This is a list of the bird species recorded in Namibia. The avifauna of Namibia included a total of 685 confirmed species as of July 2023, of which 1 is endemic, and four have been introduced by humans. One additional species is hypothetical as defined below. Unless otherwise noted, the list is that of Avibase.
This list's taxonomic treatment (designation and sequence of orders, families and species) and nomenclature (English and scientific names) are those of The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World, 2022 edition.Clements, J. F., T. S. Schulenberg, M. J. Iliff, S. M. Billerman, T. A. Fredericks, B. L. Sullivan, and C. L. Wood. 2022. The eBird/Clements Checklist of Birds of the World: v2022. Downloaded from https://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/updateindex/october-2022/ Retrieved November 1, 2022. Differences in common and scientific names between the Clements taxonomy and that of the NBRC are frequent but are seldom noted here.
The following tags have been used to highlight several categories of occurrence.
(V) Vagrant - a species that rarely or accidentally occurs in Namibia (E) Endemic - a species endemic to Namibia (I) Introduced - a species introduced to Namibia as a consequence, direct or indirect, of human actions, and which has a self-sustaining population (H) Hypothetical - a species possibly present but which has not been documented
Order: Struthioniformes Common name: OstrichesFamily: Struthionidae
Ostriches are flightless birds native to Africa. They are the largest living species of bird. They are distinctive in appearance, with a long neck and legs and the ability to run at high speeds.
Common ostrich, Struthio camelus South African ostrich, Struthio camelus australis
Order: Anseriformes
Common name: Ducks, geese, and waterfowlFamily: Anatidae
Anatidae includes the ducks and most duck-like waterfowl, such as geese and swans. These birds are adapted to an aquatic existence with webbed feet, flattened bills, and feathers that are excellent at shedding water due to an oily coating.
White-faced whistling-duck, Dendrocygna viduata Fulvous whistling-duck, Dendrocygna bicolor White-backed duck, Thalassornis leuconotus Knob-billed duck, Sarkidiornis melanotos Egyptian goose, Alopochen aegyptiacus South African shelduck, Tadorna cana Spur-winged goose, Plectropterus gambensis African pygmy-goose, Nettapus auritus Garganey, Spatula querquedula (V) Blue-billed teal, Spatula hottentota Cape shoveler, Spatula smithii Northern shoveler, Spatula clypeata (V) African black duck, Anas sparsa Yellow-billed duck, Anas undulata Mallard, Anas platyrhynchos (I) Cape teal, Anas capensis Red-billed duck, Anas erythrorhyncha Southern pochard, Netta erythrophthalma Maccoa duck, Oxyura maccoa
Order: Galliformes Guineafowl
Family: Numididae
Guineafowl are a group of African, seed-eating, ground-nesting birds that resemble partridges, but with featherless heads and spangled grey plumage.
Helmeted guineafowl, Numida meleagris Western crested guineafowl, Guttera verreauxi
Pheasants, grouse, and allies
Family: Phasianidae
The Phasianidae are a family of terrestrial birds which consists of quails, partridges, snowcocks, francolins, spurfowls, tragopans, monals, pheasants, peafowls, and jungle fowls. In general, they are plump (although they vary in size) and have broad, relatively short wings.
Crested francolin, Ortygornis sephaena Coqui francolin, Campocolinus coqui Orange River francolin, Scleroptila gutturalis Common quail, Coturnix coturnix Harlequin quail, Coturnix delegorguei Hartlaub's francolin, Pternistis hartlaubi Red-billed francolin, Pternistis adspersus Cape francolin, Pternistis capensis Swainson's francolin, Pternistis swainsonii Red-necked francolin, Pternistis afer
Order: Phoenicopteriformes Common name: FlamingosFamily: Phoenicopteridae
Flamingos are gregarious wading birds, usually tall, 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.
Greater flamingo, Phoenicopterus roseus Lesser flamingo, Phoeniconaias minor
Order: Podicipediformes Common name: GrebesFamily: 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.
Little grebe, Tachybaptus ruficollis Great crested grebe, Podiceps cristatus Eared grebe, Podiceps nigricollis
Order: Columbiformes Common name: Pigeons and dovesFamily: Columbidae
Pigeons and doves are stout-bodied birds with short necks and short slender bills with a fleshy cere.
Rock pigeon, Columba livia (I) Speckled pigeon, Columba guinea European turtle-dove, Streptopelia turtur (V) Mourning collared-dove, Streptopelia decipiens Red-eyed dove, Streptopelia semitorquata Ring-necked dove, Streptopelia capicola Laughing dove, Streptopelia senegalensis Emerald-spotted wood-dove, Turtur chalcospilos Namaqua dove, Oena capensis African green-pigeon, Treron calva
Order: Pterocliformes Common name: SandgrouseFamily: Pteroclidae
Sandgrouse have small, pigeon-like heads and necks, but sturdy compact bodies. They have long pointed wings and sometimes tails and a fast direct flight. Flocks fly to watering holes at dawn and dusk. Their legs are feathered down to the toes.
Namaqua sandgrouse, Pterocles namaqua Yellow-throated sandgrouse, Pterocles gutturalis Double-banded sandgrouse, Pterocles bicinctus Burchell's sandgrouse, Pterocles burchelli
Order: Otidiformes
Common name: BustardsFamily: 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.
Kori bustard, Ardeotis kori Ludwig's bustard, Neotis ludwigii Denham's bustard, Neotis denhami (V) White-bellied bustard, Eupodotis senegalensis (V) Karoo bustard, Eupodotis vigorsii Rüppell's bustard, Eupodotis rueppellii Red-crested bustard, Eupodotis ruficrista White-quilled bustard, Eupodotis afraoides Black-bellied bustard, Lissotis melanogaster
Order: Musophagiformes Common name: TuracosFamily: Musophagidae
The turacos, plantain eaters, and go-away-birds make up the bird family Musophagidae. They are medium-sized arboreal birds. The turacos and plantain eaters are brightly coloured, usually in blue, green, or purple. The go-away birds are mostly grey and white.
Schalow's turaco, Tauraco schalowi Ross's turaco, Musophaga rossae (V) Gray go-away-bird, Corythaixoides concolor
Order: Cuculiformes Common name: cuckoos, coucals, roadrunners and anisFamily: Cuculidae
The family Cuculidae includes cuckoos, roadrunners, and anis. These birds are of variable size with slender bodies, long tails, and strong legs. Most of the cuckoo species of the Old World are brood parasites.
Senegal coucal, Centropus senegalensis Coppery-tailed coucal, Centropus cupreicaudus White-browed coucal, Centropus superciliosus Black coucal, Centropus grillii Great spotted cuckoo, Clamator glandarius Levaillant's cuckoo, Clamator levaillantii Pied cuckoo, Clamator jacobinus Thick-billed cuckoo, Pachycoccyx audeberti Dideric cuckoo, Chrysococcyx caprius Klaas's cuckoo, Chrysococcyx klaas African emerald cuckoo, Chrysococcyx cupreus Black cuckoo, Cuculus clamosus Red-chested cuckoo, Cuculus solitarius African cuckoo, Cuculus gularis Common cuckoo, Cuculus canorus
Order: Caprimulgiformes Nightjars and allies Family: Caprimulgidae
Nightjars are medium-sized nocturnal birds that usually nest on the ground. They have long wings, short legs, and very short bills. Most have small feet, of little use for walking, and long pointed wings. Their soft plumage is camouflaged to resemble bark or leaves.
Pennant-winged nightjar, Caprimulgus vexillarius 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
Order: Apodiformes Swifts
Family: Apodidae
Swifts are small birds which spend the majority of their lives flying. These birds have very short legs and never settle voluntarily on the ground, perching instead only on vertical surfaces. Many swifts have long swept-back wings which resemble a crescent or boomerang.
Bat-like spinetail, Neafrapus boehmi Alpine swift, Apus melba Common swift, Apus apus African swift, Apus barbatus Bradfield's swift, Apus bradfieldi Little swift, Apus affinis Horus swift, Apus horus White-rumped swift, Apus caffer African palm-swift, Cypsiurus parvus
Order: Gruiformes Flufftails Family: Sarothruridae
The flufftails are a small family of ground-dwelling birds found only in Madagascar and sub-Saharan Africa.
Buff-spotted flufftail, Sarothrura elegans Red-chested flufftail, Sarothrura rufa
Rails, gallinules, and coots 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.
African rail, Rallus caerulescens Corn crake, Crex crex (V) African crake, Crex egregia Spotted crake, Porzana porzana Lesser moorhen, Paragallinula angulata Eurasian moorhen, Gallinula chloropus Red-knobbed coot, Fulica cristata Allen's gallinule, Porphyrio alleni Purple gallinule, Porphyrio martinica (V) African swamphen, Porphyrio madagascariensis Striped crake, Amaurornis marginalis Black crake, Zapornia flavirostra Baillon's crake, Zapornia pusilla
Finfoots Family: Heliornithidae
Heliornithidae is a small family of tropical birds with webbed lobes on their feet similar to those of grebes and coots.
African finfoot, Podica senegalensis
Cranes
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".
Gray crowned-crane, Balearica regulorum Blue crane, Anthropoides paradisea Wattled crane, Bugeranus carunculatus
Order: Charadriiformes Thick-knees Family: Burhinidae
The thick-knees are a group of waders 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.
Water thick-knee, Burhinus vermiculatus Spotted thick-knee, Burhinus capensis
Stilts and avocets
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.
Black-winged stilt, Himantopus himantopus Pied avocet, Recurvirostra avosetta
Oystercatchers Family: Haematopodidae
The oystercatchers are large and noisy plover-like birds, with strong bills used for smashing or prising open molluscs.
Eurasian oystercatcher, Haematopus ostralegus African oystercatcher, Haematopus moquini
Plovers and lapwings
Family: Charadriidae