Nigeria
Nigeria spans a broad transition from the humid Gulf of Guinea coast and Niger Delta through tropical forests and wooded savannas to the much drier Sahel in the north. The Jos Plateau and eastern highlands add cooler montane environments, while the Niger and Benue rivers form the country's major drainage system. Rapid population growth and extensive agriculture have heavily transformed many natural habitats, although important forests, wetlands and savannas remain.
Overview
Nigeria combines West African rainforest, Guinea savanna and Sahel bird communities, with several particularly important sites. Okomu National Park and remaining southern forests support species such as Grey-necked Rockfowl, Yellow-casqued Hornbill and Black-casqued Hornbill, while the Jos Plateau is notable for the endemic Jos Plateau Indigobird and restricted-range Rock Firefinch. In the southeast, the Obudu Plateau adds montane species associated with the Cameroon Highlands. Nigeria has considerable bird diversity but is not an easy birding destination: specialist tourism infrastructure is limited, habitat loss is significant, and security conditions restrict travel in parts of the country. Local knowledge and experienced guides are particularly valuable when planning visits.
Top 10 target species
| Species | Annual frequency | January | February | March | April | May | June | July | August | September | October | November | December |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Common Bulbul Pycnonotus barbatus | 58.1% | 55.8% | 55.8% | 61.2% | 60.3% | 65.9% | 56.7% | 58.5% | 57.2% | 53.6% | 58.8% | 60.2% | 53.4% |
| Laughing Dove Spilopelia senegalensis | 57.5% | 55.0% | 55.6% | 60.4% | 49.6% | 60.1% | 51.4% | 55.4% | 63.2% | 52.1% | 64.5% | 63.6% | 58.9% |
| Western Plantain-eater Crinifer piscator | 42.0% | 43.3% | 41.5% | 42.9% | 41.0% | 48.5% | 38.5% | 43.2% | 45.0% | 38.1% | 45.2% | 38.7% | 37.7% |
| African Thrush Turdus pelios | 40.0% | 28.5% | 36.0% | 39.4% | 45.0% | 54.0% | 50.2% | 47.0% | 49.9% | 34.0% | 32.8% | 32.7% | 30.6% |
| Western Cattle-Egret Ardea ibis | 37.3% | 38.8% | 40.4% | 42.2% | 34.5% | 41.5% | 35.6% | 43.0% | 33.2% | 26.0% | 36.9% | 38.2% | 37.7% |
| Speckled Pigeon Columba guinea | 37.2% | 46.9% | 40.2% | 40.2% | 29.2% | 40.4% | 31.0% | 33.4% | 34.7% | 32.7% | 41.4% | 34.6% | 42.2% |
| Senegal Coucal Centropus senegalensis | 36.4% | 31.0% | 30.1% | 37.1% | 32.7% | 44.2% | 46.0% | 47.6% | 39.6% | 37.2% | 34.2% | 29.8% | 27.9% |
| Green-backed Camaroptera Camaroptera brachyura | 33.7% | 19.5% | 25.3% | 25.9% | 29.1% | 40.5% | 43.1% | 45.6% | 38.6% | 30.7% | 37.2% | 36.5% | 32.4% |
| Village Weaver Ploceus cucullatus | 31.5% | 28.7% | 28.7% | 32.3% | 38.2% | 49.0% | 35.8% | 32.9% | 32.9% | 23.1% | 27.3% | 24.1% | 24.6% |
| Red-eyed Dove Streptopelia semitorquata | 31.0% | 33.6% | 30.1% | 26.5% | 28.1% | 33.5% | 31.6% | 31.3% | 33.4% | 29.8% | 34.3% | 28.8% | 31.1% |