BDI Citizen Science

01/09/2026

Cover image of Long-billed Crombec by Johan van Rooyen – Swartberg, Western Cape

The Long-billed Crombec is a very small (10-12 cm), round-bodied warbler with an extremely short tail and a longish, slightly de-curved bill.

26/08/2026

From today's Daily Maverick: DID YOU KNOW? ... "Until 1968, there was a penguin egg special for breakfast at South Africa’s houses of Parliament."

PARLIAMENT’S POACHED PENGUIN EGGS AND THE GREAT GUANO WAR

"In penguin school the first lesson should be: never trust a human. But it’s a lesson fat, flightless birds seldom get the chance to learn – until it’s too late. ... "

In penguin school the first lesson should be: never trust a human. But it’s a lesson fat, flightless birds seldom get the chance to learn – until it’s too late.…

24/08/2026

BDI - Ringers' Symposium 2026!
🗓️ 6-12 November
📍 Nuwejaars Wetlands
More information on the invite.

Will we see you there?
Contact Susan Gie - [email protected]

23/08/2026

Scaly-feathered Finch (Sporopipes squamifrons) | BDI https://share.google/1q6dQXCCw9iLSnJis

The white-tipped black feathers on the crown, forehead, and wings, together with the black malar stripes and rose-pink bill are diagnostic. The remainder of the upper sides are brownish-grey. The undersides, from the throat to the vent, are white. The tail is black with white edges, and the legs and feet are pink.

The Scaly Feathered Finch is not threatened, and its historical range is not known to differ from that of the present.

22/08/2026

The Black-faced Waxbill is a distinct and unmistakable bird in southern Africa.
Read more below 👇🏻

Black-faced Waxbill (Estrilda erythronotos) | BDI

The Black-faced Waxbill is most active during the morning and late afternoon, often in loose association with other small seed-eating birds.

21/08/2026

The Red-knobbed Coot is a large and distinctive rallid and quite unlike any other southern African bird
Read more below 👇🏻

Red-knobbed Coot (Fulica cristata) | BDI

The Red-knobbed Coot breeds throughout the year in South Africa, with 2 peaks from July to September, and again from January to March.

20/08/2026

Woodpeckers belong to the family PICIDAE. Members of this family are chiefly known for the characteristic ‘woodpecking’ behaviour that serves foraging, communication through drumming, and nest excavation.
Read more below👇🏻

Cardinal Woodpecker (Dendropicos fuscescens) | BDI

The Cardinal Woodpecker is found throughout most of southern Africa and is only absent from treeless regions. It is a resident species

18/08/2026

What we do at the BDI..

At the Biodiversity and Development Institute, we believe that meaningful conservation starts with people, knowledge and action.

Through citizen science, research, training and scientific consulting, we connect people with biodiversity research and create opportunities to learn, contribute and make a difference.

From bird ringing expeditions and field research to supporting students, researchers and local communities, our work is all about building knowledge and turning that knowledge into action for biodiversity and sustainable development.

Curious to learn more about what we do and how you can get involved?

https://thebdi.org/what-we-do/

18/08/2026

What’s happening at the BDI?

There’s always something exciting happening at the Biodiversity and Development Institute!

Explore our upcoming BDI events:

We describe upcoming events arranged by the Biodiversity and Development Institute (BDI). Nowadays, we are focused mainly on bird ringing at three sites.

15/08/2026

Bird ringing event at Ouberg Private Nature Reserve, 4-9 September 2026.
Limited spots, book yours now!