Addo Elephant Park has grown in size over the years to include several sections with different habitats. This has led to an impressive bird checklist of over 400 species, including several endemics unique to South Africa. Bird Island, which can be visited only by special arrangement, is home to the world’s largest colony of Cape gannets and a huge colony of African penguins. Migratory birds are present from November to April.
Birding Specials Treats for Avid Birders
(E) endemic = only lives in South Africa(NE) near-endemic = lives in South Africa and neighboring countries
- African dusky flycatcher
- African firefinch
- Black-crowned night heron
- Blue crane
- Cape bulbul (E)
- Cape francolin (NE)
- Cape penduline tit
- Cape reed-warbler
- Cape siskin (E)
- Cape sugarbird (E)
- Cape weaver (E)
- Capped wheatear
- Denham’s bustard
- Emerald-spotted wood dove
- Forest canary (E)
- Greater double-collared sunbird
- Grey-winged francolin (E)
- Ground woodpecker (E)
- Karoo scrub robin (NE)
- Knysna woodpecker (E)
- Little grebe
- Lesser striped swallow
- Long-billed crombec
- Northern black korhaan (E)
- Orange-breasted sunbird (E)
- Pale chanting goshawk
- Pearl-breasted swallow
- Southern red bishop
- South African shelduck
- Southern boubou
- Southern double-collared sunbird
- Southern tchagra (NE)
- Streaky-headed seedeater
- White-browed robin-chat
- White-rumped swift
- White-throated canary
Best Time for Bird Watching
Addo Elephant’s bird watching is best during the migratory season, when birds from Europe and north Africa are present (November to April), although it’s generally good year-round.