Species guide · Rarity
Where to see the African broadbill
Small, plump and easy to overlook, the African broadbill is known to birders for one thing: its display flight. The male flips in a tiny loop above its perch, flashing a white back and making a frog-like, rattling trill. Seeing it is a highlight of any southern African birding trip.
Quick answer
The coastal and sand forests of northern KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa and the Honde Valley and Eastern Highlands of Zimbabwe are the best places to see the African broadbill. The display season, roughly October to January, is the time to go, when males call and perform their display flights.
Best regionNorthern KwaZulu-Natal
Best timeOctober to January
Suggested stayTwo nights or more
The best places to look
South Africa
KwaZulu-Natal and iSimangaliso
Coastal and sand forests where local bird guides know the display sites, with Narina trogon and other forest specials.
Zimbabwe
Honde Valley and Eastern Highlands
Lush, little-visited forest with broadbill, Narina trogon and a strong list of eastern specials.
When to go
| Months | Chances | Why |
|---|---|---|
| October to January | Best | Breeding season: males display and call, which is how most are found. |
| February to September | Hard | Quiet and still in the canopy, so the birds are very hard to find. |
Tips from the field
- Go with a specialist local bird guide who knows the current display sites.
- Listen for the rattling trill early in the morning.
- Combine with Narina trogon and the KwaZulu-Natal coast's turtles and whales.
Questions travellers ask
Why is the African broadbill hard to see?
It sits still in dense forest and is mostly found by its call and display flight in the breeding season.
What is the broadbill's display?
The male makes a small loop above its perch, puffing out a white back patch and giving a frog-like trill.
Where is the best place to see one in South Africa?
The coastal and sand forests of northern KwaZulu-Natal, with a local bird guide.
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