Namibian Birds
A little bit about our feathered friends
There are some 620 bird species native to Namibia. The national bird of Namibia used to be the Crimson breasted shrike (now known as the Crimson breasted boubou) as it's colours matched those of the Imperial German flag. However, as that is no longer politically correct the African fish eagle has now been named Namibia's national bird.
The Walvis Bay and Sandwich Harbour lagoons are among the most important wet lands anywhere on the coast of Africa. Providing a dry season refuge for up to 80% of Southern Africa's population of flamingos, also supporting 69% of the worlds population of the rare Chestnutbanded plover. Namibia also has some of the only breeding colonies of the vulnerable Jackass penguin along it's coast as well as species such as pelicans, cormorants, sandpipers, stints, plovers and the rare Caspian and Damara terns. Etosha National Parks salt pans are also a major breeding ground for flamingos.
Raptors are common in Etosha with some 35 species including the Lappet faced and Hooded vultures. The northernmost breeding colony of Cape Vultures in Southern Africa nest in the Waterberg Plateau National Park. Once common and widespread throughout the subcontinent, they are now an endangered species. Unlike other vultures which nest in trees, the Cape vulture builds it's nests on cliff faces.
Hardap Dam is a prime habitat for White Pelicans and well as being home to Pinebacked Pelicans, African Fish Eagles, flamingos, cormorants, darters and African spoonbills. There are also several species of tropical birds to be found in the north east of Namibia, including Ross's lourie, coucals, babblers, boubous, bee eaters and the Yellow breasted hyliota. Some of the rarer species found in Namibia are Rufousbellied heron, Whitecrowned plover, Pel's fishing owl and the Wattled crane.
Endemic birds to Namibia and Southern Angola are Hartlaubs francolin, Ruppells korhaan, Violet woodhoopoe, Monteiro's hornbill, Gray's lark, Barecheeked babbler, Rockrunner and Whitetailed shrike. A wholly endemic bird found in north-western Namibia, the Herero chat, favours bare ground with scattered trees. The Dune lark, Karroo or Green eremomela and Cinnamonbreasted warbler are endemic to the Namibian and South African drylands. The Rosyface lovebird and Bradfields swift are found mainly in Namibia as well as the Grey kestrel, Angolan swallow, Sharptailed starling and the Rufoustailed palm thrush. The Cinderella waxbill is found only in bush along the Kunene river, whereas Rupell's parrot and Carp's blacktit range further across the north.
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