This is a list of the bird species recorded in Zimbabwe. The avifauna of Zimbabwe include a total of 710 species, of which 4 have been introduced by humans.
African fish eagle, the national bird
This list's taxonomic treatment (designation and sequence of orders, families and species) and nomenclature (common and scientific names) follow the conventions of The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World, 2021 edition. The family accounts at the beginning of each heading reflect this taxonomy, as do the species counts found in each family account. Introduced and accidental species are included in the total counts for Zimbabwe.
The following tags have been used to highlight several categories, but not all species fall into one of these categories. Those that do not are commonly occurring native species.
(A) Accidental - a species that rarely or accidentally occurs in Zimbabwe
(I) Introduced - a species introduced to Zimbabwe as a consequence, direct or indirect, of human actions
Ostriches
Order: StruthioniformesFamily: 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.
Common ostrich, Struthio camelus
South African ostrich, S.c. australis
Ducks, geese, and waterfowl
Order: AnseriformesFamily: Anatidae
Anatidae includes the ducks and most duck-like waterfowl, such as geese and swans. These birds are adapted to an aquatic existence with webbed feet, flattened bills, and feathers that are excellent at shedding water due to an oily coating.
White-faced whistling-duck, Dendrocygna viduata
Fulvous whistling-duck, Dendrocygna bicolor
White-backed duck, Thalassornis leuconotus
Knob-billed duck, Sarkidiornis melanotos
Egyptian goose, Alopochen aegyptiacus
South African shelduck, Tadorna cana (A)
Spur-winged goose, Plectropterus gambensis
African pygmy-goose, Nettapus auritus
Garganey, Spatula querquedula
Blue-billed teal, Spatula hottentota
Cape shoveler, Spatula smithii
Northern shoveler, Spatula clypeata (A)
African black duck, Anas sparsa
Yellow-billed duck, Anas undulata
Cape teal, Anas capensis
Red-billed duck, Anas erythrorhyncha
Northern pintail, Anas acuta
Southern pochard, Netta erythrophthalma
Maccoa duck, Oxyura maccoa
Guineafowl
Order: GalliformesFamily: Numididae
Guineafowl are a group of African, seed-eating, ground-nesting birds that resemble partridges, but with featherless heads and spangled grey plumage.
Helmeted guineafowl, Numida meleagris
Western crested guineafowl, Guttera verreauxi
Pheasants, grouse, and allies
Order: GalliformesFamily: Phasianidae
The Phasianidae are a family of terrestrial birds. In general, they are plump (although they vary in size) and have broad, relatively short wings.
Flamingos are gregarious wading birds, usually 3 to 5 feet (0.9 to 1.5m) 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
Grebes
Order: PodicipediformesFamily: Podicipedidae
Grebes are small to medium-large freshwater diving birds. They have lobed toes and are excellent swimmers and divers. However, they have their feet placed far back on the body, making them quite ungainly on land.
Little grebe, Tachybaptus ruficollis
Great crested grebe, Podiceps cristatus
Eared grebe, Podiceps nigricollis (A)
Pigeons and doves
Order: ColumbiformesFamily: Columbidae
Pigeons and doves are stout-bodied birds with short necks and short slender bills with a fleshy cere.
Rock pigeon, Columba livia (I)
Speckled pigeon, Columba guinea
Rameron pigeon, Columba arquatrix
Delegorgue's pigeon, Columba delegorguei
Lemon dove, Columba larvata
European turtle-dove, Streptopelia turtur (A)
Mourning collared-dove, Streptopelia decipiens
Red-eyed dove, Streptopelia semitorquata
Ring-necked dove, Streptopelia capicola
Laughing dove, Streptopelia senegalensis
Emerald-spotted wood-dove, Turtur chalcospilos
Blue-spotted wood-dove, Turtur afer
Tambourine dove, Turtur tympanistria
Namaqua dove, Oena capensis
African green-pigeon, Treron calvus
Sandgrouse
Order: PterocliformesFamily: Pteroclidae
Sandgrouse have small, pigeon like heads and necks, but sturdy compact bodies. They have long pointed wings and sometimes tails and a fast direct flight. Flocks fly to watering holes at dawn and dusk. Their legs are feathered down to the toes.
Namaqua sandgrouse, Pterocles namaqua
Yellow-throated sandgrouse, Pterocles gutturalis
Double-banded sandgrouse, Pterocles bicinctus
Burchell's sandgrouse, Pterocles burchelli
Bustards
Order: OtidiformesFamily: Otididae
Bustards are large terrestrial birds mainly associated with dry open country and steppes in the Old World. They are omnivorous and nest on the ground. They walk steadily on strong legs and big toes, pecking for food as they go. They have long broad wings with "fingered" wingtips and striking patterns in flight. Many have interesting mating displays.
Kori bustard, Ardeotis kori
Ludwig's bustard, Neotis ludwigii
Denham's bustard, Neotis denhami
Red-crested bustard, Eupodotis ruficrista
Black-bellied bustard, Lissotis melanogaster
Turacos
Order: MusophagiformesFamily: Musophagidae
The turacos, plantain eaters and go-away-birds make up the bird family Musophagidae. They are medium-sized arboreal birds. The turacos and plantain eaters are brightly coloured, usually in blue, green or purple. The go-away birds are mostly grey and white.
Livingstone's turaco, Tauraco livingstonii
Schalow's turaco, Tauraco schalowi
Knysna turaco, Tauraco corythaix
Purple-crested turaco, Tauraco porphyreolophus
Ross's turaco, Musophaga rossae (A)
Gray go-away-bird, Corythaixoides concolor
Cuckoos
Order: CuculiformesFamily: Cuculidae
The family Cuculidae includes cuckoos, roadrunners and anis. These birds are of variable size with slender bodies, long tails and strong legs. The Old World cuckoos are brood parasites.
Senegal coucal, Centropus senegalensis
Coppery-tailed coucal, Centropus cupreicaudus
White-browed coucal, Centropus superciliosus
Black coucal, Centropus grillii
Green malkoha, Ceuthmochares australis
Great spotted cuckoo, Clamator glandarius
Levaillant's cuckoo, Clamator levaillantii
Pied cuckoo, Clamator jacobinus
Thick-billed cuckoo, Pachycoccyx audeberti
Dideric cuckoo, Chrysococcyx caprius
Klaas's cuckoo, Chrysococcyx klaas
African emerald cuckoo, Chrysococcyx cupreus
Barred long-tailed cuckoo, Cercococcyx montanus
Black cuckoo, Cuculus clamosus
Red-chested cuckoo, Cuculus solitarius
Lesser cuckoo, Cuculus poliocephalus
African cuckoo, Cuculus gularis
Madagascar cuckoo, Cuculus rochii (A)
Common cuckoo, Cuculus canorus
Nightjars and allies
Order: CaprimulgiformesFamily: Caprimulgidae
Nightjars are medium-sized nocturnal birds that usually nest on the ground. They have long wings, short legs and very short bills. Most have small feet, of little use for walking, and long pointed wings. Their soft plumage is camouflaged to resemble bark or leaves.
Pennant-winged nightjar, Caprimulgus vexillarius
Eurasian nightjar, Caprimulgus europaeus
Rufous-cheeked nightjar, Caprimulgus rufigena
Fiery-necked nightjar, Caprimulgus pectoralis
Swamp nightjar, Caprimulgus natalensis
Freckled nightjar, Caprimulgus tristigma
Square-tailed nightjar, Caprimulgus fossii
Swifts
Order: CaprimulgiformesFamily: Apodidae
Swifts are small birds which spend the majority of their lives flying. These birds have very short legs and never settle voluntarily on the ground, perching instead only on vertical surfaces. Many swifts have long swept-back wings which resemble a crescent or boomerang.
Mottled spinetail, Telacanthura ussheri
Bat-like spinetail, Neafrapus boehmi
Scarce swift, Schoutedenapus myoptilus
Alpine swift, Apus melba
Mottled swift, Apus aequatorialis
Common swift, Apus apus
African swift, Apus barbatus
Little swift, Apus affinis
Horus swift, Apus horus
White-rumped swift, Apus caffer
African palm-swift, Cypsiurus parvus
Flufftails
Order: GruiformesFamily: Sarothruridae
The flufftails are a small family of ground-dwelling birds found only in Madagascar and sub-Saharan Africa.
Buff-spotted flufftail, Sarothrura elegans
Red-chested flufftail, Sarothrura rufa
Streaky-breasted flufftail, Sarothrura boehmi
Striped flufftail, Sarothrura affinis
White-winged flufftail, Sarothrura ayresi (A)
Rails, gallinules and coots
Order: GruiformesFamily: Rallidae
Rallidae is a large family of small to medium-sized birds which includes the rails, crakes, coots and gallinules. Typically they inhabit dense vegetation in damp environments near lakes, swamps or rivers. In general they are shy and secretive birds, making them difficult to observe. Most species have strong legs and long toes which are well adapted to soft uneven surfaces. They tend to have short, rounded wings and to be weak fliers.
African rail, Rallus caerulescens
Corn crake, Crex crex
African crake, Crex egregia
Spotted crake, Porzana porzana
Lesser moorhen, Paragallinula angulata
Eurasian moorhen, Gallinula chloropus
Red-knobbed coot, Fulica cristata
Allen's gallinule, Porphyrio alleni
Purple gallinule, Porphyrio martinicus (A)
African swamphen, Porphyrio madagascariensis
Striped crake, Aenigmatolimnas marginalis
Black crake, Zapornia flavirostra
Baillon's crake, Zapornia pusilla
Finfoots
Order: GruiformesFamily: Heliornithidae
Heliornithidae is a small family of tropical birds with webbed lobes on their feet similar to those of grebes and coots.
African finfoot, Podica senegalensis
Cranes
Order: GruiformesFamily: Gruidae
Cranes are large, long-legged and long-necked birds. Unlike the similar-looking but unrelated herons, cranes fly with necks outstretched, not pulled back. Most have elaborate and noisy courting displays or "dances".
Gray crowned-crane, Balearica regulorum
Wattled crane, Bugeranus carunculatus
Thick-knees
Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Burhinidae
The thick-knees are a group of largely tropical waders in the family Burhinidae. They are found worldwide within the tropical zone, with some species also breeding in temperate Europe and Australia. They are medium to large waders with strong black or yellow-black bills, large yellow eyes and cryptic plumage. Despite being classed as waders, most species have a preference for arid or semi-arid habitats.
Water thick-knee, Burhinus vermiculatus
Spotted thick-knee, Burhinus capensis
Stilts and avocets
Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Recurvirostridae
Recurvirostridae is a family of large wading birds, which includes the avocets and stilts. The avocets have long legs and long up-curved bills. The stilts have extremely long legs and long, thin, straight bills.
Black-winged stilt, Himantopus himantopus
Pied avocet, Recurvirostra avosetta
Plovers and lapwings
Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Charadriidae
The family Charadriidae includes the plovers, dotterels and lapwings. They are small to medium-sized birds with compact bodies, short, thick necks and long, usually pointed, wings. They are found in open country worldwide, mostly in habitats near water.
Black-bellied plover, Pluvialis squatarola
Pacific golden-plover, Pluvialis fulva
Long-toed lapwing, Vanellus crassirostris
Blacksmith lapwing, Vanellus armatus
Spur-winged lapwing, Vanellus spinosus (A)
White-headed lapwing, Vanellus albiceps
Senegal lapwing, Vanellus lugubris
Crowned lapwing, Vanellus coronatus
Wattled lapwing, Vanellus senegallus
Lesser sand-plover, Charadrius mongolus (A)
Greater sand-plover, Charadrius leschenaultii (A)
Caspian plover, Charadrius asiaticus
Kittlitz's plover, Charadrius pecuarius
Common ringed plover, Charadrius hiaticula
Little ringed plover, Charadrius dubius (A)
Three-banded plover, Charadrius tricollaris
White-fronted plover, Charadrius marginatus
Chestnut-banded plover, Charadrius pallidus
Painted-snipes
Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Rostratulidae
Painted-snipes are short-legged, long-billed birds similar in shape to the true snipes, but more brightly coloured.
Greater painted-snipe, Rostratula benghalensis
Jacanas
Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Jacanidae
The jacanas are a group of tropical waders in the family Jacanidae. They are found throughout the tropics. They are identifiable by their huge feet and claws which enable them to walk on floating vegetation in the shallow lakes that are their preferred habitat.
Lesser jacana, Microparra capensis
African jacana, Actophilornis africanus
Sandpipers and allies
Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Scolopacidae
Scolopacidae is a large diverse family of small to medium-sized shorebirds including the sandpipers, curlews, godwits, shanks, tattlers, woodcocks, snipes, dowitchers and phalaropes. The majority of these species eat small invertebrates picked out of the mud or soil. Variation in length of legs and bills enables multiple species to feed in the same habitat, particularly on the coast, without direct competition for food.
Whimbrel, Numenius phaeopus
Eurasian curlew, Numenius arquata
Bar-tailed godwit, Limosa lapponica (A)
Black-tailed godwit, Limosa limosa (A)
Ruddy turnstone, Arenaria interpres
Ruff, Calidris pugnax
Broad-billed sandpiper, Calidris falcinellus
Curlew sandpiper, Calidris ferruginea
Sanderling, Calidris alba
Little stint, Calidris minuta
Pectoral sandpiper, Calidris melanotos (A)
Great snipe, Gallinago media
African snipe, Gallinago nigripennis
Terek sandpiper, Xenus cinereus
Red-necked phalarope, Phalaropus lobatus
Red phalarope, Phalaropus fulicarius (A)
Common sandpiper, Actitis hypoleucos
Green sandpiper, Tringa ochropus
Spotted redshank, Tringa erythropus (A)
Common greenshank, Tringa nebularia
Lesser yellowlegs, Tringa flavipes (A)
Marsh sandpiper, Tringa stagnatilis
Wood sandpiper, Tringa glareola
Common redshank, Tringa totanus
Buttonquail
Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Turnicidae
The buttonquail are small, drab, running birds which resemble the true quails. The female is the brighter of the sexes and initiates courtship. The male incubates the eggs and tends the young.
Small buttonquail, Turnix sylvatica
Black-rumped buttonquail, Turnix nanus
Pratincoles and coursers
Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Glareolidae
Glareolidae is a family of wading birds comprising the pratincoles, which have short legs, long pointed wings and long forked tails, and the coursers, which have long legs, short wings and long, pointed bills which curve downwards.
Temminck's courser, Cursorius temminckii
Double-banded courser, Smutsornis africanus
Three-banded courser, Rhinoptilus cinctus
Bronze-winged courser, Rhinoptilus chalcopterus
Collared pratincole, Glareola pratincola
Black-winged pratincole, Glareola nordmanni
Rock pratincole, Glareola nuchalis
Gulls, terns, and skimmers
Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Laridae
Laridae is a family of medium to large seabirds, the gulls, terns, and skimmers. Gulls are typically grey or white, often with black markings on the head or wings. They have stout, longish bills and webbed feet. Terns are a group of generally medium to large seabirds typically with grey or white plumage, often with black markings on the head. Most terns hunt fish by diving but some pick insects off the surface of fresh water. Terns are generally long-lived birds, with several species known to live in excess of 30 years. Skimmers are a small family of tropical tern-like birds. They have an elongated lower mandible which they use to feed by flying low over the water surface and skimming the water for small fish.
Gray-hooded gull, Chroicocephalus cirrocephalus
Black-headed gull, Chroicocephalus ridibundus (A)
Lesser black-backed gull, Larus fuscus
Sooty tern, Onychoprion fuscatus (A)
Gull-billed tern, Gelochelidon nilotica (A)
Caspian tern, Hydroprogne caspia
White-winged tern, Chlidonias leucopterus
Whiskered tern, Chlidonias hybrida
African skimmer, Rynchops flavirostris
Northern storm-petrels
Order: ProcellariiformesFamily: Hydrobatidae
Though the members of this family are similar in many respects to the southern storm-petrels, including their general appearance and habits, there are enough genetic differences to warrant their placement in a separate family.
European storm-petrel, Hydrobates pelagicus (A)
Storks
Order: CiconiiformesFamily: Ciconiidae
Storks are large, long-legged, long-necked, wading birds with long, stout bills. Storks are mute, but bill-clattering is an important mode of communication at the nest. Their nests can be large and may be reused for many years. Many species are migratory.
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 colored 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.
Lesser frigatebird, Fregata ariel (A)
Great frigatebird, Fregata minor (A)
Anhingas
Order: SuliformesFamily: Anhingidae
Anhingas or darters are often called "snake-birds" because of their long thin neck, which gives a snake-like appearance when they swim with their bodies submerged. The males have black and dark-brown plumage, an erectile crest on the nape and a larger bill than the female. The females have much paler plumage especially on the neck and underparts. The darters have completely webbed feet and their legs are short and set far back on the body. Their plumage is somewhat permeable, like that of cormorants, and they spread their wings to dry after diving.
African darter, Anhinga melanogaster
Cormorants and shags
Order: SuliformesFamily: Phalacrocoracidae
Phalacrocoracidae is a family of medium to large coastal, fish-eating seabirds that includes cormorants and shags. Plumage colouration varies, with the majority having mainly dark plumage, some species being black-and-white and a few being colourful.
Long-tailed cormorant, Microcarbo africanus
Great cormorant, Phalacrocorax carbo
Pelicans
Order: PelecaniformesFamily: Pelecanidae
Pelicans are large water birds with a distinctive pouch under their beak. As with other members of the order Pelecaniformes, they have webbed feet with four toes.
Great white pelican, Pelecanus onocrotalus
Pink-backed pelican, Pelecanus rufescens
Hammerkop
Order: PelecaniformesFamily: Scopidae
The hammerkop is a medium-sized bird with a long shaggy crest. The shape of its head with a curved bill and crest at the back is reminiscent of a hammer, hence its name. Its plumage is drab-brown all over.
Hamerkop, Scopus umbretta
Herons, egrets, and bitterns
Order: PelecaniformesFamily: Ardeidae
The family Ardeidae contains the bitterns, herons and egrets. Herons and egrets are medium to large wading birds with long necks and legs. Bitterns tend to be shorter necked and more wary. Members of Ardeidae fly with their necks retracted, unlike other long-necked birds such as storks, ibises and spoonbills.
Great bittern, Botaurus stellaris (A)
Little bittern, Ixobrychus minutus
Dwarf bittern, Ixobrychus sturmii
Gray heron, Ardea cinerea
Black-headed heron, Ardea melanocephala
Goliath heron, Ardea goliath
Purple heron, Ardea purpurea
Great egret, Ardea alba
Intermediate egret, Ardea intermedia
Little egret, Egretta garzetta
Slaty egret, Egretta vinaceigula
Black heron, Egretta ardesiaca'
Cattle egret, Bubulcus ibis
Squacco heron, Ardeola ralloides
Malagasy pond-heron, Ardeola idae
Rufous-bellied heron, Ardeola rufiventris
Striated heron, Butorides striata
Black-crowned night-heron, Nycticorax nycticorax
White-backed night-heron, Gorsachius leuconotus
Ibises and spoonbills
Order: PelecaniformesFamily: Threskiornithidae
Threskiornithidae is a family of large terrestrial and wading birds which includes the ibises and spoonbills. They have long, broad wings with 11 primary and about 20 secondary feathers. They are strong fliers and despite their size and weight, very capable soarers.
Glossy ibis, Plegadis falcinellus
African sacred ibis, Threskiornis aethiopicus
Hadada ibis, Bostrychia hagedash
African spoonbill, Platalea alba
Secretarybird
Order: AccipitriformesFamily: Sagittariidae
The secretarybird is a bird of prey in the order Accipitriformes but is easily distinguished from other raptors by its long crane-like legs.
Secretarybird, Sagittarius serpentarius
Osprey
Order: AccipitriformesFamily: Pandionidae
The family Pandionidae contains only one species, the osprey. The osprey is a medium-large raptor which is a specialist fish-eater with a worldwide distribution.
Osprey, Pandion haliaetus
Hawks, eagles, and kites
Order: AccipitriformesFamily: Accipitridae
Accipitridae is a family of birds of prey, which includes hawks, eagles, kites, harriers and Old World vultures. These birds have powerful hooked beaks for tearing flesh from their prey, strong legs, powerful talons and keen eyesight.
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
Owls
Order: StrigiformesFamily: Strigidae
The typical owls are small to large solitary nocturnal birds of prey. They have large forward-facing eyes and ears, a hawk-like beak and a conspicuous circle of feathers around each eye called a facial disk.
Eurasian scops-owl, Otus scops
African scops-owl, Otus senegalensis
Southern white-faced owl, Ptilopsis granti
Cape eagle-owl, Bubo capensis
Spotted eagle-owl, Bubo africanus
Verreaux's eagle-owl, Bubo lacteus
Pel's fishing-owl, Scotopelia peli
Pearl-spotted owlet, Glaucidium perlatum
African barred owlet, Glaucidium capense
African wood-owl, Strix woodfordii
Marsh owl, Asio capensis
Mousebirds
Order: ColiiformesFamily: Coliidae
The mousebirds are slender greyish or brown birds with soft, hairlike body feathers and very long thin tails. They are arboreal and scurry through the leaves like rodents in search of berries, fruit and buds. They are acrobatic and can feed upside down. All species have strong claws and reversible outer toes. They also have crests and stubby bills.
Speckled mousebird, Colius striatus
Red-faced mousebird, Urocolius indicus
Trogons
Order: TrogoniformesFamily: Trogonidae
The family Trogonidae includes trogons and quetzals. Found in tropical woodlands worldwide, they feed on insects and fruit, and their broad bills and weak legs reflect their diet and arboreal habits. Although their flight is fast, they are reluctant to fly any distance. Trogons have soft, often colourful, feathers with distinctive male and female plumage.
Narina trogon, Apaloderma narina
Hoopoes
Order: BucerotiformesFamily: Upupidae
Hoopoes have black, white and orangey-pink colouring with a large erectile crest on their head.
Eurasian hoopoe, Upupa epops
Woodhoopoes
Order: BucerotiformesFamily: 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.
Green woodhoopoe, Phoeniculus purpureus
Common scimitarbill, Rhinopomastus cyanomelas
Ground-hornbills
Order:Bucerotiformes Family: Bucorvidae
The ground-hornbills are terrestrial birds which feed almost entirely on insects, other birds, snakes, and amphibians. The entire family is endemic to Africa.
Southern ground-hornbill, Bucorvus leadbeateri
Hornbills
Order: BucerotiformesFamily: Bucerotidae
Hornbills are a group of birds whose bill is shaped like a cow's horn, but without a twist, sometimes with a casque on the upper mandible. Frequently, the bill is brightly coloured.
Kingfishers are medium-sized birds with large heads, long, pointed bills, short legs and stubby tails.
Half-collared kingfisher, Alcedo semitorquata
Malachite kingfisher, Corythornis cristatus
African pygmy kingfisher, Ispidina picta
Gray-headed kingfisher, Halcyon leucocephala
Woodland kingfisher, Halcyon senegalensis
Mangrove kingfisher, Halcyon senegaloides (A)
Brown-hooded kingfisher, Halcyon albiventris
Striped kingfisher, Halcyon chelicuti
Giant kingfisher, Megaceryle maximus
Pied kingfisher, Ceryle rudis
Bee-eaters
Order: CoraciiformesFamily: Meropidae
The bee-eaters are a group of near passerine birds in the family Meropidae. Most species are found in Africa but others occur in southern Europe, Madagascar, Australia and New Guinea. They are characterised by richly coloured plumage, slender bodies and usually elongated central tail feathers. All are colourful and have long downturned bills and pointed wings, which give them a swallow-like appearance when seen from afar.
White-fronted bee-eater, Merops bullockoides
Little bee-eater, Merops pusillus
Swallow-tailed bee-eater, Merops hirundineus
White-throated bee-eater, Merops albicollis (A)
Böhm's bee-eater, Merops boehmi
Blue-cheeked bee-eater, Merops persicus
Madagascar bee-eater, Merops superciliosus
European bee-eater, Merops apiaster
Southern carmine bee-eater, Merops nubicoides
Rollers
Order: CoraciiformesFamily: Coraciidae
Rollers resemble crows in size and build, but are more closely related to the kingfishers and bee-eaters. They share the colourful appearance of those groups with blues and browns predominating. The two inner front toes are connected, but the outer toe is not.
European roller, Coracias garrulus
Lilac-breasted roller, Coracias caudata
Racket-tailed roller, Coracias spatulata
Rufous-crowned roller, Coracias naevia
Broad-billed roller, Eurystomus glaucurus
African barbets
Order: PiciformesFamily: Lybiidae
The African barbets are plump birds, with short necks and large heads. They get their name from the bristles which fringe their heavy bills. Most species are brightly coloured.
Crested barbet, Trachyphonus vaillantii
White-eared barbet, Stactolaema leucotis
Whyte's barbet, Stactolaema whytii
Yellow-rumped tinkerbird, Pogoniulus bilineatus
Yellow-fronted tinkerbird, Pogoniulus chrysoconus
Pied barbet, Tricholaema leucomelas
Black-collared barbet, Lybius torquatus
Honeyguides
Order: PiciformesFamily: Indicatoridae
Honeyguides are among the few birds that feed on wax. They are named for the greater honeyguide which leads traditional honey-hunters to bees' nests and, after the hunters have harvested the honey, feeds on the remaining contents of the hive.
Green-backed honeyguide, Prodotiscus zambesiae
Wahlberg's honeyguide, Prodotiscus regulus
Pallid honeyguide, Indicator meliphilus
Lesser honeyguide, Indicator minor
Scaly-throated honeyguide, Indicator variegatus
Greater honeyguide, Indicator indicator
Woodpeckers
Order: PiciformesFamily: Picidae
Woodpeckers are small to medium-sized birds with chisel-like beaks, short legs, stiff tails and long tongues used for capturing insects. Some species have feet with two toes pointing forward and two backward, while several species have only three toes. Many woodpeckers have the habit of tapping noisily on tree trunks with their beaks.
Rufous-necked wryneck, Jynx ruficollis (A)
Cardinal woodpecker, Chloropicus fuscescens
Bearded woodpecker, Chloropicus namaquus
Olive woodpecker, Chloropicus griseocephalus (A)
Green-backed woodpecker, Campethera cailliautii
Bennett's woodpecker, Campethera bennettii
Golden-tailed woodpecker, Campethera abingoni
Falcons and caracaras
Order: FalconiformesFamily: Falconidae
Falconidae is a family of diurnal birds of prey. They differ from hawks, eagles and kites in that they kill with their beaks instead of their talons.
Lesser kestrel, Falco naumanni
Eurasian kestrel, Falco tinnunculus
Rock kestrel, Falco rupicolus
Greater kestrel, Falco rupicoloides
Dickinson's kestrel, Falco dickinsoni
Red-necked falcon, Falco chicquera
Red-footed falcon, Falco vespertinus
Amur falcon, Falco amurensis
Eleonora's falcon, Falco eleonorae (A)
Sooty falcon, Falco concolor (A)
Eurasian hobby, Falco subbuteo
African hobby, Falco cuvierii
Lanner falcon, Falco biarmicus
Peregrine falcon, Falco peregrinus
Taita falcon, Falco fasciinucha
Old World parrots
Order: PsittaciformesFamily: Psittaculidae
Characteristic features of parrots include a strong curved bill, an upright stance, strong legs, and clawed zygodactyl feet. Many parrots are vividly colored, and some are multi-colored. In size they range from 8cm (3.1in) to 1m (3.3ft) in length. Old World parrots are found from Africa east across south and southeast Asia and Oceania to Australia and New Zealand.
Rose-ringed parakeet, Psittacula krameri (I)
Lilian's lovebird, Agapornis lilianae
Black-cheeked lovebird, Agapornis nigrigenis (I)
New World and African parrots
Order: PsittaciformesFamily: Psittacidae
Characteristic features of parrots include a strong curved bill, an upright stance, strong legs, and clawed zygodactyl feet. Many parrots are vividly colored, and some are multi-colored. In size they range from 8cm (3.1in) to 1m (3.3ft) in length. Most of the more than 150 species in this family are found in the New World.
Brown-necked parrot, Poicephalus robustus
Meyer's parrot, Poicephalus meyeri
Brown-headed parrot, Poicephalus cryptoxanthus
African and green broadbills
Order: PasseriformesFamily: Calyptomenidae
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.
African broadbill, Smithornis capensis
Pittas
Order: PasseriformesFamily: Pittidae
Pittas are medium-sized by passerine standards and are stocky, with fairly long, strong legs, short tails and stout bills. Many are brightly coloured. They spend the majority of their time on wet forest floors, eating snails, insects and similar invertebrates.
African pitta, Pitta angolensis
Cuckooshrikes
Order: PasseriformesFamily: Campephagidae
The cuckooshrikes are small to medium-sized passerine birds. They are predominantly greyish with white and black, although some species are brightly coloured.
Gray cuckooshrike, Coracina caesia
White-breasted cuckooshrike, Coracina pectoralis
Black cuckooshrike, Campephaga flava
Old World orioles
Order: PasseriformesFamily: Oriolidae
The Old World orioles are colourful passerine birds. They are not related to the New World orioles.
Eurasian golden oriole, Oriolus oriolus
African golden oriole, Oriolus auratus
Green-headed oriole, Oriolus chlorocephalus
African black-headed oriole, Oriolus larvatus
Wattle-eyes and batises
Order: PasseriformesFamily: Platysteiridae
The wattle-eyes, or puffback flycatchers, are small stout passerine birds of the African tropics. They get their name from the brightly coloured fleshy eye decorations found in most species in this group.
Black-throated wattle-eye, Platysteira peltata
Cape batis, Batis capensis
Woodward's batis, Batis fratrum
Chinspot batis, Batis molitor
Pale batis, Batis soror
Vangas, helmetshrikes, and allies
Order: PasseriformesFamily: Vangidae
The helmetshrikes are similar in build to the shrikes, but tend to be colourful species with distinctive crests or other head ornaments, such as wattles, from which they get their name.
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.
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.
Common square-tailed drongo, Dicrurus ludwigii
Fork-tailed drongo, Dicrurus adsimilis
Monarch flycatchers
Order: PasseriformesFamily: Monarchidae
The monarch flycatchers are small to medium-sized insectivorous passerines which hunt by flycatching.
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
Lesser gray shrike, Lanius minor
Magpie shrike, Lanius melanoleucus
Southern fiscal, Lanius collaris
White-crowned shrike, Eurocephalus anguitimens
Crows, jays, and magpies
Order: PasseriformesFamily: 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.
Cape crow, Corvus capensis
Pied crow, Corvus albus
White-necked raven, Corvus albicollis
Hyliotas
Order: PasseriformesFamily: Hyliotidae
The members of this small family, all of genus Hyliota, are birds of the forest canopy. They tend to feed in mixed-species flocks. The entire family is endemic to Africa.
Yellow-bellied hyliota, Hyliota flavigaster (A)
Southern hyliota, Hyliota australis
Fairy flycatchers
Order: PasseriformesFamily: Stenostiridae
Most of the species of this small family are found in Africa, though a few inhabit tropical Asia. They are not closely related to other birds called "flycatchers".
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.
Rufous-bellied tit, Melaniparus rufiventris
Southern black-tit, Melaniparus niger
Miombo tit, Melaniparus griseiventris
Ashy tit, Melaniparus cinerascens
Penduline-tits
Order: PasseriformesFamily: Remizidae
The penduline-tits are a group of small passerine birds related to the true tits. They are insectivores.
African penduline-tit, Anthoscopus caroli
Southern penduline-tit, Anthoscopus minutus
Larks
Order: PasseriformesFamily: Alaudidae
Larks are small terrestrial birds with often extravagant songs and display flights. Most larks are fairly dull in appearance. Their food is insects and seeds.
The nicators are shrike-like, with hooked bills. They are endemic to sub-Saharan Africa.
Western nicator, Nicator chloris
Eastern nicator, Nicator gularis
African warblers
Order: PasseriformesFamily: Macrosphenidae
African warblers are small to medium-sized insectivores which are found in a wide variety of habitats south of the Sahara.
Red-capped crombec, Sylvietta ruficapilla (A)
Red-faced crombec, Sylvietta whytii
Cape crombec, Sylvietta rufescens
Moustached grass-warbler, Melocichla mentalis
Cape grassbird, Sphenoeacus afer
Cisticolas and allies
Order: PasseriformesFamily: Cisticolidae
The Cisticolidae are warblers found mainly in warmer southern regions of the Old World. They are generally very small birds of drab brown or grey appearance found in open country such as grassland or scrub.
The members of this family are usually rather large for "warblers". Most are rather plain olivaceous brown above with much yellow to beige below. They are usually found in open woodland, reedbeds, or tall grass. The family occurs mostly in southern to western Eurasia and surroundings, but it also ranges far into the Pacific, with some species in Africa.
African yellow-warbler, Iduna natalensis
Olive-tree warbler, Hippolais olivetorum
Icterine warbler, Hippolais icterina
Sedge warbler, Acrocephalus schoenobaenus
Marsh warbler, Acrocephalus palustris
Common reed warbler, Acrocephalus scirpaceus
Basra reed warbler, Acrocephalus griseldis (A)
Lesser swamp warbler, Acrocephalus gracilirostris
Greater swamp warbler, Acrocephalus rufescens
Great reed warbler, Acrocephalus arundinaceus
Grassbirds and allies
Order: PasseriformesFamily: Locustellidae
Locustellidae are a family of small insectivorous songbirds found mainly in Eurasia, Africa, and the Australian region. They are smallish birds with tails that are usually long and pointed, and tend to be drab brownish or buffy all over.
River warbler, Locustella fluviatilis
Fan-tailed grassbird, Catriscus brevirostris
Barratt's warbler, Bradypterus barratti
Little rush warbler, Bradypterus baboecala
Swallows
Order: PasseriformesFamily: Hirundinidae
The family Hirundinidae is adapted to aerial feeding. They have a slender streamlined body, long pointed wings and a short bill with a wide gape. The feet are adapted to perching rather than walking, and the front toes are partially joined at the base.
Plain martin, Riparia paludicola
Bank swallow, Riparia riparia
Banded martin, Neophedina cincta
Mascarene martin, Phedina borbonica (A)
Rock martin, Ptyonoprogne fuligula
Barn swallow, Hirundo rustica
White-throated swallow, Hirundo albigularis
Wire-tailed swallow, Hirundo smithii
Pearl-breasted swallow, Hirundo dimidiata
Montane blue swallow, Hirundo atrocaerulea
Greater striped swallow, Cecropis cucullata
Red-rumped swallow, Cecropis daurica (A)
Lesser striped swallow, Cecropis abyssinica
Rufous-chested swallow, Cecropis semirufa
Mosque swallow, Cecropis senegalensis
South African swallow, Petrochelidon spilodera
Common house-martin, Delichon urbicum
White-headed sawwing, Psalidoprocne albiceps (A)
Black sawwing, Psalidoprocne pristoptera
Gray-rumped swallow, Pseudhirundo griseopyga
Bulbuls
Order: PasseriformesFamily: Pycnonotidae
Bulbuls are medium-sized songbirds. Some are colourful with yellow, red or orange vents, cheeks, throats or supercilia, but most are drab, with uniform olive-brown to black plumage. Some species have distinct crests.
Leaf warblers are a family of small insectivorous birds found mostly in Eurasia and ranging into Wallacea and Africa. The species are of various sizes, often green-plumaged above and yellow below, or more subdued with grayish-green to grayish-brown colors.
The members of this family are found throughout Africa, Asia, and Polynesia. Their taxonomy is in flux, and some authorities place genus Erythrocerus in another family.[1]
The family Sylviidae is a group of small insectivorous passerine birds. They mainly occur as breeding species, as the common name implies, in Europe, Asia and, to a lesser extent, Africa. Most are of generally undistinguished appearance, but many have distinctive songs.
Eurasian blackcap, Sylvia atricapilla (A)
Garden warbler, Sylvia borin
Barred warbler, Curruca nisoria
Chestnut-vented warbler, Curruca subcoerulea
Greater whitethroat, Curruca communis
White-eyes, yuhinas, and allies
Order: PasseriformesFamily: Zosteropidae
The white-eyes are small and mostly undistinguished, their plumage above being generally some dull colour like greenish-olive, but some species have a white or bright yellow throat, breast or lower parts, and several have buff flanks. As their name suggests, many species have a white ring around each eye.
Southern yellow white-eye, Zosterops anderssoni
Laughingthrushes and allies
Order: PasseriformesFamily: Leiothrichidae
The members of this family are diverse in size and colouration, though those of genus Turdoides tend to be brown or greyish. The family is found in Africa, India, and southeast Asia.
Arrow-marked babbler, Turdoides jardineii
Southern pied-babbler, Turdoides bicolor
Hartlaub's babbler, Turdoides hartlaubii
Treecreepers
Order: PasseriformesFamily: Certhiidae
Treecreepers are small woodland birds, brown above and white below. They have thin pointed down-curved bills, which they use to extricate insects from bark. They have stiff tail feathers, like woodpeckers, which they use to support themselves on vertical trees.
African spotted creeper, Salpornis salvadori
Oxpeckers
Order: PasseriformesFamily: Buphagidae
As both the English and scientific names of these birds imply, they feed on ectoparasites, primarily ticks, found on large mammals. The entire family is endemic to Africa.
Red-billed oxpecker, Buphagus erythrorhynchus
Yellow-billed oxpecker, Buphagus africanus
Starlings
Order: PasseriformesFamily: Sturnidae
Starlings are small to medium-sized passerine birds. Their flight is strong and direct and they are very gregarious. Their preferred habitat is fairly open country. They eat insects and fruit. Plumage is typically dark with a metallic sheen.
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.
Orange ground-thrush, Geokichla gurneyi
Groundscraper thrush, Turdus litsitsirupa
Kurrichane thrush, Turdus libonyana
Olive thrush, Turdus olivaceus
Old World flycatchers
Order: PasseriformesFamily: Muscicapidae
Old World flycatchers are a large group of small passerine birds native to the Old World. They are mainly small arboreal insectivores. The appearance of these birds is highly varied, but they mostly have weak songs and harsh calls.
The sugarbirds resemble large sunbirds in general appearance and habits, but are possibly more closely related to the Australian honeyeaters. They have brownish plumage, the long downcurved bill of passerine nectar feeders and long tail feathers.
Gurney's sugarbird, Promerops gurneyi
Sunbirds and spiderhunters
Order: PasseriformesFamily: Nectariniidae
The sunbirds and spiderhunters are very small passerine birds which feed largely on nectar, although they will also take insects, especially when feeding young. Flight is fast and direct on their short wings. Most species can take nectar by hovering like a hummingbird, but usually perch to feed.
Plain-backed sunbird, Anthreptes reichenowi
Western violet-backed sunbird, Anthreptes longuemarei
Collared sunbird, Hedydipna collaris
Olive sunbird, Cyanomitra olivacea
Mouse-colored sunbird, Cyanomitra veroxii (A)
Amethyst sunbird, Chalcomitra amethystina
Scarlet-chested sunbird, Chalcomitra senegalensis
Bronze sunbird, Nectarinia kilimensis
Malachite sunbird, Nectarinia famosa
Western Miombo sunbird, Cinnyris gertrudis
Eastern Miombo sunbird, Cinnyris manoensis
Mariqua sunbird, Cinnyris mariquensis
Shelley's sunbird, Cinnyris shelleyi
Purple-banded sunbird, Cinnyris bifasciatus
White-breasted sunbird, Cinnyris talatala
Variable sunbird, Cinnyris venustus
Copper sunbird, Cinnyris cupreus
Weavers and allies
Order: PasseriformesFamily: Ploceidae
The weavers are small passerine birds related to the finches. They are seed-eating birds with rounded conical bills. The males of many species are brightly coloured, usually in red or yellow and black, some species show variation in colour only in the breeding season.
The estrildid finches are small passerine birds of the Old World tropics and Australasia. They are gregarious and often colonial seed eaters with short thick but pointed bills. They are all similar in structure and habits, but have wide variation in plumage colours and patterns.
Bronze mannikin, Spermestes cucullatus
Magpie mannikin, Spermestes fringilloides
Black-and-white mannikin, Spermestes bicolor
Yellow-bellied waxbill, Coccopygia quartinia
Swee waxbill, Coccopygia melanotis
Green-backed twinspot, Mandingoa nitidula
Red-faced crimsonwing, Cryptospiza reichenovii
Black-faced waxbill, Brunhilda erythronotos
Black-tailed waxbill, Glaucestrilda perreini
Common waxbill, Estrilda astrild
Quailfinch, Ortygospiza atricollis
Locustfinch, Paludipasser locustella
Cut-throat, Amadina fasciata
Red-headed finch, Amadina erythrocephala
Zebra waxbill, Amandava subflava
Violet-eared waxbill, Granatina granatina
Southern cordonbleu, Uraeginthus angolensis
Lesser seedcracker, Pyrenestes minor
Green-winged pytilia, Pytilia melba
Orange-winged pytilia, Pytilia afra
Peters's twinspot, Hypargos niveoguttatus
Red-billed firefinch, Lagonosticta senegala
African firefinch, Lagonosticta rubricata
Jameson's firefinch, Lagonosticta rhodopareia
Brown firefinch, Lagonosticta nitidula
Indigobirds
Order: PasseriformesFamily: Viduidae
The indigobirds are finch-like species which usually have black or indigo predominating in their plumage. All are brood parasites, which lay their eggs in the nests of estrildid finches.
Pin-tailed whydah, Vidua macroura
Broad-tailed paradise-whydah, Vidua obtusa
Eastern paradise-whydah, Vidua paradisaea
Shaft-tailed whydah, Vidua regia
Village indigobird, Vidua chalybeata
Variable indigobird, Vidua funerea
Purple indigobird, Vidua purpurascens
Green indigobird, Vidua codringtoni
Parasitic weaver, Anomalospiza imberbis
Old World sparrows
Order: PasseriformesFamily: Passeridae
Old World sparrows are small passerine birds. In general, sparrows tend to be small, plump, brown or grey birds with short tails and short powerful beaks. Sparrows are seed eaters, but they also consume small insects.
House sparrow, Passer domesticus (I)
Great rufous sparrow, Passer motitensis
Cape sparrow, Passer melanurus
Northern gray-headed sparrow, Passer griseus (A)
Southern gray-headed sparrow, Passer diffusus
Yellow-throated bush sparrow, Gymnoris superciliaris
Wagtails and pipits
Order: PasseriformesFamily: Motacillidae
Motacillidae is a family of small passerine birds with medium to long tails. They include the wagtails, longclaws and pipits. They are slender, ground feeding insectivores of open country.
Cape wagtail, Motacilla capensis
Mountain wagtail, Motacilla clara
Gray wagtail, Motacilla cinerea (A)
Western yellow wagtail, Motacilla flava
African pied wagtail, Motacilla aguimp
White wagtail, Motacilla alba
African pipit, Anthus cinnamomeus
Woodland pipit, Anthus nyassae
Nicholson's pipit, Anthus nicholsoni
Plain-backed pipit, Anthus leucophrys
Buffy pipit, Anthus vaalensis
Striped pipit, Anthus lineiventris
Tree pipit, Anthus trivialis
Short-tailed pipit, Anthus brachyurus (A)
Bush pipit, Anthus caffer
Golden pipit, Tmetothylacus tenellus (A)
Orange-throated longclaw, Macronyx capensis
Yellow-throated longclaw, Macronyx croceus
Rosy-throated longclaw, Macronyx ameliae
Finches, euphonias, and allies
Order: PasseriformesFamily: Fringillidae
Finches are seed-eating passerine birds, that are small to moderately large and have a strong beak, usually conical and in some species very large. All have twelve tail feathers and nine primaries. These birds have a bouncing flight with alternating bouts of flapping and gliding on closed wings, and most sing well.
Yellow-fronted canary, Crithagra mozambica
African citril, Crithagra citrinelloides
Black-faced canary, Crithagra capistrata
Black-throated canary, Crithagra atrogularis
Lemon-breasted seedeater, Crithagra citrinipectus
Brimstone canary, Crithagra sulphurata
Black-eared seedeater, Crithagra mennelli
Streaky-headed seedeater, Crithagra gularis
Cape canary, Serinus canicollis
Old World buntings
Order: PasseriformesFamily: Emberizidae
The emberizids are a large family of passerine birds. They are seed-eating birds with distinctively shaped bills. Many emberizid species have distinctive head patterns.
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