List of birds of Ascension Island

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, 2022 edition.

Order: Galliformes   Family: Numididae Guineafowl are a group of African, seed-eating, ground-nesting birds that resemble partridges, but with featherless heads and spangled grey plumage.

Order: Caprimulgiformes   Family: Caprimulgidae Nightjars are medium-sized nocturnal birds that usually nest on the ground.

Order: Caprimulgiformes   Family: Apodidae Swifts are small birds which spend the majority of their lives flying.

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

They are small to medium-sized birds with compact bodies, short thick necks, and long, usually pointed, wings.

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.

Terns are a group of generally medium to large seabirds typically with grey or white plumage, often with black markings on the head.

Order: Pelecaniformes   Family: Phaethontidae Tropicbirds are slender white birds of tropical oceans, with exceptionally long central tail feathers.

Order: Procellariiformes   Family: Oceanitidae The southern storm-petrels are relatives of the petrels and are the smallest seabirds.

Order: Procellariiformes   Family: Procellariidae The procellariids are the main group of medium-sized "true petrels", characterised by united nostrils with medium septum and a long outer functional primary.

Order: Ciconiiformes   Family: Ciconiidae Storks are large, long-legged, long-necked, wading birds with long, stout bills.

Order: Suliformes   Family: Fregatidae Frigatebirds are large seabirds usually found over tropical oceans.

Having the largest wingspan-to-body-weight ratio of any bird, they are essentially aerial, able to stay aloft for more than a week.

Members of Ardeidae fly with their necks retracted, unlike other long-necked birds such as storks, ibises and spoonbills.

Order: Coraciiformes   Family: Coraciidae Rollers resemble crows in size and build, but are more closely related to the kingfishers and bee-eaters.

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Alaudidae Larks are small terrestrial birds with often extravagant songs and display flights.

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Turdidae The thrushes are a group of passerine birds that occur mainly in the Old World.

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Viduidae The indigobirds are finch-like species which usually have black or indigo predominating in their plumage.

These birds have a bouncing flight with alternating bouts of flapping and gliding on closed wings, and most sing well.