Category Archives: South African Wildlife

The inhabitants of South Africa’s wild places

African Penguin

Spheniscus demersus

One of our most endearing birds and the only one of its kind resident on the continent, the African Penguin was previously known as the Jackass Penguin, thanks to its donkey-like braying. Adults weigh as much as 3.5kg and stand up to 70cm tall.

Penguins forage in the open ocean, either alone, in pairs or in small groups, and usually within 40km from their colony. When not caring for chicks at the colony, adults can stay out at sea for up to 5 days. They feed primarily on shoaling fish (like sardine and anchovy) and squid. African Penguins swim at speeds of around 7km/h, and can remain submerged for up to 2 minutes at a time.

African Penguins usually breed in tightly packed colonies, often at any time of the year with specific peak periods in different colonies. Pairs are monogamous and form lifelong bonds, with the male advertising and defending their small territory around the nest. Most colonies are on islands well out of reach of mammalian predators, while a handful are in safe and sheltered areas on the mainland. African Penguins prefer to breed in burrows dug in guano (seabird excrement valued as fertilizer) or sand, but as this has become very rare at some nesting colonies authorities have resorted to making artificial structures available for the purpose. When burrows (natural or artificial) is unavailable, they will nest on open ground but usually these attempts are far less successful in raising chicks. Clutches consist of one to three eggs, incubated for around 40 days by both parents. Chicks leave the nest at between 2 and 3 months old, but remain dependent on their parents for another two months or so thereafter. Newly independent juveniles often disperse as far as 2,000km away from the colonies where they hatched, but most return to their natal colonies again when they reach breeding age at about 4 years old. It is estimated that African Penguins can live to about 27 years in the wild.

African Penguins are restricted to the coasts of Namibia and South Africa. The IUCN classifies it as endangered, owing to a plummeting population as a result of depleting fish stocks (through overfishing and warming oceans) and pollution (most notable from oil spills). Scraping of guano, which destroyed the penguins’ nesting sites, and collection of eggs caused major declines in the population at the start of the 20th century. From a population counted in the millions in the early 1900’s, the total estimated population in 2015 stood at around 80,000 mature birds (probably even fewer now) distributed at 29 breeding colonies (with an estimated 87% of the population breeding at just 8 localities). Boulders Beach, south of Cape Town and managed as part of the Table Mountain National Park, offers probably the most accessible viewing of the species.

African Penguins swimming at Boulders Beach

Colony of African Penguins at Boulders Beach

African Penguin at Boulders Beach

African Penguin emerging from the surf

African Penguin gathering nesting material

African Penguin pair greeting

African Penguin calling

African Penguin

Artificial nest boxes for the penguins at Boulders

African Penguin egg in artificial nest

African Penguin

African Penguin moulting

African Penguin at nest burrow

African Penguins moulting

African Penguin calling

African Penguin emerging from the surf

African Penguin juvenile

African Penguin tracks

African Penguins at Boulders beach

African Penguin at Boulders beach

African Penguin under water

African Penguins (photo by Joubert)

African Penguin (photo by Joubert)

African Penguin chick

African Penguin

African Penguins

African Penguin chick moulting

African Penguins on the boardwalk at Betty’s Bay

African Penguin chick moulting

African Penguins

African Penguin

Karoo Long-billed Lark

6 Replies

Certhilauda subcoronata

Karoo Long-billed Larks are usually encountered singly or in pairs. As their name suggest, these birds inhabit sparsely vegetated, rocky plains and hill slopes in the arid Karoo, and feed primarily on insects and seeds.

These rather large Larks (weighing 31-55g) breed mostly in spring and summer. Their nests are cups built of roots and twigs in hollows at the bases of shrubs and rocks in which 2-3 eggs are laid.

The Karoo Long-billed Lark occurs commonly in the drier western half of South Africa, specifically in the Northern, Western and Eastern Cape Provinces, extending into Namibia. The Karoo National Park is one of the best places to go looking for this species. With a a large and stable population, the IUCN considers the Karoo Long-billed Lark to be of least concern.

Karoo Long-billed Lark

Chorister Robin-Chat

18 Replies

Cossypha dichroa

The Chorister Robin-Chat occurs only in South Africa (marginally into Swaziland), where it inhabits evergreen montane and coastal forests from the Garden Route, through the Eastern Cape and Kwazulu-Natal and onto the escarpment of Mpumalanga and Limpopo. Insects, other invertebrates and a variety of fruits and berries make up the biggest part of their diet. At 20cm long and a weight of up to 56g, the Chorister Robin-Chat is the biggest species of Robin-Chat in our country. They have an amazing repertoire of calls, often imitating other birds and even human whistling, dogs barking or the croaking of frogs!

Chorister Robin-Chats breed from October to December, usually in rotten holes in trees which the female lines with moss, leaves, lichens and soft grass. Clutches of 2 or 3 eggs are incubated by the female for 2-3 weeks, with chicks remaining dependent on their parents for up to 8 weeks after hatching.

The IUCN considers the Chorister Robin-Chat to be of least concern, however it also notes that the population is probably declining due to habitat destruction.

Chorister Robin-Chat

Chorister Robin-chat

Chorister Robin-Chat

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Mocking Cliff Chat

7 Replies

Thamnolaea cinnamomeiventris

Mocking Cliff Chats inhabits well-wooded rocky outcrops, bouldered mountainsides, cliffs, ravines and rocky river valleys. It would appear that they move away from high-lying areas during the harshest part of winter. It feeds mainly on insects, but does include fruit and nectar in its diet. Adults grow to 22cm in length, weighing between 46-53g, and can become quite tame and confiding around humans.

Mocking Cliff Chats often take over the nests of swallows, though they will build their own nests of twigs, other plant material and fur in rocky hollows. They breed during spring and summer. Clutches contain 2-4 eggs and are incubated by the female for about 2 weeks. Both parents care for the chicks, which fledge at 3 weeks of age. They are usually encountered in pairs or small family groups numbering up to 6.

The Mocking Cliff Chat occurs patchily over a large area of Sub-Saharan Africa, wherever suitably rocky habitat is found, with the exception of the dense equatorial forests. in South Africa it can be found from the Eastern Cape northwards, through Kwazulu-Natal and the Free State to Limpopo Province. The IUCN considers it to be of least concern.

Mocking Cliff Chat (male)

Female Mocking Cliff Chat

Mocking Cliff-chat (female)

Mocking Cliff Chat (male)

Mocking Cliff Chat (female)

Mocking Cliff Chat

Mocking Cliff Chat female

Mocking Cliff Chat

Mocking Cliff-Chat male

Mocking Cliff Chats

Mocking Cliff-Chat

Mocking Cliff Chat

Mocking Cliff Chat female

Mocking Cliff Chat

Mocking Cliff Chat (photo by Joubert)

Mocking Cliff-chat (female)

Joubert caught these two Mocking Cliff Chats in a tiff at the Rhino & Lion Nature Reserve.

Joubert caught these two Mocking Cliff Chats in a tiff at the Rhino & Lion Nature Reserve

Joubert caught these two Mocking Cliff Chats in a tiff at the Rhino & Lion Nature Reserve

Speckled Pigeon

15 Replies

Columba guinea

Originally an inhabitant of mountains, gorges, cliffs and rocky outcrops and ridges from which it set out to forage in adjacent flatlands, the Specked Pigeon (or African Rock Pigeon) has now also adapted very well to human habitations and exotic plantations, which aided the species to expand both its range and population. They feed primarily on seeds, and can become a serious pest to grain farmers. These are rather large pigeons, with adults weighing as much as 400g.

Speckled Pigeons breed throughout the year, with a peak in the spring and summer months. Nests are built of sticks and other plant material on inaccessible crags and caves on cliffs or ledges on buildings. Clutches usually consist of 2 (1-3) eggs and are incubated by both parents for 2 weeks. Chicks can stay in the nest for as long as 5 weeks.

Speckled Pigeons occur in two distinct parts of Africa: The first stretches in a wide band from east to west Africa, with the other in southern Africa. They can commonly be found in suitable habitat all over South Africa. It is considered to be of least concern by the IUCN. Unfortunately they do sometimes hybridize with feral populations of the exotic Eurasian Rock Dove (C. livia) in our towns and cities.

Speckled Pigeons breed in the cliffs around Glen Reenen

Speckled Pigeon

Speckled pigeon

Speckled pigeons

Speckled Pigeon

Speckled Pigeon fledgling

Speckled Pigeon

Speckled Pigeon (photo by Joubert)

Speckled Pigeon

Speckled Pigeons

Speckled Pigeon

Speckled Pigeons

Speckled Pigeon

African Barred Owlet

23 Replies

Glaucidium capense

African Barred Owlets inhabit tall, open woodlands, especially along rivers and forest edges, where they hunt from dusk to dawn (and sometimes on overcast days) for insects and small rodents and reptiles. These are small owls, with a wingspan up to 40cm and weighing only 100-140g.

Pairs of African Barred Owlets are monogamous, defend a territory and nest in holes in large trees during spring. Clutches containing 2 or 3 eggs are incubated by the female for between 4 and 5 weeks. Chicks fledge at around 6 weeks old, but can be dependent on their parents for many months thereafter still.

African Barred Owlets occurs over much of central, eastern and southern Africa, with an isolated population in Ghana and the Ivory Coast in west Africa. In South Africa they are found in the Lowveld of Mpumalanga and Limpopo (mostly in and around the Kruger National Park), with a small and isolated population (G.c.capense) on the coast and adjacent interior of the Eastern Cape between East London and Port Elizabeth. Genetic studies may well prove the latter population, considered locally threatened, to be a separate species. The IUCN considers the African Barred Owlet of least concern, despite noting a decrease in its population.

African Barred Owlet

Bearded Scrub Robin

13 Replies

Cercotrichas quadrivirgata

The Bearded Scrub-Robin inhabits dense woodland, thickets and riparian forests. They are excellently camouflaged as they search for insects and spiders in the leaf litter on the forest floor, and often go unnoticed. Adults weigh around 20-30g.

Bearded Scrub-Robins are usually encountered singly or in monogamous, territorial pairs or family groups, and breed in spring and summer in cup-shaped nests built of grass, leaves, twigs and roots, lined with mammal hair, in holes and cavities against the trunks of trees. Here the female incubates a clutch of 2 or 3 eggs for 2 weeks. The chicks grow rapidly and leave the nest at 2 weeks old, becoming independent of the parents about a month later.

In South Africa, Bearded Scrub-Robins are only found in the north of Kwazulu-Natal and the Lowveld and escarpment of Limpopo and Mpumalanga. Listed as Least Concern by the IUCN, the species has a wider distribution into Africa north of our borders, extending all the way to Kenya.

Bearded Scrub-Robin

Bearded Scrub Robin

Bearded Scrub-Robin

Bearded Scrub Robin

Bearded Scrub-Robin

Bateleur

31 Replies

Terathopius ecaudatus

Considered an ill omen in the traditional folklore of many African societies, the Bateleur is our most colourful eagle and easily identified in flight by its short tail. They get their name from their acrobatic aerial courtship displays, “bateleur” being French for acrobat. Adults have a wingspan of just under 2 meters and weigh around 2.5kg.

Bateleurs inhabit open habitats, ranging from semi-desert shrublands and grasslands to savannas and open woodlands. They prey on a variety of smaller mammals, birds, reptiles (including venomous snakes), insects and even fish and amphibians, caught from drying pools. They also include a large percentage of carrion in their diet – in fact, they are usually one of the first species to arrive at a carcass. They spend many hours daily on the wing, gliding fast and low over the ground in search of food and covering as much of 400km a day in this way!

In southern Africa, Bateleurs breed in the summer rainy season. Pairs are monogamous, staying together for life, and territorial. Nests are stick-platforms built in the canopies of tall trees, usually along water courses, and lined with leaves. The single egg is incubated for almost two months. Both parents play their part in feeding the chick, which takes its first flight when it is 3 to 4 months old and becomes independent about 7 months after hatching. Young Bateleurs are highly nomadic until they establish their own pairbonds and territories.

The Bateleur’s natural distribution extends over most of sub-Saharan Africa, with the exception of the driest deserts and equatorial forests, with a small population on the Arabian Peninsula. Habitat loss, poaching and poisoning is causing Bateleur populations to decline all over their range and they are becoming increasingly restricted to the large game reserves and national parks. It is now listed as “Near Threatened” by the IUCN, and considered vulnerable in South Africa. South Africa’s biggest population occurs in and around the Kruger National Park, estimated at around 600 breeding pairs, while elsewhere in the country they are now only to be found in the reserves of northern Kwazulu-Natal, the Lowveld of Mpumalanga and Limpopo, along the Limpopo valley, and in the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park while they were previously much more widespread.

Juvenlie Bateleur

Bateleurs

Bateleur (female)

Bateleur

Juvenile Bateleur flying overhead

Bateleur

Immature Bateleur

Bateleur

Immature Bateleur

Bateleur

Immature Bateleur

Adult Bateleur

Immature Bateleur

Very wet Bateleur

Bateleur in flight

Bateleur cleaning up roadkill

Bateleur

Immature Bateleur (photo by Joubert)

Bateleur

Bateleur pair

Bateleur

Burchell’s Starling

17 Replies

Lamprotornis australis

Burchell’s Starling inhabits savannas and woodlands with large thorn trees and patches of open terrain, foraging mostly on the ground for invertebrates, flowers and fruit. They also scavenge for scraps at picnic spots.

These large (34cm long, weighing 120g) starlings breed during summer, usually in cavities in trees lined with grass, leaves, feathers, snake skin and occasionally paper and other human waste material. The female lays 2-4 eggs and is responsible for incubation, which takes about two weeks, but both parents feed the chicks until they leave the nest at about 3 weeks of age.

Burchell’s Starling occurs in only a few southern African countries: marginally into Angola, Zambia, Mozambique, Swaziland and Zimbabwe, with the core of their distribution centred on Namibia, Botswana and South Africa, where they occur in the Lowveld of Mpumalanga, Limpopo and the North West with a few scattered records elsewhere. The IUCN considers the species of least concern.

Burchell’s Starling

Burchell’s starling

Burchell’s Starling

Burchell’s Starling killing an Alpine Swift

Burchell’s Starling

Burchell’s Starling emerging from nesting hole

Burchell’s Starling

Greater Blue-eared Starling

19 Replies

Lamprotornis chalybaeus

The Greater Blue-eared Starling is a common bird of savanna and woodland habitats. They are omnivorous, feeding on invertebrates, seeds, nectar, fruit and berries. They form fairly large flocks, especially outside of the breeding season, and often associate with other kinds of glossy starlings. Adults reach a length of 24cm and weigh from 68-105g.

Greater Blue-eared Starlings breed in spring and summer in holes in trees or inside the stick nests of larger birds like storks and ibises, lined with grass and feathers. Pairs are monogamous, and clutches contain 2-5 eggs that are incubated by the female for 2 weeks. The chicks fledge at 3 weeks old.

The IUCN considers the Greater Blue-eared Starling of least concern. It occurs in a band along the Sahel from west Africa to Ethiopia, and then southwards to northern South Africa, where it can be found in parts of the Mpumalanga and Limpopo provinces and is very common in the camps and picnic areas of the Kruger National Park.