bonxie birder
Going for the One
Just returned from a family holiday so limited birding time, but thought it would be useful to give a few notes on birds seen in case others have a similar situation. We flew in to Johannesburg, then travelled to Kruger, staying at Pretoriuskop Campsite in the south west. Then moved to Shiduli, which is situated in Karongwe Private Game Reserve which is to the wst of Kruger in Limpopo Province. We then had a few days at Victoria Falls, Zambia. We stayed at the Zambezi Sun which was excellent, very close to the Falls. All booked through Virgin Holidays
White-faced Whistling Duck (Dendrocygna viduata) - seen once on Zambezi Cruise
Comb Duck (Sarkidiornis melanotos) - seen once on Zambezi Cruise
Crested Francolin (Francolinus sephaena) - Common in Kruger
Natal Francolin (Francolinus natalensis) - Common in Kruger
Swainson's Francolin (Francolinus swainsonii) - Common in Kruger
Reed Cormorant - Common
Darter - one at Shiduli
Hadeda Ibis - Common in Joburg at Gold Reef City and other locations
Sacred Ibis - Only seen in flight at Kruger
Hamerkop (Scopus umbretta) - Common in Kruger
African Openbill (Anastomus lamelligerus) - One on Zambezi Cruise
Woolly-necked Stork (Ciconia episcopus) - One in Kruger
Saddle-billed Stork (Ephippiorhynchus senegalensis) - one in Kruger
Marabou Stork (Leptoptilos crumeniferus) - About 30 seen from road at border between Gauteng and Limpopo Provinces
Bat Hawk (Macheiramphus alcinus) - one at dusk in Shiduli
Black-shouldered Kite - One in Kruger
Hooded Vulture (Necrosyrtes monachus) - groups seen in Kruger
African White-backed Vulture (Gyps africanus) - small groups seen in Kruger
Cape Griffon (Gyps coprotheres) - small groups seen in Kruger
Black-breasted Snake Eagle (Circaetus pectoralis) - singles seen in Kruger
Brown Snake Eagle (Circaetus cinereus) - singles seen regularly in Kruger
Bateleur (Terathopius ecaudatus) - singles seen regularly in Kruger
African Harrier-Hawk (Polyboroides typus) - two singles seen in Kruger
Lizard Buzzard (Kaupifalco monogrammicus) - one seen in Shiduli
Dark Chanting Goshawk (Melierax metabates) - one seen in Shiduli
Gabar Goshawk (Micronisus gabar) - one seen in Shiduli
African Fish Eagle - one at Shiduli
Tawny Eagle (Aquila rapax) - singles seen regularly in Kruger
Long-crested Eagle (Lophaetus occipitalis) - two singles seen on roadsides poles near Nelspruit
Red-knobbed Coot - Roadside pools near Nelspruit
White-headed Lapwing (Vanellus albiceps) - four or five on Zambezi cruise
Three-banded Plover - pair on river in Kruger
Blacksmith Plover - everywhere
Grey-headed Gull - Common in Joburg
African Mourning Dove (Streptopelia decipiens) - one seen on Zambezi cruise
Red-eyed Dove - seen in Kruger
Emerald-spotted Wood Dove (Turtur chalcospilos) - singles seen regularly in Shiduli
African Green Pigeon (Treron calvus) - one in Shiduli
Brown-necked Parrot (Poicephalus robustus) - one on Zambezi cruise
Brown-headed Parrot (Poicephalus cryptoxanthus) - one in Pretoriuskop grounds
Grey Go-away-Bird (Corythaixoides concolor) - Common in most locations
White-browed Coucal (Centropus superciliosus) - Common in Kruger
(African Scops-Owl - Thought we had one in Pretoriuskop one evening, turned out to be a fruit bat)
Fiery-necked Nightjar (Caprimulgus pectoralis) - common on night drives in Shiduli
Red-faced Mousebird (Urocolius indicus) - Fairly common in Kruger
Pied Kingfisher - Most locations
Brown-hooded Kingfisher (Halcyon albiventris) - one in Shiduli
White-fronted Bee-Eater (Merops bullockoides) - Common at Vic Falls, all locations
Little Bee-Eater (Merops pusillus) - one at Kruger
Lilac-breasted Roller (Coracias caudatus) - two singles in Kruger
Rufous-crowned Roller (Coracias naevius) - one in Shiduli
Green Woodhoopoe (Phoeniculus purpureus) - one group of 5 in Kruger
Red-billed Hornbill (Tockus erythrorhynchus) - common in Kruger
Southern Yellow-billed Hornbill (Tockus leucomelas) - common in Kruger
African Grey Hornbill (Tockus nasutus) - common Kruger/Shiduli
Trumpeter Hornbill (Ceratogymna bucinator) - about 10 seen in Zambezi Sun grounds regularly
Crested Barbet (Trachyphonus vaillantii) - seen in Pretoriuskop grounds
Black-collared Barbet (Lybius torquatus) - seen in Pretoriuskop grounds
Golden-tailed Woodpecker (Campethera abingoni) - seen in Pretoriuskop grounds
Bearded Woodpecker (Dendropicos namaquus) - seen in Pretoriuskop grounds
Chinspot Batis (Batis molitor) - Early morning caller in Pretoriuskop, but not seen (lamentable three blind mice). Pairs seen in Shiduli and Zambezi Sun grounds
White Helmetshrike (Prionops plumatus) - one in Shiduli
Black-backed Puffback (Dryoscopus cubla) - common in all locations
Black-crowned Tchagra (Tchagra senegalus) - one in Shiduli
Brown-crowned Tchagra (Tchagra australis) - one in Shiduli
Magpie Shrike (Corvinella melanoleuca) - seen in most locations
White-crowned Shrike (Eurocephalus anguitimens) - one in Pretoriuskop grounds
Eastern Black-headed Oriole (Oriolus larvatus) - one in Kruger
Fork-tailed Drongo (Dicrurus adsimilis) - commonest bird in Pretoriuskop
Cape Crow (Corvus capensis) - on road between Joburg and Nelspruit
Pied Crow - Singles outside NPs
Wire-tailed Swallow (Hirundo smithii) - Common at Vic Falls
Southern Black Tit (Melaniparus niger) - one at Shiduli
Common Bulbul (Pycnonotus barbatus) - One in Joburg at Gold Reef City
Tawny-flanked Prinia (Prinia subflava) - one in Kruger
Yellow-bellied Eremomela (Eremomela icteropygialis) - one in Shiduli
Long-billed Crombec (Sylvietta rufescens) - one in Kruger
Southern Black Flycatcher (Melaenornis pammelaina) - common at Pretoriuskop
Ashy Flycatcher (Muscicapa caerulescens) - regular in Zambezi Sun grounds
White-browed Robin-Chat (Cossypha heuglini) - singles in Zambezi Sun grounds
Bearded Scrub Robin (Cercotrichas quadrivirgata)- singles in Zambezi Sun grounds
Groundscraper Thrush (Psophocichla litsipsirupa) - One in Joburg at Gold Reef City
Kurrichane Thrush (Turdus libonyanus) - Common in Pretoriuskop
Cape Glossy Starling (Lamprotornis nitens) - Pairs in Shiduli
Greater Blue-eared Glossy Starling (Lamprotornis chalybaeus) - Common in most locations
Burchell's Glossy Starling (Lamprotornis australis) - Common in Kruger
Violet-backed Starling (Cinnyricinclus leucogaster) - seen regularly in pairs at Pretoriuskop
Red-billed Oxpecker (Buphagus erythrorhynchus) - common near any game
Amethyst Sunbird (Chalcomitra amethystina) - one in Shiduli
Greater Double-collared Sunbird (Cinnyris afer) - Pair seen once in Pretoriuskop
African Pied Wagtail (Motacilla aguimp) - singles seen all locations
Yellow-fronted Canary (Serinus mozambicus) - one seen in Kruger
Southern Grey-headed Sparrow (Passer diffusus) - pair seen in Pretoriuskop
Yellow-throated Petronia (Petronia superciliaris) - singles seen in Pretoriuskop
Red-billed Buffalo Weaver (Bubalornis niger) - group of 8 seen in Kruger
White-browed Sparrow-Weaver (Plocepasser mahali) -regular at Vic Falls
Blue-breasted Cordonbleu - only common "small bird". Seen everywhere
All game seen that one would expect
White-faced Whistling Duck (Dendrocygna viduata) - seen once on Zambezi Cruise
Comb Duck (Sarkidiornis melanotos) - seen once on Zambezi Cruise
Crested Francolin (Francolinus sephaena) - Common in Kruger
Natal Francolin (Francolinus natalensis) - Common in Kruger
Swainson's Francolin (Francolinus swainsonii) - Common in Kruger
Reed Cormorant - Common
Darter - one at Shiduli
Hadeda Ibis - Common in Joburg at Gold Reef City and other locations
Sacred Ibis - Only seen in flight at Kruger
Hamerkop (Scopus umbretta) - Common in Kruger
African Openbill (Anastomus lamelligerus) - One on Zambezi Cruise
Woolly-necked Stork (Ciconia episcopus) - One in Kruger
Saddle-billed Stork (Ephippiorhynchus senegalensis) - one in Kruger
Marabou Stork (Leptoptilos crumeniferus) - About 30 seen from road at border between Gauteng and Limpopo Provinces
Bat Hawk (Macheiramphus alcinus) - one at dusk in Shiduli
Black-shouldered Kite - One in Kruger
Hooded Vulture (Necrosyrtes monachus) - groups seen in Kruger
African White-backed Vulture (Gyps africanus) - small groups seen in Kruger
Cape Griffon (Gyps coprotheres) - small groups seen in Kruger
Black-breasted Snake Eagle (Circaetus pectoralis) - singles seen in Kruger
Brown Snake Eagle (Circaetus cinereus) - singles seen regularly in Kruger
Bateleur (Terathopius ecaudatus) - singles seen regularly in Kruger
African Harrier-Hawk (Polyboroides typus) - two singles seen in Kruger
Lizard Buzzard (Kaupifalco monogrammicus) - one seen in Shiduli
Dark Chanting Goshawk (Melierax metabates) - one seen in Shiduli
Gabar Goshawk (Micronisus gabar) - one seen in Shiduli
African Fish Eagle - one at Shiduli
Tawny Eagle (Aquila rapax) - singles seen regularly in Kruger
Long-crested Eagle (Lophaetus occipitalis) - two singles seen on roadsides poles near Nelspruit
Red-knobbed Coot - Roadside pools near Nelspruit
White-headed Lapwing (Vanellus albiceps) - four or five on Zambezi cruise
Three-banded Plover - pair on river in Kruger
Blacksmith Plover - everywhere
Grey-headed Gull - Common in Joburg
African Mourning Dove (Streptopelia decipiens) - one seen on Zambezi cruise
Red-eyed Dove - seen in Kruger
Emerald-spotted Wood Dove (Turtur chalcospilos) - singles seen regularly in Shiduli
African Green Pigeon (Treron calvus) - one in Shiduli
Brown-necked Parrot (Poicephalus robustus) - one on Zambezi cruise
Brown-headed Parrot (Poicephalus cryptoxanthus) - one in Pretoriuskop grounds
Grey Go-away-Bird (Corythaixoides concolor) - Common in most locations
White-browed Coucal (Centropus superciliosus) - Common in Kruger
(African Scops-Owl - Thought we had one in Pretoriuskop one evening, turned out to be a fruit bat)
Fiery-necked Nightjar (Caprimulgus pectoralis) - common on night drives in Shiduli
Red-faced Mousebird (Urocolius indicus) - Fairly common in Kruger
Pied Kingfisher - Most locations
Brown-hooded Kingfisher (Halcyon albiventris) - one in Shiduli
White-fronted Bee-Eater (Merops bullockoides) - Common at Vic Falls, all locations
Little Bee-Eater (Merops pusillus) - one at Kruger
Lilac-breasted Roller (Coracias caudatus) - two singles in Kruger
Rufous-crowned Roller (Coracias naevius) - one in Shiduli
Green Woodhoopoe (Phoeniculus purpureus) - one group of 5 in Kruger
Red-billed Hornbill (Tockus erythrorhynchus) - common in Kruger
Southern Yellow-billed Hornbill (Tockus leucomelas) - common in Kruger
African Grey Hornbill (Tockus nasutus) - common Kruger/Shiduli
Trumpeter Hornbill (Ceratogymna bucinator) - about 10 seen in Zambezi Sun grounds regularly
Crested Barbet (Trachyphonus vaillantii) - seen in Pretoriuskop grounds
Black-collared Barbet (Lybius torquatus) - seen in Pretoriuskop grounds
Golden-tailed Woodpecker (Campethera abingoni) - seen in Pretoriuskop grounds
Bearded Woodpecker (Dendropicos namaquus) - seen in Pretoriuskop grounds
Chinspot Batis (Batis molitor) - Early morning caller in Pretoriuskop, but not seen (lamentable three blind mice). Pairs seen in Shiduli and Zambezi Sun grounds
White Helmetshrike (Prionops plumatus) - one in Shiduli
Black-backed Puffback (Dryoscopus cubla) - common in all locations
Black-crowned Tchagra (Tchagra senegalus) - one in Shiduli
Brown-crowned Tchagra (Tchagra australis) - one in Shiduli
Magpie Shrike (Corvinella melanoleuca) - seen in most locations
White-crowned Shrike (Eurocephalus anguitimens) - one in Pretoriuskop grounds
Eastern Black-headed Oriole (Oriolus larvatus) - one in Kruger
Fork-tailed Drongo (Dicrurus adsimilis) - commonest bird in Pretoriuskop
Cape Crow (Corvus capensis) - on road between Joburg and Nelspruit
Pied Crow - Singles outside NPs
Wire-tailed Swallow (Hirundo smithii) - Common at Vic Falls
Southern Black Tit (Melaniparus niger) - one at Shiduli
Common Bulbul (Pycnonotus barbatus) - One in Joburg at Gold Reef City
Tawny-flanked Prinia (Prinia subflava) - one in Kruger
Yellow-bellied Eremomela (Eremomela icteropygialis) - one in Shiduli
Long-billed Crombec (Sylvietta rufescens) - one in Kruger
Southern Black Flycatcher (Melaenornis pammelaina) - common at Pretoriuskop
Ashy Flycatcher (Muscicapa caerulescens) - regular in Zambezi Sun grounds
White-browed Robin-Chat (Cossypha heuglini) - singles in Zambezi Sun grounds
Bearded Scrub Robin (Cercotrichas quadrivirgata)- singles in Zambezi Sun grounds
Groundscraper Thrush (Psophocichla litsipsirupa) - One in Joburg at Gold Reef City
Kurrichane Thrush (Turdus libonyanus) - Common in Pretoriuskop
Cape Glossy Starling (Lamprotornis nitens) - Pairs in Shiduli
Greater Blue-eared Glossy Starling (Lamprotornis chalybaeus) - Common in most locations
Burchell's Glossy Starling (Lamprotornis australis) - Common in Kruger
Violet-backed Starling (Cinnyricinclus leucogaster) - seen regularly in pairs at Pretoriuskop
Red-billed Oxpecker (Buphagus erythrorhynchus) - common near any game
Amethyst Sunbird (Chalcomitra amethystina) - one in Shiduli
Greater Double-collared Sunbird (Cinnyris afer) - Pair seen once in Pretoriuskop
African Pied Wagtail (Motacilla aguimp) - singles seen all locations
Yellow-fronted Canary (Serinus mozambicus) - one seen in Kruger
Southern Grey-headed Sparrow (Passer diffusus) - pair seen in Pretoriuskop
Yellow-throated Petronia (Petronia superciliaris) - singles seen in Pretoriuskop
Red-billed Buffalo Weaver (Bubalornis niger) - group of 8 seen in Kruger
White-browed Sparrow-Weaver (Plocepasser mahali) -regular at Vic Falls
Blue-breasted Cordonbleu - only common "small bird". Seen everywhere
All game seen that one would expect
