Birdwatching in Africa offers an experience as thrilling as spotting the Big Five mammals. Among the most remarkable avian species are the Big Six Birds of Africa, an elite group of large, rare, and charismatic birds that symbolize the grandeur of the continent’s birdlife. Each of these birds has unique characteristics, making them fascinating subjects for birdwatchers and conservationists alike.
The Lappet-faced Vulture
The Lappet-faced Vulture (Torgos tracheliotos) is Africa’s largest and most powerful vulture, recognized for its imposing size and distinctive bare pinkish-red head. With a wingspan reaching up to 2.9 meters (9.5 feet) and a body length between 95 and 115 cm (37–45 inches), this scavenger plays a crucial role in maintaining the ecosystem by cleaning up carrion. The fleshy folds, or lappets, around its neck help distinguish it from other vultures. This magnificent bird is commonly found in dry savannas, semi-arid regions, and open plains across Eastern, Southern, and parts of North Africa, with significant populations in Kenya, Tanzania, Botswana, Namibia, and South Africa. Lappet-faced Vultures can live between 30 and 50 years in the wild. They nest in large acacia or baobab trees, laying a single egg that is incubated by both parents for around 54 to 56 days. Once hatched, the chick takes nearly four months to fledge and remains dependent on its parents for an extended period. Unfortunately, this species is classified as endangered due to habitat destruction, poisoning, and persecution by farmers.
The Saddle-billed Stork
The Saddle-billed Stork (Ephippiorhynchus senegalensis) is one of the most striking birds in Africa, standing up to 1.5 meters (5 feet) tall with a wingspan ranging between 2.4 and 2.7 meters (8–9 feet). This bird is known for its striking black and white plumage and an unmistakable red and yellow bill, which resembles a saddle, hence its name. Preferring wetlands, floodplains, and riverbanks, the Saddle-billed Stork is widely distributed across sub-Saharan Africa, particularly in Kenya, Tanzania, Botswana, South Africa, and Uganda. They have a life span of approximately 19 to 30 years. Breeding pairs build large stick nests in tall trees near water sources, where the female lays between two and three eggs. The incubation period lasts 30 to 35 days, and both parents take part in raising the chicks, which fledge after 70 to 100 days. While this bird is classified as of least concern, habitat loss poses a significant threat to its population.
The Martial Eagle
Among Africa’s raptors, the Martial Eagle (Polemaetus bellicosus) reigns as the largest and most powerful. With an impressive wingspan of up to 2.6 meters (8.5 feet), this apex predator soars across open savannas, wooded grasslands, and semi-desert areas of sub-Saharan Africa. It is commonly found in countries such as South Africa, Kenya, Botswana, Namibia, and Zimbabwe. Distinguished by its dark brown upperparts and heavily spotted white belly, the Martial Eagle is an exceptionally skilled hunter, preying on birds, mammals, and even small antelopes. In the wild, these eagles can live up to 30 years. They breed every two to three years, constructing massive nests high in trees or on cliffs. The female lays a single egg, which is incubated for approximately 45 days. After hatching, the chick remains in the nest for 90 to 110 days before fledging, though it remains dependent on its parents for another six months. Due to habitat destruction and persecution by farmers, the Martial Eagle is classified as vulnerable.
The Southern Ground Hornbill
The Southern Ground Hornbill (Bucorvus leadbeateri) is a fascinating terrestrial bird, spending most of its time foraging on the ground rather than flying. This striking bird is characterized by its glossy black plumage, bright red facial skin, and deep, resonant calls that echo across the savannas and grasslands of South Africa, Kenya, Botswana, and Tanzania. It is one of Africa’s longest-living birds, with a lifespan of up to 50 to 60 years. Unlike many other birds, Southern Ground Hornbills have a slow reproductive cycle. They nest in tree hollows or on rocky cliffs, laying one to two eggs, but usually, only one chick survives due to competition for food. The incubation period lasts about 40 days, and the chick remains dependent on its parents for a prolonged period, often up to two years. Due to habitat destruction and its low reproductive rate, this species is classified as vulnerable.
Southern ground-hornbills are obligate cooperative breeders – the largest known cooperative breeding bird in the world. They live in groups of up to twelve individuals, usually consisting of the breeding pair and male helpers from previous clutches. These (typically male) offspring delay dispersal for years to help care for future generations. Though female offspring may remain with the parents for a few years, only one adult female is tolerated in a group, and breeding is strictly between the breeding pair. This babysitting and caregiving experience is a vital learning curve – individuals that do not have around six years of helper experience do not breed successfully upon maturity.
Caregiving is offered to both the mother and chick once it hatches. The female will nest in a deep hollow of large trees (they are particularly picky on that subject, more below) at the start of the rainy season and lay between one and three eggs. Unlike other smaller hornbill species, she does not close herself off from the outside world, but the males of the group will keep her fed and protected while she incubates the eggs for just over 40 days. She remains with the newly hatched chick for another month while her bevvy of helpers flurries backwards and forwards with tasty snacks for mum and baby.
Though the female almost always lays more than one egg, only one chick will survive more than a few days, with either active or passive siblicide being a common occurrence. The adults will ignore the younger siblings, even when food is abundant, leading researchers to hypothesise that these eggs are simply an “insurance policy” if the first doesn’t hatch.
Southern ground-hornbills are extremely slow to mature and take more than two months to fledge fully. Even then, the juveniles remain dependent on their parents and older siblings for at least another year, if not two. As a result of this extremely high level of parental investment, it is not uncommon for breeding pairs to only produce one chick every three years.
These juveniles can be easily picked out of a group because the bare patches around the eyes, throat and face are grey. For the next six years, this skin will gradually transform to yellow, mottled orange and eventually red as the bird reaches maturity between six and seven years old. Even then, though the bird is likely sexually mature, they are unlikely to breed for several more years.
The Kori Bustard
The Kori Bustard (Ardeotis kori), known as the heaviest flying bird in Africa, is an impressive sight in the continent’s grasslands and open savannas. This massive bird can weigh up to 18 kg (40 lbs) and is often seen walking slowly through the grass as it searches for insects, small vertebrates, and plant matter. Its cryptic brown and white plumage helps it blend into its environment, making it a challenge to spot despite its size. The Kori Bustard is commonly found in Kenya, Botswana, Namibia, and South Africa. It has a life span of approximately 20 to 30 years. Breeding behavior is unique, as males perform elaborate displays to attract females but provide no parental care. The female lays one to two eggs directly on the ground, incubating them for 23 to 25 days. Chicks grow quickly and fledge within five weeks. Due to habitat fragmentation and hunting, the Kori Bustard is classified as near threatened.
The Pel’s Fishing Owl
The Pel’s Fishing Owl (Scotopelia peli) is one of Africa’s most enigmatic and elusive birds. This large, rufous-colored owl is specialized in hunting fish and is rarely seen due to its nocturnal habits. Unlike other owls, it lacks ear tufts and has striking black eyes. It inhabits riverine forests and wetlands across Botswana, Zimbabwe, Kenya, and Uganda. These owls have a lifespan of approximately 15 to 20 years. Breeding pairs nest in tree cavities close to water bodies, where the female lays one to two eggs. The incubation period lasts 32 to 38 days, and the chicks fledge after about 70 days. The Pel’s Fishing Owl is classified as near threatened, primarily due to habitat degradation and deforestation.
The Pel’s Fishing Owl usually hunts at night. It perches in the tree, looking onto the water and waiting for fish to approach the surface. As they do, the bird will swoop down and snatch the fish from the water. Occasionally, it will also wade into the shallow water in search of prey. It is not a particularly social bird in any other sense.
The male and female birds communicate with one another using hoots. The male has a deep, reverberating call (hoom-hut), which he will repeat five to six times per minute. This call carries for up to three kilometres. The female’s call is a higher pitch and is usually a single hoot followed by a double hoot-oot.
Once the river level has peaked, the Pel’s Fishing Owls will begin to breed, so that the young can be fed when the water’s level is lower and prey is more concentrated and abundant. In South Africa, this is between May and July, the chilliest time of the year. Pel’s Fishing Owls are monogamous, loyally sticking to one mate. They breed once every two years, usually, and the female will lay two eggs. It is very rare for both chicks to survive. Sexual maturity is reached at two years of age.
The nest of these birds is constructed inside a tree cavity, at an optimal height of between three and 12 metres above the ground. The incubation period lasts for 32 to 33 days. The chick(s) is considered a fledgling at about 70 days, but will continue to rely on its parents for nine months. It is unclear how long the Pel’s Fishing Owl can expect to live in the wild.
The major threat facing the Pel’s Fishing Owl is the damage being done to the rivers and lakes that contain their prey. Water pollution, silting, damming and overfishing are all compromising the ready availability of food. Still, this owl is not facing major threats to its population numbers and is still classified as Least Concern.
