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Uganda Birds In Kibale National Park | Birds of Kibale Forest
Find all here information about Uganda Birds In Kibale National Park/Birds of Kibale Forest.
Prominently known for Uganda Chimpanzee safaris, Kibale National Park is also a paradise for birding safaris in Uganda.
The park is just a must not miss spot for all bird lovers on Uganda birding tours!
Kibale Forest National Park is home to over 370 bird species according to UWA statistics. However, researchers have found about 602 bird species in Kibale Forest, most being forest birds of Uganda.
These include the rare Green Breasted Pitta– one of the most sought-after birds for birders on Uganda safari holidays.
Kibale Forest boasts over 6 Albertine endemic bird species, including the Dusky Crimsonwing, Red-faced Woodland Warbler, Black-capped Apalis, Collared Apalis, Blue-headed and Purple-breasted Sunbirds.
Also, Kibale park boasts 4 endemic bird species counting the Blue-headed Bee-eater, Cassin’s Spinetail, Masked Apalis, and the Nahan’s Francolin. These birds can’t be spotted in any national park in Uganda!
Other Uganda birds in Kibale National Park include the Great-blue Turaco, Papyrus Gonolek, Black-headed Gonolek, Black Bee-eater, Red-fronted Tinkerbird, etc.
More so, the Yellow-breasted Apalis, Double-toothed Barbet, Black-billed Barbet, Yellow-Billed Barbet, Papyrus Canary & Yellow-spotted Nicator, among others can be spotted.
Most of the birdwatching in Kibale National Park is done in the Kanyanchu sector, along the Kanyanchu Chimpanzee Trail.
However, Uganda birding safaris in Kibale are also possible in the nearby Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary, home to over 200 birds, counting the Great Blue Turaco.
For a memorable encounter, birding in Kibale Forest normally starts early morning by around 7 am.
Below Is A List Of Major Birds In Kibale National Park
1. Green Breasted Pitta 2. African Pitta 3. Great Blue Turaco 4. Abyssinian Ground Thrush 5. Masked Apalis 6. Ruwenzori Apalis 7. Black-faced Apalis 8. Black-Throated Apalis 9. Chestnut-Throated Apalis 10. White-Winged Warbler 11. White Collared Oliveback 12. Purple-Breasted Sunbird 13. Black Bee-Eater 14. White-throated Bee-eater 15. Papyrus Gonolek 16. Grey Crowned-Crane 17. Blue-Headed Bee-Eater 18. Black Headed Gonolek 19. Red-Faced Woodland Warbler 20. Crowned Eagle 21. Papyrus Canary 22. White-Tailed Blue Flycatcher 23. Cinnamon-Chested Bee-Eater 24. Nahan’s Francolin 25. Yellow-Billed Barbet 26. Double-Toothed Barbet 27. Yellow-Spotted Barbet 28. African Grey Parrot 29. Yellow-Rumped Tinkerbird 30. Red-fronted Tinkerbird 31. Black-Capped Apalis 32. Black Collared Apalis 33. Yellow-Breasted Apalis 34. Western Nicator 35. Red-Rumped Tinkerbird 36. Yellow-Throated Tinkerbird 37. Yellow-Fronted Tinkerbird 38. Broad-Billed Roller 39. Blue-Throated Roller 40. Red-Fronted Barbet 41. White-Headed Barbet 42. Red-Faced Barbet 43. Black-Billed Barbet 44. Speckled Tinkerbird 45. Scarlet-Chested Sunbird 46. Bronze Sunbird 47. Red-Chested Sunbird 48. Blue-Headed Sunbird 49. Regal Sunbird 50. Little Bee-Eater | 51. Little Greenbul 52. African Shrike-Flycatcher 53. Blue-Shouldered Robin-Chat 54. Malachite Kingfisher 55. Pied Kingfisher 56. Giant Kingfisher 57. Blue-Breasted Kingfisher 58. Woodland Kingfisher 59. Chocolate-Backed Kingfisher 60. Grey-Headed Kingfisher 61. Afep Pigeon 62. White-Naped Pigeon 63. African Green-Pigeon 64. African Emerald Cuckoo 65. African Pied Wagtail 66. Pin-Tailed Whydah 67. Black-Billed Turaco 68. Black-Capped Waxbill 69. Blue-Throated Roller 70. Doherty’s Bushshrike 71. Slender-Billed Weaver 72. Zebra Waxbill 73. Brown-Eared Woodpecker 74. White-Crested Turaco 75. Ross’s Turaco 76. Bare-Faced Go-Away-Bird 77. Eastern Plantain-Eater 78. Speckled Mousebird 79. Blue-Naped Mousebird 80. Helmeted Guineafowl 81. White-Browed Coucal 82. Blue-Headed Coucal 83. Common Bulbul 84. African Black Duck 85. Piapiac 86. Narina Trogon 87. Bar-Tailed Trogon 88. Rameron Pigeon 89. Black-And-White-Casqued Hornbill 90. Crowned Hornbill 91. Yellow-Billed Oxpecker 92. Rüppell’s Starling 93. African Thrush 94. Tropical Boubou 95. Black-crowned Tchagra 96. Brown-Capped Weaver 97. African Firefinch 98. Black-bellied Firefinch 99. Common Waxbill 100. Cassin’s Spinetail
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Below Is The Detailed Checklist Of Kibale National Park Birds According To Their Order And Family
A. Order: Passeriformes
A.i. Family: Pittidae
Green-Breasted Pitta
The Green-breasted Pitta is a lovely bird species in the Pittidae family. This attractive bird is one of the only two Pitta species found in Africa.
Physical description: It’s a short-tailed unmistakable upright bird with a distinctive green breast, a black-and-buff head, a white throat, and a vivid red belly.
Note its admirable blue-spotted wings and rump.
Habitat: Typically, it’s spotted in altitudes between 1,000 and 1,400m above sea level in the deep rainforests of Africa. On your African birding tours in Uganda, Kibale National Park is the best place to find the Green-Breasted Pitta.
Behaviour: This scarce little resident is mostly active early in the morning, often spotted in pairs on the ground, in leaf litter. However, the breeding birds commonly call and display in the canopy.
Mostly, it’s spotted by the di-syllabic “brrr-rrrt” wing drum displayed by the male as its hops up.
It can be mistaken with the African Pitta but, its green breast distinguishes it.
On a Uganda birding tour in Kibale park, this scarce bird can be spotted in the Kanyanchu area, if lucky.
African Pitta
General appearance: An African Pitta is an uncommonly bright, colourful bird of the family Pittidae.
Usually, they’re easily identified by their buffy underparts, a greenback, and wings tipped turquoise blue. The undertail is red and their crown, face, and ear coverts are solid black.
It’s distinguished from the Green-breasted Pitta by the lack of a dark green breast.
Habitat: In most times, it’s found on the floor of the forest and in dense thickets. However, may be seen standing motionless for long periods in a tree canopy.
Habits and foraging: This Pitta moves by quick hops. Usually, it forages singly on leaf litter, where it scratches insects and molluscs.
Breeding: They’re monogamous. Females lay 3-4 white eggs marked with liver-red to blackish-brown markings, often in November- December. Their nest is dome-shaped, made out of small sticks, grass and dry leaves.
During the incubation time, birds normally fall silent.
Though it’s a rare bird, while bird watching in Kibale National Park, it can be spotted in the Kanyanchu region.
A.ii. Family: Turdidae
Abyssinian Ground-Thrush
Physical description: An Abyssinian Ground Thrush is a beautiful Thrush of the family Turdidae. It’s about 19-20cm long and weighs approximately 43-65g.
Adults have deep rufous orange on their heads and faces, plus a distinctive white eye ring.
Their colour becomes less rufous on the breast and flanks, and the upper parts are olive-brown. The rump and tail are orange-brown. On folded wings, they display 2 white wing bars from the tips to the coverts.
Though much similar to the Orange Ground-Thrush, it has its head pattern, an orange crown, a plain face, and a complete white eye ring.
Habitation: It’s mostly spotted in the undergrowth of the evergreen montane forest, although occasionally found lower.
Normally, it’s found foraging singly on the ground where it hops or runs under trees or dense vegetation. Frequently, it’s found near forest streams and may sometimes visit forest edges or paths.
Diet: Usually, earthworms, millipedes, and snails got in leaf litter make up its diet. However, fruit such as figs, berries and some seeds are eaten too.
Reproduction: In most cases, this bird lays only 2 eggs, normally during the rainy season. They normally nest in the fork of the branch about 5m from the ground.
If lucky, you can spot this scarce bird during Kibale Chimpanzee trekking.
African Thrush
Physical appearance: The African Thrush is a common and attractive Thrush with grey upperparts and grey-brown underparts. Though, these can be buff, grey, or rufous depending on where it’s found. Observe their golden bill in all ranges.
It weighs around 46-78g and holds over 21- 23cm body length.
This bird can be mistaken for the Abyssinian Thrush. However, it’s more often found at lower elevations and is darker overall. Note also its paler yellow bill.
Ecology: These birds are usually found in various wooded habitats like forest edges, riparian woodlands, scrub cultivations, parks and gardens. It can be spotted singly or in a pair.
Behaviour: Mostly spotted singly or in pairs, usually in cover, foraging on ground leaf litter. But, will come out and gather at fruiting trees. Invertebrates and small fish (occasionally) supplement their diet.
Breeding: The female produces about 2-3 eggs in a bulky cup-shaped nest using plant fibres and mud lined with fine grasses, leaves and roots. Their nests are normally placed on tree branches about 10m off the ground.
Only females incubate the eggs. However, both sexes feed the infants.
This Thrush is hardly missed during Kibale Chimpanzee trekking.
Other Kibale National Park Birds In The Order Of Passeriformes, Family Turdidae
4. Abyssinian Thrush 5. Rufous Flycatcher-Thrush 6. Red-tailed Ant-Thrush | 7. White-tailed Ant-Thrush 8. Black-eared Ground-Thrush |
A.iii. Family: Cisticolidae
Masked Apalis
Physical appearance: The Masked Apalis is a lovely small slender Warbler, having greenish upper parts and reddish eyes.
Note its grey crown and cheeks separated from the black throat by a colourful white moustache. The juveniles have a green crown and yellow throat.
Though somehow similar to some montane forest Apalises, Black-throated Apalis has a striking yellow-orange belly. A Black-faced Apalis– an Albertine Rift endemic features a black crown and the moustachial streak reduced to a neck spot.
Habitat: This Apalis is locally found in scattered locations in lowland forests below 1500m a.s.l. It prefers the lower strata of primary and secondary forests plus scrubs.
In Kibale forest national park, this Apalis can be spotted in the Kanyanchu region.
Black-faced Apalis
General appearance: A Black-Faced Apalis is a beautiful black-hooded and green-backed Apalis having a white spot on the side of the neck.
It can be confused with the Masked Apalis, which has a mostly black head and a white dot on the neck side and is found at higher elevations.
Habitat: This Apalis is commonly spotted in the Albertine rift montane forests, often found in pairs, which usually join other flock species.
It’s an active Apalis preferring foraging in the middle canopy however, can sometimes feed in the lower canopy.
While bird watching in Kibale Uganda, it can be spotted during nature walks within the Kanyanchu area.
Black-throated Apalis
General appearance: A Black-throated Apalis is a beautiful boldly marked bird of the family Cisticolidae. This lovely Apalis has a distinctive throat pattern of black and white streaks.
Males hold a black mask and are more colourful usually. Their crown colour varies from grey to black geographically.
Females mostly have olive-green upper parts.
It’s distinguished from all other similar Apalis species in its range by its yellow underparts.
Ecology: This Apalis is mostly spotted within Albertine rift montane forests, though locally found in the lower humid forests of West Africa.
Behaviours: Usually, they’re found in pairs in the canopy and can sometimes join other mixed flock species.
On your Kibale Uganda birding tour, this bird can be spotted Kanyanchu area.
Chestnut-throated Apalis
Physical description: The Chestnut-throated Apalis is an attractive species of bird belonging to the Cisticola family, Cisticolidae. It’s generally a grey Apalis with a prominent rufous neck and underparts that are greyish.
This little Apalis is about 12cm long.
It’s similar to the female Buff-throated Apalis. But, it holds a distinct rufous throat and grey underparts as opposed to white.
Habitat: Usually, it’s spotted in the canopy of montane forests (above 1600m elevation) and adjacent secondary growth. In most cases, it’s found in pairs, though can join other feeding flock species.
Diet: In most cases, this Apalis forages on insects and other small invertebrates, which are obtained by gleaning from leaves and branches, and those in the air.
On your Uganda birding trip in Kibale, this bird can be spotted within the Kanyanchu expanse.
Black-capped Apalis
The Black-capped Apalis is a gorgeous species of bird in the family Cisticolidae.
Physical appearance: This dazzling Apalis has white underparts bisected by a neat black chest band, more visible in males than in females.
The upper parts are yellow-green with a dark black cap and sides of the head. Its relatively long tail is commonly held slightly raised.
Habitat: Usually, they’re spotted on forest edges either singly or in pairs.
During a Uganda bird-watching safari in Kibale forest, especially during guided nature walks along the Kanyanchu trail.
Yellow-breasted Apalis
General appearance: A Yellow-breasted Apalis is an eye-catching species of bird in the family Cisticolidae.
It’s a slender colourful long-tailed canopy Warbler with green upperparts, yellow breasts, a greyish face and red eyes.
It holds a white belly that’s sometimes separated from the breast by a black bar which lacks in some individuals.
Ecology and habits: They’re mostly spotted around forest edges and broadleaf woodlands, usually in pairs. However, will join other mixed flock species to forage actively in the canopy, flipping their tails as they move.
In Kibale national park Uganda, you can spot them along the Kanyanchu chimp trail.
Black Collared Apalis
Physical description: The Black-collared Apalis is a pretty species of bird in the family Cisticolidae. It’s a slim beautiful long-tailed bird with grey upperparts and mostly white underparts.
Note the black chest band and rufous flanks. Though similar to the Rwenzori Apalis, it’s identified by its white rather than buffy throat.
Habitat: This Apalis is endemic to Albertine rift montane forests. In most cases, it’s spotted in the understory and along the forest edges, normally in pairs or small flocks. But, can join other mixed flocks.
During your birding tours in Uganda Kibale national park, you can spot it within the Kanyanchu region, if lucky.
White-Winged Warbler
A White-winged Warbler is also called the White-winged ground-Warbler.
Physical description: It’s a beautiful vulnerable bird species in the family Phaenicophilidae, the only member of the genus Xenoligea.
It measures about 13-14cm long and weighs nearly 12-13g.
This adorable Warbler features a bright green back, a grey crown, and white underparts plus blackish wings and a tail. It’s named for the bold white stripe on the wings.
Though somehow similar to the Green-tailed Ground Warbler, a white stripe on its wings distinguishes it.
Ecology: This species usually inhabits numerous forest types with a dense understory including, thickets and shrubs as well as secondary forests.
In elevation, it ranges between 875- 2,000m elevation. However, it’s most spotted above 1,300m altitude.
Usually, it’s spotted in small groups. However, can join other mixed-feeding flocks. It’s a year-round resident throughout its range.
Diet: Forages most on arthropods and seeds.
Reproduction: The White-winged Warbler’s breeding season is believed to be between May-July and females often lay 2 eggs.
Their nests (made out of moss, leaves, and lichen) are constructed in thickets usually 2.5m from the ground.
Can be spotted in thickets along the Kanyanchu chimp trail.
Other Kibale National Park Birds In The Order Of Passeriformes, Family Cisticolidae
17. Buff-throated Apalis 18. Grey Apalis 19. Buff-bellied Warbler 20. Tawny-flanked Prinia 21. Banded Prinia 22. Black-faced Rufous-Warbler 23. Grey-capped Warbler 24. Red-faced Cisticola 25. Singing Cisticola 26. Whistling Cisticola 27. Trilling Cisticola 28. Chubb’s Cisticola 29. Rattling Cisticola 30. Carruthers’s Cisticola | 31. Croaking Cisticola 32. Siffling Cisticola 31. Zitting Cisticola 32. Wing-snapping Cisticola 33. Yellow-vented Eremomela 34. Green-backed Eremomela 35. Rufous-crowned Eremomela 36. Red-winged Gray Warbler 37. White-chinned Prinia 38. Green-backed Camaroptera 39. Yellow-browed Camaroptera 40. Olive-green Camaroptera 41. Winding Cisticola |
A.iv. Family: Estrildidae
White-collared Oliveback
Physical appearance: The White-collared Olive back is a beautiful species of the Waxbill family.
It’s a little spectacular olive-green, grey, and black Finch.
Males have a narrow white collar and an olive-green breast, while females lack the collar and have all-grey underparts.
Somehow similar to the Grey-headed oliveback but, smaller and has a black head.
Habitat: In most cases, they’re found in dense moist habitats such as the forest edges, usually in small flocks.
While bird watching in Uganda Kibale National Park, it can be spotted within the Kanyanchu expanse.
Black-crowned Waxbill
General appearance: A Black-crowned Waxbill is a colourful common species of Estrildid Finch. This attractive Waxbill is grey, black-crowned, and white, with red highlights.
It features a vivid red rump, so visible while in flight.
Though it’s somehow similar to the Black-headed and Kandt’s Waxbills, they’re paler and greyer with a white rather than black undertail.
Habitat: They’re mostly found in flocks, especially in grassy areas. However, also possible within forest edges and woodlands.
This bird is rarely missed along the Kanyanchu chimp trail.
Zebra Waxbill
Physical appearance: Also called the Orange-breasted Waxbill, the Zebra Waxbill is a spectacular tiny (about 9cm long) short-tailed Sparrow-like bird.
This eye-catching bird holds a reddish iris, orange breast, red bill and dark olive-green plumage.
Males have a red rump, dark bars on the whitish flank plus a red eyebrow stripe. The females are duller and smaller than males and lack the male’s red eyebrow.
Slightly similar to the Quailfinch but, have yellow underparts and a red rump.
Ecology and diet: They’re mostly found in wetlands, moist savannahs, and damp cultivation areas. Normally, it’s spotted in small flocks, foraging on seeds, insects and shoots.
Reproduction: Usually, females lay about 4-6 eggs in an oval-shaped nest made out of the grass. In most cases, they use the old nests of the Red-collared widowbird.
They can be spotted during a swamp walk in Bigodi wetland.
The Other Kibale Forest Birds In Order Of Passeriformes, Family Estrildidae
45. African Firefinch 46. Black-bellied Firefinch 47. Common Waxbill 48. Abyssinian Crimsonwing 49. Red-faced Crimsonwing 50. Red-billed Firefinch 51. Quailfinch 52. Bar-breasted Firefinch 53. Red-cheeked Cordonbleu 54. Red-headed Bluebill 55. Black-faced Waxbill 56. Kandt’s Waxbill 57. Orange-cheeked Waxbill- Rare 58. Fawn-breasted Waxbill 59. Crimson-rumped Waxbill | 60. Green-backed Twinspot 61. Jameson’s Antpecker 62. White-breasted Nigrita 63. Chestnut-breasted Nigrita 64. Grey-headed Nigrita 65. Pale-fronted Nigrita 66. Grey-headed Oliveback 67. Black-bellied Seedcracker 68. Green-winged Pytilia 69. Brown Twinspot 70. Yellow-bellied Waxbill 71. Bronze Mannikin 72. Magpie Mannikin 73. Black-and-white Mannikin |
A.v. Family: Nectariniidae
Purple-breasted Sunbird
Physical appearance and habitat: The Purple-breasted Sunbird is a colorful long, slim medium-sized bird, endemic to the Albertine rift forests.
Breeding males display an array of brilliant colours in good light and have long thin tails.
Females have dark faces and pale throats.
It’s similar to the Bronze Sunbird but males are separated by their longer tails and purple tones in breeding plumage.
Females are identified by their more pointed tails and lack of pale eyebrows.
They’re usually uncommon. However, with the help of our expert local guide, you can spot it during Kanyanchu nature walks.
Scarlet-chested Sunbird
Physical description: A Scarlet-chested Sunbird is a spectacular, large, dark Sunbird with a long, decurved bill.
The crimson daub on the male’s breast and the green colour on their crown and throat make them extremely attractive.
Females have a highly specked, grey-brown underside.
The violet rump and shoulder patches, along with a black throat, differentiate the Hunter’s Sunbird apart from the Scarlet-Chested Sunbird.
Habitat: They’re commonly found in areas of dry and moist savannas, and gardens usually alone or in couples.
Forage: Mostly feed on nectar and insects.
In Kibale Forest, this bird is commonly spotted within the Kanyanchu region.
Bronze Sunbird
Physical appearance: A Bronze Sunbird is a scarce medium-sized bird with a long thin and curled bill. The males have golden and green overtones. However, they might appear black in low light.
Females’ underparts are striped yellow, and their eyebrows are whitish.
Please note that a male Bronze Sunbird is quite similar to the male Tacazze Sunbird. However, lacks purple tones in its plumage.
Females are distinguished from the Malachite and Tacazze Sunbirds by their paler underparts with fine stripes.
Ecology: Usually found in montane habitats including forests, woodlands, grasslands, forest edges, and gardens.
Diet: Their diet is typically limited to nectar, spiders and insects like ants, beetles, wasps, bees and termites etc.
Reproduction: This Sunbird usually breeds in September- May. However, the peak months of egg laying are between October- December and often, 1-2 eggs are laid by a female. Incubation takes about 16- 21 days.
During breeding, the male’s role is limited, after conception, the male often leaves.
In Kibale national park Uganda, this bird can be spotted in the Kanyanchu area but, on rare occasions.
Red-chested Sunbird
Physical appearance: A Red-chested Sunbird is a stunning slim curve-billed Sunbird in the Nectariniidae family.
Both sexes are very different.
Males have extended centre tail plumes, a visible red band across the underparts, and are often black and green.
Females are pale with numerous dark markings below and a simple grey-brown colouration above.
This Sunbird sometimes is confused with the Beautiful Sunbird. But, the male Red-chested Sunbird doesn’t feature a lot of yellow on its belly band, while females have more streaking below.
Females resemble female Marico Sunbirds. However, they don’t have a dark throat patch.
Ecology: These Sunbirds can be found in a range of moist environments, including savannas, forests, marshes, scrubs, and gardens.
On your Uganda birding safaris in Kibale, it can be spotted within the Kanyanyu area.
Blue-headed Sunbird
General appearance and ecology: A Blue-Headed Sunbird is a lovely medium-sized bird of about 14cm long, weighing approximately 10-16g.
Breeding males have long, thin tails and a variety of vibrant colours that are displayed in excellent light.
Females have black cheeks and pale necks.
This bird slightly looks like the Bronze Sunbird. But, males can be distinguished by their larger tails and, purple tones in the breeding plumage.
Females are identified by their more pointed tails and absence of pale eyebrows.
Habitation: The Purple-breasted Sunbird is restricted to Albertine rift forests, usually found in the canopy.
Though rare in Kibale National Park, it can be spotted in the Kanyanchu region with the help of our knowledgeable local guide.
Regal Sunbird
General appearance: A Regal Sunbird is a pretty species of Sunbird commonly spotted in the montane forests of the Albertine Rift Valley.
Males feature brilliant yellow, and red breasts, and bellies. Note also the bright green upper parts, dark wings, and tails. Females are dull brownish.
Males can be distinguished from other Sunbirds by their yellow underparts. Females are quite similar to female Double-collared Sunbirds but paler and more yellowish.
Habitation: This Sunbird is mostly found in regions between 1,500- 3,100m altitude. Frequently, it’s spotted in evergreen mountain forests, mixed forests, secondary-growth forests, scrublands and bamboo.
In Kibale forest national park, you can spot it within the Kanyanchu area though, on rare occasions.
More Birds Of Kibale National Park In Order Of Passeriformes, Family Nectariniidae
80. Blue-throated Brown Sunbird 81. Olive Sunbird 82. Collared Sunbird 83. Beautiful Sunbird 84. Superb Sunbird 85. Grey-headed Sunbird 86. Variable Sunbird 87. Northern-Double-collared Sunbird 88. Purple-banded Sunbird
| 89. Western Violet-backed Sunbird 90. Little Green Sunbird 91. Green Sunbird 92. Green-headed Sunbird 93. Green-throated Sunbird 94. Malachite Sunbird 95. Olive-bellied Sunbird 96. Tiny Sunbird 97. Orange-tufted Sunbird 98. Copper Sunbird 99. Mariqua Sunbird |
A.vi. Family: Malaconotidae
Papyrus Gonolek- Near-threatened
Physical description: The Papyrus Gonolek is a spectacular bird species in the family Malaconotidae.
It’s a handsome black and red medium-sized Bushshrike about 18cm long with a distinctive yellow crown.
Its upper parts: the wings & tail are black except for a broad white bar on the wings. The breast and upper belly are vivid orange-crimson, and the lower belly is whitish.
Habitat: This Gonolek is restricted in Papyrus swamps along rivers and around lake shores.
Diet: Their diet consists basically of insects like beetles, flies and ants. However, snails, fruits and seeds are eaten at times.
Reproduction: Little is known about their breeding biology. But their nest is doubtless built in a small bush, usually in the reedbeds.
On your birding safari in Kibale, this bird is best spotted in the neighbouring Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary.
Black-headed Gonolek
Physical description: A Black-headed Gonolek is a nice-looking bird species in the family of Malaconotidae. It’s an attractive Bushshrike truly unmistakable due to its vivid red and black plumage.
In length, it holds about 20- 22cm long and can weigh approximately 42- 55g.
Though, a little similar to the Papyrus Gonolek, it has an all-black head lacking a yellow crown.
Habitation: This generally retiring Shrike mostly dwells in tropical moist shrubs, overgrown cultivation and seasonally flooded lowland areas. Usually, it’s spotted skulking in the undergrowth.
On your birding tour in Uganda Kibale forest national park, it can be spotted in the nearby Bigodi wetland.
Doherty’s Bushshrike
Physical description: A Doherty’s Bushshrike is a boldly patterned black and red Bushrike having pale eyes. It’s a relatively small-billed Bush-shrike, about 19cm and over 36-40g.
The juveniles have pale underparts with fine dark bars.
It can be confused with the Yellow-crowned and Papyrus Gonoleks. However, has an all-black rather than a yellow crown.
Ecology: Usually, this Shrike is found in thick woodlands and humid thickets on the edges and forest clearings. Particularly where there is bracken and bamboo mixed in. Often found between 1,500- 3,350m a.s.l.
Doherty’s Bushshrike is more often heard than it’s seen. In most cases, it’s spotted singly, skulking in dense understory. Its loud whistling territorial call is commonly heard all months of the year.
Diet: Usually, it forages by searching in the dense undergrowth on the ground feeding on arthropods, basically beetles and grasshoppers.
Reproduction: May-June are breeding months in Uganda and Kenya. However, this differs from those of DRC which is April-July.
If lucky on your Uganda birding tour in Kibale, this bird can be spotted within the Kanyanchu region.
Tropical Boubou
Physical description: Also called the Bell Shrike, a Tropical Boubou is a medium-sized nice-looking black-and-white Bushshrike. It’s about 23-25cm long and weighs about 38-70g. However, adults can weigh between 50-60g.
Its underparts are white while the upper parts and tail are glossy blue-black except for a white stripe across the top of the wing.
Their bill and legs are black, while the feet are bluish grey and have dark reddish brown irises.
Habitat: Normally spotted in dense microhabitats within forests, woodlands, thickets, and gardens.
Diet: Typically, they feed on or near the ground, and rarely ascend to the tree canopy often. It commonly holds most of its prey down with its foot while eating.
Just like other Bushshrike, this Shrike pierces its prey on thorns to eat later. It feeds mostly on large terrestrial invertebrates and their larvae as well as small terrestrial vertebrates.
Reproduction: This Shrike is monogamous. Females usually lay about 3-4 eggs which are bluish to buff green, with brown and lilac spots. They take about 14- 16 days to hatch.
During a Uganda bird-watching tour in Kibale Forest, you can spot them within the Kanyanchu region.
More Birds Of Kibale National Park In The Order Of Passeriformes, Family Malaconotidae
104. Black-crowned Tchagra 105. Marsh Tchagra 106. Brown-crowned Tchagra 107. Lühder’s Bushshrike 108. Pink-footed Puffback | 109. Slate-colored Boubou 110. Grey-green Bushshrike 111. Sulphur-breasted Bushshrike 112. Many-colored Bushshrike 113. Northern Puffback |
A.vii. Family: Fringillidae
Papyrus Canary
Also called the Van Someren’s Canary, the Papyrus Canary is a beautiful species of passerine bird in the finch family Fringillidae.
Physical appearance: It features a distinctive yellow plumage with black streaks and both sexes look alike. However, males are boldly marked, mostly on the face.
This little bird is a bit similar to Western Citril but, identified by the lack of a yellow eyebrow.
Also very similar to the Southern Citril, but separated by the pinkish bill.
Ecology: The Papyrus Canary is typically spotted in papyrus swamps. However, it can also be encountered in adjacent areas near papyrus.
Usually, it constructs its nests in papyrus stands, using the papyrus leaves.
While birding in Kibale, this bird can be spotted during a boardwalk in the neighbouring Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary.
Additional Kibale Birds In Order Of Passeriformes, Family Fringillidae
115. Western Citril 116. Brimstone Canary 117. Streaky Seedeater 118. Thick-billed Seedeater | 119. Oriole Finch 120. Yellow-crowned Canary 121. Yellow-fronted Canary
|
A.viii. Family: Stenostiridae
White-tailed Blue Flycatcher
Physical appearance: The White-tailed blue Flycatcher is a spectacular slim bird (about 14cm long and 6-9g weight). This lovely little bird is slightly crested and has a long tail which is usually fanned.
It features a white outer tail, pale grey underparts, and a bright blue back.
In look, it’s more like an African Blue Flycatcher. However, it’s distinguished by a distinctive white tail.
Ecology: Usually, it’s found in rainforests, gallery forests, dry savanna, and lush gardens.
In Kibale forest national park Uganda, this little bird can be spotted during nature walks along the Kanyanchu chimp trail.
More Birds Of Kibale Forest In Order Of Passeriformes, Family Stenostiridae
123. White-tailed Crested-Flycatcher 124. African Blue Flycatcher 125. Dusky Crested-Flycatcher |
A.ix. Family Nicatoridae
Western Nicator
Physical description: The Western Nicator is a beautiful Bushshrike-like bird in the family Nicatoridae. It measures about 20-23cm long and approximately 32-67g.
This Nicator holds a heavy hooked bill, olive-green upper parts and pale underparts with bold white spots on the wings. Please also note the yellow corners of the tail which are visible in flight.
This bird can be confused with the Eastern Nicator. However, their range differs, More so, it is almost similar to the Yellow-throated Nicator, but larger and has no yellow throat and streak above the eye.
Ecology: It’s found in rainforests, gallery forests, thickets, lush secondary habitats, and dense woodlands between 700- 1,850m altitude.
Usually, it’s spotted creeping secretively in the tangled understory and the mid-level vegetation.
In Kibale forest national park, it can be spotted within the Kanyanchu area.
A.x. Family: Pycnonotidae
Little Greenbul
Physical description: A little Greenbul is a lovely small bird species of the Bulbul family of Passerine birds.
Its total length is about 187mm, with wings having about 80mm and a tail of about 77mm.
This gorgeous bird has a brown upper tail and wings while the breast and flanks are pale grey-greenish. Its bill is brown, the iris is brown and the feet are light yellow-brown.
It’s very similar to several other Greenbul species but, identified by the lack of a pale eye-ring.
Habitat: Normally, it’s found in the understory and mid-story of the forest, and thickets.
It can be spotted along the Kanyanchu chimp trail.
Common Bulbul
Physical description: The Common Bulbul is a lovely unmistakable Thrush-sized brown bird with a darker face and throat. It’s about 18cm in length, with a long tail.
Their belly is pale and the under tail is white or yellow in some species.
Habitat: Usually, this Bulbul is found in woodlands, coastal bushes, forest edges, riverine bushes, montane scrubs, and in mixed farming habitats.
Diet: This Bulbul commonly fees on fruits, nectar, seeds and insects.
Behaviors: It can be spotted in pairs or small flocks. It’s not easily missed due to its noisy and repetitive powerful song.
Reproduction: Generally, this bird breeds at the onset of the rainy season, laying about 2-3 eggs in a fairly rigid cup shaped nest. The nest is usually situated inside the leafy foliage of a small tree or shrub.
Just like other Bulbuls, it’s parasitized by the Jacobin Cuckoo.
On your bird-watching tours in Kibale, they’re rarely missed along the Kanyanchu chimp trail.
More Kibale Park birds in Order Passeriformes, Family Pycnonotidae
129. Joyful Greenbul 130. Slender-billed Greenbul 131. Red-tailed Bristlebill 132. Lesser Bristlebill 133. Shelley’s Greenbul 134. Eastern Mountain Greenbul 135. Honeyguide Greenbul 136. Yellow-throated Greenbul 137. Spotted Greenbul 138. Swamp Greenbul 139. Red-tailed Greenbul | 140. Grey Greenbul 141. Ansorge’s Greenbul- Rare 142. Plain Greenbul 143. Yellow-whiskered Greenbul 144. Leaf-love 145. Toro Olive-Greenbul 146. Cabanis’s Greenbul 147. Icterine Greenbul 148. Xavier’s Greenbul 149. White-throated Greenbul 150. Yellow-streaked Greenbul |
A.xi. Family: Vangidae
African Shrike-flycatcher
Also called the Red-eyed Shrike-flycatcher, an African Shrike-flycatcher is a gorgeous species of bird in the family Vangidae.
Physical description: It resembles the heaviest Flycatcher with a large hooked bill, a big head, and a relatively short tail plus a large body.
Males have white underparts and black above with a red eye plus a white rump patch. Females are white below with black stripes and have reddish-brown upper parts.
This Flycatcher can be confused with a Black-and-white Shrike-Flycatcher but, it has a white throat and no crest, and females are speckled below.
Habitat: Usually, it’s spotted in forests and on forest edges resting upright on branches, wiggling its tail from side to side.
On your Uganda birding tours in Kibale NP, it can be spotted during nature walks in the Kanyanchu area.
The Other Kibale Bird In Order Passeriformes, Family Vangidae
152. Black-and-white Shrike-flycatcher |
A.xii. Family Muscicapidae
Blue-shouldered Robin-Chat
A Blue-shouldered Robin-chat is a colorful species of bird in the family Muscicapidae commonly spotted in humid forests.
Physical description: It has a striking head pattern with a black cap and cheek, a white eyebrow, plus an orange throat. Its shoulders have a pale blue patch that can be largely unnoticed.
Its tail has a dark center and broad orange sides. It’s identical to a White-browed Robin-Chat but, separated by its blue shoulder.
Habitat: Found in the understory of various types of the forest at low and middle elevations, including rainforest, gallery forest, and secondary forest.
While bird watching in Kibale, this bird can be spotted during nature walks in the Kanyanchu area.
More Kibale Forest National Park In Order Passeriformes, Family Muscicapidae
154. Swamp Flycatcher 155. African Dusky Flycatcher 156. Spotted Flycatcher 157. Cassin’s Flycatcher 158. Sooty Flycatcher 159. Dusky-blue Flycatcher 160. Pale Flycatcher Agricola 161. African Forest-Flycatcher 162. Grey-throated Tit-Flycatcher 163. Grey Tit-Flycatcher 164. Ashy Flycatcher 165. Yellow-eyed Black-Flycatcher 166. Northern Black-Flycatcher 167. White-eyed Slaty-Flycatcher | 168. White-browed Robin-Chat 169. Red-capped Robin-Chat 170. Snowy-crowned Robin-Chat 171. Brown-chested Alethe 172. Grey-winged Robin-Chat 173. Equatorial Akalat 174. Semi collared Flycatcher 175. Whinchat 176. African Stonechat 177. Sooty Chat 178. Silverbird 179. Fire-crested Alethe 180. Brown-backed Scrub-Robin 181. Red-backed Scrub-Robin |
A.xii. Family: Motacillidae
African Pied Wagtail
Physical appearance: Also called the African Wagtail, the African pied Wagtail is a dazzling species of bird in the family Motacillidae. It’s about 20cm long.
This is the only black-and-white wagtail in Africa showing a bold white eyebrow and wing panels plus a broad black throat patch. Juveniles are brownish.
Habitat: The African Wagtail mostly inhabits wet or flooded lowland grasslands, rivers, and, sometimes freshwater marshes.
It’s also spotted around humans for example, in towns and villages, usually in pairs or family groups.
Behavior and diet: They usually run on the ground foraging for insects, wagging their tail up and down in an amazing motion. Invertebrates, seeds, grass tadpoles, small fish and leftovers of human food can be eaten too.
Reproduction: This Wagtail is monogamous and usually starts breeding before the rains. However, its breeding goes into the rainy season. Their peak month is in March and October.
Females only incubate, normally 3-4 eggs in a cup-shaped nest lined with grass and feathers, normally sited near water. In settlements, the nest can be situated on buildings.
The African pied Wagtail is parasitized by the Red-chested Cuckoo and the Diederik Cuckoo.
Its chicks have been recorded as prey of Burchell’s Coucal
While bird watching in Kibale, it can be spotted within the Kanyanchu region and also possibly in the nearby Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary.
More Birds In Kibale National Park In Order Of Passeriformes, Family Motacillidae
183. Cape Wagtail 184. Mountain Wagtail 185. Western Yellow Wagtail 186. Richard’s Pipit | 187. African Pipit 188. Plain-backed Pipit 189. Yellow-throated Longclaw |
A.xiii. Family: Viduidae
Pin-tailed Whydah
General description: A Pin-tailed Whydah is a small gorgeous Songbird with an exclusive pennant-like tail in breeding males. Males are identified easily by their black backs and crown plus a very long black tail.
They’re about 12-13cm long. However, the breeding male’s tail adds more than 20cm to this.
Their wings are dark brown with white patches and have white underparts plus a short orange-pink bill.
Females have no long tail, they’ve streaked brown upperparts, white underparts with buff flanks, and a buff black face pattern. However, they hold an orange-pink bill.
Habitat: Usually, this Whydah is found in grasslands, scrubs, savannahs, and also possibly in gardens.
Diet: Seeds and grains make up the diet of this Whydah species.
Behavior: Males are territorial, having more than several females in the territory. During courtship, males normally have an amazing courtship display, involving hovering over the female, displaying the tail.
Reproduction: The Pin-tailed Whydah is a brood parasite, laying its eggs in the nests of Estrildid finches, specifically Waxbills. It normally adds 2-4 white eggs to those already present.
The nestling whydahs mimic the gape pattern of the fledglings of the host species.
On a Uganda birding trip in Kibale, this bird can be spotted in the nearby Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary.
The Other Kibale Bird In Order Passeriformes, Family Viduidae
191. Village Indigobird |
A.xiv. Family: Corvidae
Piapiac
General appearance: A Piapiac is a beautiful African bird and the sole member of the Ptilostomus genus.
This magnificently slim, magpie-like bird has a long, tapering tail and a big bill.
It’s approximately 42cm and can weigh about 121-130g.
Adults feature shining black plumage and heavy black bills, and legs plus a bluish-purple Irish with a bluish-purple outer ring.
Immatures hold black-tipped pink bills.
Habitats: Usually, they’re spotted in open savannas with palms, and in cultivated areas, though also possible in rural villages.
In most cases, they’re found perched on treetops, and in flocks roving on the backs of mammals.
Habits: These birds are mostly encountered in flocks of over 10 birds roaming on the ground. Sometimes can be found riding on the back of an animal as they catch their prey.
Diet: Normally, they feed on insects and other invertebrates. Fruits at times can be eaten counting the oil palm fruit as the favorite.
Breeding: Usually, 3-7 pale blue eggs with few brown marks are laid by the female Piapiac in a Palm tree. However, other nesting spots can be used also. Breeding normally takes place between March- April.
On a birding trip in Kibale Forest, this lovely bird can be spotted in the Kanyanchu area.
Other Birds Of Kibale National Park In Order Passeriformes, Family Corvidae
193. Pied Crow | 194. White-necked Raven |
A.xv. Family: Buphagidae
Yellow-billed Oxpecker
Physical description: A Yellow-billed Oxpecker is a beautiful passerine bird belonging to the Buphagidae family.
It’s about 20cm long.
It holds a pale rump, buff underparts, and brown upper parts and heads. Note the sturdy feet and the bill that is red at the tip and yellow at the base.
Though much similar to the Red-billed Oxpeckers, Red-billed Oxpeckers have red bills, a yellow eye wattle, plus a dark rump.
Ecology: Normally, small flocks occur in savannas and farmlands, where they find large wild ungulates and domestic stock to feed on.
Diet: The Yellow-billed Oxpeckers specifically eat insects and ticks. But, their favourite food is blood. They’ve been recorded pecking at the mammal’s wounds until blood flows out.
Whatever the consequences, mammals normally tolerate Oxpeckers.
In a day, an adult can take more than 100 ticks or 13,000 larvae.
Behavior: Their habit of perching on huge wild beasts like Buffalos and Antelopes and feeding on parasitic arthropods gives them their name “Oxpeckers”.
Reproduction: Generally, the Yellow-billed Oxpecker lays about 2-3 eggs, usually in tree holes lined with hair plucked from livestock.
Non-breeding birds usually perch on their host animals at night.
In Kibale national forest, this Oxpecker can be spotted within the Kanyanchu region on rare occasions.
A.xvi. Family: Sturnidae
Rüppell’s Starling
Physical appearance: A Ruppel’s Starling is also known as the Ruppel’s glossy Starling. It’s a glossy, dark Starling with a big and relatively long tail.
Despite its black appearance, this bird is purple with green wings and a maroon belly when viewed in good light.
It can be confused with the Long-tailed Glossy Starling. However, it’s differentiated by its shorter tail and more intense overall pattern of purple.
Habitat: This Starling is usually spotted on the ground in small flocks, often in moist savannahs, gardens, and woodlands.
While on a Uganda birding expedition in Kibale National Park, it’s hardly missed within the Kanyanchu region.
More Kibale National Park Birds In The Order Of Passeriformes, Family Sturnidae
197. Wattled Starling 198. Purple Starling 199. Sharpe’s Starling 200. Violet-backed Starling 201. Slender-billed Starling 202. Chestnut-winged Starling 203. Waller’s Starling | 204. Stuhlmann’s Starling 205. Purple-headed Starling 206. Splendid Starling 207. Lesser Blue-eared Starling 208. Greater Blue-eared Starling 209. Bronze-tailed Starling 210. Narrow-tailed Starling |
A.xvii. Family: Ploceidae
Slender-billed Weaver
General appearance: A Slender-billed Weaver is a beautiful small yellow Weaver (11cm long, approximately 10-16g), with an odd long and slender bill.
Breeding males have a clean black face mask and yellow underparts. Females have a clean, pale-yellow head, unlike other Weavers.
It’s confused with the Little Weaver. However, found in altered habitats, and has a much longer bill. Also, it’s separated from other weavers by its small size.
Ecology: It’s commonly found in wetlands and marches, usually in pairs or small groups and sometimes socializes with other weavers.
On your birding tour in Kibale, it can be spotted in the nearby Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary.
Brown-capped Weaver
Physical appearance: A Brown-capped Weaver is a scarce spectacular black and yellow Weaver belonging to the family of Ploceidae.
It is about 14cm long and weighs approximately 26- 30g.
Both sexes have a brilliant yellow patch on the back. However, males have brown-capped heads and females have blackheads.
Although resembles the Preuss’s and Yellow-capped Weavers, males can be distinguished by their brown caps, while females by the blackheads.
Habitat: This Weaver is generally found in tropical montane forests, usually spotted in pairs and small flocks.
They forage by creeping on tree limbs like a Nuthatch.
If lucky, this Weaver can be spotted within the Kanyanchu expanse in Kibale National Park.
Mores Uganda Birds In Kibale Park In Order Passeriformes, Family Ploceidae
213. Red-headed Malimbe 214. White-browed Sparrow-Weaver 215. Chestnut-crowned Sparrow-Weaver 216. Red-bellied Malimbe 217. Crested Malimbe 218. Baglafecht Weaver 219. Little Weaver 220. Black-necked Weaver 221. Spectacled Weaver 222. Black-billed Weaver 223. Strange Weaver 224. Holub’s Golden-Weaver 225. Northern Brown-throated Weaver 226. Lesser Masked-Weaver 227. Vitelline Masked-Weaver 228. Vieillot’s Black Weaver 229. Village Weaver 230. Weyns’s Weaver 231. Marsh Widowbird
| 232. Golden-backed Weaver 233. Yellow-mantled Weaver 234. Maxwell’s Black Weaver 235. Forest Weaver 236. Compact Weaver 237. Cardinal Quelea 238. Red-headed Quelea 239. Red-billed Quelea 240. Northern Red Bishop 241. Southern Red Bishop 242. Black-winged Bishop 243. Black Bishop 244. Yellow-crowned Bishop 245. Yellow Bishop 246. White-winged Widowbird 247. Yellow-mantled Widowbird 248. Red-collared Widowbird 249. Fan-tailed Widowbird 250. Grosbeak Weaver 251. Black-headed Weaver |
A.xvii. Family: Calyptomenidae
Below Is The Only Bird Of Kibale National Park In Order Passeriformes, Family Calyptomenidae
252. African Broadbill |
A.xviii. Family: Campephagidae
A Table Showing Birds Of Kibale In Order Passeriformes, Family Campephagidae
253. Gray Cuckooshrike Black Cuckooshrike 254. Petit’s Cuckooshrike | 255. Red-shouldered Cuckooshrike 256. Purple-throated Cuckooshrike |
A.ixx. Family: Oriolidae
Here are the Birds of Kibale National park in Order Passeriformes, Family Oriolidae
257. African Golden Oriole 258. Western Black-headed Oriole 259. African Black-headed Oriole | 260. Black-tailed Oriole 261. Black-winged Oriole |
A.xx. Family: Platysteiridae
Kibale National Park Birds in Order of Passeriformes, Family Platysteiridae
262. Brown-throated Wattle-eye 263. Black-throated Wattle-eye 264. Chestnut Wattle-eye | 265. Jameson’s Wattle-eye 266. Chinspot Batis 267. Western Black-headed Batis |
A.xxi. Family: Dicruridae
The Birds Of Kibale In Order Of Passeriformes, Family Dicruridae
268. Fork-tailed Drongo | 269. Velvet-mantled Drongo |
A.xxii. Family: Monarchidae
Kibale National Park Birds In Order Passeriformes, Family Monarchidae
270. Blue-headed Crested-Flycatcher 271. African Crested-Flycatcher | 272. Black-headed Paradise-Flycatcher 273. African Paradise-Flycatcher |
A.xxiii. Family: Laniidae
Kibale National Park Uganda Birds In Order Of Passeriformes, Family Laniidae
274. Red-backed Shrike 275. Isabelline Shrike 276. Lesser Gray Shrike 277. Grey-backed Fiscal | 278. Mackinnon’s Shrike 279. Northern Fiscal 280. Woodchat Shrike- Near-threatened 281. White-rumped Shrike |
A.xxiv. Family: Hyliotidae
Kibale National Forest Park Bird In Order Of Passeriformes, Family Hyliotidae
282. Yellow-bellied Hyliota |
A.xxv. Family: Paridae
Uganda Birds In Kibale National Park In Order Of Passeriformes, Family Paridae
283. Dusky Tit |
A.xxvi. Family: Remizidae
Kibale Forest Birds In Order Passeriformes, Family Remizidae
284. African Penduline-Tit |
A.xxvii. Family: Macrosphenidae
Birds Of Kibale Park In Order Of Passeriformes, Family Macrosphenidae
285. Green Crombec 286. White-browed Crombec 287. Northern Crombec 288. Red-faced Crombec 289. Moustached Grass-Warbler | 290. Yellow Longbill 291. Gray Longbill 292. Green Hylia 293. Tit-hylia |
A.xxviii. Family: Alaudidae
Birds In Kibale National Park In Order Of Passeriformes, Family Alaudidae
294. Rufous-napped Lark 295. Flappet Lark | 296. White-tailed Lark 297. Red-capped Lark |
A.xxix. Family: Acrocephalidae
Kibale National Park Birds In Order Of Passeriformes, Family Acrocephalidae
298. African Yellow-Warbler 299. Sedge Warbler 300. Common Reed Warbler | 301. Lesser Swamp Warbler 302. Greater Swamp Warbler |
A.xxx. Family: Locustellidae
Uganda Birds In Kibale National Park In Order Of Passeriformes, Family Locustellidae
303. Fan-tailed Grassbird 304. White-winged Swamp Warbler | 305. Highland Rush Warbler |
A.xxxi. Family: Hirundinidae
Uganda Birds In Kibale National Park In Order Passeriformes, Family Hirundinidae
306. Banded Martin 307. Rock Martin 308. Barn Swallow 309. Plain Martin 310. Bank Swallow 311. Angola Swallow 312. Wire-tailed Swallow 313. Red-rumped Swallow | 314. Lesser Striped Swallow 315. Rufous-chested Swallow 316. Mosque Swallow 317. Common House-Martin 318. White-headed Sawing 319. Black Sawwing 320. Gray-rumped Swallow |
A.xxxii. Family: Phylloscopidae
Kibale Birds In Order Of Passeriformes, Family Phylloscopidae
321. Wood Warbler 322. Willow Warbler | 323. Red-faced Woodland-Warbler 324. Uganda Woodland-Warbler |
A.xxxiii Family: Sylviidae
Uganda Birds In Kibale Park In Order Passeriformes, Family Sylviidae
325. Garden Warbler |
A.xxxiv Family: Zosteropidae
Kibale National Park Birds In Order Of Passeriformes, Family Zosteropidae
326. Green White-eye | 327. Northern Yellow White-eye |
A.xxxv. Family: Pellorneidae
Uganda Kibale National Park Birds In Order Passeriformes, Family Pellorneidae
328. Brown Illadopsis 329. Pale-breasted Illadopsis | 330. Scaly-breasted Illadopsis 331. Puvel’s Illadopsis |
A.xxxvi. Family: Leiothrichidae
Birds Of Kibale In Order Passeriformes, Family Leiothrichidae
332. Brown Babbler 333. Arrow-marked Babbler | 334. Black-lored Babbler
|
A.xxxvii. Family: Passeridae
Kibale Birds In Order Passeriformes, Family Leiothrichidae
335. House Sparrow Passer | 336. Northern Gray-headed Sparrow |
A.xxxviii. Family: Emberizidae
Uganda Birds Of Kibale In Order Passeriformes, Family Emberizidae
337. Golden-breasted Bunting | 338. Cinnamon-breasted Bunting |
B. Order: Musophagiformes
B.i. Family: Musophagidae
Great Blue Turaco
Physical description: Unquestionably, the Great Blue Turaco is one of the most beautiful birds in Uganda.
Its’ the largest Turaco species measuring about 70-76cm long, and weighing approximately 800-1,231g.
This Turaco is easier identified by its tall black crest, red and yellow bill, plus black bars at the end of the tail. It features a grey-blue upper part, a white chin, a yellow-green lower breast, and a yellow belly that darkens to chestnut brown posteriorly.
Habitat: Normally, this adorable Turaco is spotted in rainforests, lush secondary habitats and gallery forests. But, it can be found in areas around humans.
Behaviors: It’s highly social, normally spotted in groups of over 6-7 individuals.
Diet: Generally, it forages on leaves, flowers, plus fruits of numerous plant species.
Reproduction: The Great blue Turaco nests in tree canopies, usually above 8-25m from the ground using sticks.
Females usually lay 3-4 eggs and incubation is done by both sexes, taking about 29-31 days.
While bird watching in Kibale Forest, this lovely Turaco is most spotted in the nearby Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary. But, it’s also possible during Kanyanchu nature walks.
Black-billed Turaco
Physical description: The Black-billed Turaco is an adorable medium-sized green crested Turaco, 40cm long and weighs about 199- 272g.
Please note that adults are similar to the Green Turaco. But, are identified by their small all-black bill and rounded whitish crest.
Just like other Turacos, it also displays large crimson wing patches while in flight.
Habitat: This nice-looking Turaco is mostly found in the rainforest and gallery forest.
Behaviors: Normally, it acts like a typical Turaco, bouncing through trees, and flying occasionally with short bursts of wing beats and long slides.
Reproduction: Usually, females lay 2 eggs in branch platforms, around 3-5m above the ground. Both males and females share incubation duties.
It can be spotted during nature walks in the Kanyanchu area of Kibale National Park Uganda.
White-Crested Turaco
Physical appearance: A White-crested Turaco is a striking Turaco featuring a greenback and underparts.
Note its dark blue wings and a tail plus a prominent white head and a black spot over the eyes. Like all Turacos, it also displays crimson wing patches in flight.
It’s identified from other Turacos by its distinctive white crest.
Habitat: This magnificent Turaco mostly inhabits forests alongside rivers and woody savannahs, usually where there’re tangled masses of creepers.
It can also be spotted in hilly habitats up to an altitude of about 2,200m a.s.l.
Diet: The White-crested Turaco mostly forages on berries and fruits. However, flowers and invertebrates such as snails can be eaten too.
Reproduction: Their breeding season varies greatly across the range. It’s in April in Congo and August in Uganda, usually in a frail, saucer-shaped structure.
In Kibale National Park, it can be spotted within the Kanyanchu area though, on rare occasions.
Ross’s Turaco
A Ross’s Turaco is a stunning African bird belonging to the Musophagidae family.
Physical appearance: It’s a striking purple Turaco with a vivid yellow face and bill as well as a red crest. In flight, it displays vivid crimson wing patches.
This Turaco is about 15-18 inches and weighs less than one pound.
Habitat: Generally, it avoids forested areas therefore, they’re usually found on forest borders.
Diet: They mostly consume fruits, flowers, and seeds of both cultivated and wild plants. However, small insects like termites and snails can be opted for during the brooding season.
Behavior: Just like other Turaco, this Turaco also bounces through trees, flying occasionally with short bursts of wing beats and long slithers.
Reproduction: A Ross’s Turaco is monogamous. Females mostly lay 2-3 eggs and both sexes are responsible for incubation, lasting for about 25 days.
It’s considered a very sturdy bird capable of living about 8- 20 years. However, the life span can vary.
In Kibale Forest, this Turaco can be spotted within the Kanyanchu zone.
Bare-faced Go-away-bird
General appearance: The Bare-faced go-away bird is an extraordinary and uncommon grey Turaco, dubbed after its unusual bare black face.
It’s about 48cm long from beak to tail and weighs roughly 210-300g.
Its head and breast are white, and it has a bushy crest.
Note its naked black face, white collar, and lack of white wings towards the tail.
Although it resembles the White-bellied go-away-bird and the Eastern Plantain-eater, it can be distinguished.
Ecology: This bird is mostly found in open woodland, thickets and cultivation areas with scattered trees.
Behavior: Generally, it’s a noisy and restless bird species, which moves either singly or in groups. However, groups are common. Its call is a double or repetitive kow-kow.
In Kibale, this Turaco species can be spotted during nature walks in the nearby Bigodi wetland.
Eastern Plantain-eater
General appearance: The Eastern Plantain-eater is a common grey Turaco with a long tail and bushy crest. While in flight, its tail displays white sides, and its outer wings hold white bars.
This amazing Turaco is about 50cm long including a long tail and can weigh over 392-737g.
Though somewhat similar to the White-bellied go-away-bird, you can distinguish them apart by their darker bellies and yellowish bills.
Habitat: It’s commonly spotted in small groups, often in savanna habitats shrubby cultivation areas and also in open woodlands.
Commonly, they’re found in pairs or small loud and vocal small groups.
On your birding tour in Uganda Kibale NP, it’s rarely missed along the Kanyanchu trail and in the nearby Bigodi wetland.
C. Order: Coraciiformes
C.i. Family: Meropidae
Black Bee-eater
Physical appearance: A Black Bee-eater is a beautiful species of bird in the Meropidae family. This fine-looking little bee-eater (about 20cm long) mostly dwells at the edges of rainforests and in secondary woodlands.
It appears entirely black from a distance. Yet in good light, it features a scarlet throat.
Note its blue eyebrow, blue belly, blue undertail, and chest spots.
Habitat: This Bee-eater can be found in the forest however, also possible along the forest edges.
While birding in Kibale National Park, this Bee-eater can be spotted along the Kanyanchu trail.
Blue-Headed Bee-Eater
Physical appearance: A Blue-headed Bee-eater is a little colourful bird species (about 19cm long) in the family Meropidae.
This spectacular bee-eater is easily identified by its dark brown back and wings. The remaining parts are mostly ultramarine blue counting the bluish to blue-purple head.
They have a scarlet chin and upper throat with a black margin. In the poor light in the interior of the forest, it can be confused with the black bee-eater.
Ecology: It’s typically an Albertine rift endemic bird.
Often found in the forest interior and along forest edges perched high in the canopy beside tracks and clearings. Usually, spotted singly, though at times in pairs and triads.
Diet: It commonly dives down for honeybees, small butterflies plus other insects before returning to its original perch.
In Kibale, this Bee-eater can be spotted along the Kanyanchu Chimpanzee Trail if lucky.
Cinnamon-chested Bee-eater
Physical description: A Cinnamon-chested Bee-eater is a medium-sized gorgeous bird (about 22cm long and weighs over 17-38g) with beautiful rufous underparts.
This Bee-eater has a green head, upper body, and tail, with a yellow throat and chin, divided from the cinnamon-brown breast by a black strike.
When viewed from the front, their blackish tail has a white tip and a yellow base.
It can be confused with the Little and Blue-breasted Bee-eaters. However, it’s much bigger and richly coloured below.
Habitat: These birds live in highlands ranging from 1,800-2,300m a.s.l. However, they can be found in woodlands, forest edges, clearings, and gardens.
Most times, they’re spotted resting high in open areas in small flocks.
Diet: Their diet normally comprises honeybees though moths, butterflies, dragonflies, beetles, and other flying insects are eaten also.
On your Uganda birding safari in Kibale, it can be spotted within the Kanyanchu area.
Little Bee-eater
General appearance: The Little Bee-eater is a charming Passerine bird species in the Meropidae family.
It’s about 15-17cm long thus, the smallest African Bee-eater.
Like all Bee-eaters, this slim bird has an adorable colouring, easily recognized by its black gorget and yellow throat.
This bird has a rich brown upper breast that turns yellowish-brown on the belly and green upper sections. Its bill is black, and its wings are green and brown.
Ecology and Diet: Usually, they breed in open areas with bushes, mostly near water. Unlike several Bee-eaters, these are solitary nesters, making tunnels in sand banks, or at times in the entrance to Aardvark dens.
In most times, they’re spotted resting communally, lined up on a tree branch.
Diet: Just like its name suggests, it eats bees. However, wasps and hornets are also caught in the air from the open perch. Before enjoying its catch, it normally removes the sting by repetitive hitting the insect on a hard surface.
Reproduction: They lay 4-6 white eggs and both sexes take care of the eggs.
On your birding safari in Kibale, these birds are rarely missed during nature walks in the neighbouring Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary.
Other Birds In Kibale National Park In Order Coraciiformes, Family Meropidae
349. Red-throated Bee-eater 350. Blue-breasted Bee-eater 351. European Bee-eater 352. Swallow-tailed Bee-eater | 353. White-throated Bee-eater 354. Blue-cheeked Bee-eater 355. Madagascar Bee-eater |
C.ii. Family: Coraciidae
Broad-billed Roller
Physical appearance: A Broad-billed Roller is a magnificent little, dark rufous-cinnamon roller with a bright yellow bill.
It’s about 29-30cm in length.
This bird has a small Falcon-like appearance when flying, but take note of its rolling movement.
Habitat: Normally, it dwells in savannas, broadleaved woodlands, riverine forests, and on the borders of rainforests. Mostly spotted in pairs sitting on tall bare snags preferably near water.
Behavior and diet: These Rollers are inactive most of the day, apart from chasing intruders. In the late afternoon, they hunt for swarming ants and termites on which they feed at times in groups of 100 individuals.
Broad-billed Rollers drink like Swallows, dipping their beaks into the water.
Reproduction: They lay about 2-3 eggs usually in an unlined hole in a tree cavity.
While bird watching in Kibale National Park, this lovely bird can be spotted within the Kanyanchu area.
Blue-throated Roller
General description: The Blue-Throated Roller is a large-billed Roller measuring about 25cm in length and about 82-117.5g weight on average.
This stunning Roller has a chestnut brown body, a bright blue neck patch, a rich yellow bill, a blue tail, and purple-blue wings.
Although it can be mistaken for the Broad-Billed Roller, its blue throat and darker body help to distinguish it.
Habitat: This Roller enjoys resting on branches in the canopy of primary and secondary rainforests plus gallery forests. Most of the time, they enjoy clearings, riversides and enormous emergent trees.
Behavior and diet: The Blue-throated Roller often sits for long periods in the canopy or a tree branch overlooking the clearing.
When active, this Roller hawks for insects in the air acrobatically and violently defends its territory from other bird species.
Usually, in the evenings, these birds gather in small flocks, to feed on ants and termites which emerge after rainfall.
One roller can eat over 700 insects weighing 40g.
Reproduction: Usually, this Roller lays about 2-3 eggs in the unlined cavity of a tree trunk. Their nest is generally set about 10m up the trunk of a tree on the edge of a clearing.
While bird watching in Kibale Forest, this Roller can be encountered during nature walks in the Kanyanchu region.
The Other Birds In Kibale Forest In Order Coraciiformes, Family Coraciidae
358. Lilac-breasted Roller | 359. European Roller |
C.iii. Family: Alcedinidae
Malachite Kingfisher
Physical description: A Malachite Kingfisher is a colourful tiny Kingfisher about 13cm in length. This colourful bird has a small black crest and brilliant blue upper parts, but its bright orange underparts stand out.
Note its vivid red legs, the reddish-orange bill, and the white patches on the throat and sides of the back of the neck.
Habitat: The majority of sightings of this species occur in wet environments like lakes, rivers, streams, and rice paddies.
Behaviors: It often pauses for a considerable amount of time before diving into the water to clutch its prey. In most cases, it drops swiftly with a splash and often returns at once with a struggling captive.
Diet: Mostly small fish, crustaceans and insects are taken. Fish is usually lifted and carried by its middle. However, its position is changed, at times by tossing it into the air, before its swallowed head downwards.
Reproduction: This bird usually lays 3-4 eggs in a tunnel of the sand bank over water.
In Kibale national forest, this bird is rarely missed while on nature walks in the nearby Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary.
Pied Kingfisher
Physical description: A Pied Kingfisher is a gorgeous species of Kingfisher (25cm long) easily identified by its black and white striped plumage. Note also its small bushy crest, and a silky dark bill.
While females have a single gorget that’s typically broken in the middle, males have two bands across their breasts.
Habitation: This Kingfisher can be seen in a variety of habitats, especially near water, mostly spotted in pairs or small groups.
Behavior: It mostly hunts by hovering over the water to detect prey, before diving vertically to capture it.
Diet: Fish is its main diet. However, crustaceans and big aquatic insects like dragonfly larvae are eaten also.
Reproduction: Usually, they breed in February- April, laying 3-6 white eggs in a tunnel excavated in a vertical mud bank about 5ft above the water.
In Kibale Uganda, this bird can be spotted during guided nature walks in the nearby Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary.
Giant Kingfisher
Physical appearance: The Giant Kingfisher is the largest species of Kingfishers in Africa measuring about 42-46cm long.
It’s easily unmistakable due to its distinctive huge, bushy crest, a big dark beak, and tiny white patches on the black upper parts.
Females have a black breast band with white spots and a chestnut belly while males have a chestnut breast band.
Habitat: They’re often seen in pairs around freshwater areas like rivers, lakes, and swamps.
Diet: Forages mostly on fish, crabs & frogs. Most are caught by diving from a perch.
Reproduction: Giant Kingfishers are monogamous and solitary breeders. Usually, they nest along River banks a long horizontal tunnel of about 2m long. It’s excavated by both sexes using their feet and bills.
This bird can be spotted during nature walks in the nearby Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary.
Blue-Breasted Kingfisher
Physical appearance: A Blue-breasted Kingfisher is a relatively large colourful tree Kingfisher, about 25cm long.
Its prominent feature is the blue-breasted chest. Mature ones have a bright blue head, back, wing panel and tail and white underparts plus black shoulders.
Their large bill features a red upper and black lower mandible. Please, also note their bright red legs.
Territory: Usually, it’s found in rainforests, gallery forests, and thick woodlands, often in the mid-story and sub canopy.
Behavior: This Kingfisher roosts quietly in deep shade while seeking food. It’s territorial, however, wary and usually detected by voice.
Nutrition: It mostly hunts large insects, fish, frogs, and arthropods. But, can also eat the fruit of the oil palm.
Reproduction: Usually, their nest is a hole in a tree termite nest where females lay 2 white eggs.
It can be mistaken with the Woodland Kingfisher. However, the Blue-breasted Kingfisher is larger, has a black patch on the back, blue breasts, a black line behind the eye, and prefers thicker habitats.
It can be spotted along the Kanyanchu chimp trail.
Woodland Kingfisher
Physical description: A Woodland Kingfisher is a magnificent electric-blue-backed Kingfisher having a bicoloured beak that’s red above and black below.
It’s a medium-sized Kingfisher, about 23cm in length.
Excluding the Blue-breasted Kingfisher, which has a pale-blue breast band and prefers thicker rainforests, the majority of Kingfishers in Africa have consistent red to orange bills.
Habitat: Though it’s a “Kingfisher”, it mostly prefers drier habitats, though can be spotted along riverine forests, and forest edges.
Behavior: It’s usually solitary however, can be spotted in small groups sometimes.
Diet: Usually, this Kingfisher hunts from an exposed perch, mostly on dead tree branches. However, it’s possible also in a semi-shade.
Reproduction: It lays about 3 white eggs, usually in tree holes excavated by Woodpeckers or Barbets. Both sexes care for the juveniles for about 5 weeks after leaving the nest.
While bird watching in Uganda Kibale National Park, this bird can be spotted within the Kanyanchu area.
Grey-headed Kingfisher
Physical appearance: A Grey-headed Kingfisher is a nice-looking medium-sized Kingfisher having a chestnut belly, an ashy-grey head and breasts. Note its sapphire blue tail, flight fluffs and sharp crimson bill.
Ecology: This Kingfisher is commonly spotted in dry and damp woodlands, particularly near water, usually solitary or in pairs. Unlike other Kingfishers, the Grey-headed Kingfisher is not aquatic.
Habits: It’s seen commonly perched on branches, immobile for long periods while watching the ground for insects and small lizards, bobbing head before diving on prey.
Reproduction: Females usually lay 2 eggs in tunnels (nets) constructed on the cliffs of river banks. Aggressively, they protect their nests by repeated dive-bombing of foraging monitor lizards. It’s parasitized by the Greater Honeyguide.
During your birding tour in Kibale, it can be spotted in the Kanyanchu region and also possibly in the nearby Bigodi wetland.
Chocolate-backed Kingfisher
A Chocolate-backed Kingfisher is a spectacular ventriloquial forest Kingfisher that’s more frequently heard than seen. This bird spends most of its time perched in the subcanopy.
Physical description: The most prominent feature of this bird is its blood-red bill, white underparts, chocolate-brown upperparts, and vivid blue wing patches and tail.
Ecology: This Kingfisher is usually spotted in the primary and secondary lowland rain forests. It’s not associated with water.
Behavior: The Chocolate-backed Kingfisher often spends much of its time perched up in trees overlooking a clearing. It frequently flies from the perch to catch its prey in the air or drops from the roost onto the prey on the ground.
Usually, they construct their nests in the earth nests of the arboreal termites, about 4-5m above the forest floor.
Diet: Insects such as grasshoppers and beetles are mostly eaten. However, numerous invertebrates plus small lizards are taken also.
Though this Kingfisher is rarely spotted in Kibale National Park, it can be spotted within the Kanyanchu area, if lucky.
Other Kibale National Park Birds In Order Coraciiformes, Family Alcedinidae
367. Shining-blue Kingfisher 368. White-bellied Kingfisher 369. African Pygmy Kingfisher | 370. African Dwarf Kingfisher 371. Striped Kingfisher |
B. Order: Galliformes
D.i. Family: Phasianidae
Nahan’s Francolin– endangered
Also called the Nahan’s Partridge, the Nahan’s Francolin is an unusual Francolin endemic to Kibale National Park.
General appearance: This lovely Francolin is small (about 25cm in length) and very dark, with a thick tail that’s commonly skewed up.
In light, it reveals red legs, red bare skin around the eyes, and bright white markings on the breast and neck.
It looks like Latham’s Francolin. However, identified by its partly red bill, red bare facial skin, and red rather than yellow legs.
Also, similar to the Scaly Francolin. However, smaller with red bare facial skin and bright white markings below.
Habitat: The Nahan’s Francolin is mostly terrestrial, usually spotted in pairs or small groups on the ground of rainforest.
On your birding trip in Uganda Kibale national park, it can be spotted along the Kanyanchu chimp trail.
More Birds In Kibale Park In Order Galliformes, Family Phasianidae
373. Crested Francolin 374. Ring-necked Francolin 375. Scaly Spurfowl | 376. Heuglin’s Spurfowl 377. Red-necked Spurfowl
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D.ii. Family: Numididae
Helmeted Guineafowl
Physical appearance: A Helmeted Guinea Fowl is a stunning slaty-grey bird with a small head and a huge round body.
This Guinea fowl is about 53-58cm long and can weigh approximately 1.3kg.
It’s perfectly clothed in a grey-black plumage with white streaks. Just like other Guinea fowls, this bird has a bare head skin decorated in red, blue, or black color.
Note its lovely dull yellow or reddish bony casque on the bare head.
The relatively similar Crested Guinea fowl is easily identified from this Fowl due to its darker coloring and a crest on top of its head.
Ecology: Usually, they are spotted in fairly dry and open habitations with scattered shrubs and trees, especially in savannas or farmlands.
Behavior: Helmeted Guinea fowls are highly social species, often found in flocks ranging over 25 individuals. They’re mostly terrestrial and normally run rather than fly when alarmed.
Diet: Generally, their diet comprises plant and animal foods. In non- breeding season, they consume seeds, tubers, and corn, specifically of agricultural weeds, and those from various agricultural crop spillages.
In breeding season, 80% of their diet consists of invertebrates, mostly arthropods like beetles.
Reproduction: Normally, females lay 6-12 eggs and the incubation can take about 26-28 days most common in the summer season.
Holding other factors constant, this Guinea fowl can live for about 12 years in the wild.
In Kibale National Park, this fowl can be spotted during Kanyanyu walks, if lucky.
The Other Bird In Kibale Forest In Order Of Galliformes, Family Numididae
379. Crested Guineafowl |
D.iii. Family: Odontophoridae
Kibale Birds In Order Galliformes, Family Odontophoridae
380. Nahan’s Partridge |
E. Order: Gruiformes
E.i. Family: Gruidae
Grey Crowned-Crane- Endangered
A Grey crowned-Crane is also called the Golden Crested Crane, the national bird of Uganda.
General appearance: It’s about 1m tall, and can weigh over 3.5kg. Its wingspan is over 2m and its body plumage is mostly grey.
This beautiful bird of Uganda holds a dazzling black-and-white face, a vibrant red throat pouch, and a crown of golden-yellow plumes.
They can be confused with the Black Crowned-Crane which has a slaty-grey coloration, smaller red facial wattles, plus red-and-white cheek patches.
Ecology: These birds can be spotted singly or in pairs and also in flocks usually, in flooded grasslands, wetlands and marshes.
Diet: They’re primarily omnivores feeding on grains, insects, frogs, worms, snakes, small fish and the eggs of aquatic animals.
Behavior: These spectacular birds have an amazing breeding display which involves dancing, bowing, and jumping. Both sexes dance, and normally infants join the adults.
Dancing is an integral part of courtship. However, it can be done all time of the year.
Reproduction: They breed all year round, but most frequently in the dry season. Usually, females lay 2-5 glossy, dirty-white eggs. Incubation is done by both sexes taking about 28-31 days.
On a Uganda birding tour in Kibale, this bird can be spotted in the nearby Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary.
F. Order: Accipitriformes
F.i. Family: Accipitridae
Crowned Eagle– Near-threatened
Physical appearance: Also called the African Crowned Eagle (Crowned Hawk-Eagle). The Crowned Eagle is a large boldly-marked crested Eagle having a long tail and broad wings, resembling a massive Goshawk.
It weighs over 3-4kg on average and can reach 80- 99cm in length, thus, ranking the 5th longest extant eagle in the world.
Adults have barred black-and-white underparts plus a variable rufous wash across the breast. Pale immatures have a creamy-tan underwing.
Habitat and diet: It’s usually found in thicker woodlands and river riverine forests hunting small mammals like monkeys and other vertebrates.
Reproduction: This eagle holds the most prolonged breeding cycles of any bird. They breed once (usually a pair) every after 2 years.
In Kibale Forest, this Eagle can be spotted in the sky or resting in trees in the Kanyanchu area.
The Other Birds In Kibale National Forest In The Order Of Accipitriformes, Family Accipitridae
383. Long-crested Eagle 384. Martial Eagle- Endangered 385. Tawny Eagle- Vulnerable 386. Black-winged Kite 387. African Fish-Eagle 388. Brown Snake-Eagle 389. Banded Snake-Eagle 390. Palm-nut Vulture 391. African Harrier-Hawk 392. European Honey-buzzard 393. African Cuckoo-Hawk 394. White-headed Vulture- Critically endangered 395. Hooded Vulture- Critically endangered 396. White-backed Vulture- Critically endangered 397. Rüppell’s Griffon- Critically endangered 398. Bateleur- Endangered 399. Black-chested Snake-Eagle 400. Booted Eagle 401. Wahlberg’s Eagle | 402. Ayres’s Hawk-Eagle 403. Cassin’s Hawk-Eagle 404. African Hawk-Eagle 405. Lizard Buzzard 406. Dark Chanting-Goshawk 407. Gabar Goshawk 408. Grasshopper Buzzard 409. Eurasian Marsh-Harrier 410. African Marsh-Harrier 411. Montagu’s Harrier 412. African Goshawk 413. Shikra 414. Little Sparrowhawk 415. Rufous-breasted Sparrowhawk 416. Black Goshawk 417. Black Kite 418. Common Buzzard 419. Mountain Buzzard- Near-threatened 420. Augur Buzzard 421. Bat Hawk
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G. Order: Piciformes
G.i. Family: Lybiidae
Yellow-billed Barbet
General appearance: The Yellow-billed Barbet is a colorful bird species in the Lybiidae family.
Its distinct feature is the bright yellow bill.
This Barbet features a dark head, back, and tail, plus a vivid yellow belly.
Due to geographical variations, the throat of some species can vary from dark blue-purple to lavender depending on the subspecies.
Ecology: This Barbet can be spotted in the forest and also along the edges of the forest.
On your birding Uganda safari in the Kibale, you can spot it within the Kanyanchu expanse.
Double-toothed Barbet
Physical appearance: A Double-toothed Barbet is a colorful bird species in the family Lybiidae. This colorful Barbet is easily identified by its black and red colouring.
Note the huge ivory-colored bill and yellow skin around the eyes.
This Barbet is black on the top side of its body with a patch of white feathers on its back. Its breast is red, with a white patch on its side.
It can be confused with the Bearded Barbet, however, identified by the lack of a black chest band. Also, distinguished from the almost similar Black-breasted Barbet by the red rather than black chest.
Habitat and diet: Generally, it’s found in the understory of a dense forest. However, sometimes can be seen on the edges of the woods, riparian forests, and secondary forests. Some may even visit gardens and forage for fruits and insects like ants and termites.
Usually, they’re found in pairs or small groups.
Reproduction: Females breed all year round and usually lay about 2-4 white eggs. The hatching takes about 13 days.
Though similar to the Black-breasted Barbet, the Double-toothed Barbet features a red chest.
This Barbet can be spotted within the Kanyanchu area and also possibly in the nearby Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary.
Yellow-spotted Barbet
A Yellow-spotted Barbet is a spectacular medium-sized Barbet, truly unmistakable.
General description: It’s mostly black with a red patch on the forehead, and a pale yellow strip behind the eye.
Note its heavy yellow streaks on the back and belly.
Somehow similar to the Hairy-breasted Barbet. But, it’s smaller with a smaller bill and a red forehead.
Habitat: Usually, it’s found at low and middle elevations in humid forests.
In Kibale forest Uganda, it can be spotted during Kanyanchu nature walks.
Red-fronted Barbet
General appearance: A Red-fronted Barbet is medium-sized, colourful, black-and-white barbet.
Its white eyebrow and breast, as well as the vivid red patch above its bill, make this gorgeous bird easy to recognize.
There’s no red spot above the bill on young birds. Geographically, the underpart spot differs.
Though a bit similar to the Spot-flanked and Black-throated Barbets, it lacks a black throat patch.
Ecology: This bird is frequently seen in savannas and dry woods.
On your Uganda birding expedition in the Kibale Forest, it can be encountered within the Kanyanchu region.
Yellow-rumped Tinkerbird
Physical appearance: The Yellow-rumped Tinkerbird is a small beautiful black-and-white Barbet in the family Lybiidae.
This bird is identified by its bold white stripes on the face and a yellow to gold rump which varies geographically.
Though similar to the Yellow-throated Tinkerbird, its facial marking is white-not yellow and lacks a yellow throat.
Habitat: Normally, it’s found in forests and thick woodlands.
On your birding safari in Uganda Kibale National Park, you can spot it in the Kanyanchu area.
Red-rumped Tinkerbird
Habitat: A Red-rumped Tinkerbird is a small Barbet found mostly in forests and forest edges.
Physical appearance: Generally, it appears larger compared to other Tinkerbirds. It features yellow underparts, a yellowish moustache, and black top parts that contrast with the yellow wing feather edges.
This bird’s rump is bright red when viewed from the appropriate angle.
This beautiful Tinkerbird can be mistaken as a Yellow-rumped and Yellow-throated Tinkerbird. However, can be distinguished by its more yellowish underparts and bright red rump.
Ecology: Though it usually lives in tree canopies, it can occasionally be seen lower, down near the ground in thick vegetation.
On your Uganda birding tours in Kibale Forest, it can be spotted within the Kanyanchu area.
Yellow-throated Tinkerbird
Physical appearance: A Yellow-throated Tinkerbird is a lovely tiny Barbet. Regardless of its name, the golden throat is not often visible.
This bird has black upperparts and creamy under parts, along with a noticeable white moustache.
It holds a tiny golden rump when viewed from above. Note that western species can exhibit a yellowish throat.
This bird can be confused with the Yellow-rumped or Red-rumped Tinkerbird. Though, among the western species, it can be distinguished by its bicoloured appearance and yellowish throat.
Habitat: Frequently seen in woodlands and around forest margins.
In Kibale Forest, it can be spotted during nature walks within the Kanyanchu area.
Yellow-fronted Tinkerbird
Physical description: The Yellow-fronted Tinkerbird is a little Barbet (about 11cm long) with a noticeable yellow-gold patch on the forehead.
It has lemon-coloured underparts and extensively speckled and marbled upper parts.
The Red-fronted Tinkerbird, which sports a vivid red “not a yellow-gold” forehead patch, might be mistaken for this bird.
Habitat: These birds are typically seen in pairs in broadleaved woodlands, montane forests, and dry savannas, generally in fruiting trees.
Diet: Their diet consists of insects and fruits. Normally, Mistletoe fruits are swallowed whole.
Reproduction: This Tinkerbird often lays 2-3 matt white eggs in a nest, usually dug in a dead tree branch, 2-5m from the ground. Both parents take care of the juveniles.
The nests usually don’t survive a season and may be taken by larger species of Barbet.
While birding in Uganda Kibale National Park, this bird can be spotted in the Kanyanchu area.
Red-Faced Barbet- Near-threatened
General appearance: The Red-Faced Barbet is typically a black Barbet having a distinctive crimson face. Also, take note of the white border at the wing’s base.
It’s one of the smaller Lybius species, about 17cm in length.
Although it resembles the Black-billed Barbet, they don’t share the same range and lack the redneck and white margins on the top of the wing.
Habitat: This bird is commonly spotted in pairs or small groups and can be found in woodlands, cultivated areas, and gallery forests.
On a birding safari in Uganda’s Kibale national forest, this gorgeous bird can be spotted along the Kanyanchu chimp trail.
White-headed Barbet
General appearance: A White-headed Barbet is a spectacular medium-sized black and white Barbet of the Lybiidae family.
It’s the largest species in the genus, about 18-19.5cm long.
Its wings may be fully black or highly white-spotted. The underparts may be entirely white or all-black with tiny white stripes. Both black and white are possible for its tail.
Habitat: This Barbet can be spotted in open savannas and lush forests close to water, mostly seen in fig trees, usually in small groups.
In Kibale Uganda, you can encounter it during nature walks within the Kanyanchu region.
Black-billed Barbet
General appearance: A Black-billed Barbet is a lovely member of the Lybiidae family. It’s a small, black Barbet with a recognizable redhead.
If you look closely, you can see the pale borders on the wing feathers of this bird.
This bird resembles the Red-faced Barbet. However, their range differs, and you can tell the difference by the more widespread red on its head.
Habitat: It’s often found in pairs or small flocks in woodlands, scrubs, and areas of intermediate elevation with fruiting trees.
In most cases, they live in pairs or small groups of up to 7 individuals.
Diet: Its diet typically consists of fruits like guavas, figs, papaya and several berries. They can also eat insects such as ants, termites and beetles.
This Barbet in Kibale can be spotted during nature walks in the Kanyanchu region.
Speckled Tinkerbird
The Speckled Tinkerbird is a large-billed Tinkerbird inhabiting woodlands and forest margins.
Physical appearance: It has olive green above and yellow green below, with scalloped top parts and speckled underparts.
This Tinkerbird is distinct from the others because it lacks prominent facial markings.
This bird can be encountered during guided nature walks within the Kanyanchu area.
Other Birds In Kibale National Park In the Order Of Piciformes, Family Lybiidae
434. Red-fronted Tinkerbird 435. Grey-throated Barbet | 436. Hairy-breasted Barbet 437. Spot-flanked Barbet |
H. Order: Piciformes
H.i. Family: Picidae
Brown-eared Woodpecker
The Brown-eared Woodpecker is an attractive bird species in the family Picidae.
Physical appearance: This Woodpecker has dark olive green upperparts and a glossy-brown ear patch. Its underparts are heavily marked with yellowish spots.
Only males have a small red patch on the back of the head.
More similar to the Buff-spotted Woodpecker but, identified by its glossy-brown ear patch.
Habitat: Generally, this Woodpecker is native to the African tropical rainforest with hanging lianas and thick regrowth. It can also be found in riverine forests, and plantations, and also possibly in open locations with grassy woodlands.
Diet: Normally it’s a somewhat shy bird, and forages for ants and other small invertebrates in the vines and understory.
In Kibale Forest, this Woodpecker can be spotted during nature walks along the Kanyanchu chimp trail.
More Kibale National Park Birds In Order Of Piciformes, Family Picidae
439. Cardinal Woodpecker 440. Bearded Woodpecker 441. Nubian Woodpecker 442. Olive Woodpecker Rufous-necked Wryneck 443. Elliot’s Woodpecker
| 444. Brown-backed Woodpecker 445. African Grey Woodpecker 446. Buff-spotted Woodpecker 447. Tullberg’s Woodpecker 448. Golden-tailed Woodpecker 449. Speckle-breasted Woodpecker 450. Golden-crowned Woodpecker |
H.ii. Family: Indicatoridae
Kibale National Park Birds In Order Piciformes, Family Indicatoridae
451. Cassin’s Honeyguide 452. Wahlberg’s Honeyguide 453. Zenker’s Honeyguide 454. Dwarf Honeyguide 455. Willcocks’s Honeyguide Indicator | 456. Least Honeyguide 457. Lesser Honeyguide 458. Scaly-throated Honeyguide 459. Greater Honeyguide
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I. Order: Psittaciformes
I.i. Family: Psittacidae
African Grey Parrot
Also called the Congo Grey Parrot (Congo African Grey Parrot) or simply a Grey parrot.
General body appearance: An African Grey Parrot is a beautiful unmistakable grey Parrot with a white face and red tail. The tail is bright red in most of the species, but brick red in the western species.
This Parrot is about 33cm long and can weigh over 400g.
Habitation: The Grey Parrot mostly dwells in dense forests. However, it can be spotted on forest edges and in open vegetation like savanna and gallery forests. Usually, found in pairs or small groups.
Diet: Basically, the African Grey Parrot is frugivorous. However, they can eat nuts, flowers, seeds, tree bark and insect-like snails.
In the wild, the Grey Parrots partly forage on the ground. Those in captivity commonly feed on bird pellets, various fruits including Pear, Orange, Apple, and Banana, plus vegetables counting Carrots.
Behaviour: Little is known about the behaviour of these Parrots in the world. However, it’s said that they can imitate various sounds they hear like their relatives in captivity.
Reproduction: Usually, they start breeding at an age of 3-5 years, laying 3-5 eggs, and taking 30 days to hatch.
While in captivity, this Parrot can live for over 40-60 years. But those in the wild have a shorter span of about 23 yrs.
You can spot them within the Kanyanchu area.
More Kibale National Park Birds In Order Of Psittaciformes, Family Psittacidae
461. Brown-necked Parrot | 462. Meyer’s Parrot |
J. Order: Columbiformes
J.i. Family: Columbidae
Afep Pigeon
Also called the African Wood Pigeon (Grey Wood Pigeon). An Afep Pigeon is a spectacular Pigeon of the family Columbidae.
Physical description: This adorable Pigeon is about 35-36cm long and weighs over 356- 490g.
It’s generally a grey Pigeon, having a grey neck and body, with darker grey wings and tail. Its throat and belly are white while the breast is buff-pink. Note also its red bare skin around the eyes.
Habitat: Generally, it’s found in the equatorial forest, spotted singly or in small flocks resting on dead trees in the Kanyanchu region.
Diet: An Afep Pigeon commonly feeds on grain and seeds.
Reproduction: This spectacular Pigeon usually breeds in the 2nd half of the dry season. Usually, it lays about 1-3 eggs which take about 14-18 days to incubate. Both sexes help raise the chicks.
Juveniles often live for 20-25 days in the nest after hatching.
White-naped Pigeon- Near-threatened
General appearance: The White-naped Pigeon is a beautiful species of bird in the family Columbidae. It’s a lovely dark maroon-grey pigeon with a hind crown and nape that are white in males and grey in females.
While at a close distance, its bill has a black base with a red-yellow tip, and the legs are reddish-purple.
Ecology: The White-napped Pigeon is a scarce resident. Typically, it’s found in pairs or small flocks in the canopy of low-lying and sub-montane forests in the Albertine Rift.
While birding in Kibale National Park, this adorable Pigeon can be spotted in the Kanyanchu area, if lucky.
African Green-Pigeon
An African Green Pigeon is a beautiful species of bird in the family Columbidae.
General appearance: Adults have maroon patches on top of their wings and the juveniles have olive colour.
Their upper parts are greyish-green to yellowish-green and have yellow thighs. The bill and feet of the African green pigeon are red with the bill having a white tip.
Habitat: Typically, the African Green-Pigeon prefers riparian forests, woodlands and savannas. Most times, nomadic groups are found congregating in fruiting trees, especially wild figs.
Behaviors: Just like other species in their Genus, they also spend the most time in tree canopies. Their incredible Parrot-like climbing ability enables them to reach every fruit.
When frightened, they normally explode from the tree and fly swiftly and directly.
Reproduction: In most cases, this Pigeon nests 1-2 eggs often in a tree branch offering an adequate vantage point of their surrounding area. Incubation usually takes about 13-14 days to hatch.
On your birding safari in Uganda Kibale National park, this Pigeon can be spotted in fig trees along the Kanyanchu area.
Rameron Pigeon
The African Olive Pigeon is also called the Rameron Pigeon.
Physical description: A Rameron Pigeon is a large Pigeon, about 37-42cm long and can weigh over 300-450g.
It’s an attractive, dark Pigeon featuring maroon upper parts and densely speckled shoulders with white spots.
The underparts also have maroon with white specks. Note its grey head, bright yellow eye ring, bill, and feet.
Its bright yellow bare parts distinguish it from other Pigeons.
Habitat: This adorable Pigeon is found in cool and moist forest canopies usually, above 1,400m a.s.l. However, locally it occurs as low as 700m altitudes.
It’s mostly found in small flocks, usually close to fruiting trees in forests, woodlands, and plantations.
Diet: Most of the time, the African Olive Pigeon feeds on fruits and berries in the canopy. Nonetheless, it can also descend for fallen fruits and even take some insects and caterpillars.
Behavior: Males have an amazing display in flight which comprises a climb, wing clapping, and slow glide down.
Reproduction: This Pigeon normally lays one (infrequently 2) white eggs in a large stick nest, set over 15m high in a tree. Their incubation usually takes approximately 17-20 days to hatch.
On your Uganda birding tour in Kibale Forest, the Rameron Pigeon is rarely missed within the Kanyanchu region.
More Kibale Bird Species In Order Of Columbiformes, Family Columbidae
467. Speckled Pigeon 468. Bronze-napped Pigeon 469. Bruce’s Green-Pigeon 470. Lemon Dove 471. Mourning Collared-Dove 472. Red-eyed Dove 473. Ring-necked Dove | 474. Vinaceous Dove 475. Laughing Dove 476. Emerald-spotted Wood-Dove 477. Black-billed Wood-Dove 478. Blue-spotted Wood-Dove 479. Tambourine Dove |
K. Order: Cuculiformes
K.i. Family: Cuculidae
African Emerald Cuckoo
General appearance: The African Emerald Cuckoo is a colorful species of Cuckoo native to Africa. They’re sexually dimorphic.
Males have a vivid green back and head with yellow breasts. Females are striped green and brown on their backs and green and white on their breasts.
Habitat: Emerald Cuckoos are mainly found in moist forests foraging in the middle and top layers of the canopy.
Diet: This Cuckoo’s diet consists mainly of fruits. However, it can be supplemented by insects like caterpillars and ants.
Reproduction: Just like most Cuckoos, the African Emerald Cuckoo is a brood parasite. Females lay eggs in the nests of other bird species. Usually, they lay about 19-25 eggs on average per breeding season.
Their breeding season typically occurs during the rainy season mostly from September- March.
While bird watching in Kibale Forest, this Cuckoo can be spotted along the Kanyanchu chimp trail.
Blue-headed Coucal
General appearance: A Blue-headed Coucal is a gorgeous, large Coucal (about 45- 52cm long) with a substantial bill.
This bird’s head usually appears to be black, yet they have a blue shine.
The Blue-headed Coucal can be confused with the Coppery-tailed Coucal. However, their range doesn’t overlap, and it has a smaller size and a blue sheen on its head.
It’s also similar to the Senegal Coucal in colouration but, larger.
Habitat: Frequently, found near water, mostly in marshes, swamps, and wet scrubs. But, it also occasionally appears in open spaces.
This Coucal can be spotted on nature walks in the nearby Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary.
White-browed Coucal
The White-browed Coucal is also called the Lark-heeled Cuckoo, a species of Cuckoo in the Cuculidae family.
General appearance: It’s a medium-sized Coucal growing to approximately 36-42cm long.
This species has a black crown and nape, white supercilium, a rufous-brown back, chestnut wings, a blackish rump, and a black tail.
Note its black bill, the red eyes, and the creamy-white underparts.
Ecology: Normally, this bird dwells in regions with thick savannah cover, afforded by rank undergrowth and scrub.
While bird watching in Kibale National park, this lovely bird can be spotted within the Kanyanchu region. However, also possible in the nearby Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary.
More Birds Of Kibale National Park In Order Cuculiformes, Family Cuculidae
483. Senegal Coucal 484. Black Coucal 485. Red-chested Cuckoo 486. African Cuckoo 487. Blue Malkoha 488. Diederik Cuckoo 489. Klaas’s Cuckoo | 490. Pied Cuckoo 491. Great Spotted Cuckoo 492. Levaillant’s Cuckoo 493. Dusky Long-tailed Cuckoo 494. Olive Long-tailed Cuckoo 495. Barred Long-tailed Cuckoo |
L. Order: Coliiformes
L.i. Family: Coliidae
Speckled Mousebird
The Speckled Mousebird is the most prevalent and largest type of mousebird.
General appearance: This Mousebird is about 35cm long with a long scruffy tail, almost half of its body. Can weigh about 57g.
It predominantly holds a brownish-grey plumage.
Note that its blackish face and grey-brown crest sets it apart from other Mousebirds.
Habitat: They’re mostly spotted in tiny social flocks near the boundaries of forests, savannas, and thickets in grasslands, eating various fruits, leaves, flowers, and other plant materials.
Amazingly, this bird is acrobatic, capable of feeding upside down, just like other Moosebirds do.
Reproduction: A Speckled Mousebird normally breeds all time of the year. Most times, females lay 3-4 eggs in untidy cuplike nests made out of vegetable and animal materials.
Their incubation period is over 17-18 days and the infants normally start leaving the nest after around 18 days.
The juveniles are fed by both sexes plus helpers.
In Kibale Forest national park, these birds can be spotted within the Kanyanchu area, and possibly in the nearby Bigodi wetlands.
Blue-naped Mousebird
Physical description: A Blue-napped Mousebird is a beautiful medium (measuring about 13-14 inches long) light grey bird with a prominent long tail.
Adults are ash brown-greyish in colour, with a crested head and blue nape. Also, note their black-and-red bill.
The youngsters lack a blue nape and have greenish bills and pinkish facial skin.
This bird can be mistaken for the Red-faced Mousebird and the Specked Mousebird, but it’s distinguished by its blue napes.
Habitation: Though uncommon, these birds can be spotted in woodlands as well as savannas, usually in flocks of 5 or fewer.
If lucky, it can be spotted within the Kanyanchu area.
M. Order: Anseriformes
M.i. Family: Anatidae
African Black Duck
An African Black Duck can also be called the Black River Duck.
General appearance: It is a medium-sized duck, about 48-57cm long. Males are larger than females.
This nice-looking black duck has orange legs and feet, a black bill, and distinguishing white markings on its back.
Take notice of the purplish-blue speculum that’s visible while in flight.
You can differentiate this duck from the slightly similar Yellow-billed Duck, by its darker colouring, shorter neck, and dark beak rather than a bright yellow one.
Ecology: It’s a rare resident, desiring most forested flowing rivers, but it also frequents ponds. It hunts for insects and plants at dawn and evening.
Diet: The African Black Duck is typically an omnivore. It feeds on larvae and pupae mostly found under rocks. Aquatic animals, plant materials, seeds, snails, crabs, and small fish are eaten also.
Behaviours and Reproduction: They’re very nervous and territorial ducks normally found in pairs or small flocks.
Their breeding season takes place all year round. Females normally lay 4-8 eggs and incubation takes over 30 days.
The fledging period takes about 86 days and it’s only the mom who takes care of the young ones.
Though ever been recorded in Kibale Forest, it’s hardly spotted.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is the best place to spot the African Black Duck on your birding tours in Uganda. Commonly spotted in the Mubwindi swamp in the Ruhija sector.
More Kibale Forest Birds In Order Anseriformes, Family Anatidae
499. Yellow-billed Duck 500. White-faced Whistling-Duck 501. Fulvous Whistling-Duck 502. Knob-billed Duck | 503. Egyptian Goose 504. Spur-winged Goose 505. African Pygmy-Goose |
N. Order: Trogoniformes
N.i. Family: Trogonidae
Narina Trogon
Physical description: The Narina Trogon is a charming medium-sized bird (about 32-34cm long) in the family Trogonidae.
This lovely Trogon features a colourful red belly, a long yellow bill, and white under the tail. Its main colour is an iridescent metallic green.
Females are filthy grey-brown while males have a green throat and face.
The comparable Bare-cheeked Trogon can be distinguished by its, bare yellow skin patches stretching from the cheek to the bill.
A slightly similar “Bar-tailed Trogon” prefers montane woods above 900m and has a highly striped undertail.
Ecology: The Narina Trogon is mostly spotted resting in the canopy of riverine and lowland woodlands.
Diet: Insects, small invertebrates and even rodents plus some small reptiles make up their food
Behaviors and nesting: Males normally expand their throat while making calls, attracting mates and defending their territories. Both sexes may fluff out the breast feathers in the display.
Normally, these Trogons nest in tree holes. Both sexes incubate the eggs.
In Kibale, the Narina Trogon can be spotted along the Kanyanchu chimp trail.
Bar-tailed Trogon
Physical appearance: The Bar-tailed Trogon is a beautiful species of green and red Trogon belonging to the Trogonidae family.
It’s about 28cm long.
Bar-tailed Trogon’s undersides of the tail are extensively striped black and white.
Note also its yellow feet and a bill.
It’s easily distinguished from other African Trogons by its banded tail.
Habitat: This Trogon is usually found in montane forests. However, it can also be found in some forests at altitudes between 900-3,000m.
Diet: Its feeding mode is similar to those of other Trogons. Feeds mostly on insects and fruits.
Reproduction: The breeding season of the Bar-tailed Trogons occurs as the rainy season begins, normally in October and November.
On your birding safari in Uganda Kibale National Park, this Trogon can be spotted within the Kanyanchu area.
O. Order: Bucerotiformes
O.i. Family: Bucerotidae
Black-and-white-casqued Hornbill
The Black-and-white Casqued Hornbill is called the Grey-cheeked Hornbill.
This huge Hornbill is about 60-70cm long with a wing span of 70-96cm. Males can weigh about 1-1.5kg while females 1-1.25kg.
Physical appearance: It’s an amazing giant black and white Hornbill with a gigantic casque on top of its massive blackish bill.
Note: Females have smaller black and white bills while males have larger ones
In flight, it displays a large white patch on the underside of each wing and a black tail with white sides. This Hornbill resembles the White-thighed Hornbill.
However, it’s identified by its darker bill, a bigger casque, a tail with a black centre, and black wingtips.
Habitat: Usually, these Hornbills are found in dense forests and adjacent areas of lush woodlands and cultivations. In most cases, they’re seen in pairs or small groups in the canopy of fruiting trees.
Diet: Their diet comprises mainly fruits. However, it has been noted that they are more capable of hunting small animals, like lizards and also forage on the eggs of other birds.
If lucky, this Hornbill can be spotted along the Kanyanchu trail and also possibly within the Sebitoli region.
Crowned Hornbill
General appearance: A Crowned Hornbill is a stunning dark brown medium hornbill (50-54cm long), with a white belly and a distinctive bright orange bill.
Note its white tail corners while in flight. Both look alike however, males have a larger casque on top of their bills compared to females.
Crowned Hornbills have minimal overlap in range with other similar Hornbills. However, it can be further identified by their yellow eyes.
Ecology: These Hornbills are commonly spotted in woodlands, forests, and along the forest edges, normally in pairs or small flocks.
Diet: The Crowned Hornbill commonly forages in trees, feeding on eggs of birds, insects, small reptiles, small rodents, seeds and fruits.
Reproduction: This Hornbill specifically breeds in the dry season with 4-5 eggs which are incubated for about 25-30 days.
The infants normally remain with their parents for over 8 weeks.
On your Uganda birding tours in Kibale, this Hornbill is rarely missed within the Kanyanchu area.
The Other Uganda Birds In Kibale National Park In Order Bucerotiformes, Family Bucerotidae
510. Red-billed Dwarf Hornbill 511. African Pied Hornbill | 512. African Grey Hornbill 513. Black Dwarf Hornbill |
Order: Apodiformes
P.i. Family: Apodidae
Cassin’s Spinetail
Cassin’s Spine tail is a beautiful species of swift in the family Apodidae.
General appearance: This swift appears almost tailless and its wings appear “tired” at the body but are otherwise relatively straight and broad.
It has a distinctive pattern of a black throat, wings, and back. Note also the white belly, white vent, and a narrow white band on top of the rump.
Habitat: This bird is normally found in African tropical rainforests. In Uganda, it’s endemic in the Kibale Forest.
They can be spotted within the Kanyanchu area.
Other Birds Of Kibale Forest National Park Uganda In Order Of Apodiformes, Family Apodidae
515. Mottled Spine tail 516. Sabine’s Spinetail 517. Scarce Swift 518. Alpine Swift 519. Mottled Swift 520. African Palm Swift | 521. Common Swift 522. African Swift 523. Little Swift 524. Horus Swift 525. White-rumped Swift |
Q. Order: Caprimulgiformes
Q.i. Family: Caprimulgidae
Birds Of Kibale Forest In Order Caprimulgiformes, Family Caprimulgidae
526.Pennant-winged Nightjar 527.Nubian Nightjar 528.Fiery-necked Nightjar | 529.Swamp Nightjar 530.Plain Nightjar 531.Square-tailed Nightjar |
R. Order: Gruiformes
R.i. Family: Sarothruridae
Kibale National Park Birds In Order Of Gruiformes, Family Sarothruridae
532.White-spotted Flufftail |
R.ii. Family: Rallidae
Uganda Kibale National Park Birds In Order Of Gruiformes, Family Rallidae
533.African Rail 534.African Crake 535. Black Crake | 536.Eurasian Moorhen 537.Red-knobbed Coot
|
S. Order: Charadriiformes
S.iii. Family: Recurvirostridae
Birds Of Kibale In Order Of Charadriiformes, Family Recurvirostridae
538. Black-winged Stilt |
S.iv. Family: Charadriidae
Kibale Park Birds In Order Charadriiformes, Family Charadriidae
539. Long-toed Lapwing 540. Spur-winged Lapwing 541. Senegal Lapwing 542. Crowned Lapwing | 543. Wattled Lapwing 544. Brown-chested Lapwing 545. Kittlitz’s Plover 546. Little Ringed Plover |
S.iv. Family: Jacanidae
Kibale Forest Birds In Order Charadriiformes, Family Jacanidae
547. African Jacana |
S.v. Family: Scolopacidae
Kibale National Park Birds In Order Charadriiformes, Family Scolopacidae
548. Ruff 549. Little Stint 550. Wood Sandpiper | 551. Common Sandpiper 552. Common Greenshank
|
S.vi. Family: Glareolidae
Birds In Uganda Kibale National Park In Order Charadriiformes, Family Glareolidae
553. Collared Pratincole |
S.vii. Family: Laridae
Birds Of Kibale Forest National Park In Order Charadriiformes, Family Laridae
554. Grey-hooded Gull 555. Black-headed Gull 556. Gull-billed Tern | 557. Whiskered Tern 558. African Skimmer |
Order: Ciconiiformes
T.i. Family: Ciconiidae
Birds In Kibale National Park In Order Ciconiiformes, Family Ciconiidae
559.African Openbill 560.Abdim’s Stork 561.African Woolly-necked Stork | 562.Saddle-billed Stork 563.Marabou Stork 564.Yellow-billed Stork |
U. Order: Pelecaniformes
U.i. Family: Scopidae
Kibale Birds In Order Pelecaniformes, Family Scopidae
565.Hamerkop |
U.ii. Family: Ardeidae
Uganda Birds In Kibale Forest National Park In Order Pelecaniformes, Family Scopidae
566. Little Bittern 567. Dwarf Bittern 568. Grey Heron 569. Black-headed Heron 570. Goliath Heron 571. Purple Heron 572. Great Egret 573. Intermediate Egret | 574. Little Egret 575. Black Heron 576. Cattle Egret 577. Squacco Heron 578. Rufous-bellied Heron 579. Striated Heron 580. Black-crowned Night-Heron 581. White-backed Night-Heron |
Order: Strigiformes
V.i. Family: Tytonidae
Birds Of Kibale Forest In Order Strigiformes, Family Tytonidae
582. Barn Owl |
V.ii. Family: Strigidae
Kibale National Park Birds In Order Strigiformes, Family Strigidae
583. African Scops-Owl 584. Southern White-faced Owl 585. Spotted Eagle-Owl 586. Verreaux’s Eagle-Owl | 587. Pearl-spotted Owlet 588. Red-chested Owlet 589. African Wood-Owl |
W. Order: Bucerotiformes
W.ii. Family: Upupidae
Kibale Forest Birds In Order Bucerotiformes, Family Upupidae
590. Eurasian Hoopoe |
W.iii. Family: Phoeniculidae
Kibale National Park Birds In Order Bucerotiformes, Family Upupidae
591. Green Woodhoopoe 592. White-headed Woodhoopoe | 593. Forest Scimitarbill 594. Common Scimitarbill |
W.iv. Family: Bucorvidae
Birds In Uganda Kibale National Park In Order Bucerotiformes, Family Bucorvidae
595. Abyssinian Ground-Hornbill- Vulnerable |
X. Order: Falconiformes
X.ii. Family: Falconidae
Birds Of Kibale In The Order Of Falconiformes, Family Falconidae
596. Eurasian Kestrel 597. Grey Kestrel 598. Eurasian Hobby | 599. African Hobby 600. Lanner Falcon 601. Peregrine Falcon |
Y. Order: Psittaciformes
Y.i. Family: Psittaculidae
Kibale National Park Birds In Order Of Psittaciformes, Family Psittacidae
602. Red-headed Lovebird |
For bird lovers on Safaris in Uganda, Kibale National Park is a must not miss paradise!
Kibale is among the best birding sites to spot forest birds of Uganda counting the rare Green-breasted Pitta. Other common birds in Kibale National Park include the Great-blue Turaco, Double-toothed Barbets, Red-faced Barbets, Red-Rumped Tinkerbirds, etc.
Also, take notice of the rare Albertine endemic bird species and some Kibale endemics which can’t be spotted anywhere in Uganda. But, present in Kibale Park!
For Bird Lovers Interested In Birding Safaris In Uganda, Book With Us Now For A Memorable Experience! Please, Feel Free To Email Us For Any Inquiries About Your Uganda Tour.
FAQS About Birds In Kibale National Park
How Many Bird Species Are In Kibale National Park?
Over 370 bird species have been spotted in Kibale National Park most of them being forest birds. Some of them include, the Green-breasted Pitta, Double-toothed Barbets, Black-billed Barbets, Yellow Fronted Tinker birds, etc.
Uganda birding safaris in Kibale are usually combined with tours in Bigodi wetlands, an ideal place to spot the Great-blue Turacos.
What Are The Most Sought-After Birds In Kibale National Park?
There’re various birds in Kibale National Park (over 370 in total). However, some of the most sought-after by travellers on Uganda birding tours include:
- The Green-breasted Pitta
- Great-blue Turaco
- Double-toothed Barbet
- Black-billed Barbet
- Red-Rumped Tinkerbird
- Red-Fronted Barbet
- Red-Faced Barbet
- Yellow Fronted tinker bird
- Yellow-Fronted Tinkerbird
- Yellow-Throated Tinkerbird
- Abyssinian Ground Thrush
- Black-faced Apalis
- African Pitta, etc.
What Is The Most Sought-After Bird In Kibale National Park?
The Green-breasted Pitta is the most sought-after bird in Kibale National Park by travellers on Uganda birding safaris. In Africa, Kibale Forest National Park is the best birding site to spot this rare adorable bird species.
Kibale is also an ideal site to encounter the beautiful Great-blue Turaco, which breeds in the nearby Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary.
What Are The Endemic Birds In Kibale National Park?
Kibale National Park holds 4 endemic bird species which can’t be spotted in any other national park in Uganda. These include:
- Cassin’s spinetail
- Blue-headed bee-eater
- Nahan’s francolin
- Masked apalis
Where To Spot Birds in Kibale National Park?
While bird watching in Uganda Kibale National Park, the Kanyanchu expanse is mainly used. It’s an ideal place to spot most birds in Kibale park, including the rare Green-breasted Pitta.
Please note that the nearby Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary is also among the ideal birding sites in Uganda. This wetland is home to over 200 bird species a viable population of Great- blue Turacos.
Therefore, for a memorable birding safari in Uganda Kibale National Park, it’s advisable to combine the two sites.
What Is The Best Season To Spot Birds In Kibale National Park?
Birds in Kibale National Park can be spotted all year round. However, the best time for Uganda birding tours in Kibale forest is during the dry months of June- August and December- February.
Since Kibale park is a rainforest, during these months it receives little rainfall. Therefore, the trails are relatively drier & there’re minimal chances of rainfall inconvenience during the activity.
March-May and September- November are wet seasons thus, much rainfall is received in Kibale Forest. During this time, trails become a bit challenging and rain is usually an inconvenience.
What Is The Best Time Of The Day To Spot Birds Of Kibale National Park?
Birds in Kibale National Park can be spotted all time of the year. However, an expert birding guide in Uganda emphasises the morning session, starting around 7 am.
He says, “during the morning birds are so active, coming out to feed”. In The afternoon they tend to rest under tree canopies.
Therefore, for a great birding experience in Kibale National Park, the morning session is advised.
What Big Five Birds Of Africa Are Found In Kibale National Park?
Kibale National Park is among the few birding areas in Uganda where you can spot the Incredible Big Five Birds of Africa! Among these five adorable birds, Kibale holds 3 and among these include:
- Great-blue Turaco
- Grew Crowned Crane and,
- The Black-and-white caqued Hornbill.
Note: Kibale park just lacks the elusive Shoebill and the Long-crested Eagle among the Big five birds of Africa!
What To Park While Planning To Spot Birds In Kibale National Park?
Here is the ultimate guide for all that’s required for an effective birdwatching safari in Kibale National Park:
- A camera: This is so vital as it will help you to capture incredible photos of beautiful birds in Kibale National Park. Some of the recommended ones include Canon Powershot SX70 HS and Nikon Coolpix P1000.
- Binoculars: These help you to have clear views of birds in tree canopies, and those in distant places. Nikon Monarch 78X42 Nature Binocular is recommended.
- Comfortable hiking shoes: Such shoes are the only ones ideal while hiking in the jungle. There must be sturdy and waterproof.
- Insect repellents: The fact that Kibale is a rainforest, it might be prone to biting insects like Mosquitoes. Therefore, insect repellents will protect you from any possibility of biting insects.
- Sunglasses and sunhat: These will protect you from tropical sunlight. In most cases, on spotting the lovely bird, most birders put off sunglasses for incredible views.
- A rain jacket: It will protect you in case rain finds you in the jungle. Remember, Kibale is a rainforest prone to rainfall.
- Bottled drinking water: This will help to keep your body hydrated as you always take more hours in the jungle.
- A backpack: This helps to keep all your birding necessities safe while in the jungle.
What Are The Importance Of Birds In Kibale National Park?
Birds In Kibale National Park are of great importance to the environment, economy and the environment.
- Environmental Values Of Birds In Kibale National Park
- Birds help in the dispersal of our native plant seeds from one place to another new environments. This is mostly done by the forest birds that feed on forest fruits.
- Also, birds help in pollinating flowering plants. This is mostly done by Sunbird species that feed mostly on the nectar of plants.
- Furthermore, birds feed on rodents, insects plus other small animals. This helps to check on the population of these dangerous species to man low. Thus, balancing the ecosystem.
2. Economic Importance Of Birds In Kibale Forest
- Birds in Kibale National Park have promoted the growth of tourism in Uganda. For example, their presence in Kibale has geared up Uganda birding safaris in Kibale forest national park.
Many visitors “bird lovers” come all over the globe to look out for the adorable bird species in Kibale counting the Green-breasted Pitta.
3. Cultural Importance Of Birds In Kibale National Park
Some of the birds found in Kibale Forest have great cultural beliefs attached to them by some cultures of Uganda. For example, some people in Uganda have totems which are birds.
Among the Baganda tribe, Uganda birds like Pied Crow “Namungona” and Cattle Egret “ENyange” are totems to some clans. To these people, such birds are highly respected and can’t be killed or eaten.
It’s believed that these totems have spiritual meaning attached to them. In Africa, people with the same totem can’t marry each other as it’s considered incest.