23 JUNE– 09 JULY 2025
By Zach Simpson
Overview
For many years, Angola remained largely inaccessible to birders due to a prolonged and devastating civil war. With the end of the conflict in the early 2000s, the country slowly began opening its doors to tourism. As a result, birding expeditions resumed, revealing Angola’s tremendous avian potential. Numerous rediscoveries followed, and today the country has become a top destination for birders in search of its many endemics and range-restricted specialties.
White-headed Robin-Chat was once thought to be extinct, it can now be reliably seen in Angola
This 17-day tour was designed to target as many of these sought-after species as possible. We are pleased to report that we had remarkable success, locating most of the realistic target birds, including a majority of the endemics and localized specialties. Although the tour was not aimed at maximizing the overall species count, we still ended with an impressive trip total of around 490 species, with only a small number recorded as heard only. Please also see our comprehensive eBird trip report here with lots of photos (almost 300 species photographed) and sound recordings.
Angola’s bird diversity is largely shaped by its dramatic escarpment, which runs from the Namibe desert in the south to the lush equatorial forests in the north. Many of the country’s endemics are distributed along this gradient, and our itinerary reflected this, beginning in the north and gradually working our way south, zigzagging through key birding areas.
We began and ended our journey in Luanda, first heading north to the Uige region, where we quickly found one of our headline targets: Braun’s Bushshrike. From there, we continued to Kalandula, home of the impressive Kalandula Falls, where White-headed Robin-Chat showed easily, and Red-crested Turaco was also seen well.
Our next stop was Muxima, where we successfully tracked down a critical duo of endemics: Grey-striped Spurfowl and Gabela Helmetshrike, and the near-endemic Monteiro’s Bushshrike. Two more widespread, but equally delightful endemics included Hartert’s Camaroptera and White-fronted Wattle-eye were also found here, along with Angola Batis which is also found in a few neighboring countries and probably most easily seen in Angola.
Moving on to Kumbira Forest, we faced a bit more of a challenge with Gabela Bushshrike, which kept us waiting until the second day. However, Pulitzer’s Longbill and Gabela Akalat proved far more cooperative giving great close up views.
In the highlands, we explored Mount Namba, Mount Moco, and surrounding miombowoodlands. These areas were especially productive, with highlights including specials such as Black-necked Eremomela, Miombo Wren-Warbler, Böhm’s Flycatcher, and Souza’s Shrike. Between Namba and Moco, we added a species such as Angola Lark, Bocage’s Sunbird, Black-and-rufous Swallow, Huambo Cisticola, Dusky Twinspot, Western Tinkerbird, Black-chinned Weaver, and Ludwig’s Double-collared Sunbird.
Farther south, we picked up more southern escarpment gems including Swierstra’s Spurfowl, Angola Cave Chat, Bocage’s Akalat, Angola Waxbill, Angola Slaty Flycatcher, and Rockrunner.
Descending into the arid lowlands north of the Namib desert, we found a suite of desert-adapted specials: Karoo Long-billed Lark, Tractrac Chat, Rüppell’s Parrot, Hartlaub’s Spurfowl, Bare-cheeked Babbler, Rosy-faced Lovebird, Monteiro’s Hornbill, White-tailed Shrike, Damara Red-billed Hornbill, and many others.
Our final two days were spent gradually returning north along the Atlantic coast. Though mainly a travel leg, we still made time for several key stops, yielding species such as Chestnut-banded Plover, African Pygmy Goose, and an exciting first national record of Tibetan Sand Plover. A visit to the Kwanza River mangroves capped the trip with excellent views of Mangrove Sunbird.
Kalandula Falls is one of the most iconic landmarks in Angola
Detailed Report
Day 1, 23rd June 2025. First taste of the dry baobab woodland and northern escarpment forests
Having spent the night in the capital city of Luanda, we decided to have an early breakfast and get on the road before the traffic picked up. With much anticipation we made our way out of the city in our huge and comfortable stretch Landcruiser vehicle and were soon into the belt of dry baobab woodland that is well known in Angola and holds many of the key endemics for our trip. The plan for the day was to make haste and get up to Uige in time for a little bit of afternoon birding. We also spent a bit of time in the dry woodlands to get some of the endemics seen.
The dry woodland stop was at Santa Ambuleia, this proved successful as we quickly racked up several good birds. Hartert’s Camaroptera, Gabon Boubou, Bubbling Cisticola and Rufous-tailed Palm Thrush were some of the first species that we got onto. A little further along the road we encountered a small bird party and added Angola Batis, White-fronted Wattle-eye and Pale-olive Greenbul. Other notable species from the area included our first Mottled Spinetails, Olive Bee-eater, Red-backed Mousebirds, African Golden Oriole, Green Crombec and a range of more common species. This spot also produced Blue Monkey and Southern Talapoin as well as Congo Rope Squirrel. This would perhaps be the most mammals on a single morning on the trip.
We then hit the road again and started to climb the escarpment. We soon got our first taste of what the northern scarp forests were like. Another quick stop at a well known bridge produced a major target for the trip, Forest Swallow, these were accompanied by Angola Swallow.
A little later we had an enjoyable lunch stop at the side of the road, quite close to a degraded patch of forest. As we enjoyed our fresh avocado rolls, we added a few birds to the list, these included Pink-footed Puffback, Olive-bellied Sunbird and a fly-by Red-necked Buzzard.
Braun’s Bushshrike is one of three special bushshrikes that we targeted on this trip.
Another few hours and we made it to the Uige area, our next birding site. Our goal here was to see the endemic Braun’s Bushshrike, thus freeing up our time the following day to look for other more widespread species. We stopped off at Dombeiagola Forest and this patch turned out to be incredibly birdy. Within five minutes of getting out of the vehicle the birds were racking up. A big group of barbets moved overhead, these included Bristle-nosed and Naked-faced Barbets. Soon Yellow-browed Camaroptera, African Blue Flycatcher, Buff-throated Apalis, Banded Prinia, Splendid Starling, Velvet-mantled Drongo and both Piping Hornbills and Congo Pied Hornbills were added.
Thankfully, as we were working the area, we heard Braun’s Bushshrike calling a little way off the road. With this we began the challenge of getting our eyes on this species. We did not manage to get close to the bird nevertheless, after a bit of work, we managed views with it calling from an exposed perch some way off the road. With that, we wrapped up the birding with distant views of Black Bee-eater. Our drive to the hotel was accompanied by a beautiful sunset through the distant forest on the horizon.
Day 2, 24th June 2025. Full day in the northern forests near Uige
We had this whole day set aside to bird the forests near Uige. This gave us the opportunity to see many of the more widespread equatorial species, as well as some of the trickier species.
We started the day at the place we finished yesterday. We found a fruiting tree close to where we parked, and this was an incredibly birdy area. We quickly added Rufous-vented Paradise-Flycatcher, Vieillot’s Black, Yellow-mantled and Black-necked Weavers, Black-winged Oriole, Slender-billed Greenbul and Grey-headed, White-breasted and Chestnut-breasted Nigrita. We were very excited when a pair of Woodhouse’s Antpeckers showed briefly near the fruiting tree.
While following up on a calling greenbul, without success, we had fly-by views of a Black-casqued Hornbill and a group of Red-fronted Parrots. We also had a single Afep Pigeon perched some way off but allowing good and prolonged views.
We were then drawn to a Yellow-throated Nicator that was calling in some nearby thicket. After a bit of work, some managed to get views of this species. The nicator was accompanied by Honeyguide Greenbul, Blue Malkoha and fleeting views of Blue-headed Crested Flycatcher. We were also spoilt by a group of Swamp Greenbuls that flew in.
As we moved further up the road, we got Rufous-crowned Eremomela, Buff-spotted Woodpecker, Superb Sunbird, Black-and-white Shrike-flycatcher, Purple-throated Cuckooshrike, Eastern Yellow-billed Barbet and Speckled Tinkerbird.
Going back to our vehicle for coffee, we found Hairy-breasted and Yellow-spotted Barbets (the latter a regional rarity) near the fruiting tree. One of the guides got brief views of White-collared Oliveback, thankfully we connected with a pair later in the day.
Driving further down a dirt track, we entered some grassland and spent some time here. There was not much happening, besides a few regular species, so we headed further along to see if our fortune could change. We found a group of attractive Orange-cheeked Waxbills feeding on the side of the road. A single male Yellow-mantled Widowbird was a great addition too.
We passed through a small village and then walked up into another patch of forest. Unfortunately, while walking we passed a group of young boys carrying two dead Speckled Tinkerbirds. This was a sad sight. Our mood was lightened when we got onto a pair of White-collared Olivebacks. Working a small patch of intact forest, we had Chestnut Wattle-eye and the sought after Tit Hylia.
We headed back to the tar road, and drove to another patch of forest about an hour’s drive away. As we got out of the vehicle, we had great scope views of Black Bee-eaters. We took a walk down the road and added several species including Red-rumped Tinkerbird, Western Bronze-naped Pigeon, Grey-chinned Sunbird, brief flight views of Chestnut-winged Starling and, most unexpectedly, a pair of Johanna’s Sunbirds.
It was getting late and we started heading back to the hotel. We had an incredibly productive stop at a large dam in the grasslands, where we had fantastic views of Allen’s Gallinule. While enjoying the gallinule, we heard Black-collared Bulbul and then, very soon, we had great views. This species was more common than expected during the tour. We also got White-chinned Prinia, Siffling Cisticola, Angola White-eye and Black-tailed Waxbills at this late afternoon birding stop..
Banded Prinia was a great addition during our first day.
Day 3, 25th June 2025. Morning birding before transfer to Kalandula
Even though today was set aside as a travel day to get to Kalandula, we decided to try for some of the northern scarp forest species that we had missed during the previous two days. We set out into a degraded forest patch not far from Uige and spent the first few hours of the morning searching for some of the remaining targets. Soon we got onto Chestnut-winged and Narrow-tailed Starlings. We also managed to see Honeyguide Greenbul, Carmelite Sunbird, Green Hylia, Green-headed Sunbird, Grey-headed Kingfisher and Guinea Turaco. We heard a Masked Apalis and, after a bit of work, we eventually saw this very cool species. Heading back to the van, parked at the forest edge, with much tall grass, we had great views of Black-winged Bishop, White-chinned Prinia and some other good birds. Just before leaving, we got onto a beautiful Brown Twinspot.
We set off on the long drive to Kalandula and spent the rest of the day traveling. We got to Kalandula at around 5 pm, giving us enough time to check out the falls. Here we also managed to connect with Cassin’s Flycatcher. The falls were breathtakingly beautiful and certainly one of the most iconic landmarks of the trip. Enjoying a stunning sunset, we headed to our hotel to check in for the night, with much anticipation for the following day.
Day 4, 26th June 2025. Birding the miombo and swamp forests near Kinjila village
After our first taste of Kalandula at the falls yesterday evening, this morning we headed out to a small village outside town called Kinjila. On our way out we stopped in a patch of broadleaf woodland, where we quickly got onto a pair of Anchieta’s Barbets.
We then walked down a track, passing through mixed miombo and forest reminiscent of sand forest. We added a whole string of birds, with flybys of Sharp-tailed Starling and views of African Broadbill, Grey-olive Greenbul, Cabanis’s Greenbul, Grey-chinned Sunbird, Miombo Scrub Robin, Retz’s Helmetshike, Narina Trogon and Western Violet-backed Sunbird. The most exciting encounter was two Red-crested Turacos right next to the road, this was a fitting sighting of the spectacular national bird of Angola.
Red-crested Turaco is one of Angola’s many endemics. It also happens to be the national bird of the country.
Our next major target was a bird that was long considered extinct. However, it can now be seen with relative ease only here in the swamp forests. We met our local site guides just outside of their village, at the edge of the forest and told them we’d like to focus our attention on seeing the White-headed Robin-Chat. We set out on a 1.8 mile (3 kilometer) walk towards a site where they were showing well. Along the way we connected with White-winged Black Tit, Meyer’s Parrot, Pale-billed Hornbill, Western Banded Snake Eagle and Sharpe’s Drongo. Soon after arriving at the site, most of the group had great views of three White-headed Robin-Chats, accompanied by much excitement. Some also had brief views of Ross’s Turaco.
We hiked back to our vehicle for a quick coffee break and saw Brown-headed Apalis and Blue-throated Brown Sunbird. Just as we were about to leave the site, we heard the call of Dusky Long-tailed Cuckoo. This filled the group with excitement and the whole group had great views of the bird and some even got good photos of this usually secretive species, yet another highlight of the morning.
On the way back to the hotel we stopped briefly at a bridge and connected with Red-throated Swallow. After lunch and a short rest at the hotel, we went back out into the field. Another quick stop at the bridge proved successful, as we connected with Chirping Cisticola, Greater Swamp Warbler and Marsh Tchagra.
Back at the swamp forest we connected with Grey-winged Robin-Chat and another pair of White-headed Robin-Chat, thanks to the local guides’ very important local knowledge. We also spent time looking for White-spotted Flufftail, but sadly did not have much luck and it remained a heard only for now.
We had a short stint of night birding and managed to hear African Scops-Owl and African Wood Owl,as well as Fiery-necked Nightjar. We also got great views of African Barred Owlet. Most of the group saw Southern Lesser Galago very well.
Day 5, 27th June 2025. Last birding at Kilinji and transfer to Muxima
With another early start we headed out to the swamp forest once more. This time we wanted to try and get visuals of White-spotted Flufftail. As we entered the forest we picked up on Brown Illadopsis and Blue-breasted Kingfisher, while a Shining-blue Kingfisher was seen very briefly only by the guides. We then proceeded to the patch of forest where the White-spotted Flufftail had been heard calling and we spent some time looking for it. Eventually we had views of this species as it worked the swamp undergrowth.
We saw an incredibly huge flock of Red-throated Swallows building nests under a bridge.
After the flufftail we did a bit more general birding and then started back to the vehicle. As we were leaving, we could still hear the shouts of the very vocal Dusky Long-tailed Cuckoo!
We moved on to the large bridge again and found that thousands of Red-throated Swallows had moved in and were circling the bridge, so we watched and photographed them. They were collecting mud on the edge of the river and bringing it to the bridge to build their nests and it was a staggering sight.
Our drive back towards the coast then started and we arrived at our accommodation in time for a quick bit of birding in the evening. We then enjoyed our supper at the hotel and were treated to some Square-tailed Nightjars. Tomorrow we would set out into dry woodland in search of more endemics.
Day 6, 28th June 2025. Birding the dry woodland at Muxima
The day started with yet another early morning as we headed out to the dry woodlands just south of Muxima. Upon arrival we stretched our legs and within minutes our first target flew in: Gabela Helmetshrike! We had great views of five birds of this incredibly range restricted species. While admiring the helmetshrikes we heard our next target, Monteiros’s Bushshrike, so we headed down a track towards the calling birds. Along the way the group connected with Golden-backed Bishop, another Angolan endemic (although introduced to São Tomé and Príncipe where a feral population now exists). After a bit of work, we managed to get distant views of the bushshrike. Other birds seen included Mottled Spinetail, Blue Malkoha and Hartert’s Camaroptera.
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Yellow-bellied Wattle-eye was a nice surprise in moist woodland along a dry river course!
We then headed back to the vehicle for a coffee break and took a drive to another spot, this time in a more forested woodland area along a dry river course. This proved to be very successful and, after a bit of work, the group managed to see Forest Scrub Robin, Bates’s Paradise Flycatcher and a fantastic male Yellow-bellied Wattle-eye. After lunch we checked out the banks of the Kwanza River hoping for Egyptian Plover but unfortunately the water levels were too high and we therefore had no luck. We then tried for Grey-striped Spurfowl at another site but sadly only heard the bird calling near the road. On the way back to our accommodation, we decided to head out to a spot not far from our hotel in search of francolin. It was late in the afternoon, and we heard a number of spurfowl calling, both Red-necked and Grey-striped Spurfowl. Just before dark some of the group managed flight views of a distant bird. Nevertheless, most of us would need to try again the following morning for proper, more desirable views!
Day 7, 29th June 2025. Last attempt for Grey-striped Spurfowl and transfer to Condo
The day started with a very quick drive back to the same spot where we had finished off yesterday. We were hoping that the whole of the group would see Grey-striped Spurfowl. When we arrived, the spurfowl soon started calling. After a bit of work we managed brief flight views of an individual that landed quite close to where we were. Eventually we decided to try and see the bird by hiking off the road into the bush and, after a few seconds of panic and comedy, the bird flushed for everyone to see. One of the clients accurately referred to the spurfowl as the “flufftail of spurfowls!”. We got very close to one calling many times, but failed to get any good perched views. Typically, after all of our efforts to see the spurfowl, just as we were driving out of the site we turned a corner to find one sat out in the open in full clear view for all to see, just incredible!
Grey-striped Spurfowl eventually showed along the road after prior flight views.
A short stint of birding along a bridge produced some waterbirds including Black Crake, African Openbill and Knob-billed Duck. We also managed to see Long-legged Pipit and Greater Swamp Warbler, and great views of Bubbling Cisticola and Rufous-tailed Palm Thrush.
Our long drive to Conda, where we would be based for two nights, then began. One or two stops along the way for coffee and lunch produced only a few birds. We arrived in Conda at around 5 pm and took a drive into the forest scrub on the edge of Kumbira Forest. Here we wanted to get Pulitzer’s Longbill out of the way, to allow time for other endemics tomorrow. After about half an hour we had brief views of this purple-eyed skulker. With much excitement we then returned to our accommodation and called it a day.
Day 8, 30th June 2025. Endemics and forest species while birding at Kumbira Forest
The day started with another early morning as we moved deeper into Kumbira Forest. We started in some of the higher, degraded forest scrub. Our main targets for the day were Gabela Bushshrike and Gabela Akalat.
It did not take long for us to hear our first of many Gabela Akalats, and soon we had good views of a very showy pair. We continued along the track and found a bird party. This quickly added Yellow-whiskered Greenbul, Carmelite Sunbird, the weird local form of Southern Hyliota, (sometimes referred to as Forest Hyliota – possibly a species of its own) and the pale-throated race of Naked-faced Barbet.
Gabela Akalat, one of our main targets at Kumbira Forest, did not take long to show.
Back at the vehicle for a coffee break, one of the clients spotted two Black-backed Barbets perched in a dead tree.
We then spent a couple of hours working a stretch of road, going through the degraded forest scrub and hoping to hear Gabela Bushshrike. We unfortunately had no luck and decided to head down into some of the remaining intact forest patches further along the road. Here, we spent a bit of time searching for Kumbira specials. A bird party produced Fraser’s Rufous Thrush, Hairy-breasted Barbet, Buff-throated Apalis and, a little while later, Bates’s Paradise Flycatcher and Little Green Sunbird. We also had great views of a female Chestnut Wattle-eye collecting spiderwebs for nesting material.
We enjoyed watching this female Chestnut Wattle-eye collecting spiderwebs, even though it is a widespread species.
After a relaxed lunch near the river we headed into another forest patch. Here we managed to see Dusky Tit (endemic gabela subspecies) and, a little later, an obliging Brown-chested Alethe. Other good birds here included African Golden Oriole and Yellow-mantled Weaver.
We then headed back up to the degraded scrub in search of the Gabela Bushshrike. After a while, we heard one calling not too far away and headed up onto the hill, where we spent about an hour trying to see it. We got near, and the guides even had brief views, but, unfortunately, it did not show properly. While searching for the bushshrike we had views of Red-headed Bluebill, this helped to relieve the tension for a few moments.
Another Gabela Bushshrike started calling from across the valley and, after a long, long walk through thick vegetation, we arrived at the spot where the bird had been calling. Again, we tried for about an hour and sadly had to call it a day when the sun started setting. We would have to try again tomorrow morning!
Day 9, 1st July 2025. Finally, Gabela Bushshrike, followed by some miombo birding
We headed back to the same spot we had left off the previous day. Our hope was to locate yesterday’s calling Gabela Bushshrike and get views for the whole group. As we arrived, we heard a pair calling on the slope across the river, so we set off on foot, crossing the river, walking on logs laid down to make a small bridge. We positioned ourselves at a spot where we hoped the bird would come in and, after trying for a few nerve-wracking minutes, we all got acceptable views of this prized target.
We then headed back to the vehicle and set off for our next destination, our goal was to get into some miombo woodland. When we arrived, we had a quick coffee stop and then set off. We very quickly had a bird party and got Rufous-bellied and Miombo Tit, Red-capped Crombec, Yellow-bellied Hyliota, Green-capped Eremomela, Western Miombo Sunbird, African Spotted Creeper and a few others.
African Spotted Creeper showed incredibly well.
An Augur Buzzard flew over as we continued up the road. A little further on we had Familiar Chat and Siffling and Stout Cisticolas, and the guides managed brief views of Anchieta’s Sunbird and Broad-tailed Paradise-Whydah. Then back to the vehicle for a quick lunch, where a lucky few had quick views of Dusky Twinspot.
Following lunch, we headed down the road in the opposite direction from before. It was fairly quiet, nevertheless, the group connected with a pair of highly desired Souza’s Shrikes, which showed very well. Back in the vehicle we headed to another miombo patch. Along the way we made a stop in a grassy valley and this proved successful as we added Black-and-rufous Swallow, Copper Sunbird, Bocage’s Sunbird and had more views of Black-collared Bulbul. At the miombo stop, we added a few more widespread species such as Brubru, Dusky Flycatcher and Pale Flycatcher. Another brief stop on a bridge en route to our hotel added a number of species, including Purple Roller, Schalow’s Turaco, Brown Firefinch, Oustalet’s Sunbird and Pearl-breasted Swallow.
Day 10, 2nd March 2025. Namba Mountains, vehicle drama and great birds!
We started off with the earliest day so far for the trip. We were on the road by 4:30am because Mt. Namba was about a four hour long drive away. Along the way we made a quick stop where we were treated to close up views of a pair of Angola Larks. There were also some Sooty Chats, Red-capped Larks and Plain-backed Pipits in the area.
Angola Lark was a great find on the way to Mt. Namba.
About a kilometer from the forest we were heading to, in a mountainous area, we had some issues with the vehicle at a bridge and unfortunately lost a few hours dealing with this. While sorting the vehicle out we saw Marsh Tchagra, Fan-tailed Grassbird, Bocage’s Sunbird and Black-and-rufous Swallow.
Eventually, at about noon, we decided to walk to the forest. It took a lot of time, and soon became an incredibly tough march up the mountain, to reach a patch of forest. We battled our way through very thick vegetation with no paths whatsoever.
The sun was blistering and this was certainly one of the most physically tough days of the trip. Thankfully, we were rewarded with some great birds. On the way up, the group connected with Angola Waxbill and very distant views of Huambo Cisticola. We eventually made it up to a nice patch of forest. Soon we got onto Western Tinkerbird, African Hill Babbler, Grey Apalis, White-tailed Blue Flycatcher, Dusky Twinspot and African Yellow Warbler.
We trekked back down the mountain and eventually arrived back at the vehicle. Some took a quick dip in the river and then we drove back to our hotel to end a long and tiring day of exploratory birding.
Western Tinkerbird was one of the five tinkers seen on this trip.
Day 11, 3rd July 2025. Mount Moco and more miombo birding
We had another early start because we were heading for Mt. Moco. Here we wanted to get some of the localized montane specials in the bag. Upon arrival at the village we asked the chief for permission to head up into the lower forest. On our way up to the forest, at the edge of the village, we saw Village Indigobird, interestingly, it was mimicking Dusky Twinspot.
We started our birding near a nursery that has been set up for a reforestation project. It started off a little quiet, nevertheless, we got Cabanis’s Greenbul and Black-throated Wattle-eye. We continued out onto the edge of the forest, where we could look down onto the forest patch. This proved successful and we added some fantastic birds, including Black-chinned Weaver, Anchieta’s Sunbird, Schalow’s Turaco, Red-throated Wryneck and Black-backed Barbet. We managed to see Wing-snapping, Wailing and Huambo Cisticolas in the surrounding rocky grass slopes.
We headed back to the vehicle and drove down to some miombo for lunch and to rest for an hour or so, with some folks napping on the grass or in the vehicle. After that we tried to track down more miombo specials. The first miombo patch started off quietly but suddenly took a turn when we were getting back into the vehicle. Anchieta’s Barbet, Woodland Pipit, Yellow-bellied Hyliota and Green-capped Eremomela, amongst others, suddenly filled the woodland around us. Once that bird party had settled, we moved down to a second patch of miombo, where we had great success. Walking along a footpath we found a bird party that contained two specials, namely Black-necked Eremomela and Miombo Wren-Warbler. We also had Red-headed Weaver, White-fronted Bee-eater and Red-capped Crombec, amongst others.
Black-necked Eremomela was one of the biggest targets in the miombo.
Our last stop for the day was at a small river crossing. It was a bit quiet in the beginning, but we soon picked up a few birds. Fawn-breasted Waxbill was great to see, and we also saw Greater Honeyguide and Orange-breasted Waxbill. We then headed back to the hotel.
Day 12, 4th July 2025. Last miombo birding and transfer to Lubango
This morning was our last opportunity to spend time in miombo, so we headed into a patch of miombo about an hour from our accommodation. As with most early morning birding, the woodland was buzzing. We walked down the road and found a pair of Woodland Pipits. These were followed by a Black Scimitarbill, and a range of other species we had already seen. The highlight of the morning was a single Böhm’s Flycatcher which made a quick, yet sufficient, appearance. We also had great fly-by views of Black-chested Snake Eagle and had a pair of Shikra moving through the area.
After a nice cup of coffee, we hit the road, since today was set aside to get down to Lubango. We had a quick lunch stop near a bridge, this produced a few trip birds such as Hartlaub’s Babbler and White-winged Widowbird. After a good few hours driving, we eventually arrived at Casper Lodge. A great meal and amazing accommodation were very welcome after a long day.
Day 13, 5th July 2025. Birding Tundavala
This was one of our biggest and most anticipated days of the trip. We would be birding the stunning Tundavala area. This provided an opportunity to see all the remaining true endemics that we needed on this trip.
We started at the Tundavala Gap viewpoint, the views were breathtaking! We endured a cold wind blowing up through the gap. Despite this, we managed to see a pair of Angola Cave Chats and we got brief views of Short-toed Rock Thrush, while Bradfield’s and Alpine Swift were flying overhead. We also had a few raptors, including Peregrine Falcon, Booted Eagle and Rock Kestrel.
After coffee at the vehicle, we tried another slope in hopes of finding a very special spurfowl. Unfortunately, we did not manage to see it there, so we moved to another gorge. Here we spent a bit of time scanning the slopes in the hope of picking up the spurfowl. After about 20 minutes we had a Swierstra’s Spurfowl vocalizing not far away in the gorge. This led to about 30 tense minutes as we tried to locate the calling bird, in thick vegetation in the forested gully. After some time it suddenly appeared on a large rock under some trees in the forest. With a few moments of panic, everyone managed to get onto it. Other good birds here included a low fly-by of Verreaux’s Eagle, and our first views of Tinkling Cisticola.
One of Angola’s hardest endemics,Swierstra’s Spurfowl, showed well on two occasions during the trip.
We moved to a rocky area on the flat plateau, here we picked up Jameson’s (Ansorge’s) Firefinch and gained better views of Angola Waxbill. We then headed back to the hotel, where most enjoyed hamburgers and chips, and a quick siesta. At about 3 pm we set out to the viewpoint again in hopes of finding White-headed Barbet, sadly, we did not have much luck. On the walk to the viewpoint, we found Yellow-crowned Canary, and at the viewpoint we quickly picked up some good birds such as Black-faced Canary, Miombo Rock Thrush and, best of all, an Angola Slaty Flycatcher, the last endemic we needed!
We walked back to the vehicle and finished off the day with some night birding. There were many Freckled Nightjars calling and we managed to get a few fly-by views before heading back to the hotel.
Day 14, 6th July 2025. Leba Pass and Namibian specials
This day was set aside for a day trip down through Leba Pass to see some of the ”Namibian” specials. We started in woodland and as we moved towards the coast we got into drier and drier habitat until we were in the Namib Desert. Our first stop was successful, as we very quickly picked up White-tailed Shrikes – there were a lot of them around. We moved further along and stopped at a river. Spending a bit of time on the riverbed we had a large number of species coming down to drink. These included Jameson’s and Red-billed Firefinches, Black-fronted Bulbul and Long-tailed Paradise-Whydah. Overhead we had both Böhm’s and Mottled Spinetails and many Bradfield’s Swifts.
We headed back to the vehicle and on our way back to the tar road we had good views of the localized race of Meves’s Starling. Moving further along towards the coast we made a stop in some dry acacia woodland. This was very successful and we managed to pick up Dusky Sunbird, Kalahari Scrub Robin, Crimson-breasted Shrike, Swallow-tailed Bee-eater, Monteiro’s Hornbill, Barred Wren-Warbler, Pearl-spotted Owlet and White-throated and Black-throated Canaries. We also got our first looks at Karoo Chat. We decided to have our mid-morning breakfast stop here, and enjoyed a tasty and refreshing fruit salad prepared by the hotel.
Monteiro’s Hornbill was one of two localized hornbills seen today.
We then moved into some dry rocky areas to look for Rüppell’s Bustard but, unfortunately, we did not have much luck. We managed to get Karoo (Benguela) Long-billed Lark and then, further into the Namib Desert, we got Spike-heeled Lark and Tractrac Chat.
On the way back to our accommodation we stopped again in the very birdy moist woodland close to Leba Pass. Here we managed to add Carp’s Tit and Damara Red-billed Hornbill to our big list of new trip birds for the day. We timed it well and watched the sunset from the top of Leba Pass. This was a breathtaking view, and rounded off our time on the southernmost part of our trip well.
Karoo (Benguela) Long-billed Lark was a great addition to the day.
Day 15, 7th July 2025. Last Tundavala birding and transfer to Benguela
We hadn’t seen Bocage’s Akalat on the trip yet, so we decided to give this species one last try at the same spot where we had seen the Swierstra’s Spurfowl two days before. As we arrived at the viewpoint, a Swierstra’s Spurfowl called so we looked a short distance across the valley and there it was, sitting exposed on a large rock. Even though we had already seen this species it was still special to see it again, and this time out in the open.
After soaking in more welcome views of the spurfowl we then looked for the akalat and after a while had some success, with a pair showing in the valley below us. Once everyone had seen the bird we headed back to the vehicle. We tried unsuccessfully for Finsch’s Francolin, before having coffee on the plateau.
Enduring the Angolan roads later that afternoon, with the hope of more great birding, we eventually arrived at a boulder filled landscape. Our target here was Hartlaub’s Spurfowl. We had no response for a while but then suddenly the shouts of not-too-distant spurfowl erupted from the rocky slopes. With brief flying views, then some views of them walking and calling from the undergrowth, the group was happy to move on to other targets in the area. We managed Rüppell’s Parrot, Rosy-faced Lovebird, Bare-cheeked Babbler and Pale-winged Starling. We also had repeat views of Meves’s Starling, Carp’s Tit, White-tailed Shrike, Pririt Batis and Damara Red-billed Hornbill.
Half an hour’s drive to our accommodation in the small coastal town of Benguela then followed. This wrapped up the day.
Hartlaub’s Spurfowl was the cherry on the top, being our third localized spurfowl for the trip.
Day 16, 8th July 2025. Transfer to Kwanza
We were up before sunrise and started our day birding at some salt pans. This allowed us to add some new trip birds, including Kelp Gull, Caspian Tern, Sandwich Tern, Kittlitz’s Plover, African Spoonbills and, the best of the lot, Chestnut-banded Plover.
This was followed by a quick stop at the Lobito Wetlands. Here we added several new trip birds, including Cape Teal, Common Greenshank, both Greater and Lesser Flamingo, as well as Great White Pelican, Red-knobbed Coot, African Swamphen and Common Sandpiper. We then headed north, making our way to the Kwanza area to spend a night on the river. Along the way we made a stop at some very appealing wetlands, where we found a few African Pygmy Geese. These were accompanied by a large assortment of other waterbirds.
The rest of the day was spent driving and we arrived at out lodge just as the sun was setting. During supper, some enjoyed views of Black-crowned Night Heron on the riverbank, from the lodge deck.
Day 17, 9th July 2025. Birding Kwanza and goodbyes
After coffee and breakfast, we took a short walk to the river mouth. Unfortunately, the conditions were not favorable for us to find a tern roost. We did have a number of Caspian and Common Tern flying through, but we unfortunately did not see West African Crested Tern.
We then headed to a golf course a few kilometers away which proved to be a good access point into the mangrove forests. The golf course had a bird guide who knew the birds in the area well and this proved to be of great value. The golf course had several small pans, this meant that it was teaming with waterbirds. We also had good views of Long-legged Pipit along the fairways, as well as Banded Martin. We then proceeded into the mangroves. One of our first sightings was a pair of White-fronted Wattle-eyes. This time they allowed us much better views than our observations earlier in the tour.
White-fronted Wattle-eye finally gave us good views at the end of our trip.
We continued into the forest. We asked the local guide about Mangrove Sunbird and he took us to a spot where a pair was building a nest. This allowed for great views, but we did not stick around since we did not want to disturb the birds.
We spent an hour or two exploring the forest in this area. We added Green-backed Woodpecker and had good views of a pair of Square-tailed Nightjars. Several Blue-breasted Kingfishers called, but we were unable to get any views.
We then headed back to the lodge, enjoyed a quick lunch before making our way further into Luanda. Before we had to say our goodbyes, we stopped briefly to look for some shorebird (waders), and hoping for a tern roost. This was our last chance of finding West African Crested Tern, but there was unfortunately, no sign of the terns. We did add some shorebirds to our trip lists, including Bar-tailed Godwit, Ruddy Turnstone, Black-bellied Plover, Curlew Sandpiper and, best of all, the first known record of Tibetan Sand Plover for Angola.
Our last stop was the airport and we said our goodbyes. This wrapped up our incredible tour, having successfully seen all the endemics. There were smiles all round. Some of our group then headed over to São Tomé and Príncipe for further exciting birds!
Angola Bird List – Following IOC (15.1 / March 2025)
Birds ‘heard only’ are marked with (H) after the common name, all other species were seen. Birds seen or heard only just by the tour leader are not included in the list.
The following notation after species names is used to show conservation status following the IUCN Red List:
EN = Endangered, VU = Vulnerable.
| Common name | Scientific name |
| Ducks, Geese, Swans (Anatidae) | |
| White-faced Whistling Duck | Dendrocygna viduata |
| Knob-billed Duck | Sarkidiornis melanotos |
| African Pygmy Goose | Nettapus auritus |
| Cape Teal | Anas capensis |
| Red-billed Teal | Anas erythrorhyncha |
| Pheasants & Allies (Phasianidae) | |
| Hartlaub’s Spurfowl | Pternistis hartlaubi |
| Swierstra’s Spurfowl – VU | Pternistis swierstrai |
| Grey-striped Spurfowl | Pternistis griseostriatus |
| Red-necked Spurfowl | Pternistis afer |
| Nightjars (Caprimulgidae) | |
| Fiery-necked Nightjar (H) | Caprimulgus pectoralis |
| Freckled Nightjar | Caprimulgus tristigma |
| Square-tailed Nightjar | Caprimulgus fossii |
| Swifts (Apodidae) | |
| Mottled Spinetail | Telacanthura ussheri |
| Böhm’s Spinetail | Neafrapus boehmi |
| African Palm Swift | Cypsiurus parvus |
| Alpine Swift | Tachymarptis melba |
| Bradfield’s Swift | Apus bradfieldi |
| Little Swift | Apus affinis |
| Turacos (Musophagidae) | |
| Great Blue Turaco (H) | Corythaeola cristata |
| Grey Go-away-bird | Crinifer concolor |
| Ross’s Turaco (H) | Tauraco rossae |
| Red-crested Turaco | Tauraco erythrolophus |
| Guinea Turaco | Tauraco persa |
| Schalow’s Turaco | Tauraco schalowi |
| Cuckoos (Cuculidae) | |
| Gabon Coucal (H) | Centropus anselli |
| Senegal Coucal | Centropus senegalensis |
| Blue-headed Coucal | Centropus monachus |
| White-browed Coucal | Centropus superciliosus |
| Blue Malkoha | Ceuthmochares aereus |
| Klaas’s Cuckoo | Chrysococcyx klaas |
| African Emerald Cuckoo | Chrysococcyx cupreus |
| Dusky Long-tailed Cuckoo | Cercococcyx mechowi |
| Pigeons, Doves (Columbidae) | |
| Rock Dove | Columba livia |
| Afep Pigeon | Columba unicincta |
| Western Bronze-naped Pigeon | Columba iriditorques |
| Mourning Collared Dove | Streptopelia decipiens |
| Red-eyed Dove | Streptopelia semitorquata |
| Ring-necked Dove | Streptopelia capicola |
| Laughing Dove | Spilopelia senegalensis |
| Emerald-spotted Wood Dove | Turtur chalcospilos |
| Blue-spotted Wood Dove | Turtur afer |
| Tambourine Dove | Turtur tympanistria |
| Namaqua Dove | Oena capensis |
| African Green Pigeon | Treron calvus |
| Flufftails & Forest Rails (Sarothruridae) | |
| White-spotted Flufftail | Sarothrura pulchra |
| Rails, Crakes & Coots (Rallidae) | |
| Lesser Moorhen | Paragallinula angulata |
| Common Moorhen | Gallinula chloropus |
| Red-knobbed Coot | Fulica cristata |
| Allen’s Gallinule | Porphyrio alleni |
| African Swamphen | Porphyrio madagascariensis |
| Black Crake | Zapornia flavirostra |
| Grebes (Podicipedidae) | |
| Little Grebe | Tachybaptus ruficollis |
| Flamingos (Phoenicopteridae) | |
| Greater Flamingo | Phoenicopterus roseus |
| Lesser Flamingo | Phoeniconaias minor |
| Stone-curlews, Thick-knees (Burhinidae) | |
| Spotted Thick-knee (H) | Burhinus capensis |
| Water Thick-knee | Burhinus vermiculatus |
| Stilts, Avocets (Recurvirostridae) | |
| Black-winged Stilt | Himantopus himantopus |
| Pied Avocet | Recurvirostra avosetta |
| Plovers (Charadriidae) | |
| Grey Plover – VU | Pluvialis squatarola |
| Three-banded Plover | Charadrius tricollaris |
| Senegal Lapwing | Vanellus lugubris |
| Tibetan Sand Plover | Anarhynchus atrifrons |
| Kittlitz’s Plover | Anarhynchus pecuarius |
| Chestnut-banded Plover | Anarhynchus pallidus |
| White-fronted Plover | Anarhynchus marginatus |
| Jacanas (Jacanidae) | |
| African Jacana | Actophilornis africanus |
| Sandpipers, Snipes (Scolopacidae) | |
| Eurasian Whimbrel | Numenius phaeopus |
| Bar-tailed Godwit | Limosa lapponica |
| Common Sandpiper | Actitis hypoleucos |
| Wood Sandpiper | Tringa glareola |
| Common Greenshank | Tringa nebularia |
| Ruddy Turnstone | Arenaria interpres |
| Curlew Sandpiper – VU | Calidris ferruginea |
| Sanderling | Calidris alba |
| Coursers, Pratincoles (Glareolidae) | |
| Collared Pratincole | Glareola pratincola |
| Gulls, Terns, Skimmers (Laridae) | |
| Caspian Tern | Hydroprogne caspia |
| Common Tern | Sterna hirundo |
| Sandwich Tern | Thalasseus sandvicensis |
| Kelp Gull | Larus dominicanus |
| Storks (Ciconiidae) | |
| African Openbill | Anastomus lamelligerus |
| Yellow-billed Stork | Mycteria ibis |
| Anhingas, Darters (Anhingidae) | |
| African Darter | Anhinga rufa |
| Cormorants, Shags (Phalacrocoracidae) | |
| Reed Cormorant | Microcarbo africanus |
| Great Cormorant | Phalacrocorax carbo |
| Ibises, Spoonbills (Threskiornithidae) | |
| African Sacred Ibis | Threskiornis aethiopicus |
| African Spoonbill | Platalea alba |
| Herons, Bitterns (Ardeidae) | |
| Black-crowned Night Heron | Nycticorax nycticorax |
| Little Egret | Egretta garzetta |
| Little Heron | Butorides atricapilla |
| Squacco Heron | Ardeola ralloides |
| Great Egret | Ardea alba |
| Yellow-billed Egret | Ardea brachyrhyncha |
| Western Cattle Egret | Ardea ibis |
| Grey Heron | Ardea cinerea |
| Purple Heron | Ardea purpurea |
| Black-headed Heron | Ardea melanocephala |
| Goliath Heron | Ardea goliath |
| Hamerkop (Scopidae) | |
| Hamerkop | Scopus umbretta |
| Pelicans (Pelecanidae) | |
| Great White Pelican | Pelecanus onocrotalus |
| Kites, Hawks, Eagles (Accipitridae) | |
| Black-winged Kite | Elanus caeruleus |
| African Harrier-Hawk | Polyboroides typus |
| Palm-nut Vulture | Gypohierax angolensis |
| African Cuckoo-Hawk | Aviceda cuculoides |
| Bateleur – EN | Terathopius ecaudatus |
| Western Banded Snake Eagle | Circaetus cinerascens |
| Black-chested Snake Eagle | Circaetus pectoralis |
| Brown Snake Eagle | Circaetus cinereus |
| Crowned Eagle | Stephanoaetus coronatus |
| Martial Eagle – EN | Polemaetus bellicosus |
| Long-crested Eagle | Lophaetus occipitalis |
| Booted Eagle | Hieraaetus pennatus |
| Verreaux’s Eagle | Aquila verreauxii |
| Gabar Goshawk | Micronisus gabar |
| Dark Chanting Goshawk | Melierax metabates |
| Lizard Buzzard | Kaupifalco monogrammicus |
| African Goshawk | Aerospiza tachiro |
| Little Sparrowhawk | Tachyspiza minulla |
| Shikra | Tachyspiza badia |
| African Marsh Harrier | Circus ranivorus |
| Yellow-billed Kite | Milvus aegyptius |
| African Fish Eagle | Icthyophaga vocifer |
| Red-necked Buzzard | Buteo auguralis |
| Augur Buzzard | Buteo augur |
| Barn Owls (Tytonidae) | |
| Western Barn Owl | Tyto alba |
| Owls (Strigidae) | |
| Pearl-spotted Owlet | Glaucidium perlatum |
| African Barred Owlet | Glaucidium capense |
| African Scops Owl (H) | Otus senegalensis |
| African Wood Owl (H) | Strix woodfordii |
| Mousebirds (Coliidae) | |
| Red-backed Mousebird | Colius castanotus |
| Red-faced Mousebird | Urocolius indicus |
| Trogons (Trogonidae) | |
| Narina Trogon | Apaloderma narina |
| Hoopoes (Upupidae) | |
| Eurasian Hoopoe | Upupa epops |
| Wood Hoopoes (Phoeniculidae) | |
| Green Wood Hoopoe | Phoeniculus purpureus |
| Black Scimitarbill | Rhinopomastus aterrimus |
| Common Scimitarbill | Rhinopomastus cyanomelas |
| Hornbills (Bucerotidae) | |
| Damara Red-billed Hornbill | Tockus damarensis |
| Monteiro’s Hornbill | Tockus monteiri |
| Southern Yellow-billed Hornbill | Tockus leucomelas |
| Crowned Hornbill | Lophoceros alboterminatus |
| Congo Pied Hornbill | Lophoceros fasciatus |
| Pale-billed Hornbill | Lophoceros pallidirostris |
| Piping Hornbill | Bycanistes fistulator |
| Trumpeter Hornbill | Bycanistes bucinator |
| Black-casqued Hornbill | Ceratogymna atrata |
| Rollers (Coraciidae) | |
| Purple Roller | Coracias naevius |
| Lilac-breasted Roller | Coracias caudatus |
| Broad-billed Roller | Eurystomus glaucurus |
| Kingfishers (Alcedinidae) | |
| Chocolate-backed Kingfisher (H) | Halcyon badia |
| Grey-headed Kingfisher | Halcyon leucocephala |
| Brown-hooded Kingfisher | Halcyon albiventris |
| Striped Kingfisher | Halcyon chelicuti |
| Blue-breasted Kingfisher | Halcyon malimbica |
| Woodland Kingfisher | Halcyon senegalensis |
| African Pygmy Kingfisher | Ispidina picta |
| Malachite Kingfisher | Corythornis cristatus |
| Shining-blue Kingfisher (H) | Alcedo quadribrachys |
| Giant Kingfisher | Megaceryle maxima |
| Pied Kingfisher | Ceryle rudis |
| Bee-eaters (Meropidae) | |
| Black Bee-eater | Merops gularis |
| Swallow-tailed Bee-eater | Merops hirundineus |
| Little Bee-eater | Merops pusillus |
| White-fronted Bee-eater | Merops bullockoides |
| Olive Bee-eater | Merops superciliosus |
| European Bee-eater | Merops apiaster |
| African Barbets (Lybiidae) | |
| Eastern Yellow-billed Barbet | Trachylaemus purpuratus |
| Bristle-nosed Barbet | Gymnobucco peli |
| Naked-faced Barbet | Gymnobucco calvus |
| Anchieta’s Barbet | Stactolaema anchietae |
| Speckled Tinkerbird | Pogoniulus scolopaceus |
| Western Tinkerbird | Pogoniulus coryphaea |
| Red-rumped Tinkerbird | Pogoniulus atroflavus |
| Yellow-rumped Tinkerbird | Pogoniulus bilineatus |
| Yellow-fronted Tinkerbird | Pogoniulus chrysoconus |
| Yellow-spotted Barbet | Buccanodon duchaillui |
| Hairy-breasted Barbet | Tricholaema hirsuta |
| Miombo Pied Barbet (H) | Tricholaema frontata |
| Acacia Pied Barbet | Tricholaema leucomelas |
| Black-collared Barbet | Lybius torquatus |
| Black-backed Barbet | Pogonornis minor |
| Honeyguides (Indicatoridae) | |
| Lesser Honeyguide | Indicator minor |
| Greater Honeyguide | Indicator indicator |
| Woodpeckers (Picidae) | |
| Red-throated Wryneck | Jynx ruficollis |
| Buff-spotted Woodpecker | Pardipicus nivosus |
| Golden-tailed Woodpecker | Campethera abingoni |
| Little Green Woodpecker | Campethera maculosa |
| Bearded Woodpecker H) | Chloropicus namaquus |
| Cardinal Woodpecker | Dendropicos fuscescens |
| Olive Woodpecker (H) | Dendropicos griseocephalus |
| Caracaras, Falcons (Falconidae) | |
| Rock Kestrel | Falco rupicolus |
| Grey Kestrel | Falco ardosiaceus |
| Lanner Falcon | Falco biarmicus |
| Peregrine Falcon | Falco peregrinus |
| African & New World Parrots (Psittacidae) | |
| Red-fronted Parrot | Poicephalus gulielmi |
| Meyer’s Parrot | Poicephalus meyeri |
| Rüppell’s Parrot | Poicephalus rueppellii |
| Old World Parrots (Psittaculidae) | |
| Rosy-faced Lovebird | Agapornis roseicollis |
| African & Green Broadbills (Calyptomenidae) | |
| African Broadbill (H) | Smithornis capensis |
| Wattle-eyes, Batises (Platysteiridae) | |
| Chinspot Batis | Batis molitor |
| Pririt Batis | Batis pririt |
| Angola Batis | Batis minulla |
| White-tailed Shrike | Lanioturdus torquatus |
| Chestnut Wattle-eye | Platysteira castanea |
| Black-throated Wattle-eye | Platysteira peltata |
| White-fronted Wattle-eye | Platysteira albifrons |
| Yellow-bellied Wattle-eye | Platysteira concreta |
| Bushshrikes (Malaconotidae) | |
| Monteiro’s Bushshrike | Malaconotus monteiri |
| Grey-headed Bushshrike (H) | Malaconotus blanchoti |
| Bocage’s Bushshrike (H) | Chlorophoneus bocagei |
| Orange-breasted Bushshrike | Chlorophoneus sulfureopectus |
| Gorgeous Bushshrike | Telophorus viridis |
| Marsh Tchagra | Bocagia minuta |
| Brown-crowned Tchagra | Tchagra australis |
| Black-crowned Tchagra | Tchagra senegalus |
| Pink-footed Puffback | Dryoscopus angolensis |
| Black-backed Puffback | Dryoscopus cubla |
| Braun’s Bushshrike – EN | Laniarius brauni |
| Gabela Bushshrike – EN | Laniarius amboimensis |
| Tropical Boubou | Laniarius major |
| Swamp Boubou | Laniarius bicolor |
| Crimson-breasted Shrike | Laniarius atrococcineus |
| Brubru | Nilaus afer |
| Vangas & Allies (Vangidae) | |
| White-crested Helmetshrike | Prionops plumatus |
| Retz’s Helmetshrike | Prionops retzii |
| Gabela Helmetshrike – EN | Prionops gabela |
| Black-and-white Shrike-flycatcher | Bias musicus |
| Cuckooshrikes (Campephagidae) | |
| Black Cuckooshrike | Campephaga flava |
| Petit’s Cuckooshrike | Campephaga petiti |
| Purple-throated Cuckooshrike | Campephaga quiscalina |
| Figbirds, Old World Orioles, Piopios (Oriolidae) | |
| Black-headed Oriole | Oriolus larvatus |
| Black-winged Oriole | Oriolus nigripennis |
| African Golden Oriole | Oriolus auratus |
| Drongos (Dicruridae) | |
| Velvet-mantled Drongo | Dicrurus modestus |
| Fork-tailed Drongo | Dicrurus adsimilis |
| Sharpe’s Drongo | Dicrurus sharpei |
| Monarchs (Monarchidae) | |
| Blue-headed Crested Flycatcher | Trochocercus nitens |
| Rufous-vented Paradise Flycatcher | Terpsiphone rufocinerea |
| Bates’s Paradise Flycatcher | Terpsiphone batesi |
| African Paradise Flycatcher | Terpsiphone viridis |
| Shrikes (Laniidae) | |
| Southern White-crowned Shrike | Eurocephalus anguitimens |
| Northern Fiscal | Lanius humeralis |
| Souza’s Shrike | Lanius souzae |
| Southern Fiscal | Lanius collaris |
| Crows, Jays (Corvidae) | |
| Pied Crow | Corvus albus |
| Fairy Flycatchers (Stenostiridae) | |
| African Blue Flycatcher | Elminia longicauda |
| White-tailed Blue Flycatcher | Elminia albicauda |
| Tits, Chickadees (Paridae) | |
| White-winged Black Tit | Melaniparus leucomelas |
| Carp’s Tit | Melaniparus carpi |
| Dusky Tit | Melaniparus funereus |
| Rufous-bellied Tit | Melaniparus rufiventris |
| Miombo Tit | Melaniparus griseiventris |
| Penduline Tits (Remizidae) | |
| Grey Penduline Tit | Anthoscopus caroli |
| Nicators (Nicatoridae) | |
| Yellow-throated Nicator | Nicator vireo |
| Larks (Alaudidae) | |
| Spike-heeled Lark | Chersomanes albofasciata |
| Benguela Long-billed Lark | Certhilauda benguelensis |
| Dusky Lark | Pinarocorys nigricans |
| Angola Lark | Amirafra angolensis |
| Red-capped Lark | Calandrella cinerea |
| Bulbuls (Pycnonotidae) | |
| Slender-billed Greenbul | Stelgidillas gracilirostris |
| Black-collared Bulbul | Neolestes torquatus |
| Red-tailed Bristlebill (H) | Bleda syndactylus |
| Pale-throated Greenbul | Atimastillas flavigula |
| Swamp Palm Bulbul | Thescelocichla leucopleura |
| Falkenstein’s Greenbul | Chlorocichla falkensteini |
| Yellow-bellied Greenbul | Chlorocichla flaviventris |
| Simple Greenbul (H) | Chlorocichla simplex |
| Honeyguide Greenbul | Baeopogon indicator |
| Little Greenbul | Eurillas virens |
| Yellow-whiskered Greenbul | Eurillas latirostris |
| Plain Greenbul | Eurillas curvirostris |
| Cabanis’s Greenbul | Phyllastrephus cabanisi |
| Pale-olive Greenbul | Phyllastrephus fulviventris |
| African Red-eyed Bulbul | Pycnonotus nigricans |
| Common Bulbul | Pycnonotus barbatus |
| Swallows, Martins (Hirundinidae) | |
| Black Saw-wing | Psalidoprocne pristoptera |
| Grey-rumped Swallow | Pseudhirundo griseopyga |
| Banded Martin | Neophedina cincta |
| Brown-throated Martin | Riparia paludicola |
| Large Rock Martin | Ptyonoprogne fuligula |
| Black-and-rufous Swallow | Hirundo nigrorufa |
| Pearl-breasted Swallow | Hirundo dimidiata |
| Angola Swallow | Hirundo angolensis |
| White-bibbed Swallow | Hirundo nigrita |
| White-throated Swallow | Hirundo albigularis |
| Wire-tailed Swallow | Hirundo smithii |
| Forest Swallow | Atronanus fuliginosus |
| Greater Striped Swallow | Cecropis cucullata |
| Lesser Striped Swallow | Cecropis abyssinica |
| Red-throated Cliff Swallow | Petrochelidon rufigula |
| Crombecs, African Warblers (Macrosphenidae) | |
| Moustached Grass Warbler | Melocichla mentalis |
| Rockrunner | Achaetops pycnopygius |
| Yellow Longbill (H) | Macrosphenus flavicans |
| Grey Longbill (H) | Macrosphenus concolor |
| Pulitzer’s Longbill – EN | Macrosphenus pulitzeri |
| Long-billed Crombec | Sylvietta rufescens |
| Red-capped Crombec | Sylvietta ruficapilla |
| Green Crombec | Sylvietta virens |
| Hylias (Hyliidae) | |
| Green Hylia | Hylia prasina |
| Tit Hylia | Pholidornis rushiae |
| Reed Warblers & Allies (Acrocephalidae) | |
| Greater Swamp Warbler | Acrocephalus rufescens |
| African Yellow Warbler | Iduna natalensis |
| Grassbirds & Allies (Locustellidae) | |
| Fan-tailed Grassbird | Catriscus brevirostris |
| Little Rush Warbler | Bradypterus baboecala |
| Cisticolas & Allies (Cisticolidae) | |
| Red-faced Cisticola | Cisticola erythrops |
| Bubbling Cisticola | Cisticola bulliens |
| Huambo Cisticola | Cisticola bailunduensis |
| Tinkling Cisticola | Cisticola rufilatus |
| Wailing Cisticola | Cisticola lais |
| Chirping Cisticola | Cisticola pipiens |
| Stout Cisticola | Cisticola robustus |
| Croaking Cisticola | Cisticola natalensis |
| Short-winged Cisticola | Cisticola brachypterus |
| Neddicky | Cisticola fulvicapilla |
| Zitting Cisticola | Cisticola juncidis |
| Wing-snapping Cisticola | Cisticola ayresii |
| Tawny-flanked Prinia | Prinia subflava |
| Black-chested Prinia | Prinia flavicans |
| Banded Prinia | Prinia bairdii |
| White-chinned Prinia | Schistolais leucopogon |
| Yellow-breasted Apalis | Apalis flavida |
| Lowland Masked Apalis | Apalis binotata |
| Buff-throated Apalis | Apalis rufogularis |
| Grey Apalis | Apalis cinerea |
| Brown-headed Apalis | Apalis alticola |
| Grey-backed Camaroptera | Camaroptera brevicaudata |
| Hartert’s Camaroptera | Camaroptera harterti |
| Yellow-browed Camaroptera | Camaroptera superciliaris |
| Miombo Wren-Warbler | Calamonastes undosus |
| Barred Wren-Warbler | Calamonastes fasciolatus |
| Yellow-bellied Eremomela | Eremomela icteropygialis |
| Green-capped Eremomela | Eremomela scotops |
| Rufous-crowned Eremomela | Eremomela badiceps |
| Black-necked Eremomela | Eremomela atricollis |
| Sylviid Babblers (Sylviidae) | |
| African Hill Babbler | Sylvia abyssinica |
| Chestnut-vented Warbler | Curruca subcoerulea |
| White-eyes (Zosteropidae) | |
| Angola White-eye | Zosterops kasaicus |
| Ground Babblers (Pellorneidae) | |
| Brown Illadopsis | Illadopsis fulvescens |
| Scaly-breasted Illadopsis (H) | Illadopsis albipectus |
| Laughingthrushes & Allies (Leiothrichidae) | |
| Bare-cheeked Babbler | Turdoides gymnogenys |
| Hartlaub’s Babbler | Turdoides hartlaubii |
| Hyliotas (Hyliotidae) | |
| Yellow-bellied Hyliota | Hyliota flavigaster |
| Southern Hyliota | Hyliota australis |
| Spotted Creepers (Salpornithidae) | |
| African Spotted Creeper | Salpornis salvadori |
| Starlings, Rhabdornises (Sturnidae) | |
| Cape Starling | Lamprotornis nitens |
| Splendid Starling | Lamprotornis splendidus |
| Meves’s Starling | Lamprotornis mevesii |
| Sharp-tailed Starling | Lamprotornis acuticaudus |
| Violet-backed Starling | Cinnyricinclus leucogaster |
| Chestnut-winged Starling | Onychognathus fulgidus |
| Pale-winged Starling | Onychognathus nabouroup |
| Narrow-tailed Starling | Poeoptera lugubris |
| Oxpeckers (Buphagidae) | |
| Yellow-billed Oxpecker | Buphagus africanus |
| Thrushes (Turdidae) | |
| Fraser’s Rufous Thrush | Stizorhina fraseri |
| Groundscraper Thrush | Turdus litsitsirupa |
| African Thrush | Turdus pelios |
| Kurrichane Thrush | Turdus libonyana |
| Chats, Old World Flycatchers (Muscicapidae) | |
| Forest Scrub Robin | Tychaedon leucosticta |
| Miombo Scrub Robin | Tychaedon barbata |
| Kalahari Scrub Robin | Cercotrichas paena |
| White-browed Scrub Robin | Cercotrichas leucophrys |
| Pale Flycatcher | Agricola pallidus |
| Chat Flycatcher | Agricola infuscatus |
| Grey-throated Tit-Flycatcher | Fraseria griseigularis |
| Grey Tit-Flycatcher | Fraseria plumbea |
| Ashy Flycatcher | Fraseria caerulescens |
| Angola Slaty Flycatcher | Melaenornis brunneus |
| Southern Black Flycatcher | Melaenornis pammelaina |
| Dusky-blue Flycatcher | Bradornis comitatus |
| Böhm’s Flycatcher | Myopornis boehmi |
| African Dusky Flycatcher | Muscicapa adusta |
| Cassin’s Flycatcher | Muscicapa cassini |
| Brown-chested Alethe | Chamaetylas poliocephala |
| White-browed Robin-Chat | Cossypha heuglini |
| White-headed Robin-Chat | Cossypha heinrichi |
| Rufous-tailed Palm Thrush | Cichladusa ruficauda |
| Angola Cave Chat | Xenocopsychus ansorgei |
| Bocage’s Akalat | Sheppardia bocagei |
| Gabela Akalat – EN | Sheppardia gabela |
| Grey-winged Robin-Chat | Sheppardia polioptera |
| Short-toed Rock Thrush | Monticola brevipes |
| Miombo Rock Thrush | Monticola angolensis |
| African Stonechat | Saxicola torquatus |
| Karoo Chat | Emarginata schlegelii |
| Tractrac Chat | Emarginata tractrac |
| Mountain Chat | Myrmecocichla monticola |
| Sooty Chat | Myrmecocichla nigra |
| Capped Wheatear | Oenanthe pileata |
| Familiar Chat | Oenanthe familiaris |
| Sunbirds (Nectariniidae) | |
| Anchieta’s Sunbird | Anthreptes anchietae |
| Mangrove Sunbird | Anthreptes gabonicus |
| Western Violet-backed Sunbird | Anthreptes longuemarei |
| Little Green Sunbird | Anthreptes seimundi |
| Grey-chinned Sunbird | Anthreptes tephrolaemus |
| Collared Sunbird | Hedydipna collaris |
| Green-headed Sunbird | Cyanomitra verticalis |
| Blue-throated Brown Sunbird | Cyanomitra cyanolaema |
| Olive Sunbird | Cyanomitra olivacea |
| Carmelite Sunbird | Chalcomitra fuliginosa |
| Green-throated Sunbird | Chalcomitra rubescens |
| Amethyst Sunbird | Chalcomitra amethystina |
| Scarlet-chested Sunbird | Chalcomitra senegalensis |
| Bocage’s Sunbird | Nectarinia bocagii |
| Bronze Sunbird | Nectarinia kilimensis |
| Olive-bellied Sunbird | Cinnyris chloropygius |
| Western Miombo Sunbird | Cinnyris gertrudis |
| Ludwig’s Double-collared Sunbird | Cinnyris ludovicensis |
| Purple-banded Sunbird | Cinnyris bifasciatus |
| Orange-tufted Sunbird | Cinnyris bouvieri |
| Johanna’s Sunbird | Cinnyris johannae |
| Superb Sunbird | Cinnyris superbus |
| Oustalet’s Sunbird | Cinnyris oustaleti |
| White-bellied Sunbird | Cinnyris talatala |
| Variable Sunbird | Cinnyris venustus |
| Dusky Sunbird | Cinnyris fuscus |
| Copper Sunbird | Cinnyris cupreus |
| Old World Sparrows, Snowfinches (Passeridae) | |
| Yellow-throated Bush Sparrow | Gymnoris superciliaris |
| Northern Grey-headed Sparrow | Passer griseus |
| Southern Grey-headed Sparrow | Passer diffusus |
| House Sparrow | Passer domesticus |
| Weavers, Widowbirds (Ploceidae) | |
| White-browed Sparrow-Weaver | Plocepasser mahali |
| Scaly-feathered Weaver | Sporopipes squamifrons |
| Black-chinned Weaver | Ploceus nigrimentus |
| Spectacled Weaver | Ploceus ocularis |
| Black-necked Weaver | Ploceus nigricollis |
| Holub’s Golden Weaver | Ploceus xanthops |
| Lesser Masked Weaver | Ploceus intermedius |
| Southern Masked Weaver | Ploceus velatus |
| Village Weaver | Ploceus cucullatus |
| Vieillot’s Black Weaver | Ploceus nigerrimus |
| Yellow-mantled Weaver | Ploceus tricolor |
| Dark-backed Weaver | Ploceus bicolor |
| Red-headed Malimbe (H) | Malimbus rubricollis |
| Red-headed Weaver | Anaplectes rubriceps |
| Red-billed Quelea | Quelea quelea |
| Black-winged Red Bishop | Euplectes hordeaceus |
| Golden-backed Bishop | Euplectes aureus |
| Yellow Bishop | Euplectes capensis |
| Fan-tailed Widowbird | Euplectes axillaris |
| Yellow-mantled Widowbird | Euplectes macroura |
| White-winged Widowbird | Euplectes albonotatus |
| Red-collared Widowbird | Euplectes ardens |
| Waxbills, Munias & Allies (Estrildidae) | |
| Bronze Mannikin | Spermestes cucullata |
| Black-and-white Mannikin | Spermestes bicolor |
| White-collared Oliveback | Nesocharis ansorgei |
| Angola Waxbill | Coccopygia bocagei |
| Woodhouse’s Antpecker | Parmoptila woodhousei |
| White-breasted Nigrita | Nigrita fusconotus |
| Chestnut-breasted Nigrita | Nigrita bicolor |
| Grey-headed Nigrita | Nigrita canicapillus |
| Grey Waxbill | Glaucestrilda perreini |
| Orange-cheeked Waxbill | Estrilda melpoda |
| Fawn-breasted Waxbill | Estrilda paludicola |
| Common Waxbill | Estrilda astrild |
| Red-headed Finch | Amadina erythrocephala |
| Orange-breasted Waxbill | Amandava subflava |
| Violet-eared Waxbill | Granatina granatina |
| Blue Waxbill | Uraeginthus angolensis |
| Red-headed Bluebill | Spermophaga ruficapilla |
| Green-winged Pytilia | Pytilia melba |
| Orange-winged Pytilia | Pytilia afra |
| Dusky Twinspot | Euschistospiza cinereovinacea |
| Brown Twinspot | Clytospiza monteiri |
| Red-billed Firefinch | Lagonosticta senegala |
| African Firefinch | Lagonosticta rubricata |
| Jameson’s Firefinch | Lagonosticta rhodopareia |
| Brown Firefinch | Lagonosticta nitidula |
| Indigobirds, Whydahs (Viduidae) | |
| Dusky Indigobird | Vidua funerea |
| Pin-tailed Whydah | Vidua macroura |
| Long-tailed Paradise Whydah | Vidua paradisaea |
| Wagtails, Pipits (Motacillidae) | |
| African Pied Wagtail | Motacilla aguimp |
| African Pipit | Anthus cinnamomeus |
| Wood Pipit | Anthus nyassae |
| Plain-backed Pipit | Anthus leucophrys |
| Long-legged Pipit | Anthus pallidiventris |
| Striped Pipit | Anthus lineiventris |
| Finches, Euphonias (Fringillidae) | |
| Black-faced Canary | Crithagra capistrata |
| Black-throated Canary | Crithagra atrogularis |
| Yellow-fronted Canary | Crithagra mozambica |
| Brimstone Canary | Crithagra sulphurata |
| White-throated Canary | Crithagra albogularis |
| Yellow-crowned Canary | Serinus flavivertex |
| Buntings (Emberizidae) | |
| Lark-like Bunting | Emberiza impetuani |
| Cinnamon-breasted Bunting | Emberiza tahapisi |
| Golden-breasted Bunting | Emberiza flaviventris |
| Cabanis’s Bunting | Emberiza cabanisi |
| Species seen: | 463 |
| Species heard only: | 21 |
| Total species recorded: | 484 |
Bhutan Mammal List – Following Mammalwatching.com (Jan. 2024)
The following notation after species names is used to show conservation status following the IUCN Red List:
VU = Vulnerable.
| Common name | Scientific name |
| Hyraxes (Procaviidae) | |
| Bush Hyrax | Heterohyrax brucei |
| Old World Monkeys (Cercopithecidae) | |
| Blue Monkey | Cercopithecus mitis |
| Malbrouck Monkey | Chlorocebus cynosuros |
| Southern Talapoin Monkey – VU | Miopithecus talapoin |
| Galagos (Galagidae) | |
| Southern Lesser Galago | Galago moholi |
| Squirrels (Sciuridae) | |
| Congo Rope Squirrel | Funisciurus congicus |
| Gambian Sun Squirrel | Heliosciurus gambianus |
| Damara Ground Squirrel | Geosciurus princeps |
| Canids (Canidae) | |
| Black-backed Jackal | Lupulella mesomelas |
| Mongooses (Herpestidae) | |
| Common Slender Mongoose | Herpestes sanguineus |
| Species seen: | 10 |
This is a sample trip report. Please email us ([email protected]) for more trip reports from this destination.
