Mali’s mix of Sahelian grasslands, riverine forests along the Niger, and seasonal wetlands supports a varied bird community that rewards both casual observers and dedicated birders. From migratory passage species to resident raptors and colorful insectivores, the country’s habitats shape where and when different birds appear.
There are 30 Birds of Mali, ranging from African Fish-Eagle to White-throated Bee-eater. Each entry is listed with Scientific name,IUCN status,Residency/regions so you can quickly see taxonomy, conservation concern, and where the species is found, and you’ll find below.
When is the best time to see many of these species in Mali?
The main birding seasons follow rainfall: the post-rain months (late rainy to early dry season) concentrate migrants and breeding residents, while dry-season river corridors hold waterbirds and raptors—plan around local rains and check regional timing for Sahel versus southern sites.
How can I use the columns (Scientific name,IUCN status,Residency/regions) for trip planning or research?
Use the Scientific name to match field guides and databases, IUCN status to prioritize conservation-sensitive sightings, and Residency/regions to target habitats and regions; combine that with local guides, recent trip reports, and protected-area maps for the best results.
Birds of Mali
| Name | Scientific name | IUCN status | Residency/regions |
|---|---|---|---|
| African Fish-Eagle | Haliaeetus vocifer | LC | Resident, Inner Niger Delta, large rivers and lakes |
| Grey Heron | Ardea cinerea | LC | Resident/breeding, wetlands, floodplains, Inner Niger Delta |
| Goliath Heron | Ardea goliath | LC | Resident, large wetlands, Inner Niger Delta |
| Great Egret | Ardea alba | LC | Resident/winter visitor, wetlands, river margins |
| Little Egret | Egretta garzetta | LC | Resident/winter visitor, marshes, river edges |
| African Jacana | Actophilornis africanus | LC | Resident, floating vegetation, Inner Niger Delta |
| Spur-winged Lapwing | Vanellus spinosus | LC | Resident, wetlands, floodplain grasslands |
| Black-winged Stilt | Himantopus himantopus | LC | Breeding migrant/winter visitor, shallow lakes and pans |
| Collared Pratincole | Glareola pratincola | LC | Breeding migrant, river islands, sandbars in Inner Niger Delta |
| White Stork | Ciconia ciconia | LC | Passage migrant/winter visitor, wetlands, agricultural plains |
| African Spoonbill | Platalea alba | LC | Resident/visitor, shallow wetlands, floodplains |
| Hooded Vulture | Necrosyrtes monachus | CR | Resident/scattered, Sahelian villages, savanna |
| White-backed Vulture | Gyps africanus | CR | Resident/scattered, savanna, Sahel |
| Rüppell’s Vulture | Gyps rueppelli | CR | Resident/irregular, Sahelian zones and cliffs |
| Egyptian Vulture | Neophron percnopterus | EN | Passage migrant/winter visitor, Sahel villages, cliffs |
| Secretarybird | Sagittarius serpentarius | VU | Resident/rare, open grasslands and Sahel plains |
| Houbara Bustard | Chlamydotis undulata | VU | Resident/rare, Sahara and Sahel semi-desert |
| Northern Carmine Bee-eater | Merops nubicus | LC | Breeding resident, riverbanks, sandy cliffs Inner Niger Delta |
| European Bee-eater | Merops apiaster | LC | Breeding migrant, Sahel, riverine woodlands |
| Pied Kingfisher | Ceryle rudis | LC | Resident, rivers, lakes, Inner Niger Delta |
| African Pygmy Kingfisher | Ispidina picta | LC | Resident/riverine woodland, gallery forest |
| European Roller | Coracias garrulus | LC | Breeding migrant, wooded savanna, riverine trees |
| House Sparrow | Passer domesticus | LC | Resident, urban areas, towns and villages |
| Common Bulbul | Pycnonotus barbatus | LC | Resident, gardens, riverine woodland, towns |
| Village Weaver | Ploceus cucullatus | LC | Resident, wetlands, village trees, Inner Niger Delta |
| Black Kite | Milvus migrans | LC | Resident/winter visitor, towns, savanna, wetlands |
| African Skimmer | Rynchops flavirostris | NT | Breeding migrant/winter visitor, wide rivers and sandbars |
| White-throated Bee-eater | Merops albicollis | LC | Breeding migrant, Sahel woodlands and riverbanks |
| Senegal Thick-knee | Burhinus senegalensis | LC | Resident, dry grasslands, riverine mudflats and floodplains |
| Barn Swallow | Hirundo rustica | LC | Breeding migrant/winter visitor, open country and settlements |
Images and Descriptions
African Fish-Eagle
Large, unmistakable raptor with white head and chestnut body; often heard calling above the Inner Niger Delta. Iconic fish-eater and reliable year-round presence for Mali birders along waterways.
Grey Heron
Tall grey heron common at rivers and flooded fields. Stands motionless to spear fish and amphibians; a widespread wetland specialist frequenting Mali’s inland waterways year-round.
Goliath Heron
Africa’s largest heron with rusty neck and slow deliberate hunting. Solitary and impressive, it favours deep water in Mali’s delta and is a highlight for waterbird watchers.
Great Egret
Elegant white egret with black legs and yellow bill; forages in shallow water. Regular in Mali’s floodplains and a conspicuous breeder in suitable wetlands.
Little Egret
Small, white egret with black bill and yellow feet. Active feeder in shallow waters; common across Mali’s inland wetlands and drier seasonal pools.
African Jacana
Slender, long-toed wader famous for walking on lily pads. Brightly patterned and vocal during the wet season, it’s a characteristic species of Mali’s flooded habitats.
Spur-winged Lapwing
Bold black-and-white plover with a small wing spur; defends nests aggressively. Common on mudflats and flooded meadows in the delta and Sahel wetlands.
Black-winged Stilt
Thin-legged stilt with long pink legs and striking black-and-white plumage. Seen probing shallow waters across Mali’s wetlands during wet season and migration.
Collared Pratincole
Graceful pratincole with short bill and long wings; nests on sandbanks. A charismatic summer visitor exploiting river islands and shoals in Mali.
White Stork
Large white stork with black flight feathers; migrates between Europe and Africa. Regular visitor to Mali’s wetlands and fields during migration and winter.
African Spoonbill
White, long-legged wader with distinctive spoon-shaped bill used to sweep for prey. Occurs regularly in Mali’s larger wetlands and seasonal floodplains.
Hooded Vulture
Small vulture with brown hood and ivory bill; critically endangered from poisoning and habitat loss. Found around human settlements and carcasses across Mali’s populated regions.
White-backed Vulture
Large Gyps vulture with pale back; critically endangered and declining. Historically widespread in Mali’s savannas but now locally scarce and of conservation concern.
Rüppell’s Vulture
High-flying Gyps vulture, Critically Endangered due to poisoning and collision. Seen soaring over Sahel habitats; important indicator of vulture crisis in Mali.
Egyptian Vulture
Small white vulture with yellow face and dark flight feathers; endangered in Africa. Sightings in Sahelian Mali attract conservation attention during migration.
Secretarybird
Long-legged, crane-like raptor that walks the grasslands hunting snakes and insects. A striking and vulnerable species across Mali’s open habitats where still present.
Houbara Bustard
Cryptic, ground-dwelling bustard of sandy deserts and arid plains. Vulnerable due to hunting; occurs in northern Mali’s drier zones and is a prized but declining species.
Northern Carmine Bee-eater
Vivid red-and-blue bee-eater that nests in riverbank burrows. Spectacular colonies near the Niger River make it one of Mali’s most colorful and sought-after birds.
European Bee-eater
Brightly colored migrant nesting in colonies on eroded banks. Arrives to breed in the Sahel and Inner Niger Delta, catching flying insects in acrobatic sorties.
Pied Kingfisher
Black-and-white hovering kingfisher often seen above Niger River channels. Dives repeatedly for fish; a familiar sight for Mali’s riverside communities and birders.
African Pygmy Kingfisher
Tiny colorful kingfisher of shaded river edges and gallery forests. Flashy blue and rufous plumage; occurs along Mali’s wooded Niger River stretches.
European Roller
Stocky, blue roller that migrates to Africa to breed in Sahel trees. Notable for acrobatic flight and bright blue plumage seen in Mali’s riverine woodlands.
House Sparrow
Familiar small brown sparrow of Mali’s towns and villages. Lives close to people, nesting in buildings and feeding on scraps and seeds.
Common Bulbul
Noisy, brown-backed songbird common in gardens and riverine trees. Adaptable and widespread across Mali’s habitable landscapes, often heard before seen.
Village Weaver
Bold, sociable weaver with bright yellow males building hanging nests. Abundant near water and human settlements; a prominent breeder in Mali’s wet zones.
Black Kite
Common, agile raptor often seen scavenging around towns and wetlands. Ubiquitous across Mali, especially where humans concentrate food sources.
African Skimmer
Striking black-and-white tern-like bird with unique lower jaw for skimming water. Found on Niger River sandbanks; Near Threatened due to habitat disturbance.
White-throated Bee-eater
Slim, green-and-chestnut bee-eater with white throat; nests in burrows on sandy banks. Common migrant breeder along Mali’s rivers and wooded savanna.
Senegal Thick-knee
Nocturnal, large-eyed wader with cryptic plumage. Found on mudflats and open shores in Mali, often heard at dusk and dawn near water.
Barn Swallow
Familiar blue-and-rust swallow that migrates to Africa. Nests on buildings and feeds over fields; a common seasonal visitor throughout Mali.
