KwaZulu-Natal is a province of South Africa that boasts a rich diversity of animal and plant life. Known for its stunning landscapes and wildlife, the region is a popular destination for nature enthusiasts and tourists alike.
Among the diverse fauna found in KwaZulu-Natal are numerous bird species, many of which are endemic to the area. These birds can be found in many different habitats, including forests, wetlands, grasslands, and the coast, offering a unique experience for bird watchers.
In this article, we will take a closer look at some of the bird species found in KwaZulu-Natal and the importance of preserving these magnificent creatures for generations to come.
1. African Paradise Flycatcher
The African paradise flycatcher is a beautiful passerine bird, with the males having tail feathers that extend into streamers twice as long as its body.
Males have chestnut or rusty coloured upper parts on their wings and tails, contrasting nicely against the whitish underparts of both genders.
The head and throat are black for adult males, while females lack this colouration but feature some orange-red streaking instead.
Both sexes bear red eyes and blue-grey legs and feet to round out their appearance.
These birds mainly inhabit tropical forests throughout Sub-Saharan Africa where they feed primarily on insects such as beetles, ants, cicadas; occasionally supplementing it with small fruit when available during certain times of yearScientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Monarchidae |
| Genus | Terpsiphone |
| Species | T. viridis |
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2. White-Browed Coucal
The White-browed Coucal is a species of bird belonging to the Cuculidae family. It can be found in sub-Saharan Africa, inhabiting thick vegetation and rank undergrowth as well as coastal regions.
This medium-sized cuckoo has a length between 36 and 42 cm and is sometimes considered a subspecies of Burchell’s coucal.
Its main distinguishing feature is its white eyebrow which extends towards the back of its head, giving it an elegant look that makes it stand out from other birds in its habitat.
Additionally, this species also features black plumage with some yellow spots on their wings and tail feathers for extra beauty points.
All in all, these fascinating creatures make great additions to any wildlife enthusiast’s list of spotted animals.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Cuculiformes |
| Family | Cuculidae |
| Genus | Centropus |
| Species | C. superciliosus |
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3. Purple-Crested Turaco
The Purple-crested turaco is a beautiful bird found in African countries like South Africa. It has striking plumage, with its head and crest being bright purple or blue-ish green.
Its wings, back, and tail are black while the underside of its body is white to cream colored. The bill of this species is yellow and it also has red eyes which stand out against its feathers.
This species prefers woodlands and habitats near streams or rivers where they can find plenty of food such as fruit, leaves, buds and nectar from flowers.
They often congregate in flocks when looking for food either on high branches or close to ground level within their habitat range areas across southern Africa’s woodland regions making them easily visible by observers whilst searching for these feathered beauties.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Musophagiformes |
| Family | Musophagidae |
| Genus | Gallirex |
| Species | G. porphyreolophus |
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4. Green Wood Hoopoe
The Green wood hoopoe is a beautiful species of bird native to Africa. It measures up to 44 cm in length, and has distinctively bright green feathers with a purple back and long tail.
Its wings are marked with white, adding further distinction to this vibrant creature.
This abundant species can be found living among the trees of tropical forests across its range – it gets its name from their habit of using sticks and twigs for nest building purposes.
The Green wood hoopoe enjoys eating insects such as beetles, crickets, grasshoppers, moths and caterpillars; they also feed on small reptiles like lizards or snakes when available.
They are known for their loud call which sounds much like “oop-oop” echoing through the forest canopy – making them quite easy to spot.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Bucerotiformes |
| Family | Phoeniculidae |
| Genus | Phoeniculus |
| Species | P. purpureus |
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5. Brown-Hooded Kingfisher
The Brown-hooded kingfisher is a species of bird found in Sub-Saharan Africa. It has a brown head and blackish, turquoise wings which makes it quite distinguishable among other types of birds.
They prefer to live near woodlands, scrubland, forest edges and even suburban areas so they can easily find food sources such as beetles, grasshoppers or small lizards that make up their diet.
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) considers the Brown-hooded Kingfisher as being of least concern due to its wide distribution range and abundance across many regions throughout Africa.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Coraciiformes |
| Family | Alcedinidae |
| Subfamily | Halcyoninae |
| Genus | Halcyon |
| Species | H. albiventris |
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6. Green-Winged Pytilia
The Green-winged Pytilia is a vibrant little bird belonging to the Estrildidae family. It can be seen in many parts of Sub-Saharan Africa, though it is less frequent in some areas like central, far southern and coastal western regions.
The species was first described by Carl Linnaeus back in 1758 as part of his Systema Naturae publication.
This small seed eater has an olive green head with patches of yellow around its eyes and under its chin; the body feathers are brownish grey with a light blue wash on wings and tail feathers giving them their name – ‘Green-winged’.
They enjoy living near water bodies or open grasslands where they feed mainly on seeds which they glean from plants or capture midair.
With such beautiful colors, these birds make fantastic additions to any garden.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Estrildidae |
| Genus | Pytilia |
| Species | P. melba |
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7. Fork-Tailed Drongo
The fork-tailed drongo, also known as the common drongo or African drongo, is a small passerine bird found across a wide range, from the Sahel to South Africa.
This bird does not inhabit Congolian rainforests or Upper Guinean forests. The species belongs to the family Dicruridae and is characterized by its distinct forked tail.
The fork-tailed drongo has four recognized subspecies. Although small in size, this bird is known for its intelligence and vocal abilities.
The fork-tailed drongo is a skilled mimic and can imitate the calls of other birds to trick them into dropping their prey, which the drongo then swoops in to snatch up for itself.
This bird’s adaptability and cunning make it a fascinating species to observe in its natural habitat.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Dicruridae |
| Genus | Dicrurus |
| Species | D. adsimilis |
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8. Hadada Ibis
The Hadada ibis, native to Sub-Saharan Africa, is a loud and distinctive bird known for its three to four note calls during flight.
Often found near wetlands, they are adaptable and can also forage in cultivated land and gardens, often in close proximity to humans.
Unlike some other ibises, they are not entirely dependent on water. The Hadada ibis is named after the sound it makes and can often be heard in the early mornings and evenings as they fly out or return to their roosts.
With their sleek feathers and elongated beaks, they are a unique and interesting addition to the diverse wildlife of Africa.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Pelecaniformes |
| Family | Threskiornithidae |
| Genus | Bostrychia |
| Species | B. hagedash |
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9. Little Sparrowhawk
The little sparrowhawk is a diminutive bird of prey belonging to the Accipitridae family. It is the tiniest member of the Accipiter genus and shares a superspecies with the red-thighed sparrowhawk.
This African bird is characterized by two white spots on the underside of its central t, a distinct feature that sets it apart. Its small size is notable, and it possesses a remarkable hunting ability.
Despite its minute size, the little sparrowhawk can prey on birds larger than itself, making it a formidable predator of the skies.
The little sparrowhawk exhibits remarkable agility in flight, as it darts through the dense undergrowth of the African forest.
It is a unique bird of prey, and its characteristics make it a fascinating subject for bird lovers and researchers alike.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Accipitriformes |
| Family | Accipitridae |
| Genus | Accipiter |
| Species | A. minullus |