This checklist covers the Democratic Republic of Congo (formerly Zaïre)

This checklist covers the Democratic Republic of Congo (D.R.C.); formely Zaïre.

A total of 1.141 species is known from this area, as of December 31st 2009.

The systematic follows mainly “Checklist of African Birds” published by the African Bird Club 2004 - http://www.africanbirdclub.org/resources/checklist.html

I started this checklist during my 6-year stay in Zaïre 1990-96.

The status of each species is subjective and in need of further research. I have included the relative status as a possible aid to birders visiting the area.

I am much indebted to R. Demey, R.J. Dowsett and and especially  P. Herroelen for their help in making this checklist complete.

Non-passeriformes

WILSON'S STORM-PETREL Oceanites oceanicus oceanicus
Occurs as a rare to uncommon non-breeding visitor to the coast.

LITTLE GREBE Tachybaptus ruficollis capensis
Fairly common all DRC.

GREAT CRESTED GREBE Podiceps cristatus infuscatus
Very rare in the Lake Kivu area to south Lake Edward. Have been recorded in south-east Shaba in Kamina.

CAPE GANNET Morus capensis
One observation known from the coast in November 1973; appx. 40 immatures passing at sea.
Should be a regular visitor here.

GREAT CORMORANT Phalacrocorax carbo lucidus
Common from Lake Tanganyika to Lake Albert. Might occur in the Katanga region.

LONG-TAILED CORMORANT Phalacrocorax africanus africanus
Locally common all DRC. Several thousands seen in Lake Upemba in the Shaba region.

AFRICAN DARTER Anhinga rufa rufa
Found locally all DRC, not common.

GREAT WHITE PELICAN Pelecanus onocrotalus
Common non-breeding resident at Lake Edward. Occurs also in west DRC, possibly also Shaba.

PINK-BACKED PELICAN Pelecanus rufescens
Fairly common all DRC. Breeds Lake Edward.

GREAT BITTERN Botaurus stellaris stellaris
Very rare winter visitor; one female Equateur region in Oct., one Tshuapa in Dec. Also recorded extreme ne. DRC.

Checklist for download: DRCongo - a complete checklist.doc

Recent confirmations:

Gadwall Anas strepera
Said to occur as a vagrant to DRC.
Now confirmed once in the Ubangi district, west DRC in 1957.

Bar-tailed Godwit Limosa lapponica lapponica
Might occur as an uncommon passage migrant along the coast.
Now confirmed with two seen at the coast between Moanda and Banana, November 10, 1990.

Arctic Tern Sterna paradisaea
Might occur as an uncommon passage migrant along the coast.
Now confirmed, Prigogine 1979, Gerfaut 69:503-505.

Black Tern Chlidonias niger niger
Might occur as an uncommon passage migrant along the coast.
Now confirmed, with one adult collected the 17. September 1955 in south-east Tshuapa, misidentified among White-winged Terns in the museum.

Levant Sparrowhawk Accipiter brevipes
Said to be recorded in the extreme north-eastern DRC.
Now confirmed with one specimen collected near the Garamba National Park in 1955.

Black-chinned Weaver Ploceus nigrimentum
Said to occur in west DRC.
Now confirmed as occuring in west DRC, at Bombo-Lumene Game Reserve, Bateke Plateau close to Kinshasa.