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Based on Hockey et al. (2005).

Palaeognathae

Order: Struthioniformes (Ostrich)

One family, the Struthionidae and only one living Species indigenous to southern Africa: the Ostrich Struthio camelus. There is one other living species, the Somali ostrich Struthio molybdophanes, which occurs in the horn of Africa.

Gallo-anserae

Order: Galliformes (guineafowls, quails, pheasants, francolins, grouse, turkeys)

Two Families indigenous to southern Africa: Phasianidae (francolins and quail) and Numididae (guineafowl)

Species of this order can be found anywhere in the world, living in a wide range of habitats. They forage on the ground, tending more to run then fly if disturbed, as their flight is difficult and tiresome for them. They nest in scrapes in the ground, usually lined with soft material, laying about 4-20 eggs. The chicks leave the nest immediately once they hatch, staying close to their mother until they grow independent.

Order: Anseriformes (ducks, whistling ducks, geese, swans, screamers)

Two Families indigenous to southern Africa: the Anatidae (ducks, geese) and the Dendrocygnidae (whistling ducks).

Ducks and geese are extremely common water birds, and are found almost everywhere in southern Africa. They live in wetlands of all types, as well as rivers, streams and estuaries.

Neoaves

Order: Turniciformes (buttonquails)

One family, the Turnicidae.

Order: Buceratiformes (hornbills)

There are two families: the Bucerotidae (typical hornbills), the females of which seal themselves, using a mud-like material such as faeces, in in the tree cavity, staying their until the oldest chick is a few weeks old; and the Bucorvidae, which includes two species, one of which, the Southern ground-hornbill Bucorvus leadbeateri, occurs in southern Africa. This species' eggs hatch in the sequence laid, meaning that the one chick is 3-14 days older than the other chick. The younger chick is unable to compete for food with its older sibling, and dies of starvation when it is 1, rarely 3-4 weeks old.

Order: Trogoniformes (trogons)

One family, the Trogonidae, in which there is only one Species indigenous to southern Africa, the Narina trogon Apaloderma narina.

The Narina trogon occurs in Africa south of the Sahel, from Ghana to Ethiopia, extending south to Angola and southern Africa, where it prefers to live in indigenous forest. It feeds mainly on invertebrates, such as caterpillars, Spiders and mantids, rarely feeding on small reptiles. It nests in natural tree cavities, which are notoriously difficult to find. It lays 2-4 eggs, which are incubated by both sexes, for 16-21 days. The chicks are brooded in the early stages of their life, staying the nest for 25-28 days. They remain with the parents months after fledging, even when they can get their own food.

Order: Coliiformes (mousebirds)

One family, Coliidae.

Mousebirds are endemic to Africa, and are common in many areas of southern Africa, living in a wide range of habitats. They eat mainly fruit, with the rest of their diet flowers, leaves and buds, amongst others. The nest is a small cup made of fine plant matter, made by both sexes and sometimes a helper. They lay 1-7 eggs, which are incubated by both sexes. The chicks stay in the nest for 10-20 days, after which they become independent.

Order: Cuculiformes (cuckoos and coucals)

Two families: the Cuculidae (cuckoos) and the Centropodidae (coucals).

Cuckoos and coucals are fairly common in many areas of southern Africa, and are interesting birds. Coucals are voracious predators, feeding on mammals, birds and insects, while cuckoos specialize in eating hairy caterpillars. Interestingly, cuckoos are brood parasites, laying their eggs in other birds nests. (These birds are known as hosts) The cuckoo chick usually kills the host's chicks once its born. Coucals are monogamous solitary nesters, making a large nest out of grass stems and leaves, with the male doing most of the incubation and caring for the chicks.

Order: Psittaciformes (parrots, parakeet and lovebirds)

One family, the Psittacidae.

Parrots occur mainly in the northern half of southern Africa, living in wide variety of habitats. They eat mainly seeds, with smaller amounts of fruit, nuts and invertebrates. They nest in a wide variety of sites, often in tree cavities. The incubation is usually done by the female, with the male doing most of the hunting. The chicks can take months to leave the nest, after which they are still dependent on their parents for weeks more.

Order: Apodiformes (swifts)

One family in southern Africa, Apodidae.

Swifts occur almost everywhere in the world except remote islands and polar areas. They are highly adept at flying, and can reach great heights and very fast speeds, with some species able to reach over 200 km/h! They are insectivores, eating small, aerial arthropods, always catching them on the wing. They live in large flocks, making nests of feathers and grass, glued together with saliva.

Order: Musophagiformes (turacos / louries)

One family in southern Africa, Musophagidae.

This is 1 of 2 orders endemic to Africa, the other being the mousebirds. Most turacos live in evergreen forest, mainly eating plant products, especially fruit. Their nest is a flimsy platform built of interlacing twigs. They usually lay 2-3 eggs, which are incubated buy both parents. The chicks leave the nest before they can fly, and for a few weeks they clamber around in trees, becoming independent soon after they fledge.

Order: Columbiformes (pigeons and doves)

One family, the Columbidae.

Pigeons and doves can be found everywhere in southern Africa, and are prolific in most habitats. They mainly eat fruits and seeds, with a small amount of invertebrates. They usually build their nest out of twigs and roots, placed in a tree or bush. Usually, 1 or 2 eggs are laid, which are always incubated by both sexes. The chicks usually stay in the nest for up to 20 days, after which they become fully independent.

Order: Passeriformes (perching birds)

Hockey PAR, Dean WRJ and Ryan PG 2005. Roberts - Birds of southern Africa, VIIth ed. The Trustees of the John Voelcker Bird Book Fund, Cape Town.

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Classification of birds encountered in southern Africa

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Based on Hockey et al. (2005). Palaeognathae Order: Struthioniformes (Ostrich) One family, the Struthionidae and only one living Species indigenous to southern Africa: the Ostrich Struthio camelus . There is one other living species, the Somali ostrich Struthio molybdophanes, which occurs in the horn of Africa.

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Some of the wildest and most colorful birds you could imagine are found here. From the gigantic, flightless Ostrich to the Pink Flamingo, there's something to catch everyone's attention!

Due to the sheer number of species, there was no way to include every bird in South Africa in this article. So instead, I tried to focus on the birds that are most regularly seen and observed.

Today, you will learn about 26 COMMON types of birds in South Africa!

#1. African Fish Eagle
Identifying Characteristics:
As the most popular bird in South Africa, this species is featured on flags of countries across the continent.
The African Fish Eagle symbolizes hope and freedom and is also known as the Screaming Eagle or the African Sea Eagle.
In addition to fish, they eat large birds, frogs, baby crocodiles, and carrion. They're even known to eat monkeys! Typically, they perch on a branch, then dive down in a graceful swoop to grab their dinner. Additionally, they love to steal prey from other birds for an easy meal on the go.
The African Fish Eagle's resoundingly clear call is sometimes known as The Spirit of South Africa.
This remarkable bird is a habitat generalist, meaning it can live in most climates. Its only true requirement is a large body of water, like a lake or the ocean. So, other than the desert, you can expect to see this bird no matter where you are in South Africa!

#2. African Grey Hornbill
Identifying Characteristics:
The first thing you'll notice about the African Grey Hornbill is its large beak. They look somewhat top-heavy, but the bill has internal supports and hollow chambers that keep it fairly light. Nevertheless, its top two neck vertebrae are fused, probably for additional support.

African Grey Hornbills have the most unusual breeding habits of any bird in South Africa!

The mother sheds all her flight feathers just before nesting time in preparation for the coming months. Then, the female encloses herself and the eggs inside with mud, poop, and fruit purée! The male brings food to the incubating mother and passes it through a tiny hole in the chamber wall. While she is incubating the eggs, she regrows her flight feathers.

Once the nestlings outgrow the hollow, she breaks out, reseals it, and then both parents feed the young through the small hole that remains. They probably deserve an award for their dedication to making more little African Grey Hornbills!

#3. African Paradise Flycatcher
Identifying Characteristics:

Adults are about 17 cm (6.7 in) long, but their tail streamers can double this length.

The coloring is typically black across the head, neck, and body, with chestnut wings and tail feathers. However, coloring is variable across subspecies. Its legs, beak, and rings around the eyes are blue.

The African Paradise Flycatcher confuses birders in South Africa because its coloring is highly variable. Although the wings and tail feathers usually contrast with the head and body, everything else about these birds' coloring depends on their location and environment.

Look for this species in dense, moist forests, bushlands, and plantations. It can even be seen in gardens or catching pest insects in orchards. When eating, they flutter their tail and use wing downbeats to hover in place. Their main food source is insects and spiders from the undersides of leaves.
The call of the African Paradise Flycatcher is as varied as its coloring but generally sounds like a shrill, loud "ahh-ahh."
#4. African Sacred Ibis
Identifying Characteristics:
The Sacred Ibis was integral to ancient Egyptian religious ceremonies. Unfortunately, it's now locally extinct in Egypt. However, it is still widespread in South Africa.

Its long scythe-like beak cuts through vegetation in marshes, swamps, and along riverbanks. It pokes in the muddy bottoms of small water bodies as it forages and visits mud flats far inland in search of food. You may even see them in garbage dumps, pasturelands, and freshly plowed fields, looking for earthworms.

The African Sacred Ibis has a variety of sounds, from a call similar to a yappy dog to a long, loud honk. This call, a long chirping noise, is one of their most common.

#5. Common Hoopoe
Identifying Characteristics:
Look for the Common Hoopoe in rural gardens, cities, plantations, savannas, and grasslands. They often spend time near piles of rotting leaves or a fallen log where insects, grubs, and worms will use it as a habitat. It's like a buffet for the Hoopoe!

This unusual-looking bird has a variety of defensive tactics. Its movable crest is used for advertising and intimidating potential predators and rival Hoopoes. If that doesn't work, this species is ready for a fight! They use their strong head and neck muscles to gouge their long, pointed beaks into opponents' eyes, which can blind them.

In addition to their fighting skill and intimidating looks, they produce a substance that smells of rotting meat. They cover themselves and their eggs with the substance to warn away predators. Nestlings even have their own scent gland that makes them unappetizing to predators.

#6. Common Ostrich
Identifying Characteristics:

Adults stand up to 2.8 meters (9 feet) tall and can weigh 154 kg (340 lbs).

Their plumage is dark on the body, with white wings and tail tips. Males are black, and females are brown.

The long legs and neck are buff to pinkish, sometimes with pale downy feathers. They have large feet with sharp talons and small heads.

The Common Ostrich is not only the largest bird in South Africa but also worldwide!

But that's not the only reason this giant species is remarkable. They can run at over 70 kph (43 mph), and their kick is powerful enough to kill a lion! Interestingly, all this athletic prowess is for survival only since Ostriches are predominantly herbivores. They eat the occasional lizard but prefer fruit, seeds, and grasses.

During the breeding season, they form harems of one male and between two and seven females. Then, they raise their young as a community. Each female can produce up to nine offspring, so this village is particularly important!
You might think Ostriches look practically prehistoric, and you'd be right! The lower parts of their legs are scaled for protection, as was typical for their dinosaur ancestors. Identifying Characteristics:
#7. Grey Crowned Crane

The endangered Grey Crowned Crane is one of the most distinctive birds in South Africa!

Unfortunately, this is one of the reasons for its decline. They are often captured and sold illegally as part of the exotic pet trade. Keeping a Grey Crowned Crane captive in nearly any setting except a zoo is illegal. Climate change and pesticide use are also seriously affecting their population.
While foraging, they often make a series of calls and songs.
In the wild, they breed in wetlands that are harder for predators to access, building solitary nests near the water's edge. Their long legs help navigate tall grass and water, with feet built more for balance than grasping. They also use their feet to find food! Grey Crowned Cranes stamp their feet as they walk, causing their prey to run and reveal itself. Then, they scoop up the food in their beaks.
Identifying Characteristics: Have a listen to how the Grey Go-away Bird got its name. Its call sounds remarkably like a person yelling, "Go Away!"
#8. Grey Go-Away Bird

Although its preferred habitat is acacia woodlands or savanna, the Grey Go-away bird has become more accustomed to people. As a result, you might find them in parks or yards, especially if you have a bird bath or pond.
Identifying Characteristics:
One surefire way to attract this species is with fruit trees, including figs and berries. Unfortunately, farmers consider them a pest species because they like to congregate, and a group of 20-30 Grey Go-away Birds can cause havoc in an orchard. Interestingly, it's now the farmers yelling go away instead of the birds!

#9. Hadada Ibis

Despite its large and relatively round shape, the Hadada Ibis spends much of its time in trees! This species roosts and nests in branches, which can be particularly dangerous for their young. Nestlings frequently fall to their death because the platform is built in a high fork of a tree, and it is flat, with no protective lip to keep the young inside.
Its name derives from the sound of its loud call.
Although it's comfortable in trees, the Hadada Ibis forages for food on the ground. They feed on multitudes of insects and larvae, which is a boon to those who work outside.
Identifying Characteristics:
For example, gardeners appreciate their visits since they eat snails and don't damage the plants. Greenskeepers like them too, because they remove moth and beetle larvae that eat the roots of grasses. They also dig up earthworms with their long curved beak.

#10. Hamerkop
They're also rather noisy, cackling and yapping while they hunt and socialize.
You might have seen pictures of the Hamerkop on its favorite perch - the back of a hippopotamus! This water bird likes to hunt from these living platforms, and the hippos don't seem to mind.
Identifying Characteristics:
An easy way to identify this bird in South Africa is to look for its incredible nest. They build a huge nest (up to two meters tall) in a tree fork, with only a tiny side entrance. The same nest can be used for up to four years unless it is disturbed in some way, which happens more often than you might think.

#11. Helmeted Guinea Fowl

These chicken-like birds in South Africa are capable of flight but only do so when in danger.

Instead, they walk up to 10 kilometers (6 miles) daily in their quest for food. They'll eat anything from small mammals and lizards to worms, insects, frogs, small snakes, snails, seeds, fruit, and spiders.

Outside breeding season, they form flocks of up to 24 birds and roost communally so they can alert each other to predators. They have an explosive take-off and only flap for short distances, gliding for longer flights. They prefer to flee from predators on land and can run 35 kph (22 mph) on land.
Identifying Characteristics:
Helmeted Guineafowl have various calls, and some are more pleasant than others. For example, their whistling tune is much nicer on the ears than the raucous and irritating one found here.

#12. Hooded Vulture

The Hooded Vulture is more mild-mannered than most other scavengers in South Africa.

As a result, it's developed skills to make sure they can eat before more aggressive vultures chase it off from a carcass. It often arrives first, takes a small meal, and moves on, eating more frequently and in smaller portions.

Another way this species has adapted is to start visiting slaughterhouses and garbage dumps. Here, they take advantage of easy meals. The clever part is that the bigger, more aggressive vultures are not comfortable around humans, so Hooded Vultures avoid conflict.
Identifying Characteristics:
Despite finding ways to adapt and survive, Hooded Vultures are still considered critically endangered. Often, when poachers kill big game, they remove the valuable parts and then poison the carcass with pesticides. These toxins kill any vultures that come to feed, so rangers won't see vultures circling the carcasses, and the criminals have more time to get away.

#13. Lesser Flamingo

This fascinating species is impossible to confuse with any other bird in South Africa!

Have you ever wondered why Flamingos are pink? Interestingly, their primary food source is Spirulina algae, which contains photosynthetic pigments that turn the birds pink.

Unfortunately, their bright coloring and relatively large size make them a target for many predators. Common culprits are big cats, eagles, pelicans, foxes, jackals, hyenas, vultures, and baboons. To protect themselves and their young, they form gigantic flocks called crèches. Here, babies can number up to 100,000 individuals watched over by several adults.
Identifying Characteristics:
Lesser Flamingos are among the most successful species in their family, but that doesn't mean they aren't in trouble. On the international scale, they are listed as "Near Threatened" because of habitat loss, human land development, limited breeding sites, and heavy metal poisoning in some lakes.

#14. Lilac-Breasted Roller

The Lilac-breasted Roller has an aggressive attitude, particularly when defending its nest. It will ascend 144 meters (472 feet) to dive bomb much larger raptors. And it will juke and roll to attack other intruders.

They are primarily insectivores, but they also eat scorpions, snails, lizards, rodents, and even other birds. They use their wings to batter prey into submission, then eat it whole.
Identifying Characteristics:
Lilac-breasted Rollers make a remarkably loud and frightening sound as it plummets from the sky to attack.

#15. Little Bee-Eater

Little Bee-eaters are the smallest species of African bee-eater. These birds are quite tame and friendly. They make practically no sound except for a quietly trilled "s-s-e-e-e-p."

As their name implies, these little birds subsist on hornets, wasps, and bees. But, they've found an efficient way to avoid being stung by their favorite foods. Before they eat them, they smash their prey's stinger into a hard surface several times to extract it.
Identifying Characteristics:
Look for groups of Little Bee-eaters lined up, roosting communally on a branch. These tight-knit communities spend time together year-round. For example, a non-breeding pair will help feed chicks and even sit on the eggs to help out. Some nesters can have as many as five helpers raising the nestlings.
This gigantic species stands taller than some adult humans and has an incredibly large wingspan.
#16. Marabou Stork

The Marabou Stork is the largest carrion bird in South Africa!
Identifying Characteristics:
Look for these birds, also called "Undertaker Birds", circling above carcasses or garbage dumps. They fly with their neck retracted but keep their feet out, using them as a steering rudder. They occasionally take live prey, including flamingo chicks and crocodile hatchlings.

#17. Pied Crow

Adults are 46-52 cm (18-20 in) long.

Their coloring is completely black, except for the stark white "vest" between their wings and across their chest.

If you've ever wondered about the difference between a crow and a raven, studying the Pied Crow is a good way to learn! This bird in South Africa is considered a "link" between the two related families. It has the larger bill and long legs of a raven, as well as wider wings and a longer tail. However, its beak is small and straight like a crow's, and it also has the typical "caw" call.

Pied Crows are often found near humans, but they don't interact with people very much. They seem to like villages and towns, probably because of the abundance of food due to human refuse.
Identifying Characteristics:
They are social and may congregate near an abundance of food but are generally found in pairs or small groups. Pied Crows eat reptiles and mammals, nestlings and eggs, insects and invertebrates, peanuts, grains, carrion, and human trash. If there is a slaughterhouse in the vicinity, you'll almost certainly find them there, too.

#18. Pied Kingfisher

Pied Kingfishers are the largest hovering bird in South Africa.

They often hover over a body of water, hunting until they spot a likely victim. Then, they drop vertically into the water, grab their prey, and leap out again. In addition, they often eat small prey in flight, allowing them to hunt small insects continuously without the need to return to shore.
Identifying Characteristics:
Compared with other kingfishers, this species is gregarious and friendly. They often roost together in large groups at night. Pied Kingfishers are nearly always found close to large bodies of water.

#19. Pin-Tailed Whydah
This species is considered a brood parasite, meaning the female lays her eggs in the nest of other species. Unlike some other brood parasites, the Pin-Tailed Whydah doesn't destroy the host bird's eggs, which means other species can still thrive alongside it. Then, once the eggs hatch, the mother takes care of the Pin-tailed Whydah hatchlings along with her own. Identifying Characteristics:

Adults are 12-13 cm (4-5 in) long, but males have exceptionally long tails - up to 20 cm (8 in)!

Males are black on the back, head, and wings, with a white belly and throat.

Females are light brown with black streaks.

Both sexes have a short, conical, red-orange beak.

Look for Pin-tailed Whydahs in grassland habitats. It's a common bird in South Africa south of the Sahara.

#20. Secretarybird

The Secretarybird in South Africa gets its name from the quill-like feathers on the back of its head.
Identifying Characteristics:
This large bird hunts on the ground, but it has a fascinating way of grabbing a meal. Its neck isn't flexible or long enough to reach the ground quickly. So, when they find their prey, they stomp on it until it stops moving! Then, they kneel on their long legs to pick it up and eat once it's incapacitated.

They'll happily consume large insects, crabs, mammals, lizards, tortoises, smaller birds, and snakes, including VENOMOUS species. Interestingly, they're known to search the ground after a forest fire and eat cooked meat.
Their sounds are loud and raucous, a "ko-ko-ko-ko" or "kada-kada-kada."
#21. Southern Yellow-Billed Hornbill
Identifying Characteristics:
Look for this bird in South Africa on dry savannas with sparse tree cover. This powerfully built species flies with heavy wingbeats that alternate with long periods of gliding.

The Southern Yellow-billed Hornbill forages on the ground for insects, their larvae, and seeds. They don't dig into the ground like some other hornbill species. However, they will use their long, curved beak to flip over rocks and debris in their search for food.

#22. Speckled Pigeon

It's not uncommon for hundreds of Speckled Pigeons to form a flock and inhabit the exterior of large human structures. They're the primary food source for birds of prey that live in large cities.
Identifying Characteristics:
Although their shape and behavior are similar to typical urban rock pigeons, Speckled Pigeons are much larger. This species is the largest pigeon in South Africa at nearly 41 cm (16 inches) long.

Even if the Speckled Pigeon's call is understated and melodic, it can be overwhelming when hundreds are singing at once. It sounds like "OooOOOuu" repeated a dozen times or more in a row.

#23. Village Weaver

Adults are 15-17 cm (6-7 in) long.

Males have a black face with a bright red eye, a bright yellow chest, a brown cowl down the back of the head, and splotchy black and yellow wings.

Females are largely yellow (including the head), with pale olive stripes on the upper parts and buff-yellow chest and underparts.

These communal birds can be quite noisy, as they spend most of their time in their nests calling to one another.
The Village Weaver has some of the most interesting nesting habits of any bird in South Africa.
Identifying Characteristics:
For one, the nests themselves look like Christmas ornaments! They're woven balls of grass and feathers that hang from the branches of trees. Additionally, male Village Weavers build the nests alone and defend them to attract a mate. Think of this as showing off your big, new house to your date!
Its conservation status has gone from Least Concern to Critically Endangered in just fifteen years. Power lines, poisoned carrion, pesticides, and poaching are also contributing factors.
Once a female chooses a nest (and a mate), she fills it with bedding and lays her eggs. Then, the male finds another mate and begins the process again! Despite having up to five broods at a time, the male Village Weaver contributes to the feeding and care of all his hatchlings.

#24. White-backed Vulture
Identifying Characteristics:
This species has seen the most rapid decline of any bird in South Africa.

Part of the reason for their decline is that White-backed Vultures are very tame and will happily wander into town to look for food. Unfortunately, it's vulnerable to kidney failure due to poisoning from diclofenac, a drug widely used by humans for pain, inflammation, arthritis, and gout.
This species has a dry, high-pitched, rattling call.
In addition to diclofenac poisoning, fires have recently eliminated much of their breeding territory, adding to the decline. Their extremely long breeding cycle is another strain on their population. White-backed Vultures have to incubate their eggs for two months and care for nestlings for four to five months.
Identifying Characteristics: The really interesting thing about kingfishers is you can instantly tell whether they live on fish or insects by the color of their beaks! As with the Woodland Kingfisher, orange beaks indicate an insect diet, and other colors like black or blue mean a fish-heavy diet. The sound of their song is usually one sharp note, a pause, then about 20 trills of a descending note.
#25. White-Throated Bee Eater
These books will provide you with much more information!
White-throated Bee Eaters congregate in large groups, which protects them from predators. They also raise their young communally, sharing the duties of protecting nests and bringing food to nestlings.
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Like others of their family, White-throated Bee Eaters eat hornets, wasps, and bees, catching them in mid-flight by leaping from a low perch. Before they eat them, however, they remove their prey's stinger by jamming it into a hard surface several times to extract it. That's a straightforward way to make sure your meal is safe to eat!

#26. Woodland Kingfisher

Woodland Kingfishers are unusual because they can mimic other birds with the way they stand. When they squat and puff out their feathers, they tend to look like a sparrow, and if they stand taller, they are more like a robin. Females stand up tall more often to advertise to a potential mate. They also spread their wings wide to appear as large and colorful as possible.

Do you need help identifying birds in Africa?

Which of these birds in South Africa have you seen before?

Check out these guides to other animals found in South Africa!

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26 COMMON Birds Found in South Africa! (2023)

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Some of the wildest and most colorful birds you could imagine are found here. From the gigantic, flightless Ostrich to the Pink Flamingo, there's something to catch everyone's attention! Due to the sheer number of species, there was no way to include every bird in South Africa in this article.

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Cape Turtle Dove

The Cape Turtle Dove's song is a 3 syllable song which people commonly relate to the mnemonic "Work Harder" or "Drink Lager". But you can come up with any mnemonic you want from any 3 syllable phrase. Something obvious like "Cape Turtle" can work!

Laughing Dove

The Laughing Dove is named after its call, which sounds a bit like a chortled laugh.

Red-Eyed Dove

Similar to the cape-turtle dove, your best bet is to find a 6 syllable mnemonic that works for you. A common one is "I am a red eyed dove", or to stick with the lager theme, "What do we drink? Lager!"

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Garden Birds of Johannesburg, Pretoria and Gauteng

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The Cape Turtle Dove's song is a 3 syllable song which people commonly relate to the mnemonic "Work Harder" or "Drink Lager". But you can come up with any mnemonic you want from any 3 syllable phrase. Something obvious like "Cape Turtle" can work!

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LIVE BIRDS from SOUTH AFRICA! (Over 50 species seen in 2023) *Watch for Bats & Primates at night*

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Our list of wildlife visitors that enjoy visiting our stunning feeder.