¡¡¡¡South Africa¡¯s diverse habitat and vegetation provides a perfect breeding ground for a lively and varied selection of birdlife. It ranks as one of the top birding destinations in the world. The country¡¯s vast stretches of bushª²land and woodlands are home to an astonishing array2 of bush birds, including giant birds of prey. Slenderª²legged waders3 and gracious waterbirds inhabit a network of wetlands and coastlines. The thick indigenous4 forests are home to many exquisitely5 coloured and unique birds, while a veritable6 flurry7 of species occur throughout South Africa¡¯s grasslands, deserts and mangrove8 swamps9.

¡¡¡¡Of the 850 or so species that have been recorded in South Africa, about 725, or 85%, are resident or annual visitors and about 50 of these are endemic10, or nearª²endemic to South Africa and can not be seen elsewhere. Apart from the resident birds, South Africa hosts birds from further north in Africa, the Arctic, Europe, Central Asia, China and Antarctica during the year. Almost half of the estimated 850 bird species recorded in South Africa can be seen in the Kruger National Park, which makes it one of the most rewarding birding spots in the world.Of special interest are the 95 endemicsª²ª²those species found in southern Africa and nowhere elseª²ª²and the 72 nearª²endemicsª²ª²species whose distribution extends just beyond southern Africa. Hornbills, starlings, vultures, rollers, beeª²eaters and shrikes typify the ubiquitous1 avifauna2 of the Kruger.

¡¡¡¡Every summer more than 100 species of birds migrate from the northern hemisphere to South African shores. The most common migrants are the waders of the sandpiper family, but they also include other birds ranging in size from herons to shrikes. The Benguela Current3 along the southern and southwestern coastline supports a rich supply of fish that in turn attracts scores of seabirds, such as the large flocks of cormorants which fly in characteristic Vª²shape formation. Spectacular colonies of Cape gannets can be seen at Lambert¡¯s Bay and on small islets such as Bird Island on the west coast.

¡¡¡¡Nylsvley Nature Reserve in Northern Province is a pristine4 wetland that attracts the highest number of birds in the southern hemisphere during the rainy summer months. The reserve is transformed into an endless sheet of warm, teaª²coloured water that is literally a bird airport. Higher up in the crags5 of the nearby Waterberg mountains, roosts the world¡¯s largest colony of Cape vultures. South Africa is one of the world leaders in vulture conservation, and is also globally renowned for the birdª²friendly electricity powerlines.