(This article first appeared on 10000birds.com)
Gaining independence in 1990, Namibia
is one of Africa’s “newer” nations, although not quite as newborn as South Sudan which has yet to celebrate its first
anniversary! Before self-rule it was administered by South
Africa and known as South-West
Africa. However, Namibia’s
colonial history began earlier, in 1884 when it was annexed by the Germans.
After a brutal colonization that included genocidal campaigns against the
Herero (80% killed) and Nama (50% killed) tribes, the Germans lost control when
South Africa
invaded soon after the declaration of the First World War. The League of
Nations thereafter mandated this huge block of land to South Africa to administer and autonomy was only
granted after the protracted Namibian War of Independence that was fought
between the South African defense force and Namibian freedom fighters based in Angola, Zambia and other neighboring
countries. Interestingly, Walvis Bay, a port town on the central Namibian
coastline was only ceded to Namibia
in 1994 as historically it was occupied by the British and became an isolated
add-on to South Africa’s Cape Province.
Namibia
is politically stable and a safe country to visit offering spectacular scenery,
untouched wildernesses, vast game reserves, superb wildlife and fascinating
cultural experiences. It has the second lowest population density (6.6 people
per sq mi) of any country in the world (Mongolia has the lowest). Namibia’s 2,1 million people are spread over an
incredible 318,696 sq mi (nearly 20% larger land area than Texas). The main reason for this low
population density is the fact that Namibia is an extremely arid
country, containing not only the world’s oldest desert, the Namib, but also
vast areas of semi-desert and dry savanna. Only in the far northern border
regions with Angola and Zambia, where the mighty Okavango and Zambezi Rivers flow, is the country home to
higher population densities. These wide open spaces have meant that Namibia still
supports large volumes of wildlife, not only in its famous and expansive game
reserves, but even on unprotected land. For instance, Namibia boasts
the largest population of Cheetah in the world, many of which roam land that is
privately owned. Over 700 bird species occur in Namibia, many of them range-restricted
and highly desirable southern arid zone species.
Spreetshoogte Pass is an example of one of Namibia’s numerous scenic wonders, this pass
drops from the Khomas Hochland highlands to the plains of the Namib
Desert. Image by Adam Riley
Due to the unique Namib Desert
and the high central plateau, numerous birds and other forms of flora and fauna
are endemic to this region. However Namibia
only has one true endemic bird, the Dune Lark, due to the fact that these
specialized habitats just stretch over into remote southern Angola.
However, Namibia
also boasts 14 near-endemics, whose ranges are almost entirely restricted to
this country and these 15 special birds are the focus of this blogpost.
Hartlaub’s Francolin
This rather aberrant, long billed francolin is restricted to
high-lying rocky mountains and escarpments from central Namibia to southern Angola. It is usually an extremely
secretive bird and only readily found at very first light when family parties
emerge onto the tops of boulders and utter their strange, shrieking choruses.
This can last for just a few minutes before they scurry back into the rocks and
seemingly disappear until the following morning.
A male Hartlaub’s Francolin scurries across granite boulders
in the Erongo Mountains
of central Namibia.
Image by Adam Riley
Rüppell’s Bustard
Another noisy bird which is also found in small family
groups, however, this species prefers lower lying, flatter and drier areas
along the edge of the Namib Desert. This family group is performing their loud
croaking territorial calls.
A family group of Rüppell’s Bustards uttering their croaking
territorial calls. Image by Adam Riley
Rosy-faced Lovebird
Africa is not endowed with
as many parrots as other tropical lands, but what we lack in numbers we make up
for in cuteness as in this delightful Rosy-faced Lovebird so clearly
illustrates. These tiny parrots nest inside Social Weaver colonies and are
restricted to arid areas of Namibia
and surrounding drylands. This species is also known as Peach-faced Lovebird.
A male Rosy-faced Lovebird
poses on a branch in the Erongo
Mountains. Image by Adam
Riley
Rüppell’s Parrot
One of Namibia’s
tougher specials to locate, these parrots often vanish into the riverine Acacia
woodlands that they inhabit. Rüppell’s Parrots are best found by walking along
the dry riverbeds that crisscross central Namibia, especially at dawn and
dusk when the parrots are at their most active.
A Rüppell’s Parrot perched in an Acacia tree near a dry
riverbed in Omaruru, central Namibia.
Image by Adam Riley
Monteiro’s Hornbill
This large and attractive hornbill is not uncommon in the
drier woodlands of central Namibia
where they spend most of their time foraging on the ground.
The attractive Monteiro’s Hornbill usually feeds on the ground
and is very noticeable in flight due to its striking white wings. Image by
Markus Lilje (Rockjumper Birding Tours)
Damara Hornbill
A split from the Red-billed Hornbill group, the Damara
Hornbill’s diagnostic characteristics include its clean white face and dark
eye. This bird is busy calling, a strange, repetitive throbbing noise!
A calling Damara Hornbill from the Erongo
Mountains in central Namibia. Image
by Adam Riley
Barlow’s Lark
A recently described species that was first thought to occur
only in the forbidden diamondfields of coastal southern Namibia, but now also
known from the very north-western tip of South Africa. These larks prefer
denser coastal scrub on flat land and can be devilishly difficult to observe!
An uncommon photo of a difficult and very localized bird,
Barlow’s Lark. Image by Keith Valentine (Rockjumper Birding Tours)
Dune Lark
Namibia’s only true endemic, the Dune Lark is not accurately
named as its preferred habitat is actually vegetated dry river beds that run
between the massive dunes of the Namib Desert in central Namibia. These are the
highest dunes in the world and their red sand, which also covers these
riverbeds, is matched by the lovely colors of this attractive lark.
Namibia’s
only true endemic, the lovely Dune Lark whose coloration matches that of the
sandy riverbeds and surrounding dunes where it occurs. Image by Markus Lilje
(Rockjumper Birding Tours)
Benguella Lark
This localized species became a Namibian near-endemic when
the Long-billed Lark complex was split into 5 species. Benguella occurs from
central Namibia (north of Brandberg Mountain)
into southern Angola,
preferring arid semi-deserts and rocky areas. This bird was putting its massive
bill to good use foraging for grubs in the desert soil.
A Benguella Lark foraging for grubs in the desert north of
Brandberg in central Namibia.
Image by Adam Riley
Gray’s Lark
This pale desert lark can also be tough to locate,
preferring the expansive gravel plains of the true Namib
Desert where shy family parties scurry away like ghost crabs when
approached. Finding these quaint birds in this unique habitat, shared also with
the amazing Welwitschia plant, is one of the highlights of a trip to the Namib Desert. Another interesting fact about Gray’s Larks
is that they only perform their acrobatic aerial displays during the predawn in
order to avoid exertion during the scorching days.
The pale Gray’s Lark’s preferred habitat are the open gravel
plains of the Namib Desert. Image by Adam
Riley
Herero Chat
This rather drab but distinctive bird has a beautiful song
which is the best way of finding this skulker. It occurs in very low densities
through arid central Namibia
and southern Angola,
usually in bushes along the edges of mountains and ravines.
The Herero Chat can be a hard bird to find due to its
inconspicuous behavior combined with a scattered, low density distribution. Image by Markus Lilje
(Rockjumper Birding Tours)
White-tailed Shrike
My personal favorite, this spunky, energetic bird certainly
does not lack in character. Small family groups forage mostly on the ground in
rocky areas of central Namibia,
uttering strange calls and peering, with their heads cocked, at anything that
catches their attention. Originally believed to be bushshrikes, DNA work as
revealed they are actually aberrant giant, terrestrial batises!
The delightful White-tailed Shrike. Image by Adam Riley
Rockrunner
Also known as the Damara Rockjumper, this Namibian
near-endemic shares its range with the previous species. Its taxonomic
affinities are questionable and it has been bounced between various warbler and
babbler families. Its is however not related to the Rockjumpers of South
Africa. Its beautiful bubbling song is a prime method of locating these fast
moving and agile birds in the rocky areas of central Namibia. The aptness of its name
can be judged from this image!
A Rockrunner in action sprinting across its home range.
Image by Adam Riley
Bare-cheeked Babbler
One of five babblers occurring in Namibia,
this fine and localized species prefers the woodlands of northern Namibia, from the great Etosha
National Park into southern Angola. Small
family groups forage at ground level and are usually approachable when located,
but can be tough to find as they occur at rather low densities.
The attractive Bare-cheeked Babbler photographed near Etosha National
Park. Image by Adam Riley
Carp’s Tit
Our final bird is a relatively common denizen of woodlands
from central Namibia through
to southern Angola.
This striking black and white tit (or chickadee) is usually found in pairs,
foraging in Acacia trees and thickets.
Carp’s Tit, a species of dry woodlands of central and
northern Namibia.
Image by Markus Lilje (Rockjumper Birding Tours)
