Species

Country checklist and status

iGoTerra

We are delighted that our Corporate Sponsor iGoTerra has made its country checklists, including subspecies (IOC or Clements) as well as all other species groups like mammals, butterflies etc. available through the ABC website. The only thing required is a Basic membership / registration which is free of charge. Go to Lesotho checklists. If you are already a member of iGoTerra, you will be taken directly to the country page. In case you are not a member, you will be redirected automatically to the registration form and from there can go straight to the country page.

Approximately 340 bird species are believed to have been recorded in Lesotho and it supports 13 globally threatened and near-threatened species. Significant species as well as those mentioned in the IBA section include Southern Bald Ibis Geronticus calvus and Yellow-breasted Pipit Anthus chloris.

Endemic species

There are no endemic species in Lesotho.

Near endemic species (found in 3 countries at most)

All of these species are also found in South Africa as well as N=Namibia.

* Note that some authorities consider Drakensberg or Saffron-breasted Prinia Prinia hypoxantha, found in Lesotho and South Africa only, to be a separate species. This is shown on the ABC checklist as a subspecies of Karoo Prinia Prinia (maculosa) hypoxantha.

Note that a number of authorities consider Drakensberg or Orange-breasted Rockjumper Chaetops aurantius, found in Lesotho and South Africa only, to be a separate species. This is shown on the ABC checklist as a subspecies of Rufous Rockjumper Chaetops (frenatus) aurantius.

Threatened species

The lists of endemic, near endemic and threatened species have been compiled from a number of sources including the African Bird Club, BirdLife International, and Birds of the World Version 2.0 ® 1994-1996, Dr. Charles Sibley and Thayer Birding Software, Ltd.