List of birds of the Gambia

This is a list of the bird species recorded in the Gambia. The avifauna of the Gambia include a total of 576 species, one of which has been introduced by humans and two of which are globally threatened. The country, which is very small and almost completely surrounded by Senegal, has no endemic species.

The following tags have been used to highlight several categories. Not all species will fall into one of these categories. Those that do not are commonly occurring native species.

  • (A) Accidental - a species that rarely or accidentally occurs in the Gambia[1]
  • (I) Introduced - a species introduced to the Gambia as a consequence, direct or indirect, of human actions


Little grebes are locally common in freshwater ponds, creeks and rice fields, particularly in the Western Division.[2]

Grebes

Order: Podicipediformes   Family: Podicipedidae

Grebes are small to medium-sized diving birds. They breed on fresh water, but often visit the sea whilst migrating and in winter. They have lobed toes and are excellent swimmers and divers; however, their feet are placed far back on their bodies, making them quite ungainly on land. There are 19 species worldwide. Of these, one species has been recorded in the Gambia.

Shearwaters

Order: Procellariiformes   Family: Procellariidae

Shearwaters are medium-sized, long-winged seabirds. Highly pelagic, they come ashore only to breed, nesting on islands and rocky cliffs. They generally glide low above the water on stiff wings, and feed on fish, squid and similar oceanic food. There are 23–27 species worldwide. (Some experts split Audubon's shearwater into several distinct species, while others consider those distinctive forms to be subspecies.)

Wilson's storm petrels are sometimes abundant offshore between April and September.[2]

Austral storm petrels

Order: Procellariiformes   Family: Oceanitidae

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.

Northern storm petrels

Order: Procellariiformes   Family: Hydrobatidae

Tropicbirds
Pink-backed pelicans are abundant along the coast, less common most places upriver.[2]

Order: Phaethontiformes   Family: Phaethontidae

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

Northern gannets are sometimes seen offshore, generally after strong harmattan winds.[2]

Gannets and boobies

Order: Suliformes   Family: Sulidae

Gannets and boobies are large seabirds with long beaks and long, pointed wings. They eat fish, which they hunt by plunge-diving from heights of up to 30 m and chasing their prey underwater. They nest colonially on islands and along coasts, either on the ground or in trees.

Cormorants

Order: Suliformes   Family: Phalacrocoracidae

Cormorants are medium to large seabirds, found primarily along the coast, but occasionally ranging some way inland in aquatic environments. Their plumage is generally dark, though most species have areas of brightly coloured skin on the face. They are primarily fish eaters. Their bills are long, thin and sharply hooked, and their four-toed feet are webbed. Because their plumage is only semi-waterproof, they often stand out of the water with their wings outstretched to dry out their feathers.

The African darter is sometimes called the "snake bird" due to its habit of swimming with only its head and neck sticking out of the water.[3]

Darters

Order: Suliformes   Family: Anhingidae

Darters are large waterbirds, found primarily in fresh and brackish water habitats. Because their plumage is not entirely waterproof, they often stand out of the water with their wings outstretched, drying off. Darters are strongly sexually dimorphic; males generally have much darker plumage than do females. They eat primarily fish, which they catch by diving from the water's surface.

Frigatebirds

Order: Suliformes   Family: Fregatidae

Frigatebirds are large seabirds typically found soaring over tropical oceans. They have long wings and a deeply forked tail; their plumage is either black (males) or black-and-white (females and young). Males have coloured inflatable throat pouches, which are used in courtship. Frigatebirds spend most of their time in the air. They are kleptoparasites and often chase other seabirds to get them to drop their catches of fish; they also scoop fish from the water's surface.

Pelicans

Order: Pelecaniformes   Family: Pelecanidae

Pelicans are large water birds with a distinctive pouch under their beak. As with other members of the order Pelecaniformes, they have webbed feet with four toes.

Herons, egrets, and bitterns
The huge Goliath heron is shy and solitary, typically preferring narrower creeks to more open areas.[2]
Western reef egret (Egretta gularis gularis) dark morph.jpg

Order: Pelecaniformes   Family: Ardeidae

Herons, egrets and bitterns are long-legged birds typically associated with wetlands; herons and egrets are long-necked, while bitterns tend to be shorter-necked and quite secretive. Birds in this family often wade in shallow waters, preying on various aquatic organisms (including fish and frogs) as well as reptiles, amphibians and the occasional small bird. In flight, they hold their neck retracted in a gentle S-curve.

The often-gregarious hamerkop builds one of the largest and most complex of all bird nests.[4]

Hamerkop

Order: Pelecaniformes   Family: Scopidae

Hamerkops are medium-sized, all-brown wading birds named for their hammer-headed appearance, which is created by the combination of their shaggy backwards-pointing crests and their heavy black bills. Typically found in wetland areas, they forage in shallow water for amphibians, small fish, crustaceans, insects, worms and small mammals. They build enormous, complex nests—which they generally use for only a matter of months—and occupy their territories year-round.

Ibises and spoonbills

Order: Pelecaniformes   Family: Threskiornithidae

Storks
Yellow-billed storks are most common near the coast.[2]

Order: Ciconiiformes   Family: Ciconiidae

Storks are large, long-legged, long-necked wading birds with long stout bills. They occur in most of the world's warmer regions and tend to live in drier habitats than herons, to which they're closely related. They build large stick nests and sometimes nest colonially. Many species are migratory. Most storks eat a variety of small vertebrates and invertebrates; some eat carrion. Seven species have been recorded in the Gambia.

Flamingos

Order: Phoenicopteriformes   Family: Phoenicopteridae

Ducks and geese
The white-faced whistling duck is the country's most common and widespread duck.[2]

Order: Anseriformes   Family: Anatidae

Osprey

Order: Accipitriformes   Family: Pandionidae

Hawks, eagles, and kites
African fish eagles are typically found perched near rivers, creeks or coastal lagoons.[2]
Hooded vultures are abundant throughout the country, particularly around human settlements.[2]
The medium-sized Wahlberg's eagle is common throughout the country all year round.[2]

Order: Accipitriformes   Family: Accipitridae

Secretarybird

Order: Accipitriformes   Family: Sagittariidae

Falcons

Order: Falconiformes   Family: Falconidae

Pheasants, grouse, and allies

Order: Galliformes   Family: Phasianidae

Partridges

Order: Galliformes   Family: Odontophoridae

Guineafowl

Order: Galliformes   Family: Numididae

Black-crowned crane (Balearica pavonina)

Cranes

Order: Gruiformes   Family: Gruidae

Flufftails

Order: Gruiformes   Family: Sarothruridae

Rails, gallinules and coots

Order: Gruiformes   Family: Rallidae

Finfoots

Order: Gruiformes   Family: Heliornithidae

Bustards

Order: Otidiformes   Family: Otidae

Buttonquail

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Turnicidae

Jacanas

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Jacanidae

The greater painted-snipe is largely crepuscular, or most active around dawn and dusk.

Painted-snipes

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Rostratulidae

Oystercatchers

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Haematopodidae

Stilts and avocets

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Recurvirostridae

Thick-knees

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Burhinidae

Egyptian plover

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Pluvianidae

The Egyptian plover is found across equatorial Africa and along the Nile River.

Coursers

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Glareolidae

Plovers and lapwings
Spur-winged plovers are ubiquitous throughout the country, though seldom far from water.[2]

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Charadriidae

Lapwings, plovers and dotterels are small to medium-sized birds with compact bodies, short, thick necks and long, usually pointed, wings. They are found in open country worldwide, generally in habitats near water, although there are some exceptions.

Sandpipers and allies
Common redshanks are common to abundant throughout the country during the winter months.[2]
Common sandpipers are among the handful of waders which regularly hunt fiddler crabs.[2]
Ruddy turnstones are found in parties of 15-40 along the coast, principally between October and March.[2]

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Scolopacidae

Skuas

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Stercorariidae

Gulls, terns, and skimmers
Grey-headed gulls are abundant along the coast, sometimes gathering in flocks of hundreds or thousands.[2]
Caspian tern

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Laridae

Sandgrouse

Order: Pterocliformes   Family: Pteroclidae

Doves and pigeons
Red-eyed dove (Streptopelia semitorquata)

Order: Columbiformes   Family: Columbidae

Old World parrots

Order: Psittaciformes   Family: Psittaculidae

African and New World parrots
Senegal parrot (Poicephalus senegalus)

Order: Psittaciformes   Family: Psittacidae

Turacos

Order: Musophagiformes   Family: Musophagidae

Cuckoos
Senegal coucal (Centropus senegalensis)

Order: Cuculiformes   Family: Cuculidae

Barn owl

Order: Strigiformes   Family: Tytonidae

True owls
Pearl-spotted owlet (Glaucidium perlatum)

Order: Strigiformes   Family: Strigidae

Nightjars
Long-tailed nightjar (Caprimulgus climacurus climacurus) male

Order: Caprimulgiformes   Family: Caprimulgidae

Swifts
African palm-swift (Cypsiurus parvus)

Order: Caprimulgiformes   Family: Apodidae

Mousebirds

Order: Coliiformes   Family: Coliidae

Kingfishers
The widespread pied kingfisher is quite gregarious and is often found in small noisy groups.

Order: Coraciiformes   Family: Alcedinidae

Bee-eaters
Little bee-eater (Merops pusillus pusillus)

Order: Coraciiformes   Family: Meropidae

Rollers

Order: Coraciiformes   Family: Coraciidae

Blue-bellied roller

Hoopoe

Order: Bucerotiformes   Family: Upupidae

Woodhoopoes

Order: Bucerotiformes   Family: Phoeniculidae

Hornbills

Order: Bucerotiformes   Family: Bucerotidae

Ground-hornbills

Order: Bucerotiformes   Family: Bucorvidae

The ground-hornbills are terrestrial birds which feed almost entirely on insects, other birds, snakes, and amphibians.

Tinkerbirds

Order: Piciformes   Family: Lybiidae

Honeyguides

Order: Piciformes   Family: Indicatoridae

Woodpeckers
African grey woodpecker

Order: Piciformes   Family: Picidae

Larks

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Alaudidae

Nicators

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Nicatoridae

The nicators are shrike-like, with hooked bills. They are endemic to sub-Saharan Africa.

Swallows

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Hirundinidae

Wagtails and pipits

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Motacillidae

Cuckooshrikes

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Campephagidae

Bulbuls

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Pycnonotidae

Thrushes

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Turdidae

Cisticolas

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Cisticolidae

African warblers

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Macrosphenidae

Locustellid warblers

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Locustellidae

Acrocephalid warblers
Sedge warbler (Acrocephalus schoenobaenus)

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Acrocephalidae

Phylloscopid warblers

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Phylloscopidae

Hyliotid warblers

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Hyliotidae

Sylviid warblers, parrotbills, and allies

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Sylviidae

Old World flycatchers

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Muscicapidae

Wattle-eyes

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Platysteiridae

Fairy flycatchers

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Stenostiridae

Paradise flycatchers

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Monarchidae

Ground babblers

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Pellorneidae

Laughingthrushes

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Leiothrichidae

Tits

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Paridae

Treecreepers

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Certhiidae

Penduline tits

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Remizidae

Sunbirds

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Nectariniidae

White-eyes

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Zosteropidae

Orioles

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Oriolidae

Shrikes
Yellow-billed shrike

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Laniidae

Bushshrikes

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Malaconotidae

Vangas, helmetshrikes, and allies

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Vangidae

Drongos

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Dicruridae

Piapiac, crows and ravens
Pied crows are abundant along the coast, less common upriver.[2]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Corvidae

Oxpeckers

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Buphagidae

As both the English and scientific names of these birds imply, they feed on ectoparasites, primarily ticks, found on large mammals.

Starlings
The long-tailed glossy-starling is common and widespread throughout the country.[2]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Sturnidae

Weavers
Village weaver (Ploceus cucullatus cucullatus) female

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Ploceidae

Estrildid finches
Red-billed firefinches forage on the ground in small family groups, often with one or more village indigobird foster chicks in tow.
The ground-feeding red-cheeked cordon-bleu is widespread throughout the country.[2]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Estrildidae

Indigobirds and whydahs
The pin-tailed whydah (male pictured above) is a brood parasite of various waxbill species.

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Viduidae

Old World buntings

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Emberizidae

The yellow-fronted canary is a common resident breeder throughout the country.[2]

Canaries and seedeaters

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Fringillidae

Old World sparrows

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Passeridae

See also

References
  1. this information is from Barlow's A Field Guide to Birds of The Gambia and Senegal, unless otherwise noted
  2. Barlow, Clive; Wacher, Tim (1997). A Field Guide to Birds of The Gambia and Senegal. London: Pica Press.
  3. Orta, Jaume (1992). "Family Anhingidae (Darters)". In Josep del Hoyo, Andrew Elliott & Jordi Sargatal (ed.). Handbook of the Birds of the World, Volume 1: Ostrich to Ducks. Barcelona: Lynx Edicions. pp. 355. ISBN 84-87334-10-5.
  4. Elliott, Andrew (1992). "Family Scopidae (Hamerkop)". In Josep del Hoyo, Andrew Elliott & Jordi Sargatal (ed.). Handbook of the Birds of the World, Volume 1: Ostrich to Ducks. Barcelona: Lynx Edicions. pp. 432–433. ISBN 84-87334-10-5.
  5. Mikkola, Anita and Heimo (March 2002). "First record of Red-footed Falcon Falco vespertinus in The Gambia". Bulletin of the African Bird Club. 9 (1): 45.
  6. Ranner, Andreas; Graham Tebb; Markus Craig (March 2000). "First record of Little Crake Porzana parva in The Gambia". Bulletin of the African Bird Club. 7 (1): 51–52.
  7. Kirk, Gordon; Clive Barlow (August 2002). "Second confirmed record of Forbes's Plover Charadrius forbesi for The Gambia". Bulletin of the African Bird Club. 9 (2): 138–139.
  8. Barlow, Clive R. (September 2009). "Three records of Solitary Sandpiper Tringa solitaria in The Gambia". Bulletin of the African Bird Club. 16 (2): 209–210.
  9. High, John (March 2006). "First record of Bridled Tern Sterna anaethetus for The Gambia". Bulletin of the African Bird Club. 13 (1): 77–78.
  10. Crewe, Mike D.; Brian J. Small (August 2002). "Temminck's Horned Lark Eremophila bilopha—a new species for The Gambia". Bulletin of the African Bird Club. 9 (2): 136–138.
  11. Barnett, Linda K.; Craig Emms (March 2001). "New species and breeding records for The Gambia". Bulletin of the African Bird Club. 8 (1): 44–45.
  12. Barlow, Clive (March 2007). "First Records of Icterine Warbler Hippolais icterina for The Gambia and Senegal". Bulletin of the African Bird Club. 14 (1): 72–73.
  13. Barlow, Clive (March 2007). "First Record of Yellow-browed Warbler Phylloscopus inornatus for The Gambia". Bulletin of the African Bird Club. 14 (1): 74–75.
  14. Crewe, Mike D.; Megan A. Crewe; Tombong Sanyang (March 2008). "First Record of Rüppell's Warbler Sylvia rueppelli for The Gambia". Bulletin of the African Bird Club. 15 (1): 91–92.


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