The African Oystercatchers on the coastline of Robben Island have been counted about 190 times since 2001. The earliest counts were of around 150 birds. The end of the blog will reveal what number was recorded on 17 May 2026.
Counting African Oystercatchers on Robben Island is not as easy as most people imagine it must be. The pair on the rocks in the foreground on the right are easy to spot, especially with the surf behind them. The second pair on the rocks among the cormorants and Kelp Gulls just right of centre are trickier.
Photo: Les Underhill
The oystercatcher of the left has its bright red bill tucked under a wing, and the red eye ring is just visible with binoculars, and its mate is partly obscured behind a rock.
Photo: Les Underhill
There are is a good variety of species on the shore. This Little Egret feeds in the rock pools at low tide, but during the spring high tide stands on a rock and waits for the opportunity to return to hunting.
Photo: Achot Ginosian
Spotted Thickknees roost in the vegetation above the high water line.
Photo: Achot Ginosian
Eurasian Whimbrels ought to be arriving on their breeding grounds in Siberia about now. We saw about 20. These are mostly young birds. Whimbrels do not start breeding until they are several years old, and it is pointless migrating 20,000 km there and back for nothing, so they stay put for the southern winter.
Photo: Achot Ginosian
African Penguins restarted breeding in Robben Island in 1984. In spite of the Apollo Sea oil spill of 1994 and the Treasure oil spill of 2000 knocking numbers downwards, they reached a peak abundance on the island in 2007. The number of breeding pairs now is about 10% of that peak.
Photo: Achot Ginosian
In the centre of the island, near the village is a large colony of Greater Crested Terns and also Hartlaub’s Gulls.
Photo: Achot Ginosian
After the start of the wet winter season, the Blue Stone Quarry, on the north side of the island, is full. The island has turned green after a long, dry, brown summer. There’s a handful of oystercatchers on the outcrop of rocks in the middle.
Photo: Achot Ginosian
The image below is a close up of the wing of the African Oystercatcher in flight above.
There is a distinct change in the shade of black between the inner primaries and the outer primary feathers. The newly grown inner primaries are dark black. The colour of the outer four primaries has faded from black to a brownish back. They have spent a year in the sun. Their tips are fraying; they have reached their “best before” date. The third primary from the end looks especially worn; the end of the feather has so few barbs that it is becoming transparent. In the gap between the new and old primaries is one that is halfway grown.
The process of feather replacement is energetically demanding. Adult African Oystercatchers start primary moult soon after the end of their midsummer breeding season, mostly in March and April. Moult continues at a slow pace through winter, taking five months, and finishes in spring, August and September. Within a couple of months, they will have their next breeding season, starting from November.
Photo: Les Underhill
The total for 17 May 2026 was 479 birds. This number is very much in line with recent counts of African Oystercatchers on Robben Island, and a three-fold increase since we started these counts 25 years ago.
The very first count made on the island was 40 African Oystercatchers on 18 August 1977, reported in Phil Hockey’s PhD thesis. The reasons for the massive increase include a huge reduction in human disturbance along the shoreline, and the invasion of the coastline with the Mediterranean Mussel, an alien species that grows faster than the indigenous mussels, and which grows higher up the intertidal zone, providing longer feeding opportunities for the oystercatchers on each tidal cycle. John Yeld wrote an article in GroupUp which provides useful background to the progress of the oystercatchers on Robben Island.
The Robben Island Museum has supported these oystercatcher surveys over the past 25 years, providing logistics on the island, and transport on the ferries to and from the island.
Achot Ginosian made a bird list. We finished on 33 species, which included of course … …
Photo: Chanan Weiss
… … the Chukar Partridge!
Here is the bird list! The species in red have links to the structured species text on the BDI website.
Rene found lots of these. Even though the Black-legged Golden Orb-web Spider is a large spider, up yo 30 mm, it is not as big as its English common name! Until 2002, this species was only recorded east of the Hottentots Holland Mountains. It then spread across the Cape Flats to the Cape Peninsula. It reached Robben Island a few years ago. Autumn is the time of the year when it is most abundant; it spins large webs between trees and shrubs.
We grabbed the opportunity presented by a calm Saturday morning to do bird ringing at the Strandfontein Sewage Works (relevant permissions having been obtained).
We were there well before sunrise to put up the mist nets.
The mist net poles are visible, but the net is not. Dieter is extracting a bird
The contrast between the primaries and secondaries of this Red-winged Starling make doing the moult score easier than it is for most species. The secondaries primaries are black and the primaries are “red” (that is not really “red”, that is “reddish brown”). It’s a female, because of the grey head. Compared with the pointed wings of long-distance migrants, the wings are quite rounded. The nine primaries that can be seen in the photograph are similar in size. There is a 10th primary on the outside of the wing (not visible here) which is about half as long as the ninth. In most passerines the 10th primary is tiny.
Red-winged Starlings moult in summer. So at some time during the past few months this bird has been through some kind of trauma, possibly a fight with another starling, and the tip of the fifth primary has been broken off. This damage won’t be patched up until the next moult, and meanwhile the aerodynamics are a bit compromised.
The bird was chill, and posed for photos before it was released.
Even an African Swamphen, out in bright sunlight on the edge of a reedbed, can be inconspicuous
We worked quite hard trying to catch this bird, both with a spring trap and with mist nets.
But alas, in spite of serious efforts, the final score was: Ringers 0 – Swamphen 1
There were lots of birds flying over. The ringer looks at them and asks the question: “Are they moulting?”
Look at the fifth primary of this Great White Pelican. That’s counting from the inside (the sixth counting from the outside). It is a bit shorter than its neighbours. It must be in moult. And the 10th primary, the outermost, looks like it is also in growth. Large birds, like pelicans, have complex moult patterns, and mostly do not moult all their primaries every year.
Looking at the right wing, the final three primaries of this African Sacred Ibis are in moult.
You will never see a Spur-winged Goose with growing primaries. Ducks, swans and geese do a catastrophic moult. The drop all their flight feathers simultaneously and become flightless (and vulnerable to predation). They regrow the feathers over a period of a few weeks. Coots, grebes, rails, and some other waterbirds also become flightless through their catastrophic moult. Most waterbirds can do at least some feeding during their moult. All penguin species do a catastrophic moult. But they cannot feed at all during moult because they lose their waterproofing, and therefore their insulation from the cold. They fatten up beforehand, come ashore for between two and four weeks and use their reserves to live, and to replace their feathers.
This is a close up of the bend in the wing of the Spur-winged Goose in the photo above. That’s the spur that gives the species its English common name.
Cover image of Grey-winged Francolin by Kate Webster – Mountain Zebra National Park, Eastern Cape
Francolins belong to the Family: PHASIANIDAE (Pheasants, Grouse, and allies). Other southern African representatives of this family include Spurfowls and Quails. They are generally plump, heavy-bodied gamebirds, with broad, relatively short wings and powerful legs. Many have a spur on each leg, while some, have reduced spurs or none at all. The bill is short and compact. Phasianids inhabit almost all terrestrial habitats, from Arctic and alpine tundra to grasslands, deserts, and savannas, to humid tropical rainforest. Most African species are cryptically patterned but many Asian and Australasian species are among the most spectacularly plumaged of all birds. The Phasianidae comprise 187 species from 54 Genera. 15 species are native to southern Africa.
Identification
The Grey-winged Francolin is a cryptically plumaged species, yet the feathers are beautifully and intricately patterned in black, white, brown and rufous. The sexes are alike in colouration, but males are larger than females.
Grey-winged FrancolinScleroptila afra Near Hartenbos, Western Cape Photo by Johan Heyns
In adults, the upper parts are grey-brown, with white feather shafts and with white or buff transverse barring. The head is warm brownish-buff, with dark speckling. The crown is streaked buff and blackish grey, and the ear coverts are brown. The nape and hind neck are dark grey, spotted white, and the pattern extends to the sides of the lower neck. The lower foreneck is pale cinnamon, and the feathers have distinct rufous patches. The underparts are paler and finely but irregularly barred black and off-white. Rufous primary coverts and primary bases are visible in flight. The bill is grey and heavy at the base, and noticeably decurved. The eyes are dark brown, and the legs and feet are dull greyish yellow. Males are equipped with sharp, robust leg spurs.
Grey-winged FrancolinScleroptila afra Swellendam district, Western Cape Photo by Johan van Rooyen
Immature and juvenile birds resemble adults, but carry duller plumage and white throat.
The Grey-winged Francolin is genetically closely allied to the Orange River Francolin (Scleroptila gutturalis), Red-winged Francolin (Scleroptila levaillantii), and Shelley’s Francolin (Scleroptila shelleyi), and it replaces these species in high altitude grasslands. The Grey-winged Francolin differs from other Scleroptila francolins in having more grey than red on the wings (red confined to the outer wing), and a grey-freckled, not white, or buff, throat. It differs from Shelley’s Francolin in having narrow barring on the underparts.
Status and Distribution
The Grey-winged Francolin is locally common. It is endemic to South Africa and Lesotho.
SABAP2 distribution map for Grey-winged FrancolinScleroptila afra – December 2024. Details for map interpretation can be found here.
The Grey-winged Francolin ranges from Mpumalanga, through the KwaZulu-Natal Drakensberg, Lesotho, the eastern Free State, and the highlands of the Eastern Cape westwards through the southern half of the Northern Cape to the southern Western Cape. The conspicuous gap in its distribution in the Great Karoo is probably due to sparse vegetation cover in that region. The Grey-winged Francolin is most common in the highland grasslands in the Drakensberg region. It is less numerous in the Northern and Western Cape.
The Grey-winged Francolin is partially sympatric with the Red-winged Francolin (Scleroptila levaillantii), but is generally found at higher altitudes. It occurs alongside the Cape Spurfowl (Pternistes capensis) in the succulent Karoo and fynbos areas of the W Cape.
Grey-winged FrancolinScleroptila afra Golden Gate Highlands National Park, Free State Photo by Terry Terblanche
The Grey-winged Francolin is not threatened. The historical distribution was probably similar to the current distribution. It is known to benefit from habitat modification due to moderate stock farming. Veld burning during early summer has the most detrimental influence on Grey-winged Francolins.
The Grey-winged Francolin is the only southern African francolin sufficiently abundant to sustain commercial wing-shooting. It has been hunted for recreation and commercially in the Eastern Cape for at least the past 120 years. This hunting is known to be both biologically sustainable and economically viable. Additionally, it provides landowners with an incentive to conserve grassland habitats. Hunted populations breed earlier than those that are not hunted, and are more outbred because of increased local movements following hunting.
Grey-winged FrancolinScleroptila afra Carnarvon district, Northern Cape Photo by Ryan Tippett
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Habitat
The Grey-winged Francolin is typically found in mountainous areas in the Grassland, Nama Karoo, Succulent Karoo, and Fynbos biomes. It prefers ridge tops and shelves to steep slopes and valley bottoms. The Grey-winged Francolin is most numerous in montane grasslands, usually above 1800m. In the Succulent and Nama Karoo, it inhabits hilly and mountainous areas with sufficient grass and scrub cover. In the Fynbos biome, it occurs in grassy places in short fynbos, renosterbos, and strandveld down to sea level.
Montane grassland habitat. Golden Gate Highlands National Park, Free State Photo by Ryan TippettMountainous habitat in the Nama Karoo with sufficient grass and scrub cover. Carnarvon district, Northern Cape Photo by Ryan Tippett
Behaviour
The Grey-winged Francolin is resident with no evidence of seasonal movements. Breeding birds remain in the same general locations throughout their lives. However, young birds move between coveys often enough to ensure genetic interchange. Fluctuations in reporting rates reflect variations in conspicuousness linked to the breeding cycle.
Grey-winged FrancolinScleroptila afra Gamkaberg Nature Reserve, Western Cape Photo by John Todd
The presence of Grey-winged Francolins is usually revealed by territorial advertisement calls or when flushed. They are otherwise inconspicuous birds. The Grey-winged Francolin often warms up in the early morning on open ground, such as at road verges. Flushed birds fly fast and strongly, typically taking advantage of wind and steep ground to aid escape. Apart from this, they seldom take flight. The Grey-winged Francolin is most likely to run if disturbed (when vegetation is sparse), otherwise sits tight, flushing at the last moment. Birds roost on open ground, huddled together.
Orange River FrancolinScleroptila gutturalis West Coast National Park, Western Cape Photo by Felicity Ellmore
The diet of the Grey-winged Francolin varies seasonally. It mostly eats underground bulbs and corms of a range of small geophytes that it digs out with its bill. Invertebrates dominate the diet during the summer breeding season.
Grey-winged FrancolinScleroptila afra Carnarvon district, Northern Cape Photo by Ryan Tippett
The Grey-winged Francolin breeds during spring and summer throughout its range, with peak egg-laying between August and November. The breeding season is shorter in the winter rainfall Western Cape. The Grey-winged Francolin is monogamous. Pairs nest solitarily and they are probably territorial.
The nest is a scrape in the ground hidden under a grass tuft. It is lined with grass and occasionally feathers. 4 to 8 eggs are laid per clutch. The eggs are yellowish-brown with some brown and dark grey speckling. Incubation starts after the full clutch has been laid and last for up to 23 days. Incubation is performed soley by the female and she is guarded by the male.
The chicks are precocial, running and feeding almost immediately after hatching. Chicks stay with their parents throughout the breeding season. Breeding failures are mostly due to predation, primarily by small mammalian carnivores, crows and snakes. Other causes of nest failure include fires, human disturbance and trampling by sheep.
Grey-winged FrancolinScleroptila afra Near Bethal, Mpumalanga Photo by Vaino Prinsloo
Further Resources
Species text adapted from the first Southern African Bird Atlas Project (SABAP1), 1997.
The use of photographs by Felicity Ellmore, Johan Heyns, Johan van Rooyen, John Todd, Kate Webster, Keir Lynch, Ryan Tippett, Terry Terblanche, Tino Herselman, and Vaino Prinsloo is acknowledged.
Other common names: Greywing Francolin (Alt. English); Bergpatrys (Afrikaans); iNtendele (Zulu); Isakhwatsha (Xhosa); Khoale (South Sotho); Francolin à ailes grises (French); Grauflügelfrankolin (German); Francolim-d’asa-cinzenta (Portuguese); Grijsvleugel-frankolijn (Dutch).
A list of bird species in this format is available here.
Recommended citation format: Tippett RM. 2026. Grey-winged Francolin Scleroptila afra. Biodiversity and Development Institute. Available online at https://thebdi.org/2026/05/11/grey-winged-francolin-scleroptila-afra/
Frogmore Estate is a suburb of Cape Town, a few kilometres north of Muizenberg, and bordering on Zandvlei. The Zandvlei Trust plays a key role in the conservation of this large wetland system. The fact that this a good bird ringing site is a tribute to their success.
On 9 May 2026, we had a line of five mist nets along a track through the reedbeds, and one mist net set over a bridge on the Keysers River. There was not the slightest breeze, so the nets hung like curtains. Ideal conditions.
Photo: Les Underhill
The clouds behind the mountain were the first sign of a big cold front due to arrive in about 15 hours, bringing heavy rain to the Western Cape. with severe weather warnings of floods, 100 km/h winds and dangerous waves at sea!
The list of birds we handled is below. There were 36 birds of 13 species, with none reaching double figures! (The species in red have a structured species account on the BDI website; there’s a full list of these species here.)
There were three retraps from previous ringing events at this site. We only have photographs of one of them, the Malachite Kingfisher below. One of the Levaillant’s Cisticolas had been ringed on 15 March last year, a little over a year ago. One of the Southern Double-collared Sunbird, a male, had been ringed as an adult on 23 March 2019. That’s a bit more than seven years since ringing, and because it was an adult already when ringed, it must be at least eight years old.
The two Malachite Kingfishers were in the hand at the same time. One was a retrap from 20 December last year, the day we held or end-of-year ringing event, for which there is a blog!
Photo: Achot GinosianPhoto: Achot Ginosian
The privilege of ringers is to see birds really close up.
Photo: Achot Ginosian
The bill of the Southern Marked Weaver looks a less formidable weapon that that of the Cape Weaver (see the photo below). This bird’s eye is turning red, so it is a male.
Photo: Achot Ginosian
Male Cape Weaver, with marie biscuit-coloured eye, and a longer bill than the Southern Masked Weaver.
Photo: Achot Ginosian
By May, primary moult has been complete for several months. Count the nine primaries of this Cape Weaver; it’s easiest to count from the outside in. The innermost was replaced first, and the outermost last. The process takes about four months to complete. The nine primaries of this bird still look new; they are not starting to fray at the tips. These feathers will have to do a lot of work before they get replaced just after the end of the upcoming breeding season, in spring. By then they will look worn out at the tips.
Lesser Swamp Warbler, in the mist net, and a few seconds later, in the hand in the ringer’s grip, with the head and neck held gently between the index finger and the middle finger, and with the bird’s body fitting snugly into the palm of the hand.
The mist net set over the Keysers River caught three Red-knobbed Coots.
Photo: Achot Ginosian
The red knobs, up close!
Photo: Achot Ginosian
Unlike most waterbirds, coots don’t have webbed feet.
The Keysers River is the largest waterway feeding into Zandvle. It drains a large area, from the watershed along the top ridge of the Constantiaberg, and the mountainside to the east of this. Then it collects all the stormwater from suburbs such as Tokai, Kirstenhof, Constantia and parts of Bergvliet and Retreat. It is likely to prove an important corridor for bird movement, especially of waterbirds.
Photo: Les Underhill
A list of dates for future ringing events is here.
There is a list of ringing expeditions that have blog reports similar to this here.
Cover image of Orange River Francolin by Lia Steen – Near Devon, Gauteng
Francolins belong to the Family: PHASIANIDAE (Pheasants, Grouse, and allies). Other southern African representatives of this family include Spurfowls and Quails. They are generally plump, heavy-bodied gamebirds, with broad, relatively short wings and powerful legs. Many have a spur on each leg, while some, have reduced spurs or none at all. The bill is short and compact. Phasianids inhabit almost all terrestrial habitats, from Arctic and alpine tundra to grasslands, deserts, and savannas, to humid tropical rainforest. Most African species are cryptically patterned but many Asian and Australasian species are among the most spectacularly plumaged of all birds. The Phasianidae comprise 187 species from 54 Genera. 15 species are native to southern Africa.
Identification
The Orange River Francolin is cryptically coloured with intricately patterned plumage. The sexes are alike in plumage coloration, but males are larger than females.
Orange River FrancolinScleroptila gutturalis Sasolburg, Free State Photo by Dawie Kleynhans
Adults are overall greyish-brown on the upper parts with white feather shafts, and pale buff central stripes and transverse bars. A narrow black-and-white band runs down the sides of the neck from behind eye. It ends on the sides of the lower neck and does not form a necklace. A black moustachial stripe extends as a second black-and-white band that does join as a necklace around white throat. The upper breast and flank feathers are buff-coloured, with large red-brown blotches. The belly feathers are also buff-coloured, with indistinct black-and-white barring that varies between races. In flight, the outer secondaries, primaries, and primary coverts are extensively rufous. The bill is strong, decurved, and grey, with a yellow base to the lower mandible. The eyes are brown, and the legs and feet are yellow. Male are equipped with sharp tarsal spurs.
Orange River FrancolinScleroptila gutturalis Near Balfour, Mpumalanga Photo by William Price
Immature and juvenile birds resemble the adults, but the black-and-white bands on the head and neck are less well defined, and their underparts are irregularly barred black and buff.
The Orange River Francolin is genetically closely allied to the Grey-winged Francolin (Scleroptila afra), Red-winged Francolin (Scleroptila levaillantii), and Shelley’s Francolin (Scleroptila shelleyi), and it replaces these species in arid grasslands. It is most likely to be confused with Shelley’s Francolin and Red-winged Francolin. The face pattern is most similar to that of Shelley’s Francolin, but in the latter, both dark facial stripes meet on the foreneck. The Orange River Francolin also lacks the black belly markings of Shelley’s Francolin and has a faster and higher-pitched call. The Red-winged Francolin lacks the black-and-white stripe behind the eye of the Orange River Francolin.
Orange River FrancolinScleroptila gutturalis Olienhout Game Reserve, Northern Cape Photo by Ryan Tippett
Status and Distribution
The Orange River Francolin is locally common in southern Africa. It has a curious and discontinuous distribution in north-east and southern Africa with several disjunct populations between Ethiopia, northern Kenya, and Uganda. It also has an anomalous southern African range, extending from the dry grasslands of central South Africa diagonally north-west through the sparse woodlands of the central Kalahari in Botswana, to northern Namibia and beyond into south-western Angola. In South Africa, the Orange River Francolin occurs in the north-eastern parts of the Northern Cape, much of the North West Province and Free State, and the extreme north-eastern parts of the Eastern Cape and across to the highveld of Gauteng and western Mpumalanga.
SABAP2 distribution map for Orange River FrancolinScleroptila gutturalis – December 2024. Details for map interpretation can be found here.
Overall, the Orange River Francolin is not threatened. However, it was apparently previously abundant and widespread throughout the Northern Cape. Since the 1930s, the Orange River Francolin has all but disappeared west of 22°E. The evidence and reasoning for this, though, are unclear. 2957 wild-shot birds were sold at the Kimberley market in 1906, but it is thought unlikely that this hunting pressure is the cause of consistently low numbers.
Reports from the early 1900s indicate that populations in South Africa were limited by annual grass burning just before the breeding season and again during the breeding season, by burning of any previously unburned patches. The Orange River Francolin is susceptible to habitat manipulation, particularly where poorly managed grazing results in degraded grasslands. Possible reasons for population decrease include the loss of habitat to agriculture and overgrazing. A few consecutive years of overgrazing, even on well-managed nature reserves, can lead to local extinctions.
Orange River FrancolinScleroptila gutturalis Suikerbosrand Nature Reserve, Gauteng Photo by William Price
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Habitat
Dry grassland habitat. Near Petrusville, Northern Cape Photo by Ryan Tippett
The Orange River Francolin inhabits relatively arid grassland in either open or lightly wooded regions, typically on sandy or gravelly soils. In South Africa, it inhabits open grassland in the eastern and southern parts of its range, and wooded and bushy grasslands in the north and west. The Orange River Francolin prefers relatively flat or rolling terrain in South Africa, but favours hilly and mountainous terrain in Namibia. In Botswana, it typically prefers fossil river valleys. The Orange River Francolin is partial to short, sparse grasslands dominated by Themeda, Digitaria, Aristida, and Eragrostis species. It also forages at the edges of cultivated lands and fallow fields adjacent to its natural habitat.
Sparse, arid grassland in the southern Kalahari. Olienhout Game Reserve, Northern Cape Photo by Ryan Tippett
Behaviour
The Orange River Francolin is resident with no evidence of seasonal migration. However, they undertake considerable local movements during droughts and in response to habitat deterioration.
Orange River FrancolinScleroptila gutturalis Near Balfour, Mpumalanga Photo by William Price
The Orange River Francolin is usually found in pairs or small coveys of 3 to 5 birds, and occasionally in groups of up to 8. When approached, they tend to sit tight before scuttling away into thicker cover. If flushed, they gain considerable height before peeling off over trees, often increasing speed by flying downwind. They spend most of the day foraging or resting, and are constantly alert. Coveys regularly dustbathe around midday. Roost sites are invariably located in flat, open patches and are seldom used for more than two nights in a row.
Orange River FrancolinScleroptila gutturalis Near Balfour, Mpumalanga Photo by William Price
The Orange River Francolin forages by digging up underground food using its bill. Their diet comprises corms, bulbs (including Oxalis and Moraea spp), berries, seeds, flowers, fallen grain and some green shoots. They also consume a variety of insects, including bugs, beetles, ants, termites, grasshoppers and locust nymphs. Their diet is more plant-based in winter and supplemented with insects in summer.
Orange River FrancolinScleroptila gutturalis Suikerbosrand Nature Reserve, Gauteng Photo by William Price
The Orange River Francolin is recorded breeding during all months but mainly after early and late summer rains. It is a monogamous breeder and pairs nest solitarily. They are likely to be territorial. The nest is built entirely by the female. It is a simple scrape in the ground, usually hidden in dense grass, and lined with dry grass. Nearby vegetation is sometimes pulled over the nest to form a canopy.
Laying dates are variable, according to rainfall. 3 to 8 eggs are laid per clutch. The eggs range in colour from pale brownish to yellowish, sometimes with light brown speckles. Incubation starts after clutch completion and eggs hatch synchronously. The incubation period lasts up to 21 days and all incubating is done by the female. Newly hatched young are precocial and the young are cared for by both parents. They are brooded by the female at night until they are around 40 days old.
Orange River FrancolinScleroptila gutturalis Olienhout Game Reserve, Northern Cape Photo by Ryan Tippett
Further Resources
Species text adapted from the first Southern African Bird Atlas Project (SABAP1), 1997.
The use of photographs by Dawie Kleynhans, Lia Steen, Ryan Tippett, and William Price is acknowledged.
Other common names: Kalaharipatrys (Afrikaans); Francolin d’Archer (French); Rebhuhnfrankolin (German); Francolim-dourado (Portuguese); Archer-frankolijn (Dutch).
A list of bird species in this format is available here.
Recommended citation format: Tippett RM. 2026. Orange River Francolin Scleroptila gutturalis. Biodiversity and Development Institute. Available online at https://thebdi.org/2026/04/30/orange-river-francolin-scleroptila-gutturalis/
Cover image of Black Harrier by Attie van Aarde – Near Riversdale, Western Cape
The Black Harrier belongs to the family ACCIPITRIDAE (Hawks, Eagles, Vultures, and Kites). Accipitridae is a family of small to very large large birds of prey (Raptors) with strongly hooked bills and variable morphology based on diet. They feed on a range of prey items from insects to medium-sized mammals, with a number feeding on carrion and others feeding on fruit. The Accipitridae have a global distribution, being found on all the world’s continents (except Antarctica) and many oceanic island groups. Some species are migratory. The family contains 250 species from 74 genera.
Identification
The Black Harrier is a striking and distinctive raptor. The sexes are very similar in plumage coloration; females have a brownish sheen on their contour feathers, while males have more grey in their primaries.
Black HarrierCircus maurus – Adult Modder Rivier, Western Cape Photo by Philna de Villiers
Adult birds are mostly black overall with a white rump and bold black and white banded tails. The rump and tail banding are conspicuous in flight. Some birds have a few white markings on the undersides. The underwing is strongly contrasting black and white; black coverts and white flight feathers with a black trailing edge to the wing. The face is owl-like with piercing yellow eyes. The bill is dark grey, and the cere, legs, and feet are yellow.
Black HarrierCircus maurus – Adult Near Koeberg, Western Cape Photo by Lance Robinson
Immature birds resemble adults, but the black feathering is suffused with brown, and the belly is paler and brownish. The juvenile is dark brown above with buff markings on the wing coverts, cheeks, and eyebrows, and with white mottling on the nape. The underparts are buff-coloured with bold dark brown markings on the chest and flanks. In flight, as in adults, the broad white rump and boldly banded tail are characteristic. Unlike other juvenile harriers, it has yellow eyes.
Black HarrierCircus maurus – Juvenile Near Loxton, Northern Cape Photo by Ryan Tippett
Adults are unlikely to be confused with any other harriers because of their bold black and white plumage. Very rare melanistic forms of both Montagu’s Harrier (Circus pygargus) and Western Marsh Harrier (Circus aeruginosus) occur but differ from the Black Harrier in having no tail barring or white rump.
Status and Distribution
The Black Harrier is an uncommon southern African endemic. It has the most restricted range of the world’s 13 harrier species, with the core of its range located in the Fynbos Biome of south-western South Africa. In South Africa, it occurs from the Western Cape up through much of the Eastern Cape, Northern Cape, Free State, Lesotho, and the interior of KwaZulu-Natal to Central Mpumalanga, Gauteng, and North West Province. It is widespread but sparse in Namibia, reaching the Hoanib and Uniab River Floodplains in north-western Namibia. The Black Harrier is a vagrant to eSwatini (Swaziland) and Botswana, as far north as Lake Ngami. The Black Harrier’s population is most concentrated in the Western Cape and high-altitude grasslands of the Eastern Cape and Free State. It is far less numerous and is often irruptive into other parts of its range.
The breeding stronghold of the Black Harrier is in the Western Cape, but breeding has been recorded as far north as Port Nolloth in the Northern Cape, and as far east as the KwaZulu-Natal Drakensberg. There is also a small breeding population in north-western Namibia.
SABAP2 distribution map for Black HarrierCircus maurus – downloaded in December 2024. Details for map interpretation can be found here.
The Black Harrier is listed as Endangered on the Global IUCN Red List. This is due to its restricted range and very small population (fewer than 500 breeding pairs in South Africa). Direct threats include fynbos and grassland fires, habitat loss, and pesticide residues. The Black Harrier is thought to have lost up to 50% of its core breeding habitat in the last century, owing to extensive land transformation by agriculture (particularly in the Overberg), invasive alien vegetation, and urbanisation within the Fynbos Biome.
Black HarrierCircus maurus – Adult Near Lamberts Bay, Western Cape Photo by Zenobia van Dyk
Habitat
Strandveld habitat. West Coast National Park, Western Cape Photo by Karis Daniel
The Black Harrier inhabits fynbos, grasslands, Karoo scrub, and agricultural fields. In the Western Cape, it is primarily found in fynbos, especially strandveld and mountain fynbos. It is less common in dry restios and renosterveld remnants. The Black Harrier also frequents Karoo scrub in both the summer and winter rainfall regions of the Karoo. Elsewhere, it occurs in dry and moist grasslands, including high-altitude areas of the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal, sometimes more than 3000 m above sea level. The Black Harrier avoids habitats following fires and typically does not return for several years after.
Semi-arid scrub in the Nama Karoo Carnarvon district, Northern Cape Photo by Ryan Tippett
Black Harriers are found in the Fynbos, Succulent Karoo, Nama Karoo, and Grassland Biomes. It marginally enters the Savanna Biome in the more open parts of the southern Kalahari.
Dry grassland habitat Near Philipolis, Free State Photo by Ryan Tippett
Behaviour
Black harriers are migratory birds. Most migration is from the winter-rainfall regions of the Western Cape. However, not all of the population migrates, as evidence shows there is little variation in reporting rates between seasons in the core areas of their range. Migration occurs after the breeding season from March to June. It is believed that they migrate to cope with food shortages, although there is great individual variability. Those that do migrate either head north into the semi-desert Karoo scrub of the Northern Cape and Namibia, or eastwards into the grasslands of the Eastern Cape, Free State, Lesotho, and western KwaZulu-Natal. Interestingly, pair members do not travel together, nor do they use the same non-breeding areas.
Black HarrierCircus maurus – Adult and Juvenile Near Loxton, Northern Cape Photo by Ryan Tippett
In some years, the Black Harrier is irruptive into the drier parts of the Grassland biome and the Succulent and Nama Karoo biomes. This is a likely response to food availability, leading to a season of abundance sometimes followed by a complete absence in the following years. This coincides with fluctuating rodent populations in drier regions, which tend to explode after seasons of above-average rainfall. In some years, under ideal conditions, these irruptive birds may remain long enough to breed.
Black HarrierCircus maurus – Adult Near Caledon, Western Cape Photo by Gerald Wingate
The Black Harrier is usually encountered solitarily or sometimes in pairs. They are most often seen in flight but also perch prominently on termite mounds, fence posts, or similar vantage points. They sometimes also sit on open bare ground when elevated perches are unavailable. Black Harriers sometimes soar, but seldom to great heights. They actively seek out shade on hot days and may sleep for short periods while perched on the ground. The Black Harrier drinks and bathes when water is available.
Black HarrierCircus maurus – Adult Vanrhynsdorp, Western Cape Photo by Salome Willemse
Black Harriers hunt in typical buoyant, harrier flight, usually 1 to 3 m above the vegetation. Quartering flight is sometimes interspersed with bouts of hovering. They forage most actively on windy days. On seeing or hearing prey among the vegetation, they check suddenly before dropping onto prey with legs extended. Prey is hit hard and possibly killed on impact. Occasionally hunts from a perch or pursues prey in flight. Prey is mostly eaten on the ground.
Black HarrierCircus maurus – Adult Near Heidelberg, Western Cape Photo by Johan van Rooyen
The Black Harrier is a specialist predator of rodents and birds. They capture a variety of rodent species. Vlei Rats (Otomys spp), Whistling Rats (Paratomys spp.), and Sloggett’s Rat (Myotomys sloggetti) are important prey items in different parts of their range. They also consume a variety of small birds, up to 350g, particularly Common Quail (Coturnix coturnix). The rest of the diet is made up of amphibians, lizards, large insects like grasshoppers and locusts, also eggs, and occasionally carrion.
Black HarrierCircus maurus – Juvenile West Coast National Park, Western Cape Photo by John Todd
The Black Harrier has been recorded breeding from June to December with an egg-laying peak in September. They are mainly monogamous, although a small percentage of males are polygynous (breeding with 2 females simultaneously). They are generally solitary nesters but are sometimes semi-colonial in the Western Cape, where nests are frequently as close as 50 to 100 m apart.
The nest is a small, untidy structure or pad of dry grasses, stems, and small twigs up to 450 mm in diameter. The nest is placed on or just above ground and is well concealed in rank marsh grasses, or near fynbos bushes or sedges. Nests are either built on the ground in drier terrain or slightly raised on a base of stems, reeds, and weeds in wetter sites. Nests are rebuilt in the same general area over successive years.
Black HarrierCircus maurus – Adult Bitter Rivier, Northern Cape Photo by Johan van Rooyen
1 to 5 (usually 3) blueish-white eggs are laid per clutch. Eggs are laid at 1 to 2 day intervals. Incubation begins once the first egg has been laid and lasts up to 34 days. Incubation is performed entirely by the female, who is fed during this time by the male. The eggs hatch asynchronously, sometimes resulting in large size differences between chicks. The nestling period lasts for a further 36 to 41 days. During the nestling period, the male provides most of the food for the female and young. Fledglings are fed for at least 2 weeks after leaving the nest. The fledglings are aggressively defended by the adults who persistently mob potential predators, especially other raptors. Black Harriers are single-brooded, and research shows that breeding success is relatively high.
Black HarrierCircus maurus – Adult Near Bloemfontein, Free State Photo by Dawie de Swardt
Further Resources
Species text adapted from the first Southern African Bird Atlas Project (SABAP1), 1997.
The use of photographs by Attie van Aarde, Dawie de Swardt, Gerald Wingate, Johan van Rooyen, John Todd, Karis Daniel, Lance Robinson, Philna de Villiers, Ryan Tippett, Salome Willemse, and Zenobia van Dyk is acknowledged.
Other common names: Witkruisvleivalk (Afrikaans); Busard maure (French); Mohrenweihe (German); Zwarte Kiekendief (Dutch); Tartaranhão-preto (Portuguese)
Recommended citation format: Tippett RM. 2026. Black Harrier Circus maurus. Biodiversity and Development Institute. Available online at https://thebdi.org/2026/04/30/black-harrier-circus-maurus/
This was our 12th bird ringing expedition to the Nuwejaars Wetlands Special Management Area. We arrived into a wet and windy few days at the end of what had been an exceptionally dry and hot summer. Not the most conducive weather for bird ringing. The table shows we caught a total of 80 birds of 23 species. Click on the species in red to see the structured texts for them on the BDI website. A full list of the species with these texts is found here. 11 of the species are are illustrated below using photos taken during the expedition; the Malachite Sunbird got two.
The photos are chosen to show aspects of the bird which are often best seen with the bird-in-the-hand. This is the privilege of being a ringer.
Photo 1
Les Underhill
Spotted Eagle Owl. This is our first at the Nuwejaars Wetlands. The cumulative effort of the community of bird ringers has helped document the patterns of movement and survival of this owl.
Photo 2
Achot Ginosian
Agulhas Long-billed Lark, now treated as a subspecies of the Cape Long-billed Lark.
Photo 3
Achot Ginosian
The forked tail of the Fork-tailed Drongo
Photo 4
Achot Ginosian
Capped Wheatear, the view that insects fear.
Photo 5
Joël Daniel-Roux
Little Rush Warbler
Photo 6
Joël Daniel-Roux
Cape Batis. This bird is a juvenile. Look at the light-brown edgings of the tertials alongside the ringer’s thumb. They get less conspicuous as you move outwards on the wing. They have been worn away. There are similar patterns in the coverts, in front of the ringer’s index finger.
Photo 7
Achot Ginosian
Southern Fiscal. That beak is sharp and powerful.
Photo 8
Dieter Oschadleus
Male Cape Sugarbird. The whole of the tail is visible in the shadow!
Photos 9 and 10
Achot Ginosian
Malachite Sunbirds have a long down-curved bill.
Joël Daniel-Roux
The bright yellow pectoral tufts of the Malachite Sunbird are usually tucked away and are not often visible outside the breeding season. They are used for mate attraction displays.
Photo 11
Achot Ginosian
Cape Weaver, an adult male with eyes the colour of marie biscuits. This is the bill that accomplishes the daunting task of weaving a nest out of grass.
Photo 12
Joël Daniel-Roux
Southern Grey-headed Sparrow
Next ringing expedition to Nuwejaars Wetlands is from 9 to 14 May 2026. Up-to-date list of plans for future events is here.
There is a list of ringing expeditions that have blog reports similar to this here.
Cover image of Little Rush Warbler by Malcolm Robinson – Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal
The Little Rush Warbler belongs to the Family LOCUSTELLIDAE (Grassbirds and allies). Locustellidae is a recently recognised family of small insectivorous songbirds. These birds occur mainly in Eurasia, Africa, and Australasia. They inhabit a variety of habitats with dense undergrowth, including forest, marshes, swampland, and seasonally arid grasslands. Most are drab, brownish or buff-coloured warblers with fine bills, lightly proportioned bodies, and relatively long graduated tails. The family is made up of 67 species from 11 genera.
Identification
The Little Rush Warbler is a small, dark warbler and the sexes are alike
Little Rush Warbler Bradypterus baboecala Bushmanskloof, Western Cape Photo by Zenobia van Dyk
Adult birds have dark greyish-brown upperparts with a rufous tinge towards the rump. The underparts are greyish white, with variable, indistinct dark streaks on the throat and upper breast. The flanks and undertail coverts are dull rufous. They have a buff-white supercilium, blackish lores, and buffy-brown ear coverts and cheeks with inconspicuous white streaks. The tail is dark brown, and relatively long and broad, giving a heavy-looking appearance. The bill is blackish-brown with a yellowish or pinkish base. The eyes are dark brown and the legs and feet are brownish-pink. Juveniles resemble the adults but have yellow-tinged underparts.
Little Rush Warbler Bradypterus baboecala Somerset West, Western Cape Photo by Corrie du Toit
The Little Rush Warbler could easily be mistaken for a host of other wetland warbler species. It can be separated from Acrocephalus reed warblers by its light streaking on the breast, and heavy, dark tail.The Little Rush Warbler is most similar to the Fan-tailed Grassbird (Schoenicola brevirostris), but that species is paler brown above, with greyish-white (not dull rufous) undertail coverts. The Little Rush Warbler has a loud and distinctive call that is a useful aid in identification.
Status and Distribution
The Little Rush Warbler is common and is widespread but patchily distributed throughout sub-Saharan Africa. It ranges from Ghana in the west, Ethiopia in the north, and down to South Africa. The Little Rush Warbler is widespread in southern Africa, but absent from the arid parts of Namibia, Botswana, and South Africa, including the Kalahari Basin and most of the Karoo.
SABAP2 distribution map for Little Rush WarblerBradypterus baboecala – December 2024. Details for map interpretation can be found here.
The Little Rush Warbler is not threatened. There is no evidence to suggest that the current distribution differs from the historical range. It has probably benefited from man-made wetlands and the silting up of rivers, which promotes the growth of aquatic vegetation.
Little Rush Warbler Bradypterus baboecala Philadelphia, Western Cape Photo by Gerald Wingate
Habitat
The Little Rush Warbler occurs in reedbeds and other wetland vegetation, especially papyrus and sedges (Cyperus sp.) and Bulrushes (Typha sp.). It inhabits marshes, lagoons, and estuaries, streams, rivers, dams, sewage ponds, and flooded rank grassland. The Little Rush Warbler is found in all biomes where suitable habitat exists.
Typical Habitat Near Worcester, Western Cape Photo by Les Underhill
Behaviour
The Little Rush Warbler is a resident and largely sedentary species, but is known to make local seasonal movements in response to changing water levels.
Little Rush Warbler Bradypterus baboecala Matshavhawe, Limpopo Photo by Marius Meiring
It is usually encountered solitarily or in pairs. The Little Rush Warbler is a shy, skulking species and can be hard to see clearly. It spends much time low down in marshy vegetation, but sometimes perches prominently during the early morning. It is easily overlooked unless calling. The Little Rush Warbler is reluctant to fly, flying only short distances, with whirring wings and the broad tail conspicuously spread.
Lesser Swamp WarblerAcrocephalus gracilirostris Near Caledon, Western Cape Photo by Karis Daniel
Not much is known of the Little Rush Warbler’s diet and feeding behaviour. It forages low down in vegetation, mostly over water or mud in sedges and reeds. It is known to eat small insects and their eggs.
Lesser Swamp WarblerAcrocephalus gracilirostris Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal Photo by Malcolm Robinson
The Little Rush Warbler breeds from August to January in the Western Cape, and from September to March further north. It is a monogamous and territorial species. The nest is a relatively large, deep and untidy cup made from reeds and coarse grass. The interior is lined with fine grass and rootlets. The nest is usually situated about 50cm above the ground or water.
2 to 3 eggs are laid per clutch. The incubation period takes 12 to 14 days, and the nestling period lasts a further 12 to 13 days. The young are known to be fed by both parents. The Little Rush Warbler is sometimes parasitised by the Diderick Cuckoo (Chrysococcyx caprius).
Little Rush Warbler Bradypterus baboecala Somerset West, Western Cape Photo by Corrie du Toit
Further Resources
This species text is adapted from the first Southern African Bird Atlas Project (SABAP1), 1997.
The use of photographs by Corrie du Toit, Gerald Wingate, Karis Daniel, Les Underhill, Malcolm Robinson, Marius Meiring, and Zenobia van Dyk is acknowledged. Additional photographs by Ryan Tippett.
Recommended citation format: Tippett RM. 2026. Little Rush Warbler Bradypterus baboecala. Biodiversity and Development Institute. Available online at https://thebdi.org/2026/04/17/little-rush-warbler-bradypterus-baboecala/
List of bird species in this format is available here.
Cover image of Layard’s Warbler by Rick Nuttall – Addo Elephant National Park, Eastern Cape
Layard’s Warbler is a member of the family SYLVIIDAE (Sylvia and Curruca Warblers). These small passerine birds are found throughout Africa, Europe, and much of Asia, as far as north-central China and parts of Siberia. These warblers are usually birds of dense, shrubby habitats, but some also occur in more forested environments. Sylviidae comprises 32 species from 2 genera.
Identification
Layard’s Warbler Sylvia layardii Carnarvon District, Northern Cape Photo by Ryan Tippett
In the Layard’s Warbler, the sexes differ slightly in plumage coloration, but this is difficult to see in the field. The adult male is predominantly slate grey in overall appearance. The upper parts are slightly darker than the undersides. The chin, throat, and upper breast are off-white, and the throat carries fine, black streaks. The lower breast is pale grey, palest in the middle, and the flanks are washed darker grey. The Undertail Coverts are white (diagnostic). The tail itself is black, edged, and tipped white. The eye is white (diagnostic in both sexes), and the bill, legs, and feet are black.
Adult females are usually slightly browner overall than males, and the streaking on the throat and upper breast is less well pronounced. The flanks and undertail coverts are buffy-white. Juveniles resemble the adults, but the chin and throat are greyish, without streaking. The underparts are buffy grey. They also differ in having greyish-yellow (not white) eyes.
Layard’s Warbler is only likely to be mistaken for the closely related Chestnut-vented Tit-Babbler (Sylvia subcaerulea), which is slightly darker and has chestnut (not white) undertail coverts. In more arid areas, the two species frequently co-occur, but differ in their preferred habitat.
Layard’s Warbler Sylvia layardii – Juvenile Carnarvon District, Northern Cape Photo by Ryan Tippett
Status and Distribution
Layard’s Warbler is fairly common to common. It is endemic to southern Africa, from western and southern Namibia south to the Western Cape and west across the Karoo to Free State, Lesotho, and marginally into western KwaZulu-Natal.
SABAP2 distribution map for Layard’s Warbler Sylvia layardii – downloaded in December 2024. Details for map interpretation can be found here.
Layard’s Warbler is not threatened. The distribution is not known to have differed from the present. However, it has probably been negatively impacted by coastal development along the west coast of the Western Cape.
Layard’s Warbler Sylvia layardii Bushmanskloof, Western Cape Photo by Zenobia van Dyk
Habitat
Layard’s Warbler typically inhabits short scrub on rocky slopes. It occurs in semi-arid to arid Karroid scrub in both the summer and winter rainfall regions, where it appears to be most numerous. Also occurs in coastal fynbos, Alpine scrub, and taller montane fynbos. Layard’s Warbler is found from sea level along the West Coast to over 2400 m above sea level in the Drakensberg.
Habitat – Hilly terrain with rocky outcrops and scrub in the Nama Karoo. Carnarvon District, Northern Cape Photo by Ryan Tippett
Behaviour
Layard’s Warbler is mostly resident. In the Karoo, it may move from hillside habitats to lower-lying drainage lines during winter; it also moves to lower altitudes in the Drakensberg during winter.
Layard’s Warbler Sylvia layardii Near Klawer, Western Cape Photo by Gerald Wingate
Layard’s Warbler is usually encountered singly or in pairs. They are not easily flushed and tend to remain hidden in the undergrowth. They are inquisitive and respond readily to tape playback or spishing. Conspicuous and vocal in the breeding season but easily overlooked when not calling. Sometimes snaps wings in flight from bush to bush and seldom flies in a straight line.
Layard’s Warbler Sylvia layardii Kasteelberg, Western Cape Photo by Fiona Hellmann
Layard’s Warbler forages low down in bushes and shrubs, gleaning food from leaves and stems. Eats invertebrates, including grasshoppers, termites, bugs, beetles, caterpillars, and ants. They also consume small fruits and seeds.
Layard’s Warbler Sylvia layardii Worcester, Western Cape Photo by Gregg Darling
Layard’s Warbler is a monogamous, solitary nester. They are probably strongly territorial as breeding pairs are widely spaced. Sings from a perch or makes short display flights in territorial defence.
The nest is a thin-walled cup of grass, silky plant fibres, and spider web placed in a fork of a bush. It is usually found low down and is often fairly exposed. 2 to 3 eggs are laid per clutch. The incubation period is unknown. Adults feeding the young at the nest are very wary and frequently dive behind boulders and into concealing vegetation, usually emerging unseen. The nestling period is not more than 15days.
Layard’s Warbler Sylvia layardii Cypherfontein, Free State Photo by Phillip Nieuwoudt
Further Resources
Species text adapted from the first Southern African Bird Atlas Project (SABAP1), 1997.
The use of photographs by Dawie de Swardt, Fiona Hellmann, Gerald Wingate, Gregg Darling, Phillip Nieuwoudt, Rick Nuttall, Ryan Tippett, Tino Herselman, and Zenobia van Dyk is acknowledged.
Other common names:Parisoma layardi (Alt. Scientific); Layard’s Titbabbler; Layard’s Tit-Babbler (Alt. English); Grystjeriktik (Afrikaans); Parisome de Layard (French); Layards Meisensänger (German); Layards Meeszanger (Dutch); Felosa-chapim de Layard (Portuguese)
Recommended citation format: Tippett RM. 2026. Layard’s Warbler Sylvia layardii. Biodiversity and Development Institute. Available online at https://thebdi.org/2026/04/14/layards-warbler-sylvia-layardii/
Image of Black-faced Waxbill by Rick Nuttall – Dealesville, Free State
Waxbills belong to the Family ESTRILDIDAE. This family also includes the Firefinches, Twinspots, Mannikins, Pytilias, etc. They are small, seed-eating passerines with short conical bills. They are all similar in structure and habits, but vary widely in plumage colours and patterns. Most species are very colourful. They are usually gregarious and often colonial. Their nests are generally a ball of grass with a side entrance and are either placed in a tree or on or close to the ground. The family contains 138 species from 39 genera. They are restricted to the Old World and are found throughout sub-Saharan Africa and Madagascar, as well as southern Asia and Australasia.
Identification
The Black-faced Waxbill is a distinct and unmistakable bird in southern Africa.
Black-faced WaxbillEstrilda erythronotos Near Christiana, Free State Photo by Tino Herselman
The sexes are similar, but females are overall paler and duller.
In males, the forehead is pale grey, and the mantle, upper back, and scapulars are greyish-brown with very fine, dark barring and a pinkish wash. They have a conspicuous black facial mask. The lower back, rump, and upper tail coverts are deep red. The tail is black and is relatively long and graduated. The folded wings are grey with neat black barring. The throat is pale greyish pink and very faintly barred. The lower breast is reddish pink, and the flanks are reddish pink to deep crimson. The centre of the belly and undertail coverts are black. The short, conical bill is black with a bluish-grey base. The legs and feet are black, and the eyes are dark red.
Juveniles resemble adult females, but with more extensive faint barring, and the upper tail coverts and rump are dark orange-red.
Black-faced WaxbillEstrilda erythronotos Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, Northern Cape Photo by Maans Booysen
Status and Distribution
The Black-faced Waxbill is a common but localised resident. It is found in two oddly disjunct populations; one in East Africa (Tanzania, Kenya & Uganda), and one in southern Africa. The southern population extends from southern Angola and south-western Zambia through north-central Namibia, Botswana, southern and western Zimbabwe to South Africa. In South Africa, it occurs in central and western Limpopo, North West province, central and western Free State, and the north-eastern parts of the Northern Cape.
SABAP2 distribution map for Black-faced WaxbillEstrilda erythronotos – December 2024. Details for map interpretation can be found here.
The Black-faced Waxbill is not threatened. The clearing of savannas for urbanisation and agriculture impact locally on its population. The Black-faced Waxbill is not abundant in most places, and its trapping for the cage-bird trade should be closely monitored.
Black-faced WaxbillEstrilda erythronotos Mokala National Park, Northern Cape Photo by Sybrand Venter
Habitat
The Black-faced Waxbill inhabits arid and semi-arid thornveld savanna and riverine thornbush. It is dependent on permanent surface water. The Black-faced Waxbill also requires tree cover and is reportedly more arboreal than others in its family. This probably explains its absence from the Karoo and drier parts of the Kalahari.
Dry woodland dominated by thorn trees. Mokala National Park, Northern Cape Photo by Karis Daniel
Behaviour
The Black-faced Waxbill is resident and sedentary, but is subject to some local movements in the dry season. It is known to disappear from an area for long periods before suddenly reappearing. Flocks move into the drier parts of the Kalahari during the wet season, particularly in years of high rainfall.
Black-faced WaxbillEstrilda erythronotos Near Klerksdorp, North West Photo by Tony Archer
The Black-faced Waxbill is usually found in pairs or small groups. They sometimes gather in larger flocks of up to 18 birds when not breeding, often where food is abundant. The Black-faced Waxbill is somewhat secretive, but can be easily located by its fairly loud contact calls.
Black-faced WaxbillEstrilda erythronotos Mokala National Park, Northern Cape Photo by Terry Terblanche
Birds foraging on the ground or low down in vegetation fly into nearby bushes when disturbed. The Black-faced Waxbill sometimes roosts at night in old weaver nests, with up to 30 birds in 1 nest. They are dependent on water and drink regularly. After drinking and bathing, birds sit in dense foliage and preen for extended periods. They regularly allopreen and are often seen huddled together.
Black-faced WaxbillEstrilda erythronotos Thabazimbi district, Limpopo Photo by Roelof van der Breggen
The Black-faced Waxbill is most active during the morning and late afternoon, often in loose association with other small seed-eating birds. They forage on bare ground or among leaf litter, searching for seeds. They will also take seeds directly from grass plants, often by perching on a grass stem and forcing the seed head to the ground before removing seeds. Small flying insects may be hawked from a perch or gleaned from vegetation. The Black-faced Waxbill’s diet consists mainly of grass seeds and is supplemented by insects such as termites, beetles, and small caterpillars. Some nectar is also consumed when available. They will also eat small, fleshy fruits and suitably-sized seeds from various trees and shrubs.
Black-faced WaxbillEstrilda erythronotos Otjozondjupa, Namibia Photo by Zenobia van Dyk
The Black-faced Waxbill is monogamous, and pair bonds appear to be strong. They are solitary nesters and are probably territorial. In courtship display, the singing male perches beside the female and holds 1 end of a grass inflorescence in his bill while throwing his head backwards and forwards, while his body bobs up and down.
Black-faced WaxbillEstrilda erythronotos Khomas, Namibia Photo by Norman Barrett
Black-faced Waxbills mostly breed from December to May, but will breed opportunistically at other times in drier areas. The nest is built by both sexes with material collected by the male. The nest is round and bulky with a long, downward-pointing entrance. Some nests incorporate a cup-shaped false nest on top, which probably serves as a decoy to lure predators away from the true entrance. The nest is lined with soft, fine grass inflorescences and sometimes also feathers. The nest is usually placed 4 or 5 meters above the ground in dense, thorny vegetation.
2 to 6 white to cream eggs are laid per clutch. The incubation period lasts around 12 days and duties are shared by both sexes. The nestling period lasts up to 22 days. Broods may, on rare occasions, be parasitised by the Shaft-tailed Whydah (Vidua paradisaea)
Black-faced WaxbillEstrilda erythronotos Vaalkop Dam, North West Photo by Lance Robinson
Further Resources
This species text is adapted from the first Southern African Bird Atlas Project (SABAP1), 1997.
The use of photographs by Dawie de Swardt, Karis Daniel, Lance Robinson, Maans Booysen, Norman Barrett, Rick Nuttall, Roelof van der Breggen, Sybrand Venter, Terry Terblanche, Tino Herselman, Tony Archer, and Zenobia van Dyk is acknowledged.
Other names: Black-cheeked Waxbill (Alt. English); Swartwangsysie (Afrikaans); Astrild à moustaches (French); Elfenastrild (Dutch); Elfenastrild (German); Bico-de-lacre-de-faces-pretas (Portuguese).
Recommended citation format: Tippett RM. 2026. Black-faced Waxbill Estrilda erythronotos. Biodiversity and Development Institute. Available online at https://thebdi.org/2026/03/31/black-faced-waxbill-estrilda-erythronotos/
List of bird species in this format is available here.
