# List of birds of Rivers State

The following is a list of the bird species recorded in Rivers State, Nigeria. The avifauna of Rivers State include a total of 442 species.
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.
The following tag has been used to highlight accidental species.

## 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
* Spur-winged goose, Plectropterus gambensis
* African pygmy-goose, Nettapus auritus
* Garganey, Spatula querquedula

## 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 grey plumage.
* Western crested guineafowl, Guttera verreauxi

## Pheasants, grouse, and allies

Order: Galliformes Family: Phasianidae
Phasianidae consists of the pheasants and their allies. These are terrestrial species, variable in size but generally plump, with broad, relatively short wings. Many species are gamebirds or have been domesticated as a food source for humans.
* Latham's francolin, Peliperdix lathami
* Blue quail, Synoicus adansonii
* Double-spurred francolin, Pternistis bicalcaratus
* Scaly francolin, Pternistis squamatus

## 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.
* Speckled pigeon, Columba guinea
* Mourning collared-dove, Streptopelia decipiens
* Red-eyed dove, Streptopelia semitorquata
* 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
* African green-pigeon, Treron calvus

## 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 coloured, usually in blue, green or purple. The go-away birds are mostly grey and white.
* Great blue turaco, Corythaeola cristata
* Guinea turaco, Tauraco persa
* Yellow-billed turaco, Tauraco macrorhynchus
* Western plantain-eater, Crinifer piscator

## Cuckoos

Order: Cuculiformes Family: Cuculidae
The family Cuculidae includes cuckoos, roadrunners, coucals and anis. These birds are of variable size with slender bodies, long tails, and strong legs.
* 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
* Dideric cuckoo, Chrysococcyx caprius
* Klaas's cuckoo, Chrysococcyx klaas
* 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
* 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.
* Pennant-winged nightjar, Caprimulgus vexillarius
* Standard-winged nightjar, Caprimulgus longipennis
* Eurasian nightjar, Caprimulgus europaeus
* Fiery-necked nightjar, Caprimulgus pectoralis
* Swamp nightjar, Caprimulgus natalensis
* Plain nightjar, Caprimulgus inornatus
* 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
* Sabine's spinetail, Rhaphidura sabini
* Cassin's spinetail, Neafrapus cassini
* Common swift, Apus apus
* Pallid swift, Apus pallidus
* Little swift, Apus affinis
* White-rumped swift, Apus caffer
* 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

## 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. The most typical family members occupy 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 crake, Crex egregia
* Gray-throated rail, Canirallus oculeus
* Lesser moorhen, Paragallinula angulata
* Eurasian moorhen, Gallinula chloropus
* Allen's gallinule, Porphyrio alleni
* Nkulengu rail, Himantornis haematopus
* Black crake, Zapornia flavirostra

## 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 and stone-curlews are a group of largely tropical waders in the family Burhinidae. 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

## 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
* Spur-winged lapwing, Vanellus spinosus
* White-headed lapwing, Vanellus albiceps
* Brown-chested lapwing, Vanellus superciliosus
* Kittlitz's plover, Charadrius pecuarius
* Common ringed plover, Charadrius hiaticula
* Little ringed plover, Charadrius dubius
* Forbes's plover, Charadrius forbesi
* White-fronted plover, Charadrius marginatus

## 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
* Black-tailed godwit, Limosa limosa
* Ruddy turnstone, Arenaria interpres
* Red knot, Calidris canutus
* Curlew sandpiper, Calidris ferruginea
* Sanderling, Calidris alba
* Little stint, Calidris minuta
* Jack snipe, Lymnocryptes minimus
* Great snipe, Gallinago media
* Common snipe, Gallinago gallinago
* Common sandpiper, Actitis hypoleucos
* Green sandpiper, Tringa ochropus
* Spotted redshank, Tringa erythropus
* Common greenshank, Tringa nebularia
* Marsh sandpiper, Tringa stagnatilis
* Wood sandpiper, Tringa glareola
* Common redshank, Tringa totanus

## Buttonquails

Order: Charadriiformes Family: Turnicidae
The buttonquails 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.
* Temminck's courser, Cursorius temminckii
* Collared pratincole, Glareola pratincola
* Rock pratincole, Glareola nuchalis
* Gray pratincole, Glareola cinerea

## Gulls, terns, and skimmers

Order: Charadriiformes Family: Laridae
Laridae is a family of medium to large seabirds, the gulls, terns, and skimmers. Gulls are typically grey 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 grey 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.
* Gray-hooded gull, Chroicocephalus cirrocephalus
* Lesser black-backed gull, Larus fuscus
* Brown noddy, Anous stolidus
* Black noddy, Anous minutus
* Sooty tern, Onychoprion fuscatus
* Bridled tern, Onychoprion anaethetus
* Little tern, Sternula albifrons
* Damara tern, Sternula balaenarum
* Gull-billed tern, Gelochelidon nilotica
* Caspian tern, Hydroprogne caspia
* Black tern, Chlidonias niger
* White-winged tern, Chlidonias leucopterus
* Whiskered tern, Chlidonias hybrida
* 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
* Red-billed tropicbird, Phaethon aethereus

## Shearwaters and petrels

Order: Procellariiformes Family: Procellariidae
The procellariids are the main group of medium-sized "true petrels", characterised by united nostrils with medium septum and a long outer functional primary.
* Sooty shearwater, Ardenna griseus (A)

## 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 woolly-necked stork, Ciconia microscelis
* 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.
* Brown booby, Sula leucogaster
* Cape gannet, Morus capensis

## Anhingas

Order: Suliformes Family: Anhingidae
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 melanogaster

## 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 colouration varies, with the majority having mainly dark plumage, some species being black-and-white and a few being colourful.
* Long-tailed cormorant, Microcarbo africanus

## 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 herons, egrets, and bitterns. Herons and egrets are medium to large wading birds with long necks and legs. Bitterns tend to be shorter necked and more secretive. 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 leucolopha
* Gray heron, Ardea cinerea
* Black-headed heron, Ardea melanocephala
* Goliath heron, Ardea goliath
* Purple heron, Ardea purpurea
* Great egret, Ardea alba
* Intermediate egret, Ardea intermedia
* Little egret, Egretta garzetta
* Western reef-heron, Egretta gularis
* 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.
* African sacred ibis, Threskiornis aethiopicus
* Hadada ibis, Bostrychia hagedash
* African spoonbill, Platalea alba

## 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
* African harrier-hawk, Polyboroides typus
* Palm-nut vulture, Gypohierax angolensis
* European honey-buzzard, Pernis apivorus
* African cuckoo-hawk, Aviceda cuculoides
* Hooded vulture, Necrosyrtes monachus
* Congo serpent-eagle, Circaetus spectabilis
* Bat hawk, Macheiramphus alcinus
* Crowned eagle, Stephanoaetus coronatus
* Martial eagle, Polemaetus bellicosus
* Long-crested eagle, Lophaetus occipitalis
* Tawny eagle, Aquila rapax
* Cassin's hawk-eagle, Aquila africana
* Lizard buzzard, Kaupifalco monogrammicus
* Gabar goshawk, Micronisus gabar
* Eurasian marsh-harrier, Circus aeruginosus
* Montagu's harrier, Circus pygargus
* African goshawk, Accipiter tachiro
* Chestnut-flanked sparrowhawk, Accipiter castanilius
* 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
* 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.
* 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.
* Eurasian scops-owl, Otus scops
* Northern white-faced owl, Ptilopsis leucotis
* Grayish eagle-owl, Bubo cinerascens
* Fraser's eagle-owl, Bubo poensis
* Akun eagle-owl, Bubo leucostictus
* Pel's fishing-owl, Scotopelia peli
* Vermiculated fishing-owl, Scotopelia bouvieri
* Sjöstedt's owlet, Glaucidium sjostedti
* 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 colourful, feathers with distinctive male and female plumage.
* Narina trogon, Apaloderma narina

## Hoopoes

Order: Bucerotiformes Family: Upupidae
Hoopoes have black, white and orangey-pink colouring 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, Tockus fasciatus
* White-crested hornbill, Horizocerus albocristatus
* Black dwarf hornbill, Horizocerus hartlaubi
* Black-casqued hornbill, Ceratogymna atrata
* 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
* Chocolate-backed kingfisher, Halcyon badia
* Gray-headed kingfisher, Halcyon leucocephala
* Woodland kingfisher, Halcyon senegalensis
* Blue-breasted kingfisher, Halcyon malimbica
* Giant kingfisher, Megaceryle maxima'
* 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 are characterised by richly coloured plumage, slender bodies and usually elongated central tail feathers. All are colourful 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
* Red-throated bee-eater, Merops bulocki
* Little bee-eater, Merops pusillus
* White-throated bee-eater, Merops albicollis
* Rosy bee-eater, Merops malimbicus

## 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 colourful appearance of those groups with blues and browns predominating. The two inner front toes are connected, but the outer toe is not.
* Abyssinian roller, Coracias abyssinica
* Broad-billed roller, Eurystomus glaucurus
* Blue-throated roller, Eurystomus gularis

## African barbets

Order: Piciformes Family: Lybiidae
The 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 coloured.
* 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-spotted barbet, Buccanodon duchaillui
* Hairy-breasted barbet, Tricholaema hirsuta
* Vieillot's barbet, Lybius vieilloti

## 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
* Willcocks's honeyguide, Indicator willcocksi
* Least honeyguide, Indicator exilis
* Spotted honeyguide, Indicator maculatus
* 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.
* Gabon woodpecker, Chloropicus gabonensis
* Cardinal woodpecker, Chloropicus fuscescens
* Fire-bellied woodpecker, Chloropicus pyrrhogaster
* Golden-crowned woodpecker, Chloropicus xantholophus
* African gray woodpecker, Chloropicus goertae
* Buff-spotted woodpecker, Campethera nivosa
* Green-backed woodpecker, Campethera cailliautii

## 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.
* Eurasian kestrel, Falco tinnunculus
* Gray kestrel, Falco ardosiaceus
* African hobby, Falco cuvierii
* Lanner falcon, Falco biarmicus

## 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 coloured, and some are multi-coloured. 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
* Red-headed lovebird, Agapornis pullarius

## New World and African parrots

Order: Psittaciformes Family: Psittacidae
Parrots are small to large birds with a characteristic curved beak. Their upper mandibles have slight mobility in the joint with the skull and they have a generally erect stance. All parrots are zygodactyl, having the four toes on each foot placed two at the front and two to the back.
* Gray parrot, Psittacus erithacus
* Senegal parrot, Poicephalus senegalus

## African and green broadbills

Order: Passeriformes Family: Calyptomenidae
The broadbills are small, brightly coloured birds, which feed on fruit and also take insects in flycatcher fashion, snapping their broad bills.
* Rufous-sided broadbill, Smithornis rufolateralis

## Cuckooshrikes

Order: Passeriformes Family: Campephagidae
The cuckooshrikes are small to medium-sized passerine birds. They are predominantly greyish with white and black, although some species are brightly colored.
* Blue cukooshrike, Coracina azurea

## Old World orioles

Order: Passeriformes Family: Oriolidae
The Old World orioles are colourful 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 brachyrynchus
* 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 coloured fleshy eye decorations found in most species in this group.
* Brown-throated wattle-eye, Platysteira cyanea
* Chestnut wattle-eye, Platysteira castanea
* White-spotted wattle-eye, Platysteira tonsa
* Red-cheeked wattle-eye, Platysteira blissetti
* Yellow-bellied wattle-eye, Platysteira concreta

## Vangas, helmetshrikes, and allies

Order: Passeriformes Family: Vangidae
The helmetshrikes are similar in build to the shrikes, but tend to be colourful species with distinctive crests or other head ornaments, such as wattles, from which they get their name.
* 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 colourful species or largely black; some species are quite secretive.
* Northern puffback, Dryoscopus gambensis
* Sabine's puffback, Dryoscopus sabini
* Black-crowned tchagra, Tchagra senegalus
* Brown-crowned tchagra, Tchagra australis
* Tropical boubou, Laniarius major
* Many-colored bushshrike, Telophorus multicolor
* Fiery-breasted bushshrike, Malaconotus cruentus

## Drongos

Order: Passeriformes Family: Dicruridae
The drongos are mostly black or dark grey in colour, sometimes with metallic tints. They have long forked tails, and some 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.
* Shining drongo, Dicrurus atripennis

## 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 shrike's beak is hooked, like that of a typical bird of prey.
* Northern fiscal, Lanius humeralis

## 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.
* Piapiac, Ptilostomus afer
* Pied crow, Corvus albus

## 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".
* Dusky crested flycatcher, Elminia nigromitrata

## 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

## 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
* 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 grey appearance found in open country such as grassland or scrub.
* Rufous-crowned eremomela, Eremomela badiceps
* Green-backed camaroptera, Camaroptera brachyura
* Yellow-browed camaroptera, Camaroptera superciliaris
* Olive-green camaroptera, Camaroptera chloronota
* Black-capped apalis, Apalis nigriceps
* Yellow-breasted apalis, Apalis flavida
* Buff-throated apalis, Apalis rufogularis
* Tawny-flanked prinia, Prinia subflava
* Red-faced cisticola, Cisticola erythrops
* Singing cisticola, Cisticola cantans
* Chattering cisticola, Cisticola anonymus
* Winding cisticola, Cisticola marginatus
* Siffling cisticola, Cisticola brachypterus

## Reed warblers and allies

Order: Passeriformes Family: Acrocephalidae
The reed-warblers or acrocephalid warblers are a family of oscine passerine birds, in the superfamily Sylvioidea. The species in this family are usually rather large " 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.
* Eastern olivaceous warbler, Iduna pallida
* Western olivaceous warbler, Iduna opaca
* Melodious warbler, Hippolais polyglotta
* Sedge warbler, Acrocephalus schoenobaenus
* Eurasian reed warbler, Acrocephalus scirpaceus
* Greater swamp warbler, Acrocephalus rufescens
* Great reed warbler, Acrocephalus arundinaceus

## 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.
* Plain martin, Riparia paludicola
* Bank swallow, Riparia riparia
* Banded martin, Riparia cincta
* Barn swallow, Hirundo rustica
* Ethiopian swallow, Hirundo aethiopica
* White-throated blue swallow, Hirundo nigrita
* Wire-tailed swallow, Hirundo smithii
* Lesser striped swallow, Cecropis abyssinica
* Rufous-chested swallow, Cecropis semirufa
* Preuss's swallow, Petrochelidon preussi
* Common house-martin, Delichon urbicum
* Square-tailed sawwing, Psalidoprocne nitens
* Black sawwing, Psalidoprocne pristoptera
* Fanti sawwing, Psalidoprocne obscura

## Bulbuls

Order: Passeriformes Family: Pycnonotidae
Bulbuls are medium-sized songbirds. Some are colourful 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
* 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
* 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
* 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
* Willow warbler, Phylloscopus trochilus

## 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

## White-eyes, yuhinas, and allies

Order: Passeriformes Family: Zosteropidae
The white-eyes are small and mostly undistinguished, their plumage above being generally some dull colour 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.
* Forest white-eye, Zosterops stenocricotus

## 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

## 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. They are medium-sized passerines with strong feet. Their flight is strong and direct and they are very gregarious. Their preferred habitat is fairly open country, and they eat insects and fruit. Plumage is typically dark with a metallic sheen.
* Violet-backed starling, Cinnyricinclus leucogaster
* Chestnut-winged starling, Onychognathus fulgidus
* Purple-headed starling, Hylopsar purpureiceps
* Long-tailed glossy starling, Lamprotornis caudatus
* Splendid starling, Lamprotornis splendidus
* Chestnut-bellied starling, Lamprotornis pulcher
* Purple starling, Lamprotornis purpureus

## Thrushes and allies

Order: Passeriformes Family: Turdidae
The thrushes are a group of passerine birds that occur mainly but not exclusively 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.
* Rufous flycatcher-thrush, Neocossyphus fraseri
* White-tailed ant-thrush, Neocossyphus poensis
* 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.
* Spotted flycatcher, Muscicapa striata
* Cassin's flycatcher, Muscicapa cassini
* Sooty flycatcher, Bradornis fuliginosus
* 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
* Fire-crested alethe, Alethe castanea
* Blue-shouldered robin-chat, Cossypha cyanocampter
* Snowy-crowned robin-chat, Cossypha niveicapilla
* Brown-chested alethe, Chamaetylas poliocephala
* Orange-breasted forest robin, Stiphrornis erythrothorax
* Common nightingale, Luscinia megarhynchos
* European pied flycatcher, Ficedula hypoleuca
* Whinchat, Saxicola rubetra
* White-fronted black-chat, Oenanthe albifrons

## 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
* Little green sunbird, Anthreptes seimundi
* Green sunbird, Anthreptes rectirostris
* Collared sunbird, Hedydipna collaris
* 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
* Olive-bellied sunbird, Cinnyris chloropygius
* Tiny sunbird, Cinnyris minullus
* Splendid sunbird, Cinnyris coccinigastrus
* Superb sunbird, Cinnyris superbus
* Variable sunbird, Cinnyris venustus
* Bates's sunbird, Cinnyris batesi
* Copper sunbird, Cinnyris cupreus

## Weavers and allies

Order: Passeriformes Family: Ploceidae
Weavers are a group of small passerine birds related to the finches. These are seed-eating birds with rounded conical bills, most of which breed in sub-Saharan Africa, with fewer species in tropical Asia. Weavers get their name from the large woven nests many species make. They are gregarious birds which often breed colonially.
* Red-vented malimbe, Malimbus scutatus
* Red-bellied malimbe, Malimbus erythrogaster
* Blue-billed malimbe, Malimbus nitens
* Crested malimbe, Malimbus malimbicus
* Red-headed malimbe, Malimbus rubricollis
* Slender-billed weaver, Ploceus pelzelni
* Black-necked weaver, Ploceus nigricollis
* Orange weaver, Ploceus aurantius
* Heuglin's masked-weaver, Ploceus heuglini
* Vieillot's black weaver, Ploceus nigerrimus
* Village weaver, Ploceus cucullatus
* Black-headed weaver, Ploceus melanocephalus
* Yellow-mantled weaver, Ploceus tricolor
* Red-headed quelea, Quelea erythrops
* Northern red bishop, Euplectes franciscanus
* Black-winged bishop, Euplectes hordeaceus
* Yellow-crowned bishop, Euplectes afer
* Yellow-mantled widowbird, Euplectes macroura
* Grosbeak weaver, Amblyospiza albifrons

## Waxbills and allies

Order: Passeriformes Family: Estrildidae
The estrildid finches can be classified as the family Estrildidae (waxbills, munias, and allies), or as a subfamily within the family Passeridae, which strictly defined comprises the Old World sparrows. 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 cucullata
* Magpie mannikin, Spermestes fringilloides
* Black-and-white mannikin, Spermestes bicolor
* Woodhouse's antpecker, Parmoptila woodhousei
* White-breasted nigrita, Nigrita fusconotus
* Chestnut-breasted nigrita, Nigrita bicolor
* Gray-headed nigrita, Nigrita canicapillus
* Pale-fronted nigrita, Nigrita luteifrons
* Orange-cheeked waxbill, Estrilda melpoda
* Anambra waxbill, Estrilda poliopareia
* Common waxbill, Estrilda astrild
* Western bluebill, Spermophaga haematina
* Black-bellied seedcracker, Pyrenestes ostrinus
* Red-billed firefinch, Lagonosticta senegala
* African firefinch, Lagonosticta rubricata
* 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
* Sahel paradise-whydah, Vidua orientalis
* Wilson's indigobird, Vidua wilsoni
* Cameroon indigobird, Vidua camerunensis

## Old World sparrows

Order: Passeriformes Family: Passeridae
Old World sparrows are small passerine birds. In general, sparrows tend to be small, plump, brown or grey birds with short tails and short powerful beaks. Sparrows are seed eaters, but they also consume small insects.
* 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.
* Western yellow wagtail, Motacilla flava
* African pied wagtail, Motacilla aguimp
* Plain-backed pipit, Anthus leucophrys
* Tree pipit, Anthus trivialis
* 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.
* Yellow-fronted canary, Crithagra mozambica