A more stringent application of the assessment criteria of the formal Bird List of Namibia suggests that these 11 species are better conserved in category D until unequivocal evidence of their occurrence in Namibia is obtained. About 24% of Namibia's avifauna comprises widespread cosmopolitan species from two or more biogeographical regions of the world. Most of the Namibian and South African endemic and near-endemic birds on the Namibia Bird List were described from specimens originally collected in South Africa (70%), followed by Namibia (23%), Angola (6%) and Botswana (1%).
A brief bibliography of the most prolific authors on the bird species and subspecies of Namibia is given in Table 10. At the time of his death he was one of the most acclaimed scientists in Europe. The names of the type specimens of species and subspecies collected in Namibia often describe a characteristic of the bird, e.g.
Many of the type species and subspecies collected in Namibia are named after people and places. Various taxonomic notes on African birds LXV: On the so-called Mountain Pipit of the Afrotropics.
Systematic list of the birds of Namibia, Categories A and B, species and subspecies, as at 31 January 2016
Central, north-central and along the central and northern coast of Namibia RB; SANE 5 copies in 2 museums; Clancey 1980; Harrison et al. Central and north-central (Etosha), & along the central and northern coast RB 7 specimens in 4 museums; Clancey 1980; Harrison et al. Mainly north-central (Etosha) & north-eastern Namibia, scattered in central Namibia RB 7 specimens from 3 museums; Clancey 1980; Harrison et al.
North-central, eastern and northeastern Namibia RB 10 specimens in 5 museums; Clancey 1980; Harrison et al. Little Jacana Microparra capensis A Smith, 1839; no. Algoa Bay, E Cape Prov, RSA Perennial rivers and associated wetlands (floodplains, backwater swamps) in NE Namibia RB 9 specimens in 2 museums; Clancey 1980; Harrison et al. Margins of large basins and floodplains in north-central and north-eastern Namibia - rare NM(P) 6 specimens in 2 museums; Clancey 1980; Harrison et al.
Mainly central coast (Walvis Bay, Sandwich Harbour, Mile 4 Swakopmund) and north central Namibia, also Lüderitz - uncommon 2 specimens in 2 museums; Clancey 1980; Harrison et al. Curlew Sandpiper (NT) Calidris ferruginea Pontoppidan, 1763; Christianø Is, off Bornholm, Denmark Mainly the central and northern Namibian coast and scattered on wetlands along the central spine of the country NM(P) 28 specimens in 6 museums; Clancey 1980; Harrison et al. In all of Namibia except Namib sand sea RB 111 specimens in 11 museums; Clancey 1980; Harrison et al.
Throughout Namibia except for Namib and southern Kalahari NM(P), MB(IA) 43 specimens in 7 museums; Clancey 1980; Harrison et al. Throughout Namibia, most common in Namib, north-central and eastern Namibia 15 specimens in 7 museums; Clancey 1980; Harrison et al. South African Cliff Swallow (BSAE 5%) Petrochelidon spilodera Sundevall, 1850; Valsch R, e of Kroonstad, Free State Prov, RSA Off central highland spine of Namibia but absent from south & NE Strip MB(IA); BSAE 4 specimens in 2 museums; Clancey 1980; Harrison et al.
Western Slope and adjacent highlands of central and northern Namibia RB; NamNE 53 copies in 11 museums; Clancey 1980; Harrison et al. Scattered records from perennial and seasonal wetlands of central and northern Namibia NM(P) 9 specimens in 2 museums; Clancey 1980; Harrison et al. North-west and north-central Namibia RB; NamNE 77 specimens in 9 museums; Clancey 1980; Harrison et al.
Southern, central (except eastern Kalahari), north-central & north-western Namibia 160 specimens in 13 museums; Clancey 1980; Harrison et al.
Category C - species introduced, human-assisted transportees or escapees from captivity and whose breeding populations (if any) are thought not to be self sustaining
Category C - Introduced species, transported by humans or escapees from captivity and whose breeding populations (if any) are not expected to be self-sustaining. The common myna in southern Africa usually spread by slowly expanding its range, from farm to farm, town and village to the next town or village without jumping more than 1000 km. So if they were present in south-west Namibia, it is likely that they were brought in and escaped or were released.
The house crow and common myna are potentially highly invasive and any specimens found in Namibia should be aggressively pursued and destroyed. Despite our opposition to caging birds, these species are unlikely to establish self-sustaining wild populations.
Category D - species reported to occur in Namibia but for which there is as yet no unequivocal evidence
Western Crested Heron Egretta gularis One record - Zambezi River, Zambezi East Region near Kalizo lodge June 2006 - unsubstantiated. ACCIPITRIFORMES: Accipitridae (Kites, vultures, buzzards, old world vultures, eagles, vultures, sparrows, lynxes) Rüppell's vulture Gyps rueppelli One unconfirmed record near Otjiwarong. Little Ringed Plover Charadrius dubius One unsubstantiated record from Fischer's Pan, Namutoni, Etosha National Park, August 1974.
Spotted Redstart Tringa erythropus Two unconfirmed records: Chobe River, November 1987 and Nkasa Rupara National Park at Linyanti Swamp, August 2002. A recent assessment suggests that these are hybrid Lesser Crested Terns native to western Europe (Cabot & Nisbet 2013). A recent assessment suggests that these are hybrid elegant-sandwich terns native to western Europe (Cabot & Nisbet 2013).
White-throated Raven Corvus albicollis Rare visitor to the Orange River Valley, no confirmed records in Namibia. Karoo Lark Calendulauda albescens Recorded along the South African north-west coast to Port Nolloth on the Orange River - not yet recorded on the north side of the river in Namibia. Red-faced Crombec Sylvietta whytii Records from Shamvura, Kavango East probably attributed to Long-billed Crombec, subsp S.
Fastidious Cisticola Cisticola natalensis Recorded in Botswana and Zimbabwe immediately adjacent to the eastern Zambezi region - but no confirmed records yet in Namibia. Fiscal flycatcher Sigelus mutes old records (early 1960s) from Sandwich Harbor & Kuiseb River unconfirmed - probably erroneous. A specimen collected by Eriksson (in Vänersborg Museum, Sweden) has no locality – probably collected in Angola.
Striped-headed seedeater Crithagra gularis Said to occur in extreme northeastern Namibia, but no confirmed records. Black-eared Seedeater Crithagra mennelli Said to occur in extreme northeastern Namibia, but no confirmed records. Endemic and near-endemic birds of Namibia (highlighted) and southern Africa and approximate percentage of the global population of each species occurring in Namibia.
Endemic and near-endemic birds of Namibia (highlighted) and southern Africa and approximate percentage of the global population of each species that occurs in Namibia
Namibia Red Data List of Birds, based on an assessment of all birds recorded in Namibia, excluding vagrants and scarce migrants.
Namibia’s Red Data List for birds, based on an assessment of all birds recorded in Namibia, excluding vagrants and scarce migrants
Type specimens of bird species collected in Namibia
Species with type specimens of subspecies (and number of subspecies) collected in Namibia, but excluding nominate subspecies
INDEX TO COMMON NAMES
