BirdLife South Africa National Bird Week will be held from 7 - 11 May 2012

Birds are excellent flagship species and valuable indicators of the environment.  Places that are rich in bird species are often abundant in other forms of biodiversity. The presence of birds indicates a healthy environment and thriving ecosystem. By focusing on birds, and the sites and the habitats on which they depend, BirdLife South Africa aims to improve the quality of life for birds, for other wildlife and ultimately for people.

Each year a Bird of the Year is chosen by BirdLife South Africa and this is one of BirdLife South Africa’s annual initiatives for creating awareness about birds and bird habitat conservation. The African Fish-Eagle was chosen as Bird of the Year for 2012 as it is fairly well-known to many South Africans and it can be used as an “ambassador” for other birds of prey and the threats and challenges they face.

The survival of many bird species may be almost entirely dependent on contributions made by conservation organisations and individuals, whether through monitoring programmes or financial support. However, public awareness and education is also vital to protect and conserve bird species and their habitats.

Educating people is one of the key components of BirdLife South Africa’s conservation work. To raise the public awareness of our natural resources and birds in particular, BirdLife South Africa focuses the Bird of the Year project around National Bird Week and the Sasol Birds & Birding Fair held during May each year.

National Bird Week 2012 Resources : African Fish-Eagle - Bird of the Year for 2012

Download the resources below

Background Information Document

Fact Sheet- African Fish-Eagle

Lesson Plans for Teachers

Activity Book for Learners

This Activity Book contains information and worksheets, questions and activities around the following themes:

• What is a raptor?
• African Fish-Eagle - icon of our rivers and wetlands
• Threats facing raptors in South Africa
• The effect of water pollution on bird habitats

Other fun activities for kids:

Activity 1 - Colouring in templates

Activity 2 - Crossword and Word Search

Bird of the Year poster

The Bird of the Year 2012 poster was sent out with the April/May 2012 issue of Africa Birds & Birding.  The poster is also available free of charge from BirdLife South Africa.  Call 011 789 1122 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

For more information, please contact Joe Peu on 011 789 1122 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or Nikki McCartney on 083 636 1060 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Main objectives of the BirdLife South Africa National Bird Week

BirdLife South Africa hopes to encourage outdoor classrooms and promote learners' interaction with nature through:

• a variety of activities focused on birds, birding and bird conservation,
• a variety of events organized and hosted by BirdLife South Africa staff and bird clubs,
• the involvement of eco-schools and the South African youth in the above activities and events.

How to participate in the BirdLife South Africa National Bird Week

• The National Bird Week resources are available as downloads from the BirdLife South Africa website. See above for downloads.
• The National Bird Week resources and Bird of the Year poster are available as hardcopy through the post. Please contact Joe Peu at BirdLife South Africa on 011 789 1122 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

The outcomes of the BirdLife South Africa National Bird Week

• An opportunity for many children to discover the bird life within their local environment whilst at school,
• To encourage outdoor classrooms and promote learners' interaction with nature,
• Teachers and learners can send their lesson plans and activity sheets to BirdLife South Africa and receive a certificate and letter of thanks for their school.

For more information, please contact Joe Peu at BirdLife South Africa on 011 789 1122 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Acknowledgements

Thank you to Dr David Johnson and Sally Johnson for their assistance with the development of the 2012 National Bird Week resources (fact sheet, lesson plans and activity sheets).