Avibase is an extensive database information system about all birds of the world, containing over &1 million records about 10,000 species and 22,000 subspecies of birds, including distribution information for 20,000 regions, taxonomy, synonyms in several languages and more. The African continent and its associated islands are home to the world's second largest assemblage of birds, spanning two of the planet's great faunal kingdoms. Edited by Christie Craig, Campaign Manager, https://blog.nationalgeographic.org/2018/06/08/top-25-birds-of-europe/. Top 25 birds of the week: Bird Camouflage! It is commonly noted that Africa is the wildlife continent. Pick up your camera, fill your bird feeder, open your heart, and join the Wild Birds! While they can eat up to 13,00 larvae a day, their preferred food is blood, and they often peck at the mammal’s wounds until blood flows. There are actually two species of yellow-billed hornbill – the southern yellow-billed hornbill found in Southern Africa, and the eastern yellow-billed hornbill found in East and Northeast Africa. Its diet consists primarily of seeds and lizards. Like other vultures, the hooded vulture is a scavenger, feeding on carcasses of dead animals and waste around human habitation, including waste tips and abattoirs. African Bird Facts The worlds largest living bird is found in Africa the Ostrich (view photos) (Struthio camelus) and can be up to 2.7m tall and weighing up to 145Kg. These ducks forage for their food at night, diving to find underwater tubers and seeds of aquatic plants, as well as molluscs and small aquatic animals. They are tiny birds – just 10 cm long – with short, downturned bills and tubular tongues, both adaptions for their nectar diet. Built for scavenging, their powerful beak is able to tear the hides, tendons, and any other tissue from its prey, which may be too tough for other scavengers. They also feed on carcasses with other scavengers such as vultures and hyenas. Sacred ibises are fairly common in Africa and parts of the Middle East, inhabiting a range of habitats so long as there is water in close proximity. Or perhaps you’ve had the chance to spot one of these stunning birds whilst on safari. Follow us for instant access to all of our best safari & wildlife content. Grey crowned crane – one of the most distinctive birds in Africa. And that’s your lot for the birds of Africa (unless you’re interested in the parrots of Africa). Fun ostrich fact – these African savanna birds are able to survive without water for days, generating water internally and extracting water from vegetation. The login page will open in a new tab. Also known as the crowned lapwing, the crowned plover is an adaptable bird found across Southern Africa. It’s quite a sight to see these stunning birds of Africa head pumping, bowing, jumping, running, wing flapping, and tossing sticks and grass! The storks then submerge their heads in the water quickly, snapping their bills. South Africa's bird-of-paradise (Strelitzia reginae) is a member of the banana family. The underparts are … 342 Free images of African Birds. Penguins Bird. It’s easily recognized by the combination of red legs, brown and white plumage, and its black crown divided by a white halo. As the largest vulture in Africa, the lappet-faced vulture dominates other vultures during feeding and is strong enough to drive off a jackal. There are East and Southern African kori bustard subspecies, both of which are grey in color with yellow legs and a black crest. Lilac-breasted Rollers are endemic to Africa and are fairly common in woodland areas (Marios Mantzourogiannis) Unlike many swallows, the Lesser Striped Swallow is mostly resident (Anirban Roychowdhury) The Common Ostrich is the largest bird in the world. They feed by wading in shallow wetlands, looking for fish, frogs, insects and small mammals, reptiles, and other birds. South Africa is known the world around for its abundance of wildlife, not least of all its many birds. Giant Kingfisher. Guinea fowl are found in the savannas and grasslands of Africa, with their distinctive bright blue head and neck and hanging red wattle. The kori bustard is Africa’s heaviest flying bird and can weigh up to 19 kg. The layout of the galleries follows an order closely aligned with a popular guide book, Birds of Southern Africa by Sinclair, Hockey and Tarboton. They’re usually seen around many types of water bodies, from rivers to lakes to wetlands, and are often spotted standing on rocks or branches sticking out of the water. The lilac-breasted roller is widely distributed in sub-Saharan Africa. Zoo Birds Nature. The one difference is the skin colour around the eyes – pinkish for the southern yellow-billed hornbill and blackish for the eastern yellow-billed hornbill. 140 149 23. Birds, birding and bird watching books in Africa The Best Bird Books for Africa by Keith Betton A recent survey of African Bird Club members showed that 83 percent plan to go birding in Africa over the next three years, and as cheap package holidays to places such as The Gambia continue to offer amazing value for money, more and more of us are visiting Africa. African Green Broadbill. Here we present 25 of the best photographs presented for this week’s theme. As their name suggests, these birds feed mostly on bees, but also other insects like wasps and hornets. Did any surprise you, or have we left any obvious birds out? It has the highest number of endemic (occurring in South Africa only) and near-endemic (occurring in South Africa and it neighboring countries only) birds in Africa with more than 140 birds in this category. A great cormorant drying its spread wings. Yellow-billed hornbills feed mainly on the ground, foraging for seeds, small insects (particularly termites and ants), spiders, and scorpions. This album contains thirteen galleries. Join thousands of other weekend naturalists, photographers, birders, experts, hikers, nature-lovers, guides, scientists, conservationists and artists that share the thousands of wild bird photographs submitted to the Wild Bird Trust website and Facebook page. The vivid colours of this eye-catching bird can only be seen in two places in … Edit This book features images taken on two wildlife photography workshops in South Africa and Tanzania, with over 40 birds of the bush veldt, Ngorongoro Crater, and the Serengeti Plain. Crowned plovers have a long breeding season, with eggs laid prior to rainy season in a sandy area which they then line with vegetation or pebbles. They have a wingspan of 2.6 meters and a height of 1.5 meters. These birds often reach lengths of more than 1 meter (40 inches), with a wingspread of nearly 3 meters (10 feet). Birds have been around since dinosaurs, and fill so many different niches in the African ecosystems – from large predators such as the fish eagle to scavengers like the vulture, and helpful sidekicks like the oxpecker. They are found at all sorts of water sources, including dams, lakes, rivers, estuaries, and floodplains. Their large bill is crimson with a black band and triangular yellow saddle shape. Their long, powerful legs double up as defensive weapons which pack a powerful kick to would-be predators. The national bird of Uganda is the striking grey crowned crane, with long white, black, gold and brown feathers, and a head topped with a crown of stiff golden feathers. Ostriches are flightless birds native to Africa. Birds of Africa. The shoebill bird is also known as a whale-headed stork or whale head. This handsome individual was photographed in Ethiopia by Goutam Mitra, The Swainson’s Francolin is native to the savanas of southern Africa, usually near water (Ravishankar Paranthaman), A male Common Ostrich against the backdrop of beautiful mopane trees in Kruger National Park, South Africa (Ravishankar Paranthaman), White-fronted Bee-eaters hunt from perches, they have been recorded taking 300 swoops in one day with success rates of between 50% and 70% (Judi Fenson), White-headed Mousebirds occur only in east Africa, mainly in Somalia and Kenya (Goutam Mitra), Female Southern Yellow-billed Hornbills seal themselves into their nest cavities, mainly with their own faeces (Anirban Roychowdhury), A group of Yellow-billed Storks fly over Lake Manyara, Tanzania (Anindya Dutta), The population of Yellow-billed Oxpeckers declined due to reducing game numbers and toxic dips used on cattle. They’re an unusual looking bird, bald-headed with wisps of hair, perhaps worthy of their addition to the ugly five. Grey go-away birds have a range across Southern and Central Africa, occupying any habitat from dry to moist savanna and woodlands – particularly where acacia trees are present. They are fairly terrestrial, and hunts prey on foot – often in pairs – chasing insects, small mammals, lizards, snakes, and young birds, and sometimes eating any bird eggs or dead animals it comes across. birds of africa Journey to the African savannah and encounter the continent’s largest and most impressive avian scavengers. It favours wet habitats such as shallow lakes, mudflats, and coastal lagoons where it can feed on crustaceans, small fish, frogs, worms, and insects. It’s a very large stork-like bird and its name comes from its massive shoe-shaped bill. I … Male and female saddle-billed storks have identical plumage with an iridescent black head, neck, back, wings and tail, with a white body. The predatory mammals provide scavengers with a broad fare of food. Both species look very similar, with their long yellow beaks with casques, white bellies, grey necks, and black backs covered in white spots and stripes. The Birds of Africa is the first comprehensive handbook on the entire avifauna of the African continent. They are found in open grassland, forest edges, wooded savanna, and the African deserts. They are distinctive in appearance, with a long neck and legs and the ability to run at high speeds. Lilac Breasted Roller. Birds of Africa From South Africa and Tanzania. Their hunting style is interesting as they use one foot to stir the muddy water which disturbs the prey and causes movement. This scruffy looking vulture species is widespread in sub-Saharan Africa, reaching sizes of up to 80 cm tall. They’re strong fishers, catching fish with a graceful plunge into the water, but also eat other birds and reptiles, and even scavenge on carcasses if necessary. After logging in you can close it and return to this page. Online bird identification for Kenyan birds species. In fact, there is an established avi-tourism industry that invites birding enthusiasts from all over the world to indulge in top-class bird-watching. The secretary bird is an impressive and striking predator that’s found mostly in Africa’s open grasslands and savanna. The small malachite kingfisher (up to 13 cm) is distributed widely in Africa, south of the Sahara. Revolution aims to publish the “Top 25 Wild Bird Photographs of the Week” to 1 million people every week by the end of the year. Around 150 of the most common birds of the northern provinces of south Africa have been recorded during the month of December (South African summer). They inhabit mountainous regions from Central Asia and eastern Africa to Spain and dine on carrion, especially bones, which they drop from heights as … They have very long, graceful necks and legs which are the longest of any bird in proportion to their body size, and they often rest their head on their body to avoid fatigue in their neck muscles. This book celebrates and provides a useful and highly readable introduction to Africa's magnificent avian diversity. Revolution!! 37 36 8. Flamingos are an iconic bird to see on safari, known for their bright pink coloration and standing on just one leg. They tend to sit prominently perched alongside large bodies of water – flowing or still. Edit list price About the Book. Kingfishers have regular perches, above and close to water, from where they catch fish, crustaceans, and aquatic insects. The yellow-billed stork is one of the wading birds of Africa, found south of the Sahara desert. Interesting maribou stork fact: they have hollow leg and feet bones, an adaptation to help them fly. Good List of African birds, Thanks for choosing my pics… Now what next … Bird of India ? Preferring … They are the largest living species of bird. by Judy Kramer. We are in a day-and-age during which more bird species are threatened with extinction than ever before. At this size, the ostrich is, of course, a flightless bird, but can outrun plenty of animals with its top speed of 69 km per hour. Flamingos live in large colonies across much of sub-Saharan Africa, tending to favour mud flats where loose mud can be shaped into mounds they use as nests. Below, in alphabetical order, are 25 birds commonly spotted on a game drive, picked for their looks, special moves and the likelihood of spotting: Fish eagle – one of the iconic African birds. Its is a distinctive black, brown, and white plumage. This Oriole was photographed in Ethiopia by Goutam Mitra, A White-bellied Go-Away Bird photographed in Tsavo West, Kenya by Marios Mantzourogiannis, The Böhm’s Bee-eater was named after Richard Böhm, a German zoologist. https://afktravel.com/57167/15-gorgeous-south-african-birds They are monogamous birds, with males and females remaining with one mate during the mating season, and rear their young together as a team. They are the music, decoration, and character of every terrestrial habitat on the planet and have been around since the dinosaurs. The world’s largest and heaviest bird, and the only one with just two toes. They favour deciduous and mixed woodland, particularly leafy, tall trees, and feed on insects and fruit, using their bills to pick insects out of crevices. It covers breeding birds in full detail, with sections on range and status, description, field characters, voice, general habits (including migration), food, and breeding biology. These African birds are polygamous, with one male attracting and mating with several females, before leaving them to care for the chicks on their own. Return to African Wildlife. It is able to take it’s nectar whilst hovering like a hummingbird, though usually perches to feed. If you would like to submit photographs to be considered simply upload them to our Facebook page with species, location, photographer and #birdsofaustralasia as the caption. Featuring the African Emerald Cuckoo,Black, White Casqued Hornbill, Black Throated Apalis Yellow Longbill and many more birds! This shot was taken at Lake Manyara, Tanzania by Edwin Godinho, The Rüppell’s Starling is found only in east Africa. They also take on larger prey with their strong claws such as frogs and toads, lizards, small snakes, and small mammals. African Fish Eagles are usually found along large still or flowing water bodies. The 20 best malaria-free safari destinations, The 6 greatest animal migrations in Africa. Once built, the female bird lines the nest with soft grass and feathers. Barbet Bee-Eater Bulbul Bush Shrike Bustard Canary Cormorant Coucal Crane Crow Darter Drongo … During mating seasons the males fly high to engage in huge dives and swoops whilst making loud calls. Bird Animal Sooty Chat. It seems that many have been enchanted by Africa’s amazing birdlife. These large African birds are easily recognizable due to its large size, bare pink head, and the lappets on each side of its neck – the fleshy folds of skin. The Ground Hornbill lives in open habitats, it travels in groups and feeds on insects, … Next week we explore the birds of Australia. Africa - Africa - Birds: South of the Sahara the birdlife includes nearly 1,500 resident species, to which must be added another 275 species that are either resident in northwestern Africa or else are Palaearctic winter migrants; the migrants once totaled perhaps two billion individuals, but their numbers have been reduced considerably by severe droughts and by human land use and predation. Grey Crowned Crane Bird. Ostrich. The entire North American continent (north of Mexico) lists only two species. They are the witnesses and ambassadors of the awesome power of nature. Their bright red pouch on the front of their neck allows them to produce a deep, booming call. Marabou storks are large wading African birds south of the Sahara – in both wet and arid habitats, often near human habitation, particularly landfill sites. Grey Crowned Crane Bird. The African Fish Eagle is a fairly large eagle. The showbill bird lives a solitary life, only spending time with other adults during a brief mating period. South Africa has over 840 species listed. Birds of Africa are amongst the most varied, numerous, and colourful of anywhere in the world. They lay four to six spherical white eggs and both the male and the female take care of the eggs. Female specimen. As with all cranes, the grey crowned crane engages in a form of dancing, primarily as part of a mating ritual. 98 135 13. The photographer’s favourite, the lilac-breasted roller is found in savanna and open woodland across sub-Saharan Africa. Their bright red pouch on the front of their neck allows them to produce a deep, booming call. The kori bustard is one of the heaviest flying birds (and makes it onto our list of largest birds in the world and largest flying birds), though avoids flying where possible, spending most of its time on the ground, foraging.