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birding habitats

South Africa's grassland habitats support a varied and high proportion of endemic species.

The highest altitude grasslands occur in the Drakensberg and three bird species are restricted to this habitat, namely Drakensberg Rockjumper, Mountain Pipit and Drakensberg Siskin.

The medium-altitude grasslands are home to endemic species such as Southern Bald Ibis, Yellow-breasted Pipit, Rudd's and Botha's Lark as well as the critically endangered Blue Swallow, White-winged Flufftail and Wattled Crane.

South Africa has various types of forest habitats.

Specials to be found in the sand forests of northern KwaZulu-Natal include African Broadbill, Woodward's Batis, Eastern Nicator and Pink-throated Twinspot.

Endemic afro-montane forest birds include Knysna Woodpecker, Bush Blackcap, Chorister Robin-Chat, Knysna Warbler, Forest Canary and Knysna Turaco.

The Coastal forest species include Green Malkoha, Spotted Ground-Thrush and Grey Sunbird.

Eastern Bronze-naped Pigeon, African Crowned Eagle, Wood Owl, White-starred Robin, Lemon Dove, Cape Parrot, Orange Ground Thrush, Grey Cuckoo-Shrike, Emerald Cuckoo and Blue-mantled Crested-Flycatcher are found in Riverine Forest which is associated with the wetter conditions along watercourses in the eastern part of the country.

The Savannah habitat is divided into thornveld which is dominated by Acacia trees and broad-leaved savannah dominated by Terminalia species. The savannah is home to many large eagles, including the Martial Eagle, Bateleur, African Hawk-Eagle, African Fish Eagle and Tawny Eagle. Other birds found in the savannah habitat include the brilliantly coloured Lilac-breasted Roller and White-fronted Bee-eater, the Southern Yellow-billed, Red-billed and Grey Hornbill, and White-crested and Retz's Helmet-Shrikes. Large terrestrial birds include the Kori Bustard, Southern Ground Hornbill and the Common Ostrich.

The Wetland habitats consist of marshes, inundated floodplains, swamps and seasonal pans. All provide habitats for a diversity of bird life and are the most globally important-habitats and threatened habitats. Species include Wattled and Grey-crowned Cranes, African Rail, Greater Bittern, Marsh Owl, White-winged and Red-chested Flufftail.

Fynbos is confined to the extreme south and west of the country. It supports several localised endemics such as Cape Rockjumper, Victorin's Warbler and Protea Canary.

The seashore is a narrow strip of either sandy beach or rock. The endemic African Black Oystercatcher is confined to this area.

Living on the open ocean is a diverse range of birds, including Shy Albatross, Southern Giant-Petrel and Sooty Shearwater.

View habitats of specific routes and areas