The Birds of Tanzania

The Birds of Tanzania : One of Africa’s top birding hotspots is Tanzania. It boasts one of the most extensive species lists of any country in Africa, with over 1,100 species, over 800 of which are resident and almost 200 of which migrate often. There are 42 near-endemic species that can only be found in Tanzania and its surrounding nations, and there are 22 endemic species that are exclusive to Tanzania.

Some of the world’s most stunning, diverse, and distinctive birds can be found among Tanzania’s bird species. Even if the majority of tourists travel to Tanzania in order to fulfill their desire to witness the Big Five or the Great Wildebeest Migration, a quick glance at images of Tanzania’s amazing birdlife will undoubtedly inspire them to broaden their expectations. It is an unforgettable experience to see these majestic feathery animals, large and small, in their natural habitat.

TANZANIA: A BIRDING PARADISE

Although the precise number of bird species in Tanzania is unknown, the estimate is that there are about a thousand different species. There are every kind of bird species in Tanzania, from water loving bird species to forest birds to terrestrial birds all of which to be enjoyed during your Tanzania birding safari. What are common birds to see in Tanzania? Here are 11 common birds you can see on a Tanzania safari

1. Serengeti National Park’s rufous-tailed weaver

The rufous-tailed weaver may not be the most colorful bird with its 20 to 22-centimeter chestnut-colored feathers and dark markings. However, the fact that it is a Tanzanian indigenous species distinguishes it from other birds. This means that this beautiful bird can’t be found anywhere else on the planet. The male birds construct their nests from July to February, frequently in the baobabs that are so famous in the Serengeti National Park.

2. Silvery-cheeked hornbill—Lake Manyara National Park

The silvery-cheeked hornbill leads a fairly laid-back lifestyle and only interacts with one mate during breeding season. You might witness more than 100 hornbills at once because they frequently gather with other couples in fruit-bearing trees for their meals. Additionally, you can easily tell a male from a female hornbill by glancing at their beaks if you want to impress your fellow explorers with a fascinating fact. Female Tanzanian birds have substantially shorter beaks than males, which makes for incredible photographic opportunities.

3. Fisher’s lovebird—Serengeti National Park

The tiny Fisher’s lovebird, which is only 14 centimeters long and among Tanzania’s tiniest birds, is easily identifiable because of its vivid green and orange plumage. These parrots are monogamous and commit to one spouse for the duration of their lives, as suggested by their names. They also have a gender-neutral appearance; when you look at their feathers, you cannot determine whether they are male or female.

4. Tawny Eagle -Tarangire National Park

The top ten birds of Tanzania range from one of the smallest parrots to a big praying bird. The wingspan of the Tawney eagle can reach 190 centimeters. The Afrikaans name for this eagle is “roofarend,” which translates to “robber eagle.” This carrion-eating bird from Tanzania is regarded as highly violent when it robs other birds of their prey, a feeding strategy known as kleptoparasitism.

5. Black heron –Lake Manyara National Park

The black heron is a black, 42 to 66 cm-long bird with a razor-sharp mind. It enters shallow water, bows its head, and then spreads its wings to create a fluffy canopy in order to catch fish. It will be able to catch fish more quickly and easily by doing this. Additionally, the heron occasionally hangs out near the African holy ibis. The black heron casually swoops in and scoops up the fish after the ibis stirs it about in the water.

6. Red and yellow barbets—Tarangire National Park

One of Tanzania’s cutest birds is the red-and-yellow barbet. They are well known for their stunning voices, which are very loud, and their singing has a fantastic rhythm. Their lovely songs frequently extend for two minutes or longer and are joined by the calls of other species. The red and yellow barbet is the perfect choice for this magnificent stage because it has a red head, a yellow chest, and black wings with white dots. It doesn’t even matter that a red-and-yellow barbet’s wingspan is only about 10 centimeters with so many positive characteristics.

7. Flamingos – Arusha National Park

We are well aware that female birds occasionally choose their mate based on extremely particular standards, such as the most inventive dance or the most exquisite nest. The flamingo, common in Arusha National Park, is one of them. The guys gather in a sizable group during mating season. They sing, turn their heads, and flap their wings in perfect time. Following this performance, the couples meet and go on to have a long-lasting relationship. One of your most exquisite and one-of-a-kind photographs of Tanzanian birds will certainly be made if you’re fortunate enough to witness them in this lovely mating ritual.

8. Golden-breasted Starling – Mkomazi National Park

Be sure to look out for the golden-breasted starling while on your Tanzania safari in Mkomazi National Park. Thanks to its stunning plumage, it’s a bird that’s not hard to overlook. This bird’s top body is painted in iridescent hues of purple, green, and blue. In addition to having a very long tail, this starling also has a golden-yellow belly.

9. Ruaha National Park’s Pel’s fishing owl

Africa is the only continent where you may find Pel’s fishing owl. To really see one, though, you must be extremely fortunate. Because Pel’s fishing owl only hunts at twilight, dawn, and night, much like all nocturnal creatures, it flawlessly fits into the trees where it spends the majority of the day cuddling with its mate because of its reddish-brownish plumage. But you might also observe the owl during the day if it doesn’t find enough food during the night.

10. Marabou stork (Leptoptilos crumenifer)

Eight different stork species, including migratory ones, may be found in Tanzania. The Marabou Stork is the most prevalent species of stork. They may reach a height of five feet and are the biggest storks. The absence of feathers around their neck and head is the stork family’s most distinctive morphological characteristic. Typically gray and white in hue, marabou storks have a pinkish neck and head and a crimson pouch in their throat. Except during their breeding season, they are typically encountered in flocks.

11. Ostrich

The ostrich, which is the largest bird in the world, must be included in a top 11 list of Tanzanian birds. There is a lot to say about this amazing bird, but the following are some of our favorites interesting facts:

• Ostriches are unable to fly.
• They have three stomachs.
• It has a sprint speed cap of 70 km/h.
• The females are brown-greyish, while the males have black and white feathers.
• Theoretically, it can kill a predator like a lion or even a person with its long legs and a forward kick.
• Ostriches do not lay their heads in the sand, contrary to what many people think.
• Their mating procedure is quite complex, and the males must give it their all to win over a woman.

WHERE TO SEE BIRDS IN TANZANIA? Some of the top places to go for birdwatching in Tanzania are:

Arusha National Park.

Arusha National Park in north-eastern Tanzania is home to huge green hills encircled by Momella lakes. The shallows and nearby grasslands, along with the Momella lakes’ waters, are home to a wide variety of species. A total of around 400 different bird species may be found in Arusha National Park altogether, including migratory, endemic, forest, and aquatic species.

The Greater Pink Flamingo, Narina Trogon, Spur-Winged Goose, Red-Fronted Parrot, African Fish Eagle, Shaggy Waterbuck, and many other birds can be seen frequently in this national park. In Arusha, game drives, ascents of Mount Meru, lake paddling, and nature walks are the best things to do to spot birds.

Serengeti National Park.

Serengeti National Park is situated in Northern Tanzania and is arguably the most well-known national park in the world. One of the oldest ecosystems in the world can be found in the national park. It is renowned for its large wildebeest migration and plenty of animal viewing. Aside from the great migration and numerous other large mammals, the national park is also a haven for birdwatchers, holding almost 500 different bird species, some of which are peculiar to the Serengeti and cannot be found anywhere else.

Grey-Breasted Spur fowls, Grey-Crested Helmet Shrikes, Black-Headed Honoleks, Usambara Barbets, and Fischer’s Lovebirds are some of the species most frequently seen in the Serengeti.

Tarangire National Park.

Tarangire National Park, one of the less well-known national parks, is comparable to Serengeti National Park in terms of the variety of wildlife habitats it contains. The ideal visitors to Tarangire National Park are those who enjoy being part of smaller groups. A lot of birds are present along the Tarangire River. Tarangire National Park is one of the best known places for birdwatching because it is home to almost 500 different species of birds, including endemic, near-endemic, migratory, and aquatic birds.

The Vulturine Guinea fowl, African Gray Flycatcher, Rufous Tailed Weaver, Pink Breasted Lark, Slate Colored Boubou, Ostrich, and Great White Pelican are a few of the species that are frequently seen in Tarangire, Tanzania.

 Ngorongoro Conservation Area

Given that they are home to more than 500 species of birds, the Ngorongoro highlands and the Ngorongoro crater make for stunning locations for birdwatching. Ornithologists can locate a variety of migrating species in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, in addition to native birds. In the Ngorongoro region, you can see a variety of bird species throughout the seasons.

Lake Manyara National Park

Along with the well-known Ngorongoro Conservation Area and the Serengeti National Park , Lake Manyara National Park is the smallest of the three national parks at the bottom of the Great Rift Valley. The flamingos are the primary draw for birdwatchers visiting Lake Manyara. Flamingos can fill two-thirds of the lake at times, which is a stunning sight to photograph. In addition to the well-known flamingos, Lake Manyara is home to more than 400 other bird species, including migratory, prey, and aquatic birds.

The Pink-Backed Pelican, Pied Kingfisher, Saddle-billed Stork, Grey Crowned Crane, Narina Trogon, and Silvery Cheeked Hornbill are some of the most prevalent species in and around the lake.

The above are Tanzania’s top locations for birding. Tanzania has other locations as well for birding, though. Lake Victoria, Nyerere National Park, Udzungwa Range National Park, and Amani Nature Reserve are a few additional locations where you may go birdwatching.

Tanzania Birding Safari: our best tips and Advice

Ready to get in the 4×4 safari vehicle and take a once in a life time birding safari tour? Contact us at Focus East Africa Tours for best birding safari packages through all of the northern national parks with a high bird population, including Tarangire, Lake Manyara, the renowned Serengeti, and the stunning Ngorongoro Crater.

Staying at the Manyara Best View Lodge might also be worthwhile because it is close to the spectacular escarpment, adjacent to a protected wildlife area, and it provides you with the level of comfort you require following a thrilling day of animal spotting.

The Best Time for Tanzania Bird Watching

Tanzania has a healthy bird population all year long, but from November to April, when migrating birds from northern Africa and Europe are present, is when it is most abundant. Numerous local bird species are currently nesting or in breeding plumage. The wettest months are March and April, when storms might occur daily in some regions of the nation. The warmest time of the year also falls during the wet season. On the seaside, this can result in uncomfortable heat.

To keep it short, November to the beginning of April is the best time to travel to Tanzania to observe birds. Ornithologists can observe a wide variety of migratory birds from Europe and northern Africa during this time, in addition to the native species of Tanzania. For Tanzania’s resident birds, this is the nesting and breeding season.

In conclusion, Tanzania birdwatching can help you make some of your fondest memories. The love of viewing birds can unite people who are interested in them. A multitude of microclimates are created by the numerous national parks, lakes, and volcano craters for animals to thrive. So, if you’re thinking about traveling alone, with family, or on your honeymoon, let us create a special and unique safari for you so you can go through Tanzania and photograph some of the best endemic and local species.