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

Darter
Shambira; Chiwikwi– Shona (all dialects)
Gororo; Nyakolwa – Shangaan/Tsonga

http://www.biodiversityexplorer.info/birds/anhingidae/anhinga_rufa.htm#

Dikkop / Thick-knee (Generic)
Chimatiti – Shona (all dialects)
iSwiriswiri – Ndebele
Musilisili – Venda/Sotho
Mtshikuyana – Shangaan/Tsonga
Kanilamulonga – baTonga

Dikkop / Thick-knee (Spotted)
Gwarimutondo – Shona (all dialects)

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

Doves (Generic)
Njiva – Shona (all dialects)
iJuba – Ndebele
iJingo – Nambya
Xivha – Shangaan/Tsonga
Lieba – Venda/Sotho

Dove (Cinnamon)
Mhuputi – Shona (all dialects)

Dove (Emerald-spotted Wood-dove)
Njivamutondo – Shona (all dialects)
umKhombazana; iSapipwa – Ndebele
Chipipwa – Nambya
Xivhambalana – Shangaan/Tsonga
Chibili – baTonga

Dove (Laughing)
Njiva; Mhetura; Tagurukutana – Shona (all dialects)
iCelegwana – Ndebele
iNzibauluseche – Nambya
Gugurhwana – Shangaan/Tsonga
Syanansila – baTonga

Dove (Namaqua)
Nhondoro; Nzembe – Shona (all dialects)
umKhombozana – Ndebele
Xibamba – Shangaan/Tsonga
Kayipwe – baTonga

Dove (Red-eyed / Mourning)
Njiva; Bvukuitwa – Shona (all dialects)
iJuba; iVukutu – Ndebele
Tuva; Nyakopo; Khopola – Shangaan/Tsonga
Siyanabombwe – baTonga

Dove (Ring-necked)
Njiva, Bvukuitwa, Vhukuti – Shona (all dialects)
iJuba – Ndebele
iNziba – Nambya
Tuva – Shangaan/Tsonga
Leibakgorwana – Venda/Sotho
Chingugani – baTonga

Dove (Tambourine)
Njivarupinda; Chigurawasakura – Shona (all dialects)

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

Drongo (Fork-tailed)
Nhengure; Nhengu – Shona (all dialects)
uMantengwane – Ndebele/Nambya
Matengu; Ntengu – Shangaan/Tsonga
Theko – Venda/Sotho
Tengwe – baTonga

http://www.biodiversityexplorer.info/birds/dicruridae/dicrurus_adsimilis.htm

Ducks (Generic)
Dada; Hanzi; Sekwe – Shona (all dialects)
iDada; iHasi – Ndebele
iDadu – Nambya
Sekwa – Shangaan/Tsonga
Lefaloa – Venda/Sotho
Kungubu – baTonga

Duck (Comb)
Pura – Shona (all dialects)
Paturanhova– Shangaan/Tsonga

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

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 ‘E’.