List of birds of Afghanistan

This is a list of the bird species recorded in Afghanistan. The avifauna of Afghanistan include a total of 502 species, of which 4 have been introduced by humans. Of the species in Afghanistan, 25 species are globally threatened.

This list's taxonomic treatment (designation and sequence of orders, families and species) and nomenclature (common and scientific names) follow the conventions of The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World, 2021 edition. The family accounts at the beginning of each heading reflect this taxonomy, as do the species counts found in each family account. Introduced and accidental species are included in the total counts for Afghanistan.

The following tags have been used to highlight several categories. The commonly occurring native species do not fall into any of these categories.

• (A) Accidental - a species that rarely or accidentally occurs in Afghanistan
• (I) Introduced - a species introduced to Afghanistan as a consequence, direct or indirect, of human actions

Ducks, geese, and waterfowl[]

Order: Anseriformes   Family: 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.

Pheasants, grouse, and allies[]

Order: Galliformes   Family: Phasianidae

The Phasianidae are a family of terrestrial birds. In general, they are plump (although they vary in size) and have broad, relatively short wings.

• See-see partridge, Ammoperdix griseogularis
• Common quail, Coturnix coturnix
• Chukar, Alectoris chukar
• Tibetan snowcock, Tetraogallus tibetanus
• Himalayan snowcock, Tetraogallus himalayensis
• Black francolin, Francolinus francolinus
• Gray francolin, Ortygornis pondicerianus
• Himalayan monal, Lophophorus impejanus
• Ring-necked pheasant, Phasianus colchicus
• Cheer pheasant, Catreus wallichii
• Gray partridge, Perdix perdix
• Koklass pheasant, Pucrasia macrolopha

Flamingos[]

Order: Phoenicopteriformes   Family: Phoenicopteridae

Flamingos are gregarious wading birds, usually 3 to 5 feet (0.9 to 1.5 m) 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.

• Greater flamingo, Phoenicopterus roseus
• Lesser flamingo, Phoenicopterus minor (A)

Grebes[]

Order: Podicipediformes   Family: 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
• Red-necked grebe, Podiceps grisegena
• Great crested grebe, Podiceps cristatus
• Eared grebe, Podiceps nigricollis

Pigeons and doves[]

Order: Columbiformes   Family: Columbidae

Pigeons and doves are stout-bodied birds with short necks and short slender bills with a fleshy cere.

• Rock pigeon, Columba livia
• Hill pigeon, Columba rupestris
• Snow pigeon, Columba leuconota
• Speckled pigeon, Columba guinea (I)
• Stock dove, Columba oenas (A)
• Yellow-eyed pigeon, Columba eversmanni
• Common wood-pigeon, Columba palumbus
• European turtle-dove, Streptopelia turtur
• Oriental turtle-dove, Streptopelia orientalis
• Eurasian collared-dove, Streptopelia decaocto
• Spotted dove, Spilopelia chinensis (A)
• Laughing dove, Spilopelia senegalensis

Sandgrouse[]

Order: Pterocliformes   Family: Pteroclidae

Sandgrouse have small, pigeon like heads and necks, but sturdy compact bodies. They have long pointed wings and sometimes tails and a fast direct flight. Flocks fly to watering holes at dawn and dusk. Their legs are feathered down to the toes.

• Tibetan sandgrouse, Syrrhaptes tibetanus
• Pin-tailed sandgrouse, Pterocles alchata
• Spotted sandgrouse, Pterocles senegallus (A)
• Black-bellied sandgrouse, Pterocles orientalis
• Crowned sandgrouse, Pterocles coronatus
• Lichtenstein's sandgrouse, Pterocles lichtensteinii

Bustards[]

Order: Otidiformes   Family: Otididae

Bustards are large terrestrial birds mainly associated with dry open country and steppes in the Old World. They are omnivorous and nest on the ground. They walk steadily on strong legs and big toes, pecking for food as they go. They have long broad wings with "fingered" wingtips and striking patterns in flight. Many have interesting mating displays.

• Great bustard, Otis tarda
• Macqueen's bustard, Chlamydotis macqueenii
• Little bustard, Tetrax tetrax

Cuckoos[]

Order: Cuculiformes   Family: Cuculidae

The family Cuculidae includes cuckoos, roadrunners and anis. These birds are of variable size with slender bodies, long tails and strong legs.

• Pied cuckoo, Clamator jacobinus (A)
• Asian koel, Eudynamys scolopaceus
• Lesser cuckoo, Cuculus poliocephalus
• Common cuckoo, Cuculus canorus

Nightjars and allies[]

Order: Caprimulgiformes   Family: Caprimulgidae

Nightjars are medium-sized nocturnal birds that usually nest on the ground. They have long wings, short legs and very short bills. Most have small feet, of little use for walking, and long pointed wings. Their soft plumage is camouflaged to resemble bark or leaves.

• Eurasian nightjar, Caprimulgus europaeus
• Egyptian nightjar, Caprimulgus aegyptius
• Sykes's nightjar, Caprimulgus mahrattensis
• Indian nightjar, Caprimulgus asiaticus

Swifts[]

Order: Caprimulgiformes   Family: Apodidae

Swifts are small birds which spend the majority of their lives flying. These birds have very short legs and never settle voluntarily on the ground, perching instead only on vertical surfaces. Many swifts have long swept-back wings which resemble a crescent or boomerang.

• White-throated needletail, Hirundapus caudacutus (A)
• Alpine swift, Apus melba
• Common swift, Apus apus
• Little swift, Apus affinis

Rails, gallinules and coots[]

Order: Gruiformes   Family: Rallidae

Rallidae is a large family of small to medium-sized birds which includes the rails, crakes, coots and gallinules. Typically they inhabit dense vegetation in damp environments near lakes, swamps or rivers. In general they are shy and secretive birds, making them difficult to observe. Most species have strong legs and long toes which are well adapted to soft uneven surfaces. They tend to have short, rounded wings and to be weak fliers.

• Water rail, Rallus aquaticus
• Corn crake, Crex crex
• Spotted crake, Porzana porzana
• Eurasian moorhen, Gallinula chloropus
• Eurasian coot, Fulica atra
• Gray-headed swamphen, Porphyrio poliocephalus
• Ruddy-breasted crake, Zapornia fusca (A)
• Little crake, Zapornia parva
• Baillon's crake, Zapornia pusilla

Cranes[]

Order: Gruiformes   Family: Gruidae

Cranes are large, long-legged and long-necked birds. Unlike the similar-looking but unrelated herons, cranes fly with necks outstretched, not pulled back. Most have elaborate and noisy courting displays or "dances".

• Demoiselle crane, Anthropoides virgo
• Siberian crane, Leucogeranus leucogeranus (A) (possibly extirpated)^[1]
• Common crane, Grus grus

Thick-knees[]

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Burhinidae

The thick-knees are a group of largely tropical waders in the family Burhinidae. They are found worldwide within the tropical zone, with some species also breeding in temperate Europe and Australia. They are medium to large waders with strong black or yellow-black bills, large yellow eyes and cryptic plumage. Despite being classed as waders, most species have a preference for arid or semi-arid habitats.

• Eurasian thick-knee, Burhinus oedicnemus

Stilts and avocets[]

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Recurvirostridae

Recurvirostridae is a family of large wading birds, which includes the avocets and stilts. The avocets have long legs and long up-curved bills. The stilts have extremely long legs and long, thin, straight bills.

• Black-winged stilt, Himantopus himantopus
• Pied avocet, Recurvirostra avosetta

Ibisbill[]

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Ibidorhynchidae

The ibisbill is related to the waders, but is sufficiently distinctive to be a family unto itself. The adult is gray with a white belly, red legs, a long down curved bill, and a black face and breast band.

• Ibisbill, Ibidorhyncha struthersii (A)

Oystercatchers[]

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Haematopodidae

The oystercatchers are large and noisy plover-like birds, with strong bills used for smashing or prising open molluscs.

• Eurasian oystercatcher, Haematopus ostralegus

Plovers and lapwings[]

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Charadriidae

The family Charadriidae includes the plovers, dotterels and lapwings. They are small to medium-sized birds with compact bodies, short, thick necks and long, usually pointed, wings. They are found in open country worldwide, mostly in habitats near water.

• Black-bellied plover, Pluvialis squatarola
• Pacific golden-plover, Pluvialis fulva (A)
• Northern lapwing, Vanellus vanellus
• Red-wattled lapwing, Vanellus indicus
• Sociable lapwing, Vanellus gregarius
• White-tailed lapwing, Vanellus leucurus
• Lesser sand-plover, Charadrius mongolus
• Greater sand-plover, Charadrius leschenaultii
• Caspian plover, Charadrius asiaticus
• Kentish plover, Charadrius alexandrinus
• Common ringed plover, Charadrius hiaticula
• Little ringed plover, Charadrius dubius

Painted-snipes[]

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Rostratulidae

Painted-snipes are short-legged, long-billed birds similar in shape to the true snipes, but more brightly coloured.

• Greater painted-snipe, Rostratula benghalensis

Jacanas[]

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Jacanidae

The jacanas are a group of tropical waders in the family Jacanidae. They are found throughout the tropics. They are identifiable by their huge feet and claws which enable them to walk on floating vegetation in the shallow lakes that are their preferred habitat.

• Pheasant-tailed jacana, Hydrophasianus chirurgus

Sandpipers and allies[]

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Scolopacidae

Scolopacidae is a large diverse family of small to medium-sized shorebirds including the sandpipers, curlews, godwits, shanks, tattlers, woodcocks, snipes, dowitchers and phalaropes. The majority of these species eat small invertebrates picked out of the mud or soil. Variation in length of legs and bills enables multiple species to feed in the same habitat, particularly on the coast, without direct competition for food. There are 27 species which have been recorded in Afghanistan.

Pratincoles and coursers[]

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Glareolidae

Glareolidae is a family of wading birds comprising the pratincoles, which have short legs, long pointed wings and long forked tails, and the coursers, which have long legs, short wings and long, pointed bills which curve downwards.

• Cream-colored courser, Cursorius cursor
• Collared pratincole, Glareola pratincola (A)
• Small pratincole, Glareola lactea (A)

Gulls, terns, and skimmers[]

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Laridae

Laridae is a family of medium to large seabirds, the gulls, terns, and skimmers. Gulls are typically grey or white, often with black markings on the head or wings. They have stout, longish bills and webbed feet. Terns are a group of generally medium to large seabirds typically with grey or white plumage, often with black markings on the head. Most terns hunt fish by diving but some pick insects off the surface of fresh water. Terns are generally long-lived birds, with several species known to live in excess of 30 years.

Storks[]

Order: Ciconiiformes   Family: Ciconiidae

Storks are large, long-legged, long-necked, wading birds with long, stout bills. Storks are mute, but bill-clattering is an important mode of communication at the nest. Their nests can be large and may be reused for many years. Many species are migratory.

• Black stork, Ciconia nigra
• White stork, Ciconia ciconia

Cormorants and shags[]

Order: Suliformes   Family: Phalacrocoracidae

Phalacrocoracidae is a family of medium to large coastal, fish-eating seabirds that includes cormorants and shags. Plumage colouration varies, with the majority having mainly dark plumage, some species being black-and-white and a few being colourful.

• Little cormorant, Microcarbo niger (A)
• Pygmy cormorant, Microcarbo pygmeus
• Great cormorant, Phalacrocorax carbo
• Indian cormorant, Phalacrocorax fuscicollis (A)

Pelicans[]

Order: Pelecaniformes   Family: Pelecanidae

Pelicans are large water birds with a distinctive pouch under their beak. As with other members of the order Pelecaniformes, they have webbed feet with four toes.

• Great white pelican, Pelecanus onocrotalus
• Dalmatian pelican, Pelecanus crispus

Herons, egrets, and bitterns[]

Order: Pelecaniformes   Family: Ardeidae

The family Ardeidae contains the bitterns, herons and egrets. Herons and egrets are medium to large wading birds with long necks and legs. Bitterns tend to be shorter necked and more wary. Members of Ardeidae fly with their necks retracted, unlike other long-necked birds such as storks, ibises and spoonbills.

• Great bittern, Botaurus stellaris
• Little bittern, Ixobrychus minutus
• Cinnamon bittern, Ixobrychus cinnamomeus (A)
• Gray heron, Ardea cinerea
• Purple heron, Ardea purpurea
• Great egret, Ardea alba
• Little egret, Egretta garzetta (A)
• Cattle egret, Bubulcus ibis (A)
• Squacco heron, Ardeola ralloides (A)'
• Black-crowned night-heron, Nycticorax nycticorax

Ibises and spoonbills[]

Order: Pelecaniformes   Family: Threskiornithidae

Threskiornithidae is a family of large terrestrial and wading birds which includes the ibises and spoonbills. They have long, broad wings with 11 primary and about 20 secondary feathers. They are strong fliers and despite their size and weight, very capable soarers.

• Glossy ibis, Plegadis falcinellus
• Eurasian spoonbill, Platalea leucorodia

Osprey[]

Order: Accipitriformes   Family: Pandionidae

The family Pandionidae contains only one species, the osprey. The osprey is a medium-large raptor which is a specialist fish-eater with a worldwide distribution.

• Osprey, Pandion haliaetus

Hawks, eagles, and kites[]

Order: Accipitriformes   Family: Accipitridae

Accipitridae is a family of birds of prey, which includes hawks, eagles, kites, harriers and Old World vultures. These birds have powerful hooked beaks for tearing flesh from their prey, strong legs, powerful talons and keen eyesight.

Barn-owls[]

Order: Strigiformes   Family: Tytonidae

Barn owls are medium to large owls with large heads and characteristic heart-shaped faces. They have long strong legs with powerful talons.

• Barn owl, Tyto alba (A)

Owls[]

Order: Strigiformes   Family: Strigidae

The typical owls are small to large solitary nocturnal birds of prey. They have large forward-facing eyes and ears, a hawk-like beak and a conspicuous circle of feathers around each eye called a facial disk.

• Indian scops-owl, Otus bakkamoena
• Eurasian scops-owl, Otus scops
• Pallid scops-owl, Otus brucei (A)
• Eurasian eagle-owl, Bubo bubo
• Collared owlet, Taenioptynx brodiei
• Little owl, Athene noctua
• Tawny owl, Strix aluco
• Long-eared owl, Asio otus
• Short-eared owl, Asio flammeus
• Boreal owl, Aegolius funereus (A)

Hoopoes[]

Order: Bucerotiformes   Family: Upupidae

Hoopoes have black, white and orangey-pink colouring with a large erectile crest on their head.

• Eurasian hoopoe, Upupa epops

Kingfishers[]

Order: Coraciiformes   Family: Alcedinidae

Kingfishers are medium-sized birds with large heads, long, pointed bills, short legs and stubby tails.

• Common kingfisher, Alcedo atthis
• White-throated kingfisher, Halcyon smyrnensis
• Crested kingfisher, Megaceryle lugubris
• Pied kingfisher, Ceryle rudis

Bee-eaters[]

Order: Coraciiformes   Family: Meropidae

The bee-eaters are a group of near passerine birds in the family Meropidae. Most species are found in Africa but others occur in southern Europe, Madagascar, Australia and New Guinea. They are characterised by richly coloured plumage, slender bodies and usually elongated central tail feathers. All are colourful and have long downturned bills and pointed wings, which give them a swallow-like appearance when seen from afar.

• Blue-cheeked bee-eater, Merops persicus
• European bee-eater, Merops apiaster

Rollers[]

Order: Coraciiformes   Family: Coraciidae

Rollers resemble crows in size and build, but are more closely related to the kingfishers and bee-eaters. They share the colourful appearance of those groups with blues and browns predominating. The two inner front toes are connected, but the outer toe is not.

• European roller, Coracias garrulus
• Indian roller, Coracias benghalensis

Woodpeckers[]

Order: Piciformes   Family: Picidae

Woodpeckers are small to medium-sized birds with chisel-like beaks, short legs, stiff tails and long tongues used for capturing insects. Some species have feet with two toes pointing forward and two backward, while several species have only three toes. Many woodpeckers have the habit of tapping noisily on tree trunks with their beaks.

• Eurasian wryneck, Jynx torquilla
• Speckled piculet, Picumnus innominatus
• Brown-fronted woodpecker, Dendrocoptes auriceps
• White-winged woodpecker, Dendrocopos leucopterus
• Himalayan woodpecker, Dendrocopos himalayensis
• Scaly-bellied woodpecker, Picus squamatus

Falcons and caracaras[]

Order: Falconiformes   Family: Falconidae

Falconidae is a family of diurnal birds of prey. They differ from hawks, eagles and kites in that they kill with their beaks instead of their talons.

• Lesser kestrel, Falco naumanni
• Eurasian kestrel, Falco tinnunculus
• Red-footed falcon, Falco vespertinus
• Merlin, Falco columbarius
• Eurasian hobby, Falco subbuteo
• Laggar falcon, Falco jugger
• Saker falcon, Falco cherrug
• Gyrfalcon, Falco rusticolus (A)
• Peregrine falcon, Falco peregrinus

Old World parrots[]

Order: Psittaciformes   Family: Psittaculidae

Old World parrots are small to large birds with a characteristic curved beak. Their upper mandibles have slight mobility in the joint with the skull and they have a generally erect stance. All parrots are zygodactyl, having the four toes on each foot placed two at the front and two to the back.

• Alexandrine parakeet, Psittacula eupatria (A)
• Rose-ringed parakeet, Psittacula krameri (I)
• Slaty-headed parakeet, Psittacula himalayana

Cuckooshrikes[]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Campephagidae

The cuckooshrikes are small to medium-sized passerine birds. They are predominantly greyish with white and black, although some species are brightly coloured.

• Long-tailed minivet, Pericrocotus ethologus
• Rosy minivet, Pericrocotus roseus (A)

Old World orioles[]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Oriolidae

The Old World orioles are colourful passerine birds. They are not related to the New World orioles.

• Eurasian golden oriole, Oriolus oriolus
• Indian golden oriole, Oriolus kundoo

Drongos[]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Dicruridae

The drongos are mostly black or dark grey in colour, sometimes with metallic tints. They have long forked tails, and some Asian species have elaborate tail decorations. They have short legs and sit very upright when perched, like a shrike. They flycatch or take prey from the ground.

• Black drongo, Dicrurus macrocercus
• Ashy drongo, Dicrurus leucophaeus

Monarch flycatchers[]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Monarchidae

The monarch flycatchers are small to medium-sized insectivorous passerines which hunt by flycatching.

• Indian paradise-flycatcher, Terpsiphone paradisi

Shrikes[]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Laniidae

Shrikes are passerine birds known for their habit of catching other birds and small animals and impaling the uneaten portions of their bodies on thorns. A typical shrike's beak is hooked, like a bird of prey.

• Red-backed shrike, Lanius collurio (A)
• Red-tailed shrike, Lanius phoenicuroides
• Isabelline shrike, Lanius isabellinus
• Brown shrike, Lanius cristatus (A)
• Bay-backed shrike, Lanius vittatus
• Long-tailed shrike, Lanius schach
• Great gray shrike, Lanius excubitor
• Lesser gray shrike, Lanius minor
• Woodchat shrike, Lanius senator (A)

Crows, jays, and magpies[]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Corvidae

The family Corvidae includes crows, ravens, jays, choughs, magpies, treepies, nutcrackers and ground jays. Corvids are above average in size among the Passeriformes, and some of the larger species show high levels of intelligence.

• Black-headed jay, Garrulus lanceolatus
• Eurasian magpie, Pica pica
• Eurasian nutcracker, Nucifraga caryocatactes
• Kashmir nutcracker, Nucifraga multipunctata
• Red-billed chough, Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax
• Yellow-billed chough, Pyrrhocorax graculus
• Eurasian jackdaw, Corvus monedula
• House crow, Corvus splendens (A)
• Rook, Corvus frugilegus
• Carrion crow, Corvus corone
• Hooded crow, Corvus cornix
• Large-billed crow, Corvus macrorhynchos
• Brown-necked raven, Corvus ruficollis
• Common raven, Corvus corax

Tits, chickadees, and titmice[]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Paridae

The Paridae are mainly small stocky woodland species with short stout bills. Some have crests. They are adaptable birds, with a mixed diet including seeds and insects.

• Coal tit, Periparus ater
• Rufous-naped tit, Periparus rufonuchalis
• Azure tit, Cyanistes cyanus
• Ground tit, Pseudopodoces humilis
• Great tit, Parus major
• Cinereous tit, Parus cinereus

Penduline-tits[]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Remizidae

The penduline-tits are a group of small passerine birds related to the true tits. They are insectivores.

• Eurasian penduline-tit, Remiz pendulinus
• Black-headed penduline-tit, Remiz macronyx
• White-crowned penduline-tit, Remiz coronatus

Larks[]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Alaudidae

Larks are small terrestrial birds with often extravagant songs and display flights. Most larks are fairly dull in appearance. Their food is insects and seeds.

• Greater hoopoe-lark, Alaemon alaudipes
• Bar-tailed lark, Ammomanes cincturus
• Desert lark, Ammomanes deserti
• Horned lark, Eremophila alpestris
• Greater short-toed lark, Calandrella brachydactyla
• Hume's lark, Calandrella acutirostris
• Bimaculated lark, Melanocorypha bimaculata
• Calandra lark, Melanocorypha calandra
• Turkestan short-toed lark, Alaudala heinei
• Sand lark, Alaudala raytal (A)
• Wood lark, Lullula arborea (A)
• Eurasian skylark, Alauda arvensis
• Oriental skylark, Alauda gulgula
• Crested lark, Galerida cristata

Bearded reedling[]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Panuridae

This species, the only one in its family, is found in reed beds throughout temperate Europe and Asia.

• Bearded reedling, Panurus biarmicus

Cisticolas and allies[]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Cisticolidae

The Cisticolidae are warblers found mainly in warmer southern regions of the Old World. They are generally very small birds of drab brown or grey appearance found in open country such as grassland or scrub.

• Himalayan prinia, Prinia crinigera
• Delicate prinia, Prinia lepida
• Plain prinia, Prinia inornata (A)
• Zitting cisticola, Cisticola juncidis

Reed warblers and allies[]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Acrocephalidae

The members of this family are usually rather large for "warblers". Most are rather plain olivaceous brown above with much yellow to beige below. They are usually found in open woodland, reedbeds, or tall grass. The family occurs mostly in southern to western Eurasia and surroundings, but it also ranges far into the Pacific, with some species in Africa.

• Booted warbler, Iduna caligata
• Sykes's warbler, Iduna rama
• Eastern olivaceous warbler, Iduna pallida (A)
• Upcher's warbler, Hippolais languida
• Moustached warbler, Acrocephalus melanopogon
• Paddyfield warbler, Acrocephalus agricola
• Blunt-winged warbler, Acrocephalus concinens
• Blyth's reed warbler, Acrocephalus dumetorum
• Large-billed reed warbler, Acrocephalus orinus
• Eurasian reed warbler, Acrocephalus scirpaceus
• Great reed warbler, Acrocephalus arundinaceus
• Clamorous reed warbler, Acrocephalus stentoreus

Grassbirds and allies[]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Locustellidae

Locustellidae are a family of small insectivorous songbirds found mainly in Eurasia, Africa, and the Australian region. They are smallish birds with tails that are usually long and pointed, and tend to be drab brownish or buffy all over.

• Common grasshopper-warbler, Locustella naevia

Swallows[]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Hirundinidae

The family Hirundinidae is adapted to aerial feeding. They have a slender streamlined body, long pointed wings and a short bill with a wide gape. The feet are adapted to perching rather than walking, and the front toes are partially joined at the base.

• Gray-throated martin, Riparia chinensis
• Bank swallow, Riparia riparia
• Pale sand martin, Riparia diluta
• Eurasian crag-martin, Ptyonoprogne rupestris
• Rock martin, Ptyonoprogne fuligula
• Barn swallow, Hirundo rustica
• Wire-tailed swallow, Hirundo smithii
• Red-rumped swallow, Cecropis daurica
• Streak-throated swallow, Petrochelidon fluvicola
• Common house-martin, Delichon urbicum
• Asian house-martin, Delichon dasypus

Bulbuls[]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Pycnonotidae

Bulbuls are medium-sized songbirds. Some are colourful with yellow, red or orange vents, cheeks, throats or supercilia, but most are drab, with uniform olive-brown to black plumage. Some species have distinct crests.

• Red-vented bulbul, Pycnonotus cafer
• White-eared bulbul, Pycnonotus leucotis
• Himalayan bulbul, Pycnonotus leucogenys
• Black bulbul, Hypsipetes leucocephalus

Leaf warblers[]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Phylloscopidae

Leaf warblers are a family of small insectivorous birds found mostly in Eurasia and ranging into Wallacea and Africa. The species are of various sizes, often green-plumaged above and yellow below, or more subdued with grayish-green to grayish-brown colors.

Bush warblers and allies[]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Scotocercidae

The members of this family are found throughout Africa, Asia, and Polynesia. Their taxonomy is in flux, and some authorities place some genera in other families.^[2]

• Scrub warbler, Scotocerca inquieta
• Cetti's warbler, Cettia cetti

Long-tailed tits[]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Aegithalidae

Long-tailed tits are a group of small passerine birds with medium to long tails. They make woven bag nests in trees. Most eat a mixed diet which includes insects.

• White-cheeked tit, Aegithalos leucogenys

Sylviid warblers, parrotbills, and allies[]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Sylviidae

The family Sylviidae is a group of small insectivorous passerine birds. They mainly occur as breeding species, as the common name implies, in Europe, Asia and, to a lesser extent, Africa. Most are of generally undistinguished appearance, but many have distinctive songs.

• Garden warbler, Sylvia borin (A)
• Asian desert warbler, Curruca nana
• Barred warbler, Curruca nisoria (A)
• Lesser whitethroat, Curruca curruca
• Eastern Orphean warbler, Curruca crassirostris
• Menetries's warbler, Curruca mystacea
• Greater whitethroat, Curruca communis

White-eyes, yuhinas, and allies[]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Zosteropidae

The white-eyes are small and mostly undistinguished, their plumage above being generally some dull colour like greenish-olive, but some species have a white or bright yellow throat, breast or lower parts, and several have buff flanks. As their name suggests, many species have a white ring around each eye.

• Indian white-eye, Zosterops palpebrosus

Laughingthrushes[]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Leiothrichidae

The members of this family are diverse in size and coloration, though those of genus Turdoides tend to be brown or grayish. The family is found in Africa, India, and southeast Asia.

• Afghan babbler, Argya huttoni
• Common babbler, Argya caudata (A)
• Streaked laughingthrush, Trochalopteron lineatus
• Variegated laughingthrush, Trochalopteron variegatus

Kinglets[]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Regulidae

The kinglets, also called crests, are a small group of birds often included in the Old World warblers, but frequently given family status because they also resemble the titmice.

• Goldcrest, Regulus regulus

Wallcreeper[]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Tichodromidae

The wallcreeper is a small bird related to the nuthatch family, which has stunning crimson, grey and black plumage.

• Wallcreeper, Tichodroma muraria

Nuthatches[]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Sittidae

Nuthatches are small woodland birds. They have the unusual ability to climb down trees head first, unlike other birds which can only go upwards. Nuthatches have big heads, short tails and powerful bills and feet.

• Eurasian nuthatch, Sitta europaea
• Kashmir nuthatch, Sitta cashmirensis
• White-cheeked nuthatch, Sitta leucopsis
• Eastern rock nuthatch, Sitta tephronota

Treecreepers[]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Certhiidae

Treecreepers are small woodland birds, brown above and white below. They have thin pointed down-curved bills, which they use to extricate insects from bark. They have stiff tail feathers, like woodpeckers, which they use to support themselves on vertical trees.

• Bar-tailed treecreeper, Certhia himalayana

Wrens[]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Troglodytidae

The wrens are mainly small and inconspicuous except for their loud songs. These birds have short wings and thin down-turned bills. Several species often hold their tails upright. All are insectivorous.

• Eurasian wren, Troglodytes troglodytes

Dippers[]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Cinclidae

Dippers are a group of perching birds whose habitat includes aquatic environments in the Americas, Europe and Asia. They are named for their bobbing or dipping movements.

• White-throated dipper, Cinclus cinclus
• Brown dipper, Cinclus pallasii

Starlings[]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Sturnidae

Starlings are small to medium-sized passerine birds. Their flight is strong and direct and they are very gregarious. Their preferred habitat is fairly open country. They eat insects and fruit. Plumage is typically dark with a metallic sheen.

• European starling, Sturnus vulgaris
• Rosy starling, Pastor roseus
• Brahminy starling, Sturnia pagodarum
• Common myna, Acridotheres tristis
• Bank myna, Acridotheres ginginianus (A)

Thrushes and allies[]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Turdidae

The thrushes are a group of passerine birds that occur mainly in the Old World. They are plump, soft plumaged, small to medium-sized insectivores or sometimes omnivores, often feeding on the ground. Many have attractive songs.

• Mistle thrush, Turdus viscivorus
• Redwing, Turdus iliacus
• Eurasian blackbird, Turdus merula
• Tickell's thrush, Turdus unicolor
• Fieldfare, Turdus pilaris (A)
• Chestnut thrush, Turdus rubrocanus
• Black-throated thrush, Turdus atrogularis
• Red-throated thrush, Turdus ruficollis (A)

Old World flycatchers[]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Muscicapidae

Old World flycatchers are a large group of small passerine birds native to the Old World. They are mainly small arboreal insectivores. The appearance of these birds is highly varied, but they mostly have weak songs and harsh calls.

Hypocolius[]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Hypocoliidae

The grey hypocolius is a small Middle Eastern bird with the shape and soft plumage of a waxwing. They are mainly a uniform grey colour except the males have a black triangular mask around their eyes.

• Hypocolius, Hypocolius ampelinus

Sunbirds and spiderhunters[]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Nectariniidae

The sunbirds and spiderhunters are very small passerine birds which feed largely on nectar, although they will also take insects, especially when feeding young. Flight is fast and direct on their short wings. Most species can take nectar by hovering like a hummingbird, but usually perch to feed.

• Purple sunbird, Cinnyris asiaticus

Waxbills and allies[]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Estrildidae

The estrildid finches are small passerine birds of the Old World tropics and Australasia. They are gregarious and often colonial seed eaters with short thick but pointed bills. They are all similar in structure and habits, but have wide variation in plumage colours and patterns.

• Red avadavat, Amandava amandava (I)
• Scaly-breasted munia, Lonchura punctulata (I)

Accentors[]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Prunellidae

The accentors are in the only bird family, Prunellidae, which is completely endemic to the Palearctic. They are small, fairly drab species superficially similar to sparrows.

• Alpine accentor, Prunella collaris
• Altai accentor, Prunella himalayana
• Rufous-breasted accentor, Prunella strophiata
• Radde's accentor, Prunella ocularis (A)
• Brown accentor, Prunella fulvescens
• Black-throated accentor, Prunella atrogularis
• Dunnock, Prunella modularis

Old World sparrows[]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Passeridae

Old World sparrows are small passerine birds. In general, sparrows tend to be small, plump, brown or grey birds with short tails and short powerful beaks. Sparrows are seed eaters, but they also consume small insects.

• Saxaul sparrow, Passer ammodendri (A)
• House sparrow, Passer domesticus
• Spanish sparrow, Passer hispaniolensis
• Russet sparrow, Passer cinnamomeus
• Dead Sea sparrow, Passer moabiticus
• Eurasian tree sparrow, Passer montanus
• Yellow-throated sparrow, Gymnornis xanthocollis
• Rock sparrow, Petronia petronia
• Pale rockfinch, Carpospiza brachydactyla (A)
• White-winged snowfinch, Montifringilla nivalis
• Afghan snowfinch, Montifringilla theresae

Wagtails and pipits[]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Motacillidae

Motacillidae is a family of small passerine birds with medium to long tails. They include the wagtails, longclaws and pipits. They are slender, ground feeding insectivores of open country.

Finches, euphonias, and allies[]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Fringillidae

Finches are seed-eating passerine birds, that are small to moderately large and have a strong beak, usually conical and in some species very large. All have twelve tail feathers and nine primaries. These birds have a bouncing flight with alternating bouts of flapping and gliding on closed wings, and most sing well.

Old World buntings[]

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Emberizidae

The emberizids are a large family of passerine birds. They are seed-eating birds with distinctively shaped bills. Many emberizid species have distinctive head patterns.

• Black-headed bunting, Emberiza melanocephala (A)
• Red-headed bunting, Emberiza bruniceps
• Corn bunting, Emberiza calandra
• Chestnut-eared bunting, Emberiza fucata (A)
• Rock bunting, Emberiza cia
• White-capped bunting, Emberiza stewarti
• Yellowhammer, Emberiza citrinella (A)
• Pine bunting, Emberiza leucocephalos
• Gray-necked bunting, Emberiza buchanani
• Ortolan bunting, Emberiza hortulana
• Striolated bunting, Emberiza striolata
• Reed bunting, Emberiza schoeniclus
• Little bunting, Emberiza pusilla
• Rustic bunting, Emberiza rustica

See also[]

• List of birds
• Lists of birds by region

References[]

• Lepage, Denis. "Checklist of birds of Afghanistan". Bird Checklists of the World. Avibase. Retrieved 27 April 2020.
• Clements, James F. (2000). Birds of the World: a Checklist. Cornell University Press. p. 880. ISBN 0-934797-16-1.