Most Endangered African Bird Species
Kruger Park Birding

© Brett Hilton-Barber
During the 20th century human destruction of natural habitat pushed many bird species to the point of extinction. The 21st century is likely to see human-induced climate change as the biggest factor affecting bird population dynamics.

There is also the elephant question in Kruger. Elephants have been responsible for widespread tree destruction in the eastern grasslands which in turn has disrupted raptor breeding cycles as they depend on these tall trees for nesting sites.

According a 2002 report by the Avian Demography Unit, the following 21 bird species are considered the most endangered in Kruger Park. Note that they are the most habitat-specific birds (note Denham's Bustard is not really a Kruger bird).

GT = Globally Threatened
NT = Nationally Threatened

Kruger Parks Most Endangered Bird Species

Bird

Status
Breeding Pairs
Estimated numbers
Where Best To See Them
Cape Vulture
GT & NT

30-100

Orpen Area and Central Grasslands
Lesser Kestrel
GT & NT
100-200
Norhtern Kruger
Corn Crake
GT & NT
200-500
Alluvial Floodplains North of Shingwedzi
Pink-backed Pelican
NT
Occasional Visitor
Crocodile River
White-backed Night-Heron
NT
40-60
100-150
Crocodile River, Lebombo
Saddle-billed Stork
NT
20-30
40-80
Shingwedzi and Letaba Rivers
Hooded Vulture
NT
50-100
500-1000
Central grasslands
White-backed Vulture
NT
500-1000
2000-3000
Satara and Central Grasslands
Lappet-faced Vulture
NT
40-50
90-120
Northern central Grasslands
White-headed Vulture
NT
60-100
120-220
Central Grasslands
Tawny Eagle
NT
500-700
1000-1500
Throughout the Park
Martial Eagle
NT
80-100
200-300
Well-wooded Areas
Bateleur
NT
550-650
1200-1700
Throughout the Park
African Marsh-Harrier
GT & NT
5-8
Marshlands and vleis, particularly in the sweetveld
African Finfoot
NT
30-50
100-150
Nkuhlu on the Sabie River
Kori Bustard
NT
80-100
160-250
Eastern Grasslands
Denhams Bustard
GT & NT
Occasional visitor
South-eastern grasslands around Lower Sabie
African Grass-Owl
NT
50-80
100-200
Central grasslands, Lower Sabie
Pel's Fishing-Owl
NT
15-20
30-50
Luvuvhu and Sabie Rivers
Southern Ground-Hornbill
NT
300-400 (groups)
900-1600
Throughout the Park
Yellow-billed Oxpecker
NT
100-200
200-500
North of Mopani in the Punda and Pafuri areas
Best Birding Guide to Kruger Park