Order: Struthioniformes Family: Struthionidae
The ostrich is a flightless bird native to Africa. It is the largest living species of bird. It is distinctive in its appearance, with a long neck and legs and the ability to run at high speeds.
Ostrich, Struthio camelus
Order: Podicipediformes Family: Podicipedidae
Grebes are small to medium-large freshwater diving birds. They have lobed toes and are excellent swimmers and divers. However, they have their feet placed far back on the body, making them quite ungainly on land. There are 20 species worldwide and 3 species which occur in Nigeria.
Little grebe, Tachybaptus ruficollis
Great crested grebe, Podiceps cristatus
Eared grebe, Podiceps nigricollis
Shearwaters and petrels
Order: Procellariiformes Family: Procellariidae
The procellariids are the main group of medium-sized "true petrels", characterised by united nostrils with medium septum and a long outer functional primary.
Sooty shearwater, Ardenna griseus
Manx shearwater, Puffinus puffinus
Order: Procellariiformes Family: Hydrobatidae
The storm petrels are relatives of the petrels and are the smallest seabirds. They feed on planktonic crustaceans and small fish picked from the surface, typically while hovering. The flight is fluttering and sometimes bat-like. There are 21 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Nigeria.
Wilson's storm petrel, Oceanites oceanicus
Order: Phaethontiformes Family: Phaethontidae
Tropicbirds are slender white birds of tropical oceans, with exceptionally long central tail feathers. Their heads and long wings have black markings.
Red-billed tropicbird, Phaethon aethereus
White-tailed tropicbird, Phaethon lepturus
Boobies and gannets
Order: Suliformes Family: Sulidae
The sulids comprise the gannets and boobies. Both groups are medium to large coastal seabirds that plunge-dive for fish.
Cape gannet, Morus capensis
Brown booby, Sula leucogaster
Order: Suliformes Family: Phalacrocoracidae
Phalacrocoracidae is a family of medium to large coastal, fish-eating seabirds that includes cormorants and shags. Plumage colouration varies, with the majority having mainly dark plumage, some species being black-and-white and a few being colourful.
Great cormorant, Phalacrocorax carbo
Long-tailed cormorant, Microcarbo africanus
Order: Suliformes Family: Anhingidae
Darters are often called "snake-birds" because of their long thin neck, which gives a snake-like appearance when they swim with their bodies submerged. The males have black and dark-brown plumage, an erectile crest on the nape and a larger bill than the female. The females have much paler plumage especially on the neck and underparts. The darters have completely webbed feet and their legs are short and set far back on the body. Their plumage is somewhat permeable, like that of cormorants, and they spread their wings to dry after diving.
African darter, Anhinga melanogaster
Order: Suliformes Family: Fregatidae
Frigatebirds are large seabirds usually found over tropical oceans. They are large, black-and-white or completely black, with long wings and deeply forked tails. The males have coloured inflatable throat pouches. They do not swim or walk and cannot take off from a flat surface. Having the largest wingspan-to-body-weight ratio of any bird, they are essentially aerial, able to stay aloft for more than a week.
Ascension frigatebird, Fregata aquila
Order: Pelecaniformes Family: Pelecanidae
Pelicans are large water birds with a distinctive pouch under their beak. As with other members of the order Pelecaniformes, they have webbed feet with four toes.
Great white pelican, Pelecanus onocrotalus
Pink-backed pelican, Pelecanus rufescens
Bitterns, herons and egrets
Order: Pelecaniformes Family: Ardeidae
The family Ardeidae contains the bitterns, herons and egrets. Herons and egrets are medium to large wading birds with long necks and legs. Bitterns tend to be shorter necked and more wary. Members of Ardeidae fly with their necks retracted, unlike other long-necked birds such as storks, ibises and spoonbills.
Grey heron, Ardea cinerea
Black-headed heron, Ardea melanocephala
Goliath heron, Ardea goliath
Purple heron, Ardea purpurea
Great egret, Ardea alba
Black heron, Egretta ardesiaca
Intermediate egret, Egretta intermedia
Western reef heron, Egretta gularis
Little egret, Egretta garzetta
Squacco heron, Ardeola ralloides
Madagascar pond heron, Ardeola idae (A)
Rufous-bellied heron, Ardeola rufiventris
Cattle egret, Bubulcus ibis
Striated heron, Butorides striata
Black-crowned night heron, Nycticorax nycticorax
White-backed night heron, Gorsachius leuconotus
White-crested bittern, Tigriornis leucolophus
Dwarf bittern, Ixobrychus sturmii
Great bittern, Botaurus stellaris
Order: Pelecaniformes Family: Scopidae
The hammerkop is a medium-sized bird with a long shaggy crest. The shape of its head with a curved bill and crest at the back is reminiscent of a hammer, hence its name. Its plumage is drab-brown all over.
Hamerkop, Scopus umbretta
Ibises and spoonbills
Order: Pelecaniformes Family: Threskiornithidae
Threskiornithidae is a family of large terrestrial and wading birds which includes the ibises and spoonbills. They have long, broad wings with 11 primary and about 20 secondary feathers. They are strong fliers and despite their size and weight, very capable soarers.
Sacred ibis, Threskiornis aethiopicus
Olive ibis, Bostrychia olivacea
Spot-breasted ibis, Bostrychia rara
Hadada ibis, Bostrychia hagedash
Glossy ibis, Plegadis falcinellus
Eurasian spoonbill, Platalea leucorodia
African spoonbill, Platalea alba
Order: Ciconiiformes Family: Ciconiidae
Storks are large, long-legged, long-necked, wading birds with long, stout bills. Storks are mute, but bill-clattering is an important mode of communication at the nest. Their nests can be large and may be reused for many years. Many species are migratory.
Yellow-billed stork, Mycteria ibis
African openbill, Anastomus lamelligerus
Black stork, Ciconia nigra
Abdim's stork, Ciconia abdimii
Woolly-necked stork, Ciconia episcopus
White stork, Ciconia ciconia
Saddle-billed stork, Ephippiorhynchus senegalensis
Marabou stork, Leptoptilos crumenifer
Order: Phoenicopteriformes Family: Phoenicopteridae
Flamingos are gregarious wading birds, usually 3 to 5 feet (0.9 to 1.5 m) tall, found in both the Western and Eastern Hemispheres. Flamingos filter-feed on shellfish and algae. Their oddly shaped beaks are specially adapted to separate mud and silt from the food they consume and, uniquely, are used upside-down. There are 6 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Nigeria.
Lesser flamingo, Phoenicopterus minor
Ducks, geese and swans
Order: Anseriformes Family: Anatidae
Anatidae includes the ducks and most duck-like waterfowl, such as geese and swans. These birds are adapted to an aquatic existence with webbed feet, flattened bills, and feathers that are excellent at shedding water due to an oily coating.
Fulvous whistling duck, Dendrocygna bicolor
White-faced whistling duck, Dendrocygna viduata
White-backed duck, Thalassornis leuconotus
Bean goose, Anser fabalis
Greater white-fronted goose, Anser albifrons
Egyptian goose, Alopochen aegyptiacus
Spur-winged goose, Plectropterus gambensis
Comb duck, Sarkidiornis melanotos
Hartlaub's duck, Pteronetta hartlaubii
African pygmy goose, Nettapus auritus
African black duck, Anas sparsa
Eurasian wigeon, Anas penelope
Gadwall, Anas strepera
Eurasian teal, Anas crecca
Cape teal, Anas capensis
Mallard, Anas platyrhynchos
Yellow-billed duck, Anas undulata
Northern pintail, Anas acuta
Hottentot teal, Anas hottentota
Garganey, Anas querquedula
Northern shoveler, Anas clypeata
Marbled teal, Marmaronetta angustirostris
Common pochard, Aythya ferina
Ferruginous pochard, Aythya nyroca
Tufted duck, Aythya fuligula
Order: Accipitriformes Family: Pandionidae
The Pandionidae family contains only one species, the osprey. The osprey is a medium-large raptor which is a specialist fish-eater with a worldwide distribution.
Osprey, Pandion haliaetus
Hawks, kites and eagles
Order: Accipitriformes Family: Accipitridae
Accipitridae is a family of birds of prey, which includes hawks, eagles, kites, harriers and Old World vultures. These birds have powerful hooked beaks for tearing flesh from their prey, strong legs, powerful talons and keen eyesight.
African cuckoo hawk, Aviceda cuculoides
European honey buzzard, Pernis apivorus
Bat hawk, Macheiramphus alcinus
Black-shouldered kite, Elanus caeruleus
Scissor-tailed kite, Chelictinia riocourii
Black kite, Milvus migrans
Yellow-billed kite, Milvus aegyptius
African fish eagle, Haliaeetus vocifer
Palm-nut vulture, Gypohierax angolensis
Hooded vulture, Necrosyrtes monachus
Egyptian vulture, Neophron percnopterus
White-backed vulture, Gyps africanus
Rüppell's vulture, Gyps rueppelli
Lappet-faced vulture, Torgos tracheliotos
White-headed vulture, Trigonoceps occipitalis
Beaudouin's snake eagle, Circaetus beaudouini
Brown snake eagle, Circaetus cinereus
Banded snake eagle, Circaetus cinerascens
Bateleur, Terathopius ecaudatus
Congo serpent eagle, Dryotriorchis spectabilis
Western marsh harrier, Circus aeruginosus
African marsh harrier, Circus ranivorus
Pallid harrier, Circus macrourus
Montagu's harrier, Circus pygargus
African harrier-hawk, Polyboroides typus
Lizard buzzard, Kaupifalco monogrammicus
Dark chanting goshawk, Melierax metabates
Gabar goshawk, Micronisus gabar
Red-chested goshawk, Accipiter toussenelii
Chestnut-flanked sparrowhawk, Accipiter castanilius
Shikra, Accipiter badius
Red-thighed sparrowhawk, Accipiter erythropus
Ovampo sparrowhawk, Accipiter ovampensis
Black goshawk, Accipiter melanoleucus
Long-tailed hawk, Urotriorchis macrourus
Grasshopper buzzard, Butastur rufipennis
Eurasian buzzard, Buteo buteo
Long-legged buzzard, Buteo rufinus
Red-necked buzzard, Buteo auguralis
Lesser spotted eagle, Clanga pomarina
Tawny eagle, Aquila rapax
African hawk-eagle, Aquila spilogaster
Cassin's hawk-eagle, Aquila africana
Wahlberg's eagle, Hieraaetus wahlbergi
Booted eagle, Hieraaetus pennatus
Ayres's hawk-eagle, Hieraaetus ayresii
Martial eagle, Polemaetus bellicosus
Long-crested eagle, Lophaetus occipitalis
Crowned hawk eagle, Stephanoaetus coronatus
Order: Accipitriformes Family: Sagittariidae
The secretarybird is a bird of prey in the order Accipitriformes but is easily distinguished from other raptors by its long crane-like legs.
Secretarybird, Sagittarius serpentarius
Caracaras and falcons
Order: Falconiformes Family: Falconidae
Falconidae is a family of diurnal birds of prey. They differ from hawks, eagles and kites in that they kill with their beaks instead of their talons.
Lesser kestrel, Falco naumanni
Eurasian kestrel, Falco tinnunculus
Fox kestrel, Falco alopex
Grey kestrel, Falco ardosiaceus
Red-necked falcon, Falco chicquera
Red-footed falcon, Falco vespertinus
Eurasian hobby, Falco subbuteo
African hobby, Falco cuvierii
Lanner falcon, Falco biarmicus
Peregrine falcon, Falco peregrinus
Pheasants and francolins
Order: Galliformes Family: Phasianidae
The Phasianidae are a family of terrestrial birds which consists of quails, snowcocks, francolins, spurfowls, tragopans, monals, pheasants, peafowls and jungle fowls. In general, they are plump (although they vary in size) and have broad, relatively short wings. There are 10 species which have been recorded in Nigeria.
Coqui francolin, Peliperdix coqui
White-throated francolin, Peliperdix albogularis
Latham's francolin, Peliperdix lathami
Scaly francolin, Pternistis squamatus
Ahanta francolin, Pternistis ahantensis
Double-spurred francolin, Pternistis bicalcaratus
Clapperton's francolin, Pternistis clappertoni
Harlequin quail, Coturnix delegorguei
Blue quail, Excalfactoria adansonii
Order: Galliformes Family: Odontophoridae
Stone partridge, Ptilopachus petrosus
Order: Galliformes Family: Numididae
Guineafowl are a group of African, seed-eating, ground-nesting birds that resemble partridges, but with featherless heads and spangled grey plumage. There are 6 species worldwide and 3 species which occur in Nigeria.
Black guineafowl, Agelastes niger
Helmeted guineafowl, Numida meleagris
Crested guineafowl, Guttera pucherani
Order: Gruiformes 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". There are 15 species worldwide and 3 species which occur in Nigeria.
Black crowned-crane, Balearica pavonina
Demoiselle crane, Anthropoides virgo
Common crane, Grus grus
Order: Gruiformes Family: Sarothruridae
White-spotted flufftail, Sarothrura pulchra
Buff-spotted flufftail, Sarothrura elegans
Red-chested flufftail, Sarothrura rufa
Chestnut-headed flufftail, Sarothrura lugens
Streaky-breasted flufftail, Sarothrura boehmi
Grey-throated rail, Canirallus oculeus
Rails, crakes, gallinules and coots
Order: Gruiformes Family: Rallidae
Rallidae is a large family of small to medium-sized birds which includes the rails, crakes, coots and gallinules. Typically they inhabit dense vegetation in damp environments near lakes, swamps or rivers. In general they are shy and secretive birds, making them difficult to observe. Most species have strong legs and long toes which are well adapted to soft uneven surfaces. They tend to have short, rounded wings and to be weak fliers.
Nkulengu rail, Himantornis haematopus
African crake, Crecopsis egregia
Corn crake, Crex crex
Black crake, Amaurornis flavirostris
Little crake, Porzana parva
Baillon's crake, Porzana pusilla
Spotted crake, Porzana porzana
Striped crake, Aenigmatolimnas marginalis
African swamphen, Porphyrio madagascariensis
Allen's gallinule, Porphyrio alleni
Common moorhen, Gallinula chloropus
Lesser moorhen, Gallinula angulata
Eurasian coot, Fulica atra
Order: Gruiformes Family: Heliornithidae
Heliornithidae is a small family of tropical birds with webbed lobes on their feet similar to those of grebes and coots. There are 3 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Nigeria.
African finfoot, Podica senegalensis
Order: Otidiformes Family: Otididae
Bustards are large terrestrial birds mainly associated with dry open country and steppes in the Old World. They are omnivorous and nest on the ground. They walk steadily on strong legs and big toes, pecking for food as they go. They have long broad wings with "fingered" wingtips and striking patterns in flight. Many have interesting mating displays.
Arabian bustard, Ardeotis arabs
Denham's bustard, Neotis denhami
Nubian bustard, Neotis nuba
White-bellied bustard, Eupodotis senegalensis
Savile's bustard, Lophotis savilei
Black-bellied bustard, Lissotis melanogaster
Order: Charadriiformes Family: Turnicidae
The buttonquails are small, drab, running birds which resemble the true quails. The female is the brighter of the sexes and initiates courtship. The male incubates the eggs and tends the young.
Small buttonquail, Turnix sylvatica
Black-rumped buttonquail, Turnix nanus
Quail-plover, Ortyxelos meiffrenii
Order: Charadriiformes Family: Jacanidae
The jacanas are a group of tropical waders in the family Jacanidae. They are found throughout the tropics. They are identifiable by their huge feet and claws which enable them to walk on floating vegetation in the shallow lakes that are their preferred habitat. There 8 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in Nigeria.
Lesser jacana, Microparra capensis
African jacana, Actophilornis africanus
Order: Charadriiformes Family: Rostratulidae
Painted-snipe are short-legged, long-billed birds similar in shape to the true snipes, but more brightly coloured. There are 2 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Nigeria.
Greater painted-snipe, Rostratula benghalensis
Order: Charadriiformes Family: Haematopodidae
The oystercatchers are large and noisy plover-like birds, with strong bills used for smashing or prising open molluscs. There are 11 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Nigeria.
Eurasian oystercatcher, Haematopus ostralegus
Avocets and stilts
Order: Charadriiformes Family: Recurvirostridae
Recurvirostridae is a family of large wading birds, which includes the avocets and stilts. The avocets have long legs and long up-curved bills. The stilts have extremely long legs and long, thin, straight bills. There are 9 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in Nigeria.
Black-winged stilt, Himantopus himantopus
Pied avocet, Recurvirostra avosetta
Order: Charadriiformes Family: Burhinidae
The thick-knees are a group of largely tropical waders in the family Burhinidae. They are found worldwide within the tropical zone, with some species also breeding in temperate Europe and Australia. They are medium to large waders with strong black or yellow-black bills, large yellow eyes and cryptic plumage. Despite being classed as waders, most species have a preference for arid or semi-arid habitats. There are 9 species worldwide and 4 species which occur in Nigeria.
Water thick-knee, Burhinus vermiculatus
Eurasian thick-knee, Burhinus oedicnemus
Senegal thick-knee, Burhinus senegalensis
Spotted thick-knee, Burhinus capensis
Pratincoles and coursers
Order: Charadriiformes Family: Glareolidae
Glareolidae is a family of wading birds comprising the pratincoles, which have short legs, long pointed wings and long forked tails, and the coursers, which have long legs, short wings and long, pointed bills which curve downwards. There are 17 species worldwide and 8 species which occur in Nigeria.
Egyptian plover, Pluvianus aegyptius
Cream-coloured courser, Cursorius cursor
Temminck's courser, Cursorius temminckii
Bronze-winged courser, Rhinoptilus chalcopterus
Collared pratincole, Glareola pratincola
Black-winged pratincole, Glareola nordmanni
Rock pratincole, Glareola nuchalis
Grey pratincole, Glareola cinerea
Plovers and lapwings
Order: Charadriiformes Family: Charadriidae
The family Charadriidae includes the plovers, dotterels and lapwings. They are small to medium-sized birds with compact bodies, short, thick necks and long, usually pointed, wings. They are found in open country worldwide, mostly in habitats near water. There are 66 species worldwide and 21 species which occur in Nigeria.
Long-toed lapwing, Vanellus crassirostris
Spur-winged plover, Vanellus spinosus
Black-headed lapwing, Vanellus tectus
White-headed lapwing, Vanellus albiceps
Senegal lapwing, Vanellus lugubris
Wattled lapwing, Vanellus senegallus
Brown-chested lapwing, Vanellus superciliosus
White-tailed lapwing, Vanellus leucurus
Pacific golden-plover, Pluvialis fulva (A)
American golden-plover, Pluvialis dominica
European golden-plover, Pluvialis apricaria
Black-bellied plover, Pluvialis squatarola
Common ringed plover, Charadrius hiaticula
Little ringed plover, Charadrius dubius
Kittlitz's plover, Charadrius pecuarius
Three-banded plover, Charadrius tricollaris
Forbes's plover, Charadrius forbesi
White-fronted plover, Charadrius marginatus
Snowy plover, Charadrius alexandrinus
Greater sandplover, Charadrius leschenaultii
Caspian plover, Charadrius asiaticus
Sandpipers and allies
Order: Charadriiformes Family: Scolopacidae
Scolopacidae is a large diverse family of small to medium-sized shorebirds including the sandpipers, curlews, godwits, shanks, tattlers, woodcocks, snipes, dowitchers and phalaropes. The majority of these species eat small invertebrates picked out of the mud or soil. Variation in length of legs and bills enables multiple species to feed in the same habitat, particularly on the coast, without direct competition for food. There are 89 species worldwide and 28 species which occur in Nigeria.
Jack snipe, Lymnocryptes minimus
Great snipe, Gallinago media
Common snipe, Gallinago gallinago
Black-tailed godwit, Limosa limosa
Bar-tailed godwit, Limosa lapponica
Whimbrel, Numenius phaeopus
Slender-billed curlew, Numenius tenuirostris
Eurasian curlew, Numenius arquata
Spotted redshank, Tringa erythropus
Common redshank, Tringa totanus
Marsh sandpiper, Tringa stagnatilis
Common greenshank, Tringa nebularia
Lesser yellowlegs, Tringa flavipes (A)
Green sandpiper, Tringa ochropus
Wood sandpiper, Tringa glareola
Terek sandpiper, Xenus cinereus
Common sandpiper, Actitis hypoleucos
Ruddy turnstone, Arenaria interpres
Red knot, Calidris canutus
Sanderling, Calidris alba
Little stint, Calidris minuta
Temminck's stint, Calidris temminckii
Curlew sandpiper, Calidris ferruginea
Dunlin, Calidris alpina
Broad-billed sandpiper, Limicola falcinellus
Ruff, Philomachus pugnax
Red-necked phalarope, Phalaropus lobatus
Red phalarope, Phalaropus fulicarius
Skuas and jaegers
Order: Charadriiformes Family: Stercorariidae
The family Stercorariidae are, in general, medium to large birds, typically with grey or brown plumage, often with white markings on the wings. They nest on the ground in temperate and arctic regions and are long-distance migrants. There are 7 species worldwide and 4 species which occur in Nigeria.
Great skua, Stercorarius skua
Pomarine jaeger, Stercorarius pomarinus
Parasitic jaeger, Stercorarius parasiticus
Long-tailed jaeger, Stercorarius longicaudus
Order: Charadriiformes Family: Laridae
Laridae is a family of medium to large seabirds, the gulls and kittiwakes. They are typically grey or white, often with black markings on the head or wings. They have stout, longish bills and webbed feet.
Lesser black-backed gull, Larus fuscus
Caspian gull, Larus cachinnans
Grey-headed gull, Chroicocephalus cirrocephalus
Black-headed gull, Chroicocephalus ridibundus
Slender-billed gull, Chroicocephalus genei
Little gull, Hydrocoloeus minutus
Sabine's gull, Xema sabini
Order: Charadriiformes Family: Sternidae
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.
Gull-billed tern, Gelochelidon nilotica
Caspian tern, Hydroprogne caspia
Sandwich tern, Thalasseus sandvicensis
Royal tern, Thalasseus maximus
Great crested tern, Thalasseus bergii
Roseate tern, Sterna dougallii
Common tern, Sterna hirundo
Arctic tern, Sterna paradisaea
Little tern, Sternula albifrons
Damara tern, Sternula balaenarum
Bridled tern, Onychoprion anaethetus
Sooty tern, Onychoprion fuscatus
Whiskered tern, Chlidonias hybrida
White-winged tern, Chlidonias leucopterus
Black tern, Chlidonias niger
Black noddy, Anous minutus
Brown noddy, Anous stolidus
Order: Charadriiformes Family: Rynchopidae
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. There are 3 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Nigeria.
African skimmer, Rynchops flavirostris
Sandgrouse
Order: Pterocliformes Family: Pteroclidae
Sandgrouse have small, pigeon like heads and necks, but sturdy compact bodies. They have long pointed wings and sometimes tails and a fast direct flight. Flocks fly to watering holes at dawn and dusk. Their legs are feathered down to the toes. There are 16 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in Nigeria.
Chestnut-bellied sandgrouse, Pterocles exustus
Four-banded sandgrouse, Pterocles quadricinctus
Pigeons and doves
Order: Columbiformes Family: Columbidae
Pigeons and doves are stout-bodied birds with short necks and short slender bills with a fleshy cere.
Rock pigeon, Columba livia
Speckled pigeon, Columba guinea
Afep pigeon, Columba unicincta
Rameron pigeon, Columba arquatrix
Cameroon pigeon, Columba sjostedti
Western bronze-naped pigeon, Columba iriditorques
Lemon dove, Columba larvata
Eurasian turtle dove, Streptopelia turtur
Adamawa turtle dove, Streptopelia hypopyrrha
African collared dove, Streptopelia roseogrisea
Mourning collared dove, Streptopelia decipiens
Red-eyed dove, Streptopelia semitorquata
Vinaceous dove, Streptopelia vinacea
Laughing dove, Spilopelia senegalensis
Black-billed wood dove, Turtur abyssinicus
Blue-spotted wood dove, Turtur afer
Tambourine dove, Turtur tympanistria
Blue-headed wood dove, Turtur brehmeri
Namaqua dove, Oena capensis
Bruce's green pigeon, Treron waalia
African green pigeon, Treron calva
Order: Psittaciformes Family: Psittaculidae
Rose-ringed parakeet, Psittacula krameri
Red-headed lovebird, Agapornis pullarius
African and New World parrots
Order: Psittaciformes Family: Psittacidae
Grey parrot, Psittacus erithacus
Brown-necked parrot, Poicephalus robustus
Senegal parrot, Poicephalus senegalus
Order: Cuculiformes Family: Musophagidae
The turacos, plantain eaters and go-away-birds make up the bird family Musophagidae. They are medium-sized arboreal birds. The turacos and plantain eaters are brightly coloured, usually in blue, green or purple. The go-away birds are mostly grey and white. There are 23 species worldwide and 6 species which occur in Nigeria.
Great blue turaco, Corythaeola cristata
Guinea turaco, Tauraco persa
White-crested turaco, Tauraco leucolophus
Yellow-billed turaco, Tauraco macrorhynchus
Violet turaco, Musophaga violacea
Western plantain-eater, Crinifer piscator
Cuckoos and anis
Order: Cuculiformes Family: Cuculidae
The family Cuculidae includes cuckoos, roadrunners and anis. These birds are of variable size with slender bodies, long tails and strong legs. The Old World cuckoos are brood parasites. There are 138 species worldwide and 19 species which occur in Nigeria.
Pied cuckoo, Clamator jacobinus
Levaillant's cuckoo, Clamator levaillantii
Great spotted cuckoo, Clamator glandarius
Thick-billed cuckoo, Pachycoccyx audeberti
Red-chested cuckoo, Cuculus solitarius
Black cuckoo, Cuculus clamosus
Common cuckoo, Cuculus canorus
African cuckoo, Cuculus gularis
Dusky long-tailed cuckoo, Cercococcyx mechowi
Olive long-tailed cuckoo, Cercococcyx olivinus
Yellow-throated cuckoo, Chrysococcyx flavigularis
Klaas's cuckoo, Chrysococcyx klaas
African emerald cuckoo, Chrysococcyx cupreus
Dideric cuckoo, Chrysococcyx caprius
Blue malkoha, Ceuthmochares aereus
Black coucal, Centropus grillii
Black-throated coucal, Centropus leucogaster
Blue-headed coucal, Centropus monachus
Senegal coucal, Centropus senegalensis
Order: Strigiformes Family: Tytonidae
Barn owls are medium to large owls with large heads and characteristic heart-shaped faces. They have long strong legs with powerful talons. There are 16 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Nigeria.
Barn owl, Tyto alba
Order: Strigiformes Family: Strigidae
The typical owls are small to large solitary nocturnal birds of prey. They have large forward-facing eyes and ears, a hawk-like beak and a conspicuous circle of feathers around each eye called a facial disk.
African scops owl, Otus senegalensis
European scops owl, Otus scops
Northern white-faced owl, Ptilopsis leucotis
Greyish eagle owl, Bubo cinerascens
Fraser's eagle owl, Bubo poensis
Verreaux's eagle owl, Bubo lacteus
Akun eagle owl, Bubo leucostictus
Pel's fishing owl, Scotopelia peli
Vermiculated fishing owl, Scotopelia bouvieri
African wood owl, Strix woodfordii
Pearl-spotted owlet, Glaucidium perlatum
Sjostedt's owlet, Glaucidium sjostedti
Short-eared owl, Asio flammeus
Marsh owl, Asio capensis
Order: Caprimulgiformes Family: Caprimulgidae
Nightjars are medium-sized nocturnal birds that usually nest on the ground. They have long wings, short legs and very short bills. Most have small feet, of little use for walking, and long pointed wings. Their soft plumage is camouflaged to resemble bark or leaves. There are 12 species which have been recorded in Nigeria.
Red-necked nightjar, Caprimulgus ruficollis
Eurasian nightjar, Caprimulgus europaeus
Rufous-cheeked nightjar, Caprimulgus rufigena
Egyptian nightjar, Caprimulgus aegyptius
Black-shouldered nightjar, Caprimulgus nigriscapularis
Fiery-necked nightjar, Caprimulgus pectoralis
Swamp nightjar, Caprimulgus natalensis
Plain nightjar, Caprimulgus inornatus
Freckled nightjar, Caprimulgus tristigma
Long-tailed nightjar, Caprimulgus climacurus
Pennant-winged nightjar, Caprimulgus vexillarius
Standard-winged nightjar, Caprimulgus longipennis
Order: Apodiformes Family: Apodidae
Swifts are small birds which spend the majority of their lives flying. These birds have very short legs and never settle voluntarily on the ground, perching instead only on vertical surfaces. Many swifts have long swept-back wings which resemble a crescent or boomerang. There are 98 species worldwide and 14 species which occur in Nigeria.
Mottled spinetail, Telacanthura ussheri
Black spinetail, Telacanthura melanopygia
Sabine's spinetail, Rhaphidura sabini
Cassin's spinetail, Neafrapus cassini
African palm-swift, Cypsiurus parvus
Alpine swift, Tachymarptis melba
Mottled swift, Tachymarptis aequatorialis
Common swift, Apus apus
Pallid swift, Apus pallidus
African swift, Apus barbatus
Little swift, Apus affinis
Horus swift, Apus horus
White-rumped swift, Apus caffer
Bates's swift, Apus batesi
Order: Coliiformes Family: 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. There are 6 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in Nigeria.
Speckled mousebird, Colius striatus
Blue-naped mousebird, Urocolius macrourus
Trogons and quetzals
Order: Trogoniformes Family: Trogonidae
The family Trogonidae includes trogons and quetzals. Found in tropical woodlands worldwide, they feed on insects and fruit, and their broad bills and weak legs reflect their diet and arboreal habits. Although their flight is fast, they are reluctant to fly any distance. Trogons have soft, often colourful, feathers with distinctive male and female plumage. There are 33 species worldwide and 3 species which occur in Nigeria.
Narina trogon, Apaloderma narina
Bare-cheeked trogon, Apaloderma aequatoriale
Bar-tailed trogon, Apaloderma vittatum
Order: Coraciiformes Family: Alcedinidae
Kingfishers are medium-sized birds with large heads, long, pointed bills, short legs and stubby tails. There are 93 species worldwide and 12 species which occur in Nigeria.
Shining-blue kingfisher, Alcedo quadribrachys
Malachite kingfisher, Corythornis cristatus
White-bellied kingfisher, Corythornis leucogaster
African pygmy kingfisher, Ispidina picta
African dwarf kingfisher, Ispidina lecontei
Chocolate-backed kingfisher, Halcyon badia
Grey-headed kingfisher, Halcyon leucocephala
Woodland kingfisher, Halcyon senegalensis
Blue-breasted kingfisher, Halcyon malimbica
Striped kingfisher, Halcyon chelicuti
Giant kingfisher, Megaceryle maximus
Pied kingfisher, Ceryle rudis
Order: Coraciiformes Family: Meropidae
The bee-eaters are a group of near passerine birds in the family Meropidae. Most species are found in Africa but others occur in southern Europe, Madagascar, Australia and New Guinea. They are characterised by richly coloured plumage, slender bodies and usually elongated central tail feathers. All are colourful and have long downturned bills and pointed wings, which give them a swallow-like appearance when seen from afar. There are 13 species which occur in Nigeria.
Black bee-eater, Merops gularis
Blue-moustached bee-eater, Merops mentalis
Red-throated bee-eater, Merops bulocki
Little bee-eater, Merops pusillus
Blue-breasted bee-eater, Merops variegatus
Swallow-tailed bee-eater, Merops hirundineus
Black-headed bee-eater, Merops breweri
White-throated bee-eater, Merops albicollis
Green bee-eater, Merops orientalis
Blue-cheeked bee-eater, Merops persicus
European bee-eater, Merops apiaster
Rosy bee-eater, Merops malimbicus
Northern carmine bee-eater, Merops nubicus
Order: Coraciiformes Family: Coraciidae
Rollers resemble crows in size and build, but are more closely related to the kingfishers and bee-eaters. They share the colourful appearance of those groups with blues and browns predominating. The two inner front toes are connected, but the outer toe is not. There are 12 species worldwide and 6 species which occur in Nigeria.
European roller, Coracias garrulus
Abyssinian roller, Coracias abyssinica
Rufous-crowned roller, Coracias naevia
Blue-bellied roller, Coracias cyanogaster
Broad-billed roller, Eurystomus glaucurus
Blue-throated roller, Eurystomus gularis
Order: Coraciiformes Family: Upupidae
Hoopoes have black, white and orangey-pink colouring with a large erectile crest on their head. There are 2 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Nigeria.
Hoopoe, Upupa epops
Order: Coraciiformes Family: Phoeniculidae
The woodhoopoes are related to the kingfishers, rollers and hoopoes. They most resemble the hoopoes with their long curved bills, used to probe for insects, and short rounded wings. However, they differ in that they have metallic plumage, often blue, green or purple, and lack an erectile crest. There are 8 species worldwide and 4 species which occur in Nigeria.
Green woodhoopoe, Phoeniculus purpureus
White-headed woodhoopoe, Phoeniculus bollei
Forest woodhoopoe, Phoeniculus castaneiceps
Black scimitar-bill, Rhinopomastus aterrimus
Order: Coraciiformes Family: Bucerotidae
Hornbills are a group of birds whose bill is shaped like a cow's horn, but without a twist, sometimes with a casque on the upper mandible. Frequently, the bill is brightly coloured.
White-crested hornbill, Tockus albocristatus
Black dwarf hornbill, Tockus hartlaubi
Red-billed dwarf hornbill, Tockus camurus
Northern red-billed hornbill, Tockus erythrorhynchus
African pied hornbill, Tockus fasciatus
African grey hornbill, Tockus nasutus
Piping hornbill, Ceratogymna fistulator
Black-and-white-casqued hornbill, Ceratogymna subcylindricus
Brown-cheeked hornbill, Ceratogymna cylindricus
White-thighed hornbill, Ceratogymna albotibialis
Black-casqued hornbill, Ceratogymna atrata
Yellow-casqued hornbill, Ceratogymna elata
Abyssinian ground-hornbill, Bucorvus abyssinicus
Order: Piciformes Family: Lybiidae
The barbets are plump birds, with short necks and large heads. They get their name from the bristles which fringe their heavy bills. Most species are brightly coloured.
Naked-faced barbet, Gymnobucco calvus
Bristle-nosed barbet, Gymnobucco peli
Speckled tinkerbird, Pogoniulus scolopaceus
Western tinkerbird, Pogoniulus coryphaea
Red-rumped tinkerbird, Pogoniulus atroflavus
Yellow-throated tinkerbird, Pogoniulus subsulphureus
Yellow-rumped tinkerbird, Pogoniulus bilineatus
Yellow-fronted tinkerbird, Pogoniulus chrysoconus
Yellow-spotted barbet, Buccanodon duchaillui
Hairy-breasted barbet, Tricholaema hirsuta
Vieillot's barbet, Lybius vieilloti
White-headed barbet, Lybius leucocephalus
Double-toothed barbet, Lybius bidentatus
Bearded barbet, Lybius dubius
Yellow-billed barbet, Trachyphonus purpuratus
Yellow-breasted barbet, Trachyphonus margaritatus
Order: Piciformes Family: Indicatoridae
Honeyguides are among the few birds that feed on wax. They are named for the greater honeyguide which leads traditional honey-hunters to bees' nests and, after the hunters have harvested the honey, feeds on the remaining contents of the hive. There are 17 species worldwide and 9 species which occur in Nigeria.
Spotted honeyguide, Indicator maculatus
Greater honeyguide, Indicator indicator
Lesser honeyguide, Indicator minor
Thick-billed honeyguide, Indicator conirostris
Willcock's honeyguide, Indicator willcocksi
Least honeyguide, Indicator exilis
Lyre-tailed honeyguide, Melichneutes robustus
Cassin's honeyguide, Prodotiscus insignis
Wahlberg's honeyguide, Prodotiscus regulus
Woodpeckers and allies
Order: Piciformes Family: Picidae
Woodpeckers are small to medium-sized birds with chisel-like beaks, short legs, stiff tails and long tongues used for capturing insects. Some species have feet with two toes pointing forward and two backward, while several species have only three toes. Many woodpeckers have the habit of tapping noisily on tree trunks with their beaks.
Eurasian wryneck, Jynx torquilla
Rufous-necked wryneck, Jynx ruficollis
African piculet, Sasia africana
Fine-spotted woodpecker, Campethera punctuligera
Golden-tailed woodpecker, Campethera abingoni
Green-backed woodpecker, Campethera cailliautii
Tullberg's woodpecker, Campethera tullbergi
Buff-spotted woodpecker, Campethera nivosa
Brown-eared woodpecker, Campethera caroli
Little grey woodpecker, Dendropicos elachus
Speckle-breasted woodpecker, Dendropicos poecilolaemus
Cardinal woodpecker, Dendropicos fuscescens
Gabon woodpecker, Dendropicos gabonensis
Melancholy woodpecker, Dendropicos lugubris
Elliot's woodpecker, Dendropicos elliotii
African grey woodpecker, Dendropicos goertae
Brown-backed woodpecker, Dendropicos obsoletus
Fire-bellied woodpecker, Chloropicus pyrrhogaster
Yellow-crested woodpecker, Chloropicus xantholophus
Order: Passeriformes Family: Eurylaimidae
The broadbills are small, brightly coloured birds, which feed on fruit and also take insects in flycatcher fashion, snapping their broad bills. Their habitat is canopies of wet forests. There are 15 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in Nigeria.
African broadbill, Smithornis capensis
Rufous-sided broadbill, Smithornis rufolateralis
Order: Passeriformes Family: Pittidae
Pittas are medium-sized by passerine standards and are stocky, with fairly long, strong legs, short tails and stout bills. Many are brightly coloured. They spend the majority of their time on wet forest floors, eating snails, insects and similar invertebrates. There are 32 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Nigeria.
African pitta, Pitta angolensis
Order: Passeriformes Family: Alaudidae
Larks are small terrestrial birds with often extravagant songs and display flights. Most larks are fairly dull in appearance. Their food is insects and seeds.
Singing bushlark, Mirafra cantillans
Rufous-naped lark, Mirafra africana
Flappet lark, Mirafra rufocinnamomea
Rusty lark, Mirafra rufa
Rufous-rumped lark, Pinarocorys erythropygia
Chestnut-backed sparrow-lark, Eremopterix leucotis
Black-crowned sparrow-lark, Eremopterix nigriceps (A)
Desert lark, Ammomanes deserti
Greater short-toed lark, Calandrella brachydactyla
Red-capped lark, Calandrella cinerea
Lesser short-toed lark, Alaudala rufescens
Crested lark, Galerida cristata
Sun lark, Galerida modesta
Swallows and martins
Order: Passeriformes Family: Hirundinidae
The family Hirundinidae is adapted to aerial feeding. They have a slender streamlined body, long pointed wings and a short bill with a wide gape. The feet are adapted to perching rather than walking, and the front toes are partially joined at the base. There are 75 species worldwide and 22 species which occur in Nigeria.
Sand martin, Riparia riparia
Brown-throated martin, Riparia paludicola
Banded martin, Riparia cincta
Grey-rumped swallow, Pseudhirundo griseopyga
Rock martin, Ptyonoprogne fuligula
Barn swallow, Hirundo rustica
Red-chested swallow, Hirundo lucida
Ethiopian swallow, Hirundo aethiopica
Wire-tailed swallow, Hirundo smithii
White-throated blue swallow, Hirundo nigrita
Pied-winged swallow, Hirundo leucosoma
Lesser striped swallow, Cecropis abyssinica
Rufous-chested swallow, Cecropis semirufa
Mosque swallow, Cecropis senegalensis
Red-rumped swallow, Cecropis daurica
Preuss's swallow, Petrochelidon preussi
Forest swallow, Petrochelidon fuliginosa
Common house martin, Delichon urbicum
Square-tailed sawwing, Psalidoprocne nitens
Mountain sawwing, Psalidoprocne fuliginosa
Blue sawwing, Psalidoprocne pristoptera
Fanti sawwing, Psalidoprocne obscura
Wagtails and pipits
Order: Passeriformes Family: Motacillidae
Motacillidae is a family of small passerine birds with medium to long tails. They include the wagtails, longclaws and pipits. They are slender, ground feeding insectivores of open country. There are 54 species worldwide and 11 species which occur in Nigeria.
White wagtail, Motacilla alba
African pied wagtail, Motacilla aguimp
Yellow wagtail, Motacilla flava
Mountain wagtail, Motacilla clara
Yellow-throated longclaw, Macronyx croceus
Plain-backed pipit, Anthus leucophrys
African pipit, Anthus cinnamomeus
Tawny pipit, Anthus campestris
Long-billed pipit, Anthus similis
Tree pipit, Anthus trivialis
Red-throated pipit, Anthus cervinus
Order: Passeriformes Family: Campephagidae
The cuckooshrikes are small to medium-sized passerine birds. They are predominantly greyish with white and black, although some species are brightly coloured.
White-breasted cuckooshrike, Coracina pectoralis
Blue cuckooshrike, Coracina azurea
Grey cuckooshrike, Coracina caesia
Petit's cuckooshrike, Campephaga petiti
Red-shouldered cuckooshrike, Campephaga phoenicea
Purple-throated cuckooshrike, Campephaga quiscalina
Ghana cuckooshrike, Campephaga lobata
Oriole cuckooshrike, Campephaga oriolina
Order: Passeriformes Family: Pycnonotidae
Bulbuls are medium-sized songbirds. Some are colourful with yellow, red or orange vents, cheeks, throats or supercilia, but most are drab, with uniform olive-brown to black plumage. Some species have distinct crests.
Common bulbul, Pycnonotus barbatus
Little greenbul, Eurillas virens
Little grey greenbul, Eurillas gracilis
Ansorge's greenbul, Eurillas ansorgei
Plain greenbul, Eurillas curvirostris
Yellow-whiskered bulbul, Eurillas latirostris
Slender-billed greenbul, Stelgidillas gracilirostris
Cameroon greenbul, Arizelocichla montana
Western greenbul, Arizelocichla tephrolaema
Golden greenbul, Calyptocichla serinus
Honeyguide greenbul, Baeopogon indicator
Sjostedt's greenbul, Baeopogon clamans
Spotted greenbul, Ixonotus guttatus
Simple greenbul, Chlorocichla simplex
Yellow-throated leaflove, Atimastillas flavicollis
Swamp greenbul, Thescelocichla leucopleura
Red-tailed leaflove, Phyllastrephus scandens
Baumann's greenbul, Phyllastrephus baumanni
Cameroon olive greenbul, Phyllastrephus poensis
Grey-headed greenbul, Phyllastrephus poliocephalus
White-throated greenbul, Phyllastrephus albigularis
Icterine greenbul, Phyllastrephus icterinus
Common bristlebill, Bleda syndactyla
Grey-headed bristlebill, Bleda canicapilla
Yellow-spotted nicator, Nicator chloris
Red-tailed greenbul, Criniger calurus
Western bearded greenbul, Criniger barbatus
Eastern bearded greenbul, Criniger chloronotus
Yellow-bearded greenbul, Criniger olivaceus
White-bearded greenbul, Criniger ndussumensis
Lesser bristlebill, Bleda notata
Thrushes and allies
Order: Passeriformes Family: Turdidae
The thrushes are a group of passerine birds that occur mainly in the Old World. They are plump, soft plumaged, small to medium-sized insectivores or sometimes omnivores, often feeding on the ground. Many have attractive songs.
Fraser's rufous thrush, Neocossyphus fraseri
Finsch's rufous thrush, Neocossyphus finschi
White-tailed ant thrush, Neocossyphus poensis
Crossley's ground thrush, Geokichla crossleyi
Black-eared ground thrush, Geokichla cameronensis
Grey ground thrush, Geokichla princei
African thrush, Turdus pelios
Brown-chested alethe, Pseudalethe poliocephala
Fire-crested alethe, Alethe castanea
Cisticolas and allies
Order: Passeriformes Family: Cisticolidae
The Cisticolidae are warblers found mainly in warmer southern regions of the Old World. They are generally very small birds of drab brown or grey appearance found in open country such as grassland or scrub. There are 34 species which have been recorded in Nigeria.
Red-faced cisticola, Cisticola erythrops
Singing cisticola, Cisticola cantans
Whistling cisticola, Cisticola lateralis
Chattering cisticola, Cisticola anonymus
Chubb's cisticola, Cisticola chubbi
Rock-loving cisticola, Cisticola aberrans
Red-pate cisticola, Cisticola ruficeps
Dorst's cisticola, Cisticola guinea
Winding cisticola, Cisticola galactotes
Stout cisticola, Cisticola robustus
Croaking cisticola, Cisticola natalensis
Siffling cisticola, Cisticola brachypterus
Rufous cisticola, Cisticola rufus
Foxy cisticola, Cisticola troglodytes
Zitting cisticola, Cisticola juncidis
Desert cisticola, Cisticola aridulus
Black-necked cisticola, Cisticola eximius
Tawny-flanked prinia, Prinia subflava
River prinia, Prinia fluviatilis
White-chinned prinia, Prinia leucopogon
Banded prinia, Prinia bairdii
Red-winged prinia, Prinia erythroptera
Green longtail, Urolais epichlora
Cricket longtail, Spiloptila clamans
Black-collared apalis, Apalis pulchra
Black-capped apalis, Apalis nigriceps
Black-throated apalis, Apalis jacksoni
Yellow-breasted apalis, Apalis flavida
Buff-throated apalis, Apalis rufogularis
Grey apalis, Apalis cinerea
Oriole warbler, Hypergerus atriceps
Green-backed camaroptera, Camaroptera brachyura
Yellow-browed camaroptera, Camaroptera superciliaris
Olive-green camaroptera, Camaroptera chloronota
Buff-bellied warbler, Phyllolais pulchella
White-tailed warbler, Poliolais lopezi
Yellow-bellied eremomela, Eremomela icteropygialis
Senegal eremomela, Eremomela pusilla
Rufous-crowned eremomela, Eremomela badiceps
Order: Passeriformes Family: Macrosphenidae
Green crombec, Sylvietta virens
Lemon-bellied crombec, Sylvietta denti
Northern crombec, Sylvietta brachyura
Kemp's longbill, Macrosphenus kempi
Yellow longbill, Macrosphenus flavicans
Grey longbill, Macrosphenus concolor
Order: Passeriformes Family: Cettiidae
Green hylia, Hylia prasina
Order: Passeriformes Family: Locustellidae
African bush warbler, Bradypterus baboecala
Bangwa forest warbler, Bradypterus bangwaensis
Moustached grass warbler, Melocichla mentalis
Common grasshopper warbler, Locustella naevia
Savi's warbler, Locustella luscinioides
Fan-tailed grassbird, Schoenicola brevirostris
Order: Passeriformes Family: Acrocephalidae
Sedge warbler, Acrocephalus schoenobaenus
Eurasian reed warbler, Acrocephalus scirpaceus
African reed warbler, Acrocephalus baeticatus
Marsh warbler, Acrocephalus palustris
Great reed warbler, Acrocephalus arundinaceus
Greater swamp warbler, Acrocephalus rufescens
Lesser swamp warbler, Acrocephalus gracilirostris
Eastern olivaceous warbler, Iduna pallida
Western olivaceous warbler, Iduna opaca
African yellow warbler, Iduna natalensis
Olive-tree warbler, Hippolais olivetorum
Melodious warbler, Hippolais polyglotta
Icterine warbler, Hippolais icterina
Order: Passeriformes Family: Phylloscopidae
Black-capped woodland warbler, Phylloscopus herberti
Willow warbler, Phylloscopus trochilus
Common chiffchaff, Phylloscopus collybita
Western Bonelli's warbler, Phylloscopus bonelli
Wood warbler, Phylloscopus sibilatrix
Order: Passeriformes Family: Hyliotidae
Yellow-bellied hyliota, Hyliota flavigaster
Violet-backed hyliota, Hyliota violacea
Order: Passeriformes Family: Sylviidae
The family Sylviidae is a group of small insectivorous passerine birds. They mainly occur as breeding species, as the common name implies, in Europe, Asia and, to a lesser extent, Africa. Most are of generally undistinguished appearance, but many have distinctive songs.
Eurasian blackcap, Sylvia atricapilla
Garden warbler, Sylvia borin
Greater whitethroat, Sylvia communis
Lesser whitethroat, Sylvia curruca
African desert warbler, Sylvia deserti
Barred warbler, Sylvia nisoria
Western Orphean warbler, Sylvia hortensis
Subalpine warbler, Sylvia cantillans
Menetries's warbler, Sylvia mystacea
African hill babbler, Pseudoalcippe abyssinica
Order: Passeriformes Family: Muscicapidae
Old World flycatchers are a large group of small passerine birds native to the Old World. They are mainly small arboreal insectivores. The appearance of these birds is highly varied, but they mostly have weak songs and harsh calls.
Common rock thrush, Monticola saxatilis
Blue rock thrush, Monticola solitarius
Pale flycatcher, Melaenornis pallidus
Northern black flycatcher, Melaenornis edolioides
African forest flycatcher, Fraseria ocreata
White-browed forest flycatcher, Fraseria cinerascens
Spotted flycatcher, Muscicapa striata
Gambaga flycatcher, Muscicapa gambagae
Ussher's flycatcher, Muscicapa ussheri
Sooty flycatcher, Muscicapa infuscata
Swamp flycatcher, Muscicapa aquatica
Olivaceous flycatcher, Muscicapa olivascens
African dusky flycatcher, Muscicapa adusta
Little grey flycatcher, Muscicapa epulata
Yellow-footed flycatcher, Muscicapa sethsmithi
Dusky-blue flycatcher, Muscicapa comitata
Tessmann's flycatcher, Muscicapa tessmanni
Cassin's flycatcher, Muscicapa cassini
Ashy flycatcher, Muscicapa caerulescens
Grey-throated tit-flycatcher, Myioparus griseigularis
Grey tit-flycatcher, Myioparus plumbeus
European pied flycatcher, Ficedula hypoleuca
Collared flycatcher, Ficedula albicollis
Semicollared flycatcher, Ficedula semitorquata
Forest robin, Stiphrornis erythrothorax
Bocage's akalat, Sheppardia bocagei
Thrush nightingale, Luscinia luscinia
Common nightingale, Luscinia megarhynchos
Bluethroat, Luscinia svecica
White-bellied robin-chat, Cossyphicula roberti
Mountain robin-chat, Cossypha isabellae
Blue-shouldered robin-chat, Cossypha cyanocampter
Grey-winged robin-chat, Cossypha polioptera
White-browed robin-chat, Cossypha heuglini
Red-capped robin-chat, Cossypha natalensis
Snowy-crowned robin-chat, Cossypha niveicapilla
White-crowned robin-chat, Cossypha albicapilla
Rufous-tailed scrub robin, Cercotrichas galactotes
Black scrub robin, Cercotrichas podobe
Common redstart, Phoenicurus phoenicurus
Whinchat, Saxicola rubetra
African stonechat, Saxicola torquatus
White-tailed wheatear, Oenanthe leucopyga
Northern wheatear, Oenanthe oenanthe
Black-eared wheatear, Oenanthe hispanica
Desert wheatear, Oenanthe deserti
Isabelline wheatear, Oenanthe isabellina
Heuglin's wheatear, Oenanthe heuglini
Familiar chat, Cercomela familiaris
Northern anteater-chat, Myrmecocichla aethiops
Sooty chat, Myrmecocichla nigra
White-fronted black-chat, Myrmecocichla albifrons
Mocking cliff-chat, Thamnolaea cinnamomeiventris
Order: Passeriformes Family: Platysteiridae
The wattle-eyes, or puffback flycatchers, are small stout passerine birds of the African tropics. They get their name from the brightly coloured fleshy eye decorations found in most species in this group. There are 31 species worldwide and 11 species which occur in Nigeria.
African shrike-flycatcher, Megabyas flammulatus
Black-and-white shrike-flycatcher, Bias musicus
Brown-throated wattle-eye, Platysteira cyanea
Chestnut wattle-eye, Platysteira castanea
White-spotted wattle-eye, Platysteira tonsa
Red-cheeked wattle-eye, Platysteira blissetti
Yellow-bellied wattle-eye, Platysteira concreta
Senegal batis, Batis senegalensis
Grey-headed batis, Batis orientalis
Fernando Po batis, Batis poensis
West African batis, Batis occulta
Order: Passeriformes Family: Erythrocercidae
Chestnut-capped flycatcher, Erythrocercus mccallii
Order: Passeriformes Family: Stenostiridae
African blue flycatcher, Elminia longicauda
Dusky crested flycatcher, Elminia nigromitrata
White-bellied crested flycatcher, Elminia albiventris
Order: Passeriformes Family: Monarchidae
The monarch flycatchers are small to medium-sized insectivorous passerines which hunt by flycatching. .
Blue-headed crested flycatcher, Trochocercus nitens
Black-headed paradise flycatcher, Terpsiphone rufiventer
African paradise flycatcher, Terpsiphone viridis
Order: Passeriformes Family: Picathartidae
Rockfowl are lanky birds with crow-like bills, long necks, tails and legs, and strong feet adapted to terrestrial feeding. They are similar in size and structure to the completely unrelated roadrunners, but they hop rather than walk. They also have brightly coloured unfeathered heads. There are 2 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Nigeria.
Grey-necked rockfowl, Picathartes oreas
Order: Passeriformes Family: Arcanatoridae
Grey-chested babbler, Kakamega poliothorax
Order: Passeriformes Family: Pellorneidae
Blackcap illadopsis, Illadopsis cleaveri
Puvel's illadopsis, Illadopsis puveli
Pale-breasted illadopsis, Illadopsis rufipennis
Brown illadopsis, Illadopsis fulvescens
Order: Passeriformes Family: Leiothrichidae
Blackcap babbler, Turdoides reinwardtii
Brown babbler, Turdoides plebejus
White-throated mountain-babbler, Kupeornis gilberti
Capuchin babbler, Phyllanthus atripennis
Chickadees and titmice
Order: Passeriformes Family: Paridae
The Paridae are mainly small stocky woodland species with short stout bills. Some have crests. They are adaptable birds, with a mixed diet including seeds and insects. There are 59 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in Nigeria.
White-shouldered black tit, Melaniparus guineensis
White-bellied tit, Melaniparus albiventris
Order: Passeriformes Family: Certhiidae
Treecreepers are small woodland birds, brown above and white below. They have thin pointed down-curved bills, which they use to extricate insects from bark. They have stiff tail feathers, like woodpeckers, which they use to support themselves on vertical trees. There are 6 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Nigeria.
Spotted creeper, Salpornis salvadori
Order: Passeriformes Family: Remizidae
The penduline tits are a group of small passerine birds related to the true tits. They are insectivores. There are 13 species worldwide and 4 species which occur in Nigeria.
Sennar penduline-tit, Anthoscopus punctifrons
Yellow penduline-tit, Anthoscopus parvulus
Forest penduline-tit, Anthoscopus flavifrons
Tit-hylia, Pholidornis rushiae
Sunbirds and spiderhunters
Order: Passeriformes Family: Nectariniidae
The sunbirds and spiderhunters are very small passerine birds which feed largely on nectar, although they will also take insects, especially when feeding young. Flight is fast and direct on their short wings. Most species can take nectar by hovering like a hummingbird, but usually perch to feed.
Scarlet-tufted sunbird, Deleornis fraseri
Mouse-brown sunbird, Anthreptes gabonicus
Western violet-backed sunbird, Anthreptes longuemarei
Violet-tailed sunbird, Anthreptes aurantius
Little green sunbird, Anthreptes seimundi
Green sunbird, Anthreptes rectirostris
Collared sunbird, Hedydipna collaris
Pygmy sunbird, Hedydipna platura
Reichenbach's sunbird, Anabathmis reichenbachii
Green-headed sunbird, Cyanomitra verticalis
Blue-throated brown sunbird, Cyanomitra cyanolaema
Cameroon sunbird, Cyanomitra oritis
Eastern olive-sunbird, Cyanomitra olivacea
Buff-throated sunbird, Chalcomitra adelberti
Carmelite sunbird, Chalcomitra fuliginosa
Green-throated sunbird, Chalcomitra rubescens
Scarlet-chested sunbird, Chalcomitra senegalensis
Olive-bellied sunbird, Cinnyris chloropygius
Tiny sunbird, Cinnyris minullus
Northern double-collared sunbird, Cinnyris preussi
Beautiful sunbird, Cinnyris pulchellus
Orange-tufted sunbird, Cinnyris bouvieri
Splendid sunbird, Cinnyris coccinigaster
Johanna's sunbird, Cinnyris johannae
Superb sunbird, Cinnyris superbus
Variable sunbird, Cinnyris venustus
Bates's sunbird, Cinnyris batesi
Copper sunbird, Cinnyris cupreus
Order: Passeriformes Family: Zosteropidae
The white-eyes are small and mostly undistinguished, their plumage above being generally some dull colour like greenish-olive, but some species have a white or bright yellow throat, breast or lower parts, and several have buff flanks. As their name suggests, many species have a white ring around each eye.
African yellow white-eye, Zosterops senegalensis
Forest white-eye, Zosterops stenocricotus
Order: Passeriformes Family: Oriolidae
The Old World orioles are colourful passerine birds. They are not related to the New World orioles. There are 29 species worldwide and 4 species which occur in Nigeria.
Eurasian golden oriole, Oriolus oriolus
African golden oriole, Oriolus auratus
Western black-headed oriole, Oriolus brachyrhynchus
Black-winged oriole, Oriolus nigripennis
Order: Passeriformes Family: Laniidae
Shrikes are passerine birds known for their habit of catching other birds and small animals and impaling the uneaten portions of their bodies on thorns. A typical shrike's beak is hooked, like a bird of prey.
Red-backed shrike, Lanius collurio
Isabelline shrike, Lanius isabellinus
Emin's shrike, Lanius gubernator
Southern grey shrike, Lanius meridionalis
Lesser grey shrike, Lanius minor
Grey-backed fiscal, Lanius excubitoroides
Mackinnon's shrike, Lanius mackinnoni
Northern fiscal, Lanius humeralis
Masked shrike, Lanius nubicus
Woodchat shrike, Lanius senator
Yellow-billed shrike, Corvinella corvina
Bushshrikes and allies
Order: Passeriformes Family: Malaconotidae
Bushshrikes are similar in habits to shrikes, hunting insects and other small prey from a perch on a bush. Although similar in build to the shrikes, these tend to be either colourful species or largely black; some species are quite secretive. There are 46 species worldwide and 21 species which occur in Nigeria.
Brubru, Nilaus afer
Northern puffback, Dryoscopus gambensis
Red-eyed puffback, Dryoscopus senegalensis
Pink-footed puffback, Dryoscopus angolensis
Large-billed puffback, Dryoscopus sabini
Marsh tchagra, Tchagra minuta
Black-crowned tchagra, Tchagra senegala
Brown-crowned tchagra, Tchagra australis
Luehder's bushshrike, Laniarius luehderi
Tropical boubou, Laniarius major
Common gonolek, Laniarius barbarus
Black-headed gonolek, Laniarius erythrogaster
Yellow-breasted boubou, Laniarius atroflavus
Sooty boubou, Laniarius leucorhynchus
Fuelleborn's boubou, Laniarius fuelleborni
Mountain sooty boubou, Laniarius poensis
Sulphur-breasted bushshrike, Telophorus sulfureopectus
Many-coloured bushshrike, Telophorus multicolor
Fiery-breasted bushshrike, Malaconotus cruentus
Green-breasted bushshrike, Malaconotus gladiator
Grey-headed bushshrike, Malaconotus blanchoti
Order: Passeriformes Family: Prionopidae
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. There are 12 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in Nigeria.
White helmetshrike, Prionops plumatus
Chestnut-bellied helmetshrike, Prionops caniceps
Order: Passeriformes Family: Dicruridae
The drongos are mostly black or dark grey in colour, sometimes with metallic tints. They have long forked tails, and some 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. There are 24 species worldwide and 4 species which occur in Nigeria.
Square-tailed drongo, Dicrurus ludwigii
Shining drongo, Dicrurus atripennis
Fork-tailed drongo, Dicrurus adsimilis
Velvet-mantled drongo, Dicrurus modestus
Crows, jays, ravens and magpies
Order: Passeriformes Family: Corvidae
The family Corvidae includes crows, ravens, jays, choughs, magpies, treepies, nutcrackers and ground jays. Corvids are above average in size among the Passeriformes, and some of the larger species show high levels of intelligence. There are 120 species worldwide and 4 species which occur in Nigeria.
Piapiac, Ptilostomus afer
Pied crow, Corvus albus
Brown-necked raven, Corvus ruficollis
Fan-tailed raven, Corvus rhipidurus
Order: Passeriformes Family: Sturnidae
Starlings are small to medium-sized passerine birds. Their flight is strong and direct and they are very gregarious. Their preferred habitat is fairly open country. They eat insects and fruit. Plumage is typically dark with a metallic sheen.
Greater blue-eared glossy-starling, Lamprotornis chalybaeus
Lesser blue-eared glossy-starling, Lamprotornis chloropterus
Bronze-tailed glossy-starling, Lamprotornis chalcurus
Splendid glossy-starling, Lamprotornis splendidus
Purple glossy-starling, Lamprotornis purpureus
Long-tailed glossy-starling, Lamprotornis caudatus
Chestnut-bellied starling, Lamprotornis pulcher
Purple-headed starling, Hylopsar purpureiceps
Violet-backed starling, Cinnyricinclus leucogaster
Chestnut-winged starling, Onychognathus fulgidus
Waller's starling, Onychognathus walleri
Neumann's starling, Onychognathus neumanni
Narrow-tailed starling, Poeoptera lugubris
Yellow-billed oxpecker, Buphagus africanus
Weavers and allies
Order: Passeriformes Family: Ploceidae
The weavers are small passerine birds related to the finches. They are seed-eating birds with rounded conical bills. The males of many species are brightly coloured, usually in red or yellow and black, some species show variation in colour only in the breeding season.
White-billed buffalo weaver, Bubalornis albirostris
Speckle-fronted weaver, Sporopipes frontalis
Chestnut-crowned sparrow-weaver, Plocepasser superciliosus
Bannerman's weaver, Ploceus bannermani
Baglafecht weaver, Ploceus baglafecht
Slender-billed weaver, Ploceus pelzelni
Little weaver, Ploceus luteolus
Spectacled weaver, Ploceus ocularis
Black-necked weaver, Ploceus nigricollis
Black-billed weaver, Ploceus melanogaster
Orange weaver, Ploceus aurantius
Heuglin's masked weaver, Ploceus heuglini
Vitelline masked weaver, Ploceus vitellinus
Village weaver, Ploceus cucullatus
Vieillot's weaver, Ploceus nigerrimus
Black-headed weaver, Ploceus melanocephalus
Yellow-mantled weaver, Ploceus tricolor
Maxwell's black weaver, Ploceus albinucha
Dark-backed weaver, Ploceus bicolor
Preuss's weaver, Ploceus preussi
Brown-capped weaver, Ploceus insignis
Compact weaver, Pachyphantes superciliosus
Cassin's malimbe, Malimbus cassini
Rachel's malimbe, Malimbus racheliae
Red-vented malimbe, Malimbus scutatus
Ibadan malimbe, Malimbus ibadanensis (E)
Red-bellied malimbe, Malimbus erythrogaster
Blue-billed malimbe, Malimbus nitens
Crested malimbe, Malimbus malimbicus
Red-headed malimbe, Malimbus rubricollis
Red-headed weaver, Anaplectes rubriceps
Red-headed quelea, Quelea erythrops
Red-billed quelea, Quelea quelea
Yellow-crowned bishop, Euplectes afer
Black-winged bishop, Euplectes hordeaceus
Orange bishop, Euplectes franciscanus
Yellow bishop, Euplectes capensis
Fan-tailed widowbird, Euplectes axillaris
Yellow-mantled widowbird, Euplectes macroura
Red-collared widowbird, Euplectes ardens
Marsh widowbird, Euplectes hartlaubi
Thick-billed weaver, Amblyospiza albifrons
Parasitic weaver, Anomalospiza imberbis
Waxbills and allies
Order: Passeriformes Family: Estrildidae
The estrildid finches are small passerine birds of the Old World tropics and Australasia. They are gregarious and often colonial seed eaters with short thick but pointed bills. They are all similar in structure and habits, but have wide variation in plumage colours and patterns.
Woodhouse's antpecker, Parmoptila woodhousei
White-breasted negrofinch, Nigrita fusconota
Chestnut-breasted negrofinch, Nigrita bicolor
Pale-fronted negrofinch, Nigrita luteifrons
Grey-headed negrofinch, Nigrita canicapilla
Fernando Po oliveback, Nesocharis shelleyi
Grey-headed oliveback, Nesocharis capistrata
Red-winged pytilia, Pytilia phoenicoptera
Green-winged pytilia, Pytilia melba
Red-faced pytilia, Pytilia hypogrammica
Green-backed twinspot, Mandingoa nitidula
Red-faced crimson-wing, Cryptospiza reichenovii
Black-bellied seedcracker, Pyrenestes ostrinus
Western bluebill, Spermophaga haematina
Brown twinspot, Clytospiza monteiri
Dybowski's twinspot, Euschistospiza dybowskii
Bar-breasted firefinch, Lagonosticta rufopicta
Red-billed firefinch, Lagonosticta senegala
Black-bellied firefinch, Lagonosticta rara
African firefinch, Lagonosticta rubricata
Rock firefinch, Lagonosticta sanguinodorsalis (E)
Black-faced firefinch, Lagonosticta larvata
Reichenow's firefinch, Lagonosticta umbrinodorsalis
Red-cheeked cordonbleu, Uraeginthus bengalus
Lavender waxbill, Estrilda caerulescens
Fawn-breasted waxbill, Estrilda paludicola
Anambra waxbill, Estrilda poliopareia (E)
Orange-cheeked waxbill, Estrilda melpoda
Black-rumped waxbill, Estrilda troglodytes
Common waxbill, Estrilda astrild
Black-crowned waxbill, Estrilda nonnula
Black-headed waxbill, Estrilda atricapilla
Zebra waxbill, Sporaeginthus subflavus
Black-faced quailfinch, Ortygospiza atricollis
Locust finch, Paludipasser locustella (A)
African silverbill, Euodice cantans
Bronze mannikin, Spermestes cucullatus
Black-and-white mannikin, Spermestes bicolor
Magpie mannikin, Spermestes fringilloides
Cut-throat, Amadina fasciata
Order: Passeriformes Family: Viduidae
The indigobirds are finch-like species which usually have black or indigo predominating in their plumage. All are brood parasites, which lay their eggs in the nests of estrildid finches. There are 20 species worldwide and 11 species which occur in Nigeria.
Village indigobird, Vidua chalybeata
Jambandu indigobird, Vidua raricola
Baka indigobird, Vidua larvaticola
Jos Plateau indigobird, Vidua maryae (E)
Quailfinch indigobird, Vidua nigeriae
Variable indigobird, Vidua funerea
Pale-winged indigobird, Vidua wilsoni
Cameroon indigobird, Vidua camerunensis
Pin-tailed whydah, Vidua macroura
Long-tailed paradise-whydah, Vidua interjecta
Northern paradise-whydah, Vidua orientalis
Buntings, sparrows, seedeaters and allies
Order: Passeriformes Family: Emberizidae
The emberizids are a large family of passerine birds. They are seed-eating birds with distinctively shaped bills. In Europe, most species are called buntings. In North America, most of the species in this family are known as sparrows, but these birds are not closely related to the Old World sparrows which are in the family Passeridae. Many emberizid species have distinctive head patterns. There are 5 species which have been recorded in Nigeria.
Ortolan bunting, Emberiza hortulana
Gosling's bunting, Emberiza goslingi
Golden-breasted bunting, Emberiza flaviventris
Brown-rumped bunting, Emberiza affinis
Cabanis's bunting, Emberiza cabanisi
Siskins, crossbills and allies
Order: Passeriformes Family: Fringillidae
Finches are seed-eating passerine birds, that are small to moderately large and have a strong beak, usually conical and in some species very large. All have twelve tail feathers and nine primaries. These birds have a bouncing flight with alternating bouts of flapping and gliding on closed wings, and most sing well.
Oriole finch, Linurgus olivaceus
White-rumped seedeater, Crithagra leucopygius
Yellow-fronted canary, Crithagra mozambicus
Streaky-headed seedeater, Crithagra gularis
Thick-billed seedeater, Crithagra burtoni
Trumpeter finch, Bucanetes githaginea
Order: Passeriformes Family: Passeridae
Sparrows are small passerine birds. In general, sparrows tend to be small, plump, brown or grey birds with short tails and short powerful beaks. Sparrows are seed eaters, but they also consume small insects. There are 35 species worldwide and 5 species which occur in Nigeria.
Grey-headed sparrow, Passer griseus
Desert sparrow, Passer simplex
Sudan golden-sparrow, Passer luteus
Yellow-spotted petronia, Petronia pyrgita
Bush petronia, Petronia dentata
