CHECKLIST OF BIRDS OF ROOIKRAAL – MAY 9 – 21, 2006 – AND AT WINDHOEK, EN ROUTE
I visited Rooikraal on the dates above, to participate in a hunting safari. While enjoying this marvelous adventure, I also took the opportunity to increase my life-list of birds seen. The abundance of bird life is impressive here, with the typical Camelthorn savannah species well represented. In addition, the presence of numerous water holes, a sizable lake and several smaller ponds provided habitat for water birds. Weather was mild, but progressively cooler mornings heralded the approach of winter. The vast majority of the species which are present only in their non breeding season had moved north at this point, leaving resident birds. Recent, heavier-than-normal rains had provided dense grass cover, abundant insects and the opportunity for a second or third nesting cycle of a number of birds, Francolin, Guineafowl and Sand Grouse in particular. The names used are as they appear in Sinclair’s Birds of Southern Africa.
Ostrich
Little Grebe
Green-backed (Striated) Heron
Great Egret
Hammerkop
African Spoonbill
Egyptian Goose
Red-billed Duck (Teal)
Tawny Eagle
Brown Snake-Eagle
Bataleur
Gabar Goshawk
Southern Pale Chanting Goshawk
Lesser Kestrel
Pygmy Falcon
Secretary Bird
Black-shouldered Kite
Lappet-faced Vulture
African White-backed Vulture
Red-billed Francolin
Orange River Francolin
Helmeted Guineafowl
Small (Kurrichane) Button-Quail
Northern Black Korhan (White-quilled Bustard)
Common Moorhen
Crowned Lapwing
Blacksmith Plover (Lapwing)
Double-banded Courser
Burchells’ Sandgrouse
Namaqua Sandgrouse
Rock Dove (Feral Pigeon) *
Cape Turtle Dove
Namaqua Dove
Laughing dove
Rosy-faced Lovebird
Gray Lourie (Go-away Bird)
Little Swift *
African Palm-Swift *
Red-faced Mousebird
White-backed Mousebird
Swallow-tailed Bee-eater
Lilac-breasted Roller
Purple Roller
African Gray Hornbill
Southern Yellow-billed Hornbill
Common (Greater) Scimitarbill
African (Eurasian) Hoopoe
Acacia Pied Barbet
Rock Martin
Fork-tailed Drongo
Cape (Black) Crow
Ashy Tit
Southern Pied Babbler
African Red-eyed Bulbul
Groundscraper Thrush
Short-toed Rock Thrush
Mountain Wheatear
Familiar Chat
Ant-eating Chat
White-browed Scrub-Robin
Kalahari Scrub-Robin
Yellow-bellied Eremomela
Long-billed Crombec
Black-chested Prinia
Pririt Batis
Chinspot Batis **
Crimson-breasted Shrike (Gonolek)
Brubru
Cape Glossy Starling
Violet-backed Starling
Burchell’s Starling
Pale-winged Starling
Great Sparrow
House Sparrow *
Southern Gray-headed Sparrow
White-browed Sparrow-Weaver
Sociable Weaver
Southern Masked-Weaver
Red-billed Quelea
Pin-tailed Whydah
Shaft-tailed Whydah
Long-tailed Paradise-Whydah
Violet-eared Waxbill
Black-faced Waxbill
Red-headed Finch
Scaly-feathered Finch
Green-winged Pytilia
Yellow Canary
Black-throated Canary
Cinnamon-breasted Bunting
Golden-breasted Bunting
* These species were only observed in the Windhoek urban environment.
** The Pririt Batis is the common species at Rooikraal. However, the Chinspot Batis observed here, while a bit south of normal range, was a very well-marked and distinctive female bird, observed at length.
Note: The 91 species observed do not comprise a full list of species present. We did not have an opportunity to carefully study and key the several Larks and Pipits we saw briefly. In addition, we heard and saw at a distance at least two species of Woodpeckers which we could not closely observe. Our hosts saw Ruppell’s Parrots on one occasion, but I missed them. In addition, we heard but did not see Woodland Kingfisher, so I have not included it on the list. With a bit more time devoted to birding, I estimate that an additional 15-20 species are present and likely at this season. Conducting the observation a month earlier would likely have added at least an additional dozen species, so we plan to expand this list on future visits. The Lamprechts can provide significant assistance to visiting birders, as they know most of the birds well, and, as with most Professional Hunters, are keen observers of nature.
DICK MAY – KAPOLEI, HAWAII, USA
1-808-674-1287
Emails: richard.m.may@lmco.com or Richard.May@hickam.af.mil