Birdwatching in Angola

Deserts in the southwest; arid savannas in the south; mountains in the west, with associated Afromontane forests and grasslands; tropical lowland forest in the north and Cabinda; sub-montane forest along the escarpment, and vast areas of broad-leaved Miombo woodlands across most of the east.
With the possibility of developing several tours in places such as Kumbira, Mount Moco, Tundavala, etc.... Angola offers its visitors the opportunity to observe several endemic bird species.

What is birdwatching?

Birdwatching is an ecotourism activity aimed at observing birds in their natural habitat, without interfering with their behaviour or environment. The itinerary constitutes a legitimate form of ecotourism exploration of natural areas, as it is a low-impact activity. The public interested in this type of activity is a specific audience with a high degree of environmental awareness, being attentive to and seriously adopting minimum-impact practices in natural environments.

What is an Endemic Species?

An endemic species is an animal or plant species that occurs only in a particular area or geographical region. Endemism is caused by any physical, climatic, and biological barriers that effectively limit the distribution of a species or cause it to become separated from its original group.
When separation occurs over a long period, the isolated group undergoes natural selection, developing differences from other members of the species. The isolated environment has distinct climate, soil, and water characteristics and selects the species living there in a unique way: certain species will only develop in that environment.
Therefore, the greater the degree of environmental specificity, the greater the degree of endemism - that is, the higher the proportion of endemic species.

There is a list of more than nine hundred and twenty bird species, but there is little ornithological activity. The African Bird Club and Birding Africa have developed some activities.

Angola has a number of endemic and near-endemic species to attract ornithologists, birdwatchers and lures.
Many of the nearby endemic species, such as Ruppell's Bustard Eupodotis rueppellii, Ruppell's Parrot Poicephalus ruepellii, Rosy Lovebird Agapornis roseicollis, Bradfield's Swift Apus bradfieldi, Violet Wood-hoopoe Phoeniculus damarensis, Monteiro's Hornbill Tockus monteiri, Grey Lark Ammomanopsis grayi, Benguela Long-Lark Certhilauda benguelensis, Carp's Parus carpi, Turkeides Babbler Turdoides gymnasis and White-tailed Shrike Lanioturdus torquatus are easier and simpler to see.
It will be necessary to travel in Angola to see the endemic Grey-striped Francolin Francolinus griseostriatus, Swierstra's Francolin Francolinus swierstrai, which was recently rediscovered after a period of 40 years, Red-crested Mousebird Colius castanotus, Red-crested Turaco Tauraco erythrolophus, Angola Slaty Flycatcher Melaenornis brunneus, White-faced Robin Platysteira albifrons, Gabela Bush-Shrike Laniarius amboimensis, Monteiro's Bush-Shrike Malacanotus monteiri, Gabela Helmet-Shrike Prionops gabela, Gabela Akalat Sheppardia gabela, Pulitzer's Longbow Macrosphenus pulitzeri and Montane Double-collared Sunbird Cinnyris ludovicensis.
Other prized species include Angola Cave-Chat Xenocopsychus ansorgei, White-headed Robin-Chat Cossypha heinrichi, Slender-tailed Cisticola Cisticola melanurus and Bocage's Sunbird Nectarinia bocagii.

Most of these endemic species were seen on the ABC tour, as well as many other interesting and range-restricted species.

Red-crested Turaco is one of the endemic attractions

Tauraco erythrolophus, (Red-crested Turaco), is a frugivorous bird endemic to Angola. It belongs to the genus Tauraco, a group very similar to the passerines of Africa, and belongs to the Musophagidae family. Its trilling call sounds somewhat like that of the forest monkey. It lives in the forests and savannas of Angola, Zaire and southwestern Africa. It has a feathered red crest on its head, resembling a crown. The nostrils are round. There is no difference in size or colour between males and females. The basic plumage colour is metallic green and blue. Due to its plumage, it is very difficult to see in the trees. It measures about 40 centimetres. The Red-crested Turaco lives mainly in the treetops and rarely comes down. It is an excellent climber and lives among the trees. Its diet consists of fruits, berries, seeds, snails and insects. During courtship, it dynamically points its crest and ruffles its feathers. It normally lives as a pair, rarely as a small family group. In case of danger, it remains still and flees at the most favourable opportunity. The nest consists of two eggs and is built in dense branches. Both parents incubate the eggs, which hatch after three weeks. After four weeks, the young leave the nest.