One of the privileges of spending time in Makuleke is the tremendous diversity of birdlife. Although not everyone who begins their journey to becoming a guide with EcoTraining is a keen birder, there are so many fascinating birds to learn about that one is almost sure to fall in love with at least one of them. Some of the most exciting birds that inhabit the region are the Pel’s Fishing Owl, the flying fisherfolk of the night.
Some general information
Owls are nocturnal birds of prey who hunt their prey while flying almost silently through the darkness. Because of their unique characteristics, humans over millennia have come to associate owls with wisdom and intuition, and, in some cultures, owls symbolise protection from harmful intentions. Some cultures think that owls are the keepers of death and are considered taboo. In other cultures, they symbolise new beginnings.
What makes Pel's fishing owls so special?
South Africa is home to twelve species of owls. One of the largest is Pel’s fishing owl. These birds can stand 60 cm high, and their wingspan can reach 1.5 metres wide. Not surprisingly, Pel’s fishing owls prey mainly on fish, but they may also eat crabs, frogs, large insects, or even baby crocodiles. They hunt by observing from trees growing alongside rivers and pools, and swooping down in the darkness to snatch their prey out of the water. They do not submerge into the water but have evolved to have very few feathers on their feet to stay dry while hunting. You may see them occasionally be seen wading in shallow water. Because they do not need to be silent hunters, Pel’s fishing owls do not have the soft edges on their flight feathers that most owl species have.
Where can they be found?
Spotting Pel’s fishing owl during the day can be difficult, as they roost in trees, and their rufous colouring affords them excellent camouflage. They favour large trees overhanging deep, slow-moving water bodies, so have a good look when you are near a river. They are residential birds, preferring to remain in a specific area once settled.
They nest in large trees, usually in hollows or forks. Although they may lay 2 eggs, they raise only one chick per breeding season: in the winter.
Do Pel's fishing owls hoot?
You might be surprised to hear the call of this enormous owl – the males make a single initial loud booming sound, followed by a series of shorter notes. Some listeners describe the sound as similar to someone calling from the bottom of a well. The calls may be heard over very long distances, in quiet conditions. Females make higher-pitched calls, which have been likened to a primate screeching in distress. Pel’s fishing owls are uncommon in South Africa, so keep your eyes peeled for them when moving around the Northern part of the Kruger National Park.
More from Makuleke
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What to expect from the Advanced Birding course?
We join EcoTraining Instructor Duncan Mckenzie, who gives us insight into the Advanced Birding course, including its structure, what you will learn, and the mindset you might take from it.
Birding is one of the world’s largest and most popular hobbies and can be done anywhere, e.g., from your office window to parks and more. What makes birding so attractive is that you can plan your weekends away by going on birding trips and getting your friends involved or even combine it with other hobbies like fishing or hiking.
During our 1-year Professional Field Guide course, the students are exposed to birding twice. Firstly, on the Basic Birding course, and towards the end, they do their Advanced Birding course. This is where we delve into the finer points of bird identification, birding as a hobby, all the resources available, bird calls, groups of birds, and much more. Join us as we give you a preview of the Advanced Birding course.
