Sprit of Namibia

 

Namibia Extreme Landscapes


13-22 October 2023

Geography - note 
Namibia is the first country in the world to incorporate the protection of the environment into its constitution; some 14% of the land is protected, including virtually the entire Namib Desert coastal strip.

Namibia.officially the Republic of Namibia, is a country in Southern Africa. Its western border is the Atlantic Ocean. It shares land borders with Zambia and Angola to the north, Botswana to the east and South Africa to the south and east. Although it does not border Zimbabwe, less than 200 metres (660 feet) of the Botswanan right bank of the Zambezi River separates the two countries. Its capital and largest city is Windhoek.

นามิเบีย

ชื่อของประเทศได้มาจากทะเลทรายนามิบ ซึ่งเป็นทะเลทรายที่เก่าแก่ที่สุดในโลก คำว่านามิบนั้นมีต้นกำเนิดมาจากนามาและแปลว่า "สถานที่อันกว้างใหญ่" ชื่อนี้ถูกเลือกโดย Mburumba Kerina ซึ่งแต่เดิมเสนอชื่อเป็น "สาธารณรัฐนามิบ" ก่อนที่นามิเบียจะได้รับเอกราชในปี พ.ศ. 2533 ดินแดนของตนเป็นที่รู้จักในชื่อแอฟริกาตะวันตกเฉียงใต้ของเยอรมัน (Deutsch-Südwestafrika) และต่อมาเป็นแอฟริกาตะวันตกเฉียงใต้ ซึ่งสะท้อนถึงการยึดครองอาณานิคมของชาวเยอรมันและแอฟริกาใต้ตามลำดับ

ประชากร
1.8 ล้าน. ประเทศนี้มีความหนาแน่นของประชากร 1.7 คนต่อตารางกิโลเมตร ซึ่งเป็นหนึ่งในประเทศที่ต่ำที่สุดในโลก และมีการเติบโตของประชากรปีละ 3.1% ซึ่งเป็นหนึ่งในประเทศที่สูงที่สุดในแอฟริกา

เศรษฐกิจ

ขึ้นอยู่กับการสกัดและการแปรรูปแร่เพื่อการส่งออกเหลัก การทำเหมืองคิดเป็น 20% ของ GDP แหล่งสะสมเพชรจากลุ่มน้ำที่อุดมสมบูรณ์ทำให้นามิเบียเป็นแหล่งเพชรคุณภาพอัญมณีลำดับต้นต้น นามิเบียเป็นผู้ส่งออกแร่ที่ไม่ใช่เชื้อเพลิงรายใหญ่อันดับสี่ในแอฟริกา ผู้ผลิตยูเรเนียมรายใหญ่อันดับห้าของโลก และเป็นผู้ผลิตตะกั่ว สังกะสี ดีบุก เงิน และทังสเตนในปริมาณมากอย่างไรก็ตาม ภาคเหมืองแร่มีการจ้างงานเพียงประมาณ 3% ของประชากร ในขณะที่ประมาณครึ่งหนึ่งของประชากรขึ้นอยู่กับการเกษตรกรรมเพื่อยังชีพเพื่อการดำรงชีวิต โดยปกตินามิเบียนำเข้าธัญพืชประมาณ 50% ของความต้องการ ในช่วงฤดูแล้งการขาดแคลนอาหารเป็นปัญหาสำคัญในพื้นที่ชนบท GDP ต่อหัวที่สูงเมื่อเทียบกับภูมิภาค ซ่อนความไม่เท่าเทียมกันอย่างมากของการกระจายรายได้ เกือบหนึ่งในสามของชาวนามิเบียมีรายได้ต่อปีน้อยกว่า 1,400 ดอลลาร์ในปี 1994 ตามการศึกษาในปี 1993 เศรษฐกิจของนามิเบียมีความเชื่อมโยงอย่างใกล้ชิดกับแอฟริกาใต้ โดยเงินดอลลาร์นามิเบียผูกติดกับแรนด์ของแอฟริกาใต้ การแปรรูปรัฐวิสาหกิจหลายแห่งในปีต่อๆ ไปอาจกระตุ้นการลงทุนจากต่างประเทศในระยะยาว การทำเหมืองสังกะสี ทองแดง และเงิน รวมถึงการผลิตปลาที่เพิ่มขึ้นทำให้เกิดการเติบโตในปี 2546-2548

[ UN]

ด้วยพื้นที่ 825,615 ตารางกิโลเมตร (318,772 ตารางไมล์) นามิเบียจึงเป็นประเทศที่ใหญ่เป็นอันดับ 34 ของโลก (รองจากเวเนซุเอลา) พื้นที่ส่วนใหญ่อยู่ระหว่างละติจูด 17° ถึง 29°S (พื้นที่เล็กๆ อยู่ทางเหนือของ 17°) และลองจิจูด 11° ถึง 26°E

นามิเบียตั้งอยู่ระหว่างทะเลทรายนามิบและทะเลทรายคาลาฮารี และมีปริมาณฝนตกน้อยที่สุดในประเทศในแอฟริกาตอนใต้ทะเลทรายซาฮารา

ภูมิทัศน์ของนามิเบียโดยทั่วไปประกอบด้วยพื้นที่ทางภูมิศาสตร์ 5 แห่ง แต่ละพื้นที่มีสภาพไม่มีชีวิตและพืชพรรณที่มีลักษณะเฉพาะ โดยมีการเปลี่ยนแปลงภายในและทับซ้อนกัน: ที่ราบลุ่มตอนกลาง นามิบ เนินชันใหญ่ บุชเวลด์ และทะเลทรายคาลาฮารี

ที่ราบสูงกลางทอดยาวจากเหนือจรดใต้ ล้อมรอบด้วยชายฝั่งสเกลตันทางตะวันตกเฉียงเหนือ ทะเลทรายนามิบและที่ราบชายฝั่งทางตะวันตกเฉียงใต้ แม่น้ำออเรนจ์ทางทิศใต้ และทะเลทรายคาลาฮารีทางทิศตะวันออก ที่ราบสูงกลางเป็นที่ตั้งของจุดที่สูงที่สุดในนามิเบียที่ระดับความสูงเคอนิกชไตน์ 2,606 เมตร (8,550 ฟุต)

นามิบเป็นพื้นที่กว้างใหญ่ของที่ราบกรวดและเนินทรายที่แห้งแล้งมากซึ่งทอดยาวไปตามแนวชายฝั่งของนามิเบีย มีความกว้างแตกต่างกันไประหว่าง 100 ถึง 200 กิโลเมตร (60 และ 120 ไมล์) พื้นที่ภายในนามิบ ได้แก่ ชายฝั่งสเกเลตันและเกาโคเวลด์ทางตอนเหนือ และทะเลทรายนามิบที่กว้างขวางตามแนวชายฝั่งตอนกลาง

ทะเลทราย Kalahari ซึ่งเป็นพื้นที่แห้งแล้งที่ทอดยาวไปสู่แอฟริกาใต้และบอตสวานา เป็นหนึ่งในลักษณะทางภูมิศาสตร์ที่รู้จักกันดีของนามิเบีย Kalahari แม้จะเป็นที่รู้จักกันอย่างแพร่หลายว่าเป็นทะเลทราย แต่ก็มีสภาพแวดล้อมที่หลากหลาย รวมถึงพื้นที่เขียวขจีและไม่ใช่ทะเลทรายในทางเทคนิคด้วย Succulent Karoo เป็นบ้านของพืชมากกว่า 5,000 สายพันธุ์ ซึ่งเกือบครึ่งหนึ่งเป็นพืชประจำถิ่น พืชอวบน้ำประมาณ 10 เปอร์เซ็นต์ของโลกพบได้ใน Karoo  เหตุผลที่อยู่เบื้องหลังผลผลิตสูงและถิ่นกำเนิดถิ่นนี้อาจเป็นเพราะลักษณะการตกตะกอนที่ค่อนข้างคงที่

การเดินทาง

ทริปนี้เราจะอยู่โซนนามิบ

นามิเบีย🇳🇦 day 0
จากสุวรรณภูมิผ่าน อินโดจีน ผ่านอ่าวเบงกอลบินข้ามอินเดียมาก็มาข้ามทะเบอาริเบียนเข้าสู่ทวีปแอฟริกา หลับๆตื่นๆแต่ก็ไม่เมื่อยอย่างที่คิด 


ทริปนี่เราแวะเปลี่ยนเครื่องที่เอธิโอเปีย สนามบินก็ประมาณน้องๆดอนเมืองแต่โดยรวมก็ลบภาพความทรงจำภาพที่เราเคยเห็นในทีวีบ้านเราที่โปรโมทภาพเด็กตาโปนๆกินดินเยอะเลย เครื่องบินก็ดูใหม่ๆทันสมัย การบริการที่สนามบินรวดเร็วไม่เวิ่นเว้อ ทำให้พวกเรามีเวลาเหลือไปซื้อกาแฟเอธิโอเปียที่ขึ้นชื่อว่าเป็นกาแฟที่ดีที่สุดในโลกไปฝากคอกาแฟที่บ้านกันได้คนละละห่อเล็กบ้างใหญ่บ้างตามอัฐภาพ 

นามิเบีย🇳🇦Day1
การเดินทางช่วงที่2 เรายังคงใช้เอธิโอเปียนแอร์ เหมือนเดิมแต่ไฟลท์นี้ผู้โดยสารเริ่มน้อยลง มีคนไทยอยู่ 2 กลุ่มใหญ่  ที่นั่งว่างเหยียดแขนขาสบายทำให้สามารถงีบหลับได้เรื่อยๆตลอดการเดิน อาหาร2 มื้อเหมือนเดิม 



ทริปนี้เป็นการบินผ่านภาคพื้นดินหลายประทศที่ล้วนเป็นที่ราบสูงทะเลทราย มีป่าชุ่มแหล่งน้ำเป็นหย่อมๆ ออกเดินทาง8โมงกว่า บ่าย2 ถึงเป้าหมาย สนามบินนานาชาติ โฮเซยาคูตาโค 




ที่ wind hoek เมืองหลวงของนามีเบีย เป็นสนามบินเล็กๆน่ารัก สะอาดทันสมัย แต่การบริการยังเป็นระบบแมนนวลมากๆขอบอก เชื่องช้าทุกขั้นตอนขอบอก ตั้งแต่กรอกเอกสาร ตม.และขอวีซ่าออนอะไรว่อน จนสุดท้ายแลกเงินที่เคาน์เตอร์สนามบิน ใช้เวลาพอกับกานนั่งเครื่องมาถึงที่นีเลยทีเดียว และสิ่งที่พึงระวังคือการ ขอทิปแบบทื่อๆที่มีอยู่ทุกขบวนการเลยก็ว่าได้  ในที่สุดพวกเราก็หลุดจากสนามบินมาได้ ก็นั่งรถกลับที่พักเพราะหมดเวลา ไม่สามารถไปชมนกชมไม้ที่ไหนได้

Windhoek
Capital of Namibia

Windhoek is the capital of Namibia, in the country’s central highlands. South of the city, the sprawling Heroes’ Acre war memorial commemorates Namibia’s 1990 independence. On a hilltop in the city center are the 1890s Alte Feste, a former military headquarters with historical exhibits, and Independ ― Google…

       ที่พักวันแรก เราจะอยู่ชานเมืองหลวง บ้านเมืองนี้แม้โดนรอบจะดูแห้งแล้งแต่บ้านเมืองดูสะอาดเรียบร้อยมากตัวบ้านและอาคารจะคุมเป็นสีเอิร์ทโทน ดูอบอุ่น ทันสมัยสายไฟเดินท่อใต้ดินไม่รกรุงรังทีเป็นอะเมซิ่งแบบบ้านเรา รถราก็เป็นรถยุโรบสภาพใหม่เกือบทั้งถนน ดูไม่เป็นแอฟริกาแบบที่คิดไว้เลยสักนิด แต่ก็มีคนจูงลูกมาถือกระป๋องขอเศษเงินอยู่บนถนน ให้เห็นอยู่ดาษดื่นเช่นกัน..

   Namibia 🇳🇦 Day2
เช้านี้เช็คเอาท์ รร.Town Lodge, wind hoek นัดรถมารับ 7 โมง ถึงเวลาแจ้งว่าจะมาถึง9 โมง ต้องรออีก 2 ชมฺ. พลิกวิกฤตให้เป็นโอกาส ก็พากันเดิน ชมนกชมไม้ในเมือง

ดูแถวหน้าโรงแรมจบ ก็เดินไปต่อที่พื้นที่ว่างเปล่าข้างๆโรงแรมมีทุ่งหญ้าให้นกหากินบินเล่น พวกเซียนๆก็ได้ภาพนกสวยๆกันมาหลายชนิด แต่ตัวฉันก็ได้แค่เงาๆเพียงเท่านี้เอง.. ชมลิสต์นกและภาพสวยๆของ พี่หมอArgrit Boonsanguan ได้ตามลิ้งค์นี้ https://www.facebook.com/100000557575446/posts/7392704410758071/?mibextid=cr9u03


14 Oct 202307:30

Town Lodge Windhoek, Khomas, NA

White-rumped SwiftApus caffer

Small, lithe swift with a long and deeply forked tail that is often held closed, and long and slender wings. Note the pale tips to the inner part of the trailing wing in flight. The dark body contrasts strongly with the narrow white rump and throat. Mostly quiet. Breeds in old Red-rumped Swallow nests.

Rock MartinPtyonoprogne fuligula

A small brownish member of the swallow family. Note the slightly forked tail with white spots. Varies throughout range, from whitish gray in the northern Persian Gulf to dark brown with rust-brown underparts in central and eastern Africa; most populations are intermediate, brown above and pale below. In areas of overlap, averages smaller and paler than the very similar Eurasian Crag-Martin, with underwing coverts that are only slightly darker than the rest of the wing. At a distance, can be confused with “Riparia” martins; look for present species’ bright white tail patches. Nests in canyons, escarpments, and gorges, as well as towns and villages; often in arid areas. Often seen in pairs or small groups; in winter congregates in larger flocks. Not very noisy; sometimes gives a short, dry trill.

Cape WagtailMotacilla capensis

long-tailed bird with a brownish back, pale underparts, and a black chest band. White outer tail is conspicuous in flight. Found in most open habitats, especially those near water. Feeds by walking along the ground, bobbing its tail constantly. Call is a buzzy “tseeei” that is often doubled. Song is a complex jumble of different repeated notes. Similar to Mountain Wagtail but has brown rather than gray upperparts, and Cape has less white in the wings and tail. Also similar to juvenile African Pied Wagtail but lacks a white panel in the wing.

Scaly WeaverSporopipes squamifrons

A very small, sandy-colored finch-like weaver with a scaly crown, a pale pink bill, and a black moustache on a white throat that gives it a fierce-looking expression. Small groups are resident and nomadic in grassy arid savanna, where there are trees and scrub nearby in which to build their untidy oval grass nests. The species sometimes gives a soft, reedy “cheet-cheet-cheet” flight call. The Sociable Weaver is much larger than the Scaly Weaver, with a blue-gray bill.

Black-chested PriniaPrinia flavicans

An active, unstreaked warbler with a long graduated tail that is sometimes cocked. It is yellowish below with a distinct white throat. When breeding it has a broad dark chest band (narrower in the female) that is reduced or absent in northern populations. Pairs inhabit arid savanna, shrubland, and gardens, where they glean small insects from leaves. The species’ typical song is a dry harsh “dziiip” note repeated 10-30 times in rapid succession. The similar Tawny-flanked Prinia may resemble non-breeding Black-chested Prinia, but Tawny-flanked can be identified by the rusty wings and lack of yellowish underparts.

Saturday morning 14th Oct…. 
Move to Walvis Bay 395 km away
   

เก้าโมงนิดหน่อย เราออกเดินทางจาก วินฮูก ( แต่ที่ถูกเค้าออกเสียงกันว่า วินดู๊ก)ตามเส้นทางมุ่งลงไปทางเหนือเป็น ถนน4 เลน สภาพดีถึงจะไม่เรียบกริป เป็นถนนหลักวิ่งขนานไปกับทางรถไฟ ออกจากเมืองมานิดหน่อยก็ก็ผ่านชุมชนแออัดที่คงจะเป็นที่อยู่ของชนใช้แรงงานที่ไม่ไปกระจุกอยู่ในเมืองหลวงซึ่งดูผู้คนเบาบางมากถ้าเทียบก็แถวเอเชีย 

รถวิ่งประมาณ ชั่วโมงก็ผ่านย่านนิคมอุตสาหกรรมมีโรงงานใหญ่หลายโรง และ ต่อไปเราก็แยกมุ่งหน้าไปทางตะวันตกเป็นถถน2 เลน ลาดยาง 

 ชุมชนเริ่มเบาบางเช่นเดียวกับต้นไม้และ…ในที่สุดก็ผ่านจุดที่ไม่พบชุมชนอีกเลย ถึงจุดหนึ่งเราเห็นกลุ่มควัน อยู่ข้างหน้าใจคิดว่าไฟไหม้หญ้าสองข้างทางแล้วแห้งแล้งแบบนี้จะลุกลามไปใหญ่หรือปล่าว แต่วิ่งมาได้สักแป๊ป ก็โล่งใจเมื่อเห็นต้นตอของกลั่มควันก็คือเจ้ารถไฟขนส่งสินค้านี่เอง เป็นขบวนรถที่ไม่มีตู้โดยสารและเป็นขบวนเดียวที่เจอตลอดการเดินทาง

ใกล้เที่ยงก็ถึงครึ่งทาง เริ่มมีชุมชน มีที่พัก มี้ร้านอาหาร เราแวะเข้าห้องน้ำที่ปั๊มน้ำมัน คนละ 5 เหรียญนามิเบีย ยืดเส้นสายกันพอหายเมื่อยก็ออกเดินทางต่อ สองข้างทางเริ่มเป็นทะเลทราย ต้นไม้ขนาดเล็กลงและเบาบางกว่าเดิม แต่ก็น่าแปลกที่ยังมีลวดตาข่ายกั้นสองข้างทางตลอดแนวเหมือนเดิม( มาดูที่หลังจึงรู้ว่าเป็นพื้นที่อุทยานแห่งชาตินี่เอง)   …จนถึง สวาคอฟมุน

@Swamopmund

14.30น เราแวะทานอาหารเที่ยงกัน หัวหน้าทริปบอกว่าทริปนี้ให้เรากินกันตามสภาพ ตามมีตามเกิดแล้วกัน ก็เลยจัดกันเต็มตามนี้

ชอบเมืองนี้ร้านรวง น่ารักอาหารทะเล  อร่อยราคาไม่แพงมาก สีรถแบบนี้ก็ชอบแต่CROSSบ้านเราไม่มีสีนี้ให้เลือก





















 
Swakopmund is a coastal city in Namibia, west of the capital, Windhoek. Its sandy beaches face the Atlantic Ocean. Established by German colonists in 1892, the city’s colonial landmarks include the Swakopmund Lighthouse and the Mole, an old sea wall. Next to the lighthouse, the Swakopmund Museum documents Namibian history. Inland, the elegant Swakopmund Railway Station, now a hotel, also dates to the colonial era. ― Google

14 Oct 2023

15:45

Swakopmund--Swakop River Mouth, Erongo, NA

Hartlaub's GullChroicocephalus hartlaubii
A medium-sized, pale-gray-backed gull of coastal waters and human settlements. Breeding birds have dark eyes and a very faint chalky-gray hood, which non-breeding birds lack. This adaptable omnivore is the commonest gull of the Benguela Current, but its penchant for eating offal means it is expanding its range eastwards. The similar Gray-hooded Gull differs from Hartlaub’s Gull by being larger, having a yellowish-white eye, a longer redder bill, and a discrete grayish hood in breeding plumage. Immature Gray-hooded Gulls have a 

Kelp GullLarus dominicanus
Large dark-backed gull. Few similar species in much of its range. Usually coastal. Adults have black backs and wings with very little white in the flight feathers. The bill is very strong and robust and the legs are greenish-yellow. Juveniles have a dark brown back mottled with white, a black bill, and a dark band on the tail.

Cape SparrowPasser melanurus
A handsome, unstreaked, brightly colored sparrow with different-looking males and females. The male has a distinctive black head and throat with a striking white crescent extending from the eye around the ear. The female has a pale gray head with a diffuse pale crescent, similar in shape to the male’s. Pairs and small flocks are resident in a wide variety of natural and human-altered habitats. House and Great Rufous Sparrows have streaked backs and lack the distinctive facial pattern of the Cape Sparrow

Common Waxbill

Estrilda astrild
Tiny finch with short wings, a red bill, and a long tail. The body is largely gray with subtle dark bars, a prominent red mask and a dark vent. Bill is dark in juveniles. Normally encountered in noisy flocks in grassy and reedy areas; listen for distinctive descending wheezy calls. Often found in urban areas outside of its natural African range; introduced widely across the world, including the Iberian Peninsula, Taiwan, Puerto Rico, Brazil, and various Indian and Pacific Ocean islands.

Speckled PigeonColumba guinea
Big, dark pigeon with white spots across the shoulder and a big red patch of bare skin around the eye. In flight, shows a gray tail band and rump. Found in many different open habitats, and nests in towns and cities and on cliffs. Only absent from thick forest. Common vocalizations are a “rrrour” call and an accelerating series of hoots. Somewhat similar to Rameron Pigeon, but largely absent from forest, and shows much larger wing spots and red rather than yellow bare facial skin

เส้นทางไปที่พัก ..

ถนนเลียบอ่าว Walvis Bay ฮวงจุ้ยดีหรือปล่าวนะ  มีบ้านพักตากอากาศทรงทันสมัยด้านหน้าเป็นชายหาด ด้านหลังเป็นทะเลทรายสีทอง ทุกอย่างดูกลมกลืนสบายตาแต่อากาศหนาวมากขอบอก

Langstrand

Langstrand is a small beach resort on the Atlantic coast in western Namibia. Langstrand and its neighboring sister resort Dolfynstrand lies between Walvis Bay and Swakopmund. The fact that these towns are sandwiched between the high sand dunes of the Namib Desert and the Atlantic Ocean, makes them quite unique. Wikipedia

14 Oct 2023
16:30

Walvis--Salt Pans (D1986), Erongo

Walvis Bay is Namibia's main seaport and located between the mouths of the Swakop and Kuiseb rivers on the Atlantic Ocean. On the south side of Walvis Bay is a great lagoon that attracts tens of thousands of birds, including many flamingos. The lagoon, salt pans and the bird sanctuary which form the Walvis Bay Wetlands are one of the most important coastal wetlands of southern Africa. Over 150,000 migrant birds spend the summer months in Walvis Bay and non-breeding palearctic, and intra-African species dominate. Possible sightings include over 150 species of bird that have been recorded in this region. You can see Greater Flamingo, Lesser Flamingo, Great White Pelican, Chestnut-banded Plover, African Oystercatcher, Cape Teal and Black-necked Grebe. But also European and northern Siberian migrants that travel between 10 000 and 14 000 kilometres to reach Walvis Bay each year. These long-distance travellers consist of Curlew Sandpiper, Sanderling, Grey Plover, Ruddy Turnstone, Little Stint, Marsh Sandpiper and Red Knot, Common Tern, Sandwich Tern, Caspian Tern and Black Tern.

Greater Flamingo

Phoenicopterus roseus

Distributed from Africa and southern Europe through West Asia to South Asia. Very large, with long, "coat hanger" neck, big kinked bill, and very long pinkish legs. Plumage at rest whitish with pale pink blush and some deep pink often visible on closed wings. Flies with long neck and legs extended, when deep pink-and-black wing pattern striking.




Explore the Mesmerizing Pink Lake at Walvis Bay, Namibia: A Stunning Travel Gem



Discover the mesmerizing beauty of Pink Lake in Walvis Bay, Namibia, a unique natural wonder featuring vibrant pink waters, a haven for flamingos, and captivating scenic views. Experience breathtaking landscapes, unforgettable wildlife encounters, and incredible photography opportunities at this astonishing coastal gem in the heart of Southern Africa.



Pink Lake, also known as 'Laguna Salada', gets its distinctive pink coloration due to the presence of Dunaliella salina, a type of micro-algae that thrives in the saline-rich environment of the lake. The unique blend of these algae, coupled with the high salt concentration and specific weather conditions, create the perfect recipe for a breathtaking display of natural wonder. The astonishing sight of the lake, surrounded by the picturesque dunes and pristine beaches of Walvis Bay, makes for the perfect sanctuary for travelers seeking a serene escape from the hustle and bustle of daily life.

โรงงานอุตสาหกรรมการผลิตเกลือ

ก่อนเข้าที่พัก เรามีเวลาเหลือไปชม #GreaterFlamingo ที่ลากูน มีเยอะคนานับ เก็บภาพกันจุใจก็อ้อมไปดูทะเสาบสีชมพู ที่เป็นบ่อชุบตัวของเจ้าฟลามิงโกเหล่านี้ตัไหนที่ขยันไปหากินที่นั่นก็จะได้แต้มโบนัสเป็นขนสีชมพูที่จะสวยเด่นกว่าตัวอื่นๆ ทะเลสาปที่ค่อนข้างเค็มจนเกล็ดเกลือตกผลึกเป็นประกายให้แวววับสวยงาม มีโรงงานอุตสาหกรรมผลิตเกลืออยู่ที่ด้วยโดยสูปน้ำเค็มไปเข้ากระบวนการผลิตเกลือ ไม่ได้ทำนาเกลือเหมือนบ้านเรา ขากลับชมถึงพระอาทิตยจะตกน้ำไปแล้ว แต่ฟลามิ่งโก้ส่วนหนึ่งก็ยังอ้อยอิ่งหากินอยู่ชิลๆ

  อาหารค่ที่ร้าน อาหารริมน้ำ

เช้าวันที่ 15 oct 2023

ที่#ลากูนบริเวณปากซอยหน้าที่พักเราได้มีโอกาสชมหลายลีลาของ #Lesser Flamingo และเพื่อน กันเต็มอิ่มหลังจากอาหารเช้าเบาๆ ก่อนออกเดินทางสถานีต่อไป








check-out  Lagoon Chalet (near Lagoon).




Birding

15 Oct 202307:35

Walvis Bay--Lagoon Promenade Rd & Esplanade (waterfront path & parks), Erongo, NA

Lesser FlamingoPhoeniconaias minor

The smallest flamingo in the world, with a dark bill and red legs. Note glowing red eyes in adults. Juveniles are gray-brown and darker than young Greater Flamingos. Found in alkaline lakes and coastal lagoons, where gathers in huge flocks to eat microscopic blue-green algae. Breeds on remote flats sheltered from predators. Migrates and breeds in response to changing environmental conditions.

Pied AvocetRecurvirostra avosetta

Striking and essentially unmistakable, with elegant shape, boldly pied plumage, long bluish-gray legs, and long, slender, upcurved bill. Curve is stronger on female. Usually breeds in small colonies; nesting birds call noisily. Nonbreeding flocks locally number in hundreds. Feeds while wading or swimming, sweeping its bill side to side. Most common in coastal wetlands and brackish lagoons and estuaries, but will also appear inland, particularly on or near large lakes.

15 Oct 202310:00

Walvis Bay--Bird Paradise, Erongo, NA

Walvis Bay Bird SanctuaryWalvis Bay Bird Sanctuary. The lagoon, salt pans and bird sanctuary which form the Walvis Bay Wetlands in Namibia. The are rightly heralded as the single most important coastal wetlands of Southern Africa. Over 150,000 migrant birds spend the summer months in Walvis Bay and non-breeding palearctic and intra-African species dominate.

Black-winged StiltHimantopus himantopus

Striking large black-and-white wader with a thin, straight bill and bright pink legs, found in wetlands with open shallow water throughout much of Africa and Eurasia, often in brackish habitats. Some populations are migratory, departing northerly breeding grounds for warmer southern regions. Often forms noisy colonies on bare ground near water. Essentially unmistakable throughout much of its range, but compare with Pied Stilt in parts of Southeast Asia. Feeds by wading in water, picking from the water surface with its needle-like bill. In flight, long pink legs stick out far beyond the tail. Calls loudly and stridently, especially when alarmed during the breeding season.

Eared GrebePodiceps nigricollis

 
Small, compact grebe with thin pointed bill. Breeding adults mostly black with chestnut flanks; look for wispy golden plumes on cheek and peaked head shape. In winter, grayish overall with a dark cap blending into the dark cheek, and a smudgy dark neck. Red eye visible at close range. Breeds on marshy ponds and lakes; during migration and winter, often seen on large lakes, bays, and open ocean. Compare with Horned Grebe, especially in winter. Eared is thinner-necked and smaller-headed, with more peaked crown, darker cheek, and no pale tip on bill.

Little StintCalidris minuta

 
Tiny shorebird with extensive range across Europe, Africa, and Asia. Very rare vagrant in North America. All ages show dark legs and a straight, fine-tipped bill. Adults in breeding plumage are variably flushed with bright rusty orange on the head, neck sides, and upperparts, usually brightest in mid- to late-summer. Compared with breeding Red-necked Stint, note white throat and more uniformly bright wing coverts and scapulars on Little. Juveniles are typically quite bright and neatly patterned above, often with bold white stripes or "braces" down the back, and have very black-centered wing coverts and tertials. Nonbreeding birds rather plain pale gray and extremely difficult to separate from other small “peeps”. Note bill shape and overall structure. Temminck’s has longer tail and more crouched posture; Red-necked has slightly shorter bill and legs and more attenuated wings. Found in fresh and brackish wetland habitats. Occurs locally in flocks; elsewhere singles travel with flocks of other waders.

Red-billed DuckAnas erythrorhyncha

This small duck has a solidly chocolate-brown ‘skull cap’, white cheeks, and a distinctive pink-red bill with a dark saddle. In flight, the buff flight feathers with a black stripe are distinctive on otherwise all-brown wings. It prefers foraging on open fresh water, with seeds and plant matter forming the majority of its diet. The similar Blue-billed Teal differs from Red-billed Duck by being smaller and having a silvery-blue bill and dark smudges on the cheeks. Cape Teal and Bernier’s Teal (the latter endemic to Madagascar) both lack the strongly contrasting face pattern of Red-billed Duck.





Kelp Gull



จบจากเขตรักษาพันธุ์เราจะไปล่องเรือในอ่าว
Walvis Bay
The Bay of Whales

Walvis Bay is a Namibian city situated at the Atlantic coast. The largest Namibian harbour is situated here. Between 55,000 and 65,000 people live in Walvis Bay depending on seasonal workers for the dominant fishing industry.

Walvis Bay.

เมืองนี้ตั้งอยู่ทางตอนเหนือของ tropic of capicornในสามเหลี่ยมปากแม่น้ำคูเซบ และตั้งอยู่สุดเส้นทางรถไฟ TransNamib ไปยังวินด์ฮุก และบนถนน B2 อ่าววอลวิสซึ่งมีอ่าวขนาดใหญ่และเนินทราย เป็นศูนย์กลางกิจกรรมการท่องเที่ยวที่สำคัญในนามิเบีย สถานที่ท่องเที่ยว ได้แก่ เกาะนกเทียม ศูนย์กลางอุตสาหกรรมเก็บขี้ค้างคาว เนินทราย Dune 7 โรงเกลือ ชีวิตนกที่อุดมสมบูรณ์ และพิพิธภัณฑ์ สนามกีฬา Kuisebmund ซึ่งเป็นที่ตั้งของสองสโมสรในพรีเมียร์ลีกนามิเบียก็ตั้งอยู่ในเมืองเช่นกัน รีสอร์ทริมชายหาดของ Langstrand ตั้งอยู่ทางเหนือเพียงไม่กี่กิโลเมตร เขตแปรรูปส่งออกวอลวิสเบย์เป็นส่วนสำคัญของเศรษฐกิจท้องถิ่น

Bay is a port town on the coast of Namibia. Sheltered by the Pelican Point sand spit, its tidal lagoon is home to abundant birdlife including flamingos, pelicans and Damara terns. The harbor is busy with fishing boats and ships. Dolphins, whales and Cape fur seals inhabit the Atlantic waters around the Pelican Point Lighthouse. East of the bay, coastal sand dunes like Dune 7 mark the start of the Namib Desert.




15 Oct 202312:00
Walvis Bay--Nearshore Waters, Erongo, NA


บ่าย2 เราลงเรือดูโลมา ในอ่าว
เรือออกจากท่าเทียบเรือ ไกด์สาวหุ่นสมบูรณ์แนะนำการใช้อุปกรณ์เซฟตี้เหมือนแอร์โฮสเตสยังไงยังงั้น ตามด้วยแนะนำโปรแกรมทัวร์ โลมาแล้วแต่ดวงส่วนแมวน้ำกับ เพลลิเก็น เจอแน่นอนว่างั้น อาหารว่างบนเรือตอนแรกคนขับรถของเราแจ้งว่าจะเป็นอาหารว่างเบาๆ เรายังรู้สึกหวั่นๆเพราะมื้อเที่ยงยังไม่ตกถึงท้องเลย แต่พอเอาเข้าจริงๆ ออเดิฟเป็นหอยนางรมสด จิ้มกินกันคนละตัวสองตัว ตามด้วยเนื้อย่าง มีไวน์โลคอล และตบด้วยขนม คนละจาน อิ่มไปหนึ่งมื้อ นอกเหนือจากชมธรรมชาติทะเลรอบข้างแล้ว ก็มีโชว์การให้อาหารนกนางนวล

Great White PelicanPelecanus onocrotalus

A large white waterbird with a hefty bill and a yellow-orange throat pouch. Note the pink bare skin around eye that extends towards the bill. Young birds have browner overall plumage relative to adults with brown upper wings and a brown head. Legs are pink. In flight shows dark flight feathers which contrast with the rest of the wing. Often seen fishing cooperatively, swimming in a wide arc to round up the fish and then scoop them into their pouch

Kelp GullLarus dominicanus

The kelp gull, also known as the Dominican gull, is a gull that breeds on coasts and islands through much of the Southern Hemisphere. The nominate L. d. dominicanus is the subspecies found around South America, parts of Australia, and New Zealand. L. d. vetula is a subspecies occurring around Southern Africa. Wikipedia







ซากเรือทอดสมอลอยลำอยู่กลางอ่าวกลายเป็นบ้านของนกกาน้ำ


ถึงจุดหมายหมายปลายทางไกด์สาวได้พูดถึงแมวน้ำอย่างยาวด้วยน้ำเสียงที่เศร้า ก่อนจบรายการปิดท้ายด้วยโชว์พิเศษ เรียกนกเพลลิเกนขึ้นดาดฟ้าเรือ น้องน่ารักมากเป็นกันเองกับคน พวกเราตื่นเต้นกันใหญ่ แถมท้ายด้วยเจ้าแมวน้ำขึ้นมาขออาหารแต่เสียใจ ให้เจ้านกยักษ์ไปหมดแล้วเศร้า…

Cape CormorantPhalacrocorax capensis

A medium-sized, glossy, marine cormorant that is frequently seen in enormous foraging flocks offshore; also dominates rocky coastal roosting sites. Combination of its rounded crestless head, orange throat pouch, and stunning turquoise eye easily identifies adults. Non-breeding and immature plumages are duller, but size and head shape are characteristic. It is the default marine cormorant within its range and forages in much deeper waters than other cormorants.





มีนกน้ำหลายชนิด ผชช.บอกว่าเป็น Greater Flamingo,Lessor Flamingo,Hartlaub’s Gull, Kelp Gull,Great-winged Petrel, Sooty Shearwater และ Cape Cormorant ไกลเกิน


เห็นเพลิแกน 1 ตัวถ้วน

Story of Seal hunting in Namibia



การคัดแยกแมวน้ำในนามิเบียเป็นประเด็นที่ถกเถียงกัน โดยกลุ่มสิทธิสัตว์คัดค้านการปฏิบัติดังกล่าวว่าโหดร้าย แต่รัฐบาลสนับสนุนและอ้างว่าจำนวนแมวน้ำขนสีน้ำตาลอาจสร้างความเสียหายให้กับอุตสาหกรรมประมงซึ่งเป็นยุทธศาสตร์ต่อเศรษฐกิจนามิเบีย การเก็บเกี่ยวแมวน้ำในนามิเบียมีเป้าหมายอยู่ที่ลูกแมวน้ำ 86,000 ตัว และวัวโตเต็มวัย 6,000 ตัว[ไม่แน่ชัดว่าเมื่อไร] การเก็บเกี่ยวแมวน้ำนี้เกิดขึ้นในสามแห่ง: Cape Cross, Wolf Bay และ Atlas Bay [การตรวจสอบล้มเหลว]
แมวน้ำกินปลา และผู้ที่สนับสนุนการฝึกคัดแมวน้ำกล่าวหาว่าการเก็บเกี่ยวแมวน้ำมีความจำเป็นในการปกป้องทรัพยากรของปลา ตามข้อมูลของกระทรวงประมง การเก็บเกี่ยวแมวน้ำได้ดึงดูดการลงทุนโดยตรงจากต่างประเทศ เช่น กลุ่ม Hatem Yavuz ซึ่งเชี่ยวชาญในการแปรรูปและส่งออกหนังแมวน้ำ [ต้องการอ้างอิง] นักวิทยาศาสตร์นานาชาติได้ค้นคว้าความเป็นไปได้ของการปลูกถ่ายจากเนื้อเยื่อแมวน้ำและการใช้แมวน้ำ ลิ้นหัวใจสำหรับการผ่าตัดหัวใจของมนุษย์[จำเป็นต้องมีการตรวจสอบ]

ตั้งแต่ปี 2548 ถึง 2558 นามิเบียได้ส่งออกหนังซีลเกือบ 400,000 ชิ้น นอกจากแคนาดาและกรีนแลนด์แล้ว นามิเบียยังเป็นหนึ่งในสถานที่สุดท้ายที่มีการล่าแมวน้ำเพื่อการค้า ประเทศได้กำหนดโควต้าการล่าสัตว์ประจำปีไว้ที่ลูกแมวน้ำเคปเฟอร์ 80,000 ตัวและวัว 6,000 ตัว ตามรายงานของหนังสือพิมพ์นามิเบีย "นามิเบีย" กระทรวงประมงและทรัพยากรทางทะเลของนามิเบียได้อนุมัติโควต้านี้ให้เก็บเกี่ยวในช่วงเดือนกรกฎาคม พ.ศ. 2566


ขาวกกลับเรือจะแล่นชิดฝั่งแผ่นดินมองเห็นเรือหลากหลายชนิดจอบเทียบท่าเมือง วาวิสเบย์ ทีแบคกราวด์จะเป็นดูนซึ่งมีฝุ่นทรายสะท้อนขึ้นสู่ท้องฟ้าเหมือนหมอกสีสีแดง















กลับคืนสู่แผ่นดินสีทอง
Dune 7 start mark of Namib desert


Namib-Naukluft National Park is a place of extremes—vibrant orange dunes stand tall against an endless blue sky, and strangely twisted trees cut across the landscapes. Visitors flock to stare down at the wild Atlantic Ocean from the top of the highest dunes in the world, and wildlife lovers will be shocked by the diversity of flora and fauna in this harsh environment.


Namibia🇳🇦 Day3 @ Dune
สถานีสุดท้ายวันนี้เป็นการมาสัมผัสทะเลทรายนุ่มเย็นบนดูน แต่เราไม่ได้ไปที่ #Dune7 เพราะที่นั่นจะสูงไปวัยรุ่นคงปีนกันไม่ถึงยอด และที่สำคัญ ดูนนนี้คนน้อย แถวฟรีอีกต่างหาก จบทริปไปอีกวัน คืนนี้นอนสวาคอฟมุน เมืองทีชอบมาก










บนยอดดูนลมจะค่อนข้างแรงเราจะเห็นมีหรายปลิวไหลตาม แรงลมอยู่ตลอดเวลาคงทำให้รูปทรงของดูนเปลี่ยนไปจากเดิมอยู่ทุกเมื่อเชื่อวัน




· 1800 Dinner time. check-in The Mole Guest House, Swakopmund.

มื้อเย็นทานร้านอาหารทะเล ริมทะเล อร่อยเหมือนเดิมเแต่เพิ่มเติมคือบรรยากาศ  เมนูปปลา แนะนำคือ Kingklip แพงกว่าเพื่อนแต่ของดีของท้องถิ่นต้องลองสักครั้ง

Although they possess scales they appear quite small and thin, which makes them difficult to spot.

©Annals of the South African Museum (= Annale van die Suid-Afrikaanse Museum), Vol. 21, 1927. Plate XXXV, fig. 5: “Genypterus capensis (Smth.) (after Smith)” via https://www.flickr.com/photos/internetarchivebookimages/14580726258/ – License

Kingklip Distribution, Population, and Habitat

You can find them in the warm waters off the coasts of southern Africa. They range from Walvis Bay on the coast of central Namibia to Algoa Bay in southern South Africa. Juveniles prefer shallow water while adults live in deeper habitats. Mature kingklip frequently inhabit depths between 820 and 1,150 feet below the surface. However, you can find them anywhere from 160 to 1,640 feet below sea level. Kingklip are bottom-dwellers that thrive in rocky environments with plenty of cover. They often live in and around coral reefs and caves along the continental slope. 

         Kingklip vary in size and appearance but share a number of similarities. On average, they measure around 3 feet long and weigh about 10 pounds, with females measuring larger than males. However, they can grow up to 6 feet long and weigh nearly 50 pounds. The body measures nearly 12 to 13 times as long as it does wide. Like other cusk eels, the kingklip’s dorsal and anal fins are connected together in a single ribbon along the back. The dorsal soft rays number around 150, while the anal soft rays number around 110. They feature large mouths and nostrils on either side of the head. Although they possess scales they appear quite small and thin, which makes them difficult to spot. Moreover, a thick membrane covers the entire fish from head to toe, lending it a slimy texture. In terms of color, most kingklip look pinkish brown or orange.   

People in South Africa consider kingklip a delicacy. The flesh of kingklip is slightly sweet and quite meaty. Its firm texture means it lends itself well to various cooking methods. Popular cooking methods include baking, grilling, boiling, poaching, sautéing, frying, steaming, and stewing. If you grill kingklip you’ll want to use a fish basket or wrap the meat in tin-foil to make sure it doesn’t break apart while cooking. Thanks to its mild taste kingklip also pairs well with various sauces and spices. 





The Mole Guest House






Monday morning 16th Oct….







· 0730 After breakfast, go to Okahandja (290 km. from Swakopmund).




วันนี้เดินทางย้อนกลับเข้า เมืองหลวง เก็บตกพื้นที่รายทาง ได้ชมเมือง
. #Swakopmund อีกรอบ ชอบมาก ไก่ต๊อกเพียบ เส้นทางกลับเมืองกรุงส่วนใหญ่รั้วลวด( ไม่มีหนาม ต่ต้นไม้ต้นหญ้าล้วนมีหนาม) ตลอดเส้นทาง ระหว่างทางเห็นนกกระจอกเทศ และยีราฟ เจอครั้งแรกก็ตื่นเต้นดีชี้ชวนกันชม..













Helmeted GuineafowlNumida meleagris


Listen+5 more audio recordings

A large-bodied, small-headed, slaty-gray gamebird perfectly lined with rows of hundreds of white spots. The distinctive head sports a strange bone-like casque and naked warty facial skin, which is colored white, blue, or red depending on geographic location. Young birds are brown and are almost always found with adults. It is common throughout its range, and large flocks roam the savannas, digging for invertebrates and tubers. Guineafowl often behave like lunatics, charging around issuing a loud and distinctive “kek-kek-kek-kraaaaaaah” alarm. It also calls a distinctive, plaintive “kuuuh-keeerk”. Crested Guineafowl differ from Helmeted Guineafowl by being darker and having a plumed crest on top of the head.[ eBird]










Namibia🇳🇦 Day4:Avis Dam Nature Reserve หลังเดินทางยาวนาน ก็ได้ทาน อาหารเที่ยงตอน4โมงครึ่ง เป็นร้านอาหารแบบคันทรี่ตกแต่งสถานที่ด้วยขยะอุตสาหกรรม แต่ทำอาหารอร่อยดี หลังอาหารไปดูนกน้ำที่อ่างเก็บน้ำของเมืองปริมาณน้ำมีไม่มากไม่น่าเพียงพอกับการใช้ ที่นี่มีเป็ดหลายชนิดให้ดูท่ามกลางแสงแดดอ่อนๆยามเย็น







Avis Dam Nature Reserve




The Avis Dam is located at the eastern entry to the city of Windhoek in the suburb Avis. A dam wall dams the inflow of water of two rivers. However, the inflow is very low in the rainy season and therefore it is rare that the reservoir has enough water. Mostly there is only a small puddle, and sometimes it is completely dry.


“if you come to a time of day when there are few walkers, and especially when there is so much water in the dam that hardly anyone walks around the reservoir, you can make great bird observations. For bird lovers”

แม้จะมีคนเขียนรีวิวไว้แบบนั้นแต่ในความเป็นคนขับรถนำเที่ยวของเราไม่สนับสนุนให้มาที่นี่เลยเพราะห่วงเรื่องความปลอดภัย ตอนมาถึงก็สั่งห้ามพวกเราแตกกลุ่มและคอยนั่งคุมเชิงตลอดเวลา

16 Oct 202316:55

Windhoek--Avis Dam, Khomas, NA

Observations
Egyptian Goose
Number observed: 39
South African Shelduck
Number observed: 26
Blue-billed Teal
Number observed: 2
Cape Shoveler
Number observed: 5
Cape Teal
Number observed: 2
Red-billed Duck
Number observed: 8
Southern Pochard
Number observed: 1
Maccoa Duck
Number observed: 15
Greater Flamingo
Number observed: 1
Little Grebe
Number observed: 3
Black-necked Grebe

Black-necked Grebe /non breeding

South African Shelduck

1800 check-in Ethithiya Boutique Guest House,

Tuesday morning 17th Oct…. 

0730 After breakfast, go to Okahandja (75 km. from Windhoek).

Birding

17 Oct 202306:15

Maison Ambre Guesthouse, Khomas, NA

บ้านสวยบนเนินชานเมือง วินดุ๊ก
เช้านี้ทานอาหารเช้าและเชคเอาท์โรงแรม Ethithiya ระหว่างรอหัวหน้าเผ่าที่ต้องแยกไปพักที่อื่นเพราะห้องที่นี่ไม่พอ ก็ไปเดินเล่นดูนกแถวข้างโรงแรมมีนกน่ารักให้ดูพอเพลินๆเจอบ้านเจ้าของใจดีเลี้ยงอาหารนกมีนกหมุนเวียนมากินอาหารกันเซ็งแซ่

Budgerigar   นกหงษ์หยก

ไม่ได้เปเป็นนกในธรรมชาติจริงๆแต่เป็นนกนำเข้ามาเลี้ยง ปกติจะเป็นนกประจำถิ่นในออสเตรเลีย

Rosy-faced LovebirdAgapornis roseicollis

 Listen+1 more audio recording

A small, short-tailed parrot with a soft pink face and dark eyes. Native to southwestern Africa, but feral populations occur in Arizona and in Hawaii; a common pet species, and escapees may occur anywhere. Wild birds are leaf green with brilliant blue rumps, but escaped domestic types may be mostly blue or yellow. Inhabits dry forests and river valleys; present in cities in both natural and introduced range. Call is a shrill, high whistle.

Scarlet-chested SunbirdChalcomitra senegalensis

A large dark sunbird with a long decurved bill. The male is spectacular, glossy velvet-black with a striking scarlet daub on the chest and an iridescent green crown and throat. The female is dark gray-brown and heavily streaked underneath. Singles and pairs occupy a broad variety of dry and moist savanna, parkland, and gardens, eating nectar and insects. The species gives a loud series of “tjip” and “teeeuw” notes. Hunter’s Sunbird differs from the similar Scarlet-chested Sunbird by having a violet rump and shoulder patches and having a black central throat (not iridescent green).

Dusky SunbirdCinnyris fuscus

 Listen+2 more audio recordings

A small sunbird. The male is dark overall, with a pale lower belly and orange tufts at the shoulder that are sometimes hidden. The female is plain gray-brown with a paler lower belly. Singles and pairs prefer arid scrub and savanna, feeding on insects and nectar. The species is nomadic and can irrupt in large numbers into areas where it is normally irregular, often on the fringes of its range. The female Dusky Sunbird has paler underparts than the similar female Southern Double-collared Sunbird.

Female/male nonbreeding

Red-billed QueleaQuelea quelea
A small, short-tailed weaver with a mottled back and a yellow or reddish bill, eye-ring, and legs. When breeding, the male develops a variable black face mask with a surrounding wash that can be rosy, buff, or cinnamon, although the face can also be whitish. Large flocks are resident and nomadic in arid savanna, grassland, and cultivated areas. In wetter years this species forms enormous flocks numbering tens of thousands, earning it the name “feathered locust.” Non-breeding Red-headed Weaver is superficially similar, but it is much larger than Red-billed Quelea, and it is mostly solitary in woodland and has an unstreaked back.

Gray Go-away-birdCrinifer concolor

Unusual gray turaco with a long tail and towering crest. The flight is hesitant, and the tail flops up and down. Usually in small groups, which often perch up conspicuously on trees and bushes. The calls include a series of grumpy yelps, and the classic nasal “go-waaay” call. Similar in shape to other go-away-birds, but there is little overlap in range, and easily separated by the uniformly gray coloration.

White-backed MousebirdColius colius
A mostly grayish, buff-bellied mousebird with a long tail, black-tipped silvery bill, and back with diagnostic white patch flanked by two dark stripes. Small groups inhabit coastal shrublands, farms, and semi-desert; prefers drier areas. A cooperative breeder; chicks from the prior year will remain with parents and help feed and protect the new brood. Sings a melancholic “cheee-wee-wee-wiit”; also produces a distinctive series of buzzes and clicks.

Black-fronted BulbulPycnonotus nigricans

 Listen+1 more audio recording

A typical open-country African bulbul with a dark head and a conspicuous and diagnostic fleshy orange-red eye-ring. Pairs and small groups forage in riverine thickets in the Karoo and in arid thorny woodland and scrub, eating a variety of fruit and invertebrates. The species has a typical bubbly musical bulbul song, slower than that of the similar-sounding Common Bulbul. The juvenile Black-fronted Bulbul may be confused with the similar looking Common Bulbul, but it is often accompanied by adults with their diagnostic eye-rings.

Monteiro’s Hornbill

Namibia🇳🇦 Day5  : 

to Okahandja (75 km. from Windhoek).

Birding at Von Bach Dam Nature Reserve, Okahandja.

.

Von Bach Dam Nature Reserve is not a renowned game viewing destination, but the area does support common Namibian species. Hartmann’s zebra, red hartebeest, oryx, impala, kudu, giraffe, warthog and small reptiles live there. Birdlife is abundant, in particular around the dam. It’s here where visitors can spot violet wood-hoopoe, black storks, Rüppell’s Parrot and the Bradfield’s Swift. Other species include the grey go-away bird, African jacana, marabou stork, cormorants and the kori bustard.

 แวะทานข้าวเที่ยงที่เขื่อน มีนกให้ดูนิดหน่อย เจอลำธารที่มีน้ำไหลสายแรกและสายเดียวของทริป มีแมลงปอบ้านๆ 3 ชนิด มีเป็ด มีไก่ รวมอยู่ด้วยกัน

ที่สำคัญเหนืออื่นได้ ที่นี่เราได้เจอกับ นกเทพ ของนามิเบีย White-tailed Shirke ที่เจอได้แบบเหนือความคาดหมายของหัวหน้าทริป อย่างนี้ต้องฉลอง..

Inspector

Chalcostephia flavifrons

Chalcostephia flavifrons is a fairly small species of dragonfly, with a hind-wing length of 24 to 29 mm (0.9 to 1.1 in). The mature adult male is a bluish-grey colour and pruinose (covered with a dusting of wax particles on top of the cuticle). The adult female and the newly emerged male are dark with bold yellow banding. Both males and females can be distinguished from other similar species by their yellow face contrasting with the flattened, metallic green frons (front of the head). 

The membranous, veined wings are transparent except for the pterostigmata, a small group of thickened cells at the leading edge of the wing-tips, which have pale centres and dark edges.

Dragonflies are fascinating insects, true jewels of the watershed. Their diversity in Namibia is surprisingly high for such an arid country. Dragonflies and Damselflies of Namibia describes 127 species and their distribution range, habitat, ecology and behaviour, while the identification keys cover not only the Namibian species, but also those of neighbouring Botswana and southern Angola, 149 species in all. The general overview of dragonfly biology and the species descriptions are extensively illustrated with 174 photographs, 27 plates with line drawings and 125 distribution maps. Frank Suhling is an associate professor of ecology at the Technical University of Braunschweig, Germany. His main research interest is dragonfly larvae and communities. Andreas Martens is a professor of biology at Karlsruhe University of Education, Germany. His main research interest is the reproductive behaviour of dragonflies. Both authors have studied dragonflies for well over 20 years. Between 2000 and 2007 their research on Namibian Odonata formed part of the BIOTA AFRICA programme.

17 Oct 202313:12

Von Bach Dam Nature Reserve, Otjozondjupa, NA

Red-billed SpurfowlPternistis adspersus
A medium-sized, brown francolin that is finely barred on the belly, head, and back. It has a diagnostic broad yellow eyering and reddish bill and feet. The juvenile has a reduced eyering and diffuse barring. The harsh, crowing, territorial call given from a low perch (“chak, chak, chak, CHAK, chakitty, chakitty”) is gruffer and lower-pitched than those of other francolins in its range. Natal Francolin differs by having scaled (not barred) underparts and lacking an eyering. Swainson’s Francolin differs by lacking barring and having red facial skin and dark blackish legs.

Red-crested BustardLophotis ruficrista

 Listen+1 more audio recording

A medium-sized, black-bellied bustard with diagnostic white chevrons on a brown-and-black mottled back. The male has a brown-gray neck and slaty cap, and the female is plainer. The name is misleading, as the red crest is almost always hidden. It walks slowly and steadily in arid woodlands, where it is common but due to its camouflage often avoids detection. The song is a sequence of clicking “tic-tic” notes that are followed by a mournful piping “sweee-swee-sweee sweet” series that accelerates to a crescendo. The male indulges in an absurd display in which he flies nearly vertically into the sky and then folds his wings and somersaults down as if shot, only to unbelievably land on his feet. In flight the Red-crested Bustard’s all-black underwings differentiate it from Black-bellied Bustard, which has white windows in the underwing.

African JacanaActophilornis africanus

A distinctive chestnut, white, and black waterbird with a sky-blue bill and enormous feet. The immature lacks the blue bill and shield and is brown-headed. Resident and nomadic, this species trots on the surface of water lilies and other aquatic vegetation, using its long legs and ludicrously elongated toes to prevent it from sinking. It flies weakly, low over the water, with legs and toes dangling behind awkwardly, and calls with a honking repeated “kyaaan” and wheezy hurried “skreeeeeet’--most often in flight. Highly unusual mating system in which one dominant female maintains a harem of multiple males. After egg-laying, each male will raise a brood alone.

 Egyptian GooseAlopochen aegyptiaca
This striking “goose” (in actuality more closely related to shelducks) is native to Africa, mainly the eastern and southern parts of the continent; it has also been introduced widely across Europe and parts of the U.S. Distinctive: note the staring pale eye surrounded by a dark patch, pink legs, and overall gray and buffy plumage. In flight, look for bright white forewings. Usually found in pairs or family groups. Feeds while swimming and by grazing on shore.

White-tailed ShrikeLanioturdus torquatus

Odd and distinctive terrestrial batis. Has long legs, an upright posture, and a white tail with a black dot near the tip. Found in dry woodland and savanna, often in rocky areas. Spends most of its time on or near the ground, though it will perch up in bushes. Usually in pairs. Vocalizations include piercing whistles, low croaks, and ratcheting calls. Similar to batises, but terrestrial habits and white tail easily identify it.

Chestnut-vented WarblerCurruca subcoerulea

 Distinctive gray bird with a pale eye, streaked throat, rufous vent, and large white patches on the tail. Found in a variety of habitats with thick shrubs, including fynbos, karoo, semi-desert, and savanna. A fairly skulking species that is usually detected by voice: an exuberant mixture of ratcheting notes, chatters, and whistles. Similar to Layard’s Warbler, but easily distinguished by rufous vent and more heavily streaked throat.

Marico SunbirdCinnyris mariquensis

Male is iridescent green above with a dark belly and maroon and bluish bands across the breast. Female is nondescript, with blurry streaks across the pale yellow underparts. Found in woodland, scrub, and savanna, including semi-desert thornscrub. Most distinctive vocalization is an energetic series of “tyip” notes. Also gives a high-pitched, jumbled song. Very similar to several other sunbird species but distinguished by slightly larger size and longer bill with a thicker base.

Green-backed CamaropteraCamaroptera brachyura

A small, rotund, wren-like warbler of the understory that often leans forward and cocks its short narrow tail. This species has red eyes, olive-green wings, and gray-white underparts. There are two groups that are sometimes treated as different species: (1) “green-backed” birds along the eastern seaboard of Africa from southeast Kenya to coastal South Africa; and (2) “gray-backed” birds in the remainder of Africa. Pairs inhabit thickets and riverine woodland in arid and moist savanna, forest, and forest edge, hopping about, often low to the ground, searching for small insects. Their two common vocalizations are a nasal “meehrrp” alarm call that gives them the moniker “bleating warbler” and a strident, repeated snapping “strik-strik-strik-strik-strik” song.

Great white Pelican

The common agama, red-headed rock agama or rainbow agama (Agama agama) is a species of lizard from the family Agamidae found in most of sub-Saharan Africa. To clear up historical confusion based on Linnaeus and other authors, Wagner, et al. (2009) ^[2]designated a neotype (ZFMK 15222) for the species, using a previously described specimen from Cameroon in the collection of the Zoologisches Forschungsmuseum Alexander Koenig in Bonn. The species name was formerly applied to a paraphyleticcollection of taxa, and mitochondrial DNA analysis of various populations indicates they represent separate species.^[3],[4] Consequently, three former subspecies A. a. africana, A. a. boensis, and A. a. mucosoensis are now considered separate species, and A. a. savattieriis considered synonymous with A. africana.^[5]

To be  continued

·

Appendix 

List of birds of Namibia

Order: StruthioniformesEdit

Common name: Ostriches   Family: 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, S. c. australis

Order: AnseriformesEdit

Fulvous whistling-duck

Common name: Ducks, geese, and waterfowl   Family: 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)

  

  Garganey

  
  
  
  
  
  
• Blue-billed teal, Spatula hottentota
• Cape shoveler, Spatula smithii



A pair Northern shoveler foraging together

• 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: GalliformesEdit

GuineafowlEdit

Helmeted 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.

Western crested guineafowl

• Helmeted guineafowl, Numida meleagris
• Western crested guineafowl, Guttera verreauxi

Pheasants, grouse, and alliesEdit

Common quail

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: PhoenicopteriformesEdit

Common name: Flamingos   Family: Phoenicopteridae

 Flamingos are gregarious wading birds, usually 3 to 5 feet (0.9 to 1.5 m) 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 ros
  
  
  
  
• Lesser flamingo, Phoeniconaias minor

Order: PodicipediformesEdit

Common name: Grebes   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.

• Little grebe, Tachybaptus ruficollis
  
  
  
• Great crested grebe, Podiceps cristatus
• Eared grebe, Podiceps nigricollis

Order: ColumbiformesEdit

Common name: Pigeons and doves   Family: Columbidae

Pigeons and doves are stout-bodied birds with short necks and short slender bills with a fleshy cere.

• Rock pigeon, Columba livia (I)

  

  Rock pigeon

  
  
• 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: PterocliformesEdit

Common name: Sandgrouse   Family: 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

  

  Double-banded

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

Order: OtidiformesEdit

Rüppell's bustard

Common name: Bustards   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.

• Kori bustard, Ardeotis kori
  
• Ludwig's bustard, Neotis ludwigii
• Denham's bustard, Neotis denhami (V)

  

  Karoo bustard

  
  
• White-bellied bustard, Eupodotis senegalensis (V)
• Karoo bustard, Eupodotis vigorsii
• Rüppell's bustard, Eupodotis rueppellii
• Red-crested bustard, Eupodotis ruficrista
• White-quilled bustard, Eupodotis afroides
• Black-bellied bustard, Lissotis melanogaster

Order: MusophagiformesEdit

Common name: Turacos   Family: 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.

Ross's turaco, 

• Schalow's turaco, Tauraco schalowi
• Ross's turaco, Musophaga rossae (V)
• Gray go-away-bird, Corythaixoides concolor

Order: CuculiformesEdit

Common name: cuckoos, coucals, roadrunners and anis   Family: 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

  

  Senegal coucal

  
  
• 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

  

  African emerald cuckoo,

  
  
• Black cuckoo, Cuculus clamosus
• Red-chested cuckoo, Cuculus solitarius
• African cuckoo, Cuculus gularis
• Common cuckoo, Cuculus canorus

Order: CaprimulgiformesEdit

Nightjars and alliesEdit

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.

Square-tailed nightjar

• 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: ApodiformesEdit

SwiftsEdit

African palm-swift

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: GruiformesEdit

FlufftailsEdit

Family: Sarothruridae

The flufftails are a small family of ground-dwelling birds found only in Madagascar and sub-Saharan Africa.

Red-chested flufftail

• Buff-spotted flufftail, Sarothrura elegans
• Red-chested flufftail, Sarothrura rufa

Rails, gallinules, and cootsEdit

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

  

  African crake,

  
  
• Corn crake, Crex crex (V) 
• African crake, Crex egregia
• Spotted crake, Porzana porzana
• Lesser moorhen, Paragallinula angulata
• Eurasian moorhen, Gallinula chloropus

  

  Common moorhen

  
  
• Red-knobbed coot, Fulica cristata
• Allen's gallinule, Porphyrio alleni
• Purple gallinule, Porphyrio martinica (V)

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  Purple gallinule

  
  
• African swamphen, Porphyrio madagascariensis
• Striped crake, Amaurornis marginalis
• Black crake, Zapornia flavirostra
• Baillon's crake, Zapornia pusilla

FinfootsEdit

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
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

CranesEdit

Blue crane

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: CharadriiformesEdit

Thick-kneesEdit

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 avocetsEdit

Black-winged stilt

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

OystercatchersEdit

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 lapwingsEdit

Nesting blacksmith lapwing

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.

• Black-bellied plover, Pluvialis squatarola
• American golden-plover, Pluvialis dominica (V)
• Pacific golden-plover, Pluvialis fulva (V)
• Long-toed lapwing, Vanellus crassirostris
• Blacksmith lapwing, Vanellus armatus
• Spur-winged lapwing, Vanellus spinosus (V)
• White-headed lapwing, Vanellus albiceps
• Crowned lapwing, Vanellus coronatus
• Wattled lapwing, Vanellus senegallus
• Lesser sand-plover, Charadrius mongolus (V)
• Greater sand-plover, Charadrius leschenaultii (V)
• Caspian plover, Charadrius asiaticus
• Kittlitz's plover, Charadrius pecuarius
• Kentish plover, Charadrius alexandrinus
• Common ringed plover, Charadrius hiaticula
• Three-banded plover, Charadrius tricollaris
• White-fronted plover, Charadrius marginatus
• Chestnut-banded plover, Charadrius pallidus

Painted-snipesEdit

Family: Rostratulidae

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

• Greater painted-snipe, Rostratula benghalensis

JacanasEdit

Family: 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.

• Lesser jacana, Microparra capensis
• African jacana, Actophilornis africanus

Sandpipers and alliesEdit

Marsh sandpiper

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.

• Whimbrel, Numenius phaeopus
• Eurasian curlew, Numenius arquata (V)
• Bar-tailed godwit, Limosa lapponica
• Black-tailed godwit, Limosa limosa (V)
• Ruddy turnstone, Arenaria interpres
• Great knot, Calidris tenuirostris (V)
• Red knot, Calidris canutus
• Ruff, Calidris pugnax
• Broad-billed sandpiper, Calidris falcinellus (V)
• Curlew sandpiper, Calidris ferruginea
• Sanderling, Calidris alba
• Baird's sandpiper, Calidris bairdii (V)
• Little stint, Calidris minuta
• White-rumped sandpiper, Calidris fuscicollis (V)
• Buff-breasted sandpiper, Calidris subruficollis (V)
• Pectoral sandpiper, Calidris melanotos (V)
• Great snipe, Gallinago media
• African snipe, Gallinago nigripennis
• Terek sandpiper, Xenus cinereus
• Wilson's phalarope, Phalaropus tricolor (V)
• Red-necked phalarope, Phalaropus lobatus
• Red phalarope, Phalaropus fulicarius
• Common sandpiper, Actitis hypoleucos
• Green sandpiper, Tringa ochropus
• Common greenshank, Tringa nebularia
• Lesser yellowlegs, Tringa flavipes (V)
• Marsh sandpiper, Tringa stagnatilis
• Wood sandpiper, Tringa glareola
• Common redshank, Tringa totanus

ButtonquailEdit

Family: Turnicidae

The buttonquail 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.

• Small buttonquail, Turnix sylvaticus

Pratincoles and coursersEdit

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.

• Burchell's courser, Cursorius rufus
• Temminck's courser, Cursorius temminckii
• Double-banded courser, Smutsornis africanus
• Three-banded courser, Rhinoptilus cinctus
• Bronze-winged courser, Rhinoptilus chalcopterus
• Collared pratincole, Glareola pratincola
• Black-winged pratincole, Glareola nordmanni
• Rock pratincole, Glareola nuchalis

Skuas and jaegersEdit

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.

• Brown skua, Stercorarius antarctica
• Pomarine jaeger, Stercorarius pomarinus
• Parasitic jaeger, Stercorarius parasiticus
• Long-tailed jaeger, Stercorarius longicaudus (V)

Gulls, terns, and skimmersEdit

Kelp gull

Family: 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.

• Sabine's gull, Xema sabini
• Gray-hooded gull, Chroicocephalus cirrocephalus
• Hartlaub's gull, Chroicocephalus hartlaubii
• Black-headed gull, Chroicocephalus ridibundus (V)
• Franklin's gull, Leucophaeus pipixcan (V)
• Yellow-legged gull, Larus michahellis (V)
• Lesser black-backed gull, Larus fuscus (V)
• Kelp gull, Larus dominicanus
• Sooty tern, Onychoprion fuscatus (V)
• Little tern, Sternula albifrons (V)
• Damara tern, Sternula balaenarum
• Gull-billed tern, Gelochelidon nilotica (V)
• Caspian tern, Hydroprogne caspia
• Black tern, Chlidonias niger
• White-winged tern, Chlidonias leucopterus
• Whiskered tern, Chlidonias hybrida
• Common tern, Sterna hirundo
• Arctic tern, Sterna paradisaea
• Antarctic tern, Sterna vittata (V)
• Great crested tern, Thalasseus bergii
• Sandwich tern, Thalasseus sandvicensis
• Elegant tern, Thalasseus elegans (V)
• West African crested tern, Thalasseus albididorsalis (V)
• Black skimmer, Rynchops niger (V)
• African skimmer, Rynchops flavirostris

Order: PhaethontiformesEdit

Common name: Tropicbirds   Family: Phaethontidae

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

• White-tailed tropicbird, Phaethon lepturus (V)
• Red-billed tropicbird, Phaethon aethereus (V)

Order: SphenisciformesEdit

African penguins

Common name: Penguins   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 sealife caught while swimming underwater.

• Little penguin, Eudyptula minor (V)
• African penguin, Spheniscus demersus

Order: ProcellariformesEdit

AlbatrossesEdit

Family: Diomedeidae

The albatrosses are among the largest of flying birds, and the great albatrosses from the genus Diomedea have the largest wingspans of any extant birds.

• Yellow-nosed albatross, Thalassarche chlororhynchos
• Gray-headed albatross, Thalassarche chrysostoma (V)
• White-capped albatross, Thalassarche cauta
• Black-browed albatross, Thalassarche melanophris
• Wandering albatross, Diomedea exulans

Southern storm-petrelsEdit

Wilson's storm-petrel 'pattering' on the ocean surface

Family: 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.

• Wilson's storm-petrel, Oceanites oceanicus
• White-bellied storm-petrel, Fregetta grallaria (V)
• Black-bellied storm-petrel, Fregetta tropica

Northern storm-petrelsEdit

Family: 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.

• European storm-petrel, Hydrobates pelagicus
• Leach's storm-petrel, Hydrobates leucorhous
• Band-rumped storm-petrel, Hydrobates castro (V)

Shearwaters and petrelsEdit

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.

• Southern giant-petrel, Macronectes giganteus
• Northern giant-petrel, Macronectes halli
• Southern fulmar, Fulmarus glacialoides (V)
• Cape petrel, Daption capense
• Great-winged petrel, Pterodroma macroptera
• Soft-plumaged petrel, Pterodroma mollis
• Barau's petrel, Pterodroma baraui (V)
• Atlantic petrel, Pterodroma incerta (V)
• Fairy prion, Pachyptila turtur
• Antarctic prion, Pachyptila desolata
• Bulwer's petrel, Bulweria bulwerii (V)
• White-chinned petrel, Procellaria aequinoctialis
• Spectacled petrel, Procellaria conspicillata
• Cory's shearwater, Calonectris borealis
• Great shearwater, Ardenna gravis
• Sooty shearwater, Ardenna griseus
• Manx shearwater, Puffinus puffinus
• Tropical shearwater, Puffinus bailloni (V)

Order: CiconiiformesEdit

Black stork

Common name: Storks   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.

• African openbill, Anastomus lamelligerus
• Black stork, Ciconia nigra
• Abdim's stork, Ciconia abdimii
• African woolly-necked stork, Ciconia microscelis
• White stork, Ciconia ciconia
• Saddle-billed stork, Ephippiorhynchus senegalensis
• Marabou stork, Leptoptilos crumenifer
• Yellow-billed stork, Mycteria ibis

Order: SuliformesEdit

Boobies and gannetsEdit

Breeding colony of Cape gannets

Family: Sulidae

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

• Brown booby, Sula leucogaster (V)
• Red-footed booby, Sula sula (V)
• Cape gannet, Morus capensis
• Australasian gannet, Morus serrator (V)

AnhingasEdit

Family: 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.

• African darter, Anhinga rufa

Cormorants and shagsEdit

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.

• Long-tailed cormorant, Microcarbo africanus
• Crowned cormorant, Microcarbo coronatus
• Bank cormorant, Phalacrocorax neglectus
• Cape cormorant, Phalacrocorax capensis
• Great cormorant, Phalacrocorax carbo

Order: PelecaniformesEdit

PelicansEdit

Family: Pelecanidae

Pelicans are large water birds with a distinctive pouch under their beak. They have webbed feet with four toes.

• Great white pelican, Pelecanus onocrotalus
• Pink-backed pelican, Pelecanus rufescens

HamerkopEdit

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.

• Hamerkop, Scopus umbretta

Herons, egrets, and bitternsEdit

The Goliath heron is the world's largest species of heron

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.

• Great bittern, Botaurus stellaris
• Little bittern, Ixobrychus minutus
• Dwarf bittern, Ixobrychus sturmii
• Gray heron, Ardea cinerea
• Black-headed heron, Ardea melanocephala
• Goliath heron, Ardea goliath
• Purple heron, Ardea purpurea
• Great egret, Ardea alba
• Intermediate egret, Ardea intermedia
• Little egret, Egretta garzetta
• Slaty egret, Egretta vinaceigula
• Black heron, Egretta ardesiaca
• Cattle egret, Bubulcus ibis
• Squacco heron, Ardeola ralloides
• Rufous-bellied heron, Ardeola rufiventris
• Striated heron, Butorides striata
• Black-crowned night-heron, Nycticorax nycticorax
• White-backed night-heron, Gorsachius leuconotus

Ibises and spoonbillsEdit

Hadada ibis

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.

• Glossy ibis, Plegadis falcinellus
• African sacred ibis, Threskiornis aethiopicus
• Hadada ibis, Bostrychia hagedash
• African spoonbill, Platalea alba

Order: AccipitriformesEdit

SecretarybirdEdit

Family: Sagittariidae

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

• Secretarybird, Sagittarius serpentarius

OspreyEdit

Family: 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.

• Osprey, Pandion haliaetus

Hawks, eagles, and kitesEdit

African fish-eagle snatching a catfish

Jackal buzzard

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.

• Black-winged kite, Elanus caeruleus
• African harrier-hawk, Polyboroides typus
• Palm-nut vulture, Gypohierax angolensis (V)
• Egyptian vulture, Neophron percnopterus (V)
• European honey-buzzard, Pernis apivorus
• African cuckoo-hawk, Aviceda cuculoides
• White-headed vulture, Trigonoceps occipitalis
• Lappet-faced vulture, Torgos tracheliotos
• Hooded vulture, Necrosyrtes monachus
• White-backed vulture, Gyps africanus
• Cape griffon, Gyps coprotheres
• Bateleur, Terathopius ecaudatus
• Black-chested snake-eagle, Circaetus pectoralis
• Brown snake-eagle, Circaetus cinereus
• Banded snake-eagle, Circaetus cinerascens
• Bat hawk, Macheiramphus alcinus
• Crowned eagle, Stephanoaetus coronatus (V)
• Martial eagle, Polemaetus bellicosus
• Long-crested eagle, Lophaetus occipitalis
• Lesser spotted eagle, Clanga pomarina
• Wahlberg's eagle, Hieraaetus wahlbergi
• Booted eagle, Hieraaetus pennatus
• Ayres's hawk-eagle, Hieraaetus ayresii
• Tawny eagle, Aquila rapax
• Steppe eagle, Aquila nipalensis
• Verreaux's eagle, Aquila verreauxii
• African hawk-eagle, Aquila spilogaster
• Lizard buzzard, Kaupifalco monogrammicus
• Dark chanting-goshawk, Melierax metabates
• Pale chanting-goshawk, Melierax canorus
• Gabar goshawk, Micronisus gabar
• Eurasian marsh-harrier, Circus aeruginosus (V)
• African marsh-harrier, Circus ranivorus
• Black harrier, Circus maurus
• Pallid harrier, Circus macrourus
• Montagu's harrier, Circus pygargus
• African goshawk, Accipiter tachiro
• Shikra, Accipiter badius
• Little sparrowhawk, Accipiter minullus
• Ovambo sparrowhawk, Accipiter ovampensis
• Black goshawk, Accipiter melanoleucus
• Black kite, Milvus migrans
• African fish-eagle, Haliaeetus vocifer
• Common buzzard, Buteo buteo
• Long-legged buzzard, Buteo rufinus (V)
• Red-necked buzzard, Buteo auguralis (V)
• Augur buzzard, Buteo augur
• Jackal buzzard, Buteo rufofuscus

Order: StrigiformesEdit

Barn-owlsEdit

Family: Tytonidae

Barn-owls are medium to large owls with large heads and characteristic heart-shaped faces. They have long strong legs with powerful talons.

• Barn owl, Tyto alba

OwlsEdit

African scops-owl

Family: 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.

• 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
• Pearl-spotted owlet, Glaucidium perlatum
• African barred owlet, Glaucidium capense
• African wood-owl, Strix woodfordii
• Marsh owl, Asio capensis

Order: ColiiformesEdit

Common name: Mousebirds   Family: 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.

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

Edit

Order: Trogoniformes 

Common name: Trogons   Family: 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.

• Narina trogon, Apaloderma narina

Order: CoraciiformesEdit

KingfishersEdit

Malachite kingfisher

Family: Alcedinidae

Kingfishers are medium-sized birds with large heads, long pointed bills, short legs, and stubby tails.

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

• Gray-headed kingfisher, Halcyon leucocephala
  
  
• Woodland kingfisher, Halcyon senegalensis
• Brown-hooded kingfisher, Halcyon albiventris
  
  
  
• Striped kingfisher, Halcyon chelicuti
• Giant kingfisher, Megaceryle maximus
• Pied kingfisher, Ceryle rudis

Bee-eatersEdit

Family: Meropidae

The bee-eaters are a group of near passerine birds; 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. They have long downturned bills and pointed wings, which give them a swallow-like appearance when seen from afar.

• White-fronted bee-eater, Merops bullockoides

  

  Northern carmine bee-eater,

  
  
• Little bee-eater, Merops pusillus
• Swallow-tailed bee-eater, Merops hirundineus
• Blue-cheeked bee-eater, Merops persicus
• Madagascar bee-eater, Merops superciliosus
• European bee-eater, Merops apiaster
• Northern carmine bee-eater, Merops nubicus (V)
• Southern carmine bee-eater, Merops nubicoides

RollersEdit

Lilac-breasted roller

Family: 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.

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

Order: BucerotiformesEdit

HoopoesEdit

Family: Upupidae

Hoopoes have black, white, and orangey-pink colouring with a large erectile crest on their head.

• African hoopoe, Upupa africana

Woodhoopoes and scimitarbillsEdit

Family: 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.

• Green woodhoopoe, Phoeniculus purpureus
• Violet woodhoopoe, Phoeniculus damarensis
• Common scimitarbill, Rhinopomastus cyanomelas

Ground HornbillsEdit

A male southern ground-hornbill

Family: Bucorvidae

The ground-hornbills are terrestrial birds which feed almost entirely on insects, other birds, snakes, and amphibians.

• Southern ground-hornbill, Bucorvus leadbeateri

HornbillsEdit

Family: 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.

• Crowned hornbill, Lophoceros alboterminatus

  

  Southern yellow-billed hornbill,

  
  
• Bradfield's hornbill, Lophoceros bradfieldi
• African gray hornbill, Lophoceros nasutus
• Southern yellow-billed hornbill, Tockus leucomelas
• Monteiro's hornbill, Tockus monteiri
• Southern red-billed hornbill, Tockus rufirostris
• Damara red-billed hornbill, Tockus damarensis

  

  Damara red-billed hornbill

• Trumpeter hornbill, Bycanistes bucinator

Order: PiciformesEdit

African barbetsEdit

Family: 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.

Yellow-fronted tinkerbird

• Crested barbet, Trachyphonus vaillantii
• Yellow-fronted tinkerbird, Pogoniulus chrysoconus
• Pied barbet, Tricholaema leucomelas

  

  Pied barbet

  
  
• Black-collared barbet, Lybius torquatus

HoneyguidesEdit

Family: 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.

• Green-backed honeyguide, Prodotiscus zambesiae
  
  
  
• Wahlberg's honeyguide, Prodotiscus regulus
• Lesser honeyguide, Indicator minor
• Greater honeyguide, Indicator indicator

WoodpeckersEdit

Family: 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.

• Cardinal woodpecker, Chloropicus fuscescens
  
  
  
• Bearded woodpecker, Chloropicus namaquus
• Olive woodpecker, Chloropicus griseocephalus
• Bennett's woodpecker, Campethera bennettii
• Golden-tailed woodpecker, Campethera abingoni

Order: FalconiformesEdit

Greater kestrel

Common name: Falcons and caracaras   Family: 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.

• Pygmy falcon, Polihierax semitorquatus
• Lesser kestrel, Falco naumanni
• Rock kestrel, Falco rupicolus
• Greater kestrel, Falco rupicoloides
• Gray kestrel, Falco ardosiaceus
• Dickinson's kestrel, Falco dickinsoni
• Red-necked falcon, Falco chicquera
• Red-footed falcon, Falco vespertinus
• Amur falcon, Falco amurensis
• Eleonora's falcon, Falco eleonorae (V)
  
  
  
• Sooty falcon, Falco concolor (V) 
• Eurasian hobby, Falco subbuteo
• African hobby, Falco cuvierii
• Lanner falcon, Falco biarmicus
• Peregrine falcon, Falco peregrinus

Order: PsittaciformesEdit

Old World parrotsEdit

Rosy-faced lovebird

Family: 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 8 cm (3.1 in) to 1 m (3.3 ft) in length. Old World parrots are found from Africa east across south and southeast Asia and Oceania to Australia and New Zealand.

• Rosy-faced lovebird, Agapornis roseicollis
• Black-cheeked lovebird, Agapornis nigrigenis

African and New World parrotsEdit

Family: 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.

• Brown-necked parrot, Poicephalus fuscicollis
• Meyer's parrot, Poicephalus meyeri
  
  
  
• Rüppell's parrot, Poicephalus rueppellii
  
  
  
  
  

Order: PasseriformesEdit

African and green broadbillsEdit

Family: Eurylaimidae

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.

• African broadbill, Smithornis capensis

PittasEdit

Family: 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.

• African pitta, Pitta angolensis (V)

CuckooshrikesEdit

Family: Campephagidae

The cuckooshrikes are small to medium-sized passerine birds. They are predominantly greyish with white and black, although some species are brightly coloured.

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

Old World oriolesEdit

Family: Oriolidae

The Old World orioles are colourful passerine birds which are not related to the similar-appearing New World orioles.

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

Wattle-eyes and batisesEdit

Family: 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.

• White-tailed shrike, Lanioturdus torquatus

  

  White-tailed shrike,

  
  
• Chinspot batis, Batis molitor
• Pririt batis, Batis pririt

Vangas, helmetshrikes, and alliesEdit

Family: 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.

• White helmetshrike, Prionops plumatus
• Retz's helmetshrike, Prionops retzii

Bushshrikes and alliesEdit

Bokmakierie

Family: 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.

• Black-backed puffback, Dryoscopus cubla
  
  
  
• Brubru, Nilaus afer
• Black-crowned tchagra, Tchagra senegala
• Brown-crowned tchagra, Tchagra australis
• Tropical boubou, Laniarius major
• Gabon boubou, Laniarius bicolor
• Crimson-breasted gonolek, Laniarius atrococcineus

  

  Sulphur-breasted bushshrike

  
  
• Bokmakierie, Telophorus zeylonus
• Sulphur-breasted bushshrike, Telophorus sulfureopectus
• Gray-headed bushshrike, Malaconotus blanchoti

DrongosEdit

Fork-tailed drongo

Family: 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.

• Fork-tailed drongo, Dicrurus adsimilis

Monarch flycatchersEdit

Family: Monarchidae

The monarch flycatchers are small to medium-sized insectivorous passerines which hunt by flycatching.

• African paradise-flycatcher, Terpsiphone viridis

  

  African paradise-flycatcher brown morphs

  
  

ShrikesEdit

White-crowned shrike

Family: 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.

• Red-backed shrike, Lanius collurio
• Lesser gray shrike, Lanius minor
• Magpie shrike, Lanius melanoleucus
• Northern fiscal, Lanius humeralis
• Southern fiscal, Lanius collaris
• Souza's shrike, Lanius souzae
• White-crowned shrike, Eurocephalus anguitimens

Crows, jays, and magpiesEdit

Family: 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.

• House crow, Corvus splendens (V)
• Cape crow, Corvus capensis
• Pied crow, Corvus albus

Fairy flycatchersEdit

Family: 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".

• Fairy flycatcher, Stenostira scita

Tits, chickadees, and titmiceEdit

Family: 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.

• Rufous-bellied tit, Melaniparus rufiventris
• Southern black-tit, Melaniparus niger
• Carp's tit, Melaniparus carpi
• Ashy tit, Melaniparus cinerascens
• Gray tit, Melaniparus afer

Penduline-titsEdit

Family: Remizidae

The penduline-tits are a group of small passerine birds related to the true tits. They are insectivores.

• African penduline-tit, Anthoscopus caroli
• Southern penduline-tit, Anthoscopus minutus

LarksEdit

Stark's lark

Family: 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.

• Spike-heeled lark, Chersomanes albofasciata
• Gray's lark, Ammomanopsis grayi
• Karoo long-billed lark, Certhilauda subcoronata
  
  
  
• Cape lark, Certhilauda curvirostris
• Dusky lark, Pinarocorys nigricans
• Black-eared sparrow-lark, Eremopterix australis
• Chestnut-backed sparrow-lark, Eremopterix leucotis
• Gray-backed sparrow-lark, Eremopterix verticalis
• Sabota lark, Calendulauda sabota
• Fawn-colored lark, Calendulauda africanoides
• Red lark, Calendulauda burra
• Barlow's lark, Calendulauda barlowi
• Dune lark, Calendulauda erythrochlamys (E)
• Cape clapper lark, Mirafra apiata
• Eastern clapper lark, Mirafra fasciolata
• Rufous-naped lark, Mirafra africana
• Flappet lark, Mirafra rufocinnamomea
• Monotonous lark, Mirafra passerina
• Red-capped lark, Calandrella cinerea
• Stark's lark, Spizocorys starki
• Sclater's lark, Spizocorys sclateri
• Pink-billed lark, Spizocorys conirostris
• Large-billed lark, Galerida magnirostris

NicatorsEdit

Family: Nicatoridae

The nicators are shrike-like, with hooked bills. They are endemic to sub-Saharan Africa.

• Eastern nicator, Nicator gularis

African warblersEdit

Family: Macrosphenidae

African warblers are small to medium-sized insectivores which are found in a wide variety of habitats south of the Sahara.

• Red-faced crombec, Sylvietta whytii (V)
• Cape crombec, Sylvietta rufescens
• Rockrunner, Achaetops pycnopygius

Cisticolas and alliesEdit

Rufous-eared warbler

Family: 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.

• Yellow-bellied eremomela, Eremomela icteropygialis
• Greencap eremomela, Eremomela scotops
• Yellow-rumped eremomela, Eremomela gregalis
• Burnt-neck eremomela, Eremomela usticollis
• Namaqua warbler, Phragmacia substriata
• Stierling's wren-warbler, Calamonastes stierlingi
• Barred wren-warbler, Calamonastes fasciolatus
• Green-backed camaroptera, Camaroptera brachyura
• Yellow-breasted apalis, Apalis flavida
• Tawny-flanked prinia, Prinia subflava
• Black-chested prinia, Prinia flavicans
• Karoo prinia, Prinia maculosa
• Kopje warbler, Euryptila subcinnamomea
• Rufous-eared warbler, Malcorus pectoralis
• Red-faced cisticola, Cisticola erythrops
• Rattling cisticola, Cisticola chiniana
• Tinkling cisticola, Cisticola rufilatus
• Red-headed cisticola, Cisticola subruficapillus
• Luapula cisticola, Cisticola luapula
• Chirping cisticola, Cisticola pipiens
• Levaillant's cisticola, Cisticola tinniens
• Piping cisticola, Cisticola fulvicapillus
• Zitting cisticola, Cisticola juncidis
• Desert cisticola, Cisticola aridulus

Reed warblers and alliesEdit

Marsh warbler

Family: 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.

• Olive-tree warbler, Hippolais olivetorum (V)
• Icterine warbler, Hippolais icterina
• Sedge warbler, Acrocephalus schoenobaenus
• Marsh warbler, Acrocephalus palustris
• Common reed warbler, Acrocephalus scirpaceus
• Lesser swamp warbler, Acrocephalus gracilirostris
• Greater swamp warbler, Acrocephalus rufescens
• Great reed warbler, Acrocephalus arundinaceus

Grassbirds and alliesEdit

Family: 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.

• River warbler, Locustella fluviatilis
• Little rush warbler, Bradypterus baboecala

SwallowsEdit

Bank swallow

Family: 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.

• Plain martin, Riparia paludicola
• Bank swallow, Riparia riparia
• Banded martin, Neophedina cincta
• Rock martin, Ptyonoprogne fuligula
• Barn swallow, Hirundo rustica
• Angola swallow, Hirundo angolensis (V)
• White-throated swallow, Hirundo albigularis
• Wire-tailed swallow, Hirundo smithii
• Pearl-breasted swallow, Hirundo dimidiata
• Greater striped swallow, Cecropis cucullata
• Lesser striped swallow, Cecropis abyssinica
• Rufous-chested swallow, Cecropis semirufa
• Mosque swallow, Cecropis senegalensis
• South African swallow, Petrochelidon spilodera
• Common house-martin, Delichon urbicum
• Gray-rumped swallow, Pseudhirundo griseopyga

BulbulsEdit

Family: 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.

Yellow-throated greenbul

• Yellow-bellied greenbul, Chlorocichla flaviventris
• Yellow-throated greenbul, Atimastillas flavicollis (V)
• Terrestrial brownbul, Phyllastrephus terrestris
• Common bulbul, Pycnonotus barbatus
• Black-fronted bulbul, Pycnonotus nigricans
• Cape bulbul, Pycnonotus capensis

Leaf warblersEdit

Family: 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.

• Willow warbler, Phylloscopus trochilus

Sylviid warblers, parrotbills, and alliesEdit

Family: Sylviidae

Eurasian blackcap

The family Sylviidae ("Old World warblers") is a group of small insectivorous passerine birds. They mainly occur as breeding species, as the common name implies, in Europe, Asia and, to a lesser extent, Africa. Most are of generally undistinguished appearance, but many have distinctive songs.

• Eurasian blackcap, Sylvia atricapilla (V)
• Garden warbler, Sylvia borin
• Layard's warbler, Curruca layardi
• Chestnut-vented warbler, Curruca subcoerulea
• Greater whitethroat, Curruca communis

White-eyes, yuhinas, and alliesEdit

Family: 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.

• Orange River white-eye, Zosterops pallidus
• Southern yellow white-eye, Zosterops anderssoni

Laughingthrushes and alliesEdit

Family: 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.

• Arrow-marked babbler, Turdoides jardineii
• Bare-cheeked babbler, Turdoides gymnogenys
• Southern pied-babbler, Turdoides bicolor
• Hartlaub's babbler, Turdoides hartlaubii
• Black-faced babbler, Turdoides melanops

OxpeckersEdit

Family: Buphagidae

As both the English and scientific names of these birds imply, they feed on ectoparasites, primarily ticks, found on large mammals.

• Red-billed oxpecker, Buphagus erythrorynchus
• Yellow-billed oxpecker, Buphagus africanus

StarlingsEdit

Family: 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.

• European starling, Sturnus vulgaris (I)
• Wattled starling, Creatophora cinerea
• Common myna, Acridotheres tristis (V)
• Violet-backed starling, Cinnyricinclus leucogaster
• Pale-winged starling, Onychognathus nabouroup
• Burchell's starling, Lamprotornis australis
• Meves's starling, Lamprotornis mevesii
• Lesser blue-eared starling, Lamprotornis chloropterus
• Sharp-tailed starling, Lamprotornis acuticaudus
• Greater blue-eared starling, Lamprotornis chalybaeus
• Cape starling, Lamprotornis nitens

Thrushes and alliesEdit

Family: 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.

• Groundscraper thrush, Turdus litsitsirupa
• Kurrichane thrush, Turdus libonyana
• Karoo thrush, Turdus smithi

Old World flycatchersEdit

Kalahari scrub-robin

Family: 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.

• Spotted flycatcher, Muscicapa striata
• Mariqua flycatcher, Bradornis mariquensis
• Pale flycatcher, Agricola pallidus
• Chat flycatcher, Agricola infuscatus
• Gray tit-flycatcher, Fraseria plumbeus
• Ashy flycatcher, Fraseria caerulescens
• Herero chat, Melaenornis herero
• Southern black-flycatcher, Melaenornis pammelaina
• Karoo scrub-robin, Cercotrichas coryphaeus
• Bearded scrub-robin, Cercotrichas quadrivirgata
• Kalahari scrub-robin, Cercotrichas paena
• Red-backed scrub-robin, Cercotrichas leucophrys
• Cape robin-chat, Cossypha caffra
• White-browed robin-chat, Cossypha heuglini
• Red-capped robin-chat, Cossypha natalensis
• Angola cave-chat, Xenocopsychus ansorgei
• Collared palm-thrush, Cichladusa arquata
• Rufous-tailed palm-thrush, Cichladusa ruficauda
• Thrush nightingale, Luscinia luscinia
• Collared flycatcher, Ficedula albicollis (V)
• Short-toed rock-thrush, Monticola brevipes
• Whinchat, Saxicola rubetra (V)
• African stonechat, Saxicola torquatus
• Sickle-winged chat, Emarginata sinuata
• Karoo chat, Emarginata schlegelii
• Tractrac chat, Emarginata tractrac
• Southern anteater-chat, Myrmecocichla formicivora
• Mountain wheatear, Myrmecocichla monticola
• Arnot's chat, Myrmecocichla arnotti
• Northern wheatear, Oenanthe oenanthe (V)
• Capped wheatear, Oenanthe pileata
• Familiar chat, Oenanthe familiaris

Sunbirds and spiderhuntersEdit

Family: Nectariniidae

Shelley's sunbird

 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.

• Collared sunbird, Hedydipna collaris
• Amethyst sunbird, Chalcomitra amethystina
• Scarlet-chested sunbird, Chalcomitra senegalensis
• Malachite sunbird, Nectarinia famosa
• Southern double-collared sunbird, Cinnyris chalybeus

  

  Variable sunbird, 

  
  
• Mariqua sunbird, Cinnyris mariquensis
• Shelley's sunbird, Cinnyris shelleyi (V)
  
  
• Purple-banded sunbird, Cinnyris bifasciatus
• White-breasted sunbird, Cinnyris talatala
• Variable sunbird, Cinnyris venustus (V)
• Dusky sunbird, Cinnyris fuscus
• Copper sunbird, Cinnyris cupreus

Weavers and alliesEdit

Village weaver

Family: 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.

Red-headed quelea,

• Red-billed buffalo-weaver, Bubalornis niger
• Scaly weaver, Sporopipes squamifrons
• White-browed sparrow-weaver, Plocepasser mahali
• Sociable weaver, Philetairus socius
• Red-headed weaver, Anaplectes rubriceps
• Spectacled weaver, Ploceus ocularis
• Cape weaver, Ploceus capensis
• Holub's golden-weaver, Ploceus xanthops
• Southern brown-throated weaver, Ploceus xanthopterus
• Lesser masked-weaver, Ploceus intermedius
• Southern masked-weaver, Ploceus velatus
• Village weaver, Ploceus cucullatus
• Chestnut weaver, Ploceus rubiginosus
• Cardinal quelea, Quelea cardinalis (V)
  
  
  
• Red-headed quelea, Quelea erythrops (V)
• Red-billed quelea, Quelea quelea
• Southern red bishop, Euplectes orix
• Yellow-crowned bishop, Euplectes afer
• White-winged widowbird, Euplectes albonotatus
• Fan-tailed widowbird, Euplectes axillaris
• Grosbeak weaver, Amblyospiza albifrons

Waxbills and alliesEdit

Violet-eared waxbill

Family: 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.

• Bronze mannikin, Spermestes cucullatus
• Magpie mannikin, Spermestes fringilloides (V)
  
• Black-faced waxbill, Brunhilda erythronotos
• Angola waxbill, Coccopygia bocagei (H)
• Cinderella waxbill, Glaucestrilda thomensis
• Common waxbill, Estrilda astrild
• Quailfinch, Ortygospiza fuscocrissa
• Cut-throat, Amadina fasciata
• Red-headed finch, Amadina erythrocephala
• Zebra waxbill, Amandava subflava
• Violet-eared waxbill, Uraeginthus granatina
• Southern cordonbleu, Uraeginthus angolensis
• Green-winged pytilia, Pytilia melba
• Orange-winged pytilia, Pytilia afra
• Red-billed firefinch, Lagonosticta senegala
  

  
  
• Jameson's firefinch, Lagonosticta rhodopareia
• Brown firefinch, Lagonosticta nitidula 

IndigobirdsEdit

Pin-tailed whydah

Family: 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.

• Pin-tailed whydah, Vidua macroura
• Broad-tailed paradise-whydah, Vidua obtusa
• Eastern paradise-whydah, Vidua paradisaea
• Shaft-tailed whydah, Vidua regia
• Village indigobird, Vidua chalybeata
• Purple indigobird, Vidua purpurascens
• Parasitic weaver, Anomalospiza imberbis

Old World sparrowsEdit

Family: 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.

• House sparrow, Passer domesticus (I)
• Great rufous sparrow, Passer motitensis
• Cape sparrow, Passer melanurus
• Northern gray-headed sparrow, Passer griseus
• Southern gray-headed sparrow, Passer diffusus
• Yellow-throated bush sparrow, Gymnoris superciliaris

Wagtails and pipitsEdit

Cape wagtail in Fish River Canyon, Namibia

Family: Motacillidae

Motacillidae is a family of small passerine birds with medium to long tails. They include the wagtails, longclaws, and pipits. They are slender ground-feeding insectivores of open country.

• Cape wagtail, Motacilla capensis
• Gray wagtail, Motacilla cinerea (V)
• Western yellow wagtail, Motacilla flava (V)
• Citrine wagtail, Motacilla citreola (V)
• African pied wagtail, Motacilla aguimp
• African pipit, Anthus cinnamomeus
• Woodland pipit, Anthus nyassae
• Nicholson's pipit, Anthus nicholsoni
• Plain-backed pipit, Anthus leucophrys
• Buffy pipit, Anthus vaalensis
• Tree pipit, Anthus trivialis (V)
• Red-throated pipit, Anthus cervinus (V)
• Rosy-throated longclaw, Macronyx ameliae

Finches, euphonias, and alliesEdit

Yellow-fronted canary

Family: 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.

• Yellow-fronted canary, Crithagra mozambicus
• Black-throated canary, Crithagra atrogularis
• Yellow canary, Crithagra flaviventris
• White-throated canary, Crithagra albogularis
• Black-headed canary, Serinus alario

Old World buntingsEdit

Family: 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.

• Ortolan bunting, Emberiza hortulana (V)
• Golden-breasted bunting, Emberiza flaviventris
• Cape bunting, Emberiza capensis
• Lark-like bunting, Emberiza impetuani
• Cinnamon-breasted bunting, Emberiza tahapisi

ReferencesEdit

1. ^ 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.

• Lepage, Denis. "Checklist of Birds of Namibia". Bird Checklists of the World. Avibase. Retrieved 27 September 2021.
• Clements, James F. (2007). Birds of the World: A Checklist, 6th edition. Cornell University Press.

The Spirit of Namibia (13 - 22 October 2023)

October 12, 2023 (Thursday)

· 2300 Ready at Suvarnabhumi International Airport.

October 13, 2023 (Friday)

· 0010 Check-In Ethiopian Airlines.

· 0150 Take a flight (ET) to Addis Ababa.

· 0630 Arrive Bole International Airport, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

· 0630 – 0835 Waiting for flight.

· 0835 Take a flight ET to Windhoek, Hosea Kutako International Airport, Namibia.

· 1320 Arrive Hosea Kutako International Airport, Immigration formalities.

· Birding short trip : Avis Dam Nature Reserve.

· Dinner and check-in Town Lodge Windhoek, 48 km from the airport. 

October 14, 2023 (Saturday)

· 0730 After breakfast, go to Walvis Bay (395 km from Windhoek).

· 1200 Have a lunch at Altstadt restaurant, Swakopmund, birding at Estuary.

· 1400 On the way by coaster to Walvis Bay (35 km. from Swakopmund).

· 1500 Stop and birding at Bird Sanctuary in Walvis Bay and Waterfront.

· 1800 Dinner time, check-in Lagoon Chalet (near Lagoon).

October 15, 2023 (Sunday)

· 0600 Go to Namib-Naukluft National Park. (73 km. from Walvis Bay).

· 1100 Go back and have a lunch at Swakopmund.

· 1800 Dinner time. check-in The Mole Guest House, Swakopmund.

October 16, 2023 (Monday)

· 0730 After breakfast, go to Okahandja (290 km. from Swakopmund).

· 1130 Have a lunch at Usakos (146 km. from Swakopmund).

· 1800 Dinner time. check-in Ethithiya Boutique Guest House, Windhoek.

October 17, 2023 (Tuesday)

· 0730 After breakfast, go to Okahandja (75 km. from Windhoek).

· 0900 Birding at Von Bach Dam Nature Reserve, Okahandja.

· 1130 Have a lunch at Okahandja.

· 1800 Check-in Ombo Rest Camp, Okahandja.

October 18, 2023 (Wednesday)

· 0730 After breakfast, Birding at Okonjima Nature Reserve.

· 1200 Have a lunch at Otjiwarongo, on the way birding.

· 1800 Dinner time. check-in Village Boutique Hotel Otjiwarongo.

October 19, 2023 (Thursday)

· 0600 Birding around and go to Outjo.

· 1200 Birding at Anderson Gate.

· 0800 Dinner time at Etotongwe Lodge, Outjo.

October 20, 2023 (Friday)

· 0600 Go to Anderson Gate (96 km. from Outjo).

· 0800 All day birding and game drive in Etosha National Park.

· 1200 Lunch time in Etosha National Park and Birding around Anderson Gate.

· 1700 Go back to Outjo.

· 1800 Dinner time at Etotongwe Lodge, Outjo.

October 21, 2023 (Saturday)

· 0700 After breakfast, on the way to Windhoek, On the way birding.

· 1200 A lunch time at Okahandja.

· 1800 Check-in Arebbusch Travel Lodge, Windhoek.

October 22, 2023 (Sunday)

· 0630 After breakfast, Check-out, go to airport.

· 09.30 Arrive airport, prepare for check-in.

· 1230 Check-in Counter ET, Hosea Kutako International Airport.

· 1430 Take a flight to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia by ET.

· 2120 Arrive Addis Ababa Bole International Airport, Ethiopia.

· 2240 Take a flight to Thailand by ET.

October 23, 2023 (Monday)

· 1200 Arrive Safely, Suvarnabhumi International Airport, Bangkok, Thailand.