Top 10 Birds to See on a Uganda Birding Safari

Uganda is among the top bird watching destinations in Africa with a bird-list that includes more than 1000 different species. Thanks to the great weather and variety of habitats which include forests, swamps, lakes and rivers any of these species thrive well here. Throughout the year, it also receives several migratory species especially within its national park, and you will additional be able to see some species endemic only to Uganda. Below, we have highlighted the top ten bird species to watch out for during your Uganda Birding Safari. We as AA safaris will gladly help you arrange a very rewarding and interesting Safari.

Grey crowned crane/ the Uganda Crane

This is among the most beautiful and elegant birds on the Africa continent. Here in Uganda it appears o the national flag and symbolizes Uganda’s national bird. It moves in a very majestic way. Seeing a gray crowned crane fly is very breathtaking as beauty is at its best. This beautiful bird has a crest crown with stiff golden feathers. It is very beautiful

 

 

Shoebill

 

The Shoebill stork is endemic to the African content so bird enthusiastic s travel from different parts of the world to see this unique awkward giant bird here in Uganda. for so many years this bird specie wasn’t protected and most of its eggs where usually stolen from its nests, however, with the help of some wildlife organizations, it was ruled across the country illegal to steal its eggs or even trap any of these birds. It can be found in Lake Mburo National Park, Murchison Falls National park

 

 

Green-breasted Pitta

 

 

 

 

The Green-breasted Pitta is one had bird to find regardless of its comparatively common status within the countries in central African. Its breast is green whereas its throat has a black line. It mostly lives, camouflaged, in the low-land tropical forests and acquiring a photograph of these little birds is a great achievement. This can be seen in Budogo forest in Murchison falls P, Kibale NP

 

 

African Green Broadbill

 

 

 

The bright colors of this stunning bird can be seen only in two places across the world that is in the Bwindi forest of Uganda and The Itombwe Mountains of the Democratic Republic of Congo. The bird is bright green in color. The species is international ally endangered due to loss of habitat as a result of deforestation.

 

 

Great Blue Turaco

 

 

The Great Blue Turaco together with the White-crested Turaco are among the biggest bird species in the whole of Uganda. Sadly they are actively hunted because their meat plus feathers are much sought after. They can be seen in the Bigodi wetland, busoke peninsula buyoro, Kibale NP

Shelley’s Crimsonwing

Without doubt this is among the world’s most rare birds, the Shelley’s Crimsonwing live in a narrow strip of the volcanoes plus mountains called the Albertine Rift t the borders of Uganda, DR Congo and Rwanda. Within Uganda these birds can be seen in the Rwenzori mountain forests as well as in the Bwindi forest. There are very few photos of this bird in its wild environment due to its scarcity.

Standard-winged Nightjar

 

This beautiful bird is identified by its central-flight feathers which appear on the males during the breeding season. Seeing this bird rise its feathers vertically it very breathtaking as they can stretch the to 38cm long.

 Short-tailed Warbler

 

 

 

 

The Short-tailed Warbler is mainly seen in the undergrowth of forests within Uganda. They can be seen in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

 The Ostrich

 

 

 

 

 

 

The ostrich is the fastest bird on land and it can be seen in Kidepo National Park. This is one of Uganda’s must see birds

Bar-tailed Trogon

This gorgeous medium-sized bird is found in forests lying in high altitude and has a wide range all over southern and central Africa even though it is hardly ever seen. This beautiful bird can be seen in Bwindi National Park