Six stunning Cape Town birds and where to find them

When most people think of cities and birds, it’s usually feral pigeons and seagulls that come to mind.

While Cape Town’s most famous bird in undoubtedly the Cape penguin, just beyond the city limits lies a rich biodiversity of birdlife, with some standout species wholly unique to the region.

For Capetonians and visitors to the mother city, here are six birds to look out for, and where you’re likely to spot them…

Orange-breasted Sunbird – a colourful, endemic species. This is a common resident and local nomad in fynbos. Where to see them: Anywhere around the Table Mountain National Park where fynbos occurs.

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Cape Sugarbird – another species endemic to the region (the term endemic refers to a species, plant, or animal that is native or restricted to a particular geographic region and found nowhere else in the world.) The male is hard to miss with his long, wavering tail, which can be up to three times his body length. Where to see them: Anywhere around the Table Mountain National Park where fynbos occurs (particularly proteas.)

Malachite Sunbird – a striking sunbird with a long beak and tail. This common resident is also a nomad, and local migrant in fynbos, grassland and montane foothills. Where to see them: Again, the Table Mountain National Park is your best bet.

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African Black Oystercatcher – a common resident along our coastline and adjacent wetlands, and a bird under threat. They occur right up the West Coast but are scarcer further east. Where to see them: Along the Sea Point promenade. Often found in pairs.

Southern Red Bishop – local nomad in grassland, vleis and where reeds occur. Usually in flocks. In summer the males puff out their bright red plumage. Where to see them: Intaka Island, Century City

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Malachite Kingfisher – a small aquatic kingfisher that occurs singly on almost any waters edge with vegetation. Where to see them: Intaka Island, Green Point Park, Rondevlei

Greater Flamingo – the larger of the two African flamingos (and from a distance, flocks appear more white than pink compared to the Lesser Flamingo.) Where to see them: Rietvlei, Strandfontein Sewage Works

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