Botswana is home to a wide variety of birds, ranging from migratory species to endemic species. From the majestic Fish Eagle to the colorful Lilac-breasted Roller, Botswana’s birds are a sight to behold.
With over 600 species of birds in Botswana, there is something for everyone. From small songbirds to larger waterfowl, Botswana’s birds provide a unique and vibrant experience. Whether it’s bird watching, photography, or just enjoying the beauty of nature, Botswana’s birds will not disappoint.
1. Kori Bustard
The Kori Bustard is the largest flying bird native to Africa and part of the bustard family. It has a large body, with males reaching up to 20kg in weight – making it one of the heaviest living animals capable of flight.
Its range covers most African countries from Ethiopia all the way down south towards South Africa.
The Kori Bustard is omnivorous and feeds on insects, small lizards, seeds, fruit and even carrion if available.
Their feathers are mostly brownish grey while their heads have black stripes running over them which makes them easily identifiable when seen in its natural habitat.
They usually live alone or in pairs during breeding season but will gather into larger groups at other times throughout their lives; typically nesting on dry open grasslands near water sources for easy access to food and drink.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Otidiformes |
| Family | Otididae |
| Genus | Ardeotis |
| Species | A. kori |
2. African Jacana
The African Jacana is a charming wader belonging to the family of Jacanidae, mostly found in sub-Saharan Africa.
It has long toes and claws that allow it to walk on floating vegetation in shallow lakes which form its preferred habitat.
The bird was officially described by Johann Friedri in 1789 with an interesting origin and pronunciation for its name -Jacanidae.
This aquatic bird is known for its striking plumage features like yellow crowns and black wings marked with chestnut brown stripes across them, making them look even more attractive when they spread their wing feathers during courtship displays.
They feed mainly on insects, tadpoles, frogs etc., skimming nearby water surface or plucking prey from vegetation as they wander around these wetlands areas.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Charadriiformes |
| Family | Jacanidae |
| Genus | Actophilornis |
| Species | A. africanus |
3. Hamerkop
The Hamerkop is a unique wading bird found across sub-Saharan Africa and as far east as India.
It has an unmistakable silhouette, with its long bill topped by a crest at the back of its head that gives it the look of a hammerhead shark.
Its plumage consists mainly of browns and greys, providing excellent camouflage in reed beds.
The species was once classified alongside storks but is now believed to be closely related to pelicans and shoebills instead.
This medium-sized bird feeds on insects, fish, frogs or small reptiles which it captures from shallow water or plucks from trees near bodies of water.
Despite being considered ‘unlucky’ by some cultures due to superstition surrounding their appearance they are actually quite important for controlling populations of certain pests.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Pelecaniformes |
| Family | Scopidae |
| Genus | Scopus |
| Species | S. umbretta |
4. Bee-Eater
Bee-eaters are one of the most beautiful and vibrant birds in existence. They have a slender body, long wings, down turned bills and their signature elongated central tail feathers which make them instantly recognizable from afar.
Their plumage is incredibly colorful with many shades ranging from blues to greens to reds that glisten when they fly through the air.
These stunning creatures can be found all over Africa, Asia, Southern Europe, Australia and New Guinea where they feed mainly on bees but also other insects like flies or wasps as well as small mammals such as lizards or rodents.
Bee-eaters live in colonies near rivers or wetlands so that they may easily hunt for food while staying close together for safety purposes.
Additionally it allows them to better display their impressive courtship dances during mating season.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Coraciiformes |
| Family | Meropidae Rafinesque, 1815 |
5. Lilac-Breasted Roller
The Lilac-breasted Roller is a spectacular bird native to Southern and Eastern Africa, with occasional appearances in the southern Arabian Peninsula.
With its bright purple chest plumage and distinct black stripes on its wings and tail feathers, it stands out among birds of the same family.
It is usually found alone or in pairs perched atop trees or other high viewpoints, often used as lookout points for predators.
This species prefers open areas such as woodlands and savannas; it avoids treeless places like deserts due to their lack of protection from potential dangers.
Its call is loud and melodious – an unmistakable sound echoing through African skies.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Coraciiformes |
| Family | Coraciidae |
| Genus | Coracias |
| Species | C. caudatus |
6. Senegal Coucal
The Senegal coucal is a cuckoo-like bird native to Central and Southern Africa. It has a medium-sized body with black wings, tail and head along with white breast feathers.
Its natural habitat consists of lightly wooded savannahs where it feeds on insects, small reptiles, amphibians and fruits.
This species can be found in pairs or alone atop low bushes searching for prey or perched up high singing its distinctive song that features a mix of harsh notes as well as melodic ones.
The Senegal coucal enjoys the sun’s rays but also loves sheltering in dense vegetation when danger arises nearby.
Overall this beautiful bird makes an interesting addition to any backyard garden.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Cuculiformes |
| Family | Cuculidae |
| Genus | Centropus |
| Species | C. senegalensis |
7. African Rail
The African rail is a small, wetland bird of the rail family that can be found in eastern and southern Africa.
It was formally described by Johann Friedrich Gmelin in 1789 as part of his revised edition of Carl Linnaeus’s Systema Naturae.
This species has an olive-brown to blackish color with white stripes on its back, wings and tail feathers.
Its legs are yellow or orange colored and it has a short bill which is gray or brown above with red at the base below.
The African Rail feeds mainly on aquatic invertebrates such as insects, crustaceans, molluscs and worms but will also take some plant matter when available.
They usually live in marshes near water bodies where they build their nests between dense vegetation for protection from predators such as snakes and birds of prey like owls, hawks & eagles.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Gruiformes |
| Family | Rallidae |
| Genus | Rallus |
| Species | R. caerulescens |
8. Glossy Ibis
The Glossy Ibis is a water bird that belongs to the family Threskiornithidae. It has an unique bill in the shape of a sickle, which gave it its scientific name – Plegadis falcinellus.
It can be found widely across Europe, Asia and Africa, with scattered nesting sites in warm regions.
Its feathers are black-brown on top and chestnut brown from below; their wings have glossy greenish-purple sheen when seen from afar.
They mainly feed on small insects like grasshoppers, spiders or earthworms as well as crustaceans or amphibians caught while wading through shallow waters.
During breeding season they also consume plant material such as rice grains or corn kernels provided by humans near habitat areas where they nest.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Pelecaniformes |
| Family | Threskiornithidae |
| Genus | Plegadis |
| Species | P. falcinellus |
9. White-Backed Vulture
The White-backed Vulture, or Gyps africanus, is a species of Old World vultures that inhabits the African continent.
It has distinct features including down feathers on its head and neck as well as white ruff around its neck. Its wings are broad and its tail short.
This distinctive bird is primarily found in open habitats such as grasslands, savannahs, woodlands and wetlands where it feeds mainly on carrion from animals like wildebeests and zebras killed by other predators.
The White-backed Vulture plays an important role in maintaining balance within the food chain by helping to clean up carcasses left behind by larger carnivores which helps to reduce diseases caused by decaying matter while providing vital nutrients for scavenging birds like itself.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Accipitriformes |
| Family | Accipitridae |
| Genus | Gyps |
| Species | G. africanus |
10. Pink-Backed Pelican
The Pink-backed Pelican is a beautiful bird of the pelican family, found in Africa and southern Arabia.
They are resident breeders that inhabit swamps and shallow lakes, but were once seen in Madagascar as well.
It was formally described by German naturalist Johann Friedrich Gmelin back in 1789.
These birds have unique pink feathers on their backs which gives them their name along with grey or white heads with black wing tips.
They use their long beaks to scoop up fish from the water then drain out excess water before swallowing it whole.
The diet of these birds consists mainly of small fish like anchovies, sardines, and other types offish they can find near the surface of rivers or lakes.
With its long wingspan ranging between 2 – 3 feet (60 – 90 cm), this species has adapted perfectly for gliding over bodies of water while searching for prey to eat.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Pelecaniformes |
| Family | Pelecanidae |
| Genus | Pelecanus |
| Species | P. rufescens |
11. Greater Painted-Snipe
The Greater Painted-snipe is a medium-sized, plump wading bird found in marshes throughout Africa, South Asia and Southeast Asia.
It has distinctive features that make it stand out from its peers: a long reddish brown bill slightly curved at the tip with an eye patch of white or pinkish coloration; rounded wings speckled with buff spots; and a short tail.
The breast of this species has extensive white plumage which extends up around the top of its folded wing.
With its unique appearance, this avian beauty stands out among other birds in wetland habitats.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Charadriiformes |
| Family | Rostratulidae |
| Genus | Rostratula |
| Species | R. benghalensis |
12. Burchell’s Courser
Burchell’s courser is a small wader found in the western parts of southern Africa. Named after English naturalist William John Burchel, this diurnal and terrestrial bird lives in dry open country such as semi-deserts or scrubland.
It has greyish brown upperparts with white underparts, while its face shows bold dark stripes that give it an unusual appearance compared to other species of birds.
The diet mainly consists of insects which they catch by running around on foot like a quail.
In addition, these coursers are known for their habit of nocturnally roosting during cold weather conditions; they tend to huddle together at night time near shrubbery or grassy patches.
This fascinating species continues to captivate ornithologists today as one of Africa’s most unique avian inhabitants.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Charadriiformes |
| Family | Glareolidae |
| Genus | Cursorius |
| Species | C. rufus |
13. Red-Chested Cuckoo
The red-chested cuckoo is a medium size bird, measuring at around 31 cm. It has slate grey upper parts and pale grey throat and sides of head.
The tail has dark grey tip with white spots on it that provide an extra decorative feature to the already beautiful bird.
Its call in Afrikaans is ‘Piet-my-vrou’, which adds to its charm as one can easily relate this wonderful sound to the majestic creature itself.
Inhabiting Africa south of the Sahara, these birds are generally found near woodlands areas or tropical rainforests where they feed upon insects such as caterpillars, grasshoppers and wild fruits like berries for sustenance.
Their nesting habits involve laying eggs in other species’ nests usually after having eaten up some of their host’s eggs first. This unique behavior makes them fascinating creatures indeed.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Cuculiformes |
| Family | Cuculidae |
| Genus | Cuculus |
| Species | C. solitarius |
14. White-Fronted Bee-Eater
The White-fronted Bee-eater is a beautiful bird native to subequatorial Africa. It has an unmistakable white forehead, square tail and bright red throat patch that sets it apart from other species of bee eaters.
These birds typically nest in colonies by digging holes into cliffs or earthen banks near waterbodies.
During the day they can be seen perched on low trees waiting for passing insects which they swoop down upon with great agility to capture their prey midair.
They may also hover around flowers while searching for food – making them quite a sight to behold indeed.
All in all, these majestic creatures are truly fascinating to observe and make wonderful additions to any natural habitat.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Coraciiformes |
| Family | Meropidae |
| Genus | Merops |
| Species | M. bullockoides |
15. Rock Pratincole
The rock pratincole is a wading bird native to Africa. It has dark grey or brown plumage and features an eye-catching white line beginning beneath the eye extending back along its neck like a collar.
Its long wings are also marked with patches of white, making it easily distinguishable from other species.
There are two subspecies of rock pratincole: Glareola nuchalis gabonensis and Glareola nuchalis seuserti.
It typically feeds on insects but can sometimes feed on small fish too.
They nest in colonies near water sources such as rivers, lakes and marshes where they make their nests out of twigs woven together which sit atop vegetation above the ground’s surface.
Rock Pratincoles have adapted well to human presence often nesting close by humans settlements if predators aren’t present – so keep your eyes peeled for these beautiful birds next time you’re near one of their habitats.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Charadriiformes |
| Family | Glareolidae |
| Genus | Glareola |
| Species | G. nuchalis |
16. Little Bee-Eater
The Little Bee-eater (Merops pusillus) is a beautiful species of bird belonging to the family Meropidae.
These birds are found in much of Sub-Saharan Africa and their migration patterns depend on seasonal rainfall changes.
They have slender, brightly coloured bodies with an iridescent green sheen across the wings and back.
Their diet consists mainly of bees, wasps, dragonflies, moths and other insects which they catch mid-air or from perches above open grasslands or along mudbanks near water sources like rivers and lakes.
In order for these birds to digest their food properly before swallowing it whole, they use pebbles that help them grind up hard exoskeletons so as not to cause any blockages within their digestive tract – something only bee-eaters do.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Coraciiformes |
| Family | Meropidae |
| Genus | Merops |
| Species | M. pusillus |
17. Swallow-Tailed Bee-Eater
The Swallow-tailed bee-eater is a stunning bird, easily recognizable by its vibrant colours and forked tail. It has a green body with yellow throat, blue gorget and black eye stripe and beak.
Growing up to 20 – 22 cm in length from head to tail, these birds are quite slender.
They feed on insects such as bees, wasps or dragonflies that they catch in mid air before returning back to their perch where the prey is eaten.
These birds live in flocks of about 10 – 50 individuals which helps them protect against predators by forming an alert system amongst themselves when danger nears around them.
Being diurnal creatures, during night time they roost together over water streams or small trees making loud calls so as not to get lost while searching for each other come morning light.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Coraciiformes |
| Family | Meropidae |
| Genus | Merops |
| Species | M. hirundineus |
18. Red-Eyed Dove
The red-eyed dove (Streptopelia semitorquata) is an attractive bird native to Sub-Saharan Africa. It was first described by German naturalist Eduard Rüppell in 1835, and since then has been listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
These birds have a distinct appearance with greyish brown upperparts, paler underparts and a distinctive half collar of dark feathers around their neck.
They also have bright red eyes that contrast sharply against their otherwise dull plumage.
The diet of the red-eyed dove consists mostly of seeds and grains found on the ground or from shrubs, but they will occasionally eat insects too.
All in all this species is quite common across its range making it one of nature’s most eye catching creatures.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Columbiformes |
| Family | Columbidae |
| Genus | Streptopelia |
| Species | S. semitorquata |
19. Threskiornithidae
Threskiornithidae is a family of large wading birds which includes 36 species. These birds are traditionally divided into two subfamilies – the ibises and the spoonbills.
However, recent genetic analysis has shown that spoonbills actually belong to Old World ibis group, while New World ibises form an early offshoot from this lineage.
Threskiornithidse members have long curved beaks with serrated edges used for catching fish in shallow water or mudflats, as well as other aquatic invertebrates like crustaceans and mollusks.
They also feed on plant matter such as grains and seeds found close to wetlands areas where they live.
This diverse diet makes them important scavengers in their ecosystems, helping maintain healthy populations of native wildlife by controlling insect numbers and dispersing energy-rich seeds throughout wetland habitats.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Pelecaniformes |
| Suborder | Ardei |
| Family | Threskiornithidae Richmond, 1917 |
20. Denham’s Bustard
Denham’s bustard is a large bird belonging to the Bustard family found in Sub-Saharan Africa. It inhabits open ground including agricultural land, grassland and floodplains.
This species is resident but some inland populations move down south during winter season for better climate conditions.
The common names used for this species are dedicated to an English explorer called Stanley who first discovered it in 1841 while travelling across Central African Republic region.
Denham’s bustards have strong legs which help them take off quickly from the ground due to their heavy body weight of 2–3 kgs on average with wingspan ranging up till 140 cm long.
They feed mostly upon insects, rodents and seeds making them omnivorous birds.
These birds usually live solitary lives or forms small flocks when migrating but come together during breeding seasons as they build their nests close by each other and mate around same time period too.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Otidiformes |
| Family | Otididae |
| Genus | Neotis |
| Species | N. denhami |
21. Crested Guineafowl
The Crested Guineafowl is a beautiful bird native to sub-Saharan Africa. It has an overall blackish plumage with dense white spots, and features a distinctive black crest on the top of its head.
This guineafowl species typically measures around 50 cm in length and weighs between 721 – 1,543 g.
Its habitats include open forest, woodland and forest-savanna mosaics where it can find plenty of insects to feed on as well as some seeds or fruits from time to time.
As their populations are considered stable at the moment there is no need for conservation efforts but they should be monitored closely due to potential threats such as habitat loss caused by human activities like deforestation or poaching for meat consumption or egg collecting purposes.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Galliformes |
| Family | Numididae |
| Genus | Guttera |
| Species | G. pucherani |
22. Black-Winged Pratincole
The Black-winged Pratincole is a wader belonging to the Glareolidae family. It measures about 24 – 28 cm in length and has short legs, long pointed wings, as well as a forked tail.
This species was named after Finnish zoologist Alexander von Nordmann and nests in gravel habitats.
Its diet consists of insects which it catches on the wing while flying low over fields or water surfaces with rapid beating wings.
During breeding season it exhibits an extraordinary courtship flight accompanied by singing noises usually above its nesting grounds where they often breed in colonies together with other pratincoles or lapwings.
The black-winged pratincole also migrates great distances during winter months spending time primarily around Africa’s Mediterranean coastlines before heading back northwards when Spring arrives again.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Charadriiformes |
| Family | Glareolidae |
| Genus | Glareola |
| Species | G. nordmanni |
23. Jacanas
Jacanas are tropical waders belonging to the Jacanidae family. They have distinctive elongated toes and toenails which help them forage on floating or semi-emergent aquatic vegetation.
This adaptation gives them their nickname “Jesus birds” as they seem to be able to walk on water.
The female jacanas are also unique amongst bird species in that they take charge of nest building, incubation and caring for young while males perform courtship displays.
These unusual birds can be found throughout the world’s tropical regions where they inhabit wetlands such as swamps, marshes and shallow lakes with lily pads.
With a wide variety range due their special adaptations these beautiful creatures will surely continue living life at ease around our planet’s warmest waters.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Charadriiformes |
| Suborder | Thinocori |
| Family | Jacanidae Stejneger, 1885 |
24. African Skimmer
The African skimmer is a species of bird found in Sub-Saharan Africa along rivers, lakes and lagoons. It has long wings with a black back and crown.
The forehead and body are white, while the beak is bright orange but ending in yellow or black depending on its maturity level.
This fascinating creature feeds by skimming the surface of water for small fish which it eats whole head first.
Its feet have special adaptations to allow them to swim better rather than just walk on land like other birds do.
They form large colonies during breeding season usually near their food sources where they also lay eggs within shallow ground nests made out of mud, pebbles and grasses as well as line them with feathers from other birds.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Charadriiformes |
| Family | Laridae |
| Genus | Rynchops |
| Species | R. flavirostris |
25. Woodland Kingfisher
The Woodland Kingfisher is a beautiful bird, native to Africa south of the Sahara. It was first described in 1766 by Carl Linnaeus who called it Alcedo senegalensis.
This tree kingfisher has an attractive blue and white plumage with some red and black markings on its wings, tail and head.
The male also has a bright orange beak which helps to distinguish him from the female whose beak is yellowish-green.
These birds can usually be found in wooded areas near water sources such as rivers or lakes where they hunt for food including fish, frogs, small insects and even lizards.
They build their nests either high up in trees or inside holes dug out of banks near rivers and ponds.
Although not threatened yet, these lovely creatures need our protection so that future generations will have the chance to marvel at them too.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Coraciiformes |
| Family | Alcedinidae |
| Subfamily | Halcyoninae |
| Genus | Halcyon |
| Species | H. senegalensis |
26. Brown-Hooded Kingfisher
The Brown-hooded kingfisher is a species of bird found in Sub-Saharan Africa. It has a brown head and blackish, turquoise wings which makes it quite distinguishable among other types of birds.
They prefer to live near woodlands, scrubland, forest edges and even suburban areas so they can easily find food sources such as beetles, grasshoppers or small lizards that make up their diet.
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) considers the Brown-hooded Kingfisher as being of least concern due to its wide distribution range and abundance across many regions throughout Africa.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Coraciiformes |
| Family | Alcedinidae |
| Subfamily | Halcyoninae |
| Genus | Halcyon |
| Species | H. albiventris |
27. Stilts And Avocets
Stilts and avocets are two distinct groups of birds belonging to the family Recurvirostridae. They range in length from 30-46 cm (12-18 inches) and weigh between 140 – 435 g (4.9 – 15.3 ounces).
Males usually have slightly larger bodies than females, with long thin legs, necks and bills.
Avocet bills curve upwards uniquely while stilt beaks remain straight most times.
These wading birds live mainly near shorelines or wetlands where they feed on aquatic invertebrates like brine shrimp, insects etc., occasionally supplementing their diet with seeds or small fish too.
Stilts also inhabit open fields in search of food sources such as earthworms or grasshoppers during the non-breeding season.
Both groups migrate over large distances for warmer weathers when it gets cold outside.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Charadriiformes |
| Suborder | Charadrii |
| Family | Recurvirostridae Bonaparte, 1854 |
28. African Cuckoo
The African cuckoo is an easily recognizable species of bird belonging to the Cuculidae family. With its distinct plumage and call, it can be found in Sub-Saharan Africa, where it migrates seasonally.
During the rainy season they arrive in their breeding grounds ready to lay eggs in other birds’ nests as part of their nesting habits.
They are fairly common across much of Africa and have a conservation status rated as ‘least concern’ by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
The African cuckoo is medium sized with long tail feathers which provide them with excellent maneuverability while flying or perching on trees.
Its diet consists mainly insects such as caterpillars and dragonflies but sometimes also includes fruits or small reptiles if available.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Cuculiformes |
| Family | Cuculidae |
| Genus | Cuculus |
| Species | C. gularis |
29. Grey-Headed Gull
The Grey-headed Gull is a small species of gull that breeds patchily in South America and Africa south of the Sahara.
It has grey feathers on its head and wings, while its body is white with some brown spots near the tail.
This bird can be seen around coasts or inland lakes during winter times when it becomes more widespread.
Although not truly migratory, there have been rare cases where this species was recorded as a vagrant to North America, Italy and Spain.
The diet of these birds consists mainly of fish but also invertebrates such as mollusks, crustaceans and insects.
They usually forage alone or in pairs along shorelines looking for food items by probing mudflats or even stealing from other birds at times.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Charadriiformes |
| Family | Laridae |
| Genus | Chroicocephalus |
| Species | C. cirrocephalus |
30. Namaqua Sandgrouse
The Namaqua sandgrouse is a species of ground-dwelling bird belonging to the sandgrouse family.
It inhabits arid regions in south-western Africa and was formally described by German naturalist Johann Friedrich Gmelin in 1789 as part of his revised edition of Carl Linnaeus’ Systema Naturae.
Featuring a mottled buff, grey and brown plumage, it has black markings on its wings that help distinguish it from other birds within its range.
The male also displays an eye comb, which consists of two rows of upright feathers forming lengthy tufts around the eyes.
They feed mainly on seeds but will supplement their diet with insects if available during times when food is scarce.
During breeding season they form monogamous pairs who share incubation duties for up to four eggs per clutch before raising them together until they are ready to fledge at approximately 30 days old.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Pterocliformes |
| Family | Pteroclidae |
| Genus | Pterocles |
| Species | P. namaqua |
31. Allen’s Gallinule
Allen’s gallinule is a small waterbird belonging to the family Rallidae. Its scientific name, Porphyrio alleni, commemorates British naval officer Rear-Admiral William Allen (1792–1864).
It breeds in marshes and lakes across Sub-Saharan Africa. The bird usually builds its nest on floating vegetation or platforms of reeds near water bodies.
It feeds mainly on aquatic plants, tadpoles and insects that it finds while swimming in shallow waters or walking along the edges of wetlands.
They are highly social birds often seen foraging together with other species such as moorhens and coots.
The male is identified by his bright blue bill whereas females have brown bills with yellow tips during breeding season which helps them attract potential mates.
Allen’s Gallinules are quite vocal creatures making loud alarm calls when threatened by predators like eagles or herons which makes them interesting avian inhabitants of African wetlands.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Gruiformes |
| Family | Rallidae |
| Genus | Porphyrio |
| Species | P. alleni |
32. White-Backed Mousebird
The White-backed Mousebird is a large species of bird found in western and central areas of southern Africa. It loves to inhabit dry, scrubby habitats such as thornveld, fynbos scrub and semi-deserts.
This beautiful bird measures around 34 cm (13.5 inches) long with its tail accounting for approximately half the length.
Its plumage has grey upperparts with white underparts and black markings on its wings; it also features a bright white back which gives this species its name.
The diet consists mainly of insects, fruits, berries and seeds – so make sure your garden is well stocked if you want to attract one.
Despite being quite common throughout much of their range these birds remain relatively shy making them an exciting sighting when spotted out in the wild or at bird feeders closer to home.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Coliiformes |
| Family | Coliidae |
| Genus | Colius |
| Species | C. colius |
33. Red-Faced Mousebird
The Red-faced Mousebird is an easily recognizable species native to southern Africa from Zaire, Zambia and Tanzania south to the Cape.
It has a bright red face set against its otherwise grey body with white feathers on its wings and tail.
Measuring 34cm in length, it’s characterized by its long tail which makes up around half of this size.
These birds inhabit savannas with thickets, fynbos scrub or open woodlands as well as gardens and orchards where they feed mostly on insects but also fruit such as figs and dates.
They are often seen alone or in pairs but during breeding season they form large flocks that search for food together while roosting side-by-side at night time.
Despite their beautiful features these birds have been known to be destructive pests due to their tendency to destroy crops when looking for food sources.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Coliiformes |
| Family | Coliidae |
| Genus | Urocolius |
| Species | U. indicus |
34. Mourning Collared Dove
The Mourning Collared Dove is a species of dove found in Africa south of the Sahara. It is large, stocky and has distinct markings on its wings that resemble collars.
Its diet consists mainly of grains and seeds which it finds near water sources where it often mingles with other doves peacefully.
This bird makes cooing sounds as part of its courtship ritual to attract mates but also vocalises alarm calls when threatened or startled by predators.
They are widespread across their habitat range and commonly seen perched atop trees or flying about during dawn & dusk hours.
These birds make interesting avian companions for humans who appreciate their gentle nature & graceful beauty.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Columbiformes |
| Family | Columbidae |
| Genus | Streptopelia |
| Species | S. decipiens |
35. Emerald-Spotted Wood Dove
The Emerald-spotted Wood Dove is an incredible bird native to eastern and southern Africa. It has a unique plumage, with its back, hindneck, wings and tail being pale grey brown in color while its breast and belly are creamy white.
The most distinguishing feature of this dove however is the bright emerald spots on both sides of its neck which distinguishes it from other doves.
This small plump pigeon typically measures around 20 cm in length and can be found inhabiting open drier deciduous woodland or second growth areas but never evergreen rainforests or semi-deserts as these habitats lack suitable food sources for them to survive upon.
They feed primarily off fruits found within their natural environments such as wild figs, guavas etc., making them important seed dispersers for many plant species across their range.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Columbiformes |
| Family | Columbidae |
| Genus | Turtur |
| Species | T. chalcospilos |
36. Black Coucal
Black coucal is a species of cuckoo found in Africa south of the Sahara. Males are 30 cm long while females are 34 cm, both having similar appearance with black head and body along with buff barring on rump.
Wings have a reddish tinge to them making it easier to spot in its habitat. They breed during rains when food sources become abundant for their young ones.
Their diet consists mostly of insects like grasshoppers, beetles and caterpillars which they hunt from ground or trees depending on where their prey reside.
With such widespread distribution across Africa, this bird serves as an important part of the ecosystem by controlling insect population levels naturally thereby maintaining balance between various organisms living there.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Cuculiformes |
| Family | Cuculidae |
| Genus | Centropus |
| Species | C. grillii |
37. Klaas’s Cuckoo
Klaas’s cuckoo is a species of bird found in the wooded areas of sub-Saharan Africa.
The unique species was named after Klaas, the Khoikhoi man who collected the first specimen and presented it to French explorer François Le Vaillant in 1806.
It belongs to the family Cuculidae which encompasses many cuckoos around the world including Old World cuckoos native to Eurasia and New World tropical cuckoos from Central and South America.
This small bird can be identified by its greyish back, white belly with dark streaks on either side, yellowish brown wings with black tips along tail feathers, red eyes, pale bill and blue legs.
Its diet consists mainly of insects such as caterpillars while they are also known for their parasitic behaviour where they lay eggs inside other birds’ nests instead of building their own nest or incubating them themselves.
All in all , Klaas’s cukcoo is an interesting yet enigmatic creature that has been studied for centuries but still holds much mystery about itself.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Cuculiformes |
| Family | Cuculidae |
| Genus | Chrysococcyx |
| Species | C. klaas |
38. Black Cuckoo
The Black Cuckoo is a species of cuckoo native to sub-Saharan Africa. It has two distinct subspecies and is classified as “Least Concern” by the International Union for Conservation of Nature due to its wide range and high population numbers.
This bird measures about 32 cm in length, with males slightly larger than females. Its plumage varies from black or grey on its upperparts, while it’s underparts are white or light grey in colour, sometimes flecked with darker markings.
The wings have dark outer feathers but barred inner ones; the tail is rounded and usually blackish brown above while being whitish underneath.
This cuckoo feeds mainly on insects such as beetles and caterpillars which it finds amongst foliage or along woodland edges, occasionally also taking berries when available.
A distinctive call can be heard throughout much of their distribution area during breeding season – consisting of a soft ‘coo’ followed by an upward trill that increases in pitch at the end.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Cuculiformes |
| Family | Cuculidae |
| Genus | Cuculus |
| Species | C. clamosus |
39. Buff-Spotted Flufftail
The Buff-spotted Flufftail is a small, fluffy bird that can usually be found in sub-Saharan Africa. Its distinctive colors make it stand out from the crowd – its head and upper parts are brown with buff spots, while its underside is cream colored.
It has short wings, long legs and tail feathers for extra fluffiness. These birds mainly feed on insects such as grasshoppers and crickets but may also consume other invertebrates like snails or worms.
Outside of food sources they prefer to nest in dense vegetation near wetlands or swamps where there’s plenty of cover from predators.
They have been observed using their tails to help them when flying through thickets which helps them escape danger if needed.
Overall these unique looking birds are an interesting species that many people enjoy watching closely in their natural habitat.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Gruiformes |
| Family | Sarothruridae |
| Genus | Sarothrura |
| Species | S. elegans |
40. Yellow-Billed Oxpecker
The Yellow-billed Oxpecker is a passerine bird native to the savannahs of Sub-Saharan Africa. It was previously placed in the starling and myna family, Sturnidae.
These birds are characterized by their bright yellow bills, which give them their name.
They feed mainly on insects found on large mammals such as wildebeests and zebras, but also consume fruits from nearby trees or shrubs when available.
The species tends to dominate over its smaller relative -the Red-billed oxpecker – whenever they share feeding grounds together; although it is least common in eastern parts of its range where they overlap with each other’s territories.
All in all, this beautiful avian creature makes for an interesting sight while exploring the African Savannah.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Buphagidae |
| Genus | Buphagus |
| Species | B. africanus |
41. Red-Billed Spurfowl
The red-billed spurfowl is a species of bird found in Southern Africa. It has distinctive plumage, characterized by its bright red bill and brownish patches on the chest and back.
Males are larger than females, measuring 38 cm long with weights ranging from 340 to 635 g.
This species exhibits sexual dimorphism in size as well as coloration; males are darker than females with black bars across their wings while females have lighter colored stripes instead.
Their diet consists mainly of seeds and insects, but they will also eat small reptiles or amphibians when available.
They can be seen foraging around farmlands or grassy areas near water sources such as rivers or streams during the day time hours.
The Red-billed Spurfowl is an important food source for many predators due to its abundance throughout much of South Africa’s habitat range that make it easily accessible prey item for hunting animals like snakes, birds of prey and even large cats such as leopards.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Galliformes |
| Family | Phasianidae |
| Genus | Pternistis |
| Species | P. adspersus |
Also Featured In: Birds of Etosha National Park,
42. Common Buttonquail
The Common Buttonquail is a small bird that looks similar to the common quail. It has sandy brown upper parts, buff underparts with black flank markings, and a plain face.
When in flight, it shows off its whitish underside wings tinged with red edges.
This type of buttonquail can be found throughout Africa, India, and parts of Southeast Asia where they prefer grasslands or marshy areas for breeding grounds.
They feed on insects such as ants and beetles which they scour along the ground while walking slowly or running short distances followed by sudden stops when needed to capture their prey quickly.
As shy birds, these creatures will either run away from threats or hide in tall vegetation; rarely do they take flight unless absolutely necessary.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Charadriiformes |
| Family | Turnicidae |
| Genus | Turnix |
| Species | T. sylvaticus |
43. Racket-Tailed Roller
The Racket-tailed roller is a beautiful bird that can be found in Southern Africa. It belongs to the family Coraciidae and was formally described by Roland Trimen in 1880 under its current binomial name, Coracias spatulatus.
This species of bird ranges from Angola, south-eastern Democratic Republic of Congo and southern Tanzania all the way up to northern Botswana, Zimbabwe, Malawi and Mozambique.
The most distinguishing feature about this birds are their long tail feathers which have white tips at each end forming an unique “racket.”
They also have bright blue upperparts with black wings and a chestnut head along with pale yellowish breasts streaked brown or gray underneath.
These intelligent creatures feed mainly on insects such as beetles but they will also eat small fruits occasionally if available. In addition they enjoy bathing frequently during summer days making them even more fun to watch.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Coraciiformes |
| Family | Coraciidae |
| Genus | Coracias |
| Species | C. spatulatus |
44. Glareolidae
Glareolidae is a family of wading birds, consisting of four genera and 17 species. They are distinguished from other charadrii by their long bills which have a slight downward curve.
Glareolidae live around open grasslands and deserts, where they hunt for insects using the bill to probe into soil or vegetation.
Most species are found in Africa but two pratincoles inhabit parts of Europe and Asia as well.
Coursers tend to be larger than pratincoles with longer legs allowing them to run quickly across sandy dunes while feeding on small animals like lizards or spiders.
Pratincoles feed mainly on flying insects, snatching them out of midair with great agility during flight.
All glareolids share unique features such as large eyes that help it spot prey at night easily making this group one interesting bird family.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Charadriiformes |
| Suborder | Lari |
| Family | Glareolidae CL Brehm, 1831 |
45. Malachite Kingfisher
The Malachite Kingfisher is a beautiful bird found in Africa south of the Sahara. It has bright blue wings and tail, with greenish-black upperparts, white chin and breast and orange lower belly.
The species was first described by German naturalist Peter Simon Pallas in 1764 who gave it its binomial name “Alcedo cristata”.
This kingfisher typically inhabits rivers where it feeds on fish, frogs as well as aquatic invertebrates like crustaceans and insects.
Although mainly resident throughout the year, some do make seasonal movements due to climate changes.
These birds are monogamous during breeding season which usually lasts from August till October when they build their nests inside river banks or overhanging vegetation near water bodies.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Coraciiformes |
| Family | Alcedinidae |
| Subfamily | Alcedininae |
| Genus | Corythornis |
| Species | C. cristatus |
46. Stone-Curlew
Stone-curlews, also known as dikkops or thick-knees, are a family of birds that have adapted to live in tropical and temperate regions throughout the world.
They can be found in Africa, Asia and Australia with two or more species per region. Despite being classified as waders, most prefer dry arid habitats over moist wetlands.
Stone-curlews typically have long legs which help them navigate through their preferred terrain efficiently; some species even stand at an impressive height when standing on those long legs.
Additionally they feature cryptic plumage which helps them blend into their surroundings while hunting for prey such as insects and small mammals like rodents.
These unique bird’s calls are easily recognizable; it has been said that hearing one is similar to listening to someone whistling ‘Keee Weee’.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Charadriiformes |
| Suborder | Chionidi |
| Family | Burhinidae Mathews, 1912 |
47. Honeyguide
Honeyguides are small, near passerine birds belonging to the family Indicatoridae. Native to tropical regions of Asia and Africa, they’re best known for their unique relationship with humans.
They have a mutualistic association with people by leading them towards bee colonies in exchange for wax or honey from the hive after it has been opened up.
Honeyguide birds use special calls that sound like ‘tink-tink’ or ‘hweet hwuit’, which is thought to be their way of telling potential partners about food sources available nearby.
This remarkable ability makes them an invaluable resource for local communities and indigenous groups who rely on wild bees as a source of income and nutrition.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Piciformes |
| Infraorder | Picides |
| Family | Indicatoridae Swainson, 1837 |
48. Plovers
Plovers are a family of around 64-68 species of ground-dwelling birds, commonly found in open country such as fields, meadows and tundras.
They have short bills with webbed feet to help them forage through mud or shallow water.
Plover plumage is usually mottled brown though some species may have brighter colors on the head and wings.
These birds feed mainly on insects but can also eat small crustaceans and worms.
Plovers breed during springtime when they dig holes in sandy or pebbled beaches to lay their eggs which hatch after about 3 weeks incubation period.
They use distraction display behaviour by pretending an injury to the predators away from their nests if needed for protecting their young ones.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Charadriiformes |
| Family | Charadriidae Leach, 1820 |
49. Trogon
Trogons are a unique bird species that can be found all over the world. They belong to the order Trogoniformes and have only one family, called Trogonidae, which consists of 46 species in seven genera.
Fossil records show that trogons existed 49 million years ago during the Early Eocene period. It is believed they may be closely related or form part of two other orders: Coraciiformes and Passerines.
These birds typically have brightly colored feathers with some having iridescent colors on their wings and tails as well as red bellies and breasts.
Their diet mainly consists of fruit, insects, lizards and frogs but larger ones will also feed on small mammals such as mice or bats.
The most famous member from this group is Quetzalcoatlus – an extinct giant pterosaur which lived approximately 70-65 million years ago.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Clade | Cavitaves |
| Clade | Eucavitaves |
| Order | Trogoniformes AOU, 1886 |
| Family | Trogonidae Lesson, 1828 |
