Republic of South Africa

Checklist of Endemic Bird Species

This list of bird species found exclusively in the Republic of South Africa is based on the taxonomy used in HBW/BirdLife v. 9 (2024). For further details on possible inaccuracies in the list see Sources & Caveats.

HBW/BirdLife Taxonomic Checklist (Version 9.0).The lists are based on the October 2024 update available here.

Additional species considered valid by other major checklists are listed at the bottom of the page.

Afrotis afra (Otidiformes Otididae) Southern Black Bustard

Turnix hottentottus (Charadriiformes Turnicidae) Fynbos Buttonquail

Buteo trizonatus (Accipitriformes Accipitridae) Forest Buzzard

Campethera notata (Piciformes Picidae) Knysna Woodpecker

Poicephalus robustus (Psittaciformes Psittacidae) Cape Parrot

Chaetops frenatus (Passeriformes Chaetopidae) Cape Rockjumper

Calendulauda albescens (Passeriformes Alaudidae) Karoo Lark

Calendulauda burra (Passeriformes Alaudidae) Red Lark

Heteromirafra ruddi (Passeriformes Alaudidae) Rudd's Lark

Spizocorys fringillaris (Passeriformes Alaudidae) Botha's Lark

Cryptillas victorini (Passeriformes Macrosphenidae) Victorin's Warbler

Bradypterus sylvaticus (Passeriformes Locustellidae) Knysna Warbler

Pycnonotus capensis (Passeriformes Pycnonotidae) Cape Bulbul

Promerops cafer (Passeriformes Promeropidae) Cape Sugarbird

Anthobaphes violacea (Passeriformes Nectariniidae) Orange-breasted Sunbird

Crithagra leucoptera (Passeriformes Fringillidae) Protea Canary

Crithagra totta (Passeriformes Fringillidae) Cape Siskin

The following additional endemic species are not recognized as distinct by HBW-BirdLife but are considered valid by one or more of the following checklists: eBird/Clements v2019 (Cornell) = 1, IOC 10.1 (IOC) = 2, and Howard & Moore 4.1 (TAS) = 3.

Certhilauda brevirostris  (Passeriformes Alaudidae)  Agulhas Long-billed Lark  123