South Africa offers an endless array of options for bird enthusiasts who appreciate the unmistakable beauty, elegance, and solitude of birds.


If you're tired of the hustle and bustle of complicated cities, why not visit South Africa and experience the free, simple, and beautiful world of birds? With all kinds of wings and cries, these feathered creatures can soar between heaven and earth with ease.


South Africa is considered one of the world's top birding destinations, offering birdwatchers an unparalleled experience thanks to the country's well-developed transportation network, friendly viewing atmosphere, and supportive birding tourism. Approximately 850 species of birds have been recorded in South Africa, with 725 or 85% being South African residents or migratory birds that flock to South Africa annually.


In addition, about 50 species of South African special birds can only be found in the country's mountainous regions. Along with the country's native resident birds, South Africa is also home to numerous African migratory birds like the cuckoo and kingfisher, as well as many bird species from the Arctic, Europe, Central Asia, China, and Antarctica.


One such bird species found in South Africa is Telophorus zeylonus. This small to medium-sized songbird has a strong, usually curved and serrated bill, a complex song tube structure, and song muscles, and is skilled at chirping. Its feet are of the off-toe type, with three toes in front and one behind, and its hind toe and middle toe are of equal length.


The bird's legs are thin and weak, and the posterior margin of the tarsus scales is often fused into a whole scale plate. The bird has a finch palate-type skull, erect and lose rump feathers, and a striking pattern of green, yellow, or tawny and vermilion body feathers.


Telophorus zeylonus engages in elaborate nesting. It's an extremely agile bird, but it will often smell first. Both males and females have the same coloration and prefer to inhabit woodlands, thickets, and forests, often visiting farmlands and gardens, and will have seasonal migrations.


In addition to Telophorus zeylonus, there's also Telophorus kupeensis. The Kushan bush shrike is a small to medium-sized songbird with a strong, usually curved and serrated bill, a complex song tube structure and song muscles, and is skilled at chirping.


The bird has a finch palate type skull, erect and lose rump feathers, and body feathers that are mostly black, and white, or have a striking pattern consisting mainly of green, yellow, or tawny and vermilion. Telophorus kupeensis engages in elaborate nesting and has late nestlings.


It's an extremely agile bird, but it will often smell first. Both males and females have the same coloration and prefer to inhabit woodlands, thickets, and forests.