List of birds of the Democratic Republic of the Congo

This is a list of the bird species recorded in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The avifauna of the Democratic Republic of Congo include a total of 1188 species, of which twenty-one are endemic, and one has been introduced by humans. This country has the greatest avian biodiversity of any African country.

This list's taxonomic treatment (designation and sequence of orders, families and species) and nomenclature (common and scientific names) follow the conventions 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/updateindex/october-2022/ Retrieved November 1, 2022. The family accounts at the beginning of each heading reflect this taxonomy, as do the species counts found in each family account. Introduced and accidental species are included in the total counts for the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The following tags have been used to highlight several categories. The commonly occurring native species do not fall into any of these categories.

(A) Accidental - a species that rarely or accidentally occurs in the Democratic Republic of Congo (E) Endemic - a species endemic to the Democratic Republic of Congo (I) Introduced - a species introduced to the Democratic Republic of Congo 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 White-backed duck, Thalassornis leuconotus Knob-billed duck, Sarkidiornis melanotos Hartlaub's duck, Pteronetta hartlaubii Egyptian goose, Alopochen aegyptiaca Spur-winged goose, Plectropterus gambensis African pygmy-goose, Nettapus auritus Garganey, Spatula querquedula Blue-billed teal, Spatula hottentota Cape shoveler, Spatula smithii (A) Northern shoveler, Spatula clypeata Gadwall, Mareca strepera (A) Eurasian wigeon, Mareca penelope (A) African black duck, Anas sparsa Yellow-billed duck, Anas undulata Cape teal, Anas capensis (A) Red-billed duck, Anas erythrorhyncha Northern pintail, Anas acuta Green-winged teal, Anas crecca (A) Southern pochard, Netta erythrophthalma Tufted duck, Aythya fuligula (A) Maccoa duck, Oxyura maccoa

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. There are 6 species worldwide and 4 species which occur in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Helmeted guineafowl, Numida meleagris Black guineafowl, Agelastes niger Plumed guineafowl, Guttera plumifera Western crested guineafowl, Guttera verreauxi

New World quail 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.

Stone partridge, Ptilopachus petrosus Nahan's francolin, Ptilopachus nahani

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.

Congo peacock, Afropavo congensis (E) Latham's francolin, Peliperdix lathami Crested francolin, Ortygornis sephaena Coqui francolin, Campocolinus coqui White-throated francolin, Campocolinus albogularis Red-winged francolin, Scleroptila levaillantii Finsch's francolin, Scleroptila finschi Shelley's francolin, Scleroptila shelleyi Whyte's francolin, Scleroptila whytei Blue quail, Synoicus adansonii Common quail, Coturnix coturnix Harlequin quail, Coturnix delegorguei Handsome francolin, Pternistis nobilis Hildebrandt's francolin, Pternistis hildebrandti Scaly francolin, Pternistis squamatus Heuglin's francolin, Pternistis icterorhynchus Red-necked spurfowl, Pternistis afer

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.

Greater flamingo, Phoenicopterus roseus Lesser flamingo, Phoenicopterus minor

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. There are 20 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Little grebe, Tachybaptus ruficollis Great crested grebe, Podiceps cristatus

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 Rameron pigeon, Columba arquatrix Bronze-naped pigeon, Columba iriditorques Lemon dove, Columba larvata White-naped pigeon, Columba albinucha European turtle-dove, Streptopelia turtur (A) Dusky turtle-dove, Streptopelia lugens Mourning collared-dove, Streptopelia decipiens Red-eyed dove, Streptopelia semitorquata Ring-necked dove, Streptopelia capicola Vinaceous dove, Streptopelia vinacea Laughing dove, Streptopelia senegalensis Emerald-spotted wood-dove, Turtur chalcospilos 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

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. There are 3 species which have been recorded in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

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 bird 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 Schalow's turaco, Tauraco schalowi Black-billed turaco, Tauraco schuettii White-crested turaco, Tauraco leucolophus Yellow-billed turaco, Tauraco macrorhynchus Rwenzori turaco, Ruwenzorornis johnstoni Ross's turaco, Musophaga rossae Bare-faced go-away-bird, Corythaixoides personatus Gray go-away-bird, Corythaixoides concolor Western plantain-eater, Crinifer piscator Eastern plantain-eater, Crinifer zonurus

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.

Gabon coucal, Centropus anselli Black-throated coucal, Centropus leucogaster Senegal coucal, Centropus senegalensis Blue-headed coucal, Centropus monachus Coppery-tailed coucal, Centropus cupreicaudus White-browed coucal, Centropus superciliosus 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 Barred long-tailed cuckoo, Cercococcyx montanus Black cuckoo, Cuculus clamosus Red-chested cuckoo, Cuculus solitarius Lesser cuckoo, Cuculus poliocephalus African cuckoo, Cuculus gularis Madagascar cuckoo, Cuculus rochii 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 Standard-winged nightjar, Caprimulgus longipennis Brown nightjar, Caprimulgus binotatus Eurasian nightjar, Caprimulgus europaeus Rufous-cheeked nightjar, Caprimulgus rufigena Fiery-necked nightjar, Caprimulgus pectoralis Montane nightjar, Caprimulgus poliocephalus Swamp nightjar, Caprimulgus natalensis Plain nightjar, Caprimulgus inornatus Freckled nightjar, Caprimulgus tristigma Itombwe nightjar, Caprimulgus prigoginei (E) Bates's nightjar, Caprimulgus batesi Long-tailed nightjar, Caprimulgus climacurus Slender-tailed nightjar, Caprimulgus clarus (A) Square-tailed nightjar, Caprimulgus fossii

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 Bat-like spinetail, Neafrapus boehmi Scarce swift, Schoutedenapus myoptilus Alpine swift, Apus melba Mottled swift, Apus aequatorialis Common swift, Apus apus Nyanza swift, Apus niansae (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 Chestnut-headed flufftail, Sarothrura lugens Streaky-breasted flufftail, Sarothrura boehmi Striped flufftail, Sarothrura affinis

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.

African rail, Rallus caerulescens Corn crake, Crex crex African crake, Crex egregia Gray-throated rail, Canirallus oculeus Spotted crake, Porzana porzana Lesser moorhen, Paragallinula angulata Eurasian moorhen, Gallinula chloropus Red-knobbed coot, Fulica cristata Allen's gallinule, Porphyrio alleni African swamphen, Porphyrio madagascariensis