title: List of birds of Mauritania
text: # List of birds of Mauritania
  
  This is a list of the bird species recorded in Mauritania. The avifauna of Mauritania include a total of 577 species, of which one has been introduced by humans. 24 species are globally threatened.
  
  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, 2022 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 Mauritania.
  
  The following tags have been used to highlight several categories. The commonly occurring native species do not fall into any of these categories.
  
  * (A) Accidental - a species that rarely or accidentally occurs in Mauritania
  * (I) Introduced - a species introduced to Mauritania as a consequence, direct or indirect, of human actions
  
  ## Ostriches
  
  Order: Struthioniformes Family: Struthionidae
  
  The ostrich is a flightless bird native to Africa. It is the largest living species of bird. It is distinctive in its appearance, with a long neck and legs and the ability to run at high speeds.
  
  * Common ostrich, Struthio camelus
  
  ## Ducks, geese, and waterfowl
  
  Order: Anseriformes Family: Anatidae
  
  Anatidae includes the ducks and most duck-like waterfowl, such as geese and swans. These birds are adapted to an aquatic existence with webbed feet, flattened bills, and feathers that are excellent at shedding water due to an oily coating.
  
  * White-faced whistling-duck, Dendrocygna viduata
  * Fulvous whistling-duck, Dendrocygna bicolor
  * White-backed duck, Thalassornis leuconotus (A)
  * Greater white-fronted goose, Anser albifrons (A)
  * Brant, Branta bernicla (A)
  * Knob-billed duck, Sarkidiornis melanotos
  * Egyptian goose, Alopochen aegyptiacus
  * Ruddy shelduck, Tadorna ferruginea (A)
  * Common shelduck, Tadorna tadorna
  * Spur-winged goose, Plectropterus gambensis
  * African pygmy-goose, Nettapus auritus
  * Garganey, Spatula querquedula
  * Northern shoveler, Spatula clypeata
  * Gadwall, Mareca strepera (A)
  * Eurasian wigeon, Mareca penelope
  * Mallard, Anas platyrhynchos
  * Northern pintail, Anas acuta
  * Green-winged teal, Anas crecca
  * Marbled teal, Marmaronetta angustirostris (A)
  * Common pochard, Aythya ferina
  * Ferruginous duck, Aythya nyroca
  * Tufted duck, Aythya fuligula
  * Common scoter, Melanitta nigra (A)
  
  ## Guineafowl
  
  Order: Galliformes Family: Numididae
  
  Guineafowl are a group of African, seed-eating, ground-nesting birds that resemble partridges, but with featherless heads and spangled grey plumage.
  
  * Helmeted guineafowl, Numida meleagris
  
  ## New World quail
  
  Order: Galliformes Family: 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: Galliformes Family: Phasianidae
  
  The Phasianidae are a family of terrestrial birds which consists of quails, snowcocks, francolins, spurfowls, tragopans, monals, pheasants, peafowls and jungle fowls. In general, they are plump (although they vary in size) and have broad, relatively short wings.
  
  * Coqui francolin, Campocolinus coqui (A)
  * Common quail, Coturnix coturnix
  * Barbary partridge, Alectoris barbara
  * Double-spurred francolin, Pternistis bicalcaratus
  
  ## Flamingos
  
  Order: Phoenicopteriformes Family: Phoenicopteridae
  
  Flamingos are gregarious wading birds, usually 3 to 5 feet (0.9 to 1.5 m) tall, found in both the Western and Eastern Hemispheres. Flamingos filter-feed on shellfish and algae. Their oddly shaped beaks are specially adapted to separate mud and silt from the food they consume and, uniquely, are used upside-down.
  
  * Greater flamingo, Phoenicopterus roseus
  * Lesser flamingo, Phoenicopterus minor
  
  ## Grebes
  
  Order: Podicipediformes Family: Podicipedidae
  
  Grebes are small to medium-large freshwater diving birds. They have lobed toes and are excellent swimmers and divers. However, they have their feet placed far back on the body, making them quite ungainly on land.
  
  * Little grebe, Tachybaptus ruficollis
  * Eared grebe, Podiceps nigricollis (A)
  
  ## Pigeons and doves
  
  Order: Columbiformes Family: Columbidae
  
  Pigeons and doves are stout-bodied birds with short necks and short slender bills with a fleshy cere.
  
  * Rock pigeon, Columba livia
  * Speckled pigeon, Columba guinea
  * Common wood-pigeon, Columba palumbus (A)
  * European turtle-dove, Streptopelia turtur
  * Eurasian collared-dove, Streptopelia decaocto
  * African collared-dove, Streptopelia roseogrisea
  * Mourning collared-dove, Streptopelia decipiens
  * Red-eyed dove, Streptopelia semitorquata
  * Vinaceous dove, Streptopelia vinacea
  * Laughing dove, Streptopelia senegalensis
  * Black-billed wood-dove, Turtur abyssinicus
  * Namaqua dove, Oena capensis
  * Bruce's green-pigeon, Treron waalia
  
  ## Sandgrouse
  
  Order: Pterocliformes Family: Pteroclidae
  
  Sandgrouse have small, pigeon like heads and necks, but sturdy compact bodies. They have long pointed wings and sometimes tails and a fast direct flight. Flocks fly to watering holes at dawn and dusk. Their legs are feathered down to the toes.
  
  * Chestnut-bellied sandgrouse, Pterocles exustus
  * Spotted sandgrouse, Pterocles senegallus
  * Crowned sandgrouse, Pterocles coronatus
  * Lichtenstein's sandgrouse, Pterocles lichtensteinii
  * Four-banded sandgrouse, Pterocles quadricinctus
  
  ## Bustards
  
  Order: Otidiformes Family: Otididae
  
  Bustards are large terrestrial birds mainly associated with dry open country and steppes in the Old World. They are omnivorous and nest on the ground. They walk steadily on strong legs and big toes, pecking for food as they go. They have long broad wings with "fingered" wingtips and striking patterns in flight. Many have interesting mating displays.
  
  * Arabian bustard, Ardeotis arabs
  * Houbara bustard, Chlamydotis undulata
  * Denham's bustard, Neotis denhami
  * Nubian bustard, Neotis nuba
  * White-bellied bustard, Eupodotis senegalensis
  * Savile's bustard, Eupodotis savilei
  * Black-bellied bustard, Lissotis melanogaster (A)
  
  ## Turacos
  
  Order: Musophagiformes Family: Musophagidae
  
  The turacos, plantain eaters and go-away-birds make up the bird family Musophagidae. They are medium-sized arboreal birds. The turacos and plantain eaters are brightly coloured, usually in blue, green or purple. The go-away birds are mostly grey and white.
  
  * Western plantain-eater, Crinifer piscator
  
  ## Cuckoos
  
  Order: Cuculiformes Family: Cuculidae
  
  The family Cuculidae includes cuckoos, roadrunners and anis. These birds are of variable size with slender bodies, long tails and strong legs. The Old World cuckoos are brood parasites.
  
  * Senegal coucal, Centropus senegalensis
  * Great spotted cuckoo, Clamator glandarius
  * Levaillant's cuckoo, Clamator levaillantii
  * Pied cuckoo, Clamator jacobinus
  * Dideric cuckoo, Chrysococcyx caprius
  * Klaas's cuckoo, Chrysococcyx klaas
  * African cuckoo, Cuculus gularis
  * Common cuckoo, Cuculus canorus
  
  ## Nightjars and allies
  
  Order: Caprimulgiformes Family: Caprimulgidae
  
  Nightjars are medium-sized nocturnal birds that usually nest on the ground. They have long wings, short legs and very short bills. Most have small feet, of little use for walking, and long pointed wings. Their soft plumage is camouflaged to resemble bark or leaves.
  
  * Standard-winged nightjar, Caprimulgus longipennis
  * Red-necked nightjar, Caprimulgus ruficollis
  * Eurasian nightjar, Caprimulgus europaeus
  * Egyptian nightjar, Caprimulgus aegyptius
  * Golden nightjar, Caprimulgus eximius (A)
  * Plain nightjar, Caprimulgus inornatus
  * Long-tailed nightjar, Caprimulgus climacurus
  
  ## Swifts
  
  Order: Caprimulgiformes Family: Apodidae
  
  Swifts are small birds which spend the majority of their lives flying. These birds have very short legs and never settle voluntarily on the ground, perching instead only on vertical surfaces. Many swifts have long swept-back wings which resemble a crescent or boomerang.
  
  * Alpine swift, Apus melba
  * Common swift, Apus apus
  * Plain swift, Apus unicolor (A)
  * Pallid swift, Apus pallidus
  * Little swift, Apus affinis
  * White-rumped swift, Apus caffer (A)
  * African palm-swift, Cypsiurus parvus
  
  ## Rails, gallinules, and coots
  
  Order: Gruiformes Family: Rallidae
  
  Rallidae is a large family of small to medium-sized birds which includes the rails, crakes, coots and gallinules. Typically they inhabit dense vegetation in damp environments near lakes, swamps or rivers. In general they are shy and secretive birds, making them difficult to observe. Most species have strong legs and long toes which are well adapted to soft uneven surfaces. They tend to have short, rounded wings and to be weak fliers.
  
  * Water rail, Rallus aquaticus (A)
  * Corn crake, Crex crex
  * African crake, Crex egregia (A)
  * Spotted crake, Porzana porzana
  * Eurasian moorhen, Gallinula chloropus
  * Eurasian coot, Fulica atra
  * Allen's gallinule, Porphyrio alleni
  * African swamphen, Porphyrio madagascariensis
  * Black crake, Zapornia flavirostris
  * Little crake, Zapornia parva
  * Baillon's crake, Zapornia pusilla
  
  ## Cranes
  
  Order: Gruiformes Family: Gruidae
  
  Cranes are large, long-legged and long-necked birds. Unlike the similar-looking but unrelated herons, cranes fly with necks outstretched, not pulled back. Most have elaborate and noisy courting displays or "dances".
  
  * Black crowned-crane, Balearica pavonina
  * Common crane, Grus grus (A)
  
  ## Thick-knees
  
  Order: Charadriiformes Family: Burhinidae
  
  The thick-knees are a group of largely tropical waders in the family Burhinidae. They are found worldwide within the tropical zone, with some species also breeding in temperate Europe and Australia. They are medium to large waders with strong black or yellow-black bills, large yellow eyes and cryptic plumage. Despite being classed as waders, most species have a preference for arid or semi-arid habitats.
  
  * Eurasian thick-knee, Burhinus oedicnemus
  * Senegal thick-knee, Burhinus senegalensis
  * Spotted thick-knee, Burhinus capensis
  
  ## Egyptian plover
  
  Order: Charadriiformes Family: Pluvianidae
  
  The Egyptian plover is found across equatorial Africa and along the Nile River.
  
  * Egyptian plover, Pluvianus aegyptius
  
  ## Stilts and avocets
  
  Order: Charadriiformes Family: Recurvirostridae
  
  Recurvirostridae is a family of large wading birds, which includes the avocets and stilts. The avocets have long legs and long up-curved bills. The stilts have extremely long legs and long, thin, straight bills.
  
  * Black-winged stilt, Himantopus himantopus
  * Pied avocet, Recurvirostra avosetta
  
  ## Oystercatchers
  
  Order: Charadriiformes Family: 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: Charadriiformes Family: Charadriidae
  
  The family Charadriidae includes the plovers, dotterels and lapwings. They are small to medium-sized birds with compact bodies, short, thick necks and long, usually pointed, wings. They are found in open country worldwide, mostly in habitats near water.
  
  * Black-bellied plover, Pluvialis squatarola
  * European golden-plover, Pluvialis apricaria
  * American golden-plover, Pluvialis dominica (A)
  * Northern lapwing, Vanellus vanellus
  * Spur-winged lapwing, Vanellus spinosus
  * Black-headed lapwing, Vanellus tectus
  * White-headed lapwing, Vanellus albiceps
  * Wattled lapwing, Vanellus senegallus
  * Brown-chested lapwing, Vanellus superciliosus (A)
  * Caspian plover, Charadrius asiaticus (A)
  * Kittlitz's plover, Charadrius pecuarius
  * Kentish plover, Charadrius alexandrinus
  * Common ringed plover, Charadrius hiaticula
  * Little ringed plover, Charadrius dubius
  * White-fronted plover, Charadrius marginatus (A)
  * Eurasian dotterel, Charadrius morinellus (A)
  
  ## Painted-snipes
  
  Order: Charadriiformes Family: 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: Charadriiformes Family: Jacanidae
  
  The jacanas are a group of tropical waders in the family Jacanidae. They are found throughout the tropics. They are identifiable by their huge feet and claws which enable them to walk on floating vegetation in the shallow lakes that are their preferred habitat.
  
  * African jacana, Actophilornis africanus
  
  ## Sandpipers and allies
  
  Order: Charadriiformes Family: Scolopacidae
  
  Scolopacidae is a large diverse family of small to medium-sized shorebirds including the sandpipers, curlews, godwits, shanks, tattlers, woodcocks, snipes, dowitchers and phalaropes. The majority of these species eat small invertebrates picked out of the mud or soil. Variation in length of legs and bills enables multiple species to feed in the same habitat, particularly on the coast, without direct competition for food.
  
  * Upland sandpiper, Bartramia longicauda (A)
  * Whimbrel, Numenius phaeopus
  * Eurasian curlew, Numenius arquata
  * Bar-tailed godwit, Limosa lapponica
  * Black-tailed godwit, Limosa limosa
  * Ruddy turnstone, Arenaria interpres
  * Red knot, Calidris canutus
  * Ruff, Calidris pugnax
  * Broad-billed sandpiper, Calidris falcinellus (A)
  * Sharp-tailed sandpiper, Calidris acuminata (A)
  * Curlew sandpiper, Calidris ferruginea
  * Temminck's stint, Calidris temminckii
  * Sanderling, Calidris alba
  * Dunlin, Calidris alpina
  * Purple sandpiper, Calidris maritima (A)
  * Baird's sandpiper, Calidris bairdii (A)
  * Little stint, Calidris minuta
  * Pectoral sandpiper, Calidris melanotos (A)
  * Semipalmated sandpiper, Calidris pusilla (A)
  * Jack snipe, Lymnocryptes minimus
  * Great snipe, Gallinago media
  * Common snipe, Gallinago gallinago
  * Terek sandpiper, Xenus cinereus (A)
  * Red-necked phalarope, Phalaropus lobatus (A)
  * Red phalarope, Phalaropus fulicarius
  * Common sandpiper, Actitis hypoleucos
  * Green sandpiper, Tringa ochropus
  * Spotted redshank, Tringa erythropus
  * Common greenshank, Tringa nebularia
  * Lesser yellowlegs, Tringa flavipes (A)
  * Marsh sandpiper, Tringa stagnatilis
  * Wood sandpiper, Tringa glareola
  * Common redshank, Tringa totanus
  
  ## Buttonquail
  
  Order: Charadriiformes Family: 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
  * Quail-plover, Ortyxelos meiffrenii
  
  ## Pratincoles and coursers
  
  Order: Charadriiformes Family: Glareolidae
  
  Glareolidae is a family of wading birds comprising the pratincoles, which have short legs, long pointed wings and long forked tails, and the coursers, which have long legs, short wings and long, pointed bills which curve downwards.
  
  * Cream-colored courser, Cursorius cursor
  * Temminck's courser, Cursorius temminckii
  * Bronze-winged courser, Rhinoptilus chalcopterus
  * Collared pratincole, Glareola pratincola
  
  ## Skuas and jaegers
  
  Order: Charadriiformes Family: Stercorariidae
  
  The family Stercorariidae are, in general, medium to large birds, typically with grey or brown plumage, often with white markings on the wings. They nest on the ground in temperate and arctic regions and are long-distance migrants.
  
  * Great skua, Stercorarius skua
  * Pomarine jaeger, Stercorarius pomarinus
  * Parasitic jaeger, Stercorarius parasiticus
  * Long-tailed jaeger, Stercorarius longicaudus (A)
  
  ## Auks, murres, and puffins
  
  Order: Charadriiformes Family: Alcidae
  
  Alcids are superficially similar to penguins due to their black-and-white colours, their upright posture and some of their habits, however they are not related to the penguins and differ in being able to fly. Auks live on the open sea, only deliberately coming ashore to nest.
  
  * Common murre, Uria aalge (A)
  * Razorbill, Alca torda (A)
  
  ## Gulls, terns, and skimmers
  
  Order: Charadriiformes Family: 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.
  
  * Black-legged kittiwake, Rissa tridactyla
  * Sabine's gull, Xema sabini
  * Slender-billed gull, Chroicocephalus genei
  * Bonaparte's gull, Chroicocephalus philadelphia (A)
  * Gray-hooded gull, Chroicocephalus cirrocephalus
  * Black-headed gull, Chroicocephalus ridibundus
  * Little gull, Hydrocoloeus minutus
  * Laughing gull, Leucophaeus atricilla (A)
  * Franklin's gull, Leucophaeus pipixcan (A)
  * Mediterranean gull, Ichthyaetus melanocephalus
  * Audouin's gull, Ichthyaetus audouinii
  * Common gull, Larus canus
  * Ring-billed gull, Larus delawarensis (A)
  * Yellow-legged gull, Larus michahellis
  * Caspian gull, Larus cachinnans
  * Lesser black-backed gull, Larus fuscus
  * Great black-backed gull, Larus marinus (A)
  * Kelp gull, Larus dominicanus (A)
  * Sooty tern, Onychoprion fuscatus
  * Bridled tern, Onychoprion anaethetus
  * Little tern, Sternula albifrons
  * Gull-billed tern, Gelochelidon nilotica
  * Caspian tern, Hydroprogne caspia
  * Black tern, Chlidonias niger
  * White-winged tern, Chlidonias leucopterus
  * Whiskered tern, Chlidonias hybrida
  * Roseate tern, Sterna dougallii
  * Common tern, Sterna hirundo
  * Arctic tern, Sterna paradisaea
  * Sandwich tern, Thalasseus sandvicensis
  * Lesser crested tern, Thalasseus bengalensis
  * West African crested tern, Thalasseus albididorsalis
  * African skimmer, Rynchops flavirostris
  
  ## Tropicbirds
  
  Order: Phaethontiformes Family: Phaethontidae
  
  Tropicbirds are slender white birds of tropical oceans, with exceptionally long central tail feathers. Their heads and long wings have black markings.
  
  * Red-billed tropicbird, Phaethon aethereus (A)
  
  ## Southern storm-petrels
  
  Order: Procellariiformes Family: Oceanitidae
  
  The southern storm-petrels are relatives of the petrels and are the smallest seabirds. They feed on planktonic crustaceans and small fish picked from the surface, typically while hovering. The flight is fluttering and sometimes bat-like.
  
  * Wilson's storm-petrel, Oceanites oceanicus
  * White-faced storm-petrel, Pelagodroma marina
  
  ## Northern storm-petrels
  
  Order: Procellariiformes Family: Hydrobatidae
  
  The northern storm-petrels are relatives of the petrels and are the smallest seabirds. They feed on planktonic crustaceans and small fish picked from the surface, typically while hovering. The flight is fluttering and sometimes bat-like.
  
  * European storm-petrel, Hydrobates pelagicus
  * Leach's storm-petrel, Hydrobates leucorhous
  * Swinhoe's storm-petrel, Hydrobates monorhis (A)
  * Band-rumped storm-petrel, Hydrobates castro
  
  ## Shearwaters and petrels
  
  Order: Procellariiformes Family: Procellariidae
  
  The procellariids are the main group of medium-sized "true petrels", characterised by united nostrils with medium septum and a long outer functional primary.
  
  * Zino's petrel, Pterodroma madeira
  * Fea's petrel, Pterodroma feae
  * Bulwer's petrel, Bulweria bulwerii
  * Cory's shearwater, Calonectris borealis
  * Great shearwater, Ardenna gravis
  * Sooty shearwater, Ardenna griseus (A)
  * Manx shearwater, Puffinus puffinus (A)
  * Yelkouan shearwater, Puffinus yelkouan (A)
  * Balearic shearwater, Puffinus mauretanicus
  
  ## Storks
  
  Order: Ciconiiformes Family: Ciconiidae
  
  Storks are large, long-legged, long-necked, wading birds with long, stout bills. Storks are mute, but bill-clattering is an important mode of communication at the nest. Their nests can be large and may be reused for many years. Many species are migratory.
  
  * African openbill, Anastomus lamelligerus (A)
  * Black stork, Ciconia nigra
  * Abdim's stork, Ciconia abdimii
  * African woolly-necked stork, Ciconia microscelis (A)
  * White stork, Ciconia ciconia
  * Saddle-billed stork, Ephippiorhynchus senegalensis (A)
  * Marabou stork, Leptoptilos crumenifer
  * Yellow-billed stork, Mycteria ibis
  
  ## Frigatebirds
  
  Order: Suliformes Family: Fregatidae
  
  Frigatebirds are large seabirds usually found over tropical oceans. They are large, black-and-white or completely black, with long wings and deeply forked tails. The males have coloured inflatable throat pouches. They do not swim or walk and cannot take off from a flat surface. Having the largest wingspan-to-body-weight ratio of any bird, they are essentially aerial, able to stay aloft for more than a week.
  
  * Magnificent frigatebird, Fregata magnificens (A)
  
  ## Boobies and gannets
  
  Order: Suliformes Family: Sulidae
  
  The sulids comprise the gannets and boobies. Both groups are medium to large coastal seabirds that plunge-dive for fish.
  
  * Brown booby, Sula leucogaster
  * Northern gannet, Morus bassanus
  
  ## Anhingas
  
  Order: Suliformes Family: 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: Suliformes Family: Phalacrocoracidae
  
  Phalacrocoracidae is a family of medium to large coastal, fish-eating seabirds that includes cormorants and shags. Plumage colouration varies, with the majority having mainly dark plumage, some species being black-and-white and a few being colourful.
  
  * Long-tailed cormorant, Microcarbo africanus
  * Great cormorant, Phalacrocorax carbo
  
  ## Pelicans
  
  Order: Pelecaniformes Family: Pelecanidae
  
  Pelicans are large water birds with a distinctive pouch under their beak. As with other members of the order Pelecaniformes, they have webbed feet with four toes.
  
  * Great white pelican, Pelecanus onocrotalus
  * Pink-backed pelican, Pelecanus rufescens
  
  ## Hammerkop
  
  Order: Pelecaniformes Family: Scopidae
  
  The hammerkop is a medium-sized bird with a long shaggy crest. The shape of its head with a curved bill and crest at the back is reminiscent of a hammer, hence its name. Its plumage is drab-brown all over.
  
  * Hamerkop, Scopus umbretta
  
  ## Herons, egrets, and bitterns
  
  Order: Pelecaniformes Family: Ardeidae
  
  The family Ardeidae contains the bitterns, herons and egrets. Herons and egrets are medium to large wading birds with long necks and legs. Bitterns tend to be shorter necked and more wary. Members of Ardeidae fly with their necks retracted, unlike other long-necked birds such as storks, ibises and spoonbills.
  
  * Great bittern, Botaurus stellaris (A)
  * Little bittern, Ixobrychus minutus
  * Dwarf bittern, Ixobrychus sturmii
  * White-crested bittern, Tigriornis leucolophus (A)
  * 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 (A)
  * Cattle egret, Bubulcus ibis
  * Squacco heron, Ardeola ralloides
  * Striated heron, Butorides striata
  * Black-crowned night-heron, Nycticorax nycticorax
  * White-backed night-heron, Gorsachius leuconotus (A)
  
  ## Ibises and spoonbills
  
  Order: Pelecaniformes Family: Threskiornithidae
  
  Threskiornithidae is a family of large terrestrial and wading birds which includes the ibises and spoonbills. They have long, broad wings with 11 primary and about 20 secondary feathers. They are strong fliers and despite their size and weight, very capable soarers.
  
  * Glossy ibis, Plegadis falcinellus
  * African sacred ibis, Threskiornis aethiopicus
  * Northern bald ibis, Geronticus eremita
  * Hadada ibis, Bostrychia hagedash
  * Eurasian spoonbill, Platalea leucorodia
  * African spoonbill, Platalea alba
  
  ## Secretarybird
  
  Order: Accipitriformes Family: Sagittariidae
  
  The secretarybird is a bird of prey in the order Accipitriformes but is easily distinguished from other raptors by its long crane-like legs.
  
  * Secretarybird, Sagittarius serpentarius
  
  ## Osprey
  
  Order: Accipitriformes Family: 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: Accipitriformes Family: Accipitridae
  
  Accipitridae is a family of birds of prey, which includes hawks, eagles, kites, harriers and Old World vultures. These birds have powerful hooked beaks for tearing flesh from their prey, strong legs, powerful talons and keen eyesight.
  
  * Black-winged kite, Elanus caeruleus
  * Scissor-tailed kite, Chelictinia riocourii
  * African harrier-hawk, Polyboroides typus
  * Bearded vulture, Gypaetus barbatus (A)
  * Egyptian vulture, Neophron percnopterus
  * European honey-buzzard, Pernis apivorus
  * White-headed vulture, Trigonoceps occipitalis
  * Cinereous vulture, Aegypius monachus (A)
  * Lappet-faced vulture, Torgos tracheliotos
  * Hooded vulture, Necrosyrtes monachus
  * White-backed vulture, Gyps africanus
  * Rüppell's griffon, Gyps rueppelli
  * Eurasian griffon, Gyps fulvus
  * Bateleur, Terathopius ecaudatus
  * Short-toed snake-eagle, Circaetus gallicus
  * Beaudouin's snake-eagle, Circaetus beaudouini
  * Brown snake-eagle, Circaetus cinereus
  * Martial eagle, Polemaetus bellicosus
  * Long-crested eagle, Lophaetus occipitalis
  * Wahlberg's eagle, Hieraaetus wahlbergi
  * Booted eagle, Hieraaetus pennatus
  * Tawny eagle, Aquila rapax
  * Spanish eagle, Aquila adalberti (A)
  * Golden eagle, Aquila chrysaetos
  * Verreaux's eagle, Aquila verreauxii
  * Bonelli's eagle, Aquila fasciata
  * African hawk-eagle, Aquila spilogaster
  * Dark chanting-goshawk, Melierax metabates
  * Gabar goshawk, Micronisus gabar
  * Grasshopper buzzard, Butastur rufipennis
  * Eurasian marsh-harrier, Circus aeruginosus
  * Hen harrier, Circus cyaneus
  * Pallid harrier, Circus macrourus
  * Montagu's harrier, Circus pygargus
  * Shikra, Accipiter badius
  * Red-thighed sparrowhawk, Accipiter erythropus
  * Eurasian sparrowhawk, Accipiter nisus
  * Red kite, Milvus milvus (A)
  * Black kite, Milvus migrans
  * African fish-eagle, Haliaeetus vocifer
  * Common buzzard, Buteo buteo
  * Long-legged buzzard, Buteo rufinus
  * Red-necked buzzard, Buteo auguralis
  
  ## Barn-owls
  
  Order: Strigiformes Family: Tytonidae
  
  Barn-owls are medium to large owls with large heads and characteristic heart-shaped faces. They have long strong legs with powerful talons. There are 16 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Mauritania.
  
  * Barn owl, Tyto alba
  
  ## Owls
  
  Order: Strigiformes Family: Strigidae
  
  The typical owls are small to large solitary nocturnal birds of prey. They have large forward-facing eyes and ears, a hawk-like beak and a conspicuous circle of feathers around each eye called a facial disk.
  
  * Eurasian scops-owl, Otus scops
  * African scops-owl, Otus senegalensis
  * Northern white-faced owl, Ptilopsis leucotis
  * Pharaoh eagle-owl, Bubo ascalaphus
  * Grayish eagle-owl, Bubo cinerascens
  * Verreaux's eagle-owl, Bubo lacteus
  * Pearl-spotted owlet, Glaucidium perlatum
  * Little owl, Athene noctua
  * Short-eared owl, Asio flammeus
  
  ## Mousebirds
  
  Order: Coliiformes Family: Coliidae
  
  The mousebirds are slender greyish or brown birds with soft, hairlike body feathers and very long thin tails. They are arboreal and scurry through the leaves like rodents in search of berries, fruit and buds. They are acrobatic and can feed upside down. All species have strong claws and reversible outer toes. They also have crests and stubby bills.
  
  * Blue-naped mousebird, Urocolius macrourus
  
  ## Hoopoes
  
  Order: Bucerotiformes Family: Upupidae
  
  Hoopoes have black, white and orangey-pink colouring with a large erectile crest on their head.
  
  * Eurasian hoopoe, Upupa epops
  
  ## Woodhoopoes and scimitarbills
  
  Order: Bucerotiformes Family: Phoeniculidae
  
  The woodhoopoes are related to the kingfishers, rollers and hoopoes. They most resemble the hoopoes with their long curved bills, used to probe for insects, and short rounded wings. However, they differ in that they have metallic plumage, often blue, green or purple, and lack an erectile crest.
  
  * Green woodhoopoe, Phoeniculus purpureus
  * Black scimitarbill, Rhinopomastus aterrimus
  
  ## Ground-hornbills
  
  Order: Bucerotiformes Family: Bucorvidae
  
  The ground-hornbills are terrestrial birds which feed almost entirely on insects, other birds, snakes, and amphibians.
  
  * Abyssinian ground-hornbill, Bucorvus abyssinicus
  
  ## Hornbills
  
  Order: Bucerotiformes Family: Bucerotidae
  
  Hornbills are a group of birds whose bill is shaped like a cow's horn, but without a twist, sometimes with a casque on the upper mandible. Frequently, the bill is brightly coloured.
  
  * African gray hornbill, Lophoceros nasutus
  * Western red-billed hornbill, Tockus kempi
  
  ## Kingfishers
  
  Order: Coraciiformes Family: Alcedinidae
  
  Kingfishers are medium-sized birds with large heads, long, pointed bills, short legs and stubby tails.
  
  * Common kingfisher, Alcedo atthis
  * Malachite kingfisher, Corythornis cristatus
  * African pygmy kingfisher, Ispidina picta
  * Gray-headed kingfisher, Halcyon leucocephala
  * Woodland kingfisher, Halcyon senegalensis
  * Blue-breasted kingfisher, Halcyon malimbica (A)
  * Striped kingfisher, Halcyon chelicuti
  * Giant kingfisher, Megaceryle maximus
  * Pied kingfisher, Ceryle rudis
  
  ## Bee-eaters
  
  Order: Coraciiformes Family: Meropidae
  
  The bee-eaters are a group of near passerine birds in the family Meropidae. Most species are found in Africa but others occur in southern Europe, Madagascar, Australia and New Guinea. They are characterised by richly coloured plumage, slender bodies and usually elongated central tail feathers. All are colourful and have long downturned bills and pointed wings, which give them a swallow-like appearance when seen from afar.
  
  * Red-throated bee-eater, Merops bulocki
  * Little bee-eater, Merops pusillus
  * Swallow-tailed bee-eater, Merops hirundineus (A)
  * White-throated bee-eater, Merops albicollis
  * African green bee-eater, Merops viridissimus
  * Blue-cheeked bee-eater, Merops persicus
  * European bee-eater, Merops apiaster
  * Northern carmine bee-eater, Merops nubicus
  
  ## Rollers
  
  Order: Coraciiformes Family: Coraciidae
  
  Rollers resemble crows in size and build, but are more closely related to the kingfishers and bee-eaters. They share the colourful appearance of those groups with blues and browns predominating. The two inner front toes are connected, but the outer toe is not.
  
  * European roller, Coracias garrulus
  * Abyssinian roller, Coracias abyssinica
  * Rufous-crowned roller, Coracias naevia
  * Blue-bellied roller, Coracias cyanogaster (A)
  * Broad-billed roller, Eurystomus glaucurus (A)
  
  ## African barbets
  
  Order: Piciformes Family: 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.
  
  * Yellow-breasted barbet, Trachyphonus margaritatus
  * Yellow-fronted tinkerbird, Pogoniulus chrysoconus
  * Vieillot's barbet, Lybius vieilloti
  * Bearded barbet, Lybius dubius
  
  ## Honeyguides
  
  Order: Piciformes Family: Indicatoridae
  
  Honeyguides are among the few birds that feed on wax. They are named for the greater honeyguide which leads traditional honey-hunters to bees' nests and, after the hunters have harvested the honey, feeds on the remaining contents of the hive.
  
  * Lesser honeyguide, Indicator minor
  * Greater honeyguide, Indicator indicator
  
  ## Woodpeckers
  
  Order: Piciformes Family: Picidae
  
  Woodpeckers are small to medium-sized birds with chisel-like beaks, short legs, stiff tails and long tongues used for capturing insects. Some species have feet with two toes pointing forward and two backward, while several species have only three toes. Many woodpeckers have the habit of tapping noisily on tree trunks with their beaks.
  
  * Eurasian wryneck, Jynx torquilla
  * Little gray woodpecker, Chloropicus elachus
  * Cardinal woodpecker, Chloropicus fuscescens
  * Brown-backed woodpecker, Chloropicus obsoletus
  * African gray woodpecker, Chloropicus goertae
  * Fine-spotted woodpecker, Campethera punctuligera
  * Golden-tailed woodpecker, Campethera abingoni
  
  ## Falcons and caracaras
  
  Order: Falconiformes Family: Falconidae
  
  Falconidae is a family of diurnal birds of prey. They differ from hawks, eagles and kites in that they kill with their beaks instead of their talons.
  
  * Lesser kestrel, Falco naumanni
  * Eurasian kestrel, Falco tinnunculus
  * Fox kestrel, Falco alopex
  * Gray kestrel, Falco ardosiaceus
  * Red-necked falcon, Falco chicquera
  * Red-footed falcon, Falco vespertinus
  * Eleonora's falcon, Falco eleonorae (A)
  * Merlin, Falco columbarius (A)
  * Eurasian hobby, Falco subbuteo
  * African hobby, Falco cuvierii
  * Lanner falcon, Falco biarmicus
  * Saker falcon, Falco cherrug
  * Peregrine falcon, Falco peregrinus
  
  ## Old World parrots
  
  Order: Psittaciformes Family: 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 (3.1 in) to 1 m (3.3 ft) 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
  
  ## African and New World parrots
  
  Order: Psittaciformes Family: 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 (3.1 in) to 1 m (3.3 ft) in length. Most of the more than 150 species in this family are found in the New World.
  
  * Senegal parrot, Poicephalus senegalus
  
  ## Cuckooshrikes
  
  Order: Passeriformes Family: Campephagidae
  
  The cuckooshrikes are small to medium-sized passerine birds. They are predominantly greyish with white and black, although some species are brightly coloured.
  
  * Red-shouldered cuckooshrike, Campephaga phoenicea (A)
  
  ## Old World orioles
  
  Order: Passeriformes Family: 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 (A)
  
  ## Wattle-eyes and batises
  
  Order: Passeriformes Family: Platysteiridae
  
  The wattle-eyes, or puffback flycatchers, are small stout passerine birds of the African tropics. They get their name from the brightly coloured fleshy eye decorations found in most species in this group.
  
  * Senegal batis, Batis senegalensis
  
  ## Vangas, helmetshrikes, and allies
  
  Order: Passeriformes Family: Vangidae
  
  The helmetshrikes are similar in build to the shrikes, but tend to be colourful species with distinctive crests or other head ornaments, such as wattles, from which they get their name.
  
  * White helmetshrike, Prionops plumatus
  
  ## Bushshrikes and allies
  
  Order: Passeriformes Family: Malaconotidae
  
  Bushshrikes are similar in habits to shrikes, hunting insects and other small prey from a perch on a bush. Although similar in build to the shrikes, these tend to be either colourful species or largely black; some species are quite secretive.
  
  * Brubru, Nilaus afer
  * Northern puffback, Dryoscopus gambensis
  * Black-crowned tchagra, Tchagra senegala
  * Yellow-crowned gonolek, Laniarius barbarus
  
  ## Drongos
  
  Order: Passeriformes Family: Dicruridae
  
  The drongos are mostly black or dark grey in colour, sometimes with metallic tints. They have long forked tails, and some Asian species have elaborate tail decorations. They have short legs and sit very upright when perched, like a shrike. They flycatch or take prey from the ground.
  
  * Glossy-backed drongo, Dicrurus divaricatus
  
  ## Monarch flycatchers
  
  Order: Passeriformes Family: Monarchidae
  
  The monarch flycatchers are small to medium-sized insectivorous passerines which hunt by flycatching.
  
  * African paradise-flycatcher, Terpsiphone viridis
  
  ## Shrikes
  
  Order: Passeriformes Family: Laniidae
  
  Shrikes are passerine birds known for their habit of catching other birds and small animals and impaling the uneaten portions of their bodies on thorns. A typical shrike's beak is hooked, like a bird of prey.
  
  * Red-backed shrike, Lanius collurio
  * Red-tailed shrike, Lanius phoenicuroides
  * Isabelline shrike, Lanius isabellinus (A)
  * Great gray shrike, Lanius excubitor
  * Lesser gray shrike, Lanius minor (A)
  * Gray-backed fiscal, Lanius excubitoroides (A)
  * Yellow-billed shrike, Lanius corvinus
  * Northern fiscal, Lanius humeralis
  * Masked shrike, Lanius nubicus
  * Woodchat shrike, Lanius senator
  
  ## Crows, jays, and magpies
  
  Order: Passeriformes Family: Corvidae
  
  The family Corvidae includes crows, ravens, jays, choughs, magpies, treepies, nutcrackers and ground jays. Corvids are above average in size among the Passeriformes, and some of the larger species show high levels of intelligence.
  
  * Maghreb magpie, Pica mauritanica
  * Piapiac, Ptilostomus afer
  * Eurasian jackdaw, Corvus monedula (A)
  * Pied crow, Corvus albus
  * Brown-necked raven, Corvus ruficollis
  
  ## Tits, chickadees, and titmice
  
  Order: Passeriformes Family: Paridae
  
  The Paridae are mainly small stocky woodland species with short stout bills. Some have crests. They are adaptable birds, with a mixed diet including seeds and insects.
  
  * White-shouldered black-tit, Melaniparus guineensis
  
  ## Penduline-tits
  
  Order: Passeriformes Family: Remizidae
  
  The penduline-tits are a group of small passerine birds related to the true tits. They are insectivores.
  
  * Sennar penduline-tit, Anthoscopus punctifrons
  * Yellow penduline-tit, Anthoscopus parvulus
  
  ## Larks
  
  Order: Passeriformes Family: Alaudidae
  
  Larks are small terrestrial birds with often extravagant songs and display flights. Most larks are fairly dull in appearance. Their food is insects and seeds.
  
  * Greater hoopoe-lark, Alaemon alaudipes
  * Thick-billed lark, Ramphocoris clotbey (A)
  * Bar-tailed lark, Ammomanes cincturus
  * Desert lark, Ammomanes deserti
  * Chestnut-backed sparrow-lark, Eremopterix leucotis
  * Black-crowned sparrow-lark, Eremopterix nigriceps
  * Flappet lark, Mirafra rufocinnamomea
  * Kordofan lark, Mirafra cordofanica
  * Horsfield's bushlark, Mirafra javanica
  * Temminck's lark, Eremophila bilopha
  * Greater short-toed lark, Calandrella brachydactyla
  * Dunn's lark, Eremalauda dunni
  * Mediterranean short-toed lark, Alaudala rufescens
  * Eurasian skylark, Alauda arvensis (A)
  * Thekla's lark, Galerida theklae
  * Crested lark, Galerida cristata
  
  ## African warblers
  
  Order: Passeriformes Family: Macrosphenidae
  
  African warblers are small to medium-sized insectivores which are found in a wide variety of habitats south of the Sahara.
  
  * Northern crombec, Sylvietta brachyura
  * Moustached grass-warbler, Melocichla mentalis (A)
  
  ## Cisticolas and allies
  
  Order: Passeriformes Family: Cisticolidae
  
  The Cisticolidae are warblers found mainly in warmer southern regions of the Old World. They are generally very small birds of drab brown or grey appearance found in open country such as grassland or scrub.
  
  * Yellow-bellied eremomela, Eremomela icteropygialis
  * Senegal eremomela, Eremomela pusilla
  * Green-backed camaroptera, Camaroptera brachyura
  * Cricket longtail, Spiloptila clamans
  * Tawny-flanked prinia, Prinia subflava
  * River prinia, Prinia fluviatilis (A)
  * Rock-loving cisticola, Cisticola aberrans
  * Winding cisticola, Cisticola marginatus
  * Croaking cisticola, Cisticola natalensis
  * Zitting cisticola, Cisticola juncidis
  * Desert cisticola, Cisticola aridulus
  
  ## Reed warblers and allies
  
  Order: Passeriformes Family: 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.
  
  * Eastern olivaceous warbler, Iduna pallida
  * Western olivaceous warbler, Iduna opaca
  * Melodious warbler, Hippolais polyglotta
  * Icterine warbler, Hippolais icterina (A)
  * Aquatic warbler, Acrocephalus paludicola
  * Sedge warbler, Acrocephalus schoenobaenus
  * Marsh warbler, Acrocephalus palustris (A)
  * Common reed warbler, Acrocephalus scirpaceus
  * Greater swamp warbler, Acrocephalus rufescens
  * Great reed warbler, Acrocephalus arundinaceus
  
  ## Grassbirds and allies
  
  Order: Passeriformes Family: 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.
  
  * Savi's warbler, Locustella luscinioides
  * Common grasshopper-warbler, Locustella naevia
  
  ## Swallows
  
  Order: Passeriformes Family: Hirundinidae
  
  The family Hirundinidae is adapted to aerial feeding. They have a slender streamlined body, long pointed wings and a short bill with a wide gape. The feet are adapted to perching rather than walking, and the front toes are partially joined at the base.
  
  * Plain martin, Riparia paludicola
  * Bank swallow, Riparia riparia
  * Eurasian crag-martin, Ptyonoprogne rupestris (A)
  * Rock martin, Ptyonoprogne fuligula
  * Barn swallow, Hirundo rustica
  * Red-chested swallow, Hirundo lucida
  * Wire-tailed swallow, Hirundo smithii
  * Red-rumped swallow, Cecropis daurica
  * Lesser striped swallow, Cecropis abyssinica (A)
  * Mosque swallow, Cecropis senegalensis
  * Common house-martin, Delichon urbicum
  
  ## Bulbuls
  
  Order: Passeriformes Family: Pycnonotidae
  
  Bulbuls are medium-sized songbirds. Some are colourful with yellow, red or orange vents, cheeks, throats or supercilia, but most are drab, with uniform olive-brown to black plumage. Some species have distinct crests.
  
  * Common bulbul, Pycnonotus barbatus
  
  ## Leaf warblers
  
  Order: Passeriformes Family: 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 greyish-green to greyish-brown colours.
  
  * Wood warbler, Phylloscopus sibilatrix
  * Western Bonelli's warbler, Phylloscopus bonelli
  * Yellow-browed warbler, Phylloscopus inornatus (A)
  * Willow warbler, Phylloscopus trochilus
  * Common chiffchaff, Phylloscopus collybita
  * Iberian chiffchaff, Phylloscopus ibericus
  
  ## Bush warblers and allies
  
  Order: Passeriformes Family: 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.
  
  * Scrub warbler, Scotocerca inquieta (A)
  
  ## Sylviid warblers, parrotbills, and allies
  
  Order: Passeriformes Family: Sylviidae
  
  The family Sylviidae is a group of small insectivorous passerine birds. They mainly occur as breeding species, as the common name implies, in Europe, Asia and, to a lesser extent, Africa. Most are of generally undistinguished appearance, but many have distinctive songs.
  
  * Eurasian blackcap, Sylvia atricapilla
  * Garden warbler, Sylvia borin
  * Lesser whitethroat, Curruca curruca
  * Western Orphean warbler, Curruca hortensis
  * African desert warbler, Curruca deserti
  * Sardinian warbler, Curruca melanocephala
  * Moltoni's warbler, Curruca subalpina (A)
  * Western subalpine warbler, Curruca iberiae
  * Eastern subalpine warbler, Curruca cantillans
  * Greater whitethroat, Curruca communis
  * Spectacled warbler, Curruca conspicillata (A)
  
  ## White-eyes, yuhinas, and allies
  
  Order: Passeriformes Family: Zosteropidae
  
  The white-eyes are small and mostly undistinguished, their plumage above being generally some dull colour like greenish-olive, but some species have a white or bright yellow throat, breast or lower parts, and several have buff flanks. As their name suggests, many species have a white ring around each eye.
  
  * Northern yellow white-eye, Zosterops senegalensis
  
  ## Laughingthrushes and allies
  
  Order: Passeriformes Family: 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.
  
  * Fulvous chatterer, Argya fulva
  * Brown babbler, Turdoides plebejus
  
  ## Oxpeckers
  
  Order: Passeriformes Family: Buphagidae
  
  As both the English and scientific names of these birds imply, they feed on ectoparasites, primarily ticks, found on large mammals.
  
  * Yellow-billed oxpecker, Buphagus africanus
  
  ## Starlings
  
  Order: Passeriformes Family: Sturnidae
  
  Starlings are small to medium-sized passerine birds. Their flight is strong and direct and they are very gregarious. Their preferred habitat is fairly open country. They eat insects and fruit. Plumage is typically dark with a metallic sheen.
  
  * European starling, Sturnus vulgaris (A)
  * Violet-backed starling, Cinnyricinclus leucogaster (A)
  * Neumann's starling, Onychognathus neumanni
  * Long-tailed glossy-starling, Lamprotornis caudatus
  * Chestnut-bellied starling, Lamprotornis pulcher
  * Lesser blue-eared starling, Lamprotornis chloropterus (A)
  * Greater blue-eared starling, Lamprotornis chalybaeus
  * Purple starling, Lamprotornis purpureus (A)
  
  ## Thrushes and allies
  
  Order: Passeriformes Family: Turdidae
  
  The thrushes are a group of passerine birds that occur mainly in the Old World. They are plump, soft plumaged, small to medium-sized insectivores or sometimes omnivores, often feeding on the ground. Many have attractive songs.
  
  * Song thrush, Turdus philomelos
  * Eurasian blackbird, Turdus merula
  * Ring ouzel, Turdus torquatus (A)
  
  ## Old World flycatchers
  
  Order: Passeriformes Family: Muscicapidae
  
  Old World flycatchers are a large group of small passerine birds native to the Old World. They are mainly small arboreal insectivores. The appearance of these birds is highly varied, but they mostly have weak songs and harsh calls.
  
  * Spotted flycatcher, Muscicapa striata
  * Swamp flycatcher, Muscicapa aquatica
  * Northern black-flycatcher, Melaenornis edolioides
  * Black scrub-robin, Cercotrichas podobe
  * Rufous-tailed scrub-robin, Cercotrichas galactotes
  * Snowy-crowned robin-chat, Cossypha niveicapilla
  * European robin, Erithacus rubecula
  * Common nightingale, Luscinia megarhynchos
  * Bluethroat, Luscinia svecica
  * European pied flycatcher, Ficedula hypoleuca
  * Moussier's redstart, Phoenicurus moussieri (A)
  * Common redstart, Phoenicurus phoenicurus
  * Black redstart, Phoenicurus ochruros
  * Rufous-tailed rock-thrush, Monticola saxatilis
  * Blue rock-thrush, Monticola solitarius
  * Whinchat, Saxicola rubetra
  * European stonechat, Saxicola rubicola
  * African stonechat, Saxicola torquatus
  * Mocking cliff-chat, Thamnolaea cinnamomeiventris
  * Northern anteater-chat, Myrmecocichla aethiops
  * Northern wheatear, Oenanthe oenanthe
  * Atlas wheatear, Oenanthe seebohmi
  * Isabelline wheatear, Oenanthe isabellina
  * Heuglin's wheatear, Oenanthe heuglini (A)
  * Desert wheatear, Oenanthe deserti
  * Western black-eared wheatear, Oenanthe hispanica (A)
  * Eastern black-eared wheatear, Oenanthe melanoleuca
  * White-fronted black-chat, Oenanthe albifrons (A)
  * Red-rumped wheatear, Oenanthe moesta
  * Familiar chat, Oenanthe familiaris
  * Black wheatear, Oenanthe leucura
  * White-crowned wheatear, Oenanthe leucopyga
  * Mourning wheatear, Oenanthe lugens (A)
  
  ## Sunbirds and spiderhunters
  
  Order: Passeriformes Family: Nectariniidae
  
  The sunbirds and spiderhunters are very small passerine birds which feed largely on nectar, although they will also take insects, especially when feeding young. Flight is fast and direct on their short wings. Most species can take nectar by hovering like a hummingbird, but usually perch to feed.
  
  * Pygmy sunbird, Hedydipna platura
  * Scarlet-chested sunbird, Chalcomitra senegalensis
  * Beautiful sunbird, Cinnyris pulchellus
  * Copper sunbird, Cinnyris cupreus
  
  ## Weavers and allies
  
  Order: Passeriformes Family: Ploceidae
  
  The weavers are small passerine birds related to the finches. They are seed-eating birds with rounded conical bills. The males of many species are brightly coloured, usually in red or yellow and black, some species show variation in colour only in the breeding season.
  
  * White-billed buffalo-weaver, Bubalornis albirostris
  * Speckle-fronted weaver, Sporopipes frontalis
  * Little weaver, Ploceus luteolus
  * Southern masked-weaver, Ploceus velatus
  * Vitelline masked-weaver, Ploceus vitellinus
  * Heuglin's masked-weaver, Ploceus heuglini
  * Village weaver, Ploceus cucullatus
  * Black-headed weaver, Ploceus melanocephalus
  * Red-billed quelea, Quelea quelea
  * Northern red bishop, Euplectes franciscanus
  * Black-winged bishop, Euplectes hordeaceus (A)
  * Yellow-crowned bishop, Euplectes afer
  
  ## Waxbills and allies
  
  Order: Passeriformes Family: Estrildidae
  
  The estrildid finches are small passerine birds of the Old World tropics and Australasia. They are gregarious and often colonial seed eaters with short thick but pointed bills. They are all similar in structure and habits, but have wide variation in plumage colours and patterns.
  
  * African silverbill, Euodice cantans
  * Orange-cheeked waxbill, Estrilda melpoda
  * Black-rumped waxbill, Estrilda troglodytes
  * Quailfinch, Ortygospiza atricollis
  * Cut-throat, Amadina fasciata
  * Zebra waxbill, Amandava subflava (A)
  * Red-cheeked cordonbleu, Uraeginthus bengalus
  * Green-winged pytilia, Pytilia melba
  * Red-billed firefinch, Lagonosticta senegala
  
  ## Indigobirds
  
  Order: Passeriformes Family: Viduidae
  
  The indigobirds are finch-like species which usually have black or indigo predominating in their plumage. All are brood parasites, which lay their eggs in the nests of estrildid finches.
  
  * Pin-tailed whydah, Vidua macroura
  * Sahel paradise-whydah, Vidua orientalis
  * Village indigobird, Vidua chalybeata
  
  ## Old World sparrows
  
  Order: Passeriformes Family: 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)
  * Northern gray-headed sparrow, Passer griseus
  * Desert sparrow, Passer simplex
  * Sudan golden sparrow, Passer luteus
  * Yellow-spotted bush sparrow, Gymnoris pyrgita
  * Sahel bush sparrow, Gymnoris dentata
  
  ## Wagtails and pipits
  
  Order: Passeriformes Family: Motacillidae
  
  Motacillidae is a family of small passerine birds with medium to long tails. They include the wagtails, longclaws and pipits. They are slender, ground feeding insectivores of open country.
  
  * Mountain wagtail, Motacilla clara (A)
  * Gray wagtail, Motacilla cinerea
  * Western yellow wagtail, Motacilla flava
  * White wagtail, Motacilla alba
  * Richard's pipit, Anthus richardi (A)
  * Long-billed pipit, Anthus similis (A)
  * Tawny pipit, Anthus campestris
  * Plain-backed pipit, Anthus leucophrys
  * Meadow pipit, Anthus pratensis
  * Tree pipit, Anthus trivialis
  * Olive-backed pipit, Anthus hodgsoni (A)
  * Red-throated pipit, Anthus cervinus
  
  ## Finches, euphonias, and allies
  
  Order: Passeriformes Family: Fringillidae
  
  Finches are seed-eating passerine birds, that are small to moderately large and have a strong beak, usually conical and in some species very large. All have twelve tail feathers and nine primaries. These birds have a bouncing flight with alternating bouts of flapping and gliding on closed wings, and most sing well.
  
  * Common chaffinch, Fringilla coelebs (A)
  * Brambling, Fringilla montifringilla (A)
  * Trumpeter finch, Bucanetes githagineus
  * European greenfinch, Chloris chloris (A)
  * White-rumped seedeater, Crithagra leucopygia
  * Yellow-fronted canary, Crithagra mozambica
  * Eurasian linnet, Linaria cannabina
  * Eurasian siskin, Spinus spinus (A)
  
  ## Old World buntings
  
  Order: Passeriformes Family: 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
  * Corn bunting, Emberiza calandra (A)
  * Ortolan bunting, Emberiza hortulana
  * Golden-breasted bunting, Emberiza flaviventris
  * Gosling's bunting, Emberiza goslingi
  * House bunting, Emberiza sahari
  * Striolated bunting, Emberiza striolata
  * Little bunting, Emberiza pusilla (A)
  