This is ãoToméandPría list of the bird species recorded in São Tomé and Príncipe. As São Tomé and Príncipe is a series of islands, its avifauna grows whenever a "new" species arrives or is recorded for the first time; the list comprises 176 species, of which 25 are endemic, 4 have been introduced by humans, and several are rare or accidental (often termed "vagrants").
This list's taxonomic treatment (designation and sequence of orders, families and species) and nomenclature (common and scientific names) for the most part 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 São Tomé and Príncipe.
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 São Tomé and Príncipe (E) Endemic - a species endemic to São Tomé and Príncipe (I) Introduced - a species introduced to São Tomé and Príncipe as a consequence, direct or indirect, of human actions
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
African pygmy-goose, Nettapus auritus (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
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 jungle fowls. In general, they are plump (although they vary in size) and have broad, relatively short wings.
Harlequin quail, Coturnix delegorguei
Scaly francolin, Pternistis squamatus
Red-necked spurfowl, Pternistis afer
Flamingos
Order: PhoenicopteriformesFamily: Phoenicopteridae
Flamingos are gregarious wading birds, usually tall, found in both the Western and Eastern Hemispheres. Flamingos filter-feed on shellfish and algae. Their oddly-shaped beaks are specially adapted to separate mud and silt from the food they consume and, uniquely, are used upside-down. There are 6 species worldwide and 1 or 2 species which occur in São Tomé and Príncipe.
Greater flamingo, Phoenicopterus roseus
Lesser flamingo, Phoenicopterus minor
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
Rameron pigeon, Columba arquatrix
Maroon pigeon, Columba thomensis (E) São Tomé pigeon, Columba malherbii Lemon dove, Columba larvata Laughing dove, Streptopelia senegalensis São Tomé green-pigeon, Treron sanctithomae (E) African green-pigeon, Treron calva
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.
Great spotted cuckoo, Clamator glandarius
Pied cuckoo, Clamator jacobinus
Klaas's cuckoo, Chrysococcyx klaas
African emerald cuckoo, Chrysococcyx cupreus
Common cuckoo, Cuculus canorus
Swifts
Order: CaprimulgiformesFamily: Apodidae
Swifts are small birds which spend 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 which resemble a crescent or boomerang.
São Tomé spinetail, Zoonavena thomensis (E) Common swift, Apus apus (A) Pallid swift, Apus pallidus (A) Little swift, Apus affinis African palm-swift, Cypsiurus parvus