Where can I watch birds in Kenya?

 Where can I watch birds in Kenya? Kenya is regarded as the ideal place to see the whole of Africa in one location. Kenya has it everything, including valleys, a variety of species, mountains, and the well-known Safari tours. Even though Kenya offers a wide variety of experiences and activities, bird watching is one of the most popular ones.

Kenya is home to an astounding 1100+ different species of birds. On a safari to Kenya specifically for bird viewing, you can anticipate seeing between 50 and 100 species. The excellent climate and geographical factors that are ideal for migratory birds draw a variety of species to Kenya. Kenya is where you may see the majority of migrating birds in all of Africa.

Kenya is a great place to observe birds all year round. The rainy season is defined as April through November. You may watch the bird migration into or out of Europe and Asia throughout these months. Numerous storks and cranes, the American White Pelican, and the small Cisticola are among these.

All through the year, it’s possible to see common birds such the Crowned Hornbill, the Scarlet-chested Sunbird, and the White-Bellied Go-Away Bird. The Lakes of the Great Rift Valley are home to the ostrich, the largest bird in the world, and the stunning pink flamingos. Avid bird watchers will also enjoy other birds like the bar-tailed trogon, Kori Bustard, Golden Breasted Starling, and many others.

It may be necessary to look for locations in high grasslands, the centre of forests, and close to specific mountain ranges in order to see Kenya’s rarest native birds. These include the Taita Apalis, the Kilifi Weaver, and the Grey Crowned Crane, all of which are found in Kenya’s most remote regions and are sadly endangered species. Hawks, Eagles, Kites, and the oldest of the raptors, the Bearded Vulture, can all be found at Kenya’s many bird-watching locations.

It is safe to say that Kenya is a birdwatcher’s paradise with all it has to offer. Bird watching is an activity you might not want to miss here because it includes a vast variety of species. Kenya has many locations where you may see different bird species.

Lake Nakuru

One of the well-known birding locations is Lake Nakuru, where you may see at least 500 different species of birds. Regular birdwatchers are likewise used to it.

Large groups of pelicans, Greater Blue Eyes Starlings, Lesser and Greater flamingos, as well as the conspicuous Long-tailed Widowbird, can all be seen here. The Martial Eagle and Lesser Krestel are just two of the numerous raptors that may be observed around Lake Nakuru.

 The Black-necked Grebe, Long-tailed widowbird, Maccoa duck, Montane white-eye, Grey-headed Gull, Northern puffback, Pallid harrier, Gull-billed Tern, Red-capped lark, Rüfous-throated wryneck, Yellow-billed Stork, Rüppell’s vulture, Rüppell’s robin-chat, Little Grebe, Schalow’s wheatear, and Shy grebe.

Lake Naivasha

Lake Naivasha, another popular birding location, is home to more than 400 different bird species. The entire area is well-liked by birding experts and tour groups. The lake’s waters support a large fish population, drawing a variety of aquatic birds there. Near the lake, it’s possible to see numerous duck species, African fish eagles, Spoonbills, Goliath Herons, and many others.

The Cliffs of Hell’s Gate National Park is a significant raptor nesting habitat, while the woodland and lake’s shoreline are good birding locations.  It is undeniable that bird watching in Kenya offers the opportunity to see the gorgeous and uncommon birds of the continent. Visit these Kenyan birding locations to see the amazing birds of the nation, including the colourful kingfishers and other raptors.

Arabuko Sokoke

This location is a key birding area with approximately 230 different bird species. Additionally, the region is home to numerous species that are in danger of extinction, including the Clarke’s Weaver, Southern Banded Snake Eagle, East Coast Akalat, and Plain-backed Sunbird, to mention a few.

The Sokoke Scops Owl, the rarest owl in the world, is the most important bird you may see in the forest. Only the Arabuko Sokoke woodland is home to this species, though sightings have been reported in northern Tanzania.

Malindi Watamu

The birdlife is abundant and diversified in the Malindi Watamu. More than 450 different bird species have been recorded in this region, with some of the rarest species topping ornithologists’ lists. This location is particularly well-liked by bird watchers and also provides birding expeditions. Local and migratory bird species can be found, including the African Pygmy Kingfisher, Black Cuckoo-shrike, and Eurasian Golden Oriole.

At Mida Creek, near the Watamu beaches, there is a feeding spot reserved just for birds. The Western Reef Heron, Curlew Sandpiper, and Sanderling are seen. In this region, it’s usual to see palaearctic species such the Eurasian bee-eater, Rufous Bush Chat, and Spotted Flycatcher. Near Lake Chem Chem and Lake Jilore, a sizable freshwater pool attracts a lot of water birds during the wet seasons.

Maasai Mara

One of the most amazing areas in Kenya to see birds is the Maasai Mara. Big cats and at least 470 different bird species can be found in this area, which is rich in biodiversity. You will see a staggering number of raptors, including the Masaai Mara-exclusive Rufous-bellied Heron. The vast number of vultures swooping high in the sky, keeping a close eye for their prey, always astounds visitors.

It is simple to see little birds in the grasslands, such as Jaunty Crowned Plovers. In the grasslands, you can also see various birds like Secretary Birds, Ostriches, and Crowned Hornbills. A group of Crowned cranes and magnificent Saddle-billed Storks may be seen on the edge of the swamp.

Lake Baringo

Over 470 different bird species call Lake Baringo home, making it one of Kenya’s most important birding areas and a birdwatcher’s heaven. The majority of these bird species can be found on the Islands and near Lake Baringo’s beaches.  Flamingo birds, African open bill storks, Goliath herons, African Wattled lapwings, African eagles, Black-tailed godwits, Greater painted-snipes, Verreaux’s eagles, and African paradise flycatchers are some of the bird species to keep an eye out for in Lake Baringo. Egyptian vulture, steel-blue whydah Lesser Honeyguide, Golden-backed weaver bird, White-billed buffalo-weaver, Violet Wood Hoopoe, Abyssinian Scimitar Bill, Nicoletta Trogon Common Ostrich, Black-headed Lapwing, Rufous-crowned Rollerbird, D’Arnaud’s Barbet Egyptian Goose, White-faced Whistling Duck, Yellow-necked Francolin, Crested Francolin, Helmeted Guinea fowl, Red-billed Duck, African Pygmy-Goose,

African Green-Pigeon, Long-toed Lapwing, Spur-winged Lapwing, Water Thick knee, Emerald-spotted Wood-Dove, Star-spotted Nightjar, African Emerald Cuckoo, Black Cuckoo, White crested Turaco, African Palm Swift, Senegal Lapwing, Wattled Lapwing, Sombre Nightjar, White Romped Swift, Alpine Swift, Sand Plovers, both greater and smaller Jacana from Africa African Skimmer, Black-winged Pratincole, Bar-tailed Godwit, African Open bill African Darter, Dwarf Bittern, Goliath Heron, both Great and Little Egrets, intermediate and Cattle Egret, Saddle-billed Stork, Marabou Stork, Hadada Ibis, Black-crowned Night-Heron, and African Sacred Black Kite, Grasshopper Buzzard, Bat Hawk, Martial Eagle, African Hawk-Eagle, Egyptian Vulture, African Harrier-Hawk, Lappet-faced Vulture, Speckled Mouse Bird Narina Trogon, African Pygmy Kingfisher, Abyssinian Ground-Hornbill, Malachite Kingfisher, Pied and Giant Kingfisher, Northern White-faced Owl, Verreaux’s Eagle-Owl.