SANParks.org Forums

Hi Everybody,

I noticed that Lourens from Phalaborwa Gate saw Thickbilled Rollers just south of Mopani some time ago, and I just wondered, have anybody else recently had similar sightings in the area, I'm desperate to tick them on my list, but dont know where to start looking for them apart from going to the far North because time does'nt allow me

I have only seen Thickbilled Rollers in Mapungubwe and not in north of KNP although I would have expected to see them in places like Parfuri area.

I only have old bird books, has the name changed as I have it as a Broadbilled Roller? Still trying to come to terms with the street and town name changes as well.

We've seen them in Pafuri and also not too far from Skukuza along the Sabie river.

Hi Sprocky...

As far as I know it's the same bird we are talking about

Hi UKWAZI

Most of our sightings have been in Mapungubwe, Pafuri and especially around Shingwedzi (seen a lot there).
However (as I reported in THIS thread), last year we had a sighting just outside Marloth Park …although it appears to be in their range, I truly did not expect to see them so far south.
So it seems you can keep your eyes open for them everywhere within their range…also keep your ears open, we often hear them before we see them.
If you are really desperate for a tick…just take a day-trip up to Shingwedzi during Nov/Dec/Jan …you will definitely see them next to the river somewhere.

I have sighted these birds at Letaba Rest Camp on previous occasions.

Only seen them at Punda on the Mahonie Loop.

Hi Ukwazi
These birds used to be a "regular" on the upper section of the Timbavati river road near to the woodlands ranger post. I saw some flocks there personally in 2002 and even the early Newmans "Birds of the Kruger Park" specifically mentions this area as a good area for them. I have not been to KNP in Summer for many years but will be looking out for them this December

The bird can be seen just to the east of Shingwedzi along the Kanniedood road. I have also seen them from the low water bridge at Shingwedzi.

As has been pointede out here, the best place to see them is probably Pafuri. On a recent trail I saw them at least once a day. They are quite numerous along the Limpopo floodplain.