A New Symbol for a Renewed Commitment

Afrikaans: Bloukraanvoël isiXhosa/isiZulu: indwe

BirdLife South Africa proudly enters a new chapter with the Blue Crane as our emblem. As South Africa’s national bird, with 99% of its global population found in our country, the Blue Crane reflects our conservation priorities and steadfast commitment to protecting our country’s birds and their habitats.

Recently returned to the conservation status of Vulnerable, one step away from Endangered, the Blue Crane reminds us that conservation is never complete, a fact which reaffirms our resolve to secure the future of South Africa’s birds and biodiversity.

This pin badge was created to celebrate Birding Big Day 2025, sponsored by RETURN Africa’s Pafuri Camp. This unique owl haunts the riverine forests of South Africa’s northeastern reaches. Among the largest owl species in the world, its remote habitat and stealthy nocturnal ways make it a notoriously difficult bird to spot. One of the few places where this elusive owl can be encountered is along the Luvuvhu River, near RETURN Africa’s Pafuri Camp at the far northern edge of Kruger National Park. Here, they hunt from low perches a meter or two above the water, catching prey at the surface rather than diving beneath it. And if you find yourself along a Pafuri riverbank, listen for the deep, resonant hoot that drifts through the forest night, a sound that may herald a rare meeting with this ghost of the trees.

Botha's Lark is South Africa's most endangered bird. An estimated 340 Critically Endangered Botha's Lark remain in the wild. This special bird is found only in South Africa, and its numbers have rapidly declined as its native grassaland habitat vanishes. BirdLife South Africa, with support from Birding Ecotours, is working to bring this species and its ecosystem back from the brink of extinction. By buying this pin badge, you are directly contributing to the conservation of Botha's Lark for future generations.

A SPECIAL LIMITED EDITION PIN BADGE INTRODUCED AT THE SOUTH AFRICAN BIRD FAIR 2024! EUROPEAN ROLLER CONSERVATION To conserve migratory birds like the European Roller, understanding the entire lifecycle, including migration routes and stopover sites, is crucial. In Africa, little is known about the species, but Hera, BirdLife South Afirca's first tagged European Roller, is helping us uncover the marvels of migration.  This flyway-wide conservation effort aims to better undertstand the species' population status, habitat use, migration strategy, and threats to inform effective conservation strategies. The project is a collaboration with local and international BirdLife partners within the East Atlantic Flyaway Initiative.