List of Southern African birds

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This article is about the list of birds from Southern Africa (region). For the list of birds from South Africa (country), see List of birds of South Africa.

Contents

This is a list of the bird species recorded in Southern Africa. Southern Africa is defined as Africa south of a line between the Kunene and Zambezi rivers, encompassing Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Lesotho, Swaziland and southern and central Mozambique, as well as oceanic waters within 200 nautical miles (370 km) of the coast, covering approximately 3.5 million square kilometres.

Southern Africa consists of eight major habitats which the birds inhabit: Karoo, Moist Savanna, Arid Savanna, Namib Desert, Lowland Forest, Fynbos, Grassland and Montane Forest.

[edit] Taxonomy

This list's taxonomic treatment (designation and sequence of orders, families, and species) and nomenclature (common and scientific names) follow the conventions of Roberts Birds of southern Africa's 7th edition. The family accounts at the beginning of each heading reflects this taxonomy, as do the species counts found in each family account. Introduced, accidental and extirpated species are included in the total species counts for Southern Africa.

The following tags have been used to highlight certain relevant categories. It must be noted that not all species fall into one of these categories. Those that do not are common occurring, native species.

  • (A) Accidental A species that rarely or accidentally occurs in the Southern Africa.
  • (E) Endemic A species endemic to the Southern Africa.
  • (Ex) Extirpated A species that no longer occurs in the Southern Africa although populations exist elsewhere.
  • (I) Introduced A species introduced to the Southern Africa as a consequence, direct or indirect, of human actions.
  • (DD) Data deficient A species that are uncertain of its status due to lack of research and information available.


[edit] Penguins

Order: Sphenisciformes Family: Spheniscidae

The number of penguin species has been and still is a matter of debate. Depending on which authority is followed, biodiversity varies between 17 and 20 living species. There are 4 species which occur in Southern Africa.

[edit] Grebes

Order: Podicipediformes Family: Podicipedidae

Grebes are small to medium-large sized freshwater diving birds. They have lobed toes, and are excellent swimmers and divers. However, they have their feet placed far back on the body, making them quite ungainly on land. There are 20 species world-wide and 3 species occur in Southern Africa.

[edit] Albatrosses

Order: Procellariiformes Family: Diomedeidae

The albatrosses comprise between 13 and 24 species (the number of species is still a matter of some debate, 21 being the most commonly accepted number) in 4 genera. The four genera are the great albatrosses (Diomedea), the mollymawks (Thalassarche), the North Pacific albatrosses (Phoebastria), and the sooty albatrosses or sooties (Phoebetria). Of the four genera, the North Pacific albatrosses are considered to be a sister taxon to the great albatrosses, while the sooty albatrosses are considered closer to the mollymawks. There are 15 species occur in Southern Africa.

[edit] Shearwaters and Petrels

Order: Procellariiformes Family: Procellariidae

The Procellariids are the main group of medium-sized 'true petrels', characterised by united nostrils with medium septum, and a long outer functional primary. There are 75 species world wide and 33 species which occur in Southern Africa.

[edit] Storm Petrels

Order: Procellariiformes Family: Hydrobatidae

The Storm-Petrels are the smallest of seabirds, relatives of the petrels, feeding on planktonic crustaceans and small fish picked from the surface, typically while hovering. The flight is fluttering and sometimes bat-like. There are 21 species world wide and 8 species which occur in Southern African Bird.

[edit] Pelecanoididae

Order: Procellariiformes Family: Pelecanoididae

[edit] Tropicbirds

Order: Pelecaniformes Family: Phaethontidae

Tropicbirds are slender white birds of tropical oceans, with exceptionally long central tail feathers. Their long wings have black markings, as does the head. There are 3 species world wide and all of them occur in Southern Africa.

[edit] Boobies and Gannets

Order: Pelecaniformes Family: Sulidae

The sulids comprise the gannets and boobies with only boobies occurring in Southern Africa. Both groups are medium-large coastal seabirds that plunge-dive for fish. There are 8 species world wide and 4 species which occur in Southern Africa.

[edit] Genus Sula

[edit] Genus Morus

[edit] Cormorants

Order: Pelecaniformes Family: Phalacrocoracidae

The Phalacrocoracidae is a family of medium-to-large coastal, fish-eating seabirds that includes cormorants and shags. Plumage coloration is varied with the majority having mainly dark plumage, some species being black and white, and a few being quite colourful. There are 38 species world wide and 5 species which occur in Southern Africa.

[edit] Darters

Order: Pelecaniformes Family: Anhingidae

There are four living species, one of which is near-threatened. The darters are frequently referred to as “snake-birds” because of their long thin neck, which gives a snake-like appearance when they swim with their bodies submerged. 1 of the species occur in Southern Africa.

[edit] Frigatebirds

Order: Pelecaniformes Family: Fregatidae

Frigatebirds are large sea-birds usually found over tropical oceans. They are large, black or black and white, with long wings and deeply-forked tails. The males have inflatable coloured throat pouches. They do not swim or walk, and cannot take off from a flat surface. Having the largest wingspan to body weight ratio of any bird, they are essentially aerial, able to stay aloft for more than a week. There are 5 species world-wide and 2 species which occur in Southern Africa.

[edit] Pelicans

Order: Pelecaniformes Family: Pelecanidae

Pelicans are very large water birds with a distinctive pouch under the beak Like other birds in the order Pelecaniformes, they have four webbed toes. There are 8 species world wide and 2 species which occur in Southern Africa.

[edit] Herons, Egrets and Bitterns

Order: Ciconiiformes Family: Ardeidae

The family Ardeidae contains the bitterns, herons and egrets. Herons and Egrets are medium to large sized wading birds with long necks and legs. Bitterns tend to be shorter necked and more secretive. Unlike other long necked birds such as storks, ibises and spoonbills, members of Ardeidae fly with their necks retracted. There are 61 species world wide and 21 species which occur in Southern Africa.

Heron

Egret

Bittern

[edit] Storks

Order: Ciconiiformes Family: Ciconiidae

Storks have no syrinx and are mute, giving no bird call; bill-clattering is an important mode of stork communication at the nest. Many species are migratory. Most storks eat frogs, fish, insects, earthworms, and small birds or mammals. There are 19 living species of storks in this world and 8 occur in Southern Africa.

[edit] Flamingoes

Order: Phoenicopteriformes Family: Phoenicopteridae

Flamingoes are gregarious wading birds, usually 3–5 feet in height, found in both the Western Hemisphere and Eastern Hemisphere. They are more numerous in the latter. Flamingos filter-feed on shellfish and algae. Their oddly-shaped beaks are specially adapted to separate mud and silt from the food they consume, and are uniquely used upside-down. There are 6 species world wide and 2 species which occurs in Southern Africa.

[edit] Ibises and Spoonbills

Order: Ciconiiformes Family: Threskiornithidae

The Threskiornithidae is a family of large terrestrial and wading birds which includes the ibises and spoonbills. They have long, broad wings with 11 primary and about 20 secondary feathers. They are strong fliers and, rather surprisingly, given their size and weight, very capable soarers. There are 36 species world wide and 5 species which occur in Southern Africa.

[edit] Hamerkop

Order: Ciconiiformes or Pelecaniformes Family: Scopidae

[edit] Ducks, Geese and Swans

Order: Anseriformes Family: Anatidae

The family Anatidae includes the ducks and most duck-like waterfowl, such as geese and swans. These are birds that are modified for an aquatic existence with webbed feet, bills which are flattened to a greater or lesser extent, and feathers that are excellent at shedding water due to special oils. There are 131 species world wide and 22 species which occur in Southern Africa.

[edit] Osprey

Order: Falconiformes Family: Pandionidae

[edit] Hawks to Old World vultures

Order: Falconiformes Family: Accipitridae

The family Accipitridae is a family of birds of prey and include hawks, eagles, kites, harriers, snake-eagles, goshawks, sparrowhawks, buzzards and old world vultures. These birds have very large powerful hooked beaks for tearing flesh from their prey, strong legs, powerful talons, and keen eyesight. There are 233 species world wide and 59 species which occur in Southern Africa.

[edit] Subfamily: Aegypiinae

[edit] Subfamily: Buteoninae

[edit] Subfamily: Circaetinae

[edit] Subfamily: Perninae

[edit] Subfamily: Circinae

[edit] Subfamily: Milvinae

[edit] Subfamily: Elaninae

[edit] Subfamily: Accipitrinae

[edit] Bat Hawk

Family: Accipitridae Genus: Macheiramphus

[edit] Falcons, Hobbies and Kestrels

Order: Falconiformes Family: Falconidae

Falconidae is a family of diurnal birds of prey. They differ from hawks, eagles, and kites in that they kill with their beaks instead of their feet. There are 62 species world wide and 16 species which occur in Southern Africa.

Falcons

Kestrels

Hobbies

[edit] Quails to Peafowl

Order: Galliformes Family: Phasianidae

The Phasianidae are a family of terrestrial birds which consists of quails, partridges, snowcocks, francolins, spurfowls, tragopans, monals, pheasants, peafowls and jungle fowls. In general, they are plump (although they may vary in size) and have broad, relatively short wings. There are 156 species world wide and 17 species which occur in Southern Africa.

Francolins

Spurfowls

Partridge

Peafowl

Quails

[edit] Ostrich

Order: Struthioniformes Family: Struthionidae

Ostrich is the only living species of its family, Struthionidae, and its genus, Struthio. It is distinctive in its appearance, with a long neck and legs and the ability to run at speeds of about 65 km/h (40 mph).

[edit] Guineafowls

Order: Galliformes Family: Numididae

Guineafowls are a group of African seed-eating, ground-nesting birds resembling partridges, but with featherless heads and spangled gray plumage. There are 6 species world wide and 2 species which occurs in Southern Africa.

[edit] Buttonquails

Order: Charadriiformes Family: Turnicidae

The buttonquails or hemipodes are a small family of birds which resemble, but are unrelated to, the true quails. There are 15 species world wide and 3 occur in Southern Africa.

[edit] Rails to Gallinules

Order: Gruiformes Family: Rallidae

Rallidae is a large family of small to medium-sized birds which includes the rails, crakes, moorhens, coots, flufftails and gallinules. The most typical family members occupy dense vegetation in damp environments near lakes, swamps, or rivers. In general they are shy and secretive birds, difficult to observe. Most species have strong legs, and have long toes which are well adapted to soft, uneven surfaces. They tend to have short, rounded wings and be weak fliers. There are 143 species world wide and 19 species which occur in Southern Africa.

Crakes

Rail

Coot

Gallinule

Flufftails

Moorhens

[edit] Finfoots

Order: Gruiformes Family: Heliornithidae

The Finfoots are a small family of tropical birds with webbed lobes on their feet similar to those of grebes and coots. There are 3 species and 1 occur in Southern Africa.

[edit] Jacanas

Order: Charadriiformes Family: Jacanidae

The Jacanas are a group of tropical waders in the family Jacanidae. They are found worldwide within the tropical zone. They are identifiable by their huge feet and claws which enable them to walk on floating vegetation in the shallow lakes that are their preferred habitat. There 8 species world wide and 2 species which occurs in Southern Africa.

[edit] Cranes

Order: Gruiformes Family: Gruidae

Cranes are large, long-legged and long-necked birds of the order Gruiformes, and family Gruidae. There are 15 living species of cranes world wide and 3 occur in Southern Africa.

[edit] Secretarybird

Order: Falconiformes Family: Sagittariidae

The Secretary Bird, Sagittarius serpentarius, is an extraordinary bird of prey. Endemic to Africa, this mostly terrestrial bird is usually found in the open grasslands and savannas of the sub-Sahara.

[edit] Bustards and Korhaans

Order: Gruiformes Family: Otididae

Bustards and Korhaans are large terrestrial birds mainly associated with dry open country and steppes in the Old World. They make up the family Otididae (formerly known as Otidae). Bustards and Korhaans are omnivorous and nest on the ground. They walk steadily on strong legs and big toes, pecking for food as they go. They have long broad wings with "fingered" wingtips, and striking patterns in flight. Many have interesting mating displays. There are 27 species world wide and 11 of the species occur in Southern Africa.

[edit] Crab Plover

Order: Charadriiformes Family: Dromadidae

The Crab Plover Dromas ardeola is a bird related to the waders, but sufficiently distinctive to merit its own family Dromadidae. Its relationship within the Charadriiformes is unclear, some have in close to the Thick-knees, or the pratincoles, or even closer to the auks and gulls. It is the only member of the genus Dromas.

[edit] Oystercatchers

Order: Charadriiformes Family: Haematopodidae

The oystercatchers are large, obvious and noisy plover-like birds, with strong bills used for smashing or prising open molluscs. There are 11 species world-wide and 2 species which occur in Southern Africa.

[edit] Stilts and Avocets

Order: Charadriiformes Family: Recurvirostridae

Recurvirostridae is a family of large wading birds, which includes the avocets and the stilts. The avocets have long legs and long up-curved bills. The stilts have extremely long legs and long, thin, straight bills. There are 9 species world wide and 2 species which occur in Southern Africa.

[edit] Plovers and Lapwings

Order: Charadriiformes Family: Charadriidae

The family Charadriidae includes the plovers, dotterels, and lapwings. They are small to medium-sized birds with compact bodies, short, thick necks and long, usually pointed, wings. They are found in open country worldwide, mostly in habitats near water, although there are some exceptions. There are 66 species world wide and 21 species which occur in Southern Africa.

[edit] Sandpipers to Phalaropes

Order: Charadriiformes Family: Scolopacidae

The Scolopacidae are a large diverse family of small to medium sized shorebirds including the sandpipers, curlews, godwits, shanks, tattlers, woodcocks, snipes, dowitchers and phalaropes. The majority of species eat small invertebrates picked out of the mud or soil. Different lengths of legs and bills enable different species to feed in the same habitat, particularly on the coast, without direct competition for food. There are 86 species world wide and 37 species which occurs in Southern Africa.

Shanks and tattlers (Genera: Xenus, Actitis, Tringa, Catoptrophus and Heteroscelus)

Calidrids and turnstones (Genera: Calidris, Aphriza, Eurynorhynchus, Limicola, Tryngites, Arenaria and Philomachus)

Snipe and woodcocks (Genera: Coenocorypha, Lymnocryptes, Gallinago and Scolopax)

Godwits (Genus: Limosa)

Curlews (Genus: Numenius)

Phalaropes (Genus Phalaropus)

[edit] Painted-snipe

Order: Charadriiformes Family: Rostratulidae

Painted snipes are three distinctive wader species placed together in their own family Rostratulidae. They are short-legged, long-billed birds similar in shape to the true snipes, but much more brightly coloured. There are 3 species of Painted-snipe world wide and 1 of the species occur in Southern Africa.

[edit] Pratincoles and Coursers

Order: Charadriiformes Family: Glareolidae

Glareolidae is a family of birds in the wader suborder Charadri. There are 17 species world wide and 8 species occur in Southern Africa.

The Pratincoles have short legs, long pointed wings and long forked tails. They typically hunt their insect prey on the wing like swallows

The Coursers have long legs, short wings and long pointed bills which curve downwards. They inhabit deserts and similar arid regions.

[edit] Thick-knees

Order: Charadriiformes Family: Burhinidae

The Stone-curlews or Thick-knees are a group of largely tropical waders in the family Burhinidae. They are found worldwide within the tropical zone, with some species also breeding in temperate Europe and Australia.

They are medium to large waders with strong black or yellow black bills, large yellow eyes—which give them a reptilian appearance—and cryptic plumage. There are 9 species world wide and 2 of the species occur in Southern Africa.

[edit] Skuas and Jaegers

Order: Charadriiformes Family: Stercorariidae

The family Stercorariidae are, in general, medium to large birds, typically with grey or brown plumage, often with white markings on the wings. They nest on the ground in temperate and arctic regions and are long-distance migrants. There are 7 species world wide and 5 species which occur in Southern Africa.

[edit] Sheathbills

Order: Charadriiformes Family: Chionididae

The sheathbills are the two species of birds in the genus Chionis in the Chionididae family. They are confined to Antarctic regions, and are the only Antarctic birds without webbed feet. There are 2 species world wide and 1 occur in Southern Africa.

  • Greater Sheathbill Chionis albus (A)

[edit] Gulls and kittiwakes

Order: Charadriiformes Family: Laridae

Laridae is a family of medium to large birds seabirds and includes gulls and kittiwakes. They are typically gray or white, often with black markings on the head or wings. They have stout, longish bills and webbed feet. There are 55 species world wide and 13 species which occur in Southern Africa.

[edit] Skimmers

Order: Charadriiformes Family: Rhynchopidae

The Skimmers are a small family of tern-like birds in the order Charadriiformes. They have an elongated lower mandible which they use to feed flying low over the water surface and skimming the water for small fish. There are 3 species world wide and 1 species which occur in Southern Africa.

[edit] Terns and Noddies

Order: Charadriiformes Family: Sternidae

Terns and Noddies are a group of generally general medium to large seabirds typically with grey or white plumage, often with black markings on the head. Most terns hunt fish by diving but some pick insects of the surface of fresh water. Terns are generally long-lived birds, with several species now known to live in excess of 25-30 years. There are 44 species world wide and 22 species which occur in Southern Africa.

[edit] Sandgrouses

Order: Pteroclidiformes Family: Pteroclididae

The sandgrouses are a group of 16 near passerine bird species in the order Pteroclidiformes. They are restricted to treeless open country in the Old World, such as plains and semi-deserts. Sandgrouse have small, pigeon like heads and necks, but sturdy compact bodies. They have long pointed wings and sometimes tails and a fast direct flight. Flocks fly to watering holes at dawn and dusk. There are 16 species world wide and 4 occur in Southern Africa.

[edit] Pigeons and Doves

Order: Columbiformes Family: Columbidae

Pigeons and doves are stout-bodied birds with short necks and short slender bills with a fleshy cere. There are 308 species world wide and 15 species which occur in Southern Africa.

[edit] Lovebirds, Parakeets and Parrots

Order: Psittaciformes Family: Psittacidae

Parrots are small to large birds with a characteristic curved beak shape. Their upper mandibles have slight mobility in the joint with the skull and the have a generally erect stance. All parrots are zygodactyl, having the four toes on each foot placed two at the front and two back. There are 335 species world wide and 9 species which occur in Southern Africa.

Poicephalus

Agapornis

Psittacula

[edit] Turacos

Order: Cuculiformes Family: Musophagidae

The turacos, plantain eaters and go-away birds make up the bird family Musophagidae (literally banana-eaters). In southern Africa both turacos and go-away birds are commonly known as louries. Traditionally, this group has been placed in the cuckoo order Cuculiformes, but Sibley-Ahlquist taxonomy raises this group to a full order Musophagiformes. There are 23 species world wide and 6 of the species which occur in Southern Africa.

[edit] Cuckoos

Order: Cuculiformes Family: Cuculidae

The family Cuculidae includes cuckoos, coucals, roadrunners and anis. These birds are of variable size with slender bodies, long tails and strong legs. Unlike the cuckoo species of the Old World, North American cuckoos are not brood parasites. There are 138 species world wide and 21 species which occur in Southern Africa.

Cuckoo

Yellowbill

Coucals

[edit] Barn Owls

Order: Strigiformes Family: Tytonidae

Barn owls are medium to large sized owls with large heads and characteristic heart-shaped faces. They have long strong legs with powerful talons. There are 16 species world wide and 2 species which occurs in Southern Africa.

[edit] Typical owls

Order: Strigiformes Family: Strigidae

Typical owls are small to large solitary nocturnal birds of prey. They have large forward-facing eyes and ears, a hawk-like beak, and a conspicuous circle of feathers around each eye called a facial disk. There are 195 species world wide and 10 species which occur in Southern Africa.

[edit] Nightjars

Order: Caprimulgiformes Family: Caprimulgidae

Nightjars are medium-sized nocturnal birds with long wings, short legs and very short bills that usually nest on the ground. Most have small feet, of little use for walking, and long pointed wings. Their soft plumage is cryptically coloured to resemble bark or leaves. There are 86 species world wide and 7 species which occur in Southern Africa.

[edit] Swifts and Spinetails

Order: Apodiformes Family: Apodidae

Swifts and Spinetails are small aerial birds, spending the majority of their lives flying. These birds have very short legs and never settle voluntarily on the ground, perching instead only on vertical surfaces. Many swifts have long swept-back wings that resemble a crescent or a boomerang. There are 98 species world wide and 13 species which occur in Southern Africa.

Swifts

Spinetails

[edit] Trogons

Order: Trogoniformes Family: Trogonidae

The trogons and quetzals feed on insects and fruit, and their broad bills and weak legs reflect their diet and arboreal habits. Although their flight is fast, they are reluctant to fly any distance. Trogons do not migrate. There are 39 species world wide and 1 species which occurs in Southern Africa.

[edit] Pittas

Order: Passeriformes Family: Pittidae

Pittas are medium-sized by passerine standards, and stocky, with longish strong legs, very short tails and stout bills. Many, but not all, are brightly coloured. There are 32 species world wide and 1 species which occurs in Southern Africa.

[edit] Broadbills

Order: Passeriformes Family: Eurylaimidae

Broadbills are brightly coloured birds that feed on fruit and also take insects in flycatcher fashion, snapping their broad bills. Their habitat is canopies of wet forests, so despite their colours, they are difficult to observe. There are 16 species world wide and 1 of the species occurs in Southern Africa.

[edit] Mousebirds

Order: Coliiformes Family: Coliidae

Mousebirds are slender greyish or brown birds with soft, hairlike body feathers and very long thin tails. They are arboreal and scurry through the leaves like rodents in search of berries, fruit and buds. There are 6 species world wide and 3 of the species which occur in Southern Africa.

[edit] Kingfishers

Kingfishers are medium sized birds with large heads, long pointed bills, short legs, and stubby tails. There are 94 species world wide and 10 species which occur in Southern Africa.

[edit] River kingfishers

Order: Coraciiformes Family: Alcedinidae

[edit] Tree Kingfisher

Order: Coraciiformes Family: Halcyonidae

[edit] Water Kingfisher

Order: Coraciiformes Family: Cerylidae

[edit] Bee-eaters

Order: Coraciiformes Family: Meropidae

Bee-eaters are gregarious. They form colonies by nesting in burrows tunneled into the side of sandy banks, such as those which have collapsed on the edges of rivers. Their eggs are white and they generally produce 2-9 eggs per clutch (depending on species), which are widely distributed and common. As they live in colonies, large numbers of these holes are often seen together, white streaks from their accumulated droppings accentuating the entrances to the nests. Most of the species in the family are monogamous, and have biparental care of the young. There are 26 species world wide and 9 species occur in Southern Africa.

[edit] Rollers

Order: Coraciiformes Family: Coraciidae

The Rollers are an Old World family of near passerine birds. They resemble crows in size and build, but are more closely related to the kingfishers and bee-eaters. They share the colourful appearance of those groups, blues and browns predominating. The two inner front toes are connected, but not the outer one. There are 11 species world wide and 5 speices occur in Southern Africa.

[edit] Hornbills

Order: Coraciiformes Family: Bucerotidae

Monteiro's Hornbill is a near-endemic which ranges to Angola
Monteiro's Hornbill is a near-endemic which ranges to Angola

Hornbills are a group of birds whose bill is shaped like a cow's horn, but without a twist, sometimes with a casque on the upper mandible. Frequently, the bill is brightly coloured. There are 57 species world wide and 10 species occur in Southern Africa.

[edit] Hoopoe

Order: Coraciiformes Family: Upupidae

[edit] Wood-Hoopoes and Scimitar-bill

Order: Coraciiformes Family: Phoeniculidae

Wood-Hoopoes have metallic plumage, often blue, green or purple, and lack an erectile crest. They are more gregarious than the Hoopoe, and can often be seen in small groups. There are 7 species world wide and 3 occur in Southern Africa.

[edit] Honeyguides

Order: Piciformes Family: Indicatoridae

Most honeyguides are dull-colored, though a few have bright yellow in the plumage. All have light outer tail feathers, which are white in all the African species. There are 17 species world wide and 6 species occur in Southern Africa.

[edit] Barbets and Tinkerbirds

Order: Piciformes Family: Capitonidae

The barbets and tinkerbirds are plump birds, with short necks and large heads. They get their name from the bristles which fringe their heavy bills. Most species are brightly coloured. Most species of barbet live in tropical forest, although several species of African barbet inhabit woodlands, scrub and even semi-arid environments. There are 84 species world wide and 10 species occur in Southern Africa.

[edit] Woodpeckers and Wrynecks

Order: Piciformes Family: Picidae

Woodpeckers and wrynecks are small to medium sized birds with chisel like beaks, short legs, stiff tails and long tongues used for capturing insects. Some species have feet with two toes pointing forward, and two backward, while several species have only three toes. Many woodpeckers have the habit of tapping noisily on tree trunks with their beaks. There are 218 species world wide and 10 species which occur in Southern Africa.

[edit] Larks

Order: Passeriformes Family: Alaudidae

Larks are small terrestrial birds with often extravagant songs and display flights. Most larks are fairly dull in appearance. They feed on insects and seeds. There are 94 species world wide and 31 species occur in Southern Africa.

[edit] Swallows and Martins

Order: Passeriformes Family: Hirundinidae

The Hirundinidae family is a group of passerines characterized by their adaptation to aerial feeding. Their adaptations include a slender streamlined body, long pointed wings and short bills with wide gape. The feet are designed for perching rather than walking, and the front toes are partially joined at the base. There are 75 species world wide and 22 species which occur in Southern Africa.

[edit] Drongos and Flycatchers

Order: Passeriformes Family: Dicruridae

The family Dicruridae is a relatively recent grouping of a number of seemingly very different birds, mostly from the southern hemisphere, which are more closely related than they at first appear. There are 139 species world wide and 6 species occur in Southern Africa.

[edit] SubFamily: Dicrurinae

[edit] SubFamily: Monarchinae

[edit] Old World flycatchers

Order: Passeriformes Family: Muscicapidae

Old World flycatchers are a large group of small passerine birds native to the Old World. They are mainly small arboreal insectivores. The appearance of these birds is very varied, but they mostly have weak songs and harsh calls. There 274 species world wide and 44 species which occurs in Southern Africa.

[edit] Cuckoo-shrikes

Order: Passeriformes Family: Campephagidae

Cuckoo-shrikes are medium to small arboreal birds, generally long and slender. They are predominantly greyish with white and black. There are 84 species world wide and 3 species occur in Southern Africa.

[edit] Orioles

Order: Passeriformes Family: Oriolidae

Orioles are colourful Old World passerine birds in the family Oriolidae. They are not related to the New World orioles, which are Icterids, family Icteridae. There are 25 species world wide and 4 species occur in Southern Africa.

[edit] Ravens and Crows

Order: Passeriformes Family: Corvidae

Ravens and crows are medium to large birds with strong feet and bills, rictal bristles and a single moult each year (most passerines moult twice). There are 120 species world wide and 4 occur in Southern Africa.

[edit] Tits

Order: Passeriformes Family: Paridae

The tits, chickadees, and titmice, family Paridae, are a large family of small passerine birds, mainly small stocky woodland species with short stout bills. Some have crests. They are adaptable birds, with a mixed diet including seeds and insects. Many species will live around human habitation and come readily to bird feeders for nuts or seed, and learn to take other foods. There are 59 species world wide and 5 species occur in Southern Africa.

[edit] Penduline tits

Order: Passeriformes Family: Remizidae

There are 15 species world wide and 2 species occur in Southern Africa.

  • Cape Penduline-Tit Anthoscopus minutus
  • Grey Penduline-Tit Anthoscopus caroli

[edit] Spotted Creeper

Order: Passeriformes Family: Certhiidae SubFamily: Salpornithinae

[edit] Old World babbler

Order: Passeriformes Family: Timaliidae

Old World babblers have strong legs, and many are quite terrestrial. This group is not strongly migratory, and most species have short rounded wings, and a weak flight. There are 6 species occur in Southern Africa.

[edit] Bulbuls and Nicators

Order: Passeriformes Family: Pycnonotidae

Bulbuls and Nicators are mostly frugivorous birds. Some are colorful with yellow, red or orange vents, cheeks, throat or supercilia, but most are drab, with uniform olive brown to black plumage. Some have very distinct crests. Many of these species inhabit tree tops, while some are restricted to the undergrowth. Up to five purple-pink eggs are laid in an open tree nests and incubated by the female. There are 130 species world wide and 10 species occur in Southern Africa.

[edit] Thrushes

Order: Passeriformes Family: Turdidae

The Thrushes are a group of passerine birds that occur mainly but not exclusively in the Old World. They are plump, soft plumaged, small to medium sized insectivores or sometimes omnivores, often feeding on the ground. Many have attractive songs. There are 335 species world wide and 10 species which occur in Southern Africa.

[edit] Rockjumpers

Order: Passeriformes Family: Chaetopidae

The Rock-jumpers are medium-sized insectivorous or omnivorous birds in the genus Chaetops that constitutes the entire family Chaetopidae. There are 2 species world wide and all occur in Southern Africa.

[edit] Alethes

Order: Passeriformes Family: Turdidae

There are 5 species world wide and 1 occurs in Southern Africa.

[edit] Old World Warblers

Order: Passeriformes Family: Sylviidae

The Old World Warblers are of generally undistinguished appearance, but many have distinctive songs. There are 280 species world wide and 37 species occur in Southern Africa.

Warblers

Flycatcher

Eremomelas

  • Yellow-bellied Eremomela Eremomela icteropygialis
  • Green-capped Eremomela Eremomela scotops
  • Karoo Eremomela Eremomela gregalis
  • Burnt-necked Eremomela Eremomela usticollis

Rockrunner

  • Rockrunner Achaetops pycnopygius

Grassbird

Tit-Babblers

Crombecs

Hyliotas

[edit] Apalises, Cisticolas and Prinias

Order: Passeriformes Family: Cisticolidae

Cisticolidae are generally very small birds of drab brown or grey appearance found in open country such as grassland or scrub. They are often difficult to see and many species are similar in appearance, so the song is often the best identification guide. These are insectivorous birds which nest low in vegetation. There are 110 species world wide and 37 species occur in Southern Africa.

Apalis

Cisticola

Prinia

Camaroptera

Warbler

  • Barred Wren-Warbler Calamonastes fasciolatus
  • Stierling's Wren-Warbler Calamonastes stierlingi
  • Cinnamon-breasted Warbler Euryptila subcinnamomea
  • Namaqua Warbler Phragmacia substriata
  • Roberts's Warbler Oreophilais robertsi
  • Red-winged Warbler Heliolais erythropterus
  • Rufous-eared Warbler Malcorus pectoralis

[edit] White-eyes

Order: Passeriformes Family: Zosteropidae

White-eyes are mostly of undistinguished appearance, the plumage above being generally either mouse-coloured or greenish olive, but some species have a white or bright yellow throat, breast or lower parts, and several have buff flanks. They have rounded wings and strong legs. The size ranges up to 15 cm (6 inches) in length. There are 97 species world wide and 3 occur in Southern Africa.

[edit] Wattle-eyes

The unique White-tailed Shrike ranges to Angola
The unique White-tailed Shrike ranges to Angola

Order: Passeriformes Family: Platysteiridae

Wattle-eyes get their name from the brightly coloured fleshy eye decorations found in most species in this group. These insect-eating birds are found in usually open forests or bush. They hunt by flycatching, or by taking prey from the ground like a shrike. There are 30 species world wide and 8 species occur in Southern Africa.

[edit] Wagtails, Longclaws and Pipits

Order: Passeriformes Family: Motacillidae

The Motacillidae are a family of small passerine birds with medium to long tails. They include the wagtails, longclaws and pipits. They are slender, ground feeding insectivores of open country. They are ground nesters, laying up to six speckled eggs. There are 60 species world wide and 25 species occur in Southern Africa.

Wagtails

Pipits

Longclaws

[edit] Shrikes

Order: Passeriformes Family: Laniidae

A shrike is a passerine bird of the family Laniidae which is known for its habit of catching insects, small birds or mammals and impaling their bodies on thorns. This helps them to tear the flesh into smaller, more conveniently-sized fragments, and serves as a "larder" so that the shrike can return to the uneaten portions at a later time. A typical shrike's beak is hooked, like a bird of prey, reflecting its predatory nature. There are 32 species world wide and 6 species occur in Southern Africa.

[edit] Helmet-Shrikes

Order: Passeriformes Family: Prionopidae

The helmetshrikes are smallish passerine bird species. They were formerly classed with the true shrikes in the family Laniidae, but are now considered sufficiently distinctive to be separated from that group as the family Prionopidae. There are 11 species world wide and 3 species occur in Southern Africa.

  • White-crested Helmet-Shrike Prionops plumatus
  • Retz's Helmet-Shrike Prionops retzii
  • Chestnut-fronted Helmet-Shrike Prionops scopifrons

[edit] Bush-Shrikes to Tchagras

Order: Passeriformes Family: Malaconotidae

The Bush-Shrikes, Boubous and Tchagras are smallish passerine bird species. They were formerly classed with the true Shrikes in the family Laniidae, but are now considered sufficiently distinctive to be separated from that group as the family Malaconotidae. There are 43 species world wide and 16 species occur in Southern Africa.

[edit] Starlings and Oxpeckers

Order: Passeriformes Family: Sturnidae

Pale-winged Starling, a near-endemic to the region
Pale-winged Starling, a near-endemic to the region

Starlings and oxpeckers are small to medium-sized passerine birds. They are medium-sized passerines with strong feet. Their flight is strong and direct, and they are very gregarious. Their preferred habitat is fairly open country, and they eat insects and fruit. Plumage is typically dark with a metallic sheen. There are 125 species world wide and 16 species which occur in Southern Africa.

[edit] Sugarbirds

Order: Passeriformes Family: Promeropidae

The two species of sugarbird make up one of only two bird families restricted entirely to southern Africa, the other being the rock-jumpers Chaetopidae. They are specialist nectar feeders, but will also take insects.

[edit] Sunbirds

Order: Passeriformes Family: Nectariniidae

The sunbirds and spiderhunters are very small passerine birds which feed largely on nectar, although they will also take insects, especially when feeding young. Flight is fast and direct on their short wings. Most species can take nectar by hovering like a hummingbird, but usually perch to feed. There are approximately 131 species world wide and 22 species occur in Southern Africa.

[edit] Sparrows

Order: Passeriformes Family: Passeridae

Sparrows are small passerine birds. In general, sparrows tend to be small plump brownish or greyish birds with short tails and short powerful beaks. Sparrows are seed-eaters, and they also consume small insects. There are 35 species world wide and 6 species which occurs in Southern Africa.

[edit] Weavers to Widowbirds

Order: Passeriformes Family: Ploceidae

Weavers, Queleas, Bishops and Widowbirds are a group of small passerine birds related to the finches. These are seed-eating birds with rounded conical bills, most of which breed in sub-Saharan Africa, with fewer species in tropical Asia. Weavers get their name from the large woven nests many species make. They are gregarious birds which often breed colonially. There are 114 species world wide and 27 species which occur in Southern Africa.

[edit] Whydahs and Indigobirds

The Indigobirds and whydahs, are small passerine birds native to Africa. These are finch-like species which usually have black or indigo predominating in their plumage. The birds named as "whydahs" have long or very long tails. All of the species are brood parasites, which lay their eggs in the nests of estrildid finch species; most indigobirds use fire-finches as hosts, whereas the paradise whydahs chose pytilias. There are 19 species world wide and 8 species occur in Southern Africa.

[edit] Estrildid finchs

Order: Passeriformes Family: Estrildidae

The estrildid finches are small passerine birds of the Old World tropics and Australasia. They are gregarious and often colonial seed-eaters with short thick but pointed bills. They are all similar in structure and habits, but have a wide variation in plumage colours and pattern. There are 139 species world wide and 28 species which occur in Southern Africa.

[edit] Fringilline Finches and Allies

Order: Passeriformes Family: Fringillidae

Finches are seed-eating passerine birds, that are small to moderately large and have a strong beak, usually conical and in some species very large. All have 12 tail feathers and 9 primaries. These birds have a bouncing flight with alternating bouts of flapping and gliding on closed wings, and most sing well. There are 137 species world wide and 15 species which occur in Southern Africa.

[edit] Buntings

Order: Passeriformes Family: Emberizidae

The Emberizidae are a large family of passerine birds. They are seed-eating birds with a distinctively shaped bill. In Europe, most species are named as buntings. In North America, most of the species in this family are known as Sparrows, but these birds are not closely related to the Old World sparrows which are in the family Passeridae. Many emberizid species have distinctive head patterns. There are species 275 world wide and 5 occur in Southern Africa.

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  • Illustrated guide to the Birds of Southern Africa by Ian Sinclair, Phil Hockey and Warwick Tarboton ISBN 1-86825-785-1
  • Southern African Birds A Photographic Guide by Ian Sinclair and Ian Davidson ISBN 1-85368-281-0
  • Newman's Birds of Southern Africa The Green Edition by Kenneth Newman ISBN 1-86812-611-0
  • Percy FitzPatrick Institute of African Ornithology, A 'new' southern African bird list; Available at: Roberts VII Project
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