Lore › Birds by region › Africa

Birds of Africa

Lore covers 2,442 bird species that have been recorded in Africa, and 1,670 of them are regular birds you can reasonably expect to see. You learn them from real photos taken by birders, one question at a time: pick the right name, earn points and keep a daily streak. It is free and it works in your browser, no app needed.

The most common birds in Africa

These are the birds you will meet first. Lore starts every guide with the common species, so you learn what you actually see in the field.

• Egyptian Goose
  Alopochen aegyptiaca
  Resident
• Common Bulbul
  Pycnonotus barbatus
  Resident
• Hadada Ibis
  Bostrychia hagedash
  Resident
• Helmeted Guineafowl
  Numida meleagris
  Resident
• Laughing Dove
  Spilopelia senegalensis
  Resident
• Grey Heron
  Ardea cinerea
  Resident
• Western Cattle-Egret
  Ardea ibis
  Resident
• Blacksmith Lapwing
  Vanellus armatus
  Resident
• Common Ostrich
  Struthio camelus
  Resident
• African Fish-Eagle
  Icthyophaga vocifer
  Resident
• Little Egret
  Egretta garzetta
  Resident
• Red-eyed Dove
  Streptopelia semitorquata
  Resident
• Reed Cormorant
  Microcarbo africanus
  Resident
• Fork-tailed Drongo
  Dicrurus adsimilis
  Resident
• African Sacred Ibis
  Threskiornis aethiopicus
  Resident
• Black Kite
  Milvus migrans
  Resident
• Black-headed Heron
  Ardea melanocephala
  Resident
• Pied Kingfisher
  Ceryle rudis
  Resident
• Pied Crow
  Corvus albus
  Resident
• Lilac-breasted Roller
  Coracias caudatus
  Resident
• Southern Masked Weaver
  Ploceus velatus
  Resident
• Southern Fiscal
  Lanius collaris
  Resident
• Great Cormorant
  Phalacrocorax carbo
  Resident
• Speckled Pigeon
  Columba guinea
  Resident
• White-backed Vulture
  Gyps africanus
  Resident
• House Sparrow
  Passer domesticus
  Resident
• Cape Sparrow
  Passer melanurus
  Resident
• Cape Wagtail
  Motacilla capensis
  Resident
• Black-winged Stilt
  Himantopus himantopus
  Resident
• Speckled Mousebird
  Colius striatus
  Resident
• Common Hoopoe
  Upupa epops
  Resident
• Kelp Gull
  Larus dominicanus
  Resident
• Red-winged Starling
  Onychognathus morio
  Resident
• Village Weaver
  Ploceus cucullatus
  Resident
• Cape Weaver
  Ploceus capensis
  Resident
• Marabou Stork
  Leptoptilos crumenifer
  Resident

Birds in Africa through the year

Of the 1,670 regular birds in Africa, Lore counts 1,356 resident species that stay all year and 89 winter visitors. The rest are partly migratory or irregular.

Most species are present in November (1,621 regular birds) and the fewest in June (1,501). Lore's guides follow the seasons, so you can learn the birds that are around this month, or the ones that arrive next month.

Regular birds present per month.

Which bird families are most common in Africa?

The families with the most regular species in Africa are Old World Flycatchers, Robins, and Chats (107), Hawks, Eagles, and Kites (73), Weavers and Allies (72), Cisticolas and Allies (68) and Sunbirds and Spiderhunters (58).

How Lore teaches you the birds

• Real photos. Every picture was taken by a birder and credited in the game.
• Guides for your region. Common birds, year-round birds, summer and winter visitors, birds by family, and more.
• A daily mystery bird. Clues first, the photo last.
• Challenges. Play the same birds as your friends in a group, or join the open Ultimate Birders' Challenge.

Countries and regions in Africa

• Morocco
• Kenya
• Tanzania
• South Africa
• Madagascar

Frequently asked questions

How many birds can I learn in Africa? Lore has 2,442 species for Africa, of which 1,670 are regular. The most common are the Egyptian Goose, Common Bulbul and Hadada Ibis.

Is Lore free? Yes. Lore is free, has no ads and is made as a hobby. You do not need an account to start.

Where do the photos and data come from? Photos come from iNaturalist and Wikimedia Commons under Creative Commons licences, and rarity and names come from eBird. See the photo credits.