List of birds of Rwanda
Encyclopedia
This is a list of the bird species recorded in Rwanda. The avifauna of Rwanda
includes a total of 728 species, of which 2 are rare or accidental. 2 species listed are extirpated
in Rwanda and are not included in the species count.
This list's taxonomic
treatment (designation and sequence of orders, families, and species) and nomenclature (common and scientific names) follow the conventions of Clements
's 5th edition. The family accounts at the beginning of each heading reflects this taxonomy, as do the species counts found in each family account. Accidental species are included in the total species counts for Rwanda.
The following tags have been used to highlight certain relevant categories, but not all species fall into one of these categories. Those that do not are commonly occurring, native species.
Grebe
s are small to medium-large sized freshwater diving birds. They have lobed toes, and are excellent swimmers and divers. However, they have their feet placed far back on the body, making them quite ungainly on land. There are 20 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in Rwanda.
. Family: Pelecanidae
Pelican
s are large water birds with a distinctive pouch under the beak. As with other members of the order Pelecaniformes, they have webbed feet with four toes. There are 8 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in Rwanda.
. Family: Phalacrocoracidae
The Phalacrocoracidae is a family of medium-to-large coastal, fish-eating sea-birds 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. There are 38 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in Rwanda.
. Family: Anhingidae
Darters are frequently referred to as "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 a 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. There are 4 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Rwanda.
. Family: Ardeidae
The family Ardeidae contains the bittern
s, heron
s and egret
s. Herons and egrets are medium to large sized wading birds with long necks and legs. Bitterns tend to be shorter necked and more wary. Unlike other long-necked birds suck as storks, ibises and spoonbills, members of Ardeidae fly with their necks retracted. There are 61 species worldwide and 17 species which occur in Rwanda.
. 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 a drab brown all over.
. Family: Ciconiidae
Storks are large, long-legged, long-necked, wading birds with long, stout bills. Storks are mute; bill-clattering is an important mode of stork communication at the nest. Their nests can be large and may be reused for many years. Many species are migratory. There are 19 species worldwide and 8 species which occur in Rwanda.
. Family: Balaenicipididae
The Shoebill is a large bird related to the storks. It derives its name from its massive shoe-shaped bill.
. Family: Threskiornithidae
The Threskiornithidae is a family of large terrestrial and wading birds which includes the ibis
es and spoonbill
s. 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. There are 36 species worldwide and 5 species which occur in Rwanda.
Flamingo
s are gregarious wading birds, usually 3 to 5 feet high, found in both the Western and Eastern Hemispheres. They are more numerous in the latter. 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 are uniquely used upside-down. There are 6 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Rwanda.
. Family: Anatidae
The family Anatidae includes the duck
s and most duck-like waterfowl, such as geese
and swan
s. These are birds that are modified for an aquatic existence with webbed feet, flattened bills and feathers that are excellent at shedding water due to an oily coating. There are 131 species worldwide and 20 species which occur in Rwanda.
. Family: Pandionidae
The Pandionidae family contains only one species, the Osprey. The Osprey is a medium large raptor
which is a specialist fish-eater with a worldwide distribution.
. Family: Accipitridae
Accipitridae is a family of birds of prey and include hawk
s, eagle
s, 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. There are 233 species worldwide and 51 species which occur in Rwanda.
. Family: Sagittariidae
The Secretary-bird is a bird of prey in the order Falconiformes
but is easily distinguished from other raptors by it long crane-like legs.
. 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 feet. There are 62 species worldwide and 13 species which occur in Rwanda.
. Family: Phasianidae
The Phasianidae are a family of terrestrial birds which consists of quail
s, partridge
s, snowcock
s, francolin
s, spurfowls, tragopan
s, monal
s, pheasant
s, peafowl
s and jungle fowls. In general, they are plump (although they may vary in size) and have broad, relatively short wings. There are 156 species worldwide and 11 species which occur in Rwanda.
. Family: Numididae
Guineafowl are a group of African, seed-eating, ground-nesting birds that resemble partridges, but with featherless heads and spangled grey plumage. There are 6 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in Rwanda.
. Family: Turnicidae
The buttonquails are small, drab, running birds which resemble the true quails.The female is the brighter of the sexes, and initiates courtship. The male incubates the eggs and tends the young. There are 16 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in Rwanda.
. Family: Gruidae
Cranes are large, long-legged and long-necked birds. Unlike the similar-looking but unrelated herons, cranes fly with necks outstretched, not pulled back. Most have elaborate and noisy courting displays or "dances". There are 15 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Rwanda.
. Family: Rallidae
Rallidae is a large family of small to medium-sized birds which includes the rails, crakes, coot
s, and gallinules. Typically they inhabit dense vegetation in damp environments near lakes, swamps, or rivers. In general they are shy and secretive birds, difficult to observe. Most species have strong legs, and have long toes which are well adapted to soft, uneven surfaces. They tend to have short, rounded wings and be weak fliers. There are 143 species worldwide and 19 species which occur in Rwanda.
. Family: Heliornithidae
The Heliornithidae are small family of tropical birds with webbed lobes on their feet similar to those of grebes and coots. There are 3 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Rwanda.
. Family: Otididae
Bustards are large terrestrial birds mainly associated with dry open country and steppes in the Old World
. They are omnivorous and nest on the ground. They walk steadily on strong legs and big toes, pecking for food as they go. They have long broad wings with "fingered" wingtips, and striking patterns in flight. Many have interesting mating displays. There are 26 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in Rwanda.
. Family: Jacanidae
The jacana
s are a group of tropical waders in the family Jacanidae. They are found worldwide in the Tropics. They are identifiable by their huge feet and claws which enable them to walk on floating vegetation in the shallow lakes that are their preferred habitat. There 8 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in Rwanda.
. Family: Rostratulidae
Painted snipe are short-legged, long-billed birds similar in shape to the true snipes, but more brightly coloured. There are 2 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Rwanda.
. Family: Recurvirostridae
Recurvirostridae is a family of large wading birds, which includes the avocet
s and the stilt
s. The avocets have long legs and long up-curved bills. The stilts have extremely long legs and long, thin, straight bills. There are 9 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in Rwanda.
. Family: Burhinidae
The thick-knees are a group of largely tropical waders in the family Burhinidae. They are found worldwide within the tropical zone, with some species also breeding in temperate Europe and Australia. They are medium to large waders with strong black or yellow black bills, large yellow eyes and cryptic plumage. Despite being classed as waders, most species have a preference for arid or semi-arid habitats. There are 9 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in Rwanda.
. Family: Glareolidae
Glareolidae is a family of wading birds comprising the pratincole
s, which have short legs, long pointed wings and long forked tails, and the courser
s, which have long legs, short wings and long pointed bills which curve downwards. There are 17 species worldwide and 6 species which occur in Rwanda.
. Family: Charadriidae
The family Charadriidae includes the plover
s, dotterels, and lapwing
s. 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, although there are some exceptions. There are 66 species worldwide and 17 species which occur in Rwanda.
. Family: Scolopacidae
The Scolopacidae are a large diverse family of small to medium sized shorebirds including the sandpipers, curlew
s, godwit
s, shanks
, tattler
s, woodcock
s, snipe
s, dowitcher
s and phalarope
s. The majority of species eat small invertebrates picked out of the mud or soil. Variation in length of legs and bills enable different species to feed in the same habitat, particularly on the coast, without direct competition for food. There are 89 species worldwide and 21 species which occur in Rwanda.
. Family: Laridae
Laridae is a family of medium to large birds seabirds and includes gull
s and kittiwake
s. They are typically grey or white, often with black markings on the head or wings. They have stout, longish bills and webbed feet. There are 55 species worldwide and 3 species which occur in Rwanda.
. Family: Sternidae
Tern
s are a group of generally general medium to large sea-birds 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 now known to live in excess of 25 to 30 years. There are 44 species worldwide and 5 species which occur in Rwanda.
. Family: Rynchopidae
Skimmer
s are a small family of tropical tern-like birds. They have an elongated lower mandible which they use to feed by flying low over the water surface and skimming the water for small fish. There are 3 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Rwanda.
. Family: Columbidae
Pigeons and dove
s are stout-bodied birds with short necks and short slender bills with a fleshy cere
. There are 308 species worldwide and 16 species which occur in Rwanda.
Parrot
s are small to large birds with a characteristic curved beak shape. Their upper mandibles have slight mobility in the joint with the skull and the have a generally erect stance. All parrots are zygodactyl, having the four toes on each foot placed two at the front and two back. There are 335 species worldwide and 6 species which occur in Rwanda.
. 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 birds, usually blue, green or purple. The go-away birds are mostly grey and white. There are 23 species worldwide and 7 species which occur in Rwanda.
. Family: Cuculidae
The family Cuculidae includes cuckoo
s, roadrunner
s and anis
. These birds are of variable size with slender bodies, long tails and strong legs. Unlike the cuckoo species of the Old World, North American cuckoos are not brood parasites. There are 138 species worldwide and 20 species which occur in Rwanda.
Barn owl
s are medium to large sized owls with large heads and characteristic heart-shaped faces. They have long strong legs with powerful talons. There are 16 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in Rwanda.
Typical owl
s 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. There are 195 species worldwide and 13 species which occur in Rwanda.
. Family: Caprimulgidae
Nightjar
s are medium-sized nocturnal birds with long wings, short legs and very short bills that usually nest on the ground. Most have small feet, of little use for walking, and long pointed wings. Their soft plumage is camouflaged to resemble bark or leaves. There are 86 species worldwide and 11 species which occur in Rwanda.
. Family: Apodidae
Swift
s are small aerial birds, spending 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 that resemble a crescent or a boomerang. There are 98 species worldwide and 9 species which occur in Rwanda.
The mousebirds are slender greyish or brown birds with soft, hairlike body feathers and very long thin tails. They are arboreal and scurry through the leaves like rodents in search of berries, fruit and buds. They are acrobatic, and can feed upside down. All species have strong claws and reversible outer toes. They also have crests and stubby bills. There are 6 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in Rwanda.
The family Trogonidae includes trogons and quetzals. Found in tropical woodlands worldwide, they feed on insects and fruit, and their broad bills and weak legs reflect their diet and arboreal habits. Although their flight is fast, they are reluctant to fly any distance. Trogons have soft, often colourful, feathers with distinctive male and female plumage. There are 33 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in Rwanda.
. Family: Alcedinidae
Kingfishers are medium-sized birds with large heads, long pointed bills, short legs, and stubby tails. There are 93 species worldwide and 9 species which occur in Rwanda.
. 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 colorful and have long downturned bills and pointed wings, which give them a swallow-like appearance when seen from afar. There are 26 species worldwide and 10 species which occur in Rwanda.
. Family: Coraciidae
Rollers resemble crow
s in size and build, but are more closely related to the kingfisher
s and bee-eater
s. They share the colourful appearance of those groups with blues and browns predominating. The two inner front toes are connected, but the outer toe is not. There are 12 species worldwide and 5 species which occur in Rwanda.
. Family: Upupidae
Hoopoes have black, white and orangey-pink colouring with a large erectile crest on their head. There are 2 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Rwanda.
. Family: Phoeniculidae
The woodhoopoes are related to the kingfisher
s, roller
s and hoopoe
. They most resemble the last species with their long curved bills, used for probing for insects, and short rounded wings. However, they differ in that they have metallic plumage
, often blue, green or purple, and lack an erectile crest. There are 8 species worldwide and 4 species which occur in Rwanda.
. Family: Bucerotidae
Hornbills are a group of birds whose bill is shaped like a cow's horn, but without a twist, sometimes with a casque on the upper mandible. Frequently, the bill is brightly coloured. There are 57 species worldwide and 5 species which occur in Rwanda.
. Family: Capitonidae
The barbets are plump birds, with short necks and large heads. They get their name from the bristles which fringe their heavy bills. Most species are brightly coloured. There are 84 species worldwide and 13 species which occur in Rwanda.
. Family: Indicatoridae
Honeyguides are among the few birds that feed on wax
. They are named for the behaviour of the Greater Honeyguide
which leads large animals to bees' nests and then feeds on the wax once the animal has broken the nest open to get at the honey. There are 17 species worldwide and 9 species which occur in Rwanda.
. 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. There are 218 species worldwide and 12 species which occur in Rwanda.
Pittas are medium-sized by passerine standards, and stocky, with fairly long, strong legs, short tails and stout bills. Many, but not all, are brightly coloured. They are spend the majority of their time on wet forest floors, eating snails, insects and similar invertebrate prey which they find there. There are 32 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Rwanda.
Larks are small terrestrial birds with often extravagant songs and display flights. Most larks are fairly dull in appearance. Their food is insects and seeds. There are 91 species worldwide and 4 species which occur in Rwanda.
The Hirundinidae family is a group of passerines characterized by their adaptation to aerial feeding. Their adaptations include a slender streamlined body, long pointed wings and short bills with wide gape. The feet are designed for perching rather than walking, and the front toes are partially joined at the base. There are 75 species worldwide and 16 species which occur in Rwanda.
The Motacillidae are a family of small passerine birds with medium to long tails. They include the wagtails, longclaws and pipits. They are slender, ground feeding insectivores of open country. There are 54 species worldwide and 14 species which occur in Rwanda.
The cuckoo-shrikes are small to medium-sized passerine birds. They are predominantly greyish with white and black, although some species are brightly coloured. There are 82 species worldwide and 6 species which occur in Rwanda.
Bulbuls are medium-sized songbirds. Some are colourful with yellow, red or orange vents, cheeks, throat or supercilia, but most are drab, with uniform olive brown to black plumage. Some species have distinct crests.There are 130 species worldwide and 12 species which occur in Rwanda.
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. There are 335 species worldwide and 10 species which occur in Rwanda.
The Cisticolidae are warblers found mainly in warmer southern regions of the Old World. They are generally very small birds of drab brown or grey appearance found in open country such as grassland or scrub. There are 111 species worldwide and 32 species which occur in Rwanda.
The family Sylviidae is a group of small insectivorous passerine birds. The Sylviidae 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. There are 291 species worldwide and 38 species which occur in Rwanda.
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 very varied, but they mostly have weak songs and harsh calls. There 274 species worldwide and 34 species which occur in Rwanda.
The wattle-eyes or puffback flycatchers are small stout passerine birds of the African tropics. They get their name from the brightly coloured fleshy eye decorations found in most species in this group. There are 31 species worldwide and 6 species which occur in Rwanda.
The monarch flycatchers are small to medium-sized insectivorous passerines, which hunt by flycatching. There are 99 species worldwide and 6 species which occur in Rwanda.
The babblers or timaliids are somewhat diverse in size and coloration, but are characterised by soft fluffy plumage. There are 270 species worldwide and 10 species which occur in Rwanda.
The Paridae are mainly small stocky woodland species with short stout bills. Some have crests. They are adaptable birds, with a mixed diet including seeds and insects. There are species 59 worldwide and 3 species which occur in Rwanda.
The penduline tits are a group of small passerine birds, related to the true tits. They are insectivores. There are 13 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Rwanda.
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. There are 131 species worldwide and 26 species which occur in Rwanda.
The white-eyes are small and are mostly of undistinguished appearance, the plumage above being generally either 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 the eyes. There are 96 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Rwanda.
The Old World Orioles are colourful passerine birds. They are not related to the New World orioles. There are 29 species worldwide and 4 species which occur in Rwanda.
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. There are 31 species worldwide and 7 species which occur in Rwanda.
Bushshrikes are similar in habits to shrikes, hunting insects and other small prey from a perch on a bush. Although similar in build to the shrikes, these tend to be either colourful species or largely black; some species are quite secretive. There are 46 species worldwide and 21 species which occur in Rwanda.
The helmetshrikes are similar in build to the shrikes, but tend to be colourful species with distinctive crests or other head ornaments, such as wattles, from which they get their name. There are 12 species worldwide and 3 species which occur in Rwanda.
The drongos are mostly are 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 whilst perched, like a shrike. They flycatch or take prey from the ground. There are 24 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Rwanda.
The Corvidae family includes crow
s, raven
s, jay
s, chough
s, magpie
s, treepie
s, nutcracker
s, and ground jay
s. Corvids are above average in size for the bird order Passeriformes. Some of the larger species show high levels of learning behavior. There are 120 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in Rwanda.
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. There are 125 species worldwide and 13 species which occur in Rwanda.
The weavers are small passerine birds related to the finch
es. 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. There are 116 species worldwide and 28 species which occur in Rwanda.
The estrildid finch
es 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 a wide variation in plumage colours and pattern. There are 141 species worldwide and 31 species which occur in Rwanda.
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 finch species. There are 20 species worldwide and 4 species which occur in Rwanda.
The weavers are small passerine birds related to the finch
es. 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. There are 116 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Rwanda.
The emberizids are a large family of passerine birds. They are seed-eating birds with a distinctively shaped bill. In Europe, most species are named as buntings. In North America, most of the species in this family are known as Sparrows, but these birds are not closely related to the Old World sparrows which are in the family Passeridae. Many emberizid species have distinctive head patterns. There are species 275 worldwide and 3 species which occur in Rwanda.
Finch
es 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 12 tail feathers and 9 primaries. These birds have a bouncing flight with alternating bouts of flapping and gliding on closed wings, and most sing well. There are 137 species worldwide and 9 species which occur in Rwanda.
Sparrow
s 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, and they also consume small insects. There are 35 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Rwanda.
Rwanda
Rwanda or , officially the Republic of Rwanda , is a country in central and eastern Africa with a population of approximately 11.4 million . Rwanda is located a few degrees south of the Equator, and is bordered by Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of the Congo...
includes a total of 728 species, of which 2 are rare or accidental. 2 species listed are extirpated
Local extinction
Local extinction, also known as extirpation, is the condition of a species which ceases to exist in the chosen geographic area of study, though it still exists elsewhere...
in Rwanda and are not included in the species count.
This list's taxonomic
Taxonomy
Taxonomy is the science of identifying and naming species, and arranging them into a classification. The field of taxonomy, sometimes referred to as "biological taxonomy", revolves around the description and use of taxonomic units, known as taxa...
treatment (designation and sequence of orders, families, and species) and nomenclature (common and scientific names) follow the conventions of Clements
James Clements
Dr. James Franklin Clements was an ornithologist, author and very successful businessman. He was born in New York....
's 5th edition. The family accounts at the beginning of each heading reflects this taxonomy, as do the species counts found in each family account. Accidental species are included in the total species counts for Rwanda.
The following tags have been used to highlight certain relevant categories, but not all species fall into one of these categories. Those that do not are commonly occurring, native species.
- (A) Accidental A species that rarely or accidentally occurs in Rwanda.
- (Ex) Extirpated A species that no longer occurs in Rwanda although populations exist elsewhere.
| Table of contents |
|---|
Non-passerines: Grebes . Pelicans . Cormorants . Darters . Bitterns, Herons and Egrets . Hammerkop . Storks . Shoebill . Ibises and Spoonbills . Flamingos . Ducks, Geese and Swans . Osprey . Hawks, Kites and Eagles . Secretary-bird . Caracaras and Falcons . Pheasants and Partridges . Guineafowl . Buttonquails . Cranes . Rails, Crakes, Gallinules, and Coots . Sungrebe and Finfoots . Bustards . Jacanas . Painted snipe . Avocets and Stilts . Thick-knees . Pratincoles and Coursers . Plovers and Lapwings . Sandpipers and allies . Gulls . Terns . Skimmers . Pigeons and Doves . Parrots, Macaws and allies . Turacos . Cuckoos and Anis . Barn owls . Typical owls . Nightjars . Swifts . Mousebirds . Trogons and Quetzals . Kingfishers . Bee-eaters . Typical Rollers . Hoopoes . Woodhoopoes . Hornbills . Barbets . Honeyguides . Woodpeckers and allies . |
Passerines: Pittas . Larks . Swallows and Martins . Wagtails and Pipits . Cuckoo-shrikes . Bulbuls . Thrushes and allies . Cisticolas and allies . Old World warblers . Old World flycatchers . Wattle-eyes . Monarch flycatchers . Babblers . Chickadees and Titmice . Penduline tits . Sunbirds and Spiderhunters . White-eyes . Old World Orioles . Shrikes . Bushshrikes and allies . Helmetshrikes . Drongos . Crows, Jays, Ravens and Magpies . Starlings . Weavers and allies . Waxbills and allies . Indigobirds . Weavers and allies . Buntings, Sparrows, Seedeaters and allies . Siskins, Crossbills and allies . Sparrows . |
See also References |
Grebes
Order: Podicipediformes. Family: PodicipedidaeGrebe
Grebe
A grebe is a member of the Podicipediformes order, a widely distributed order of freshwater diving birds, some of which visit the sea when migrating and in winter...
s are small to medium-large sized freshwater diving birds. They have lobed toes, and are excellent swimmers and divers. However, they have their feet placed far back on the body, making them quite ungainly on land. There are 20 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in Rwanda.
- Little GrebeLittle GrebeThe Little Grebe , also known as Dabchick, member of the grebe family of water birds. At 23 to 29 cm in length it is the smallest European member of its family. It is commonly found in open bodies of water across most of its range.-Description:The Little Grebe is a small water bird with a pointed...
Tachybaptus ruficollis - Great Crested GrebeGreat Crested GrebeThe Great Crested Grebe is a member of the grebe family of water birds.- Description :The Great Crested Grebe is long with a wingspan. It is an excellent swimmer and diver, and pursues its fish prey underwater. The adults are unmistakable in summer with head and neck decorations...
Podiceps cristatus
Pelicans
Order: PelecaniformesPelecaniformes
The Pelecaniformes is a order of medium-sized and large waterbirds found worldwide. As traditionally—but erroneously—defined, they encompass all birds that have feet with all four toes webbed. Hence, they were formerly also known by such names as totipalmates or steganopodes...
. Family: Pelecanidae
Pelican
Pelican
A pelican, derived from the Greek word πελεκυς pelekys is a large water bird with a large throat pouch, belonging to the bird family Pelecanidae....
s are large water birds with a distinctive pouch under the beak. As with other members of the order Pelecaniformes, they have webbed feet with four toes. There are 8 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in Rwanda.
- Great White Pelican Pelecanus onocrotalus
- Pink-backed PelicanPink-backed PelicanThe Pink-backed Pelican is a member of the pelican family of birds. It is a resident breeder in Africa, southern Arabia and apparently extinct in Madagascar in swamps and shallow lakes.-Description:...
Pelecanus rufescens
Cormorants
Order: PelecaniformesPelecaniformes
The Pelecaniformes is a order of medium-sized and large waterbirds found worldwide. As traditionally—but erroneously—defined, they encompass all birds that have feet with all four toes webbed. Hence, they were formerly also known by such names as totipalmates or steganopodes...
. Family: Phalacrocoracidae
The Phalacrocoracidae is a family of medium-to-large coastal, fish-eating sea-birds 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. There are 38 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in Rwanda.
- Great CormorantGreat CormorantThe Great Cormorant , known as the Great Black Cormorant across the Northern Hemisphere, the Black Cormorant in Australia and the Black Shag further south in New Zealand, is a widespread member of the cormorant family of seabirds...
Phalacrocorax carbo - Long-tailed CormorantLong-tailed CormorantThe Reed Cormorant , also known as the Long-tailed Cormorant, is a bird in the cormorant family Phalacrocoracidae. It breeds in much of Africa south of the Sahara, and Madagascar. It is resident but undertakes some seasonal movements.This is a common and widespread species, and is not considered to...
Phalacrocorax africanus
Darters
Order: PelecaniformesPelecaniformes
The Pelecaniformes is a order of medium-sized and large waterbirds found worldwide. As traditionally—but erroneously—defined, they encompass all birds that have feet with all four toes webbed. Hence, they were formerly also known by such names as totipalmates or steganopodes...
. Family: Anhingidae
Darters are frequently referred to as "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 a 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. There are 4 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Rwanda.
- DarterDarterThe darters or snakebirds are mainly tropical waterbirds in the family Anhingidae. There are four living species, three of which are very common and widespread while the fourth is rarer and classified as near-threatened by the IUCN. The term "snakebird" is usually used without any additions to...
Anhinga melanogaster
Bitterns, herons and egrets
Order: CiconiiformesCiconiiformes
Traditionally, the order Ciconiiformes has included a variety of large, long-legged wading birds with large bills: storks, herons, egrets, ibises, spoonbills, and several others. Ciconiiformes are known from the Late Eocene...
. Family: Ardeidae
The family Ardeidae contains the bittern
Bittern
Bitterns are a classification of birds in the heron family, Ardeidae, a family of wading birds. Species named bitterns tend to be the shorter-necked, often more secretive members of this family...
s, heron
Heron
The herons are long-legged freshwater and coastal birds in the family Ardeidae. There are 64 recognised species in this family. Some are called "egrets" or "bitterns" instead of "heron"....
s and egret
Egret
An egret is any of several herons, most of which are white or buff, and several of which develop fine plumes during the breeding season. Many egrets are members of the genera Egretta or Ardea which contain other species named as herons rather than egrets...
s. Herons and egrets are medium to large sized wading birds with long necks and legs. Bitterns tend to be shorter necked and more wary. Unlike other long-necked birds suck as storks, ibises and spoonbills, members of Ardeidae fly with their necks retracted. There are 61 species worldwide and 17 species which occur in Rwanda.
- Gray Heron Ardea cinerea
- Black-headed HeronBlack-headed HeronThe Black-headed Heron is a wading bird of the heron family Ardeidae, common throughout much of sub-Saharan Africa and Madagascar. It is mainly resident but some west African birds move further north in the rainy season....
Ardea melanocephala - Goliath HeronGoliath HeronThe Goliath Heron is a very large wading bird of the heron family Ardeidae. It is found in sub-Saharan Africa, with smaller numbers in Southwest and South Asia.-Description:This is the world's largest heron...
Ardea goliath - Purple HeronPurple HeronThe Purple Heron is a wading bird in the heron family Ardeidae, breeding in Africa, central and southern Europe, and southern and eastern Asia. The European populations are migratory, wintering in tropical Africa; the more northerly Asian populations also migrate further south within Asia...
Ardea purpurea - Great EgretGreat EgretThe Great Egret , also known as the Great White Egret or Common Egret, White Heron, or Great White Heron, is a large, widely-distributed egret. Distributed across most of the tropical and warmer temperate regions of the world, in southern Europe it is rather localized...
Ardea alba - Black HeronBlack HeronThe Black Heron also known as the Black Egret, is an African heron. It is a medium-sized , black-plumaged heron with yellow legs and feet. It is found south of the Sahara Desert, including Madagascar, and prefers shallow open waters, such as the edges of freshwater lakes and ponds...
Egretta ardesiaca - Intermediate EgretIntermediate EgretThe Intermediate Egret, Median Egret, or Yellow-billed Egret is a medium-sized heron. It is a resident breeder from east Africa across tropical southern Asia to Australia. It often nests in colonies with other herons, usually on platforms of sticks in trees or shrubs...
Egretta intermedia - Western Reef-Heron Egretta gularis
- Little EgretLittle EgretThe Little Egret is a small white heron. It is the Old World counterpart to the very similar New World Snowy Egret.-Subspecies:Depending on authority, two or three subspecies of Little Egret are currently accepted....
Egretta garzetta - Squacco HeronSquacco HeronThe Squacco Heron, Ardeola ralloides, is a small heron, long, of which the body is , with wingspan. It is of Old World origins, breeding in southern Europe and the Greater Middle East.-Behaviour:...
Ardeola ralloides - Madagascar Pond-HeronMadagascar Pond-heronThe Malagasy Pond Heron , also known as the Madagascar Pond Heron, is a species of heron in the Ardeidae family. It is found in Angola, Bahamas, Burundi, Comoros, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mayotte, Mozambique, Rwanda, Réunion, Seychelles, Somalia, Tanzania,...
Ardeola idae - Rufous-bellied HeronRufous-bellied HeronThe Rufous-bellied Heron is a species of heron in the Ardeidae family.It is found in Angola, Botswana, Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Mali, Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe....
Ardeola rufiventris - Cattle EgretCattle EgretThe Cattle Egret is a cosmopolitan species of heron found in the tropics, subtropics and warm temperate zones. It is the only member of the monotypic genus Bubulcus, although some authorities regard its two subspecies as full species, the Western Cattle Egret and the Eastern Cattle Egret...
Bubulcus ibis - Striated HeronStriated HeronThe Striated Heron, Butorides striata, also known as Mangrove Heron, Little Heron or Green-backed Heron, is a small heron. Striated Herons are mostly non-migratory and noted for some interesting behavioral traits. Their breeding habitat is small wetlands in the Old World tropics from west Africa to...
Butorides striata - Black-crowned Night-Heron Nycticorax nycticorax
- White-backed Night-HeronWhite-backed Night-heronThe White-backed Night Heron is a species of heron in the Ardeidae family. This relatively small and dark night heron is found throughout a large part of sub-Saharan Africa. It was formerly placed in the genus Nycticorax....
Gorsachius leuconotus - Dwarf BitternDwarf BitternThe Dwarf Bittern is a species of heron in the Ardeidae family.It is found in Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea,...
Ixobrychus sturmii
Hammerkop
Order: CiconiiformesCiconiiformes
Traditionally, the order Ciconiiformes has included a variety of large, long-legged wading birds with large bills: storks, herons, egrets, ibises, spoonbills, and several others. Ciconiiformes are known from the Late Eocene...
. 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 a drab brown all over.
- Hamerkop Scopus umbretta
Storks
Order: CiconiiformesCiconiiformes
Traditionally, the order Ciconiiformes has included a variety of large, long-legged wading birds with large bills: storks, herons, egrets, ibises, spoonbills, and several others. Ciconiiformes are known from the Late Eocene...
. Family: Ciconiidae
Storks are large, long-legged, long-necked, wading birds with long, stout bills. Storks are mute; bill-clattering is an important mode of stork communication at the nest. Their nests can be large and may be reused for many years. Many species are migratory. There are 19 species worldwide and 8 species which occur in Rwanda.
- Yellow-billed StorkYellow-billed StorkThe Yellow-billed Stork, Mycteria ibis, is a large wading bird in the stork family Ciconiidae. It occurs in Africa south of the Sahara and in Madagascar....
Mycteria ibis - African Openbill Anastomus lamelligerus
- Black StorkBlack StorkThe Black Stork Ciconia nigra is a large wading bird in the stork family Ciconiidae. It is a widespread, but rare, species that breeds in the warmer parts of Europe, predominantly in central and eastern regions. This is a shy and wary species, unlike the closely related White Stork. It is seen in...
Ciconia nigra - Abdim's StorkAbdim's StorkThe Abdim's Stork, also known as White-bellied Stork, is a black stork with grey legs, red knees and feet, grey bill and white underparts. It has red facial skin in front of eye and blue skin near the bill in breeding season...
Ciconia abdimii - Woolly-necked StorkWoolly-necked StorkThe Woolly-necked Stork or White necked stork , Ciconia episcopus, is a large wading bird in the stork family Ciconiidae. It can also be known as the Espiscopos....
Ciconia episcopus - White StorkWhite StorkThe White Stork is a large bird in the stork family Ciconiidae. Its plumage is mainly white, with black on its wings. Adults have long red legs and long pointed red beaks, and measure on average from beak tip to end of tail, with a wingspan...
Ciconia ciconia - Saddle-billed StorkSaddle-billed StorkThe Saddle-billed Stork is a large wading bird in the stork family, Ciconiidae. It is a widespread species which is a resident breeder in sub-Saharan Africa from Sudan, Ethiopia and Kenya south to South Africa, and in The Gambia, Senegal, Côte d'Ivoire and Chad in west Africa.This is a close...
Ephippiorhynchus senegalensis - Marabou StorkMarabou StorkThe Marabou Stork, Leptoptilos crumeniferus, is a large wading bird in the stork family Ciconiidae. It breeds in Africa south of the Sahara, occurring in both wet and arid habitats, often near human habitation, especially waste tips...
Leptoptilos crumeniferus
Shoebill
Order: CiconiiformesCiconiiformes
Traditionally, the order Ciconiiformes has included a variety of large, long-legged wading birds with large bills: storks, herons, egrets, ibises, spoonbills, and several others. Ciconiiformes are known from the Late Eocene...
. Family: Balaenicipididae
The Shoebill is a large bird related to the storks. It derives its name from its massive shoe-shaped bill.
- ShoebillShoebillThe Shoebill also known as Whalehead or Shoe-billed Stork, is a very large stork-like bird. It derives its name from its massive shoe-shaped bill. The adult bird is tall, long, across the wingspan and weighs . Their beaks have an average length of length of . The adult is mainly grey while the...
Balaeniceps rex
Ibises and spoonbills
Order: CiconiiformesCiconiiformes
Traditionally, the order Ciconiiformes has included a variety of large, long-legged wading birds with large bills: storks, herons, egrets, ibises, spoonbills, and several others. Ciconiiformes are known from the Late Eocene...
. Family: Threskiornithidae
Threskiornithidae
The family Threskiornithidae includes 34 species of large terrestrial and wading birds, falling into two subfamilies, the ibises and the spoonbills. It was formerly known as Plataleidae. The spoonbills and ibises were once thought to be related to other groups of long-legged wading birds in the...
The Threskiornithidae is a family of large terrestrial and wading birds which includes the ibis
Ibis
The ibises are a group of long-legged wading birds in the family Threskiornithidae....
es and spoonbill
Spoonbill
Spoonbills are a group of large, long-legged wading birds in the family Threskiornithidae, which also includes the Ibises.All have large, flat, spatulate bills and feed by wading through shallow water, sweeping the partly opened bill from side to side...
s. 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. There are 36 species worldwide and 5 species which occur in Rwanda.
- Sacred IbisSacred IbisThe African Sacred Ibis is a species of ibis.-Description:An adult individual is 68 cm long with all-white body plumage apart from dark plumes on the rump. The bald head and neck, thick curved bill and legs are black. The white wings show a black rear border in flight...
Threskiornis aethiopicus - Spot-breasted IbisSpot-breasted IbisThe Spot-breasted Ibis is a species of bird and is a member of the order Ciconiiformes and the family Threskiornithidae. It is a wading bird that lives is swampy forested areas and is found in tropical regions...
Bostrychia rara - Hadada IbisHadada IbisThe Hadada or Hadeda Ibis, Bostrychia hagedash, is an ibis found in Sub-Saharan Africa.-Appearance:The Hadeda is a large , dark brown ibis with a white "moustache", glossy greenish purple wings, a large black bill with a red stripe on the upper mandible, and blackish legs.-Call:It has a...
Bostrychia hagedash - Glossy IbisGlossy IbisThe Glossy Ibis is a wading bird in the ibis family Threskiornithidae.This is the most widespread ibis species, breeding in scattered sites in warm regions of Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia, and the Atlantic and Caribbean region of the Americas...
Plegadis falcinellus - African SpoonbillAfrican SpoonbillThe African Spoonbill is a long-legged wading bird of the ibis and spoonbill family Threskiornithidae. The species is widespread across Africa and Madagascar, including Botswana, Kenya, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, and Zimbabwe. It lives in marshy wetlands with some open shallow water and...
Platalea alba
Flamingos
Order: Phoenicopteriformes. Family: PhoenicopteridaeFlamingo
Flamingo
Flamingos or flamingoes are gregarious wading birds in the genus Phoenicopterus , the only genus in the family Phoenicopteridae...
s are gregarious wading birds, usually 3 to 5 feet high, found in both the Western and Eastern Hemispheres. They are more numerous in the latter. 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 are uniquely used upside-down. There are 6 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Rwanda.
- Lesser FlamingoLesser FlamingoThe Lesser Flamingo is a species in the flamingo family of birds that resides in Africa and in southern Asia...
Phoenicopterus minor
Ducks, geese and swans
Order: AnseriformesAnseriformes
The order Anseriformes contains about 150 living species of birds in three extant families: the Anhimidae , Anseranatidae , and the Anatidae, which includes over 140 species of waterfowl, among them the ducks, geese, and swans.All species in the order are highly adapted for an aquatic existence at...
. Family: Anatidae
Anatidae
Anatidae is the biological family of birds that includes ducks, geese and swans. The family has a cosmopolitan distribution, occurring on all the world's continents except Antarctica and on most of the world's islands and island groups...
The family Anatidae includes the duck
Duck
Duck is the common name for a large number of species in the Anatidae family of birds, which also includes swans and geese. The ducks are divided among several subfamilies in the Anatidae family; they do not represent a monophyletic group but a form taxon, since swans and geese are not considered...
s and most duck-like waterfowl, such as geese
Goose
The word goose is the English name for a group of waterfowl, belonging to the family Anatidae. This family also includes swans, most of which are larger than true geese, and ducks, which are smaller....
and swan
Swan
Swans, genus Cygnus, are birds of the family Anatidae, which also includes geese and ducks. Swans are grouped with the closely related geese in the subfamily Anserinae where they form the tribe Cygnini. Sometimes, they are considered a distinct subfamily, Cygninae...
s. These are birds that are modified for an aquatic existence with webbed feet, flattened bills and feathers that are excellent at shedding water due to an oily coating. There are 131 species worldwide and 20 species which occur in Rwanda.
- Fulvous Whistling-Duck Dendrocygna bicolor
- White-faced Whistling-Duck Dendrocygna viduata
- White-backed DuckWhite-backed DuckThe White-backed Duck is a waterbird of the family Anatidae. It is distinct from all other ducks, but most closely related to the whistling ducks in the subfamily Dendrocygninae, though also showing some similarities to the stiff-tailed ducks in the subfamily Oxyurinae...
Thalassornis leuconotus - Egyptian GooseEgyptian GooseThe Egyptian Goose is a member of the duck, goose and swan family Anatidae. It is in the shelduck subfamily Tadorninae, and is the only extant member of the genus Alopochen...
Alopochen aegyptiacus - Spur-winged GooseSpur-winged GooseThe Spur-winged Goose is a large bird in the family Anatidae, related to the geese and the shelducks, but distinct from both of these in a number of anatomical features, and therefore treated in its own subfamily, the Plectropterinae...
Plectropterus gambensis - Comb DuckComb DuckThe Knob-billed Duck , or Comb Duck, is an unusual, pan-tropical duck, found in tropical wetlands in sub-Saharan Africa, Madagascar and south Asia from Pakistan to Laos and extreme southern China...
Sarkidiornis melanotos - Hartlaub's DuckHartlaub's DuckThe Hartlaub's Duck is a dark chestnut-coloured duck of African forests. Formerly included in the paraphyletic "perching duck" assemblage, it was later moved to the dabbling duck assemblage...
Pteronetta hartlaubii - African Pygmy-goose Nettapus auritus
- African Black DuckAfrican Black DuckThe African Black Duck is a species of duck of the genus Anas. It is genetically closest to the mallard group , but shows some peculiarities in its behavior and plumage; it is accordingly placed in the subgenus Melananas pending further research.The African Black Duck is an...
Anas sparsa - Eurasian Teal Anas crecca
- Cape TealCape TealThe Cape Teal is a 44-46 cm long dabbling duck of open wetlands in sub-Saharan Africa.This species is essentially non-migratory, although it moves opportunistically with the rains. Like many southern ducks, the sexes are similar. It is very pale and mainly grey, with a browner back and pink...
Anas capensis - Yellow-billed DuckYellow-billed DuckThe Yellow-billed Duck, Anas undulata, is a 51–58 cm long dabbling duck which is an abundant resident breeder in southern and eastern Africa.This duck is not migratory, but will wander in the dry season to find suitable waters...
Anas undulata - Northern PintailNorthern PintailThe Pintail or Northern Pintail is a widely occurring duck which breeds in the northern areas of Europe, Asia and North America. It is strongly migratory and winters south of its breeding range to the equator...
Anas acuta - Red-billed Duck Anas erythrorhyncha
- Hottentot TealHottentot TealThe Hottentot Teal is a species of dabbling duck of the genus Anas. It is migratory resident in eastern and southern Africa, from Sudan and Ethiopia west to Niger and Nigeria and south to South Africa and Namibia. In west Africa and Madagascar it is sedentary.The Hottentot Teal breed year round,...
Anas hottentota - GarganeyGarganeyThe Garganey is a small dabbling duck. It breeds in much of Europe and western Asia, but is strictly migratory, with the entire population moving to southern Africa, India Santragachi and Australasia in winter, where large flocks can occur. This species was first described by Linnaeus in 1758...
Anas querquedula - Northern ShovelerNorthern ShovelerThe Northern Shoveler , Northern Shoveller in British English, sometimes known simply as the Shoveler, is a common and widespread duck. It breeds in northern areas of Europe and Asia and across most of North America, and is a rare vagrant to Australia...
Anas clypeata - Southern PochardSouthern PochardThe Southern Pochard is a duck.There are two subspecies, the South American Pochard N. e. erythrophthalma and the African Pochard N. e...
Netta erythrophthalma - Common Pochard Aythya ferina
- Maccoa DuckMaccoa DuckThe Maccoa Duck is a small long African stiff-tailed duck.Adult males have a chestnut body, a blue bill and a black head...
Oxyura maccoa
Osprey
Order: FalconiformesFalconiformes
The order Falconiformes is a group of about 290 species of birds that comprises the diurnal birds of prey. Raptor classification is difficult and the order is treated in several ways.- Classification problems :...
. Family: Pandionidae
The Pandionidae family contains only one species, the Osprey. The Osprey is a medium large raptor
Bird of prey
Birds of prey are birds that hunt for food primarily on the wing, using their keen senses, especially vision. They are defined as birds that primarily hunt vertebrates, including other birds. Their talons and beaks tend to be relatively large, powerful and adapted for tearing and/or piercing flesh....
which is a specialist fish-eater with a worldwide distribution.
- OspreyOspreyThe Osprey , sometimes known as the sea hawk or fish eagle, is a diurnal, fish-eating bird of prey. It is a large raptor, reaching more than in length and across the wings...
Pandion haliaetus
Hawks, kites and eagles
Order: FalconiformesFalconiformes
The order Falconiformes is a group of about 290 species of birds that comprises the diurnal birds of prey. Raptor classification is difficult and the order is treated in several ways.- Classification problems :...
. Family: Accipitridae
Accipitridae
The Accipitridae, one of the two major families within the order Accipitriformes , are a family of small to large birds with strongly hooked bills and variable morphology based on diet. They feed on a range of prey items from insects to medium-sized mammals, with a number feeding on carrion and a...
Accipitridae is a family of birds of prey and include hawk
Hawk
The term hawk can be used in several ways:* In strict usage in Australia and Africa, to mean any of the species in the subfamily Accipitrinae, which comprises the genera Accipiter, Micronisus, Melierax, Urotriorchis and Megatriorchis. The large and widespread Accipiter genus includes goshawks,...
s, eagle
Eagle
Eagles are members of the bird family Accipitridae, and belong to several genera which are not necessarily closely related to each other. Most of the more than 60 species occur in Eurasia and Africa. Outside this area, just two species can be found in the United States and Canada, nine more in...
s, kites
Kite (bird)
Kites are raptors with long wings and weak legs which spend a great deal of time soaring. Most feed mainly on carrion but some take various amounts of live prey.They are birds of prey which, along with hawks and eagles, are from the family Accipitridae....
, harriers
Harrier (bird)
A harrier is any of the several species of diurnal hawks forming the Circinae sub-family of the Accipitridae family of birds of prey. Harriers characteristically hunt by flying low over open ground, feeding on small mammals, reptiles, or birds....
and Old World vultures. These birds have powerful hooked beaks for tearing flesh from their prey, strong legs, powerful talons, and keen eyesight. There are 233 species worldwide and 51 species which occur in Rwanda.
- African Cuckoo-HawkAfrican Cuckoo-HawkThe African Cuckoo-Hawk is a medium-sized raptor in the family Accipitridae resembling a Common Cuckoo, found in sub-Saharan Africa and along the eastern parts of Southern Africa...
Aviceda cuculoides - European Honey-buzzard Pernis apivorus
- Bat HawkBat HawkThe Bat Hawk is a raptor found in sub-Saharan Africa and south Asia to New Guinea. It is named for its diet, which consists mainly of bats. It requires open space in which to hunt, but will live anywhere from dense rainforest to semi-arid veld.-Description:The Bat Hawk is a slender, medium-sized...
Macheiramphus alcinus - Black-shouldered KiteBlack-shouldered KiteThe Black-shouldered Kite or Australian Black-shouldered Kite is a small raptor found in open habitat throughout Australia and resembles similar species found in Eurasia and North America, which have in the past also been named as Black-shouldered Kites...
Elanus caeruleus - Scissor-tailed Kite Chelictinia riocourii
- Black KiteBlack KiteThe Black Kite is a medium-sized bird of prey in the family Accipitridae, which also includes many other diurnal raptors. Unlike others of the group, they are opportunistic hunters and are more likely to scavenge. They spend a lot of time soaring and gliding in thermals in search of food. Their...
Milvus migrans - African Fish-Eagle Haliaeetus vocifer
- Palm-nut VulturePalm-nut VultureThe Palm-nut Vulture or Vulturine Fish Eagle, is a very large bird of prey in the family Accipitridae which also includes many other diurnal raptors such as kites, buzzards and harriers, vultures, and eagles. It is the only member of the genus Gypohierax...
Gypohierax angolensis - Hooded VultureHooded VultureThe Hooded Vulture is an Old World vulture in the order Accipitriformes, which also includes eagles, kites, buzzards and hawks. It is the only member of the genus Necrosyrtes....
Necrosyrtes monachus - Egyptian VultureEgyptian VultureThe Egyptian Vulture is a small Old World vulture, found widely distributed from southwestern Europe and northern Africa to southern Asia. It is the only living member of the genus Neophron. It has sometimes also been known as the White Scavenger Vulture or Pharaoh's Chicken...
Neophron percnopterus - White-backed VultureWhite-backed VultureThe White-backed Vulture is an Old World vulture in the family Accipitridae, which also includes eagles, kites, buzzards and hawks. It is closely related to the European Griffon Vulture, G. fulvus...
Gyps africanus - Rueppell's Griffon Gyps rueppellii
- Lappet-faced VultureLappet-faced VultureThe Lappet-faced Vulture or Nubian Vulture is a mostly African Old World vulture belonging to the bird order Accipitriformes, which also includes eagles, kites, buzzards and hawks. It is the only member of the genus Torgos. A distinct subspecies T. t. negevensis occurs in the Sinai, the Negev...
Torgos tracheliotus - White-headed VultureWhite-headed VultureThe White-headed Vulture is an Old World vulture endemic to Africa. It has a pink beak and a white crest, and the featherless areas on its head are pale. Its has dark brown upper parts and black tail feathers. The feathers on its lower parts and legs are white. It has a wing span of 2 m and spends...
Trigonoceps occipitalis - Beaudouin's Snake-EagleBeaudouin's Snake-eagleBeaudouin's Snake Eagle is a species of bird of prey in the Accipitridae family.-References:*...
Circaetus beaudouini - Black-breasted Snake-Eagle Circaetus pectoralis
- Brown Snake-EagleBrown Snake-eagleThe Brown Snake Eagle is a species of bird of prey in the Accipitridae family. It is found throughout sub-Saharan Africa....
Circaetus cinereus - Banded Snake-Eagle Circaetus cinerascens
- BateleurBateleurThe Bateleur is a medium-sized eagle in the bird family Accipitridae which also includes many other diurnal raptors such as buzzards, kites and harriers...
Terathopius ecaudatus - Western Marsh-Harrier Circus aeruginosus
- African Marsh-Harrier Circus ranivorus
- Pallid HarrierPallid HarrierThe Pale or Pallid Harrier is a migratory bird of prey of the harrier family. It breeds in southern parts of eastern Europe and central Asia and winters mainly in India and southeast Asia...
Circus macrourus - Montagu's HarrierMontagu's HarrierThe Montagu's Harrier is a migratory bird of prey of the harrier family. Its common name commemorates the British naturalist George Montagu.-Plumage:...
Circus pygargus - African Harrier-Hawk Polyboroides typus
- Lizard BuzzardLizard BuzzardThe Lizard Buzzard is a bird of prey. It belongs to the family Accipitridae. Despite its name, it may be more closely related to the Accipiter hawks than the Buteo buzzards....
Kaupifalco monogrammicus - Dark Chanting-Goshawk Melierax metabates
- Gabar GoshawkGabar GoshawkThe Gabar Goshawk is a species of bird of prey in the Accipitridae family.It is found in Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana,...
Micronisus gabar - Chestnut-flanked SparrowhawkChestnut-flanked SparrowhawkThe Chestnut-flanked Sparrowhawk is a species of bird of prey in the Accipitridae family. It is found in Angola, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Nigeria, and Uganda....
Accipiter castanilius - ShikraShikraThe Shikra is a small bird of prey in the family Accipitridae found widely distributed in Asia and Africa where it is also called the Little Banded Goshawk. The African forms may represent a separate species but have usually been considered as subspecies of the Shikra...
Accipiter badius - Little SparrowhawkLittle SparrowhawkThe Little Sparrowhawk is a species of bird of prey in the Accipitridae family. It is found in Angola, Botswana, Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Mali, Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, Somalia, South Africa, Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda,...
Accipiter minullus - Ovampo SparrowhawkOvampo SparrowhawkThe Ovambo or Ovampo Sparrowhawk is a species of bird of prey in the Accipitridae family.It is found in Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Malawi, Mali, Mozambique, Namibia,...
Accipiter ovampensis - Rufous-chested SparrowhawkRufous-chested SparrowhawkThe Rufous-breasted Sparrowhawk , also known as the Rufous-chested Sparrowhawk, is a species of bird of prey in the Accipitridae family...
Accipiter rufiventris - Black GoshawkBlack GoshawkThe Black Sparrowhawk , sometimes known as the Black Goshawk or Great Sparrowhawk, is the largest African member of the genus Accipiter . Downloaded on 06 October 2011....
Accipiter melanoleucus - Long-tailed HawkLong-tailed HawkThe Long-tailed Hawk is a bird of prey in the family Accipitridae, which also includes many other diurnal raptors such as kites, eagles and harriers. It is the only member of the genus Urotriorchis....
Urotriorchis macrourus - Grasshopper BuzzardGrasshopper BuzzardThe Grasshopper Buzzard is a species of bird of prey in the Accipitridae family. It is found in Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Liberia, Mali,...
Butastur rufipennis - Eurasian Buzzard Buteo buteo
- Mountain BuzzardMountain BuzzardThe Mountain Buzzard is a bird of prey that lives in montane forests in East Africa and forests and plantations in South Africa. The latter population is sometimes considered a separate species, the Forest Buzzard The Mountain Buzzard (Buteo oreophilus) is a bird of prey that lives in montane...
Buteo oreophilus - Red-necked BuzzardRed-necked BuzzardThe Red-necked Buzzard is a species of bird of prey in the Accipitridae family.It is found in Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea,...
Buteo auguralis - Augur BuzzardAugur BuzzardThe Augur Buzzard is a 55–60 cm long African bird of prey. The taxonomy on this species is confusing, with some taxonomists considering this species, the Jackal Buzzard, and the Archer's Buzzard to be the same superspecies. Many taxonomists consider them all to be distinct, having...
Buteo augur - Lesser Spotted EagleLesser Spotted EagleThe Lesser Spotted Eagle is a large Eastern European bird of prey. Like all typical eagles, it belongs to the family Accipitridae...
Aquila pomarina - Tawny EagleTawny EagleThe Tawny Eagle is a large bird of prey. Like all eagles, it belongs to the family Accipitridae. It was once considered to be closely related to the migratory Steppe Eagle, Aquila nipalensis, and the two forms have previously been treated as conspecific...
Aquila rapax - Steppe EagleSteppe EagleThe Steppe Eagle is a bird of prey. It is about in length and has a wingspan of . Females, weighing 2.3–4.9 kg , are slightly larger than males, at 2–3.5 kg . Like all eagles, it belongs to the family Accipitridae...
Aquila nipalensis - Wahlberg's EagleWahlberg's EagleThe Wahlberg's Eagle is a bird of prey. It is about 55–60 cm in length and has a wingspan of 130–160 cm. Body mass is 1.04 kg for males and 1.3 kg for females on average. Like all eagles, it belongs to the family Accipitridae.Wahlberg's Eagle breeds in most of Africa south of...
Aquila wahlbergi - Verreaux's EagleVerreaux's EagleVerreaux's Eagle , alternatively known as the Black Eagle , is a large bird of prey. This eagle lives in hilly and mountaineous regions of southern and eastern Africa , and very locally in Western Asia.- Description :It is long. Males weigh and females weigh...
Aquila verreauxii - African Hawk-Eagle Aquila spilogaster
- Booted EagleBooted EagleThe Booted Eagle is a medium-sized bird of prey. It is about in length and has a wingspan of . Like all eagles, it belongs to the family Accipitridae....
Aquila pennatus - Ayres's Hawk-EagleAyres's Hawk-eagleAyres's Hawk-Eagle is a species of bird of prey in the Accipitridae family. It is found throughout Sub-Saharan Africa. Its name honours South African ornithologist Thomas Ayres.-References:...
Aquila ayresii - Martial EagleMartial EagleThe Martial Eagle , is a very large eagle found in open and semi-open habitats of sub-Saharan Africa. It is the only member of the genus Polemaetus.-Description:...
Polemaetus bellicosus - Long-crested EagleLong-crested EagleThe Long-crested Eagle is a bird of prey. Like all eagles, it is in the family Accipitridae. It is currently placed in a monotypic genus Lophaetus....
Lophaetus occipitalis - Cassin's Hawk-EagleCassin's Hawk-eagleThe Cassin's Hawk-eagle is a bird of prey in the Accipitridae family. It is found in western, central and eastern Africa. They prefer dense, humid forests....
Spizaetus africanus - Crowned Hawk-Eagle Stephanoaetus coronatus
Secretary-bird
Order: FalconiformesFalconiformes
The order Falconiformes is a group of about 290 species of birds that comprises the diurnal birds of prey. Raptor classification is difficult and the order is treated in several ways.- Classification problems :...
. Family: Sagittariidae
The Secretary-bird is a bird of prey in the order Falconiformes
Falconiformes
The order Falconiformes is a group of about 290 species of birds that comprises the diurnal birds of prey. Raptor classification is difficult and the order is treated in several ways.- Classification problems :...
but is easily distinguished from other raptors by it long crane-like legs.
- Secretary-bird Sagittarius serpentarius
Caracaras and falcons
Order: FalconiformesFalconiformes
The order Falconiformes is a group of about 290 species of birds that comprises the diurnal birds of prey. Raptor classification is difficult and the order is treated in several ways.- Classification problems :...
. Family: Falconidae
Falconidae
The falcons and caracaras are around 60 species of diurnal birds of prey that make up the family Falconidae. The family is divided into two subfamiles, Polyborinae, which includes the caracaras and forest falcons, and Falconinae, the falcons, kestrels and falconets.-Description:Falcons and...
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 feet. There are 62 species worldwide and 13 species which occur in Rwanda.
- Pygmy Falcon Polihierax semitorquatus
- Lesser KestrelLesser KestrelThe Lesser Kestrel is a small falcon. This species breeds from the Mediterranean across southern central Asia to China and Mongolia. It is a summer migrant, wintering in Africa and Pakistan and sometimes even to India and Iraq. It is rare north of its breeding range, and declining in its European...
Falco naumanni - Eurasian Kestrel Falco tinnunculus
- Gray Kestrel Falco ardosiaceus
- Red-necked FalconRed-necked FalconThe Red-necked Falcon or Red-headed Merlin is a bird of prey in the falcon family. This bird is a widespread resident in India and adjacent regions as well as sub-Saharan Africa. It is sometimes called Turumti locally....
Falco chicquera - Red-footed FalconRed-footed FalconThe Red-footed Falcon , formerly Western Red-footed Falcon, is a bird of prey. It belongs to the family Falconidae, the falcons. This bird is found in eastern Europe and Asia although its numbers are dwindling rapidly due to habitat loss and hunting. It is migratory, wintering in Africa...
Falco vespertinus - Amur FalconAmur FalconThe Amur Falcon , formerly Eastern Red-footed Falcon, is a small raptor of the falcon family. It breeds in south-eastern Siberia and Northern China, wintering in Southern Africa...
Falco amurensis - Eleonora's FalconEleonora's FalconEleonora's Falcon is a medium-sized falcon. It belongs to the hobby group, a rather close-knit number of similar falcons often considered a subgenus Hypotriorchis. The Sooty Falcon is sometimes considered its closest relative, but while they certainly belong to the same lineage, they do not seem...
Falco eleonorae - Sooty FalconSooty FalconThe Sooty Falcon is a medium-sized falcon breeding from northeastern Africa to the southern Persian Gulf region. It belongs to the hobby group, a rather close-knit number of similar falcons often considered a subgenus Hypotriorchis...
Falco concolor - Eurasian HobbyEurasian HobbyThe Eurasian Hobby , or just simply Hobby, is a small slim falcon. It belongs to a rather close-knit group of similar falcons often considered a subgenus Hypotriorchis.-Description:...
Falco subbuteo - African HobbyAfrican HobbyThe African Hobby is a species of bird of prey in the Falconidae family.It is found in Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea,...
Falco cuvierii - Lanner FalconLanner FalconThe Lanner Falcon is a large bird of prey that breeds in Africa, southeast Europe and just into Asia. It is mainly resident, but some birds disperse more widely after the breeding season.-Description:...
Falco biarmicus - Peregrine FalconPeregrine FalconThe Peregrine Falcon , also known as the Peregrine, and historically as the Duck Hawk in North America, is a widespread bird of prey in the family Falconidae. A large, crow-sized falcon, it has a blue-gray back, barred white underparts, and a black head and "moustache"...
Falco peregrinus
Pheasants and partridges
Order: GalliformesGalliformes
Galliformes are an order of heavy-bodied ground-feeding domestic or game bird, containing turkey, grouse, chicken, New and Old World Quail, ptarmigan, partridge, pheasant, and the Cracidae. Common names are gamefowl or gamebirds, landfowl, gallinaceous birds or galliforms...
. Family: Phasianidae
Phasianidae
The Phasianidae is a family of birds which consists of the pheasants and partridges, including the junglefowl , Old World Quail, francolins, monals and peafowl. The family is a large one, and is occasionally broken up into two subfamilies, the Phasianinae, and the Perdicinae...
The Phasianidae are a family of terrestrial birds which consists of quail
Quail
Quail is a collective name for several genera of mid-sized birds generally considered in the order Galliformes. Old World quail are found in the family Phasianidae, while New World quail are found in the family Odontophoridae...
s, partridge
Partridge
Partridges are birds in the pheasant family, Phasianidae. They are a non-migratory Old World group.These are medium-sized birds, intermediate between the larger pheasants and the smaller quails. Partridges are native to Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East...
s, snowcock
Snowcock
The snowcocks are a group of bird species in the genus Tetraogallus of the pheasant family, Phasianidae. They are ground-nesting birds which breed in the mountain ranges of southern Eurasia from the Caucasus to the Himalayas and western China. The Himalayan Snowcock has been introduced...
s, francolin
Francolin
Francolins are birds that traditionally have been placed in the genus Francolinus, but now commonly are divided into multiple genera , although some of the major taxonomic listing sources have yet to divide them. They are members of the pheasant family, Phasianidae...
s, spurfowls, tragopan
Tragopan
Tragopan is a genus of bird in the family Phasianidae. These birds are commonly called "horny pheasants" because of two brightly-colored, fleshy horns on their heads that they can erect during courtship displays...
s, monal
Monal
A Monal is a bird of genus Lophophorus of the Pheasant family, Phasianidae. There are three species and several sub-species within the genus Lophophorus:* Himalayan Monal Lophophorus impejanus* Sclater's Monal Lophophorus sclateri...
s, pheasant
Pheasant
Pheasants refer to some members of the Phasianinae subfamily of Phasianidae in the order Galliformes.Pheasants are characterised by strong sexual dimorphism, males being highly ornate with bright colours and adornments such as wattles and long tails. Males are usually larger than females and have...
s, peafowl
Peafowl
Peafowl are two Asiatic species of flying birds in the genus Pavo of the pheasant family, Phasianidae, best known for the male's extravagant eye-spotted tail, which it displays as part of courtship. The male is called a peacock, the female a peahen, and the offspring peachicks. The adult female...
s and jungle fowls. In general, they are plump (although they may vary in size) and have broad, relatively short wings. There are 156 species worldwide and 11 species which occur in Rwanda.
- Coqui FrancolinCoqui FrancolinThe Coqui Francolin is a species of bird in the Phasianidae family.It is found in Angola, Botswana, Burundi, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Gabon, Kenya, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania,...
Francolinus coqui - Ring-necked FrancolinRing-necked FrancolinThe Ring-necked Francolin is a bird species in the family Phasianidae. It is found in Burundi, Cameroon, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda...
Francolinus streptophorus - Red-winged FrancolinRed-winged FrancolinThe Red-winged Francolin is a species of bird in the Phasianidae family. It is found in Angola, Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Rwanda, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia.Elgon Francolin may be a hybrid between the Red-winged Francolin and...
Francolinus levaillantii - Shelley's FrancolinShelley's FrancolinShelley's Francolin is a species of bird in the Phasianidae family. The species is named after Sir Edward Shelley, cousin of George Ernest Shelley.-Distribution and habitat:...
Francolinus shelleyi - Scaly FrancolinScaly FrancolinThe Scaly Francolin is a species of bird in the Phasianidae family.It is found in Angola, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Kenya, Malawi, Nigeria, Rwanda, São Tomé and Príncipe, Sudan,...
Francolinus squamatus - Hildebrandt's FrancolinHildebrandt's FrancolinThe Hildebrandt's Francolin is a species of bird in the Phasianidae family.It is found in Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Zambia. The species is named for Johannes Hildebrandt, who collected the first specimens in Kenya.-References:*...
Francolinus hildebrandti - Red-necked FrancolinRed-necked FrancolinThe Red-necked Spurfowl or Red-necked Francolin , is a gamebird in the pheasant family Phasianidae of the order Galliformes, gallinaceous birds....
Francolinus afer - Handsome FrancolinHandsome FrancolinThe Handsome Francolin, Pternistis nobilis is a large, up to 35 cm long, terrestrial forest francolin with a dark reddish brown plumage, grey head, red bill and legs, brown iris, bare red orbital skin and rufous grey below. Both sexes are similar. The female is slightly smaller than male...
Francolinus nobilis - Common QuailCommon QuailThe Common Quail, Coturnix coturnix, is a small bird in the pheasant family Phasianidae. It is widespread and is found in parts of Europe, .- Description :It is a small rotund bird, essentially streaked brown with...
Coturnix coturnix - Harlequin QuailHarlequin QuailThe Harlequin Quail is a species of bird in the Phasianidae family.It is found in Africa.-References:* BirdLife International 2004. . Downloaded on 10 July 2007....
Coturnix delegorguei - Blue QuailBlue QuailThe Blue Quail or African Blue Quail, is a species of bird in the Phasianidae family.-Geographic Range:The species ranges from Sierra Leone to Ethiopia, and south to Zambia, and eastward to Kenya, and is migratory...
Coturnix adansonii
Guineafowl
Order: GalliformesGalliformes
Galliformes are an order of heavy-bodied ground-feeding domestic or game bird, containing turkey, grouse, chicken, New and Old World Quail, ptarmigan, partridge, pheasant, and the Cracidae. Common names are gamefowl or gamebirds, landfowl, gallinaceous birds or galliforms...
. Family: Numididae
Guineafowl are a group of African, seed-eating, ground-nesting birds that resemble partridges, but with featherless heads and spangled grey plumage. There are 6 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in Rwanda.
- Helmeted GuineafowlHelmeted GuineafowlThe Helmeted Guineafowl is the best known of the guineafowl bird family, Numididae, and the only member of the genus Numida...
Numida meleagris - Crested GuineafowlCrested GuineafowlThe Crested Guineafowl is a member of the Numididae, the guineafowl bird family. It is found in open forest, woodland and forest-savanna mosaics in sub-Saharan Africa. It has a total length of approximately 50 cm and weighs . The plumage is overall blackish with dense white spots...
Guttera pucherani
Buttonquails
Order: GruiformesGruiformes
The Gruiformes are an order containing a considerable number of living and extinct bird families, with a widespread geographical diversity. Gruiform means "crane-like"....
. Family: Turnicidae
The buttonquails are small, drab, running birds which resemble the true quails.The female is the brighter of the sexes, and initiates courtship. The male incubates the eggs and tends the young. There are 16 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in Rwanda.
- Small ButtonquailSmall ButtonquailThe Kurrichane Buttonquail, Small Buttonquail, Common Buttonquail, or Andalusian Hemipode, Turnix sylvaticus, is a buttonquail, one of a small family of birds which resemble, but are unrelated to, the true quails...
Turnix sylvatica - Hottentot Buttonquail Turnix hottentotta
Cranes
Order: GruiformesGruiformes
The Gruiformes are an order containing a considerable number of living and extinct bird families, with a widespread geographical diversity. Gruiform means "crane-like"....
. Family: Gruidae
Cranes are large, long-legged and long-necked birds. Unlike the similar-looking but unrelated herons, cranes fly with necks outstretched, not pulled back. Most have elaborate and noisy courting displays or "dances". There are 15 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Rwanda.
- Gray Crowned-Crane Balearica regulorum
Rails, crakes, gallinules, and coots
Order: GruiformesGruiformes
The Gruiformes are an order containing a considerable number of living and extinct bird families, with a widespread geographical diversity. Gruiform means "crane-like"....
. Family: Rallidae
Rallidae
The rails, or Rallidae, are a large cosmopolitan family of small to medium-sized birds. The family exhibits considerable diversity and the family also includes the crakes, coots, and gallinules...
Rallidae is a large family of small to medium-sized birds which includes the rails, crakes, coot
Coot
Coots are medium-sized water birds that are members of the rail family Rallidae. They constitute the genus Fulica. Coots have predominantly black plumage, and, unlike many of the rails, they are usually easy to see, often swimming in open water...
s, and gallinules. Typically they inhabit dense vegetation in damp environments near lakes, swamps, or rivers. In general they are shy and secretive birds, difficult to observe. Most species have strong legs, and have long toes which are well adapted to soft, uneven surfaces. They tend to have short, rounded wings and be weak fliers. There are 143 species worldwide and 19 species which occur in Rwanda.
- White-spotted FlufftailWhite-spotted FlufftailThe White-spotted Flufftail is a species of bird in the Rallidae family.It is found in Angola, Benin, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Liberia,...
Sarothrura pulchra - Buff-spotted FlufftailBuff-spotted FlufftailThe Buff-spotted Flufftail is a species of bird in the Rallidae family.It is found in Angola, Burundi, Cameroon, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Guinea, Kenya, Liberia, Malawi, Mozambique, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sierra Leone,...
Sarothrura elegans - Red-chested FlufftailRed-chested FlufftailThe Red-chested Flufftail is a species of bird in the Rallidae family.It is found in Angola, Botswana, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Gabon, Kenya, Liberia, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sierra Leone,...
Sarothrura rufa - Chestnut-headed FlufftailChestnut-headed FlufftailThe Chestnut-headed Flufftail is a species of bird in the Rallidae family.It is found in Angola, Cameroon, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gabon, Malawi, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Zambia.-References:...
Sarothrura lugens - Streaky-breasted FlufftailStreaky-breasted FlufftailThe Streaky-breasted Flufftail is a species of bird in the Rallidae family.It is found in Angola, Burundi, Cameroon, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Guinea, Kenya, Malawi, Mali, Nigeria, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.-References:*...
Sarothrura boehmi - White-winged FlufftailWhite-winged FlufftailThe White-winged Flufftail is a very rare African bird in the Rallidae family. Its scientific name honours South African ornithologist Thomas Ayres.-Description:...
Sarothrura ayresi - African RailAfrican RailThe African Rail is a small wetland bird of the rail family.Its breeding habitat is marshes and reedbeds across eastern and southern Africa from Ethiopia to South Africa...
Rallus caerulescens - African CrakeAfrican CrakeThe African Crake is a bird in the rail family that breeds in most of sub-Saharan Africa away from the arid south and southwest. It is seasonally common in most of its range other than the rainforests and areas that have low annual rainfall...
Crecopsis egregia - Corn CrakeCorn CrakeThe Corn Crake, Corncrake or Landrail is a bird in the rail family. It breeds in Europe and Asia as far east as western China, and migrates to Africa for the winter...
Crex crex - Black CrakeBlack CrakeThe Black Crake, Amaurornis flavirostra, is a waterbird in the rail and crake family Rallidae. It breeds in most of sub-Saharan Africa except in very arid areas. It undertakes some seasonal movements in those parts of its range which are subject to drought...
Amaurornis flavirostris - Little CrakeLittle CrakeThe Little Crake is a very small waterbird of the family Rallidae.Their breeding habitat is reed beds in Europe, mainly in the east, and just into western Asia. They nest in a dry location in reed vegetation, laying 4-7 eggs...
Porzana parva - Baillon's CrakeBaillon's CrakeThe Baillon's Crake is a very small waterbird of the family Rallidae.-Distribution:Their breeding habitat is sedge beds in Europe, mainly in the east, and across Asia. They used to breed in Great Britain up to the mid-19th century, but the western European population declined through drainage....
Porzana pusilla - Spotted CrakeSpotted CrakeThe Spotted Crake is a small waterbird, of the family Rallidae.Their breeding habitat is marshes and sedge beds across temperate Europe into western Asia. They nest in a dry location in marsh vegetation, laying 6-15 eggs...
Porzana porzana - Striped CrakeStriped CrakeThe Striped Crake is a species of bird in the Rallidae family. It is the only species in the genus Aenigmatolimnas....
Aenigmatolimnas marginalis - Purple SwamphenPurple SwamphenThe Purple Swamphen , also known as the African Purple Swamphen, Purple Moorhen, Purple Gallinule, Pūkeko or Purple Coot, is a large bird in the family Rallidae . From its name in French, talève sultane, it is also known as the Sultana Bird...
Porphyrio porphyrio - Allen's GallinuleAllen's GallinuleThe Allen's Gallinule , formerly known as the Lesser Gallinule is a small waterbird of the family Rallidae. Its former binomial name is Porphyrula alleni....
Porphyrio alleni - Common MoorhenCommon MoorhenThe Common Moorhen is a bird in the Rallidae family with an almost worldwide distribution. The North and South American Committees of the AOU and the IOC have voted on or before July 2011 to split the American forms into a new species Common Gallinule, however, no other committee has voted to...
Gallinula chloropus - Lesser MoorhenLesser MoorhenThe Lesser Moorhen is a species of bird in the Rallidae family.It is found in Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana,...
Gallinula angulata - Red-knobbed CootRed-knobbed CootThe Red-knobbed Coot or Crested Coot, , is a member of the rail and crake bird family, the Rallidae.It is a resident breeder across much of Africa and in southernmost Spain on freshwater lakes and ponds. It builds a nest of dead reeds near the water's edge or more commonly afloat, laying about 8...
Fulica cristata
Sungrebe and Finfoots
Order: GruiformesGruiformes
The Gruiformes are an order containing a considerable number of living and extinct bird families, with a widespread geographical diversity. Gruiform means "crane-like"....
. Family: Heliornithidae
Heliornithidae
The Heliornithidae are a small family of tropical birds with webbed lobes on their feet like those of grebes and coots. The family overall are known as finfoots, although one species is known as a Sungrebe. The family is composed of three species in three genera.-Description:Finfoots resemble...
The Heliornithidae are small family of tropical birds with webbed lobes on their feet similar to those of grebes and coots. There are 3 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Rwanda.
- African FinfootAfrican FinfootThe African Finfoot is an aquatic bird inhabiting the rivers and lakes of western, central, and southern Africa.-Description:...
Podica senegalensis
Bustards
Order: GruiformesGruiformes
The Gruiformes are an order containing a considerable number of living and extinct bird families, with a widespread geographical diversity. Gruiform means "crane-like"....
. Family: Otididae
Bustards are large terrestrial birds mainly associated with dry open country and steppes in the Old World
Old World
The Old World consists of those parts of the world known to classical antiquity and the European Middle Ages. It is used in the context of, and contrast with, the "New World" ....
. They are omnivorous and nest on the ground. They walk steadily on strong legs and big toes, pecking for food as they go. They have long broad wings with "fingered" wingtips, and striking patterns in flight. Many have interesting mating displays. There are 26 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in Rwanda.
- Stanley BustardStanley BustardDenham's Bustard, Stanley Bustard or Stanley's Bustard, Neotis denhami, is a large bird in the bustard family. It breeds in much of sub-Saharan Africa. It is a species of open ground, including agricultural land, grassland, flood-plains and burnt fynbos...
Neotis denhami - Black-bellied BustardBlack-bellied BustardThe Black-bellied Bustard is an African ground-dwelling bird in the bustard family. Some authorities place it in the genus Eupodotis.-Description:...
Lissotis melanogaster
Jacanas
Order: CharadriiformesCharadriiformes
Charadriiformes is a diverse order of small to medium-large birds. It includes about 350 species and has members in all parts of the world. Most Charadriiformes live near water and eat invertebrates or other small animals; however, some are pelagic , some occupy deserts and a few are found in thick...
. Family: Jacanidae
The jacana
Jacana
The jaçanas are a group of tropical waders in the family Jacanidae. They are found worldwide within the tropical zone. See Etymology below for pronunciation....
s are a group of tropical waders in the family Jacanidae. They are found worldwide in the Tropics. They are identifiable by their huge feet and claws which enable them to walk on floating vegetation in the shallow lakes that are their preferred habitat. There 8 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in Rwanda.
- Lesser JacanaLesser JacanaThe Lesser Jacana is a species of bird in the Jacanidae family. It is monotypic within the genus Microparra....
Microparra capensis - African JacanaAfrican JacanaThe African Jacana is a jacana. The jacanas are a group of waders in the family Jacanidae, which 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. They are found worldwide within the tropical...
Actophilornis africanus
Painted snipe
Order: CharadriiformesCharadriiformes
Charadriiformes is a diverse order of small to medium-large birds. It includes about 350 species and has members in all parts of the world. Most Charadriiformes live near water and eat invertebrates or other small animals; however, some are pelagic , some occupy deserts and a few are found in thick...
. Family: Rostratulidae
Painted snipe are short-legged, long-billed birds similar in shape to the true snipes, but more brightly coloured. There are 2 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Rwanda.
- Greater Painted-snipe Rostratula benghalensis
Avocets and stilts
Order: CharadriiformesCharadriiformes
Charadriiformes is a diverse order of small to medium-large birds. It includes about 350 species and has members in all parts of the world. Most Charadriiformes live near water and eat invertebrates or other small animals; however, some are pelagic , some occupy deserts and a few are found in thick...
. Family: Recurvirostridae
Recurvirostridae
Recurvirostridae is a family of birds in the wader suborder Charadrii. It contains two distinct groups of birds, the avocets and the stilts .-Description and diet:...
Recurvirostridae is a family of large wading birds, which includes the avocet
Avocet
The four species of Avocets are a genus, Recurvirostra, of waders in the same avian family as the stilts.Avocets have long legs and long, thin, upcurved bills which they sweep from side to side when feeding in the brackish or saline wetlands they prefer...
s and the stilt
Stilt
Stilt is a common name for several species of birds in the family Recurvirostridae, which also includes those known as avocets. They are found in brackish or saline wetlands in warm or hot climates....
s. The avocets have long legs and long up-curved bills. The stilts have extremely long legs and long, thin, straight bills. There are 9 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in Rwanda.
- Black-winged StiltBlack-winged StiltThe Black-winged Stilt or Common Stilt is a widely distributed very long-legged wader in the avocet and stilt family . Opinions differ as to whether the birds treated under the scientific name H. himantopus ought to be treated as a single species and if not, how many species to recognize...
Himantopus himantopus - Pied AvocetPied AvocetThe Pied Avocet, Recurvirostra avosetta, is a large black and white wader in the avocet and stilt family, Recurvirostridae. They breed in temperate Europe and western and Central Asia. It is a migratory species and most winter in Africa or southern Asia...
Recurvirostra avosetta
Thick-knees
Order: CharadriiformesCharadriiformes
Charadriiformes is a diverse order of small to medium-large birds. It includes about 350 species and has members in all parts of the world. Most Charadriiformes live near water and eat invertebrates or other small animals; however, some are pelagic , some occupy deserts and a few are found in thick...
. Family: Burhinidae
The thick-knees are a group of largely tropical waders in the family Burhinidae. They are found worldwide within the tropical zone, with some species also breeding in temperate Europe and Australia. They are medium to large waders with strong black or yellow black bills, large yellow eyes and cryptic plumage. Despite being classed as waders, most species have a preference for arid or semi-arid habitats. There are 9 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in Rwanda.
- Water Thick-kneeWater Thick-kneeThe Water Thick-knee is a species of bird in the Burhinidae family.It is found in Angola, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Ethiopia, Gabon, Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia,...
Burhinus vermiculatus - Spotted Thick-kneeSpotted Thick-kneeThe Spotted Thick-knee, Burhinus capensis, also known as the Spotted Dikkop or Cape Thick-knee, is a stone-curlew in the family Burhinidae.- Description :...
Burhinus capensis
Pratincoles and coursers
Order: CharadriiformesCharadriiformes
Charadriiformes is a diverse order of small to medium-large birds. It includes about 350 species and has members in all parts of the world. Most Charadriiformes live near water and eat invertebrates or other small animals; however, some are pelagic , some occupy deserts and a few are found in thick...
. Family: Glareolidae
Glareolidae
Glareolidae is a family of birds in the wader suborder Charadri. It contains two distinct groups, the pratincoles and the coursers. The coursers include the atypical Egyptian Plover, Pluvianus aegyptius, which has sometimes been placed in its own family...
Glareolidae is a family of wading birds comprising the pratincole
Pratincole
The Pratincoles or Greywaders are a group of birds which together with the coursers and Egyptian Plover make up the family Glareolidae. They have short legs, very long pointed wings and long forked tails....
s, which have short legs, long pointed wings and long forked tails, and the courser
Courser
The Coursers are a group of birds which together with the pratincoles make up the family Glareolidae. They have long legs, short wings and long pointed bills which curve downwards...
s, which have long legs, short wings and long pointed bills which curve downwards. There are 17 species worldwide and 6 species which occur in Rwanda.
- Temminck's CourserTemminck's CourserTemminck's Courser, Cursorius temminckii, is a bird in the pratincole and courser family, Glareolidae. It is a wader which lives in sub-Saharan Africa....
Cursorius temminckii - Three-banded CourserThree-banded CourserThe Three-banded Courser is a species of bird in the Glareolidae family.It is found in Angola, Botswana, Ethiopia, Kenya, Namibia, Rwanda, Somalia, South Africa, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.-References:...
Rhinoptilus cinctus - Bronze-winged CourserBronze-winged CourserThe Bronze-winged Courser or Violet-tipped Courser is a species of bird in the Glareolidae family. It is found throughout Sub-Saharan Africa.-References:...
Rhinoptilus chalcopterus - Collared PratincoleCollared PratincoleThe Collared Pratincole or Common Pratincole, Glareola pratincola, is a wader in the pratincole family, Glareolidae.Pratincoles are unusual among waders in that they typically hunt their insect prey on the wing like swallows, although they can also feed on the ground.The Collared Pratincole is a...
Glareola pratincola - Black-winged PratincoleBlack-winged PratincoleThe Black-winged Pratincole, Glareola nordmanni, is a wader in the pratincole bird family, Glareolidae.Their most unusual feature of the pratincoles is that although classed as waders they typically hunt their insect prey on the wing like swallows, although they can also feed on the...
Glareola nordmanni - Rock PratincoleRock PratincoleThe Rock Pratincole is a species of bird in the Glareolidae family.-Distribution and habitat:It is found in Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea,...
Glareola nuchalis
Plovers and lapwings
Order: CharadriiformesCharadriiformes
Charadriiformes is a diverse order of small to medium-large birds. It includes about 350 species and has members in all parts of the world. Most Charadriiformes live near water and eat invertebrates or other small animals; however, some are pelagic , some occupy deserts and a few are found in thick...
. Family: Charadriidae
Charadriidae
The bird family Charadriidae includes the plovers, dotterels, and lapwings, about 64 to 66 species in all.- Morphology :They are small to medium-sized birds with compact bodies, short, thick necks and long, usually pointed, wings, but most species of lapwing may have more rounded wings...
The family Charadriidae includes the plover
Plover
Plovers are a widely distributed group of wading birds belonging to the subfamily Charadriinae. There are about 40 species in the subfamily, most of them called "plover" or "dotterel". The closely related lapwing subfamily, Vanellinae, comprises another 20-odd species.Plovers are found throughout...
s, dotterels, and lapwing
Lapwing
Vanellinae are any of various crested plovers, family Charadriidae, noted for its slow, irregular wingbeat in flight and a shrill, wailing cry. Its length is 10-16 inches. They are a subfamily of medium-sized wading birds which also includes the plovers and dotterels. The Vanellinae are...
s. 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, although there are some exceptions. There are 66 species worldwide and 17 species which occur in Rwanda.
- Long-toed LapwingLong-toed LapwingThe Long-toed Lapwing is a species of bird in the Charadriidae family.It is found in Angola, Botswana, Burundi, Cameroon, Chad, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, South Africa, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.-References:*...
Vanellus crassirostris - Spur-winged PloverSpur-winged PloverThe Spur-winged Lapwing or Spur-winged Plover is a lapwing species, one of a group of largish waders in the family Charadriidae....
Vanellus spinosus - White-headed Lapwing Vanellus albiceps
- Senegal LapwingSenegal LapwingThe Senegal Lapwing or Lesser Black-winged Lapwing is a species of bird in the Charadriidae family.It is found in Angola, Burundi, Cameroon, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Liberia, Malawi, Mali, Mozambique, Nigeria,...
Vanellus lugubris - Crowned LapwingCrowned LapwingThe Crowned Lapwing , also known as the Crowned Plover, is a bird of the lapwing subfamily that occurs contiguously from the Red Sea coast of Somalia to southern and southwestern Africa. It is an adaptable and numerous species, with bold and noisy habits...
Vanellus coronatus - Wattled Lapwing Vanellus senegallus
- Brown-chested LapwingBrown-chested LapwingThe Brown-chested Lapwing is a species of bird in the Charadriidae family.It is found in Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ghana, Kenya, Mauritania, Nigeria, Rwanda, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, and Zambia.It is a carnivorous bird...
Vanellus superciliosus - Black-bellied Plover Pluvialis squatarola
- Common Ringed Plover Charadrius hiaticula
- Little Ringed PloverLittle Ringed PloverThe Little Ringed Plover is a small plover. Adults have a grey-brown back and wings, a white belly, and a white breast with one black neckband. They have a brown cap, a white forehead, a black mask around the eyes with white above and a short dark bill...
Charadrius dubius - Kittlitz's PloverKittlitz's PloverThe Kittlitz’s Plover is a small plover found in much of Sub-Saharan Africa, Madagascar, and the Nile delta. Some birds, especially in coastal areas, are resident, other populations are migratory or nomadic.-Description:...
Charadrius pecuarius - Three-banded PloverThree-banded PloverThe Three-banded Plover or Three-banded Sandplover, Charadrius tricollaris, is a small wader. This plover is resident in much of eastern and southern Africa and Madagascar, mainly on inland rivers, pools and lakes. Its nest is a bare scrape on shingle.The adult Three-banded Plover is 18 cm in...
Charadrius tricollaris - Forbes's PloverForbes's PloverThe Forbes’s Plover or Forbes’s Banded Plover, Charadrius forbesi, is a small wader. This plover is resident in much of west Africa, mainly on inland rivers, pools and lakes. Its nest is a scrape lined with small pebbles in rocky uplands. After breeding in the wet season, this bird moves to open...
Charadrius forbesi - White-fronted PloverWhite-fronted PloverThe White-fronted Plover or White-fronted Sandplover, Charadrius marginatus, is a small wader. This plover is resident in much of Africa south of the Sahara on rocky, sandy or muddy coasts and large inland rivers and lakes....
Charadrius marginatus - Lesser Sandplover Charadrius mongolus
- Greater Sandplover Charadrius leschenaultii
- Caspian PloverCaspian PloverThe Caspian Plover is a wader in the plover family of birds.It breeds on open grassland in central Asia, mainly to the north and east of the Caspian Sea. This bird breeds in loose colonies, with three eggs being laid in a ground nest. These birds migrate south in winter to east Africa, usually...
Charadrius asiaticus
Sandpipers and allies
Order: CharadriiformesCharadriiformes
Charadriiformes is a diverse order of small to medium-large birds. It includes about 350 species and has members in all parts of the world. Most Charadriiformes live near water and eat invertebrates or other small animals; however, some are pelagic , some occupy deserts and a few are found in thick...
. Family: Scolopacidae
Scolopacidae
The sandpipers are a large family, Scolopacidae, of waders or shorebirds. They include many species called sandpipers, as well as those called by names such as curlew and snipe. The majority of these species eat small invertebrates picked out of the mud or soil...
The Scolopacidae are a large diverse family of small to medium sized shorebirds including the sandpipers, curlew
Curlew
The curlews , genus Numenius, are a group of eight species of birds, characterised by long, slender, downcurved bills and mottled brown plumage. They are one of the most ancient lineages of scolopacid waders, together with the godwits which look similar but have straight bills...
s, godwit
Godwit
The godwits are a group of large, long-billed, long-legged and strongly migratory wading birds of the genus Limosa. They form large flocks on coasts and estuaries in winter....
s, shanks
Tringa
Tringa is a genus of waders, containing the shanks and tattlers. They are mainly freshwater birds, often with brightly coloured legs as reflected in the English names of six species, as well as the specific names of two of these and the Green Sandpiper. They are typically associated with northern...
, tattler
Tattler (bird)
The tattlers are the two very similar bird species in the shorebird genus Tringa. They formerly had their own genus, Heteroscelus. The old genus name means "different leg" in Greek, referring to the leg scales that differentiate the tattlers from their close relatives, the shanks.The species are:*...
s, woodcock
Woodcock
The woodcocks are a group of seven or eight very similar living species of wading birds in the genus Scolopax. Only two woodcocks are widespread, the others being localized island endemics. Most are found in the Northern Hemisphere but a few range into Wallacea...
s, snipe
Snipe
A snipe is any of about 25 wading bird species in three genera in the family Scolopacidae. They are characterized by a very long, slender bill and crypsis plumage. The Gallinago snipes have a nearly worldwide distribution, the Lymnocryptes Jack Snipe is restricted to Asia and Europe and the...
s, dowitcher
Dowitcher
The three dowitchers are medium-sized long-billed wading birds. They resemble godwits in body and bill shape, and the reddish underparts in summer, but are much shorter legged, more like snipe to which they are also somewhat closer related...
s and phalarope
Phalarope
A phalarope or wadepiper is any of three living species of slender-necked shorebirds in the genus Phalaropus of the bird family Scolopacidae. They are close relatives of the shanks and tattlers, the Actitis and Terek Sandpipers, and also of the turnstones and calidrids...
s. The majority of species eat small invertebrates picked out of the mud or soil. Variation in length of legs and bills enable different species to feed in the same habitat, particularly on the coast, without direct competition for food. There are 89 species worldwide and 21 species which occur in Rwanda.
- African SnipeAfrican SnipeThe African Snipe, Gallinago nigripennis, also known as the Ethiopian Snipe, is a small stocky wader. It breeds in eastern and southern Africa in wet mountain moorland and swamps at altitudes of 1700 - 4000m. When not breeding it disperses widely, including into coastal lowlands.-Description:This...
Gallinago nigripennis - Great SnipeGreat SnipeThe Great Snipe, Gallinago media is a small stocky wader in the genus Gallinago.This bird's breeding habitat is marshes and wet meadows with short vegetation in north-eastern Europe including north-western Russia. Great Snipes are migratory, wintering in Africa...
Gallinago media - Common SnipeCommon SnipeThe Common Snipe is a small, stocky wader native to the Old World. The breeding habitat is marshes, bogs, tundra and wet meadows throughout northern Europe and northern Asia...
Gallinago gallinago - Black-tailed GodwitBlack-tailed GodwitThe Black-tailed Godwit, Limosa limosa, is a large, long-legged, long-billed shorebird first described by Carolus Linnaeus in 1758. It is a member of the Limosa genus, the godwits...
Limosa limosa - WhimbrelWhimbrelThe Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus, is a wader in the large family Scolopacidae. It is one of the mostwidespread of the curlews, breeding across much of subarctic North America, Europe and Asia as far south as Scotland....
Numenius phaeopus - Eurasian CurlewEurasian CurlewThe Eurasian Curlew, Numenius arquata, is a wader in the large family Scolopacidae. It is one of the most widespread of the curlews, breeding across temperate Europe and Asia...
Numenius arquata - Spotted RedshankSpotted RedshankThe Spotted Redshank, Tringa erythropus, is a wader in the large bird family Scolopacidae. It breeds across northern Scandinavia and northern Asia and migrates south to the Mediterranean, the southern British Isles, France, tropical Africa, and tropical Asia for the winter...
Tringa erythropus - Common RedshankCommon RedshankThe Common Redshank or simply Redshank is an Eurasian wader in the large family Scolopacidae.- Description and systematics :...
Tringa totanus - Marsh SandpiperMarsh SandpiperThe Marsh Sandpiper, Tringa stagnatilis, is a small wader. It is a rather small shank, and breeds in open grassy steppe and taiga wetlands from easternmost Europe to central Asia....
Tringa stagnatilis - Common Greenshank Tringa nebularia
- Green SandpiperGreen SandpiperThe Green Sandpiper is a small wader of the Old World. It represents an ancient lineage of the genus Tringa; its only close living relative is the Solitary Sandpiper . They both have brown wings with little light dots and a delicate but contrasting neck and chest pattern...
Tringa ochropus - Wood SandpiperWood SandpiperThe Wood Sandpiper, Tringa glareola, is a small wader. This Eurasian species is the smallest of the shanks, which are mid-sized long-legged waders of the family Scolopacidae.- Description and systematics :...
Tringa glareola - Terek SandpiperTerek SandpiperThe Terek Sandpiper is a small migratory Palearctic wader species, the only member of the genus Xenus.- Description and systematics :...
Xenus cinereus - Common SandpiperCommon SandpiperThe Common Sandpiper is a small Palearctic wader. This bird and its American sister species, the Spotted Sandpiper , make up the genus Actitis. They are parapatric and replace each other geographically; stray birds of either species may settle down with breeders of the other and hybridize...
Actitis hypoleucos - Ruddy TurnstoneRuddy TurnstoneThe Ruddy Turnstone is a small wading bird, one of two species of turnstone in the genus Arenaria. It is now classified in the sandpiper family Scolopacidae but was formerly sometimes placed in the plover family Charadriidae...
Arenaria interpres - SanderlingSanderlingThe Sanderling is a small wader. It is a circumpolar Arctic breeder, and is a long-distance migrant, wintering south to South America, South Europe, Africa, and Australia...
Calidris alba - Little StintLittle StintThe Little Stint, Calidris minuta , is a very small wader. It breeds in arctic Europe and Asia, and is a long-distance migrant, wintering south to Africa and south Asia...
Calidris minuta - Temminck's StintTemminck's StintTemminck's Stint, Calidris or Erolia temminckii, is a small wader.This stint's breeding habitat is bogs and marshes in the taiga of Arctic northern Europe and Asia. It will breed in southern Scandinavia and occasionally Scotland. It has a distinctive hovering display flight. It nests in a scrape...
Calidris temminckii - Curlew SandpiperCurlew SandpiperThe Curlew Sandpiper is a small wader that breeds on the tundra of Arctic Siberia. It is strongly migratory, wintering mainly in Africa, but also in south and southeast Asia and in Australasia...
Calidris ferruginea - Broad-billed SandpiperBroad-billed SandpiperThe Broad-billed Sandpiper is a small wading bird. It is the only member of the genus Limicola; some have proposed that it should be placed in the genus Erolia with the "stint" sandpipers, but more recent research suggests that it is should rather go into the genus Philomachus with the ruff and...
Limicola falcinellus - Ruff Philomachus pugnax
Gulls
Order: CharadriiformesCharadriiformes
Charadriiformes is a diverse order of small to medium-large birds. It includes about 350 species and has members in all parts of the world. Most Charadriiformes live near water and eat invertebrates or other small animals; however, some are pelagic , some occupy deserts and a few are found in thick...
. Family: Laridae
Laridae is a family of medium to large birds seabirds and includes gull
Gull
Gulls are birds in the family Laridae. They are most closely related to the terns and only distantly related to auks, skimmers, and more distantly to the waders...
s and kittiwake
Kittiwake
The kittiwakes are two closely related seabird species in the gull family Laridae, the Black-legged Kittiwake and the Red-legged Kittiwake . The epithets "Black-legged" and "Red-legged" are used to distinguish the two species in North America, but in Europe, where R...
s. They are typically grey or white, often with black markings on the head or wings. They have stout, longish bills and webbed feet. There are 55 species worldwide and 3 species which occur in Rwanda.
- Lesser Black-backed GullLesser Black-backed GullThe Lesser Black-backed Gull is a large gull that breeds on the Atlantic coasts of Europe. It is migratory, wintering from the British Isles south to West Africa...
Larus fuscus - Gray-headed Gull Larus cirrocephalus
- Black-headed GullBlack-headed GullThe Black-headed Gull is a small gull which breeds in much of Europe and Asia, and also in coastal eastern Canada. Most of the population is migratory, wintering further south, but some birds in the milder westernmost areas of Europe are resident...
Larus ridibundus
Terns
Order: CharadriiformesCharadriiformes
Charadriiformes is a diverse order of small to medium-large birds. It includes about 350 species and has members in all parts of the world. Most Charadriiformes live near water and eat invertebrates or other small animals; however, some are pelagic , some occupy deserts and a few are found in thick...
. Family: Sternidae
Tern
Tern
Terns are seabirds in the family Sternidae, previously considered a subfamily of the gull family Laridae . They form a lineage with the gulls and skimmers which in turn is related to skuas and auks...
s are a group of generally general medium to large sea-birds 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 now known to live in excess of 25 to 30 years. There are 44 species worldwide and 5 species which occur in Rwanda.
- Gull-billed TernGull-billed TernThe Gull-billed Tern formerly Sterna nilotica , is a seabird of the tern family Sternidae...
Sterna nilotica - Caspian TernCaspian TernThe Caspian Tern is a species of tern, with a subcosmopolitan but scattered distribution. Despite its extensive range, it is monotypic of its genus, and has no subspecies accepted either...
Sterna caspia - Whiskered TernWhiskered TernThe Whiskered Tern is a seabird of the tern family Sternidae. This bird has a number of geographical races, differing mainly in size and minor plumage details....
Chlidonias hybridus - White-winged TernWhite-winged TernThe White-winged Tern, or White-winged Black Tern, Chlidonias leucopterus, is a small tern generally found in or near bodies of fresh water across from Southeastern Europe east to Australia....
Chlidonias leucopterus - Black TernBlack TernThe Black Tern, Chlidonias niger, is a small tern generally found in or near inland water in Europe and North America. As its name suggests, it has predominantly dark plumage.- Description :...
Chlidonias niger
Skimmers
Order: CharadriiformesCharadriiformes
Charadriiformes is a diverse order of small to medium-large birds. It includes about 350 species and has members in all parts of the world. Most Charadriiformes live near water and eat invertebrates or other small animals; however, some are pelagic , some occupy deserts and a few are found in thick...
. Family: Rynchopidae
Skimmer
Skimmer
The Skimmers, Rynchopidae, are a small family of tern-like birds in the order Charadriiformes, which also includes the waders, gulls and auks. The family comprises three species found in South Asia, Africa, and the Americas....
s are a small family of tropical tern-like birds. They have an elongated lower mandible which they use to feed by flying low over the water surface and skimming the water for small fish. There are 3 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Rwanda.
- African SkimmerAfrican SkimmerThe African Skimmer is a skimmer that lives in Senegal to northern Congo River and southern Nile Valley, southern Tanzania to the Zambezi Valley, and then to Natal and Angola.- Appearance :...
Rynchops flavirostris
Pigeons and doves
Order: ColumbiformesColumbiformes
Columbiformes are an avian order that includes the very widespread and successful doves and pigeons, classified in the family Columbidae, and the extinct Dodo and the Rodrigues Solitaire, long classified as a second family Raphidae. 313 species, found worldwide, comprise the Columbiformes order....
. Family: Columbidae
Pigeons and dove
Dove
Pigeons and doves constitute the bird family Columbidae within the order Columbiformes, which include some 300 species of near passerines. In general terms "dove" and "pigeon" are used somewhat interchangeably...
s are stout-bodied birds with short necks and short slender bills with a fleshy cere
Cère
The Cère is a long river in south-western France, left tributary of the Dordogne River. Its source is in the south-western Massif Central, near the mountain Plomb du Cantal...
. There are 308 species worldwide and 16 species which occur in Rwanda.
- Speckled PigeonSpeckled PigeonThe Speckled Pigeon or Rock Pigeon is a pigeon which is a resident breeding bird in much of Africa south of the Sahara. It is a common and widespread species in open habitats over a good deal of its range, although there are sizeable gaps in its distribution.This species builds a large stick nest...
Columba guinea - Afep PigeonAfep PigeonThe Afep Pigeon also known as the African Wood-Pigeon, or Gray Wood-Pigeon is a member of the Columbidae family which lives in Africa.Like many other pigeons, it mainly feeds on grain and seeds....
Columba unicincta - Rameron Pigeon Columba arquatrix
- White-naped PigeonWhite-naped PigeonThe White-naped Pigeon is a species of bird in the Columbidae family. It is found in Cameroon, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Sudan, and Uganda....
Columba albinucha - Western Bronze-naped PigeonWestern Bronze-naped PigeonThe Western Bronze-naped Pigeon is a species of bird in the Columbidae family.It is found in Angola, Benin, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Sudan,...
Columba iriditorques - Lemon Dove Columba larvata
- Dusky Turtle Dove Streptopelia lugens
- African Mourning DoveAfrican Mourning DoveThe Mourning Collared Dove is a pigeon which is a widespread resident breeding bird in Africa south of the Sahara. Despite its name, it is not a close relative of the North American Mourning Dove, Zenaida macroura. This species is common or abundant near water...
Streptopelia decipiens - Red-eyed DoveRed-eyed DoveThe Red-eyed Dove is a pigeon which is a widespread resident breeding bird in Africa south of the Sahara. It is a common, if not abundant, species in most habitats other than desert....
Streptopelia semitorquata - Ring-necked DoveRing-necked DoveThe Ring-necked Dove , also known as the Cape Turtle Dove and the Half-Collared Dove, is a widespread and abundant bird in the bush, savannah, farmlands, and woodlands of southern and eastern Africa. Their name comes from a black patch of feathers on the back of their necks...
Streptopelia capicola - Laughing DoveLaughing DoveThe Laughing Dove is a small pigeon which is a resident breeding bird in the tropics in Africa south of the Sahara, the Middle East and southern Asia east to India. In India it is also known as the Little Brown Dove...
Streptopelia senegalensis - Emerald-spotted Wood DoveEmerald-spotted Wood DoveThe Emerald-spotted Wood Dove, Turtur chalcospilos, is a pigeon which is a widespread and often abundant resident breeding bird in eastern Africa from Ethiopia to South Africa. It also occurs in a belt from northern Botswana west to northern Namibia, and in a narrow coastal strip through Angola to...
Turtur chalcospilos - Blue-spotted Wood Dove Turtur afer
- Tambourine DoveTambourine DoveThe Tambourine Dove is a pigeon which is a widespread resident breeding bird in woodlands and other thick vegetation in Africa south of the Sahara Desert. Its range extends from Senegal east to Ethiopia and Kenya and southwards through eastern Africa to south-eastern South Africa, but it is absent...
Turtur tympanistria - Namaqua DoveNamaqua DoveThe Namaqua Dove is a small pigeon. It is the only species in the genus Oena. .-Description:The Namaqua Dove is a tiny sparrow-sized pigeon, typically 22 cm in length with a 28–33 cm wingspan, and weighing 40g. It has a very long black tapered tail, and the size and shape have led to...
Oena capensis - African Green Pigeon Treron calva
Parrots, macaws and allies
Order: Psittaciformes. Family: PsittacidaeParrot
Parrot
Parrots, also known as psittacines , are birds of the roughly 372 species in 86 genera that make up the order Psittaciformes, found in most tropical and subtropical regions. The order is subdivided into three families: the Psittacidae , the Cacatuidae and the Strigopidae...
s are small to large birds with a characteristic curved beak shape. Their upper mandibles have slight mobility in the joint with the skull and the have a generally erect stance. All parrots are zygodactyl, having the four toes on each foot placed two at the front and two back. There are 335 species worldwide and 6 species which occur in Rwanda.
- Red-headed LovebirdRed-headed LovebirdThe Red-headed Lovebird also known as the Red-faced Lovebird is a member of the genus Agapornis, a group commonly known as Lovebirds. Like other lovebirds it is native to Africa.-Description:...
Agapornis pullarius - Fischer's LovebirdFischer's LovebirdThe Fischer's Lovebird is a small parrot species of the Agapornis genus. They were originally discovered in the late 19th century, and were first bred in the United States in 1926. They are named after German explorer Gustav Fischer.- Description :The Fischer's Lovebird has a green back, chest,...
Agapornis fischeri - Gray Parrot Psittacus erithacus
- Brown-necked Parrot Poicephalus robustus
- Red-fronted Parrot Poicephalus gulielmi
- Meyer's ParrotMeyer's ParrotThe Meyer's Parrot is a small , stocky African parrot. Meyer's parrots display a dull brown head, back and tail, green or blue-green abdomen, blue rump and bright yellow markings on the carpal joint of the wings. Most subspecies have some yellow on the top of the head as well. Forshaw recognizes...
Poicephalus meyeri
Turacos
Order: CuculiformesCuculiformes
The near passerine bird order Cuculiformes traditionally included three families as below:* Musophagidae - turacos and allies* Cuculidae - cuckoos, coucals, roadrunners and anis* Opisthocomidae - Hoatzin...
. 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 birds, usually blue, green or purple. The go-away birds are mostly grey and white. There are 23 species worldwide and 7 species which occur in Rwanda.
- Great Blue TuracoGreat Blue TuracoThe Great Blue Turaco is a turaco, a group of African near-passerines. It is not only the largest turaco but the largest species in the diverse Cuculiformes order . Generally, the Great Blue Turaco is in length with a mass of...
Corythaeola cristata - Black-billed TuracoBlack-billed TuracoThe Black-billed Turaco, Tauraco schuetti, is a medium sized turaco, an endemic family to sub-Saharan Africa. It is a resident breeder in the forests of central Africa, found in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, West Kenya, Burundi, Rwanda and southern Sudan.-Description:40 cm; ranging...
Tauraco schuettii - Purple-crested TuracoPurple-crested TuracoThe Purple-crested Turaco is a species of bird in the Musophagidae family.It is found in Burundi, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Rwanda, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe....
Tauraco porphyreolophus - Ruwenzori TuracoRuwenzori TuracoThe Ruwenzori Turaco is a species of bird in the Musophagidae family. It is monotypic within the genus Ruwenzorornis.It is found in Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, and Uganda.-References:...
Ruwenzorornis johnstoni - Ross's TuracoRoss's TuracoRoss's Turaco or Lady Ross's Turaco is a mainly bluish-purple African bird of the turaco family, Musophagidae.It is found in woodland, open forest and riparian habitats in Angola, Botswana, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gabon, Kenya, Rwanda, Sudan,...
Musophaga rossae - Bare-faced Go-away-birdBare-faced Go-away-birdThe Bare-faced Go-away bird is a species of bird in the Musophagidae family.It is found in two areas of Africa: one in southern Ethiopia, and the other in Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Malawi, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia. It is named after its distinctive "go-away"...
Corythaixoides personatus - Eastern Plantain-eater Crinifer zonurus
Cuckoos and anis
Order: CuculiformesCuculiformes
The near passerine bird order Cuculiformes traditionally included three families as below:* Musophagidae - turacos and allies* Cuculidae - cuckoos, coucals, roadrunners and anis* Opisthocomidae - Hoatzin...
. Family: Cuculidae
The family Cuculidae includes cuckoo
Cuckoo
The cuckoos are a family, Cuculidae, of near passerine birds. The order Cuculiformes, in addition to the cuckoos, also includes the turacos . Some zoologists and taxonomists have also included the unique Hoatzin in the Cuculiformes, but its taxonomy remains in dispute...
s, roadrunner
Geococcyx
The roadrunners are two species of bird in the genus Geococcyx of the cuckoo family, Cuculidae, native to North and Central America...
s and anis
Ani (bird)
The anis are the three species of near-passerine birds in the genus Crotophaga of the cuckoo family. They are essentially tropical New world birds, although the range of two species just reaches the United States...
. These birds are of variable size with slender bodies, long tails and strong legs. Unlike the cuckoo species of the Old World, North American cuckoos are not brood parasites. There are 138 species worldwide and 20 species which occur in Rwanda.
- Pied CuckooPied CuckooThe Jacobin Cuckoo, Pied Cuckoo, or Pied Crested Cuckoo is a member of the cuckoo order of birds that is found in Africa and Asia. It is partially migratory and in India, it has been considered a harbinger of the Monsoon rains due to the timing of its arrival...
Clamator jacobinus - Levaillant's CuckooLevaillant's CuckooLevaillant's Cuckoo, Clamator levaillantii is a cuckoo which is a resident breeding species in Africa south of the Sahara. It is found in bushy habitats. It is a brood parasite, using the nests of bulbuls and babblers...
Clamator levaillantii - Great Spotted CuckooGreat Spotted CuckooThe Great Spotted Cuckoo is a member of the cuckoo order of birds, the Cuculiformes, which also includes the roadrunners, the anis and the coucals....
Clamator glandarius - Thick-billed CuckooThick-billed CuckooThe Thick-billed Cuckoo is a species of cuckoo in the Cuculidae family. It is monotypic within the genus Pachycoccyx....
Pachycoccyx audeberti - Red-chested CuckooRed-chested CuckooThe Red-chested Cuckoo is a species of cuckoo in the Cuculidae family. It is a medium-sized bird , found in Africa south of the Sahara.-Distribution and habitat:...
Cuculus solitarius - Black CuckooBlack CuckooThe Black Cuckoo is a species of cuckoo in the Cuculidae family. The species is distributed widely across sub-Saharan Africa...
Cuculus clamosus - Common CuckooCommon CuckooThe Common Cuckoo is a member of the cuckoo order of birds, Cuculiformes, which includes the roadrunners, the anis and the coucals....
Cuculus canorus - African CuckooAfrican CuckooThe African Cuckoo is a species of cuckoo in the Cuculidae family.It is found in Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Côte d'Ivoire, Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana,...
Cuculus gularis - Madagascar CuckooMadagascar CuckooThe Madagascar Cuckoo , also known as the Madagascar Lesser Cuckoo, is a species of cuckoo in the Cuculidae family. Though it breeds only in Madagascar, it spends the non-breeding season in a number of East African countries: Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Madagascar, Malawi, Rwanda,...
Cuculus rochii - Dusky Long-tailed CuckooDusky Long-tailed CuckooThe Dusky Long-tailed Cuckoo is a species of cuckoo in the Cuculidae family.It is found in Angola, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Togo, and...
Cercococcyx mechowi - Olive Long-tailed CuckooOlive Long-tailed CuckooThe Olive Long-tailed Cuckoo is a species of cuckoo in the Cuculidae family.It is found in Angola, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Uganda, and...
Cercococcyx olivinus - Barred Long-tailed CuckooBarred Long-tailed CuckooThe Barred Long-tailed Cuckoo is a species of cuckoo in the Cuculidae family.It is found in Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.-References:...
Cercococcyx montanus - Klaas's CuckooKlaas's CuckooThe Klaas's Cuckoo is a species of cuckoo in the Cuculidae family.It is found in Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia,...
Chrysococcyx klaas - African Emerald CuckooAfrican Emerald CuckooThe African Emerald Cuckoo is a species of cuckoo in the Cuculidae family.It is found in Angola, Botswana, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea,...
Chrysococcyx cupreus - Dideric CuckooDideric CuckooThe Diederik Cuckoo , formerly Dideric Cuckoo or Didric Cuckoo, is a member of the cuckoo order of birds, the Cuculiformes, which also includes the roadrunners, the anis, and the Hoatzin....
Chrysococcyx caprius - YellowbillYellowbillThe Yellowbill is a species of cuckoo in the Cuculidae family. The species is sometimes known as the Green Malkoha. It is monotypic within the genus Ceuthmochares. There are three subspecies that display some differences in plumage colouration; all subspecies have a greyish belly, head and throat...
Ceuthmochares aereus - Black CoucalBlack CoucalThe Black Coucal is a species of cuckoo in the Cuculidae family.It is found in Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau,...
Centropus grillii - Blue-headed CoucalBlue-headed CoucalThe Blue-headed Coucal is a species of cuckoo in the Cuculidae family.It is found in Angola, Benin, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau,...
Centropus monachus - Senegal CoucalSenegal CoucalThe Senegal Coucal, Centropus senegalensis, is a member of the cuckoo order of birds, the Cuculiformes, which also includes the roadrunners, the anis, and the Hoatzin....
Centropus senegalensis - White-browed CoucalWhite-browed CoucalThe White-browed Coucal is a species of cuckoo in the Cuculidae family.It is found in sub-Saharan Africa.The southern subspecies is sometimes split as Burchell's Coucal, Centropus burchelli...
Centropus superciliosus
Barn owls
Order: Strigiformes. Family: TytonidaeTytonidae
Barn-owls are one of the two families of owls, the other being the true owls, Strigidae. They are medium to large sized owls with large heads and characteristic heart-shaped faces. They have long, strong legs with powerful talons...
Barn owl
Barn Owl
The Barn Owl is the most widely distributed species of owl, and one of the most widespread of all birds. It is also referred to as Common Barn Owl, to distinguish it from other species in the barn-owl family Tytonidae. These form one of two main lineages of living owls, the other being the typical...
s are medium to large sized owls with large heads and characteristic heart-shaped faces. They have long strong legs with powerful talons. There are 16 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in Rwanda.
- African Grass-OwlAfrican Grass-owlThe African Grass Owl is a species of owl in the Tytonidae family.It is found in Angola, Burundi, Cameroon, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Rwanda, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe...
Tyto capensis - Barn OwlBarn OwlThe Barn Owl is the most widely distributed species of owl, and one of the most widespread of all birds. It is also referred to as Common Barn Owl, to distinguish it from other species in the barn-owl family Tytonidae. These form one of two main lineages of living owls, the other being the typical...
Tyto alba
Typical owls
Order: Strigiformes. Family: StrigidaeTypical owl
Typical owl
True owl or Typical owl are one of the two generally accepted families of Owls, the other being the barn owls . The Sibley-Ahlquist taxonomy unites the Caprimulgiformes with the owl order; here, the typical owls are a subfamily Strigidae...
s 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. There are 195 species worldwide and 13 species which occur in Rwanda.
- African Scops-Owl Otus senegalensis
- Southern White-faced OwlSouthern White-faced OwlThe Southern White-faced Owl is a fairly small owl in the family Strigidae. It is native to the southern half of Africa. It was formerly regarded as a subspecies of the Northern White-faced Owl but the two are now commonly treated as separate species.It is 22-28 centimetres long and weighs...
Ptilopsis granti - Spotted Eagle-Owl Bubo africanus
- Fraser's Eagle-OwlFraser's Eagle-owlThe Fraser's Eagle-Owl is a species of owl in the Strigidae family.It is found in Angola, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Ghana, Liberia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, and Uganda.-References:*...
Bubo poensis - Verreaux's Eagle-Owl Bubo lacteus
- Pel's Fishing-OwlPel's Fishing-owlThe Pel's Fishing Owl is a large species of owl in the Strigidae family. It feeds nocturnally on fish and frogs snatched from the surface of lakes and rivers. The species prefers slow moving rivers with large overhanging trees to roost and forage from. It nests in hollows and the forks of large...
Scotopelia peli - African Wood-OwlAfrican Wood-owlThe African Wood Owl, Strix woodfordii, is a medium-sized owl with dark eyes and no ear tufts. It is 30 to 36 cm long and weighs from 240 to 350 grams. It lives in Africa from Senegambia to Sudan and south to Angola, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, and on the east coast to...
Strix woodfordii - Pearl-spotted OwletPearl-spotted OwletThe Pearl-spotted Owlet is an owl which breeds in Africa south of the Sahara. This species is a part of the larger grouping of owls known as typical owls, Strigidae, which contains most species of owl. The other grouping is the barn owls, Tytonidae.Pearl-spotted Owlet is a common and easily seen...
Glaucidium perlatum - Red-chested OwletRed-chested OwletThe Red-chested Owlet is a species of owl in the Strigidae family. It is found in Cameroon, Central African Republic, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, and Uganda.Very small owlet...
Glaucidium tephronotum - African Barred OwletAfrican Barred OwletThe African Barred Owlet is a species of owl in the Strigidae family. It is found in Angola, Botswana, Central African Republic, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Somalia, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and...
Glaucidium capense - Albertine OwletAlbertine OwletThe Albertine Owlet, Glaucidium albertinum, is a species of owl in the Strigidae family. It is found in Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist montanes. It is threatened by habitat loss....
Glaucidium albertinum - African Long-eared OwlAfrican Long-eared OwlThe Abyssinian Owl or African Long-eared Owl, Asio abyssinicus, is a medium-sized owl with yellow eyes, a black bill and gray eyebrows. It is similar in appearance to the Long-eared Owl, Asio otus, but is overall darker, and their ranges do not overlap...
Asio abyssinicus - Marsh OwlMarsh OwlThe Marsh Owl, Asio capensis, is a species of owl which is a mainly resident breeder in Africa and Madagascar.This species is a part of the larger grouping of owls known as typical owls, Strigidae, which contains most species of owl...
Asio capensis
Nightjars
Order: CaprimulgiformesCaprimulgiformes
The Caprimulgiformes is an order of birds that includes a number of birds with global distribution . They are generally insectivorous and nocturnal...
. Family: Caprimulgidae
Nightjar
Nightjar
Nightjars are medium-sized nocturnal or crepuscular birds with long wings, short legs and very short bills. They are sometimes referred to as goatsuckers from the mistaken belief that they suck milk from goats . Some New World species are named as nighthawks...
s are medium-sized nocturnal birds with long wings, short legs and very short bills that usually nest on the ground. Most have small feet, of little use for walking, and long pointed wings. Their soft plumage is camouflaged to resemble bark or leaves. There are 86 species worldwide and 11 species which occur in Rwanda.
- Eurasian Nightjar Caprimulgus europaeus
- Sombre NightjarSombre NightjarThe Sombre Nightjar is a species of nightjar in the Caprimulgidae family.It is found in Angola, Botswana, Burundi, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Somalia, South Africa, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.-References:* BirdLife International 2004. . ...
Caprimulgus fraenatus - Black-shouldered NightjarBlack-shouldered NightjarThe Black-shouldered Nightjar is a species of nightjar in the Caprimulgidae family.It is found in Angola, Benin, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya,...
Caprimulgus nigriscapularis - Fiery-necked NightjarFiery-necked NightjarThe Fiery-necked Nightjar is a species of nightjar in the Caprimulgidae family.It is found in Angola, Botswana, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gabon, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.-References:* BirdLife International 2004. . ...
Caprimulgus pectoralis - Abyssinian Nightjar Caprimulgus poliocephalus
- Montane NightjarMontane NightjarThe Montane Nightjar or Mountain Nightjar is a species of nightjar in the Caprimulgidae family.It is found in Angola, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia.-References:* BirdLife International 2004. . Downloaded...
Caprimulgus ruwenzorii - Swamp NightjarSwamp NightjarThe Swamp Nightjar is a species of nightjar in the Caprimulgidae family.It is found in Angola, Botswana, Burundi, Cameroon, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, Mali, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sierra Leone,...
Caprimulgus natalensis - Star-spotted NightjarStar-spotted NightjarThe Star-spotted Nightjar is a species of nightjar in the Caprimulgidae family.It is found in Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, and Sudan.-References:* BirdLife International 2004. . Downloaded on 24 July 2007....
Caprimulgus stellatus - Freckled NightjarFreckled NightjarThe Freckled Nightjar is a species of nightjar in the Caprimulgidae family.It is found in Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Ethiopia, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Liberia,...
Caprimulgus tristigma - Square-tailed NightjarSquare-tailed NightjarThe Square-tailed Nightjar is a species of nightjar in the Caprimulgidae family.It is found in Angola, Botswana, Burundi, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania,...
Caprimulgus fossii - Pennant-winged NightjarPennant-winged NightjarThe Pennant-winged Nightjar, Macrodipteryx vexillarius, is an intra-African migrant that occurs from Nigeria to northern South Africa. The male is characteristic in having a broad white band over the otherwise black primaries. In addition the males acquire a striking 9th primary feather during the...
Macrodipteryx vexillarius
Swifts
Order: ApodiformesApodiformes
Traditionally, the bird order Apodiformes contained three living families: the swifts , the tree swifts , and the hummingbirds . In the Sibley-Ahlquist taxonomy, this order is raised to a superorder Apodimorphae in which hummingbirds are separated as a new order, Trochiliformes...
. Family: Apodidae
Swift
Swift
The swifts are a family, Apodidae, of highly aerial birds. They are superficially similar to swallows, but are actually not closely related to passerine species at all; swifts are in the separate order Apodiformes, which they share with hummingbirds...
s are small aerial birds, spending 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 that resemble a crescent or a boomerang. There are 98 species worldwide and 9 species which occur in Rwanda.
- Scarce SwiftScarce SwiftThe Scarce Swift is a species of swift in the Apodidae family.It is found in Angola, Burundi, Cameroon, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Rwanda, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.-References:* BirdLife International 2004. . ...
Schoutedenapus myoptilus - African Palm-Swift Cypsiurus parvus
- Alpine SwiftAlpine SwiftThe Alpine Swift syn. is a species of Swift. The bird is superficially similar to a large Barn Swallow or House Martin. It is, however, completely unrelated to those passerine species, since swifts are in the order Apodiformes...
Tachymarptis melba - Mottled SwiftMottled SwiftThe Mottled Swift is a species of bird in the swift family, Apodidae. It is one of two species in the genus Tachymarptis together with the Alpine Swift . It occurs widely in eastern Africa and locally in western Africa...
Tachymarptis aequatorialis - Common SwiftCommon SwiftThe Common Swift is a small bird, superficially similar to the Barn Swallow or House Martin. It is, however, completely unrelated to those passerine species, since swifts are in the separate order Apodiformes...
Apus apus - African SwiftAfrican SwiftThe African Black Swift or African Swift, Apus barbatus, is a small bird in the swift family. It breeds in Africa discontinuously from Liberia, Cameroon, Zaire, Uganda and Kenya south to South Africa, and on Madagascar. The breeding habitat is damp mountains, typically between 1,600 - 2,400 m,...
Apus barbatus - Little SwiftLittle SwiftThe Little Swift , is a small bird, superficially similar to a Barn Swallow or House Martin. It is, however, completely unrelated to those passerine species, since swifts are in the order Apodiformes. The resemblances between the groups are due to convergent evolution reflecting similar life styles...
Apus affinis - Horus SwiftHorus SwiftThe Horus Swift, Apus horus, is a small bird in the swift family. It breeds in sub-Saharan Africa. It has an extensive continuous distribution from eastern and southern South Africa north to southern Zambia and central Mozambique, and has recently colonised the De Hoop Nature Reserve area of the...
Apus horus - White-rumped SwiftWhite-rumped SwiftThe White-rumped Swift is a small swift. Although this bird is superficially similar to a House Martin, it is completely unrelated to that passerine species. The resemblances between the swallows and swifts are due to convergent evolution reflecting similar life styles.Swifts have very short legs...
Apus caffer
Mousebirds
Order: Coliiformes. Family: ColiidaeThe mousebirds are slender greyish or brown birds with soft, hairlike body feathers and very long thin tails. They are arboreal and scurry through the leaves like rodents in search of berries, fruit and buds. They are acrobatic, and can feed upside down. All species have strong claws and reversible outer toes. They also have crests and stubby bills. There are 6 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in Rwanda.
- Speckled MousebirdSpeckled MousebirdThe Speckled Mousebird is the largest species of mousebird, as well as one of the most common.- Description :This bird is about 35 cm long, with the tail comprising approximately half the length, and weighs about 57 grams...
Colius striatus - Blue-naped MousebirdBlue-naped MousebirdThe Blue-naped Mousebird, Urocolius macrourus, is a bird found in the drier parts of eastern Africa. It has also been known as the "Blue-naped Coly" under binomial Colius macrourus.- Physical characteristics :...
Urocolius macrourus
Trogons and Quetzals
Order: Trogoniformes. Family: TrogonidaeThe family Trogonidae includes trogons and quetzals. Found in tropical woodlands worldwide, they feed on insects and fruit, and their broad bills and weak legs reflect their diet and arboreal habits. Although their flight is fast, they are reluctant to fly any distance. Trogons have soft, often colourful, feathers with distinctive male and female plumage. There are 33 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in Rwanda.
- Narina TrogonNarina TrogonThe Narina Trogon, Apaloderma narina, is a medium-sized , largely green forest bird in the Trogonidae family, the most widespread and catholic in habitat choice of three Apaloderma trogons...
Apaloderma narina - Bar-tailed TrogonBar-tailed TrogonThe Bar-tailed Trogon is a species of bird in the Trogonidae family.-Distribution and habitat:It is found in Angola, Burundi, Cameroon, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Nigeria, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia...
Apaloderma vittatum
Kingfishers
Order: CoraciiformesCoraciiformes
The Coraciiformes are a group of usually colorful near passerine birds including the kingfishers, the Hoopoe, the bee-eaters, the rollers, and the hornbills...
. Family: Alcedinidae
Kingfishers are medium-sized birds with large heads, long pointed bills, short legs, and stubby tails. There are 93 species worldwide and 9 species which occur in Rwanda.
- Shining-blue Kingfisher Alcedo quadribrachys
- Malachite KingfisherMalachite KingfisherThe Malachite Kingfisher is a river kingfisher which is widely distributed in Africa south of the Sahara. It is largely resident except for seasonal climate related movements....
Alcedo cristata - African Pygmy-KingfisherAfrican Pygmy-KingfisherThe African Pygmy Kingfisher is a small insectivorous kingfisher found in the Afrotropics, mostly in woodland habitats. Some texts refer to this species as Ceyx pictus.-Description:...
Ispidina picta - Gray-headed Kingfisher Halcyon leucocephala
- Woodland KingfisherWoodland KingfisherThe Woodland Kingfisher is a tree kingfisher.-Description:This is a medium-sized kingfisher, 20–23 cm in length. The adult has a bright blue back, wing panel and tail. Its head, neck and underparts are white, and its shoulders are black. The flight of the Woodland Kingfisher is rapid and direct...
Halcyon senegalensis - Blue-breasted KingfisherBlue-breasted KingfisherThe Blue-breasted Kingfisher, Halcyon malimbica, is a tree kingfisher which is widely distributed in tropical west Africa. This kingfisher is essentially resident, but retreats from drier savanna areas to wetter habitats in the dry season....
Halcyon malimbica - Striped KingfisherStriped KingfisherThe Striped Kingfisher is a species of bird in the tree kingfisher family. It was first described by Edward, Lord Stanley, in Salt's Voyage to Abyssinia in 1814 as "Chelicut Kingfisher" Alaudo Chelicuti....
Halcyon chelicuti - Giant KingfisherGiant KingfisherThe Giant Kingfisher is the largest kingfisher in Africa, where it is a resident breeding bird over most of the continent south of the Sahara Desert other than the arid southwest....
Megaceryle maximus - Pied KingfisherPied KingfisherThe Pied Kingfisher is a water kingfisher and is found widely distributed across Africa and Asia. Their black and white plumage, crest and the habit of hovering over clear lakes and rivers before diving for fish makes it distinctive. Males have a double band across the breast while females have a...
Ceryle rudis
Bee-eaters
Order: CoraciiformesCoraciiformes
The Coraciiformes are a group of usually colorful near passerine birds including the kingfishers, the Hoopoe, the bee-eaters, the rollers, and the hornbills...
. Family: Meropidae
The bee-eaters are a group of near passerine
Near passerine
Near passerine or higher land-bird assemblage are terms often given to arboreal birds or those most often believed to be related to the true passerines due to ecological similarities; the group corresponds to some extent with the Anomalogonatae of Garrod All near passerines are land birds...
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 colorful and have long downturned bills and pointed wings, which give them a swallow-like appearance when seen from afar. There are 26 species worldwide and 10 species which occur in Rwanda.
- White-fronted Bee-eaterWhite-fronted Bee-eaterThe White-fronted Bee-eater, Merops bullockoides, is a species of bee-eater widely distributed in sub-equatorial Africa.They have a distinctive white forehead, a square tail and a bright red patch on their throat...
Merops bullockoides - Little Bee-eaterLittle Bee-eaterThe little Bee-eater, Merops pusillus is a near passerine bird in the bee-eater family Meropidae. It is resident in much of sub-Saharan Africa. It should not be confused with the Little Green Bee-eater, Merops orientalis. Migration is limited to seasonal movements depending on rainfall...
Merops pusillus - Blue-breasted Bee-eaterBlue-breasted Bee-eaterThe Blue-breasted Bee-eater is a species of bird in the Meropidae family.It is found in Angola, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, and...
Merops variegatus - Cinnamon-chested Bee-eaterCinnamon-chested Bee-eaterThe cinnamon-chested bee-eater is a species of bird in the Meropidae family.It is found in Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda....
Merops oreobates - Swallow-tailed Bee-eaterSwallow-tailed Bee-eaterThe Swallow-tailed Bee-eater is a near passerine bird in the bee-eater family Meropidae. It breeds in savannah woodlands of sub-Saharan Africa. It is partially migratory, moving in response to rainfall patterns....
Merops hirundineus - White-throated Bee-eaterWhite-throated Bee-eaterThe White-throated Bee-eater, Merops albicollis is a near passerine bird in the bee-eater family Meropidae. It breeds in semi-desert along the southern edge of the Sahara, Africa...
Merops albicollis - Blue-cheeked Bee-eaterBlue-cheeked Bee-eaterThe Blue-cheeked Bee-eater, Merops persicus, is a near passerine bird in the bee-eater family, Meropidae. It breeds in Northern Africa, and the Middle East from eastern Turkey to Kazakhstan and India. It is generally strongly migratory, wintering in tropical Africa, although some populations breed...
Merops persicus - Madagascar Bee-eaterMadagascar Bee-eaterThe Olive Bee-eater, is a near passerine bee-eater species in the genus Merops.-References: Database entry includes justification for why this species is of least concern...
Merops superciliosus - European Bee-eaterEuropean Bee-eaterThe European Bee-eater, Merops apiaster, is a near passerine bird in the bee-eater family Meropidae. It breeds in southern Europe and in parts of north Africa and western Asia. It is strongly migratory, wintering in tropical Africa, India and Sri Lanka...
Merops apiaster - Southern Carmine Bee-eaterSouthern Carmine Bee-eaterThe Southern Carmine Bee-eater occurs across sub-equatorial Africa, ranging from KwaZulu-Natal and Namibia to Gabon, eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo and Kenya....
Merops nubicoides
Typical rollers
Order: CoraciiformesCoraciiformes
The Coraciiformes are a group of usually colorful near passerine birds including the kingfishers, the Hoopoe, the bee-eaters, the rollers, and the hornbills...
. Family: Coraciidae
Rollers resemble crow
Crow
Crows form the genus Corvus in the family Corvidae. Ranging in size from the relatively small pigeon-size jackdaws to the Common Raven of the Holarctic region and Thick-billed Raven of the highlands of Ethiopia, the 40 or so members of this genus occur on all temperate continents and several...
s in size and build, but are more closely related to the kingfisher
Kingfisher
Kingfishers are a group of small to medium sized brightly coloured birds in the order Coraciiformes. They have a cosmopolitan distribution, with most species being found in the Old World and Australia...
s and bee-eater
Bee-eater
The bee-eaters are a group of near-passerine birds in the family Meropidae. Most species are found in Africa and Asia but others occur in southern Europe, Australia, and New Guinea. They are characterised by richly coloured plumage, slender bodies, and usually elongated central tail feathers...
s. They share the colourful appearance of those groups with blues and browns predominating. The two inner front toes are connected, but the outer toe is not. There are 12 species worldwide and 5 species which occur in Rwanda.
- European RollerEuropean RollerThe European Roller, Coracias garrulus, is the only member of the roller family of birds to breed in Europe. Its overall range extends into the Middle East and Central Asia and Morocco....
Coracias garrulus - Lilac-breasted RollerLilac-breasted RollerThe Lilac-breasted Roller is a member of the roller family of birds. It is widely distributed in sub-Saharan Africa and the southern Arabian Peninsula, preferring open woodland and savanna; it is largely absent from treeless places...
Coracias caudata - Rufous-crowned RollerRufous-crowned RollerThe Purple Roller , also called the Rufous-crowned Roller, is found over sub-Saharan Africa to as far south as Namibia and the Transvaal. Compared with other rollers its colours are rather dull and its voice rather harsh and grating...
Coracias naevia - Broad-billed RollerBroad-billed RollerThe Broad-billed Roller, Eurystomus glaucurus, is a member of the roller family of birds which breeds across tropical Africa and Madagascar in all but the driest regions. It is a wet season breeder, which migrates from the northern and southern areas of its range towards the moister equatorial...
Eurystomus glaucurus - Blue-throated RollerBlue-throated RollerThe Blue-throated Roller is a species of bird in the Coraciidae family.It is found in Angola, Benin, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Nigeria, Sierra...
Eurystomus gularis
Hoopoes
Order: CoraciiformesCoraciiformes
The Coraciiformes are a group of usually colorful near passerine birds including the kingfishers, the Hoopoe, the bee-eaters, the rollers, and the hornbills...
. Family: Upupidae
Hoopoes have black, white and orangey-pink colouring with a large erectile crest on their head. There are 2 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Rwanda.
- HoopoeHoopoeThe Hoopoe is a colourful bird that is found across Afro-Eurasia, notable for its distinctive 'crown' of feathers. It is the only extant species in the family Upupidae. One insular species, the Giant Hoopoe of Saint Helena, is extinct, and the Madagascar subspecies of the Hoopoe is sometimes...
Upupa epops
Woodhoopoes
Order: CoraciiformesCoraciiformes
The Coraciiformes are a group of usually colorful near passerine birds including the kingfishers, the Hoopoe, the bee-eaters, the rollers, and the hornbills...
. Family: Phoeniculidae
The woodhoopoes are related to the kingfisher
Kingfisher
Kingfishers are a group of small to medium sized brightly coloured birds in the order Coraciiformes. They have a cosmopolitan distribution, with most species being found in the Old World and Australia...
s, roller
Roller
The rollers are an Old World family, Coraciidae, of near passerine birds. The group gets its name from the aerial acrobatics some of these birds perform during courtship or territorial flights. Rollers resemble crows in size and build, and share the colourful appearance of kingfishers and...
s and hoopoe
Hoopoe
The Hoopoe is a colourful bird that is found across Afro-Eurasia, notable for its distinctive 'crown' of feathers. It is the only extant species in the family Upupidae. One insular species, the Giant Hoopoe of Saint Helena, is extinct, and the Madagascar subspecies of the Hoopoe is sometimes...
. They most resemble the last species with their long curved bills, used for probing for insects, and short rounded wings. However, they differ in that they have metallic plumage
Plumage
Plumage refers both to the layer of feathers that cover a bird and the pattern, colour, and arrangement of those feathers. The pattern and colours of plumage vary between species and subspecies and can also vary between different age classes, sexes, and season. Within species there can also be a...
, often blue, green or purple, and lack an erectile crest. There are 8 species worldwide and 4 species which occur in Rwanda.
- Green Woodhoopoe Phoeniculus purpureus
- White-headed WoodhoopoeWhite-headed WoodhoopoeThe White-headed Wood Hoopoe is a species of bird in the Phoeniculidae family. It is found in Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Liberia, Mali, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda.-References:* BirdLife...
Phoeniculus bollei - Forest WoodhoopoeForest WoodhoopoeThe Forest Wood Hoopoe is a species of bird in the Phoeniculidae family. It is found in Cameroon, Central African Republic, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Nigeria, Rwanda, and Uganda.-References:* BirdLife International 2004. . ...
Phoeniculus castaneiceps - Common Scimitar-bill Rhinopomastus cyanomelas
Hornbills
Order: CoraciiformesCoraciiformes
The Coraciiformes are a group of usually colorful near passerine birds including the kingfishers, the Hoopoe, the bee-eaters, the rollers, and the hornbills...
. Family: Bucerotidae
Hornbills are a group of birds whose bill is shaped like a cow's horn, but without a twist, sometimes with a casque on the upper mandible. Frequently, the bill is brightly coloured. There are 57 species worldwide and 5 species which occur in Rwanda.
- Red-billed Dwarf HornbillRed-billed Dwarf HornbillThe Red-billed Dwarf Hornbill is a species of hornbill in the Bucerotidae family.It is found in Angola, Benin, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Sudan,...
Tockus camurus - Crowned HornbillCrowned HornbillThe Crowned Hornbill, Tockus alboterminatus, is an African hornbill. It is a medium-sized bird, with a length between 50 and 54 cm, and it is characterized by its white belly and black back and wings. The tips of the long tail feathers are white. The eyes are yellow; the beak is red and...
Tockus alboterminatus - African Gray Hornbill Tockus nasutus
- Black-and-white-casqued HornbillBlack-and-white-casqued HornbillThe Black-and-white-casqued Hornbill, Bycanistes subcylindricus, also known as Grey-cheeked Hornbill, is a large, approximately 70 cm long, black and white hornbill. It has an over-sized blackish bill with large casque on top...
Ceratogymna subcylindricus - Southern Ground-HornbillSouthern Ground-hornbillThe Southern Ground Hornbill or cafer , is one of two species of ground hornbill and is the largest species of hornbill....
Bucorvus leadbeateri
Barbets
Order: PiciformesPiciformes
Nine families of largely arboreal birds make up the order Piciformes, the best-known of them being the Picidae, which includes the woodpeckers and close relatives...
. Family: Capitonidae
The barbets are plump birds, with short necks and large heads. They get their name from the bristles which fringe their heavy bills. Most species are brightly coloured. There are 84 species worldwide and 13 species which occur in Rwanda.
- Gray-throated Barbet Gymnobucco bonapartei
- Western Tinkerbird Pogoniulus coryphaeus
- Yellow-rumped TinkerbirdYellow-rumped TinkerbirdThe Yellow-rumped Tinkerbird is a bird species in the family Lybiidae. It used to be placed in the family Bucconidae which has been split up; alternatively, it may be included in a vastly expanded Ramphastidae....
Pogoniulus bilineatus - Yellow-fronted TinkerbirdYellow-fronted TinkerbirdThe Yellow-fronted Tinkerbird, Pogoniulus chrysoconus, is a small African barbet formerly known as Yellow-fronted Tinker Barbet. Barbets are near passerine birds with bristles around the base of the bill and a world-wide tropical distribution....
Pogoniulus chrysoconus - Red-fronted TinkerbirdRed-fronted TinkerbirdThe Red-fronted Tinkerbird, Pogoniulus pusillus formerly known as Red-fronted Tinker Barbet is a small African barbet. Barbets are near passerine birds with bristles around the base of the bill...
Pogoniulus pusillus - Yellow-spotted BarbetYellow-spotted BarbetThe Yellow-spotted Barbet is a bird species in the monotypic genus Buccanodon. It belongs to the African barbet family which was formerly included in the Capitonidae and sometimes in the Ramphastidae....
Buccanodon duchaillui - Hairy-breasted BarbetHairy-breasted BarbetThe Hairy-breasted Barbet is a species of bird in the Lybiidae family.It is found in Angola, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Liberia, Mali, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone,...
Tricholaema hirsuta - Spot-flanked BarbetSpot-flanked BarbetThe Spot-flanked Barbet is a species of bird in the Lybiidae family.It is found in Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Rwanda, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia.-References:...
Tricholaema lachrymosa - Red-faced BarbetRed-faced BarbetThe Red-faced Barbet is a species of bird in the African barbet family Lybiidae.It is found in Burundi, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda.Its natural habitats are dry savanna, moist savanna, and arable land....
Lybius rubrifacies - Black-collared BarbetBlack-collared BarbetThe Black-collared Barbet is a species of bird in the Lybiidae family.It is found in sub-Saharan Africa through Angola, Botswana, Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.Readily...
Lybius torquatus - Double-toothed BarbetDouble-toothed BarbetThe Double-toothed Barbet is a species of bird in the Lybiidae family. It is found in Angola, Benin, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Liberia,...
Lybius bidentatus - Yellow-billed BarbetYellow-billed BarbetThe Yellow-billed Barbet is a species of bird in the Lybiidae family.It is found in Angola, Benin, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Liberia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sierra...
Trachyphonus purpuratus - Crested BarbetCrested BarbetThe Crested Barbet is a species of bird in the Lybiidae family.-Appearance:With its thick bill and very colourful plumage the Crested Barbet is unmistakable. This small bird has a speckled yellow and red face with a small black crest. The belly is yellow with red speckles, wings are black with...
Trachyphonus vaillantii
Honeyguides
Order: PiciformesPiciformes
Nine families of largely arboreal birds make up the order Piciformes, the best-known of them being the Picidae, which includes the woodpeckers and close relatives...
. Family: Indicatoridae
Honeyguides are among the few birds that feed on wax
Wax
thumb|right|[[Cetyl palmitate]], a typical wax ester.Wax refers to a class of chemical compounds that are plastic near ambient temperatures. Characteristically, they melt above 45 °C to give a low viscosity liquid. Waxes are insoluble in water but soluble in organic, nonpolar solvents...
. They are named for the behaviour of the Greater Honeyguide
Greater Honeyguide
The Greater Honeyguide is a bird in the family Indicatoridae, paleotropical near passerine birds related to the woodpeckers. Its English and scientific names refer to its habit of guiding people to bee colonies....
which leads large animals to bees' nests and then feeds on the wax once the animal has broken the nest open to get at the honey. There are 17 species worldwide and 9 species which occur in Rwanda.
- Scaly-throated HoneyguideScaly-throated HoneyguideThe Scaly-throated Honeyguide is a species of bird in the Indicatoridae family.It is found in Angola, Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Rwanda, Somalia, South Africa, Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.-References:* BirdLife...
Indicator variegatus - Greater HoneyguideGreater HoneyguideThe Greater Honeyguide is a bird in the family Indicatoridae, paleotropical near passerine birds related to the woodpeckers. Its English and scientific names refer to its habit of guiding people to bee colonies....
Indicator indicator - Lesser HoneyguideLesser HoneyguideThe Lesser Honeyguide is a species of bird in the Indicatoridae family.It is found in Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia,...
Indicator minor - Thick-billed HoneyguideThick-billed HoneyguideThe Thick-billed Honeyguide is a bird of the honeyguide family Indicatoridae. It has been reported interbreeding with the related Lesser Honeyguide and the two are sometimes treated as a single species....
Indicator conirostris - Willcock's Honeyguide Indicator willcocksi (A)
- Least HoneyguideLeast HoneyguideThe Least Honeyguide is a species of bird in the Indicatoridae family.It is found in Angola, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Liberia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sierra...
Indicator exilis - Dwarf HoneyguideDwarf HoneyguideThe Dwarf Honeyguide is a species of bird in the Indicatoridae family.It is found in Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, Uganda, and possibly Burundi.Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist montanes....
Indicator pumilio - Green-backed HoneyguideGreen-backed HoneyguideThe Green-backed Honeybird , also known as the Eastern Green-backed Honeyguide or Green-backed Honeyguide, is a species of bird in the Indicatoridae family....
Prodotiscus zambesiae - Wahlberg's HoneyguideWahlberg's HoneyguideThe Brown-backed Honeybird , also known as the Wahlberg's Honeybird or Wahlberg's Honeyguide, is a species of bird in the Indicatoridae family....
Prodotiscus regulus
Woodpeckers and allies
Order: PiciformesPiciformes
Nine families of largely arboreal birds make up the order Piciformes, the best-known of them being the Picidae, which includes the woodpeckers and close relatives...
. Family: Picidae
Picidae
The woodpeckers, piculets and wrynecks are a family, Picidae, of near-passerine birds. Members of this family are found worldwide, except for Australia and New Zealand, Madagascar, and the extreme polar regions...
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. There are 218 species worldwide and 12 species which occur in Rwanda.
- Rufous-necked WryneckRufous-necked WryneckThe Red-throated Wryneck, Jynx ruficollis, is a species of wryneck in the woodpecker family. It is also known as the Rufous-necked Wryneck, Red-breasted Wryneck, African Wryneck or Rufous-throated Wryneck....
Jynx ruficollis - Bennett's WoodpeckerBennett's WoodpeckerThe Bennett's Woodpecker is a species of bird in the Picidae family.It is found in Angola, Botswana, Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.-References:* BirdLife International 2004. . Downloaded...
Campethera bennettii - Golden-tailed WoodpeckerGolden-tailed WoodpeckerThe Golden-tailed Woodpecker is a species of bird in the Picidae family.It is found in Angola, Benin, Botswana, Canada, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Malawi, Mali,...
Campethera abingoni - Green-backed WoodpeckerGreen-backed WoodpeckerThe Green-backed Woodpecker is a species of bird in the Picidae family.It is found in Angola, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Nigeria, Rwanda, Somalia, Sudan,...
Campethera cailliautii - Tullberg's WoodpeckerTullberg's WoodpeckerTullberg's Woodpecker is a species of bird in the Picidae family.It is found in Burundi, Cameroon, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda.-References:...
Campethera tullbergi - Buff-spotted WoodpeckerBuff-spotted WoodpeckerThe Buff-spotted Woodpecker is a species of bird in the Picidae family.It is found in Angola, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania,...
Campethera nivosa - Speckle-breasted WoodpeckerSpeckle-breasted WoodpeckerThe Speckle-breasted Woodpecker is a species of bird in the Picidae family.It is found in Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sudan, and Uganda....
Dendropicos poecilolaemus - Cardinal WoodpeckerCardinal WoodpeckerThe Cardinal Woodpecker, Dendropicos fuscescens, is a widespread and common resident breeder in much of sub-Saharan Africa. It is a species found in a wide range of habitats from dense forest to thornbush...
Dendropicos fuscescens - Bearded WoodpeckerBearded WoodpeckerThe Bearded Woodpecker is a species of bird in the Picidae family.It is found in Angola, Botswana, Central African Republic, Chad, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, Somalia, South Africa, Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and...
Dendropicos namaquus - Elliot's WoodpeckerElliot's WoodpeckerElliot's Woodpecker is a species of bird in the Picidae family.It is found in Angola, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Nigeria, Rwanda, and Uganda.-References:* BirdLife International 2004. . Downloaded on...
Dendropicos elliotii - Gray Woodpecker Dendropicos goertae
- Olive WoodpeckerOlive WoodpeckerThe Olive Woodpecker is a species of bird in the Picidae family.It is found in Angola, Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.-References:* BirdLife International 2004. . Downloaded on 27...
Dendropicos griseocephalus
Pittas
Order: Passeriformes. Family: PittidaePittas are medium-sized by passerine standards, and stocky, with fairly long, strong legs, short tails and stout bills. Many, but not all, are brightly coloured. They are spend the majority of their time on wet forest floors, eating snails, insects and similar invertebrate prey which they find there. There are 32 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Rwanda.
- African PittaAfrican PittaThe African Pitta, Pitta angolensis, is a species of bird in the Pittidae family.It is found in Angola, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, Malawi, Mozambique,...
Pitta angolensis
Larks
Order: Passeriformes. Family: AlaudidaeLarks are small terrestrial birds with often extravagant songs and display flights. Most larks are fairly dull in appearance. Their food is insects and seeds. There are 91 species worldwide and 4 species which occur in Rwanda.
- Rufous-naped LarkRufous-naped LarkThe Rufous-naped Lark is a species of lark in the Alaudidae family.- Range :The Rufous-naped lark's range is very large, with an estimated global Extent of Occurrence of 5,600,000 square km...
Mirafra africana - Flappet LarkFlappet LarkThe Flappet Lark is a species of lark in the Alaudidae family.- Range and population :Mirafra rufocinnamomea has a large range covering much of the African continent with an estimated global Extent of Occurrence of 10,000,000 square km...
Mirafra rufocinnamomea - Fischer's Sparrow-LarkFischer's Sparrow-larkThe Fischer's sparrow-lark is a species of passerine bird in the Alaudidae family.It is found in Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Malawi, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia....
Eremopterix leucopareia - Red-capped LarkRed-capped LarkThe Red-capped Lark, Calandrella cinerea, is a small passerine bird. This lark breeds in the highlands of eastern Africa southwards from Ethiopia and northern Somalia. In the south, its range stretches across the continent to Angola and south to the Cape in South Africa.This is a species of short...
Calandrella cinerea
Swallows and martins
Order: Passeriformes. Family: HirundinidaeThe Hirundinidae family is a group of passerines characterized by their adaptation to aerial feeding. Their adaptations include a slender streamlined body, long pointed wings and short bills with wide gape. The feet are designed for perching rather than walking, and the front toes are partially joined at the base. There are 75 species worldwide and 16 species which occur in Rwanda.
- Bank Swallow Riparia riparia
- Plain Martin Riparia paludicola
- Banded MartinBanded MartinThe Banded Martin or Banded Sand Martin, Riparia cincta, is a small passerine bird in the swallow family.The Banded Martin is found in open habitats such as farmland, grassland and savannah, usually near water...
Riparia cincta - Gray-rumped Swallow Pseudhirundo griseopyga
- Rock Martin Ptyonoprogne fuligula
- Barn SwallowBarn SwallowThe Barn Swallow is the most widespread species of swallow in the world. It is a distinctive passerine bird with blue upperparts, a long, deeply forked tail and curved, pointed wings. It is found in Europe, Asia, Africa and the Americas...
Hirundo rustica - Angola SwallowAngola SwallowThe Angola Swallow is a species of bird in the Hirundinidae family.It is found in Angola, Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gabon, Kenya, Malawi, Namibia, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia.-References:...
Hirundo angolensis - Wire-tailed SwallowWire-tailed SwallowThe Wire-tailed Swallow is a small passerine bird in the swallow family. Swallows are somewhat similar in habits and appearance to other aerial insectivores, such as the related martins and the unrelated swifts ....
Hirundo smithii - Blue SwallowBlue SwallowBlue Swallow is a 2005 South Korean film based on the true story of Park Kyung-won, an early Korean female pilot. The film became controversial when Park's alleged pro-Japanese activities came to light...
Hirundo atrocaerulea - Lesser Striped-Swallow Cecropis abyssinica
- Rufous-chested SwallowRufous-chested SwallowThe Rufous-chested Swallow , also known as the Red-breasted Swallow, is a large swallow. It breeds in equatorial Africa, although most common in the east. It is partially migratory, following the rains beyond the breeding range in the wet season.This is a bird of dry open country...
Cecropis semirufa - Mosque SwallowMosque SwallowThe Mosque Swallow is a large swallow. It is a resident breeder in much of sub-Saharan Africa, although most common in the west. It does not migrate, but will follow the rains to some extent....
Cecropis senegalensis - Red-rumped SwallowRed-rumped SwallowThe Red-rumped Swallow is a small passerine bird in the swallow family. It breeds in open hilly country of temperate southern Europe and Asia from Portugal and Spain to Japan, India and tropical Africa. The Indian and African birds are resident, but European and other Asian birds are migratory...
Cecropis daurica - Common House-Martin Delichon urbica
- White-headed SawwingWhite-headed SawwingThe White-headed Saw-wing , also known as the White-headed Rough-winged Swallow is a species of bird in the Hirundinidae family....
Psalidoprocne albiceps - Blue Sawwing Psalidoprocne pristoptera
Wagtails and pipits
Order: Passeriformes. Family: MotacillidaeMotacillidae
The Motacillidae are a family of small passerine birds with medium to long tails. There are around 65 species in 6 genera and they include the wagtails, longclaws and pipits. The longclaws are entirely restricted to the Afrotropics, and the wagtails are predominately found in Europe, Africa and...
The Motacillidae are a family of small passerine birds with medium to long tails. They include the wagtails, longclaws and pipits. They are slender, ground feeding insectivores of open country. There are 54 species worldwide and 14 species which occur in Rwanda.
- White WagtailWhite Wagtail"Pied Wagtail" redirects here. For the related African bird, see African Pied Wagtail.The White Wagtail is a small passerine bird in the wagtail family Motacillidae, which also includes the pipits and longclaws. This species breeds in much of Europe and Asia and parts of north Africa...
Motacilla alba - African Pied WagtailAfrican Pied WagtailThe African Pied Wagtail is a species of bird in the Motacillidae family.-Habitat and distribution:It is found in Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Egypt, Equatorial...
Motacilla aguimp - Cape WagtailCape WagtailThe Cape Wagtail is a small passerine bird in the family Motacillidae, which includes the wagtails, pipits and longclaws....
Motacilla capensis - Yellow Wagtail Motacilla flava
- Gray Wagtail Motacilla cinerea
- Mountain WagtailMountain WagtailThe Mountain Wagtail , also known as the Long-tailed Wagtail, is a species of bird in the Motacillidae family....
Motacilla clara - Yellow-throated LongclawYellow-throated LongclawThe Yellow-throated Longclaw is a species of bird in the Motacillidae family.It is found in Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya,...
Macronyx croceus - Striped PipitStriped PipitThe Striped Pipit is a species of bird in the Motacillidae family.It is found in Angola, Botswana, Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Rwanda, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.Its natural habitat is dry savanna.-References:* BirdLife...
Anthus lineiventris - Plain-backed Pipit Anthus leucophrys
- African PipitAfrican PipitThe African Pipit is a fairly small passerine bird belonging to the pipit genus Anthus in the family Motacillidae. It is also known as the Grassveld Pipit or Grassland Pipit...
Anthus cinnamomeus - Long-billed PipitLong-billed PipitThe Long-billed Pipit or Brown Rock Pipit is a passerine bird which has a wide distribution. A number of subspecies have been created for the populations in Africa, through the Arabian peninsula and South Asia. The systematics of this complex is yet to be clarified...
Anthus similis - Short-tailed PipitShort-tailed PipitThe Short-tailed Pipit is a species of bird in the Motacillidae family.It is found in Angola, Burundi, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gabon, Mozambique, Rwanda, Somalia, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical...
Anthus brachyurus - Tree PipitTree PipitTree Pipit, Anthus trivialis, is a small passerine bird which breeds across most of Europe and temperate western and central Asia. It is a long-distance migrant moving in winter to Africa and southern Asia....
Anthus trivialis - Red-throated PipitRed-throated PipitThe Red-throated Pipit is a small passerine bird which breeds in the far north of Europe and Asia, with a foothold in northern Alaska. It is a long-distance migrant moving in winter to Africa, south and east Asia and west coast USA...
Anthus cervinus
Cuckoo-shrikes
Order: Passeriformes. Family: CampephagidaeThe cuckoo-shrikes are small to medium-sized passerine birds. They are predominantly greyish with white and black, although some species are brightly coloured. There are 82 species worldwide and 6 species which occur in Rwanda.
- White-breasted Cuckoo-shrikeWhite-breasted Cuckoo-shrikeThe White-breasted Cuckooshrike is a species of bird in the Campephagidae family.It is found in Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Ethiopia, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Malawi, Mali,...
Coracina pectoralis (A) - Gray Cuckoo-shrike Coracina caesia
- Petit's Cuckoo-shrikePetit's Cuckoo-shrikeThe Petit's Cuckooshrike is a species of bird in the Campephagidae family.It is found in Angola, Cameroon, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gabon, Kenya, Nigeria, and Uganda....
Campephaga petiti - Black Cuckoo-shrikeBlack Cuckoo-shrikeThe Black Cuckooshrike is a species of bird in the Campephagidae family.It is found in Angola, Botswana, Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, Somalia, South Africa, Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.Its natural...
Campephaga flava - Red-shouldered Cuckoo-shrikeRed-shouldered Cuckoo-shrikeThe Red-shouldered Cuckooshrike is a species of bird in the Campephagidae family.It is found in Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya,...
Campephaga phoenicea - Purple-throated Cuckoo-shrikePurple-throated Cuckoo-shrikeThe Purple-throated Cuckooshrike is a species of bird in the Campephagidae family.It is found in Angola, Benin, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Liberia, Mali, Nigeria, Sierra...
Campephaga quiscalina
Bulbuls
Order: Passeriformes. Family: PycnonotidaeBulbuls are medium-sized songbirds. Some are colourful with yellow, red or orange vents, cheeks, throat or supercilia, but most are drab, with uniform olive brown to black plumage. Some species have distinct crests.There are 130 species worldwide and 12 species which occur in Rwanda.
- Common BulbulCommon BulbulThe Common Bulbul is a member of the bulbul family of passerine birds. It is a ubiquitous resident breeder throughout Africa...
Pycnonotus barbatus - Shelley's GreenbulShelley's GreenbulThe Shelley's Greenbul is a species of songbird in the Pycnonotidae family. It is found in Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Malawi, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry forests and subtropical or tropical moist montane forests.The...
Andropadus masukuensis - Little GreenbulLittle GreenbulThe Little Greenbul is a species of songbird in the Pycnonotidae family. It is found in Angola, Benin, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya,...
Andropadus virens - Plain GreenbulPlain GreenbulThe Plain Greenbul is a species of songbird in the Pycnonotidae family.It is found in Angola, Benin, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Liberia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sierra Leone,...
Andropadus curvirostris - Slender-billed GreenbulSlender-billed GreenbulThe Slender-billed Greenbul is a species of songbird in the Pycnonotidae family.It is found in Angola, Benin, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Liberia,...
Andropadus gracilirostris - Yellow-whiskered Bulbul Andropadus latirostris
- Eastern Mountain-Greenbul Andropadus nigriceps
- Yellow-throated GreenbulYellow-throated GreenbulThe Yellow-throated Greenbul is a species of songbird in the Pycnonotidae family.It is found in Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau,...
Chlorocichla flavicollis - Leaf-loveLeaf-loveThe Red-tailed Leaf-love, Pyrrhurus scandens, is a species of songbird in the Pycnonotidae family. It is monotypic within the genus Pyrrhurus.-Distribution and habitat:...
Phyllastrephus scandens - Cabanis's GreenbulCabanis's GreenbulThe Cabanis's Greenbul is a species of songbird in the Pycnonotidae family. It is found in Angola, Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Rwanda, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia...
Phyllastrephus cabanisi - Yellow-streaked BulbulYellow-streaked BulbulThe Yellow-streaked Greenbul or Yellow-streaked Bulbul is a species of songbird in the Pycnonotidae family. It is found in Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Rwanda, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe...
Phyllastrephus flavostriatus - Black-collared BulbulBlack-collared BulbulThe Black-collared Bulbul is a species of songbird in the Pycnonotidae family. It is monotypic within the genus Neolestes....
Neolestes torquatus
Thrushes and allies
Order: Passeriformes. Family: TurdidaeThe thrushes
Thrush (bird)
The thrushes, family Turdidae, are a group of passerine birds that occur worldwide.-Characteristics:Thrushes are plump, soft-plumaged, small to medium-sized birds, inhabiting wooded areas, and often feed on the ground or eat small fruit. The smallest thrush may be the Forest Rock-thrush, at and...
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. There are 335 species worldwide and 10 species which occur in Rwanda.
- Rufous Flycatcher-ThrushRufous Flycatcher-thrushFraser’s Rufous Thrush , also known as the Rufous Flycatcher-thrush, is a species of bird in the thrush family.-Distribution and habitat:...
Neocossyphus fraseri - White-tailed Ant-ThrushWhite-tailed Ant-thrushThe White-tailed Rufous Thrush , also known as the White-tailed Ant-thrush, is a species of bird in the Turdidae family. It is found in Angola, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya,...
Neocossyphus poensis - Miombo Rock-ThrushMiombo Rock-thrushThe Miombo Rock Thrush is a species of bird in the Muscicapidae family.It is found in Angola, Botswana, Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Malawi, Mozambique, Rwanda, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe....
Monticola angolensis - Rufous-tailed Rock-Thrush Monticola saxatilis
- Abyssinian Ground-ThrushAbyssinian Ground-thrushThe Abyssinian Ground-thrush Zoothera piaggiae is a passerine bird native to north-east Africa. It lives at high altitude in montane forests....
Zoothera piaggiae - Kivu Ground-ThrushKivu Ground-thrushThe Kivu Ground-thrush is a species of bird in the Turdidae family.It is found in Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, and Uganda.Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist montanes....
Zoothera tanganjicae - Olive ThrushOlive ThrushThe Olive Thrush is, in its range, one of the most common members of the thrush family . It occurs in east African highlands from Eritrea and Ethiopia in north to the Cape of Good Hope in south...
Turdus olivaceus - African ThrushAfrican ThrushThe African Thrush is a passerine bird in the thrush family Turdidae. It is common in well-wooded areas over much of sub-Saharan Africa. Populations are resident....
Turdus pelios - Brown-chested AletheBrown-chested AletheThe Brown-chested Alethe is a species of bird in the Turdidae family. It is found in Angola, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Liberia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sierra Leone,...
Alethe poliocephala - Red-throated AletheRed-throated AletheThe Red-throated Alethe is a species of bird in the Turdidae family.It is found in Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, and Uganda.Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist montanes.-References:...
Alethe poliophrys
Cisticolas and allies
Order: Passeriformes. Family: CisticolidaeCisticolidae
The Cisticolidae family of small passerine birds is a group of about 110 warblers found mainly in warmer southern regions of the Old World. They are often included within the Old World warbler family Sylviidae....
The Cisticolidae are warblers found mainly in warmer southern regions of the Old World. They are generally very small birds of drab brown or grey appearance found in open country such as grassland or scrub. There are 111 species worldwide and 32 species which occur in Rwanda.
- Red-faced CisticolaRed-faced CisticolaThe Red-faced Cisticola is a species of bird in the Cisticolidae family. It is found in Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Liberia,...
Cisticola erythrops - Singing CisticolaSinging CisticolaThe Singing Cisticola is a species of bird in the Cisticolidae family.It is found in Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Liberia, Malawi, Mali,...
Cisticola cantans - Trilling CisticolaTrilling CisticolaThe Trilling Cisticola is a species of bird in the Cisticolidae family.It is found in Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Malawi, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia....
Cisticola woosnami - Chubb's CisticolaChubb's CisticolaThe Chubb's Cisticola is a species of bird in the Cisticolidae family.It is found in Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda.-References:...
Cisticola chubbi - Rock-loving Cisticola Cisticola aberrans
- Rattling CisticolaRattling CisticolaThe Rattling Cisticola is a species of bird in the Cisticolidae family.It is found in Angola, Botswana, Burundi, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Somalia, South Africa, Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and...
Cisticola chiniana - Winding CisticolaWinding CisticolaThe Winding Cisticola is a species of bird in the Cisticolidae family. It has a scattered distribution across Africa south of the Sahara.-Taxonomy:...
Cisticola galactotes - Carruthers's CisticolaCarruthers's CisticolaThe Carruthers's Cisticola is a species of bird in the Cisticolidae family.It is found in Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda.Its natural habitat is swamps.-References:...
Cisticola carruthersi - Tinkling CisticolaLevaillant's CisticolaLevaillant's Cisticola or Tinkling Cisticola, Cisticola tinniens, is a small passerine bird Levaillant's Cisticola or Tinkling Cisticola, Cisticola tinniens, is a small passerine bird Levaillant's Cisticola or Tinkling Cisticola, Cisticola tinniens, is a small passerine bird (though Tinkling...
Cisticola tinniens - Stout CisticolaStout CisticolaThe Stout Cisticola is a species of bird in the Cisticolidae family. It is found in Angola, Burundi, Cameroon, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia...
Cisticola robustus - Croaking CisticolaCroaking CisticolaThe Croaking Cisticola, Cisticola natalensis, is an Old World warbler in the genus Cisticola. This genus is sometimes split off with various other southern warbler genera and given family status as the Cisticolidae....
Cisticola natalensis - Piping CisticolaPiping CisticolaThe Piping Cisticola, Cisticola fulvicapillus, is a small passerine bird. In South Africa it is known as the Neddicky from the Afrikaans name for the species....
Cisticola fulvicapillus - Tabora CisticolaTabora CisticolaThe Tabora Cisticola is a species of bird in the Cisticolidae family.It is found in Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia.Its natural habitat is dry savanna....
Cisticola angusticaudus - Siffling CisticolaSiffling CisticolaThe Short-winged Cisticola , also known as the Siffling Cisticola, is a species of bird in the Cisticolidae family...
Cisticola brachypterus - Zitting CisticolaZitting CisticolaThe Zitting Cisticola or Streaked Fantail Warbler , is widely distributed Old World warbler whose breeding range includes southern Europe, Africa outside the deserts and rainforest, and southern Asia down to northern Australia...
Cisticola juncidis - Wing-snapping CisticolaWing-snapping CisticolaThe Wing-snapping Cisticola , also known as Ayres' Cisticola, is a species of bird in the Cisticolidae family. Its scientific name honours South African ornithologist Thomas Ayres.-Distribution and habitat:...
Cisticola ayresii - Tawny-flanked PriniaTawny-flanked PriniaThe Tawny-flanked Prinia is a small passerine bird belonging to the genus Prinia in the family Cisticolidae, a family of Old World warblers. It is widespread and common in most parts of Africa south of the Sahara. The Plain Prinia The Tawny-flanked Prinia (Prinia subflava) is a small passerine...
Prinia subflava - White-chinned PriniaWhite-chinned PriniaThe White-chinned Prinia , also known as the White-chinned Warbler, is a species of bird in the Cisticolidae family.-Distribution and habitat:...
Prinia leucopogon - Banded PriniaBanded PriniaThe Banded Prinia is a species of bird in the Cisticolidae family.It is found in Angola, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda, and Uganda...
Prinia bairdii - Black-collared ApalisBlack-collared ApalisThe Black-collared Apalis is a species of bird in the Cisticolidae family. Formerly in genus Apalis, Nguembock et al. moved species to a new genus, Oreolais. It is found in Cameroon, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Nigeria, Sudan, and Uganda.-References:* BirdLife International 2004. . ...
Apalis pulchra - Ruwenzori Apalis Apalis ruwenzori
- Black-throated ApalisBlack-throated ApalisThe Black-throated Apalis is a species of bird in the Cisticolidae family.It is found in Angola, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda.Its natural habitat...
Apalis jacksoni - Black-faced ApalisBlack-faced ApalisThe Mountain Masked Apalis , also known as the Black-faced Apalis, is a species of bird in the Cisticolidae family. It is found in Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, and Uganda. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist montanes.-References:* BirdLife International...
Apalis personata - Yellow-breasted ApalisYellow-breasted ApalisThe Yellow-breasted Apalis is a species of bird in the Cisticolidae family.It is found in Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea,...
Apalis flavida - Buff-throated ApalisBuff-throated ApalisThe Buff-throated Apalis is a species of bird in the Cisticolidae family.It is found in Angola, Benin, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, and...
Apalis rufogularis - Chestnut-throated ApalisChestnut-throated ApalisThe Chestnut-throated Apalis is a species of bird in the cisticola family Cisticolidae. The Kabobo Apalis, originally described as a distinct species, is usually treated as a subspecies A. p. kaboboensis of the Chestnut-throated Apalis today. It is itself sometimes considered to be the same...
Apalis porphyrolaema - Gray Apalis Apalis cinerea
- Gray-capped Warbler Eminia lepida
- Green-backed Camaroptera Camaroptera brachyura
- Olive-green CamaropteraOlive-green CamaropteraThe Olive-green Camaroptera is a bird species in the family Cisticolidae.It is found in Benin, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Liberia, Mali, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal,...
Camaroptera chloronota - Miombo Camaroptera Calamonastes undosus
- Gray Wren-Warbler Calamonastes simplex
Old World warblers
Order: Passeriformes. Family: SylviidaeSylviidae
Sylviidae is a family of passerine birds that was part of an assemblage known as the Old World warblers. The family was formerly a wastebin taxon with over 400 species of bird in over 70 genera. The family was poorly defined with many characteristics shared with other families...
The family Sylviidae is a group of small insectivorous passerine birds. The Sylviidae 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. There are 291 species worldwide and 38 species which occur in Rwanda.
- African Bush-WarblerAfrican Bush-warblerThe African Bush-warbler or Little Rush-Warbler is a species of Old World warbler in the Locustellidae family....
Bradypterus baboecala - White-winged Scrub-WarblerWhite-winged Scrub-warblerThe White-winged Swamp Warbler , also known as the White-winged Scrub-warbler, is a species of Old World warbler in the Locustellidae family. It is found in Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia. Its natural habitat is swamps.-References:* BirdLife...
Bradypterus carpalis - Grauer's Scrub-WarblerGrauer's Scrub-warblerThe Grauer's Scrub-warbler is a species of Old World warbler in the Locustellidae family.It is found in Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, and Uganda....
Bradypterus graueri - Cameroon Scrub-WarblerCameroon Scrub-warblerThe Cameroon Scrub-Warbler is a grass warbler species in the family Locustellidae. It was formerly included in the "Old World warbler" assemblage. The Evergreen Forest Warbler The Cameroon Scrub-Warbler (Bradypterus lopezi) is a grass warbler species in the family Locustellidae. It was formerly...
Bradypterus lopezi - Cinnamon Bracken-WarblerCinnamon Bracken-warblerThe Cinnamon Bracken-warbler is a species of Old World warbler in the Locustellidae family.It is found in Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Rwanda, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia.Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist montanes and...
Bradypterus cinnamomeus - Black-faced Rufous-WarblerBlack-faced Rufous-warblerThe Black-Faced Rufous Warbler is a species of bird in the Cisticolidae family.It is found in Cameroon, Central African Republic, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Kenya, Rwanda, Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda.Its natural habitats are subtropical or...
Bathmocercus rufus - Moustached Grass-WarblerMoustached Grass-warblerThe Moustached Grass-Warbler is a species of African Warbler, formerly placed in the Sylviidae family.It is found in Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Ethiopia, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea,...
Melocichla mentalis - Sedge WarblerSedge WarblerThe Sedge Warbler is an Old World warbler in the genus Acrocephalus. It is a medium-sized warbler with a brown, streaked back and wings and a distinct pale supercilium. Sedge Warblers are migratory, crossing the Sahara to get from their European and Asian breeding grounds to spend winter in Africa...
Acrocephalus schoenobaenus - Eurasian Reed-Warbler Acrocephalus scirpaceus
- African Reed-WarblerAfrican Reed-warblerThe African Reed Warbler or African Marsh Warbler, Acrocephalus baeticatus, is an Old World warbler in the genus Acrocephalus. It breeds in much of Africa south of the Sahara...
Acrocephalus baeticatus - Marsh WarblerMarsh WarblerThe Marsh Warbler, Acrocephalus palustris, is an Old World warbler currently classified in the family Acrocephalidae. It breeds in temperate Europe and western Asia and winters mainly in south east Africa...
Acrocephalus palustris - Great Reed-Warbler Acrocephalus arundinaceus
- Greater Swamp-WarblerGreater Swamp-warblerThe Greater Swamp-warbler is a species of Old World warbler in the Acrocephalidae family.It is found in Angola, Botswana, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Ghana, Kenya, Mali, Mauritania, Namibia,...
Acrocephalus rufescens - Lesser Swamp-WarblerLesser Swamp-warblerThe Lesser Swamp Warbler or Cape Reed Warbler, Acrocephalus gracilirostris, is an Old World warbler in the genus Acrocephalus. It is a resident breeder in Africa from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Chad and Ethiopia south to South Africa...
Acrocephalus gracilirostris - Eastern Olivaceous WarblerEastern Olivaceous WarblerThe Eastern Olivaceous Warbler is a "warbler", formerly placed in the Old World warblers when these were a paraphyletic wastebin taxon. It is now considered a member of the acrocephaline warbelrs, Acrocephalidae, in the tree warbler genus Hippolais ...
Hippolais pallida - Icterine WarblerIcterine WarblerThe Icterine Warbler is an Old World warbler in the tree warbler genus Hippolais . It breeds in mainland Europe except the southwest, where it is replaced by its western counterpart, Melodious Warbler. It is migratory, wintering in sub-Saharan Africa...
Hippolais icterina - African Yellow Warbler Chloropeta natalensis
- Mountain Yellow Warbler Chloropeta similis
- Papyrus Yellow Warbler Chloropeta gracilirostris
- Buff-bellied WarblerBuff-bellied WarblerThe Buff-bellied Warbler is a species of bird in the Cisticolidae family. It is monotypic within the genus Phyllolais....
Phyllolais pulchella - Grauer's WarblerGrauer's WarblerGrauer's Warbler is a species of Old World warbler in the Sylviidae family.It is found in Burundi, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, and Uganda.Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist montane forests....
Graueria vittata - Yellow-bellied EremomelaYellow-bellied EremomelaThe Yellow-bellied Eremomela is an Old World warbler. However, the taxonomy of the "African warblers", an assemblage of usually species-poor and apparently rather ancient "odd warblers" from Africa is currently in a state of flux.The Yellow-bellied Eremomela is a common breeding species in Africa...
Eremomela icteropygialis - Greencap EremomelaGreencap EremomelaThe Greencap Eremomela is a species of Old World warbler in the Sylviidae family.It is found in Angola, Botswana, Burundi, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gabon, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.Its...
Eremomela scotops - White-browed CrombecWhite-browed CrombecThe White-browed Crombec is a species of African warbler, formerly placed in the family Sylviidae. The enigmatic Chapin's Crombec might be a distinct species, or a subspecies Sylvietta leucophrys chapini of the present species.The White-browed Crombec is found in Burundi, Democratic Republic of...
Sylvietta leucophrys - Red-faced CrombecRed-faced CrombecThe Red-faced Crombec is a species of African warbler, formerly placed in the family Sylviidae.It is found in Burundi, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zimbabwe....
Sylvietta whytii - Neumann's WarblerNeumann's WarblerThe Neumann's Warbler is a species of Old World warbler in the Sylviidae family.It is found in Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, and Uganda.Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist montanes....
Hemitesia neumanni - Green HyliaGreen HyliaThe Green Hylia is a songbird species traditionally included in the "Old World warbler" assemblage, but probably belonging to the bush-warbler family...
Hylia prasina - Red-faced Woodland-WarblerRed-faced Woodland-warblerThe Red-Faced Woodland-warbler is a species of Old World warbler in the family Phylloscopus. It forms a superspecies with the closely related Yellow-throated Woodland-warbler and the Laura's Woodland-warbler. Two subspecies are recognised, the nominate P. l...
Phylloscopus laetus - Brown Woodland-WarblerBrown Woodland-warblerThe Brown Woodland-Warbler is a species of Old World warbler in the Phylloscopidae family.-Distribution and habitat:...
Phylloscopus umbrovirens - Willow WarblerWillow WarblerThe Willow Warbler is a very common and widespread leaf warbler which breeds throughout northern and temperate Europe and Asia, from Ireland east to the Anadyr River basin in eastern Siberia...
Phylloscopus trochilus - Common Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita
- Wood WarblerWood WarblerThe Wood Warbler is a common and widespread leaf warbler which breeds throughout northern and temperate Europe, and just into the extreme west of Asia in the southern Ural Mountains...
Phylloscopus sibilatrix - Yellow-bellied HyliotaYellow-bellied HyliotaThe Yellow-Bellied Hyliota is a species of Old World warbler in the Sylviidae family.It is found in Angola, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya,...
Hyliota flavigaster - Violet-backed HyliotaViolet-backed HyliotaThe Violet-Backed Hyliota is a species of Old World warbler in the Sylviidae family.It is found in Benin, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, and...
Hyliota violacea - Fan-tailed GrassbirdFan-tailed GrassbirdThe Fan-tailed Grassbird or Broad-tailed Warbler is a species of Old World warbler in the Locustellidae family....
Schoenicola brevirostris - BlackcapBlackcapThe Blackcap is a common and widespread sylviid warbler which breeds throughout temperate Europe, western Asia and northwestern Africa, and winters from northwestern Europe south to tropical Africa...
Sylvia atricapilla - Garden WarblerGarden WarblerThe Garden Warbler, Sylvia borin, is a common and widespread typical warbler which breeds throughout northern and temperate Europe into western Asia. This small passerine bird is strongly migratory, and winters in central and southern Africa...
Sylvia borin - Greater Whitethroat Sylvia communis
Old World flycatchers
Order: Passeriformes. Family: MuscicapidaeOld 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 very varied, but they mostly have weak songs and harsh calls. There 274 species worldwide and 34 species which occur in Rwanda.
- Pale FlycatcherPale FlycatcherThe Pale Flycatcher is a bird species of the Old World flycatcher family Muscicapidae, found in Africa.- Range :It is found in Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Eritrea,...
Bradornis pallidus - White-eyed Slaty-Flycatcher Melaenornis fischeri
- Southern Black-Flycatcher Melaenornis pammelaina
- Yellow-eyed Black-Flycatcher Melaenornis ardesiacus
- Spotted FlycatcherSpotted FlycatcherThe Spotted Flycatcher, Muscicapa striata, is a small passerine bird in the Old World flycatcher family. It breeds in most of Europe and western Asia, and is migratory, wintering in Africa and south western Asia. It is declining in parts of its range....
Muscicapa striata - Swamp FlycatcherSwamp FlycatcherThe Swamp Flycatcher or Swamp Alseonax is a species of bird in the Muscicapidae family.It is found in Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal,...
Muscicapa aquatica - African Dusky FlycatcherAfrican Dusky FlycatcherThe African Dusky Flycatcher or Dusky Alseonax, Muscicapa adusta, is a small passerine bird of the Old World flycatcher family, Muscicapidae. It is a resident breeder in Africa from Nigeria, the Central African Republic, Sudan and Ethiopia south to South Africa...
Muscicapa adusta - Ashy FlycatcherAshy FlycatcherThe Ashy Flycatcher or Ashy Alseonax is a species of bird in the Muscicapidae family.It is found in Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea,...
Muscicapa caerulescens - Gray Tit-Flycatcher Myioparus plumbeus
- Collared FlycatcherCollared FlycatcherThe Collared Flycatcher, Ficedula albicollis, is a small passerine bird in the Old World flycatcher family, one of the four species of Western Palearctic black-and-white flycatchers. It breeds in southeast Europe and southwest Asia and is migratory, wintering in sub Sahara Africa...
Ficedula albicollis - Semicollared Flycatcher Ficedula semitorquata
- White-starred RobinWhite-starred RobinThe White-starred Robin is a species of bird in the Old World flycatcher and chat family Muscicapidae. It is also sometimes more simply called the Starred Robin. It is monotypic within the genus Pogonocichla. There are around twelve subspecies. The species is found in East and Southern Africa...
Pogonocichla stellata - Forest RobinForest robinThe forest robins are small Central and West African birds from the genus Stiphrornis. They have been placed in the family Turdidae, but are now generally placed in Muscicapidae in the group popularly known as chats. Traditionally, only a single species, the Forest Robin , has been recognized, but...
Stiphrornis erythrothorax - Equatorial AkalatEquatorial AkalatThe Equatorial Akalat is a species of bird in the Muscicapidae family.It is found in Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Rwanda, Sudan, and Uganda....
Sheppardia aequatorialis - White-bellied Robin-ChatWhite-bellied Robin-chatThe White-bellied Robin-chat is a species of bird in the Muscicapidae family. It is monotypic within the genus Cossyphicula....
Cossyphicula roberti - Archer's Robin-ChatArcher's Robin-chatThe Archer's Robin-chat is a species of bird in the Muscicapidae family.It is found in Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, and Uganda....
Cossypha archeri - Cape Robin-ChatCape Robin-ChatThe Cape Robin-Chat, Cossypha caffra, is a small passerine bird of the Old World flycatcher family Muscicapidae.It is a mainly resident breeder in southern and eastern Africa from Kenya south to Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Lesotho, and Swaziland...
Cossypha caffra - Gray-winged Robin-Chat Cossypha polioptera
- White-browed Robin-ChatWhite-browed Robin-chatThe White-browed Robin-chat is a species of bird in the Muscicapidae family.It is found in Angola, Botswana, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Gabon, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, Somalia, South...
Cossypha heuglini - Red-capped Robin-ChatRed-capped Robin-chatThe Red-capped Robin-chat is a species of bird in the Muscicapidae family.It is found in Angola, Botswana, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Gabon, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Somalia, South...
Cossypha natalensis - Snowy-crowned Robin-ChatSnowy-crowned Robin-chatThe Snowy-crowned Robin-chat is a species of bird in the Muscicapidae family. It is also known as the Snowy-headed Robin-chat....
Cossypha niveicapilla - Collared Palm-ThrushCollared Palm-thrushThe Collared Palm-thrush is a species of bird in the Muscicapidae family.It is found in Botswana, Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe....
Cichladusa arquata - Brown-backed Scrub-RobinBrown-backed Scrub-robinThe Brown-backed Scrub-robin is a species of bird in the Muscicapidae family.It is found in Angola, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda....
Cercotrichas hartlaubi - Red-backed Scrub-RobinRed-backed Scrub-robinThe White-browed Scrub Robin , also known as the Red-backed Scrub-robin, is a species of bird in the Muscicapidae family...
Cercotrichas leucophrys - Common RedstartCommon RedstartThe Common Redstart , or often simply Redstart, is a small passerine bird in the redstart genus Phoenicurus...
Phoenicurus phoenicurus - WhinchatWhinchatThe Whinchat Saxicola rubetra is a small migratory passerine bird breeding in Europe and western Asia and wintering in Africa.Its scientific name means "small rock-dweller", in reference to its habitat...
Saxicola rubetra - African StonechatAfrican StonechatThe African Stonechat is a species of the Old World flycatcher family , inhabiting sub-Saharan Africa and adjacent regions. Like the other chats, it was long assigned to the thrush family , to which the chats are convergent...
Saxicola torquata - Northern WheatearNorthern WheatearThe Northern Wheatear or Wheatear is a small passerine bird that was formerly classed as a member of the thrush family Turdidae, but is now more generally considered to be an Old World flycatcher, Muscicapidae...
Oenanthe oenanthe - Isabelline WheatearIsabelline WheatearThe Isabelline Wheatear, Oenanthe isabellina, is a small passerine bird that was formerly classed as a member of the Thrush family Turdidae, but is now more generally considered to be an Old World flycatcher, Muscicapidae....
Oenanthe isabellina - Familiar ChatFamiliar ChatThe Familiar Chat, Cercomela familiaris, is a small passerine bird of the Old World flycatcher family Muscicapidae. It is a common resident breeder in Africa south of the Sahara in rocky and mountainous habitat and around human habitation.-Description:...
Cercomela familiaris - Sooty ChatSooty ChatThe Sooty Chat is an African songbird of the chat subfamily.It is 15 to 16 cm long, stocky and relatively short-tailed for a chat. The adult male's plumage is glossy black except for white patches on the upper wings that are usually visible or only partly concealed when the bird is at rest...
Myrmecocichla nigra - White-fronted Black-ChatWhite-fronted Black-chatThe White-fronted Black Chat is a species of bird in the Muscicapidae family.It is found in Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria,...
Myrmecocichla albifrons - White-headed Black-ChatWhite-headed Black-chatArnot's Chat, also called the White-headed Black-chat, is a species of bird in the chat and flycatcher family Muscicapidae.The species is found in southern Africa from Tanzania and Angola to South Africa.-Taxonomy:...
Myrmecocichla arnotti - Mocking Cliff-ChatMocking Cliff-chatThe Mocking Cliff Chat is a species of bird in the Muscicapidae family.It is found in Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania,...
Thamnolaea cinnamomeiventris
Wattle-eyes
Order: Passeriformes. Family: PlatysteiridaeThe wattle-eyes or puffback flycatchers are small stout passerine birds of the African tropics. They get their name from the brightly coloured fleshy eye decorations found in most species in this group. There are 31 species worldwide and 6 species which occur in Rwanda.
- Black-and-white Shrike-flycatcherBlack-and-white Shrike-flycatcherThe Black-and-white Shrike-flycatcher , also known as the Black-and-white Flycatcher or Vanga Flycatcher, is a species of passerine bird found in Africa...
Bias musicus - Brown-throated Wattle-eye Platysteira cyanea
- Yellow-bellied Wattle-eyeYellow-bellied Wattle-eyeThe Yellow-bellied Wattle-eye is a species of bird in the Platysteiridae family.It is found in Angola, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Liberia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sierra...
Platysteira concreta - Ruwenzori BatisRuwenzori BatisThe Ruwenzori Batis is a species of bird in the Platysteiridae family. It is found in the Albertine Rift in Burundi, eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, and Uganda. Its natural habitat is montane forests above 1,400 m.-References:* BirdLife International 2004. . Downloaded...
Batis diops - Chinspot BatisChinspot BatisThe chinspot batis is a species of bird in the Platysteiridae family.It is found in Angola, Botswana, Burundi, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gabon, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, South Africa, Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and...
Batis molitor - Black-headed BatisBlack-headed BatisThe Black-headed Batis is a species of bird in the Platysteiridae family. It is found in Angola, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Kenya, Rwanda, Somalia, Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda...
Batis minor
Monarch flycatchers
Order: Passeriformes. Family: MonarchidaeThe monarch flycatchers are small to medium-sized insectivorous passerines, which hunt by flycatching. There are 99 species worldwide and 6 species which occur in Rwanda.
- African Blue-FlycatcherAfrican Blue-flycatcherThe African Blue-flycatcher is a species of bird in the Stenostiridae family.-Distribution:It is found in Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea,...
Elminia longicauda - White-tailed Blue-FlycatcherWhite-tailed Blue-flycatcherThe White-tailed Blue-flycatcher is a species of bird in the Stenostiridae family. It is found in Angola, Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Malawi, Mozambique, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia....
Elminia albicauda - White-bellied Crested-FlycatcherWhite-bellied Crested-flycatcherThe White-bellied Crested-flycatcher is a bird species in the family Stenostiridae; it was formerly plaed with the drongos in the Dicruridae....
Elminia albiventris - White-tailed Crested-FlycatcherWhite-tailed Crested-flycatcherThe White-tailed Crested-flycatcher is a species of bird in the flycatcher family Stenostiridae. It has a discontinuous distribution in eastern Africa. There are three subspecies, E. a. albonotata of central Kenya, and Uganda through to south west Tanzania; E. a. subvaerulea, which ranges from...
Elminia albonotata - African Crested-FlycatcherAfrican Crested-flycatcherThe African Crested-flycatcher is a species of bird in the Monarchidae family.It is found in Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Rwanda, Somalia, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry...
Trochocercus cyanomelas - African Paradise-Flycatcher Terpsiphone viridis
Babblers
Order: Passeriformes. Family: TimaliidaeThe babblers or timaliids are somewhat diverse in size and coloration, but are characterised by soft fluffy plumage. There are 270 species worldwide and 10 species which occur in Rwanda.
- Scaly-breasted IlladopsisScaly-breasted IlladopsisThe Scaly-breasted Illadopsis is a species of bird in the Timaliidae family.It is found in Angola, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda....
Illadopsis albipectus - Pale-breasted IlladopsisPale-breasted IlladopsisThe Pale-breasted Illadopsis is a species of bird in the Timaliidae family.It is found in Angola, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, and...
Illadopsis rufipennis - Brown IlladopsisBrown IlladopsisThe Brown Illadopsis is a species of bird in the Timaliidae family.It is found in Angola, Benin, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Liberia, Mali, Nigeria,...
Illadopsis fulvescens - Mountain IlladopsisMountain IlladopsisThe Mountain Illadopsis is a species of bird in the Timaliidae family.It is found in Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Malawi, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda....
Illadopsis pyrrhoptera - African Hill BabblerAfrican Hill BabblerThe African Hill Babbler is a species of bird in the Sylviidae family, in the monotypic genus Pseudoalcippe....
Illadopsis abyssinica - Gray-chested Illadopsis Kakamega poliothorax
- Black-lored BabblerBlack-lored BabblerThe Black-lored Babbler is a species of songbird in the Timaliidae familyAs defined here, it consists of two populations with widely separated ranges, one in northwestern Botswana, northern Namibia, and Angola; the other in southwestern Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Burundi, Rwanda, and the part of the...
Turdoides sharpei - Hartlaub's Babbler Turdoides hartlaubii
- Arrow-marked BabblerArrow-marked BabblerThe Arrow-marked Babbler is a species of bird in the babbler family Timaliidae.-Distribution and habitat:It is found in Angola, Botswana, Burundi, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gabon, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda,...
Turdoides jardineii - Red-collared Mountain-BabblerRed-collared Mountain-babblerThe Red-collared Babbler , also known as the Red-collared Mountain-babbler, is a species of bird in the Leiothrichidae family. It is found in Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Rwanda. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist montanes. It is threatened by habitat...
Kupeornis rufocinctus
Chickadees and titmice
Order: Passeriformes. Family: ParidaeThe Paridae are mainly small stocky woodland species with short stout bills. Some have crests. They are adaptable birds, with a mixed diet including seeds and insects. There are species 59 worldwide and 3 species which occur in Rwanda.
- White-winged Black-Tit Melaniparus leucomelas
- Dusky TitDusky TitThe Dusky Tit is a species of bird in the tit family Paridae.It is found in Angola, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Liberia, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Sudan, and Uganda.Its natural habitat is...
Melaniparus funereus - Stripe-breasted TitStripe-breasted TitThe Stripe-breasted Tit is a species of bird in the Paridae family.It is found in Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, and Uganda.Its natural habitats are boreal forests and subtropical or tropical moist montanes....
Melaniparus fasciiventer
Penduline tits
Order: Passeriformes. Family: RemizidaeThe penduline tits are a group of small passerine birds, related to the true tits. They are insectivores. There are 13 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Rwanda.
- African Penduline-TitAfrican Penduline-titThe Grey Penduline Tit , also known as the African Penduline-tit, is a species of bird in the Remizidae family. It is found in Angola, Botswana, Burundi, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda,...
Anthoscopus caroli
Sunbirds and Spiderhunters
Order: Passeriformes. Family: NectariniidaeThe 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. There are 131 species worldwide and 26 species which occur in Rwanda.
- Western Violet-backed SunbirdWestern Violet-backed SunbirdThe Western Violet-backed Sunbird is a species of bird in the Nectariniidae family. It is the most widely ranging species in the violet-backed sunbird superspecies, ranging throughout a large part of tropical mainland sub-Saharan Africa not inhabited by other members of the superspecies...
Anthreptes longuemarei - Kenya Violet-backed SunbirdKenya Violet-backed SunbirdThe Eastern Violet-backed Sunbird , also known as the Kenya Violet-backed Sunbird, is a species of bird in the Nectariniidae family....
Anthreptes orientalis - Little Green SunbirdLittle Green SunbirdThe Little Green Sunbird is a species of bird in the Nectariniidae family. It is sometimes placed in Anthreptes....
Anthreptes seimundi - Collared SunbirdCollared SunbirdThe Collared Sunbird, Hedydipna collaris , is a sunbird. The sunbirds are a group of very small Old World passerine birds which feed largely on nectar, although they will also take insects, especially when feeding young. Collared Sunbird is in fact mainly insectivorous.Sunbird flight is fast and...
Hedydipna collaris - Green-headed SunbirdGreen-headed SunbirdThe Green-headed Sunbird is a species of bird in the Nectariniidae family.It is found in Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau,...
Cyanomitra verticalis - Blue-throated Brown SunbirdBlue-throated Brown SunbirdThe Blue-throated Brown Sunbird is a species of bird in the Nectariniidae family.It is found in Angola, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Liberia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sierra Leone,...
Cyanomitra cyanolaema - Blue-headed SunbirdBlue-headed SunbirdThe Blue-headed Sunbird is a species of bird in the Nectariniidae family.It is found in Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, and Uganda.-References:* BirdLife International 2004. . Downloaded on 26 July 2007....
Cyanomitra alinae - Cameroon SunbirdCameroon SunbirdThe Cameroon Sunbird is a species of bird in the Nectariniidae family.It is found in Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, and Nigeria.-References:* BirdLife International 2004. . Downloaded on 26 July 2007....
Cyanomitra oritis - Eastern Olive-Sunbird Cyanomitra olivacea
- Green-throated SunbirdGreen-throated SunbirdThe Green-throated Sunbird is a species of bird in the Nectariniidae family. It is found in Angola, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, and...
Chalcomitra rubescens - Scarlet-chested SunbirdScarlet-chested SunbirdThe Scarlet-chested Sunbird is a species of bird in the Nectariniidae family. It is found in Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya,...
Chalcomitra senegalensis - Purple-breasted SunbirdPurple-breasted SunbirdThe Purple-breasted Sunbird is a species of bird in the Nectariniidae family.It is found in Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, and Uganda.-References:...
Nectarinia purpureiventris - Bronze SunbirdBronze SunbirdThe Bronze Sunbird is a species of bird in the Nectariniidae family.It is found in Angola, Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe....
Nectarinia kilimensis - Red-tufted SunbirdRed-tufted SunbirdThe Red-tufted Sunbird is a species of bird in the Nectariniidae family.It is found in Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Malawi, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia.-References:...
Nectarinia johnstoni - Malachite SunbirdMalachite SunbirdThe Malachite Sunbird, Nectarinia famosa is a small nectivorous bird found in the southern part of the Southern African region.- Taxonomy :...
Nectarinia famosa - Olive-bellied SunbirdOlive-bellied SunbirdThe Olive-bellied Sunbird is a species of bird in the Nectariniidae family.It is found in Angola, Benin, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea,...
Cinnyris chloropygius - Stuhlmann's Sunbird Cinnyris stuhlmanni
- Northern Double-collared SunbirdNorthern Double-collared SunbirdThe Northern Double-collared Sunbird is a species of bird in the Nectariniidae family.It is found in Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sudan, and Uganda.-References:* BirdLife International 2004. . ...
Cinnyris preussi - Greater Double-collared SunbirdGreater Double-collared SunbirdThe Greater Double-collared Sunbird , is a small bird in the sunbird family.-Taxonomy:The subspecies C. a. stuhlmanni and C. a...
Cinnyris afer - Regal SunbirdRegal SunbirdThe Regal Sunbird is a species of bird in the Nectariniidae family.It is found in Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda.-References:...
Cinnyris regius - Beautiful SunbirdBeautiful SunbirdThe Beautiful Sunbird, Cinnyris pulchella , is a sunbird. The sunbirds are a group of very small Old World 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...
Cinnyris pulchellus - Mariqua SunbirdMariqua SunbirdThe Mariqua Sunbird or Marico Sunbird is a species of bird in the Nectariniidae family.It is found in Angola, Botswana, Burundi, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, Somalia, South Africa, Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.-References:* BirdLife...
Cinnyris mariquensis - Red-chested SunbirdRed-chested SunbirdThe Red-chested Sunbird is a species of bird in the Nectariniidae family.It is found in Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda.-References:...
Cinnyris erythrocerca - Purple-banded SunbirdPurple-banded SunbirdThe Purple-banded Sunbird is a species of bird in the Nectariniidae family....
Cinnyris bifasciatus - Variable SunbirdVariable SunbirdThe Variable Sunbird, Cinnyris venustus , is a sunbird. The sunbirds are a group of very small Old World 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...
Cinnyris venustus - Copper SunbirdCopper SunbirdThe Copper Sunbird is a species of bird in the Nectariniidae family.It is found in Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau,...
Cinnyris cupreus
White-eyes
Order: Passeriformes. Family: ZosteropidaeThe white-eyes are small and are mostly of undistinguished appearance, the plumage above being generally either 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 the eyes. There are 96 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Rwanda.
- African Yellow White-eyeAfrican Yellow White-eyeThe African Yellow White-eye is a species of bird in the Zosteropidae family.-Taxonomy:The taxa stenocricotus from Central Africa and kirki from the Comoros, by most authorities considered subspecies of the African Yellow White-eye, are occasionally considered separate species, the Cameroon Green...
Zosterops senegalensis
Old World orioles
Order: Passeriformes. Family: OriolidaeThe Old World Orioles are colourful passerine birds. They are not related to the New World orioles. There are 29 species worldwide and 4 species which occur in Rwanda.
- Eurasian Golden Oriole Oriolus oriolus
- African Golden OrioleAfrican Golden OrioleThe African Golden Oriole is a member of the oriole family of passerine birds which is a resident breeder in Africa south of the Sahara....
Oriolus auratus - African Black-headed Oriole Oriolus larvatus
- Black-tailed OrioleBlack-tailed OrioleThe Mountain Oriole , also known as the Black-tailed Oriole, is a species of bird in the Oriolidae family. It is found in Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda...
Oriolus percivali
Shrikes
Order: Passeriformes. Family: LaniidaeShrikes 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. There are 31 species worldwide and 7 species which occur in Rwanda.
- Red-backed ShrikeRed-backed ShrikeThe Red-backed Shrike is a carnivorous passerine bird and member of the shrike family Laniidae.English common names include 'Wariangle' and 'worrier'.-Description:...
Lanius collurio - Rufous-tailed Shrike Lanius isabellinus
- Souza's ShrikeSouza's ShrikeThe Souza's Shrike is a species of bird in the Laniidae family. It was named after J.A. de Souza, a 19th century Portuguese zoologist....
Lanius souzae - Lesser Gray Shrike Lanius minor
- Gray-backed Fiscal Lanius excubitoroides
- Mackinnon's ShrikeMackinnon's ShrikeMackinnon's Shrike , also called Mackinnon's Fiscal, is a songbird species of the family Laniidae.It is found in Angola, Burundi, Cameroon, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda.Its natural habitats are...
Lanius mackinnoni - Common FiscalCommon FiscalThe Common Fiscal is a member of the shrike family found through most of Sub-Saharan Africa. It is also sometimes named Fiscal Shrike, as well as Jackie Hangman or Butcher Bird due to its habit of impaling its prey on acacia thorns to store the food for later consumption. It is sometimes split...
Lanius collaris
Bushshrikes and allies
Order: Passeriformes. Family: MalaconotidaeBushshrikes are similar in habits to shrikes, hunting insects and other small prey from a perch on a bush. Although similar in build to the shrikes, these tend to be either colourful species or largely black; some species are quite secretive. There are 46 species worldwide and 21 species which occur in Rwanda.
- BrubruBrubruThe Brubru is a member of the bushshrike family found in much of sub-Saharan Africa apart from the western rainforests and southern South Africa. It is the only member of the genus Nilaus.-Distribution and habitat:...
Nilaus afer - Northern PuffbackNorthern PuffbackThe Northern Puffback is a species of bird in the Malaconotidae family.It is found in Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana,...
Dryoscopus gambensis - Black-backed PuffbackBlack-backed PuffbackThe Black-backed Puffback is a species of bird in the Malaconotidae family.It is found in Angola, Botswana, Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, Somalia, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.Its natural habitats are...
Dryoscopus cubla - Red-eyed PuffbackRed-eyed PuffbackThe Red-eyed Puffback is a species of bird in the Malaconotidae family.It is found in Angola, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Nigeria, Rwanda, and Uganda.Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist...
Dryoscopus senegalensis - Pink-footed PuffbackPink-footed PuffbackThe Pink-footed Puffback is a species of bird in the Malaconotidae family.It is found in Angola, Cameroon, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist montane...
Dryoscopus angolensis - Marsh TchagraMarsh TchagraThe Marsh Tchagra is a species of bird in the Malaconotidae family.It is found in Angola, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Ethiopia, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Liberia, Malawi, Mozambique, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sierra...
Tchagra minuta - Black-crowned TchagraBlack-crowned TchagraThe Black-crowned Tchagra is a bushshrike. This family of passerine birds is closely related to the true shrikes in the family Laniidae, and was once included in that group....
Tchagra senegala - Brown-crowned TchagraBrown-crowned TchagraThe Brown-crowned Tchagra is a species of bird in the Malaconotidae family.It is found in Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Liberia, Malawi, Mali, Mozambique,...
Tchagra australis - Luehder's Bushshrike Laniarius luehderi
- Tropical BoubouTropical BoubouThe Tropical Boubou or Bell Shrike is a medium-sized passerine bird of sub-Saharan Africa. This very diverse "species" with its numerous subspecies and morphs has since long posed a taxonomic problem, and recent research suggests it is a cryptic species complex that ought to be split into several...
Laniarius aethiopicus - Black-headed GonolekBlack-headed GonolekThe black-headed gonolek is a species of bird in the Malaconotidae family. It is found in Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda.Its natural habitats are dry savanna, subtropical or...
Laniarius erythrogaster - Papyrus GonolekPapyrus GonolekThe Papyrus Gonolek is a species of bird in the Malaconotidae family.It is found in Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda....
Laniarius mufumbiri - Slate-colored Boubou Laniarius funebris
- Fuelleborn's BoubouFuelleborn's BoubouThe Fuelleborn's Boubou is a species of bird in the Malaconotidae family.It is found in Malawi, Tanzania, and Zambia.The name of this bird commemorates the German physician Friedrich Fülleborn.-References:...
Laniarius fuelleborni - Mountain Sooty Boubou Laniarius poensis
- Gray-green Bushshrike Telophorus bocagei (Ex)
- Sulphur-breasted BushshrikeSulphur-breasted BushshrikeThe Sulphur-breasted Bushshrike or Orange-breasted Bush-Shrike is a species of bird in the Malaconotidae family....
Telophorus sulfureopectus - Many-colored Bushshrike Telophorus multicolor
- Doherty's BushshrikeDoherty's BushshrikeThe Doherty's Bushshrike is a species of bird in the Malaconotidae family.It is found in Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda....
Telophorus dohertyi - Lagden's Bushshrike Malaconotus lagdeni
- Gray-headed Bushshrike Malaconotus blanchoti
Helmetshrikes
Order: Passeriformes. Family: PrionopidaeThe helmetshrikes are similar in build to the shrikes, but tend to be colourful species with distinctive crests or other head ornaments, such as wattles, from which they get their name. There are 12 species worldwide and 3 species which occur in Rwanda.
- White HelmetshrikeWhite HelmetshrikeThe White-crested Helmetshrike , also known as the White Helmetshrike, is a species of passerine bird in the helmetshrike family Prionopidae, formerly usually included in the Malaconotidae.-Distribution and habitat:...
Prionops plumatus - Yellow-crested Helmetshrike Prionops alberti
- Rufous-bellied HelmetshrikeRufous-bellied HelmetshrikeThe Rufous-bellied Helmetshrike or Gabon Helmetshrike is a passerine bird belonging to the helmetshrike family, Prionopidae. It inhabits tropical forest in Central Africa. It is sometimes included within the Chestnut-bellied Helmetshrike of West Africa.-Description:It is 20-22 cm long...
Prionops rufiventris (Ex)
Drongos
Order: Passeriformes. Family: DicruridaeThe drongos are mostly are 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 whilst perched, like a shrike. They flycatch or take prey from the ground. There are 24 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Rwanda.
- Fork-tailed DrongoFork-tailed DrongoThe Fork-tailed Drongo, Dicrurus adsimilis, also called the Common Drongo, African Drongo or Savanna Drongo, is a drongo, a type of small passerine bird of the Old World tropics. The species was earlier considered to cover Asia, but the Asian species is now called the Black Drongo...
Dicrurus adsimilis
Crows, jays, ravens and magpies
Order: Passeriformes. Family: CorvidaeCorvidae
Corvidae is a cosmopolitan family of oscine passerine birds that contains the crows, ravens, rooks, jackdaws, jays, magpies, treepies, choughs and nutcrackers. The common English names used are corvids or the crow family , and there are over 120 species...
The Corvidae family includes crow
Crow
Crows form the genus Corvus in the family Corvidae. Ranging in size from the relatively small pigeon-size jackdaws to the Common Raven of the Holarctic region and Thick-billed Raven of the highlands of Ethiopia, the 40 or so members of this genus occur on all temperate continents and several...
s, raven
Raven
Raven is the common name given to several larger-bodied members of the genus Corvus—but in Europe and North America the Common Raven is normally implied...
s, jay
Jay
The jays are several species of medium-sized, usually colorful and noisy, passerine birds in the crow family Corvidae. The names jay and magpie are somewhat interchangeable, and the evolutionary relationships are rather complex...
s, chough
Chough
The Red-billed Chough or Chough , Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax, is a bird in the crow family; it is one of only two species in the genus Pyrrhocorax...
s, magpie
Magpie
Magpies are passerine birds of the crow family, Corvidae.In Europe, "magpie" is often used by English speakers as a synonym for the European Magpie, as there are no other magpies in Europe outside Iberia...
s, treepie
Treepie
The treepies comprise four closely related genera of long-tailed passerine birds in the family Corvidae...
s, nutcracker
Nutcracker (bird)
The nutcrackers are a genus of two species of passerine bird, in the family Corvidae, related to the jays and crows. One, the Spotted Nutcracker , occurs in Europe and Asia, the other, Clark's Nutcracker , in western North America.The most important food resources for both these species are the...
s, and ground jay
Ground jay
The ground jays or ground choughs belong to a distinct group of the passerine order of birds in the genus Podoces of the crow family Corvidae...
s. Corvids are above average in size for the bird order Passeriformes. Some of the larger species show high levels of learning behavior. There are 120 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in Rwanda.
- Pied CrowPied CrowThe Pied Crow is a widely distributed African bird species in the crow genus.Structurally, the Pied Crow is better thought of as a small crow-sized Raven, especially as it can hybridise with the Somali Crow where their ranges meet in the Horn of Africa...
Corvus albus - White-necked RavenWhite-necked RavenThe White-necked Raven, Corvus albicollis, is somewhat smaller than the Common Raven or indeed its nearest relative, the Thick-billed Raven C. crassirostris.-Description:...
Corvus albicollis
Starlings
Order: Passeriformes. Family: SturnidaeStarlings 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. There are 125 species worldwide and 13 species which occur in Rwanda.
- Wattled StarlingWattled StarlingThe Wattled Starling is a nomadic resident in eastern and southern Africa. It is a species of grassland, open woodland and cultivation....
Creatophora cinerea - Greater Blue-eared Glossy-StarlingGreater Blue-eared Glossy-starlingThe Greater Blue-eared Glossy-starling or Greater Blue-eared Starling is a bird that breeds from Senegal east to Ethiopia and south through eastern Africa to northeastern South Africa and Angola...
Lamprotornis chalybaeus - Splendid Glossy-StarlingSplendid Glossy-starlingThe Splendid Starling , also known as the Splendid Glossy-starling, is a species of starling in the Sturnidae family...
Lamprotornis splendidus - Rueppell's Glossy-StarlingRueppell's Glossy-starlingRüppell's Starling , also known as Rueppell's Glossy-starling, is a species of starling in the Sturnidae family. It is found in Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Somalia, Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda.-References:* BirdLife International 2004. . ...
Lamprotornis purpuropterus - Purple-headed Glossy-StarlingPurple-headed Glossy-starlingThe Purple-headed Starling , also known as the Purple-headed Glossy-starling, is a species of starling in the Sturnidae family.-Distribution and habitat:...
Lamprotornis purpureiceps - Violet-backed StarlingViolet-backed StarlingThe Violet-backed Starling , also known as the Plum-coloured Starling or Amethyst Starling, is a relatively small species of starling in the Sturnidae family. This strongly sexually dimorphic species is found widely in woodland of mainland sub-Saharan Africa.-References:* BirdLife International 2004....
Cinnyricinclus leucogaster - Slender-billed StarlingSlender-billed StarlingThe Slender-billed Starling is a species of starling in the Sturnidae family.It is found in Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia.-References:...
Onychognathus tenuirostris - Chestnut-winged StarlingChestnut-winged StarlingThe Chestnut-winged Starling is a species of starling in the Sturnidae family.It is found in Angola, Benin, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Nigeria, São Tomé and Príncipe,...
Onychognathus fulgidus - Waller's StarlingWaller's StarlingThe Waller's Starling is a species of starling in the Sturnidae family.It is found in Burundi, Cameroon, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Kenya, Malawi, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia....
Onychognathus walleri - Stuhlmann's StarlingStuhlmann's StarlingThe Stuhlmann's Starling is a species of starling in the Sturnidae family.It is found in Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda.-References:...
Poeoptera stuhlmanni - Sharpe's StarlingSharpe's StarlingSharpe's Starling is a species of starling in the Sturnidae family. It is found in Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda.-References:...
Pholia sharpii - Red-billed OxpeckerRed-billed OxpeckerThe Red-billed Oxpecker, Buphagus erythrorhynchus, is a passerine bird in the starling and myna family Sturndidae; some ornithologists regard the oxpeckers to be in a family by themselves, the Buphagidae. It is native to the savannah of sub-Saharan Africa, from the Central African Republic east to...
Buphagus erythrorhynchus - Yellow-billed OxpeckerYellow-billed OxpeckerThe Yellow-billed Oxpecker, Buphagus africanus, is a passerine bird in the starling and myna family Sturnidae; some ornithologists regard the Oxpeckers to be a separate family, the Buphagidae . It is native to the savannah of sub-Saharan Africa from Senegal east to Sudan...
Buphagus africanus
Weavers and allies
Order: Passeriformes. Family: PloceidaeThe weavers are small passerine birds related to the finch
Finch
The true finches are passerine birds in the family Fringillidae. They are predominantly seed-eating songbirds. Most are native to the Northern Hemisphere, but one subfamily is endemic to the Neotropics, one to the Hawaiian Islands, and one subfamily – monotypic at genus level – is found...
es. 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. There are 116 species worldwide and 28 species which occur in Rwanda.
- Red-billed Buffalo-WeaverRed-billed Buffalo-weaverThe Red-billed Buffalo Weaver is a species of bird in the Ploceidae family.It is found in Angola, Botswana, Ethiopia, Kenya, Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, Somalia, South Africa, Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe....
Bubalornis niger - Baglafecht WeaverBaglafecht WeaverThe Baglafecht Weaver is a species of bird in the Ploceidae family.It is found in Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia.Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical...
Ploceus baglafecht - Slender-billed WeaverSlender-billed WeaverThe Slender-billed Weaver is a species of bird in the Ploceidae family.It is found in Angola, Burundi, Cameroon, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Gabon, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, and Zambia.-References:*...
Ploceus pelzelni - Little WeaverLittle WeaverThe Little Weaver is a species of bird in the Ploceidae family.It is found in Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sudan,...
Ploceus luteolus - Lesser Masked-Weaver Ploceus intermedius
- Spectacled WeaverSpectacled WeaverThe Spectacled Weaver is a species of bird in the Ploceidae family. It is found widely in woodland, forest edge and gardens of East, Middle and Southern Africa, but is absent from the most arid regions and dense, primary rainforest...
Ploceus ocularis - Black-necked WeaverBlack-necked WeaverThe Black-necked Weaver is a resident breeding bird species in much of tropical Africa from Senegal and northern Angola, South Sudan and Tanzania.-Distribution and biology:This weaver occurs in forests, especially in wet habitats...
Ploceus nigricollis - Black-billed WeaverBlack-billed WeaverThe Black-billed Weaver is a species of bird in the Ploceidae family.It is found in Burundi, Cameroon, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda.-References:...
Ploceus melanogaster - Strange WeaverStrange WeaverThe Strange Weaver is a species of bird in the Ploceidae family.It is found in Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, and Uganda.- References :* BirdLife International 2004. . Downloaded on 26 July 2007....
Ploceus alienus - Holub's Golden-WeaverHolub's Golden-weaverThe Holub's Golden Weaver , previously called the African Golden Weaver is a species of bird in the Ploceidae family....
Ploceus xanthops - Northern Brown-throated WeaverNorthern Brown-throated WeaverThe Northern Brown-throated Weaver is a species of bird in the Ploceidae family.It is found in Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda.-References:...
Ploceus castanops - Village WeaverVillage WeaverThe Village Weaver , also known as the Spotted-backed Weaver or Black-headed Weaver , is a species of bird found in much of sub-Saharan Africa...
Ploceus cucullatus - Vieillot's Weaver Ploceus nigerrimus
- Black-headed WeaverBlack-headed WeaverThe Black-headed Weaver , also known as the Yellow-backed Weaver, is a species of bird in the Ploceidae family. It is found in savanna and similar habitats, typically near water, in West, Central and East Africa. It has also been introduced to Spain and Portugal.-References:* BirdLife International...
Ploceus melanocephalus - Forest WeaverForest WeaverThe Dark-backed Weaver is a species of bird in the Ploceidae family.It is found in Angola, Burundi, Cameroon, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Nigeria, Rwanda, Somalia, South Africa, Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda,...
Ploceus bicolor - Brown-capped WeaverBrown-capped WeaverThe Brown-capped Weaver is a species of bird in the Ploceidae family.It is found in Angola, Burundi, Cameroon, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda.-References:* BirdLife International 2004. . ...
Ploceus insignis - Compact WeaverCompact WeaverThe Compact Weaver is a species of bird in the Ploceidae family.It is found in Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Ethiopia, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Liberia, Nigeria,...
Pachyphantes superciliosus - Red-headed WeaverRed-headed WeaverThe Red-headed Weaver is a species of bird in the Ploceidae family. It is monotypic within the genus Anaplectes....
Anaplectes rubriceps - Cardinal QueleaCardinal QueleaThe Cardinal Quelea is a species of bird in the Ploceidae family.It is found in Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Rwanda, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia.-Origin:...
Quelea cardinalis - Red-headed QueleaRed-headed QueleaThe Red-headed Quelea is a species of bird in the Ploceidae family.It is found in Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana,...
Quelea erythrops - Red-billed QueleaRed-billed QueleaThe Red-billed Quelea is the world's most abundant wild bird species, with an estimated adult breeding population of 1.5 billion pairs. Some estimates of the overall population have been as large as 10 billion...
Quelea quelea - Black-winged Bishop Euplectes hordeaceus
- Red Bishop Euplectes orix
- Yellow BishopYellow BishopThe Yellow Bishop or Yellow-rumped Widow is a resident breeding bird species in Angola, Botswana, Burundi, Cameroon, Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Nigeria, Rwanda, South Africa, Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe.This common weaver...
Euplectes capensis - Fan-tailed WidowbirdFan-tailed WidowbirdThe Fan-tailed Widowbird is a species of bird in the Ploceidae family.It is found in Angola, Botswana, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Mali, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda,...
Euplectes axillaris - White-winged WidowbirdWhite-winged WidowbirdThe White-winged Widowbird is a species of passerine bird in the family Ploceidae native to Africa south of the Sahara. It is highly sexually dimorphic in its breeding season, during which the male's yellow plumage turns dark and he gains more white feathers, contrasting with the female's...
Euplectes albonotatus - Red-collared WidowbirdRed-collared WidowbirdThe Red-collared Widowbird is a species of bird in the Ploceidae family.It is found in Angola, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau,...
Euplectes ardens - Grosbeak WeaverGrosbeak WeaverThe Thick-billed Weaver or Thick-billed Weaver is a species of bird in the Ploceidae family. It is monotypic within the genus Amblyospiza....
Amblyospiza albifrons
Waxbills and allies
Order: Passeriformes. Family: EstrildidaeThe estrildid finch
Estrildid finch
The estrildid finches are small passerine birds of the Old World tropics and Australasia. They can be classified as the family Estrildidae , or as a sub-group within the family Passeridae, which also includes the true sparrows....
es are small passerine birds of the Old World tropics and Australasia
Australasia
Australasia is a region of Oceania comprising Australia, New Zealand, the island of New Guinea, and neighbouring islands in the Pacific Ocean. The term was coined by Charles de Brosses in Histoire des navigations aux terres australes...
. They are gregarious and often colonial seed-eaters with short thick but pointed bills. They are all similar in structure and habits, but have a wide variation in plumage colours and pattern. There are 141 species worldwide and 31 species which occur in Rwanda.
- White-breasted NegrofinchWhite-breasted NegrofinchThe White-breasted Negrofinch is a common species of estrildid finch found in Africa. It has an estimated global Extent of Occurrence of 2,700,000 km²....
Nigrita fusconota - Gray-headed Negrofinch Nigrita canicapilla
- White-collared OlivebackWhite-collared OlivebackThe White-collared Oliveback is a species of estrildid finch found in Africa. It has an estimated global Extent of Occurrence of 94,000 km²....
Nesocharis ansorgei - Orange-winged PytiliaOrange-winged PytiliaThe Orange-winged Pytilia is a common species of estrildid finch found in Africa. It has an estimated global extent of occurrence of 2,300,000 km²....
Pytilia afra - Green-winged PytiliaGreen-winged PytiliaThe Green-winged Pytilia is a common species of estrildid finch found in Africa. It has an estimated global extent of occurrence of .It is found in most of Africa south of the Sahara...
Pytilia melba - Green-backed TwinspotGreen-backed TwinspotThe Green-backed Twinspot is an estrildid finch found in sub-saharan Africa. This species is evaluated as Least Concern.-Subspecies:The Green-backed Twinspot has four sub-species:* Mandingoa nitidula chubbi...
Mandingoa nitidula - Red-faced Crimson-wingRed-faced Crimson-wingThe Red-faced Crimson-wing is a common species of estrildid finch found in Africa. It has an estimated global extent of occurrence of 390,000 km²....
Cryptospiza reichenovii - Abyssinian Crimson-wingAbyssinian Crimson-wingThe Abyssinian Crimson-wing is a common species of estrildid finch found in Africa. It has an estimated global extent of occurrence of 190,000 km²....
Cryptospiza salvadorii - Dusky Crimson-wingDusky Crimson-wingThe Dusky Crimson-wing is a common species of estrildid finch found in Africa. It has an estimated global extent of occurrence of 78,000 km².It is found in Burundi, The Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda and Uganda....
Cryptospiza jacksoni - Shelley's Crimson-wingShelley's Crimson-wingShelley's Crimson-wing Cryptospiza shelleyi is a vulnerable species of estrildid finch found in Burundi, eastern The Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda and western Uganda in Africa. It has shown population decline over the past few decades, with a current population estimate of 2 500 - 9 999...
Cryptospiza shelleyi - Red-headed BluebillRed-headed BluebillThe Red-headed Bluebill is a common species of estrildid finch found in sub-saharan Africa. It has an estimated global extent of occurrence of 560,000 km²....
Spermophaga ruficapilla - Peters's TwinspotPeters's TwinspotPeters's Twinspot is a common species of bird found in sub-saharan Africa. This species has a large range, with an estimated global extent of occurrence of 2,000,000 km²....
Hypargos niveoguttatus - Dusky TwinspotDusky TwinspotThe Dusky Twinspot is a species of estrildid finch found in Africa. It has an estimated global extent of occurrence of 130,000 km²....
Euschistospiza cinereovinacea - Bar-breasted FirefinchBar-breasted FirefinchThe Bar-breasted Firefinch is a common species of estrildid finch found in central Africa. It has an estimated global extent of occurrence of 2,900,000 km²....
Lagonosticta rufopicta - Red-billed FirefinchRed-billed FirefinchThe Red-billed Firefinch or Senegal Firefinch is a very small passerine bird. This estrildid finch is a resident breeding bird in almost all parts of sub-Saharan Africa. It has an estimated global extent of occurrence of 10,000,000 km²...
Lagonosticta senegala - African FirefinchAfrican FirefinchThe African Firefinch , also called the Blue-billed Firefinch due to the color of its bill, is a common species of estrildid finch found in almost all parts of Africa...
Lagonosticta rubricata - Red-cheeked Cordonbleu Uraeginthus bengalus
- Yellow-bellied Waxbill Estrilda quartinia
- Fawn-breasted WaxbillFawn-breasted WaxbillThe Fawn-breasted Waxbill is a common species of estrildid finch found in central Africa. It has an estimated global extent of occurrence of 1,800,000 km². Estrilda paludicola, E. ochrogaster and E. poliopareia have been lumped into E...
Estrilda paludicola - Orange-cheeked WaxbillOrange-Cheeked WaxbillThe Orange-cheeked Waxbill Estrilda melpoda is a common species of estrildid finch native to western and central Africa, with an estimated global extent of occurrence of 3,600,000 km².-Lifestyle:...
Estrilda melpoda - Crimson-rumped WaxbillCrimson-rumped WaxbillThe Crimson-rumped Waxbill Estrilda rhodopyga also known as Rosy-rumped Waxbill is a common species of estrildid finch found in north-eastern Africa...
Estrilda rhodopyga - Common WaxbillCommon WaxbillThe Common Waxbill , also known as the St Helena Waxbill, is a small passerine bird belonging to the estrildid finch family. It is native to sub-Saharan Africa but has been introduced to many other regions of the world and now has an estimated global extent of occurrence of 10,000,000 km²...
Estrilda astrild - Black-crowned WaxbillBlack-crowned WaxbillThe Black-crowned Waxbill is a common species of estrildid finch found in western-central Africa. It has an estimated global extent of occurrence of 1,000,000 km²....
Estrilda nonnula - Black-headed WaxbillBlack-headed WaxbillThe Black-headed Waxbill is a common species of estrildid finch found in central Africa. It has an estimated global extent of occurrence of 620,000 km²....
Estrilda atricapilla - Kandt's Waxbill Estrilda kandti
- Black-cheeked WaxbillBlack-cheeked WaxbillThe Black-cheeked Waxbill Estrilda erythronotos is a common species of estrildid finch found in southern Africa. It has an estimated global extent of occurrence of 1,300,000 km²....
Estrilda erythronotos - Zebra WaxbillZebra WaxbillThe Zebra Waxbill or Orange-breasted Waxbill is a small sparrow-like bird with a reddish iris, orange breast, red bill and dark olive-green plumage. The male has a red rump, dark bars on the whitish flank and a scarlet eyebrow stripe...
Sporaeginthus subflavus - Red-billed QuailfinchRed-billed QuailfinchThe Black-chinned Quail-Finch Ortygospiza gabonensis, also known as the Red-billed Quailfinch, is a common species of estrildid finch found in central Africa. It has an estimated global extent of occurrence of 450,000 km². It is found in Angola, Burundi, the Republic of Congo, the Democratic...
Ortygospiza gabonensis - Bronze MannikinBronze MannikinThe Bronze Mannikin or Bronze Munia Lonchura cucullata is a small passerine bird. This estrildid finch is an abundant resident breeding bird in much of Africa south of the Sahara Desert of dry savanna habitats...
Spermestes cucullatus - Black-and-white MannikinBlack-and-white MannikinThe Black-and-white Mannikin or Black-and-white Munia Lonchura bicolor is a species of estrildid finch found in southern and central Africa. It has an estimated global extent of occurrence of 4,200,000 km²....
Spermestes bicolor - Magpie MannikinMagpie MannikinThe Magpie Mannikin or Magpie Munia Lonchura fringilloides is a species of estrildid finch found in southern and central Africa. It has an estimated global extent of occurrence of 1,400,000 km²....
Spermestes fringilloides
Indigobirds
Order: Passeriformes. Family: ViduidaeThe 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 finch species. There are 20 species worldwide and 4 species which occur in Rwanda.
- Village IndigobirdVillage IndigobirdThe Village Indigobird, Vidua chalybeata, is a small songbird. It is a resident breeding bird in most of Africa south of the Sahara Desert....
Vidua chalybeata - Variable IndigobirdVariable IndigobirdThe Dusky Indigobird or Variable Indigobird is a species of bird in the Viduidae family. It is found in Angola, Burundi, Cameroon, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Guinea-Bissau, Malawi, Mozambique, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia, and...
Vidua funerea - Pin-tailed WhydahPin-tailed WhydahThe Pin-tailed Whydah, Vidua macroura, is a small songbird. It is a resident breeding bird in most of Africa south of the Sahara Desert.This whydah is found in many open habitats including open woodland, scrub and cultivation....
Vidua macroura - Broad-tailed Paradise-WhydahBroad-tailed Paradise-whydahThe Broad-tailed Paradise-whydah is a species of bird in the Viduidae family.It is found in Angola, Botswana, Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.-References:* BirdLife International 2004. . ...
Vidua obtusa
Weavers and allies
Order: Passeriformes. Family: PloceidaeThe weavers are small passerine birds related to the finch
Finch
The true finches are passerine birds in the family Fringillidae. They are predominantly seed-eating songbirds. Most are native to the Northern Hemisphere, but one subfamily is endemic to the Neotropics, one to the Hawaiian Islands, and one subfamily – monotypic at genus level – is found...
es. 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. There are 116 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Rwanda.
- Parasitic WeaverParasitic WeaverThe Cuckoo Finch , also known as the Parasitic Weaver or Cuckoo Weaver, is a small passerine bird now placed in the family Viduidae with the indigobirds and whydahs. It occurs in grassland in Africa south of the Sahara. The male is mainly yellow and green while the female is buff with dark streaks...
Anomalospiza imberbis
Buntings, sparrows, seedeaters and allies
Order: Passeriformes. Family: EmberizidaeEmberizidae
The Emberizidae are a large family of passerine birds. They are seed-eating birds with a distinctively shaped bill.In Europe, most species are called buntings. In North America, most of the species in this family are known as sparrows, but these birds are not closely related to the sparrows, the...
The emberizids are a large family of passerine birds. They are seed-eating birds with a distinctively shaped bill. In Europe, most species are named as buntings. In North America, most of the species in this family are known as Sparrows, but these birds are not closely related to the Old World sparrows which are in the family Passeridae. Many emberizid species have distinctive head patterns. There are species 275 worldwide and 3 species which occur in Rwanda.
- Cinnamon-breasted BuntingCinnamon-breasted BuntingThe Cinnamon-breasted Bunting is a species of bird in the Emberizidae family. It is found in Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gabon,...
Emberiza tahapisi - Golden-breasted BuntingGolden-breasted BuntingThe Golden-breasted Bunting, Emberiza flaviventris, is a passerine bird in the bunting family Emberizidae. It occurs in dry open woodlands in Africa south of the Sahara, but is absent from the equatorial forest belt.There are three subspecies:...
Emberiza flaviventris - Cabanis's BuntingCabanis's BuntingThe Cabanis's Bunting is a species of bird in the Emberizidae family.It is found in Angola, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Malawi, Mali, Mozambique,...
Emberiza cabanisi
Siskins, crossbills and allies
Order: Passeriformes. Family: FringillidaeFinch
Finch
The true finches are passerine birds in the family Fringillidae. They are predominantly seed-eating songbirds. Most are native to the Northern Hemisphere, but one subfamily is endemic to the Neotropics, one to the Hawaiian Islands, and one subfamily – monotypic at genus level – is found...
es 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 12 tail feathers and 9 primaries. These birds have a bouncing flight with alternating bouts of flapping and gliding on closed wings, and most sing well. There are 137 species worldwide and 9 species which occur in Rwanda.
- Oriole FinchOriole FinchThe Oriole Finch is species of bird in the finch family Fringillidae. It was classified as monotypic in the genus Linurgus, but now it has been found by molecular phylogeny that it belongs to Genus Serinus. It has a black head and yellow body...
Linurgus olivaceus - Cape CanaryCape CanaryThe Cape Canary is a small passerine bird in the finch family. It is a resident breeder in eastern and southern Africa and has been introduced to Mauritius and Réunion....
Serinus canicollis - Western CitrilWestern CitrilThe Western Citril is a species of finch in the Fringillidae family.It is found in Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Putnoe, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia.-References:...
Serinus frontalis - Papyrus CanaryPapyrus CanaryThe Papyrus Canary, also known as Van Someren's Canary is a species of passerine bird in the finch family Fringillidae.It is found in Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda...
Serinus koliensis - Black-throated CanaryBlack-throated CanaryThe Yellow-rumped Seedeater , also known as the Black-throated Canary, is a species of finch in the Fringillidae family.-Distribution:...
Serinus atrogularis - Yellow-fronted CanaryYellow-fronted CanaryThe Yellow-fronted Canary is a small passerine bird in the finch family. It is known elsewhere and in aviculture as the Green Singing Finch....
Serinus mozambicus - Brimstone CanaryBrimstone CanaryThe Brimstone Canary or Bully Canary, Serinus sulphuratus, is a small passerine bird in the finch family. It is a resident breeder in central and southern Africa....
Serinus sulphuratus - Streaky SeedeaterStreaky SeedeaterThe Streaky Seedeater is a species of finch in the Fringillidae family. It is found in Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia.-References:...
Serinus striolatus - Thick-billed SeedeaterThick-billed SeedeaterThe Thick-Billed Seedeater is a species of finch in the Fringillidae family. It is found in Angola, Burundi, Cameroon, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda.-References:...
Serinus burtoni
Sparrows
Order: Passeriformes. Family: PasseridaeSparrow
Sparrow
The sparrows are a family of small passerine birds, Passeridae. They are also known as true sparrows, or Old World sparrows, names also used for a genus of the family, Passer...
s 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, and they also consume small insects. There are 35 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Rwanda.
- Gray-headed Sparrow Passer griseus
External links
- Birds of Rwanda Birdlist, multi-lingual website by country with standardized codes for abundance and seasonal presence.