List of birds of Egypt
This is a list of the species of birds found in Egypt, a country in north-east
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.[4] All of the birds below are included in the total bird count for Egypt.
The following tags have been used to highlight several categories. The commonly occurring native species do not fall into any of these categories.
- (A) Accidental - a species that rarely or accidentally occurs in Egypt
- (I) Introduced - a species introduced to Egypt as a consequence, direct or indirect, of human actions
- (Ex) Extirpated - a species that no longer occurs in Egypt although populations exist elsewhere
- (X) Extinct- a species or subspecies that no longer exists.
Ostriches
Order: Struthioniformes Family: Struthionidae
The ostrich is a flightless bird native to Africa. It is the largest living species of bird. It is distinctive in its appearance, with a long neck and legs and the ability to run at high speeds.
- Linnaeus, 1758
- North African ostrich, Struthio camelus camelus
- Arabian ostrich, Struthio camelus syriacus (X)
Ducks, geese, and waterfowl
Order: Anseriformes Family: 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.
- Linnaeus, 1758)
- Greater white-fronted goose, Anser albifrons (Scopoli, 1769)
- Linnaeus, 1758) (A)
- Taiga bean-goose, Anser fabalis (Latham, 1787) (A)
- Linnaeus, 1758) (A)
- Barnacle goose, Branta leucopsis (Bechstein, 1803) (A)
- Red-breasted goose, Branta ruficollis (Pallas, 1769) (A)
- Mute swan, Cygnus olor (Gmelin, JF, 1789)
- Linnaeus, 1758) (A)
- Linnaeus, 1766)
- Ruddy shelduck, Tadorna ferruginea (Pallas, 1764)
- Linnaeus, 1758)
- Linnaeus, 1766) (I)
- Linnaeus, 1758)
- Linnaeus, 1766) (A)
- Linnaeus, 1758)
- Linnaeus, 1758)
- Linnaeus, 1758)
- Linnaeus, 1758
- Linnaeus, 1758
- Linnaeus, 1758
- Marbled teal, Marmaronetta angustirostris (Ménétriés, 1832)
- Red-crested pochard, Netta rufina (Pallas, 1773)
- Linnaeus, 1758)
- Ferruginous duck, Aythya nyroca (Güldenstädt, 1770)
- Linnaeus, 1758)
- Linnaeus, 1758) (A)
- Linnaeus, 1758)
- Linnaeus, 1758
- Ruddy duck, Oxyura jamaicensis (Gmelin, JF, 1789) (I)
- White-headed duck, Oxyura leucocephala (Scopoli, 1769)
Pheasants, grouse, and allies
Order: Galliformes Family: Phasianidae
The Phasianidae are a family of terrestrial birds. In general, they are plump (although they vary in size) and have broad, relatively short wings.
- Sand partridge, Ammoperdix heyi (Temminck, 1825)
- Linnaeus, 1758); Ancient Egyptian: pcr.t > Coptic: pere (meaning unknown)
- Barbary partridge, Alectoris barbara (Bonnaterre, 1790) "aegypticus" (Siwa, marsa matruah)
- Chukar, Alectoris chukar (Gray, JE, 1830)
Flamingos
Order:
Flamingos are gregarious wading birds, usually 3 to 5 feet (0.9 to 1.5 m) 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 Pallas, 1811 (Ancient Egyptian name: dSr "reddish one"; Coptic: eteSi)
- Lesser flamingo, Phoeniconaias minor (Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire, É, 1798) (A)
Grebes
Order:
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 (Pallas, 1764)
- Red-necked grebe, Podiceps grisegena (Boddaert, 1783) (A)
- Linnaeus, 1758)
- Eared grebe, Podiceps nigricollis Brehm, CL, 1831
Pigeons and doves
Order:
- Rock pigeon, Columba livia Gmelin, JF, 1789; Ancient Egyptian sSmt(y) "one of turquoise colour" (?)
- Linnaeus, 1758
- Linnaeus, 1758 (A)
- European turtle-dove, Streptopelia turtur turtur; Ancient Egyptian: mnw.t (meaning unknown)
- Oriental turtle-dove, Streptopelia orientalis (Latham, 1790) (A)
- Eurasian collared-dove, Streptopelia decaocto (Frivaldszky, 1838)
- African collared-dove, Streptopelia roseogrisea (Sundevall, 1857)
- , 1870) (A)
- Linnaeus, 1766); Ancient Egyptian: cb3 "glittering, shining one"
- Linnaeus, 1766)
- Bruce's green-pigeon, Treron waalia (Meyer, FAA, 1793) (A)
Sandgrouse
Order:
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.
- Linnaeus, 1766) (A)
- Chestnut-bellied sandgrouse, Pterocles exustus Temminck, 1825 (A)
- Linnaeus, 1771)
- Linnaeus, 1758)
- Lichtenstein, MHC, 1823
- Lichtenstein's sandgrouse, Pterocles lichtensteinii Temminck, 1825
Bustards
Order:
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.
- Linnaeus, 1758 (A)
- Houbara bustard, Chlamydotis undulata (Jacquin, 1784)
- MacQueen's bustard, Chlamydotis macqueenii (Gray, JE, 1832)
Cuckoos
Order:
The family Cuculidae includes
- Linnaeus, 1766)
- Linnaeus, 1758)
- African cuckoo, Cuculus gularis Stephens, 1815
- Linnaeus, 1758
Nightjars and allies
Order:
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.
- Linnaeus, 1758
- Lichtenstein, MHC, 1823
- Lichtenstein, MHC, 1823 (A)
Swifts
Order:
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.
- Linnaeus, 1758)
- Linnaeus, 1758)
- Pallid swift, Apus pallidus (Shelley, 1870)
- Little swift, Apus affinis (Gray, JE, 1830)
Rails, gallinules, and coots
Order:
Rallidae is a large family of small to medium-sized birds which includes the
- Linnaeus, 1758
- Linnaeus, 1758)
- Linnaeus, 1766)
- Linnaeus, 1758); Ancient Egyptian: sbḥ"one who cries out" or "laments"
- Lesser moorhen, Paragallinula angulata (Sundevall, 1850)
- Linnaeus, 1758
- Allen's gallinule, Porphyrio alleni Thomson, 1842 (A)
- African swamphen, Porphyrio madagascariensis (Latham, 1801)
- Little crake, Zapornia parva (Scopoli, 1769)
- Baillon's crake, Zapornia pusilla (Pallas, 1776)
Cranes
Order:
Cranes are large, long-legged and long-necked birds. Unlike the similar-looking but unrelated herons, cranes fly with necks outstretched, not pulled back. Most have elaborate and noisy courting displays or "dances".
- Demoiselle crane, Anthropoides virgo; Ancient Egyptian wDc "splitter" (?)
- Linnaeus, 1758); Ancient Egyptian: D3.t "the one stretching/reaching" or "borer"
Thick-knees
Order:
The thick-knees are a group of largely tropical waders in the family Burhinidae. They are found worldwide within the tropical zone, with some species also breeding in temperate Europe and Australia. They are medium to large waders with strong black or yellow-black bills, large yellow eyes and cryptic plumage. Despite being classed as waders, most species have a preference for arid or semi-arid habitats.
- Linnaeus, 1758)
- Senegal thick-knee, Burhinus senegalensis (Swainson, 1837)
Egyptian plover
Order:
The Egyptian plover is found across equatorial Africa and along the Nile River. It has a mutualistic relationship with Nile crocodiles by eating food and parasites from their opened mouths. This is also reflected in the Ancient Egyptian name of the bird according to a Demotic dreambook (papyrus Vienna D 6104): b3k msh "servant of the crocodile".
- Linnaeus, 1758) (A)
Stilts and avocets
Order: Charadriiformes Family: Recurvirostridae
Recurvirostridae is a family of large wading birds, which includes the avocets and stilts. The avocets have long legs and long up-curved bills. The stilts have extremely long legs and long, thin, straight bills.
- Linnaeus, 1758)
- Linnaeus, 1758
Oystercatchers
Order:
The
- Linnaeus, 1758
Plovers and lapwings
Order: Charadriiformes Family: Charadriidae
The family Charadriidae includes the
- Linnaeus, 1758)
- Linnaeus, 1758)
- Pacific golden-plover, Pluvialis fulva (Gmelin, JF, 1789)
- Linnaeus, 1758); Ancient Egyptian: its hieroglyph mostly used to denote rxt "common folk", "subjects"; also once its head follows the word (i)3by.t "dancer" (cfr. Eng.: lapwing = leap-wing)
- Linnaeus, 1758)
- Sociable lapwing, Vanellus gregarius (Pallas, 1771)
- Lichtenstein, MHC, 1823)
- Lesser sand-plover, Charadrius mongolus Pallas, 1776
- Lesson, RP, 1826
- Caspian plover, Charadrius asiaticus Pallas, 1773
- Kittlitz's plover, Charadrius pecuarius Temminck, 1823
- Linnaeus, 1758
- Linnaeus, 1758
- Little ringed plover, Charadrius dubius Scopoli, 1786
- Three-banded plover, Charadrius tricollaris Vieillot, 1818
- Linnaeus, 1758
Painted-snipes
Order:
Painted-snipes are short-legged, long-billed birds similar in shape to the true snipes, but more brightly coloured.
- Linnaeus, 1758)
Sandpipers and allies
Order:
Scolopacidae is a large diverse family of small to medium-sized shorebirds including the sandpipers, curlews, godwits, shanks, tattlers, woodcocks, snipes, dowitchers and phalaropes. The majority of these species eat small invertebrates picked out of the mud or soil. Variation in length of legs and bills enables multiple species to feed in the same habitat, particularly on the coast, without direct competition for food.
- Linnaeus, 1758)
- Slender-billed curlew, Numenius tenuirostris Vieillot, 1817
- Linnaeus, 1758)
- Linnaeus, 1758)
- Linnaeus, 1758)
- Linnaeus, 1758)
- Linnaeus, 1758)
- Linnaeus, 1758)
- Broad-billed sandpiper, Calidris falcinellus (Pontoppidan, 1763)
- Curlew sandpiper, Calidris ferruginea (Pontoppidan, 1763)
- Temminck's stint, Calidris temminckii (Leisler, 1812)
- Long-toed stint, Calidris subminuta (Middendorff, 1853)
- Sanderling, Calidris alba (Pallas, 1764)
- Linnaeus, 1758)
- Little stint, Calidris minuta (Leisler, 1812)
- Pectoral sandpiper, Calidris melanotos (Vieillot, 1819) (A)
- Jack snipe, Lymnocryptes minimus (Brünnich, 1764)
- Linnaeus, 1758
- Great snipe, Gallinago media (Latham, 1787)
- Linnaeus, 1758)
- Terek sandpiper, Xenus cinereus (Güldenstädt, 1775)
- Linnaeus, 1758)
- Linnaeus, 1758)
- Linnaeus, 1758)
- Linnaeus, 1758
- Spotted redshank, Tringa erythropus (Pallas, 1764)
- Common greenshank, Tringa nebularia (Gunnerus, 1767)
- Marsh sandpiper, Tringa stagnatilis (Bechstein, 1803)
- Linnaeus, 1758
- Linnaeus, 1758)
Crab-plover
Order:
The crab-plover is related to the waders. It resembles a plover but with very long grey legs and a strong heavy black bill similar to a tern. It has black-and-white plumage, a long neck, partially webbed feet and a bill designed for eating crabs.
- Crab-plover, Dromas ardeola Paykull, 1805
Pratincoles and coursers
Order: Charadriiformes Family: Glareolidae
Glareolidae is a family of wading birds comprising the pratincoles, which have short legs, long pointed wings and long forked tails, and the coursers, which have long legs, short wings and long, pointed bills which curve downwards.
- Cream-colored courser, Cursorius cursor (Latham, 1787)
- Linnaeus, 1766)
- Oriental pratincole, Glareola maldivarum Forster, JR, 1795 (A)
- Fischer von Waldheim, 1842
Skuas and jaegers
Order:
The family Stercorariidae are, in general, medium to large birds, typically with grey or brown plumage, often with white markings on the wings. They nest on the ground in temperate and arctic regions and are long-distance migrants.
- Pomarine jaeger, Stercorarius pomarinus (Temminck, 1815)
- Linnaeus, 1758)
- Long-tailed jaeger, Stercorarius longicaudus Vieillot, 1819
Gulls, terns, and skimmers
Order: Charadriiformes Family: Laridae
Laridae is a family of medium to large seabirds, the
- Linnaeus, 1758)
- Sabine's gull, Xema sabini (Sabine, 1819) (A)
- Slender-billed gull, Chroicocephalus genei (Brème, 1839)
- Gray-hooded gull, Chroicocephalus cirrocephalus (Vieillot, 1818) (A)
- Linnaeus, 1766)
- Little gull, Hydrocoloeus minutus (Pallas, 1776)
- Franklin's gull, Leucophaeus pipixcan (Wagler, 1831) (A)
- Mediterranean gull, Ichthyaetus melanocephalus (Temminck, 1820)
- White-eyed gull, Ichthyaetus leucophthalmus (Temminck, 1825)
- Sooty gull, Ichthyaetus hemprichii (Bruch, 1855)
- Pallas's gull, Ichthyaetus ichthyaetus (Pallas, 1773)
- Audouin's gull, Ichthyaetus audouinii (Payraudeau, 1826)
- Linnaeus, 1758
- Yellow-legged gull, Larus michahellis Naumann, JF, 1840
- Caspian gull, Larus cachinnans Pallas, 1811
- Armenian gull, Larus armenicus Buturlin, 1934
- Linnaeus, 1758
- Bridled tern, Onychoprion anaethetus (Scopoli, 1786)
- Little tern, Sternula albifrons (Pallas, 1764)
- Saunders's tern, Sternula saundersi (Hume, 1877) (A)
- Gull-billed tern, Gelochelidon nilotica (Gmelin, JF, 1789)
- Caspian tern, Hydroprogne caspia (Pallas, 1770)
- Linnaeus, 1758)
- White-winged tern, Chlidonias leucopterus (Temminck, 1815)
- Whiskered tern, Chlidonias hybrida (Pallas, 1811)
- Linnaeus, 1758
- White-cheeked tern, Sterna repressa Hartert, EJO, 1916
- Lichtenstein, MHC, 1823)
- Sandwich tern, Thalasseus sandvicensis (Latham, 1787)
- Lesson, RP, 1831)
- African skimmer, Rynchops flavirostris Vieillot, 1816 (A)
Tropicbirds
Order:
Tropicbirds are slender white birds of tropical oceans, with exceptionally long central tail feathers. Their heads and long wings have black markings.
- Linnaeus, 1758
Albatrosses
Order:
The albatrosses are among the largest of flying birds, and the great albatrosses from the genus Diomedea have the largest wingspans of any extant birds.
- White-capped albatross, Thalassarche cauta (Gould, 1841) (A)
Southern storm-petrels
Order:
The southern storm-petrels are relatives of the petrels and are the smallest seabirds. They feed on planktonic crustaceans and small fish picked from the surface, typically while hovering. The flight is fluttering and sometimes bat-like.
- Wilson's storm-petrel, Oceanites oceanicus (Kuhl, 1820)
Northern storm-petrels
Order:
Though the members of this family are similar in many respects to the southern storm-petrels, including their general appearance and habits, there are enough genetic differences to warrant their placement in a separate family.
- Leach's storm-petrel, Hydrobates leucorhous (Vieillot, 1818) (A)
Shearwaters and petrels
Order: Procellariiformes Family: Procellariidae
The procellariids are the main group of medium-sized "true petrels", characterised by united nostrils with medium septum and a long outer functional primary.
- Streaked shearwater, Streaked diomedea (A)
- Cory's shearwater, Calonectris diomedea (Scopoli, 1769)
- Wedge-tailed shearwater, Ardenna pacifica (Gmelin, JF, 1789) (A)
- Sooty shearwater, Ardenna grisea (Gmelin, JF, 1789)
- Yelkouan shearwater, Puffinus yelkouan (Acerbi, 1827)
- Balearic shearwater, Puffinus mauretanicus Lowe, 1921 (A)
- Persian shearwater, Puffinus persicus Hume, 1872 (A)
Storks
Order:
Storks are large, long-legged, long-necked, wading birds with long, stout bills. Storks are mute, but bill-clattering is an important mode of communication at the nest. Their nests can be large and may be reused for many years. Many species are migratory.
- African openbill, Anastomus lamelligerus Temminck, 1823 (A)
- Linnaeus, 1758)
- Linnaeus, 1758)
- Lesson, RP, 1831) (A)
- Linnaeus, 1766)
Boobies and gannets
Order: Suliformes Family: Sulidae
The sulids comprise the gannets and boobies. Both groups are medium to large coastal seabirds that plunge-dive for fish.
- Lesson, RP, 1831 (A)
- Brown booby, Sula leucogaster (Boddaert, 1783)
- Linnaeus, 1758)
Anhingas
Order:
Anhingas or darters are often called "snake-birds" because of their long thin neck, which gives a snake-like appearance when they swim with their bodies submerged. The males have black and dark-brown plumage, an erectile crest on the nape and a larger bill than the female. The females have much paler plumage especially on the neck and underparts. The darters have completely webbed feet and their legs are short and set far back on the body. Their plumage is somewhat permeable, like that of cormorants, and they spread their wings to dry after diving.
- African darter, Anhinga rufa (Daudin, 1802) (A)
Cormorants and shags
Order:
Phalacrocoracidae is a family of medium to large coastal, fish-eating seabirds that includes cormorants and shags. Plumage colouration varies, with the majority having mainly dark plumage, some species being black-and-white and a few being colourful.
- Long-tailed cormorant, Microcarbo africanus (Gmelin, JF, 1789) (A)
- Pygmy cormorant, Microcarbo pygmaeus (Pallas, 1773) (A)
- Linnaeus, 1758)
- Linnaeus, 1761) (A)
Pelicans
Order: Pelecaniformes Family: Pelecanidae
Pelicans are large water birds with a distinctive pouch under their beak. As with other members of the order Pelecaniformes, they have webbed feet with four toes.
- Linnaeus, 1758
- Pink-backed pelican, Pelecanus rufescens Gmelin, JF, 1789
- Dalmatian pelican, Pelecanus crispus Bruch, 1832
Herons, egrets, and bitterns
Order:
The family Ardeidae contains the bitterns, herons and egrets. Herons and egrets are medium to large wading birds with long necks and legs. Bitterns tend to be shorter necked and more wary. Members of Ardeidae fly with their necks retracted, unlike other long-necked birds such as storks, ibises and spoonbills.
- Linnaeus, 1758)
- Yellow bittern, Ixobrychus sinensis (Gmelin, JF, 1789) (A)
- Linnaeus, 1766)
- Schrenck's bittern, Ixobrychus eurhythmus (Swinhoe, 1873) (A)
- Linnaeus, 1758
- Linnaeus, 1758 (A)
- Black-headed heron, Ardea melanocephala Children & Vigors, 1826 (A)
- Goliath heron, Ardea goliath Cretzschmar, 1829
- Linnaeus, 1766
- Linnaeus, 1758
- Linnaeus, 1766)
- Bosc, 1792)
- Linnaeus, 1758)
- Squacco heron, Ardeola ralloides (Scopoli, 1769)
- Linnaeus, 1758)
- Linnaeus, 1758)
Ibises and spoonbills
Order: Pelecaniformes Family: Threskiornithidae
Threskiornithidae is a family of large terrestrial and wading birds which includes the ibises and spoonbills. They have long, broad wings with 11 primary and about 20 secondary feathers. They are strong fliers and despite their size and weight, very capable soarers.
- Linnaeus, 1766)
- Linnaeus, 1758) (A)[6]
- African sacred ibis, Threskiornis aethiopicus (Latham, 1790) (Ex)
- Linnaeus, 1758
Secretarybird
Order: Accipitriformes Family: Sagittariidae
The secretarybird is a bird of prey in the order Falconiformes but is easily distinguished from other raptors by its long crane-like legs.
- Secretarybird, Sagittarius serpentarius (Miller, JF, 1779) (Ex)[7]
Osprey
Order:
The family Pandionidae contains only one species, the osprey. The osprey is a medium-large raptor which is a specialist fish-eater with a worldwide distribution.
- Linnaeus, 1758)
Hawks, eagles, and kites
Order: Accipitriformes Family: Accipitridae
Accipitridae is a family of birds of prey, which includes hawks, eagles, kites, harriers and Old World vultures. These birds have powerful hooked beaks for tearing flesh from their prey, strong legs, powerful talons and keen eyesight.
- Black-winged kite, Elanus caeruleus (Desfontaines, 1789)
- Linnaeus, 1758)
- hieroglyph) "one who treads" ?
- Linnaeus, 1758) (A)
- Oriental honey-buzzard, Pernis ptilorhynchus (Temminck, 1821) (A)
- Linnaeus, 1766)
- Lappet-faced vulture, Torgos tracheliotos (Forster, JR, 1796)
- White-backed vulture, Gyps africanus Salvadori, 1865 (A)
- Brehm, AE, 1852)
- Eurasian griffon, Gyps fulvus (Hablizl, 1783); Ancient Egyptian: nr(w) "terrifying one" (A)
- Bateleur, Terathopius ecaudatus (Daudin, 1800)
- Short-toed snake-eagle, Circaetus gallicus (Gmelin, JF, 1788)
- Lesser spotted eagle, Clanga pomarina (Brehm, CL, 1831)
- Greater spotted eagle, Clanga clanga (Pallas, 1811)
- Wahlberg's eagle, Hieraaetus wahlbergi (Sundevall, 1850) (A)
- Booted eagle, Hieraaetus pennatus (Gmelin, JF, 1788)
- Tawny eagle, Aquila rapax (Temminck, 1828) (A)
- Steppe eagle, Aquila nipalensis Hodgson, 1833
- Imperial eagle, Aquila heliaca Savigny, 1809
- Linnaeus, 1758)
- Lesson, RP, 1831
- Bonelli's eagle, Aquila fasciata Vieillot, 1822
- Gabar goshawk, Micronisus gabar (Daudin, 1800) (A)
- Linnaeus, 1758)
- Linnaeus, 1766)
- Pallid harrier, Circus macrourus (Gmelin, SG, 1770)
- Linnaeus, 1758)
- Severtsov, 1850)
- Linnaeus, 1758)
- Linnaeus, 1758)
- Linnaeus, 1758)
- Ancient Egyptian: Dr/Dr.t (possibly) "one who grasps/holds"
- Linnaeus, 1758)
- African fish-eagle, Icthyophaga vocifer (Daudin, 1800) (A)
- Linnaeus, 1758); Ancient Egyptian: tyw "shrieker" (like ti3w) or "treader" (like tiw(?)
- Long-legged buzzard, Buteo rufinus (Cretzschmar, 1829)
Barn-owls
Order:
Barn owls are medium to large owls with large heads and characteristic heart-shaped faces. They have long strong legs with powerful talons.
- Barn owl, Tyto alba (Scopoli, 1769); its hieroglyph stands for the consonant -m- probably derived from the owl's name (i)m(w) "one who moans" or "laments"
Owls
Order:
The
- Linnaeus, 1758)
- Pallid scops-owl, Otus brucei (Hume, 1872) (A)
- Pharaoh eagle-owl, Bubo ascalaphus Savigny, 1809
- Little owl, Athene noctua (Scopoli, 1769)
- Desert owl, Strix hadorami Kirwan, Schweizer & Copete, 2015
- Omani owl, Strix butleri (Hume, 1878)
- Linnaeus, 1758)
- Short-eared owl, Asio flammeus (Pontoppidan, 1763)
Hoopoes
Order:
Hoopoes have black, white and orangey-pink colouring with a large erectile crest on their head.
- Linnaeus, 1758; Ancient Egyptian: hieroglyph of the bird almost always used as or in the word db "sundried brick" (literal meaning: "one that blocks up"); therefore one of the ancient names must have been Db(3)w/Db(3).t "the one who blocks up (its nest hole)"; a later name would be q(w)q(w)p.t > Coptic koukoupat/krapep e.a. comparable to biblical dukhiphat (literal meaning unknown)
Kingfishers
Order:
Kingfishers are medium-sized birds with large heads, long, pointed bills, short legs and stubby tails.
- Linnaeus, 1758); Ancient Egyptian: Hnty "the one of the canal"
- Linnaeus, 1758)
- Collared kingfisher, Todiramphus chloris (Boddaert, 1783)
- Linnaeus, 1758); Ancient Egyptian: cnHb.t < cn-nHb.t "the one turning around the neck (when hovering above water spying fish)"
Bee-eaters
Order:
The bee-eaters are a group of near passerine birds in the family Meropidae. Most species are found in Africa but others occur in southern Europe, Madagascar, Australia and New Guinea. They are characterised by richly coloured plumage, slender bodies and usually elongated central tail feathers. All are colourful and have long downturned bills and pointed wings, which give them a swallow-like appearance when seen from afar.
- African green bee-eater, Merops viridissimus Swainson, 1837; Ancient Egyptian: w3D3D "totally green one"
- Blue-cheeked bee-eater, Merops persicus Pallas, 1773
- Linnaeus, 1758
Rollers
Order: Coraciiformes Family: Coraciidae
Rollers resemble crows in size and build, but are more closely related to the kingfishers and bee-eaters. They share the colourful appearance of those groups with blues and browns predominating. The two inner front toes are connected, but the outer toe is not.
- Linnaeus, 1758; Ancient Egyptian swrrw (meaning unknown)
- Abyssinian roller, Coracias abyssinicus Hermann, 1783 (A)
- Cinnamon roller, Eurystomus glaucurus (Müller, PLS, 1776) (A)
Woodpeckers
Order:
Woodpeckers are small to medium-sized birds with chisel-like beaks, short legs, stiff tails and long tongues used for capturing insects. Some species have feet with two toes pointing forward and two backward, while several species have only three toes. Many woodpeckers have the habit of tapping noisily on tree trunks with their beaks.
- Linnaeus, 1758
- Hemprich & Ehrenberg, 1833)
Falcons and caracaras
Order: Falconiformes Family: Falconidae
Falconidae is a family of diurnal birds of prey. They differ from hawks, eagles and kites in that they kill with their beaks instead of their talons. In Ancient Egyptian only one species is depicted as breeding in the delta and called HrT (meaning unknown).
- Lesser kestrel, Falco naumanni Fleischer, JG, 1818
- Linnaeus, 1758
- Linnaeus, 1766
- Eleonora's falcon, Falco eleonorae Géné, 1839
- Sooty falcon, Falco concolor Temminck, 1825
- Linnaeus, 1758
- Linnaeus, 1758
- Lanner falcon, Falco biarmicus Temminck, 1825
- Saker falcon, Falco cherrug Gray, JE, 1834 (A)
- Peregrine falcon, Falco peregrinus Tunstall, 1771; Ancient Egyptian: its hieroglyphic sign stands for the deity Horus the one far up/high
- Barbary falcon, Falco peregrinus pelegrinoides
Old World parrots
Order:
Characteristic features of parrots include a strong curved bill, an upright stance, strong legs, and clawed
- Linnaeus, 1766) (A)
- Rose-ringed parakeet, Psittacula krameri (Scopoli, 1769) (I)
Old World orioles
Order:
The Old World orioles are colourful passerine birds. They are not related to the New World orioles.
- Linnaeus, 1758); Ancient Egyptian: gnw "the one (with) carved (eye line)"
Bushshrikes and allies
Order:
Bushshrikes are similar in habits to shrikes, hunting insects and other small prey from a perch on a bush. Although similar in build to the shrikes, these tend to be either colourful species or largely black; some species are quite secretive.
- Rosy-patched bushshrike, Rhodophoneus cruentus
Shrikes
Order:
Shrikes are passerine birds known for their habit of catching other birds and small animals and impaling the uneaten portions of their bodies on thorns. A typical shrike's beak is hooked, like a bird of prey.
- Linnaeus, 1758
- Red-tailed shrike, Lanius phoenicuroides (Schalow, 1875)
- Hemprich & Ehrenberg, 1833 (A)
- Linnaeus, 1758
- Lesser gray shrike, Lanius minor Gmelin, JF, 1788
- Lichtenstein, MHC, 1823
- Linnaeus, 1758
Crows, jays, and magpies
Order:
The family Corvidae includes crows, ravens, jays, choughs, magpies, treepies, nutcrackers and ground jays. Corvids are above average in size among the Passeriformes, and some of the larger species show high levels of intelligence.
Ancient Egyptian names for crow or raven species include very possibly gbgb/gbg3; this bird is once called 3pd km or black bird, while its eggs could apparently be gathered according to a medical papyrus, and therefore points to a breeding bird of Egypt. In demotic an ʾbḳ-bird can be determined by help of the existence of Coptic abook "crow, raven". But perhaps the latter is also a derivation of the bird name kbk.
Late Egyptian, male personal names include a Gebgeb, possible "the crow", perhaps because the baby had black hair or a dark complexion. (drs. Carles Wolterman, Amstelveen, Holland)
- House crow, Corvus splendens Vieillot, 1817 (I)
- Linnaeus, 1758
- Linnaeus, 1758
- Linnaeus, 1758 (A)[8]
- Linnaeus, 1758
- Pied crow, Corvus albus Müller, PLS, 1776 (A)
- Lesson, RP, 1831
- Fan-tailed raven, Corvus rhipidurus Hartert, EJO, 1918
- Linnaeus, 1758
Tits, chickadees, and titmice
Order:
The Paridae are mainly small stocky woodland species with short stout bills. Some have crests. They are adaptable birds, with a mixed diet including seeds and insects.
- Linnaeus, 1758
Penduline-tits
Order:
The penduline-tits are a group of small passerine birds related to the true tits. They are insectivores.
- Linnaeus, 1758)
Larks
Order:
Larks are small terrestrial birds with often extravagant songs and display flights. Most larks are fairly dull in appearance. Their food is insects and seeds.
- Greater hoopoe-lark, Alaemon alaudipes (Desfontaines, 1789)
- Thick-billed lark, Ramphocoris clotbey (Bonaparte, 1850) (A)
- Bar-tailed lark, Ammomanes cinctura (Gould, 1839)
- Lichtenstein, MHC, 1823)
- Black-crowned sparrow-lark, Eremopterix nigriceps (Gould, 1839)
- Temminck's lark, Eremophila bilopha (Temminck, 1823)
- Greater short-toed lark, Calandrella brachydactyla (Leisler, 1814)
- Bimaculated lark, Melanocorypha bimaculata (Ménétriés, 1832)
- Linnaeus, 1766)
- Dupont's lark, Chersophilus duponti (Vieillot, 1824)
- Mediterranean short-toed lark, Alaudala rufescens (Vieillot, 1819)
- Turkestan short-toed lark, Alaudala heinei (Homeyer, 1873)
- Linnaeus, 1758)
- Linnaeus, 1758
- Oriental skylark, Alauda gulgula Franklin, 1831
- Brehm, AE, 1857 (A)
- Linnaeus, 1758)
Bearded reedling
Order:
This species, the only one in its family, is found in reed beds throughout temperate Europe and Asia.
- Linnaeus, 1758) (A)
Cisticolas and allies
Order:
The Cisticolidae are warblers found mainly in warmer southern regions of the Old World. They are generally very small birds of drab brown or grey appearance found in open country such as grassland or scrub.
- Lichtenstein, MHC, 1823)
- Rafinesque, 1810)
Reed warblers and allies
Order:
The members of this family are usually rather large for "warblers". Most are rather plain olivaceous brown above with much yellow to beige below. They are usually found in open woodland, reedbeds, or tall grass. The family occurs mostly in southern to western Eurasia and surroundings, but it also ranges far into the Pacific, with some species in Africa.
- Thick-billed warbler, Arundinax aedon (Pallas, 1776) (A)
- Lichtenstein, MHC, 1823)
- Hemprich & Ehrenberg, 1833)
- Western olivaceous warbler, Iduna opaca (Cabanis, 1851) (A)
- Hemprich & Ehrenberg, 1833)
- Olive-tree warbler, Hippolais olivetorum (Strickland, 1837)
- Icterine warbler, Hippolais icterina (Vieillot, 1817)
- Aquatic warbler, Acrocephalus paludicola (Vieillot, 1817) (A)
- Moustached warbler, Acrocephalus melanopogon (Temminck, 1823)
- Linnaeus, 1758)
- Blyth's reed warbler, Acrocephalus dumetorum Blyth, 1849
- Marsh warbler, Acrocephalus palustris (Bechstein, 1798)
- Eurasian reed warbler, Acrocephalus scirpaceus (Hermann, 1804)
- Linnaeus, 1758)
- Hemprich & Ehrenberg, 1833)
Grassbirds and allies
Order:
Locustellidae are a family of small insectivorous songbirds found mainly in Eurasia, Africa, and the Australian region. They are smallish birds with tails that are usually long and pointed, and tend to be drab brownish or buffy all over.
- River warbler, Locustella fluviatilis (Wolf, 1810)
- Savi's warbler, Locustella luscinioides (Savi, 1824)
- Common grasshopper-warbler, Locustella naevia (Boddaert, 1783) (A)
Swallows
Order:
The family Hirundinidae is adapted to aerial feeding. They have a slender streamlined body, long pointed wings and a short bill with a wide gape. The feet are adapted to perching rather than walking, and the front toes are partially joined at the base.
- Plain martin, Riparia paludicola (Vieillot, 1817) (A)
- Linnaeus, 1758)
- Banded martin, Neophedina cincta (Boddaert, 1783) (A)
- Eurasian crag-martin, Ptyonoprogne rupestris (Scopoli, 1769)
- Lichtenstein, MHC, 1842)
- Linnaeus, 1758: Ancient Egyptian: mn.t (meaning uncertain)
- Ethiopian swallow, Hirundo aethiopica Blanford, 1869 (A)
- Red-rumped swallow, Cecropis daurica (Laxmann, 1769)
- Streak-throated swallow, Petrochelidon fluvicola (Blyth, 1855) (A)
- Linnaeus, 1758)
Bulbuls
Order:
Bulbuls are medium-sized songbirds. Some are colourful with yellow, red or orange vents, cheeks, throats or supercilia, but most are drab, with uniform olive-brown to black plumage. Some species have distinct crests.
- Common bulbul, Pycnonotus barbatus (Desfontaines, 1789)
- Hemprich & Ehrenberg, 1833)
Leaf warblers
Order:
Leaf warblers are a family of small insectivorous birds found mostly in Eurasia and ranging into Wallacea and Africa. The species are of various sizes, often green-plumaged above and yellow below, or more subdued with greyish-green to greyish-brown colours.
- Wood warbler, Phylloscopus sibilatrix (Bechstein, 1793)
- Western Bonelli's warbler, Phylloscopus bonelli (Vieillot, 1819)
- Eastern Bonelli's warbler, Phylloscopus orientalis (Brehm, CL, 1855)
- Yellow-browed warbler, Phylloscopus inornatus (Blyth, 1842) (A)
- Dusky warbler, Phylloscopus fuscatus (Blyth, 1842) (A)
- Linnaeus, 1758)
- Common chiffchaff, Phylloscopus collybita (Vieillot, 1817)
- Greenish warbler, Phylloscopus trochiloides (Sundevall, 1837)
Bush warblers and allies
Order:
The members of this family are found throughout Africa, Asia, and Polynesia. Their taxonomy is in flux, and some authorities place genus Erythrocerus in another family.[9]
- Scrub warbler, Scotocerca inquieta (Cretzschmar, 1830)
- Cetti's warbler, Cettia cetti (Temminck, 1820) (A)
Sylviid warblers, parrotbills, and allies
Order:
The family Sylviidae is a group of small insectivorous passerine birds. They mainly occur as breeding species, as the common name implies, in Europe, Asia and, to a lesser extent, Africa. Most are of generally undistinguished appearance, but many have distinctive songs.
- Linnaeus, 1758)
- Garden warbler, Sylvia borin (Boddaert, 1783)
- Barred warbler, Curruca nisoria (Bechstein, 1792)
- Linnaeus, 1758)
- Hemprich & Ehrenberg, 1833
- Eastern Orphean warbler, Curruca crassirostris (Cretzschmar, 1830)
- Hemprich & Ehrenberg, 1833
- Menetries's warbler, Curruca mystacea (Ménétriés, 1832)
- Rüppell's warbler, Curruca ruppeli (Temminck, 1823)
- Cyprus warbler, Curruca melanothorax (Tristram, 1872) (A)
- Sardinian warbler, Curruca melanocephala (Gmelin, JF, 1789)
- Eastern subalpine warbler, Curruca cantillans (Pallas, 1764)
- Greater whitethroat, Curruca communis (Latham, 1787)
- Spectacled warbler, Curruca conspicillata (Temminck, 1820)
- Marmora's warbler, Curruca sarda (Temminck, 1820) (A)
Laughingthrushes and allies
Order:
The laughingthrushes are somewhat diverse in size and colouration, but are characterised by soft fluffy plumage.
- Fulvous chatterer, Argya fulva (Desfontaines, 1789)
- Arabian babbler, Argya squamiceps (Cretzschmar, 1827)
Kinglets
Order:
The kinglets, also called crests, are a small group of birds often included in the Old World warblers, but frequently given family status because they also resemble the
- Linnaeus, 1758)
- Common firecrest, Regulus ignicapilla (Temminck, 1820) (A)
Wrens
Order:
The wrens are mainly small and inconspicuous except for their loud songs. These birds have short wings and thin down-turned bills. Several species often hold their tails upright. All are insectivorous.
- Linnaeus, 1758) (A)
Starlings
Order:
Starlings are small to medium-sized passerine birds. Their flight is strong and direct and they are very gregarious. Their preferred habitat is fairly open country. They eat insects and fruit. Plumage is typically dark with a metallic sheen.
- Linnaeus, 1758
- Linnaeus, 1758)
- Linnaeus, 1766) (I)
- Sclater, PL, 1858)
Thrushes and allies
Order:
The thrushes are a group of passerine birds that occur mainly in the Old World. They are plump, soft plumaged, small to medium-sized insectivores or sometimes omnivores, often feeding on the ground. Many have attractive songs.
- Linnaeus, 1758
- Song thrush, Turdus philomelos Brehm, CL, 1831
- Linnaeus, 1758
- Linnaeus, 1758
- Linnaeus, 1758
- Linnaeus, 1758
- Black-throated thrush, Turdus atrogularis Jarocki, 1819 (A)
Old World flycatchers
Order:
Old World flycatchers are a large group of small passerine birds native to the Old World. They are mainly small arboreal insectivores. The appearance of these birds is highly varied, but they mostly have weak songs and harsh calls.
- Spotted flycatcher, Muscicapa striata (Pallas, 1764)
- Black scrub-robin, Cercotrichas podobe (Müller, PLS, 1776) (A)
- Rufous-tailed scrub-robin, Cercotrichas galactotes (Temminck, 1820)
- Linnaeus, 1758)
- White-throated robin, Irania gutturalis (Guérin-Méneville, 1843) (A)
- Linnaeus, 1758)
- Common nightingale, Luscinia megarhynchos Brehm, CL, 1831
- Linnaeus, 1758)
- Red-breasted flycatcher, Ficedula parva (Bechstein, 1792)
- Semicollared flycatcher, Ficedula semitorquata (Homeyer, 1885)
- European pied flycatcher, Ficedula hypoleuca (Pallas, 1764)
- Collared flycatcher, Ficedula albicollis (Temminck, 1815)
- Linnaeus, 1758)
- Black redstart, Phoenicurus ochruros (Gmelin, SG, 1774)
- Linnaeus, 1766)
- Linnaeus, 1758)
- Linnaeus, 1758)
- Linnaeus, 1766)
- Siberian stonechat, Saxicola maurus (Pallas, 1773) (A)
- Linnaeus, 1766) (A)
- Linnaeus, 1758)
- Isabelline wheatear, Oenanthe isabellina (Temminck, 1829)
- Hooded wheatear, Oenanthe monacha (Temminck, 1825)
- Desert wheatear, Oenanthe deserti (Temminck, 1825)
- Linnaeus, 1758)
- Cyprus wheatear, Oenanthe cypriaca (Homeyer, 1885)
- Eastern black-eared wheatear, Oenanthe melanoleuca (Güldenstädt, 1775)
- Pied wheatear, Oenanthe pleschanka (Lepechin, 1770) (A)
- Lichtenstein, MHC, 1823)
- Blackstart, Oenanthe melanura (Temminck, 1824)
- White-crowned wheatear, Oenanthe leucopyga (Brehm, CL, 1855)
- Finsch's wheatear, Oenanthe finschii (Heuglin, 1869)
- Lichtenstein, MHC, 1823)
- Hemprich & Ehrenberg, 1833)
- de Filippi, 1863) (A)
Hypocolius
Order:
The hypocolius is a small Middle Eastern bird with the shape and soft plumage of a waxwing. They are mainly a uniform grey colour except the males have a black triangular mask around their eyes.
- Hypocolius, Hypocolius ampelinus Bonaparte, 1850 (A)
Sunbirds and spiderhunters
Order:
The sunbirds and spiderhunters are very small passerine birds which feed largely on nectar, although they will also take insects, especially when feeding young. Flight is fast and direct on their short wings. Most species can take nectar by hovering like a hummingbird, but usually perch to feed.
- Lichtenstein, MHC, 1823)
- Palestine sunbird, Cinnyris osea Bonaparte, 1856
- Hemprich & Ehrenberg, 1828) (A)
Weavers and allies
Order:
The weavers are small passerine birds related to the finches. They are seed-eating birds with rounded conical bills. The males of many species are brightly coloured, usually in red or yellow and black, some species show variation in colour only in the breeding season.
- Village weaver, Ploceus cucullatus (Müller, PLS, 1776) (A)
- Streaked weaver, Ploceus manyar (Horsfield, 1821) (I)
Waxbills and allies
Order:
The
- Linnaeus, 1758) (I)
- Linnaeus, 1758) (I)
Accentors
Order:
The accentors are in the only bird family, Prunellidae, which is completely endemic to the
- Linnaeus, 1758)
Old World sparrows
Order:
Old World sparrows are small passerine birds. In general, sparrows tend to be small, plump, brown or grey birds with short tails and short powerful beaks. Old World sparrows are seed eaters, but they also consume small insects.
- Linnaeus, 1758)
- Spanish sparrow, Passer hispaniolensis (Temminck, 1820)
- Dead Sea sparrow, Passer moabiticus Tristram, 1864 (A)
- Lichtenstein, MHC, 1823) (A)
- Linnaeus, 1758) (A)
- Yellow-throated sparrow, Gymnoris xanthocollis (Burton, E, 1838) (A)
- Pale rockfinch, Carpospiza brachydactyla (Bonaparte, 1850)
- Linnaeus, 1766) (A)
Wagtails and pipits
Order:
Motacillidae is a family of small passerine birds with medium to long tails. They include the wagtails, longclaws and pipits. They are slender, ground feeding insectivores of open country.
- Gray wagtail, Motacilla cinerea Tunstall, 1771
- Linnaeus, 1758; Ancient Egyptian (possibly): bnw (meaning unknown)
- Citrine wagtail, Motacilla citreola Pallas, 1776 (A)
- African pied wagtail, Motacilla aguimp Temminck, 1820
- Linnaeus, 1758
- Richard's pipit, Anthus richardi Vieillot, 1818 (A)
- Jerdon, 1840)
- Linnaeus, 1758)
- Linnaeus, 1758)
- Linnaeus, 1758)
- Olive-backed pipit, Anthus hodgsoni Blackwelder, 1907 (A)
- Red-throated pipit, Anthus cervinus (Pallas, 1811)
- Linnaeus, 1758)
- American pipit, Anthus rubescens (Tunstall, 1771) (A)
Finches, euphonias, and allies
Order:
Finches are seed-eating passerine birds, that are small to moderately large and have a strong beak, usually conical and in some species very large. All have twelve tail feathers and nine primaries. These birds have a bouncing flight with alternating bouts of flapping and gliding on closed wings, and most sing well.
- Linnaeus, 1758
- Linnaeus, 1758
- Linnaeus, 1758)
- Common rosefinch, Carpodacus erythrinus (Pallas, 1770)
- Sinai rosefinch, Carpodacus synoicus (Temminck, 1825)
- Lichtenstein, MHC, 1823)
- Mongolian finch, Rhodopechys mongolicus
- Linnaeus, 1758)
- Linnaeus, 1758)
- Linnaeus, 1758)
- Linnaeus, 1766)
- Fire-fronted serin, Serinus pusillus (Pallas, 1811) (A)
- Syrian serin, Serinus syriacus Bonaparte, 1850
- Linnaeus, 1758)
Old World buntings
Order:
The emberizids are a large family of passerine birds. They are seed-eating birds with distinctively shaped bills. In Europe, most species are called buntings. Many emberizid species have distinctive head patterns.
- Black-headed bunting, Emberiza melanocephala Scopoli, 1769
- Red-headed bunting, Emberiza bruniceps Brandt, JF, 1841 (A)
- Linnaeus, 1758
- Linnaeus, 1766 (A)
- Gray-necked bunting, Emberiza buchanani Blyth, 1845 (A)
- Cinereous bunting, Emberiza cineracea Brehm, CL, 1855 (A)
- Linnaeus, 1758
- Cretzschmar's bunting, Emberiza caesia Cretzschmar, 1827
- House bunting, Emberiza sahari Levaillant, J, 1850 (A)
- Lichtenstein, MHC, 1823)
- Linnaeus, 1758) (A)
- Yellow-breasted bunting, Emberiza aureola Pallas, 1773 (A)
- Little bunting, Emberiza pusilla Pallas, 1776 (A)
- Rustic bunting, Emberiza rustica Pallas, 1776 (A)
See also
Notes
- ^ Listed as extirpated per source, but no other sources put Egypt in the species' range.
References
- Shelley, George Ernest (1872). A Handbook to the Birds of Egypt. J. Van Voorst.
- Meininger, Peter L.; Wim C. Mullié (1981). Preliminary List of the Birds of Egypt. The Holy Land Conservation Fund.
- ^ "Egypt". The World Factbook (2024 ed.). Central Intelligence Agency. (Archived 2007 edition.)
- ^ Lepage, Denis. "Checklist of Birds of Egypt". Bird Checklists of the World. Avibase. Retrieved 27 September 2021.
- ^ "Birds of Egypt, the complete checklist". WICE (World Institute for Conservation and Environment). Archived from the original on 2007-10-14. Retrieved 27 September 2019.
- ISBN 0-934797-16-1.
- . Retrieved 4 April 2021.
- . Retrieved 20 June 2021.
- .
- ^ "Eurasian Magpie". Avibase.
- .
External links
- Birds of Egypt - World Institute for Conservation and Environment