Bird occurences across Namibia in 2023

A total of 33 transects were surveyed across Namibia’s key ecological zones. Surveys were conducted over three consecutive early mornings per transect, between 06:00 and 11:00, coinciding with peak avian activity periods. At 500-meter intervals, observers paused to conduct structured point counts.

At each stop, an initial 3-minute acclimation period was observed to minimise disturbance, followed by an 8-minute observation window, split into two 4-minute intervals. All bird species seen or heard within a 50-meter radius were recorded, alongside metadata such as estimated distance from observer, behavioural notes, and individual counts. Species identification was performed in the field using a of regional bird guides to species level.

At each transect, surveyors recorded the start and end times, GPS coordinates, and habitat descriptions to contextualise species occurrences within ecological and spatial frameworks. This dataset offers taxonomically rich and spatially explicit information on avian communities inhabiting Namibia’s savannas, floodplains, arid shrublands, and dry woodlands. It provides critical insights into how avian diversity and composition respond to environmental variability, land use patterns, and ecological gradients.

In addition to supporting national conservation priorities, the dataset also lays a foundational baseline for future potential avian trait-based studies.