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 2 species which occur in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Little grebe, Tachybaptus ruficollis
Great crested grebe, Podiceps cristatus
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 the Democratic Republic of Congo.
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
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
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
Slaty egret, Egretta vinaceigula (A)
Black heron, Egretta ardesiaca
Intermediate egret, Egretta intermedia
Little egret, Egretta garzetta
Squacco heron, Ardeola ralloides
Madagascar pond heron, Ardeola idae
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
Little bittern, Ixobrychus minutus
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
Order: Pelecaniformes Family: Balaenicipididae
The shoebill is a large bird related to the storks. It derives its name from its massive shoe-shaped bill.
Shoebill, Balaeniceps rex
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.
Greater flamingo, Phoenicopterus roseus
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
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
Yellow-billed duck, Anas undulata
Northern pintail, Anas acuta
Red-billed duck, Anas erythrorhyncha
Hottentot teal, Anas hottentota
Garganey, Anas querquedula
Cape shoveler, Anas smithii
Northern shoveler, Anas clypeata
Southern pochard, Netta erythrophthalma
Tufted duck, Aythya fuligula
Maccoa duck, Oxyura maccoa
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
Black kite, Milvus migrans
Yellow-billed kite, Milvus aegyptius
African fish-eagle, Haliaeetus vocifer
Palm-nut vulture, Gypohierax angolensis
Hooded vulture, Necrosyrtes monachus
Lammergeier, Gypaetus barbatus
Egyptian vulture, Neophron percnopterus
White-backed vulture, Gyps africanus
Rüppell's vulture, Gyps rueppelli
Cape griffon, Gyps coprotheres
Lappet-faced vulture, Torgos tracheliotos
White-headed vulture, Trigonoceps occipitalis
Beaudouin's snake eagle, Circaetus beaudouini
Black-breasted snake eagle, Circaetus pectoralis
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
African goshawk, Accipiter tachiro
Chestnut-flanked sparrowhawk, Accipiter castanilius
Shikra, Accipiter badius
Levant sparrowhawk, Accipiter brevipes
Red-thighed sparrowhawk, Accipiter erythropus
Little sparrowhawk, Accipiter minullus
Ovampo sparrowhawk, Accipiter ovampensis
Rufous-chested sparrowhawk, Accipiter rufiventris
Black goshawk, Accipiter melanoleucus
Long-tailed hawk, Urotriorchis macrourus
Grasshopper buzzard, Butastur rufipennis
Eurasian buzzard, Buteo buteo
Mountain buzzard, Buteo oreophilus
Red-necked buzzard, Buteo auguralis
Augur buzzard, Buteo augur
Lesser spotted eagle, Clanga pomarina
Tawny eagle, Aquila rapax
Steppe eagle, Aquila nipalensis
Verreaux's eagle, Aquila verreauxii
Cassin's hawk-eagle, Aquila africana
African hawk-eagle, Aquila spilogaster
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.
Pygmy falcon, Polihierax semitorquatus
Lesser kestrel, Falco naumanni
Common kestrel, Falco tinnunculus
Rock kestrel, Falco rupicolus
Fox kestrel, Falco alopex
Grey kestrel, Falco ardosiaceus
Dickinson's kestrel, Falco dickinsoni
Red-necked falcon, Falco chicquera
Red-footed falcon, Falco vespertinus
Amur falcon, Falco amurensis
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.
Coqui francolin, Peliperdix coqui
White-throated francolin, Peliperdix albogularis
Latham's francolin, Peliperdix lathami
Crested francolin, Dendroperdix sephaena
Finsch's francolin, Scleroptila finschi
Red-winged francolin, Scleroptila levaillantii
Shelley's francolin, Scleroptila shelleyi
Scaly francolin, Pternistis squamatus
Heuglin's francolin, Pternistis icterorhynchus
Hildebrandt's francolin, Pternistis hildebrandti
Red-necked spurfowl, Pternistis afer
Handsome francolin, Pternistis nobilis
Common quail, Coturnix coturnix
Harlequin quail, Coturnix delegorguei
Blue quail, Excalfactoria adansonii
Congo peacock, Afropavo congensis (E)
Order: Galliformes Family: Odontophoridae
Stone partridge, Ptilopachus petrosus
Nahan's partridge, Ptilopachus nahani
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 4 species which occur in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Black guineafowl, Agelastes niger
Helmeted guineafowl, Numida meleagris
Plumed guineafowl, Guttera plumifera
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".
Grey crowned crane, Balearica regulorum
Black crowned crane, Balearica pavonina
Wattled crane, Bugeranus carunculatus
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. There are 143 species worldwide and 20 species which occur in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Nkulengu rail, Himantornis haematopus
African rail, Rallus caerulescens
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
Red-knobbed coot, Fulica cristata
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 the Democratic Republic of Congo.
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. There are 3 species which have been recorded in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Denham's bustard, Neotis denhami
White-bellied bustard, Eupodotis senegalensis
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
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.
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.
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 the Democratic Republic of Congo.
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 the Democratic Republic of Congo.
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 the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Water thick-knee, Burhinus vermiculatus
Eurasian thick-knee, Burhinus oedicnemus
Senegal thick-knee, Burhinus senegalensis
Spotted thick-knee, Burhinus capensis
Order: Charadriiformes Family: Pluvianidae
Egyptian plover, Pluvianus aegyptius
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 6 species which occur in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
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 19 species which occur in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Long-toed lapwing, Vanellus crassirostris
Blacksmith plover, Vanellus armatus
Spur-winged plover, Vanellus spinosus
White-headed lapwing, Vanellus albiceps
Senegal lapwing, Vanellus lugubris
Crowned lapwing, Vanellus coronatus
Wattled lapwing, Vanellus senegallus
Brown-chested lapwing, Vanellus superciliosus
Pacific golden-plover, Pluvialis fulva
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
Lesser sandplover, Charadrius mongolus
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 24 species which occur in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Jack snipe, Lymnocryptes minimus
African snipe, Gallinago nigripennis
Great snipe, Gallinago media
Common snipe, Gallinago gallinago
Black-tailed godwit, Limosa limosa
Bar-tailed godwit, Limosa lapponica
Whimbrel, Numenius phaeopus
Eurasian curlew, Numenius arquata
Spotted redshank, Tringa erythropus
Common redshank, Tringa totanus
Marsh sandpiper, Tringa stagnatilis
Common greenshank, Tringa nebularia
Green sandpiper, Tringa ochropus
Wood sandpiper, Tringa glareola
Terek sandpiper, Xenus cinereus
Common sandpiper, Actitis hypoleucos
Ruddy turnstone, Arenaria interpres
Sanderling, Calidris alba
Little stint, Calidris minuta
Temminck's stint, Calidris temminckii
Curlew sandpiper, Calidris ferruginea
Dunlin, Calidris alpina
Ruff, Philomachus pugnax
Red-necked phalarope, Phalaropus lobatus
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 1 species which occurs in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Parasitic jaeger, Stercorarius parasiticus
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.
Herring gull, Larus argentatus
Lesser black-backed gull, Larus fuscus
Grey-headed gull, Chroicocephalus cirrocephalus
Black-headed gull, Chroicocephalus ridibundus
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
Common tern, Sterna hirundo
Arctic tern, Sterna paradisaea
Little tern, Sternula albifrons
Damara tern, Sternula balaenarum
Whiskered tern, Chlidonias hybrida
White-winged tern, Chlidonias leucopterus
Black tern, Chlidonias niger
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 the Democratic Republic of Congo.
African skimmer, Rynchops flavirostris
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
White-naped pigeon, Columba albinucha
Western bronze-naped pigeon, Columba iriditorques
Lemon dove, Columba larvata
Eurasian turtle dove, Streptopelia turtur
Dusky turtle dove, Streptopelia lugens
African mourning dove, Streptopelia decipiens
Red-eyed dove, Streptopelia semitorquata
Ring-necked dove, Streptopelia capicola
Vinaceous dove, Streptopelia vinacea
Laughing dove, Spilopelia senegalensis
Emerald-spotted wood dove, Turtur chalcospilos
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
Black-collared lovebird, Agapornis swinderniana
African and New World parrots
Order: Psittaciformes Family: Psittacidae
Grey parrot, Psittacus erithacus
Brown-necked parrot, Poicephalus robustus
Red-fronted parrot, Poicephalus gulielmi
Meyer's parrot, Poicephalus meyeri
Niam-Niam parrot, Poicephalus crassus
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 12 species which occur in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Great blue turaco, Corythaeola cristata
Guinea turaco, Tauraco persa
Schalow's turaco, Tauraco schalowi
Black-billed turaco, Tauraco schuettii
White-crested turaco, Tauraco leucolophus
Yellow-billed turaco, Tauraco macrorhynchus
Ruwenzori turaco, Ruwenzorornis johnstoni
Ross's turaco, Musophaga rossae
Bare-faced go-away-bird, Corythaixoides personatus
Grey go-away-bird, Corythaixoides concolor
Western plantain-eater, Crinifer piscator
Eastern plantain-eater, Crinifer zonurus
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 25 species which occur in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
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
Lesser cuckoo, Cuculus poliocephalus
Madagascar cuckoo, Cuculus rochii
Dusky long-tailed cuckoo, Cercococcyx mechowi
Olive long-tailed cuckoo, Cercococcyx olivinus
Barred long-tailed cuckoo, Cercococcyx montanus
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
Gabon coucal, Centropus anselli
Blue-headed coucal, Centropus monachus
Coppery-tailed coucal, Centropus cupreicaudus
Senegal coucal, Centropus senegalensis
White-browed coucal, Centropus superciliosus
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.
African grass owl, Tyto capensis
Barn owl, Tyto alba
Congo bay-owl, Phodilus prigoginei (E)
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.
Sandy scops owl, Otus icterorhynchus
African scops owl, Otus senegalensis
European scops owl, Otus scops
Southern white-faced owl, Ptilopsis granti
Spotted eagle-owl, Bubo africanus
Greyish eagle-owl, Bubo cinerascens
Fraser's eagle-owl, Bubo poensis
Shelley's eagle-owl, Bubo shelleyi
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
Maned owl, Jubula lettii
Pearl-spotted owlet, Glaucidium perlatum
Red-chested owlet, Glaucidium tephronotum
Sjostedt's owlet, Glaucidium sjostedti
African barred owlet, Glaucidium capense
Chestnut owlet, Glaucidium castaneum
Albertine owlet, Glaucidium albertinum
African long-eared owl, Asio abyssinicus
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.
Brown nightjar, Caprimulgus binotatus
Eurasian nightjar, Caprimulgus europaeus
Sombre nightjar, Caprimulgus fraenatus
Rufous-cheeked nightjar, Caprimulgus rufigena
Black-shouldered nightjar, Caprimulgus nigriscapularis
Fiery-necked nightjar, Caprimulgus pectoralis
Abyssinian nightjar, Caprimulgus poliocephalus
Montane nightjar, Caprimulgus ruwenzorii
Swamp nightjar, Caprimulgus natalensis
Plain nightjar, Caprimulgus inornatus
Freckled nightjar, Caprimulgus tristigma
Itombwe nightjar, Caprimulgus prigoginei (E)
Bates's nightjar, Caprimulgus batesi
Long-tailed nightjar, Caprimulgus climacurus
Slender-tailed nightjar, Caprimulgus clarus
Square-tailed nightjar, Caprimulgus fossii
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 17 species which occur in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Scarce swift, Schoutedenapus myoptilus
Schouteden's swift, Schoutedenapus schoutedeni (E)
Mottled spinetail, Telacanthura ussheri
Black spinetail, Telacanthura melanopygia
Sabine's spinetail, Rhaphidura sabini
Cassin's spinetail, Neafrapus cassini
Bat-like spinetail, Neafrapus boehmi
African palm-swift, Cypsiurus parvus
Alpine swift, Tachymarptis melba
Mottled swift, Tachymarptis aequatorialis
Common swift, Apus apus
Nyanza swift, Apus niansae
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 4 species which occur in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Speckled mousebird, Colius striatus
Red-backed mousebird, Colius castanotus
Blue-naped mousebird, Urocolius macrourus
Red-faced mousebird, Urocolius indicus
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 the Democratic Republic of Congo.
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 14 species which occur in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Half-collared kingfisher, Alcedo semitorquata
Shining-blue kingfisher, Alcedo quadribrachys
Malachite kingfisher, Corythornis cristatus
White-bellied kingfisher, Corythornis leucogaster
African pygmy kingfisher, Ispidina picta
Dwarf kingfisher, Ispidina lecontei
Chocolate-backed kingfisher, Halcyon badia
Grey-headed kingfisher, Halcyon leucocephala
Woodland kingfisher, Halcyon senegalensis
Blue-breasted kingfisher, Halcyon malimbica
Brown-hooded kingfisher, Halcyon albiventris
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 26 species worldwide and 17 species which occur in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The Democratic Republic of Congo contains the largest number of bee-eaters of any country.
Black bee-eater, Merops gularis
Blue-headed bee-eater, Merops muelleri
Red-throated bee-eater, Merops bulocki
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
Black-headed bee-eater, Merops breweri
White-throated bee-eater, Merops albicollis
Boehm's bee-eater, Merops boehmi
Blue-cheeked bee-eater, Merops persicus
Madagascar bee-eater, Merops superciliosus
European bee-eater, Merops apiaster
Rosy bee-eater, Merops malimbicus
Northern carmine bee-eater, Merops nubicus
Southern carmine bee-eater, Merops nubicoides
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 8 species which occur in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The Democratic Republic of Congo contains the largest number of rollers of any country.
European roller, Coracias garrulus
Abyssinian roller, Coracias abyssinica
Lilac-breasted roller, Coracias caudata
Racket-tailed roller, Coracias spatulata
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 the Democratic Republic of Congo.
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 5 species which occur in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Green woodhoopoe, Phoeniculus purpureus
White-headed woodhoopoe, Phoeniculus bollei
Forest woodhoopoe, Phoeniculus castaneiceps
Black scimitar-bill, Rhinopomastus aterrimus
Common scimitar-bill, Rhinopomastus cyanomelas
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. There are 57 species worldwide and 14 species which occur in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
White-crested hornbill, Tockus albocristatus
Black dwarf hornbill, Tockus hartlaubi
Red-billed dwarf hornbill, Tockus camurus
Crowned hornbill, Tockus alboterminatus
African pied hornbill, Tockus fasciatus
African grey hornbill, Tockus nasutus
Pale-billed hornbill, Tockus pallidirostris
Trumpeter hornbill, Ceratogymna bucinator
Piping hornbill, Ceratogymna fistulator
Black-and-white-casqued hornbill, Ceratogymna subcylindricus
White-thighed hornbill, Ceratogymna albotibialis
Black-casqued hornbill, Ceratogymna atrata
Abyssinian ground-hornbill, Bucorvus abyssinicus
Southern ground-hornbill, Bucorvus leadbeateri
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
Sladen's barbet, Gymnobucco sladeni
Grey-throated barbet, Gymnobucco bonapartei
Anchieta's barbet, Stactolaema anchietae
Whyte's barbet, Stactolaema whytii
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
Miombo barbet, Tricholaema frontata
Spot-flanked barbet, Tricholaema lachrymosa
Vieillot's barbet, Lybius vieilloti
White-headed barbet, Lybius leucocephalus
Black-billed barbet, Lybius guifsobalito
Black-collared barbet, Lybius torquatus
Black-backed barbet, Lybius minor
Double-toothed barbet, Lybius bidentatus
Black-breasted barbet, Lybius rolleti
Yellow-billed barbet, Trachyphonus purpuratus
Crested barbet, Trachyphonus vaillantii
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 14 species which occur in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Spotted honeyguide, Indicator maculatus
Scaly-throated honeyguide, Indicator variegatus
Greater honeyguide, Indicator indicator
Lesser honeyguide, Indicator minor
Thick-billed honeyguide, Indicator conirostris
Willcock's honeyguide, Indicator willcocksi
Least honeyguide, Indicator exilis
Dwarf honeyguide, Indicator pumilio
Pallid honeyguide, Indicator meliphilus
Lyre-tailed honeyguide, Melichneutes robustus
Zenker's honeyguide, Melignomon zenkeri
Cassin's honeyguide, Prodotiscus insignis
Green-backed honeyguide, Prodotiscus zambesiae
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
Nubian woodpecker, Campethera nubica
Bennett's woodpecker, Campethera bennettii
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
Speckle-breasted woodpecker, Dendropicos poecilolaemus
Cardinal woodpecker, Dendropicos fuscescens
Gabon woodpecker, Dendropicos gabonensis
Elliot's woodpecker, Dendropicos elliotii
African grey woodpecker, Dendropicos goertae
Olive woodpecker, Dendropicos griseocephalus
Brown-backed woodpecker, Dendropicos obsoletus
Bearded woodpecker, Chloropicus namaquus
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 4 species which occur in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
African broadbill, Smithornis capensis
Grey-headed broadbill, Smithornis sharpei
Rufous-sided broadbill, Smithornis rufolateralis
Grauer's broadbill, Pseudocalyptomena graueri
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 2 species which occur in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
African pitta, Pitta angolensis
Green-breasted pitta, Pitta reichenowi
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. There are 91 species worldwide and 12 species which occur in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
White-tailed lark, Mirafra albicauda
Angola lark, Mirafra angolensis
Rufous-naped lark, Mirafra africana
Flappet lark, Mirafra rufocinnamomea
Rufous-rumped lark, Pinarocorys erythropygia
Dusky lark, Pinarocorys nigricans
Spike-heeled lark, Chersomanes albofasciata
Grey-backed sparrow-lark, Eremopterix verticalis (A)
Fischer's sparrow-lark, Eremopterix leucopareia
Greater short-toed lark, Calandrella brachydactyla
Red-capped lark, Calandrella cinerea
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 30 species which occur in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The Democratic Republic of Congo contains the largest number of swallows of any country on earth.
African river martin, Pseudochelidon eurystomina
Sand martin, Riparia riparia
Brown-throated martin, Riparia paludicola
Congo martin, Riparia congica
Banded martin, Riparia cincta
Brazza's martin, Phedina brazzae
Grey-rumped swallow, Pseudhirundo griseopyga
Rock martin, Ptyonoprogne fuligula
Barn swallow, Hirundo rustica
Red-chested swallow, Hirundo lucida
Ethiopian swallow, Hirundo aethiopica
Angola swallow, Hirundo angolensis
White-throated swallow, Hirundo albigularis
Wire-tailed swallow, Hirundo smithii
White-throated blue swallow, Hirundo nigrita
Black-and-rufous swallow, Hirundo nigrorufa
Blue swallow, Hirundo atrocaerulea
Pearl-breasted swallow, Hirundo dimidiata
Greater striped swallow, Cecropis cucullata
Lesser striped swallow, Cecropis abyssinica
Rufous-chested swallow, Cecropis semirufa
Mosque swallow, Cecropis senegalensis
Red-rumped swallow, Cecropis daurica
Preuss's swallow, Petrochelidon preussi
Red-throated swallow, Petrochelidon rufigula
South African swallow, Petrochelidon spilodera
Common house martin, Delichon urbicum
Square-tailed sawwing, Psalidoprocne nitens
White-headed sawwing, Psalidoprocne albiceps
Blue sawwing, Psalidoprocne pristoptera
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 22 species which occur in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
White wagtail, Motacilla alba
African pied wagtail, Motacilla aguimp
Cape wagtail, Motacilla capensis
Yellow wagtail, Motacilla flava
Grey wagtail, Motacilla cinerea
Mountain wagtail, Motacilla clara
Yellow-throated longclaw, Macronyx croceus
Fuelleborn's longclaw, Macronyx fuellebornii
Rosy-throated longclaw, Macronyx ameliae
Grimwood's longclaw, Macronyx grimwoodi
Striped pipit, Anthus lineiventris
Mountain pipit, Anthus hoeschi
Woodland pipit, Anthus nyassae
Plain-backed pipit, Anthus leucophrys
Buffy pipit, Anthus vaalensis
African pipit, Anthus cinnamomeus
Long-legged pipit, Anthus pallidiventris
Long-billed pipit, Anthus similis
Short-tailed pipit, Anthus brachyurus
Bush pipit, Anthus caffer
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
Grauer's cuckooshrike, Coracina graueri (E)
Petit's cuckooshrike, Campephaga petiti
Black cuckooshrike, Campephaga flava
Red-shouldered cuckooshrike, Campephaga phoenicea
Purple-throated cuckooshrike, Campephaga quiscalina
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. The Democratic Republic of Congo contains the largest number of bulbuls of any country on earth.
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
Shelley's greenbul, Arizelocichla masukuensis
Mountain greenbul, Arizelocichla nigriceps
Golden greenbul, Calyptocichla serinus
Honeyguide greenbul, Baeopogon indicator
Sjostedt's greenbul, Baeopogon clamans
Spotted greenbul, Ixonotus guttatus
Simple greenbul, Chlorocichla simplex
Yellow-necked greenbul, Chlorocichla falkensteini
Yellow-bellied greenbul, Chlorocichla flaviventris
Joyful greenbul, Chlorocichla laetissima
Prigogine's greenbul, Chlorocichla prigoginei (E)
Swamp greenbul, Thescelocichla leucopleura
Yellow-throated leaflove, Atimastillas flavicollis
Red-tailed leaflove, Phyllastrephus scandens
Cabanis's greenbul, Phyllastrephus cabanisi
Fischer's greenbul, Phyllastrephus fischeri
Terrestrial brownbul, Phyllastrephus terrestris
Pale-olive greenbul, Phyllastrephus fulviventris
Grey-olive greenbul, Phyllastrephus cerviniventris
Baumann's greenbul, Phyllastrephus baumanni
Toro olive greenbul, Phyllastrephus hypochloris
Sassi's greenbul, Phyllastrephus lorenzi
Yellow-streaked bulbul, Phyllastrephus flavostriatus
White-throated greenbul, Phyllastrephus albigularis
Icterine greenbul, Phyllastrephus icterinus
Xavier's greenbul, Phyllastrephus xavieri
Common bristlebill, Bleda syndactyla
Green-tailed bristlebill, Bleda eximia
Yellow-spotted nicator, Nicator chloris
Eastern nicator, Nicator gularis
Yellow-throated nicator, Nicator vireo
Red-tailed greenbul, Criniger calurus
Eastern bearded greenbul, Criniger chloronotus
Yellow-bearded greenbul, Criniger olivaceus
White-bearded greenbul, Criniger ndussumensis
Black-collared bulbul, Neolestes torquatus
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
Red-tailed ant thrush, Neocossyphus rufus
White-tailed ant thrush, Neocossyphus poensis
Abyssinian ground thrush, Geokichla piaggiae
Kivu ground thrush, Geokichla piaggiae tanganjicae
Crossley's ground thrush, Geokichla crossleyi
Orange ground thrush, Geokichla gurneyi
Black-eared ground thrush, Geokichla cameronensis
Grey ground thrush, Geokichla princei
Oberlaender's ground thrush, Geokichla oberlaenderi
Spotted ground thrush, Geokichla guttata
Groundscraper thrush, Psophocichla litsitsirupa
Abyssinian thrush, Turdus abyssinicus
Kurrichane thrush, Turdus libonyana
African thrush, Turdus pelios
Brown-chested alethe, Pseudalethe poliocephala
Red-throated alethe, Pseaudalethe poliophrys
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 111 species worldwide and 53 species which occur in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The Democratic Republic of the Congo has the greatest diversity of cisticolas of any country.
Red-faced cisticola, Cisticola erythrops
Singing cisticola, Cisticola cantans
Whistling cisticola, Cisticola lateralis
Chattering cisticola, Cisticola anonymus
Trilling cisticola, Cisticola woosnami
Bubbling cisticola, Cisticola bulliens
Chubb's cisticola, Cisticola chubbi
Rock-loving cisticola, Cisticola aberrans
Rattling cisticola, Cisticola chiniana
Grey cisticola, Cisticola rufilatus
Winding cisticola, Cisticola galactotes
Chirping cisticola, Cisticola pipiens
Carruthers's cisticola, Cisticola carruthersi
Tinkling cisticola, Cisticola tinniens
Stout cisticola, Cisticola robustus
Croaking cisticola, Cisticola natalensis
Piping cisticola, Cisticola fulvicapillus
Tabora cisticola, Cisticola angusticaudus
Slender-tailed cisticola, Cisticola melanurus
Siffling cisticola, Cisticola brachypterus
Foxy cisticola, Cisticola troglodytes
Zitting cisticola, Cisticola juncidis
Desert cisticola, Cisticola aridulus
Cloud cisticola, Cisticola textrix
Black-necked cisticola, Cisticola eximius
Cloud-scraping cisticola, Cisticola dambo
Pectoral-patch cisticola, Cisticola brunnescens
Pale-crowned cisticola, Cisticola cinnamomeus
Wing-snapping cisticola, Cisticola ayresii
Tawny-flanked prinia, Prinia subflava
White-chinned prinia, Prinia leucopogon
Banded prinia, Prinia bairdii
Red-winged prinia, Prinia erythroptera
Red-winged grey warbler, Drymocichla incana
Black-collared apalis, Apalis pulchra
Ruwenzori apalis, Apalis ruwenzori
Black-capped apalis, Apalis nigriceps
Black-throated apalis, Apalis jacksoni
Masked apalis, Apalis binotata
Black-faced apalis, Apalis personata
Yellow-breasted apalis, Apalis flavida
Buff-throated apalis, Apalis rufogularis
Gosling's apalis, Apalis goslingi
Chestnut-throated apalis, Apalis porphyrolaema
Grey apalis, Apalis cinerea
Brown-headed apalis, Apalis alticola
Oriole warbler, Hypergerus atriceps (A)
Grey-capped warbler, Eminia lepida
Green-backed camaroptera, Camaroptera brachyura
Yellow-browed camaroptera, Camaroptera superciliaris
Olive-green camaroptera, Camaroptera chloronota
Miombo camaroptera, Calamonastes undosus
Grey wren-warbler, Calamonastes simplex
Black-faced rufous warbler, Bathmocercus rufus
Buff-bellied warbler, Phyllolais pulchella
Salvadori's eremomela, Eremomela salvadorii
Yellow-bellied eremomela, Eremomela icteropygialis
Senegal eremomela, Eremomela pusilla
Green-backed eremomela, Eremomela canescens
Greencap eremomela, Eremomela scotops
Rufous-crowned eremomela, Eremomela badiceps
Turner's eremomela, Eremomela turneri
Black-necked eremomela, Eremomela atricollis
Order: Passeriformes Family: Cettiidae
Green hylia, Hylia prasina
Neumann's warbler, Urosphena neumanni
Order: Passeriformes Family: Macrosphenidae
Moustached grass warbler, Melocichla mentalis
Green crombec, Sylvietta virens
Lemon-bellied crombec, Sylvietta denti
White-browed crombec, Sylvietta leucophrys
Northern crombec, Sylvietta brachyura
Red-capped crombec, Sylvietta ruficapilla
Cape crombec, Sylvietta rufescens
Yellow longbill, Macrosphenus flavicans
Grey longbill, Macrosphenus concolor
Order: Passeriformes Family: Locustellidae
Little rush warbler, Bradypterus baboecala
Highland rush warbler, Bradypterus centralis
White-winged scrub warbler, Bradypterus carpalis
Grauer's scrub warbler, Bradypterus graueri
Bamboo scrub warbler, Bradypterus alfredi
Cameroon scrub warbler, Bradypterus lopezi
Cinnamon bracken warbler, Bradypterus cinnamomeus
Eurasian river warbler, Locustella fluviatilis
Grauer's warbler, Graueria vittata
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
Olive-tree warbler, Hippolais olivetorum
Icterine warbler, Hippolais icterina
Eastern olivaceous warbler, Iduna pallida
African yellow warbler, Iduna natalensis
Mountain yellow warbler, Iduna similis
Papyrus yellow warbler, Calamonastides gracilirostris
Order: Passeriformes Family: Phylloscopidae
Red-faced woodland warbler, Phylloscopus laetus
Laura's wood warbler, Phylloscopus laurae
Uganda wood warbler, Phylloscopus budongoensis
Brown woodland warbler, Phylloscopus umbrovirens
Willow warbler, Phylloscopus trochilus
Common chiffchaff, Phylloscopus collybita
Wood warbler, Phylloscopus sibilatrix
Order: Passeriformes Family: Hyliotidae
Yellow-bellied hyliota, Hyliota flavigaster
Southern hyliota, Hyliota australis
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
Barred warbler, Sylvia nisoria
Brown parisoma, Sylvia lugens
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.
Miombo rock thrush, Monticola angolensis
Rufous-tailed rock thrush, Monticola saxatilis
Pale flycatcher, Melaenornis pallidus
White-eyed slaty flycatcher, Melaenornis fischeri
Northern black flycatcher, Melaenornis edolioides
Southern black flycatcher, Melaenornis pammelaina
Yellow-eyed black flycatcher, Melaenornis ardesiacus
African forest flycatcher, Fraseria ocreata
White-browed forest flycatcher, Fraseria cinerascens
Spotted flycatcher, Muscicapa striata
Gambaga flycatcher, Muscicapa gambagae
Sooty flycatcher, Muscicapa infuscata
Boehm's flycatcher, Muscicapa boehmi
Swamp flycatcher, Muscicapa aquatica
Olivaceous flycatcher, Muscicapa olivascens
Chapin's flycatcher, Muscicapa lendu
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
White-starred robin, Pogonocichla stellata
Forest robin, Stiphrornis erythrothorax
Bocage's akalat, Sheppardia bocagei
Lowland akalat, Sheppardia cyornithopsis
Equatorial akalat, Sheppardia aequatorialis
Thrush nightingale, Luscinia luscinia
Common nightingale, Luscinia megarhynchos
White-bellied robin-chat, Cossyphicula roberti
Archer's robin-chat, Cossypha archeri
Cape robin-chat, Cossypha caffra
Blue-shouldered robin-chat, Cossypha cyanocampter
Grey-winged robin-chat, Cossypha polioptera
White-browed robin-chat, Cossypha heuglini
Red-capped robin-chat, Cossypha natalensis
White-headed robin-chat, Cossypha heinrichi
Snowy-crowned robin-chat, Cossypha niveicapilla
Collared palm-thrush, Cichladusa arquata
Rufous-tailed palm thrush, Cichladusa ruficauda
Spotted morning thrush, Cichladusa guttata
Forest scrub robin, Cercotrichas leucosticta
Miombo scrub robin, Cercotrichas barbata
Brown-backed scrub robin, Cercotrichas hartlaubi
Red-backed scrub robin, Cercotrichas leucophrys
Rufous-tailed scrub robin, Cercotrichas galactotes
Common redstart, Phoenicurus phoenicurus
Whinchat, Saxicola rubetra
African stonechat, Saxicola torquatus
Northern wheatear, Oenanthe oenanthe
Capped wheatear, Oenanthe pileata
Isabelline wheatear, Oenanthe isabellina
Familiar chat, Cercomela familiaris
Congo moorchat, Myrmecocichla tholloni
Sooty chat, Myrmecocichla nigra
White-fronted black chat, Myrmecocichla albifrons
White-headed black chat, Myrmecocichla arnotti
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 15 species which occur in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
African shrike-flycatcher, Megabyas flammulatus
Black-and-white shrike-flycatcher, Bias musicus
Brown-throated wattle-eye, Platysteira cyanea
White-fronted wattle-eye, Platysteira albifrons
Black-throated wattle-eye, Platysteira peltata
Chestnut wattle-eye, Platysteira castanea
White-spotted wattle-eye, Platysteira tonsa
Jameson's wattle-eye, Platysteira jamesoni
Yellow-bellied wattle-eye, Platysteira concreta
Boulton's batis, Batis margaritae
Ruwenzori batis, Batis diops
Chinspot batis, Batis molitor
Black-headed batis, Batis minor
Ituri batis, Batis ituriensis
Angola batis, Batis minulla
Order: Passeriformes Family: Erythrocercidae
Chestnut-capped flycatcher, Erythrocercus mccallii
Order: Passeriformes Family: Stenostiridae
African blue flycatcher, Elminia longicauda
White-tailed blue flycatcher, Elminia albicauda
Dusky crested flycatcher, Elminia nigromitrata
White-bellied crested flycatcher, Elminia albiventris
White-tailed crested flycatcher, Elminia albonotata
Order: Passeriformes Family: Monarchidae
The monarch flycatchers are small to medium-sized insectivorous passerines which hunt by flycatching.
Blue-headed crested flycatcher, Trochocercus nitens
African crested flycatcher, Trochocercus cyanomelas
Black-headed paradise flycatcher, Terpsiphone rufiventer
Bedford's paradise flycatcher, Terpsiphone bedfordi (E)
Rufous-vented paradise flycatcher, Terpsiphone rufocinerea
Bates's paradise flycatcher, Terpsiphone batesi
African paradise flycatcher, Terpsiphone viridis
Order: Passeriformes Family: Arcanatoridae
Grey-chested babbler, Kakamega poliothorax
Order: Passeriformes Family: Pellorneidae
Blackcap illadopsis, Illadopsis cleaveri
Scaly-breasted illadopsis, Illadopsis albipectus
Puvel's illadopsis, Illadopsis puveli
Pale-breasted illadopsis, Illadopsis rufipennis
Brown illadopsis, Illadopsis fulvescens
Mountain illadopsis, Illadopsis pyrrhoptera
Spotted thrush-babbler, Ptyrticus turdinus
Order: Passeriformes Family: Leiothrichidae
Blackcap babbler, Turdoides reinwardtii
Dusky babbler, Turdoides tenebrosus
Black-lored babbler, Turdoides sharpei
Hartlaub's babbler, Turdoides hartlaubii
Brown babbler, Turdoides plebejus
Arrow-marked babbler, Turdoides jardineii
Red-collared babbler, Kupeornis rufocinctus
Chapin's babbler, Kupeornis chapini (E)
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 8 species which occur in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
White-winged black-tit, Melaniparus leucomelas
White-shouldered black-tit, Melaniparus guineensis
Southern black-tit, Melaniparus niger
Rufous-bellied tit, Melaniparus rufiventris
Dusky tit, Melaniparus funereus
Stripe-breasted tit, Melaniparus fasciiventer
Miombo tit, Melaniparus griseiventris
Grey tit, Melaniparus afer
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 the Democratic Republic of Congo.
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 the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Yellow penduline-tit, Anthoscopus parvulus
Forest penduline-tit, Anthoscopus flavifrons
African penduline-tit, Anthoscopus caroli
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. The Democratic Republic of Congo contains the largest number of sunbirds of any country on earth.
Scarlet-tufted sunbird, Deleornis fraseri
Grey-headed sunbird, Deleornis axillaris
Anchieta's sunbird, Anthreptes anchietae
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
Blue-headed sunbird, Cyanomitra alinae
Bannerman's sunbird, Cyanomitra bannermani
Eastern olive-sunbird, Cyanomitra olivacea
Western olive-sunbird, Cyanomitra obscura
Carmelite sunbird, Chalcomitra fuliginosa
Green-throated sunbird, Chalcomitra rubescens
Amethyst sunbird, Chalcomitra amethystina
Scarlet-chested sunbird, Chalcomitra senegalensis
Bocage's sunbird, Nectarinia bocagii
Purple-breasted sunbird, Nectarinia purpureiventris
Bronze sunbird, Nectarinia kilimensis
Red-tufted sunbird, Nectarinia johnstoni
Malachite sunbird, Nectarinia famosa
Golden-winged sunbird, Drepanorhynchus reichenowi
Olive-bellied sunbird, Cinnyris chloropygius
Tiny sunbird, Cinnyris minullus
Miombo sunbird, Cinnyris manoensis
Stuhlmann's sunbird, Cinnyris stuhlmanni
Prigogine's sunbird, Cinnyris prigoginei
Northern double-collared sunbird, Cinnyris preussi
Greater double-collared sunbird, Cinnyris afer
Regal sunbird, Cinnyris regius
Rockefeller's sunbird, Cinnyris rockefelleri (E)
Eastern double-collared sunbird, Cinnyris mediocris
Beautiful sunbird, Cinnyris pulchellus
Mariqua sunbird, Cinnyris mariquensis
Shelley's sunbird, Cinnyris shelleyi
Congo sunbird, Cinnyris congensis
Red-chested sunbird, Cinnyris erythrocerca
Purple-banded sunbird, Cinnyris bifasciatus
Orange-tufted sunbird, Cinnyris bouvieri
Palestine sunbird, Cinnyris oseus
Splendid sunbird, Cinnyris coccinigaster
Johanna's sunbird, Cinnyris johannae
Superb sunbird, Cinnyris superbus
White-breasted sunbird, Cinnyris talatala
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 6 species which occur in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Eurasian golden oriole, Oriolus oriolus
African golden oriole, Oriolus auratus
Western black-headed oriole, Oriolus brachyrhynchus
African black-headed oriole, Oriolus larvatus
Black-tailed oriole, Oriolus percivali
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
Souza's shrike, Lanius souzae
Lesser grey shrike, Lanius minor
Grey-backed fiscal, Lanius excubitoroides
Mackinnon's shrike, Lanius mackinnoni
Southern fiscal, Lanius collaris
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 30 species which have been recorded in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The Democratic Republic of Congo contains the largest number of bushshrikes of any country.
Brubru, Nilaus afer
Northern puffback, Dryoscopus gambensis
Black-backed puffback, Dryoscopus cubla
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
Braun's bushshrike, Laniarius brauni
Tropical boubou, Laniarius major
Gabon boubou, Laniarius bicolor
Southern boubou, Laniarius ferrugineus
Black-headed gonolek, Laniarius erythrogaster
Papyrus gonolek, Laniarius mufumbiri
Slate-coloured boubou, Laniarius funebris
Sooty boubou, Laniarius leucorhynchus
Fuelleborn's boubou, Laniarius fuelleborni
Mountain sooty boubou, Laniarius poensis
Willard's sooty boubou, Laniarius willardi
Grey-green bushshrike, Telophorus bocagei
Sulphur-breasted bushshrike, Telophorus sulfureopectus
Many-coloured bushshrike, Telophorus multicolor
Black-fronted bushshrike, Telophorus nigrifrons
Four-coloured bushshrike, Telophorus viridis
Doherty's bushshrike, Telophorus dohertyi
Fiery-breasted bushshrike, Malaconotus cruentus
Lagden's bushshrike, Malaconotus lagdeni
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 4 species which occur in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
White helmetshrike, Prionops plumatus
Yellow-crested helmetshrike, Prionops alberti (E)
Rufous-bellied helmetshrike, Prionops rufiventris
Retz's helmetshrike, Prionops retzii
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 the Democratic Republic of Congo.
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 the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Piapiac, Ptilostomus afer
Cape crow, Corvus capensis
Pied crow, Corvus albus
White-necked raven, Corvus albicollis
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.
Wattled starling, Creatophora cinerea
Cape glossy-starling, Lamprotornis nitens
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
Rueppell's glossy-starling, Lamprotornis purpuropterus
Sharp-tailed glossy-starling, Lamprotornis acuticaudus
Purple-headed starling, Hylopsar purpureiceps
Violet-backed starling, Cinnyricinclus leucogaster
Slender-billed starling, Onychognathus tenuirostris
Chestnut-winged starling, Onychognathus fulgidus
Waller's starling, Onychognathus walleri
Neumann's starling, Onychognathus neumanni
Narrow-tailed starling, Poeoptera lugubris
Stuhlmann's starling, Poeoptera stuhlmanni
Sharpe's starling, Poeoptera sharpii
White-collared starling, Grafisia torquata
Red-billed oxpecker, Buphagus erythrorhynchus
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. The Democratic Republic of the Congo has the greatest diversity of weavers of any country.
White-headed buffalo-weaver, Dinemellia dinemelli
Chestnut-crowned sparrow-weaver, Plocepasser superciliosus
Chestnut-backed sparrow-weaver, Plocepasser rufoscapulatus
Black-chinned weaver, Ploceus nigrimentum
Baglafecht weaver, Ploceus baglafecht
Slender-billed weaver, Ploceus pelzelni
Loango weaver, Ploceus subpersonatus
Little weaver, Ploceus luteolus
Lesser masked-weaver, Ploceus intermedius
Spectacled weaver, Ploceus ocularis
Black-necked weaver, Ploceus nigricollis
Black-billed weaver, Ploceus melanogaster
Strange weaver, Ploceus alienus
Bocage's weaver, Ploceus temporalis
Holub's golden-weaver, Ploceus xanthops
Orange weaver, Ploceus aurantius
Southern brown-throated weaver, Ploceus xanthopterus
Northern brown-throated weaver, Ploceus castanops
Heuglin's masked-weaver, Ploceus heuglini
Northern masked-weaver, Ploceus taeniopterus
Southern masked weaver, Ploceus velatus
Vitelline masked-weaver, Ploceus vitellinus
Lake Lufira weaver, Ploceus ruweti (E)
Katanga masked-weaver, Ploceus katangae
Village weaver, Ploceus cucullatus
Vieillot's weaver, Ploceus nigerrimus
Weyns's weaver, Ploceus weynsi
Black-headed weaver, Ploceus melanocephalus
Golden-backed weaver, Ploceus jacksoni
Golden-naped weaver, Ploceus aureonucha (E)
Yellow-mantled weaver, Ploceus tricolor
Maxwell's black weaver, Ploceus albinucha
Forest weaver, Ploceus bicolor
Preuss's weaver, Ploceus preussi
Yellow-capped weaver, Ploceus dorsomaculatus
Brown-capped weaver, Ploceus insignis
Bar-winged weaver, Ploceus angolensis
Yellow-legged weaver, Ploceus flavipes (E)
Compact weaver, Pachyphantes superciliosus
Red-crowned malimbe, Malimbus coronatus
Black-throated malimbe, Malimbus cassini
Red-bellied malimbe, Malimbus erythrogaster
Gray's malimbe, Malimbus nitens
Crested malimbe, Malimbus malimbicus
Red-headed malimbe, Malimbus rubricollis
Red-headed weaver, Anaplectes rubriceps
Bob-tailed weaver, Brachycope anomala
Cardinal quelea, Quelea cardinalis
Red-headed quelea, Quelea erythrops
Red-billed quelea, Quelea quelea
Yellow-crowned bishop, Euplectes afer
Black bishop, Euplectes gierowii
Black-winged bishop, Euplectes hordeaceus
Orange bishop, Euplectes franciscanus
Red bishop, Euplectes orix
Yellow bishop, Euplectes capensis
Fan-tailed widowbird, Euplectes axillaris
Yellow-shouldered widowbird, Euplectes macroura
White-winged widowbird, Euplectes albonotatus
Red-collared widowbird, Euplectes ardens
Marsh widowbird, Euplectes hartlaubi
Buff-shouldered widowbird, Euplectes psammocromius
Long-tailed widowbird, Euplectes progne
Grosbeak 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. The Democratic Republic of the Congo has the greatest diversity of estrildid finches of any country.
Jameson's antpecker, Parmoptila jamesoni
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
White-collared oliveback, Nesocharis ansorgei
Grey-headed oliveback, Nesocharis capistrata
Orange-winged pytilia, Pytilia afra
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
Abyssinian crimson-wing, Cryptospiza salvadorii
Dusky crimson-wing, Cryptospiza jacksoni
Shelley's crimson-wing, Cryptospiza shelleyi
Black-bellied seedcracker, Pyrenestes ostrinus
Grant's bluebill, Spermophaga poliogenys
Western bluebill, Spermophaga haematina
Red-headed bluebill, Spermophaga ruficapilla
Brown twinspot, Clytospiza monteiri
Peters's twinspot, Hypargos niveoguttatus
Dybowski's twinspot, Euschistospiza dybowskii
Dusky twinspot, Euschistospiza cinereovinacea
Bar-breasted firefinch, Lagonosticta rufopicta
Brown firefinch, Lagonosticta nitidula
Red-billed firefinch, Lagonosticta senegala
Black-bellied firefinch, Lagonosticta rara
African firefinch, Lagonosticta rubricata
Pale-billed firefinch, Lagonosticta landanae
Jameson's firefinch, Lagonosticta rhodopareia
Black-faced firefinch, Lagonosticta larvata
Blue-breasted cordonbleu, Uraeginthus angolensis
Red-cheeked cordonbleu, Uraeginthus bengalus
Black-tailed waxbill, Estrilda perreini
Yellow-bellied waxbill, Estrilda quartinia
Fawn-breasted waxbill, Estrilda paludicola
Orange-cheeked waxbill, Estrilda melpoda
Crimson-rumped waxbill, Estrilda rhodopyga
Black-rumped waxbill, Estrilda troglodytes
Common waxbill, Estrilda astrild
Black-faced waxbill, Estrilda nigriloris
Black-crowned waxbill, Estrilda nonnula
Black-headed waxbill, Estrilda atricapilla
Kandt's waxbill, Estrilda kandti
Zebra waxbill, Sporaeginthus subflavus
Red-billed quailfinch, Ortygospiza gabonensis
Black-faced quailfinch, Ortygospiza atricollis
Locust finch, Paludipasser locustella
Bronze mannikin, Spermestes cucullatus
Black-and-white mannikin, Spermestes bicolor
Magpie mannikin, Spermestes fringilloides
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 the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Village indigobird, Vidua chalybeata
Jambandu indigobird, Vidua raricola
Baka indigobird, Vidua larvaticola
Variable indigobird, Vidua funerea
Purple indigobird, Vidua purpurascens
Pale-winged indigobird, Vidua wilsoni
Cameroon indigobird, Vidua camerunensis
Pin-tailed whydah, Vidua macroura
Long-tailed paradise-whydah, Vidua interjecta
Eastern paradise-whydah, Vidua paradisaea
Broad-tailed paradise-whydah, Vidua obtusa
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 275 species worldwide and 5 species which occur in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Lark-like bunting, Emberiza impetuani
Cinnamon-breasted bunting, Emberiza tahapisi
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
Cape canary, Serinus canicollis
Yellow-crowned canary, Serinus flavivertex
Western citril, Crithagra frontalis
Black-faced canary, Crithagra capistratus
Papyrus canary, Crithagra koliensis
White-rumped seedeater, Crithagra leucopygius
Black-throated canary, Crithagra atrogularis
Yellow-fronted canary, Crithagra mozambicus
Brimstone canary, Crithagra sulphuratus
Reichard's seedeater, Crithagra reichardi
Streaky-headed seedeater, Crithagra gularis
Black-eared seedeater, Crithagra mennelli
Streaky seedeater, Crithagra striolatus
Thick-billed seedeater, Crithagra burtoni
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 3 species which occur in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
House sparrow, Passer domesticus (I)
Grey-headed sparrow, Passer griseus
Yellow-throated petronia, Petronia superciliaris
