This is a list of the bird species recorded in Ghana. The avifauna of Ghana included a total of 772 confirmed species as of August 2021. Of them, one has been introduced by humans. None are endemic. 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 residents.
(A) Accidental - a species that rarely or accidentally occurs in Ghana (also called a vagrant) (I) Introduced - a species introduced to Ghana 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) Knob-billed duck, Sarkidiornis melanotos Hartlaub's duck, Pteronetta hartlaubii Egyptian goose, Alopochen aegyptiacus (A) Common shelduck, Tadorna tadorna (A) Spur-winged goose, Plectropterus gambensis African pygmy-goose, Nettapus auritus Garganey, Spatula querquedula Northern shoveler, Spatula clypeata (A) Eurasian wigeon, Mareca penelope (A) Cape teal, Anas capensis (A) Northern pintail, Anas acuta Green-winged teal, Anas crecca (A) Common pochard, Aythya ferina (A) Ferruginous duck, Aythya nyroca (A) Tufted duck, Aythya fuligula (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
White-breasted guineafowl, Agelastes meleagrides
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.
Latham's francolin, Peliperdix lathami
Coqui francolin, Campocolinus coqui
White-throated francolin, Campocolinus albogularis
Blue quail, Excalfactoria adansonii
Common quail, Coturnix coturnix
Harlequin quail, Coturnix delegorguei (A) Ahanta francolin, Pternistis ahantensis Double-spurred francolin, Pternistis bicalcaratus
Flamingos
Order: PhoenicopteriformesFamily: Phoenicopteridae
Flamingos are 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.
Lesser flamingo, Phoeniconaias minor (A)
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
Speckled pigeon, Columba guinea
Afep pigeon, Columba unicincta
Bronze-naped pigeon, Columba iriditorques
European turtle-dove, Streptopelia turtur
African collared-dove, Streptopelia roseogrisea (A) Mourning collared-dove, Streptopelia decipiens (A) 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 Blue-headed wood-dove, Turtur brehmeri Namaqua dove, Oena capensis Bruce's green-pigeon, Treron waalia African green-pigeon, Treron calva