South Africa is one of the most bird-rich countries in the world, and you don’t need to leave your neighbourhood to experience it. With over 870 recorded species, South African birds reflect the country’s landscapes, from the Drakensberg’s cliffs to the Karoo’s plains and the Western Cape’s wetlands. Whether you’re a seasoned twitcher, birder, or just starting out, this guide will help you understand the birds around you.
What makes South African birds special
South Africa’s geographic variety plays a key role in its birdlife. The country includes forest, grassland, wetland, fynbos, and desert regions that support everything from sunbirds to birds of prey. We’re also home to endemic species like the Cape Sugarbird, Red Lark, Orange-breasted Sunbird, Drakensberg Rockjumper, and many more, found nowhere else in the world.
Easy-to-spot garden birds
You don’t need to visit a nature reserve to see South African birds. Start with what you can spot from your window:
- Cape Robin-Chat: Dark grey back, orange chest and tail, white eyebrow and a melodious call.
- Dideric Cuckoo: Bright green and white, often heard in summer before spotted.
- Green Woodhoopoe: Metallic green, red bill, and always in noisy family groups.
- Cape White-Eye: Yellow-green warbler-like birds with a white eye ring.
- Dark-Capped Bulbul: Brown with a black head and yellow undertail, common around fruit.
- Hadeda Ibis: Large, grey, and unmistakable with its loud call. Seen on lawns.
- Olive Thrush: Dark grey head, back and tail with an orange belly, often seen digging in leaf litter for insects.
- Grey Go-Away Bird: Grey, crested, and loud. Found in groups in open trees.
- Crested Barbet: Colourful (speckled yellow and red face) and noisy, often seen near suet or fruit feeders.
- Speckled Mousebird: Small, brownish-grey birds with a long, scruffy tail and group perching habits.
- Red-Eyed Dove: Soft grey with a red eye-ring. Known for its slow “cooing” call.
Want to learn more? Read our beginner birding guide.
Birds by habitat: inland, coastal, forest, and wetland species
Different parts of South Africa offer different birds. Here’s what to look for:
- Inland: Blue Crane, Karoo Korhaan, weavers, coucals, sunbirds, woodpeckers, kingfishers, pigeons and doves.
- Coastal: African Penguin, African Black Oystercatcher, Cape Gannet, albatrosses, terns, cormorants, gulls, kingfishers, plovers.
- Forest: Knysna Turaco, Narina Trogon, Green Malkoha, flycatchers, hornbills, sunbirds, barbets, and cuckoos.
Wetlands: African Jacana, Pied Kingfisher, African Fish Eagle, African Skimmers, Woolly-necked Storks, flamingos, and cranes.
Iconic birds of South Africa
These South African birds are favourites among local and visiting birders and are often found:
- Blue Crane: In the grasslands of the Eastern Cape and Free State
- Cape Sugar Bird: Endemic to fynbos, seen feeding on proteas and ericas in the Western Cape
- Lilac-Breasted Roller: Perched on wires or dead trees for hunting
- Southern Yellow-Billed Hornbill: Spotted in groups in Kruger or Limpopo
- Cape Vulture: In mountainous regions and cliff faces, especially in the Drakensberg and Magaliesberg
- Southern Red Bishop: Reed beds and wetlands, glowing red and black during summer
- Secretarybird: In open savannas like the Kgalagadi
- The Martial Eagle: Seen soaring over savannas and open plains (Africa’s largest eagle)
- Cape Parrot: In mistbelt forests of KZN and the Eastern Cape
Knysna Turaco: In the Afromontane forests of the Garden Route
Birds by season
Birds behave differently depending on the time of year:
- Summer (Oct to Feb): Look for visitors like the European Bee-eater and Amur Falcon
- Autumn (Mar to May): Many birds moult during this time, and food sources start to shift. It’s a good time to spot mixed flocks and less territorial behaviour.
- Winter (Jun to Aug): Easier to spot residents like Cape Weavers and Red-winged Starlings
Spring (Sep to Oct): Breeding season and peak of the dawn chorus
Bird calls and behaviour
Learning to recognise bird calls and interpret behaviour adds a whole new layer to birdwatching.
- Territorial calls are often loud and repetitive, like the Cape Robin-Chat or Bokmakierie. These are used to defend space and can be heard early in the morning.
- Alarm calls are short, sharp, and urgent. Birds like thrushes and bulbuls will use these when a predator is nearby.
- Contact calls help birds keep track of one another, especially in flocks. You’ll hear these from species like white-eyes or weavers.
Behavioural cues are just as useful. Birds that flick their tails, puff their feathers, or hop in zig-zag patterns often signal agitation or territory checking. A sunbird hovering between blooms, or a shrike perched upright scanning the area, gives clues to both species and their habits.
Spend a few minutes watching a bird in one place, and you’ll start to pick up on rhythms that help with identification and understanding.
How to identify birds at home
You don’t need special equipment. Try these tips:
- You don’t need special equipment to begin identifying birds. Start with small habits and regular observation:
- Keep a notebook or use a birding app to record what you see and hear
- Use a field guide or app like Sasol eBirds or BirdPro to compare images and sounds
- Watch for traits like beak shape, tail flicks, wing patterns, and flight style
- Start by focusing on the most common birds in your area and you’ll soon begin noticing subtle differences
- Try identifying one bird per day to build your skills gradually
Want to go further? Learn how to identify South African birds with our guide.
Attracting birds to your garden
You can bring more birds into your space with a few simple additions:
- Food: Offer Westerman’s wild bird seed, suet, seed bells, and feeders to attract a wide variety of species year-round
- Water: Place a shallow bowl or birdbath in a quiet spot and keep it clean and filled
- Shelter: Indigenous shrubs and trees offer natural protection and nesting spaces for different bird types
- Consistency: Feeders that are kept full and maintained regularly become trusted spots for returning birds
Browse our feeders and seed products to get started. You can also read our blog on what type of feeder attracts the most birds.
Resources for beginner birders in SA
Useful local tools and communities:
- BirdLife South Africa: BirdLife South Africa offers regional checklists, interesting blogs, clubs and conservation info
Learn more about why we love BirdLife South Africa in our blog.
- Field guides: Learn more about South African birds through detailed birding books like Sasol Birds of Southern Africa or Roberts Bird Guide
Apps: BirdLasser, Firefinch, Merlin Bird ID, eBird, Roberts Birds and more birding apps help with ID and logging
Start birding with Westerman’s
Whether you want to attract birds or understand what you see, Westerman’s helps you get closer. Our wild bird seed, suet and bells, and feeders support birds in every kind of garden.
Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, or sign up for our newsletter for more birding tips.More tips: What Birds Eat: Feeding Tips for South Africa’s Garden Birds
