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

Wagtails (Generic)
umVemve  – Ndebele
Moletašaka – Venda/Sotho
Mandzedzerekundze; Matsherhani; N’wapesupesu – Shangaan/Tsonga

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

Warblers (Generic)
Timba; Dimba – Shona (all dialects)
Mandlakeni; Quovo – Shangaan/Tsonga
Kandenlya – Nambya

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

Waxbills (Generic)
Kasisi – Shona (all dialects)
iNtakana; iNtinti; uGcigciane – Ndebele
Xindzingiri – Shangaan/Tsonga
Katiti – baTonga

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

Weavers (Generic)
Jesa; Tserenga; Mugoubhani – Shona (all dialects)
inThaka; iHlokohloko; umUndumo (flock) – Ndebele
Thaga – Venda/Sotho
Sowa; Ndzheyana – Shangaan/Tsonga
Incho – Nambya
Manchoo – baTonga

Weaver (Red-headed)
isiGwe – Ndebele
Ndzheyana ya nhloko ya ka phsuku – Shangaan/Tsonga

Weaver (Red-billed Buffalo)
uMayadi – Ndebele
Malanga-bhuwa – Venda/Sotho
Xighonyombha – Shangaan/Tsonga
Syobobo – baTonga

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

White-eyes (Generic)
Katiwarameso – Shona (all dialects)
Manqiti  – Shangaan/Tsonga

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

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 final post on bird names I will conclude with those remaining that begin with the letter ‘W’.