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Field Guides Tour Report
KENYA SAFARI SPECTACULAR 2016
Aug 26, 2016 to Sep 22, 2016
Terry Stevenson


A handsome little Golden Palm Weaver glows among the vegetation at Turtle Bay. Photo by participant Randy Siebert.

Our September 2016 Kenya Safari Spectacular tour ran with a smaller group than usual, but we still managed to run the full itinerary, visiting the arid lands of Samburu, Baringo and Tsavo, the forests of Mt. Kenya, Kakamega and the Taita Hills, both fresh and alkaline lakes in the Great Rift Valley, the grasslands of Masai Mara, and finally the lowland forest, creeks and estuaries of the coast.

Beginning in Nairobi, we drove north to the Mt. Kenya area, where we spent a night at Mountain Lodge; avian highlights included Scaly Francolin, Hartlaub's Turaco, Verreaux's Eagle-Owl, Silvery-cheeked Hornbill, Cinnamon-chested Bee-eater, Moustached Tinkerbird, Black-tailed Oriole, Black-throated Apalis, Rueppell's Robin-Chat and Eastern Double-collared Sunbird, while mammals ranged from Sykes's Monkey to tiny Bush Squirrels, Large-spotted Genet, and several very large African Buffalo.

Heading further north, we dropped down more than 4000 ft. to the semi-arid country at Samburu. Here, in the dry acacia bush (sprinkled with picturesque branched doum palms) we enjoyed a wealth of both birds and mammals; just a few of our favorites included Vulturine Guineafowl, a very close adult Secretary-bird, four species of endangered vultures at a freshly killed Impala, two adult Martial Eagles, Buff-crested Bustard, Black-faced Sandgrouse, Violet Woodhoopoe, Somali Bee-eater, Red-and-Yellow Barbet, Pygmy Falcon, Rosy-patched Bushshrike, Golden-breasted Starling, and Hunter's Sunbird. The mammals included Lion, Cheetah (a mother with three large young ones), at least 40 African Elephants, the rare Grevy's Zebra, Reticulated Giraffe, Beisa Oryx, Kirk's Dikdik, Impala, Gerenuk, and Grant's Gazelle.

Our route then took us west to the Great Rift Valley, but first we back-tracked to Mt. Kenya and spent a productive day driving (and then walking) above 10,000 ft. We had a family of amazingly tame, endemic Jackson's Francolins right at our feet, and also super close looks at the normally shy Abyssinian Ground-Thrush. Other special birds in this area included Mountain Buzzard, Hartlaub's Turaco, White-headed Woodhoopoe, Hunter's Cisticola, Tacazze Sunbird, and Kandt's Waxbill.

After our drive to the Rift Valley and a night in the Bogoria area, we spent a fabulous day at Lake Baringo, accompanied by an expert local guide. "Help the local community and they'll help you" was our motto, and it certainly worked this time -- in the hours between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., we had excellent close views of no fewer than 7 special nocturnal birds, including Spotted Thick-knee, Three-banded Courser, African Scops-Owl, Northern White-faced Owl, Grayish and Verreaux's eagle-owls, and Slender-tailed Nightjar. Other great new birds included our first Common Ostrich, African Darter (now uncommon in Kenya), Goliath Heron (the world's largest heron), Verreaux's Eagle, Jackson's Hornbill, Pygmy Batis, Mouse-colored Penduline-Tit, Bristle-crowned Starling, Northern Masked-Weaver, and Northern Red Bishop.

We then left the Rift Valley behind as we climbed to the extensive farmlands of the Western Highlands and our base at Kitale. The Kongelai Escarpment and Saiwa Swamp were target areas here, and we did well at both, with close Gray Crowned-Cranes, Blue-headed Coucal, White-headed Barbet, Greater Honeyguide, Black-throated Wattle-eye, Luehder's Bushshrike, Mountain Illadopsis, Lesser Blue-eared Starling, Chestnut-crowned Sparrow-Weaver, and the extremely localized Heuglin's Masked-Weaver. New mammals included Patas Monkey, D'Brazza's Monkey, and Sitatunga.

After a comparatively short drive south, we next spent three nights at Rondo Retreat -- a lovely series of cottages within the well-known Kakamega Forest. Other than three species of monkeys -- Blue, Black-cheeked White-nosed, and Colobus (now called Mantled Guereza) -- we did not see many mammals, but the birding was great, with Crowned Hawk-Eagle (an adult and a juvenile right in the garden), White-spotted Flufftail (pausing in a stream bed), Great Blue Turaco, Yellow-billed Barbet, all three 'special woodpeckers', Chestnut Wattle-eye, Dusky Crested-Flycatcher, Ansorge's Greenbul, Green Hylia, Black-faced Rufous-Warbler, Banded Prinia, Turner's Eremomela, Scaly-breasted Illadopsis, Snowy-crowned Robin-Chat, and Red-headed Bluebill among the special finds.

Heading still further west (almost to the Uganda border) and then south to Lake Victoria, we found new species including African Openbill, Rock Pratincole, Eastern Plantain-Eater, Double-toothed Barbet, Red-headed Lovebird, African Grass-Warbler, Red-chested Sunbird, and Bar-breasted Firefinch.

We then completed our circuit west of the Rift Valley and spent a night at Nakuru, where we all enjoyed close views of a wide selection of ducks, pelicans, herons, egrets, and migrant shorebirds, plus Coqui Francolin, African Cuckoo, Green Woodhoopoe, White-fronted Bee-eater, Mountain Gray Woodpecker, Arrow-marked Babbler, Mocking Cliff-Chat, Little Rock-Thrush, Scarlet-chested Sunbird, and a great find by our driver John -- a couple of African Quailfinches.

After a return drive to Nairobi, we flew to Masai Mara for a two-night stay at the famed Kichwa Tembo tented camp; highlights here are always numerous, but a few of our best sightings included close views of Spotted Hyaena with tiny babies, a Leopard feeding on an Impala, at least 7 Lions, 2 Cheetahs, numerous African Elephants, and herds of Burchell's Zebra, Eland, African Buffalo, Topi, Blue Wildebeest and Thomson's Gazelle. The most notable birds included the uncommon Red-winged Francolin, Saddle-billed Stork, a close Goliath Heron, Rufous-bellied Heron, Secretary-bird, 16 species of raptors, including the rare Ovampo Sparrowhawk, Temminck's Courser, Schalow's Turaco, Southern Ground-Hornbill, Rufous-necked Wryneck, Gray Kestrel, Mosque Swallow, Silverbird, Violet-backed Starling, Yellow-billed Oxpecker, and Purple Grenadier.

Now on the last leg of our tour, we drove southeast of Nairobi to Tsavo National Park and the Taita Hills. Mammal highlights included at least 250 African Elephants (many stained red with the local sand and mud), Serval, the uncommon Lesser Kudu, and Fringe-eared Oryx. New birds included Somali Ostrich, African Hawk-Eagle, Kori Bustard, Somali Courser, Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse, Three-streaked Tchagra, Red-winged Lark, Chestnut-headed Sparrow-Lark, Striped-cheeked Greenbul, 'Taita' Apalis, 'Taita' White-eye, Taita Thrush, Golden-breasted Starling, Tsavo Sunbird, and several magnificent male Golden Pipits -- surely the most gorgeous pipit in the world!

And finally, during four nights at Watamu (on the coast), we added a wide variety of new birds, including several globally threatened species. A few of our forest highlights were Fasciated Snake-Eagle, Ayres's Hawk-Eagle, Fischer's Turaco, Sokoke Scops-Owl, Trumpeter Hornbill, Green Tinkerbird, Mombasa Woodpecker, Retz's and Chestnut-fronted helmetshrikes, Zanzibar Boubou, Eastern Nicator (now in a new family), Tiny Greenbul, Scaly Babbler, and Amani and Plain-backed sunbirds. The farmlands held Northern Carmine Bee-eater, and the very localized Malindi Pipit, and the tidal sand-flats at Mida Creek and Malindi provided us with a great selection of shorebirds, including Lesser and Greater sand-plovers, Terek Sandpiper, Bar-tailed Godwit, the fabulous Crab Plover (in its own family), Great and Lesser Crested terns, and the very localized Sooty Gull.

Thanks to each of you for joining me on this great survey of Kenya!

-- 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)


The Secretary-bird is one of Kenya's iconic birds. Photo by participant Randy Siebert.

COMMON OSTRICH (Struthio camelus massaicus) – Five in the Bogoria area, 4 at Nakuru, and 2 in Masai Mara.
SOMALI OSTRICH (Struthio molybdophanes) – We saw a total of 16 at Tsavo East.
Anatidae (Ducks, Geese, and Waterfowl)
WHITE-FACED WHISTLING-DUCK (Dendrocygna viduata) – About 40 at Sagana, 6 at Baringo, and 30+ at Masai Mara.
WHITE-BACKED DUCK (Thalassornis leuconotus) – Rather localized in Kenya, so we were lucky to see 5 at Limuru Pond.
EGYPTIAN GOOSE (Alopochen aegyptiaca) – Common and widespread at wetlands throughout the tour.
SPUR-WINGED GOOSE (Plectropterus gambensis) – One at Masai Mara.
AFRICAN BLACK DUCK (Anas sparsa) – One on a small dam near Thomson's Falls.
YELLOW-BILLED DUCK (Anas undulata) – Small numbers at Sagana, Kerenget Dam, and Lake Nakuru; in all we saw about 55.
RED-BILLED DUCK (Anas erythrorhyncha) – Six at Limuru Pond, and about a dozen at Lake Nakuru.
HOTTENTOT TEAL (Anas hottentota) – Six at Lake Nakuru.
CAPE TEAL (Anas capensis) – About 10 at Lake Nakuru.
MACCOA DUCK (Oxyura maccoa) – At least 2 males were at Limuru Pond.
Numididae (Guineafowl)
HELMETED GUINEAFOWL (Numida meleagris) – Common and widespread in a variety of open woodland and bush country; in all we saw about 600.


Vulturine Guineafowl were among our favorite sightings at Samburu. Photo by participant Randy Siebert.

VULTURINE GUINEAFOWL (Acryllium vulturinum) – Great looks at 300+ at Samburu.
Phasianidae (Pheasants, Grouse, and Allies)
SCALY FRANCOLIN (Pternistis squamatus) – We saw a pair along the road as we left Mountain Lodge.
JACKSON'S FRANCOLIN (Pternistis jacksoni) – A pair with 5 juveniles were very tame around the weather station on Mt. Kenya.
YELLOW-NECKED FRANCOLIN (Pternistis leucoscepus) – Very common at Samburu (100+), 1 at Solio, and 15 at Tsavo East.
RED-NECKED FRANCOLIN (Pternistis afer) – Six at Masai Mara.
CRESTED FRANCOLIN (Francolinus sephaena) – About a dozen at Samburu, and 3 at Tsavo East.
COQUI FRANCOLIN (Peliperdix coqui) – Great close looks at 4 in the Nakuru grasslands.
RED-WINGED FRANCOLIN (Scleroptila levaillantii) – Very uncommon in Kenya, so we were lucky to see 2 at Masai Mara.
Podicipedidae (Grebes)
LITTLE GREBE (Tachybaptus ruficollis) – About 40 at various locations in the central highlands, and 20 at Lake Nakuru.
Phoenicopteridae (Flamingos)
LESSER FLAMINGO (Phoeniconaias minor) – About 150 at Lake Nakuru, and 100+ at the coast.
Ciconiidae (Storks)
AFRICAN OPENBILL (Anastomus lamelligerus) – Three near Kisumu, and 1 at the coast.
WOOLLY-NECKED STORK (Ciconia episcopus) – Ten at a drying up wetland just outside Sokoke Forest.


We had many close encounters with African Elephants at Samburu, Masai Mara, and Tsavo East. Photo by participant Glenda Brown.

SADDLE-BILLED STORK (Ephippiorhynchus senegalensis) – Nice views of 1 in flight at Masai Mara.
MARABOU STORK (Leptoptilos crumenifer) – Common and widespread; with a total of about 240.
YELLOW-BILLED STORK (Mycteria ibis) – Sixty at Masai Mara were the highest total for one area, but we also had about 30 others at a variety of wetlands.
Phalacrocoracidae (Cormorants and Shags)
GREAT CORMORANT (Phalacrocorax carbo) – About 300 at Lake Nakuru.
LONG-TAILED CORMORANT (Phalacrocorax africanus) – Widespread on a variety of fresh water wetlands; in all we saw about 30.
Anhingidae (Anhingas)
AFRICAN DARTER (Anhinga rufa rufa) – Five at Lake Baringo.
Pelecanidae (Pelicans)
GREAT WHITE PELICAN (Pelecanus onocrotalus) – Forty-five at Lake Nakuru.
PINK-BACKED PELICAN (Pelecanus rufescens) – Eight at Lake Nakuru.
Scopidae (Hamerkop)
HAMERKOP (Scopus umbretta) – Widespread, and mostly at wetlands throughout the tour; in all we saw about 70.
Ardeidae (Herons, Egrets, and Bitterns)
GRAY HERON (Ardea cinerea) – Small numbers at Limuru, Sagana, Nakuru, and Masai Mara.


The gorgeous Lilac-breasted Roller was common and widespread in open woodland and bush country all across Kenya. Photo by participant Randy Siebert.

BLACK-HEADED HERON (Ardea melanocephala) – More common than the previous species and occurring in drier areas; in total we saw about 45.
GOLIATH HERON (Ardea goliath) – We scoped a distant bird at Lake Baringo, and then saw 1 much closer at Masai Mara.
PURPLE HERON (Ardea purpurea) – One at Baringo, and 1 near Kisumu.
GREAT EGRET (Ardea alba) – Widespread in small numbers.
INTERMEDIATE EGRET (Mesophoyx intermedia) – Three at Lake Nakuru.
LITTLE EGRET (Egretta garzetta) – One hundred and fifty at Lake Victoria were by far the most for one area, but we also saw them at Baringo, Nakuru, Masai Mara, and at the coast.
CATTLE EGRET (Bubulcus ibis) – Common and widespread.
SQUACCO HERON (Ardeola ralloides) – One at Limuru Pond, 6 at Lake Baringo, and 1 at Masai Mara.
RUFOUS-BELLIED HERON (Ardeola rufiventris) – We saw 4 of these localized herons at Musiara Swamp in Masai Mara.
STRIATED HERON (Butorides striata) – Four at Lake Baringo, 2 at Kisumu, and 1 at Masai Mara.
Threskiornithidae (Ibises and Spoonbills)
GLOSSY IBIS (Plegadis falcinellus) – Three at Limuru Pond.
SACRED IBIS (Threskiornis aethiopicus) – Very common and widespread; with a total of about 400.
HADADA IBIS (Bostrychia hagedash) – Very common and widespread; with a total of about 70.
AFRICAN SPOONBILL (Platalea alba) – Four at Lake Nakuru, 2 at Masai Mara, and 1 at the coast.
Sagittariidae (Secretary-bird)


The Superb Starling was another common and widespread species throughout the tour. Photo by participant Randy Siebert.

SECRETARY-BIRD (Sagittarius serpentarius) – Great looks at a close adult at Samburu, and then 3 at Masai Mara, and 1 near Aruba Dam, Tsavo.
Pandionidae (Osprey)
OSPREY (Pandion haliaetus) – One on our boat trip at Lake Victoria, and 1 (for one of our group) at the coast.
Accipitridae (Hawks, Eagles, and Kites)
BLACK-SHOULDERED KITE (Elanus caeruleus) – Small numbers in areas of open wooded grassland.
AFRICAN HARRIER-HAWK (Polyboroides typus) – Nice looks at an adult at Kitale.
LAPPET-FACED VULTURE (Torgos tracheliotos) – Two at Samburu, and 8 at Masai Mara.
HOODED VULTURE (Necrosyrtes monachus) – Very rare in Kenya these days, so we were lucky to see 4 at Samburu, and 1 at Masai Mara.
WHITE-BACKED VULTURE (Gyps africanus) – The most numerous large vulture; we saw about 80 at Samburu, and 150 at Masai Mara.
RUEPPELL'S GRIFFON (Gyps rueppelli) – About 20 at Samburu, and 10 at Masai Mara.
BATELEUR (Terathopius ecaudatus) – A beautiful eagle of the African skies; we saw a total of about 40 in Samburu, Masai Mara, and Tsavo East.
BLACK-BREASTED SNAKE-EAGLE (Circaetus pectoralis) – Three at Masai Mara, and 1 at Tsavo East.
BROWN SNAKE-EAGLE (Circaetus cinereus) – Singles at Samburu and Masai Mara, and 2 at Tsavo East.
FASCIATED SNAKE-EAGLE (Circaetus fasciolatus) – One in flight in the Sokoke Forest.
CROWNED HAWK-EAGLE (Stephanoaetus coronatus) – One calling and displaying high over the forest in the Tugen Hills, and then wonderful looks at a juvenile and an adult at Kakamega.
MARTIAL EAGLE (Polemaetus bellicosus) – Two adults at Samburu, and 1 at Tsavo East.
LONG-CRESTED EAGLE (Lophaetus occipitalis) – Small numbers in a variety of farmland and open country; in all we saw about 12.
WAHLBERG'S EAGLE (Hieraaetus wahlbergi) – Two singles at Samburu, 2 at Saiwa Swamp, 1 at Masai Mara, 2 at Taita Hills, .
AYRES'S HAWK-EAGLE (Hieraaetus ayresii) – Great looks at a bird in low flight at Sokoke Forest.
TAWNY EAGLE (Aquila rapax) – Small numbers in several widespread game parks; in all we saw about 16.
VERREAUX'S EAGLE (Aquila verreauxii) – One along the cliffs at Baringo,
AFRICAN HAWK-EAGLE (Aquila spilogaster) – Nice looks at a pair in flight near Voi Safari Lodge.
LIZARD BUZZARD (Kaupifalco monogrammicus) – One near Madende, and 5 at the coast.
DARK CHANTING-GOSHAWK (Melierax metabates) – Singles near Bogoria and at Masai Mara.
EASTERN CHANTING-GOSHAWK (Melierax poliopterus) – About 10 at Samburu, and 1 at Tsavo East.
AFRICAN GOSHAWK (Accipiter tachiro) – Brief looks at 1 in the canopy at Kakamega.
OVAMPO SPARROWHAWK (Accipiter ovampensis) – We all saw 1 near the Mara River, and then two of our group saw a second bird at Kichwa Tembo Camp.
BLACK KITE (Milvus migrans) – Fairly widespread, with a total of about 60.
AFRICAN FISH-EAGLE (Haliaeetus vocifer) – Four at Lake Baringo, 2 at Lake Victoria, and 4 at Masai Mara.


The Eastern Chanting-Goshawk does much of its hunting on the ground. Photo by participant Randy Siebert.

MOUNTAIN BUZZARD (Buteo oreophilus) – One at about 10,000ft. on Mt Kenya.
AUGUR BUZZARD (Buteo augur) – Common in both the central and western highlands.
Otididae (Bustards)
KORI BUSTARD (Ardeotis kori) – Great looks at 3 in Tsavo East National Park.
WHITE-BELLIED BUSTARD (Eupodotis senegalensis) – Three at Masai Mara, and 3 at Tsavo East.
BUFF-CRESTED BUSTARD (Eupodotis gindiana) – Four at Samburu, and about 6 at Tsavo East.
BLACK-BELLIED BUSTARD (Lissotis melanogaster) – Two single females at Masai Mara.
Rallidae (Rails, Gallinules, and Coots)
AFRICAN RAIL (Rallus caerulescens) – Heard at Saiwa Swamp.
BLACK CRAKE (Amaurornis flavirostra) – Two at Sagana, 2 at Lake Victoria, and 1 at Masai Mara.
AFRICAN SWAMPHEN (Porphyrio madagascariensis) – Three at Limuru Pond.
EURASIAN MOORHEN (Gallinula chloropus) – Six in the central highlands, and 2 at Kerenget Dam.
RED-KNOBBED COOT (Fulica cristata) – About 200 in the central highlands (mainly at Limuru Pond), and 6 at Lake Nakuru.
Sarothruridae (Flufftails)
WHITE-SPOTTED FLUFFTAIL (Sarothrura pulchra) – Nice looks at a male, and another heard at Kakamega.
Gruidae (Cranes)


We saw a total of four Three-banded Plovers at Samburu; this species is resident throughout eastern and southern Africa. Photo by participant Randy Siebert.

GRAY CROWNED-CRANE (Balearica regulorum) – Small numbers (mainly in farmland) in the central and western highlands; in all we saw about 15.
Burhinidae (Thick-knees)
WATER THICK-KNEE (Burhinus vermiculatus) – Three were scoped along the river at Samburu, and another was heard at Masai Mara.
SPOTTED THICK-KNEE (Burhinus capensis) – One at Baringo.
Recurvirostridae (Stilts and Avocets)
BLACK-WINGED STILT (Himantopus himantopus) – About 10 at Lake Nakuru.
PIED AVOCET (Recurvirostra avosetta) – One at Lake Nakuru.
Charadriidae (Plovers and Lapwings)
BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER (Pluvialis squatarola) – About 350 at Mida Creek and along the Malindi seashore.
LONG-TOED LAPWING (Vanellus crassirostris) – Five near Kisumu, and 6 at Masai Mara.
BLACKSMITH LAPWING (Vanellus armatus) – Small numbers around a variety of scattered wetlands.
SPUR-WINGED LAPWING (Vanellus spinosus) – Another widespread wetland lapwing.
BLACK-HEADED LAPWING (Vanellus tectus) – Two at Baringo, and 1 at Tsavo East.
BLACK-WINGED LAPWING (Vanellus melanopterus) – About a dozen at Masai Mara.
CROWNED LAPWING (Vanellus coronatus) – We saw this grassland species at Solio, Masai Mara, and Tsavo East.
WATTLED LAPWING (Vanellus senegallus) – Three at Masai Mara.


The Lion is one of Africa's iconic mammals, and a big maned male is on nearly every traveler's wish list. Photo by participant Randy Siebert.

LESSER SAND-PLOVER (Charadrius mongolus) – One at Mida Creek, and 2 at Malindi.
GREATER SAND-PLOVER (Charadrius leschenaultii) – At least 300 were at Mida Creek, and 50+ at Malindi.
COMMON RINGED PLOVER (Charadrius hiaticula) – One at Lake Nakuru, and then 80+ at Mida Creek.
THREE-BANDED PLOVER (Charadrius tricollaris) – Four at Lake Nakuru.
WHITE-FRONTED PLOVER (Charadrius marginatus) – Two on the shore north of Malindi.
Jacanidae (Jacanas)
AFRICAN JACANA (Actophilornis africanus) – Widespread at a variety of wetlands; in all we saw about 36.
Scolopacidae (Sandpipers and Allies)
TEREK SANDPIPER (Xenus cinereus) – Eight at Mida Creek.
COMMON SANDPIPER (Actitis hypoleucos) – Widespread in small numbers.
GREEN SANDPIPER (Tringa ochropus) – Two at Nakuru, and 6 at Masai Mara.
COMMON GREENSHANK (Tringa nebularia) – Six at Nakuru, 1 at Masai Mara, and 20 at the coast.
MARSH SANDPIPER (Tringa stagnatilis) – Two at Nakuru.
WOOD SANDPIPER (Tringa glareola) – About 20 at Nakuru, and 6 at Masai Mara.
WHIMBREL (EUROPEAN) (Numenius phaeopus phaeopus) – Six at Mida Creek, and about 90 near Malindi.


We saw about a dozen striking Red-and-yellow Barbets during the tour, including this one at Samburu. Photo by participant Randy Siebert.

EURASIAN CURLEW (Numenius arquata) – One at Lake Nakuru, and 2 at Mida Creek.
BAR-TAILED GODWIT (Limosa lapponica) – One at Mida Creek, and 1 near Malindi.
RUDDY TURNSTONE (Arenaria interpres) – Four at Mida Creek, and about 30 to the north of Malindi.
RUFF (Calidris pugnax) – Six at Lake Nakuru.
CURLEW SANDPIPER (Calidris ferruginea) – About 20 at Lake Nakuru, and another 20 at the coast.
SANDERLING (Calidris alba) – Twenty at Mida Creek, and 60+ along the shore north of Malindi.
LITTLE STINT (Calidris minuta) – About 30 at Lake Nakuru, and 50 at the coast.
Dromadidae (Crab Plover)
CRAB PLOVER (Dromas ardeola) – Nice looks at this unusual shorebird (50+) at Mida Creek.
Glareolidae (Pratincoles and Coursers)
SOMALI COURSER (Cursorius somalensis) – With desertification and climate change this species is now extending its range south; we saw about a dozen at Tsavo East.
TEMMINCK'S COURSER (Cursorius temminckii) – Two at Masai Mara.
THREE-BANDED COURSER (Rhinoptilus cinctus) – Great close looks at 1 at Baringo.
ROCK PRATINCOLE (Glareola nuchalis) – About a dozen on the rocks where we crossed the Nzoia River.
Laridae (Gulls, Terns, and Skimmers)
GRAY-HOODED GULL (Chroicocephalus cirrocephalus) – About 40 at Lake Nakuru.
SOOTY GULL (Ichthyaetus hemprichii) – Nice looks at a single adult on the shore at Malindi.
GULL-BILLED TERN (Gelochelidon nilotica) – Six at Lake Victoria, 30+ at Lake Nakuru, and 12+ at the coast.
WHITE-WINGED TERN (Chlidonias leucopterus) – About 30 at Lake Victoria.
WHISKERED TERN (Chlidonias hybrida) – Ten, including some in nice breeding plumage at Lake Nakuru.
COMMON TERN (Sterna hirundo) – Five on the shore at Malindi.
GREAT CRESTED TERN (Thalasseus bergii) – Eight at Malindi.
LESSER CRESTED TERN (Thalasseus bengalensis) – One, with the Great Crested and Common terns at Malindi.
Pteroclidae (Sandgrouse)
CHESTNUT-BELLIED SANDGROUSE (Pterocles exustus) – Eight, as we were about to leave Tsavo East.
BLACK-FACED SANDGROUSE (Pterocles decoratus) – Common at Samburu - with a total of about 30, and then at least 20 at Tsavo East.
Columbidae (Pigeons and Doves)
ROCK PIGEON (Columba livia) – Small numbers in a variety of towns and villages.
SPECKLED PIGEON (Columba guinea) – Very common and widespread; with a total of about 120.
DUSKY TURTLE-DOVE (Streptopelia lugens) – One of our group saw 2 at the Ole Sereni Hotel, Nairobi.
MOURNING COLLARED-DOVE (Streptopelia decipiens) – Common in dry country like Samburu, Baringo, and Tsavo East.
RED-EYED DOVE (Streptopelia semitorquata) – Common and widespread in wetter areas than the previous species.


The White-bellied Bustard is widespread in sub-Saharan Africa, in grassland and open woodland. Photo by participant Randy Siebert.

RING-NECKED DOVE (Streptopelia capicola) – Common and widespread throughout the tour.
LAUGHING DOVE (Streptopelia senegalensis) – Common and widespread throughout the tour.
EMERALD-SPOTTED WOOD-DOVE (Turtur chalcospilos) – Fairly common in woodland and bush country throughout the tour.
BLUE-SPOTTED WOOD-DOVE (Turtur afer) – Two at Madende Creek, and 1 at Lake Victoria.
TAMBOURINE DOVE (Turtur tympanistria) – Heard at a couple of places in the west, and then finally seen as several fly-by's in Sokoke Forest.
NAMAQUA DOVE (Oena capensis) – About 50 at Samburu and Baringo, and then 2 at Tsavo East.
AFRICAN GREEN-PIGEON (Treron calvus) – Two at Naro Moru, 1 in the Kerio Valley, and 4 at Kakamega - a beautiful pigeon.
Musophagidae (Turacos)
GREAT BLUE TURACO (Corythaeola cristata) – One at Kakamega.
SCHALOW'S TURACO (Tauraco schalowi) – Some of the group saw 3 right by their tent at Kichwa Tembo.
WHITE-CRESTED TURACO (Tauraco leucolophus) – We saw these gorgeous turacos in the Kerio Valley (2), at Kongelai Escarpment (1), and at Kerenget Dam (1).
FISCHER'S TURACO (Tauraco fischeri) – Two in the dense Cynometra at Sokoke Forest.
HARTLAUB'S TURACO (Tauraco hartlaubi) – Four in the Mt. Kenya area, 6 in the Tugen Hills, and 2 in the Taita Hills.
ROSS'S TURACO (Musophaga rossae) – Two in the Tugen Hills, 3 at Saiwa Swamp, and 2 at Kakamega.
BARE-FACED GO-AWAY-BIRD (Corythaixoides personatus) – One in the acacia bush country to the east of Kisumu.


We had great looks at four Coqui Francolins in the Nakuru grasslands. Photo by participant Randy Siebert.

WHITE-BELLIED GO-AWAY-BIRD (Corythaixoides leucogaster) – We saw a total of about 50 in a variety of widespread dry bush country.
EASTERN PLANTAIN-EATER (Crinifer zonurus) – Two at Kisumu.
Cuculidae (Cuckoos)
RED-CHESTED CUCKOO (Cuculus solitarius) – Heard at Kitale and Kakamega, and then seen near Naivasha.
AFRICAN CUCKOO (Cuculus gularis) – Good looks at a responsive bird in the Nakuru acacia woodland.
KLAAS'S CUCKOO (Chrysococcyx klaas) – Nice looks at a pair at Kongelai, and then 1 at Kakamega.
AFRICAN EMERALD CUCKOO (Chrysococcyx cupreus) – Heard at Kakamega.
DIDERIC CUCKOO (Chrysococcyx caprius) – One was seen nicely at Baringo, and then a few were heard around Kakamega.
BLUE-HEADED COUCAL (Centropus monachus) – Two at Saiwa Swamp.
WHITE-BROWED COUCAL (Centropus superciliosus) – Singles at Bogoria, Kerenget, Nakuru, the Mara, Tsavo East, and the coast.
Strigidae (Owls)
SOKOKE SCOPS-OWL (Otus ireneae) – Fantastic looks at 10 ft. range in the Sokoke Forest - and all thanks to our local guide.
AFRICAN SCOPS-OWL (Otus senegalensis) – One at Lake Baringo.
NORTHERN WHITE-FACED OWL (Ptilopsis leucotis) – Thanks to our local guide we all had great looks at this rather uncommon owl at Baringo.
CAPE EAGLE-OWL (NORTHERN) (Bubo capensis mackinderi) – One in a quarry near Kiawara.


The little Pearl-spotted Owlet is one of sub-Saharan Africa's most common owls. Photo by participant Randy Siebert.

GRAYISH EAGLE-OWL (Bubo cinerascens) – Difficult this year, but eventually we all got nice looks at 1 in a gully at Baringo.
VERREAUX'S EAGLE-OWL (Bubo lacteus) – Two came to the genet feeding platform at Mountain Lodge, and then 1 was at Lake Baringo, and a fourth bird was seen in flight in Tsavo East.
PEARL-SPOTTED OWLET (Glaucidium perlatum) – One at Lake Baringo, and 2 at Tsavo East.
AFRICAN WOOD-OWL (Strix woodfordii) – Great looks at a pair just outside Sokoke Forest.
Caprimulgidae (Nightjars and Allies)
SLENDER-TAILED NIGHTJAR (Caprimulgus clarus) – Good day time views of 2 roosting birds at Baringo.
SQUARE-TAILED NIGHTJAR (Caprimulgus fossii) – A single male was flushed from the road as we drove along the Oloololo Escarpment, Masai Mara.
Apodidae (Swifts)
MOTTLED SPINETAIL (Telacanthura ussheri) – Three over Sokoke Forest.
BAT-LIKE SPINETAIL (Neafrapus boehmi) – Two, briefly in flight over Sokoke Forest.
MOTTLED SWIFT (Apus aequatorialis) – We saw a flock of at least 60 at Samburu.
NYANZA SWIFT (Apus niansae) – About 50 over the cliffs at Baringo.
AFRICAN SWIFT (Apus barbatus) – Six at Lake Nakuru.
LITTLE SWIFT (Apus affinis) – Common and widespread.
HORUS SWIFT (Apus horus) – One of our group saw 1 at Watamu.
AFRICAN PALM-SWIFT (Cypsiurus parvus) – Widespread in small numbers, but always in areas with palm trees; in total we saw about 100.
Coliidae (Mousebirds)
SPECKLED MOUSEBIRD (Colius striatus) – Common and widespread away from the most arid areas.
BLUE-NAPED MOUSEBIRD (Urocolius macrourus) – Prefers drier country than the previous species - like Samburu, Baringo, and Tsavo; in all we saw about 110.
Trogonidae (Trogons)
NARINA TROGON (Apaloderma narina) – Super scope looks at a male in the Tugen Hills, and then 4 others in Sokoke Forest.
Upupidae (Hoopoes)
EURASIAN HOOPOE (CENTRAL AFRICAN) (Upupa epops waibeli) – One at Samburu, and 2 at Kongelai.
EURASIAN HOOPOE (AFRICAN) (Upupa epops africana) – One in the Kerio Valley, 3 at Nakuru, 2 at Masai Mara, and 2 on the way to Tsavo.
Phoeniculidae (Woodhoopoes and Scimitar-bills)
GREEN WOODHOOPOE (Phoeniculus purpureus) – Several small flocks were seen in a variety of open woodland.
VIOLET WOODHOOPOE (GRANT'S) (Phoeniculus damarensis granti) – Three at Samburu; this form is sometimes split from the Namibian race.
WHITE-HEADED WOODHOOPOE (Phoeniculus bollei) – We saw a flock of 7 at about 10,200 ft. on Mt. Kenya.
COMMON SCIMITAR-BILL (Rhinopomastus cyanomelas) – One of the group saw 1 at Sokoke Forest.
ABYSSINIAN SCIMITAR-BILL (Rhinopomastus minor) – One at Samburu.
Bucorvidae (Ground-Hornbills)
SOUTHERN GROUND-HORNBILL (Bucorvus leadbeateri) – Becoming increasingly rare throughout its range; we saw 1 at Masai Mara.
Bucerotidae (Hornbills)


The Beisa Oryx is found in steppe and semidesert in the Horn of Africa. Photo by participant Randy Siebert.

CROWNED HORNBILL (Lophoceros alboterminatus) – Two in the Kerio Valley, and 2 at Kongelai.
AFRICAN GRAY HORNBILL (Lophoceros nasutus) – Singles at Samburu and the Kerio Valley, and 2 in the Kitale area.
EASTERN YELLOW-BILLED HORNBILL (Tockus flavirostris) – About 6 at Samburu, and 10 at Tsavo East.
JACKSON'S HORNBILL (Tockus jacksoni) – Six at Baringo.
VON DER DECKEN'S HORNBILL (Tockus deckeni) – Four at Samburu, and about 20 at Tsavo East.
NORTHERN RED-BILLED HORNBILL (Tockus erythrorhynchus) – Very common at Samburu (100+), 10 at Baringo, 6 at Kongelai, and 50+ at Tsavo East.
SILVERY-CHEEKED HORNBILL (Bycanistes brevis) – About 20 along the road below Mountain Lodge, and 3 at Watamu.
BLACK-AND-WHITE-CASQUED HORNBILL (Bycanistes subcylindricus) – Two in the Tugen Hills, 2 near Kitale, 40 at Kakamega, and 2 at Masai Mara.
TRUMPETER HORNBILL (Bycanistes bucinator) – Five in the Watamu area.
Alcedinidae (Kingfishers)
MALACHITE KINGFISHER (Corythornis cristatus) – Small numbers were widespread at a variety of freshwater wetlands throughout the tour.
AFRICAN PYGMY-KINGFISHER (Ispidina picta) – One at Masai Mara.
GRAY-HEADED KINGFISHER (Halcyon leucocephala) – Widespread in a variety of open woodland; in all we saw about 20.
WOODLAND KINGFISHER (Halcyon senegalensis) – One at Baringo, 2 at Saiwa Swamp, 6 in the Lake Victoria area.
BROWN-HOODED KINGFISHER (Halcyon albiventris) – One in the Taita Hills.


The Gray-headed Kingfisher was one of the most common of the tour's kingfishers. Photo by participant Randy Siebert.

STRIPED KINGFISHER (Halcyon chelicuti) – One at the bottom of Kongelai Escarpment, 2 at Nakuru, and 1 at Masai Mara.
GIANT KINGFISHER (Megaceryle maxima) – Great close looks at 1 near Bogoria,
PIED KINGFISHER (Ceryle rudis) – Common on a variety of freshwater lakes, and a few at the coast.
Meropidae (Bee-eaters)
WHITE-FRONTED BEE-EATER (Merops bullockoides) – Four at Lake Nakuru.
LITTLE BEE-EATER (Merops pusillus) – Six at Samburu, and 2 at Masai Mara.
CINNAMON-CHESTED BEE-EATER (Merops oreobates) – Eight in the Mt. Kenya area, and 4 at Kakamega.
SOMALI BEE-EATER (Merops revoilii) – Four singles at Samburu, and 1 at Tsavo East.
WHITE-THROATED BEE-EATER (Merops albicollis) – Ten at Baringo, 30 at Kakamega, and 50 in the far west.
NORTHERN CARMINE BEE-EATER (Merops nubicus) – We saw these gorgeous bee-eaters on the way to Malindi, and at Sokoke Forest.
Coraciidae (Rollers)
LILAC-BREASTED ROLLER (Coracias caudatus) – Common and widespread in open woodland and bush country.
RUFOUS-CROWNED ROLLER (Coracias naevius) – One along the cliffs at Baringo.
Lybiidae (African Barbets)
YELLOW-BILLED BARBET (Trachyphonus purpuratus) – One seen and several heard at Kakamega.
RED-AND-YELLOW BARBET (Trachyphonus erythrocephalus) – We saw these striking barbets at Samburu, Baringo, Kongelai and Tsavo East; in all we saw about 12.
D'ARNAUD'S BARBET (Trachyphonus darnaudii) – Small numbers at Samburu, Baringo, the Kerio Valley, and Tsavo East.


Yellow-rumped Tinkerbirds are generally the most common of the tour's tinkerbirds. Photo by participant Randy Siebert.

D'ARNAUD'S BARBET (USAMBIRO) (Trachyphonus darnaudii usambiro) – One along the Oloololo Escarpment at Masai Mara.
GRAY-THROATED BARBET (Gymnobucco bonapartei) – About 10 in the Tugen Hills, and 20 at Kakamega.
GREEN BARBET (Stactolaema olivacea) – Nice scope views of 1 at the Sokoke Forest offices.
GREEN TINKERBIRD (Pogoniulus simplex) – Can be difficult, but we had excellent close looks in the Sokoke Forest this tour.
MOUSTACHED TINKERBIRD (Pogoniulus leucomystax) – One at Mountain Lodge, and 1 in the Tugen Hills.
YELLOW-RUMPED TINKERBIRD (Pogoniulus bilineatus bilineatus) – Singles at Naro Moru and Thomson's Falls, and then 6 at Kakamega.
RED-FRONTED TINKERBIRD (Pogoniulus pusillus) – One along the cliffs at Baringo.
YELLOW-SPOTTED BARBET (Buccanodon duchaillui) – One at Kakamega.
RED-FRONTED BARBET (Tricholaema diademata) – Two at Lukenya.
SPOT-FLANKED BARBET (Tricholaema lacrymosa) – Three at Baringo, 1 at Lukenya, 6 at Masai Mara, and 2 in the Taita Hills.
BLACK-THROATED BARBET (Tricholaema melanocephala) – Two at Samburu, and 2 at Baringo.
WHITE-HEADED BARBET (Lybius leucocephalus) – One at Kongelai Escarpment.
DOUBLE-TOOTHED BARBET (Lybius bidentatus) – One of our group saw 1 in the Kerio Valley, and then we all heard 1 at Saiwa Swamp,
Indicatoridae (Honeyguides)
LESSER HONEYGUIDE (Indicator minor) – One at Samburu.
GREATER HONEYGUIDE (Indicator indicator) – Two at Kongelai, and 1 heard at Kerenget Dam.
Picidae (Woodpeckers)


As its name suggests, the Giant Kingfisher is Africa's largest kingfisher. Photo by participant Randy Siebert.

RUFOUS-NECKED WRYNECK (Jynx ruficollis) – Good looks at 1 on top of the escarpment overlooking Masai Mara.
NUBIAN WOODPECKER (Campethera nubica) – Two at Ole Sereni, 1 at Kongelai, and 1 near Kisumu.
MOMBASA WOODPECKER (Campethera mombassica) – Difficult this year, but eventually we all got good looks at 1 in the Sokoke Forest.
BUFF-SPOTTED WOODPECKER (Campethera nivosa) – One in dense tangled undergrowth at Kakamega.
BROWN-EARED WOODPECKER (Campethera caroli) – Nice scope views of 1 in Kakamega Forest.
CARDINAL WOODPECKER (Dendropicos fuscescens) – Small numbers in a variety of open woodland.
BEARDED WOODPECKER (Dendropicos namaquus) – Four at Samburu, and heard at Masai Mara.
GOLDEN-CROWNED WOODPECKER (Dendropicos xantholophus) – We saw a pair at Kakamega.
AFRICAN GRAY WOODPECKER (Dendropicos goertae) – Two at Samburu, and 1 at Lake Victoria.
MOUNTAIN GRAY WOODPECKER (Dendropicos spodocephalus rhodeogaster) – Two at Nakuru.
Falconidae (Falcons and Caracaras)
PYGMY FALCON (Polihierax semitorquatus) – Four at Samburu.
GRAY KESTREL (Falco ardosiaceus) – Two singles at Masai Mara.
RED-NECKED FALCON (Falco chicquera) – Great looks at a perched bird at Samburu.
LANNER FALCON (Falco biarmicus) – Good looks at a low flying bird along the cliffs at Baringo.
Psittaculidae (Old World Parrots)


The Gerenuk is a long-necked antelope restricted to the Horn of Africa. Photo by participant Randy Siebert.

RED-HEADED LOVEBIRD (Agapornis pullarius) – Two at Madende Creek.
Psittacidae (New World and African Parrots)
RED-FRONTED PARROT (Poicephalus gulielmi) – About 6 high flying birds at Mountain Lodge.
MEYER'S PARROT (Poicephalus meyeri) – Four in the far west, and about 8 at Masai Mara.
RED-BELLIED PARROT (Poicephalus rufiventris) – More commonly known as African Orange-bellied Parrot; we saw about 20 at Samburu, and 8 at Tsavo.
Platysteiridae (Wattle-eyes and Batises)
BROWN-THROATED WATTLE-EYE (Platysteira cyanea) – We saw a total of 7 at Kakamega.
BLACK-THROATED WATTLE-EYE (Platysteira peltata) – Super looks at a pair, and then a single male, at Saiwa Swamp.
CHESTNUT WATTLE-EYE (Platysteira castanea) – We saw a pair with a juvenile at Kakamega.
JAMESON'S WATTLE-EYE (Platysteira jamesoni) – Heard at Kakamega.
SHORT-TAILED BATIS (Batis mixta) – A pair at Sokoke Forest.
CHINSPOT BATIS (Batis molitor) – Six in the Mt. Kenya area, and another 6 at Nakuru.
PALE BATIS (Batis soror) – About 8 at Sokoke Forest.
BLACK-HEADED BATIS (Batis minor) – We saw a single calling male in the Kerio Valley.
PYGMY BATIS (Batis perkeo) – Two at Samburu, and 4 at Baringo.
Vangidae (Vangas, Helmetshrikes, and Allies)


Helmeted Guineafowl were common and widespread, with more than 600 seen during the tour! Photo by participant Randy Siebert.

RETZ'S HELMETSHRIKE (Prionops retzii) – Three at Sokoke Forest.
CHESTNUT-FRONTED HELMETSHRIKE (Prionops scopifrons) – Several flocks in Sokoke Forest; with a total of about 45.
Malaconotidae (Bushshrikes and Allies)
BRUBRU (Nilaus afer) – Two at Samburu, and 1 at Baringo.
NORTHERN PUFFBACK (Dryoscopus gambensis) – Singles at Samburu, Saiwa Swamp, and near Kisumu.
BLACK-BACKED PUFFBACK (Dryoscopus cubla) – One at Naro Moru, and heard at Tsavo East and the coast.
PINK-FOOTED PUFFBACK (Dryoscopus angolensis) – A pair in the canopy at Kakamega.
BROWN-CROWNED TCHAGRA (Tchagra australis) – One at Naro Moru.
THREE-STREAKED TCHAGRA (Tchagra jamesi) – Very close looks at 1 at Tsavo East.
LUEHDER'S BUSHSHRIKE (Laniarius luehderi) – One at Saiwa Swamp, and several heard at Kakamega.
TROPICAL BOUBOU (Laniarius major) – Small numbers in the Mt. Kenya area, and at Masai Mara.
ZANZIBAR BOUBOU (Laniarius sublacteus) – Recently split from the previous species, we had nice looks at 2 in Sokoke Forest.
BLACK-HEADED GONOLEK (Laniarius erythrogaster) – One at Madende, and 2 on our boat trip on Lake Victoria.
PAPYRUS GONOLEK (Laniarius mufumbiri) – Heard during our boat trip at Lake Victoria - but just wouldn't show themselves.
SLATE-COLORED BOUBOU (Laniarius funebris) – Small numbers in a variety of dry bush country; in total we saw about 14.


The White-eyed Slaty Flycatcher was quite common and widespread in both the central and western highlands. Photo by participant Randy Siebert.

ROSY-PATCHED BUSHSHRIKE (Rhodophoneus cruentus) – Two at Samburu, and 2 at Tsavo East.
SULPHUR-BREASTED BUSHSHRIKE (Telophorus sulfureopectus) – One in the Kerio Valley.
GRAY-HEADED BUSHSHRIKE (Malaconotus blanchoti) – Singles at Naro Moru, Kongelai, and Tsavo East.
Campephagidae (Cuckooshrikes)
BLACK CUCKOOSHRIKE (Campephaga flava) – Two females in the Madende and Kisumu areas.
PETIT'S CUCKOOSHRIKE (Campephaga petiti) – Two single males at Kakamega.
PURPLE-THROATED CUCKOOSHRIKE (Campephaga quiscalina) – We saw a single female at Naro Moru.
Laniidae (Shrikes)
GRAY-BACKED FISCAL (Lanius excubitorius) – Widespread in open woodland; with a total of about 25.
LONG-TAILED FISCAL (Lanius cabanisi) – Five at Ole Sereni Hotel, Nairobi, and then about 40 between Nairobi, Tsavo and the coast.
TAITA FISCAL (Lanius dorsalis) – Two singles at Samburu, and about 25 at Tsavo East.
MACKINNON'S SHRIKE (Lanius mackinnoni) – Two at Kakamega.
NORTHERN FISCAL (Lanius humeralis) – Common and widespread.
WHITE-RUMPED SHRIKE (Eurocephalus rueppelli) – Common in dry bush country; with a total of about 70.
Oriolidae (Old World Orioles)
AFRICAN GOLDEN ORIOLE (Oriolus auratus) – Two at the edge of Sokoke Forest.
AFRICAN BLACK-HEADED ORIOLE (Oriolus larvatus) – Widespread in small numbers.
BLACK-TAILED ORIOLE (Oriolus percivali) – One at Mountain Lodge.
Dicruridae (Drongos)
SQUARE-TAILED DRONGO (Dicrurus ludwigii) – Six at Kakamega.
FORK-TAILED DRONGO (Dicrurus adsimilis) – Common and widespread.
Monarchidae (Monarch Flycatchers)
AFRICAN CRESTED-FLYCATCHER (Trochocercus cyanomelas) – One in the thick Afzelia forest at Sokoke.
AFRICAN PARADISE-FLYCATCHER (Terpsiphone viridis) – Common and widespread, with a total of about 40.
Corvidae (Crows, Jays, and Magpies)
HOUSE CROW (Corvus splendens) – Very common at the coast.
CAPE CROW (Corvus capensis) – Small numbers in both the central and western highlands.
PIED CROW (Corvus albus) – Very common and widespread.
FAN-TAILED RAVEN (Corvus rhipidurus) – Two at Samburu, 2 at Baringo, and 4 at Kongelai.
WHITE-NECKED RAVEN (Corvus albicollis) – Two at Iten.
Nicatoridae (Nicators)
EASTERN NICATOR (Nicator gularis) – Now in a new family - we had great looks at this often shy bird in Sokoke Forest.
Alaudidae (Larks)
RED-WINGED LARK (Mirafra hypermetra) – Three in the dry open grasslands at Tsavo East.


The Eastern Yellow-billed Hornbill was long considered conspecific with the species now known as Southern Yellow-billed Hornbill. Photo by participant Randy Siebert.

RUFOUS-NAPED LARK (Mirafra africana) – About 20 at Masai Mara.
FLAPPET LARK (Mirafra rufocinnamomea) – One at Masai Mara.
PINK-BREASTED LARK (Calendulauda poecilosterna) – About 8 at Samburu, and about 30 at Tsavo East.
FOXY LARK (Calendulauda alopex) – Two at Samburu.
CHESTNUT-HEADED SPARROW-LARK (Eremopterix signatus) – A flock of at least 200 were along a track at Tsavo East.
Hirundinidae (Swallows)
PLAIN MARTIN (Riparia paludicola) – Forty at Sagana, and 50+ at Masai Mara.
BANDED MARTIN (Riparia cincta) – Eight at Masai Mara.
ROCK MARTIN (Ptyonoprogne fuligula) – Small numbers around cliffs and buildings in the central highlands, Baringo, and Nakuru.
BARN SWALLOW (Hirundo rustica) – A migrant from Europe; they were widespread and became more common later in the tour.
ETHIOPIAN SWALLOW (Hirundo aethiopica) – Six along the beach at Malindi.
ANGOLA SWALLOW (Hirundo angolensis) – About 80 in the Kakamega and Kisumu areas.
WIRE-TAILED SWALLOW (Hirundo smithii) – Usually near water; we saw a total of 15 from several widespread sites.
RED-RUMPED SWALLOW (Cecropis daurica) – Widespread in small numbers, with a total of about 60.
LESSER STRIPED-SWALLOW (Cecropis abyssinica) – We saw about 24 in the central highlands and the west.
MOSQUE SWALLOW (Cecropis senegalensis) – One at Masai Mara.


Early morning near Saiwa Swamp -- with plenty of birds to be found! Photo by participant Glenda Brown.

WHITE-HEADED SAWWING (Psalidoprocne albiceps) – About 60 at a variety of sites in the west, and then 20 at Masai Mara.
BLACK SAWWING (Psalidoprocne pristoptera) – Thirty in the Mt. Kenya area, 12 in the western highlands, and another 12 at Masai Mara.
Stenostiridae (Fairy Flycatchers)
AFRICAN BLUE-FLYCATCHER (Elminia longicauda) – Small numbers at Saiwa Swamp, Kakamega, Madende, and Masai Mara; in all we saw about 14.
DUSKY CRESTED-FLYCATCHER (Elminia nigromitrata) – We saw this shy and endangered species in the undergrowth at Kakamega.
WHITE-TAILED CRESTED-FLYCATCHER (Elminia albonotata) – Two in the Tugen Hills.
Paridae (Tits, Chickadees, and Titmice)
WHITE-BELLIED TIT (Melaniparus albiventris) – Eight in the Mt. Kenya area, 2 in the Tugen Hills, and 2 at Nakuru.
DUSKY TIT (Melaniparus funereus) – About 12 at Kakamega.
SOMALI TIT (Melaniparus thruppi) – Ten along the cliffs at Baringo.
RED-THROATED TIT (Melaniparus fringillinus) – Two at Lukenya.
Remizidae (Penduline-Tits)
MOUSE-COLORED PENDULINE-TIT (Anthoscopus musculus) – Great looks at 3, and then another single bird along the cliffs at Baringo.
Pycnonotidae (Bulbuls)
SOMBRE GREENBUL (Andropadus importunus) – About 20 were heard and a few seen at the coast.
SLENDER-BILLED GREENBUL (Stelgidillas gracilirostris) – Singles at Mountain Lodge and Masai Mara.


What a treat it was to see ELEVEN Tree Hyraxes in broad daylight! Photo by participant Randy Siebert.

RED-TAILED BRISTLEBILL (Bleda syndactylus) – Nice looks at this skulker along a trail at Kakamega.
SHELLEY'S GREENBUL (KAKAMEGA) (Arizelocichla masukuensis kakamegae) – Several were seen as they worked the trunks 'woodpecker-like' at Kakamega.
EASTERN MOUNTAIN-GREENBUL (OLIVE-BREASTED) (Arizelocichla nigriceps kikuyuensis) – Three in the Mt. Kenya area.
STRIPE-CHEEKED GREENBUL (STRIPE-FACED) (Arizelocichla milanjensis striifacies) – About 8 in the Taita Hills.
YELLOW-BELLIED GREENBUL (Chlorocichla flaviventris) – Ten at the coast.
JOYFUL GREENBUL (Chlorocichla laetissima) – These really are 'joyful', and we saw about 40 at Kakamega.
YELLOW-THROATED GREENBUL (Atimastillas flavicollis) – Heard at Kakamega, and then seen along Madende Creek.
ANSORGE'S GREENBUL (Eurillas ansorgei) – Nice looks at this small uncommon greenbul in the middle levels at Kakamega.
PLAIN GREENBUL (Eurillas curvirostris) – About 6 at Kakamega.
YELLOW-WHISKERED GREENBUL (Eurillas latirostris) – Most common at Kakamega, but we also saw small numbers at Mt. Kenya and Saiwa Swamp.
TERRESTRIAL BROWNBUL (Phyllastrephus terrestris) – Heard (and seen briefly) at Sokoke Forest.
NORTHERN BROWNBUL (Phyllastrephus strepitans) – Two at Samburu, and 3 at Tsavo East.
CABANIS'S GREENBUL (Phyllastrephus cabanisi) – Six at Kakamega.
CABANIS'S GREENBUL (PLACID) (Phyllastrephus cabanisi placidus) – Four in the dense undergrowth in the Taita Hills.
TINY GREENBUL (Phyllastrephus debilis) – Great looks at this uncommon bird in the Sokoke Forest.


Participant Randy Siebert captured this lovely shot of the sunrise at Kichwa Tembo.

COMMON BULBUL (DODSON'S) (Pycnonotus barbatus dodsoni) – About 10 at Samburu, and 50+ at Tsavo East.
COMMON BULBUL (DARK-CAPPED) (Pycnonotus barbatus tricolor) – Very common and widespread.
Macrosphenidae (African Warblers)
NORTHERN CROMBEC (Sylvietta brachyura) – Two at Samburu.
RED-FACED CROMBEC (Sylvietta whytii) – Small numbers at Ole Sereni, Naro Moru, Kongelai, and Nakuru.
MOUSTACHED GRASS-WARBLER (Melocichla mentalis) – Nice looks at 1 in the undergrowth at Madende Creek.
GREEN HYLIA (Hylia prasina) – Can be difficult, but we all had good looks at 1 at Kakamega.
Cettiidae (Bush-Warblers and Allies)
YELLOW FLYCATCHER (Erythrocercus holochlorus) – Also known as Little Yellow Flycatcher; we saw about 5 at Sokoke Forest.
Phylloscopidae (Leaf Warblers)
YELLOW-THROATED WOODLAND-WARBLER (Phylloscopus ruficapilla) – Two singles in the Taita Hills.
UGANDA WOODLAND-WARBLER (Phylloscopus budongoensis) – Two seen and many heard at Kakamega.
BROWN WOODLAND-WARBLER (Phylloscopus umbrovirens) – Heard at 10,000 ft. on Mt. Kenya.
Acrocephalidae (Reed-Warblers and Allies)
AFRICAN YELLOW-WARBLER (Iduna natalensis) – Four at Madende Creek.
MOUNTAIN YELLOW-WARBLER (Iduna similis) – Three singles in the Mt. Kenya area.


Getting a good look at Green Tinkerbird can be tough, but we had excellent close looks at one in the Sokoke Forest this tour. Photo by participant Randy Siebert.

GREATER SWAMP-WARBLER (Acrocephalus rufescens) – One in the papyrus near Kisumu.
Locustellidae (Grassbirds and Allies)
EVERGREEN-FOREST WARBLER (EASTERN) (Bradypterus lopezi mariae) – Heard in the Taita Hills.
CINNAMON BRACKEN-WARBLER (Bradypterus cinnamomeus) – Good looks at this secretive undergrowth skulker at 10,300 ft. on Mt. Kenya.
LITTLE RUSH-WARBLER (Bradypterus baboecala) – Another skulking Bradypterus; we saw 2 in a marshy valley near Saiwa Swamp.
Cisticolidae (Cisticolas and Allies)
BLACK-COLLARED APALIS (Apalis pulchra) – Three at Saiwa Swamp, and 6 at Kakamega.
BAR-THROATED APALIS (TAITA) (Apalis thoracica fuscigularis) – Heard by all, and seen briefly by some in the Taita Hills.
BLACK-THROATED APALIS (Apalis jacksoni) – Two, from the restaurant at Mountain Lodge.
YELLOW-BREASTED APALIS (Apalis flavida) – Heard at Naro Moru.
YELLOW-BREASTED APALIS (BROWN-TAILED) (Apalis flavida viridiceps) – Two at Samburu, and 1 at Tsavo East.
BUFF-THROATED APALIS (Apalis rufogularis) – We saw a male and then a female at Kakamega.
CHESTNUT-THROATED APALIS (Apalis porphyrolaema) – We saw a singing bird high on Mt. Kenya.
BLACK-HEADED APALIS (Apalis melanocephala) – Four at Sokoke Forest.
GRAY APALIS (Apalis cinerea) – Four in the Mt. Kenya area, and 2 in the Tugen Hills.
GREEN-BACKED CAMAROPTERA (GRAY-BACKED) (Camaroptera brachyura brevicaudata) – Very common and widespread.
OLIVE-GREEN CAMAROPTERA (Camaroptera chloronota) – One in the mid-level tangled vines at Kakamega.
RED-FRONTED WARBLER (Urorhipis rufifrons) – Four at Samburu.
GRAY WREN-WARBLER (Calamonastes simplex) – One at Baringo.
WHITE-CHINNED PRINIA (Schistolais leucopogon) – Small numbers along the forest edge at Kakamega, and Madende.
SINGING CISTICOLA (Cisticola cantans) – Heard in the Taita Hills.
WHISTLING CISTICOLA (Cisticola lateralis) – One in the far west.
CHUBB'S CISTICOLA (Cisticola chubbi) – Four at Saiwa Swamp, and about 10 at Kakamega.
HUNTER'S CISTICOLA (Cisticola hunteri) – About a dozen in the Mt. Kenya area.
RATTLING CISTICOLA (Cisticola chiniana) – Small numbers in a variety of widespread acacia bush country.
ASHY CISTICOLA (Cisticola cinereolus) – One near Voi.
WINDING CISTICOLA (Cisticola galactotes) – Three in the Lukenya area, 1 at Kisumu, and 3 at Tsavo.
CARRUTHERS'S CISTICOLA (Cisticola carruthersi) – Many heard, and 2 seen briefly in their flight display near Kisumu.
LEVAILLANT'S CISTICOLA (Cisticola tinniens) – One near Saiwa Swamp.
STOUT CISTICOLA (Cisticola robustus) – Small numbers at Kakamega and Nakuru, and then about 50 at Masai Mara.
SIFFLING CISTICOLA (Cisticola brachypterus) – One at Madende Creek.
DESERT CISTICOLA (Cisticola aridulus) – Two at Masai Mara.
PECTORAL-PATCH CISTICOLA (Cisticola brunnescens) – About 20 at Masai Mara.
GRAY-CAPPED WARBLER (Eminia lepida) – One along the edge of the forest at Kakamega.
BLACK-FACED RUFOUS-WARBLER (Bathmocercus rufus) – We saw 2 of these attractive undergrowth warblers at Kakamega.
BUFF-BELLIED WARBLER (Phyllolais pulchella) – Three in the acacia trees at Baringo.
TAWNY-FLANKED PRINIA (Prinia subflava) – Small numbers at Kakamega, Masai Mara, and Tsavo.


We saw some 20 Dusky-brown Flycatchers in the Mount Kenya area, including this one that participant Glenda Brown captured beating an insect to death.

BANDED PRINIA (BLACK-FACED) (Prinia bairdii melanops) – Two in the dense undergrowth at Kakamega Forest.
YELLOW-BELLIED EREMOMELA (Eremomela icteropygialis) – One at Baringo.
TURNER'S EREMOMELA (Eremomela turneri) – We saw 4 of these rare and localized eremomela's in the canopy at Kakamega.
Sylviidae (Sylviid Warblers)
AFRICAN HILL BABBLER (Sylvia abyssinica) – Nice looks at a responsive bird in the forest on the Tugen Hills.
BANDED WARBLER (Sylvia boehmi) – Heard at Lukenya.
BROWN WARBLER (Sylvia lugens) – One at Naro Moru.
Zosteropidae (White-eyes, Yuhinas, and Allies)
AFRICAN YELLOW WHITE-EYE (Zosterops senegalensis) – One at Kerenget, and then about a dozen at Kakamega.
BROAD-RINGED WHITE-EYE (Zosterops poliogastrus) – About 20 in the Mt. Kenya area.
BROAD-RINGED WHITE-EYE (TAITA) (Zosterops poliogastrus silvanus) – Many authorities now split this form as Taita White-eye; we saw about 15 in the forest at Taita Hills.
WHITE-BREASTED WHITE-EYE (Zosterops abyssinicus) – More commonly known at Abyssinian White-eye; we saw 6 at Samburu, and 4 at Tsavo East.
Pellorneidae (Ground Babblers and Allies)
BROWN ILLADOPSIS (Illadopsis fulvescens) – One of our group saw 1 at Kakamega.
MOUNTAIN ILLADOPSIS (Illadopsis pyrrhoptera) – Nice looks at 1 in the Saiwa Swamp undergrowth.
SCALY-BREASTED ILLADOPSIS (Illadopsis albipectus) – One at Kakamega.
Leiothrichidae (Laughingthrushes and Allies)


Participant Randy Siebert snapped this nice portrait of a Red-headed Rock Agama.

RUFOUS CHATTERER (Turdoides rubiginosa) – About a dozen at Samburu, and 8 at Baringo.
SCALY BABBLER (Turdoides squamulata) – One or two seen, and several 'heards' at Sokoke Forest.
NORTHERN PIED-BABBLER (Turdoides hypoleuca) – Two at the Ole Sereni Hotel, Nairobi.
BROWN BABBLER (Turdoides plebejus) – Three at Baringo, and 2 at Kongelai.
ARROW-MARKED BABBLER (Turdoides jardineii) – Three in the acacia woodlands at Nakuru.
Muscicapidae (Old World Flycatchers)
SILVERBIRD (Empidornis semipartitus) – We saw this attractive flycatcher in the acacia woodland at Masai Mara.
PALE FLYCATCHER (Bradornis pallidus) – Small numbers at Kiawara, in the Kerio Valley, and at Kongelai.
GRAYISH FLYCATCHER (Bradornis microrhynchus) – Common in dry bush country like Samburu and Baringo.
WHITE-EYED SLATY-FLYCATCHER (Melaenornis fischeri) – Quite common and widespread in both the central and western highlands.
NORTHERN BLACK-FLYCATCHER (Melaenornis edolioides) – Two in the far west, and about 6 at Masai Mara.
SOUTHERN BLACK-FLYCATCHER (Melaenornis pammelaina) – Two at Samburu.
SWAMP FLYCATCHER (Muscicapa aquatica) – About 30 along the shores of Lake Victoria.
DUSKY-BROWN FLYCATCHER (Muscicapa adusta) – About 20 in the Mt. Kenya area.
ASHY FLYCATCHER (Muscicapa caerulescens) – Four at Sokoke Forest.
BEARDED SCRUB-ROBIN (Cercotrichas quadrivirgata) – Nice looks at 2 singles at Sokoke.


A Crowned Hornbill surveys its domain. Photo by participant Randy Siebert.

BROWN-BACKED SCRUB-ROBIN (Cercotrichas hartlaubi) – Two at Kongelai.
RED-BACKED SCRUB-ROBIN (Cercotrichas leucophrys) – Although heard at Baringo and Masai Mara we never did manage to even glimpse this species.
CAPE ROBIN-CHAT (Cossypha caffra) – Singles near Mt. Kenya, and in the Taita Hills.
BLUE-SHOULDERED ROBIN-CHAT (Cossypha cyanocampter) – Heard in the grounds of Rondo Retreat.
GRAY-WINGED ROBIN-CHAT (Cossypha polioptera) – Singles at Saiwa Swamp and Kakamega Forest.
RUEPPELL'S ROBIN-CHAT (Cossypha semirufa) – Two at Mountain Lodge.
WHITE-BROWED ROBIN-CHAT (Cossypha heuglini) – Small numbers at Naro Moru, Kakamega, Nakuru, and Masai Mara; in all we saw about 12.
RED-CAPPED ROBIN-CHAT (Cossypha natalensis) – Nice looks at Sokoke Forest.
SNOWY-CROWNED ROBIN-CHAT (Cossypha niveicapilla) – One at the edge of the garden at Rondo Retreat.
SPOTTED MORNING-THRUSH (Cichladusa guttata) – Small numbers at Samburu, Baringo, and Tsavo East.
WHITE-STARRED ROBIN (Pogonocichla stellata) – One at Mt. Kenya, and about 5 in the Taita Hills.
BROWN-CHESTED ALETHE (Pseudalethe poliocephala) – One at Kakamega.
EQUATORIAL AKALAT (Sheppardia aequatorialis) – Two singles at Kakamega.
LITTLE ROCK-THRUSH (Monticola rufocinereus) – We saw a female at Lake Nakuru Lodge.


The Violet-backed Starling is definitely one of the stunners of its family. Photo by participant Randy Siebert.

AFRICAN STONECHAT (Saxicola torquatus) – Four at Kakamega, and about 6 in the Taita Hills.
NORTHERN ANTEATER-CHAT (Myrmecocichla aethiops) – We saw a total of about 40 at Solio, Kerenget, and Nakuru.
SOOTY CHAT (Myrmecocichla nigra) – About 40 at Masai Mara.
MOCKING CLIFF-CHAT (Thamnolaea cinnamomeiventris) – Super looks at a singing male at Baringo, and then a pair at Nakuru.
FAMILIAR CHAT (Cercomela familiaris) – Two along the escarpment at Masai Mara.
BROWN-TAILED CHAT (Cercomela scotocerca) – Two at the Baringo cliffs.
NORTHERN WHEATEAR (Oenanthe oenanthe) – Three singles in the Voi area.
Turdidae (Thrushes and Allies)
RED-TAILED ANT-THRUSH (Neocossyphus rufus) – One at Sokoke Forest.
ABYSSINIAN GROUND-THRUSH (Geokichla piaggiae) – Nice looks at 2 singles high on Mt. Kenya.
TAITA THRUSH (Turdus helleri) – As always difficult to get good looks at this skulker, but eventually some of us had good views of a bird in the leaf-litter in the Taita Hills.
ABYSSINIAN THRUSH (Turdus abyssinicus) – About 20 in the central highlands, and 6 at Nakuru.
AFRICAN THRUSH (Turdus pelios) – Four at Madende, and 2 at Kisumu.
AFRICAN BARE-EYED THRUSH (Turdus tephronotus) – One in Tsavo East.
Sturnidae (Starlings)
WATTLED STARLING (Creatophora cinerea) – We saw a total of about 100 at Lukenya and Masai Mara.
VIOLET-BACKED STARLING (Cinnyricinclus leucogaster) – We saw 10 of these stunning starlings in the Tsavo East area.
RED-WINGED STARLING (Onychognathus morio) – Two at Kongelai, and about 10 at Voi Safari Lodge.
WALLER'S STARLING (Onychognathus walleri) – Three at Mt. Kenya.
BRISTLE-CROWNED STARLING (Onychognathus salvadorii) – About 8 along the cliffs at Baringo.
STUHLMANN'S STARLING (Poeoptera stuhlmanni) – We saw a total of about 20 in the canopy at Kakamega Forest.
BLACK-BELLIED STARLING (Notopholia corrusca) – |Fairly common in and around Sokoke Forest.
HILDEBRANDT'S STARLING (Lamprotornis hildebrandti) – Two fly-by's at Baringo, and then good looks at 1 at Lukenya.
RUEPPELL'S STARLING (Lamprotornis purpuroptera) – We saw a total of about 60 in a variety of open woodland and acacia country.
GOLDEN-BREASTED STARLING (Lamprotornis regius) – Four at Samburu, and about a dozen at Tsavo East; one of Africa's most gorgeous birds.
SUPERB STARLING (Lamprotornis superbus) – Another stunning starling; this species was common and widespread throughout the tour.
FISCHER'S STARLING (Lamprotornis fischeri) – One at Samburu, and 300+ at Tsavo East.
LESSER BLUE-EARED STARLING (Lamprotornis chloropterus) – Three at Kongelai.
GREATER BLUE-EARED STARLING (Lamprotornis chalybaeus) – Widespread in small numbers; with a total of about 220.
Buphagidae (Oxpeckers)
RED-BILLED OXPECKER (Buphagus erythrorhynchus) – Common and widespread in areas with big game.
YELLOW-BILLED OXPECKER (Buphagus africanus) – Eight at Masai Mara.
Nectariniidae (Sunbirds and Spiderhunters)


Is there anything cuter than a baby sandgrouse? Participant Randy Siebert got this snap of an adult Black-faced Sandgrouse with a couple of tiny youngsters.

PLAIN-BACKED SUNBIRD (Anthreptes reichenowi) – We saw 3 of these globally threatened birds in Sokoke Forest.
KENYA VIOLET-BACKED SUNBIRD (Anthreptes orientalis) – We saw a total of about 20 at Samburu and Baringo.
GREEN SUNBIRD (Anthreptes rectirostris) – Two single males at Kakamega.
COLLARED SUNBIRD (Hedydipna collaris) – Small numbers at Blue Posts, Naro Moru, and Sokoke Forest.
AMANI SUNBIRD (Hedydipna pallidigaster) – Nice looks at 2 pairs of this globally threatened sunbird at Sokoke Forest.
GREEN-HEADED SUNBIRD (Cyanomitra verticalis) – Two in the Mt. Kenya area, and 2 at Kakamega.
EASTERN OLIVE SUNBIRD (Cyanomitra olivacea) – One in the Taita Hills.
WESTERN OLIVE SUNBIRD (Cyanomitra obscura) – Two at Kakamega.
AMETHYST SUNBIRD (Chalcomitra amethystina) – Six in the Mt. Kenya and Blue Posts area, and 1 at Taita Hills.
SCARLET-CHESTED SUNBIRD (Chalcomitra senegalensis) – We saw these striking sunbirds at Blue Posts, Nakuru, and Masai Mara.
HUNTER'S SUNBIRD (Chalcomitra hunteri) – Four at Samburu, and 6 at Tsavo East.
TACAZZE SUNBIRD (Nectarinia tacazze) – Yet another stunning sunbird; we saw about 20 in the Mt. Kenya area.
BRONZE SUNBIRD (Nectarinia kilimensis) – Twenty at Mt. Kenya, and 6 at Kakamega.
GOLDEN-WINGED SUNBIRD (Drepanorhynchus reichenowi) – Good looks at a male and then a female near Timau.
OLIVE-BELLIED SUNBIRD (Cinnyris chloropygius) – Four at Madende Creek.
NORTHERN DOUBLE-COLLARED SUNBIRD (Cinnyris reichenowi) – Small numbers in the central and western highlands.


When Leopards do lunch... Photo by participant Randy Siebert.

EASTERN DOUBLE-COLLARED SUNBIRD (Cinnyris mediocris) – About 40 in the Mt. Kenya area.
BEAUTIFUL SUNBIRD (Cinnyris pulchellus) – And beautiful they were; we saw a total of about 20 in the Baringo and Kongelai areas.
MARIQUA SUNBIRD (Cinnyris mariquensis) – Small numbers at Lukenya, Bogoria, and Kongelai.
RED-CHESTED SUNBIRD (Cinnyris erythrocercus) – About 10 along the shores of Lake Victoria.
BLACK-BELLIED SUNBIRD (Cinnyris nectarinioides) – Six at Samburu in non-breeding plumage, and then 2 nice looking males at Tsavo.
TSAVO SUNBIRD (Cinnyris tsavoensis) – Six in the Aruba Dam area.
ORANGE-TUFTED SUNBIRD (Cinnyris bouvieri) – Two at Madende Creek.
VARIABLE SUNBIRD (Cinnyris venustus) – Widespread in small numbers.
COPPER SUNBIRD (Cinnyris cupreus) – Six at Madende Creek.
Motacillidae (Wagtails and Pipits)
CAPE WAGTAIL (Motacilla capensis) – Two at Mountain Lodge.
GRAY WAGTAIL (Motacilla cinerea) – We were surprised to see this Palearctic visitor at this early date; a single bird at Kakamega.
MOUNTAIN WAGTAIL (Motacilla clara) – One along a small rocky river at the top of Kongelai Escarpment.
AFRICAN PIED WAGTAIL (Motacilla aguimp) – Very common and widespread.
AFRICAN PIPIT (Anthus cinnamomeus) – Two at Masai Mara, and 4 at the coast.
LONG-BILLED PIPIT (Anthus similis) – One along the Oloololo Escarpment at Masai Mara.


Participant Randy Siebert captured this lovely shot of a White-browed Coucal.

PLAIN-BACKED PIPIT (Anthus leucophrys) – Two at Solio, 4 at Nakuru, and about 15 at Masai Mara.
MALINDI PIPIT (Anthus melindae) – Good looks at 4 in the farmland just outside Sokoke Forest.
STRIPED PIPIT (Anthus lineiventris) – Great looks at this very localized bird in the Taita Hills.
GOLDEN PIPIT (Tmetothylacus tenellus) – The world's most beautiful pipit; we saw at least 10 in Tsavo East.
YELLOW-THROATED LONGCLAW (Macronyx croceus) – About 30 at Masai Mara.
Emberizidae (Buntings and New World Sparrows)
GOLDEN-BREASTED BUNTING (Emberiza flaviventris) – Two near Mountain Lodge.
SOMALI BUNTING (Emberiza poliopleura) – One at Samburu.
Fringillidae (Finches, Euphonias, and Allies)
YELLOW-CROWNED CANARY (Serinus flavivertex) – About 10 at Mountain Lodge.
YELLOW-FRONTED CANARY (Serinus mozambicus) – Forty at Masai Mara.
SOUTHERN CITRIL (Serinus hypostictus) – Two at Madende Creek.
REICHENOW'S SEEDEATER (Serinus reichenowi) – About a dozen at Sagana, 4 at Naro Moru, 2 at Nakuru, and 6 in the Taita Hills.
WHITE-BELLIED CANARY (Serinus dorsostriatus) – Four at Samburu, and 2 at Tsavo East.
SOUTHERN GROSBEAK-CANARY (Serinus buchanani) – Scope views of this rather uncommon canary at Lukenya.
BRIMSTONE CANARY (Serinus sulphuratus) – One at Nanyuki Airstrip.


We had superb views of the Sokoke Scops-Owl -- from about 10 feet away -- thanks to our local guide. Photo by participant Randy Siebert.

STREAKY SEEDEATER (Serinus striolatus) – About 40 in the Nairobi to Mt. Kenya area.
THICK-BILLED SEEDEATER (Serinus burtoni) – Two in the Tugen Hills.
Passeridae (Old World Sparrows)
HOUSE SPARROW (Passer domesticus) – Mostly seen between Tsavo and the coast; but a few others elsewhere.
KENYA RUFOUS SPARROW (Passer rufocinctus) – About 60 in the central highlands.
NORTHERN GRAY-HEADED SPARROW (Passer griseus) – Twenty in the western highlands.
PARROT-BILLED SPARROW (Passer gongonensis) – Very common at Samburu and Tsavo, and a few others elsewhere.
CHESTNUT SPARROW (Passer eminibey) – About 10 at Lukenya, and 50+ at Samburu.
YELLOW-SPOTTED PETRONIA (Petronia pyrgita) – One at Samburu, and 2 at Baringo.
Ploceidae (Weavers and Allies)
WHITE-BILLED BUFFALO-WEAVER (Bubalornis albirostris) – Six near their nests at Bogoria.
RED-BILLED BUFFALO-WEAVER (Bubalornis niger) – About 30 at Tsavo East.
WHITE-HEADED BUFFALO-WEAVER (Dinemellia dinemelli) – A total of about 80 at Samburu, Baringo, Kongelai, and Tsavo East.
SPECKLE-FRONTED WEAVER (Sporopipes frontalis) – Six at Samburu, 4 at Baringo, and 6 at Masai Mara.
WHITE-BROWED SPARROW-WEAVER (Plocepasser mahali) – Common and widespread in acacia bush country.
CHESTNUT-CROWNED SPARROW-WEAVER (Plocepasser superciliosus) – Two on the Kongelai Escarpment.
DONALDSON-SMITH'S SPARROW-WEAVER (Plocepasser donaldsoni) – About a dozen at Samburu.
GRAY-HEADED SOCIAL-WEAVER (Pseudonigrita arnaudi) – Sixty at Lukenya.
BLACK-CAPPED SOCIAL-WEAVER (Pseudonigrita cabanisi) – At least 250 were seen at Samburu, and then 40 at Tsavo East.
RED-HEADED WEAVER (Anaplectes rubriceps) – Pairs at Samburu, Nakuru, and Masai Mara.
BAGLAFECHT WEAVER (Ploceus baglafecht) – Common and widespread in the highlands.
LITTLE WEAVER (Ploceus luteolus) – Two at Baringo, and 1 at the bottom of the Kongelai Escarpment.
SLENDER-BILLED WEAVER (Ploceus pelzelni) – About a dozen along the shores of Lake Victoria.
BLACK-NECKED WEAVER (Ploceus nigricollis) – Four at Kakamega, and then 1 near Voi.
SPECTACLED WEAVER (Ploceus ocularis) – We saw a pair at Mountain Lodge.
BLACK-BILLED WEAVER (Ploceus melanogaster) – One of our group saw 1 at Saiwa Swamp, and then we all saw a pair at Kakamega.
AFRICAN GOLDEN-WEAVER (Ploceus subaureus) – One at Blue Posts, 4 at Hunter's Lodge, and 3 at Watamu.
HOLUB'S GOLDEN-WEAVER (Ploceus xanthops) – Two at Saiwa Swamp, and 1 near Busia.
GOLDEN PALM WEAVER (Ploceus bojeri) – About 10 at Watamu.
NORTHERN BROWN-THROATED WEAVER (Ploceus castanops) – At least 50 were seen along the shores of Lake Victoria.
NORTHERN MASKED-WEAVER (Ploceus taeniopterus) – We saw about 6 of these extremely localized weavers at Lake Baringo.
LESSER MASKED-WEAVER (Ploceus intermedius) – A dozen at Samburu, and about 10 at Tsavo East.
VITELLINE MASKED-WEAVER (Ploceus vitellinus) – Twenty at Samburu, and 6 at Baringo.
HEUGLIN'S MASKED-WEAVER (Ploceus heuglini) – Six at the only known site in Kenya; Keiyo District.


The thin stripes of the Grevy's Zebra help to identify it. Photo by participant Randy Siebert.

SPEKE'S WEAVER (Ploceus spekei) – About 50 at Ole Sereni, and 40+ at Nakuru.
VIEILLOT'S WEAVER (Ploceus nigerrimus) – About 10 in the garden of our hotel at Kakamega.
VILLAGE WEAVER (Ploceus cucullatus) – Small numbers were widespread in and around a variety of scattered towns and villages throughout the tour.
GOLDEN-BACKED WEAVER (Ploceus jacksoni) – Two males in breeding plumage at Baringo.
CHESTNUT WEAVER (Ploceus rubiginosus) – About 20 in non-breeding plumage at Baringo.
FOREST WEAVER (Ploceus bicolor) – About a dozen at both Kakamega and the coast.
BROWN-CAPPED WEAVER (Ploceus insignis) – Singles at Mountain Lodge, Saiwa Swamp, and Kakamega.
RED-BILLED QUELEA (Quelea quelea) – One at Samburu, and then several hundred at Tsavo, and the coast.
NORTHERN RED BISHOP (Euplectes franciscanus) – Six (in full breeding plumage) at the irrigation scheme near Bogoria.
YELLOW BISHOP (Euplectes capensis) – About 6 in the Kerengeti area, and then 2 in the Taita Hills.
YELLOW-SHOULDERED WIDOWBIRD (Euplectes macroura macrocerca) – Two males in breeding plumage in the glade at Kakamega.
FAN-TAILED WIDOWBIRD (Euplectes axillaris) – Four in the Kerenget area, and then 2 at Masai Mara.
GROSBEAK WEAVER (Amblyospiza albifrons) – We saw a total of about 20 in the Kerenget and Saiwa Swamp areas.
Estrildidae (Waxbills and Allies)
GRAY-HEADED NIGRITA (Nigrita canicapillus) – One at Mt. Kenya, and 1 at Kakamega.


Common Giraffes lived up to their name on this tour -- including a couple seen from our hotel in Nairobi! Photo by participant Randy Siebert.

YELLOW-BELLIED WAXBILL (Coccopygia quartinia) – Six were feeding in the undergrowth high on Mt. Kenya.
CRIMSON-RUMPED WAXBILL (Estrilda rhodopyga) – Four at Bogoria.
BLACK-CROWNED WAXBILL (Estrilda nonnula) – Two at Madende Creek.
KANDT'S WAXBILL (Estrilda kandti) – Nice looks at 4, above 10,000 ft. on Mt. Kenya.
BLACK-CHEEKED WAXBILL (Estrilda charmosyna) – Six at Samburu, and 3 at Baringo.
RED-HEADED BLUEBILL (Spermophaga ruficapilla) – Six at Kakamega - mainly along the forest edges.
RED-CHEEKED CORDONBLEU (Uraeginthus bengalus) – Fairly common and widespread in a variety of bush country throughout the tour.
PURPLE GRENADIER (Granatina ianthinogaster) – Six in the central highlands, and 30+ at Masai Mara.
PETERS'S TWINSPOT (Hypargos niveoguttatus) – Great looks at a male on a track in Sokoke Forest.
GREEN-WINGED PYTILIA (Pytilia melba) – Two juveniles at Baringo, and then a female at Tsavo East.
RED-BILLED FIREFINCH (Lagonosticta senegala) – Widespread in small numbers.
BAR-BREASTED FIREFINCH (Lagonosticta rufopicta) – About a dozen at Madende Creek.
CUT-THROAT (Amadina fasciata) – We saw a pair at Samburu.
AFRICAN QUAILFINCH (Ortygospiza fuscocrissa) – Fabulous looks at 2 on the drying out mud at Lake Nakuru.
GRAY-HEADED SILVERBILL (Odontospiza griseicapilla) – Four at Lukenya.
BRONZE MANNIKIN (Spermestes cucullata) – Small numbers between the Kerio Valley and Kisumu.


Blue Monkeys were particularly common around Kakamega, with fewer seen in the Masai Mara, where participant Randy Siebert captured this shot.

BLACK-AND-WHITE MANNIKIN (BLACK-AND-WHITE) (Spermestes bicolor poensis) – About 10 in the far west.
BLACK-AND-WHITE MANNIKIN (RED-BACKED) (Spermestes bicolor nigriceps) – Eight near Thika, and 3 in the Taita Hills.
Viduidae (Indigobirds)
PIN-TAILED WHYDAH (Vidua macroura) – Four in the Bogoria-Baringo area, 1 at Kongelai, 1 at Lake Victoria, and about 12 in the Watamu area.
VILLAGE INDIGOBIRD (Vidua chalybeata) – We saw a female at Kongelai, and then a male in breeding plumage near the coast.

MAMMALS
BLUE MONKEY (Cercopithecus mitis) – Common at Kakamega (60+), and then about 10 at Masai Mara.
SYKES MONKEY (Cercopithecus albogularis) – We saw a total of about 30 between Thika and at Mt. Kenya, and then 40+ at the coast.
BLACK-CHEEKED WHITE-NOSED MONKEY (Cercopithecus ascanius) – More commonly known as Copper-tailed Monkey; we saw 4 at Kakamega Forest.
DE BRAZZA'S MONKEY (Cercopithecus neglectus) – Great looks at this rare monkey at Saiwa Swamp; first we saw a large male, and then perhaps another three females and young ones.
BLACK-FACED VERVET MONKEY (Cercopithecus aethiops) – Very common and widespread.
PATAS MONKEY (Erythrocebus patas) – About a dozen on the Kongelai Escarpment.
OLIVE BABOON (Papio anubis) – Common and widespread away from the eastern lowlands.
YELLOW BABOON (Papio cyanocephalus) – We saw a total of about 120 in the eastern lowlands.


The long, showy tail of the male Pin-tailed Whydah can exceed twice the length of his body! Photo by participant Randy Siebert.

MANTLED GUEREZA (Colobus guereza) – More commonly known as Black-and-white Colobus Monkey; we saw about a dozen at Mt. Kenya, 10 at Saiwa Swamp, and 30+ at Kakamega.
CAPE HARE (Lepus capensis) – Two singles at Samburu.
UNSTRIPED GROUND SQUIRREL (Xerus rutilus) – About 40 at Samburu, and 6 at Tsavo East.
BUSH SQUIRREL (Paraxerus sp.) – About 10 at Mountain Lodge, and 2 in the Kerio Valley.
RED-LEGGED SUN SQUIRREL (Heliosciurus rufobrachium) – One in the Tugen Hills, 2 at Saiwa Swamp, and then a dozen at Kakamega Forest.
BLACK-BACKED JACKAL (Canis mesomelas) – Two at Samburu, and 1 at Masai Mara.
AFRICAN CIVET (Civettictis civetta) – Surprisingly, 1 was walking around in daylight at a lodge in Tsavo East.
COMMON (SMALL-SPOTTED) GENET (Genetta genetta) – One in the roof of our lodge at Samburu.
LARGE-SPOTTED GENET (Genetta tigrina) – One on the feeder at Mountain Lodge.
BANDED MONGOOSE (Mungos mungo) – About 30 at Masai Mara, and 10 at Tsavo East.
SPOTTED HYAENA (Crocuta crocuta) – We saw a total of about 20 at Masai Mara (including 4 with another 4 tiny babies), and then 1 at Tsavo East.
SERVAL (Felis serval) – One in the long grass near Voi Safari Lodge.
LEOPARD (Panthera pardus) – We saw 1 eating an Impala in some thick bush in Masai Mara.
LION (Panthera leo) – Two at Samburu, 7 at Masai Mara, and 1 at Tsavo East.
CHEETAH (Acinonyx jubatus) – We saw a female with 3 fairly large young ones at Samburu, and then 2 brothers at Masai Mara.
AFRICAN ELEPHANT (Loxodonta africana) – Many close encounters with these fabulous huge mammals at Samburu, Masai Mara, and Tsavo East.
ROCK HYRAX (Procavia capensis) – Twenty along the cliffs in the Baringo area, and 6 at Kongelai.
BUSH (YELLOW-SPOTTED) HYRAX (Heterohyrax brucei) – About 30 in the Voi area.
TREE HYRAX (Dendrohyrax arboreus) – Amazing to see no less than 11 - and all in daylight at Naro Moru and Masai Mara.
GREVY'S ZEBRA (Equus grevyi) – We saw at least 45 of these extremely local and uncommon zebra at Samburu; their world population is now thought to be less than 3000.
BURCHELL'S ZEBRA (Equus burchelli) – Very common in game parks with open grassland like Nakuru and Masai Mara; in total we saw about 3000.
WHITE RHINOCEROS (Ceratotherium simum) – Nine at Solio, and then 6 adults and a small baby at Nakuru. [I]
WARTHOG (Phacochoerus aethiopicus) – Widespread; with a total of about 450.
HIPPOPOTAMUS (Hippopotamus amphibius) – Some of the group saw 2 at Lake Baringo, and then we all saw 4 at Lake Victoria, and about 150 in the river at Masai Mara.
COMMON GIRAFFE (Giraffa camelopardalis) – Two from our hotel in Nairobi, and then about 40 at Masai Mara, and another 40 at Tsavo East.
RETICULATED GIRAFFE (Giraffa reticulata) – About 50 at Samburu, and a dozen at Solio.
ROTHSCHILD'S GIRAFFE (Giraffa rothschildi) – Eight in the acacia woodlands at Nakuru.
SITATUNGA (Tragelaphus spekei) – Good looks at 3 females and a young one at Saiwa Swamp.
BUSHBUCK (Tragelaphus scriptus) – About 10 at Mountain Lodge.


We had four species of endangered vultures around a single Impala carcass at Samburu. Photo by participant Randy Siebert.

GREATER KUDU (Tragelaphus strepsiceros) – We saw a single female at Samburu.
LESSER KUDU (Tragelaphus imberbis) – We saw about 10 of these very shy antelopes at Tsavo East.
COMMON ELAND (Taurotragus oryx) – Ten at the Ole Sereni Hotel, and then about 60 at Tsavo East.
AFRICAN BUFFALO (Syncerus caffer) – We saw a total of about 1100 with most in Masai Mara and Tsavo East, but a few others in national parks elsewhere.
COMMON WATERBUCK (Kobus ellipsiprymnus) – Eight at Samburu, and 40+ at Tsavo East.
DEFASSA WATERBUCK (Kobus defassa) – About 10 at Mt. Kenya, 50 at Nakuru, and 30 at Masai Mara.
BOHOR REEDBUCK (Redunca redunca) – Four at the waterhole in front of Ole Sereni Hotel, and then 6 at Masai Mara.
BEISA ORYX (Oryx beisa) – About 50 at Samburu, and 1 at Solio.
FRINGE-EARED ORYX (Oryx callotis) – Often difficult to find, but we were lucky this tour and saw at least 40 at Tsavo East.
TOPI (Damaliscus lunatus) – About 60 at Masai Mara.
HARTEBEEST (KONGONI) (Alcelaphus buselaphus) – About 60 at Tsavo East, and a few others in parks and reserves elsewhere.
BLUE WILDEBEEST (Connochaetes taurinus) – About 4000 at Masai Mara included groups and then the classic sighting of long single file lines on their migration route.
KLIPSPRINGER (Oreotragus oreotragus) – One at Masai Mara.
KIRK'S DIK-DIK (Modoqua kirki) – Very common at Samburu, 1 at Masai Mara, and about 40 at Tsavo East.
IMPALA (Aepyceros malampus) – Common and widespread in many areas; with a total of about 1200.


We had great looks at a trio of Kori Bustards in Tsavo East National Park. Photo by participant Randy Siebert.

GERENUK (Litocranius walleri) – We saw a total of about 50 at Samburu, and 8 at Tsavo East.
THOMSON'S GAZELLE (Gazella thomsoni) – Common in grassland areas, like Solio, Nakuru, and Masai Mara.
GRANT'S GAZELLE (Gazella granti) – We saw a total of about 200 at Samburu, Masai Mara, and Tsavo East.


ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

Reptiles seen during the tour included;

Striped Skink; 3 at Sagana.

Mwanza Rock Agama; about 40 at Masai Mara.

Red-headed Rock Agama; common at Tsavo East, and a few others in rocky areas elsewhere.

Green-headed Tree Agama; 1 at Masai Mara.

Water Monitor; 2 at Samburu, and 2 at Masai Mara.

Nile Crocodile; 8 at Samburu, and 5 at Masai Mara.

Leopard Tortoise; 1 in the Baringo-Bogoria area.


Totals for the tour: 574 bird taxa and 55 mammal taxa