The African savanna, characterized by its extensive grasslands and scattered trees, is a haven for a diverse array of bird species. This biome provides both nesting sites and suitable hunting grounds, making it a prime destination for African safaris and birding enthusiasts. Let's explore some of the most common and sought-after bird species found in the African savanna.
Here is a list of the bird species recorded in Africa. The area covered by this list is the Africa region defined by the American Birding Association's listing rules. In addition to the continent itself, the area includes Madagascar, Mauritius, Rodrigues, Seychelles, Cape Verde, the Comoro Islands, Zanzibar and the Canary Islands, São Tomé and Príncipe and Annobón in the Gulf of Guinea.
This list contains 2712 species. Individual endemic species found in a single country are tagged (E-country); the rest of the endemics are tagged (E) or noted in text.
Taxonomic changes are ongoing. As more research is gathered from studies of distribution, behavior, and DNA, the names, sequence, and number of families and species change every year.
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Iconic Birds of the African Savanna
Ostrich (Struthio camelus)
The largest and one of the world’s most well-known birds, the ostrich is found exclusively in Africa. It is also the world’s heaviest bird, measuring up to eight feet tall and weighing up to 300 pounds. Ostriches are also sexually dimorphic - males are black in color with white wing plumes and tail, and females are almost entirely drab gray.
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Although they still have flight feathers on their wings, they cannot fly and instead, have evolved long, powerful legs, which serve as their main mode of transportation. Ostriches are found throughout Africa, but contrary to popular belief, they prefer to inhabit lush, open grasslands, not deserts.
Lilac-breasted Roller (Coracias caudatus)
Named for its vibrant, lilac hues, the lilac-breasted roller is popular among birders. Its resplendent plumage features beautiful shades of blue, turquoise, and green among others, which it puts on full exhibit during its flight display, entailing a series of aerial acrobatics for which rollers are named.
The lilac-breasted roller is widely distributed in sub-Saharan Africa, preferring open woodland and savanna, and is largely absent from treeless places. Usually found alone or in pairs, it perches conspicuously at the tops of trees, poles or other high vantage points from where it can spot insects, lizards, scorpions, snails, small birds and rodents moving about at ground level.
Nesting takes place in a natural hole in a tree where a clutch of two to four eggs is laid, and incubated by both parents, who are extremely aggressive in defense of their nest, taking on raptors and other birds. During the breeding season the male will rise to great heights, descending in swoops and dives, while uttering harsh, discordant cries. The sexes are alike in coloration.
Secretary Bird (Sagittarius serpentarius)
The secretary bird is a large, mostly terrestrial bird of prey. Endemic to Africa, it is usually found in the open grasslands and savannah of the sub-Sahara. The secretary bird hunts its prey on foot, preying on insects, small mammals, lizards, snakes, young birds, bird eggs, and sometimes dead animals killed in grass or bush fires. It also waits near fires, eating anything it can that is trying to escape.
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Secretary birds associate in monogamous pairs. During courtship, they exhibit a nuptial display by soaring high with undulating flight patterns and calling with guttural croaking.
The sight of Secretarybirds is another highlight of any safari on East Africa’s grasslands. In partnership with The Peregrine Fund, the Mara Raptor Project is currently monitoring 12 Secretarybird nests in the Masai Mara to better understand nesting biology, habitat needs, and habits of this species. This will allow us to create more effective conservation management plans for this and other raptor species in the region.
Kori Bustard (Ardeotis kori)
The kori bustard, native to Africa may be the heaviest bird capable of flight. It is mostly grey in color, with a black crest on its head and yellow legs. The East African subspecies is found in Ethiopia, Kenya and Tanzania. The southern subspecies is distributed in southern Africa in Botswana, Zimbabwe, Namibia, southern Angola, South Africa, and southern Mozambique.
Kori bustards are polygynous. One of the “Big Six” in southern African birding, the kori bustard is a magnificent bird and sought-after sighting. It is the second-largest bird in Africa after the ostrich and the largest flying bird on the continent.
African Fish Eagle (Haliaeetus vocifer)
Found throughout sub-Saharan Africa, African fish eagles are primarily found along bodies of water including rivers, lakes, floodplains, coasts, estuaries, mangrove lagoons, and swamps. Their primary food source, as the name implies, is fish. An individual may consume half a pound of fish per day.
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Typical fishing behavior involves soaring followed by diving to the water’s surface to catch fish with their talons. It often requires several attempts before a successful catch occurs, with only one in seven to eight attempts ending in success. Adult African fish eagles are large, readily recognizable raptors, with their pure white head, neck, chest, and tail and dark chestnut brown body.
Other Notable Savanna Birds
- African Masked Weaver: Found throughout southern Africa, this bird is known for its intricate nest-building techniques.
- Collared Sunbird: A common breeder across most of sub-Saharan Africa, feeding largely on nectar.
- Yellow-billed Stork: A member of the wading family, it favors aquatic habitats and feeds on crustaceans, small fish, and insects.
- Helmeted Guinea Fowl: These terrestrial birds are equipped with strong claws and scratch in loose soil for food.
- Marabou Stork: Unmistakable due to its size, bare head and neck, black back, and white underparts, it is a frequent scavenger.
- Red-billed Hornbills: Social birds that gather in small groups or pairs and have unique nesting habits.
- Red and Yellow Barbets: Have strong red bills and are strongly patterned with blotches and spots of red, yellow, black and white.
- Crowned Plover: An adaptable and numerous species with bold and noisy habits, occurring throughout southern Africa.
- African Green Pigeon: Bearing the trademark green plumage of the Treron genus, the African green pigeon is the most widespread among the afro-tropical species, of which there are only five.
- European Bee-eater: Among the most colorful savanna birds is the European bee-eater. Small flocks are often seen perched in a row on thin branches or wires.
Raptors of the African Savanna
Africa has one of the highest numbers of raptor species in the world, second only to Asia. These birds of prey play a crucial role in maintaining healthy ecosystems.
| Species | Description | Conservation Efforts |
|---|---|---|
| Rüppell's Vulture | Massive vulture, vulnerable to poisoning. | GSM-GPS tracking to understand movement patterns and aerial nest searches. |
| Hooded Vulture | Smallest African vulture, common in human settlements. | GSM-GPS tracking in Kenya. |
| Lappet-faced Vulture | Huge and impressive, populations have dropped significantly. | Studying nesting behavior in partnership with the Mara Raptor Project. |
| White-backed Vulture | Once common, populations have declined by 75%. | GSM-GPS tracking to identify areas of highest threats. |
| Martial Eagle | Largest and most majestic African eagle. | Studying food and habitat needs, breeding behavior, and threats. |
| Steppe Eagle | Migratory eagle, vulnerable to poisoning and habitat encroachment. | GPS tracking to monitor migration routes and threats. |
| Bateleur | Colorful eagle, spends most of its time on the wing. | Monitoring nesting biology, habitat needs, and habits. |
Where to Go Birding in Africa
Most African safaris take place in regions of sub-Saharan Africa renowned for rich biodiversity and abundant wildlife.
- East Africa: Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda are prime hotspots for safaris due to iconic national parks and reserves.
- Southern Africa: South Africa, Botswana, Zambia, and Namibia offer diverse ecosystems and high concentrations of wildlife.
- Botswana: Renowned for its pristine and extensive protected areas, Botswana offers great birdwatching opportunities within varied ecosystems.
- Kenya: Holds the record for the most bird species seen in a 24-hour period.
- South Africa: Offers Big Five safaris in the Kruger National Park area, but also has a dazzling seacoast with lots of birds to enjoy.
- Tanzania: The most popular safari destinations in Tanzania also offer great birding opportunities within the parks or close by.
- Uganda: Birding in Uganda offers avian diversity amidst stunning landscapes.
- Zambia: Is fast becoming a popular safari destination.
