1. Ostriches

2. Grebes

3. Cormorants

4. Darters

5. Pelicans

6. Bitterns, herons and egrets

7. Hammerkop

8. Shoebill

9. Ibises and spoonbills

10. Storks

11. Ducks, geese and swans

12. Osprey

13. Hawks, kites and eagles

14. Secretarybird

15. Caracaras and falcons

16. Pheasants and francolins

17. Partridges

18. Guineafowl

19. Cranes

20. Flufftails

21. Rails, crakes, gallinules and coots

22. Sungrebe and finfoots

23. Bustards

24. Buttonquails

25. Jacanas

26. Painted-snipe

27. Avocets and stilts

28. Thick-knees

29. Pratincoles and coursers

30. Plovers and lapwings

31. Sandpipers and allies

32. Gulls, terns, and skimmers

33. Sandgrouse

34. Pigeons and doves

35. Old World parrots

36. African and New World parrots

37. Turacos

38. Cuckoos and anis

39. Barn owls

40. Typical owls

41. Nightjars

42. Swifts

43. Mousebirds

44. Trogons and quetzals

45. Kingfishers

46. Bee-eaters

47. Typical rollers

48. Hoopoes

49. Woodhoopoes

50. Hornbills

51. Barbets

52. Honeyguides

53. Woodpeckers and allies

54. Broadbills

55. Pittas

56. Larks

57. Swallows and martins

58. Wagtails and pipits

59. Cuckooshrikes

60. Bulbuls

61. Thrushes and allies

62. Cisticolas and allies

63. African warblers

64. Cettid warblers

65. Acrocephalid warblers

66. Phylloscopid warblers

67. Hyliotid warblers

68. Old World warblers

69. Old World flycatchers

70. Wattle-eyes

71. Erythrocercid flycatchers

72. Fairy flycatchers

73. Monarch flycatchers

74. Ground babblers

75. Laughingthrushes

76. Chickadees and titmice

77. Treecreepers

78. Penduline tits

79. Sunbirds and spiderhunters

80. White-eyes

81. Old World orioles

82. Shrikes

83. Bushshrikes and allies

84. Helmetshrikes

85. Drongos

86. Crows, jays, ravens and magpies

87. Starlings

88. Weavers and allies

89. Waxbills and allies

90. Indigobirds

91. Buntings, sparrows, seedeaters and allies

92. Siskins, crossbills and allies

93. Sparrows

94. See also

95. References

96. External links

This is a list of the bird species recorded in the Central African Republic. The avifauna of the Central African Republic include a total of 791 species, of which three 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 the Central African Republic.

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 the Central African Republic

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 the Central African Republic.

• Little grebe, Tachybaptus ruficollis

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

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 the Central African Republic.

• 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
• Black heron, Egretta ardesiaca
• Little egret, Egretta garzetta
• Squacco heron, Ardeola ralloides
• Cattle egret, Bubulcus ibis
• Striated heron, Butorides striata
• Black-crowned night heron, Nycticorax nycticorax
• White-crested bittern, Tigriornis leucolophus
• Dwarf bittern, Ixobrychus sturmii
• Great bittern, Botaurus stellaris

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

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
• Egyptian goose, Alopochen aegyptiacus
• Spur-winged goose, Plectropterus gambensis
• Knob-billed duck, Sarkidiornis melanotos
• Hartlaub's duck, Pteronetta hartlaubii
• African pygmy goose, Nettapus auritus
• Eurasian teal, Anas crecca
• Northern pintail, Anas acuta
• Garganey, Spatula querquedula
• Northern shoveler, Spatula clypeata
• 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
• Eurasian griffon, Gyps fulvus
• Cinereous vulture, Aegypius monachus
• Lappet-faced vulture, Torgos tracheliotos
• White-headed vulture, Trigonoceps occipitalis
• Beaudouin's snake eagle, Circaetus beaudouini
• Black-breasted snake eagle, Circaetus pectoralis
• Brown snake eagle, Circaetus cinereus
• Banded snake eagle, Circaetus cinerascens
• Bateleur, Terathopius ecaudatus
• Congo serpent eagle, Dryotriorchis spectabilis
• 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
• 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
• Tawny eagle, Aquila rapax
• Verreaux's eagle, Aquila verreauxii
• 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. There are 62 species worldwide and 10 species which occur in the Central African Republic.

• Pygmy falcon, Polihierax semitorquatus
• 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
• African hobby, Falco cuvierii
• Lanner falcon, Falco biarmicus
• 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.

• Schlegel's francolin, Peliperdix schlegelii
• Latham's francolin, Peliperdix lathami
• Ring-necked francolin, Scleroptila streptophorus
• Scaly francolin, Pternistis squamatus
• Heuglin's francolin, Pternistis icterorhynchus
• Clapperton's francolin, Pternistis clappertoni
• 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 the Central African Republic.

• 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
• Red-chested flufftail, Sarothrura rufa
• Chestnut-headed flufftail, Sarothrura lugens
• 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
• Black crake, Amaurornis flavirostris
• Little crake, Porzana parva
• Baillon's crake, Porzana pusilla
• 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 the Central African Republic.

• 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
• 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.

• 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.

• Greater painted-snipe, Rostratula benghalensis

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 the Central African Republic.

• 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 4 species which occur in the Central African Republic.

• Water thick-knee, Burhinus vermiculatus
• Eurasian thick-knee, Burhinus oedicnemus
• 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 the Central African Republic.

• 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 10 species which occur in the Central African Republic.

• Spur-winged plover, Vanellus spinosus
• Black-headed lapwing, Vanellus tectus
• White-headed lapwing, Vanellus albiceps
• Wattled lapwing, Vanellus senegallus
• Brown-chested lapwing, Vanellus superciliosus
• Common ringed plover, Charadrius hiaticula
• Little ringed plover, Charadrius dubius
• Kittlitz's plover, Charadrius pecuarius
• Forbes's plover, Charadrius forbesi
• White-fronted plover, Charadrius marginatus

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 20 species which have been recorded in the Central African Republic.

• Jack snipe, Lymnocryptes minimus
• Great snipe, Gallinago media
• Common snipe, Gallinago gallinago
• Black-tailed godwit, Limosa limosa
• Bar-tailed godwit, Limosa lapponica
• Eurasian curlew, Numenius arquata
• Spotted redshank, Tringa erythropus
• Common redshank, Tringa totanus
• Marsh sandpiper, Tringa stagnatilis
• Common greenshank, Tringa nebularia
• Green sandpiper, Tringa ochropus
• Solitary sandpiper, Tringa solitaria (A)
• Wood sandpiper, Tringa glareola
• Common sandpiper, Actitis hypoleucos
• Red knot, Calidris canutus
• Sanderling, Calidris alba
• Little stint, Calidris minuta
• Temminck's stint, Calidris temminckii
• Curlew sandpiper, Calidris ferruginea
• Ruff, Calidris pugnax

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
• Caspian tern, Hydroprogne caspia
• Arctic tern, Sterna paradisaea
• Whiskered tern, Chlidonias hybrida
• White-winged tern, Chlidonias leucopterus
• 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 the Central African Republic.

• 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
• Western bronze-naped pigeon, Columba iriditorques
• Lemon dove, Columba larvata
• African mourning dove, Streptopelia decipiens
• Red-eyed dove, Streptopelia semitorquata
• Ring-necked dove, Streptopelia capicola
• 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 swindernianus

African and New World parrots

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

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 8 species which occur in the Central African Republic.

• Great blue turaco, Corythaeola cristata
• Guinea turaco, Tauraco persa
• Black-billed turaco, Tauraco schuettii
• White-crested turaco, Tauraco leucolophus
• 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. The Old World cuckoos are brood parasites.

• 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
• 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.

• 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
• 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
• African barred owlet, Glaucidium capense

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.

• Brown nightjar, Caprimulgus binotatus
• Rufous-cheeked nightjar, Caprimulgus rufigena
• 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
• 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 11 species which occur in the Central African Republic.

• 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
• Little swift, Apus affinis
• 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 the Central African Republic.

• 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 2 species which occur in the Central African Republic.

• Narina trogon, Apaloderma narina
• Bare-cheeked trogon, Apaloderma aequatoriale

Kingfishers

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 the Central African Republic.

• Half-collared kingfisher, Alcedo semitorquata
• 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 26 species worldwide and 14 species which occur in the Central African Republic.

• Black bee-eater, Merops gularis
• Blue-headed bee-eater, Merops muelleri
• Red-throated bee-eater, Merops bulocki
• Little bee-eater, Merops pusillus
• Blue-breasted bee-eater, Merops variegatus
• Cinnamon-chested bee-eater, Merops oreobates
• Swallow-tailed bee-eater, Merops hirundineus
• Black-headed bee-eater, Merops breweri
• 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 the Central African Republic.

• 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 the Central African Republic.

• 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 4 species which occur in the Central African Republic.

• Green woodhoopoe, Phoeniculus purpureus
• White-headed woodhoopoe, Phoeniculus bollei
• Forest woodhoopoe, Phoeniculus castaneiceps
• 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 the Central African Republic.

• White-crested hornbill, Horizocerus albocristatus
• Black dwarf hornbill, Horizocerus hartlaubi
• Northern red-billed hornbill, Tockus erythrorhynchus
• Red-billed dwarf hornbill, Lophoceros camurus
• Crowned hornbill, Lophoceros alboterminatus
• 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
• 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.

• Sladen's barbet, Gymnobucco sladeni
• 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
• Black-breasted barbet, Lybius rolleti
• 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 10 species which occur in the Central African Republic.

• 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
• 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
• African piculet, Verreauxia africana
• Fine-spotted woodpecker, Campethera punctuligera
• Nubian woodpecker, Campethera nubica
• Golden-tailed woodpecker, Campethera abingoni
• Little green woodpecker, Campethera maculosa
• Green-backed woodpecker, Campethera cailliautii
• Buff-spotted woodpecker, Campethera nivosa
• Brown-eared woodpecker, Campethera caroli
• Speckle-breasted woodpecker, Chloropicus poecilolaemus
• Cardinal woodpecker, Chloropicus fuscescens
• Gabon woodpecker, Chloropicus gabonensis
• Elliot's woodpecker, Chloropicus elliotii
• African grey woodpecker, Chloropicus goertae
• Brown-backed woodpecker, Chloropicus obsoletus
• Bearded woodpecker, Chloropicus namaquus
• 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 2 species which occur in the Central African Republic.

• African broadbill, Smithornis capensis
• 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 the Central African Republic.

• 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 7 species which occur in the Central African Republic.

• Singing bushlark, Mirafra cantillans
• Rufous-naped lark, Mirafra africana
• Flappet lark, Mirafra rufocinnamomea
• Rufous-rumped lark, Pinarocorys erythropygia
• Chestnut-backed sparrow-lark, Eremopterix leucotis
• 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 21 species which occur in the Central African Republic.

• African river martin, Pseudochelidon eurystomina
• Sand martin, Riparia riparia
• Brown-throated martin, Riparia paludicola
• Congo sand martin, Riparia congica
• 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
• Common house martin, Delichon urbicum
• Square-tailed sawwing, Psalidoprocne nitens
• 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 11 species which occur in the Central African Republic.

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

Cuckooshrikes

The cuckoo-shrikes 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
• Blue cuckooshrike, Coracina azurea
• Grey cuckooshrike, Coracina caesia
• Petit's cuckooshrike, Campephaga petiti
• Black cuckooshrike, Campephaga flava
• 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
• Yellow-whiskered bulbul, Eurillas latirostris
• Slender-billed greenbul, Stelgidillas gracilirostris
• 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
• 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 (A)
• White-tailed ant thrush, Neocossyphus poensis
• Grey ground thrush, Geokichla princei
• Kurrichane thrush, Turdus libonyana
• African thrush, Turdus pelios
• Song thrush, Turdus philomelos

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.

• Red-faced cisticola, Cisticola erythrops
• Singing cisticola, Cisticola cantans
• Whistling cisticola, Cisticola lateralis
• Chattering cisticola, Cisticola anonymus
• Rock-loving cisticola, Cisticola aberrans
• Red-pate cisticola, Cisticola ruficeps
• Winding cisticola, Cisticola galactotes
• Croaking cisticola, Cisticola natalensis
• Siffling cisticola, Cisticola brachypterus
• Rufous cisticola, Cisticola rufus
• Foxy cisticola, Cisticola troglodytes
• Zitting cisticola, Cisticola juncidis
• Black-necked cisticola, Cisticola eximius
• Tawny-flanked prinia, Prinia subflava
• White-chinned prinia, Prinia leucopogon
• Banded prinia, Prinia bairdii
• Red-winged prinia, Prinia erythroptera
• Red-winged grey warbler, Drymocichla incana
• Black-collared apalis, Oreolais pulchra
• Black-capped apalis, Apalis nigriceps
• Black-throated apalis, Apalis jacksoni
• Yellow-breasted apalis, Apalis flavida
• Buff-throated apalis, Apalis rufogularis
• Gosling's apalis, Apalis goslingi
• 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
• 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
• Yellow longbill, Macrosphenus flavicans
• Grey longbill, Macrosphenus concolor

Cettid warblers

• Green hylia, Hylia prasina

Acrocephalid warblers

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

Phylloscopid warblers

• Willow warbler, Phylloscopus trochilus
• Wood warbler, Phylloscopus sibilatrix

Hyliotid warblers

• Yellow-bellied hyliota, Hyliota flavigaster
• 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.

• Garden warbler, Sylvia borin
• Greater whitethroat, Sylvia communis

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
• 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
• 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
• Collared flycatcher, Ficedula albicollis
• Forest robin, Stiphrornis erythrothorax
• Lowland akalat, Sheppardia cyornithopsis
• Common nightingale, Luscinia megarhynchos
• 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
• Rufous-tailed palm thrush, Cichladusa ruficauda
• Forest scrub-robin, Cercotrichas leucosticta
• Brown-backed scrub-robin, Cercotrichas hartlaubi
• Rufous-tailed scrub-robin, Cercotrichas galactotes
• Black scrub-robin, Cercotrichas podobe
• Common redstart, Phoenicurus phoenicurus
• Whinchat, Saxicola rubetra
• Northern wheatear, Oenanthe oenanthe
• Black-eared wheatear, Oenanthe hispanica
• Heuglin's wheatear, Oenanthe heuglini
• Familiar chat, Cercomela familiaris
• Congo moorchat, Myrmecocichla tholloni
• 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 9 species which occur in the Central African Republic.

• African shrike-flycatcher, Megabyas flammulatus
• Black-and-white shrike-flycatcher, Bias musicus
• Brown-throated wattle-eye, Platysteira cyanea
• Chestnut wattle-eye, Platysteira castanea
• White-spotted wattle-eye, Platysteira tonsa
• Yellow-bellied wattle-eye, Platysteira concreta
• Grey-headed batis, Batis orientalis
• Black-headed batis, Batis minor
• Fernando Po batis, Batis poensis

Erythrocercid flycatchers

• Chestnut-capped flycatcher, Erythrocercus mccallii

Fairy flycatchers

• African blue flycatcher, Elminia longicauda
• Dusky crested flycatcher, Elminia nigromitrata

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
• African paradise flycatcher, Terpsiphone viridis

Ground babblers

• Blackcap illadopsis, Illadopsis cleaveri
• Scaly-breasted illadopsis, Illadopsis albipectus
• Pale-breasted illadopsis, Illadopsis rufipennis
• Brown illadopsis, Illadopsis fulvescens
• Spotted thrush-babbler, Ptyrticus turdinus

Laughingthrushes

• Blackcap babbler, Turdoides reinwardtii
• Dusky babbler, Turdoides tenebrosus
• Brown babbler, Turdoides plebejus
• 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 2 species which occur in the Central African Republic.

• White-shouldered black-tit, Melaniparus guineensis
• 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 2 species which occur in the Central African Republic.

• Yellow penduline-tit, Anthoscopus parvulus
• 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
• 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
• Eastern olive-sunbird, Cyanomitra olivacea
• Green-throated sunbird, Chalcomitra rubescens
• Scarlet-chested sunbird, Chalcomitra senegalensis
• Olive-bellied sunbird, Cinnyris chloropygius
• Tiny sunbird, Cinnyris minullus
• Northern double-collared sunbird, Cinnyris preussi
• Beautiful sunbird, Cinnyris pulchellus
• Purple-banded sunbird, Cinnyris bifasciatus
• 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
• 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.

• 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 5 species which occur in the Central African Republic.

• Eurasian golden oriole, Oriolus oriolus
• African golden oriole, Oriolus auratus
• Western black-headed oriole, Oriolus brachyrhynchus
• African black-headed oriole, Oriolus larvatus
• 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 (A)
• Isabelline shrike, Lanius isabellinus
• Emin's shrike, Lanius gubernator
• Grey-backed fiscal, Lanius excubitoroides
• Mackinnon's shrike, Lanius mackinnoni
• Northern fiscal, Lanius humeralis
• Masked shrike, Lanius nubicus
• 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. There are 46 species worldwide and 19 species which occur in the Central African Republic.

• 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
• Southern boubou, Laniarius ferrugineus
• Common gonolek, Laniarius barbarus
• Black-headed gonolek, Laniarius erythrogaster
• Sooty boubou, Laniarius leucorhynchus
• Grey-green bushshrike, Telophorus bocagei
• Sulphur-breasted bushshrike, Telophorus sulfureopectus
• Many-coloured bushshrike, Telophorus multicolor
• Fiery-breasted bushshrike, Malaconotus cruentus
• Grey-headed bushshrike, Malaconotus blanchoti

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 2 species which occur in the Central African Republic.

• White helmetshrike, Prionops plumatus
• 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 the Central African Republic.

• 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 3 species which occur in the Central African Republic.

• Piapiac, Ptilostomus afer
• Pied crow, Corvus albus
• Fan-tailed raven, Corvus rhipidurus

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
• 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
• Neumann's starling, Onychognathus neumanni
• Narrow-tailed starling, Poeoptera lugubris
• White-collared starling, Grafisia torquata
• Red-billed oxpecker, Buphagus erythrorhynchus
• 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
• Baglafecht weaver, Ploceus baglafecht
• Little weaver, Ploceus luteolus
• Lesser masked-weaver, Ploceus intermedius
• 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
• 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
• Red-bellied malimbe, Malimbus erythrogaster
• Gray's malimbe, Malimbus nitens
• Crested malimbe, Malimbus malimbicus
• 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
• Black bishop, Euplectes gierowii
• Black-winged bishop, Euplectes hordeaceus
• Orange bishop, Euplectes franciscanus
• Red bishop, Euplectes orix
• Fan-tailed widowbird, Euplectes axillaris
• Yellow-shouldered widowbird, Euplectes macroura
• White-winged widowbird, Euplectes albonotatus
• Red-collared widowbird, Euplectes ardens
• Grosbeak weaver, Amblyospiza albifrons

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. There are 141 species worldwide and 35 species which occur in the Central African Republic.

• 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
• 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
• Black-bellied seedcracker, Pyrenestes ostrinus
• Western bluebill, Spermophaga haematina
• Red-headed bluebill, Spermophaga ruficapilla
• 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
• Red-cheeked cordonbleu, Uraeginthus bengalus
• Lavender waxbill, Estrilda caerulescens
• Fawn-breasted waxbill, Estrilda paludicola
• 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
• 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 9 species which occur in the Central African Republic.

• Village indigobird, Vidua chalybeata
• Jambandu indigobird, Vidua raricola
• Baka indigobird, Vidua larvaticola
• Variable indigobird, Vidua funerea
• Pale-winged indigobird, Vidua wilsoni
• Cameroon indigobird, Vidua camerunensis
• Pin-tailed whydah, Vidua macroura
• Long-tailed paradise-whydah, Vidua interjecta
• Northern paradise-whydah, Vidua orientalis
• Parasitic weaver, Anomalospiza imberbis

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 275 species worldwide and 4 species which occur in the Central African Republic.

• Cinnamon-breasted bunting, Emberiza tahapisi
• 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.

• White-rumped seedeater, Crithagra leucopygius
• Yellow-fronted canary, Crithagra mozambicus
• Streaky-headed seedeater, Crithagra gularis

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
• Yellow-spotted petronia, Gymnoris pyrgita
• Bush petronia, Gymnoris dentata

See also

• List of birds
• Lists of birds by region

References

• {{cite web

• {{cite book

External links

• Birds of the Central African Republic - World Institute for Conservation and Environment

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