⇧ ⇩ Bird life in Botswana is great. Fortunately, I had a knowledgeable guide as well as a birdwatcher on the tour. They were able to identify almost all the birds.
Nature pictures of Botswana and other bird pages are linked:
All pictures are © Dr. Günther Eichhorn, unless otherwise noted.
Birds in Botswana
Crested Barbet (Trachyphonus vaillantii Hauben-Bartvogel , french: Barbican promépic ). (784k)
Black-collared Barbet (Lybius torquatus Halsband-Bartvogel , french: Barbican à collier ). (527k)
Pale White-browed Scrub Robin (Cercotrichas leucophrys ovamboensis Agrobate à dos roux ). (762k)
Red-billed Queleas (Quelea quelea Blutschnabelweber , french: Travailleur à bec rouge ). These birds come in flocks of millions. They devastate crops. (708k)
Red-billed Quelea (Quelea quelea Blutschnabelweber , french: Travailleur à bec rouge ). (647k)
Northern Grey-headed Sparrow (Passer griseus Graukopfsperling , french: Moineau gris ). (1223k)
Female Angolan Blue Waxbill (Uraeginthus angolensis angolensis Angola-Schmetterlingsfink , french: Cordonbleu d'Angola ). (1374k)
Male Jameson's Firefinch (Lagonosticta rhodopareia Rosenamarant , french: Amarante de Jameson ) and female Angolan Blue Waxbill (Uraeginthus angolensis angolensis Angola-Schmetterlingsfink , french: Cordonbleu d'Angola ). (1013k)
Wire-tailed Swallow (Hirundo smithii Hirondelle à longs brins ). (396k)
Male Chinspot Batis (Batis molitor Pririt molitor ). (565k)
Northern Dark-capped Bulbul (Pycnonotus barbatus tricolor Graubülbül , french: Bulbul des jardins ). (575k)
Brown-crowned Tchagra (Tchagra australis Tchagra à tête brune ). (883k)
Rattling Cisticola (Cisticola chiniana
Male Arnot's Chat (Myrmecocichla arnotti Traquet d'Arnott ). (736k)
Little Bee-eaters ssp. argutus (Merops pusillus argutus Zwergspint , french: Guêpier nain ). (611k)
Little Bee-eater ssp. argutus (Merops pusillus argutus Zwergspint , french: Guêpier nain ). (644k)
African Pipit (Anthus cinnamomeus Pipit africain ). (943k)
Lesser Striped Swallow (Cecropis abyssinica Hirondelle striée ). (572k)
Arrow-marked Babbler (Turdoides jardineii Braundrossling , french: Cratérope fléché ). (683k)
Southern Pied Babbler (Turdoides bicolor Cratérope bicolore ). (713k)
Yellow-billed Oxpeckers (Buphagus africanus Gelbschnabel-Madenhacker , french: Piquebœuf à bec jaune ) on a Hippopotamus (Hippopotamus amphibius Flusspferd , french: Hippopotame amphibie ). (819k)
Yellow-billed Oxpecker (Buphagus africanus Gelbschnabel-Madenhacker , french: Piquebœuf à bec jaune ). (807k)
Clancey's Fork-tailed Drongo (Dicrurus adsimilis apivorus Trauerdrongo , french: Drongo brillant ). (562k)
Female White-browed Sparrow Weaver (Plocepasser mahali Weißbrauenweber , french: Mahali à sourcils blancs ). (496k)
Red-billed Buffalo Weaver (Bubalornis niger Büffelweber , french: Alecto à bec rouge ). (767k)
Red-billed Buffalo Weaver nest. This is a communal nest for many families. (1418k)
White-crested Helmetshrike (Prionops plumatus Weißschopf-Brillenwürger , french: Bagadais casqué ). (776k)
Western Southern White-crowned Shrike (Eurocephalus anguitimens anguitimens Eurocéphale à couronne blanche ). (545k)
Savanna Meves's Starling (Lamprotornis mevesii mevesii Mevesglanzstar , french: Choucador de Meves ). (719k)
Burchell's Starling (Lamprotornis australis Riesenglanzstar , french: Choucador de Burchell ). (808k)
Greater Blue-eared Starling (Lamprotornis chalybaeus Grünschwanz-Glanzstar , french: Choucador à oreillons bleus ). (585k)
Damara Meyer's Parrot (Poicephalus meyeri damarensis Goldbugpapagei , french: Perroquet de Meyer ). (834k)
Female Bennett's Woodpecker ssp. bennettii (Campethera bennettii bennettii Bennettspecht , french: Pic de Bennett ). (871k)
Magpie Shrike (Urolestes melanoleucus Elsterwürger , french: Corvinelle noir et blanc ). (432k)
Magpie Shrike (Urolestes melanoleucus Elsterwürger , french: Corvinelle noir et blanc ) in flight. (598k)
Crimson-breasted Shrike (Laniarius atrococcineus Rotbauchwürger , french: Gonolek rouge et noir ). (1.9M)
Male African Pied Kingfisher (Ceryle rudis rudis Graufischer , french: Martin-pêcheur pie ). (834k)
Hovering female African Pied Kingfisher (Ceryle rudis rudis Graufischer , french: Martin-pêcheur pie ). (648k)
Malachite Kingfisher ssp. robertsi (Corythornis cristatus robertsi Haubenzwergfischer , french: Martin-pêcheur huppé ). (791k)
Southern Laughing Dove (Spilopelia senegalensis senegalensis Palmtaube , french: Tourterelle maillée ). (1216k)
Tropical Cape Turtle Dove (Streptopelia capicola tropica Kapturteltaube , french: Tourterelle du Cap ). (1367k)
Red-eyed Dove (Streptopelia semitorquata Halbmondtaube , french: Tourterelle à collier ). (647k)
African Green Pigeon (Treron calvus Rotnasen-Grüntaube , french: Colombar à front nu ). (449k)
Emerald-spotted Wood Dove (Turtur chalcospilos Bronzeflecktäubchen , french: Tourtelette émeraudine ). (627k)
Male African Hoopoe (Upupa africana Afrikawiedehopf , french: Huppe d'Afrique ). (865k)
Green Wood Hoopoe (Phoeniculus purpureus Baumhopf , french: Irrisor moqueur ). (837k)
Green Wood Hoopoe (Phoeniculus purpureus Baumhopf , french: Irrisor moqueur ). (862k)
Lilac-breasted Roller ssp. caudatus (Coracias caudatus caudatus Gabelracke , french: Rollier à longs brins ). (654k)
Lilac-breasted Roller ssp. caudatus (Coracias caudatus caudatus Gabelracke , french: Rollier à longs brins ). (862k)
Lilac-breasted Roller ssp. caudatus (Coracias caudatus caudatus Gabelracke , french: Rollier à longs brins ) in flight. (835k)
Kittlitz's Plover (Charadrius pecuarius Hirtenregenpfeifer , french: Pluvier pâtre ). (1178k)
Blacksmith Lapwing (Vanellus armatus Waffenkiebitz , french: Vanneau armé ). (1199k)
Cape Crowned Lapwings (Vanellus coronatus coronatus Kronenkiebitz , french: Vanneau couronné ). (1117k)
Long-toed Lapwing (Vanellus crassirostris Langzehenkiebitz , french: Vanneau à ailes blanches ). (1012k)
African Jacana (Actophilornis africanus Blaustirn-Blatthühnchen , french: Jacana à poitrine dorée ). (1059k)
Juvenile African Jacana (Actophilornis africanus Blaustirn-Blatthühnchen , french: Jacana à poitrine dorée ). (802k)
Water Thick-knee (Burhinus vermiculatus Wassertriel , french: Œdicnème vermiculé ). (1247k)
African Skimmer (Rynchops flavirostris Braunmantel-Scherenschnabel , french: Bec-en-ciseaux d'Afrique ). (1076k)
African Skimmer (Rynchops flavirostris Braunmantel-Scherenschnabel , french: Bec-en-ciseaux d'Afrique ) in flight. (693k)
Kalahari Go-away Bird (Corythaixoides concolor bechuanae Grauer Lärmvogel , french: Touraco concolore ). (881k)
Senegal Coucal (Centropus senegalensis Spornkuckuck , french: Coucal du Sénégal ). (830k)
White-browed Coucal (Centropus superciliosus Weißbrauenkuckuck , french: Coucal à sourcils blancs ). (1365k)
Bradfield's Hornbill (Lophoceros bradfieldi Felsentoko , french: Calao de Bradfield ). (671k)
Bradfield's Hornbill (Lophoceros bradfieldi Felsentoko , french: Calao de Bradfield ) in flight. (626k)
Male African Grey Hornbill (Lophoceros nasutus Grautoko , french: Calao à bec noir ). (668k)
African Grey Hornbill (Lophoceros nasutus Grautoko , french: Calao à bec noir ) in flight. (481k)
Southern Yellow-billed Hornbill (Tockus leucomelas Südlicher Gelbschnabeltoko , french: Calao leucomèle ). (806k)
Close-up of a Southern Yellow-billed Hornbill (Tockus leucomelas Südlicher Gelbschnabeltoko , french: Calao leucomèle ). (341k)
Southern Red-billed Hornbill (Tockus rufirostris Mopanetoko , french: Calao d'Afrique du Sud ). (796k)
Family of Southern Ground Hornbills (Bucorvus leadbeateri Südlicher Hornrabe , french: Bucorve du Sud ), juvenile on left, female in center. (1106k)
Female Southern Ground Hornbill (Bucorvus leadbeateri Südlicher Hornrabe , french: Bucorve du Sud ). (881k)
Male Southern Ground Hornbill (Bucorvus leadbeateri Südlicher Hornrabe , french: Bucorve du Sud ). (556k)
Juvenile Southern Ground Hornbill (Bucorvus leadbeateri Südlicher Hornrabe , french: Bucorve du Sud ). (855k)
Pair of Double-banded Sandgrouse ssp. bicinctus (Pterocles bicinctus bicinctus Nachtflughuhn , french: Ganga bibande ), male on the left. (929k)
Female Double-banded Sandgrouse ssp. bicinctus (Pterocles bicinctus bicinctus Nachtflughuhn , french: Ganga bibande ). (954k)
Hundreds of Sandgrouses at the waterhole. They soak water into their feathers and bring that water back to their nest. (931k)
Crested Francolin ssp. zambesiae (Ortygornis sephaena zambesiae Schopffrankolin , french: Francolin huppé ). (1383k)
Swainson's Francolin (Pternistis swainsonii Francolin de Swainson ). (933k)
Red-billed Francolins (Pternistis adspersus Francolin à bec rouge ). (635k)
Helmeted Guineafowl (Numida meleagris Helmperlhuhn , french: Pintade de Numidie ). (1222k)
Red-crested Korhaan (Lophotis ruficrista Rotschopftrappe , french: Outarde houppette ). (1081k)
Southern Kori Bustard (Ardeotis kori kori Riesentrappe , french: Outarde kori ). The Kori Bustard is the heaviest bird that can fly. Adult males can weigh up to 20 kg (40 lb). (1095k)
Common Hamerkop (Scopus umbretta umbretta Hammerkopf , french: Ombrette africaine ). (1098k)
Common Hamerkop (Scopus umbretta umbretta Hammerkopf , french: Ombrette africaine ) in flight. (561k)
Common Hamerkop nest. (1110k)
Egyptian Goose (Alopochen aegyptiaca Nilgans , french: Ouette d'Égypte ). (682k)
Northern Spur-winged Geese (Plectropterus gambensis gambensis Sporngans , french: Oie-armée de Gambie ). (1039k)
Northern Hadada Ibis (Bostrychia hagedash brevirostris Hagedasch , french: Ibis hagedash ). (595k)
Northern Hadada Ibis (Bostrychia hagedash brevirostris Hagedasch , french: Ibis hagedash ). (1113k)
Northern Hadada Ibises (Bostrychia hagedash brevirostris Hagedasch , french: Ibis hagedash ) in flight. (443k)
African Sacred Ibis (Threskiornis aethiopicus Heiliger Ibis , french: Ibis sacré ). (1339k)
White-breasted Cormorant (Phalacrocorax lucidus Weißbrustkormoran , french: Cormoran à poitrine blanche ). (1185k)
African Reed Cormorant (Microcarbo africanus africanus Riedscharbe , french: Cormoran africain ). (615k)
Male Mainland African Darter (Anhinga rufa rufa Afrikanischer Schlangenhalsvogel , french: Anhinga d'Afrique ). (842k)
Mainland African Darter (Anhinga rufa rufa Afrikanischer Schlangenhalsvogel , french: Anhinga d'Afrique ) drying its wings. (801k)
African Spoonbill (Platalea alba Schmalschnabellöffler , french: Spatule d'Afrique ). (1176k)
Squacco Heron (Ardeola ralloides Rallenreiher , french: Crabier chevelu ). (1230k)
Rufous-bellied Heron (Ardeola rufiventris Rotbauchreiher , french: Crabier à ventre roux ). (1231k)
Old World Black-crowned Night Heron (Nycticorax nycticorax nycticorax Nachtreiher , french: Bihoreau gris ). (696k)
Western Little Egret (Egretta garzetta garzetta Seidenreiher , french: Aigrette garzette ). (989k)
Western Little Egret (Egretta garzetta garzetta Seidenreiher , french: Aigrette garzette ) in flight. (1163k)
Sub-Saharan Striated Heron (Butorides striata atricapilla Mangrovereiher , french: Héron strié ). (786k)
Slaty Egret (Egretta vinaceigula Braunkehlreiher , french: Aigrette vineuse ). (1327k)
African Great Egret (Ardea alba melanorhynchos Silberreiher , french: Grande Aigrette ). (685k)
African Great Egret (Ardea alba melanorhynchos Silberreiher , french: Grande Aigrette ) in flight. (891k)
Western Grey Heron (Ardea cinerea cinerea Graureiher , french: Héron cendré ). (1212k)
Western Purple Heron (Ardea purpurea purpurea Purpurreiher , french: Héron pourpré ). (1.7M)
Goliath Heron (Ardea goliath Goliathreiher , french: Héron goliath ). (982k)
Goliath Heron (Ardea goliath Goliathreiher , french: Héron goliath ). (1099k)
Yellow-billed Stork (Mycteria ibis Nimmersatt , french: Tantale ibis ). (1306k)
Mainland African Openbill (Anastomus lamelligerus lamelligerus Mohrenklaffschnabel , french: Bec-ouvert africain ) and African Jacana (Actophilornis africanus Blaustirn-Blatthühnchen , french: Jacana à poitrine dorée ). (1288k)
Mainland African Openbill (Anastomus lamelligerus lamelligerus Mohrenklaffschnabel , french: Bec-ouvert africain ). (596k)
Mainland African Openbill (Anastomus lamelligerus lamelligerus Mohrenklaffschnabel , french: Bec-ouvert africain ) in flight. (637k)
Pair of Wattled Crane (Grus carunculata Klunkerkranich , french: Grue caronculée ). (1248k)
Four Wattled Cranes (Grus carunculata Klunkerkranich , french: Grue caronculée ) in flight. (509k)
Marabou Stork (Leptoptilos crumenifer Marabu , french: Marabout d'Afrique ). (466k)
Female Saddle-billed Stork (Ephippiorhynchus senegalensis Sattelstorch , french: Jabiru d'Afrique ). (791k)
Pearl-spotted Owlet (Glaucidium perlatum Perl-Sperlingskauz , french: Chevêchette perlée ). (581k)
White-backed Vulture (Gyps africanus Weißrückengeier , french: Vautour africain ). (692k)
White-backed Vulture (Gyps africanus Weißrückengeier , french: Vautour africain ) in flight. (374k)
Hooded Vulture (Necrosyrtes monachus Kappengeier , french: Vautour charognard ). (482k)
Hooded Vulture (Necrosyrtes monachus Kappengeier , french: Vautour charognard ) in flight. (649k)
Lappet-faced Vulture (Torgos tracheliotos Ohrengeier , french: Vautour oricou ) and African Fish Eagle (Haliaeetus vocifer Schreiseeadler , french: Pygargue vocifer ). (2.1M)
Shikra (Accipiter badius Schikrasperber , french: Épervier shikra ). (950k)
Western Black-winged Kite (Elanus caeruleus caeruleus Gleitaar , french: Élanion blac ) in flight. (622k)
Verreaux's Eagle Owl (Bubo lacteus Milchuhu , french: Grand-duc de Verreaux ). (847k)
Bateleur Eagle (Terathopius ecaudatus Gaukler , french: Bateleur des savanes ). (572k)
Bateleur Eagle (Terathopius ecaudatus Gaukler , french: Bateleur des savanes ) in flight. (592k)
Juvenile Tawny Eagle (Aquila rapax Raubadler , french: Aigle ravisseur ). (490k)
Tawny Eagle (Aquila rapax Raubadler , french: Aigle ravisseur ). (474k)
Tawny Eagle (Aquila rapax Raubadler , french: Aigle ravisseur ) taking flight. (512k)
Juvenile African Hawk Eagle (Aquila spilogaster Afrikanischer Habichtsadler , french: Aigle fascié ). (791k)
African Hawk Eagle (Aquila spilogaster Afrikanischer Habichtsadler , french: Aigle fascié ). (641k)
African Fish Eagle (Haliaeetus vocifer Schreiseeadler , french: Pygargue vocifer ). (526k)
African Fish Eagle (Haliaeetus vocifer Schreiseeadler , french: Pygargue vocifer ). (986k)
African Fish Eagle (Haliaeetus vocifer Schreiseeadler , french: Pygargue vocifer ) in flight. (1000k)
Lappet-faced Vulture (Torgos tracheliotos Ohrengeier , french: Vautour oricou ) and African Fish Eagles (Haliaeetus vocifer Schreiseeadler , french: Pygargue vocifer ). One is carrying part of a fish. (1152k)
Pair of Secretarybirds (Sagittarius serpentarius Sekretär , french: Messager sagittaire ) in their nest. (744k)
Secretarybird (Sagittarius serpentarius Sekretär , french: Messager sagittaire ). (923k)
Close-up of Secretarybird (Sagittarius serpentarius Sekretär , french: Messager sagittaire ). (911k)
Male Southern Ostrich (Struthio camelus australis Afrikanischer Strauß , french: Autruche d'Afrique ). (950k)
Male (left) and female Southern Ostriches (Struthio camelus australis Afrikanischer Strauß , french: Autruche d'Afrique ). (941k)
This page contains 142 pictures of 100 bird species and 1 other species
Page last updated on Wed Jun 21 13:45:42 2023 (Mountain Standard Time)
Birds in Botswana
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