African Birdlife - March/April 2021

In this issue

iSimangaliso wetland park • Madagascar • Mirrorless cameras • Raptors • Summer rarities

The Magic Beaks Of Stone Birds

Discovering an ancient avian superpower

4 mins

What's In A Name?

Introducing the Blue-billed Teal and Fynbos Buttonquail

5 mins

FORCE of nature

During the past five or so years, Cape-based photographer Peter Chadwick has focused his conservation work on supporting counter-poaching efforts, developing conservation and re-introduction strategies for high-risk and endangered species and cultivating marine and terrestrial conservation teams. While doing this work throughout the African continent and the Western Indian Ocean, Peter has used his conservation photojournalism to raise awareness and garner support for the various causes he works on. A multiaward-winning cameraman, he is a Senior Fellow and Executive Member of the International League of Conservation Photographers.

7 mins

Hidden Treasure Verreaux's Eagle-Owl

Despite being the largest owl species in the region and sporting characteristic bright pink eyelids, Verreaux’s Eagle-Owls Bubo lacteus can be surprisingly difficult to find in the wild. It was a colleague of mine, Callum Evans, who first pointed out an eagle-owl nest to me on 1 August 2020 in Mawana Game Reserve in northern KwaZulu-Natal. I had seen an adult and a sub-adult in the vicinity a few days before and had thought there might be a nest somewhere, but I hadn’t been able to locate it.

5 mins

close quarters

Accipiters and Cape Buzzards breeding on the Cape Peninsula

8 mins

The Place Of Wonder

Birding in iSimangaliso Wetland Park and St Lucia

8 mins

Madagascar What's So Special?

A typical person knows nothing about Madagascar beyond an awareness of the animated movies of that name and a resulting conviction that the country gives refuge to penguins. Africans do slightly better.

9 mins

true reflection

Canon’s R6 and R5 camera bodies

10+ mins

coral frenzy

Coral trees (Erythrina species) are found in tropical and subtropical areas around the world, including in southern Africa where nine species occur.

5 mins

proudly SOUTH AFRICAN

Founded in February 2020, the South Africa Listers’ Club is a community of birders who have recorded 300 or more species within the borders of South Africa. As a protector of the country’s birds, BirdLife South Africa is enthusiastic about encouraging a #ProudlySouthAfrican approach to birding.

2 mins

Read all stories from {{magazineName}}

African Birdlife Magazine Description:

African Birdlife is a world-class bi-monthly magazine about birds and birdwatching in Africa. It includes informative articles and stunning photographs of Africa's birds. Features include: The latest news on bird conservation and behaviour; equipment reviews; photographic tips; competitions to win great prizes. It serves as an important mouthpiece for BirdLife South Africa to create awareness about bird research and conservation.