The 'Kingdom of the Zulu'is renowned for the range of bird species that can be observed within its boundaries. More than 600 of South Africa's 900 odd bird species can be seen in KwaZulu- Natal.
Many of these birds are rarely seen in other parts of South Africa. Great examples being, the Spotted Thrush, Pel's Fishing Owl, Mangrove Kingfisher, Palmnut Vulture, Lammergeyer or Bearded Vulture and Purple Crested Lourie.
There are a number of excellent 'bird viewing' spots in KwaZulu- Natal. Some of the most renowned being:
Birdhaven - Exotic Bird and Waterfowl Park :
Bulwer
Telephone:(039)832 0940
Umlalazi Nature Reserve:
Has 310 recorded bird species- including the Palmnut Vulure, Bluebilled
Firefinch, Curlew Sandpiper, Green Twinspot and the Whitebacked Night
Heron.
Ngoye Forest Reserve:
For the serious ornithologist and the keen amateur birder, Ngoye is well
worth a visit. Some of the birds that can be seen here include the Green
& Woodwards Barbet, which are not found in any other forests in South
Africa. Of the 85 species of forest birds found in KwaZulu-Natal, 73 occur
in this small area.
Dlinza Forest Nature Reserve (Eshowe):
This is a major breeding locality for the Spotted Thrush, one of KZNs
rarest birds, and the Yellowstreaked Bulbul, also very rare.
Hluhluwe-
Umfolozi:
This reserve is rich in bird life with over 350 species. Birds such as the
Bald Ibis, African Finfoot, Knobbilled Duck, Ground Hornbill, various
Vultures (Whitebacked, Lappetfaced, Cape), Greenbacked Heron, Gorgeous
Bush Shrike, Green Pigeon etc. can be found regularly in this reserve.
St Lucia
Wetland Park:
The bird life in this area is prolific and at times one can view large
congregations of Lesser and Greater Flamingo. Among the numerous shoreline
aquatic birds, the following are of interest; Whitewinged, Whiskered,
Lesser Crested, Swift and Sandwich Terns as well as Caspian Terns which
breed nearby.
Phinda Resource
Reserve:
This reserve has 350 - 400 species of bird, including the Brown Headed
Parrot, Lemonbreasted Canary, Puprplecrested Lourie, Woodwards Batis just
to mention a few.
Mkuze Game
Reserve:
Some 430 species have been recorded in this reserve which is now part of
the Greater St Lucia Wetland Park, including the Bluegrey Flycatcher,
Desert Disticola, Green Coucal, Rudd's Apalis and Neergard's sunbird.
Kosi Bay :
There are a number of uncommon species to be searched for in the Kosi Bay
area, such as the Avocet, Barthroated Godwit, Pel's Fishing Owl, Palmnut
Vulture, Pinkthroated Longclaw and the Mangrove Kingfisher.
Ndumu Game
Reserve:
Not surprisingly, Ndumu is well known as one of South Africa s premier
birding spots. The list comprises of more than 85% of the 472 species
recorded from the whole of Maputaland. Apart from the rare subtropical and
migrant species that occur seasonally, the lakes and pans are noted for
the large concentrations of waterfowl that seek refuge and food over the
winter months in this small reserve. Some of the notable species recorded
are the; African Finfoot, Bat Hawk, Bearded Robin, Bluesheeked Bee- Eater,
Green Twinspot, Honey Guides, Pel's Fishing Owl and the Pygmy Goose.
Ukhahlamba
Drakensberg Park:
More than 300 bird species can be observed in this World Heritage Site.
Some of the most interesting being the Black Stork, Bald Ibis, Bearded and
Cape Vultures, Black Eagle, Jackal Buzzard, Black Harrier, Greywing
Francolin, Ground Woodpecker, Thickbilled Lark, Bush Blackcap, Cape and
Sentinel Rock Thrushes, Buffstreaked and Sicklewinged Chats,
Orangebreasted Rockjumper, Grassbird, Fairy Flycatcher, Yellowbreasted
Pipit, Greater Doublecollared Sunbird, Forest Canary and the Drakensberg
Siskin.
Oribi Gorge:
Has a bird list of some 250 species. An excellent spot for viewing Cape
Vulture, Crowned Eagle and the African Finfoot.
Two of KwaZulu-Natal's museums have extensive bird displays namely the Natural Science Museum in Durban and Pietermaritzburg's Natal Museum.
For more imformation on Birding in KwaZulu-Natal please visit the
following websites: