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Flora & Fauna

Kumbali is a haven of biodiversity, home to an incredible array of flora and fauna. From vibrant indigenous trees and lush plant life to an impressive variety of birds, bats, mammals, and reptiles, the property offers a true immersion into Malawi’s natural beauty. Whether you're listening to the melodies of our birdlife, spotting elusive mammals, or marveling at the intricate ecosystems of our indigenous flora, Kumbali is a paradise for nature lovers and explorers alike.

Birds

Below is a compiled list of bird species that can be found in our area, including both their scientific (Latin) and common English names. We created this list to provide visitors with a concise reference to the region’s avian diversity. Each entry pairs the recognized Latin name with its corresponding English name(s), allowing enthusiasts, researchers, and casual birders alike to quickly identify and learn about the species they encounter.
Scientific Name
Common Name
Accipiter badius
Shikra
Accipiter melanoleucus
Black Goshawk
Acrocephalus arundinaceus
Great Reed Warbler
Acrocephalus gracilirostris
Lesser Swamp Warbler
Acrocephalus palustris
Marsh Warbler
Actitis hypoleucos
Common Sandpiper
Alcedo cristata
Malachite Kingfisher
Amadina fasciata
Cut-throat Finch
Amaurornis flavirostra
Black Crake
Anas erythrorhyncha
Red-billed Teal
Anas sparsa
African Black Duck
Anas undulata
Yellow-billed Duck
Anastomus lamelligerus
African Openbill Stork
Anomalospiza imberbis
Parasitic Weaver
Anthoscopus caroli
Grey Penduline Tit
Anthreptes (Nectarinia) collaris (Hedydipna collaris)
Collared Sunbird
Anthus richardi
Richard's / Grassveld Pipit
Anthus trivialis
Tree Pipit
Anthus vaalensis
Buffy Pipit
Apalis flavida
Yellow-breasted Apalis
Apus affinis
Little Swift
Apus apus
Common/European Swift
Apus caffer
African White-rumped Swift
Aquila wahlbergi
Wahlberg's Eagle
Ardea cinerea
Grey Heron
Ardea melanocephala
Black-headed Heron
Batis molitor
Chinspot Batis
Bradornis pallidus
Pale/Pallid Flycatcher
Bubo africanus
Spotted Eagle Owl
Bubo lacteus
Verreaux's/Giant Eagle Owl
Bubulcus ibis
Cattle Egret
Buteo buteo
Common Buzzard
Butorides striata
Green-backed Heron
Calamonastes undosus
Miombo Wren-Warbler/Barred Warbler
Calandrella cinerea
Red-capped Lark
Camaroptera brachyura
Bleating Bush Warbler
Campephaga flava
Black Cuckoo-shrike
Campethera abingoni
Golden-tailed Woodpecker
Campethera cailliautii
Green-backed/Little Spotted Woodpecker
Caprimulgus europaeus
European Nightjar
Caprimulgus fossii
Square-tailed Nightjar / Square-tailed/Gaboon Nightjar
Caprimulgus pectoralis
Fiery-necked Nightjar
Caprimulgus tristigma
Freckled (Rock) Nightjar
Cecropis abyssinica
Lesser Striped Swallow
Centropus superciliosus
Burchell's Coucal
Cercomela familiaris
Familiar Chat
Ceryle rudis
Pied Kingfisher
Ceyx pictus
African Pygmy Kingfisher
Chalcomitra senegalensis
Scarlet-chested Sunbird
Charadrius tricollaris
Three-banded Plover
Chloropeta natalensis
African Yellow Warbler
Chlorophoneus sulfureopectus (Malacanotus sulfureopectus)
Orange-breasted Bushrike / Sulphur-breasted/Orange-breasted Bush Shrike
Chrysococcyx caprius
Diederik Cuckoo / Didric Cuckoo
Chrysococcyx cupreus
African Emerald Cuckoo
Chrysococcyx klaas
Klaas�s Cuckoo / Klaas's Cuckoo
Cinnyricinclus leucogaster
Violet-backed Starling
Circaetus cinereus
Brown Snake Eagle
Circaetus pectoralis
Black-chested Snake Eagle
Cisticola brachypterus
Siffling/Short-winged Cisticola
Cisticola cantans
Singing Cisticola
Cisticola chiniana
Rattling Cisticola
Cisticola erythrops
Red-faced Cisticola
Cisticola fulvicapilla
Piping Cisticola / Short-tailed Neddicky
Cisticola juncidis
Zitting/Fan-tailed Cisticola
Cisticola natalensis
Croaking Cisticola
Clamator levaillantii
Levaillant�s Cuckoo / Levaillant's/Striped Cuckoo
Coracias caudatus
Lilac-breasted Roller
Coracias garrulus
European Roller
Coracina pectoralis
White-breasted Cuckoo-shrike
Corvus albus
Pied Crow
Corythaixoides concolor
Grey Go-away Bird / Grey Lourie
Cossypha heuglini
White-browed Robin-chat / Heuglin's Robin (White-browed Robin-Chat)
Cossypha natalensis
Red-capped Robin (or Robin-Chat)
Creatophora cinerea
Wattled Starling
Crecopsis egregia
African Crake
Crex crex
Corncrake
Cuculus canorus
Common/European Cuckoo
Cuculus clamosus
Black Cuckoo
Cuculus gularis
African (Grey) Cuckoo
Cuculus solitarius
Red-chested Cuckoo
Cursorius temminckii
Temminck's Courser
Cypsiurus parvus
African Palm Swift
Delichon urbicum
Common House Martin
Dendropicos fuscescens
Cardinal Woodpecker
Dendropicos namaquus
Bearded Woodpecker
Dicrurus adsimilis
Fork-tailed Drongo
Dryoscopus cubla
Black-backed Puffback / Black-backed/Southern Puffback
Egretta garzetta
Little Egret
Elanus caeruleus
Black-shouldered Kite
Emberiza cabanisi
Cabanis's Bunting
Emberiza flaviventris
Golden-breasted Bunting
Emberiza tahapisi
Cinnamon-breasted Bunting
Eremomela icteropygialis
Yellow-bellied Eremomela
Eremomela scotops
Green-capped Eremomela
Eremopterix leucopareia
Fischer's Sparrow-Lark
Eremopterix leucotis
Chestnut-backed Sparrow-Lark
Estrilda astrild
Common Waxbill
Euplectes afer
Yellow Bishop
Euplectes albonotatus
White-winged Widowbird/Whydah
Euplectes ardens
Red-collared Widowbird/Whydah
Euplectes capensis
Yellow (-rumped) Bishop
Euplectes hordeaceus
Black-winged Red Bishop
Euplectes orix
Southern Red Bishop
Eurystomus glaucurus
Cinnamon/Broad-billed Roller
Falco amurensis
Amur (Eastern Red-footed) Falcon
Falco biarmicus
Lanner Falcon
Falco chicquera
Red-necked Falcon
Falco naumanni
Lesser Kestrel
Falco peregrinus
Peregrine Falcon
Falco subbuteo
Eurasian Hobby
Francolinus afer
Red-necked Spurfowl (Francolin)
Francolinus hildebrandti
Hildebrandt's Francolin
Glaucidium perlatum
Pearl-spotted Owlet
Halcyon albiventris
Brown-hooded Kingfisher
Halcyon chelicuti
Striped Kingfisher
Halcyon leucocephala
Grey-headed/Chestnut-bellied Kingfisher
Halcyon senegalensis
Woodland Kingfisher / Woodland/Senegal Kingfisher
Hamerkop (See Scopus umbretta)
Hedydipna collaris (Anthreptes collaris)
Collared Sunbird (already listed)
Heliolais erythropterus
Red-winged Warbler
Hieraaetus pennatus
Booted Eagle
Hieraaetus spilogaster
African Hawk Eagle
Hippolais icterina
Icterine Warbler
Hippolais olivetorum
Olive-tree Warbler
Hirundo abyssinica
Lesser Striped Swallow (duplicate)
Hirundo rustica
Barn/European Swallow
Hirundo smithii
Wire-tailed Swallow
Hypargos niveoguttatus
Red-throated Twinspot
Indicator indicator
Greater Honeyguide
Indicator minor
Lesser Honeyguide
Indicator variegatus
Scaly-throated Honeyguide
Kaupifalco monogrammicus
Lizard Buzzard
Lagonosticta rubricata
African/Blue-billed Firefinch
Lagonosticta senegala
Red-billed Firefinch
Lamprotornis chalybaeus
Greater blue-eared Starling / Greater Blue-eared Starling
Lamprotornis chloropterus
Lesser Blue-eared Starling
Lamprotornis nitens
Cape Glossy Starling
Laniarius aethiopicus
Tropical Boubou
Laniarius major
Tropical boubou (duplicate; same species, same English name)
Lanius (Nilaus) afer (Nilaus afer)
Brubru
Lanius collaris
Common Fiscal / Fiscal Shrike
Lanius collurio
Red-backed Shrike
Lanius minor
Lesser Grey Shrike
Lophaetus occipitalis
Long-crested Eagle
Luscinia luscinia
Thrush Nightingale
Lybius torquatus
Black-collared Barbet
Macrodipteryx vexillarius
Pennant-winged Nightjar
Macronyx croceus
Yellow-throated Longclaw
Malaconotus blanchoti (Malacanotus blanchoti)
Grey-headed Bushrike / Grey-headed Bush Shrike
Melaenornis pammelaina
Southern Black Flycatcher
Melierax gabar
Gabar Goshawk
Melocichla mentalis
African Moustached Warbler
Merops apiaster
European Bee-eater
Merops pusillus
Little Bee-eater
Merops superciliosus
Madagascar Bee-eater
Milvus migrans
Black Kite
Mirafra rufocinnamomea
Flappet Lark
Motacilla aguimp
African Pied Wagtail
Motacilla clara
Mountain Wagtail
Motacilla flava
Yellow Wagtail
Muscicapa adusta
African Dusky Flycatcher
Muscicapa caerulescens
Ashy Flycatcher
Muscicapa striata
Spotted Flycatcher
Nectarinia bifasciata
Purple-banded Sunbird
Nectarinia cuprea
Copper/Coppery Sunbird
Nectarinia olivacea
Olive Sunbird
Nectarinia senegalensis
Scarlet-chested Sunbird (duplicate)
Nectarinia venusta
Variable/Yellow-bellied Sunbird
Nilaus afer
Brubru (duplicate)
Numida meleagris
Helmeted Guineafowl
Oena capensis
Namaqua Dove
Oriolus auratus
African Golden Oriole
Oriolus larvatus
Black-headed Oriole / Eastern Black-headed Oriole
Oriolus oriolus
Eurasian Golden Oriole
Otus leucotis
White-faced Owl
Otus senegalensis
African Scops Owl
Parus griseiventris
Miombo Grey Tit
Passer domesticus
House Sparrow
Passer griseus
Northern Grey-headed Sparrow
Petronia superciliaris
Yellow-throated Petronia
Phalacrocorax africanus
Long-tailed/Reed Cormorant
Philomachus pugnax
Ruff
Phoeniculus purpureus
Green/Red-billed Wood Hoopoe
Phyllastrephus terrestris
Terrestrial Brownbul
Phylloscopus trochilus
Willow Warbler
Ploceus cucullatus
Village (Spotted-backed) Weaver
Ploceus ocularis
Spectacled Weaver
Ploceus velatus
Southern/African Masked Weaver
Ploceus xanthops
Holub's/Large Golden Weaver
Pogoniulus chrysoconus
Yellow-fronted Tinkerbird
Poicephalus cryptoxanthus
Brown-headed Parrot
Poicephalus meyeri
Meyer's Parrot
Polyboroides typus
African Harrier Hawk / African Harrier Hawk / Gymnogene
Prinia subflava
Tawny-flanked Prinia
Prionops plumatus
White-crested Helmet Shrike / White Helmet Shrike
Psalidoprocne pristoptera
Black Saw-wing
Pseudhirundo griseopyga
Grey-rumped Swallow
Psophocichla litsitsirupa
Groundscraper Thrush
Pycnonotus barbatus (Pycnonotus tricolor)
Common Bulbul / Dark-capped Bulbul
Pytilia afra
Orange-winged Pytilia
Wildlife Background

Larger animals

Below is a categorized list of local mammals and related wildlife that inhabit our area. We have grouped them by their general type—from antelope species and other hoofed animals to small mammals, carnivores, primates, and more. This list offers a quick reference for anyone interested in the diverse fauna that can be observed nearby, whether you are a researcher, nature enthusiast, or casual visitor.

  • Antelope Species:

    • Duiker

    • Dik-dik

    • Klipspringer

    • Reedbuck

    • Sable Antelope

    • Blue Wildebeest

    • Bushbuck

    • Impala

  • Other Hoofed Animals:

    • Plains Zebra

  • Small Mammals:

    • Rock Hyrax

    • Mole Rat

    • Cane Rat

    • Field Mouse

    • Elephant Shrew

    • Dormouse

  • Carnivores and Predators:

    • Genet

    • Civet

    • Spotted Hyena

    • African Wild Cat

    • Serval

    • Side Striped Jackal

    • Honey Badger

  • Mongoose Species:

    • Slender Mongoose

    • Large Grey Mongoose

    • Water Mongoose

  • Primates:

    • Southern Bushbaby

    • Greater Bushbaby

    • Vervet Monkey

  • Rodents:

    • Porcupine

  • Reptiles:

    • Monitor Lizard​

    • Crocodile

  • Other Species:

    • Bushpig

  • Bats:​

    • Banana pipistrelle bat

    • Little free-tailed bat

    • Peter’s epauletted fruit bat

    • Ethiopian epauletted fruit bat

    • Wahlberg’s epauletted fruit bat

    • Variegated butterfly bat

    • Sundevall’s leaf-nosed bat

    • Giant leaf-nosed bat

    • Angolan free-tailed bat

    • White-bellied free-tailed bat

    • Rufous myotis

    • Welwitsch’s bat

    • Anchieta’s serotine

    • Large-eared slit-faced bat

    • Egyptian slit-faced bat

    • Geoffroy’s horseshoe bat

    • Ruppel’s horseshoe bat

    • Hildebrandt’s horseshoe bat

    • Dark-winged house lesser house bat

    • Yellow-bellied house bat

Vegetation

Coming soon!

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