Birders Paradise at Xugana Island Lodge

Being a ‘Birder’s Paradise’, here are just a few of the birds currently flying around at Xugana Island Lodge:

Brown Firefinch – Tiny bird, usually seen in small flocks.

Paradise Flycatcher – The breeding male has an extravagant ribbon-like tail as seen on the photograph. He takes turns with the female to hatch the eggs.



Blackeyed Bulbul – A lively bulbul seen in pairs or small groups. The call is a series of liquid whistles although the alarm call is better known.

Chinspot Batis – The female has a chestnut breast bar and the male has a broad black bar on the breast.

Kurrichane Thrush – This bird is mostly seen on the ground, searching through leaves for worms & insects.

Greenbacked Heron – Meet Harry, he comes every night to feed in the area in front of the bar at Xugana. Waiting patiently for his dinner, he is a very successful ‘fisherman’.

African Darter – A silhouette of the African Darter, usually seen with the wings outstretched to dry.

Greater Blue-eared Starling – Seen in abundance around the lodge, especially around brunch time!

Malachite Kingfisher – This photograph was taken on the way to the hippo pools, driving past. They are usually seen perched low among the reeds.

Redbilled Francolin – Feeding primarily on insects and seeds, they are seen running around the gardens in the lodge.

Mourning Dove – The similar Redeyed Dove is larger, with a pale-pink head and red eyes. The soft call, gives this bird its name.

Whitefronted Bee-eater – The throat is red, the forehead white, the vent a bright blue and a white band runs below the black mask.

Giant Kingfisher – A massive, charcoal-grey kingfisher with white-spotted back. This photograph was taken near Palm Island in the Main Channel.

Pied Kingfisher – Our resident kingfisher, Spike, is seen every night fishing in front at the bar area. He now has a family, joining in the daily activities. The white underpants are divided by a double chest bar in the male, and a single broken bar in the female.


Photographs taken by Mark & Lizl Carlsen, Managers at Xugana Island Lodge