Iconic bird of Ghana

Common Birds of Ghana

Ghana is West Africa's most accessible birding destination โ€” Kakum NP's canopy walkway and Mole NP's savannah combine for an exceptional introduction to African birding.

730+
Total species
1
Endemics
20
Threatened
Novโ€“Mar
Best months
๐Ÿฆ
1. White-necked RockfowlVulnerable
Picathartes gymnocephalus

One of Africa's most sought-after birds โ€” nests in small colonies on rocky cave ceilings inside primary forest, approached with specialist local guides from December.

๐Ÿ“ Atewa Range, accessible forest sites๐Ÿ—“ Decโ€“Feb
๐Ÿฆ
2. Yellow-casqued HornbillNear Threatened
Ceratogymna elata

A massive forest hornbill with a towering yellow casque โ€” the canopy walkway at Kakum places visitors at eye level with this spectacular bird in the forest canopy.

๐Ÿ“ Kakum NP, Bia NP๐Ÿ—“ Decโ€“Mar
๐Ÿฆ
3. African Grey ParrotEndangered
Psittacus erithacus

Wild populations have declined catastrophically from trapping for the pet trade โ€” remaining flocks in southern Ghana are best seen at communal roosts at dusk.

๐Ÿ“ Southern rainforest, Kakum area๐Ÿ—“ Decโ€“Mar
๐Ÿฆ
4. Chocolate-backed KingfisherLeast Concern
Halcyon badia

A shy, forest-interior kingfisher with rich chocolate-brown back and turquoise wings โ€” heard far more often than seen, with a loud descending whistle.

๐Ÿ“ Rainforest interior, Kakum NP๐Ÿ—“ Decโ€“Mar
๐Ÿฆ
5. African Pygmy KingfisherLeast Concern
Ispidina picta

The world's smallest kingfisher โ€” a jewel-like bird with rufous and blue plumage that feeds on insects rather than fish in forest undergrowth.

๐Ÿ“ Forest edge and savannah woodland๐Ÿ—“ Novโ€“Mar
๐Ÿฆ
6. Blue TuracoLeast Concern
Corythaeola cristata

Africa's largest turaco โ€” its brilliant blue body, red-tipped crest, and green wings make it unmistakable running along branches above Kakum's rainforest canopy.

๐Ÿ“ Rainforest, Kakum canopy๐Ÿ—“ Novโ€“Apr
๐Ÿฆ
7. Brown-cheeked HornbillNear Threatened
Bycanistes cylindricus

A spectacular casqued hornbill that travels in noisy flocks through the forest canopy โ€” its calls are among the most evocative sounds of Ghana's remaining rainforest.

๐Ÿ“ Rainforest interior, Sui River FR๐Ÿ—“ Novโ€“Mar
๐Ÿฆ
8. Standard-winged NightjarLeast Concern
Caprimulgus longipennis

Males develop extraordinary elongated 9th primary feathers tipped with webbing during breeding โ€” the "standard" flutters like a tiny flag as they display at dusk.

๐Ÿ“ Northern Ghana savannah๐Ÿ—“ Novโ€“Feb

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Common Birds of Ghana | AvianScope