Information from the Swaziland Bird Checklist by Vincent Parker, published by The Conservation Trust of Swaziland, 1992, supplemented with information from Roberts' Birds of Southern Africa, 1985, names updated according to Roberts' Birds of Southern Africa, Edition VII, 2005, digital data provided by the Avian Demography Unit, Department of Statistical Sciences, University of Cape Town.

Introduction

The checklist lists all bird species recorded in Swaziland between 1985 and 1991 inclusive. Appendix 1 lists those species which were recorded prior to 1985 and have not been recorded since. Appendix 2 lists those species recorded in Swaziland for which further confirmation is required.

The English name for each species is preceded by its Roberts number (the number assigned in "Roberts Birds of Southern Africa" by Gordon Maclean) and followed by its scientific name.

The status, range and habitat preference of each species are described in detail in the Swaziland Bird Atlas.

The status and range of each species is briefly described. The relative abundance is described by assigning each species to one of four categories according to the frequency with which the species has been recorded on field cards submitted to the Swaziland Bird Atlas Project. The categories used are: very common (species recorded on more than 50% of the field cards); common (on 15-50%); uncommon (on 1-15%); and rare (on less than 1%). Those species for which the total population is believed to be fewer than 50 breeding adults are described as rare irrespective of the recording frequency. The term "visitor" is used when it is not certain whether the species is a migrant or vagrant or perhaps resident.

The range of each species is described with reference to the four major topological regions of Swaziland as described below:

Swaziland - Major topological regions:
Highveld
Middleveld
Lowveld
Lubombos

Species List

Note: In the original publication, this is presented as a single list.

Appendix 1

The following species were recorded in Swaziland before 1985 and have not been encountered since.

207. Wattled crane (Grys carunculata)
230. Kori bustard (Ardeotis kori)
332. Sooty tern (Sterna fuscata)
403. Pels fishing owl (Scotopelia peli)
705. Wattle-eyed flycatcher (Platysteira peltata)

Appendix 2

The following species which have been recorded in Swaziland require further confirmation.

129. Bat hawk (Macheiramphus alcinus)
130. Honey buzzard (Pernis apivorus)
138. Ayres eagle (Hieraaetus ayresii)
150. Forest buzzard (Buteo oreophilus)
639. Barratts warbler (Bradypterus barratti)
765. Greater blue eared glossy starling (Lamprotornis chalybaeus)
797. Yellow white-eye (Zosterops senegalensis)

Acknowledgements

The fieldwork on which this checklist is based was partially funded by the Natural History Society of Swaziland, the Southern African Ornithological Society, the Mhlosinga Wildlife Society and the Conservation Trust of Swaziland.

Although data was submitted by a large number of individuals, the contributions of the following were particularly valuable: J. Culverwell, N. & D. Adams, D. & D. Hill and T. & P. Sandiford.