Watch the Sighting:
David Fisher and his safari group had arrived at their lodge in Madikwe for lunch when they were informed that all the Quelea in the vicinity were using the lodge as their nesting grounds. Even though their ranger told them to brace for swarms, nothing could have prepared them for the murmuration of mayhem that was to follow.
The Birds Arrive
All at once, swarms of Quelea flew towards the camp, coming from every direction! David watched in amazement as hundreds of thousands of birds surrounded the camp!
“The camp came alive, you could not walk anywhere. It was so vibrant that even the trees felt alive.”
Hours passed, and the commotion was still so intense that the group could barely hear themselves talk! Finally, just as everyone was going to tuck in for the night, David’s ranger suggested that the group reconvene on the patio at 6:15 in the morning to watch the birds around the waterhole.
Nature’s Air Show
The morning alarm went off around 5:45, and as everyone made their way to the main room, the pathways were teeming with life. The birds seemed to be chirping with an excitement that continued to grow over the next several minutes.
David sat on the deck with his coffee and watched the waterhole with anticipation. Just as his guide had predicted, at 6:15 the first swarm took off towards the waterhole.
Immediately, every bird around the camp took flight and followed suit. All swarms converged, creating a dark mass that shifted in shape.
David explained that the noise was all-consuming and nobody knew where to look! The Quaele took turns diving down to the waterhole for a quick drink, carefully avoiding any predators that lay in wait.
Earlier, David’s guide had explained that the swarming of Quelea often attracts predators like servals, snakes, and raptors who hope to benefit from the mass gathering.
A Choreographed Departure
Within a few minutes, the swarms erupting were gone! The Quelea joined their respective groups and took off, flying in different directions away from the waterhole.
Get our Best Sightings as they Come in
Each flock would spend the day in various locations, but regroup once more in the evening. Swarming behaviour is completely normal in Quelea, and is used to provide safety in numbers, make feeding more efficient, to coordinate nesting (like in this sighting), and to make use of rising air currents.
Even though they are small, Red-Billed Quelea are the most numerous wild bird species on earth, with estimated populations in the billions! Their movements may seem random, but their flight patterns are highly coordinated in reality, making the swarms especially incredible to behold.
David was grateful to have witnessed such an amazing sighting and to have been able to capture footage of it as well. “It was the first, and probably the last, I will get to see this happening.”
Nature has a way of making one feel small, lucky, and utterly amazed. This sighting teaches us that even the most common species can dazzle when we take the time to watch.