Beautiful Birds of Africa

Africa has a warm winter climate that attracts birds from colder regions. Many migratory species make this their winter home.

African green pigeons live in sub-Saharan Africa, inhabiting savannas and woodlands. They forage for fruit in the canopy. They are recognized by their series of whinnies, whistles, clicks, and cackles. African green pigeons are known for their climbing ability. Their plumage color is gray-green above and yellow-green below, with yellow thighs and purple-red shoulder patches. They have red bills and red feet.  

African pygmy kingfishers have vibrantly colored plumage with tawmy underparts and various shades of blue or violet hues. They have deep blue crowns and backs. These birds are a shy species, found alone or in pairs across sub-Saharan Africa. They inhabit savannas, woodlands, and coastal forests, where they feed on insects, spiders, and small reptiles.

African starlings are known for their glossy, iridescent plumage. They are a small, short-tailed species with a distinct plumage pattern. Their faces are black, and they have reddish-brown bellies, while the rest of their plumage is blue-green. These birds are native to East Africa, inhabiting savannas, open woodlands, and thornveld. Small flocks are often seen foraging on the ground for insects and worms. They also eat grains, berries, and small fruit.

European bee-eaters love to spend their winters in tropical Africa. These are slender birds with plumage in shades of red, orange, and green with sky-blue underparts. They have long, curved black bills. European bee-eaters nest colonially in burrows along sandy banks near rivers. They prefer to inhabit savannas, grasslands, woodlands, and shrublands. These insectivores primarily feed on bees as well as other flying insects.

Greater flamingos are the largest and most widespread flamingo species. Their plumage is mostly pinkish-white with red wing coverts and black flight feathers. They are recognizable by their large, down-bent bills and long, pink legs. Flamingos get their pink coloration from their carotene-rich diet of brine shrimp and algae and also feed on seeds and mollusks. They inhabit shallow coastal lagoons and mudflats.

Lilac-breasted rollers are a lovely species of birds making their homes in the east and the south of Africa. These birds were named for the lilac plumage on their throats and upper breasts. Their pastel plumage is a mix of eight colors, among them turquoise, green, royal blue, black, and tawny brown. Their guttural cackle sounds loud and far. These birds eat arthropods and small vertebrates.

Purple-crested turacos are birds with long tails, chunky bodies, small heads, and mohawk-style crests. These birds have emerald green foreheads, lime-green throats and underparts, and mantles with crimson-red flight feathers. Purple-crested turacos are known for their raucous croaks that echo through the forests. They are native to East and South Africa and the national birds of Swaziland. These birds inhabit evergreen forests, riverine woodlands, and savannas and forage the treetops for buds, fruit, and berries.

Red-billed hornbills were presented in Disney’s animated movie “The Lion King.” These are large, quirky birds known for their gray, black, and white speckled plumage, long tails, and prominent downward-curved red bills. These birds inhabit woodlands and savannas across sub-Saharan Africa. They can be seen perched in trees or foraging on the ground for seeds, fruits, and insects.

Secretary birds are large, distinctive raptors with eagle-like faces, legs like cranes, and dramatic crests of long, black quills. They are tall and slender with gray and white plumage. These birds inhabit grasslands and savannas of sub-Saharan Africa. Secretary birds stalk their prey on foot and dine on snakes and small vertebrates.

Sunbirds are also known as African hummingbirds and are small nectar feeders. This tiny species has plumage in iridescent shades of metallic green and red with velvety black throats, bellies, and upper wings. They are native to tropical Africa. Sunbirds have down-curved bills and tubular tongues adapted to feeding on nectar.

Violet-backed starlings were named for the iridescent violet of the plumage on the male birds. They have grayish-black bills. These birds inhabit open woodlands, gallery forests, and forest clearings, foraging in canopies for fruit, seeds, and invertebrates.

Yellow-collared lovebirds are native to Tanzania. These birds have apple-green plumage with bright yellow collars. Their bills are red and they have white eye rings that contrast with their brown faces. Yellow-collared lovebirds are very social, coming together in small flocks. They mainly inhabit savannas, woodlands, and croplands. Feeding on seeds and grains.