1. Ostriches

2. Grebes

3. Shearwaters and petrels

4. Austral storm petrels

5. Tropicbirds

6. Boobies and gannets

7. Cormorants

8. Darters

9. Frigatebirds

10. Pelicans

11. Bitterns, herons and egrets

12. Hammerkop

13. Shoebill

14. Ibises and spoonbills

15. Storks

16. Flamingos

17. Ducks, geese and swans

18. Osprey

19. Hawks, kites and eagles

20. Secretarybird

21. Caracaras and falcons

22. Pheasants and francolins

23. Partridges

24. Guineafowl

25. Cranes

26. Flufftails

27. Rails, crakes, gallinules and coots

28. Sungrebe and finfoots

29. Bustards

30. Buttonquails

31. Jacanas

32. Painted-snipe

33. Oystercatchers

34. Avocets and stilts

35. Thick-knees

36. Pratincoles and coursers

37. Plovers and lapwings

38. Sandpipers and allies

39. Skuas and jaegers

40. Gulls, terns, and skimmers

41. Sandgrouse

42. Pigeons and doves

43. Old World parrots

44. African and New World parrots

45. Turacos

46. Cuckoos and anis

47. Barn owls

48. Typical owls

49. Nightjars

50. Swifts

51. Mousebirds

52. Trogons and quetzals

53. Kingfishers

54. Bee-eaters

55. Typical rollers

56. Hoopoes

57. Woodhoopoes

58. Hornbills

59. Barbets

60. Honeyguides

61. Woodpeckers and allies

62. Broadbills

63. Pittas

64. Larks

65. Swallows and martins

66. Wagtails and pipits

67. Cuckooshrikes

68. Bulbuls

69. Thrushes and allies

70. Cisticolas and allies

71. African warblers

72. Cettid warblers

73. Locustellid warblers

74. Acrocephalid warblers

75. Phylloscopid warblers

76. Hyliotid warblers

77. Old World warblers

78. Old World flycatchers

79. Wattle-eyes

80. Erythrocercid flycatchers

81. Fairy flycatchers

82. Monarch flycatchers

83. Rockfowl

84. Arcanatorids

85. Ground babblers

86. Laughingthrushes

87. Chickadees and titmice

88. Treecreepers

89. Penduline tits

90. Sunbirds and spiderhunters

91. White-eyes

92. Old World orioles

93. Shrikes

94. Bushshrikes and allies

95. Helmetshrikes

96. Drongos

97. Crows, jays, ravens and magpies

98. Starlings

99. Weavers and allies

100. Waxbills and allies

101. Indigobirds

102. Buntings, sparrows, seedeaters and allies

103. Siskins, crossbills and allies

104. Sparrows

105. See also

106. References

107. External links

This is a list of the bird species recorded in Cameroon. The avifauna of Cameroon include a total of 928 species, of which 11 are endemic and 8 are rare or accidental.

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, 6th edition. The family accounts at the beginning of each heading reflect this taxonomy, as do the species counts found in each family account. Accidental species are included in the total species count for Cameroon.

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 Cameroon
• (E) Endemic - a species endemic to Cameroon

Ostriches

The ostrich is a flightless bird native to Africa. It is the largest living species of bird. It is distinctive in its appearance, with a long neck and legs and the ability to run at high speeds.

• Common ostrich, Struthio camelus

Grebes

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 1 species which occurs in Cameroon.

• Little grebe, Tachybaptus ruficollis

Shearwaters and petrels

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

• Sooty shearwater, Ardenna griseus

Austral storm petrels

The austral storm petrels are relatives of the petrels and are the smallest seabirds. They feed on planktonic crustaceans and small fish picked from the surface, typically while hovering. The flight is fluttering and sometimes bat-like.

• Wilson's storm petrel, Oceanites oceanicus

Tropicbirds

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

• Red-billed tropicbird, Phaethon aethereus
• White-tailed tropicbird, Phaethon lepturus

Boobies and gannets

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
• Brown booby, Sula leucogaster

Cormorants

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, Microcarbo africanus

Darters

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

• African darter, Anhinga rufa

Frigatebirds

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.

• Ascension frigatebird, Fregata aquila

Pelicans

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 Cameroon.

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

Bitterns, herons and egrets

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
• Intermediate egret, Ardea intermedia (A)
• Black heron, Egretta ardesiaca
• 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
• Dwarf bittern, Ixobrychus sturmii
• Great bittern, Botaurus stellaris (A)

Hammerkop

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

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

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.

• Sacred ibis, Threskiornis aethiopicus
• Olive ibis, Bostrychia olivacea
• Spot-breasted ibis, Bostrychia rara
• Hadada ibis, Bostrychia hagedash
• Glossy ibis, Plegadis falcinellus
• Eurasian spoonbill, Platalea leucorodia
• African spoonbill, Platalea alba

Storks

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 crumenifer

Flamingos

Flamingos are gregarious wading birds, usually {{convert|3|to|5|ft|m|1}} 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 6 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in Cameroon.

• Greater flamingo, Phoenicopterus roseus
• Lesser flamingo, Phoenicopterus minor

Ducks, geese and swans

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
• Knob-billed duck, Sarkidiornis sylvicola
• Hartlaub's duck, Pteronetta hartlaubii
• African pygmy goose, Nettapus auritus
• Eurasian wigeon, Mareca penelope
• Gadwall, Mareca strepera
• African black duck, Anas sparsa
• Eurasian teal, Anas crecca
• Cape teal, Anas capensis
• Yellow-billed duck, Anas undulata
• Northern pintail, Anas acuta
• Hottentot teal, Spatula hottentota
• Garganey, Spatula querquedula
• Northern shoveler, Spatula clypeata
• Marbled teal, Marmaronetta angustirostris
• Common pochard, Aythya ferina
• Ferruginous pochard, Aythya nyroca

Osprey

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

• Osprey, Pandion haliaetus

Hawks, kites and eagles

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-winged kite, Elanus caeruleus
• Scissor-tailed kite, Chelictinia riocourii
• Red kite, Milvus milvus
• Black kite, Milvus migrans
• Yellow-billed kite, Milvus aegyptius
• African fish eagle, Haliaeetus vocifer
• Palm-nut vulture, Gypohierax angolensis
• Hooded vulture, Necrosyrtes monachus
• Egyptian vulture, Neophron percnopterus
• White-backed vulture, Gyps africanus
• Rüppell's vulture, Gyps rueppelli
• Lappet-faced vulture, Torgos tracheliotos
• White-headed vulture, Trigonoceps occipitalis
• Beaudouin's snake eagle, Circaetus beaudouini
• Brown snake eagle, Circaetus cinereus
• Banded snake eagle, Circaetus cinerascens
• Bateleur, Terathopius ecaudatus
• Congo serpent eagle, Dryotriorchis spectabilis
• Western marsh harrier, Circus aeruginosus
• Pallid harrier, Circus macrourus
• 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
• Chestnut-flanked sparrowhawk, Accipiter castanilius
• Shikra, Accipiter badius
• Red-thighed sparrowhawk, Accipiter erythropus
• Little sparrowhawk, Accipiter minullus
• Ovampo sparrowhawk, Accipiter ovampensis
• Black goshawk, Accipiter melanoleucus
• Long-tailed hawk, Urotriorchis macrourus
• Grasshopper buzzard, Butastur rufipennis
• Eurasian buzzard, Buteo buteo
• Long-legged buzzard, Buteo rufinus
• Red-necked buzzard, Buteo auguralis
• Lesser spotted eagle, Clanga pomarina
• Greater spotted eagle, Clanga clanga
• Tawny eagle, Aquila rapax
• Steppe eagle, Aquila nipalensis
• African hawk-eagle, Aquila spilogaster
• Cassin's hawk-eagle, Aquila africana
• Wahlberg's eagle, Hieraaetus wahlbergi
• Booted eagle, Hieraaetus pennatus
• Ayres's hawk-eagle, Hieraaetus ayresii
• Martial eagle, Polemaetus bellicosus
• Long-crested eagle, Lophaetus occipitalis
• Crowned hawk-eagle, Stephanoaetus coronatus

Secretarybird

The secretarybird is a bird of prey in the order Accipitriformes but is easily distinguished from other raptors by its long crane-like legs.

• Secretarybird, Sagittarius serpentarius

Caracaras and falcons

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

• Lesser kestrel, Falco naumanni
• Eurasian kestrel, Falco tinnunculus
• Fox kestrel, Falco alopex
• Grey kestrel, Falco ardosiaceus
• Red-necked falcon, Falco chicquera
• Red-footed falcon, Falco vespertinus
• Eurasian hobby, Falco subbuteo
• African hobby, Falco cuvierii
• Lanner falcon, Falco biarmicus
• Saker falcon, Falco cherrug
• Barbary falcon, Falco pelegrinoides
• Peregrine falcon, Falco peregrinus

Pheasants and francolins

The Phasianidae are a family of terrestrial birds which consists of quails, snowcocks, francolins, spurfowls, tragopans, monals, pheasants, peafowls and jungle fowls. In general, they are plump (although they vary in size) and have broad, relatively short wings.

• Coqui francolin, Peliperdix coqui
• White-throated francolin, Peliperdix albogularis
• Schlegel's francolin, Peliperdix schlegelii
• Latham's francolin, Peliperdix lathami
• Ring-necked francolin, Scleroptila streptophorus
• Scaly francolin, Pternistis squamatus
• Double-spurred francolin, Pternistis bicalcaratus
• Heuglin's francolin, Pternistis icterorhynchus
• Clapperton's francolin, Pternistis clappertoni
• Mount Cameroon francolin, Pternistis camerunensis (E)
• Harlequin quail, Coturnix delegorguei
• Blue quail, Excalfactoria adansonii

Partridges

• Stone partridge, Ptilopachus petrosus

Guineafowl

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 4 species which occur in Cameroon.

• Black guineafowl, Agelastes niger
• Helmeted guineafowl, Numida meleagris
• Plumed guineafowl, Guttera plumifera
• Crested guineafowl, Guttera pucherani

Cranes

Cranes are large, long-legged and long-necked birds. Unlike the similar-looking but unrelated herons, cranes fly with necks outstretched, not pulled back. Most have elaborate and noisy courting displays or "dances".

• Black crowned crane, Balearica pavonina

Flufftails

• 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
• Grey-throated rail, Canirallus oculeus

Rails, crakes, gallinules and coots

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.

• Nkulengu rail, Himantornis haematopus
• African rail, Rallus caerulescens
• African crake, Crex egregia
• Corn crake, Crex crex
• Black crake, Amaurornis flavirostris
• Little crake, Porzana parva
• Baillon's crake, Porzana pusilla
• Striped crake, Aenigmatolimnas marginalis
• African swamphen, Porphyrio madagascariensis
• Allen's gallinule, Porphyrio alleni
• Common moorhen, Gallinula chloropus
• Lesser moorhen, Gallinula angulata

Sungrebe and finfoots

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 Cameroon.

• African finfoot, Podica senegalensis

Bustards

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

• Arabian bustard, Ardeotis arabs
• Denham's bustard, Neotis denhami
• Nubian bustard, Neotis nuba (A)
• White-bellied bustard, Eupodotis senegalensis
• Black-bellied bustard, Lissotis melanogaster

Buttonquails

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

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 Cameroon.

• Lesser jacana, Microparra capensis
• African jacana, Actophilornis africanus

Painted-snipe

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 Cameroon.

• Greater painted-snipe, Rostratula benghalensis

Oystercatchers

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 Cameroon.

• Eurasian oystercatcher, Haematopus ostralegus

Avocets and stilts

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 Cameroon.

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

Thick-knees

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 Cameroon.

• Water thick-knee, Burhinus vermiculatus
• Senegal thick-knee, Burhinus senegalensis
• Spotted thick-knee, Burhinus capensis

Pratincoles and coursers

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 7 species which occur in Cameroon.

• Egyptian plover, Pluvianus aegyptius
• Temminck's courser, Cursorius temminckii
• Bronze-winged courser, Rhinoptilus chalcopterus
• Collared pratincole, Glareola pratincola
• Black-winged pratincole, Glareola nordmanni
• Rock pratincole, Glareola nuchalis
• Grey pratincole, Glareola cinerea

Plovers and lapwings

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 15 species which occur in Cameroon.

• Long-toed lapwing, Vanellus crassirostris
• Spur-winged plover, Vanellus spinosus
• Black-headed lapwing, Vanellus tectus
• White-headed lapwing, Vanellus albiceps
• Wattled lapwing, Vanellus senegallus
• Brown-chested lapwing, Vanellus superciliosus
• 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
• Snowy plover, Charadrius alexandrinus
• Caspian plover, Charadrius asiaticus

Sandpipers and allies

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 23 species which occur in Cameroon.

• Jack snipe, Lymnocryptes minimus
• 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
• Common sandpiper, Actitis hypoleucos
• Ruddy turnstone, Arenaria interpres
• Red knot, Calidris canutus
• Sanderling, Calidris alba
• Little stint, Calidris minuta
• Temminck's stint, Calidris temminckii (A)
• Curlew sandpiper, Calidris ferruginea
• Dunlin, Calidris alpina
• Ruff, Calidris pugnax
• Red phalarope, Phalaropus fulicarius

Skuas and jaegers

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 Cameroon.

• Pomarine jaeger, Stercorarius pomarinus
• Parasitic jaeger, Stercorarius parasiticus
• Long-tailed jaeger, Stercorarius longicaudus

Gulls, terns, and skimmers

Laridae is a family of medium to large seabirds, the gulls, terns, and skimmers. Gulls are typically grey or white, often with black markings on the head or wings. They have stout, longish bills and webbed feet. Terns are a group of generally medium to large seabirds typically with grey or white plumage, often with black markings on the head. Most terns hunt fish by diving but some pick insects off the surface of fresh water. Terns are generally long-lived birds, with several species known to live in excess of 30 years.

Skimmers are a small family of tropical tern-like birds. They have an elongated lower mandible which they use to feed by flying low over the water surface and skimming the water for small fish.

• Lesser black-backed gull, Larus fuscus
• Grey-headed gull, Chroicocephalus cirrocephalus
• Black-headed gull, Chroicocephalus ridibundus
• Little gull, Hydrocoloeus minutus (A)
• Sabine's gull, Xema sabini
• Gull-billed tern, Gelochelidon nilotica
• Caspian tern, Hydroprogne caspia
• Sandwich tern, Thalasseus sandvicensis
• Royal tern, Thalasseus maximus
• Common tern, Sterna hirundo
• Arctic tern, Sterna paradisaea
• Little tern, Sternula albifrons
• Damara tern, Sternula balaenarum
• Sooty tern, Onychoprion fuscatus
• Whiskered tern, Chlidonias hybrida
• White-winged tern, Chlidonias leucopterus
• Black tern, Chlidonias niger
• Brown noddy, Anous stolidus
• African skimmer, Rynchops flavirostris

Sandgrouse

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 2 species which occur in Cameroon.

• Chestnut-bellied sandgrouse, Pterocles exustus
• Four-banded sandgrouse, Pterocles quadricinctus

Pigeons and doves

Pigeons and doves are stout-bodied birds with short necks and short slender bills with a fleshy cere.

• Speckled pigeon, Columba guinea
• Afep pigeon, Columba unicincta
• Rameron pigeon, Columba arquatrix
• Cameroon pigeon, Columba sjostedti
• White-naped pigeon, Columba albinucha
• Western bronze-naped pigeon, Columba iriditorques
• Lemon dove, Columba larvata
• Eurasian turtle dove, Streptopelia turtur
• Dusky turtle dove, Streptopelia lugens
• Adamawa turtle dove, Streptopelia hypopyrrha
• African collared dove, Streptopelia roseogrisea
• African mourning dove, Streptopelia decipiens
• Red-eyed dove, Streptopelia semitorquata
• Vinaceous dove, Streptopelia vinacea
• Laughing dove, Spilopelia senegalensis
• Black-billed wood dove, Turtur abyssinicus
• Blue-spotted wood dove, Turtur afer
• Tambourine dove, Turtur tympanistria
• Blue-headed wood dove, Turtur brehmeri
• Namaqua dove, Oena capensis
• Bruce's green pigeon, Treron waalia
• African green pigeon, Treron calva

Old World parrots

• Rose-ringed parakeet, Psittacula krameri
• Red-headed lovebird, Agapornis pullarius
• Black-collared lovebird, Agapornis swinderniana

African and New World parrots

• Grey parrot, Psittacus erithacus
• Red-fronted parrot, Poicephalus gulielmi
• Meyer's parrot, Poicephalus meyeri
• Niam-Niam parrot, Poicephalus crassus
• Senegal parrot, Poicephalus senegalus

Turacos

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 10 species which occur in Cameroon.

• Great blue turaco, Corythaeola cristata
• Guinea turaco, Tauraco persa
• White-crested turaco, Tauraco leucolophus
• Yellow-billed turaco, Tauraco macrorhynchus
• Bannerman's turaco, Tauraco bannermani (E)
• Red-crested turaco, Tauraco erythrolophus
• Violet turaco, Musophaga violacea
• Ross's turaco, Musophaga rossae
• Western plantain-eater, Crinifer piscator
• Eastern plantain-eater, Crinifer zonurus

Cuckoos and anis

The family Cuculidae includes cuckoos, roadrunners and anis. These birds are of variable size with slender bodies, long tails and strong legs. There are 138 species worldwide and 20 species which occur in Cameroon.

• 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
• Dusky long-tailed cuckoo, Cercococcyx mechowi
• Olive long-tailed cuckoo, Cercococcyx olivinus
• Yellow-throated cuckoo, Chrysococcyx flavigularis
• Klaas's cuckoo, Chrysococcyx klaas
• African emerald cuckoo, Chrysococcyx cupreus
• Dideric cuckoo, Chrysococcyx caprius
• Blue malkoha, Ceuthmochares aereus
• Black coucal, Centropus grillii
• Black-throated coucal, Centropus leucogaster
• Gabon coucal, Centropus anselli
• Blue-headed coucal, Centropus monachus
• Senegal coucal, Centropus senegalensis

Barn owls

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

• African grass owl, Tyto capensis
• Barn owl, Tyto alba

Typical owls

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.

• Sandy scops owl, Otus icterorhynchus
• African scops owl, Otus senegalensis
• Eurasian scops owl, Otus scops
• Northern white-faced owl, Ptilopsis leucotis
• Greyish eagle-owl, Bubo cinerascens
• Fraser's eagle-owl, Bubo poensis
• Shelley's eagle-owl, Bubo shelleyi
• Verreaux's eagle-owl, Bubo lacteus
• Akun eagle-owl, Bubo leucostictus
• Pel's fishing owl, Scotopelia peli
• Vermiculated fishing owl, Scotopelia bouvieri
• African wood owl, Strix woodfordii
• Maned owl, Jubula lettii
• Pearl-spotted owlet, Glaucidium perlatum
• Red-chested owlet, Glaucidium tephronotum
• Sjostedt's owlet, Glaucidium sjostedti
• Marsh owl, Asio capensis

Nightjars

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 14 species which have been recorded in Cameroon.

• Brown nightjar, Caprimulgus binotatus
• Eurasian nightjar, Caprimulgus europaeus
• Rufous-cheeked nightjar, Caprimulgus rufigena
• Golden nightjar, Caprimulgus eximius (A)
• Black-shouldered nightjar, Caprimulgus nigriscapularis
• Fiery-necked nightjar, Caprimulgus pectoralis
• Swamp nightjar, Caprimulgus natalensis
• Plain nightjar, Caprimulgus inornatus
• Freckled nightjar, Caprimulgus tristigma
• Bates's nightjar, Caprimulgus batesi
• Long-tailed nightjar, Caprimulgus climacurus
• Square-tailed nightjar, Caprimulgus fossii
• Pennant-winged nightjar, Caprimulgus vexillarius
• Standard-winged nightjar, Caprimulgus longipennis

Swifts

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 Cameroon.

• Mottled spinetail, Telacanthura ussheri
• Black spinetail, Telacanthura melanopygia
• Sabine's spinetail, Rhaphidura sabini
• Cassin's spinetail, Neafrapus cassini
• African palm-swift, Cypsiurus parvus
• Mottled swift, Tachymarptis aequatorialis
• Common swift, Apus apus
• Pallid swift, Apus pallidus
• African swift, Apus barbatus
• Little swift, Apus affinis
• Horus swift, Apus horus
• White-rumped swift, Apus caffer
• Bates's swift, Apus batesi

Mousebirds

The mousebirds are slender greyish or brown birds with soft, hairlike body feathers and very long thin tails. They are arboreal and scurry through the leaves like rodents in search of berries, fruit and buds. They are acrobatic and can feed upside down. All species have strong claws and reversible outer toes. They also have crests and stubby bills. There are 6 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in Cameroon.

• Speckled mousebird, Colius striatus
• Blue-naped mousebird, Urocolius macrourus

Trogons and quetzals

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 3 species which occur in Cameroon.

• Narina trogon, Apaloderma narina
• Bare-cheeked trogon, Apaloderma aequatoriale
• Bar-tailed trogon, Apaloderma vittatum

Kingfishers

Kingfishers are medium-sized birds with large heads, long, pointed bills, short legs and stubby tails. There are 93 species worldwide and 12 species which occur in Cameroon.

• Shining-blue kingfisher, Alcedo quadribrachys
• Malachite kingfisher, Corythornis cristatus
• White-bellied kingfisher, Corythornis leucogaster
• African pygmy kingfisher, Ispidina picta
• African dwarf kingfisher, Ispidina lecontei
• Chocolate-backed kingfisher, Halcyon badia
• Grey-headed kingfisher, Halcyon leucocephala
• Woodland kingfisher, Halcyon senegalensis
• Blue-breasted kingfisher, Halcyon malimbica
• Striped kingfisher, Halcyon chelicuti
• Giant kingfisher, Megaceryle maximus
• Pied kingfisher, Ceryle rudis

Bee-eaters

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 13 species which have been recorded in Cameroon.

• Black bee-eater, Merops gularis
• Blue-headed bee-eater, Merops muelleri
• Blue-moustached bee-eater, Merops mentalis
• Red-throated bee-eater, Merops bulocki
• Little bee-eater, Merops pusillus
• Blue-breasted bee-eater, Merops variegatus
• Swallow-tailed bee-eater, Merops hirundineus
• White-throated bee-eater, Merops albicollis
• Green bee-eater, Merops orientalis
• Blue-cheeked bee-eater, Merops persicus
• European bee-eater, Merops apiaster
• Rosy bee-eater, Merops malimbicus
• Northern carmine bee-eater, Merops nubicus

Typical rollers

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 6 species which occur in Cameroon.

• European roller, Coracias garrulus
• Abyssinian roller, Coracias abyssinica
• Rufous-crowned roller, Coracias naevia
• Blue-bellied roller, Coracias cyanogaster
• Broad-billed roller, Eurystomus glaucurus
• Blue-throated roller, Eurystomus gularis

Hoopoes

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 Cameroon.

• Hoopoe, Upupa epops

Woodhoopoes

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 3 species which occur in Cameroon.

• Green woodhoopoe, Phoeniculus purpureus
• White-headed woodhoopoe, Phoeniculus bollei
• Black scimitar-bill, Rhinopomastus aterrimus

Hornbills

Hornbills are a group of birds whose bill is shaped like a cow's horn, but without a twist, sometimes with a casque on the upper mandible. Frequently, the bill is brightly coloured. There are 13 species which occur in Cameroon.

• White-crested hornbill, Horizocerus albocristatus
• Black dwarf hornbill, Horizocerus hartlaubi
• Northern red-billed hornbill, Tockus erythrorhynchus
• Red-billed dwarf hornbill, Lophoceros camurus
• African pied hornbill, Lophoceros fasciatus
• African grey hornbill, Lophoceros nasutus
• Piping hornbill, Bycanistes fistulator
• Black-and-white-casqued hornbill, Bycanistes subcylindricus
• Brown-cheeked hornbill, Bycanistes cylindricus
• White-thighed hornbill, Bycanistes albotibialis
• Black-casqued hornbill, Ceratogymna atrata
• Yellow-casqued hornbill, Ceratogymna elata
• Abyssinian ground-hornbill, Bucorvus abyssinicus

Barbets

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.

• Naked-faced barbet, Gymnobucco calvus
• Bristle-nosed barbet, Gymnobucco peli
• Grey-throated barbet, Gymnobucco bonapartei
• Speckled tinkerbird, Pogoniulus scolopaceus
• Red-rumped tinkerbird, Pogoniulus atroflavus
• Yellow-throated tinkerbird, Pogoniulus subsulphureus
• Yellow-rumped tinkerbird, Pogoniulus bilineatus
• Yellow-fronted tinkerbird, Pogoniulus chrysoconus
• Yellow-spotted barbet, Buccanodon duchaillui
• Hairy-breasted barbet, Tricholaema hirsuta
• Vieillot's barbet, Lybius vieilloti
• White-headed barbet, Lybius leucocephalus
• Double-toothed barbet, Lybius bidentatus
• Bearded barbet, Lybius dubius
• Yellow-billed barbet, Trachyphonus purpuratus

Honeyguides

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 11 species which occur in Cameroon.

• Spotted honeyguide, Indicator maculatus
• Greater honeyguide, Indicator indicator
• Lesser honeyguide, Indicator minor
• Thick-billed honeyguide, Indicator conirostris
• Willcock's honeyguide, Indicator willcocksi
• Least honeyguide, Indicator exilis
• Lyre-tailed honeyguide, Melichneutes robustus
• Yellow-footed honeyguide, Melignomon eisentrauti
• Zenker's honeyguide, Melignomon zenkeri
• Cassin's honeyguide, Prodotiscus insignis
• Wahlberg's honeyguide, Prodotiscus regulus

Woodpeckers and allies

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

• Eurasian wryneck, Jynx torquilla
• Rufous-necked wryneck, Jynx ruficollis
• Fine-spotted woodpecker, Campethera punctuligera
• Golden-tailed woodpecker, Campethera abingoni
• Green-backed woodpecker, Campethera cailliautii
• Tullberg's woodpecker, Campethera tullbergi
• Buff-spotted woodpecker, Campethera nivosa
• Brown-eared woodpecker, Campethera caroli
• Little grey woodpecker, Chloropicus elachus
• Speckle-breasted woodpecker, Chloropicus poecilolaemus
• Cardinal woodpecker, Chloropicus fuscescens
• Gabon woodpecker, Chloropicus gabonensis
• Fire-bellied woodpecker, Chloropicus pyrrhogaster
• Elliot's woodpecker, Chloropicus elliotii
• African grey woodpecker, Chloropicus goertae
• Brown-backed woodpecker, Chloropicus obsoletus
• Yellow-crested woodpecker, Chloropicus xantholophus

Broadbills

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 3 species which occur in Cameroon.

• African broadbill, Smithornis capensis
• Grey-headed broadbill, Smithornis sharpei
• Rufous-sided broadbill, Smithornis rufolateralis

Pittas

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 2 species which occur in Cameroon.

• African pitta, Pitta angolensis
• Green-breasted pitta, Pitta reichenowi

Larks

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 8 species which occur in Cameroon.

• Singing bushlark, Mirafra cantillans
• Rufous-naped lark, Mirafra africana
• Flappet lark, Mirafra rufocinnamomea
• Rufous-rumped lark, Pinarocorys erythropygia
• Chestnut-backed sparrow-lark, Eremopterix leucotis
• Greater short-toed lark, Calandrella brachydactyla
• Crested lark, Galerida cristata
• Sun lark, Galerida modesta

Swallows and martins

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 22 species which occur in Cameroon.

• Sand martin, Riparia riparia
• Brown-throated martin, Riparia paludicola
• Banded martin, Riparia cincta
• Grey-rumped swallow, Pseudhirundo griseopyga
• Rock martin, Ptyonoprogne fuligula
• Barn swallow, Hirundo rustica
• Ethiopian swallow, Hirundo aethiopica
• Wire-tailed swallow, Hirundo smithii
• White-throated blue swallow, Hirundo nigrita
• Pied-winged swallow, Hirundo leucosoma
• Lesser striped swallow, Cecropis abyssinica
• Rufous-chested swallow, Cecropis semirufa
• Mosque swallow, Cecropis senegalensis
• Red-rumped swallow, Cecropis daurica
• Preuss's swallow, Petrochelidon preussi
• Red-throated swallow, Petrochelidon rufigula
• Forest swallow, Petrochelidon fuliginosa
• Common house martin, Delichon urbicum
• Square-tailed sawwing, Psalidoprocne nitens
• Mountain sawwing, Psalidoprocne fuliginosa
• Blue sawwing, Psalidoprocne pristoptera
• Fanti sawwing, Psalidoprocne obscura

Wagtails and pipits

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 12 species which occur in Cameroon.

• White wagtail, Motacilla alba
• African pied wagtail, Motacilla aguimp
• Yellow wagtail, Motacilla flava
• Mountain wagtail, Motacilla clara
• Yellow-throated longclaw, Macronyx croceus
• Plain-backed pipit, Anthus leucophrys
• African pipit, Anthus cinnamomeus
• Long-legged pipit, Anthus pallidiventris
• Tawny pipit, Anthus campestris
• Long-billed pipit, Anthus similis
• Tree pipit, Anthus trivialis
• Red-throated pipit, Anthus cervinus

Cuckooshrikes

The cuckooshrikes are small to medium-sized passerine birds. They are predominantly greyish with white and black, although some species are brightly coloured.

• White-breasted cuckooshrike, Coracina pectoralis
• Grey cuckooshrike, Coracina caesia
• Petit's cuckooshrike, Campephaga petiti
• Red-shouldered cuckooshrike, Campephaga phoenicea
• Purple-throated cuckooshrike, Campephaga quiscalina
• Oriole cuckooshrike, Campephaga oriolina

Bulbuls

Bulbuls are medium-sized songbirds. Some are colourful with yellow, red or orange vents, cheeks, throats or supercilia, but most are drab, with uniform olive-brown to black plumage. Some species have distinct crests.

• Common bulbul, Pycnonotus barbatus
• Little greenbul, Eurillas virens
• Little grey greenbul, Eurillas gracilis
• Ansorge's greenbul, Eurillas ansorgei
• Plain greenbul, Eurillas curvirostris
• Cameroon greenbul, Arizelocichla montana
• Western greenbul, Arizelocichla tephrolaema
• Golden greenbul, Calyptocichla serinus
• Honeyguide greenbul, Baeopogon indicator
• Sjostedt's greenbul, Baeopogon clamans
• Spotted greenbul, Ixonotus guttatus
• Simple greenbul, Chlorocichla simplex
• Yellow-necked greenbul, Chlorocichla falkensteini
• Swamp greenbul, Thescelocichla leucopleura
• Yellow-throated leaflove, Atimastillas flavicollis
• Red-tailed leaflove, Phyllastrephus scandens
• Cameroon olive greenbul, Phyllastrephus poensis
• Grey-headed greenbul, Phyllastrephus poliocephalus
• White-throated greenbul, Phyllastrephus albigularis
• Icterine greenbul, Phyllastrephus icterinus
• Xavier's greenbul, Phyllastrephus xavieri
• Common bristlebill, Bleda syndactyla
• Lesser bristlebill, Bleda notata
• Yellow-spotted nicator, Nicator chloris
• Yellow-throated nicator, Nicator vireo
• Red-tailed greenbul, Criniger calurus
• Eastern bearded greenbul, Criniger chloronotus
• Yellow-bearded greenbul, Criniger olivaceus
• White-bearded greenbul, Criniger ndussumensis

Thrushes and allies

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
• Crossley's ground thrush, Geokichla crossleyi
• Black-eared ground thrush, Geokichla cameronensis
• Grey ground thrush, Geokichla princei
• African thrush, Turdus pelios

Cisticolas and allies

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 34 species which have been recorded in Cameroon.

• Red-faced cisticola, Cisticola erythrops
• Singing cisticola, Cisticola cantans
• Whistling cisticola, Cisticola lateralis
• Chattering cisticola, Cisticola anonymus
• Chubb's cisticola, Cisticola chubbi
• Rock-loving cisticola, Cisticola aberrans
• Red-pate cisticola, Cisticola ruficeps
• Dorst's cisticola, Cisticola guinea
• Winding cisticola, Cisticola galactotes
• Stout cisticola, Cisticola robustus
• Croaking cisticola, Cisticola natalensis
• Siffling cisticola, Cisticola brachypterus
• Rufous cisticola, Cisticola rufus
• Zitting cisticola, Cisticola juncidis
• Pectoral-patch cisticola, Cisticola brunnescens
• Tawny-flanked prinia, Prinia subflava
• River prinia, Prinia fluviatilis
• White-chinned prinia, Prinia leucopogon
• Red-winged prinia, Prinia erythroptera
• Red-winged grey warbler, Drymocichla incana
• Green longtail, Urolais epichlora
• Black-collared apalis, Oreolais pulchra
• Black-capped apalis, Apalis nigriceps
• Black-throated apalis, Apalis jacksoni
• Masked apalis, Apalis binotata
• Yellow-breasted apalis, Apalis flavida
• Buff-throated apalis, Apalis rufogularis
• Bamenda apalis, Apalis bamendae (E)
• Gosling's apalis, Apalis goslingi
• Grey apalis, Apalis cinerea
• Oriole warbler, Hypergerus atriceps
• Green-backed camaroptera, Camaroptera brachyura
• Yellow-browed camaroptera, Camaroptera superciliaris
• Olive-green camaroptera, Camaroptera chloronota
• Black-faced rufous warbler, Bathmocercus rufus
• Buff-bellied warbler, Phyllolais pulchella
• White-tailed warbler, Poliolais lopezi
• Yellow-bellied eremomela, Eremomela icteropygialis
• Senegal eremomela, Eremomela pusilla
• Green-backed eremomela, Eremomela canescens
• Rufous-crowned eremomela, Eremomela badiceps

African warblers

• Moustached grass warbler, Melocichla mentalis
• Green crombec, Sylvietta virens
• Lemon-bellied crombec, Sylvietta denti
• Northern crombec, Sylvietta brachyura
• Kemp's longbill, Macrosphenus kempi
• Yellow longbill, Macrosphenus flavicans
• Grey longbill, Macrosphenus concolor

Cettid warblers

• Green hylia, Hylia prasina

Locustellid warblers

• African bush warbler, Bradypterus baboecala
• Ja River scrub warbler, Bradypterus grandis
• Bangwa forest warbler, Bradypterus bangwaensis
• Fan-tailed grassbird, Schoenicola brevirostris

Acrocephalid warblers

• Sedge warbler, Acrocephalus schoenobaenus
• Eurasian reed warbler, Acrocephalus scirpaceus
• African reed warbler, Acrocephalus baeticatus
• Great reed warbler, Acrocephalus arundinaceus
• Greater swamp warbler, Acrocephalus rufescens
• Melodious warbler, Hippolais polyglotta
• Icterine warbler, Hippolais icterina
• Eastern olivaceous warbler, Iduna pallida
• Western olivaceous warbler, Iduna opaca
• African yellow warbler, Iduna natalensis

Phylloscopid warblers

• Black-capped woodland warbler, Phylloscopus herberti
• Willow warbler, Phylloscopus trochilus
• Common chiffchaff, Phylloscopus collybita
• Western Bonelli's warbler, Phylloscopus bonelli
• Wood warbler, Phylloscopus sibilatrix

Hyliotid warblers

• Yellow-bellied hyliota, Hyliota flavigaster
• Southern hyliota, Hyliota australis
• Violet-backed hyliota, Hyliota violacea

Old World warblers

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
• Lesser whitethroat, Sylvia curruca
• Western Orphean warbler, Sylvia hortensis
• Subalpine warbler, Sylvia cantillans
• African hill babbler, Pseudoalcippe abyssinica

Old World flycatchers

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.

• Rufous-tailed rock thrush, Monticola saxatilis
• Blue rock thrush, Monticola solitarius
• Pale flycatcher, Melaenornis pallidus
• Northern black flycatcher, Melaenornis edolioides
• African forest flycatcher, Fraseria ocreata
• White-browed forest flycatcher, Fraseria cinerascens
• Spotted flycatcher, Muscicapa striata
• Gambaga flycatcher, Muscicapa gambagae
• Sooty flycatcher, Muscicapa infuscata
• Swamp flycatcher, Muscicapa aquatica
• Olivaceous flycatcher, Muscicapa olivascens
• African dusky flycatcher, Muscicapa adusta
• Little grey flycatcher, Muscicapa epulata
• Yellow-footed flycatcher, Muscicapa sethsmithi
• Dusky-blue flycatcher, Muscicapa comitata
• Tessmann's flycatcher, Muscicapa tessmanni
• Cassin's flycatcher, Muscicapa cassini
• Ashy flycatcher, Muscicapa caerulescens
• Grey-throated tit-flycatcher, Myioparus griseigularis
• Grey tit-flycatcher, Myioparus plumbeus
• European pied flycatcher, Ficedula hypoleuca
• Forest robin, Stiphrornis erythrothorax
• Bocage's akalat, Sheppardia bocagei
• Lowland akalat, Sheppardia cyornithopsis
• Common nightingale, Luscinia megarhynchos
• White-bellied robin-chat, Cossyphicula roberti
• Mountain robin-chat, Cossypha isabellae
• Blue-shouldered robin-chat, Cossypha cyanocampter
• Grey-winged robin-chat, Cossypha polioptera
• White-browed robin-chat, Cossypha heuglini
• Red-capped robin-chat, Cossypha natalensis
• Snowy-crowned robin-chat, Cossypha niveicapilla
• White-crowned robin-chat, Cossypha albicapilla
• Brown-backed scrub robin, Cercotrichas hartlaubi
• Rufous-tailed scrub robin, Cercotrichas galactotes
• Black scrub robin, Cercotrichas podobe
• Common redstart, Phoenicurus phoenicurus
• Whinchat, Saxicola rubetra
• African stonechat, Saxicola torquatus
• Northern wheatear, Oenanthe oenanthe
• Heuglin's wheatear, Oenanthe heuglini
• Familiar chat, Cercomela familiaris
• Blackstart, Cercomela melanura
• Northern anteater-chat, Myrmecocichla aethiops
• Sooty chat, Myrmecocichla nigra
• White-fronted black chat, Myrmecocichla albifrons
• Mocking cliff chat, Thamnolaea cinnamomeiventris
• Brown-chested alethe, Chamaetylas poliocephala
• Fire-crested alethe, Alethe castanea

Wattle-eyes

The wattle-eyes, or puffback flycatchers, are small stout passerine birds of the African tropics. They get their name from the brightly coloured fleshy eye decorations found in most species in this group. There are 31 species worldwide and 17 species which occur in Cameroon.

• African shrike-flycatcher, Megabyas flammulatus
• Black-and-white shrike-flycatcher, Bias musicus
• Brown-throated wattle-eye, Platysteira cyanea
• Black-throated wattle-eye, Platysteira peltata
• Banded wattle-eye, Platysteira laticincta (E)
• Chestnut wattle-eye, Platysteira castanea
• White-spotted wattle-eye, Platysteira tonsa
• Red-cheeked wattle-eye, Platysteira blissetti
• Black-necked wattle-eye, Platysteira chalybea
• Yellow-bellied wattle-eye, Platysteira concreta
• Senegal batis, Batis senegalensis
• Grey-headed batis, Batis orientalis
• Black-headed batis, Batis minor
• Verreaux's batis, Batis minima
• Fernando Po batis, Batis poensis
• West African batis, Batis occulta
• Angola batis, Batis minulla

Erythrocercid flycatchers

• Chestnut-capped flycatcher, Erythrocercus mccallii

Fairy flycatchers

• African blue flycatcher, Elminia longicauda
• Dusky crested flycatcher, Elminia nigromitrata
• White-bellied crested flycatcher, Elminia albiventris

Monarch flycatchers

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

• Blue-headed crested flycatcher, Trochocercus nitens
• Black-headed paradise flycatcher, Terpsiphone rufiventer
• Rufous-vented paradise flycatcher, Terpsiphone rufocinerea
• Bates's paradise flycatcher, Terpsiphone batesi
• African paradise flycatcher, Terpsiphone viridis

Rockfowl

Rockfowl are lanky birds with crow-like bills, long necks, tails and legs, and strong feet adapted to terrestrial feeding. They are similar in size and structure to the completely unrelated roadrunners, but they hop rather than walk. They also have brightly coloured unfeathered heads. There are 2 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Cameroon.

• Grey-necked rockfowl, Picathartes oreas

Arcanatorids

• Grey-chested babbler, Kakamega poliothorax

Ground babblers

• Blackcap illadopsis, Illadopsis cleaveri
• Puvel's illadopsis, Illadopsis puveli
• Pale-breasted illadopsis, Illadopsis rufipennis
• Brown illadopsis, Illadopsis fulvescens
• Spotted thrush-babbler, Ptyrticus turdinus

Laughingthrushes

• Blackcap babbler, Turdoides reinwardtii
• Brown babbler, Turdoides plebejus
• White-throated mountain babbler, Kupeornis gilberti
• Capuchin babbler, Phyllanthus atripennis

Chickadees and titmice

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 3 species which occur in Cameroon.

• White-shouldered black-tit, Melaniparus guineensis
• White-bellied tit, Melaniparus albiventris
• Dusky tit, Melaniparus funereus

Treecreepers

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

• African spotted creeper, Salpornis salvadori

Penduline tits

The penduline tits are a group of small passerine birds related to the true tits. They are insectivores. There are 13 species worldwide and 4 species which occur in Cameroon.

• Sennar penduline-tit, Anthoscopus punctifrons
• Yellow penduline-tit, Anthoscopus parvulus
• Forest penduline-tit, Anthoscopus flavifrons
• Tit-hylia, Pholidornis rushiae

Sunbirds and spiderhunters

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.

• Scarlet-tufted sunbird, Deleornis fraseri
• Mouse-brown sunbird, Anthreptes gabonicus
• Western violet-backed sunbird, Anthreptes longuemarei
• Violet-tailed sunbird, Anthreptes aurantius
• Little green sunbird, Anthreptes seimundi
• Green sunbird, Anthreptes rectirostris
• Collared sunbird, Hedydipna collaris
• Pygmy sunbird, Hedydipna platura
• Reichenbach's sunbird, Anabathmis reichenbachii
• Green-headed sunbird, Cyanomitra verticalis
• Blue-throated brown sunbird, Cyanomitra cyanolaema
• Cameroon sunbird, Cyanomitra oritis
• Eastern olive-sunbird, Cyanomitra olivacea
• Buff-throated sunbird, Chalcomitra adelberti
• Carmelite sunbird, Chalcomitra fuliginosa
• Green-throated sunbird, Chalcomitra rubescens
• Scarlet-chested sunbird, Chalcomitra senegalensis
• Golden-winged sunbird, Drepanorhynchus reichenowi
• Olive-bellied sunbird, Cinnyris chloropygius
• Tiny sunbird, Cinnyris minullus
• Northern double-collared sunbird, Cinnyris preussi
• Beautiful sunbird, Cinnyris pulchellus
• Orange-tufted sunbird, Cinnyris bouvieri
• Palestine sunbird, Cinnyris oseus
• Splendid sunbird, Cinnyris coccinigaster
• Johanna's sunbird, Cinnyris johannae
• Superb sunbird, Cinnyris superbus
• Variable sunbird, Cinnyris venustus
• Ursula's sunbird, Cinnyris ursulae
• Bates's sunbird, Cinnyris batesi
• Copper sunbird, Cinnyris cupreus

White-eyes

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.

• Black-capped speirops, Speirops lugubris
• Cameroon speirops, Speirops melanocephalus (E)
• African yellow white-eye, Zosterops senegalensis
• Forest white-eye, Zosterops stenocricotus

Old World orioles

The Old World orioles are colourful passerine birds. They are not related to the New World orioles. There are 29 species worldwide and 4 species which occur in Cameroon.

• Eurasian golden oriole, Oriolus oriolus
• African golden oriole, Oriolus auratus
• Western black-headed oriole, Oriolus brachyrhynchus
• Black-winged oriole, Oriolus nigripennis

Shrikes

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

• Red-backed shrike, Lanius collurio
• Isabelline shrike, Lanius isabellinus
• Emin's shrike, Lanius gubernator
• Great grey shrike, Lanius excubitor
• Lesser grey shrike, Lanius minor (A)
• Grey-backed fiscal, Lanius excubitoroides
• Mackinnon's shrike, Lanius mackinnoni
• Northern fiscal, Lanius humeralis
• Masked shrike, Lanius nubicus (A)
• Woodchat shrike, Lanius senator
• Yellow-billed shrike, Corvinella corvina

Bushshrikes and allies

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

• Brubru, Nilaus afer
• Northern puffback, Dryoscopus gambensis
• Red-eyed puffback, Dryoscopus senegalensis
• Pink-footed puffback, Dryoscopus angolensis
• Large-billed puffback, Dryoscopus sabini
• Marsh tchagra, Tchagra minuta
• Black-crowned tchagra, Tchagra senegala
• Brown-crowned tchagra, Tchagra australis
• Luehder's bushshrike, Laniarius luehderi
• Tropical boubou, Laniarius major
• Gabon boubou, Laniarius bicolor
• Common gonolek, Laniarius barbarus
• Black-headed gonolek, Laniarius erythrogaster
• Yellow-breasted boubou, Laniarius atroflavus
• Sooty boubou, Laniarius leucorhynchus
• Fuelleborn's boubou, Laniarius fuelleborni
• Western boubou, Laniarius poensis
• Grey-green bushshrike, Telophorus bocagei
• Sulphur-breasted bushshrike, Telophorus sulfureopectus
• Many-coloured bushshrike, Telophorus multicolor
• Mt. Kupe bushshrike, Telophorus kupeensis (E)
• Fiery-breasted bushshrike, Malaconotus cruentus
• Green-breasted bushshrike, Malaconotus gladiator
• Grey-headed bushshrike, Malaconotus blanchoti
• Monteiro's bushshrike, Malaconotus monteiri

Helmetshrikes

The helmetshrikes are similar in build to the shrikes, but tend to be colourful species with distinctive crests or other head ornaments, such as wattles, from which they get their name. There are 12 species worldwide and 3 species which occur in Cameroon.

• White helmetshrike, Prionops plumatus
• Chestnut-bellied helmetshrike, Prionops caniceps
• Rufous-bellied helmetshrike, Prionops rufiventris

Drongos

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 4 species which occur in Cameroon.

• Square-tailed drongo, Dicrurus ludwigii
• Shining drongo, Dicrurus atripennis
• Fork-tailed drongo, Dicrurus adsimilis
• Velvet-mantled drongo, Dicrurus modestus

Crows, jays, ravens and magpies

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 2 species which occur in Cameroon.

• Piapiac, Ptilostomus afer
• Pied crow, Corvus albus

Starlings

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

• Wattled starling, Creatophora cinerea
• 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
• Purple-headed starling, Hylopsar purpureiceps
• Violet-backed starling, Cinnyricinclus leucogaster
• Chestnut-winged starling, Onychognathus fulgidus
• Waller's starling, Onychognathus walleri
• Neumann's starling, Onychognathus neumanni
• Narrow-tailed starling, Poeoptera lugubris
• White-collared starling, Grafisia torquata
• Yellow-billed oxpecker, Buphagus africanus

Weavers and allies

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

• White-billed buffalo weaver, Bubalornis albirostris
• Speckle-fronted weaver, Sporopipes frontalis
• Chestnut-crowned sparrow-weaver, Plocepasser superciliosus
• Bannerman's weaver, Ploceus bannermani
• Bates's weaver, Ploceus batesi (E)
• Baglafecht weaver, Ploceus baglafecht
• Slender-billed weaver, Ploceus pelzelni
• Little weaver, Ploceus luteolus
• Spectacled weaver, Ploceus ocularis
• Black-necked weaver, Ploceus nigricollis
• Black-billed weaver, Ploceus melanogaster
• Orange weaver, Ploceus aurantius
• Heuglin's masked weaver, Ploceus heuglini
• Vitelline masked weaver, Ploceus vitellinus
• Village weaver, Ploceus cucullatus
• Vieillot's weaver, Ploceus nigerrimus
• Black-headed weaver, Ploceus melanocephalus
• Yellow-mantled weaver, Ploceus tricolor
• Maxwell's black weaver, Ploceus albinucha
• Forest weaver, Ploceus bicolor
• Preuss's weaver, Ploceus preussi
• Yellow-capped weaver, Ploceus dorsomaculatus
• Brown-capped weaver, Ploceus insignis
• Compact weaver, Pachyphantes superciliosus
• Red-crowned malimbe, Malimbus coronatus
• Black-throated malimbe, Malimbus cassini
• Rachel's malimbe, Malimbus racheliae
• Red-vented malimbe, Malimbus scutatus
• Red-bellied malimbe, Malimbus erythrogaster
• Gray's malimbe, Malimbus nitens
• Crested malimbe, Malimbus malimbicus
• Red-headed malimbe, Malimbus rubricollis
• Red-headed weaver, Anaplectes rubriceps
• Bob-tailed weaver, Brachycope anomala
• Red-headed quelea, Quelea erythrops
• Red-billed quelea, Quelea quelea
• Yellow-crowned bishop, Euplectes afer
• Black-winged bishop, Euplectes hordeaceus
• Orange bishop, Euplectes franciscanus
• Red bishop, Euplectes orix
• Yellow bishop, Euplectes capensis
• Yellow-shouldered widowbird, Euplectes macroura
• Red-collared widowbird, Euplectes ardens
• Marsh widowbird, Euplectes hartlaubi
• Grosbeak weaver, Amblyospiza albifrons
• Parasitic weaver, Anomalospiza imberbis

Waxbills and allies

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.

• Woodhouse's antpecker, Parmoptila woodhousei
• White-breasted negrofinch, Nigrita fusconota
• Chestnut-breasted negrofinch, Nigrita bicolor
• Pale-fronted negrofinch, Nigrita luteifrons
• Grey-headed negrofinch, Nigrita canicapilla
• Fernando Po oliveback, Nesocharis shelleyi
• Grey-headed oliveback, Nesocharis capistrata
• Red-winged pytilia, Pytilia phoenicoptera
• Green-winged pytilia, Pytilia melba
• Red-faced pytilia, Pytilia hypogrammica
• Green-backed twinspot, Mandingoa nitidula
• Red-faced crimson-wing, Cryptospiza reichenovii
• Black-bellied seedcracker, Pyrenestes ostrinus
• Western bluebill, Spermophaga haematina
• Brown twinspot, Clytospiza monteiri
• Dybowski's twinspot, Euschistospiza dybowskii
• Bar-breasted firefinch, Lagonosticta rufopicta
• Red-billed firefinch, Lagonosticta senegala
• Black-bellied firefinch, Lagonosticta rara
• African firefinch, Lagonosticta rubricata
• Black-faced firefinch, Lagonosticta larvata
• Reichenow's firefinch, Lagonosticta umbrinodorsalis
• Red-cheeked cordonbleu, Uraeginthus bengalus
• Lavender waxbill, Estrilda caerulescens
• Orange-cheeked waxbill, Estrilda melpoda
• Black-rumped waxbill, Estrilda troglodytes
• Common waxbill, Estrilda astrild
• Black-crowned waxbill, Estrilda nonnula
• Black-headed waxbill, Estrilda atricapilla
• Zebra waxbill, Sporaeginthus subflavus
• Black-faced quailfinch, Ortygospiza atricollis
• Locust finch, Paludipasser locustella
• African silverbill, Euodice cantans
• Bronze mannikin, Spermestes cucullatus
• Black-and-white mannikin, Spermestes bicolor
• Magpie mannikin, Spermestes fringilloides
• Cut-throat, Amadina fasciata

Indigobirds

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 Cameroon.

• Village indigobird, Vidua chalybeata
• Jambandu indigobird, Vidua raricola
• Baka indigobird, Vidua larvaticola
• Quailfinch indigobird, Vidua nigeriae
• Variable indigobird, Vidua funerea
• Pale-winged indigobird, Vidua wilsoni
• Cameroon indigobird, Vidua camerunensis
• Pin-tailed whydah, Vidua macroura
• Togo paradise-whydah, Vidua togoensis
• Long-tailed paradise-whydah, Vidua interjecta

Buntings, sparrows, seedeaters and allies

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 4 species which occur in Cameroon.

• Gosling's bunting, Emberiza goslingi
• Golden-breasted bunting, Emberiza flaviventris
• Brown-rumped bunting, Emberiza affinis
• Cabanis's bunting, Emberiza cabanisi

Siskins, crossbills and allies

Finches are seed-eating passerine birds, that are small to moderately large and have a strong beak, usually conical and in some species very large. All have twelve tail feathers and nine primaries. These birds have a bouncing flight with alternating bouts of flapping and gliding on closed wings, and most sing well.

• Oriole finch, Linurgus olivaceus
• White-rumped seedeater, Crithagra leucopygius
• Yellow-fronted canary, Crithagra mozambicus
• Streaky-headed seedeater, Crithagra gularis
• Thick-billed seedeater, Crithagra burtoni

Sparrows

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.

• Grey-headed sparrow, Passer griseus
• Sudan golden-sparrow, Passer luteus
• Bush petronia, Gymnornis dentata

See also

• List of birds
• Lists of birds by region

References

• {{cite web

• {{cite book

External links

• Birds of Cameroon - World Institute for Conservation and Environment

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