author(s)
Sagbo Hugues Wilfrid Azonningbo, Jacques Boco Adjakpa, Florent Esssin Dissou, DMG Frida Obossou, DM Grâce Floriane Chidikofan and Emile Codjo Agbangba

abstract
This study aimed to determine the specific diversity of birds of wetland of international importance of south-west Benin (Ramsar site1017). Bird inventories were carried out from January 2015 to December 2016. Line transect and stationary point count methods were used. The study revealed the presence of 217 species belonging to 130 genera, 57 families and 17 orders. Biogeographically, 57.60% of the species are resident, 21.20% are both palearctic and afrotropical species, 17.05% are palearctic migrators species and 4.15% are afrotropical species. Regarding the preferred habitats, four main groups of species were identified: species of open habitats (41.47%); typical aquatic species (38.24%); forest-dependent species (3.22%) and mixed bird species (17.05%). One vulnerable specie (Bleda eximius) have been identified as well as seven near-threatened species (Haematopus ostralegus, Calidris canutus, C. ferruginae, Limosa limosa, L. lapponica, Gallinago media, Numeius arquata and Rynchops flavirostris) according to the UICN red list.