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Bird Safari

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BIRD SAFARI (Gjesvaer) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go

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A whale of a time

From the meeting point in Honningsvag to the boat tour, an excellent time. Our van driver John was friendly, spoke enough English to get us to the tour. He stopped for reindeer close to the road so we...

The Bird Spotting is Good, the Whole Experience was Exhilerating.

Our cruise on the specially designed arctic boat lasted for about 90 minutes and took us around the Gjesværstappen, a necklace of islands that's a protected nesting area for millions of Puffins, Kitt...

Not five, but ten stars!

Not five, but ten stars! A great opportunity to see many interesting birds. It's not just puffins only !!! Very professional work. Great service. Made the trip even though there were only 4 of us. We...

Amazing sight but we were lucky with good weather

This was about a two hour boat tour around this archipelago to see an amazing collection of birds, including puffins and eagles. It was a small trawler type boat that was not super comfortable but per...

Too crowded and not worth the money

They crowded two large bus loads of people from our cruise ship onto this boat. There were not enough seats for all of us to sit down. The safety essentials were not explained - location of life jac...

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Join us to one of Europes largest bird colonies, traveling with bus through breath taking scenery along fjords and mountains. Learn our way of life on a boat journey, exploring arctic wildlife. Get up close to puffins, eagles and gannets in a nature reserve.

The tour starts in Honningsvåg. Our bus is waiting for you by the cruise pier, next to the tourist information. The ride across the island is beautiful, offering views of ocean, fjords and mountain scenery. After 30 minutes we arrive the fishing village of Gjesvær, a picturesque settlement with history stretching back to the Viking Era. Here we embark the boat that will take us to the Gjesværstappan Nature Reserve, 15 km west of the North Cape. We will be at the bird cliffs 10 minutes after departure from the pier. On the way you may use one of the arctic suits to insure a warm and comfortable experience. Onboard you can get a cup of coffee, biscuits and souvenirs. You can move freely onboard. We will address any question you might have. Even the captain is at your disposal. There are toilette facilities on the boat. As we sail around the bird islands you can observe one of Norway’s largest groups of puffins and kittiwakes. The puffins, easily recognisable by their colourful beak, nest in holes in the grassy hills. The nesting period, from April to September, teems with life in the air and on land. Majestic White-tailed Eagles can be seen hovering overhead as they hunt for prey. Guillemots, Razorbills, Cormorants, Arctic Skuas, Fulmars, and Gannets are also part of the flourishing life at the colony. After the boat excursion we return to the village before we travel back to Honningsvåg. Included: Guided boat excursion exploring one of Europe largest bird colonies Scenic ride across an arctic island, along mountains and fjords Chance to get up close to arctic wildlife Visit to the idyllic fishing village Gjesvær Unique nature experience with plenty of photo opportunities Practical information Meeting place: Tourist information, next to the cruise pier in Honningsvåg Duration: 3 hours Means of transportation: Bus and boat Please note: You may choose between the private and public tour. Read more about the alternatives below. PRIVATE TOUR: By private we mean that the minibus and our services are at your private disposal. If you are travelling alone or with your spouse, family, friends or colleagues – and you want a more personalized experience with an increased level of flexibility – then this is the tour for you. This tour is for up to 6 persons, but you may add more participants if you like in the next booking step. Unlike our public tour, other people cannot sign up to fill the remaining seats. You pay for all the seats in the minibus (or big bus) regardless of the size of your group. PUBLIC TOUR: This tour is for everyone. There has to be minimum 4 participants for the tour to take place. As an individual traveler you may still book this excursion. In the event there are not enough participants we will contact you ahead of time and issue a full refund for your booking. Welcome to a lifetime adventure, bringing you up close to puffins, eagles and gannets in a nature reserve.

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Stappan Sjøprodukter AS

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                  Bird safari

                               Stappan wildlife reserve

Come with us on a fantastic nature experience and be among millions of birds in a landscape you cannot find anywhere else except on this part of the Artic Circle on top of the world.  The famous Stappan Nature Park is one of Europe’s biggest bird paradise where the birds are protected and thrive and can be seen up close with the special Bird Safari we have to offer.

We conduct this great adventure tour, using a unique boat designed for its safety and size and comfort.  Our 20 years of experience of organizing and making these safari trips have taught us how the experience can become optimal with the use of our  boat so that we can get close up to many of the bird types and bird colonies found at this beautiful and unique nature park.

On this safari, visitors can see up close and almost touch, birds like puffin, cormorant, razor-billed hawk, white-tailed eagle and many other varieties of birds that reside and visit this Island.  At times we come across other animals visiting and surrounding the Island like seals and maybe Wales and dolphines   Using the style boat we have, its possible to get very close up to several bird colonies that you normally could never get to with other boats and approaches.

All the passengers will get dressed with regatta suits that fulfill the requirements to safety and comfort.

Bird safari with MK-Aurora

Season 10.06 - 10-08

Trip duration: about 1.5 hours

Max number of persons on board: 6 persons

Show up 30 minutes before departure for changing clothes and information about the trip.

Send request or booking.

E.mail: [email protected]

Phone: +47 950 37 722

The tours should be booked in advance

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Puffins arrive the area around Gjesværstappan already in marth, and on the bird island the 14th April every year after spending the winter in the North Sea area. Puf- fins can be recognised by their large colourful beak. They are monogamous, and stay with their mate for life. To lay their single egg, they dig a small hole in the ground

or lay it in scree. A puffin weighs approximately 400 or 500 grams, and can be up to 29cm in length. Their main source of food is fish shoals found in the open sea.

Stappan Sjøprodukter AS   2024

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Everything You Need to Know About Bird Watching in Kruger National Park

Jan 11, 2021 | Bird Watching

The Kruger National Park is one of South Africa ’s most popular safari destinations. Each year, thousands of travellers make their way to this iconic park to experience jaw-dropping scenery, unique wildlife encounters, and some of the finest game viewing in Southern Africa. However, for many visitors who book a Kruger National Park safari, it’s all about the birds.

In the following post, we offer a guide to bird watching in Southern Africa, focussing on the Kruger National Park. In the guide we discuss:

• The most common birds in the Kruger National Park,
• Our recommended packing list for your birding safari including the best birding guides, bird watching apps and binoculars for birdwatching.

Top 5 Birds of the Kruger National Park

Of the 900 bird species in Southern Africa, approximately 500 can be seen in the park, whose birdlife is as diverse as its landscape.

Each summer, between November and March, the park’s population expands by 200 migrant species that have flown south either from Eurasia and elsewhere in Africa.

We recommend you keep an eye out for the following birds on your safari vacation:

1. Pel’s Fishing-Owl

A firm favourite, Pel’s Fishing Owl tops many birdwatcher’s lists. It can be spotted hunting along the Luvuvhu River or the Olifants River in the late afternoon.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Birds of South Africa (@birdsofsouthafrica) on Apr 8, 2019 at 10:51pm PDT

This elusive species is usually hidden away in the tropical foliage along the banks of rivers. Recent surveys suggest that their numbers in the park remain low, making sighting this majestic bird a truly rare yet memorable one.

2. Lilac-breasted Roller

A common and quintessential sighting, the Lilac-breasted Roller is a small yet breathtakingly beautiful resident of the park.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Pablo Ciarlante (@monorural) on Jun 15, 2019 at 9:44pm PDT

Preferring open woodlands and savanna, you’re likely to spot one perched on the branch of a tree, with its iridescent green head, lilac breast, and blue wings, surveying the area for prey which includes beetles, grasshoppers, and small lizards.

3. Lappet-faced Vulture

The largest of the vulture family, the Lappet-faced Vulture boasts a wingspan of close to three metres. It weighs up to 10 kilograms and stands almost one metre tall.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Holidayhouse Mhofu (@mhofu_marloth_krugerpark) on Apr 5, 2019 at 1:35am PDT

Its population is on the decline in Africa, due to its body parts being in high-demand in traditional medicine. This makes the Kruger National Park somewhat of a sanctuary to these birds that spend much of the day soaring at speeds of around 50 kilometres per hour.

4. Southern Carmine Bee-eater

The exquisite Southern Carmine Bee-eater is a migratory species, spending the summer in South Africa before migrating to equatorial Africa from March to August.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by South African Tourism (@visitsouthafrica_uk) on May 28, 2019 at 12:22am PDT

They can usually be spotted along river valleys and floodplains and are identifiable by a greenish-turquoise head, richly-coloured pinkish red (carmine) chest, and blue back and rump.

5. Martial Eagle

Africa’s largest eagle, the aptly-named Martial Eagle weighs in at almost 6.5kg (14 pounds), has a wingspan of almost two metres (6 feet 4 inches) and stands almost one metre high.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Rene vd Schyff Photography (@renevdschyff) on Jun 18, 2019 at 9:59am PDT

With a dark brown head and neck, and a white belly with black streaks, they spend most of their time perched high above in the treetops. Martial Eagles are most active between 10 am and 3 pm.

Now that you know some of the most iconic birds to look out for on your Kruger National Park birding vacation, here’s what gear you’ll need to pack.

What to pack for a birding vacation in South Africa

Bird guides for southern africa.

If you’re planning to visit Kruger National Park, then you will need a copy of the iconic Roberts Birds of Southern Africa or the Sasol Birds of Southern Africa .

These are arguably the best field guides for bird watching, catering to all levels of birders from novice all the way through to professional birders — although the latter could probably identify most birds without the help of a guide. As the most comprehensive and up-to-date field guides, these are an invaluable source of information for travellers on safari in Kruger National Park.

Birding apps for your smartphone

Newman’s Birds app is one of the most popular birding apps in South Africa and is based on Newman’s Birds of Southern Africa, a much-loved birding guide that was first published in 1983. The app features a range of 975 bird species, 1,000 photographs, over 1,300 labelled illustrations and 800 bird calls.

The Sasol eBirds of Southern Africa app is a digital version of the popular field guide and features more than 950 bird species found in the Southern African region, including calls for over 630 species.

One of its best features is the “smart search” function, allowing users to identify any bird using variables like colour, beak shape, size, and habitat. For travellers visiting Kruger National Park, make sure you download the Sasol eBirds of the Kruger National Park app, which features more than 500 species of birds with 1,700 photographs to help you identify your sighting.

Binoculars for bird watching

If you’re headed to the Kruger National Park on the lookout birds, the main piece of equipment you’ll need to pack is a good pair of binoculars. It’s important you understand the magnification of your binoculars, as the higher the magnification, the more difficult it is to keep the binoculars and image steady, which is why most birders opt for 8 x 42 or 10 x 42 magnification.

There is a range of binoculars on the market to suit any birding enthusiast’s needs. An affordable pair of Noptix 10 x 42 binoculars are perfect for beginners, while the Nikon 7576 MONARCH 5 8×42 Binoculars are great for intermediate or professional bird watchers. Ultimately, bird watchers need an eagle eye to spot the bird they’re looking for and a quick and steady hand to get the bird in their binocular’s crosshairs.

We hope you’ve enjoyed this post about bird watching in the Kruger National Park. If you’d like help booking your birding safari in Southern Africa, contact us and we’ll design a tailored itinerary based on your bird watching bucket list.

Armed with the best bird guides, apps, and binoculars, travellers keen on viewing some of Kruger National Park’s incredible bird species have everything they need. Happy twitching!

If you’re a birding fan, let us know your favourite sightings!

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African Birdwatching Tours

Africa offers some of the best birding safaris in the world. Birds are an integral part of the African landscape. Even on an ordinary safari, you can expect to see colorful bee-eaters and rollers, proud eagles and ostriches. Because it’s dominated by open savannah rather than dense rainforest, Africa tops the list for seeing a large number of species in the course of an ordinary holiday. Many leading African safari destinations boast a checklist of more than 500 bird species. These include Serengeti National Park (Tanzania), Kruger National Park (South Africa) and Queen Elizabeth National Park (Uganda). If you’ve been bitten by the birding bug, a specialist guided safari will maximize your sighting opportunities.

16-Day Wildlife & Birding Tour of Uganda

$9,617 to $10,241 pp (USD)

Uganda: Private tour Mid-range Lodge & Guest House

You Visit: Entebbe (Start) , Mabamba Swamp, Murchison Falls NP, Toro-Semliki WR, Kibale NP (Chimps) , Queen Elizabeth NP, Bwindi NP (Gorillas) , Lake Mburo NP, Entebbe (End)

Wayfairer Travel

4.9 /5  –  149 Reviews

12-Day Birding Uganda's North with Kidepo NP

$3,795 pp (USD)

Uganda: Private tour Budget Lodge & Tented Camp

You Visit: Entebbe (Start) , Kampala (City) , Sipi Falls (Highlight) , Kidepo Valley NP, Murchison Falls NP, Entebbe Airport (End)

Shoebill Safaris

4.8 /5  –  20 Reviews

4-Day Magoroto and Lushoto Trip

$770 pp (USD)

Tanzania: Shared tour (max 4 people per vehicle) Budget Lodge & Tented Camp

You Visit: Arusha (Start) , Lushoto (Town) , Irente Viewpoint (Usambaras) , Amani NR (Usambaras) , Arusha (End)

Africa Magic Holidays and Tours

5.0 /5  –  36 Reviews

6-Day Uganda Savannah Birding Safari

$3,714 to $4,085 pp (USD)

You Visit: Entebbe (Start) , Lake Mburo NP, Entebbe (End)

Legit Holidays and Travels

5.0 /5  –  6 Reviews

3-Day Exclusive Birding Safari

$1,298 to $1,522 pp (USD)

Kenya: Private tour Mid-range Lodge & Hotel

You Visit: Nairobi (Start) , Lake Nakuru NP, Lake Bogoria NR, Hell’s Gate NP, Nairobi (End)

Morning Star Tours & Travel

4.9 /5  –  165 Reviews

3-Day Best of Southern -Circuit -Nyerere National Park

$1,705 pp (USD)

Tanzania: Private tour Mid-range Tented Camp

You Visit: Dar Es Salaam (Start) , Nyerere NP, Dar Es Salaam (End)

African Travel Tour

4.9 /5  –  21 Reviews

18-Day Uganda Birding Tour (Albertine Rift and Mabamba)

$6,406 pp (USD)

You Visit: Entebbe (Start) , Mabamba Swamp, Ruhija (Bwindi NP) , Bwindi NP (Gorillas) , Ishasha Sector (Queen Elizabeth NP) , Queen Elizabeth NP, Kibale NP (Chimps) , Semuliki NP, Masindi (Town) , Budongo Forest (Chimps) , Murchison Falls NP, Ziwa Rhino and Wildlife Ranch, Entebbe (End)

African Rock Safaris

4.9 /5  –  17 Reviews

14-Day Albertine Rift Endemic Birding

$3,748 pp (USD)

You Visit: Entebbe (Start) , Mgahinga Gorilla NP (Gorillas) , Ruhija (Bwindi NP) , Bwindi NP (Gorillas) , Buhoma (Bwindi NP) , Rwenzori Mountains (Mountain Range) , Semuliki NP, Entebbe (City) , Entebbe Airport (End)

Vivid Adventure Safaris

4.0 /5  –  6 Reviews

10-Day Birding Uganda and Game Drives

$4,948 pp (USD)

Uganda: Private tour Mid-range Lodge & Hotel

You Visit: Entebbe (Start) , Mabamba Swamp, Murchison Falls NP, Kibale NP (Chimps) , Semuliki NP, Queen Elizabeth NP, Mweya Penisula (Queen Elizabeth NP) , Ishasha Sector (Queen Elizabeth NP) , Buhoma (Bwindi NP) , Entebbe Airport (End)

Arcadia Safaris

5.0 /5  –  2 Reviews

11-Day Birding in Uganda and Wild Safari

$3,592 pp (USD)

Uganda: Private tour Mid-range Lodge & Tented Camp

You Visit: Entebbe (Start) , Entebbe Airport (Entebbe) , Lake Victoria, Kibale NP (Chimps) , Queen Elizabeth NP, Bwindi NP (Gorillas) , Lake Bunyonyi, Lake Mburo NP, Entebbe (End)

Trek Rwenzori Tours

5.0 /5  –  1 Reviews

3-Day Amboseli Birding Safari

$880 to $1,100 pp (USD)

Kenya: Private tour Luxury Lodge

You Visit: Nairobi (Start) , Amboseli NP, Nairobi (End)

Kashipa Adventures

12-Day Best of Ethiopia Birding Tour Around

$4,376 pp (USD)

Ethiopia: Shared tour (max 15 people per vehicle) Mid-range Lodge & Resort

You Visit: Addis Ababa (Start) , Debre Libanos (Highlight) , Awash NP, Langano, Awasa (City) , Bale Mountains NP, Addis Ababa (End)

Senait Ethiopia Tours

4.8 /5  –  30 Reviews

1-Day Mabamba Swamp Bird Watching Trip

$187 pp (USD)

Uganda: Day tour Private tour

You Visit: Kampala (Start) , Mabamba Swamp, Entebbe (End)

East African Jungle Safaris

5.0 /5  –  136 Reviews

13-Day Birding Ethiopia - Discover the Endemics

$4,939 pp (USD)

Ethiopia: Private tour Mid-range Lodge & Hotel

You Visit: Addis Ababa (Start) , Great Rift Valley, Langano, Abijatta-Shalla NP, Senkele Sanctuary (Wildlife Sanctuary) , Yirga Alem (Town) , Bale Mountains NP, Awash NP, Addis (City) , Addis Ababa (End)

SimienEcoTours

5.0 /5  –  24 Reviews

13-Day Ethiopian Birding Tour Package

$3,512 pp (USD)

Ethiopia: Shared tour (max 24 people per vehicle) Mid-range Lodge & Resort

You Visit: Addis Ababa (Start) , Awash NP, Aledeghi, Langano, Bale Mountains NP, Negele (Town) , Yabello WS (Wildlife Sanctuary) , Awasa (City) , Addis Ababa (End)

Finot Tour Ethiopia

4-Day In Search of the Endemics - Bale Mountains Park

$1,595 pp (USD)

Ethiopia: Private tour Budget Resort & Hotel

You Visit: Addis Ababa (Start) , Bale Mountains NP, Awasa (City) , Addis Ababa (End)

Yama Ethiopia Tours

1-Day Shoebill Stock &Birdwatching Trip Mabamba Wetlands

$165 pp (USD)

Uganda: Day tour Shared tour (max 7 people per vehicle)

You Visit: Entebbe (Start) , Mabamba Swamp, Entebbe (End)

Safari 2 Gorilla Tours

4.8 /5  –  47 Reviews

1-Day Mabamba Bay Swamp and Shoebill Tour

$105 pp (USD)

Beautiful Safaris Uganda

1-Day Shoebill Tracking at Mabamba - Pick from Ebbs/Kla

$550 pp (USD)

Pomelo-ibis Adventures

4.6 /5  –  5 Reviews

1-Day Mabamba Shoebill Tracking

Outback Adventure Safaris

5.0 /5  –  5 Reviews

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6 Questions About Birding Safari Tours

Answered by

Philip briggs.

Why should I choose an African birding safari?

“Obviously because you want to do a safari that will focus on birds, not the Big Five and other furry fauna. Africa supports a wonderfully varied and colorful birdlife. While you will see plenty of larger species on an ordinary safari, you are likely to double (even triple) the trip list on a bird safari. A well-constructed bird-watching tour will maximize the area’s potential in several ways. The safari will use expert birding guides, concentrate on locations that support interesting species and ignore all but the most special animal sightings. You will be out and about in the early morning and late afternoon, when avian activity tends to peak. These are all good reasons for serious enthusiasts to choose a dedicated bird-watching tour. However, be warned that the single-minded focus of a specialist bird tour might be a turn-off for safari-goers looking to balance birding with wildlife-viewing. ”

Do I need to be a birder to do a birding safari?

“Yes and no. It would be strange to book onto a bird-watching tour unless you had a strong interest in birds. So, certainly you would at least need to be an aspiring birder and carry suitable birding equipment such as a pair of good binoculars. Ideally, you would also have a field guide to the destination in question and the right frame of mind for birding. Otherwise, no real birding expertise is required from participants. Almost all birding tours will be led by an expert guide who’ll take responsibility for spotting and identifying the local bird species. In addition, there will most likely be a few experienced birders on the tour. They will delight in helping new birding safari-goers sort out the larks from longclaws. Learning in the field is all part of the fun. ”

Can my non-birding partner join me?

“Tough question. If your partner has no interest in birds and isn’t a particularly patient birdwatcher, they are likely to become very frustrated on a birding safari. More so if the safari concentrates on areas that also offer good general wildlife viewing. Birdwatchers are notoriously focused on looking for new birds to ‘tick’. They are prone to drive right past wildlife sightings – lions mating, cheetahs on a kill, elephants on the march. You should be fine if your partner is keen to start learning about birds or is just a very chilled person.”

Will there be an expert birding guide?

“There should be. If one isn’t advertised, you should certainly inquire before booking the tour. There are three different types of experts. The first type are international birders with a broad-ranging knowledge of African (and possibly other) birds. However, they don’t necessarily have any great experience of the destination. The second type are national bird guides who might lack the international experience or qualifications. But these guides do all, or most, of their guiding in the country you’re visiting and have a high level of local expertise. Third are local guides who work at one specific park or destination. They know the birds there so intimately they can identify difficult species at a glance. They also often know exactly where to locate eagerly sought local specialties. The ideal set-up to maximize the trip list would be an international birding expert paired with a competent national driver/guide. Both of whom would enlist the support of local specialist guides at key birding sites. ”

Is a birding trip more expensive than a general safari?

“As a rule, yes. The main reason for this is that almost all birding tours include an expert birding guide. The operator needs to pay that guide for their services. They also need to cover the guide’s travel expenses, including international flights if the guide is from outside the destination. In addition, many bird-watching itineraries cover quite remote areas to seek out unusual localized species. These areas are usually not visited by non-specialist tours. To help manage costs, many birders camp or stay at more basic accommodation since their priority is seeing birds, not hanging out in luxurious resorts and hotels. ”

What should I consider when choosing an African birding safari?

“Ideally, join a safari run by a specialist birding company that uses recognized international birding specialists as guides. This will be relatively expensive. Budget-conscious birders could consider other options; for example, booking a standard non-birding package and asking for a national guide with a good knowledge of birds. Or local guides travel around, so try to secure a good local guide on the spot. Come prepared. Good binoculars are essential (I’d favor 10 x 50 lenses. A compact 10 x 40 is also good but, in my opinion, lower magnifications such as 8 x 40 have too many limitations for birds.) It is also worth buying a local field guide before you travel. Read up about the special birds associated with the parks and other destinations you will be visiting. ”

Bird Safari

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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

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Bird Safari - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

Birdwatcher’s Guide: African Safari’s Must-See Birds

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When most people go on safari, they look forward to seeing animals like lions, rhinos, giraffes, elephants, and many others. Of course, these are incredible creatures to spot in the wild, but did you know that there are also almost  2,500 species of birds  in Africa?

The sheer diversity among African bird species is astonishing, from birds or prey to brightly colored, showy birds, aquatic birds, and everything in between. They live in a range of different habitats, including woodlands, the savanna, mountains, wetlands, and so many others so, no matter where you go in Africa, you’re sure to spot an abundance of birds.

If you love birds then this giant continent is one of the best places on the planet to spot a plethora of exciting species. In this article, I’ll provide a brief introduction to some of the most fascinating and where you can spot them.

Birds of Prey

Birds of prey, sometimes called raptors, are found in most places around the world. Their excellent hunting abilities are among the best in the animal kingdom, and Africa is home to some very interesting species.

1. Secretary Bird ( Sagittarius serpentarius )

The secretary bird is one of the most interesting bird species in Africa and has a very unique appearance. It’s a large bird, measuring up to 4.9 feet (1.5 meters) in height and has long legs with an eagle-like body. These birds are usually white with black markings including black plumage around the head and an orange mask around the eyes.

One of the most interesting things about the secretary bird is its feeding habits. These birds of prey primarily feed on snakes, but they don’t catch them in a traditional manner. Secretary birds will use their strong legs to stamp on a snake and kill it. They’ll often be seen  hanging around wildfires , waiting for potential prey to flee. 

Secretary birds are extremely territorial and will defend an area of up to 193 mi 2 (500 km 2 ) in breeding pairs.

Where to See Them

The secretary bird prefers open habitats where it can easily spot prey, such as savannas and grasslands. During the day, they’ll spend most of their time on the ground but will retire to roost in an acacia tree for the night.

They’re found across sub-Saharan Africa in countries like Kenya, Botswana, South Africa, and Namibia and can be seen in various national parks such as Kruger, Serengeti, Maasai Mara, and Chobe.

When to See Them

If you’re looking to spot the secretary bird then the good news is that they remain active year-round and don’t tend to migrate, save for going in search of water. However, they may be easier to spot between May and October, during the dry season, since there’s not as much vegetation for them to hide out in.

2. African Fish Eagle ( Haliaeetus vocifer )

The African fish eagle has a beautiful white head in contrast to its brown body, giving it that iconic eagle appearance. These large birds can grow up to 30 inches (76 cm) with a wingspan of up to 79 inches (201 cm). They’re often found in coastal areas where they will hunt for fish after waiting patiently in a nearby tree before swooping down on its prey.

African fish eagles have special structures on the toes called spiracles, which allow them to get a firm grip on their prey, which may otherwise slip from their grasp. However, they don’t just rely on fish for food, as their diet also consists of other birds and reptiles. Being a top predator, these birds help to control prey populations.

The African fish eagle lays two to three eggs during breeding season, and pairs form a bond, caring for two nests which they use from one season to the next.

The African fish eagle prefers a waterside habitat, so you’ll often see them around lakes and rivers, but they’re also common along the coast. They are found in sub-Saharan Africa in countries such as Botswana, Namibia, Kenya, Zimbabwe, and Tanzania.

Most people head to one of the national parks on safari, so if you’re keen to spot the African fish eagle, then try the Chobe National Park in Botswana, the Queen Elizabeth National Park in Uganda, the Maasai Mara National Reserve in Kenya, or the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania.

Being a diurnal species, your best chance of spotting the African fish eagle is by taking a daytime safari.

During the mid-morning through to the afternoon, you’ll often see African fish eagles looking for food around bodies of water. While they are active throughout the year, you’re more likely to see one in the dry season, between May and October since the water level drops, and they’re more easily able to hunt.

There’s a good chance you’ll hear this bird before you see it. It’s known for its loud call, which it makes while tossing its head backwards.

3. Martial Eagle ( Polemaetus bellicosus )

A large, majestic-looking eagle species, the martial eagle may grow up to 38 inches (97 cm) in length with a wingspan of 94 inches (240 cm)! They have mainly gray plumage with a short tail and short, hooked beak. This beak is used to rip apart the flesh of its prey.

And that’s one of the most fascinating things about this bird, which is sometimes called the leopard of the air due to its amazing hunting abilities. Not only is it equipped with a powerful beak and sharp talons , but this bird also has incredible vision, allowing it to spot prey from as far as 1.9 to 3 miles (3 to 5 km) away!

The martial eagle feeds on both mammalian and reptilian prey, with some reports of these birds going for small ungulates. But then, that’s not as much of a surprise when you consider that this is the largest eagle species in Africa.

Found across sub-Saharan Africa, the martial eagle can be spotted in some of the most well known national parks, including Etosha in Namibia, the Kruger National Park in South Africa, Chobe in Botswana, and the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania. However, these birds are also common in countries like Kenya, Zimbabwe, and Zambia.

Martial eagles tend to hunt first thing in the morning and again during the late afternoon, so this is definitely the best time to spot them.

It doesn’t matter what time of year you take your safari as these birds remain active within their habitats all the time. However, between May and October, during the dry season, the vegetation isn’t as dense, giving wildlife lovers a greater chance of spotting these amazing birds. What’s more, if you head to a water source, there’s a good chance you’ll find one there.

4. Tawny Eagle ( Aquila rapax )

Tawny eagles are one of smaller species within their genus but still grow to around 30 inches (76 cm) in length. This species is known for its complex diet consisting of both live prey and carrion, making them both opportunistic and scavengers. This behavior means that they are often spotted in urban areas around refuse dumps and slaughterhouses.

The tawny eagle is, compared to other eagle species, lacking a beautiful appearance but that’s not to say it isn’t a fascinating animal. What’s more, being a primary predator, they help to keep prey populations in check. However, they are known to take kills from smaller animals, which can be problematic.

A big problem for the tawny eagle is nest predation since they make very open nests that almost serve as an invite for predators. When they choose their nest site, monogamous pairs can become very territorial.

The tawny eagle is one of the most widely distributed birds in Africa and can be found pretty much everywhere on the continent.

They’re common in many of the national parks, including Serengeti in Tanzania, Maasai Mara National Reserve in Kenya, Etosha in Namibia, and many more. While looking for these birds, you’ll more than likely find them in grasslands, open woodlands, and on the savanna. They prefer a semi-arid habitat.

Like many birds in Africa, the tawny eagle tends to hunt in the early morning or late afternoon when the temperature is cooler and their prey, like birds, small mammals, and reptiles, are more active; this is a great time of day to spot them.

As with other birds I have discussed, the tawny eagle is likely to be found around a water source during the dry season.

5. Steppe Eagle ( Aquila nipalensis )

The steppe eagle has a very typical appearance of a raptor with rich brown plumage and a hooked yellow bill. It has a robust build and can grow to around 35 inches (89 cm), although it’s not uncommon for the females to be larger than the males, making it easy to tell them apart.

Steppe eagles breed between March and April and will often put on territorial aerial displays during this period. However, after breeding, it has been reported that this species has adapted to migrating in search of food. One of their main prey animals is the ground squirrel, which seems to become less abundant in their breeding grounds at certain times of the year.

The steppe eagle is a popular visitor to many of the African national parks, including, Maasai Mara, Serengeti, Hwange, and the Kafue National Park. However, this is a migratory species that flies over to Europe or Central Asia during breeding season. Breeding season typically begins in March or April and ends in August, so they won’t be found in Africa between these dates.

Steppe eagles typically finish their migration back to Africa around November, during the dry season, when they return to find suitable food. They can often be seen in open woodlands and on the savanna, where they’ll hunt during the early morning and late afternoon.

Birds of Wetlands & Waterways

Most people imagine Africa as a very dry continent. While much of it is arid, that’s not all there is. In fact, Africa is home to many waterways and wetlands where avian life thrives.

1. African Jacana ( Actophilornis africanus )

African jacanas are small wading birds that don’t typically get much larger than 12 inches (31 cm) in length although females are usually larger than males. They have a very distinct appearance with a chestnut colored body, white markings up the neck and towards the eyes and a bright blue strip running down the top of the bill.

The African jacana relies on a diet of floating vegetation and insects and largely remains in the same area, only moving around within short distances to look for food.

This species is known for its breeding habits, with females mating with several males. After she lays her eggs, she will leave the male to care for them alone. Because of this, male jacanas are often seen carrying the young under their wings; an adaptation not seen in all male bird species.

The African jacana is native to sub-Saharan Africa and can be found in countries that include Uganda, Zambia, Tanzania, and South Africa. They’re a common sight in many of the national parks, including South Luangwa National Park in Zambia, the Queen Elizabeth National Park in Uganda, the Maasai Mara National Reserve in Kenya, and the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania.

If you’re on the lookout for the African jacana, be sure to start your safari early in the morning, as this is when they’ll be out looking for insects. They also become active again in the late afternoon and can be spotted all year round.

That said, as is the case with many African birds, you’re more likely to see the jacana during the dry season. These birds have specially adapted feet with claws on the ends of their long toes that allow them to walk on floating water lilies, and the lower water level makes this easier for them.

2. African Spoonbill ( Platalea alba )

The African spoonbill has a very uniquely shaped bill which it uses for feeding, but I’ll go into this in more detail shortly.

This species has a very distinct appearance with white feathers and brightly colored reddish legs and patches around the eyes. Its long legs, coupled with pointed toes allow it to move easily through its aquatic habitat when searching for food, regardless of the water depth.

When it comes to breeding, the male African spoonbill develops denser and more brightly colored feathers, which it uses to attract a mate. When a pairing is successful, the birds will create a nest  in the trees close to the water and wait for the 29 days it takes for the eggs to incubate. Both parents are involved in this process.

While African spoonbills are listed as being of Least Concern on the IUCN Red List , they are protected by conservation measures.

If you’re going in search of the African spoonbill then you’ll need to look around wetlands as well as coastal areas like lagoons and estuaries. However, it’s worth keeping in mind that the number of individuals in any given area may be affected by the season and availability of resources.

Spoonbills are common in several African nations, including Kenya, Zambia, Tanzania, and South Africa. Many of the national parks play host to these birds, so check out the Serengeti National Park, the Etosha National Park, and the Chobe National Park as well as the Okavango Delta in Botswana.

Spoonbills enjoy foraging in shallow waters and they can be seen doing this throughout the day. However, they’re most active first thing in the morning and again in the late afternoon. They’re equipped with a specially adapted bill, shaped like a spoon (that’s where they get their name) that allows them to sift through the sediment and the water while searching for small fish and other aquatic prey. They open their bill slightly and dip it into the water while swinging it from side to side in order to find prey.

3. Marabou Stork ( Leptoptilos crumenifer )

The marabou stork is an obscure-looking bird with a bald head and long, pointed bill. These are massive creatures that can grow up to 60 inches (152 cm) in height. Those long bills are used for feeding, mainly on carrion, but marabou storks will also clatter their beaks together as part of a mating ritual.

Marabou storks are often found around water sources but are also frequent visitors to landfill sites where they’ll look for food and don’t seem to be intimidated by humans. They’re sometimes called the undertaker bird owing to their posterior appearance that makes them look as though they’re wearing a black cloak.

These birds often gather in large groups and are not a migratory species. Although they will sometimes wander from their territory in search of better food and water opportunities. Since they feed on carrion, they’re essential to keeping the landscape clean and speeding up decomposition.

Marabou storks are a species of wading bird, so are usually found where water is present. They’re common all over sub-Saharan Africa and can be found in countries like Zambia, South Africa, Kenya, and Uganda, among others.

If you’re heading to one of the African national parks and want to spot a marabou stork, then some of the best options include Maasai Mara, Kruger, and Chobe.

The marabou stork primarily forages for a meal first thing in the morning and again during the late afternoon. This makes these times of day ideal for spotting them and, if you’re lucky, you may even be able to observe them feeding.

4. Hadada Ibis ( Bostrychia hagedash )

The hadada ibis is a bird that gets its name from its distinct four note call. In African legend, it is said that these birds make this loud call because they are scared of flying. This is further backed by their presence in human areas, particularly in private lawns.

Hadada ibis are large birds that grow to around 30 inches (76 cm) and are gray to brown in color. On the  wing feathers , there are optical microstructures that give the plumage a purplish shimmer. These birds can also be identified by the white mustache-like markings on the face. 

Breeding for the hadada ibis occurs during the wet season, owing to the abundance of resources. This species typically feeds on insects, worms, snails, and even some species of prawns and lizards. Perhaps owing to their breeding behavior in the wet season, the Xhosa people of Lesotho see the hadada ibis as a sign that the rains are coming.

The hadada ibis is found throughout sub-Saharan Africa in many different countries. If you’re going on safari and want to catch a glimpse of this bird, then I would recommend the following locations:

• Kruger National Park in South Africa
• Amboseli National Park in Kenya
• Chobe National Park in Botswana
• Serengeti National Park in Tanzania

The hadada ibis is mostly active during the day when it will spend its time foraging for food around grasslands and marshes. However, interestingly, this bird is also a common sight in urban areas.

As I have discussed, these birds are named after the calls that they make, which are most commonly heard in the morning and late afternoon. Although during the evening, they will return to the trees where they roost.

5. Goliath Heron ( Ardea goliath )

It’ll likely not come as much of a surprise to learn that the goliath heron is a pretty big bird; in fact, it’s the largest heron species on earth and can grow up to 4.9 feet (1.5 meters) in height! Plus, it has a wingspan of up to 7.5 feet (2.3 meters)!

These birds are mainly solitary, although they will form monogamous breeding pairs . In any case, goliath herons are very territorial of their aquatic habitat, from which they never stray too far. In fact, they’re quite often seen standing in the shallows, waiting for fish, amphibians, and other prey to swim by, before spearing it with a long, pointed bill. Since these birds have no natural predators, their presence in the ecosystem is important as they help to control fish populations.

Goliath herons have a bushy crest on the head and are largely gray with chestnut and white markings around the neck and head. While there’s no real difference in terms of coloration between males and females, they can be differentiated by their size, with females being slightly smaller.

The goliath heron prefers an aquatic habitat and can often be seen around mangroves, wetlands, and marshes. While it is found in many African nations, it’s most common in places like Tanzania, Kenya, South Africa, and Botswana.

If you’re on safari and keen to spot the goliath heron then I would suggest heading out either first thing in the morning or in the late afternoon. It’s during these times that the goliath heron will be foraging for food around the wetlands.

Colorful & Striking Birds

If you’re looking to discover some of the most beautiful birds on the planet then look no further than Africa. Here you’ll find ornate, eye-catching birds, so let’s get to know a few of them better.

1. Lilac-Breasted Roller ( Coracias caudatus )

One of the most impressive things about the lilac-breasted roller is its stunning plumage that features a variety of different hues. With greens, browns, and blues, the species is unmistakable but it’s the beautiful lilac patch on the chest that earned the bird its name.

This is a small yet robust species that grows to around 15 inches (38 cm), including the tail, and they can often be seen sitting in the trees. They’re usually alone, but it is worth noting that, once a breeding pair forms, they will remain monogamous.

Lilac-breasted rollers feed mainly on insects and small invertebrates and can often be heard flying overhead making a shrill ‘rak-rak’ call.

The lilac-breasted roller can be found in a range of habitats, from open woodlands to grasslands and is common in several countries like Botswana, South Africa, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, and Namibia.

Some of the best national parks to spot the lilac-breasted roller include the Maasai Mara National Reserve in Kenya, the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania, Chobe National Park in Botswana, and Kruger National Park in South Africa.

As I have described, the lilac-breasted roller has beautifully colored plumage which is best spotted during the breeding season. This takes place between April and September, and the males can be seen putting on some impressive aerial displays that show off their stunning coloration.

Active year round, although they may migrate to other areas in search of food, there’s always a good chance of spotting the lilac-breasted roller. However, they’re most active in the morning and late afternoon when they’re looking for food.

2. Superb Starling ( Lamprotornis superbus )

The superb starling couldn’t be any more aptly named with its beautifully colored plumage in blues and chestnut browns that shimmer in the light and its iconic black face. These small birds only grow to around 7.5 inches (19 cm) but have a very robust and strong body.

They are often seen on the ground, where they will look for fruit, grains, and worms and are typically found close to acacia trees. The great thing about the superb starling is that it is a very friendly species that’s not afraid to interact with humans.

If you’re heading out on safari in the middle of the day, you may hear the loud screeching calls of the superb starling coming from the acacia trees.

The superb starling is most common in the eastern parts of Africa in countries like Rwanda, Kenya, and Uganda. You can spot them on the savanna as well as in open woodlands, and they’re common in national parks such as:

• Queen Elizabeth National Park in Uganda
• Maasai Mara National Reserve in Kenya

A diurnal species, the superb starling is easiest to spot during the day when it is out looking for food. This typically occurs first thing in the morning and again during the late afternoon.

3. Malachite Kingfisher ( Corythornis cristatus )

Malachite kingfishers are a small species of riparian bird that only grow to around 4.7 to 5.5 inches (12 to 14 cm). However, they’re still incredibly impressive with their unique coloration; chestnut on the underside with a brilliant flash of green/blue plumage on the back. They have long red bills, although juveniles have a black bill that changes color as adulthood approaches.

The malachite kingfisher can often be seen perched on a low hanging branch over the water as it keeps a keen eye out for passing prey. When it spots something suitable, the bird will drop into the water, grab its catch, and then emerge to feed.

During breeding seasons, pairs of malachite kingfishers will work together to excavate a nest by burrowing a tunnel into the sand. They’ll line the base of the burrow with fish bones before the female lays a clutch of three to six eggs.

The malachite kingfisher is a freshwater aquatic bird that can often be found around streams, rivers, and lakes across sub-Saharan Africa. They’re common in Botswana’s Chobe National Park as well as the Maasai Mara National Reserve in Kenya and around the Okavango Delta in Botswana.

Malachite kingfishers hunt for fish in the early morning and late afternoon, but they do remain active throughout the whole day, so there’s always a chance of spotting one.

Breeding season begins in May, and it’s at this time that these primarily solitary birds will be seen together. The females make their nests in termite mounds or along the riverbank, and the male joins her in taking care of the eggs.

4. Collared Sunbird ( Hedydipna collaris )

The collared sunbird is a passerine species often recognized for its speedy flight. These small birds feed mainly on nectar but they are occasionally known to eat insects.

Growing to only 3.5-3.9 inches (9-10 cm), this is a very small species of bird that’s often mistaken for the hummingbird at first glance as it hovers over flowers to collect nectar. They also have a similar metallic green/blue coloration on their backs to some hummingbird species and a tube-like tongue for feeding on nectar, although they are in no way related.

Collared sunbirds can usually be found nesting in the trees and around areas where there is a water source.

The collared sunbird can be found in Tanzania, Malawi, Kenya, Zimbabwe, and other countries across south and east Africa. They’re often easy to spot in some of the most well known national parks, including Ngorongoro Conservation Area in Tanzania as well as the Serengeti National Park and South Africa’s Kruger National Park.

Collared sunbirds are mostly active in the early morning and late afternoon. It’s at this time that they head out in search of nectar, although they do remain relatively active throughout the day, giving you a reasonable chance of spotting one outside of these times.

5. Red-Throated Bee-Eater ( Merops bulocki )

The red-throated bee-eater is a small, brightly colored bird that grows to around 8.7 inches (22 cm). It prefers a tropical habitat and can be found on the savanna, but it is also a common sight in gardens and farmlands.

These birds nest near river banks, so will usually be found near a water source and are known for their distinct coloration of bright greens, oranges, and blues. While most individuals have an orange throat, it’s thought that around 1% have a yellow patch here.

As you can probably guess from their name, these birds feed primarily on a diet of bees; honey bees and stingless bees are their favorites. They nest in colonies and excavate burrows along the river, which can contain space for up to 50 breeding pairs.

The red-throated bee-eater is mainly found in the eastern parts of Africa and can be spotted in the Maasai Mara National Park in Kenya, the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania, and the Queen Elizabeth National Park in Uganda.

Like many African bird species, the red-throated bee-eater is a diurnal species that can often be spotted looking for food first thing in the morning. They are also very active during the late afternoon, which provides another great opportunity to spot one.

Birds of the Savanna

The savanna is one of the most well-known habitats in Africa, and many people associate it with animals like giraffes, rhinos, and elephants. However, this habitat is also home to some wonderful avian species.

1. Southern Yellow-Billed Hornbill ( Tockus leucomelas )

The southern yellow-billed hornbill is certainly an impressive, if not unusual looking bird. It boasts a large, curved yellow bill which, in males, can grow up to 3.5 inches (90 mm). This equates to around ⅙ of the bird’s body length! These birds also have long eyelashes and a long tail, red patches around the eyes, and beautiful black and white markings to the wings.

Southern yellow-billed hornbills are one of the smaller hornbill species but beautiful nonetheless. They can be heard making a wide variety of sounds, but the most common is a loud piercing sound, often used to defend their territory.

These birds are able to fly, in fact, they’re pretty powerful gliders, but they’re most commonly found on the ground, looking for food.

The southern yellow-billed hornbill is not only found on the savanna, but also inhabits some woodlands. It’s most commonly found in countries like Botswana, Namibia, South Africa, and Zimbabwe where safari goers to the following national parks have a chance of spotting it:

• Etosha National Park in Namibia

The southern yellow-billed hornbill is active throughout the day. However, for the best chance of spotting it, head out in the early morning or late afternoon when this species will be looking for food such as insects, spiders, and seeds.

2. African Grey Hornbill ( Lophoceros nasutus )

Another species of hornbill common to the savanna is the African gray hornbill. Again, it is one of the smaller hornbill species but still gets to a length of up to 20 inches (51 cm). Mainly gray in color, these birds have black and white markings to the wings and crown.

African gray hornbills have a prominent casque on the bill, which comes in handy when breeding since the females nest in a hollow within a tree, which she seals using a mixture of mud and fruit. A small opening is left so that the male can deliver food, and once the chicks have outgrown the nest, the female will peck her way out.

Found across sub-Saharan Africa, the African gray hornbill is a common sight in the Kruger National Park in South Africa. It can also be spotted in some of the other most well-known national parks, like Chobe in Botswana, Hwange National Park in Zimbabwe, the South Luangwa National Park in Zambia, and the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania.

The African gray hornbill feeds on an omnivorous diet of small reptiles, insects, and fruit and will be found looking for these foods in the early morning or late afternoon. So, if you’re hoping to spot one, these are the best times to head out on safari.

The species is considered to be of least concern by the  IUCN Red List , so numbers are healthy in the wild, making spotting them much more likely.

3. Common Ostrich ( Struthio camelus )

The common ostrich is perhaps one of the most well-known birds on the savanna, if only because it is the tallest bird in the world, measuring up to 6.6 feet (2 meters) in height. These  are flightless birds  that are also  famed for their powerful kick  of up to 2,000 lbs psi, which they use as a form of self-defense. 

Ostriches live in large flocks that can number up to 50 individuals, and they’re often found among grazing herbivores such as zebras. They’re also herbivores and largely feed on vegetation but will sometimes pick at the remains of a predatory kill. Through their droppings, ostriches are important seed dispersers. 

Common ostriches may not be able to fly, but they can certainly run; in fact, they’ll move at speeds of up to 43.5 mph (70 km/h) to escape threats. And this seems to be a viable method since individuals are known to live for between 30 and 40 years in the wild.

The courtship displays of the ostrich are truly an impressive sight, with males performing an elaborate dance accompanied by various noises such as hissing.

Ostriches are found at many of the national parks across Africa, including Kruger National Park in South Africa, Etosha National Park in Namibia, Serengeti National Park in Tanzania, and Kenya’s Tsavo National Park. However, they’re also found in countries such as Ethiopia and Botswana.

The common ostrich is a diurnal species, so it’s best to look for it during a daytime safari. As I have mentioned, they’re often scattered among other herbivores like antelope and zebra, so you’ll likely be able to spot various wildlife together.

Like many African animals, ostriches are most active early in the morning and in the late afternoon when temperatures are cooler.

4. Kori Bustard ( Ardeotis kori )

Out of all the flying birds in Africa, the kori bustard is the largest and can grow up to 53 inches (135 cm), although the females are often markedly smaller than the males. They are mostly gray to brown in color but have black and white markings as well as a pure black crest.

Kori bustards are essential to the African economy as they attract a lot of tourists coming to see their impressive courtship displays. These birds form leks where the males gather in large numbers and perform a dance to impress nearby females. Males may puff out their necks, take large strides, and make calls.

Interestingly, outside of their courtship displays, these birds are generally very quiet. The only time they will make a noise is when they feel threatened, which is communicated with a growling sound that can go on for as long as 10 minutes.

The kori bustard is a widely distributed bird that can be found across several areas in south, east, and west Africa. Safari goers to the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania, the Maasai Mara National Reserve in Kenya, and the Kruger National Park in South Africa have a good chance of spotting one.

The kori bustard can often be seen during the early morning and late afternoon. It is most active during these times as they provide the best foraging opportunities for these birds that have a very varied diet.

They can primarily be seen looking for insects, but they’re not fussy and may also hunt for small mammals, seeds, fruits, and even small reptiles.

5. Helmeted Guineafowl ( Numida meleagris )

The helmeted guineafowl is not only found in the wild in Africa but has also been domesticated in the West Indies. This species is the only one in its genus, Numida and was discovered in the 1700s by the famous zoologist, Carl Linnaus.

Helmeted guinea fowls are ground dwelling birds that are similar in shape to a chicken. It’s their bony casque that gives them their name, but they’re also identifiable by their heavily spotted plumage, with each feather having up to a dozen individual specks.

In Africa, this species has been hunted for many thousands of years, but they’re also favored by farmers for their love of ticks, so are used as pest controllers on agricultural land.

The helmeted guineafowl is found throughout sub-Saharan Africa and can be found in most open habitats like open woodlands, grasslands, and savannas. They are known to have populations in the Serengeti, Kruger, and Chobe National Parks as well as the Maasai Mara National Reserve in Kenya.

If you’re trying to spot the helmeted guineafowl, then it’s best to look first thing in the morning or in the late afternoon. That being said, they are active throughout the day and can often be spotted in groups, called a confusion, foraging for food on the ground.

Endearing & Unusual Birds

Africa is home to a wondrous range of weird and unusual creatures, and that includes several species of birds.

1. African Pygmy Kingfisher ( Ispidina picta )

As its name suggests, the African pygmy kingfisher is a small species of kingfisher that grows to around 4.7 inches (12 cm) in length. This small size, coupled with the pretty coloration of the pygmy kingfisher, makes it a real delight for wildlife lovers to spot. 

However, while its name would suggest that the species relies on a diet of fish, this isn’t necessarily the case, and these birds will also feed on amphibians, reptiles, and insects. When hunting for food, the pygmy kingfisher is often seen sitting still for long periods, waiting for prey to come closer enough before it quickly darts in to snatch it.

In some southern parts of Africa, the populations of pygmy kingfishers will migrate from their breeding grounds between April and October. However, they don’t travel far, only heading to the more northerly parts of the continent.

It may be more challenging to spot the pygmy kingfisher as these birds are not specific to any particular national park, although there have been reported sightings both in Kruger and Serengeti national parks. These birds are distributed across countries like South Africa, Kenya, Rwanda, and Tanzania and are usually found in dense woodlands and forests which is unusual among kingfisher species.

When looking for the African pygmy kingfisher, your best bet is to head out during the day. The good news is that this species is active for most of the daylight hours when it will be looking for food. Owing to its bright plumage, it’s often easy to see among the vegetation.

2. African Crowned Crane ( Balearica regulorum )

The African crowned crane, sometimes called the gray crowned crane, is one of the most impressive looking birds on the continent. It has an elegant appearance, featuring a golden crown of head feathers which is why it’s also sometimes referred to as the golden crowned crane.

The feathers are a blend between white, gray, and black, and the bird has an inflatable red throat pouch which inflates when the bird makes its honking call.

This is a large species that measures up to 3.3 feet (1 meter) in height. Because of their diet of plants and seeds, the African crowned crane is an important seed disperser within its ecosystem. However, its diet isn’t limited to this, and the bird will also eat insects, snakes, and amphibians.

The African crowned crane is found in a number of different habitats, including grasslands and savannas, wetlands, and around marshes. This gives wildlife lovers a greater chance of spotting them throughout their sub-Saharan range. For the best chance of seeing one, the following national parks are known to be home to healthy populations:

However, these birds are also common in countries like Zambia, South Africa, and Uganda.

African crowned cranes do not migrate, so can be seen in the aforementioned habitats throughout the year. They’re a diurnal species so your best chance of spotting one is during the day when they can be seen looking for food, such as insects, amphibians, and small reptiles.

3. African Hoopoe ( Upupa africana )

The African hoopoe is so named because of its call, which sounds like it’s saying  hoop hoop , making it one of the most easily identifiable avian calls on the African continent. Not only is it distinct by its call, but also its appearance with a beautiful blend of colors and markings in black, white, and chestnut. 

However, perhaps the most striking feature of the hoopoe is its crest, which the bird raises when startled. These birds also have a very long, slender bill used for eating berries, insects, and snails as well as feeding these to the young.

Hoopoes are also adored for their intricate flight patterns and can often be seen performing acrobatic displays in the sky, flapping their wings four to five times and then gliding.

The African hoopoe mainly inhabits savannas and open grasslands but can also be found in some wooded areas. Interestingly, this species is a common sight in domestic gardens in countries like South Africa, Tanzania, Kenya, and Botswana.

To see them in their natural habitat, head to places like the Kruger National Park  in South Africa or the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania.

African hoopoes do not migrate, so you’ll be able to see them no matter what time of year you visit. Although, there are reports of some individuals making a northern migration after breeding season. However, reports are few and far between, and it’s thought that only around 100 individuals can be seen as far north as the UK.

4. Shoebill ( Balaeniceps rex )

The shoebill is definitely one of the most unique birds on the African continent, with its prehistoric appearance and large size. The bird takes its name from the shape of its bill which is one of the largest in the animal kingdom.

While the shoebill might have a menacing appearance, these are actually very docile birds. It’s been reported that humans can get within 6 feet (1.8 meters) of their nests, and the shoebill will show no aggressive tendencies. Although they are known to sit and stare at you, which can be pretty intimidating considering these birds can grow up to 55 inches (140 cm) in height.

The shoebill is just as laid back when it comes to feeding. Being a wading bird, it primarily feeds on a diet of fish but will sit patiently waiting for hours until a suitable target appears. The bird will then strike its prey with its perfectly adapted bill and be rewarded for its efforts.

The shoebill is an aquatic bird that usually inhabits swamps, marshes, and wetlands. However, they have an elusive nature and can sometimes be difficult to spot, especially when nesting.

They are found in several African countries, including Tanzania, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, South Sudan, and Zambia. If you’re at the Murchison Falls National Park in Uganda or the Bangweulu Wetlands in Zambia, then there’s a chance of you spotting a shoebill.

To spot a shoebill, you’ll need to head out into the wild during the day since this is a diurnal species. This is great news for those on safari but, as I mentioned, they can be quite elusive and may hide out in dense vegetation. In fact, professionals and researchers often have to place cameras in order to catch a sighting of these birds.

5. Greater Honeyguide ( Indicator indicator )

The greater honeyguide is truly one of the most intelligent and impressive bird species in Africa. It gets its name from the fact that it locates honey and guides humans to it, but I’ll go into more detail on that later on.

These are small birds that grow to around 7.9 inches (20 cm) in length and have a beautiful plumage coloration consisting of olives, browns, and yellows with a brilliant white breast.

While the greater honeyguide might be a pretty-looking little bird, it does have a darker side; it’s a brood parasite. This means that these birds will trick other species into caring for their eggs and young. It’s a common survival tactic among avian species. When greater honeyguides intercept a nest and lay their eggs, they time it just right so that the host thinks they are her own. What’s more, the chicks are born with a hooked bill, which they use to kill off any of their ‘siblings’ to further ensure their survival.

The greater honeyguide is native to sub-Saharan Africa and has a wide distribution in this part of the world. It can be found in countries South Africa in the Kruger National Park as well as Tanzania in the Serengeti National Park. Greater honeyguides are common in other countries like Kenya and Botswana, where they prefer several habitat types, including woodland and open forests as well as the savanna.

Greater honeyguides are found in Africa throughout the year since they are a non-migratory species, so you’ll always have a chance of spotting one. However, they’re mostly active during the day when they’ll be out foraging for, you guessed it; honey.

How Honeyguides Work With Humans

Amazingly, these intelligent birds don’t always rely on their own foraging abilities to access honey within a beehive. In fact, they’re known for their ability to guide humans to beehives where both species get to reap the rewards. This  mutualistic relationship  is so successful, and it’s been reported to have been going on for at least 1500 years! They use a  unique vocalization  to call humans and tell them they’ve found some honey, as such, many indigenous tribes in Africa have come to love and respect these fascinating birds. 

This role as a honey-hunter has placed the greater honeyguide as one of the most important players in their ecosystems. Through their collection of honey, they contribute to pollination and are also important seed dispersers, ensuring that native plant species are able to thrive.

Birds of the Forest & Woodlands

Many African birds enjoy the protection and shelter of the various woodlands and forests on this diverse continent. So, if you’re venturing into the trees, you may be lucky enough to spot some of the following species.

1. Black-Headed Oriole ( Oriolus larvatus )

The black-headed oriole, as its name suggests, has a black head atop a brightly-colored yellow body. They also have black markings on the wings and can grow to around 9.8 inches (25 cm) in length.

These birds are known for their beautiful warbling call, which can be heard as they flit between the trees. But what I find super interesting about this species is its lightening metabolism that allows it to digest food in as little as  five minutes !

Black headed orioles live in many different types of forests but will favor acacia forests over all others. Since they spend a lot of time in the canopy, you’re more likely to hear them than you are to see them. 

The black-headed oriole has a relatively wide distribution across sub-Saharan Africa, including in countries like Botswana, Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.

Many of the popular national parks for safaris have healthy populations, including the Kruger and Serengeti National Parks.

You’ll find it easier to spot these birds than some other species owing to their diverse habitat. They’re found in woodlands and forests as well as in more open areas like the savanna.

The black-headed oriole is diurnal, meaning it is mostly active during the day time. It can be seen among the trees looking for fruits, berries, and insects.

2. African Green Broadbill ( Pseudocalyptomena graueri )

The African green broadbill, sometimes called the Grauer’s broadbill after the man that discovered it, is a small species that is limited to a small region in the tropical forests of east Africa.

These birds are considered to be rare because of their limited distribution but can be spotted if you look in the right locations, which I’ll discuss in more detail later on. Unfortunately, however, they are threatened by forest clearing and mining, leading them to be classed as  vulnerable .

African green broadbills survive on an omnivorous diet of insects, fruits, and larvae and can often be seen flying high above the canopy, emitting a high-pitched call. They are sometimes solitary birds but are also known to live in small flocks of up to 10 individuals.

The African green broadbill is native to eastern parts of Africa where it can be found in the montane forests of Rwanda, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. If you’re keen to spot one of these birds on your safari then one of the best locations is the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda. Not only will you see the African green broadbill but many other species, as this area is renowned for its biodiversity, including  202 species of butterflies.

Being a diurnal species, your best chance of spotting the African green broadbill is on a daytime safari. They are active throughout the day but are mostly seen in the early morning and again in the late afternoon.

The dry season between June and August provides an excellent opportunity to spot African green broadbills. The forest becomes less dense at this time, making sightings much more likely.

3. Cape Glossy Starling ( Lamprotornis nitens )

The cape glossy starling is named because of its glossy, blue to green plumage that has a pretty shimmer. These are relatively small birds that grow to around 9.8 inches (25 cm) in length and are often seen around human settlements due to their gregarious nature.

These birds are also forthcoming when it comes to breeding. They nest in cavities in the trees and aren’t afraid to fight for the right to move into a nesting spot with other birds. However, there is a downside; these birds play host to the parasitic greater honeyguide that I discussed earlier in this article.

You’ll find the cape glossy starling in Botswana, Zimbabwe, South Africa, and Mozambique as well as other countries in the southern part of Africa. It inhabits both savannas and woodlands but is also a common sight in domestic gardens.

If you’re heading to the Kruger National Park in South Africa, then there’s good news. This is one of the best places to spot the cape glossy starling as well as a whole host of other bird life.

A diurnal species, the cape glossy starling is mostly spotted during the day. It loves to roost in trees, so keep an eye out among the foliage for that distinct iridescent plumage.

However, these birds will often forage on the ground for fruit and insects and, outside of the breeding season which occurs between September and March, they can be seen in relatively large flocks.

4. African Wood Owl ( Strix woodfordii )

The African wood owl, sometimes called the woodford’s owl, is a medium sized species of owl that grows to around 13.8 inches (35 cm). With a brown, mottled coloration, these owls are masters of camouflage. They can also be characterized by their dark eyes, outlined by white eyebrows.

African wood owls can often be heard singing in pairs and are often found in forested areas where they feed on insects and small mammals under the cover of darkness. The species has incredibly powerful vision thanks to rod shaped cones in the retina that allow it to spot prey in low light.

These owls breed between July and October, with females laying between one and three eggs. They do this inside the hollow of a tree, where they’ll incubate the eggs for up to 31 days.

The African wood owl can be found in various habitat types, including forests, woodlands, and open areas like the savanna. There are healthy populations in some of the top safari spots in Africa, including the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania and the Kruger National Park in South Africa.

Unlike a lot of species I have discussed on this list, the African wood owl is not active during the day. This is a nocturnal bird, so your best chance of spotting one is on a nighttime safari.

When the sun comes up, the African wood owl returns to its roost among the trees and, owing to its coloration, it’s well camouflaged and nigh on impossible to see.

5. Grey Go-Away-Bird ( Corythaixoides concolor )

The gray go-away bird is certainly one of the most interesting African avian species, if not only because of its call. These birds are named after their loud vocalizations, which make a ‘gwaay’ sound. The calls have a nasal tone, and are often used when the bird is disturbed.

However, these aren’t timid birds and are often seen in gardens. What’s more, they’re very sociable and will form flocks of around 20 to 30 individuals. Within these flocks, the gray go-away birds will look for food such as fruits and termites.

Gray go-away birds, as their name suggests, have mainly gray plumage with a distinct crest on the head. They grow to around 20 inches (51 cm), and there’s not much difference between males and females in terms of appearance.

Nests are made from thorny twigs, and both parents will remain present to care for the three eggs that are laid during breeding season.

The gray go-away bird is found in the southern and eastern parts of Africa in various habitats including savannas and woodlands.

While it can be seen in countries like Zimbabwe, Namibia and Botswana, there is a good population in the Kruger National Park in South Africa.

Gray go-away birds are diurnal creatures, so your best opportunity to spot them is during the day. You’re more likely to hear them before you see them as their loud calls that I discussed earlier, can be heard even through the vegetation.

These birds spend a lot of time on the ground, where they will dust bathe, which provides a great opportunity to watch them.

Birds of Flight

Over the African plains, forests, and wetlands, there are many species of birds that can be seen soaring in search of food. So, when you’re on safari, don’t forget to look skywards!

1. Hooded Vulture ( Necrosyrtes monachus )

The hooded vulture is a species of raptor belonging to the order  Accipitriformes,  which also contains species like buzzards and eagles. These are large birds that can grow up to 28 inches (72 cm) with a massive wingspan of up to 71 inches (180 cm). 

Hooded vultures are not an overly vocal species and will typically only make sounds when mating and at the discovery of a food source. They feed primarily on carcasses but are sadly listed as being critically endangered on the IUCN Red List owing to habitat loss and hunting. Fortunately, there are several protective measures in place, including monitoring and providing this species with protected habitats.

These birds can be seen flying over the savanna in search of food but are also common in human inhabited areas where they are known as ‘waste collectors.’

The hooded vulture can be found in a number of different habitats, including open woodlands, savannas and grasslands, so it’s one of the easier species to spot. They’re common in many parts of Africa, including countries like South Africa, Ethiopia, the Gambia, and Senegal. If you’re on safari in the Kruger, Serengeti or Maasai Mara parks then you have a good chance of spotting one.

Look skyward during the day, and you’ll have plenty of opportunities to see the hooded vulture. However, since these birds, like most vultures, feed on carcasses, they’re a common sight on the ground as well.

This behavior is essential to the maintenance of the ecosystems the hooded vulture inhabits as it ensures things are kept clean.

You may also spot the hooded vulture during its breeding season which typically falls between November and April in the dry season. Although this can vary depending on the region.

2. White-Backed Vulture ( Gyps africanus )

White-backed vultures are in the same order as the hooded vulture and this is a large species that can grow up to 39 inches (99 cm) in height. As its name suggests, the plumage on the back of the bird is white, mixed with flecks of brown and other colors, and it has black tipped wings and a black face.

The white-backed vulture plays an essential role in maintaining the ecosystem by feeding on carcasses, often those killed by other animals.

This is a non-migratory species that breeds between November and April, with females laying a single egg. They prefer to nest in trees in riparian environments and create large nests that can be up to 39 inches (99 cm) in diameter.

Sadly, the white-backed vulture is facing threats from habitat degradation and poaching and is now listed as endangered on the IUCN Red List.

Like the hooded vulture, the white-backed vulture frequents a range of habitats like open woodlands and savannas. You’re most likely to see it soaring across the landscape in search of food in many parts of Africa, including Somalia, Ethiopia, Gambia, and Senegal.

However, the species is also a common visitor to many of the sub-Saharan national parks, including Maasai Mara, Serengeti, and the Kruger National Park in South Africa.

The great thing about spotting the white-backed vulture is that this species often moves in groups, so you’ll get to see many of them at once as they gather around the carcasses they have scavenged. This typically happens during the day when the birds are most active.

3. African Palm Swift ( Cypsiurus parvus )

The African palm swift was once considered to be the same species as the Asian palm swift, but they have since been separated. This is a small species that typically only grows to around 6.3 inches (16 cm) and can be characterized by its forked tail, as is similar to other species of swift.

African palm swifts also have a very distinct and shrill  call  which is often heard during flight. These birds spend most of their time in the air and, like other swift species, will typically catch their insect prey on the wing. 

Their flight is also very rapid although when catching prey, they’ll often do so close to the ground.

The African palm swift is widely distributed across the continent and can be found in countries like Senegal, Gambia, Somalia, and Ethiopia. It’s also seen in many of the great national parks, including Chobe, Serengeti, and the Okavango Delta in Botswana.

These birds are found in various habitat types, including open woodlands and grasslands, but as their name suggests, they’re most commonly found where there are palm trees.

The African palm swift is a diurnal species that can often be seen flying quickly around the skies in search of food during the day. They’re incredibly agile, so watching them in flight is a very rewarding experience.

4. Ruppell’s Vulture ( Gyps rueppellii )

Ruppell’s vulture is a fascinating species because of its ability to soar at incredible altitudes . There was even a report of one individual flying so high that it sadly got caught in the engine of a jet at a whopping 37,000 feet (11,278 meters).

This ability to fly so high is thanks to a special protein that allows the bird to absorb oxygen at great altitudes. They can often be seen soaring while riding on thermal currents, which allows them to conserve energy as they look for food.

These birds are mainly found in the eastern parts of Africa, and unfortunately, their numbers are declining meaning they are now listed as  critically endangered . It’s thought that there are as few as 22,000 left in the wild. 

Sometimes called Ruppell’s griffon, these birds have a majestic appearance with a flecked white pattern on dark plumage. They can grow to around 41 inches (104 cm) in height and have a wingspan of up to 7.5 feet (2.3 meters)!

Ruppell’s vultures are common in open areas such as savannas and grasslands and there are healthy populations in some of the best-known national parks such as:

However, they are also common in countries like Tanzania, Zimbabwe, and Zambia, where they’re often seen at higher altitudes of up to 37,073 feet (11,300 meters)!

The Ruppell’s vulture will usually be seen first thing in the morning or in the late afternoon, soaring across the sky in search of food. If you’re lucky, you may even spot them on the ground, feeding on carcasses. This behavior, like other vultures, makes them super important to the ecosystem, keeping things clean and preventing the spread of disease.

5. African Pied Wagtail ( Motacilla aguimp )

The African pied wagtail is a small, agile bird that is well-known for its darting flight. It flits about the sky in search of insects to feed on.

While they are small (around 7.9 inches (20 cm)), these birds have a striking black and white appearance, although this doesn’t typically develop until adulthood. As youngsters, these birds tend to be grayer in color.

During the breeding season, which occurs between March and October, the male and female will cooperate in building the nest. The female then lays around 3-4 eggs which she takes care of alone.

The African pied wagtail has a healthy distribution all over sub-Saharan Africa and is a common sight in places like the Maasai Mara National Reserve in Kenya, the Chobe National Park in Namibia, and the Okavango Delta in Botswana.

This species frequents a variety of habitats like grasslands, riverbanks, wetlands, and many more, making them one of the easier species to spot. What’s more, pied wagtails are not uncommon in urban areas.

The best chance to spot the African pied wagtail comes during the day when they are most active. You’ll usually see more of them early in the morning or during the late afternoon. They have, as their name suggests, a gait that sees their tails wagging as well as a bobbing movement, so you can’t miss them.

Birds with Unique Behaviors

One of the most fascinating things about birds is that every species has its own unique behaviors. However, some of these behaviors are far from ordinary, and Africa is home to some truly incredible examples of this.

1. White-Fronted Bee-Eater ( Merops bullockoides )

The white-fronted bee-eater is an incredibly distinct looking bird with brightly colored plumage and a white forehead with black markings around the eyes. They boast a long, pointed bill, which they use to catch their prey. As their name suggests, their diet is mainly made up from bees from the honey bee family, but they’ll also eat other insects, including beetles. They also use their beaks to dig tunnels in the sand, which are used for nesting; so effective is the beak that tunnels can measure several feet in length.

Unlike a lot of bird species, white-fronted bee-eaters are extremely communal, especially when it comes to breeding and raising the young. Monogamous pairs are formed and males will perform elaborate courtship rituals. Then nest building and rearing the young is a cooperative activity undertaken by family groups. Within the colony, which can contain up to 200 birds, individuals will form bonds with other members through grooming and other social activities.

The white-fronted bee-eater is found in various habitats, such as woodlands and grasslands. A single colony may occupy several square miles of territory in countries like Botswana, South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Tanzania.

Some of the best national parks to spot this species include:

White-fronted bee-eaters are mostly active during the day, and the best time to spot them is during the cooler parts of the day, such as the late afternoon and early morning.

However, it’s worth keeping in mind that this is a migratory species, which may move around depending on what resources are available. As the seasons change, they may undertake short migrations in search of food, moving to areas where more insects are available.

2. Speckled Mousebird ( Colius striatus )

Speckled mousebirds can grow up to 13.8 inches (35 cm), making them the largest species of mousebird. This name comes from their feathers that have a hair-like appearance, but also their hopping, mouse-like movements through the vegetation.

This species is typically found in the trees, being primarily arboreal where their long tails help with balance. Up here, they form social groups that number around 20 and individuals will bond through grooming.

Within the tightly knit group, communication is essential and the speckled mousebird has a range of loud, chattering calls. Interestingly, when the weather gets cold, these groups will enter a state of torpor and use their large numbers to stay safe from predators whilst in this inactive state.

Groups will also forage together for seeds, fruits, and flowers as well as nectar produced by those flowers.

The speckled mousebird is found in various habitats across sub-Saharan Africa particularly in the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania, the Kruger National Park in South Africa, and the Maasai Mara National Reserve in Kenya. They inhabit woodlands, scrublands, and savannas but are also a common sight in gardens.

Speckled mousebirds typically breed during the wet season between November and April, making this a great time to spot them. They are known to migrate with the seasons in search of food, so spotting them can be unpredictable.

However, they’re most active during the day, especially in the early morning or late afternoon when the temperatures are cooler.

3. Brown Snake Eagle ( Circaetus cinereus )

It’ll come as no surprise when I tell you that the brown snake eagle gets its name from the fact that it feeds primarily on snakes. It is equipped with sharp talons and a strong beak that allows it to easily capture its prey. This is also a very territorial and solitary bird that has a loud call to warn others to stay away.

The brown snake eagle is a patient bird in terms of both feeding and breeding. When hunting, it will sit patiently on a high vantage point, waiting for prey to move by on the ground. When it does, this large, brown bird will swoop down and make its kill. It’s known to eat puff adders and cobras despite these species being venomous.

When it comes to breeding, the brown snake eagle is just as patient, with eggs taking around 50 days to hatch. The mother will then raise a single chick for up to 113 days.

The brown snake eagle has a wide distribution throughout sub-Saharan Africa and is found in countries like Senegal, Ethiopia, and South Africa. If you’re taking a safari in one of the following national parks, there’s a good chance of spotting one:

When looking for the brown snake eagle, you’ll find them in various habitats, including woodlands, grasslands, and savannas. They typically become more active during the dry season, which is also breeding season, as food sources are more readily available, and they can be seen hunting early in the morning or in the late afternoon.

What’s more, during the dry season, between June and October, the vegetation becomes sparser, allowing for easier sightings.

4. Red-Billed Oxpecker ( Buphagus erythrorhynchus )

You might think that the name red-billed oxpecker sounds a little strange, but it’s perfectly fitting when you consider the behavior of this species. These small, passerine birds with gray to olive plumage, yellow rings around the eyes, and a bright red beak, have a mutualistic relationship with various herbivorous mammals.

Most commonly, they are seen riding on the backs of rhinos, giraffes, and of course, buffalo, which is where their name comes from. They do this in order to feed off the ticks and parasites that would otherwise plague these mammals, making the situation beneficial for both parties.

The red-billed oxpecker is found in grasslands and savannas as well as some open woodlands across sub-Saharan Africa. For safari goers, the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania is a great place to spot them as well as the Chobe National Park in Botswana and the Kruger National Park in South Africa.

Red-billed oxpeckers are diurnal, so your best chance of spotting them is during the day. If their host animals are out grazing, then there’s a good chance that red-billed oxpeckers will also be nearby.

They’re around all year, being resident birds, but are more likely to be seen in the dry season since there is greater food availability.

5. Sociable Weaver ( Philetairus socius )

The sociable weaver didn’t get its name by chance; this is an incredibly highly social species that lives in a larger communal nest in groups that easily get into the hundreds. What’s more, each nest can contain several generations of birds, with the responsibility of caring for and maintaining the nest being passed down.

Nests are constructed from plant materials, grass, and sticks and consist of a central chamber where the colony can gather to keep warm in cold weather and remain protected from predators like pygmy falcons. Inside the nest, there are many additional chambers used by one of the 100 breeding pairs. Each member of the colony helps to build the nest, and this cooperative behavior continues to ensure the maintenance of the nest.

These birds will not only share the workload, but also any resources, including food and water.

When looking at a nest, it may resemble a large haystack in a tree. These nests contain entrances on the underside, giving them a honeycomb-like appearance. In the Etosha National Park in Botswana, it was reported that a single nest has remained intact for an impressive 199 years!

The sociable weaver is common in semi-arid regions, most notably in the Kalahari Desert. However, they may be spotted in some of the national parks, like Etosha National Park in Namibia, Hwange National Park in Zimbabwe, and the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park in South Africa, although their populations are not limited to these parks.

If you’re looking to spot the sociable weaver during its breeding season, which is undoubtedly a treat, then you’ll need to head out on safari during the rainy season. This is when there will be much more nest activity, but these birds are active around the year, regardless.

Sociable weavers are diurnal birds so they’re more active during the day. Your best chance of spotting one is in the early morning or the late afternoon.

Karen writes professionally, and she is also a published author. She has a passion for the outdoors and tries to spend as much of her free time out in nature.

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Bird safari by boat, honningsvåg, norway.

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Gjesvaer has about 250 residents and was the first settlement on Mageroya Island, an important trading place in the north, as early as the Viking era. A small vessel will take you out to the Gjesvaerstappan Nature Reserve, 10 miles west of the North Cape cliff. The boat is fully heated and there is plenty of deck space for everybody.

Landing on the bird islands is not permitted, but from the boat you may observe Norway's largest grouping of puffins, as well as plenty of kittiwakes. The puffins, easily recognizable by their colorful bills, nest in holes in the grassy hills. The nesting period is from April until September. Mighty white-tail eagles can be seen hovering overhead as they hunt for prey. Guillemots, razorbills, cormorants, arctic skua, fulmars and gannets are also part of the flourishing bird life here. At the end of your boat tour, return to your waiting coach for the return to Honningsvag.

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Nikon P1000 Review for Safari, Wildlife and Bird Photography

Looking for a BIG zoom for that next African Safari look no further than the Nikon P1000. With an unbelievable 3000mm equivalent zoom, no other bridge camera or very few DSLR lenses comes anywhere close to this range. But does it deliver an all-round performance for wildlife photography?

Key considerations.

This camera is too big, I am glad to see Nikon fixed P900 issues with the Nikon P950 .

The camera lacks environmental protection and will get damaged easily.

The low light performance will not be suitable due to the small sensor.

Speed of the zoom due to the broad range of available magnifications may cause you to lose the shot

Extensive range of zoom options for the price.

Maximum zoom at 3000 will get any animal you can see with the naked eye in a zoomed position. If you can see the bird you can take a picture.

A fantastic range for safari photography

The latest technology, including 4k and RAW support.

Compare specs and prices on Amazon

Are you thinking of improving your photography skills?

Unlock your photography potential! Subscribe to our YouTube channel for our FREE photography series coming soon!

I have tried many online courses and found the Michigan State University photography course on Coursera the most comprehensive and practical, taught by true artists.

I need to thank Nikon for the use of their review unit to conduct this review. Due to the popularity of the Nikon  P1000 review unit and the tight schedule, I did one of my favourite local fynbos birding tours. My first impressions of the camera when it arrived was "It is BIG." This is a large camera by any comparison. The sheer size of this camera rules it out for use in various cases.  See also: Review for Sony RX10IV

You may also like:

Nikon P950 Review for Wildlife and Bird Photography bird photography Camera Review: Sony RX10 IV for bird photography

But why another review? Firstly the lack of wildlife photography reviews always has me guessing how cameras will perform in the field. Secondly, many of the photographers who reviewed the Nikon  P1000 mounted it on a tripod I wanted to see how it performs handheld. I reviewed this camera on a short purposive photography hike at Helderberg Nature reserve. No filters nor any corrections were done in post-production on any of the photos shot with the P1000. As I took them I reduced their size and uploaded them.

iso 100 62mm (347) f8 1/125

Nikon p1000 for hiking.

With my little helpers (My kids) in tow, I venture onto the low slopes of the mountain to try to get some cape sugarbird photos. Due to the sheer weight at 1.4kg of this camera, I found myself getting tired of using it after a while. The size of the camera made taking it on a camera strap awkward, and I ended up carrying it by hand most of the morning, adding to the discomfort. The sheer size and weight caused discomfort. 

My Assistants iso 100 13.5mm (76) f3.5 1/100

If you were out on a local photoshoot with only the purpose of taking great photos, this camera would be an option. But going for a hike with a camera in tow this one is not for you. The camera is made of plastic with very little protection against the elements. You will need to be very careful in the way you carry it as not to get it damaged. Unless you are on a short walk photoshoot, this camera is not for hiking, instead, look at the P900.

Nikon P1000 compared to the P900

Before you go straight out and buy the Nikon P900 you have to realize the P900 is an older model and requires some updates to get up to speed, the Nikon  P950 was released early 2020 which solves a lot of the gripes of the popular P900. I have been using the Nikon P900 for quite a couple of years, and it has performed well. The 2000 zoom was unheard of when it was released, and I did not have much need for more.

Leopard P900 iso 400 357mm (1999) f6.5 1/250

This photo in the Kruger National Park is one such case where an extra 1000 would have helped. The Leopard was photographed at the full 2000 zoom and was almost not visible to the naked eye. The tricky backlight made it challenging to adjust the metering. Besides this photo, I can not think of any other time I wanted more zoom. Similarly, I did not find myself using up the full 3000 zoom much on my birding walk and I had to force myself to find use cases. 

Common Moorhen iso 100 306mm (1713) f6.3 1/800

Nikon p1000 for safari and wildlife photography.

Many of the drawbacks mentioned fall away when using this camera for a safari or vehicle-based wildlife photography. The size and weight do not provide such a significant disadvantage. Self-drive safari 's such as in the Kruger National Park forces you to stay on the road and take your shot of the wildlife at a distance. The 3000 zoom gets you well in the range of almost anything you can see with the naked eye.

Female Sunbird iso 180 467mm (2615) f8 1/500

Male sugarbird iso 360 90mm (504) f5 1/250.

Game drives at night may cause an issue for this camera, but at a distance, it will for any camera. To take good photos at night, you may require private tours and custom setups. I guess at which time you should already own the right equipment making this review moot. Now let's discuss the fact that all reviews suggest you need a tripod . Although at the 3000 zoom this camera is hard to keep still, any camera would be. You can use this camera very comfortably up to the max zoom without a tripod. In good light, I was able to take photos of birds quite comfortable in a standing position. A bean bag on the car window or safari vehicle may be able to provide you with a little extra stability.

Egyptian Goose iso 110 252mm (1411) f5.6 1/500

Finding a wildlife photography tour or safari.

As a wildlife photography enthusiast, I prefer taking photos of animals in their natural settings. Zoos and other wildlife parks can make good photography and practice. But ultimately, there is nothing like the real wild. Booking cheap flights with Skyscanner has made the world so small, but what then? Here are some tips to find an unforgettable safari experience.

Book Multi-day Safari Tour

Book all safaris by Tripaneer provides a dedicated multi-day safari website. With Viator , you can choose the type of holiday in the location you want to visit. They offer a large selection of Safaris and other multi-day tours.

Accommodation First

Many safaris are linked to specific accommodation locations. You book the accommodation, and the safari or game drive is included in the package. Tavelstart , a South African travel directory that owns SafariNow , provides many wildlife locations.

Safari and Wildlife Activities

If you are already heading to a location and want to include some one-day wildlife tours, check out GetYourGuide .

Nikon P1000 for bird photography

Cape sugarbird iso 400 135mm (756) f5.6 1/125, masked weaver iso 800 395mm (2212) f7.1 1/40, male sunbird iso 220 198mm (1108) f8 1/500, should you purchase the nikon p1000.

My overall takeaway from the review is that this is not a very good all-around camera due to its size, but rather an exceptional zoom camera. The camera works well for passive birds and will get you right up close, but not in a hiking situation; it is too big. If you have the cash and want a camera for your game drive or a trip to the local National park to photograph wildlife up close, this is an exceptional camera. If you want a good allrounder I would suggest the P950 .

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Bird Paradise

Top ways to experience Bird Paradise and nearby attractions

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BIRD PARADISE: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

• (7.00 km) Doubletree By Hilton Hotel Johor Bahru
• (9.63 km) Genting Hotel Jurong
• (12.10 km) Oasia Residence Singapore by Far East Hospitality
• (6.77 km) Amari Johor Bahru
• (6.57 km) Holiday Inn Express & Suites Johor Bahru, an IHG Hotel
• (0.65 km) Ulu Ulu Safari Restaurant
• (0.87 km) Ah Meng Restaurant
• (0.73 km) Bongo Burgers
• (3.14 km) Takagi Ramen -WOODS SQUARE
• (0.85 km) Starbucks
• (1.12 km) Singapore Zoo
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Store-bought milk tests positive for bird flu. Is it safe to drink? Here's what we know

The bird flu has been found in samples of store-bought milk, the Food and Drug Administration officials reported after lab testing on Wednesday. These tests have found genetic material from strains of avian flu in samples of milk.

At the beginning of April, the Ohio Department of Agriculture confirmed an Ohio cattle herd in Wood County tested positive for bird flu, the Columbus Dispatch reported .

But is it safe to drink milk with bird flu remnants in it? Here's what we know.

Is it safe to drink milk that contains bird flu strains?

The FDA states that commercial milk is safe to drink despite the remnants of bird flu.

The pasteurization process and the diversion or destruction of milk from sick cows helps ensure that store-bought milk is safe to consume.

As the FDA states, even if the bird flu virus is detected in raw milk, pasteurization eliminates pathogens to a level that does not pose a risk to consumer health. 

Can you eat eggs from chickens with H5N1 flu?

As of now, it is safe to consume properly handled and cooked eggs and poultry, according to the FDA.

The U.S. poultry industry has strict health and safety standards, including regular monitoring for bird flu.

Data shows the pasteurization process for eggs, which occurs at lower temperatures than what is used for milk, is successful at eliminating H5N1 before the eggs ever reach your plate.

Bird flu basics: Ohio cattle test positive for bird flu. What is avian flu and how can you stay safe?

How did the FDA find the bird flu in milk?

The FDA received these results from its nationally representative commercial milk sampling study and found that about 1 in 5 of the retail samples tested positive for avian flu, with a greater proportion of positive results coming from milk in areas with infected herds.

Additional testing is required to determine whether intact pathogen is still present and if it remains infectious, the FDA reported. Their efforts are ongoing, and in addition, they will also be testing store-bought eggs. 

Is store-bought milk still safe to drink?

Yes, the FDA and USDA indicate that it is still safe to drink your store-bought milk due to the pasteurization process.

The samples collected don’t contain live avian flu virus, and positive results don’t mean the actual virus poses a risk to consumers.

FDA’s partners at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention signal no uptick of human cases of flu and no cases of avian flu, specifically, beyond the one known case related to direct contact with infected cattle.

More: Cases of bird flu are rising. What could it mean for your egg and poultry prices? What we know

What is the bird flu?

Bird flu, also known as avian influenza or H5N1 virus, refers to the disease caused by infection with Type A viruses. This virus spreads among wild aquatic birds and can infect domestic poultry and other bird and animal species. 

Humans are not usually affected by the bird flu virus. However, sporadic human infections — diseases that are seen only occasionally, and usually without geographic concentration — from bird flu viruses have occurred.

Infected birds shed bird flu virus through their saliva, mucus and feces, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Human infections with bird flu viruses can happen when the virus gets into a person’s eyes, nose or mouth, or is inhaled.

What are the symptoms of bird flu in humans?

Reported signs and symptoms of bird flu virus infections in humans have ranged from no symptoms, mild, to severe illness. 

Symptoms include:

• Eye redness (conjunctivitis)
• Mild flu-like upper respiratory symptoms
• Pneumonia (requiring hospitalization) 
• Fever (temperature of 100 degrees Fahrenheit [37.8 degrees Celsius] or greater)
• Feeling feverish (fever may not be present)
• Sore throat
• Runny or stuffy nose
• Muscle or body aches
• Shortness of breath
• Difficulty breathing

Less common signs and symptoms include: 

How to take precaution and what you should do if you think you have avian flu

The CDC developed new interim recommendations for prevention, monitoring, and public health investigations of highly pathogenic avian influenza in animals.

A list of precautions from the bird flu include: 

• Avoid direct contact with birds
• Avoid contact with wild or domestic birds that appear ill or have died
• Avoid unprotected exposure to infected live or dead animals or surfaces contaminated by them
• Learn what to do if you have contact with infected birds or other animals and become sick
• Getting the flu vaccine can reduce the risk of getting sick with human influenza viruses and thus the risk for seasonal and bird flu co-infection

If you think you may have come in contact with the bird flu virus, contact your state or local health department and seek medical attention as soon as possible.

Have there been cases of bird flu in humans?

Yes, but the  public health risk  from bird flu remains low, according to the Food and Drug Administration — only two cases of bird flu in humans have been reported from the latest outbreak. 

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Book Reviews

Looking for new ways to appreciate nature 2 new birding books may help.

Barbara J. King

Just as spring begins to show its annual gifts of rejuvenation — and as we celebrate Earth Day — two new books offer reflections on ways that watching birds can renew our joy in nature, and maybe even transform our lives.

In Birding to Change the World , environmental justice educator Trish O'Kane recounts lessons from birds that have galvanized her teaching and activism in Wisconsin and Vermont. And, hitting shelves Tuesday, novelist Amy Tan in The Backyard Bird Chronicles tightens the focus in describing and drawing the array of birds that visit her yard in California.

The author of The Joy Luck Club , The Valley of Amazement and other novels, Tan makes a glorious success of this venture into non-fiction. The book consists of journal entries from 2017 through 2022 that recount her observations of the behavior of oak titmice, golden crowned sparrows, California scrub jays, Anna's hummingbirds and other birds, coupled with her drawings of them. The entire package is enchanting, all the more so because Tan peppers the pages with questions about what she is seeing.

Author Interviews

Amy tan didn't think 'the backyard bird chronicles' was publishable. clearly it was.

One day, from inside her house, Tan noticed a female house finch flying back and forth just outside the glass door, while looking directly at her. One feeder was full of seeds, and the bird sat there but did not eat. Another feeder nearby, devoted to highly favored sunflower seeds, was empty. "Could this bird possibly be signaling that I should refill its favorite feeder?" Tan wondered. She did refill it, and the finch "immediately went to the feeder and ate and ate and ate."

I love Tan's curiosity and openness to possibilities about birds, who are much smarter than often credited. (In keeping with this good message of hers, all the better to avoid "it" when referring to a bird individual, especially when the bird's sex is known.)

Another day, an unfamiliar bird showed up. Tan scrutinized the bird's markings and worked through the process of identification. "I went giddy in the brain," she remembers. "It was an American Tree Sparrow. But how could that be?" These birds are unexpected in California. Would the bird try to rejoin other American tree sparrows? Could the bird become disoriented and die?

"With both fiction and birds," Tan writes, "I think about existence, the span of life, from conception to birth to survival to death to remembrance by others."

When she began this project, Tan could recognize precisely three birds in her yard. Now, the count is 63 species. I deeply share her joy at this later-in-life learning curve: In 2023, I counted 43 bird species in our little patch of land in southeastern Virginia.

Tan's playful humor strays into outright anthropomorphism at times: "I want tourist junk food!" declares a baby crow she has drawn. This fanciful tone only brings extra warmth to a magnificently written and illustrated volume.

Author Trish O'Kane is entranced with American woodcocks. These birds resemble "a football with wings" and walk awkwardly on land. They rely heavily on earthworms as a diet mainstay. Their main call, termed peenting, is a "strange buzzing that sounds like a giant insect being squashed." In the air, they fly in intricate spirals.

Woodcocks, American bitterns, sandhill cranes, Canada geese, and catbirds are just some of the 134 bird species that inhabit Warner Park in Madison, Wisconsin, in addition to numerous species of mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and insects. Yet every July 4th beginning in the 1990s — long before O'Kane arrived in Madison to begin graduate school — the park had hosted a conflagration of fireworks and noise called Rhythm and Booms.

At this event, attended by 100,000 people, cannons were fired and five tons of fireworks exploded. Birds are known to feel "panic and even pain" from such thunderous noise; some abandon nests or even die of fright. Heavy metal residues from the fireworks soaked the park's soil.

This tradition outraged O'Kane, as did plans to further develop the park beyond its existing sports fields. With a background in environmental justice and investigative journalism, O'Kane recognized that Warner Park was at even extra risk because it bordered low-income neighborhoods; white folks in power weren't much concerned with nature opportunities for people of color. She oriented her dissertation around questions of social justice: Why couldn't a park in a lower-income neighborhood also be a protected place for wildlife?

O'Kane carried out interdisciplinary research; collaborated with local nature lovers to form an activist group called Wild Warner; and educated students from middle school to college age about the park. (A laudable endeavor, though I can't comprehend why O'Kane supported the process of teaching kids to fish since many fishes, like birds, have intricate social lives.)

Tirelessly working together, a team of park lovers brought evidence forward to local authorities about the ongoing harms to the park, including violations to the Clean Water Act and poisoning of the birds' environment — highlighting the delightful woodcocks who were eating the park's toxin-laced earthworms. The authorities listened: Rhythm and Booms was moved out of the park and damaged areas of the park were restored to prairie.

O'Kane's story is richer in scope than I can convey here. It begins in New Orleans at the time of Hurricane Katrina and ends in Vermont, where she teaches today. Her book is a beautiful love letter to local activism and especially to the birds who teach her so much. Canada geese, for example, "provided a perfect organizing and leadership model." As the geese flock in the air, they "synchronize their flapping and switch position constantly... It seems geese have found the solution to activist burnout."

Tan and O'Kane invite us to see the beauty of birds in our world and to act for their well-being. We need their voices in this spring's chorus.

Barbara J. King is a biological anthropologist emerita at William & Mary. Her latest book is Animals' Best Friends: Putting Compassion to Work for Animals in Captivity and in the Wild . Find her on X, formerly Twitter @bjkingape

Correction April 23, 2024

An earlier version of this review incorrectly stated that The Backyard Bird Chronicles was Amy Tan's first foray into non-fiction. The story has been updated here.

MIT Technology Review

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New bird flu infections: Here’s what you need to know

New cases in cows and a dairy worker in Texas highlight the need for vigilance and better strategies to protect animals and people.

• Cassandra Willyard archive page

This article first appeared in The Checkup, MIT Technology Review’s weekly biotech newsletter. To receive it in your inbox every Thursday, and read articles like this first, sign up here .  

A dairy worker in Texas tested positive for avian influenza this week. This new human case of bird flu—the second ever reported in the United States—isn’t cause for panic. The individual’s illness was mild—an eye infection—and they are already recovering. There’s still no evidence that the virus is spreading person to person. The person who became infected in Texas likely picked the virus up from infected cows or poultry on the farm where he works.

But the rash of recent infections among livestock is unsettling. Last month, goats in Minnesota tested positive. And avian influenza has now been confirmed in dairy cows in Texas, Michigan, Kansas, New Mexico, and Idaho. In some of those cases, the virus appears to have spread between cows. This week, let’s take a look at what we know about this new outbreak and what people are doing to prepare for further spread.  

The strain of flu infecting dairy cows—H5N1—is a highly pathogenic avian influenza. Scientists have been watching these viruses closely since the 1990s because of their potential to spark a pandemic. In 1997, avian influenza sickened humans for the first time. Eighteen people in Hong Kong became infected, and six died. 

Small spillovers into mammals aren’t uncommon for these viruses, especially in recent years. Avian influenza has been reported in mink, skunks, raccoons, coyotes, seals, sea lions, and bears, to name a few. But having the virus in domesticated mammals that come into frequent contact with humans is new territory. “Exactly what happens when an avian flu virus replicates in a cow and potentially transmits from cow to cow, we actually don’t have any idea at all,” says Richard Webby, a virologist at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital who studies avian influenza.

Here’s the good news: even though the virus is infecting dairy cows (and now one dairy worker), “this is still very much a bird virus,” Webby says. Genetic sequencing by the USDA and the Centers for Disease Control suggests that these new infections are caused by a strain of flu that’s nearly identical to the virus circulating in wild birds. Few of the changes they did identify would allow it to spread more easily in mammals.

The spread of bird flu in cows is worrisome, but not as worrisome as it would be if the infections were happening in pigs, which are an ideal mixing vessel for flu virus. Pigs are susceptible to swine flu, avian influenza, and human influenza. That’s how swine flu emerged back in 2009— multiple viruses infecting pigs swapped genes , eventually giving rise to a virus capable of human transmission. 

Mammalian infections with bird flu have mostly been one-offs, Webby says. A mammal gets infected by eating a dead bird or ingesting bird droppings, but the infection doesn’t spread. One notable exception occurred in 2022, when H5N1 popped up on a mink farm in Spain and quickly jumped from barn to barn. Scientists also suspect that in rare cases, the virus has spread among family members . 

Cow-to-cow transmission hasn’t been confirmed, but the fact that some cows became infected after the arrival of cows from affected herds suggests that it may be occurring. That transmission may not be via coughs and sneezes—the traditional way flu gets passed on. It could be indirect. “So an infected cow drinks from a trough of water and the next cow comes along and drinks from that same trough,” Webby says.

How can we curb the spread among animals? That’s an ongoing debate. Vaccination is an option, at least for poultry. That’s common practice in China, Mexico, and a handful of other countries. Immunization doesn’t prevent infection, but it does reduce symptoms. That might curb the impact on flocks, but some experts are concerned that vaccinated flocks might allow the virus to spread undetected. Vaccination also would likely affect trade. Countries don’t want to import birds that might be infected. France decided to begin vaccinating ducks last year , and the USDA promptly announced it would restrict poultry imports from France and its trading partners. In the US, the current practice is to cull infected flocks . But there are signs that vaccination isn’t off the table. Last year the USDA began testing four vaccine candidates against the particular strain of H5N1 driving the current outbreak that has affected poultry across the globe. 

As a longer-term solution, researchers have also been working on creating genetically engineered animals that are resistant to bird flu. Last year, researchers created such chickens by using CRISPR to alter a single gene. 

For cattle, the current options to curb transmission are limited. Culling cattle would be a much harder sell because they’re so much more valuable than chickens. And cow vaccines for avian influenza don’t yet exist, although they would be relatively easy to produce. 

Bird flu has been on public health officials’ radar for more than two decades, and it has yet to make a jump into humans. “I do think that this particular virus has some fairly high hurdles to overcome to become a human-transmissible virus,” Webby says. But just because it hasn’t happened doesn’t mean it won’t: “We can be a little bit reassured that it’s not easy, but not assured that it can’t do it at all.”

Luckily, even if the virus suddenly acquired the ability to spread in humans, it would be vastly easier to develop a vaccine than it was to create one for covid-19. A vaccine already exists against H5N1. Doses of that shot are sitting in the country’s national stockpile. “This is one case we’re a little luckier because it’s a pathogen that we know. We know what this is and what we have in the freezer, so to speak. We have a little bit of a leg up on at least getting started,” Paul Marks, the FDA’s top vaccine regulator, told a reporter at the World Vaccine Congress this week . 

It’s not clear how well those doses would work against the current strain of H5N1. But many companies are already working on improved vaccines . Moderna plans to test an mRNA vaccine against the H5N1 strain causing the current outbreak. mRNA technology has a major advantage over traditional production methods for influenza vaccines, which grow the virus in eggs. In the event of a bird flu pandemic, eggs could be in short supply. Even if enough eggs were available, it could take half a year to develop a vaccine. mRNA technology, however, could shorten that timeline dramatically. 

That’s good news. With avian influenza surging across the globe, there are more opportunities than ever before for the virus to hit on a combination of genes that gives it the ability to easily infect humans. 

Now read the rest of The Checkup

Read more from mit technology review’s archive.

In a previous issue of The Checkup, Jessica Hamzelou explained what it would take for bird flu to jump to humans and why we don’t need to panic. Not yet, anyway. 

Google Earth can help scientists visualize the movement of H5N1 and perhaps even improve our ability to predict where outbreaks might occur. Rachel Ross had the story . 

Dig deep into the archives and you’ll find that Tech Review has been asking if bird flu will jump to humans for nearly two decades. Emily Singer report ed on efforts to answer this question in 2006.

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Perfusing donated organs with circulating blood after they’re removed from the body helps keep them viable for transplant and makes it possible to transplant donor organs that might previously have been rejected. The process is “changing every aspect of the organ transplant process, from the way surgeons operate, to the types of patients who can donate organs, to the outcomes for recipients.” ( NYT )

The country’s largest egg producer detected bird flu in its flocks and culled nearly 2 million birds. ( Washington Post )

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Jericho Ridge review – shades of Rio Bravo in tense siege thriller with old-timey charm

Nikki Amuka-Bird gives a powerful performance as a gritty deputy defending her remote sheriff’s office from armed invaders

T here’s an old-timey charm about this, a (mostly) one-location action movie in the tradition of Rio Bravo, or its sort-of remake Assault on Precinct 13. Partly it’s because of the remote mountainous setting in an unnamed state, the log cabin sheriff’s office, the trucks, twangy accents and mentions of second amendment nuts; and partly because of the core device of having a heroic figure – in this case, Deputy Tabby Temple (Nikki Amuka-Bird) – defending the fort against armed invaders. But the joke’s on us because nearly the whole thing was shot in Kosovo and most of the cast is British, as is writer-director Will Gilbey, who is making his feature directorial debut after a long apprenticeship as an editor, writer and second-unit dogsbody on the distinctly estuary-accented Rise of the Footsoldier movies among others. And good luck to the lot of them, because strictly as a genre exercise, this is impressively tense, exciting and adroitly composed. Plus, the whole cast nails the accents.

Like the true pro that she is, Royal Shakespeare Company-trained Nigerian-Brit Amuka-Bird contributes a performance that demonstrates physical prowess, grit, tenderness, vulnerability and pain in a turn that keeps her onscreen throughout. Tabby is first met hobbling about with a broken ankle that of course only gets explained properly later. Because of her injury, and the fact that she’s recently been demoted for reasons subsequently explained, she’s grounded and working the dispatch radio while her colleagues go off to investigate a murder. That also means babysitting a drunk meth-head wife-beater (Michael Socha) in the cells and her own teenage son Monty (Zack Morris from EastEnders) who’s been a naughty boy recently, running with the local drug crowd. When a locksmith (Philipp Christopher) who comes to repair things after a recent break-in turns out to not be a locksmith at all, the film segues into siege mode, with Tabby holding the fort with only a gun that could malfunction at any moment, a shoddy surveillance setup and the radio at her disposal while the state police take their sweet time.

The last act slides somewhat into predictability, but Gilbey pulls out a few nimble moves for the action set pieces, including dampening down the sound so that the shots sound like muffled puffs of noise, and using remote cameras on police cars to reveal action in other locales. Jericho Ridge has nothing especially profound to say, but it’s an impressive calling card, and hopefully proved a shot in the arm for the Kosovan film industry if nothing else.

• Action and adventure films
• Nikki Amuka-Bird

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• Species Name Count Date Observer Location

Native and Naturalized (75)

• Canada Goose Branta canadensis # Count: 10 Date: 7 Mar 2024 Observer: Tom Lewis Location: Longleat Safari Park
• Mallard Anas platyrhynchos # Count: 4 Date: 7 Mar 2024 Observer: Tom Lewis Location: Longleat Safari Park
• Rock Pigeon Columba livia # Count: 17 Date: 7 Mar 2024 Observer: Tom Lewis Location: Longleat Safari Park
• Common Wood-Pigeon Columba palumbus # Count: 66 Date: 7 Mar 2024 Observer: Tom Lewis Location: Longleat Safari Park
• Eurasian Collared-Dove Streptopelia decaocto # Count: 4 Date: 7 Mar 2024 Observer: Tom Lewis Location: Longleat Safari Park
• Northern Lapwing Vanellus vanellus # Count: 2 Date: 7 Mar 2024 Observer: Tom Lewis Location: Longleat Safari Park
• Herring Gull Larus argentatus # Count: 6 Date: 7 Mar 2024 Observer: Tom Lewis Location: Longleat Safari Park
• Gray Heron Ardea cinerea # Count: 1 Date: 7 Mar 2024 Observer: Tom Lewis Location: Longleat Safari Park
• Common Buzzard Buteo buteo # Count: 1 Date: 7 Mar 2024 Observer: Tom Lewis Location: Longleat Safari Park
• Great Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopos major # Count: 1 Date: 7 Mar 2024 Observer: Tom Lewis Location: Longleat Safari Park
• Eurasian Magpie Pica pica # Count: 3 Date: 7 Mar 2024 Observer: Tom Lewis Location: Longleat Safari Park
• Eurasian Jackdaw Corvus monedula # Count: 153 Date: 7 Mar 2024 Observer: Tom Lewis Location: Longleat Safari Park
• Carrion Crow Corvus corone # Count: 29 Date: 7 Mar 2024 Observer: Tom Lewis Location: Longleat Safari Park
• Common Raven Corvus corax # Count: 2 Date: 7 Mar 2024 Observer: Tom Lewis Location: Longleat Safari Park
• Eurasian Blue Tit Cyanistes caeruleus # Count: 33 Date: 7 Mar 2024 Observer: Tom Lewis Location: Longleat Safari Park
• Great Tit Parus major # Count: 8 Date: 7 Mar 2024 Observer: Tom Lewis Location: Longleat Safari Park
• Eurasian Blackcap Sylvia atricapilla # Count: 1 Date: 7 Mar 2024 Observer: Tom Lewis Location: Longleat Safari Park
• Eurasian Wren Troglodytes troglodytes # Count: 17 Date: 7 Mar 2024 Observer: Tom Lewis Location: Longleat Safari Park
• European Starling Sturnus vulgaris # Count: 53 Date: 7 Mar 2024 Observer: Tom Lewis Location: Longleat Safari Park
• Mistle Thrush Turdus viscivorus # Count: 3 Date: 7 Mar 2024 Observer: Tom Lewis Location: Longleat Safari Park
• Song Thrush Turdus philomelos # Count: 1 Date: 7 Mar 2024 Observer: Tom Lewis Location: Longleat Safari Park
• Eurasian Blackbird Turdus merula # Count: 22 Date: 7 Mar 2024 Observer: Tom Lewis Location: Longleat Safari Park
• European Robin Erithacus rubecula # Count: 23 Date: 7 Mar 2024 Observer: Tom Lewis Location: Longleat Safari Park
• Dunnock Prunella modularis # Count: 14 Date: 7 Mar 2024 Observer: Tom Lewis Location: Longleat Safari Park
• House Sparrow Passer domesticus # Count: 46 Date: 7 Mar 2024 Observer: Tom Lewis Location: Longleat Safari Park
• White Wagtail Motacilla alba # Count: 1 Date: 7 Mar 2024 Observer: Tom Lewis Location: Longleat Safari Park
• Common Chaffinch Fringilla coelebs # Count: 2 Date: 7 Mar 2024 Observer: Tom Lewis Location: Longleat Safari Park
• European Goldfinch Carduelis carduelis # Count: 21 Date: 7 Mar 2024 Observer: Tom Lewis Location: Longleat Safari Park
• Black-headed Gull Chroicocephalus ridibundus # Count: X Date: 7 Jan 2024 Observer: Michael Cross Location: Longleat Safari Park
• Red Kite Milvus milvus # Count: 6 Date: 7 Jan 2024 Observer: Michael Cross Location: Longleat Safari Park
• Ring-necked Pheasant Phasianus colchicus # Count: 4 Date: 5 Jan 2024 Observer: Steve Kitchen Location: Longleat Safari Park
• Rook Corvus frugilegus # Count: X Date: 5 Jan 2024 Observer: Steve Kitchen Location: Longleat Safari Park
• Mute Swan Cygnus olor # Count: X Date: 3 Jan 2024 Observer: Tom O'Shea Location: Longleat Safari Park
• Gadwall Mareca strepera # Count: X Date: 3 Jan 2024 Observer: Tom O'Shea Location: Longleat Safari Park
• Red-legged Partridge Alectoris rufa # Count: 1 Date: 3 Jan 2024 Observer: Tom O'Shea Location: Longleat Safari Park
• Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis # Count: X Date: 3 Jan 2024 Observer: Tom O'Shea Location: Longleat Safari Park
• Eurasian Moorhen Gallinula chloropus # Count: X Date: 3 Jan 2024 Observer: Tom O'Shea Location: Longleat Safari Park
• Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus # Count: X Date: 3 Jan 2024 Observer: Tom O'Shea Location: Longleat Safari Park
• Great Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo # Count: X Date: 3 Jan 2024 Observer: Tom O'Shea Location: Longleat Safari Park
• Eurasian Jay Garrulus glandarius # Count: 1 Date: 3 Jan 2024 Observer: Tom O'Shea Location: Longleat Safari Park
• Coal Tit Periparus ater # Count: 1 Date: 3 Jan 2024 Observer: Tom O'Shea Location: Longleat Safari Park
• Marsh Tit Poecile palustris # Count: 2 Date: 3 Jan 2024 Observer: Tom O'Shea Location: Longleat Safari Park
• Eurasian Treecreeper Certhia familiaris # Count: 2 Date: 3 Jan 2024 Observer: Tom O'Shea Location: Longleat Safari Park
• Redwing Turdus iliacus # Count: X Date: 3 Jan 2024 Observer: Tom O'Shea Location: Longleat Safari Park
• European Greenfinch Chloris chloris # Count: 1 Date: 3 Jan 2024 Observer: Tom O'Shea Location: Longleat Safari Park
• Goldcrest Regulus regulus # Count: 1 Date: 2 Jan 2024 Observer: Tom O'Shea Location: Longleat Safari Park
• Eurasian Kestrel Falco tinnunculus # Count: 1 Date: 29 Dec 2023 Observer: Tom O'Shea Location: Longleat Safari Park
• Green-winged Teal Anas crecca # Count: 2 Date: 28 Dec 2023 Observer: Tom O'Shea Location: Longleat Safari Park
• Long-tailed Tit Aegithalos caudatus # Count: X Date: 28 Dec 2023 Observer: Tom O'Shea Location: Longleat Safari Park
• Fieldfare Turdus pilaris # Count: X Date: 28 Dec 2023 Observer: Tom O'Shea Location: Longleat Safari Park
• Gray Wagtail Motacilla cinerea # Count: 1 Date: 28 Dec 2023 Observer: Tom O'Shea Location: Longleat Safari Park
• Tawny Owl Strix aluco # Count: 1 Date: 22 Dec 2023 Observer: Tom O'Shea Location: Longleat Safari Park
• Eurasian Nuthatch Sitta europaea # Count: X Date: 19 Dec 2023 Observer: Tom O'Shea Location: Longleat Safari Park
• Eurasian Wigeon Mareca penelope # Count: 2 Date: 18 Dec 2023 Observer: Tom O'Shea Location: Longleat Safari Park
• Common Gull Larus canus # Count: X Date: 14 Dec 2023 Observer: Tom O'Shea Location: Longleat Safari Park
• Great Egret Ardea alba # Count: 1 Date: 28 Nov 2023 Observer: Tom O'Shea Location: Longleat Safari Park
• Common Kingfisher Alcedo atthis # Count: 1 Date: 28 Nov 2023 Observer: Tom O'Shea Location: Longleat Safari Park
• Eurasian Coot Fulica atra # Count: 1 Date: 19 Nov 2023 Observer: Tom O'Shea Location: Longleat Safari Park
• Eurasian Green Woodpecker Picus viridis # Count: 1 Date: 19 Nov 2023 Observer: Tom O'Shea Location: Longleat Safari Park
• Mandarin Duck Aix galericulata # Count: 3 Date: 9 Sep 2023 Observer: Stephen Entwistle Location: Longleat Safari Park Show details Details:
• Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica # Count: 20 Date: 9 Sep 2023 Observer: Stephen Entwistle Location: Longleat Safari Park
• Bank Swallow Riparia riparia # Count: 6 Date: 21 Aug 2023 Observer: karen leonhardt Location: Longleat Safari Park
• Tufted Duck Aythya fuligula # Count: 3 Date: 18 Jun 2022 Observer: Glen Pascoe Location: Longleat Safari Park
• Stock Dove Columba oenas # Count: 3 Date: 18 Jun 2022 Observer: Glen Pascoe Location: Longleat Safari Park
• Meadow Pipit Anthus pratensis # Count: 2 Date: 12 Dec 2021 Observer: Simon Boswell Location: Longleat Safari Park
• Great Crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus # Count: 1 Date: 6 Oct 2021 Observer: Robert Hunt Location: Longleat Safari Park Show details Details:
• Willow Warbler Phylloscopus trochilus # Count: 1 Date: 28 Aug 2021 Observer: Glen Pascoe Location: Longleat Safari Park
• Yellowhammer Emberiza citrinella # Count: 1 Date: 18 Oct 2020 Observer: David Little Location: Longleat Safari Park
• Graylag Goose Anser anser # Count: 6 Date: 26 Oct 2019 Observer: John Lewis Location: Longleat Safari Park
• Western House-Martin Delichon urbicum # Count: X Date: 21 Apr 2018 Observer: Jonathan Hutchins Location: Longleat Safari Park
• Common Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita # Count: X Date: 21 Apr 2018 Observer: Jonathan Hutchins Location: Longleat Safari Park
• Common Reed Warbler Acrocephalus scirpaceus # Count: 1 Date: 6 Jul 2014 Observer: Steve Patmore Location: Longleat Safari Park
• Garden Warbler Sylvia borin # Count: 1 Date: 6 Jul 2014 Observer: Steve Patmore Location: Longleat Safari Park
• Eurasian Siskin Spinus spinus # Count: 3 Date: 6 Jul 2014 Observer: Steve Patmore Location: Longleat Safari Park
• Spotted Flycatcher Muscicapa striata # Count: 1 Date: 31 Jul 2006 Observer: Tim Earl Location: Longleat Safari Park

Additional Taxa (1)

• gull sp. Larinae sp. # Count: 35 Date: 7 Mar 2024 Observer: Tom Lewis Location: Longleat Safari Park

State officials worry about financial impact after bird flu cases detected in Idaho cattle

As cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza spread across U.S. cattle, Idaho officials say their biggest concern is the virus’ impact on Idaho’s economy.

The illness, also coined the bird flu, has sickened cattle across at least eight states, with the first case detected in Texas cattle in late March, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

On April 1, the Idaho Department of Agriculture reported its first case of the bird flu in cattle in Cassia County. The cattle infected had been recently imported from Texas, Sydney Kennedy, the spokesperson for the department of agriculture told the Idaho Capital Sun.

And on Monday, the department confirmed a second herd in Cassia County is positive for the bird flu.

Kennedy said the state is well-prepared with financial resources and trained staff to respond to animal diseases. The Idaho facilities with infected cattle have been placed under a quarantine to limit the movement of cattle, she said.

“Idaho is a major livestock state, and we cannot forget about what this truly means to the dairymen,” she said. “The outbreak in dairy herds primarily affects lactating cows, reducing milk production, this leaves the greatest amount of financial impact on the dairymen. Idaho’s dairy industry contributes significant economic value ($3.5 billion) to our state.”

What is the highly pathogenic avian influenza – aka bird flu?

The bird flu spreads naturally among wild aquatic birds worldwide, and it can infect domestic poultry and other species, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

While the virus emerged through birds, it has been detected in cattle, which is unusual, according to University of Idaho veterinary medicine assistant professor Lauren Christensen.

“This is not something that we’re typically looking for in mammals because the virus typically is only able to infect other poultry or other birds,” she told the Idaho Capital Sun. “We usually don’t see the virus able to switch over to mammals.”

The virus is mostly seen in wild flocks of geese or ducks that are migrating, Christensen said. Like with the flu, she said it’s virus particles coming from one infected animal or person going to another – usually in close contact.

Christensen said the virus causes significant disease and even death among chickens. But so far, no cows across the country have died from it.

Christensen said the main symptoms of the virus in cows include decrease in milk production and loss in appetite. Other symptoms may include a low-grade fever, color changes in milk or thickened milk.

Pasteurized dairy products are safe, experts say

Christensen said milk bought at the grocery store is safe for human consumption because it’s been pasteurized, or heated to a high temperature to kill harmful bacteria.

“Wash your hands, drink pasteurized milk, and you’ll be fine,” Christensen said.

While the bird flu does not normally infect humans, some human infections have occurred, according to the CDC. Earlier this month, federal officials identified the first human case of the illness in a Texas dairy worker, Politico reported. The symptoms are mild and the worker is expected to recover.

Rick Naerebout, the CEO of the Idaho Dairymen’s Association, told the Sun the biggest concern for Idaho is its financial impact on the dairy industry.

Naerebout said Idaho dairy workers are encouraged to follow biosecurity measures such as wearing personal protective equipment such as gloves, aprons and glasses. Dairy workers are also encouraged to separate their work clothes and everyday clothes, he said.

“What we’re hearing coming out of the Southwest is you can lose up to 20% of your milk production, and our dairymen are coming off over a year of negative margin,” he said. “That’s just really stressful on the finances and trying to be able to continue to wander through the storm that we’re in.”

To learn more about detections of the virus, visit the U.S. Department of Agriculture website. For updates about detected reports in Idaho, visit the Idaho State Department of Agriculture website. To learn more about the virus and how to prevent it, visit the CDC website.

Idaho Capital Sun is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Idaho Capital Sun maintains editorial independence.

As many as 300,000 Washingtonians at risk for losing Medicaid coverage with the end of the federal mandate maintaining coverage

With the end of the federal mandate requiring states to keep people enrolled in Medicaid during the PHE, an estimated 300,000 individuals covered by Apple Health, Washington's Medicaid program, need to update their Medicaid information

Pasteurized milk includes remnants of H5N1 bird flu, U.S. officials say

'we have seen nothing that would change our assessment that the commercial milk supply is safe,' fda says.

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The U.S. Food and Drug Administration says that samples of pasteurized milk have tested positive for remnants of the bird flu virus that has infected dairy cows.

The agency stressed that the material is inactivated and that the findings "do not represent actual virus that may be a risk to consumers." Officials added that they're continuing to study the issue.

"To date, we have seen nothing that would change our assessment that the commercial milk supply is safe," the FDA said in a statement on Tuesday.

The announcement comes nearly a month after an avian influenza virus that has sickened millions of wild and commercial birds in recent years was detected in dairy cows in at least eight states. The Agriculture Department (USDA) says 33 herds have been affected to date.

FDA officials didn't indicate how many samples they tested or where they were obtained. The agency has been evaluating milk during processing and from grocery stores, officials said. Results of additional tests are expected in "the next few days to weeks."

WATCH | Bird flu spread in U.S. cows:

Bird flu is spreading in cows. Are humans at risk? | About That

The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) lab test the FDA used would have detected viral genetic material even after live virus was killed by pasteurization, or heat treatment, said Lee-Ann Jaykus, an emeritus food microbiologist and virologist at North Carolina State University

"There is no evidence to date that this is infectious virus, and the FDA is following up on that," Jaykus said.

Officials with the FDA and the USDA had previously said milk from affected cattle did not enter the commercial supply. Milk from sick animals is supposed to be diverted and destroyed. Federal regulations require milk that enters interstate commerce to be pasteurized.

Tests for viable virus underway, agency says

Because the detection of the bird flu virus known as Type A H5N1 in dairy cattle is new and the situation is evolving, no studies on the effects of pasteurization on the virus have been completed, FDA officials said. But past research shows that pasteurization is "very likely" to inactivate heat-sensitive viruses like H5N1, the agency added.

The agency said it has been evaluating milk from affected animals, in the processing system and on the shelves. It said it is completing a large, representative national sample to understand the extent of the findings.

• CBC Explains Is milk safe to drink? Can you catch bird flu from beef? What to know about H5N1 cattle outbreaks
• Analysis Now that bird flu is spreading among cows, scientists worry where H5N1 will jump next

The FDA said it is further assessing any positive findings through egg inoculation tests, which it described as a gold standard for determining viable virus.

Interstate cattle must be tested for bird flu

On Wednesday, the U.S. government said it will require dairy cattle moving between states to be tested for bird flu starting on Monday, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack told reporters. 

The USDA said it found H5N1 in the lung of an asymptomatic dairy cow that was sent to slaughter without entering the food chain.  

Positive flu tests in cattle will prohibit animals from being moved during a 30-day waiting period and until they test negative, Vilsack said.

The USDA said last week that cow-to-cow transmission was a factor in the spread of bird flu in dairy herds, but it still did not know exactly how the virus was being moved around.

Matt Herrick, a spokesperson for the International Dairy Foods Association, said that time and temperature regulations for pasteurization ensure that the commercial U.S. milk supply is safe. Remnants of the virus "have zero impact on human health," he wrote in an email.

Scientists confirmed the H5N1 virus in dairy cows in March after weeks of reports that cows in Texas were suffering from a mysterious malady. The cows were lethargic and saw a dramatic reduction in milk production. Although the H5N1 virus is lethal to commercial poultry, most infected cattle seem to recover within two weeks, experts said.

To date, two people in the U.S. have been infected with bird flu. A Texas dairy worker who was in close contact with an infected cow recently developed a mild eye infection and has recovered. In 2022, a prison inmate in a work program caught it while killing infected birds at a Colorado poultry farm. His only symptom was fatigue, and he recovered.

The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute's Science and Educational Media Group. The AP is solely responsible for all content. 

With files from Reuters

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