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THE FITZPATRICK REPORT

THANKS TO YOU, CITIZEN SCIENTISTS

REVIEW: Guide to Seabirds of Southern Africa (New edition)

Charles Darwin once said, ‘I believe it has been shown that the pelagic birds, or those which are found in the open sea, are more peculiar in their habits than any other family of birds in the world.’

SHIRLEY the Southern Yellow-billed Hornbill

Hi there, I’m Shirley Ncube from Hwange National Park, Republic of Zimbabwe, Africa

protect a parrot protect a forest

Cape Parrot, isiKhwenene, Woudpapegaai… Call it what you will as South Africa’s only endemic parrot, this bird is one of a kind

birding in a gated estate

There is nothing more satisfying than waking to the pre-dawn chorus as the sun rises and the world slowly wakes up

Ntsikeni: of cattle and cranes

Ntsikeni Vlei Nature Reserve takes its name from its most prominent peak, which pierces the sky above the rolling grasslands

Joining the team...

BirdLife South Africa is pleased to welcome new members to its staff

three new birding routes for Mpumalanga

The Steenkampsberg in the highlands of Mpumalanga is dominated by extensive wetland systems, rocky outcrops, escarpment forest and near-pristine grassland

let's atlas Lesotho's birds

Lesotho, that small, landlocked country nestled within the majestic mountain ranges of southern Africa, is home to a fascinating array of bird species

'I got CHILLS, they're multiplying'

Summer is typically the breeding season for birds, but why do some of our raptors choose to lay their eggs in winter?

Southern SIGHTINGS

Autumn and early winter, although not known as a great time for rarities, managed to produce a list of mouth-watering birds and had many twitchers rushing around trying to catch up with as many of the good birds as possible

REVIEW: Vortex Viper HD 8x42

Binoculars are indispensable to birdwatching and a good pair even more so if you want to make out fine detail

perilous pipits

Buffy Pipit is one of a quartet of widespread and common South African pipit species whose identification local birders need to master if they want to progress through the twitching ranks

fussy eater or deadly dinner?

I observed an interesting scene at KwaMaritane camp in Pilanesberg, North-West Province. A Grey-headed Bush-shrike had caught a large caterpillar and wedged it between a small branch and the trunk of a tree

in praise of PARADISE

Mozambique's San Sebastian Peninsula hosts a diverse array of wild creatures and rich ecosystems, a conservation success story worth celebrating

A day at the museum with DAWIE DE SWARDT

Anyone who is in the habit of reading ornithological literature is likely to link the name Dawie de Swardt with species such as Gurney’s Sugarbird, African Rock Pipit and Karoo and Drakensberg prinias, all of which he’s studied in depth and written about

Revelations in northern Kruger

Taking paths less travelled and biding your time reveals hidden wonder in this birding mecca.

WOMXN FOR WILD IN MTUNZINI

A travel collective that organises trips for women in southern Africa, Womxn for Wild is aware that travelling alone as a woman can be stressful, even dangerous, in one of the global hotspots of gender-based violence.

Welcome tO our new editor

Anton Crone, the new editor of African Birdlife, says he feels both honoured and slightly intimidated to be taking over from the remarkable Eve Gracie, who has been at the helm since the magazine's inception in 2012.

75 years and counting!

The Cape Bird Club celebrates a milestone birthday with a Big Year

Where does it begin?

Have you ever wondered how a forest begins?

GERTIE the Guineafowl

The first of a series where we get to know the characters that add the most colour to our skies.

cutting-edge science

Helps South Africa's only endemic parrot

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GARDEN WATCH

Climbing Karoo koppies

Known for its endless plains and occasional hills, or koppies, the Karoo is an arid ecosystem inhabited by plants and animals adapted to unpredictable desert conditions.

on the right path

Lace up your boots, we're going birding on Magoebaskloof's Louis Changuion trail.

Tuning in to DAVID LÉTSOALO

BirdLife South Africa’s 2022 Conservation Hero, renowned bird guide David Letsoalo, talks birds, pizzas, perfect tunes and making friends in Manhattan’s Central Park.

Heated murmurations

The Kgalagadi National Park always delivers, as Jim and Eve - and some Lanner Falcons - discovered.

a hole lot of rollers

I have been fortunate to take an annual trip to the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park for the past few years where I enjoy photographing the birdlife and wildlife that this beautiful park has to offer.

VITAL SIGNS

The waterbirds of Knysna Estuary