Water birds are a large and varied group of birds. Most are exclusive to fresh water sources such as rivers, lakes, dams and wetlands, however many sea and shore birds can also be regularly found in fresh water, e.g. cormorants and many migratory waders.
Take a look at a few of our common waterbirds at The Hide
Commonly seen during the rainy months – November to March. Our Green Season
- Africa Sacred Ibis – Striking white ibis with a naked black head and neck and black legs and feet. White wings framed by black wingtips and trailing edges. Can be encountered in almost any open habitat from wild wetlands to farmland and rubbish dumps. Originally restricted to sub-Saharan Africa, but now established in Taiwan and Europe, with feral colonies in France, Italy, and Spain. ( taken from Ebird)
- African Jacana – A distinctive chestnut, white, and black waterbird with a sky-blue bill and enormous feet. The immature lacks the blue bill and shield and is brown-headed. Resident and nomadic, this species trots on the surface of water lilies and other aquatic vegetation, using its long legs and ludicrously elongated toes to prevent it from sinking. It flies weakly, low over the water, with legs and toes dangling behind awkwardly, and calls with a honking repeated “kyaaan” and wheezy hurried “skreeeeeet’–most often in flight. Highly unusual mating system in which one dominant female maintains a harem of multiple males. After egg-laying, each male will raise a brood alone. (taken from Ebird)
- Black winged Stilt – Fairly common to locally common in warmer regions. Favors wetlands with open shallow water, often brackish; breeds on bare ground near water, often in noisy colonies. Striking and essentially unmistakable, with elegant shape, boldly pied plumage, long hot-pink legs, and long, very fine bill. Feeds by wading in water, picking with its bill from the water surface. In flight, long pink legs stick out far beyond tail. (Taken from EBird)
- Knob billed Duck – Large bicolored waterbird. Both sexes are iridescent purplish-green above with a white or buffy breast. Males have a large black lump on the bill, dark flanks and whitish belly, whereas females have a plain bill and gray flanks. Note all dark wings. Occurs throughout much of Africa, India, and Southeast Asia. Found in freshwater rivers, lakes, and marshes where it is usually uncommon. Normally silent.
- Egyptian Goose – This striking “goose” (in actuality more closely related to shelducks) is native to Africa, mainly the eastern and southern parts of the continent; it has also been introduced widely across Europe and parts of the U.S. Distinctive: note the staring pale eye surrounded by a dark patch, pink legs, and overall gray and buffy plumage. In flight, look for bright white forewings. Usually found in pairs or family groups. Feeds while swimming and by grazing on shore. (Taken from Ebird)
- Grey Heron – Grey herons are unmistakeable: tall, with long legs, a long beak and grey, black and white feathering. They can stand with their neck stretched out, looking for food, or hunched down with their neck bent over their chest.What they eat:Lots of fish, but also small birds such as ducklings, small mammals like voles and amphibians. After harvesting, grey herons can sometimes be seen in fields, looking for rodent
- OVERVIEW
- “Where I live”
- Hamerkops are widely dispersed throughout sub-Saharan Africa. They live in diverse habitats, from forest to semi-desert, anywhere where water is accessible. They frequent lakes, rivers, marshes, temporary seasonal ponds, and man-made waterways such as dams and irrigation channels. Hamerkops are most often seen in savannahs and woodlands, and may be only seasonally resident in semi-arid areas.
“How I live there”Hamerkops occupy well-defined territories that they rarely leave. These birds normally occur in pairs but can gather in groups of up to 50 birds, although usually closer to 10.
Like storks and herons, hamerkops are wading birds that forage for food in shallow water. They feed mainly on frogs and fish. They may stir the water with their feet or flap their wings to startle prey. Hamerkops also feed in flight, gliding over open water and dipping down to grab fish. Hamerkops are good hunters but often get robbed of their prey by bigger birds like the Fish Eagle, so they must catch many fish to satisfy their appetite.
“Making my mark”Hamerkops are known for their huge, domed nests. They build the biggest nests of any bird in Africa! Pairs build a nest together, using hundreds of twigs and other items. A finished nest may contain as many as 8,000 items and weigh over 50 pounds. No matter how big, though, a hamerkop nest is accessed by only one small entrance hole.
Hamerkop nests attract many other species of wildlife. Verreaux’s eagle owls, Gray kestrels, and barn owls sometimes take over hamerkop nests, evicting the rightful residents. Smaller mammals such as gennets sometimes take up residence in hamerkop nests, as do other species of bird such as weaver birds, mynas, and pigeons that will attach their own smaller nests to the main nest. Monitor lizards and snakes often raid hamerkop nests to take eggs, and snakes may stay behind to occupy the nests as shelter. Old nests are quickly occupied by other hole-nesting birds such as the Egyptian goose, the Pygmy goose, or the Knob-billed duck. Taken from https://www.marylandzoo.org/animal/hamerkop/
- Little Grebe – Fairly common but often inconspicuous small diving bird of wetlands with bordering reeds and other vegetation. Often remains out of sight; less often out on open water (mainly in winter). Rather compact, with rounded head, puffy rear end. Seen mainly as singles and small loose flocks, often sleeping during the day. Breeding plumage often looks dark overall; in good light note dark rusty head and neck sides with yellow patch at base of bill. Nonbreeding plumage dingy pale brownish overall with dark cap. (Taken from Ebird)
- Red billed Teal – The Red-billed teal is the most common duck in South Africa, and is also one of the most common ducks in southern Africa. It lives in inland wetlands, artificial or natural, breeding in temporary pans and dams. It is nomadic, rapidly locating new temporary pans and vleis, rarely moving more than 250 km. It feeds mainly on seeds, with smaller quantities of invertebrates. The female builds the nest, which is a shallow hole, filled with grass and leaves. It lays 5-16 eggs, which are incubated solely by the female, for 25-27 days. The chicks leave the nest for the water as soon as they are dry, with the family group breaking up after about 3 weeks of being together, although the chicks are only capable of flight at 56 days old. (taken from http://www.biodiversityexplorer.info/birds/anatidae/anas_erythrorhyncha.htm)
- Spurwinged Goose- Spur-Winged Geese are testament to the saying, “you are what you eat’’. Spur-Winged Geese absorb poisons from toxic beetles they occasionally ingest, making their own flesh deadly to consume.
The Spur-Winged Goose is the largest waterfowl found in Africa and the largest species of goose
se in the world.
They are different to other geese because they have spurs (little spikey bits) on their wings which can sometimes be poisonous. They pick up the toxin from the Blister Beetle which is only found in certain parts of the goose’s habitat range.
They are a social bird and can be found gathering in groups consisting of as many as 50 individuals.
They are a quiet species, but may give a thin whistle in flight.
Spur-Winged Geese are threatened by uncontrolled hunting. They are prized in traditional medicine in Nigeria.
Taken from (Spur-Winged Geese are testament to the saying, “you are what you eat’’. Spur-Winged Geese absorb poisons from toxic beetles they occasionally ingest, making their own flesh deadly to consume.
- Squacco Heron – Uncommon to locally fairly common summer migrant to southern Europe from winter grounds in Africa and Iberia. Favors fresh marshes, lakes, and ponds with reeds and other surrounding vegetation. Tends to hunt rather sluggishly, hunched quietly at edge of water. At rest appears buffy brown overall, but in flight transforms to mostly white when white wings and tail are revealed. Breeding adult has rich buffy neck; nonbreeding and immature have streaked neck. (Taken from Ebird)
- White faced whistling duck- Striking duck with black-and-white head, rufous breast, and barred flanks. Like all whistling-ducks, long neck and legs give it a gooselike appearance. Found in freshwater marshes, lakes, and rice fields. Usually in flocks, sometimes numbering in the hundreds. Quite widespread in South America and Africa. Feeds at night.
