List of birds of the Gambia

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Template:Short description Template:Use British English

This is a list of the bird species recorded in The Gambia. The avifauna of The Gambia include a total of 621 species, two of which have been introduced. The country, which is very small and almost completely surrounded by Senegal, has no endemic species.

This list's taxonomic treatment (designation and sequence of orders, families and species) and nomenclature (English and scientific names) are those of The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World, 2022 edition.<ref name=Clements>Clements, J. F., T. S. Schulenberg, M. J. Iliff, S. M. Billerman, T. A. Fredericks, B. L. Sullivan, and C. L. Wood. 2022. The eBird/Clements Checklist of Birds of the World: v2022. Downloaded from https://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/updateindex/october-2022/ Retrieved November 1, 2022.</ref>

The following tags have been used to highlight several categories. Not all species will fall into one of these categories. Those that do not are commonly occurring native species.

  • (A) Accidental - a species that rarely or accidentally occurs in the Gambia<ref>this information is from Barlow's A Field Guide to Birds of The Gambia and Senegal, unless otherwise noted</ref>
  • (I) Introduced - a species introduced to the Gambia as a consequence, direct or indirect, of human actions
  • (Ex) Extirpated - a species that no longer occurs in the Gambia although populations exist elsewhere


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Ducks, geese, and waterfowl

File:White.faced.whistling.duckARP.jpg
The white-faced whistling duck is the country's most common and widespread duck.<ref name="Barlow"/>

Order: AnseriformesTemplate:NbspFamily: 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.

Guineafowl

Order: GalliformesTemplate:NbspFamily: Numididae

Guineafowl are a group of African, seed-eating, ground-nesting birds that resemble partridges, but with featherless heads and spangled grey plumage.

New World quail

Order: GalliformesTemplate:NbspFamily: Odontophoridae

Despite their family's common name, this species and one other are native to Africa.

Pheasants, grouse, and allies

Order: GalliformesTemplate:NbspFamily: Phasianidae

The Phasianidae are a family of terrestrial birds which consists of quails, 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.

Flamingos

Order: PhoenicopteriformesTemplate:NbspFamily: Phoenicopteridae

Flamingos are wading birds, usually Template:Convert 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.

Grebes

File:Zwergtaucher 060319 3.jpg
Little grebes are locally common in freshwater ponds, creeks and rice fields, particularly in the Western Division.<ref name="Barlow">Template:Cite book</ref>

Order: PodicipediformesTemplate:NbspFamily: Podicipedidae

Grebes are small to medium-sized diving birds. They breed on fresh water, but often visit the sea whilst migrating and in winter. They have lobed toes and are excellent swimmers and divers; however, their feet are placed far back on their bodies, making them quite ungainly on land.

Pigeons and doves

File:Streptopelia semitorquata1.jpg
Red-eyed dove (Streptopelia semitorquata)

Order: ColumbiformesTemplate:NbspFamily: Columbidae

Pigeons and doves are stout-bodied birds with short necks and short slender bills with a fleshy cere.

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Sandgrouse

Order: PterocliformesTemplate:NbspFamily: Pteroclidae

Sandgrouse have small pigeon-like heads and necks, but sturdy compact bodies. They have long pointed wings and sometimes tails and a fast direct flight. Flocks fly to watering holes at dawn and dusk. Their legs are feathered down to the toes.

Bustards

Order: OtidiformesTemplate:NbspFamily: Otidae

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.

Turacos

Order: MusophagiformesTemplate:NbspFamily: Musophagidae

The turacos, plantain-eaters, and go-away-birds make up the 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.

Cuckoos

File:Senegal coucal (Centropus senegalensis senegalensis).jpg
Senegal coucal (Centropus senegalensis)

Order: CuculiformesTemplate:NbspFamily: 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.

Nightjars and allies

File:Long-tailed nightjar (Caprimulgus climacurus climacurus) male.jpg
Long-tailed nightjar (Caprimulgus climacurus climacurus) male

Order: CaprimulgiformesTemplate:NbspFamily: 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.

Swifts

File:African Palm Swift in flight.jpg
African palm-swift (Cypsiurus parvus)

Order: CaprimulgiformesTemplate:NbspFamily: 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.

Flufftails

Order: GruiformesTemplate:NbspFamily: Sarothruridae

The flufftails are a small family of ground-dwelling birds found only in Madagascar and sub-Saharan Africa.

Rails, gallinules, and coots

Order: GruiformesTemplate:NbspFamily: 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.

Finfoots

Order: GruiformesTemplate:NbspFamily: Heliornithidae

Heliornithidae is a small family of tropical birds with webbed lobes on their feet similar to those of grebes and coots.

Cranes

File:Black crowned crane.jpg
Black-crowned crane (Balearica pavonina)

Order: GruiformesTemplate:NbspFamily: Gruidae

Cranes are large, long-legged, and long-necked birds. Unlike the similar-looking but unrelated herons, cranes fly with necks outstretched, not pulled back. Most have elaborate and noisy courting displays or "dances".

Thick-knees

Order: CharadriiformesTemplate:NbspFamily: Burhinidae

The thick-knees are a group of waders 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.

Egyptian plover

Order: CharadriiformesTemplate:NbspFamily: Pluvianidae

The Egyptian plover is found across equatorial Africa and along the Nile River.

Stilts and avocets

Order: CharadriiformesTemplate:NbspFamily: 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.

Oystercatchers

Order: CharadriiformesTemplate:NbspFamily: Haematopodidae

The oystercatchers are large and noisy plover-like birds with strong bills used for smashing or prising open molluscs.

Plovers and lapwings

File:Spur-winged lapwing (Vanellus spinosus) Gambia.jpg
Spur-winged plovers are ubiquitous throughout the country, though seldom far from water.<ref name="Barlow"/>

Order: CharadriiformesTemplate:NbspFamily: Charadriidae

Lapwings, plovers and dotterels are small to medium-sized birds with compact bodies, short, thick necks and long, usually pointed, wings. They are found in open country worldwide, generally in habitats near water, although there are some exceptions.

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Painted-snipes

File:Greater Painted-snipe (Male) I2 IMG 9477.jpg
The greater painted-snipe is largely crepuscular, or most active around dawn and dusk.

Order: CharadriiformesTemplate:NbspFamily: Rostratulidae

Painted-snipes are short-legged, long-billed birds similar in shape to the true snipes, but more brightly coloured.

Jacanas

Order: CharadriiformesTemplate:NbspFamily: Jacanidae

The jacanas are a group of waders 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.

Sandpipers and allies

File:Common Redshank (Tringa totanus) at Bharatpur I IMG 5501.jpg
Common redshanks are common to abundant throughout the country during the winter months.<ref name="Barlow"/>
File:Actitis hypoleucos 3 (Marek Szczepanek).jpg
Common sandpipers are among the handful of waders which regularly hunt fiddler crabs.<ref name="Barlow"/>
File:Arenaria interpres SK.jpg
Ruddy turnstones are found in parties of 15-40 along the coast, principally between October and March.<ref name="Barlow"/>

Order: CharadriiformesTemplate:NbspFamily: Scolopacidae

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Buttonquail

Order: CharadriiformesTemplate:NbspFamily: 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.

Pratincoles and coursers

Order: CharadriiformesTemplate:NbspFamily: 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.

Skuas and jaegers

Order: CharadriiformesTemplate:NbspFamily: Stercorariidae

The family Stercorariidae are, in general, medium to large birds, typically with grey 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.

Gulls, terns, and skimmers

File:Larus cirrocephalus.jpg
Grey-headed gulls are abundant along the coast, sometimes gathering in flocks of hundreds or thousands.<ref name="Barlow"/>
File:Sterna caspiaPCCA20031225-0908B.jpg
Caspian tern

Order: CharadriiformesTemplate:NbspFamily: Laridae

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Tropicbirds

File:Pink-backed.pelican.750pix.jpg
Pink-backed pelicans are abundant along the coast, less common most places upriver.<ref name="Barlow"/>

Order: PhaethontiformesTemplate:NbspFamily: Phaethontidae

Tropicbirds are slender white birds of tropical oceans, with exceptionally long central tail feathers. Their heads and long wings have black markings.

Southern storm-petrels

File:Oceanites oceanicusPCCA20070623-3634B.jpg
Wilson's storm petrels are sometimes abundant offshore between April and September.<ref name="Barlow"/>

Order: ProcellariiformesTemplate:NbspFamily: 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.

Northern storm-petrels

Order: ProcellariiformesTemplate:NbspFamily: 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.

Shearwaters and petrels

Order: ProcellariiformesTemplate:NbspFamily: Procellariidae

Shearwaters are medium-sized, long-winged seabirds. Highly pelagic, they come ashore only to breed, nesting on islands and rocky cliffs. They generally glide low above the water on stiff wings, and feed on fish, squid and similar oceanic food. There are 23–27 species worldwide. (Some experts split Audubon's shearwater into several distinct species, while others consider those distinctive forms to be subspecies.)

Storks

File:Yellow-billed stork standing cropped.jpg
Yellow-billed storks are most common near the coast.<ref name="Barlow"/>

Order: CiconiiformesTemplate:NbspFamily: Ciconiidae

Storks are large, long-legged, long-necked wading birds with long stout bills. They occur in most of the world's warmer regions and tend to live in drier habitats than herons, to which they're closely related. They build large stick nests and sometimes nest colonially. Many species are migratory. Most storks eat a variety of small vertebrates and invertebrates; some eat carrion. Seven species have been recorded in the Gambia.

Frigatebirds

Order: SuliformesTemplate:NbspFamily: Fregatidae

Frigatebirds are large seabirds typically found soaring over tropical oceans. They have long wings and a deeply forked tail; their plumage is either black (males) or black-and-white (females and young). Males have coloured inflatable throat pouches, which are used in courtship. Frigatebirds spend most of their time in the air. They are kleptoparasites and often chase other seabirds to get them to drop their catches of fish; they also scoop fish from the water's surface.

Gannets and boobies

File:Morus bassanus 2.jpg
Northern gannets are sometimes seen offshore, generally after strong harmattan winds.<ref name="Barlow"/>

Order: SuliformesTemplate:NbspFamily: Sulidae

Gannets and boobies are large seabirds with long beaks and long, pointed wings. They eat fish, which they hunt by plunge-diving from heights of up to 30 m and chasing their prey underwater. They nest colonially on islands and along coasts, either on the ground or in trees.

Anhingas

File:Anhinga rufa.jpg
The African darter is sometimes called the "snake bird" due to its habit of swimming with only its head and neck sticking out of the water.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>

Order: SuliformesTemplate:NbspFamily: Anhingidae

Anhingas or darters are large waterbirds, found primarily in fresh and brackish water habitats. Because their plumage is not entirely waterproof, they often stand out of the water with their wings outstretched, drying off. Darters are strongly sexually dimorphic; males generally have much darker plumage than do females. They eat primarily fish, which they catch by diving from the water's surface.

Cormorants and shags

Order: SuliformesTemplate:NbspFamily: Phalacrocoracidae

Cormorants are medium to large seabirds, found primarily along the coast, but occasionally ranging some way inland in aquatic environments. Their plumage is generally dark, though most species have areas of brightly coloured skin on the face. They are primarily fish eaters. Their bills are long, thin and sharply hooked, and their four-toed feet are webbed. Because their plumage is only semi-waterproof, they often stand out of the water with their wings outstretched to dry out their feathers.

Pelicans

Order: PelecaniformesTemplate:NbspFamily: 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.

Hamerkop

File:Scopus umbretta -Serengeti, Tanzania-8.jpg
The often-gregarious hamerkop builds one of the largest and most complex of all bird nests.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>

Order: PelecaniformesTemplate:NbspFamily: Scopidae

Hamerkops are medium-sized, all-brown wading birds named for their hammer-headed appearance, which is created by the combination of their shaggy backwards-pointing crests and their heavy black bills. Typically found in wetland areas, they forage in shallow water for amphibians, small fish, crustaceans, insects, worms and small mammals. They build enormous, complex nests—which they generally use for only a matter of months—and occupy their territories year-round.

Herons, egrets, and bitterns

File:Goliath heron standing cropped.jpg
The huge Goliath heron is shy and solitary, typically preferring narrower creeks to more open areas.<ref name="Barlow"/>
File:Western reef egret (Egretta gularis gularis) dark morph.jpg
Western reef egret (Egretta gularis gularis) dark morph.jpg

Order: PelecaniformesTemplate:NbspFamily: Ardeidae

Herons, egrets and bitterns are long-legged birds typically associated with wetlands; herons and egrets are long-necked, while bitterns tend to be shorter-necked and quite secretive. Birds in this family often wade in shallow waters, preying on various aquatic organisms (including fish and frogs) as well as reptiles, amphibians and the occasional small bird. In flight, they hold their neck retracted in a gentle S-curve.

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Ibises and spoonbills

Order: PelecaniformesTemplate:NbspFamily: Threskiornithidae

Threskiornithidae is a family of large terrestrial and wading birds which includes the ibises and spoonbills.

Secretarybird

Order: AccipitriformesTemplate:NbspFamily: Sagittariidae

The secretarybird is a bird of prey in the order Accipitriformes but is easily distinguished from other raptors by its long crane-like legs.

Osprey

Order: AccipitriformesTemplate:NbspFamily: Pandionidae

Hawks, eagles, and kites

File:Hvidhovedet afrikansk ørn2.png
African fish eagles are typically found perched near rivers, creeks or coastal lagoons.<ref name="Barlow"/>
File:Necrosyrtes monachus.jpg
Hooded vultures are abundant throughout the country, particularly around human settlements.<ref name="Barlow"/>
File:Aquila wahlbergi.jpg
The medium-sized Wahlberg's eagle is common throughout the country all year round.<ref name="Barlow"/>

Order: AccipitriformesTemplate:NbspFamily: Accipitridae

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Barn-owls

Order: StrigiformesTemplate:NbspFamily: Tytonidae

Barn-owls are medium to large owls with large heads and characteristic heart-shaped faces. They have long strong legs with powerful talons.

Owls

File:Pearl-spotted Owlet Glaucidium perlatum National Aviary 1900px.jpg
Pearl-spotted owlet (Glaucidium perlatum)

Order: StrigiformesTemplate:NbspFamily: 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.

Mousebirds

Order: ColiiformesTemplate:NbspFamily: Coliidae

The mousebirds are slender grayish or brown birds with soft, hairlike body feathers and very long thin tails. They are arboreal and scurry through the leaves like rodents in search of berries, fruit, and buds. They are acrobatic and can feed upside down. All species have strong claws and reversible outer toes. They also have crests and stubby bills.

Hoopoes

Order: BucerotiformesTemplate:NbspFamily: Upupidae

Hoopoes have black, white and orangey-pink colouring with a large erectile crest on their head.

Woodhoopoes and scimitarbills

Order: BucerotiformesTemplate:NbspFamily: 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.

Ground-hornbills

Order: BucerotiformesTemplate:NbspFamily: Bucorvidae

The ground-hornbills are terrestrial birds which feed almost entirely on insects, other birds, snakes, and amphibians.

Hornbills

Order: BucerotiformesTemplate:NbspFamily: 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 coloured.

Kingfishers

File:Ceryle rudis.jpg
The widespread pied kingfisher is quite gregarious and is often found in small noisy groups.

Order: CoraciiformesTemplate:NbspFamily: Alcedinidae

Bee-eaters

File:Little bee-eater (Merops pusillus pusillus).jpg
Little bee-eater (Merops pusillus pusillus)

Order: CoraciiformesTemplate:NbspFamily: 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.

Rollers

Order: CoraciiformesTemplate:NbspFamily: Coraciidae

File:Blue-bellied rollers (Coracias cyanogaster).jpg
Blue-bellied roller

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.

African barbets

Order: PiciformesTemplate:NbspFamily: 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 coloured.

Honeyguides

Order: PiciformesTemplate:NbspFamily: 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.

Woodpeckers

File:Grey Woodpecker (Mesopicos goertae).jpg
African grey woodpecker

Order: PiciformesTemplate:NbspFamily: 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.

Falcons and caracaras

Order: FalconiformesTemplate:NbspFamily: 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.

Old World parrots

Order: PsittaciformesTemplate:NbspFamily: 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 Template:Convert to Template:Convert in length. Old World parrots are found from Africa east across south and southeast Asia and Oceania to Australia and New Zealand.

African and New World parrots

File:Senegal-parrot-montage-2.jpg
Senegal parrot (Poicephalus senegalus)

Order: PsittaciformesTemplate:NbspFamily: 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. Most of the more than 150 species in this family are found in the New World.

Cuckooshrikes

Order: PasseriformesTemplate:NbspFamily: Campephagidae

The cuckooshrikes are small to medium-sized passerine birds. They are predominantly greyish with white and black, although some species are brightly coloured.

Old World orioles

Order: PasseriformesTemplate:NbspFamily: Oriolidae

The Old World orioles are colourful passerine birds. They are not related to the New World orioles.

Wattle-eyes and batises

Order: PasseriformesTemplate:NbspFamily: 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.

Vangas, helmetshrikes, and allies

Order: PasseriformesTemplate:NbspFamily: 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.

Bushshrikes and allies

Order: PasseriformesTemplate:NbspFamily: 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.

Drongos

Order: PasseriformesTemplate:NbspFamily: Dicruridae

The drongos are mostly black or dark grey in colour, 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.

Monarch flycatchers

Order: PasseriformesTemplate:NbspFamily: Monarchidae

The monarch flycatchers are small to medium-sized insectivorous passerines which hunt by flycatching.

Shrikes

File:Yellow-billed shrike (Corvinella corvina corvina).jpg
Yellow-billed shrike

Order: PasseriformesTemplate:NbspFamily: 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.

Crows, jays, and magpies

File:Pied crow.jpg
Pied crows are abundant along the coast, less common upriver.<ref name="Barlow"/>

Order: PasseriformesTemplate:NbspFamily: 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.

Hyliotas

Order: PasseriformesTemplate:NbspFamily: 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.

Fairy flycatchers

Order: PasseriformesTemplate:NbspFamily: 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".

Tits, chickadees, and titmice

Order: PasseriformesTemplate:NbspFamily: 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.

Penduline-tits

Order: PasseriformesTemplate:NbspFamily: Remizidae

The penduline-tits are a group of small passerine birds related to the true tits. They are insectivores.

Larks

Order: PasseriformesTemplate:NbspFamily: Alaudidae

Nicators

Order: PasseriformesTemplate:NbspFamily: Nicatoridae

The nicators are shrike-like, with hooked bills. They are endemic to sub-Saharan Africa.

African warblers

Order: PasseriformesTemplate:NbspFamily: Macrosphenidae

African warblers are small to medium-sized insectivores which are found in a wide variety of habitats south of the Sahara.

Cisticolas and allies

Order: PasseriformesTemplate:NbspFamily: 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.

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Reed warblers and allies

File:Acrocephalus schoenobaenus 1 (Marek Szczepanek).jpg
Sedge warbler (Acrocephalus schoenobaenus)

Order: PasseriformesTemplate:NbspFamily: 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.

Grassbirds and allies

Order: PasseriformesTemplate:NbspFamily: 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.

Swallows

Order: PasseriformesTemplate:NbspFamily: 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.

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Bulbuls

Order: PasseriformesTemplate:NbspFamily: 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.

Leaf warblers

Order: PasseriformesTemplate:NbspFamily: 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.

Sylviid warblers, parrotbills, and allies

Order: PasseriformesTemplate:NbspFamily: Sylviidae

The family Sylviidae is a group of small insectivorous passerine birds. As another common name, Old World warblers, implies, they mainly occur as breeding species in Europe, Asia and, to a lesser extent, Africa. Most are of generally undistinguished appearance, but many have distinctive songs.

White-eyes, yuhinas, and allies

Order: PasseriformesTemplate:NbspFamily: 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.

Ground babblers and allies

Order: PasseriformesTemplate:NbspFamily: 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.

Laughingthrushes and allies

Order: PasseriformesTemplate:NbspFamily: 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.

Treecreepers

Order: PasseriformesTemplate:NbspFamily: 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.

Oxpeckers

Order: PasseriformesTemplate:NbspFamily: Buphagidae

As both the English and scientific names of these birds imply, they feed on ectoparasites, primarily ticks, found on large mammals.

Starlings

File:BigltgstarlingpicforWIKI.jpg
The long-tailed glossy-starling is common and widespread throughout the country.<ref name="Barlow"/>

Order: PasseriformesTemplate:NbspFamily: 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.

Thrushes and allies

Order: PasseriformesTemplate:NbspFamily: 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.

Old World flycatchers

Order: PasseriformesTemplate:NbspFamily: 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.

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Sunbirds and spiderhunters

Order: PasseriformesTemplate:NbspFamily: 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.

Weavers and allies

File:Village weaver (Ploceus cucullatus cucullatus) female.jpg
Village weaver (Ploceus cucullatus cucullatus) female

Order: PasseriformesTemplate:NbspFamily: 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 coloured, usually in red or yellow and black. Some species show variation in colour only in the breeding season.

Waxbills and allies

File:Red-billed firefinch (Lagonosticta senegala senegala) male.jpg
Red-billed firefinches forage on the ground in small family groups, often with one or more village indigobird foster chicks in tow.
File:Red-cheeked cordon-bleu (Uraeginthus bengalus bengalus) male.jpg
The ground-feeding red-cheeked cordon-bleu is widespread throughout the country.<ref name="Barlow"/>

Order: PasseriformesTemplate:NbspFamily: 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 colours and patterns.

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Indigobirds

File:Pin-tailed wydah.jpg
The pin-tailed whydah (male pictured above) is a brood parasite of various waxbill species.

Order: PasseriformesTemplate:NbspFamily: 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 waxbills and other estrildid finches.

Old World sparrows

Order: PasseriformesTemplate:NbspFamily: Passeridae

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.

Wagtails and pipits

Order: PasseriformesTemplate:NbspFamily: 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.

Finches, euphonias, and allies

File:Yellow-fronted Canary.jpg
The yellow-fronted canary is a common resident breeder throughout the country.<ref name="Barlow"/>

Order: PasseriformesTemplate:NbspFamily: 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.

Old World buntings

Order: PasseriformesTemplate:NbspFamily: 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.

See also

References

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