Professional birdwatching guide in the Gambia

There are about 560 different species of birds in The Gambia living within six protected areas aggregating about 40,000 hectares nationwide, under the protection of the Department of Parks and Wildlife. The Gambia has remained committed to the Wildlife Act, which was singed into law as far back as 1977. Eco-tourism has a massive potential in The Gambia and plans are further a foot to guarantee that every major habitat within the country is covered. If this is fully implemented, five percent of the land within tiny Gambia will be protected.

The Abuko Nature Reserve, which was established as far back as 1968, is still home to many of the birds thbird1at fly Gambian skies. There are other bird reserves in Tanji, a coastal village in the western area of the country, as well as the Kiang West National Park and the Ginack Island National Park in the Niumis.

During the midday sun, or even the cool evening, when the sun melts into the horizon, and the moon peeps out of the sparkling skies littered with stars, there are always sights and sounds of birds everywhere. The Gambia is a paradise for many things, most of all it is certainly a dreamland for birds and those who love watching them. Come join us so that we can listen, look and learn with the bliss of being in the country where beautiful birds of very different feathers actually flock together.

Accomodation

The Gambia offers a veriety of accomodation, from luxury hotels, self-catering apartments, and guesthouses to upcountry lodges. There are four main resort areas in what is referred to as the palm-fringed coastline, with long stretches of golden sands overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. Accomodation is often booked up in the winter season (November to May) and individual travellers should seek comfirmation with advance booking.

Most of the hotels are self contained complexes set in spacious gardens and will generally cater to the needs of most tourists. Rooms will not always be air conditioned and visitors who require this service should be sure to request this.

There are also dozens of camps, lodges and motels in the rural areas which provide basic but comfortable accomodation and food for tourists on excursions or other visitors wishing to discover the real Gambia.

Birds of the Gambia

Grebes

Order: Podicipediformes Family: Podicipedidae

Grebes are small to medium-sized diving birds. They breed on fresh water, but often visit the sea whilst migrating and in winter. They have lobed toes and are excellent swimmers and divers; however, their feet are placed far back on their bodies, making them quite ungainly on land. There are 20 species worldwide, though one—the Alaotra Grebe—may now be extinct.^[2] Of these, one species has been recorded in The Gambia.

Little Grebe, Tachybaptus ruficollis

[edit]Shearwaters

Order: Procellariiformes Family: Procellariidae

Shearwaters are medium-sized, long-winged seabirds. Highly pelagic, they come ashore only to breed, nesting on islands and rocky cliffs. They generally glide low above the water on stiff wings, and feed on fish, squid and similar oceanic food. There are 23–27 species worldwide. (Some experts split Audubon's Shearwater into several distinct species, while others consider those distinctive forms to be subspecies.) Of these, 13 species have been recorded in Africa, and two in The Gambia.

Manx Shearwater, Puffinus puffinus (A)
Little Shearwater, Puffinus assimilis (A)

Wilson's Storm-Petrels are sometimes abundant offshore between April and September.^[1]

[edit]Storm-petrels

Order: Procellariiformes Family: Hydrobatidae

Storm-petrels are small birds which spend most of their lives at sea, coming ashore only to breed.^[3] They feed on planktonic crustaceans and small fish picked from the surface, typically while hovering or pattering across the water. Their flight is fluttering and sometimes bat-like. There are 22 species worldwide, three of which have been recorded in The Gambia.

Wilson's Storm-Petrel, Oceanites oceanicus
European Storm-Petrel, Hydrobates pelagicus
Leach's Storm-Petrel, Oceanodroma leucorhoa (A)

[edit]Tropicbirds

Order: Pelecaniformes Family: Phaethontidae

Tropicbirds are medium-sized seabirds found primarily in tropical oceans; they typically come ashore only to breed. They are predominantly white, with elongated central tail feathers. When hunting for the flying fish (and occasional squid) they feed on, they hover above the water, then plunge dive in after their prey. There are three species worldwide, one of which has been recorded in The Gambia.

Pink-backed Pelicans are abundant along the coast, less common most places upriver.^[1]

Red-billed Tropicbird, Phaethon aethereus (A)

[edit]Pelicans

Order: Pelecaniformes Family: Pelecanidae

Pelicans are very large water birds with distinctive pouches under their beaks. Found along both inland and coastal waterways, they are primarily fish-eaters. Many species hunt in groups, chasing fish into shallow waters and then scooping them up in their huge bills, but one plunge-dives after prey. They nest colonially. There are eight species worldwide; of these, two have been recorded in The Gambia.

Great White Pelican, Pelecanus onocrotalus
Pink-backed Pelican, Pelecanus rufescens

Northern Gannets are sometimes seen offshore, generally after strong harmattan winds.^[1]

[edit]Gannets and boobies

Order: Pelecaniformes Family: Sulidae

Gannets and boobies are large seabirds with long beaks and long, pointed wings. They eat fish, which they hunt by plunge-diving from heights of up to 30 m and chasing their prey underwater. They nest colonially on islands and along coasts, either on the ground or in trees. There are ten species worldwide; of these six have been recorded in Africa, and two in The Gambia.

Northern Gannet, Morus bassanus
Brown Booby, Sula leucogaster (A)

[edit]Cormorants

Order: Pelecaniformes Family: Phalacrocoracidae

Cormorants are medium to large seabirds, found primarily along the coast, but occasionally ranging some way inland in aquatic environments. Their plumage is generally dark, though most species have areas of brightly coloured skin on the face. They are primarily fish eaters. Their bills are long, thin, and sharply hooked and their four-toed feet are webbed. Because their plumage is only semi-waterproof, they often stand out of the water with their wings outstretched to dry out their feathers. There are 39 species worldwide; of these, 11 have been reported in Africa and two in The Gambia.

Great Cormorant, Phalacrocorax carbo
Long-tailed Cormorant, Phalacrocorax africanus

The African Darter is sometimes called the "Snake Bird" due to its habit of swimming with only its head and neck sticking out of the water.^[4]

[edit]Darters

Order: Pelecaniformes Family: Anhingidae

Darters are large waterbirds, found primarily in fresh and brackish water habitats. Because their plumage is not entirely waterproof, they often stand out of the water with their wings outstretched, drying off. Darters are strongly sexually dimorphic; males generally have much darker plumage than do females. They eat primarily fish, which they catch by diving from the water's surface. There are two to four species worldwide (some taxonomists lump all the Old World species as Anhinga melanogaster, while others treat them separately); of these, one has been recorded in Africa, and in The Gambia.

African Darter, Anhinga rufa

[edit]Frigatebirds

Order: Pelecaniformes Family: Fregatidae

Frigatebirds are large seabirds typically found soaring over tropical oceans. They have long wings and a deeply forked tail; their plumage is either black (males) or black-and-white (females and young). Males have inflatable coloured throat pouches, which are used in courtship. Frigatebirds spend most of their time in the air. They are kleptoparasites, and often chase other seabirds to get them to drop their catches of fish; they also scoop fish from the water's surface. There are five species worldwide; of these four have been reported in Africa, and one in The Gambia.

Magnificent Frigatebird, Fregata magnificens (A)

[edit]Herons, egrets and bitterns

The huge Goliath Heronis shy and solitary, typically preferring narrower creeks to more open areas.^[1]

Order: Ciconiiformes Family: Ardeidae

Herons, egrets and bitterns are long-legged birds typically associated with wetlands; herons and egrets are long-necked, while bitterns tend to be shorter-necked and quite secretive. Birds in this family often wade in shallow waters, preying on various aquatic organisms (including fish and frogs) as well as reptiles, amphibians and the occasional small bird. In flight, they hold their neck retracted in a gentle S-curve. There are 61 species worldwide; of these, 29 occur in Africa, and 18 in The Gambia.

Grey 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
Cattle Egret, Bubulcus ibis
Striated Heron, Butorides striata
Black-crowned Night Heron, Nycticorax nycticorax
White-backed Night-heron, Gorsachius leuconotus
White-crested Bittern, Tigriornis leucolophus
Little Bittern, Ixobrychus minutus
Dwarf Bittern, Ixobrychus sturmii
Great Bittern, Botaurus stellaris (A)

The often-gregarious Hamerkopbuilds one of the largest and most complex of all bird nests.^[5]

[edit]Hamerkop

Order: Ciconiiformes Family: Scopidae

Hamerkops are medium-sized, all-brown wading birds named for their hammer-headed appearance, which is created by the combination of their shaggy backwards-pointing crests and their heavy black bills. Typically found in wetland areas, they forage in shallow water for amphibians, small fish, crustaceans, insects, worms and small mammals. They build enormous, complex nests—which they generally use for only a matter of months—and occupy their territories year-round. There is only a single species, which is found in The Gambia.

Hamerkop, Scopus umbretta

[edit]Storks

Yellow-billed Storks are most common near the coast.^[1]

Order: Ciconiiformes Family: Ciconiidae

Storks are large, long-legged, long-necked wading birds with long stout bills. They occur in most of the world's warmer regions and tend to live in drier habitats than herons, to which they're closely related. They build large stick nests, and sometimes nest colonially. Many species are migratory. Most storks eat a variety of small vertebrates and invertebrates; some eat carrion. There are 19 species of storks worldwide; of those, eight have been recorded in Africa and seven in The Gambia.

Yellow-billed Stork, Mycteria ibis
Black Stork, Ciconia nigra (A)
Abdim's Stork, Ciconia abdimii (A)
Woolly-necked Stork, Ciconia episcopus
White Stork, Ciconia ciconia (A)
Saddle-billed Stork, Ephippiorhynchus senegalensis
Marabou Stork, Leptoptilos crumeniferus

[edit]Ibises and spoonbills

Order: Ciconiiformes Family: Threskiornithidae

Sacred Ibis, Threskiornis aethiopicus
Hadada Ibis, Bostrychia hagedash
Glossy Ibis, Plegadis falcinellus
Eurasian Spoonbill, Platalea leucorodia
African Spoonbill, Platalea alba

[edit]Flamingos

Order: Phoenicopteriformes Family: Phoenicopteridae

Greater Flamingo, Phoenicopterus roseus
Lesser Flamingo, Phoenicopterus minor Near-threatened

[edit]Ducks and geese

The White-faced Whistling-duck is the country's most common and widespread duck.^[1]

Order: Anseriformes Family: Anatidae

Fulvous Whistling-Duck, Dendrocygna bicolor
White-faced Whistling-Duck, Dendrocygna viduata
Egyptian Goose, Alopochen aegyptiacus
Spur-winged Goose, Plectropterus gambensis
Comb Duck, Sarkidiornis melanotos
African Pygmy Goose, Nettapus auritus
Common Teal, Anas crecca
Northern Pintail, Anas acuta
Garganey, Anas querquedula
Northern Shoveler, Anas clypeata
Common Pochard, Aythya ferina
Ferruginous Duck, Aythya nyroca (A) Near-threatened
Tufted Duck, Aythya fuligula (A)

[edit]Osprey

Order: Falconiformes Family: Pandionidae

Osprey, Pandion haliaetus

[edit]Kites, vultures, hawks and eagles

African Fish Eagles are typically found perched near rivers, creeks or coastal lagoons.^[1]

Hooded Vultures are abundant throughout the country, particularly around human settlements.^[1]

The medium-sized Wahlberg's Eagle is common throughout the country all year round.^[1]

Order: Falconiformes Family: Accipitridae

African Cuckoo-Hawk, Aviceda cuculoides
European Honey-buzzard, Pernis apivorus
Bat Hawk, Macheiramphus alcinus
Black-winged Kite, Elanus caeruleus
African Swallow-tailed Kite, Chelictinia riocourii
Red Kite, Milvus milvus (A)
Black Kite, Milvus migrans
African Fish Eagle, Haliaeetus vocifer
Palm-nut Vulture, Gypohierax angolensis
Hooded Vulture, Necrosyrtes monachus
Egyptian Vulture, Neophron percnopterus
White-backed Vulture, Gyps africanus
Rueppell's Vulture, Gyps rueppellii
Eurasian Griffon, Gyps fulvus
Lappet-faced Vulture, Torgos tracheliotus Vulnerable
White-headed Vulture, Trigonoceps occipitalis
Short-toed Eagle, Circaetus gallicus
Beaudouin's Snake-eagle, Circaetus beaudouini
Brown Snake-eagle, Circaetus cinereus
Western Banded Snake-eagle, Circaetus cinerascens
Bateleur, Terathopius ecaudatus
Western Marsh Harrier, Circus aeruginosus
Pallid Harrier, Circus macrourus Near-threatened
Montagu's Harrier, Circus pygargus
African Harrier Hawk, Polyboroides typus
Lizard Buzzard, Kaupifalco monogrammicus
Dark Chanting Goshawk, Melierax metabates
Gabar Goshawk, Micronisus gabar
Red-chested Goshawk, Accipiter toussenelii
African Goshawk, Accipiter tachiro
Shikra, Accipiter badius
Red-thighed Sparrowhawk, Accipiter erythropus
Eurasian Sparrowhawk, Accipiter nisus (A)
Black Goshawk, Accipiter melanoleucus
Grasshopper Buzzard, Butastur rufipennis
Common Buzzard, Buteo buteo
Long-legged Buzzard, Buteo rufinus (A)
Red-necked Buzzard, Buteo auguralis
Tawny Eagle, Aquila rapax
Wahlberg's Eagle, Aquila wahlbergi
African Hawk Eagle, Aquila spilogaster
Booted Eagle, Aquila pennatus
Martial Eagle, Polemaetus bellicosus
Long-crested Eagle, Lophaetus occipitalis

[edit]Secretary Bird

Order: Falconiformes Family: Sagittariidae

Secretary Bird, Sagittarius serpentarius (A)

[edit]Falcons

The Red-necked Falcon, which hunts bats, birds and large insects, is particularly active at dawn and dusk.^[1]

Order: Falconiformes Family: Falconidae

Lesser Kestrel, Falco naumanni Vulnerable
Common Kestrel, Falco tinnunculus
Fox Kestrel, Falco alopex (A)
Grey Kestrel, Falco ardosiaceus
Red-necked Falcon, Falco chicquera
Red-footed Falcon, Falco vespertinus (A)^[6]
Eurasian Hobby, Falco subbuteo
African Hobby, Falco cuvierii
Lanner Falcon, Falco biarmicus
Barbary Falcon, Falco pelegrinoides
Peregrine Falcon, Falco peregrinus

[edit]Francolins, quail and partridges

Order: Galliformes Family: Phasianidae

Common Quail, Coturnix coturnix (A)
White-throated Francolin, Francolinus albogularis
Ahanta Francolin, Francolinus ahantensis
Double-spurred Francolin, Francolinus bicalcaratus
Stone Partridge, Ptilopachus petrosus

[edit]Guineafowl

Order: Galliformes Family: Numididae

Helmeted Guineafowl, Numida meleagris

[edit]Buttonquail

Order: Gruiformes Family: Turnicidae

Small Buttonquail, Turnix sylvatica
Quail-plover, Ortyxelos meiffrenii (A)

Black-crowned Crane (Balearica pavonina)

[edit]Cranes

Order: Gruiformes Family: Gruidae

Black Crowned Crane, Balearica pavonina Near-threatened

[edit]Crakes, gallinules and coots

Order: Gruiformes Family: Rallidae

White-spotted Flufftail, Sarothrura pulchra
African Crake, Crecopsis egregia
African Water Rail Rallus caerulescens (A)
Black Crake, Amaurornis flavirostris
Little Crake, Porzana parva (A)^[7]
Baillon's Crake, Porzana pusilla
Spotted Crake, Porzana porzana (A)
Purple Swamphen, Porphyrio porphyrio
Allen's Gallinule, Porphyrio alleni (A)
Common Moorhen, Gallinula chloropus
Lesser Moorhen, Gallinula angulata
Eurasian Coot, Fulica atra (A)

[edit]Finfoots

Order: Gruiformes Family: Heliornithidae

African Finfoot, Podica senegalensis

[edit]Bustards

Order: Gruiformes Family: Otidae

Arabian Bustard, Ardeotis arabs (A)
Denham's Bustard, Neotis denhami (A) Near-threatened
White-bellied Bustard, Eupodotis senegalensis (A)
Savile's Bustard, Eupodotis savilei (A)
Black-bellied Bustard, Lissotis melanogaster

[edit]Jacanas

Order: Charadriiformes Family: Jacanidae

African Jacana, Actophilornis africanus

The Greater Painted Snipe is largelycrepuscular, or most active around dawn and dusk.

[edit]Painted Snipes

Order: Charadriiformes Family: Rostratulidae

Greater Painted Snipe, Rostratula benghalensis

[edit]Oystercatchers

Order: Charadriiformes Family: Haematopodidae

Eurasian Oystercatcher, Haematopus ostralegus

[edit]Stilts and avocets

Order: Charadriiformes Family: Recurvirostridae

Black-winged Stilt, Himantopus himantopus
Pied Avocet, Recurvirostra avosetta

[edit]Thick-knees

Order: Charadriiformes Family: Burhinidae

Senegal Thick-knee, Burhinus senegalensis
Spotted Thick-knee, Burhinus capensis

[edit]Coursers

Order: Charadriiformes Family: Glareolidae

Egyptian Plover, Pluvianus aegyptius
Cream-colored Courser, Cursorius cursor (A)
Temminck's Courser, Cursorius temminckii
Bronze-winged Courser, Rhinoptilus chalcopterus
Collared Pratincole, Glareola pratincola

[edit]Lapwings, plovers and dotterel

Spur-winged Plovers are ubiquitous throughout the country, though seldom far from water.^[1]

Order: Charadriiformes Family: Charadriidae

Lapwings, plovers, and dotterels are small to medium-sized birds with compact bodies, short, thick necks and long, usually pointed, wings. They are found in open country worldwide, generally in habitats near water, although there are some exceptions. There are 66 species worldwide; of these, 33 species have been recorded in Africa, and 15 in The Gambia.