Birding in Damaraland is more about the quality of the species you’ll see, rather than the overall number. More than 200 bird species have been recorded here, including several arid-country specials. The area is rich in near-endemics, which are sought-after because of their restricted range. These include violet wood-hoopoe, Hartlaub’s francolin, Rüppell’s parrot, Monteiro’s hornbill, Carp’s tit, bare-cheeked babbler, rockrunner and white-tailed shrike. Raptors are also well represented and the majestic Verreaux’s eagle can sometimes be seen soaring above the rocky cliffs. Migratory birds are present from November to April.
Birding Specials Treats for Avid Birders
(NE) near-endemic = lives in Namibia and neighboring countries- Acacia pied barbet
- African cuckoo hawk
- Bare-cheeked babbler (NE)
- Benguela long-billed lark
- Booted eagle
- Cape bunting
- Carp’s tit (NE)
- Common scimitarbill
- Egyptian vulture
- Familiar chat
- Hartlaub’s francolin (NE)
- Herero chat (NE)
- Monteiro’s hornbill (NE)
- Mountain wheatear
- Namaqua sandgrouse
- Pale-winged starling
- Peregrine falcon
- Rockrunner (NE)
- Rüppell’s parrot (NE)
- Rüppell’s bustard (NE)
- Verreaux’s eagle
- Violet wood-hoopoe (NE)
- White-tailed shrike (NE)
Best Time for Bird Watching
Bird watching is at its best in the hot summer months, coinciding with the Wet season (November to April), when migrants from Europe and Asia are present. However, Damaraland is a great birding destination year-round, with many of the specials resident and present throughout the year.