Notable Bird Species at Oom Benna's

Red Lark

Red Lark (Rooi Lewerik)

Endemic to South Africa, the Red Lark is restricted to the red sand dunes and plains of the Northern Cape, making it a prime target for birders. This medium-sized lark has a reddish-brown plumage that blends perfectly with the soil.

Sclater's Lark

Sclater's Lark (Namakwalewerik)

This small, nomadic lark is another Northern Cape specialty that can be found in the gravel plains around Oom Benna's. It's listed as Near Threatened due to habitat loss and has a very restricted range.

Picture by Gwynne Chedzey

Namaqua Sandgrouse

Namaqua Sandgrouse (Kelkiewyn)

These striking birds are adapted to arid environments and can often be seen flying to waterholes in the morning. The males have distinctive black bellies and throats, with yellow faces.

Picture by Adrius Rabie

Double-banded Courser

Double-banded Courser (Dubbelband drawwertjie)

This distinctive ground-dwelling bird is found in the arid regions of the Northern Cape. It has a cryptic brown and white plumage that provides excellent camouflage against the sandy ground, and is most active during dawn and dusk.

Picture by Adrius Rabie

Pale Chanting Goshawk

Pale Chanting Goshawk (Vaalstreepkoppie)

A common sight in the Northern Cape, this elegant raptor is often seen perched on telephone poles or the tops of trees. Its pale gray plumage and reddish legs make it easy to identify.

Picture by Adrius Rabie

Kori Bustard

Kori Bustard (Gompou)

One of the largest flying birds in Africa, the Kori Bustard is a magnificent sight in the open grasslands and plains of the Northern Cape. These impressive birds are known for their elaborate courtship displays and can often be seen walking slowly through the veld in search of food.

Picture by Adrius Rabie

Karoo Chat

Karoo Chat (Swartoorlewerik)

This endemic chat is commonly found in the Karoo region and can often be seen perched on rocks or low bushes. It has distinctive white wing patches that are visible when in flight.

Picture by Adrius Rabie

Tractrac Chat

Tractrac Chat (Grysruglewerik)

Another endemic chat species that prefers arid and semi-arid habitats. This small bird is often seen foraging on the ground and has a distinctive white rump that's visible when it flies.

Picture by Adrius Rabie

As spotted by Oom Benna's guests:

Below is a checklist of birds spotted by Oom Benna's guests. This list is based on our visitors' sightings and is regularly updated. Remember to bring your field guide and add your own observations to our guestbook!

Afrikaans English Date 1st Spotted 1st Spotted By Place
Afr. Oewerswael Brown Throated Martin September 2011 Phillip & Gerda Snyman Sakivierbrug
Baardmannetjie Scaly Feathered Finch September 2011 Mrad & Inge Shahia Rietkolk
Bergwagter Mountain Wheatear June 2011 Phil, Ingrid & Phillip Uys Rietkolk
Bleeksing Valk Pale Chanting Goshawk August 2011 Theo & Veronica Roelofse Rietkolk
Bokmakierie Bokmakierie September 2011 Phillip & Gerda Snyman Van Wyksvlei Pad
Bosveld Tjeriktik Chestnut-vented Tit-babbler September 2011 Phillip & Gerda Snyman Rietkolk
Bosveldstompstert Long-billed Crombec June 2011 Phil, Ingrid & Phillip Uys Rietkolk
Bruinlyster Crested barbet August 2011 Theo & Veronica Roelofse Kwaggaputs
Dikbek Lewerik Large-billed Lark September 2011 Phillip & Gerda Snyman Rietkolk
Drieband Strand Kiewiet Three Banded Plover August 2011 Theo & Veronica Roelofse Sakivier
Dubbelband Drawwetjie Double Banded Courser September 2011 Mrad & Inge Shahia Rietkolk
Europese byvreter European Bee-eater September 2011 Phillip & Gerda Snyman Rietkolk
Fiskaal Vlieëvanger Fiscal Flycatcher August 2011 Theo & Veronica Roelofse Kwaggaputs
Fiskaallaksman Common Fiscal June 2011 Phil, Ingrid & Phillip Uys Rietkolk
Geel Kanarie Yellow Canary August 2011 Theo & Veronica Roelofse Van Wyksvleipad
Geeloog Kanarie Yellow fronted Canary September 2011 Mrad & Inge Shahia Rietkolk
Gewone Dikkop Spotted Thick-knee September 2011 Phillip & Gerda Snyman Verneukpan Pad
Gewone Koester African Pipit September 2011 Phillip & Gerda Snyman Van Wyksvlei Pad
Gewone Mossie Cape Sparrow June 2011 Phil, Ingrid & Phillip Uys Rietkolk
Gewone Spekvreter Familiar Chat June 2011 Phil, Ingrid & Phillip Uys Rietkolk
Gewone Tarentaal Helmeted Guineafowl September 2011 Phillip & Gerda Snyman Verneukpan Pad
Groen Bossanger Karoo Eremomela August 2011 Theo & Veronica Roelofse Rietkolk
Groot Ring Duif Red-eyed Dove September 2011 Mrad & Inge Shahia Rietkolk
Groot Rooivalk Greater Kestrel September 2011 Phillip & Gerda Snyman Van Wyksvlei Pad
Groot Vlieë vanger Chat Flycatcher August 2011 Theo & Veronica Roelofse Van Wyksvleipad
Grysrug Lewerik Grey-backed Sparrowlark September 2011 Phillip & Gerda Snyman Van Wyksvlei Pad
Kaapse Kapokvoël Kaapse Kapokvoël August 2011 Theo & Veronica Roelofse Granaatboskolk pad
Kaapse Slopeend Cape Shoveler August 2011 Theo & Veronica Roelofse Kwaggaputs
Karoo Langbek Lewerik Karoo Long -billed Lark June 2011 Phil, Ingrid & Phillip Uys Van Wyksvleipad
Karoo Langstertjie Karoo Prinia September 2011 Mrad & Inge Shahia Rietkolk
Karoo Spekvreter Karoo Chat September 2011 Mrad & Inge Shahia Rietkolk
Karoo spekvreter Karoo Chat September 2011 Phillip & Gerda Snyman Van Wyksvlei Pad
Kelkiewyn Namaqua Sandgrouse August 2011 Theo & Veronica Roelofse Rietkolk
Klein Rietsanger African Reed Warbler September 2011 Phillip & Gerda Snyman Sakrivier Brug
Kleinwind Swael Little Swift September 2011 Mrad & Inge Shahia Rietkolk
Klipkoester Rock Pipit August 2011 Theo & Veronica Roelofse Rietkolk
Kopereend Cape Shelduck August 2011 Theo & Veronica Roelofse Kwaggaputs
Kransduif Speckled Pigeon June 2011 Phil, Ingrid & Phillip Uys Rietkolk
Kransswael Rock Martin June 2011 Phil, Ingrid & Phillip Uys Rietkolk
Ludwigse Pou Ludwig's Bustard September 2011 Mrad & Inge Shahia Van Wyksvleipad
Moerasruiter Marsh Sandpiper August 2011 Theo & Veronica Roelofse Kwaggaputs
Namakwa Duif Namaqua Dove September 2011 Mrad & Inge Shahia Rietkolk
Namakwa Langstertjie Namaqua Warbler September 2011 Mrad & Inge Shahia Rietkolk
Namakwa Lewerik Sclater's Lark August 2011 Theo & Veronica Roelofse Van Wyksvleipad
Namakwasuikerbekkie Dusky Sunbird June 2011 Phil, Ingrid & Phillip Uys Rietkolk
Nonnetjies Uil Barn Owl September 2011 Phillip & Gerda Snyman Verneukpan Pad
Priritbosbontrokkie Pririt Batis June 2011 Phil, Ingrid & Phillip Uys Rietkolk
Rooi Lewerik Red Lark September 2011 Mrad & Inge Shahia Rietkolk
Rooibek Kwelea Red-billed Quelea September 2011 Mrad & Inge Shahia Rietkolk
Rooibek Sysie Common Waxbill August 2011 Theo & Veronica Roelofse Van Wyksvleipad
Rooibors Jakkalsvoël Jackal Buzzard September 2011 Phillip & Gerda Snyman Verneukpan Pad
Rooiborsduif Laughing Dove September 2011 Mrad & Inge Shahia Rietkolk
Rooikop Lewerik Red-capped lark August 2011 Theo & Veronica Roelofse Van Wyksvleipad
Rooioogtiptol Red-eyed Bulbul June 2011 Phil, Ingrid & Phillip Uys Rietkolk
Rooi-oor Langstertjie Rufous-eared Warbler September 2011 Phillip & Gerda Snyman Rietkolk
Rooipoot Elsie Stilt Black-winged August 2011 Theo & Veronica Roelofse Kwaggaputs
Rooiwang Muisvoël Red-faced Mousebird August 2011 Theo & Veronica Roelofse Rietkolk
Saboto Lewerik Sabota Lark August 2011 Theo & Veronica Roelofse Van Wyksvleipad
Slangverklikker Karoo Scrub Robin September 2011 Phillip & Gerda Snyman Rietkolk
Suidelike Swartpiek Ant-eating Chat September 2011 Phillip & Gerda Snyman Verneukpan Pad
Swartbandlangstertjie Black-chested Prinia June 2011 Phil, Ingrid & Phillip Uys Rietkolk
Swartkeel geel vink Southern Masked Weaver September 2011 Mrad & Inge Shahia Rietkolk
Swartkopkanarie Black-headed Canary June 2011 Phil, Ingrid & Phillip Uys Rietkolk
Tortelduif Cape Turtle Dove June 2011 Phil, Ingrid & Phillip Uys Rietkolk
Vaal Korhaan Karoo Korhaan June 2011 Phil, Ingrid & Phillip Uys Rietkolk
Vaal streepkoppie Lark-like Bunting September 2011 Phillip & Gerda Snyman Rietkolk
Visarend African Fish-eagle August 2011 Theo & Veronica Roelofse Kwaggaputs
Vlakte Lewerik Spikeheeled Lark August 2011 Theo & Veronica Roelofse Rietkolk
Wilde Makou Spur-winged Goose September 2011 Phillip & Gerda Snyman Sakivierbrug
Witborskraai Pied Crow September 2011 Phillip & Gerda Snyman Van Wyksvlei Pad
Witkeelkanarie White-throated Canary June 2011 Phil, Ingrid & Phillip Uys Rietkolk
Witkruis Muisvoël White-Backed Mousebird September 2011 Phillip & Gerda Snyman Sakrivier Brug
Witkruis windswael White-rumped Swift September 2011 Phillip & Gerda Snyman Rietkolk
Witvlerk Korhaan Northern Black Korhaan September 2011 Mrad & Inge Shahia Van Wyksvleipad
Woestyn Spekvreter Tractrac Chat September 2011 Phillip & Gerda Snyman Rietkolk

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