Cape and Southern Grey-Headed Sparrows, Yellow Canary and the Southern Masked Weaver Photo by Willem Kruger, text by Faye Knight July brings four very well-known birds to the Birdlife Calendar this month! The Cape Sparrow, The Southern Grey-Headed Sparrow, the Yellow Canary and the Southern Masked Weaver. The Cape Sparrow is a widespread, endemic and...
Photo by LIZ HART, text by FAYE KNIGHT May brings a safari favourite for this month’s bird spotlight; the Lilac-Breasted Roller, photographed here by Liz Hart Easily spotted by its bright lilac chest, bright blue undercarriage, black tipped and turquoise wings, and its elongated tail feathers, the Lilac-Breasted Roller is often found perched in open...
Image by PETER-JOHN WELCOME, text by FAYE KNIGHT As we reach the start of the first quarter of the year, April brings a new bird of the month, the Black-collared Barbet, photographed by Peter-John Welcome. With their distinctive red face and broad black collar, this chunky, medium sized barbet is native to the diverse landscapes of sub-Saharan...
Image by MANFRED SUTER, text by FAYE KNIGHT March has quickly snuck up on us which means the bird of the month is here! The Pennant-Winged Nightjar, a jewel in the crown for SA birders, is the featured bird for the month of March in Birdlife’s calendar photographed by Manfred Suter. The pennant-winged nightjar acquires its name...
3 March – Little Egret, by Gouadjelia Tarek. Each day we scour Birdlife South Africa’s social media community, and submissions from photographers, to find the Photo of the Day. Sometimes we don’t find a winner, but thanks to the talent of the birding community we usually do! Got a snap that’s so good it might...
Image by HINESH PATEL, text by FAYE KNIGHT African Birdlife is back with the bird of the month from our annual calendar! February features the nectar-loving bird renowned for their brilliant metallic-green plumage, the Malachite Sunbird. Now, keeping to the question from January’s featured bird, “what makes this bird so special?” Besides catching sight of...
Image by JANDRÉ PETRUS VERSTER, text by FAYE KNIGHT Every year Birdlife South Africa releases a calendar that showcases fantastic photography of some fan favourite birds. The photographs featured in this year’s calendar were entered into the Birdlife South Africa Photography Competition in 2025 which helped raise awareness and funds for conservation efforts and provided...
London, 14 October – South Africa’s Wim van den Heever has won the coveted title of Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2025, after first taking the Urban Wildlife category prize. His remarkable image of a brown hyena navigating the ghostly town of Kolmanskop in Namibia is a rare glimpse into the life of these reclusive...
Bird photographers from across South Africa have been recognised for their striking images in the 2025 BirdLife South Africa Photography Competition, announced this week. From dramatic portraits to evocative environmental shots, the winning entries highlight both the artistry of photography and the urgency of bird conservation. Beverly Pickford emerged as the overall winner, claiming the...
19 August – On World Photography Day, we celebrate the art of bird photography and those who dedicate countless hours to capturing the wild beauty of our feathered world. From patient waits in the wild to fleeting shots of birds in flight, these photographers open our eyes to avian wonder and inspire conservation of these...
