We provide a list of bird species for Ribeira lagoon, a protected area in Rio de Janeiro, southeastern Brazil. Data were obtained in monthly surveys in points along a continuous transect, between August 2008 and July 2009, and 21 ad libitum observations. In total, 174 species were listed, including 121 land birds and 53 waterbirds. Of these, 11 are considered threatened at regional level. Waterbird richness was significantly higher in the dry season (April to September) than in the rainy season (October to March), whereas land bird richness remained constant. However, land bird richness varied throughout the year, with the highest value in February 2009 (77 species) and the lowest in May 2009 (41 species). The species listed account for 23% of the total of 745 bird species listed for Rio de Janeiro, and for 49% of 108 waterbirds recorded for the state.