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There are over 150 bird species recorded in the Garden. This high
diversity occurs because of the great variety of habitats provided,
from formal cultivated garden and lawn to wild indigenous forest.
Included among them is the Pied Kingfisher (left). Often
seen over Kingfisher lake, these birds hover above their prey (usually
a fish), then dive straight into the water to catch it.
 Birds
that visitors are likely to see often on a visit to the Garden are
the Fork-tailed Drongo, Moorhen, Hadeda, Egyptian Goose, Blackeyed
Bulbul, Black Flycatcher, Fiscal Shrike, Cape Robin, Blackheaded
Oriole, Thickbilled Weaver (right) and Masked Weaver.
Birds that are not often seen in the Garden, but they do occur
here and can be found with careful searching, are the Buff-Spotted
Flufftail, Tambourine Dove, Bluemantled Flycatcher, Halfcollared
Kingfisher, Grey Cuckooshrike, Green Twinspot, Starred Robin, Orangebreasted
Bush Shrike and Malachite Sunbird.
Best bird-watching locations in the Garden:
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The Turraea trail With its indigenous
forest, thicket and lake habitats, this trail provides opportunities
for seeing the greatest diversity of birds in the Garden.
Look for waterbirds on the lake, and take time to sit on a bench
and wait for forest birds to appear. Visit the bird plant section
of the trail and see a range of indigenous bird-attracting plants
doing their jobs. The thicket and tangled scrub on the trail
provide an excellent habitat for birds such as Cape Robin, Barratts
Warbler, Blue-billed Firefinch and Terrestrial Bulbul. You're
likely to see Dabchick (left), Reed Cormorant, Moorhen
and Giant Kingfisher on the lake.
- The Forest footpath This trail goes through the Gardens's
indigenous forest, and provides opportunities to look out over
the garden from the trail. A wide range of forest birds can be
seen, and often birds of prey such as Crowned Eagle, African Goshawk
and Black Sparrowhawk are spotted in the forest. Other special
forest birds are the Forest weaver and Chorister Robin.
- The Old collections The formal old garden, with its large
trees, many flowers and expansive lawns, is home to a wide variety
of birds. Sit on a patch of lawn in a quiet spot, and you're sure
to see plenty of birds. Species to look out for are Olive Thrush,
Black Sunbird, Little Sparrowhawk, Hadeda and Paradise Flycatcher.
The beautiful Malachite Kingfisher (left), which catches
fish and tadpoles, is often seen at the pond near the entrance
to the Garden.
Complete list of birds in the KwaZulu-Natal NBG
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