article thumbnail

Picathartes – Africa’s strangest birds

10,000 Birds

They diverged at approximately the same time as the rockjumpers (two quite unique bird species endemic to Southern Africa and now in their own family), and as a result for a while were even placed in the same family. Forest cover in both species’ ranges is being destroyed at an unsustainable rate and these birds’ populations are dwindling.

article thumbnail

Introducing the African Birding Beat

10,000 Birds

Approximately 2,300 bird species inhabit Africa, however as impressive as that sounds, much smaller South America boasts nearly 1,000 species more. Madagascar’s mammals are equally remarkable; over 100 species of endearing lemurs and bizarre carnivores amongst them!