This is a list of the bird species recorded in Nigeria. The avifauna of Nigeria include a total of 975 species, of which one is endemic. Thirty-one species are globally threatened. 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. The family accounts at the beginning of each heading reflect this taxonomy, as do the species counts found in each family account. The following tags have been used to highlight several categories, but 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 Nigeria (E) Endemic - a species endemic to Nigeria
Ostriches Order: Struthioniformes Family: Struthionidae The ostrich is a flightless bird native to Africa. It is the largest living species of bird. It is distinctive in its appearance, with a long neck and legs and the ability to run at high speeds.
Common ostrich, Struthio camelus
Ducks, geese, and waterfowl Order: Anseriformes Family: 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.
Guineafowl Order: Galliformes Family: 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 Black guineafowl, Agelastes niger Western crested guineafowl, Guttera verreauxi
New World quail Order: Galliformes Family: 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: Galliformes Family: Phasianidae The Phasianidae are a family of terrestrial birds. 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 Ahanta francolin, Pternistis ahantensis Double-spurred francolin, Pternistis bicalcaratus Scaly francolin, Pternistis squamatus Clapperton's francolin, Pternistis clappertoni
Flamingos Order: Phoenicopteriformes Family: Phoenicopteridae Flamingos are gregarious wading birds, usually 3 to 5 feet (0.9 to 1.5 m) 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, Phoenicopterus minor (A)
Grebes Order: Podicipediformes Family: 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 Great crested grebe, Podiceps cristatus Eared grebe, Podiceps nigricollis (A)
Pigeons and doves Order: Columbiformes Family: Columbidae Pigeons and doves are stout-bodied birds with short necks and short slender bills with a fleshy cere.
Sandgrouse Order: Pterocliformes Family: 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 Four-banded sandgrouse, Pterocles quadricinctus
Bustards Order: Otidiformes Family: 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 Denham's bustard, Neotis denhami Nubian bustard, Neotis nuba (A) White-bellied bustard, Eupodotis senegalensis Savile's bustard, Eupodotis savilei Black-bellied bustard, Lissotis melanogaster
Turacos Order: Musophagiformes Family: 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 White-crested turaco, Tauraco leucolophus Yellow-billed turaco, Tauraco macrorhynchus Violet turaco, Musophaga violacea Western plantain-eater, Crinifer piscator
Cuckoos Order: Cuculiformes Family: 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.
Nightjars and allies Order: Caprimulgiformes Family: 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 (A) Red-necked nightjar, Caprimulgus ruficollis (A) Eurasian nightjar, Caprimulgus europaeus Rufous-cheeked nightjar, Caprimulgus rufigena Egyptian nightjar, Caprimulgus aegyptius Golden nightjar, Caprimulgus eximius (A) Fiery-necked nightjar, Caprimulgus pectoralis Swamp nightjar, Caprimulgus natalensis Plain nightjar, Caprimulgus inornatus Freckled nightjar, Caprimulgus tristigma Long-tailed nightjar, Caprimulgus climacurus
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