Category: Uncategorized

Uncategorized

Red-necked Falcon,is a striking bird of prey that adds both color and drama to the open landscapes of Kenya.

Red -necked Falcon ,Falco chicquera.

Characterized by its swift flight and agile hunting techniques, this small raptor is a marvel of adaptation and efficiency in the natural world. Its behavior, habitat, and interactions with its environment offer a window into the dynamics of savannah and semi-arid ecosystems.

True to its name, it is easily recognized by the rufous or chestnut-colored “red” nape and neck, which contrast sharply with its pale underparts and slate-gray upper wings. The face is marked with a bold black moustachial stripe, and its sharp, hooked beak is ideal for tearing flesh. Its long tail and pointed wings make it an excellent aerial hunter, capable of high-speed pursuits.

The Red-necked Falcon is not just a beautiful and agile hunter; it is also a symbol of the intricate balance of open-land ecosystems. Its adaptability, hunting prowess, and widespread distribution make it a fascinating subject for naturalists and bird watchers alike. Protecting its habitat ensures the continued survival of not only this falcon but also the many other species that share its world.Enjoy your birding!

Uncategorized

Secretary Bird,an African Endemic that Walks the Terrestrial Land Looking for Prey!

Secretary Bird ,Sagittarius serpentarius .

Secretary Bird is a very large, mostly terrestrial bird of prey. Endemic to Africa, it is usually found in the open grasslands and savanna of the sub-Saharan region. Unlike most birds of prey, the Secretary Bird is largely terrestrial, hunting its prey on foot. Adults hunt in pairs and sometimes as loose familial flocks, stalking through the habitat with long strides. Prey may consist of insects, mammals ranging in size from mice to hares and mongoose, crabs, lizards, snakes, tortoises, young birds, bird eggs, and sometimes dead animals killed in grass or bush fires.

Uncategorized

Eastern Yellow-billed Hornbill (Tockus flavirostris).

Photo@Peter Cavanagh

Yellow-billed is a species of hornbill found in Eastern Africa, preferring dry and semi-arid areas like savannahs and shrublands,and forages on the ground for seeds,insects,and small animals.

They are usually found in resident pairs or small family flocks, often follow groups of Dwarf Mongooses in search of prey and in returned,the hornbill provides security to the mongoose by sounding an alarm when a predator approaches a feeding party of Dwarf Mongooses.

This hornbill exhibit Sexual dimorphisms where males have a larger bill and pinkish bare skin on the throat; females have a smaller bill and black bare skin.

Uncategorized

Common Snipe, a Wintering Visitor to East Africa Wetlands!

Photo by Joe Aengwo at Amboseli national park,Kenya.

The Common Snipe (Gallinago gallinago) is a migratory bird that is well known for its long migrations and distinctive behaviors. It is a member of the Scolopacidae family, which includes other waders and shorebirds.They typically migrate from their breeding grounds to Africa via a southwest route, traveling through the Mediterranean and then continuing southward across the Sahara desert, often arriving in tropical and southern parts of Africa.

Photo by Joe Aengwo at Amboseli national park,Kenya.

During their migration, Common Snipes seek wetlands areas for their wintering habitats. These include marshes, mudflats, riverbanks, and floodplains, where they can find ample food sources, such as insects, worms, and other small invertebrates.In East Africa, the Common Snipe is a common wintering migrant in wetland areas. During the non-breeding season, they are often found in countries like Kenya,Uganda and Tanzania. They tend to frequent marshes,riverine wetlands and sometimes rice paddies.

Photo by Joe Aengwo at Amboseli national park.

The Common Snipe’s ability to navigate vast distances and adapt to a variety of wetland environments makes it an interesting species to study, especially in relation to its migratory behavior and wintering ecology in Africa.

Uncategorized

The Saddle-billed Stork is a majestic and resilient species, whose stunning appearance and specialized behaviors make it one of the most remarkable birds of sub-Saharan Africa.

Photo by Joe Aengwo

The Saddle-billed Stork is one of the largest storks in the world, standing up to 1.5 meters (5 feet) tall. It is easily recognizable due to its unique black and white plumage, bright red legs, and the large, bicolored bill, which has a black base and a yellow section resembling a saddle. The bill’s distinctive shape helps the bird forage for fish and amphibians, which make up a large part of its diet. This bird also exhibits sexual dimorphism, with males typically being slightly larger than females.

They prefer shallow, slow-moving waters where they can wade and forage for food. The stork is usually solitary or found in small groups, although some may form pairs during the breeding season. They often choose to nest in tall trees near water, constructing large, conspicuous nests that are used year after year.

Saddle-billed Storks form monogamous pairs during the breeding season, which typically occurs during the rainy season, when food is abundant. They build large nests in tall trees, and both parents share the responsibility of incubating their eggs. The female typically lays one or two eggs, and both parents take turns keeping them warm for about a month. Upon hatching, the chicks are fed a diet of regurgitated food from both parents until they are able to forage on their own.Though they are not yet considered endangered, the Saddle-billed Stork faces threats from habitat destruction, particularly the draining of wetlands for agriculture and development.

They also face threats from hunting in some areas and the disturbance of their nesting sites.By continuing to protect its wetland habitats, we can help ensure that future generations will be able to admire this iconic and important bird species.Keep birding!.

Uncategorized

Spotted Ground-Thrush and African Pitta Spotted in Arabuko Sokoke Forest located along the Kenyan Coast.

Spotted Ground-Thrush (Geokichla guttata) at Arabuko Sokoke Forest in August,2024.Photo by Joe Aengwo.

Getting lifers in an area that you have birded quite extensively is not easy,seasoned birders will definitely agree with me on this assumption, but on Saturday last week,our local guide Jonathan Baya (An excellent guide in Arabuko Sokoke forest ) managed to find two lifers for me and my clients in less than an hour after entering the forest.

African Pitta and Spotted Ground-Thrush were our big catch for us.Both birds are rarely seen and have localized movement within Africa.

We saw one Pitta on the floor of the leafy forest ground. The bird was extremely shy and moved around on the ground within dense cover and once in a while standing motionless. We got excellent views before we decided to allow the bird enjoy its peace.Very attractive bird indeed.

Now,it is with Jonathan excellent birding skills that were helpful in located the Spotted Ground-Thrush.Very camouflage and standing still for a while. Large brown-backed thrush with heavy spotting below and white wingbars, very beautiful bird!. This bird also rare and localized endangered species,with most records coming from this coastal forest

That was a very productive morning for us and the memories of that day we will forever cherish!!.

Uncategorized

Grey-winged Robin-Chat, a highly sort after species on Western Kenya Birding Trips.

Photo Courtesy of Juhani Vilpo,a Finnish Wildlife Photographer.

Any guided birding trip to Western Kenya (Kakamega forest,South Nandi Forest,Saiwa Swamp and Mt.Elgon national park) is mostly designed with an intention of seeing as many forest specialties as possible.Top among this are forest Robins which includes species such as Blue-Shouldered, Grey-Winged, Snowny-crowned and Equatorial Akalat.Other expected species includes; Illadopsis, Greenbuls,Wattle-eyes,Bluebills,Turacos and Sunbirds.

On our recent birding trip there,we got some decent views of the above published Grey-winged Robin-Chat and managed to steal some few photos, though not crystal clear the photo,you can clearly how impressive the robin-Chat is.Enjoy!

Uncategorized

Yellow-spotted Barbet,one of the six species of forest Barbet found in Kenya.

Photo by Juhani Vilpo,a Finnish Wildlife Photographer

Barbets are often brightly coloured and easily recognisable since they are pretty active birds and mostly found around fruiting fig trees along rivers edges and forest.They are mostly frugivores and usually swallow fruit whole.With the long time it takes for the fruit to digest,barbets are therefore very effective dispersers of seeds in their respective habitat.

Globally,Barbets are holes nesters either on the trees,termites hills and in the ground and for that reason,their destribution in the local habitat are generally influenced by the presence of suitable trees,particularly those with soft,dead branches,which are much easier to peck out.

Yellow-spotted Barbet,is mostly found in the tropical rain forest of Kakamega in Kenya and extensively in Uganda and Congo.While on the similar habitat here you also have the chance of seeing Hairy-breasted,Grey-throated and Yellow-billed Barbets and all of the extremely beautiful to watch.

Uncategorized

Chubb’s Cisticola:The Highland Duetter of Kakamega and South Nandi Forest.

Chubb’s Cisticola.Photo by Juhani Vilpo, a Finnish Wildlife Photographer.

Cisticolas are African warblers which are mostly found in grassland savannas and moist forest habitat of all elevations.Out of 50 species listed,36 of them are found in East Africa and it is known for its field identification nightmares especially if you are birding Africa for the first time.For better identification,it is better to rely on your ears than your eyes….so musical ears and better memory are invaluable assets in this case.

The above photo was taken while on a birding trip to Kakamega forest which is the reliable site to see them in Kenya.

Uncategorized

Moustached Grass Warbler,an African Warbler of Moist Savanna and Tropical Shrubland.

Photo by Scott Stoner-Eby
Photo by Scott Stoner-Eby

This species is easily encountered while birding moist grassland savanna like Nairobi national park,Masai Mara national reserve,Amboseli and the expansive Tsavo West and Tsavo West. The photo appearing above was taken in Nairobi national park.

Large, unusual brown warbler with a black tail, pale eye, and black “moustache” mark. Found in patches of tall, thick grass within savanna and scrub habitats. Generally skulking, and most often seen when it sits up to sing. The song is a chatty, warbling jumble with a distinctive fast cadence. Similar in overall shape and habitat to Fan-tailed Grassbird, but much larger, with a pale eye and black facial streak.