Namibia & Botswana 2014 A Tropical Birding Custom Trip

Namibia & Botswana Tropical Birding Custom Trip

August 7-23, 2014 Guides: Ken Behrens & Charley Hesse

Photos by Ken Behrens. Most photos taken during the trip. Annotated checklist by Jerry Connolly www.tropicalbirding.com WINDHOEK

After arrival in Namibia’s capital, we had a day to relax and enjoy the excellent birding on offer around this small and charming city.

Windhoek has a population of about 300,000, out of Namibia’s tiny population of only 2.1 million, remarkable for a country that is twice the size of California.

Crimson-breasted Gonolek (left), the national bird of Namibia, showed well at Avis Dam. On our morning walk at Avis Dam, we enjoyed Marico Sunbird (bottom left) and Southern Cordonbleu (top right), while there were a bounty of waterbirds at the Gammons Water Care (Sewage!) Works, including African Darter (bottom right) and Red-knobbed Coot (top left). Our day in Windhoek was relaxing but still productive. From Windhoek, in the central mountains, we descended into the Namib Desert, where species like these Common Ostrich survive despite incredibly harsh conditions. South African Ground Squirrel (top); Namib Dune Ant (bottom right); and Rueppell’s Bustard (bottom left), creatures of the Namib. WALVIS BAY AND SWAKOPMUND The Namib dune fields hold Namibia’s sole political endemic, the Dune Lark. Walvis Bay itself is a mecca for waterbirds, including thousands of flamingos.

SPITZKOPPE From the Namib coast, we headed inland to Spitzkoppe, one of Namibia’s most striking landmarks. Our avian target at Spitzkoppe was the scarce Herero Chat. OMARURU AND ERONGO MOUNTAINS

We spent two nights in this area, exploring the Erongo Mountains, one of the most ancient mountain ranges on earth, and the most diverse place for Namibian near- endemic species.

Swallow-tailed Bee-eater (far left)

Right page: Violet-eared Waxbills and Scaly-feathered Finches (top left) Damara dik-dik (top right) Erongo landscape (bottom left) The sometimes elusive Rockrunner that we saw amazingly well on this trip (bottom right)

Birding the riparian woodland and adjacent thornveld in Omaruru yielded amazing views of a flock of Rueppell’s Parrots (left), Gray Go-away-bird (middle) and one of Namibia’s best near-endemic birds, the White-tailed Shrike (right).

The bird feeders of Erongo Wilderness Lodge are among the best in Africa. Visitors included dozens of Rosy- faced Lovebirds (far left). The surrounding habitat held prizes like Acacia Pied Barbet (above left) and male Hartlaub’s Francolin (above right). ETOSHA NATIONAL PARK

The middle portion of our safari was spent in Etosha, one of the World’s great parks. Our timing was perfect, as huge numbers of mammals and birds were concentrated around the park’s waterholes due to the parched conditions prevailing late in the dry season.

Giraffe (left) against a typical dry season landscape of tawny grass, flowering Acacia nebroni, and a yellowing mopane tree. Dry season Etosha is all about the waterholes, whose visitors shown here include African elephant, giraffe, and Helmeted Guineafowl, just a taste of the bounty of wildlife that we saw by visiting waterholes.

We enjoyed incredible leopard sightings (above). Left page: Namaqua Sandgrouse (top left); Red-headed Finch (top right); Double-banded Courser (bottom left); and an elephant at Okakuejo’s waterhole (bottom right). Pearl-spotted Owlet (above left) is a tiny bird-eating owl that is much hated by other birds! Animals of all different stripes mix at Etosha’s waterholes (above right). Right page: Foxy Charaxes (top right); Black-backed jackal (bottom right); and Pale Chanting Goshawk (left).

This page: friendly Leopard (top); Northern Black Korhaan (bottom left); and Scaly-feathered Finch (bottom right - by Jerry Connolly). Left page: Pale Chanting Goshawk bombing Martial Eagle (top left); spotted hyena (top right); dust-blowing baby African elephant (bottom left); and Swainson’s Francolin catching some air (bottom right). This page: Southern Yellow-billed Hornbill (bottom left); Crowned Lapwing (bottom right); giraffes (top right); and White Helmetshrike (top left). Right page: southern oryx are a common sight throughout Etosha.

A magnificent Cheetah (far left) might have been our best sighting in Etosha. We also spotted banded mongoose (top above); Sabota Lark (bottom left); and Black-faced Babbler (bottom right). SHAMVURA RIVER LODGE, NORTHERN NAMIBIA We struck north for the Okavango ecosystem, where a bounty of creatures like this Pied Kingfisher awaited. With species like Nile Crocodile (top), Malachite Kingfisher (bottom left), and Purple Heron (bottom right) around, life isn’t safe for the fish of the Kavango! There were all species that we sighted during boat trips from Shamvura Lodge, on the banks of the river. Seeing two separate Ostrich creches (left) attended by protective males was one of the highlights of Mahango Game reserve. In the Okavango, Giant Kingfisher and White-fronted Bee-eater are common birds (right). XARO & NXAMASERI LODGES, BOTSWANA

These two lodges are perched on the banks of the Kavango River in the area known as the “Okavango Panhandle”. By walking around the lodge grounds and taking boat trips out into the vast adjacent wetlands, we turned up a huge array of birds and other wildlife.

The Okavango is a remarkable inland delta formed by several rivers which run out of the mountains of Angola, then pour into and evaporate upon the sands of the Kalahari semi-desert.

We watched several African Fish-Eagles (right) plummeting out of the sky and snatching fish from the river. We had wonderful views of the incredible Pel’s Fishing-Owl (left) in Botswana. Boat trips are the prime way to explore the endless papyrus and reed wetlands of the Okavango. Little Bitterns (right) were remarkably common and cooperative this year. Also shown are a Yellow-billed Oxpecker near Nxamaseri Lodge (top left) and the pugnacious Pied Kingfisher (bottom left).

A colony of breeding African Skimmers right next to Xaro Lodge was a special treat this year. Skimmers are the only birds in the world that have a longer lower than upper mandible!

A couple of Little Bee-eaters show off on the edge of a mysterious papyrus swamp (far left). Wading birds like this Little Egret (above left) are abundant throughout the Okavango, as are cisticolas like this Chirping (above right). Walks around Xaro Lodge turned up Bennett’s Woodpecker (top right), while birds spotted on the boat trips included Long-toed Lapwing mobbing an African Marsh-Harrier (top left), African Openbill (bottom left), and Banded Martin (bottom right). The Okavango holds an abundance of colorful and conspicuous birds, like Giant Kingfisher (top left), African Jacana (bottom left), and White-fronted Bee-eater (right). BIRDS Common Name Scientific Name Location Ostrich Struthuinidae Ostrich Struthio camelus C-14 to Walvis Bay, Etosha, Mahango

Ducks, Geese and Waterfowl Anatidae White-faced Whistling-Duck Dendrocygna viduata Mahango Egyptian Goose Alopochen aegyptiaca wet areas South African Shelduck Tadorna cana Gammons Sewage Works, etc Spur-winged Goose Plectropterus gambensis Mahango African Pygmy-Goose Nettapus Auritus Okavango Delta Cape Shoveler Anas smithii Gammons Sewage Works Red-billed Duck Anas erythrorhyncha Gammons Sewage Works, etc. Hottentot Teal Anas hottentota Gammons Sewage Works Cape Teal Anas capensis wet areas

Guineafowl Numididae Helmeted Guineafowl Numida meleagris throughout

Pheasants, Grouse and Allies Phasianidae Crested Francolin Francolinus sephaena Shamvura Hartlaub's Francolin Francolinus hartlaubi Erongo Red-billed Francolin Francolinus adspersus First at Avis Dam, common almost throughout Swainson's Francolin Francolinus swainsonii Etosha

Grebes Podiceps Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis wet areas Eared Grebe Podiceps nigricollis Walvis Bay

Flamingos Phoenicopteridae Greater Flamingo Phoenicopterus roseus Walvis Bay, by the 100s Lesser Flamingo Phoenicopterus minor Walvis Bay, by the 1000s

Penguins Spheniscidae Jackass Penguin Spheniscus demersus Walvis Bay. Rare record on shore this far north.

Storks Ciconiidae African Openbill Anastomus lamelligerus Mahango, Okavango Delta floodplain Saddle-billed Stork Ephippiorhynchus senegalensis Okavango Delta Marabou Stork Leptoptilos crumenifer Mahango Yellow-billed Stork Mycteria ibis First at Shamvura

Boobies and Gannets Sulidae Cape Gannet Morus capensis Walvis Bay

Cormorants and Shags Ardeidae Great Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo Gammons Sewage Works, Walvis Bay Cape Cormorant Phalacrocorax capensis Walvis Bay Bank Cormorant Phalacrocorax neglectus Walvis Bay Long-tailed Cormorant Phalacrocorax africanus Gammons Sewage Works, etc. Crowned Cormorant Phalacrocorax coronatus Walvis Bay

Anhingas Anhingidae African Darter Anhinga rufa Gammons Sewage Works, etc.

Pelicans Pelicanidae Great White Pelican Pelecanus onocrotalus Gammons Sewage Works, Walvis Bay Hamerkop Scopidae Hamerkop Scopus umbretta First at Shamvura

Herons, Egrets and Bitterns Little Bittern Ixobrychus minutus First at Shamvura Gray Heron Ardea cinerea First at Gammons Sewage Works Black-headed Heron Ardea melanocephala Gammons Sewage works Goliath Heron Ardea goliath First at Shamvura Purple Heron Ardea purpurea First at Shamvura. Many around Xaro Lodge. Great Egret Ardea alba Gammons Sewage Works, etc. Intermediate Egret Mesophoyx intermedia First at Shamvura Little Egret Egretta garzetta widespread Slaty Egret Egretta vinaceigula Mahango, Okavango Delta Black Heron Egretta ardesiaca First at Shamvura Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis widespread Squacco Heron Ardeola ralloides First at Shamvura Rufous-bellied Heron Ardeola rufiventris First at Shamvura Striated Heron Butorides striata First at Shamvura Black-crowned Night-Heron Nycticorax nycticorax Shamvura

Ibises and Spoonbill Threshkiornithidae Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus First at Shamvura Sacred Ibis Threskiornis aethiopicus Gammons Sewage Works, Mahango Hadada Ibis Bostrychia hagedash Okavango Delta African Spoonbill Platalea alba Gammons Sewage Works, Shamvura, Mahango

Secretary-bird Sagittariidae Secretary-bird Sagittarius serpentarius Etosha

Hawks, Eagles and Kites Accipitridae Black-shouldered Kite Elanus caeruleus fairly widespread African Harrier-Hawk Polyboroides typus Etosha, B-8 Lappet-faced Vulture Torgos tracheliotus C-14 to Walvis Bay, Etosha, Mahango White-backed Vulture Gyps africanus fairly widespread Bateleur Terathopius ecaudatus Mahango, etc. Black-breasted Snake-Eagle Circaetus pectoralis first C-14 to Walvis Bay Brown Snake-Eagle Circaetus cinereus B-8 to Shamvura Banded Snake-Eagle Ciraetus cinerascens Okavango Delta Martial Eagle Polemaetus bellicosus Etosha Wahlberg's Eagle Hieraaetus wahlbergi Etosha Booted Eagle Hieraaetus pennatus Avis Dam Tawny Eagle Aquila rapax Etosha Verreaux's Eagle Aquila verreauxii ride to Walvis Bay, Spitzkoppe African Hawk-Eagle Aquila spilogaster Walvis Bay Dark Chanting-Goshawk Melierax metabates Mahango Pale Chanting-Goshawk Melierax canorus C-14 to Walvis Bay African Marsh-Harrier Circus ranivorus Shamvura, Mahango Shikra Accipiter badius Omaruru, Erongo Little Sparrowhawk Accipiter minullus Okavango Delta Black (Yellow-billed) Kite Milvus migrans Okavango Delta African Fish-Eagle Haliaeetus vocifer Etosha

Bustards Otididae Kori Bustard Ardeotis kori Etosha Ludwig's Bustard Neotis ludwigii C-14 to Walvis Bay Rueppell's Bustard (Korhaan) Eupodotis rueppellii C-14 to Walvis Bay Red-crested Bustard (Korhaan) Eupodotis ruficrista Etosha White-quilled Bustard (Northern Black Korhaan) Eupodotis afraoides Etosha Rails, Gallinules and Coots Rallidae Black Crake Amaurornis flavirostra Shamvura Purple Swamphen Porphyrio porphyrio Gammons Sewage Works, Shamvura Allen's Gallinule Porphyrio alleni Okavango Delta Eurasian Moorhen Gallinula chloropus Gammons Sewage Works, Etosha Red-knobbed Coot Fulica cristata Gammons Sewage Works

Cranes Gruidae Wattled Crane Bugeranus carunculatus Mahango

Thick-knees Burhinidae Water Thick-knee Burhinus vermiculatus Shamvura, Xaro Lodge

Stilts and Avocets Recurvirostridae Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus first at Gammons Sewage Works Pied Avocet Recurvirostra avosetta Walvis Bay, Etosha

Oystercatchers Haematopodidae African Oystercatcher Haematopus moquini Walvis Bay

Plovers and Lapwings Charadriiidae Black-bellied Plover Pluvialis squatarola Walvis Bay Long-toed Lapwing Vanellus crassirostris Mahango, Okavango Delta floodplain Blacksmith Plover Vanellus armatus widespread Crowned Lapwing Vanellus coronatus fairly widespread Wattled Lapwing Vanellus senegallus Shamvura Kittlitz's Plover Charadrius pecuarius Gammons Sewage Works, Etosha Three-banded Plover Charadrius tricollaris Gammons Sewage Works, Etosha White-fronted Plover Charadrius marginatus Walvis Bay, Shamvura Chestnut-banded Plover Charadrius pallidus Walvis Bay

Jacanas Jacanidae Lesser Jacana Microparra capensis Okavango Delta floodplain African Jacana Actophilornis africanus widespread

Sandpipers and Allies Scolopacidae Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos Gama Sewage Works, Shamvura Common Greenshank Tringa nebularia Walvis Bay Wood Sandpiper Tringa glareola Etosha, Shamvura Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus Walvis Bay Bar-tailed Godwit Limosa lapponica Walvis Bay Ruddy Turnstone Arenaria interpres Walvis Bay Curlew Sandpiper Calidris ferruginea Walvis Bay

Pratincoles and Coursers Glareolidae Double-banded Courser Smutsornis africanus Etosha Collared Pratincole Glareola pratincola Shamvura

Gulls, Terns and Skimmers Laridae Gray-hooded Gull Chroicocephalus cirrocephalus Walvis Bay, Etosha, Shamvura Hartlaub's Gull Chroicocephalus hartlaubii Walvis Bay Kelp Gull Larus dominicanus Walvis Bay Caspian Tern Hydroprogne caspia Walvis Bay White-winged Tern Chlidonias leucopterus Shamvura Common Tern Sterna hirundo Walvis Bay Great Crested Tern Thalasseus bergii Walvis Bay African Skimmer Rynchops flavirostris first at Shamvura Sandgrouse Pteroclidae Namaqua Sandgrouse Pterocles namaqua C-14, common in Etosha NP Double-banded Sandgrouse Pterocles bicinctus Etosha

Pigeons and Doves Columbidae Rock Pigeon Columba livia Windhoek, Walvis Bay Speckled Pigeon Columba guinea Avis Dam, Omaruru Mourning Collared-Dove Streptopelia decipiens Okavango Delta Red-eyed Dove Streptopelia semitorquata first in Shamvura Ring-necked Dove Streptopelia capicola widespread Laughing Dove Streptopelia senegalensis widespread Emerald-spotted Wood-Dove Turtur chalcospilos first in Etosha Namaqua Dove Oena capensis Gama Sewage Works, etc. African Green-pigeon Treron calvus Okavango Delta

Turcaos Musophagidae Gray Go-away-bird Corythaixoides concolor widespread

Cuckoos Cuculidae Coppery-tailed Coucal Centropus cupreicaudus Shamvura, Nxamaseri Lodge White-browed Coucal Centropus superciliosus Mahango

Barn-Owls Tytonidae Barn Owl Tyto alba Halali Camp, Shamvura

Owls Strigidae African Scops-Owl Otus senegalensis Halali Camp Pel's Fishing-Owl Scotopelia peli Okavango Delta Pearl-spotted Owlet Glaucidium perlatum Avis Dam, Omaruru, Mokuti African Barred Owlet Glaucidium capense Xaro Lodge African Wood-Owl Strix woodfordii Shamvura

Nightjars and Allies Caprimulgidae Freckled Nightjar Caprimulgus tristigma Erongo

Swifts Apodidae Alpine Swift Apus melba Omaruru Bradfield's Swift Apus bradfieldi Omaruru Little Swift Apus affinis Etosha African Palm-Swift Cypsiurus parvus widespread

Mousebirds Coliidae White-backed Mousebird Colius colius first six days Red-faced Mousebird Urocolius indicus first at Erongo Malachite Kingfisher Corythornis cristatus first at Shamvura, etc Striped Kingfisher Halcyon chelicuti Broadleaved woodland near Shamvura Giant Kingfisher Megaceryle maximus first at Shamvura Pied Kingfisher Ceryle rudis most common kingfisher

Bee-eaters Meropidae White-fronted Bee-eater Merops bullockoides Okavango Delta Little Bee-eater Merops pusillus first at Shamvura Swallow-tailed Bee-eater Merops hirundineus first at Avis Dam Southern Carmine Bee-eater Merops nubicoides Shamvura, Mahango

Rollers Coraciidae Lilac-breasted Roller Coracias caudatus widespread Rufous-crowned Roller Coracias naevius widespread, but not as common as L-b Roller Hoopoes Upupidae Eurasian Hoopoe Upopa epops Okavango Delta

Woodhoopoes and Scimitar-bills Phoeniculidae Green Woodhoopoe Phoeniculus purpureus Mahango Violet Woodhoopoe Phoeniculus damarensis Omaruru, Erongo Common Scimitar-bill Rhinopomastus cyanomelas Mahango

Hornbills Bucerotidae Monteiro's Hornbill Tockus monteiri Avis Dam, Sptzkoppe, Omaruru Southern Red-billed Hornbill Tockus rufirostris C-14, Etosha Damara Red-billed Hornbill Tockus damarensis Omaruru Southern Yellow-billed Hornbill Tockus leucomelas widespread Bradfield's Hornbill Tockus bradfieldi Shamvura African Gray Hornbill Tockus nasutus widespread

Ground-Hornbills Bucorvidae Southern Ground Hornbill Bucorvus leadbeateri Okavango Delta

African Barbets Lybiidae Crested Barbet Trachyphonus vaillantii Okavango Delta Yellow-fronted Tinkerbird Pogoniulus chrysoconus Broadleaved woodland near Shamvura Pied Barbet Tricholaema leucomelas Avis Dam, Erongo Black-collared Barbet Lybius torquatus Mahango

Honeyguides Indicatoridae Lesser Honeyguide Indicator minor Xaro Lodge

Woodpeckers Picidae Bennett's Woodpecker Campethera bennetti Xaro Lodge Golden-tailed Woodpecker Campether abingoni Xaro Lodge Cardinal Woodpecker Dendropicos fuscescens Onganga, Omaruru Bearded Woodpecker Dendropicos namaquus Okavango Delta

Falcons and Caracaras Falconidae Pygmy Falcon Polihierax semitorquatus Etosha Eurasian Kestrel Falco tinnunculus Omaruru Greater Kestrel Falco rupicoloides Etosha Lanner Falcon Falco biarmicus C-14 to Walvis Bay

Parrots Psittacidae Rosy-faced Lovebird Agapornis roseicollis Avis Dam, Erongo Meyer's Parrot Poicephalus meyeri Okavango Delta Rueppell's Parrot Poicephalus rueppellii Omaruru

Wattle-eyes and Batises Platysteiridae White-tailed Shrike Lanioturdus torquatus Omaruru, Erongo Pririt Batis Batis pririt Roiibank

Vangas, Helmetshrikes and Allies Vangidae White Helmetshrike Prionops plumatus Etosha, Shamvura Retz's Helmetshrike Prionops retzii Shamvura

Bushshrikes and Allies Malaconotidae Brubru Nilaus afer Roiibank Black-backed Puffback Dryoscopus cubla Shamvura, Mahango Brown-crowned Tchagra Tchagra australis Shamvura Gabon (Swamp) Boubou Laniarius bicolor first at Shamvura Crimson-breasted Gonolek Laniarius atrococcineus fairly widespread Bokmakierie Telophorus zeylonus C-14 to Walvis Bay (lunch) Sulpher-breasted Bushshrike Telophorus sulfureopectus Okavango Delta

Cuckooshrikes Campephagidae Black Cuckooshrike Campephaga flava Okavango Delta

Shrikes Laniidae Southern (Common) Fiscal Lanius collaris C-14 to Walvis Bay, Erongo Souza's Shrike Lanius souzae Broadleaved woodland near Shamvura Magpie Shrike Corvinella melanoleuca Shamvura, Mahango White-crowned Shrike Eurocephalus anguitimens first at Halali

Old World Orioles Oriolidae African Black-headed Oriole Oriolus larvatus Mokuti Lodge, Shamvura

Drongos Dicruridae Fork-tailed Drongo Dicrurus adsimilis widespread

Crows, Jays and Magpies Corvidae Cape Crow Corvus capensis C-14 to Walvis Bay, Etosha Pied Crow Corvus albus C-14 to Walvis Bay, Etosha, Shamvura

Larks Alaudidae Sabota Lark Calendulauda sabota C-14 to Walvis Bay, Erongo, Etosha Fawn-colored Lark Calendulauda africanoides Shamvura broadleaved woodland Dune Lark Calendulauda erythrochlamys Roiibank, at edge of Namib Desert dune fields Spike-heeled Lark Chersomanes albofasciata Etosha Chestnut-backed Sparrow-Lark Eremopterix leucotis Etosha Gray-backed Sparrow-Lark Eremopterix verticalis Etosha Red-capped Lark Calandrella cinerea Etosha Stark's Lark Spizocorys starki Drive to Omaruru

Swallows Hirundinidae Plain Martin Riparia paludicola Shamvura, Mahango Banded Martin Riparia cincta Shamvura, Mahango Rock Martin Ptyonoprogne fuligula first seven days Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica Omaruru, Shamvura White-throated Swallow Hirundo albigularis Avis Dam Wire-tailed Swallow Hirundo smithii Shamvura, Mahango Pearl-breasted Swallow Hirundo dimidiata Okavango Delta Lesser Striped-Swallow Cecropis abyssinica Shamvura, Mahango Rufous-chested Swallow Cecropis semirufa Etosha Mosque Swallow Cecropis senegalensis Mahango Black Sawwing Psalidoprocne pristoptera Okavango Delta Gray-rumped Swallow Pseudhirundo griseopyga Mahango

Chickadees and Tits Paridae Southern Black-Tit Melaniparus niger Shamvura, Mahango Carp's Tit Melaniparus carpi Erongo Rufous-bellied Tit Melaniparus rufiventris Shamvura broadleaved woodland Ashy Tit Melaniparus cinerascens Avis Dam, Spitzkoppe

Bulbuls Pycnonotidae Yellow-bellied Greenbul Chlorocichla flaviventris Shamvura, Mahango Terrestrial Brownbul Phyllastrephus terrestris Okavango Delta Common Bulbul Pycnonotus barbatus Common in northern Namibia Black-fronted Bulbul Pycnonotus nigricans Common in central Namibia African Warblers Macrospenidae Cape Crombec Sylvietta rufescens Spitzkoppe, Etosha Rockrunner Achaetops pycnopygius Erongo, a superb performer!

Reed-Warblers and Allies Acrocephalidae African Reed-Warbler Acrocephalus baeticatus Avis Dam Lesser Swamp-Warbler Acrocephalus gracilirostris Okavango Delta Greater Swamp-Warbler Acrocephalus rufescens Okavango Delta

Grassbirds and Allies Locustellidae Little Rush-Warbler Bradypterus baboecala Okavango Delta

Cisticolas and Allies Cisicolidae Yellow-breasted Apalis Apalis flavida Shamvura Green-backed Camaroptera Camaroptera brachyura Omaruru, Mokuti, Shamvura Barred Wren-Warbler Calamonastes fasciolatus C-14 to Walvis Bay Rattling Cisticola Cisticola chiniana Avis Dam Winding Cisticola Cisticola galactotes Shamvura Chirping Cisticola Cisticola pipiens Shamvura Piping Cisticola Cisticola fulvicapilla Shamvura Zitting Cisticola Cisticola juncidis Avis Dam Desert Cisticola Cisticola aridulus Avis Dam Tawny-flanked Prinia Prinia subflava Shamvura, Mahango Black-chested Prinia Prinia flavicans widespread Yellow-bellied Eremomela Eremomela icteropygialis Omaruru, Erongo Burnt-neck Eremomela Eremomela usticollis Omaruru

Sylvids Sylvidae Layard's Warbler (Tit-Babbler) Sylvia layardi Spitzkoppe Rufous-vented Warbler (Tit-Babbler) Sylvia subcaerulea Avis Dam, C-14, Omaruru

Yuhinas, White-eyes, and Allies Zosteropidae African Yellow White-eye Zosterops senegalensis Shamvura, Mahango

Laughingthrushes and Allies Leiothrichidae Hartlaub's Babbler Turdoides hartlaubii Shamvura, Mahango Black-faced Babbler Turdoides melanops Mokuti Lodge. Highly local specialty. Southern Pied-Babbler Turdoides bicolor C-14 to Walvis Bay, Etosha Arrow-marked Babbler Turdoides jardineii Okavango Delta

Old World Flycatchers Muscicapidae Pale Flycatcher Bradornis pallidus Shamvura, Mahango Chat Flycatcher Bradornis infuscatus C-14 to Walvis Bay, Erongo Mariqua Flycatcher Bradornis mariquensis fairly widespread Southern Black-Flycatcher Melaenornis pammelaina Shamvura broadleaved woodland Gray Tit-Flycatcher Myioparus plumbeus Xaro Lodge Kalahari Scrub-Robin Cercotrichas paena C-14 to Walvis Bay, Erongo Red-backed Scrub-Robin Cercotrichas leucophrys Shamvura Herero Chat Namibornis herero Spitzkoppe White-browed Robin-Chat Cossypha heuglini Okavango Delta Short-toed Rock-Thrush Monticola brevipes C-14 to Walvis Bay African Stonechat Saxicola torquatus C-14 to Walvis Bay, Etosha Southern Anteater-Chat Myrmecocichla formicivora C-14 to Walvis Bay, Etosha Karoo Chat Cercomela schlegelii C-14 to Walvis Bay Tractrac Chat Cercomela tractrac C-14 to Walvis Bay Familiar Chat Cercomela familiaris Avis Dam, Erongo Mountain Wheatear Oenanthe monticola Avis Dam, C-14 to Walvis Bay, Spitzkoppe Capped Wheatear Oenanthe pileata Mahango Thrushes and Allies Turdidae Groundscraper Thrush Psophocichla litsitsirupa widespread Kurrichane Thrush Turdus libonyana Shamvura

Starlings Sturnidae Wattled Starling Creatophora cinerea first at Gammons Sewage Works Cape Glossy-Starling Lamprotornis nitens widespread Greater Blue-eared Glossy-Starling Lamprotornis chalybaeus Okavango Delta Meves's Glossy-Starling Lamprotornis mevesii Mahango, Okavango Delta Burchell's Glossy-Starling Lamprotornis australis Mokuti, Mahango Violet-backed Starling Cinnyricinclus leucogaster Shamvura, Mahango Pale-winged Starling Onychognathus nabouroup most days before Etosha

Oxpeckers Buphagidae Red-billed Oxpecker Buphagus erythrorhynchus Mahango Yellow-billed Oxpecker Buphagus africanus Okavango Delta

Sunbirds and Spiderhunters Nectariniidae Collared Sunbird Hedydipna collaris Shamvura, Mahango Scarlet-chested Sunbird Chalcomitra senegalensis Omaruru Mariqua Sunbird Cinnyris mariquensis widespread Purple-banded Sunbird Cinnyris bifasciatus Mahango White-breasted Sunbird Cinnyris talatala Mokuti, Roy’s, Shamvura Dusky Sunbird Cinnyris fuscus widespread in central Namibia

Wagtails and Pipits Motacillidae Cape Wagtail Motacilla capensis first at Avis Dam African Pied Wagtail Motacilla aguimp Shamvura, Mahango African Pipit Anthus cinnamomeus Avis Dama, Etosha Woodland Pipit Anthus nyassae Shamvura broadleaved woodland Long-billed Pipit Anthus similis C-14 to Walvis Bay Plain-backed Pipit Anthus leucophrys Okavango Delta

Buntings and New World Sparrows Emberizidae Lark-like Bunting Emberiza impetuani Drive to Spitzkoppe Cinnamon-breasted Bunting Emberiza tahapisi Avis Dam, Erongo Cape Bunting Emberiza capensis Erongo Golden-breasted Bunting Emberiza flaviventris fairly widespread

Siskins, Crossbills and Allies Fringillidae Yellow-fronted Canary Serinus mozambicus Shamvura Black-throated Canary Serinus atrogularis fairly widespread Yellow Canary Serinus flaviventris Onganga, C-14 White-throated Canary Serinus albogularis Omaruru

Old World Sparrows Passeridae House Sparrow Passer domesticus Windhoek Great Rufous Sparrow Passer motitensis C-14, Spitzkoppe, Etosha Cape Sparrow Passer melanurus Roibank Southern Gray-headed Sparrow Passer diffusus Erongo, Etosha, Mahango

Weavers and Allies Ploceidae Red-billed Buffalo-Weaver Bubalornis niger Gas station near Popa Falls Scaly Weaver Sporopipes squamifrons C-14 to Walvis Bay, Etosha White-browed Sparrow-Weaver Plocepasser mahali widespread Social Weaver Philetairus socius C-14 to Walvis Bay, Etosha Red-headed Weaver Anaplectes rubriceps Shamvura Spectacled Weaver Ploceus ocularis Holub's Golden-Weaver Ploceus xanthops Shamvura Southern Brown-throated Weaver Ploceus xanthopterus Lesser Masked-Weaver Ploceus intermedius Mahango Southern Masked-Weaver Ploceus velatus widespread Village Weaver Ploceus cucullatus Shamvura Chestnut Weaver Ploceus rubiginosus drive to Outjo Red-billed Quelea Quelea quelea Etosha Red Bishop Euplectes orix Mahango White-winged Widowbird Euplectus albonotatus Okavango Delta Fan-tailed Widowbird Euplectes axillaris Okavango Delta Grosbeak Weaver Amblyospiza albifrons Okavango Delta

Waxbills and Allies Estrildidae Common Waxbill Estrilda astrild Okavango Delta Black-cheeked Waxbill Estrilda erythronotos Avis Dam, C-14 to Walvis Bay Blue-breasted Cordonbleu (Blue Waxbill) Uraeginthus angolensis fairly widespread Violet-eared Waxbill Granatina granatina Etosha Green-winged Pytilia Pytilia melba Erongo Red-billed Firefinch Lagonosticta senegala Omaruru, Shamvura Brown Firefinch Lagonosticta nitidula Shamvura Cut-throat Amadina fasciata Mahango Red-headed Finch Amadina erythrocephala first at Avis Dam

Indigobirds Viduidae Pin-tailed Whydah Vidua macroura Avis Dam Eastern Paradise-Whydah Vidua paradisaea Omaruru Shaft-tailed Whydah Vidua regia several

MAMMALS Rodents Rodentia Dassie Rat Petromus typicus Damara Ground Squirrel Geosciurus princeps Tree Squirrel Paraxerus cepapi Hares Lagomorpha Scrub Hare Lepus capensis Seals & Sealions Phocidae Cape Fur Seal Actophilornis pusillus Dolphins Delphinidae: Heaviside Dolphin Cephalorhynchus heavisidii Cheek-pouched Monkeys Cercopithecidae Chacma Baboon Papio ursinus Vervet Monkey Cercopithecus aethiops Dogs & allies Canidae Black-backed Jackal Canis mesomelas Bat-eared Fox Otocyon megalotis Hyaenas Hyaenidae Spotted Hyaena Crocuta crocuta Cats Felidae Lion Panthera leo Leopard Panthera pardus Cheetah Acinonyx jubatus Mongooses Herpestidae Black Mongoose Herpestes (sanguinea) nigrata Banded Mongoose Mungos mungo Yellow Mongoose Cynictis penicillata Mustelids Mustelidae Spot-necked Otter Lutra maculicollis Hyraxes Procavidae: Cape Rock Hyrax Procavia capensis Elephants Elephantidae (African) Elephant Loxodonta africana Giraffes Giraffidae Giraffe Camelopardus giraffa giraffa Horses Equidae Burchell's Common Zebra Equus quagga burchelli Hartmann's Mountain Zebra Equus hartmannae Hippopotamuses Hippopotamidae Hippopotamus Hippopotamus amphibious Rhinoceroses Rhinocerotidae White Rhino Ceratotherium simus Black Rhino Diceros bicornis Pigs Suidae Warthog Phacochoerus africanus Horned Ungulates Bovidae: African (Cape) Buffalo Syncerus caffer Bushbuck Tragelaphus scriptus Greater Kudu Tragelaphus strepsiceros Eland Taurotragus oryx Gemsbok (Southern Oryx) Oryx gazella Springbok Antidorcas marsupialis Roan (Antelope) Hippotragus equines (Red) Lechwe Kobus lechwe lechwe Steenbok Raphicerus campestris Klipspringer Oreotragus oreotragus Damara Dikdik Madoqua kirkii damarensis Southern Reedbuck Redunca arundinum Black-faced Impala Aepyceros melampus petersi Red Hartebeest Alcelaphus buselaphus caama Blue Wildebeest (Brindled Gnu) Connochaetes taurinu

REPTILES Nile Crocodile Crocodylus niloticus Bushveld Lizard Heliobolus lugubris Namibian Rock Agama Agama planiceps Etosha Ground Agama Agama etoshae Nile Monitor Varanus niloticus Rock Monitor Varanus albigularis Variable Skink Trachylepis varia Striped Skink Mabuya striata Marsh Terrapin Pelomedusa subrufa BUTTERFLIES Nymphalidae Danainae African(Monarch Danaus(chryssipus(aegyp/us Squin/ng(Bush(Brown Bicyclus(anynana(anynana Satyrinae African(Ringlet Ypthima(asterope Heliconiinae Lygus(Acraea Acraea(lygus Charaxinae Foxy(Emperor Charaxes(jasius(saturnus Bushveld(Emperor Charaxes(achaemenes(achaemenes Limeni/nae Guineafowl Hamanumida(daedalus Biblidinae SpoBed(Joker Byblia(ilithyia Nymphalinae Yellow(Pansy Junonia(hierta Lycaenidae Pori/inae Common(Buff Baliochila(aslanga Lycaeninae Common(FigItree(Blue Myrina(silenus Bush(Scarlet Axiocerses(coalescens Dusky(Copper Aloeides(taikosama Hintza(Blue Zintha(hintza(hintza Sooty(Blue Zizeeria(knysna ThornItree(Blue Azanous(moriqua Pieridae Pierinae Zebra(White Pinacopteryx(eriphia(eriphia Topaz(Tip Colo/s(amata Doubleday's(Orange Colo/s(doubledayi(flavulus Queen(Purple/p Colo/s(regina Common(Orange(Tip Colo/s(evenina(evenina Kalahari(Orange(Tip Colo/s(lais BrownIveined(White Belenois(aurota(aurota African(Common(White Belenois(creona(creona African(Veined(White Belenois(gidica(abyssinica Meadow(White Pon/a(helice(helice Common(DoBed(Border Mylothris(agathina Coliadinae African(Migrant Catopsilia(florella Papilionidae Papilioninae Citrus(Swallowtail Papilio(demodocus(demodocus Hesperiidae Pyrginae( Small(Elfin Sarangesa(phidyle Dark(Elfin Sarangesa(seineri Delagoa(Sandman Spialia(delagoae Mafa(Sandman Spialia(mafa(mafa Hesperiinae WhiteIbanded(SwiW Pelopidas(thrax(inconspicua Rusty(SwiW Borbo(detecta

Southern Africa Safari 2014

Group photo by Jerry Connolly