Photos with this report (click to enlarge) | |||
 Cape Bunting |
 Pale Chanting Goshawk |
 Burchell's Sandgrouse |
|
 Rufous-tailed Palm Thrush |
 Spotted Thick-knee |
 Pearl-spotted Owlet |
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Background
My wife Jenny and I are currently living in Arusha Tanzania. I had to leave to get a new tourist visa in late Feb and in the COVID-19 world there are few countries open without mandatory quarantine. Namibia had recently opened up with reduced Covid restrictions so we planned a 3½ week tour of the country. We had visited in May-June 2015 and this time we would venture further south and north and would omit the Caprivi region. We self-drove from Windhoek and visited Hardap National Park, Ai-Ais NP, Lüderitz, Namib-Nauklift NP, Walvis Bay, Spitzkoppe, Erongo Conservancy, Waterberg Plateau NP, Etosha NP, Kunene River and Avis Dam near Windhoek.
We hired an excellent 4wd single cab Toyota Hilux from https://www.namibia4x4rentals.com. We stayed mostly in the government run Namibia Wildlife Resorts (https://www.nwr.com.na/) and otherwise in nice lodges, B&Bs and hotels. All were fine with minor caveats. The NP resorts could do with more options in their restaurants and who charges for wi-fi in 2021? We had no issues with the car and the driving was easy. In all we clocked up just over 6,032 km.
The weather was fine and sunny until we reached Etosha when it rained at times in the evenings. This remained the pattern until Windhoek on our last evening. Drought breaking rain back in December 2020 across much of the country had generated a flush of grass growth and many birds were breeding everywhere we went (with the exception of the Kunene River region). It was occasionally quite hot (particularly in the south) and birds was occasionally quiet in the heat of the day.
Research
We built on our experiences from 2015 and I searched for trip reports on Surfbirds but found few covering the summer months. The other invaluable information source was the Southern African Birdfinder by Cohen et al. (SASOL 2006). I had the SASOL Birds of Southern Africa by Sinclair et al. (fifth edition) in book and iOS app formats. We had paper maps of the country and Etosha NP (old but mostly still accurate) and a Tracks4Africa (https://tracks4africa.co.za) map in my car SatNav.
Itinerary
22 Feb – Arrive Windhoek in mid-afternoon via an overnight in Addis Ababa.
We picked up the car and drove a short distance to our B&B on the southern outskirts of the capital. (Accommodation Arebbusch Travel Lodge).
24 Feb – Drove to Hardap National Park. (Hardap Resort).
26 Feb – Drove to Ai-Ais NP (Hobas Lodge).
28 Feb – Drove to Aus (Bahnhof Hotel)
1 Mar - Daytrip to Lüderitz for boat trip to penguins etc.
2 Mar – Drove to Sesriem and Namib-Naukluft NP (Sossus Dune Lodge)
4 Mar – Drove to Walvis Bay and Swakopmund (The Mole Guesthouse) via Spreetshoogte Pass and Gaub River Pass.
6 Mar – Drove to Erongo Conservancy (Ai-Aiba Rockpainting Lodge) via Spitzkoppe
8 Mar – Drove to Waterberg Plateau NP (Waterberg Resort)
10 Mar – Drove to Etosha NP (Okaukeujo Camp).
12 Mar – Moved to Namutoni Camp.
14 Mar – Drove to Oshakati (Etuna Guesthouse)
15 Mar – Drove to Kunene River Lodge
17 Mar – Drove to Etosha NP (Dolomite Camp)
18 Mar – Drove to Otjiwarongo (C’est Si Bon Hotel)
19 Mar – Return to Windhoek (Arebbusch Travel Lodge). Afternoon walk at Avis Dam.
20 Mar – Drop off car, shuttle to airport and departed for home via overnight in Addis Ababa.
Annotated bird list
(IOC World Bird List 11.1 (January 2021)
(268 species and 13 lifers*)
Ostriches
Common Ostrich – Struthio camelus - Common in Etosha NP. Also seen in Hardap NP, Ai-Ais NP and occasionally unconfined along rural roads.
Ducks, Geese and Swans
White-faced Whistling Duck - Dendrocygna viduata. Several at Fischer’s Pan, Etosha NP.
Egyptian Goose – Alopochen aegyptiaca. Pairs on most Etosha NP waterholes and at Avis Dam.
South African Shelduck – Tadorna cana. Occasional pairs on Ai-Ais NP and Etosha NP waterholes.
Cape Shoveler – Spatula smithii. Several at Fischer’s Pan, Etosha NP.
Cape Teal – Anas capensis. Small flocks in Walvis Bay salt pans and at Fischer’s Pan, Etosha NP.
Red-billed Teal – Anas erythrorhyncha. Several at Fischer’s Pan, Etosha NP and at Avis Dam.
Southern Pochard - Netta erythrophthalma. Several at Fischer’s Pan, Etosha NP.
Guineafowl
Helmeted Guineafowl – Numida meleagris. A small flock at Waterberg Plateau NP.
Pheasants and allies
*Hartlaub’s Spurfowl – Pternistis hartlaubi. Three at Ai-Aiba Lodge and two at Dolomite Camp.
Red-billed Spurfowl – Pternistis adspersus. Common in most areas from Windhoek north.
Red-necked Spurfowl - Pternistis afer. One seen at Kunene River Lodge.
Nightjars
Freckled Nightjar - Caprimulgus tristigma. Several at Ai-Aiba Lodge seen each evening.
Swifts
African Palm Swift – Cypsiurus parvus. Small numbers regular from Hardap NP north to Kunene River.
Alpine Swift - Tachymarptis melba. Small flocks over Fish River Canyon (Ai-Ais NP) and at Spitzkoppe. One over Windhoek Airport as we were boarding the plane.
Common Swift - Apus apus. A small flock at Spitzkoppe.
Bradfield’s Swift – Apus bradfieldi. Flocks in Mariental, at Ai-Ais NP and at Ai-Aiba Lodge.
Little Swift – Apus affinis. Small to quite large flocks seen from Windhoek s to Hardap and n to Etosha NP.
White-rumped Swift - Apus caffer. Definitely identified only near Otjiwarongo and at Dolomite Camp but probably overlooked.
Turacos
Grey Go-away-bird – Crinifer concolor. Common from Hardap north.
Bustards
Kori Bustard – Ardeotis kori. Only seen in Etosha where common. Up to four seen together.
Ludwig’s Bustard – Neotis ludwigii. Two seen together along the C19 near Sesriem.
Rüppell’s Korhaan – Eupodotis rueppelii. Pairs at Sossus Dune Lodge, along the C19 near Solitaire and at the beginning of Spreetshoogte Pass near Koireb.
Red-crested Korhaan – Lophotis ruficrista. Occasional singles and pairs in Etosha NP.
Northern Black Korhaan – Afrotis afraoides. Displaying males common from Hardap to Etosha NP. The occasional female seen.
Cuckoos
White-browed Coucal – Centropus superciliosus. One or two calling at Kunene River Lodge.
Great Spotted Cuckoo - Clamator glandarius. One at Ai-Aiba Lodge.
Jacobin Cuckoo - Clamator jacobinus. Several at Ai-Aiba Lodge and one at Halali Camp, Etosha NP.
Diederik Cuckoo - Chrysococcyx caprius. Seen or heard at Arebbusch Travel Lodge, Hardap NP, Ai-Ais NP and Avis Dam.
Klaas’s Cuckoo - Chrysococcyx klaas. One calling at Waterberg Plateau NP.
Black Cuckoo - Cuculus clamosus. Two calling at Waterberg Plateau NP and one seen at Avis Dam.
African Cuckoo - Cuculus gularis. One seen at Okaukuejo Camp, Etosha NP.
Sandgrouse
Namaqua Sandgrouse – Pterocles namaqua. Seen from Ai-Ais NP to Etosha NP and occasionally in huge flocks at waterholes.
Double-banded Sandgrouse – Pterocles bicinctus. Occasional in pairs or small flocks in Etosha NP and at Kunene River Lodge.
*Burchell’s Sandgrouse - Pterocles burchelli. Pairs seen at Fischer’s Pan and Andoni Plains in Etosha NP.
Pigeons, Doves
Speckled Pigeon – Columba guinea. Commonly seen in any rocky areas from Ai-Ais NP to Waterberg Plateau NP. Up to 30 coming in to feed supplied at Ai-Aiba Lodge each morning.
Ring-necked Dove – Streptopelia capicola. Common all areas.
Laughing Dove – Spilopelia senegalensis. Common all areas except not seen at Kunene River Lodge.
Emerald-spotted Wood Dove – Turtur chalcospilos. Heard only at Waterberg Plateau NP and near Tsumcore, Etosha NP.
Namaqua Dove – Oena capensis. Common all areas except not seen at Kunene River Lodge.
Rails, Crakes and Coots
Lesser Moorhen - Paragallinula angulata. One seen at Fischer’s Pan, Etosha NP.
Common Moorhen – Gallinula chloropus. One seen at Fischer’s Pan, Etosha NP and several at Avis Dam.
Red-knobbed Coot - Fulica cristata. Several including and albino at Avis Dam.
African Swamphen – Porphyrio madagascariensis. One seen at Fischer’s Pan, Etosha NP.
Black Crake – Zapornia flavirostra. Several at Kunene River Lodge.
Grebes
Little Grebe – Tachybaptus ruficollis. Small numbers on waterholes in Ai-Ais NP and at Fischer’s Pan, Etosha NP. Larger numbers at Avis Dam where breeding.
Black-necked Grebe - Podiceps nigricollis. Two at Avis Dam.
Flamingos
Greater Flamingo – Phoenicopterus roseus. Seen with African Penguins near Lüderitz and large numbers in Walvis Bay.
Lesser Flamingo – Phoenicopterus minor. Small numbers in Walvis Bay.
Buttonquail
Common Buttonquail - Turnix sylvaticus. One in grassland at Ai-Aiba Lodge.
Stone-curlews, Thick-knees
Spotted Thick-knee - Burhinus capensis. A pair with two chicks east of Dolomite Camp, Etosha NP.
Oystercatchers
African Oystercatcher – Haematopus moquini. Common on reefs and islands near Lüderitz.
Stilts, Avocets
Black-winged Stilt – Himantopus himantopus. Several at Fischer’s Pan, Etosha NP.
Plovers
Blacksmith Lapwing – Vanellus armatus. A pair or two at most water points in Etosha NP and several at Avis Dam.
Crowned Lapwing – Vanellus coronatus. Only in Etosha NP where common.
Grey Plover – Pluvialis squatarola. Several near Lüderitz and in Walvis Bay marshes and saltworks.
Common Ringed Plover - Charadrius hyaticula. Several near Lüderitz and in Walvis Bay saltworks.
Kittlitz’s Plover – Charadrius pecuarius. Several at Fischer’s Pan, Etosha NP.
Three-banded Plover – Charadrius tricollaris. Occasional on dams and waterholes e.g. Ai-Ais NP, Etosha NP and Avis Dam.
White-fronted Plover – Charadrius marginatus. Common near Lüderitz and Walvis Bay. Several also at Fischer’s pan, Etosha NP.
Chestnut-banded Plover – Charadrius pallidus. Some large flocks seen in Walvis Bay saltworks and marshes.
Sandpipers, Snipes
Eurasian Whimbrel - Numenius phaeopus. Small numbers at Lüderitz and Walvis Bay.
Bar-tailed Godwit - Limosa lapponica. Several small flocks at Walvis Bay.
Ruddy Turnstone - Arenaria interpres. Small numbers at Lüderitz and Walvis Bay.
Ruff - Calidris pugnax. One at Walvis Bay and another at Fischer’s Pan, Etosha NP.
Curlew Sandpiper – Calidris ferruginea. Small numbers in Walvis Bay saltworks.
Sanderling - Calidris alba. Fairly common in Walvis Bay marshes and saltworks
Little Stint – Calidris minuta. One on a dam in Ai-Ais NP and small numbers in Walvis Bay.
Common Sandpiper - Actitis hypoleucos. One at Walvis Bay.
Wood Sandpiper - Tringa glareola. Common in Fischer’s Pan, Etosha NP.
Common Greenshank - Tringa nebularia. Several seen near Lüderitz, in Walvis Bay and in Fischer’s Pan, Etosha NP.
Coursers, Pratincoles
Temminck’s Courser – Cursorius temminckii. A group of six in Hardap NP.
Double-banded Courser – Rhinoptilus africanus. Occasional pairs in Etosha NP.
Gulls, Terns and Skimmers
Hartlaub’s Gull – Chroicocephalus hartlaubii. Common in Lüderitz and Walvis Bay.
Kelp Gull – Larus dominicanus. Common in Lüderitz, Swakopmund and Walvis Bay.
Caspian Tern – Hydropogne caspia. Several in Lüderitz area.
Greater Crested Tern – Thalasseus bergii. Several in Lüderitz area.
Sandwich Tern – Thalasseus sandvicensis. Several in Lüderitz and Walvis Bay.
Damara Tern – Sternula balaenarum. About 20 seen in Walvis Bay saltworks. Possibly nesting.
White-winged Tern - Chilodonias leucopterus. Several in Walvis Bay saltworks.
Penguins
African penguin - Sphensicus demersus. Colonies on guano island near Luderitz.
Storks
Abdim’s Stork - Ciconia abdimii. An estimated 5000 birds roosting each day at Okaukuejo Camp waterhole then flying out to feed in the late afternoons. Several also seen near Mariental.
Woolly-necked Stork - Ciconia episcopus. One at Fischer’s Pan, Etosha NP.
Marabou Stork – Leptoptilos crumenifer. Several seen in Etosha NP.
Gannets, Boobies
Cape Gannet – Morus capensis. Several seen on Lüderitz boat tour.
Anhingas, Darters
African Darter - Anhinga rufa. One below the dam wall in Hardap NP.
Cormorants, Shags
Reed Cormorant – Microcarbo africanus. Occasional in Hardap NP and Ai-Ais NP.
Crowned Cormorant - Microcarbo coronatus. Small numbers seen on the Lüderitz boat tour.
*Bank Cormorant - Phalacrocorax neglectus. Several seen on the Lüderitz boat tour.
Cape Cormorant - Phalacrocorax capensis - Common around Lüderitz.
White-breasted Cormorant – Phalacrocorax lucidus. Several at Naute Dam, and in Lüderitz and Walvis Bay.
Ibises, Spoonbills
African Sacred Ibis – Threskiornis aethiopicus. Several in Hardap NP.
African Spoonbill – Platalea alba. Several in Hardap NP and a flock of six flew over the highway s of Otjiwarongo.
Herons, Bitterns
Striated Heron – Butorides striata. Two along the Kunene River.
Squacco Heron – Ardeola ralloides. One in Hardap NP.
Western Cattle Egret – Bubulcus ibis. Small flocks in Walvis Bay marshes, near Otjiwarongo, in Etosha NP and near Oshakati.
Grey Heron – Ardea cinerea. Singles or small numbers seen in Walvis Bay, Waterberg Plateau NP and at Fischer’s Pan, Etosha NP..
Black-headed Heron – Ardea melanocephala. Singles seen in Hardap NP and at Fischer’s Pan, Etosha NP.
Great Egret – Ardea alba. One in Fischer’s Pan, Etosha NP.
Little Egret – Egretta garzetta. Small numbers in Hardap NP, near Lüderitz, in Walvis Bay and at Fischer’s Pan, Etosha NP.
Pelicans
Great White Pelican – Pelecanus onocrotalus. Small numbers in Hardap NP, common in Walvis Bay and a flock of about 25 at Fischer’s Pan, Etosha NP.
Secretarybird
Secretarybird – Sagittarius serpentarius. Several seen in Etosha NP. One caught and ate a huge frog.
Ospreys
Western Osprey - Pandion haliaetus. One below the dam wall, Hardap NP.
Kites, Hawks and Eagles
Black-winged Kite – Elanus caeruleus. Occasional singles and pairs at Waterberg Plateau and Etosha NP.
White-backed Vulture – Gyps africanus. Singles to small flocks seen in Ai-Ais NP and Etosha NP.
Lappet-faced Vulture - Torgos tracheliotos. Occasional singles and small flocks in Ai-Ais NP, Namib-Naukluft NP and Etosha NP.
Black-chested Snake-Eagle – Circaetus pectoralis. Several seen along highways from Erongo Conservancy to Kunene River.
Bateleur – Terathopius ecaudatus. Several singles seen in Etosha NP.
Booted Eagle – Hieraaetus pennatus. One in Etosha NP.
Tawny Eagle – Aquila rapax. One on roadside post near Waterberg Plateua NP.
Verreaux’s Eagle – Aquila verreauxii. Pair along the C13 n of Aus and another pair regularly over the camp in Waterberg Plateau NP.
Gabar Goshawk – Micronisus gabar. Two sightings of pairs in Etosha NP.
Pale Chanting Goshawk – Melierax canorus. Common along roads and in all parks.
Shikra – Accipiter badius. One at Dolomite Camp, Etosha NP.
Yelllow-billed Kite - Milvus aegyptius. Small numbers in Hardap NP, Erongo Conservancy, Waterberg Plateau, Etosha NP and on the outskirts of several northern towns.
Common Buzzard - Buteo buteo. Occasional roadside birds. One at Spreetshoogte pass, others seen in the Erongo Conservancy, Etosha NP and near Kunene River.
Augur Buzzard – Buteo augur. One in Hardap NP.
Owls
Pearl-spotted Owlet – Glaucidium perlatum. One at Avis Dam.
African Scops Owl - Otus senegalensis. One calling at Kunene River Lodge.
Cape Eagle Owl - Bubo capensis. One calling at Sossus Dune Lodge.
Spotted Eagle Owl - Bubo africanus. One calling at Ai-Aiba Lodge.
Mousebirds
White-backed Mousebird – Colius colius. Small groups at Arebbusch Travel Lodge, Hardap NP, Ai-Ais NP and Aus.
Red-faced Mousebird – Urocolius indicus. A single at Arebbusch Travel Lodge and small groups once each in Etosha NP and Kunene River Lodge.
Hoopoes
African Hoopoe – Upupa africana. Singles at Aus, Erongo Conservancy, Waterberg Plateau NP and near Kunene River Lodge.
Wood Hoopoes
Green Wood Hoopoe – Phoeniculus purpureus. Only juvenile birds seen so can’t rule out Violet Wood Hoopoe. Arebbusch Travel Lodge and B1 s of Windhoek.
Common Scimitarbill – Rhinopomastus cyanomelas. One near Namutoni Camp, Etosha NP.
Hornbills
Damara Red-billed Hornbill – Tockus damarensis. One near Fischer’s Pan, Etosha NP.
Southern Red-billed Hornbill – Tockus rufirostris. Singles or pairs in Etosha NP and near Kunene River Lodge.
Monteiro’s Hornbill – Tockus monteiri. Pairs at Ai-Aiba Lodge, Waterberg Plateau, Kunene River Lodge.
Southern Yellow-billed Hornbill – Tockus leucomelas. Singles or pairs at Waterberg Plateau NP and Etosha NP.
African Grey Hornbill – Lophoceros nasutus. Common. Singles or pairs seen in many locations from Waterberg Plateau NP northwards.
Rollers
Purple Roller - Coracias naevius. Seen regularly on roadside posts and trees from Waterberg Plateau NP to Kunene River Lodge.
Lilac-breasted Roller – Coracias caudatus. Common from Waterberg Plateau NP north to Opuwo.
European Roller - Coracias garrulus. Occasional singles in Erongo Conservancy and Etosha NP.
Kingfishers
Woodland Kingfisher - Halcyon senegalensis. One or two at Kunene River Lodge.
Malachite Kingfisher – Corythornis cristatus. Two at Kunene River Lodge.
Bee-eaters
Swallow-tailed Bee-eater – Merops hirundineus. Small numbers in Hardap NP, Etosha NP and Avis Dam.
Olive Bee-eater - Merops superciliosis. A pair seen near Kunene River Lodge.
European Bee-eater - Merops apiaster. The most common Bee-eater. Regular in Hardap NP, Erongo Conservancy, Waterberg Plateau, Etosha NP and Kunene River Lodge.
African Barbets
Acacia Pied Barbet – Tricholaema leucomelas. Occasional singles and pairs in Hardap NP, Ai-Aiba Lodge, Waterberg Plateau and Namutoni Camp, Etosha NP.
Woodpeckers
Bearded Woodpecker – Chloropicus namaquus. One female drumming incessantly both days at Kunene River Lodge.
Cardinal Woodpecker - Dendropicus fuscescens. One at Arebbusch Travel Lodge.
Caracaras, Falcons
Pygmy Falcon - Poliherax semitorquatus. Singles at Hardap NP and Etosha NP.
Rock Kestrel – Falco rupicolus. Singles and pairs regular from Ai-Ais NP north to Etosha NP.
Greater Kestrel – Falco rupicoloides. Singles and pairs occasional from near Aus, near Spreetshoogte Pass and Etosha NP.
Red-necked Falcon – Falco chicquera. One roosting in a palm tree near Twee Palms, Etosha NP (same as in 2015!).
*Red-footed Falcon - Falco vespertinus. A mixed flock mainly of this species near Okaukeujo Camp and then small numbers flocking east of Dolomite Camp, Etosha NP. Bird of the trip!
Amur Falcon - Falco amurensis. At least one in a mixed flock with Red-footed Falcons near Okaukeujo Camp, Etosha NP.
Eurasian Hobby - Falco subbuteo. At least one in a mixed flock with Red-footed Falcons near Okaukeujo Camp, Etosha NP.
Lanner Falcon – Falco biarmicus. Two hunting a huge flock of Namaqua Sandgrouse along the C12 n of Hobas NP. Other singles seen in Etosha NP.
Peregrine Falcon - Falco peregrinus. Singles n of Aus, at Sossus Dune Lodge, Ai-Aiba Lodge and in Etosha NP.
African and New World Parrots
Rüppell’s Parrot – Poicephalus rueppellii. Small numbers in Erongo Conservancy and near Kunene River Lodge.
Old World Parrots
Rosy-faced Lovebird – Agapornis roseicollis. Small flocks at Ai-Aiba Lodge, Waterberg Plateau NP, Kunene River Lodge and Avis Dam.
Wattle-eyes, Batises
Pririt Batis – Batis pririt. Singles or pairs in Arebbusch Travel Lodge, Hardap NP, Waterberg Plateau NP, Etosha NP and Avis Dam.
White-tailed Shrike – Lanioturdus torquatus. A pair at Ai-Aiba Lodge and a single at Kunene River Lodge.
Bushshrikes
Black-backed Puffback – Dryoscopus cubla. Singles or pairs at Waterberg Plateau NP and Kunene River Lodge.
Swamp Boubou – Laniarius bicolor. One seen along the river at Kunene River Lodge.
Crimson-breasted Shrike – Laniarius atrococcineus. Singles and pairs at Arebbusch Travel Lodge, Ai-Aiba Lodge, Waterberg Plateau NP and Okaukuejo Camp in Etosha NP.
Brubru – Nilaus afer. Singles at Ai-Ais NP, Ai-Aiba Lodge and Namutoni Camp in Etosha NP.
Vangas and Allies
White-crested Helmetshrike – Prionops plumatus. One small flock in Halali Camp in Etosha NP.
Shrikes
Southern White-crowned Shrike – Eurocephalus anguitimens. Several near Kunene River Lodge.
Red-backed Shrike - Lanius collurio. Fairly common in Etosha NP.
Lesser Grey Shrike - Lanius minor. Common from Hardap NP n to Etosha NP.
Southern Fiscal – Lanius collaris. Only seen in Hardap NP and near Ai-Ais NP.
Figbirds, Orioles
African Golden Oriole – Oriolus auratus. Two at Halali Camp in Etosha NP.
Drongos
Fork-tailed Drongo – Dicrurus adsimilis. Common from Hardap NP north to Kunene River.
Monarchs
African Paradise Flycatcher - Terpsiphone viridis. Singles or pairs at Waterberg Plateau and Kunene River Lodge.
Crows, Jays
Cape Crow – Corvus capensis. Small numbers From Aus to Etosha NP.
Pied Crow – Corvus albus. Occasional from Aus to Etosha NP.
Tits, Chickadees
Carp’s Tit – Melaniparus carpi. One at Dolomite Camp in Etosha NP.
Larks
Spike-heeled Lark – Chersomanes albofasciata. One seen in Etosha NP.
*Karoo Long-billed Lark - Certhilauda subcoronata. Several in Ai-Ais NP.
Dusky Lark – Pinarocorys nigricans. Several in Etosha NP.
Black-eared Sparrow-Lark - Eremopterix australis. Several seen in Ai-Ais NP.
Chestnut-backed Sparrow-Lark – Eremopterix leucotis. Common in Etosha NP.
*Grey-backed Sparrow-Lark - Eremopterix verticalis. Abundant south of Windhoek in Hardap NP, Ai-Ais NP and Namib-Naukluft NP. Occasional in Etosha NP.
Sabota Lark – Calendulauda sabota. Occasional in south such as Hardap NP and Namib-Naukluft NP but common in Etosha NP.
Fawn-coloured Lark – Calendulauda africanoides. Several in Etosha NP.
*Dune Lark - Calendulauda erythrochlamys. Three together in the dunes near Sesriem in Namib-Naukluft NP.
Rufous-naped Lark - Mirafra africana. Seen in Spitzkoppe and on several occasions in Etosha NP.
Flappet Lark – Mirafra rufocinnamomea. Several on Andoni Plains in Etosha NP.
*Monotonous Lark – Mirafra passerina. Small numbers at Spreetshoogte Pass, Ai-Aiba Lodge, Waterberg Plateau NP and Halali Camp in Etosha NP.
Red-capped Lark – Calandrella cinerea. A few seen in Ai-Ais NP.
Bulbuls
Yellow-bellied Greenbul – Chlorocichla flaviventris. Several at Kunene River Lodge.
African Red-eyed Bulbul – Pycnonotus nigricans. Common all areas except Ai-Ais NP.
Dark-capped Bulbul – Pycnonotus tricolor. One at Kunene River Lodge.
Swallows, Martins
Brown-throated Martin – Riparia paludicola. One in Hardap NP.
Banded Martin - Riparia cincta. Small numbers at Fischer’s Pan and Olifantrus Campsite in Etosha NP.
Barn Swallow - Hirundo rustica. At time numerous. Recorded from Hardap NP, Lüderitz, Walvis Bay, Waterberg Plateau and Etosha NP.
Wire-tailed Swallow – Hirundo smithii. A pair at Kunene River Lodge.
Rock Martin – Ptyonoprogne fuligula. Small numbers recorded in all areas except Kunene River Lodge.
Common House Martin - Delichon urbicum. Large numbers flocking at Okaukeujo Camp and a few at Dolomite Camp in Etosha NP.
Greater Striped Swallow – Cecropis cucullata. Occasional small flocks in Hardap NP and Etosha NP.
Crombecs, African Warblers
Long-billed Crombec – Sylvietta rufescens. Singles or pairs at Ai-Aiba Lodge and in Namutoni Camp in Etosha NP.
Leaf Warblers & Allies
Willow Warbler - Phylloscopus trochilus. Several at Kunene River Lodge.
Reed Warblers & Allies
*Icterine Warbler - Hippolais icterina. Several at Gaub River Pass and singles at Waterberg Plateau NP and Namutoni Camp in Etosha NP.
Cisticolas and allies
Zitting Cisticola – Cisticola juncidis. Several along the Okevi Loop in Etosha NP.
Desert Cisticola – Cisticola aridulus. One in Etosha NP and two at Avis Dam.
Black-chested Prinia – Prinia flavicans. Occasional in Etosha NP and Avis Dam.
Rufous-eared Warbler - Malcorus pectoralis. Several in grassland near Okaukuejo in Etosha NP.
Grey-backed Camaroptera – Camaroptera brevicaudata. Common at Waterberg Plateau NP and along Kunene River.
Yellow-bellied Eremomela – Eremomela icteropygialis. Occasional at Ai-Aiba Lodge and in Etosha NP.
Sylvid Babblers
Garden Warbler - Sylvia borin. One in outdoor dining area of Arebbusch Travel Lodge (trying to get a drink from a pond full of giant goldfish).
Chestnut-vented Warbler - Curruca subcoerulea. Fairly common. Recorded at Arebbusch Travel Lodge, Spitzkoppe, Etosha NP and Avis Dam.
Laughingthrushes
Bare-faced Babbler – Turdoides gymnogenys. Several at Kunene River Lodge.
Starlings, Rhabdornis
Wattled Starling - Creatophora cinerea. Small flocks in Hardap NP, Aus and Etosha NP.
Cape Starling – Lamprotornis nitens. Common from Hardap NP n to Kunene River.
Greater Blue-eared Starling – Lamprotornis chalybaeus. Small numbers in Etosha NP.
Meves’s Starling – Lamprotornis mevesii. Common at and near Kunene River Lodge.
Burchell’s Starling – Lamprotornis australis. Recorded in Etosha NP and along the B1 south of Otjiwarongo.
Violet-backed Starling - Cinnyricinclus leucogaster. Small flocks at Arebbusch Travel Lodge, Ai-Aiba Lodge, and Kunene River Lodge.
Pale-winged Starling – Onychognathus nabouroup. Common from Ai-Ais NP north to Waterberg Plateau NP.
Oxpeckers
Yellow-billed Oxpecker – Buphagus africanus. Several on two donkeys with many bleeding wounds near Kunene River Lodge.
Thrushes
Groundscraper Thrush – Turdus litsitsirupa. Singles or pairs at Arebbusch Travel Lodge, Waterberg Plateau NP, Etosha NP and Kunene River Lodge.
Chats, Old World Flycatchers
Karoo Scrub Robin - Cercotrichas coryphoeus. Singles or pairs in Hardap NP and near Keetmanshoop.
Kalahari Scrub Robin – Cercotrichas paena. Several seen in Etosha NP.
White-browed Scrub Robin – Cercotrichas leucophrys. Only seen in Waterberg Plateau NP.
Chat Flycatcher – Melaenornis infuscatus. Recorded near Naute Dam, in Namib-Naukluft NP and in Okaukuejo Camp in Etosha NP.
Marico Flycatcher – Melaenornis mariquensis. Fairly common from Arebbusch Travel Lodge, Hardap NP, Waterberg Plateau NP, Etosha NP and Avis Dam.
Spotted Flycatcher - Muscicapa striata. Singles or pairs at Arebbusch Travel Lodge, Waterberg Plateau NP, Etosha NP and Kunene River Lodge.
Ashy Flycatcher - Muscicapa caerulescens. A pair at Kunene River Lodge.
*Rufous-tailed Palm Thrush - Cichladusa ruficauda. Several at Kunene River Lodge.
Short-toed Rock Thrush – Monticola brevipes. One at Dolomite Camp in Etosha NP.
Karoo Chat - Emarginata schlegelii. Singles or pairs near Aus, Lüderitz and along the D407 near Helmeringhausen.
Ant-eating Chat – Myrmecocichla formicivora. Fairly frequent in pairs or family groups in Etosha NP.
Mountain Wheatear – Myrmecocichla monticola. Common in all rocky areas from Ai-Ais NP north to Ai-Aiba Lodge.
Capped Wheatear – Oenanthe pileata. Occasional singles or pairs from Hardap NP, near Solitaire, near Spitzkoppe and in Etosha NP.
Familiar Chat – Oenanthe familiaris. Pairs recorded at Arebbusch Travel Lodge, Ai-Ais NP, Hardap NP, Spreetshoogte Pass, Ai-Aiba Lodge, Dolomite Camp and Avis Dam.
Sunbirds
Amethyst Sunbird - Chalcomitra amethystina. One at Arebbusch Travel Lodge.
Marico Sunbird – Cinnyris mariquensis. Pairs at Ai-Aiba Lodge and Waterberg Plateau NP.
White-bellied Sunbird – Cinnyris talatala. Several at Waterberg Plateau NP.
Dusky Sunbird – Cinnyris fuscus. Regularly seen from Hardap NP north to Etosha NP.
Old World Sparrows, Snowfinches
House Sparrow - Passer domesticus. Noted at Arebbusch Travel Lodge, Ai-Ais NP, Luderitz and Swakopmund-Walvis Bay Area. No doubt in every town and farmyard.
Great Sparrow – Passer motitensis. Several at Ai Aiba Lodge where seed is put out every morning. Also seen along the Okevi Loop in Etosha NP.
Cape Sparrow – Passer melanurus. Occasional in Ai-Ais NP, Canyon Farmyard (Karas), Hardap NP, Sossus Dune Lodge, Gaub River Pass and in Swakopmund.
Southern Grey-headed Sparrow – Passer diffusus. Recorded from Canyon Farmyard (Karas), Gaub River Pass, Ai-Aiba Lodge, Waterberg Plateau NP, Etosha NP camps and Avis Dam.
Weavers, Widowbirds
Red-billed Buffalo Weaver – Bubalornis niger. Only in Halali and Namutoni Camps in Etosha NP.
White-browed Sparrow-Weaver – Plocepasser mahali. Fairly common in all areas from near Aus north to Kunene River region.
Sociable Weaver – Philetairus socius. Recorded at Hardap NP, near Aus and at Naute Dam in the south and then Etosha NP in the north.
Scaly-feathered Weaver – Sporopipes squamifrons. Common in Etosha NP but not recorded elsewhere.
Holub’s Golden Weaver - Ploceus xanthops. One at Kunene River Lodge.
Lesser Masked Weaver - Ploceus intermedius. Only at Arebbusch Travel Lodge (active colony in the restaurant area) and at Ai-Aiba Lodge (another active colony here).
Southern Masked Weaver – Ploceus velatus. Regular in most locations from Ai-Ais NP north to Kunene River Lodge.
Chestnut Weaver – Ploceus rubiginosus. Common at Ai-Aiba Lodge and in Etosha NP.
Red-billed Quelea – Quelea quelea. Small numbers at Waterberg Plateau NP and Avis Dam. Common in Etosha and two vast breeding colonies found.
*Yellow-crowned Bishop - Euplectes afer. Several at Fischer’s Pan, Etosha NP.
Southern Red Bishop - Euplectes orix. One male at Arebbusch Travel Lodge and a small colony at Avis Dam.
Waxbills, Munias and allies
Common Waxbill – Estrilda astrild. Three in garden of the Mole Guesthouse in Swakopmund.
Cut-throat Finch - Amadina fasciata. Several at Kunene River Lodge.
Red-headed Finch – Amadina erythrocephala. Small numbers at Arebbusch Travel Lodge, Hardap NP, near Aus, Sossus Dune Lodge, Ai-Aiba Lodge, and Okaukuejo Camp in Etosha NP.
Violet-eared Waxbill – Uraeginthus granatinus. Small numbers at Waterberg Plateau NP and in Etosha NP.
Blue Waxbill – Uraeginthus angolensis. Seen at Arebbusch Travel Lodge, Namutoni Camp in Etosha NP, and at Kunene River lodge.
Green-winged Pytilia – Pytilia melba. Singles to small flocks at Ai Aiba Lodge and Fischer’s Pan in Etosha NP.
Indigobirds, Whydahs
Pin-tailed Whydah - Vidua macroura. One in breeding plumage at Avis Dam.
Shaft-tailed Whydah – Vidua regia. Common in non-breeding plumage in Waterberg Plateau NP and Etosha NP.
Long-tailed Paradise Whydah. Vidua paradisaea. Fairly common from Ai-Aiba Lodge, Waterberg Plateau NP, Fischer’s Pan in Etosha NP and at Kunene River Lodge.
Wagtails, Pipits
Cape Wagtail – Motacilla capensis. Regular south of Windhoek with records at Arebbusch Travel Lodge, Hardap NP, Lüderitz, Swakopmund, Walvis Bay and Avis Dam.
African Pipit - Anthus cinnamomeus. Fairly commonly encountered along roads throughout Etosha NP.
*Nicholson’s Pipit - Anthus nicholsoni. One at Spreetshoogte Pass.
*Buffy Pipit - Anthus vaalensis. Several near Olifantrus Campsite in western Etosha NP.
Plain-backed Pipit – Anthus leucophrys. Several seen in Etosha NP.
Finches, Euphonias
Black-throated Canary – Crithagra atrogularis. Several at Ai-Aiba Lodge.
Yellow Canary - Crithagra flaviventris. Singles or Paris at Arebbusch Travel Lodge, Hardap NP and Okaukuejo Camp in Etosha NP.
Black-headed Canary – Serinus alario. Only recorded in Ai-Ais NP coming to drink at a waterhole.
Buntings, New World Sparrows and allies
Lark-like Bunting – Emberiza impetuani. Large numbers in Ai-Ais NP and Namib-Naukluft NP. Occasional further north in Ai-Aiba Lodge and at Galton Gate, Etosha NP.
Cinnamon-breasted Bunting – Emberiza tahapisi. Common in small numbers from Hardap NP to Ai-Aiba Lodge, Waterberg Plateau NP, Etosha NP and Avis Dam.
Cape Bunting – Emberiza capensis. Several at Ai-Aiba Lodge.
Golden-breasted Bunting - Emberiza flaviventris. Several sightings at Waterberg Plateau NP, Etosha NP and near Kunene River Lodge.