August 21, 2024by Sasha Ella

Taking flight

All of a twitter about birds…

Africa might be home to the Big Five but it is also a bird lover’s paradise with over 2 300 species. These include everything from the iconic African fish eagle, with one of the most distinctive bird sounds of Africa, to the beautiful lilac-breasted roller. And, although birds are beautiful to watch as they soar high up in the thermals or dive for prey, the fact is they play an important role in the ecosystem. Our feathered friends are multi-taskers. They are pollinators, seed dispensers and control pests, making them vital to the survival of other species and us humans too.

The biodiversity of Africa’s various landscapes – whether a wetland, forest, savanna or desert – is the perfect environment for indigenous birds as well as species on an annual migration.

Every bird has a story to tell and I’m here to listen

Supersonic flight patterns

Africa is a sought-after destination, not only for discerning travellers wanting to explore but also for migratory birds. Each year, millions of birds take long, arduous journeys down south, looking for warmer climates during the harsh winters back home.

One of the most remarkable migrations is that of the Arctic tern, travelling from the Arctic to the southern tip of Africa and back. The flight path takes them across oceans and continents, covering a distance of 40 000 km. The Amur falcon flies over 22 000 km from Siberia and China to southern Africa. This includes a non-stop transoceanic flight of around 3 000 km over the Indian Ocean.

Around 185 species (4.5 million birds) migrate annually, demonstrating their incredible endurance and navigational skills.

Wings of wonder

Bird’s wings are similar to the human arm and consist of three parts: The upper arm, forearm and hand, along with three joints – the shoulder, elbow and wrist. Birds fly by flapping their wings and steer mainly with their tails. Unlike aeroplanes, birds wings are both a wing and propeller. It is said that the base of the wing supplies most of the supporting surface, with the wing tip most of the propelling force.

As for the V formation: The theory is that it makes it easier for them to fly and improves energy efficiency. As the birds flap their wings, the air flowing off their wingtips gives birds at the back of the V an extra lift.

No birdbrain

According to ornithologists, birds are actually very smart compared to mammals and, when you consider their navigational prowess and communication, then this is utterly believable. Although some are definitely smarter than others, the crow family is well-known for its intelligence.

The original tweeters

Most birds communicate vocally – some are more vocal than others – such as the loud, raucous and very distinctive ‘haa-de-dah’ call of the hadada ibis. The most common form of bird communication is a call note. In small birds, call notes may sound like chirps whereas in larger birds these are squawks. Birds use their calls to share their location, territory or for mating, as well as to scare off predators or warn other birds of danger.

In fact, birds lack vocal cords, so they make the tones and sounds using throat muscles and membranes. This makes the melodic tunes and chirps we hear even more miraculous.

Birds of a feather

Birds can be found on all of the world’s continents and vary in size and shape. Some are flightless – like an ostrich, one of the world’s largest and heaviest birds found exclusively in Africa. It can measure up to 2.4 metres and weigh up to 136kg. Other birds spend most of their lives up in the air.

The long and the short of it

The largest wingspan of any bird, at 3.5 metres wingtip to wingtip, belongs to the wandering albatross. The smallest bird in the world is the Bee Hummingbird, only found in Cuba, with wings just 3cm long whereas the Bronze Mannikin is the smallest bird endemic to South Africa. Adults weigh 7g -12g and can grow to 10cm in length.

Kori bustards that live in grasslands and savannas in eastern and southern Africa, are the world’s heaviest flying birds. Then there are also the nocturnal birds of southern Africa such as owls, nightjars, bat hawk, night herons, thick-knees, to name a few.

And if you’re looking for speed, then look no further than hunting birds. The Peregrine falcon has the greatest airspeed, able to exceed 300 km/h when it dives to catch prey.

Bird watching bliss

All Mantis properties boast incredible bird life but you are particularly encouraged to have your eyes up and binoculars ready when you visit Mantis Akagera Game Lodge, Zambezi Queen by Mantis, Chobe Princess by Mantis and Ichingo Chobe River Lodge.

The Chobe River area is an all-year-round birding destination – where experienced guides take you along the river for hours to spot various species from the striking carmine bee-eater to African skimmers, rock pratincoles, African finfoot, cattle egrets, open-billed storks and pied kingfishers. But in September the 450 endemic bird species is boosted by around 20% with the migration.

Hawar Resort by Mantis, opening soon, is set within Hawar Islands, a cluster of islets that lie off the southern coast of Bahrain. It is a protected area and of global importance for the breeding of the Socotra cormorant with up to 100 000 pairs recorded.

During migration seasons, rare species such as the Crab-plover and the Greater Spotted eagle make transient stops. In the cooler months (October to March) Bahrain becomes a sanctuary for migratory birds including the Greater flamingos and the Eurasian spoonbill. Spring months welcome different bird species, providing twitchers with new opportunities as they make their northward journey home.

Wherever there are birds, there is hope

Africa’s birdlife is a vital part of the continent’s natural heritage, with the remarkable migratory patterns adding to the wonder of nature. It also reinforces the crucial role birds play in maintaining global ecosystems and biodiversity. By protecting our birds and safeguarding their habitats, we are not only preserving the beauty of Africa but the delicate balance of life on Earth.

No bird soars too high if he soars with his own wings – William Blake