Travelers of the Sky: Birds

    The birds that dwell and strive in South Sudan are plentiful. Some may help pollenate plants, hunt insects or fish, and some tell a story that travels down the generational ladder by word of mouth. South Sudan is home to an impressive number of species of birds that vary from residents, that stay all year around, to breeding birds, that spend a good part of the growing season in South Sudan to raise their young, migrants who pass through South Sudan with the seasons, to wintering birds who like to spend a good part of the winter in South Sudan to escape colder conditions up north. 

Black Coucal

    

Black and White Cuckoo

  There are approximately 952 species of birds that live in South Sudan. The species are very diverse due to South Sudan's landscape. You can find  waterfowl and wading birds, a large suite of song birds, raptors, game birds, swifts and nighthawks, etc., many of which occupy several ecosystems simultaneously, as they fly to and from forests, meadows, shorelines of waters, cities and urban green spaces. 

   

Black-Headed Batis

 

Paradise-Whydah (male)

  As a fact to help you remember South Sudan, their national bird is the African Fish Eagle. Beyond the birds living their every day life, some may carry a distinct meaning with their presence or even tell a story. Stories often portray birds as emissaries of urgent and important news. They can reach places that are not avaliable to other story characters, both good and bad. They bridge the gap between characters and desired destinationsSentinels are soldiers on guard and birds in some African stories stand up as such to prevent fatalities. African people believe that the appearance of certain types of birds symbolizes or warns of danger or even death.

Do you know how many birds live in you hometown? You would be surprised, give it the thought and check it out. Keep Exploring! Till next time.