Botswana bird checklist
564 bird species in 89 families have been recorded in Botswana, according to eBird; about 426 of them are seen regularly, and the rest are rarities, vagrants and escaped or introduced birds. Download the full list as a PDF, or tick birds off on your phone, with counts and notes, even without signal.
Species data: eBird.org, updated · How these lists are made
The most common birds in Botswana right now
1Spur-winged Goose
2Squacco Heron
3African Openbill
4African Sacred Ibis
5African Spoonbill
6African Jacana
7Rock Pigeon
8Great Egret
9Yellow-billed Stork
10Reed Cormorant
Botswana bird checklist
564 species · loading the checklist tools…
Ostriches
- Common Ostrich
Ducks, Geese, and Waterfowl
- White-faced Whistling-Duck
- Fulvous Whistling-Duck
- White-backed Duck
- Knob-billed Duck
- Egyptian Goose
- South African Shelduck
- Common Shelduck
- Spur-winged Goose
- Muscovy Duck
- African Pygmy-Goose
- Blue-billed Teal
- Cape Shoveler
- African Black Duck
- Yellow-billed Duck
- Mallard
- Cape Teal
- Red-billed Duck
- Southern Pochard
- Maccoa Duck
Guineafowl
- Helmeted Guineafowl
Pheasants, Grouse, and Allies
- Indian Peafowl
- Crested Francolin
- Coqui Francolin
- Orange River Francolin
- Common Quail
- Harlequin Quail
- Red-billed Spurfowl
- Natal Spurfowl
- Swainson's Spurfowl
Pigeons and Doves
- Rock Pigeon
- Speckled Pigeon
- Rameron Pigeon
- Mourning Collared-Dove
- Red-eyed Dove
- Ring-necked Dove
- Laughing Dove
- Emerald-spotted Wood-Dove
- Namaqua Dove
- African Green-Pigeon
Sandgrouse
- Namaqua Sandgrouse
- Yellow-throated Sandgrouse
- Double-banded Sandgrouse
- Burchell's Sandgrouse
Bustards
- Kori Bustard
- Ludwig's Bustard
- Denham's Bustard
- Red-crested Bustard
- White-quilled Bustard
- Black-bellied Bustard
Turacos
- Gray Go-away-bird
- Purple-crested Turaco
- Ross's Turaco
- Schalow's Turaco
Cuckoos
- Senegal Coucal
- Coppery-tailed Coucal
- White-browed Coucal
- Burchell's Coucal
- Black Coucal
- Great Spotted Cuckoo
- Levaillant's Cuckoo
- Pied Cuckoo
- Thick-billed Cuckoo
- Dideric Cuckoo
- Klaas's Cuckoo
- African Emerald Cuckoo
- Black Cuckoo
- Red-chested Cuckoo
- African Cuckoo
- Common Cuckoo
Nightjars and Allies
- Pennant-winged Nightjar
- Eurasian Nightjar
- Rufous-cheeked Nightjar
- Fiery-necked Nightjar
- Swamp Nightjar
- Freckled Nightjar
- Square-tailed Nightjar
Swifts
- Bat-like Spinetail
- Alpine Swift
- Common Swift
- African Swift
- Bradfield's Swift
- Little Swift
- Horus Swift
- White-rumped Swift
- African Palm Swift
Flufftails
- Red-chested Flufftail
Rails, Gallinules, and Coots
- African Rail
- Corn Crake
- African Crake
- Spotted Crake
- Lesser Moorhen
- Eurasian Moorhen
- Red-knobbed Coot
- Allen's Gallinule
- African Swamphen
- Striped Crake
- Black Crake
- Baillon's Crake
Finfoots
- African Finfoot
Cranes
- Gray Crowned-Crane
- Wattled Crane
Thick-knees
- Spotted Thick-knee
- Water Thick-knee
Stilts and Avocets
- Black-winged Stilt
- Pied Avocet
Plovers and Lapwings
- Black-bellied Plover
- Common Ringed Plover
- Three-banded Plover
- Long-toed Lapwing
- Blacksmith Lapwing
- Spur-winged Lapwing
- White-crowned Lapwing
- Crowned Lapwing
- Wattled Lapwing
- Caspian Plover
- Kittlitz's Plover
- Chestnut-banded Plover
- White-fronted Plover
Painted-Snipes
- Greater Painted-Snipe
Jacanas
- Lesser Jacana
- African Jacana
Sandpipers and Allies
- Eurasian Whimbrel
- Eurasian Curlew
- Bar-tailed Godwit
- Black-tailed Godwit
- Great Snipe
- African Snipe
- Red Phalarope
- Red-necked Phalarope
- Common Sandpiper
- Green Sandpiper
- Marsh Sandpiper
- Wood Sandpiper
- Common Redshank
- Common Greenshank
- Ruddy Turnstone
- Ruff
- Curlew Sandpiper
- Sanderling
- Little Stint
- Pectoral Sandpiper
Buttonquail
- Small Buttonquail
Pratincoles and Coursers
- Double-banded Courser
- Bronze-winged Courser
- Three-banded Courser
- Temminck's Courser
- Burchell's Courser
- Rock Pratincole
- Collared Pratincole
- Black-winged Pratincole
Gulls, Terns, and Skimmers
- Gray-hooded Gull
- Lesser Black-backed Gull
- African Skimmer
- Gull-billed Tern
- Caspian Tern
- Whiskered Tern
- Black Tern
- White-winged Tern
Flamingos
- Greater Flamingo
- Lesser Flamingo
Grebes
- Little Grebe
- Great Crested Grebe
- Eared Grebe
Storks
- African Openbill
- Black Stork
- Abdim's Stork
- African Woolly-necked Stork
- White Stork
- Saddle-billed Stork
- Marabou Stork
- Yellow-billed Stork
Anhingas
- African Darter
Cormorants and Shags
- Reed Cormorant
- Great Cormorant
Ibises and Spoonbills
- Glossy Ibis
- African Sacred Ibis
- Hadada Ibis
- African Spoonbill
Herons, Egrets, and Bitterns
- Eurasian Bittern
- Dwarf Bittern
- Little Bittern
- Black-crowned Night Heron
- Slaty Egret
- Black Heron
- Little Egret
- White-backed Night Heron
- Little Heron
- Rufous-bellied Heron
- Squacco Heron
- Western Cattle-Egret
- Great Egret
- Yellow-billed Egret
- Gray Heron
- Purple Heron
- Black-headed Heron
- Goliath Heron
Hamerkop
- Hamerkop
Pelicans
- Great White Pelican
- Pink-backed Pelican
Secretarybird
- Secretarybird
Osprey
- Osprey
Hawks, Eagles, and Kites
- Black-winged Kite
- African Harrier-Hawk
- Palm-nut Vulture
- Egyptian Vulture
- African Cuckoo-Hawk
- European Honey-buzzard
- White-headed Vulture
- Lappet-faced Vulture
- Hooded Vulture
- White-backed Vulture
- Cape Griffon
- Bateleur
- Western Banded Snake-Eagle
- Black-chested Snake-Eagle
- Brown Snake-Eagle
- Martial Eagle
- Long-crested Eagle
- Lesser Spotted Eagle
- Wahlberg's Eagle
- Ayres's Hawk-Eagle
- Booted Eagle
- Steppe Eagle
- Tawny Eagle
- Verreaux's Eagle
- African Hawk-Eagle
- Bat Hawk
- Gabar Goshawk
- Dark Chanting-Goshawk
- Pale Chanting-Goshawk
- Lizard Buzzard
- African Goshawk
- Little Sparrowhawk
- Shikra
- Ovambo Sparrowhawk
- Black Goshawk
- Western Marsh Harrier
- African Marsh Harrier
- Black Harrier
- Pallid Harrier
- Montagu's Harrier
- Black Kite
- African Fish-Eagle
- Red-necked Buzzard
- Jackal Buzzard
- Common Buzzard
Barn-Owls
- Western Barn Owl
Owls
- African Scops-Owl
- Southern White-faced Owl
- Spotted Eagle-Owl
- Verreaux's Eagle-Owl
- Pel's Fishing-Owl
- Pearl-spotted Owlet
- African Barred Owlet
- African Wood-Owl
- Marsh Owl
Mousebirds
- Speckled Mousebird
- White-backed Mousebird
- Red-faced Mousebird
Trogons
- Narina Trogon
Hoopoes
- Common Hoopoe
Woodhoopoes and Scimitarbills
- Green Woodhoopoe
- Common Scimitarbill
Hornbills
- Southern Ground-Hornbill
- Crowned Hornbill
- Bradfield's Hornbill
- African Gray Hornbill
- Southern Yellow-billed Hornbill
- Southern Red-billed Hornbill
- Trumpeter Hornbill
Bee-eaters
- White-fronted Bee-eater
- Little Bee-eater
- Swallow-tailed Bee-eater
- Blue-cheeked Bee-eater
- Olive Bee-eater
- European Bee-eater
- Southern Carmine Bee-eater
Kingfishers
- Half-collared Kingfisher
- Malachite Kingfisher
- African Pygmy Kingfisher
- Gray-headed Kingfisher
- Woodland Kingfisher
- Brown-hooded Kingfisher
- Striped Kingfisher
- Giant Kingfisher
- Pied Kingfisher
Rollers
- European Roller
- Lilac-breasted Roller
- Racket-tailed Roller
- Purple Roller
- Broad-billed Roller
African Barbets
- Crested Barbet
- Yellow-fronted Tinkerbird
- Pied Barbet
- Black-collared Barbet
Honeyguides
- Green-backed Honeybird
- Brown-backed Honeybird
- Lesser Honeyguide
- Scaly-throated Honeyguide
- Greater Honeyguide
Woodpeckers
- Bearded Woodpecker
- Cardinal Woodpecker
- Olive Woodpecker
- Bennett's Woodpecker
- Golden-tailed Woodpecker
Falcons and Caracaras
- Pygmy Falcon
- Lesser Kestrel
- Rock Kestrel
- Greater Kestrel
- Dickinson's Kestrel
- Red-necked Falcon
- Red-footed Falcon
- Amur Falcon
- Sooty Falcon
- Eurasian Hobby
- African Hobby
- Lanner Falcon
- Peregrine Falcon
Old World Parrots
- Rosy-faced Lovebird
New World and African Parrots
- Brown-necked Parrot
- Meyer's Parrot
African and Green Broadbills
- African Broadbill
Cuckooshrikes
- White-breasted Cuckooshrike
- Black Cuckooshrike
Old World Orioles
- Eurasian Golden Oriole
- African Golden Oriole
- African Black-headed Oriole
Wattle-eyes and Batises
- Cape Batis
- Chinspot Batis
- Pririt Batis
Vangas, Helmetshrikes, and Allies
- White-crested Helmetshrike
- Retz's Helmetshrike
Bushshrikes and Allies
- Brubru
- Black-backed Puffback
- Black-crowned Tchagra
- Brown-crowned Tchagra
- Tropical Boubou
- Gabon Boubou
- Southern Boubou
- Crimson-breasted Gonolek
- Bokmakierie
- Sulphur-breasted Bushshrike
- Gray-headed Bushshrike
Drongos
- Fork-tailed Drongo
Monarch Flycatchers
- African Paradise-Flycatcher
Shrikes
- Magpie Shrike
- Red-backed Shrike
- Lesser Gray Shrike
- Southern Fiscal
- Souza's Shrike
- White-crowned Shrike
Crows, Jays, and Magpies
- Cape Crow
- Pied Crow
- White-necked Raven
Fairy Flycatchers
- Fairy Flycatcher
Tits, Chickadees, and Titmice
- Southern Black-Tit
- Ashy Tit
Penduline-Tits
- African Penduline-Tit
- Southern Penduline-Tit
Larks
- Spike-heeled Lark
- Short-clawed Lark
- Dusky Lark
- Black-eared Sparrow-Lark
- Chestnut-backed Sparrow-Lark
- Gray-backed Sparrow-Lark
- Sabota Lark
- Fawn-colored Lark
- Monotonous Lark
- Flappet Lark
- Eastern Clapper Lark
- Rufous-naped Lark
- Stark's Lark
- Pink-billed Lark
- Red-capped Lark
Nicators
- Eastern Nicator
African Warblers
- Red-faced Crombec
- Long-billed Crombec
Cisticolas and Allies
- Yellow-bellied Eremomela
- Green-capped Eremomela
- Burnt-neck Eremomela
- Stierling's Wren-Warbler
- Barred Wren-Warbler
- Green-backed Camaroptera
- Bar-throated Apalis
- Yellow-breasted Apalis
- Tawny-flanked Prinia
- Black-chested Prinia
- Rufous-eared Warbler
- Red-faced Cisticola
- Rock-loving Cisticola
- Rattling Cisticola
- Tinkling Cisticola
- Luapula Cisticola
- Chirping Cisticola
- Piping Cisticola
- Zitting Cisticola
- Desert Cisticola
Reed Warblers and Allies
- Olive-tree Warbler
- Icterine Warbler
- Sedge Warbler
- Marsh Warbler
- Common Reed Warbler
- Lesser Swamp Warbler
- Greater Swamp Warbler
- Great Reed Warbler
Grassbirds and Allies
- River Warbler
- Little Rush Warbler
Swallows
- Black Sawwing
- Gray-rumped Swallow
- Banded Martin
- Plain Martin
- Bank Swallow
- Southern Crag-Martin
- Pearl-breasted Swallow
- Barn Swallow
- Red-chested Swallow
- White-throated Swallow
- Wire-tailed Swallow
- Western House-Martin
- Greater Striped Swallow
- Lesser Striped Swallow
- Rufous-chested Swallow
- Mosque Swallow
- South African Swallow
Bulbuls
- Yellow-bellied Greenbul
- Terrestrial Brownbul
- Common Bulbul
- Black-fronted Bulbul
Leaf Warblers
- Willow Warbler
Sylviid Warblers and Allies
- Eurasian Blackcap
- Garden Warbler
- Chestnut-vented Warbler
- Greater Whitethroat
White-eyes, Yuhinas, and Allies
- Cape White-eye
- Southern Yellow White-eye
Laughingthrushes and Allies
- Arrow-marked Babbler
- Southern Pied-Babbler
- Hartlaub's Babbler
- Black-faced Babbler
Oxpeckers
- Red-billed Oxpecker
- Yellow-billed Oxpecker
Starlings
- European Starling
- Wattled Starling
- Common Myna
- Violet-backed Starling
- Red-winged Starling
- Burchell's Starling
- Meves's Starling
- Lesser Blue-eared Starling
- Sharp-tailed Starling
- Greater Blue-eared Starling
- Cape Starling
Thrushes and Allies
- Boulder Chat
- Groundscraper Thrush
- Kurrichane Thrush
- Karoo Thrush
Old World Flycatchers
- Spotted Flycatcher
- Marico Flycatcher
- Pale Flycatcher
- Chat Flycatcher
- Gray Tit-Flycatcher
- Ashy Flycatcher
- Fiscal Flycatcher
- Southern Black-Flycatcher
- Bearded Scrub-Robin
- Kalahari Scrub-Robin
- White-browed Scrub-Robin
- White-throated Robin-Chat
- White-browed Robin-Chat
- Red-capped Robin-Chat
- Collared Palm-Thrush
- Thrush Nightingale
- Collared Flycatcher
- Short-toed Rock-Thrush
- Miombo Rock-Thrush
- African Stonechat
- Mocking Cliff-Chat
- Southern Anteater-Chat
- Arnot's Chat
- Capped Wheatear
- Familiar Chat
Sunbirds and Spiderhunters
- Collared Sunbird
- Amethyst Sunbird
- Scarlet-chested Sunbird
- Marico Sunbird
- Shelley's Sunbird
- Purple-banded Sunbird
- White-bellied Sunbird
- Dusky Sunbird
- Copper Sunbird
Weavers and Allies
- Red-billed Buffalo-Weaver
- Scaly Weaver
- White-browed Sparrow-Weaver
- Sociable Weaver
- Red-headed Weaver
- Spectacled Weaver
- Holub's Golden-Weaver
- Southern Brown-throated Weaver
- Lesser Masked-Weaver
- Southern Masked-Weaver
- Village Weaver
- Chestnut Weaver
- Red-headed Quelea
- Red-billed Quelea
- Southern Red Bishop
- Yellow-crowned Bishop
- White-winged Widowbird
- Fan-tailed Widowbird
- Long-tailed Widowbird
- Grosbeak Weaver
Waxbills and Allies
- Bronze Mannikin
- Magpie Mannikin
- Black-faced Waxbill
- Common Waxbill
- Quailfinch
- Cut-throat
- Red-headed Finch
- Zebra Waxbill
- Violet-eared Waxbill
- Southern Cordonbleu
- Green-winged Pytilia
- Orange-winged Pytilia
- Red-throated Twinspot
- Red-billed Firefinch
- Jameson's Firefinch
- Brown Firefinch
Whydahs and Indigobirds
- Pin-tailed Whydah
- Broad-tailed Paradise-Whydah
- Eastern Paradise-Whydah
- Shaft-tailed Whydah
- Village Indigobird
- Purple Indigobird
- Parasitic Weaver
Old World Sparrows
- House Sparrow
- Great Rufous Sparrow
- Cape Sparrow
- Northern Gray-headed Sparrow
- Southern Gray-headed Sparrow
- Yellow-throated Bush Sparrow
Wagtails and Pipits
- Cape Wagtail
- Mountain Wagtail
- Western Yellow Wagtail
- African Pied Wagtail
- African Pipit
- Woodland Pipit
- Nicholson's Pipit
- Plain-backed Pipit
- Buffy Pipit
- Striped Pipit
- Tree Pipit
- Red-throated Pipit
- Bush Pipit
- Orange-throated Longclaw
- Rosy-throated Longclaw
Finches, Euphonias, and Allies
- Yellow-fronted Canary
- Black-throated Canary
- Yellow Canary
- White-throated Canary
- Streaky-headed Seedeater
Old World Buntings
- Golden-breasted Bunting
- Cape Bunting
- Lark-like Bunting
- Cinnamon-breasted Bunting
Most common birds in Botswana
Ranked by how recently and how widely each was reported to eBird in the 30 days to 2026-10-13, and whether it is one of Botswana’s regular birds. The list follows the seasons: migrants rise in spring and autumn.
- Spur-winged GoosePlectropterus gambensis
- Squacco HeronArdeola ralloides
- African OpenbillAnastomus lamelligerus
- African Sacred IbisThreskiornis aethiopicus
- African SpoonbillPlatalea alba
- African JacanaActophilornis africanus
- Rock PigeonColumba livia
- Great EgretArdea alba
- Yellow-billed StorkMycteria ibis
- Reed CormorantMicrocarbo africanus
- Black KiteMilvus migrans
- Helmeted GuineafowlNumida meleagris
- Blacksmith LapwingVanellus armatus
- Great CormorantPhalacrocorax carbo
- White-faced Whistling-DuckDendrocygna viduata
- Southern Carmine Bee-eaterMerops nubicoides
- Marabou StorkLeptoptilos crumenifer
- Common GreenshankTringa nebularia
- Egyptian GooseAlopochen aegyptiaca
- Red-billed OxpeckerBuphagus erythroryncha
Largest bird families in Botswana
Among its regular birds.
- Hawks, Eagles, and Kites30
- Old World Flycatchers21
- Weavers and Allies17
- Herons, Egrets, and Bitterns16
- Ducks, Geese, and Waterfowl15
- Cisticolas and Allies15
- Swallows13
- Larks13
Reported in the last 30 days
393 species reported to eBird in Botswana in the 30 days to 2026-10-13. The 40 most recently reported:
Little Sparrowhawk, Giant Kingfisher, African Fish-Eagle, Squacco Heron, Spur-winged Goose, Slaty Egret, African Jacana, African Openbill, African Pipit, African Skimmer, African Spoonbill, Southern Carmine Bee-eater, Southern Brown-throated Weaver, African Sacred Ibis, Yellow-billed Stork, Rock Pratincole, Rock Pigeon, Yellow-billed Oxpecker, Southern Yellow-billed Hornbill, Red-billed Oxpecker, Pied Kingfisher, Black Heron, Black Kite, Blacksmith Lapwing, Black-headed Heron, Marabou Stork, Little Heron, Long-toed Lapwing, Reed Cormorant, Water Thick-knee, Lilac-breasted Roller, Wire-tailed Swallow, Common Greenshank, Helmeted Guineafowl, Hadada Ibis, African Darter, White-crowned Lapwing, Gray-hooded Gull, Egyptian Goose, White-faced Whistling-Duck, …
Get to know some of them
Black Kite
Great Cormorant
White-faced Whistling-Duck
Common Greenshank
Wire-tailed Swallow
Laughing Dove
Gray Heron
Glossy Ibis
Little Egret
Black-winged Stilt
Common Bulbul
Barn Swallow
Village Weaver
Red-eyed Dove
Common Sandpiper
Western Cattle-Egret
Marsh Sandpiper
Pied Crow
African Palm Swift
Black-crowned Night Heron