Introduction
to Birdlife
The
system of species classification is called taxonomy.
The
grouping of birds into different species within taxonomy being determined by
physiological similarities and recently with the advances in gene science by
their genetic make-up.
Species
classification follows sub-groups with various names.
The
species classification of birds is in the following order:
Kingdom
Animalia (i.e animals, also known as
Metazoa)
Phylum
Chordata (animals with a spine)
Class
Aves (birds)
Worldwide
it is estimated there are just below 10,000 different species of bird. (estimates vary) with an estimated 2,500
species being endemic or migratory to Africa.
African
Bird Facts
The worlds largest living bird is found in Africa
the Ostrich
(view photos) (Struthio camelus) and can be up to 2.7m tall and weighing up to 145Kg.
Typically they are found on Africas savanna and desert lands north and south of
the Sahara.
The
smallest bird in Africa is the Southern (or “Cape”) Penduline-tit at around
10cm long and weighing 7-8 grams. They are found in Angola, Botswana, Namibia,
South Africa and Zimbabwe.
The heaviest flying bird in Africa is the Kori
Bustard (view photos) and can weigh up to
19Kg.
The Social Weaver Bird (Weaver
Bird photos) builds the largest communal nest
in the world. They are found in South Africa, Botswana and Namibia.