List of birds of South Africa

South Africa is a large country, ranked 25th by size in the world, and is situated in the temperate latitudes and subtropics. Due to a range of climate types present, a patchwork of unique habitat types occur, which contribute to its biodiversity and level of endemism. Offshore, South Africa's territory includes the Prince Edward Islands in the Subantarctic Indian Ocean, while the submerged though ecologically important Agulhas Bank is for most part inside its territorial waters.

858 species have been recorded including 31 endemics and nine species introduced by humans.

This list's taxonomic treatment (designation and sequence of orders, families and species) and nomenclature (common and scientific names) follow the conventions of The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World, and reflects all changes to that work until January 2006. Taxonomic changes are on-going. As more research is gathered from studies of distribution, behaviour and DNA, the order and number of families and species may change. Furthermore, different approaches to ornithological nomenclature have led to concurrent systems of classification (see Sibley-Ahlquist taxonomy).

Mainland and territorial waters

Ostriches

Order: Struthioniformes   Family: Struthionidae

The ostrich is a flightless bird native to Africa. It is the largest living species of bird. It is distinctive in its appearance, with a long neck and legs and the ability to run at high speeds.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Ostrich	Struthio camelus	Resident breeder

Ducks, geese and swans

Order: Anseriformes   Family: Anatidae

The family Anatidae includes the ducks and most duck-like waterfowl, such as geese and swans. These are birds adapted to an aquatic existence, with webbed feet, flattened bills, and feathers that are excellent at shedding water due to an oily coating.

Common name	Binomial	Status
White-faced whistling duck	Dendrocygna viduata	Migratory breeder
Fulvous whistling duck	Dendrocygna bicolor	Migratory breeder
White-backed duck	Thalassornis leuconotus	Resident breeder
Mute swan	Cygnus olor	Introduced; feral populations established are now extinct
Knob-billed duck	Sarkidiornis melanotos	Migratory breeder
Egyptian goose	Alopochen aegyptiaca	Resident breeder
South African shelduck	Tadorna cana	Resident breeder
Spur-winged goose	Plectropterus gambensis	Resident breeder
African pygmy goose	Nettapus auritus	Resident breeder
African black duck	Anas sparsa	Resident breeder
Yellow-billed duck	Anas undulata	Resident breeder
Mallard	Anas platyrhynchos	Introduced
Cape shoveler	Anas smithii	Resident breeder
Northern shoveler	Anas clypeata	Rare/accidental
Red-billed teal	Anas erythrorhyncha	Migratory breeder
Northern pintail	Anas acuta	Rare vagrant from the Palearctic
Hottentot teal	Anas hottentota	Migratory breeder
Garganey	Anas querquedula	Rare vagrant from the Palearctic
Cape teal	Anas capensis	Resident breeder
Southern pochard	Netta erythrophthalma	Migratory breeder
Maccoa duck	Oxyura maccoa	Resident breeder; near threatened

Guineafowl

Order: Galliformes   Family: Numididae

The guineafowl are a family of birds native to Africa. They typically eat insects and seeds, are ground-nesting, and resemble partridges, except with featherless heads.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Helmeted guineafowl	Numida meleagris	Resident breeder
Crested guineafowl	Guttera pucherani	Resident breeder

Pheasants and partridges

Order: Galliformes   Family: Phasianidae

The Phasianidae are a family of terrestrial birds consisting of quails, partridges, snowcocks, francolins, spurfowls, tragopans, monals, pheasants, peafowls and jungle fowls. In general, they are plump and have broad, relatively short wings.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Chukar partridge	Alectoris chukar	Introduced
Coqui francolin	Peliperdix coqui	Resident breeder
Crested francolin	Dendroperdix sephaena	Resident breeder
Red-winged francolin	Scleroptila levaillantii	Resident breeder
Grey-winged francolin	Scleroptila africanus	Near-endemic resident breeder
Shelley's francolin	Scleroptila shelleyi	Resident breeder
Orange River francolin	Scleroptila gutturalis	Resident breeder
Red-billed spurfowl	Pternistis adspersus	Resident
Cape spurfowl	Pternistis capensis	Endemic resident breeder
Natal spurfowl	Pternistis natalensis	Resident breeder
Red-necked spurfowl	Pternistis afer	Resident breeder
Swainson's spurfowl	Pternistis swainsonii	Resident breeder
Common quail	Coturnix coturnix	Resident breeder
Harlequin quail	Coturnix delegorguei	Migratory breeder
Blue quail	Excalfactoria adansonii	Migrant visitor
Indian peafowl	Pavo cristatus	Introduced; feral populations established

Grebes

Order: Podicipediformes   Family: Podicipedidae

Grebes are small to medium-large freshwater diving birds. They have lobed toes and are excellent swimmers and divers. However, they have their feet placed far back on the body, making them quite ungainly on land.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Little grebe	Tachybaptus ruficollis	Resident breeder
Great crested grebe	Podiceps cristatus	Resident breeder
Black-necked grebe	Podiceps nigricollis	Resident breeder

Flamingos

Order: Phoenicopteriformes   Family: Phoenicopteridae

Flamingos are large gregarious wading birds found in both the Western and Eastern Hemispheres. Flamingos filter-feed on shellfish and algae. Their oddly shaped beaks are specially adapted to separate mud and silt from the food they consume and, uniquely, are used upside-down.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Greater flamingo	Phoenicopterus roseus	Migratory breeder
Lesser flamingo	Phoeniconaias minor	Migratory breeder; near threatened

Penguins

Order: Sphenisciformes   Family: Spheniscidae

The penguins are a group of aquatic, flightless birds living almost exclusively in the Southern Hemisphere. Most penguins feed on krill, fish, squid and other forms of marine life caught while swimming underwater.

Common name	Binomial	Status
King penguin	Aptenodytes patagonicus	Rare oceanic vagrant
Southern rockhopper penguin	Eudyptes chrysocome	Rare oceanic vagrant; vulnerable
Northern rockhopper penguin	Eudyptes moseleyi	Rare oceanic vagrant; endangered
African penguin	Spheniscus demersus	Resident breeder; endangered
Macaroni penguin	Eudyptes chrysolophus	Rare oceanic vagrant; vulnerable

Albatrosses

Order: Procellariiformes   Family: Diomedeidae

The albatrosses are among the largest of flying birds, with those from the genus Diomedea having the largest wingspan of any extant bird.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Atlantic yellow-nosed albatross	Thalassarche chlororhynchos	Regular oceanic migrant; endangered
Indian yellow-nosed albatross	Thalassarche carteri	Regional breeder; endangered
Grey-headed albatross	Thalassarche chrysostoma	Rare oceanic migrant; endangered
Buller's albatross	Thalassarche bulleri	Rare oceanic vagrant; near-threatened
Shy albatross	Thalassarche cauta	Regular oceanic migrant; near threatened
Salvin's albatross	Thalassarche salvini	Regular oceanic migrant; vulnerable
Black-browed albatross	Thalassarche melanophrys	Regular oceanic migrant; near threatened
Sooty albatross	Phoebetria fusca	Rare oceanic vagrant; endangered
Light-mantled albatross	Phoebetria palpebrata	Rare oceanic vagrant; near-threatened
Southern royal albatross	Diomedea epomophora	Rare oceanic vagrant; vulnerable
Northern royal albatross	Diomedea sanfordi	Rare oceanic vagrant; endangered
Wandering albatross	Diomedea exulans	Oceanic migrant; vulnerable
Tristan albatross	Diomedea dabbenena	Oceanic migrant; critically endangered
Laysan albatross	Phoebastria immutabilis	Oceanic vagrant; near threatened

Shearwaters and petrels

Order: Procellariiformes   Family: Procellariidae

The procellariids are the main group of medium-sized "true petrels", characterised by united nostrils with medium septum and a long outer functional primary.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Southern giant petrel	Macronectes giganteus	Regular oceanic migrant
Northern giant petrel	Macronectes halli	Regular oceanic migrant
Southern fulmar	Fulmarus glacialoides	Oceanic migrant
Antarctic petrel	Thalassoica antarctica	Rare oceanic vagrant
Cape petrel	Daption capense	Regular oceanic migrant
Kerguelen petrel	Lugensa brevirostris	Rare oceanic vagrant
Great-winged petrel	Pterodroma macroptera	Regular oceanic migrant
Soft-plumaged petrel	Pterodroma mollis	Regular oceanic migrant
Barau's petrel	Pterodroma baraui	Rare oceanic vagrant; endangered
White-headed petrel	Pterodroma lessonii	Rare oceanic vagrant
Atlantic petrel	Pterodroma incerta	Rare oceanic vagrant; endangered
Blue petrel	Halobaena caerulea	Rare oceanic vagrant
Fairy prion	Pachyptila turtur	Rare oceanic vagrant
Broad-billed prion	Pachyptila vittata	Rare oceanic vagrant
Salvin's prion	Pachyptila salvini	Rare oceanic vagrant
Antarctic prion	Pachyptila desolata	Regular oceanic migrant
Slender-billed prion	Pachyptila belcheri	Rare oceanic vagrant
Jouanin's petrel	Bulweria fallax	Rare oceanic vagrant; near threatened
Grey petrel	Procellaria cinerea	Rare oceanic vagrant; near threatened
White-chinned petrel	Procellaria aequinoctialis	Regular oceanic migrant; vulnerable
Spectacled petrel	Procellaria conspicillata	Rare oceanic vagrant; vulnerable
Streaked shearwater	Calonectris leucomelas	Rare oceanic vagrant
Cory's shearwater	Calonectris borealis	Regular oceanic migrant
Scopoli's shearwater	Calonectris diomedea	Regular oceanic migrant
Flesh-footed shearwater	Ardenna carneipes	Regular oceanic migrant
Great shearwater	Ardenna gravis	Regular oceanic migrant
Wedge-tailed shearwater	Ardenna pacificus	Rare oceanic vagrant
Sooty shearwater	Ardenna griseus	Regular oceanic migrant; near threatened
Manx shearwater	Puffinus puffinus	Breeds in the Palearctic and winters in South Africa
Subantarctic shearwater	Puffinus elegans	Regular oceanic migrant

Storm petrels

Order: Procellariiformes   Family: Hydrobatidae

The storm petrels are relatives of the petrels and are the smallest seabirds. They feed on planktonic crustaceans and small fish picked from the surface, typically while hovering. The flight is fluttering and sometimes bat-like.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Wilson's storm petrel	Oceanites oceanicus	Regular oceanic migrant
Grey-backed storm petrel	Garrodia nereis	Rare oceanic vagrant
White-faced storm petrel	Pelagodroma marina	Rare oceanic vagrant
European storm petrel	Hydrobates pelagicus	Breeds in the Palearctic and winters in South Africa
White-bellied storm petrel	Fregetta grallaria	Rare oceanic vagrant
Black-bellied storm petrel	Fregetta tropica	Occasional oceanic migrant
Leach's storm petrel	Oceanodroma leucorhoa	Breeds in the Palearctic and winters in South Africa
Matsudaira's storm petrel	Oceanodroma matsudairae	Rare oceanic vagrant; vulnerable

Tropicbirds

Order: Phaethontiformes   Family: Phaethontidae

Tropicbirds are slender white birds of tropical oceans, with exceptionally long central tail feathers. Their heads and long wings have black markings.

Common name	Binomial	Status
White-tailed tropicbird	Phaethon lepturus	Rare oceanic vagrant
Red-billed tropicbird	Phaethon aethereus	Rare oceanic vagrant
Red-tailed tropicbird	Phaethon rubricauda	Rare oceanic vagrant

Storks

Order: Ciconiiformes   Family: Ciconiidae

Storks are large, long-legged, long-necked, wading birds with long, stout bills. Storks are mute, but bill-clattering is an important mode of communication at the nest. Their nests can be large and may be reused for many years. Many species are migratory.

Common name	Binomial	Status
African openbill	Anastomus lamelligerus	Resident breeder; migrates during dry seasons
Black stork	Ciconia nigra	Resident breeder
Abdim's stork	Ciconia abdimii	Migratory; winters in South Africa
Woolly-necked stork	Ciconia episcopus	Resident breeder; vulnerable
White stork	Ciconia ciconia	Breeds in the Palearctic and winters in South Africa
Saddle-billed stork	Ephippiorhynchus senegalensis	Resident breeder
Marabou stork	Leptoptilos crumenifer	Resident breeder
Yellow-billed stork	Mycteria ibis	Resident breeder; undertakes irregular migrations

Frigatebirds

Order: Suliformes   Family: Fregatidae

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

Common name	Binomial	Status
Great frigatebird	Fregata minor	Rare oceanic vagrant
Lesser frigatebird	Fregata ariel	Rare oceanic vagrant

Boobies and gannets

Order: Suliformes   Family: Sulidae

The sulids comprise the gannets and boobies. Both groups are medium to large coastal seabirds that plunge-dive for fish.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Brown booby	Sula leucogaster	Rare oceanic vagrant
Red-footed booby	Sula sula	Rare oceanic vagrant
Cape gannet	Morus capensis	Migratory breeder; vulnerable
Australian gannet	Morus serrator	Rare oceanic vagrant

Cormorants

Order: Suliformes   Family: Phalacrocoracidae

Phalacrocoracidae is a family of medium to large coastal, fish-eating seabirds that includes cormorants and shags. Plumage colouration varies, with the majority having mainly dark plumage, some species being black-and-white and a few being colourful.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Great cormorant	Phalacrocorax carbo	Resident breeder
Cape cormorant	Phalacrocorax capensis	Resident breeder; endangered
Bank cormorant	Phalacrocorax neglectus	Resident breeder; endangered
Reed cormorant	Microcarbo africanus	Resident breeder
Crowned cormorant	Microcarbo coronatus	Resident breeder; near threatened

Darters

Order: Suliformes   Family: Anhingidae

Darters are often called "snake-birds" because of their long thin neck, which gives a snake-like appearance when they swim with their bodies submerged. The males have black and dark-brown plumage, an erectile crest on the nape and a larger bill than the female. The females have much paler plumage especially on the neck and underparts. The darters have completely webbed feet and their legs are short and set far back on the body. Their plumage is somewhat permeable, like that of cormorants, and they spread their wings to dry after diving.

Common name	Binomial	Status
African darter	Anhinga rufa	Resident breeder

Pelicans

Order: Pelecaniformes   Family: Pelecanidae

Pelicans are large water birds with a distinctive pouch under their beak. As with other members of the order Pelecaniformes, they have webbed feet with four toes.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Great white pelican	Pelecanus onocrotalus	Migratory and resident breeding populations
Pink-backed pelican	Pelecanus rufescens	Resident breeder

Hamerkop

Order: Pelecaniformes   Family: Scopidae

The hamerkop is a medium-sized bird with a long shaggy crest. The shape of its head with a curved bill and crest at the back is reminiscent of a hammer, hence its name. Its plumage is drab-brown all over.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Hamerkop	Scopus umbretta	Resident breeder

Bitterns, herons and egrets

Order: Pelecaniformes   Family: Ardeidae

The family Ardeidae contains the bitterns, herons and egrets. Herons and egrets are medium to large wading birds with long necks and legs. Bitterns tend to be shorter necked and more wary. Members of Ardeidae fly with their necks retracted, unlike other long-necked birds such as storks, ibises and spoonbills.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Great bittern	Botaurus stellaris	Resident breeder
Little bittern	Ixobrychus minutus	Resident breeder
Dwarf bittern	Ixobrychus sturmii	Resident breeder
Grey heron	Ardea cinerea	Resident breeder
Black-headed heron	Ardea melanocephala	Resident breeder
Goliath heron	Ardea goliath	Resident breeder
Purple heron	Ardea purpurea	Resident breeder
Great egret	Ardea alba	Resident breeder
Intermediate egret	Mesophoyx intermedia	Resident breeder
Little egret	Egretta garzetta	Resident breeder
Little blue heron	Egretta caerulea	Rare nearctic vagrant
Slaty egret	Egretta vinaceigula	African migrant visitor; vulnerable
Black heron	Egretta ardesiaca	Migrant breeder
Cattle egret	Bubulcus ibis	Resident breeder
Squacco heron	Ardeola ralloides	Resident breeder
Rufous-bellied heron	Ardeola rufiventris	Resident breeder
Striated heron	Butorides striata	Resident breeder
Black-crowned night heron	Nycticorax nycticorax	Resident breeder
White-backed night heron	Gorsachius leuconotus	Resident breeder

Ibises and spoonbills

Order: Pelecaniformes   Family: Threskiornithidae

Threskiornithidae is a family of large terrestrial and wading birds which includes the ibises and spoonbills. They have long, broad wings with 11 primary and about 20 secondary feathers. They are strong fliers and despite their size and weight, very capable soarers.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Glossy ibis	Plegadis falcinellus	Migratory breeders
African sacred ibis	Threskiornis aethiopicus	MIgratory breeder
Southern bald ibis	Geronticus calvus	Endemic resident breeder; vulnerable
Hadada ibis	Bostrychia hagedash	Resident breeder
African spoonbill	Platalea alba	Resident breeder

Secretarybird

Order: Accipitriformes   Family: Sagittariidae

The secretarybird is a bird of prey easily distinguished from other raptors by its long crane-like legs.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Secretarybird	Sagittarius serpentarius	Resident breeder; vulnerable

Osprey

Order: Accipitriformes   Family: Pandionidae

The Pandionidae family contains only one species, the osprey. The osprey is a medium-large raptor which is a specialist fish-eater with a worldwide distribution.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Osprey	Pandion haliaetus	Breeds in the Palearctic and winters in South Africa

Eagles, hawks, kites, and allies

Order: Accipitriformes   Family: Accipitridae

Accipitridae is a family of birds of prey, which includes hawks, eagles, kites, harriers and Old World vultures. These birds have powerful hooked beaks for tearing flesh from their prey, strong legs, powerful talons and keen eyesight.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Black-winged kite	Elanus caeruleus	Resident breeder
African harrier-hawk	Polyboroides typus	Resident breeder
Palm-nut vulture	Gypohierax angolensis	Resident breeder
Bearded vulture	Gypaetus barbatus	Resident breeder; near threatened
Egyptian vulture	Neophron percnopterus	Presently a rare vagrant; confirmed breeding prior to 1923; endangered
European honey buzzard	Pernis apivorus	Breeds in the Palearctic and winters in South Africa
African cuckoo-hawk	Aviceda cuculoides	Resident breeder
White-headed vulture	Trigonoceps occipitalis	Resident breeder; vulnerable
Lappet-faced vulture	Torgos tracheliotos	Resident breeder; vulnerable
Hooded vulture	Necrosyrtes monachus	Resident breeder; endangered
White-backed vulture	Gyps africanus	Resident breeder; endangered
Rüppell's vulture	Gyps rueppelli	Rare migrant visitor; endangered
Cape vulture	Gyps coprotheres	Resident breeder; vulnerable
Bateleur	Terathopius ecaudatus	Resident breeder; near threatened
Black-chested snake eagle	Circaetus pectoralis	Resident breeder
Brown snake eagle	Circaetus cinereus	Resident breeder
Southern banded snake eagle	Circaetus fasciolatus	Resident breeder; near threatened
Bat hawk	Macheiramphus alcinus	Resident breeder
Crowned eagle	Stephanoaetus coronatus	Resident breeder; near threatened
Martial eagle	Polemaetus bellicosus	Resident breeder; vulnerable
Long-crested eagle	Lophaetus occipitalis	Resident breeder
Lesser spotted eagle	Clanga pomarina	Breeds in the Palearctic and winters in southern Africa
Wahlberg's eagle	Hieraaetus wahlbergi	Migratory breeder
Booted eagle	Hieraaetus pennatus	Breeds in the Palearctic and winters in southern Africa
Ayres's hawk-eagle	Hieraaetus ayresii	Summer migrant
Tawny eagle	Aquila rapax	Resident breeder
Steppe eagle	Aquila nipalensis	Breeds in the Palearctic and winters in southern Africa
Verreaux's eagle	Aquila verreauxii	Resident breeder
African hawk-eagle	Aquila spilogaster	Resident breeder
Lizard buzzard	Kaupifalco monogrammicus	Resident breeder
Dark chanting goshawk	Melierax metabates	Resident breeder
Pale chanting goshawk	Melierax canorus	Resident breeder
Gabar goshawk	Micronisus gabar	Resident breeder
Western marsh harrier	Circus aeruginosus	Rare Palearctic vagrant
African marsh harrier	Circus ranivorus	Resident breeder
Black harrier	Circus maurus	Resident breeder; vulnerable
Pallid harrier	Circus macrourus	Breeds in the Palearctic and winters in southern Africa; near threatened
Montagu's harrier	Circus pygargus	Breeds in the Palearctic and winters in southern Africa
African goshawk	Accipiter tachiro	Resident breeder
Shikra	Accipiter badius	Resident breeder
Little sparrowhawk	Accipiter minullus	Resident breeder
Ovambo sparrowhawk	Accipiter ovampensis	Resident breeder
Rufous-breasted sparrowhawk	Accipiter rufiventris	Resident breeder
Black sparrowhawk	Accipiter melanoleucus	Resident breeder
Black kite	Milvus migrans	Breeds in the Palearctic and winters in southern Africa
Yellow-billed kite	Milvus aegyptius parasitus	Resident in Africa[1][2]
African fish eagle	Haliaeetus vocifer	Resident breeder
Steppe buzzard	Buteo buteo vulpinus	Breeds in the Palearctic and winters in southern Africa
Forest buzzard	Buteo oreophilus trizonatus	Resident breeder
Long-legged buzzard	Buteo rufinus	Rare vagrant
Augur buzzard	Buteo augur	Occasional visitor
Jackal buzzard	Buteo rufofuscus	Resident breeder

Bustards

Order: Otidiformes   Family: Otididae

Bustards are large terrestrial birds mainly associated with dry open country and steppes in the Old World. They are omnivorous and nest on the ground. They walk steadily on strong legs and big toes, pecking for food as they go. They have long broad wings with "fingered" wingtips and striking patterns in flight. Many have interesting mating displays.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Kori bustard	Ardeotis kori	Resident breeder; near threatened
Ludwig's bustard	Neotis ludwigii	Resident breeder; endangered
Denham's bustard	Neotis denhami	Resident breeder; near threatened
White-bellied bustard	Eupodotis senegalensis	Subspecies E. s. barrowii is a resident breeder[1]
Blue korhaan	Eupodotis caerulescens	Endemic resident breeder; near threatened
Karoo korhaan	Eupodotis vigorsii	Resident breeder
Rüppell's korhaan	Eupodotis rueppellii	Occasional visitor
Red-crested korhaan	Lophotis ruficrista	Resident breeder
Southern black korhaan	Afrotis afra	Endemic resident breeder; vulnerable
Northern black korhaan	Afrotis afraoides	Resident breeder
Black-bellied bustard	Lissotis melanogaster	Resident breeder

Rails, crakes, gallinules and coots

Order: Gruiformes   Family: Rallidae

Rallidae is a large family of small to medium-sized birds which includes the rails, crakes, coots and gallinules. Typically they inhabit dense vegetation in damp environments near lakes, swamps or rivers. In general they are shy and secretive birds, making them difficult to observe. Most species have strong legs and long toes which are well adapted to soft uneven surfaces. They tend to have short, rounded wings and to be weak fliers.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Corn crake	Crex crex	Breeds in the Palearctic and winters in southern Africa
African rail	Rallus caerulescens	Resident breeder
African crake	Crex egregia	Visiting summer breeder
Black crake	Amaurornis flavirostris	Resident breeder
Baillon's crake	Porzana pusilla	Resident breeder
Spotted crake	Porzana porzana	Breeds in the Palearctic and winters in Africa
Striped crake	Aenigmatolimnas marginalis	Visiting breeder
African swamphen	Porphyrio madagascariensis	Resident breeder[1]
Allen's gallinule	Porphyrio alleni	Occasional visiting breeder
American purple gallinule	Porphyrio martinicus	Rare vagrant from the Nearctic
Common moorhen	Gallinula chloropus	Resident breeder
Lesser moorhen	Gallinula angulata	Migratory breeder
Red-knobbed coot	Fulica cristata	Resident breeder

Flufftails

Order: Gruiformes   Family: Sarothruridae

Common name	Binomial	Status
Buff-spotted flufftail	Sarothrura elegans	Migratory breeder
Red-chested flufftail	Sarothrura rufa	Resident breeder
Streaky-breasted flufftail	Sarothrura boehmi	Rare migratory vagrant
Striped flufftail	Sarothrura affinis	Resident breeder
White-winged flufftail	Sarothrura ayresi	Occasional visitor; critically endangered

Finfoots

Order: Gruiformes   Family: Heliornithidae

Heliornithidae is a small family of tropical birds with webbed lobes on their feet similar to those of grebes and coots.

Common name	Binomial	Status
African finfoot	Podica senegalensis	Resident breeder

Cranes

Order: Gruiformes   Family: Gruidae

Cranes are large, long-legged and long-necked birds. Unlike the similar-looking but unrelated herons, cranes fly with necks outstretched, not pulled back. Most have elaborate and noisy courting displays or "dances".

Common name	Binomial	Status
Grey crowned crane	Balearica regulorum	Resident breeder; endangered
Blue crane	Anthropoides paradiseus	Resident breeder; vulnerable
Wattled crane	Bugeranus carunculatus	Resident breeder; vulnerable

Sheathbills

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Chionidae

Common name	Binomial	Status
Snowy sheathbill	Chionis alba	Rare oceanic vagrant

Stone-curlews

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Burhinidae

The stone-curlews and thick-knees are a group of largely tropical waders in the family Burhinidae. They are found worldwide within the tropical zone, with some species also breeding in temperate Europe and Australia. They are medium to large waders with strong black or yellow-black bills, large yellow eyes and cryptic plumage. Despite being classed as waders, most species have a preference for arid or semi-arid habitats.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Water thick-knee	Burhinus vermiculatus	Resident breeder
Spotted thick-knee	Burhinus capensis	Resident breeder

Avocets and stilts

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Recurvirostridae

Recurvirostridae is a family of large wading birds, which includes the avocets and stilts. The avocets have long legs and long up-curved bills. The stilts have extremely long legs and long, thin, straight bills.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Black-winged stilt	Himantopus himantopus	Resident breeder
Pied avocet	Recurvirostra avosetta	Resident breeder

Oystercatchers

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Haematopodidae

The oystercatchers are large and noisy plover-like birds, with strong bills used for smashing or prising open molluscs.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Eurasian oystercatcher	Haematopus ostralegus	Rare Palearctic vagrant
African oystercatcher	Haematopus moquini	Resident breeder; near threatened

Plovers and lapwings

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Charadriidae

The family Charadriidae includes the plovers, dotterels and lapwings. They are small to medium-sized birds with compact bodies, short, thick necks and long, usually pointed, wings. They are found in open country worldwide, mostly in habitats near water.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Grey plover	Pluvialis squatarola	Breeds in the Palearctic and winters in Africa
American golden plover	Pluvialis dominica	Rare Nearctic vagrant
Pacific golden plover	Pluvialis fulva	Rare vagrant
Long-toed lapwing	Vanellus crassirostris	African vagrant
Blacksmith lapwing	Vanellus armatus	Resident breeder
Spur-winged lapwing	Vanellus spinosus	Rare vagrant
White-headed lapwing	Vanellus albiceps	Resident breeder
Senegal lapwing	Vanellus lugubris	Resident breeder
Black-winged lapwing	Vanellus melanopterus	Resident breeder
Crowned lapwing	Vanellus coronatus	Resident breeder
African wattled lapwing	Vanellus senegallus	Resident breeder
Lesser sand plover	Charadrius mongolus	Breeds in the Palearctic and winters in Africa
Greater sand plover	Charadrius leschenaultii	Breeds in the Palearctic and winters in Africa
Caspian plover	Charadrius asiaticus	Breeds in the Palearctic and winters in Africa
Kittlitz's plover	Charadrius pecuarius	Resident breeder
Common ringed plover	Charadrius hiaticula	Breeds in the Palearctic and winters in Africa
Three-banded plover	Charadrius tricollaris	Resident breeder
White-fronted plover	Charadrius marginatus	Resident breeder
Chestnut-banded plover	Charadrius pallidus	Resident breeder; near threatened

Painted-snipe

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Rostratulidae

Painted-snipe are short-legged, long-billed birds similar in shape to the true snipes, but more brightly coloured.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Greater painted-snipe	Rostratula benghalensis	Resident breeder

Jacanas

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Jacanidae

The jacanas are a group of tropical waders in the family Jacanidae. They are found throughout the tropics. They are identifiable by their huge feet and claws which enable them to walk on floating vegetation in the shallow lakes that are their preferred habitat.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Lesser jacana	Microparra capensis	Resident breeder
African jacana	Actophilornis africanus	Resident breeder

Sandpipers and allies

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Scolopacidae

Scolopacidae is a large diverse family of small to medium-sized shorebirds including the sandpipers, curlews, godwits, shanks, tattlers, woodcocks, snipes, dowitchers and phalaropes. The majority of these species eat small invertebrates picked out of the mud or soil. Variation in length of legs and bills enables multiple species to feed in the same habitat, particularly on the coast, without direct competition for food.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Terek sandpiper	Xenus cinereus	Breeds in the Palearctic and winters in Africa
Common sandpiper	Actitis hypoleucos	Breeds in the Palearctic and winters in Africa
Green sandpiper	Tringa ochropus	Breeds in the Palearctic and winters in Africa
Spotted redshank	Tringa erythropus	Rare Palearctic vagrant
Common greenshank	Tringa nebularia	Breeds in the Palearctic and winters in Africa
Lesser yellowlegs	Tringa flavipes	Rare Nearctic vagrant
Marsh sandpiper	Tringa stagnatilis	Breeds in the Palearctic and winters in Africa
Wood sandpiper	Tringa glareola	Breeds in the Palearctic and winters in Africa
Common redshank	Tringa totanus	Occasional Palearctic vagrant
Whimbrel	Numenius phaeopus	Breeds in the Palearctic and winters in Africa
Eurasian curlew	Numenius arquata	Breeds in the Palearctic and winters in Africa; near threatened
Black-tailed godwit	Limosa limosa	Rare Palearctic vagrant; near threatened
Hudsonian godwit	Limosa haemastica	Rare Nearctic vagrant
Bar-tailed godwit	Limosa lapponica	Breeds in the Palearctic and winters in Africa
Ruddy turnstone	Arenaria interpres	Breeds in the Palearctic and Nearctic and winters in Africa
Great knot	Calidris tenuirostris	Rare Palearctic vagrant; vulnerable
Red knot	Calidris canutus	Breeds in the Palearctic and winters in Africa
Ruff	Philomachus pugnax	Breeds in the Palearctic and winters in Africa
Broad-billed sandpiper	Limicola falcinellus	Rare Palearctic vagrant
Curlew sandpiper	Calidris ferruginea	Breeds in the Palearctic and winters in Africa
Temminck's stint	Calidris temminckii	Rare Palearctic vagrant
Long-toed stint	Calidris subminuta	Rare Palearctic vagrant
Red-necked stint	Calidris ruficollis	Rare Palearctic vagrant
Sanderling	Calidris alba	Breeds in the Palearctic and winters in Africa
Dunlin	Calidris alpina	Rare Palearctic vagrant
Baird's sandpiper	Calidris bairdii	Rare Nearctic vagrant
Little stint	Calidris minuta	Breeds in the Palearctic and winters in Africa
White-rumped sandpiper	Calidris fuscicollis	Rare Nearctic vagrant
Buff-breasted sandpiper	Tryngites subruficollis	Rare Nearctic vagrant; near threatened
Pectoral sandpiper	Calidris melanotos	Rare Palearctic vagrant
Asian dowitcher	Limnodromus semipalmatus	Rare Palearctic vagrant; near threatened
Great snipe	Gallinago media	Rare Palearctic vagrant; near threatened
African snipe	Gallinago nigripennis	Resident breeder
Wilson's phalarope	Phalaropus tricolor	Rare Nearctic vagrant
Red-necked phalarope	Phalaropus lobatus	Rare Palearctic vagrant
Red phalarope	Phalaropus fulicarius	Breeds in the Palearctic and winters in Africa

Buttonquails

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Turnicidae

The buttonquails are small, drab, running birds which resemble the true quails. The female is the brighter of the sexes and initiates courtship. The male incubates the eggs and tends the young.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Small buttonquail	Turnix sylvaticus	Resident breeder
Hottentot buttonquail	Turnix hottentotta	Resident breeder
Black-rumped buttonquail	Turnix nanus

Crab-plover

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Dromadidae

Common name	Binomial	Status
Crab-plover	Dromas ardeola	Occasional African vagrant

Pratincoles and coursers

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Glareolidae

Glareolidae is a family of wading birds comprising the pratincoles, which have short legs, long pointed wings and long forked tails, and the coursers, which have long legs, short wings and long, pointed bills which curve downwards.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Burchell's courser	Cursorius rufus	Resident breeder
Temminck's courser	Cursorius temminckii	African migratory breeder
Double-banded courser	Rhinoptilus africanus	Resident breeder
Three-banded courser	Rhinoptilus cinctus	Resident breeder
Bronze-winged courser	Rhinoptilus chalcopterus	Resident or migratory breeder, depending on population
Collared pratincole	Glareola pratincola	Migratory breeder
Black-winged pratincole	Glareola nordmanni	Breeds in the Palearctic and winters in Africa; near threatened
Rock pratincole	Glareola nuchalis	Rare African vagrant

Skuas

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Stercorariidae

The family Stercorariidae are, in general, medium to large birds, typically with grey or brown plumage, often with white markings on the wings. They nest on the ground in temperate and arctic regions and are long-distance migrants.

Common name	Binomial	Status
South polar skua	Stercorarius maccormicki	Oceanic vagrant
Brown skua	Stercorarius antarctica	Wintering migrant
Pomarine skua	Stercorarius pomarinus	Occasional wintering migrant
Parasitic jaeger	Stercorarius parasiticus	Breeds in the Palearctic and winters in Africa
Long-tailed jaeger	Stercorarius longicaudus	Breeds in the Palearctic and winters in Africa

Gulls

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Laridae

Laridae is a family of medium to large seabirds, the gulls and kittiwakes. They are typically grey or white, often with black markings on the head or wings. They have stout, longish bills and webbed feet.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Black-legged kittiwake	Rissa tridactyla	Rare Palearctic vagrant
Sabine's gull	Xema sabini	Migrant through Africa
Slender-billed gull	Chroicocephalus genei	Rare vagrant
Grey-headed gull	Chroicocephalus cirrocephalus	Resident breeder
Hartlaub's gull	Chroicocephalus hartlaubii	Resident breeder
Black-headed gull	Chroicocephalus ridibundus	Rare vagrant
Franklin's gull	Leucophaeus pipixcan	Rare Nearctic vagrant
Lesser black-backed gull	Larus fuscus	Rare vagrant
Kelp gull	Larus dominicanus	Subspecies L. d. vetula is a resident breeder, sometimes called the Cape gull.[1]

Terns

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Sternidae

Terns are a group of generally medium to large seabirds typically with grey or white plumage, often with black markings on the head. Most terns hunt fish by diving but some pick insects off the surface of fresh water. Terns are generally long-lived birds, with several species known to live in excess of 30 years.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Brown noddy	Anous stolidus	Rare migratory vagrant
Lesser noddy	Anous tenuirostris	Rare migratory vagrant
Sooty tern	Onychoprion fuscatus	Rare migratory vagrant
Bridled tern	Onychoprion anaethetus	Rare migratory vagrant
Little tern	Sternula albifrons	Breeds in the Palearctic and winters in Africa
Damara tern	Sternula balaenarum	Migratory breeder; near threatened
Gull-billed tern	Gelochelidon nilotica	Rare Palearctic vagrant
Caspian tern	Hydroprogne caspia	Resident breeder
Black tern	Chlidonias niger	Rare Palearctic vagrant
White-winged tern	Chlidonias leucopterus	Breeds in the Palearctic and winters in Africa
Whiskered tern	Chlidonias hybrida	Resident breeder
Roseate tern	Sterna dougallii	Migratory breeder
Black-naped tern	Sterna sumatrana	Rare oceanic vagrant
Common tern	Sterna hirundo	Breeds in the Palearctic and winters in Africa
Arctic tern	Sterna paradisaea	Breeds in the Palearctic and winters in Africa
Antarctic tern	Sterna vittata	Migrant visitor
White-cheeked tern	Sterna repressa	Migratory vagrant
Greater crested tern	Thalasseus bergii	Resident breeder
Sandwich tern	Thalasseus sandvicensis	Breeds in the Palearctic and winters in Africa
Lesser crested tern	Thalasseus bengalensis	T. b. bengalensis winters in South Africa

Skimmers

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Rynchopidae

Skimmers are a small family of tropical tern-like birds. They have an elongated lower mandible which they use to feed by flying low over the water surface and skimming the water for small fish.

Common name	Binomial	Status
African skimmer	Rynchops flavirostris	Resident breeder; near threatened

Falcons

Falconidae

• Pygmy falcon, Polihierax semitorquatus
• Lesser kestrel, Falco naumanni - vulnerable
• Rock kestrel, Falco rupicolus
• Greater kestrel, Falco rupicoloides
• Dickinson's kestrel, Falco dickinsoni
• Red-necked falcon, Falco chicquera
• Red-footed falcon, Falco vespertinus
• Amur falcon, Falco amurensis
• Eleonora's falcon, Falco eleonorae - rare/accidental
• Sooty falcon, Falco concolor
• Eurasian hobby, Falco subbuteo
• African hobby, Falco cuvierii
• Lanner falcon, Falco biarmicus
• Taita falcon, Falco fasciinucha - near-threatened
• Peregrine falcon, Falco peregrinus

Skimmers

Rynchopidae

• African skimmer, Rynchops flavirostris - near-threatened

Sandgrouse

Pteroclidae

• Namaqua sandgrouse, Pterocles namaqua
• Yellow-throated sandgrouse, Pterocles gutturalis
• Double-banded sandgrouse, Pterocles bicinctus
• Burchell's sandgrouse, Pterocles burchelli

Doves and pigeons

Columbidae

• Rock pigeon, Columba livia - introduced
• Speckled pigeon, Columba guinea
• African olive pigeon, Columba arquatrix
• Delegorgue's pigeon, Columba delegorguei
• Lemon dove, Columba larvata
• European turtle dove, Streptopelia turtur - rare/accidental
• Mourning collared dove, Streptopelia decipiens
• Red-eyed dove, Streptopelia semitorquata
• Ring-necked dove, Streptopelia capicola
• Laughing dove, Spilopelia senegalensis
• Emerald-spotted wood dove, Turtur chalcospilos
• Blue-spotted wood dove, Turtur afer
• Tambourine dove, Turtur tympanistria
• Namaqua dove, Oena capensis
• African green pigeon, Treron calva

Parakeets and lovebirds

Psittaculidae

• Rose-ringed parakeet, Psittacula krameri - introduced
• Peach-faced lovebird, Agapornis roseicollis

Parrots

Psittacidae

• Brown-necked parrot, Poicephalus fuscicollis
• Cape parrot, Poicephalus robustus
• Meyer's parrot, Poicephalus meyeri
• Brown-headed parrot, Poicephalus cryptoxanthus

Turacos

Musophagidae

• Livingstone's turaco, Tauraco livingstonii
• Knysna turaco, Tauraco corythaix
• Purple-crested turaco, Tauraco porphyreolophus
• Grey go-away-bird, Corythaixoides concolor

Cuckoos

Cuculidae

• Pied cuckoo, Clamator jacobinus
• Levaillant's cuckoo, Clamator levaillantii
• Great spotted cuckoo, Clamator glandarius
• Thick-billed cuckoo, Pachycoccyx audeberti
• Red-chested cuckoo, Cuculus solitarius
• Black cuckoo, Cuculus clamosus
• Common cuckoo, Cuculus canorus
• African cuckoo, Cuculus gularis
• Lesser cuckoo, Cuculus poliocephalus - rare/accidental
• Madagascar cuckoo, Cuculus rochii - rare/accidental
• Klaas's cuckoo, Chrysococcyx klaas
• African emerald cuckoo, Chrysococcyx cupreus
• Dideric cuckoo, Chrysococcyx caprius
• Green malkoha, Ceuthmochares australis
• Black coucal, Centropus grillii
• Senegal coucal, Centropus senegalensis
• White-browed coucal, Centropus superciliosus

Owls

Tytonidae

• African grass owl, Tyto capensis
• Barn owl, Tyto alba

Strigidae

• African scops owl, Otus senegalensis
• Southern white-faced owl, Ptilopsis granti
• Cape eagle-owl, Bubo capensis
• Spotted eagle-owl, Bubo africanus
• Verreaux's eagle-owl, Bubo lacteus
• Pel's fishing owl, Scotopelia peli
• African wood owl, Strix woodfordii
• Pearl-spotted owlet, Glaucidium perlatum
• African barred owlet, Glaucidium capense
• Marsh owl, Asio capensis

Nightjars

Caprimulgidae

• Eurasian nightjar, Caprimulgus europaeus
• Rufous-cheeked nightjar, Caprimulgus rufigena
• Fiery-necked nightjar, Caprimulgus pectoralis
• Swamp nightjar, Caprimulgus natalensis
• Freckled nightjar, Caprimulgus tristigma
• Square-tailed nightjar, Caprimulgus fossii
• Pennant-winged nightjar, Caprimulgus vexillarius

Swifts

Apodidae

• Mottled spinetail, Telacanthura ussheri
• Bat-like spinetail, Neafrapus boehmi
• African palm swift, Cypsiurus parvus
• Alpine swift, Tachymarptis melba
• Mottled swift, Tachymarptis aequatorialis
• Common swift, Apus apus
• Pallid swift, Apus pallidus - rare/accidental
• African swift, Apus barbatus
• Bradfield's swift, Apus bradfieldi
• Little swift, Apus affinis
• Horus swift, Apus horus
• White-rumped swift, Apus caffer

Mousebirds

Coliidae

• Speckled mousebird, Colius striatus
• White-backed mousebird, Colius colius
• Red-faced mousebird, Urocolius indicus

Trogon

Trogonidae

• Narina trogon, Apaloderma narina

Kingfishers

Alcedinidae

• Half-collared kingfisher, Alcedo semitorquata
• Malachite kingfisher, Corythornis cristatus
• African pygmy kingfisher, Ispidina picta

Halcyonidae

• Grey-headed kingfisher, Halcyon leucocephala
• Woodland kingfisher, Halcyon senegalensis
• Mangrove kingfisher, Halcyon senegaloides
• Brown-hooded kingfisher, Halcyon albiventris
• Striped kingfisher, Halcyon chelicuti

Cerylidae

• Giant kingfisher, Megaceryle maximus
• Pied kingfisher, Ceryle rudis

Bee-eaters

Meropidae

• White-fronted bee-eater, Merops bullockoides
• Little bee-eater, Merops pusillus
• Swallow-tailed bee-eater, Merops hirundineus
• White-throated bee-eater, Merops albicollis - rare/accidental
• Blue-cheeked bee-eater, Merops persicus
• Madagascar bee-eater, Merops superciliosus - rare/accidental
• European bee-eater, Merops apiaster
• Southern carmine bee-eater, Merops nubicoides

Rollers

Coraciidae

• European roller, Coracias garrulus
• Lilac-breasted roller, Coracias caudata
• Racket-tailed roller, Coracias spatulata - rare/accidental
• Rufous-crowned roller, Coracias naevia
• Broad-billed roller, Eurystomus glaucurus

Hoopoe

Upupidae

• Hoopoe, Upupa epops

Wood hoopoes

Phoeniculidae

• Green wood hoopoe, Phoeniculus purpureus
• Common scimitarbill, Rhinopomastus cyanomelas

Hornbills

Bucerotidae

• Southern red-billed hornbill, Tockus rufirostris
• Southern yellow-billed hornbill, Tockus leucomelas
• Crowned hornbill, Tockus alboterminatus
• African grey hornbill, Tockus nasutus
• Trumpeter hornbill, Ceratogymna bucinator
• Silvery-cheeked hornbill, Ceratogymna brevis - rare/accidental
• Southern ground hornbill, Bucorvus leadbeateri

Barbets

Lybiidae

• White-eared barbet, Stactolaema leucotis
• Green barbet, Stactolaema olivacea
• Yellow-rumped tinkerbird, Pogoniulus bilineatus
• Yellow-fronted tinkerbird, Pogoniulus chrysoconus
• Red-fronted tinkerbird, Pogoniulus pusillus
• Acacia pied barbet, Tricholaema leucomelas
• Black-collared barbet, Lybius torquatus
• Crested barbet, Trachyphonus vaillantii

Honeyguides

Indicatoridae

• Scaly-throated honeyguide, Indicator variegatus
• Greater honeyguide, Indicator indicator
• Lesser honeyguide, Indicator minor
• Wahlberg's honeyguide, Prodotiscus regulus

Woodpeckers

Picidae

• Rufous-necked wryneck, Jynx ruficollis
• Bennett's woodpecker, Campethera bennettii
• Golden-tailed woodpecker, Campethera abingoni
• Knysna woodpecker, Campethera notata - endemic - near-threatened
• Ground woodpecker, Geocolaptes olivaceus - endemic
• Cardinal woodpecker, Dendropicos fuscescens
• Olive woodpecker, Dendropicos griseocephalus (nom. race)^[3]
• Bearded woodpecker, Chloropicus namaquus

Broadbills

Eurylaimidae

• African broadbill, Smithornis capensis

Pittas

Pittidae

• African pitta, Pitta angolensis

Larks

Alaudidae

• Monotonous lark, Mirafra passerina
• Melodious lark, Mirafra cheniana - near-threatened
• Rufous-naped lark, Mirafra africana
• Flappet lark, Mirafra rufocinnamomea
• Cape clapper lark, Mirafra apiata
• Eastern clapper lark, Mirafra fasciolata
• Sabota lark, Calendulauda sabota
• Fawn-coloured lark, Calendulauda africanoides
• Red lark, Calendulauda burra - endemic - vulnerable
• Karoo lark, Calendulauda albescens - endemic
• Barlow's lark, Calendulauda barlowi
• Dune lark, Calendulauda erythrochlamys
• Dusky lark, Pinarocorys nigricans
• Rudd's lark, Heteromirafra ruddi - endemic - vulnerable
• Cape long-billed lark, Certhilauda curvirostris - endemic
• Agulhas long-billed lark, Certhilauda brevirostris - endemic - near-threatened
• Eastern long-billed lark, Certhilauda semitorquata - endemic
• Karoo long-billed lark, Certhilauda subcoronata
• Short-clawed lark, Certhilauda chuana
• Spike-heeled lark, Chersomanes albofasciata
• Black-eared sparrow-lark, Eremopterix australis
• Chestnut-backed sparrow-lark, Eremopterix leucotis
• Grey-backed sparrow-lark, Eremopterix verticalis
• Red-capped lark, Calandrella cinerea
• Pink-billed lark, Spizocorys conirostris
• Botha's lark, Spizocorys fringillaris - endemic - endangered
• Sclater's lark, Spizocorys sclateri - near-threatened
• Stark's lark, Spizocorys starki
• Large-billed lark, Galerida magnirostris

Swallows

Hirundinidae

• Sand martin, Riparia riparia
• Brown-throated sand martin, Riparia paludicola
• Banded martin, Riparia cincta
• Grey-rumped swallow, Pseudhirundo griseopyga
• Rock martin, Ptyonoprogne fuligula
• Barn swallow, Hirundo rustica
• White-throated swallow, Hirundo albigularis
• Wire-tailed swallow, Hirundo smithii
• Blue swallow, Hirundo atrocaerulea - vulnerable
• Pearl-breasted swallow, Hirundo dimidiata
• Greater striped swallow, Cecropis cucullata
• Lesser striped swallow, Cecropis abyssinica
• Red-breasted swallow, Cecropis semirufa
• Mosque swallow, Cecropis senegalensis
• South African cliff swallow, Petrochelidon spilodera
• Common house martin, Delichon urbica
• Black saw-wing, Psalidoprocne pristoptera

Wagtails, pipits and longclaws

Motacillidae

• African pied wagtail, Motacilla aguimp
• Cape wagtail, Motacilla capensis
• Yellow wagtail, Motacilla flava
• Grey wagtail, Motacilla cinerea - rare/accidental
• Mountain wagtail, Motacilla clara
• Golden pipit, Tmetothylacus tenellus - rare/accidental
• Yellow-throated longclaw, Macronyx croceus
• Orange-throated longclaw, Macronyx capensis
• Rosy-throated longclaw, Macronyx ameliae
• Yellow-breasted pipit, Hemimacronyx chloris - endemic - vulnerable
• Striped pipit, Anthus lineiventris
• African rock pipit, Anthus crenatus - endemic
• Mountain pipit, Anthus hoeschi
• Plain-backed pipit, Anthus leucophrys
• Long-tailed pipit, Anthus longicaudatus - endemic - data deficient
• Buffy pipit, Anthus vaalensis
• African pipit, Anthus cinnamomeus
• Long-billed pipit, Anthus similis
• Short-tailed pipit, Anthus brachyurus
• Bushveld pipit, Anthus caffer
• Tree pipit, Anthus trivialis
• Red-throated pipit, Anthus cervinus - rare/accidental

Cuckooshrikes

Campephagidae

• White-breasted cuckooshrike, Coracina pectoralis
• Grey cuckooshrike, Coracina caesia
• Black cuckooshrike, Campephaga flava

Bulbuls

Pycnonotidae

• Common bulbul, Pycnonotus barbatus
• African red-eyed bulbul, Pycnonotus nigricans
• Cape bulbul, Pycnonotus capensis - endemic
• Sombre greenbul, Andropadus importunus
• Yellow-bellied greenbul, Chlorocichla flaviventris
• Terrestrial brownbul, Phyllastrephus terrestris
• Yellow-streaked bulbul, Phyllastrephus flavostriatus

Nicators

Nicatoridae

• Eastern nicator, Nicator gularis

Thrushes

Turdidae

• Orange ground thrush, Geokichla gurneyi
• Spotted ground thrush, Geokichla guttata (nom. race)^[3] endangered
• Groundscraper thrush, Psophocichla litsitsirupa
• Olive thrush, Turdus olivaceus
• Kurrichane thrush, Turdus libonyana

Cisticolas, prinias and allies

Cisticolidae

• Red-faced cisticola, Cisticola erythrops
• Lazy cisticola, Cisticola aberrans (nom. race)^[1]
• Rattling cisticola, Cisticola chiniana
• Tinkling cisticola, Cisticola rufilatus
• Grey-backed cisticola, Cisticola subruficapilla
• Wailing cisticola, Cisticola lais
• Winding cisticola, Cisticola galactotes
• Levaillant's cisticola, Cisticola tinniens
• Croaking cisticola, Cisticola natalensis
• Neddicky, Cisticola fulvicapillus
• Zitting cisticola, Cisticola juncidis
• Desert cisticola, Cisticola aridulus
• Cloud cisticola, Cisticola textrix
• Pale-crowned cisticola, Cisticola cinnamomeus (race egregius)^[3]
• Wing-snapping cisticola, Cisticola ayresii
• Tawny-flanked prinia, Prinia subflava
• Black-chested prinia, Prinia flavicans
• Karoo prinia, Prinia maculosa
• Drakensberg prinia, Prinia hypoxantha
• Namaqua warbler, Prinia substriata
• Rufous-eared warbler, Malcorus pectoralis
• Bar-throated apalis, Apalis thoracica
• Yellow-breasted apalis, Apalis flavida
• Rudd's apalis, Apalis ruddi
• Green-backed camaroptera, Camaroptera brachyura
• Grey-backed camaroptera, Camaroptera brevicaudata
• Miombo wren-warbler, Calamonastes undosus
• Barred wren-warbler, Calamonastes fasciolatus
• Cinnamon-breasted warbler, Euryptila subcinnamomea
• Yellow-bellied eremomela, Eremomela icteropygialis
• Green-capped eremomela, Eremomela scotops
• Yellow-rumped eremomela, Eremomela gregalis
• Burnt-necked eremomela, Eremomela usticollis

Crombecs and allies

Macrosphenidae

• Victorin's warbler, Cryptillas victorini - endemic
• Cape grassbird, Sphenoeacus afer
• Long-billed crombec, Sylvietta rufescens

Scrub warblers and allies

Locustellidae

• Little rush warbler, Bradypterus baboecala
• Knysna scrub warbler, Bradypterus sylvaticus - endemic - vulnerable
• African scrub warbler, Bradypterus barratti
• River warbler, Locustella fluviatilis
• Fan-tailed grassbird, Schoenicola brevirostris

Reed warblers and allies

Acrocephalidae

• Sedge warbler, Acrocephalus schoenobaenus
• Eurasian reed warbler, Acrocephalus scirpaceus
• African reed warbler, Acrocephalus baeticatus
• Marsh warbler, Acrocephalus palustris
• Great reed warbler, Acrocephalus arundinaceus
• Basra reed warbler, Acrocephalus griseldis - rare/accidental - near-threatened
• Lesser swamp warbler, Acrocephalus gracilirostris
• Olive-tree warbler, Hippolais olivetorum
• Icterine warbler, Hippolais icterina
• African yellow warbler, Iduna natalensis

Leaf warblers and allies

Phylloscopidae

• Yellow-throated woodland warbler, Phylloscopus ruficapillus
• Willow warbler, Phylloscopus trochilus

Hyliotas

Hyliotidae

• Southern hyliota, Hyliota australis

Sylvid babblers and warblers

Sylviidae

• Eurasian blackcap, Sylvia atricapilla - rare/accidental
• Garden warbler, Sylvia borin
• Common whitethroat, Sylvia communis
• Layard's warbler, Sylvia layardi
• Chestnut-vented warbler, Sylvia subcaerulea
• Bush blackcap, Lioptilus nigricapillus - near-threatened

Chats and old-world flycatchers

Muscicapidae

• Cape rock thrush, Monticola rupestris - endemic
• Sentinel rock thrush, Monticola explorator
• Short-toed rock thrush, Monticola brevipes
• Pale flycatcher, Melaenornis pallidus
• Chat flycatcher, Melaenornis infuscatus
• Marico flycatcher, Melaenornis mariquensis
• Southern black flycatcher, Melaenornis pammelaina
• Fiscal flycatcher, Sigelus silens
• Spotted flycatcher, Muscicapa striata
• African dusky flycatcher, Muscicapa adusta
• Ashy flycatcher, Muscicapa caerulescens
• Grey tit-flycatcher, Myioparus plumbeus
• Collared flycatcher, Ficedula albicollis
• White-starred robin, Pogonocichla stellata
• Thrush nightingale, Luscinia luscinia - rare/accidental
• Cape robin-chat, Cossypha caffra
• White-throated robin-chat, Cossypha humeralis
• White-browed robin-chat, Cossypha heuglini
• Red-capped robin-chat, Cossypha natalensis
• Chorister robin-chat, Cossypha dichroa
• Collared palm thrush, Cichladusa arquata
• Bearded scrub robin, Cercotrichas quadrivirgata
• Brown scrub robin, Cercotrichas signata
• White-browed scrub robin, Cercotrichas leucophrys
• Kalahari scrub robin, Cercotrichas paena
• Karoo scrub robin, Cercotrichas coryphaeus
• Common redstart, Phoenicurus phoenicurus - rare/accidental
• Whinchat, Saxicola rubetra
• African stonechat, Saxicola torquatus
• Buff-streaked chat, Campicoloides bifasciatus
• Mountain wheatear, Oenanthe monticola
• Northern wheatear, Oenanthe oenanthe - rare/accidental
• Pied wheatear, Oenanthe pleschanka - rare/accidental
• Capped wheatear, Oenanthe pileata
• Sickle-winged chat, Cercomela sinuata
• Karoo chat, Cercomela schlegelii
• Tractrac chat, Cercomela tractrac
• Familiar chat, Cercomela familiaris
• Southern anteater chat, Myrmecocichla formicivora
• White-headed black-chat, Myrmecocichla arnotti
• Mocking cliff chat, Thamnolaea cinnamomeiventris

Fairy flycatchers

Stenostiridae

• Fairy flycatcher, Stenostira scita

Wattle-eyes and batises

Platysteiridae

• Black-throated wattle-eye, Platysteira peltata
• Cape batis, Batis capensis
• Woodward's batis, Batis fratrum
• Chinspot batis, Batis molitor
• Pririt batis, Batis pririt

Monarch flycatchers

Monarchidae

• Blue-mantled crested flycatcher, Trochocercus cyanomelas
• African paradise flycatcher, Terpsiphone viridis

Babblers

Leiothrichidae

• Southern pied babbler, Turdoides bicolor
• Arrow-marked babbler, Turdoides jardineii

Rockjumpers

Chaetopidae

• Cape rockjumper, Chaetops frenatus - endemic
• Drakensberg rockjumper, Chaetops aurantius - endemic

Tits

Paridae

• Southern black tit, Melaniparus niger
• Ashy tit, Melaniparus cinerascens
• Grey tit, Melaniparus afer

Penduline tits

Remizidae

• Grey penduline tit, Anthoscopus caroli
• Cape penduline tit, Anthoscopus minutus

Sunbirds

Nectariniidae

• Plain-backed sunbird, Anthreptes reichenowi - rare/accidental - near-threatened
• Collared sunbird, Hedydipna collaris
• Orange-breasted sunbird, Anthobaphes violacea - endemic
• Olive sunbird, Cyanomitra olivacea^[4]
• Grey sunbird, Cyanomitra veroxii
• Amethyst sunbird, Chalcomitra amethystina
• Scarlet-chested sunbird, Chalcomitra senegalensis
• Malachite sunbird, Nectarinia famosa
• Southern double-collared sunbird, Cinnyris chalybeus
• Neergaard's sunbird, Cinnyris neergaardi - near-threatened
• Greater double-collared sunbird, Cinnyris afer
• Marico sunbird, Cinnyris mariquensis
• Purple-banded sunbird, Cinnyris bifasciatus
• White-breasted sunbird, Cinnyris talatala
• Variable sunbird, Cinnyris venustus - rare/accidental
• Dusky sunbird, Cinnyris fuscus

White-eyes

Zosteropidae

• African yellow white-eye, Zosterops senegalensis
• Cape white-eye, Zosterops virens
• Orange River white-eye, Zosterops pallidus

Sugarbirds

Promeropidae

• Gurney's sugarbird, Promerops gurneyi
• Cape sugarbird, Promerops cafer - endemic

Old-world orioles

Oriolidae

• Eurasian golden oriole, Oriolus oriolus
• African golden oriole, Oriolus auratus
• African black-headed oriole, Oriolus larvatus

Shrikes

Laniidae

• Red-backed shrike, Lanius collurio
• Lesser grey shrike, Lanius minor
• Southern fiscal, Lanius collaris
• Magpie shrike, Corvinella melanoleuca
• Southern white-crowned shrike, Eurocephalus anguitimens

Bushshrikes and allies

Malaconotidae

• Brubru, Nilaus afer
• Black-backed puffback, Dryoscopus cubla
• Black-crowned tchagra, Tchagra senegala
• Brown-crowned tchagra, Tchagra australis
• Southern tchagra, Tchagra tchagra
• Tropical boubou, Laniarius major
• Southern boubou, Laniarius ferrugineus
• Crimson-breasted gonolek, Laniarius atrococcineus
• Bokmakierie, Telophorus zeylonus
• Orange-breasted bush-shrike, Telophorus sulfureopectus
• Olive bushshrike, Telophorus olivaceus
• Black-fronted bushshrike, Telophorus nigrifrons
• Four-coloured bushshrike, Telophorus viridis
• Grey-headed bushshrike, Malaconotus blanchoti

Helmetshrikes

Prionopidae

• White helmetshrike, Prionops plumatus
• Retz's helmetshrike, Prionops retzii
• Chestnut-fronted helmetshrike, Prionops scopifrons

Drongos

Dicruridae

• Square-tailed drongo, Dicrurus ludwigii
• Fork-tailed drongo, Dicrurus adsimilis

Crows and ravens

Corvidae

• House crow, Corvus splendens - introduced
• Cape crow, Corvus capensis
• Pied crow, Corvus albus
• White-necked raven, Corvus albicollis

Starlings

Sturnidae

• Common myna, Acridotheres tristis - introduced
• European starling, Sturnus vulgaris - introduced
• Wattled starling, Creatophora cinerea
• Cape glossy-starling, Lamprotornis nitens
• Greater blue-eared glossy-starling, Lamprotornis chalybaeus
• Meves's glossy-starling, Lamprotornis mevesii
• Burchell's glossy-starling, Lamprotornis australis
• Pied starling, Lamprotornis bicolor
• Black-bellied starling, Notopholia corrusca
• Violet-backed starling, Cinnyricinclus leucogaster
• Red-winged starling, Onychognathus morio
• Pale-winged starling, Onychognathus nabouroup
• Red-billed oxpecker, Buphagus erythrorhynchus
• Yellow-billed oxpecker, Buphagus africanus

Weavers and allies

Ploceidae

• Red-billed buffalo weaver, Bubalornis niger
• Scaly-feathered weaver, Sporopipes squamifrons
• White-browed sparrow-weaver, Plocepasser mahali
• Sociable weaver, Philetairus socius
• Lesser masked weaver, Ploceus intermedius
• Spectacled weaver, Ploceus ocularis
• Cape weaver, Ploceus capensis - endemic
• Holub's golden weaver, Ploceus xanthops
• Southern brown-throated weaver, Ploceus xanthopterus
• Southern masked weaver, Ploceus velatus
• Village weaver, Ploceus cucullatus
• Dark-backed weaver, Ploceus bicolor
• Red-headed weaver, Anaplectes rubriceps
• Red-headed quelea, Quelea erythrops
• Red-billed quelea, Quelea quelea
• Yellow-crowned bishop, Euplectes afer
• Red bishop, Euplectes orix
• Yellow bishop, Euplectes capensis
• Fan-tailed widowbird, Euplectes axillaris
• White-winged widowbird, Euplectes albonotatus
• Red-collared widowbird, Euplectes ardens
• Long-tailed widowbird, Euplectes progne
• Thick-billed weaver, Amblyospiza albifrons

Waxbills, munias and allies

Estrildidae

• Orange-winged pytilia, Pytilia afra - rare/accidental
• Green-winged pytilia, Pytilia melba
• Green twinspot, Mandingoa nitidula
• Peters's twinspot, Hypargos niveoguttatus
• Pink-throated twinspot, Hypargos margaritatus
• Red-billed firefinch, Lagonosticta senegala
• African firefinch, Lagonosticta rubricata
• Jameson's firefinch, Lagonosticta rhodopareia
• Blue-breasted cordonbleu, Uraeginthus angolensis
• Violet-eared waxbill, Uraeginthus granatina
• Yellow-bellied waxbill, Coccopygia quartinia
• Swee waxbill, Coccopygia melanotis
• Black-tailed waxbill, Estrilda perreini
• Common waxbill, Estrilda astrild
• Black-faced waxbill, Estrilda erythronotos
• Zebra waxbill, Amandava subflava
• African quailfinch, Ortygospiza fuscocrissa
• Bronze mannikin, Lonchura cucullata
• Red-backed mannikin, Lonchura nigriceps
• Magpie mannikin, Lonchura fringilloides
• Cut-throat finch, Amadina fasciata
• Red-headed finch, Amadina erythrocephala

Indigobirds and whydahs

Viduidae

• Village indigobird, Vidua chalybeata
• Variable indigobird, Vidua funerea
• Purple indigobird, Vidua purpurascens
• Shaft-tailed whydah, Vidua regia
• Pin-tailed whydah, Vidua macroura
• Eastern paradise whydah, Vidua paradisaea
• Broad-tailed paradise whydah, Vidua obtusa - rare/accidental

Buntings

Emberizidae

• Lark-like bunting, Emberiza impetuani
• Cinnamon-breasted bunting, Emberiza tahapisi
• Cape bunting, Emberiza capensis
• Golden-breasted bunting, Emberiza flaviventris

Finches, canaries and siskins

Fringillidae

• Common chaffinch, Fringilla coelebs - introduced
• Forest canary, Crithagra scotops - endemic
• Black-throated canary, Crithagra atrogularis
• Lemon-breasted seedeater, Crithagra citrinipectus
• Yellow-fronted canary, Crithagra mozambicus
• Yellow canary, Crithagra flaviventris
• Brimstone canary, Crithagra sulphuratus
• White-throated canary, Crithagra albogularis
• Streaky-headed seedeater, Crithagra gularis
• Protea canary, Crithagra leucopterus - endemic
• Cape siskin, Crithagra totta - endemic
• Drakensberg siskin, Pseudochloroptila symonsi - endemic
• Cape canary, Serinus canicollis
• Black-headed canary, Serinus alario
• Damara canary, Serinus leucolaema

Sparrows

Passeridae

• House sparrow, Passer domesticus - introduced
• Great sparrow, Passer motitensis
• Cape sparrow, Passer melanurus
• Southern grey-headed sparrow, Passer diffusus
• Yellow-throated petronia, Petronia superciliaris

Prince Edward Islands

Note: All but the accidentals are breeders

Anatidae

• Eaton's pintail, Anas eatoni - accidental - vulnerable^[5][6]

Spheniscidae

• King penguin, Aptenodytes patagonicus
• Gentoo penguin, Pygoscelis papua - near-threatened
• Chinstrap penguin, Pygoscelis antarcticus - accidental^[5]
• Rockhopper penguin, Eudyptes chrysocome (race filholi)^[1]
• Macaroni penguin, Eudyptes chrysolophus - vulnerable

Diomedeidae

• Wandering albatross, Diomedea exulans - vulnerable
• Grey-headed albatross, Thalassarche chrysostoma - vulnerable
• Shy albatross, Thalassarche cauta - near-threatened^[7]
• Yellow-nosed albatross, Thalassarche chlororhynchos^[8][7]
• Sooty albatross, Phoebetria fusca - endangered
• Light-mantled albatross, Phoebetria palpebrata - near-threatened

Procellariidae

• Southern giant petrel, Macronectes giganticus
• Northern giant petrel, Macronectes halli
• Blue petrel, Halobaena caerulea
• Salvin's prion, Pachyptila salvini
• Fairy prion, Pachyptila turtur
• Kerguelen petrel, Lugensa brevirostris - vulnerable
• Great-winged petrel, Pterodroma macroptera
• Soft-plumaged petrel, Pterodroma mollis
• Grey petrel, Procellaria cinerea - near-threatened
• White-chinned petrel, Procellaria aequinoctialis

Hydrobatidae

• Grey-backed storm petrel, Garrodia nereis
• Black-bellied storm petrel, Fregetta tropica

Pelecanoididae

• South Georgia diving petrel, Pelecanoides georgicus^[5]
• Common diving petrel, Pelecanoides urinatrix^[5]

Phalacrocoracidae

• Crozet shag, Phalacrocorax melanogenis ^[1][5]

Ardeidae

• Cattle egret, Bubulcus ibis - accidental

Rallidae

• Common moorhen, Gallinula chloropus - accidental

Chionididae

• Lesser sheathbill, Chionis minor (race marionesis)^[3][5]

Stercorariidae

• Brown skua, Catharacta antarctica

Laridae

• Kelp gull, Larus dominicanus

Sternidae

• Antarctic tern, Sterna vittata
• Kerguelen tern, Sterna virgata - near-threatened^[5]

Cuculidae

• Common cuckoo, Cuculus canorus - accidental

Hirundinidae

• Barn swallow, Hirundo rustica - accidental

See also

• List of Gauteng birds

Notes

References

• Splitting headaches? Recent taxonomic changes affecting the British and Western Palaearctic lists - Martin Collinson, British Birds vol 99 (June 2006), 306-323

External links

• Birds of South Africa - World Institute for Conservation and Environment
• Marion Island Fauna List of animals, Department of Botany & Zoology, University of Stellenbosch
• Birds, Prince Edward Islands, SANAP Ecology, breeding colonies and species list
• Vast reserve to protect remote Prince Edward Islands in the Southern Ocean Marine Protected Area around Prince Edward Islands, establishment and species affected, May 2009