This is a list of the bird species recorded in Botswana. The avifauna of Botswana included a total of 615 species, as of May 2023, according to BirdLife Botswana's Checklist of Birds in Botswana, supplemented by Avibase. Of them, three have been introduced by humans. None are endemic.
This list's taxonomic treatment (designation and sequence of orders, families and species) and nomenclature (English and scientific names) are those of The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World, 2022 edition. Differences in common and scientific names between the Clements taxonomy and that of BirdLife Botswana are frequent but not noted here.
The following tags highlight several categories of occurrence other than regular migrants and residents; the tags follow the BirdLife Botswana list usage.
(A) Accidental - a species which has been recorded 10 or fewer times in Botswana
(B) Uncommon - a species which has been recorded more than 10 times but for which BirdLife Botswana wishes to receive more records so as to better assess their status (I) Introduced - a species introduced to Botswana as a consequence, direct or indirect, of human actions, and which has a self-sustaining population.
Ostriches
Order: StruthioniformesFamily: Struthionidae
The ostriches are flightless birds native to Africa, and are the largest living species of bird. They are distinctive in their appearance, with a long neck and legs with the ability to run at high speeds.
Common ostrich, Struthio camelus
South African ostrich, S. c. australis
Ducks, geese, and waterfowl
Order: AnseriformesFamily: 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 (B) White-backed duck, Thalassornis leuconotus (B) 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 (A) Blue-billed teal, Spatula hottentota Cape shoveler, Spatula smithii African black duck, Anas sparsa (B) Yellow-billed duck, Anas undulata Cape teal, Anas capensis Red-billed duck, Anas erythrorhyncha Northern pintail, Anas acuta (A) Southern pochard, Netta erythrophthalma Maccoa duck, Oxyura maccoa (B)
Guineafowl
Order: GalliformesFamily: Numididae
Guineafowl are a group of African, seed-eating, ground-nesting birds that resemble partridges, but with featherless heads and spangled grey plumage.
Helmeted guineafowl, Numida meleagris
Western crested guineafowl, Guttera verreauxi (A)
Pheasants, grouse, and allies
Order: GalliformesFamily: 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
Blue quail, Synoicus adansonii
Common quail, Coturnix coturnix (B) Harlequin quail, Coturnix delegorguei Red-billed francolin, Pternistis adspersus Natal francolin, Pternistis natalensis Swainson's francolin, Pternistis swainsonii
Flamingos
Order: PhoenicopteriformesFamily: Phoenicopteridae
Flamingos are gregarious wading birds, usually 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 roseus
Lesser flamingo, Phoeniconaias minor (B)
Grebes
Order: PodicipediformesFamily: 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 (B)
Pigeons and doves
Order: ColumbiformesFamily: Columbidae
Pigeons and doves are stout-bodied birds with short necks and short slender bills with a fleshy cere.