# List of birds of Liberia

This is a list of the bird species recorded in Liberia. The avifauna of Liberia include a total of 692 species, of which 4 have been introduced by humans. 21 species are globally threatened.
This list's taxonomic treatment (designation and sequence of orders, families and species) and nomenclature (common and scientific names) follow the conventions of The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World, 2022 edition. The family accounts at the beginning of each heading reflect this taxonomy, as do the species counts found in each family account. Introduced and accidental species are included in the total counts for Liberia.
The following tags have been used to highlight several categories. The commonly occurring native species do not fall into any of these categories.
* (A) Accidental - a species that rarely or accidentally occurs in Liberia
* (I) Introduced - a species introduced to Liberia as a consequence, direct or indirect, of human actions

## Ducks, geese, and waterfowl

Order: Anseriformes Family: Anatidae
Anatidae includes the ducks and most duck-like waterfowl, such as geese and swans. These birds are adapted to an aquatic existence with webbed feet, flattened bills, and feathers that are excellent at shedding water due to an oily coating.
* White-faced whistling-duck, Dendrocygna viduata
* Knob-billed duck, Sarkidiornis melanotos
* Hartlaub's duck, Pteronetta hartlaubii
* Egyptian goose, Alopochen aegyptiacus
* Spur-winged goose, Plectropterus gambensis
* African pygmy-goose, Nettapus auritus
* Garganey, Spatula querquedula
* Northern shoveler, Spatula clypeata (A)
* Mallard, Anas platyrhynchos
* Northern pintail, Anas acuta (A)
* Common pochard, Aythya ferina (A)

## Guineafowl

Order: Galliformes Family: Numididae
Guineafowl are a group of African, seed-eating, ground-nesting birds that resemble partridges, but with featherless heads and spangled gray plumage.
* Helmeted guineafowl, Numida meleagris
* White-breasted guineafowl, Agelastes meleagrides
* Western crested guineafowl, Guttera verreauxi

## Pheasants, grouse, and allies

Order: Galliformes Family: Phasianidae
The Phasianidae are a family of terrestrial birds which consists of quails, partridges, snowcocks, francolins, spurfowls, tragopans, monals, pheasants, peafowls and jungle fowls. In general, they are plump (although they vary in size) and have broad, relatively short wings.
* Latham's francolin, Peliperdix lathami
* Blue quail, Synoicus adansonii
* Common quail, Coturnix coturnix
* Harlequin quail, Coturnix delegorguei
* Ahanta francolin, Pternistis ahantensis
* Double-spurred francolin, Pternistis bicalcaratus

## Flamingos

Order: Phoenicopteriformes Family: Phoenicopteridae
Flamingos are gregarious wading birds, usually 3 to 5 feet (0.9 to 1.5 m) tall, found in both the Western and Eastern Hemispheres. Flamingos filter-feed on shellfish and algae. Their oddly shaped beaks are specially adapted to separate mud and silt from the food they consume and, uniquely, are used upside-down.
* Greater flamingo, Phoenicopterus roseus
* Lesser flamingo, Phoenicopterus minor

## Grebes

Order: Podicipediformes Family: Podicipedidae
Grebes are small to medium-large freshwater diving birds. They have lobed toes and are excellent swimmers and divers. However, they have their feet placed far back on the body, making them quite ungainly on land.
* Little grebe, Tachybaptus ruficollis

## Pigeons and doves

Order: Columbiformes Family: Columbidae
Pigeons and doves are stout-bodied birds with short necks and short slender bills with a fleshy cere.
* Rock pigeon, Columba livia (I)
* Afep pigeon, Columba unicincta
* Bronze-naped pigeon, Columba iriditorques
* Lemon dove, Columba larvata
* European turtle-dove, Streptopelia turtur
* Red-eyed dove, Streptopelia semitorquata
* Vinaceous dove, Streptopelia vinacea
* Laughing dove, Streptopelia senegalensis
* Black-billed wood-dove, Turtur abyssinicus
* Blue-spotted wood-dove, Turtur afer
* Tambourine dove, Turtur tympanistria
* Blue-headed wood-dove, Turtur brehmeri
* Namaqua dove, Oena capensis
* African green-pigeon, Treron calva

## Bustards

Order: Otidiformes Family: Otididae
Bustards are large terrestrial birds mainly associated with dry open country and steppes in the Old World. They are omnivorous and nest on the ground. They walk steadily on strong legs and big toes, pecking for food as they go. They have long broad wings with "fingered" wingtips and striking patterns in flight. Many have interesting mating displays.
* Denham's bustard, Neotis denhami
* Black-bellied bustard, Lissotis melanogaster

## Turacos

Order: Musophagiformes Family: Musophagidae
The turacos, plantain eaters and go-away-birds make up the bird family Musophagidae. They are medium-sized arboreal birds. The turacos and plantain eaters are brightly colored, usually in blue, green or purple. The go-away birds are mostly gray and white.
* Great blue turaco, Corythaeola cristata
* Guinea turaco, Tauraco persa
* Yellow-billed turaco, Tauraco macrorhynchus
* Violet turaco, Musophaga violacea
* Western plantain-eater, Crinifer piscator

## Cuckoos

Order: Cuculiformes Family: Cuculidae
The family Cuculidae includes cuckoos, roadrunners and anis. These birds are of variable size with slender bodies, long tails and strong legs. The Old World cuckoos are brood parasites.
* Black-throated coucal, Centropus leucogaster
* Senegal coucal, Centropus senegalensis
* Blue-headed coucal, Centropus monachus
* Black coucal, Centropus grillii
* Blue malkoha, Ceuthmochares aereus
* Great spotted cuckoo, Clamator glandarius
* Levaillant's cuckoo, Clamator levaillantii
* Thick-billed cuckoo, Pachycoccyx audeberti
* Dideric cuckoo, Chrysococcyx caprius
* Klaas's cuckoo, Chrysococcyx klaas
* Yellow-throated cuckoo, Chrysococcyx flavigularis
* African emerald cuckoo, Chrysococcyx cupreus
* Dusky long-tailed cuckoo, Cercococcyx mechowi
* Olive long-tailed cuckoo, Cercococcyx olivinus
* Black cuckoo, Cuculus clamosus
* Red-chested cuckoo, Cuculus solitarius
* African cuckoo, Cuculus gularis
* Common cuckoo, Cuculus canorus

## Nightjars and allies

Order: Caprimulgiformes Family: Caprimulgidae
Nightjars are medium-sized nocturnal birds that usually nest on the ground. They have long wings, short legs and very short bills. Most have small feet, of little use for walking, and long pointed wings. Their soft plumage is camouflaged to resemble bark or leaves.
* Standard-winged nightjar, Caprimulgus longipennis
* Brown nightjar, Caprimulgus binotatus
* Eurasian nightjar, Caprimulgus europaeus (A)
* Fiery-necked nightjar, Caprimulgus pectoralis (A)
* Swamp nightjar, Caprimulgus natalensis
* Plain nightjar, Caprimulgus inornatus
* Freckled nightjar, Caprimulgus tristigma
* Long-tailed nightjar, Caprimulgus climacurus

## Swifts

Order: Caprimulgiformes Family: Apodidae
Swifts are small birds which spend the majority of their lives flying. These birds have very short legs and never settle voluntarily on the ground, perching instead only on vertical surfaces. Many swifts have long swept-back wings which resemble a crescent or boomerang.
* Mottled spinetail, Telacanthura ussheri
* Black spinetail, Telacanthura melanopygia
* Sabine's spinetail, Rhaphidura sabini
* Cassin's spinetail, Neafrapus cassini
* Alpine swift, Apus melba
* Common swift, Apus apus
* Plain swift, Apus unicolor (A)
* African swift, Apus barbatus
* Little swift, Apus affinis
* White-rumped swift, Apus caffer
* Bates's swift, Apus batesi
* African palm-swift, Cypsiurus parvus

## Flufftails

Order: Gruiformes Family: Sarothruridae
The flufftails are a small family of ground-dwelling birds found only in Madagascar and sub-Saharan Africa.
* White-spotted flufftail, Sarothrura pulchra
* Buff-spotted flufftail, Sarothrura elegans
* Red-chested flufftail, Sarothrura rufa

## Rails, gallinules, and coots

Order: Gruiformes Family: Rallidae
Rallidae is a large family of small to medium-sized birds which includes the rails, crakes, coots and gallinules. Typically they inhabit dense vegetation in damp environments near lakes, swamps or rivers. In general they are shy and secretive birds, making them difficult to observe. Most species have strong legs and long toes which are well adapted to soft uneven surfaces. They tend to have short, rounded wings and to be weak fliers.
* African rail, Rallus caerulescens
* African crake, Crex egregia
* Gray-throated rail, Canirallus oculeus
* Spotted crake, Porzana porzana
* Lesser moorhen, Paragallinula angulata
* Eurasian moorhen, Gallinula chloropus
* Allen's gallinule, Porphyrio alleni
* Purple gallinule, Porphyrio martinica (A)
* African swamphen, Porphyrio madagascariensis
* Nkulengu rail, Himantornis haematopus
* Striped crake, Amaurornis marginalis
* Black crake, Zapornia flavirostris
* Little crake, Zapornia parva (A)

## Finfoots

Order: Gruiformes Family: Heliornithidae
Heliornithidae is a small family of tropical birds with webbed lobes on their feet similar to those of grebes and coots.
* African finfoot, Podica senegalensis

## Thick-knees

Order: Charadriiformes Family: Burhinidae
The thick-knees are a group of largely tropical waders in the family Burhinidae. They are found worldwide within the tropical zone, with some species also breeding in temperate Europe and Australia. They are medium to large waders with strong black or yellow-black bills, large yellow eyes and cryptic plumage. Despite being classed as waders, most species have a preference for arid or semi-arid habitats.
* Water thick-knee, Burhinus vermiculatus
* Senegal thick-knee, Burhinus senegalensis

## Egyptian plover

Order: Charadriiformes Family: Pluvianidae
The Egyptian plover is found across equatorial Africa and along the Nile River.
* Egyptian plover, Pluvianus aegyptius

## Stilts and avocets

Order: Charadriiformes Family: Recurvirostridae
Recurvirostridae is a family of large wading birds, which includes the avocets and stilts. The avocets have long legs and long up-curved bills. The stilts have extremely long legs and long, thin, straight bills.
* Black-winged stilt, Himantopus himantopus
* Pied avocet, Recurvirostra avosetta (A)

## Oystercatchers

Order: Charadriiformes Family: Haematopodidae
The oystercatchers are large and noisy plover-like birds, with strong bills used for smashing or prising open molluscs.
* Eurasian oystercatcher, Haematopus ostralegus

## Plovers and lapwings

Order: Charadriiformes Family: Charadriidae
The family Charadriidae includes the plovers, dotterels and lapwings. They are small to medium-sized birds with compact bodies, short, thick necks and long, usually pointed, wings. They are found in open country worldwide, mostly in habitats near water.
* Black-bellied plover, Pluvialis squatarola
* European golden-plover, Pluvialis apricaria
* Spur-winged lapwing, Vanellus spinosus (A)
* White-headed lapwing, Vanellus albiceps
* Senegal lapwing, Vanellus lugubris
* Wattled lapwing, Vanellus senegallus
* Greater sand-plover, Charadrius leschenaultii (A)
* Caspian plover, Charadrius asiaticus
* Kittlitz's plover, Charadrius pecuarius
* Kentish plover, Charadrius alexandrinus
* Common ringed plover, Charadrius hiaticula
* Little ringed plover, Charadrius dubius
* Forbes's plover, Charadrius forbesi
* White-fronted plover, Charadrius marginatus

## Painted-snipes

Order: Charadriiformes Family: Rostratulidae
Painted-snipes are short-legged, long-billed birds similar in shape to the true snipes, but more brightly colored.
* Greater painted-snipe, Rostratula benghalensis

## Jacanas

Order: Charadriiformes Family: Jacanidae
The jacanas are a group of tropical waders in the family Jacanidae. They are found throughout the tropics. They are identifiable by their huge feet and claws which enable them to walk on floating vegetation in the shallow lakes that are their preferred habitat.
* African jacana, Actophilornis africanus

## Sandpipers and allies

Order: Charadriiformes Family: Scolopacidae
Scolopacidae is a large diverse family of small to medium-sized shorebirds including the sandpipers, curlews, godwits, shanks, tattlers, woodcocks, snipes, dowitchers and phalaropes. The majority of these species eat small invertebrates picked out of the mud or soil. Variation in length of legs and bills enables multiple species to feed in the same habitat, particularly on the coast, without direct competition for food.
* Whimbrel, Numenius phaeopus
* Eurasian curlew, Numenius arquata
* Bar-tailed godwit, Limosa lapponica (A)
* Black-tailed godwit, Limosa limosa (A)
* Ruddy turnstone, Arenaria interpres
* Red knot, Calidris canutus
* Ruff, Calidris pugnax
* Curlew sandpiper, Calidris ferruginea
* Temminck's stint, Calidris temminckii
* Sanderling, Calidris alba
* Dunlin, Calidris alpina
* Little stint, Calidris minuta
* Pectoral sandpiper, Calidris melanotos (A)
* Jack snipe, Lymnocryptes minimus
* Great snipe, Gallinago media
* Common snipe, Gallinago gallinago
* Red phalarope, Phalaropus fulicarius (A)
* Common sandpiper, Actitis hypoleucos
* Green sandpiper, Tringa ochropus
* Spotted redshank, Tringa erythropus (A)
* Common greenshank, Tringa nebularia
* Marsh sandpiper, Tringa stagnatilis
* Wood sandpiper, Tringa glareola
* Common redshank, Tringa totanus

## Buttonquail

Order: Charadriiformes Family: Turnicidae
The buttonquail are small, drab, running birds which resemble the true quails. The female is the brighter of the sexes and initiates courtship. The male incubates the eggs and tends the young.
* Small buttonquail, Turnix sylvatica

## Pratincoles and coursers

Order: Charadriiformes Family: Glareolidae
Glareolidae is a family of wading birds comprising the pratincoles, which have short legs, long pointed wings and long forked tails, and the coursers, which have long legs, short wings and long, pointed bills which curve downwards.
* Collared pratincole, Glareola pratincola
* Rock pratincole, Glareola nuchalis

## Skuas and jaegers

Order: Charadriiformes Family: Stercorariidae
The family Stercorariidae are, in general, medium to large birds, typically with gray or brown plumage, often with white markings on the wings. They nest on the ground in temperate and arctic regions and are long-distance migrants.
* Great skua, Stercorarius skua (A)
* Pomarine jaeger, Stercorarius pomarinus
* Parasitic jaeger, Stercorarius parasiticus
* Long-tailed jaeger, Stercorarius longicaudus (A)

## Gulls, terns, and skimmers

Order: Charadriiformes Family: Laridae
Laridae is a family of medium to large seabirds, the gulls, terns, and skimmers. They are typically gray or white, often with black markings on the head or wings. They have stout, longish bills and webbed feet. Terns are a group of generally medium to large seabirds typically with gray or white plumage, often with black markings on the head. Most terns hunt fish by diving but some pick insects off the surface of fresh water. Terns are generally long-lived birds, with several species known to live in excess of 30 years. Skimmers are a small family of tropical tern-like birds. They have an elongated lower mandible which they use to feed by flying low over the water surface and skimming the water for small fish.
* Sabine's gull, Xema sabini
* Gray-hooded gull, Chroicocephalus cirrocephalus (A)
* Black-headed gull, Chroicocephalus ridibundus (A)
* Lesser black-backed gull, Larus fuscus
* Brown noddy, Anous stolidus (A)
* Black noddy, Anous minutus
* Lesser noddy, Anous tenuirostris (A)
* Sooty tern, Onychoprion fuscatus
* Bridled tern, Onychoprion anaethetus (A)
* Little tern, Sternula albifrons
* Gull-billed tern, Gelochelidon nilotica
* Caspian tern, Hydroprogne caspia
* Black tern, Chlidonias niger
* White-winged tern, Chlidonias leucopterus
* Whiskered tern, Chlidonias hybrida
* Roseate tern, Sterna dougallii
* Common tern, Sterna hirundo
* Arctic tern, Sterna paradisaea
* Sandwich tern, Thalasseus sandvicensis
* West African crested tern, Thalasseus albididorsalis
* African skimmer, Rynchops flavirostris

## Tropicbirds

Order: Phaethontiformes Family: Phaethontidae
Tropicbirds are slender white birds of tropical oceans, with exceptionally long central tail feathers. Their heads and long wings have black markings.
* White-tailed tropicbird, Phaethon lepturus (A)
* Red-billed tropicbird, Phaethon aethereus

## Southern storm-petrels

Order: Procellariiformes Family: Oceanitidae
The southern storm-petrels are relatives of the petrels and are the smallest seabirds. They feed on planktonic crustaceans and small fish picked from the surface, typically while hovering. The flight is fluttering and sometimes bat-like.
* Wilson's storm-petrel, Oceanites oceanicus
* White-faced storm-petrel, Pelagodroma marina
* White-bellied storm-petrel, Fregetta grallaria (A)
* Black-bellied storm-petrel, Fregetta tropica (A)

## Northern storm-petrels

Order: Procellariiformes Family: Hydrobatidae
Though the members of this family are similar in many respects to the southern storm-petrels, including their general appearance and habits, there are enough genetic differences to warrant their placement in a separate family.
* European storm-petrel, Hydrobates pelagicus
* Leach's storm-petrel, Hydrobates leucorhous
* Band-rumped storm-petrel, Hydrobates castro (A)

## Shearwaters and petrels

Order: Procellariiformes Family: Procellariidae
The procellariids are the main group of medium-sized "true petrels", characterized by united nostrils with medium septum and a long outer functional primary.
* Fea's petrel, Pterodroma feae (A)
* Bulwer's petrel, Bulweria bulwerii (A)
* Cory's shearwater, Calonectris diomedea
* Great shearwater, Ardenna gravis (A)
* Sooty shearwater, Ardenna griseus (A)
* Manx shearwater, Puffinus puffinus (A)
* Balearic shearwater, Puffinus mauretanicus

## Storks

Order: Ciconiiformes Family: Ciconiidae
Storks are large, long-legged, long-necked, wading birds with long, stout bills. Storks are mute, but bill-clattering is an important mode of communication at the nest. Their nests can be large and may be reused for many years. Many species are migratory.
* African openbill, Anastomus lamelligerus
* Abdim's stork, Ciconia abdimii (A)
* African woolly-necked stork, Ciconia microscelis
* White stork, Ciconia ciconia (A)
* Saddle-billed stork, Ephippiorhynchus senegalensis
* Marabou stork, Leptoptilos crumenifer (A)
* Yellow-billed stork, Mycteria ibis

## Boobies and gannets

Order: Suliformes Family: Sulidae
The sulids comprise the gannets and boobies. Both groups are medium to large coastal seabirds that plunge-dive for fish.
* Masked booby, Sula dactylatra
* Brown booby, Sula leucogaster (A)

## Anhingas

Order: Suliformes Family: Anhingidae
Anhingas or darters are often called "snake-birds" because of their long thin neck, which gives a snake-like appearance when they swim with their bodies submerged. The males have black and dark-brown plumage, an erectile crest on the nape and a larger bill than the female. The females have much paler plumage especially on the neck and underparts. The darters have completely webbed feet and their legs are short and set far back on the body. Their plumage is somewhat permeable, like that of cormorants, and they spread their wings to dry after diving.
* African darter, Anhinga rufa

## Cormorants and shags

Order: Suliformes Family: Phalacrocoracidae
Phalacrocoracidae is a family of medium to large coastal, fish-eating seabirds that includes cormorants and shags. Plumage coloration varies, with the majority having mainly dark plumage, some species being black-and-white and a few being colorful.
* Long-tailed cormorant, Microcarbo africanus
* Great cormorant, Phalacrocorax carbo (A)

## Pelicans

Order: Pelecaniformes Family: Pelecanidae
Pelicans are large water birds with a distinctive pouch under their beak. As with other members of the order Pelecaniformes, they have webbed feet with four toes.
* Pink-backed pelican, Pelecanus rufescens

## Hammerkop

Order: Pelecaniformes Family: Scopidae
The hammerkop is a medium-sized bird with a long shaggy crest. The shape of its head with a curved bill and crest at the back is reminiscent of a hammer, hence its name. Its plumage is drab-brown all over.
* Hamerkop, Scopus umbretta

## Herons, egrets, and bitterns

Order: Pelecaniformes Family: Ardeidae
The family Ardeidae contains the bitterns, herons and egrets. Herons and egrets are medium to large wading birds with long necks and legs. Bitterns tend to be shorter necked and more wary. Members of Ardeidae fly with their necks retracted, unlike other long-necked birds such as storks, ibises and spoonbills.
* Little bittern, Ixobrychus minutus
* Dwarf bittern, Ixobrychus sturmii
* White-crested bittern, Tigriornis leucolophus
* Gray heron, Ardea cinerea
* Black-headed heron, Ardea melanocephala
* Goliath heron, Ardea goliath (A)
* Purple heron, Ardea purpurea
* Great egret, Ardea alba
* Intermediate egret, Ardea intermedia
* Little egret, Egretta garzetta
* Western reef-heron, Egretta gularis
* Black heron, Egretta ardesiaca
* Cattle egret, Bubulcus ibis
* Squacco heron, Ardeola ralloides
* Striated heron, Butorides striata
* Black-crowned night-heron, Nycticorax nycticorax
* White-backed night-heron, Gorsachius leuconotus

## Ibises and spoonbills

Order: Pelecaniformes Family: Threskiornithidae
Threskiornithidae is a family of large terrestrial and wading birds which includes the ibises and spoonbills. They have long, broad wings with 11 primary and about 20 secondary feathers. They are strong fliers and despite their size and weight, very capable soarers.
* Glossy ibis, Plegadis falcinellus (A)
* African sacred ibis, Threskiornis aethiopicus
* Olive ibis, Bostrychia olivacea
* Spot-breasted ibis, Bostrychia rara
* Hadada ibis, Bostrychia hagedash
* African spoonbill, Platalea alba

## Secretarybird

Order: Accipitriformes Family: Sagittariidae
The secretarybird is a bird of prey in the order Falconiformes but is easily distinguished from other raptors by its long crane-like legs.
* Secretarybird, Sagittarius serpentarius

## Osprey

Order: Accipitriformes Family: Pandionidae
The family Pandionidae contains only one species, the osprey. The osprey is a medium-large raptor which is a specialist fish-eater with a worldwide distribution.
* Osprey, Pandion haliaetus

## Hawks, eagles, and kites

Order: Accipitriformes Family: Accipitridae
Accipitridae is a family of birds of prey, which includes hawks, eagles, kites, harriers and Old World vultures. These birds have powerful hooked beaks for tearing flesh from their prey, strong legs, powerful talons and keen eyesight.
* Black-winged kite, Elanus caeruleus
* Scissor-tailed kite, Chelictinia riocourii (A)
* African harrier-hawk, Polyboroides typus
* Palm-nut vulture, Gypohierax angolensis
* European honey-buzzard, Pernis apivorus
* African cuckoo-hawk, Aviceda cuculoides
* Hooded vulture, Necrosyrtes monachus
* White-backed vulture, Gyps africanus (A)
* Bateleur, Terathopius ecaudatus (A)
* Congo serpent-eagle, Dryotriorchis spectabilis
* Short-toed snake-eagle, Circaetus gallicus
* Beaudouin's snake-eagle, Circaetus beaudouini
* Brown snake-eagle, Circaetus cinereus
* Bat hawk, Macheiramphus alcinus
* Crowned eagle, Stephanoaetus coronatus
* Martial eagle, Polemaetus bellicosus
* Long-crested eagle, Lophaetus occipitalis
* Wahlberg's eagle, Hieraaetus wahlbergi
* Booted eagle, Hieraaetus pennatus (A)
* Ayres's hawk-eagle, Hieraaetus ayresii
* Tawny eagle, Aquila rapax (A)
* Cassin's hawk-eagle, Aquila africana
* Lizard buzzard, Kaupifalco monogrammicus
* Gabar goshawk, Micronisus gabar
* Grasshopper buzzard, Butastur rufipennis (A)
* Eurasian marsh-harrier, Circus aeruginosus
* Pallid harrier, Circus macrourus
* Montagu's harrier, Circus pygargus
* African goshawk, Accipiter tachiro
* Shikra, Accipiter badius
* Red-thighed sparrowhawk, Accipiter erythropus
* Black goshawk, Accipiter melanoleucus
* Long-tailed hawk, Urotriorchis macrourus
* Black kite, Milvus migrans
* African fish-eagle, Haliaeetus vocifer
* Common buzzard, Buteo buteo
* Red-necked buzzard, Buteo auguralis

## Barn-owls

Order: Strigiformes Family: Tytonidae
Barn-owls are medium to large owls with large heads and characteristic heart-shaped faces. They have long strong legs with powerful talons.
* Western barn owl, Tyto alba

## Owls

Order: Strigiformes Family: Strigidae
The typical owls are small to large solitary nocturnal birds of prey. They have large forward-facing eyes and ears, a hawk-like beak and a conspicuous circle of feathers around each eye called a facial disk.
* Sandy scops-owl, Otus icterorhynchus
* Eurasian scops-owl, Otus scops
* African scops-owl, Otus senegalensis
* Northern white-faced owl, Ptilopsis leucotis
* Maned owl, Jubula lettii
* Grayish eagle-owl, Bubo cinerascens
* Fraser's eagle-owl, Bubo poensis
* Shelley's eagle-owl, Bubo shelleyi
* Verreaux's eagle-owl, Bubo lacteus
* Akun eagle-owl, Bubo leucostictus
* Pel's fishing-owl, Scotopelia peli
* Rufous fishing-owl, Scotopelia ussheri
* Pearl-spotted owlet, Glaucidium perlatum
* Red-chested owlet, Glaucidium tephronotum
* African barred owlet, Glaucidium capense
* African wood-owl, Strix woodfordii

## Trogons

Order: Trogoniformes Family: Trogonidae
The family Trogonidae includes trogons and quetzals. Found in tropical woodlands worldwide, they feed on insects and fruit, and their broad bills and weak legs reflect their diet and arboreal habits. Although their flight is fast, they are reluctant to fly any distance. Trogons have soft, often colorful, feathers with distinctive male and female plumage.
* Narina trogon, Apaloderma narina

## Hoopoes

Order: Bucerotiformes Family: Upupidae
Hoopoes have black, white and orangey-pink coloring with a large erectile crest on their head.
* Eurasian hoopoe, Upupa epops

## Woodhoopoes

Order: Bucerotiformes Family: Phoeniculidae
The woodhoopoes are related to the kingfishers, rollers and hoopoes. They most resemble the hoopoes with their long curved bills, used to probe for insects, and short rounded wings. However, they differ in that they have metallic plumage, often blue, green or purple, and lack an erectile crest.
* White-headed woodhoopoe, Phoeniculus bollei
* Forest woodhoopoe, Phoeniculus castaneiceps

## Hornbills

Order: Bucerotiformes Family: Bucerotidae
Hornbills are a group of birds whose bill is shaped like a cow's horn, but without a twist, sometimes with a casque on the upper mandible. Frequently, the bill is brightly colored.
* Red-billed dwarf hornbill, Lophoceros camurus
* African pied hornbill, Lophoceros fasciatus
* African gray hornbill, Lophoceros nasutus
* Northern red-billed hornbill, Tockus erythrorhynchus
* White-crested hornbill, Horizocerus albocristatus
* Black dwarf hornbill, Horizocerus hartlaubi
* Black-casqued hornbill, Ceratogymna atrata
* Yellow-casqued hornbill, Ceratogymna elata
* Black-and-white-casqued hornbill, Bycanistes subcylindricus
* Brown-cheeked hornbill, Bycanistes cylindricus
* Piping hornbill, Bycanistes fistulator

## Kingfishers

Order: Coraciiformes Family: Alcedinidae
Kingfishers are medium-sized birds with large heads, long, pointed bills, short legs and stubby tails.
* Shining-blue kingfisher, Alcedo quadribrachys
* Malachite kingfisher, Corythornis cristatus
* White-bellied kingfisher, Corythornis leucogaster
* African pygmy kingfisher, Ispidina picta
* African dwarf kingfisher, Ispidina lecontei
* Chocolate-backed kingfisher, Halcyon badia
* Gray-headed kingfisher, Halcyon leucocephala
* Woodland kingfisher, Halcyon senegalensis
* Blue-breasted kingfisher, Halcyon malimbica
* Striped kingfisher, Halcyon chelicuti
* Giant kingfisher, Megaceryle maximus
* Pied kingfisher, Ceryle rudis

## Bee-eaters

Order: Coraciiformes Family: Meropidae
The bee-eaters are a group of near passerine birds in the family Meropidae. Most species are found in Africa but others occur in southern Europe, Madagascar, Australia and New Guinea. They have richly colored plumage, slender bodies and usually elongated central tail feathers. All are colorful and have long downturned bills and pointed wings, which give them a swallow-like appearance when seen from afar.
* Black bee-eater, Merops gularis
* Blue-moustached bee-eater, Merops mentalis
* Little bee-eater, Merops pusillus
* Swallow-tailed bee-eater, Merops hirundineus (A)
* White-throated bee-eater, Merops albicollis
* Blue-cheeked bee-eater, Merops persicus
* European bee-eater, Merops apiaster
* Northern carmine bee-eater, Merops nubicus

## Rollers

Order: Coraciiformes Family: Coraciidae
Rollers resemble crows in size and build, but are more closely related to the kingfishers and bee-eaters. They share the colorful appearance of those groups with blues and browns predominating. The two inner front toes are connected, but the outer toe is not.
* European roller, Coracias garrulus
* Abyssinian roller, Coracias abyssinica
* Rufous-crowned roller, Coracias naevia
* Blue-bellied roller, Coracias cyanogaster
* Broad-billed roller, Eurystomus glaucurus
* Blue-throated roller, Eurystomus gularis

## African barbets

Order: Piciformes Family: Lybiidae
The African barbets are plump birds, with short necks and large heads. They get their name from the bristles which fringe their heavy bills. Most species are brightly colored.
* Yellow-billed barbet, Trachyphonus purpuratus
* Bristle-nosed barbet, Gymnobucco peli
* Naked-faced barbet, Gymnobucco calvus
* Speckled tinkerbird, Pogoniulus scolopaceus
* Red-rumped tinkerbird, Pogoniulus atroflavus
* Yellow-throated tinkerbird, Pogoniulus subsulphureus
* Yellow-rumped tinkerbird, Pogoniulus bilineatus
* Yellow-fronted tinkerbird, Pogoniulus chrysoconus
* Yellow-spotted barbet, Buccanodon duchaillui
* Hairy-breasted barbet, Tricholaema hirsuta
* Vieillot's barbet, Lybius vieilloti
* Double-toothed barbet, Lybius bidentatus

## Honeyguides

Order: Piciformes Family: Indicatoridae
Honeyguides are among the few birds that feed on wax. They are named for the greater honeyguide which leads traditional honey-hunters to bees' nests and, after the hunters have harvested the honey, feeds on the remaining contents of the hive.
* Cassin's honeyguide, Prodotiscus insignis
* Wahlberg's honeyguide, Prodotiscus regulus
* Yellow-footed honeyguide, Melignomon eisentrauti
* Willcock's honeyguide, Indicator willcocksi
* Least honeyguide, Indicator exilis
* Lesser honeyguide, Indicator minor
* Spotted honeyguide, Indicator maculatus
* Greater honeyguide, Indicator indicator
* Lyre-tailed honeyguide, Melichneutes robustus

## Woodpeckers

Order: Piciformes Family: Picidae
Woodpeckers are small to medium-sized birds with chisel-like beaks, short legs, stiff tails and long tongues used for capturing insects. Some species have feet with two toes pointing forward and two backward, while several species have only three toes. Many woodpeckers have the habit of tapping noisily on tree trunks with their beaks.
* Eurasian wryneck, Jynx torquilla
* African piculet, Verreauxia africana
* Melancholy woodpecker, Chloropicus lugubris
* Cardinal woodpecker, Chloropicus fuscescens
* Fire-bellied woodpecker, Chloropicus pyrrhogaster
* Brown-backed woodpecker, Chloropicus obsoletus
* African gray woodpecker, Chloropicus goertae
* Brown-eared woodpecker, Campethera caroli
* Buff-spotted woodpecker, Campethera nivosa
* Little green woodpecker, Campethera maculosa
* Fine-spotted woodpecker, Campethera punctuligera

## Falcons and caracaras

Order: Falconiformes Family: Falconidae
Falconidae is a family of diurnal birds of prey. They differ from hawks, eagles and kites in that they kill with their beaks instead of their talons.
* Lesser kestrel, Falco naumanni
* Eurasian kestrel, Falco tinnunculus
* Fox kestrel, Falco alopex
* Gray kestrel, Falco ardosiaceus
* Red-footed falcon, Falco vespertinus
* Eurasian hobby, Falco subbuteo
* African hobby, Falco cuvierii
* Lanner falcon, Falco biarmicus (A)
* Peregrine falcon, Falco peregrinus

## Old World parrots

Order: Psittaciformes Family: Psittaculidae
Characteristic features of parrots include a strong curved bill, an upright stance, strong legs, and clawed zygodactyl feet. Many parrots are vividly colored, and some are multi-colored. In size they range from 8 cm (3.1 in) to 1 m (3.3 ft) in length. Old World parrots are found from Africa east across south and southeast Asia and Oceania to Australia and New Zealand.
* Rose-ringed parakeet, Psittacula krameri
* Black-collared lovebird, Agapornis swinderniana
* Red-headed lovebird, Agapornis pullarius (I)

## African and New World parrots

Order: Psittaciformes Family: Psittacidae
Characteristic features of parrots include a strong curved bill, an upright stance, strong legs, and clawed zygodactyl feet. Many parrots are vividly colored, and some are multi-colored. In size they range from 8 cm (3.1 in) to 1 m (3.3 ft) in length. Most of the more than 150 species in this family are found in the New World.
* Gray parrot, Psittacus erithacus
* Brown-necked parrot, Poicephalus robustus
* Red-fronted parrot, Poicephalus gulielmi
* Senegal parrot, Poicephalus senegalus (I)

## African and green broadbills

Order: Passeriformes Family: Calyptomenidae
The broadbills are small, brightly colored birds, which feed on fruit and also take insects in flycatcher fashion, snapping their broad bills. Their habitat is canopies of wet forests.
* African broadbill, Smithornis capensis
* Rufous-sided broadbill, Smithornis rufolateralis

## Pittas

Order: Passeriformes Family: Pittidae
Pittas are medium-sized by passerine standards and are stocky, with fairly long, strong legs, short tails and stout bills. Many, but not all, are brightly colored. They spend the majority of their time on wet forest floors, eating snails, insects and similar invertebrates.
* African pitta, Pitta angolensis

## Cuckooshrikes

Order: Passeriformes Family: Campephagidae
The cuckooshrikes are small to medium-sized passerine birds. They are predominantly grayish with white and black, although some species are brightly colored.
* Ghana cuckooshrike, Campephaga lobata
* Red-shouldered cuckooshrike, Campephaga phoenicea
* Purple-throated cuckooshrike, Campephaga quiscalina
* Blue cuckooshrike, Cyanograucalus azureus

## Old World orioles

Order: Passeriformes Family: Oriolidae
The Old World orioles are colorful passerine birds. They are not related to the New World orioles.
* Eurasian golden oriole, Oriolus oriolus
* African golden oriole, Oriolus auratus
* Western black-headed oriole, Oriolus brachyrhynchus
* Black-winged oriole, Oriolus nigripennis

## Wattle-eyes and batises

Order: Passeriformes Family: Platysteiridae
The wattle-eyes, or puffback flycatchers, are small stout passerine birds of the African tropics. They get their name from the brightly colored fleshy eye decorations found in most species in this group.
* Brown-throated wattle-eye, Platysteira cyanea
* West African wattle-eye, Platysteira hormophora
* Red-cheeked wattle-eye, Platysteira blissetti
* Yellow-bellied wattle-eye, Platysteira concreta
* Senegal batis, Batis senegalensis (A)
* West African batis, Batis occulta

## Vangas, helmetshrikes, and allies

Order: Passeriformes Family: Vangidae
The helmetshrikes are similar in build to the shrikes, but tend to be colorful species with distinctive crests or other head ornaments, such as wattles, from which they get their name.
* White helmetshrike, Prionops plumatus
* Red-billed helmetshrike, Prionops caniceps
* African shrike-flycatcher, Megabyas flammulatus
* Black-and-white shrike-flycatcher, Bias musicus

## Bushshrikes and allies

Order: Passeriformes Family: Malaconotidae
Bushshrikes are similar in habits to shrikes, hunting insects and other small prey from a perch on a bush. Although similar in build to the shrikes, these tend to be either colorful species or largely black; some species are quite secretive.
* Brubru, Nilaus afer (A)
* Northern puffback, Dryoscopus gambensis
* Sabine's puffback, Dryoscopus sabini
* Marsh tchagra, Tchagra minuta
* Black-crowned tchagra, Tchagra senegala
* Brown-crowned tchagra, Tchagra australis
* Tropical boubou, Laniarius major
* Yellow-crowned gonolek, Laniarius barbarus
* Lowland sooty boubou, Laniarius leucorhynchus
* Sulphur-breasted bushshrike, Telophorus sulfureopectus
* Many-colored bushshrike, Telophorus multicolor
* Fiery-breasted bushshrike, Malaconotus cruentus
* Lagden's bushshrike, Malaconotus lagdeni
* Gray-headed bushshrike, Malaconotus blanchoti

## Drongos

Order: Passeriformes Family: Dicruridae
The drongos are mostly black or dark gray in color, sometimes with metallic tints. They have long forked tails, and some Asian species have elaborate tail decorations. They have short legs and sit very upright when perched, like a shrike. They flycatch or take prey from the ground.
* Western square-tailed drongo, Dicrurus occidentalis
* Shining drongo, Dicrurus atripennis
* Glossy-backed drongo, Dicrurus divaricatus
* Fanti drongo, Dicrurus atactus

## Monarch flycatchers

Order: Passeriformes Family: Monarchidae
The monarch flycatchers are small to medium-sized insectivorous passerines which hunt by flycatching.
* Blue-headed crested-flycatcher, Trochocercus nitens
* Black-headed paradise-flycatcher, Terpsiphone rufiventer
* African paradise-flycatcher, Terpsiphone viridis

## Shrikes

Order: Passeriformes Family: Laniidae
Shrikes are passerine birds known for their habit of catching other birds and small animals and impaling the uneaten portions of their bodies on thorns. A typical shrike's beak is hooked, like a bird of prey.
* Northern fiscal, Lanius humeralis
* Woodchat shrike, Lanius senator

## Crows, jays, and magpies

Order: Passeriformes Family: Corvidae
The family Corvidae includes crows, ravens, jays, choughs, magpies, treepies, nutcrackers and ground jays. Corvids are above average in size among the Passeriformes, and some of the larger species show high levels of intelligence.
* Pied crow, Corvus albus

## Rockfowl

Order: Passeriformes Family: Picathartidae
Rockfowl are lanky birds with crow-like bills, long necks, tails and legs, and strong feet adapted to terrestrial feeding. They are similar in size and structure to the completely unrelated roadrunners, but they hop rather than walk. They also have brightly colored unfeathered heads.
* White-necked rockfowl, Picathartes gymnocephalus

## Hyliotas

Order: Passeriformes Family: Hyliotidae
The members of this small family, all of genus Hyliota, are birds of the forest canopy. They tend to feed in mixed-species flocks.
* Yellow-bellied hyliota, Hyliota flavigaster
* Violet-backed hyliota, Hyliota violacea

## Fairy flycatchers

Order: Passeriformes Family: Stenostiridae
Most of the species of this small family are found in Africa, though a few inhabit tropical Asia. They are not closely related to other birds called "flycatchers"
* African blue flycatcher, Elminia longicauda
* Dusky crested-flycatcher, Elminia nigromitrata

## Tits, chickadees and titmice

Order: Passeriformes Family: Paridae
The Paridae are mainly small stocky woodland species with short stout bills. Some have crests. They are adaptable birds, with a mixed diet including seeds and insects.
* White-shouldered black-tit, Melaniparus guineensis
* Dusky tit, Melaniparus funereus

## Penduline-tits

Order: Passeriformes Family: Remizidae
The penduline-tits are a group of small passerine birds related to the true tits. They are insectivores.
* Forest penduline-tit, Anthoscopus flavifrons

## Larks

Order: Passeriformes Family: Alaudidae
Larks are small terrestrial birds with often extravagant songs and display flights. Most larks are fairly dull in appearance. Their food is insects and seeds.
* Rufous-rumped lark, Pinarocorys erythropygia
* Rufous-naped lark, Mirafra africana
* Flappet lark, Mirafra rufocinnamomea
* Sun lark, Galerida modesta

## Nicators

Order: Passeriformes Family: Nicatoridae
The nicators are shrike-like, with hooked bills. They are endemic to sub-Saharan Africa.
* Western nicator, Nicator chloris

## African warblers

Order: Passeriformes Family: Macrosphenidae
African warblers are small to medium-sized insectivores which are found in a wide variety of habitats south of the Sahara.
* Green crombec, Sylvietta virens
* Lemon-bellied crombec, Sylvietta denti
* Northern crombec, Sylvietta brachyura
* Moustached grass-warbler, Melocichla mentalis
* Kemp's longbill, Macrosphenus kempi
* Gray longbill, Macrosphenus concolor
* Green hylia, Hylia prasina
* Tit-hylia, Pholidornis rushiae

## Cisticolas and allies

Order: Passeriformes Family: Cisticolidae
The Cisticolidae are warblers found mainly in warmer southern regions of the Old World. They are generally very small birds of drab brown or gray appearance found in open country such as grassland or scrub.
* Senegal eremomela, Eremomela pusilla
* Rufous-crowned eremomela, Eremomela badiceps
* Sierra Leone prinia, Schistolais leontica
* Green-backed camaroptera, Camaroptera brachyura
* Yellow-browed camaroptera, Camaroptera superciliaris
* Olive-green camaroptera, Camaroptera chloronota
* Black-capped apalis, Apalis nigriceps
* Sharpe's apalis, Apalis sharpii
* Tawny-flanked prinia, Prinia subflava
* Red-winged prinia, Prinia erythroptera
* Black-capped rufous-warbler, Bathmocercus cerviniventris
* Oriole warbler, Hypergerus atriceps
* Gray-capped warbler, Eminia lepida
* Red-faced cisticola, Cisticola erythrops
* Singing cisticola, Cisticola cantans
* Whistling cisticola, Cisticola lateralis
* Chattering cisticola, Cisticola anonymus
* Rock-loving cisticola, Cisticola aberrans
* Winding cisticola, Cisticola marginatus (A)
* Croaking cisticola, Cisticola natalensis
* Siffling cisticola, Cisticola brachypterus
* Zitting cisticola, Cisticola juncidis
* Black-backed cisticola, Cisticola eximius

## Reed warblers and allies

Order: Passeriformes Family: Acrocephalidae
The members of this family are usually rather large for "warblers". Most are rather plain olivaceous brown above with much yellow to beige below. They are usually found in open woodland, reedbeds, or tall grass. The family occurs mostly in southern to western Eurasia and surroundings, but it also ranges far into the Pacific, with some species in Africa.
* Eastern olivaceous warbler, Iduna pallida
* Western olivaceous warbler, Iduna opaca
* Melodious warbler, Hippolais polyglotta
* Sedge warbler, Acrocephalus schoenobaenus
* Eurasian reed warbler, Acrocephalus scirpaceus
* Great reed warbler, Acrocephalus arundinaceus

## Grassbirds and allies

Order: Passeriformes Family: Locustellidae
Locustellidae are a family of small insectivorous songbirds found mainly in Eurasia, Africa, and the Australian region. They are smallish birds with tails that are usually long and pointed, and tend to be drab brownish or buffy all over.
* Common grasshopper-warbler, Locustella naevia (A)
* Fan-tailed grassbird, Catriscus brevirostris

## Swallows

Order: Passeriformes Family: Hirundinidae
The family Hirundinidae is adapted to aerial feeding. They have a slender streamlined body, long pointed wings and a short bill with a wide gape. The feet are adapted to perching rather than walking, and the front toes are partially joined at the base.
* Bank swallow, Riparia riparia
* Rock martin, Ptyonoprogne fuligula
* Barn swallow, Hirundo rustica
* Red-chested swallow, Hirundo lucida (A)
* Ethiopian swallow, Hirundo aethiopica (A)
* White-throated blue swallow, Hirundo nigrita
* Wire-tailed swallow, Hirundo smithii (A)
* Red-rumped swallow, Cecropis daurica
* Lesser striped swallow, Cecropis abyssinica
* Rufous-chested swallow, Cecropis semirufa
* Mosque swallow, Cecropis senegalensis (A)
* Preuss's swallow, Petrochelidon preussi
* Common house-martin, Delichon urbicum
* Square-tailed sawwing, Psalidoprocne nitens
* Fanti sawwing, Psalidoprocne obscura
* Gray-rumped swallow, Pseudhirundo griseopyga

## Bulbuls

Order: Passeriformes Family: Pycnonotidae
Bulbuls are medium-sized songbirds. Some are colorful with yellow, red or orange vents, cheeks, throats or supercilia, but most are drab, with uniform olive-brown to black plumage. Some species have distinct crests.
* Slender-billed greenbul, Stelgidillas gracilirostris
* Golden greenbul, Calyptocichla serinus
* Red-tailed bristlebill, Bleda syndactylus
* Green-tailed bristlebill, Bleda eximius (A)
* Gray-headed bristlebill, Bleda canicapillus
* Simple greenbul, Chlorocichla simplex
* Honeyguide greenbul, Baeopogon indicator
* Spotted greenbul, Ixonotus guttatus
* Swamp greenbul, Thescelocichla leucopleura
* Red-tailed greenbul, Criniger calurus
* Western bearded-greenbul, Criniger barbatus
* Yellow-bearded greenbul, Criniger olivaceus
* Gray greenbul, Eurillas gracilis
* Ansorge's greenbul, Eurillas ansorgei
* Plain greenbul, Eurillas curvirostris
* Yellow-whiskered greenbul, Eurillas latirostris
* Little greenbul, Eurillas virens
* Leaf-love, Phyllastrephus scandens
* Baumann's greenbul, Phyllastrephus baumanni
* Icterine greenbul, Phyllastrephus icterinus
* White-throated greenbul, Phyllastrephus albigularis
* Common bulbul, Pycnonotus barbatus

## Leaf warblers

Order: Passeriformes Family: Phylloscopidae
Leaf warblers are a family of small insectivorous birds found mostly in Eurasia and ranging into Wallacea and Africa. The species are of various sizes, often green-plumaged above and yellow below, or more subdued with greyish-green to greyish-brown colours.
* Wood warbler, Phylloscopus sibilatrix
* Western Bonelli's warbler, Phylloscopus bonelli
* Willow warbler, Phylloscopus trochilus
* Common chiffchaff, Phylloscopus collybita

## Bush warblers and allies

Order: Passeriformes Family: Scotocercidae
The members of this family are found throughout Africa, Asia, and Polynesia. Their taxonomy is in flux, and some authorities place genus Erythrocerus in another family.
* Chestnut-capped flycatcher, Erythrocercus mccallii

## Sylviid warblers, parrotbills, and allies

Order: Passeriformes Family: Sylviidae
The family Sylviidae is a group of small insectivorous passerine birds. They mainly occur as breeding species, as the common name implies, in Europe, Asia and, to a lesser extent, Africa. Most are of generally undistinguished appearance, but many have distinctive songs.
* Eurasian blackcap, Sylvia atricapilla
* Garden warbler, Sylvia borin
* Greater whitethroat, Curruca communis

## White-eyes, yuhinas, and allies

Order: Passeriformes Family: Zosteropidae
The white-eyes are small and mostly undistinguished, their plumage above being generally some dull color like greenish-olive, but some species have a white or bright yellow throat, breast or lower parts, and several have buff flanks. As their name suggests, many species have a white ring around each eye.
* Northern yellow white-eye, Zosterops senegalensis

## Ground babblers and allies

Order: Passeriformes Family: Pellorneidae
These small to medium-sized songbirds have soft fluffy plumage but are otherwise rather diverse. Members of the genus Illadopsis are found in forests, but some other genera are birds of scrublands.
* Brown illadopsis, Illadopsis fulvescens
* Pale-breasted illadopsis, Illadopsis rufipennis
* Blackcap illadopsis, Illadopsis cleaveri
* Puvel's illadopsis, Illadopsis puveli
* Rufous-winged illadopsis, Illadopsis rufescens

## Laughingthrushes and allies

Order: Passeriformes Family: Leiothrichidae
The members of this family are diverse in size and colouration, though those of genus Turdoides tend to be brown or greyish. The family is found in Africa, India, and southeast Asia.
* Capuchin babbler, Turdoides atripennis
* Blackcap babbler, Turdoides reinwardtii

## Treecreepers

Order: Passeriformes Family: Certhiidae
Treecreepers are small woodland birds, brown above and white below. They have thin pointed down-curved bills, which they use to extricate insects from bark. They have stiff tail feathers, like woodpeckers, which they use to support themselves on vertical trees.
* African spotted creeper, Salpornis salvadori

## Oxpeckers

Order: Passeriformes Family: Buphagidae
As both the English and scientific names of these birds imply, they feed on ectoparasites, primarily ticks, found on large mammals.
* Yellow-billed oxpecker, Buphagus africanus

## Starlings

Order: Passeriformes Family: Sturnidae
Starlings are small to medium-sized passerine birds. Their flight is strong and direct and they are very gregarious. Their preferred habitat is fairly open country. They eat insects and fruit. Plumage is typically dark with a metallic sheen.
* Violet-backed starling, Cinnyricinclus leucogaster
* Chestnut-winged starling, Onychognathus fulgidus
* Narrow-tailed starling, Poeoptera lugubris
* Copper-tailed starling, Hylopsar cupreocauda
* Splendid starling, Lamprotornis splendidus
* Lesser blue-eared starling, Lamprotornis chloropterus
* Emerald starling, Lamprotornis iris
* Purple starling, Lamprotornis purpureus
* Bronze-tailed starling, Lamprotornis chalcurus

## Thrushes and allies

Order: Passeriformes Family: Turdidae
The thrushes are a group of passerine birds that occur mainly in the Old World. They are plump, soft plumaged, small to medium-sized insectivores or sometimes omnivores, often feeding on the ground. Many have attractive songs.
* Finsch's flycatcher-thrush, Neocossyphus finschi
* White-tailed ant-thrush, Neocossyphus poensis
* Gray ground-thrush, Geokichla princei
* African thrush, Turdus pelios

## Old World flycatchers

Order: Passeriformes Family: Muscicapidae
Old World flycatchers are a large group of small passerine birds native to the Old World. They are mainly small arboreal insectivores. The appearance of these birds is highly varied, but they mostly have weak songs and harsh calls.
* Little flycatcher, Muscicapa epulata
* Spotted flycatcher, Muscicapa striata
* Gambaga flycatcher, Muscicapa gambagae
* Cassin's flycatcher, Muscicapa cassini
* Ussher's flycatcher, Bradornis ussheri
* Dusky-blue flycatcher, Bradornis comitatus
* Pale flycatcher, Agricola pallidus
* White-browed forest-flycatcher, Fraseria cinerascens
* African forest-flycatcher, Fraseria ocreata
* Gray-throated tit-flycatcher, Fraseria griseigularis
* Gray tit-flycatcher, Fraseria plumbea
* Olivaceous flycatcher, Fraseria olivascens
* Tessmann's flycatcher, Fraseria tessmanni
* Ashy flycatcher, Fraseria caerulescens
* Nimba flycatcher, Melaenornis annamarulae
* Northern black-flycatcher, Melaenornis edolioides
* White-tailed alethe, Alethe diademata
* Forest scrub-robin, Cercotrichas leucosticta
* Blue-shouldered robin-chat, Cossypha cyanocampter
* Gray-winged robin-chat, Cossypha polioptera
* Snowy-crowned robin-chat, Cossypha niveicapilla
* Brown-chested alethe, Chamaetylas poliocephala
* Orange-breasted forest robin, Stiphrornis erythrothorax
* Lowland akalat, Sheppardia cyornithopsis
* Common nightingale, Luscinia megarhynchos
* European pied flycatcher, Ficedula hypoleuca
* Common redstart, Phoenicurus phoenicurus
* Rufous-tailed rock-thrush, Monticola saxatilis
* Blue rock-thrush, Monticola solitarius
* Whinchat, Saxicola rubetra
* African stonechat, Saxicola torquatus
* Mocking cliff-chat, Thamnolaea cinnamomeiventris
* Sooty chat, Myrmecocichla nigra (A)
* Northern wheatear, Oenanthe oenanthe

## Sunbirds and spiderhunters

Order: Passeriformes Family: Nectariniidae
The sunbirds and spiderhunters are very small passerine birds which feed largely on nectar, although they will also take insects, especially when feeding young. Flight is fast and direct on their short wings. Most species can take nectar by hovering like a hummingbird, but usually perch to feed.
* Fraser's sunbird, Deleornis fraseri
* Mouse-brown sunbird, Anthreptes gabonicus
* Western violet-backed sunbird, Anthreptes longuemarei
* Little green sunbird, Anthreptes seimundi
* Green sunbird, Anthreptes rectirostris
* Collared sunbird, Hedydipna collaris
* Pygmy sunbird, Hedydipna platura
* Reichenbach's sunbird, Anabathmis reichenbachii
* Green-headed sunbird, Cyanomitra verticalis
* Blue-throated brown sunbird, Cyanomitra cyanolaema
* Olive sunbird, Cyanomitra olivacea
* Buff-throated sunbird, Chalcomitra adelberti
* Carmelite sunbird, Chalcomitra fuliginosa
* Scarlet-chested sunbird, Chalcomitra senegalensis
* Olive-bellied sunbird, Cinnyris chloropygius
* Tiny sunbird, Cinnyris minullus
* Beautiful sunbird, Cinnyris pulchellus
* Splendid sunbird, Cinnyris coccinigaster
* Johanna's sunbird, Cinnyris johannae
* Superb sunbird, Cinnyris superbus
* Variable sunbird, Cinnyris venustus
* Bates's sunbird, Cinnyris batesi
* Copper sunbird, Cinnyris cupreus

## Weavers and allies

Order: Passeriformes Family: Ploceidae
The weavers are small passerine birds related to the finches. They are seed-eating birds with rounded conical bills. The males of many species are brightly colored, usually in red or yellow and black, some species show variation in color only in the breeding season.
* White-billed buffalo-weaver, Bubalornis albirostris
* Speckle-fronted weaver, Sporopipes frontalis
* Ballman's malimbe, Malimbus ballmanni
* Red-vented malimbe, Malimbus scutatus
* Blue-billed malimbe, Malimbus nitens
* Crested malimbe, Malimbus malimbicus
* Red-headed malimbe, Malimbus rubricollis
* Slender-billed weaver, Ploceus pelzelni
* Olive-naped weaver, Ploceus brachypterus
* Orange weaver, Ploceus aurantius
* Heuglin's masked-weaver, Ploceus heuglini
* Chestnut-and-black weaver, Ploceus castaneofuscus
* Village weaver, Ploceus cucullatus
* Yellow-mantled weaver, Ploceus tricolor
* Maxwell's black weaver, Ploceus albinucha
* Preuss's weaver, Ploceus preussi
* Compact weaver, Pachyphantes superciliosus
* Red-headed quelea, Quelea erythrops
* Red-billed quelea, Quelea quelea
* Northern red bishop, Euplectes franciscanus
* Black-winged bishop, Euplectes hordeaceus
* Yellow-crowned bishop, Euplectes afer
* Yellow-mantled widowbird, Euplectes macroura
* Red-collared widowbird, Euplectes ardens
* Grosbeak weaver, Amblyospiza albifrons

## Waxbills and allies

Order: Passeriformes Family: Estrildidae
The estrildid finches are small passerine birds of the Old World tropics and Australasia. They are gregarious and often colonial seed eaters with short thick but pointed bills. They are all similar in structure and habits, but have wide variation in plumage colors and patterns.
* Bronze mannikin, Spermestes cucullatus
* Magpie mannikin, Spermestes fringilloides
* Black-and-white mannikin, Spermestes bicolor
* Green-backed twinspot, Mandingoa nitidula
* Red-faced crimsonwing, Cryptospiza reichenovii
* Red-fronted antpecker, Parmoptila rubrifrons
* White-breasted nigrita, Nigrita fusconota
* Chestnut-breasted nigrita, Nigrita bicolor
* Gray-headed nigrita, Nigrita canicapilla
* Pale-fronted nigrita, Nigrita luteifrons
* Gray-headed oliveback, Delacourella capistrata
* Lavender waxbill, Glaucestrilda caerulescens (A)
* Orange-cheeked waxbill, Estrilda melpoda
* Common waxbill, Estrilda astrild
* Black-rumped waxbill, Estrilda troglodytes
* Crimson-rumped waxbill, Estrilda rhodopyga
* Quailfinch, Ortygospiza atricollis
* Locustfinch, Paludipasser locustella
* Cut-throat, Amadina fasciata
* Zebra waxbill, Amandava subflava
* Southern cordonbleu, Uraeginthus angolensis
* Red-cheeked cordonbleu, Uraeginthus bengalus
* Western bluebill, Spermophaga haematina
* Crimson seedcracker, Pyrenestes sanguineus
* Green-winged pytilia, Pytilia melba
* Orange-winged pytilia, Pytilia afra
* Red-winged pytilia, Pytilia phoenicoptera
* Red-faced pytilia, Pytilia hypogrammica
* Dybowski's twinspot, Euschistospiza dybowskii
* Peters's twinspot, Hypargos niveoguttatus
* Red-billed firefinch, Lagonosticta senegala
* African firefinch, Lagonosticta rubricata
* Jameson's firefinch, Lagonosticta rhodopareia
* Black-bellied firefinch, Lagonosticta rara
* Bar-breasted firefinch, Lagonosticta rufopicta

## Indigobirds

Order: Passeriformes Family: Viduidae
The indigobirds are finch-like species which usually have black or indigo predominating in their plumage. All are brood parasites, which lay their eggs in the nests of estrildid finches.
* Pin-tailed whydah, Vidua macroura
* Exclamatory paradise-whydah, Vidua interjecta
* Togo paradise-whydah, Vidua togoensis
* Village indigobird, Vidua chalybeata
* Wilson's indigobird, Vidua wilsoni
* Jambandu indigobird, Vidua raricola
* Baka indigobird, Vidua larvaticola
* Cameroon indigobird, Vidua camerunensis
* Variable indigobird, Vidua funerea
* Purple indigobird, Vidua purpurascens
* Green indigobird, Vidua codringtoni
* Parasitic weaver, Anomalospiza imberbis

## Old World sparrows

Order: Passeriformes Family: Passeridae
Old World sparrows are small passerine birds. In general, sparrows tend to be small, plump, brown or gray birds with short tails and short powerful beaks. Sparrows are seed eaters, but they also consume small insects.
* House sparrow, Passer domesticus (I)
* Northern gray-headed sparrow, Passer griseus

## Wagtails and pipits

Order: Passeriformes Family: Motacillidae
Motacillidae is a family of small passerine birds with medium to long tails. They include the wagtails, longclaws and pipits. They are slender, ground feeding insectivores of open country.
* Mountain wagtail, Motacilla clara
* Western yellow wagtail, Motacilla flava
* African pied wagtail, Motacilla aguimp
* White wagtail, Motacilla alba
* Long-billed pipit, Anthus similis
* Tawny pipit, Anthus campestris
* Plain-backed pipit, Anthus leucophrys
* Tree pipit, Anthus trivialis
* Red-throated pipit, Anthus cervinus
* Yellow-throated longclaw, Macronyx croceus

## Finches, euphonias, and allies

Order: Passeriformes Family: Fringillidae
Finches are seed-eating passerine birds, that are small to moderately large and have a strong beak, usually conical and in some species very large. All have twelve tail feathers and nine primaries. These birds have a bouncing flight with alternating bouts of flapping and gliding on closed wings, and most sing well.
* Oriole finch, Linurgus olivaceus
* White-rumped seedeater, Crithagra leucopygius
* Yellow-fronted canary, Crithagra mozambicus
* Lemon-breasted seedeater, Crithagra citrinipectus
* Brimstone canary, Crithagra sulphurata
* Streaky seedeater, Crithagra striolata
* Black-eared seedeater, Crithagra mennelli
* West African seedeater, Crithagra canicapilla
* Reichard's seedeater, Crithagra reichardi

## Old World buntings

Order: Passeriformes Family: Emberizidae
The emberizids are a large family of passerine birds. They are seed-eating birds with distinctively shaped bills. Many emberizid species have distinctive head patterns.
* Ortolan bunting, Emberiza hortulana
* Cabanis's bunting, Emberiza cabanisi
* Golden-breasted bunting, Emberiza flaviventris
* Cape bunting, Emberiza capensis
* Gosling's bunting, Emberiza goslingi