Namibia & Botswana 2014A Tropical Birding Custom Trip

Tropical Birding Custom Trip

August 7-23, 2014Guides: Ken Behrens & Charley Hesse

Photos by Ken Behrens. Most photos taken during the trip. Annotated checklist by Jerry Connolly

www.tropicalbirding.com

Namibia & Botswana

After arrival in Namibia’s capital, we had a day to relax and enjoy the excellent birding on offer around this small and charming city.

Windhoek has a population of about 300,000, out of Namibia’s tiny population of only 2.1 million, remarkable for a country that is twice the size of California.

Crimson-breasted Gonolek (left), the national bird of Namibia, showed well at Avis Dam.

WINDHOEK

On our morning walk at Avis Dam, we enjoyed Marico Sunbird (bottom left) and Southern Cordonbleu (top right), while there were a bounty of waterbirds at the Gammons Water Care (Sewage!) Works, including African Darter (bottom right) and Red-knobbed Coot (top left). Our day in Windhoek was relaxing but still productive.

From Windhoek, in the central mountains, we descended into the Namib Desert, where species like these Common Ostrich survive despite incredibly harsh conditions.

South African Ground Squirrel (top); Namib Dune Ant (bottom right); and Rueppell’s Bustard (bottom left), creatures of the Namib.

WALVIS BAY AND SWAKOPMUND The Namib dune fields hold Namibia’s sole political endemic, the Dune Lark. Walvis Bay itself is a mecca for waterbirds, including thousands of flamingos.

SPITZKOPPEFrom the Namib coast, we headed inland to Spitzkoppe, one of Namibia’s most striking landmarks.

Our avian target at Spitzkoppe was the scarce Herero Chat.

We spent two nights in this area, exploring the Erongo Mountains, one of the most ancient mountain ranges on earth, and the most diverse place for Namibian near-endemic species.

Swallow-tailed Bee-eater (far left)

Right page: Violet-eared Waxbills and Scaly-feathered Finches (top left)Damara dik-dik (top right)Erongo landscape (bottom left)The sometimes elusive Rockrunner that we saw amazingly well on this trip (bottom right)

OMARURU AND ERONGO MOUNTAINS

Birding the riparian woodland and adjacent thornveld in Omaruru yielded amazing views of a flock of Rueppell’s Parrots (left), Gray Go-away-bird (middle) and one of Namibia’s best near-endemic birds, the White-tailed Shrike (right).

The bird feeders of Erongo Wilderness Lodge are among the best in Africa. Visitors included dozens of Rosy-faced Lovebirds (far left). The surrounding habitat held prizes like Acacia Pied Barbet (above left) and male Hartlaub’s Francolin (above right).

The middle portion of our safari was spent in Etosha, one of the World’s great parks. Our timing was perfect, as huge numbers of mammals and birds were concentrated around the park’s waterholes due to the parched conditions prevailing late in the dry season.

Giraffe (left) against a typical dry season landscape of tawny grass, flowering Acacia nebroni, and a yellowing mopane tree.

ETOSHA NATIONAL PARK

Dry season Etosha is all about the waterholes, whose visitors shown here include African elephant, giraffe, and Helmeted Guineafowl, just a taste of the bounty of wildlife that we saw by visiting waterholes.

We enjoyed incredible leopard sightings (above). Left page: Namaqua Sandgrouse (top left); Red-headed Finch (top right); Double-banded Courser (bottom left); and an elephant at Okakuejo’s waterhole (bottom right).

Pearl-spotted Owlet (above left) is a tiny bird-eating owl that is much hated by other birds! Animals of all different stripes mix at Etosha’s waterholes (above right). Right page: Foxy Charaxes (top right); Black-backed jackal (bottom right); and Pale Chanting Goshawk (left).

This page: friendly Leopard (top); Northern Black Korhaan (bottom left); and Scaly-feathered Finch (bottom right - by Jerry Connolly). Left page: Pale Chanting Goshawk bombing Martial Eagle (top left); spotted hyena (top right); dust-blowing baby African elephant (bottom left); and Swainson’s Francolin catching some air (bottom right).

This page: Southern Yellow-billed Hornbill (bottom left); Crowned Lapwing (bottom right); giraffes (top right); and White Helmetshrike (top left). Right page: southern oryx are a common sight throughout Etosha.

A magnificent Cheetah (far left) might have been our best sighting in Etosha. We also spotted banded mongoose (top above); Sabota Lark (bottom left); and Black-faced Babbler (bottom right).

SHAMVURA RIVER LODGE, NORTHERN NAMIBIAWe struck north for the Okavango ecosystem, where a bounty of creatures like this Pied Kingfisher awaited.

With species like Nile Crocodile (top), Malachite Kingfisher (bottom left), and Purple Heron (bottom right) around, life isn’t safe for the fish of the Kavango! There were all species that we sighted during boat trips from Shamvura Lodge, on the banks of the river.

Seeing two separate Ostrich creches (left) attended by protective males was one of the highlights of Mahango Game reserve. In the Okavango, Giant Kingfisher and White-fronted Bee-eater are common birds (right).

These two lodges are perched on the banks of the Kavango River in the area known as the “Okavango Panhandle”. By walking around the lodge grounds and taking boat trips out into the vast adjacent wetlands, we turned up a huge array of birds and other wildlife.

The Okavango is a remarkable inland delta formed by several rivers which run out of the mountains of Angola, then pour into and evaporate upon the sands of the Kalahari semi-desert.

We watched several African Fish-Eagles (right) plummeting out of the sky and snatching fish from the river.

XARO & NXAMASERI LODGES, BOTSWANA

We had wonderful views of the incredible Pel’s Fishing-Owl (left) in Botswana. Boat trips are the prime way to explore the endless papyrus and reed wetlands of the Okavango.

Little Bitterns (right) were remarkably common and cooperative this year. Also shown are a Yellow-billed Oxpecker near Nxamaseri Lodge (top left) and the pugnacious Pied Kingfisher (bottom left).

A colony of breeding African Skimmers right next to Xaro Lodge was a special treat this year. Skimmers are the only birds in the world that have a longer lower than upper mandible!

A couple of Little Bee-eaters show off on the edge of a mysterious papyrus swamp (far left). Wading birds like this Little Egret (above left) are abundant throughout the Okavango, as are cisticolas like this Chirping (above right).

Walks around Xaro Lodge turned up Bennett’s Woodpecker (top right), while birds spotted on the boat trips included Long-toed Lapwing mobbing an African Marsh-Harrier (top left), African Openbill (bottom left), and Banded Martin (bottom right).

The Okavango holds an abundance of colorful and conspicuous birds, like Giant Kingfisher (top left), African Jacana (bottom left), and White-fronted Bee-eater (right).

BIRDSCommon Name Scientific Name Location

Ostrich StruthuinidaeOstrich Struthio camelus C-14 to Walvis Bay, Etosha, Mahango

Ducks, Geese and Waterfowl AnatidaeWhite-faced Whistling-Duck Dendrocygna viduata MahangoEgyptian Goose Alopochen aegyptiaca wet areasSouth African Shelduck Tadorna cana Gammons Sewage Works, etcSpur-winged Goose Plectropterus gambensis MahangoAfrican Pygmy-Goose Nettapus Auritus Okavango DeltaCape Shoveler Anas smithii Gammons Sewage WorksRed-billed Duck Anas erythrorhyncha Gammons Sewage Works, etc.Hottentot Teal Anas hottentota Gammons Sewage WorksCape Teal Anas capensis wet areas

Guineafowl NumididaeHelmeted Guineafowl Numida meleagris throughout

Pheasants, Grouse and Allies PhasianidaeCrested Francolin Francolinus sephaena ShamvuraHartlaub's Francolin Francolinus hartlaubi ErongoRed-billed Francolin Francolinus adspersus First at Avis Dam, common almost throughoutSwainson's Francolin Francolinus swainsonii Etosha

Grebes Podiceps Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis wet areasEared Grebe Podiceps nigricollis Walvis Bay

Flamingos PhoenicopteridaeGreater Flamingo Phoenicopterus roseus Walvis Bay, by the 100sLesser Flamingo Phoenicopterus minor Walvis Bay, by the 1000s

Penguins SpheniscidaeJackass Penguin Spheniscus demersus Walvis Bay. Rare record on shore this far north.

Storks CiconiidaeAfrican Openbill Anastomus lamelligerus Mahango, Okavango Delta floodplainSaddle-billed Stork Ephippiorhynchus senegalensis Okavango DeltaMarabou Stork Leptoptilos crumenifer MahangoYellow-billed Stork Mycteria ibis First at Shamvura

Boobies and Gannets SulidaeCape Gannet Morus capensis Walvis Bay

Cormorants and Shags ArdeidaeGreat Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo Gammons Sewage Works, Walvis BayCape Cormorant Phalacrocorax capensis Walvis BayBank Cormorant Phalacrocorax neglectus Walvis BayLong-tailed Cormorant Phalacrocorax africanus Gammons Sewage Works, etc.Crowned Cormorant Phalacrocorax coronatus Walvis Bay

Anhingas AnhingidaeAfrican Darter Anhinga rufa Gammons Sewage Works, etc.

Pelicans PelicanidaeGreat White Pelican Pelecanus onocrotalus Gammons Sewage Works, Walvis Bay

Hamerkop ScopidaeHamerkop Scopus umbretta First at Shamvura

Herons, Egrets and BitternsLittle Bittern Ixobrychus minutus First at ShamvuraGray Heron Ardea cinerea First at Gammons Sewage WorksBlack-headed Heron Ardea melanocephala Gammons Sewage worksGoliath Heron Ardea goliath First at ShamvuraPurple Heron Ardea purpurea First at Shamvura. Many around Xaro Lodge.Great Egret Ardea alba Gammons Sewage Works, etc.Intermediate Egret Mesophoyx intermedia First at ShamvuraLittle Egret Egretta garzetta widespreadSlaty Egret Egretta vinaceigula Mahango, Okavango DeltaBlack Heron Egretta ardesiaca First at ShamvuraCattle Egret Bubulcus ibis widespreadSquacco Heron Ardeola ralloides First at ShamvuraRufous-bellied Heron Ardeola rufiventris First at ShamvuraStriated Heron Butorides striata First at ShamvuraBlack-crowned Night-Heron Nycticorax nycticorax Shamvura

Ibises and Spoonbill ThreshkiornithidaeGlossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus First at ShamvuraSacred Ibis Threskiornis aethiopicus Gammons Sewage Works, MahangoHadada Ibis Bostrychia hagedash Okavango DeltaAfrican Spoonbill Platalea alba Gammons Sewage Works, Shamvura, Mahango

Secretary-bird SagittariidaeSecretary-bird Sagittarius serpentarius Etosha

Hawks, Eagles and Kites AccipitridaeBlack-shouldered Kite Elanus caeruleus fairly widespreadAfrican Harrier-Hawk Polyboroides typus Etosha, B-8Lappet-faced Vulture Torgos tracheliotus C-14 to Walvis Bay, Etosha, MahangoWhite-backed Vulture Gyps africanus fairly widespreadBateleur Terathopius ecaudatus Mahango, etc.Black-breasted Snake-Eagle Circaetus pectoralis first C-14 to Walvis BayBrown Snake-Eagle Circaetus cinereus B-8 to ShamvuraBanded Snake-Eagle Ciraetus cinerascens Okavango DeltaMartial Eagle Polemaetus bellicosus EtoshaWahlberg's Eagle Hieraaetus wahlbergi EtoshaBooted Eagle Hieraaetus pennatus Avis DamTawny Eagle Aquila rapax EtoshaVerreaux's Eagle Aquila verreauxii ride to Walvis Bay, SpitzkoppeAfrican Hawk-Eagle Aquila spilogaster Walvis BayDark Chanting-Goshawk Melierax metabates MahangoPale Chanting-Goshawk Melierax canorus C-14 to Walvis BayAfrican Marsh-Harrier Circus ranivorus Shamvura, MahangoShikra Accipiter badius Omaruru, ErongoLittle Sparrowhawk Accipiter minullus Okavango DeltaBlack (Yellow-billed) Kite Milvus migrans Okavango DeltaAfrican Fish-Eagle Haliaeetus vocifer Etosha

Bustards OtididaeKori Bustard Ardeotis kori EtoshaLudwig's Bustard Neotis ludwigii C-14 to Walvis BayRueppell's Bustard (Korhaan) Eupodotis rueppellii C-14 to Walvis BayRed-crested Bustard (Korhaan) Eupodotis ruficrista EtoshaWhite-quilled Bustard (Northern Black Korhaan) Eupodotis afraoides Etosha

Rails, Gallinules and Coots RallidaeBlack Crake Amaurornis flavirostra ShamvuraPurple Swamphen Porphyrio porphyrio Gammons Sewage Works, ShamvuraAllen's Gallinule Porphyrio alleni Okavango DeltaEurasian Moorhen Gallinula chloropus Gammons Sewage Works, EtoshaRed-knobbed Coot Fulica cristata Gammons Sewage Works

Cranes GruidaeWattled Crane Bugeranus carunculatus Mahango

Thick-knees BurhinidaeWater Thick-knee Burhinus vermiculatus Shamvura, Xaro Lodge

Stilts and Avocets RecurvirostridaeBlack-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus first at Gammons Sewage WorksPied Avocet Recurvirostra avosetta Walvis Bay, Etosha

Oystercatchers HaematopodidaeAfrican Oystercatcher Haematopus moquini Walvis Bay

Plovers and Lapwings CharadriiidaeBlack-bellied Plover Pluvialis squatarola Walvis BayLong-toed Lapwing Vanellus crassirostris Mahango, Okavango Delta floodplainBlacksmith Plover Vanellus armatus widespreadCrowned Lapwing Vanellus coronatus fairly widespreadWattled Lapwing Vanellus senegallus ShamvuraKittlitz's Plover Charadrius pecuarius Gammons Sewage Works, EtoshaThree-banded Plover Charadrius tricollaris Gammons Sewage Works, EtoshaWhite-fronted Plover Charadrius marginatus Walvis Bay, ShamvuraChestnut-banded Plover Charadrius pallidus Walvis Bay

Jacanas JacanidaeLesser Jacana Microparra capensis Okavango Delta floodplainAfrican Jacana Actophilornis africanus widespread

Sandpipers and Allies ScolopacidaeCommon Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos Gama Sewage Works, ShamvuraCommon Greenshank Tringa nebularia Walvis BayWood Sandpiper Tringa glareola Etosha, ShamvuraWhimbrel Numenius phaeopus Walvis BayBar-tailed Godwit Limosa lapponica Walvis BayRuddy Turnstone Arenaria interpres Walvis BayCurlew Sandpiper Calidris ferruginea Walvis Bay

Pratincoles and Coursers GlareolidaeDouble-banded Courser Smutsornis africanus EtoshaCollared Pratincole Glareola pratincola Shamvura

Gulls, Terns and Skimmers LaridaeGray-hooded Gull Chroicocephalus cirrocephalus Walvis Bay, Etosha, ShamvuraHartlaub's Gull Chroicocephalus hartlaubii Walvis BayKelp Gull Larus dominicanus Walvis BayCaspian Tern Hydroprogne caspia Walvis BayWhite-winged Tern Chlidonias leucopterus ShamvuraCommon Tern Sterna hirundo Walvis BayGreat Crested Tern Thalasseus bergii Walvis BayAfrican Skimmer Rynchops flavirostris first at Shamvura

Sandgrouse PteroclidaeNamaqua Sandgrouse Pterocles namaqua C-14, common in Etosha NPDouble-banded Sandgrouse Pterocles bicinctus Etosha

Pigeons and Doves ColumbidaeRock Pigeon Columba livia Windhoek, Walvis BaySpeckled Pigeon Columba guinea Avis Dam, OmaruruMourning Collared-Dove Streptopelia decipiens Okavango DeltaRed-eyed Dove Streptopelia semitorquata first in ShamvuraRing-necked Dove Streptopelia capicola widespreadLaughing Dove Streptopelia senegalensis widespreadEmerald-spotted Wood-Dove Turtur chalcospilos first in EtoshaNamaqua Dove Oena capensis Gama Sewage Works, etc.African Green-pigeon Treron calvus Okavango Delta

Turcaos MusophagidaeGray Go-away-bird Corythaixoides concolor widespread

Cuckoos CuculidaeCoppery-tailed Coucal Centropus cupreicaudus Shamvura, Nxamaseri LodgeWhite-browed Coucal Centropus superciliosus Mahango

Barn-Owls TytonidaeBarn Owl Tyto alba Halali Camp, Shamvura

Owls StrigidaeAfrican Scops-Owl Otus senegalensis Halali CampPel's Fishing-Owl Scotopelia peli Okavango DeltaPearl-spotted Owlet Glaucidium perlatum Avis Dam, Omaruru, MokutiAfrican Barred Owlet Glaucidium capense Xaro LodgeAfrican Wood-Owl Strix woodfordii Shamvura

Nightjars and Allies CaprimulgidaeFreckled Nightjar Caprimulgus tristigma Erongo

Swifts ApodidaeAlpine Swift Apus melba OmaruruBradfield's Swift Apus bradfieldi OmaruruLittle Swift Apus affinis EtoshaAfrican Palm-Swift Cypsiurus parvus widespread

Mousebirds ColiidaeWhite-backed Mousebird Colius colius first six daysRed-faced Mousebird Urocolius indicus first at ErongoMalachite Kingfisher Corythornis cristatus first at Shamvura, etcStriped Kingfisher Halcyon chelicuti Broadleaved woodland near ShamvuraGiant Kingfisher Megaceryle maximus first at ShamvuraPied Kingfisher Ceryle rudis most common kingfisher

Bee-eaters MeropidaeWhite-fronted Bee-eater Merops bullockoides Okavango DeltaLittle Bee-eater Merops pusillus first at ShamvuraSwallow-tailed Bee-eater Merops hirundineus first at Avis DamSouthern Carmine Bee-eater Merops nubicoides Shamvura, Mahango

Rollers CoraciidaeLilac-breasted Roller Coracias caudatus widespreadRufous-crowned Roller Coracias naevius widespread, but not as common as L-b Roller

Hoopoes UpupidaeEurasian Hoopoe Upopa epops Okavango Delta

Woodhoopoes and Scimitar-bills PhoeniculidaeGreen Woodhoopoe Phoeniculus purpureus MahangoViolet Woodhoopoe Phoeniculus damarensis Omaruru, ErongoCommon Scimitar-bill Rhinopomastus cyanomelas Mahango

Hornbills BucerotidaeMonteiro's Hornbill Tockus monteiri Avis Dam, Sptzkoppe, OmaruruSouthern Red-billed Hornbill Tockus rufirostris C-14, EtoshaDamara Red-billed Hornbill Tockus damarensis OmaruruSouthern Yellow-billed Hornbill Tockus leucomelas widespreadBradfield's Hornbill Tockus bradfieldi ShamvuraAfrican Gray Hornbill Tockus nasutus widespread

Ground-Hornbills BucorvidaeSouthern Ground Hornbill Bucorvus leadbeateri Okavango Delta

African Barbets LybiidaeCrested Barbet Trachyphonus vaillantii Okavango DeltaYellow-fronted Tinkerbird Pogoniulus chrysoconus Broadleaved woodland near ShamvuraPied Barbet Tricholaema leucomelas Avis Dam, ErongoBlack-collared Barbet Lybius torquatus Mahango

Honeyguides IndicatoridaeLesser Honeyguide Indicator minor Xaro Lodge

Woodpeckers PicidaeBennett's Woodpecker Campethera bennetti Xaro LodgeGolden-tailed Woodpecker Campether abingoni Xaro LodgeCardinal Woodpecker Dendropicos fuscescens Onganga, OmaruruBearded Woodpecker Dendropicos namaquus Okavango Delta

Falcons and Caracaras FalconidaePygmy Falcon Polihierax semitorquatus EtoshaEurasian Kestrel Falco tinnunculus OmaruruGreater Kestrel Falco rupicoloides EtoshaLanner Falcon Falco biarmicus C-14 to Walvis Bay

Parrots PsittacidaeRosy-faced Lovebird Agapornis roseicollis Avis Dam, ErongoMeyer's Parrot Poicephalus meyeri Okavango DeltaRueppell's Parrot Poicephalus rueppellii Omaruru

Wattle-eyes and Batises PlatysteiridaeWhite-tailed Shrike Lanioturdus torquatus Omaruru, ErongoPririt Batis Batis pririt Roiibank

Vangas, Helmetshrikes and Allies VangidaeWhite Helmetshrike Prionops plumatus Etosha, ShamvuraRetz's Helmetshrike Prionops retzii Shamvura

Bushshrikes and Allies MalaconotidaeBrubru Nilaus afer RoiibankBlack-backed Puffback Dryoscopus cubla Shamvura, MahangoBrown-crowned Tchagra Tchagra australis ShamvuraGabon (Swamp) Boubou Laniarius bicolor first at Shamvura

Crimson-breasted Gonolek Laniarius atrococcineus fairly widespreadBokmakierie Telophorus zeylonus C-14 to Walvis Bay (lunch)Sulpher-breasted Bushshrike Telophorus sulfureopectus Okavango Delta

Cuckooshrikes CampephagidaeBlack Cuckooshrike Campephaga flava Okavango Delta

Shrikes LaniidaeSouthern (Common) Fiscal Lanius collaris C-14 to Walvis Bay, ErongoSouza's Shrike Lanius souzae Broadleaved woodland near ShamvuraMagpie Shrike Corvinella melanoleuca Shamvura, MahangoWhite-crowned Shrike Eurocephalus anguitimens first at Halali

Old World Orioles OriolidaeAfrican Black-headed Oriole Oriolus larvatus Mokuti Lodge, Shamvura

Drongos DicruridaeFork-tailed Drongo Dicrurus adsimilis widespread

Crows, Jays and Magpies CorvidaeCape Crow Corvus capensis C-14 to Walvis Bay, EtoshaPied Crow Corvus albus C-14 to Walvis Bay, Etosha, Shamvura

Larks AlaudidaeSabota Lark Calendulauda sabota C-14 to Walvis Bay, Erongo, EtoshaFawn-colored Lark Calendulauda africanoides Shamvura broadleaved woodlandDune Lark Calendulauda erythrochlamys Roiibank, at edge of Namib Desert dune fieldsSpike-heeled Lark Chersomanes albofasciata EtoshaChestnut-backed Sparrow-Lark Eremopterix leucotis EtoshaGray-backed Sparrow-Lark Eremopterix verticalis EtoshaRed-capped Lark Calandrella cinerea EtoshaStark's Lark Spizocorys starki Drive to Omaruru

Swallows HirundinidaePlain Martin Riparia paludicola Shamvura, MahangoBanded Martin Riparia cincta Shamvura, MahangoRock Martin Ptyonoprogne fuligula first seven daysBarn Swallow Hirundo rustica Omaruru, ShamvuraWhite-throated Swallow Hirundo albigularis Avis DamWire-tailed Swallow Hirundo smithii Shamvura, MahangoPearl-breasted Swallow Hirundo dimidiata Okavango DeltaLesser Striped-Swallow Cecropis abyssinica Shamvura, MahangoRufous-chested Swallow Cecropis semirufa EtoshaMosque Swallow Cecropis senegalensis MahangoBlack Sawwing Psalidoprocne pristoptera Okavango DeltaGray-rumped Swallow Pseudhirundo griseopyga Mahango

Chickadees and Tits ParidaeSouthern Black-Tit Melaniparus niger Shamvura, MahangoCarp's Tit Melaniparus carpi ErongoRufous-bellied Tit Melaniparus rufiventris Shamvura broadleaved woodlandAshy Tit Melaniparus cinerascens Avis Dam, Spitzkoppe

Bulbuls PycnonotidaeYellow-bellied Greenbul Chlorocichla flaviventris Shamvura, MahangoTerrestrial Brownbul Phyllastrephus terrestris Okavango DeltaCommon Bulbul Pycnonotus barbatus Common in northern NamibiaBlack-fronted Bulbul Pycnonotus nigricans Common in central Namibia

African Warblers MacrospenidaeCape Crombec Sylvietta rufescens Spitzkoppe, EtoshaRockrunner Achaetops pycnopygius Erongo, a superb performer!

Reed-Warblers and Allies AcrocephalidaeAfrican Reed-Warbler Acrocephalus baeticatus Avis DamLesser Swamp-Warbler Acrocephalus gracilirostris Okavango DeltaGreater Swamp-Warbler Acrocephalus rufescens Okavango Delta

Grassbirds and Allies LocustellidaeLittle Rush-Warbler Bradypterus baboecala Okavango Delta

Cisticolas and Allies CisicolidaeYellow-breasted Apalis Apalis flavida ShamvuraGreen-backed Camaroptera Camaroptera brachyura Omaruru, Mokuti, ShamvuraBarred Wren-Warbler Calamonastes fasciolatus C-14 to Walvis BayRattling Cisticola Cisticola chiniana Avis DamWinding Cisticola Cisticola galactotes ShamvuraChirping Cisticola Cisticola pipiens ShamvuraPiping Cisticola Cisticola fulvicapilla ShamvuraZitting Cisticola Cisticola juncidis Avis DamDesert Cisticola Cisticola aridulus Avis DamTawny-flanked Prinia Prinia subflava Shamvura, MahangoBlack-chested Prinia Prinia flavicans widespreadYellow-bellied Eremomela Eremomela icteropygialis Omaruru, ErongoBurnt-neck Eremomela Eremomela usticollis Omaruru

Sylvids SylvidaeLayard's Warbler (Tit-Babbler) Sylvia layardi SpitzkoppeRufous-vented Warbler (Tit-Babbler) Sylvia subcaerulea Avis Dam, C-14, Omaruru

Yuhinas, White-eyes, and Allies ZosteropidaeAfrican Yellow White-eye Zosterops senegalensis Shamvura, Mahango

Laughingthrushes and Allies LeiothrichidaeHartlaub's Babbler Turdoides hartlaubii Shamvura, MahangoBlack-faced Babbler Turdoides melanops Mokuti Lodge. Highly local specialty.Southern Pied-Babbler Turdoides bicolor C-14 to Walvis Bay, EtoshaArrow-marked Babbler Turdoides jardineii Okavango Delta

Old World Flycatchers MuscicapidaePale Flycatcher Bradornis pallidus Shamvura, MahangoChat Flycatcher Bradornis infuscatus C-14 to Walvis Bay, ErongoMariqua Flycatcher Bradornis mariquensis fairly widespreadSouthern Black-Flycatcher Melaenornis pammelaina Shamvura broadleaved woodlandGray Tit-Flycatcher Myioparus plumbeus Xaro LodgeKalahari Scrub-Robin Cercotrichas paena C-14 to Walvis Bay, ErongoRed-backed Scrub-Robin Cercotrichas leucophrys ShamvuraHerero Chat Namibornis herero SpitzkoppeWhite-browed Robin-Chat Cossypha heuglini Okavango DeltaShort-toed Rock-Thrush Monticola brevipes C-14 to Walvis BayAfrican Stonechat Saxicola torquatus C-14 to Walvis Bay, EtoshaSouthern Anteater-Chat Myrmecocichla formicivora C-14 to Walvis Bay, EtoshaKaroo Chat Cercomela schlegelii C-14 to Walvis BayTractrac Chat Cercomela tractrac C-14 to Walvis BayFamiliar Chat Cercomela familiaris Avis Dam, ErongoMountain Wheatear Oenanthe monticola Avis Dam, C-14 to Walvis Bay, SpitzkoppeCapped Wheatear Oenanthe pileata Mahango

Thrushes and Allies TurdidaeGroundscraper Thrush Psophocichla litsitsirupa widespreadKurrichane Thrush Turdus libonyana Shamvura

Starlings SturnidaeWattled Starling Creatophora cinerea first at Gammons Sewage WorksCape Glossy-Starling Lamprotornis nitens widespreadGreater Blue-eared Glossy-Starling Lamprotornis chalybaeus Okavango DeltaMeves's Glossy-Starling Lamprotornis mevesii Mahango, Okavango DeltaBurchell's Glossy-Starling Lamprotornis australis Mokuti, MahangoViolet-backed Starling Cinnyricinclus leucogaster Shamvura, MahangoPale-winged Starling Onychognathus nabouroup most days before Etosha

Oxpeckers BuphagidaeRed-billed Oxpecker Buphagus erythrorhynchus MahangoYellow-billed Oxpecker Buphagus africanus Okavango Delta

Sunbirds and Spiderhunters NectariniidaeCollared Sunbird Hedydipna collaris Shamvura, MahangoScarlet-chested Sunbird Chalcomitra senegalensis Omaruru Mariqua Sunbird Cinnyris mariquensis widespreadPurple-banded Sunbird Cinnyris bifasciatus MahangoWhite-breasted Sunbird Cinnyris talatala Mokuti, Roy’s, ShamvuraDusky Sunbird Cinnyris fuscus widespread in central Namibia

Wagtails and Pipits MotacillidaeCape Wagtail Motacilla capensis first at Avis DamAfrican Pied Wagtail Motacilla aguimp Shamvura, MahangoAfrican Pipit Anthus cinnamomeus Avis Dama, EtoshaWoodland Pipit Anthus nyassae Shamvura broadleaved woodlandLong-billed Pipit Anthus similis C-14 to Walvis BayPlain-backed Pipit Anthus leucophrys Okavango Delta

Buntings and New World Sparrows EmberizidaeLark-like Bunting Emberiza impetuani Drive to SpitzkoppeCinnamon-breasted Bunting Emberiza tahapisi Avis Dam, ErongoCape Bunting Emberiza capensis ErongoGolden-breasted Bunting Emberiza flaviventris fairly widespread

Siskins, Crossbills and Allies FringillidaeYellow-fronted Canary Serinus mozambicus Shamvura Black-throated Canary Serinus atrogularis fairly widespreadYellow Canary Serinus flaviventris Onganga, C-14White-throated Canary Serinus albogularis Omaruru

Old World Sparrows PasseridaeHouse Sparrow Passer domesticus WindhoekGreat Rufous Sparrow Passer motitensis C-14, Spitzkoppe, EtoshaCape Sparrow Passer melanurus RoibankSouthern Gray-headed Sparrow Passer diffusus Erongo, Etosha, Mahango

Weavers and Allies PloceidaeRed-billed Buffalo-Weaver Bubalornis niger Gas station near Popa FallsScaly Weaver Sporopipes squamifrons C-14 to Walvis Bay, EtoshaWhite-browed Sparrow-Weaver Plocepasser mahali widespreadSocial Weaver Philetairus socius C-14 to Walvis Bay, EtoshaRed-headed Weaver Anaplectes rubriceps ShamvuraSpectacled Weaver Ploceus ocularis

Holub's Golden-Weaver Ploceus xanthops ShamvuraSouthern Brown-throated Weaver Ploceus xanthopterusLesser Masked-Weaver Ploceus intermedius MahangoSouthern Masked-Weaver Ploceus velatus widespreadVillage Weaver Ploceus cucullatus ShamvuraChestnut Weaver Ploceus rubiginosus drive to OutjoRed-billed Quelea Quelea quelea EtoshaRed Bishop Euplectes orix MahangoWhite-winged Widowbird Euplectus albonotatus Okavango DeltaFan-tailed Widowbird Euplectes axillaris Okavango DeltaGrosbeak Weaver Amblyospiza albifrons Okavango Delta

Waxbills and Allies EstrildidaeCommon Waxbill Estrilda astrild Okavango DeltaBlack-cheeked Waxbill Estrilda erythronotos Avis Dam, C-14 to Walvis BayBlue-breasted Cordonbleu (Blue Waxbill) Uraeginthus angolensis fairly widespreadViolet-eared Waxbill Granatina granatina EtoshaGreen-winged Pytilia Pytilia melba ErongoRed-billed Firefinch Lagonosticta senegala Omaruru, ShamvuraBrown Firefinch Lagonosticta nitidula ShamvuraCut-throat Amadina fasciata MahangoRed-headed Finch Amadina erythrocephala first at Avis Dam

Indigobirds ViduidaePin-tailed Whydah Vidua macroura Avis DamEastern Paradise-Whydah Vidua paradisaea OmaruruShaft-tailed Whydah Vidua regia several

MAMMALSRodents RodentiaDassie Rat Petromus typicusDamara Ground Squirrel Geosciurus princepsTree Squirrel Paraxerus cepapiHares LagomorphaScrub Hare Lepus capensisSeals & Sealions PhocidaeCape Fur Seal Actophilornis pusillusDolphins Delphinidae: Heaviside Dolphin Cephalorhynchus heavisidiiCheek-pouched Monkeys CercopithecidaeChacma Baboon Papio ursinusVervet Monkey Cercopithecus aethiopsDogs & allies CanidaeBlack-backed Jackal Canis mesomelasBat-eared Fox Otocyon megalotisHyaenas HyaenidaeSpotted Hyaena Crocuta crocutaCats FelidaeLion Panthera leoLeopard Panthera pardusCheetah Acinonyx jubatusMongooses HerpestidaeBlack Mongoose Herpestes (sanguinea) nigrataBanded Mongoose Mungos mungoYellow Mongoose Cynictis penicillata

Mustelids MustelidaeSpot-necked Otter Lutra maculicollis Hyraxes Procavidae: Cape Rock Hyrax Procavia capensisElephants Elephantidae(African) Elephant Loxodonta africana Giraffes GiraffidaeGiraffe Camelopardus giraffa giraffaHorses EquidaeBurchell's Common Zebra Equus quagga burchelli Hartmann's Mountain Zebra Equus hartmannaeHippopotamuses HippopotamidaeHippopotamus Hippopotamus amphibious Rhinoceroses RhinocerotidaeWhite Rhino Ceratotherium simusBlack Rhino Diceros bicornisPigs SuidaeWarthog Phacochoerus africanus Horned Ungulates Bovidae: African (Cape) Buffalo Syncerus caffer Bushbuck Tragelaphus scriptus Greater Kudu Tragelaphus strepsicerosEland Taurotragus oryxGemsbok (Southern Oryx) Oryx gazellaSpringbok Antidorcas marsupialisRoan (Antelope) Hippotragus equines(Red) Lechwe Kobus lechwe lechweSteenbok Raphicerus campestrisKlipspringer Oreotragus oreotragusDamara Dikdik Madoqua kirkii damarensisSouthern Reedbuck Redunca arundinumBlack-faced Impala Aepyceros melampus petersiRed Hartebeest Alcelaphus buselaphus caamaBlue Wildebeest (Brindled Gnu) Connochaetes taurinu

REPTILESNile Crocodile Crocodylus niloticus Bushveld Lizard Heliobolus lugubrisNamibian Rock Agama Agama planiceps Etosha Ground Agama Agama etoshaeNile Monitor Varanus niloticusRock Monitor Varanus albigularisVariable Skink Trachylepis variaStriped Skink Mabuya striata Marsh Terrapin Pelomedusa subrufa

BUTTERFLIESNymphalidaeDanainaeAfrican(Monarch Danaus(chryssipus(aegyp/usSquin/ng(Bush(Brown Bicyclus(anynana(anynanaSatyrinaeAfrican(Ringlet Ypthima(asteropeHeliconiinaeLygus(Acraea Acraea(lygusCharaxinaeFoxy(Emperor Charaxes(jasius(saturnusBushveld(Emperor Charaxes(achaemenes(achaemenesLimeni/naeGuineafowl Hamanumida(daedalusBiblidinaeSpoBed(Joker Byblia(ilithyiaNymphalinaeYellow(Pansy Junonia(hiertaLycaenidaePori/inaeCommon(Buff Baliochila(aslangaLycaeninaeCommon(FigItree(Blue Myrina(silenusBush(Scarlet Axiocerses(coalescensDusky(Copper Aloeides(taikosamaHintza(Blue Zintha(hintza(hintzaSooty(Blue Zizeeria(knysnaThornItree(Blue Azanous(moriquaPieridaePierinaeZebra(White Pinacopteryx(eriphia(eriphiaTopaz(Tip Colo/s(amataDoubleday's(Orange Colo/s(doubledayi(flavulusQueen(Purple/p Colo/s(reginaCommon(Orange(Tip Colo/s(evenina(eveninaKalahari(Orange(Tip Colo/s(laisBrownIveined(White Belenois(aurota(aurotaAfrican(Common(White Belenois(creona(creonaAfrican(Veined(White Belenois(gidica(abyssinicaMeadow(White Pon/a(helice(heliceCommon(DoBed(Border Mylothris(agathinaColiadinaeAfrican(Migrant Catopsilia(florellaPapilionidaePapilioninaeCitrus(Swallowtail Papilio(demodocus(demodocusHesperiidaePyrginae(Small(Elfin Sarangesa(phidyleDark(Elfin Sarangesa(seineriDelagoa(Sandman Spialia(delagoaeMafa(Sandman Spialia(mafa(mafaHesperiinaeWhiteIbanded(SwiW Pelopidas(thrax(inconspicuaRusty(SwiW Borbo(detecta

Southern Africa Safari 2014Group photo by Jerry Connolly