Wildlife of Somalia

Wildlife of Somalia

The Wildlife of Somalia includes its flora and fauna and their natural habitats. It has 177 species of mammals and 727 species of birds.

ubclass: Theria

Infraclass: Eutheria

Order: Afrosoricida (tenrecs and golden moles)

----

The order Afrosoricida contains the golden moles of southern Africa and the tenrecs of Madagascar and Africa, two families of small mammals that were traditionally part of the order Insectivora.

***Family: Chrysochloridae
****Subfamily: Amblysominae
*****Genus: Calcochloris
****** Somali Golden Mole "Calcochloris tytonis" DD

Order: Macroscelidea (elephant-shrews)

----

Often called sengisi, the elephant shrews or jumping shrews are native to southern Africa. Their common English name derives from their elongated flexible snout and their resemblance to the true shrews.

***Family: Macroscelididae (elephant-shrews)
****Genus: Elephantulus
***** Somali Sengi "Elephantulus revoili" DD
***** Rufous Sengi "Elephantulus rufescens" LC

Order: Tubulidentata (aardvarks)

----

The order Tubulidentata consists of a single species, the Aardvark. Tubulidentata are characterised by their teeth which lack a pulp cavity and form thin tubes which are continuously worn down and replaced.

***Family: Orycteropodidae
****Genus: Orycteropus
***** Aardvark "Orycteropus afer" LC

Order: Hyracoidea (hyraxes)

----The hyraxes are any of four species of fairly small, thickset, herbivorous mammals in the order Hyracoidea. About the size of a domestic cat they are well-furred, with rounded bodies and a stmpy tail. They are native to Africa and the Middle East.

***Family: Procaviidae (hylaxes)
****Genus: Heterohyrax
***** Yellow-spotted Rock Hyrax "Heterohyrax brucei" LC
****Genus: Procavia
***** Cape Hyrax "Procavia capensis" LC

Order: Proboscidea (elephants)

----The elephants comprise three living species and are the largest living land animals.

***Family: Elephantidae (elephants)
****Genus: Loxodonta
***** African Bush Elephant "Loxodonta africana" VU

Order: Sirenia (manatees and dugongs)

----Sirenia is an order of fully aquatic, herbivorous mammals that inhabit rivers, estuaries, coastal marine waters, swamps, and marine wetlands. All four species are endangered.

***Family: Dugongidae
****Genus: Dugong
***** Dugong "Dugong dugon" VU

Order: Primates

----The order Primates contains all the species commonly related to the lemurs, monkeys, and apes, with the latter category including humans. It is divided informally into three main groupings: prosimians, monkeys of the New World, and monkeys and apes of the Old World.

*Suborder: Strepsirrhini
**Infraorder: Lorisiformes
****Family: Galagidae
*****Genus: Galago
****** Somali Galago "Galago gallarum" LR/nt
****** Zanzibar Bushbaby "Galago zanzibaricus" LR/nt
*****Genus: Otolemur
****** Northern Greater Galago "Otolemur garnettii" LR/lc
*Suborder: Haplorrhini
**Infraorder: Simiiformes
***Parvorder: Catarrhini
****Superfamily: Cercopithecoidea
*****Family: Cercopithecidae (Old World monkeys)
******Genus: Erythrocebus
******* Patas Monkey "Erythrocebus patas" LR/lc
******Genus: Cercopithecus
******* Chlorocebus "Cercopithecus aethiops" LR/lc
******* Blue Monkey "Cercopithecus mitis" LR/lc
******Genus: Papio
******* Olive Baboon "Papio anubis" LR/lc
******* Yellow Baboon "Papio cynocephalus" LR/lc
******* Hamadryas Baboon "Papio hamadryas" LR/nt

Order: Rodentia (rodents)

----Rodents make up the largest order of mammals, with over 40 percent of mammalian species. They have two incisors in the upper and lower jaw which grow continually and must be keep short by gnawing. Most rodents are small though the capybara can weigh up to 45 kg (100 lb).

*Suborder: Hystricognathi
**Family: Bathyergidae
***Genus: Heterocephalus
**** Naked Mole Rat "Heterocephalus glaber" LC
**Family: Hystricidae (Old World porcupines)
***Genus: Hystrix
**** Crested Porcupine "Hystrix cristata" LC
*Suborder: Sciurognathi
**Family: Sciuridae (squirrels)
***Subfamily: Xerinae
****Tribe: Xerini
*****Genus: Xerus
****** Unstriped Ground Squirrel "Xerus rutilus" LC
****Tribe: Protoxerini
*****Genus: Paraxerus
****** Ochre Bush Squirrel "Paraxerus ochraceus" LC
****** Red Bush Squirrel "Paraxerus palliatus" LC
**Family: Dipodidae (jerboas)
***Subfamily: Dipodinae
****Genus: Jaculus
***** Lesser Egyptian Jerboa "Jaculus jaculus" LC
**Family: Spalacidae
***Subfamily: Tachyoryctinae
****Genus: Tachyoryctes
***** East African Mole Rat "Tachyoryctes splendens" LC
**Family: Nesomyidae
***Subfamily: Cricetomyinae
****Genus: Saccostomus
***** Mearns's Pouched Mouse "Saccostomus mearnsi" LC
**Family: Cricetidae
***Subfamily: Lophiomyinae
****Genus: Lophiomys
***** Maned Rat "Lophiomys imhausi" LC
**Family: Muridae (mice, rats, voles, gerbils, hamsters, etc.)
***Subfamily: Deomyinae
****Genus: Acomys
***** Fiery Spiny Mouse "Acomys ignitus" LC
***** Kemp's Spiny Mouse "Acomys kempi" LC
***** Louise's Spiny Mouse "Acomys louisae" LC
***** Mullah Spiny Mouse "Acomys mullah" LC
***** Percival's Spiny Mouse "Acomys percivali" LC
***** Wilson's Spiny Mouse "Acomys wilsoni" LC
***Subfamily: Gerbillinae
****Genus: Ammodillus
***** Ammodile "Ammodillus imbellis" DD
****Genus: Gerbillus
***** "Gerbillus acticola" DD
***** Brockman's Gerbil "Gerbillus brockmani" DD
***** Somalia Gerbil "Gerbillus dunni" DD
***** "Gerbillus juliani" LC
***** Rosalinda Gerbil "Gerbillus rosalinda" DD
***** "Gerbillus ruberrimus" LC
***** "Gerbillus somalicus" DD
****Genus: Microdillus
***** Somali Pygmy Gerbil "Microdillus peeli" LC
****Genus: Tatera
***** Black-tailed Gerbil "Tatera nigricauda" LC
***** Phillip's Gerbil "Tatera phillipsi" LC
***** Fring-tailed Gerbil "Tatera robusta" LC
****Genus: Taterillus
***** Harrington's Tateril "Taterillus harringtoni" LC
***Subfamily: Murinae
****Genus: Arvicanthis
***** Somali Grass Rat "Arvicanthis somalicus" DD
****Genus: Grammomys
***** Gray-headed Thicket Rat "Grammomys caniceps" DD
****Genus: Mastomys
***** Natal Multimammate Mouse "Mastomys natalensis" LC
****Genus: Mus
***** Delicate Mouse "Mus tenellus" LC
****Genus: Myomyscus
***** Brockman's Myomyscus "Myomyscus brockmani" LC
****Genus: Thallomys
***** Acacia rat "Thallomys paedulcus" LC
**Family: Ctenodactylidae
***Genus: Pectinator
**** Speke's Pectinator "Pectinator spekei" DD

Order: Lagomorpha (lagomorphs)

----The lagomorphs comprise two families, Leporidae (hares and rabbits), and Ochotonidae (pikas). Though they can resemble rodents, and were classified as a superfamily in that order until the early twentieth century, they have since been considered a separate order. They differ from rodents in a number of physical characteristics, such as having four incisors in the upper jaw rather than two.

*Family: Leporidae (rabbits, hares)
**Genus: Lepus
*** Cape Hare "Lepus capensis" LR/lc
*** Abyssinian Hare "Lepus habessinicus" LR/lc

Order: Erinaceomorpha (hedgehogs and gymnures)

----

The order Erinaceomorpha contains a single family, Erinaceidae, which comprise the hedgehogs and gymnures. The hedgehogs are easily recognised by their spines while gymnures look more like large rats.

*Family: Erinaceidae (hedgehogs)
**Subfamily: Erinaceinae
***Genus: Atelerix
**** Four-toed Hedgehog "Atelerix albiventris" LR/lc
**** Somali Hedgehog "Atelerix sclateri" LR/lc
***Genus: Hemiechinus
**** Desert Hedgehog "Hemiechinus aethiopicus" LR/lc

Order: Soricomorpha (shrews, moles, and soledons)

----The "shrew-forms" are insectivorous mmmals. The shrews and soledons closely resemble mice while the moles are stout bodied burrowers.

*Family: Soricidae (shrews)
**Subfamily: Crocidurinae
***Genus: Crocidura
**** Greenwood's Shrew "Crocidura greenwoodi" LC
**** Macarthur's Shrew "Crocidura macarthuri" LC
**** Dwarf White-toothed Shrew "Crocidura nana" DD
**** Desert Musk Shrew "Crocidura smithii" LC
**** Somali Shrew "Crocidura somalica" LC
**** Savanna Path Shrew "Crocidura viaria" LC
**** Voi Shrew "Crocidura voi" LC
**** Yankari Shrew "Crocidura yankariensis" LC

Order: Chiroptera (bats)

----The bats' most distinguishing feature is that their forelimbs are developed as wings, making them the only mammals in the world naturally capable of flight. Bat species account for about 20% of all mammals.

*Family: Pteropodidae (flying foxes, Old World fruit bats)
**Subfamily: Pteropodinae
***Genus: Eidolon
**** Straw-coloured Fruit Bat "Eidolon helvum" LC
***Genus: Epomophorus
**** East African Epauletted Fruit Bat "Epomophorus minimus" LC
**** Wahlberg's Epauletted Fruit Bat "Epomophorus wahlbergi" LC
*Family: Vespertilionidae
**Subfamily: Vespertilioninae
***Genus: Eptesicus
**** Botta's Serotine "Eptesicus bottae" LC
***Genus: Glauconycteris
**** Butterfly Bat "Glauconycteris variegata" LC
***Genus: Hypsugo
**** Eisentraut's Pipistrelle "Hypsugo eisentrauti" DD
***Genus: Neoromicia
**** Cape Serotine "Neoromicia capensis" LC
**** Heller's Pipistrelle "Neoromicia helios" DD
**** Banana Pipistrelle "Neoromicia nanus" LC
**** Rendall's Serotine "Neoromicia rendalli" LC
**** Somali Serotine "Neoromicia somalicus" LC
***Genus: Nycticeinops
**** Schlieffen's Twilight Bat "Nycticeinops schlieffeni" LC
***Genus: Pipistrellus
**** Egyptian Pipistrelle "Pipistrellus deserti" LC
**** Kuhl's Pipistrelle "Pipistrellus kuhlii" LC
***Genus: Scotoecus
**** White-bellied Lesser House Bat "Scotoecus albigula" DD
**** Hinde's Lesser House Bat "Scotoecus hindei" DD
**** Dark-winged Lesser House Bat "Scotoecus hirundo" DD
***Genus: Scotophilus
**** African Yellow Bat "Scotophilus dinganii" LC
*Family: Rhinopomatidae
**Genus: Rhinopoma
*** Lesser Mouse-tailed Bat "Rhinopoma hardwickei" LC
*** Macinnes's Mouse-tailed Bat "Rhinopoma macinnesi" VU
*Family: Molossidae
**Genus: Chaerephon
*** Little Free-tailed Bat "Chaerephon pumila" LC
**Genus: Mops
*** Angolan Free-tailed Bat "Mops condylurus" LC
*Family: Emballonuridae
**Genus: Coleura
*** African Sheath-tailed Bat "Coleura afra" LC
**Genus: Taphozous
*** Hamilton's Tomb Bat "Taphozous hamiltoni" NT
*** Mauritian Tomb Bat "Taphozous mauritianus" LC
*** Naked-rumped Tomb Bat "Taphozous nudiventris" LC
*** Egyptian Tomb Bat "Taphozous perforatus" LC
*Family: Nycteridae
**Genus: Nycteris
*** "Nycteris aurita" DD
*** Hairy Slit-Faced Bat "Nycteris hispida" LC
*** Parissi's Slit-Faced Bat "Nycteris parisii" DD
*** Egyptian Slit-Faced Bat "Nycteris thebaica" LC
*Family: Megadermatidae
**Genus: Cardioderma
*** Heart-nosed Bat "Cardioderma cor" LC
**Genus: Lavia
*** Yellow-winged bat "Lavia frons" LC
*Family: Rhinolophidae
**Subfamily: Rhinolophinae
***Genus: Rhinolophus
**** Blasius's Horseshoe Bat "Rhinolophus blasii" NT
**** Geoffroy's Horseshoe Bat "Rhinolophus clivosus" LC
**** Eloquent Horseshoe Bat "Rhinolophus eloquens" DD
**** RÜppell's Horseshoe Bat "Rhinolophus fumigatus" LC
**** Hildebrandt's Horseshoe Bat "Rhinolophus hildebrandti" LC
**** Lander's Horseshoe Bat "Rhinolophus landeri" LC
**Subfamily: Hipposiderinae
***Genus: Asellia
**** Trident Leaf-nosed Bat "Asellia tridens" LC
***Genus: Hipposideros
**** Sundevall's Roundleaf Bat "Hipposideros caffer" LC
**** nopage "Hipposideros marungensis" NT
**** Ethiopian Large-eared Roundleaf Bat "Hipposideros megalotis" NT
***Genus: Triaenops
**** Persian Trident Bat "Triaenops persicus" LC

Order: Pholidota (pangolins)

----

The order Philodota comprises the eight species of pangolin. Pangolins are anteaters and have the powerful claws, elongated snout and long tongue seen in the other unrelated anteater species.

*Family: Manidae
**Genus: Manis
*** Ground Pangolin "Manis temminckii" LR/nt

Order: Cetacea (whales)

----

The order Cetacea includes whales, dolphins and porpoises. They are the mammals most fully adapted to aquatic life with a spindle-shaped nearly hairless body, protected by a thick layer of blubber, and forelimbs and tail modified to provide propulsion underwater.

*Suborder: Odontoceti
**Superfamily: Platanistoidea
***Family: Kogiidae
****Genus: Kogia
***** Pygmy Sperm Whale "Kogia breviceps" LR/lc
***** Dwarf Sperm Whale "Kogia sima" LR/lc
***Family: Ziphidae
****Subfamily: Hyperoodontidae
*****Genus: Indopacetus
****** Longman's Beaked Whale "Indopacetus pacificus" DD
*****Genus: Mesoplodon
****** Blainville's Beaked Whale "Mesoplodon densirostris" DD
****** Ginkgo-toothed Beaked Whale "Mesoplodon ginkgodens" DD
***Family: Delphinidae (marine dolphins)
****Genus: Steno
***** Rough-toothed Dolphin "Steno bredanensis" DD
****Genus: Sousa
***** "Sousa chinensis" DD
****Genus: Tursiops
***** Bottlenose Dolphin "Tursiops aduncus" DD
****Genus: Stenella
***** Spinner Dolphin "Stenella longirostris" LR/cd
****Genus: Lagenodelphis
***** Fraser's Dolphin "Lagenodelphis hosei" DD
****Genus: Feresa
***** Pygmy Killer Whale "Feresa attenuata" DD

Order: Carnivora (carnivores)

----The carnivores include over 260 species, the majority of which eat meat as their primary dietary item. Carnivores have a characteristic skull shape and dentition.

*Suborder: Feliformia
**Family: Felidae (cats)
***Subfamily: Felinae
****Genus: Acinonyx
***** Cheetah "Acinonyx jubatus" VU
****Genus: Caracal
***** Caracal "Caracal caracal" LC
****Genus: Felis
***** Wildcat "Felis silvestris" LC
****Genus: Leptailurus
***** Serval "Leptailurus serval" LC
***Subfamily: Pantherinae
****Genus: Panthera
***** Lion "Panthera leo" VU
***** Leopard "Panthera pardus" LC
**Family: Viverridae (civets, mongooses, etc.)
***Subfamily: Viverrinae
****Genus: Civettictis
***** African Civet "Civettictis civetta" LR/lc
****Genus: Genetta
***** Abyssinian Genet "Genetta abyssinica" DD
***** Common Genet "Genetta genetta" LR/lc
**Family: Herpestidae (mongooses)
***Genus: Atilax
**** Marsh Mongoose "Atilax paludinosus" LR/lc
***Genus: Galerella
**** Slender Mongoose "Galerella sanguinea" LR/lc
***Genus: Helogale
**** Ethiopian Dwarf Mongoose "Helogale hirtula" LR/lc
**** Common Dwarf Mongoose "Helogale parvula" LR/lc
***Genus: Ichneumia
**** White-tailed Mongoose "Ichneumia albicauda" LR/lc
***Genus: Mungos
**** Banded Mongoose "Mungos mungo" LR/lc
**Family: Hyaenidae (hyaenas)
***Genus: Crocuta
**** Spotted Hyena "Crocuta crocuta" LR/cd
***Genus: Hyaena
**** Striped Hyena "Hyaena hyaena" LR/nt
***Genus: Proteles
**** Aardwolf "Proteles cristatus" LR/lc
*Suborder: Caniformia
**Family: Canidae (dogs, foxes)
***Genus: Vulpes
**** Rueppell's Fox "Vulpes rueppelli" DD
***Genus: Canis
**** Side-striped Jackal "Canis adustus" LC
**** Golden Jackal "Canis aureus" LC
**** Black-backed Jackal "Canis mesomelas" LC
***Genus: Otocyon
**** Bat-eared Fox "Otocyon megalotis" LC
**Family: Mustelidae (mustelids)
***Genus: Ictonyx
**** Striped Polecat "Ictonyx striatus" LR/lc
***Genus: Mellivora
**** Ratel "Mellivora capensis" LR/lc

Order: Perissodactyla (odd-toed ungulates)

----The odd-toed ungulates are browsing and grazing mammals. They are usually large to very large, and have relatively simple stomachs and a large middle toe.

*Family: Equidae (horses etc.)
**Genus: Equus
*** African Wild Ass "Equus africanus" CR
*** Burchell's Zebra "Equus burchellii" LC
*** Grevy's Zebra "Equus grevyi" EN

Order: Artiodactyla (even-toed ungulates)

----The even-toed ungulates are ungulates whose weight is borne about equally by the third and fourth toes, rather than mostly or entirely by the third as in perissodactyls. There are about 220 artiodactyl species, including many that are of great economic importance to humans.

*Family: Suidae (pigs)
**Subfamily: Phacochoerinae
***Genus: Phacochoerus
**** Warthog "Phacochoerus aethiopicus" LR/lc
**** Warthog "Phacochoerus africanus" LR/lc
**Subfamily: Suinae
***Genus: Potamochoerus
**** Bushpig "Potamochoerus larvatus" LR/lc
*Family: Hippopotamidae (hippopotamuses)
**Genus: Hippopotamus
*** Hippopotamus "Hippopotamus amphibius" VU
*Family: Giraffidae (giraffe, okapi)
**Genus: Giraffa
*** Giraffe "Giraffa camelopardalis" LR/cd
*Family: Bovidae (cattle, antelope, sheep, goats)
**Subfamily: Alcelaphinae
***Genus: Alcelaphus
**** Hartebeest "Alcelaphus buselaphus" LR/cd
***Genus: Damaliscus
**** Topi "Damaliscus lunatus" LR/cd
***Genus: Beatragus
**** Hirola "Beatragus hunteri" CR
**Subfamily: Antilopinae
***Genus: Ammodorcas
**** Dibatag "Ammodorcas clarkei" VU
***Genus: Dorcatragus
**** Beira (antelope) "Dorcatragus megalotis" VU
***Genus: Gazella
**** Dorcas Gazelle "Gazella dorcas" VU
**** Grant's Gazelle "Gazella granti" LR/cd
**** Soemmerring's Gazelle "Gazella soemmerringii" VU
**** Speke's Gazelle "Gazella spekei" VU
***Genus: Litocranius
**** Gerenuk "Litocranius walleri" LR/cd
***Genus: Madoqua
**** Kirk's Dik-dik "Madoqua kirkii" LR/lc
**** Silver Dik-dik "Madoqua piacentinii" VU
**** Salt's Dik-dik "Madoqua saltiana" LR/lc
***Genus: Oreotragus
**** Klipspringer "Oreotragus oreotragus" LR/cd
***Genus: Ourebia
**** Oribi "Ourebia ourebi" LR/cd
**Subfamily: Bovinae
***Genus: Syncerus
**** African Buffalo "Syncerus caffer" LR/cd
***Genus: Tragelaphus
**** Lesser Kudu "Tragelaphus imberbis" LR/cd
**** Bushbuck "Tragelaphus scriptus" LR/lc
**** Greater Kudu "Tragelaphus strepsiceros" LR/cd
**Subfamily: Cephalophinae
***Genus: Cephalophus
**** Harvey's Duiker "Cephalophus harveyi" LR/cd
***Genus: Sylvicapra
**** Common Duiker "Sylvicapra grimmia" LR/lc
**Subfamily: Hippotraginae
***Genus: Oryx
**** Gemsbok "Oryx gazella" LR/cd
**Subfamily: Reduncinae
***Genus: Kobus
**** Waterbuck "Kobus ellipsiprymnus" LR/cd

Birds

Ostriches

Order: StruthioniformesFamily: 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.

*Ostrich "Struthio camelus"

Grebes

Order: PodicipediformesFamily: Podicipedidae

Grebes are small to medium-large sized 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 Somalia.

*Little Grebe "Tachybaptus ruficollis"
*Eared Grebe "Podiceps nigricollis"

Albatrosses

Order: ProcellariiformesFamily: Diomedeidae

The albatrosses are among the largest of flying birds, and the great albatrosses from the genus Diomedea have the largest wingspans of any extant birds. There are 21 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Somalia.

*Shy Albatross "Thalassarche cauta" (A)

hearwaters and Petrels

Order: ProcellariiformesFamily: Procellariidae

The procellariids are the main group of medium-sized 'true petrels', characterised by united nostrils with a medium septum, and a long outer functional primary. There are 75 species worldwide and 9 species which occur in Somalia.

*Cape Petrel "Daption capense"
*Mascarene Petrel "Pterodroma aterrima"
*Antarctic Prion "Pachyptila desolata"
*Jouanin's Petrel "Bulweria fallax"
*Kerguelen Petrel "Aphrodroma brevirostris"
*Flesh-footed Shearwater "Puffinus carneipes"
*Wedge-tailed Shearwater "Puffinus pacificus"
*Audubon's Shearwater "Puffinus lherminieri"
*Persian Shearwater "Puffinus persicus"

torm-Petrels

Order: ProcellariiformesFamily: Hydrobatidae

The storm-petrels are relatives of the petrels, and are the smallest of sea-birds. They feed on planktonic crustaceans and small fish picked from the surface, typically while hovering. The flight is fluttering and sometimes bat-like. There are 21 species worldwide and 5 species which occur in Somalia.

*Wilson's Storm-Petrel "Oceanites oceanicus"
*White-faced Storm-Petrel "Pelagodroma marina"
*Black-bellied Storm-Petrel "Fregetta tropica"
*Swinhoe's Storm-Petrel "Oceanodroma monorhis"
*Matsudaira's Storm-Petrel "Oceanodroma matsudairae"

Tropicbirds

Order: PelecaniformesFamily: Phaethontidae

Tropicbirds are slender white birds of tropical oceans, with exceptionally long central tail feathers. Their heads and long wings have black markings. There are 3 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Somalia.

*Red-billed Tropicbird "Phaethon aethereus"

Pelicans

Order: PelecaniformesFamily: Pelecanidae

Pelicans are large water birds with a distinctive pouch under the beak. As with other members of the order Pelecaniformes, they have webbed feet with four toes. There are 8 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in Somalia.

*Great White Pelican "Pelecanus onocrotalus"
*Pink-backed Pelican "Pelecanus rufescens"

Boobies and Gannets

Order: PelecaniformesFamily: Sulidae

The sulids comprise the gannets and boobies. Both groups comprise medium-to-large coastal sea-birds that plunge-dive for fish. There are 9 species worldwide and 3 species which occur in Somalia.

*Masked Booby "Sula dactylatra"
*Red-footed Booby "Sula sula"
*Brown Booby "Sula leucogaster"

Cormorants

Order: PelecaniformesFamily: Phalacrocoracidae

The Phalacrocoracidae is a family of medium-to-large coastal, fish-eating sea-birds that includes cormorants and shags. Plumage colouration varies with the majority having mainly dark plumage, some species being black and white, and a few being colourful. There are 38 species worldwide and 3 species which occur in Somalia.

*Great Cormorant "Phalacrocorax carbo"
*Socotra Cormorant "Phalacrocorax nigrogularis"
*Long-tailed Cormorant "Phalacrocorax africanus"

Darters

Order: PelecaniformesFamily: Anhingidae

Darters are frequently referred to as "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 a 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. There are 4 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Somalia.

*Darter "Anhinga melanogaster"

Frigatebirds

Order: PelecaniformesFamily: Fregatidae

Frigatebirds are large sea-birds usually found over tropical oceans. They are large, black and white or completely black, with long wings and deeply-forked tails. The males have inflatable coloured 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. There are 5 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in Somalia.

*Great Frigatebird "Fregata minor"
*Lesser Frigatebird "Fregata ariel"

Bitterns, Herons and Egrets

Order: CiconiiformesFamily: Ardeidae

The family Ardeidae contains the bitterns, herons and egrets. Herons and egrets are medium to large sized wading birds with long necks and legs. Bitterns tend to be shorter necked and more wary. Unlike other long-necked birds suck as storks, ibises and spoonbills, members of Ardeidae fly with their necks retracted. There are 61 species worldwide and 15 species which occur in Somalia.

*Gray Heron "Ardea cinerea"
*Black-headed Heron "Ardea melanocephala"
*Goliath Heron "Ardea goliath"
*Purple Heron "Ardea purpurea"
*Great Egret "Ardea alba"
*Black Heron "Egretta ardesiaca"
*Intermediate Egret "Egretta intermedia"
*Western Reef-Heron "Egretta gularis"
*Little Egret "Egretta garzetta"
*Squacco Heron "Ardeola ralloides"
*Madagascar Pond-Heron "Ardeola idae"
*Cattle Egret "Bubulcus ibis"
*Striated Heron "Butorides striata"
*Black-crowned Night-Heron "Nycticorax nycticorax"
*Dwarf Bittern "Ixobrychus sturmii"

Hammerkop

Order: CiconiiformesFamily: Scopidae

The Hammerkop 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 a drab brown all over.

*Hamerkop "Scopus umbretta"

torks

Order: CiconiiformesFamily: Ciconiidae

Storks are large, long-legged, long-necked, wading birds with long, stout bills. Storks are mute; bill-clattering is an important mode of stork communication at the nest. Their nests can be large and may be reused for many years. Many species are migratory. There are 19 species worldwide and 8 species which occur in Somalia.

*Yellow-billed Stork "Mycteria ibis"
*African Openbill "Anastomus lamelligerus"
*Black Stork "Ciconia nigra"
*Abdim's Stork "Ciconia abdimii"
*Woolly-necked Stork "Ciconia episcopus"
*White Stork "Ciconia ciconia"
*Saddle-billed Stork "Ephippiorhynchus senegalensis"
*Marabou Stork "Leptoptilos crumeniferus"

Ibises and Spoonbills

Order: CiconiiformesFamily: Threskiornithidae

The 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. There are 36 species worldwide and 6 species which occur in Somalia.

*Sacred Ibis "Threskiornis aethiopicus"
*Waldrapp "Geronticus eremita"
*Hadada Ibis "Bostrychia hagedash"
*Glossy Ibis "Plegadis falcinellus"
*Eurasian Spoonbill "Platalea leucorodia"
*African Spoonbill "Platalea alba"

Flamingos

Order: PhoenicopteriformesFamily: Phoenicopteridae

Flamingos are gregarious wading birds, usually 3 to 5 feet high, found in both the Western and Eastern Hemispheres. They are more numerous in the latter. 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 are uniquely used upside-down. There are 6 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in Somalia.

*Greater Flamingo "Phoenicopterus roseus"
*Lesser Flamingo "Phoenicopterus minor"

Ducks, Geese and Swans

Order: AnseriformesFamily: Anatidae

The family Anatidae includes the ducks and most duck-like waterfowl, such as geese and swans. These are birds that are modified for an aquatic existence with webbed feet, flattened bills and feathers that are excellent at shedding water due to an oily coating. There are 131 species worldwide and 18 species which occur in Somalia.

*Fulvous Whistling-Duck "Dendrocygna bicolor"
*White-faced Whistling-Duck "Dendrocygna viduata"
*White-backed Duck "Thalassornis leuconotus"
*Egyptian Goose "Alopochen aegyptiacus"
*Ruddy Shelduck "Tadorna ferruginea"
*Comb Duck "Sarkidiornis melanotos"
*African Pygmy-goose "Nettapus auritus"
*Eurasian Wigeon "Anas penelope"
*Gadwall "Anas strepera"
*Eurasian Teal "Anas crecca"
*Yellow-billed Duck "Anas undulata"
*Northern Pintail "Anas acuta"
*Red-billed Duck "Anas erythrorhyncha"
*Hottentot Teal "Anas hottentota"
*Garganey "Anas querquedula"
*Northern Shoveler "Anas clypeata"
*Southern Pochard "Netta erythrophthalma"
*Tufted Duck "Aythya fuligula"

Osprey

Order: FalconiformesFamily: Pandionidae

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

*Osprey "Pandion haliaetus"

Hawks, Kites and Eagles

Order: FalconiformesFamily: Accipitridae

Accipitridae is a family of birds of prey and include 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. There are 233 species worldwide and 47 species which occur in Somalia.

*African Cuckoo-Hawk "Aviceda cuculoides"
*European Honey-buzzard "Pernis apivorus"
*Bat Hawk "Macheiramphus alcinus"
*Black-shouldered Kite "Elanus caeruleus"
*Scissor-tailed Kite "Chelictinia riocourii"
*Black Kite "Milvus migrans"
*African Fish-Eagle "Haliaeetus vocifer"
*Hooded Vulture "Necrosyrtes monachus"
*Lammergeier "Gypaetus barbatus"
*Egyptian Vulture "Neophron percnopterus"
*White-backed Vulture "Gyps africanus"
*Rueppell's Griffon "Gyps rueppellii"
*Eurasian Griffon "Gyps fulvus"
*Lappet-faced Vulture "Torgos tracheliotus"
*White-headed Vulture "Trigonoceps occipitalis"
*Black-breasted Snake-Eagle "Circaetus pectoralis"
*Brown Snake-Eagle "Circaetus cinereus"
*Fasciated Snake-Eagle "Circaetus fasciolatus"
*Bateleur "Terathopius ecaudatus"
*Western Marsh-Harrier "Circus aeruginosus"
*African Marsh-Harrier "Circus ranivorus"
*Pallid Harrier "Circus macrourus"
*Montagu's Harrier "Circus pygargus"
*African Harrier-Hawk "Polyboroides typus"
*Lizard Buzzard "Kaupifalco monogrammicus"
*Dark Chanting-Goshawk "Melierax metabates"
*Eastern Chanting-Goshawk "Melierax poliopterus"
*Gabar Goshawk "Micronisus gabar"
*African Goshawk "Accipiter tachiro"
*Shikra "Accipiter badius"
*Little Sparrowhawk "Accipiter minullus"
*Eurasian Sparrowhawk "Accipiter nisus"
*Black Goshawk "Accipiter melanoleucus"
*Grasshopper Buzzard "Butastur rufipennis"
*Eurasian Buzzard "Buteo buteo"
*Long-legged Buzzard "Buteo rufinus"
*Augur Buzzard "Buteo augur"
*Archer's Buzzard "Buteo archeri" (E)
*Tawny Eagle "Aquila rapax"
*Steppe Eagle "Aquila nipalensis"
*Wahlberg's Eagle "Aquila wahlbergi"
*Verreaux's Eagle "Aquila verreauxii"
*African Hawk-Eagle "Aquila spilogaster"
*Booted Eagle "Aquila pennatus"
*Ayres's Hawk-Eagle "Aquila ayresii"
*Martial Eagle "Polemaetus bellicosus"
*Long-crested Eagle "Lophaetus occipitalis"

ecretary-bird

Order: FalconiformesFamily: Sagittariidae

The Secretary-bird is a bird of prey in the order Falconiformes but is easily distinguished from other raptors by it long crane-like legs.

*Secretary-bird "Sagittarius serpentarius"

Caracaras and Falcons

Order: FalconiformesFamily: 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 feet. There are 62 species worldwide and 14 species which occur in Somalia.

*Pygmy Falcon "Polihierax semitorquatus"
*Lesser Kestrel "Falco naumanni"
*Eurasian Kestrel "Falco tinnunculus"
*Greater Kestrel "Falco rupicoloides"
*Red-necked Falcon "Falco chicquera"
*Red-footed Falcon "Falco vespertinus"
*Amur Falcon "Falco amurensis"
*Eleonora's Falcon "Falco eleonorae"
*Sooty Falcon "Falco concolor"
*Eurasian Hobby "Falco subbuteo"
*African Hobby "Falco cuvierii"
*Lanner Falcon "Falco biarmicus"
*Barbary Falcon "Falco pelegrinoides"
*Peregrine Falcon "Falco peregrinus"

Pheasants and Partridges

Order: GalliformesFamily: 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 may vary in size) and have broad, relatively short wings. There are 156 species worldwide and 7 species which occur in Somalia.

*Crested Francolin "Francolinus sephaena"
*Moorland Francolin "Francolinus psilolaemus"
*Orange River Francolin "Francolinus levaillantoides"
*Yellow-necked Francolin "Francolinus leucoscepus"
*Red-necked Francolin "Francolinus afer"
*Chestnut-naped Francolin "Francolinus castaneicollis"
*Harlequin Quail "Coturnix delegorguei"

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 3 species which occur in Somalia.

*Helmeted Guineafowl "Numida meleagris"
*Crested Guineafowl "Guttera pucherani"
*Vulturine Guineafowl "Acryllium vulturinum"

Buttonquails

Order: GruiformesFamily: 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. There are 16 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Somalia.

*Small Buttonquail "Turnix sylvatica"

Rails, Crakes, 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, difficult to observe. Most species have strong legs, and have long toes which are well adapted to soft, uneven surfaces. They tend to have short, rounded wings and be weak fliers. There are 143 species worldwide and 11 species which occur in Somalia.

*Buff-spotted Flufftail "Sarothrura elegans"
*Corn Crake "Crex crex"
*Black Crake "Amaurornis flavirostris"
*Little Crake "Porzana parva"
*Baillon's Crake "Porzana pusilla"
*Spotted Crake "Porzana porzana"
*Purple Swamphen "Porphyrio porphyrio"
*Allen's Gallinule "Porphyrio alleni"
*Common Moorhen "Gallinula chloropus"
*Lesser Moorhen "Gallinula angulata"
*Red-knobbed Coot "Fulica cristata"

ungrebe and Finfoots

Order: GruiformesFamily: Heliornithidae

The Heliornithidae are small family of tropical birds with webbed lobes on their feet similar to those of grebes and coots. There are 3 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Somalia.

*African Finfoot "Podica senegalensis"

Bustards

Order: GruiformesFamily: 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 26 species worldwide and 8 species which occur in Somalia.

*Arabian Bustard "Ardeotis arabs"
*Kori Bustard "Ardeotis kori"
*Heuglin's Bustard "Neotis heuglinii"
*White-bellied Bustard "Eupodotis senegalensis"
*Little Brown Bustard "Eupodotis humilis"
*Buff-crested Bustard "Eupodotis gindiana"
*Black-bellied Bustard "Lissotis melanogaster"
*Hartlaub's Bustard "Lissotis hartlaubii"

Jacanas

Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Jacanidae

The jacanas are a group of tropical waders in the family Jacanidae. They are found worldwide in 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. There 8 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Somalia.

*African Jacana "Actophilornis africanus"

Painted snipe

Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Rostratulidae

Painted snipe are short-legged, long-billed birds similar in shape to the true snipes, but more brightly coloured. There are 2 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Somalia.

*Greater Painted-snipe "Rostratula benghalensis"

Crab Plover

Order: CharadriiformesFamily: 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. It has black and white plumage, a long neck, partially webbed feet and a bill designed for eating crabs.

*Crab Plover "Dromas ardeola"

Oystercatchers

Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Haematopodidae

The oystercatchers are large and noisy plover-like birds, with strong bills used for smashing or prising open molluscs. There are 11 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Somalia.

*Eurasian Oystercatcher "Haematopus ostralegus"

Avocets and Stilts

Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Recurvirostridae

Recurvirostridae is a family of large wading birds, which includes the avocets and the stilts. The avocets have long legs and long up-curved bills. The stilts have extremely long legs and long, thin, straight bills. There are 9 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in Somalia.

*Black-winged Stilt "Himantopus himantopus"
*Pied Avocet "Recurvirostra avosetta"

Thick-knees

Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Burhinidae

The thick-knees are a group of largely tropical waders in the family Burhinidae. They are 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. There are 9 species worldwide and 3 species which occur in Somalia.

*Water Thick-knee "Burhinus vermiculatus"
*Eurasian Thick-knee "Burhinus oedicnemus"
*Spotted Thick-knee "Burhinus capensis"

Pratincoles and Coursers

Order: CharadriiformesFamily: 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. There are 17 species worldwide and 8 species which occur in Somalia.

*Cream-colored Courser "Cursorius cursor"
*Temminck's Courser "Cursorius temminckii"
*Double-banded Courser "Smutsornis africanus"
*Three-banded Courser "Rhinoptilus cinctus"
*Bronze-winged Courser "Rhinoptilus chalcopterus"
*Collared Pratincole "Glareola pratincola"
*Black-winged Pratincole "Glareola nordmanni"
*Madagascar Pratincole "Glareola ocularis"

Plovers and Lapwings

Order: CharadriiformesFamily: 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, although there are some exceptions. There are 66 species worldwide and 19 species which occur in Somalia.

*Spur-winged Plover "Vanellus spinosus"
*Black-headed Lapwing "Vanellus tectus"
*Senegal Lapwing "Vanellus lugubris"
*Black-winged Lapwing "Vanellus melanopterus"
*Crowned Lapwing "Vanellus coronatus"
*Wattled Lapwing "Vanellus senegallus"
*Sociable Lapwing "Vanellus gregarius"
*Pacific Golden-Plover "Pluvialis fulva"
*European Golden-Plover "Pluvialis apricaria"
*Black-bellied Plover "Pluvialis squatarola"
*Common Ringed Plover "Charadrius hiaticula"
*Little Ringed Plover "Charadrius dubius"
*Kittlitz's Plover "Charadrius pecuarius"
*Three-banded Plover "Charadrius tricollaris"
*White-fronted Plover "Charadrius marginatus"
*Snowy Plover "Charadrius alexandrinus"
*Lesser Sandplover "Charadrius mongolus"
*Greater Sandplover "Charadrius leschenaultii"
*Caspian Plover "Charadrius asiaticus"

andpipers and allies

Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Scolopacidae

The Scolopacidae are 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 species eat small invertebrates picked out of the mud or soil. Variation in length of legs and bills enable different species to feed in the same habitat, particularly on the coast, without direct competition for food. There are 89 species worldwide and 28 species which occur in Somalia.

*Jack Snipe "Lymnocryptes minimus"
*Pintail Snipe "Gallinago stenura"
*Great Snipe "Gallinago media"
*Common Snipe "Gallinago gallinago"
*Black-tailed Godwit "Limosa limosa"
*Bar-tailed Godwit "Limosa lapponica"
*Whimbrel "Numenius phaeopus"
*Slender-billed Curlew "Numenius tenuirostris"
*Eurasian Curlew "Numenius arquata"
*Spotted Redshank "Tringa erythropus"
*Common Redshank "Tringa totanus"
*Marsh Sandpiper "Tringa stagnatilis"
*Common Greenshank "Tringa nebularia"
*Green Sandpiper "Tringa ochropus"
*Wood Sandpiper "Tringa glareola"
*Terek Sandpiper "Xenus cinereus"
*Common Sandpiper "Actitis hypoleucos"
*Ruddy Turnstone "Arenaria interpres"
*Red Knot "Calidris canutus"
*Sanderling "Calidris alba"
*Red-necked Stint "Calidris ruficollis"
*Little Stint "Calidris minuta"
*Temminck's Stint "Calidris temminckii"
*Curlew Sandpiper "Calidris ferruginea"
*Dunlin "Calidris alpina"
*Broad-billed Sandpiper "Limicola falcinellus"
*Ruff "Philomachus pugnax"
*Red-necked Phalarope "Phalaropus lobatus"

kuas and Jaegers

Order: CharadriiformesFamily: 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. There are 7 species worldwide and 4 species which occur in Somalia.

*South Polar Skua "Stercorarius maccormicki"
*Brown Skua "Stercorarius antarctica"
*Pomarine Jaeger "Stercorarius pomarinus"
*Parasitic Jaeger "Stercorarius parasiticus"

Gulls

Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Laridae

Laridae is a family of medium to large birds seabirds and includes gulls and kittiwakes. They are typically grey or white, often with black markings on the head or wings. They have stout, longish bills and webbed feet. There are 55 species worldwide and 11 species which occur in Somalia.

*White-eyed Gull "Larus leucophthalmus"
*Sooty Gull "Larus hemprichii"
*Herring Gull "Larus argentatus"
*Lesser Black-backed Gull "Larus fuscus"
*Heuglin's Gull "Larus heuglini"
*Caspian Gull "Larus cachinnans"
*Armenian Gull "Larus armenicus"
*Great Black-headed Gull "Larus ichthyaetus"
*Gray-headed Gull "Larus cirrocephalus"
*Black-headed Gull "Larus ridibundus"
*Sabine's Gull "Xema sabini"

Terns

Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Sternidae

Terns are a group of generally general medium to large sea-birds typically with grey 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 now known to live in excess of 25 to 30 years. There are 44 species worldwide and 18 species which occur in Somalia.

*Gull-billed Tern "Sterna nilotica"
*Caspian Tern "Sterna caspia"
*Lesser Crested Tern "Sterna bengalensis"
*Sandwich Tern "Sterna sandvicensis"
*Great Crested Tern "Sterna bergii"
*Roseate Tern "Sterna dougallii"
*Common Tern "Sterna hirundo"
*Arctic Tern "Sterna paradisaea"
*Little Tern "Sterna albifrons"
*Saunders's Tern "Sterna saundersi"
*White-cheeked Tern "Sterna repressa"
*Bridled Tern "Sterna anaethetus"
*Sooty Tern "Sterna fuscata"
*Whiskered Tern "Chlidonias hybridus"
*White-winged Tern "Chlidonias leucopterus"
*Black Tern "Chlidonias niger"
*Lesser Noddy "Anous tenuirostris"
*Brown Noddy "Anous stolidus"

kimmers

Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Rynchopidae

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. There are 3 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Somalia.

*African Skimmer "Rynchops flavirostris"

andgrouse

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. There are 16 species worldwide and 4 species which occur in Somalia.

*Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse "Pterocles exustus"
*Spotted Sandgrouse "Pterocles senegallus"
*Black-faced Sandgrouse "Pterocles decoratus"
*Lichtenstein's Sandgrouse "Pterocles lichtensteinii"

Pigeons and Doves

Order: ColumbiformesFamily: Columbidae

Pigeons and doves are stout-bodied birds with short necks and short slender bills with a fleshy cere. There are 308 species worldwide and 17 species which occur in Somalia.

*Rock Pigeon "Columba livia"
*Speckled Pigeon "Columba guinea"
*White-collared Pigeon "Columba albitorques"
*Somali Pigeon "Columba oliviae" (E)
*Rameron Pigeon "Columba arquatrix"
*Eurasian Turtle-Dove "Streptopelia turtur"
*Dusky Turtle-Dove "Streptopelia lugens"
*African Collared-Dove "Streptopelia roseogrisea"
*White-winged Collared-Dove "Streptopelia reichenowi"
*African Mourning Dove "Streptopelia decipiens"
*Red-eyed Dove "Streptopelia semitorquata"
*Ring-necked Dove "Streptopelia capicola"
*Laughing Dove "Streptopelia senegalensis"
*Emerald-spotted Wood-Dove "Turtur chalcospilos"
*Tambourine Dove "Turtur tympanistria"
*Namaqua Dove "Oena capensis"
*Bruce's Green-Pigeon "Treron waalia"

Parrots, Macaws and allies

Order: PsittaciformesFamily: Psittacidae

Parrots are small to large birds with a characteristic curved beak shape. Their upper mandibles have slight mobility in the joint with the skull and the have a generally erect stance. All parrots are zygodactyl, having the four toes on each foot placed two at the front and two back. There are 335 species worldwide and 3 species which occur in Somalia.

*Rose-ringed Parakeet "Psittacula krameri"
*Brown-headed Parrot "Poicephalus cryptoxanthus"
*Red-bellied Parrot "Poicephalus rufiventris"

Turacos

Order: CuculiformesFamily: 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 birds, usually blue, green or purple. The go-away birds are mostly grey and white. There are 23 species worldwide and 3 species which occur in Somalia.

*Fischer's Turaco "Tauraco fischeri"
*White-cheeked Turaco "Tauraco leucotis"
*White-bellied Go-away-bird "Corythaixoides leucogaster"

Cuckoos and Anis

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. Unlike the cuckoo species of the Old World, North American cuckoos are not brood parasites. There are 138 species worldwide and 14 species which occur in Somalia.

*Pied Cuckoo "Clamator jacobinus"
*Levaillant's Cuckoo "Clamator levaillantii"
*Great Spotted Cuckoo "Clamator glandarius"
*Red-chested Cuckoo "Cuculus solitarius"
*Black Cuckoo "Cuculus clamosus"
*Common Cuckoo "Cuculus canorus"
*African Cuckoo "Cuculus gularis"
*Lesser Cuckoo "Cuculus poliocephalus"
*Klaas's Cuckoo "Chrysococcyx klaas"
*African Emerald Cuckoo "Chrysococcyx cupreus"
*Dideric Cuckoo "Chrysococcyx caprius"
*Yellowbill "Ceuthmochares aereus"
*Senegal Coucal "Centropus senegalensis"
*White-browed Coucal "Centropus superciliosus"

Barn owls

Order: StrigiformesFamily: Tytonidae

Barn owls are medium to large sized owls with large heads and characteristic heart-shaped faces. They have long strong legs with powerful talons. There are 16 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Somalia.

*Barn Owl "Tyto alba"

Typical owls

Order: StrigiformesFamily: Strigidae

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. There are 195 species worldwide and 13 species which occur in Somalia.

*African Scops-Owl "Otus senegalensis"
*European Scops-Owl "Otus scops"
*Northern White-faced Owl "Ptilopsis leucotis"
*Southern White-faced Owl "Ptilopsis granti"
*Spotted Eagle-Owl "Bubo africanus"
*Grayish Eagle-Owl "Bubo cinerascens"
*Verreaux's Eagle-Owl "Bubo lacteus"
*Pel's Fishing-Owl "Scotopelia peli"
*African Wood-Owl "Strix woodfordii"
*Pearl-spotted Owlet "Glaucidium perlatum"
*African Barred Owlet "Glaucidium capense"
*Little Owl "Athene noctua"
*Short-eared Owl "Asio flammeus"

Nightjars

Order: CaprimulgiformesFamily: Caprimulgidae

Nightjars are medium-sized nocturnal birds with long wings, short legs and very short bills that usually nest on the ground. Most have small feet, of little use for walking, and long pointed wings. Their soft plumage is camouflaged to resemble bark or leaves. There are 86 species worldwide and 13 species which occur in Somalia.

*Eurasian Nightjar "Caprimulgus europaeus"
*Sombre Nightjar "Caprimulgus fraenatus"
*Egyptian Nightjar "Caprimulgus aegyptius"
*Nubian Nightjar "Caprimulgus nubicus"
*Donaldson-Smith's Nightjar "Caprimulgus donaldsoni"
*Fiery-necked Nightjar "Caprimulgus pectoralis"
*Plain Nightjar "Caprimulgus inornatus"
*Star-spotted Nightjar "Caprimulgus stellatus"
*Long-tailed Nightjar "Caprimulgus climacurus"
*Slender-tailed Nightjar "Caprimulgus clarus"
*Square-tailed Nightjar "Caprimulgus fossii"
*Pennant-winged Nightjar "Macrodipteryx vexillarius"
*Standard-winged Nightjar "Macrodipteryx longipennis"

wifts

Order: ApodiformesFamily: Apodidae

Swifts are small aerial birds, spending 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 that resemble a crescent or a boomerang. There are 98 species worldwide and 10 species which occur in Somalia.

*Mottled Spinetail "Telacanthura ussheri"
*Bat-like Spinetail "Neafrapus boehmi"
*African Palm-Swift "Cypsiurus parvus"
*Alpine Swift "Tachymarptis melba"
*Common Swift "Apus apus"
*Nyanza Swift "Apus niansae"
*Pallid Swift "Apus pallidus"
*Forbes-Watson's Swift "Apus berliozi"
*Little Swift "Apus affinis"
*White-rumped Swift "Apus caffer"

Mousebirds

Order: ColiiformesFamily: Coliidae

The mousebirds are slender greyish 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. There are 6 species worldwide and 3 species which occur in Somalia.

*Speckled Mousebird "Colius striatus"
*White-headed Mousebird "Colius leucocephalus"
*Blue-naped Mousebird "Urocolius macrourus"

Trogons and Quetzals

Order: TrogoniformesFamily: 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 colourful, feathers with distinctive male and female plumage. There are 33 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Somalia.

*Narina Trogon "Apaloderma narina"

Kingfishers

Order: CoraciiformesFamily: Alcedinidae

Kingfishers are medium-sized birds with large heads, long pointed bills, short legs, and stubby tails. There are 93 species worldwide and 10 species which occur in Somalia.

*Malachite Kingfisher "Alcedo cristata"
*African Pygmy-Kingfisher "Ispidina picta"
*Gray-headed Kingfisher "Halcyon leucocephala"
*Woodland Kingfisher "Halcyon senegalensis"
*Mangrove Kingfisher "Halcyon senegaloides"
*Brown-hooded Kingfisher "Halcyon albiventris"
*Striped Kingfisher "Halcyon chelicuti"
*Collared Kingfisher "Todirhamphus chloris"
*Giant Kingfisher "Megaceryle maximus"
*Pied Kingfisher "Ceryle rudis"

Bee-eaters

Order: CoraciiformesFamily: 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 coloured plumage, slender bodies and usually elongated central tail feathers. All are colorful and have long downturned bills and pointed wings, which give them a swallow-like appearance when seen from afar. There are 26 species worldwide and 8 species which occur in Somalia.

*Little Bee-eater "Merops pusillus"
*Cinnamon-chested Bee-eater "Merops oreobates"
*Somali Bee-eater "Merops revoilii"
*White-throated Bee-eater "Merops albicollis"
*Blue-cheeked Bee-eater "Merops persicus"
*Madagascar Bee-eater "Merops superciliosus"
*European Bee-eater "Merops apiaster"
*Northern Carmine Bee-eater "Merops nubicus"

Typical Rollers

Order: CoraciiformesFamily: Coraciidae

Rollers resemble crows in size and build, but are more closely related to the kingfishers and bee-eaters. They share the colourful appearance of those groups with blues and browns predominating. The two inner front toes are connected, but the outer toe is not. There are 12 species worldwide and 5 species which occur in Somalia.

*European Roller "Coracias garrulus"
*Abyssinian Roller "Coracias abyssinica"
*Lilac-breasted Roller "Coracias caudata"
*Rufous-crowned Roller "Coracias naevia"
*Broad-billed Roller "Eurystomus glaucurus"

Hoopoes

Order: CoraciiformesFamily: Upupidae

Hoopoes have black, white and orangey-pink colouring with a large erectile crest on their head. There are 2 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Somalia.

*Hoopoe "Upupa epops"

Woodhoopoes

Order: CoraciiformesFamily: Phoeniculidae

The woodhoopoes are related to the kingfishers, rollers and hoopoe. They most resemble the last species with their long curved bills, used for probing 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. There are 8 species worldwide and 5 species which occur in Somalia.

*Green Woodhoopoe "Phoeniculus purpureus"
*Black-billed Woodhoopoe "Phoeniculus somaliensis"
*Black Scimitar-bill "Rhinopomastus aterrimus"
*Common Scimitar-bill "Rhinopomastus cyanomelas"
*Abyssinian Scimitar-bill "Rhinopomastus minor"

Hornbills

Order: CoraciiformesFamily: 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 coloured. There are 57 species worldwide and 8 species which occur in Somalia.

*Red-billed Hornbill "Tockus erythrorhynchus"
*Eastern Yellow-billed Hornbill "Tockus flavirostris"
*Von der Decken's Hornbill "Tockus deckeni"
*Crowned Hornbill "Tockus alboterminatus"
*Hemprich's Hornbill "Tockus hemprichii"
*African Gray Hornbill "Tockus nasutus"
*Silvery-cheeked Hornbill "Ceratogymna brevis"
*Abyssinian Ground-Hornbill "Bucorvus abyssinicus"

Barbets

Order: PiciformesFamily: Capitonidae

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 coloured. There are 84 species worldwide and 7 species which occur in Somalia.

*Red-fronted Tinkerbird "Pogoniulus pusillus"
*Red-fronted Barbet "Tricholaema diademata"
*Black-throated Barbet "Tricholaema melanocephala"
*Brown-breasted Barbet "Lybius melanopterus"
*Yellow-breasted Barbet "Trachyphonus margaritatus"
*Red-and-yellow Barbet "Trachyphonus erythrocephalus"
*D'Arnaud's Barbet "Trachyphonus darnaudii"

Honeyguides

Order: PiciformesFamily: Indicatoridae

Honeyguides are among the few birds that feed on wax. They are named for the behaviour of the Greater Honeyguide which leads large animals to bees' nests and then feeds on the wax once the animal has broken the nest open to get at the honey. There are 17 species worldwide and 4 species which occur in Somalia.

*Scaly-throated Honeyguide "Indicator variegatus"
*Greater Honeyguide "Indicator indicator"
*Lesser Honeyguide "Indicator minor"
*Wahlberg's Honeyguide "Prodotiscus regulus"

Woodpeckers and allies

Order: PiciformesFamily: 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. There are 218 species worldwide and 7 species which occur in Somalia.

*Eurasian Wryneck "Jynx torquilla"
*Nubian Woodpecker "Campethera nubica"
*Golden-tailed Woodpecker "Campethera abingoni"
*Mombasa Woodpecker "Campethera mombassica"
*Green-backed Woodpecker "Campethera cailliautii"
*Cardinal Woodpecker "Dendropicos fuscescens"
*Bearded Woodpecker "Dendropicos namaquus"

Larks

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Alaudidae

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. There are 91 species worldwide and 28 species which occur in Somalia.

*Singing Bushlark "Mirafra cantillans"
*White-tailed Lark "Mirafra albicauda"
*Red-winged Lark "Mirafra hypermetra"
*Somali Long-billed Lark "Mirafra somalica"
*Ash's Lark "Mirafra ashi" (E)
*Rufous-naped Lark "Mirafra africana"
*Flappet Lark "Mirafra rufocinnamomea"
*Collared Lark "Mirafra collaris"
*Gillett's Lark "Mirafra gilletti"
*Pink-breasted Lark "Calendulauda poecilosterna"
*Fawn-colored Lark "Calendulauda africanoides"
*Foxy Lark "Calendulauda alopex"
*Archer's Lark "Heteromirafra archeri" (E)
*Sidamo Lark "Heteromirafra sidamoensis"
*Chestnut-backed Sparrow-Lark "Eremopterix leucotis"
*Black-crowned Sparrow-Lark "Eremopterix nigriceps"
*Chestnut-headed Sparrow-Lark "Eremopterix signata"
*Desert Lark "Ammomanes deserti"
*Greater Hoopoe-Lark "Alaemon alaudipes"
*Lesser Hoopoe-Lark "Alaemon hamertoni" (E)
*Greater Short-toed Lark "Calandrella brachydactyla"
*Blanford's Lark "Calandrella blanfordi"
*Red-capped Lark "Calandrella cinerea"
*Somali Short-toed Lark "Calandrella somalica"
*Obbia Lark "Spizocorys obbiensis" (E)
*Crested Lark "Galerida cristata"
*Thekla Lark "Galerida theklae"
*Short-tailed Lark "Pseudalaemon fremantlii"

wallows and Martins

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Hirundinidae

The Hirundinidae family is a group of passerines characterized by their adaptation to aerial feeding. Their adaptations include a slender streamlined body, long pointed wings and short bills with wide gape. The feet are designed for perching rather than walking, and the front toes are partially joined at the base. There are 75 species worldwide and 12 species which occur in Somalia.

*Bank Swallow "Riparia riparia"
*Plain Martin "Riparia paludicola"
*Banded Martin "Riparia cincta"
*Rock Martin "Ptyonoprogne fuligula"
*Barn Swallow "Hirundo rustica"
*Red-chested Swallow "Hirundo lucida"
*Ethiopian Swallow "Hirundo aethiopica"
*Wire-tailed Swallow "Hirundo smithii"
*Lesser Striped-Swallow "Cecropis abyssinica"
*Mosque Swallow "Cecropis senegalensis"
*Red-rumped Swallow "Cecropis daurica"
*Common House-Martin "Delichon urbica"

Wagtails and Pipits

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Motacillidae

The Motacillidae are 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. There are 54 species worldwide and 14 species which occur in Somalia.

*White Wagtail "Motacilla alba"
*African Pied Wagtail "Motacilla aguimp"
*Yellow Wagtail "Motacilla flava"
*Gray Wagtail "Motacilla cinerea"
*Golden Pipit "Tmetothylacus tenellus"
*Yellow-throated Longclaw "Macronyx croceus"
*Pangani Longclaw "Macronyx aurantiigula"
*Plain-backed Pipit "Anthus leucophrys"
*African Pipit "Anthus cinnamomeus"
*Malindi Pipit "Anthus melindae"
*Tawny Pipit "Anthus campestris"
*Long-billed Pipit "Anthus similis"
*Tree Pipit "Anthus trivialis"
*Red-throated Pipit "Anthus cervinus"

Cuckoo-shrikes

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Campephagidae

The cuckoo-shrikes are small to medium-sized passerine birds. They are predominantly greyish with white and black, although some species are brightly coloured. There are 82 species worldwide and 3 species which occur in Somalia.

*Gray Cuckoo-shrike "Coracina caesia"
*Black Cuckoo-shrike "Campephaga flava"
*Red-shouldered Cuckoo-shrike "Campephaga phoenicea"

Bulbuls

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Pycnonotidae

Bulbuls are medium-sized songbirds. Some are colourful with yellow, red or orange vents, cheeks, throat or supercilia, but most are drab, with uniform olive brown to black plumage. Some species have distinct crests. There are 130 species worldwide and 7 species which occur in Somalia.

*Common Bulbul "Pycnonotus barbatus"
*Sombre Greenbul "Andropadus importunus"
*Yellow-bellied Greenbul "Chlorocichla flaviventris"
*Fischer's Greenbul "Phyllastrephus fischeri"
*Terrestrial Brownbul "Phyllastrephus terrestris"
*Northern Brownbul "Phyllastrephus strepitans"
*Eastern Nicator "Nicator gularis"

Thrushes and allies

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Turdidae

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. There are 335 species worldwide and 6 species which occur in Somalia.

*Red-tailed Ant-Thrush "Neocossyphus rufus"
*Rufous-tailed Rock-Thrush "Monticola saxatilis"
*Little Rock-Thrush "Monticola rufocinereus"
*Blue Rock-Thrush "Monticola solitarius"
*Olive Thrush "Turdus olivaceus"
*African Bare-eyed Thrush "Turdus tephronotus"

Cisticolas and allies

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Cisticolidae

The Cisticolidae are warblers found mainly in warmer southern regions of the Old World. They are generally very small birds of drab brown or grey appearance found in open country such as grassland or scrub. There are 111 species worldwide and 18 species which occur in Somalia.

*Boran Cisticola "Cisticola bodessa"
*Rattling Cisticola "Cisticola chiniana"
*Ashy Cisticola "Cisticola cinereolus"
*Winding Cisticola "Cisticola galactotes"
*Croaking Cisticola "Cisticola natalensis"
*Siffling Cisticola "Cisticola brachypterus"
*Tiny Cisticola "Cisticola nana"
*Zitting Cisticola "Cisticola juncidis"
*Desert Cisticola "Cisticola aridulus"
*Pectoral-patch Cisticola "Cisticola brunnescens"
*Graceful Prinia "Prinia gracilis"
*Tawny-flanked Prinia "Prinia subflava"
*Pale Prinia "Prinia somalica"
*Yellow-breasted Apalis "Apalis flavida"
*Black-headed Apalis "Apalis melanocephala"
*Red-fronted Warbler "Urorhipis rufifrons"
*Green-backed Camaroptera "Camaroptera brachyura"
*Gray Wren-Warbler "Calamonastes simplex"

Old World warblers

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Sylviidae

The family Sylviidae is a group of small insectivorous passerine birds. The Sylviidae 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. There are 291 species worldwide and 35 species which occur in Somalia.

*Eurasian River Warbler "Locustella fluviatilis"
*Sedge Warbler "Acrocephalus schoenobaenus"
*Eurasian Reed-Warbler "Acrocephalus scirpaceus"
*African Reed-Warbler "Acrocephalus baeticatus"
*Marsh Warbler "Acrocephalus palustris"
*Great Reed-Warbler "Acrocephalus arundinaceus"
*Clamorous Reed-Warbler "Acrocephalus stentoreus"
*Basra Reed-Warbler "Acrocephalus griseldis"
*Lesser Swamp-Warbler "Acrocephalus gracilirostris"
*Booted Warbler "Hippolais caligata"
*Eastern Olivaceous Warbler "Hippolais pallida"
*Upcher's Warbler "Hippolais languida"
*Olive-tree Warbler "Hippolais olivetorum"
*Icterine Warbler "Hippolais icterina"
*Yellow-vented Eremomela "Eremomela flavicrissalis"
*Yellow-bellied Eremomela "Eremomela icteropygialis"
*Northern Crombec "Sylvietta brachyura"
*Short-billed Crombec "Sylvietta philippae"
*Red-faced Crombec "Sylvietta whytii"
*Somali Crombec "Sylvietta isabellina"
*Brown Woodland-Warbler "Phylloscopus umbrovirens"
*Willow Warbler "Phylloscopus trochilus"
*Common Chiffchaff "Phylloscopus collybita"
*Wood Warbler "Phylloscopus sibilatrix"
*Blackcap "Sylvia atricapilla"
*Garden Warbler "Sylvia borin"
*Greater Whitethroat "Sylvia communis"
*Lesser Whitethroat "Sylvia curruca"
*African Desert Warbler "Sylvia deserti"
*Barred Warbler "Sylvia nisoria"
*Western Orphean Warbler "Sylvia hortensis"
*Red Sea Warbler "Sylvia leucomelaena"
*Subalpine Warbler "Sylvia cantillans"
*Menetries's Warbler "Sylvia mystacea"
*Banded Warbler "Parisoma boehmi"

Old World flycatchers

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Muscicapidae

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 very varied, but they mostly have weak songs and harsh calls. There 274 species worldwide and 40 species which occur in Somalia.

*Pale Flycatcher "Bradornis pallidus"
*African Gray Flycatcher "Bradornis microrhynchus"
*Northern Black-Flycatcher "Melaenornis edolioides"
*Southern Black-Flycatcher "Melaenornis pammelaina"
*Spotted Flycatcher "Muscicapa striata"
*Gambaga Flycatcher "Muscicapa gambagae"
*Ashy Flycatcher "Muscicapa caerulescens"
*Semicollared Flycatcher "Ficedula semitorquata"
*Thrush Nightingale "Luscinia luscinia"
*Common Nightingale "Luscinia megarhynchos"
*Bluethroat "Luscinia svecica"
*White-throated Robin "Irania gutturalis"
*White-browed Robin-Chat "Cossypha heuglini"
*Red-capped Robin-Chat "Cossypha natalensis"
*Spotted Morning-Thrush "Cichladusa guttata"
*Bearded Scrub-Robin "Cercotrichas quadrivirgata"
*Red-backed Scrub-Robin "Cercotrichas leucophrys"
*Rufous-tailed Scrub-Robin "Cercotrichas galactotes"
*African Scrub-Robin "Cercotrichas minor"
*Black Scrub-Robin "Cercotrichas podobe"
*Black Redstart "Phoenicurus ochruros"
*Common Redstart "Phoenicurus phoenicurus"
*Whinchat "Saxicola rubetra"
*European Stonechat "Saxicola rubicola"
*White-tailed Wheatear "Oenanthe leucopyga"
*Hooded Wheatear "Oenanthe monacha"
*Somali Wheatear "Oenanthe phillipsi"
*Northern Wheatear "Oenanthe oenanthe"
*Mourning Wheatear "Oenanthe lugens"
*Pied Wheatear "Oenanthe pleschanka"
*Black-eared Wheatear "Oenanthe hispanica"
*Red-tailed Wheatear "Oenanthe xanthoprymna"
*Desert Wheatear "Oenanthe deserti"
*Capped Wheatear "Oenanthe pileata"
*Isabelline Wheatear "Oenanthe isabellina"
*Heuglin's Wheatear "Oenanthe heuglini"
*Brown-tailed Chat "Cercomela scotocerca"
*Sombre Chat "Cercomela dubia"
*Blackstart "Cercomela melanura"
*White-winged Cliff-Chat "Thamnolaea semirufa"

Wattle-eyes

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Platysteiridae

The wattle-eyes or puffback flycatchers are small stout passerine birds of the African tropics. They get their name from the brightly coloured fleshy eye decorations found in most species in this group. There are 31 species worldwide and 5 species which occur in Somalia.

*Black-and-white Shrike-flycatcher "Bias musicus"
*Black-throated Wattle-eye "Platysteira peltata"
*Gray-headed Batis "Batis orientalis"
*Black-headed Batis "Batis minor"
*Pygmy Batis "Batis perkeo"

Monarch flycatchers

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Monarchidae

The monarch flycatchers are small to medium-sized insectivorous passerines, which hunt by flycatching. There are 99 species worldwide and 3 species which occur in Somalia.

*Yellow Flycatcher "Erythrocercus holochlorus"
*African Crested-Flycatcher "Trochocercus cyanomelas"
*African Paradise-Flycatcher "Terpsiphone viridis"

Babblers

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Timaliidae

The babblers or timaliids are somewhat diverse in size and coloration, but are characterised by soft fluffy plumage. There are 270 species worldwide and 4 species which occur in Somalia.

*Scaly Chatterer "Turdoides aylmeri"
*Rufous Chatterer "Turdoides rubiginosus"
*Scaly Babbler "Turdoides squamulatus"
*White-rumped Babbler "Turdoides leucopygius"

Chickadees and Titmice

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Paridae

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. There are species 59 worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Somalia.

*Somali Tit "Melaniparus thruppi"

Penduline tits

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Remizidae

The penduline tits are a group of small passerine birds, related to the true tits. They are insectivores. There are 13 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Somalia.

*Mouse-colored Penduline-Tit "Anthoscopus musculus"

unbirds and Spiderhunters

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Nectariniidae

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. There are 131 species worldwide and 17 species which occur in Somalia.

*Kenya Violet-backed Sunbird "Anthreptes orientalis"
*Collared Sunbird "Hedydipna collaris"
*Pygmy Sunbird "Hedydipna platura"
*Nile Valley Sunbird "Hedydipna metallica"
*Eastern Olive-Sunbird "Cyanomitra olivacea"
*Mouse-colored Sunbird "Cyanomitra veroxii"
*Amethyst Sunbird "Chalcomitra amethystina"
*Scarlet-chested Sunbird "Chalcomitra senegalensis"
*Hunter's Sunbird "Chalcomitra hunteri"
*Beautiful Sunbird "Cinnyris pulchellus"
*Mariqua Sunbird "Cinnyris mariquensis"
*Black-bellied Sunbird "Cinnyris nectarinioides"
*Purple-banded Sunbird "Cinnyris bifasciatus"
*Tsavo Sunbird "Cinnyris tsavoensis"
*Violet-breasted Sunbird "Cinnyris chalcomelas"
*Shining Sunbird "Cinnyris habessinicus"
*Variable Sunbird "Cinnyris venustus"

White-eyes

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Zosteropidae

The white-eyes are small and are mostly of undistinguished appearance, the plumage above being generally either 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 the eyes. There are 96 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Somalia.

*White-breasted White-eye "Zosterops abyssinicus"

Old World Orioles

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Oriolidae

The Old World Orioles are colourful passerine birds. They are not related to the New World orioles. There are 29 species worldwide and 3 species which occur in Somalia.

*Eurasian Golden Oriole "Oriolus oriolus"
*African Golden Oriole "Oriolus auratus"
*African Black-headed Oriole "Oriolus larvatus"

hrikes

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Laniidae

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 typical shrike's beak is hooked, like a bird of prey. There are 31 species worldwide and 10 species which occur in Somalia.

*Red-backed Shrike "Lanius collurio"
*Rufous-tailed Shrike "Lanius isabellinus"
*Southern Gray Shrike "Lanius meridionalis"
*Lesser Gray Shrike "Lanius minor"
*Long-tailed Fiscal "Lanius cabanisi"
*Taita Fiscal "Lanius dorsalis"
*Somali Fiscal "Lanius somalicus"
*Masked Shrike "Lanius nubicus"
*Woodchat Shrike "Lanius senator"
*White-rumped Shrike "Eurocephalus rueppelli"

Bushshrikes and allies

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Malaconotidae

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 colourful species or largely black; some species are quite secretive. There are 46 species worldwide and 14 species which occur in Somalia.

*Brubru "Nilaus afer"
*Northern Puffback "Dryoscopus gambensis"
*Pringle's Puffback "Dryoscopus pringlii"
*Black-backed Puffback "Dryoscopus cubla"
*Black-crowned Tchagra "Tchagra senegala"
*Three-streaked Tchagra "Tchagra jamesi"
*Red-naped Bushshrike "Laniarius ruficeps"
*Bulo Burti Boubou "Laniarius liberatus" (E)
*Tropical Boubou "Laniarius aethiopicus"
*Slate-colored Boubou "Laniarius funebris"
*Rosy-patched Bushshrike "Rhodophoneus cruentus"
*Sulphur-breasted Bushshrike "Telophorus sulfureopectus"
*Four-colored Bushshrike "Telophorus viridis"
*Gray-headed Bushshrike "Malaconotus blanchoti"

Helmetshrikes

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Prionopidae

The helmetshrikes are similar in build to the shrikes, but tend to be colourful species with distinctive crests or other head ornaments, such as wattles, from which they get their name. There are 12 species worldwide and 3 species which occur in Somalia.

*White Helmetshrike "Prionops plumatus"
*Retz's Helmetshrike "Prionops retzii"
*Chestnut-fronted Helmetshrike "Prionops scopifrons"

Drongos

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Dicruridae

The drongos are mostly are black or dark grey in colour, 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 whilst perched, like a shrike. They flycatch or take prey from the ground. There are 24 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in Somalia.

*Square-tailed Drongo "Dicrurus ludwigii"
*Fork-tailed Drongo "Dicrurus adsimilis"

Crows, Jays, Ravens and Magpies

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Corvidae

The Corvidae family includes crows, ravens, jays, choughs, magpies, treepies, nutcrackers, and ground jays. Corvids are above average in size for the bird order Passeriformes. Some of the larger species show high levels of learning behavior. There are 120 species worldwide and 7 species which occur in Somalia.

*House Crow "Corvus splendens"
*Cape Crow "Corvus capensis"
*Pied Crow "Corvus albus"
*Brown-necked Raven "Corvus ruficollis"
*Somali Crow "Corvus edithae"
*Fan-tailed Raven "Corvus rhipidurus"
*Thick-billed Raven "Corvus crassirostris"

tarlings

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Sturnidae

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. There are 125 species worldwide and 17 species which occur in Somalia.

*European Starling "Sturnus vulgaris"
*Wattled Starling "Creatophora cinerea"
*Greater Blue-eared Glossy-Starling "Lamprotornis chalybaeus"
*Lesser Blue-eared Glossy-Starling "Lamprotornis chloropterus"
*Rueppell's Glossy-Starling "Lamprotornis purpuropterus"
*Golden-breasted Starling "Lamprotornis regius"
*Black-bellied Glossy-Starling "Lamprotornis corruscus"
*Superb Starling "Lamprotornis superbus"
*Shelley's Starling "Lamprotornis shelleyi"
*Violet-backed Starling "Cinnyricinclus leucogaster"
*Fischer's Starling "Spreo fischeri"
*White-crowned Starling "Spreo albicapillus"
*Red-winged Starling "Onychognathus morio"
*Somali Starling "Onychognathus blythii"
*Bristle-crowned Starling "Onychognathus salvadorii"
*Magpie Starling "Speculipastor bicolor"
*Red-billed Oxpecker "Buphagus erythrorhynchus"

Weavers and allies

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Ploceidae

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 coloured, usually in red or yellow and black, some species show variation in colour only in the breeding season. There are 116 species worldwide and 27 species which occur in Somalia.

*Red-billed Buffalo-Weaver "Bubalornis niger"
*White-headed Buffalo-Weaver "Dinemellia dinemelli"
*Speckle-fronted Weaver "Sporopipes frontalis"
*White-browed Sparrow-Weaver "Plocepasser mahali"
*Donaldson-Smith's Sparrow-Weaver "Plocepasser donaldsoni"
*Gray-headed Social-Weaver "Pseudonigrita arnaudi"
*Black-capped Social-Weaver "Pseudonigrita cabanisi"
*Lesser Masked-Weaver "Ploceus intermedius"
*Black-necked Weaver "Ploceus nigricollis"
*African Golden-Weaver "Ploceus subaureus"
*Golden Palm Weaver "Ploceus bojeri"
*Rueppell's Weaver "Ploceus galbula"
*Northern Masked-Weaver "Ploceus taeniopterus"
*Vitelline Masked-Weaver "Ploceus vitellinus"
*Village Weaver "Ploceus cucullatus"
*Speke's Weaver "Ploceus spekei"
*Salvadori's Weaver "Ploceus dichrocephalus"
*Chestnut Weaver "Ploceus rubiginosus"
*Forest Weaver "Ploceus bicolor"
*Red-headed Weaver "Anaplectes rubriceps"
*Red-headed Quelea "Quelea erythrops"
*Red-billed Quelea "Quelea quelea"
*Fire-fronted Bishop "Euplectes diadematus"
*Black-winged Bishop "Euplectes hordeaceus"
*Orange Bishop "Euplectes franciscanus"
*Fan-tailed Widowbird "Euplectes axillaris"
*Grosbeak Weaver "Amblyospiza albifrons"

Waxbills and allies

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Estrildidae

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 all similar in structure and habits, but have a wide variation in plumage colours and pattern. There are 141 species worldwide and 15 species which occur in Somalia.

*Green-winged Pytilia "Pytilia melba"
*Peters's Twinspot "Hypargos niveoguttatus"
*Red-billed Firefinch "Lagonosticta senegala"
*Black-faced Firefinch "Lagonosticta larvata"
*Red-cheeked Cordonbleu "Uraeginthus bengalus"
*Blue-capped Cordonbleu "Uraeginthus cyanocephalus"
*Purple Grenadier "Uraeginthus ianthinogaster"
*Crimson-rumped Waxbill "Estrilda rhodopyga"
*Common Waxbill "Estrilda astrild"
*Red-rumped Waxbill "Estrilda charmosyna"
*African Silverbill "Euodice cantans"
*Gray-headed Silverbill "Odontospiza griseicapilla"
*Bronze Mannikin "Spermestes cucullatus"
*Black-and-white Mannikin "Spermestes bicolor"
*Cut-throat "Amadina fasciata"

Indigobirds

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Viduidae

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 finch species. There are 20 species worldwide and 5 species which occur in Somalia.

*Village Indigobird "Vidua chalybeata"
*Steel-blue Whydah "Vidua hypocherina"
*Straw-tailed Whydah "Vidua fischeri"
*Pin-tailed Whydah "Vidua macroura"
*Eastern Paradise-Whydah "Vidua paradisaea"

Buntings, Sparrows, Seedeaters and allies

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Emberizidae

The emberizids are a large family of passerine birds. They are seed-eating birds with a distinctively shaped bill. In Europe, most species are named as buntings. In North America, most of the species in this family are known as Sparrows, but these birds are not closely related to the Old World sparrows which are in the family Passeridae. Many emberizid species have distinctive head patterns. There are species 275 worldwide and 4 species which occur in Somalia.

*Ortolan Bunting "Emberiza hortulana"
*House Bunting "Emberiza striolata"
*Cinnamon-breasted Bunting "Emberiza tahapisi"
*Somali Bunting "Emberiza poliopleura"

iskins, Crossbills and allies

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Fringillidae

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 12 tail feathers and 9 primaries. These birds have a bouncing flight with alternating bouts of flapping and gliding on closed wings, and most sing well. There are 137 species worldwide and 8 species which occur in Somalia.

*Golden-winged Grosbeak "Rhynchostruthus socotranus"
*Warsangli Linnet "Carduelis johannis" (E)
*Black-throated Canary "Serinus atrogularis"
*Reichenow's Seedeater "Serinus reichenowi"
*Yellow-fronted Canary "Serinus mozambicus"
*Northern Grosbeak-Canary "Serinus donaldsoni"
*White-bellied Canary "Serinus dorsostriatus"
*Brown-rumped Seedeater "Serinus tristriatus"

parrows

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Passeridae

Sparrows are small passerine birds. In general, sparrows tend to be small, plump, brown or grey birds with short tails and short powerful beaks. Sparrows are seed-eaters, and they also consume small insects. There are 35 species worldwide and 8 species which occur in Somalia.

*House Sparrow "Passer domesticus" (I)
*Somali Sparrow "Passer castanopterus"
*Gray-headed Sparrow "Passer griseus"
*Swainson's Sparrow "Passer swainsonii"
*Parrot-billed Sparrow "Passer gongonensis"
*Arabian Golden-Sparrow "Passer euchlorus"
*Chestnut Sparrow "Passer eminibey"
*Yellow-spotted Petronia "Petronia pyrgita"

Notes

References

*cite web
url=http://www.iucnredlist.org/search/search.php?kingname=ANIMALIA&phyname=CHORDATA&claname=MAMMALIA&freetext=&modifier=phrase&criteria=wholedb&taxa_species=1&redlistCategory%5B0%5D=all&redlistAssessyear%5B0%5D=all&country%5B0%5D=SO&aquatic%5B0%5D=all&regions%5B0%5D=all&habitats%5B0%5D=all&threats%5B0%5D=all&Submit_x=34&Submit_y=9&extendedResults=0&terrestrial=0&marine=0&freshwater=0&offset=0&sortorder%5B0%5D=spcscientificname&sortorder%5B1%5D=genname&sortorder%5B2%5D=spcname&sortorder%5B3%5D=spcauthor&sortorder%5B4%5D=spcinfrarank&sortorder%5B5%5D=spcinfraepithet&sortorder%5B6%5D=spcinfrarankauthor&sortorder%5B7%5D=spcstockname&sortorder%5B8%5D=comname_comp&sortorder%5B9%5D=rlcabb&sortorder%5B10%5D=rlscriteria&sortorder%5B11%5D=poptrend_code&sortorder%5B12%5D=rlcatcrit2001&sortorder%5B13%5D=spcrecid&sortorder%5B14%5D=kingname&debug=0&taxa_subspc=0&taxa_stock=0&newsort=Genus
title=The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Mammals of Somalia
publisher=IUCN
date=2001
accessdaymonth = 22 May
accessyear=2007

*cite web
url=http://nmnhgoph.si.edu/msw/
title=Mammal Species of the World
publisher=Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History
date=2005
accessdaymonth = 22 May
accessyear=2007

*cite web
url=http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/index.html
title=Animal Diversity Web
publisher=University of Michigan Museum of Zoology
date=1995-2006
accessdaymonth = 22 May
accessyear=2007


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