The birders’ must see; rare, unique and lovely. These are the 10 birds every birding enthusiastic looks out for in Uganda and entire eastern region in the continent of Africa.
Shoebill stock.
Also known as the Whale-headed stork – a very beautiful and unique bird, yet so rare on earth. It can only be found in the continent of Africa and tops on the Uganda birder’s wish. The name was derived from the magnificent large shoe-shaped bill. A shoebill is very large bird, stork-like, often quiet (once in a while bill-clattering in its nests) and moves slowly.
The adults are normally grey and the young ones are brown. In Uganda, they stay in the wetland areas of Mabamba Bay, along the shores of Lake Victoria and Murchison Falls National Park.
Grey Blue Turaco.
Its scientific name is Corythaeola cristata; the largest bird in Musophagidae family, about 70 cm long. Female and male Grey-blue Turacos have the same feathers; a grey-blue plumage with a boundless blue-black crown of about 10cm high, yellow-green lower breast, yellow belly and white chin.
Birders find these birds in African tropical rainforests. They mainly feed on flowers, leaves and fruits. In the western part of Africa, they are regarded as food, whereas in Uganda is what every bird lover should encounter.
Bar-Tailed Trogon (Apalodema Vitatum).
This is a beautiful bird, distinguishable from others by its white and black strips at the tail, the same colors dotted at the wings. You find it sing because the melody is unique, and so attractive, becoming louder as time goes on.
Its feet, bill are yellow and the till broad, like that of the trogons. They leave in forest areas of Africa, like Semuliki N/P, Kibale forest national park, Bwindi and Mgahinga N/P on a high altitude of about 1,600m.
African Green Broadbill.
These are bright green in color with a unique umbrella-like head shape. Scientific name – Pseudocalyptomena grauen; but also known as Grauer’s broadbill is one of the most sought-after birds in Uganda. They are among the vulnerable species in the world. African Green Broadbills are mainly invertebrates. The female has lighter green color, with no dark marks, whereas the male has dark spots and a black comma behind the eye.
Green-breasted Pitta.
A short-tailed bird, identified by its black-buff head, blue-spotted wings, scarlet belly and white throat. It is one of the two species in Africa residing in tropical forests of Africa. You will surely get amazed by their striking beauty and sound. In Uganda they inhabit Kibale forest NP, Semuliki NP, Lake Bunyonyi, Bwindi Impenetrable NP, and Mgahinga Gorilla National park.
Black-breasted Barbet (LYBIUS ROLLETI).
Scientific name – Lybius rolleti. It is a member of the Lybiidae family found in Uganda, Central African Republic, Sudan and Chad. It is identifiable through the huge white bill, black & white belly and black breast. These are harbored in gardens, woodland areas, fruity trees and savanna grasslands. They can be spotted in Murchison Falls national park, Mabamba swamp and Semuliki NP, etc.
Shelley’s Crimsonwing.
A member of the estrildidae family; Shelley’s Crimsonwing is a uniquely beautiful bird. It is about 13cm long, with a bright-colored finch. The male has a bright red crest, back and face and black wings and tail, but not forgetting the Olive yellow at the belly and lower parts. The female has an olive head and red on the rump & mantle. Both sexes have bright red bills and sharp high pitched voices.
Short-Tailed Warblers.
Also known by another name – Neumann’s warbler; this can be found in the tropical rainforests of Bwindi impenetrable National park. They are always moving on the ground and have got short tails. At the eye is a dull greenish and white stripe, whereas other parts of the body it is grey-brown.
Standard Winged Nightjars.
This is a nocturnal bird, belonging to the nightjar family; meaning it can only be spotted at night. During the breeding season; the male develops a central flight feather that is vertically displayed on air. They are mainly pied grey, with brown. To see these birds, visit Queen Elizabeth N/P, Semuliki NP, Bwindi NP, Lake Mburo NP, Mgahinga Gorilla NP, etc.
Doherty’s Bush-Shrike (Telophorus Doherty).
Scientific name – Telophorus Doherty is a lovely beautiful bird in the malaconotidae family. It is medium-sized, with a broad black breast, yellow-lemon belly and black tail. It is a solitary bird, often migrating to Uganda from May to June.
Birding in Uganda is a real big deal. Encountering each of these birds is a rare opportunity, as they are endangered and mainly found in the continent of Africa.
The birders’ must see; rare, unique and lovely. These are the 10 birds every birding enthusiastic looks out for in Uganda and entire eastern region in the continent of Africa.
Shoebill stock.
Also known as the Whale-headed stork – a very beautiful and unique bird, yet so rare on earth. It can only be found in the continent of Africa and tops on the Uganda birder’s wish. The name was derived from the magnificent large shoe-shaped bill. A shoebill is very large bird, stork-like, often quiet (once in a while bill-clattering in its nests) and moves slowly.
The adults are normally grey and the young ones are brown. In Uganda, they stay in the wetland areas of Mabamba Bay, along the shores of Lake Victoria and Murchison Falls National Park.
Grey Blue Turaco.
Its scientific name is Corythaeola cristata; the largest bird in Musophagidae family, about 70 cm long. Female and male Grey-blue Turacos have the same feathers; a grey-blue plumage with a boundless blue-black crown of about 10cm high, yellow-green lower breast, yellow belly and white chin.
Birders find these birds in African tropical rainforests. They mainly feed on flowers, leaves and fruits. In the western part of Africa, they are regarded as food, whereas in Uganda is what every bird lover should encounter.
Bar-Tailed Trogon (Apalodema Vitatum).
This is a beautiful bird, distinguishable from others by its white and black strips at the tail, the same colors dotted at the wings. You find it sing because the melody is unique, and so attractive, becoming louder as time goes on.
Its feet, bill are yellow and the till broad, like that of the trogons. They leave in forest areas of Africa, like Semuliki N/P, Kibale forest national park, Bwindi and Mgahinga N/P on a high altitude of about 1,600m.
African Green Broadbill.
These are bright green in color with a unique umbrella-like head shape. Scientific name – Pseudocalyptomena grauen; but also known as Grauer’s broadbill is one of the most sought-after birds in Uganda. They are among the vulnerable species in the world. African Green Broadbills are mainly invertebrates. The female has lighter green color, with no dark marks, whereas the male has dark spots and a black comma behind the eye.
Green-breasted Pitta.
A short-tailed bird, identified by its black-buff head, blue-spotted wings, scarlet belly and white throat. It is one of the two species in Africa residing in tropical forests of Africa. You will surely get amazed by their striking beauty and sound. In Uganda they inhabit Kibale forest NP, Semuliki NP, Lake Bunyonyi, Bwindi Impenetrable NP, and Mgahinga Gorilla National park.
Black-breasted Barbet (LYBIUS ROLLETI).
Scientific name – Lybius rolleti. It is a member of the Lybiidae family found in Uganda, Central African Republic, Sudan and Chad. It is identifiable through the huge white bill, black & white belly and black breast. These are harbored in gardens, woodland areas, fruity trees and savanna grasslands. They can be spotted in Murchison Falls national park, Mabamba swamp and Semuliki NP, etc.
Shelley’s Crimsonwing.
A member of the estrildidae family; Shelley’s Crimsonwing is a uniquely beautiful bird. It is about 13cm long, with a bright-colored finch. The male has a bright red crest, back and face and black wings and tail, but not forgetting the Olive yellow at the belly and lower parts. The female has an olive head and red on the rump & mantle. Both sexes have bright red bills and sharp high pitched voices.
Short-Tailed Warblers.
Also known by another name – Neumann’s warbler; this can be found in the tropical rainforests of Bwindi impenetrable National park. They are always moving on the ground and have got short tails. At the eye is a dull greenish and white stripe, whereas other parts of the body it is grey-brown.
Standard Winged Nightjars.
This is a nocturnal bird, belonging to the nightjar family; meaning it can only be spotted at night. During the breeding season; the male develops a central flight feather that is vertically displayed on air. They are mainly pied grey, with brown. To see these birds, visit Queen Elizabeth N/P, Semuliki NP, Bwindi NP, Lake Mburo NP, Mgahinga Gorilla NP, etc.
Doherty’s Bush-Shrike (Telophorus Doherty).
Scientific name – Telophorus Doherty is a lovely beautiful bird in the malaconotidae family. It is medium-sized, with a broad black breast, yellow-lemon belly and black tail. It is a solitary bird, often migrating to Uganda from May to June.
Birding in Uganda is a real big deal. Encountering each of these birds is a rare opportunity, as they are endangered and mainly found in the continent of Africa.
