Sunrise over the river at Monaghan Farm
Estate Life

Common Monaghan Bird CallsNature & Seasons · August 2026

Matters @ Monaghan · August 2026

Familiarise yourself with some of the prominent bird calls of Monaghan so that when you’re out on your next walk, trail run or bike ride you can tune into the natural soundscape and become aware of and be reminded of the beauty and richness of life that surrounds us. Press play under each group to learn the sounds and calls.

Audio guide by Pierre, long-standing Monaghan resident

DOVES

  • Cape Turtle Dove (work harder)
  • Laughing Dove (I have a duty to do)
  • Red-eyed dove (I am the red eyed dove)

BARBETS

  • Black-collared Barbet
  • Crested Barbet
  • Yellow-fronted Tinkerbird

CUCKOOS

  • Diederik Cuckoo
  • Red-chested Cuckoo (Piet-my-vrou)
  • Black Cuckoo (I'm so siiick)

FRANCOLINS

  • Swainsons Spurfowl
  • Natal Spurfowl
  • Crested Francolin
  • Helmeted Guineafowl

NOCTURNAL BIRDS

  • Spotted Thick-Knee (Dikkop)
  • Fiery-necked Nightjar
  • Rufous-cheeked Nightjar
  • Barn Owl
  • Spotted Eagle Owl

GRASSLAND BIRDS

  • Zitting Cisticola
  • Rufous-naped Lark
  • Cape Longclaw
  • African Pipit
  • Cape Grassbird
  • African Stonechat

SELECTED OTHERS

  • European Bee-eater
  • Brown-hooded Kingfisher
  • White-faced Whistling Duck
  • Grey Go-away Bird
  • African Hoopoe
  • Green Wood-hoopoe
  • African Grey Hornbill
  • Dark-capped Bulbul
  • Kurrichane Thrush
  • White-bellied Sunbird
  • Brown-crowned Tchagra
  • Southern Boubou
  • Orange-breasted Bushshrike
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Over 230 bird species share the estate

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