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SPECIALTIES

BOTSWANA BIRD CHECKLIST

AFRICA
BOTSWANA

Area (SqMi):224,652
# Species:597
# Excl Vagrants:514
# Endemics:0
# Near Endemics:3
Species/1000 SqMi:2.3

OTHER COUNTRIES
IN AFRICA

BIRDING LOCALES

PRESENCE CODES

CodeDescription##
//Boreal Visitor72
\\Austral Visitor1
||Transient4
##Non-breeding Dispersal3
<>Erratic/Irregular1
()Breeding Season Only17
{}Casual/Vagrant49
[]Accidental34

STATUS CODES

CodeDescription##
NTNear Threatened15
VVulnerable10
ENEndangered11
CRCritically Endangered3

Species counts in code tables depend on completeness of the data. For some countries or locales, data may not include all species or information on species presence may be incomplete.

List of all species known to occur in the country. Table indicates whether each species is globally threatened or endangered according to the IUCN and also whether it is migratory, very rare, or accidental in the country. See sidebar for meaning of location codes and symbols associated with common names.*

color codes

 
Ostriches: Struthionidae

1Common OstrichStruthio camelusMany

 
Ducks: Anatidae

2White-faced Whistling-DuckDendrocygna viduataMany
3Fulvous Whistling-DuckDendrocygna bicolorMany
4White-backed DuckThalassornis leuconotusMany
5Knob-billed DuckSarkidiornis melanotosMany
6Egyptian GooseAlopochen aegyptiacaMany
7South African ShelduckTadorna canaBSE,MP,OKD,PSL
8Spur-winged GoosePlectropterus gambensisMany
9African Pygmy-GooseNettapus auritusMany
10{Garganey}Spatula querquedulaLNG,OKD
11Blue-billed TealSpatula hottentotaMany
12Cape ShovelerSpatula smithiiMany
13African Black DuckAnas sparsaBD,BSE,PSL,TH
14Yellow-billed DuckAnas undulataMany
15Cape TealAnas capensisMany
16Red-billed DuckAnas erythrorhynchaMany
17[Northern Pintail]Anas acutaLNG
18Southern PochardNetta erythrophthalmaMany
19Maccoa DuckOxyura maccoaBD,BSE,MP,PSL,TH

 
Guineafowl: Numididae

20Helmeted GuineafowlNumida meleagrisMany
21[Western Crested Guineafowl]Guttera verreauxiCNP
22Southern Crested GuineafowlGuttera edouardi 

 
Pheasants, Grouse, and Allies: Phasianidae

23Crested FrancolinOrtygornis sephaenaMany
24Coqui FrancolinCampocolinus coquiMany
25Orange River FrancolinScleroptera levaillantoidesBD,BSE,CK,MP
26/Common Quail/Coturnix coturnixCK,CNP,LNG
27/Harlequin Quail/Coturnix delegorgueiMany
28Red-billed SpurfowlPternistis adspersusMany
29Natal SpurfowlPternistis natalensisMany
30Swainson's SpurfowlPternistis swainsoniiMany

 
Flamingos: Phoenicopteridae

31Greater FlamingoPhoenicopterus roseusMany
32Lesser FlamingoPhoenicoparrus minorMany

 
Grebes: Podicipedidae

33Little GrebeTachybaptus ruficollisMany
34Great Crested GrebePodiceps cristatusBSE,MP,PSL
35Eared GrebePodiceps nigricollisBSE,MP,OKD,PSL

 
Pigeons and Doves: Columbidae

36Rock PigeonColumba liviaMP
37Speckled PigeonColumba guineaMany
38[European Turtle-Dove]Streptopelia turturOKD
39Mourning Collared-DoveStreptopelia decipiensCNP,LS,MP,OKD
40Red-eyed DoveStreptopelia semitorquataMany
41Ring-necked DoveStreptopelia capicolaMany
42Laughing DoveSpilopelia senegalensisMany
43Emerald-spotted Wood-DoveTurtur chalcospilosMany
44Namaqua DoveOena capensisMany
45Crested Quail-DoveGeotrygon versicolor 
46African Green-PigeonTreron calvusMany

 
Sandgrouse: Pteroclidae

47Namaqua SandgrousePterocles namaquaMany
48Yellow-throated SandgrousePterocles gutturalisCK,CNP,LNG,MP,OKD
49Double-banded SandgrousePterocles bicinctusMany
50Burchell's SandgrousePterocles burchelliMany

 
Bustards: Otididae

51Kori BustardArdeotis koriMany
52{Ludwig's Bustard}Neotis ludwigii 
53Denham's BustardNeotis denhamiCNP,LS,MP,OKD
54[White-bellied Bustard]Eupodotis senegalensis 
55Red-crested BustardLophotis ruficristaMany
56White-quilled BustardAfrotis afraoidesMany
57Black-bellied BustardLissotis melanogasterCK,CNP,LS,OKD,TH

 
Turacos: Musophagidae

58[Schalow's Turaco]Tauraco schalowiCNP,LS
59[Purple-crested Turaco]Gallirex porphyreolophusCNP
60[Ross's Turaco]Musophaga rossaeOKD
61Gray Go-away-birdCrinifer concolorMany

 
Cuckoos: Cuculidae

62Red-chested CuckooCuculus solitariusMany
63/Black Cuckoo/Cuculus clamosusMany
64Common CuckooCuculus canorusCK,CNP,LS,MP,OKD
65/African Cuckoo/Cuculus gularisMany
66Black CoucalCentropus grilliiCNP,LNG,LS,OKD
67Coppery-tailed CoucalCentropus cupreicaudusCNP,LNG,LS,MP,OKD
68Senegal CoucalCentropus senegalensisMany
69White-browed CoucalCentropus superciliosusBSE
70Burchell's Coucal**Centropus burchelliiMany
71(Pied Cuckoo)Clamator jacobinusMany
72Levaillant's CuckooClamator levaillantiiMany
73Great Spotted CuckooClamator glandariusMany
74Thick-billed CuckooPachycoccyx audebertiLS,OKD
75Klaas's CuckooChrysococcyx klaasMany
76African Emerald CuckooChrysococcyx cupreusOKD
77Dideric CuckooChrysococcyx capriusMany

 
Nightjars and Allies: Caprimulgidae

78Pennant-winged NightjarCaprimulgus vexillariusCNP,LS,OKD
79[Eurasian Nightjar]Caprimulgus europaeusMany
80Rufous-cheeked NightjarCaprimulgus rufigenaMany
81Fiery-necked NightjarCaprimulgus pectoralisMany
82Swamp NightjarCaprimulgus natalensisCNP,LS,OKD
83Freckled NightjarCaprimulgus tristigmaBD,BSE,CNP,MGR,OKD
84Square-tailed NightjarCaprimulgus fossiiMany

 
Swifts: Apodidae

85[Bat-like Spinetail]Neafrapus boehmiOKD
86Alpine SwiftTachymarptis melbaMany
87/Common Swift/Apus apusMany
88African SwiftApus barbatusBD,KTP,LS,OKD,TH
89[Bradfield's Swift]Apus bradfieldi 
90Little SwiftApus affinisMany
91Horus SwiftApus horusPSL
92White-rumped SwiftApus cafferMany
93African Palm SwiftCypsiurus parvusMany

 
Rails, Gallinules, and Coots: Rallidae

94African RailRallus caerulescensCNP,LS,OKD,PSL
95Corn CrakeCrex crexLNG,LS,OKD
96(African Crake)Crex egregiaMany
97/Spotted Crake/Porzana porzanaCK,MP,OKD
98/Lesser Moorhen/Gallinula angulataMany
99Eurasian MoorhenGallinula chloropusMany
100Red-knobbed CootFulica cristataMany
101/Allen's Gallinule/Porphyrio alleniCNP,LNG,LS,OKD,PSL
102African SwamphenPorphyrio madagascariensisMany
103Striped CrakeAmaurornis marginalisCNP,LS,OKD
104Black CrakeZapornia flavirostraMany
105{Baillon's Crake}Zapornia pusillaCNP,MP,OKD,PSL

 
Flufftails: Sarothruridae

106[Buff-spotted Flufftail]Sarothrura elegansOKD
107Red-chested FlufftailSarothrura rufaOKD

 
Finfoots: Heliornithidae

108African FinfootPodica senegalensis 

 
Cranes: Gruidae

109Gray Crowned-CraneBalearica regulorumCNP,MP,OKD
110Blue CraneAnthropoides paradiseusBSE,MP
111Wattled CraneBugeranus carunculatusCNP,LNG,LS,MP,OKD

 
Thick-knees: Burhinidae

112Spotted Thick-kneeBurhinus capensisMany
113Water Thick-kneeBurhinus vermiculatusMany

 
Stilts and Avocets: Recurvirostridae

114Black-winged StiltHimantopus himantopusMany
115Pied AvocetRecurvirostra avosettaMany

 
Plovers and Lapwings: Charadriidae

116/Black-bellied Plover/Pluvialis squatarolaMany
117/Common Ringed Plover/Charadrius hiaticulaMany
118Three-banded PloverCharadrius tricollarisMany
119Long-toed LapwingVanellus crassirostrisCNP,LNG,LS,OKD
120Blacksmith LapwingVanellus armatusMany
121[Spur-winged Lapwing]Vanellus spinosus 
122White-crowned LapwingVanellus albicepsCNP,OKD,TH
123Crowned LapwingVanellus coronatusMany
124Wattled LapwingVanellus senegallusCNP,LS,OKD
125/Caspian Plover/Anarhynchus asiaticusMany
126[Greater Sand-Plover]Anarhynchus leschenaultiiMP
127Kittlitz's PloverAnarhynchus pecuariusMany
128Chestnut-banded PloverAnarhynchus pallidusCNP,MP,PSL
129White-fronted PloverAnarhynchus marginatusMany

 
Painted-Snipes: Rostratulidae

130Greater Painted-SnipeRostratula benghalensisMany

 
Jacanas: Jacanidae

131Lesser JacanaMicroparra capensisCNP,LNG,LS,OKD
132African JacanaActophilornis africanusMany

 
Sandpipers and Allies: Scolopacidae

133/Whimbrel/Numenius phaeopusLNG,MP,OKD
134/Eurasian Curlew/Numenius arquataBD,LNG,MP,OKD
135{Bar-tailed Godwit}Limosa lapponicaCNP,LNG,MP,OKD
136/Black-tailed Godwit/Limosa limosaMany
137Great SnipeGallinago mediaLS,OKD
138African SnipeGallinago nigripennisMany
139{Red Phalarope}Phalaropus fulicarius 
140[Red-necked Phalarope]Phalaropus lobatus 
141/Terek Sandpiper/Xenus cinereusLNG,MP,OKD
142/Common Sandpiper/Actitis hypoleucosMany
143/Green Sandpiper/Tringa ochropusLNG,MP,OKD,PSL
144/Marsh Sandpiper/Tringa stagnatilisMany
145/Wood Sandpiper/Tringa glareolaMany
146Common RedshankTringa totanusCNP,LNG,MP,OKD
147{Spotted Redshank}Tringa erythropusLNG,OKD
148/Common Greenshank/Tringa nebulariaMany
149[Greater Yellowlegs]Tringa melanoleuca 
150Ruddy TurnstoneArenaria interpresBSE,CNP,LNG,MP,OKD
151[Red Knot]Calidris canutus 
152/Ruff/Calidris pugnaxMany
153/Curlew Sandpiper/Calidris ferrugineaMany
154[Temminck's Stint]Calidris temminckii 
155/Sanderling/Calidris albaLNG,MP,OKD,PSL
156[Dunlin]Calidris alpina 
157/Little Stint/Calidris minutaMany
158{Pectoral Sandpiper}Calidris melanotosLS,OKD

 
Buttonquail: Turnicidae

159Small ButtonquailTurnix sylvaticusMany

 
Pratincoles and Coursers: Glareolidae

160Bronze-winged CourserRhinoptilus chalcopterusMany
161Three-banded CourserRhinoptilus cinctusCNP
162Double-banded CourserSmutsornis africanusMany
163{Burchell's Courser}Cursorius rufusBSE,CK,KTP,LNG
164#Temminck's Courser#Cursorius temminckiiMany
165Rock PratincoleGlareola nuchalisCNP
166/Black-winged Pratincole/Glareola nordmanniMany
167Collared PratincoleGlareola pratincolaMany

 
Skuas and Jaegers: Stercorariidae

168[Long-tailed Jaeger]Stercorarius longicaudusCNP

 
Gulls, Terns, and Skimmers: Laridae

169[Black-headed Gull]Chroicocephalus ridibundusLNG
170Gray-hooded GullChroicocephalus cirrocephalusMany
171Lesser Black-backed GullLarus fuscusCNP,LNG,LS,MP,OKD
172African SkimmerRynchops flavirostrisCNP,LNG,LS,MP,OKD
173[Gull-billed Tern]Gelochelidon nilotica 
174Caspian TernHydroprogne caspiaLNG,MP,PSL
175Whiskered TernChlidonias hybridaMany
176Black TernChlidonias niger 
177White-winged TernChlidonias leucopterusMany

 
Storks: Ciconiidae

178African OpenbillAnastomus lamelligerusMany
179Black StorkCiconia nigraMany
180/Abdim's Stork/Ciconia abdimiiMany
181African Woolly-necked StorkCiconia microscelisCNP,LNG,LS,MP,OKD
182/White Stork/Ciconia ciconiaMany
183Saddle-billed StorkEphippiorhynchus senegalensisMany
184Marabou StorkLeptoptilos crumeniferMany
185Yellow-billed StorkMycteria ibisMany

 
Anhingas: Anhingidae

186African DarterAnhinga rufaMany

 
Cormorants and Shags: Phalacrocoracidae

187Long-tailed CormorantMicrocarbo africanusMany
188Great CormorantPhalacrocorax carboMany

 
Pelicans: Pelecanidae

189#Great White Pelican#Pelecanus onocrotalusMany
190Pink-backed PelicanPelecanus rufescensMany

 
Hamerkop: Scopidae

191HamerkopScopus umbrettaMany

 
Herons, Egrets, and Bitterns: Ardeidae

192{Great Bittern}Botaurus stellarisOKD
193Dwarf BitternIxobrychus sturmiiMany
194Little BitternIxobrychus minutusMany
195Black-crowned Night HeronNycticorax nycticoraxMany
196Slaty EgretEgretta vinaceigulaCNP,LNG,LS,OKD,PSL
197Black HeronEgretta ardesiacaMany
198Little EgretEgretta garzettaMany
199White-backed Night HeronCalherodius leuconotusCNP,OKD
200Striated HeronButorides striataMany
201Rufous-bellied HeronArdeola rufiventrisCNP,LNG,LS,OKD
202Squacco HeronArdeola ralloidesMany
203Western Cattle EgretBubulcus ibisMany
204Great EgretArdea albaMany
205Yellow-billed EgretArdea brachyrhynchaMany
206Gray HeronArdea cinereaMany
207Purple HeronArdea purpureaMany
208Black-headed HeronArdea melanocephalaMany
209Goliath HeronArdea goliathMany

 
Ibises and Spoonbills: Threskiornithidae

210Glossy IbisPlegadis falcinellusMany
211African Sacred IbisThreskiornis aethiopicusMany
212Hadada IbisBostrychia hagedashMany
213African SpoonbillPlatalea albaMany

 
Secretary-bird: Sagittariidae

214SecretarybirdSagittarius serpentariusMany

 
Osprey: Pandionidae

215/Osprey/Pandion haliaetusMany

 
Hawks, Eagles, and Kites: Accipitridae

216Black-winged KiteElanus caeruleusMany
217African Harrier-HawkPolyboroides typusMany
218[Palm-nut Vulture]Gypohierax angolensis 
219{Egyptian Vulture}Neophron percnopterus 
220/European Honey-buzzard/Pernis apivorusCNP,OKD
221African Cuckoo-HawkAviceda cuculoidesCNP,OKD
222White-headed VultureTrigonoceps occipitalisMany
223Lappet-faced VultureTorgos tracheliotosMany
224Hooded VultureNecrosyrtes monachusMany
225White-backed VultureGyps africanusMany
226Cape GriffonGyps coprotheresMany
227BateleurTerathopius ecaudatusMany
228Black-chested Snake-EagleCircaetus pectoralisMany
229Brown Snake-EagleCircaetus cinereusMany
230Banded Snake-EagleCircaetus cinerascensCNP,LNG,LS,OKD
231Bat HawkMacheiramphus alcinusBSE,CNP,LS,OKD,TH
232[Crowned Eagle]Stephanoaetus coronatusCNP
233Martial EaglePolemaetus bellicosusMany
234Long-crested EagleLophaetus occipitalisCNP,LS,OKD
235/Lesser Spotted Eagle/Clanga pomarinaMany
236/Wahlberg's Eagle/Hieraaetus wahlbergiMany
237/Booted Eagle/Hieraaetus pennatusMany
238/Ayres's Hawk-Eagle/Hieraaetus ayresiiBSE,CNP,LS,OKD
239Tawny EagleAquila rapaxMany
240/Steppe Eagle/Aquila nipalensisMany
241Verreaux's EagleAquila verreauxiiBD,BSE,MGR,TH
242African Hawk-EagleAquila spilogasterMany
243Lizard BuzzardKaupifalco monogrammicusBSE,CNP,LS,OKD
244Dark Chanting-GoshawkMelierax metabatesCNP,LS,MP,OKD,TH
245Pale Chanting-GoshawkMelierax canorusMany
246Gabar GoshawkMicronisus gabarMany
247/Western Marsh Harrier/Circus aeruginosusCNP,LNG,MP,OKD,PSL
248African Marsh HarrierCircus ranivorusMany
249{Black Harrier}Circus maurus 
250/Pallid Harrier/Circus macrourusMany
251/Montagu's Harrier/Circus pygargusMany
252African GoshawkAccipiter tousseneliiCNP,OKD,TH
253ShikraAccipiter badiusMany
254Little SparrowhawkAccipiter minullusMany
255Ovambo SparrowhawkAccipiter ovampensisMany
256Black GoshawkAccipiter melanoleucusBSE,CNP,OKD
257/Black Kite/Milvus migransMany
258Yellow-billed Kite**Milvus aegyptius 
259African Fish-EagleIcthyophaga vociferMany
260/Common Buzzard/Buteo buteoMany
261[Long-legged Buzzard]Buteo rufinusLNG,LS
262[Augur Buzzard]Buteo augurLS
263Jackal BuzzardButeo rufofuscusBSE,KTP

 
Barn-Owls: Tytonidae

264{African Grass-Owl}Tyto capensisBSE
265Barn OwlTyto albaMany

 
Owls: Strigidae

266African Scops-OwlOtus senegalensisMany
267Southern White-faced OwlPtilopsis grantiMany
268Spotted Eagle-OwlBubo africanusMany
269Verreaux's Eagle-OwlKetupa lacteaMany
270Pel's Fishing-OwlScotopelia peliCNP,LS,OKD
271Pearl-spotted OwletGlaucidium perlatumMany
272African Barred OwletGlaucidium capenseCNP,LS,MP,OKD
273African Wood-OwlStrix woodfordiiLS,OKD
274Marsh OwlAsio capensisMany

 
Mousebirds: Coliidae

275Speckled MousebirdColius striatusBD,MP,PSL,TH
276White-backed MousebirdColius coliusBD,BSE,KTP,PSL
277Red-faced MousebirdUrocolius indicusMany

 
Trogons: Trogonidae

278Narina TrogonApaloderma narinaCNP,LS,OKD

 
Hoopoes: Upupidae

279African Hoopoe**Upupa africanaMany

 
Woodhoopoes and Scimitarbills: Phoeniculidae

280Green WoodhoopoePhoeniculus purpureusMany
281Common ScimitarbillRhinopomastus cyanomelasMany

 
Hornbills: Bucerotidae

282Southern Ground-HornbillBucorvus leadbeateriCNP,LS,MP,OKD,TH
283{Crowned Hornbill}Lophoceros alboterminatusCNP
284Bradfield's HornbillLophoceros bradfieldiCNP,LNG,LS,MP,OKD
285African Gray HornbillLophoceros nasutusMany
286Southern Red-billed HornbillTockus rufirostrisMany
287Southern Yellow-billed HornbillTockus leucomelasMany
288Trumpeter HornbillBycanistes bucinatorCNP

 
Kingfishers: Alcedinidae

289Half-collared KingfisherAlcedo semitorquata 
290Malachite KingfisherCorythornis cristatusMany
291/African Pygmy Kingfisher/Ispidina pictaMany
292/Gray-headed Kingfisher/Halcyon leucocephalaMany
293/Woodland Kingfisher/Halcyon senegalensisMany
294Brown-hooded KingfisherHalcyon albiventrisMany
295Striped KingfisherHalcyon chelicutiMany
296Giant KingfisherMegaceryle maximaBSE,CNP,LS,OKD
297Pied KingfisherCeryle rudisMany

 
Bee-eaters: Meropidae

298White-fronted Bee-eaterMerops bullockoidesCNP,LS,OKD,TH
299Little Bee-eaterMerops pusillusMany
300Swallow-tailed Bee-eaterMerops hirundineusMany
301/Blue-cheeked Bee-eater/Merops persicusMany
302{Madagascar Bee-eater}Merops superciliosus 
303/European Bee-eater/Merops apiasterMany
304/Southern Carmine Bee-eater/Merops nubicoidesMany

 
Rollers: Coraciidae

305/European Roller/Coracias garrulusMany
306Lilac-breasted RollerCoracias caudatusMany
307Racket-tailed RollerCoracias spatulatusCNP
308Rufous-crowned RollerCoracias naeviusMany
309/Broad-billed Roller/Eurystomus glaucurusCNP,LS,OKD

 
African Barbets: Lybiidae

310Crested BarbetTrachyphonus vaillantiiMany
311Yellow-fronted TinkerbirdPogoniulus chrysoconusMany
312Pied BarbetTricholaema leucomelasMany
313Black-collared BarbetLybius torquatusMany

 
Honeyguides: Indicatoridae

314{Green-backed Honeyguide}Prodotiscus zambesiaeOKD
315Wahlberg's HoneyguideProdotiscus regulusBD,BSE,CNP,OKD
316Lesser HoneyguideIndicator minorMany
317Greater HoneyguideIndicator indicatorMany

 
Woodpeckers: Picidae

318Cardinal WoodpeckerDendropicos fuscescensMany
319{Olive Woodpecker}Dendropicos griseocephalus 
320Bearded WoodpeckerChloropicus namaquusMany
321Bennett's WoodpeckerCampethera bennettiiMany
322Golden-tailed WoodpeckerCampethera abingoniMany

 
Falcons and Caracaras: Falconidae

323Pygmy FalconPolihierax semitorquatusBSE,KTP
324/Lesser Kestrel/Falco naumanniMany
325Rock KestrelFalco rupicolusBD,BSE
326Greater KestrelFalco rupicoloidesMany
327Dickinson's KestrelFalco dickinsoniCNP,LNG,LS,MP,OKD
328Red-necked FalconFalco chicqueraMany
329/Red-footed Falcon/Falco vespertinusMany
330Amur FalconFalco amurensisMany
331[Sooty Falcon]Falco concolor 
332/Eurasian Hobby/Falco subbuteoMany
333African HobbyFalco cuvieriiCNP,OKD
334Lanner FalconFalco biarmicusMany
335Peregrine FalconFalco peregrinusCK,CNP,LS,MP,OKD

 
Parrots: Psittaculidae

336[Rosy-faced Lovebird]Agapornis roseicollis 

 
Parrots: Psittacidae

337{Brown-necked Parrot}Poicephalus fuscicollisCNP
338Meyer's ParrotPoicephalus meyeriMany

 
African and Green Broadbill: Calyptomenidae

339[African Broadbill]Smithornis capensisOKD

 
Pittas: Pittidae

340[African Pitta]Pitta angolensis 

 
Cuckooshrikes: Campephagidae

341(White-breasted Cuckooshrike)Coracina pectoralisCNP,LS,OKD
342(Black Cuckooshrike)Campephaga flavaMany

 
Old World Orioles: Oriolidae

343/Eurasian Golden Oriole/Oriolus oriolusMany
344#African Golden Oriole#Oriolus auratusBSE,CNP,LS,MP,OKD
345African Black-headed OrioleOriolus larvatusMany

 
Wattle-eyes and Batises: Platysteiridae

346[Cape Batis]Batis capensis 
347Chinspot BatisBatis molitorMany
348Pririt BatisBatis priritMany

 
Vangas, Helmetshrikes and Allies: Vangidae

349White HelmetshrikePrionops plumatusMany
350Retz's HelmetshrikePrionops retziiCNP,LNG,LS,OKD

 
Bushshrikes: Malaconotidae

351BrubruNilaus aferMany
352Black-backed PuffbackDryoscopus cublaMany
353Black-crowned TchagraTchagra senegalusMany
354Brown-crowned TchagraTchagra australisMany
355Tropical BoubouLaniarius majorCNP,TH
356Gabon BoubouLaniarius bicolorCNP,LNG,LS,MP,OKD
357Southern BoubouLaniarius ferrugineusBSE,MGR
358Crimson-breasted GonolekLaniarius atrococcineusMany
359BokmakierieTelophorus zeylonusBSE,KTP
360Sulphur-breasted BushshrikeTelophorus sulfureopectusMany
361Gray-headed BushshrikeMalaconotus blanchotiMany

 
Drongos: Dicruridae

362Fork-tailed DrongoDicrurus adsimilisMany

 
Monarch Flycatchers: Monarchidae

363(African Paradise-Flycatcher)Terpsiphone viridisMany

 
Shrikes: Laniidae

364/Red-backed Shrike/Lanius collurioMany
365/Lesser Gray Shrike/Lanius minorMany
366Magpie ShrikeLanius melanoleucaMany
367Southern FiscalLanius collarisMany
368[Souza's Shrike]Lanius souzaeCNP
369White-crowned ShrikeEurocephalus anguitimensMany

 
Crows, Jays, and Magpies: Corvidae

370Cape CrowCorvus capensisMany
371Pied CrowCorvus albusMany
372{White-necked Raven}Corvus albicollis 

 
Fairy Flycatchers: Stenostiridae

373|Fairy Flycatcher|Stenostira scitaBD,BSE,MGR,PSL

 
Tits, Chickadees, and Titmice: Paridae

374Southern Black-TitMelaniparus nigerMany
375[Rufous-bellied Tit]Melaniparus rufiventris 
376Ashy TitMelaniparus cinerascensMany

 
Penduline-Tits: Remizidae

377African Penduline-TitAnthoscopus caroliCNP,MP,OKD,TH
378Southern Penduline-TitAnthoscopus minutusMany

 
Larks: Alaudidae

379Spike-heeled LarkChersomanes albofasciataBD,BSE,CK,KTP,MP
380Short-clawed LarkCerthilauda chuanaBD,BSE,KTP
381/Dusky Lark/Pinarocorys nigricansMany
382{Black-eared Sparrow-Lark}Eremopterix australis 
383Chestnut-backed Sparrow-LarkEremopterix leucotisMany
384Gray-backed Sparrow-LarkEremopterix verticalisMany
385Sabota LarkCalendulauda sabotaMany
386Fawn-colored LarkCalendulauda africanoidesMany
387Monotonous LarkMirafra passerinaMany
388{Melodious Lark}Mirafra chenianaBSE
389Rufous-naped LarkMirafra africanaMany
390Flappet LarkMirafra rufocinnamomeaCNP,LS,MP,OKD
391Eastern Clapper LarkMirafra fasciolataBSE,CK,KTP,MP,OKD
392Red-capped LarkCalandrella cinereaMany
393Stark's LarkSpizocorys starki 
394Pink-billed LarkSpizocorys conirostrisBSE,CK,KTP,MP,OKD

 
African Warblers: Macrosphenidae

395Cape CrombecSylvietta rufescensMany

 
Cisticolas and Allies: Cisticolidae

396Yellow-bellied EremomelaEremomela icteropygialisMany
397Greencap EremomelaEremomela scotopsCNP,OKD
398Burnt-neck EremomelaEremomela usticollisMany
399Stierling's Wren-WarblerCalamonastes stierlingiCNP,LS,MP,OKD
400Barred Wren-WarblerCalamonastes fasciolatusMany
401Green-backed CamaropteraCamaroptera brachyuraMany
402Bar-throated ApalisApalis thoracicaBD,BSE,MGR,TH
403Yellow-breasted ApalisApalis flavidaCNP,LS,OKD,TH
404Tawny-flanked PriniaPrinia subflavaMany
405Black-chested PriniaPrinia flavicansMany
406Rufous-eared WarblerMalcorus pectoralisBSE,CK,KTP,MP
407Red-faced CisticolaCisticola erythropsCNP
408Rock-loving CisticolaCisticola aberransBSE,MGR
409Rattling CisticolaCisticola chinianaMany
410Tinkling CisticolaCisticola rufilatusMany
411Luapula CisticolaCisticola luapulaCNP,LS,OKD
412Chirping CisticolaCisticola pipiensLS,OKD
413[Levaillant's Cisticola]Cisticola tinniensBSE
414{Croaking Cisticola}Cisticola natalensisCNP
415Piping CisticolaCisticola fulvicapillaMany
416Zitting CisticolaCisticola juncidisMany
417Desert CisticolaCisticola aridulusMany
418{Cloud Cisticola}Cisticola textrixBSE
419{Pale-crowned Cisticola}Cisticola cinnamomeusOKD

 
Reed Warblers and Allies: Acrocephalidae

420{African Yellow-Warbler}Iduna natalensisPSL
421/Olive-tree Warbler/Hippolais olivetorumMany
422/Icterine Warbler/Hippolais icterinaMany
423/Sedge Warbler/Acrocephalus schoenobaenusMany
424/Marsh Warbler/Acrocephalus palustrisMany
425/Common Reed Warbler/Acrocephalus scirpaceusMany
426{Basra Reed Warbler}Acrocephalus griseldisPSL
427Lesser Swamp WarblerAcrocephalus gracilirostrisMany
428Greater Swamp WarblerAcrocephalus rufescensCNP,LS,OKD
429/Great Reed Warbler/Acrocephalus arundinaceusMany

 
Grassbirds and Allies: Locustellidae

430{River Warbler}Locustella fluviatilisMP,OKD
431Little Rush WarblerBradypterus baboecalaLS,MP,OKD,PSL

 
Swallows: Hirundinidae

432{Black Sawwing}Psalidoprocne pristoptera 
433/Gray-rumped Swallow/Pseudhirundo griseopygaBSE,CNP,LS,MP,OKD
434(Banded Martin)Neophedina cinctaMany
435Plain MartinRiparia paludicolaMany
436/Bank Swallow/Riparia ripariaBD,CNP,MP,OKD,PSL
437Rock MartinPtyonoprogne fuligulaMany
438Pearl-breasted SwallowHirundo dimidiataMany
439/Barn Swallow/Hirundo rusticaMany
440{Angola Swallow}Hirundo angolensisLS
441(White-throated Swallow)Hirundo albigularisMany
442Wire-tailed SwallowHirundo smithiiCNP,LS,OKD
443/Western House-Martin/Delichon urbicumMany
444(Greater Striped Swallow)Cecropis cucullataMany
445Lesser Striped SwallowCecropis abyssinicaMany
446(Rufous-chested Swallow)Cecropis semirufaMany
447/Mosque Swallow/Cecropis senegalensisCNP,LS,OKD
448|South African Swallow|Petrochelidon spiloderaMany

 
Bulbuls: Pycnonotidae

449Yellow-bellied GreenbulChlorocichla flaviventrisCNP,LS,OKD,TH
450Terrestrial BrownbulPhyllastrephus terrestrisCNP,LNG,LS,OKD
451Common BulbulPycnonotus barbatusMany
452Black-fronted BulbulPycnonotus nigricansMany

 
Leaf Warblers: Phylloscopidae

453/Willow Warbler/Phylloscopus trochilusMany

 
Sylviid Warblers, Parrotbills, and Allies: Sylviidae

454/Garden Warbler/Sylvia borinMany
455Chestnut-vented WarblerCurruca subcaeruleaMany
456/Greater Whitethroat/Curruca communisMany

 
White-eyes, Yuhinas, and Allies: Zosteropidae

457Cape White-eyeZosterops virensBD,BSE,MGR,PSL,TH
458Southern Yellow White-eyeZosterops anderssoniCNP,LS,OKD,TH

 
Laughingthrushes and Allies: Leiothrichidae

459Arrow-marked BabblerTurdoides jardineiiMany
460Bare-cheeked BabblerTurdoides gymnogenysCNP
461Southern Pied-BabblerTurdoides bicolorMany
462Hartlaub's BabblerTurdoides hartlaubiiCNP,LNG,LS,OKD
463Black-faced BabblerTurdoides melanopsOKD

 
Treecreepers: Certhiidae

464{African Spotted Creeper}Salpornis salvadori 

 
Oxpeckers: Buphagidae

465Red-billed OxpeckerBuphagus erythrorynchusMany
466Yellow-billed OxpeckerBuphagus africanusCNP,LNG,LS,MP,OKD

 
Starlings: Sturnidae

467{European Starling}Sturnus vulgaris 
468(Wattled Starling)Creatophora cinereaMany
469Common MynaAcridotheres tristisBSE,PSL
470(Violet-backed Starling)Cinnyricinclus leucogasterMany
471{Pale-winged Starling}Onychognathus nabouroup 
472Red-winged StarlingOnychognathus morioBD,BSE,MGR,TH
473Burchell's StarlingLamprotornis australisMany
474Meves's StarlingLamprotornis mevesiiMany
475{Lesser Blue-eared Starling}Lamprotornis chloropterusCNP
476{Sharp-tailed Starling}Lamprotornis acuticaudusLS,OKD
477Greater Blue-eared StarlingLamprotornis chalybaeusMany
478Cape StarlingLamprotornis nitensMany

 
Thrushes and Allies: Turdidae

479Groundscraper ThrushTurdus litsitsirupaMany
480Kurrichane ThrushTurdus libonyanaMany
481Karoo ThrushTurdus smithiBD,BSE

 
Old World Flycatchers: Muscicapidae

482/Spotted Flycatcher/Muscicapa striataMany
483Marico FlycatcherBradornis mariquensisMany
484Pale FlycatcherAgricola pallidusCNP,OKD
485Chat FlycatcherAgricola infuscatusMany
486Gray Tit-FlycatcherFraseria plumbeusMany
487Ashy FlycatcherFraseria caerulescensCNP,LS,OKD,TH
488|Fiscal Flycatcher|Melaenornis silensMany
489Southern Black-FlycatcherMelaenornis pammelainaMany
490Karoo Scrub-RobinCercotrichas coryphoeus 
491Bearded Scrub-RobinCercotrichas quadrivirgataCNP,OKD
492Kalahari Scrub-RobinCercotrichas paenaMany
493Red-backed Scrub-RobinCercotrichas leucophrysMany
494{Cape Robin-Chat}Cossypha caffra 
495(White-throated Robin-Chat)Cossypha humeralisMany
496(White-browed Robin-Chat)Cossypha heugliniCNP,LS,OKD
497{Red-capped Robin-Chat}Cossypha natalensis 
498Collared Palm-ThrushCichladusa arquataCNP,LS,MP,OKD
499/Thrush Nightingale/Luscinia lusciniaCNP,OKD
500Short-toed Rock-ThrushMonticola brevipesBD,BSE,MGR
501Miombo Rock-ThrushMonticola angolensisCNP
502{Whinchat}Saxicola rubetraOKD
503African StonechatSaxicola torquatusMany
504|Sicklewing Chat|Emarginata sinuata 
505Mocking Cliff-ChatThamnolaea cinnamomeiventrisBD,BSE,MGR,TH
506Southern Anteater-ChatMyrmecocichla formicivoraMany
507{Mountain Wheatear}Myrmecocichla monticola 
508Arnot's ChatMyrmecocichla arnottiCNP,LS,OKD
509{Northern Wheatear}Oenanthe oenanthe 
510(Capped Wheatear)Oenanthe pileataMany
511Familiar ChatOenanthe familiarisMany
512Boulder ChatPinarornis plumosus 

 
Sunbirds and Spiderhunters: Nectariniidae

513Collared SunbirdHedydipna collarisCNP,OKD
514Amethyst SunbirdChalcomitra amethystinaBSE,CNP,LS,OKD
515Scarlet-chested SunbirdChalcomitra senegalensisCNP,LS,OKD
516Marico SunbirdCinnyris mariquensisMany
517Purple-banded SunbirdCinnyris bifasciatusOKD
518White-breasted SunbirdCinnyris talatalaMany
519Dusky SunbirdCinnyris fuscusKTP
520{Copper Sunbird}Cinnyris cupreusLS

 
Weavers and Allies: Ploceidae

521Red-billed Buffalo-WeaverBubalornis nigerMany
522Scaly WeaverSporopipes squamifronsMany
523White-browed Sparrow-WeaverPlocepasser mahaliMany
524Sociable WeaverPhiletairus sociusBSE,KTP
525Red-headed WeaverAnaplectes rubricepsMany
526Spectacled WeaverPloceus ocularisCNP,OKD
527Holub's Golden-WeaverPloceus xanthopsCNP,LNG,LS,OKD
528Southern Brown-throated WeaverPloceus xanthopterusCNP,LS,OKD
529Lesser Masked-WeaverPloceus intermediusMany
530Southern Masked-WeaverPloceus velatusMany
531Village WeaverPloceus cucullatusCNP,LS,OKD,TH
532(Chestnut Weaver)Ploceus rubiginosusOKD
533{Red-headed Quelea}Quelea erythropsCNP,LS
534(Red-billed Quelea)Quelea queleaMany
535Southern Red BishopEuplectes orixMany
536Yellow-crowned BishopEuplectes aferMany
537Yellow BishopEuplectes capensis 
538White-winged WidowbirdEuplectes albonotatusBD,BSE,LS,PSL
539{Red-collared Widowbird}Euplectes ardens 
540Fan-tailed WidowbirdEuplectes axillarisCNP,LS,OKD
541Long-tailed WidowbirdEuplectes progneBSE
542Grosbeak WeaverAmblyospiza albifronsCNP,LS,OKD

 
Waxbills and Allies: Estrildidae

543Bronze MannikinSpermestes cucullataBSE,CNP,PSL,TH
544{Magpie Mannikin}Spermestes fringilloides 
545Zebra WaxbillAmandava subflavaBSE,CNP,LS,OKD,PSL
546Black-faced WaxbillBrunhilda erythronotosMany
547Common WaxbillEstrilda astrildMany
548QuailfinchOrtygospiza atricollisMany
549{Locustfinch}Paludipasser locustella 
550Cut-throatAmadina fasciataMany
551Red-headed FinchAmadina erythrocephalaMany
552Violet-eared WaxbillGranatina granatinaMany
553Southern CordonbleuUraeginthus angolensisMany
554Green-winged PytiliaPytilia melbaMany
555Orange-winged PytiliaPytilia afraCNP
556Red-billed FirefinchLagonosticta senegalaMany
557Jameson's FirefinchLagonosticta rhodopareiaMany
558Brown FirefinchLagonosticta nitidulaCNP,LS,OKD

 
Indigobirds: Viduidae

559Pin-tailed WhydahVidua macrouraMany
560Broad-tailed Paradise-WhydahVidua obtusaBSE,CNP
561Eastern Paradise-WhydahVidua paradisaeaMany
562Shaft-tailed WhydahVidua regiaMany
563Village IndigobirdVidua chalybeataMany
564Purple IndigobirdVidua purpurascensBD,BSE,CNP,OKD,TH
565Parasitic WeaverAnomalospiza imberbis 

 
Old World Sparrows: Passeridae

566House SparrowPasser domesticusMany
567Great Rufous SparrowPasser motitensisMany
568Cape SparrowPasser melanurusMany
569{Northern Gray-headed Sparrow}Passer griseusCNP
570Southern Gray-headed SparrowPasser diffususMany
571Yellow-throated Bush SparrowGymnornis superciliarisMany

 
Wagtails and Pipits: Motacillidae

572Cape WagtailMotacilla capensisMany
573{Mountain Wagtail}Motacilla clara 
574{Gray Wagtail}Motacilla cinereaMP
575/Western Yellow Wagtail/Motacilla flavaMany
576African Pied WagtailMotacilla aguimpMany
577African PipitAnthus cinnamomeusMany
578\Mountain Pipit\Anthus hoeschiLNG,MP,OKD
579{Woodland Pipit}Anthus nyassaeCNP,OKD
580Nicholson's PipitAnthus nicholsoniBSE,CK,CNP,KTP
581Plain-backed PipitAnthus leucophrysMany
582(Buffy Pipit)Anthus vaalensisMany
583Striped PipitAnthus lineiventrisBD
584/Tree Pipit/Anthus trivialisCNP,OKD
585<Bush Pipit>Anthus cafferBSE,MGR,TH
586Orange-throated LongclawMacronyx capensisBSE
587Rosy-throated LongclawMacronyx ameliaeCNP,LS,OKD

 
Finches, Euphonias, and Allies: Fringillidae

588Yellow-fronted CanaryCrithagra mozambicusMany
589Black-throated CanaryCrithagra atrogularisMany
590Yellow CanaryCrithagra flaviventrisMany
591{Black-eared Seedeater}Crithagra mennelli 
592Streaky-headed SeedeaterCrithagra gularisBSE,CNP,TH
593{Black-headed Canary}Serinus alario 

 
Old World Buntings: Emberizidae

594Lark-like BuntingEmberiza impetuaniMany
595Cinnamon-breasted BuntingEmberiza tahapisiMany
596[Cape Bunting]Emberiza capensisBD,BSE,TH
597Golden-breasted BuntingEmberiza flaviventrisMany

 

 *Nomenclature and taxonomic affinities are based on Clements 6th Edition published 2007 with updates through 2021 maintained by the Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology, which relies largely on the AOU and SACC nomenclature committees. IUCN status may reflect splits not currently recognized by Clements.
**Species not accepted by Clements, AOU, or SACC that we recognize based on the IOC, field observations along with geographical separation, consensus opinions of field guide authors, and other sources. These species are potential splits in future Clements updates.

 # SPECIES BY LOCALE

Locale# Species
Bokaa Dam290
Central Kalahari Game Reserve250
Chobe National Park432
Gabarone Area0
Kgalakgadi Transfrontier Park190
Lake Ngami320
Linyanti Swamp363
Makgadikgadi Pans371
Manyelanong Game Reserve124
Okavango Delta461
Phakalane Sewage Lagoons256
SE Botswana IBA366
Tswapong Hills289
Total Species597

Number of species in each locale may be based on incomplete data. Also, some locales are important for specific target species rather than overall bird diversity. Hence, it does not provide an indication of which locales are the best birding sites.