Cape Bulbul and Cape Siskin are widespread in the fynbos. Victorin’s Warbler prefers moist seeps in the hilly areas; this sought-after species is best detected in fynbos areas by its high-pitched warbling song. Ground Woodpecker and Cape Rockjumper are common on most rocky slopes above 1 000 m a.s.l.

The mountain peaks and associated cliffs of the complex hold Booted Eagle, Verreauxs’ Eagle, Crowned Eagle, Cape Eagle-Owl and Peregrine Falcon. Martial Eagle is a rare, widespread resident. Several small Lesser Kestrel roosts occur during the summer months, from which the birds disperse during the day to forage on the plains. The isolated forest patches, particularly in the south, hold several forest endemics, including Knysna Woodpecker, Forest Canary, Olive Bush-shrike, Narina Trogon, Chorister Robin-chat, Brown Scrub-robin, Yellow-throated Woodland Warbler, and Blue-mantled Crested Flycatcher.

The Great Karoo plains and the northern foothills of the Kouga–Baviaanskloof Complex host Karoo Korhaan, Sickle-winged Chat and Rufous-eared Warbler. Black-headed Canary occurs occasionally, whenever there is seeding grass and water. The belts of riverine Vachellia (formerly Acacia) karroo woodland hold Namaqua Warbler, while the thicket and scrub on the slopes support Layard’s Warbler and Grey Tit. Other arid-zone species occurring just to the north of the complex include Pale Chanting Goshawk, Pririt Batis, Fairy Flycatcher and White-throated Canary. The coastal grassland belt to the south holds Blue Crane, both Denham’s and Ludwig’s Bustards, Black Harrier and White Stork, which regularly forage within the agricultural matrix in the southern part of the complex.

In terms of other biodiversity – the area is thought to hold in excess of 2 000 plant species, including many endemic ericas and restios in the south of the complex. Comprehensive botanical surveys would probably lead to the discovery of many more endemics. Most of the global range of Hewitt’s Dwarf Leaf-toed Gecko is restricted to the Baviaanskloof Mountains. The rare Yellow-bellied House Snake has been recorded here, as has the highly localised Southern Ghost Frog and an as-yet-undescribed species of Dwarf Chameleon. The Endangered Hewitt’s Ghost Frog is confirmed at Cockscomb and is likely to occur at several sites in the Baviaanskloof Mountains, pending genetic confirmation of the species. If not this species, the ghost frogs in the Baviaanskloof range are probably a new species. Also in the Cockscomb area is an undescribed gecko of the Afroedura genus. Many southern African endemic reptiles have been recorded in the complex, including the spectacular Black Thread Snake, Sundevall’s Shovel-snout, Coss-marked Grass Snake, Cape Cobra, Many-spotted Snake, Berg Adder, Cape Legless Skink, Red-sided Skink, Spotted Sand Lizard, Cape Mountain Lizard, Common Mountain Lizard, Cape Girdled Lizard, Southern Rock Agama, Ocellated Thick-toed Gecko and Spotted Thick-toed Gecko. Cape Grysbok also occurs within the reserve complex. Threatened mammals include Leopard, Cape Mountain Zebra, Black Rhinoceros, Cape Spiny Mouse and Striped Weasel. Other mammals include the Cape Buffalo, Greater Kudu, Klipspringer and a whole host of smaller mammals like Large-spotted genet, Honey Badger and African Wildcat to name but a few.

Key species:

Chorister Robin-chat, Grey Cuckooshrike, Brown Scrub-robin, Cape Rockjumper, Hottentot Buttonquail, Karoo Korhaan, Orange-breasted Sunbird, Protea Seedeater