The Complete List of Birds of Gabon

Gabon’s mix of coastal mangroves, lowland rainforest and savanna pockets supports a wide variety of bird life, making it a rewarding destination for birdwatchers and naturalists alike. From roadside stops to protected national parks, species show up in different habitats and seasons, so a little local knowledge goes a long way.

There are 39 Birds of Gabon, ranging from African broadbill (Rufous-sided) to White-throated bee-eater. For each species you’ll find below the Scientific name, Length (cm), Where seen (regions & habitat) so you can quickly match field sightings to likely locations and sizes while planning visits or recording observations.

When is the best time to see these species in Gabon?

The dry season (roughly June–September) typically offers easier access to parks and clearer viewing, though some migrants and wet-forest species are more noticeable in other months; check local reports for recent sightings before you go.

How should I use the table when planning a trip?

Use the Scientific name to confirm tricky IDs, the Length (cm) as a quick size reference in the field, and the Where seen column to target regions and habitats—combine that with maps, a local guide, and binoculars for the most efficient birding.

Birds of Gabon

Images and Descriptions

African grey parrot

Large, highly intelligent parrot with grey plumage and red tail. Famous for mimicry and bold personality; often found in forest edges and near villages, sought by birders and conservationists for its declining wild populations.

Great blue turaco

Impressive, large green-blue bird with vivid crest and crimson flight feathers visible in flight. Moves through canopy with slow deliberate hops; distinctive loud, rolling calls make it easy to detect in tall forest.

Narina trogon

Colorful trogon with metallic green upperparts, orange belly and white undertail; sits motionless on shaded perches. Secretive but diagnostic from its shape, posture and soft, melodious calls in deep forest.

African fish eagle

Spectacular raptor with white head and chestnut body; renowned piercing, yodeling call. Hunts fish from perches or by plunge-diving; frequent along rivers and estuaries and very noticeable to visitors.

Goliath heron

World’s largest heron, tall and maroon-chestnut with grey wings. Slow, solitary fisherman of large wetlands; striking size and stooping hunting pose make it unmistakable.

Hamerkop

Medium brown waterbird with crest and hammer-shaped head. Builds enormous conspicuous globular nests; feeds on fish, frogs and invertebrates in shallow water, often in pairs or small groups.

African darter

Snake-like waterbird with long neck and pointed bill; often seen drying wings on logs. Dives for fish and swims with body submerged, leaving only neck exposed—distinctive behavior on Gabon’s waterways.

Pied kingfisher

Black-and-white diving kingfisher that hovers over water before plunge-diving for fish. Common on rivers and coastal lagoons; bold, noisy and easily observed from riverbanks.

Malachite kingfisher

Tiny jewel-like kingfisher with bright blue back and rufous belly. Perches low over water, darts out to snatch small fish; tiny size and rapid behavior make it a delight for close viewing.

Giant kingfisher

Africa’s largest kingfisher with bold barred underparts and loud rattling call. Hunts from high perches, plunging to take larger fish; often seen along major rivers in Gabon.

African jacana

Slender-legged wader with long toes that walk on floating vegetation. Wobbly, striking in silhouette; runs across lily pads feeding on insects and invertebrates—common on calm freshwater bodies.

Pink-backed pelican

Medium pelican with pale pinkish back and long bill pouch. Gathers in groups to fish cooperatively in shallow lagoons and estuaries; a coastal spectacle around Libreville and mangrove areas.

African spoonbill

White wader with distinctive spatulate bill used for sweeping through shallow water. Forages in flocks at low tide or in lagoons; elegant slow feeding action makes it easy to spot.

Little egret

Slender white heron with black bill and yellow feet; active feeder in shallow water. Breeds in colonies; sleek breeding plumes and poised stalking behavior attract photographers and birders.

Great egret

Tall, stately white heron with long neck and slow deliberate hunting. Often solitary or in small groups; highly visible at marshes and estuaries, striking in flight with slow wingbeats.

Grey heron

Large grey-and-white heron common across habitats. Stands motionless waiting for fish; recognizable by S-shaped neck in flight and slow, heavy wingbeats along Gabon’s waterways.

Black-crowned night heron

Stocky nocturnal heron with red eyes and black crown. Often roosts by day in mangroves and feeds at dusk; squat posture and short neck make it easy to separate from other herons.

Long-tailed (Reed) cormorant

Small dark cormorant that fishes in shallow waters, often perched drying wings. Agile diver frequently seen on river channels and lagoons throughout Gabon, sometimes in mixed flocks with herons.

African green pigeon

Plump, greenish pigeon that feeds on figs and fruits in canopy. Often heard before seen; slow flight, chunky silhouette and habit of perching quietly in fruiting trees mark it out for fruit-focused birders.

Tambourine dove

Small, shy dove with delicate pinkish tones and soft cooing. Feeds on forest floor and at edges; subtle coloration and gentle call are typical of Gabon’s understory dove community.

Red-eyed dove

Large dove with reddish eye and soft cooing song. Tolerant of human presence, often seen singly or in pairs around clearings and towns—easy to identify by its deep cooing.

Little bee-eater

Tiny, vivid bee-eater with green body and rufous throat. Perches on exposed branches, sallies for insects and returns to perch; swift agile flight and bright colors are eye-catching.

White-throated bee-eater

Colorful slender bee-eater with white throat and vivid green plumage. Frequently perches on bare twigs, hawks insects; seen during migrations and around open waters in Gabon.

African harrier-hawk (Gymnogene)

Unique raptor with flexible legs used to extract prey from cavities. Often climbs tree trunks and branches; opportunistic feeder regularly seen near villages and forest edges.

Black kite

Common, opportunistic raptor with forked tail and buoyant flight. Scavenger often seen over towns and landfill sites as well as along coastlines—easy to spot by silhouette.

Barn swallow

Familiar migratory swallow with deeply forked tail and agile flight. Nests on buildings and forages low over clearings and wetlands—widespread during migration seasons.

African pied wagtail

Black-and-white wagtail often seen bobbing along riverbanks and rocks. Bold and confiding, it feeds on invertebrates and is frequently encountered near flowing water and coastal rocks.

Common sandpiper

Slender wader with teetering motion and characteristic flight down-up pattern. Breeding migrant that winters widely in Africa; common along Gabonese rivers and estuary shores.

Ruddy turnstone

Stout shorebird with patterned plumage and habit of flipping stones at low tide. Regular migrant on Gabon’s Atlantic coast, easily seen on exposed rocky shorelines and jetties.

Whimbrel

Large curlew-like migrant with long decurved bill and distinctive head stripe. Probes muddy shores for invertebrates; forms loose flocks on Gabon’s coasts during migration.

Reed warbler (African marsh warbler)

Plain brownish warbler skulking in reeds and papyrus. Detected more by sharp chattering song than sight; common in Gabon’s marshy wetlands and slow-moving waterways.

Nkulengu rail

Large, secretive rail of deep forest swamps with thick legs and heavy bill. Rarely seen but distinctive when heard; a sought-after species for forest specialists.

African broadbill (Rufous-sided)

Stocky, short-tailed broadbill with rufous sides and distinctive mechanical wing-whirring display. Feeds on large insects in canopy; often heard before seen due to weird display sounds.

Black-casqued hornbill

Impressive large hornbill with black plumage and bulky casque. Forages for fruit in canopy and nests in tree cavities; loud booming calls and size make it a forest highlight.

Violet-backed starling

Brilliant metallic purple male (female duller) often at fruiting fig trees. Flashy in sunlight and active in small flocks; eye-catching migrant/resident in forest openings.

Village weaver

Bold, sociable weaver with bright yellow males in breeding season. Builds conspicuous hanging nests in trees near human habitation—easy to find around towns and riversides.

African grey flycatcher (Lead-coloured flycatcher)

Small, plump flycatcher with subdued grey plumage; sallies from low perches for insects. Quiet and unobtrusive but frequent in second-growth and disturbed forest areas.

Scarlet-chested sunbird

Brilliant nectar-feeding sunbird with iridescent male plumage and curved bill. Rapid, acrobatic feeder at flowers and fruit; small but visually striking in dappled light.

White-throated bee-eater

(Note: different from other bee-eaters) Striking bee-eater with white throat, hunts aerial insects, often perched in open patches along waterways during passage.

Birds of Other Countries