kenya birds wildlife safari
TRANSCRIPT
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KENYA BIRDS & WILDLIFE SAFARI NOVEMBER 1-18 , 2013
MASAI MARA EXTENSION NOVEMBER 17-22, 2013
Secretary-bird, photo by David Wolf
COMPILED BY: DAVID E. WOLF
LEADER: DAVID E. WOLF
(WITH THE ABLE HELP OF DRIVER-GUIDE BERNARD NJOROGE)
VICTOR EMANUEL NATURE TOURS, INC.
2525 WALLINGWOOD DRIVE, SUITE 1003
AUSTIN, TX 78746
WWW.VENTBIRD.COM
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TOUR REPORT KENYA BIRDS AND WILDLIFE
November 1–18, 2013
MASAI MARA EXTENSION
November 17–22, 2013
By David E. Wolf
No doubt about it, Kenya is complex! Due to its geography this rather small country has a variety of
regions, each one experiencing four seasons annually. The catch is that the seasons come at different
times of the year in different areas, and they are not reliable from year to year, always making our
November tour interesting and full of surprises. Our 2013 tour was no exception. This year we found
the “short rains” just beginning in the Central Highlands and Samburuland, refreshing the land and
stimulating bird activity. In the Rift Valley the lakes continue to mysteriously rise, reaching their
highest levels in memory and providing habitat for hordes of waterbirds. The normally wet Western
Highlands were mostly dry, so we had very pleasant weather for birding the Kakamega rainforest. In
the Masai Mara the rains had so far failed completely—and the huge migratory herds of wildebeest and
zebra were still present, so we got to experience the world’s greatest wildlife spectacle. All of this
combined to make this a most successful safari, with a huge bird list, all of “The Big Five” mammals
seen, and innumerable photo opportunities.
Every region visited produced great sightings and surprises. On our first day out, in Nairobi National
Park, we tallied 7 gravely-endangered Black Rhinos and over 120 species of birds, a grand
introduction and more than enough to keep us awake from the jet lag. We left on our safari (“journey”
in Swahili) the next morning, finding an active nest of the huge Crowned Hawk-Eagle and our first
colorful turacos at our picnic lunch stop, before arriving at Mountain Lodge in time to watch 13
elephants parade across the clearing and disappear into the forest. Rooftop birding here the next
morning was highlighted by a brilliant male African Emerald Cuckoo right in front of us at eye level.
From the slopes of Mt. Kenya we then journeyed down to the semiarid lowlands of Samburuland.
Birds are surprisingly abundant in this dry environment and our progress to the lodge was very slow,
with new species appearing along every stretch of the road. Our next two days here produced a
plethora of “bush birds,” including a full complement of regional specialties like the bizarre Vulturine
Guineafowl, lovely Somali Bee-eater and White-headed Mousebird, plus special mammals like the
strange Gerenuk (giraffe-antelope) and the very endangered Grevy’s Zebra. Never to be forgotten were
the two lionesses that came strolling over a knoll right towards us, or the magnificent Cheetah intently
gazing out over the dry plain. Perhaps best of all were the four species of delightful whydahs in full
breeding finery—the Eastern Paradise, Steel-blue, Straw-tailed, and Pin-tailed. On most trips we are
lucky to find one in decent plumage.
Bizarre seems the best word to describe the Rift Valley lakes this year. All were at their highest levels
in memory and still rising, overflowing roads and buildings at Nakuru National Park and village fields
at Lake Bogoria. Flamingo numbers were only in the low thousands due to the lack of food for these
specialized feeders, but they had been replaced by throngs of other waterbirds of a wide variety. The
lush rainforest at Kakamega was a very different environment from the rest of the trip and produced a
wide variety of new birds, from great looks at skulkers like the vocally-talented robin-chats to the
colorful barbets in the canopy (as well as some neck-breaking mixed-flocks of tiny birds!). Here the
stillness of peaceful Rondo Retreat was broken by braying calls of the big hornbills and drum-roll
voice of the Great Blue Turacos, while a quiet Bar-tailed Trogon perched on the forest edge was a
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prized find, as was a very vocal Red-chested Owlet in the canopy. We ended the main safari at Lake
Naivasha, where 26 Black Herons highlighted our morning boat trip (we often don’t see even one on
the tour!). The afternoon excursion to Hell’s Gate produced dozens of huge Rueppell’s Griffons at
their nesting cliff, as Lanner Falcons played along the rim and countless thousands of swifts swirled
above.
The optional extension to the famed Masai Mara gave us a sense of the “old” Africa, where vast
numbers of animals lived undisturbed amidst the wide vistas and diverse habitats. It was clear not long
after we entered the reserve that the migratory wildebeest and zebra herds were still present in some
numbers, but it wasn’t until we reached the heart of Mara that we began to understand just how many
there were. At times literally tens of thousands of animals could be seen in all directions—an amazing
sight! The attendant predators were present too, with frequent sightings of hyenas and Lions, including
several large males and a pride with playful young cubs. Here too we also filled in blanks on our bird
list, from Wooly-necked Stork, numerous raptors, Narina Trogon, and Schalow’s Turaco right on
down through obscure small birds in the grasslands. Leopard, the most elusive of the large cats,
remained hidden until our final afternoon game drive, when we found a well-concealed animal in a
lone thick bush.
All of this and much more was seen amidst the backdrop of the vibrant and interesting cultures of
Kenya, and all contributed to a wonderful and varied safari. Much of our success was due to the
incredible skills and patience of our driver-guide, Bernard Njoroge, and to him we extend a special
“thank you” for sharing his country with us.
Kenya Bird & Wildlife Safari Itinerary: November 2, 2013: arrival in Nairobi, Kenya, and transfer to the Ole Sereni Hotel.
November 3: all day excursion to Nairobi National Park (elevation ca 5000 ft).
November 4: a travel day to Mountain Lodge on the slopes of Mt. Kenya at 7200 ft, with a
stop at the Blue Posts Hotel in Thika, picnic lunch at Thego Fishing Camp and late afternoon birding at
the lodge.
November 5: morning birding at Mountain Lodge before traveling around Mt. Kenya to a
picnic lunch stop on the north side of the mountain (ca 8500 ft), afterwards descending to the semi-arid
Samburu lowlands (2800 ft).
November 6: morning and afternoon game drives in Samburu National Reserve.
November 7: morning and afternoon game drives in Samburu National Reserve.
November 8: from Samburu back up to the western side of Mt. Kenya, birding the short-grass
plains near Naro Moru and the beautifully landscaped Naro Moru River Lodge (6200 ft).
November 9: morning birding at Naro Moru River Lodge, before driving across the plains to
Thomson’s Falls for a picnic lunch, and then down into the Great Rift Valley to Lake Nakuru National
Park.
November 10: morning and afternoon game drives at Lake Nakuru National Park (5700 ft).
November 11: morning drive from Lake Nakuru up the Great Rift Valley to Lake Bogoria,
where we birded in the afternoon (3160 ft).
November 12: a long travel day from Lake Bogoria to Rondo Retreat Center in Kakamega
Forest, a spectacular and diverse route via the Tugen Hills, Kerio Valley and Eldoret.
November 13: Kakamega Forest, especially near Rondo Retreat and to the Ikuya River (5300
ft).
November 14: Kakamega Forest, in the morning at the Forest Station and in the afternoon to
the Ikuya River and then along the east side road.
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November 15: a long travel day from Kakamega to Lake Naivasha (6200 ft), with a major
birding stop at Kisumu on Lake Victoria.
November 16: a big day of birding in the Lake Naivasha area, including a morning boat trip
and an afternoon excursion to Hell’s Gate National Park.
November 17: a goodbye to those not on the Masai Mara Extension, who departed for home
this evening. Participants on the Extension departed promptly for the Mara, entering the reserve at the
northwestern gate and driving around to the Mara Serena Lodge in the west (5321 ft).
November 18: morning and afternoon game drives in the western Masai Mara Reserve.
November 19: morning game drive to the Mara River bridge and then an afternoon game drive
to Bataleur Camp (Kichwa Tembo) just outside the northwestern Mara gate.
November 20: after an early morning game drive we birded up the Oloololo Escarpment (ca
6000 ft. on top) and then made a final “leopard hunt” in the western part of the reserve in the late
afternoon.
November 21: a final birding walk around Kichwa Tembo Camp in the early morning before
flying back to Nairobi, with lunch at “The Carnivore” and day rooms at the Ole Sereni Hotel before an
evening departures for home.
November 22: flight arrivals in Europe with connections onward to North America and home.
Key: CH = Central Highlands region (Nairobi area, Mountain Lodge, Naro Moru and points in-
between).
S = Samburuland region in the Samburu National Reserve and nearby.
RV = Rift Valley lakes region (Lakes Nakuru, Bogoria and Naivasha and nearby areas).
WK = Western Kenya region (especially Kakamega forest, but also the Kisumu and Kericho
areas).
MM = Masai Mara Extension.
* = recorded only on the Masai Mara Extension
hd = heard (if the species was heard only it is noted as such).
Bird List: This list order follows the taxonomy and sequence in Clements' Birds of the World: A
Check-list and supplements, as does our field checklist. Where the names or taxonomy are at variance
from the field guides I have included an explanatory note. Some of our special sightings, favorites and
rarities are bolded.
Ostrich (Struthio camelus) - CH, S, RV, MM (the largest bird in the world and nothing short of
spectacular, even if not very bird-like! In Samburu we saw the “Somali” Ostrich (S.
“molybdophanes”), sometimes split as a separate species).
White-faced Whisting-Duck (Dendrocygna viduata) – CH, RV, WK
Fulvous Whistling-Duck (Dendrocygna bicolor) - RV
Egyptian Goose (Alopochen aegyptiaca) - CH, S, RV, MM (daily except in Kakamega Forest).
Spur-winged Goose (Plectropterus gambensis) – CH
African Black Duck (Anas sparsa) – CH
Yellow-billed Duck (Anas undulata) – CH, RV, WK
Northern Shoveler (Anas clypeata) – RV
Red-billed Duck (Anas erythrorhyncha) – CH, RV, WK
Hottentot Teal (Anas hottentota) - RV
Cape Teal (Anas capensis) - RV
Southern Pochard (Netta erythrophthalma) - RV
Helmeted Guineafowl (Numida meleagris) - CH, S, RV, MM (hd)
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Vulturine Guineafowl (Acryllium vulturinum) - S (spectacular – and bizarre - specialty of the
dry Somali sub-region).
* Coqui Francolin (Francolinus coqui) - MM
Crested Francolin (Francolinus sephaena) – CH, S, RV (hd)
Hildebrandt’s Francolin (Francolinus hildebrandti) - RV
Yellow-necked Francolin (Spurfowl) (Francolinus leucoscepus) - CH, S
* Red-necked Francolin (Spurfowl) (Francolinus afer) – MM
quail sp? (Coturnix sp?) – MM (one flushed went unidentified to species).
Little Grebe (Dabchick) (Tachybaptus ruficollis) – CH, RV, WK
Greater Flamingo (Phoenicopterus roseus) - RV
Lesser Flamingo (Phoenicopterus minor) - RV (with the high water levels at Lakes Nakuru
and Bogoria “only” a few thousands were seen).
African Openbill (Anastomus lamelligerus) – RV, WK
Black Stork (Ciconia nigra) – CH, RV, MM (including a great look at a perched bird in the
Mara).
* Wooly-necked Stork (Ciconia episcopus) - MM
. White Stork (Ciconia ciconia) – RV (flock of 360+ leisurely kettling over Lake Bogoria).
Saddle-billed Stork (Ephippiorhynchus senegalensis) – RV, MM (big and spectacular!).
Marabou Stork (Leptoptilos crumeniferus) - CH, S, RV, MM
Yellow-billed Stork (Mycteria ibis) – all regions
Great Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo lucidus) – RV, WK (the “White-breasted” lucidus race,
which is a widespread resident in sub-Saharan Africa).
Long-tailed Cormorant (Phalacrocorax africanus) – CH, RV, WK
African Darter (Anhinga rufa) – CH (declining in Kenya and not seen every trip. Rufa is not
always split from Asian melanogaster).
Great White Pelican (Pelecanus onocrotalus) - RV
Pink-backed Pelican (Pelecanus rufescens) – CH, RV
Hammerkop (Scopus umbretta) - CH, S, RV, WK, MM (a uniquely African bird placed in its
own family, seen often and well, including the unusual and immense nest).
Gray Heron (Ardea cinerea) - CH, RV, WK, MM
Black-headed Heron (Ardea melanocephala) – all regions
* Goliath Heron (Ardea goliath) – RV, MM (the largest of its family; this spectacular species is
declining and we were very lucky to see two at length in the Mara).
Purple Heron (Ardea purpurea) - RV
Great Egret (Ardea alba) - S, RV, WK
Intermediate Egret (Mesophoyx intermedia) – RV, MM (many more of this species than usual).
Little Egret (Egretta garzetta) – RV
Black Heron (Egretta ardesiaca) – RV (unexpected; a remarkable total of at least 26 on our
Naivasha boat trip, including birds “umbrella-feeding”. This number is more than all previous trips
combined!).
Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis) - all regions
Squacco Heron (Ardeola ralloides) - RV
* Rufous-bellied Heron (Ardeola rufiventris) - MM (Sharon’s bird in the sw. swamp).
Striated (Green-backed) Heron (Butorides striatus) - CH, S, MM
Black-crowned Night-Heron (Nycticorax nycticorax) – RV
Glossy Ibis (Plegadis falcinellus) – RV
Sacred Ibis (Threskiornis aethiopicus) – CH, RV, WK, MM
Hadada Ibis (Bostrychia hagedash) - all regions (a noisy and conspicuous safari favorite, seen
or heard most days of the trip).
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African Spoonbill (Platalea alba) – CH, RV
Secretary-bird (Sagittarius serpentarius) - CH, S, MM (a uniquely African specialty of the
grasslands, seen a surprising number of times on this trip).
Black-shouldered Kite (Elanus caeruleus) - CH, S, RV, MM
African Harrier-Hawk (Polyboroides typus) – RV
European Honey-Buzzard (Pernis apivorus) - WK
Lappet-faced (Nubian) Vulture (Torgos tracheliotus) – CH, MM (huge birds with fearsome
bills; all of the vultures fulfill a very important role in the ecosystem).
Hooded Vulture (Necrosyrtes monachus) – S, MM
White-backed Vulture (Gyps africanus) - CH, S, RV, MM
Rueppell's Griffon (Gyps rueppellii) – CH, RV, MM
Bataleur (Terathopius ecaudatus) – CH, S, RV, MM (a very distinctive and beautiful eagle).
Black-breasted Snake-Eagle (Circaetus pectoralis) – CH, RV, MM (seen more often than
usual).
* Brown Snake-Eagle (Circaetus cinereus) – MM (penetrating orange eyes looking right at us!).
Banded Snake-Eagle (Circaetus cinerascens) – WK (close study of an adult of this scarce
raptor, perched right beside the track at Kakamega after a light afternoon drizzle).
Crowned Hawk-Eagle (Stephanoaetus coronatus) – CH, WK, MM (including birds at two
nests; a forest-based raptor that is considered the most powerful eagle in Africa).
Martial Eagle (Polemaetus bellicosus) – CH, S, MM
Long-crested Eagle (Lophaetus occipitalis) - CH, RV, WK, MM (comical!).
Wahlberg's Eagle (Hieraaetus wahlbergi) – S, RV (Kerio Valley), MM
Tawny Eagle (Aquila rapax) – CH, S, RV (Mara Extension), MM
Steppe Eagle (Aquila nipalensis) – S, CH, RV, MM
Lizard Buzzard (Kaupifalco monogrammicus) – WK (from the vehicle).
Eastern Chanting-Goshawk (Melierax poliopterus) – S, MM
Gabar Goshawk (Micronisius gabar) – S, RV (including a pair at a nest in Samburu, with one
normal adult and the other a black morph).
Eurasian (Western) Marsh-Harrier (Circus aeruginosus) – RV
Pallid Harrier (Circus macrourus) – S, CH, RV, MM
Montagu's Harrier (Circus pygargus) – CH, RV, MM
African Goshawk (Accipiter tachiro) - WK
Shikra (Accipiter badius) – WK
* Little Sparrowhawk (Accipiter minullus) – MM (fast look at this tiny accipiter as it caught a
small songbird right in front of the vehicle).
* Ovampo Sparrowhawk (Accipiter ovampensis) – MM (over Kichwa Tembo our final morning).
* Black Goshawk (Great Sparrowhawk) (Accipiter melanoleucus) – MM (a spectacular show
as this stealthy and powerful raptor flushed a spurfowl across the Mara River and then nailed it on the
ground on the opposite bank; it eventually flew off with its very heavy prey item).
Black Kite (Milvus migrans) – all regions
African Fish-Eagle (Haliaeetus vocifer) – CH, RV, WK, MM (conspicuous around the lakes,
their wild yelping calls a favorite sound).
Common (Eurasian) Buzzard (Buteo buteo) – S, CH, RV, MM (the highly migratory "Steppe"
Buzzard (Buteo buteo vulpinus) was the race seen).
Mountain Buzzard (Buteo oreophilus) – WK (over the big marsh en route to Kakamega).
Augur Buzzard (Buteo augur) – all regions
Kori Bustard (Ardeotis kori) – S, RV, MM (considered the heaviest flying bird in the world,
but those that we saw simply slowly walked away from us; a great displaying male was seen in the
Mara).
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Buff-crested Bustard (Eupodotis gindiana) - S
Black-bellied Bustard (Lissotis melanogaster) – CH (distant), MM (many seen close at hand).
Hartlaub’s Bustard (Lissotis hartlaubii) - CH (males and females seen right beside the track
our first day out in Nairobi Park).
White-spotted Flufftail (Sarothrura pulchra) – WK (incredible looks at a colorful male that
slowly walked out of the thick rainforest understory right in front of us!).
African Rail (Rallus caerulescens) – RV (heard only; on Lake Naivasha boat trip).
Black Crake (Amaurornis flavirostra) – RV (scurrying everywhere at Lake Naivasha).
Eurasian (Common) Moorhen (Gallinula chloropus) – CH, RV, WK
Red-knobbed Coot (Fulica cristata) – RV, LN
Gray Crowned-Crane (Balearica regulorum) – all regions (delightful birds seen often and
well).
* Water Thick-knee (Burhinus vermiculatus) - MM
Long-toed Lapwing (Vanellus crassirostris) – RV, WK
Blacksmith Plover (Vanellus armatus) – CH, RV, MM
Spur-winged Plover (Vanellus spinosus) – all regions
Black-headed Lapwing (Vanellus tectus) – RV (close pair near Lake Bogoria in the early
morning).
Black-winged Lapwing (Vanellus melanopterus) – CH (as we crossed the plains near Naro
Moru).
Crowned Lapwing (Vanellus coronatus) - CH, S, RV, MM (noisy and conspicuous).
* Wattled Lapwing (Vanellus senegallus) – MM
Kittlitz's Plover (Charadrius pecuarius) – CH, RV
Common Ringed Plover (Charadrius hiaticula) – CH, S, RV, MM
Three-banded Plover (Charadrius tricollaris) – CH, RV, MM
Black-winged Stilt (Himantopus himantopus) – CH, RV, WK
Pied Avocet (Recurvirostra avosetta) – RV
African Jacana (Actophilornis africanus) - RV, WK, MM
Terek Sandpiper (Xenus cinereus) – RV (a rare inland migrant seen well at Lake Bogoria).
Common Sandpiper (Actitis hypoleucos) – CH, S, RV, MM
Green Sandpiper (Tringa ochropus) – all regions
Common Greenshank (Tringa nebularia) – CH, S, RV
Marsh Sandpiper (Tringa stagnatilis) - RV
Wood Sandpiper (Tringa glareola) – CH, RV, MM
Black-tailed Godwit (Limosa limosa) – RV (Lakes Bogoria and Naivasha).
Sanderling (Calidris alba) – RV (uncommon inland migrant at Lake Bogoria).
Little Stint (Calidris minuta) – CH, RV, MM
Curlew Sandpiper (Calidris ferruginea) – CH, RV
Ruff (Philomachus pugnax) - RV, WK
Common Snipe (Gallinago gallinago) – CH, RV, MM (several good studies).
Red-necked Phalarope (Phalaropus lobatus) – RV (rare inland migrant seen well at Lake
Bogoria).
Small Button-Quail (Turnix sylvaticus) – WK (a bizarre – but excellent – sighting of one
running along a roadside ditch amidst the Kakamega rainforest! Presumably a very “lost” intra-
African migrant, as this is normally a bird of the grasslands).
Temminck’s Courser (Cursorius cursor) – CH, MM (close studies on the plains near Naro
Moru and on the Tanzanian side of the border in the Mara).
Gray-headed Gull (Chroicocephalus cirrocephalus) – RV
Gull-billed Tern (Gelochelidon nilotica) - RV
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White-winged Tern (Chlidonias leucopterus) – RV
Whiskered Tern (Chlidonias hybrida) – RV, WK
Black-faced Sandgrouse (Pterocles decoratus) – S (multiple close looks at these cryptic
desert-adapted birds).
Rock Pigeon (Columba livia) – CH, WK (introduced; feral birds seen in several towns).
Speckled Pigeon (Columba guinea) - all regions
Rameron (African Olive) Pigeon (Columba arquatrix) – CH (in flight only).
Delegorgue’s Pigeon (Columba delegorguei) – CH (a male of this inconspicuous forest-
dweller came to the mud at the Mountain Lodge waterhole).
Dusky Turtle-Dove (Streptopelia lugens) – CH (Mara Extension) (seen at hotel by Claude).
Mourning Collared-Dove (African Mourning Dove) (Streptopelia decipiens) - S, RV, WK
Red-eyed Dove (Streptopelia semitorquata) - CH, RV, WK, MM
Ring-necked Dove (Streptopelia capicola) - CH, S, RV, MM
Laughing Dove (Streptopelia senegalensis) - S, RV, MM
Emerald-spotted Wood-Dove (Turtur chalcospilos) – CH, S, RV, MM
Blue-spotted Wood-Dove (Turtur afer) – WK
* Tambourine Dove (Turtur tympanistria) – WK (heard only), MM (seen in camp our final
morning).
Namaqua Dove (Oena capensis) – S, RV
African Green-Pigeon (Treron calva) – RV (Bill only), WK
Great Blue Turaco (Corythaeola cristata) - WK (the largest member of this uniquely African
family; several wonderful studies of them in the Kakamega rainforest).
* Schalow's Turaco (Tauraco schalowi) - MM (split from Livingstone's Turaco (Tauraco
livingstonii).
Black-billed Turaco (Tauraco schuettii) – WK (a responsive pair was a rare find in Kakamega
forest, where this species has declined greatly).
White-crested Turaco (Tauraco leucolophus) - RV (Kerio Valley; an especially beautiful
turaco).
Hartlaub's Turaco (Tauraco hartlaubi) - CH
Ross's Turaco (Musophaga rossae) – WK, MM (another fabulous species in this African
family!).
White-bellied Go-away-bird (Corythaixoides. leucogaster) – CH, S, RV
Eastern Plantain-eater (Crinifer zonurus) – WK (a nice surprise on our brief stop at Lake
Victoria).
Pied (Black-and-white) Cuckoo (Clamator jacobinus) – S
Red-chested Cuckoo (Cuculus solitarius) – RV
Black Cuckoo (Cuculus clamosus) – RV
Common Cuckoo (Cuculus canorus) – CH, RV (more frequent than usual).
Klaas' Cuckoo (Chrysococcyx klaas) – CH, WK, RV
African Emerald Cuckoo (Chrysococcyx cupreus) – CH (fabulous looks at a male, from the
roof at Mountain Lodge).
Dideric Cuckoo (Chrysococcyx caprius) – S, RV
Yellowbill (Ceuthmochares aereus) - WK
Blue-headed Coucal (Centropus monarchus) – WK (superlative view of this skulker in the
papyrus swamp at Lake Victoria).
White-browed Coucal (Centropus superciliosus) - CH, RV, MM
African Scops-Owl (Otus senegalensis) – S (called-up at dusk for a great look).
Spotted Eagle-Owl (Bubo africanus) – RV (heard only, at Lion Hill).
Verreaux’s Eagle-Owl (Bubo lacteus) – S (hd), RV (seen by day at Nakuru).
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Pearl-spotted Owlet (Glaucidium perlatum) – S
Red-chested Owlet (Glaucidium tephronotum) – WK (this rarely-seen forest inhabitant was
very vocal and visible at Kakamega this trip).
Abyssinian (Montane) Nightjar (Caprimulgus poliocephalus) – CH (seen by some; Mountain
Lodge).
Scarce Swift (Schoutedenapus myoptilus) – CH
Mottled Swift (Apus aequatorialis) - RV
Common Swift (Apus apus) – CH, MM
Nyanza Swift (Apus niansae) – S, RV, MM
African Swift (Apus barbatus) – WK (Tambach Escarpment).
Little Swift (Apus affinis) – all regions
Horus Swift (Apus horus) – RV (seen by some at Lake Naivasha).
White-rumped Swift (Apus caffer) – CH, MM
African Palm-Swift (Cypsiurus parvus) - CH, S, WK
Speckled Mousebird (Colius striatus) – all regions (an entertaining favorite that was seen
almost daily; this uniquely African family has only 6 species and we saw 3 of them).
White-headed Mousebird (Colius leucocephalus) - S (a Somali sub-region specialty).
Blue-naped Mousebird (Urocolius macrourus) - S, RV
* Narina Trogon (Apaloderma narina) – MM (a pair on the forest edge on the Oloololo
Escarpment).
Bar-tailed Trogon (Apaloderma vittatum) – WK (beautiful male in Kakamega rainforest).
Malachite Kingfisher (Alcedo cristata) - CH, RV, WK
African Pygmy-Kingfisher (Ispidina picta) – CH, S
Gray-headed Kingfisher (Halcyon leucocephala) – S, RV, WK, MM
Woodland Kingfisher (Halcyon senegalensis) – RV (at Lake Bogoria).
Striped Kingfisher (Halcyon chelicuti) – CH, RV
Giant Kingfisher (Megaceryle maxima) – RV, WK (the largest kingfisher in Africa, seen very
well).
Pied Kingfisher (Ceryle rudis) – CH, RV, WK
Blue-headed Bee-eater (Merops muelleri) – WK (a Kakamega specialty and one of the few
bee-eaters restricted to a forest environment).
White-fronted Bee-eater (Merops bullockoides) – RV
Little Bee-eater (Merops pusillus) - CH, S, MM
Cinnamon-chested Bee-eater (Merops oreobates) - CH, RV, WK, MM
Somali Bee-eater (Merops revoilii) – S (many great looks at this specialty).
White-throated Bee-eater (Merops albicollis) – S, WK
European Bee-eater (Merops apiaster) – RV
European Roller (Coracias garrulus) – CH, MM
Lilac-breasted Roller (Coracias caudatus) - RV, MM (a colorful safari favorite).
Rufous-crowned (Purple) Roller (Coracias naevius) - S
* Broad-billed Roller (Eurystomus glaucurus) - MM
Eurasian Hoopoe (Upupa epops) – CH, S, RV (all were the “African” Hoopoe, of the africana
race, sometimes split as a separate species).
Green Wood-Hoopoe (Phoeniculus purpureus) - S, CH, RV (noisy and sociable birds, the
most widespread of this uniquely African family).
Common Scimitar-bill (Rhinopomastus cyanomelas) – RV (in the Lake Nakuru woodlands).
Abyssinian Scimitar-bill (Rhinopomastus minor) – S, MM (many good close looks; the
smallest of the family).
Northern Red-billed Hornbill (Tockus erythrorhynchus) - S, RV (the most abundant of the
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small hornbills and very bold and entertaining).
Eastern Yellow-billed Hornbill (Tockus flavirostris) – S
Jackson’s Hornbill (Tockus jacksoni) - RV
Von der Decken’s Hornbill (Tockus deckeni) - S
Crowned Hornbill (Tockus alboterminatus) – CH, MM
African Gray Hornbill (Tockus nasutus) - CH, S, RV
Silvery-cheeked Hornbill (Ceratogymna brevis) - CH
Black-and-white Casqued Hornbill (Ceratogymna subcylindricus) - WK, MM (big and
noisy).
Southern Ground-Hornbill (Bucorvus leadbeateri) – RV (distant bird in the Nakuru
woodlands), MM (close look at these big and weird birds in the Mara).
Yellow-billed Barbet (Trachyphonus purpuratus) – WK (scope studies).
Red-and-yellow Barbet (Trachyphonus erythyrocephalus) – S, RV (a colorful savannah-
dweller that often nests in termite mounds).
D'Arnaud's Barbet (Trachyphonus darnaudii) - S, RV, MM (in the Mara we saw the usambiro
race, sometimes treated as a separate species, the “Usambiro” Barbet).
Gray-throated Barbet (Gymnobucco bonapartei) – WK, MM
White-eared Barbet (Stactolaema leucotus) – CH (a rare find in central Kenya).
Yellow-rumped Tinkerbird (Pogoniulus bilineatus) - CH, WK
Yellow-fronted Tinkerbird (Pogoniulus chrysoconus) – WK
Red-fronted Tinkerbird (Pogoniulus pusillus) – S,CH (hd), RV, MM
Yellow-spotted Barbet (Buccanodon duchaillui) - WK
Hairy-breasted Barbet (Tricholaema hirsuta) - WK (motionless in the forest canopy for a
long scope study; the scarcest of the Kakamega barbets).
Red-fronted Barbet (Tricholaema diademata) – RV
Spot-flanked Barbet (Tricholaema lacrymosa) – CH, RV (Kerio Valley), MM
Black-throated Barbet (Tricholaema melanocephala) - S
White-headed Barbet (Lybius leucocephalus) - RV
Double-toothed Barbet (Lybius bidentatus) – WK
Least Honeyguide (Indicator exilis) – WK
Lesser Honeyguide (Indicator minor) – RV, MM
Greater Honeyguide (Indicator indicator) - RV
* Rufous-necked Wryneck (Jynx ruficollis) – MM (patterned to look just like the acacia bark).
Nubian Woodpecker (Campethera nubica) - S, RV, WK
Tullberg’s (Fine-banded) Woodpecker (Campethera tulbergi) – CH (a long close eye-level
study of one on Mt. Kenya was a rare treat).
Buff-spotted Woodpecker (Campethera nivosa) – WK (excellent look at a scarce bird).
Cardinal Woodpecker (Dendropicos fuscescens) – CH, S, WK, MM
Bearded Woodpecker (Dendropicos namaquus) – RV (Kerio Valley woodland).
Golden-crowned (Yellow-crested) Woodpecker (Dendropicos xantholophus) – WK (in the
scope!).
* (African) Gray Woodpecker (Dendropicos goertae) – MM
Gray-headed Woodpecker (Dendropicos spodocephalus) - CH, RV (split from the Gray
Woodpecker (D. goertae) by Clements, but not by most authorities or the field guides).
Pygmy Falcon (Polihierax semitorquatus) – S
Lesser Kestrel (Falco naumanni) – CH, WK, RV
Eurasian Kestrel (Falco. tinnunculus) - S, CH, RV, MM
* Gray Kestrel (Falco ardosiaceus) – MM
* Amur Falcon (Falco amurensis) – MM (good looks at a circling pair; uncommon migrant).
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Eleonora’s Falcon (Falco eleonorae) – CH (a rare migrant, high over the north side of Mt.
Kenya).
Eurasian Hobby (Falco subbuteo) – S, RV, WK, MM
Lanner Falcon (Falco biarmicus) – S, RV (7+ around the cliffs at Hell’s Gate in one
afternoon).
Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus) – CH, RV
Fischer’s Lovebird (Agapornis fischeri) - WK (introduced in Kenya; native only in Tanzania).
Red-fronted Parrot (Poicephalus gulielmi) - CH
Meyer's (Brown) Parrot (Poicephalus meyeri) – RV (at rest stop near Nakuru), MM
Red-bellied (Orange-bellied) Parrot (Poicephalus rufiventris) - S
African Broadbill (Smithornis capensis) – WK (great look at one that popped up in a mixed-
flock in secondary forest at Kakamega; rarely seen).
African Shrike-Flycatcher (Megabyas flammulatus) - WK
Brown-throated (Common) Wattle-eye (Platysteira cyanea) - WK, MM
Chestnut Wattle-eye (Platysteira castanea) – WK (Bill’s bird).
Jameson's Wattle-eye (Platysteira jamesoni) – WK (cute!).
Chinspot Batis (Batis molitor) - CH, RV, MM
Pygmy Batis (Batis perkeo) – S
Brubru (Nilaus afer) – CH, S, RV, MM
Northern Puffback (Dryoscopus gambensis) – RV
Black-backed Puffback (Dryoscopus cubla) - CH, MM
Pink-footed Puffback (Dryoscopus angolensis) – WK
* Black-crowned Tchagra (Tchagra senegala) – MM (a skulker with an especially musical
song).
Brown-crowned Tchagra (Tchagra australis) – RV, MM
Three-streaked Tchagra (Tchagra jamesi) - S
Luehder's Bush-Shrike (Laniarius luehderi) - WK
Tropical Boubou (Laniarius aethiopicus) - CH, RV, MM (their clear bell-like duets were a
favorite sound of the trip).
Black-headed Gonolek (Laniarius erythrogaster) – RV (Kerio Valley), WK, MM (hd)
(brilliant!).
Slate-colored Boubou (Laniarius funebris) - CH, S, RV (hd), MM
Rosy-patched Bushshrike (Rhodophoneus cruentus) - S (a dry-country specialty, subtle in
color until the rosy parts are seen).
Gray-green (Bocage’s) Bushshrike (Telophorus bocagei) - WK
Sulphur-breasted Bushshrike (Telophorus sulfureopectus) – CH, RV
Gray-headed Bush-Shrike (Malaconotus blanchoti) – S (hd), RV (hd) (heard only, in three
different areas, but never seen in spite of considerable effort spent trying!).
Gray Cuckoo-Shrike (Coracina caesia) – CH (good look in the canopy at Mountain Lodge).
Black Cuckoo-Shrike (Campephaga flava) - CH, RV
Purple-throated Cuckoo-Shrike (Campephaga quiscalina) – CH, WK
Red-backed Shrike (Lanius collurio) – CH
Rufous-tailed Shrike (Lanius isabellinus) – CH, S, RV
Gray-backed Fiscal (Lanius excubitoroides) - RV
Long-tailed Fiscal (Lanius cabanisi) - CH (common in Nairobi NP).
Taita Fiscal (Lanius dorsalis) - S
MacKinnon's Shrike (Lanius mackinnoni) - WK
Northern Fiscal (Lanius humeralis) - CH, RV, WK, MM (now split from the Southern Fiscal
(Lanius collaris) of southern Africa).
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White-rumped Shrike (Eurocephalus rueppellii) - S, MM
Eurasian Golden Oriole (Oriolus oriolus) – S, RV
Western Black-headed Oriole (Oriolus brachyrhynchus) - WK
African Black-headed Oriole (Oriolus larvatus) - CH, RV, MM
Black-tailed (Montane) Oriole (Oriolus percivali) – CH (good studies of all of the orioles).
Square-tailed Drongo (Dicrurus ludwigii) - WK
Fork-tailed Drongo (Dicrurus adsimilis) – CH, S, RV, MM
African Paradise-Flycatcher (Tersiphone viridis) -CH, RV, WK, MM
Cape Crow (Corvus capensis) - CH, WK, RV
Pied Crow (Corvus albus) –all regions
Fan-tailed Raven (Corvus rhipidurus) – S
* White-necked Raven (Corvus albicollis) – MM (pair close to the road in a field in Masailand;
this species has declined a great deal in recent decades).
Rufous-naped Lark (Mirafra africana) - CH, RV, MM
* Flappet Lark (Mirafra rufocinnamomea) – MM
Pink-breasted Lark (Calendulauda poecilosterna) - S
Foxy Lark (Calendulauda alopex) – S (now split from the Fawn-colored Lark (C. africanoides)
of southern Africa).
Fischer’s Sparrow-Lark (Eremopterix leucopareia) – CH, S, RV, MM
Red-capped Lark (Calandrella cinerea) – CH, RV, MM
Plain (African Sand) Martin (Riparia paludicola) - CH, RV, MM
Bank Swallow (Sand Martin) (Riparia riparia) – CH, RV
Banded Martin (Riparia cincta) - CH
Rock Martin (Ptyonoprogne fuligula) - CH, RV, MM
Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica) - all regions (an abundant migrant from Eurasia seen almost
daily).
Ethiopian Swallow (Hirundo aethiopica) – CH (perched birds studied in the scope, the first on
this tour in many years).
Angola Swallow (Hirundo angolensis) – CH, WK
Wire-tailed Swallow (Hirundo smithii) – all regions
Red-rumped Swallow (Cecropis daurica) - CH, S, RV, MM
* Lesser Striped-Swallow (Cecropis abyssinica) – MM
* Rufous-chested Swallow (Cecropis semirufa) – MM (nice study of a perched pair).
Common House-Martin (Delichon urbicum) - CH, RV
White-headed Sawwing (Psalidoprocne albiceps) – WK
Black Sawwing (Psalidoprocne pristoptera) - CH, MM
African Blue-Flycatcher (Elminia longicauda) - WK, MM (a delightful little bird).
Dusky Crested-Flycatcher (Elminia nigromitrata) - WK
White-bellied Tit (Melaniparus albiventris) - CH, RV
Dusky Tit (Melaniparus funereus) - WK
Somali Tit (Melaniparus thruppi) - S (split from Grey Tit (Melaniparus afer).
Mouse-colored Penduline-Tit (Anthoscopus musculus) – RV (less than spectacular).
Slender-billed Greenbul (Stelgidillas (Andropadus) gracilirostris) – CH, WK
Common Bristlebill (Bleda syndactylus) – WK (great look out in the open at the forest edge).
Shelley’s (Kakamega) Greenbul (Arizelocichla (Andropadus) masukuensis) – WK
Joyful Greenbul (Chlorocichla laetissima) - WK (colorful, conspicuous and readily
identified, unlike its many relatives also present in the Kakamega forest).
Ansorge's Greenbul (Eurillas (Andropadus) ansorgei) - WK
Plain (Cameroon Sombre) Greenbul (Eurillas (Andropadus) curvirostris) – WK
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Yellow-whiskered Greenbul (Eurillas (Andropadus) latirostris) - CH, WK
Little Greenbul (Eurillas (Andropadus) virens) – WK (best looks ever – but still not
impressive).
Northern Brownbul (Phyllastrephus strepitans) – S, RV (Kerio Valley)
Toro Olive-Greenbul (Phyllastrephus hypochloris) - WK
Cabanis’s Greenbul (Phyllastrephus cabanisi) – WK
Common Bulbul (Pycnonotus barbatus) - all regions (a friendly and abundant bird – and the
only species seen every day of the trip).
White-browed Crombec (Sylvietta leucophrys) – CH
Red-faced Crombec (Sylvietta whytii) - CH, RV, MM
Moustached Grass-Warbler (Melocichla mentalis) – CH (sneaky; at Hippo Pools in Nairobi
NP).
Uganda Wood-Warbler (Phylloscopus budongoensis) - WK
Willow Warbler (Phylloscopus trochilus) – CH, RV, WK, MM (a widespread migrant).
Eastern Olivaceous Warbler (Iduna (Hippolais) pallida) – CH, RV
Mountain Yellow Warbler (Iduna (Chloropeta) similis) – CH
Upcher’s Warbler (Hippolais languida) – S
African Reed-Warbler (Acrocephalus baeticatus) - WK
Greater Swamp-Warbler (Acrocephalus rufescens) – WK (Lake Victoria).
Lesser Swamp-Warbler (Acrocephalus gracilirostris) – RV (Lake Naivasha).
Little Rush-Warbler (Bradypterus baboecala) - WK
Cinnamon Bracken-Warbler (Bradypterus cinnamomeus) – CH (heard only)
* Fan-tailed Grassbird (Schoenicola brevirostris) – MM (our final morning at Kichwa Tembo).
Black-collared Apalis (Apalis pulchra) - WK
Black-throated Apalis (Apalis jacksoni) - CH (a colorful warbler of the canopy of montane
forest).
Yellow-breasted Apalis (Apalis flavida) - CH, RV, MM
Buff-throated Apalis (Apalis rufogularis) - WK
Chestnut-throated Apalis (Apalis prophyrolaema) – CH (heard only)
Gray Apalis (Apalis cinerea) – CH, MM
Green-backed (Gray-backed) Camaroptera (Camaroptera brachyura) – all regions
Olive-green Camaroptera (Camaroptera chloronota) - WK
Red-fronted Warbler (Red-faced Apalis) (Urorhipis rufifrons) - S
* Miombo (Pale) Wren-Warbler (Calamonastes undosus) - MM
Gray Wren-Warbler (Calamonastes simplex) – S, RV (hd)
White-chinned Prinia (Schistolais leucopogon) - WK
Red-faced Cisticola (Cisticola erythrops) – WK, MM
Singing Cisticola (Cisticola cantans) - CH
Chubb's Cisticola (Cisticola chubbi) - WK
Hunter's Cisticola (Cisticola hunteri) - CH, RV (hd)
Boran Cisticola (Cisticola bodessa) – CH, WK (hd) (one of the really obscure cisticolas!).
Rattling Cisticola (Cisticola chiniana) - CH, S, RV, MM
Ashy Cisticola (Cisticola cinereolus) - S
Wailing Cisticola (Cisticola lais) – RV (a specialty of Hell’s Gate NP).
Winding Cisticola (Cisticola galactotes) – WK, RV
Tinkling (Levaillant’s) Cisticola (Cisticola tinniens) - WK
Stout Cisticola (Cisticola robustus) - CH, MM
Siffling (Short-winged) Cisticola (Cisticola brachypterus) – CH
* Zitting Cisticola (Cisticola juncidis) – MM
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Pectoral-patch Cisticola (Cisticola brunnescens) - CH, RV (hd), MM
Gray-capped Warbler (Eminia lepida) - CH, RV, MM
Black-faced Rufous-Warbler (Bathmocercus rufus) – WK (a beautiful warbler of the dense
forest understory, quite reminiscent of New World antbirds).
Buff-bellied Warbler (Phyllolais pulchella) – RV (especially close looks at Lake Naivasha).
Tawny-flanked Prinia (Prinia subflava) - CH, MM
Pale Prinia (Prinia somalica) - S
Banded (Black-faced) Prinia (Prinia bairdii) - WK
Yellow-vented Eremomela (Eremomela flavicrissalis) – S
* Yellow-bellied Eremomela (Eremomela icteropygialis) - MM
Green-backed Eremomela (Eremomela canescens) - RV (on the slopes of the Kerio Valley; a
brightly-colored warbler for a change).
Turner's Eremomela (Eremomela turneri) – WK
Blackcap (Sylvia atricapilla) - CH, RV, WK
Garden Warbler (Sylvia borin) – CH, RV
Barred Warbler (Sylvia risoria) - S
Greater Whitethroat (Sylvia communis) - CH
Brown Warbler (Parisoma lugens) – CH, RV
Banded Warbler (Parisoma boehmi) – S, MM
Green Hylia (Hylia prasina) - WK
African Yellow White-eye (Zosterops senegalensis) - WK, RV
Broad-ringed (Montane) White-eye (Zosterops poliogastrus) - CH
White-breasted (Abyssinian) White-eye (Zosterops abyssinicus) – CH
Scaly-breasted Illadopsis (Illadopsis albipectus) – WK (heard only)
Mountain Illadopsis (Illadopsis pyrrhoptera) - WK
Rufous Chatterer (Turdoides rubiginosa) - S, CH
Black-lored Babbler (Turdoides sharpei) – RV (Lake Naivasha).
Northern Pied-Babbler (Turdoides hypoleuca) – CH (Nairobi area).
Brown Babbler (Turdoides plebejus) – RV (Kerio Valley).
Arrow-marked Babbler (Turdoides jardineii) – RV, MM
Silverbird (Empidornis semipartitus) – LN, MM (a beautiful flycatcher).
Pale Flycatcher (Bradornis pallidus) – CH, RV
Grayish (African Gray) Flycatcher (Bradornis microrhynchus) - S, RV, MM
White-eyed Slaty-Flycatcher (Melaenornis fischeri) - CH, RV, WK (friendly and confiding).
Northern Black-Flycatcher (Melaenornis edolioides) – WK, MM
Southern Black-Flycatcher (Melaenornis pammelaina) – CH, S, RV
Spotted Flycatcher (Muscicapa striata) – all regions (a common migrant).
Swamp Flycatcher (Muscicapa aquatica) – WK
Chapin’s Flycatcher (Muscicapa lendu) – WK (scope look at this obscure species of the high
canopy; its range is limited to just a few isolated mid-elevation forests and it is considered threatened).
Dusky-brown (African Dusky) Flycatcher (Muscicapa adusta) - CH, RV, WK
Gray Tit-Flycatcher (Myioparus plumbeus) – RV (Kerio Valley).
Brown-backed Scrub-Robin (Cercotrichas hartlaubi) – CH (teed-up and singing; scope
study).
Red-backed (White-browed) Scrub-Robin (Cercotrichas leucophrys) – S, RV, MM (hd)
Cape Robin-Chat (Cossypha caffra) - CH, RV
Gray-winged Robin-Chat (Cossypha polioptera) – WK, MM (a remarkable mimic).
Rueppell's Robin-Chat (Cossypha semirufa) - CH
White-browed Robin-Chat (Cossypha heuglini) – CH, RV, MM (their loud and spirited duets
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in the early mornings made this a favorite voice – unless you wanted to sleep late).
Snowy-crowned Robin-Chat (Cossypha niveicapilla) – WK (another very talented vocalist, it
sang for us daily during our checklist sessions).
Spotted Morning-Thrush (Cichladusa guttata) – S, RV
Brown-chested Alethe (Alethe poliocephala) – WK
Thrush Nightingale (Sprosser) (Luscinia luscinia) – CH
Little Rock Thrush (Monticola rufocinereus) – CH, RV
Rufous-tailed Rock Thrush (Monticola saxatilis) – S, CH, RV
Whinchat (Saxicola rubetra) – CH
African Stonechat (Saxicola torquatus) - CH, WK, RV
Northern Anteater-Chat (Myrmecocichla aethiops) - CH, RV, WK
* Sooty Chat (Myrmecocichla nigra) - MM
Mocking Cliff-Chat (Thamnolaea cinnamomeiventris) – RV (Claude’s bird at Makaria Falls).
Northern Wheatear (Oenanthe oenanthe) – CH, MM
Mourning Wheatear (Oenanthe lugens) - RV (we saw the distinctive and isolated “Schalow’s”
race at Hell’s Gate, often split as a separate species, “Schalow’s” Wheater (Oenanthe lugubris).
Pied Wheatear (Oenanthe pleschanka) – S, MM
* Capped Wheatear (Oenanthe pileata) - MM
Isabelline Wheatear (Oenanthe isabellina) – CH, S, RV, MM
Olive Thrush (Turdus olivaceus) – CH, RV
African Thrush (Turdus pelios) - RV, WK
Wattled Starling (Creatophora cinerea) – CH, RV, MM
Greater Blue-eared Glossy-Starling (Lamprotornis chalybaeus) - CH, RV, MM
Rueppell's Glossy-Starling (Lamprotornis purpuropterus) – CH, RV, WK, MM
Golden-breasted Starling (Lamprotornis regius) - S (stunning arid-zone specialty).
Superb Starling (Lamprotornis. superbus) - all regions (truly "superb-oh").
* Hildebrandt's Starling (Lamprotornis hildebrandti) - MM
Violet-backed Starling (Cinnyricinclus leucogaster) – CH, MM (a real “wow” bird when lit
up).
Fischer’s Starling (Spreo fishcheri) - S
Red-winged Starling (Onychognathus morio) – CH, RV
Slender-billed Starling (Onychognathus tenuirostris) – RV (great studies in direct comparison
with the preceding).
Stuhlmann's Starling (Poeoptera stuhlmanni) – WK
Kenrick’s Starling (Poeoptera kenricki) – CH
Red-billed Oxpecker (Buphagus erythrorhynchus) - CH, S, RV, MM (on a variety of large
mammals – a unique foraging niche!).
Yellow-billed Oxpecker (Buphagus africanus) – CH, MM
Kenya Violet-backed Sunbird (Anthreptes orientalis) – S, RV
Green (Gray-chinned) Sunbird (Anthreptes rectirostris) – WK
Collared Sunbird (Hedydipna collaris) - CH, WK, MM
Green-headed Sunbird (Cyanomitra verticalis) - CH, RV, WK
Western Olive-Sunbird (Cyanomitra obscura) - WK (split from Eastern Olive-Sunbird (C.
olivacea).
Green-throated Sunbird (Chalcomitra rubescens) – WK
Amethyst Sunbird (Chalcomitra amethystina) - CH, RV
Scarlet-chested Sunbird (Chalcomitra senegalensis) - CH, RV, WK, MM
Hunter's Sunbird (Chalcomitra hunteri) – S, RV
Tacazze Sunbird (Nectarinia tacazze) - CH (a flashy big sunbird of high elevations).
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Bronze Sunbird (Nectarinia kilimensis) - CH, RV, WK
Golden-winged Sunbird (Drepanorhynchus reichenowi) - CH (another specialty of the
highlands).
Northern Double-collared Sunbird (Cinnyris preussi) - CH, WK
Eastern Double-collared Sunbird (Cinnyris mediocris) – CH
Beautiful Sunbird (Cinnyris pulchellus) – RV (in breeding plumage at Lake Bogoria).
Mariqua Sunbird (Cinnyris mariquensis) – S, CH, RV (Kerio Valley), MM
Red-chested Sunbird (Cinnyris erythrocercus) - WK
Black-bellied Sunbird (Cinnyris nectarinoides) – S (in breeding plumage at the lodge).
* Purple-banded Sunbird (Cinnyris bifasciatus) – MM
Shining Sunbird (Cinnyris habessinicus) – S (several males of this scarce dry-zone wanderer).
Variable Sunbird (Cinnyris venustus) - CH, WK, RV, MM
Copper Sunbrid (Cinnyris cupreus) – WK
Western Yellow Wagtail (Motacilla flava) – CH, RV, MM
Cape Wagtail (Motacilla capensis) – CH, WK
Gray Wagtail (Motacilla cinerea) – WK
Mountain Wagtail (Motacilla clara) – CH, RV (an elegant bird of the mountain streams).
African Pied Wagtail (Motacilla aguimp) – all regions (and recorded almost daily).
African (Grassland) Pipit (Anthus cinnamomeus) - CH, RV, MM
Long-billed Pipit (Anthus. similis) – CH
Plain-backed Pipit (Anthus leucophrys) – CH, RV, MM
Tree Pipit (Anthus trivialis) - WK
Yellow-throated Longclaw (Macronyx croceus) - CH, RV, MM (remarkably convergent in
appearance with our meadowlarks, but they are not closely related).
Rosy-throated Longclaw (Macronyx ameliae) - CH
Cinnamon-breasted Bunting (Emberiza tahapisi) – CH
* Golden-breasted Bunting (Emberiza flaviventris) - MM
Somali Bunting (Emberiza poliopleura) – S (very numerous this trip; many were singing).
Yellow-fronted Canary (Serinus mozambicus) – WK, MM
African Citril (Serinus citrinelloides) - CH, WK
Reichenow’s (Yellow-rumped) Seedeater (Serinus reichenowi) - CH, RV, WK
White-bellied Canary (Serinus dorsostriatus) – CH, S, RV
Brimstone Canary (Serinus sulphuratus) - CH, MM
Streaky Seedeater (Serinus striolatus) - CH, RV
Thick-billed Seedeater (Serinus burtoni) - CH
House Sparrow (Passer domesticus) – CH, S, RV, MM (introduced; now widespread).
Kenya Rufous Sparrow (Passer rufocinctus) - CH, RV, MM (now split from Passer
motitensis).
Northern Gray-headed Sparrow (Passer griseus) – RV (Tugen Hills), WK
Parrot-billed Sparrow (Passer gongonensis) – CH, S
* Swahili Sparrow (Passer suahelicus) – MM
Chestnut Sparrow (Passer emnibey) – S (abundant this year, with many in breeding plumage).
Yellow-spotted Petronia (Petronia pyrgita) – S, RV (Kerio Valley)
White-billed Buffalo-Weaver (Bubalornis albirostris) – RV (Lake Bogoria)
Red-billed Buffalo-Weaver (Bubalornis niger) – S, MM
White-headed Buffalo-Weaver (Dinemellia dinemelli) – S, RV (a conspicuous dry region
favorite).
Speckle-fronted Weaver (Sporopipes frontalis) - S, MM
White-browed Sparrow-Weaver (Plocepasser mahali) - CH, S, RV (abundant and noisy).
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Donaldson-Smith’s Sparrow-Weaver (Plocepasser donaldsoni) – S
* Gray-headed Social-Weaver (Pseudonigrita arnaudi) – MM (locally numerous).
Black-capped Social-Weaver (Pseudonigrita cabanisi) - S (an abundant Samburuland
specialty, their nests in the acacias a conspicuous feature of the landscape).
Red-headed Malimbe (Malimbus rubricollis) – WK (a scarce forest canopy weaver).
Red-headed Weaver (Anaplectes rubriceps) – S, CH, RV
Baglafecht Weaver (Ploceus baglafecht) - CH, RV, WK, MM
Little Weaver (Ploceus luteolus) – RV
Slender-billed Weaver (Ploceus pelzelni) – WK (in the Lake Victoria papyrus swamps).
Black-necked Weaver (Ploceus nigricollis) – S, WK (different races, in very different habitats).
Spectacled Weaver (Ploceus ocularis) - CH, RV, MM
Black-billed Weaver (Ploceus melanogaster) - WK
African Golden-Weaver (Ploceus subaureus) – CH (huge flock at the historic Blue Posts
Hotel).
Holub's Golden-Weaver (Ploceus xanthops) - CH, MM
Northern Brown-throated Weaver (Ploceus castanops) – WK (non-breeding plumage only).
Lesser Masked-Weaver (Ploceus intermedius) – S, RV
Northern Masked-Weaver (Ploceus taeniopterus) - RV
Vitelline Masked-Weaver (Ploceus vitellinus) – S
Speke's Weaver (Ploceus spekei) - CH, RV (nesting in large noisy colonies).
Vieillot's Weaver (Ploceus nigerrimus) – WK
Village Weaver (Ploceus cucullatus) – WK, MM
Black-headed (Yellow-backed) Weaver (Ploceus melanocephalus) – WK (Lake Victoria)
Golden-backed Weaver (Ploceus jacksoni) – WK (Lake Victoria)
Chestnut Weaver (Ploceus rubiginosus) – CH, S (few in breeding plumage).
Forest (Dark-backed) Weaver (Ploceus bicolor) - WK
Brown-capped Weaver (Ploceus insignis) – CH, WK
Red-billed Quelea (Quelea quelea) – S, CH
Yellow Bishop (Euplectes capensis) – CH, MM
* Yellow-shouldered Widowbird (Euplectes macroura) – MM (distant; partial breeding-
plumage).
Red-collared Widowbird (Euplectes ardens) – CH
Fan-tailed Widowbird (Euplectes axillaris) – WK, MM
Long-tailed Widowbird (Euplectes progne) – CH (several breeding-plumaged males).
Jackson’s Widowbird (Euplectes jacksoni) – CH (declining East African grassland endemic).
Gray-headed Nigrita (Nigrita canicapillus) – CH, WK
Yellow-bellied Waxbill (Coccopygia (Estrilda) quartinia) - CH
Common Waxbill (Estrilda astrild) – CH, RV
Red-rumped (Black-cheeked) Waxbill (Estrilda charmosyna) - S
Red-headed Bluebill (Spermophaga ruficapilla) – WK (two wonderful looks).
Red-cheeked Cordonbleu (Uraeginthus bengalus) - CH, S, RV, MM (a favorite of unusual
color).
Purple Grenadier (Granatina ianthinogaster) - CH, S, RV, MM (not too shabby either!).
Green-winged Pytilia (Pytilia melba) - RV
Red-billed Firefinch (Lagonosticta senegala) – CH, S, RV
African (Blue-billed) Firefinch (Lagonosticta rubricate) – CH (excellent study in Nairobi NP).
Cut-throat (Amadina fasciata) – S (common this year).
African Quailfinch (Ortygospiza fuscocrissa) – CH
Bronze Mannikin (Spermestes (Lonchura) cucullata) – WK, MM
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Black-and-white Mannikin (Spermestes (Lonchura) bicolor) - CH (the “Rufous-backed” race,
sometimes split as a separate species (S. nigriceps).
African Silverbill (Euodice (Lonchura) cantans) – S
Pin-tailed Whydah (Vidua macroura) – S, RV, MM (numerous males in breeding plumage).
Eastern Paradise-Whydah (Vidua paradisaea) – S (breeding-plumaged males near Isiolo).
Steel-blue Whydah (Vidua hypocherina) – S (breeding-plumaged males seen three days in a
row; more than all previous trips combined).
Straw-tailed Whydah (Vidua fischeri) – S (breeding-plumaged males for the first time in
years).
Mammal List: List and taxonomy follows “The Kingdon Field Guide to African Mammals”
Guereza Colobus (Colobus guereza) - CH, WK
Olive Baboon (Papio anubis) – all regions
Vervet Monkey (Cercopithecus (aethiops) pygerythrus) – all regions
“Blue” Monkey (Cercopithecus (nictitans) mitis) - west of the Rift at WK, MM
"Syke's" Monkey (Cercopithecus (nictitans) nictitans) - east of the Rift in the CH.
Red-tailed Monkey (Cercopithecus (cephus) ascanius) - WK, MM
insectivorous bats – all regions and a variety of sizes, including one with very large ears at
Samburu.
Scrub Hare (Lepus capensis/saxatilis) – S, RV
Unstriped Ground-Squirrel (Xerus rutilus) – S
Ochre Bush Squirrel (Paraxerus ochraceus) – CH
Gambian Sun Squirrel (Heliosciurus gambianus) – RV (Kerio Valley acacia woodland).
Red-legged Sun Squirrel (Heliosciurus rufobrachium) - WK
African Giant Squirrel (Protoxerus stangeri) – WK
Unstriped Grass Rat (Arvicanthis sp?) – S (attempted mating!), MM (many).
Black-backed (Silver-backed) Jackal (Canis mesomelas) - RV, MM
Dwarf Mongoose (Helogale parvula) – S, MM
* Banded Mongoose (Mungos mungo) – MM
* Spotted Hyena (Crocuta crocuta) – RV (heard at Hell’s Gate), MM (frequent; not an attractive
animal, but very important in the Mara ecosystem).
Common (Small-spotted) Genet (Genetta genetta) -S
Blotched (Large-spotted) Genet (Genetta tigrina) – CH
* Leopard (Panthera pardus) – MM (on our last game drive the final afternoon; bits and pieces
of a well-concealed animal in a thick lone bush, the icy eyes glaring directly at us several times).
Lion (Panthera leo) – S, RV, MM (including males, females and playful cubs in the Mara).
Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) – S
Black-necked Rock Hyrax (Procavia johnstoni) – S, RV
* Yellow-spotted Hyrax (Heterohyrax brucei) - MM
Southern Tree Hyrax (Dendrohyrax arboreus) – CH (mostly heard; impressive choruses of
their ferocious nocturnal calls, which are all about territory).
African Elephant (Loxodonta africana) – CH, S, MM
Common (Burchell's) Zebra (Equus quagga) - CH, RV, MM
Grevy’s Zebra (Equus grevyi) – S (several handsome stallions of this very endangered
species).
Browse (Black) Rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis) – CH, MM (incredible luck with this very rare
and endangered animal – they were seen in three areas, including 7 in Nairobi NP our first day!).
Grass (White) Rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum) – RV (distant lumps; introduced at Lake
Nakuru).
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Hippopotamus (Hippopotamus amphibius) – CH, RV, MM
Common Warthog (Phacochoerus aethiopicus) - CH, S, RV, MM
Giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis) - CH, RV, MM ("Masai"), S (“Reticulated”).
African Buffalo (Synceros caffer) - CH, RV, MM
Bushbuck (Tragelaphus scriptus) - CH, MM
Greater Kudu (Tragelaphus strepticeros) – S (2 bold females at the lodge one afternoon).
Eland (Taurotragus oryx) - CH, RV, MM
Bush (Common or Gray) Duiker (Sylvicapra grimmia) – CH (in scrubby forest in Nairobi NP).
Suni (Neotragus moschatus) – CH (tiny antelope seen in the open at Mountain Lodge).
Steinbok (Raphicerus campestris) – CH
* Oribi (Ourebia ourebi) – MM (great looks at these cute antelope several times).
Klipspringer (Oreotragus oreotragus) – S (specialized rock habitat).
Kirk's Dikdik (Madoqua kirki) - S, MM
Gunther’s Dikdik? (Madoqua guentheri) – S (possibly this species seen in the dense thornbush
back in the hills away from the river; it seemed “different”).
Mountain Reedbuck (Redunca fulvorufula) – RV (a pair on a steep hillside at Hell’s Gate NP;
this animal is not often seen anywhere).
Bohor Reedbuck (Redunca redunca) – RV, MM
Waterbuck (Kobus ellipsiprymnus) - S, RV, MM (both “Common” and “Defassa” types).
Red-fronted (Thomson's) Gazelle (Gazella rufifrons) - CH, RV, MM
Grant's Gazelle (Gazella granti) - CH, S, RV, MM
Gerenuk (Litocranius walleri) – S (the strange “giraffe-antelope” was a common sight in
Samburu, but is quite a unique specialty of the Horn of Africa region).
Impala (Aepyceros melampus) - CH, S, RV, MM
* Topi (Damaliscus lunatus) - MM
Kongoni (Hartebeest) (Alcelaphus buselaphus) – CH, MM
Brindled Gnu (Wildebeest) (Connochaetes taurinus) – CH, RV, MM (with the
Mara/Serengeti region still dry the great migratory herds were present in the Mara. We saw literally
tens of thousands of animals, a spectacular sight).
Beisa Oryx (Oryx beisa) - S
Reptiles & Amphibians: identifications and taxonomy follow “The Pocket Guide to the Reptiles and
Amphibians of East Africa” by Spawls, Howell & Drewes.
Leopard Tortoise (Geochelone pardalis) – RV (from the vehicle while en route to Bogoria).
Helmeted Terrapin (Pelomedusa subrufa) – CH (big turtles at Hippo Pools in Nairobi NP).
* Serrated Hinged Terrapin (Pelusios sinuatus) - MM
Tropical House Gecko (Hemidactylus mabouia) – widespread at the lodges.
Short-necked Skink (Mabuya brevicollis) – S (thick-necked lizard photographed on termite
mound).
* Striped Skink (Mabuya striata) – MM (broad yellowish dorso-lateral stripes).
Variable? Skink (Mabuya varia) – S (a slimmer striped species of skink).
plated lizard sp? (Gerrhosaurus sp?) – CH (large lizard watched and photographed at picnic
stop on the edge of acacia woodland between Naro Moru and Thomson’s Falls).
tree agama sp? (Acanthocercus sp?) – RV (large lizard on tree in Kerio Valley).
Red-headed Rock Agama (Agama agama) – S (bright orange and blue males).
* Mwanza Flat-headed Agama (Agama mwanzae) – MM (brilliant pink and violet-blue males).
Nile Monitor (Varanus niloticus) – S, RV, MM
Nile Crocodile (Crocodilus niloticus) – CH, S, MM (including some monstrous ones along the
Mara River).
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small striped snake sp? – S (seen at the lodge by Bob and Sharon).
toad in Sharon’s shoe at Nakuru
And a lifetime of memories of the biological and cultural richness of East Africa