<p>Artificial wetlands are increasingly recognised as vital habitats for bird conservation, particularly where natural aquatic ecosystems are facing rapid decline. This study examined avian species richness, abundance, and community structure in three man-made reservoirs-Igboho, Kishi, and Okeho Dams-in the Oke-Ogun region of southwestern Nigeria. Monthly bird surveys and habitat assessments were conducted over a six-month period (January – June) using a standardised point-count method. A total of 679 individual birds representing 173 species and 37 avian orders were recorded. Igboho Dam was the most species-rich site, as a result of its structural complexity and ecotonal vegetation. The minimal disturbances at Kishi site contributed to the highly diverse bird community, while the species-poor status at Okeho site was probably due to lesser ground cover and simple habitat structure. Species richness differed among dams (one-way ANOVA <i>p</i> = 0.0087); Tukey tests indicated Igboho and Kishi &gt; Okeho (<i>p₍adj₎</i> = 0.0126 and 0.0194). Community composition (NMDS) showed clear site-level separation with weak seasonal separation (<i>k</i> = 2, stress ≈ 0.156). Feeding guild analysis showed a predominance of insectivores across all sites, with water-dependent species more abundant at Okeho. The presence of endangered and regional species like the Grey Parrot (<i>Psittacus erithacus</i>) and African Fish Eagle (<i>Haliaeetus vocifer</i>) suggests the conservation significance of these reservoirs. Our findings demonstrate the potential of artificial wetlands to serve as biodiversity refuges in West Africa, while emphasising that conservation value depends on habitat quality and disturbance. Targeted actions–maintaining vegetative buffers and regulating extractive activities–can enhance their ecological function.</p>