This is a list of the bird species recorded in Bolivia. The avifauna of Bolivia has 1409 confirmed species. Sixteen are endemic, two have been introduced by humans, and 17 are rare or vagrants. An additional 51 species are unconfirmed (see below).
Except as an entry is cited otherwise, the list of species is that of the South American Classification Committee (SACC) of the American Ornithological Society.Remsen, J. V., Jr., J. I. Areta, E. Bonaccorso, S. Claramunt, D. F. Lane, L, N. Naka, M. B. Robbins, F. G. Stiles, and K. J. Zimmer. Version 25 July 2026. Species Lists of Birds for South American Countries and Territories. South American Classification Committee associated with the International Ornithologists' Union. https://www.museum.lsu.edu/~Remsen/SACCCountryLists.htm retrieved 25 July 2026 The list's taxonomic treatment (designation and sequence of orders, families, and species) and nomenclature (common and scientific names) are also those of the SACC unless noted otherwise. Capitalization within English names follows Wikipedia practice, i.e. only the first word of a name is capitalized unless a place name such as São Paulo is used.Remsen, J. V., Jr., J. I. Areta, E. Bonaccorso, S. Claramunt, D. F. Lane, L, N. Naka, M. B. Robbins, F. G. Stiles, and K. J. Zimmer. Version 25 July 2026. A classification of the bird species of South America. South American Classification Committee associated with the International Ornithologists' Union. https://www.museum.lsu.edu/~Remsen/SACCBaseline.htm retrieved 25 July 2026
The following tags have been used to highlight several categories.
(V) Vagrant - a species that rarely or accidentally occurs in Bolivia (E) Endemic - a species endemic to Bolivia (I) Introduced - a species introduced to Bolivia as a consequence, direct or indirect, of human actions (U) Unconfirmed - a species recorded but with "no tangible evidence" according to the SACC
Rheas Order: RheiformesFamily: Rheidae
The rheas are large flightless birds native to South America. Their feet have three toes rather than four which allows them to run faster.
Greater rhea, Rhea americana Lesser rhea, Pterocnemia pennata
Tinamous Order: TinamiformesFamily: Tinamidae
The tinamous are one of the most ancient groups of bird. Although they look similar to other ground-dwelling birds like quail and grouse, they have no close relatives and are classified as a single family, Tinamidae, within their own order, the Tinamiformes.
Hooded tinamou, Nothocercus nigrocapillus Gray tinamou, Tinamus tao Black tinamou, Tinamus osgoodi (U) Great tinamou, Tinamus major White-throated tinamou, Tinamus guttatus Cinereous tinamou, Crypturellus cinereus Little tinamou, Crypturellus soui Brown tinamou, Crypturellus obsoletus Undulated tinamou, Crypturellus undulatus Brazilian tinamou, Crypturellus strigulosus Black-capped tinamou, Crypturellus atrocapillus Variegated tinamou, Crypturellus variegatus Bartlett's tinamou, Crypturellus bartletti Small-billed tinamou, Crypturellus parvirostris Tataupa tinamou, Crypturellus tataupa Red-winged tinamou, Rhynchotus rufescens Huayco tinamou, Rhynchotus maculicollis Taczanowski's tinamou, Nothoprocta taczanowskii Ornate tinamou, Nothoprocta ornata Brushland tinamou, Nothoprocta cinerascens Andean tinamou, Nothoprocta pentlandii White-bellied nothura, Nothura boraquira Darwin's nothura, Nothura darwinii Dwarf tinamou, Taoniscus nanus Quebracho crested-tinamou, Eudromia formosa Puna tinamou, Tinamotis pentlandii
Screamers Order: AnseriformesFamily: Anhimidae
The screamers are a small family of birds related to the ducks. They are large, bulky birds, with a small downy head, long legs, and large feet which are only partially webbed. They have large spurs on their wings which are used in fights over mates and in territorial disputes.
Horned screamer, Anhima cornuta Southern screamer, Chauna torquata
Ducks Order: AnseriformesFamily: Anatidae
Anatidae includes the ducks and most duck-like waterfowl, such as geese and swans. These birds are adapted to an aquatic existence with webbed feet, flattened bills, and feathers that are excellent at shedding water due to an oily coating.
Fulvous whistling-duck, Dendrocygna bicolor White-faced whistling-duck, Dendrocygna viduata Black-bellied whistling-duck, Dendrocygna autumnalis Coscoroba swan, Coscoroba coscoroba Orinoco goose, Oressochen jubatus Andean goose, Oressochen melanopterus Muscovy duck, Cairina moschata Comb duck, Sarkidiornis sylvicola Ringed teal, Callonetta leucophrys Brazilian teal, Amazonetta brasiliensis Torrent duck, Merganetta armata Crested duck, Lophonetta specularioides Puna teal, Spatula puna Silver teal, Spatula versicolor Red shoveler, Spatula platalea Northern shoveler, Spatula clypeata (U) Blue-winged teal, Spatula discors (U) Cinnamon teal, Spatula cyanoptera Chiloe wigeon, Mareca sibilatrix (V) White-cheeked pintail, Anas bahamensis Yellow-billed pintail, Anas georgica Yellow-billed teal, Anas flavirostris Rosy-billed pochard, Netta peposaca Black-headed duck, Heteronetta atricapilla Masked duck, Nomonyx dominicus Ruddy duck, Oxyura jamaicensis Lake duck, Oxyura vittata (U)
Guans Order: GalliformesFamily: Cracidae
The Cracidae are large birds, similar in general appearance to turkeys. The guans and curassows live in trees, but the smaller chachalacas are found in more open scrubby habitats. They are generally dull-plumaged, but the curassows and some guans have colorful facial ornaments.
Sickle-winged guan, Chamaepetes goudotii Andean guan, Penelope montagnii Rusty-margined guan, Penelope superciliaris Red-faced guan, Penelope dabbenei Spix's guan, Penelope jacquacu Yungas guan, Penelope bridgesi Blue-throated piping-guan, Pipile cumanensis Red-throated piping-guan, Pipile cujubi Chaco chachalaca, Ortalis canicollis Speckled chachalaca, Ortalis guttata Wattled curassow, Crax globulosa Bare-faced curassow, Crax fasciolata Razor-billed curassow, Mitu tuberosum Horned curassow, Pauxi unicornis (E)
New World quails Order: GalliformesFamily: Odontophoridae
The New World quails are small, plump, terrestrial birds only distantly related to the quails of the Old World, but named for their similar appearance and habits.
Marbled wood-quail, Odontophorus gujanensis Rufous-breasted wood-quail, Odontophorus speciosus Stripe-faced wood-quail, Odontophorus balliviani Starred wood-quail, Odontophorus stellatus
Flamingos Order: PhoenicopteriformesFamily: Phoenicopteridae
Flamingos are gregarious wading birds, usually tall, found in both the Western and Eastern Hemispheres. Flamingos filter-feed on shellfish and algae. Their oddly shaped beaks are specially adapted to separate mud and silt from the food they consume and, uniquely, are used upside-down.
Chilean flamingo, Phoenicopterus chilensis Andean flamingo, Phoenicoparrus andinus James's flamingo, Phoenicoparrus jamesi
Grebes Order: PodicipediformesFamily: Podicipedidae
Grebes are small to medium-large freshwater diving birds. They have lobed toes and are excellent swimmers and divers. However, they have their feet placed far back on the body, making them quite ungainly on land.
White-tufted grebe, Rollandia rolland Titicaca grebe, Rollandia microptera Least grebe, Tachybaptus dominicus Pied-billed grebe, Podilymbus podiceps Silvery grebe, Podiceps occipitalis
Pigeons Order: ColumbiformesFamily: Columbidae
Pigeons and doves are stout-bodied birds with short necks and short slender bills with a fleshy cere.
Rock pigeon, Columba livia (I) Scaled pigeon, Patagioenas speciosa Picazuro pigeon, Patagioenas picazuro Spot-winged pigeon, Patagioenas maculosa Band-tailed pigeon, Patagioenas fasciata Pale-vented pigeon, Patagioenas cayennensis Plumbeous pigeon, Patagioenas plumbea Ruddy pigeon, Patagioenas subvinacea Ruddy quail-dove, Geotrygon montana Violaceous quail-dove, Geotrygon violacea White-tipped dove, Leptotila verreauxi Gray-fronted dove, Leptotila rufaxilla Large-tailed dove, Leptotila megalura White-throated quail-dove, Zentrygon frenata Eared dove, Zenaida auriculata Blue ground dove, Claravis pretiosa Long-tailed ground dove, Uropelia campestris Maroon-chested ground dove, Paraclaravis mondetoura Bare-faced ground dove, Metriopelia ceciliae Black-winged ground dove, Metriopelia melanoptera Golden-spotted ground dove, Metriopelia aymara Common ground dove, Columbina passerina Plain-breasted ground dove, Columbina minuta Ruddy ground dove, Columbina talpacoti Scaled dove, Columbina squammata Picui ground dove, Columbina picui
Cuckoos 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.
Guira cuckoo, Guira guira Greater ani, Crotophaga major Smooth-billed ani, Crotophaga ani Striped cuckoo, Tapera naevia Pheasant cuckoo, Dromococcyx phasianellus Pavonine cuckoo, Dromococcyx pavoninus Rufous-vented ground-cuckoo, Neomorphus geoffroyi Little cuckoo, Coccycua minuta Ash-colored cuckoo, Coccycua cinerea Squirrel cuckoo, Piaya cayana Black-bellied cuckoo, Piaya melanogaster Dark-billed cuckoo, Coccyzus melacoryphus Yellow-billed cuckoo, Coccyzus americanus Pearly-breasted cuckoo, Coccyzus euleri Black-billed cuckoo, Coccyzus erythropthalmus
Oilbird Order: SteatornithiformesFamily: Steatornithidae
The oilbird is a slim, long-winged bird related to the nightjars. It is nocturnal and a specialist feeder on the fruit of the oil palm.
Oilbird, Steatornis caripensis
Potoos Order: NyctibiiformesFamily: Nyctibiidae
The potoos (sometimes called poor-me-ones) are large near passerine birds related to the nightjars and frogmouths. They are nocturnal insectivores which lack the bristles around the mouth found in the true nightjars.
Rufous potoo, Phyllaemulor bracteatus (U) Great potoo, Nyctibius grandis Long-tailed potoo, Nyctibius aethereus Common potoo, Nyctibius griseus Andean potoo, Nyctibius maculosus
Nightjars Order: CaprimulgiformesFamily: Caprimulgidae
Nightjars are medium-sized nocturnal birds that usually nest on the ground. They have long wings, short legs, and very short bills. Most have small feet, of little use for walking, and long pointed wings. Their soft plumage is camouflaged to resemble bark or leaves.
Nacunda nighthawk, Chordeiles nacunda Least nighthawk, Chordeiles pusillus Sand-colored nighthawk, Chordeiles rupestris Lesser nighthawk, Chordeiles acutipennis Common nighthawk, Chordeiles minor Band-tailed nighthawk, Nyctiprogne leucopyga Short-tailed nighthawk, Lurocalis semitorquatus Rufous-bellied nighthawk, Lurocalis rufiventris Blackish nightjar, Nyctipolus nigrescens Common pauraque, Nyctidromus albicollis Swallow-tailed nightjar, Uropsalis segmentata Lyre-tailed nightjar, Uropsalis lyra Little nightjar, Setopagis parvula Spot-tailed nightjar, Hydropsalis maculicaudus Ladder-tailed nightjar, Hydropsalis climacocerca Scissor-tailed nightjar, Hydropsalis torquata Band-winged nightjar, Systellura longirostris White-winged nightjar, Eleothreptus candicans Ocellated poorwill, Nyctiphrynus ocellatus Silky-tailed nightjar, Antrostomus sericocaudatus Rufous nightjar, Antrostomus rufus
Swifts Order: ApodiformesFamily: Apodidae
Swifts are small birds which spend the majority of their lives flying. These birds have very short legs and never settle voluntarily on the ground, perching instead only on vertical surfaces. Many swifts have long swept-back wings which resemble a crescent or boomerang.
Spot-fronted swift, Cypseloides cherriei (U) White-chinned swift, Cypseloides cryptus White-chested swift, Cypseloides lemosi Rothschild's swift, Cypseloides rothschildi Great dusky swift, Cypseloides senex (U) Chestnut-collared swift, Streptoprocne rutila White-collared swift, Streptoprocne zonaris Biscutate swift, Streptoprocne biscutata Gray-rumped swift, Chaetura cinereiventris Pale-rumped swift, Chaetura egregia Chimney swift, Chaetura pelagica (U) Chapman's swift, Chaetura chapmani