List of birds of Kenya

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File:Lilac-breasted Roller Vertical.jpg
The lilac-breasted roller and the rooster are Kenya's national birds.

This is a list of the bird species recorded in Kenya. The avifauna of Kenya included a total of 1164 confirmed species as of October 2024. Of them, 11 are endemic, and 4 have been introduced by humans. An additional three species are considered "hypothetical" (see below) and are not included in the count. 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.[1]

The following tags highlight several categories of occurrence other than regular migrants and non-endemic residents. The notes of population status are from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, and apply to the world-wide population except for endemics.[2]

  • (A) Accidental - a species that rarely or accidentally occurs in Kenya (also called a vagrant)
  • (E) Endemic - a species endemic to Kenya
  • (I) Introduced - a species introduced to Kenya as a consequence, direct or indirect, of human actions
  • (H) Hypothetical - a species recorded but not confirmed in Kenya


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Ostriches

File:Struthio camelus - Etosha 2014 (3).jpg
Common ostrich male and females in Etosha National Park, Namibia

Order: StruthioniformesScript error: No such module "String".Family: Struthionidae

The ostriches are flightless birds native to Africa. They are the largest living species of bird and are distinctive in appearance, with a long neck and legs and the ability to run at high speeds.

Ducks, geese, and waterfowl

File:Dendrocygna viduata upright.jpg
White-faced whistling-duck

Order: AnseriformesScript error: No such module "String".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.

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Guineafowl

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Vulturine guineafowl

Order: GalliformesScript error: No such module "String".Family: Numididae

Guineafowl are a group of African, seed-eating, ground-nesting birds that resemble partridges, but with featherless heads and spangled grey plumage.

New World quail

Order: GalliformesScript error: No such module "String".Family: Odontophoridae

Despite their family's common name, this species and one other are native to Africa.

Pheasants, grouse, and allies

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The yellow-necked francolin is common in grasslands.

Order: GalliformesScript error: No such module "String".Family: Phasianidae

The Phasianidae are a family of terrestrial birds which consists of quails, partridges, 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.

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Flamingos

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Enormous flocks of lesser flamingos visit the Rift Valley lakes (here Lake Nakuru).

Order: PhoenicopteriformesScript error: No such module "String".Family: Phoenicopteridae

Flamingos are gregarious wading birds, usually Script error: No such module "convert". 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.

Grebes

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The little grebe is the most frequently sighted grebe in Kenya.

Order: PodicipediformesScript error: No such module "String".Family: Podicipedidae

Grebes are small to medium-large freshwater diving birds. They have lobed toes and are excellent swimmers and divers. Their feet are placed far back on the body, making them quite ungainly on land.

Pigeons and doves

File:Tourterelle du cap.jpg
Mourning collared-dove in Samburu National Reserve.

Order: ColumbiformesScript error: No such module "String".Family: Columbidae

Pigeons and doves are stout-bodied birds with short necks and short slender bills with a fleshy cere.

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Sandgrouse

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Chestnut-bellied sandgrouse

Order: PterocliformesScript error: No such module "String".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.

Bustards

File:Lissotis hartlaubi2.jpg
Adult male Hartlaub's bustard in Amboseli National Park.

Order: OtidiformesScript error: No such module "String".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.

Turacos

File:Tauraco leucolophus01.jpg
The white-crested turaco, a forest bird, occurs in Kenya mostly in the west-central region.

Order: MusophagiformesScript error: No such module "String".Family: 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 colored, usually blue, green, or purple. The go-away-birds are mostly gray and white.

Cuckoos

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Dideric cuckoo

Order: CuculiformesScript error: No such module "String".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.

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Nightjars and allies

Order: CaprimulgiformesScript error: No such module "String".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.

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Swifts

File:White-rumped Swift.jpg
The white-rumped swift is widespread in the moister parts of the country in the range of the red-rumped swallow, whose nests it parasitizes.

Order: CaprimulgiformesScript error: No such module "String".Family: Apodidae

Swifts are small birds which spend the majority of their lives flying. They 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.

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Flufftails

Order: GruiformesScript error: No such module "String".Family: Sarothruridae

The flufftails are a small family of ground-dwelling birds found only in Madagascar and sub-Saharan Africa.

Rails, gallinules, and coots

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The spotted crake is a regular winter visitor to Kenya.

Order: GruiformesScript error: No such module "String".Family: 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.

Finfoots

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African finfoot

Order: GruiformesScript error: No such module "String".Family: Heliornithidae

Heliornithidae is a small family of tropical birds with webbed lobes on their feet similar to those of grebes and coots.

Cranes

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The gray crowned-crane occurs in western and central Kenya. Its spectacular looks make it a widely recognized symbol of Africa.

Order: GruiformesScript error: No such module "String".Family: 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".

Thick-knees

File:Spotted thick-knee (Burhinus capensis).jpg
The spotted thick-knee is often heard and seen at night.

Order: CharadriiformesScript error: No such module "String".Family: 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.

Egyptian plover

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Egyptian plover

Order: CharadriiformesScript error: No such module "String".Family: Pluvianidae

The Egyptian plover is found across equatorial Africa and along the Nile River.

Stilts and avocets

Order: CharadriiformesScript error: No such module "String".Family: 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.

Oystercatchers

Order: CharadriiformesScript error: No such module "String".Family: Haematopodidae

The oystercatchers are large and noisy plover-like birds, with strong bills used for smashing or prising open molluscs.

Plovers and lapwings

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Blacksmith lapwing nesting in Amboseli National Park.

Order: CharadriiformesScript error: No such module "String".Family: Charadriidae

The family Charadriidae includes the plovers, dotterels, and lapwings. They are small to medium-sized birds with compact bodies, short thick necks, and long, usually pointed, wings. They are found in open country worldwide, mostly in habitats near water.

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Painted-snipes

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A female greater painted-snipe

Order: CharadriiformesScript error: No such module "String".Family: Rostratulidae

Painted-snipes are short-legged, long-billed birds similar in shape to the true snipes, but more brightly colored.

Jacanas

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The African jacana is often seen in slow-moving bodies of water.

Order: CharadriiformesScript error: No such module "String".Family: Jacanidae

The jacanas are a family of waders that are found throughout the tropics. They are identifiable by their huge feet and claws which enable them to walk on floating vegetation in the shallow lakes that are their preferred habitat.

Sandpipers and allies

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The sanderling breeds in the far north; it is common on the Kenyan coast from late August to April.
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African snipe

Order: CharadriiformesScript error: No such module "String".Family: Scolopacidae

Scolopacidae is a large diverse family of small to medium-sized shorebirds including the sandpipers, curlews, godwits, shanks, tattlers, woodcocks, snipes, dowitchers, and phalaropes. The majority of these species eat small invertebrates picked out of the mud or soil. Variation in length of legs and bills enables multiple species to feed in the same habitat, particularly on the coast, without direct competition for food.

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Buttonquails

Order: CharadriiformesScript error: No such module "String".Family: Turnicidae

The buttonquails are small, drab, running birds which resemble the true quails. The female is the brighter of the sexes and initiates courtship. The male incubates the eggs and tends the young.

Crab-plover

Order: CharadriiformesScript error: No such module "String".Family: Dromadidae

The crab-plover is related to the waders. It resembles a plover but with very long grey legs and a strong heavy black bill similar to a tern's. It has black-and-white plumage, a long neck, partially webbed feet, and a bill designed for eating crabs.

Pratincoles and coursers

Order: CharadriiformesScript error: No such module "String".Family: Glareolidae

Glareolidae is a family of wading birds comprising the pratincoles, which have short legs, long pointed wings, and long forked tails, and the coursers, which have long legs, short wings, and long, pointed bills which curve downwards.

Skuas and jaegers

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Pomarine jaeger

Order: CharadriiformesScript error: No such module "String".Family: Stercorariidae

The family Stercorariidae are, in general, medium to large birds, typically with grey or brown plumage, often with white markings on the wings. They nest on the ground in temperate and arctic regions and are long-distance migrants.

Gulls, terns, and skimmers

File:Larus cirrocephalus.jpg
The gray-hooded gull is the only gull that breeds in Kenya in significant numbers.
File:Sooty Tern.JPG
The sooty tern is common in Kenyan waters beyond the offshore reef.

Order: CharadriiformesScript error: No such module "String".Family: Laridae

Laridae is a family of medium to large seabirds, the gulls, kittiwakes, terns, and skimmers. Gulls are typically gray or white, often with black markings on the head or wings. They have stout, longish bills and webbed feet. Terns are a group of generally medium to large seabirds typically with gray or white plumage, often with black markings on the head. Most terns hunt fish by diving but some pick insects off the surface of fresh water. Terns are generally long-lived birds, with several species known to live in excess of 30 years. Skimmers are a small family of tropical tern-like birds. They have an elongated lower mandible which they use to feed by flying low over the water surface and skimming the water for small fish.

Tropicbirds

Order: PhaethontiformesScript error: No such module "String".Family: Phaethontidae

Tropicbirds are slender white birds of tropical oceans, with exceptionally long central tail feathers. Their heads and long wings have black markings.

Albatrosses

Order: ProcellariiformesScript error: No such module "String".Family: Diomedeidae

The albatrosses are among the largest of flying birds, and the great albatrosses of the genus Diomedea have the largest wingspans of any extant birds.

Southern storm-petrels

Order: ProcellariiformesScript error: No such module "String".Family: Oceanitidae

The storm-petrels are the smallest seabirds, relatives of the petrels, feeding on planktonic crustaceans and small fish picked from the surface, typically while hovering. The flight is fluttering and sometimes bat-like. Until 2018, this family's species were included with the other storm-petrels in family Hydrobatidae.

Northern storm-petrels

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Though the members of this family are similar in many respects to the southern storm-petrels, including their general appearance and habits, there are enough genetic differences to warrant their placement in a separate family.

Shearwaters and petrels

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Cape petrel

Order: ProcellariiformesScript error: No such module "String".Family: Procellariidae

The procellariids are the main group of medium-sized "true petrels", characterised by united nostrils with medium septum and a long outer functional primary.

Storks

File:Yellow-billed stork standing cropped.jpg
Yellow-billed stork at Lake Baringo.

Order: CiconiiformesScript error: No such module "String".Family: Ciconiidae

Storks are large, long-legged, long-necked wading birds with long, stout bills. Storks are mute, but bill-clattering is an important mode of communication at the nest. Their nests can be large and may be reused for many years. Many species are migratory.

Frigatebirds

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Lesser frigatebird

Order: SuliformesScript error: No such module "String".Family: Fregatidae

Frigatebirds are large seabirds usually found over tropical oceans. They are large, black-and-white, or completely black, with long wings and deeply forked tails. The males have colored inflatable throat pouches. They do not swim or walk and cannot take off from a flat surface. Having the largest wingspan-to-body-weight ratio of any bird, they are essentially aerial, able to stay aloft for more than a week.

Boobies and gannets

Order: SuliformesScript error: No such module "String".Family: Sulidae

The sulids comprise the gannets and boobies. Both groups are medium to large coastal seabirds that plunge-dive for fish.

Anhingas

File:Anhinga rufa.jpg
African darter

Order: SuliformesScript error: No such module "String".Family: Anhingidae

Anhingas or darters are often called "snake-birds" because of their long thin neck, which gives a snake-like appearance when they swim with their bodies submerged. The males have black and dark-brown plumage, an erectile crest on the nape, and a larger bill than the female. The females have much paler plumage especially on the neck and underparts. The darters have completely webbed feet and their legs are short and set far back on the body. Their plumage is somewhat permeable, like that of cormorants, and they spread their wings to dry after diving.

Cormorants and shags

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Long-tailed cormorant

Order: SuliformesScript error: No such module "String".Family: Phalacrocoracidae

Phalacrocoracidae is a family of medium to large coastal, fish-eating seabirds that includes cormorants and shags. Plumage coloration varies, with the majority having mainly dark plumage, some species being black-and-white, and a few being colorful.

Pelicans

File:Great White Pelicans and Flamingos at Lake Nakuru.jpg
Great white pelicans at Lake Nakuru.

Order: PelecaniformesScript error: No such module "String".Family: Pelecanidae

Pelicans are large water birds with a distinctive pouch under their beak. As with other members of the order Pelecaniformes, they have webbed feet with four toes.

Shoebill

Order: PelecaniformesScript error: No such module "String".Family: Balaenicipididae

The shoebill was formerly thought to be related to storks but is in the same order as pelicans. It derives its name from its massive shoe-shaped bill.

  • Shoebill, Balaeniceps rex (A) (vulnerable)

Hamerkop

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Hamerkop

Order: PelecaniformesScript error: No such module "String".Family: Scopidae

The hamerkop is a medium-sized bird with a long shaggy crest. The shape of its head with a curved bill and crest at the back is reminiscent of a hammer, hence its name. Its plumage is drab-brown all over.

Herons, egrets, and bitterns

File:Goliath heron standing cropped.jpg
The Goliath heron, the biggest species of heron, is found on many large bodies of water in Kenya, this one at Lake Baringo.

Order: PelecaniformesScript error: No such module "String".Family: Ardeidae

The family Ardeidae contains the bitterns, herons, and egrets. Herons and egrets are medium to large wading birds with long necks and legs. Bitterns tend to be shorter necked and more wary. Members of Ardeidae fly with their necks retracted, unlike other long-necked birds such as storks, ibises and spoonbills.

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Ibises and spoonbills

File:Sacred ibis.jpg
The African sacred ibis, shown here in Nanyuki, is widespread near water and even breeds in Nairobi.

Order: PelecaniformesScript error: No such module "String".Family: Threskiornithidae

Threskiornithidae is a family of large terrestrial and wading birds which includes the ibises and spoonbills. They have long, broad wings with 11 primary and about 20 secondary feathers. They are strong fliers and despite their size and weight, very capable soarers.

Secretarybird

Order: AccipitriformesScript error: No such module "String".Family: Sagittariidae

The secretary-bird is a bird of prey but is easily distinguished from other raptors by its long crane-like legs.

Osprey

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The family Pandionidae contains only one species, the osprey. The osprey is a medium-large raptor which is a specialist fish-eater with a worldwide distribution.

Hawks, eagles, and kites

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Rüppell's griffon
File:Eastern chanting goshawk.jpg
Eastern chanting-goshawk in Tsavo West National Park
File:Augur buzzard cropped.jpg
The augur buzzard or jackal buzzard is common in savannah, grassland, and mountain habitats.

Order: AccipitriformesScript error: No such module "String".Family: Accipitridae

Accipitridae is a family of birds of prey which includes hawks, eagles, kites, harriers, and Old World vultures. These birds have powerful hooked beaks for tearing flesh from their prey, strong legs, powerful talons, and keen eyesight.

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Barn-owls

Order: StrigiformesScript error: No such module "String".Family: Tytonidae

Barn-owls are medium to large owls with large heads and characteristic heart-shaped faces. They have long strong legs with powerful talons.

Owls

File:White-faced Owl.jpg
The southern white-faced owl is rare in dry areas of southern Kenya.

Order: StrigiformesScript error: No such module "String".Family: Strigidae

The typical owls are small to large solitary nocturnal birds of prey. They have large forward-facing eyes and ears, a hawk-like beak, and a conspicuous circle of feathers around each eye called a facial disk.

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Mousebirds

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The speckled mousebird is common in many habitats, in this case Sweetwaters Tented Camp.

Order: ColiiformesScript error: No such module "String".Family: Coliidae

The mousebirds are slender grayish or brown birds with soft, hairlike body feathers and very long thin tails. They are arboreal and scurry through the leaves like rodents in search of berries, fruit, and buds. They are acrobatic and can feed upside down. All species have strong claws and reversible outer toes. They also have crests and stubby bills.

Trogons

File:Apaloderma vittatum1.jpg
Bar-tailed trogon near Mountain Lodge

Order: TrogoniformesScript error: No such module "String".Family: Trogonidae

The family Trogonidae includes trogons and quetzals. Found in tropical woodlands worldwide, they feed on insects and fruit, and their broad bills and weak legs reflect their diet and arboreal habits. Although their flight is fast, they are reluctant to fly any distance. Trogons have soft, often colorful, feathers with distinctive male and female plumage.

Hoopoes

Order: BucerotiformesScript error: No such module "String".Family: Upupidae

Hoopoes have black, white, and orangey-pink coloring with a large erectile crest on their head.

Woodhoopoes and scimitarbills

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Green woodhoopoe

Order: BucerotiformesScript error: No such module "String".Family: Phoeniculidae

The woodhoopoes and scimitarbills are related to the hoopoes, ground-hornbills, and hornbills. They most resemble the hoopoes with their long curved bills, used to probe for insects, and short rounded wings. However, they differ in that they have metallic plumage, often blue, green, or purple, and lack an erectile crest.

Ground-hornbills

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The ground-hornbills are terrestrial birds which feed almost entirely on insects, other birds, snakes, and amphibians.

Hornbills

File:Red-billed hornbill.jpg
The northern red-billed hornbill inspired the character Zazu in The Lion King. This one was photographed at Lake Baringo.

Order: BucerotiformesScript error: No such module "String".Family: Bucerotidae

Hornbills are a group of birds whose bill is shaped like a cow's horn, but without a twist, sometimes with a casque on the upper mandible. Frequently, the bill is brightly colored.

Kingfishers

File:WoodlandKingfisher.jpg
One subspecies of the woodland kingfisher breeds in Kenya; another (shown) breeds in southern Africa and spends the austral winter as far north as the Turkwel River.

Order: CoraciiformesScript error: No such module "String".Family: Alcedinidae

Kingfishers are medium-sized birds with large heads, long, pointed bills, short legs, and stubby tails.

Bee-eaters

File:Cinnamon-chested bee-eater.jpg
This cinnamon-chested bee-eater, a highland species, was photographed at Nanyuki.

Order: CoraciiformesScript error: No such module "String".Family: Meropidae

The bee-eaters are a group of near passerine birds in the family Meropidae. Most species are found in Africa but others occur in southern Europe, Madagascar, Australia, and New Guinea. They are characterised by richly colored plumage, slender bodies, and usually elongated central tail feathers. All have long down-turned bills and pointed wings, which give them a swallow-like appearance when seen from afar.

Rollers

File:Coracias abyssinica.jpg
The Abyssinian roller occurs in dry regions in the north of the country, wandering south at times.

Order: CoraciiformesScript error: No such module "String".Family: Coraciidae

Rollers resemble crows in size and build, but are more closely related to the kingfishers and bee-eaters. They share the colorful appearance of those groups with blues and browns predominating. The two inner front toes are connected, but the outer toe is not.

African barbets

File:Beardedbarbet.jpg
Double-toothed barbet

Order: PiciformesScript error: No such module "String".Family: Lybiidae

The barbets are plump birds, with short necks and large heads. They get their name from the bristles which fringe their heavy bills. Most species are brightly colored.

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Honeyguides

Order: PiciformesScript error: No such module "String".Family: Indicatoridae

Honeyguides are among the few birds that feed on wax. They are named for the greater honeyguide which leads traditional honey-hunters to bees' nests and, after the hunters have harvested the honey, feeds on the remaining contents of the hive.

Woodpeckers

File:Campethera nubica.jpg
This Nubian woodpecker was photographed at Samburu National Reserve.

Order: PiciformesScript error: No such module "String".Family: Picidae

Woodpeckers are small to medium-sized birds with chisel-like beaks, short legs, stiff tails, and long tongues used for capturing insects. Some species have feet with two toes pointing forward and two backward, while several species have only three toes. Many woodpeckers have the habit of tapping noisily on tree trunks with their beaks.

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Falcons and caracaras

File:Female Lesser Kestrel in flight.jpg
The lesser kestrel is a locally common winter visitor from Europe and Asia.

Order: FalconiformesScript error: No such module "String".Family: Falconidae

Falconidae is a family of diurnal birds of prey. They differ from hawks, eagles, and kites in that they kill with their beaks instead of their talons.

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Old World parrots

Order: PsittaciformesScript error: No such module "String".Family: Psittaculidae

Characteristic features of parrots include a strong curved bill, an upright stance, strong legs, and clawed zygodactyl feet. Many parrots are vividly colored, and some are multi-colored. In size they range from Script error: No such module "convert". to Script error: No such module "convert". in length. Old World parrots are found from Africa east across south and southeast Asia and Oceania to Australia and New Zealand.

African and New World parrots

File:Poicephalus meyeri1.jpg
Meyer's parrot

Order: PsittaciformesScript error: No such module "String".Family: Psittacidae

Characteristic features of parrots include a strong curved bill, an upright stance, strong legs, and clawed zygodactyl feet. Many parrots are vividly colored, and some are multi-colored. In size they range from Script error: No such module "convert". to Script error: No such module "convert". in length. Most of the more than 150 species in this family are found in the New World.

African and green broadbills

Order: PasseriformesScript error: No such module "String".Family: Calyptomenidae

The broadbills are small, brightly colored birds which feed on fruit and also take insects in flycatcher fashion, snapping their broad bills. Their habitat is canopies of wet forests.

Pittas

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Pittas are medium-sized by passerine standards and are stocky, with fairly long, strong legs, short tails, and stout bills. Many are brightly colored. They spend the majority of their time on wet forest floors, eating snails, insects, and similar invertebrates.

Cuckooshrikes

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Gray cuckooshrike

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The cuckooshrikes are small to medium-sized passerine birds. They are predominantly grayish with white and black, although some species are brightly colored.

Old World orioles

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The Old World orioles are colorful passerine birds which are not related to the similar-looking New World orioles.

Wattle-eyes and batises

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A female brown-throated wattle-eye

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The wattle-eyes, or puffback flycatchers, are small stout passerine birds of the African tropics. They get their name from the brightly colored fleshy eye decorations found in most species in this group.

Vangas, helmetshrikes, and allies

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White helmetshrike

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The helmetshrikes are similar in build to the shrikes, but tend to be colorful species with distinctive crests or other head ornaments, such as wattles, from which they get their name.

Bushshrikes and allies

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The tropical boubou is named for the call given in duet by a pair. This one is at the Masai Mara.

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Bushshrikes are similar in habits to shrikes, hunting insects and other small prey from a perch on a bush. Although similar in build to the shrikes, these tend to be either colorful species or largely black; some species are quite secretive.

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Drongos

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This fork-tailed drongo was photographed in Samburu National Reserve.

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The drongos are mostly black or dark gray in color, sometimes with metallic tints. They have long forked tails, and some Asian species have elaborate tail decorations. They have short legs and sit very upright when perched, like a shrike. They flycatch or take prey from the ground.

Monarch flycatchers

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The monarch flycatchers are small to medium-sized insectivorous passerines which hunt by flycatching.

Shrikes

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The gray-backed fiscal is found in relatively moist regions of southwestern Kenya.

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Shrikes are passerine birds known for their habit of catching other birds and small animals and impaling the uneaten portions of their bodies on thorns. A shrike's beak is hooked, like that of a typical bird of prey.

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Crows, jays, and ravens

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The pied crow is widespread, especially in cities and towns.

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The family Corvidae includes crows, ravens, jays, choughs, magpies, treepies, nutcrackers, and ground jays. Corvids are above average in size among the Passeriformes, and some of the larger species show high levels of intelligence.

Hyliotas

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The members of this small family, all of genus Hyliota, are birds of the forest canopy. They tend to feed in mixed-species flocks.

Fairy flycatchers

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Most of the species of this small family are found in Africa, though a few inhabit tropical Asia. They are not closely related to other birds called "flycatchers".

Tits, chickadees, and titmice

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The Paridae are mainly small stocky woodland species with short stout bills. Some have crests. They are adaptable birds, with a mixed diet including seeds and insects.

Penduline-tits

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The penduline tits are a group of small passerine birds related to the true tits. They are insectivores.

Larks

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The rufous-naped lark is one of several similar-looking birds of the genus Mirafra that are found in Kenya. This one is at Sweetwaters Game Reserve.

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Larks are small terrestrial birds with often extravagant songs and display flights. Most larks are fairly dull in appearance. Their food is insects and seeds.

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Nicators

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The nicators are shrike-like, with hooked bills. They are endemic to sub-Saharan Africa.

African warblers

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African warblers are small to medium-sized insectivores which are found in a wide variety of habitats south of the Sahara.

Cisticolas and allies

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Chestnut-throated apalis
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Chubb's cisticola

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The Cisticolidae are warblers found mainly in warmer southern regions of the Old World. They are generally very small birds of drab brown or gray appearance found in open country such as grassland or scrub.

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Reed warblers and allies

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The great reed-warbler is a regular winter visitor to Kenya.

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The members of this family are usually rather large for "warblers". Most are rather plain olivaceous brown above with much yellow to beige below. They are usually found in open woodland, reedbeds, or tall grass. The family occurs mostly in southern to western Eurasia and surroundings, but it also ranges far into the Pacific, with some species in Africa.

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Grassbirds and allies

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Locustellidae are a family of small insectivorous songbirds found mainly in Eurasia, Africa, and the Australian region. They are smallish birds with tails that are usually long and pointed, and tend to be drab brownish or buffy all over.

Swallows

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Wintering barn swallows from Europe and Asia are widespread in Kenya.

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The family Hirundinidae is adapted to aerial feeding. They have a slender streamlined body, long pointed wings, and a short bill with a wide gape. The feet are adapted to perching rather than walking, and the front toes are partially joined at the base.

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Bulbuls

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Yellow-bellied greenbul

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Bulbuls are medium-sized songbirds. Some are colorful with yellow, red, or orange vents, cheeks, throats, or supercilia, but most are drab, with uniform olive-brown to black plumage. Some species have distinct crests.

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Leaf warblers

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Leaf warblers are a family of small insectivorous birds found mostly in Eurasia and ranging into Wallacea and Africa. The species are of various sizes, often green-plumaged above and yellow below, or more subdued with grayish-green to grayish-brown colors.

Bush warblers and allies

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The members of this family are found throughout Africa, Asia, and Polynesia. Their taxonomy is in flux, and some authorities place genus Erythrocerus in another family.[3]

Sylviid warblers, parrotbills, and allies

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The family Sylviidae is a group of small insectivorous passerine birds. They mainly occur as breeding species, as the common name implies, in Europe, Asia, and, to a lesser extent, Africa. Most are of generally undistinguished appearance, but many have distinctive songs.

White-eyes, yuhinas, and allies

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These Kikuyu white-eyes were formerly considered a subspecies of Heuglin's white-eye.

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The white-eyes are small and mostly undistinguished, their plumage above being generally some dull color like greenish-olive, but some species have a white or bright yellow throat, breast, or lower parts, and several have buff flanks. As their name suggests, many species have a white ring around each eye.

Ground babblers and allies

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These small to medium-sized songbirds have soft fluffy plumage but are otherwise rather diverse. Members of the genus Illadopsis are found in forests, but some other genera are birds of scrublands.

Laughingthrushes and allies

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The black-lored babbler is a noisy and gregarious bird, like many other laughingthrushes in Kenya. This one is at Sweetwaters Tented Camp.

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The members of this family are diverse in size and coloration, though those of genus Turdoides tend to be brown or grayish. The family is found in Africa, India, and southeast Asia.

Treecreepers

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Treecreepers are small woodland birds, brown above and white below. They have thin pointed down-curved bills which they use to extricate insects from bark. They have stiff tail feathers, like woodpeckers, which they use to support themselves on vertical trees.

Oxpeckers

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As both the English and scientific names of these birds imply, they feed on ectoparasites, primarily ticks, found on large mammals.

Starlings

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Rüppell's starling
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The superb starling is one of Kenya's most conspicuous birds.

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Starlings are small to medium-sized passerine birds. Their flight is strong and direct and they are very gregarious. Their preferred habitat is fairly open country. They eat insects and fruit. Plumage is typically dark with a metallic sheen.

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Thrushes and allies

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The thrushes are a group of passerine birds that occur mainly in the Old World. They are plump, soft plumaged, small to medium-sized insectivores or sometimes omnivores, often feeding on the ground. Many have attractive songs.

Old World flycatchers

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The white-eyed slaty-flycatcher is active at twilight and often allows a close approach, as this one at Thomson's Falls did.
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Adult male sooty chat at Masai Mara National Reserve
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White-starred robin

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Old World flycatchers are a large group of small passerine birds native to the Old World. They are mainly small arboreal insectivores. The appearance of these birds is highly varied, but they mostly have weak songs and harsh calls.

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Dapple-throat and allies

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This species and two others, all of different genera, were formerly placed in family Promeropidae, the sugarbirds, but were accorded their own family in 2017.

Sunbirds and spiderhunters

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Scarlet-chested sunbird
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Northern double-collared sunbird

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The sunbirds and spiderhunters are very small passerine birds which feed largely on nectar, although they will also take insects, especially when feeding young. Flight is fast and direct on their short wings. Most species can take nectar by hovering like a hummingbird, but usually perch to feed.

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Weavers and allies

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White-headed buffalo-weaver
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White-browed sparrow-weaver
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These baglafecht weavers (black and yellow) and village weaver (pale) gathered at a feeder at the Masai Mara.
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The red-billed quelea frequently occurs in swarming, wandering flocks in Kenya.

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The weavers are small passerine birds related to the finches. They are seed-eating birds with rounded conical bills. The males of many species are brightly colored, usually in red or yellow and black, though some species show variation in color only in the breeding season.

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Waxbills and allies

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Red-cheeked cordon-bleu
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Common waxbill
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Cut-throat

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The estrildid finches are small passerine birds of the Old World tropics and Australasia. They are gregarious and often colonial seed eaters with short, thick but pointed bills. They are similar in structure and habits, but have wide variation in plumage colors and patterns.

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Indigobirds

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The breeding male pin-tailed whydah is one of Kenya's most spectacular birds.

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The indigobirds are finch-like species which usually have black or indigo predominating in their plumage. All are brood parasites, which lay their eggs in the nests of estrildid finches.

Old World sparrows

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Swahili sparrow

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Sparrows are small passerine birds. In general, sparrows tend to be small, plump, brown or gray birds with short tails and short powerful beaks. Sparrows are seed eaters, but they also consume small insects.

Wagtails and pipits

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The yellow-throated longclaw, this one photographed in Sweetwaters Game Reserve, occurs in southwestern and south-central Kenya and on the coast.

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Motacillidae is a family of small passerine birds with medium to long tails. They include the wagtails, longclaws, and pipits. They are slender ground-feeding insectivores of open country.

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Finches, euphonias, and allies

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The brimstone canary stands out even in its grassland habitat.

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Finches are seed-eating passerine birds that are small to moderately large and have a strong beak, usually conical and in some species very large. All have twelve tail feathers and nine primaries. These birds have a bouncing flight with alternating bouts of flapping and gliding on closed wings, and most sing well.

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Old World buntings

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The emberizids are a large family of passerine birds. They are seed-eating birds with distinctively shaped bills. Many emberizid species have distinctive head patterns.

See also

References

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  1. ↑ 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.
  2. ↑ IUCN 2021. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2020-3. https://www.iucnredlist.org ISSN 2307-8235 Retrieved March 1, 2021.
  3. ↑ Gill, F. and D. Donsker (Eds). 2019. IOC World Bird List (v 9.2). Doi 10.14344/IOC.ML.9.2. http://www.worldbirdnames.org/ retrieved June 22, 2019.

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External links

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