Scaly-feathered Finches in Kruger

Scaly-feathered Finch south of Boyela waterhole
© Duncan McKenzie
Photo hosted at rarebirdnews

A group of 7 Scaly-feathered Finches were found a short distance south of Boyela waterhole in the Kruger National Park (Limpopo Province) on Monday, 8 July 2019. Also interesting was the discovery of two active nest sites, only the second nesting record from the Kruger National Park (source: rarebirdnews).

Previous records

During Jan 2010-Mar 2011 a pair of Scaly-feathered Finch was found breeding near Pafuri in the Kruger National Park (see paper). The species was seen regularly for 15 months in the Makuleke Contract Park area of the northern KNP.After a lapse of 8 years or so, there were more recent sightings of this species from northern KNP.

Two Scaly-feathered Finches were photographed by Leigh Hoets along the S53 about 9km south of Babalala Picnic Site in the Kruger National Park on 4 May 2019. See SA Rare Bird News Report – 6 May 2019.

On 13 May there was a record of a small group of Scaly-feathered Finches seen in the north-western corner of the Makuleke Concession, ie in the same area where the first records (2010-11) were made. See SA Rare Bird News Report – 13 May 2019.

The Scaly-feathered Finch shows increases and decreases in different parts of its range in South Africa – see Range changes.

UPDATE – 19 August 2019

In Limpopo Province of South Africa, a Scaly-feathered Finch was seen again at Boyela waterhole, north of Shingwedzi, in the Kruger National Park on Saturday [17 August 2019]. Source: SA Rare Bird News Report – 19 August 2019.

UPDATE – 17 February 2020

A group of 4 Scaly-feathered Finches were seen this morning at the KM19 marker north of Shingwedzi in the Kruger National Park. SA Rare Bird News Report