This is far from a complete account of the birds that are found in Namibia, as it only provides information on a few characteristic, notable, or unusual birds. Here it can be said that, for a country that is generally arid, Namibia has an extensive and varied range of species. In fact, with 660 bird species in Namibia, only about 32% of Southern African birds are not found. Furthermore, 16 endemic species are found, mostly in the arid highlands and along the escarpment, northwards from the Naukluft Mountains to the Kunene River.

Woodlands and wetlands are comparatively rare in Namibia but where they do exist, such as in the north-eastern Kalahari, they have a large variety of birds. The Caprivi Strip wetlands attract water birds and tropical birds from further north in Africa that are rare or unusual in the subcontinent. In the perennial rivers and floodplains of this region, over 400 species of birds are found. The Mudumu and Mamili parks in the east and the Mahango Reserve in the west are particularly rich in birdlife. The swamps and floodplains are the breeding grounds for wetland birds such as the Rufusbellied Heron (Butorides rufwentris), the Saddlebilled Stork (Ephippiorhynches senegalensis), and many more. In the Kaokoveld, downriver from the Ruacana Falls on the Kunene River, there are two bird species from Angola - the Cinderella Waxbill (Estrilda thomensis) and Rufoustailed Palm Thrush (Cichladusaru ficauda) - that are found nowhere else on the subcontinent.

In northern Namibia and Botswana the only pure-bred Southern African ostriches (Struthio camelus australis) are found. It is a little-known fact that all other wild ostriches are hybrids which were crossed with sub-species from Syria and Arabia to promote the feather trade.

Hobatere Reserve on the western boarder of Etosha National Park between southern and northern Kaokoveld, is the best site for endemic birds. Large numbers of non-endemic birds are also found here, as well as 33 species of raptors.

Endemic Birds of Namibia

The Damara Tern is found along the Namib Desert coast at the Walvis Bay lagoon. It is small in size with a breeding plumage of an all black cap. It differs from the Little Tern in that it has a longer slightly decurved bill, with a pale grey back and dumpy body shape. In flight the edges of the wings are not as dark as the Little Tern; in fact, at a distance they look almost white.

The Barlow’s Lark (Certhilauda Barlowi) is a fairly common endemic resident. It has strong colouring and bold markings. The birds found in the north of its range have dark feather-centres on the upper part of their bodies, distinct facial markings, and bold breast streaks. They are found between the Kaichab River east of Luderitz and south of Port Nolloth, as well as in the scrub-vegetated dunes and sparse, succulent Karoo vegetation.

The Benguela Longbilled Lark (Certhilauda benguelenses) is fairly common in Namibia and extends into Southern Angola. It prefers arid and semi arid grasslands and shrub-lands in the rocky hills. This is a complex group with several sub-species. They have light brown feathers on top with a white underbelly.

The Dune Lark (Certhilauda erythrochlamys) is a localised and uncommon endemic resident. Although it is very similar to Barlow’s Lark, their range is mutually exclusive. The upper body is plain dune red, there are no clear facial marking, and there are light spots on the upper breast only. The throat, belly and flanks are unmarked. It has a very restricted range along the western dunes of the Namib Desert between Luderitz and Walvis Bay

The Gray’s Lark (Ammomanes greye) is very common. It is the palest of the small larks and looks almost white. Its upper body is plain with a short pale conical bill. Its song can particularly be heard at dawn. It lives in small groups on the desert gravel plans.

In the highlands one finds the Barecheeked Babbler (Turdoides gymnogenys), which is fairly common. Its colouring is olive brown to whitish, with bare black skin under the eyes. The upper body and sides of the neck are brown or cinnamon. They are found in groups in the arid mopane woodlands of north-western Namibia.

The Herero Chat (Namibornis Herero) is an uncommon, near endemic resident. It is so distinctive that it is unlikely to be confused with any other chat within its restricted distribution. This bird is silent except when breeding. It is an insect eater and hunts from a low perch, occasionally flying down to seize insects from the ground. Its habitat is on hillsides and near dry watercourses in the arid Namib escarpment. They are very plentiful near the Groot Spitzkop near Usakos.

Hartlaub’s Francolin (Pternistes hartlaubi) is a fairly common near endemic resident. It is smaller than all the other francolins. The male has a heavily streaked under body and a disproportionately large bill while the female is generally buff in colour. Pairs call in a squawky duet at sunrise and sunset. Small parties are found on small hills, as well as on granite and sandstone outcrops.

The Carp’s Tit (Parus carpi) is a localised, common, near endemic resident. It is smaller than the Southern Black Tit. The under tail either has small traces of white or is completely black. The bill is also smaller than that of the Southern Black Tit. The female and immature birds are duller than the male. They are found in pairs or groups in mopane and acacia savannah.

Flamingos are found in flocks or singly. The two species are found together and their preferred habitat is shallow saline pans, dams and estuaries, as well as sheltered coastal bays. They are nomadic and remain in one place only as long as the conditions are favourable. Both species have a honking call, which when in a flock sounds like a babble. Immature birds are grey-brown with a bill pattern similar to the adult. In Namibia, the regular habitats of the Lesser Flamingo (Phoenicopterus minor) are the coastal region, Etosha Park, and parts of the Kavango region. It can be identified by its evenly coloured dark maroon bill, which appears black from a distance. Also, it is pinker and more evenly coloured than the Greater Flamingo. The tip of the wing feathers are marked in dark red. The Greater Flamingo (Phoenicopterus rubber) is found along the coast and in Etosha Park. Compared to the Lesser Flamingo, it has a pink bill with a black tip and it appears taller and whiter. In flight the edge of the wings are uniform scarlet.

Because of its abundant wild life, Namibia has a wide variety of birds of prey. The (African) White-backed Vulture is found in most parts of Namibia. The adult is difficult to distinguish from the Cape Vulture - an endangered bird in Namibia - unless the white back is seen. At close range the eye is dark. The old birds become very pale while the white rump is lacking in the immature bird. It is darker than the Cape Vulture and has a smoother plumage. The neck skin is black. It is usually found in bushveld, and usually outnumbers all others in this habitat. It gathers regularly in large numbers at carrion. At other times in good weather it soars all day at great heights. It roosts and nests in trees.

The Ostrich (Struthio camelus) is well known as an enormous flightless bird. The immature bird is like a small scruffy female, and is usually found in the company of adult birds. The male utters a lion-like roar. They are usually found in pairs or groups, at times with many young birds present. The tail colours of the male vary from whitish/grey to cinnamon-brown depending on the region. The male is black with white wing tip feathers while the female is grey with white wing tip feathers. Although wild ostriches occur throughout Southern Africa, the only pure wild ostrich is found in Namibia.

A useful book, consulted in writing this page, is Kenneth Newman's Birds of Southern Africa (Cape Town: Struik Publishers, 2nd edition, 2002).

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