This is a list of the bird species recorded in Namibia. The avifauna of Namibia included a total of 685 confirmed species as of July 2023, of which 1 is endemic, and four have been introduced by humans. One additional species is hypothetical as defined below. Unless otherwise noted, the list is that of Avibase.
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 the NBRC are frequent but are seldom noted here.
The following tags have been used to highlight several categories of occurrence.
(V) Vagrant - a species that rarely or accidentally occurs in Namibia
(E) Endemic - a species endemic to Namibia
(I) Introduced - a species introduced to Namibia as a consequence, direct or indirect, of human actions, and which has a self-sustaining population (H) Hypothetical - a species possibly present but which has not been documented
Order: Struthioniformes
Common name: OstrichesFamily: Struthionidae
Ostriches are flightless birds native to Africa. They are the largest living species of bird. They are distinctive in appearance, with a long neck and legs and the ability to run at high speeds.
Common ostrich, Struthio camelus
South African ostrich, S. c. australis
Order: Anseriformes
Common name: Ducks, geese, and waterfowlFamily: 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
White-backed duck, Thalassornis leuconotus
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 (V) Blue-billed teal, Spatula hottentota Cape shoveler, Spatula smithii Northern shoveler, Spatula clypeata (V) African black duck, Anas sparsa Yellow-billed duck, Anas undulata Mallard, Anas platyrhynchos (I) Cape teal, Anas capensis Red-billed duck, Anas erythrorhyncha Southern pochard, Netta erythrophthalma Maccoa duck, Oxyura maccoa
Order: Galliformes
Guineafowl
Family: 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
Pheasants, grouse, and allies
Family: 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
Common quail, Coturnix coturnix
Harlequin quail, Coturnix delegorguei
Hartlaub's francolin, Pternistis hartlaubi
Red-billed francolin, Pternistis adspersus
Cape francolin, Pternistis capensis
Swainson's francolin, Pternistis swainsonii
Red-necked francolin, Pternistis afer
Order: Phoenicopteriformes
Common name: FlamingosFamily: 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
Order: Podicipediformes
Common name: GrebesFamily: 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.