Zululand's Top ten birds.

The criteria for deciding on the top ten birds were as follows:

The distribution of the bird should be restricted predominantly to Zululand and/or Zululand should be the best place to see them in South Africa. Very localized species such as Green barbet were given preference over more widely distributed birds. The scarcity and level of difficulty in finding the birds ranked birds higher than others. For example Green malkoha is much more difficult to find than Rudd's apalis.
​

10. Livingstone's turaco

Livingstones turaco sunning itself after a rainy evening, St Lucia

​Livingstone’s turaco are only found within Zululand and into Mozambique. Their preferred habitat is Dune forest and as such are restricted to the narrow band of Dune forest skirting the Indian Ocean North of St Lucia and into the Isimangaliso Wetlands Park. St Lucia, Sodwana bay and Kosi bay are the best place to see them. These birds are relatively common in suitable habitat, especially areas with fruiting fig and Wild plum trees. Their nervous habits make them tricky to get good visuals of but they are very vocal (especially late afternoon) which helps in locating them.
​

9. Rudd's apalis

Rudd's apalis in the forests of St Lucia

​Rudd's apalis are another species restricted to the Dune forest and sand forests of Zululand and into Mozambique. They are a very common and vocal species but their small size and furtive habits make them tricky to see. They favor areas with Dune thorn acacia and are often found in the company of the Yellow-breasted apalis which is much more confiding and conspicuous.
​

8. Woodward's batis

​Woodward’s batis are often described as the 'lazy' batis as they move less than the other batis species. They are often content to sit and call from the same position in dense foliage for long periods where their ventriloquil abilities make them difficult to locate. They are restricted to Dune forest and sand forest habitats skirting the coast of Zululand. St Lucia and the Isimangaliso Wetlands Park are the best place to see them.
​

7. Green malkoha

The unique Green malkoha is found in thick forest tangles and don't like exposing themselves

Although Green malkoha occur further South than the Zululand border, Zululand is most certainly the best place to see this secretive and elusive bird. Their preference for thick tangles at forest edge and skulking habits make them very tough to see. They are often members of bird parties so patient scanning of trees in bird parties is a good tactic in finding this bird. St Lucia and the Isimangaliso Wetlands Park are the best place to search for Green malkoha.
​

6. Pink-throated twinspot

Pink-throated twinspot male, Mkhuze Game reserve.

Pink-throated twinspot are best searched for in the sandforest areas of  Mkhuze GR, Tembe Elephant Park and Bonamanzi but can also be found in dune forests of the Isimangaliso Wetlands Park at places such as St Lucia, Sodwana and Kosi Bay.

They are often found in mixed flocks with other seedeaters such as Grey waxbill, Red-backed mannikin and Green twinspot.
​

5. Rosy-throated longclaw

Rosy-throated longclaw on the Eastern shores, Isimangaliso Wetlands Park.

​Rosy-throated longclaw favour damp grassland, floodplains and wetland edge on the Coastal plain of Zululand. They occur sparsely and are nomadic according to rainfall and suitable habitat. Good places to see them are Nibela peninsula, Hluhluwe river floodplain, the shores of Lake Sibaya and the Isimangaliso Wetlands Park. 
​

4. Southern-banded snake-eagle

Southern-banded snake-eagle, Isimangaliso Wetlands Park.

​With only a few hundred individuals occurring in the Country, the Southern-banded snake-eagle is most certainly one of the most rare birds in South Africa. Their specific habitat preference of Dune forest restricts them to the far North-Eastern parts of Zululand with most individuals found in the extensive dune forests still remaining within the Isimangaliso Wetlands Park.  

The Eastern shores of Isimangaliso Wetlands Park and St Lucia are excellent places to search for this sparse and elusive bird.
​

3. Neergaard's sunbird

Neergaard's sunbird

Neergaard's sunbird are restricted to the Sandforests of Zululand in places such as Mkhuze game reserve, Tembe elephant Park, Ndumo and the False bay section of the Isimangaliso Wetlands Park.

They are a discrete sunbird which is easily overlooked.  
​

2. Plain-backed sunbird

Plain-backed sunbird in the Sandforest of Tembe elephant Park.

The Plain-backed sunbird is an extremely localised bird found in Sandforests and tall woodland only in the furthest Northern reaches of Zululand (and further North into Mozambique). The only reliable place to see them in the whole of South africa is the Tembe elephant Park and its surroundings. 
 

1. Green barbet

Green barbet in the beautiful Ongoye forest.

One of the most localised birds in the country, the Green barbet is restricted to the Ongoye forest West of the small town of Mtunzini in Zululand. The next nearest population of Green barbet is Southern Malawi and Northern Mozambique making it one of the most amazingly isolated and disjunct population of birds in the country. 

Theories why the Green barbet does not occupy other surrounding forests is supposedly due to the occurrence of a high density and diversity of Fig tree species in the Ongoye forest compared to other nearby forests. The Green barbet is synonymous with fruiting figs which are its almost exclusive food source.