This is a list of the bird species recorded on Saint Helena. The avifauna of Saint Helena Island include a total of 209 species. 17 endemic species survives today. At least five non-endemics have been extirpated from Saint Helena but still occur elsewhere. 34 species have been introduced by humans and formed established breeding populations while many more species were introduced in the past but failed to become established.
This list's taxonomic treatment (designation and sequence of orders, families and species) and nomenclature (common and scientific names) follow the conventions of The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World, 2022 edition. The family accounts at the beginning of each heading reflect this taxonomy, as do the species counts found in each family account. Introduced and accidental species are included in the total counts for Saint Helena.
The following tags have been used to highlight several categories, but not all species fall into one of these categories. Those that do not are commonly occurring native species.
(A) Accidental - a species that rarely or accidentally occurs in Saint Helena
(E) Endemic - a species endemic to Saint Helena
(I) Introduced - a species introduced to Saint Helena as a consequence, direct or indirect, of human actions (Ex) Extirpated - a species that no longer breeds in Saint Helena although populations exist elsewhere (X) Extinct - a species that was formerly endemic to Saint Helena but has now been wiped out
Ducks, geese, and waterfowl
Order: AnseriformesFamily: Anatidae
Anatidae includes the ducks and most duck-like waterfowl, such as geese and swans. These birds are adapted to an aquatic existence with webbed feet, flattened bills, and feathers that are excellent at shedding water due to an oily coating.
Fulvous whistling-duck, Dendrocygna bicolor
Knob-billed duck, Sarkidiornis melanotos (A) Yellow-billed teal, Anas flavirostris (A)
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.
Helmeted guineafowl, Numida meleagris (I)
Pheasants, grouse, and allies
Order: GalliformesFamily: Phasianidae
The Phasianidae are a family of terrestrial birds which consists of quails, partridges, snowcocks, francolins, spurfowls, tragopans, monals, pheasants, peafowls and junglefowls. In general, they are plump (although they vary in size) and have broad, relatively short wings.
Ring-necked pheasant, Phasianus colchicus (I) Indian peafowl, Pavo cristatus (I) Red junglefowl, Gallus gallus (I) Gray francolin, Ortygornis pondicerianus (I) Common quail, Coturnix coturnix (I) Chukar, Alectoris chukar (I) Rock partridge, Alectoris graeca (I) Cape francolin, Pternistis capensis (I) Red-necked francolin, Pternistis afer
Grebes
Order: PodicipediformesFamily: Podicipedidae
Grebes are small to medium-large freshwater diving birds. They have lobed toes and are excellent swimmers and divers. However, they have their feet placed far back on the body, making them quite ungainly on land.
Little grebe, Tachybaptus ruficollis
Pigeons and doves
Order: ColumbiformesFamily: Columbidae
Pigeons and doves are stout-bodied birds with short necks and short slender bills with a fleshy cere.
Rock pigeon, Columba livia (I) Malagasy turtle-dove, Streptopelia picturata (I) Zebra dove, Geopelia striata (I) Saint Helena dove, Dysmoropelia dekarchiskos (X)
Cuckoos
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. The Old World cuckoos are brood parasites.
Yellow-billed cuckoo, Coccyzus americanus (A) St. Helena cuckoo, Nannococcyx psix (X) Common cuckoo, Cuculus canorus (A)
Nightjars and allies
Order: CaprimulgiformesFamily: Caprimulgidae
Nightjars are medium-sized nocturnal birds that usually nest on the ground. They have long wings, short legs and very short bills. Most have small feet, of little use for walking, and long pointed wings. Their soft plumage is camouflaged to resemble bark or leaves.
Common nighthawk, Chordeiles minor (A) Eurasian nightjar, Caprimulgus europaeus (A)