Oase Birds
Birding at Oase is a truly remarkable experience, offering a diverse array of species across four distinct habitats. The savannah thornveld is alive with the vibrant colors and calls of birds like the Southern Yellow-billed Hornbill, Cape Starling, and Scarlet-chested Sunbird. In the riverine forests and along the Blyde River, bird watchers can spot the Giant Kingfisher, White-browed Robin-Chat, and the distinctive Trumpeter Hornbill. Waterways and waterholes host species such as the Three-banded Plover and Black-smith Lapwing, adding to the rich tapestry of avian life. Each habitat provides a unique birding adventure, showcasing the incredible biodiversity of the region.
Additionally, Oase is home to an impressive variety of raptors, accipiters, and nocturnal birds. Enthusiasts can marvel at the soaring White-backed Vulture, the striking Bateleur, and the majestic African Fish Eagle. Night-time brings the opportunity to hear and perhaps see the Spotted Eagle-owl and Fiery-necked Nightjar. Among the rare finds are the elusive Half-collared Kingfisher, the secretive African Finfoot, and the magnificent Pel’s Fishing Owl. These special species, along with the overall abundance of birdlife, make Oase a premier destination for birding enthusiasts seeking both common and extraordinary sightings.
List curated from sightings 3rd to 7th June 2024
Intra-African and Palae-artic migrants absent
Localized movement of species linked to food availability and amount of prior summer rainfall – some common species might be absent from the reserve in years of drought.
Note: In years of higher rainfall and late-summer rainfall more species may be present in winter.
Winter - May to August
Common Species found in mixed flocks around lodge
Southern Black Tit
Long-billed Crombec
Yellow-fronted Canary
Yellow-breasted Apalis
Yellow-fronted Tinkerbird
Chinspot Batis
Kurrichane Thrush
Acacia Pied Barbet
Grey Tit-Flycatcher
Lesser Masked Weaver
Common Scimitarbill
Orange-breasted Bushshrike
Black-backed Puffback
Village Weaver
Brubru
Stierling's Wren-Warbler *
Red-headed Weaver
Yellow-bellied Eremomela *
Grey Penduline Tit
Species found in Savannah Thornveld
Dark-capped Bulbul
Brown-crowned Tchagra
Black-crowned Tchagra
Grey-headed Bushshrike
Retz's Helmet-shrike
White-crested Helmet-shrike
Southern White-crowned Shrike
Southern Red-billed Hornbill
Southern Yellow-billed Hornbill
African Grey Hornbill
Striped Kingfisher
Brown-hooded Kingfisher
White-browed Scrub Robin
Emerald-spotted Wood Dove
Ring-necked Dove
Laughing Dove
Red-eyed Dove
Black-collared Barbet
Black-headed Oriole
Cape Starling
Green Wood Hoopoe
Cardinal Woodpecker
Golden-tailed Woodpecker
Bearded Woodpecker
Crested Francolin
Natal Spurfowl
Helmeted Guineafowl
Fork-tailed Drongo
Greater Honeyguide
Lesser Honeyguide
Yellow-throated Bush Sparrow
Blue Waxbill
Arrow-marked Babbler
Rattling Cisticola
Sabota Lark
African Hoopoe
Ashy Flycatcher
Pale Flycatcher
Spectacled Weaver
Red-billed Buffalo Weaver
Red-faced Mousebird
Scarlet-chested Sunbird
Marico Sunbird
White-bellied Sunbird
Red-billed Oxpecker
Grey Go-away-bird
Yellow-fronted Tinkerbird
Rock Martin
Golden-breasted Bunting
Species found in riverine forest and along the Blyde River
Giant Kingfisher
Pied Kingfisher
White-browed Robin-Chat
Yellow-bellied Greenbul
Sombre Greenbul
White-breasted Cormorant
Green-backed Camaroptera
Egyptian Goose
Yellow-rumped Tinkerbird
White-throated Robin-Chat
Tawny-flanked Prinia
Reed Cormorant
African Pied Wagtail
Terrestrial Brownbul
Trumpeter Hornbill
Burchell's Coucal
Hamerkop
Hadada Ibis
Cape Wagtail
Along streams and at waterholes or dams
Three-banded Plover
Black-smith Lapwing
Raptors and Accipiters
White-backed Vulture
Little Sparrowhawk
African Goshawk
African Fish Eagle
Bateleur
Hooded Vulture
Dark Chanting Goshawk
Black-chested Snake Eagle
Cape Vulture
Pearl-spotted Owlet
Nocturnal
Spotted Thick-knee
Fiery-necked Nightjar
Square-tailed Nightjar
Spotted Eagle-owl
Present all year but seldom seen
Pel’s Fishing Owl *
Verreaux’s Eagle Owl
African Finfoot
Half-collared Kingfisher *
African Black Duck
Black Sparrowhawk
Wood Owl
Spring - September to October
Coming soon