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Field Guides Tour Report
East Africa Highlights: Kenya & Tanzania 2013
Nov 16, 2013 to Dec 6, 2013
Terry Stevenson


The essence of East Africa: Wildebeest in the Serengeti (Photo by guide Terry Stevenson)

Our "East Africa Highlights: Kenya and Tanzania" tour this year was slightly unusual in that most of Tanzania was exceptionally dry, while most of Kenya was more lush and green, with record water levels at the Rift Valley lakes.

Beginning with an afternoon in Nairobi National Park we saw our first Olive Baboons, Black-backed Jackals, Burchell's Zebra, Common Giraffe, African Buffalo, and a variety of antelopes and gazelles. Birds varied from Ostrich and White-bellied Bustard on the plains, to Egyptian Goose and Blacksmith Plover around the pools, secretive Shelley's Francolins, noisy Hadada Ibis, and a whole array of small passerines in the bush and acacia woodland. Perhaps most surprising, though, was a fabulous female Greater Painted-snipe standing amongst the reedy fringes of the hippo pool.

The following day found us on the long drive to Gibb's Farm, a delightful abode on the slopes of the Crater Highlands. A leisurely walk through the forest the following morning provided Crested Guineafowl, Martial Eagle, Cinnamon-chested Bee-eater, Tropical Boubou, several gorgeous African Paradise-Flycatchers, Gray-olive Greenbul, Brown-headed Apalis, and a variety of gorgeous iridescent sunbirds -- with 'Variable' being the favorite for most of the group.

We then made the short drive to our lodge on the rim of Ngorongoro Crater -- and one of the world's most spectacular views. The distant herds of wildebeest, buffalo, and zebra gave us a inkling of the spectacular day to follow. And so it was, as we took our open-topped four-wheel drive, meandering though literally thousands of Africa's famed plains game. Spotted Hyaena, our first Lions, several huge bull Elephants, and 2 distant Black Rhino all added to a wonderful Ngorongoro experience.

Continuing on we then stopped at Oldupai (Olduvai) Gorge, where a local guide explained about many of the ancient hominid discoveries found over the years by the Leakey family and their team. But then it was on in to the Serengeti itself, and a three-night stay at the Seronera Lodge. The big cats were spectacular this year with over 30 Lions, 4 Cheetahs, 4 Leopards, and a Serval, but equally impressive (or perhaps even more so) were thousands and thousands of Wildebeest scattered across the western corridor. Birds were great too, with just some of the highlights being the endemic Gray-breasted Spurfowl, Secretary-bird, 20 different raptors, Kori Bustard, Double-banded Courser, Chestnut-bellied and Yellow-throated sandgrouse, Blue-naped Mousebird, Tanzanian Red-billed Hornbill (recently split), Southern Ground-hornbill, Fischer's Lovebird (endemic), Magpie Shrike, Red-throated Tit, Hildebrandt's Starling, and Rufous-tailed Weaver (another endemic).

We were now nearing the end of the Tanzanian leg of our tour, so we headed back east, breaking the journey with a two-night stay at Tarangire -- as usual the birding was excellent, with a great selection of waterbirds, White-headed and Rueppell's Griffon vultures, Collared Pratincole, Great Spotted Cuckoo, Green Woodhoopoe, Red-and-yellow Barbet, Amur Falcon, Yellow-collared Lovebird (endemic), Sulphur-breasted Bushshrike, Ashy Starling (another endemic), and a gorgeous male Eastern Paradise-Whydah in full breeding plumage. Add to these another 3 Cheetah, more than 150 Elephants, plus numerous other buffalo, zebra, and antelopes, and once again it's obvious why Tarangire is so often one of the group's favorite destinations.

Breaking up the journey with a night in Nairobi we then made a small loop counter-clockwise through western and central Kenya. Beginning at Lake Nakuru, the high water levels meant that the flamingo numbers were down, but it was still spectacular with about 500 Greater and 3000 Lesser. Other waterbirds were more impressive, with a large variety of ducks, cormorants, pelicans, herons, and egrets, and migrant shorebirds. Two of our most exciting land bird moments were seeing flocks of both White-crested and (the rare) Gray-crested helmetshrikes within just a few minutes of each other. Additionally, we saw more than fifteen species of large mammals; without doubt the most special were two rare Black Rhino and a shy and usually nocturnal Striped Hyaena.

We then continued to the northwest and spent three nights at Rondo Retreat in Kakamega Forest. What a wonderful contrast to the Serengeti plains: here from this delightful small hotel we quietly walked the trails finding Crowned Hawk-Eagle, Great Blue and Ross's turacos, African Wood-Owl, the rare Red-chested Owlet, Blue-headed Bee-eater, the enormous Black-and-white-casqued Hornbill, Yellow-billed Barbet, Golden-crowned Woodpecker, Western Black-headed Oriole, Chestnut Wattle-eye, 10 species of greenbuls, 9 sunbirds, and striking Red-headed Bluebills.

Heading back to the Rift Valley (where the Lake Baringo Club is now totally flooded), we based ourselves at nearby Bogoria. Here with the help of a local guide we soon amassed an impressive bird list. Just a few of the favorites were: Verreaux's Eagle, Spotted Thick-knee, Three-banded Courser, Northern White-faced Owl, Grayish Eagle-Owl, African Scops-Owl, Plain and Slender-tailed nightjars, Hemprich's and Jackson's hornbills, Pygmy Batis, Somali Tit, Bristle-crowned Starling, Beautiful Sunbird, and Red-rumped Waxbill.

Finally, we made our way east to yet another very different habitat -- this time at Mt. Kenya. Based at Mountain Lodge we not only had a fabulous view of the towering peaks but added Delegorgue's Pigeon, Hartlaub's Turaco, Scarce Swift, Silvery-cheeked Hornbill, Red-fronted Parrot, White-starred Robin, and Yellow Bishop to our list.

Thanks to all for a great tour, and here's wishing you all the best for some more great birding in 2014!

--Terry


KEYS FOR THIS LIST
One of the following keys may be shown in brackets for individual species as appropriate: * = heard only, I = introduced, E = endemic, N = nesting, a = austral migrant, b = boreal migrant


BIRDS
Struthionidae (Ostrich)


Yellow-throated Sandgrouse, which we found in the Serengeti and at Tarangire. (Photo by guide Terry Stevenson)

OSTRICH (COMMON) (Struthio camelus massaicus) – Common in open grassland areas and national parks like Ngorongoro, the Serengeti, and Tarangire, also much smaller numbers at lakes Nakuru and Baringo; in all we saw about 220.
Anatidae (Ducks, Geese, and Waterfowl)
WHITE-FACED WHISTLING-DUCK (Dendrocygna viduata) – About 30 at a variety of small pools in the Serengeti.
FULVOUS WHISTLING-DUCK (Dendrocygna bicolor) – Two along the shore of the large marsh at Tarangire.
WHITE-BACKED DUCK (Thalassornis leuconotus) – Good looks at about 20 at Limuru Pond.
COMB DUCK (OLD WORLD) (Sarkidiornis melanotos melanotos) – Singles in the Serengeti and at Tarangire.
EGYPTIAN GOOSE (Alopochen aegyptiaca) – Very common and widespread at wetlands throughout the tour.
YELLOW-BILLED DUCK (Anas undulata) – Ten at Limuru Pond, and about 6 at Lake Nakuru.
NORTHERN SHOVELER (Anas clypeata) – Three in the Serengeti, and about 10 at Lake Nakuru.
RED-BILLED DUCK (Anas erythrorhyncha) – Widespread in small numbers at a variety of pools in the Serengeti, and 2 at Limuru.
NORTHERN PINTAIL (Anas acuta) – Three at the marsh in Tarangire.
HOTTENTOT TEAL (Anas hottentota) – Small numbers at Ngorongoro, Tarangire, and Nakuru; in all we saw about 35.
SOUTHERN POCHARD (Netta erythrophthalma) – Fifteen at Tarangire, and 1 at Limuru.
MACCOA DUCK (Oxyura maccoa) – Nice looks at a male and female at Limuru Pond.
Numididae (Guineafowl)
HELMETED GUINEAFOWL (Numida meleagris) – Common and widespread in open grassland and bush country.
CRESTED GUINEAFOWL (Guttera pucherani) – Surprisingly we saw about a dozen of these shy birds in the forest above Gibb's Farm, and then a single at Kakamega.
Phasianidae (Pheasants, Grouse, and Allies)
COQUI FRANCOLIN (Francolinus coqui) – Good looks at 4 in the Serengeti, and then about a dozen at Tarangire.
CRESTED FRANCOLIN (Francolinus sephaena) – About 20 at Tarangire.
SHELLEY'S FRANCOLIN (Francolinus shelleyi) – We saw 2 of these shy and cryptic francolins in Nairobi NP.
SCALY FRANCOLIN (Francolinus squamatus) – Some of the group saw 2 as they quickly crossed a path at Kakamega, and then everyone heard them at Mountain Lodge.
HILDEBRANDT'S FRANCOLIN (Francolinus hildebrandti) – Seen by all at Ngorongoro, and then briefly by some on the way to Tarangire.
YELLOW-NECKED FRANCOLIN (Francolinus leucoscepus) – About 40 at Tarangire.
GRAY-BREASTED FRANCOLIN (Francolinus rufopictus) – Great looks at this Tanzanian endemic to the west of Seronera.
RED-NECKED FRANCOLIN (Francolinus afer) – More commonly known as Red-necked Spurfowl, they were common at Tarangire.
Phoenicopteridae (Flamingos)
GREATER FLAMINGO (Phoenicopterus roseus) – About 100 at the drying up lake in Ngorongoro Crater, a single in the Serengeti , and about 600 at Lake Nakuru.
LESSER FLAMINGO (Phoenicopterus minor) – Roughly 1000 were in Ngorongoro Crater, about 750 at the alkaline lake near Seronera, 3000+ at Lake Nakuru, and strangely two in open grassland with cattle near Bogoria.
Ciconiidae (Storks)
AFRICAN OPENBILL (Anastomus lamelligerus) – About 300 at Tarangire.
ABDIM'S STORK (Ciconia abdimii) – Forty in flight over the Serengeti.
WHITE STORK (Ciconia ciconia) – Five in the open Serengeti grasslands.


Leopard in the Serengeti (Photo by guide Terry Stevenson)

SADDLE-BILLED STORK (Ephippiorhynchus senegalensis) – Three immatures at Ngorongoro, and then great looks at a close adult in the Serengeti.
MARABOU STORK (Leptoptilos crumenifer) – Widespread throughout the tour, with a total of about 200.
YELLOW-BILLED STORK (Mycteria ibis) – Two in the Serengeti, about 35 at Nakuru, and 30 along the shore of Lake Victoria.
Phalacrocoracidae (Cormorants and Shags)
GREAT CORMORANT (Phalacrocorax carbo) – Forty at Nakuru, and 1 near Kiawara.
LONG-TAILED CORMORANT (Phalacrocorax africanus) – Small numbers at Ngorongoro, Nakuru, and at Lake Victoria; in all we saw about 20.
Anhingidae (Anhingas)
AFRICAN DARTER (Anhinga rufa rufa) – Singles at Nairobi NP, Ngorongoro, and Baringo.
Pelecanidae (Pelicans)
GREAT WHITE PELICAN (Pelecanus onocrotalus) – About 80 at Lake Nakuru.
PINK-BACKED PELICAN (Pelecanus rufescens) – Twenty at Lake Nakuru.
Scopidae (Hamerkop)
HAMERKOP (Scopus umbretta) – Most common at Lake Victoria (40+), and small numbers of others were widespread throughout the tour.
Ardeidae (Herons, Egrets, and Bitterns)
GRAY HERON (Ardea cinerea) – Small numbers at wetlands throughout the tour; in all we saw about 20.
BLACK-HEADED HERON (Ardea melanocephala) – More common than the similar looking previous species and preferring damp grasslands; in all we saw about 60.
PURPLE HERON (Ardea purpurea) – We saw a single flying immature bird near Kapsabet.
GREAT EGRET (Ardea alba) – Widespread in small numbers.
INTERMEDIATE EGRET (Mesophoyx intermedia) – One at Lake Nakuru.
LITTLE EGRET (Egretta garzetta) – Most common along the shores of Lake Victoria (50+) but we also saw small numbers at a variety of wetlands elsewhere.
CATTLE EGRET (Bubulcus ibis) – Common and widespread,
SQUACCO HERON (Ardeola ralloides) – Four at Tarangire, and 1 at Lake Baringo.
RUFOUS-BELLIED HERON (Ardeola rufiventris) – We had good scope views of an immature and an adult at Tarangire.
STRIATED HERON (Butorides striata) – One at the Grumeti River, Serengeti, and then about 5 at Lake Baringo.
BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON (Nycticorax nycticorax) – Two adults at Kiawara.
Threskiornithidae (Ibises and Spoonbills)
GLOSSY IBIS (Plegadis falcinellus) – Common in the Serengeti and at Tarangire, and a few others elsewhere; in all we saw about 600.
SACRED IBIS (Threskiornis aethiopicus) – Common and widespread; with a total of about 180.
HADADA IBIS (Bostrychia hagedash) – Widespread in small numbers.
AFRICAN SPOONBILL (Platalea alba) – We saw a total of about 40 at a variety of scattered (mainly fresh water) wetlands.
Sagittariidae (Secretary-bird)
SECRETARY-BIRD (Sagittarius serpentarius) – Good looks at one of Africa's most spectacular birds;we saw them at Ngorongoro, the Serengeti, and at Nakuru.
Accipitridae (Hawks, Eagles, and Kites)
BLACK-SHOULDERED KITE (Elanus caeruleus) – Fairly common in open grasslands and farm country throughout the tour.
AFRICAN HARRIER-HAWK (Polyboroides typus) – Singles at Limuru and near Kapsabet.
WHITE-HEADED VULTURE (Trigonoceps occipitalis) – Singles at Serengeti and Tarangire.


The rather imposing Lappet-faced Vulture (Photo by guide Terry Stevenson)

LAPPET-FACED VULTURE (Torgos tracheliotus) – Now considered globally threatened, but we still saw 2 at Ngorongoro, and about 20 in the Serengeti.
HOODED VULTURE (Necrosyrtes monachus) – Common only a few years ago, but now increasingly rare; we saw just 2 in the Serengeti.
WHITE-BACKED VULTURE (Gyps africanus) – The most common large vulture (but also a declining species); we saw a total of about 100 at Ngorongoro, the Serengeti, and at Tarangire.
RUEPPELL'S GRIFFON (Gyps rueppellii) – About 40 between Ngorongoro, the Serengeti, and Tarangire.
BATELEUR (Terathopius ecaudatus) – Many great looks at these gorgeous eagles in the wild open parks of Tanzania.
BLACK-BREASTED SNAKE-EAGLE (Circaetus pectoralis) – Two at Nairobi NP, and then a rather strange plumaged sub-adult in the Serengeti.
BROWN SNAKE-EAGLE (Circaetus cinereus) – Singles near Karatu, at Ngorongoro, and at Baringo.
CROWNED HAWK-EAGLE (Stephanoaetus coronatus) – One on a nest at Kakamega.
MARTIAL EAGLE (Polemaetus bellicosus) – We first saw an immature on a nest in Nairobi NP, and then single adults at near Gibb's Farm and in the Serengeti.
LONG-CRESTED EAGLE (Lophaetus occipitalis) – Small numbers at Serengeti, Nakuru, and near Mt. Kenya.
LESSER SPOTTED EAGLE (Clanga pomarina) – Singles at Serengeti and Tarangire.
WAHLBERG'S EAGLE (Hieraaetus wahlbergi) – Singles at Tarangire and Baringo.
TAWNY EAGLE (Aquila rapax) – Small numbers in a variety of widespread open country throughout the tour.
STEPPE EAGLE (Aquila nipalensis) – Two in the Serengeti, and about a dozen at Tarangire.
VERREAUX'S EAGLE (Aquila verreauxii) – Nice looks at 2 along the cliffs at Baringo.
DARK CHANTING-GOSHAWK (Melierax metabates) – Singles in the Serengeti and near Baringo.
EASTERN CHANTING-GOSHAWK (Melierax poliopterus) – Most common along the road from Nairobi to Namanga, but we also saw a few between the Serengeti and Tarangire.
GABAR GOSHAWK (Micronisus gabar) – One at Tarangire.
EURASIAN MARSH-HARRIER (Circus aeruginosus) – Females at Nairobi NP and Ngorongoro, and then nice looks at a male at Lake Nakuru.
AFRICAN MARSH-HARRIER (Circus ranivorus) – About 5 over the marshes at Tarangire.
PALLID HARRIER (Circus macrourus) – Singles males at Ngorongoro and Nakuru.
MONTAGU'S HARRIER (Circus pygargus) – Three in the Serengeti.
BLACK KITE (Milvus migrans) – The yellow-billed form was common and widespread.
AFRICAN FISH-EAGLE (Haliaeetus vocifer) – We saw a total of 6, including a close immature eating a Purple Swamphen at Tarangire.
COMMON BUZZARD (STEPPE) (Buteo buteo vulpinus) – About a dozen in the Ngorongoro-Serengeti area, and a single near Gibb's Farm.
AUGUR BUZZARD (Buteo augur) – Widespread in small numbers, with a total of about 30.
Otididae (Bustards)
KORI BUSTARD (Ardeotis kori) – We saw a total of about 30 at Ngorongoro, the Serengeti, and at Tarangire.
WHITE-BELLIED BUSTARD (Eupodotis senegalensis) – We saw a male at Nairobi NP, and then about another 4 pairs in the Serengeti, and another pair at Tarangire.
BLACK-BELLIED BUSTARD (Lissotis melanogaster) – Three in Ngorongoro Crater (including a displaying male), and then another 2 in the Serengeti.
Rallidae (Rails, Gallinules, and Coots)
WHITE-SPOTTED FLUFFTAIL (Sarothrura pulchra) – Two heard at Kakamega.


Inside Ngorongoro Crater (Photo by guide Terry Stevenson)

BLACK CRAKE (Amaurornis flavirostra) – Great views at Ngorongoro, in the Serengeti, and at Bogoria.
EURASIAN MOORHEN (Gallinula chloropus) – Widespread in small numbers.
RED-KNOBBED COOT (Fulica cristata) – Most common at Limuru Pond (200+), and Nakuru (100+), but also small numbers at a variety of scattered pools.
Gruidae (Cranes)
GRAY CROWNED-CRANE (Balearica regulorum) – Common and widespread in a variety of wetlands, pools and farm country throughout the tour.
Burhinidae (Thick-knees)
WATER THICK-KNEE (Burhinus vermiculatus) – One on the Grumeti River, and 3 at Tarangire.
SPOTTED THICK-KNEE (Burhinus capensis) – One along the cliffs at Lake Baringo.
Charadriidae (Plovers and Lapwings)
LONG-TOED LAPWING (Vanellus crassirostris) – One in Nairobi NP was unusual, but we then saw 6 in Ngorongoro Crater, and about 30 at Tarangire.
BLACKSMITH PLOVER (Vanellus armatus) – Common and widespread throughout the tour.
SPUR-WINGED PLOVER (Vanellus spinosus) – Most common in the Baringo to Bogoria area, but also a few others elsewhere.
BLACK-WINGED LAPWING (Vanellus melanopterus) – Two in Ngorongoro Crater.
CROWNED LAPWING (Vanellus coronatus) – Fairly common and widespread in grasslands.
KITTLITZ'S PLOVER (Charadrius pecuarius) – One with 2 tiny newly hatched young in Ngorongoro Crater.
COMMON RINGED PLOVER (Charadrius hiaticula) – Singles in the Serengeti and at Lake Nakuru.
THREE-BANDED PLOVER (Charadrius tricollaris) – We saw a total of about 25 at a variety of widespread streams and pools.
CHESTNUT-BANDED PLOVER (Charadrius pallidus) – Five at the alkaline lake near Seronera.
Recurvirostridae (Stilts and Avocets)
BLACK-WINGED STILT (Himantopus himantopus) – Common and widespread.
PIED AVOCET (Recurvirostra avosetta) – Small numbers at alkaline waters in the Serengeti, and at Lake Nakuru.
Jacanidae (Jacanas)
AFRICAN JACANA (Actophilornis africanus) – Fairly common at fresh water pools with floating vegetation; we saw a total of about 70.
Scolopacidae (Sandpipers and Allies)
COMMON SANDPIPER (Actitis hypoleucos) – One at Tarangire.


It was a great tour for big cats! (Photo by guide Terry Stevenson)

GREEN SANDPIPER (Tringa ochropus) – Widespread in small numbers.
COMMON GREENSHANK (Tringa nebularia) – One in Nairobi NP.
MARSH SANDPIPER (Tringa stagnatilis) – We saw a total of about 8 in the Serengeti and Nakuru.
WOOD SANDPIPER (Tringa glareola) – One of the more common shorebirds; in all we saw about 120.
BLACK-TAILED GODWIT (Limosa limosa) – One at Lake Nakuru.
LITTLE STINT (Calidris minuta) – Reasonably common and widespread, with a total of about 60.
CURLEW SANDPIPER (Calidris ferruginea) – Twenty at Lake Nakuru.
RUFF (Philomachus pugnax) – We saw a total of about 100 at a variety of widespread marshy wetlands.
COMMON SNIPE (Gallinago gallinago) – Two along a small marshy stream in the Serengeti.
Glareolidae (Pratincoles and Coursers)
DOUBLE-BANDED COURSER (Smutsornis africanus) – One in the western corridor of the Serengeti.
THREE-BANDED COURSER (Rhinoptilus cinctus) – Fabulous close looks at this gorgeous nocturnal courser at Baringo.
COLLARED PRATINCOLE (Glareola pratincola) – Two at Tarangire.
Rostratulidae (Painted-Snipes)
GREATER PAINTED-SNIPE (Rostratula benghalensis) – Great looks at females (the beautiful ones) at Nairobi NP and Tarangire.
Laridae (Gulls, Terns, and Skimmers)
GULL-BILLED TERN (Gelochelidon nilotica) – About 100 over the Serengeti plains, a dozen at Nakuru, and 6 at Lake Victoria.
WHISKERED TERN (Chlidonias hybrida) – Six at Lake Nakuru.
Pteroclidae (Sandgrouse)
CHESTNUT-BELLIED SANDGROUSE (Pterocles exustus) – About 50 in the Serengeti.
YELLOW-THROATED SANDGROUSE (Pterocles gutturalis) – Thirty to the south of Nairobi, 35 in the Serengeti, and 10 at Tarangire.
BLACK-FACED SANDGROUSE (Pterocles decoratus) – About 80 at Tarangire.
Columbidae (Pigeons and Doves)
ROCK PIGEON (Columba livia) – Small numbers in a variety of towns throughout the tour.
SPECKLED PIGEON (Columba guinea) – Common and widespread.
DELEGORGUE'S PIGEON (Columba delegorguei) – Normally rather shy, but we had great looks at about a dozen at Mountain Lodge.
DUSKY TURTLE-DOVE (Streptopelia lugens) – Twenty at Ngorongoro.
MOURNING COLLARED-DOVE (Streptopelia decipiens) – Six in the Serengeti, and about 150 in the Baringo area.
RED-EYED DOVE (Streptopelia semitorquata) – Common and widespread in small numbers.
RING-NECKED DOVE (Streptopelia capicola) – Very common and widespread.
LAUGHING DOVE (Streptopelia senegalensis) – Very common and widespread.
EMERALD-SPOTTED WOOD-DOVE (Turtur chalcospilos) – Small numbers at Tarangire and Baringo.
BLUE-SPOTTED WOOD-DOVE (Turtur afer) – Good looks at a roosting bird at Rondo Retreat, Kakamega.
TAMBOURINE DOVE (Turtur tympanistria) – One at Kakamega.
NAMAQUA DOVE (Oena capensis) – About 20 at Tarangire, and 30+ in the Baringo to Bogoria area.
AFRICAN GREEN-PIGEON (Treron calvus) – Two at Kakamega.
Musophagidae (Turacos)
GREAT BLUE TURACO (Corythaeola cristata) – Great looks at about 8 of these gorgeous birds at Kakamega.
WHITE-CRESTED TURACO (Tauraco leucolophus) – Heard in the Kerio Valley.
HARTLAUB'S TURACO (Tauraco hartlaubi) – Several heard, and one seen well (but briefly) at Mountain Lodge.


Bateleur, by guide Terry Stevenson

ROSS'S TURACO (Musophaga rossae) – One at the edge of Kakamega Forest.
BARE-FACED GO-AWAY-BIRD (Corythaixoides personatus) – Fairly common in the Serengeti and Tarangire areas; in all we saw about 35.
WHITE-BELLIED GO-AWAY-BIRD (Corythaixoides leucogaster) – Small numbers to the south of Nairobi, at Tarangire, and in the Baringo area.
Cuculidae (Cuckoos)
GREAT SPOTTED CUCKOO (Clamator glandarius) – Two at Tarangire.
RED-CHESTED CUCKOO (Cuculus solitarius) – Several heard, and 1 seen at Gibb's Farm.
COMMON CUCKOO (Cuculus canorus) – Singles at Ngorongoro and Tarangire.
KLAAS'S CUCKOO (Chrysococcyx klaas) – Small numbers at Gibb's Farm, Tarangire, and Kakamega.
AFRICAN EMERALD CUCKOO (Chrysococcyx cupreus) – Heard at Kakamega.
DIDERIC CUCKOO (Chrysococcyx caprius) – One near Gibb's Farm.
YELLOWBILL (Ceuthmochares aereus) – Good looks at this normally shy skulker at Kakamega.
WHITE-BROWED COUCAL (Centropus superciliosus) – Widespread in small numbers.
Strigidae (Owls)
AFRICAN SCOPS-OWL (Otus senegalensis) – Seen nicely from the boat at the flooded Lake Baringo Club.
NORTHERN WHITE-FACED OWL (Ptilopsis leucotis) – Thanks to our local guide we all had great looks at this uncommon and cryptic owl.
CAPE EAGLE-OWL (Bubo capensis mackinderi) – Often split as 'Mackinder's Eagle-Owl" we had scope views of 1 near Kiawara.
GRAYISH EAGLE-OWL (Bubo cinerascens) – One along the cliffs at Baringo.
VERREAUX'S EAGLE-OWL (Bubo lacteus) – Four in the Serengeti, 1 at Tarangire, and 2 at Mountain Lodge.
PEARL-SPOTTED OWLET (Glaucidium perlatum) – Singles near Ngorongoro, at Tarangire, and at Baringo.
RED-CHESTED OWLET (Glaucidium tephronotum) – We saw 1 (and heard 2) of these rarely seen owls at Kakamega.
AFRICAN WOOD-OWL (Strix woodfordii) – Great looks at a responsive bird at Kakamega.
Caprimulgidae (Nightjars and Allies)
PLAIN NIGHTJAR (Caprimulgus inornatus) – Fabulous close looks at this rarely seen nightjar at Baringo.
SLENDER-TAILED NIGHTJAR (Caprimulgus clarus) – Two on day roosts at Baringo.
Apodidae (Swifts)
SCARCE SWIFT (Schoutedenapus myoptilus) – About 20 over Mountain Lodge.
ALPINE SWIFT (Apus melba) – One at Mountain Lodge.
MOTTLED SWIFT (Apus aequatorialis) – One along the rim of Ngorongoro Crater.
AFRICAN SWIFT (Apus barbatus) – About 20 at Ngorongoro.
LITTLE SWIFT (Apus affinis) – Very common and widespread.
WHITE-RUMPED SWIFT (Apus caffer) – Two at Serengeti, and 5 at Tarangire.
AFRICAN PALM-SWIFT (Cypsiurus parvus) – About 15 at Tarangire, and 6 at Lake Victoria.
Coliidae (Mousebirds)
SPECKLED MOUSEBIRD (Colius striatus) – Common and widespread.
BLUE-NAPED MOUSEBIRD (Urocolius macrourus) – Small numbers in the western Serengeti and at Baringo.
Trogonidae (Trogons)
NARINA TROGON (Apaloderma narina) – One at Gibb's Farm.
Alcedinidae (Kingfishers)
MALACHITE KINGFISHER (Corythornis cristatus) – Singles at Nairobi NP, Lake Victoria, and at Baringo.
AFRICAN PYGMY-KINGFISHER (Ispidina picta) – One at Kakamega, and 2 at Lake Baringo.
GRAY-HEADED KINGFISHER (Halcyon leucocephala) – Singles at Serengeti, Tarangire, and Baringo.
WOODLAND KINGFISHER (Halcyon senegalensis) – One in the western Serengeti, and 1 at Baringo.
STRIPED KINGFISHER (Halcyon chelicuti) – Singles at Tarangire, Nakuru, and Kisumu.
GIANT KINGFISHER (Megaceryle maximus) – One near Bogoria, and then 2 at the small dam near Kiawara.
PIED KINGFISHER (Ceryle rudis) – Small numbers at Nairobi, Kisumu, and Baringo.
Meropidae (Bee-eaters)
BLUE-HEADED BEE-EATER (Merops muelleri) – Great close looks at this rare and beautiful bee-eater at Kakamega.
LITTLE BEE-EATER (Merops pusillus) – Widespread in small numbers.
CINNAMON-CHESTED BEE-EATER (Merops oreobates) – We saw a total of about 40 in the Crater Highlands, and the later near Mt. Kenya.


Bull Elephant, by guide Terry Stevenson

WHITE-THROATED BEE-EATER (Merops albicollis) – One at the Ole Sereni Hotel, and then 1 at Kakamega.
BLUE-CHEEKED BEE-EATER (Merops persicus) – About 20 at Tarangire.
EUROPEAN BEE-EATER (Merops apiaster) – Six in the Serengeti, and about 20 in the Baringo area.
Coraciidae (Rollers)
EUROPEAN ROLLER (Coracias garrulus) – Four between Ngorongoro and the Serengeti.
LILAC-BREASTED ROLLER (Coracias caudatus) – Common, widespread, and beautiful.
RUFOUS-CROWNED ROLLER (Coracias naevius) – Singles near Kajiado and Kapsabet.
BROAD-BILLED ROLLER (Eurystomus glaucurus) – Two near Kisumu.
Upupidae (Hoopoes)
EURASIAN HOOPOE (CENTRAL AFRICAN) (Upupa epops waibeli) – One along the cliffs at Baringo.
EURASIAN HOOPOE (AFRICAN) (Upupa epops africana) – Small numbers in the Serengeti and at Nakuru.
Phoeniculidae (Woodhoopoes and Scimitar-bills)
GREEN WOODHOOPOE (Phoeniculus purpureus) – Eight at Tarangire, and 5 near Baringo.
COMMON SCIMITAR-BILL (Rhinopomastus cyanomelas) – Two in the Kerio Valley.
ABYSSINIAN SCIMITAR-BILL (Rhinopomastus minor) – Two at Ngorongoro.
Bucerotidae (Hornbills)
NORTHERN RED-BILLED HORNBILL (Tockus erythrorhynchus) – About 50 at Tarangire, and 4 at Baringo.
TANZANIAN RED-BILLED HORNBILL (Tockus ruahae) – Recently split from Northern Red-billed Hornbill, we had great close views of 2 at the camp site near Seronera.
JACKSON'S HORNBILL (Tockus jacksoni) – About 10 in the Baringo to Bogoria area.
VON DER DECKEN'S HORNBILL (Tockus deckeni) – About 20 between the Serengeti and Tarangire.
HEMPRICH'S HORNBILL (Tockus hemprichii) – Fabulous looks at a pair along the cliffs at Baringo.
AFRICAN GRAY HORNBILL (Tockus nasutus) – Small numbers at Serengeti, Tarangire, and in the Kerio Valley.
SILVERY-CHEEKED HORNBILL (Ceratogymna brevis) – Six at Mountain Lodge.
BLACK-AND-WHITE-CASQUED HORNBILL (Ceratogymna subcylindrica) – About 60 in the Kakamega area.
Bucorvidae (Ground-Hornbills)
SOUTHERN GROUND-HORNBILL (Bucorvus leadbeateri) – Now a near-threatened species; we were lucky to see 2 at Ngorongoro, 5 in the Serengeti, and 1 at Lake Nakuru.
Lybiidae (African Barbets)
YELLOW-BILLED BARBET (Trachyphonus purpuratus) – We heard about 10 and had good views of 2 of these attractive barbets.
RED-AND-YELLOW BARBET (Trachyphonus erythrocephalus) – Another gorgeous barbet; we saw these near Ngorongoro, Tarangire, and Baringo.
D'ARNAUD'S BARBET (Trachyphonus darnaudii) – Two at Tarangire, and 4 in the Kerio Valley.
D'ARNAUD'S BARBET (USAMBIRO) (Trachyphonus darnaudii usambiro) – Many African authorities now split this form as Usambiro Barbet; we saw a total of about 20 in the Ngorongoro-Serengeti area.
GRAY-THROATED BARBET (Gymnobucco bonapartei) – Very common at Kakamega Forest.
YELLOW-RUMPED TINKERBIRD (Pogoniulus bilineatus bilineatus) – About half a dozen at Kakamega.
RED-FRONTED TINKERBIRD (Pogoniulus pusillus) – Singles at Ngorongoro and Baringo.
YELLOW-SPOTTED BARBET (Buccanodon duchaillui) – Many heard and 4 seen at Kakamega.
RED-FRONTED BARBET (Tricholaema diademata) – One on the lower outer slopes of Ngorongoro.
SPOT-FLANKED BARBET (Tricholaema lacrymosa) – One at the Blue Posts Hotel, Thika.
BLACK-THROATED BARBET (Tricholaema melanocephala) – One near the cliffs at Baringo.
WHITE-HEADED BARBET (Lybius leucocephalus) – One in the Kerio Valley.
DOUBLE-TOOTHED BARBET (Lybius bidentatus) – Great looks at this spectacular barbet in the garden at Rondo Retreat, and then another briefly in the Kerio Valley.
Indicatoridae (Honeyguides)
SCALY-THROATED HONEYGUIDE (Indicator variegatus) – Good looks at 1 in the campsite at Lake Baringo.
Picidae (Woodpeckers)
NUBIAN WOODPECKER (Campethera nubica) – One at Ngorongoro and about 6 in the Tarangire area.
BROWN-EARED WOODPECKER (Campethera caroli) – One at Kakamega.
CARDINAL WOODPECKER (Dendropicos fuscescens) – The most common and widespread woodpecker in acacia country; in all we saw about 10.


Mt Kenya from the roof of Mountain Lodge (Photo by guide Terry Stevenson)

BEARDED WOODPECKER (Dendropicos namaquus) – One at Seronera in the Serengeti.
GOLDEN-CROWNED WOODPECKER (Dendropicos xantholophus) – One at Kakamega.
GRAY-HEADED WOODPECKER (Dendropicos spodocephalus rhodeogaster) – Some of the group saw a single at Tarangire.
Falconidae (Falcons and Caracaras)
PYGMY FALCON (Polihierax semitorquatus) – Singles in the Serengeti and at Tarangire.
EURASIAN KESTREL (Falco tinnunculus) – About half a dozen in the Ngorongoro to Serengeti area, and 1 near Lake Baringo.
AMUR FALCON (Falco amurensis) – About 20 near Seronera included two smart looking adult males.
EURASIAN HOBBY (Falco subbuteo) – Two at Ngorongoro, and 1 in the Serengeti.
Psittacidae (Parrots)
FISCHER'S LOVEBIRD (Agapornis fischeri) – Seven of these endemic Tanzanian lovebirds were at the campsite near Seronera.
YELLOW-COLLARED LOVEBIRD (Agapornis personatus) – Another Tanzanian endemic lovebird; we saw about 80 at Tarangire.
RED-FRONTED PARROT (Poicephalus gulielmi) – Four (including 1 in the scope) at Mountain Lodge.
MEYER'S PARROT (Poicephalus meyeri) – About 10 at Tarangire, and 1 in the Kerio Valley.
RED-BELLIED PARROT (Poicephalus rufiventris) – More commonly known as African Orange-bellied Parrot, we saw 4 near our lodge at Tarangire.
Calyptomenidae (African and Green Broadbills)
AFRICAN BROADBILL (Smithornis capensis) – Heard at Kakamega.
Platysteiridae (Wattle-eyes and Batises)
BROWN-THROATED WATTLE-EYE (Platysteira cyanea) – Several heard and 2 seen at Kakamega.
CHESTNUT WATTLE-EYE (Platysteira castanea) – Good looks at a male in the middle levels at Kakamega.
CHINSPOT BATIS (Batis molitor) – Fairly common and widespread; in all we saw about 30.
PYGMY BATIS (Batis perkeo) – We saw a single male along the cliffs at Baringo.
Prionopidae (Helmetshrikes and Allies)
WHITE HELMETSHRIKE (Prionops plumatus) – Five at Lake Nakuru.
GRAY-CRESTED HELMETSHRIKE (Prionops poliolophus) – Good looks at this very uncommon East African endemic at Nakuru.
Malaconotidae (Bushshrikes and Allies)
BRUBRU (Nilaus afer) – One near Kajiado.
NORTHERN PUFFBACK (Dryoscopus gambensis) – We saw a pair in the Kerio Valley.
BLACK-BACKED PUFFBACK (Dryoscopus cubla) – Two at Nairobi NP, and about 6 in the Gibb's Farm area.
PINK-FOOTED PUFFBACK (Dryoscopus angolensis) – A single male at Kakamega.
BROWN-CROWNED TCHAGRA (Tchagra australis) – One at Tarangire.
LUEHDER'S BUSHSHRIKE (Laniarius luehderi) – Nice looks at this striking bushshrike at Kakamega.
TROPICAL BOUBOU (Laniarius aethiopicus) – Widespread in small numbers; in all we saw about 20.
BLACK-HEADED GONOLEK (Laniarius erythrogaster) – Another striking bushshrike, we saw 1 at Kisumu, and about 6 in the Kerio Valley.
SLATE-COLORED BOUBOU (Laniarius funebris) – Small numbers at Ngorongoro, Serengeti, and Tarangire.
GRAY-GREEN BUSHSHRIKE (Telophorus bocagei) – Three in the canopy at Kakamega.
SULPHUR-BREASTED BUSHSHRIKE (Telophorus sulfureopectus) – Singles at Tarangire and Baringo.
Campephagidae (Cuckooshrikes)
PETIT'S CUCKOOSHRIKE (Campephaga petiti) – We saw a male at Kakamega.
Laniidae (Shrikes)
RED-BACKED SHRIKE (Lanius collurio) – One in Nairobi NP.
RUFOUS-TAILED SHRIKE (Lanius isabellinus) – Singles near Kajiado and Ngorongoro Crater.
GRAY-BACKED FISCAL (Lanius excubitoroides) – A total of about 40 in the Serengeti.


The Tanzanian endemic Gray-breasted Francolin, by guide Terry Stevenson

LONG-TAILED FISCAL (Lanius cabanisi) – Eight at Nairobi NP, and about a dozen at Tarangire.
MACKINNON'S SHRIKE (Lanius mackinnoni) – Two at Kakamega.
NORTHERN FISCAL (Lanius humeralis) – Common and widespread.
MAGPIE SHRIKE (Corvinella melanoleuca) – We saw at least 100 in the Ngorongoro-Serengeti area.
WHITE-RUMPED SHRIKE (Eurocephalus rueppelli) – Fairly common in acacia bush country; in all we saw about 80.
Oriolidae (Old World Orioles)
WESTERN BLACK-HEADED ORIOLE (Oriolus brachyrhynchus) – One at Kakamega.
AFRICAN BLACK-HEADED ORIOLE (Oriolus larvatus) – Two at Nairobi, and about 8 in the Bogoria-Baringo area.
Dicruridae (Drongos)
SQUARE-TAILED DRONGO (Dicrurus ludwigii) – Three at Kakamega.
FORK-TAILED DRONGO (Dicrurus adsimilis) – Fairly common and widespread.
Monarchidae (Monarch Flycatchers)
AFRICAN PARADISE-FLYCATCHER (Terpsiphone viridis) – We saw about a dozen, including a beautiful white morph male at Kakamega.
Corvidae (Crows, Jays, and Magpies)
CAPE CROW (Corvus capensis) – Widespread in high altitude grasslands.
PIED CROW (Corvus albus) – Common and widespread.
FAN-TAILED RAVEN (Corvus rhipidurus) – Six at Iten and 3 along the Baringo cliffs.
Alaudidae (Larks)
RUFOUS-NAPED LARK (Mirafra africana) – Common in the Ngorongoro-Serengeti area.
FISCHER'S SPARROW-LARK (Eremopterix leucopareia) – Very common around Ngorongoro and Oldupai.
RED-CAPPED LARK (Calandrella cinerea) – Twenty in Ngorongoro Crater, and 1 at Lake Nakuru.
Hirundinidae (Swallows)
PLAIN MARTIN (Riparia paludicola) – Two at Ngorongoro and 4 near at Kisumu.
BANK SWALLOW (Riparia riparia) – About 10 along the shores of Lake Victoria.
ROCK MARTIN (Ptyonoprogne fuligula) – Fairly common near cliffs at tall buildings.
BARN SWALLOW (Hirundo rustica) – Common and widespread.
WIRE-TAILED SWALLOW (Hirundo smithii) – One in Nairobi, and 6 in the Serengeti.
RED-RUMPED SWALLOW (Cecropis daurica) – Small numbers at Gibb's Farm, in the Serengeti, and at Kisumu.
LESSER STRIPED-SWALLOW (Cecropis abyssinica) – About 15 in the Serengeti, and 2 at Kisumu.
RUFOUS-CHESTED SWALLOW (Cecropis semirufa) – Two in the Serengeti.
MOSQUE SWALLOW (Cecropis senegalensis) – Four in the Serengeti, 1 at Tarangire, and 2 at Mountain Lodge.
WHITE-HEADED SAWWING (Psalidoprocne albiceps) – About 60 at Kakamega.
BLACK SAWWING (Psalidoprocne pristoptera) – Twenty in the Crater Highlands, and then about a dozen at Mountain Lodge.
GRAY-RUMPED SWALLOW (Pseudhirundo griseopyga) – One in Ngorongoro Crater.
Stenostiridae (Fairy Flycatchers)
AFRICAN BLUE-FLYCATCHER (Elminia longicauda) – We saw about 8 of these beautiful 'Fairy-Flycatchers' at Kakamega.
Paridae (Chickadees and Tits)
DUSKY TIT (Melaniparus funereus) – About 20 at Kakamega.
RED-THROATED TIT (Melaniparus fringillinus) – Two at the bottom of the Crater Highlands, and 2 in the Serengeti.
SOMALI TIT (Melaniparus thruppi) – Five along the bottom of the cliffs at Baringo.
Remizidae (Penduline-Tits)
MOUSE-COLORED PENDULINE-TIT (Anthoscopus musculus) – Two at Baringo.
AFRICAN PENDULINE-TIT (BUFF-BELLIED) (Anthoscopus caroli sylviella) – Two at the bottom of the Crater Highlands.
Pycnonotidae (Bulbuls)
SLENDER-BILLED GREENBUL (Stelgidillas gracilirostris) – Seven in the outer canopy at Kakamega.
SHELLEY'S GREENBUL (KAKAMEGA) (Arizelocichla masukuensis kakamegae) – Often split as Kakamega Greenbul; we saw 1 as it fed along mossy branches at Kakamega.
EASTERN MOUNTAIN-GREENBUL (MOUNTAIN) (Arizelocichla nigriceps nigriceps) – Two in the forest above Gibb's Farm.
JOYFUL GREENBUL (Chlorocichla laetissima) – About 20 at Kakamega.
ANSORGE'S GREENBUL (Eurillas ansorgei) – One in the middle-levels at Kakamega.
PLAIN GREENBUL (Eurillas curvirostris) – Three singles along the forest edge at Kakamega.
YELLOW-WHISKERED GREENBUL (Eurillas latirostris) – Common at Kakamega.
LITTLE GREENBUL (Eurillas virens) – Two in the secondary growth at Kakamega.
GRAY-OLIVE GREENBUL (Phyllastrephus cerviniventris) – Good looks at this rather localised greenbul in the forest above Gibb's Farm.
CABANIS'S GREENBUL (Phyllastrephus cabanisi) – One seen and several heard in the Kakamega undergrowth.
COMMON BULBUL (DARK-CAPPED) (Pycnonotus barbatus tricolor) – Very common and widespread.
Macrosphenidae (African Warblers)
NORTHERN CROMBEC (Sylvietta brachyura) – Two at Baringo.
RED-FACED CROMBEC (Sylvietta whytii) – Three near Kajiado, and 4 at the bottom of the Crater Highlands.
Phylloscopidae (Leaf-Warblers)
UGANDA WOOD-WARBLER (Phylloscopus budongoensis) – Four at Kakamega.
WILLOW WARBLER (Phylloscopus trochilus) – Singles near Gibb's Farm and at Mt. Kenya.
Acrocephalidae (Reed-Warblers and Allies)
EASTERN OLIVACEOUS WARBLER (Iduna pallida) – One at Tarangire.
LESSER SWAMP-WARBLER (Acrocephalus gracilirostris) – Good looks at 1 in a road-side marsh near Eldoret.
Locustellidae (Grassbirds and Allies)
LITTLE RUSH-WARBLER (Bradypterus baboecala) – We saw a singing and displaying bird near Eldoret.
Cisticolidae (Cisticolas and Allies)
BLACK-COLLARED APALIS (Apalis pulchra) – One at Kakamega.
BAR-THROATED APALIS (BAR-THROATED) (Apalis thoracica griseiceps) – Two in the forest along the rim of Ngorongoro Crater.
YELLOW-BREASTED APALIS (Apalis flavida) – Small numbers at Ngorongoro, Tarangire, and Nakuru.
YELLOW-BREASTED APALIS (Apalis flavida viridiceps) – This low altitude dry country form of Yellow-breasted Apalis is sometimes split as Brown-tailed Apalis; we saw 4 at Lake Baringo.
GRAY APALIS (Apalis cinerea) – Two at Mountain Lodge.
BROWN-HEADED APALIS (Apalis alticola) – Four in the forest above Gibb's Farm.
GREEN-BACKED CAMAROPTERA (GRAY-BACKED) (Camaroptera brachyura brevicaudata) – Widespread in small numbers.
OLIVE-GREEN CAMAROPTERA (Camaroptera chloronota) – Two singles in the Kakamega undergrowth.
GRAY WREN-WARBLER (Calamonastes simplex) – One along the cliffs at Baringo.
WHITE-CHINNED PRINIA (Schistolais leucopogon) – About 10 in the forest edge at Kakamega.
RED-FACED CISTICOLA (Cisticola erythrops) – One at Ngorongoro.
SINGING CISTICOLA (Cisticola cantans) – One at Limuru Pond.
CHUBB'S CISTICOLA (Cisticola chubbi) – We saw a duetting pair at Kakamega.
HUNTER'S CISTICOLA (Cisticola hunteri) – Two at Mountain Lodge.
RATTLING CISTICOLA (Cisticola chiniana) – Common and widespread.
WINDING CISTICOLA (Cisticola galactotes) – Singles at Nairobi NP and Ngorongoro.
TINKLING CISTICOLA (Cisticola tinniens) – One in a marsh near Eldoret.
STOUT CISTICOLA (Cisticola robustus) – About 20 in the Nairobi NP grasslands.
TINY CISTICOLA (Cisticola nana) – Two near Kajiado.
PECTORAL-PATCH CISTICOLA (Cisticola brunnescens) – One in Ngorongoro Crater.
GRAY-CAPPED WARBLER (Eminia lepida) – Heard at Ngorongoro and Thika.
BLACK-FACED RUFOUS-WARBLER (Bathmocercus rufus) – Nice looks at this skulking undergrowth warbler at Kakamega.
BUFF-BELLIED WARBLER (Phyllolais pulchella) – Seen in the acacias at Ngorongoro and Nakuru.
BANDED PRINIA (BLACK-FACED) (Prinia bairdii melanops) – Most of the group saw at least 1 of these attractive warblers at Kakamega.
Sylviidae (Sylviids, Parrotbills and Allies)
BLACKCAP (Sylvia atricapilla) – Two at Kakamega.
GREATER WHITETHROAT (Sylvia communis) – One near Kajiado.
BROWN WARBLER (Parisoma lugens) – Two at Gibb's Farm.
BANDED WARBLER (Parisoma boehmi) – Singles near Kajiado, Ngorongoro, and in the Serengeti.
GREEN HYLIA (Hylia prasina) – Heard at Kakamega.
Zosteropidae (Yuhinas, White-eyes, and Allies)
AFRICAN YELLOW WHITE-EYE (Zosterops senegalensis) – About 20 (mainly along the forest edge) at Kakamega.
BROAD-RINGED WHITE-EYE (Zosterops poliogastrus) – Two at Ngorongoro, and about 10 at Mountain Lodge.
Pellorneidae (Fulvettas and Ground Babblers)
SCALY-BREASTED ILLADOPSIS (Illadopsis albipectus) – Heard at Kakamega.
Leiothrichidae (Laughingthrushes)
RUFOUS CHATTERER (Turdoides rubiginosa) – Three in Kampi ya Samaki village, Lake Baringo.
BLACK-LORED BABBLER (Turdoides sharpei) – About 20 at Naabi Hill, Serengeti.
NORTHERN PIED-BABBLER (Turdoides hypoleuca) – Three at Ole Sereni, and 6 at Tarangire.
BROWN BABBLER (Turdoides plebejus) – Five in the Kerio Valley.
ARROW-MARKED BABBLER (Turdoides jardineii) – Four near Gibb's Farm and a dozen at Tarangire.
Muscicapidae (Old World Flycatchers)
SILVERBIRD (Empidornis semipartitus) – One in the Serengeti.
GRAYISH FLYCATCHER (Bradornis microrhynchus) – Small numbers in acacia country throughout the tour.
WHITE-EYED SLATY-FLYCATCHER (Melaenornis fischeri) – Fairly common in the highlands; in all we saw about 40.
NORTHERN BLACK-FLYCATCHER (Melaenornis edolioides) – One at Kakamega.
SPOTTED FLYCATCHER (Muscicapa striata) – Seven in the Serengeti, and a few others at a variety of scattered sites.
DUSKY-BROWN FLYCATCHER (Muscicapa adusta) – Two at Gibb's Farm, and 4 at Mountain Lodge.
GRAY TIT-FLYCATCHER (Myioparus plumbeus) – One near Lake Baringo.
RED-BACKED SCRUB-ROBIN (Cercotrichas leucophrys) – Small numbers in the acacia bush country at Kajiado and Ngorongoro.
CAPE ROBIN-CHAT (Cossypha caffra) – One at Thomson's Falls.
WHITE-BROWED ROBIN-CHAT (Cossypha heuglini) – Widespread in small numbers.
RED-CAPPED ROBIN-CHAT (Cossypha natalensis) – One in the forest above Gibb's Farm.
SNOWY-CROWNED ROBIN-CHAT (Cossypha niveicapilla) – Good looks at this normally shy species at Kakamega.
SPOTTED MORNING-THRUSH (Cichladusa guttata) – Two at Tarangire, and 6 in the Baringo-Bogoria area.
WHITE-STARRED ROBIN (Pogonocichla stellata) – Good looks at this attractive robin at Mountain Lodge.
BROWN-CHESTED ALETHE (Pseudalethe poliocephala) – Often rather shy, but we were lucky this tour and saw up to 4 along the muddy trails at Kakamega.
EQUATORIAL AKALAT (Sheppardia aequatorialis) – One at Kakamega.
LITTLE ROCK-THRUSH (Monticola rufocinereus) – We saw a single female at Kiawara.
RUFOUS-TAILED ROCK-THRUSH (Monticola saxatilis) – Two at Kajiado.
AFRICAN STONECHAT (Saxicola torquatus) – Two near Kapsabet.
NORTHERN ANTEATER-CHAT (Myrmecocichla aethiops) – Common in the grasslands at Ngorongoro, Serengeti, and Nakuru.
MOCKING CLIFF-CHAT (Thamnolaea cinnamomeiventris) – Nice looks at a male on the roof of our lodge at Nakuru.
BROWN-TAILED CHAT (Cercomela scotocerca) – Two along the bottom of the cliffs at Baringo.
NORTHERN WHEATEAR (Oenanthe oenanthe) – About a dozen in the Ngorongoro-Serengeti area, and then 1 at Baringo.
MOURNING WHEATEAR (SCHALOW'S) (Oenanthe lugens schalowi) – Three in Ngorongoro Crater.
CAPPED WHEATEAR (Oenanthe pileata) – Four at Ngorongoro, and 6 in the Serengeti.
ISABELLINE WHEATEAR (Oenanthe isabellina) – Six at Ngorongoro, and 1 at Baringo.
Turdidae (Thrushes and Allies)
ABYSSINIAN THRUSH (Turdus abyssinicus abyssinicus) – Four in the Gibb's Farm area, and about 6 at Mountain Lodge.
AFRICAN THRUSH (Turdus pelios) – One at Lake Victoria, and 2 at Kakamega.
Sturnidae (Starlings)
WATTLED STARLING (Creatophora cinerea) – About 30 in the Serengeti.
GREATER BLUE-EARED GLOSSY-STARLING (Lamprotornis chalybaeus) – Fairly common and widespread with a total of about 100.
RUEPPELL'S GLOSSY-STARLING (Lamprotornis purpuroptera) – Most common around Baringo (40); about another 30 were seen at a variety of scattered widespread sites.
SUPERB STARLING (Lamprotornis superbus) – Common and widespread.
HILDEBRANDT'S STARLING (Lamprotornis hildebrandti) – Three at Kajiado, and about 20 in the Ngorongoro-Serengeti area.
VIOLET-BACKED STARLING (Cinnyricinclus leucogaster) – We saw a single female at Ngorongoro.
ASHY STARLING (Spreo unicolor) – This localised Tanzanian endemic was common at Tarangire.
RED-WINGED STARLING (Onychognathus morio) – Widespread in small numbers.
BRISTLE-CROWNED STARLING (Onychognathus salvadorii) – About 10 along the cliffs at Lake Baringo.
STUHLMANN'S STARLING (Poeoptera stuhlmanni) – Common at Kakamega.
MAGPIE STARLING (Speculipastor bicolor) – Normally only found to the north of our itinerary, so we were lucky to see a flock of about 20 near Lake Baringo.
Buphagidae (Oxpeckers)
RED-BILLED OXPECKER (Buphagus erythrorhynchus) – Widespread in areas with cattle and big game.
YELLOW-BILLED OXPECKER (Buphagus africanus) – Most common in the Serengeti (about 60), but we also saw a few others elsewhere.
Nectariniidae (Sunbirds and Spiderhunters)
KENYA VIOLET-BACKED SUNBIRD (Anthreptes orientalis) – Two near Oldupai, and 3 at Baringo.
GREEN SUNBIRD (Anthreptes rectirostris) – About 15 at Kakamega.
COLLARED SUNBIRD (Hedydipna collaris) – Small numbers at Thika, Gibb's Farm, and Kakamega.
GREEN-HEADED SUNBIRD (Cyanomitra verticalis) – Two at Gibb's Farm, and 2 at Kakamega.
WESTERN OLIVE SUNBIRD (Cyanomitra obscura) – One at Kakamega.
GREEN-THROATED SUNBIRD (Chalcomitra rubescens) – Six high in a tall flowering tree at Kakamega.
AMETHYST SUNBIRD (Chalcomitra amethystina) – One at Ngorongoro.
SCARLET-CHESTED SUNBIRD (Chalcomitra senegalensis) – Small numbers at Kajiado, the Serengeti area, Nakuru, and Kakamega.
HUNTER'S SUNBIRD (Chalcomitra hunteri) – Nice looks at a male along the cliffs at Baringo.
TACAZZE SUNBIRD (Nectarinia tacazze) – We saw a single male at Thomson's Falls.
BRONZE SUNBIRD (Nectarinia kilimensis) – Widespread in small numbers.
NORTHERN DOUBLE-COLLARED SUNBIRD (Cinnyris reichenowi) – Six at Kakamega.
EASTERN DOUBLE-COLLARED SUNBIRD (Cinnyris mediocris) – Two at Ngorongoro, and about 6 at Mountain Lodge.
BEAUTIFUL SUNBIRD (Cinnyris pulchellus) – We saw these really gorgeous beautiful sunbirds near Ngorongoro and Baringo.
VARIABLE SUNBIRD (Cinnyris venustus) – Small numbers were common in the highlands.
Motacillidae (Wagtails and Pipits)
WESTERN YELLOW WAGTAIL (Motacilla flava) – Fairly common and widespread, with a total of about 70.
CAPE WAGTAIL (Motacilla capensis) – Two at Mountain Lodge.
GRAY WAGTAIL (Motacilla cinerea) – One at Kakamega.
MOUNTAIN WAGTAIL (Motacilla clara) – One along a stream at Kakamega.
AFRICAN PIED WAGTAIL (Motacilla aguimp) – Common and widespread.
AFRICAN PIPIT (Anthus cinnamomeus) – About 10 in the Serengeti.
PLAIN-BACKED PIPIT (Anthus leucophrys) – Two at Lake Nakuru.
TREE PIPIT (Anthus trivialis) – One at Ngorongoro.
Emberizidae (Buntings and New World Sparrows)
GOLDEN-BREASTED BUNTING (Emberiza flaviventris) – Three near Kajiado.
Fringillidae (Siskins, Crossbills, and Allies)
SOUTHERN CITRIL (Serinus hypostictus) – Two at Ngorongoro.
REICHENOW'S SEEDEATER (Serinus reichenowi) – A surprisingly large flock of about 50 were near Kajiado, and then we saw 4 at Lake Nakuru.
WHITE-BELLIED CANARY (Serinus dorsostriatus) – Twenty near Oldupai, and about 10 at Baringo.
SOUTHERN GROSBEAK-CANARY (Serinus buchanani) – One in the low acacia country to the east of Ngorongoro Crater.
STREAKY SEEDEATER (Serinus striolatus) – Small numbers were widespread in the highlands.
THICK-BILLED SEEDEATER (Serinus burtoni) – Two in the forest above Gibb's Farm.
Passeridae (Old World Sparrows)
HOUSE SPARROW (Passer domesticus) – Small numbers around a variety of villages and gas stations.
KENYA RUFOUS SPARROW (Passer rufocinctus) – Four in Nairobi NP, and about a dozen at Nakuru.
NORTHERN GRAY-HEADED SPARROW (Passer griseus) – Fairly common and widespread; in all we saw about 80.
PARROT-BILLED SPARROW (Passer gongonensis) – Two at Baringo.
SWAHILI SPARROW (Passer suahelicus) – About 20 in the Serengeti.
CHESTNUT SPARROW (Passer eminibey) – Ten in the Serengeti, and then about 30 at Tarangire included some males in breeding plumage.
YELLOW-SPOTTED PETRONIA (Petronia pyrgita) – One at Ngorongoro, and 2 in the Kerio Valley.
Ploceidae (Weavers and Allies)
WHITE-BILLED BUFFALO-WEAVER (Bubalornis albirostris) – Two near our Bogoria hotel.
RED-BILLED BUFFALO-WEAVER (Bubalornis niger) – About 30 at Tarangire.
WHITE-HEADED BUFFALO-WEAVER (Dinemellia dinemelli) – Two in the Serengeti, 25 at Tarangire, and 6 at Baringo.
SPECKLE-FRONTED WEAVER (Sporopipes frontalis) – Four at Ngorongoro, and about 10 in the Serengeti.
WHITE-BROWED SPARROW-WEAVER (Plocepasser mahali) – Ten at Nairobi, and about 50 at Baringo.
RUFOUS-TAILED WEAVER (Histurgops ruficauda) – We saw a total of about 120 in the Ngorongoro to Serengeti and Tarangire areas.
GRAY-HEADED SOCIAL-WEAVER (Pseudonigrita arnaudi) – Sixty at Seronera.
RED-HEADED MALIMBE (Malimbus rubricollis) – Six in the canopy at Kakamega.
RED-HEADED WEAVER (Anaplectes rubriceps) – Some of the group saw a single male at Tarangire.
BAGLAFECHT WEAVER (Ploceus baglafecht) – Common and widespread.
BLACK-NECKED WEAVER (Ploceus nigricollis) – One at Kakamega.
SPECTACLED WEAVER (Ploceus ocularis) – Singles at Gibb's Farm and near the Grumeti River in the Serengeti.
BLACK-BILLED WEAVER (Ploceus melanogaster) – Two singles at Kakamega.
HOLUB'S GOLDEN-WEAVER (Ploceus xanthops) – Pairs at Nairobi and Gibb's Farm.
NORTHERN BROWN-THROATED WEAVER (Ploceus castanops) – About 30 (including 1 eating small fish) at Lake Victoria.
NORTHERN MASKED-WEAVER (Ploceus taeniopterus) – One at Baringo.
LESSER MASKED-WEAVER (Ploceus intermedius) – Ten at Ngorongoro.
VITELLINE MASKED-WEAVER (Ploceus vitellinus) – Small numbers at Ngorongoro, Serengeti, and Baringo.
SPEKE'S WEAVER (Ploceus spekei) – Twenty at the Ole Sereni Hotel, and about 30 at Ngorongoro.
VIEILLOT'S WEAVER (Ploceus nigerrimus) – Ten at Kakamega.
VILLAGE WEAVER (Ploceus cucullatus) – Two at the Blue Posts, 1 at Kisumu, and about 30 at Baringo.
BLACK-HEADED WEAVER (Ploceus melanocephalus) – Two in the reeds at Lake Victoria.
GOLDEN-BACKED WEAVER (Ploceus jacksoni) – One at Lake Baringo.
FOREST WEAVER (Ploceus bicolor) – About half a dozen at Kakamega.
BROWN-CAPPED WEAVER (Ploceus insignis) – Two pairs at Kakamega.
RED-BILLED QUELEA (Quelea quelea) – About 25 at Tarangire.
YELLOW BISHOP (Euplectes capensis) – We saw a single male in breeding plumage near Mt. Kenya.
FAN-TAILED WIDOWBIRD (Euplectes axillaris) – About 50 at the picnic site in Ngorongoro, and 6 nea Eldoret.
Estrildidae (Waxbills and Allies)
GRAY-HEADED NIGRITA (Nigrita canicapillus) – More commonly known as Grey-headed Negrofinch, we saw 2 at Kakamega and 2 at Mountain Lodge.
YELLOW-BELLIED WAXBILL (Coccopygia quartinia) – Four at Gibb's Farm, 6 at Ngorongoro, and 2 at Mountain Lodge.
KANDT'S WAXBILL (Estrilda kandti) – Two at Mountain Lodge.
RED-RUMPED WAXBILL (Estrilda charmosyna) – Four at Lake Baringo.
RED-HEADED BLUEBILL (Spermophaga ruficapilla) – Good looks at these attractive waxbills at the edge of Kakamega Forest.
RED-CHEEKED CORDONBLEU (Uraeginthus bengalus) – Small numbers in the dry acacia bush country.
BLUE-CAPPED CORDONBLEU (Uraeginthus cyanocephalus) – Another gorgeous waxbill; we saw about 10 at the bottom of the Crater Highlands.
PURPLE GRENADIER (Granatina ianthinogaster) – And yet another fabulous looking waxbill; we saw 2 at Gibb's Farm, 1 at the Grumeti River, and 2 at Baringo.
GREEN-WINGED PYTILIA (Pytilia melba) – We saw a pair at Tarangire.
RED-BILLED FIREFINCH (Lagonosticta senegala) – Widespread in small numbers.
JAMESON'S FIREFINCH (Lagonosticta rhodopareia) – Two on the rim of Ngorongoro Crater were at an exceptionally high altitude.
AFRICAN QUAILFINCH (Ortygospiza fuscocrissa) – Ten in the Serengeti.
GRAY-HEADED SILVERBILL (Odontospiza griseicapilla) – About a dozen along the cliffs at Baringo.
BRONZE MANNIKIN (Spermestes cucullatus) – Fifteen in Nairobi NP.
BLACK-AND-WHITE MANNIKIN (BLACK-AND-WHITE) (Spermestes bicolor poensis) – Ten in the glade at Kakamega.
BLACK-AND-WHITE MANNIKIN (RED-BACKED) (Spermestes bicolor nigriceps) – Twelve at Gibb's Farm, and 1 at the Blue Posts Hotel, Thika.
Viduidae (Indigobirds)
EASTERN PARADISE-WHYDAH (Vidua paradisaea) – We saw a male in full breeding plumage to the north of Tarangire.

MAMMALS
BROWN GREATER GALAGO (Otolemur crassicaudatus) – One came to the feeder at Gibb's Farm.
BLUE MONKEY (Cercopithecus mitis) – About 60 at Kakamega.
SYKES MONKEY (Cercopithecus albogularis) – Thirty at the Blue Posts Hotel, Thika, and 20 at Mountain Lodge.
BLACK-CHEEKED WHITE-NOSED MONKEY (Cercopithecus ascanius) – Eight at Kakamega.
BLACK-FACED VERVET MONKEY (Cercopithecus aethiops) – Common and widespread.
OLIVE BABOON (Papio anubis) – Common in a wide variety of habitats throughout the tour; in all we saw about 400.
MANTLED GUEREZA (Colobus guereza) – More commonly known as Black-and-white Colobus; we saw 10 at the Grumeti River, 50 at Kakamega, and a dozen at Mountain Lodge.
CAPE HARE (Lepus capensis) – Singles at Ngorongoro and in the Serengeti.
UNSTRIPED GROUND SQUIRREL (Xerus rutilus) – Two at Bogoria.
BUSH SQUIRREL (Paraxerus sp.) – One at Gibb's Farm, 8 at Tarangire, and about 20 at Mountain Lodge.
RED-LEGGED SUN SQUIRREL (Heliosciurus rufobrachium) – Two at Kakamega.
BLACK-BACKED JACKAL (Canis mesomelas) – We saw a total of about 16 in the open country game parks.
COMMON JACKAL (Canis aureus) – One in Ngorongoro Crater.
BAT-EARED FOX (Otocyon megalotis) – Two in the Serengeti.
LARGE-SPOTTED GENET (Genetta tigrina) – One on the feeding platform at Mountain Lodge.
SLENDER MONGOOSE (Herpestes sanguineus) – One near Mountain Lodge.
BANDED MONGOOSE (Mungos mungo) – About 30 in the Serengeti, and 40 at Tarangire.
EASTERN DWARF MONGOOSE (Helogale hirtula) – Twenty at Tarangire.
MARSH MONGOOSE (Atilax paludinosus) – One quickly crossed the road at Ngorongoro, and then 2 were seen well at Mountain Lodge.
SPOTTED HYAENA (Crocuta crocuta) – Many great encounters; in Ngorongoro Crater, the Serengeti, and at Lake Nakuru.
STRIPED HYAENA (Hyaena hyaena) – Amazingly we saw this shy nocturnal hyaena during a morning drive at Lake Nakuru.
SERVAL (Felis serval) – We watched 1 hunting in the Serengeti.
LEOPARD (Panthera pardus) – Just amazing this tour - with a total of 4 in the Serengeti.
LION (Panthera leo) – We saw a total of about 40 in Ngorongoro Crater and the Serengeti.
CHEETAH (Acinonyx jubatus) – What an amazing trip for the big cats; with 4 in the Serengeti, and then 3 at Tarangire.
AFRICAN ELEPHANT (Loxodonta africana) – Numerous close encounters in Ngorongoro, the Serengeti, and at Tarangire.
ROCK HYRAX (Procavia capensis) – About 40 on the Serengeti kopjes, and 5 at the Baringo cliffs.
BUSH (YELLOW-SPOTTED) HYRAX (Heterohyrax brucei) – Literally all over the Seronera Lodge, and at Tarangire.
BURCHELL'S ZEBRA (Equus burchelli) – First seen in Nairobi NP, then at Ngorongoro, numerous thousands in the Serengeti, and then at Tarangire and Nakuru.
BLACK RHINOCEROS (Diceros bicornis) – Two distant resting individuals in Ngorongoro Crater, and then 2 at Lake Nakuru.
WHITE RHINOCEROS (Ceratotherium simum) – We saw about 5 of these introduced rhinos at Lake Nakuru.
WARTHOG (Phacochoerus aethiopicus) – Common and widespread throughout much of the tour.
GIANT FOREST HOG (Hylochoerus meinertzhageni) – Some of the group saw 1 along the edges of the dark forest at Mountain Lodge.
HIPPOPOTAMUS (Hippopotamus amphibius) – Very common in the river and pools of Ngorongoro, the Serengeti, and Tarangire.
COMMON GIRAFFE (Giraffa camelopardalis) – Common and a real group favorite; in all we saw about 120.
ROTHSCHILD'S GIRAFFE (Giraffa rothschildi) – Took some time this year, but we eventually found 4 at Lake Nakuru.
BUSHBUCK (Tragelaphus scriptus) – Small numbers in Nairobi NP and the Serengeti, and then about 20 at Mountain Lodge.
COMMON ELAND (Taurotragus oryx) – Twenty at Nairobi, 30 in the Serengeti, and about a dozen at Nakuru.
AFRICAN BUFFALO (Syncerus caffer) – Very common and numerous in all the big game parks; in all we saw about 2500.
RED DUIKER (Cephalophus natalensis) – One along the road as we left Mountain Lodge.
COMMON WATERBUCK (Kobus ellipsiprymnus) – About 80 at Tarangire.
DEFASSA WATERBUCK (Kobus defassa) – One hundred and fifty in the Serengeti, 40 at Nakuru, and 14 at Mountain Lodge.
BOHOR REEDBUCK (Redunca redunca) – Two from our rooms at the Ole Sereni Hotel, and then about another 30 in both the Serengeti and Tarangire.
TOPI (Damaliscus lunatus) – About 100 in the Serengeti.
HARTEBEEST (KONGONI) (Alcelaphus buselaphus) – More commonly known as Coke's Hartebeest; we saw about 200 in Nairobi NP, 50 at Ngorongoro, 80 at Serengeti, and 20 at Tarangire.
BLUE WILDEBEEST (Connochaetes taurinus) – Roughly 2000 in Ngorongoro Crater were impressive, but then a few hundred thousand in the western Serengeti were truly amazing, and finally 800+ at Tarangire.
STEENBOK (Raphicerus campestris) – One at Tarangire.
SUNI (Neotragus moschatus) – We all watched an exceptionally tame one at Mountain Lodge.
KIRK'S DIK-DIK (Modoqua kirki) – Common in the acacia bush country of the western Serengeti, and at Tarangire.
IMPALA (Aepyceros malampus) – Common and widespread.
THOMSON'S GAZELLE (Gazella thomsoni) – Another extremely common and widespread antelope in the open grasslands.
GRANT'S GAZELLE (Gazella granti) – Prefers drier country than many of the other antelopes, but still numerous in national parks with open country.


ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

Reptiles seen on the tour included:

Elementaita Rock Agama; 1 at Kiawara.

Green-headed Tree Agama; we saw a total of about 10.

Red-headed Rock Agama; small numbers at Ngorongoro, Tarangire, Baringo and Bogoria.

Mwanza Rock Agama; several in the Serengeti.

Tropical House Gecko; common and widespread.

Water Monitor; 1 in Nairobi NP, and about 6 at Bogoria.

Nile Crocodile; 3 at the Grumeti River, Serengeti, and 2 at Baringo.

Leopard Tortoise; 3 in the Serengeti.


Totals for the tour: 464 bird taxa and 52 mammal taxa