Top 10 Birds to See When Travelling in South Africa

As a bird lover and travel blogger, nothing excites me more than spotting a flash of feathers in the wild. Birdwatching in South Africa is truly spectacular, whether you’re hiking through Cape Town’s fynbos, wandering the forests of Knysna, or exploring the open savannahs of the Kruger. Each bird feels like a treasure waiting to be ticked off my list, and the thrill of discovery never fades.

So, grab your binoculars, pack your sense of adventure, and let’s dive into the top ten birds to look out for in South Africa—plus a very special bonus bird at the end.

Black-shouldered Kite

This little raptor is elegance on wings. The Black-shouldered Kite hovers effortlessly in the sky, scanning the ground for rodents and insects. Its snowy white body, black shoulders, and piercing red eyes make it unmistakable.

You’ll often spot them perched on roadside poles or hovering like miniature helicopters above grasslands. They thrive in open fields and farmland.

Making them a common yet always breathtaking sight when driving through South Africa.

Cape Rockjumper

If you’re exploring the rugged slopes of the Cape mountains, keep your eyes peeled for the Cape Rockjumper. With its chestnut belly, black throat, and bold white moustache stripe, it’s a real character.

True to its name, it hops and skips among rocks, foraging for insects and spiders. The Rockjumper is unique to South Africa’s fynbos and mountain ranges.

So spotting one feels like uncovering a true local gem.

Cape Sugarbird

Few things say “Cape Town birdwatching” quite like the Cape Sugarbird. With its impossibly long tail feathers and love of nectar, it’s the life of the fynbos party.

You’ll find them flitting from protea to protea, sipping sweetness with their curved bills. Their rapid chatter fills the air while their tails stream behind them like kites. If you’re wandering through Kirstenbosch Gardens or hiking Table Mountain.

These little nectar-lovers are hard to miss.

Fiscal Shrike

Nicknamed the “butcher bird”, the Fiscal Shrike is both adorable and fearsome. Black and white, with a smart little mask across its eyes, it has a habit of impaling its prey—grasshoppers, lizards, even small mice—on thorns or barbed wire for later snacking.

You’ll often see them perched proudly on fences or bushes in suburban gardens and open fields, watching for movement below. They’re proof that even the cutest-looking birds can have a dark side!

This bird is one of my favourites, because they are really quite clever!

Blue Crane

Grace personified. The Blue Crane is South Africa’s national bird, and seeing a pair striding across the Karoo or dancing in grasslands is a privilege. With pale blue-grey feathers and long trailing plumes, they are both regal and delicate.

Blue Cranes are mainly vegetarian, feeding on grasses and seeds, but they’ll happily snack on insects too.

Sadly, they’re also endangered, so every sighting feels extra precious.

Black Harrier Hawk

Majestic and powerful, the Black Harrier Hawk is a bird that commands attention. Glossy black with a striking white rump, it glides low over fynbos, wetlands, and grasslands, hunting small mammals, reptiles, and birds.

Spotting one takes patience, as they are rare and threatened.

But when you do, it feels like nature’s reward—a reminder of South Africa’s wild beauty.

Orange-breasted Sunbird

Tiny but dazzling, the Orange-breasted Sunbird is another fynbos superstar. Males shine with fiery orange bellies, iridescent green heads, and blue tails. Females are plainer, but no less charming.

They feed on nectar, much like the Sugarbird, and can often be seen hovering like mini-hummingbirds.

If you’re wandering Cape Point or Signal Hill during flowering season, they’re bound to brighten your walk.

Knysna Turaco

Deep in the forests of Knysna lives one of South Africa’s most magical birds—the Knysna Turaco. With emerald green plumage, a bright red wing flash, and a quirky crest, it looks like something out of a fairytale.

Their diet is mostly fruit, which makes them important seed dispersers. You’ll hear their loud “kow-kow” calls echoing through the trees before you spot them.

Turacos are shy, but when you catch sight of one gliding between trees, it’s unforgettable.

Pin-tailed Whydah

Small but flamboyant, the Pin-tailed Whydah steals the show in summer. Males sport extravagant tails—long black streamers trailing dramatically behind them as they flutter above grasslands and gardens.

Whydahs are brood parasites, laying their eggs in the nests of other birds like waxbills.

Despite their trickster ways, their charm is undeniable, and their aerial displays are a joy to watch.

Spotted Thick-knee (Dikkop)

Last, but never forgotten, is the Dikkop—officially the Spotted Thick-knee. This endearing bird has long yellow legs, big staring eyes, and a comical, upright posture.

Mostly nocturnal, they hang out in open fields, golf courses, and even suburban lawns. At night, their haunting calls drift through the darkness, a sound that feels quintessentially African—spotting one in daylight, with its mottled brown camouflage.

Feels like meeting an old friend.

Bonus Bird: Lilac-breasted Roller

If one bird embodies the joy of birdwatching in Africa, it’s the Lilac-breasted Roller. With its rainbow of turquoise, purple, lilac, and green feathers, it looks hand-painted by an artist.

Often perched conspicuously on tree tops in Kruger or along roadside fences, they dive dramatically to snatch insects from the ground.

Photographers love them, and it’s easy to see why—they’re pure magic on wings.

Birdwatching Hotspots in South Africa

South Africa is a birdwatcher’s paradise. Here are a few must-visit spots:

Cape Town & Fynbos: Perfect for Sugarbirds, Sunbirds, and Cape Rockjumpers. The protea-filled landscapes are alive with nectar lovers.

Johannesburg (Jozi): Don’t underestimate city birding! Gardens and parks attract Shrikes, Dikkops, and even the occasional raptor.

Kruger National Park: Beyond the Big Five, Kruger is a birder’s dream. From Rollers to Fish Eagles, every game drive reveals new feathered wonders.

My Birding Journey

Every bird I spot feels like a personal victory. Ticking them off my list is a ritual, a way of connecting with nature and celebrating the incredible biodiversity of my country. Yet, one bird still eludes me: the legendary Pel’s Fishing Owl. With its rufous plumage and haunting stare, it’s the holy grail of many South African birders.

One day, I know I’ll find it. And when I do, I’ll probably cry tears of joy.

So watch this space—because birding, after all, is about patience, passion, and the thrill of the unexpected.

Final Thoughts

Birdwatching in South Africa is more than a hobby. It’s an adventure, a meditation, and a celebration of life. From the tiny sunbirds of the fynbos to the towering Blue Crane in the grasslands, each bird adds colour and wonder to our landscapes.

As the saying goes:
“A bird does not sing because it has an answer. It sings because it has a song.”

And that, dear reader, is why I’ll never stop chasing feathers.