This is a list of the bird species recorded in Benin. The avifauna of Benin include a total of 600 species.
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. Accidental species are included in the total species count for Benin.
The following tags have been used to highlight accidentals and introduced species.
(A) Accidental - a species that rarely or accidentally occurs in Benin
(I) Introduced - a species introduced to Benin 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.
White-faced whistling duck, Dendrocygna viduata
Fulvous whistling duck, Dendrocygna bicolor (A) White-backed duck, Thalassornis leuconotus (A) Knob-billed duck, Sarkidiornis melanotos Egyptian goose, Alopochen aegyptiacus (A) Spur-winged goose, Plectropterus gambensis African pygmy-goose, Nettapus auritus Garganey, Spatula querquedula Gadwall, Mareca strepera (A) Northern pintail, Anas acuta Green-winged teal, Anas crecca Ferruginous duck, Aythya nyroca (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
Western crested guineafowl, Guttera verreauxi
New World quail
Order: GalliformesFamily: Odontophoridae
Despite their family's common name, this species and one other are native to Africa.
Stone partridge, Ptilopachus petrosus
Pheasants, grouse, and allies
Order: GalliformesFamily: Phasianidae
The Phasianidae are a family of terrestrial birds which consists of quails, 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.
White-throated francolin, Campocolinus albogularis
Common quail, Coturnix coturnix (A) Ahanta francolin, Pternistis ahantensis Double-spurred francolin, Pternistis bicalcaratus
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) Speckled pigeon, Columba guinea Bronze-naped pigeon, Columba iriditorques European turtle-dove, Streptopelia turtur (A) Mourning collared-dove, Streptopelia decipiens Red-eyed dove, Streptopelia semitorquata Vinaceous dove, Streptopelia vinacea Laughing dove, Streptopelia senegalensis Black-billed wood-dove, Turtur abyssinicus Blue-spotted wood-dove, Turtur afer Tambourine dove, Turtur tympanistria Namaqua dove, Oena capensis Bruce's green-pigeon, Treron waalia African green-pigeon, Treron calva
Sandgrouse
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.
Chestnut-bellied sandgrouse, Pterocles exustus
Four-banded sandgrouse, Pterocles quadricinctus
Bustards
Order: OtidiformesFamily: 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.
Arabian bustard, Ardeotis arabs (A) Denham's bustard, Neotis denhami White-bellied bustard, Eupodotis senegalensis Savile's bustard, Eupodotis savilei (A) Black-bellied bustard, Lissotis melanogaster