South Africa has 870 recorded bird species in the country (862 on the mainland and eight species unique to the Prince Edward Islands); this is more than 8% of the species occurring in the world. 18 are true endemics, meaning they only occur in South Africa. A further 31 species are near endemics as most of their distribution falls within South Africa.
The South African listing region is the area within the sovereign borders of the Republic of South Africa, thus excluding Eswatini (previously called Swaziland) and Lesotho, but including the Prince Edward Islands in the Southern Ocean and their associated 200 nautical mile Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
How to join the South Africa Listers’ Club
We welcome all birders – whether South African or foreign – to embrace the challenge of birding in South Africa, and we call upon you to submit your own South African Bird List total below.
The minimum number of species to be seen before you can be included on the list is 300.
Please only use the BirdLife South Africa accredited checklist. Download here.
Please ALWAYS abide by the BirdLife South Africa ‘Birders Code Of Ethics’. Download here.
We look forward to welcoming you and watching your total increase!
For any queries please email salistersclub@birdlife.org.za.
Please note: birds both seen AND heard are eligible for your list.