List of birds of The Gambia

This is a list of the bird species recorded in The Gambia. The avifauna of The Gambia includes 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 certain relevant categories. Not all species will fall into one of these categories. Those that do not are commonly occurring, native species.
* (A) = Accidental occurrence based fewer than 10 records, and unlikely to occur regularly—this information is from Barlow's "A Field Guide to Birds of The Gambia and Senegal", unless otherwise noted.
* (I) = Introduced to The Gambia as a consequence, direct or indirect, of human actions.

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Grebes

* Little Grebe, "Tachybaptus ruficollis"

Shearwaters

Order: Procellariiformes Family: Procellariidae

Shearwaters are medium-sized, long-winged seabirds. Highly pelagic, they come ashore only to breed, nesting on islands and rocky cliffs. They generally glide low above the water on stiff wings, and feed on fish, squid and similar oceanic food. There are 23–27 species worldwide. (Some experts split Audubon's Shearwater into several distinct species, while others consider those distinctive forms to be subspecies.) Of these, 13 species have been recorded in Africa, and two in The Gambia.

* Manx Shearwater, "Puffinus puffinus" (A)
* Little Shearwater, "Puffinus assimilis" (A)

Storm-petrels

* Wilson's Storm-Petrel, "Oceanites oceanicus"
* European Storm-Petrel, "Hydrobates pelagicus"
* Leach's Storm-Petrel, "Oceanodroma leucorhoa" (A)

Tropicbirds

* Red-billed Tropicbird, "Phaethon aethereus" (A)

Pelicans

* Great White Pelican, "Pelecanus onocrotalus"
* Pink-backed Pelican, "Pelecanus rufescens"

=Gannets and boobies=

Order: Pelecaniformes Family: Sulidae

Gannets and boobies are large seabirds with long beaks and long, pointed wings. They eat fish, which they hunt by plunge-diving from heights of up to 30 m and chasing their prey underwater. They nest colonially on islands and along coasts, either on the ground or in trees. There are ten species worldwide; of these six have been recorded in Africa, and two in The Gambia.

* Northern Gannet, "Morus bassanus"
* Brown Booby, "Sula leucogaster" (A)

Cormorants

Order: Pelecaniformes Family: Phalacrocoracidae

Cormorants are medium to large seabirds, found primarily along the coast, but occasionally ranging some way inland in aquatic environments. Their plumage is generally dark, though most species have areas of brightly coloured skin on the face. They are primarily fish eaters. Their bills are long, thin, and sharply hooked and their four-toed feet are webbed. Because their plumage is only semi-waterproof, they often stand out of the water with their wings outstretched to dry out their feathers. There are 39 species worldwide; of these, 11 have been reported in Africa and two in The Gambia.

* Great Cormorant, "Phalacrocorax carbo"
* Long-tailed Cormorant, "Phalacrocorax africanus"

Darters

Order: Pelecaniformes Family: Anhingidae

Darters are large waterbirds, found primarily in fresh and brackish water habitats. Because their plumage is not entirely waterproof, they often stand out of the water with their wings outstretched, drying off. Darters are strongly sexually dimorphic; males generally have much darker plumage than do females. They eat primarily fish, which they catch by diving from the water's surface. There are two to four species worldwide (some taxonomists lump all the Old World species as "Anhinga melanogaster", while others treat them separately); of these, one has been recorded in Africa, and in The Gambia.

* African Darter, "Anhinga rufa"

Frigatebirds

Order: Pelecaniformes Family: Fregatidae

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

* Magnificent Frigatebird, "Fregata magnificens" (A)

Herons, egrets and bitterns

Order: Ciconiiformes Family: Ardeidae

Herons, egrets and bitterns are long-legged birds typically associated with wetlands; herons and egrets are long-necked, while bitterns tend to be shorter-necked and quite secretive. Birds in this family often wade in shallow waters, preying on various aquatic organisms (including fish and frogs) as well as reptiles, amphibians and the occasional small bird. In flight, they hold their neck retracted in a gentle S-curve. There are 61 species worldwide; of these, 29 occur in Africa, and 18 in The Gambia.

* Grey Heron, "Ardea cinerea"
* Black-headed Heron, "Ardea melanocephala"
* Goliath Heron, "Ardea goliath"
* Purple Heron, "Ardea purpurea"
* Great Egret, "Ardea alba"
* Black Heron, "Egretta ardesiaca"
* Intermediate Egret, "Egretta intermedia"
* Western Reef Heron, "Egretta gularis"
* Little Egret, "Egretta garzetta"
* Squacco Heron, "Ardeola ralloides"
* Cattle Egret, "Bubulcus ibis"
* Striated Heron, "Butorides striata"
* Black-crowned Night Heron, "Nycticorax nycticorax"
* White-backed Night-heron, "Gorsachius leuconotus"
* White-crested Bittern, "Tigriornis leucolophus"
* Little Bittern, "Ixobrychus minutus"
* Dwarf Bittern, "Ixobrychus sturmii"
* Great Bittern, "Botaurus stellaris" (A)

Hamerkop

Order: Ciconiiformes Family: Scopidae

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

Storks

Order: Ciconiiformes Family: Ciconiidae

Storks are large, long-legged, long-necked wading birds with long stout bills. They occur in most of the world's warmer regions and tend to live in drier habitats than herons, to which they're closely related. They build large stick nests, and sometimes nest colonially. Many species are migratory. Most storks eat a variety of small vertebrates and invertebrates; some eat carrion. There are 19 species of storks worldwide; of those, eight have been recorded in Africa and seven in The Gambia.

* Yellow-billed Stork, "Mycteria ibis"
* Black Stork, "Ciconia nigra" (A)
* Abdim's Stork, "Ciconia abdimii" (A)
* Woolly-necked Stork, "Ciconia episcopus"
* White Stork, "Ciconia ciconia" (A)
* Saddle-billed Stork, "Ephippiorhynchus senegalensis"
* Marabou Stork, "Leptoptilos crumeniferus"

Ibises and spoonbills

Order: Ciconiiformes Family: Threskiornithidae
* Sacred Ibis, "Threskiornis aethiopicus"
* Hadada Ibis, "Bostrychia hagedash"
* Glossy Ibis, "Plegadis falcinellus"
* Eurasian Spoonbill, "Platalea leucorodia"
* African Spoonbill, "Platalea alba"

Flamingos

Order: Phoenicopteriformes Family: Phoenicopteridae
* Greater Flamingo, "Phoenicopterus roseus"
* Lesser Flamingo, "Phoenicopterus minor" Near-threatened

Ducks and geese

Order: Anseriformes Family: Anatidae
* Fulvous Whistling-Duck, "Dendrocygna bicolor"
* White-faced Whistling-Duck, "Dendrocygna viduata"
* Egyptian Goose, "Alopochen aegyptiacus"
* Spur-winged Goose, "Plectropterus gambensis"
* Comb Duck, "Sarkidiornis melanotos"
* African Pygmy Goose, "Nettapus auritus"
* Common Teal, "Anas crecca"
* Northern Pintail, "Anas acuta"
* Garganey, "Anas querquedula"
* Northern Shoveler, "Anas clypeata"
* Common Pochard, "Aythya ferina"
* Ferruginous Duck, "Aythya nyroca" (A) Near-threatened
* Tufted Duck, "Aythya fuligula" (A)

Osprey

Order: Falconiformes Family: Pandionidae
* Osprey, "Pandion haliaetus"

=Kites, vultures, hawks and eagles=

Order: Falconiformes Family: Accipitridae
* African Cuckoo-Hawk, "Aviceda cuculoides"
* European Honey-buzzard, "Pernis apivorus"
* Bat Hawk, "Macheiramphus alcinus"
* Black-winged Kite, "Elanus caeruleus"
* African Swallow-tailed Kite, "Chelictinia riocourii"
* Red Kite, "Milvus milvus" (A)
* Black Kite, "Milvus migrans"
* African Fish Eagle, "Haliaeetus vocifer"
* Palm-nut Vulture, "Gypohierax angolensis"
* Hooded Vulture, "Necrosyrtes monachus"
* Egyptian Vulture, "Neophron percnopterus"
* White-backed Vulture, "Gyps africanus"
* Rueppell's Vulture, "Gyps rueppellii"
* Eurasian Griffon, "Gyps fulvus"
* Lappet-faced Vulture, "Torgos tracheliotus" Vulnerable
* White-headed Vulture, "Trigonoceps occipitalis"
* Short-toed Eagle, "Circaetus gallicus"
* Beaudouin's Snake-eagle, "Circaetus beaudouini"
* Brown Snake-eagle, "Circaetus cinereus"
* Western Banded Snake-eagle, "Circaetus cinerascens"
* Bateleur, "Terathopius ecaudatus"
* Western Marsh Harrier, "Circus aeruginosus"
* Pallid Harrier, "Circus macrourus" Near-threatened
* Montagu's Harrier, "Circus pygargus"
* African Harrier Hawk, "Polyboroides typus"
* Lizard Buzzard, "Kaupifalco monogrammicus"
* Dark Chanting Goshawk, "Melierax metabates"
* Gabar Goshawk, "Micronisus gabar"
* Red-chested Goshawk, "Accipiter toussenelii"
* African Goshawk, "Accipiter tachiro"
* Shikra, "Accipiter badius"
* Red-thighed Sparrowhawk, "Accipiter erythropus"
* Eurasian Sparrowhawk, "Accipiter nisus" (A)
* Black Goshawk, "Accipiter melanoleucus"
* Grasshopper Buzzard, "Butastur rufipennis"
* Common Buzzard, "Buteo buteo"
* Long-legged Buzzard, "Buteo rufinus" (A)
* Red-necked Buzzard, "Buteo auguralis"
* Tawny Eagle, "Aquila rapax"
* Wahlberg's Eagle, "Aquila wahlbergi"
* African Hawk Eagle, "Aquila spilogaster"
* Booted Eagle, "Aquila pennatus"
* Martial Eagle, "Polemaetus bellicosus"
* Long-crested Eagle, "Lophaetus occipitalis"

Secretary Bird

Order: Falconiformes Family: Sagittariidae
* Secretary Bird, "Sagittarius serpentarius" (A)

Falcons

Order: Falconiformes Family: Falconidae
* Lesser Kestrel, "Falco naumanni" Vulnerable
* Common Kestrel, "Falco tinnunculus"
* Fox Kestrel, "Falco alopex" (A)
* Grey Kestrel, "Falco ardosiaceus"
* Red-necked Falcon, "Falco chicquera"
* Red-footed Falcon, "Falco vespertinus" (A) [cite journal |last= Mikkola |first= Anita and Heimo |title= First record of Red-footed Falcon "Falco vespertinus" in The Gambia |journal= Bulletin of the African Bird Club |month= March | year= 2002 |volume= 9 |issue= 1 |pages= 45]
* Eurasian Hobby, "Falco subbuteo"
* African Hobby, "Falco cuvierii"
* Lanner Falcon, "Falco biarmicus"
* Barbary Falcon, "Falco pelegrinoides"
* Peregrine Falcon, "Falco peregrinus"

Francolins, quail and partridges

Order: Galliformes Family: Phasianidae
* Common Quail, "Coturnix coturnix" (A)
* White-throated Francolin, "Francolinus albogularis"
* Ahanta Francolin, "Francolinus ahantensis"
* Double-spurred Francolin, "Francolinus bicalcaratus"
* Stone Partridge, "Ptilopachus petrosus"

Guineafowl

Order: Galliformes Family: Numididae
* Helmeted Guineafowl, "Numida meleagris"

Buttonquail

Order: Gruiformes Family: Turnicidae
* Small Buttonquail, "Turnix sylvatica"
* Quail-plover, "Ortyxelos meiffrenii" (A)

=Cranes=

Order: Gruiformes Family: Gruidae
* Black Crowned Crane, "Balearica pavonina" Near-threatened

Crakes, gallinules and coots

Order: Gruiformes Family: Rallidae
* White-spotted Flufftail, "Sarothrura pulchra"
* African Crake, "Crecopsis egregia"
* African Water Rail "Rallus caerulescens" (A)
* Black Crake, "Amaurornis flavirostris"
* Little Crake, "Porzana parva" (A) [cite journal |last=Ranner |first=Andreas |coauthors=Graham Tebb & Markus Craig |title=First record of Little Crake "Porzana parva" in The Gambia |journal=Bulletin of the African Bird Club |volume=7 |issue=1 |month=March | year=2000 |pages=51–52]
* Baillon's Crake, "Porzana pusilla"
* Spotted Crake, "Porzana porzana" (A)
* Purple Swamphen, "Porphyrio porphyrio"
* Allen's Gallinule, "Porphyrio alleni" (A)
* Common Moorhen, "Gallinula chloropus"
* Lesser Moorhen, "Gallinula angulata"
* Eurasian Coot, "Fulica atra" (A)

Finfoots

Order: Gruiformes Family: Heliornithidae
* African Finfoot, "Podica senegalensis"

Bustards

Order: Gruiformes Family: Otidae
* Arabian Bustard, "Ardeotis arabs" (A)
* Denham's Bustard, "Neotis denhami" (A) Near-threatened
* White-bellied Bustard, "Eupodotis senegalensis" (A)
* Savile's Bustard, "Eupodotis savilei" (A)
* Black-bellied Bustard, "Lissotis melanogaster"

Jacanas

Order: Charadriiformes Family: Jacanidae
* African Jacana, "Actophilornis africanus"

Painted Snipes

Order: Charadriiformes Family: Rostratulidae
* Greater Painted Snipe, "Rostratula benghalensis"

Oystercatchers

Order: Charadriiformes Family: Haematopodidae
* Eurasian Oystercatcher, "Haematopus ostralegus"

Stilts and avocets

Order: Charadriiformes Family: Recurvirostridae
* Black-winged Stilt, "Himantopus himantopus"
* Pied Avocet, "Recurvirostra avosetta"

Thick-knees

Order: Charadriiformes Family: Burhinidae
* Senegal Thick-knee, "Burhinus senegalensis"
* Spotted Thick-knee, "Burhinus capensis"

Coursers

Order: Charadriiformes Family: Glareolidae
* Egyptian Plover, "Pluvianus aegyptius"
* Cream-colored Courser, "Cursorius cursor" (A)
* Temminck's Courser, "Cursorius temminckii"
* Bronze-winged Courser, "Rhinoptilus chalcopterus"
* Collared Pratincole, "Glareola pratincola"

Lapwings, plovers and dotterel

Order: Charadriiformes Family: Charadriidae

Lapwings, plovers, and dotterels are small to medium-sized birds with compact bodies, short, thick necks and long, usually pointed, wings. They are found in open country worldwide, generally in habitats near water, although there are some exceptions. There are 66 species worldwide; of these, 33 species have been recorded in Africa, and 15 in The Gambia.
* Northern Lapwing, "Vanellus vanellus" (A)
* Spur-winged Plover, "Vanellus spinosus"
* Black-headed Plover, "Vanellus tectus"
* White-headed Plover, "Vanellus albiceps"
* Wattled Lapwing, "Vanellus senegallus"
* American Golden Plover, "Pluvialis dominica" (A)
* Eurasian Golden Plover, "Pluvialis apricaria"
* Grey Plover, "Pluvialis squatarola"
* Ringed Plover, "Charadrius hiaticula"
* Little Ringed Plover, "Charadrius dubius"
* Kittlitz's Plover, "Charadrius pecuarius"
* Forbes's Plover, "Charadrius forbesi" (A) [cite journal |last= Kirk |first= Gordon |coauthors= Clive Barlow |title= Second confirmed record of Forbes's Plover "Charadrius forbesi" for The Gambia |journal= Bulletin of the African Bird Club |month= August | year= 2002 |volume= 9 |issue= 2 |pages= 138–139]
* White-fronted Plover, "Charadrius marginatus"
* Kentish Plover, "Charadrius alexandrinus"
* Eurasian Dotterel, "Charadrius morinellus" (A)

Sandpipers, curlews, stints, godwits, snipes, and phalaropes

Order: Charadriiformes Family: Scolopacidae
* Jack Snipe, "Lymnocryptes minimus"
* Great Snipe, "Gallinago media" Near-threatened
* Common Snipe, "Gallinago gallinago"
* Black-tailed Godwit, "Limosa limosa"
* Bar-tailed Godwit, "Limosa lapponica"
* Whimbrel, "Numenius phaeopus"
* Eurasian Curlew, "Numenius arquata"
* Spotted Redshank, "Tringa erythropus"
* Common Redshank, "Tringa totanus"
* Marsh Sandpiper, "Tringa stagnatilis"
* Common Greenshank, "Tringa nebularia"
* Lesser Yellowlegs, "Tringa flavipes" (A)
* Green Sandpiper, "Tringa ochropus"
* Wood Sandpiper, "Tringa glareola"
* Terek Sandpiper, "Xenus cinereus" (A)
* Common Sandpiper, "Actitis hypoleucos"
* Ruddy Turnstone, "Arenaria interpres"
* Red Knot, "Calidris canutus"
* Sanderling, "Calidris alba"
* Little Stint, "Calidris minuta"
* Temminck's Stint, "Calidris temminckii"
* Baird's Sandpiper, "Calidris bairdii" (A)
* Curlew Sandpiper, "Calidris ferruginea"
* Dunlin, "Calidris alpina"
* Purple Sandpiper, "Calidris maritima"
* Ruff, "Philomachus pugnax"
* Red-necked Phalarope, "Phalaropus lobatus"
* Grey Phalarope, "Phalaropus fulicarius"

Skuas

Order: Charadriiformes Family: Stercorariidae
* Pomarine Skua, "Stercorarius pomarinus"
* Arctic Skua, "Stercorarius parasiticus"

Gulls

Order: Charadriiformes Family: Laridae
* Common Gull, "Larus canus" (A)
* Audouin's Gull, "Larus audouinii" Near-threatened
* Kelp Gull, "Larus dominicanus"
* Lesser Black-backed Gull, "Larus fuscus"
* Yellow-legged Gull, "Larus michahellis"
* Grey-headed Gull, "Larus cirrocephalus"
* Black-headed Gull, "Larus ridibundus"
* Slender-billed Gull, "Larus genei"
* Mediterranean Gull, "Larus melanocephalus" (A)
* Laughing Gull, "Larus atricilla" (A)
* Franklin's Gull, "Larus pipixcan" (A)
* Little Gull, "Larus minutus" (A)
* Black-legged Kittiwake, "Rissa tridactyla" (A)

Terns

Order: Charadriiformes Family: Sternidae
* Gull-billed Tern, "Gelochelidon nilotica"
* Caspian Tern, "Hydroprogne caspia"
* Lesser Crested Tern, "Sterna bengalensis"
* Sandwich Tern, "Sterna sandvicensis"
* Royal Tern, "Sterna maxima"
* Roseate Tern, "Sterna dougallii" (A)
* Common Tern, "Sterna hirundo"
* Arctic Tern, "Sterna paradisaea"
* Little Tern, "Sternula albifrons"
* Whiskered Tern, "Chlidonias hybridus"
* White-winged Black Tern, "Chlidonias leucopterus"
* Black Tern, "Chlidonias niger"
* Black Noddy, "Anous minutus" (A)
* Brown Noddy, "Anous stolidus" (A)

Skimmers

Order: Charadriiformes Family: Rynchopidae
* African Skimmer, "Rynchops flavirostris" Near-threatened

Sandgrouse

Order: Pterocliformes Family: Pteroclidae
* Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse, "Pterocles exustus" (A)
* Four-banded Sandgrouse, "Pterocles quadricinctus"

Doves and pigeons

Order: Columbiformes Family: Columbidae
* Rock Dove, "Columba livia"
* Speckled Pigeon, "Columba guinea"
* Eurasian Turtle Dove, "Streptopelia turtur"
* Adamawa Turtle-dove, "Streptopelia hypopyrrha"
* African Collared Dove, "Streptopelia roseogrisea"
* African Mourning Dove, "Streptopelia decipiens"
* Red-eyed Dove, "Streptopelia semitorquata"
* Vinaceous Dove, "Streptopelia vinacea"
* Laughing Dove, "Streptopelia senegalensis"
* Black-billed Wood Dove, "Turtur abyssinicus"
* Blue-spotted Wood-dove, "Turtur afer"
* Namaqua Dove, "Oena capensis"
* Bruce's Green-pigeon, "Treron waalia"
* African Green-pigeon, "Treron calva"

Parrots

Order: Psittaciformes Family: Psittacidae
* Rose-ringed Parakeet, "Psittacula krameri"
* Grey-headed Parrot, "Poicephalus robustus"
* Senegal Parrot, "Poicephalus senegalus"

Turacos

Order: Cuculiformes Family: Musophagidae
* Guinea Turaco, "Tauraco persa"
* Violet Turaco, "Musophaga violacea"
* Western Grey Plantain-eater, "Crinifer piscator"

Cuckoos

Order: Cuculiformes Family: Cuculidae
* Pied Cuckoo, "Clamator jacobinus"
* Levaillant's Cuckoo, "Clamator levaillantii"
* Great Spotted Cuckoo, "Clamator glandarius"
* Red-chested Cuckoo, "Cuculus solitarius"
* Black Cuckoo, "Cuculus clamosus" (A)
* Common Cuckoo, "Cuculus canorus"
* African Cuckoo, "Cuculus gularis"
* Klaas's Cuckoo, "Chrysococcyx klaas"
* African Emerald Cuckoo, "Chrysococcyx cupreus" (A)
* Dideric Cuckoo, "Chrysococcyx caprius"
* Yellowbill, "Ceuthmochares aereus"
* Black Coucal, "Centropus grillii"
* Senegal Coucal, "Centropus senegalensis"

Barn Owl

Order: Strigiformes Family: Tytonidae
* Barn Owl, "Tyto alba"

=True Owls=

Order: Strigiformes Family: Strigidae
* African Scops Owl, "Otus senegalensis"
* European Scops Owl, "Otus scops"
* White-faced Scops Owl, "Ptilopsis leucotis"
* Greyish Eagle-Owl, "Bubo cinerascens"
* Verreaux's Eagle-Owl, "Bubo lacteus"
* Pel's Fishing-Owl, "Scotopelia peli"
* African Wood-Owl, "Strix woodfordii"
* Pearl-spotted Owlet, "Glaucidium perlatum"
* Marsh Owl, "Asio capensis"

Nightjars

Order: Caprimulgiformes Family: Caprimulgidae
* Red-necked Nightjar, "Caprimulgus ruficollis"
* Eurasian Nightjar, "Caprimulgus europaeus"
* Swamp Nightjar, "Caprimulgus natalensis" (A)
* Plain Nightjar, "Caprimulgus inornatus"
* Long-tailed Nightjar, "Caprimulgus climacurus"
* Pennant-winged Nightjar, "Macrodipteryx vexillarius" (A)
* Standard-winged Nightjar, "Macrodipteryx longipennis"

Swifts

Order: Apodiformes Family: Apodidae
* Mottled Spinetail, "Telacanthura ussheri"
* African Palm-Swift, "Cypsiurus parvus"
* Alpine Swift, "Tachymarptis melba"
* Common Swift, "Apus apus"
* Pallid Swift, "Apus pallidus"
* Little Swift, "Apus affinis"
* White-rumped Swift, "Apus caffer"

Mousebirds

Order: Coliiformes Family: Coliidae
* Blue-naped Mousebird, "Urocolius macrourus"

Kingfishers

Order: Coraciiformes Family: Alcedinidae
* Shining Blue Kingfisher, "Alcedo quadribrachys"
* Malachite Kingfisher, "Alcedo cristata"
* African Pygmy-Kingfisher, "Ispidina picta"
* Grey-headed Kingfisher, "Halcyon leucocephala"
* Woodland Kingfisher, "Halcyon senegalensis"
* Blue-breasted Kingfisher, "Halcyon malimbica"
* Striped Kingfisher, "Halcyon chelicuti"
* Giant Kingfisher, "Megaceryle maxima"
* Pied Kingfisher, "Ceryle rudis"

Bee-eaters

Order: Coraciiformes Family: Meropidae
* Red-throated Bee-eater, "Merops bulocki"
* Little Bee-eater, "Merops pusillus"
* Swallow-tailed Bee-eater, "Merops hirundineus"
* White-throated Bee-eater, "Merops albicollis"
* Little Green Bee-eater, "Merops orientalis"
* Blue-cheeked Bee-eater, "Merops persicus"
* European Bee-eater, "Merops apiaster"
* Northern Carmine Bee-eater, "Merops nubicus"

Rollers

Order: Coraciiformes Family: Coraciidae
* European Roller, "Coracias garrulus"
* Abyssinian Roller, "Coracias abyssinica"
* Rufous-crowned Roller, "Coracias naevia"
* Blue-bellied Roller, "Coracias cyanogaster"
* Broad-billed Roller, "Eurystomus glaucurus"

Hoopoe

Order: Coraciiformes Family: Upupidae
* Eurasian Hoopoe, "Upupa epops"

Woodhoopoes

Order: Coraciiformes Family: Phoeniculidae
* Green Woodhoopoe, "Phoeniculus purpureus"
* Black Woodhoopoe, "Rhinopomastus aterrimus"

Hornbills

Order: Coraciiformes Family: Bucerotidae
* Red-billed Hornbill, "Tockus erythrorhynchus"
* African Pied Hornbill, "Tockus fasciatus"
* African Grey Hornbill, "Tockus nasutus"
* Abyssinian Ground-hornbill, "Bucorvus abyssinicus"

Tinkerbirds

Order: Piciformes Family: Capitonidae
* Yellow-rumped Tinkerbird, "Pogoniulus bilineatus"
* Yellow-fronted Tinkerbird, "Pogoniulus chrysoconus"
* Vieillot's Barbet, "Lybius vieilloti"
* Bearded Barbet, "Lybius dubius"

Honeyguides

Order: Piciformes Family: Indicatoridae
* Spotted Honeyguide, "Indicator maculatus"
* Greater Honeyguide, "Indicator indicator"
* Lesser Honeyguide, "Indicator minor"

Woodpeckers

Order: Piciformes Family: Picidae
* Eurasian Wryneck, "Jynx torquilla"
* Fine-spotted Woodpecker, "Campethera punctuligera"
* Golden-tailed Woodpecker, "Campethera abingoni"
* Buff-spotted Woodpecker, "Campethera nivosa"
* Little Grey Woodpecker, "Dendropicos elachus" (A)
* Cardinal Woodpecker, "Dendropicos fuscescens"
* Grey Woodpecker, "Dendropicos goertae"
* Brown-backed Woodpecker, "Dendropicos obsoletus"

Larks

Order: Passeriformes Family: Alaudidae
* Singing Bushlark, "Mirafra cantillans"
* Flappet Lark, "Mirafra rufocinnamomea"
* Rufous-rumped Lark, "Pinarocorys erythropygia" (A)
* Short-toed Lark "Calandrella brachydactyla" (A)
* Chestnut-backed Sparrow-Lark, "Eremopterix leucotis"
* Crested Lark, "Galerida cristata"
* Sun Lark, "Galerida modesta"
* Temminck's Horned Lark, "Eremophila bilopha" (A) [cite journal |last= Crewe |first= Mike D. |coauthors= Brian J. Small |month= August | year= 2002 |title= Temminck's Horned Lark "Eremophila bilopha"—a new species for The Gambia |journal= Bulletin of the African Bird Club |volume= 9 |issue= 2 |pages= 136–138] 

Swallows and martins

Order: Passeriformes Family: Hirundinidae
* Sand Martin, "Riparia riparia"
* Plain Martin, "Riparia paludicola"
* Banded Martin, "Riparia cincta"
* Grey-rumped Swallow, "Hirundo griseopyga"
* Crag Martin, "Hirundo rupestris" (A)
* Barn Swallow, "Hirundo rustica"
* Red-chested Swallow, "Hirundo lucida"
* Wire-tailed Swallow, "Hirundo smithii"
* Pied-winged Swallow, "Hirundo leucosoma"
* Lesser Striped Swallow, "Hirundo abyssinica"
* Rufous-chested Swallow, "Hirundo semirufa"
* Mosque Swallow, "Hirundo senegalensis"
* Red-rumped Swallow, "Hirundo daurica"
* House Martin, "Delichon urbica"
* Fanti Sawwing, "Psalidoprocne obscura"

Wagtails and pipits

Order: Passeriformes Family: Motacillidae
* White Wagtail, "Motacilla alba"
* African Pied Wagtail, "Motacilla aguimp" (A)
* Yellow Wagtail, "Motacilla flava"
* Yellow-throated Longclaw, "Macronyx croceus"
* Plain-backed Pipit, "Anthus leucophrys"
* Tawny Pipit, "Anthus campestris"
* Tree Pipit, "Anthus trivialis"
* Red-throated Pipit, "Anthus cervinus"

Cuckoo-shrikes

Order: Passeriformes Family: Campephagidae
* White-breasted Cuckoo-shrike, "Coracina pectoralis"
* Red-shouldered Cuckoo-shrike, "Campephaga phoenicea"

Bulbuls, greenbuls, bristlebills and nicators

Order: Passeriformes Family: Pycnonotidae
* Common Bulbul, "Pycnonotus barbatus"
* Little Greenbul, "Andropadus virens"
* Yellow-throated Leaflove, "Chlorocichla flavicollis"
* Swamp Palm Greenbul, "Thescelocichla leucopleura" (A)
* Leaf-love, "Phyllastrephus scandens"
* Grey-headed Bristlebill, "Bleda canicapilla"
* Western Nicator, "Nicator chloris" (A)

=Thrushes=

Order: Passeriformes Family: Turdidae
* Rufous-tailed Rock Thrush, "Monticola saxatilis"
* Blue Rock Thrush, "Monticola solitarius"
* African Thrush, "Turdus pelios"

Cisticolas

Order: Passeriformes Family: Cisticolidae
* Red-faced Cisticola, "Cisticola erythrops"
* Singing Cisticola, "Cisticola cantans"
* Whistling Cisticola, "Cisticola lateralis"
* Plaintive Cisticola, "Cisticola dorsti
* Winding Cisticola, "Cisticola galactotes"
* Croaking Cisticola, "Cisticola natalensis"
* Siffling Cisticola, "Cisticola brachypterus"
* Rufous Cisticola, "Cisticola rufus"
* Zitting Cisticola, "Cisticola juncidis"
* Desert Cisticola, "Cisticola aridulus"
* Black-backed Cisticola, "Cisticola eximius"
* Tawny-flanked Prinia, "Prinia subflava"
* River Prinia, "Prinia fluviatilis" (A)cite journal |last= Barnett |first= Linda K. |coauthors= Craig Emms |title= New species and breeding records for The Gambia |journal= Bulletin of the African Bird Club |month= March | year= 2001 |volume= 8 |issue= 1 |pages= 44–45]
* Red-winged Prinia, "Prinia erythroptera"
* Yellow-breasted Apalis, "Apalis flavida"
* Oriole Warbler, "Hypergerus atriceps"
* Grey-backed Camaroptera, "Camaroptera brachyura"
* Olive-green Camaroptera, "Camaroptera chloronota" (A)

Old World warblers

Order: Passeriformes Family: Sylviidae
* African Moustached Warbler, "Melocichla mentalis" (A)
* Grasshopper Warbler, "Locustella naevia" (A)
* Sedge Warbler, "Acrocephalus schoenobaenus"
* Reed Warbler, "Acrocephalus scirpaceus"
* African Reed Warbler, "Acrocephalus baeticatus"
* Great Reed Warbler, "Acrocephalus arundinaceus" (A)
* Greater Swamp-Warbler, "Acrocephalus rufescens"
* Eastern Olivaceous Warbler, "Hippolais pallida"
* Melodious Warbler, "Hippolais polyglotta"
* Icterine Warbler, "Hippolais icterina" (A) [cite journal |last= Barlow |first= Clive |title= First Records of Icterine Warbler "Hippolais icterina" for The Gambia and Senegal |journal= Bulletin of the African Bird Club |month= March | year= 2007 |volume= 14 |issue= 1 |pages= 72–73] 
* Senegal Eremomela, "Eremomela pusilla"
* Green-backed Eremomela, "Eremomela canescens"
* Green Crombec, "Sylvietta virens"
* Lemon-bellied Crombec, "Sylvietta denti" (A)
* Northern Crombec, "Sylvietta brachyura"
* Green Hylia, "Hylia prasina"
* Willow Warbler, "Phylloscopus trochilus"
* Common Chiffchaff, "Phylloscopus collybita"
* Western Bonelli's Warbler, "Phylloscopus bonelli"
* Wood Warbler, "Phylloscopus sibilatrix" (A)
* Yellow-browed Warbler, "Phylloscopus inornatus" (A) [cite journal |last= Barlow |first= Clive |title= First Record of Yellow-browed Warbler "Phylloscopus inornatus" for The Gambia |journal= Bulletin of the African Bird Club |month= March | year= 2007 |volume= 14 |issue= 1 |pages= 74–75]
* Yellow-bellied Hyliota, "Hyliota flavigaster"
* Blackcap, "Sylvia atricapilla"
* Garden Warbler, "Sylvia borin"
* Whitethroat, "Sylvia communis"
* Lesser Whitethroat, "Sylvia curruca" (A)
* Western Orphean Warbler, "Sylvia hortensis"
* Subalpine Warbler, "Sylvia cantillans"
* Spectacled Warbler "Sylvia conspicillata" (A)
* Rüppell's Warbler "Sylvia rueppelli" (A) [cite journal |last= Crewe |first= Mike D. |coauthors= Megan A. Crewe & Tombong Sanyang |title= First Record of Rüppell's Warbler "Sylvia rueppelli" for The Gambia |journal= Bulletin of the African Bird Club |month= March | year= 2008 |volume= 15 |issue= 1 |pages= 91–92]

Old World flycatchers

Order: Passeriformes Family: Muscicapidae
* Pale Flycatcher, "Bradornis pallidus"
* Northern Black Flycatcher, "Melaenornis edolioides"
* Spotted Flycatcher, "Muscicapa striata"
* Swamp Flycatcher, "Muscicapa aquatica"
* Grey Tit-flycatcher, "Myioparus plumbeus"
* European Pied Flycatcher, "Ficedula hypoleuca"
* Nightingale, "Luscinia megarhynchos"
* Bluethroat, "Luscinia svecica"
* Snowy-crowned Robin-chat, "Cossypha niveicapilla"
* White-crowned Robin-chat, "Cossypha albicapilla"
* Rufous-tailed Scrub-Robin, "Cercotrichas galactotes"
* Common Redstart, "Phoenicurus phoenicurus"
* Whinchat, "Saxicola rubetra"
* Northern Wheatear, "Oenanthe oenanthe"
* Black-eared Wheatear, "Oenanthe hispanica" (A)
* Isabelline Wheatear, "Oenanthe isabellina" (A)
* Blackstart, "Cercomela melanura" (A)
* Northern Anteater-chat, "Myrmecocichla aethiops"
* White-fronted Black-chat, "Myrmecocichla albifrons"

Wattle-eyes

Order: Passeriformes Family: Platysteiridae
* African Shrike-flycatcher, "Megabyas flammulatus" (A)
* Black-and-white Shrike-flycatcher, "Bias musicus" (A)
* Brown-throated Wattle-eye, "Platysteira cyanea"
* Senegal Batis, "Batis senegalensis"

Paradise-flycatchers

Order: Passeriformes Family: Monarchidae
* African Blue-flycatcher, "Elminia longicauda"
* Black-headed Paradise-Flycatcher, "Terpsiphone rufiventer"
* African Paradise-Flycatcher, "Terpsiphone viridis"

Old World babblers

Order: Passeriformes Family: Timaliidae
* Puvel's Illadopsis, "Illadopsis puveli"
* Blackcap Babbler, "Turdoides reinwardtii"
* Brown Babbler, "Turdoides plebejus"
* Capuchin Babbler, "Phyllanthus atripennis"

=Tits=

Order: Passeriformes Family: Paridae
* White-winged Black Tit, "Melaniparus leucomelas"

Treecreepers

Order: Passeriformes Family: Certhiidae
* Spotted Creeper, "Salpornis spilonotus" (A)

Penduline Tits

Order: Passeriformes Family: Remizidae
* Yellow Penduline-tit, "Anthoscopus parvulus"

Sunbirds

Order: Passeriformes Family: Nectariniidae
* Mouse-brown Sunbird, "Anthreptes gabonicus"
* Western Violet-backed Sunbird, "Anthreptes longuemarei"
* Collared Sunbird, "Hedydipna collaris"
* Pygmy Sunbird, "Hedydipna platura"
* Green-headed Sunbird, "Cyanomitra verticalis"
* Scarlet-chested Sunbird, "Chalcomitra senegalensis"
* Olive-bellied Sunbird, "Cinnyris chloropygia" (A)
* Beautiful Sunbird, "Cinnyris pulchellus"
* Splendid Sunbird, "Cinnyris coccinigaster"
* Variable Sunbird, "Cinnyris venustus"
* Copper Sunbird, "Cinnyris cupreus"

White-eyes

Order: Passeriformes Family: Zosteropidae
* African Yellow White-eye, "Zosterops senegalensis"

Orioles

Order: Passeriformes Family: Oriolidae
* Eurasian Golden Oriole, "Oriolus oriolus" (A)
* African Golden Oriole, "Oriolus auratus"

Shrikes

Order: Passeriformes Family: Laniidae
* Isabelline Shrike, "Lanius isabellinus" (A)
* Southern Grey Shrike, "Lanius meridionalis" (A)
* Woodchat Shrike, "Lanius senator"
* Yellow-billed Shrike, "Corvinella corvina"

Bushshrikes

Order: Passeriformes Family: Malaconotidae
* Brubru, "Nilaus afer"
* Northern Puffback, "Dryoscopus gambensis"
* Black-crowned Tchagra, "Tchagra senegala"
* Yellow-crowned Gonolek, "Laniarius barbarus"
* Sulphur-breasted Bushshrike, "Telophorus sulfureopectus"
* Grey-headed Bushshrike, "Malaconotus blanchoti"

Helmetshrikes

Order: Passeriformes Family: Prionopidae
* White Helmetshrike, "Prionops plumatus"

Drongos

Order: Passeriformes Family: Dicruridae
* Square-tailed Drongo, "Dicrurus ludwigii"
* Fork-tailed Drongo, "Dicrurus adsimilis"

Piapiac, crows and ravens

Order: Passeriformes Family: Corvidae
* Piapiac, "Ptilostomus afer"
* Pied Crow, "Corvus albus"
* Brown-necked Raven, "Corvus ruficollis" (A)

Starlings

Order: Passeriformes Family: Sturnidae
* Wattled Starling, "Creatophora cinerea" (A)
* Greater Blue-eared Glossy Starling, "Lamprotornis chalybaeus"
* Lesser Blue-eared Glossy-starling, "Lamprotornis chloropterus"
* Bronze-tailed Glossy-starling, "Lamprotornis chalcurus"
* Splendid Glossy-starling, "Lamprotornis splendidus"
* Purple Glossy Starling, "Lamprotornis purpureus"
* Long-tailed Glossy Starling, "Lamprotornis caudatus"
* Chestnut-bellied Starling, "Lamprotornis pulcher"
* Violet-backed Starling, "Cinnyricinclus leucogaster"
* Yellow-billed Oxpecker, "Buphagus africanus"

=Weavers=

Order: Passeriformes Family: Ploceidae
* White-billed Buffalo-weaver, "Bubalornis albirostris"
* Speckle-fronted Weaver, "Sporopipes frontalis"
* Chestnut-crowned Sparrow-weaver, "Plocepasser superciliosus"
* Little Weaver, "Ploceus luteolus"
* Black-necked Weaver, "Ploceus nigricollis"
* Heuglin's Masked-weaver, "Ploceus heuglini"
* Vitelline Masked-weaver, "Ploceus velatus"
* Village Weaver, "Ploceus cucullatus"
* Vieillot's Weaver, "Ploceus nigerrimus" (A)
* Yellow-backed Weaver, "Ploceus melanocephalus"
* Gray's Malimbe, "Malimbus nitens" (A)
* Red-headed Weaver, "Anaplectes rubriceps"
* Red-headed Quelea, "Quelea erythrops"
* Red-billed Quelea, "Quelea quelea"
* Yellow-crowned Bishop, "Euplectes afer"
* Black-winged Bishop, "Euplectes hordeaceus"
* Northern Red Bishop, "Euplectes franciscanus"
* Yellow-shouldered Widowbird, "Euplectes macrourus"
* Red-collared Widowbird, "Euplectes ardens"
* Parasitic Weaver, "Anomalospiza imberbis" (A)

Estrildid finches

Order: Passeriformes Family: Estrildidae
* Chestnut-breasted Negrofinch, "Nigrita bicolor" (A)
* Grey-headed Oliveback, "Nesocharis capistrata" (A)
* Red-winged Pytilia, "Pytilia phoenicoptera"
* Green-winged Pytilia, "Pytilia melba"
* Crimson Seedcracker, "Pyrenestes sanguineus"
* Western Bluebill, "Spermophaga haematina"
* Bar-breasted Firefinch, "Lagonosticta rufopicta"
* Red-billed Firefinch, "Lagonosticta senegala"
* Black-faced Firefinch, "Lagonosticta larvata"
* Red-cheeked Cordonbleu, "Uraeginthus bengalus"
* Lavender Waxbill, "Estrilda caerulescens"
* Orange-cheeked Waxbill, "Estrilda melpoda"
* Black-rumped Waxbill, "Estrilda troglodytes"
* Zebra Waxbill, "Amandava subflava"
* African Quailfinch, "Ortygospiza atricollis"
* African Silverbill, "Lonchura cantans"
* Bronze Mannikin, "Lonchura cucullata"
* Magpie Mannikin, "Lonchura fringilloides"
* Cut-throat, "Amadina fasciata"

=Indigobirds and whydahs=

Order: Passeriformes Family: Viduidae
* Village Indigobird, "Vidua chalybeata"
* Baka Indigobird, "Vidua larvaticola"
* Quailfinch Indigobird, "Vidua nigeriae"
* Cameroon Indigobird, "Vidua camerunensis"
* Pin-tailed Whydah, "Vidua macroura"
* Exclamatory Paradise Whydah, "Vidua interjecta"
* Northern Paradise Whydah, "Vidua orientalis"

=Buntings=

Order: Passeriformes Family: Emberizidae
* Ortolan Bunting, "Emberiza hortulana" (A)
* House Bunting, "Emberiza striolata" (A)
* Cinnamon-breasted Bunting, "Emberiza tahapisi"
* Brown-rumped Bunting, "Emberiza affinis"

=Canaries and seedeaters=

Order: Passeriformes Family: Fringillidae
* White-rumped Seedeater, "Serinus leucopygius"
* Yellow-fronted Canary, "Serinus mozambicus"

Sparrows

Order: Passeriformes Family: Passeridae
* House Sparrow, "Passer domesticus" (I)
* Grey-headed Sparrow, "Passer griseus"
* Sudan Golden Sparrow, "Passer luteus"
* Bush Petronia, "Petronia dentata"

ee also

* List of regional bird lists

References

*cite journal |last= Collinson |first= Martin |month = June | year = 2006 |title = Splitting headaches? Recent taxonomic changes affecting the British and Western Palaearctic lists |journal= British Birds |volume= 99 |pages= 306–323

External links

* [http://www.africanbirdclub.org/countries/checklists/index.html African Bird Club's checklist for The Gambia]
* [http://www.bsc-eoc.org/avibase/checklist.jsp?lang=EN&region=gm&list=clements Avibase checklist for The Gambia]