Below are Zimbabwean names for birds corresponding with those that begin with the letter ‘F’ 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.

Falcons (Generic)
Rukodzi – Shona (all dialects)
uMahlewane; uHwelwane – Ndebele
Pekwa – Venda/Sotho
Rikhozi; Rigamani; Xikavakavana – Shangaan/Tsonga
Slikonzo – baTonga

http://www.biodiversityexplorer.info/birds/falconidae/

Finchlark / Sparrowlark (Chestnut-backed)
Kayolo – Nambya

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

Firefinches (Generic)
Dzidziyane; inTakana – Ndebele
Thaga – Venda/Sotho
Xidzingirhi – Shangaan/Tsonga
Katiti – baTonga

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

Flamingos (Generic)
Sukinyonyo – Kalanga (Shona)
iMpundulu; umDolwamade – Ndebele

Flycatcher (Paradise)
Chapopo; Zuzwe; Chibayibosi; Dzwedzwe – Shona (all dialects)
iNzwece – Ndebele
Mmakwadi – Venda/Sotho
Ridantswe; Nglhazi – Shangaan/Tsonga

http://www.biodiversityexplorer.info/birds/monarchidae/terpsiphone_viridis.htm

Francolin / Spurfowl (Generic)
Chikwari; Gwari – Shona (all dialects)
isiKhwehli – Ndebele
Gwali – Venda/Sotho
N’whari; Ngwari – Shangaan/Tsonga

Francolin / Spurfowl (Coqui)
Chimutowatsva; Horgwe; Gokwe – Shona (all dialects)
iNswempe – Ndebele
Lebudiane – Venda/Sotho
Mantantana; Mantsense – Shangaan/Tsonga
iHwecheche – Nambya

Francolin / Spurfowl (Crested)
Hwerekwere – Shona (all dialects)
isiKwarachane – Ndebele
Gwali – Venda/Sotho
Cecerekunngwa; N’hwarikungwa – Shangaan/Tsonga
Chelekela – baTonga

Francolin / Spurfowl (Natal)
Renge – Shona (all dialects)
iMakwari – Ndebele
Gwali – Venda/Sotho
N’hwarimabvimba; N’hwarimantshengwhayi – Shangaan/Tsonga
Kwekeche – baTonga

Francolin / Spurfowl (Red-billed)
isiKwarakwara – Ndebele
Chikwali – Nambya

Francolin / Spurfowl (Red-necked)
Gorwe; Hwari – Shona (all dialects)
Makokwe; N’hwarimakokwe – Shangaan/Tsonga

Francolin / Spurfowl (Shelley’s)
Kwerekwere – Shona (all dialects)
isiKwarakwara – Ndebele
Njenjele – Shangaan/Tsonga

Francolin / Spurfowl (Swainson’s)
Gwarimutondo; Gwari; Horwe – Shona (all dialects)
isiKhwehli – Ndebele
Makwekwe; N’hwariyaxidhaka – Shangaan/Tsonga
Kwale – baTonga

http://www.biodiversityexplorer.info/birds/phasianidae/

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 ‘G’.