Common Birds of Ghana

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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