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.
