Having fun bird watching in Tanzania
Tanzania bird watching boasts a large number of Unusual and endemic bird species, and a list which nearly exceeds that of neighboring Kenya and almost equals Uganda. The country is truly a bird watcher’s paradise: bird watching is diverse and spectacular; over 1000 bird species has been recorded from waterbirds, forest birds, and savannah birds to sea birds. If you are an Ornithologist, you will also enjoy watching plentiful waterbirds including the African skimmer, kingfishers, goliath heron, and rarely seen pel’s fishing owl: here are a few.
BEE – EATER:
This species is very colorful and nice to watch usually perched on fences and trees. They feed on bees and wasps. There are about 4 types of bee – eaters commonly found in lake Manyara National park, Highland forests, Usambara, coastal areas and southern Tanzania.
CROWNED CRANE:
A graceful, long legged bird, it looks like a stork and heron. Cranes are grassland dwelling birds. They are widely distributed in swamps, lake shores and grassland, commonly seen in pairs, small parties and flocks. Ngorongoro crater harbours so many cranes.
FISH EAGLES:
Are usually seen on the trees near the waterbodies.Skilled at fish catching. Excellent place to see them: Rubondo Island National Park, Ruaha National Park near river banks has spectacular view of these birds.
HOOPOE:
Is a beautiful bird, commonly feeds on the ground usually seen in small noisy flocks. Common in the Northern Tanzania National Parks reserve: Serengeti, Ngorongoro crater, Tarangire and Lake Manyara. Other birds: fischer’s lovebird, grey – rumped spur fowl and babbler – like rufous -tailed weaver.
MARABOU STORK:
A scavenger normally seen with other vultures sharing a carcass. It has huge beak and the deep pink pouch swinging on the neck. Commonly seen in almost national parks and game reserves around the country.
OSTRICH:
the largest bird in the world. It is the most well – known bird, Ostriches are flightless. Mostly found in the Northern plain, that is in Tarangire and the Serengeti, but can also be found in Mikumi in the South.
PARROTS:
Are forest dwelling birds. Although they have been documented in the mountain forest of Kilimanjaro and Meru, they are all over Eastern arc Mountains, especially Usambara and Udzungwa Mountains. Western forests such as the Mahale Mountains National Park and the Serengeti plains.
SECRETARY BIRDS:
Unusual looking bird of prey found on the Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, Tarangire and Ruaha National Parks. It has a quill – like feather on its head, and it is so pompous when it stride. Secretary bird rarely fly and do so when absolutely necessary. Other birds are verreanx’s eagle owl, crested cranes, Kori bustards, hornbills, whydah, flycatchers, Guinea fowl, woodpeckers, weavers, cattle egret, and many types of vultures and scavengers are all seen in the country.