List of birds of South Africa

This article concerns the list of birds from South Africa (country). For the list of birds from Southern Africa (region), see List of Southern African birds.

Southern bald ibis, a vulnerable endemic species

South Africa is a large country, ranked 25th by size in the world, and is situated in the temperate latitudes and subtropics. Due to a range of climate types present, a patchwork of unique habitat types occur, which contribute to its biodiversity and level of endemism. Offshore, South Africa's territory includes the Prince Edward Islands in the Subantarctic Indian Ocean, while the submerged though ecologically important Agulhas Bank is for most part inside its territorial waters.

858 species have been recorded including 31 endemics and nine species introduced by humans.

This list's taxonomic treatment (designation and sequence of orders, families and species) and nomenclature (common and scientific names) follow the conventions of The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World, and reflects all changes to that work until January 2006. Taxonomic changes are on-going. As more research is gathered from studies of distribution, behaviour and DNA, the order and number of families and species may change. Furthermore, different approaches to ornithological nomenclature have led to concurrent systems of classification (see Sibley-Ahlquist taxonomy).

Mainland and territorial waters

The South African list encompasses the combined areas of darker blue, presented here in separate lists for clarity

Ostriches

Order: Struthioniformes Family: Struthionidae

The ostrich is a flightless bird native to Africa. It is the largest living species of bird. It is distinctive in its appearance, with a long neck and legs and the ability to run at high speeds.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Ostrich	Struthio camelus	Resident breeder

Ducks, geese and swans

Fulvous whistling duck

Order: Anseriformes Family: Anatidae

The family Anatidae includes the ducks and most duck-like waterfowl, such as geese and swans. These are birds adapted to an aquatic existence, with webbed feet, flattened bills, and feathers that are excellent at shedding water due to an oily coating.

Common name	Binomial	Status
White-faced whistling duck	Dendrocygna viduata	Migratory breeder
Fulvous whistling duck	Dendrocygna bicolor	Migratory breeder
White-backed duck	Thalassornis leuconotus	Resident breeder
Mute swan	Cygnus olor	Introduced; feral populations established are now extinct
Knob-billed duck	Sarkidiornis melanotos	Migratory breeder
Egyptian goose	Alopochen aegyptiaca	Resident breeder
South African shelduck	Tadorna cana	Resident breeder
Spur-winged goose	Plectropterus gambensis	Resident breeder
African pygmy goose	Nettapus auritus	Resident breeder
African black duck	Anas sparsa	Resident breeder
Yellow-billed duck	Anas undulata	Resident breeder
Mallard	Anas platyrhynchos	Introduced
Cape shoveler	Anas smithii	Resident breeder
Northern shoveler	Anas clypeata	Rare/accidental
Red-billed teal	Anas erythrorhyncha	Migratory breeder
Northern pintail	Anas acuta	Rare vagrant from the Palearctic
Hottentot teal	Anas hottentota	Migratory breeder
Garganey	Anas querquedula	Rare vagrant from the Palearctic
Cape teal	Anas capensis	Resident breeder
Southern pochard	Netta erythrophthalma	Migratory breeder
Maccoa duck	Oxyura maccoa	Resident breeder; near threatened

Guineafowl

Helmeted guineafowl

Order: Galliformes Family: Numididae

The guineafowl are a family of birds native to Africa. They typically eat insects and seeds, are ground-nesting, and resemble partridges, except with featherless heads.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Helmeted guineafowl	Numida meleagris	Resident breeder
Crested guineafowl	Guttera pucherani	Resident breeder

Pheasants and partridges

Common quail

Order: Galliformes Family: Phasianidae

The Phasianidae are a family of terrestrial birds consisting of quails, partridges, snowcocks, francolins, spurfowls, tragopans, monals, pheasants, peafowls and jungle fowls. In general, they are plump and have broad, relatively short wings.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Chukar partridge	Alectoris chukar	Introduced
Coqui francolin	Peliperdix coqui	Resident breeder
Crested francolin	Dendroperdix sephaena	Resident breeder
Red-winged francolin	Scleroptila levaillantii	Resident breeder
Grey-winged francolin	Scleroptila africanus	Near-endemic resident breeder
Shelley's francolin	Scleroptila shelleyi	Resident breeder
Orange River francolin	Scleroptila levaillantoides	Resident breeder
Red-billed spurfowl	Pternistis adspersus	Resident
Cape spurfowl	Pternistis capensis	Endemic resident breeder
Natal spurfowl	Pternistis natalensis	Resident breeder
Red-necked spurfowl	Pternistis afer	Resident breeder
Swainson's spurfowl	Pternistis swainsonii	Resident breeder
Common quail	Coturnix coturnix	Resident breeder
Harlequin quail	Coturnix delegorguei	Migratory breeder
Blue quail	Coturnix adansonii	Migrant visitor
Indian peafowl	Pavo cristatus	Introduced; feral populations established

Grebes

Order: Podicipediformes 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.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Little grebe	Tachybaptus ruficollis	Resident breeder
Great crested grebe	Podiceps cristatus	Resident breeder
Black-necked grebe	Podiceps nigricollis	Resident breeder

Flamingos

Order: Phoenicopteriformes Family: Phoenicopteridae

Flamingos are large gregarious wading birds found in both the Western and Eastern Hemispheres. Flamingos filter-feed on shellfish and algae. Their oddly shaped beaks are specially adapted to separate mud and silt from the food they consume and, uniquely, are used upside-down.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Greater flamingo	Phoenicopterus roseus	Migratory breeder
Lesser flamingo	Phoeniconaias minor	Migratory breeder; near threatened

Penguins

Jackass penguins

Order: Sphenisciformes 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 marine life caught while swimming underwater.

Common name	Binomial	Status
King penguin	Aptenodytes patagonicus	Rare oceanic vagrant
Southern rockhopper penguin	Eudyptes chrysocome	Rare oceanic vagrant; vulnerable
Northern rockhopper penguin	Eudyptes c. moseleyi	Rare oceanic vagrant; endangered
African penguin	Spheniscus demersus	Resident breeder; endangered
Macaroni penguin	Eudyptes chrysolophus	Rare oceanic vagrant; vulnerable

Albatrosses

Order: Procellariiformes Family: Diomedeidae

The albatrosses are among the largest of flying birds, with those from the genus Diomedea having the largest wingspan of any extant bird.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Atlantic yellow-nosed albatross	Thalassarche chlororhynchos	Regular oceanic migrant; endangered
Indian yellow-nosed albatross	Thalassarche carteri	Regional breeder; endangered
Grey-headed albatross	Thalassarche chrysostoma	Rare oceanic migrant; endangered
Buller's albatross	Thalassarche bulleri	Rare oceanic vagrant; near-threatened
Shy albatross	Thalassarche cauta	Regular oceanic migrant; near threatened
Black-browed albatross	Thalassarche melanophrys	Regular oceanic migrant; near threatened
Sooty albatross	Phoebetria fusca	Rare oceanic vagrant; endangered
Light-mantled albatross	Phoebetria palpebrata	Rare oceanic vagrant; near-threatened
Southern royal albatross	Diomedea epomophora	Rare oceanic vagrant; vulnerable
Northern royal albatross	Diomedea sanfordi	Rare oceanic vagrant; endangered
Wandering albatross	Diomedea exulans	Oceanic migrant; vulnerable
Laysan albatross	Phoebastria immutabilis	Oceanic vagrant; near threatened

Shearwaters and petrels

Order: Procellariiformes 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.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Southern giant petrel	Macronectes giganteus	Regular oceanic migrant
Northern giant petrel	Macronectes halli	Regular oceanic migrant
Southern fulmar	Fulmarus glacialoides	Oceanic migrant
Antarctic petrel	Thalassoica antarctica	Rare oceanic vagrant
Cape petrel	Daption capense	Regular oceanic migrant
Kerguelen petrel	Lugensa brevirostris	Rare oceanic vagrant
Great-winged petrel	Pterodroma macroptera	Regular oceanic migrant
Soft-plumaged petrel	Pterodroma mollis	Regular oceanic migrant
Barau's petrel	Pterodroma baraui	Rare oceanic vagrant; endangered
White-headed petrel	Pterodroma lessonii	Rare oceanic vagrant
Atlantic petrel	Pterodroma incerta	Rare oceanic vagrant; endangered
Blue petrel	Halobaena caerulea	Rare oceanic vagrant
Fairy prion	Pachyptila turtur	Rare oceanic vagrant
Broad-billed prion	Pachyptila vittata	Rare oceanic vagrant
Salvin's prion	Pachyptila salvini	Rare oceanic vagrant
Antarctic prion	Pachyptila desolata	Regular oceanic migrant
Slender-billed prion	Pachyptila belcheri	Rare oceanic vagrant
Jouanin's petrel	Bulweria fallax	Rare oceanic vagrant; near threatened
Grey petrel	Procellaria cinerea	Rare oceanic vagrant; near threatened
White-chinned petrel	Procellaria aequinoctialis	Regular oceanic migrant; vulnerable
Spectacled petrel	Procellaria conspicillata	Rare oceanic vagrant; vulnerable
Streaked shearwater	Calonectris leucomelas	Rare oceanic vagrant
Cory's shearwater	Calonectris diomedea	Regular oceanic migrant
Flesh-footed shearwater	Ardenna carneipes	Regular oceanic migrant
Great shearwater	Ardenna gravis	Regular oceanic migrant
Wedge-tailed shearwater	Ardenna pacificus	Rare oceanic vagrant
Sooty shearwater	Ardenna griseus	Regular oceanic migrant; near threatened
Manx shearwater	Puffinus puffinus	Breeds in the Palearctic and winters in South Africa
Subantarctic shearwater	Puffinus elegans	Regular oceanic migrant

Storm petrels

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

Order: Procellariiformes Family: Hydrobatidae

The storm petrels are relatives of the petrels and are the smallest seabirds. They feed on planktonic crustaceans and small fish picked from the surface, typically while hovering. The flight is fluttering and sometimes bat-like.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Wilson's storm petrel	Oceanites oceanicus	Regular oceanic migrant
Grey-backed storm petrel	Garrodia nereis	Rare oceanic vagrant
White-faced storm petrel	Pelagodroma marina	Rare oceanic vagrant
European storm petrel	Hydrobates pelagicus	Breeds in the Palearctic and winters in South Africa
White-bellied storm petrel	Fregetta grallaria	Rare oceanic vagrant
Black-bellied storm petrel	Fregetta tropica	Occasional oceanic migrant
Leach's storm petrel	Oceanodroma leucorhoa	Breeds in the Palearctic and winters in South Africa
Matsudaira's storm petrel	Oceanodroma matsudairae	Rare oceanic vagrant; vulnerable

Tropicbirds

Order: Phaethontiformes Family: Phaethontidae

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

Common name	Binomial	Status
White-tailed tropicbird	Phaethon lepturus	Rare oceanic vagrant
Red-billed tropicbird	Phaethon aethereus	Rare oceanic vagrant
Red-tailed tropicbird	Phaethon rubricauda	Rare oceanic vagrant

Storks

Black stork

Order: Ciconiiformes 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.

Common name	Binomial	Status
African openbill	Anastomus lamelligerus	Resident breeder; migrates during dry seasons
Black stork	Ciconia nigra	Resident breeder
Abdim's stork	Ciconia abdimii	Migratory; winters in South Africa
Woolly-necked stork	Ciconia episcopus	Resident breeder; vulnerable
White stork	Ciconia ciconia	Breeds in the Palearctic and winters in South Africa
Saddle-billed stork	Ephippiorhynchus senegalensis	Resident breeder
Marabou stork	Leptoptilos crumeniferus	Resident breeder
Yellow-billed stork	Mycteria ibis	Resident breeder; undertakes irregular migrations

Frigatebirds

Order: Suliformes Family: Fregatidae

Frigatebirds are large seabirds usually found over tropical oceans. They are large, black or black-and-white, with long wings and deeply forked tails. The males have coloured inflatable throat pouches. They do not swim or walk and cannot take off from a flat surface. Having the largest wingspan-to-body-weight ratio of any bird, they are essentially aerial, able to stay aloft for more than a week.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Great frigatebird	Fregata minor	Rare oceanic vagrant
Lesser frigatebird	Fregata ariel	Rare oceanic vagrant

Boobies and gannets

Breeding colony of Cape gannets

Order: Suliformes Family: Sulidae

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

Common name	Binomial	Status
Brown booby	Sula leucogaster	Rare oceanic vagrant
Red-footed booby	Sula sula	Rare oceanic vagrant
Cape gannet	Morus capensis	Migratory breeder; vulnerable
Australian gannet	Morus serrator	Rare oceanic vagrant

Cormorants

Order: Suliformes 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.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Great cormorant	Phalacrocorax carbo	Resident breeder
Cape cormorant	Phalacrocorax capensis	Resident breeder; endangered
Bank cormorant	Phalacrocorax neglectus	Resident breeder; endangered
Reed cormorant	Microcarbo africanus	Resident breeder
Crowned cormorant	Microcarbo coronatus	Resident breeder; near threatened

Darters

Order: Suliformes Family: Anhingidae

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.

Common name	Binomial	Status
African darter	Anhinga rufa	Resident breeder

Pelicans

Order: Pelecaniformes Family: Pelecanidae

Pelicans are large water birds with a distinctive pouch under their beak. As with other members of the order Pelecaniformes, they have webbed feet with four toes.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Great white pelican	Pelecanus onocrotalus	Migratory and resident breeding populations
Pink-backed pelican	Pelecanus rufescens	Resident breeder

Hamerkop

Order: Pelecaniformes 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.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Hamerkop	Scopus umbretta	Resident breeder

Bitterns, herons and egrets

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

Order: Pelecaniformes 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.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Great bittern	Botaurus stellaris	Resident breeder
Little bittern	Ixobrychus minutus	Resident breeder
Dwarf bittern	Ixobrychus sturmii	Resident breeder
Grey heron	Ardea cinerea	Resident breeder
Black-headed heron	Ardea melanocephala	Resident breeder
Goliath heron	Ardea goliath	Resident breeder
Purple heron	Ardea purpurea	Resident breeder
Great egret	Ardea alba	Resident breeder
Intermediate egret	Mesophoyx intermedia	Resident breeder
Little egret	Egretta garzetta	Resident breeder
Little blue heron	Egretta caerulea	Rare nearctic vagrant
Slaty egret	Egretta vinaceigula	African migrant visitor; vulnerable
Black heron	Egretta ardesiaca	Migrant breeder
Cattle egret	Bubulcus ibis	Resident breeder
Squacco heron	Ardeola ralloides	Resident breeder
Rufous-bellied heron	Ardeola rufiventris	Resident breeder
Striated heron	Butorides striata	Resident breeder
Black-crowned night heron	Nycticorax nycticorax	Resident breeder
White-backed night heron	Gorsachius leuconotus	Resident breeder

Ibises and spoonbills

Hadada ibis

Order: Pelecaniformes 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.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Glossy ibis	Plegadis falcinellus	Migratory breeders
African sacred ibis	Threskiornis aethiopicus	MIgratory breeder
Southern bald ibis	Geronticus calvus	Endemic resident breeder; vulnerable
Hadada ibis	Bostrychia hagedash	Resident breeder
African spoonbill	Platalea alba	Resident breeder

Secretarybird

Order: Accipitriformes Family: Sagittariidae

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

Common name	Binomial	Status
Secretarybird	Sagittarius serpentarius	Resident breeder; vulnerable

Osprey

Order: Accipitriformes Family: Pandionidae

The Pandionidae family contains only one species, the osprey. The osprey is a medium-large raptor which is a specialist fish-eater with a worldwide distribution.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Osprey	Pandion haliaetus	Breeds in the Palearctic and winters in South Africa

Eagles, hawks, kites, and allies

Order: Accipitriformes 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.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Black-winged kite	Elanus caeruleus	Resident breeder
African harrier-hawk	Polyboroides typus	Resident breeder
Palm-nut vulture	Gypohierax angolensis	Resident breeder
Bearded vulture	Gypaetus barbatus	Resident breeder; near threatened
Egyptian vulture	Neophron percnopterus	Presently a rare vagrant; confirmed breeding prior to 1923; endangered
European honey buzzard	Pernis apivorus	Breeds in the Palearctic and winters in South Africa
African cuckoo-hawk	Aviceda cuculoides	Resident breeder
White-headed vulture	Trigonoceps occipitalis	Resident breeder; vulnerable
Lappet-faced vulture	Torgos tracheliotos	Resident breeder; vulnerable
Hooded vulture	Necrosyrtes monachus	Resident breeder; endangered
White-backed vulture	Gyps africanus	Resident breeder; endangered
Rüppell's vulture	Gyps rueppellii	Rare migrant visitor; endangered
Cape vulture	Gyps coprotheres	Resident breeder; vulnerable
Bateleur	Terathopius ecaudatus	Resident breeder; near threatened
Black-chested snake eagle	Circaetus pectoralis	Resident breeder
Brown snake eagle	Circaetus cinereus	Resident breeder
Southern banded snake eagle	Circaetus fasciolatus	Resident breeder; near threatened
Bat hawk	Macheiramphus alcinus	Resident breeder
Crowned eagle	Stephanoaetus coronatus	Resident breeder; near threatened
Martial eagle	Polemaetus bellicosus	Resident breeder; vulnerable
Long-crested eagle	Lophaetus occipitalis	Resident breeder
Lesser spotted eagle	Aquila pomarina	Breeds in the Palearctic and winters in southern Africa
Wahlberg's eagle	Aquila wahlbergi	Migratory breeder
Booted eagle	Hieraaetus pennatus	Breeds in the Palearctic and winters in southern Africa
Ayres's hawk-eagle	Hieraaetus ayresii	Summer migrant
Tawny eagle	Aquila rapax	Resident breeder
Steppe eagle	Aquila nipalensis	Breeds in the Palearctic and winters in southern Africa
Verreaux's eagle	Aquila verreauxii	Resident breeder
African hawk-eagle	Aquila spilogaster	Resident breeder
Lizard buzzard	Kaupifalco monogrammicus	Resident breeder
Dark chanting goshawk	Melierax metabates	Resident breeder
Pale chanting goshawk	Melierax canorus	Resident breeder
Gabar goshawk	Micronisus gabar	Resident breeder
Western marsh harrier	Circus aeruginosus	Rare Palearctic vagrant
African marsh harrier	Circus ranivorus	Resident breeder
Black harrier	Circus maurus	Resident breeder; vulnerable
Pallid harrier	Circus macrourus	Breeds in the Palearctic and winters in southern Africa; near threatened
Montagu's harrier	Circus pygargus	Breeds in the Palearctic and winters in southern Africa
African goshawk	Accipiter tachiro	Resident breeder
Shikra	Accipiter badius	Resident breeder
Little sparrowhawk	Accipiter minullus	Resident breeder
Ovambo sparrowhawk	Accipiter ovampensis	Resident breeder
Rufous-breasted sparrowhawk	Accipiter rufiventris	Resident breeder
Black sparrowhawk	Accipiter melanoleucus	Resident breeder
Black kite	Milvus migrans	Breeds in the Palearctic and winters in southern Africa
Yellow-billed kite	Milvus aegyptius parasitus	Resident in Africa^[1]^[2]
African fish eagle	Haliaeetus vocifer	Resident breeder
Steppe buzzard	Buteo buteo vulpinus	Breeds in the Palearctic and winters in southern Africa
Forest buzzard	Buteo oreophilus trizonatus	Resident breeder
Long-legged buzzard	Buteo rufinus	Rare vagrant
Augur buzzard	Buteo augur	Occasional visitor
Jackal buzzard	Buteo rufofuscus	Resident breeder

Bustards

Rüppell's bustard

Order: Otidiformes 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.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Kori bustard	Ardeotis kori	Resident breeder; near threatened
Ludwig's bustard	Neotis ludwigii	Resident breeder; endangered
Stanley bustard	Neotis denhami	Resident breeder; near threatened
White-bellied bustard	Eupodotis senegalensis	Subspecies E. s. barrowii is a resident breeder^[1]
Blue korhaan	Eupodotis caerulescens	Endemic resident breeder; near threatened
Karoo korhaan	Eupodotis vigorsii	Resident breeder
Rüppell's korhaan	Eupodotis rueppellii	Occasional visitor
Red-crested korhaan	Lophotis ruficrista	Resident breeder
Black bustard	Afrotis afra	Endemic resident breeder; vulnerable
White-quilled bustard	Afrotis afraoides	Resident breeder
Black-bellied bustard	Lissotis melanogaster	Resident breeder

Rails, crakes, gallinules and coots

Order: Gruiformes 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.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Corn crake	Crex crex	Breeds in the Palearctic and winters in southern Africa
African rail	Rallus caerulescens	Resident breeder
African crake	Crex egregia	Visiting summer breeder
Black crake	Amaurornis flavirostris	Resident breeder
Baillon's crake	Porzana pusilla	Resident breeder
Spotted crake	Porzana porzana	Breeds in the Palearctic and winters in Africa
Striped crake	Aenigmatolimnas marginalis	Visiting breeder
African swamphen	Porphyrio madagascariensis	Resident breeder^[1]
Allen's gallinule	Porphyrio alleni	Occasional visiting breeder
American purple gallinule	Porphyrio martinicus	Rare vagrant from the Nearctic
Common moorhen	Gallinula chloropus	Resident breeder
Lesser moorhen	Gallinula angulata	Migratory breeder
Red-knobbed coot	Fulica cristata	Resident breeder

Flufftails

Order: Gruiformes Family: Sarothruridae

Common name	Binomial	Status
Buff-spotted flufftail	Sarothrura elegans	Migratory breeder
Red-chested flufftail	Sarothrura rufa	Resident breeder
Streaky-breasted flufftail	Sarothrura boehmi	Rare migratory vagrant
Striped flufftail	Sarothrura affinis	Resident breeder
White-winged flufftail	Sarothrura ayresi	Occasional visitor; critically endangered

Finfoots

Order: Gruiformes Family: Heliornithidae

Heliornithidae is a small family of tropical birds with webbed lobes on their feet similar to those of grebes and coots.

Common name	Binomial	Status
African finfoot	Podica senegalensis	Resident breeder

Cranes

Blue crane

Order: Gruiformes 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".

Common name	Binomial	Status
Grey crowned crane	Balearica regulorum	Resident breeder; endangered
Blue crane	Anthropoides paradiseus	Resident breeder; vulnerable
Wattled crane	Bugeranus carunculatus	Resident breeder; vulnerable

Sheathbills

Order: Charadriiformes Family: Chionidae

Common name	Binomial	Status
Snowy sheathbill	Chionis alba	Rare oceanic vagrant

Stone-curlews

Order: Charadriiformes Family: Burhinidae

The stone-curlews and thick-knees are a group of largely tropical waders in the family Burhinidae. They are found worldwide within the tropical zone, with some species also breeding in temperate Europe and Australia. They are medium to large waders with strong black or yellow-black bills, large yellow eyes and cryptic plumage. Despite being classed as waders, most species have a preference for arid or semi-arid habitats.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Water thick-knee	Burhinus vermiculatus	Resident breeder
Spotted thick-knee	Burhinus capensis	Resident breeder

Avocets and stilts

Black-winged stilt

Order: Charadriiformes 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.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Black-winged stilt	Himantopus himantopus	Resident breeder
Pied avocet	Recurvirostra avosetta	Resident breeder

Oystercatchers

Order: Charadriiformes Family: Haematopodidae

The oystercatchers are large and noisy plover-like birds, with strong bills used for smashing or prising open molluscs.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Eurasian oystercatcher	Haematopus ostralegus	Rare Palearctic vagrant
African oystercatcher	Haematopus moquini	Resident breeder; near threatened

Plovers and lapwings

Nesting blacksmith plover

Order: Charadriiformes 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.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Grey plover	Pluvialis squatarola	Breeds in the Palearctic and winters in Africa
American golden plover	Pluvialis dominica	Rare Nearctic vagrant
Pacific golden plover	Pluvialis fulva	Rare vagrant
Long-toed lapwing	Vanellus crassirostris	African vagrant
Blacksmith lapwing	Vanellus armatus	Resident breeder
Spur-winged lapwing	Vanellus spinosus	Rare vagrant
White-headed lapwing	Vanellus albiceps	Resident breeder
Senegal lapwing	Vanellus lugubris	Resident breeder
Black-winged lapwing	Vanellus melanopterus	Resident breeder
Crowned lapwing	Vanellus coronatus	Resident breeder
African wattled lapwing	Vanellus senegallus	Resident breeder
Lesser sand plover	Charadrius mongolus	Breeds in the Palearctic and winters in Africa
Greater sand plover	Charadrius leschenaultii	Breeds in the Palearctic and winters in Africa
Caspian plover	Charadrius asiaticus	Breeds in the Palearctic and winters in Africa
Kittlitz's plover	Charadrius pecuarius	Resident breeder
Common ringed plover	Charadrius hiaticula	Breeds in the Palearctic and winters in Africa
Three-banded plover	Charadrius tricollaris	Resident breeder
White-fronted plover	Charadrius marginatus	Resident breeder
Chestnut-banded plover	Charadrius pallidus	Resident breeder; near threatened

Painted-snipe

Order: Charadriiformes Family: Rostratulidae

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

Common name	Binomial	Status
Greater painted-snipe	Rostratula benghalensis	Resident breeder

Jacanas

Order: Charadriiformes Family: Jacanidae

The jacanas are a group of tropical waders in the family Jacanidae. They are 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.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Lesser jacana	Microparra capensis	Resident breeder
African jacana	Actophilornis africanus	Resident breeder

Sandpipers and allies

Marsh sandpiper

Order: Charadriiformes 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.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Terek sandpiper	Xenus cinereus	Breeds in the Palearctic and winters in Africa
Common sandpiper	Actitis hypoleucos	Breeds in the Palearctic and winters in Africa
Green sandpiper	Tringa ochropus	Breeds in the Palearctic and winters in Africa
Spotted redshank	Tringa erythropus	Rare Palearctic vagrant
Common greenshank	Tringa nebularia	Breeds in the Palearctic and winters in Africa
Lesser yellowlegs	Tringa flavipes	Rare Nearctic vagrant
Marsh sandpiper	Tringa stagnatilis	Breeds in the Palearctic and winters in Africa
Wood sandpiper	Tringa glareola	Breeds in the Palearctic and winters in Africa
Common redshank	Tringa totanus	Occasional Palearctic vagrant
Whimbrel	Numenius phaeopus	Breeds in the Palearctic and winters in Africa
Eurasian curlew	Numenius arquata	Breeds in the Palearctic and winters in Africa; near threatened
Black-tailed godwit	Limosa limosa	Rare Palearctic vagrant; near threatened
Hudsonian godwit	Limosa haemastica	Rare Nearctic vagrant
Bar-tailed godwit	Limosa lapponica	Breeds in the Palearctic and winters in Africa
Ruddy turnstone	Arenaria interpres	Breeds in the Palearctic and Nearctic and winters in Africa
Great knot	Calidris tenuirostris	Rare Palearctic vagrant; vulnerable
Red knot	Calidris canutus	Breeds in the Palearctic and winters in Africa
Ruff	Philomachus pugnax	Breeds in the Palearctic and winters in Africa
Broad-billed sandpiper	Limicola falcinellus	Rare Palearctic vagrant
Curlew sandpiper	Calidris ferruginea	Breeds in the Palearctic and winters in Africa
Temminck's stint	Calidris temminckii	Rare Palearctic vagrant
Long-toed stint	Calidris subminuta	Rare Palearctic vagrant
Red-necked stint	Calidris ruficollis	Rare Palearctic vagrant
Sanderling	Calidris alba	Breeds in the Palearctic and winters in Africa
Dunlin	Calidris alpina	Rare Palearctic vagrant
Baird's sandpiper	Calidris bairdii	Rare Nearctic vagrant
Little stint	Calidris minuta	Breeds in the Palearctic and winters in Africa
White-rumped sandpiper	Calidris fuscicollis	Rare Nearctic vagrant
Buff-breasted sandpiper	Tryngites subruficollis	Rare Nearctic vagrant; near threatened
Pectoral sandpiper	Calidris melanotos	Rare Palearctic vagrant
Asian dowitcher	Limnodromus semipalmatus	Rare Palearctic vagrant; near threatened
Great snipe	Gallinago media	Rare Palearctic vagrant; near threatened
African snipe	Gallinago nigripennis	Resident breeder
Wilson's phalarope	Phalaropus tricolor	Rare Nearctic vagrant
Red-necked phalarope	Phalaropus lobatus	Rare Palearctic vagrant
Red phalarope	Phalaropus fulicarius	Breeds in the Palearctic and winters in Africa

Buttonquails

Order: Charadriiformes Family: Turnicidae

The buttonquails are small, drab, running birds which resemble the true quails. The female is the brighter of the sexes and initiates courtship. The male incubates the eggs and tends the young.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Small buttonquail	Turnix sylvaticus	Resident breeder
Hottentot buttonquail	Turnix hottentotta	Resident breeder
Black-rumped buttonquail	Turnix nanus

Crab-plover

Order: Charadriiformes Family: Dromadidae

Common name	Binomial	Status
Crab-plover	Dromas ardeola	Occasional African vagrant

Pratincoles and coursers

Order: Charadriiformes 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.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Burchell's courser	Cursorius rufus	Resident breeder
Temminck's courser	Cursorius temminckii	African migratory breeder
Double-banded courser	Rhinoptilus africanus	Resident breeder
Three-banded courser	Rhinoptilus cinctus	Resident breeder
Bronze-winged courser	Rhinoptilus chalcopterus	Resident or migratory breeder, depending on population
Collared pratincole	Glareola pratincola	Migratory breeder
Black-winged pratincole	Glareola nordmanni	Breeds in the Palearctic and winters in Africa; near threatened
Rock pratincole	Glareola nuchalis	Rare African vagrant

Skuas

Order: Charadriiformes 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.

Common name	Binomial	Status
South polar skua	Stercorarius maccormicki	Oceanic vagrant
Brown skua	Stercorarius antarctica	Wintering migrant
Pomarine skua	Stercorarius pomarinus	Occasional wintering migrant
Parasitic jaeger	Stercorarius parasiticus	Breeds in the Palearctic and winters in Africa
Long-tailed jaeger	Stercorarius longicaudus	Breeds in the Palearctic and winters in Africa

Gulls

Kelp gull

Order: Charadriiformes Family: Laridae

Laridae is a family of medium to large seabirds, the gulls and kittiwakes. They are typically grey or white, often with black markings on the head or wings. They have stout, longish bills and webbed feet.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Black-legged kittiwake	Rissa tridactyla	Rare Palearctic vagrant
Sabine's gull	Xema sabini	Migrant through Africa
Slender-billed gull	Chroicocephalus genei	Rare vagrant
Grey-headed gull	Chroicocephalus cirrocephalus	Resident breeder
Hartlaub's gull	Chroicocephalus hartlaubii	Resident breeder
Black-headed gull	Chroicocephalus ridibundus	Rare vagrant
Franklin's gull	Leucophaeus pipixcan	Rare Nearctic vagrant
Lesser black-backed gull	Larus fuscus	Rare vagrant
Kelp gull	Larus dominicanus	Subspecies L. d. vetula is a resident breeder, sometimes called the Cape gull.^[1]

Terns

Order: Charadriiformes Family: Sternidae

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.

Common name	Binomial	Status
Brown noddy	Anous stolidus	Rare migratory vagrant
Lesser noddy	Anous tenuirostris	Rare migratory vagrant
Sooty tern	Onychoprion fuscatus	Rare migratory vagrant
Bridled tern	Onychoprion anaethetus	Rare migratory vagrant
Little tern	Sternula albifrons	Breeds in the Palearctic and winters in Africa
Damara tern	Sternula balaenarum	Migratory breeder; near threatened
Gull-billed tern	Gelochelidon nilotica	Rare Palearctic vagrant
Caspian tern	Hydroprogne caspia	Resident breeder
Black tern	Chlidonias niger	Rare Palearctic vagrant
White-winged tern	Chlidonias leucopterus	Breeds in the Palearctic and winters in Africa
Whiskered tern	Chlidonias hybrida	Resident breeder
Roseate tern	Sterna dougallii	Migratory breeder
Black-naped tern	Sterna sumatrana	Rare oceanic vagrant
Common tern	Sterna hirundo	Breeds in the Palearctic and winters in Africa
Arctic tern	Sterna paradisaea	Breeds in the Palearctic and winters in Africa
Antarctic tern	Sterna vittata	Migrant visitor
White-cheeked tern	Sterna repressa	Migratory vagrant
Greater crested tern	Thalasseus bergii	Resident breeder
Sandwich tern	Thalasseus sandvicensis	Breeds in the Palearctic and winters in Africa
Lesser crested tern	Thalasseus bengalensis	T. b. bengalensis winters in South Africa

Skimmers

A flock of African skimmers

Order: Charadriiformes Family: Rynchopidae

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.

Common name	Binomial	Status
African skimmer	Rynchops flavirostris	Resident breeder; near threatened

Falconidae

Pygmy falcon, Polihierax semitorquatus
Lesser kestrel, Falco naumanni - vulnerable
Rock kestrel, Falco rupicolus
Greater kestrel, Falco rupicoloides
Dickinson's kestrel, Falco dickinsoni
Red-necked falcon, Falco chicquera
Red-footed falcon, Falco vespertinus
Amur falcon, Falco amurensis
Eleonora's falcon, Falco eleonorae - rare/accidental
Sooty falcon, Falco concolor
Eurasian hobby, Falco subbuteo
African hobby, Falco cuvierii
Lanner falcon, Falco biarmicus
Taita falcon, Falco fasciinucha - near-threatened
Peregrine falcon, Falco peregrinus

Rynchopidae

African skimmer, Rynchops flavirostris - near-threatened

Pteroclidae

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

Columbidae

Rock pigeon, Columba livia - introduced
Speckled pigeon, Columba guinea
African olive pigeon, Columba arquatrix
Delegorgue's pigeon, Columba delegorguei
Lemon dove, Columba larvata
European turtle dove, Streptopelia turtur - rare/accidental
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
Blue-spotted wood dove, Turtur afer
Tambourine dove, Turtur tympanistria
Namaqua dove, Oena capensis
African green pigeon, Treron calva

Psittaculidae

Rose-ringed parakeet, Psittacula krameri - introduced
Peach-faced lovebird, Agapornis roseicollis

Psittacidae

Brown-necked parrot, Poicephalus fuscicollis
Cape parrot, Poicephalus robustus
Meyer's parrot, Poicephalus meyeri
Brown-headed parrot, Poicephalus cryptoxanthus

Musophagidae

Livingstone's turaco, Tauraco livingstonii
Knysna turaco, Tauraco corythaix
Purple-crested turaco, Tauraco porphyreolophus
Grey go-away-bird, Corythaixoides concolor

Cuculidae

Pied cuckoo, Clamator jacobinus
Levaillant's cuckoo, Clamator levaillantii
Great spotted cuckoo, Clamator glandarius
Thick-billed cuckoo, Pachycoccyx audeberti
Red-chested cuckoo, Cuculus solitarius
Black cuckoo, Cuculus clamosus
Common cuckoo, Cuculus canorus
African cuckoo, Cuculus gularis
Lesser cuckoo, Cuculus poliocephalus - rare/accidental
Madagascar cuckoo, Cuculus rochii - rare/accidental
Klaas's cuckoo, Chrysococcyx klaas
African emerald cuckoo, Chrysococcyx cupreus
Dideric cuckoo, Chrysococcyx caprius
Yellowbill, Ceuthmochares aereus
Black coucal, Centropus grillii
Senegal coucal, Centropus senegalensis
White-browed coucal, Centropus superciliosus

Tytonidae

African grass owl, Tyto capensis
Barn owl, Tyto alba

Strigidae

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

Caprimulgidae

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
Pennant-winged nightjar, Macrodipteryx vexillarius

Apodidae

Mottled spinetail, Telacanthura ussheri
Bat-like spinetail, Neafrapus boehmi
African palm swift, Cypsiurus parvus
Alpine swift, Tachymarptis melba
Mottled swift, Tachymarptis aequatorialis
Common swift, Apus apus
Pallid swift, Apus pallidus - rare/accidental
African swift, Apus barbatus
Bradfield's swift, Apus bradfieldi
Little swift, Apus affinis
Horus swift, Apus horus
White-rumped swift, Apus caffer

Coliidae

Speckled mousebird, Colius striatus
White-backed mousebird, Colius colius
Red-faced mousebird, Urocolius indicus

Trogonidae

Narina trogon, Apaloderma narina

Alcedinidae

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

Halcyonidae

Grey-headed kingfisher, Halcyon leucocephala
Woodland kingfisher, Halcyon senegalensis
Mangrove kingfisher, Halcyon senegaloides
Brown-hooded kingfisher, Halcyon albiventris
Striped kingfisher, Halcyon chelicuti

Cerylidae

Giant kingfisher, Megaceryle maximus
Pied kingfisher, Ceryle rudis

Meropidae

White-fronted bee-eater, Merops bullockoides
Little bee-eater, Merops pusillus
Swallow-tailed bee-eater, Merops hirundineus
White-throated bee-eater, Merops albicollis - rare/accidental
Blue-cheeked bee-eater, Merops persicus
Madagascar bee-eater, Merops superciliosus - rare/accidental
European bee-eater, Merops apiaster
Southern carmine bee-eater, Merops nubicoides

Coraciidae

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

Upupidae

Hoopoe, Upupa epops

Phoeniculidae

Green wood hoopoe, Phoeniculus purpureus
Common scimitarbill, Rhinopomastus cyanomelas

Bucerotidae

Southern red-billed hornbill, Tockus rufirostris
Southern yellow-billed hornbill, Tockus leucomelas
Crowned hornbill, Tockus alboterminatus
African grey hornbill, Tockus nasutus
Trumpeter hornbill, Ceratogymna bucinator
Silvery-cheeked hornbill, Ceratogymna brevis - rare/accidental
Southern ground hornbill, Bucorvus leadbeateri

Lybiidae

White-eared barbet, Stactolaema leucotis
Green barbet, Stactolaema olivacea
Yellow-rumped tinkerbird, Pogoniulus bilineatus
Yellow-fronted tinkerbird, Pogoniulus chrysoconus
Red-fronted tinkerbird, Pogoniulus pusillus
Acacia pied barbet, Tricholaema leucomelas
Black-collared barbet, Lybius torquatus
Crested barbet, Trachyphonus vaillantii

Indicatoridae

Scaly-throated honeyguide, Indicator variegatus
Greater honeyguide, Indicator indicator
Lesser honeyguide, Indicator minor
Wahlberg's honeyguide, Prodotiscus regulus

Picidae

Rufous-necked wryneck, Jynx ruficollis
Bennett's woodpecker, Campethera bennettii
Golden-tailed woodpecker, Campethera abingoni
Knysna woodpecker, Campethera notata - endemic - near-threatened
Ground woodpecker, Geocolaptes olivaceus - endemic
Cardinal woodpecker, Dendropicos fuscescens
Olive woodpecker, Dendropicos griseocephalus (nom. race)^[3]
Bearded woodpecker, Chloropicus namaquus

Eurylaimidae

African broadbill, Smithornis capensis

Pittidae

African pitta, Pitta angolensis

Alaudidae

Monotonous lark, Mirafra passerina
Melodious lark, Mirafra cheniana - near-threatened
Rufous-naped lark, Mirafra africana
Flappet lark, Mirafra rufocinnamomea
Cape clapper lark, Mirafra apiata
Eastern clapper lark, Mirafra fasciolata
Sabota lark, Calendulauda sabota
Fawn-coloured lark, Calendulauda africanoides
Red lark, Calendulauda burra - endemic - vulnerable
Karoo lark, Calendulauda albescens - endemic
Barlow's lark, Calendulauda barlowi
Dune lark, Calendulauda erythrochlamys
Dusky lark, Pinarocorys nigricans
Rudd's lark, Heteromirafra ruddi - endemic - vulnerable
Cape long-billed lark, Certhilauda curvirostris - endemic
Agulhas long-billed lark, Certhilauda brevirostris - endemic - near-threatened
Eastern long-billed lark, Certhilauda semitorquata - endemic
Karoo long-billed lark, Certhilauda subcoronata
Short-clawed lark, Certhilauda chuana
Spike-heeled lark, Chersomanes albofasciata
Black-eared sparrow-lark, Eremopterix australis
Chestnut-backed sparrow-lark, Eremopterix leucotis
Grey-backed sparrow-lark, Eremopterix verticalis
Red-capped lark, Calandrella cinerea
Pink-billed lark, Spizocorys conirostris
Botha's lark, Spizocorys fringillaris - endemic - endangered
Sclater's lark, Spizocorys sclateri - near-threatened
Stark's lark, Spizocorys starki
Large-billed lark, Galerida magnirostris

Hirundinidae

Sand martin, Riparia riparia
Brown-throated sand martin, Riparia paludicola
Banded martin, Riparia cincta
Grey-rumped swallow, Pseudhirundo griseopyga
Rock martin, Ptyonoprogne fuligula
Barn swallow, Hirundo rustica
White-throated swallow, Hirundo albigularis
Wire-tailed swallow, Hirundo smithii
Blue swallow, Hirundo atrocaerulea - vulnerable
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 urbica
Black saw-wing, Psalidoprocne pristoptera

Motacillidae

African pied wagtail, Motacilla aguimp
Cape wagtail, Motacilla capensis
Yellow wagtail, Motacilla flava
Grey wagtail, Motacilla cinerea - rare/accidental
Mountain wagtail, Motacilla clara
Golden pipit, Tmetothylacus tenellus - rare/accidental
Yellow-throated longclaw, Macronyx croceus
Orange-throated longclaw, Macronyx capensis
Rosy-throated longclaw, Macronyx ameliae
Yellow-breasted pipit, Hemimacronyx chloris - endemic - vulnerable
Striped pipit, Anthus lineiventris
African rock pipit, Anthus crenatus - endemic
Mountain pipit, Anthus hoeschi
Plain-backed pipit, Anthus leucophrys
Long-tailed pipit, Anthus longicaudatus - endemic - data deficient
Buffy pipit, Anthus vaalensis
African pipit, Anthus cinnamomeus
Long-billed pipit, Anthus similis
Short-tailed pipit, Anthus brachyurus
Bushveld pipit, Anthus caffer
Tree pipit, Anthus trivialis
Red-throated pipit, Anthus cervinus - rare/accidental
Kimberley pipit, Anthus pseudosimilis

Campephagidae

White-breasted cuckooshrike, Coracina pectoralis
Grey cuckooshrike, Coracina caesia
Black cuckooshrike, Campephaga flava

Pycnonotidae

Common bulbul, Pycnonotus barbatus
Black-fronted bulbul, Pycnonotus nigricans
Cape bulbul, Pycnonotus capensis - endemic
Sombre greenbul, Andropadus importunus
Yellow-bellied greenbul, Chlorocichla flaviventris
Terrestrial brownbul, Phyllastrephus terrestris
Yellow-streaked bulbul, Phyllastrephus flavostriatus
Eastern nicator, Nicator gularis

Turdidae

Orange ground thrush, Geokichla gurneyi
Spotted ground thrush, Geokichla guttata (nom. race)^[3] endangered
Groundscraper thrush, Psophocichla litsipsirupa
Olive thrush, Turdus olivaceus
Kurrichane thrush, Turdus libonyanus

Cisticolidae

Red-faced cisticola, Cisticola erythrops
Lazy cisticola, Cisticola aberrans (nom. race)^[1]
Rattling cisticola, Cisticola chiniana
Tinkling cisticola, Cisticola rufilatus
Red-headed cisticola, Cisticola subruficapillus
Wailing cisticola, Cisticola lais
Winding cisticola, Cisticola galactotes
Levaillant's cisticola, Cisticola tinniens
Croaking cisticola, Cisticola natalensis
Piping cisticola, Cisticola fulvicapillus
Zitting cisticola, Cisticola juncidis
Desert cisticola, Cisticola aridulus
Cloud cisticola, Cisticola textrix
Pectoral-patch cisticola, Cisticola brunnescens
Pale-crowned cisticola, Cisticola cinnamomeus (race egregius)^[3]
Wing-snapping cisticola, Cisticola ayresii
Tawny-flanked prinia, Prinia subflava
Black-chested prinia, Prinia flavicans
Karoo prinia, Prinia maculosa
Drakensberg prinia, Prinia hypoxantha
Namaqua prinia, Prinia substriata
Red-winged warbler, Prinia erythroptera
Rufous-eared warbler, Malcorus pectoralis
Bar-throated apalis, Apalis thoracica
Yellow-breasted apalis, Apalis flavida
Rudd's apalis, Apalis ruddi
Green-backed camaroptera, Camaroptera brachyura
Miombo wren-warbler, Calamonastes undosus
Barred wren-warbler, Calamonastes fasciolatus
Cinnamon-breasted warbler, Euryptila subcinnamomea
Yellow-bellied eremomela, Eremomela icteropygialis
Green-capped eremomela, Eremomela scotops
Yellow-rumped eremomela, Eremomela gregalis
Burnt-necked eremomela, Eremomela usticollis

Macrosphenidae

Victorin's warbler, Cryptillas victorini - endemic
Cape grassbird, Sphenoeacus afer
Cape crombec, Sylvietta rufescens

Locustellidae

Little rush warbler, Bradypterus baboecala
Knysna scrub warbler, Bradypterus sylvaticus - endemic - vulnerable
African scrub warbler, Bradypterus barratti
River warbler, Locustella fluviatilis
Fan-tailed grassbird, Schoenicola brevirostris

Acrocephalidae

Sedge warbler, Acrocephalus schoenobaenus
Reed warbler, Acrocephalus scirpaceus
African reed warbler, Acrocephalus baeticatus
Marsh warbler, Acrocephalus palustris
Great reed warbler, Acrocephalus arundinaceus
Basra reed warbler, Acrocephalus griseldis - rare/accidental - near-threatened
Lesser swamp warbler, Acrocephalus gracilirostris
Olive-tree warbler, Hippolais olivetorum
Icterine warbler, Hippolais icterina
African yellow warbler, Iduna natalensis

Phylloscopidae

Yellow-throated woodland warbler, Phylloscopus ruficapillus
Willow warbler, Phylloscopus trochilus

Hyliotidae

Southern hyliota, Hyliota australis

Sylviidae

Eurasian blackcap, Sylvia atricapilla - rare/accidental
Garden warbler, Sylvia borin
Common whitethroat, Sylvia communis
Layard's warbler, Sylvia layardi
Chestnut-vented warbler, Sylvia subcaerulea
Bush blackcap, Lioptilus nigricapillus - near-threatened

Muscicapidae

Cape rock thrush, Monticola rupestris - endemic
Sentinel rock thrush, Monticola explorator
Short-toed rock thrush, Monticola brevipes
Pale flycatcher, Bradornis pallidus
Chat flycatcher, Bradornis infuscatus
Marico flycatcher, Bradornis mariquensis
Southern black flycatcher, Melaenornis pammelaina
Fiscal flycatcher, Sigelus silens
Spotted flycatcher, Muscicapa striata
African dusky flycatcher, Muscicapa adusta
Ashy flycatcher, Muscicapa caerulescens
Grey tit-flycatcher, Myioparus plumbeus
Fairy flycatcher, Stenostira scita
Collared flycatcher, Ficedula albicollis
White-starred robin, Pogonocichla stellata
Thrush nightingale, Luscinia luscinia - rare/accidental
Cape robin-chat, Cossypha caffra
White-throated robin-chat, Cossypha humeralis
White-browed robin-chat, Cossypha heuglini
Red-capped robin-chat, Cossypha natalensis
Chorister robin-chat, Cossypha dichroa
Collared palm thrush, Cichladusa arquata
Bearded scrub robin, Cercotrichas quadrivirgata
Brown scrub robin, Cercotrichas signata
Red-backed scrub-robin, Cercotrichas leucophrys
Kalahari scrub robin, Cercotrichas paena
Karoo scrub-robin, Cercotrichas coryphaeus
Common redstart, Phoenicurus phoenicurus - rare/accidental
Whinchat, Saxicola rubetra
African stonechat, Saxicola torquatus
Buff-streaked chat, Saxicola bifasciatus
Mountain wheatear, Oenanthe monticola
Northern wheatear, Oenanthe oenanthe - rare/accidental
Pied wheatear, Oenanthe pleschanka - rare/accidental
Capped wheatear, Oenanthe pileata
Sickle-winged chat, Cercomela sinuata
Karoo chat, Cercomela schlegelii
Tractrac chat, Cercomela tractrac
Familiar chat, Cercomela familiaris
Southern anteater chat, Myrmecocichla formicivora
White-headed black-chat, Myrmecocichla arnotti
Mocking cliff chat, Thamnolaea cinnamomeiventris

Platysteiridae

Black-throated wattle-eye, Platysteira peltata
Cape batis, Batis capensis
Woodward's batis, Batis fratrum
Chinspot batis, Batis molitor
Pririt batis, Batis pririt

Monarchidae

Blue-mantled crested flycatcher, Trochocercus cyanomelas
African paradise flycatcher, Terpsiphone viridis

Leiothrichidae

Southern pied babbler, Turdoides bicolor
Arrow-marked babbler, Turdoides jardineii

Chaetopidae

Cape rockjumper, Chaetops frenatus - endemic
Drakensberg rockjumper, Chaetops aurantius - endemic

Paridae

Southern black tit, Melaniparus niger
Ashy tit, Melaniparus cinerascens
Grey tit, Melaniparus afer

Remizidae

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

Nectariniidae

Plain-backed sunbird, Anthreptes reichenowi - rare/accidental - near-threatened
Collared sunbird, Hedydipna collaris
Orange-breasted sunbird, Anthobaphes violacea - endemic
Olive sunbird, Cyanomitra olivacea^[4]
Mouse-coloured sunbird, Cyanomitra veroxii
Amethyst sunbird, Chalcomitra amethystina
Scarlet-chested sunbird, Chalcomitra senegalensis
Malachite sunbird, Nectarinia famosa
Southern double-collared sunbird, Cinnyris chalybeus
Neergaard's sunbird, Cinnyris neergaardi - near-threatened
Greater double-collared sunbird, Cinnyris afer
Marico sunbird, Cinnyris mariquensis
Purple-banded sunbird, Cinnyris bifasciatus
White-breasted sunbird, Cinnyris talatala
Variable sunbird, Cinnyris venustus - rare/accidental
Dusky sunbird, Cinnyris fuscus

Zosteropidae

African yellow white-eye, Zosterops senegalensis
Cape white-eye, Zosterops pallidus

Promeropidae

Gurney's sugarbird, Promerops gurneyi
Cape sugarbird, Promerops cafer - endemic

Oriolidae

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

Laniidae

Red-backed shrike, Lanius collurio
Lesser grey shrike, Lanius minor
Southern fiscal, Lanius collaris
Magpie shrike, Corvinella melanoleuca
Southern white-crowned shrike, Eurocephalus anguitimens

Malaconotidae

Brubru, Nilaus afer
Black-backed puffback, Dryoscopus cubla
Black-crowned tchagra, Tchagra senegala
Brown-crowned tchagra, Tchagra australis
Southern tchagra, Tchagra tchagra
Tropical boubou, Laniarius major
Southern boubou, Laniarius ferrugineus
Crimson-breasted gonolek, Laniarius atrococcineus
Bokmakierie, Telophorus zeylonus
Orange-breasted bush-shrike, Telophorus sulfureopectus
Olive bushshrike, Telophorus olivaceus
Black-fronted bushshrike, Telophorus nigrifrons
Four-coloured bushshrike, Telophorus viridis
Grey-headed bushshrike, Malaconotus blanchoti

Prionopidae

White helmetshrike, Prionops plumatus
Retz's helmetshrike, Prionops retzii
Chestnut-fronted helmetshrike, Prionops scopifrons

Dicruridae

Square-tailed drongo, Dicrurus ludwigii
Fork-tailed drongo, Dicrurus adsimilis

Corvidae

House crow, Corvus splendens - introduced
Cape crow, Corvus capensis
Pied crow, Corvus albus
White-necked raven, Corvus albicollis

Sturnidae

Common myna, Acridotheres tristis - introduced
European starling, Sturnus vulgaris - introduced
Wattled starling, Creatophora cinerea
Cape glossy-starling, Lamprotornis nitens
Greater blue-eared glossy-starling, Lamprotornis chalybaeus
Meves's glossy-starling, Lamprotornis mevesii
Burchell's glossy-starling, Lamprotornis australis
Black-bellied starling, Lamprotornis corruscus
Violet-backed starling, Cinnyricinclus leucogaster
African pied starling, Spreo bicolor
Red-winged starling, Onychognathus morio
Pale-winged starling, Onychognathus nabouroup
Red-billed oxpecker, Buphagus erythrorhynchus
Yellow-billed oxpecker, Buphagus africanus

Ploceidae

Red-billed buffalo weaver, Bubalornis niger
Scaly-feathered weaver, Sporopipes squamifrons
White-browed sparrow-weaver, Plocepasser mahali
Sociable weaver, Philetairus socius
Lesser masked weaver, Ploceus intermedius
Spectacled weaver, Ploceus ocularis
Cape weaver, Ploceus capensis - endemic
Holub's golden weaver, Ploceus xanthops
Southern brown-throated weaver, Ploceus xanthopterus
Southern masked weaver, Ploceus velatus
Village weaver, Ploceus cucullatus
Dark-backed weaver, Ploceus bicolor
Red-headed weaver, Anaplectes rubriceps
Red-headed quelea, Quelea erythrops
Red-billed quelea, Quelea quelea
Yellow-crowned bishop, Euplectes afer
Red bishop, Euplectes orix
Yellow bishop, Euplectes capensis
Fan-tailed widowbird, Euplectes axillaris
White-winged widowbird, Euplectes albonotatus
Red-collared widowbird, Euplectes ardens
Long-tailed widowbird, Euplectes progne
Thick-billed weaver, Amblyospiza albifrons

Estrildidae

Orange-winged pytilia, Pytilia afra - rare/accidental
Green-winged pytilia, Pytilia melba
Green-backed twinspot, Mandingoa nitidula
Peters's twinspot, Hypargos niveoguttatus
Pink-throated twinspot, Hypargos margaritatus
Red-billed firefinch, Lagonosticta senegala
African firefinch, Lagonosticta rubricata
Jameson's firefinch, Lagonosticta rhodopareia
Blue-breasted cordonbleu, Uraeginthus angolensis
Violet-eared waxbill, Uraeginthus granatina
Yellow-bellied waxbill, Coccopygia quartinia
Swee waxbill, Coccopygia melanotis
Black-tailed waxbill, Estrilda perreini
Common waxbill, Estrilda astrild
Black-faced waxbill, Estrilda erythronotos
Zebra waxbill, Amandava subflava
African quailfinch, Ortygospiza fuscocrissa
Bronze mannikin, Spermestes cucullatus
Black-and-white mannikin, Spermestes bicolor
Magpie mannikin, Spermestes fringilloides
Cut-throat finch, Amadina fasciata
Red-headed finch, Amadina erythrocephala

Viduidae

Village indigobird, Vidua chalybeata
Variable indigobird, Vidua funerea
Purple indigobird, Vidua purpurascens
Pale-winged indigobird, Vidua wilsoni
Shaft-tailed whydah, Vidua regia
Pin-tailed whydah, Vidua macroura
Eastern paradise whydah, Vidua paradisaea
Broad-tailed paradise whydah, Vidua obtusa - rare/accidental

Emberizidae

Lark-like bunting, Emberiza impetuani
Cinnamon-breasted bunting, Emberiza tahapisi
Cape bunting, Emberiza capensis
Golden-breasted bunting, Emberiza flaviventris

Fringillidae

Common chaffinch, Fringilla coelebs - introduced
Cape canary, Serinus canicollis
Forest canary, Serinus scotops - endemic
Black-throated canary, Serinus atrogularis
Lemon-breasted seedeater, Serinus citrinipectus
Yellow-fronted canary, Serinus mozambicus
Yellow canary, Serinus flaviventris
Brimstone canary, Serinus sulphuratus
White-throated canary, Serinus albogularis
Streaky-headed seedeater, Serinus gularis
Black-eared seedeater, Serinus mennelli
Protea canary, Serinus leucopterus - endemic
Cape siskin, Pseudochloroptila totta - endemic
Drakensberg siskin, Pseudochloroptila symonsi - endemic
Black-headed canary, Alario alario
Damara canary, Alario leucolaema

Passeridae

House sparrow, Passer domesticus - introduced
Great sparrow, Passer motitensis
Cape sparrow, Passer melanurus
Southern grey-headed sparrow, Passer diffusus
Yellow-throated petronia, Petronia superciliaris

Prince Edward Islands

The Prince Edward Islands, c. 1,750 km (1,087 mi) offshore in the roaring forties, are near-pristine and deemed the second most important sub-Antarctic archipelago in terms of breeding birds

Note: All but the accidentals are breeders

Anatidae

Eaton's pintail, Anas eatoni - accidental - vulnerable^[5]^[6]

Spheniscidae

King penguin, Aptenodytes patagonicus
Gentoo penguin, Pygoscelis papua - near-threatened
Chinstrap penguin, Pygoscelis antarcticus - accidental^[5]
Rockhopper penguin, Eudyptes chrysocome (race filholi)^[1]
Macaroni penguin, Eudyptes chrysolophus - vulnerable

Diomedeidae

Wandering albatross, Diomedea exulans - vulnerable
Grey-headed albatross, Thalassarche chrysostoma - vulnerable
Shy albatross, Thalassarche cauta - near-threatened^[7]
Yellow-nosed albatross, Thalassarche chlororhynchos^[8]^[7]
Sooty albatross, Phoebetria fusca - endangered
Light-mantled albatross, Phoebetria palpebrata - near-threatened

Procellariidae

Southern giant petrel, Macronectes giganticus
Northern giant petrel, Macronectes halli
Blue petrel, Halobaena caerulea
Salvin's prion, Pachyptila salvini
Fairy prion, Pachyptila turtur
Kerguelen petrel, Lugensa brevirostris - vulnerable
Great-winged petrel, Pterodroma macroptera
Soft-plumaged petrel, Pterodroma mollis
Grey petrel, Procellaria cinerea - near-threatened
White-chinned petrel, Procellaria aequinoctialis

Hydrobatidae

Grey-backed storm petrel, Garrodia nereis
Black-bellied storm petrel, Fregetta tropica

Pelecanoididae

South Georgia diving petrel, Pelecanoides georgicus^[5]
Common diving petrel, Pelecanoides urinatrix^[5]

Phalacrocoracidae

Imperial shag, Phalacrocorax atriceps (race melanogenis)^[1]^[5]

Ardeidae

Cattle egret, Bubulcus ibis - accidental

Rallidae

Common moorhen, Gallinula chloropus - accidental

Chionididae

Lesser sheathbill, Chionis minor (race marionesis)^[3]^[5]

Stercorariidae

Brown skua, Catharacta antarctica

Laridae

Kelp gull, Larus dominicanus

Sternidae

Antarctic tern, Sterna vittata
Kerguelen tern, Sterna virgata - near-threatened^[5]