This is a list of the bird species recorded in Ghana. The avifauna of Ghana included a total of 772 confirmed species as of August 2021. Of them, one has been introduced by humans. None are endemic. Unless otherwise noted, the list is that of Avibase.
This list's taxonomic treatment (designation and sequence of orders, families and species) and nomenclature (English and scientific names) are those of The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World, 2022 edition.Clements, J. F., T. S. Schulenberg, M. J. Iliff, S. M. Billerman, T. A. Fredericks, B. L. Sullivan, and C. L. Wood. 2022. The eBird/Clements Checklist of Birds of the World: v2022. Downloaded from https://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/download/ Retrieved November 1, 2022.
The following tags highlight several categories of occurrence other than regular migrants and residents.
(A) Accidental - a species that rarely or accidentally occurs in Ghana (also called a vagrant) (I) Introduced - a species introduced to Ghana as a consequence, direct or indirect, of human actions
Ducks, geese, and waterfowl 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.
White-faced whistling-duck, Dendrocygna viduata Fulvous whistling-duck, Dendrocygna bicolor (A) Knob-billed duck, Sarkidiornis melanotos Hartlaub's duck, Pteronetta hartlaubii Egyptian goose, Alopochen aegyptiacus (A) Common shelduck, Tadorna tadorna (A) Spur-winged goose, Plectropterus gambensis African pygmy-goose, Nettapus auritus Garganey, Spatula querquedula Northern shoveler, Spatula clypeata (A) Eurasian wigeon, Mareca penelope (A) Cape teal, Anas capensis (A) Northern pintail, Anas acuta Green-winged teal, Anas crecca (A) Common pochard, Aythya ferina (A) Ferruginous duck, Aythya nyroca (A) Tufted duck, Aythya fuligula (A)
Guineafowl Order: GalliformesFamily: Numididae
Guineafowl are a group of African, seed-eating, ground-nesting birds that resemble partridges, but with featherless heads and spangled grey plumage.
Helmeted guineafowl, Numida meleagris White-breasted guineafowl, Agelastes meleagrides Western crested guineafowl, Guttera verreauxi
New World quail Order: GalliformesFamily: Odontophoridae
Despite their family's common name, this species and one other are native to Africa.
Stone partridge, Ptilopachus petrosus
Pheasants, grouse, and allies Order: GalliformesFamily: Phasianidae
The Phasianidae are a family of terrestrial birds which consists of quails, snowcocks, francolins, spurfowls, tragopans, monals, pheasants, peafowls, and jungle fowls. In general, they are plump (although they vary in size) and have broad, relatively short wings.
Latham's francolin, Peliperdix lathami Coqui francolin, Campocolinus coqui White-throated francolin, Campocolinus albogularis Blue quail, Excalfactoria adansonii Common quail, Coturnix coturnix Harlequin quail, Coturnix delegorguei (A) Ahanta francolin, Pternistis ahantensis Double-spurred francolin, Pternistis bicalcaratus
Flamingos Order: PhoenicopteriformesFamily: Phoenicopteridae
Flamingos are 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.
Lesser flamingo, Phoeniconaias minor (A)
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.
Little grebe, Tachybaptus ruficollis
Pigeons and doves 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 Speckled pigeon, Columba guinea Afep pigeon, Columba unicincta Bronze-naped pigeon, Columba iriditorques European turtle-dove, Streptopelia turtur African collared-dove, Streptopelia roseogrisea (A) Mourning collared-dove, Streptopelia decipiens (A) 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 Tambourine dove, Turtur tympanistria Blue-headed wood-dove, Turtur brehmeri Namaqua dove, Oena capensis Bruce's green-pigeon, Treron waalia African green-pigeon, Treron calva
Sandgrouse 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.
Chestnut-bellied sandgrouse, Pterocles exustus (A) Four-banded sandgrouse, Pterocles quadricinctus
Bustards Order: OtidiformesFamily: 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.
Arabian bustard, Ardeotis arabs (Ex) Denham's bustard, Neotis denhami White-bellied bustard, Eupodotis senegalensis Black-bellied bustard, Lissotis melanogaster
Turacos Order: MusophagiformesFamily: Musophagidae
The turacos, plantain-eaters, and go-away-birds make up the family Musophagidae. They are medium-sized arboreal birds. The turacos and plantain-eaters are brightly coloured, usually in blue, green, or purple. The go-away-birds are mostly grey and white.
Great blue turaco, Corythaeola cristata Guinea turaco, Tauraco persa Yellow-billed turaco, Tauraco macrorhynchus Violet turaco, Musophaga violacea Western plantain-eater, Crinifer piscator
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. The Old World cuckoos are brood parasites.
Black-throated coucal, Centropus leucogaster Senegal coucal, Centropus senegalensis Blue-headed coucal, Centropus monachus Black coucal, Centropus grillii Blue malkoha, Ceuthmochares aereus Great spotted cuckoo, Clamator glandarius Levaillant's cuckoo, Clamator levaillantii Pied cuckoo, Clamator jacobinus Thick-billed cuckoo, Pachycoccyx audeberti Dideric cuckoo, Chrysococcyx caprius Klaas's cuckoo, Chrysococcyx klaas Yellow-throated cuckoo, Chrysococcyx flavigularis African emerald cuckoo, Chrysococcyx cupreus Dusky long-tailed cuckoo, Cercococcyx mechowi Olive long-tailed cuckoo, Cercococcyx olivinus Black cuckoo, Cuculus clamosus Red-chested cuckoo, Cuculus solitarius African cuckoo, Cuculus gularis Common cuckoo, Cuculus canorus
Nightjars and allies 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.
Pennant-winged nightjar, Caprimulgus vexillarius (A) Standard-winged nightjar, Caprimulgus longipennis Brown nightjar, Caprimulgus binotatus Red-necked nightjar, Caprimulgus ruficollis (A) Eurasian nightjar, Caprimulgus europaeus (A) Fiery-necked nightjar, Caprimulgus pectoralis Swamp nightjar, Caprimulgus natalensis Plain nightjar, Caprimulgus inornatus Freckled nightjar, Caprimulgus tristigma Long-tailed nightjar, Caprimulgus climacurus
Swifts Order: CaprimulgiformesFamily: 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.
Mottled spinetail, Telacanthura ussheri Black spinetail, Telacanthura melanopygia Sabine's spinetail, Rhaphidura sabini Cassin's spinetail, Neafrapus cassini Alpine swift, Apus melba Mottled swift, Apus aequatorialis Common swift, Apus apus Pallid swift, Apus pallidus (A) African swift, Apus barbatus Little swift, Apus affinis Horus swift, Apus horus White-rumped swift, Apus caffer Bates's swift, Apus batesi African palm-swift, Cypsiurus parvus
Flufftails Order: GruiformesFamily: Sarothruridae
The flufftails are a small family of ground-dwelling birds found only in Madagascar and sub-Saharan Africa.
White-spotted flufftail, Sarothrura pulchra Buff-spotted flufftail, Sarothrura elegans Red-chested flufftail, Sarothrura rufa (A) Streaky-breasted flufftail, Sarothrura boehmi
Rails, 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, making them difficult to observe. Most species have strong legs and long toes which are well adapted to soft uneven surfaces. They tend to have short, rounded wings and to be weak fliers.
Corn crake, Crex crex (A) African crake, Crex egregia Gray-throated rail, Canirallus oculeus Spotted crake, Porzana porzana (A) Lesser moorhen, Paragallinula angulata Eurasian moorhen, Gallinula chloropus Allen's gallinule, Porphyrio alleni African swamphen, Porphyrio madagarscariensis Nkulengu rail, Himantornis haematopus Striped crake, Amaurornis marginalis Black crake, Zapornia flavirostra Little crake, Zapornia parva (A) Baillon's crake, Zapornia pusilla
Finfoots Order: GruiformesFamily: Heliornithidae
Heliornithidae is a small family of tropical birds with webbed lobes on their feet similar to those of grebes and coots.
African finfoot, Podica senegalensis
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".
Black crowned-crane, Balearica pavonina (Ex)
Thick-knees Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Burhinidae
The thick-knees are a group of waders 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.
Water thick-knee, Burhinus vermiculatus Eurasian thick-knee, Burhinus oedicnemus Senegal thick-knee, Burhinus senegalensis Spotted thick-knee, Burhinus capensis
Egyptian plover Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Pluvianidae
The Egyptian plover is found across equatorial Africa and along the Nile River.
Egyptian plover, Pluvianus aegyptius
Stilts and avocets Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Recurvirostridae
Recurvirostridae is a family of large wading birds which includes the avocets and stilts. The avocets have long legs and long up-curved bills. The stilts have extremely long legs and long, thin, straight bills.
Black-winged stilt, Himantopus himantopus Pied avocet, Recurvirostra avosetta
Oystercatchers Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Haematopodidae
The oystercatchers are large and noisy plover-like birds with strong bills used for smashing or prising open molluscs.
Eurasian oystercatcher, Haematopus ostralegus
Plovers and lapwings Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Charadriidae