With its wide-open spaces and natural bushveld, Likweti Bushveld Farm Estate offers residents and visitors the chance to experience the remarkable birdlife of the Lowveld every day. From colourful woodland species to majestic birds of prey soaring overhead, the estate comes alive with bird activity. While many of the species recorded here are typical Lowveld birds, South Africa is home to a much wider variety of remarkable birds worth celebrating.
One such species is the Black Harrier, chosen by BirdLife South Africa as the Bird of the Year for 2026. Although this rare raptor does not occur on Likweti’s official bird list, its story is an important one for anyone who appreciates South Africa’s extraordinary birdlife.
The Black Harrier’s scientific name is Circus maurus, a name derived from Latin: Circus referring to circling hawks and maurus meaning dark or black. Its Afrikaans name, Witkruisvleivalk, refers to the bird’s unmistakable white rump patch, which contrasts sharply against its otherwise dark plumage and is clearly visible in flight. In isiZulu the bird is known as umamhlangenomnyama.
The Black Harrier is a medium-sized bird of prey with an elegant, buoyant flight typical of harriers. Adults are mostly charcoal-black with several distinctive markings:
- A bright white rump patch, clearly visible in flight
- Silver-grey panels on the wings
- A black-and-white barred tail
- Piercing yellow eyes
Like many raptors, males and females show slight differences in size and colouration, with females generally larger and browner.
When hunting, Black Harriers often fly low over open landscapes, gliding slowly while scanning the ground for prey.
The Black Harrier is considered near-endemic to southern Africa, meaning most of the global population occurs in this region. Around 70% of the global population lives in South Africa.
Its core breeding range lies in the Western Cape, particularly in fynbos and renosterveld habitats.
They are migratory and highly nomadic, often travelling long distances outside of breeding season. They can move through parts of the Karoo, the grasslands of the Free State and Lesotho, and occasionally into Namibia and Botswana as they follow rainfall patterns and the availability of prey.
Black Harriers are skilled hunters that feed mainly on small mammals, especially rodents. They also prey on:
- Small birds
- Reptiles
- Large insects
Their slow, low hunting flight allows them to detect movement in grasslands and shrublands before swooping down on unsuspecting prey.
Conservation status: why the Black Harrier needs attention
Despite its striking appearance and ecological importance, the Black Harrier is one of the rarest birds of prey in southern Africa. The species is currently listed as Endangered, with fewer than about 800 mature birds thought to remain in the wild.
Major threats include:
- Loss of natural habitat due to agriculture and development
- Collisions with power lines and wind turbines
- Climate change, which may reduce suitable habitat
Because most of the global population occurs in South Africa, conservation efforts here are critical to the species’ survival. Research and conservation efforts are being led by initiatives such as the Black Harrier Task Force, which works to better understand the bird’s ecology and protect its remaining habitats.
Even though the Black Harrier is not found in the Lowveld bushveld around Likweti, its story highlights the importance of protecting natural landscapes across South Africa.
Healthy ecosystems across South Africa support an incredible diversity of birdlife, from bushveld species commonly seen at Likweti to rarer birds found elsewhere in the country. By preserving natural habitat, estates like Likweti contribute to the broader conservation of South Africa’s wildlife and birdlife.
The Black Harrier’s selection as Bird of the Year 2026 is therefore more than just recognition of a single species. It is a reminder of the value of South Africa’s natural heritage and the importance of protecting it for generations to come.
