With so many different habitats in southern Africa, the bird life is diverse with over 950 species. I lived in the Harare area for several years, where over 400 species of birds have been documented. Harare is situated in the broad-leaved, semi-deciduous woodland known as the miombo woodlands. About 5 km from the city center is the Mukuvisi Woodland, a prime birding venue for the miombo woodland endemics. During the rainy season, flufftails, crakes, Black Coucal, and others can be seen at the Marlborough vlei and other nearby wetlands. My favorite birding area near Harare was Ewanrigg Botanical Garden about 40 km from the city center, where 275 species of birds have been recorded. The main attraction is the 8 species of sunbirds that feed on the nectar of flowering aloes from June to August. The Kuimba Shiri Bird Park (formerly Larvon Bird Gardens) located 17 km from Harare had over 400 local and exotic bird species, but is experiencing major difficulties due to the political and economic situation. Some of the best bird watching in Africa is along the Zambezi River. Nearly 400 species of birds have been recorded at Mana Pools in the Middle Zambezi Valley. African Skimmers nest on the sand banks of the Zambezi from April to December. In September, huge colonies of Southern Carmine Bee-eaters burrow nests into the banks of the Zambezi River. In December, the African (Angola) Pitta nest in the area. A variety of birding habitats is found at Victoria Falls ranging from rainforest adjacent to the Falls, the Zambezi River, teak woodland, and riverine woodland. I woke up at dawn to the booming call of Ground Hornbills. The most spectacular sighting at the Falls was Schalow's Lourie with it's scarlet wings and a long crest dripping wet with spray. In the riverine forest, an absolutely stunning Emerald Cuckoo was encountered. One of the top birding spots in all of southern Africa is the Okavango Delta and Chobe, Botswana with 450 bird species. The best time to go is when the intra-African and European migrants are resident from October through March. From late September to early November, falling water levels force smaller fish species, mainly Mormyrids, into the main river channels followed by catfish moving upstream on a feeding and breeding migration. Tigerfish join the feeding frenzy along with huge numbers of African Fish Eagles, egrets, herons, storks, and other birds. Namibia supports a rich diversity of bird life because of the variety of habitats and rich marine and coastal environments. For shear number and diversity of intra-African and Palearctic migrants, visit the world heritage site of Walvis Bay from October to April. Thousands of Lesser and Greater Flamingos, migratory terns, cormorants, blacknecked grebes, and other birds congregate in the saltpans, guano platform, and sewage-settling ponds. Etosha is one of Africa's great wildlife parks with 380 bird species. It is a great place to see eagles, bustards, flamingos, hornbills, vultures, Secretary birds, and many arid-bushveld species. Social Weavers build huge communal nests on telephone poles and Camel Thorn (Acacia erioloba) and other trees. Some nests along the Gamsberg Pass Road to Sesriem are half the height of the pole. A single nest can house up to 400 birds. For more information on bird watching in southern Africa, check out African Bird Club, Birding Africa, Birding Hotspots, Birding in Zimbabwe, BirdLife South Africa, BirdLife Zimbabwe, Birdtours, Lawson's, Southern African Birding, Surfbirds.com, WildlifeSafari.info, Zabirdstuff, Zest for Birds, and Zululand Birding Route.