Over 215 different bird species have been recorded in the Witwatersrand National Botanical Garden. This can be ascribed to a number of factors, perhaps the most important being the diversity of habitats and associated plants. Click images below to enlarge, use browser back button to return to this page. Spring The arrival of spring can not only be seen in the flush of flowers and new growth on the plants, but is also characterised by the return of the summer visiting birds. Perhaps the most evident of these are the cuckoos which make their presence heard in the garden with their characteristic calls.
Cuckoos are brood parasites which lay their eggs in the nests of other birds.
These birds raise the cuckoo chicks as their own. The unmistakable long, auburn tail of the male bird trails behind him as he hawks insects amongst the trees. The Halfcollared Kingfisher haunts the reflection pond near the river. It is perhaps one of our loveliest birds. It is small, bright blue with a completely black bill.