Mammals Most active at dawn and dusk

Bush Duiker

Sylvicapra grimmia

iNaturalist Wikipedia

The Bush Duiker is a master of disguise, a tiny and resilient antelope that thrives right under our noses in the African scrub. With its signature facial stripe and cautious 'diving' habit, it is one of the most rewarding species to discover on a backyard trail camera.

1 Sightings

1 Habitats

Quick Identification

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Size

Height: 45–60 cm (18–24 in) at shoulder; Weight: 12–25 kg (26–55 lbs)

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Colors

Grizzled gray to reddish-brown coat with white underparts; distinctive black stripe on the face; males have small, straight horns.

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Key Features

Prominent vertical black stripe from the nose to the forehead
Distinctive tuft of long hair between the ears
Small, straight horns on males that point backward
Arched back with hindquarters slightly higher than shoulders

When You’ll See Them

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Activity pattern Most active at dawn and dusk

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Peak hours 5-8 AM, 5-10 PM

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Season Year-round

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Diet Primarily a browser eating leaves, shoots, fruit, and seeds. Uniquely for an antelope, they are opportunistic omnivores and will occasionally eat insects, lizards, and small birds.

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Habitat Savannas, woodlands, hilly scrubland, and suburban garden fringes with dense cover.

Sightings on EverydayEarth

Outdoor Rhino Cam at HESC

Mar 30, 2026

Under the glow of infrared light, a Bush Duiker is seen foraging in a grassy clearing. It remains relatively still, occasionally moving its head to scan the surroundings, before suddenly darting away into the darkness.

Outdoor Rhino Cam at HESC

Mar 30, 2026

A Common Duiker is seen resting in the grass under the cover of darkness. It remains mostly still, occasionally shifting its head and twitching its large, sensitive ears to monitor the nocturnal sounds of the woodland.

public Geographic range

Where Does the Bush Duiker Live?

The Bush Duiker is native to the vast landscapes of Sub-Saharan Africa, boasting one of the widest distributions of any African antelope. Its core range spans from the southern tip of South Africa northward through East Africa and across the Sahel to Senegal, though it intentionally avoids the dense, humid rainforests of the Congo Basin and the hyper-arid deserts of the Horn of Africa. Because they are highly adaptable to fragmented habitats, they are frequently spotted in peri-urban areas and agricultural zones across countries like South Africa, Zimbabwe, Kenya, and Nigeria.

Basemap © OpenStreetMap contributors

10 Countries

13.5M km² Range

Least Concern Conservation

ZA South Africa ZW Zimbabwe KE Kenya TZ Tanzania BW Botswana NA Namibia ZM Zambia NG Nigeria ET Ethiopia SN Senegal

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iNaturalist / Verified observation data

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Behavior

Bush Duikers are primarily solitary and highly territorial animals. They spend much of their day resting in dense vegetation to avoid predators, emerging during the cooler hours of the early morning and late evening to forage. The name 'Duiker' comes from the Afrikaans word for 'diver,' referring to their habit of diving into thick brush at the slightest hint of danger. Unlike many other antelopes, they do not form herds, though a mating pair may occasionally be seen together for short periods.

These small antelopes are remarkably adaptable and have managed to survive in close proximity to humans. They are known to inhabit the fringes of suburban gardens and agricultural land, provided there is enough cover for them to hide. They mark their territories using scent glands located in dark slits beneath their eyes, often rubbing these against twigs and branches. Despite their small size, they are incredibly hardy and can survive in environments ranging from semi-desert to high-altitude moorlands.

photo_camera EverydayEarth exclusive

Camera Tips

To successfully capture a Bush Duiker on camera, placement is everything. These small antelopes are creatures of habit and often use the same 'runways' or paths through dense vegetation. Look for small, narrow trails near the edges of thickets or garden boundaries. Position your camera low to the ground—about 30 to 45 centimeters (12-18 inches) high—to match their eye level. Angle the camera slightly upward if the terrain is sloped, ensuring you capture the facial markings and the distinctive tuft of hair on their head.

Because they are extremely skittish, use a camera with a 'No Glow' or 'Invisible' infrared flash to avoid startling them at night. Bush Duikers are highly sensitive to white light or red-glow LEDs, which might cause them to avoid the area in the future. Set your trigger speed to the fastest possible setting; they move quickly and often 'dive' into cover before a slow camera can fire. A burst mode of 3-5 photos or a short 10-second video clip is ideal for observing their cautious behavior and scent-marking rituals.

While you shouldn't necessarily 'bait' wildlife in a way that creates dependency, Bush Duikers are highly attracted to fallen fruit. If you have a fruiting tree like a wild plum or even a garden fruit tree, placing the camera nearby during the ripening season is a surefire strategy. They are also frequent visitors to bird baths or low-lying water features during the dry season. Early morning and late evening are the 'golden hours' for sightings, so ensure your camera is active during these periods.

Similar Species

Species that look similar or are commonly confused with Bush Duiker.

Steenbok

Lacks the black facial stripe and forehead tuft; has much larger, rounded ears and a flatter back profile.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Bush Duikers are crepuscular, meaning they are most active during the twilight hours of dawn and dusk. However, in areas where they feel safe from predators or human interference, they can occasionally be seen foraging during the day or deep into the night.

The best way to attract Bush Duikers is to provide dense natural cover and 'soft' edges between lawn and shrubbery. They are particularly drawn to gardens with fallen fruit, such as pods from acacia trees or garden fruits like plums. Maintaining a low-level water source or bird bath can also encourage them to visit during dry periods.

They are primarily browsers that eat leaves, twigs, and bark. They are also very fond of fruit, seeds, and flowers. Remarkably, they are one of the few antelopes known to supplement their diet with animal protein, occasionally eating insects, frogs, and small birds.

Yes, they are very common in peri-urban and suburban areas across Africa, as long as there is enough 'bush' or thicket for them to hide in. They are highly adaptable and can survive in smaller patches of vegetation than most other antelope species.

While similar in size, the Bush Duiker has a characteristic black stripe running down its nose and a tuft of hair between its ears, which the Steenbok lacks. Additionally, the Bush Duiker has a more arched back and tends to 'dive' into thickets, whereas the Steenbok often freezes or hides in tall grass.

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