Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park bird checklist - Avibase

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Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park

This checklist includes all bird species found in Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park , based on the best information available at this time. It is based on a wide variety of sources that I collated over many years. I am pleased to offer these checklists as a service to birdwatchers. If you find any error, please do not hesitate to .

The taxonomic order and nomenclature follows Howard and Moore 4th edition (incl. corrigenda vol.1-2). If you prefer to view the list based on a different authority, click on one of the list available below. Globally threatened species (status in red) were identified by Birdlife International in Birdlife Data Zone (species).

Bird Checklists of the World is part of Avibase and Bird links to the World, which are designed and maintained by Denis Lepage, and hosted by Birds Canada, which is a co-partner of Birdlife International.

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Country or region: Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park [map]

Other names: Kalahari-Gemsbok National Park

Number of species: 368
Number of introduced species: 3
Date last reviewed: 2007-06-09
Last modified: 2024-08-03
See also: https://www.sanparks.org/groups/birders/checklists.php

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STRUTHIONIFORMES: Struthionidae
Common Ostrich	Struthio camelus
ANSERIFORMES: Anatidae
White-faced Whistling Duck	Dendrocygna viduata
Egyptian Goose	Alopochen aegyptiaca
South African Shelduck	Tadorna cana
Southern Pochard	Netta erythrophthalma
Hottentot Teal	Spatula hottentota
Cape Shoveler	Spatula smithii
African Black Duck	Anas sparsa
Yellow-billed Duck	Anas undulata
Cape Teal	Anas capensis
Red-billed Teal	Anas erythrorhyncha
Spur-winged Goose	Plectropterus gambensis
Comb Duck	Sarkidiornis melanotos
GALLIFORMES: Numididae
Helmeted Guineafowl	Numida meleagris
GALLIFORMES: Phasianidae
Common Quail	Coturnix coturnix
Harlequin Quail	Coturnix delegorguei
Red-billed Francolin	Pternistis adspersus
Cape Francolin	Pternistis capensis	Endemic (country/region)
Natal Francolin	Pternistis natalensis
Swainson's Francolin	Pternistis swainsonii
Grey-winged Francolin	Scleroptila afra	Endemic (country/region)
PHOENICOPTERIFORMES: Phoenicopteridae
Greater Flamingo	Phoenicopterus roseus
Lesser Flamingo	Phoeniconaias minor	Near-threatened
PHOENICOPTERIFORMES: Podicipedidae
Little Grebe	Tachybaptus ruficollis
COLUMBIFORMES: Columbidae
Rock Dove	Columba livia
Speckled Pigeon	Columba guinea
European Turtle Dove	Streptopelia turtur	Rare/Accidental Vulnerable
Red-eyed Dove	Streptopelia semitorquata
Ring-necked Dove	Streptopelia capicola
Laughing Dove	Streptopelia senegalensis
Namaqua Dove	Oena capensis
PTEROCLIFORMES: Pteroclidae
Namaqua Sandgrouse	Pterocles namaqua
Double-banded Sandgrouse	Pterocles bicinctus
Burchell's Sandgrouse	Pterocles burchelli
CAPRIMULGIFORMES: Caprimulgidae
European Nightjar	Caprimulgus europaeus
Rufous-cheeked Nightjar	Caprimulgus rufigena
Freckled Nightjar	Caprimulgus tristigma
CAPRIMULGIFORMES: Apodidae
African Palm Swift	Cypsiurus parvus
Alpine Swift	Tachymarptis melba
White-rumped Swift	Apus caffer
Little Swift	Apus affinis
Bradfield's Swift	Apus bradfieldi
African Swift	Apus barbatus
Common Swift	Apus apus
CUCULIFORMES: Cuculidae
White-browed Coucal	Centropus superciliosus
Jacobin Cuckoo	Clamator jacobinus
Great Spotted Cuckoo	Clamator glandarius
Klaas's Cuckoo	Chrysococcyx klaas
Diederick Cuckoo	Chrysococcyx caprius
Black Cuckoo	Cuculus clamosus
Common Cuckoo	Cuculus canorus
African Cuckoo	Cuculus gularis
GRUIFORMES: Rallidae
African Crake	Crex egregia
Black Crake	Zapornia flavirostra
Striped Crake	Amaurornis marginalis
Purple Swamphen	Porphyrio porphyrio
Common Moorhen	Gallinula chloropus
Lesser Moorhen	Gallinula angulata
Red-knobbed Coot	Fulica cristata
GRUIFORMES: Sarothruridae
Buff-spotted Flufftail	Sarothrura elegans
GRUIFORMES: Gruidae
Blue Crane	Grus paradisea	Vulnerable
OTIDIFORMES: Otididae
Vigors's Bustard	Heterotetrax vigorsii
Kori Bustard	Ardeotis kori	Near-threatened
Ludwig's Bustard	Ardeotis ludwigii	Endangered
Red-crested Bustard	Lophotis ruficrista
Black Bustard	Afrotis afra	Endemic (country/region) Vulnerable
White-quilled Bustard	Afrotis afraoides
MUSOPHAGIFORMES: Musophagidae
Grey Go-away-bird	Corythaixoides concolor
PELECANIFORMES: Ciconiidae
Marabou	Leptoptilos crumenifer
Yellow-billed Stork	Mycteria ibis
African Openbill	Anastomus lamelligerus
Black Stork	Ciconia nigra
Abdim's Stork	Ciconia abdimii
Woolly-necked Stork	Ciconia episcopus
European White Stork	Ciconia ciconia
Saddle-bill Stork	Ephippiorhynchus senegalensis
PELECANIFORMES: Pelecanidae
Pink-backed Pelican	Pelecanus rufescens
PELECANIFORMES: Scopidae
Hamerkop	Scopus umbretta
PELECANIFORMES: Ardeidae
Little Bittern	Ixobrychus minutus
Dwarf Bittern	Ixobrychus sturmii
Squacco Heron	Ardeola ralloides
Cattle Egret	Bubulcus ibis
Grey 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
PELECANIFORMES: Threskiornithidae
African Sacred Ibis	Threskiornis aethiopicus
African Spoonbill	Platalea alba
Hadada Ibis	Bostrychia hagedash
Glossy Ibis	Plegadis falcinellus
PELECANIFORMES: Phalacrocoracidae
Long-tailed Cormorant	Microcarbo africanus
Great Cormorant	Phalacrocorax carbo
PELECANIFORMES: Anhingidae
African Darter	Anhinga rufa
CHARADRIIFORMES: Burhinidae
Spotted Thick-knee	Burhinus capensis
CHARADRIIFORMES: Recurvirostridae
Pied Avocet	Recurvirostra avosetta
Black-winged Stilt	Himantopus himantopus
CHARADRIIFORMES: Charadriidae
Grey Plover	Pluvialis squatarola
Common Ringed Plover	Charadrius hiaticula
Three-banded Plover	Charadrius tricollaris
White-fronted Plover	Charadrius marginatus
Caspian Plover	Charadrius asiaticus
Blacksmith Lapwing	Vanellus armatus
Crowned Lapwing	Vanellus coronatus
CHARADRIIFORMES: Rostratulidae
Greater Painted-snipe	Rostratula benghalensis
CHARADRIIFORMES: Jacanidae
African Jacana	Actophilornis africanus
CHARADRIIFORMES: Scolopacidae
Whimbrel	Numenius phaeopus
Eurasian Curlew	Numenius arquata	Near-threatened
Ruff	Calidris pugnax
Curlew Sandpiper	Calidris ferruginea	Near-threatened
Little Stint	Calidris minuta
Common Sandpiper	Actitis hypoleucos
Green Sandpiper	Tringa ochropus
Common Greenshank	Tringa nebularia
Wood Sandpiper	Tringa glareola
Marsh Sandpiper	Tringa stagnatilis
CHARADRIIFORMES: Turnicidae
Common Buttonquail	Turnix sylvaticus
CHARADRIIFORMES: Glareolidae
Double-banded Courser	Rhinoptilus africanus
Bronze-winged Courser	Rhinoptilus chalcopterus
Burchell's Courser	Cursorius rufus
Temminck's Courser	Cursorius temminckii
Black-winged Pratincole	Glareola nordmanni	Near-threatened
CHARADRIIFORMES: Stercorariidae
Long-tailed Skua	Stercorarius longicaudus	Rare/Accidental
CHARADRIIFORMES: Laridae
Gray-hooded Gull	Chroicocephalus cirrocephalus
White-winged Tern	Chlidonias leucopterus
ACCIPITRIFORMES: Sagittariidae
Secretary-bird	Sagittarius serpentarius	Endangered
ACCIPITRIFORMES: Accipitridae
Black-winged Kite	Elanus caeruleus
African Harrier Hawk	Polyboroides typus
Palm-nut Vulture	Gypohierax angolensis
Egyptian Vulture	Neophron percnopterus	Rare/Accidental Endangered
Bateleur	Terathopius ecaudatus	Endangered
Black-chested Snake Eagle	Circaetus pectoralis
Brown Snake Eagle	Circaetus cinereus
White-headed Vulture	Trigonoceps occipitalis	Critically endangered
Hooded Vulture	Necrosyrtes monachus	Critically endangered
White-backed Vulture	Gyps africanus	Critically endangered
Cape Vulture	Gyps coprotheres	Vulnerable
Lappet-faced Vulture	Torgos tracheliotos	Endangered
Martial Eagle	Polemaetus bellicosus	Endangered
Tawny Eagle	Aquila rapax	Vulnerable
Steppe Eagle	Aquila nipalensis	Endangered
Verreaux's Eagle	Aquila verreauxii
African Hawk Eagle	Aquila spilogaster
Wahlberg's Eagle	Hieraaetus wahlbergi
Booted Eagle	Hieraaetus pennatus
Pale Chanting Goshawk	Melierax canorus
Gabar Goshawk	Micronisus gabar
Black Harrier	Circus maurus	Endangered
Pallid Harrier	Circus macrourus	Near-threatened
Montagu's Harrier	Circus pygargus
Shikra	Accipiter badius
Little Sparrowhawk	Accipiter minullus
Ovambo Sparrowhawk	Accipiter ovampensis
African Fish Eagle	Haliaeetus vocifer
Black Kite	Milvus migrans
Jackal Buzzard	Buteo rufofuscus
Eurasian Buzzard	Buteo buteo
STRIGIFORMES: Tytonidae
Common Barn Owl	Tyto alba
STRIGIFORMES: Strigidae
Pearl-spotted Owlet	Glaucidium perlatum
African Scops Owl	Otus senegalensis
Southern White-faced Owl	Ptilopsis granti
Marsh Owl	Asio capensis
Cape Eagle Owl	Bubo capensis
Spotted Eagle Owl	Bubo africanus
Verreaux's Eagle Owl	Bubo lacteus
COLIIFORMES: Coliidae
White-backed Mousebird	Colius colius
Red-faced Mousebird	Urocolius indicus
BUCEROTIFORMES: Bucerotidae
African Grey Hornbill	Tockus nasutus
Southern Yellow-billed Hornbill	Tockus leucomelas
BUCEROTIFORMES: Upupidae
Common Hoopoe	Upupa epops
BUCEROTIFORMES: Phoeniculidae
Green Wood-hoopoe	Phoeniculus purpureus
Common Scimitarbill	Rhinopomastus cyanomelas
PICIFORMES: Indicatoridae
Lesser Honeyguide	Indicator minor
PICIFORMES: Picidae
Ground Woodpecker	Geocolaptes olivaceus	Endemic (country/region) Near-threatened
Bennett's Woodpecker	Campethera bennettii
Golden-tailed Woodpecker	Campethera abingoni
Cardinal Woodpecker	Dendropicos fuscescens
Bearded Woodpecker	Chloropicus namaquus
PICIFORMES: Ramphastidae
Crested Barbet	Trachyphonus vaillantii
Acacia Pied Barbet	Tricholaema leucomelas
CORACIIFORMES: Meropidae
White-fronted Bee-eater	Merops bullockoides
White-throated Bee-eater	Merops albicollis	Rare/Accidental
European Bee-eater	Merops apiaster
Swallow-tailed Bee-eater	Merops hirundineus
CORACIIFORMES: Coraciidae
Rufous-crowned Roller	Coracias naevius
Lilac-breasted Roller	Coracias caudatus
European Roller	Coracias garrulus
CORACIIFORMES: Alcedinidae
African Malachite Kingfisher	Corythornis cristatus
Giant Kingfisher	Megaceryle maxima
Pied Kingfisher	Ceryle rudis
Grey-headed Kingfisher	Halcyon leucocephala
Brown-hooded Kingfisher	Halcyon albiventris	Rare/Accidental
Striped Kingfisher	Halcyon chelicuti
FALCONIFORMES: Falconidae
African Pygmy Falcon	Polihierax semitorquatus
Lesser Kestrel	Falco naumanni
Common Kestrel	Falco tinnunculus
Greater Kestrel	Falco rupicoloides
Red-necked Falcon	Falco chicquera
Red-footed Falcon	Falco vespertinus	Vulnerable
Amur Falcon	Falco amurensis
Eurasian Hobby	Falco subbuteo
Lanner Falcon	Falco biarmicus
Peregrine Falcon	Falco peregrinus
PSITTACIFORMES: Psittaculidae
Rosy-faced Lovebird	Agapornis roseicollis
PASSERIFORMES: Oriolidae
Eastern Black-headed Oriole	Oriolus larvatus	Rare/Accidental
Eurasian Golden Oriole	Oriolus oriolus
PASSERIFORMES: Platysteiridae
Pririt Batis	Batis pririt
PASSERIFORMES: Malaconotidae
Brown-crowned Tchagra	Tchagra australis
Black-crowned Tchagra	Tchagra senegalus	Rare/Accidental
Brubru	Nilaus afer
Southern Boubou	Laniarius ferrugineus
Crimson-breasted Gonolek	Laniarius atrococcineus
Bokmakierie	Telophorus zeylonus
PASSERIFORMES: Dicruridae
Fork-tailed Drongo	Dicrurus adsimilis
PASSERIFORMES: Laniidae
Magpie Shrike	Urolestes melanoleucus
White-crowned Shrike	Eurocephalus anguitimens
Red-backed Shrike	Lanius collurio
Lesser Grey Shrike	Lanius minor
Southern Fiscal	Lanius collaris
PASSERIFORMES: Corvidae
Cape Crow	Corvus capensis
White-necked Raven	Corvus albicollis
Pied Crow	Corvus albus
PASSERIFORMES: Monarchidae
African Paradise-flycatcher	Terpsiphone viridis
PASSERIFORMES: Nectariniidae
Southern Double-collared Sunbird	Cinnyris chalybeus
Mariqua Sunbird	Cinnyris mariquensis
White-bellied Sunbird	Cinnyris talatala
Dusky Sunbird	Cinnyris fuscus
PASSERIFORMES: Ploceidae
Red-billed Buffalo Weaver	Bubalornis niger
White-browed Sparrow Weaver	Plocepasser mahali
Scaly-fronted Weaver	Sporopipes squamifrons
Sociable Weaver	Philetairus socius
Red-billed Quelea	Quelea quelea
Yellow-crowned Bishop	Euplectes afer
Southern Red Bishop	Euplectes orix
White-winged Widowbird	Euplectes albonotatus
Long-tailed Widowbird	Euplectes progne	Rare/Accidental
Cape Weaver	Ploceus capensis	Endemic (country/region)
Southern Masked Weaver	Ploceus velatus
Chestnut Weaver	Ploceus rubiginosus	Rare/Accidental
PASSERIFORMES: Estrildidae
Red-billed Firefinch	Lagonosticta senegala
Green-winged Pytilia	Pytilia melba
Violet-eared Waxbill	Granatina granatina
Blue-breasted Cordon-bleu	Uraeginthus angolensis
Common Waxbill	Estrilda astrild
Black-faced Waxbill	Estrilda erythronotos
Red-headed Finch	Amadina erythrocephala
Cut-throat Finch	Amadina fasciata
African Quailfinch	Ortygospiza fuscocrissa
PASSERIFORMES: Viduidae
Pin-tailed Whydah	Vidua macroura
Eastern Paradise Whydah	Vidua paradisaea
Shaft-tailed Whydah	Vidua regia
PASSERIFORMES: Passeridae
House Sparrow	Passer domesticus	Introduced species
Rufous Sparrow	Passer motitensis
Cape Sparrow	Passer melanurus
Southern Grey-headed Sparrow	Passer diffusus
PASSERIFORMES: Motacillidae
Yellow-tufted Pipit	Anthus crenatus	Endemic (country/region) Near-threatened
Plain-backed Pipit	Anthus leucophrys
African Pipit	Anthus cinnamomeus
Buffy Pipit	Anthus vaalensis
Long-billed Pipit	Anthus similis
Cape Longclaw	Macronyx capensis
Cape Wagtail	Motacilla capensis
Yellow Wagtail	Motacilla flava
African Wagtail	Motacilla aguimp
Grey Wagtail	Motacilla cinerea	Rare/Accidental
Citrine Wagtail	Motacilla citreola	Rare/Accidental
PASSERIFORMES: Fringillidae
Black-throated Canary	Crithagra atrogularis
Yellow Canary	Crithagra flaviventris
White-throated Canary	Crithagra albogularis
Black-headed Canary	Serinus alario
Cape Canary	Serinus canicollis
PASSERIFORMES: Emberizidae
Golden-breasted Bunting	Fringillaria flaviventris
Cape Bunting	Fringillaria capensis
Lark-like Bunting	Fringillaria impetuani
Cinnamon-breasted Bunting	Fringillaria tahapisi
PASSERIFORMES: Stenostiridae
African Fairy-flycatcher	Stenostira scita
PASSERIFORMES: Paridae
Grey Tit	Melaniparus afer
Ashy Tit	Melaniparus cinerascens
PASSERIFORMES: Remizidae
Cape Penduline Tit	Anthoscopus minutus
PASSERIFORMES: Alaudidae
Spike-heeled Lark	Chersomanes albofasciata
Short-clawed Lark	Certhilauda chuana
Karoo Long-billed Lark	Certhilauda subcoronata
Cape Long-billed Lark	Certhilauda curvirostris	Endemic (country/region)
Dusky Lark	Pinarocorys nigricans
Black-eared Sparrow Lark	Eremopterix australis
Chestnut-backed Sparrow Lark	Eremopterix leucotis
Grey-backed Sparrow Lark	Eremopterix verticalis
Sabota Lark	Calendulauda sabota
Fawn-coloured Lark	Calendulauda africanoides
Karoo Lark	Calendulauda albescens	Endemic (country/region)
Red Lark	Calendulauda burra	Endemic (country/region) Vulnerable
Cape Clapper Lark	Mirafra apiata
Eastern Clapper Lark	Mirafra fasciolata
Rufous-naped Lark	Mirafra africana
Monotonous Lark	Mirafra passerina
Red-capped Lark	Calandrella cinerea
Sclater's Lark	Spizocorys sclateri	Near-threatened
Stark's Lark	Spizocorys starki
Pink-billed Lark	Spizocorys conirostris
Large-billed Lark	Galerida magnirostris
PASSERIFORMES: Macrosphenidae
Long-billed Crombec	Sylvietta rufescens
PASSERIFORMES: Cisticolidae
Yellow-bellied Eremomela	Eremomela icteropygialis
Karoo Eremomela	Eremomela gregalis
Namaqua Warbler	Phragmacia substriata
Barred Wren Warbler	Calamonastes fasciolatus	Rare/Accidental
Cinnamon-breasted Warbler	Euryptila subcinnamomea
Rufous-eared Warbler	Malcorus pectoralis
Rattling Cisticola	Cisticola chiniana
Tinkling Cisticola	Cisticola rufilatus
Grey-backed Cisticola	Cisticola subruficapilla
Levaillant's Cisticola	Cisticola tinniens
Piping Cisticola	Cisticola fulvicapilla
Zitting Cisticola	Cisticola juncidis
Desert Cisticola	Cisticola aridulus
Cloud Cisticola	Cisticola textrix
Black-chested Prinia	Prinia flavicans
Karoo Prinia	Prinia maculosa
PASSERIFORMES: Acrocephalidae
Icterine Warbler	Hippolais icterina
Sedge Warbler	Acrocephalus schoenobaenus
Common Reed Warbler	Acrocephalus scirpaceus
Lesser Swamp Warbler	Acrocephalus gracilirostris
PASSERIFORMES: Hirundinidae
Northern House Martin	Delichon urbicum
South African Swallow	Petrochelidon spilodera
Lesser Striped Swallow	Cecropis abyssinica
Rufous-chested Swallow	Cecropis semirufa
Greater Striped Swallow	Cecropis cucullata
White-throated Swallow	Hirundo albigularis
Barn Swallow	Hirundo rustica
Pearl-breasted Swallow	Hirundo dimidiata
Rock Martin	Ptyonoprogne fuligula
Banded Martin	Neophedina cincta
Plain Martin	Riparia paludicola
PASSERIFORMES: Pycnonotidae
Black-fronted Bulbul	Pycnonotus nigricans
Cape Bulbul	Pycnonotus capensis	Endemic (country/region)
Common Bulbul	Pycnonotus barbatus
PASSERIFORMES: Phylloscopidae
Willow Warbler	Phylloscopus trochilus
PASSERIFORMES: Sylviidae
Layard's Warbler	Curruca layardi
Chestnut-vented Warbler	Curruca subcoerulea
PASSERIFORMES: Zosteropidae
Orange River White-eye	Zosterops pallidus
Cape White-eye	Zosterops virens
PASSERIFORMES: Leiothrichidae
Southern Pied Babbler	Turdoides bicolor
PASSERIFORMES: Buphagidae
Red-billed Oxpecker	Buphagus erythrorhynchus	Rare/Accidental
PASSERIFORMES: Sturnidae
Common Starling	Sturnus vulgaris	Introduced species
Wattled Starling	Creatophora cinerea
Rosy Starling	Pastor roseus	Rare/Accidental
Common Myna	Acridotheres tristis	Introduced species
Pale-winged Starling	Onychognathus nabouroup
Burchell's Starling	Lamprotornis australis
African Pied Starling	Lamprotornis bicolor
Cape Starling	Lamprotornis nitens
PASSERIFORMES: Muscicapidae
Karoo Scrub Robin	Cercotrichas coryphoeus
Kalahari Scrub Robin	Cercotrichas paena
Spotted Flycatcher	Muscicapa striata
Chat Flycatcher	Bradornis infuscatus
Mariqua Flycatcher	Bradornis mariquensis
Southern Black Flycatcher	Melaenornis pammelaina
Fiscal Flycatcher	Sigelus silens
Cape Robin Chat	Cossypha caffra
Common Redstart	Phoenicurus phoenicurus	Rare/Accidental
Short-toed Rock Thrush	Monticola brevipes
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
Capped Wheatear	Oenanthe pileata
Familiar Chat	Oenanthe familiaris
PASSERIFORMES: Turdidae
Groundscraper Thrush	Psophocichla litsitsirupa
Olive Thrush	Turdus olivaceus
Smith's Thrush	Turdus smithi

References (partial list)