With an estimated 50 billion individual birds on Earth, there are around 10,000 to 20,000 species, with more than 2,700 found only in Africa, a testament to the diversity of the continent.
From the gracious Long-tailed cormorant to the common Blue waxbill and the adorable Long-tailed glossy starling, there are many amazing birds that play important roles in the biodiversity of Africa, with each thriving in its uniqueness.
Here are some amazing birds found only in Africa
1. African Green Pigeon
Pigeons seem to be everywhere, but the African Green Pigeon (Treron calvus) is a special and elusive breed thanks to its elegant green plumage. Found across sub-Saharan Africa, it thrives in the forests and savannas where it has mastered remaining largely unseen because of its plumage that easily blends into the forest canopy.
Naturally social, these pigeons are mostly seen in flocks, and they are not afraid to be vocal in their whistles and squawks. The agile and beautiful bird finds it easy to adapt to its environment.
2. Northern carmine bee-eater
One of the gems among birds found in Africa, the Northern carmine bee-eater is among the most colourful birds the mother continent has to offer. It has elegant, bright red and pink feathers, and a graceful blue-green head.
Small and beautiful, these birds are mostly found in West, Central, and East Africa near rivers and open savannas where they make holes in sandy riverbanks or cliffs. As their names rightly suggest, the birds love to feed on bees. They also feed on other insects such as dragonflies, butterflies, and beetles. They are fast and skilled enough to catch their prey mid-air.
3. Long-tailed cormorant
Also known as the Reed Cormorant, these amazing birds are often recognized by their slim body build, long tails, and dark feathers. These popular African birds are mostly found around rivers, lakes, and wetlands.
While they do not have waterproof feathers, they are great swimmers and divers, with fish as their main food. They can go underwater to hunt fish using their strong feet and sharp beak as tools. After getting their meal, they stand and stretch their wings to dry
4. Long-tailed glossy starling
Mostly found in West Africa, the Long-tailed Glossy Starling is a beauty to behold. These birds mostly live in open woodlands and savannas, very close to rural human populations. They can be very noisy, especially early in the morning when they begin to whistle and make loud calls.
They are graceful with pale yellow eyes, a long tail, and feathers that shine blue, green, or purple in the sunlight. These are among the most elegant birds when in flight in small groups.
5. Bronze Mannikin
Although the Bronze Mannikin doesn’t have striking looks, it is a lovely and friendly bird that is not scared to be found close to humans, especially in villages, farms, and gardens. It is a very small bird with full energy, dark brown and black feathers, and a white belly with dark spots.
These birds fly in small flocks, hopping on the ground in search of food. Because they have a cheerful behaviour and chirp softly, they are mostly fun to watch and listen to.
See Also: African Animals With Horns
6. Blue waxbill
The Blue Waxbill is a small, beautiful bird mostly found in South and East Africa. It is also found in some parts of West Africa, particularly in Plateau State, Nigeria. While it is also quite small, it is very easy to spot this bird as a result of its distinctive blue dominant and light brown or grey feathers. The colors are more striking for the males than the females.
With no business hiding, these birds are very social and active, mostly seen in pairs or a sizable group around gardens, woodlands, and grasslands. They have a soft, high-pitched sound, which is both pleasant and gentle. During droughts, the birds disperse.
7. Green-backed camaroptera
The Green-backed Camaroptera is found in many parts of sub-Saharan Africa. It is a tiny bird with a gray face and green back, which helps it to camouflage in the bushes since it is shy and often prefers to hide in thick bushes.
They have short and rounded wings, and prefer to move either alone or in pairs as they move very fast. With their uncanny love for being as discreet as possible, these birds have loud and cheerful cries.
All images are culled with permission from @n_a_n_d_o_m. Dr. Nandom Bitrus is a Nigerian Physician, traveler, and a lover of birds and photography.
