The pearl of Africa is commonly known for being a perfect spot for bird watching. Travelers around the world have made it a habbit to add Uganda and bird watching on their bucket list. Among these birds, the country has endemic birds, which can’t be found anywhere else, and migratory birds that visit in the rainy season. Uganda’s ornithologists and scientist’s team, four years ago discovered more 11 bird species on top of 1065 already registered species in the country. Professor Derrick Pomeroy, a member of the East African Committee for birders, confirmed the new discovered bird species. This is not only great news for birders but also tourism as a whole for bird watching is also enjoyed with other activities like game drives, boat rides, mountain climbing, chimpanzee trekking hiking, among others. These new species include:
Red Fronted Parrot (Poicephalus Guglielmi tiny cisticola)
Once you visit Murchison falls national Park, you will be rewarded with views of this rare bird. The arrival of this bird has increased numbers of the unique birds found in Uganda. More of what you will see include: the grey-headed kingfisher, the open billed stork, the Giant kingfisher, the long-toed plover, the secretary bird, the black-bellied bustards, black-headed Lapwing , among others.
Crested Barbet (Trachyphonus Vaillantii)
This also has a home in Lake Mburo National Park. It was first seen by the ornithologist team in 2016 during their bird watching trip in Lake Mburo National park. The likes of Tabora Cisticola, green snipe, saddle-billed stork, shoebill stork, papyrus Yellow Warbler, Abyssinia ground hornbill, Greenwood hoopoe, among others, will be at your disposal once you visit the park for bird watching.
Blue Capped Cordon bleu (Uragaethus Cynocepharus)
The two beautiful birds were seen in northeastern Uganda, in Karamoja region, in 2016. The region in question is home to Narus River, located in Kidepo National Park and Pian Upe Game Reserve, which are all bird paradises. Those who manage to visit the above mentioned conserved areas are rewarded with an interrupted adventure. You will also have more of the Steel Blue Whydah, Buff Crested Bustard,, Straw Tailed Whydah, White –bellied Canary, Magpie Grenadier, and Purple Grenadier, among others.
Purple Grenadier (Uragaethus lanthinogaster)
Blue-Headed Bee Eater (Merops muelleri)
Blue Cuckoo Shrike (Coracina Azurea)
Eurasian Sparroe Hawk (Accipiter)
These were first sighted in 2017 in Kabwoya Wildlife Reserve in Hoima district. There quite a number of birds that have a home in the reserve and they include; Black-faced Apalis, Grauer’s Warbler, Francolin, among others. This reserve has wildlife, with the likes of bushbucks, Vervet Monkeys, warthogs, impalas, among others.
Black Collared Barbet (Lybius torquatus)
The unique bird concentrates in the swamps, and was first seen in Lake Mburo National Park in 2018.
Among the migratory birds, the country receives close to one million birds in the wet season. These normally come from Europe, Asia, and other African countries. On top of the migratory birds, and the new bird species on the block, Uganda maintains its position as a must stop destination for birds. Make sometime and enjoy what it has to offer. Book your safari with us.
