Below are Zimbabwean names for birds corresponding with those that begin with the letters ‘L-N’ in the English vernacular. These local bird names were obtained from personal communication with contributors, as well as reference to lists contained in Cooke (1970) and Maclean (1985). These are not exhaustive and may be subject to minor errors.

Links to further information pertaining to each group or taxa are included.

Larks (Generic)
Chiteburimbuyu; Chitegudzambuya – Shona (all dialects)
iNtotapanzi – Ndebele
Mamhengele; Maphuluweni; Matharathara – Shangaan/Tsonga
Malibewane – Venda/Sotho

http://www.biodiversityexplorer.info/birds/alaudidae/index.htm

Longclaws (Generic)
Majisa – Shona (all dialects)
Holoyo; Hwiyo – Shangaan/Tsonga

http://www.biodiversityexplorer.info/birds/motacillidae/macronyx.htm

Lourie (Grey / Grey go-away bird)
Sviravava, Kuwe, Pfunye – Shona (all dialects)
umGuwe – Ndebele
Simkulwe – Nambya
Mukuwe; Mokowe – Venda/Sotho
Nkwenyana – Shangaan/Tsonga
Chamcurure – baTonga

Lourie (Purple-crested Lourie / Purple-crested Turaco)
Chikurungadovi; Gwenyakweya; Chimotswava – Shona (all dialects)
umGuwe – Ndebele
Nkwenyana; Ntlume; Tulutulu – Shangaan/Tsonga
Kuwe – baTonga

Lourie (Livingstone’s)
Hurukuru – Shona (all dialects)
Kuwe – baTonga

http://www.biodiversityexplorer.info/birds/musophagidae/index.htm

Mannikins (Generic)
Zadzadanga; Zadzasaga; Kazazazimba – Shona (all dialects)
Rijajani – Shangaan/Tsonga

http://www.biodiversityexplorer.info/birds/estrildidae/index.htm

Mousebird (Red-faced)
Shirapopo – Shona (all dialects)
umTshiyavovo; umTshivovo – Ndebele
Letswiyobaba – Venda/Sotho
Ncivovo; Tshivhovo – Shangaan/Tsonga
Chamyomveyomve – baTonga

Mousebird (Speckled)
Ndlazi – Shangaan/Tsonga

http://www.biodiversityexplorer.info/birds/coliidae/index.htm

Nightjars (Generic)
Dabgwa, Datiwa – Shona (all dialects)
uManubane; iDahwa; iDamba – Ndebele
Liwubawuba; Leuwauwe  – Venda/Sotho
Kubhasti; Ribyatsane, Riwuvawuva – Shangaan/Tsonga
Likumba – baTonga
Chidabwa – Nambya

http://www.biodiversityexplorer.info/birds/caprimulgidae/index.htm

Additional References:

Cooke, P. (1970). Ndebele Bird Names. NADA, vol.10 (2): 67-68.

Maclean, GL. (1985). Roberts’ Birds of Southern Africa (5th ed.). John Voelcker Bird Book Fund, Cape Town, South Africa.

In the next post I will move on to bird names beginning with the letter ‘O’.