Among the birds of Tanzania you find some of the most beautiful, diverse and unique birds in the world. Although the majority of people come to Tanzania for their dream to see the Big Five or the Great Wildebeest Migration, one look at pictures of all the incredible birds of Tanzania will surely make them expand their dreams.
Seeing these majestic feathered creatures, big and small, in their natural habitat is an unforgettable experience. In this article we tapped into the expert knowledge of our birds of Tanzania guides to come up with a top 10 birds of Tanzania. Grab a cup of tea, make yourself comfortable and enjoy!
Rufous-tailed weaver – Serengeti National Park
With its 20 to 22 centimetres, chestnut coloured feathers and dark spots, the rufous-tailed weaver might not be the most colourful fellow. However, what makes it unique is that it’s an endemic bird of Tanzania. This means that this beautiful bird is found nowhere else on planet earth. From July to February, the male birds build their nests during the breeding season, often in the baobabs that the Serengeti National Park is famous for.
Silvery-cheeked hornbill – Lake Manyara National Park
The silvery-cheeked hornbill enjoys a very relaxed life and spends each breeding season with just one partner. For their meals, they often meet up with other couples in fruit-bearing trees, so don’t be surprised: you might see more than 100 hornbills at the same time! And if you want to impress your fellow adventurers with a fun fact: you can easily distinguish between the male and female hornbill by looking at their beaks. Males have a prominent casque over their entire beak while females have a much shorter one—a fantastic sight for epic pictures of birds of Tanzania.
Fisher’s lovebird – Serengeti National Park
Even though they are only 14 centimetres in length, and thus belong to the smallest birds of Tanzania, the small Fisher’s lovebird is easy to spot with their bright green and orange plumage. As their name suggests, these parrots take their romantic life seriously: they are monogamous and spend their whole life with one partner. Furthermore, they have mastered the gender-neutral look: looking at their feathers, you cannot tell whether you see a male or female.
Tawny Eagle – Tarangire National Park
From one of the smallest parrots in Tanzania, to a large bird of pray on top 10 birds of Tanzania. The Tawney eagle has a wingspan of up to 190 centimetres. This eagle is called ‘roofarend’ in Afrikaans, which means ‘robber eagle’. With a diet of carrion, this Tanzania bird is considered quite aggressive when it robs its prey from other birds – a way of feeding that is called kleptoparasitism. So be aware!
Black heron – Lake Manyara National Park
The black heron is an extremely sharp-witted, pitch-black bird with a size of 42 to 66 centimetres. To catch fish it steps into shallow water, bows its head and then spreads its wings around it, forming a feathery canopy. By doing so, he can clearly see what’s going on underwater and catch fish more easily. Sometimes you can also catch the heron hanging around the African sacred ibis. The ibis stirs up the fish through the water, after which the black heron simply swoops in and catches the fish. Fast food on a busy day!
Red and yellow barbet – Tarangire National Park
The red and yellow barbet is one of the sweetest birds in Tanzania. Well known for their beautiful (and loud) voices, their singing has a great rhythm to it. Their beautiful songs often last for a full two minutes and are accompanied by calls from other birds. This grand stage also needs a stunning outfit, and with a red head, yellow chest and black wings with white spots, the red and yellow barbet ticks that box exceptionally well. With so many qualities, it doesn’t even matter that the wingspan of a red and yellow barbet is only around 10 centimetres!
Flamingo – Arusha National Park
We all know that female birds sometimes pick their mate based on very specific criteria, like the most original dance or the most beautiful nest. The flamingo, prevalent in Arusha National Park, is one of them. During the mating season the males get together in a large group. In perfect synchronicity, they flap their wings, turn their heads and sing. After this performance the couples find each other and subsequently stay together for life. If you’re lucky enough to catch them in this beautiful mating ritual, you will undoubtedly make one of your most beautiful and unique pictures of birds of Tanzania.
Golden-breasted Starling – Mkomazi National Park
During your safari in Mkomazi National Park, make sure to keep your eyes open for the golden-breasted starling. Thanks to its fantastic plumage it’s a bird that’s not hard to miss. The upper part of this bird is coloured in iridescent blue, green and purple. The belly is golden-yellow, and to top it off this starling has a very long tail. Ask your birds of Tanzania guide for the tips to recognise the birds of Tanzania during your luxury safari.
Pel’s fishing owl – Ruaha National Park
You can only find Pel’s fishing owl in countries in Africa. However, you need to be lucky to actually see one. Because, like all nocturnal animals, Pel’s fishing owl only hunts at dusk, dawn and night. Also, with its red-brownish plumage, it perfectly blends into the trees where it spends most of its day cuddled up with its mate. However, if the owl doesn’t find enough food during the night, you might also see it during the day. So keep your eyes open!
Ostrich – Serengeti National Park & Ngorongoro Crater
The ostrich is the largest bird in the world, native to Africa. It belongs to the family Struthionidae and genus Struthio. Ostriches are known for their long necks, large eyes, and powerful legs, which they use for running. They are flightless birds but are incredibly fast runners, capable of reaching speeds up to 70 kilometers per hour (43 miles per hour).
One of the most distinctive features of ostriches is their long, feathered necks, which they use for various purposes such as communication, feeding, and mating displays. Their plumage is mainly black and white, providing them with excellent camouflage in their natural habitat.
Ostriches are omnivores, feeding on a diet that includes plants, seeds, insects, and small vertebrates. They have a unique digestive system, including a gizzard, which allows them to digest tough plant material and even small rocks to aid in grinding their food.
FAQS
- What is a birding safari?
A birding safari is a guided tour focused on observing and identifying bird species in their natural habitats. It typically involves visits to national parks, reserves, and other bird-rich areas with expert guides who assist in bird identification.
- Why choose Tanzania for a birding safari?
Tanzania boasts a rich diversity of bird species, with estimates of around one thousand different species. Its varied ecosystems, including savannas, forests, wetlands, and mountains, provide habitats for a wide range of birds, making it an ideal destination for birdwatchers.
- What types of birds can I expect to see in Tanzania?
Tanzania is home to a diverse array of bird species, including endemic species such as the Rufous-tailed Weaver and Fischer’s Lovebird, as well as migratory birds like flamingos and raptors. You can expect to see a mix of colorful songbirds, majestic raptors, waterfowl, and more.
- When is the best time for a birding safari in Tanzania?
The best time for birding in Tanzania depends on factors such as bird migration patterns, breeding seasons, and weather conditions. Generally, the dry season (from June to October) is considered ideal for birdwatching as birds are more concentrated around water sources, but Tanzania offers excellent birding opportunities year-round.
- What should I bring on a birding safari?
Essential items to bring on a birding safari include binoculars, a field guide to birds of Tanzania, a camera with a telephoto lens for capturing bird photos, comfortable clothing and footwear for outdoor activities, sunscreen, insect repellent, and a refillable water bottle.
