Tag: Maasai Mara National Reserve

Bird of the Week

African Darter (Anhinga rufa)

African Darter (Anhinga rufa)

Photo@Tony Crocetta

In Kenya, African Darter is the most commonly seen aquatic bird in Kenya wetland after Long-tailed Cormorant. It frequents fresh and brackish waters, fringed with vegetation, especially near fresh water lakes in Kenya Rift Valley lakes. This species is often seen perched on bare branches or stumps above the water. If alarmed, it drops vertically into the water. It needs to dry its plumage after fishing with wings outstretched.
African Darter dives for long periods, to search for aquatic preys. It swims with the body under water, allowing ambushing prey items. It propels itself with its webbed feet. It spears the fish in flank, and brings it to the surface, where it tosses it into the air, catches it with the bill and swallows it head first.
Anhinga Darter nests and roosts with other species, such as Egrets, Herons and Cormorants.
African Darter male has crown and back of the neck black and chestnut. Rest of the neck is chestnut, with conspicuous white stripe from the sides of the face to mid-neck. Its plumage is glossy black, streaked with white and silver on wings and mantle, and prominently on elongated black scapulars’ feathers. It has long black tail, held fanned when resting. Legs and webbed feet are brown. Female and immature are paler than male, mostly buffy-brown. Female has brown crown and upper neck. She has less distinct white stripe on the neck sides. Chicks are covered with white down. Darters are sometimes referred to as “snake bird”, because it swims very low, with only head and neck above the water.
In Kenya it is commonly seen in Lake Baringo.

Bird of the Week

African Pygmy Kingfisher (Ispidina picta)

African Pygmy Kingfisher (Ispidina picta)

Photo@Yan Van Duine

African Pygmy Kingfisher is a small insectivorous kingfisher found mostly in woodland habitats and not necessarily restricted to wetland.In Kenya, its range widespread in bushland of Lake Baringo, Kerio Vallye,Samburu,Meru and Nakuru National and southern parks of Amboseli, Tsavo East and West. Its habitat range from woodland habitats, savannas and riverine forests, but also scrublands, grasslands, open rivers and streams, coastal bushes, plantations and gardens.The dark blue crown of the adult separates it from the African Dwarf Kingfisher. The smaller size and violet wash on the ear coverts distinguish it from the similar Malachite Kingfisher.

Bird of the Week

Greater Painted-snipe (Rostratula benghalensis)

Greater Painted-snipe (Rostratula benghalensis)

Photo@Morton Kelemen

A medium-sized, attractive water bird, the greater painted-snipe (Rostratula benghalensis) is unusual amongst birds because the female is larger and more brightly coloured than the male. The female greater painted-snipe has distinct white patches around the eyes, which contrasts the dark red-brown head and neck. The upperparts are dark bronze-green with fine black barring and the wings are dark grey, white and gold. The male greater painted-snipe has a conspicuous golden eye patch that sits in stark contrast with the grey-brown head, ash-grey neck, and white streaked throat.
In Kenya it is widespread from sea level to over 2000m, but uncommon, highly erratic and seasonal. Frequent marshy and lakes like Lake Baringo, Lake Nakuru and central Kenya swamps.

Bird of the Week

Vitelline Masked Weaver ( Ploceus vitellinus)

Vitelline Masked Weaver ( Ploceus vitellinus)

Photo@Tony Crocetta

Vitelline Masked Weaver is a common wevar that is at home in and around habitat in the dry acacia belt. It is a species that is similar to large Black-headed Weaver, but can be easily separated given a good view. Although both species have red-eyes and warm-chestnut border to their black faced-mask, the black on the male Vitelline’s head does not extend onto the crown or down onto the breast, and it’s back does not have strong black “tramline” as in Black-headed Weaver.
The female Vitalline shows a pale narrow bill compared to the dark, heavy bill of the female Black-headed weaver, and the breast and flanks are generally a warm buff contrasting with a white belly.
In Kenya huge concentration of this species can be recorded in dry areas a round Lake Bogoria and Baringo, Kerio Valley, Samburu National reserve, Meru National Park and Tsavo West and East Parks.

Bird of the Week

White-browed Scrub Robin (Erythropygia leucophrys)

White-browed Scrub Robin (Erythropygia leucophrys)@Michael Sammut

For the last two weeks, a pair of White-browed Scrub Robin have been nesting very close to my house! I have been observing them carefully and indeed I am impressed by the intelligence!!The timing of the breeding period is incredible, in the middle of a big rainy  season  and there was plenty of insect, which meant the young one will not go hungry  and I supplied them with a bath bowel in form of a modified stone which they like it a lot.The good news is two days ago, the eggs were hatched and  two chicks with a bright cream- white gape.This morning when I visited them in the nest, the chicks were developing fast and their tiny bodies were covered by feather.I wish them well as they continue with their parental responsibilities which up to now, they seem to be doing it perfectly.

Red-backed Scrub Robin, as this species is sometimes refered Lives mainly in the woodlands and savannah with thickets and tall grass. Fairly common resident in much of arid and semi-arid areas of East Africa. This small bird is light brown with darker streaks above. The rump is bright brown to orange; the tail is blackish tipped with white. Below it is white streaked with black. The eyes are reddish brown, the bill blackish brown and the legs and feet are pinkish brown it nests from September to January in building a bulky cup of course material near the ground in a grass tuft, shrub or thick clump of vegetation. The cup is lined with finer material. It usually lays three eggs, which are coloured white spotted with light brown and grey. Will foraging for its prey on the ground and takes insects in flight. The food consists of insects and spiders as well as berries and nectar.

Common in Lake Baringo and Bogoria, Tsavo West and East, Amboseli, Meru National park and Samburu National Reserve.Mostly call on top on trees parched.

Bird of the Week

Hartlaub’s Turaco (Tauraco hartlaubi)

Photo@Marton Kelemen

Hartlaub’s Turaco (Tauraco hartlaubi) is a medium sized turaco, an endemic family to sub- Sahara Africa. In Kenya it is a resident breeder in the Montane forests of the central part of the country.

Bird of the Week

Buff-crested Bustard (Eupodotis gindiana)

Photo@Raymond Galea.Taken in Samburu National Reserve.

Buff-crested bustards are small in size compared to other species that we have in Kenya. They are cryptically colored to help them blend into their environment. They also are sexually dimorphic. Male buff-crested bustards have an olive colored crown, a black stripe down the front of the neck, and a black chest and belly. The upper feathers contain light orange-brown coloration. The females have brown heads, a much reduced crest, and are buff colored in the throat, chin, and breast area.The buff-crested or crested bustard prefers drier acacia scrub and woodland of northern arid and semi-arid regions of Kenya, especially in regions like Samaburu and Meru National park, Lake Baringo and Bogoria  and further north in areas like Kapedo.

 

 

Bird of the Week

January 23, 2012: Saddle-billed Stork (Ephippiorhynchus senegalensis)

Hello fellow birders!

I am off on a birding adventure for the next few weeks with some guests! I am armed with binoculars, a scope, a Canon Rebel XT, and a panasonic mp3 recorder, with which I hope to capture some special birding moments to share with you.

In the meantime, enjoy the Bird of the Week; this unique and beautiful stork.

One of the tallest species of storks is the Saddle-billed Stork, Ephippiorhynchus senegalensis, which stands up to 58 in. high. It has a large crimson bill with a black band and a triangular yellow frontal shield (or saddle), and has black legs with reddish joints. The overall coloring is black and white–the head, neck, tail and wing-coverts black, the remaining plumage and the flight feathers white. It breeds in sub-Saharan Africa, generally by rivers. The large nest is built of sticks in the tops of tall trees. It lays one egg. It feeds on grasshoppers, fish, frogs and lizards.

Photo © Tony Crocetta

They can either be found in solitary or pairs, they prefer moist habitat of lake shores, swamps and rivers. In Kenya they are widespread and be spotted in areas like Maasai Mara game reserve, Lake Baringo, Nakuru, Naivasha and Lake Victoria, Meru National Park and the coastal strip.

Bird Photography, Bird watching

Birding Trip Reports

I’ve been updating the blog with new sections, including Birding Hotspots in Kenya and East Africa, which I will be updating throughout this week, as well as Birding Trip Reports. Below is the most recently added report from a non-birding tour I hosted over the holidays. Enjoy the Birds! Kenya may have turned my guests into birders!

On my recent trip with  two Canadians, which took  us to Maasai Mara National Reserve, Lake Baringo, Kaptagat Forest and Diani Beach, we managed to see 155 species, though they were not really serious birders as such. It was more of a Christmas holiday. I was however impressed of how many species came our way!!! Kenyan birdlife is impressive!!! Have a great birding new year. The photos were taken during this trip.

Species seen during the tour:

  1. Sooty Gull
  2. White Stork
  3. Yellow-Billed Stork
    Yellow-Billed Stork in the Maasai Mara
  4. Woolly-necked Stork

    Wolly-necked Stork, Maasai Mara
  5. Saddle-billed Stork
  6. Black Stork
  7. African open-billed Stork
    African Open-billed Stork in Maasai Mara
  8. Grey crowned Crane
  9. Marabou Stork
  10. Glossy Ibis
  11. Sacred Ibis
  12. Hadada Ibis
    Hadada Ibis at Lake Baringo
  13. Lesser Flamingo
    Lesser Flamingo Lake Bogoria
  14. Greater Flamingo
    Greater Flamingo, Lake Bogoria
  15. Goliath Heron
    Goliath Heron, Maasai Mara
  16. Black-headed Heron
  17. Hammerkop
    Hammerkop, Maasai Mara
  18. Little Bittern
  19. Squacco Heron
    Squacco Heron, Lake Baringo
  20. Rufous-bellied Heron
  21. Green-backed Heron
  22. Great Egret
  23. Little Egret
  24. Cattle Egret
  25. Dimorphic Egret
  26. Long-tailed Cormorant
    Long-tailed Cormorant, Lake Baringo
  27. African Darter

    African Dartar, Lake Baringo
  28. White-faced whistling Duck
  29. Knob-billed Duck
  30. Water Thick-knee
  31. Temminck’s Courser
  32. Black-winged Plover
  33. Senegal Plover
  34. Crowned Plover
  35. Blacksmith Plover
  36. Spur-winged Plover
  37. African wattled Plover
  38. Little ringed plover
  39. Common ringed plover
  40. Little Stint
  41. Temmink’s Stint
  42. Broad-billed Sandpiper
  43. Common Greenshank
  44. Mash Sandpiper
  45. Wood Sandpiper
  46. Green Sandpiper
  47. Whembrel
  48. Black-winged  Stilt
  49. African Jacana
    African Jacana, Maasai Mara
  50. Helmeted Guineafowl
  51. White-bellied Bustard
  52. Black-bellied Bustard
  53. Southern Ground Hornbill
    Southern Ground Hornbill, Maasai Mara
  54. Secretary Bird
    Secretary Bird, Maasai Mara
  55. Common Ostrich
  56. Ruppell’s Griffon Vulture
  57. African white-backed Vulture
  58. White-headed Vulture
  59. Lappet-faced Vulture
  60. Imperial Eagle
  61. Tawny Eagle
  62. Common Buzzard
  63. Augur Buzzard
  64. Osprey
  65. Martial Eagle
  66. Brown Snake Eagle
  67. African Fish Eagle
  68. Little Sparrowhawk
  69. Shikra
  70. Great Sparrowhawk
  71. Lizard Buzzard
  72. Long-crested Eagle
  73. Lanner Falcon
  74. Pygmy Falcon
  75. African Green Pigeon
    African Green Pigeon, Maasai Mara
  76. Namaqua Dove
  77. African Mourning Dove
  78. Laughing Dove
  79. Emerald-spotted wood Dove
  80. White-bellied Go Away Bird
    White-bellied Go Away Bird, Lake Baringo
  81. Hartlaub’s Turaco
  82. Klaas’s Cuckoo
  83. Diedrik Cuckoo
  84. Black and white Cuckoo
  85. Blue-headed Coucal
  86. Slender-tailed Nightjar
  87. Blue-naped Mousebird
  88. Speckled Mousebird
  89. Malachite Kingfisher
    Malachite Kingfisher, Lake Baringo
  90. Woodland Kingfisher
  91. Pied Kingfisher
    Pied Kingfisher, Lake Baringo
  92. Little Bee-eater
  93. Blue-cheeked Bee-eater
  94. Lilac-breasted Roller
    Lilac-Breasted Roller, Maasai Mara
  95. African Hoopoe
  96. Green Wood-Hoopoe
  97. Jackson’s Hornbill
    Jackson’s Hornbill, Lake Baringo
  98. Red-billed Hornbill
  99. Green Barbet
  100. White-eared Barbet
  101. Red-fronted Barbet
  102. Black-throated Barbet
  103. Red and Yellow Barbet
    Red and Yellow Barbet, Lake Baringo
  104. Grey Woodpecker
  105. Nubian Woodpecker
  106. Lesser Honey guide
  107. Rosy-breasted Longclaw
  108. Yellow-throated Longclaw
  109. Grassland Pipit
  110. Rufous-naped Lark
  111. Common Bulbul
  112. Ruppell’s Long-tailed Starling
  113. Superb Starling
  114. Bristle-crowned Starling
  115. Black-headed Oriole
  116. Pied Crow
  117. House Crow
  118. Brubru
  119. Three-streaked Tchagra
  120. Northern Puffback
  121. Grey-headed Bush-shrike
  122. Northern-white crowned Shrike
  123. Pygmy Batis
  124. African-grey Flycatcher
  125. African Paradise Flycatcher
  126. Brown Babbler
  127. White-Browed Scrub Robin
  128. Winding Cisticola
  129. Rattling Cisticola
  130. Siffling  Cisticola
  131. Zitting Cisticola
  132. Yellow-breasted Apalis
  133. Red-fronted Warbler
  134. Grey Wren Warbler
  135. Beautiful Sunbird
  136. Hunters Sunbird
  137. Eastern Violet-backed Sunbird
  138. Grey-headed Sparrow
  139. White-billed Buffalo-Weaver
  140. White-headed Buffalo-Weaver
  141. Pin-tailed Whydah
  142. Hartlaub’s Mash Widowbird
  143. Fan-tailed Widowbird
  144. Jackson’s Golden-backed Weaver
  145. Northern-masked Weaver
  146. Lesser-Masked Weaver
  147. Red-cheeked Cordon-Blue
  148. Purple Grenadier
  149. Green-winged Pytilia
  150. Red-billed Firefinch
    Red-billed Firefinch, Lake Baringo
  151. African Citril
  152. White-bellied Canary
  153. Yellow-crowned Canary
  154. Dark Chanting Goshawk

    Dark Chanting Goshawk, Lake Baringo
  155. Spotted morning Thrush

    Spotted Morning Thrush, Lake Baringo
Bird of the Week

January 8, 2012: Lilac-Breasted Roller (Coracias caudata)

The average size of the Lilac Breasted Roller is 14.5 inches, including the tail streamers. The washed green head is large, the neck is short, the greenish yellow legs are rather short and the feet are small. The beak is strong, arched and hooked-tipped. The tail is narrow and of medium length. The back and scapulars are brown. The shoulder of the wing, outer webs of the flight feathers and the rump are all violet. The bases of the primaries and their coverts are pale greenish blue and the outer tail feathers are elongated and blackish. The chin is whitish, shading to rich lilac of the breast. The underparts are greenish blue. The bill is black and the eyes are brown. It has large wings and strong flight.

Lilac-breasted roller is most cases seen hunting for its food which may range from grasshoppers, beetles and small amphibians. Great photographic chances are found when the bird is foraging in the ground.

It is the most commonly seen roller. It well distributed in Samburu, Lake Baringo and Bogoria, Nakuru, Masai Mara, Amboseli, Nairobi and Tsavo National Park.