List of birds of the Gambia
This is a list of the bird species recorded in the Gambia. The avifauna of the Gambia include a total of 576 species, one of which has been introduced by humans and two of which are globally threatened. The country, which is very small and almost completely surrounded by Senegal, has no endemic species.
The following tags have been used to highlight several categories. Not all species will 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 the Gambia[1]
- (I) Introduced - a species introduced to the Gambia as a consequence, direct or indirect, of human actions
Grebes
Order: Podicipediformes Family: Podicipedidae
Grebes are small to medium-sized diving birds. They breed on fresh water, but often visit the sea whilst migrating and in winter. They have lobed toes and are excellent swimmers and divers; however, their feet are placed far back on their bodies, making them quite ungainly on land. There are 19 species worldwide. Of these, one species has been recorded in the Gambia.
- Little grebe, Tachybaptus ruficollis
Shearwaters
Order: Procellariiformes Family: Procellariidae
Shearwaters are medium-sized, long-winged seabirds. Highly pelagic, they come ashore only to breed, nesting on islands and rocky cliffs. They generally glide low above the water on stiff wings, and feed on fish, squid and similar oceanic food. There are 23–27 species worldwide. (Some experts split Audubon's shearwater into several distinct species, while others consider those distinctive forms to be subspecies.) Of these, 13 species have been recorded in Africa and two in the Gambia.
- Manx shearwater, Puffinus puffinus (A)
- Little shearwater, Puffinus assimilis (A)
Storm petrels
Order: Procellariiformes Family: Hydrobatidae
The storm-petrels are relatives of the petrels and are the smallest seabirds. They feed on planktonic crustaceans and small fish picked from the surface, typically while hovering. The flight is fluttering and sometimes bat-like. There are 21 species worldwide and 3 species which occur in the Gambia.
- Wilson's storm petrel, Oceanites oceanicus
- European storm petrel, Hydrobates pelagicus
- Leach's storm petrel, Oceanodroma leucorhoa (A)
Tropicbirds
Order: Pelecaniformes Family: Phaethontidae
Tropicbirds are slender white birds of tropical oceans, with exceptionally long central tail feathers. Their heads and long wings have black markings. There are 3 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in the Gambia.
- Red-billed tropicbird, Phaethon aethereus (A)
Pelicans
Order: Pelecaniformes Family: Pelecanidae
Pelicans are large water birds with a distinctive pouch under their beak. As with other members of the order Pelecaniformes, they have webbed feet with four toes. There are 8 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in the Gambia.
- Great white pelican, Pelecanus onocrotalus
- Pink-backed pelican, Pelecanus rufescens
Gannets and boobies
Order: Pelecaniformes Family: Sulidae
Gannets and boobies are large seabirds with long beaks and long, pointed wings. They eat fish, which they hunt by plunge-diving from heights of up to 30 m and chasing their prey underwater. They nest colonially on islands and along coasts, either on the ground or in trees. There are ten species worldwide; of these six have been recorded in Africa and two in the Gambia.
- Northern gannet, Morus bassanus
- Brown booby, Sula leucogaster (A)
Cormorants
Order: Pelecaniformes Family: Phalacrocoracidae
Cormorants are medium to large seabirds, found primarily along the coast, but occasionally ranging some way inland in aquatic environments. Their plumage is generally dark, though most species have areas of brightly coloured skin on the face. They are primarily fish eaters. Their bills are long, thin and sharply hooked, and their four-toed feet are webbed. Because their plumage is only semi-waterproof, they often stand out of the water with their wings outstretched to dry out their feathers. There are 39 species worldwide; of these, 11 have been reported in Africa and two in the Gambia.
- Great cormorant, Phalacrocorax carbo
- Long-tailed cormorant, Phalacrocorax africanus
Darters
Order: Pelecaniformes Family: Anhingidae
Darters are large waterbirds, found primarily in fresh and brackish water habitats. Because their plumage is not entirely waterproof, they often stand out of the water with their wings outstretched, drying off. Darters are strongly sexually dimorphic; males generally have much darker plumage than do females. They eat primarily fish, which they catch by diving from the water's surface. There are two to four species worldwide (some taxonomists lump all the Old World species as Anhinga melanogaster, while others treat them separately); of these, one has been recorded in Africa and in the Gambia.
- African darter, Anhinga rufa
Frigatebirds
Order: Pelecaniformes Family: Fregatidae
Frigatebirds are large seabirds typically found soaring over tropical oceans. They have long wings and a deeply forked tail; their plumage is either black (males) or black-and-white (females and young). Males have coloured inflatable throat pouches, which are used in courtship. Frigatebirds spend most of their time in the air. They are kleptoparasites and often chase other seabirds to get them to drop their catches of fish; they also scoop fish from the water's surface. There are five species worldwide; of these four have been reported in Africa and one in the Gambia.
- Magnificent frigatebird, Fregata magnificens (A)
Herons, egrets and bitterns
Order: Ciconiiformes Family: Ardeidae
Herons, egrets and bitterns are long-legged birds typically associated with wetlands; herons and egrets are long-necked, while bitterns tend to be shorter-necked and quite secretive. Birds in this family often wade in shallow waters, preying on various aquatic organisms (including fish and frogs) as well as reptiles, amphibians and the occasional small bird. In flight, they hold their neck retracted in a gentle S-curve. There are 61 species worldwide; of these, 29 occur in Africa and 18 in the Gambia.
- Grey heron, Ardea cinerea
- Black-headed heron, Ardea melanocephala
- Goliath heron, Ardea goliath
- Purple heron, Ardea purpurea
- Great egret, Ardea alba
- Black heron, Egretta ardesiaca
- Intermediate egret, Egretta intermedia
- Western reef heron, Egretta gularis
- Little egret, Egretta garzetta
- Squacco heron, Ardeola ralloides
- Cattle egret, Bubulcus ibis
- Striated heron, Butorides striata
- Black-crowned night heron, Nycticorax nycticorax
- White-backed night-heron, Gorsachius leuconotus
- White-crested bittern, Tigriornis leucolophus
- Little bittern, Ixobrychus minutus
- Dwarf bittern, Ixobrychus sturmii
- Great bittern, Botaurus stellaris (A)
Hamerkop
Order: Ciconiiformes Family: Scopidae
Hamerkops are medium-sized, all-brown wading birds named for their hammer-headed appearance, which is created by the combination of their shaggy backwards-pointing crests and their heavy black bills. Typically found in wetland areas, they forage in shallow water for amphibians, small fish, crustaceans, insects, worms and small mammals. They build enormous, complex nests—which they generally use for only a matter of months—and occupy their territories year-round. There is only a single species, which is found in the Gambia.
- Hamerkop, Scopus umbretta
Storks
Order: Ciconiiformes Family: Ciconiidae
Storks are large, long-legged, long-necked wading birds with long stout bills. They occur in most of the world's warmer regions and tend to live in drier habitats than herons, to which they're closely related. They build large stick nests and sometimes nest colonially. Many species are migratory. Most storks eat a variety of small vertebrates and invertebrates; some eat carrion. There are 19 species of storks worldwide; of those, eight have been recorded in Africa and seven in the Gambia.
- Yellow-billed stork, Mycteria ibis
- Black stork, Ciconia nigra (A)
- Abdim's stork, Ciconia abdimii (A)
- Woolly-necked stork, Ciconia episcopus
- White stork, Ciconia ciconia (A)
- Saddle-billed stork, Ephippiorhynchus senegalensis
- Marabou stork, Leptoptilos crumeniferus
Ibises and spoonbills
Order: Ciconiiformes Family: Threskiornithidae
- Sacred ibis, Threskiornis aethiopicus
- Hadada ibis, Bostrychia hagedash
- Glossy ibis, Plegadis falcinellus
- Eurasian spoonbill, Platalea leucorodia
- African spoonbill, Platalea alba
Flamingos
Order: Phoenicopteriformes Family: Phoenicopteridae
- Greater flamingo, Phoenicopterus roseus
- Lesser flamingo, Phoenicopterus minor Near-threatened
Ducks and geese
Order: Anseriformes Family: Anatidae
- Fulvous whistling-duck, Dendrocygna bicolor
- White-faced whistling-duck, Dendrocygna viduata
- Egyptian goose, Alopochen aegyptiacus
- Spur-winged goose, Plectropterus gambensis
- Comb duck, Sarkidiornis melanotos
- African pygmy goose, Nettapus auritus
- Common teal, Anas crecca
- Northern pintail, Anas acuta
- Garganey, Anas querquedula
- Northern shoveler, Anas clypeata
- Common pochard, Aythya ferina
- Ferruginous duck, Aythya nyroca (A) Near-threatened
- Tufted duck, Aythya fuligula (A)
Osprey
Order: Falconiformes Family: Pandionidae
- Osprey, Pandion haliaetus
Kites, vultures, hawks and eagles
Order: Falconiformes Family: Accipitridae
- African cuckoo-hawk, Aviceda cuculoides
- European honey buzzard, Pernis apivorus
- Bat hawk, Macheiramphus alcinus
- Black-winged kite, Elanus caeruleus
- African swallow-tailed kite, Chelictinia riocourii
- Red kite, Milvus milvus (A)
- Black kite, Milvus migrans
- African fish eagle, Haliaeetus vocifer
- Palm-nut vulture, Gypohierax angolensis
- Hooded vulture, Necrosyrtes monachus
- Egyptian vulture, Neophron percnopterus
- White-backed vulture, Gyps africanus
- Rueppell's vulture, Gyps rueppellii
- Eurasian griffon, Gyps fulvus
- Lappet-faced vulture, Torgos tracheliotus Vulnerable
- White-headed vulture, Trigonoceps occipitalis
- Short-toed snake eagle, Circaetus gallicus
- Beaudouin's snake eagle, Circaetus beaudouini
- Brown snake eagle, Circaetus cinereus
- Western banded snake eagle, Circaetus cinerascens
- Bateleur, Terathopius ecaudatus
- Western marsh harrier, Circus aeruginosus
- Pallid harrier, Circus macrourus Near-threatened
- Montagu's harrier, Circus pygargus
- African harrier-hawk, Polyboroides typus
- Lizard buzzard, Kaupifalco monogrammicus
- Dark chanting goshawk, Melierax metabates
- Gabar goshawk, Micronisus gabar
- Red-chested goshawk, Accipiter toussenelii
- African goshawk, Accipiter tachiro
- Shikra, Accipiter badius
- Red-thighed sparrowhawk, Accipiter erythropus
- Eurasian sparrowhawk, Accipiter nisus (A)
- Black goshawk, Accipiter melanoleucus
- Grasshopper buzzard, Butastur rufipennis
- Common buzzard, Buteo buteo
- Long-legged buzzard, Buteo rufinus (A)
- Red-necked buzzard, Buteo auguralis
- Tawny eagle, Aquila rapax
- Wahlberg's eagle, Aquila wahlbergi
- African hawk-eagle, Aquila spilogaster
- Booted eagle, Aquila pennatus
- Martial eagle, Polemaetus bellicosus
- Long-crested eagle, Lophaetus occipitalis
Secretary bird
Order: Falconiformes Family: Sagittariidae
- Secretary bird, Sagittarius serpentarius (A)
Falcons
Order: Falconiformes Family: Falconidae
- Lesser kestrel, Falco naumanni Vulnerable
- Common kestrel, Falco tinnunculus
- Fox kestrel, Falco alopex (A)
- Grey kestrel, Falco ardosiaceus
- Red-necked falcon, Falco chicquera
- Red-footed falcon, Falco vespertinus (A)[5]
- Eurasian hobby, Falco subbuteo
- African hobby, Falco cuvierii
- Lanner falcon, Falco biarmicus
- Barbary falcon, Falco pelegrinoides
- Peregrine falcon, Falco peregrinus
Francolins, quail and partridges
Order: Galliformes Family: Phasianidae
- Common quail, Coturnix coturnix (A)
- White-throated francolin, Francolinus albogularis
- Ahanta francolin, Francolinus ahantensis
- Double-spurred francolin, Francolinus bicalcaratus
- Stone partridge, Ptilopachus petrosus
Guineafowl
Order: Galliformes Family: Numididae
- Helmeted guineafowl, Numida meleagris
Buttonquail
Order: Gruiformes Family: Turnicidae
- Small buttonquail, Turnix sylvatica
- Quail-plover, Ortyxelos meiffrenii (A)
Cranes
Order: Gruiformes Family: Gruidae
- Black crowned crane, Balearica pavonina Near-threatened
Crakes, gallinules and coots
Order: Gruiformes Family: Rallidae
- White-spotted flufftail, Sarothrura pulchra
- African crake, Crecopsis egregia
- African water rail, Rallus caerulescens (A)
- Black crake, Amaurornis flavirostris
- Little crake, Porzana parva (A)[6]
- Baillon's crake, Porzana pusilla
- Spotted crake, Porzana porzana (A)
- African swamphen, Porphyrio madagascariensis
- Allen's gallinule, Porphyrio alleni (A)
- Common moorhen, Gallinula chloropus
- Lesser moorhen, Gallinula angulata
- Eurasian coot, Fulica atra (A)
Finfoots
Order: Gruiformes Family: Heliornithidae
- African finfoot, Podica senegalensis
Bustards
Order: Gruiformes Family: Otidae
- Arabian bustard, Ardeotis arabs (A)
- Denham's bustard, Neotis denhami (A) Near-threatened
- White-bellied bustard, Eupodotis senegalensis (A)
- Savile's bustard, Eupodotis savilei (A)
- Black-bellied bustard, Lissotis melanogaster
Jacanas
Order: Charadriiformes Family: Jacanidae
- African jacana, Actophilornis africanus
Painted snipes
Order: Charadriiformes Family: Rostratulidae
- Greater painted snipe, Rostratula benghalensis
Oystercatchers
Order: Charadriiformes Family: Haematopodidae
- Eurasian oystercatcher, Haematopus ostralegus
Stilts and avocets
Order: Charadriiformes Family: Recurvirostridae
- Black-winged stilt, Himantopus himantopus
- Pied avocet, Recurvirostra avosetta
Thick-knees
Order: Charadriiformes Family: Burhinidae
- Senegal thick-knee, Burhinus senegalensis
- Spotted thick-knee, Burhinus capensis
Coursers
Order: Charadriiformes Family: Glareolidae
- Egyptian plover, Pluvianus aegyptius
- Cream-coloured courser, Cursorius cursor (A)
- Temminck's courser, Cursorius temminckii
- Bronze-winged courser, Rhinoptilus chalcopterus
- Collared pratincole, Glareola pratincola
Lapwings, plovers and dotterel
Order: Charadriiformes Family: Charadriidae
Lapwings, plovers and dotterels are small to medium-sized birds with compact bodies, short, thick necks and long, usually pointed, wings. They are found in open country worldwide, generally in habitats near water, although there are some exceptions. There are 66 species worldwide; of these, 33 species have been recorded in Africa and 15 in the Gambia.
- Northern lapwing, Vanellus vanellus (A)
- Senegal lapwing, Vanellus lugubris (A)
- Spur-winged plover, Vanellus spinosus
- Black-headed plover, Vanellus tectus
- White-headed plover, Vanellus albiceps
- Wattled lapwing, Vanellus senegallus
- American golden plover, Pluvialis dominica (A)
- European golden plover, Pluvialis apricaria
- Grey plover, Pluvialis squatarola
- Ringed plover, Charadrius hiaticula
- Little ringed plover, Charadrius dubius
- Kittlitz's plover, Charadrius pecuarius
- Forbes's plover, Charadrius forbesi (A)[7]
- White-fronted plover, Charadrius marginatus
- Kentish plover, Charadrius alexandrinus
- Eurasian dotterel, Charadrius morinellus (A)
Sandpipers, curlews, stints, godwits, snipes and phalaropes
Order: Charadriiformes Family: Scolopacidae
- Jack snipe, Lymnocryptes minimus
- Great snipe, Gallinago media Near-threatened
- Common snipe, Gallinago gallinago
- Black-tailed godwit, Limosa limosa
- Bar-tailed godwit, Limosa lapponica
- Whimbrel, Numenius phaeopus
- Eurasian curlew, Numenius arquata
- Spotted redshank, Tringa erythropus
- Common redshank, Tringa totanus
- Marsh sandpiper, Tringa stagnatilis
- Common greenshank, Tringa nebularia
- Lesser yellowlegs, Tringa flavipes (A)
- Green sandpiper, Tringa ochropus
- Solitary sandpiper, Tringa solitaria (A)[8]
- Wood sandpiper, Tringa glareola
- Terek sandpiper, Xenus cinereus (A)
- Common sandpiper, Actitis hypoleucos
- Ruddy turnstone, Arenaria interpres
- Red knot, Calidris canutus
- Sanderling, Calidris alba
- Little stint, Calidris minuta
- Temminck's stint, Calidris temminckii
- Baird's sandpiper, Calidris bairdii (A)
- Curlew sandpiper, Calidris ferruginea
- Dunlin, Calidris alpina
- Purple sandpiper, Calidris maritima
- Ruff, Philomachus pugnax
- Red-necked phalarope, Phalaropus lobatus
- Grey phalarope, Phalaropus fulicarius
Skuas
Order: Charadriiformes Family: Stercorariidae
- Pomarine skua, Stercorarius pomarinus
- Arctic skua, Stercorarius parasiticus
Gulls
Order: Charadriiformes Family: Laridae
- Common gull, Larus canus (A)
- Audouin's gull, Larus audouinii Near-threatened
- Kelp gull, Larus dominicanus
- Lesser black-backed gull, Larus fuscus
- Yellow-legged gull, Larus michahellis
- Grey-headed gull, Larus cirrocephalus
- Black-headed gull, Larus ridibundus
- Slender-billed gull, Larus genei
- Mediterranean gull, Larus melanocephalus (A)
- Laughing gull, Larus atricilla (A)
- Franklin's gull, Larus pipixcan (A)
- Little gull, Larus minutus (A)
- Black-legged kittiwake, Rissa tridactyla (A)
Terns
Order: Charadriiformes Family: Sternidae
- Gull-billed tern, Gelochelidon nilotica
- Caspian tern, Hydroprogne caspia
- Lesser crested tern, Sterna bengalensis
- Sandwich tern, Sterna sandvicensis
- Royal tern, Sterna maxima
- Roseate tern, Sterna dougallii (A)
- Common tern, Sterna hirundo
- Arctic tern, Sterna paradisaea
- Little tern, Sternula albifrons
- Whiskered tern, Chlidonias hybridus
- White-winged black tern, Chlidonias leucopterus
- Black tern, Chlidonias niger
- Bridled tern, Onychoprion anaethetus (A)[9]
- Black noddy, Anous minutus (A)
- Brown noddy, Anous stolidus (A)
Skimmers
Order: Charadriiformes Family: Rynchopidae
- African skimmer, Rynchops flavirostris Near-threatened
Sandgrouse
Order: Pterocliformes Family: Pteroclidae
- Chestnut-bellied sandgrouse, Pterocles exustus (A)
- Four-banded sandgrouse, Pterocles quadricinctus
Doves and pigeons
Order: Columbiformes Family: Columbidae
- Rock dove, Columba livia
- Speckled pigeon, Columba guinea
- Eurasian turtle dove, Streptopelia turtur
- Adamawa turtle dove, Streptopelia hypopyrrha
- African collared dove, Streptopelia roseogrisea
- Mourning collared dove, Streptopelia decipiens
- Red-eyed dove, Streptopelia semitorquata
- Vinaceous dove, Streptopelia vinacea
- Laughing dove, Streptopelia senegalensis
- Black-billed wood dove, Turtur abyssinicus
- Blue-spotted wood dove, Turtur afer
- Namaqua dove, Oena capensis
- Bruce's green pigeon, Treron waalia
- African green pigeon, Treron calva
Parrots
Order: Psittaciformes Family: Psittacidae
- Rose-ringed parakeet, Psittacula krameri
- Grey-headed parrot, Poicephalus robustus
- Senegal parrot, Poicephalus senegalus
Turacos
Order: Cuculiformes Family: Musophagidae
- Guinea turaco, Tauraco persa
- Violet turaco, Musophaga violacea
- Western grey plantain-eater, Crinifer piscator
Cuckoos
Order: Cuculiformes Family: Cuculidae
- Pied cuckoo, Clamator jacobinus
- Levaillant's cuckoo, Clamator levaillantii
- Great spotted cuckoo, Clamator glandarius
- Red-chested cuckoo, Cuculus solitarius
- Black cuckoo, Cuculus clamosus (A)
- Common cuckoo, Cuculus canorus
- African cuckoo, Cuculus gularis
- Klaas's cuckoo, Chrysococcyx klaas
- African emerald cuckoo, Chrysococcyx cupreus (A)
- Dideric cuckoo, Chrysococcyx caprius
- Yellowbill, Ceuthmochares aereus
- Black coucal, Centropus grillii
- Senegal coucal, Centropus senegalensis
Barn owl
Order: Strigiformes Family: Tytonidae
- Barn owl, Tyto alba
True owls
Order: Strigiformes Family: Strigidae
- African scops owl, Otus senegalensis
- European scops owl, Otus scops
- White-faced scops owl, Ptilopsis leucotis
- Greyish eagle-owl, Bubo cinerascens
- Verreaux's eagle-owl, Bubo lacteus
- Pel's fishing-owl, Scotopelia peli
- African wood owl, Strix woodfordii
- Pearl-spotted owlet, Glaucidium perlatum
- Marsh owl, Asio capensis
Nightjars
Order: Caprimulgiformes Family: Caprimulgidae
- Red-necked nightjar, Caprimulgus ruficollis
- European nightjar, Caprimulgus europaeus
- Swamp nightjar, Caprimulgus natalensis (A)
- Plain nightjar, Caprimulgus inornatus
- Long-tailed nightjar, Caprimulgus climacurus
- Pennant-winged nightjar, Macrodipteryx vexillarius (A)
- Standard-winged nightjar, Macrodipteryx longipennis
Swifts
Order: Apodiformes Family: Apodidae
- Mottled spinetail, Telacanthura ussheri
- African palm-swift, Cypsiurus parvus
- Alpine swift, Tachymarptis melba
- Common swift, Apus apus
- Pallid swift, Apus pallidus
- Little swift, Apus affinis
- White-rumped swift, Apus caffer
Mousebirds
Order: Coliiformes Family: Coliidae
- Blue-naped mousebird, Urocolius macrourus
Kingfishers
Order: Coraciiformes Family: Alcedinidae
- Shining blue kingfisher, Alcedo quadribrachys
- Malachite kingfisher, Corythornis cristatus
- African pygmy kingfisher, Ispidina picta
- Grey-headed kingfisher, Halcyon leucocephala
- Woodland kingfisher, Halcyon senegalensis
- Blue-breasted kingfisher, Halcyon malimbica
- Striped kingfisher, Halcyon chelicuti
- Giant kingfisher, Megaceryle maxima
- Pied kingfisher, Ceryle rudis
Bee-eaters
Order: Coraciiformes Family: Meropidae
- Red-throated bee-eater, Merops bulocki
- Little bee-eater, Merops pusillus
- Swallow-tailed bee-eater, Merops hirundineus
- White-throated bee-eater, Merops albicollis
- Little green bee-eater, Merops orientalis
- Blue-cheeked bee-eater, Merops persicus
- European bee-eater, Merops apiaster
- Northern carmine bee-eater, Merops nubicus
Rollers
Order: Coraciiformes Family: Coraciidae
- European roller, Coracias garrulus
- Abyssinian roller, Coracias abyssinica
- Rufous-crowned roller, Coracias naevia
- Blue-bellied roller, Coracias cyanogaster
- Broad-billed roller, Eurystomus glaucurus
Hoopoe
Order: Coraciiformes Family: Upupidae
- Eurasian hoopoe, Upupa epops
Woodhoopoes
Order: Coraciiformes Family: Phoeniculidae
- Green woodhoopoe, Phoeniculus purpureus
- Black woodhoopoe, Rhinopomastus aterrimus
Hornbills
Order: Coraciiformes Family: Bucerotidae
- Red-billed hornbill, Tockus erythrorhynchus
- African pied hornbill, Tockus fasciatus
- African grey hornbill, Tockus nasutus
- Abyssinian ground-hornbill, Bucorvus abyssinicus
Tinkerbirds
Order: Piciformes Family: Capitonidae
- Yellow-rumped tinkerbird, Pogoniulus bilineatus
- Yellow-fronted tinkerbird, Pogoniulus chrysoconus
- Vieillot's barbet, Lybius vieilloti
- Bearded barbet, Lybius dubius
Honeyguides
Order: Piciformes Family: Indicatoridae
- Spotted honeyguide, Indicator maculatus
- Greater honeyguide, Indicator indicator
- Lesser honeyguide, Indicator minor
Woodpeckers
Order: Piciformes Family: Picidae
- Eurasian wryneck, Jynx torquilla
- Fine-spotted woodpecker, Campethera punctuligera
- Golden-tailed woodpecker, Campethera abingoni
- Buff-spotted woodpecker, Campethera nivosa
- Little grey woodpecker, Dendropicos elachus (A)
- Cardinal woodpecker, Dendropicos fuscescens
- Grey woodpecker, Dendropicos goertae
- Brown-backed woodpecker, Dendropicos obsoletus
Larks
Order: Passeriformes Family: Alaudidae
- Singing bushlark, Mirafra cantillans
- Flappet lark, Mirafra rufocinnamomea
- Rufous-rumped lark, Pinarocorys erythropygia (A)
- Short-toed lark, Calandrella brachydactyla (A)
- Chestnut-backed sparrow-lark, Eremopterix leucotis
- Crested lark, Galerida cristata
- Sun lark, Galerida modesta
- Temminck's horned lark, Eremophila bilopha (A)[10]
Swallows and martins
Order: Passeriformes Family: Hirundinidae
- Sand martin, Riparia riparia
- Brown-throated martin, Riparia paludicola
- Banded martin, Riparia cincta
- Grey-rumped swallow, Hirundo griseopyga
- Eurasian crag martin, Ptyonoprogne rupestris (A)
- Barn swallow, Hirundo rustica
- Red-chested swallow, Hirundo lucida
- Wire-tailed swallow, Hirundo smithii
- Pied-winged swallow, Hirundo leucosoma
- Lesser striped swallow, Hirundo abyssinica
- Rufous-chested swallow, Hirundo semirufa
- Mosque swallow, Hirundo senegalensis
- Red-rumped swallow, Hirundo daurica
- Common house martin, Delichon urbicum
- Fanti sawwing, Psalidoprocne obscura
Wagtails and pipits
Order: Passeriformes Family: Motacillidae
- White wagtail, Motacilla alba
- African pied wagtail, Motacilla aguimp (A)
- Yellow wagtail, Motacilla flava
- Yellow-throated longclaw, Macronyx croceus
- Plain-backed pipit, Anthus leucophrys
- Tawny pipit, Anthus campestris
- Tree pipit, Anthus trivialis
- Red-throated pipit, Anthus cervinus
Cuckoo-shrikes
Order: Passeriformes Family: Campephagidae
- White-breasted cuckoo-shrike, Coracina pectoralis
- Red-shouldered cuckoo-shrike, Campephaga phoenicea
Bulbuls, greenbuls, bristlebills and nicators
Order: Passeriformes Family: Pycnonotidae
- Common bulbul, Pycnonotus barbatus
- Little greenbul, Andropadus virens
- Yellow-throated leaflove, Chlorocichla flavicollis
- Swamp palm greenbul, Thescelocichla leucopleura (A)
- Leaf-love, Phyllastrephus scandens
- Grey-headed bristlebill, Bleda canicapilla
- Western nicator, Nicator chloris (A)
Thrushes
Order: Passeriformes Family: Turdidae
- African thrush, Turdus pelios
Cisticolas
Order: Passeriformes Family: Cisticolidae
- Red-faced cisticola, Cisticola erythrops
- Singing cisticola, Cisticola cantans
- Whistling cisticola, Cisticola lateralis
- Plaintive cisticola, Cisticola dorsti
- Winding cisticola, Cisticola galactotes
- Croaking cisticola, Cisticola natalensis
- Siffling cisticola, Cisticola brachypterus
- Rufous cisticola, Cisticola rufus
- Zitting cisticola, Cisticola juncidis
- Desert cisticola, Cisticola aridulus
- Black-backed cisticola, Cisticola eximius
- Tawny-flanked prinia, Prinia subflava
- River prinia, Prinia fluviatilis (A)[11]
- Red-winged prinia, Prinia erythroptera
- Yellow-breasted apalis, Apalis flavida
- Oriole warbler, Hypergerus atriceps
- Grey-backed camaroptera, Camaroptera brachyura
- Olive-green camaroptera, Camaroptera chloronota (A)
- Senegal eremomela, Eremomela pusilla
- Green-backed eremomela, Eremomela canescens
African warblers
Order: Passeriformes Family: Macrosphenidae
- African moustached warbler, Melocichla mentalis (A)
- Green crombec, Sylvietta virens
- Lemon-bellied crombec, Sylvietta denti (A)
- Northern crombec, Sylvietta brachyura
Cettid warblers
Order: Passeriformes Family: Cettiidae
- Green hylia, Hylia prasina
Locustellid warblers
Order: Passeriformes Family: Locustellidae
- Grasshopper warbler, Locustella naevia (A)
Acrocephalid warblers
Order: Passeriformes Family: Acrocephalidae
- Sedge warbler, Acrocephalus schoenobaenus
- Eurasian reed warbler, Acrocephalus scirpaceus
- African reed warbler, Acrocephalus baeticatus
- Great reed warbler, Acrocephalus arundinaceus (A)
- Greater swamp warbler, Acrocephalus rufescens
- Eastern olivaceous warbler, Iduna pallida
- Melodious warbler, Hippolais polyglotta
- Icterine warbler, Hippolais icterina (A)[12]
Phylloscopid warblers
Order: Passeriformes Family: Phylloscopidae
- Willow warbler, Phylloscopus trochilus
- Common chiffchaff, Phylloscopus collybita
- Western Bonelli's warbler, Phylloscopus bonelli
- Wood warbler, Phylloscopus sibilatrix (A)
- Yellow-browed warbler, Phylloscopus inornatus (A)[13]
Hyliotid warblers
Order: Passeriformes Family: Hyliotidae
- Yellow-bellied hyliota, Hyliota flavigaster
Old World warblers
Order: Passeriformes Family: Sylviidae
- Eurasian blackcap, Sylvia atricapilla
- Garden warbler, Sylvia borin
- Whitethroat, Sylvia communis
- Lesser whitethroat, Sylvia curruca (A)
- Western Orphean warbler, Sylvia hortensis
- Subalpine warbler, Sylvia cantillans
- Spectacled warbler, Sylvia conspicillata (A)
- Rüppell's warbler, Sylvia rueppelli (A)[14]
Old World flycatchers
Order: Passeriformes Family: Muscicapidae
- Common rock thrush, Monticola saxatilis
- Blue rock thrush, Monticola solitarius
- Pale flycatcher, Bradornis pallidus
- Northern black flycatcher, Melaenornis edolioides
- Spotted flycatcher, Muscicapa striata
- Swamp flycatcher, Muscicapa aquatica
- Grey tit-flycatcher, Myioparus plumbeus
- European pied flycatcher, Ficedula hypoleuca
- Nightingale, Luscinia megarhynchos
- Bluethroat, Luscinia svecica
- Snowy-crowned robin-chat, Cossypha niveicapilla
- White-crowned robin-chat, Cossypha albicapilla
- Rufous-tailed scrub-robin, Cercotrichas galactotes
- Common redstart, Phoenicurus phoenicurus
- Whinchat, Saxicola rubetra
- Northern wheatear, Oenanthe oenanthe
- Black-eared wheatear, Oenanthe hispanica (A)
- Isabelline wheatear, Oenanthe isabellina (A)
- Blackstart, Cercomela melanura (A)
- Northern anteater-chat, Myrmecocichla aethiops
- White-fronted black-chat, Myrmecocichla albifrons
Wattle-eyes
Order: Passeriformes Family: Platysteiridae
- African shrike-flycatcher, Megabyas flammulatus (A)
- Black-and-white shrike-flycatcher, Bias musicus (A)
- Brown-throated wattle-eye, Platysteira cyanea
- Senegal batis, Batis senegalensis
Fairy flycatchers
Order: Passeriformes Family: Stenostiridae
- African blue flycatcher, Elminia longicauda
Paradise-flycatchers
Order: Passeriformes Family: Monarchidae
- Black-headed paradise flycatcher, Terpsiphone rufiventer
- African paradise flycatcher, Terpsiphone viridis
Ground babblers
Order: Passeriformes Family: Pellorneidae
- Puvel's illadopsis, Illadopsis puveli
Laughingthrushes
Order: Passeriformes Family: Leiothrichidae
- Blackcap babbler, Turdoides reinwardtii
- Brown babbler, Turdoides plebejus
- Capuchin babbler, Phyllanthus atripennis
Tits
Order: Passeriformes Family: Paridae
- White-winged black tit, Melaniparus leucomelas
Treecreepers
Order: Passeriformes Family: Certhiidae
- Spotted creeper, Salpornis salvadori (A)
Penduline tits
Order: Passeriformes Family: Remizidae
- Yellow penduline-tit, Anthoscopus parvulus
Sunbirds
Order: Passeriformes Family: Nectariniidae
- Mouse-brown sunbird, Anthreptes gabonicus
- Western violet-backed sunbird, Anthreptes longuemarei
- Collared sunbird, Hedydipna collaris
- Pygmy sunbird, Hedydipna platura
- Green-headed sunbird, Cyanomitra verticalis
- Scarlet-chested sunbird, Chalcomitra senegalensis
- Olive-bellied sunbird, Cinnyris chloropygia (A)[11]
- Beautiful sunbird, Cinnyris pulchellus
- Splendid sunbird, Cinnyris coccinigaster
- Variable sunbird, Cinnyris venustus
- Copper sunbird, Cinnyris cupreus
White-eyes
Order: Passeriformes Family: Zosteropidae
- African yellow white-eye, Zosterops senegalensis
Orioles
Order: Passeriformes Family: Oriolidae
- Eurasian golden oriole, Oriolus oriolus (A)
- African golden oriole, Oriolus auratus
Shrikes
Order: Passeriformes Family: Laniidae
- Isabelline shrike, Lanius isabellinus (A)
- Southern grey shrike, Lanius meridionalis (A)
- Woodchat shrike, Lanius senator
- Yellow-billed shrike, Corvinella corvina
Bushshrikes
Order: Passeriformes Family: Malaconotidae
- Brubru, Nilaus afer
- Northern puffback, Dryoscopus gambensis
- Black-crowned tchagra, Tchagra senegala
- Yellow-crowned gonolek, Laniarius barbarus
- Sulphur-breasted bushshrike, Telophorus sulfureopectus
- Grey-headed bushshrike, Malaconotus blanchoti
Helmetshrikes
Order: Passeriformes Family: Prionopidae
- White helmetshrike, Prionops plumatus
Drongos
Order: Passeriformes Family: Dicruridae
- Square-tailed drongo, Dicrurus ludwigii
- Fork-tailed drongo, Dicrurus adsimilis
Piapiac, crows and ravens
Order: Passeriformes Family: Corvidae
- Piapiac, Ptilostomus afer
- Pied crow, Corvus albus
- Brown-necked raven, Corvus ruficollis (A)
Starlings
Order: Passeriformes Family: Sturnidae
- Wattled starling, Creatophora cinerea (A)
- Greater blue-eared glossy starling, Lamprotornis chalybaeus
- Lesser blue-eared glossy-starling, Lamprotornis chloropterus
- Bronze-tailed glossy-starling, Lamprotornis chalcurus
- Splendid glossy-starling, Lamprotornis splendidus
- Purple glossy starling, Lamprotornis purpureus
- Long-tailed glossy starling, Lamprotornis caudatus
- Chestnut-bellied starling, Lamprotornis pulcher
- Violet-backed starling, Cinnyricinclus leucogaster
- Yellow-billed oxpecker, Buphagus africanus
Weavers
Order: Passeriformes Family: Ploceidae
- White-billed buffalo weaver, Bubalornis albirostris
- Speckle-fronted weaver, Sporopipes frontalis
- Chestnut-crowned sparrow-weaver, Plocepasser superciliosus
- Little weaver, Ploceus luteolus
- Black-necked weaver, Ploceus nigricollis
- Heuglin's masked weaver, Ploceus heuglini
- Vitelline masked weaver, Ploceus velatus
- Village weaver, Ploceus cucullatus
- Vieillot's weaver, Ploceus nigerrimus (A)
- Yellow-backed weaver, Ploceus melanocephalus
- Blue-billed malimbe, Malimbus nitens (A)
- Red-headed weaver, Anaplectes rubriceps
- Red-headed quelea, Quelea erythrops
- Red-billed quelea, Quelea quelea
- Yellow-crowned bishop, Euplectes afer
- Black-winged bishop, Euplectes hordeaceus
- Northern red bishop, Euplectes franciscanus
- Yellow-mantled widowbird, Euplectes macrourus
- Red-collared widowbird, Euplectes ardens
- Parasitic weaver, Anomalospiza imberbis (A)
Estrildid finches
Order: Passeriformes Family: Estrildidae
- Chestnut-breasted negrofinch, Nigrita bicolor (A)
- Grey-headed oliveback, Nesocharis capistrata (A)
- Red-winged pytilia, Pytilia phoenicoptera
- Green-winged pytilia, Pytilia melba
- Crimson seedcracker, Pyrenestes sanguineus
- Western bluebill, Spermophaga haematina
- Bar-breasted firefinch, Lagonosticta rufopicta
- Red-billed firefinch, Lagonosticta senegala
- Black-faced firefinch, Lagonosticta larvata
- Red-cheeked cordonbleu, Uraeginthus bengalus
- Lavender waxbill, Estrilda caerulescens
- Orange-cheeked waxbill, Estrilda melpoda
- Black-rumped waxbill, Estrilda troglodytes
- Zebra waxbill, Amandava subflava
- African quailfinch, Ortygospiza atricollis
- African silverbill, Lonchura cantans
- Bronze mannikin, Lonchura cucullata
- Magpie mannikin, Lonchura fringilloides
- Cut-throat, Amadina fasciata
Indigobirds and whydahs
Order: Passeriformes Family: Viduidae
- Village indigobird, Vidua chalybeata
- Baka indigobird, Vidua larvaticola
- Quailfinch indigobird, Vidua nigeriae
- Cameroon indigobird, Vidua camerunensis
- Pin-tailed whydah, Vidua macroura
- Exclamatory paradise whydah, Vidua interjecta
- Northern paradise whydah, Vidua orientalis
Buntings
Order: Passeriformes Family: Emberizidae
- Ortolan bunting, Emberiza hortulana (A)
- House bunting, Emberiza striolata (A)
- Cinnamon-breasted bunting, Emberiza tahapisi
- Brown-rumped bunting, Emberiza affinis
Canaries and seedeaters
Order: Passeriformes Family: Fringillidae
- White-rumped seedeater, Serinus leucopygius
- Yellow-fronted canary, Serinus mozambicus
Sparrows
Order: Passeriformes Family: Passeridae
- House sparrow, Passer domesticus (I)
- Grey-headed sparrow, Passer griseus
- Sudan golden sparrow, Passer luteus
- Bush petronia, Petronia dentata
See also
References
- ↑ this information is from Barlow's A Field Guide to Birds of The Gambia and Senegal, unless otherwise noted
- ↑ 2.00 2.01 2.02 2.03 2.04 2.05 2.06 2.07 2.08 2.09 2.10 2.11 2.12 2.13 2.14 2.15 2.16 2.17 2.18 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
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External links
- African Bird Club's checklist for the Gambia
- Birds of The Gambia - World Institute for Conservation and Environment
- Avibase checklist for the Gambia
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