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. This list incorporates the mainland and nearshore islands and waters only. The submerged though ecologically important Agulhas Bank is for most part inside its territorial waters. Offshore, South Africa's territory includes the Prince Edward Islands in the Subantarctic Indian Ocean.
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, except that South African spelling is used.[1] 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 and IOU taxonomy).
Unless otherwise noted, the list is that of BirdLife South Africa (BLSA).[2] Notes in the status column are also from this source. Notes of population status, such as "endangered", refer to the worldwide population, not the South African part of it except for endemics. Unless otherwise noted in the "status" column, the species is a resident or regularly-occurring migrant.
This list contains 879 species according to the Clements taxonomy. The BLSA list includes additional entries as species which Clements considers subspecies; some of them are noted. According to BLSA, 18 species are endemic, 20 are SLE endemic, and 11 have been introduced by humans. Clements describes only 15 as endemic and 14 as SLE endemic.
Order: StruthioniformesFamily: 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.
| width=25% | Common name | width=25% | Binomial | width=50% | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Common ostrich (South African ostrich) | Struthio camelus (S. c. australis) | ||||
Order: AnseriformesFamily: 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.
| width=25% | Common name | width=25% | Binomial | width=50% | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dendrocygna viduata | |||||
| Dendrocygna bicolor | |||||
| Thalassornis leuconotus | |||||
| Cygnus olor | Introduced | ||||
| Sarkidiornis melanotos | |||||
| Alopochen aegyptiaca | |||||
| Tadorna cana | |||||
| Plectropterus gambensis | |||||
| Nettapus auritus | |||||
| Spatula querquedula | Vagrant | ||||
| Spatula hottentota | |||||
| Spatula smithii | |||||
| Spatula clypeata | Vagrant | ||||
| Anas sparsa | |||||
| Anas undulata | |||||
| Anas platyrhynchos | Introduced | ||||
| Anas capensis | |||||
| Anas erythrorhyncha | |||||
| Anas acuta | Vagrant | ||||
| Netta erythrophthalma | |||||
| Oxyura maccoa | Vulnerable |
Order: GalliformesFamily: 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.
| width=25% | Common name | width=25% | Binomial | width=50% | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Numida meleagris | |||||
| Guttera edouardi |
Order: GalliformesFamily: Phasianidae
The Phasianidae are a family of terrestrial birds consisting of quails, partridges, snowcocks, francolins, spurfowls, tragopans, monals, pheasants, peafowl, and jungle fowls. In general, they are plump and have broad, relatively short wings.
| width=25% | Common name | width=25% | Binomial | width=50% | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pavo cristatus | Introduced | ||||
| Ortygornis sephaena | |||||
| Campocolinus coqui | |||||
| Scleroptila levaillantii | |||||
| Scleroptila africanus | SLE endemic | ||||
| Scleroptila gutturalis | |||||
| Scleroptila shelleyi | |||||
| Synoicus adansonii | Vagrant | ||||
| Coturnix coturnix | |||||
| Coturnix delegorguei | |||||
| Alectoris chukar | Introduced | ||||
| Pternistis adspersus | |||||
| Pternistis capensis | See note[3] | ||||
| Pternistis natalensis | |||||
| Pternistis swainsonii | |||||
| Pternistis afer |
Order: PhoenicopteriformesFamily: 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.
| width=25% | Common name | width=25% | Binomial | width=50% | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phoenicopterus roseus | |||||
| Phoeniconaias minor | Near threatened |
Order: PodicipediformesFamily: 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.
| width=25% | Common name | width=25% | Binomial | width=50% | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tachybaptus ruficollis | |||||
| Podiceps cristatus | |||||
| Podiceps nigricollis |
Order: ColumbiformesFamily: Columbidae
Pigeons and doves are stout-bodied birds with short necks and short slender bills with a fleshy cere.
| width=25% | Common name | width=25% | Binomial | width=50% | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Columba livia | Introduced | ||||
| Columba guinea | |||||
| Columba arquatrix | |||||
| Columba delegorguei | |||||
| Columba larvata | |||||
| Streptopelia turtur | Vagrant; vulnerable | ||||
| Streptopelia decipiens | |||||
| Streptopelia semitorquata | |||||
| Streptopelia capicola | |||||
| Streptopelia senegalensis | |||||
| Turtur chalcospilos | |||||
| Turtur afer | |||||
| Turtur tympanistria | |||||
| Oena capensis | |||||
| Treron calvus |
Order: PterocliformesFamily: 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.
| width=25% | Common name | width=25% | Binomial | width=50% | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pterocles namaqua | |||||
| Pterocles gutturalis | |||||
| Pterocles bicinctus | |||||
| Pterocles burchelli |
Order: OtidiformesFamily: 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.
| width=25% | Common name | width=25% | Binomial | width=50% | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ardeotis kori | Near threatened | ||||
| Neotis ludwigii | Endangered | ||||
| Neotis denhami | Near threatened | ||||
| Eupodotis senegalensis | |||||
| Eupodotis caerulescens | SLE endemic (see note);[4] near threatened | ||||
| Eupodotis vigorsii | |||||
| Eupodotis ruficrista | |||||
| Eupodoti afra | Endemic; vulnerable | ||||
| Eupodoti afraoides | |||||
| Lissotis melanogaster |
Order: MusophagiformesFamily: Musophagidae
The turacos, plantain eaters, and go-away-birds make up the 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.
| width=25% | Common name | width=25% | Binomial | width=50% | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tauraco livingstonii | |||||
| Tauraco corythaix | SLE endemic | ||||
| Tauraco porphyreolophus | |||||
| Corythaixoides concolor |
Order: CuculiformesFamily: Cuculidae
The family Cuculidae includes cuckoos, roadrunners, and anis. These birds are of variable size with slender bodies, long tails, and strong legs.
| width=25% | Common name | width=25% | Binomial | width=50% | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Centropus senegalensis | Vagrant | ||||
| Centropus superciliosus | |||||
| Centropus grillii | |||||
| Ceuthmochares australis | |||||
| Clamator glandarius | |||||
| Clamator levaillantii | |||||
| Clamator jacobinus | |||||
| Pachycoccyx audeberti | |||||
| Chrysococcyx caprius | |||||
| Chrysococcyx klaas | |||||
| Chrysococcyx cupreus | |||||
| Cercococcyx montanus | Vagrant | ||||
| Cuculus clamosus | |||||
| Cuculus solitarius | |||||
| Cuculus poliocephalus | Vagrant | ||||
| Cuculus gularis | |||||
| Cuculus rochii | Vagrant | ||||
| Cuculus canorus |
Order: CaprimulgiformesFamily: Caprimulgidae
Nightjars are medium-sized ground-nesting nocturnal birds with 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.
| width=25% | Common name | width=25% | Binomial | width=50% | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Caprimulgus vexillarius | |||||
| Caprimulgus europaeus | |||||
| Caprimulgus rufigena | |||||
| Caprimulgus pectoralis | |||||
| Caprimulgus natalensis | |||||
| Caprimulgus tristigma | |||||
| Caprimulgus fossii |
Order: CaprimulgiformesFamily: 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.
| width=25% | Common name | width=25% | Binomial | width=50% | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Telacanthura ussheri | |||||
| Neafrapus boehmi | |||||
| Apus melba | |||||
| Apus apus | |||||
| Apus barbatus | |||||
| Apus bradfieldi | |||||
| Apus affinis | |||||
| Apus horus | |||||
| Apus caffer | |||||
| Cypsiurus parvus |
Order: GruiformesFamily: Sarothruridae
The flufftails are a small family of ground-dwelling birds found only in Madagascar and sub-Saharan Africa.
| width=25% | Common name | width=25% | Binomial | width=50% | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sarothrura elegans | |||||
| Sarothrura rufa | |||||
| Sarothrura boehmi | Vagrant | ||||
| Sarothrura affinis | |||||
| Sarothrura ayresi | Critically endangered |
Order: GruiformesFamily: 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.
| width=25% | Common name | width=25% | Binomial | width=50% | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rallus caerulescens | |||||
| Crex crex | |||||
| Crex egregia | |||||
| Porzana porzana | |||||
| Paragallinula angulata | |||||
| Gallinula chloropus | |||||
| Fulica cristata | |||||
| Porphyrio alleni | |||||
| Porphyrio martinica | Vagrant | ||||
| Porphyrio madagascariensis | |||||
| Amaurornis marginalis | Vagrant | ||||
| Zapornia flavirostra | |||||
| Zapornia parva | Vagrant | ||||
| Zapornia pusilla |
Order: GruiformesFamily: Heliornithidae
Heliornithidae is a small family of tropical birds with webbed lobes on their feet similar to those of grebes and coots.
| width=25% | Common name | width=25% | Binomial | width=50% | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Podica senegalensis |
Order: GruiformesFamily: 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".
| width=25% | Common name | width=25% | Binomial | width=50% | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Balearica regulorum | Endangered | ||||
| Anthropoides paradiseus | Vulnerable | ||||
| Bugeranus carunculatus | Vulnerable |
Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Chionidae
The two species in this family breed on Antarctica and islands near that continent.
| width=25% | Common name | width=25% | Binomial | width=50% | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chionis alba | Vagrant |
Order: CharadriiformesFamily: 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.
| width=25% | Common name | width=25% | Binomial | width=50% | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Burhinus vermiculatus | |||||
| Burhinus capensis |
Order: CharadriiformesFamily: 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.
| width=25% | Common name | width=25% | Binomial | width=50% | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Himantopus himantopus | |||||
| Recurvirostra avosetta |
Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Haematopodidae
The oystercatchers are large and noisy plover-like birds, with strong bills used for smashing or prising open molluscs.
| width=25% | Common name | width=25% | Binomial | width=50% | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Haematopus ostralegus | Vagrant; near threatened | ||||
| Haematopus moquini |
Order: CharadriiformesFamily: 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.
| width=25% | Common name | width=25% | Binomial | width=50% | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pluvialis squatarola | |||||
| Pluvialis dominica | Vagrant | ||||
| Pluvialis fulva | Vagrant | ||||
| Vanellus crassirostris | Vagrant | ||||
| Vanellus armatus | |||||
| Vanellus spinosus | Vagrant | ||||
| Vanellus albiceps | |||||
| Vanellus lugubris | |||||
| Vanellus melanopterus | |||||
| Vanellus coronatus | |||||
| Vanellus senegallus | |||||
| Charadrius mongolus | |||||
| Charadrius leschenaultii | |||||
| Charadrius asiaticus | |||||
| Charadrius pecuarius | |||||
| Charadrius hiaticula | |||||
| Charadrius dubius | Vagrant | ||||
| Charadrius tricollaris | |||||
| Charadrius marginatus | |||||
| Charadrius pallidus | Near threatened |
Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Rostratulidae
Painted-snipe are short-legged, long-billed birds similar in shape to the true snipes, but more brightly coloured.
| width=25% | Common name | width=25% | Binomial | width=50% | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rostratula benghalensis |
Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Jacanidae
The jacanas are a group of waders 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.
| width=25% | Common name | width=25% | Binomial | width=50% | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Microparra capensis | |||||
| Actophilornis africanus |
Order: CharadriiformesFamily: 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.
| width=25% | Common name | width=25% | Binomial | width=50% | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Numenius phaeopus | |||||
| Numenius arquata | Near threatened | ||||
| Limosa lapponica | Near threatened | ||||
| Limosa limosa | Vagrant; near threatened | ||||
| Limosa haemastica | Vagrant | ||||
| Arenaria interpres | |||||
| Calidris tenuirostris | Vagrant; endangered | ||||
| Calidris canutus | Near threatened | ||||
| Calidris pugnax | |||||
| Calidris falcinellus | Vagrant | ||||
| Calidris ferruginea | Near threatened | ||||
| Calidris temminckii | Vagrant | ||||
| Calidris subminuta | Vagrant | ||||
| Calidris ruficollis | Vagrant; near threatened | ||||
| Calidris alba | |||||
| Calidris alpina | Vagrant | ||||
| Calidris bairdii | Vagrant | ||||
| Calidris minuta | |||||
| Calidris fuscicollis | Vagrant | ||||
| Calidris subruficollis | Vagrant; near threatened | ||||
| Calidris melanotos | Vagrant | ||||
| Limnodromus semipalmatus | Vagrant; near threatened | ||||
| Gallinago media | Vagrant; near threatened | ||||
| Gallinago nigripennis | |||||
| Xenus cinereus | |||||
| Phalaropus tricolor | Vagrant | ||||
| Phalaropus lobatus | Vagrant; near threatened | ||||
| Phalaropus fulicarius | |||||
| Actitis hypoleucos | |||||
| Tringa ochropus | |||||
| Tringa erythropus | Vagrant | ||||
| Tringa nebularia | |||||
| Tringa flavipes | Vagrant | ||||
| Tringa stagnatilis | |||||
| Tringa glareola | |||||
| Tringa totanus |
Order: CharadriiformesFamily: 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.
| width=25% | Common name | width=25% | Binomial | width=50% | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Turnix sylvaticus | |||||
| Turnix nanus | |||||
| Turnix hottentottus | Endemic |
Order: CharadriiformesFamily: DromadidaeThe crab-plover is related to the waders. It resembles a plover but with very long grey legs and a strong heavy black bill similar to a tern's. It has black-and-white plumage, a long neck, partially webbed feet, and a bill designed for eating crabs.
| width=25% | Common name | width=25% | Binomial | width=50% | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dromas ardeola | Vagrant |
Order: CharadriiformesFamily: 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.
| width=25% | Common name | width=25% | Binomial | width=50% | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cursorius rufus | |||||
| Cursorius temminckii | |||||
| Smutsornis africanus | |||||
| Rhinoptilus cinctus | |||||
| Rhinoptilus chalcopterus | |||||
| Glareola pratincola | |||||
| Glareola nordmanni | Near threatened | ||||
| Glareola nuchalis | Vagrant |
Order: CharadriiformesFamily: 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.
| width=25% | Common name | width=25% | Binomial | width=50% | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stercorarius maccormicki | Vagrant | ||||
| Stercorarius antarcticus | |||||
| Stercorarius pomarinus | |||||
| Stercorarius parasiticus | |||||
| Stercorarius longicaudus |
Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Laridae
Laridae is a family of medium to large seabirds, the gulls, terns, and skimmers. Gulls are typically grey or white, often with black markings on the head or wings. They have stout, longish bills and webbed feet. 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. 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.
| width=25% | Common name | width=25% | Binomial | width=50% | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rissa tridactyla | Vagrant; vulnerable | ||||
| Xema sabini | |||||
| Chroicocephalus genei | Vagrant | ||||
| Chroicocephalus cirrocephalus | |||||
| Chroicocephalus hartlaubii | |||||
| Chroicocephalus ridibundus | Vagrant | ||||
| Leucophaeus atricilla | Vagrant | ||||
| Leucophaeus pipixcan | Vagrant | ||||
| Ichthyaetus hemprichii | Vagrant | ||||
| Larus delawarensis | |||||
| Larus fuscus | Vagrant | ||||
| Larus dominicanus | See note[5] | ||||
| Anous stolidus | Vagrant | ||||
| Anous tenuirostris | Vagrant | ||||
| Onychoprion fuscatus | |||||
| Onychoprion anaethetus | Vagrant | ||||
| Sternula albifrons | winter migrant | ||||
| Sternula balaenarum | Vulnerable | ||||
| Gelochelidon nilotica | Vagrant | ||||
| Hydroprogne caspia | |||||
| Chlidonias niger | Vagrant | ||||
| Chlidonias leucopterus | |||||
| Chlidonias hybrida | |||||
| Sterna dougallii | |||||
| Sterna sumatrana | Vagrant | ||||
| Sterna hirundo | |||||
| Sterna paradisaea | |||||
| Sterna vittata | |||||
| Sterna repressa | Vagrant | ||||
| Thalasseus bergii | |||||
| Thalasseus sandvicensis | |||||
| Thalasseus elegans | Vagrant | ||||
| Thalasseus bengalensis | |||||
| Rynchops niger | Vagrant | ||||
| Rynchops flavirostris | Vagrant; near threatened |
Order: PhaethontiformesFamily: Phaethontidae
Tropicbirds are slender white birds of tropical oceans, with exceptionally long central tail feathers. Their heads and long wings have black markings.
| width=25% | Common name | width=25% | Binomial | width=50% | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phaethon lepturus | Vagrant | ||||
| Phaethon aethereus | Vagrant | ||||
| Phaethon rubricauda | Vagrant |
Order: SphenisciformesFamily: Spheniscidae
The penguins are a group of flightless aquatic 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.
| width=25% | Common name | width=25% | Binomial | width=50% | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aptenodytes patagonicus | Vagrant | ||||
| Spheniscus demersus | Endangered | ||||
| Eudyptes chrysolophus | Vagrant; vulnerable | ||||
| Eudyptes chrysocome | Vagrant; vulnerable | ||||
| Eudyptes moseleyi | Vagrant; endangered |
Order: ProcellariiformesFamily: Diomedeidae
The albatrosses are among the largest of flying birds, with those of the genus Diomedea having the largest wingspan of any extant bird.
| width=25% | Common name | width=25% | Binomial | width=50% | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thalassarche chlororhynchos | Endangered | ||||
| Thalassarche chrysostoma | Vagrant; endangered | ||||
| Thalassarche bulleri | Vagrant; near threatened | ||||
| Thalassarche cauta | Near threatened | ||||
| Thalassarche salvini | Vagrant; vulnerable | ||||
| Thalassarche eremita | Vagrant; vulnerable | ||||
| Thalassarche melanophrys | |||||
| Phoebetria fusca | Vagrant; endangered | ||||
| Phoebetria palpebrata | Vagrant; near threatened | ||||
| Diomedea epomophora | Vagrant; vulnerable | ||||
| Diomedea exulans | Vulnerable | ||||
| Phoebastria immutabilis | Vagrant; near threatened |
Order: ProcellariiformesFamily: Oceanitidae
The storm-petrels are the smallest seabirds, relatives of the petrels, feeding on planktonic crustaceans and small fish picked from the surface, typically while hovering. The flight is fluttering and sometimes bat-like. Until 2018, this family's species were included with the other storm-petrels in family Hydrobatidae.
| width=25% | Common name | width=25% | Binomial | width=50% | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oceanites oceanicus | |||||
| Garrodia nereis | Vagrant | ||||
| Pelagodroma marina | Vagrant | ||||
| Fregetta grallaria | Vagrant | ||||
| Fregetta tropica |
Order: ProcellariiformesFamily: Hydrobatidae
Though the members of this family are similar in many respects to the southern storm-petrels, including their general appearance and habits, there are enough genetic differences to warrant their placement in a separate family.
| width=25% | Common name | width=25% | Binomial | width=50% | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hydrobates pelagicus | |||||
| Hydrobates leucorhous | Vulnerable | ||||
| Hydrobates monorhis | Vagrant | ||||
| Hydrobates matsudairae | Vagrant; vulnerable |
Order: ProcellariiformesFamily: 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.
| width=25% | Common name | width=25% | Binomial | width=50% | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Macronectes giganteus | |||||
| Macronectes halli | |||||
| Fulmarus glacialoides | |||||
| Thalassoica antarctica | Vagrant | ||||
| Daption capense | |||||
| Pagodroma nivea | Vagrant | ||||
| Aphrodroma brevirostris | Vagrant | ||||
| Pterodroma macroptera | |||||
| Pterodroma gouldi | Vagrant | ||||
| Pterodroma arminjoniana | Vagrant | ||||
| Pterodroma mollis | |||||
| Pterodroma baraui | Vagrant; endangered | ||||
| Pterodroma lessonii | Vagrant | ||||
| Pterodroma incerta | Vagrant; endangered | ||||
| Halobaena caerulea | Vagrant | ||||
| Pachyptila turtur | Vagrant | ||||
| Pachyptila vittata | Vagrant | ||||
| Pachyptila salvini | Vagrant | ||||
| Pachyptila desolata | |||||
| Pachyptila belcheri | Vagrant | ||||
| Bulweria fallax | Vagrant | ||||
| Pseudobulweria rostrata | Vagrant | ||||
| Procellaria cinerea | Vagrant; near threatened | ||||
| Procellaria aequinoctialis | Vulnerable | ||||
| Procellaria conspicillata | Vulnerable | ||||
| Calonectris leucomelas | Vagrant; near threatened | ||||
| Calonectris diomedea | |||||
| Ardenna carneipes | Near threatened | ||||
| Ardenna gravis | |||||
| Ardenna pacifica | Vagrant | ||||
| Ardenna grisea | Near threatened | ||||
| Puffinus puffinus | |||||
| Puffinus mauretanicus | Vagrant | ||||
| Puffinus elegans | Vagrant | ||||
| Puffinus bailloni | Vagrant |
Order: CiconiiformesFamily: 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.
| width=25% | Common name | width=25% | Binomial | width=50% | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anastomus lamelligerus | |||||
| Ciconia nigra | |||||
| Ciconia abdimii | |||||
| Ciconia microscelis | |||||
| Ciconia ciconia | |||||
| Ephippiorhynchus senegalensis | |||||
| Leptoptilos crumenifer | |||||
| Mycteria ibis |
Order: SuliformesFamily: 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.
| width=25% | Common name | width=25% | Binomial | width=50% | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fregata ariel | Vagrant | ||||
| Fregata minor | Vagrant |
Order: SuliformesFamily: Sulidae
The sulids comprise the gannets and boobies. Both groups are medium to large coastal seabirds that plunge-dive for fish.
| width=25% | Common name | width=25% | Binomial | width=50% | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sula dactylatra | Vagrant | ||||
| Sula leucogaster | Vagrant | ||||
| Sula sula | Vagrant | ||||
| Morus capensis | Endangered | ||||
| Morus serrator | Vagrant |
Order: SuliformesFamily: Anhingidae
Anhingas or 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.
| width=25% | Common name | width=25% | Binomial | width=50% | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anhinga rufa |
Order: SuliformesFamily: 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.
| width=25% | Common name | width=25% | Binomial | width=50% | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Microcarbo africanus | |||||
| Microcarbo coronatus | Near threatened | ||||
| Phalacrocorax neglectus | Endangered | ||||
| Phalacrocorax capensis | Endangered | ||||
| Phalacrocorax carbo |
Order: PelecaniformesFamily: 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.
| width=25% | Common name | width=25% | Binomial | width=50% | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pelecanus onocrotalus | |||||
| Pelecanus rufescens |
Order: PelecaniformesFamily: 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.
| width=25% | Common name | width=25% | Binomial | width=50% | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scopus umbretta |
Order: PelecaniformesFamily: 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.
| width=25% | Common name | width=25% | Binomial | width=50% | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Botaurus stellaris | Vagrant | ||||
| Ixobrychus minutus | |||||
| Ixobrychus sturmii | |||||
| Ardea cinerea | |||||
| Ardea melanocephala | |||||
| Ardea goliath | |||||
| Ardea purpurea | |||||
| Ardea alba | |||||
| Ardea intermedia | |||||
| Egretta garzetta | |||||
| Egretta thula | Vagrant | ||||
| Egretta caerulea | Vagrant | ||||
| Egretta vinaceigula | Vagrant; vulnerable | ||||
| Egretta ardesiaca | |||||
| Bubulcus ibis | |||||
| Ardeola ralloides | |||||
| Ardeola idae | Vagrant | ||||
| Ardeola rufiventris | Vagrant | ||||
| Butorides striata | |||||
| Nycticorax nycticorax | |||||
| Gorsachius leuconotus |
Order: PelecaniformesFamily: 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.
| width=25% | Common name | width=25% | Binomial | width=50% | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plegadis falcinellus | |||||
| Threskiornis aethiopicus | |||||
| Geronticus calvus | SLE endemic (see note);[6] vulnerable | ||||
| Bostrychia hagedash | |||||
| Platalea alba |
Order: AccipitriformesFamily: Sagittariidae
The secretarybird is a bird of prey easily distinguished from other raptors by its long crane-like legs.
| width=25% | Common name | width=25% | Binomial | width=50% | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sagittarius serpentarius | Endangered |
Order: AccipitriformesFamily: Pandionidae
The family Pandionidae contains only one species, the osprey. The osprey is a medium-large raptor which is a specialist fish-eater with a worldwide distribution.
| width=25% | Common name | width=25% | Binomial | width=50% | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pandion haliaetus |
Order: AccipitriformesFamily: 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.
| width=25% | Common name | width=25% | Binomial | width=50% | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elanus caeruleus | |||||
| Polyboroides typus | |||||
| Gypohierax angolensis | |||||
| Gypaetus barbatus | Near threatened | ||||
| Neophron percnopterus | Vagrant; endangered | ||||
| Pernis apivorus | |||||
| Pernis ptilorhynchus | Vagrant | ||||
| Aviceda cuculoides | |||||
| Trigonoceps occipitalis | Critically endangered | ||||
| Torgos tracheliotos | Endangered | ||||
| Necrosyrtes monachus | Critically endangered | ||||
| Gyps africanus | Critically endangered | ||||
| Gyps rueppelli | Vagrant; critically endangered | ||||
| Gyps coprotheres | Endangered | ||||
| Terathopius ecaudatus | Near threatened | ||||
| Circaetus pectoralis | |||||
| Circaetus cinereus | |||||
| Circaetus fasciolatus | Near threatened | ||||
| Circaetus cinerascens | Vagrant | ||||
| Macheiramphus alcinus | |||||
| Stephanoaetus coronatus | Near threatened | ||||
| Polemaetus bellicosus | Vulnerable | ||||
| Lophaetus occipitalis | |||||
| Clanga pomarina | |||||
| Hieraaetus wahlbergi | |||||
| Hieraaetus pennatus | |||||
| Hieraaetus ayresii | |||||
| Aquila rapax | |||||
| Aquila nipalensis | Endangered | ||||
| Aquila verreauxii | |||||
| Aquila spilogaster | |||||
| Kaupifalco monogrammicus | |||||
| Melierax metabates | |||||
| Melierax canorus | |||||
| Micronisus gabar | |||||
| Circus aeruginosus | |||||
| Circus ranivorus | |||||
| Circus maurus | Endangered | ||||
| Circus macrourus | Near threatened | ||||
| Circus pygargus | |||||
| Accipiter tachiro | |||||
| Accipiter badius | |||||
| Accipiter minullus | |||||
| Accipiter ovampensis | |||||
| Accipiter rufiventris | |||||
| Accipiter melanoleucus | |||||
| Milvus migrans | |||||
| Milvus aegyptius | See notes below[7] [8] | ||||
| Haliaeetus vocifer | |||||
| Buteo buteo | |||||
| Buteo trizonatus | SLE endemic (see note);[9] near threatened | ||||
| Buteo rufinus | Vagrant | ||||
| Buteo auguralis | Vagrant | ||||
| Buteo augur | Vagrant | ||||
| Buteo rufofuscus |
Order: StrigiformesFamily: Tytonidae
Barn-owls are medium to large owls with large heads and characteristic heart-shaped faces. They have long strong legs with powerful talons.
| width=25% | Common name | width=25% | Binomial | width=50% | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tyto capensis | |||||
| Tyto alba |
Order: StrigiformesFamily: Strigidae
The typical owls are small to large solitary nocturnal birds of prey. They have large forward-facing eyes and ears, a hawk-like beak, and a conspicuous circle of feathers around each eye called a facial disk.
| width=25% | Common name | width=25% | Binomial | width=50% | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Otus senegalensis | |||||
| Ptilopsis granti | |||||
| Bubo capensis | |||||
| Bubo africanus | |||||
| Bubo lacteus | |||||
| Scotopelia peli | |||||
| Glaucidium perlatum | |||||
| Glaucidium capense | |||||
| Strix woodfordii | |||||
| Asio capensis |
Order: ColiiformesFamily: Coliidae
The mousebirds are slender greyish or brown birds with soft, hairlike body feathers and very long thin tails. They are arboreal and scurry through the leaves like rodents in search of berries, fruit, and buds. They are acrobatic and can feed upside down. All species have strong claws and reversible outer toes. They also have crests and stubby bills.
| width=25% | Common name | width=25% | Binomial | width=50% | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colius striatus | |||||
| Colius colius | |||||
| Urocolius indicus |
Order: TrogoniformesFamily: Trogonidae
The family Trogonidae includes trogons and quetzals. Found in tropical woodlands worldwide, they feed on insects and fruit, and their broad bills and weak legs reflect their diet and arboreal habits. Although their flight is fast, they are reluctant to fly any distance. Trogons have soft, often colourful, feathers with distinctive male and female plumage.
| width=25% | Common name | width=25% | Binomial | width=50% | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apaloderma narina |
Order: BucerotiformesFamily: Upupidae
Hoopoes have black, white, and orangey-pink colouring with a large erectile crest on their head.
| width=25% | Common name | width=25% | Binomial | width=50% | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Upupa africana |
Order: BucerotiformesFamily: Phoeniculidae
The woodhoopoes are related to the hoopoes, hornbills, and ground-hornbills. They most resemble the hoopoes with their long curved bills, used to probe for insects, and short rounded wings. However, they differ in that they have metallic plumage, often blue, green, or purple, and lack an erectile crest.
| width=25% | Common name | width=25% | Binomial | width=50% | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phoeniculus purpureus | |||||
| Rhinopomastus cyanomelas |
Order: BucerotiformesFamily: Bucorvidae
The ground-hornbills are terrestrial birds which feed almost entirely on insects, other birds, snakes, and amphibians.
| width=25% | Common name | width=25% | Binomial | width=50% | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bucorvus leadbeateri | Vulnerable |
Order: BucerotiformesFamily: Bucerotidae
Hornbills are a group of birds whose bill is shaped like a cow's horn, but without a twist, sometimes with a casque on the upper mandible. Frequently, the bill is brightly coloured.
| width=25% | Common name | width=25% | Binomial | width=50% | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lophoceros alboterminatus | |||||
| Lophoceros nasutus | |||||
| Tockus leucomelas | |||||
| Tockus rufirostris | |||||
| Bycanistes bucinator |
Order: CoraciiformesFamily: Alcedinidae
Kingfishers are medium-sized birds with large heads, long pointed bills, short legs, and stubby tails.
| width=25% | Common name | width=25% | Binomial | width=50% | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alcedo semitorquata | |||||
| Corythornis cristatus | |||||
| Ispidina picta | |||||
| Halcyon leucocephala | |||||
| Halcyon senegalensis | |||||
| Halcyon senegaloides | |||||
| Halcyon albiventris | |||||
| Halcyon chelicuti | |||||
| Megaceryle maxima | |||||
| Ceryle rudis |
Order: CoraciiformesFamily: Meropidae
The bee-eaters are a group of near passerine birds in the family Meropidae. Most species are found in Africa but others occur in southern Europe, Madagascar, Australia, and New Guinea. They are characterised by richly coloured plumage, slender bodies, and usually elongated central tail feathers. All are colourful and have long downturned bills and pointed wings, which give them a swallow-like appearance when seen from afar.
| width=25% | Common name | width=25% | Binomial | width=50% | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Merops bullockoides | |||||
| Merops pusillus | |||||
| Merops hirundineus | |||||
| Merops albicollis | Vagrant | ||||
| Merops persicus | |||||
| Merops superciliosus | Vagrant | ||||
| Merops apiaster | |||||
| Merops nubicoides |
Order: CoraciiformesFamily: Coraciidae
Rollers resemble crows in size and build, but are more closely related to the kingfishers and bee-eaters. They share the colourful appearance of those groups with blues and browns predominating. The two inner front toes are connected, but the outer toe is not.
| width=25% | Common name | width=25% | Binomial | width=50% | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coracias garrulus | |||||
| Coracias caudatus | |||||
| Coracias spatulatus | Vagrant | ||||
| Coracias naevius | |||||
| Eurystomus glaucurus |
Order: PiciformesFamily: Lybiidae
The barbets are plump birds, with short necks and large heads. They get their name from the bristles which fringe their heavy bills. Most species are brightly coloured.
| width=25% | Common name | width=25% | Binomial | width=50% | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trachyphonus vaillantii | |||||
| Stactolaema leucotis | |||||
| Stactolaema olivacea | |||||
| Pogoniulus bilineatus | |||||
| Pogoniulus pusillus | |||||
| Pogoniulus chrysoconus | |||||
| Tricholaema leucomelas | |||||
| Lybius torquatus |
Order: PiciformesFamily: Indicatoridae
Honeyguides are among the few birds that feed on wax. They are named for the greater honeyguide which leads traditional honey-hunters to bees' nests and, after the hunters have harvested the honey, feeds on the remaining contents of the hive.
| width=25% | Common name | width=25% | Binomial | width=50% | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prodotiscus regulus | |||||
| Indicator minor | |||||
| Indicator variegatus | |||||
| Indicator indicator |
Order: PiciformesFamily: Picidae
Woodpeckers are small to medium-sized birds with chisel-like beaks, short legs, stiff tails, and long tongues used for capturing insects. Some species have feet with two toes pointing forward and two backward, while several species have only three toes. Many woodpeckers have the habit of tapping noisily on tree trunks with their beaks.
| width=25% | Common name | width=25% | Binomial | width=50% | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jynx ruficollis | |||||
| Chloropicus fuscescens | |||||
| Chloropicus namaquus | |||||
| Chloropicus griseocephalus | |||||
| Geocolaptes olivaceus | SLE endemic; near threatened | ||||
| Campethera bennettii | |||||
| Campethera notata | (see note);[10] near threatened | ||||
| Campethera abingoni |
Order: FalconiformesFamily: Falconidae
Falconidae is a family of diurnal birds of prey. They differ from hawks, eagles, and kites in that they kill with their beaks instead of their talons.
| width=25% | Common name | width=25% | Binomial | width=50% | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Polihierax semitorquatus | |||||
| Falco naumanni | Vulnerable | ||||
| Falco rupicolus | |||||
| Falco rupicoloides | |||||
| Falco dickinsoni | |||||
| Falco chicquera | |||||
| Falco vespertinus | Near threatened ; winter migrant | ||||
| Falco amurensis | winter migrant | ||||
| Falco eleonorae | Vagrant | ||||
| Falco concolor | Near threatened | ||||
| Falco subbuteo | |||||
| Falco cuvierii | Vagrant | ||||
| Falco biarmicus | |||||
| Falco peregrinus | |||||
| Falco fasciinucha | Vulnerable |
Order: PsittaciformesFamily: Psittaculidae
Characteristic features of parrots include a strong curved bill, an upright stance, strong legs, and clawed zygodactyl feet. Many parrots are vividly coloured, and some are multi-coloured. In size they range from 81NaN1 to 11NaN1 in length. Old World parrots are found from Africa east across south and southeast Asia and Oceania to Australia and New Zealand.
| width=25% | Common name | width=25% | Binomial | width=50% | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Psittacula krameri | Introduced | ||||
| Agapornis roseicollis |
Order: PsittaciformesFamily: Psittacidae
Parrots are small to large birds with a characteristic curved beak. Their upper mandibles have slight mobility in the joint with the skull and they have a generally erect stance. All parrots are zygodactyl, having the four toes on each foot placed two at the front and two to the back. Most of the more than 150 species in this family are found in the New World.
| width=25% | Common name | width=25% | Binomial | width=50% | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Poicephalus fuscicollis | |||||
| Poicephalus robustus | Endemic; vulnerable | ||||
| Poicephalus meyeri | |||||
| Poicephalus cryptoxanthus |
Order: PasseriformesFamily: Calyptomenidae
The broadbills are small, brightly coloured birds which feed on fruit and also take insects in flycatcher fashion, snapping their broad bills. Their habitat is canopies of wet forests.
| width=25% | Common name | width=25% | Binomial | width=50% | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Smithornis capensis |
Order: PasseriformesFamily: Pittidae
Pittas are medium-sized by passerine standards and are stocky, with fairly long, strong legs, short tails, and stout bills. Many are brightly coloured. They spend the majority of their time on wet forest floors, eating snails, insects, and similar invertebrates.
| width=25% | Common name | width=25% | Binomial | width=50% | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pitta angolensis | Vagrant |
Order: PasseriformesFamily: Campephagidae
The cuckooshrikes are small to medium-sized passerine birds. They are predominantly greyish with white and black, although some species are brightly coloured.
| width=25% | Common name | width=25% | Binomial | width=50% | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coracina caesia | |||||
| Coracina pectoralis | |||||
| Campephaga flava |
Order: PasseriformesFamily: Oriolidae
The Old World orioles are colourful passerine birds. They are not related to the New World orioles though they appear similar.
| width=25% | Common name | width=25% | Binomial | width=50% | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oriolus oriolus | |||||
| Oriolus auratus | |||||
| Oriolus larvatus |
Order: PasseriformesFamily: Platysteiridae
The wattle-eyes, or puffback flycatchers, are small stout passerine birds of the African tropics. They get their name from the brightly coloured fleshy eye decorations found in most species in this group.
| width=25% | Common name | width=25% | Binomial | width=50% | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Platysteira peltata | |||||
| Batis capensis | |||||
| Woodward's batis | Batis fratrum | ||||
| Batis molitor | |||||
| Batis pririt |
Order: PasseriformesFamily: Vangidae
The helmetshrikes are similar in build to the shrikes, but tend to be colourful species with distinctive crests or other head ornaments, such as wattles, from which they get their name.
| width=25% | Common name | width=25% | Binomial | width=50% | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prionops plumatus | |||||
| Prionops retzii | |||||
| Prionops scopifrons | Vagrant | ||||
| Bias musicus | Vagrant |
Order: PasseriformesFamily: Malaconotidae
Bushshrikes are similar in habits to shrikes, hunting insects and other small prey from a perch on a bush. Although similar in build to the shrikes, these tend to be either colourful species or largely black; some species are quite secretive.
| width=25% | Common name | width=25% | Binomial | width=50% | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nilaus afer | |||||
| Dryoscopus cubla | |||||
| Tchagra senegalus | |||||
| Tchagra australis | |||||
| Tchagra tchagra | |||||
| Laniarius major | |||||
| Laniarius ferrugineus | |||||
| Laniarius atrococcineus | |||||
| Telophorus zeylonus | |||||
| Telophorus sulfureopectus | |||||
| Telophorus olivaceus | |||||
| Telophorus nigrifrons | |||||
| Telophorus viridis | |||||
| Malaconotus blanchoti |
Order: PasseriformesFamily: Dicruridae
The drongos are mostly black or dark grey in colour, sometimes with metallic tints. They have long forked tails, and some Asian species have elaborate tail decorations. They have short legs and sit very upright when perched, like a shrike. They flycatch or take prey from the ground.
| width=25% | Common name | width=25% | Binomial | width=50% | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dicrurus ludwigii | |||||
| Dicrurus adsimilis |
Order: PasseriformesFamily: Monarchidae
The monarch flycatchers are small to medium-sized insectivorous passerines which hunt by flycatching.
| width=25% | Common name | width=25% | Binomial | width=50% | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trochocercus cyanomelas | |||||
| Terpsiphone viridis |
Order: PasseriformesFamily: Laniidae
Shrikes are passerine birds known for their habit of catching other birds and small animals and impaling the uneaten portions of their bodies on thorns. A shrike's beak is hooked, like that of a typical bird of prey.
| width=25% | Common name | width=25% | Binomial | width=50% | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lanius collurio | |||||
| Lanius phoenicuroides | Vagrant | ||||
| Lanius isabellinus | Vagrant | ||||
| Lanius minor | winter migrant | ||||
| Lanius melanoleucus | |||||
| Lanius collaris | |||||
| Lanius senator | Vagrant | ||||
| Eurocephalus anguitimens |
Order: PasseriformesFamily: Corvidae
The family Corvidae includes crows, ravens, jays, choughs, magpies, treepies, nutcrackers, and ground jays. Corvids are above average in size among the Passeriformes, and some of the larger species show high levels of intelligence.
| width=25% | Common name | width=25% | Binomial | width=50% | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Corvus splendens | Introduced | ||||
| Corvus capensis | |||||
| Corvus albus | |||||
| Corvus albicollis |
Order: PasseriformesFamily: Chaetopidae
These two species are the only ones in their family. They are primarily insectivores, but cape rockjumpers also eat small vertebrates.
| width=25% | Common name | width=25% | Binomial | width=50% | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chaetops frenatus | Endemic; near threatened | ||||
| Chaetops aurantius | SLE endemic; near threatened |
Order: PasseriformesFamily: Hyliotidae
The members of this small family, all of genus Hyliota, are birds of the forest canopy. They tend to feed in mixed-species flocks.
| width=25% | Common name | width=25% | Binomial | width=50% | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hyliota australis | Vagrant |
Order: PasseriformesFamily: Stenostiridae
Most of the species of this small family are found in Africa, though a few inhabit tropical Asia. They are not closely related to other birds called "flycatchers".
| width=25% | Common name | width=25% | Binomial | width=50% | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stenostira scita |
Order: PasseriformesFamily: Paridae
The Paridae are mainly small stocky woodland species with short stout bills. Some have crests. They are adaptable birds, with a mixed diet including seeds and insects.
| width=25% | Common name | width=25% | Binomial | width=50% | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Melaniparus niger | |||||
| Melaniparus cinerascens | |||||
| Melaniparus afer |
Order: PasseriformesFamily: Remizidae
The penduline-tits are a group of small passerine birds related to the true tits. They are insectivores.
| width=25% | Common name | width=25% | Binomial | width=50% | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anthoscopus caroli | |||||
| Anthoscopus minutus |
Order: PasseriformesFamily: Alaudidae
Larks are small terrestrial birds with often extravagant songs and display flights. Most larks are fairly dull in appearance. Their food is insects and seeds.
| width=25% | Common name | width=25% | Binomial | width=50% | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chersomanes albofasciata | |||||
| Certhilauda chuana | |||||
| Certhilauda subcoronata | |||||
| Certhilauda semitorquata | SLE endemic (see note)[11] | ||||
| Certhilauda curvirostris | Endemic (see note)[12] | ||||
| Pinarocorys nigricans | |||||
| Eremopterix australis | |||||
| Eremopterix leucotis | |||||
| Eremopterix verticalis | |||||
| Calendulauda sabota | |||||
| Calendulauda africanoides | |||||
| Calendulauda albescens | Endemic | ||||
| Calendulauda burra | Endemic; vulnerable | ||||
| Calendulauda barlowi | |||||
| Heteromirafra ruddi | Endemic; endangered | ||||
| Mirafra apiata | |||||
| Mirafra fasciolata | |||||
| Mirafra africana | |||||
| Mirafra rufocinnamomea | |||||
| Mirafra passerina | |||||
| Mirafra cheniana | |||||
| Calandrella cinerea | |||||
| Spizocorys starki | |||||
| Spizocorys sclateri | Near threatened | ||||
| Spizocorys conirostris | |||||
| Spizocorys fringillaris | Endemic; endangered | ||||
| Galerida magnirostris |
Order: PasseriformesFamily: Nicatoridae
The nicators are shrike-like, with hooked bills. They are endemic to sub-Saharan Africa.
| width=25% | Common name | width=25% | Binomial | width=50% | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nicator gularis |
Order: PasseriformesFamily: Macrosphenidae
African warblers are small to medium-sized insectivores which are found in a wide variety of habitats south of the Sahara.
| width=25% | Common name | width=25% | Binomial | width=50% | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sylvietta rufescens | |||||
| Sphenoeacus afer | |||||
| Cryptillas victorini | Endemic |
Order: PasseriformesFamily: Cisticolidae
The Cisticolidae are warblers found mainly in warmer southern regions of the Old World. They are generally very small birds of drab brown or grey appearance found in open country such as grassland or scrub.
| width=25% | Common name | width=25% | Binomial | width=50% | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eremomela icteropygialis | |||||
| Eremomela scotops | |||||
| Eremomela gregalis | |||||
| Eremomela usticollis | |||||
| Phragmacia substriata | |||||
| Calamonastes stierlingi | |||||
| Calamonastes fasciolatus | |||||
| Camaroptera brachyura | |||||
| Apalis thoracica | |||||
| Apalis flavida | |||||
| Apalis ruddi | |||||
| Prinia subflava | |||||
| Prinia flavicans | |||||
| Prinia maculosa | |||||
| Prinia hypoxantha | SLE endemic | ||||
| Euryptila subcinnamomea | |||||
| Malcorus pectoralis | |||||
| Cisticola erythrops | |||||
| Cisticola aberrans | |||||
| Cisticola chiniana | |||||
| Cisticola rufilatus | |||||
| Cisticola subruficapilla | |||||
| Cisticola lais | |||||
| Cisticola galactotes | |||||
| Cisticola tinniens | |||||
| Cisticola natalensis | |||||
| Cisticola fulvicapilla | |||||
| Cisticola juncidis | |||||
| Cisticola aridulus | |||||
| Cisticola textrix | |||||
| Cisticola cinnamomeus | |||||
| Cisticola ayresii |
Order: PasseriformesFamily: Acrocephalidae
The members of this family are usually rather large for "warblers". Most are rather plain olivaceous brown above with much yellow to beige below. They are usually found in open woodland, reedbeds, or tall grass. The family occurs mostly in southern to western Eurasia and surroundings, but it also ranges far into the Pacific, with some species in Africa.
| width=25% | Common name | width=25% | Binomial | width=50% | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Iduna natalensis | |||||
| Hippolais languida | Vagrant | ||||
| Hippolais olivetorum | winter migrant | ||||
| Hippolais icterina | |||||
| Acrocephalus schoenobaenus | |||||
| Acrocephalus palustris | winter migrant | ||||
| Acrocephalus scirpaceus | |||||
| Acrocephalus griseldis | Vagrant | ||||
| Acrocephalus gracilirostris | |||||
| Acrocephalus arundinaceus |
Order: PasseriformesFamily: Locustellidae
Locustellidae are a family of small insectivorous songbirds found mainly in Eurasia, Africa, and the Australian region. They are smallish birds with tails that are usually long and pointed, and tend to be drab brownish or buffy all over.
| width=25% | Common name | width=25% | Binomial | width=50% | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Locustella fluviatilis | |||||
| Catriscus brevirostris | |||||
| Bradypterus sylvaticus | Endemic; vulnerable | ||||
| Bradypterus barratti | |||||
| Bradypterus baboecala |
Order: PasseriformesFamily: Hirundinidae
The family Hirundinidae is adapted to aerial feeding. They have a slender streamlined body, long pointed wings, and a short bill with a wide gape. The feet are adapted to perching rather than walking, and the front toes are partially joined at the base.
| width=25% | Common name | width=25% | Binomial | width=50% | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Riparia paludicola | |||||
| Riparia riparia | |||||
| Neophedina cincta | |||||
| Phedina borbonica | Vagrant | ||||
| Ptyonoprogne fuligula | |||||
| Hirundo rustica | |||||
| Hirundo albigularis | |||||
| Hirundo smithii | |||||
| Hirundo dimidiata | |||||
| Hirundo atrocaerulea | Vulnerable | ||||
| Cecropis cucullata | |||||
| Cecropis daurica | Vagrant | ||||
| Cecropis abyssinica | |||||
| Cecropis semirufa | |||||
| Cecropis senegalensis | |||||
| Petrochelidon spilodera | |||||
| Delichon urbicum | |||||
| Psalidoprocne pristoptera | |||||
| Pseudhirundo griseopyga |
Order: PasseriformesFamily: Pycnonotidae
Bulbuls are medium-sized songbirds. Some are colourful with yellow, red, or orange vents, cheeks, throats or supercilia, but most are drab, with uniform olive-brown to black plumage. Some species have distinct crests.
| width=25% | Common name | width=25% | Binomial | width=50% | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Andropadus importunus | |||||
| Chlorocichla flaviventris | |||||
| Phyllastrephus terrestris | |||||
| Phyllastrephus flavostriatus | |||||
| Pycnonotus barbatus | |||||
| Pycnonotus nigricans | |||||
| Pycnonotus capensis | Endemic |
Order: PasseriformesFamily: Phylloscopidae
Leaf warblers are a family of small insectivorous birds found mostly in Eurasia and ranging into Wallacea and Africa. The species are of various sizes, often green-plumaged above and yellow below, or more subdued with greyish-green to greyish-brown colours.
| width=25% | Common name | width=25% | Binomial | width=50% | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phylloscopus sibilatrix | Vagrant | ||||
| Phylloscopus trochilus | |||||
| Phylloscopus ruficapillus | |||||
| Phylloscopus nitidus | Vagrant |
Order: PasseriformesFamily: Sylviidae
The family Sylviidae ("Old World warblers") is a group of small insectivorous passerine birds. They mainly occur as breeding species, as one common name implies, in Europe, Asia, and, to a lesser extent, Africa. Most are of generally undistinguished appearance, but many have distinctive songs.
| width=25% | Common name | width=25% | Binomial | width=50% | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sylvia atricapilla | Vagrant | ||||
| Sylvia borin | |||||
| Sylvia nigricapillus | vulnerable | ||||
| Curruca nisoria | Vagrant | ||||
| Curruca layardi | |||||
| Curruca subcoerulea | |||||
| Curruca curruca | Vagrant | ||||
| Curruca communis |
Order: PasseriformesFamily: Zosteropidae
The white-eyes are small and mostly undistinguished, their plumage above being generally some dull colour like greenish-olive, but some species have a white or bright yellow throat, breast, or lower parts, and several have buff flanks. As their name suggests, many species have a white ring around each eye.
| width=25% | Common name | width=25% | Binomial | width=50% | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zosterops pallidus | |||||
| Zosterops virens | |||||
| Zosterops anderssoni |
Order: PasseriformesFamily: Leiothrichidae
The members of this family are diverse in size and colouration, though those of genus Turdoides tend to be brown or greyish. The family is found in Africa, India, and southeast Asia.
| width=25% | Common name | width=25% | Binomial | width=50% | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Turdoides jardineii | |||||
| Turdoides bicolor |
Order: PasseriformesFamily: Certhiidae
Treecreepers are small woodland birds, brown above and white below. They have thin pointed down-curved bills which they use to extricate insects from bark. They have stiff tail feathers, like woodpeckers, which they use to support themselves on vertical trees.
| width=25% | Common name | width=25% | Binomial | width=50% | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Salpornis salvadori | Vagrant |
Order: PasseriformesFamily: Buphagidae
As both the English and scientific names of these birds imply, they feed on ectoparasites, primarily ticks, found on large mammals.
| width=25% | Common name | width=25% | Binomial | width=50% | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buphagus erythrorynchus | |||||
| Buphagus africanus |
Order: PasseriformesFamily: Sturnidae
Starlings are small to medium-sized passerine birds. Their flight is strong and direct and they are very gregarious. Their preferred habitat is fairly open country. They eat insects and fruit. Plumage is typically dark with a metallic sheen.
| width=25% | Common name | width=25% | Binomial | width=50% | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sturnus vulgaris | Introduced | ||||
| Creatophora cinerea | |||||
| Pastor roseus | Vagrant | ||||
| Acridotheres tristis | Introduced | ||||
| Cinnyricinclus leucogaster | |||||
| Onychognathus nabouroup | |||||
| Onychognathus morio | |||||
| Notopholia corusca | |||||
| Lamprotornis australis | |||||
| Lamprotornis mevesii | |||||
| Lamprotornis bicolor | SLE endemic (see note)[13] | ||||
| Lamprotornis chloropterus | Vagrant | ||||
| Lamprotornis chalybaeus | |||||
| Lamprotornis nitens |
Order: PasseriformesFamily: Turdidae
The thrushes are a group of passerine birds that occur mainly in the Old World. They are plump, soft plumaged, small to medium-sized insectivores or sometimes omnivores, often feeding on the ground. Many have attractive songs.
| width=25% | Common name | width=25% | Binomial | width=50% | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Geokichla guttata | Endangered | ||||
| Geokichla gurneyi | |||||
| Turdus litsitsirupa | |||||
| Turdus libonyana | |||||
| Turdus olivaceus | |||||
| Turdus smithi |
Order: PasseriformesFamily: Muscicapidae
Old World flycatchers are a large group of small passerine birds native to the Old World. They are mainly small arboreal insectivores. The appearance of these birds is highly varied, but they mostly have weak songs and harsh calls.
| width=25% | Common name | width=25% | Binomial | width=50% | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Muscicapa adusta | |||||
| Muscicapa striata | |||||
| Bradornis mariquensis | |||||
| Agricola pallidus | |||||
| Agricola infuscatus | |||||
| Fraseria plumbea | |||||
| Fraseria caerulescens | |||||
| Melaenornis silens | |||||
| Melaenornis pammelaina | |||||
| Cercotrichas coryphoeus | |||||
| Cercotrichas signata | |||||
| Cercotrichas quadrivirgata | |||||
| Cercotrichas galactotes | Vagrant | ||||
| Cercotrichas paena | |||||
| Cercotrichas leucophrys | |||||
| Cossypha caffra | |||||
| Cossypha humeralis | |||||
| Cossypha heuglini | |||||
| Cossypha natalensis | |||||
| Cossypha dichroa | |||||
| Cichladusa arquata | Vagrant | ||||
| Pogonocichla stellata | |||||
| Irania gutturalis | Vagrant | ||||
| Luscinia luscinia | Vagrant | ||||
| Ficedula hypoleuca | Vagrant | ||||
| Ficedula albicollis | Vagrant | ||||
| Phoenicurus phoenicurus | Vagrant | ||||
| Monticola brevipes | |||||
| Monticola explorator | near threatened | ||||
| Monticola rupestris | SLE endemic (see note)[14] | ||||
| Saxicola rubetra | Vagrant | ||||
| Saxicola torquatus | |||||
| Campicoloides bifasciatus | |||||
| Emarginata sinuata | |||||
| Emarginata schlegelii | |||||
| Emarginata tractrac | |||||
| Thamnolaea cinnamomeiventris | |||||
| Myrmecocichla formicivora | |||||
| Myrmecocichla monticola | |||||
| Myrmecocichla arnotti | |||||
| Oenanthe oenanthe | Vagrant | ||||
| Oenanthe pileata | |||||
| Oenanthe pleschanka | Vagrant | ||||
| Oenanthe familiaris | |||||
| Pinarornis plumosus | Vagrant |
Order: PasseriformesFamily: Promeropidae
The two species in this family are restricted to southern Africa. They have brownish plumage, a long downcurved bill, and long tail feathers.
| width=25% | Common name | width=25% | Binomial | width=50% | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Promerops gurneyi | Near-threatened | ||||
| Promerops cafer | endemic |
Order: PasseriformesFamily: Nectariniidae
The sunbirds and spiderhunters are very small passerine birds which feed largely on nectar, although they will also take insects, especially when feeding young. Flight is fast and direct on their short wings. Most species can take nectar by hovering like a hummingbird, but usually perch to feed.
| width=25% | Common name | width=25% | Binomial | width=50% | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anthreptes reichenowi | Vagrant | ||||
| Hedydipna collaris | |||||
| Anthobaphes violacea | Endemic | ||||
| Cyanomitra olivacea | |||||
| Cyanomitra veroxii | |||||
| Chalcomitra amethystina | |||||
| Chalcomitra senegalensis | |||||
| Nectarinia famosa | |||||
| Cinnyris chalybeus | |||||
| Cinnyris neergaardi | Near threatened | ||||
| Cinnyris afer | SLE endemic | ||||
| Cinnyris mariquensis | |||||
| Cinnyris bifasciatus | |||||
| Cinnyris talatala | |||||
| Cinnyris venustus | Vagrant | ||||
| Cinnyris fuscus |
Order: PasseriformesFamily: Ploceidae
The weavers are small passerine birds related to the finches. They are seed-eating birds with rounded conical bills. The males of many species are brightly coloured, usually in red or yellow and black. Some species show variation in colour only in the breeding season.
| width=25% | Common name | width=25% | Binomial | width=50% | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bubalornis niger | |||||
| Sporopipes squamifrons | |||||
| Plocepasser mahali | |||||
| Philetairus socius | |||||
| Anaplectes rubriceps | |||||
| Ploceus ocularis | |||||
| Ploceus capensis | Endemic | ||||
| Ploceus subaureus | |||||
| Ploceus xanthops | |||||
| Ploceus xanthopterus | |||||
| Ploceus intermedius | |||||
| Ploceus velatus | |||||
| Ploceus cucullatus | |||||
| Ploceus rubiginosus | Vagrant | ||||
| Ploceus bicolor | |||||
| Quelea erythrops | |||||
| Quelea quelea | |||||
| Euplectes orix | |||||
| Euplectes afer | |||||
| Euplectes capensis | |||||
| Euplectes albonotatus | |||||
| Euplectes ardens | |||||
| Euplectes axillaris | |||||
| Euplectes progne | |||||
| Amblyospiza albifrons |
Order: PasseriformesFamily: Estrildidae
The estrildid finches are small passerine birds of the Old World tropics and Australasia. They are gregarious and often colonial seed eaters with short thick but pointed bills. They are all similar in structure and habits, but have wide variation in plumage colours and patterns.
| width=25% | Common name | width=25% | Binomial | width=50% | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spermestes cucullata | |||||
| Spermestes fringilloides | |||||
| Spermestes bicolor | (see note)[15] | ||||
| Coccopygia melanotis | |||||
| Mandingoa nitidula | |||||
| Brunhilda erythronotos | |||||
| Glaucestrilda perreini | |||||
| Estrilda astrild | |||||
| Ortygospiza atricollis | |||||
| Amadina fasciata | |||||
| Amadina erythrocephala | |||||
| Amandava subflava | |||||
| Uraeginthus granatina | |||||
| Uraeginthus angolensis | |||||
| Pytilia melba | |||||
| Pytilia afra | |||||
| Hypargos niveoguttatus | |||||
| Hypargos margaritatus | |||||
| Lagonosticta senegala | |||||
| Lagonosticta rubricata | |||||
| Lagonosticta rhodopareia |
Order: PasseriformesFamily: Viduidae
The indigobirds are finch-like species which usually have black or indigo predominating in their plumage. All are brood parasites which lay their eggs in the nests of estrildid finches.
| width=25% | Common name | width=25% | Binomial | width=50% | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vidua macroura | |||||
| Vidua obtusa | Vagrant | ||||
| Vidua paradisaea | |||||
| Vidua regia | |||||
| Vidua chalybeata | |||||
| Vidua wilsoni | |||||
| Vidua funerea | |||||
| Vidua purpurascens | |||||
| Anomalospiza imberbis |
Order: PasseriformesFamily: Passeridae
Sparrows are small passerine birds. In general, sparrows tend to be small, plump, brown, or grey birds with short tails and short powerful beaks. Sparrows are seed eaters, but they also consume small insects.
| width=25% | Common name | width=25% | Binomial | width=50% | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Passer domesticus | Introduced | ||||
| Passer motitensis | |||||
| Passer melanurus | |||||
| Passer diffusus | |||||
| Gymnoris superciliaris |
Order: PasseriformesFamily: Motacillidae
Motacillidae is a family of small passerine birds with medium to long tails. They are slender ground-feeding insectivores of open country.
| width=25% | Common name | width=25% | Binomial | width=50% | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Motacilla capensis | |||||
| Motacilla clara | |||||
| Motacilla cinerea | Vagrant | ||||
| Motacilla flava | |||||
| Motacilla citreola | Vagrant | ||||
| Motacilla aguimp | |||||
| Motacilla alba | Vagrant | ||||
| Anthus cinnamomeus | |||||
| Anthus hoeschi | near threatened | ||||
| Anthus nicholsoni | |||||
| Anthus leucophrys | |||||
| Anthus vaalensis | |||||
| Anthus lineiventris | |||||
| Anthus crenatus | SLE endemic | ||||
| Anthus trivialis | Vagrant | ||||
| Anthus cervinus | Vagrant | ||||
| Anthus brachyurus | |||||
| Anthus caffer | |||||
| Tmetothylacus tenellus | Vagrant | ||||
| Hemimacronyx chloris | Endemic (see note),[16] vulnerable | ||||
| Macronyx capensis | |||||
| Macronyx croceus | |||||
| Macronyx ameliae |
Order: PasseriformesFamily: Fringillidae
Finches are seed-eating passerine birds that are small to moderately large and have a strong beak, usually conical and in some species very large. All have twelve tail feathers and nine primaries. These birds have a bouncing flight with alternating bouts of flapping and gliding on closed wings, and most sing well.
| width=25% | Common name | width=25% | Binomial | width=50% | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fringilla coelebs | Introduced | ||||
| Crithagra mozambica | |||||
| Crithagra scotops | SLS endemic | ||||
| Crithagra atrogularis | |||||
| Crithagra citrinipectus | |||||
| Crithagra sulphurata | |||||
| Crithagra flaviventris | |||||
| Crithagra albogularis | |||||
| Crithagra leucoptera | Endemic; near threatened | ||||
| Crithagra mennelli | |||||
| Crithagra gularis | |||||
| Crithagra totta | Endemic | ||||
| Crithagra symonsi | SLS endemic | ||||
| Serinus canicollis | |||||
| Serinus alario |
Order: PasseriformesFamily: Emberizidae
The emberizids are a large family of passerine birds. They are seed-eating birds with distinctively shaped bills. In Europe, most species are called buntings. Many emberizid species have distinctive head patterns.
| width=25% | Common name | width=25% | Binomial | width=50% | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Emberiza hortulana | Vagrant | ||||
| Emberiza flaviventris | |||||
| Emberiza capensis | |||||
| Emberiza impetuani | |||||
| Emberiza tahapisi |