Tag: #Birdwatching Kenya

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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!

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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.

Bird of the Week, Bird Photography, Bird watching, Conservation

Welcome to Wattle-eyes World,where Females Decides your Name.

Wattle-eyes are grouped in two distinct genera;Platysteira are medium-sized,flycatcher like and resembles batises,while Dyaphorophyia are much smaller,dumpy and short-tailed.Both genera have broad strong bills and conspicuous fleshy,colorful wattles above their eyes.

Photo By Juhani Vilpo

Now most of this family species are named after the females plumage, like the widespread Brown-throated Wattle-eye appearing above is named for the throat colour of the female.They are found in pairs,family groups or with mixed-species flock,usually in forest.

In Kenya,five species occurs, with three of them restricted to the tropical rain forest remnant of Kakamega.Brown-throated and Black-throated Wattle-eye are frequently encountered at the right habitat,but Jameson’s, Chestnut and Yellow-bellied Wattle-eye are a hard nut to crack in Kakakmega forest.

Watching Wattle-eyes for the first time foraging in the thick undergrowth of Africa tropical rain forest is an extraordinary experience.It will thoroughly blow your mind away.