Tooltip Categories: Birds
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Rufous-naped Lark
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The Rufous-naped Lark (Mirafra africana) is a medium-sized songbird found across eastern and southern Africa. It is commonly associated with open grasslands, savannah, dry plains, cultivated fields, and lightly wooded areas. It prefers areas with short or sparse vegetation, where it can forage on the ground and maintain a clear view of approaching predators. Adults
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Wood Sandpiper
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The Wood Sandpiper (Tringa glareola) is a small migratory wading bird that breeds across northern Europe and Asia before spending the non-breeding season throughout sub-Saharan Africa. It is commonly found around wetlands, marshes, floodplains, shallow lakes, riverbanks, rice fields, and seasonal pools. During migration, it can also be seen feeding in temporary puddles and flooded
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Red-necked Spurfowl
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The Red-necked Spurfowl (Pternistis afer) is a medium-sized gamebird found throughout much of sub-Saharan Africa. It is widely distributed from East Africa to southern Africa and occurs in a variety of habitats, including grasslands, savannah, woodland edges, river valleys, and agricultural areas. It prefers areas with dense vegetation, where it can find food and shelter.
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African Wattled Lapwing
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The African Wattled Lapwing (Vanellus senegallus) is a large and striking wading bird widely distributed across sub-Saharan Africa. It is commonly found in open grasslands, savannahs, floodplains, wetlands, agricultural fields, and lightly grazed pastures. It often prefers short grass habitats where visibility is good and predators can be easily detected. Adults typically measure 30–35 cm
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Yellow-fronted Canary
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The Yellow-fronted Canary (Crithagra mozambica) is a small and colourful songbird found throughout much of sub-Saharan Africa. It is widely distributed from Senegal and Ethiopia southwards through East Africa and into parts of southern Africa. It is commonly found in open woodland, savannah, forest edges, gardens, farmland, and areas with scattered trees and shrubs. Unlike
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Spur-winged Lapwing
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The Spur-winged Lapwing (Vanellus spinosus) is a medium-sized wading bird found throughout sub-Saharan Africa, the Nile Valley, and parts of the Middle East. It inhabits wetlands, lakeshores, riverbanks, floodplains, marshes, irrigated farmland, and open grasslands. Unlike many waders, it often feeds away from water. It searches for insects, worms, spiders, snails, and other small invertebrates
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Black-Winged (Shouldered) Kite
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The Black-winged Kite (Elanus caeruleus), also known as the Black-winged Shouldered Kite, is a small and striking raptor that ranges widely across Africa, southern Europe, and parts of Asia. It thrives in open grasslands, savannas, and agricultural areas, where it actively hunts over wide, open terrain. Adults measure 31–38 cm (12–15 in) in length and
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Guinea Fowl (Helmeted)
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The Helmeted Guinea Fowl (Numida meleagris) is a distinctive ground-dwelling bird widely distributed across sub-Saharan Africa. It thrives in savannas, open grasslands, agricultural areas, and woodland edges. In these habitats, it actively forages in groups for seeds, insects, and small invertebrates. You can easily recognize the species by its rounded body and striking appearance. Dark
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Bateleur (Bateleur eagle)
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The Bateleur (Terathopius ecaudatus) ranks among Africa’s most striking and instantly recognizable raptors. Its name comes from the French word bateleur, meaning “tightrope walker,” which directly refers to the bird’s distinctive rocking flight. Unlike many birds of prey, the Bateleur displays bold, high-contrast colors. As a result, adults show a bright red face and legs,
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Marabou Stork
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The Marabou Stork (Leptoptilos crumenifer) stands out as one of Africa’s most distinctive and often misunderstood birds. People commonly refer to it as the “undertaker bird” because of its hunched posture, bare head, and dark wings. Nevertheless, despite its ungainly appearance, the species shows remarkable adaptability and presence. You will often encounter it around wetlands