List of birds of Rwanda
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This is a list of bird species recorded in Rwanda. The avifauna of
Rwanda Rwanda (; rw, u Rwanda ), officially the Republic of Rwanda, is a landlocked country in the Great Rift Valley of Central Africa, where the African Great Lakes region and Southeast Africa converge. Located a few degrees south of the Equator ...
include a total of 705 confirmed species. 22 species are globally threatened, and 2 are introduced. This list's
taxonomic Taxonomy is the practice and science of categorization or classification. A taxonomy (or taxonomical classification) is a scheme of classification, especially a hierarchical classification, in which things are organized into groups or types. ...
treatment (designation and sequence of orders, families and species) and nomenclature (common and scientific names) largely follows ''
The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World ''The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World'' is a book by Jim Clements which presents a list of the bird species of the world. The most recent printed version is the sixth edition (2007), but has been updated yearly, the last version in 2022 ...
'', 2022 update. The following tags have been used to highlight several categories, but not all species 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 Rwanda *(I) Introduced - a species introduced to Rwanda as a consequence, direct or indirect, of human actions *(Ex)
Extirpated Local extinction, also known as extirpation, refers to a species (or other taxon) of plant or animal that ceases to exist in a chosen geographic area of study, though it still exists elsewhere. Local extinctions are contrasted with global extinct ...
- a species that no longer occurs in Rwanda although populations exist elsewhere


Ducks, geese, and waterfowl

Order:
Anseriformes Anseriformes is an order of birds also known as waterfowl that comprises about 180 living species of birds in three families: Anhimidae (three species of screamers), Anseranatidae (the magpie goose), and Anatidae, the largest family, which in ...
Family:
Anatidae The Anatidae are the biological family of water birds that includes ducks, geese, and swans. The family has a cosmopolitan distribution, occurring on all the world's continents except Antarctica. These birds are adapted for swimming, floating ...
Anatidae includes the
duck Duck is the common name for numerous species of waterfowl in the family Anatidae. Ducks are generally smaller and shorter-necked than swans and geese, which are members of the same family. Divided among several subfamilies, they are a form t ...
s and most duck-like waterfowl, such as
geese A goose (plural, : geese) is a bird of any of several waterfowl species in the family (biology), family Anatidae. This group comprises the genera ''Anser (bird), Anser'' (the grey geese and white geese) and ''Branta'' (the black geese). Some o ...
and
swan Swans are birds of the family (biology), family Anatidae within the genus ''Cygnus''. The swans' closest relatives include the goose, geese and ducks. Swans are grouped with the closely related geese in the subfamily Anserinae where they form t ...
s. 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 The fulvous whistling duck or fulvous tree duck (''Dendrocygna bicolor'') is a species of whistling duck that breeds across the world's tropical regions in much of Mexico and South America, the West Indies, the southern United States, sub-Sahar ...
, ''Dendrocygna bicolor'' *
White-backed duck The white-backed duck (''Thalassornis leuconotus'') is a waterbird of the family Anatidae. It is distinct from all other ducks, but most closely related to the whistling ducks in the subfamily Dendrocygninae, though also showing some similarities ...
, ''Thalassornis leuconotus'' *
Knob-billed duck The knob-billed duck (''Sarkidiornis melanotos''), or African comb duck, is a duck found in tropical wetlands in Sub-Saharan Africa, Madagascar and the Indian Subcontinent from northern India to Laos and extreme southern China. Most taxonomic au ...
, ''Sarkidiornis melanotos'' * Hartlaub's duck, ''Pteronetta hartlaubii'' (A) *
Egyptian goose The Egyptian goose (''Alopochen aegyptiaca'') is a member of the duck, goose, and swan family Anatidae. It is native to Africa south of the Sahara and the Nile Valley. Egyptian geese were considered sacred by the Ancient Egyptians, and appeared ...
, ''Alopochen aegyptiacus'' *
Spur-winged goose The spur-winged goose (''Plectropterus gambensis'') is a large bird in the family Anatidae, related to the geese and the shelducks, but distinct from both of these in a number of anatomical features, and therefore treated in its own subfamily, th ...
, ''Plectropterus gambensis'' *
African pygmy-goose The African pygmy goose (''Nettapus auritus'') is a perching duck from sub-Saharan Africa. It is the smallest of Africa's waterfowl, and one of the smallest in the world. Though pygmy geese have beaks like those of geese, they are more relate ...
, ''Nettapus auritus'' *
Garganey The garganey (''Spatula querquedula'') is a small dabbling duck. It breeds in much of Europe and across the Palearctic, but is strictly migratory, with the entire population moving to southern Africa, India (in particular Santragachi), Banglades ...
, ''Spatula querquedula'' *
Blue-billed teal The blue-billed teal, spotted teal or Hottentot teal (''Spatula hottentota'') is a species of dabbling duck of the genus ''Spatula''. It is migratory resident in eastern and southern Africa, from Sudan and Ethiopia west to Niger and Nigeria and ...
, ''Spatula hottentota'' *
Northern shoveler The northern shoveler (; ''Spatula clypeata''), known simply in Britain as the shoveler, is a common and widespread duck. It breeds in northern areas of Europe and across the Palearctic and across most of North America, wintering in southern Euro ...
, ''Spatula clypeata'' *
African black duck The African black duck (''Anas sparsa'') is a species of duck of the genus ''Anas''. It is genetically closest to the mallard group, but shows some peculiarities in its behavior and (as far as they can be discerned) plumage; it is accordingly pla ...
, ''Anas sparsa'' *
Yellow-billed duck The yellow-billed duck (''Anas undulata'') is a 51–58 cm long dabbling duck which is an abundant resident breeder in southern and eastern Africa. This duck is not migratory, but wanders in the dry season to find suitable waters. It is hig ...
, ''Anas undulata'' *
Red-billed duck The red-billed teal or red-billed duck (''Anas erythrorhyncha'') is a dabbling duck which is an abundant resident breeder in southern and eastern Africa typically south of 10° S. This duck is not migratory, but will fly great distances to fin ...
, ''Anas erythrorhyncha'' *
Northern pintail The pintail or northern pintail (''Anas acuta'') is a duck species with wide geographic distribution that breeds in the northern areas of Europe and across the Palearctic and North America. It is migratory and winters south of its breeding ra ...
, ''Anas acuta'' *
Green-winged teal The green-winged teal (''Anas carolinensis'') is a common and widespread duck that breeds in the northern areas of North America except on the Aleutian Islands. It was considered Conspecificity, conspecific with the Eurasian teal (''A. crecca'') ...
, ''Anas crecca'' (A) *
Southern pochard The southern pochard (''Netta erythrophthalma'') is a species of duck, and a member of the genus '' Netta''. There are two subspecies, the South American (southern) pochard ''N. e. erythrophthalma'' (Wied-Neuwied, 1833) and the African (southern) ...
, ''Netta erythrophthalma'' *
Maccoa duck The Maccoa duck (''Oxyura maccoa'') is a stiff-tailed diving duck found across Eastern and Southern Africa. Description As members of the stiff-tailed duck group, Maccoas are often found wading in the water with their tail feathers cocked upwar ...
, ''Oxyura maccoa''


Guineafowl

Order:
Galliformes Galliformes is an order of heavy-bodied ground-feeding birds that includes turkeys, chickens, quail, and other landfowl. Gallinaceous birds, as they are called, are important in their ecosystems as seed dispersers and predators, and are often ...
Family:
Numididae Guineafowl (; sometimes called "pet speckled hens" or "original fowl") are birds of the family Numididae in the order Galliformes. They are endemic to Africa and rank among the oldest of the gallinaceous birds. Phylogenetics, Phylogenetically, ...
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 The western crested guineafowl (''Guttera verreauxi'') is a member of the Numididae, the guineafowl bird family. It is found in open forest, woodland and forest-savanna mosaics. It was previously known as the crested guineafowl when the three spec ...
, ''Guttera verreauxi'' (A)


Pheasants, grouse, and allies

Order:
Galliformes Galliformes is an order of heavy-bodied ground-feeding birds that includes turkeys, chickens, quail, and other landfowl. Gallinaceous birds, as they are called, are important in their ecosystems as seed dispersers and predators, and are often ...
Family:
Phasianidae The Phasianidae are a family (biology), family of heavy, ground-living birds, which includes pheasants, partridges, junglefowl, chickens, Turkey bird, turkeys, Old World quail, and peafowl. The family includes many of the most popular Game (hunti ...
The Phasianidae are a family of terrestrial birds which consists of
quail Quail is a collective name for several genera of mid-sized birds generally placed in the order Galliformes. The collective noun for a group of quail is a flock, covey, or bevy. Old World quail are placed in the family Phasianidae, and New Wor ...
s,
partridge A partridge is a medium-sized Galliformes, galliform bird in any of several genera, with a wide Indigenous (ecology), native distribution throughout parts of Europe, Asia and Africa. Several species have been introduced to the Americas. They a ...
s,
snowcock The snowcocks or snowfowl are a group of bird species in the genus ''Tetraogallus'' of the pheasant family, Phasianidae. They are ground-nesting birds that breed in the mountain ranges of southern Eurasia from the Caucasus to the Himalayas and we ...
s,
francolin Francolins are birds in the tribe Gallini that traditionally have been placed in the genus ''Francolinus'', but now commonly are divided into multiple genera. As previously defined, they were paraphyletic as the genus ''Pternistis'', which was ...
s,
spurfowl Spurfowl are two genera of birds: * ''Galloperdix'', from India and Sri Lanka * ''Pternistis ''Pternistis'' is a genus of galliform birds formerly classified in the spurfowl group of the Perdicinae, partridge subfamily of the Phasianidae, phea ...
s,
tragopan ''Tragopan'' is a bird genus in the pheasant family Phasianidae. Member of the genus are commonly called "horned pheasants" because males have two brightly colored, fleshy horns on their head that can be erected during courtship displays. The ha ...
s,
monal A monal is a bird of genus ''Lophophorus'' of the pheasant family, Phasianidae. Description The males all have colorful, iridescent plumage. Their physique is rather plump. Their diet consists of plants such as roots and bulbs and insects. D ...
s,
pheasant Pheasants ( ) are birds of several genera within the family (biology), family Phasianidae in the order (biology), order Galliformes. Although they can be found all over the world in introduced (and captive) populations, the pheasant genera na ...
s,
peafowl Peafowl is a common name for three bird species in the genera '' Pavo'' and ''Afropavo'' within the tribe Pavonini of the family Phasianidae, the pheasants and their allies. Male peafowl are referred to as peacocks, and female peafowl are refe ...
s and
jungle fowl Junglefowl are the only four living species of bird from the genus ''Gallus'' in the bird order Galliformes, and occur in parts of South and Southeast Asia. They diverged from their common ancestor about 4–6 million years ago. Although origin ...
s. In general, they are plump (although they vary in size) and have broad, relatively short wings. *
Crested francolin The crested francolin (''Ortygornis sephaena'') is a species of bird in the family Phasianidae. It is found in southern Africa. One of its subspecies, ''Ortygornis sephaena rovuma'', is sometimes considered a separate species, Kirk's francolin. ...
, ''Ortygornis sephaena'' (A) *
Coqui francolin The Coqui francolin (''Campocolinus coqui'') is a species of bird in the family Phasianidae. Taxonomy Formerly classified in the genus ''Peliperdix'', a 2020 study found it, the white-throated francolin (''C. albogularis''), and Schlegel's fr ...
, ''Campocolinus coqui'' * Ring-necked francolin, ''Scleroptila streptophora'' *
Red-winged francolin The red-winged francolin (''Scleroptila levaillantii'') is a species of bird in the family Phasianidae. It is found in Angola, Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Rwanda, South Africa, Eswatini, Tanzania, Uganda, a ...
, ''Scleroptila levaillantii'' * Shelley's francolin, ''Scleroptila shelleyi'' * Blue quail, ''Synoicus adansonii'' * Common quail, ''Coturnix coturnix'' *
Harlequin quail The harlequin quail (''Coturnix delegorguei'') is a species of bird in the family Phasianidae. It occurs in sub-Saharan Africa and in the Arabian Peninsula.Clements, J. F., T. S. Schulenberg, M. J. Iliff, D. Roberson, T. A. Fredericks, B. L. Sull ...
, ''Coturnix delegorguei'' * Handsome francolin, ''Pternistis nobilis'' * Hildebrandt's francolin, ''Pternistis hildebrandti'' * Scaly francolin, ''Pternistis squamatus'' *
Red-necked francolin The red-necked spurfowl or red-necked francolin (''Pternistis afer''), is a gamebird in the pheasant family Phasianidae that is a resident species in southern Africa. Taxonomy The red-necked spurfowl was described in 1776 by the German zoologis ...
, ''Pternistis afer''


Flamingos

Order:
Phoenicopteriformes Phoenicopteriformes is a group of water birds which comprises flamingos and their extinct relatives. Flamingos (Phoenicopteriformes) and the closely related grebes ( Podicipedidae) are contained in the parent clade Mirandornithes. Fossil rec ...
Family:
Phoenicopteridae Flamingos or flamingoes are a type of wading bird in the family Phoenicopteridae, which is the only extant family in the order Phoenicopteriformes. There are four flamingo species distributed throughout the Americas (including the Caribbean) ...
Flamingo Flamingos or flamingoes are a type of Wader, wading bird in the Family (biology), family Phoenicopteridae, which is the only extant family in the order Phoenicopteriformes. There are four flamingo species distributed throughout the Americas ...
s are gregarious wading birds, usually 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. *
Lesser flamingo The lesser flamingo (''Phoeniconaias minor'') is a species of flamingo occurring in sub-Saharan Africa and western India. Birds are occasionally reported from further north, but these are generally considered Vagrancy (biology), vagrants. Charac ...
, ''Phoenicoparrus minor'' (A)


Grebes

Order: PodicipediformesFamily: Podicipedidae
Grebe Grebes () are aquatic diving birds in the order Podicipediformes . Grebes are widely distributed freshwater birds, with some species also found in marine habitats during migration and winter. Some flightless species exist as well, most notably ...
s 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 The little grebe (''Tachybaptus ruficollis''), also known as dabchick, is a member of the grebe family of water birds. The genus name is from Ancient Greek ''takhus'' "fast" and ''bapto'' "to sink under". The specific ''ruficollis'' is from Latin ...
, ''Tachybaptus ruficollis'' *
Great crested grebe The great crested grebe (''Podiceps cristatus'') is a member of the grebe family of water birds noted for its elaborate mating display. Taxonomy The great crested grebe was formally described by the Swedish naturalist Carl Linnaeus in 1758 in t ...
, ''Podiceps cristatus''


Pigeons and doves

Order:
Columbiformes Columbidae () is a bird family consisting of doves and pigeons. It is the only family in the order Columbiformes. These are stout-bodied birds with short necks and short slender bills that in some species feature fleshy ceres. They primarily ...
Family:
Columbidae Columbidae () is a bird family consisting of doves and pigeons. It is the only family in the order Columbiformes. These are stout-bodied birds with short necks and short slender bills that in some species feature fleshy ceres. They primarily ...
Pigeon Columbidae () is a bird family consisting of doves and pigeons. It is the only family in the order Columbiformes. These are stout-bodied birds with short necks and short slender bills that in some species feature fleshy ceres. They primarily ...
s and
dove Columbidae () is a bird family consisting of doves and pigeons. It is the only family in the order Columbiformes. These are stout-bodied birds with short necks and short slender bills that in some species feature fleshy ceres. They primarily ...
s are stout-bodied birds with short necks and short slender bills with a fleshy
cere The beak, bill, or rostrum is an external anatomical structure found mostly in birds, but also in turtles, non-avian dinosaurs and a few mammals. A beak is used for eating, preening, manipulating objects, killing prey, fighting, probing for food, ...
. *
Rock pigeon The rock dove, rock pigeon, or common pigeon ( also ; ''Columba livia'') is a member of the bird family Columbidae (doves and pigeons). In common usage, it is often simply referred to as the "pigeon". The domestic pigeon (''Columba livia domes ...
, ''Columba livia'' (I) *
Speckled pigeon The speckled pigeon (''Columba guinea''), or (African) rock pigeon, is a pigeon that is a resident breeding bird in much of Africa south of the Sahara. It is a common and widespread species in open habitats over much of its range, although there ...
, ''Columba guinea'' *
Afep pigeon The afep pigeon (''Columba unicincta''), also known as the African wood-pigeon or gray wood-pigeon, is a member of the family Columbidae which lives in the Equatorial Forests of Africa. Taxonomy The afep pigeon was described by the American orni ...
, ''Columba unicincta'' *
Rameron pigeon The African olive pigeon or Rameron pigeon (''Columba arquatrix'') is a pigeon which is a resident breeding bird in much of eastern and southern Africa from Ethiopia to the Cape. Populations also are found in western Angola, southwestern Saudi Ara ...
, ''Columba arquatrix'' *
Lemon dove The lemon dove or cinnamon dove (''Columba larvata'') is a species of bird in the pigeon family (biology), family Columbidae found in montane forests of sub-Saharan Africa. The São Tomé lemon dove is usually treated as a subspecies. The lemon d ...
, ''Columba larvata'' * Dusky turtle-dove, ''Streptopelia lugens'' * Mourning collared-dove, ''Streptopelia decipiens'' *
Red-eyed dove The red-eyed dove (''Streptopelia semitorquata'') is a dove that is a widespread and common in Sub-Saharan Africa. It has been listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List since 2004. Taxonomy The red-eyed dove was formally described by the G ...
, ''Streptopelia semitorquata'' *
Ring-necked dove The ring-necked dove (''Streptopelia capicola''), also known as the Cape turtle dove or half-collared dove, is a widespread and often abundant dove species in East and southern Africa. It is a mostly sedentary bird, found in a variety of open ha ...
, ''Streptopelia capicola'' *
Laughing dove The laughing dove (''Spilopelia senegalensis'') is a small pigeon that is a resident breeder in Africa, the Middle East, South Asia, and Western Australia where it has established itself in the wild after being released from Perth Zoo in 1898. Th ...
, ''Streptopelia senegalensis'' * Emerald-spotted wood-dove, ''Turtur chalcospilos'' * Blue-spotted wood-dove, ''Turtur afer'' *
Tambourine dove The tambourine dove (''Turtur tympanistria'') is a pigeon which is a widespread resident breeding bird in woodlands and other thick vegetation in Africa south of the Sahara Desert. Its range extends from Senegal east to Ethiopia and Kenya and sou ...
, ''Turtur tympanistria'' *
Namaqua dove The Namaqua dove (''Oena capensis'') is a small pigeon. It is the only species in the genus ''Oena.'' It is found over much of Sub-Saharan Africa as well as Arabia and Madagascar. Taxonomy The Namaqua dove is the only species in the monotypic g ...
, ''Oena capensis'' * African green-pigeon, ''Treron calvus''


Bustards

Order: OtidiformesFamily:
Otididae Bustards, including floricans and korhaans, are large, terrestrial birds living mainly in dry grassland areas and on the steppes of the Old World. They range in length from . They make up the family Otididae (, formerly known as Otidae). Bustards ...
Bustards are large terrestrial birds mainly associated with dry open country and steppes in the Old World. They are omnivorous and nest on the ground. They walk steadily on strong legs and big toes, pecking for food as they go. They have long broad wings with "fingered" wingtips and striking patterns in flight. Many have interesting mating displays. *
Denham's bustard Denham's bustard, Stanley bustard or Stanley's bustard (''Neotis denhami'') is a large bird in the bustard family. It breeds in much of Sub-Saharan Africa. It is a species of open ground, including agricultural land, grassland, flood-plains and ...
, ''Neotis denhami'' * Black-bellied bustard, ''Lissotis melanogaster''


Turacos

Order: Musophagiformes Family:
Musophagidae The turacos make up the bird family Musophagidae ( "banana-eaters"), which includes plantain-eaters and go-away-birds. In southern Africa both turacos and go-away-birds are commonly known as loeries. They are semi-zygodactylous: the fourth ( ...
The turacos, plantain eaters and go-away-birds make up the bird family Musophagidae. They are medium-sized arboreal birds. The turacos and plantain eaters are brightly coloured, usually in blue, green or purple. The go-away birds are mostly grey and white. *
Great blue turaco The great blue turaco (''Corythaeola cristata'') is a bird species of the family Musophagidae. At in length, it is the largest species of turaco. It has predominantly grey-blue plumage with an upright blue-black crest around high. The male and ...
, ''Corythaeola cristata'' *
Black-billed turaco The black-billed turaco (''Tauraco schuettii'') is a medium-sized turaco, an endemic family to sub-Saharan Africa. It is a resident breeder in the forests of central Africa, found in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, West Kenya, Burundi, ...
, ''Tauraco schuettii'' * White-crested turaco, ''Tauraco leucolophus'' (A) *
Purple-crested turaco The purple-crested turaco (''Gallirex porphyreolophus'') or, in South Africa, the purple-crested loerie, is a species of bird in the clade Turaco with an unresolved phylogenetic placement. Initial analyses placed the purple-crested turaco in the ...
, ''Tauraco porphyreolophus'' *
Rwenzori turaco The Rwenzori turaco (''Gallirex johnstoni'') is a bird in the family Musophagidae. It is native to the Albertine Rift montane forests. The Rwenzori turaco is a herbivorous A herbivore is an animal anatomically and physiologically adapted ...
, ''Ruwenzorornis johnstoni'' *
Ross's turaco Ross's turaco or Lady Ross's turaco (''Tauraco rossae'') is a mainly bluish-purple African bird of the turaco family, Musophagidae. Characteristics This species expresses very little sexual dimorphism, with both males and females being the same ...
, ''Musophaga rossae'' *
Bare-faced go-away-bird The bare-faced go-away-bird (''Crinifer personatus'') is a species of bird in the family Musophagidae which is native to the eastern Afrotropics. It is named for its distinctive and uniquely bare, black face. Description The sexes are similar, ...
, ''Corythaixoides personatus'' *
Eastern plantain-eater The eastern plantain-eater (''Crinifer zonurus'') also known as the eastern grey plantain-eater, is a large member of the turaco family, a group of large arboreal near-passerine birds restricted to Africa. This species is a resident breeder in ...
, ''Crinifer zonurus''


Cuckoos

Order:
Cuculiformes Cuckoos are birds in the Cuculidae family, the sole taxon in the order Cuculiformes . The cuckoo family includes the common or European cuckoo, roadrunners, koels, malkohas, couas, coucals and anis. The coucals and anis are sometimes separa ...
Family:
Cuculidae Cuckoos are birds in the Cuculidae family, the sole taxon in the order Cuculiformes . The cuckoo family includes the common or European cuckoo, roadrunners, koels, malkohas, couas, coucals and anis. The coucals and anis are sometimes separ ...
The family Cuculidae includes
cuckoo Cuckoos are birds in the Cuculidae family, the sole taxon in the order Cuculiformes . The cuckoo family includes the common or European cuckoo, roadrunners, koels, malkohas, couas, coucals and anis. The coucals and anis are sometimes separ ...
s,
roadrunner The roadrunners (genus ''Geococcyx''), also known as chaparral birds or chaparral cocks, are two species of fast-running ground cuckoos with long tails and crests. They are found in the southwestern and south-central United States and Mexico, us ...
s and anis. These birds are of variable size with slender bodies, long tails and strong legs. The Old World cuckoos are
brood parasite Brood parasites are animals that rely on others to raise their young. The strategy appears among birds, insects and fish. The brood parasite manipulates a host, either of the same or of another species, to raise its young as if it were its own ...
s. * Blue-headed coucal, ''Centropus monachus'' *
White-browed coucal The white-browed coucal or lark-heeled cuckoo (''Centropus superciliosus''), is a species of cuckoo in the family Cuculidae. It is found in sub-Saharan Africa. It inhabits areas with thick cover afforded by rank undergrowth and scrub, including i ...
, ''Centropus superciliosus'' *
Black coucal The black coucal (''Centropus grillii'') is a species of cuckoo in the family Cuculidae. It has a wide distribution in Africa south of the Sahara. Description The male black coucal is in length while the female is , otherwise they are similar i ...
, ''Centropus grillii'' *
Blue malkoha The blue malkoha or chattering yellowbill (''Ceuthmochares aereus'') is a species of cuckoo in the family Cuculidae. It was formerly conspecific with the green malkoha until split in 2016. It is widely distributed across the African tropical rai ...
, ''Ceuthmochares aereus'' * Great spotted cuckoo, ''Clamator glandarius'' *
Levaillant's cuckoo Levaillant's cuckoo (''Clamator levaillantii'') is a cuckoo which is a resident breeding species in Africa south of the Sahara. It is found in bushy habitats. It is a brood parasite, using the nests of bulbuls and babblers. It was named in h ...
, ''Clamator levaillantii'' *
Pied cuckoo The Jacobin cuckoo (''Clamator jacobinus''), also pied cuckoo or pied crested cuckoo, is a member of the cuckoo order of birds that is found in Africa and Asia. It is partially migratory and in India, it has been considered a harbinger of the mons ...
, ''Clamator jacobinus'' *
Thick-billed cuckoo The thick-billed cuckoo (''Pachycoccyx audeberti'') is a species of cuckoo in the family Cuculidae. It is monotypic within the genus ''Pachycoccyx''. It can easily be distinguished from other brood parasitic cuckoo species by its very thick bill, ...
, ''Pachycoccyx audeberti'' * Dideric cuckoo, ''Chrysococcyx caprius'' * Klaas's cuckoo, ''Chrysococcyx klaas'' * African emerald cuckoo, ''Chrysococcyx cupreus'' *
Barred long-tailed cuckoo The barred long-tailed cuckoo (''Cercococcyx montanus'') is a species of cuckoo in the family Cuculidae Cuckoos are birds in the Cuculidae family, the sole taxon in the order Cuculiformes . The cuckoo family includes the common or European ...
, ''Cercococcyx montanus'' *
Black cuckoo The black cuckoo (''Cuculus clamosus'') is a species of cuckoo in the family Cuculidae. The species is distributed widely across sub-Saharan Africa. There are two subspecies. This cuckoo has a very wide range and is quite common so it is classifi ...
, ''Cuculus clamosus'' *
Red-chested cuckoo The red-chested cuckoo (''Cuculus solitarius'') is a species of cuckoo in the family Cuculidae. It is a medium-sized bird found in Africa south of the Sahara. In Afrikaans, it is known as "Piet-my-vrou", after its call. Description The red-ches ...
, ''Cuculus solitarius'' * African cuckoo, ''Cuculus gularis'' * Madagascar cuckoo, ''Cuculus rochii'' *
Common cuckoo The common cuckoo (''Cuculus canorus'') is a member of the cuckoo order of birds, Cuculiformes, which includes the roadrunners, the anis and the coucals. This species is a widespread summer migrant to Europe and Asia, and winters in Africa. I ...
, ''Cuculus canorus''


Nightjars and allies

Order:
Caprimulgiformes Nightjars are medium-sized nocturnal or crepuscular birds in the family Caprimulgidae and order Caprimulgiformes, characterised by long wings, short legs, and very short bills. They are sometimes called goatsuckers, due to the ancient folk tal ...
Family: Caprimulgidae
Nightjar Nightjars are medium-sized nocturnal or crepuscular birds in the family Caprimulgidae and order Caprimulgiformes, characterised by long wings, short legs, and very short bills. They are sometimes called goatsuckers, due to the ancient folk ta ...
s are medium-sized nocturnal birds that usually nest on the ground. They have long wings, short legs and very short bills. Most have small feet, of little use for walking, and long pointed wings. Their soft plumage is camouflaged to resemble bark or leaves. *
Pennant-winged nightjar The pennant-winged nightjar (''Caprimulgus vexillarius'') is a species of nightjar that occurs from Nigeria to northern South Africa. It is an intra-African migrant and displays remarkable sexual dimorphism in the breeding season. Range and ha ...
, ''Caprimulgus vexillarius'' *
Eurasian nightjar The European nightjar (''Caprimulgus europaeus''), common goatsucker, Eurasian nightjar or just nightjar, is a crepuscular and nocturnality, nocturnal bird in the nightjar family that breeds across most of Europe and the Palearctic to Mongolia ...
, ''Caprimulgus europaeus'' *
Fiery-necked nightjar The fiery-necked nightjar (''Caprimulgus pectoralis'') is a species of nightjar in the family Caprimulgidae, which is found mostly in Africa south of the equator, though it has been spotted in a few countries north of the equator. It is most oft ...
, ''Caprimulgus pectoralis'' * Rwenzori nightjar, ''Caprimulgus ruwenzorii'' *
Swamp nightjar The swamp nightjar or Natal nightjar (''Caprimulgus natalensis'') is a crepuscular and nocturnal bird in the nightjar family found in Africa. Distribution and habitat It is found in Angola, Botswana, Burundi, Cameroon, Chad, Republic of the Cong ...
, ''Caprimulgus natalensis'' * Freckled nightjar, ''Caprimulgus tristigma'' * Slender-tailed nightjar, ''Caprimulgus clarus'' (A) *
Square-tailed nightjar The square-tailed nightjar (''Caprimulgus fossii'') is a species of nightjar in the family Caprimulgidae which is native to tropical and subtropical woodlands of the Afrotropics. It has an extensive range south of the African equator. Despite not ...
, ''Caprimulgus fossii''


Swifts

Order:
Caprimulgiformes Nightjars are medium-sized nocturnal or crepuscular birds in the family Caprimulgidae and order Caprimulgiformes, characterised by long wings, short legs, and very short bills. They are sometimes called goatsuckers, due to the ancient folk tal ...
Family:
Apodidae The swifts are a family, Apodidae, of highly aerial birds. They are superficially similar to swallows, but are not closely related to any passerine species. Swifts are placed in the order Apodiformes with hummingbirds. The treeswifts are closely r ...
Swift Swift or SWIFT most commonly refers to: * SWIFT, an international organization facilitating transactions between banks ** SWIFT code * Swift (programming language) * Swift (bird), a family of birds It may also refer to: Organizations * SWIFT, ...
s 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. *
Scarce swift The scarce swift (''Schoutedenapus myoptilus'') is a species of Swift (bird), swift in the family Apodidae. It has a disjunct range of presence throughout the Afromontane : Cameroon line, Albertine Rift montane forests, Kenya, Tanzania, Malawi a ...
, ''Schoutedenapus myoptilus'' * Alpine swift, ''Apus melba'' *
Mottled swift The mottled swift (''Tachymarptis aequatorialis'') is a species of bird in the swift family, Apodidae. It is one of two species in the genus '' Tachymarptis'' together with the alpine swift (''T. melba'').Chantler, Phil & Gerald Driessens (2000) ...
, ''Apus aequatorialis'' *
Common swift The common swift (''Apus apus'') is a medium-sized bird, superficially similar to the barn swallow or house martin but somewhat larger, though not stemming from those passerine species, being in the order Apodiformes. The resemblances between th ...
, ''Apus apus'' *
African swift The African black swift (''Apus barbatus''), also known as the African swift or black swift, is a medium-sized bird in the swift family. It breeds in Africa discontinuously from Liberia, Cameroon, Zaire, Uganda and Kenya southwards to South Afri ...
, ''Apus barbatus'' *
Little swift The little swift (''Apus affinis''), is a small species of swift found in Africa and southwestern Asia, and are vagrants and local breeders in southern Europe. They are found both in urban areas and at rocky cliffs where they build nests in a wa ...
, ''Apus affinis'' *
Horus swift The Horus swift (''Apus horus'') is a small bird in the Swift (bird), swift family. Horus, whose name this bird commemorates, was the ancient Egyptian god of the sun, son of Osiris and Isis. Description The Horus swift is 13–15 cm long an ...
, ''Apus horus'' *
White-rumped swift The white-rumped swift (''Apus caffer'') is a species of swift. Although this small bird is superficially similar to a house martin, it is not closely related to that passerine species. The resemblances between the swallows and swifts are due ...
, ''Apus caffer'' * African palm-swift, ''Cypsiurus parvus''


Flufftails

Order:
Gruiformes The Gruiformes are an order (biology), order containing a considerable number of living and extinct bird family (biology), families, with a widespread geographical diversity. Gruiform means "crane-like". Traditionally, a number of wading and t ...
Family:
Sarothruridae Sarothruridae is a family of small- to medium-sized ground-living birds found mostly in Madagascar and sub-Saharan Africa, with the genus ''Rallicula'' being restricted to New Guinea and the Moluccas. The species in this family were once consider ...
The flufftails are a small family of ground-dwelling birds found only in Madagascar and sub-Saharan Africa. * White-spotted flufftail, ''Sarothrura pulchra'' *
Buff-spotted flufftail The buff-spotted flufftail (''Sarothrura elegans'') is a species of bird in the family Sarothruridae. It is found in Angola, Botswana, Burundi, Cameroon, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Equatorial Guinea, ...
, ''Sarothrura elegans'' *
Red-chested flufftail The red-chested flufftail (''Sarothrura rufa'') is a species of bird in the family Sarothruridae Sarothruridae is a family of small- to medium-sized ground-living birds found mostly in Madagascar and sub-Saharan Africa, with the genus ''Rallic ...
, ''Sarothrura rufa'' * Streaky-breasted flufftail, ''Sarothrura boehmi''


Rails, gallinules and coots

Order:
Gruiformes The Gruiformes are an order (biology), order containing a considerable number of living and extinct bird family (biology), families, with a widespread geographical diversity. Gruiform means "crane-like". Traditionally, a number of wading and t ...
Family:
Rallidae The rails, or Rallidae, are a large cosmopolitan family of small- to medium-sized, ground-living birds. The family exhibits considerable diversity and includes the crakes, coots, and gallinules. Many species are associated with wetlands, althoug ...
Rallidae is a large family of small to medium-sized birds which includes the
rails Rail or rails may refer to: Rail transport *Rail transport and related matters *Rail (rail transport) or railway lines, the running surface of a railway Arts and media Film * ''Rails'' (film), a 1929 Italian film by Mario Camerini * ''Rail'' ( ...
, crakes,
coot Coots are medium-sized water birds that are members of the rail family, Rallidae. They constitute the genus ''Fulica'', the name being the Latin term for "coot". Coots have predominantly black plumage, and—unlike many rails—they are usually ...
s and
gallinule Moorhens—sometimes called marsh hens—are medium-sized water birds that are members of the rail family (Rallidae). Most species are placed in the genus ''Gallinula'', Latin for "little hen". They are close relatives of coots. They are of ...
s. Typically they inhabit dense vegetation in damp environments near lakes, swamps or rivers. In general they are shy and secretive birds, making them difficult to observe. Most species have strong legs and long toes which are well adapted to soft uneven surfaces. They tend to have short, rounded wings and to be weak fliers. *
African rail The African rail (''Rallus caerulescens'') is a small wetland bird of the rail family that is found in eastern and southern Africa. Taxonomy The African rail was formally described in 1789 by the German naturalist Johann Friedrich Gmelin in ...
, ''Rallus caerulescens'' *
Corn crake The corn crake, corncrake or landrail (''Crex crex'') is a bird in the rail family. It breeds in Europe and Asia as far east as western China, and migrates to Africa for the Northern Hemisphere's winter. It is a medium-sized crake with buff- ...
, ''Crex crex'' * African crake, ''Crex egregia'' *
Lesser moorhen The lesser moorhen (''Paragallinula angulata'') is a species of bird in the family Rallidae. It is sometimes placed into the genus '' Gallinula''. It is the only member of the genus ''Paragallinula''. It is widely spread across Sub-Saharan Afri ...
, ''Paragallinula angulata'' * Eurasian moorhen, ''Gallinula chloropus'' *
Red-knobbed coot The red-knobbed coot or crested coot, (''Fulica cristata''), is a member of the rail and crake bird family, the Rallidae. It is a resident breeder across much of Africa and in southernmost Spain on freshwater lakes and ponds. It builds a nest o ...
, ''Fulica cristata'' * Allen's gallinule, ''Porphyrio alleni'' *
African swamphen The African swamphen (''Porphyrio madagascariensis'') is a species of swamphen occurring in Egypt, Sub-Saharan Africa and Madagascar Madagascar (; mg, Madagasikara, ), officially the Republic of Madagascar ( mg, Repoblikan'i Madagasik ...
, ''Porphyrio madagascariensis'' * Striped crake, ''Amaurornis marginalis'' *
Black crake The black crake (''Zapornia flavirostra'') is a waterbird in the rail and crake family, Rallidae. It breeds in most of sub-Saharan Africa except in very arid areas. It undertakes some seasonal movements in those parts of its range which are subj ...
, ''Zapornia flavirostra'' *
Baillon's crake Baillon's crake (''Zapornia pusilla''), also known as the marsh crake, is a small waterbird of the family Rallidae. Distribution Their breeding habitat is Cyperaceae, sedge beds in Europe, mainly in the east, and across the Palearctic. They used ...
, ''Zapornia pusilla''


Finfoots

Order:
Gruiformes The Gruiformes are an order (biology), order containing a considerable number of living and extinct bird family (biology), families, with a widespread geographical diversity. Gruiform means "crane-like". Traditionally, a number of wading and t ...
Family:
Heliornithidae The Heliornithidae are a small family of tropical birds with webbed lobes on their feet like those of grebes and coots. The family overall are known as finfoots, although one species is known as a sungrebe. The family is composed of three speci ...
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:
Gruiformes The Gruiformes are an order (biology), order containing a considerable number of living and extinct bird family (biology), families, with a widespread geographical diversity. Gruiform means "crane-like". Traditionally, a number of wading and t ...
Family: 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". *Gray crowned-crane, ''Balearica regulorum''


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'' *Spotted thick-knee, ''Burhinus capensis'' (A)


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'' (A)


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'' (A) *Long-toed lapwing, ''Vanellus crassirostris'' *Blacksmith lapwing, ''Vanellus armatus'' (A) *Spur-winged lapwing, ''Vanellus spinosus'' *White-headed lapwing, ''Vanellus albiceps'' (A) *Senegal lapwing, ''Vanellus lugubris'' *Crowned lapwing, ''Vanellus coronatus'' *Wattled lapwing, ''Vanellus senegallus'' *Brown-chested lapwing, ''Vanellus superciliosus'' *Lesser sand-plover, ''Charadrius mongolus'' (A) *Caspian plover, ''Charadrius asiaticus'' *Kittlitz's plover, ''Charadrius pecuarius'' *Common ringed plover, ''Charadrius hiaticula'' *Little ringed plover, ''Charadrius dubius'' (A) *Three-banded plover, ''Charadrius tricollaris'' *Forbes's plover, ''Charadrius forbesi'' (A) *White-fronted plover, ''Charadrius marginatus''


Painted-snipes

Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Rostratulidae Painted-snipe 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'' *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, Tringa, shanks, tattler (bird), 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. *Eurasian whimbrel, Whimbrel, ''Numenius phaeopus'' (A) *Eurasian curlew, ''Numenius arquata'' (A) *Black-tailed godwit, ''Limosa limosa'' (A) *Ruddy turnstone, ''Arenaria interpres'' (A) *Red knot, ''Calidris canutus'' (A) *Ruff (bird), Ruff, ''Calidris pugnax'' *Broad-billed sandpiper, ''Calidris falcinellus'' (A) *Curlew sandpiper, ''Calidris ferruginea'' *Temminck's stint, ''Calidris temminckii'' *Sanderling, ''Calidris alba'' *Little stint, ''Calidris minuta'' *Great snipe, ''Gallinago media'' *Common snipe, ''Gallinago gallinago'' *African snipe, ''Gallinago nigripennis'' *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'' (A)


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'' *Black-rumped buttonquail, ''Turnix nanus''


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'' *Black-winged pratincole, ''Glareola nordmanni'' (A) *Rock pratincole, ''Glareola nuchalis'' (A) *Gray pratincole, ''Glareola cinerea'' (A)


Gulls, terns, and skimmers

Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Laridae Laridae is a family of medium to large seabirds, the gulls, terns, and Skimmer (bird), skimmers. Gulls are typically grey or white, often with black markings on the head or wings. They have stout, longish bills and webbed feet. Terns are a group of generally medium to large seabirds typically with grey or white plumage, often with black markings on the head. Most terns hunt fish by diving but some pick insects off the surface of fresh water. Terns are generally long-lived birds, with several species known to live in excess of 30 years. Skimmers are a small family of tropical tern-like birds. They have an elongated lower mandible which they use to feed by flying low over the water surface and skimming the water for small fish. *Gray-hooded gull, ''Chroicocephalus cirrocephalus'' *Black-headed gull, ''Chroicocephalus ridibundus'' (A) *Lesser black-backed gull, ''Larus fuscus'' *Gull-billed tern, ''Gelochelidon nilotica'' *Caspian tern, ''Hydroprogne caspia'' (A) *Black tern, ''Chlidonias niger'' (A) *White-winged tern, ''Chlidonias leucopterus'' *Whiskered tern, ''Chlidonias hybrida'' (A) *Lesser crested tern, ''Thalasseus bengalensis'' (A) *African skimmer, ''Rynchops flavirostris''


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'' (A) *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''


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. In Akagera National Park there are populations that show white breasts and others that have dark breasts, these don't seem to interbreed. Hence great and white-breasted cormorant are shown below, but further study is required. *Long-tailed cormorant, ''Microcarbo africanus'' *Great cormorant, ''Phalacrocorax carbo''


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''


Shoebill

Order: PelecaniformesFamily: Balaenicipididae The shoebill is a large bird related to the storks. It derives its name from its massive shoe-shaped bill. *Shoebill, ''Balaeniceps rex''


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. *Little bittern, ''Ixobrychus minutus'' *Dwarf bittern, ''Ixobrychus sturmii'' *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'' (A) *Black heron, ''Egretta ardesiaca'' *Cattle egret, ''Bubulcus ibis'' *Squacco heron, ''Ardeola ralloides'' *Malagasy pond-heron, ''Ardeola idae'' *Rufous-bellied heron, ''Ardeola rufiventris'' *Striated heron, ''Butorides striata'' *Black-crowned night-heron, ''Nycticorax nycticorax'' *White-backed night-heron, ''Gorsachius leuconotus'' (A)


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'' *African spoonbill, ''Platalea alba''


Secretarybird

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


Osprey

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


Hawks, kites and eagles

Order: AccipitriformesFamily: Accipitridae Accipitridae is a family of birds of prey, which includes hawks, eagles, Kite (bird), kites, Harrier (bird), harriers and Old World vultures. These birds have powerful hooked beaks for tearing flesh from their prey, strong legs, powerful talons and keen eyesight. *Black-winged kite, ''Elanus caeruleus'' *African harrier-hawk, ''Polyboroides typus'' *Palm-nut vulture, ''Gypohierax angolensis'' *European honey-buzzard, ''Pernis apivorus'' *African cuckoo-hawk, ''Aviceda cuculoides'' *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'' *Beaudouin's snake-eagle, ''Circaetus beaudouini'' (A) *Black-chested snake-eagle, ''Circaetus pectoralis'' *Brown snake-eagle, ''Circaetus cinereus'' *Banded snake-eagle, ''Circaetus cinerascens'' *Bat hawk, ''Macheiramphus alcinus'' *Crowned eagle, ''Stephanoaetus coronatus'' *Martial eagle, ''Polemaetus bellicosus'' *Long-crested eagle, ''Lophaetus occipitalis'' *Lesser spotted eagle, ''Clanga pomarina'' *Wahlberg's eagle, ''Hieraaetus wahlbergi'' *Booted eagle, ''Hieraaetus pennatus'' *Ayres's hawk-eagle, ''Hieraaetus ayresii'' *Tawny eagle, ''Aquila rapax'' *Steppe eagle, ''Aquila nipalensis'' (A) *Cassin's hawk-eagle, ''Aquila africana'' *Verreaux's eagle, ''Aquila verreauxii'' (A) *African hawk-eagle, ''Aquila spilogaster'' *Lizard buzzard, ''Kaupifalco monogrammicus'' *Dark chanting-goshawk, ''Melierax metabates'' (A) *Gabar goshawk, ''Micronisus gabar'' *Grasshopper buzzard, ''Butastur rufipennis'' (A) *Eurasian marsh-harrier, ''Circus aeruginosus'' *African marsh-harrier, ''Circus ranivorus'' *Pallid harrier, ''Circus macrourus'' *Montagu's harrier, ''Circus pygargus'' *African goshawk, ''Accipiter tachiro'' *Shikra, ''Accipiter badius'' *Red-thighed sparrowhawk, ''Accipiter erythropus'' (A) *Little sparrowhawk, ''Accipiter minullus'' *Ovambo sparrowhawk, ''Accipiter ovampensis'' *Rufous-breasted sparrowhawk, ''Accipiter rufiventris'' *Black goshawk, ''Accipiter melanoleucus'' *Black kite, ''Milvus migrans'' *African fish-eagle, ''Haliaeetus vocifer'' *Common buzzard, ''Buteo buteo'' *Mountain buzzard, ''Buteo oreophilus'' *Augur buzzard, ''Buteo augur''


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. . *African grass-owl, ''Tyto capensis'' *Barn owl, ''Tyto alba'' *Congo bay-owl, ''Phodilus prigoginei'' (A)


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. *African scops-owl, ''Otus senegalensis'' *Southern white-faced owl, ''Ptilopsis granti'' *Spotted eagle-owl, ''Bubo africanus'' *Fraser's eagle-owl, ''Bubo poensis'' *Verreaux's eagle-owl, ''Bubo lacteus'' *Pel's fishing-owl, ''Scotopelia peli'' (A) *Pearl-spotted owlet, ''Glaucidium perlatum'' *Red-chested owlet, ''Glaucidium tephronotum'' *African barred owlet, ''Glaucidium capense'' (A) *Albertine owlet, ''Glaucidium albertinum'' *African wood-owl, ''Strix woodfordii'' *Abyssinian owl, ''Asio abyssinicus'' (A) *Marsh owl, ''Asio capensis''


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. *Speckled mousebird, ''Colius striatus'' *Blue-naped mousebird, ''Urocolius macrourus''


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'' *Bar-tailed trogon, ''Apaloderma vittatum''


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'' *White-headed woodhoopoe, ''Phoeniculus bollei'' *Forest woodhoopoe, ''Phoeniculus castaneiceps'' *Common scimitarbill, ''Rhinopomastus cyanomelas''


Ground-hornbills

Order:Bucerotiformes Family: Bucorvidae 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. *Southern ground-hornbill, ''Bucorvus leadbeateri''


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. *Crowned hornbill, ''Lophoceros alboterminatus'' *African gray hornbill, ''Lophoceros nasutus'' *Black-and-white-casqued hornbill, ''Bycanistes subcylindricus''


Kingfishers

Order: CoraciiformesFamily: Alcedinidae Kingfishers are medium-sized birds with large heads, long, pointed bills, short legs and stubby tails. *Half-collared kingfisher, ''Alcedo semitorquata'' (A) *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'' (A) *Brown-hooded kingfisher, ''Halcyon albiventris'' (A) *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. *White-fronted bee-eater, ''Merops bullockoides'' *Little bee-eater, ''Merops pusillus'' *Blue-breasted bee-eater, ''Merops variegatus'' *Cinnamon-chested bee-eater, ''Merops oreobates'' *Swallow-tailed bee-eater, ''Merops hirundineus'' (A) *White-throated bee-eater, ''Merops albicollis'' *Blue-cheeked bee-eater, ''Merops persicus'' *Madagascar bee-eater, ''Merops superciliosus'' *European bee-eater, ''Merops apiaster'' *Southern carmine bee-eater, ''Merops nubicoides''


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. *European roller, ''Coracias garrulus'' *Lilac-breasted roller, ''Coracias caudatus'' *Rufous-crowned roller, ''Coracias naevius'' (A) *Broad-billed roller, ''Eurystomus glaucurus''


African barbets

Order: PiciformesFamily: Lybiidae The barbets are plump birds, with short necks and large heads. They get their name from the bristles which fringe their heavy bills. Most species are brightly coloured. *Yellow-billed barbet, ''Trachyphonus purpuratus'' *Crested barbet, ''Trachyphonus vaillantii'' *Gray-throated barbet, ''Gymnobucco bonapartei'' *Western tinkerbird, ''Pogoniulus coryphaea'' *Yellow-rumped tinkerbird, ''Pogoniulus bilineatus'' *Yellow-fronted tinkerbird, ''Pogoniulus chrysoconus'' *Spot-flanked barbet, ''Tricholaema lachrymosa'' *White-headed barbet, ''Lybius leucocephalus'' (A) *Red-faced barbet, ''Lybius rubrifacies'' *Black-collared barbet, ''Lybius torquatus'' *Double-toothed barbet, ''Lybius bidentatus''


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. *Green-backed honeyguide, ''Prodotiscus zambesiae'' (A) *Wahlberg's honeyguide, ''Prodotiscus regulus'' *Dwarf honeyguide, ''Indicator pumilio'' *Willcocks's honeyguide, ''Indicator willcocksi'' *Least honeyguide, ''Indicator exilis'' *Lesser honeyguide, ''Indicator minor'' *Scaly-throated honeyguide, ''Indicator variegatus'' *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. *Rufous-necked wryneck, ''Jynx ruficollis'' *Elliot's woodpecker, ''Chloropicus elliotii'' *Speckle-breasted woodpecker, ''Chloropicus poecilolaemus'' *Cardinal woodpecker, ''Chloropicus fuscescens'' *Bearded woodpecker, ''Chloropicus namaquus'' *African gray woodpecker, ''Chloropicus goertae'' *Olive woodpecker, ''Chloropicus griseocephalus'' *Buff-spotted woodpecker, ''Campethera nivosa'' *Fine-banded woodpecker, Tullberg's woodpecker, ''Campethera tullbergi'' *Green-backed woodpecker, ''Campethera cailliautii'' *Nubian woodpecker, ''Campethera nubica'' *Bennett's woodpecker, ''Campethera bennettii'' *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. *Pygmy falcon, ''Polihierax semitorquatus'' (A) *Lesser kestrel, ''Falco naumanni'' *Eurasian kestrel, ''Falco tinnunculus'' *Gray kestrel, ''Falco ardosiaceus'' *Red-necked falcon, ''Falco chicquera'' *Red-footed falcon, ''Falco vespertinus'' *Amur falcon, ''Falco amurensis'' (A) *Eleonora's falcon, ''Falco eleonorae'' (A) *Sooty falcon, ''Falco concolor'' *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 colored, and some are multi-colored. 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. *Red-headed lovebird, ''Agapornis pullarius'' *Fischer's lovebird, ''Agapornis fischeri'' (A)


New World and African 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 colored, and some are multi-colored. In size they range from to in length. Most of the more than 150 species in this family are found in the New World. *Gray parrot, ''Psittacus erithacus'' *Brown-necked parrot, ''Poicephalus fuscicollis'' *Meyer's parrot, ''Poicephalus meyeri''


African and green broadbills

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


Pittas

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Pittidae Pittas are medium-sized by passerine standards and are stocky, with fairly long, strong legs, short tails and stout bills. Many are brightly coloured. They spend the majority of their time on wet forest floors, eating snails, insects and similar invertebrates. *African pitta, ''Pitta angolensis''


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. *Gray cuckooshrike, ''Coracina caesia'' *White-breasted cuckooshrike, ''Coracina pectoralis'' *Black cuckooshrike, ''Campephaga flava'' *Petit's cuckooshrike, ''Campephaga petiti'' *Red-shouldered cuckooshrike, ''Campephaga phoenicea''


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'' *African golden oriole, ''Oriolus auratus'' *African black-headed oriole, ''Oriolus larvatus'' *Black-tailed oriole, ''Oriolus percivali''


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'' *Black-throated wattle-eye, ''Platysteira peltata'' (A) *Yellow-bellied wattle-eye, ''Platysteira concreta'' *Rwenzori batis, ''Batis diops'' *Chinspot batis, ''Batis molitor''


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'' *Rufous-bellied helmetshrike, ''Prionops rufiventris'' (Ex)


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'' *Black-backed puffback, ''Dryoscopus cubla'' *Red-eyed puffback, ''Dryoscopus senegalensis'' (A) *Pink-footed puffback, ''Dryoscopus angolensis'' *Marsh tchagra, ''Tchagra minutus'' *Black-crowned tchagra, ''Tchagra senegala'' *Brown-crowned tchagra, ''Tchagra australis'' *Lühder's bushshrike, ''Laniarius luehderi'' *Tropical boubou, ''Laniarius major'' *Black-headed gonolek, ''Laniarius erythrogaster'' *Papyrus gonolek, ''Laniarius mufumbiri'' *Slate-colored boubou, ''Laniarius funebris'' *Willard's sooty boubou, ''Laniarius willardi'' *Albertine sooty boubou, Albertine boubou, ''Laniarius holomelas'' *Grey-green bushshrike, ''Telophorus bocagei'' (Ex) *Sulphur-breasted bushshrike, ''Telophorus sulfureopectus'' *Many-colored bushshrike, ''Telophorus multicolor'' *Doherty's bushshrike, ''Telophorus dohertyi'' *Lagden's bushshrike, ''Malaconotus lagdeni'' *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. *Fork-tailed drongo, ''Dicrurus adsimilis'' *Velvet-mantled drongo, ''Dicrurus modestus''


Monarch flycatchers

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Monarchidae The monarch flycatchers are small to medium-sized insectivorous passerines which hunt by flycatching. *African crested-flycatcher, ''Trochocercus cyanomelas'' *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. *Red-backed shrike, ''Lanius collurio'' *Red-tailed shrike, ''Lanius phoenicuroides'' (A) *Isabelline shrike, ''Lanius isabellinus'' (A) *Lesser gray shrike, ''Lanius minor'' *Gray-backed fiscal, ''Lanius excubitoroides'' *Mackinnon's shrike, ''Lanius mackinnoni'' *Northern fiscal, ''Lanius humeralis'' *Souza's shrike, ''Lanius souzae'' *Woodchat shrike, ''Lanius senator'' (A)


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. *Piapiac, ''Ptilostomus afer'' (A) *Pied crow, ''Corvus albus'' *Fan-tailed raven, ''Corvus rhipidurus'' (A) *White-necked raven, ''Corvus albicollis''


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". *White-tailed blue flycatcher, ''Elminia albicauda'' *White-bellied crested-flycatcher, ''Elminia albiventris'' *White-tailed crested-flycatcher, ''Elminia albonotata''


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-winged black-tit, ''Melaniparus leucomelas'' *Dusky tit, ''Melaniparus funereus'' *Stripe-breasted tit, ''Melaniparus fasciiventer''


Penduline-tits

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Remizidae The penduline tits are a group of small passerine birds related to the true tits. They are insectivores. *African penduline-tit, ''Anthoscopus caroli''


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. *Dusky lark, ''Pinarocorys nigricans'' (A) *Rufous-naped lark, ''Mirafra africana'' *Flappet lark, ''Mirafra rufocinnamomea'' *Red-capped lark, ''Calandrella cinerea''


African warblers

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Macrosphenidae The African warblers are small to medium-sized insectivores which are found in a wide variety of habitats south of the Sahara. *White-browed crombec, ''Sylvietta leucophrys'' *Red-faced crombec, ''Sylvietta whytii'' *Moustached grass-warbler, ''Melocichla mentalis'' *Grauer's warbler, ''Graueria vittata''


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. *Yellow-bellied eremomela, ''Eremomela icteropygialis'' *Green-backed eremomela, ''Eremomela canescens'' (A) *Greencap eremomela, ''Eremomela scotops'' *White-chinned prinia, ''Schistolais leucopogon'' *Rwenzori apalis, ''Oreolais ruwenzori'' *Miombo wren-warbler, ''Calamonastes undosus'' *Green-backed camaroptera, ''Camaroptera brachyura'' *Olive-green camaroptera, ''Camaroptera chloronota'' *Buff-bellied warbler, ''Phyllolais pulchella'' *Black-throated apalis, ''Apalis jacksoni'' *Black-faced apalis, ''Apalis personata'' *Yellow-breasted apalis, ''Apalis flavida'' *Kungwe apalis, ''Apalis argentea'' *Chestnut-throated apalis, ''Apalis porphyrolaema'' *Gray apalis, ''Apalis cinerea'' *Tawny-flanked prinia, ''Prinia subflava'' *Banded prinia, ''Prinia bairdii'' *Black-faced rufous-warbler, ''Bathmocercus rufus'' *Gray-capped warbler, ''Eminia lepida'' *Red-faced cisticola, ''Cisticola erythrops'' *Singing cisticola, ''Cisticola cantans'' *Trilling cisticola, ''Cisticola woosnami'' *Chubb's cisticola, ''Cisticola chubbi'' *Rock-loving cisticola, ''Cisticola aberrans'' *Winding cisticola, ''Cisticola marginatus'' *Carruthers's cisticola, ''Cisticola carruthersi'' *Stout cisticola, ''Cisticola robustus'' *Croaking cisticola, ''Cisticola natalensis'' *Tabora cisticola, ''Cisticola angusticaudus'' *Siffling cisticola, ''Cisticola brachypterus'' *Zitting cisticola, ''Cisticola juncidis'' *Wing-snapping cisticola, ''Cisticola ayresii''


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. *Papyrus yellow-warbler, ''Calamonastides gracilirostris'' *Eastern olivaceous warbler, ''Iduna pallida'' *African yellow-warbler, ''Iduna natalensis'' *Mountain yellow-warbler, ''Iduna similis'' *Icterine warbler, ''Hippolais icterina'' *Sedge warbler, ''Acrocephalus schoenobaenus'' *Marsh warbler, ''Acrocephalus palustris'' *Common reed warbler, ''Acrocephalus scirpaceus'' *Lesser swamp warbler, ''Acrocephalus gracilirostris'' *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. *Fan-tailed grassbird, ''Catriscus brevirostris'' *Evergreen-forest warbler, ''Bradypterus lopezi'' *Cinnamon bracken-warbler, ''Bradypterus cinnamomeus'' *White-winged swamp warbler, ''Bradypterus carpalis'' *Grauer's swamp warbler, ''Bradypterus graueri'' *Highland rush warbler, ''Bradypterus centralis''


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'' *Angola swallow, ''Hirundo angolensis'' *Wire-tailed swallow, ''Hirundo smithii'' *Montane blue swallow, ''Hirundo atrocaerulea'' (A) *Red-rumped swallow, ''Cecropis daurica'' *Lesser striped swallow, ''Cecropis abyssinica'' *Rufous-chested swallow, ''Cecropis semirufa'' *Mosque swallow, ''Cecropis senegalensis'' *Common house-martin, ''Delichon urbicum'' *White-headed sawwing, ''Psalidoprocne albiceps'' *Black sawwing, ''Psalidoprocne pristoptera'' *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'' *Black-collared bulbul, ''Neolestes torquatus'' (Ex) *Shelley's greenbul, ''Arizelocichla masukuensis'' *Eastern mountain greenbul, ''Arizelocichla nigriceps'' *Yellow-throated leaflove, ''Atimastillas flavicollis'' *Plain greenbul, ''Eurillas curvirostris'' *Yellow-whiskered greenbul, ''Eurillas latirostris'' *Little greenbul, ''Eurillas virens'' *Leaflove, Leaf-love, ''Phyllastrephus scandens'' *Cabanis's greenbul, ''Phyllastrephus cabanisi'' *Yellow-streaked greenbul, ''Phyllastrephus flavostriatus'' *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 grayish-green to grayish-brown colors. *Wood warbler, ''Phylloscopus sibilatrix'' *Willow warbler, ''Phylloscopus trochilus'' *Common chiffchaff, ''Phylloscopus collybita'' (A) *Brown woodland-warbler, ''Phylloscopus umbrovirens'' *Red-faced woodland-warbler, ''Phylloscopus laetus''


Bush warblers and allies

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Scotocercidae The members of this family are found throughout Africa, Asia, and Polynesia. Their taxonomy is in flux, and some authorities place genus ''Erythrocerus'' in another family.Gill, F. and D. Donsker (Eds). 2019. IOC World Bird List (v 9.2). Doi 10.14344/IOC.ML.9.2. http://www.worldbirdnames.org/ retrieved June 22, 2019 *Neumann's warbler, ''Urosphena neumanni''


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'' *Garden warbler, ''Sylvia borin'' *Rwenzori hill babbler, ''Sylvia atriceps'' *Greater whitethroat, ''Curruca communis''


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. *Green white-eye, ''Zosterops stuhlmanni'' *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'' (A) *Mountain illadopsis, ''Illadopsis pyrrhoptera''


Laughingthrushes and allies

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Leiothrichidae The members of this family are diverse in size and coloration, though those of genus ''Turdoides'' tend to be brown or grayish. The family is found in Africa, India, and southeast Asia. *Red-collared mountain-babbler, ''Turdoides rufocinctus'' *Arrow-marked babbler, ''Turdoides jardineii'' *Hartlaub's babbler, ''Turdoides hartlaubii'' *Black-lored babbler, ''Turdoides sharpei''


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. *Red-billed oxpecker, ''Buphagus erythrorhynchus'' *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. *Wattled starling, ''Creatophora cinerea'' *Violet-backed starling, ''Cinnyricinclus leucogaster'' *Slender-billed starling, ''Onychognathus tenuirostris'' *Waller's starling, ''Onychognathus walleri'' *Sharpe's starling, ''Poeoptera sharpii'' *Stuhlmann's starling, ''Poeoptera stuhlmann'' *Rüppell's starling, ''Lamprotornis purpuropterus'' *Splendid starling, ''Lamprotornis splendidus'' *Greater blue-eared starling, ''Lamprotornis chalybaeus''


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. *White-tailed ant-thrush, ''Neocossyphus poensis'' *Abyssinian ground-thrush, ''Geokichla piaggiae'' *Abyssinian thrush ''Turdus abyssinicus'' *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. *African dusky flycatcher, ''Muscicapa adusta'' *Spotted flycatcher, ''Muscicapa striata'' *Swamp flycatcher, ''Muscicapa aquatica'' *Cassin's flycatcher, ''Muscicapa cassini'' *Pale flycatcher, ''Agricola pallidus'' *Gray tit-flycatcher, ''Fraseria plumbea'' *Ashy flycatcher, ''Fraseria caerulescens'' *Yellow-eyed black-flycatcher, ''Melaenornis ardesiacus'' *Southern black-flycatcher, ''Melaenornis pammelaina'' *White-eyed slaty-flycatcher, ''Melaenornis fischeri'' *Brown-backed scrub-robin, ''Cercotrichas hartlaubi'' *Red-backed scrub-robin, ''Cercotrichas leucophrys'' *White-bellied robin-chat, ''Cossyphicula roberti'' *Archer's robin-chat, ''Cossypha archeri'' *Cape robin-chat, ''Cossypha caffra'' *Blue-shouldered robin-chat, ''Cossypha cyanocampter'' *Gray-winged robin-chat, ''Cossypha polioptera'' *White-browed robin-chat, ''Cossypha heuglini'' *Red-capped robin-chat, ''Cossypha natalensis'' *Snowy-crowned robin-chat, ''Cossypha niveicapilla'' *Collared palm-thrush, ''Cichladusa arquata'' (A) *White-starred robin, ''Pogonocichla stellata'' *Brown-chested alethe, ''Chamaetylas poliocephala'' *Red-throated alethe, ''Chamaetylas poliophrys'' *Yellow-breasted forest robin, ''Stiphrornis mabirae'' (A) *Equatorial akalat, ''Sheppardia aequatorialis'' *Semicollared flycatcher, ''Ficedula semitorquata'' *Collared flycatcher, ''Ficedula albicollis'' (A) *Common redstart, ''Phoenicurus phoenicurus'' *Rufous-tailed rock thrush, ''Monticola saxatilis'' (A) *Miombo rock-thrush, ''Monticola angolensis'' *Whinchat, ''Saxicola rubetra'' *African stonechat, ''Saxicola torquatus'' *Mocking cliff-chat, ''Thamnolaea cinnamomeiventris'' *Sooty chat, ''Myrmecocichla nigra'' *Arnot's chat, ''Myrmecocichla arnotti'' *Northern wheatear, ''Oenanthe oenanthe'' *Capped wheatear, ''Oenanthe pileata'' (A) *Isabelline wheatear, ''Oenanthe isabellina'' (A) *Familiar chat, ''Oenanthe familiaris''


Dapple-throat and allies

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Modulatricidae These species and one other, all of different genera, were formerly placed in family Promeropidae, the sugarbirds, but were accorded their own family in 2017. *Gray-chested babbler, ''Kakamega poliothorax''


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. *Western violet-backed sunbird, ''Anthreptes longuemarei'' *Little green sunbird, ''Anthreptes seimundi'' *Collared sunbird, ''Hedydipna collaris'' *Green-headed sunbird, ''Cyanomitra verticalis'' *Blue-throated brown sunbird, ''Cyanomitra cyanolaema'' *Blue-headed sunbird, ''Cyanomitra alinae'' *Olive sunbird, ''Cyanomitra olivacea'' *Green-throated sunbird, ''Chalcomitra rubescens'' (A) *Amethyst sunbird, ''Chalcomitra amethystina'' (A) *Scarlet-chested sunbird, ''Chalcomitra senegalensis'' *Purple-breasted sunbird, ''Nectarinia purpureiventris'' *Bronze sunbird, ''Nectarinia kilimensis'' *Malachite sunbird, ''Nectarinia famosa'' *Red-tufted sunbird, ''Nectarinia johnstoni'' *Olive-bellied sunbird, ''Cinnyris chloropygius'' *Stuhlmann's sunbird, ''Cinnyris stuhlmanni'' *Northern double-collared sunbird, ''Cinnyris preussi'' *Regal sunbird, ''Cinnyris regius'' *Rockefeller's sunbird, ''Cinnyris rockefelleri'' *Beautiful sunbird, ''Cinnyris pulchellus'' (A) *Mariqua sunbird, ''Cinnyris mariquensis'' *Red-chested sunbird, ''Cinnyris erythrocerca'' *Purple-banded sunbird, ''Cinnyris bifasciatus'' *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. *Red-billed buffalo-weaver, ''Bubalornis niger'' (A) *Red-headed weaver, ''Anaplectes rubriceps'' *Baglafecht weaver, ''Ploceus baglafecht'' *Little weaver, ''Ploceus luteolus'' (A) *Slender-billed weaver, ''Ploceus pelzelni'' *Black-necked weaver, ''Ploceus nigricollis'' *Spectacled weaver, ''Ploceus ocularis'' *Black-billed weaver, ''Ploceus melanogaster'' *Strange weaver, ''Ploceus alienus'' *Holub's golden-weaver, ''Ploceus xanthops'' *Northern brown-throated weaver, ''Ploceus castanops'' *Lesser masked-weaver, ''Ploceus intermedius'' *Vieillot's black weaver, ''Ploceus nigerrimus'' *Village weaver, ''Ploceus cucullatus'' *Black-headed weaver, ''Ploceus melanocephalus'' *Forest weaver, ''Ploceus bicolor'' *Brown-capped weaver, ''Ploceus insignis'' *Compact weaver, ''Pachyphantes superciliosus'' *Cardinal quelea, ''Quelea cardinalis'' *Red-headed quelea, ''Quelea erythrops'' *Red-billed quelea, ''Quelea quelea'' *Southern red bishop, ''Euplectes orix'' *Black-winged bishop, ''Euplectes hordeaceus'' *Yellow bishop, ''Euplectes capensis'' *White-winged widowbird, ''Euplectes albonotatus'' *Red-collared widowbird, ''Euplectes ardens'' *Fan-tailed widowbird, ''Euplectes axillaris'' *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 cucullata'' *Black-and-white mannikin, ''Spermestes bicolor'' *White-collared oliveback, ''Nesocharis ansorgei'' *Yellow-bellied waxbill, ''Coccopygia quartinia'' *Green-backed twinspot, ''Mandingoa nitidula'' *Shelley's crimsonwing, ''Cryptospiza shelleyi'' *Dusky crimsonwing, ''Cryptospiza jacksoni'' *Abyssinian crimsonwing, ''Cryptospiza salvadorii'' *Red-faced crimsonwing, ''Cryptospiza reichenovii'' *White-breasted nigrita, ''Nigrita fusconotus'' *Gray-headed nigrita, ''Nigrita canicapillus'' *Black-faced waxbill, ''Brunhilda erythronotos'' *Black-crowned waxbill, ''Estrilda nonnula'' *Kandt's waxbill, ''Estrilda kandti'' *Orange-cheeked waxbill, ''Estrilda melpoda'' *Fawn-breasted waxbill, ''Estrilda paludicola'' *Common waxbill, ''Estrilda astrild'' *Crimson-rumped waxbill, ''Estrilda rhodopyga'' *Quailfinch, ''Ortygospiza atricollis'' *Zebra waxbill, ''Amandava subflava'' *Red-cheeked cordonbleu, ''Uraeginthus bengalus'' *Red-headed bluebill, ''Spermophaga ruficapilla'' *Green-winged pytilia, ''Pytilia melba'' *Orange-winged pytilia, ''Pytilia afra'' *Dusky twinspot, ''Euschistospiza cinereovinacea'' *Peters's twinspot, ''Hypargos niveoguttatus'' *Red-billed firefinch, ''Lagonosticta senegala'' *African firefinch, ''Lagonosticta rubricata''


Indigobirds

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Viduidae The indigobirds are finch-like species which usually have black or indigo predominating in their plumage. All are
brood parasite Brood parasites are animals that rely on others to raise their young. The strategy appears among birds, insects and fish. The brood parasite manipulates a host, either of the same or of another species, to raise its young as if it were its own ...
s, which lay their eggs in the nests of estrildid finches. *Pin-tailed whydah, ''Vidua macroura'' *Broad-tailed paradise-whydah, ''Vidua obtusa'' *Eastern paradise-whydah, ''Vidua paradisaea'' (A) *Village indigobird, ''Vidua chalybeata'' *Parasitic weaver, ''Anomalospiza imberbis''


Old World sparrows

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Passeridae Old World sparrow, 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. *House sparrow, ''Passer domesticus'' (I) *Northern gray-headed sparrow, ''Passer griseus''


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. *Cape wagtail, ''Motacilla capensis'' *Mountain wagtail, ''Motacilla clara'' *Gray wagtail, ''Motacilla cinerea'' *Western yellow wagtail, ''Motacilla flava'' *African pied wagtail, ''Motacilla aguimp'' *White wagtail, ''Motacilla alba'' (A) *African pipit, ''Anthus cinnamomeus'' *Long-billed pipit, ''Anthus similis'' *Plain-backed pipit, ''Anthus leucophrys'' *Striped pipit, ''Anthus lineiventris'' *Tree pipit, ''Anthus trivialis'' *Red-throated pipit, ''Anthus cervinus'' *Short-tailed pipit, ''Anthus brachyurus'' *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. *Oriole finch, ''Linurgus olivaceus'' *Yellow-fronted canary, ''Crithagra mozambicus'' *Western citril, ''Crithagra frontalis'' *Papyrus canary, ''Crithagra koliensis'' *Black-throated canary, ''Crithagra atrogularis'' *Brimstone canary, ''Crithagra sulphuratus'' *Streaky seedeater, ''Crithagra striolatus'' *Thick-billed seedeater, ''Crithagra burtoni'' *Yellow-crowned canary, ''Serinus flavivertex''


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. *Cabanis's bunting, ''Emberiza cabanisi'' *Golden-breasted bunting, ''Emberiza flaviventris'' *Cinnamon-breasted bunting, ''Emberiza tahapisi''


See also

*List of birds *Lists of birds by region *List of mammals of Rwanda *List of moths of Rwanda *List of butterflies of Rwanda


References

* * *Clements, J. F., T. S. Schulenberg, M. J. Iliff, D. Roberson, T. A. Fredericks, B. L. Sullivan, and C. L. Wood. 2019. The eBird/Clements checklist of birds of the world: v2019. Downloaded from http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/download/ Retrieved 8 September 2019 {{DEFAULTSORT:List Of Birds Of Rwanda Lists of birds by country, Rwanda Lists of birds of Sub-Saharan Africa, Rwanda Lists of biota of Rwanda, Birds Lists of birds of Africa, Rwanda