Southern Africa 2004 - The birds

Southern Africa, defined as the area south of the Kunene and Zambezi rivers, has a high bird diversity. Some 951 species have been observed in this area. 144 species are endemic to the region. Although most focus was on large animals during the trip, and omitting all of the "small" birds, I saw more than 100 species. I'm not too familiar with all the larks, pipits, warblers, weavers, sparrows etc., and did not attempt to classify smaller birds during the trip (at least if they were lacking a distinct plumage). In July it is winter in this part of the world, and many migrating birds were obviously not present in the region when I was there. Ducks, birds of prey like raptors and falcons, a lot of aquatic waders, swallows and many of the smaller birds had migrated to warmer areas further north in Africa at wintertime.

On this page some of the seen birds are shown, in no particular order. And a list covering the identified birds seen in South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, and Zimbabwe is found at the bottom of this page. Not great photos, for sure, but I did not bring any decent lens on this trip.

African Skimmer over the Zambezi River

African Fish Eagle

Giant Kingfisher

White-backed Vulture

Marabou Stork at a buffalo carcass

Well hidden African Skimmer chick, on the sandbanks of Zambezi River

African Skimmer breeding area along the Zambezi River

African Barred Owlet

Blacksmith Plover

Goliath Heron (the world largest heron)

Lilac-breasted Roller

Dark-capped Bulbul

Yellow-bellied Greenbul

Helmeted Guineafowl

Red-billed Francolin

Yellow-billed Stork

Saddle-billed Stork

White-fronted Bee-eater breeding colony, with a baboon on watch

White-fronted Bee-eater

African Darter

African Wattled Plover

Long-crested Eagle

Ground Hornbill