Mozambique
African Birdlife|September/October 2022
WAITING TO BE EXPLORED
PETER RYAN & ETIENNE MARAIS
Mozambique

SNAKING ALONG Africa’s south-eastern coast, Mozambique boasts a list of some 780 bird species. Despite its turbulent history, for birders it is one of the most exciting areas in the region, with many ornithological mysteries still to be unravelled. It is also accessible and safe and its incredible diversity of habitats holds a plethora of sought-after species. Southern Mozambique is the only place to see 15 of the subregion’s specials, such as Saunders’s Tern, Böhm’s Bee-eater, Green Tinkerbird, Green-headed Oriole, White-chested Alethe, East Coast Akalat, Black-and-white Shrike-flycatcher, Mascarene Martin and Olive-headed Weaver. And for a further 35 species, including Blue Quail, Eurasian Bittern, African Pitta, Chestnut-fronted Helmet-shrike, Locust Finch and Lesser Seedcracker, it is the easiest place to see them. For the more adventurous, northern Mozambique is home to more than 50 species not found in southern Africa, including the country’s two endemics: Namuli Apalis and Mozambique Forest-warbler.

This story is from the September/October 2022 edition of African Birdlife.

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This story is from the September/October 2022 edition of African Birdlife.

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