List of birds of Tanzania
This is a list of the bird species recorded in Tanzania. The avifauna of Tanzania include a total of 1108 species, of which 23 are endemic, four have been introduced by humans and 43 are rare or accidental. Of these, 36 species are globally threatened.
This list's taxonomic treatment (designation and sequence of orders, families and species) and nomenclature (common and scientific names) follow the conventions of The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World, 5th edition. The family accounts at the beginning of each heading reflect this taxonomy, as do the species counts found in each family account. Introduced and accidental species are included in the total counts for Tanzania.
The following tags have been used to highlight several categories. The commonly occurring native species do not fall into any of these categories.
- (A) Accidental - a species that rarely or accidentally occurs in Tanzania
- (E) Endemic - a species endemic to Tanzania
- (I) Introduced - a species introduced to Tanzania as a consequence, direct or indirect, of human actions
Ostriches
Order: Struthioniformes Family: Struthionidae
The ostrich is a flightless bird native to Africa. It is the largest living species of bird. It is distinctive in its appearance, with a long neck and legs and the ability to run at high speeds.
- Ostrich, Struthio camelus
Grebes
Order: Podicipediformes Family: Podicipedidae
Grebes are small to medium-large freshwater diving birds. They have lobed toes and are excellent swimmers and divers. However, they have their feet placed far back on the body, making them quite ungainly on land. There are 20 species worldwide and 3 species which occur in Tanzania.
- Little grebe, Tachybaptus ruficollis
- Great crested grebe, Podiceps cristatus
- Eared grebe, Podiceps nigricollis
Albatrosses
Order: Procellariiformes Family: Diomedeidae
The albatrosses are among the largest of flying birds, and the great albatrosses from the genus Diomedea have the largest wingspans of any extant birds. There are 21 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Tanzania.
- Shy albatross, Thalassarche cauta
Shearwaters and petrels
Order: Procellariiformes Family: Procellariidae
The procellariids are the main group of medium-sized "true petrels", characterised by united nostrils with medium septum and a long outer functional primary.
- Antarctic giant petrel, Macronectes giganteus
- White-chinned petrel, Procellaria aequinoctialis (A)
- Wedge-tailed shearwater, Ardenna pacificus (A)
- Tropical shearwater, Puffinus bailloni (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 1 species which occurs in Tanzania.
- White-bellied storm petrel, Fregetta grallaria (A)
Tropicbirds
Order: Phaethontiformes Family: Phaethontidae
Tropicbirds are slender white birds of tropical oceans, with exceptionally long central tail feathers. Their heads and long wings have black markings.
- White-tailed tropicbird, Phaethon lepturus
Boobies and gannets
Order: Suliformes Family: Sulidae
The sulids comprise the gannets and boobies. Both groups are medium to large coastal seabirds that plunge-dive for fish.
- Cape gannet, Morus capensis
- Masked booby, Sula dactylatra
- Red-footed booby, Sula sula
- Brown booby, Sula leucogaster
Cormorants
Order: Suliformes Family: Phalacrocoracidae
Phalacrocoracidae is a family of medium to large coastal, fish-eating seabirds that includes cormorants and shags. Plumage colouration varies, with the majority having mainly dark plumage, some species being black-and-white and a few being colourful.
- Great cormorant, Phalacrocorax carbo
- Long-tailed cormorant, Phalacrocorax africanus
Darters
Order: Suliformes Family: Anhingidae
Darters are often called "snake-birds" because of their long thin neck, which gives a snake-like appearance when they swim with their bodies submerged. The males have black and dark-brown plumage, an erectile crest on the nape and a larger bill than the female. The females have much paler plumage especially on the neck and underparts. The darters have completely webbed feet and their legs are short and set far back on the body. Their plumage is somewhat permeable, like that of cormorants, and they spread their wings to dry after diving.
- African darter, Anhinga melanogaster
Frigatebirds
Order: Suliformes Family: Fregatidae
Frigatebirds are large seabirds usually found over tropical oceans. They are large, black-and-white or completely black, with long wings and deeply forked tails. The males have coloured inflatable throat pouches. They do not swim or walk and cannot take off from a flat surface. Having the largest wingspan-to-body-weight ratio of any bird, they are essentially aerial, able to stay aloft for more than a week.
- Great frigatebird, Fregata minor
- Lesser frigatebird, Fregata ariel
Pelicans
Order: Pelecaniformes Family: Pelecanidae
Pelicans are large water birds with a distinctive pouch under their beak. As with other members of the order Pelecaniformes, they have webbed feet with four toes.
- Great white pelican, Pelecanus onocrotalus
- Pink-backed pelican, Pelecanus rufescens
Bitterns, herons and egrets
Order: Pelecaniformes Family: Ardeidae
The family Ardeidae contains the bitterns, herons and egrets. Herons and egrets are medium to large wading birds with long necks and legs. Bitterns tend to be shorter necked and more wary. Members of Ardeidae fly with their necks retracted, unlike other long-necked birds such as storks, ibises and spoonbills.
- 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
- Little egret, Egretta garzetta
- Dimorphic egret, Egretta dimorpha
- Squacco heron, Ardeola ralloides
- Madagascar pond heron, Ardeola idae
- Rufous-bellied heron, Ardeola rufiventris
- Cattle egret, Bubulcus ibis
- Striated heron, Butorides striata
- Black-crowned night heron, Nycticorax nycticorax
- White-backed night heron, Gorsachius leuconotus
- Little bittern, Ixobrychus minutus
- Dwarf bittern, Ixobrychus sturmii
- Great bittern, Botaurus stellaris
Hammerkop
Order: Pelecaniformes Family: Scopidae
The hammerkop is a medium-sized bird with a long shaggy crest. The shape of its head with a curved bill and crest at the back is reminiscent of a hammer, hence its name. Its plumage is drab-brown all over.
- Hamerkop, Scopus umbretta
Shoebill
Order: Pelecaniformes Family: Balaenicipididae
The shoebill is a large bird related to the storks. It derives its name from its massive shoe-shaped bill.
- Shoebill, Balaeniceps rex
Ibises and spoonbills
Order: Pelecaniformes Family: Threskiornithidae
Threskiornithidae is a family of large terrestrial and wading birds which includes the ibises and spoonbills. They have long, broad wings with 11 primary and about 20 secondary feathers. They are strong fliers and despite their size and weight, very capable soarers. There are 36 species worldwide and 6 species which occur in Tanzania.
- Sacred ibis, Threskiornis aethiopicus
- Olive ibis, Bostrychia olivacea
- Spot-breasted ibis, Bostrychia rara
- Hadada ibis, Bostrychia hagedash
- Glossy ibis, Plegadis falcinellus
- African spoonbill, Platalea alba
Storks
Order: Ciconiiformes Family: Ciconiidae
Storks are large, long-legged, long-necked, wading birds with long, stout bills. Storks are mute, but bill-clattering is an important mode of communication at the nest. Their nests can be large and may be reused for many years. Many species are migratory.
- Yellow-billed stork, Mycteria ibis
- African openbill, Anastomus lamelligerus
- Black stork, Ciconia nigra
- Abdim's stork, Ciconia abdimii
- Woolly-necked stork, Ciconia episcopus
- White stork, Ciconia ciconia
- Saddle-billed stork, Ephippiorhynchus senegalensis
- Marabou stork, Leptoptilos crumeniferus
Flamingos
Order: Phoenicopteriformes Family: Phoenicopteridae
Flamingos are gregarious wading birds, usually 3 to 5 feet (0.9 to 1.5 m) tall, found in both the Western and Eastern Hemispheres. Flamingos filter-feed on shellfish and algae. Their oddly shaped beaks are specially adapted to separate mud and silt from the food they consume and, uniquely, are used upside-down. There are 7 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in Tanzania.
- Greater flamingo, Phoenicopterus roseus
- Lesser flamingo, Phoenicopterus minor
Ducks, geese and swans
Order: Anseriformes Family: Anatidae
Anatidae includes the ducks and most duck-like waterfowl, such as geese and swans. These birds are adapted to an aquatic existence with webbed feet, flattened bills, and feathers that are excellent at shedding water due to an oily coating.
- Fulvous whistling duck, Dendrocygna bicolor
- White-faced whistling duck, Dendrocygna viduata
- White-backed duck, Thalassornis leuconotus
- Egyptian goose, Alopochen aegyptiacus
- Spur-winged goose, Plectropterus gambensis
- Comb duck, Sarkidiornis melanotos
- African pygmy goose, Nettapus auritus
- African black duck, Anas sparsa
- Eurasian wigeon, Anas penelope
- Eurasian teal, Anas crecca
- Cape teal, Anas capensis
- Yellow-billed duck, Anas undulata
- Northern pintail, Anas acuta
- Red-billed duck, Anas erythrorhyncha
- Hottentot teal, Anas hottentota
- Garganey, Anas querquedula
- Cape shoveler, Anas smithii
- Northern shoveler, Anas clypeata
- Southern pochard, Netta erythrophthalma
- Common pochard, Aythya ferina
- Tufted duck, Aythya fuligula (A)
- Maccoa duck, Oxyura maccoa
Osprey
Order: Accipitriformes 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.
- Osprey, Pandion haliaetus
Hawks, kites and eagles
Order: Accipitriformes Family: Accipitridae
Accipitridae is a family of birds of prey, which includes hawks, eagles, kites, harriers and Old World vultures. These birds have powerful hooked beaks for tearing flesh from their prey, strong legs, powerful talons and keen eyesight.
- African cuckoo-hawk, Aviceda cuculoides
- European honey buzzard, Pernis apivorus
- Bat hawk, Macheiramphus alcinus
- Black-shouldered kite, Elanus caeruleus
- Scissor-tailed kite, Chelictinia riocourii
- Black kite, Milvus migrans
- Yellow-billed kite, Milvus aegyptius
- African fish eagle, Haliaeetus vocifer
- Palm-nut vulture, Gypohierax angolensis
- Hooded vulture, Necrosyrtes monachus
- Lammergeier, Gypaetus barbatus
- Egyptian vulture, Neophron percnopterus
- White-backed vulture, Gyps africanus
- Rueppell's griffon, Gyps rueppellii
- Lappet-faced vulture, Torgos tracheliotus
- White-headed vulture, Trigonoceps occipitalis
- Beaudouin's snake eagle, Circaetus beaudouini
- Black-breasted snake eagle, Circaetus pectoralis
- Brown snake eagle, Circaetus cinereus
- Fasciated snake eagle, Circaetus fasciolatus
- Banded snake eagle, Circaetus cinerascens
- Bateleur, Terathopius ecaudatus
- Western marsh harrier, Circus aeruginosus
- African marsh harrier, Circus ranivorus
- Pallid harrier, Circus macrourus
- Montagu's harrier, Circus pygargus
- African harrier-hawk, Polyboroides typus
- Lizard buzzard, Kaupifalco monogrammicus
- Dark chanting goshawk, Melierax metabates
- Eastern chanting goshawk, Melierax poliopterus
- Gabar goshawk, Micronisus gabar
- African goshawk, Accipiter tachiro
- Shikra, Accipiter badius
- Levant sparrowhawk, Accipiter brevipes
- Little sparrowhawk, Accipiter minullus
- Ovampo sparrowhawk, Accipiter ovampensis
- Eurasian sparrowhawk, Accipiter nisus
- Rufous-chested sparrowhawk, Accipiter rufiventris
- Black goshawk, Accipiter melanoleucus
- Grasshopper buzzard, Butastur rufipennis
- Eurasian buzzard, Buteo buteo
- Mountain buzzard, Buteo oreophilus
- Long-legged buzzard, Buteo rufinus
- Augur buzzard, Buteo augur
- Lesser spotted eagle, Aquila pomarina
- Greater spotted eagle, Aquila clanga (A)
- Tawny eagle, Aquila rapax
- Steppe eagle, Aquila nipalensis
- Imperial eagle, Aquila heliaca
- Wahlberg's eagle, Aquila wahlbergi
- Verreaux's eagle, Aquila verreauxii
- African hawk-eagle, Aquila spilogaster
- Booted eagle, Aquila pennatus
- Ayres's hawk-eagle, Aquila ayresii
- Martial eagle, Polemaetus bellicosus
- Long-crested eagle, Lophaetus occipitalis
- Crowned hawk-eagle, Stephanoaetus coronatus
Secretarybird
Order: Accipitriformes Family: Sagittariidae
The secretarybird is a bird of prey in the order Falconiformes but is easily distinguished from other raptors by its long crane-like legs.
- Secretarybird, Sagittarius serpentarius
Caracaras and falcons
Order: Falconiformes Family: Falconidae
Falconidae is a family of diurnal birds of prey. They differ from hawks, eagles and kites in that they kill with their beaks instead of their talons.
- Pygmy falcon, Polihierax semitorquatus
- Lesser kestrel, Falco naumanni
- Common kestrel, Falco tinnunculus
- Rock kestrel, Falco rupicolus
- Greater kestrel, Falco rupicoloides
- Grey kestrel, Falco ardosiaceus
- Dickinson's kestrel, Falco dickinsoni
- Red-necked falcon, Falco chicquera
- Red-footed falcon, Falco vespertinus
- Amur falcon, Falco amurensis
- Eleonora's falcon, Falco eleonorae
- Sooty falcon, Falco concolor
- Eurasian hobby, Falco subbuteo
- African hobby, Falco cuvierii
- Lanner falcon, Falco biarmicus
- Saker falcon, Falco cherrug
- Barbary falcon, Falco pelegrinoides (A)
- Taita falcon, Falco fasciinucha
- Peregrine falcon, Falco peregrinus
Pheasants and partridges
Order: Galliformes Family: Phasianidae
The Phasianidae are a family of terrestrial birds which consists of quails, partridges, snowcocks, francolins, spurfowls, tragopans, monals, pheasants, peafowls and jungle fowls. In general, they are plump (although they vary in size) and have broad, relatively short wings. There are 156 species worldwide and 15 species which occur in Tanzania.
- Coqui francolin, Francolinus coqui
- Forest francolin, Francolinus lathami
- Crested francolin, Francolinus sephaena
- Ring-necked francolin, Francolinus streptophorus
- Red-winged francolin, Francolinus levaillantii
- Shelley's francolin, Francolinus shelleyi
- Scaly francolin, Francolinus squamatus
- Hildebrandt's francolin, Francolinus hildebrandti
- Yellow-necked francolin, Francolinus leucoscepus
- Grey-breasted francolin, Francolinus rufopictus (E)
- Red-necked francolin, Francolinus afer
- Common quail, Coturnix coturnix
- Harlequin quail, Coturnix delegorguei
- Blue quail, Coturnix adansonii
- Udzungwa partridge, Xenoperdix udzungwensis (E)
Guineafowl
Order: Galliformes Family: Numididae
Guineafowl are a group of African, seed-eating, ground-nesting birds that resemble partridges, but with featherless heads and spangled grey plumage. There are 6 species worldwide and 3 species which occur in Tanzania.
- Helmeted guineafowl, Numida meleagris
- Crested guineafowl, Guttera pucherani
- Vulturine guineafowl, Acryllium vulturinum
Cranes
Order: Gruiformes Family: Gruidae
Cranes are large, long-legged and long-necked birds. Unlike the similar-looking but unrelated herons, cranes fly with necks outstretched, not pulled back. Most have elaborate and noisy courting displays or "dances". There are 15 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in Tanzania.
- Grey crowned crane, Balearica regulorum
- Wattled crane, Bugeranus carunculatus
Rails, crakes, gallinules and coots
Order: Gruiformes Family: Rallidae
Rallidae is a large family of small to medium-sized birds which includes the rails, crakes, coots and gallinules. Typically they inhabit dense vegetation in damp environments near lakes, swamps or rivers. In general they are shy and secretive birds, making them difficult to observe. Most species have strong legs and long toes which are well adapted to soft uneven surfaces. They tend to have short, rounded wings and to be weak fliers. There are 143 species worldwide and 18 species which occur in Tanzania.
- White-spotted flufftail, Sarothrura pulchra
- Buff-spotted flufftail, Sarothrura elegans
- Red-chested flufftail, Sarothrura rufa
- Chestnut-headed flufftail, Sarothrura lugens
- Streaky-breasted flufftail, Sarothrura boehmi
- Striped flufftail, Sarothrura affinis
- African rail, Rallus caerulescens
- African crake, Crecopsis egregia
- Corn crake, Crex crex
- Black crake, Amaurornis flavirostris
- Baillon's crake, Porzana pusilla
- Spotted crake, Porzana porzana
- Striped crake, Aenigmatolimnas marginalis
- African swamphen, Porphyrio madagascariensis
- Allen's gallinule, Porphyrio alleni
- Common moorhen, Gallinula chloropus
- Lesser moorhen, Gallinula angulata
- Red-knobbed coot, Fulica cristata
Sungrebe and finfoots
Order: Gruiformes Family: Heliornithidae
Heliornithidae is a 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 Tanzania.
- African finfoot, Podica senegalensis
Bustards
Order: Otidiformes Family: Otididae
Bustards are large terrestrial birds mainly associated with dry open country and steppes in the Old World. They are omnivorous and nest on the ground. They walk steadily on strong legs and big toes, pecking for food as they go. They have long broad wings with "fingered" wingtips and striking patterns in flight. Many have interesting mating displays. There are 26 species worldwide and 6 species which occur in Tanzania.
- Kori bustard, Ardeotis kori
- Stanley bustard, Neotis denhami
- White-bellied bustard, Eupodotis senegalensis
- Buff-crested bustard, Eupodotis gindiana
- Black-bellied bustard, Lissotis melanogaster
- Hartlaub's bustard, Lissotis hartlaubii
Buttonquails
Order: Charadriiformes 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.
- Small buttonquail, Turnix sylvatica
- Black-rumped buttonquail, Turnix nanus
- Quail-plover, Ortyxelos meiffrenii
Jacanas
Order: Charadriiformes Family: Jacanidae
The jacanas are a group of tropical waders in the family Jacanidae. They are found throughout the tropics. They are identifiable by their huge feet and claws which enable them to walk on floating vegetation in the shallow lakes that are their preferred habitat. There 8 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in Tanzania.
- Lesser jacana, Microparra capensis
- African jacana, Actophilornis africanus
Painted-snipe
Order: Charadriiformes 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 Tanzania.
- Greater painted-snipe, Rostratula benghalensis
Crab-plover
Order: Charadriiformes Family: Dromadidae
The crab-plover is related to the waders. It resembles a plover but with very long grey legs and a strong heavy black bill similar to a tern. It has black-and-white plumage, a long neck, partially webbed feet and a bill designed for eating crabs.
- Crab-plover, Dromas ardeola
Oystercatchers
Order: Charadriiformes Family: Haematopodidae
The oystercatchers are large and noisy plover-like birds, with strong bills used for smashing or prising open molluscs. There are 11 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Tanzania.
- Eurasian oystercatcher, Haematopus ostralegus
Avocets and stilts
Order: Charadriiformes Family: Recurvirostridae
Recurvirostridae is a family of large wading birds, which includes the avocets and stilts. The avocets have long legs and long up-curved bills. The stilts have extremely long legs and long, thin, straight bills. There are 9 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in Tanzania.
- Black-winged stilt, Himantopus himantopus
- Pied avocet, Recurvirostra avosetta
Thick-knees
Order: Charadriiformes Family: Burhinidae
The thick-knees are a group of largely tropical waders in the family Burhinidae. They are found worldwide within the tropical zone, with some species also breeding in temperate Europe and Australia. They are medium to large waders with strong black or yellow-black bills, large yellow eyes and cryptic plumage. Despite being classed as waders, most species have a preference for arid or semi-arid habitats. There are 9 species worldwide and 3 species which occur in Tanzania.
- Water thick-knee, Burhinus vermiculatus
- Eurasian thick-knee, Burhinus oedicnemus
- Spotted thick-knee, Burhinus capensis
Pratincoles and coursers
Order: Charadriiformes Family: Glareolidae
Glareolidae is a family of wading birds comprising the pratincoles, which have short legs, long pointed wings and long forked tails, and the coursers, which have long legs, short wings and long, pointed bills which curve downwards. There are 17 species worldwide and 8 species which occur in Tanzania.
- Temminck's courser, Cursorius temminckii
- Double-banded courser, Smutsornis africanus
- Three-banded courser, Rhinoptilus cinctus
- Bronze-winged courser, Rhinoptilus chalcopterus
- Collared pratincole, Glareola pratincola
- Black-winged pratincole, Glareola nordmanni
- Madagascar pratincole, Glareola ocularis
- Rock pratincole, Glareola nuchalis
Plovers and lapwings
Order: Charadriiformes Family: Charadriidae
The family Charadriidae includes the plovers, dotterels and lapwings. They are small to medium-sized birds with compact bodies, short, thick necks and long, usually pointed, wings. They are found in open country worldwide, mostly in habitats near water. There are 66 species worldwide and 22 species which occur in Tanzania.
- Long-toed lapwing, Vanellus crassirostris
- Blacksmith plover, Vanellus armatus
- Spur-winged plover, Vanellus spinosus
- Black-headed lapwing, Vanellus tectus
- White-headed lapwing, Vanellus albiceps
- Senegal lapwing, Vanellus lugubris
- Black-winged lapwing, Vanellus melanopterus
- Crowned lapwing, Vanellus coronatus
- Wattled lapwing, Vanellus senegallus
- Brown-chested lapwing, Vanellus superciliosus
- Pacific golden plover, Pluvialis fulva
- Black-bellied plover, Pluvialis squatarola
- Common ringed plover, Charadrius hiaticula
- Little ringed plover, Charadrius dubius
- Kittlitz's plover, Charadrius pecuarius
- Three-banded plover, Charadrius tricollaris
- Forbes's plover, Charadrius forbesi
- White-fronted plover, Charadrius marginatus
- Chestnut-banded plover, Charadrius pallidus
- Lesser sandplover, Charadrius mongolus
- Greater sandplover, Charadrius leschenaultii
- Caspian plover, Charadrius asiaticus
Sandpipers and allies
Order: Charadriiformes Family: Scolopacidae
Scolopacidae is a large diverse family of small to medium-sized shorebirds including the sandpipers, curlews, godwits, shanks, tattlers, woodcocks, snipes, dowitchers and phalaropes. The majority of these species eat small invertebrates picked out of the mud or soil. Variation in length of legs and bills enables multiple species to feed in the same habitat, particularly on the coast, without direct competition for food. There are 89 species worldwide and 26 species which occur in Tanzania.
- Jack snipe, Lymnocryptes minimus
- African snipe, Gallinago nigripennis
- Great snipe, Gallinago media
- 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
- Green sandpiper, Tringa ochropus
- Wood sandpiper, Tringa glareola
- Terek sandpiper, Xenus cinereus
- Common sandpiper, Actitis hypoleucos
- Ruddy turnstone, Arenaria interpres
- Red knot, Calidris canutus
- Sanderling, Calidris alba
- Little stint, Calidris minuta
- Temminck's stint, Calidris temminckii
- Long-toed stint, Calidris subminuta (A)
- Curlew sandpiper, Calidris ferruginea
- Broad-billed sandpiper, Limicola falcinellus
- Ruff, Philomachus pugnax
- Red-necked phalarope, Phalaropus lobatus
Skuas and jaegers
Order: Charadriiformes Family: Stercorariidae
The family Stercorariidae are, in general, medium to large birds, typically with grey or brown plumage, often with white markings on the wings. They nest on the ground in temperate and arctic regions and are long-distance migrants. There are 7 species worldwide and 3 species which occur in Tanzania.
- Pomarine jaeger, Stercorarius pomarinus
- Parasitic jaeger, Stercorarius parasiticus
- Long-tailed jaeger, Stercorarius longicaudus (A)
Gulls
Order: Charadriiformes Family: Laridae
Laridae is a family of medium to large seabirds, the gulls and kittiwakes. They are typically grey or white, often with black markings on the head or wings. They have stout, longish bills and webbed feet.
- Sooty gull, Ichthyaetus hemprichii
- Kelp gull, Larus dominicanus (A)
- Lesser black-backed gull, Larus fuscus
- Heuglin's gull, Larus heuglini (A)
- Grey-headed gull, Chroicocephalus cirrocephalus
- Black-headed gull, Chroicocephalus ridibundus
Terns
Order: Charadriiformes Family: Sternidae
Terns are a group of generally medium to large seabirds typically with grey or white plumage, often with black markings on the head. Most terns hunt fish by diving but some pick insects off the surface of fresh water. Terns are generally long-lived birds, with several species known to live in excess of 30 years.
- Gull-billed tern, Gelochelidon nilotica
- Caspian tern, Hydroprogne caspia
- Lesser crested tern, Thalasseus bengalensis
- Sandwich tern, Thalasseus sandvicensis
- Great crested tern, Thalasseus bergii
- Roseate tern, Sterna dougallii
- Black-naped tern, Sterna sumatrana
- Common tern, Sterna hirundo
- White-cheeked tern, Sterna repressa
- Little tern, Sternula albifrons
- Saunders's tern, Sternula saundersi
- Bridled tern, Onychoprion anaethetus
- Sooty tern, Onychoprion fuscatus
- Whiskered tern, Chlidonias hybrida
- White-winged tern, Chlidonias leucopterus
- Brown noddy, Anous stolidus
Skimmers
Order: Charadriiformes Family: Rynchopidae
Skimmers are a small family of tropical tern-like birds. They have an elongated lower mandible which they use to feed by flying low over the water surface and skimming the water for small fish. There are 3 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Tanzania.
- African skimmer, Rynchops flavirostris
Sandgrouse
Order: Pterocliformes Family: Pteroclidae
Sandgrouse have small, pigeon like heads and necks, but sturdy compact bodies. They have long pointed wings and sometimes tails and a fast direct flight. Flocks fly to watering holes at dawn and dusk. Their legs are feathered down to the toes. There are 16 species worldwide and 3 species which occur in Tanzania.
- Chestnut-bellied sandgrouse, Pterocles exustus
- Yellow-throated sandgrouse, Pterocles gutturalis
- Black-faced sandgrouse, Pterocles decoratus
Pigeons and doves
Order: Columbiformes Family: Columbidae
Pigeons and doves are stout-bodied birds with short necks and short slender bills with a fleshy cere. There are 308 species worldwide and 17 species which occur in Tanzania.
- Speckled pigeon, Columba guinea
- Afep pigeon, Columba unicincta
- Rameron pigeon, Columba arquatrix
- Delegorgue's pigeon, Columba delegorguei
- Lemon dove, Columba larvata
- European turtle dove, Streptopelia turtur (A)
- Dusky turtle dove, Streptopelia lugens
- Mourning collared dove, Streptopelia decipiens
- Red-eyed dove, Streptopelia semitorquata
- Ring-necked dove, Streptopelia capicola
- Laughing dove, Streptopelia senegalensis
- Emerald-spotted wood dove, Turtur chalcospilos
- Blue-spotted wood dove, Turtur afer
- Tambourine dove, Turtur tympanistria
- Namaqua dove, Oena capensis
- Pemba green pigeon, Treron pembaensis (E)
- African green pigeon, Treron calva
Old World parrots
Order: Psittaciformes Family: Psittaculidae
- Grey-headed lovebird, Agapornis canus (I)
- Red-headed lovebird, Agapornis pullarius
- Fischer's lovebird, Agapornis fischeri (E as breeder)
- Yellow-collared lovebird, Agapornis personatus (E)
- Lilian's lovebird, Agapornis lilianae
African and New World parrots
Order: Psittaciformes Family: Psittacidae
- Grey parrot, Psittacus erithacus
- Brown-necked parrot, Poicephalus robustus
- Red-fronted parrot, Poicephalus gulielmi
- Meyer's parrot, Poicephalus meyeri
- Brown-headed parrot, Poicephalus cryptoxanthus
- Red-bellied parrot, Poicephalus rufiventris
Turacos
Order: Cuculiformes Family: Musophagidae
The turacos, plantain eaters and go-away-birds make up the bird family Musophagidae. They are medium-sized arboreal birds. The turacos and plantain eaters are brightly coloured, usually in blue, green or purple. The go-away birds are mostly grey and white. There are 23 species worldwide and 12 species which occur in Tanzania.
- Great blue turaco, Corythaeola cristata
- Livingstone's turaco, Tauraco livingstonii
- Schalow's turaco, Tauraco schalowi
- Black-billed turaco, Tauraco schuettii
- Fischer's turaco, Tauraco fischeri
- Hartlaub's turaco, Tauraco hartlaubi
- Purple-crested turaco, Tauraco porphyreolophus
- Ross's turaco, Musophaga rossae
- Bare-faced go-away-bird, Corythaixoides personatus
- Grey go-away-bird, Corythaixoides concolor
- White-bellied go-away-bird, Corythaixoides leucogaster
- Eastern plantain-eater, Crinifer zonurus
Cuckoos and anis
Order: Cuculiformes Family: Cuculidae
The family Cuculidae includes cuckoos, roadrunners and anis. These birds are of variable size with slender bodies, long tails and strong legs. The Old World cuckoos are brood parasites. There are 138 species worldwide and 21 species which occur in Tanzania.
- Pied cuckoo, Clamator jacobinus
- Levaillant's cuckoo, Clamator levaillantii
- Great spotted cuckoo, Clamator glandarius
- Thick-billed cuckoo, Pachycoccyx audeberti
- Red-chested cuckoo, Cuculus solitarius
- Black cuckoo, Cuculus clamosus
- Common cuckoo, Cuculus canorus
- African cuckoo, Cuculus gularis
- Lesser cuckoo, Cuculus poliocephalus
- Madagascar cuckoo, Cuculus rochii
- Dusky long-tailed cuckoo, Cercococcyx mechowi
- Barred long-tailed cuckoo, Cercococcyx montanus
- Klaas's cuckoo, Chrysococcyx klaas
- African emerald cuckoo, Chrysococcyx cupreus
- Dideric cuckoo, Chrysococcyx caprius
- Yellowbill, Ceuthmochares aereus
- Black coucal, Centropus grillii
- Blue-headed coucal, Centropus monachus
- Coppery-tailed coucal, Centropus cupreicaudus
- Senegal coucal, Centropus senegalensis
- White-browed coucal, Centropus superciliosus
Barn owls
Order: Strigiformes Family: Tytonidae
Barn owls are medium to large owls with large heads and characteristic heart-shaped faces. They have long strong legs with powerful talons. There are 16 species worldwide and 3 species which occur in Tanzania.
- African grass owl, Tyto capensis
- Barn owl, Tyto alba
- Congo bay owl, Phodilus prigoginei
Typical owls
Order: Strigiformes Family: Strigidae
The typical owls are small to large solitary nocturnal birds of prey. They have large forward-facing eyes and ears, a hawk-like beak and a conspicuous circle of feathers around each eye called a facial disk. There are 195 species worldwide and 14 species which occur in Tanzania.
- Sokoke scops owl, Otus ireneae
- African scops owl, Otus senegalensis
- Pemba scops owl, Otus pembaensis (E)
- Southern white-faced owl, Ptilopsis granti
- Cape eagle-owl, Bubo capensis
- Spotted eagle-owl, Bubo africanus
- Usambara eagle-owl, Bubo vosseleri (E)
- Verreaux's eagle-owl, Bubo lacteus
- Pel's fishing owl, Scotopelia peli
- African wood owl, Strix woodfordii
- Pearl-spotted owlet, Glaucidium perlatum
- African barred owlet, Glaucidium capense
- Short-eared owl, Asio flammeus (A)
- Marsh owl, Asio capensis
Nightjars
Order: Caprimulgiformes Family: Caprimulgidae
Nightjars are medium-sized nocturnal birds that usually nest on the ground. They have long wings, short legs and very short bills. Most have small feet, of little use for walking, and long pointed wings. Their soft plumage is camouflaged to resemble bark or leaves. There are 86 species worldwide and 15 species which occur in Tanzania.
- Eurasian nightjar, Caprimulgus europaeus
- Sombre nightjar, Caprimulgus fraenatus
- Rufous-cheeked nightjar, Caprimulgus rufigena (A)
- Nubian nightjar, Caprimulgus nubicus
- Donaldson-Smith's nightjar, Caprimulgus donaldsoni
- Fiery-necked nightjar, Caprimulgus pectoralis
- Abyssinian nightjar, Caprimulgus poliocephalus
- Montane nightjar, Caprimulgus ruwenzorii (A)
- Swamp nightjar, Caprimulgus natalensis
- Plain nightjar, Caprimulgus inornatus
- Freckled nightjar, Caprimulgus tristigma
- Slender-tailed nightjar, Caprimulgus clarus
- Square-tailed nightjar, Caprimulgus fossii
- Pennant-winged nightjar, Macrodipteryx vexillarius
- Standard-winged nightjar, Macrodipteryx longipennis (A)
Swifts
Order: Apodiformes Family: Apodidae
Swifts are small birds which spend the majority of their lives flying. These birds have very short legs and never settle voluntarily on the ground, perching instead only on vertical surfaces. Many swifts have long swept-back wings which resemble a crescent or boomerang. There are 98 species worldwide and 13 species which occur in Tanzania.
- Scarce swift, Schoutedenapus myoptilus
- Mottled spinetail, Telacanthura ussheri
- Bat-like spinetail, Neafrapus boehmi
- African palm swift, Cypsiurus parvus
- Alpine swift, Tachymarptis melba
- Mottled swift, Tachymarptis aequatorialis
- Common swift, Apus apus
- Nyanza swift, Apus niansae
- African swift, Apus barbatus
- Forbes-Watson's swift, Apus berliozi (A)
- Little swift, Apus affinis
- Horus swift, Apus horus
- White-rumped swift, Apus caffer
Mousebirds
Order: Coliiformes Family: Coliidae
The mousebirds are slender greyish or brown birds with soft, hairlike body feathers and very long thin tails. They are arboreal and scurry through the leaves like rodents in search of berries, fruit and buds. They are acrobatic and can feed upside down. All species have strong claws and reversible outer toes. They also have crests and stubby bills. There are 6 species worldwide and 4 species which occur in Tanzania.
- Speckled mousebird, Colius striatus
- White-headed mousebird, Colius leucocephalus
- Blue-naped mousebird, Urocolius macrourus
- Red-faced mousebird, Urocolius indicus
Trogons and quetzals
Order: Trogoniformes Family: Trogonidae
The family Trogonidae includes trogons and quetzals. Found in tropical woodlands worldwide, they feed on insects and fruit, and their broad bills and weak legs reflect their diet and arboreal habits. Although their flight is fast, they are reluctant to fly any distance. Trogons have soft, often colourful, feathers with distinctive male and female plumage. There are 33 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in Tanzania.
- Narina trogon, Apaloderma narina
- Bar-tailed trogon, Apaloderma vittatum
Kingfishers
Order: Coraciiformes Family: Alcedinidae
Kingfishers are medium-sized birds with large heads, long, pointed bills, short legs and stubby tails. There are 93 species worldwide and 13 species which occur in Tanzania.
- Half-collared kingfisher, Alcedo semitorquata
- Shining-blue kingfisher, Alcedo quadribrachys (A)
- Malachite kingfisher, Corythornis cristatus
- White-bellied kingfisher, Corythornis leucogaster
- African pygmy kingfisher, Ispidina picta
- Grey-headed kingfisher, Halcyon leucocephala
- Woodland kingfisher, Halcyon senegalensis
- Mangrove kingfisher, Halcyon senegaloides
- Blue-breasted kingfisher, Halcyon malimbica
- Brown-hooded kingfisher, Halcyon albiventris
- Striped kingfisher, Halcyon chelicuti
- Giant kingfisher, Megaceryle maximus
- Pied kingfisher, Ceryle rudis
Bee-eaters
Order: Coraciiformes Family: Meropidae
The bee-eaters are a group of near passerine birds in the family Meropidae. Most species are found in Africa but others occur in southern Europe, Madagascar, Australia and New Guinea. They are characterised by richly coloured plumage, slender bodies and usually elongated central tail feathers. All are colourful and have long downturned bills and pointed wings, which give them a swallow-like appearance when seen from afar. There are 26 species worldwide and 13 species which occur in Tanzania.
- White-fronted bee-eater, Merops bullockoides
- Little bee-eater, Merops pusillus
- Blue-breasted bee-eater, Merops variegatus
- Cinnamon-chested bee-eater, Merops oreobates
- Swallow-tailed bee-eater, Merops hirundineus
- Somali bee-eater, Merops revoilii
- White-throated bee-eater, Merops albicollis
- Boehm's bee-eater, Merops boehmi
- Blue-cheeked bee-eater, Merops persicus
- Madagascar bee-eater, Merops superciliosus
- European bee-eater, Merops apiaster
- Northern carmine bee-eater, Merops nubicus
- Southern carmine bee-eater, Merops nubicoides
Typical rollers
Order: Coraciiformes Family: Coraciidae
Rollers resemble crows in size and build, but are more closely related to the kingfishers and bee-eaters. They share the colourful appearance of those groups with blues and browns predominating. The two inner front toes are connected, but the outer toe is not. There are 12 species worldwide and 5 species which occur in Tanzania.
- European roller, Coracias garrulus
- Lilac-breasted roller, Coracias caudata
- Racket-tailed roller, Coracias spatulata
- Rufous-crowned roller, Coracias naevia
- Broad-billed roller, Eurystomus glaucurus
Hoopoes
Order: Coraciiformes 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 Tanzania.
- Hoopoe, Upupa epops
Woodhoopoes
Order: Coraciiformes Family: Phoeniculidae
The woodhoopoes are related to the kingfishers, rollers and hoopoes. They most resemble the hoopoes with their long curved bills, used to probe for insects, and short rounded wings. However, they differ in that they have metallic plumage, often blue, green or purple, and lack an erectile crest. There are 8 species worldwide and 6 species which occur in Tanzania.
- Green woodhoopoe, Phoeniculus purpureus
- Violet woodhoopoe, Phoeniculus damarensis
- White-headed woodhoopoe, Phoeniculus bollei
- Forest woodhoopoe, Phoeniculus castaneiceps
- Common scimitarbill, Rhinopomastus cyanomelas
- Abyssinian scimitarbill, Rhinopomastus minor
Hornbills
Order: Coraciiformes 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.
- Tanzanian red-billed hornbill, Tockus ruahae
- Eastern yellow-billed hornbill, Tockus flavirostris
- Von der Decken's hornbill, Tockus deckeni
- Crowned hornbill, Tockus alboterminatus
- African pied hornbill, Tockus fasciatus
- African grey hornbill, Tockus nasutus
- Pale-billed hornbill, Tockus pallidirostris
- Trumpeter hornbill, Ceratogymna bucinator
- Silvery-cheeked hornbill, Ceratogymna brevis
- Black-and-white-casqued hornbill, Ceratogymna subcylindricus
- Southern ground hornbill, Bucorvus leadbeateri
Barbets
Order: Piciformes Family: Lybiidae
The barbets are plump birds, with short necks and large heads. They get their name from the bristles which fringe their heavy bills. Most species are brightly coloured.
- Grey-throated barbet, Gymnobucco bonapartei
- White-eared barbet, Stactolaema leucotis
- Whyte's barbet, Stactolaema whytii
- Green barbet, Stactolaema olivacea
- Moustached tinkerbird, Pogoniulus leucomystax
- Green tinkerbird, Pogoniulus simplex
- Yellow-rumped tinkerbird, Pogoniulus bilineatus
- Yellow-fronted tinkerbird, Pogoniulus chrysoconus
- Red-fronted tinkerbird, Pogoniulus pusillus
- Yellow-spotted barbet, Buccanodon duchaillui
- Hairy-breasted barbet, Tricholaema hirsuta
- Red-fronted barbet, Tricholaema diademata
- Miombo pied barbet, Tricholaema frontata
- Spot-flanked barbet, Tricholaema lachrymosa
- Black-throated barbet, Tricholaema melanocephala
- White-headed barbet, Lybius leucocephalus
- Red-faced barbet, Lybius rubrifacies
- Black-billed barbet, Lybius guifsobalito
- Black-collared barbet, Lybius torquatus
- Brown-breasted barbet, Lybius melanopterus
- Black-backed barbet, Lybius minor
- Double-toothed barbet, Lybius bidentatus
- Crested barbet, Trachyphonus vaillantii
- Red-and-yellow barbet, Trachyphonus erythrocephalus
- D'Arnaud's barbet, Trachyphonus darnaudii
Honeyguides
Order: Piciformes Family: Indicatoridae
Honeyguides are among the few birds that feed on wax. They are named for the greater honeyguide which leads traditional honey-hunters to bees' nests and, after the hunters have harvested the honey, feeds on the remaining contents of the hive. There are 17 species worldwide and 7 species which occur in Tanzania.
- Scaly-throated honeyguide, Indicator variegatus
- Greater honeyguide, Indicator indicator
- Lesser honeyguide, Indicator minor
- Least honeyguide, Indicator exilis
- Pallid honeyguide, Indicator meliphilus
- Green-backed honeyguide, Prodotiscus zambesiae
- Wahlberg's honeyguide, Prodotiscus regulus
Woodpeckers and allies
Order: Piciformes Family: Picidae
Woodpeckers are small to medium-sized birds with chisel-like beaks, short legs, stiff tails and long tongues used for capturing insects. Some species have feet with two toes pointing forward and two backward, while several species have only three toes. Many woodpeckers have the habit of tapping noisily on tree trunks with their beaks.
- Rufous-necked wryneck, Jynx ruficollis
- Nubian woodpecker, Campethera nubica
- Bennett's woodpecker, Campethera bennettii
- Reichenow's woodpecker, Campethera scriptoricauda
- Golden-tailed woodpecker, Campethera abingoni
- Mombasa woodpecker, Campethera mombassica
- Green-backed woodpecker, Campethera cailliautii
- Tullberg's woodpecker, Campethera tullbergi
- Buff-spotted woodpecker, Campethera nivosa
- Brown-eared woodpecker, Campethera caroli
- Cardinal woodpecker, Dendropicos fuscescens
- Stierling's woodpecker, Dendropicos stierlingi
- African grey woodpecker, Dendropicos goertae
- Eastern grey woodpecker, Dendropicos spodocephalus
- Olive woodpecker, Dendropicos griseocephalus
- Brown-backed woodpecker, Dendropicos obsoletus
- Bearded woodpecker, Chloropicus namaquus
- Yellow-crested woodpecker, Chloropicus xantholophus (A)
Broadbills
Order: Passeriformes Family: Eurylaimidae
The broadbills are small, brightly coloured birds, which feed on fruit and also take insects in flycatcher fashion, snapping their broad bills. Their habitat is canopies of wet forests. There are 15 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Tanzania.
- African broadbill, Smithornis capensis
Pittas
Order: Passeriformes Family: Pittidae
Pittas are medium-sized by passerine standards and are stocky, with fairly long, strong legs, short tails and stout bills. Many are brightly coloured. They spend the majority of their time on wet forest floors, eating snails, insects and similar invertebrates. There are 32 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Tanzania.
- African pitta, Pitta angolensis
Larks
Order: Passeriformes Family: Alaudidae
Larks are small terrestrial birds with often extravagant songs and display flights. Most larks are fairly dull in appearance. Their food is insects and seeds. There are 91 species worldwide and 16 species which occur in Tanzania.
- Singing bushlark, Mirafra cantillans
- White-tailed lark, Mirafra albicauda
- Friedmann's lark, Mirafra pulpa
- Red-winged lark, Mirafra hypermetra
- Angola lark, Mirafra angolensis
- Rufous-naped lark, Mirafra africana
- Flappet lark, Mirafra rufocinnamomea
- Pink-breasted lark, Calendulauda poecilosterna
- Fawn-coloured lark, Calendulauda africanoides
- Foxy lark, Calendulauda alopex
- Dusky lark, Pinarocorys nigricans
- Beesley's lark, Chersomanes beesleyi (E)
- Chestnut-backed sparrow-lark, Eremopterix leucotis
- Fischer's sparrow-lark, Eremopterix leucopareia
- Red-capped lark, Calandrella cinerea
- Short-tailed lark, Pseudalaemon fremantlii
Swallows and martins
Order: Passeriformes Family: Hirundinidae
The family Hirundinidae is adapted to aerial feeding. They have a slender streamlined body, long pointed wings and a short bill with a wide gape. The feet are adapted to perching rather than walking, and the front toes are partially joined at the base. There are 75 species worldwide and 21 species which occur in Tanzania.
- Sand martin, Riparia riparia
- Brown-throated martin, Riparia paludicola
- Banded martin, Riparia cincta
- Mascarene martin, Phedina borbonica
- Grey-rumped swallow, Pseudhirundo griseopyga
- Rock martin, Ptyonoprogne fuligula
- Barn swallow, Hirundo rustica
- Ethiopian swallow, Hirundo aethiopica
- Angolan swallow, Hirundo angolensis
- White-throated swallow, Hirundo albigularis
- Wire-tailed swallow, Hirundo smithii
- Blue swallow, Hirundo atrocaerulea
- Pearl-breasted swallow, Hirundo dimidiata
- Greater striped swallow, Cecropis cucullata
- Lesser striped swallow, Cecropis abyssinica
- Rufous-chested swallow, Cecropis semirufa
- Mosque swallow, Cecropis senegalensis
- Red-rumped swallow, Cecropis daurica
- Common house martin, Delichon urbicum
- White-headed sawwing, Psalidoprocne albiceps
- Blue sawwing, Psalidoprocne pristoptera
Wagtails and pipits
Order: Passeriformes Family: Motacillidae
Motacillidae is a family of small passerine birds with medium to long tails. They include the wagtails, longclaws and pipits. They are slender, ground feeding insectivores of open country. There are 54 species worldwide and 23 species which occur in Tanzania.
- White wagtail, Motacilla alba
- African pied wagtail, Motacilla aguimp
- Cape wagtail, Motacilla capensis
- Yellow wagtail, Motacilla flava
- Grey wagtail, Motacilla cinerea
- Mountain wagtail, Motacilla clara
- Golden pipit, Tmetothylacus tenellus
- Yellow-throated longclaw, Macronyx croceus
- Fuelleborn's longclaw, Macronyx fuellebornii
- Rosy-throated longclaw, Macronyx ameliae
- Pangani longclaw, Macronyx aurantiigula
- Striped pipit, Anthus lineiventris
- Jackson's pipit, Anthus latistriatus (A)
- Woodland pipit, Anthus nyassae
- Plain-backed pipit, Anthus leucophrys
- Buffy pipit, Anthus vaalensis
- African pipit, Anthus cinnamomeus
- Long-billed pipit, Anthus similis
- Short-tailed pipit, Anthus brachyurus
- Bush pipit, Anthus caffer
- Sokoke pipit, Anthus sokokensis
- Tree pipit, Anthus trivialis
- Red-throated pipit, Anthus cervinus
Cuckooshrikes
Order: Passeriformes Family: Campephagidae
The cuckooshrikes are small to medium-sized passerine birds. They are predominantly greyish with white and black, although some species are brightly coloured. There are 82 species worldwide and 4 species which occur in Tanzania.
- White-breasted cuckooshrike, Coracina pectoralis
- Grey cuckooshrike, Coracina caesia
- Black cuckooshrike, Campephaga flava
- Purple-throated cuckooshrike, Campephaga quiscalina
Bulbuls
Order: Passeriformes Family: Pycnonotidae
Bulbuls are medium-sized songbirds. Some are colourful with yellow, red or orange vents, cheeks, throats or supercilia, but most are drab, with uniform olive-brown to black plumage. Some species have distinct crests. There are 130 species worldwide and 31 species which occur in Tanzania.
- Common bulbul, Pycnonotus barbatus
- Shelley's greenbul, Andropadus masukuensis
- Little greenbul, Andropadus virens
- Grey greenbul, Andropadus gracilis (A)
- Plain greenbul, Andropadus curvirostris
- Slender-billed greenbul, Andropadus gracilirostris
- Sombre greenbul, Andropadus importunus
- Yellow-whiskered bulbul, Andropadus latirostris
- Eastern mountain greenbul, Andropadus nigriceps
- Stripe-cheeked bulbul, Andropadus milanjensis (A)
- Honeyguide greenbul, Baeopogon indicator (A)
- Spotted greenbul, Ixonotus guttatus
- Yellow-throated greenbul, Chlorocichla flavicollis
- Yellow-bellied greenbul, Chlorocichla flaviventris
- Joyful greenbul, Chlorocichla laetissima (A)
- Red-tailed leaflove, Phyllastrephus scandens
- Cabanis's greenbul, Phyllastrephus cabanisi
- Fischer's greenbul, Phyllastrephus fischeri
- Terrestrial brownbul, Phyllastrephus terrestris
- Northern brownbul, Phyllastrephus strepitans
- Grey-olive greenbul, Phyllastrephus cerviniventris
- Baumann's greenbul, Phyllastrephus baumanni (A)
- Toro olive greenbul, Phyllastrephus hypochloris (A)
- Yellow-streaked bulbul, Phyllastrephus flavostriatus
- Lowland tiny greenbul, Phyllastrephus debilis
- Montane tiny greenbul, Phyllastrephus albigula
- Icterine greenbul, Phyllastrephus icterinus
- Xavier's greenbul, Phyllastrephus xavieri
- Common bristlebill, Bleda syndactyla
- Yellow-spotted nicator, Nicator chloris
- Eastern nicator, Nicator gularis
- Lesser bristlebill, Bleda notata
Thrushes and allies
Order: Passeriformes Family: Turdidae
The thrushes are a group of passerine birds that occur mainly in the Old World. They are plump, soft plumaged, small to medium-sized insectivores or sometimes omnivores, often feeding on the ground. Many have attractive songs.
- Rufous flycatcher-thrush, Neocossyphus fraseri
- Red-tailed ant thrush, Neocossyphus rufus
- White-tailed ant thrush, Neocossyphus poensis
- Abyssinian ground thrush, Geokichla piaggiae
- Orange ground thrush, Geokichla gurneyi
- Spotted ground thrush, Geokichla guttata
- Groundscraper thrush, Psophocichla litsipsirupa
- Abyssinian thrush, Turdus abyssinicus
- Olive thrush, Turdus olivaceus
- Kurrichane thrush, Turdus libonyanus
- African thrush, Turdus pelios
- African bare-eyed thrush, Turdus tephronotus
- Brown-chested alethe, Pseudalethe poliocephala
Cisticolas and allies
Order: Passeriformes Family: Cisticolidae
The Cisticolidae are warblers found mainly in warmer southern regions of the Old World. They are generally very small birds of drab brown or grey appearance found in open country such as grassland or scrub. There are 111 species worldwide and 48 species which occur in Tanzania.
- Red-faced cisticola, Cisticola erythrops
- Singing cisticola, Cisticola cantans
- Trilling cisticola, Cisticola woosnami
- Chubb's cisticola, Cisticola chubbi
- Hunter's cisticola, Cisticola hunteri
- Black-lored cisticola, Cisticola nigriloris
- Rock-loving cisticola, Cisticola aberrans
- Rattling cisticola, Cisticola chiniana
- Ashy cisticola, Cisticola cinereolus
- Wailing cisticola, Cisticola lais
- Churring cisticola, Cisticola njombe
- Winding cisticola, Cisticola galactotes
- Chirping cisticola, Cisticola pipiens
- Carruthers's cisticola, Cisticola carruthersi
- Tinkling cisticola, Cisticola tinniens (A)
- Stout cisticola, Cisticola robustus
- Croaking cisticola, Cisticola natalensis
- Piping cisticola, Cisticola fulvicapillus
- Tabora cisticola, Cisticola angusticaudus
- Siffling cisticola, Cisticola brachypterus
- Tiny cisticola, Cisticola nana
- Zitting cisticola, Cisticola juncidis
- Desert cisticola, Cisticola aridulus
- Black-necked cisticola, Cisticola eximius (A)
- Pectoral-patch cisticola, Cisticola brunnescens
- Pale-crowned cisticola, Cisticola cinnamomeus
- Wing-snapping cisticola, Cisticola ayresii
- Tawny-flanked prinia, Prinia subflava
- White-chinned prinia, Prinia leucopogon
- Red-winged prinia, Prinia erythroptera
- Bar-throated apalis, Apalis thoracica
- Black-throated apalis, Apalis jacksoni
- White-winged apalis, Apalis chariessa
- Masked apalis, Apalis binotata
- Yellow-breasted apalis, Apalis flavida
- Buff-throated apalis, Apalis rufogularis
- Chestnut-throated apalis, Apalis porphyrolaema
- Chapin's apalis, Apalis chapini
- Black-headed apalis, Apalis melanocephala
- Grey apalis, Apalis cinerea
- Brown-headed apalis, Apalis alticola
- Karamoja apalis, Apalis karamojae
- Red-fronted warbler, Urorhipis rufifrons
- Grey-capped warbler, Eminia lepida
- Green-backed camaroptera, Camaroptera brachyura
- Olive-green camaroptera, Camaroptera chloronota
- Miombo camaroptera, Calamonastes undosus
- Grey wren-warbler, Calamonastes simplex
- Black-faced rufous warbler, Bathmocercus rufus
- Winifred's warbler, Scepomycter winifredae (E)
- Buff-bellied warbler, Phyllolais pulchella
- Red-capped forest warbler, Artisornis metopias
- Long-billed forest warbler, Artisornis moreaui
- Yellow-vented eremomela, Eremomela flavicrissalis (A)
- Yellow-bellied eremomela, Eremomela icteropygialis
- Greencap eremomela, Eremomela scotops
- Black-necked eremomela, Eremomela atricollis (A)
Order: Passeriformes Family: Macrosphenidae
- Moustached grass warbler, Melocichla mentalis
- Green crombec, Sylvietta virens
- White-browed crombec, Sylvietta leucophrys
- Northern crombec, Sylvietta brachyura
- Red-capped crombec, Sylvietta ruficapilla
- Red-faced crombec, Sylvietta whytii
- Somali crombec, Sylvietta isabellina (A)
- Cape crombec, Sylvietta rufescens
- Yellow longbill, Macrosphenus flavicans
- Grey longbill, Macrosphenus concolor (A)
- Kretschmer's longbill, Macrosphenus kretschmeri
Cettid warblers
Order: Passeriformes Family: Cettiidae
- Green hylia, Hylia prasina
Locustellid warblers
Order: Passeriformes Family: Locustellidae
- Little rush warbler, Bradypterus baboecala
- Highland rush warbler, Bradypterus centralis
- White-winged scrub warbler, Bradypterus carpalis
- Bamboo scrub warbler, Bradypterus alfredi
- Cameroon scrub warbler, Bradypterus lopezi
- Cinnamon bracken warbler, Bradypterus cinnamomeus
- Eurasian river warbler, Locustella fluviatilis
- Fan-tailed grassbird, Schoenicola brevirostris
Acrocephalid warblers
Order: Passeriformes Family: Acrocephalidae
- Sedge warbler, Acrocephalus schoenobaenus
- Eurasian reed warbler, Acrocephalus scirpaceus
- African reed warbler, Acrocephalus baeticatus
- Marsh warbler, Acrocephalus palustris
- Great reed warbler, Acrocephalus arundinaceus
- Basra reed warbler, Acrocephalus griseldis
- Greater swamp warbler, Acrocephalus rufescens
- Lesser swamp warbler, Acrocephalus gracilirostris
- Eastern olivaceous warbler, Iduna pallida
- Upcher's warbler, Hippolais languida
- Olive-tree warbler, Hippolais olivetorum
- Icterine warbler, Hippolais icterina
- African yellow warbler, Iduna natalensis
- Mountain yellow warbler, Iduna similis
- Papyrus yellow warbler, Calamonastides gracilirostris
Phylloscopid warblers
Order: Passeriformes Family: Phylloscopidae
- Laura's wood warbler, Phylloscopus laurae
- Yellow-throated wood warbler, Phylloscopus ruficapillus
- Uganda wood warbler, Phylloscopus budongoensis
- Brown woodland warbler, Phylloscopus umbrovirens
- Willow warbler, Phylloscopus trochilus
- Common chiffchaff, Phylloscopus collybita
- Wood warbler, Phylloscopus sibilatrix
Hyliotid warblers
Order: Passeriformes Family: Hyliotidae
- Yellow-bellied hyliota, Hyliota flavigaster
- Usambara hyliota, Hyliota usambarae (E)
Old World warblers
Order: Passeriformes Family: Sylviidae
The family Sylviidae is a group of small insectivorous passerine birds. They mainly occur as breeding species, as the common name implies, in Europe, Asia and, to a lesser extent, Africa. Most are of generally undistinguished appearance, but many have distinctive songs.
- Eurasian blackcap, Sylvia atricapilla
- Garden warbler, Sylvia borin
- Greater whitethroat, Sylvia communis
- Barred warbler, Sylvia nisoria
- Brown parisoma, Sylvia lugens
- Banded parisoma, Sylvia boehmi
- African hill babbler, Pseudoalcippe abyssinica
Old World flycatchers
Order: Passeriformes Family: Muscicapidae
Old World flycatchers are a large group of small passerine birds native to the Old World. They are mainly small arboreal insectivores. The appearance of these birds is highly varied, but they mostly have weak songs and harsh calls.
- Miombo rock thrush, Monticola angolensis
- Common rock thrush, Monticola saxatilis
- Little rock thrush, Monticola rufocinereus
- Silverbird, Empidornis semipartitus
- Pale flycatcher, Bradornis pallidus
- African grey flycatcher, Bradornis microrhynchus
- White-eyed slaty flycatcher, Melaenornis fischeri
- Northern black flycatcher, Melaenornis edolioides
- Southern black flycatcher, Melaenornis pammelaina
- Spotted flycatcher, Muscicapa striata
- Sooty flycatcher, Muscicapa infuscata
- Boehm's flycatcher, Muscicapa boehmi
- Swamp flycatcher, Muscicapa aquatica
- African dusky flycatcher, Muscicapa adusta
- Ashy flycatcher, Muscicapa caerulescens
- Grey-throated tit-flycatcher, Myioparus griseigularis
- Grey tit-flycatcher, Myioparus plumbeus
- Collared flycatcher, Ficedula albicollis
- Semicollared flycatcher, Ficedula semitorquata
- White-starred robin, Pogonocichla stellata
- Swynnerton's robin, Swynnertonia swynnertoni
- Forest robin, Stiphrornis erythrothorax
- Bocage's akalat, Sheppardia bocagei
- Lowland akalat, Sheppardia cyornithopsis
- Sharpe's akalat, Sheppardia sharpei
- East coast akalat, Sheppardia gunningi
- Usambara akalat, Sheppardia montana (E)
- Iringa akalat, Sheppardia lowei (E)
- Rubeho akalat, Sheppardia aurantiithorax (E)
- Thrush nightingale, Luscinia luscinia
- Common nightingale, Luscinia megarhynchos
- White-throated robin, Irania gutturalis
- Olive-flanked robin-chat, Cossypha anomala
- Cape robin-chat, Cossypha caffra
- Blue-shouldered robin-chat, Cossypha cyanocampter
- Grey-winged robin-chat, Cossypha polioptera
- Rueppell's robin-chat, Cossypha semirufa
- White-browed robin-chat, Cossypha heuglini
- Red-capped robin-chat, Cossypha natalensis
- Snowy-crowned robin-chat, Cossypha niveicapilla
- Collared palm thrush, Cichladusa arquata
- Spotted morning thrush, Cichladusa guttata
- Bearded scrub robin, Cercotrichas quadrivirgata
- Miombo scrub robin, Cercotrichas barbata
- Brown-backed scrub robin, Cercotrichas hartlaubi
- Red-backed scrub robin, Cercotrichas leucophrys
- Rufous-tailed scrub robin, Cercotrichas galactotes
- Common redstart, Phoenicurus phoenicurus
- Whinchat, Saxicola rubetra
- African stonechat, Saxicola torquatus
- Northern wheatear, Oenanthe oenanthe
- Mourning wheatear, Oenanthe lugens
- Pied wheatear, Oenanthe pleschanka
- Capped wheatear, Oenanthe pileata
- Isabelline wheatear, Oenanthe isabellina
- Familiar chat, Cercomela familiaris
- Moorland chat, Cercomela sordida
- Anteater chat, Myrmecocichla aethiops
- Sooty chat, Myrmecocichla nigra
- White-headed black chat, Myrmecocichla arnotti
- Mocking cliff chat, Thamnolaea cinnamomeiventris
Wattle-eyes
Order: Passeriformes Family: Platysteiridae
The wattle-eyes, or puffback flycatchers, are small stout passerine birds of the African tropics. They get their name from the brightly coloured fleshy eye decorations found in most species in this group.
- African shrike-flycatcher, Megabyas flammulatus
- Black-and-white shrike-flycatcher, Bias musicus
- Brown-throated wattle-eye, Platysteira cyanea
- Black-throated wattle-eye, Platysteira peltata
- Chestnut wattle-eye, Platysteira castanea
- Jameson's wattle-eye, Platysteira jamesoni
- Yellow-bellied wattle-eye, Platysteira concreta
- Forest batis, Batis mixta
- Dark batis, Batis crypta
- Ruwenzori batis, Batis diops
- Cape batis, Batis capensis
- Chinspot batis, Batis molitor
- Pale batis, Batis soror
- Black-headed batis, Batis minor
- Pygmy batis, Batis perkeo
Erythrocercid flycatchers
Order: Passeriformes Family: Erythrocercidae
- Yellow flycatcher, Erythrocercus holochlorus
- Livingstone's flycatcher, Erythrocercus livingstonei
Fairy flycatchers
Order: Passeriformes Family: Stenostiridae
- African blue flycatcher, Elminia longicauda
- White-tailed blue flycatcher, Elminia albicauda
- Dusky crested flycatcher, Elminia nigromitrata
- White-tailed crested flycatcher, Elminia albonotata
Monarch flycatchers
Order: Passeriformes Family: Monarchidae
The monarch flycatchers are small to medium-sized insectivorous passerines which hunt by flycatching.
- African crested flycatcher, Trochocercus cyanomelas
- Black-headed paradise flycatcher, Terpsiphone rufiventer
- African paradise flycatcher, Terpsiphone viridis
Arcanatorids
Order: Passeriformes Family: Arcanatoridae
- Spot-throat, Modulatrix stictigula
- Dapple-throat, Arcanator orostruthus
Ground babblers
Order: Passeriformes Family: Pellorneidae
- Scaly-breasted illadopsis, Illadopsis albipectus
- Pale-breasted illadopsis, Illadopsis rufipennis
- Brown illadopsis, Illadopsis fulvescens
- Mountain illadopsis, Illadopsis pyrrhoptera
Laughingthrushes
Order: Passeriformes Family: Leiothrichidae
- Scaly chatterer, Turdoides aylmeri
- Rufous chatterer, Turdoides rubiginosus
- Black-lored babbler, Turdoides sharpei
- Scaly babbler, Turdoides squamulatus
- Hartlaub's babbler, Turdoides hartlaubii
- Northern pied babbler, Turdoides hypoleucus
- Brown babbler, Turdoides plebejus (A)
- Arrow-marked babbler, Turdoides jardineii
Chickadees and titmice
Order: Passeriformes Family: Paridae
The Paridae are mainly small stocky woodland species with short stout bills. Some have crests. They are adaptable birds, with a mixed diet including seeds and insects. There are 59 species worldwide and 7 species which occur in Tanzania.
- White-winged black tit, Melaniparus leucomelas
- White-shouldered black tit, Melaniparus guineensis
- White-bellied tit, Melaniparus albiventris
- Rufous-bellied tit, Melaniparus rufiventris
- Red-throated tit, Melaniparus fringillinus
- Somali tit, Melaniparus thruppi
- Miombo tit, Melaniparus griseiventris
Treecreepers
Order: Passeriformes Family: Certhiidae
Treecreepers are small woodland birds, brown above and white below. They have thin pointed down-curved bills, which they use to extricate insects from bark. They have stiff tail feathers, like woodpeckers, which they use to support themselves on vertical trees. There are 6 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Tanzania.
- Spotted creeper, Salpornis salvadori
Penduline tits
Order: Passeriformes Family: Remizidae
The penduline tits are a group of small passerine birds related to the true tits. They are insectivores. There are 13 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in Tanzania.
- Mouse-coloured penduline tit, Anthoscopus musculus
- African penduline tit, Anthoscopus caroli
Sunbirds and spiderhunters
Order: Passeriformes Family: Nectariniidae
The sunbirds and spiderhunters are very small passerine birds which feed largely on nectar, although they will also take insects, especially when feeding young. Flight is fast and direct on their short wings. Most species can take nectar by hovering like a hummingbird, but usually perch to feed. There are 131 species worldwide and 47 species which occur in Tanzania.
- Grey-headed sunbird, Deleornis axillaris
- Plain-backed sunbird, Anthreptes reichenowi
- Anchieta's sunbird, Anthreptes anchietae
- Western violet-backed sunbird, Anthreptes longuemarei
- Kenya violet-backed sunbird, Anthreptes orientalis
- Uluguru violet-backed sunbird, Anthreptes neglectus
- Little green sunbird, Anthreptes seimundi (A)
- Green sunbird, Anthreptes rectirostris
- Banded sunbird, Anthreptes rubritorques (E)
- Collared sunbird, Hedydipna collaris
- Amani sunbird, Hedydipna pallidigaster
- Green-headed sunbird, Cyanomitra verticalis
- Blue-throated brown sunbird, Cyanomitra cyanolaema
- Eastern olive sunbird, Cyanomitra olivacea
- Western olive sunbird, Cyanomitra obscura
- Mouse-coloured sunbird, Cyanomitra veroxii
- Green-throated sunbird, Chalcomitra rubescens
- Amethyst sunbird, Chalcomitra amethystina
- Scarlet-chested sunbird, Chalcomitra senegalensis
- Hunter's sunbird, Chalcomitra hunteri
- Tacazze sunbird, Nectarinia tacazze
- Bronze sunbird, Nectarinia kilimensis
- Golden-winged sunbird, Drepanorhynchus reichenowi
- Red-tufted sunbird, Nectarinia johnstoni
- Malachite sunbird, Nectarinia famosa
- Olive-bellied sunbird, Cinnyris chloropygius
- Miombo sunbird, Cinnyris manoensis
- Regal sunbird, Cinnyris regius
- Eastern double-collared sunbird, Cinnyris mediocris
- Moreau's sunbird, Cinnyris moreaui (E)
- Beautiful sunbird, Cinnyris pulchellus
- Loveridge's sunbird, Cinnyris loveridgei (E)
- Mariqua sunbird, Cinnyris mariquensis
- Shelley's sunbird, Cinnyris shelleyi
- Red-chested sunbird, Cinnyris erythrocerca
- Black-bellied sunbird, Cinnyris nectarinioides
- Purple-banded sunbird, Cinnyris bifasciatus
- Tsavo sunbird, Cinnyris tsavoensis
- Violet-breasted sunbird, Cinnyris chalcomelas
- Pemba sunbird, Cinnyris pembae
- Orange-tufted sunbird, Cinnyris bouvieri (A)
- Superb sunbird, Cinnyris superbus
- Rufous-winged sunbird, Cinnyris rufipennis (E)
- Oustalet's sunbird, Cinnyris oustaleti
- White-breasted sunbird, Cinnyris talatala
- Variable sunbird, Cinnyris venustus
- Copper sunbird, Cinnyris cupreus
White-eyes
Order: Passeriformes Family: Zosteropidae
The white-eyes are small and mostly undistinguished, their plumage above being generally some dull colour like greenish-olive, but some species have a white or bright yellow throat, breast or lower parts, and several have buff flanks. As their name suggests, many species have a white ring around each eye. There are 96 species worldwide and 4 species which occur in Tanzania.
- African yellow white-eye, Zosterops senegalensis
- Broad-ringed white-eye, Zosterops poliogastrus
- White-breasted white-eye, Zosterops abyssinicus
- Pemba white-eye, Zosterops vaughani (E)
Old World orioles
Order: Passeriformes Family: Oriolidae
The Old World orioles are colourful passerine birds. They are not related to the New World orioles. There are 29 species worldwide and 6 species which occur in Tanzania.
- Eurasian golden oriole, Oriolus oriolus
- African golden oriole, Oriolus auratus
- Green-headed oriole, Oriolus chlorocephalus
- Western black-headed oriole, Oriolus brachyrhynchus (A)
- African black-headed oriole, Oriolus larvatus
- Black-tailed oriole, Oriolus percivali
Shrikes
Order: Passeriformes Family: Laniidae
Shrikes are passerine birds known for their habit of catching other birds and small animals and impaling the uneaten portions of their bodies on thorns. A typical shrike's beak is hooked, like a bird of prey. There are 31 species worldwide and 14 species which occur in Tanzania.
- Red-backed shrike, Lanius collurio
- Rufous-tailed shrike, Lanius isabellinus
- Brown shrike, Lanius cristatus (A)
- Souza's shrike, Lanius souzae
- Lesser grey shrike, Lanius minor
- Grey-backed fiscal, Lanius excubitoroides
- Long-tailed fiscal, Lanius cabanisi
- Taita fiscal, Lanius dorsalis
- Mackinnon's shrike, Lanius mackinnoni
- Common fiscal, Lanius collaris
- Masked shrike, Lanius nubicus (A)
- Woodchat shrike, Lanius senator
- Magpie shrike, Corvinella melanoleuca
- White-rumped shrike, Eurocephalus rueppelli
Bushshrikes and allies
Order: Passeriformes Family: Malaconotidae
Bushshrikes are similar in habits to shrikes, hunting insects and other small prey from a perch on a bush. Although similar in build to the shrikes, these tend to be either colourful species or largely black; some species are quite secretive. There are 46 species worldwide and 22 species which occur in Tanzania.
- Brubru, Nilaus afer
- Northern puffback, Dryoscopus gambensis
- Pringle's puffback, Dryoscopus pringlii
- Black-backed puffback, Dryoscopus cubla
- Pink-footed puffback, Dryoscopus angolensis
- Marsh tchagra, Tchagra minuta
- Black-crowned tchagra, Tchagra senegala
- Brown-crowned tchagra, Tchagra australis
- Three-streaked tchagra, Tchagra jamesi
- Luehder's bushshrike, Laniarius luehderi
- Braun's bushshrike, Laniarius brauni
- Tropical boubou, Laniarius major
- East Coast boubou, Laniarius sublacteus
- Black-headed gonolek, Laniarius erythrogaster
- Papyrus gonolek, Laniarius mufumbiri
- Slate-coloured boubou, Laniarius funebris
- Fuelleborn's boubou, Laniarius fuelleborni
- Rosy-patched bushshrike, Rhodophoneus cruentus
- Sulphur-breasted bushshrike, Telophorus sulfureopectus
- Black-fronted bushshrike, Telophorus nigrifrons
- Four-coloured bushshrike, Telophorus viridis
- Grey-headed bushshrike, Malaconotus blanchoti
- Uluguru bushshrike, Malaconotus alius (E)
Helmetshrikes
Order: Passeriformes Family: Prionopidae
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 4 species which occur in Tanzania.
- White helmetshrike, Prionops plumatus
- Grey-crested helmetshrike, Prionops poliolophus
- Retz's helmetshrike, Prionops retzii
- Chestnut-fronted helmetshrike, Prionops scopifrons
Drongos
Order: Passeriformes Family: Dicruridae
The drongos are mostly black or dark grey in colour, sometimes with metallic tints. They have long forked tails, and some Asian species have elaborate tail decorations. They have short legs and sit very upright when perched, like a shrike. They flycatch or take prey from the ground. There are 24 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in Tanzania.
- Square-tailed drongo, Dicrurus ludwigii
- Fork-tailed drongo, Dicrurus adsimilis
Crows, jays, ravens and magpies
Order: Passeriformes Family: Corvidae
The family Corvidae includes crows, ravens, jays, choughs, magpies, treepies, nutcrackers and ground jays. Corvids are above average in size among the Passeriformes, and some of the larger species show high levels of intelligence. There are 120 species worldwide and 4 species which occur in Tanzania.
- House crow, Corvus splendens (I)
- Cape crow, Corvus capensis
- Pied crow, Corvus albus
- White-necked raven, Corvus albicollis
Starlings
Order: Passeriformes Family: Sturnidae
Starlings are small to medium-sized passerine birds. Their flight is strong and direct and they are very gregarious. Their preferred habitat is fairly open country. They eat insects and fruit. Plumage is typically dark with a metallic sheen. There are 125 species worldwide and 26 species which occur in Tanzania.
- Wattled starling, Creatophora cinerea
- Greater blue-eared starling, Lamprotornis chalybaeus
- Lesser blue-eared starling, Lamprotornis chloropterus
- Splendid starling, Lamprotornis splendidus
- Rueppell's starling, Lamprotornis purpuropterus
- Golden-breasted starling, Lamprotornis regius
- Sharp-tailed starling, Lamprotornis acuticaudus
- Black-bellied starling, Lamprotornis corruscus
- Superb starling, Lamprotornis superbus
- Hildebrandt's starling, Lamprotornis hildebrandti
- Shelley's starling, Lamprotornis shelleyi (A)
- Violet-backed starling, Cinnyricinclus leucogaster
- Fischer's starling, Spreo fischeri
- Ashy starling, Spreo unicolor
- Red-winged starling, Onychognathus morio
- Slender-billed starling, Onychognathus tenuirostris
- Chestnut-winged starling, Onychognathus fulgidus
- Waller's starling, Onychognathus walleri
- Stuhlmann's starling, Poeoptera stuhlmanni
- Kenrick's starling, Poeoptera kenricki
- Sharpe's starling, Pholia sharpii
- Abbott's starling, Pholia femoralis
- Magpie starling, Speculipastor bicolor
- Babbling starling, Neocichla gutturalis
- Red-billed oxpecker, Buphagus erythrorhynchus
- Yellow-billed oxpecker, Buphagus africanus
Weavers and allies
Order: Passeriformes Family: Ploceidae
The weavers are small passerine birds related to the finches. They are seed-eating birds with rounded conical bills. The males of many species are brightly coloured, usually in red or yellow and black, some species show variation in colour only in the breeding season. There are 116 species worldwide and 59 species which occur in Tanzania.
- Red-billed buffalo weaver, Bubalornis niger
- White-headed buffalo weaver, Dinemellia dinemelli
- Speckle-fronted weaver, Sporopipes frontalis
- White-browed sparrow-weaver, Plocepasser mahali
- Chestnut-backed sparrow-weaver, Plocepasser rufoscapulatus (A)
- Rufous-tailed weaver, Histurgops ruficauda (E)
- Grey-headed social weaver, Pseudonigrita arnaudi
- Black-capped social weaver, Pseudonigrita cabanisi
- Baglafecht weaver, Ploceus baglafecht
- Bertram's weaver, Ploceus bertrandi
- Slender-billed weaver, Ploceus pelzelni
- Little weaver, Ploceus luteolus
- Lesser masked weaver, Ploceus intermedius
- Spectacled weaver, Ploceus ocularis
- Black-necked weaver, Ploceus nigricollis
- Black-billed weaver, Ploceus melanogaster
- Eastern golden weaver, Ploceus subaureus
- Holub's golden weaver, Ploceus xanthops
- Orange weaver, Ploceus aurantius
- Golden palm weaver, Ploceus bojeri
- Taveta weaver, Ploceus castaneiceps
- Southern brown-throated weaver, Ploceus xanthopterus
- Northern brown-throated weaver, Ploceus castanops
- Kilombero weaver, Ploceus burnieri (E)
- Southern masked weaver, Ploceus velatus
- Vitelline masked weaver, Ploceus vitellinus
- Lufira masked weaver, Ploceus reichardi (E)
- Village weaver, Ploceus cucullatus
- Speke's weaver, Ploceus spekei
- Vieillot's weaver, Ploceus nigerrimus
- Weyns's weaver, Ploceus weynsi
- Black-headed weaver, Ploceus melanocephalus
- Golden-backed weaver, Ploceus jacksoni
- Chestnut weaver, Ploceus rubiginosus
- Dark-backed weaver, Ploceus bicolor
- Usambara weaver, Ploceus nicolli (E)
- Olive-headed weaver, Ploceus olivaceiceps
- Brown-capped weaver, Ploceus insignis
- Compact weaver, Pachyphantes superciliosus
- Red-headed malimbe, Malimbus rubricollis
- Red-headed weaver, Anaplectes rubriceps
- Cardinal quelea, Quelea cardinalis
- Red-headed quelea, Quelea erythrops
- Red-billed quelea, Quelea quelea
- Yellow-crowned bishop, Euplectes afer
- Fire-fronted bishop, Euplectes diadematus
- Black bishop, Euplectes gierowii
- Black-winged bishop, Euplectes hordeaceus
- Red bishop, Euplectes orix
- Zanzibar red bishop, Euplectes nigroventris
- Yellow bishop, Euplectes capensis
- Fan-tailed widowbird, Euplectes axillaris
- Yellow-mantled widowbird, Euplectes macrourus
- White-winged widowbird, Euplectes albonotatus
- Red-collared widowbird, Euplectes ardens
- Marsh widowbird, Euplectes hartlaubi
- Montane widowbird, Euplectes psammocromius
- Jackson's widowbird, Euplectes jacksoni
- Thick-billed weaver, Amblyospiza albifrons
Waxbills and allies
Order: Passeriformes Family: Estrildidae
The estrildid finches are small passerine birds of the Old World tropics and Australasia. They are gregarious and often colonial seed eaters with short thick but pointed bills. They are all similar in structure and habits, but have wide variation in plumage colours and patterns. There are 141 species worldwide and 41 species which occur in Tanzania.
- Jameson's antpecker, Parmoptila jamesoni (A)
- White-breasted nigrita, Nigrita fusconota (A)
- Grey-headed nigrita, Nigrita canicapilla
- White-collared oliveback, Nesocharis ansorgei
- Orange-winged pytilia, Pytilia afra
- Green-winged pytilia, Pytilia melba
- Green-backed twinspot, Mandingoa nitidula
- Red-faced crimsonwing, Cryptospiza reichenovii
- Abyssinian crimsonwing, Cryptospiza salvadorii
- Black-bellied seedcracker, Pyrenestes ostrinus
- Lesser seedcracker, Pyrenestes minor
- Red-headed bluebill, Spermophaga ruficapilla
- Peters's twinspot, Hypargos niveoguttatus
- Brown firefinch, Lagonosticta nitidula
- Red-billed firefinch, Lagonosticta senegala
- African firefinch, Lagonosticta rubricata
- Jameson's firefinch, Lagonosticta rhodopareia
- Blue-breasted cordonbleu, Uraeginthus angolensis
- Red-cheeked cordonbleu, Uraeginthus bengalus
- Blue-capped cordonbleu, Uraeginthus cyanocephalus
- Purple grenadier, Uraeginthus ianthinogaster
- Yellow-bellied waxbill, Coccopygia quartinia
- Black-tailed waxbill, Estrilda perreini
- Fawn-breasted waxbill, Estrilda paludicola
- Crimson-rumped waxbill, Estrilda rhodopyga
- Black-rumped waxbill, Estrilda troglodytes (A)
- Common waxbill, Estrilda astrild
- Black-crowned waxbill, Estrilda nonnula
- Black-faced waxbill, Estrilda erythronotos
- Red-rumped waxbill, Estrilda charmosyna
- Zebra waxbill, Amandava subflava
- Red-billed quailfinch, Ortygospiza gabonensis
- African quailfinch, Ortygospiza fuscocrissa
- Locustfinch, Paludipasser locustella
- African silverbill, Euodice cantans
- Grey-headed silverbill, Odontospiza griseicapilla
- Bronze mannikin, Spermestes cucullatus
- Black-and-white mannikin, Spermestes bicolor
- Magpie mannikin, Spermestes fringilloides
- Java sparrow, Padda oryzivora (I)
- Cut-throat, Amadina fasciata
Indigobirds
Order: Passeriformes Family: Viduidae
The indigobirds are finch-like species which usually have black or indigo predominating in their plumage. All are brood parasites, which lay their eggs in the nests of estrildid finches. There are 20 species worldwide and 10 species which occur in Tanzania.
- Village indigobird, Vidua chalybeata
- Variable indigobird, Vidua funerea
- Green indigobird, Vidua codringtoni
- Purple indigobird, Vidua purpurascens
- Pale-winged indigobird, Vidua wilsoni
- Steel-blue whydah, Vidua hypocherina
- Straw-tailed whydah, Vidua fischeri
- Pin-tailed whydah, Vidua macroura
- Eastern paradise whydah, Vidua paradisaea
- Broad-tailed paradise whydah, Vidua obtusa
Weavers and allies
Order: Passeriformes Family: Ploceidae
The weavers are small passerine birds related to the finches. They are seed-eating birds with rounded conical bills. The males of many species are brightly coloured, usually in red or yellow and black, some species show variation in colour only in the breeding season. There are 116 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Tanzania.
- Parasitic weaver, Anomalospiza imberbis
Buntings, sparrows, seedeaters and allies
Order: Passeriformes Family: Emberizidae
The emberizids are a large family of passerine birds. They are seed-eating birds with distinctively shaped bills. 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 Old World sparrows which are in the family Passeridae. Many emberizid species have distinctive head patterns. There are 275 species worldwide and 5 species which occur in Tanzania.
- Cinnamon-breasted bunting, Emberiza tahapisi
- Cape bunting, Emberiza capensis
- Golden-breasted bunting, Emberiza flaviventris
- Somali bunting, Emberiza poliopleura
- Cabanis's bunting, Emberiza cabanisi
Siskins, crossbills and allies
Order: Passeriformes Family: Fringillidae
Finches are seed-eating passerine birds, that are small to moderately large and have a strong beak, usually conical and in some species very large. All have twelve tail feathers and nine primaries. These birds have a bouncing flight with alternating bouts of flapping and gliding on closed wings, and most sing well. There are 137 species worldwide and 18 species which occur in Tanzania.
- Oriole finch, Linurgus olivaceus
- Cape canary, Serinus canicollis
- Yellow-crowned canary, Serinus flavivertex
- Western citril, Serinus frontalis
- Southern citril, Serinus hyposticutus
- Papyrus canary, Serinus koliensis
- Black-throated canary, Serinus atrogularis
- Reichenow's seedeater, Serinus reichenowi
- Yellow-fronted canary, Serinus mozambicus
- Southern grosbeak-canary, Serinus buchanani
- White-bellied canary, Serinus dorsostriatus
- Brimstone canary, Serinus sulphuratus
- Reichard's seedeater, Serinus reichardi
- Black-eared seedeater, Serinus mennelli
- Streaky seedeater, Serinus striolatus
- Yellow-browed seedeater, Serinus whytii
- Thick-billed seedeater, Serinus burtoni
- Tanzania seedeater, Serinus melanochrous (E)
Sparrows
Order: Passeriformes Family: Passeridae
Sparrows are small passerine birds. In general, sparrows tend to be small, plump, brown or grey birds with short tails and short powerful beaks. Sparrows are seed eaters, but they also consume small insects. There are 35 species worldwide and 9 species which occur in Tanzania.
- House sparrow, Passer domesticus (I)
- Kenya rufous sparrow, Passer rufocinctus
- Grey-headed sparrow, Passer griseus
- Parrot-billed sparrow, Passer gongonensis
- Swaheli sparrow, Passer suahelicus
- Southern grey-headed sparrow, Passer diffusus
- Chestnut sparrow, Passer eminibey
- Yellow-spotted petronia, Petronia pyrgita
- Yellow-throated petronia, Petronia superciliaris
Near-threatened, vulnerable and endangered species
- Near-threatened species
From the above list, the near-threatened species are:[1] Maccoa duck (Oxyura maccoa), ring-necked francolin (Francolinus streptophorus), Udzungwa forest partridge (Xenoperdix udzungwensis), lesser flamingo (Phoenicopterus minor), southern giant petrel (Macronectes giganteus), white-backed vulture (Gyps africanus), Rueppell's griffon (Gyps rueppellii), fasciated snake eagle (Circaetus fasciolatus), pallid harrier (Circus macrourus), red-footed falcon (Falco vespertinus), sooty falcon (Falco concolor), Taita falcon (Falco fasciinucha), corn crake, (Crex crex), Stanley bustard (Neotis denhami), chestnut-banded plover (Charadrius pallidus), Eurasian curlew (Numenius arquata) black-tailed godwit (Limosa limosa), great snipe (Gallinago media), black-winged pratincole (Glareola nordmanni), Madagascar pratincole (Glareola ocularis), African skimmer (Rynchops flavirostris), Fischer's lovebird (Agapornis fischeri), Lilian's lovebird (Agapornis lilianae), grey parrot (Psittacus erithacus), Fischer's turaco (Tauraco fischeri), European roller (Coracias garrulus), red-faced barbet (Lybius rubrifacies), Stierling's woodpecker (Dendropicos stierlingi), grey-crested helmetshrike (Prionops poliolophus), East coast akalat (Sheppardia gunningi), plain-backed sunbird (Anthreptes reichenowi), Moreau's sunbird, (Nectarinia moreaui), Tanzania seedeater (Serinus melanochrous), olive-headed weaver (Ploceus olivaceiceps) and Jackson's widowbird (Euplectes jacksoni).
- Vulnerable species
Vulnerable species are:[1] Cape gannet (Morus capensis), shoebill (Balaeniceps rex), white-headed vulture (Trigonoceps occipitalis), Beaudouin's snake eagle (Circaetus beaudouini), greater spotted eagle (Aquila clanga), imperial eagle (Aquila heliaca), lesser kestrel (Falco naumanni), wattled crane (Bugeranus carunculatus), Pemba green pigeon (Treron pembaensis), Pemba scops owl (Otus pembaensis), Usambara eagle-owl (Bubo vosseleri), blue swallow (Hirundo atrocaerulea), white-winged apalis (Apalis chariessa), Karamoja apalis (Apalis karamojae), Mrs. Moreau's warbler (Scepomycter winifredae), semicollared flycatcher (Ficedula semitorquata), Swynnerton's robin (Swynnertonia swynnertoni), Iringa akalat (Sheppardia lowei), dapple-throat (Modulatrix orostruthus), Abbott's starling (Cinnyricinclus femoralis), banded sunbird (Anthreptes rubritorques), rufous-winged sunbird (Nectarinia rufipennis), Kilombero weaver (Ploceus burnieri) and Java sparrow (Lonchura oryzivora).
- Endangered species
Endangered species are:[1] Madagascar pond heron (Ardeola idae), Egyptian vulture (Neophron percnopterus), sooty falcon (Falco concolor), Congo bay owl (Phodilus prigoginei) Sokoke scops owl (Otus ireneae), Braun's bushshrike (Laniarius brauni), Basra reed warbler (Acrocephalus griseldis), Usambara hyliota (Hyliota usambarae), Usambara akalat (Sheppardia montana), Rubeho akalat (Sheppardia aurantiithorax), Spotted ground thrush (Zoothera guttata), Amani sunbird (Anthreptes pallidigaster), Loveridge's sunbird (Nectarinia loveridgei), Sokoke pipit (Anthus sokokensis) and Usambara weaver (Ploceus nicolli).
- Critically endangered
Critically endangered species is:[1] Long-billed tailorbird (Artisornis moreaui).
See also
References
- ^ a b c d "Avibase – Bird Checklists of the World". bird species found in Tanzania. Avibase The World data bird base. Retrieved 24 May 2011.
- Lepage, Denis. "Checklist of birds of Tanzania". Bird Checklists of the World. Avibase. Retrieved 27 April 2007.
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(help) - Clements, James F. (2000). Birds of the World: a Checklist. Cornell University Press. p. 880. ISBN 0-934797-16-1.
External links
- Birds of Tanzania - World Institute for Conservation and Environment