List of birds of Turkmenistan

This is a list of the bird species recorded in Turkmenistan. The avifauna of Turkmenistan includes a total of 409 species, of which 1 is 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 Clements's 5th edition. The family accounts at the beginning of each heading reflects this taxonomy, as do the species counts found in each family account. Accidental species are included in the total species counts for Turkmenistan.

The following tags have been used to highlight certain relevant categories. It must be noted that not all species 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 Turkmenistan.

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Loons

Order: GaviiformesFamily: Gaviidae

Loons, known as Divers in Europe, are group of aquatic birds found in many parts of North America and northern Europe. They are the size of a large duck or small goose, which they somewhat resembles in shape when swimming, but they completely unrelated to these waterfowl. There are 5 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in Turkmenistan.

*Red-throated Loon "Gavia stellata"
*Arctic Loon "Gavia arctica"

Grebes

Order: PodicipediformesFamily: Podicipedidae

Grebes are small to medium-large sized 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 5 species which occur in Turkmenistan.

*Little Grebe "Tachybaptus ruficollis"
*Red-necked Grebe "Podiceps grisegena"
*Great Crested Grebe "Podiceps cristatus"
*Horned Grebe "Podiceps auritus"
*Eared Grebe "Podiceps nigricollis"

Pelicans

Order: PelecaniformesFamily: Pelecanidae

Pelicans are large water birds with a distinctive pouch under the 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 Turkmenistan.

*Great White Pelican "Pelecanus onocrotalus"
*Dalmatian Pelican "Pelecanus crispus"

Cormorants

Order: PelecaniformesFamily: Phalacrocoracidae

The Phalacrocoracidae is a family of medium-to-large coastal, fish-eating sea-birds 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. There are 38 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in Turkmenistan.

*Great Cormorant "Phalacrocorax carbo"
*Pygmy Cormorant "Phalacrocorax pygmaeus"

Bitterns, Herons and Egrets

Order: CiconiiformesFamily: Ardeidae

The family Ardeidae contains the bitterns, herons and egrets. Herons and egrets are medium to large sized wading birds with long necks and legs. Bitterns tend to be shorter necked and more wary. Unlike other long-necked birds suck as storks, ibises and spoonbills, members of Ardeidae fly with their necks retracted. There are 61 species worldwide and 8 species which occur in Turkmenistan.

*Gray Heron "Ardea cinerea"
*Purple Heron "Ardea purpurea"
*Great Egret "Ardea alba"
*Little Egret "Egretta garzetta"
*Squacco Heron "Ardeola ralloides"
*Cattle Egret "Bubulcus ibis"
*Black-crowned Night-Heron "Nycticorax nycticorax"
*Great Bittern "Botaurus stellaris"

torks

Order: CiconiiformesFamily: Ciconiidae

Storks are large, long-legged, long-necked, wading birds with long, stout bills. Storks are mute; bill-clattering is an important mode of stork communication at the nest. Their nests can be large and may be reused for many years. Many species are migratory. There are 19 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in Turkmenistan.

*Black Stork "Ciconia nigra"
*White Stork "Ciconia ciconia"

Ibises and Spoonbills

Order: CiconiiformesFamily: Threskiornithidae

The Threskiornithidae is a family of large terrestrial and wading birds which includes the ibises and spoonbills. They have long, broad wings with 11 primary and about 20 secondary feathers. They are strong fliers and despite their size and weight, very capable soarers. There are 36 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in Turkmenistan.

*Glossy Ibis "Plegadis falcinellus"
*Eurasian Spoonbill "Platalea leucorodia"

Flamingos

Order: PhoenicopteriformesFamily: Phoenicopteridae

Flamingos are gregarious wading birds, usually 3 to convert|5|ft|m high, found in both the Western and Eastern Hemispheres. They are more numerous in the latter. Flamingos filter-feed on shellfish and algae. Their oddly-shaped beaks are specially adapted to separate mud and silt from the food they consume, and are uniquely used upside-down. There are 6 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Turkmenistan.

*Greater Flamingo "Phoenicopterus roseus"

Ducks, Geese and Swans

Order: AnseriformesFamily: Anatidae

The family Anatidae includes the ducks and most duck-like waterfowl, such as geese and swans. These are birds that are modified for an aquatic existence with webbed feet, flattened bills and feathers that are excellent at shedding water due to an oily coating. There are 131 species worldwide and 29 species which occur in Turkmenistan.

*Mute Swan "Cygnus olor"
*Whooper Swan "Cygnus cygnus"
*Bean Goose "Anser fabalis"
*Greater White-fronted Goose "Anser albifrons"
*Lesser White-fronted Goose "Anser erythropus"
*Greylag Goose "Anser anser"
*Red-breasted Goose "Branta ruficollis"
*Ruddy Shelduck "Tadorna ferruginea"
*Common Shelduck "Tadorna tadorna"
*Eurasian Wigeon "Anas penelope"
*Gadwall "Anas strepera"
*Eurasian Teal "Anas crecca"
*Mallard "Anas platyrhynchos"
*Northern Pintail "Anas acuta"
*Garganey "Anas querquedula"
*Northern Shoveler "Anas clypeata"
*Marbled Teal "Marmaronetta angustirostris"
*Red-crested Pochard "Netta rufina"
*Common Pochard "Aythya ferina"
*Ferruginous Pochard "Aythya nyroca"
*Tufted Duck "Aythya fuligula"
*Greater Scaup "Aythya marila"
*Long-tailed Duck "Clangula hyemalis"
*White-winged Scoter "Melanitta fusca"
*Common Goldeneye "Bucephala clangula"
*Smew "Mergellus albellus"
*Red-breasted Merganser "Mergus serrator"
*Common Merganser "Mergus merganser"
*White-headed Duck "Oxyura leucocephala"

Osprey

Order: FalconiformesFamily: Pandionidae

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

*Osprey "Pandion haliaetus"

Hawks, Kites and Eagles

Order: FalconiformesFamily: Accipitridae

Accipitridae is a family of birds of prey and include 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. There are 233 species worldwide and 27 species which occur in Turkmenistan.

*European Honey-buzzard "Pernis apivorus"
*Black Kite "Milvus migrans"
*Pallas's Fish-Eagle "Haliaeetus leucoryphus"
*White-tailed Eagle "Haliaeetus albicilla"
*Bald Eagle "Haliaeetus leucocephalus" (A)
*Lammergeier "Gypaetus barbatus"
*Egyptian Vulture "Neophron percnopterus"
*Eurasian Griffon "Gyps fulvus"
*Cinereous Vulture "Aegypius monachus"
*Short-toed Eagle "Circaetus gallicus"
*Western Marsh-Harrier "Circus aeruginosus"
*Northern Harrier "Circus cyaneus"
*Pallid Harrier "Circus macrourus"
*Montagu's Harrier "Circus pygargus"
*Shikra "Accipiter badius"
*Levant Sparrowhawk "Accipiter brevipes"
*Eurasian Sparrowhawk "Accipiter nisus"
*Northern Goshawk "Accipiter gentilis"
*Eurasian Buzzard "Buteo buteo"
*Long-legged Buzzard "Buteo rufinus"
*Rough-legged Hawk "Buteo lagopus"
*Greater Spotted Eagle "Aquila clanga"
*Steppe Eagle "Aquila nipalensis"
*Imperial Eagle "Aquila heliaca"
*Golden Eagle "Aquila chrysaetos"
*Bonelli's Eagle "Aquila fasciatus"
*Booted Eagle "Aquila pennatus"

Caracaras and Falcons

Order: FalconiformesFamily: Falconidae

Falconidae is a family of diurnal birds of prey. They differ from hawks, eagles, and kites in that they kill with their beaks instead of their feet. There are 62 species worldwide and 9 species which occur in Turkmenistan.

*Lesser Kestrel "Falco naumanni"
*Eurasian Kestrel "Falco tinnunculus"
*Red-footed Falcon "Falco vespertinus"
*Merlin "Falco columbarius"
*Eurasian Hobby "Falco subbuteo"
*Laggar Falcon "Falco jugger"
*Saker Falcon "Falco cherrug"
*Barbary Falcon "Falco pelegrinoides"
*Peregrine Falcon "Falco peregrinus"

Grouse

Order: GalliformesFamily: Tetraonidae

Grouse are game birds, similar to quails and partridge. There are 18 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Turkmenistan.

*Black Grouse "Tetrao tetrix"

Pheasants and Partridges

Order: GalliformesFamily: Phasianidae

The Phasianidae are a family of terrestrial birds which consists of quails, partridges, snowcocks, francolins, spurfowls, tragopans, monals, pheasants, peafowls and jungle fowls. In general, they are plump (although they may vary in size) and have broad, relatively short wings. There are 156 species worldwide and 6 species which occur in Turkmenistan.

*Caspian Snowcock "Tetraogallus caspius"
*Chukar "Alectoris chukar"
*See-see Partridge "Ammoperdix griseogularis"
*Black Francolin "Francolinus francolinus"
*Common Quail "Coturnix coturnix"
*Ring-necked Pheasant "Phasianus colchicus"

Cranes

Order: GruiformesFamily: Gruidae

Cranes are large, long-legged and long-necked birds. Unlike the similar-looking but unrelated herons, cranes fly with necks outstretched, not pulled back. Most have elaborate and noisy courting displays or "dances". There are 15 species worldwide and 3 species which occur in Turkmenistan.

*Demoiselle Crane "Anthropoides virgo"
*Siberian Crane "Grus leucogeranus"
*Common Crane "Grus grus"

Rails, Crakes, Gallinules, and Coots

Order: GruiformesFamily: Rallidae

Rallidae is a large family of small to medium-sized birds which includes the rails, crakes, coots, and gallinules. Typically they inhabit dense vegetation in damp environments near lakes, swamps, or rivers. In general they are shy and secretive birds, difficult to observe. Most species have strong legs, and have long toes which are well adapted to soft, uneven surfaces. They tend to have short, rounded wings and be weak fliers. There are 143 species worldwide and 8 species which occur in Turkmenistan.

*Water Rail "Rallus aquaticus"
*Corn Crake "Crex crex"
*Little Crake "Porzana parva"
*Baillon's Crake "Porzana pusilla"
*Spotted Crake "Porzana porzana"
*Purple Swamphen "Porphyrio porphyrio"
*Common Moorhen "Gallinula chloropus"
*Eurasian Coot "Fulica atra"

Bustards

Order: GruiformesFamily: Otididae

Bustards are large terrestrial birds mainly associated with dry open country and steppes in the Old World. They are omnivorous and nest on the ground. They walk steadily on strong legs and big toes, pecking for food as they go. They have long broad wings with "fingered" wingtips, and striking patterns in flight. Many have interesting mating displays. There are 26 species worldwide and 3 species which occur in Turkmenistan.

*Great Bustard "Otis tarda"
*Houbara Bustard "Chlamydotis undulata"
*Little Bustard "Tetrax tetrax"

Oystercatchers

Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Haematopodidae

The oystercatchers are large and noisy plover-like birds, with strong bills used for smashing or prising open molluscs. There are 11 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Turkmenistan.

*Eurasian Oystercatcher "Haematopus ostralegus"

Avocets and Stilts

Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Recurvirostridae

Recurvirostridae is a family of large wading birds, which includes the avocets and the 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 Turkmenistan.

*Black-winged Stilt "Himantopus himantopus"
*Pied Avocet "Recurvirostra avosetta"

Thick-knees

Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Burhinidae

The thick-knees are a group of largely tropical waders in the family Burhinidae. They are found worldwide within the tropical zone, with some species also breeding in temperate Europe and Australia. They are medium to large waders with strong black or yellow black bills, large yellow eyes and cryptic plumage. Despite being classed as waders, most species have a preference for arid or semi-arid habitats. There are 9 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Turkmenistan.

*Eurasian Thick-knee "Burhinus oedicnemus"

Pratincoles and Coursers

Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Glareolidae

Glareolidae is a family of wading birds comprising the pratincoles, which have short legs, long pointed wings and long forked tails, and the coursers, which have long legs, short wings and long pointed bills which curve downwards. There are 17 species worldwide and 3 species which occur in Turkmenistan.

*Cream-colored Courser "Cursorius cursor"
*Collared Pratincole "Glareola pratincola"
*Black-winged Pratincole "Glareola nordmanni"

Plovers and Lapwings

Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Charadriidae

The family Charadriidae includes the plovers, dotterels, and lapwings. They are small to medium-sized birds with compact bodies, short, thick necks and long, usually pointed, wings. They are found in open country worldwide, mostly in habitats near water, although there are some exceptions. There are 66 species worldwide and 13 species which occur in Turkmenistan.

*Northern Lapwing "Vanellus vanellus"
*Red-wattled Lapwing "Vanellus indicus"
*Sociable Lapwing "Vanellus gregarius"
*White-tailed Lapwing "Vanellus leucurus"
*European Golden-Plover "Pluvialis apricaria"
*Black-bellied Plover "Pluvialis squatarola"
*Common Ringed Plover "Charadrius hiaticula"
*Little Ringed Plover "Charadrius dubius"
*Snowy Plover "Charadrius alexandrinus"
*Lesser Sandplover "Charadrius mongolus"
*Greater Sandplover "Charadrius leschenaultii"
*Caspian Plover "Charadrius asiaticus"
*Eurasian Dotterel "Charadrius morinellus"

andpipers and allies

Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Scolopacidae

The Scolopacidae are 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 species eat small invertebrates picked out of the mud or soil. Variation in length of legs and bills enable different species to feed in the same habitat, particularly on the coast, without direct competition for food. There are 89 species worldwide and 27 species which occur in Turkmenistan.

*Eurasian Woodcock "Scolopax rusticola"
*Jack Snipe "Lymnocryptes minimus"
*Solitary Snipe "Gallinago solitaria"
*Great Snipe "Gallinago media"
*Common Snipe "Gallinago gallinago"
*Black-tailed Godwit "Limosa limosa"
*Bar-tailed Godwit "Limosa lapponica"
*Whimbrel "Numenius phaeopus"
*Slender-billed Curlew "Numenius tenuirostris"
*Eurasian Curlew "Numenius arquata"
*Spotted Redshank "Tringa erythropus"
*Common Redshank "Tringa totanus"
*Marsh Sandpiper "Tringa stagnatilis"
*Common Greenshank "Tringa nebularia"
*Green Sandpiper "Tringa ochropus"
*Wood Sandpiper "Tringa glareola"
*Terek Sandpiper "Xenus cinereus"
*Common Sandpiper "Actitis hypoleucos"
*Ruddy Turnstone "Arenaria interpres"
*Sanderling "Calidris alba"
*Little Stint "Calidris minuta"
*Temminck's Stint "Calidris temminckii"
*Curlew Sandpiper "Calidris ferruginea"
*Dunlin "Calidris alpina"
*Broad-billed Sandpiper "Limicola falcinellus"
*Ruff "Philomachus pugnax"
*Red-necked Phalarope "Phalaropus lobatus"

kuas and Jaegers

Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Stercorariidae

The family Stercorariidae are, in general, medium to large birds, typically with grey or brown plumage, often with white markings on the wings. They nest on the ground in temperate and arctic regions and are long-distance migrants. There are 7 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Turkmenistan.

*Parasitic Jaeger "Stercorarius parasiticus"

Gulls

Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Laridae

Laridae is a family of medium to large birds seabirds and includes gulls and kittiwakes. They are typically grey or white, often with black markings on the head or wings. They have stout, longish bills and webbed feet. There are 55 species worldwide and 11 species which occur in Turkmenistan.

*Mew Gull "Larus canus"
*Herring Gull "Larus argentatus"
*Lesser Black-backed Gull "Larus fuscus"
*Heuglin's Gull "Larus heuglini"
*Caspian Gull "Larus cachinnans"
*Steppe Gull "Larus barabensis"
*Great Black-headed Gull "Larus ichthyaetus"
*Brown-headed Gull "Larus brunnicephalus"
*Black-headed Gull "Larus ridibundus"
*Slender-billed Gull "Larus genei"
*Little Gull "Larus minutus"

Terns

Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Sternidae

Terns are a group of generally general medium to large sea-birds 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 now known to live in excess of 25 to 30 years. There are 44 species worldwide and 8 species which occur in Turkmenistan.

*Gull-billed Tern "Sterna nilotica"
*Caspian Tern "Sterna caspia"
*Sandwich Tern "Sterna sandvicensis"
*Common Tern "Sterna hirundo"
*Little Tern "Sterna albifrons"
*Whiskered Tern "Chlidonias hybridus"
*White-winged Tern "Chlidonias leucopterus"
*Black Tern "Chlidonias niger"

andgrouse

Order: PterocliformesFamily: Pteroclidae

Sandgrouse have small, pigeon like heads and necks, but sturdy compact bodies. They have long pointed wings and sometimes tails and a fast direct flight. Flocks fly to watering holes at dawn and dusk. Their legs are feathered down to the toes. There are 16 species worldwide and 3 species which occur in Turkmenistan.

*Pallas's Sandgrouse "Syrrhaptes paradoxus"
*Pin-tailed Sandgrouse "Pterocles alchata"
*Black-bellied Sandgrouse "Pterocles orientalis"

Pigeons and Doves

Order: ColumbiformesFamily: Columbidae

Pigeons and doves are stout-bodied birds with short necks and short slender bills with a fleshy cere. There are 308 species worldwide and 10 species which occur in Turkmenistan.

*Rock Pigeon "Columba livia"
*Hill Pigeon "Columba rupestris"
*Snow Pigeon "Columba leuconota"
*Stock Pigeon "Columba oenas"
*Pale-backed Pigeon "Columba eversmanni"
*Common Wood-Pigeon "Columba palumbus"
*Eurasian Turtle-Dove "Streptopelia turtur"
*Oriental Turtle-Dove "Streptopelia orientalis"
*Eurasian Collared-Dove "Streptopelia decaocto"
*Laughing Dove "Streptopelia senegalensis"

Cuckoos and Anis

Order: CuculiformesFamily: Cuculidae

The family Cuculidae includes cuckoos, roadrunners and anis. These birds are of variable size with slender bodies, long tails and strong legs. Unlike the cuckoo species of the Old World, North American cuckoos are not brood parasites. There are 138 species worldwide and 3 species which occur in Turkmenistan.

*Great Spotted Cuckoo "Clamator glandarius"
*Common Cuckoo "Cuculus canorus"
*Horsfield's Cuckoo "Cuculus horsfieldi"

Typical owls

Order: StrigiformesFamily: Strigidae

Typical owls are small to large solitary nocturnal birds of prey. They have large forward-facing eyes and ears, a hawk-like beak, and a conspicuous circle of feathers around each eye called a facial disk. There are 195 species worldwide and 8 species which occur in Turkmenistan.

*Pallid Scops-Owl "Otus brucei"
*European Scops-Owl "Otus scops"
*Eurasian Eagle-Owl "Bubo bubo"
*Snowy Owl "Bubo scandiacus"
*Tawny Owl "Strix aluco"
*Little Owl "Athene noctua"
*Long-eared Owl "Asio otus"
*Short-eared Owl "Asio flammeus"

Nightjars

Order: CaprimulgiformesFamily: Caprimulgidae

Nightjars are medium-sized nocturnal birds with long wings, short legs and very short bills that usually nest on the ground. Most have small feet, of little use for walking, and long pointed wings. Their soft plumage is camouflaged to resemble bark or leaves. There are 86 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in Turkmenistan.

*Eurasian Nightjar "Caprimulgus europaeus"
*Egyptian Nightjar "Caprimulgus aegyptius"

wifts

Order: ApodiformesFamily: Apodidae

Swifts are small aerial birds, spending 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 that resemble a crescent or a boomerang. There are 98 species worldwide and 3 species which occur in Turkmenistan.

*Alpine Swift "Tachymarptis melba"
*Common Swift "Apus apus"
*Little Swift "Apus affinis"

Kingfishers

Order: CoraciiformesFamily: Alcedinidae

Kingfishers are medium-sized birds with large heads, long pointed bills, short legs, and stubby tails. There are 93 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Turkmenistan.

*Common Kingfisher "Alcedo atthis"

Bee-eaters

Order: CoraciiformesFamily: Meropidae

The bee-eaters are a group of near passerine birds in the family Meropidae. Most species are found in Africa but others occur in southern Europe, Madagascar, Australia and New Guinea. They are characterised by richly coloured plumage, slender bodies and usually elongated central tail feathers. All are colorful 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 2 species which occur in Turkmenistan.

*Blue-cheeked Bee-eater "Merops persicus"
*European Bee-eater "Merops apiaster"

Typical Rollers

Order: CoraciiformesFamily: Coraciidae

Rollers resemble crows in size and build, but are more closely related to the kingfishers and bee-eaters. They share the colourful appearance of those groups with blues and browns predominating. The two inner front toes are connected, but the outer toe is not. There are 12 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Turkmenistan.

*European Roller "Coracias garrulus"

Hoopoes

Order: CoraciiformesFamily: Upupidae

Hoopoes have black, white and orangey-pink colouring with a large erectile crest on their head. There are 2 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Turkmenistan.

*Hoopoe "Upupa epops"

Woodpeckers and allies

Order: PiciformesFamily: Picidae

Woodpeckers are small to medium sized birds with chisel like beaks, short legs, stiff tails and long tongues used for capturing insects. Some species have feet with two toes pointing forward, and two backward, while several species have only three toes. Many woodpeckers have the habit of tapping noisily on tree trunks with their beaks. There are 218 species worldwide and 5 species which occur in Turkmenistan.

*Eurasian Wryneck "Jynx torquilla"
*Great Spotted Woodpecker "Dendrocopos major"
*White-winged Woodpecker "Dendrocopos leucopterus"
*Scaly-bellied Woodpecker "Picus squamatus"
*Green Woodpecker "Picus viridis"

Larks

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Alaudidae

Larks are small terrestrial birds with often extravagant songs and display flights. Most larks are fairly dull in appearance. Their food is insects and seeds. There are 91 species worldwide and 13 species which occur in Turkmenistan.

*Desert Lark "Ammomanes deserti"
*Calandra Lark "Melanocorypha calandra"
*Bimaculated Lark "Melanocorypha bimaculata"
*White-winged Lark "Melanocorypha leucoptera"
*Black Lark "Melanocorypha yeltoniensis"
*Greater Short-toed Lark "Calandrella brachydactyla"
*Hume's Lark "Calandrella acutirostris"
*Lesser Short-toed Lark "Calandrella rufescens"
*Crested Lark "Galerida cristata"
*Wood Lark "Lullula arborea"
*Eurasian Skylark "Alauda arvensis"
*Oriental Skylark "Alauda gulgula"
*Horned Lark "Eremophila alpestris"

wallows and Martins

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Hirundinidae

The Hirundinidae family is a group of passerines characterized by their adaptation to aerial feeding. Their adaptations include a slender streamlined body, long pointed wings and short bills with wide gape. The feet are designed for perching rather than walking, and the front toes are partially joined at the base. There are 75 species worldwide and 7 species which occur in Turkmenistan.

*Bank Swallow "Riparia riparia"
*Plain Martin "Riparia paludicola"
*Eurasian Crag-Martin "Ptyonoprogne rupestris"
*Barn Swallow "Hirundo rustica"
*Wire-tailed Swallow "Hirundo smithii"
*Red-rumped Swallow "Cecropis daurica"
*Common House-Martin "Delichon urbica"

Wagtails and Pipits

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Motacillidae

The Motacillidae are 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 9 species which occur in Turkmenistan.

*White Wagtail "Motacilla alba"
*Citrine Wagtail "Motacilla citreola"
*Yellow Wagtail "Motacilla flava"
*Gray Wagtail "Motacilla cinerea"
*Tawny Pipit "Anthus campestris"
*Tree Pipit "Anthus trivialis"
*Meadow Pipit "Anthus pratensis"
*Red-throated Pipit "Anthus cervinus"
*Water Pipit "Anthus spinoletta"

Kinglets

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Regulidae

The kinglets or crests are a small group of birds often included in the Old World warblers, but frequently given family status because they also resemble the titmice. There are 7 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Turkmenistan.

*Goldcrest "Regulus regulus"

Waxwings

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Bombycillidae

The waxwings are a group of passerine birds characterized by soft silky plumage and unique red tips to some of the wing feathers. In the Bohemian and Cedar Waxwings, these tips look like sealing wax, and give the group its name. These are arboreal birds of northern forests. They live on insects in summer and berries in winter. There are 3 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Turkmenistan.

*Bohemian Waxwing "Bombycilla garrulus"

Grey Hypocolius

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Hypocoliidae

The Grey Hypocolius is a small Middle Eastern bird. They are mainly a uniform grey color, with males having a black triangular mask around the eyes, and with the shape and soft plumage of the waxwings.

*Hypocolius "Hypocolius ampelinus"

Dippers

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Cinclidae

Dippers are a group of perching birds whose habitat includes aquatic environments in the Americas, Europe, and Asia. They are named for their bobbing or dipping movements. There are 5 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Turkmenistan.

*White-throated Dipper "Cinclus cinclus"

Wrens

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Troglodytidae

The wrens are mainly small and inconspicuous except for their loud songs. These birds have short wings and a thin down-turned bill. Several species often hold their tails upright. All are insectivorous. There are 80 species worldwide (of which all but one are New World species) and 1 species which occurs in Turkmenistan.

*Winter Wren "Troglodytes troglodytes"

Accentors

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Prunellidae

The accentors are in the only bird family, Prunellidae, which is completely endemic to the Palearctic. They are small, fairly drab species superficially similar to sparrows. There are 13 species worldwide and 5 species which occur in Turkmenistan.

*Alpine Accentor "Prunella collaris"
*Radde's Accentor "Prunella ocularis"
*Brown Accentor "Prunella fulvescens"
*Black-throated Accentor "Prunella atrogularis"
*Dunnock "Prunella modularis"

Thrushes and allies

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Turdidae

The thrushes are a group of passerine birds that occur mainly in the Old World. They are plump, soft plumaged, small to medium-sized insectivores or sometimes omnivores, often feeding on the ground. Many have attractive songs. There are 335 species worldwide and 10 species which occur in Turkmenistan.

*Rufous-tailed Rock-Thrush "Monticola saxatilis"
*Blue Rock-Thrush "Monticola solitarius"
*Blue Whistling-Thrush "Myophonus caeruleus"
*Ring Ouzel "Turdus torquatus"
*Eurasian Blackbird "Turdus merula"
*Dark-throated Thrush "Turdus ruficollis"
*Fieldfare "Turdus pilaris"
*Redwing "Turdus iliacus"
*Song Thrush "Turdus philomelos"
*Mistle Thrush "Turdus viscivorus"

Cisticolas and allies

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Cisticolidae

The Cisticolidae are warblers found mainly in warmer southern regions of the Old World. They are generally very small birds of drab brown or grey appearance found in open country such as grassland or scrub. There are 111 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Turkmenistan.

*Streaked Scrub-Warbler "Scotocerca inquieta"

Old World warblers

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Sylviidae

The family Sylviidae is a group of small insectivorous passerine birds. The Sylviidae 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. There are 291 species worldwide and 37 species which occur in Turkmenistan.

*Cetti's Warbler "Cettia cetti"
*Grasshopper Warbler "Locustella naevia"
*Eurasian River Warbler "Locustella fluviatilis"
*Savi's Warbler "Locustella luscinioides"
*Moustached Warbler "Acrocephalus melanopogon"
*Sedge Warbler "Acrocephalus schoenobaenus"
*Paddyfield Warbler "Acrocephalus agricola"
*Eurasian Reed-Warbler "Acrocephalus scirpaceus"
*Blyth's Reed-Warbler "Acrocephalus dumetorum"
*Marsh Warbler "Acrocephalus palustris"
*Great Reed-Warbler "Acrocephalus arundinaceus"
*Clamorous Reed-Warbler "Acrocephalus stentoreus"
*Booted Warbler "Hippolais caligata"
*Sykes's Warbler "Hippolais rama"
*Eastern Olivaceous Warbler "Hippolais pallida"
*Upcher's Warbler "Hippolais languida"
*Icterine Warbler "Hippolais icterina"
*White-browed Tit-Warbler "Leptopoecile sophiae"
*Willow Warbler "Phylloscopus trochilus"
*Common Chiffchaff "Phylloscopus collybita"
*Mountain Chiffchaff "Phylloscopus sindianus"
*Plain Leaf-Warbler "Phylloscopus neglectus"
*Wood Warbler "Phylloscopus sibilatrix"
*Sulphur-bellied Warbler "Phylloscopus griseolus"
*Brooks's Leaf-Warbler "Phylloscopus subviridis"
*Yellow-browed Warbler "Phylloscopus inornatus"
*Greenish Warbler "Phylloscopus trochiloides"
*Blackcap "Sylvia atricapilla"
*Garden Warbler "Sylvia borin"
*Greater Whitethroat "Sylvia communis"
*Lesser Whitethroat "Sylvia curruca"
*Small Whitethroat "Sylvia minula"
*Hume's Whitethroat "Sylvia althaea"
*Asian Desert Warbler "Sylvia nana"
*Barred Warbler "Sylvia nisoria"
*Eastern Orphean Warbler "Sylvia crassirostris"
*Menetries's Warbler "Sylvia mystacea"

Old World flycatchers

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Muscicapidae

Old World flycatchers are a large group of small passerine birds native to the Old World. They are mainly small arboreal insectivores. The appearance of these birds is very varied, but they mostly have weak songs and harsh calls. There 274 species worldwide and 24 species which occur in Turkmenistan.

*Spotted Flycatcher "Muscicapa striata"
*Collared Flycatcher "Ficedula albicollis"
*Semicollared Flycatcher "Ficedula semitorquata"
*Red-breasted Flycatcher "Ficedula parva"
*European Robin "Erithacus rubecula"
*Thrush Nightingale "Luscinia luscinia"
*Common Nightingale "Luscinia megarhynchos"
*Bluethroat "Luscinia svecica"
*White-throated Robin "Irania gutturalis"
*Rufous-tailed Scrub-Robin "Cercotrichas galactotes"
*Rufous-backed Redstart "Phoenicurus erythronota"
*Black Redstart "Phoenicurus ochruros"
*Common Redstart "Phoenicurus phoenicurus"
*Siberian Stonechat "Saxicola maura"
*Whinchat "Saxicola rubetra"
*Pied Bushchat "Saxicola caprata"
*Northern Wheatear "Oenanthe oenanthe"
*Finsch's Wheatear "Oenanthe finschii"
*Variable Wheatear "Oenanthe picata"
*Pied Wheatear "Oenanthe pleschanka"
*Black-eared Wheatear "Oenanthe hispanica"
*Red-tailed Wheatear "Oenanthe xanthoprymna"
*Desert Wheatear "Oenanthe deserti"
*Isabelline Wheatear "Oenanthe isabellina"

Monarch flycatchers

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Monarchidae

The monarch flycatchers are small to medium-sized insectivorous passerines, which hunt by flycatching. There are 99 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Turkmenistan.

*Asian Paradise-Flycatcher "Terpsiphone paradisi"

Parrotbills

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Paradoxornithidae

The parrotbills are a group of birds native to East and Southeast Asia, though feral populations are known from elsewhere. They are generally small, long-tailed birds which inhabit reedbeds and similar habitats. There are 20 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Turkmenistan.

*Bearded Reedling "Panurus biarmicus"

Long-tailed tits

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Aegithalidae

Long-tailed tits are a group of small passerine birds with medium to long tails. They make woven bag nests in trees. Most eat a mixed diet that includes insects. There are 9 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Turkmenistan.

*Long-tailed Tit "Aegithalos caudatus"

Chickadees and Titmice

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Paridae

The Paridae are mainly small stocky woodland species with short stout bills. Some have crests. They are adaptable birds, with a mixed diet including seeds and insects. There are species 59 worldwide and 7 species which occur in Turkmenistan.

*Coal Tit "Periparus ater"
*Black-breasted Tit "Periparus rufonuchalis"
*Great Tit "Parus major"
*Turkestan Tit "Parus bokharensis"
*Blue Tit "Cyanistes caeruleus"
*Azure Tit "Cyanistes cyanus"
*Yellow-breasted Tit "Cyanistes flavipectus"

Nuthatches

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Sittidae

Nuthatches are small woodland birds. They have the unusual ability to climb down trees head first, unlike other birds which can only go upwards. Nuthatches have big heads, short tails and powerful bills and feet. There are 24 species worldwide and 3 species which occur in Turkmenistan.

*Eurasian Nuthatch "Sitta europaea"
*Rock Nuthatch "Sitta neumayer"
*Persian Nuthatch "Sitta tephronota"

Wallcreeper

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Tichodromidae

The Wallcreeper is a small bird with stunning crimson, grey and black plumage, related to the nuthatch family.

*Wallcreeper "Tichodroma muraria"

Treecreepers

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Certhiidae

Treecreepers are small woodland birds, brown above and white below. They have thin pointed down-curved bills, which they use to extricate insects from bark. They have stiff tail feathers, like woodpeckers, which they use to support themselves on vertical trees. There are 6 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in Turkmenistan.

*Eurasian Treecreeper "Certhia familiaris"
*Bar-tailed Treecreeper "Certhia himalayana"

Penduline tits

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Remizidae

The penduline tits are a group of small passerine birds, related to the true tits. They are insectivores. There are 13 species worldwide and 3 species which occur in Turkmenistan.

*Eurasian Penduline-Tit "Remiz pendulinus"
*Black-headed Penduline-Tit "Remiz macronyx"
*White-crowned Penduline-Tit "Remiz coronatus"

Old World Orioles

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Oriolidae

The Old World Orioles are colourful passerine birds. They are not related to the New World orioles. There are 29 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Turkmenistan.

*Eurasian Golden Oriole "Oriolus oriolus"

hrikes

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Laniidae

Shrikes are passerine birds known for their habit of catching other birds and small animals and impaling the uneaten portions of their bodies on thorns. A typical shrike's beak is hooked, like a bird of prey. There are 31 species worldwide and 9 species which occur in Turkmenistan.

*Red-backed Shrike "Lanius collurio"
*Rufous-tailed Shrike "Lanius isabellinus"
*Brown Shrike "Lanius cristatus"
*Bay-backed Shrike "Lanius vittatus"
*Long-tailed Shrike "Lanius schach"
*Northern Shrike "Lanius excubitor"
*Southern Gray Shrike "Lanius meridionalis"
*Lesser Gray Shrike "Lanius minor"
*Masked Shrike "Lanius nubicus"

Crows, Jays, Ravens and Magpies

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Corvidae

The Corvidae family includes crows, ravens, jays, choughs, magpies, treepies, nutcrackers, and ground jays. Corvids are above average in size for the bird order Passeriformes. Some of the larger species show high levels of learning behavior. There are 120 species worldwide and 10 species which occur in Turkmenistan.

*Eurasian Jay "Garrulus glandarius"
*Eurasian Magpie "Pica pica"
*Turkestan Ground-Jay "Podoces panderi"
*Red-billed Chough "Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax"
*Yellow-billed Chough "Pyrrhocorax graculus"
*Eurasian Jackdaw "Corvus monedula"
*Rook "Corvus frugilegus"
*Carrion Crow "Corvus corone"
*Brown-necked Raven "Corvus ruficollis"
*Common Raven "Corvus corax"

tarlings

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Sturnidae

Starlings are small to medium-sized passerine birds. Their flight is strong and direct, and they are very gregarious. Their preferred habitat is fairly open country. They eat insects and fruit. Plumage is typically dark with a metallic sheen. There are 125 species worldwide and 3 species which occur in Turkmenistan.

*Common Myna "Acridotheres tristis"
*Rosy Starling "Pastor roseus"
*European Starling "Sturnus vulgaris"

Buntings, Sparrows, Seedeaters and allies

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Emberizidae

The emberizids are a large family of passerine birds. They are seed-eating birds with a distinctively shaped bill. In Europe, most species are named as 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 species 275 worldwide and 11 species which occur in Turkmenistan.

*Yellowhammer "Emberiza citrinella"
*Pine Bunting "Emberiza leucocephalos"
*Rock Bunting "Emberiza cia"
*Gray-hooded Bunting "Emberiza buchanani"
*Ortolan Bunting "Emberiza hortulana"
*Chestnut-breasted Bunting "Emberiza stewarti"
*Black-headed Bunting "Emberiza melanocephala"
*Red-headed Bunting "Emberiza bruniceps"
*Reed Bunting "Emberiza schoeniclus"
*Corn Bunting "Emberiza calandra"
*Lapland Longspur "Calcarius lapponicus"

iskins, Crossbills and allies

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Fringillidae

Finches are seed-eating passerine birds, that are small to moderately large and have a strong beak, usually conical and in some species very large. All have 12 tail feathers and 9 primaries. These birds have a bouncing flight with alternating bouts of flapping and gliding on closed wings, and most sing well. There are 137 species worldwide and 19 species which occur in Turkmenistan.

*Chaffinch "Fringilla coelebs"
*Brambling "Fringilla montifringilla"
*Common Rosefinch "Carpodacus erythrinus"
*Red-fronted Rosefinch "Carpodacus puniceus"
*Red Crossbill "Loxia curvirostra"
*European Greenfinch "Carduelis chloris"
*Common Redpoll "Carduelis flammea"
*Eurasian Siskin "Carduelis spinus"
*European Goldfinch "Carduelis carduelis"
*Twite "Carduelis flavirostris"
*Eurasian Linnet "Carduelis cannabina"
*Fire-fronted Serin "Serinus pusillus"
*Eurasian Bullfinch "Pyrrhula pyrrhula"
*Hawfinch "Coccothraustes coccothraustes"
*White-winged Grosbeak "Mycerobas carnipes"
*Crimson-winged Finch "Rhodopechys sanguinea"
*Mongolian Finch "Rhodopechys mongolica"
*Trumpeter Finch "Bucanetes githaginea"
*Desert Finch "Rhodospiza obsoleta"

parrows

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Passeridae

Sparrows are small passerine birds. In general, sparrows tend to be small, plump, brown or grey birds with short tails and short powerful beaks. Sparrows are seed-eaters, and they also consume small insects. There are 35 species worldwide and 9 species which occur in Turkmenistan.

*Saxaul Sparrow "Passer ammodendri"
*House Sparrow "Passer domesticus"
*Spanish Sparrow "Passer hispaniolensis"
*Desert Sparrow "Passer simplex"
*Eurasian Tree Sparrow "Passer montanus"
*Rock Petronia "Petronia petronia"
*Pale Rockfinch "Carpospiza brachydactyla"
*White-winged Snowfinch "Montifringilla nivalis"
*Afghan Snowfinch "Montifringilla theresae"

ee also

*List of birds
*Lists of birds by region

References

*cite web
last = Lepage
first = Denis
authorlink =
coauthors =
year =
url = http://www.bsc-eoc.org/avibase/avibase.jsp?region=tm&pg=checklist&list=clements
title = Checklist of birds of Turkmenistan
format =
work = Bird Checklists of the World
publisher = Avibase
accessdate = 27 April
accessyear = 2007
*cite book
title=Birds of the World: a Checklist
first= James F.
last = Clements
publisher = Cornell University Press
date = 2000
id = ISBN 0934797161
pages = 880