List of birds of Benin

This is a list of the bird species recorded in Benin. The avifauna of Benin include a total of 600 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. Accidental species are included in the total species count for Benin.

The following tag has been used to highlight accidentals. The commonly occurring native species are untagged.

* (A) Accidental - a species that rarely or accidentally occurs in Benin
* (I) Introduced - a species introduced to Benin as a consequence, direct or indirect, of human actions

Ducks, geese, and waterfowl

Order: AnseriformesFamily: 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''
*Fulvous whistling duck, ''Dendrocygna bicolor'' (A)
*White-backed duck, ''Thalassornis leuconotus'' (A)
*Knob-billed duck, ''Sarkidiornis melanotos''
*Egyptian goose, ''Alopochen aegyptiacus'' (A)
*Spur-winged goose, ''Plectropterus gambensis''
*African pygmy-goose, ''Nettapus auritus''
*Garganey, ''Spatula querquedula''
*Gadwall, ''Mareca strepera'' (A)
*Northern pintail, ''Anas acuta''
*Green-winged teal, ''Anas crecca''
*Ferruginous duck, ''Aythya nyroca'' (A)

Guineafowl

Order: GalliformesFamily: Numididae

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

* Helmeted guineafowl, ''Numida meleagris''
*Western crested guineafowl, ''Guttera verreauxi''

New World quail

Order: GalliformesFamily: Odontophoridae

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

* Stone partridge, ''Ptilopachus petrosus''

Pheasants, grouse, and allies

Order: GalliformesFamily: 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.

*White-throated francolin, ''Campocolinus albogularis''
* Common quail, ''Coturnix coturnix'' (A)
* Ahanta francolin, ''Pternistis ahantensis''
* Double-spurred francolin, ''Pternistis bicalcaratus''

Grebes

Order: PodicipediformesFamily: 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: ColumbiformesFamily: Columbidae

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

*Rock pigeon, ''Columba livia'' (I)
* Speckled pigeon, ''Columba guinea''
* Bronze-naped pigeon, ''Columba iriditorques''
*European turtle-dove, ''Streptopelia turtur'' (A)
* Mourning collared-dove, ''Streptopelia decipiens''
*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''
* Namaqua dove, ''Oena capensis''
* Bruce's green-pigeon, ''Treron waalia''
*African green-pigeon, ''Treron calva''

Sandgrouse

Order: PterocliformesFamily: 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.

*Chestnut-bellied sandgrouse, ''Pterocles exustus''
* Four-banded sandgrouse, ''Pterocles quadricinctus''

Bustards

Order: OtidiformesFamily: 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.

*Arabian bustard, ''Ardeotis arabs'' (A)
*Denham's bustard, ''Neotis denhami''
*White-bellied bustard, ''Eupodotis senegalensis''
* Savile's bustard, ''Eupodotis savilei'' (A)
* Black-bellied bustard, ''Lissotis melanogaster''

Turacos

Order: MusophagiformesFamily: 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.

*Guinea turaco, ''Tauraco persa''
*Violet turaco, ''Musophaga violacea''
*Western plantain-eater, ''Crinifer piscator''

Cuckoos

Order: CuculiformesFamily: 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'' (A)
*Levaillant's cuckoo, ''Clamator levaillantii''
*Pied cuckoo, ''Clamator jacobinus''
* Thick-billed cuckoo, ''Pachycoccyx audeberti''
*Dideric cuckoo, ''Chrysococcyx caprius''
* Klaas's cuckoo, ''Chrysococcyx klaas''
*African emerald cuckoo, ''Chrysococcyx cupreus''
* Black cuckoo, ''Cuculus clamosus''
* Red-chested cuckoo, ''Cuculus solitarius''
* African cuckoo, ''Cuculus gularis''
*Common cuckoo, ''Cuculus canorus''

Nightjars and allies

Order: CaprimulgiformesFamily: 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''
*Eurasian nightjar, ''Caprimulgus europaeus'' (A)
*Fiery-necked nightjar, ''Caprimulgus pectoralis''
* Swamp nightjar, ''Caprimulgus natalensis''
* Plain nightjar, ''Caprimulgus inornatus''
*Freckled nightjar, ''Caprimulgus tristigma''
*Long-tailed nightjar, ''Caprimulgus climacurus''

Swifts

Order: CaprimulgiformesFamily: 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''
*Alpine swift, ''Apus melba''
* Mottled swift, ''Apus aequatorialis''
* Common swift, ''Apus apus''
* Pallid swift, ''Apus pallidus'' (A)
* African swift, ''Apus barbatus'' (A)
*Little swift, ''Apus affinis''
*Horus swift, ''Apus horus''
*White-rumped swift, ''Apus caffer''
* African palm-swift, ''Cypsiurus parvus''

Flufftails

Order: GruiformesFamily: Sarothruridae

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

*White-spotted flufftail, ''Sarothrura pulchra''
*Red-chested flufftail, ''Sarothrura rufa'' (A)
*Streaky-breasted flufftail, ''Sarothrura boehmi'' (A)

Rails, gallinules and coots

Order: GruiformesFamily: 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 crake, ''Crex egregia''
*Lesser moorhen, '' Paragallinula angulata''
*Eurasian moorhen, ''Gallinula chloropus''
* Eurasian coot, ''Fulica atra'' (A)
*Allen's gallinule, ''Porphyrio alleni''
*African swamphen, ''Porphyrio madagascariensis''
*Black crake, ''Zapornia flavirostris''

Finfoots

Order: GruiformesFamily: 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''

Cranes

Order: GruiformesFamily: 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".

* Black crowned-crane, ''Balearica pavonina''

Thick-knees

Order: CharadriiformesFamily: 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''
* Spotted thick-knee, ''Burhinus capensis''

Egyptian plover

Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Pluvianidae

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

* Egyptian plover, ''Pluvianus aegyptius''

Stilts and avocets

Order: CharadriiformesFamily: 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''

Plovers and lapwings

Order: CharadriiformesFamily: 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''
*American golden-plover, ''Pluvialis dominica'' (A)
*Spur-winged lapwing, ''Vanellus spinosus''
* Black-headed lapwing, ''Vanellus tectus''
* White-headed lapwing, ''Vanellus albiceps''
*Senegal lapwing, ''Vanellus lugubris''
*Wattled lapwing, ''Vanellus senegallus''
* 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''

Painted-snipes

Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Rostratulidae

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

*Greater painted-snipe, ''Rostratula benghalensis''

Jacanas

Order: CharadriiformesFamily: 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.

*Lesser jacana, ''Microparra capensis'' (A)
* African jacana, ''Actophilornis africanus''

Sandpipers and allies

Order: CharadriiformesFamily: 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'' (A)
*Red knot, ''Calidris canutus''
* Ruff, ''Calidris pugnax''
* Curlew sandpiper, ''Calidris ferruginea''
* Temminck's stint, ''Calidris temminckii'' (A)
* Sanderling, ''Calidris alba''
*Dunlin, ''Calidris alpina'' (A)
* Little stint, ''Calidris minuta''
*Buff-breasted sandpiper, ''Calidris subruficollis'' (A)
*Great snipe, ''Gallinago media'' (A)
*Common snipe, ''Gallinago gallinago'' (A)
*Terek sandpiper, ''Xenus cinereus'' (A)
*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: CharadriiformesFamily: 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: CharadriiformesFamily: 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''
* Bronze-winged courser, ''Rhinoptilus chalcopterus''
*Collared pratincole, ''Glareola pratincola''
*Rock pratincole, ''Glareola nuchalis''
* Gray pratincole, ''Glareola cinerea''

Skuas and jaegers

Order: CharadriiformesFamily: 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.

*Parasitic jaeger, ''Stercorarius parasiticus''

Gulls, terns, and skimmers

Order: CharadriiformesFamily: 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.

*Sabine's gull, ''Xema sabini''
* Slender-billed gull, ''Chroicocephalus genei'' (A)
* Gray-hooded gull, ''Chroicocephalus cirrocephalus''
*Black-headed gull, ''Chroicocephalus ridibundus'' (A)
*Lesser black-backed gull, ''Larus fuscus''
* 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''
*Roseate tern, ''Sterna dougallii'' (A)
*Common tern, ''Sterna hirundo''
*Arctic tern, ''Sterna paradisaea''
*Sandwich tern, ''Thalasseus sandvicensis''
*Lesser crested tern, ''Thalasseus bengalensis''
*West African crested tern, ''Thalasseus albididorsalis''
*African skimmer, ''Rynchops flavirostris''

Southern storm-petrels

Order: ProcellariiformesFamily: 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'' (A)

Storks

Order: CiconiiformesFamily: 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''
*Black stork, ''Ciconia nigra''
*Abdim's stork, ''Ciconia abdimii''
*African woolly-necked stork, ''Ciconia microscelis''
*White stork, ''Ciconia ciconia''
* Saddle-billed stork, ''Ephippiorhynchus senegalensis''
*Marabou stork, ''Leptoptilos crumenifer''
* Yellow-billed stork, ''Mycteria ibis''

Boobies and gannets

Order: SuliformesFamily: 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'' (A)

Anhingas

Order: SuliformesFamily: 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: SuliformesFamily: 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''
*Great cormorant, ''Phalacrocorax carbo'' (A)

Pelicans

Order: PelecaniformesFamily: 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.

*Great white pelican, ''Pelecanus onocrotalus''
* Pink-backed pelican, ''Pelecanus rufescens''

Hammerkop

Order: PelecaniformesFamily: 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: PelecaniformesFamily: 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.

*Great bittern, ''Botaurus stellaris'' (A)
*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''
* 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: PelecaniformesFamily: 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''
*African sacred ibis, ''Threskiornis aethiopicus''
* Hadada ibis, ''Bostrychia hagedash''
* Eurasian spoonbill, ''Platalea leucorodia'' (A)
*African spoonbillFamily: 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.

* Secretarybird, ''Sagittarius serpentarius''

Osprey

Order: AccipitriformesFamily: 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: AccipitriformesFamily: 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''
* African harrier-hawk, ''Polyboroides typus''
*Palm-nut vulture, ''Gypohierax angolensis''
*European honey-buzzard, ''Pernis apivorus''
*African cuckoo-hawk, ''Aviceda cuculoides''
*White-headed vulture, ''Trigonoceps occipitalis''
* Lappet-faced vulture, ''Torgos tracheliotos''
*Hooded vulture, ''Necrosyrtes monachus''
*White-backed vulture, ''Gyps africanus''
* Rüppell's griffon, ''Gyps rueppelli''
*Bateleur, ''Terathopius ecaudatus''
* Short-toed snake-eagle, ''Circaetus gallicus''
* Beaudouin's snake-eagle, ''Circaetus beaudouini''
*Brown snake-eagle, ''Circaetus cinereus''
* Banded snake-eagle, ''Circaetus cinerascens''
*Bat hawk, ''Macheiramphus alcinus''
*Crowned eagle, ''Stephanoaetus coronatus'' (A)
* 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'' (A)
*Tawny eagle, ''Aquila rapax''
*Cassin's hawk-eagle, ''Aquila africana'' (A)
*African hawk-eagle, ''Aquila spilogaster''
*Lizard buzzard, ''Kaupifalco monogrammicus''
* Dark chanting-goshawk, ''Melierax metabates''
* Gabar goshawk, ''Micronisus gabar''
*Grasshopper buzzard, ''Butastur rufipennis''
* 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''
*Ovambo sparrowhawk, ''Accipiter ovampensis''
*Black goshawk, ''Accipiter melanoleucus''
*Long-tailed hawk, ''Urotriorchis macrourus'' (A)
*Black kite, ''Milvus migrans''
*African fish-eagle, ''Haliaeetus vocifer''
*Red-necked buzzard, ''Buteo auguralis''

Barn-owls

Order: StrigiformesFamily: 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: StrigiformesFamily: 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''
*African scops-owl, ''Otus senegalensis''
*Northern white-faced owl, ''Ptilopsis leucotis''
*Grayish eagle-owl, ''Bubo cinerascens''
*Verreaux's eagle-owl, ''Bubo lacteus''
*Pel's fishing-owl, ''Scotopelia peli''
*Vermiculated fishing-owl, ''Scotopelia bouvieri''
*Pearl-spotted owlet, ''Glaucidium perlatum''
*African barred owlet, ''Glaucidium capense'' (A)
*African wood-owl, ''Strix woodfordii''
*Marsh owl, ''Asio capensis'' (A)

Mousebirds

Order: ColiiformesFamily: Coliidae

The mousebirds are slender greyish 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.

*Blue-naped mousebird, ''Urocolius macrourus'' (A)

Trogons

Order: TrogoniformesFamily: 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: BucerotiformesFamily: Upupidae

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

*Eurasian hoopoe, ''Upupa epops''

Woodhoopoes and scimitarbills

Order: BucerotiformesFamily: Phoeniculidae

The woodhoopoes are related to the kingfishers, Coraciidae, 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.

*Green woodhoopoe, ''Phoeniculus purpureus''
*Black scimitarbill, ''Rhinopomastus aterrimus''

Ground-hornbills

Order: BucerotiformesFamily: Bucorvidae

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

*Abyssinian ground hornbill, ''Bucorvus abyssinicus''

Hornbills

Order: BucerotiformesFamily: 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.

*African pied hornbill, ''Lophoceros fasciatus''
*African gray hornbill, ''Lophoceros nasutus''
*Western red-billed hornbill, ''Tockus kempi''
*Northern red-billed hornbill, ''Tockus erythrorhynchus''
*White-crested hornbill, ''Horizocerus albocristatus''
*Piping hornbill, ''Bycanistes fistulator''

Kingfishers

Order: CoraciiformesFamily: 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''
*African pygmy kingfisher, ''Ispidina picta''
*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: CoraciiformesFamily: 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.

*Red-throated bee-eater, ''Merops bulocki''
*Little bee-eater, ''Merops pusillus''
*Swallow-tailed bee-eater, ''Merops hirundineus''
*White-throated bee-eater, ''Merops albicollis''
*African green bee-eater, ''Merops viridissimus''
*Blue-cheeked bee-eater, ''Merops persicus''
*European bee-eater, ''Merops apiaster''
*Rosy bee-eater, ''Merops malimbicus''
*Northern carmine bee-eater, ''Merops nubicus''

Rollers

Order: CoraciiformesFamily: 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''
*Rufous-crowned roller, ''Coracias naevia''
*Blue-bellied roller, ''Coracias cyanogaster''
*Broad-billed roller, ''Eurystomus glaucurus''
*Blue-throated roller, ''Eurystomus gularis''

African barbets

Order: PiciformesFamily: 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.

*Yellow-billed barbet, ''Trachyphonus purpuratus''
*Naked-faced barbet, ''Gymnobucco calvus''
*Speckled tinkerbird, ''Pogoniulus scolopaceus''
*Yellow-throated tinkerbird, ''Pogoniulus subsulphureus''
*Yellow-rumped tinkerbird, ''Pogoniulus bilineatus''
*Yellow-fronted tinkerbird, ''Pogoniulus chrysoconus''
*Hairy-breasted barbet, ''Tricholaema hirsuta''
*Vieillot's barbet, ''Lybius vieilloti''
*Double-toothed barbet, ''Lybius bidentatus''
*Bearded barbet, ''Lybius dubius''

Honeyguides

Order: PiciformesFamily: 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.

*Wahlberg's honeyguide, ''Prodotiscus regulus'' (A)
*Willcock's honeyguide, ''Indicator willcocksi''
*Least honeyguide, ''Indicator exilis'' (A)
*Lesser honeyguide, ''Indicator minor''
*Spotted honeyguide, ''Indicator maculatus''
*Greater honeyguide, ''Indicator indicator''

Woodpeckers

Order: PiciformesFamily: 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''
*Cardinal woodpecker, ''Chloropicus fuscescens''
*Fire-bellied woodpecker, ''Chloropicus pyrrhogaster''
*Brown-backed woodpecker, ''Chloropicus obsoletus''
*African gray woodpecker, ''Chloropicus goertae''
*Buff-spotted woodpecker, ''Campethera nivosa''
*Green-backed woodpecker, ''Campethera cailliautii''
*Fine-spotted woodpecker, ''Campethera punctuligera''
*Golden-tailed woodpecker, ''Campethera abingoni''

Falcons and caracaras

Order: FalconiformesFamily: 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''
*Fox kestrel, ''Falco alopex''
*Gray kestrel, ''Falco ardosiaceus''
*Red-necked falcon, ''Falco chicquera''
*Red-footed falcon, ''Falco vespertinus'' (A)
*Eleonora's falcon, ''Falco eleonorae''
*Eurasian hobby, ''Falco subbuteo''
*African hobby, ''Falco cuvierii''
*Lanner falcon, ''Falco biarmicus''
*Peregrine falcon, ''Falco peregrinus''

Old World parrots

Order: PsittaciformesFamily: 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 to 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''

African and New World parrots

Order: PsittaciformesFamily: Psittacidae

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 to in length. Most of the more than 150 species in this family are found in the New World.

*Senegal parrot, ''Poicephalus senegalus''

Cuckooshrikes

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Campephagidae

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

*White-breasted cuckooshrike, ''Coracina pectoralis''
*Red-shouldered cuckooshrike, ''Campephaga phoenicea''
*Purple-throated cuckooshrike, ''Campephaga quiscalina''

Old World orioles

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Oriolidae

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

*Eurasian golden oriole, ''Oriolus oriolus'' (A)
*African golden oriole, ''Oriolus auratus''
*Black-winged oriole, ''Oriolus nigripennis''

Wattle-eyes and batises

Order: PasseriformesFamily: 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''
*West African wattle-eye, ''Platysteira hormophora''
*Red-cheeked wattle-eye, ''Platysteira blissetti''
*Senegal batis, ''Batis senegalensis''
*West African batis, ''Batis occulta''

Vangas, helmetshrikes, and allies

Order: PasseriformesFamily: 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.

*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: PasseriformesFamily: 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.

*Brubru, ''Nilaus afer''
*Northern puffback, ''Dryoscopus gambensis''
*Sabine's puffback, ''Dryoscopus sabini''
*Marsh tchagra, ''Tchagra minuta''
*Black-crowned tchagra, ''Tchagra senegala''
*Tropical boubou, ''Laniarius major''
*Yellow-crowned gonolek, ''Laniarius barbarus''
*Sulphur-breasted bushshrike, ''Telophorus sulfureopectus''
*Gray-headed bushshrike, ''Malaconotus blanchoti''

Drongos

Order: PasseriformesFamily: 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.

*Western square-tailed drongo, ''Dicrurus occidentalis''
*Glossy-backed drongo, ''Dicrurus divaricatus''
*Fanti drongo, ''Dicrurus atactus''

Monarch flycatchers

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Monarchidae

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

*Black-headed paradise-flycatcher, ''Terpsiphone rufiventer''
*African paradise-flycatcher, ''Terpsiphone viridis''

Shrikes

Order: PasseriformesFamily: 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.

*Emin's shrike, ''Lanius gubernator''
*Great gray shrike, ''Lanius excubitor''
*Yellow-billed shrike, ''Lanius corvinus''
*Northern fiscal, ''Lanius humeralis''
*Woodchat shrike, ''Lanius senator''

Crows, jays, and magpies

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Corvidae

The family Corvidae includes crows, ravens, jays, choughs, magpies, treepies, nutcracker (bird), nutcrackers and ground jays. Corvids are above average in size among the Passeriformes, and some of the larger species show high levels of intelligence. There are 120 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in Benin.

*Piapiac, ''Ptilostomus afer''
*House crow, ''Corvus splendens'' (A)
*Pied crow, ''Corvus albus''

Hyliotas

Order: PasseriformesFamily: 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: PasseriformesFamily: 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''

Tits, chickadees, and titmice

Order: PasseriformesFamily: 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''

Penduline-tits

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Remizidae

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

*Yellow penduline-tit, ''Anthoscopus parvulus''

Larks

Order: PasseriformesFamily: 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''
*Chestnut-backed sparrow-lark, ''Eremopterix leucotis''
*Flappet lark, ''Mirafra rufocinnamomea''
*Horsfield’s bushlark, ''Mirafra javanica''
*Sun lark, ''Galerida modesta''
*Crested lark, ''Galerida cristata''

Nicators

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Nicatoridae

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

*Western nicator, ''Nicator chloris''

African warblers

Order: PasseriformesFamily: 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: PasseriformesFamily: 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.

*Senegal eremomela, ''Eremomela pusilla''
*Rufous-crowned eremomela, ''Eremomela badiceps''
*Green-backed camaroptera, ''Camaroptera brachyura''
*Yellow-browed camaroptera, ''Camaroptera superciliaris''
*Olive-green camaroptera, ''Camaroptera chloronota''
*Yellow-breasted apalis, ''Apalis flavida''
*Buff-throated apalis, ''Apalis rufogularis''
*Tawny-flanked prinia, ''Prinia subflava''
*Red-winged prinia, ''Prinia erythroptera''
*Oriole warbler, ''Hypergerus atriceps''
*Red-faced cisticola, ''Cisticola erythrops''
*Singing cisticola, ''Cisticola cantans''
*Whistling cisticola, ''Cisticola lateralis''
*Rock-loving cisticola, ''Cisticola aberrans''
*Dorst's cisticola, ''Cisticola guinea'' (A)
*Winding cisticola, ''Cisticola marginatus''
*Croaking cisticola, ''Cisticola natalensis''
*Siffling cisticola, ''Cisticola brachypterus''
*Rufous cisticola, ''Cisticola rufus''
*Zitting cisticola, ''Cisticola juncidis''
*Black-backed cisticola, ''Cisticola eximius''

Reed warblers and allies

Order: PasseriformesFamily: 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.

*Western olivaceous warbler, ''Iduna opaca''
*Melodious warbler, ''Hippolais polyglotta''
*Icterine warbler, ''Hippolais icterina'' (A)
*Sedge warbler, ''Acrocephalus schoenobaenus''
*Eurasian reed warbler, ''Acrocephalus scirpaceus''
*Greater swamp warbler, ''Acrocephalus rufescens''
*Great reed warbler, ''Acrocephalus arundinaceus''

Grassbirds and allies

Order: PasseriformesFamily: 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.

*Savi's warbler, ''Locustella luscinioides'' (A)
*Little rush warbler, ''Bradypterus baboecala'' (A)

Swallows

Order: PasseriformesFamily: 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.

*Brown-throated martin, Plain martin, ''Riparia paludicola''
*Bank swallow, ''Riparia riparia''
*Banded martin, ''Neophedina cincta''
*Rock martin, ''Ptyonoprogne fuligula''
*Barn swallow, ''Hirundo rustica''
*Red-chested swallow, ''Hirundo lucida''
*Ethiopian swallow, ''Hirundo aethiopica''
*White-throated blue swallow, ''Hirundo nigrita''
*Wire-tailed swallow, ''Hirundo smithii''
*Pied-winged swallow, ''Hirundo leucosoma''
*Red-rumped swallow, ''Cecropis daurica''
*Lesser striped swallow, ''Cecropis abyssinica''
*Rufous-chested swallow, ''Cecropis semirufa''
*Mosque swallow, ''Cecropis senegalensis''
*Preuss's swallow, ''Petrochelidon preussi''
*Common house-martin, ''Delichon urbicum''
*Fanti sawwing, ''Psalidoprocne obscura''
*Gray-rumped swallow, ''Pseudhirundo griseopyga''

Bulbuls

Order: PasseriformesFamily: 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''
*Red-tailed bristlebill, ''Bleda syndactylus''
*Gray-headed bristlebill, ''Bleda canicapillus''
*Simple greenbul, ''Chlorocichla simplex''
*Honeyguide greenbul, ''Baeopogon indicator''
*Yellow-throated greenbul, ''Atimastillas flavicollis''
*Swamp greenbul, ''Thescelocichla leucopleura''
*Red-tailed greenbul, ''Criniger calurus''
*Western bearded-greenbul, ''Criniger barbatus'' (A)
*Plain greenbul, ''Eurillas curvirostris''
*Yellow-whiskered greenbul, ''Eurillas latirostris'' (A)
*Little greenbul, ''Eurillas virens''
*Red-tailed leaflove, Leaf-love, ''Phyllastrephus scandens''
*Baumann's greenbul, ''Phyllastrephus baumanni''
*White-throated greenbul, ''Phyllastrephus albigularis''
*Common bulbul, ''Pycnonotus barbatus''

Leaf warblers

Order: PasseriformesFamily: 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'' (A)
*Western Bonelli's warbler, ''Phylloscopus bonelli'' (A)
*Willow warbler, ''Phylloscopus trochilus''
*Common chiffchaff, ''Phylloscopus collybita''

Sylviid warblers, parrotbills, and allies

Order: PasseriformesFamily: 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'' (A)
*Garden warbler, ''Sylvia borin''
*Moltoni's warbler, ''Curruca subalpina'' (A)
*Greater whitethroat, ''Curruca communis'' (A)

White-eyes, yuhinas, and allies

Order: PasseriformesFamily: 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.

*Northern yellow white-eye, ''Zosterops senegalensis''

Ground babblers and allies

Order: PasseriformesFamily: 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''
*Puvel's illadopsis, ''Illadopsis puveli''

Laughingthrushes and allies

Order: PasseriformesFamily: 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''
*Brown babbler, ''Turdoides plebejus''
*Blackcap babbler, ''Turdoides reinwardtii''

Treecreepers

Order: PasseriformesFamily: 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: PasseriformesFamily: 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: PasseriformesFamily: 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''
*Neumann's starling, ''Onychognathus neumanni''
*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''
*Lesser blue-eared starling, ''Lamprotornis chloropterus''
*Greater blue-eared starling, ''Lamprotornis chalybaeus''
*Purple starling, ''Lamprotornis purpureus''
*Bronze-tailed starling, ''Lamprotornis chalcurus''

Thrushes and allies

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Turdidae

The Thrush (bird), 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''
*African thrush, ''Turdus pelios''

Old World flycatchers

Order: PasseriformesFamily: 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'' (A)
*Swamp flycatcher, ''Muscicapa aquatica''
*Pale flycatcher, ''Agricola pallidus''
*White-browed forest-flycatcher, ''Fraseria cinerascens'' (A)
*African forest-flycatcher, ''Fraseria ocreata''
*Gray tit-flycatcher, ''Fraseria plumbea''
*Ashy flycatcher, ''Fraseria caerulescens''
*Northern black-flycatcher, ''Melaenornis edolioides''
*Black scrub-robin, ''Cercotrichas podobe'' (A)
*Rufous-tailed scrub-robin, ''Cercotrichas galactotes'' (A)
*Snowy-crowned robin-chat, ''Cossypha niveicapilla''
*White-crowned robin-chat, ''Cossypha albicapilla''
*Forest robin, Orange-breasted forest robin, ''Stiphrornis erythrothorax''
*Common nightingale, ''Luscinia megarhynchos''
*European pied flycatcher, ''Ficedula hypoleuca''
*Common redstart, ''Phoenicurus phoenicurus''
*Rufous-tailed rock-thrush, ''Monticola saxatilis'' (A)
*Whinchat, ''Saxicola rubetra''
*Mocking cliff-chat, ''Thamnolaea cinnamomeiventris''
*Northern wheatear, ''Oenanthe oenanthe''
*Heuglin's wheatear, ''Oenanthe heuglini''
*White-fronted black-chat, ''Oenanthe albifrons''
*Familiar chat, ''Oenanthe familiaris''

Sunbirds and spiderhunters

Order: PasseriformesFamily: 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.

*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''
*Green-headed sunbird, ''Cyanomitra verticalis''
*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''
*Superb sunbird, ''Cinnyris superbus''
*Variable sunbird, ''Cinnyris venustus''
*Copper sunbird, ''Cinnyris cupreus''

Weavers and allies

Order: PasseriformesFamily: 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.

*White-billed buffalo-weaver, ''Bubalornis albirostris''
*Speckle-fronted weaver, ''Sporopipes frontalis''
*Chestnut-crowned sparrow-weaver, ''Plocepasser superciliosus''
*Red-vented malimbe, ''Malimbus scutatus''
*Blue-billed malimbe, ''Malimbus nitens''
*Red-headed malimbe, ''Malimbus rubricollis''
*Red-headed weaver, ''Anaplectes rubriceps''
*Little weaver, ''Ploceus luteolus''
*Slender-billed weaver, ''Ploceus pelzelni''
*Olive-naped weaver, ''Ploceus brachypterus''
*Orange weaver, ''Ploceus aurantius''
*Vitelline masked-weaver, ''Ploceus vitellinus''
*Heuglin's masked-weaver, ''Ploceus heuglini''
*Chestnut-and-black weaver, ''Ploceus castaneofuscus''
*Village weaver, ''Ploceus cucullatus''
*Black-headed weaver, ''Ploceus melanocephalus''
*Yellow-mantled weaver, ''Ploceus tricolor''
*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''
*Fan-tailed widowbird, ''Euplectes axillaris'' (A)
*Grosbeak weaver, ''Amblyospiza albifrons''

Waxbills and allies

Order: PasseriformesFamily: 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.

*Bronze mannikin, ''Spermestes cucullatus''
*Magpie mannikin, ''Spermestes fringilloides'' (A)
*Black-and-white mannikin, ''Spermestes bicolor''
*African silverbill, ''Euodice cantans''
*Chestnut-breasted nigrita, ''Nigrita bicolor''
*Gray-headed nigrita, ''Nigrita canicapilla''
*Pale-fronted nigrita, ''Nigrita luteifrons''
*Gray-headed oliveback, ''Delacourella capistrata''
*Lavender waxbill, ''Glaucestrilda caerulescens''
*Orange-cheeked waxbill, ''Estrilda melpoda''
*Anambra waxbill, ''Estrilda poliopareia'' (A)
*Black-rumped waxbill, ''Estrilda troglodytes''
*Quailfinch, ''Ortygospiza atricollis''
*Cut-throat finch, Cut-throat, ''Amadina fasciata''
*Zebra waxbill, ''Amandava subflava''
*Red-cheeked cordonbleu, ''Uraeginthus bengalus''
*Western bluebill, ''Spermophaga haematina''
*Black-bellied seedcracker, ''Pyrenestes ostrinus''
*Green-winged pytilia, ''Pytilia melba'' (A)
*Red-winged pytilia, ''Pytilia phoenicoptera''
*Red-faced pytilia, ''Pytilia hypogrammica'' (A)
*Red-billed firefinch, ''Lagonosticta senegala''
*African firefinch, ''Lagonosticta rubricata''
*Black-bellied firefinch, ''Lagonosticta rara''
*Bar-breasted firefinch, ''Lagonosticta rufopicta''
*Black-faced firefinch, ''Lagonosticta larvata''

Indigobirds

Order: PasseriformesFamily: 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''
*Exclamatory paradise-whydah, ''Vidua interjecta''
*Village indigobird, ''Vidua chalybeata''
*Wilson's indigobird, ''Vidua wilsoni''
*Quailfinch indigobird, ''Vidua nigeriae'' (A)
*Baka indigobird, ''Vidua larvaticola''
*Cameroon indigobird, ''Vidua camerunensis'' (A)
*Parasitic weaver, ''Anomalospiza imberbis''

Old World sparrows

Order: PasseriformesFamily: 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''
*Sahel bush sparrow, ''Gymnoris dentata''

Wagtails and pipits

Order: PasseriformesFamily: 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''
*White wagtail, ''Motacilla alba'' (A)
*Tawny pipit, ''Anthus campestris''
*Plain-backed pipit, ''Anthus leucophrys''
*Long-legged pipit, ''Anthus pallidiventris'' (A)
*Tree pipit, ''Anthus trivialis''
*Red-throated pipit, ''Anthus cervinus''
*Yellow-throated longclaw, ''Macronyx croceus''

Finches, euphonias, and allies

Order: PasseriformesFamily: 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.

*White-rumped seedeater, ''Crithagra leucopygius''
*Yellow-fronted canary, ''Crithagra mozambicus''
*West African seedeater, ''Crithagra canicapilla''

Old World buntings

Order: PasseriformesFamily: 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.

*Brown-rumped bunting, ''Emberiza affinis''
*Ortolan bunting, ''Emberiza hortulana'' (A)
*Cabanis's bunting, ''Emberiza cabanisi''
*Golden-breasted bunting, ''Emberiza flaviventris''
*Gosling's bunting, ''Emberiza goslingi''

See also

*List of birds
*Lists of birds by region

References

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External links

Birds of Benin
- World Institute for Conservation and Environment

{{DEFAULTSORT:List Of Birds Of Benin
Lists of birds by country, Benin
Lists of birds of Sub-Saharan Africa, Benin
Lists of biota of Benin, Birds
Lists of birds of Africa, Benin