This is a list of the bird species recorded in Tanzania. The avifauna of Tanzania included a total of 1156 confirmed species as of July 2023. Of them, 29 are endemic, and four have been introduced by humans. One additional species is hypothetical as defined below; it and two proposed endemic species are not included in the counts. Unless otherwise noted, the list is that of Avibase.
This list's taxonomic treatment (designation and sequence of orders, families and species) and nomenclature (English and scientific names) are those of The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World, 2022 edition.
The following tags highlight several categories of occurrence other than regular migrants and non-endemic residents. The notes of population status are from the Avibase Bird Checklists of the World.
(A) Accidental - a species that rarely or accidentally occurs in Tanzania (also called a vagrant) (E) Endemic - a species endemic to Tanzania (I) Introduced - a species introduced to Tanzania as a consequence, direct or indirect, of human actions (H) Hypothetical - a species possibly present but which has not been documented
Ostriches
Order: StruthioniformesFamily: Struthionidae
The ostriches are flightless birds native to Africa, and are the largest living species of bird. They are distinctive in their appearance, with a long neck and legs and the ability to run at high speeds.
Common ostrich, Struthio camelus
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.
White-faced whistling-duck, Dendrocygna viduata
Fulvous whistling-duck, Dendrocygna bicolor
White-backed duck, Thalassornis leuconotus
Knob-billed duck, Sarkidiornis melanotos
Egyptian goose, Alopochen aegyptiaca
Spur-winged goose, Plectropterus gambensis
African pygmy-goose, Nettapus auritus
Garganey, Spatula querquedula
Blue-billed teal, Spatula hottentota
Cape shoveler, Spatula smithii (A) Northern shoveler, Spatula clypeata Gadwall, Mareca strepera Eurasian wigeon, Mareca penelope African black duck, Anas sparsa Yellow-billed duck, Anas undulata Cape teal, Anas capensis Red-billed duck, Anas erythrorhyncha Northern pintail, Anas acuta Green-winged teal, Anas crecca Southern pochard, Netta erythrophthalma Common pochard, Aythya ferina (A) (vulnerable) Tufted duck, Aythya fuligula Maccoa duck, Oxyura maccoa (vulnerable)
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
Vulturine guineafowl, Acryllium vulturinum
Eastern crested guineafowl, Guttera pucherani
Southern crested guineafowl, Guttera edouardi
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.
Udzungwa partridge, Xenoperdix udzungwensis (E) (endangered) Latham's francolin, Peliperdix lathami Crested francolin, Ortygornis sephaena Coqui francolin, Campocolinus coqui Ring-necked francolin, Scleroptila streptophora Red-winged francolin, Scleroptila levaillantii (near-threatened) Shelley's francolin, Scleroptila shelleyi Blue quail, Synoicus adansonii Common quail, Coturnix coturnix Harlequin quail, Coturnix delegorguei Hildebrandt's francolin, Pternistis hildebrandti Scaly francolin, Pternistis squamatus Yellow-necked francolin, Pternistis leucoscepus Gray-breasted francolin, Pternistis rufopictus (E) Red-necked francolin, 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.
Greater flamingo, Phoenicopterus roseus
Lesser flamingo, Phoeniconaias minor (near-threatened)