Tropical Birding Trip Report Namibia & Botswana, Aug-Sept 2019
A Tropical Birding custom tour
August 22 – September 4, 2019 Tour Leaders: Crammy Wanyama & Emma Juxon Report and photos by Crammy Wanyama
Groundscraper Thrush is not a tough bird but one full of character
Our August 2019 Namibia custom tour was a success. Namibia is a fascinating country of flats, hills and mountains with constantly changing habitats. These unique habitats that have given a home to diverse wildlife that can easily be overlooked while wandering around. These include a couple of perfectly camouflaged reptiles, endemics like the reddish Dune Lark, the long-legged Tenobriodis beetles with legs made for handling this dry and hot part of the world. We searched for birds and other wildlife from the plains, dry flatlands and dunes, along with life-supporting sandy rivers, the incomparable game-filled Etosha National Park. and the wooded sand-lands of Botswana. August is not the time of the year to expect rains, but the country is filled with wildlife that has adapted to this dry climate. It also has very welcoming people and some of the most panoramic views of the region. It is a destination with perfect backgrounds for photography, great for casual as well as hardcore photographers, and these shots help enjoying the beautiful memories that will linger.
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Red-backed-Scrub-Robin
Day 1 - August 22, 2019: Arrival to Walvis Bay With Emma, we had arrived in Namibia the previous day and spent a night in Windhoek the country's Capital. We didn’t do much, but but admired the beauty of this very scenic country as we got to our hotel. Although the sighting was not very lengthy and we had not yet met with the members of the group, it is worth mentioning our only sighting of the three Orange River Francolins that we saw first thing after getting out of the airport! The other birds seen between the airport and before nightfall at our lodge included Red-billed Francolin, Southern Yellow-billed Hornbill, White-backed Mousebirds, Southern Masked Weavers, a big flock of Wattled Starlings heading out to their roosts, Cape Sparrow, Mariqua Sunbird, Cape and Pied Crows, Helmeted Guineafowl and Great White Pelicans.
On this first full day, we drove to Walvis Bay to catch up with our group that was coming in from Cape Town, all worked well and decided to go out and find some birds. After meeting the team, we headed out birding right away, and our first animal was the desert-adapted Namaqua Chameleon that we pulled out of the most perfect camouflaged on a rock. Further on, while looking for the most significant target, the Dune Lark, we saw Namaqua Sand Lizards the other reptile in less than two hours of nature activity. We got spectacular observations of the Dune Lark and enjoyed the niceness of seeing the country's most true endemic on the first day of the tour.
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The desert-adapted Namaqua Chameleon blends in well in Dorob National Park
After the Dune Lark search, we birded to the lodge for check-in. We looked hard for the Tractrac Chat in vain but got great looks of White-fronted Plover, both Lesser and Greater Flamingos, Kelp and Hartlaub's Gulls, Cape Wagtail, Cape Sparrow and many more. During our drive from Windhoek, we saw the Karoo and Tractrac Chats, Chat Flycatcher, Capped Wheatear, Cape Starling, Fork-tailed Drongo, Little Egret and Gray's Lark, among others. We checked in and later went out for our first dinner as a team; we enjoyed delicious Seafood that was swimming that morning.
Day 2 - August 23, 2019: Birding Walvis Bay and Swakopmund We expected a little windy morning, but things turned out a lot much better. We had a pleasant morning with brilliant ocean views, and in general, the good weather gave us good birding day to the end. We started with a couple of Common Waxbill that love the tree at our lodge, Red-faced Mousebird, very nice Orange River White-eye and Greater and Lesser Flamingos which we were able to observe through our breakfast window.
Dune Lark - We were lucky to find Namibia’s most true endemic on the first day of the tour
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We drove to the Walvis Bay's great salt evaporation pans and made several stops to scan and find several migratory waders. Walvis Bay is undoubtedly one of the most productive coastal spots throughout southern Africa. We were able to observe hundreds of Curlew Sandpiper, Whimbrel, Ruff, Common Greenshank, Marsh Sandpiper, Little Stint, White-fronted, Kittlitz's Lesser Sand and the tiny Chestnut Banded Plover. An excellent collection of Terns; Common, the uncommon Arctic, Swift, Caspian, Sandwich and the small Damara. Our Cormorant list had three species for today; Cape, Crowned and Great. We also scanned the ocean for some mammals and got Heaviside and Common Bottlenose Dolphins and a Cape Fur Seal. After lunch, we went back to the desert to take care of the unfished business from the previous day. We got our Tractac Chat, Gray's and Red-capped Larks along with hundreds of Eared Grebes.
Day 3 – August 24, 2019: Birding to Omaruru via Spitzkoppe After our breakfast, we drove towards Omaruru, which was the end of the day's destination. On the way there, we paid brief visits to a couple of spots, among which the most scenic and iconic Spitzkoppe was. Spitzkoppe which is easily describable as a series of granitic inselbergs has attracted a few regional endemics animals including birds, and because of its stunning looks, it is a prime site for travellers. On our way driving through a sunny and very windy day, we were able to have more looks at the Tractrac Chat, Grey-backed Sparrow- Lark, Stark's and the Red-capped Larks, a pair of Lanner Falcons, Ruppell's Bustard, Alpine Swift and Rock Martin. We saw Pied Crow and found also found the Karoo Long-billed Lark.
Chestnut-banded Plover at Walvis Bay
When we arrived at the Spitzkoppe, we decided first to have our packed birding lunch and then looked around for the regular resident species. Interestingly, while at lunch, we got guests that understood that caring human beings shared.
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The Pale-winged Starling and Mountain Wheatear as the head of the guests were joined by Black-fronted Bulbul and South African Ground Squirrel. The walk around after our lunch, saw the uncommon Layard's Warbler, Black- chested Prinia, Pririt Batis, White-tailed Shrike, Yellow-bellied Eremomela, a pair of Monteiro's Hornbills, Cape Crombec, Pied Barbets, a pair of fly-by Violet Woodhoopoes among others. We also got excellent views of Cape Hyrax and a Namibia Rock Agama.
The last drive to the lodge added, Fort-tailed Drongo, Short-tailed Rock- thrush, Karoo Chat, Chat Flycatcher, Sabota Lark, White-quilled Bustard, Damara Red-billed Hornbill, Gray Go-away-bird and many more others. After a very delicious dinner and back to our rooms, we decide no to go to sleep until we got looks at the African Scops-Owl that called close to our rooms. A pair of African Scops-Owl was the reward to our tireless efforts.
Day 4 – August 25, 2019: Birding Omaruru areas and Transfer to Erongo Mountains. We woke up early for a pre-breakfast which lasted about an hour. We walked down river Omaruru and added Bearded Woodpecker, Damara Red-billed Hornbill, Red-billed Francolin, and useful observations of the African Hoopoe. After breakfast, we drove to Khan River where we looked for Rupell's Parrot in vain but good looks at Chestnut-vented Warbler, Pearl-spotted Owlet, Kalahari Scrub-Robin, Short-toed Rock-thrush, Burchell's Starling and Ashy Tit.
We saw Rosy-faced Lovebird (above) in big numbers and Red-winged Pytilia (below) at Erongo
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We proceeded to our lodge at Erongo and had a warm lunch before checking in. The very well located restaurant that seats in the rocks attracted a very tame Familiar Chat, White-throated Canary, Green-winged Pytillia and the unusually attractive Rosy-faced Lovebirds. We later did a walk around the facility, which ended atop the rocks to enjoy the profound reflections of the sun on the rocks and an incredible sun-downing experience. Before and after darkness fell, we added Hartlaub's Francolin, Yellow-throated Petronia, Rock Kestrel and Freckled Nightjar to our sightings.
This was a very tame Familiar Chat at Erongo
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Day 5 – August 26, 2019: Birding to Etosha Practically, this was a driving day; however, we started with watching birds at the lodge's birdbath. The previous day, we had not successfully found the Rockrunner, so we made another try, and this time, it is acceptable to say that it was effortless. Our drive was full of good sighting; the Martial Eagle, Brown Snake-Eagle, an immature Gabar Goshawk, Lapped-faced, Double- banded Courser, Namaqua Sandgrouse and White-backed Vultures were among them. After checking in at our lodge, we went for a leisurely birding walk around the campsite during which we saw the range-restricted Bare-cheeked Babblers, Southern Yellow-billed Hornbill and the Crimson-breasted Gonolek.
Day 6 – August 27, 2019: Birding Etosha National Park Namibia's number one birding travel spot continues to provide a very conducive habitat to its wildlife. The well-maintained waterholes continue to be a strong magnet to the wildlife, which would probably be tough to find is one went looking anywhere within the around the park. Our drives along deferent racks in a range of micro-habitats and stops at several waterholes presented satisfying wildlife views for our souls. Our mammal list added plenty before the end of the day. Among them included Springbok antelope, Steenbok, Gemsbok, Blue Wildebeest, Black-backed Jackal, African bush elephant, South African Giraffe, three Ratel in broad daylight, Four-stripped grass mouse and Yellow mongoose.
Bare-cheeked Babbler (above) Red-backed-Scrub-Robin (below)
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Our bird list included the large Common Ostrich, Kori and Ludwig's Bustards but also added Spike-healed, Sabota, Fawn-coloured and more Red- capped Larks, Chestnut-backed Sparrow-lark, Sociable Weaver, Greater Kestrel and Burchell's Course.
After lunch, we did another drive to a few more waterholes during which we saw a Leopard with a kill in a tree. We were also able to find Wood Sandpiper, Red- headed Finch, South African Shelduck, Little Grebe, Cape Crow, Whit- headed Vulture, Bateleur, and an adorable Red-necked Falcon during this drive. After our buffet dinner, the team was happy to spend some time by the waterhole at the camp. There was life at the waterhole in the night! The vocalisation of the animals out in the wild will forever linger, and the joy brought by the experience of seeing Spotted Hyenas and Mohol bushbaby as we returned to the camp, can only be well explained by ground observations.
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Violet-eared Waxbill
Day 7 – August 28, 2019: Birding Etosha for Another Day We made a morning visit to the waterhole before leaving the camp; it was a little slow activity, but we watched a Gabar Goshawk hunting a Ring-necked Dove. The prey fell to the ground energyless while the Goshawk waited from a nearby branch, we then walked down the gardens and found Carp's Tit and Southern Red-billed Hornbill. We continued to explore Etosha National Park's waterholes that provided us with Hartebeest and Greater Kudu as the new mammals. Furthermore, lots of birds among which included Red-billed Duck, Violet-eared Waxbill, Swainson's Francolin, Tawny Eagle, Red-crested Bustard, Lilac-breasted Roller, Grey-backed Sparrow-Lark, Pink- billed and Rufous-naped Larks, Burchell's Starling and many more.
We saw the nomadic Burchell’s Courser at Etosha NP
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Day 8 – August 29, 2019: Birding Etosha to Kavango
The very small Kirk's dik-dik (damarensis) at Etosha
After our breakfast, we set out for a quite lengthy drive but decided to pass by Klein Okevi waterhole for Burchell's and Double-banded Sandgrouses, unfortunately, this usually bustling spot during the mornings, was slow this day. Therefore we decided to exit the park.
Driving through, we got a Dark Chanting Goshawk and Brown Snake Eagle as our first birds of prey and a Southern White-faced Owl that was roosting in a tree by the roadside. We later approached our lunch stop and enjoyed it amidst a lovely setting surrounded by several bird calls. Getting to the lunch facility and around it, we saw Golden-breasted and Lark-like Buntings, Southern Cordonbleu, a bunch of Violet-eared Waxbills, White-bellied Sunbird, Red- billed Quelea and the first of our many Greater Blue-eared Starlings. As we continued with the drive, we saw a couple of Ground Scraper Thrushes by the roadside and got welcomed by Bradfield's Hornbill and Magpie Shrike as we approached our lodge. While enjoying our lovely dinner by the famous Kavango river, Hippopotamus vocalisations were an awe-inspiring source of entertainment.
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African Barred Owlet resided at our lodge along Kavango river
Day 9 – August 30, 2019: Birding Kavango River Today's breakfast was one of the most birdy ones before we sat the gardens stormed us with a set of all-new birds for our tour. Among the many, that showed up was the Senegal Coucal, Swamp Boubou, Common Bulbul, Black- faced Waxbills, Holub's Golden Weaver, Kurichane Thrush, a flock of White- helmet Shrikes which are known for showing up in groups. On our to the boat ride down-stream the Kavango river, we enjoyed a great day light-lit African Barred Owlet, and on approaching the jetty, there was a Black Crake, Lesser Swamp Warbler, a nesting pair of Hartlaub's Babblers and White-browed Robin-Chat.
One of the 3 Ratel we saw hunting during a wildlife drive in Etosha
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This relaxed boat ride sailed by the river banks getting us so close to the birds and schools of Hippopotamus, and Nile Crocodiles. New birds like Cattle and Great Egrets, Little, White-fronted and Southern Carmine Bee-eaters, Malachite, Pied and Giant Kingfisher, African Jacana, Spectacled Weaver, Water Thick-knee, Common Sandpiper, Collared Pratincole, Tawny-flanked Prinia, Black-collared Barbet, African Darter, Long-tailed Cormorant and Black-crowned Night Heron showed very nicely. We also got looks at African Swamphen, flight views of the African Fish-Eagle, among others. After our lunchtime siesta, we went out for late afternoon birding in a the dry and sandy woodlands of this part of the country. The prolonged drought was very evident here, and with this, it is not surprising that we met a hard time finding the most desired birds. With luck, we were able to get Sharp-tailed Starling, Yellow-fronted Canary, a pair of Common Scimitarbill, Scarlet- chested Sunbird, Pale Flycatcher, Violet-backed Starling and a pair of Meyer's Parrots.
Day 10 – August 31, 2019: Birding Mahango Game Reserve and to Botswana We did a morning walk around our gardens before breakfast, counting on the previous day's luck! It turned out to be windy today, and that is not the best birding weather. However, there was a reward for the effort; we got a Little Sparrow-hawks plucking feathers off its prey hunted this morning and an adorable Mourning Collared-Dove. After breakfast, we drove to Mahango Game Reserve through moister northern Namibia, but because of the drought, it all appeared scorched. All the wildlife pleasure we had today, we owe to the very adoptive animals; a couple of Mariqua Sunbirds first stopped us, Black-faced Babblers, Croaking Cisticola, and a very vocal Yellow-fronted Tinkerbird. One of the stops intended to find us Arnot's Chat revealed Rufous-bellied Tit, Chin-spot Batis, Green-capped Eremommela, Tinkling Cisticola, Cardinal Woodpecker and Pale Flycatcher among others.
White-fronted Bee-eater
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When we got to our last, Namibian Wildlife reserve; Mohango Game Reserve, we added a few good birds to our list, most of which were classic African Waterfowl that we found while scanning from the banks. New mammals like Lechwe, Southern Reedbuck, Impala and Topi showed up for addition to our evergrowing list. When we got to Botswana, the Collared Sunbird was our first new bird, then Yellow-bellied Greenbul, Arrow-marked Babler and Black- collared Barbet as part of the team that received us when we arrived at the lodge.
Day 11 – September 1, 2019: Birding Okavango River This morning we took a three boat ride upstream the Okavango river. It was a bit chilly despite a warmer previous day. Nevertheless, we enjoyed the prolific wildlife at the riverside. Papyrus is one of the dominant habitats here before we started going through it, we got the elusive White-backed Night-Heron that played a little hard to get. For this heron species, it is not very right to say that better views can be guaranteed anywhere else. A good number of African Fish- Eagles, including one that portrayed its fishing tactics before us. A flock of African Skimmers was an enjoyable, African Marsh Harrier, a couple of Herons and Egrets like the world's largest the Goliath and Squacco Herons, Little and Great Egrets and both sexes of the Giant Kingfishers.
Retz’s Helmetshrike
After the boat ride, we had a delightful birding lunch from our lodge and took it easy until the heat of the day cooled down. It is during the last hours of the day that most birds come out for dinner, which takes them to the next day.
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Pel’s Fishing-Owl
Therefore our timing was perfect and brought us excellent behavioural observations of Arrow-marked Babbler, Terrestrial Brownbul, Crested Barbet, Green Woodhoopoes, Purple-banded Sunbird, Hammerkorp, Lesser Swamp Warbler, African Reed Warbler, Yellow-breasted Apalis, Lesser- masked Weaver and Southern Brown-throated Weaver. After dinner, we tried out and successfully saw African Woodowl and also heard Fiery-necked Nightjar.
Day 12 – September 2, 2019: Birding Around Okavango After an early breakfast, we did a leisurely birding walk along the riverine forest and the nearby woods and thickets. To be honest, this was the busiest morning throughout the trip. The woods flooded with birds including two Owls of which the fierce Pel's Fishing-Owl was among and the African Wood Owl. The other birds included the Colourful Sulphur-breasted Bush-shrike, Brown Firefinch, the skittish Retz's Helmetshrike, African Green Pigeons and also bettered our views of Bearded Woodpecker and Purple-banded Sunbird before breaking off for lunch. After lunch, we took a boat ride downstream, another smooth and very comfortable ride that showed us Spur-winged and African Pygmy Geese, Slaty and Intermediate Egret, Village Weavers, Buffy Pipit and Whiskered Tern as we returned.
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Black-collared Barbet
13 – September 3, 2019: Birding to Maun of Botswana Our second last day of the tour covered some driving distance to Maun, where we would take our flights at the end of the tour. Leaving the fantastic riverine forest accommodation, we drove through the sandy grounded Kalahari Habitats. Pleasantly, the roadsides have attracted a bunch of bird species. One of them which was the Southern Pied Babbler which had eluded us from Namibia! We enjoyed great views of one at an open parch, and the other new one was a female Black-bellied Bustard. After arriving at the lodge, we realised that the gardens harboured Red-billed Buffalo Weaver, Red-billed Firefinch, Barnett's Woodpecker and Red-headed Weaver.
Day 14 – September 4, 2019: Birding Moun and Transfer to The Airport As most of the accommodation facilities we stayed at, this too had a welcoming habitat for birds. Therefore we chose our time wisely and wondered around the facility for a few more birds trip birds. We were able to add and with fantastic views, a female and male Red-billed Firefinch and a charming breading male Red-headed Weaver. We repeated several of the other birds that we had seen earlier. We later caught up with our flights to end a fabulous trip in two countries that treated us so well.
Bird List Reference: - The taxonomic order and nomenclature follows Clements, version 2019 - https://avibase.bsc-eoc.org/
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STRUTHIONIFORMES: Struthionidae Common Ostrich Struthio camelus
ANSERIFORMES: Anatidae White-faced Whistling-Duck Dendrocygna viduata Egyptian Goose Alopochen aegyptiaca South African Shelduck Tadorna cana Spur-winged Goose Plectropterus gambensis African Pygmy-Goose Nettapus auritus Cape Teal Anas capensis Red-billed Duck Anas erythrorhyncha
GALLIFORMES: Numididae Helmeted Guineafowl Numida meleagris
GALLIFORMES: Phasianidae Hartlaub's Francolin Pternistis hartlaubi Red-billed Francolin Pternistis adspersus Swainson's Francolin Pternistis swainsonii Orange River Francolin Scleroptila gutturalis G
PHOENICOPTERIFORMES: Phoenicopteridae Greater Flamingo Phoenicopterus roseus Lesser Flamingo Phoeniconaias minor
PODICIPEDIFORMES: Podicipedidae Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis Eared Grebe Podiceps nigricollis
COLU MBIFORMES: Columbidae Rock Pigeon Columba livia Speckled Pigeon Columba guinea Mourning Collared-Dove Streptopelia decipiens Red-eyed Dove Streptopelia semitorquata Ring-necked Dove Streptopelia capicola Laughing Dove Streptopelia senegalensis
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Emerald-spotted Wood-Dove Turtur chalcospilos Namaqua Dove Oena capensis African Green-Pigeon Treron calvus
PTEROCLIFORMES: Pteroclidae Namaqua Sandgrouse Pterocles namaqua Double-banded Sandgrouse Pterocles bicinctus G
OTIDIFORM ES: Otididae Kori Bustard Ardeotis kori Ludwig's Bustard Neotis ludwigii Rüppell's Bustard Eupodotis rueppelii Red-crested Bustard Eupodotis ruficrista White-quilled Bustard Eupodotis afraoides Black-bellied Bustard Lissotis melanogaster
MUSOPHAGIFORMES: Musophagidae Gray Go-away-bird Corythaixoides concolor
CUCULIFORMES: Cuculidae Senegal Coucal Centropus senegalensis Coppery-tailed Coucal Centropus cupreicaudus
CAPRIMULGIFORMES: Caprimulgidae Fiery-necked Nightjar Caprimulgus pectoralis H Freckled Nightjar Caprimulgus tristigma
CAPRIMULGIFORMES: Apodidae Alpine Swift Apus melba Little Swift Apus affinis White-rumped Swift Apus caffer African Palm-Swift Cypsiurus parvus
GRUIFORMES: Rallidae Eurasian Moorhen Gallinula chloropus African Swamphen Porphyrio madagascariensis
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Black Crake Zapornia flavirostra
GRUIFORMES: Gruidae Wattled Crane Bugeranus carunculatus
CHARADRIIFORMES: Burhinidae Water Thick-knee Burhinus vermiculatus Spotted Thick-knee Burhinus capensis
CHARADRIIFORMES: Recurvirostridae Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus Pied Avocet Recurvirostra avosetta
CHARADRIIFORMES: Charadriidae Long-toed Lapwing Vanellus crassirostris Blacksmith Lapwing Vanellus armatus Crowned Lapwing Vanellus coronatus Wattled Lapwing Vanellus senegallus Lesser Sand-Plover Charadrius mongolus Kittlitz's Plover Charadrius pecuarius Three-banded Plover Charadrius tricollaris White-fronted Plover Charadrius marginatus Chestnut-banded Plover Charadrius pallidus
CHARADRIIFORMES: Jacanidae African Jacana Actophilornis africanus
CHARADRIIFORMES: Scolopacidae Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus Ruddy Turnstone Arenaria interpres Ruff Calidris pugnax Curlew Sandpiper Calidris ferruginea Little Stint Calidris minuta Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos Common Greenshank Tringa nebularia Marsh Sandpiper Tringa stagnatilis
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Wood Sandpiper Tringa glareola
CHAR ADRIIFORMES: Glareolidae Burchell's Courser Cursorius rufus Double-banded Courser Smutsornis africanus Collared Pratincole Glareola pratincola
CHARADRIIFORMES: Laridae Hartlaub's Gull Chroicocephalus hartlaubii Kelp Gull Larus dominicanus Damara Tern Sternula balaenarum Caspian Tern Hydroprogne caspia Whiskered Tern Chlidonias hybrida Common Tern Sterna hirundo Arctic Tern Sterna paradisaea Great Crested Tern Thalasseus bergii Sandwich Tern Thalasseus sandvicensis African Skimmer Rynchops flavirostris
CICONIIFORMES: Ciconiidae African Openbill Anastomus lamelligerus Saddle-billed Stork Ephippiorhynchus senegalensis Marabou Stork Leptoptilos crumenifer Yellow-billed Stork Mycteria ibis
SULIFORMES: Anhingidae African Darter Anhinga rufa
SULIFORMES: Phalacrocoracidae Long-tailed Cormorant Microcarbo africanus Crowned Cormorant Microcarbo coronatus Great Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo Cape Cormorant Phalacrocorax capensis
PELE CANIFORMES: Pelecanidae Great White Pelican Pelecanus onocrotalus
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PELECANIFORMES: Scopidae Hamerkop Scopus umbretta
PELECANIFORMES: Ardeidae Gray Heron Ardea cinerea Goliath Heron Ardea goliath Great Egret Ardea alba Intermediate Egret Ardea intermedia Little Egret Egretta garzetta Slaty Egret Egretta vinaceigula Black Heron Egretta ardesiaca Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis Squacco Heron Ardeola ralloides Striated Heron Butorides striata Black-crowned Night-Heron Nycticorax nycticorax White-backed Night-Heron Gorsachius leuconotus
PELECANIFORMES: Threskiornithidae Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus African Sacred Ibis Threskiornis aethiopicus Hadada Ibis Bostrychia hagedash African Spoonbill Platalea alba
ACCIPITRIFORMES: Accipitridae Black-winged Kite Elanus caeruleus African Harrier-Hawk Polyboroides typus White-headed Vulture Trigonoceps occipitalis Lappet-faced Vulture Torgos tracheliotos White-backed Vulture Gyps africanus Bateleur Terathopius ecaudatus Brown Snake-Eagle Circaetus cinereus Martial Eagle Polemaetus bellicosus Tawny Eagle Aquila rapax Dark Chanting-Goshawk Melierax metabates Pale Chanting-Goshawk Melierax canorus
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Gabar Goshawk Micronisus gabar African Marsh-Harrier Circus ranivorus Shikra Accipiter badius Little Sparrowhawk Accipiter minullus Black Kite Milvus migrans African Fish-Eagle Haliaeetus vocifer
STRIGIFORMES: Strigidae African Scops-Owl Otus senegalensis Southern White-faced Owl Ptilopsis granti Pel's Fishing-Owl Scotopelia peli Pearl-spotted Owlet Glaucidium perlatum African Barred Owlet Glaucidium capense African Wood-Owl Strix woodfordii
COLIIFORMES: Coliidae White-backed Mousebird Colius colius Red-faced Mousebird Urocolius indicus
BUCEROTIFORMES: Upupidae Eurasian Hoopoe Upupa epops
BUCEROTIFORMES: Phoeniculidae Green Woodhoopoe Phoeniculus purpureus Violet Woodhoopoe Phoeniculus damarensis Common Scimitarbill Rhinopomastus cyanomelas
BUCEROTIFORMES: Bucerotidae Bradfield's Hornbill Lophoceros bradfieldi African Gray Hornbill Lophoceros nasutus Southern Yellow-billed Hornbill Tockus leucomelas Monteiro's Hornbill Tockus monteiri Southern Red-billed Hornbill Tockus rufirostris Damara Red-billed Hornbill Tockus damarensis
CORACIIFORMES: Alcedinidae
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Half-collared Kingfisher Alcedo semitorquata Giant Kingfisher Megaceryle maxima Pied Kingfisher Ceryle rudis
CORACIIFORMES: Meropidae White-fronted Bee-eater Merops bullockoides Little Bee-eater Merops pusillus Swallow-tailed Bee-eater Merops hirundineus Southern Carmine Bee-eater Merops nubicoides
CORACIIFORMES: Coraciidae Lilac-breasted Roller Coracias caudatus Rufous-crowned Roller Coracias naevius
PICIFORMES: Lybiidae Crested Barbet Trachyphonus vaillantii Yellow-fronted Tinkerbird Pogoniulus chrysoconus Pied Barbet Tricholaema leucomelas Black-collared Barbet Lybius torquatus
PICIFORMES: Indicatoridae Lesser Honeyguide Indicator minor
PICIFORMES: Picidae Cardinal Woodpecker Chloropicus fuscescens Bearded Woodpecker Chloropicus namaquus Bennett's Woodpecker Campethera bennettii G Golden-tailed Woodpecker Campethera abingoni
FALCONIFORMES: Falconidae Rock Kestrel Falco rupicolus Greater Kestrel Falco rupicoloides Red-necked Falcon Falco chicquera Lanner Falcon Falco biarmicus
PSITTACIFORMES: Psittaculidae
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Rosy-faced Lovebird Agapornis roseicollis
PSITTACIFORMES: Psittacidae Meyer's Parrot Poicephalus meyeri Rüppell's Parrot Poicephalus rueppellii G
PASSERIFORMES: Oriolidae African Black-headed Oriole Oriolus larvatus
PASSERIFORMES: Platysteiridae White-tailed Shrike Lanioturdus torquatus Chinspot Batis Batis molitor Pririt Batis Batis pririt
PASSERIFORMES: Vangidae White Helmetshrike Prionops plumatus Retz's Helmetshrike Prionops retzii
PASSERIFORMES: Malaconotidae Black-backed Puffback Dryoscopus cubla Gabon Boubou Laniarius bicolor Crimson-breasted Gonolek Laniarius atrococcineus Sulphur-breasted Bushshrike Telophorus sulfureopectus
PASSERIFORMES: Dicruridae Fork-tailed Drongo Dicrurus adsimilis
PASSERIFORMES: Laniidae Southern Fiscal Lanius collaris Magpie Shrike Corvinella melanoleuca White-crowned Shrike Eurocephalus anguitimens
PASSERIFORMES: Corvidae Cape Crow Corvus capensis Pied Crow Corvus albus
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PASSERIFORMES: Paridae Rufous-bellied Tit Melaniparus rufiventris Southern Black-Tit Melaniparus niger Carp's Tit Melaniparus carpi Ashy Tit Melaniparus cinerascens
PASSERIFORMES: Alaudidae Spike-heeled Lark Chersomanes albofasciata Gray's Lark Ammomanopsis grayi Karoo Long-billed Lark Certhilauda subcoronata Chestnut-backed Sparrow-Lark Eremopterix leucotis Gray-backed Sparrow-Lark Eremopterix verticalis Sabota Lark Calendulauda sabota Fawn-colored Lark Calendulauda africanoides Dune Lark Calendulauda erythrochlamys Eastern Clapper Lark Mirafra fasciolata Rufous-naped Lark Mirafra africana Monotonous Lark Mirafra passerina Red-capped Lark Calandrella cinerea Stark's Lark Spizocorys starki Pink-billed Lark Spizocorys conirostris
PASSERIF ORMES: Macrosphenidae Cape Crombec Sylvietta rufescens Rockrunner Achaetops pycnopygius
PASSERIFORMES: Cisticolidae Yellow-bellied Eremomela Eremomela icteropygialis Greencap Eremomela Eremomela scotops Yellow-rumped Eremomela Eremomela gregalis G Green-backed Camaroptera Camaroptera brachyura Yellow-breasted Apalis Apalis flavida Tawny-flanked Prinia Prinia subflava Black-chested Prinia Prinia flavicans Rufous-eared Warbler Malcorus pectoralis Rattling Cisticola Cisticola chiniana
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Tinkling Cisticola Cisticola rufilatus Chirping Cisticola Cisticola pipiens Desert Cisticola Cisticola aridulus
PASSERIFORMES: Acrocephalidae African Reed Warbler Acrocephalus baeticatus Lesser Swamp Warbler Acrocephalus gracilirostris G
PASSERIFORMES: Locustellidae Little Rush-Warbler Bradypterus baboecala H
PASSERIFORMES: Hirundinidae Plain Martin Riparia paludicola Banded Martin Riparia cincta Rock Martin Ptyonoprogne fuligula Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica White-throated Swallow Hirundo albigularis Wire-tailed Swallow Hirundo smithii Greater Striped Swallow Cecropis cucullata Lesser Striped Swallow Cecropis abyssinica Rufous-chested Swallow Cecropis semirufa Mosque Swallow Cecropis senegalensis South African Swallow Petrochelidon spilodera
PASSERIFORMES: Pycnonotidae Yellow-bellied Greenbul Chlorocichla flaviventris Terrestrial Brownbul Phyllastrephus terrestris Common Bulbul Pycnonotus barbatus Black-fronted Bulbul Pycnonotus nigricans
PASSERIFORMES: Sylviidae Layard's Warbler Sylvia layardi Chestnut-vented Warbler Sylvia subcoerulea
PASSERIFORMES: Zosteropidae Orange River White-eye Zosterops pallidus
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African Yellow White-eye Zosterops senegalensis
PASSERIFORMES: Leiothrichidae Hartlaub's Babbler Turdoides hartlaubii Black-faced Babbler Turdoides melanops Southern Pied-Babbler Turdoides bicolor Arrow-marked Babbler Turdoides jardineii Bare-cheeked Babbler Turdoides gymnogenys
PASSERIFORMES: Buphagidae Red-billed Oxpecker Buphagus erythrorynchus Yellow-billed Oxpecker Buphagus africanus
PASSERIFORMES: Sturnidae Wattled Starling Creatophora cinerea Violet-backed Starling Cinnyricinclus leucogaster Pale-winged Starling Onychognathus nabouroup Burchell's Starling Lamprotornis australis Meves's Starling Lamprotornis mevesii Sharp-tailed Starling Lamprotornis acuticaudus Greater Blue-eared Starling Lamprotornis chalybaeus Cape Starling Lamprotornis nitens
PASSERIFORMES: Turdidae Groundscraper Thrush Psophocichla litsitsirupa Kurrichane Thrush Turdus libonyana
PASSERIFORMES: Muscicapidae Mariqua Flycatcher Bradornis mariquensis Pale Flycatcher Agricola pallidus Chat Flycatcher Agricola infuscatus Gray Tit-Flycatcher Fraseria plumbea Kalahari Scrub-Robin Cercotrichas paena Red-backed Scrub-Robin Cercotrichas leucophrys White-browed Robin-Chat Cossypha heuglini Short-toed Rock-Thrush Monticola brevipes
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African Stonechat Saxicola torquatus Karoo Chat Emarginata schlegelii Tractrac Chat Emarginata tractrac Southern Anteater-Chat Myrmecocichla formicivora Mountain Wheatear Myrmecocichla monticola Capped Wheatear Oenanthe pileata Familiar Chat Oenanthe familiaris
PASSERIFORMES: Nectariniidae Collared Sunbird Hedydipna collaris Scarlet-chested Sunbird Chalcomitra senegalensis Mariqua Sunbird Cinnyris mariquensis Shelley's Sunbird Cinnyris shelleyi Purple-banded Sunbird Cinnyris bifasciatus White-breasted Sunbird Cinnyris talatala Dusky Sunbird Cinnyris fuscus
PASSERIFORMES: Ploceidae Red-billed Buffalo-Weaver Bubalornis niger Scaly Weaver Sporopipes squamifrons White-browed Sparrow-Weaver Plocepasser mahali Sociable Weaver Philetairus socius Red-headed Weaver Anaplectes rubriceps Spectacled Weaver Ploceus ocularis Holub's Golden-Weaver Ploceus xanthops Southern Brown-throated Weaver Ploceus xanthopterus Lesser Masked-Weaver Ploceus intermedius Southern Masked-Weaver Ploceus velatus Village Weaver Ploceus cucullatus Red-billed Quelea Quelea quelea
PASSERIFORMES: Estrildidae Common Waxbill Estrilda astrild Black-faced Waxbill Estrilda erythronotos Southern Cordonbleu Uraeginthus angolensis Violet-eared Waxbill Granatina granatina
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Green-winged Pytilia Pytilia melba Red-billed Firefinch Lagonosticta senegala Brown Firefinch Lagonosticta nitidula Red-headed Finch Amadina erythrocephala
PASSERIFORMES: Viduidae Shaft-tailed Whydah Vidua regia
PASSERIFORMES: Passeridae House Sparrow Passer domesticus Great Rufous Sparrow Passer motitensis Cape Sparrow Passer melanurus Southern Gray-headed Sparrow Passer diffusus Yellow-throated Bush Sparrow Gymnoris superciliaris
PASSERIFORMES: Motacillidae Cape Wagtail Motacilla capensis African Pied Wagtail Motacilla aguimp African Pipit Anthus cinnamomeus Long-billed Pipit Anthus similis Buffy Pipit Anthus vaalensis
PASSERIFORMES: Fringillidae Yellow-fronted Canary Crithagra mozambica Black-throated Canary Crithagra atrogularis Yellow Canary Crithagra flaviventris White-throated Canary Crithagra albogularis
PASSERIFORMES: Emberizidae Golden-breasted Bunting Emberiza flaviventris Cape Bunting Emberiza capensis Lark-like Bunting Emberiza impetuani
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Mammal List Reference: - The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Mammals of South Africa - Mammal Species of the World". National Museum of Natural History. Smithsonian Institution - Animal Diversity Web. University of Michigan Museum of Zoology. - https://en.wikipedia.org/
MACROSCELIDEA: Macroscelididae Western rock elephant shrew Elephantulus rupestris
HYRACOIDEA: Procoidea Cape hyrax Procavia capensis
PROBOSCIDEA : Elephantidae African bush elephant Loxodonta africana
PRIMATES: Galagidae Mohol bushbaby Galago moholi
PRIMATES: Cercopithecidae Vervet monkey Chlorocebus pygerythrus Chacma baboon Papio ursinus
RODENTIA: Hystricidae Cape porcupine Hystrix africaeaustralis
RODENTIA: Petromuridae Dassie rat Petromus typicus
RODENTIA: Sciuridae South African ground squirrel Xerus inauris Mountain ground squirrel Xerus princeps Smith's bush squirrel Paraxerus cepapi
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RODENTIA: Muridae Four-striped grass mouse Rhabdomys pumilio
LAGOMORPHA: Leporidae African savanna hare Lepus microtis
CETACEA: Delphinidae Heaviside's dolphin Cephalorhynchus heavisidii Common bottlenose dolphin Tursiops truncatus
CARNIVORA: Felidae Lion Panthera leo Leopard Panthera pardus
CARNIVORA: Viverridae Common genet Genetta genetta
CARNIVORA: Herpestidae Yellow mongoose Cynictis penicillata Slender mongoose Galerella sanguinea Black mongoose Galerella nigrata Banded mongoose Mungos mungo
CARNIVORA: Hyaenidae Spotted hyena Crocuta crocuta
CARNIVORA: Canidae Black-backed jackal Canis mesomelas
CARNIVORA: Mustelidae Ratel Mellivora capensis African clawless otter Aonyx capensis
CARNIVORA: Otariidae Cape fur seal Arctocephalus pusillus
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PERISSODACTYLA: Equus Burchell's zebra Equus quagga burchellii
PERISSODACTYLA: Rhinocerotidae Black rhinoceros Diceros bicornis chobiensis
ARTIODACTYLA: Suidae Common warthog Phacochoerus africanus
ARTIODACTYLA: Hippopotamidae Hippopotamus Hippopotamus amphibius
ARTIODACTYLA: Giraffidae South African giraffe Giraffa giraffa giraffa
ARTIODACTYLA: Bovidae Hartebeest Alcelaphus buselaphus Blue wildebeest Connochaetes taurinus Topi Damaliscus lunatus Springbok antelope Antidorcas marsupialis Kirk's dik-dik Madoqua kirkii Steenbok Raphicerus campestris African buffalo Syncerus caffer Bushbuck Tragelaphus scriptus Greater kudu Tragelaphus strepsiceros Gemsbok Oryx gazella Impala Aepyceros melampus Black-faced Impala Aepyceros melampus petersi Lechwe Kobus leche Southern reedbuck Redunca arundinum
Reptiles’ List – No taxonomy arrangement
1. Spotted Sandveld Lizard Nucras intertexta 2. Namaqua Sand Lizard Pedioplanisundata namaquensis 3. Etosha Agama Agama etoshae 4. Namibain Rock Agama Agama planiceps
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5. Namaqua Chameleon Chamaeleo namaquensis 6. Turner’s Tubercled Gecko Chondrodactylus turneri 7. Nile Crocodile Crocodylus niloticus
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