As part of our Women’s Month celebration, we’re speaking to some of South Africa’s most inspiring female bird guides. First up is Thabile Mthiyane, one of the country’s most respected area specialists. Since graduating from BirdLife South Africa’s Avitourism Project in 2000, she has spent 25 years guiding birders through KwaZulu-Natal’s finest destinations, from Dlinza Forest to Umlalazi Nature Reserve. Blending expert knowledge with deep cultural insight, she inspires visitors, empowers communities, and shows how birds can open doors to conservation and connection.
Thabile has also inspired people live on air, presenting on WildEarth, the renowned live safari channel. Engrained within her is a wealth of knowledge and understanding of the isiZulu language, which saw Thabile translate the species descriptions for each South African species contained in the eBird and Merlin database. Her skills are widely applied, and when not guiding or educating the next generation of conservationists, she provides expert insight into avifaunal surveys for renewable energy projects.
How did your journey into bird guiding begin?
I started my career in environmental education, working with schools in Zululand. I used birds as a way to convey a bigger environmental message—something understandable to young people. My passion for birding grew from there, and when BirdLife South Africa launched the Avitourism Project, I was fortunate to be part of it. I graduated in 2000, and that set me on the path to becoming a professional bird guide.
You’ve been based in Umlalazi Nature Reserve for many years. What makes this area special for birding?
Umlalazi and the surrounding areas, like Dlinza Forest, Ongoye Forest, and Amatikulu Nature Reserve, are incredibly diverse. Each habitat offers different bird species—forest specials, coastal birds, and grassland species. The variety is phenomenal, and for me, it’s about sharing these unique ecosystems with visitors so they can appreciate not just the birds, but the landscapes that sustain them.
For visitors coming to Mthunzini and Eshowe, where would you recommend they stay?
I always recommend Chase Guest House, or Ngoye Lodge. They are warm, welcoming places, and perfectly located for easy access to some of the best birding sites in the area.
Tell us about your favourite bird? My favourite bird is the Black-collared Barbet, known in isiZulu as Sibagwebe, meaning “let’s charge them.” The name comes from the bird’s habit of singing in the gardens of police stations and courthouses. As suspects were brought in, people joked that the bird was urging the authorities to press charges. It’s such a vivid name—one that carries an entire story.
You recently attended Flock to Marion 2025. What was that experience like?
It was unforgettable. I had the chance to interact with seasoned ornithologists and learn more about bird behaviour, habitats, and conservation efforts. It deepened my commitment to my work and reminded me how interconnected the birding community is, both locally and globally.
When you’re not guiding or working on conservation projects, how do you spend your time?
I love exploring new places with my family, especially finding unique coffee shops. We’re all coffee lovers, so discovering a new café is like a mini-adventure for us. It’s a way to enjoy time together outside of work.
Is there a dream destination on your travel list?
Zanzibar. I’m drawn to its tropical beauty, its mix of cultures, and of course, its unique birdlife.
What should the world know about birding in South Africa?
South Africa is blessed with incredible biodiversity. We have a range of habitats that support so many different species, and the birding is fantastic all year round. In winter, you can still feel like it’s summer, and you get to see both summer and winter migrants.
You’ve always linked birding with youth education. Why do birds work so well as a teaching tool?
Birds are everywhere, and they capture attention immediately—through their colours, their songs, their behaviour. They’re an accessible way to get young people interested in nature, and once that connection is made, it opens up conversations about ecosystems, conservation, and how we can protect our environment.
What other projects do you take part in outside of teaching and guiding?
I’m involved in survey work with different highly profiled companies and Universities, including Pretoria University with Prof Ruddy, and also Wild Skies with Maans Booysen, to name a few. Here, I undertook avifaunal surveys for renewable energy projects, general bird counts, and millipede surveys.
I was also involved in the translation of South Africa’s bird names into isiZulu as part of “Ngezinyoni Zethu” that was funded by the UKZN University. Here, Sakhamuzi Mhlongo, Junior Gabela, Themba Mthembu, Benson Bhekizenzo Ngubane, and I worked closely with Professor Adrian Koopman, Professor Noleen Turner, Roger Porter, and many other knowledgeable individuals who all contributed in some way (see the publication “Robert’s Birds of KwaZulu-Natal and their Zulu Names).
Looking back, how has the BirdLife South Africa Avitourism Project impacted your life?
It completely transformed it. The project gave me skills, knowledge, and opportunities that extended beyond me, as it influenced my family and community, creating awareness and even job possibilities. For me, birding isn’t just a profession, it’s empowerment, learning, and sharing the wonder of nature with others.
BirdLife South Africa’s Avitourism Project is proudly sponsored by Swarovski Optik and Whylo Distributors, and driven by VOLVO Car South Africa.
