Namibia and Botswana

8 – 23 September 2012  

Guide: Steve Braine

INTRODUCTION

A very successful trip was undertaken before the annual migrants had arrived through Namibia and a portion of Botswana incorporating a section of the Okavango pan handle, (the area which widens out to form the impressive Okavango swamps). The trip entailed driving a total distance of 3503 km starting in the capital of Namibia, Windhoek and ending at this same destination. During the trip a total of 345 species were seen, a further five species were heard and not seen, 42 various mammals and 9 species of reptiles were also recorded.

Arlan and Linda arrived at Hosea Kutako airport outside Windhoek at 12h00 on the 8 September and we then transferred to our overnight accommodation in Windhoek, the Onganga Guesthouse.

The rest of the afternoon we spent around the Avis dam on the outskirts of Windhoek and thereafter we visited the Gammams sewerage works. We recorded a total of 60 species for the first day and around Avis Dam we had good views of Burnt-necked Eremomela, a soaring African White-backed Vulture, perched views of Black-winged (Black-shouldered) Kite, Rock Kestrel, Black-faced (cheeked) Waxbill, Pririt Batis, Swallow-tailed Bee-eater, Chestnut-vented Tit Babbler (Warbler), and along the shore line African Pipit, Black-winged Stilt, Blacksmith’s Plover (Lapwing), Little Egret and Three-banded and Kittlitz’s Plover. We also had very brief views of a pair of Orange-river Francolins and African Quail Finch; the former flushed from near the pathway by ourselves the latter flushed by some folks walking their dogs! When reaching our parked vehicle after our walk we had our first pair of Monteiro’s Hornbills fly by. At the Gammams sewerage works we added, to our now growing list, a few hundred Great White Pelicans, many Egyptian geese, White-breasted and Reed Cormorants, South African Shelduck, Cape Shoveler, Southern Pochard, Red-billed Teal, Maccoa Duck and two African Black Duck, also stunning views of Purple Gallinule (African Swamphen),Red-knobbed Coot, Common Moorhen, Little Grebe (Dabchick), Darter, Grey Heron, Cattle and Little Egret, also African (Marsh) Reed-Warbler, White-throated Swallow, White-backed Mousebird and the first of many Rock Martin.

After booking out of our overnight accommodation on our second day we purchased some picnic lunch and travelled via Rehoboth and Nauchas to our next overnight at Namibgrens situated on the escarpment a few kilometres before the spectacular Spreetshoogte pass. Just as we were leaving Windhoek we had views of Grey Hornbill and Bradfield’s Swifts soaring overhead, then along the road to Rehoboth we had very good views of a pair of Secretary birds, soaring Tawny Eagle, the first of many Cape Glossy and Burchell’s Starlings, Southern Yellow-billed Hornbills and on entering Rehoboth we had Alpine and Little Swifts circling overhead. From Rehoboth to Nauchas we saw the first of many Pale Chanting Goshawks as well as a few Buffy Pipits, Sociable Weavers with their enormous

nest structures in the trees as well as Telegraph poles, good views of Rufous-eared Warbler, Spike-heeled larks, Brubru, Dusky Sunbirds, Fiscal Shrikes (the western race with a prominent white supercilium), Chat and Marico Flycatchers, Scaly-feathered (Finch) Weaver, and Booted Eagles. On arrival at Namibgrens Guestfarm we had good sightings of Scarlet-chested Sunbird, Layard’s and Chestnut-vented (Warbler) Tit-Babbler, Yellow-bellied Eremomela, Crimson-breasted Shrike (Boubou), and the stunning White-tailed Shrike. Late afternoon we took a walk around the farm dam and had hundreds of Red-billed Teal, about fifty Maccoa Ducks, four Cape Shoveler,South African Shelduck, Egyptian Geese, Little Stints, Common Greenshanks, Wood Sandpiper, Pied Avocets, Blacksmith’s Plover (Lapwing), Three-banded Plover, Cape Wagtail, Little Grebe (Dabchick) and on the walk back Pied Barbet and Cardinal Woodpecker.

The following morning after breakfast we headed to the Spreetshoogte area to search for the elusive Herero Chat and Cinnamon-breasted Warbler but unfortunately a strong icy wind kept all the birds at bay and none of these were encountered, however near the bottom of the pass we had good views of White-throated Canary and Lark-like Bunting. Three majestic Kudu bulls made up for the loss of birds in the strong winds and later on we saw many Chat Flycatchers, Rock Martins, Mountain Wheatears, Ostrich, Greater Kestrels, and splendid close up views of Rüppell’s Korhaan.

Just before stopping for lunch at the Rostock Ritz, we stopped at the red dunes on the border of the Namib Park and called in a pair of the only true Namibian endemic, the Dune Lark,a little further on we had fine views of Cape (Black) Crows and another Greater Kestrel and near the lodge a pair of Namaqua Sandgrouse. After lunch we travelled via the Gaub and Kuiseb passes, through the Namib Park to Swakopmund. Highlights along the route were Karroo Lark, Karroo Chat, several more Rüppell’s Korhaan,Ostrich as well as good herds of Springbok, Oryx, a few distant Hartmann’s Mountain Zebra, Giraffe and a family of

distant Suricates (Meercats). Further along the road we stopped at the amazing Welwitchia mirabilis plants often referred to as the living fossils of the Namib, this is the only related conifer in Southern Africa. Just before entering Swakopmund we stopped at a small wetland in the Swakop River and recorded Tractrac Chat, Chestnut-banded Plover more Kittlitz’s Plovers, and at the Swakop salt works Curlew Sandpipers, Common Greenshanks, Pied Avocets, Kelp and Hartlaub’s Gulls, a few Greater and Lesser Flamingos and then we proceeded to Hotel Pension Rapmund where we spent the next two nights.

The following morning after breakfast we headed for the Walvis Bay lagoon, a proclaimed Ramsar site where we had spectacular views of thousands of both Greater and Lesser Flamingos, hundreds of various Sandpipers including Curlew Sandpiper, Marsh Sandpiper (the only one on the trip), Little Stints, Common Greenshanks, White-fronted and Chestnut-banded Plovers, Pied Avocets, Black-winged Stilts, Ruddy Turnstones, Ringed Plovers, and various Terns including Caspian, Swift (Greater crested), Sandwich and Common. Black-necked Grebes were plentiful and we found a small group of six Red-necked Phalaropes before heading back to the desert to look for the desert adapted Gray’s Lark. At the Guano platform between Swakopmund and Walvis Bay we saw thousands of Cape Cormorants and also had good scope views of Crowned Cormorant. We then searched the plains north of Swakopmund town where we found several Red-capped Larks, very good close up views of Tractrac Chat and eventually the Gray’s Lark. On returning we were lucky to see a single African Black Oystercatcher and near the Hotel good views of Orange River White-eye.

The following morning after breakfast saw us leaving in dense fog which continued for about 70 km before clearing, we were now travelling via the Spitzkoppe commonly referred to the Matterhorn of Namibia! And then we moved on to Omaruru for the next two nights. Here we were to search once again for the elusive Herero Chat amongst others. Just before the Spitzkoppe we had a huge Cape Cobra sunning itself on the road and shortly afterwards

were rewarded with good views of Karoo Long-billed Lark. At the Spitzkoppe we added Cape Bunting, Green-winged Pytilia, Mountain Wheatear, Pale-winged Starling, and we heard Bokmakierie calling in the distance but were unable to call it out or see it.

We however kept on searching for the Herero Chat and eventually found a fairly confiding bird which we followed as it was foraging and Linda was able to get some good pictures of the bird. While following this bird we also flushed a male Double-banded Sandgrouse which we had brief views of. We then had lunch and set off to our next destination in Omaruru, as we were leaving Linda spotted a big bird in the shade of a small tree which turned out to be the only Ludwig’s Bustard of the trip!

After booking in at our accommodation in Omaruru we set out on a short drive where we managed to get views of African Barred (Wren) Warbler, Violet-eared Waxbill,distant Hartlaub’s Francolin(Spurfowl), Pearl-spotted Owl and a Black Mongoose (Shadow Hunter) before returning where we called up a very obliging African Scops Owl.

The following morning we devoted our time to the Francolin and Rockrunner and were rewarded with superb sightings of both species. We also managed to see a perched but distant Verreaux’s Eagle, Damara Red-billed Hornbill, Carp’s Tits, Southern Yellow-billed Hornbills, Violet-eared Waxbills, Brown-crowned Tchagra, Red-crested Korhaan and Double-banded Sandgrouse on the road. On returning to our hotel we had superb views of Violet Woodhoopoe, Southern Pied Babbler, Red-faced Mousebird, and Common Scimitarbill. Later on a short walk we found Golden-tailed Woodpecker, Golden-breasted Bunting, a close up Lilac-breasted Roller and on arrival back at our hotel a brief glimpse of a pair of Rüppell’s Parrots.

The next morning we added White-browed Coucal to the list as it worked its way through the reed beds behind the lodge, possibly a vagrant to the area. We then headed northbound for the Etosha National Park where we were to spend one night at Okaukuejo and two nights in Halali within the Park. We travelled via Kalkveld and Outjo and en route had spectacular views of Lappet-faced and African White-backed Vultures perched in trees near the road, we also got good views of Tawny Eagle, Crowned Lapwing (Plover),Fawn-coloured Lark and several Southern Yellow-billed and Damara Red-billed Hornbills before entering the park. After booking in at Okaukuejo we set off to Okondeka north of Okaukuejo and along the way had perfect sightings of Pink-billed Lark, Spike-heeled Larks, Northern Black Korhaan, Ostrich, Black and Pied Crows, Kori Bustard and Double-banded Courser.

En route were plenty of plains game, Burchell’s Zebras, Springbok, Oryx, Blue Wildebeest, Black-backed Jackal and a sleeping pride of lions at the Okondeka waterhole. On the way back we saw a further three young male lions lying in the shade next to the road and loads more plains game.

Southern Ant-eating Chats were common and we also had brief glimpses of Rufous-naped Lark, Greater striped Swallows and at the camp many Little Swifts.

The following day we had a leisurely drive to Halali camp, our accommodation for the next two nights. We visited several waterholes en route and managed to have views of many Grey-backed (Finch) Sparrow and Chestnut-backed (Finch) Sparrow larks, also many Red-capped larks, Pied Crows, more Secretary Birds and a Spotted Hyena just before Gemsbokwater waterhole. Plains game as well as a few African Elephant and Giraffe were seen and on arrival at Rietfontein waterhole a huge breeding herd of about sixty elephant were observed drinking and bathing. Here we also saw Common Sandpiper, Wood Sandpiper, African Jacana, Egyptian Geese, Red-billed Teal, Tawny Eagle, soaring Bateleur and a beautiful female Martial Eagle which came in to drink and spent some time at the waterhole. Other game such as Greater Kudu and Black-faced Impala also came to drink. On arriving at Halali we added Red-billed Buffalo Weaver, several more Violet Woodhoopoe and at the camp waterhole many Dusky Sunbirds, Cinnamon and Golden-breasted Buntings, Green-winged Pytilia, Red-billed Queleas, Shaft-tailed Whydahs and good views of Shikra (Little-banded Goshawk).

In and around the camp we added White-crowned Shrike, Damara Red-billed Hornbill, and a Gabar Goshawk on a nest. We also had excellent views of African and White-faced Scops Owls. A short drive to the Helio Hills near Halali delivered perfect views of Bare-cheeked Babblers.

The next day we visited several waterholes in the Halali area and huge impressive flocks of Red-billed Quelea at Goas as well as Black-headed Heron and Green-spotted Dove at Halali, besides these two species we did not find any further species to add to our list for the day.

Today we leave for Shamvura camp on the Okavango River a very long day as we needed to do some birding in the Burkea/Baikeaie woodland near Rundu. We booked lunch at Roy’s camp and hit the road early from Halali; we had to drive via Namutoni camp, Tsumeb, Grootfontein and Rundu to Shamvura. From Tsumeb we had good views of Red-breasted Swallows, flying Wahlberg’s and African Hawk Eagles and at Roy’s camp after a short walk we had good views of Black-faced Babblers. After lunch we travelled to the woodland areas south of Rundu and spent some time birding the area. We were lucky to stop at a site where we saw more Black-faced Babblers and a White-faced Scops Owl on a nest; here we also had our first glimpses of Orange-breasted Bush Shrike. Closer to Rundu at our next stop we were able to follow a small bird party and got good sightings of Rufous-bellied Tit, Green-capped Eremomela, Pale Flycatcher, Yellow White-eye, Yellow-fronted Canary, Amethyst Sunbird and Tinkling Cisticola. We then travelled on to Shamvura where we added Southern Brown-throated Weaver, Red-billed Firefinch, Southern Black Tit and many violet-backed (Plum-coloured) Starlings, African Barred Owl and later at night African Wood Owl. We also heard Rufous-eared and Fiery-necked Nightjars calling, but were unable to see either. The following morning we birded the woodland around the camp and had good sightings of Crested Francolin, White-browed (Heuglin’s) Robin Chat, Golden Weaver, Kurricane Thrush, Yellow-bellied Greenbul, Terrestrial Brownbul, Jameson’s Firefinch, Blue Waxbill, Lesser Honeyguide and both Red-eyed and Dark-capped Bulbuls. An afternoon boat drive with Mark from Shamvura offered good views of Pied Kingfisher, Malachite Kingfisher, Little, White-fronted and Carmine Bee-eaters, Swamp Boubou, African Fish Eagle, various herons and Egrets including Black Egret and Rufous-bellied Heron, but unfortunately no Slaty Egrets. However the most mesmerising experience was spending time at the Carmine Bee-eater colony where the birds were in a frenzy digging their burrows and interacting with one another, just before this we had got good views of Rock Pratincole,

African Skimmer , various Sandpipers including a rare vagrant Green Sandpiper! We also encountered many Hippopotamus and Nile crocodiles on the sand banks.

Once again after breakfast we travelled via the Mahangu Game Park to the Botswana border where we completed all the cross border formalities in record time and headed off to Drotsky’s Camp for the next two nights. In the Mahangu Park we encountered Roan Antelope, Common Impala, Sable, Reedbuck, Red Lechwe, Waterbuck, Warthog and a couple of lone Elephant bulls. On the floodplains we added Long-toed Plover (Lapwing), Wattled Crane, African Wattled Plover (Lapwing),Spur-winged Goose, Intermediate, Yellow-Billed, Great White, Cattle, Black and Little Egrets, Rufous-bellied Heron, Marabou Stork, African Openbill Stork, Yellow-billed Stork and in the trees on the edge of the floodplains Martial Eagle, Meve’s Longtailed, Greater Blue-eared and Burchell’s Starlings, Crimson-breasted Shrikes, Swamp Boubou, Magpie (Longtailed) Shrike and various Bee-eaters. After booking in at Drotsky’s we walked the riverine woodland and were lucky to get a glimpse of African Pygmy Kingfisher, Banded Harrier Hawk (Gynogenic), Coppery-tailed Coucal, many Arrow-marked and Hartlaub’s Babblers, Marico Sunbird, Brown Firefinch, Lesser Striped Swallow, Wire-tailed Swallow, Banded Martin, Brown-throated martin, White-fronted Bee-eaters and a brief glimpse of what could have been a Shelly’s Sunbird showing red on the chest and not purple/mauve as with the Marico Sunbird, we saw similar birds at Shamvura and Mark has photographs of them!

The next day was devoted to a morning and afternoon river cruise. The morning’s boat cruise delivered the secretive and difficult to find White-backed Night Heron, we also managed to get good views of Greater and Lesser Swamp Warblers, Little Rush Warbler and Chirping Cisticola. We also saw many Purple Herons, African Marsh Harrier, African Skimmer, African Fish Eagle and a range of Herons and Egrets previously seen. The afternoon boat trip also entailed walking certain riverine forest areas to search for the elusive

Pel's Fishing Owl which we eventually found with the help of the local staff behind Xaro Lodge, this would possibly remain the highlight of the trip!

Further downriver we saw more African Skimmers, Collared Pratincole, African Marsh Harriers and at a small floodplain we heard African Rail, had a brief glimpse of Greater Painted Snipe and the diminutive but extremely impressive African Pygmy Goose which gave us a fly-by!

The following day we proceeded back to the border control and had a slow drive through the Mahangu Park adding Swainson’s Spurfowl, and further Crested Barbets to the list. We also saw Mosque Swallow, Yellow-breasted Apalis in the park and in the woodland before Shamvura Yellow-throated Petrolia and a beautiful Red-headed Weaver male displaying to the female. On arriving at Shamvura we did further birding around the gardens but did not find any new species for our list.

The following day was the long haul back to Windhoek and a very early start was made to try and find some of the nightjars heard in the area. We had a brief sighting of one just before sunrise but were not successful with any of the nightjars. We stopped briefly at one or two localities and had a single Temminck's Courser near Grootfontein and while at lunch in Otjiwarongo added Lesser Masked Weaver to the list. We arrived tired although delighted at our list considering the time of the year and had an early dinner before retiring to bed.

The next morning we had a leisurely breakfast and after packing our baggage had a slow drive to Hosea Kutako airport for Arlan and Linda to catch their return flight. Thanks to Linda for all the photographs supplied to this trip report and also being the chief Bustard spotter throughout!

 

CHECKLIST

Tropical Birding: Nam CT - 2012 : 08 September 2012 - 23 September 2012

OSTRICHES Struthionidae 1 [Common] Ostrich Struthio camelus GUINEAFOWL Numididae 2 Helmeted Guineafowl Numida meleagris PHEASANTS, FOWL & ALLIES Phasianidae 3 Orange River Francolin Scleroptila levaillantoides 4 Crested Francolin Dendroperdix sephaena 5 Hartlaub's Spurfowl (Francolin) Pternistis hartlaubi 6 Red-billed Spurfowl (Francolin) Pternistis adspersus 7 Swainson's Spurfowl (Francolin) Pternistis swainsonii DUCKS, GEESE & SWANS Anatidae 8 White-faced Whistling Duck Dendrocygna viduata 9 Spur-winged Goose Plectropterus gambensis

10 Knob-billed (Comb) Duck Sarkidiornis melanotos 11 Egyptian Goose Alopochen aegyptiaca

12 South African Shelduck Tadorna cana 13 African Pygmy Goose Nettapus auritus 14 Cape Teal Anas capensis 15 Cape Shoveler Anas smithii 16 Red-billed Teal (Duck) Anas erythrorhyncha 17 Southern Pochard Netta erythrophthalma 18 Maccoa Duck Oxyura maccoa GREBES Podicipedidae

19 Little Grebe (Dabchick) Tachybaptus ruficollis 20 Black-necked (Eared) Grebe Podiceps nigricollis FLAMINGOS Phoenicopteridae

21 Greater Flamingo Phoenicopterus roseus 22 Lesser Flamingo Phoeniconaias minor STORKS Ciconiidae

23 Yellow-billed Stork Mycteria ibis 24 African Openbill Anastomus lamelligerus 25 Marabou Stork Leptoptilos crumeniferus IBISES, SPOONBILLS Threskiornithidae

26 [African] Sacred Ibis Threskiornis aethiopicus 27 Hadada Ibis Bostrychia hagedash 28 Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus 29 African Spoonbill Platalea alba HERONS, BITTERNS Ardeidae

30 Little Bittern Ixobrychus minutus 31 White-backed Night Heron Gorsachius leuconotus 32 Black-crowned Night Heron Nycticorax nycticorax 33 Striated Heron Butorides striata 34 Squacco Heron Ardeola ralloides 35 Rufous-bellied Heron Ardeola rufiventris 36 [Western] Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis 37 Grey Heron Ardea cinerea 38 Black-headed Heron Ardea melanocephala 39 Goliath Heron Ardea goliath 40 Purple Heron Ardea purpurea 41 [Western] Great Egret Ardea alba 42 Intermediate (Yellow-billed) Egret Egretta intermedia 43 Little Egret Egretta garzetta HAMERKOP Scopidae

44 Hamerkop Scopus umbretta PELICANS Pelecanidae

45 Great White Pelican Pelecanus onocrotalus CORMORANTS, SHAGS Phalacrocoracidae

46 Reed (Long-tailed) Cormorant Microcarbo africanus 47 Crowned Cormorant Microcarbo coronatus 48 White-breasted (Great) Cormorant Phalacrocorax lucidus 49 Cape Cormorant Leucocarbo capensis ANHINGAS, DARTERS Anhingidae

50 [African] Darter Anhinga rufa SECRETARYBIRD Sagittariidae

51 Secretarybird Sagittarius serpentarius KITES, HAWKS & EAGLES Accipitridae

52 Black-winged(shouldered) Kite Elanus caeruleus 53 Yellow-billed Kite Milvus aegyptius 54 African Fish Eagle Haliaeetus vocifer 55 White-backed Vulture Gyps africanus 56 Lappet-faced Vulture Torgos tracheliotus 57 Black-chested(-brstd) Snake Eagle Circaetus pectoralis 58 Brown Snake Eagle Circaetus cinereus 59 Bateleur Terathopius ecaudatus 60 African Marsh Harrier Circus ranivorus 61 African Harrier-Hawk Polyboroides typus 62 Pale Chanting Goshawk Melierax canorus 63 Gabar Goshawk Micronisus gabar 64 African Goshawk Accipiter tachiro 65 Shikra Accipiter badius 66 Tawny Eagle Aquila rapax 67 Verreaux's Eagle Aquila verreauxii 68 African Hawk-Eagle Aquila spilogaster 69 Wahlberg's Eagle Hieraaetus wahlbergi 70 Booted Eagle Hieraaetus pennatus 71 Martial Eagle Polemaetus bellicosus CARACARAS, FALCONS Falconidae

72 Pygmy Falcon Polihierax semitorquatus 73 Rock (Eurasian) Kestrel Falco rupicolus 74 Greater Kestrel Falco rupicoloides 75 Red-necked Falcon Falco chicquera 76 African Hobby Falco cuvierii 77 Lanner Falcon Falco biarmicus 78 Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus BUSTARDS Otididae

79 Kori Bustard Ardeotis kori 80 Ludwig's Bustard Neotis ludwigii 81 Rüppell's Korhaan (Bustard) Eupodotis rueppellii 82 Red-crested Korhaan (Bustard) Lophotis ruficrista

83 Northern Black Korhaan Afrotis afraoides RAILS, CRAKES & COOTS Rallidae

84 Black Crake Amaurornis flavirostra 85 African (Purple) Swamphen Porphyrio madagascariensis 86 Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus 87 Red-knobbed Coot Fulica cristata CRANES Gruidae

88 Wattled Crane Bugeranus carunculatus STONE-CURLEWS, THICK-KNEES Burhinidae

89 Water Thick-knee Burhinus vermiculatus 90 Spotted Thick-knee Burhinus capensis OYSTERCATCHERS Haematopodidae

91 African Oystercatcher Haematopus moquini STILTS, AVOCETS Recurvirostridae

92 Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus 93 Pied Avocet Recurvirostra avosetta PLOVERS Charadriidae

94 Long-toed Lapwing Vanellus crassirostris 95 Blacksmith Lapwing (Plover) Vanellus armatus 96 Crowned Lapwing Vanellus coronatus 97 [African] Wattled Lapwing Vanellus senegallus 98 Grey (Black-bellied) Plover Pluvialis squatarola 99 Common Ringed Plover Charadrius hiaticula

100 Kittlitz's Plover Charadrius pecuarius 101 Three-banded Plover Charadrius tricollaris 102 White-fronted Plover Charadrius marginatus 103 Chestnut-banded Plover Charadrius pallidus

PAINTED SNIPES Rostratulidae 104 Greater Painted Snipe Rostratula benghalensis

JACANAS Jacanidae 105 African Jacana Actophilornis africanus

SANDPIPERS, SNIPES Scolopacidae 106 Bar-tailed Godwit Limosa lapponica 107 Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus 108 Marsh Sandpiper Tringa stagnatilis 109 Common Greenshank Tringa nebularia 110 Wood Sandpiper Tringa glareola 111 Green Sandpiper Tringa ochropus 112 Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos 113 Ruddy Turnstone Arenaria interpres 114 Sanderling Calidris alba 115 Little Stint Calidris minuta

116 Curlew Sandpiper Calidris ferruginea 117 Ruff Philomachus pugnax

COURSERS, PRATINCOLES Glareolidae 118 Temminck's Courser Cursorius temminckii 119 Double-banded Courser Rhinoptilus africanus 120 Collared (Red-winged) Pratincole Glareola pratincola 121 Rock Pratincole Glareola nuchalis

GULLS, TERNS & SKIMMERS Laridae 122 African Skimmer Rynchops flavirostris 123 Grey-hooded Gull Chroicocephalus cirrocephalus 124 Hartlaub's Gull Chroicocephalus hartlaubii 125 Kelp Gull Larus dominicanus 126 Caspian Tern Hydroprogne caspia 127 Swift (Great Crested) Tern Thalasseus bergii 128 Sandwich Tern Thalasseus sandvicensis 129 Common Tern Sterna hirundo 130 Whiskered Tern Chlidonias hybrida

SANDGROUSE Pteroclididae 131 Namaqua Sandgrouse Pterocles namaqua 132 Double-banded Sandgrouse Pterocles bicinctus 133 Burchell's Sandgrouse Pterocles burchelli

PIGEONS, DOVES Columbidae 134 Common (Rock) Pigeon Columba livia 135 Speckled Pigeon Columba guinea 136 Red-eyed Dove Streptopelia semitorquata 137 Ring-necked Dove Streptopelia capicola 138 Laughing Dove Spilopelia senegalensis 139 Emerald-spotted Wood Dove Turtur chalcospilos 140 Namaqua Dove Oena capensis 141 African Green Pigeon Treron calvus

PARROTS Psittacidae 142 Rosy-faced Lovebird Agapornis roseicollis 142 Meyer's Parrot Poicephalus meyeri 144 Rüppell's Parrot Poicephalus rueppellii

TURACOS Musophagidae 145 Grey Go-away-bird Corythaixoides concolor

CUCKOOS Cuculidae 146 Coppery-tailed Coucal Centropus cupreicaudus 147 White-browed Coucal Centropus superciliosus 148 African Cuckoo Cuculus gularis

OWLS Strigidae 149 African Scops Owl Otus senegalensis

150 Southern White-faced Owl Ptilopsis granti 151 Pel's Fishing Owl Scotopelia peli 152 African Wood Owl Strix woodfordii 153 Pearl-spotted Owlet Glaucidium perlatum 154 African Barred Owlet Glaucidium capense

SWIFTS Apodidae 155 African Palm Swift Cypsiurus parvus 156 Alpine Swift Tachymarptis melba 157 Bradfield's Swift Apus bradfieldi 158 Little Swift Apus affinis 159 White-rumped Swift Apus caffer

MOUSEBIRDS Coliidae 160 White-backed Mousebird Colius colius 161 Red-faced Mousebird Urocolius indicus

ROLLERS Coraciidae 162 Purple (Rufous-crowned) Roller Coracias naevius 163 Lilac-breasted Roller Coracias caudatus

KINGFISHERS Alcedinidae 164 African Pygmy Kingfisher Ispidina picta 165 Malachite Kingfisher Alcedo cristata 166 Giant Kingfisher Megaceryle maxima 167 Pied Kingfisher Ceryle rudis

BEE-EATERS Meropidae 168 Swallow-tailed Bee-eater Merops hirundineus 169 Little Bee-eater Merops pusillus 170 White-fronted Bee-eater Merops bullockoides 171 Southern Carmine Bee-eater Merops nubicoides

HOOPOES Upupidae 172 African (Eurasian) Hoopoe Upupa africana

WOOD HOOPOES Phoeniculidae 173 Green Wood Hoopoe Phoeniculus purpureus 174 Violet Wood Hoopoe Phoeniculus damarensis 175 Common Scimitarbill Rhinopomastus cyanomelas

HORNBILLS Bucerotidae 176 Bradfield's Hornbill Tockus bradfieldi 177 [African] Grey Hornbill Tockus nasutus 178 Monteiro's Hornbill Tockus monteiri 179 [Damara] Red-billed Hornbill Tockus damarensis 180 [Southern] Red-billed Hornbill Tockus rufirostris 181 Southern Yellow-billed Hornbill Tockus leucomelas

AFRICAN BARBETS Lybiidae 182 Yellow-fronted Tinkerbird Pogoniulus chrysoconus

183 [Acacia] Pied Barbet Tricholaema leucomelas 184 Crested Barbet Trachyphonus vaillantii

HONEYGUIDES Indicatoridae 185 Lesser Honeyguide Indicator minor

WOODPECKERS Picidae 186 Golden-tailed Woodpecker Campethera abingoni 187 Cardinal Woodpecker Dendropicos fuscescens

WATTLE-EYES, BATISES Platysteiridae 188 Chinspot Batis Batis molitor 189 Pririt Batis Batis pririt 190 White-tailed Shrike Lanioturdus torquatus

HELMETSHRIKES Prionopidae 191 White[-crested] Helmetshrike Prionops plumatus

BUSHSHRIKES Malaconotidae

192 Orange (Sulphur)-breasted Bushshrike Chlorophoneus sulfureopectus

193 Brown-crowned Tchagra Tchagra australis 194 Black-crowned Tchagra Tchagra senegalus 195 Black-backed Puffback Dryoscopus cubla 196 Swamp (Gabon) Boubou Laniarius bicolor 197 Crimson-breasted Shrike (Gonolek) Laniarius atrococcineus 198 Brubru Nilaus afer

CUCKOOSHRIKES Campephagidae SHRIKES Laniidae

199 Magpie Shrike Urolestes melanoleucus 200 [Southern] White-crowned Shrike Eurocephalus anguitimens 201 Common Fiscal Lanius collaris

DRONGOS Dicruridae 202 Fork-tailed Drongo Dicrurus adsimilis

CROWS, JAYS Corvidae 203 Cape (Black) Crow Corvus capensis 204 Pied Crow Corvus albus

TITS, CHICKADEES Paridae 205 Carp's [Black] Tit Parus carpi 206 Southern Black Tit Parus niger 207 Rufous-bellied Tit Parus rufiventris 208 Ashy Tit Parus cinerascens

LARKS Alaudidae 209 Rufous-naped Lark Mirafra africana 210 Fawn-coloured Lark Calendulauda africanoides 211 Sabota Lark Calendulauda sabota 212 Dune Lark Calendulauda erythrochlamys 213 Karoo Long-billed Lark Certhilauda subcoronata

214 Spike-heeled Lark Chersomanes albofasciata 215 Gray's Lark Ammomanopsis grayi 216 Red-capped Lark Calandrella cinerea 217 Pink-billed Lark Spizocorys conirostris 218 Stark's Lark Spizocorys starki 219 Chestnut-backed Sparrow-Lark Eremopterix leucotis 220 Grey-backed Sparrow-Lark Eremopterix verticalis

BULBULS Pycnonotidae 221 African Red-eyed (B-front) Bulbul Pycnonotus nigricans 222 Dark-capped (Common) Bulbul Pycnonotus tricolor 223 Yellow-bellied Greenbul Chlorocichla flaviventris 224 Terrestrial Brownbul Phyllastrephus terrestris

SWALLOWS, MARTINS Hirundinidae 225 Brown-throated (Plain) Martin Riparia paludicola 226 Banded Martin Riparia cincta 227 Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica 228 White-throated Swallow Hirundo albigularis 229 Wire-tailed Swallow Hirundo smithii 230 Pearl-breasted Swallow Hirundo dimidiata 231 Rock Martin Ptyonoprogne fuligula 232 [Common] House Martin Delichon urbicum 233 Greater Striped Swallow Cecropis cucullata 234 Lesser Striped Swallow Cecropis abyssinica

235 Red-breasted (Rufous-chested) Swallow Cecropis semirufa

236 Mosque Swallow Cecropis senegalensis 237 South African [Cliff] Swallow Petrochelidon spilodera

REED WARBLERS AND ALLIES Acrocephalidae 238 Greater Swamp Warbler Acrocephalus rufescens 239 Lesser Swamp Warbler Acrocephalus gracilirostris

GRASSBIRDS AND ALLIES Megaluridae 240 Little Rush (African Bush) Warbler Bradypterus baboecala

CISTICOLAS AND ALLIES Cisticolidae 241 Rattling Cisticola Cisticola chiniana 242 Tinkling (Gray) Cisticola Cisticola rufilatus 243 Chirping Cisticola Cisticola pipiens 244 Zitting (Fan-tailed) Cisticola Cisticola juncidis 245 Desert Cisticola Cisticola aridulus 246 Rufous-eared Warbler Malcorus pectoralis 247 Tawny-flanked Prinia Prinia subflava 248 Black-chested Prinia Prinia flavicans 249 Yellow-breasted Apalis Apalis flavida 250 Grey(Green)-backed Camaroptera Camaroptera brevicaudata

251 Barred Wren-Warbler Calamonastes fasciolatus 252 Yellow-bellied Eremomela Eremomela icteropygialis 253 Green-capped Eremomela Eremomela scotops 254 Burnt-necked Eremomela Eremomela usticollis

FAMILY UNCERTAIN Incertae Sedis 255 Rockrunner (Damara Rockjumper) Achaetops pycnopygius 256 Long-billed (Cape) Crombec Sylvietta rufescens

BABBLERS, PARROTBILLS Timaliidae 257 Black-faced Babbler Turdoides melanops 258 Arrow-marked Babbler Turdoides jardineii 259 Hartlaub’s Babbler Turdoides hartlaubii 260 Southern Pied Babbler Turdoides bicolor 261 Bare-cheeked Babbler Turdoides gymnogenys

SYLVIID BABBLERS Sylviidae 262 Chestnut (Rufous)-vented Warbler Sylvia subcaerulea 263 Layard's Warbler Sylvia layardi

WHITE-EYES Zosteropidae 264 [Orange River] (Cape) White-eye Zosterops pallidus 265 African Yellow White-eye Zosterops senegalensis

STARLINGS Sturnidae 266 Wattled Starling Creatophora cinerea 267 Cape (Glossy) Starling Lamprotornis nitens 268 Greater Blue-eared (Glossy) Starling Lamprotornis chalybaeus 269 Meves's (Glossy) Starling Lamprotornis mevesii 270 Burchell's (Glossy) Starling Lamprotornis australis 271 Violet-backed Starling Cinnyricinclus leucogaster 272 Pale-winged Starling Onychognathus nabouroup

THRUSHES Turdidae 273 Groundscraper Thrush Psophocichla litsitsirupa 274 Kurrichane Thrush Turdus libonyanus

CHATS, OLD WORLD FLYCATCHERS Muscicapidae 275 White-browed Robin-Chat Cossypha heuglini 276 White-browed Scrub Robin Cercotrichas leucophrys 277 Kalahari Scrub Robin Cercotrichas paena 278 Karoo Scrub Robin Cercotrichas coryphaeus 279 Herero Chat Namibornis herero 280 [African] Stonechat Saxicola torquatus 281 Capped Wheatear Oenanthe pileata 282 Mountain Wheatear Oenanthe monticola 283 Karoo Chat Cercomela schlegelii 284 Tractrac Chat Cercomela tractrac 285 Familiar Chat Cercomela familiaris

286 (Southern) Ant-eating Chat Myrmecocichla formicivora 287 Short-toed Rock Thrush Monticola brevipes 288 Pale Flycatcher Bradornis pallidus 289 Chat Flycatcher Bradornis infuscatus 290 Marico (Mariqua) Flycatcher Bradornis mariquensis 291 Ashy Flycatcher Muscicapa caerulescens 292 African Dusky Flycatcher Muscicapa adusta 293 Collared Sunbird Hedydipna collaris 294 Amethyst Sunbird Chalcomitra amethystina 295 Scarlet-chested Sunbird Chalcomitra senegalensis 296 Marico (Mariqua) Sunbird Cinnyris mariquensis 297 Shelley's Sunbird Cinnyris shelleyi 298 White-breasted(-bellied) Sunbird Cinnyris talatala 299 Dusky Sunbird Cinnyris fuscus

OLD WORLD SPARROWS Passeridae 300 White-browed Sparrow-Weaver Plocepasser mahali 301 Sociable (Social) Weaver Philetairus socius 302 House Sparrow Passer domesticus 303 Great (Rufous) Sparrow Passer motitensis 304 Cape Sparrow Passer melanurus 305 Southern Grey-headed Sparrow Passer diffusus 306 Yellow-throated Petronia Gymnoris superciliaris

WEAVERS, WIDOWBIRDS Ploceidae 307 Red-billed Buffalo Weaver Bubalornis niger 308 Scaly[-feathered] Weaver Sporopipes squamifrons 309 Holub's Golden Weaver Ploceus xanthops 310 Southern Brown-throated Weaver Ploceus xanthopterus 311 Southern Masked Weaver Ploceus velatus 312 Village Weaver Ploceus cucullatus 313 Chestnut Weaver Ploceus rubiginosus 314 Lesser Masked Weaver Ploceus intermdeius 315 Red-headed Weaver Anaplectes melanotis 316 Red-billed Quelea Quelea quelea 317 Fan-tailed Widowbird Euplectes axillaris

WAXBILLS, MUNIAS & ALLIES Estrildidae 318 Green-winged Pytilia Pytilia melba 319 Red-headed Finch Amadina erythrocephala 320 Brown Firefinch Lagonosticta nitidula 321 Red-billed Firefinch Lagonosticta senegala 322 Jameson's Firefinch Lagonosticta rhodopareia 323 Blue Waxbill Uraeginthus angolensis 324 Violet-eared Waxbill Uraeginthus granatinus

325 Common Waxbill Estrilda astrild 326 Black-faced(cheeked) Waxbill Estrilda erythronotos 327 African Quail-Finch Ortygospiza fuscocrissa

INDIGOBIRDS, WHYDAHS Viduidae 328 Village Indigobird Vidua chalybeata 329 Pin-tailed Whydah Vidua macroura 330 Shaft-tailed Whydah Vidua regia

331 Long-tailed (Eastern) Paradise Whydah Vidua paradisaea

WAGTAILS, PIPITS Motacillidae 332 Cape Wagtail Motacilla capensis 333 African Pied Wagtail Motacilla aguimp 334 African Pipit Anthus cinnamomeus 335 Buffy Pipit Anthus vaalensis

FINCHES Fringillidae 336 Black-throated Canary Crithagra atrogularis 337 Yellow-fronted Canary Crithagra mozambica 338 Yellow Canary Crithagra flaviventris 339 White-throated Canary Crithagra albogularis

BUNTINGS & ALLIES Emberizidae 340 Lark-like Bunting Emberiza impetuani 341 Cinnamon-breasted Bunting Emberiza tahapisi 342 Cape Bunting Emberiza capensis 343 Golden-breasted Bunting Emberiza flaviventris

Additional Species 344 Black Duck Anas sparsa 345 Benguela Long-billed Lark Certhilauda benguelensis

MAMMALS Squirrels Sciuridae 1 S African Ground Squirrel Xerus inauris 2 Smith's Bush Squirrel Paraxerus cepapi Hares & Rabbits Leporidae 3 Scrub Hare Lepus saxabilis Hyraxes Procavidae 4 Rock Hyrax Procavia capensis Baboons & Monkeys Cercopithecidae 5 Savanna Baboon Papio cynocephalus ursinus 6 Vervet Monkey Cercopithecus pygerythrus Bushbabies Loridae 7 Lesser Bush Baby Galago moholi Dogs & Allies Canidae 8 Black-backed Jackal Canis mesomelas

Mongooses Herpestridae 9 Slender Mongoose Herpestes sanguinea

10 Banded Mongoose Mungos mungo 11 Yellow Mongoose Cynictis penicillata 12 Suricate (Meerkat) Suricata suricatta Hyaenas Hyaenidae

13 Spotted Hyaena Crocuta crocuta Cats Felidae

14 African Wild Cat Felis sylvestris 15 Lion Panthera leo Elephants Elephantidae

16 African Elephant Loxodonta africana Horses Equidae

17 Plains (Burchell's) Zebra Equus quagga burchellii 18 Hartmann's Mountain Zebra Equus zebra hartmannae Rhinoceroses Rhinocerotidae

19 Black Rhinoceros Diceros bicornis Hippopotamuses Hippopotamidae

20 Hippopotamus Hippopotamus amphibius Pigs Suidae

21 Common Warthog Phacochoerus africanus Giraffes Giraffidae

22 Giraffe Giraffa camelopardalis Bovids & Horned Ungulates Bovidae

23 African Buffalo Syncerus caffer 24 Eland Taurotragus oryx 25 Greater Kudu Tragelaphus strepsiceros 26 Bushbuck Tragelaphus scriptus 27 Common Waterbuck Kobus ellipsiprymnus 28 Lechwe Kobus leche 29 Sable Antelope Hippotragus niger 30 Roan Antelope Hippotragus equinus 31 Gemsbok Oryx gazella 32 Common Reedbuck Redunca arundinum 33 Blue Wildebeest Connochaetes taurinus 34 Red Hartebeest Alcelaphus buselaphus 35 Tsessebe Damaliscus lunatus

36 Impala Aepyceros melampus melampus

37 Black-faced Impala Aepyceros melampus petersi 38 Springbok Antidorcas marsupialis 39 Steenbok Raphicerus campestris 40 Damara Dik-dik Madoqua damarensis

Additional species 41 Black Mongoose (Shadow Hunter) Galerella nigrata 42 Tree Rat Thallomps paedulcus REPTILES AND AMPHIBIANS 1 Namibian Rock Agama Agama planiceps 2 Striped Skink Mabuya wahlbergii 3 Variegated Skink Mabuya variegata 4 Mole Snake Pseudaspis cana 5 Nile Crocodile Crocodylus niloticus 6 Nile (Water) Monitor Varanus niloticus 7 Marsh Terrapin Pelomedusa subrufa Additional species 8 Cape Cobra Naja Nivea 9 Shovel-nosed Sand Lizard Meroles anchietae