Twenty-one of the birds you are most likely to meet in and around Gondwana Collection properties, grouped by the region you will find them in.
Here you will meet the vast and colourful birdlife inhabiting the areas in and around all Gondwana Collection properties.
So keep in mind this is not a complete list. Yet.
Oenanthe pileata
Often inhabits dry grassy plains, semi-arid shrublands and freshly harvested crop lands, usually singly or in pairs. Perching locations include fence posts, wires, bushes, stones and termite mounds. Often falls prey to the black-footed cat.
Laniarius atrococcineus
Very active and agile birds, found singly or in terrestrial pairs in Kalahari thornveld, Acacia savannah and dry scrubland with some clusters of small trees. Roosting on the mid to lower branches is preferred, especially on a sickle-bush.
Myrmecocichla formicivora
Prefers habitats that include dwarf shrub savannah, open grasslands and some regions of mountain or mopane savannah. Can be observed singly or in pairs, or small groups of up to six, at times roosting in nest holes.
Oena capensis
Can be found in almost every habitat including dry woodlands, arid and semi-arid shrub lands, riverine woodlands in desert regions, farmyards and gardens. Usually alone or in pairs, congregating at water holes to drink either side of mid-day.
Onychognathus nabouroup
Although dependent on rocky hills or valleys for breeding and roosting sites, towns also attract this species, mainly to search for food. Flocks or small parties are the norm, as is drinking and bathing regularly.
Emberiza impetuani
Inhabits a number of regions, mainly in response to rainfall. Desert or open dry grassland, sparse dwarf shrub savannah and grassed rocky ridges number amongst the more favoured habitats.
Columba guinea
Also known as the rock pigeon, found in a variety of habitats including urban and rural areas, mountains, cliffs, rocky gorges and boulder-strewn hills. Flocks of up to 20 are not uncommon, roosting on cliff ledges, buildings, caves and trees.
Burhinus capensis
Favours stony, open habitats such as grassland and savannah, hills and semi-desert. Active mostly at night, roosting in grassy areas.
Agapornis roseicollis
Prefers open and wooded country including semi-desert shrub lands, cultivated lands and riparian woodlands — environments dependent on water. A noisy and gregarious bird, congregating in small flocks of up to 20. Roosts in sociable weavers' nests.
Treron calvus
Arboreal birds found in closed woodlands with evergreen trees. They also frequent gallery forests along rivers in open savannah, parks and gardens.
Poicephalus rueppellii
Named after Wilhelm Rüppell (1794–1884), the German naturalist, collector and explorer. Inhabits mature riparian woodland along ephemeral rivers and northern lala palms along the Kunene River. Flocks of 20 are common and they roost in holes in tall trees.
Monticola brevipes
Inhabits mainly mountains with characteristic rocky outcrops, inselbergs and river valleys supporting scattered bushes and trees, and also towns and villages.
Otus senegalensis
Inhabits arid savannah woodland, especially mopane woodland and acacia parklands that extend along watercourses into grassland and desert. Absent from true desert and treeless grassland. Nocturnal, roosting by day tucked against a branch or tree trunk.
Monticola brevipes
Inhabits mainly mountains with characteristic rocky outcrops, inselbergs and river valleys supporting scattered bushes and trees, and also towns and villages.
Pycnonotus nigricans
Observed in a wide range of habitats including arid and semi-arid regions, as long as there is water and patches of trees and shrubs. A common visitor to gardens in the drier regions of Namibia, usually grateful for a full bird bath.
Halcyon senegalensis
Inhabits wooded savannahs with fresh water, and can be observed in well-developed wooded areas with tall riverine trees such as Acacia stands and mopane. Low flying, direct, fast and usually in pairs — a strongly territorial species that perches and trills on tree tops.
Granatina granatina
Ventures into a wide range of shrub thickets and woodland including Acacia shrubs and woodland, Kalahari and mopane woodland, and open broad-leaved woodland.
Cinnyris mariquensis
Dry Acacia savannah, broad-leaved woodland with river thorn, and forest fringing swampland are the preferred habitat. Although often observed singly or in pairs, they gather in mixed flocks with other nectar-feeding sunbirds.
Merops persicus
Prefers desert-edged habitats, breeding in sandy and gravelly waste ground. Also seen on open lake shores with papyrus and reeds, coastal plains and wooded swamps. Seldom far from water. Tail streamers project a further 55 mm.
Ploceus xanthopterus
Breeding behaviour leads them to papyrus and reed beds. At other times they inhabit woodland, grassland and forest, in pairs or in small flocks of up to 20 birds.
Alcedo cristata
Depends on a specifically aquatic habitat — well-vegetated, slow-flowing rivers and streams without an overhanging tree canopy. Also found on dams, coastal lagoons, tidal estuaries, sheltered shorelines, mangrove swamps and irrigation canals.
