![]() ![]() ![]() The Ostrich is an enormous, flightless bird and one of the most iconic species on earth. The Rosy-Faced Lovebird is easily identified by a bright green body, blue rump and pink feathers near its face. Lovebirds occupy a variety of habitats like the dry southwest and the Namib desert. A mating pair of Rosy Faced Lovebirdsĭespite being primarily known as a pet species, Lovebirds still thrive in the wild and there are about nine different species in Africa. Within the larger flock dynamic, Lovebirds build extremely strong bonds with a single mate and often stick together for the duration of their lives. Living up to its name, the Rosy-faced Lovebird is a social species that lives in large flocks. Rosy-Faced LovebirdĮxtremely popular in the pet trade, you might be surprised to hear that one of Africa’s most beautiful birds, is actually a desert dwelling species. Recorded by IUCN as being of ‘least concern’, there is currently a thriving population of bee-eaters in Africa and they’re not at all difficult to spot when visiting tropical regions of Cameroon, Ethiopia, Togo, Ghana, Nigeria, Guinea, Burkina Faso, Gambia, Senegal, and Uganda. To avoid a painful sting, the bee-eater grabs its prey by the wing and rubs or strikes the insect against a hard surface. ![]() Like the Sunbird, they’re easily noticed for their colorful plumage and long, sharp beak.Īs their name suggests, they primarily prey on wasps and bees. With 26 different types of bee-eater on the continent, the red-throated bee-eater is among the most popular birds in Africa. Today all species are endangered due to habitat destruction and human conflict, however they can readily be seen in national parks through Southern and East Africa. There are 11 vulture species found in Africa, with the most common being the: White-backed vulture, Cape vulture and Lappet-faced vulture. Once on the ground, a large group of vultures can strip a buffalo carcass in a matter of hours. Having evolved an incredible sense of sight and smell, vultures are often able to seek out carcasses from over a mile away and are readily seen circling the skies in numbers, waiting for the most opportune time to approach. ![]() White-backed vulture swooping down near a carcass | Zimanga Game Reserve, South Africa Vultures have no feathers on their head and neck which helps to protect against the infectious parasites and bacteria that are rife on a decaying carcass. While they will never say no to picking at a fresh kill, they often times consume flesh that is so decayed that it has become toxic to mammals. Vultures are nature’s cleanup crew – they are large, strong birds who scavenge on the flesh and bones of carcasses left by large predators. Here are 12 of the most iconic birds in Africa: 1. We’ve created a shortlist of our favourites based on their unique appearance and high likeliness of being seen while on safari. From feisty little bee-eaters and brightly colored sunbirds to prehistoric shoebills and penguins, African birds come in an almost infinite number of shapes, sizes, and colors. The continent is home to over 2,500 recorded bird species, of which 67 percent are native to Africa.īirds have been around since the dino-age and fulfill countless different functions in African ecosystems. Africa is home to some of the largest, most colorful and varied bird populations in the world. ![]()
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