List of birds of Kenya

This is a list of the bird species recorded in Kenya. The avifauna of Kenya included a total of 1158 confirmed species as of July 2023. Of them, 11 are endemic, and 4 have been introduced by humans. An additional three species are considered "hypothetical" (see below) and are not included in the count. Unless otherwise noted, the list is that of Avibase.

This list's taxonomic treatment (designation and sequence of orders, families and species) and nomenclature (English and scientific names) are those of The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World, 2022 edition.

The following tags highlight several categories of occurrence other than regular migrants and non-endemic residents. The notes of population status are from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, and apply to the world-wide population except for endemics.


 * (A) Accidental - a species that rarely or accidentally occurs in Kenya (also called a vagrant)
 * (E) Endemic - a species endemic to Kenya
 * (I) Introduced - a species introduced to Kenya as a consequence, direct or indirect, of human actions
 * (H) Hypothetical - a species recorded but not confirmed in Kenya

Ostriches
Order: StruthioniformesFamily: Struthionidae

The ostriches are flightless birds native to Africa. They are the largest living species of bird and are distinctive in appearance, with a long neck and legs and the ability to run at high speeds.


 * Common ostrich, Struthio camelus
 * Somali ostrich, Struthio molybdophanes (vulnerable)

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 aegyptiaca
 * Ruddy shelduck, Tadorna ferruginea (A)
 * Spur-winged goose, Plectropterus gambensis
 * African pygmy-goose, Nettapus auritus
 * Garganey, Spatula querquedula
 * Blue-billed teal, Spatula hottentota
 * Northern shoveler, Spatula clypeata
 * Gadwall, Mareca strepera
 * Eurasian wigeon, Mareca penelope
 * African black duck, Anas sparsa
 * Yellow-billed duck, Anas undulata
 * Mallard, Anas platyrhynchos
 * Cape teal, Anas capensis
 * Red-billed duck, Anas erythrorhyncha
 * Northern pintail, Anas acuta
 * Green-winged teal, Anas crecca
 * Southern pochard, Netta erythrophthalma
 * Common pochard, Aythya ferina (A) (vulnerable)
 * Ferruginous duck, Aythya nyroca (near-threatened)
 * Tufted duck, Aythya fuligula
 * Maccoa duck, Oxyura maccoa (vulnerable)

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
 * Vulturine guineafowl, Acryllium vulturinum
 * Eastern crested guineafowl, Guttera pucherani
 * Western crested guineafowl, Guttera verreauxi

New World quail
Order: GalliformesFamily: Odontophoridae

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


 * Stone partridge, Ptilopachus petrosus

Pheasants, grouse, and allies
Order: GalliformesFamily: Phasianidae

The Phasianidae are a family of terrestrial birds which consists of quails, partridges, 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.


 * Crested francolin, Ortygornis sephaena
 * Coqui francolin, Campocolinus coqui
 * Ring-necked francolin, Scleroptila streptophora (near-threatened)
 * Red-winged francolin, Scleroptila levaillantii
 * Elgon francolin, Scleroptila elgonensis
 * Orange River francolin, Scleroptila guttturalis
 * Shelley's francolin, Scleroptila shelleyi
 * Blue quail, Synoicus adansonii
 * Common quail, Coturnix coturnix
 * Harlequin quail, Coturnix delegorguei
 * Chestnut-naped francolin, Pternistis castaneicollis
 * Black-fronted francolin, Pternistis atrifons (endangered)
 * Jackson's francolin, Pternistis jacksoni (E)
 * Hildebrandt's francolin, Pternistis hildebrandti
 * Scaly francolin, Pternistis squamatus
 * Yellow-necked francolin, Pternistis leucoscepus
 * Red-necked francolin, Pternistis afer

Flamingos
Order: PhoenicopteriformesFamily: Phoenicopteridae

Flamingos are gregarious wading birds, usually 3 to 5 ft 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, Phoeniconaias minor (near-threatened)

Grebes
Order: PodicipediformesFamily: Podicipedidae

Grebes are small to medium-large freshwater diving birds. They have lobed toes and are excellent swimmers and divers. Their feet are 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

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
 * Speckled pigeon, Columba guinea
 * Rameron pigeon, Columba arquatrix
 * Delegorgue's pigeon, Columba delegorguei
 * Lemon dove, Columba larvata
 * European turtle-dove, Streptopelia turtur (A) (vulnerable)
 * Dusky turtle-dove, Streptopelia lugens
 * White-winged collared-dove, Streptopelia reichenowi (near-threatened)
 * 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
 * Bruce's green-pigeon, Treron waalia
 * 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.


 * Chestnut-bellied sandgrouse, Pterocles exustus
 * Yellow-throated sandgrouse, Pterocles gutturalis
 * Black-faced sandgrouse, Pterocles decoratus
 * Lichtenstein's sandgrouse, Pterocles lichtensteinii
 * Four-banded sandgrouse, Pterocles quadricinctus

Bustards
Order: OtidiformesFamily: Otididae

Bustards are large terrestrial birds mainly associated with dry open country and steppes in the Old World. They are omnivorous and nest on the ground. They walk steadily on strong legs and big toes, pecking for food as they go. They have long broad wings with "fingered" wingtips and striking patterns in flight. Many have interesting mating displays.


 * Arabian bustard, Ardeotis arabs (A) (near-threatened)
 * Kori bustard, Ardeotis kori (near-threatened)
 * Denham's bustard, Neotis denhami (near-threatened)
 * Heuglin's bustard, Neotis heuglinii
 * White-bellied bustard, Eupodotis senegalensis
 * Buff-crested bustard, Lophotis gindiana
 * Black-bellied bustard, Lissotis melanogaster
 * Hartlaub's bustard, Lissotis hartlaubii

Turacos
Order: MusophagiformesFamily: Musophagidae

The turacos, plantain eaters, and go-away-birds make up the family Musophagidae. They are medium-sized arboreal birds. The turacos and plantain-eaters are brightly colored, usually blue, green, or purple. The go-away-birds are mostly gray and white.


 * Great blue turaco, Corythaeola cristata
 * Schalow's turaco, Tauraco schalowi
 * Black-billed turaco, Tauraco schuettii
 * White-crested turaco, Tauraco leucolophus
 * Fischer's turaco, Tauraco fischeri (near-threatened)
 * Hartlaub's turaco, Tauraco hartlaubi
 * Purple-crested turaco, Tauraco porphyreolophus
 * Ross's turaco, Musophaga rossae
 * Bare-faced go-away-bird, Corythaixoides personatus
 * White-bellied go-away-bird, Corythaixoides leucogaster
 * Eastern plantain-eater, Crinifer zonurus

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
 * Blue-headed coucal, Centropus monachus
 * White-browed coucal, Centropus superciliosus
 * Black coucal, Centropus grillii
 * Blue malkoha, Ceuthmochares aereus
 * 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
 * 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
 * Standard-winged nightjar, Caprimulgus longipennis
 * Eurasian nightjar, Caprimulgus europaeus
 * Sombre nightjar, Caprimulgus fraenatus
 * Nubian nightjar, Caprimulgus nubicus
 * Donaldson-Smith's nightjar, Caprimulgus donaldsoni
 * Fiery-necked nightjar, Caprimulgus pectoralis
 * Montane nightjar, Caprimulgus poliocephalus
 * Swamp nightjar, Caprimulgus natalensis
 * Plain nightjar, Caprimulgus inornatus
 * Star-spotted nightjar, Caprimulgus stellatus
 * Freckled nightjar, Caprimulgus tristigma
 * Long-tailed nightjar, Caprimulgus climacurus (A)
 * Slender-tailed nightjar, Caprimulgus clarus
 * Square-tailed nightjar, Caprimulgus fossii

Swifts
Order: CaprimulgiformesFamily: Apodidae

Swifts are small birds which spend the majority of their lives flying. They 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
 * Sabine's spinetail, Rhaphidura sabini
 * Bat-like spinetail, Neafrapus boehmi (A)
 * Scarce swift, Schoutedenapus myoptilus
 * Alpine swift, Apus melba
 * Mottled swift, Apus aequatorialis
 * Common swift, Apus apus
 * Nyanza swift, Apus niansae
 * African swift, Apus barbatus
 * Forbes-Watson's swift, Apus berliozi
 * Little swift, Apus affinis
 * Horus swift, Apus horus
 * White-rumped swift, Apus caffer
 * African palm-swift, Cypsiurus parvus

Flufftails
Order: GruiformesFamily: Sarothruridae

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


 * White-spotted flufftail, Sarothrura pulchra
 * Buff-spotted flufftail, Sarothrura elegans
 * Red-chested flufftail, Sarothrura rufa
 * Streaky-breasted flufftail, Sarothrura boehmi
 * Striped flufftail, Sarothrura affinis

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
 * African swamphen, Porphyrio madagascariensis
 * Striped crake, Amaurornis marginalis
 * Black crake, Zapornia flavirostra
 * Little crake, Zapornia parva (H)
 * 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 (endangered)
 * Black crowned-crane, Balearica pavonina (vulnerable)
 * Demoiselle crane, Anthropoides virgo (A)
 * Common crane, Grus grus (A)

Thick-knees
Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Burhinidae

The thick-knees are a group of waders 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
 * Eurasian thick-knee, Burhinus oedicnemus (A)
 * Senegal thick-knee, Burhinus senegalensis
 * Spotted thick-knee, Burhinus capensis

Egyptian plover
Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Pluvianidae

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


 * Egyptian plover, Pluvianus aegyptius (A)

Stilts and avocets
Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Recurvirostridae

Recurvirostridae is a family of large wading birds which includes the avocets and stilts. The avocets have long legs and long up-curved bills. The stilts have extremely long legs and long, thin, straight bills.


 * Black-winged stilt, Himantopus himantopus
 * Pied avocet, Recurvirostra avosetta

Oystercatchers
Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Haematopodidae

The oystercatchers are large and noisy plover-like birds, with strong bills used for smashing or prising open molluscs.


 * Eurasian oystercatcher, Haematopus ostralegus

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
 * Northern lapwing, Vanellus vanellus (A) (near-threatened)
 * Long-toed lapwing, Vanellus crassirostris
 * Blacksmith lapwing, Vanellus armatus
 * Spur-winged lapwing, Vanellus spinosus
 * Black-headed lapwing, Vanellus tectus
 * Senegal lapwing, Vanellus lugubris
 * Black-winged lapwing, Vanellus melanopterus
 * Crowned lapwing, Vanellus coronatus
 * Wattled lapwing, Vanellus senegallus
 * Brown-chested lapwing, Vanellus superciliosus (A)
 * Lesser sand-plover, Anarhynchus mongolus
 * Greater sand-plover, Anarhynchus leschenaultii
 * Caspian plover, Anarhynchus asiaticus
 * Kittlitz's plover, Anarhynchus pecuarius
 * Kentish plover, Anarhynchus alexandrinus
 * Common ringed plover, Charadrius hiaticula
 * Little ringed plover, Charadrius dubius
 * Three-banded plover, Charadrius tricollaris
 * White-fronted plover, Charadrius marginatus
 * Chestnut-banded plover, Charadrius pallidus (near-threatened)

Painted-snipes
Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Rostratulidae

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


 * Greater painted-snipe, Rostratula benghalensis

Jacanas
Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Jacanidae

The jacanas are a family of waders that 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 (near-threatened)
 * Bar-tailed godwit, Limosa lapponica (near-threatened)
 * Black-tailed godwit, Limosa limosa (near-threatened)
 * Ruddy turnstone, Arenaria interpres
 * Red knot, Calidris canutus (A) (near-threatened)
 * Ruff, Calidris pugnax
 * Broad-billed sandpiper, Calidris falcinellus
 * Curlew sandpiper, Calidris ferruginea (near-threatened)
 * Temminck's stint, Calidris temminckii
 * Long-toed stint, Calidris subminuta (A)
 * Red-necked stint, Calidris ruficollis (A) (near-threatened)
 * Sanderling, Calidris alba
 * Dunlin, Calidris alpina (A)
 * Little stint, Calidris minuta
 * Buff-breasted sandpiper, Calidris subruficollis (A) (near-threatened)
 * Pectoral sandpiper, Calidris melanotos (A)
 * Jack snipe, Lymnocryptes minimus
 * Great snipe, Gallinago media (near-threatened)
 * Common snipe, Gallinago gallinago
 * Pin-tailed snipe, Gallinago stenura (A)
 * African snipe, Gallinago nigripennis
 * Terek sandpiper, Xenus cinereus
 * Red-necked phalarope, Phalaropus lobatus
 * Red phalarope, Phalaropus fulicarius (A)
 * Common sandpiper, Actitis hypoleucos
 * Spotted sandpiper, Actitis macularius (A)
 * Green sandpiper, Tringa ochropus
 * Spotted redshank, Tringa erythropus
 * Common greenshank, Tringa nebularia
 * Marsh sandpiper, Tringa stagnatilis
 * Wood sandpiper, Tringa glareola
 * Common redshank, Tringa totanus

Buttonquails
Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Turnicidae

The buttonquails are small, drab, running birds which resemble the true quails. The female is the brighter of the sexes and initiates courtship. The male incubates the eggs and tends the young.


 * Small buttonquail, Turnix sylvaticus
 * Black-rumped buttonquail, Turnix nanus
 * Quail-plover, Ortyxelos meiffrenii

Crab-plover
Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Dromadidae

The crab-plover is related to the waders. It resembles a plover but with very long grey legs and a strong heavy black bill similar to a tern's. It has black-and-white plumage, a long neck, partially webbed feet, and a bill designed for eating crabs.


 * Crab-plover, Dromas ardeola

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.


 * Cream-colored courser, Cursorius cursor (A)
 * Somali courser, Cursorius somalensis
 * 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 (A) (near-threatened)
 * Madagascar pratincole, Glareola ocularis (vulnerable)
 * Rock pratincole, Glareola nuchalis

Skuas and jaegers
Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Stercorariidae

The family Stercorariidae are, in general, medium to large birds, typically with grey or brown plumage, often with white markings on the wings. They nest on the ground in temperate and arctic regions and are long-distance migrants.


 * Pomarine jaeger, Stercorarius pomarinus
 * Parasitic jaeger, Stercorarius parasiticus (A)
 * Long-tailed jaeger, Stercorarius longicaudus (A)

Gulls, terns, and skimmers
Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Laridae

Laridae is a family of medium to large seabirds, the gulls, kittiwakes, terns, and skimmers. Gulls are typically gray 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 gray 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.


 * Slender-billed gull, Chroicocephalus genei
 * Gray-hooded gull, Chroicocephalus cirrocephalus
 * Black-headed gull, Chroicocephalus ridibundus
 * Little gull, Hydrocoloeus minutus (A)
 * Mediterranean gull, Ichthyaetus melanocephalus (A)
 * White-eyed gull, Ichthyaetus leucophthalmus (A)
 * Sooty gull, Ichthyaetus hemprichii
 * Pallas's gull, Ichthyaetus ichthyaetus
 * Common gull, Larus canus (A)
 * Lesser black-backed gull, Larus fuscus
 * Kelp gull, Larus dominicanus (A)
 * Brown noddy, Anous stolidus
 * Lesser noddy, Anous tenuirostris (A)
 * Sooty tern, Onychoprion fuscatus
 * Bridled tern, Onychoprion anaethetus
 * Little tern, Sternula albifrons (A)
 * Saunders's tern, Sternula saundersi
 * Gull-billed tern, Gelochelidon nilotica
 * Caspian tern, Hydroprogne caspia
 * Black tern, Chlidonias niger (A)
 * White-winged tern, Chlidonias leucopterus
 * Whiskered tern, Chlidonias hybrida
 * Roseate tern, Sterna dougallii
 * Common tern, Sterna hirundo
 * Arctic tern, Sterna paradisaea (A)
 * White-cheeked tern, Sterna repressa
 * Great crested tern, Thalasseus bergii
 * Sandwich tern, Thalasseus sandvicensis
 * Lesser crested tern, Thalasseus bengalensis
 * African skimmer, Rynchops flavirostris (near-threatened)

Tropicbirds
Order: PhaethontiformesFamily: Phaethontidae

Tropicbirds are slender white birds of tropical oceans, with exceptionally long central tail feathers. Their heads and long wings have black markings.


 * White-tailed tropicbird, Phaethon lepturus
 * Red-tailed tropicbird, Phaethon rubricauda (A)

Albatrosses
Order: ProcellariiformesFamily: Diomedeidae

The albatrosses are among the largest of flying birds, and the great albatrosses of the genus Diomedea have the largest wingspans of any extant birds.


 * White-capped albatross, Thalassarche cauta (A)
 * Black-browed albatross, Thalassarche melanophris (A)

Southern storm-petrels
Order: ProcellariiformesFamily: Oceanitidae

The storm-petrels are the smallest seabirds, relatives of the petrels, feeding on planktonic crustaceans and small fish picked from the surface, typically while hovering. The flight is fluttering and sometimes bat-like. Until 2018, this family's species were included with the other storm-petrels in family Hydrobatidae.


 * Wilson's storm-petrel, Oceanites oceanicus
 * Black-bellied storm-petrel, Fregetta tropica (A)

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.


 * Leach's storm-petrel, Hydrobates leucorhous (A) (vulnerable)
 * Matsudaira's storm-petrel, Hydrobates matsudairae (A) (vulnerable)

Shearwaters and petrels
Order: ProcellariiformesFamily: Procellariidae

The procellariids are the main group of medium-sized "true petrels", characterised by united nostrils with medium septum and a long outer functional primary.


 * Southern giant-petrel, Macronectes giganteus (H)
 * Cape petrel, Daption capense (A)
 * Antarctic prion, Pachyptila desolata (A)
 * Slender-billed prion, Pachyptila belcheri (A)
 * Jouanin's petrel, Bulweria fallax (A) (near-threatened)
 * White-chinned petrel, Procellaria aequinoctialis (A) (vulnerable)
 * Wedge-tailed shearwater, Ardenna pacifica (A)
 * Sooty shearwater, Ardenna grisea (A) (near-threatened)
 * Tropical shearwater, Puffinus bailloni
 * Persian shearwater, Puffinus persicus (A)

Storks
Order: CiconiiformesFamily: Ciconiidae

Storks are large, long-legged, long-necked wading birds with long, stout bills. Storks are mute, but bill-clattering is an important mode of communication at the nest. Their nests can be large and may be reused for many years. Many species are migratory.


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

Frigatebirds
Order: SuliformesFamily: 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 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)
 * Christmas Island frigatebird, Fregata andrewsi (A)
 * Great frigatebird, Fregata minor (A)

Boobies and gannets
Order: SuliformesFamily: Sulidae

The sulids comprise the gannets and boobies. Both groups are medium to large coastal seabirds that plunge-dive for fish.


 * Masked booby, Sula dactylatra
 * Brown booby, Sula leucogaster
 * Red-footed booby, Sula sula (A)

Anhingas
Order: SuliformesFamily: Anhingidae

Anhingas or darters are often called "snake-birds" because of their long thin neck, which gives a snake-like appearance when they swim with their bodies submerged. The males have black and dark-brown plumage, an erectile crest on the nape, and a larger bill than the female. The females have much paler plumage especially on the neck and underparts. The darters have completely webbed feet and their legs are short and set far back on the body. Their plumage is somewhat permeable, like that of cormorants, and they spread their wings to dry after diving.


 * African darter, Anhinga rufa

Cormorants and shags
Order: SuliformesFamily: Phalacrocoracidae

Phalacrocoracidae is a family of medium to large coastal, fish-eating seabirds that includes cormorants and shags. Plumage coloration varies, with the majority having mainly dark plumage, some species being black-and-white, and a few being colorful.


 * Long-tailed cormorant, Microcarbo africanus
 * Great cormorant, Phalacrocorax carbo

Pelicans
Order: PelecaniformesFamily: Pelecanidae

Pelicans are large water birds with a distinctive pouch under their beak. As with other members of the order Pelecaniformes, they have webbed feet with four toes.


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

Shoebill
Order: PelecaniformesFamily: Balaenicipididae

The shoebill was formerly thought to be related to storks but is in the same order as pelicans. It derives its name from its massive shoe-shaped bill.


 * Shoebill, Balaeniceps rex (A) (vulnerable)

Hamerkop
Order: PelecaniformesFamily: Scopidae

The hamerkop 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
 * Western reef-heron, Egretta gularis
 * Black heron, Egretta ardesiaca
 * Cattle egret, Bubulcus ibis
 * Squacco heron, Ardeola ralloides
 * Malagasy pond-heron, Ardeola idae (endangered)
 * 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
 * Olive ibis, Bostrychia olivacea
 * Hadada ibis, Bostrychia hagedash
 * Eurasian spoonbill, Platalea leucorodia
 * African spoonbill, Platalea alba

Secretarybird
Order: AccipitriformesFamily: Sagittariidae

The secretary-bird is a bird of prey but is easily distinguished from other raptors by its long crane-like legs.


 * Secretarybird, Sagittarius serpentarius (endangered)

Osprey
Order: AccipitriformesFamily: Pandionidae

The family Pandionidae contains only one species, the osprey. The osprey is a medium-large raptor which is a specialist fish-eater with a worldwide distribution.


 * Osprey, Pandion haliaetus

Hawks, eagles, and kites
Order: AccipitriformesFamily: Accipitridae

Accipitridae is a family of birds of prey which includes hawks, eagles, kites, harriers, and Old World vultures. These birds have powerful hooked beaks for tearing flesh from their prey, strong legs, powerful talons, and keen eyesight.


 * Black-winged kite, Elanus caeruleus
 * Scissor-tailed kite, Chelictinia riocourii
 * African harrier-hawk, Polyboroides typus
 * Palm-nut vulture, Gypohierax angolensis
 * Bearded vulture, Gypaetus barbatus (near-threatened)
 * Egyptian vulture, Neophron percnopterus (endangered)
 * European honey-buzzard, Pernis apivorus
 * Oriental honey-buzzard, Pernis ptilorhynchus (A)
 * African cuckoo-hawk, Aviceda cuculoides
 * White-headed vulture, Trigonoceps occipitalis (critically endangered)
 * Lappet-faced vulture, Torgos tracheliotus (endangered)
 * Hooded vulture, Necrosyrtes monachus (critically endangered)
 * White-backed vulture, Gyps africanus (critically endangered)
 * Rüppell's griffon, Gyps rueppelli (critically endangered)
 * Eurasian griffon, Gyps fulvus (A)
 * Bateleur, Terathopius ecaudatus (endangered)
 * Short-toed snake-eagle, Circaetus gallicus (A)
 * Beaudouin's snake-eagle, Circaetus beaudouini (vulnerable)
 * Black-chested snake-eagle, Circaetus pectoralis
 * Brown snake-eagle, Circaetus cinereus
 * Fasciated snake-eagle, Circaetus fasciolatus (near-threatened)
 * Banded snake-eagle, Circaetus cinerascens
 * Bat hawk, Macheiramphus alcinus
 * Crowned eagle, Stephanoaetus coronatus (near-threatened)
 * Martial eagle, Polemaetus bellicosus (endangered)
 * Long-crested eagle, Lophaetus occipitalis
 * Lesser spotted eagle, Clanga pomarina
 * Greater spotted eagle, Clanga clanga (A) (vulnerable)
 * Wahlberg's eagle, Hieraaetus wahlbergi
 * Booted eagle, Hieraaetus pennatus
 * Ayres's hawk-eagle, Hieraaetus ayresii
 * Tawny eagle, Aquila rapax (vulnerable)
 * Steppe eagle, Aquila nipalensis (endangered)
 * Imperial eagle, Aquila heliaca (vulnerable)
 * Cassin's hawk-eagle, Aquila africana (A)
 * Verreaux's eagle, Aquila verreauxii
 * African hawk-eagle, Aquila spilogaster
 * Lizard buzzard, Kaupifalco monogrammicus
 * Dark chanting-goshawk, Melierax metabates
 * Eastern chanting-goshawk, Melierax poliopterus
 * Gabar goshawk, Micronisus gabar
 * Grasshopper buzzard, Butastur rufipennis
 * Eurasian marsh-harrier, Circus aeruginosus
 * African marsh-harrier, Circus ranivorus
 * Pallid harrier, Circus macrourus (near-threatened)
 * Montagu's harrier, Circus pygargus
 * African goshawk, Accipiter tachiro
 * Shikra, Accipiter badius
 * Levant sparrowhawk, Accipiter brevipes (A)
 * Little sparrowhawk, Accipiter minullus
 * Ovambo sparrowhawk, Accipiter ovampensis
 * Eurasian sparrowhawk, Accipiter nisus (A)
 * Rufous-breasted sparrowhawk, Accipiter rufiventris
 * Black goshawk, Accipiter melanoleucus
 * Black kite, Milvus migrans
 * African fish-eagle, Haliaeetus vocifer
 * Common buzzard, Buteo buteo
 * Mountain buzzard, Buteo oreophilus (near-threatened)
 * Long-legged buzzard, Buteo rufinus
 * Augur buzzard, Buteo augur

Barn-owls
Order: StrigiformesFamily: Tytonidae

Barn-owls are medium to large owls with large heads and characteristic heart-shaped faces. They have long strong legs with powerful talons.


 * African grass-owl, Tyto capensis
 * Barn owl, Tyto alba

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.


 * Sokoke scops-owl, Otus ireneae (endangered)
 * Eurasian scops-owl, Otus scops
 * African scops-owl, Otus senegalensis
 * Northern white-faced owl, Ptilopsis leucotis
 * Southern white-faced owl, Ptilopsis granti
 * Cape eagle-owl, Bubo capensis
 * Spotted eagle-owl, Bubo africanus
 * Grayish eagle-owl, Bubo cinerascens
 * Verreaux's eagle-owl, Bubo lacteus
 * Pel's fishing-owl, Scotopelia peli
 * Pearl-spotted owlet, Glaucidium perlatum
 * Red-chested owlet, Glaucidium tephronotum
 * African barred owlet, Glaucidium capense
 * African wood-owl, Strix woodfordii
 * Abyssinian owl, Asio abyssinicus
 * Short-eared owl, Asio flammeus (A)
 * Marsh owl, Asio capensis

Mousebirds
Order: ColiiformesFamily: Coliidae

The mousebirds are slender grayish 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
 * White-headed mousebird, Colius leucocephalus
 * Blue-naped mousebird, Urocolius macrourus

Trogons
Order: TrogoniformesFamily: Trogonidae

The family Trogonidae includes trogons and quetzals. Found in tropical woodlands worldwide, they feed on insects and fruit, and their broad bills and weak legs reflect their diet and arboreal habits. Although their flight is fast, they are reluctant to fly any distance. Trogons have soft, often colorful, feathers with distinctive male and female plumage.


 * Narina trogon, Apaloderma narina
 * Bar-tailed trogon, Apaloderma vittatum

Hoopoes
Order: BucerotiformesFamily: Upupidae

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


 * Eurasian hoopoe, Upupa epops

Woodhoopoes and scimitarbills
Order: BucerotiformesFamily: Phoeniculidae

The woodhoopoes and scimitarbills are related to the hoopoes, ground-hornbills, and hornbills. 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
 * Violet woodhoopoe, Phoeniculus damarensis
 * Black-billed woodhoopoe, Phoeniculus somaliensis
 * White-headed woodhoopoe, Phoeniculus bollei
 * Common scimitarbill, Rhinopomastus cyanomelas
 * Abyssinian scimitarbill, Rhinopomastus minor

Ground-hornbills
Order: BucerotiformesFamily: Bucorvidae

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


 * Abyssinian ground-hornbill, Bucorvus abyssinicus (vulnerable)
 * Southern ground-hornbill, Bucorvus leadbeateri (vulnerable)

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 colored.


 * Crowned hornbill, Lophoceros alboterminatus
 * Hemprich's hornbill, Lophoceros hemprichii
 * African gray hornbill, Lophoceros nasutus
 * Eastern yellow-billed hornbill, Tockus flavirostris
 * Jackson's hornbill, Tockus jacksoni
 * Von der Decken's hornbill, Tockus deckeni
 * Northern red-billed hornbill, Tockus erythrorhynchus
 * Silvery-cheeked hornbill, Bycanistes brevis
 * Black-and-white-casqued hornbill, Bycanistes subcylindricus
 * Trumpeter hornbill, Bycanistes bucinator

Kingfishers
Order: CoraciiformesFamily: Alcedinidae

Kingfishers are medium-sized birds with large heads, long, pointed bills, short legs, and stubby tails.


 * Half-collared kingfisher, Alcedo semitorquata
 * Shining-blue kingfisher, Alcedo quadribrachys
 * Malachite kingfisher, Corythornis cristatus
 * African pygmy kingfisher, Ispidina picta
 * Gray-headed kingfisher, Halcyon leucocephala
 * Woodland kingfisher, Halcyon senegalensis
 * Mangrove kingfisher, Halcyon senegaloides
 * Blue-breasted kingfisher, Halcyon malimbica (A)
 * Brown-hooded kingfisher, Halcyon albiventris
 * Striped kingfisher, Halcyon chelicuti
 * Collared kingfisher, Todiramphus chloris
 * Giant kingfisher, Megaceryle maxima
 * 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 colored plumage, slender bodies, and usually elongated central tail feathers. All have long down-turned bills and pointed wings, which give them a swallow-like appearance when seen from afar.


 * Blue-headed bee-eater, Merops muelleri
 * White-fronted bee-eater, Merops bullockoides
 * Little bee-eater, Merops pusillus
 * Blue-breasted bee-eater, Merops variegatus
 * Cinnamon-chested bee-eater, Merops oreobates
 * Swallow-tailed bee-eater, Merops hirundineus (A)
 * Somali bee-eater, Merops revoilii
 * White-throated bee-eater, Merops albicollis
 * Böhm's bee-eater, Merops boehmi (A)
 * Blue-cheeked bee-eater, Merops persicus
 * Madagascar bee-eater, Merops superciliosus
 * European bee-eater, Merops apiaster
 * Northern carmine bee-eater, Merops nubicus
 * Southern carmine bee-eater, Merops nubicoides (A)

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 colorful 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
 * Abyssinian roller, Coracias abyssinicus
 * Lilac-breasted roller, Coracias caudatus
 * Racket-tailed roller, Coracias spatulatus (A)
 * Rufous-crowned roller, Coracias naevius
 * Broad-billed roller, Eurystomus glaucurus

African barbets
Order: PiciformesFamily: Lybiidae

The barbets are plump birds, with short necks and large heads. They get their name from the bristles which fringe their heavy bills. Most species are brightly colored.


 * Yellow-billed barbet, Trachyphonus purpuratus
 * Red-and-yellow barbet, Trachyphonus erythrocephalus
 * D'Arnaud's barbet, Trachyphonus darnaudii
 * Gray-throated barbet, Gymnobucco bonapartei
 * White-eared barbet, Stactolaema leucotis
 * Green barbet, Stactolaema olivacea
 * Green tinkerbird, Pogoniulus simplex
 * Moustached tinkerbird, Pogoniulus leucomystax
 * Yellow-rumped tinkerbird, Pogoniulus bilineatus
 * Red-fronted tinkerbird, Pogoniulus pusillus
 * Yellow-fronted tinkerbird, Pogoniulus chrysoconus
 * Yellow-spotted barbet, Buccanodon duchaillui
 * Hairy-breasted barbet, Tricholaema hirsuta
 * Red-fronted barbet, Tricholaema diademata
 * Spot-flanked barbet, Tricholaema lachrymosa
 * Black-throated barbet, Tricholaema melanocephala
 * White-headed barbet, Lybius leucocephalus
 * Black-billed barbet, Lybius guifsobalito
 * Black-collared barbet, Lybius torquatus
 * Brown-breasted barbet, Lybius melanopterus
 * Double-toothed barbet, Lybius bidentatus

Honeyguides
Order: PiciformesFamily: Indicatoridae

Honeyguides are among the few birds that feed on wax. They are named for the greater honeyguide which leads traditional honey-hunters to bees' nests and, after the hunters have harvested the honey, feeds on the remaining contents of the hive.


 * Cassin's honeyguide, Prodotiscus insignis
 * Green-backed honeyguide, Prodotiscus zambesiae
 * Wahlberg's honeyguide, Prodotiscus regulus
 * Pallid honeyguide, Indicator meliphilus
 * Least honeyguide, Indicator exilis
 * Lesser honeyguide, Indicator minor
 * Scaly-throated honeyguide, Indicator variegatus
 * Greater honeyguide, Indicator indicator

Woodpeckers
Order: PiciformesFamily: Picidae

Woodpeckers are small to medium-sized birds with chisel-like beaks, short legs, stiff tails, and long tongues used for capturing insects. Some species have feet with two toes pointing forward and two backward, while several species have only three toes. Many woodpeckers have the habit of tapping noisily on tree trunks with their beaks.


 * Eurasian wryneck, Jynx torquilla (A)
 * Rufous-necked wryneck, Jynx ruficollis
 * Speckle-breasted woodpecker, Chloropicus poecilolaemus
 * Cardinal woodpecker, Chloropicus fuscescens
 * Bearded woodpecker, Chloropicus namaquus
 * Golden-crowned woodpecker, Chloropicus xantholophus
 * Brown-backed woodpecker, Chloropicus obsoletus
 * African gray woodpecker, Chloropicus goertae
 * Mountain gray woodpecker, Chloropicus spodocephalus
 * Brown-eared woodpecker, Campethera caroli
 * Buff-spotted woodpecker, Campethera nivosa
 * Tullberg's woodpecker, Campethera tullbergi
 * Green-backed woodpecker, Campethera cailliautii
 * Nubian woodpecker, Campethera nubica
 * Bennett's woodpecker, Campethera bennettii (A)
 * Reichenow's woodpecker, Campethera scriptoricauda (A)
 * Golden-tailed woodpecker, Campethera abingoni
 * Mombasa woodpecker, Campethera mombassica

Falcons and caracaras
Order: FalconiformesFamily: Falconidae

Falconidae is a family of diurnal birds of prey. They differ from hawks, eagles, and kites in that they kill with their beaks instead of their talons.


 * Pygmy falcon, Polihierax semitorquatus
 * Lesser kestrel, Falco naumanni
 * Eurasian kestrel, Falco tinnunculus
 * Rock kestrel, Falco rupicolus
 * Greater kestrel, Falco rupicoloides
 * Fox kestrel, Falco alopex
 * Gray kestrel, Falco ardosiaceus
 * Dickinson's kestrel, Falco dickinsoni
 * Red-necked falcon, Falco chicquera
 * Red-footed falcon, Falco vespertinus (near-threatened)
 * Amur falcon, Falco amurensis
 * Eleonora's falcon, Falco eleonorae
 * Sooty falcon, Falco concolor (vulnerable)
 * Eurasian hobby, Falco subbuteo
 * African hobby, Falco cuvierii
 * Lanner falcon, Falco biarmicus
 * Saker falcon, Falco cherrug (endangered)
 * Peregrine falcon, Falco peregrinus
 * Taita falcon, Falco fasciinucha (vulnerable)

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 8 cm to 1 m in length. Old World parrots are found from Africa east across south and southeast Asia and Oceania to Australia and New Zealand.


 * Gray-headed lovebird, Agapornis canus (I)
 * Red-headed lovebird, Agapornis pullarius
 * Fischer's lovebird, Agapornis fischeri (near-threatened)
 * Yellow-collared lovebird, Agapornis personatus (I)

African and New World parrots
Order: PsittaciformesFamily: Psittacidae

Characteristic features of parrots include a strong curved bill, an upright stance, strong legs, and clawed zygodactyl feet. Many parrots are vividly colored, and some are multi-colored. In size they range from 8 cm to 1 m in length. Most of the more than 150 species in this family are found in the New World.


 * Gray parrot, Psittacus erithacus
 * Red-fronted parrot, Poicephalus gulielmi
 * Meyer's parrot, Poicephalus meyeri
 * Brown-headed parrot, Poicephalus cryptoxanthus
 * Red-bellied parrot, Poicephalus rufiventris

African and green broadbills
Order: PasseriformesFamily: Calyptomenidae

The broadbills are small, brightly colored birds which feed on fruit and also take insects in flycatcher fashion, snapping their broad bills. Their habitat is canopies of wet forests.


 * African broadbill, Smithornis capensis

Pittas
Order: PasseriformesFamily: Pittidae

Pittas are medium-sized by passerine standards and are stocky, with fairly long, strong legs, short tails, and stout bills. Many are brightly colored. 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 grayish with white and black, although some species are brightly colored.


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

Old World orioles
Order: PasseriformesFamily: Oriolidae

The Old World orioles are colorful passerine birds which are not related to the similar-looking New World orioles.


 * Eurasian golden oriole, Oriolus oriolus
 * African golden oriole, Oriolus auratus
 * Green-headed oriole, Oriolus chlorocephalus
 * Western black-headed oriole, Oriolus brachyrhynchus
 * African black-headed oriole, Oriolus larvatus
 * Black-tailed oriole, Oriolus percivali

Wattle-eyes and batises
Order: PasseriformesFamily: Platysteiridae

The wattle-eyes, or puffback flycatchers, are small stout passerine birds of the African tropics. They get their name from the brightly colored fleshy eye decorations found in most species in this group.


 * Brown-throated wattle-eye, Platysteira cyanea
 * Black-throated wattle-eye, Platysteira peltata
 * Chestnut wattle-eye, Platysteira castanea
 * Jameson's wattle-eye, Platysteira jamesoni
 * Yellow-bellied wattle-eye, Platysteira concreta
 * Short-tailed batis, Batis mixta
 * Chinspot batis, Batis molitor
 * Pale batis, Batis soror
 * Gray-headed batis, Batis orientalis (A)
 * Western black-headed batis, Batis erlangeri
 * Eastern black-headed batis, Batis minor
 * Pygmy batis, Batis perkeo

Vangas, helmetshrikes, and allies
Order: PasseriformesFamily: Vangidae

The helmetshrikes are similar in build to the shrikes, but tend to be colorful species with distinctive crests or other head ornaments, such as wattles, from which they get their name.


 * White helmetshrike, Prionops plumatus
 * Gray-crested helmetshrike, Prionops poliolophus (near-threatened)
 * Retz's helmetshrike, Prionops retzii
 * Chestnut-fronted helmetshrike, Prionops scopifrons
 * African shrike-flycatcher, Megabyas flammulatus
 * Black-and-white shrike-flycatcher, Bias musicus

Bushshrikes and allies
Order: PasseriformesFamily: Malaconotidae

Bushshrikes are similar in habits to shrikes, hunting insects and other small prey from a perch on a bush. Although similar in build to the shrikes, these tend to be either colorful species or largely black; some species are quite secretive.


 * Brubru, Nilaus afer
 * Northern puffback, Dryoscopus gambensis
 * Pringle's puffback, Dryoscopus pringlii
 * Black-backed puffback, Dryoscopus cubla
 * Pink-footed puffback, Dryoscopus angolensis
 * Marsh tchagra, Tchagra minuta
 * Black-crowned tchagra, Tchagra senegala
 * Brown-crowned tchagra, Tchagra australis
 * Three-streaked tchagra, Tchagra jamesi
 * Red-naped bushshrike, Laniarius ruficeps
 * Coastal boubou, Laniarius nigerrimus
 * Lühder's bushshrike, Laniarius luehderi
 * Ethiopian boubou, Laniarius aethiopicus
 * Tropical boubou, Laniarius major
 * Zanzibar boubou, Laniarius sublacteus
 * Black-headed gonolek, Laniarius erythrogaster
 * Papyrus gonolek, Laniarius mufumbiri (near-threatened)
 * Slate-colored boubou, Laniarius funebris
 * Lowland sooty boubou, Laniarius leucorhynchus (A)
 * Rosy-patched bushshrike, Rhodophoneus cruentus
 * Gray-green bushshrike, Telophorus bocagei
 * Sulphur-breasted bushshrike, Telophorus sulfureopectus
 * Black-fronted bushshrike, Telophorus nigrifrons
 * Four-colored bushshrike, Telophorus viridis
 * Doherty's bushshrike, Telophorus dohertyi
 * Gray-headed bushshrike, Malaconotus blanchoti

Drongos
Order: PasseriformesFamily: Dicruridae

The drongos are mostly black or dark gray in color, 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.


 * Sharpe's drongo, Dicrurus sharpei
 * Common square-tailed drongo, Dicrurus ludwigii
 * Fork-tailed drongo, Dicrurus adsimilis
 * Glossy-backed drongo, Dicrurus divaricatus
 * Velvet-mantled drongo, Dicrurus modestus

Monarch flycatchers
Order: PasseriformesFamily: Monarchidae

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


 * African crested-flycatcher, Trochocercus cyanomelas
 * Black-headed paradise-flycatcher, Terpsiphone rufiventer
 * African paradise-flycatcher, Terpsiphone viridis

Shrikes
Order: PasseriformesFamily: Laniidae

Shrikes are passerine birds known for their habit of catching other birds and small animals and impaling the uneaten portions of their bodies on thorns. A shrike's beak is hooked, like that of a typical bird of prey.


 * Red-backed shrike, Lanius collurio
 * Red-tailed shrike, Lanius phoenicuroides
 * Isabelline shrike, Lanius isabellinus (A)
 * Great gray shrike, Lanius excubitor (A)
 * Lesser gray shrike, Lanius minor
 * Gray-backed fiscal, Lanius excubitoroides
 * Long-tailed fiscal, Lanius cabanisi
 * Yellow-billed shrike, Lanius corvinus
 * Magpie shrike, Lanius melanoleucus
 * Taita fiscal, Lanius dorsalis
 * Somali fiscal, Lanius somalicus
 * Mackinnon's shrike, Lanius mackinnoni
 * Northern fiscal, Lanius humeralis
 * Masked shrike, Lanius nubicus (A)
 * Woodchat shrike, Lanius senator
 * White-rumped shrike, Eurocephalus ruppelli

Crows, jays, and ravens
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.


 * Piapiac, Ptilostomus afer
 * House crow, Corvus splendens (I)
 * Cape crow, Corvus capensis
 * Pied crow, Corvus albus
 * Somali crow, Corvus edithae
 * Fan-tailed raven, Corvus rhipidurus
 * White-necked raven, Corvus albicollis

Hyliotas
Order: PasseriformesFamily: Hyliotidae

The members of this small family, all of genus Hyliota, are birds of the forest canopy. They tend to feed in mixed-species flocks.


 * Yellow-bellied hyliota, Hyliota flavigaster
 * 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".


 * African blue flycatcher, Elminia longicauda
 * Dusky crested-flycatcher, Elminia nigromitrata
 * White-tailed crested-flycatcher, Elminia albonotata

Tits, chickadees, and titmice
Order: PasseriformesFamily: Paridae

The Paridae are mainly small stocky woodland species with short stout bills. Some have crests. They are adaptable birds, with a mixed diet including seeds and insects.


 * White-shouldered black-tit, Melaniparus guineensis
 * White-bellied tit, Melaniparus albiventris
 * Dusky tit, Melaniparus funereus
 * Somali tit, Melaniparus thruppi
 * Red-throated tit, Melaniparus fringillinus

Penduline-tits
Order: PasseriformesFamily: Remizidae

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


 * Mouse-colored penduline-tit, Anthoscopus musculus
 * African penduline-tit, Anthoscopus caroli

Larks
Order: PasseriformesFamily: Alaudidae

Larks are small terrestrial birds with often extravagant songs and display flights. Most larks are fairly dull in appearance. Their food is insects and seeds.


 * Chestnut-backed sparrow-lark, Eremopterix leucotis
 * Chestnut-headed sparrow-lark, Eremopterix signata
 * Fischer's sparrow-lark, Eremopterix leucopareia
 * Pink-breasted lark, Calendulauda poecilosterna
 * Fawn-colored lark, Calendulauda africanoides
 * Collared lark, Mirafra collaris
 * Red-winged lark, Mirafra hypermetra
 * Rufous-naped lark, Mirafra africana
 * Flappet lark, Mirafra rufocinnamomea
 * Williams's lark, Mirafra williamsi (E)
 * Friedmann's lark, Mirafra pulpa (population data deficient)
 * White-tailed lark, Mirafra albicauda
 * Latakoo lark, Mirafra cheniana
 * Horsfield's bushlark, Mirafra javanica
 * Gillett's lark, Mirafra gilletti
 * Red-capped lark, Calandrella cinerea
 * Greater short-toed lark, Alaudala brachydactyla (A)
 * Somali short-toed lark, Alaudala somalica
 * Short-tailed lark, Spizocorys fremantlii
 * Masked lark, Spizocorys personata
 * Thekla's lark, Galerida theklae
 * Crested lark, Galerida cristata

Nicators
Order: PasseriformesFamily: Nicatoridae

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


 * Western nicator, Nicator chloris (A)
 * 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.


 * Green crombec, Sylvietta virens
 * White-browed crombec, Sylvietta leucophrys
 * Northern crombec, Sylvietta brachyura
 * Red-faced crombec, Sylvietta whytii
 * Somali crombec, Sylvietta isabellina
 * Moustached grass-warbler, Melocichla mentalis
 * Kretschmer's longbill, Macrosphenus kretschmeri
 * Green hylia, Hylia prasina

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 gray appearance found in open country such as grassland or scrub.


 * Yellow-vented eremomela, Eremomela flavicrissalis
 * Yellow-bellied eremomela, Eremomela icteropygialis
 * Green-backed eremomela, Eremomela canescens
 * Greencap eremomela, Eremomela scotops
 * Turner's eremomela, Eremomela turneri (near-threatened)
 * White-chinned prinia, Schistolais leucopogon
 * Black-collared apalis, Oreolais pulcher
 * Miombo wren-warbler, Calamonastes undosus
 * Gray wren-warbler, Calamonastes simplex
 * Green-backed camaroptera, Camaroptera brachyura
 * Olive-green camaroptera, Camaroptera chloronota
 * Cricket longtail, Spiloptila clamans
 * Buff-bellied warbler, Phyllolais pulchella
 * Bar-throated apalis, Apalis thoracica
 * Taita apalis, Apalis fuscigularis (E) (critically endangered)
 * Black-throated apalis, Apalis jacksoni
 * White-winged apalis, Apalis chariessa (near-threatened)
 * Yellow-breasted apalis, Apalis flavida
 * Buff-throated apalis, Apalis rufogularis
 * Chestnut-throated apalis, Apalis porphyrolaema
 * Black-headed apalis, Apalis melanocephala
 * Gray apalis, Apalis cinerea
 * Brown-headed apalis, Apalis alticola
 * Karamoja apalis, Apalis karamojae (A) (vulnerable)
 * Tawny-flanked prinia, Prinia subflava
 * Pale prinia, Prinia somalica
 * River prinia, Prinia fluviatilis (A)
 * Banded prinia, Prinia bairdii
 * Red-winged prinia, Prinia erythroptera
 * Red-fronted prinia, Prinia rufifrons
 * Black-faced rufous-warbler, Bathmocercus rufus
 * Gray-capped warbler, Eminia lepida
 * Red-faced cisticola, Cisticola erythrops
 * Singing cisticola, Cisticola cantans
 * Whistling cisticola, Cisticola lateralis
 * Trilling cisticola, Cisticola woosnami
 * Chubb's cisticola, Cisticola chubbi
 * Hunter's cisticola, Cisticola hunteri
 * Rock-loving cisticola, Cisticola aberrans
 * Boran cisticola, Cisticola bodessa
 * Rattling cisticola, Cisticola chiniana
 * Ashy cisticola, Cisticola cinereolus
 * Red-pate cisticola, Cisticola ruficeps
 * Wailing cisticola, Cisticola lais
 * Tana River cisticola, Cisticola restrictus (E) (population data deficient)
 * Coastal cisticola, Cisticola haematocephalus
 * Winding cisticola, Cisticola marginatus
 * Rufous-winged cisticola, Cisticola galactotes
 * Carruthers's cisticola, Cisticola carruthersi
 * Levaillant's cisticola, Cisticola tinniens
 * Stout cisticola, Cisticola robustus
 * Croaking cisticola, Cisticola natalensis
 * Aberdare cisticola, Cisticola aberdare (E) (vulnerable)
 * Tabora cisticola, Cisticola angusticaudus
 * Siffling cisticola, Cisticola brachypterus
 * Foxy cisticola, Cisticola troglodytes
 * Tiny cisticola, Cisticola nana
 * Zitting cisticola, Cisticola juncidis
 * Desert cisticola, Cisticola aridulus
 * Black-backed cisticola, Cisticola eximius
 * Pectoral-patch cisticola, Cisticola brunnescens
 * Wing-snapping cisticola, Cisticola ayresii

Reed warblers and allies
Order: PasseriformesFamily: Acrocephalidae

The members of this family are usually rather large for "warblers". Most are rather plain olivaceous brown above with much yellow to beige below. They are usually found in open woodland, reedbeds, or tall grass. The family occurs mostly in southern to western Eurasia and surroundings, but it also ranges far into the Pacific, with some species in Africa.


 * Papyrus yellow-warbler, Calamonastides gracilirostris (vulnerable)
 * Eastern olivaceous warbler, Iduna pallida
 * African yellow-warbler, Iduna natalensis
 * Mountain yellow-warbler, Iduna similis
 * Upcher's warbler, Hippolais languida
 * Olive-tree warbler, Hippolais olivetorum
 * Melodious warbler, Hippolais polyglotta (A)
 * Icterine warbler, Hippolais icterina
 * Sedge warbler, Acrocephalus schoenobaenus
 * Marsh warbler, Acrocephalus palustris
 * Common reed warbler, Acrocephalus scirpaceus
 * Basra reed warbler, Acrocephalus griseldis (endangered)
 * 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
 * Savi's warbler, Locustella luscinioides (A)
 * Common grasshopper-warbler, Locustella naevia (A)
 * Fan-tailed grassbird, Catriscus brevirostris
 * Evergreen-forest warbler, Bradypterus lopezi
 * Cinnamon bracken-warbler, Bradypterus cinnamomeus
 * Little rush warbler, Bradypterus baboecala
 * White-winged swamp warbler, Bradypterus carpalis
 * Highland rush warbler, Bradypterus centralis

Swallows
Order: PasseriformesFamily: Hirundinidae

The family Hirundinidae is adapted to aerial feeding. They have a slender streamlined body, long pointed wings, and a short bill with a wide gape. The feet are adapted to perching rather than walking, and the front toes are partially joined at the base.


 * 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
 * Ethiopian swallow, Hirundo aethiopica
 * Angola swallow, Hirundo angolensis
 * Wire-tailed swallow, Hirundo smithii
 * Montane blue swallow, Hirundo atrocaerulea (vulnerable)
 * Red-rumped swallow, Cecropis daurica
 * Lesser striped swallow, Cecropis abyssinica
 * Rufous-chested swallow, Cecropis semirufa
 * Mosque swallow, Cecropis senegalensis
 * South African swallow, Petrochelidon spilodera (A)
 * Common house-martin, Delichon urbicum
 * White-headed sawwing, Psalidoprocne albiceps
 * Black sawwing, Psalidoprocne pristoptera
 * Gray-rumped swallow, Pseudhirundo griseopyga

Bulbuls
Order: PasseriformesFamily: Pycnonotidae

Bulbuls are medium-sized songbirds. Some are colorful 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.


 * Sombre greenbul, Andropadus importunus
 * Slender-billed greenbul, Stelgidillas gracilirostris
 * Red-tailed bristlebill, Bleda syndactylus
 * Lesser bristlebill, Bleda notatus (A)
 * Shelley's greenbul, Arizelocichla masukuensis
 * Eastern mountain greenbul, Arizelocichla nigriceps
 * Stripe-cheeked greenbul, Arizelocichla milanjensis
 * Yellow-bellied greenbul, Chlorocichla flaviventris
 * Joyful greenbul, Chlorocichla laetissima
 * Honeyguide greenbul, Baeopogon indicator
 * Yellow-throated greenbul, Atimastillas flavicollis
 * Red-tailed greenbul, Criniger calurus (A)
 * Gray greenbul, Eurillas gracilis
 * Ansorge's greenbul, Eurillas ansorgei
 * Plain greenbul, Eurillas curvirostris
 * Yellow-whiskered bulbul, Eurillas latirostris
 * Little greenbul, Eurillas virens
 * Terrestrial brownbul, Phyllastrephus terrestris
 * Northern brownbul, Phyllastrephus strepitans
 * Gray-olive greenbul, Phyllastrephus cerviniventris
 * Toro olive-greenbul, Phyllastrephus hypochloris
 * Fischer's greenbul, Phyllastrephus fischeri
 * Cabanis's greenbul, Phyllastrephus cabanisi
 * Yellow-streaked bulbul, Phyllastrephus flavostriatus (A)
 * Tiny greenbul, Phyllastrephus debilis
 * Common bulbul, Pycnonotus barbatus

Leaf warblers
Order: PasseriformesFamily: Phylloscopidae

Leaf warblers are a family of small insectivorous birds found mostly in Eurasia and ranging into Wallacea and Africa. The species are of various sizes, often green-plumaged above and yellow below, or more subdued with grayish-green to grayish-brown colors.


 * Wood warbler, Phylloscopus sibilatrix
 * Willow warbler, Phylloscopus trochilus
 * Common chiffchaff, Phylloscopus collybita
 * Brown woodland-warbler, Phylloscopus umbrovirens
 * Yellow-throated woodland-warbler, Phylloscopus ruficapillus
 * Uganda woodland-warbler, Phylloscopus budongoensis

Bush warblers and allies
Order: PasseriformesFamily: Scotocercidae

The members of this family are found throughout Africa, Asia, and Polynesia. Their taxonomy is in flux, and some authorities place genus Erythrocerus in another family.


 * Yellow flycatcher, Erythrocercus holochlorus

Sylviid warblers, parrotbills, and allies
Order: PasseriformesFamily: Sylviidae

The family Sylviidae is a group of small insectivorous passerine birds. They mainly occur as breeding species, as the common name implies, in Europe, Asia, and, to a lesser extent, Africa. Most are of generally undistinguished appearance, but many have distinctive songs.


 * Eurasian blackcap, Sylvia atricapilla
 * Garden warbler, Sylvia borin
 * African hill babbler, Sylvia abyssinica
 * Barred warbler, Curruca nisoria
 * Banded parisoma, Curruca boehmi
 * Lesser whitethroat, Curruca curruca (A)
 * Brown parisoma, Curruca lugens
 * 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 color 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.


 * Pale white-eye, Zosterops flavilateralis
 * Mbulu white-eye, Zosterops mbuluensis
 * Green white-eye, Zosterops stuhlmanni
 * Kilimanjaro white-eye, Zosterops eurycricotus (A)
 * Heuglin's white-eye, Zosterops poliogastrus
 * Kikuyu white-eye, Zosterops kikuyuensis (E)
 * Taita white-eye, Zosterops silvanus (E) (endangered)
 * Northern yellow white-eye, Zosterops senegalensis

Ground babblers and allies
Order: PasseriformesFamily: Pellorneidae

These small to medium-sized songbirds have soft fluffy plumage but are otherwise rather diverse. Members of the genus Illadopsis are found in forests, but some other genera are birds of scrublands.


 * Brown illadopsis, Illadopsis fulvescens
 * Pale-breasted illadopsis, Illadopsis rufipennis
 * Mountain illadopsis, Illadopsis pyrrhoptera
 * Scaly-breasted illadopsis, Illadopsis albipectus

Laughingthrushes and allies
Order: PasseriformesFamily: Leiothrichidae

The members of this family are diverse in size and coloration, though those of genus Turdoides tend to be brown or grayish. The family is found in Africa, India, and southeast Asia.


 * Rufous chatterer, Argya rubiginosa
 * Scaly chatterer, Argya aylmeri
 * Brown babbler, Turdoides plebejus
 * Hinde's pied-babbler, Turdoides hindei (E) (vulnerable)
 * Scaly babbler, Turdoides squamulata
 * Arrow-marked babbler, Turdoides jardineii
 * Black-lored babbler, Turdoides sharpei
 * Northern pied-babbler, Turdoides hypoleuca

Treecreepers
Order: PasseriformesFamily: Certhiidae

Treecreepers are small woodland birds, brown above and white below. They have thin pointed down-curved bills which they use to extricate insects from bark. They have stiff tail feathers, like woodpeckers, which they use to support themselves on vertical trees.


 * African spotted creeper, Salpornis salvadori

Oxpeckers
Order: PasseriformesFamily: Buphagidae

As both the English and scientific names of these birds imply, they feed on ectoparasites, primarily ticks, found on large mammals.


 * Red-billed oxpecker, Buphagus erythrorynchus
 * Yellow-billed oxpecker, Buphagus africanus

Starlings
Order: PasseriformesFamily: Sturnidae

Starlings are small to medium-sized passerine birds. Their flight is strong and direct and they are very gregarious. Their preferred habitat is fairly open country. They eat insects and fruit. Plumage is typically dark with a metallic sheen.


 * Wattled starling, Creatophora cinerea
 * Rosy starling, Pastor roseus (A)
 * Violet-backed starling, Cinnyricinclus leucogaster
 * Slender-billed starling, Onychognathus tenuirostris
 * Neumann's starling, Onychognathus neumanni
 * Red-winged starling, Onychognathus morio
 * Waller's starling, Onychognathus walleri
 * Bristle-crowned starling, Onychognathus salvadorii
 * Magpie starling, Speculipastor bicolor
 * Sharpe's starling, Pholia sharpii
 * Abbott's starling, Poeoptera femoralis (vulnerable)
 * Stuhlmann's starling, Poeoptera stuhlmanni
 * Kenrick's starling, Poeoptera kenricki
 * Black-bellied starling, Notopholia corusca
 * Hildebrandt's starling, Lamprotornis hildebrandti
 * Shelley's starling, Lamprotornis shelleyi
 * Rüppell's starling, Lamprotornis purpuroptera
 * Splendid starling, Lamprotornis splendidus
 * Golden-breasted starling, Lamprotornis regius
 * Superb starling, Lamprotornis superbus
 * White-crowned starling, Lamprotornis albicapillus
 * Fischer's starling, Lamprotornis fischeri
 * Lesser blue-eared starling, Lamprotornis chloropterus
 * Greater blue-eared starling, Lamprotornis chalybaeus
 * Purple starling, Lamprotornis purpureus
 * Bronze-tailed starling, Lamprotornis chalcurus

Thrushes and allies
Order: PasseriformesFamily: Turdidae

The 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.


 * Red-tailed ant-thrush, Neocossyphus rufus
 * White-tailed ant-thrush, Neocossyphus poensis
 * Spotted ground-thrush, Geokichla guttata (endangered)
 * Abyssinian ground-thrush, Geokichla piaggiae
 * Orange ground-thrush, Geokichla gurneyi
 * Abyssinian thrush, Turdus abyssinicus
 * Taita thrush, Turdus helleri (E) (critically endangered)
 * African bare-eyed thrush, Turdus tephronotus
 * African thrush, Turdus pelios

Old World flycatchers
Order: PasseriformesFamily: Muscicapidae

Old World flycatchers are a large group of small passerine birds native to the Old World. They are mainly small arboreal insectivores. The appearance of these birds is highly varied, but they mostly have weak songs and harsh calls.


 * African dusky flycatcher, Muscicapa adusta
 * Spotted flycatcher, Muscicapa striata
 * Gambaga flycatcher, Muscicapa gambagae
 * Swamp flycatcher, Muscicapa aquatica
 * African gray flycatcher, Bradornis microrhynchus
 * Pale flycatcher, Agricola pallidus
 * Gray tit-flycatcher, Fraseria plumbea
 * Chapin's flycatcher, Fraseria lendu (vulnerable)
 * Ashy flycatcher, Fraseria caerulescens
 * Silverbird, Empidornis semipartitus
 * Northern black-flycatcher, Melaenornis edolioides
 * Southern black-flycatcher, Melaenornis pammelaina
 * White-eyed slaty-flycatcher, Melaenornis fischeri
 * Bearded scrub-robin, Cercotrichas quadrivirgata
 * Rufous-tailed scrub-robin, Cercotrichas galactotes
 * Brown-backed scrub-robin, Cercotrichas hartlaubi
 * Red-backed scrub-robin, Cercotrichas leucophrys
 * Cape robin-chat, Cossypha caffra
 * Blue-shouldered robin-chat, Cossypha cyanocampter
 * Gray-winged robin-chat, Cossypha polioptera
 * Rüppell's robin-chat, Cossypha semirufa
 * White-browed robin-chat, Cossypha heuglini
 * Red-capped robin-chat, Cossypha natalensis
 * Snowy-crowned robin-chat, Cossypha niveicapilla
 * Collared palm-thrush, Cichladusa arquata
 * Spotted morning-thrush, Cichladusa guttata
 * White-starred robin, Pogonocichla stellata
 * Brown-chested alethe, Chamaetylas poliocephala
 * Yellow-breasted forest robin, Stiphrornis mabirae (A)
 * Equatorial akalat, Sheppardia aequatorialis
 * East coast akalat, Sheppardia gunningi (near-threatened)
 * White-throated robin, Irania gutturalis
 * Thrush nightingale, Luscinia luscinia
 * Common nightingale, Luscinia megarhynchos
 * Semicollared flycatcher, Ficedula semitorquata
 * European pied flycatcher, Ficedula hypoleuca (A)
 * Collared flycatcher, Ficedula albicollis (A)
 * Common redstart, Phoenicurus phoenicurus
 * Little rock-thrush, Monticola rufocinereus
 * Rufous-tailed rock-thrush, Monticola saxatilis
 * Whinchat, Saxicola rubetra
 * African stonechat, Saxicola torquatus
 * Moorland chat, Pinarochroa sordida
 * Mocking cliff-chat, Thamnolaea cinnamomeiventris
 * Sooty chat, Myrmecocichla nigra
 * Northern anteater-chat, Myrmecocichla aethiops
 * Arnot's chat, Myrmecocichla arnotti (A)
 * Northern wheatear, Oenanthe oenanthe
 * Capped wheatear, Oenanthe pileata
 * Isabelline wheatear, Oenanthe isabellina
 * Heuglin's wheatear, Oenanthe heuglini
 * Desert wheatear, Oenanthe deserti (A)
 * Cyprus wheatear, Oenanthe cypriaca
 * Eastern black-eared wheatear, Oenanthe melanoleuca (A)
 * Pied wheatear, Oenanthe pleschanka
 * Familiar chat, Oenanthe familiaris
 * Brown-tailed chat, Oenanthe scotocerca
 * Abyssinian wheatear, Oenanthe lugubris
 * Mourning wheatear, Oenanthe lugens

Dapple-throat and allies
Order: PasseriformesFamily: Modulatricidae

This species and two others, all of different genera, were formerly placed in family Promeropidae, the sugarbirds, but were accorded their own family in 2017.


 * Gray-chested babbler, Kakamega poliothorax

Sunbirds and spiderhunters
Order: PasseriformesFamily: Nectariniidae

The sunbirds and spiderhunters are very small passerine birds which feed largely on nectar, although they will also take insects, especially when feeding young. Flight is fast and direct on their short wings. Most species can take nectar by hovering like a hummingbird, but usually perch to feed.


 * Plain-backed sunbird, Anthreptes reichenowi (near-threatened)
 * Western violet-backed sunbird, Anthreptes longuemarei
 * Eastern violet-backed sunbird, Anthreptes orientalis
 * Uluguru violet-backed sunbird, Anthreptes neglectus
 * Green sunbird, Anthreptes rectirostris
 * Collared sunbird, Hedydipna collaris
 * Pygmy sunbird, Hedydipna platura
 * Amani sunbird, Hedydipna pallidigaster (endangered)
 * Green-headed sunbird, Cyanomitra verticalis
 * Blue-throated brown sunbird, Cyanomitra cyanolaema
 * Olive sunbird, Cyanomitra olivacea
 * Mouse-colored sunbird, Cyanomitra veroxii
 * Green-throated sunbird, Chalcomitra rubescens
 * Amethyst sunbird, Chalcomitra amethystina
 * Scarlet-chested sunbird, Chalcomitra senegalensis
 * Hunter's sunbird, Chalcomitra hunteri
 * Tacazze sunbird, Nectarinia tacazze
 * Bronze sunbird, Nectarinia kilimensis
 * Malachite sunbird, Nectarinia famosa
 * Red-tufted sunbird, Nectarinia johnstoni
 * Golden-winged sunbird, Drepanorhynchus reichenowi
 * Olive-bellied sunbird, Cinnyris chloropygius
 * Northern double-collared sunbird, Cinnyris preussi
 * Eastern double-collared sunbird, Cinnyris mediocris
 * Usambara double-collared sunbird, Cinnyris usambaricus (near-threatened)
 * Beautiful sunbird, Cinnyris pulchellus
 * Mariqua sunbird, Cinnyris mariquensis
 * Red-chested sunbird, Cinnyris erythrocerca
 * Black-bellied sunbird, Cinnyris nectarinioides
 * Purple-banded sunbird, Cinnyris bifasciatus
 * Tsavo sunbird, Cinnyris tsavoensis
 * Violet-breasted sunbird, Cinnyris chalcomelas
 * Orange-tufted sunbird, Cinnyris bouvieri
 * Shining sunbird, Cinnyris habessinicus
 * Superb sunbird, Cinnyris superbus
 * Variable sunbird, Cinnyris venustus
 * Copper sunbird, Cinnyris cupreus

Weavers and allies
Order: PasseriformesFamily: Ploceidae

The weavers are small passerine birds related to the finches. They are seed-eating birds with rounded conical bills. The males of many species are brightly colored, usually in red or yellow and black, though some species show variation in color only in the breeding season.


 * White-billed buffalo-weaver, Bubalornis albirostris
 * Red-billed buffalo-weaver, Bubalornis niger
 * White-headed buffalo-weaver, Dinemellia dinemelli
 * Speckle-fronted weaver, Sporopipes frontalis
 * White-browed sparrow-weaver, Plocepasser mahali
 * Chestnut-crowned sparrow-weaver, Plocepasser superciliosus
 * Donaldson-Smith's sparrow-weaver, Plocepasser donaldsoni
 * Rufous-tailed weaver, Histurgops ruficauda (A)
 * Gray-headed social-weaver, Pseudonigrita arnaudi
 * Black-capped social-weaver, Pseudonigrita cabanisi
 * Red-headed malimbe, Malimbus rubricollis
 * Red-headed weaver, Anaplectes rubriceps
 * Red weaver, Anaplectes jubaensis
 * Baglafecht weaver, Ploceus baglafecht
 * Little weaver, Ploceus luteolus
 * Slender-billed weaver, Ploceus pelzelni
 * Black-necked weaver, Ploceus nigricollis
 * Spectacled weaver, Ploceus ocularis
 * Black-billed weaver, Ploceus melanogaster
 * African golden-weaver, Ploceus subaureus
 * Holub's golden-weaver, Ploceus xanthops
 * Orange weaver, Ploceus aurantius (A)
 * Golden palm weaver, Ploceus bojeri
 * Taveta golden-weaver, Ploceus castaneiceps
 * Northern brown-throated weaver, Ploceus castanops
 * Northern masked-weaver, Ploceus taeniopterus
 * Lesser masked-weaver, Ploceus intermedius
 * Vitelline masked-weaver, Ploceus vitellinus
 * Heuglin's masked-weaver, Ploceus heuglini
 * Rüppell's weaver, Ploceus galbula (A)
 * Speke's weaver, Ploceus spekei
 * Vieillot's black weaver, Ploceus nigerrimus
 * Village weaver, Ploceus cucullatus
 * Weyns's weaver, Ploceus weynsi (A)
 * Clarke's weaver, Ploceus golandi (E) (endangered)
 * Salvadori's weaver, Ploceus dichrocephalus
 * Black-headed weaver, Ploceus melanocephalus
 * Golden-backed weaver, Ploceus jacksoni
 * Chestnut weaver, Ploceus rubiginosus
 * Forest weaver, Ploceus bicolor
 * Brown-capped weaver, Ploceus insignis
 * Compact weaver, Pachyphantes superciliosus
 * Cardinal quelea, Quelea cardinalis
 * Red-headed quelea, Quelea erythrops
 * Red-billed quelea, Quelea quelea
 * Northern red bishop, Euplectes franciscanus
 * Southern red bishop, Euplectes orix
 * Zanzibar red bishop, Euplectes nigroventris
 * Black-winged bishop, Euplectes hordeaceus
 * Black bishop, Euplectes gierowii
 * Yellow-crowned bishop, Euplectes afer
 * Fire-fronted bishop, Euplectes diadematus
 * Yellow bishop, Euplectes capensis
 * White-winged widowbird, Euplectes albonotatus
 * Yellow-mantled widowbird, Euplectes macroura
 * Red-collared widowbird, Euplectes ardens
 * Red-cowled widowbird, Euplectes laticauda
 * Fan-tailed widowbird, Euplectes axillaris
 * Marsh widowbird, Euplectes hartlaubi
 * Long-tailed widowbird, Euplectes progne
 * Jackson's widowbird, Euplectes jacksoni (near-threatened)
 * Grosbeak weaver, Amblyospiza albifrons

Waxbills and allies
Order: PasseriformesFamily: Estrildidae

The estrildid finches are small passerine birds of the Old World tropics and Australasia. They are gregarious and often colonial seed eaters with short, thick but pointed bills. They are similar in structure and habits, but have wide variation in plumage colors and patterns.


 * Gray-headed silverbill, Spermestes griseicapilla
 * Bronze mannikin, Spermestes cucullata
 * Magpie mannikin, Spermestes fringilloides (A)
 * Black-and-white mannikin, Spermestes bicolor
 * African silverbill, Euodice cantans
 * Yellow-bellied waxbill, Coccopygia quartinia
 * Green-backed twinspot, Mandingoa nitidula
 * Abyssinian crimsonwing, Cryptospiza salvadorii
 * White-breasted nigrita, Nigrita fusconotus
 * Chestnut-breasted nigrita, Nigrita bicolor
 * Gray-headed nigrita, Nigrita canicapillus
 * Black-faced waxbill, Brunhilda erythronotos
 * Black-cheeked waxbill, Brunhilda charmosyna
 * Black-crowned waxbill, Estrilda nonnula
 * Kandt's waxbill, Estrilda kandti
 * Fawn-breasted waxbill, Estrilda paludicola
 * Common waxbill, Estrilda astrild
 * Black-rumped waxbill, Estrilda troglodytes
 * Crimson-rumped waxbill, Estrilda rhodopyga
 * Quailfinch, Ortygospiza fuscocrissa
 * Locustfinch, Paludipasser locustella
 * Cut-throat, Amadina fasciata
 * Zebra waxbill, Amandava subflava
 * Purple grenadier, Granatina ianthinogaster
 * Southern cordonbleu, Uraeginthus angolensis (A)
 * Red-cheeked cordonbleu, Uraeginthus bengalus
 * Blue-capped cordonbleu, Uraeginthus cyanocephalus
 * Red-headed bluebill, Spermophaga ruficapilla
 * Black-bellied seedcracker, Pyrenestes ostrinus
 * Green-winged pytilia, Pytilia melba
 * Orange-winged pytilia, Pytilia afra
 * Peters's twinspot, Hypargos niveoguttatus
 * Brown twinspot, Clytospiza monteiri
 * Red-billed firefinch, Lagonosticta senegala
 * African firefinch, Lagonosticta rubricata
 * Jameson's firefinch, Lagonosticta rhodopareia
 * Black-bellied firefinch, Lagonosticta rara
 * Bar-breasted firefinch, Lagonosticta rufopicta
 * Black-faced firefinch, Lagonosticta larvata

Indigobirds
Order: PasseriformesFamily: Viduidae

The indigobirds are finch-like species which usually have black or indigo predominating in their plumage. All are brood parasites, which lay their eggs in the nests of estrildid finches.


 * Pin-tailed whydah, Vidua macroura
 * Broad-tailed paradise-whydah, Vidua obtusa (A)
 * Eastern paradise-whydah, Vidua paradisaea
 * Steel-blue whydah, Vidua hypocherina
 * Straw-tailed whydah, Vidua fischeri
 * Village indigobird, Vidua chalybeata
 * Variable indigobird, Vidua funerea
 * Purple indigobird, Vidua purpurascens
 * Parasitic weaver, Anomalospiza imberbis

Old World sparrows
Order: PasseriformesFamily: Passeridae

Sparrows are small passerine birds. In general, sparrows tend to be small, plump, brown or gray birds with short tails and short powerful beaks. Sparrows are seed eaters, but they also consume small insects.


 * House sparrow, Passer domesticus (I)
 * Somali sparrow, Passer castanopterus
 * Kenya rufous sparrow, Passer rufocinctus
 * Shelley's rufous sparrow, Passer shelleyi
 * Northern gray-headed sparrow, Passer griseus
 * Swainson's sparrow, Passer swainsonii
 * Parrot-billed sparrow, Passer gongonensis
 * Swahili sparrow, Passer suahelicus
 * Chestnut sparrow, Passer eminibey
 * Yellow-spotted bush sparrow, Gymnoris pyrgita

Wagtails and pipits
Order: PasseriformesFamily: Motacillidae

Motacillidae is a family of small passerine birds with medium to long tails. They include the wagtails, longclaws, and pipits. They are slender ground-feeding insectivores of open country.


 * Cape wagtail, Motacilla capensis
 * Mountain wagtail, Motacilla clara
 * Gray wagtail, Motacilla cinerea
 * Western yellow wagtail, Motacilla flava
 * African pied wagtail, Motacilla aguimp
 * White wagtail, Motacilla alba
 * African pipit, Anthus cinnamomeus
 * Long-billed pipit, Anthus similis
 * Tawny pipit, Anthus campestris
 * Plain-backed pipit, Anthus leucophrys
 * Buffy pipit, Anthus vaalensis
 * Malindi pipit, Anthus melindae
 * Striped pipit, Anthus lineiventris
 * Tree pipit, Anthus trivialis
 * Red-throated pipit, Anthus cervinus
 * Bush pipit, Anthus caffer
 * Sokoke pipit, Anthus sokokensis (endangered)
 * Golden pipit, Tmetothylacus tenellus
 * Sharpe's longclaw, Hemimacronyx sharpei (E) (endangered)
 * Yellow-throated longclaw, Macronyx croceus
 * Pangani longclaw, Macronyx aurantiigula
 * 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.


 * Oriole finch, Linurgus olivaceus
 * Yellow-fronted canary, Crithagra mozambica
 * African citril, Crithagra citrinelloides
 * Western citril, Crithagra frontalis (A)
 * Southern citril, Crithagra hyposticta
 * Papyrus canary, Crithagra koliensis
 * Black-throated canary, Crithagra atrogularis
 * Reichenow's seedeater, Crithagra reichenowi
 * White-bellied canary, Crithagra dorsostriata
 * Northern grosbeak-canary, Crithagra donaldsoni
 * Southern grosbeak-canary, Crithagra buchanani
 * Brimstone canary, Crithagra sulphurata
 * Streaky seedeater, Crithagra striolata
 * Thick-billed seedeater, Crithagra burtoni
 * West African seedeater, Crithagra canicapilla
 * Reichard's seedeater, Crithagra reichardi
 * Yellow-crowned canary, Serinus flavivertex

Old World buntings
Order: PasseriformesFamily: Emberizidae

The emberizids are a large family of passerine birds. They are seed-eating birds with distinctively shaped bills. Many emberizid species have distinctive head patterns.


 * Brown-rumped bunting, Emberiza affinis (A)
 * Ortolan bunting, Emberiza hortulana (A)
 * Golden-breasted bunting, Emberiza flaviventris
 * Somali bunting, Emberiza poliopleura
 * Cinnamon-breasted bunting, Emberiza tahapisi
 * Gosling's bunting, Emberiza goslingi (A)
 * Striolated bunting, Emberiza striolata