahlbergi
Tawny Eagle - VU Aquila rapax
African Hawk-Eagle Aquila spilogaster
Lizard Buzzard (H) Kaupifalco monogrammicus
Pale Chanting Goshawk Melierax canorus
Black Sparrowhawk Accipiter melanoleucus
African Marsh Harrier Circus ranivorus
Yellow-billed Kite Milvus aegyptius
African Fish Eagle Haliaeetus vocifer
Common Buzzard Buteo buteo
Jackal Buzzard Buteo rufofuscus
Barn Owls (Tytonidae)
African Grass Owl Tyto capensis
Owls (Strigidae)
Pearl-spotted Owlet Glaucidium perlatum
Marsh Owl Asio capensis
African Wood Owl (H) Strix woodfordii
Verreaux's Eagle-Owl Bubo lacteus
Spotted Eagle-Owl Bubo africanus
Mousebirds (Coliidae)
Speckled Mousebird Colius striatus
Red-faced Mousebird Urocolius indicus
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
Crowned Hornbill Lophoceros alboterminatus
Trumpeter Hornbill Bycanistes bucinator
Rollers (Coraciidae)
Lilac-breasted Roller Coracias caudatus
European Roller Coracias garrulus
Broad-billed Roller Eurystomus glaucurus
Kingfishers (Alcedinidae)
Grey-headed Kingfisher Halcyon leucocephala
Brown-hooded Kingfisher Halcyon albiventris
Striped Kingfisher Halcyon chelicuti
Woodland Kingfisher Halcyon senegalensis
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
Blue-cheeked Bee-eater Merops persicus
European Bee-eater Merops apiaster
African Barbets (Lybiidae)
White-eared Barbet Stactolaema leucotis
Green Barbet Stactolaema olivacea
Yellow-rumped Tinkerbird Pogoniulus bilineatus
Red-fronted Tinkerbird Pogoniulus pusillus
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
Scaly-throated Honeyguide Indicator variegatus
Greater Honeyguide (H) Indicator indicator
Woodpeckers (Picidae)
Red-throated Wryneck Jynx ruficollis
Ground Woodpecker Geocolaptes olivaceus
Bennett's Woodpecker Campethera bennettii
Golden-tailed Woodpecker Campethera abingoni
Cardinal Woodpecker Dendropicos fuscescens
Olive Woodpecker Dendropicos griseocephalus
Caracaras, Falcons (Falconidae)
Greater Kestrel Falco rupicoloides
Red-footed Falcon Falco vespertinus
Amur Falcon Falco amurensis
Sooty Falcon - VU Falco concolor
Eurasian Hobby Falco subbuteo
Lanner Falcon Falco biarmicus
African & New World Parrots (Psittacidae)
Cape Parrot - VU Poicephalus robustus
African & Green Broadbills
(Calyptomenidae)
African Broadbill Smithornis capensis
Wattle-eyes, Batises (Platysteiridae)
Cape Batis Batis capensis
Woodward's Batis Batis fratrum
Chinspot Batis (H) Batis molitor
Black-throated Wattle-eye Platysteira peltata
Bushshrikes (Malaconotidae)
Grey-headed Bushshrike Malaconotus blanchoti
Black-fronted Bushshrike Chlorophoneus nigrifrons
Olive Bushshrike (H) Chlorophoneus olivaceus
Gorgeous Bushshrike Telophorus viridis
Bokmakierie Telophorus zeylonus
Southern Tchagra Tchagra tchagra
Black-crowned Tchagra Tchagra senegalus
Black-backed Puffback Dryoscopus cubla
Southern Boubou Laniarius ferrugineus
Crimson-breasted Shrike (H) Laniarius atrococcineus
Brubru Nilaus afer
Vangas & Allies (Vangidae)
White-crested Helmetshrike Prionops plumatus
Retz's Helmetshrike Prionops retzii
Cuckooshrikes (Campephagidae)
White-breasted Cuckooshrike Ceblepyris pectoralis
Grey Cuckooshrike Ceblepyris caesius
Shrikes (Laniidae)
Magpie Shrike Urolestes melanoleucus
Red-backed Shrike Lanius collurio
Lesser Grey Shrike Lanius minor
Southern Fiscal Lanius collaris
Figbirds, Orioles, Turnagra (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
African Paradise Flycatcher Terpsiphone viridis
Crows, Jays (Corvidae)
Cape Crow Corvus capensis
Pied Crow Corvus albus
White-necked Raven Corvus albicollis
Rockjumpers (Chaetopidae)
Drakensberg Rockjumper Chaetops aurantius
Fairy Flycatchers (Stenostiridae)
Fairy Flycatcher Stenostira scita
Tits, Chickadees (Paridae)
Southern Black Tit Melaniparus niger
Ashy Tit Melaniparus cinerascens
Grey Tit Melaniparus afer
Penduline Tits (Remizidae)
Grey Penduline Tit Anthoscopus caroli
Cape Penduline Tit Anthoscopus minutus
Nicators (Nicatoridae)
Eastern Nicator Nicator gularis
Larks (Alaudidae)
Spike-heeled Lark Chersomanes albofasciata
Short-clawed Lark Certhilauda chuana
Eastern Long-billed Lark Certhilauda semitorquata
Sabota Lark Calendulauda sabota
Rudd's Lark - EN Heteromirafra ruddi
Eastern Clapper Lark Mirafra fasciolata
Rufous-naped Lark Mirafra africana
Melodious Lark (H) Mirafra cheniana
Pink-billed Lark Spizocorys conirostris
Red-capped Lark Calandrella cinerea
Bulbuls (Pycnonotidae)
Sombre Greenbul Andropadus importunus
Yellow-bellied Greenbul Chlorocichla flaviventris
Terrestrial Brownbul Phyllastrephus terrestris
Yellow-streaked Greenbul Phyllastrephus flavostriatus
Dark-capped Bulbul Pycnonotus tricolor
Swallows, Martins (Hirundinidae)
Black Saw-wing Psalidoprocne pristoptera
Banded Martin Neophedina cincta
Sand Martin Riparia riparia
Brown-throated Martin Riparia paludicola
Grey-rumped Swallow Pseudhirundo griseopyga
Rock Martin Ptyonoprogne fuligula
Blue Swallow - VU Hirundo atrocaerulea
Pearl-breasted Swallow Hirundo dimidiata
White-throated Swallow Hirundo albigularis
Wire-tailed Swallow Hirundo smithii
Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica
Common House Martin Delichon urbicum
Red-breasted Swallow Cecropis semirufa
Lesser Striped Swallow Cecropis abyssinica
Greater Striped Swallow Cecropis cucullata
South African Cliff Swallow Petrochelidon spilodera
Crombecs, African Warblers (Macrosphenidae)
Cape Grassbird Sphenoeacus afer
Long-billed Crombec Sylvietta rufescens
Leaf Warblers & Allies (Phylloscopidae)
Willow Warbler Phylloscopus trochilus
Yellow-throated Woodland Warbler Phylloscopus ruficapilla
Reed Warblers & Allies (Acrocephalidae)
African Reed Warbler Acrocephalus baeticatus
Marsh Warbler Acrocephalus palustris
African Yellow Warbler Iduna natalensis
Olive-tree Warbler (H) Hippolais olivetorum
Icterine Warbler Hippolais icterina
Grassbirds & Allies (Locustellidae)
Fan-tailed Grassbird Catriscus brevirostris
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
Wailing Cisticola Cisticola lais
Rufous-winged Cisticola Cisticola galactotes
Levaillant's Cisticola Cisticola tinniens
Croaking Cisticola Cisticola natalensis
Neddicky Cisticola fulvicapilla
Zitting Cisticola Cisticola juncidis
Desert Cisticola Cisticola aridulus
Cloud Cisticola Cisticola textrix
Pale-crowned Cisticola Cisticola cinnamomeus
Wing-snapping Cisticola Cisticola ayresii
Tawny-flanked Prinia Prinia subflava
Black-chested Prinia Prinia flavicans
Karoo Prinia Prinia maculosa
Drakensberg Prinia Prinia hypoxantha
Bar-throated Apalis Apalis thoracica
Rudd's Apalis Apalis ruddi
Yellow-breasted Apalis Apalis flavida
Green-backed Camaroptera Camaroptera brachyura
Stierling's Wren-Warbler Calamonastes stierlingi
Barred Wren-Warbler Calamonastes fasciolatus
Yellow-bellied Eremomela Eremomela icteropygialis
Burnt-necked Eremomela Eremomela usticollis
Sylviid Babblers (Sylviidae)
Bush Blackcap - VU Sylvia nigricapillus
Layard's Warbler Curruca layardi
Chestnut-vented Warbler Curruca subcoerulea
White-eyes (Zosteropidae)
Cape White-eye Zosterops virens
Southern Yellow White-eye Zosterops anderssoni
Laughingthrushes & Allies (Leiothrichidae)
Arrow-marked Babbler Turdoides jardineii
Sugarbirds (Promeropidae)
Gurney's Sugarbird Promerops gurneyi
Starlings, Rhabdornis (Sturnidae)
Common Myna Acridotheres tristis
Common Starling Sturnus vulgaris
Black-bellied Starling Notopholia corusca
Cape Starling Lamprotornis nitens
Greater Blue-eared Starling Lamprotornis chalybaeus
Pied Starling Lamprotornis bicolor
Violet-backed Starling Cinnyricinclus leucogaster
Red-winged Starling Onychognathus morio
Oxpeckers (Buphagidae)
Red-billed Oxpecker Buphagus erythrorynchus
Thrushes (Turdidae)
Spotted Ground Thrush - EN Geokichla guttata
Orange Ground Thrush Geokichla gurneyi
Olive Thrush Turdus olivaceus
Karoo Thrush Turdus smithi
Chats, Old World Flycatchers (Muscicapidae)
Karoo Scrub Robin Cercotrichas coryphoeus
Bearded Scrub Robin Cercotrichas quadrivirgata
Kalahari Scrub Robin Cercotrichas paena
White-browed Scrub Robin Cercotrichas leucophrys
Brown Scrub Robin Cercotrichas signata
Grey Tit-Flycatcher (H) Myioparus plumbeus
Southern Black Flycatcher Melaenornis pammelaina
Pale Flycatcher Melaenornis pallidus
Spotted Flycatcher Muscicapa striata
Ashy Flycatcher Muscicapa caerulescens
African Dusky Flycatcher Muscicapa adusta
Cape Robin-Chat Cossypha caffra
White-throated Robin-Chat Cossypha humeralis
White-browed Robin-Chat Cossypha heuglini
Red-capped Robin-Chat Cossypha natalensis
Chorister Robin-Chat Cossypha dichroa
White-starred Robin Pogonocichla stellata
Cape Rock Thrush Monticola rupestris
Sentinel Rock Thrush Monticola explorator
African Stonechat Saxicola torquatus
Buff-streaked Chat Campicoloides bifasciatus
Ant-eating Chat Myrmecocichla formicivora
Mountain Wheatear Myrmecocichla monticola
Arnot's Chat Myrmecocichla arnotti
Familiar Chat Oenanthe familiaris
Sunbirds (Nectariniidae)
Collared Sunbird Hedydipna collaris
Olive Sunbird Cyanomitra olivacea
Grey Sunbird Cyanomitra veroxii
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
Purple-banded Sunbird Cinnyris bifasciatus
White-bellied Sunbird Cinnyris talatala
Old World Sparrows, Snowfinches (Passeridae)
Yellow-throated Bush Sparrow Gymnoris superciliaris
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
Spectacled Weaver Ploceus ocularis
Cape Weaver Ploceus capensis
Eastern Golden Weaver Ploceus subaureus
Holub's Golden Weaver Ploceus xanthops
Southern Brown-throated Weaver Ploceus xanthopterus
Lesser Masked Weaver Ploceus intermedius
Southern Masked Weaver Ploceus velatus
Village Weaver Ploceus cucullatus
Dark-backed Weaver Ploceus bicolor
Red-headed Weaver Anaplectes rubriceps
Red-headed Quelea Quelea erythrops
Red-billed Quelea Quelea quelea
Yellow-crowned Bishop Euplectes afer
Southern Red Bishop Euplectes orix
Yellow Bishop Euplectes capensis
Fan-tailed Widowbird Euplectes axillaris
White-winged Widowbird Euplectes albonotatus
Red-collared Widowbird Euplectes ardens
Long-tailed Widowbird Euplectes progne
Waxbills, Munias & Allies (Estrildidae)
Bronze Mannikin Spermestes cucullata
Magpie Mannikin Spermestes fringilloides
Black-and-white Mannikin Spermestes nigriceps
Swee Waxbill Coccopygia melanotis
Green Twinspot Mandingoa nitidula
Grey Waxbill Glaucestrilda perreini
Common Waxbill Estrilda astrild
Quailfinch Ortygospiza atricollis
Cut-throat Finch Amadina fasciata
Violet-eared Waxbill Granatina granatina
Blue Waxbill Uraeginthus angolensis
Green-winged Pytilia Pytilia melba
Pink-throated Twinspot Hypargos margaritatus
African Firefinch Lagonosticta rubricata
Indigobirds, Whydahs (Viduidae)
Village Indigobird Vidua chalybeata
Purple Indigobird Vidua purpurascens
Dusky Indigobird Vidua funerea
Pin-tailed Whydah Vidua macroura
Shaft-tailed Whydah Vidua regia
Long-tailed Paradise Whydah Vidua paradisaea
Cuckoo-finch Anomalospiza imberbis
Wagtails, Pipits (Motacillidae)
Western Yellow Wagtail Motacilla flava
Cape Wagtail Motacilla capensis
African Pied Wagtail Motacilla aguimp
Cape Longclaw Macronyx capensis
Yellow-throated Longclaw Macronyx croceus
African Pipit Anthus cinnamomeus
Mountain Pipit Anthus hoeschi
Nicholson's Pipit Anthus nicholsoni
Plain-backed Pipit Anthus leucophrys
African Rock Pipit Anthus crenatus
Short-tailed Pipit Anthus brachyurus
Yellow-breasted Pipit - VU Anthus chloris
Finches, Euphonias (Fringillidae)
Forest Canary Crithagra scotops
Black-throated Canary Crithagra atrogularis
Lemon-breasted Canary Crithagra citrinipectus
Yellow-fronted Canary Crithagra mozambica
Drakensberg Siskin Crithagra symonsi
Yellow Canary Crithagra flaviventris
Brimstone Canary Crithagra sulphurata
Streaky-headed Seedeater Crithagra gularis
Cape Canary Serinus canicollis
Black-headed Canary Serinus alario
Buntings (Emberizidae)
Cinnamon-breasted Bunting Emberiza tahapisi
Cape Bunting Emberiza capensis
Golden-breasted Bunting Emberiza flaviventris
Total seen 438
Total heard only 14
Total recorded 452
Mammal List
Common Name Scientific Name
Hyraxes (Procaviidae)
Rock Hyrax Procavia capensis
Elephants (Elephantidae)
African Elephant - VU Loxodonta africana
Squirrels and Relatives (Sciuridae)
Red Bush Squirrel Paraxerus palliatus
Old World Mice, Rats and Gerbils (Muridae)
Sloggett's Vlei Rat Otomys sloggetti
Old World Monkeys (Cercopithecidae)
Chacma Baboon Papio ursinus
Vervet Chlorocebus pygerythrus
Blue Monkey Cercopithecus mitis
Cats (Felidae)
Serval Felis serval
Mongooses and Fossa (Herpestidae)
Yellow Mongoose Cynictis penicillata
Slender Mongoose Herpestes sanguineus
Meerkat Suricata suricatta
Canids (Canidae)
Side-striped Jackal Canis adustus
Mustelids (Mustelidae)
Spotted-necked Otter Lutra maculicolis
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
Common Eland Tragelaphus oryx
Greater Kudu Tragelaphus strepsiceros
Nyala Tragelaphus angasii
Bushbuck Tragelaphus scriptus
Waterbuck Kobus ellipsiprymnus
Mountain Reedbuck Redunca fulvorufula
Southern Reedbuck Redunca arundinum
Grey Rhebok Pelea capreolus
Black Wildebeest Connochaetes gnou
Common (Blue) Wildebeest Connochaetes taurinus
(Red) Haartebeest Alcelaphus buselaphus
Blesbok Damaliscus pygargus
Impala Aepyceros melampus
Springbok Antidorcas marsuplialis
Suni Neotragus moschatus
Oribi Ourebia ourebi
Natal Red Duiker Cephalophus natalensis
Blue Duiker Philantomba monticola
Common Duiker Sylvicapra grimmia
Giraffes and Okapis (Giraffidae)
Southern Giraffe Giraffa giraffa
Total seen 48
Reptile List
Common Name Scientific Name
Land Tortoises (Testudinidae)
Leopard Tortoise Geochelone pardalis
Marsh Terrapin (Pelomedusidae)
Marsh Terrapin Pelomedusa subrufa
Monitors (Varanidae)
Nile Monitor Varanus niloticus
Geckos (Gekkonidae)
Moreau’s Tropical House Gecko Hemidactylus maboui
Crocodiles (Crocodylidae)
Nile Crocodile Crocodylus niloticus
Total seen 5