Uganda is one of the most sought after tourist destinations in Africa, due to various attractions that entice tourists to come and explore her beauty. Uganda has now become one of the best birding hotspots, rendering to numerous birds that can be spotted all over the country.
There are different birding spots spread across the country which any birder would not want to miss while on a Uganda birding safari; ranging from Entebbe botanical Gardens, wetlands like Mabamba, Lutembe bay, Bigodi and Mubwindi, forests like Kibale, Bwindi, Budongo, Mabira and savannah woodlands of Kidepo Valley National Park, Lake Mburo national park, Queen Elizabeth national park and water bodies like Lake Victoria, Kazinga channel, River Nile.
About storks in Uganda.
Storks are normally larger birds, long-legged and necked without bills. The nests are normally re-used. They are large and most of them are migratory. Bill clattering is one of the communication modes used by the Storks in their nests. In Uganda, 9 species can be traced in different locations and these include; shoebill, African Openbill, Abdim’s Stork, Saddle-billed Stork, Black Stork, Yellow-billed Stork, Woolly-necked Stork, White Stork and Marabou Stork – which are commonly spotted around urban areas.
The shoebill stork is the most sought after bird among the Stork family in Uganda. This specific bird inhabits the lush Mabamba wetlands, Semuliki area, Lake Mburo national park, and Murchison falls national park. It is listed among the rare bird species of Uganda; also known as a whale-headed stork or shoebill stork. The name originates from the shape of its beak which resembles a shoe. The adult is normally grey and juveniles are normally browner.
Storks are large predators and mainly feed on meat, fish, birds, eggs, snakes, snails, frogs among others. Most of the Storks stay near water bodies such as the shoebill stork, marabou Storks among others. While breeding, the couple defends the nest vigorously from threats and nesting start immediately after rain and incubation takes place for about 30 days. The chicks can take about 115 days living in the nest and after 3 years they are considered mature.
Storks of Uganda are considered threatened by human activities such as overfishing, encroachment, clearing off the wetlands, while sand mining and getting other building materials. Also, reptiles like python snakes which predate on the Storks and their eggs are their big threats. This has made the Storks continuously depopulate.
Most Storks in Uganda can be spotted during Uganda birding safaris and most of the time you need to wake up as early as possible to start the search before the sunrise. This way travelers can enjoy uninterrupted views of the storks before they go back into hiding. Therefore, for the best search and results, you are advised to spend a night in nearby hotels.
Some of the Storks in Uganda are listed under the red list of IUCN-International Union for Conservation Union and this is because there is little or no research carried out about them and among others is the Saddle-billed Stork.
To spot the rare storks in Uganda, you need to visit Mabamba swamp, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Murchison falls national park, urban areas like Kampala and Entebbe. But this can be best done during a Uganda birding safari and more birds can be observed that live around these destinations too. It is during dry seasons that storks can be easily spotted due to easy access and less interruption.
