Nigeria, a nation rich in biodiversity, is home to an astonishing variety of bird species. With over 940 species recorded, this country presents a unique opportunity for bird watchers and nature enthusiasts alike to explore its avian treasures. From the lush rainforests to the sprawling savannas, Nigeria offers a habitat for numerous birds, making it a significant hotspot for bird diversity.
The country's diverse ecosystems, including coastal plains, mangroves, and river valleys, create ideal conditions for many bird species. These habitats not only support the survival of birds but also play a crucial role in maintaining ecological balance. Understanding the types of birds found in Nigeria is essential for conservation efforts and appreciating the country's natural heritage.
In this article, we will delve into the various types of birds that inhabit Nigeria, highlighting representative species from different families. Whether you're a seasoned birdwatcher or just starting your journey into the world of ornithology, this exploration will provide valuable insights into Nigeria's unique avifauna.
What You Will Learn
- The extensive variety of bird species present in Nigeria.
- Key habitats that support diverse avian populations.
- Representative species from major bird families found in Nigeria.
- The importance of birds in maintaining ecological balance and biodiversity.
Main Types of Birds in Nigeria
Here we have the different types of birds that live in our country, note that there are over 940 species of birds in Nigeria. The number of species of some types is too large, so we will show you just a few representatives from each type.
Accipitriformes
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- African Fish Eagle
- African Harrier-Hawk
- African Hawk-Eagle
- Ayres's Hawk-Eagle
- Bat Hawk
- Bateleur
- Black Kite
- Black Sparrowhawk
- Black-winged kite
- Brown Snake Eagle
- Dark Chanting Goshawk
- European Honey Buzzard
- Gabar Goshawk
- Hooded Vulture
- Lapped-faced Vulture
- Lesser Spotted Eagle
- Lizard Buzzard
- Long-crested Eagle
- Marsh Harrier
- Montagu's Harrier
- Pallid Harrier
- Palm-nut Vulture
- Red-necked Buzzard
- Rüppell’s Vulture
- Scissor-tailed Kite
- Shikra
- Short-toed Snake Eagle
- Tawny Eagle
- Wahlberg's eagle
- Western banded snake eagle
- White-backed Vulture
- White-headed Vulture
- Osprey
- Secretarybird
Anseriformes
- African Black Duck
- African Pygmy Goose
- Common Pochard
- Egyptian Goose
- Eurasian Teal
- Eurasian Wigeon
- Ferruginous Duck
- Fulvous whistling duck
- Garganey
- Hartlaub's duck
- Knob-billed Duck
- Pintail
- Spur-winged goose
- Tufted Duck
- White-faced whistling duck
Apodiformes
- Alpine Swift
- Common Swift
- White-rumped swift
Bucerotiformes
- Ground Hornbill
- African Grey Hornbill
- African Pied Hornbill
- Black-and-white-casqued Hornbill
- Black-casqued Wattled Hornbill
- Northern Red-billed Hornbill
- Piping Hornbill
- White-thighed Hornbill
- Yellow-casqued Wattled Hornbill
- Black Scimitarbill
- Green Wood Hoopoe
- Hoopoe
Caprimulgiformes
- European Nightjar
- Egyptian Nightjar
Charadriiformes
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- Spotted thick-knee
- Water thick-knee
- African wattled lapwing
- Collared Pratincole
- Grey Plover
- Kittlitz's plover
- Little Ringed Plover
- Senegal lapwing
- Spur-winged Lapwing
- Three-banded plover
- White-crowned lapwing
- White-fronted plover
- Cream-coloured Courser
- Eurasian Oystercatcher
- African jacana
- Arctic Tern
- Black tern
- Black-headed Gull
- Bridled Tern
- Caspian Tern
Common Tern
- Gull-billed Tern
- Lesser black-backed Gull
- Little Tern
- Mew Gull / Common Gull
- Roseate Tern
- Royal Tern
- Sabine's Gull
- Sandwich Tern
- Sooty Tern
- Egyptian plover
- Black-winged Stilt
- Pied Avocet
- African Skimmer
- Greater Painted-snipe
- Black-tailed Godwit
- Broad-billed Sandpiper
- Common Redshank
- Sanderling
Ciconiiformes
- Abdim's Stork
- African Openbill
- Black Stork
- Marabou Stork
- Saddle-billed Stork
- White Stork
- Woolly-necked Stork
- Yellow-billed Stork
Coliiformes
- Speckled Mousebird
- Blue-naped Mousebird
Columbiformes
- Adamawa turtle dove
- Afep Pigeon
- African collared dove
- African Green Pigeon
- Blue-headed wood dove
- Blue-spotted wood dove
- Bruce's green pigeon
- European Turtle Dove
- Laughing dove
- Lemon Dove
- Mourning collared dove