This list includes 18 African animals that start with O, from “Ocellated skink” to “Ostrich”. They cover reptiles, birds, mammals, and more, useful for students, educators, and wildlife enthusiasts.

African animals that start with O are a diverse group of species whose common names begin with the letter O. Notably, the ostrich is the world’s largest living bird and appears often in African art and legend.

Below you’ll find the table with Common name, Scientific name, Primary habitats & regions, Typical lifespan (wild), and Conservation status.

Common name: The widely used English name for the species, so you can quickly identify and recognize each animal.

Scientific name: The accepted Latin binomial gives precise identification and helps you locate further scientific information.

Primary habitats & regions: Broad habitat types plus typical African regions, so you can see where each species commonly occurs.

Typical lifespan (wild): Average or typical lifespan in natural conditions, helping you compare longevity across species.

Conservation status: IUCN-based status indicates population risk and helps you understand urgency and protection needs.

African animals that start with O

Common nameScientific namePrimary habitat(s) & regionTypical lifespan (wild, yrs)
OstrichStruthio camelussavanna, desert East Africa, Southern Africa
OkapiOkapia johnstoniforest, montane Central Africa
Olive baboonPapio anubissavanna, forest East Africa, Central Africa
Olive colobusProcolobus verusforest West Africa
OribiOurebia ourebisavanna East Africa, Southern Africa
OspreyPandion haliaetuscoastal, freshwater East Africa, Southern Africa
Olive sunbirdCyanomitra olivaceaforest West Africa, Central Africa
Olive ibisBostrychia olivaceaforest, wetland Central Africa
Olive woodpeckerDendropicos griseocephalusforest, montane Southern Africa
Olive thrushTurdus olivaceusforest, montane Southern Africa
Orange-breasted sunbirdAnthobaphes violaceacoastal, montane Southern Africa
Orange River francolinScleroptila gutturalissavanna Southern Africa
Ocellated skinkChalcides ocellatusdesert, montane North Africa
Olive pigeonColumba arquatrixforest, montane East Africa, Southern Africa
Orange-cheeked waxbillEstrilda melpodasavanna West Africa
Orange ground-thrushGeokichla gurneyiforest, montane East Africa, Southern Africa
Orange-breasted bushshrikeChlorophoneus sulfureopectusforest, savanna West Africa, Central Africa
Ochre bush squirrelParaxerus ochraceusforest, montane East Africa

Descriptions

Ostrich
The world’s largest bird, flightless and fast on land. Found in open savannas and deserts; prized for eggs and feathers. 30–40 yrs.
Okapi
A forest-dwelling relative of giraffes with zebra-like stripes on its legs. Secretive and endemic to DRC rainforests; listed as endangered. 20–30 yrs.
Olive baboon
Widespread, adaptable primate with complex social groups and omnivorous diet. Common across mixed woodland and savanna habitats. 20–30 yrs.
Olive colobus
Small, leaf-eating monkey with a grey-olive coat that lives in dense West African forests and is often shy and canopy-dwelling. 20 yrs.
Oribi
A small, graceful antelope of open grasslands and short grass savannas; agile and often seen in pairs or small groups. 10 yrs.
Osprey
A widespread fish-eating raptor often seen along coasts and rivers; superb at diving to catch fish with talons. 10–15 yrs.
Olive sunbird
A small, nectar-feeding bird with olive plumage; common in forest edges and gardens across West and Central Africa. 3–5 yrs.
Olive ibis
A dark, secretive ibis of swampy forest streams in central African rainforests; feeds on invertebrates in damp leaf litter. 10 yrs.
Olive woodpecker
A large, quiet woodpecker of montane and evergreen forests in southern Africa, drilling for insects in tree trunks. 8–10 yrs.
Olive thrush
Common garden and forest thrush with olive tones; sings melodiously and feeds on fruit and invertebrates. 5–8 yrs.
Orange-breasted sunbird
A bright, small sunbird endemic to South Africa’s fynbos; notable for its orange breast and nectar-feeding behavior. 3–5 yrs.
Orange River francolin
A ground-dwelling francolin of dry grasslands and riverine savannas in southern Africa; cryptic and vocal at dawn. 5–7 yrs.
Ocellated skink
A smooth, shiny skink with eye-like (ocellated) spots; common in North African rocky and sandy habitats. 5–8 yrs.
Olive pigeon
Also called the African olive pigeon, found in montane and riverine forests; feeds on fruits and figs in canopy. 5–8 yrs.
Orange-cheeked waxbill
A small, sociable finch with an orange cheek patch; frequents grasslands and edges, often in flocks. 3–5 yrs.
Orange ground-thrush
A shy forest thrush with warm orange underparts, inhabiting montane and lowland forests and feeding on invertebrates. 4–6 yrs.
Orange-breasted bushshrike
Striking bushshrike with an orange breast patch; lives in wooded and forest edges and hunts insects from perches. 5–7 yrs.
Ochre bush squirrel
A small tree squirrel with ochre tones, common in East African forests and montane woodlands, feeding on fruits and seeds. 5–8 yrs
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