This is a list of the bird species recorded in Paraguay. The avifauna of Paraguay has 694 confirmed species, of which two have been introduced by humans, 38 are rare or vagrants, and five are extirpated or extinct. An additional 27 species are unconfirmed (see below). None are endemic. An additional vagrant species is added from another source and is not included in the above counts.
Except as an entry is cited otherwise, the list of species is that of the South American Classification Committee (SACC).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 certain categories of occurrence.
(V) Vagrant - a species that rarely or accidentally occurs in Paraguay (E) Endemic - a species endemic to Paraguay (I) Introduced - a species introduced to Paraguay 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. One species has been recorded in Paraguay.
Greater rhea, Rhea americana
Tinamous Order: TinamiformesFamily: Tinamidae
The tinamous are among the most ancient groups of birds. 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. Twelve species have been recorded in Paraguay.
Solitary tinamou, Tinamus solitarius Brown tinamou, Crypturellus obsoletus Undulated tinamou, Crypturellus undulatus Small-billed tinamou, Crypturellus parvirostris Tataupa tinamou, Crypturellus tataupa Red-winged tinamou, Rhynchotus rufescens Brushland tinamou, Nothoprocta cinerascens White-bellied nothura, Nothura boraquira Lesser nothura, Nothura minor Spotted nothura, Nothura maculosa Dwarf tinamou, Taoniscus nanus (U) Quebracho crested-tinamou, Eudromia formosa
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. Two species have been recorded in Paraguay.
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. Twenty-two species have been recorded in Paraguay.
Fulvous whistling-duck, Dendrocygna bicolor White-faced whistling-duck, Dendrocygna viduata Black-bellied whistling-duck, Dendrocygna autumnalis Coscoroba swan, Coscoroba coscoroba Orinoco goose, Oressochen jubata (V) Muscovy duck, Cairina moschata Comb duck, Sarkidiornis sylvicola Ringed teal, Callonetta leucophrys Brazilian teal, Amazonetta brasiliensis Silver teal, Spatula versicolor Red shoveler, Spatula platalea Blue-winged teal, Spatula discors (U) Cinnamon teal, Spatula cyanoptera White-cheeked pintail, Anas bahamensis Yellow-billed pintail, Anas georgica (V) Yellow-billed teal, Anas flavirostris (V) Southern pochard, Netta erythrophthalma (U) Rosy-billed pochard, Netta peposaca Brazilian merganser, Mergus octosetaceus (extirpated) Black-headed duck, Heteronetta atricapilla Masked duck, Nomonyx dominicus Lake duck, Oxyura vittata (V)
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. Six species have been recorded in Paraguay.
Rusty-margined guan, Penelope superciliaris Dusky-legged guan, Penelope obscura (U) Blue-throated piping-guan, Pipile cumanensis Black-fronted piping-guan, Pipile jacutinga Chaco chachalaca, Ortalis canicollis Bare-faced curassow, Crax fasciolata
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. One species has been recorded in Paraguay.
Spot-winged wood-quail, Odontophorus capueira
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. One species has been recorded in Paraguay.
Chilean flamingo, Phoenicopterus chilensis
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. Five species have been recorded in Paraguay.
White-tufted grebe, Rollandia rolland Least grebe, Tachybaptus dominicus Pied-billed grebe, Podilymbus podiceps Great grebe, Podiceps major (V) 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. Sixteen species have been recorded in Paraguay.
Rock pigeon, Columba livia (I) Scaled pigeon, Patagioenas speciosa Picazuro pigeon, Patagioenas picazuro Spot-winged pigeon, Patagioenas maculosa Pale-vented pigeon, Patagioenas cayennensis Ruddy quail-dove, Geotrygon montana Violaceous quail-dove, Geotrygon violacea White-tipped dove, Leptotila verreauxi Gray-fronted dove, Leptotila rufaxilla Eared dove, Zenaida auriculata Blue ground dove, Claravis pretiosa Purple-winged ground dove, Paraclaravis geoffroyi 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. Thirteen species have been recorded in Paraguay.
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 Little cuckoo, Coccycua minuta (U) Ash-colored cuckoo, Coccycua cinerea Squirrel cuckoo, Piaya cayana Dark-billed cuckoo, Coccyzus melacoryphus Yellow-billed cuckoo, Coccyzus americanus Pearly-breasted cuckoo, Coccyzus euleri Black-billed cuckoo, Coccyzus erythropthalmus (V)
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. There are seven species, of which three have been recorded in Paraguay.
Great potoo, Nyctibius grandis Long-tailed potoo, Nyctibius aethereus Common potoo, Nyctibius griseus
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. Sixteen species have been recorded in Paraguay.
Nacunda nighthawk, Chordeiles nacunda Lesser nighthawk, Chordeiles acutipennis (U) Common nighthawk, Chordeiles minor Band-tailed nighthawk, Nyctiprogne leucopyga Short-tailed nighthawk, Lurocalis semitorquatus Common pauraque, Nyctidromus albicollis Little nightjar, Setopagis parvula Spot-tailed nightjar, Hydropsalis maculicaudus Long-trained nightjar, Hydropsalis forcipata (V) Scissor-tailed nightjar, Hydropsalis torquata Band-winged nightjar, Systellura longirostris White-winged nightjar, Eleothreptus candicans Sickle-winged nightjar, Eleothreptus anomalus 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. Six species have been recorded in Paraguay.
Sooty swift, Cypseloides fumigatus Great dusky swift, Cypseloides senex White-collared swift, Streptoprocne zonaris Biscutate swift, Streptoprocne biscutata (U) Gray-rumped swift, Chaetura cinereiventris Sick's swift, Chaetura meridionalis
Hummingbirds Order: ApodiformesFamily: Trochilidae
Hummingbirds are small birds capable of hovering in mid-air due to the rapid flapping of their wings. They are the only birds that can fly backwards. Twenty species have been recorded in Paraguay.
Black jacobin, Florisuga fusca Buff-bellied hermit, Phaethornis subochraceus (V) Planalto hermit, Phaethornis pretrei Scale-throated hermit, Phaethornis eurynome White-vented violetear, Colibri serrirostris White-tailed goldenthroat, Polytmus guainumbi Ruby-topaz hummingbird, Chrysolampis mosquitus (U) Black-throated mango, Anthracothorax nigricollis Long-billed starthroat, Heliomaster longirostris (U) Blue-tufted starthroat, Heliomaster furcifer Amethyst woodstar, Calliphlox amethystina Glittering-bellied emerald, Chlorostilbon lucidus Purple-crowned plovercrest, Stephanoxis loddigesii Swallow-tailed hummingbird, Eupetomena macroura Fork-tailed woodnymph, Thalurania furcata Violet-capped woodnymph, Thalurania glaucopis Versicolored emerald, Chrysuronia versicolor White-throated hummingbird, Leucochloris albicollis Rufous-throated sapphire, Hylocharis sapphirina (U) Gilded hummingbird, Hylocharis chrysura
Limpkin Order: GruiformesFamily: Aramidae
The limpkin resembles a large rail. It has drab-brown plumage and a grayer head and neck.
Limpkin, Aramus guarauna
Rails Order: GruiformesFamily: Rallidae