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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
Struthionidae (Ostrich)
The Secretary-bird is one of Kenya's iconic birds. Photo by participant Randy Siebert.
COMMON OSTRICH (Struthio camelus massaicus) SOMALI OSTRICH (Struthio molybdophanes)
Anatidae (Ducks, Geese, and Waterfowl)
WHITE-FACED WHISTLING-DUCK (Dendrocygna viduata)
WHITE-BACKED DUCK (Thalassornis leuconotus)
EGYPTIAN GOOSE (Alopochen aegyptiaca)
SPUR-WINGED GOOSE (Plectropterus gambensis)
AFRICAN BLACK DUCK (Anas sparsa)
YELLOW-BILLED DUCK (Anas undulata)
RED-BILLED DUCK (Anas erythrorhyncha)
HOTTENTOT TEAL (Anas hottentota)
CAPE TEAL (Anas capensis)
MACCOA DUCK (Oxyura maccoa)
Numididae (Guineafowl)
HELMETED GUINEAFOWL (Numida meleagris)
Vulturine Guineafowl were among our favorite sightings at Samburu. Photo by participant Randy Siebert.
VULTURINE GUINEAFOWL (Acryllium vulturinum) Phasianidae (Pheasants, Grouse, and Allies)
SCALY FRANCOLIN (Pternistis squamatus)
JACKSON'S FRANCOLIN (Pternistis jacksoni)
YELLOW-NECKED FRANCOLIN (Pternistis leucoscepus)
RED-NECKED FRANCOLIN (Pternistis afer)
CRESTED FRANCOLIN (Francolinus sephaena)
COQUI FRANCOLIN (Peliperdix coqui)
RED-WINGED FRANCOLIN (Scleroptila levaillantii)
Podicipedidae (Grebes)
LITTLE GREBE (Tachybaptus ruficollis)
Phoenicopteridae (Flamingos)
LESSER FLAMINGO (Phoeniconaias minor)
Ciconiidae (Storks)
AFRICAN OPENBILL (Anastomus lamelligerus)
WOOLLY-NECKED STORK (Ciconia episcopus)
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) MARABOU STORK (Leptoptilos crumenifer)
YELLOW-BILLED STORK (Mycteria ibis)
Phalacrocoracidae (Cormorants and Shags)
GREAT CORMORANT (Phalacrocorax carbo)
LONG-TAILED CORMORANT (Phalacrocorax africanus)
Anhingidae (Anhingas)
AFRICAN DARTER (Anhinga rufa rufa)
Pelecanidae (Pelicans)
GREAT WHITE PELICAN (Pelecanus onocrotalus)
PINK-BACKED PELICAN (Pelecanus rufescens)
Scopidae (Hamerkop)
HAMERKOP (Scopus umbretta)
Ardeidae (Herons, Egrets, and Bitterns)
GRAY HERON (Ardea cinerea)
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) GOLIATH HERON (Ardea goliath)
PURPLE HERON (Ardea purpurea)
GREAT EGRET (Ardea alba)
INTERMEDIATE EGRET (Mesophoyx intermedia)
LITTLE EGRET (Egretta garzetta)
CATTLE EGRET (Bubulcus ibis)
SQUACCO HERON (Ardeola ralloides)
RUFOUS-BELLIED HERON (Ardeola rufiventris)
STRIATED HERON (Butorides striata)
Threskiornithidae (Ibises and Spoonbills)
GLOSSY IBIS (Plegadis falcinellus)
SACRED IBIS (Threskiornis aethiopicus)
HADADA IBIS (Bostrychia hagedash)
AFRICAN SPOONBILL (Platalea alba)
Sagittariidae (Secretary-bird)
The Superb Starling was another common and widespread species throughout the tour. Photo by participant Randy Siebert.
SECRETARY-BIRD (Sagittarius serpentarius) Pandionidae (Osprey)
OSPREY (Pandion haliaetus)
Accipitridae (Hawks, Eagles, and Kites)
BLACK-SHOULDERED KITE (Elanus caeruleus)
AFRICAN HARRIER-HAWK (Polyboroides typus)
LAPPET-FACED VULTURE (Torgos tracheliotos)
HOODED VULTURE (Necrosyrtes monachus)
WHITE-BACKED VULTURE (Gyps africanus)
RUEPPELL'S GRIFFON (Gyps rueppelli)
BATELEUR (Terathopius ecaudatus)
BLACK-BREASTED SNAKE-EAGLE (Circaetus pectoralis)
BROWN SNAKE-EAGLE (Circaetus cinereus)
FASCIATED SNAKE-EAGLE (Circaetus fasciolatus)
CROWNED HAWK-EAGLE (Stephanoaetus coronatus)
MARTIAL EAGLE (Polemaetus bellicosus)
LONG-CRESTED EAGLE (Lophaetus occipitalis)
WAHLBERG'S EAGLE (Hieraaetus wahlbergi)
AYRES'S HAWK-EAGLE (Hieraaetus ayresii)
TAWNY EAGLE (Aquila rapax)
VERREAUX'S EAGLE (Aquila verreauxii)
AFRICAN HAWK-EAGLE (Aquila spilogaster)
LIZARD BUZZARD (Kaupifalco monogrammicus)
DARK CHANTING-GOSHAWK (Melierax metabates)
EASTERN CHANTING-GOSHAWK (Melierax poliopterus)
AFRICAN GOSHAWK (Accipiter tachiro)
OVAMPO SPARROWHAWK (Accipiter ovampensis)
BLACK KITE (Milvus migrans)
AFRICAN FISH-EAGLE (Haliaeetus vocifer)
The Eastern Chanting-Goshawk does much of its hunting on the ground. Photo by participant Randy Siebert.
MOUNTAIN BUZZARD (Buteo oreophilus) AUGUR BUZZARD (Buteo augur)
Otididae (Bustards)
KORI BUSTARD (Ardeotis kori)
WHITE-BELLIED BUSTARD (Eupodotis senegalensis)
BUFF-CRESTED BUSTARD (Eupodotis gindiana)
BLACK-BELLIED BUSTARD (Lissotis melanogaster)
Rallidae (Rails, Gallinules, and Coots)
AFRICAN RAIL (Rallus caerulescens)
BLACK CRAKE (Amaurornis flavirostra)
AFRICAN SWAMPHEN (Porphyrio madagascariensis)
EURASIAN MOORHEN (Gallinula chloropus)
RED-KNOBBED COOT (Fulica cristata)
Sarothruridae (Flufftails)
WHITE-SPOTTED FLUFFTAIL (Sarothrura pulchra)
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) Burhinidae (Thick-knees)
WATER THICK-KNEE (Burhinus vermiculatus)
SPOTTED THICK-KNEE (Burhinus capensis)
Recurvirostridae (Stilts and Avocets)
BLACK-WINGED STILT (Himantopus himantopus)
PIED AVOCET (Recurvirostra avosetta)
Charadriidae (Plovers and Lapwings)
BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER (Pluvialis squatarola)
LONG-TOED LAPWING (Vanellus crassirostris)
BLACKSMITH LAPWING (Vanellus armatus)
SPUR-WINGED LAPWING (Vanellus spinosus)
BLACK-HEADED LAPWING (Vanellus tectus)
BLACK-WINGED LAPWING (Vanellus melanopterus)
CROWNED LAPWING (Vanellus coronatus)
WATTLED LAPWING (Vanellus senegallus)
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) GREATER SAND-PLOVER (Charadrius leschenaultii)
COMMON RINGED PLOVER (Charadrius hiaticula)
THREE-BANDED PLOVER (Charadrius tricollaris)
WHITE-FRONTED PLOVER (Charadrius marginatus)
Jacanidae (Jacanas)
AFRICAN JACANA (Actophilornis africanus)
Scolopacidae (Sandpipers and Allies)
TEREK SANDPIPER (Xenus cinereus)
COMMON SANDPIPER (Actitis hypoleucos)
GREEN SANDPIPER (Tringa ochropus)
COMMON GREENSHANK (Tringa nebularia)
MARSH SANDPIPER (Tringa stagnatilis)
WOOD SANDPIPER (Tringa glareola)
WHIMBREL (EUROPEAN) (Numenius phaeopus phaeopus)
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) BAR-TAILED GODWIT (Limosa lapponica)
RUDDY TURNSTONE (Arenaria interpres)
RUFF (Calidris pugnax)
CURLEW SANDPIPER (Calidris ferruginea)
SANDERLING (Calidris alba)
LITTLE STINT (Calidris minuta)
Dromadidae (Crab Plover)
CRAB PLOVER (Dromas ardeola)
Glareolidae (Pratincoles and Coursers)
SOMALI COURSER (Cursorius somalensis)
TEMMINCK'S COURSER (Cursorius temminckii)
THREE-BANDED COURSER (Rhinoptilus cinctus)
ROCK PRATINCOLE (Glareola nuchalis)
Laridae (Gulls, Terns, and Skimmers)
GRAY-HOODED GULL (Chroicocephalus cirrocephalus)
SOOTY GULL (Ichthyaetus hemprichii)
GULL-BILLED TERN (Gelochelidon nilotica)
WHITE-WINGED TERN (Chlidonias leucopterus)
WHISKERED TERN (Chlidonias hybrida)
COMMON TERN (Sterna hirundo)
GREAT CRESTED TERN (Thalasseus bergii)
LESSER CRESTED TERN (Thalasseus bengalensis)
Pteroclidae (Sandgrouse)
CHESTNUT-BELLIED SANDGROUSE (Pterocles exustus)
BLACK-FACED SANDGROUSE (Pterocles decoratus)
Columbidae (Pigeons and Doves)
ROCK PIGEON (Columba livia)
SPECKLED PIGEON (Columba guinea)
DUSKY TURTLE-DOVE (Streptopelia lugens)
MOURNING COLLARED-DOVE (Streptopelia decipiens)
RED-EYED DOVE (Streptopelia semitorquata)
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) LAUGHING DOVE (Streptopelia senegalensis)
EMERALD-SPOTTED WOOD-DOVE (Turtur chalcospilos)
BLUE-SPOTTED WOOD-DOVE (Turtur afer)
TAMBOURINE DOVE (Turtur tympanistria)
NAMAQUA DOVE (Oena capensis)
AFRICAN GREEN-PIGEON (Treron calvus)
Musophagidae (Turacos)
GREAT BLUE TURACO (Corythaeola cristata)
SCHALOW'S TURACO (Tauraco schalowi)
WHITE-CRESTED TURACO (Tauraco leucolophus)
FISCHER'S TURACO (Tauraco fischeri)
HARTLAUB'S TURACO (Tauraco hartlaubi)
ROSS'S TURACO (Musophaga rossae)
BARE-FACED GO-AWAY-BIRD (Corythaixoides personatus)
We had great looks at four Coqui Francolins in the Nakuru grasslands. Photo by participant Randy Siebert.
WHITE-BELLIED GO-AWAY-BIRD (Corythaixoides leucogaster) EASTERN PLANTAIN-EATER (Crinifer zonurus)
Cuculidae (Cuckoos)
RED-CHESTED CUCKOO (Cuculus solitarius)
AFRICAN CUCKOO (Cuculus gularis)
KLAAS'S CUCKOO (Chrysococcyx klaas)
AFRICAN EMERALD CUCKOO (Chrysococcyx cupreus)
DIDERIC CUCKOO (Chrysococcyx caprius)
BLUE-HEADED COUCAL (Centropus monachus)
WHITE-BROWED COUCAL (Centropus superciliosus)
Strigidae (Owls)
SOKOKE SCOPS-OWL (Otus ireneae)
AFRICAN SCOPS-OWL (Otus senegalensis)
NORTHERN WHITE-FACED OWL (Ptilopsis leucotis)
CAPE EAGLE-OWL (NORTHERN) (Bubo capensis mackinderi)
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) VERREAUX'S EAGLE-OWL (Bubo lacteus)
PEARL-SPOTTED OWLET (Glaucidium perlatum)
AFRICAN WOOD-OWL (Strix woodfordii)
Caprimulgidae (Nightjars and Allies)
SLENDER-TAILED NIGHTJAR (Caprimulgus clarus)
SQUARE-TAILED NIGHTJAR (Caprimulgus fossii)
Apodidae (Swifts)
MOTTLED SPINETAIL (Telacanthura ussheri)
BAT-LIKE SPINETAIL (Neafrapus boehmi)
MOTTLED SWIFT (Apus aequatorialis)
NYANZA SWIFT (Apus niansae)
AFRICAN SWIFT (Apus barbatus)
LITTLE SWIFT (Apus affinis)
HORUS SWIFT (Apus horus)
AFRICAN PALM-SWIFT (Cypsiurus parvus)
Coliidae (Mousebirds)
SPECKLED MOUSEBIRD (Colius striatus)
BLUE-NAPED MOUSEBIRD (Urocolius macrourus)
Trogonidae (Trogons)
NARINA TROGON (Apaloderma narina)
Upupidae (Hoopoes)
EURASIAN HOOPOE (CENTRAL AFRICAN) (Upupa epops waibeli)
EURASIAN HOOPOE (AFRICAN) (Upupa epops africana)
Phoeniculidae (Woodhoopoes and Scimitar-bills)
GREEN WOODHOOPOE (Phoeniculus purpureus)
VIOLET WOODHOOPOE (GRANT'S) (Phoeniculus damarensis granti)
WHITE-HEADED WOODHOOPOE (Phoeniculus bollei)
COMMON SCIMITAR-BILL (Rhinopomastus cyanomelas)
ABYSSINIAN SCIMITAR-BILL (Rhinopomastus minor)
Bucorvidae (Ground-Hornbills)
SOUTHERN GROUND-HORNBILL (Bucorvus leadbeateri)
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) AFRICAN GRAY HORNBILL (Lophoceros nasutus)
EASTERN YELLOW-BILLED HORNBILL (Tockus flavirostris)
JACKSON'S HORNBILL (Tockus jacksoni)
VON DER DECKEN'S HORNBILL (Tockus deckeni)
NORTHERN RED-BILLED HORNBILL (Tockus erythrorhynchus)
SILVERY-CHEEKED HORNBILL (Bycanistes brevis)
BLACK-AND-WHITE-CASQUED HORNBILL (Bycanistes subcylindricus)
TRUMPETER HORNBILL (Bycanistes bucinator)
Alcedinidae (Kingfishers)
MALACHITE KINGFISHER (Corythornis cristatus)
AFRICAN PYGMY-KINGFISHER (Ispidina picta)
GRAY-HEADED KINGFISHER (Halcyon leucocephala)
WOODLAND KINGFISHER (Halcyon senegalensis)
BROWN-HOODED KINGFISHER (Halcyon albiventris)
The Gray-headed Kingfisher was one of the most common of the tour's kingfishers. Photo by participant Randy Siebert.
STRIPED KINGFISHER (Halcyon chelicuti) GIANT KINGFISHER (Megaceryle maxima)
PIED KINGFISHER (Ceryle rudis)
Meropidae (Bee-eaters)
WHITE-FRONTED BEE-EATER (Merops bullockoides)
LITTLE BEE-EATER (Merops pusillus)
CINNAMON-CHESTED BEE-EATER (Merops oreobates)
SOMALI BEE-EATER (Merops revoilii)
WHITE-THROATED BEE-EATER (Merops albicollis)
NORTHERN CARMINE BEE-EATER (Merops nubicus)
Coraciidae (Rollers)
LILAC-BREASTED ROLLER (Coracias caudatus)
RUFOUS-CROWNED ROLLER (Coracias naevius)
Lybiidae (African Barbets)
YELLOW-BILLED BARBET (Trachyphonus purpuratus)
RED-AND-YELLOW BARBET (Trachyphonus erythrocephalus)
D'ARNAUD'S BARBET (Trachyphonus darnaudii)
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) GRAY-THROATED BARBET (Gymnobucco bonapartei)
GREEN BARBET (Stactolaema olivacea)
GREEN TINKERBIRD (Pogoniulus simplex)
MOUSTACHED TINKERBIRD (Pogoniulus leucomystax)
YELLOW-RUMPED TINKERBIRD (Pogoniulus bilineatus bilineatus)
RED-FRONTED TINKERBIRD (Pogoniulus pusillus)
YELLOW-SPOTTED BARBET (Buccanodon duchaillui)
RED-FRONTED BARBET (Tricholaema diademata)
SPOT-FLANKED BARBET (Tricholaema lacrymosa)
BLACK-THROATED BARBET (Tricholaema melanocephala)
WHITE-HEADED BARBET (Lybius leucocephalus)
DOUBLE-TOOTHED BARBET (Lybius bidentatus)
Indicatoridae (Honeyguides)
LESSER HONEYGUIDE (Indicator minor)
GREATER HONEYGUIDE (Indicator indicator)
Picidae (Woodpeckers)
As its name suggests, the Giant Kingfisher is Africa's largest kingfisher. Photo by participant Randy Siebert.
RUFOUS-NECKED WRYNECK (Jynx ruficollis) NUBIAN WOODPECKER (Campethera nubica)
MOMBASA WOODPECKER (Campethera mombassica)
BUFF-SPOTTED WOODPECKER (Campethera nivosa)
BROWN-EARED WOODPECKER (Campethera caroli)
CARDINAL WOODPECKER (Dendropicos fuscescens)
BEARDED WOODPECKER (Dendropicos namaquus)
GOLDEN-CROWNED WOODPECKER (Dendropicos xantholophus)
AFRICAN GRAY WOODPECKER (Dendropicos goertae)
MOUNTAIN GRAY WOODPECKER (Dendropicos spodocephalus rhodeogaster)
Falconidae (Falcons and Caracaras)
PYGMY FALCON (Polihierax semitorquatus)
GRAY KESTREL (Falco ardosiaceus)
RED-NECKED FALCON (Falco chicquera)
LANNER FALCON (Falco biarmicus)
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) Psittacidae (New World and African Parrots)
RED-FRONTED PARROT (Poicephalus gulielmi)
MEYER'S PARROT (Poicephalus meyeri)
RED-BELLIED PARROT (Poicephalus rufiventris)
Platysteiridae (Wattle-eyes and Batises)
BROWN-THROATED WATTLE-EYE (Platysteira cyanea)
BLACK-THROATED WATTLE-EYE (Platysteira peltata)
CHESTNUT WATTLE-EYE (Platysteira castanea)
JAMESON'S WATTLE-EYE (Platysteira jamesoni)
SHORT-TAILED BATIS (Batis mixta)
CHINSPOT BATIS (Batis molitor)
PALE BATIS (Batis soror)
BLACK-HEADED BATIS (Batis minor)
PYGMY BATIS (Batis perkeo)
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) CHESTNUT-FRONTED HELMETSHRIKE (Prionops scopifrons)
Malaconotidae (Bushshrikes and Allies)
BRUBRU (Nilaus afer)
NORTHERN PUFFBACK (Dryoscopus gambensis)
BLACK-BACKED PUFFBACK (Dryoscopus cubla)
PINK-FOOTED PUFFBACK (Dryoscopus angolensis)
BROWN-CROWNED TCHAGRA (Tchagra australis)
THREE-STREAKED TCHAGRA (Tchagra jamesi)
LUEHDER'S BUSHSHRIKE (Laniarius luehderi)
TROPICAL BOUBOU (Laniarius major)
ZANZIBAR BOUBOU (Laniarius sublacteus)
BLACK-HEADED GONOLEK (Laniarius erythrogaster)
PAPYRUS GONOLEK (Laniarius mufumbiri)
SLATE-COLORED BOUBOU (Laniarius funebris)
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) SULPHUR-BREASTED BUSHSHRIKE (Telophorus sulfureopectus)
GRAY-HEADED BUSHSHRIKE (Malaconotus blanchoti)
Campephagidae (Cuckooshrikes)
BLACK CUCKOOSHRIKE (Campephaga flava)
PETIT'S CUCKOOSHRIKE (Campephaga petiti)
PURPLE-THROATED CUCKOOSHRIKE (Campephaga quiscalina)
Laniidae (Shrikes)
GRAY-BACKED FISCAL (Lanius excubitorius)
LONG-TAILED FISCAL (Lanius cabanisi)
TAITA FISCAL (Lanius dorsalis)
MACKINNON'S SHRIKE (Lanius mackinnoni)
NORTHERN FISCAL (Lanius humeralis)
WHITE-RUMPED SHRIKE (Eurocephalus rueppelli)
Oriolidae (Old World Orioles)
AFRICAN GOLDEN ORIOLE (Oriolus auratus)
AFRICAN BLACK-HEADED ORIOLE (Oriolus larvatus)
BLACK-TAILED ORIOLE (Oriolus percivali)
Dicruridae (Drongos)
SQUARE-TAILED DRONGO (Dicrurus ludwigii)
FORK-TAILED DRONGO (Dicrurus adsimilis)
Monarchidae (Monarch Flycatchers)
AFRICAN CRESTED-FLYCATCHER (Trochocercus cyanomelas)
AFRICAN PARADISE-FLYCATCHER (Terpsiphone viridis)
Corvidae (Crows, Jays, and Magpies)
HOUSE CROW (Corvus splendens)
CAPE CROW (Corvus capensis)
PIED CROW (Corvus albus)
FAN-TAILED RAVEN (Corvus rhipidurus)
WHITE-NECKED RAVEN (Corvus albicollis)
Nicatoridae (Nicators)
EASTERN NICATOR (Nicator gularis)
Alaudidae (Larks)
RED-WINGED LARK (Mirafra hypermetra)
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) FLAPPET LARK (Mirafra rufocinnamomea)
PINK-BREASTED LARK (Calendulauda poecilosterna)
FOXY LARK (Calendulauda alopex)
CHESTNUT-HEADED SPARROW-LARK (Eremopterix signatus)
Hirundinidae (Swallows)
PLAIN MARTIN (Riparia paludicola)
BANDED MARTIN (Riparia cincta)
ROCK MARTIN (Ptyonoprogne fuligula)
BARN SWALLOW (Hirundo rustica)
ETHIOPIAN SWALLOW (Hirundo aethiopica)
ANGOLA SWALLOW (Hirundo angolensis)
WIRE-TAILED SWALLOW (Hirundo smithii)
RED-RUMPED SWALLOW (Cecropis daurica)
LESSER STRIPED-SWALLOW (Cecropis abyssinica)
MOSQUE SWALLOW (Cecropis senegalensis)
Early morning near Saiwa Swamp -- with plenty of birds to be found! Photo by participant Glenda Brown.
WHITE-HEADED SAWWING (Psalidoprocne albiceps) BLACK SAWWING (Psalidoprocne pristoptera)
Stenostiridae (Fairy Flycatchers)
AFRICAN BLUE-FLYCATCHER (Elminia longicauda)
DUSKY CRESTED-FLYCATCHER (Elminia nigromitrata)
WHITE-TAILED CRESTED-FLYCATCHER (Elminia albonotata)
Paridae (Tits, Chickadees, and Titmice)
WHITE-BELLIED TIT (Melaniparus albiventris)
DUSKY TIT (Melaniparus funereus)
SOMALI TIT (Melaniparus thruppi)
RED-THROATED TIT (Melaniparus fringillinus)
Remizidae (Penduline-Tits)
MOUSE-COLORED PENDULINE-TIT (Anthoscopus musculus)
Pycnonotidae (Bulbuls)
SOMBRE GREENBUL (Andropadus importunus)
SLENDER-BILLED GREENBUL (Stelgidillas gracilirostris)
What a treat it was to see ELEVEN Tree Hyraxes in broad daylight! Photo by participant Randy Siebert.
RED-TAILED BRISTLEBILL (Bleda syndactylus) SHELLEY'S GREENBUL (KAKAMEGA) (Arizelocichla masukuensis kakamegae)
EASTERN MOUNTAIN-GREENBUL (OLIVE-BREASTED) (Arizelocichla nigriceps kikuyuensis)
STRIPE-CHEEKED GREENBUL (STRIPE-FACED) (Arizelocichla milanjensis striifacies)
YELLOW-BELLIED GREENBUL (Chlorocichla flaviventris)
JOYFUL GREENBUL (Chlorocichla laetissima)
YELLOW-THROATED GREENBUL (Atimastillas flavicollis)
ANSORGE'S GREENBUL (Eurillas ansorgei)
PLAIN GREENBUL (Eurillas curvirostris)
YELLOW-WHISKERED GREENBUL (Eurillas latirostris)
TERRESTRIAL BROWNBUL (Phyllastrephus terrestris)
NORTHERN BROWNBUL (Phyllastrephus strepitans)
CABANIS'S GREENBUL (Phyllastrephus cabanisi)
CABANIS'S GREENBUL (PLACID) (Phyllastrephus cabanisi placidus)
TINY GREENBUL (Phyllastrephus debilis)
Participant Randy Siebert captured this lovely shot of the sunrise at Kichwa Tembo.
COMMON BULBUL (DODSON'S) (Pycnonotus barbatus dodsoni) COMMON BULBUL (DARK-CAPPED) (Pycnonotus barbatus tricolor)
Macrosphenidae (African Warblers)
NORTHERN CROMBEC (Sylvietta brachyura)
RED-FACED CROMBEC (Sylvietta whytii)
MOUSTACHED GRASS-WARBLER (Melocichla mentalis)
GREEN HYLIA (Hylia prasina)
Cettiidae (Bush-Warblers and Allies)
YELLOW FLYCATCHER (Erythrocercus holochlorus)
Phylloscopidae (Leaf Warblers)
YELLOW-THROATED WOODLAND-WARBLER (Phylloscopus ruficapilla)
UGANDA WOODLAND-WARBLER (Phylloscopus budongoensis)
BROWN WOODLAND-WARBLER (Phylloscopus umbrovirens)
Acrocephalidae (Reed-Warblers and Allies)
AFRICAN YELLOW-WARBLER (Iduna natalensis)
MOUNTAIN YELLOW-WARBLER (Iduna similis)
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) Locustellidae (Grassbirds and Allies)
EVERGREEN-FOREST WARBLER (EASTERN) (Bradypterus lopezi mariae)
CINNAMON BRACKEN-WARBLER (Bradypterus cinnamomeus)
LITTLE RUSH-WARBLER (Bradypterus baboecala)
Cisticolidae (Cisticolas and Allies)
BLACK-COLLARED APALIS (Apalis pulchra)
BAR-THROATED APALIS (TAITA) (Apalis thoracica fuscigularis)
BLACK-THROATED APALIS (Apalis jacksoni)
YELLOW-BREASTED APALIS (Apalis flavida)
YELLOW-BREASTED APALIS (BROWN-TAILED) (Apalis flavida viridiceps)
BUFF-THROATED APALIS (Apalis rufogularis)
CHESTNUT-THROATED APALIS (Apalis porphyrolaema)
BLACK-HEADED APALIS (Apalis melanocephala)
GRAY APALIS (Apalis cinerea)
GREEN-BACKED CAMAROPTERA (GRAY-BACKED) (Camaroptera brachyura brevicaudata)
OLIVE-GREEN CAMAROPTERA (Camaroptera chloronota)
RED-FRONTED WARBLER (Urorhipis rufifrons)
GRAY WREN-WARBLER (Calamonastes simplex)
WHITE-CHINNED PRINIA (Schistolais leucopogon)
SINGING CISTICOLA (Cisticola cantans)
WHISTLING CISTICOLA (Cisticola lateralis)
CHUBB'S CISTICOLA (Cisticola chubbi)
HUNTER'S CISTICOLA (Cisticola hunteri)
RATTLING CISTICOLA (Cisticola chiniana)
ASHY CISTICOLA (Cisticola cinereolus)
WINDING CISTICOLA (Cisticola galactotes)
CARRUTHERS'S CISTICOLA (Cisticola carruthersi)
LEVAILLANT'S CISTICOLA (Cisticola tinniens)
STOUT CISTICOLA (Cisticola robustus)
SIFFLING CISTICOLA (Cisticola brachypterus)
DESERT CISTICOLA (Cisticola aridulus)
PECTORAL-PATCH CISTICOLA (Cisticola brunnescens)
GRAY-CAPPED WARBLER (Eminia lepida)
BLACK-FACED RUFOUS-WARBLER (Bathmocercus rufus)
BUFF-BELLIED WARBLER (Phyllolais pulchella)
TAWNY-FLANKED PRINIA (Prinia subflava)
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) YELLOW-BELLIED EREMOMELA (Eremomela icteropygialis)
TURNER'S EREMOMELA (Eremomela turneri)
Sylviidae (Sylviid Warblers)
AFRICAN HILL BABBLER (Sylvia abyssinica)
BANDED WARBLER (Sylvia boehmi)
BROWN WARBLER (Sylvia lugens)
Zosteropidae (White-eyes, Yuhinas, and Allies)
AFRICAN YELLOW WHITE-EYE (Zosterops senegalensis)
BROAD-RINGED WHITE-EYE (Zosterops poliogastrus)
BROAD-RINGED WHITE-EYE (TAITA) (Zosterops poliogastrus silvanus)
WHITE-BREASTED WHITE-EYE (Zosterops abyssinicus)
Pellorneidae (Ground Babblers and Allies)
BROWN ILLADOPSIS (Illadopsis fulvescens)
MOUNTAIN ILLADOPSIS (Illadopsis pyrrhoptera)
SCALY-BREASTED ILLADOPSIS (Illadopsis albipectus)
Leiothrichidae (Laughingthrushes and Allies)
Participant Randy Siebert snapped this nice portrait of a Red-headed Rock Agama.
RUFOUS CHATTERER (Turdoides rubiginosa) SCALY BABBLER (Turdoides squamulata)
NORTHERN PIED-BABBLER (Turdoides hypoleuca)
BROWN BABBLER (Turdoides plebejus)
ARROW-MARKED BABBLER (Turdoides jardineii)
Muscicapidae (Old World Flycatchers)
SILVERBIRD (Empidornis semipartitus)
PALE FLYCATCHER (Bradornis pallidus)
GRAYISH FLYCATCHER (Bradornis microrhynchus)
WHITE-EYED SLATY-FLYCATCHER (Melaenornis fischeri)
NORTHERN BLACK-FLYCATCHER (Melaenornis edolioides)
SOUTHERN BLACK-FLYCATCHER (Melaenornis pammelaina)
SWAMP FLYCATCHER (Muscicapa aquatica)
DUSKY-BROWN FLYCATCHER (Muscicapa adusta)
ASHY FLYCATCHER (Muscicapa caerulescens)
BEARDED SCRUB-ROBIN (Cercotrichas quadrivirgata)
A Crowned Hornbill surveys its domain. Photo by participant Randy Siebert.
BROWN-BACKED SCRUB-ROBIN (Cercotrichas hartlaubi) RED-BACKED SCRUB-ROBIN (Cercotrichas leucophrys)
CAPE ROBIN-CHAT (Cossypha caffra)
BLUE-SHOULDERED ROBIN-CHAT (Cossypha cyanocampter)
GRAY-WINGED ROBIN-CHAT (Cossypha polioptera)
RUEPPELL'S ROBIN-CHAT (Cossypha semirufa)
WHITE-BROWED ROBIN-CHAT (Cossypha heuglini)
RED-CAPPED ROBIN-CHAT (Cossypha natalensis)
SNOWY-CROWNED ROBIN-CHAT (Cossypha niveicapilla)
SPOTTED MORNING-THRUSH (Cichladusa guttata)
WHITE-STARRED ROBIN (Pogonocichla stellata)
BROWN-CHESTED ALETHE (Pseudalethe poliocephala)
EQUATORIAL AKALAT (Sheppardia aequatorialis)
LITTLE ROCK-THRUSH (Monticola rufocinereus)
The Violet-backed Starling is definitely one of the stunners of its family. Photo by participant Randy Siebert.
AFRICAN STONECHAT (Saxicola torquatus) NORTHERN ANTEATER-CHAT (Myrmecocichla aethiops)
SOOTY CHAT (Myrmecocichla nigra)
MOCKING CLIFF-CHAT (Thamnolaea cinnamomeiventris)
FAMILIAR CHAT (Cercomela familiaris)
BROWN-TAILED CHAT (Cercomela scotocerca)
NORTHERN WHEATEAR (Oenanthe oenanthe)
Turdidae (Thrushes and Allies)
RED-TAILED ANT-THRUSH (Neocossyphus rufus)
ABYSSINIAN GROUND-THRUSH (Geokichla piaggiae)
TAITA THRUSH (Turdus helleri)
ABYSSINIAN THRUSH (Turdus abyssinicus)
AFRICAN THRUSH (Turdus pelios)
AFRICAN BARE-EYED THRUSH (Turdus tephronotus)
Sturnidae (Starlings)
WATTLED STARLING (Creatophora cinerea)
VIOLET-BACKED STARLING (Cinnyricinclus leucogaster)
RED-WINGED STARLING (Onychognathus morio)
WALLER'S STARLING (Onychognathus walleri)
BRISTLE-CROWNED STARLING (Onychognathus salvadorii)
STUHLMANN'S STARLING (Poeoptera stuhlmanni)
BLACK-BELLIED STARLING (Notopholia corrusca)
HILDEBRANDT'S STARLING (Lamprotornis hildebrandti)
RUEPPELL'S STARLING (Lamprotornis purpuroptera)
GOLDEN-BREASTED STARLING (Lamprotornis regius)
SUPERB STARLING (Lamprotornis superbus)
FISCHER'S STARLING (Lamprotornis fischeri)
LESSER BLUE-EARED STARLING (Lamprotornis chloropterus)
GREATER BLUE-EARED STARLING (Lamprotornis chalybaeus)
Buphagidae (Oxpeckers)
RED-BILLED OXPECKER (Buphagus erythrorhynchus)
YELLOW-BILLED OXPECKER (Buphagus africanus)
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) KENYA VIOLET-BACKED SUNBIRD (Anthreptes orientalis)
GREEN SUNBIRD (Anthreptes rectirostris)
COLLARED SUNBIRD (Hedydipna collaris)
AMANI SUNBIRD (Hedydipna pallidigaster)
GREEN-HEADED SUNBIRD (Cyanomitra verticalis)
EASTERN OLIVE SUNBIRD (Cyanomitra olivacea)
WESTERN OLIVE SUNBIRD (Cyanomitra obscura)
AMETHYST SUNBIRD (Chalcomitra amethystina)
SCARLET-CHESTED SUNBIRD (Chalcomitra senegalensis)
HUNTER'S SUNBIRD (Chalcomitra hunteri)
TACAZZE SUNBIRD (Nectarinia tacazze)
BRONZE SUNBIRD (Nectarinia kilimensis)
GOLDEN-WINGED SUNBIRD (Drepanorhynchus reichenowi)
OLIVE-BELLIED SUNBIRD (Cinnyris chloropygius)
NORTHERN DOUBLE-COLLARED SUNBIRD (Cinnyris reichenowi)
When Leopards do lunch... Photo by participant Randy Siebert.
EASTERN DOUBLE-COLLARED SUNBIRD (Cinnyris mediocris) BEAUTIFUL SUNBIRD (Cinnyris pulchellus)
MARIQUA SUNBIRD (Cinnyris mariquensis)
RED-CHESTED SUNBIRD (Cinnyris erythrocercus)
BLACK-BELLIED SUNBIRD (Cinnyris nectarinioides)
TSAVO SUNBIRD (Cinnyris tsavoensis)
ORANGE-TUFTED SUNBIRD (Cinnyris bouvieri)
VARIABLE SUNBIRD (Cinnyris venustus)
COPPER SUNBIRD (Cinnyris cupreus)
Motacillidae (Wagtails and Pipits)
CAPE WAGTAIL (Motacilla capensis)
GRAY WAGTAIL (Motacilla cinerea)
MOUNTAIN WAGTAIL (Motacilla clara)
AFRICAN PIED WAGTAIL (Motacilla aguimp)
AFRICAN PIPIT (Anthus cinnamomeus)
LONG-BILLED PIPIT (Anthus similis)
Participant Randy Siebert captured this lovely shot of a White-browed Coucal.
PLAIN-BACKED PIPIT (Anthus leucophrys) MALINDI PIPIT (Anthus melindae)
STRIPED PIPIT (Anthus lineiventris)
GOLDEN PIPIT (Tmetothylacus tenellus)
YELLOW-THROATED LONGCLAW (Macronyx croceus)
Emberizidae (Buntings and New World Sparrows)
GOLDEN-BREASTED BUNTING (Emberiza flaviventris)
SOMALI BUNTING (Emberiza poliopleura)
Fringillidae (Finches, Euphonias, and Allies)
YELLOW-CROWNED CANARY (Serinus flavivertex)
YELLOW-FRONTED CANARY (Serinus mozambicus)
SOUTHERN CITRIL (Serinus hypostictus)
REICHENOW'S SEEDEATER (Serinus reichenowi)
WHITE-BELLIED CANARY (Serinus dorsostriatus)
SOUTHERN GROSBEAK-CANARY (Serinus buchanani)
BRIMSTONE CANARY (Serinus sulphuratus)
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) THICK-BILLED SEEDEATER (Serinus burtoni)
Passeridae (Old World Sparrows)
HOUSE SPARROW (Passer domesticus)
KENYA RUFOUS SPARROW (Passer rufocinctus)
NORTHERN GRAY-HEADED SPARROW (Passer griseus)
PARROT-BILLED SPARROW (Passer gongonensis)
CHESTNUT SPARROW (Passer eminibey)
YELLOW-SPOTTED PETRONIA (Petronia pyrgita)
Ploceidae (Weavers and Allies)
WHITE-BILLED BUFFALO-WEAVER (Bubalornis albirostris)
RED-BILLED BUFFALO-WEAVER (Bubalornis niger)
WHITE-HEADED BUFFALO-WEAVER (Dinemellia dinemelli)
SPECKLE-FRONTED WEAVER (Sporopipes frontalis)
WHITE-BROWED SPARROW-WEAVER (Plocepasser mahali)
CHESTNUT-CROWNED SPARROW-WEAVER (Plocepasser superciliosus)
DONALDSON-SMITH'S SPARROW-WEAVER (Plocepasser donaldsoni)
GRAY-HEADED SOCIAL-WEAVER (Pseudonigrita arnaudi)
BLACK-CAPPED SOCIAL-WEAVER (Pseudonigrita cabanisi)
RED-HEADED WEAVER (Anaplectes rubriceps)
BAGLAFECHT WEAVER (Ploceus baglafecht)
LITTLE WEAVER (Ploceus luteolus)
SLENDER-BILLED WEAVER (Ploceus pelzelni)
BLACK-NECKED WEAVER (Ploceus nigricollis)
SPECTACLED WEAVER (Ploceus ocularis)
BLACK-BILLED WEAVER (Ploceus melanogaster)
AFRICAN GOLDEN-WEAVER (Ploceus subaureus)
HOLUB'S GOLDEN-WEAVER (Ploceus xanthops)
GOLDEN PALM WEAVER (Ploceus bojeri)
NORTHERN BROWN-THROATED WEAVER (Ploceus castanops)
NORTHERN MASKED-WEAVER (Ploceus taeniopterus)
LESSER MASKED-WEAVER (Ploceus intermedius)
VITELLINE MASKED-WEAVER (Ploceus vitellinus)
HEUGLIN'S MASKED-WEAVER (Ploceus heuglini)
The thin stripes of the Grevy's Zebra help to identify it. Photo by participant Randy Siebert.
SPEKE'S WEAVER (Ploceus spekei) VIEILLOT'S WEAVER (Ploceus nigerrimus)
VILLAGE WEAVER (Ploceus cucullatus)
GOLDEN-BACKED WEAVER (Ploceus jacksoni)
CHESTNUT WEAVER (Ploceus rubiginosus)
FOREST WEAVER (Ploceus bicolor)
BROWN-CAPPED WEAVER (Ploceus insignis)
RED-BILLED QUELEA (Quelea quelea)
NORTHERN RED BISHOP (Euplectes franciscanus)
YELLOW BISHOP (Euplectes capensis)
YELLOW-SHOULDERED WIDOWBIRD (Euplectes macroura macrocerca)
FAN-TAILED WIDOWBIRD (Euplectes axillaris)
GROSBEAK WEAVER (Amblyospiza albifrons)
Estrildidae (Waxbills and Allies)
GRAY-HEADED NIGRITA (Nigrita canicapillus)
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) CRIMSON-RUMPED WAXBILL (Estrilda rhodopyga)
BLACK-CROWNED WAXBILL (Estrilda nonnula)
KANDT'S WAXBILL (Estrilda kandti)
BLACK-CHEEKED WAXBILL (Estrilda charmosyna)
RED-HEADED BLUEBILL (Spermophaga ruficapilla)
RED-CHEEKED CORDONBLEU (Uraeginthus bengalus)
PURPLE GRENADIER (Granatina ianthinogaster)
PETERS'S TWINSPOT (Hypargos niveoguttatus)
GREEN-WINGED PYTILIA (Pytilia melba)
RED-BILLED FIREFINCH (Lagonosticta senegala)
BAR-BREASTED FIREFINCH (Lagonosticta rufopicta)
CUT-THROAT (Amadina fasciata)
AFRICAN QUAILFINCH (Ortygospiza fuscocrissa)
GRAY-HEADED SILVERBILL (Odontospiza griseicapilla)
BRONZE MANNIKIN (Spermestes cucullata)
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) BLACK-AND-WHITE MANNIKIN (RED-BACKED) (Spermestes bicolor nigriceps)
Viduidae (Indigobirds)
PIN-TAILED WHYDAH (Vidua macroura)
VILLAGE INDIGOBIRD (Vidua chalybeata)
BLUE MONKEY (Cercopithecus mitis)
SYKES MONKEY (Cercopithecus albogularis)
BLACK-CHEEKED WHITE-NOSED MONKEY (Cercopithecus ascanius)
DE BRAZZA'S MONKEY (Cercopithecus neglectus)
BLACK-FACED VERVET MONKEY (Cercopithecus aethiops)
PATAS MONKEY (Erythrocebus patas)
OLIVE BABOON (Papio anubis)
YELLOW BABOON (Papio cyanocephalus)
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) CAPE HARE (Lepus capensis)
UNSTRIPED GROUND SQUIRREL (Xerus rutilus)
BUSH SQUIRREL (Paraxerus sp.)
RED-LEGGED SUN SQUIRREL (Heliosciurus rufobrachium)
BLACK-BACKED JACKAL (Canis mesomelas)
AFRICAN CIVET (Civettictis civetta)
COMMON (SMALL-SPOTTED) GENET (Genetta genetta)
LARGE-SPOTTED GENET (Genetta tigrina)
BANDED MONGOOSE (Mungos mungo)
SPOTTED HYAENA (Crocuta crocuta)
SERVAL (Felis serval)
LEOPARD (Panthera pardus)
LION (Panthera leo)
CHEETAH (Acinonyx jubatus)
AFRICAN ELEPHANT (Loxodonta africana)
ROCK HYRAX (Procavia capensis)
BUSH (YELLOW-SPOTTED) HYRAX (Heterohyrax brucei)
TREE HYRAX (Dendrohyrax arboreus)
GREVY'S ZEBRA (Equus grevyi)
BURCHELL'S ZEBRA (Equus burchelli)
WHITE RHINOCEROS (Ceratotherium simum) [I]
WARTHOG (Phacochoerus aethiopicus)
HIPPOPOTAMUS (Hippopotamus amphibius)
COMMON GIRAFFE (Giraffa camelopardalis)
RETICULATED GIRAFFE (Giraffa reticulata)
ROTHSCHILD'S GIRAFFE (Giraffa rothschildi)
SITATUNGA (Tragelaphus spekei)
BUSHBUCK (Tragelaphus scriptus)
We had four species of endangered vultures around a single Impala carcass at Samburu. Photo by participant Randy Siebert.
GREATER KUDU (Tragelaphus strepsiceros) LESSER KUDU (Tragelaphus imberbis)
COMMON ELAND (Taurotragus oryx)
AFRICAN BUFFALO (Syncerus caffer)
COMMON WATERBUCK (Kobus ellipsiprymnus)
DEFASSA WATERBUCK (Kobus defassa)
BOHOR REEDBUCK (Redunca redunca)
BEISA ORYX (Oryx beisa)
FRINGE-EARED ORYX (Oryx callotis)
TOPI (Damaliscus lunatus)
HARTEBEEST (KONGONI) (Alcelaphus buselaphus)
BLUE WILDEBEEST (Connochaetes taurinus)
KLIPSPRINGER (Oreotragus oreotragus)
KIRK'S DIK-DIK (Modoqua kirki)
IMPALA (Aepyceros malampus)
We had great looks at a trio of Kori Bustards in Tsavo East National Park. Photo by participant Randy Siebert.
GERENUK (Litocranius walleri) THOMSON'S GAZELLE (Gazella thomsoni)
GRANT'S GAZELLE (Gazella granti)
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