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Our July 2013 Kenya Highlights tour was far drier than usual, with exceptionally dry conditions at Lake Magadi, Samburu, Kakamega, and Kisumu. By contrast, Lake Baringo (usually one of the most arid areas of the tour), was lush and green, with the lake level over 20 feet higher than what is considered normal. Accordingly the bird life was rather different to what we expected too, and with every one in this group on their first birding tour to Kenya, many of the highlights were not rarities but the African show-stoppers. Just some of the favorites were Vulturine Guineafowl, White-spotted Flufftail (right in the open), Grey Crowned-Crane, Three-banded Courser, Great Blue Turaco, Narina Trogon, Lilac-breasted Roller, Southern Ground-Hornbill, Rosy-patched Bushshrike and Golden-breasted Starling, while for those collecting families, African Broadbill and Southern Hyliota were much enjoyed personal goals.
The first day trip to Lake Magadi is always exciting with Augur Buzzard, Superb Starling, and our first Bronze Sunbirds at 7000 ft. in the Ngong Hills. We then made several stops in the acacia bush country as we descended towards the lake - Eastern Chanting-Goshawk, Namaqua Dove, Blue-naped Mousebird, Von der Decken's Hornbill, Red-fronted Barbet, Yellow-bellied Eremomela, Beautiful Sunbird, and Blue-capped Cordonbleu were just a few of the highlights here. Finally at the lake itself, we enjoyed a good selection of waterbirds, with both Greater and Lesser flamingos, Cape Teal, Yellow-billed Stork, Hamerkop, a Dimorphic Egret (rare inland), Pied Avocet, and at least 40 Chestnut-banded Plovers - a charming and extremely localised species in Kenya.
The following day we headed north to Mount Kenya and a one night stay at Mountain Lodge. Birds included three Martial Eagles circling low over the forest, Hartlaub's Turaco, Red-fronted Parrot, and Oriole Finch from the roof top, and Yellow-rumped Tinkerbird, Hunter's Cisticola (duetting), Broad-ringed White-eye, and Eastern Double-collared Sunbird during our walk along the entrance trail. It was also fabulous for mammals, with some of the group seeing our first Leopard, and every one enjoying such varied species as Large-spotted Genet, White-tailed and Marsh mongoose, Spotted Hyaena, African Elephant, African Buffalo, and Bushbuck.
Continuing north we then spent two days in Samburuland, an arid mix of acacias, salvadora trees, and doum palms scattered along the Ewaso Nyiro River. The birdlife was as rich as always, with 'Somali' Ostrich, some big flocks of Vulturine Guineafowl, Bateleur, Buff-crested Bustard, Lichtenstein's Sandgrouse (with tiny babies), White-bellied Go-away-bird, Somali Bee-eater, Northern Red-billed Hornbill, Pygmy Falcon, Gray-headed Bushshrike, African Bare-eyed Thrush, Golden-breasted Starling, and White-headed Buffalo-Weaver being some of the star attractions. We had several exciting encounters with mammals too, including watching a mother Leopard and her cub right next to our vehicle, three Lions, numerous herds of Elephants, and the specials of the region: Grevy's Zebra, Reticulated Giraffe, and Beisa Oryx.
We then travelled west to the Lake Baringo area in the Great Rift Valley, but broke the journey with a night at Naro Moru for the spectacular Tacazze Sunbird, and at a nearby site for the impressive Cape (Mackinder's) Eagle-Owl.
Due to exceptional rains our lodge at Lake Baringo was 300 yards out in the lake and flooded to a depth of about 5 feet, which meant staying at Bogoria (about 50 kms. away) and visiting Baringo for a day trip. But this slight inconvenience worked well as we had called our local guide ahead of time and he had many of the specials 'lined up' for us as we arrived. Many thanks to Francis for Verreaux's Eagle, Spotted Thick-knee, Black-headed Lapwing, Three-banded Courser, African Scops-Owl, Grayish Eagle-Owl, Slender-tailed Nightjar, Somali Tit, Mocking Cliff-Chat, and Bristle-crowned Starling.
We now moved on to the western highlands, and a three night stay at the delightful Rondo Retreat, right on site within Kakamega Forest, home to so many localised birds. We quietly walked the trails finding such gems as White-spotted Flufftail (standing in a stream), Great Blue Turaco (spectacular), Bar-tailed Trogon (male in the scope), Blue-headed Bee-eater, Yellow-billed and Yellow-spotted barbets, Least Honeyguide, Gray Parrot, African Broadbill, Luehder's Bushshrike, 11 species of greenbuls, Southern Hyliota, Snowy-crowned Robin-Chat, and Red-headed Bluebill.
A brief stop at Lake Victoria provided us with Madagascar Bee-eater, several new sunbirds and weavers, and the striking Black-headed Gonolek, and then it was on to Lake Nakuru and a whole array of ducks, storks, cormorants, pelicans, herons, and ibis, while the highlight amongst the mammals were two fighting Rothschild's Giraffes.
We then finished our tour with a flight to Masai Mara and three nights at Kichwa Tembo Tented Camp - what a wonderful finale as we drove across the plains in an open-sided Landrover watching and photographing Coqui and Red-necked francolins, five species of vulture, the rare Ovampo Sparrowhawk, Black-bellied Bustard, Southern Ground-Hornbill, Gray Kestrel, a variety of pipits, larks, chats, and cisticolas. Most memorable though were the mammals, with hundreds of thousands of Wildebeest and Zebra, some impressive herds of Buffalo, Eland, Topi, Thomson's Gazelles, dozens of Hippos sunning themselves along the river bank, Spotted Hyaenas and Lions feeding at Wildebeest they'd killed, our only black Rhino of the tour, and perhaps everyone's favorite - an exceptionally close mother Cheetah and her kitten.
--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)
OSTRICH (COMMON) (Struthio camelus massaicus) – Two from our hotel over-looking Nairobi NP, and about 20 in Masai Mara.
OSTRICH (SOMALI) (Struthio camelus molybdophanes) – Twenty in female and immature plumage at Samburu.
Anatidae (Ducks, Geese, and Waterfowl)
WHITE-FACED WHISTLING-DUCK (Dendrocygna viduata) – Seven at a marsh in Masai Mara.
EGYPTIAN GOOSE (Alopochen aegyptiaca) – Very common and widespread, with a total of about 200.
SPUR-WINGED GOOSE (Plectropterus gambensis) – Singles in Nairobi NP and at Masai Mara.
AFRICAN BLACK DUCK (Anas sparsa) – We saw a pair on a small river near Mountain Lodge, and then a second pair at Naro Moru.
YELLOW-BILLED DUCK (Anas undulata) – Small numbers at Lake Magadi, Sagana, and at Lake Nakuru.
RED-BILLED DUCK (Anas erythrorhyncha) – Four near Naro Moru, and 6 at Lake Nakuru.
HOTTENTOT TEAL (Anas hottentota) – Five at Lake Nakuru.
CAPE TEAL (Anas capensis) – Six at Lake Magadi, and then 40+ at Lake Nakuru.
Numididae (Guineafowl)
HELMETED GUINEAFOWL (Numida meleagris) – Common and widespread in a variety of farmland and dry bush country; in all we saw about 180.
VULTURINE GUINEAFOWL (Acryllium vulturinum) – We saw about 150 of these strange looking birds at Samburu.
Phasianidae (Pheasants, Grouse, and Allies)
COQUI FRANCOLIN (Francolinus coqui) – Three at Masai Mara.
CRESTED FRANCOLIN (Francolinus sephaena) – About 6 at Samburu, and 1 at Baringo.
SCALY FRANCOLIN (Francolinus squamatus) – Great looks at this normally shy francolin on the track at Kichwa Tembo.
YELLOW-NECKED FRANCOLIN (Francolinus leucoscepus) – At least 50 at Samburu, and about 6 at Solio.
RED-NECKED FRANCOLIN (Francolinus afer) – About 20 at Masai Mara.
Podicipedidae (Grebes)
LITTLE GREBE (Tachybaptus ruficollis) – Twelve at Sagana Fish Ponds, and 40+ at Lake Nakuru.
Phoenicopteridae (Flamingos)
GREATER FLAMINGO (Phoenicopterus roseus) – Due to exceptional rains in the Rift Valley flamingo numbers were low this year, but we did have good close looks at about 80 at Lake Magadi and 60+ at Lake Nakuru.
LESSER FLAMINGO (Phoenicopterus minor) – As with the previous species numbers were low after the unusual rains and lake levels; we saw about 600 at Magadi, and 500 at Nakuru.
Ciconiidae (Storks)
AFRICAN OPENBILL (Anastomus lamelligerus) – Two at Kisumu.
WOOLLY-NECKED STORK (Ciconia episcopus) – Two at Masai Mara.
WHITE STORK (Ciconia ciconia) – Very unusual at this time of year, so it was unexpected to see 2 at Masai Mara.
SADDLE-BILLED STORK (Ephippiorhynchus senegalensis) – An adult and an immature at Masai Mara.
MARABOU STORK (Leptoptilos crumenifer) – Common and widespread in both cities and national reserves (Masai Mara); we saw a total of about 240.
YELLOW-BILLED STORK (Mycteria ibis) – Two at Magadi, 2 near Kisumu, 20 at Nakuru, and 40+ at Masai Mara.
Phalacrocoracidae (Cormorants and Shags)
GREAT CORMORANT (Phalacrocorax carbo) – About 100 at Lake Nakuru.
LONG-TAILED CORMORANT (Phalacrocorax africanus) – Six at Sagana Fish Ponds, and 12+ at Lake Nakuru.
Pelecanidae (Pelicans)
GREAT WHITE PELICAN (Pelecanus onocrotalus) – About 400 in a swirling mass over Lake Nakuru.
PINK-BACKED PELICAN (Pelecanus rufescens) – Four at Sagana Fish Ponds, and about 30 at Lake Nakuru.
Scopidae (Hamerkop)
HAMERKOP (Scopus umbretta) – Widespread in small numbers; with a total of about 60.
Ardeidae (Herons, Egrets, and Bitterns)
GRAY HERON (Ardea cinerea) – Small numbers were widespread at a variety of wetlands throughout the tour.
BLACK-HEADED HERON (Ardea melanocephala) – Widespread, and especially common in wet grasslands.
PURPLE HERON (Ardea purpurea) – Two at Lake Baringo.
GREAT EGRET (AFRICAN) (Ardea alba melanorhyncha) – Most common at Lake Nakuru (150+) but others were widespread at wetlands throughout the tour.
INTERMEDIATE EGRET (Mesophoyx intermedia) – About 30 at Nakuru, and 12 at Masai Mara.
LITTLE EGRET (Egretta garzetta) – Two at Lake Magadi, and 20+ at Nakuru.
LITTLE EGRET (DIMORPHIC) (Egretta garzetta dimorpha) – Often split as Dimorphic Egret; we saw a single dark morph at Lake Magadi.
CATTLE EGRET (IBIS) (Bubulcus ibis ibis) – Common and widespread.
SQUACCO HERON (Ardeola ralloides) – One at Lake Baringo.
RUFOUS-BELLIED HERON (Ardeola rufiventris) – Good looks at a standing bird, and then another in flight at Masai Mara.
STRIATED HERON (Butorides striata) – One at Lake Baringo.
BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON (Nycticorax nycticorax) – One of the group saw 1 at Samburu.
Threskiornithidae (Ibises and Spoonbills)
GLOSSY IBIS (Plegadis falcinellus) – One at Lake Nakuru.
SACRED IBIS (Threskiornis aethiopicus) – Widespread throughout the tour; we saw a total of about 250.
HADADA IBIS (Bostrychia hagedash) – Seen almost daily; with a total of about 80.
AFRICAN SPOONBILL (Platalea alba) – Most common at Nakuru, where we saw about 50 but we also had singles at Magadi and Sagana.
Sagittariidae (Secretary-bird)
SECRETARY-BIRD (Sagittarius serpentarius) – We had great looks at these fabulous birds at Samburu, Nakuru, and Masai Mara.
Accipitridae (Hawks, Eagles, and Kites)
BLACK-SHOULDERED KITE (Elanus caeruleus) – Small numbers in open country at Samburu, Nakuru, and the Mara.
AFRICAN HARRIER-HAWK (Polyboroides typus) – Singles on the way to Magadi, at Samburu (where feeding from nest to nest), and near Kakamega.
AFRICAN CUCKOO-HAWK (Aviceda cuculoides) – We had great views of a low flying bird at Nakuru.
WHITE-HEADED VULTURE (Trigonoceps occipitalis) – Two singles at Masai Mara.
LAPPET-FACED VULTURE (Torgos tracheliotus) – One at Samburu, and 2 at Masai Mara.
HOODED VULTURE (Necrosyrtes monachus) – This vulture has become very uncommon in recent years, so we were lucky to see singles at Samburu and Masai Mara.
WHITE-BACKED VULTURE (Gyps africanus) – The most common large vulture, but as with so many other vultures the numbers have seriously declined in recent years and we only saw about 50.
RUEPPELL'S GRIFFON (Gyps rueppellii) – One (with other vultures) at Masai Mara.
BATELEUR (Terathopius ecaudatus) – Eight at Samburu, 1 at Nakuru, and 4 at Masai Mara.
BLACK-BREASTED SNAKE-EAGLE (Circaetus pectoralis) – Singles at Mountain Lodge and Samburu, and then about 4 in the Mara.
BANDED SNAKE-EAGLE (Circaetus cinerascens) – One at Masai Mara.
MARTIAL EAGLE (Polemaetus bellicosus) – Two adults and an immature were circling over the forest near Mountain Lodge.
LONG-CRESTED EAGLE (Lophaetus occipitalis) – Widespread in small numbers.
TAWNY EAGLE (Aquila rapax) – Four at Samburu, and 2 at Masai Mara.
VERREAUX'S EAGLE (Aquila verreauxii) – Great looks at 2 low flying birds along the cliffs at Baringo.
EASTERN CHANTING-GOSHAWK (Melierax poliopterus) – Three along the Magadi Road, and 6 at Samburu.
GABAR GOSHAWK (Micronisus gabar) – One near Magadi, and 2 at Samburu.
AFRICAN GOSHAWK (Accipiter tachiro) – We saw a single of the rare black morph at Kakamega.
OVAMPO SPARROWHAWK (Accipiter ovampensis) – Another rare accipiter; we had fabulous looks at a close perched bird at Kichwa Tembo.
BLACK KITE (Milvus migrans) – Small numbers around the major cities like Nairobi.
AFRICAN FISH-EAGLE (Haliaeetus vocifer) – Two at Nakuru, and 1 at Masai Mara.
AUGUR BUZZARD (Buteo augur) – Small numbers were widespread; with a total of about a dozen.
Otididae (Bustards)
WHITE-BELLIED BUSTARD (Eupodotis senegalensis) – We saw a pair at Masai Mara.
BUFF-CRESTED BUSTARD (Eupodotis gindiana) – Three singles at Samburu.
BLACK-BELLIED BUSTARD (Lissotis melanogaster) – One at Nakuru, and 5 at Masai Mara.
Rallidae (Rails, Gallinules, and Coots)
WHITE-SPOTTED FLUFFTAIL (Sarothrura pulchra) – Excellent looks at this real super-skulker along a stream in Kakamega Forest.
BLACK CRAKE (Amaurornis flavirostra) – About 14 at Lake Baringo.
EURASIAN MOORHEN (Gallinula chloropus meridionalis) – Eight near Naro Moru.
RED-KNOBBED COOT (Fulica cristata) – At least 150 were at Lake Nakuru.
Gruidae (Cranes)
GRAY CROWNED-CRANE (Balearica regulorum) – Widespread in grasslands and marshy areas throughout the tour; in all we saw about 60.
Burhinidae (Thick-knees)
WATER THICK-KNEE (Burhinus vermiculatus) – Two at Samburu.
SPOTTED THICK-KNEE (Burhinus capensis) – Three near the cliffs at Lake Baringo.
Charadriidae (Plovers and Lapwings)
LONG-TOED LAPWING (Vanellus crassirostris) – One at Lake Nakuru.
BLACKSMITH PLOVER (Vanellus armatus) – About 50 at Nakuru, and also small numbers at Magadi and near Mt. Kenya.
SPUR-WINGED PLOVER (Vanellus spinosus) – Two at Samburu, 10 at Nakuru, and 6 at Masai Mara.
BLACK-HEADED LAPWING (Vanellus tectus) – Five in the dry country near Lake Baringo.
BLACK-WINGED LAPWING (Vanellus melanopterus) – Six along the road next to Solio Game Ranch.
CROWNED LAPWING (Vanellus coronatus) – Eight at Nanyuki, 20 at Nakuru, and about 40 at Masai Mara.
WATTLED LAPWING (Vanellus senegallus) – About 15 in the marshy areas at Masai Mara.
KITTLITZ'S PLOVER (Charadrius pecuarius) – One at Lake Magadi.
THREE-BANDED PLOVER (Charadrius tricollaris) – One at Magadi, and 2 near Mt. Kenya.
CHESTNUT-BANDED PLOVER (Charadrius pallidus) – We saw about 40 of these uncommon and very localised tiny plovers at Lake Magadi.
Recurvirostridae (Stilts and Avocets)
BLACK-WINGED STILT (Himantopus himantopus) – Twelve at Magadi, and about 20 at Nakuru.
PIED AVOCET (Recurvirostra avosetta) – We saw about 10 of these striking birds at Lake Magadi.
Jacanidae (Jacanas)
AFRICAN JACANA (Actophilornis africanus) – Small numbers at Baringo, Lake Victoria, Nakuru, and at Masai Mara.
Scolopacidae (Sandpipers and Allies)
COMMON GREENSHANK (Tringa nebularia) – Four at Lake Nakuru.
MARSH SANDPIPER (Tringa stagnatilis) – Two at Nakuru were very early returning migrants this year.
WOOD SANDPIPER (Tringa glareola) – Two at Lake Nakuru.
CURLEW SANDPIPER (Calidris ferruginea) – Two at Lake Nakuru.
RUFF (Philomachus pugnax) – One, with the other migrant shorebirds at Lake Nakuru.
Glareolidae (Pratincoles and Coursers)
TEMMINCK'S COURSER (Cursorius temminckii) – Some of the group saw 2 in flight as we drove along a track in Masai Mara.
THREE-BANDED COURSER (Rhinoptilus cinctus) – We had fantastic looks at this uncommon and partially nocturnal courser at Baringo.
Laridae (Gulls, Terns, and Skimmers)
GRAY-HOODED GULL (Chroicocephalus cirrocephalus) – Two at Magadi, and about 20 at Nakuru.
GULL-BILLED TERN (Gelochelidon nilotica) – One at Lake Nakuru.
WHITE-WINGED TERN (Chlidonias leucopterus) – About 50 at Lake Nakuru included 3 or 4 in breeding plumage.
WHISKERED TERN (Chlidonias hybrida) – Ten at Lake Victoria, and about a dozen at Lake Nakuru.
Pteroclidae (Sandgrouse)
BLACK-FACED SANDGROUSE (Pterocles decoratus) – Eight at Samburu.
LICHTENSTEIN'S SANDGROUSE (Pterocles lichtensteinii) – Great looks at 2 adults and 2 tiny juveniles at Samburu.
Columbidae (Pigeons and Doves)
SPECKLED PIGEON (Columba guinea) – Small numbers were seen throughout the tour.
RAMERON PIGEON (Columba arquatrix) – More commonly known as African Olive Pigeon, we saw 2 at Masai Mara.
DELEGORGUE'S PIGEON (Columba delegorguei) – Four males and 1 female at Mountain Lodge; more commonly known as Eastern Bronze-naped Pigeon.
LEMON DOVE (Columba larvata) – Good looks at this normally shy pigeon in the Tugen Hills.
DUSKY TURTLE-DOVE (Streptopelia lugens) – One during our picnic lunch at Imenti.
MOURNING COLLARED-DOVE (Streptopelia decipiens) – More commonly known as African Mourning Dove, they were very common at Samburu and Baringo.
RED-EYED DOVE (Streptopelia semitorquata) – Common and widespread away from the most arid country.
RING-NECKED DOVE (Streptopelia capicola) – Very common and widespread.
LAUGHING DOVE (Streptopelia senegalensis) – Very common and widespread.
EMERALD-SPOTTED WOOD-DOVE (Turtur chalcospilos) – Small numbers at Magadi, Samburu, Baringo, and at Masai Mara.
BLUE-SPOTTED WOOD-DOVE (Turtur afer) – One at Kakamega.
NAMAQUA DOVE (Oena capensis) – About 40 at Magadi, and 10 at Samburu.
AFRICAN GREEN-PIGEON (Treron calvus) – One near Naro Moru, and then about 6 at Masai Mara.
Musophagidae (Turacos)
GREAT BLUE TURACO (Corythaeola cristata) – We saw 4 of these large and spectacular turacos at Kakamega.
WHITE-CRESTED TURACO (Tauraco leucolophus) – Nice looks at 1 in the Kerio Valley.
HARTLAUB'S TURACO (Tauraco hartlaubi) – First seen at Mountain Lodge, and then again in the Tugen Hills - just gorgeous!
ROSS'S TURACO (Musophaga rossae) – Another beautiful turaco that we saw well; 5 of these tee'd up nicely at Masai Mara.
BARE-FACED GO-AWAY-BIRD (Corythaixoides personatus) – Three along the Oloololo Escarpment at Masai Mara.
WHITE-BELLIED GO-AWAY-BIRD (Corythaixoides leucogaster) – Three at Samburu, and 4 at Baringo.
Cuculidae (Cuckoos)
RED-CHESTED CUCKOO (Cuculus solitarius) – One was seen along the cliffs at Baringo, and several other widespread birds were heard.
BLACK CUCKOO (Cuculus clamosus) – Good looks at one at Baringo.
KLAAS'S CUCKOO (Chrysococcyx klaas) – Singles at Mt. Kenya, Baringo, and Masai Mara.
AFRICAN EMERALD CUCKOO (Chrysococcyx cupreus) – We saw a single female at Kakamega.
DIDERIC CUCKOO (Chrysococcyx caprius) – One at Lake Baringo.
BLACK COUCAL (Centropus grillii) – One at Masai Mara.
WHITE-BROWED COUCAL (Centropus superciliosus) – Heard at several widespread sites and then seen at Nakuru and Masai Mara.
Strigidae (Owls)
AFRICAN SCOPS-OWL (Otus senegalensis) – Thanks to our local guide we had fantastic views at Lake Baringo.
CAPE EAGLE-OWL (Bubo capensis mackinderi) – Often split as Mackinder's Eagle-Owl we had great looks at 2 at Kiawara.
GRAYISH EAGLE-OWL (Bubo cinerascens) – Again, with the help of our local guide we had great scope views of this well camouflaged owl at Baringo.
PEARL-SPOTTED OWLET (Glaucidium perlatum) – One at Samburu.
Caprimulgidae (Nightjars and Allies)
SLENDER-TAILED NIGHTJAR (Caprimulgus clarus) – Difficult this tour, but eventually we all had good looks at a male at Baringo.
Apodidae (Swifts)
SCARCE SWIFT (Schoutedenapus myoptilus) – About a dozen over Kakamega Forest.
MOTTLED SWIFT (Apus aequatorialis) – One at Samburu.
LITTLE SWIFT (Apus affinis) – Several flocks at Samburu, Baringo, and Masai Mara - especially around the park gates.
WHITE-RUMPED SWIFT (Apus caffer) – Four at Baringo.
AFRICAN PALM-SWIFT (Cypsiurus parvus) – About 40 at Samburu.
Coliidae (Mousebirds)
SPECKLED MOUSEBIRD (Colius striatus) – Common and widespread.
WHITE-HEADED MOUSEBIRD (Colius leucocephalus) – We saw about 20 of these localized mousebirds at Samburu.
BLUE-NAPED MOUSEBIRD (Urocolius macrourus) – Common in dry acacia country like Samburu and Baringo.
Trogonidae (Trogons)
NARINA TROGON (Apaloderma narina) – Great scope views of 2 in the Tugen Hills.
BAR-TAILED TROGON (Apaloderma vittatum) – Fabulous scope views of a male at Kakamega Forest.
Alcedinidae (Kingfishers)
MALACHITE KINGFISHER (Corythornis cristatus) – An immature at Lake Victoria, and then a nice looking adult at Masai Mara.
GRAY-HEADED KINGFISHER (Halcyon leucocephala) – Two at Sagana Fish Ponds, and then about a dozen at Samburu.
WOODLAND KINGFISHER (Halcyon senegalensis) – Two at Baringo, and 1 in the Kerio Valley.
STRIPED KINGFISHER (Halcyon chelicuti) – Two at Nakuru, and 1 at Masai Mara.
GIANT KINGFISHER (Megaceryle maximus) – One at Sagana Fish Ponds.
PIED KINGFISHER (Ceryle rudis) – Small numbers were widespread at a variety of wetlands throughout the tour.
Meropidae (Bee-eaters)
BLUE-HEADED BEE-EATER (Merops muelleri) – Fantastic views of 4 of these rare bee-eaters at Kakamega.
WHITE-FRONTED BEE-EATER (Merops bullockoides) – Five at Nakuru, and unexpectedly 6 at Kichwa Tembo.
LITTLE BEE-EATER (Merops pusillus) – Singles near Magadi and Samburu.
CINNAMON-CHESTED BEE-EATER (Merops oreobates) – About 20 at Mt. Kenya, 8 at Kakamega, and 2 at Masai Mara.
SOMALI BEE-EATER (Merops revoilii) – Two at Samburu.
WHITE-THROATED BEE-EATER (Merops albicollis) – Six at Samburu, and 10 at Baringo.
MADAGASCAR BEE-EATER (Merops superciliosus) – Five along the shore at Lake Victoria.
Coraciidae (Rollers)
LILAC-BREASTED ROLLER (Coracias caudatus) – Very common at Masai Mara and a few others elsewhere; in all we saw a total of about 45.
RUFOUS-CROWNED ROLLER (Coracias naevius) – One on the way to Magadi, and 2 at Baringo.
Upupidae (Hoopoes)
EURASIAN HOOPOE (AFRICAN) (Upupa epops africana) – One in the grasslands at Lake Nakuru.
Phoeniculidae (Woodhoopoes and Scimitar-bills)
GREEN WOODHOOPOE (Phoeniculus purpureus) – Three at Nakuru, and 4 at Masai Mara.
GREEN WOODHOOPOE (Phoeniculus purpureus niloticus) – Usually split as Violet Woodhoopoe, but lumped here with Green Woodhoopoe; we had great looks at 5 at Samburu.
ABYSSINIAN SCIMITAR-BILL (Rhinopomastus minor) – Nice looks at 1 at Baringo.
Bucerotidae (Hornbills)
NORTHERN RED-BILLED HORNBILL (Tockus erythrorhynchus) – At least a couple of hundred at Samburu, and then about half a dozen between Bogoria and Baringo.
EASTERN YELLOW-BILLED HORNBILL (Tockus flavirostris) – Four at Samburu.
JACKSON'S HORNBILL (Tockus jacksoni) – About 10 along the cliffs at Baringo.
VON DER DECKEN'S HORNBILL (Tockus deckeni) – Three on the way to Magadi, and then 6 at Samburu.
CROWNED HORNBILL (Tockus alboterminatus) – Seven in the Tugen Hills, and then 2 at Masai Mara.
HEMPRICH'S HORNBILL (Tockus hemprichii) – One of the group saw 1 at Baringo.
SILVERY-CHEEKED HORNBILL (Ceratogymna brevis) – Two from the roof of Mountain Lodge.
BLACK-AND-WHITE-CASQUED HORNBILL (Ceratogymna subcylindrica) – Seven in the Tugen Hills, 40+ at Kakamega, and about 12 at Masai Mara.
Bucorvidae (Ground-Hornbills)
SOUTHERN GROUND-HORNBILL (Bucorvus leadbeateri) – Great looks at a pair and an immature next to the vehicle near Kichwa Tembo.
Lybiidae (African Barbets)
YELLOW-BILLED BARBET (Trachyphonus purpuratus) – One seen and several heard at Kakamega.
RED-AND-YELLOW BARBET (Trachyphonus erythrocephalus) – Good looks at this large colorful barbet on the way to Bogoria.
D'ARNAUD'S BARBET (Trachyphonus darnaudii) – About 10 at Samburu, and 1 at Baringo.
D'ARNAUD'S BARBET (USAMBIRO) (Trachyphonus darnaudii usambiro) – Ten in the Kichwa Tembo area of Masai Mara.
GRAY-THROATED BARBET (Gymnobucco bonapartei) – Two in the Tugen Hills, about a dozen at Kakamega, and 4 along the Oloololo Escarpment, Masai Mara.
WHITE-EARED BARBET (Stactolaema leucotis) – Two in the forest below Mountain Lodge.
MOUSTACHED TINKERBIRD (Pogoniulus leucomystax) – One in the Tugen Hills.
YELLOW-RUMPED TINKERBIRD (Pogoniulus bilineatus) – Small numbers seen and many heard in forested areas throughout the tour.
RED-FRONTED TINKERBIRD (Pogoniulus pusillus) – One along the cliffs at Baringo.
YELLOW-SPOTTED BARBET (Buccanodon duchaillui) – Four singles at Kakamega.
HAIRY-BREASTED BARBET (Tricholaema hirsuta) – Heard at Kakamega.
RED-FRONTED BARBET (Tricholaema diademata) – Two on the way to Lake Magadi, and then singles at Baringo, Nakuru, and Masai Mara.
SPOT-FLANKED BARBET (Tricholaema lacrymosa) – Five at Baringo, and 1 at Masai Mara.
BLACK-THROATED BARBET (Tricholaema melanocephala) – Two at Samburu.
BLACK-BILLED BARBET (Lybius guifsobalito) – Rather difficult this tour but we eventually all got good looks along the shore at Lake Victoria.
DOUBLE-TOOTHED BARBET (Lybius bidentatus) – One of the group saw 1 during our picnic lunch in the Kerio Valley.
Indicatoridae (Honeyguides)
LEAST HONEYGUIDE (Indicator exilis) – One at Kakamega.
LESSER HONEYGUIDE (Indicator minor) – Nice looks at 1 at the Blue Posts Hotel, Thika.
Picidae (Woodpeckers)
NUBIAN WOODPECKER (Campethera nubica) – Two at Samburu, and 1 at Nakuru.
CARDINAL WOODPECKER (Dendropicos fuscescens) – Small numbers were widespread throughout the tour; in all we saw about 7.
BEARDED WOODPECKER (Dendropicos namaquus) – Nice looks at Samburu.
GRAY WOODPECKER (Dendropicos goertae) – Two at Kisumu.
GRAY-HEADED WOODPECKER (Dendropicos spodocephalus) – One at Nakuru.
Falconidae (Falcons and Caracaras)
PYGMY FALCON (Polihierax semitorquatus) – Great looks at two pairs in the dry acacia country at Samburu.
EURASIAN KESTREL (EURASIAN) (Falco tinnunculus rufescens) – One along the road to Lake Magadi.
GRAY KESTREL (Falco ardosiaceus) – One at Masai Mara.
LANNER FALCON (Falco biarmicus) – Two at Baringo.
Psittacidae (Parrots)
GRAY PARROT (Psittacus erithacus) – Rare in Kenya these days, so we were lucky to see one flying over Kakamega Forest.
RED-FRONTED PARROT (Poicephalus gulielmi) – About 10 flying over Mountain Lodge.
MEYER'S PARROT (Poicephalus meyeri) – Nice looks at several at Masai Mara.
RED-BELLIED PARROT (Poicephalus rufiventris) – More commonly known as African Orange-bellied Parrot, we saw 4 at Samburu.
Calyptomenidae (African and Green Broadbills)
AFRICAN BROADBILL (Smithornis capensis) – Great scope views of 1 (and another 1 briefly) at Kakamega Forest.
Platysteiridae (Wattle-eyes and Batises)
BROWN-THROATED WATTLE-EYE (Platysteira cyanea) – Eight at Kakamega Forest.
JAMESON'S WATTLE-EYE (Platysteira jamesoni) – Heard at Kakamega Forest.
CHINSPOT BATIS (Batis molitor) – Two at Naro Moru, and 3 in the Tugen Hills.
PYGMY BATIS (Batis perkeo) – One at Samburu.
Malaconotidae (Bushshrikes and Allies)
BRUBRU (Nilaus afer) – One along the bottom of the cliffs at Baringo.
NORTHERN PUFFBACK (Dryoscopus gambensis) – We saw a single male at Samburu.
BLACK-BACKED PUFFBACK (Dryoscopus cubla) – One along forested stream below Mountain Lodge.
BROWN-CROWNED TCHAGRA (Tchagra australis) – One near Imenti, and 1 at Lake Nakuru.
LUEHDER'S BUSHSHRIKE (Laniarius luehderi) – Four in the tangled vines in Kakamega Forest.
TROPICAL BOUBOU (Laniarius aethiopicus) – Heard in several locations, and 4 seen nicely at Mountain Lodge.
BLACK-HEADED GONOLEK (Laniarius erythrogaster) – We saw these striking birds in the Kerio Valley, and at Kisumu.
SLATE-COLORED BOUBOU (Laniarius funebris) – One near Lake Magadi, and 4 at Samburu.
ROSY-PATCHED BUSHSHRIKE (Rhodophoneus cruentus) – Yet another striking bushshrike; we saw 2 at Samburu.
GRAY-GREEN BUSHSHRIKE (Telophorus bocagei) – Two in the canopy at Kakamega.
GRAY-HEADED BUSHSHRIKE (Malaconotus blanchoti) – We all had great looks at this gorgeous bird in the grounds of our lodge at Samburu.
Campephagidae (Cuckooshrikes)
GRAY CUCKOOSHRIKE (Coracina caesia) – One in the Tugen Hills.
BLACK CUCKOOSHRIKE (Campephaga flava) – We saw a single male on the way to Magadi.
PETIT'S CUCKOOSHRIKE (Campephaga petiti) – One male and 2 females at Kakamega Forest.
PURPLE-THROATED CUCKOOSHRIKE (Campephaga quiscalina) – Two females in the Tugen Hills.
Laniidae (Shrikes)
GRAY-BACKED FISCAL (Lanius excubitoroides) – Fairly common near Kisumu, Nakuru, and at Masai Mara.
LONG-TAILED FISCAL (Lanius cabanisi) – Three at the Ole Sereni Hotel, Nairobi.
TAITA FISCAL (Lanius dorsalis) – One at Samburu.
MACKINNON'S SHRIKE (Lanius mackinnoni) – Two singles in the open areas within Kakamega Forest.
NORTHERN FISCAL (Lanius humeralis) – Common and widespread.
WHITE-RUMPED SHRIKE (Eurocephalus rueppelli) – Six at Samburu, and 10 at Baringo.
Oriolidae (Old World Orioles)
WESTERN BLACK-HEADED ORIOLE (Oriolus brachyrhynchus) – One seen and several heard at Kakamega Forest.
AFRICAN BLACK-HEADED ORIOLE (Oriolus larvatus) – One of the group saw 1 at Naro Moru.
BLACK-TAILED ORIOLE (Oriolus percivali) – Good looks at 3 from the roof of Mountain Lodge.
Dicruridae (Drongos)
SQUARE-TAILED DRONGO (Dicrurus ludwigii) – Four in the interior of Kakamega Forest.
FORK-TAILED DRONGO (Dicrurus adsimilis) – Fairly common and widespread away from forested areas.
Monarchidae (Monarch Flycatchers)
AFRICAN PARADISE-FLYCATCHER (Terpsiphone viridis) – Three at Baringo, 3 at Kakamega, and 1 at Masai Mara.
Corvidae (Crows, Jays, and Magpies)
CAPE CROW (Corvus capensis) – About 20 in the open grasslands west of Mt. Kenya, and 4 near Eldoret.
PIED CROW (Corvus albus) – Common and widespread.
FAN-TAILED RAVEN (Corvus rhipidurus) – Two at Samburu, and 2 at Baringo.
Alaudidae (Larks)
RUFOUS-NAPED LARK (Mirafra africana) – One at Nakuru, and about 20 at Masai Mara.
PINK-BREASTED LARK (Calendulauda poecilosterna) – Five at Samburu.
FOXY LARK (Calendulauda alopex) – Previously lumped with the totally different looking Fawn-colored Lark of South Africa; we saw 2 singles at Samburu.
FISCHER'S SPARROW-LARK (Eremopterix leucopareia) – About 12 near Lake Magadi.
RED-CAPPED LARK (Calandrella cinerea) – One at Lake Nakuru.
Hirundinidae (Swallows)
PLAIN MARTIN (Riparia paludicola) – One at Sagana Fish Ponds, and about 50 at Masai Mara.
ROCK MARTIN (Ptyonoprogne fuligula) – Fairly common on buildings and near cliffs throughout the tour.
BARN SWALLOW (Hirundo rustica) – Ten at Sagana Fish Ponds.
ANGOLA SWALLOW (Hirundo angolensis) – Six on the north side of Mt. Kenya.
WIRE-TAILED SWALLOW (Hirundo smithii) – Widespread in small numbers.
RED-RUMPED SWALLOW (Cecropis daurica) – Widespread in small numbers; with a total of about 40.
LESSER STRIPED-SWALLOW (Cecropis abyssinica) – Six in the Ngong Hills, 8 near Naro Moru, and about a dozen at Masai Mara.
MOSQUE SWALLOW (Cecropis senegalensis) – Three at Masai Mara.
WHITE-HEADED SAWWING (Psalidoprocne albiceps) – About 30 at Kakamega.
BLACK SAWWING (Psalidoprocne pristoptera) – Ten at Mt. Kenya, and 2 at Kakamega.
Stenostiridae (Fairy Flycatchers)
AFRICAN BLUE-FLYCATCHER (Elminia longicauda) – Nice looks at these lovely little Fairy Flycatchers at Kakamega.
DUSKY CRESTED-FLYCATCHER (Elminia nigromitrata) – Very uncommon these days so we were lucky to see 2 in the Kakamega undergrowth.
WHITE-TAILED CRESTED-FLYCATCHER (Elminia albonotata) – Two in the Tugen Hills.
Paridae (Chickadees and Tits)
WHITE-BELLIED TIT (Melaniparus albiventris) – Two at the Blue Posts, and 2 at Lake Nakuru.
DUSKY TIT (Melaniparus funereus) – One was seen nest building at Kakamega.
SOMALI TIT (Melaniparus thruppi) – One along the bottom of the cliffs at Lake Baringo.
Remizidae (Penduline-Tits)
MOUSE-COLORED PENDULINE-TIT (Anthoscopus musculus) – Two and then 3 along the bottom of the cliffs at Baringo.
Pycnonotidae (Bulbuls)
SLENDER-BILLED GREENBUL (Stelgidillas gracilirostris) – One in the Tugen Hills, and 6 at Kakamega.
SHELLEY'S GREENBUL (KAKAMEGA) (Arizelocichla masukuensis kakamegae) – Two were seen creeping along the mossy branches of large trees at Kakamega.
JOYFUL GREENBUL (Chlorocichla laetissima) – About 10 at Kakamega.
HONEYGUIDE GREENBUL (Baeopogon indicator) – Good looks at 1 during our first morning at Kakamega.
ANSORGE'S GREENBUL (Eurillas ansorgei) – About 10 in the mid-levels of Kakamega Forest.
PLAIN GREENBUL (Eurillas curvirostris) – One at Kakamega Forest.
YELLOW-WHISKERED GREENBUL (Eurillas latirostris) – Common at Kakamega.
LITTLE GREENBUL (Eurillas virens) – Heard by all and seen by some of the group at Kakamega.
TORO OLIVE-GREENBUL (Phyllastrephus hypochloris) – Generally very uncommon, but we all had great looks at a bird in the tangled vines at Kakamega.
CABANIS'S GREENBUL (CABANIS'S) (Phyllastrephus cabanisi sucosus) – Three in the Kakamega undergrowth.
COMMON BULBUL (DODSON'S) (Pycnonotus barbatus dodsoni) – Common at Samburu.
COMMON BULBUL (DARK-CAPPED) (Pycnonotus barbatus tricolor) – Very common everywhere except Samburu.
Macrosphenidae (African Warblers)
NORTHERN CROMBEC (Sylvietta brachyura) – One along the Magadi Road.
RED-FACED CROMBEC (Sylvietta whytii) – Singles along the Magadi Road, and at Naro Moru.
MOUSTACHED GRASS-WARBLER (Melocichla mentalis) – One at Masai Mara.
Phylloscopidae (Leaf-Warblers)
UGANDA WOOD-WARBLER (Phylloscopus budongoensis) – Many heard in the canopy at Kakamega Forest.
Acrocephalidae (Reed-Warblers and Allies)
GREATER SWAMP-WARBLER (Acrocephalus rufescens) – One in the papyrus at Lake Victoria.
Cisticolidae (Cisticolas and Allies)
BLACK-COLLARED APALIS (Apalis pulchra) – One at Kakamega.
BLACK-THROATED APALIS (Apalis jacksoni) – Two from the roof at Mountain Lodge.
YELLOW-BREASTED APALIS (Apalis flavida) – One at Naro Moru, and 2 at Lake Nakuru.
BUFF-THROATED APALIS (Apalis rufogularis) – Heard at Kakamega.
CHESTNUT-THROATED APALIS (Apalis porphyrolaema) – One in the Tugen Hills.
GRAY APALIS (Apalis cinerea) – One at Mountain Lodge, and 3 in the Tugen Hills.
GREEN-BACKED CAMAROPTERA (GRAY-BACKED) (Camaroptera brachyura brevicaudata) – The gray-backed form was common and widespread.
OLIVE-GREEN CAMAROPTERA (Camaroptera chloronota) – Heard at Kakamega.
RED-FRONTED WARBLER (Urorhipis rufifrons) – Six in the low scrub at Samburu.
GRAY WREN-WARBLER (Calamonastes simplex) – One at Samburu.
WHITE-CHINNED PRINIA (Schistolais leucopogon) – Good looks several times at Kakamega Forest.
TRILLING CISTICOLA (Cisticola woosnami) – Heard on the Oloololo Escarpment, Masai Mara.
CHUBB'S CISTICOLA (Cisticola chubbi) – We saw a duetting pair at Kakamega.
HUNTER'S CISTICOLA (Cisticola hunteri) – Five around Mountain Lodge.
RATTLING CISTICOLA (Cisticola chiniana) – Common in the acacias at Lake Nakuru.
WINDING CISTICOLA (WINDING) (Cisticola galactotes amphilectus) – Heard at Kisumu, and then seen nicely at Masai Mara.
STOUT CISTICOLA (Cisticola robustus) – Very common in the Mara grasslands.
CROAKING CISTICOLA (Cisticola natalensis) – One at Masai Mara.
TABORA CISTICOLA (Cisticola angusticauda) – We saw 1 of these uncommon and localised cisticolas on the Oloololo Escarpment.
PECTORAL-PATCH CISTICOLA (Cisticola brunnescens) – About 6 at Masai Mara.
GRAY-CAPPED WARBLER (Eminia lepida) – Great looks at a responsive bird at Kakamega.
BLACK-FACED RUFOUS-WARBLER (Bathmocercus rufus) – One in the Kakamega undergrowth.
TAWNY-FLANKED PRINIA (Prinia subflava) – Two near Mountain Lodge, and 1 at Nakuru.
BANDED PRINIA (Prinia bairdii) – Two in the Kakamega undergrowth.
YELLOW-VENTED EREMOMELA (Eremomela flavicrissalis) – One at Samburu.
YELLOW-BELLIED EREMOMELA (Eremomela icteropygialis) – Two on the way to Lake Magadi, and 1 at Baringo.
Sylviidae (Sylviids, Parrotbills and Allies)
AFRICAN HILL BABBLER (Pseudoalcippe abyssinica) – One in the Tugen Hills.
Zosteropidae (Yuhinas, White-eyes, and Allies)
AFRICAN YELLOW WHITE-EYE (Zosterops senegalensis) – About a dozen at Kakamega.
BROAD-RINGED WHITE-EYE (KIKUYU) (Zosterops poliogastrus kikuyuensis) – One at Mountain Lodge.
WHITE-BREASTED WHITE-EYE (Zosterops abyssinicus flavilateralis) – Some of the group saw 1 at Nakuru.
Pellorneidae (Fulvettas and Ground Babblers)
BROWN ILLADOPSIS (Illadopsis fulvescens) – Heard at Kakamega.
Leiothrichidae (Laughingthrushes)
RUFOUS CHATTERER (Turdoides rubiginosa) – Five near Naro Moru.
BLACK-LORED BABBLER (Turdoides sharpei) – Two along the shore of Lake Victoria.
NORTHERN PIED-BABBLER (Turdoides hypoleuca) – Five at the Ole Sereni Hotel, Nairobi.
Hyliotidae (Hyliotas)
SOUTHERN HYLIOTA (Hyliota australis) – Good looks at 1 along the edge of Kakamega Forest; the hyliota species are now placed in a new family Hyliotidae.
Muscicapidae (Old World Flycatchers)
PALE FLYCATCHER (Bradornis pallidus) – Two singles at Masai Mara.
GRAYISH FLYCATCHER (Bradornis microrhynchus) – Common at Samburu and Baringo, and also 2 near Lake Magadi.
WHITE-EYED SLATY-FLYCATCHER (Melaenornis fischeri) – Common around Mt. Kenya, and then a few at the Tugen Hills, and Nakuru.
NORTHERN BLACK-FLYCATCHER (Melaenornis edolioides) – Two at Kakamega, and 4 at Masai Mara.
SOUTHERN BLACK-FLYCATCHER (Melaenornis pammelaina) – Three at the Sagana Fish Ponds, and 2 at Samburu.
SWAMP FLYCATCHER (Muscicapa aquatica) – One near Kisumu.
DUSKY-BROWN FLYCATCHER (Muscicapa adusta) – Common around Mountain Lodge, and then a couple of singles in the Tugen Hills and at Kakamega.
GRAY TIT-FLYCATCHER (Myioparus plumbeus) – One at Lake Baringo.
BROWN-BACKED SCRUB-ROBIN (Cercotrichas hartlaubi) – Heard below Mountain Lodge.
RED-BACKED SCRUB-ROBIN (Cercotrichas leucophrys) – Two along the road to Lake Magadi.
CAPE ROBIN-CHAT (Cossypha caffra) – One in the Ngong Hills, and 2 near Mountain Lodge.
GRAY-WINGED ROBIN-CHAT (Cossypha polioptera) – Great looks at this often secretive robin-chat at Kakamega.
WHITE-BROWED ROBIN-CHAT (Cossypha heuglini) – Small numbers at Naro Moru, Nakuru, and Masai Mara.
SNOWY-CROWNED ROBIN-CHAT (Cossypha niveicapilla) – A juvenile and and adult were seen near the Rondo Retreat, Kakamega.
SPOTTED MORNING-THRUSH (Cichladusa guttata) – Two near Magadi, 1 at Samburu, and 3 at Baringo.
BROWN-CHESTED ALETHE (Pseudalethe poliocephala) – One along a muddy track at Kakamega.
LITTLE ROCK-THRUSH (Monticola rufocinereus) – One at Lake Nakuru.
NORTHERN ANTEATER-CHAT (Myrmecocichla aethiops) – Six near Naro Moru, and about 20 in the grasslands at Lake Nakuru.
SOOTY CHAT (Myrmecocichla nigra) – About 40 at Masai Mara.
MOCKING CLIFF-CHAT (Thamnolaea cinnamomeiventris) – Good looks at pairs at both Baringo and Nakuru.
FAMILIAR CHAT (Cercomela familiaris) – One on the Oloololo Escarpment.
BROWN-TAILED CHAT (Cercomela scotocerca) – Eight along the bottom of the cliffs at Lake Baringo.
MOURNING WHEATEAR (SCHALOW'S) (Oenanthe lugens schalowi) – We saw a single male at the bottom of the Ngong Hills.
Turdidae (Thrushes and Allies)
ABYSSINIAN THRUSH (Turdus abyssinicus) – Formerly lumped with Olive Thrush; we saw 4 in the Mt. Kenya area, and 2 in the Tugen Hills.
AFRICAN THRUSH (Turdus pelios) – One in the Kerio Valley, and 4 at Kakamega.
AFRICAN BARE-EYED THRUSH (Turdus tephronotus) – Good looks at 1 feeding on the ground at Samburu.
Sturnidae (Starlings)
WATTLED STARLING (Creatophora cinerea) – About 40 along the fence at Solio Game Ranch, and 12 at Masai Mara.
GREATER BLUE-EARED GLOSSY-STARLING (Lamprotornis chalybaeus) – Fairly common and widespread away from forested areas.
RUEPPELL'S GLOSSY-STARLING (Lamprotornis purpuroptera) – Widespread from Baringo onwards, with a total of about 60.
GOLDEN-BREASTED STARLING (Lamprotornis regius) – We saw 7 of these beautiful starlings at Samburu.
SUPERB STARLING (Lamprotornis superbus) – Very common and widespread.
HILDEBRANDT'S STARLING (Lamprotornis hildebrandti) – One along the way to Lake Magadi.
VIOLET-BACKED STARLING (Cinnyricinclus leucogaster) – Another gorgeous starling; we saw about 20 at Masai Mara.
FISCHER'S STARLING (Spreo fischeri) – One at Samburu.
RED-WINGED STARLING (Onychognathus morio) – Four at Baringo.
WALLER'S STARLING (Onychognathus walleri) – Five from the roof at Mountain Lodge.
BRISTLE-CROWNED STARLING (Onychognathus salvadorii) – About a dozen along the cliffs at Baringo.
STUHLMANN'S STARLING (Poeoptera stuhlmanni) – Six at Kakamega.
Buphagidae (Oxpeckers)
RED-BILLED OXPECKER (Buphagus erythrorhynchus) – Common on a variety of animals in all the parks and reserves with big game; in all we saw about 120.
YELLOW-BILLED OXPECKER (Buphagus africanus) – About 80 at Masai Mara.
Nectariniidae (Sunbirds and Spiderhunters)
KENYA VIOLET-BACKED SUNBIRD (Anthreptes orientalis) – Two at Samburu, and 2 at Baringo.
GREEN SUNBIRD (GRAY-THROATED) (Anthreptes rectirostris tephrolaemus) – Good scope views of a male at Kakamega.
COLLARED SUNBIRD (Hedydipna collaris) – Two in the Tugen Hills, and 3 at Kakamega.
GREEN-HEADED SUNBIRD (Cyanomitra verticalis) – One at Kakamega.
WESTERN OLIVE SUNBIRD (Cyanomitra obscura ragazzii) – Two singles at Kakamega.
SCARLET-CHESTED SUNBIRD (Chalcomitra senegalensis) – One in the Ngong Hills, 4 in the central highlands, and 2 at Lake Nakuru.
HUNTER'S SUNBIRD (Chalcomitra hunteri) – Three at Samburu.
TACAZZE SUNBIRD (Nectarinia tacazze) – Four feeding in the bottle-brush trees at Naro Moru.
BRONZE SUNBIRD (Nectarinia kilimensis) – Common in both the central and western highlands.
GOLDEN-WINGED SUNBIRD (Drepanorhynchus reichenowi) – One on the north side of Mt. Kenya.
NORTHERN DOUBLE-COLLARED SUNBIRD (Cinnyris reichenowi) – First seen near Mt. Kenya, and then at several sites from the Tugen Hills to Kakamega.
EASTERN DOUBLE-COLLARED SUNBIRD (Cinnyris mediocris) – About 20 at Mountain Lodge.
BEAUTIFUL SUNBIRD (Cinnyris pulchellus) – Three near Lake Magadi, and 4 at Lake Baringo.
RED-CHESTED SUNBIRD (Cinnyris erythrocercus) – About 6 along the shore at Lake Victoria.
BLACK-BELLIED SUNBIRD (Cinnyris nectarinioides) – Two females in the big acacias along the river at Samburu.
VARIABLE SUNBIRD (Cinnyris venustus) – About 6 at the Blue Posts Hotel, Thika.
Motacillidae (Wagtails and Pipits)
CAPE WAGTAIL (Motacilla capensis) – Two at Mountain Lodge.
MOUNTAIN WAGTAIL (Motacilla clara) – Three at Naro Moru, and 2 in the Tugen Hills.
AFRICAN PIED WAGTAIL (Motacilla aguimp) – Common and widespread.
AFRICAN PIPIT (Anthus cinnamomeus) – One at Lake Nakuru.
PLAIN-BACKED PIPIT (Anthus leucophrys) – One at Nakuru, and 3 at Masai Mara.
YELLOW-THROATED LONGCLAW (Macronyx croceus) – One at Nakuru, and about 60 at Masai Mara.
Emberizidae (Buntings and New World Sparrows)
CINNAMON-BREASTED BUNTING (Emberiza tahapisi) – Two in the Kerio Valley.
SOMALI BUNTING (Emberiza poliopleura) – Two along the road to Lake Magadi.
Fringillidae (Siskins, Crossbills, and Allies)
ORIOLE FINCH (Linurgus olivaceus) – Good looks at a pair from the roof of Mountain Lodge.
YELLOW-FRONTED CANARY (Serinus mozambicus) – About 40 at Masai Mara.
AFRICAN CITRIL (Serinus citrinelloides kikuyensis) – Two at Mt. Kenya.
WHITE-BELLIED CANARY (Serinus dorsostriatus) – Twelve at Samburu, and 4 near Kisumu.
BRIMSTONE CANARY (Serinus sulphuratus) – Two near Solio Game Ranch.
STREAKY SEEDEATER (Serinus striolatus) – Two at the Ole Sereni Hotel, and then about 20 in the Mt. Kenya area.
THICK-BILLED SEEDEATER (Serinus burtoni) – One at Mountain Lodge.
Passeridae (Old World Sparrows)
HOUSE SPARROW (Passer domesticus) – Ten near Nairobi, and 20 in the Kakamega area.
KENYA RUFOUS SPARROW (Passer rufocinctus) – Ten near Mt. Kenya, and another 10 at Nakuru.
NORTHERN GRAY-HEADED SPARROW (Passer griseus) – Two near Kericho.
PARROT-BILLED SPARROW (Passer gongonensis) – About 50 at Samburu.
SWAHILI SPARROW (Passer suahelicus) – Three at Masai Mara.
CHESTNUT SPARROW (Passer eminibey) – About 50 near Lake Magadi, 10 at Samburu, and 12 at Baringo.
YELLOW-SPOTTED PETRONIA (Petronia pyrgita) – Three near Lake Magadi, and 1 at Baringo.
Ploceidae (Weavers and Allies)
WHITE-HEADED BUFFALO-WEAVER (Dinemellia dinemelli) – About 50 at Samburu, and 4 at Baringo.
SPECKLE-FRONTED WEAVER (Sporopipes frontalis) – Twelve at Samburu, and 2 at Baringo.
WHITE-BROWED SPARROW-WEAVER (Plocepasser mahali) – Very common in dry acacia country like Samburu and Baringo.
CHESTNUT-CROWNED SPARROW-WEAVER (Plocepasser superciliosus) – Good looks at 1 in the Kerio Valley.
DONALDSON-SMITH'S SPARROW-WEAVER (Plocepasser donaldsoni) – Three at Samburu.
GRAY-HEADED SOCIAL-WEAVER (Pseudonigrita arnaudi) – About 100 along the Magadi Road.
BLACK-CAPPED SOCIAL-WEAVER (Pseudonigrita cabanisi) – At least 500 were at Samburu.
RED-HEADED WEAVER (Anaplectes rubriceps) – Singles at Naro Moru and Baringo.
BAGLAFECHT WEAVER (Ploceus baglafecht) – Common in the central highlands, and then a few others at Kakamega and Masai Mara.
LITTLE WEAVER (Ploceus luteolus) – Ten at Lake Baringo.
SLENDER-BILLED WEAVER (Ploceus pelzelni) – We saw a single male along the shore near Kisumu.
BLACK-NECKED WEAVER (Ploceus nigricollis) – Three at Kakamega.
BLACK-BILLED WEAVER (Ploceus melanogaster) – A pair in the undergrowth at Kakamega.
HOLUB'S GOLDEN-WEAVER (Ploceus xanthops) – One next to the gate to Masai Mara Game Reserve.
NORTHERN MASKED-WEAVER (Ploceus taeniopterus) – We saw 6 of these very localised weavers at Lake Baringo.
VITELLINE MASKED-WEAVER (Ploceus vitellinus) – Two near Lake Magadi.
SPEKE'S WEAVER (Ploceus spekei) – About 80 in the Mt. Kenya area.
VILLAGE WEAVER (Ploceus cucullatus) – Four at Kakamega.
BLACK-HEADED WEAVER (Ploceus melanocephalus) – Twenty near Kisumu.
GOLDEN-BACKED WEAVER (Ploceus jacksoni) – Good looks at about 15 (nest building) near Bogoria.
CHESTNUT WEAVER (Ploceus rubiginosus) – Two at Baringo.
FOREST WEAVER (Ploceus bicolor) – Four at Kakamega.
BROWN-CAPPED WEAVER (Ploceus insignis) – Nice looks at a single male working along a mossy branch at Kakamega.
RED-BILLED QUELEA (Quelea quelea) – About 600 along the Magadi Road.
YELLOW BISHOP (Euplectes capensis) – Three in non-breeding plumage at Masai Mara.
YELLOW-SHOULDERED WIDOWBIRD (Euplectes macroura macrocerca) – We saw a single male in breeding plumage in the glade at Kakamega.
LONG-TAILED WIDOWBIRD (Euplectes progne) – Ten (including some males in fine breeding plumage) at Nakuru.
GROSBEAK WEAVER (Amblyospiza albifrons) – A female was feeding on a track within Kakamega Forest.
Estrildidae (Waxbills and Allies)
GRAY-HEADED NIGRITA (Nigrita canicapillus) – More commonly known as Gray-headed Negrofinch; we saw 1 at Kakamega.
COMMON WAXBILL (Estrilda astrild) – About 15 at Masai Mara.
BLACK-CHEEKED WAXBILL (Estrilda erythronotos) – Two along the Magadi Road.
RED-RUMPED WAXBILL (Estrilda charmosyna) – Six at Samburu.
RED-HEADED BLUEBILL (Spermophaga ruficapilla) – Some of the group saw at least 1 (of 3) at Kakamega.
RED-CHEEKED CORDONBLEU (Uraeginthus bengalus) – Fairly common in a variety of open woodland and bush country.
BLUE-CAPPED CORDONBLEU (Uraeginthus cyanocephalus) – Nice looks on the way to Lake Magadi.
PURPLE GRENADIER (Granatina ianthinogaster) – A male and 2 females at Masai Mara.
GREEN-WINGED PYTILIA (Pytilia melba) – Good looks at 3 along the bottom of the cliffs at Lake Baringo.
RED-BILLED FIREFINCH (Lagonosticta senegala) – Widespread in small numbers.
CUT-THROAT (Amadina fasciata) – We saw a pairs next to a waterhole along the Magadi Road.
BRONZE MANNIKIN (Spermestes cucullatus) – About 20 along the Mara River.
Viduidae (Indigobirds)
PIN-TAILED WHYDAH (Vidua macroura) – Two at the Isiolo turnoff, and then a male in breeding plumage at Lake Nakuru.
MAMMALS
BLUE MONKEY (Cercopithecus mitis) – Eighty at Kakamega, and about a dozen at Masai Mara.
SYKES MONKEY (Cercopithecus albogularis) – Common at Mountain Lodge.
BLACK-CHEEKED WHITE-NOSED MONKEY (Cercopithecus ascanius) – About 30 at Kakamega, and 12 (very friendly ones) at Kichwa Tembo.
BLACK-FACED VERVET MONKEY (Cercopithecus aethiops) – Common and widespread; in all we saw about 300.
OLIVE BABOON (Papio anubis) – Common and widespread; we saw a total of about 360.
MANTLED GUEREZA (Colobus guereza) – More commonly known as Black-and-white Colobus, we saw 8 at Naro Moru, and 30 at Kakamega Forest.
CAPE HARE (Lepus capensis) – Singles at Samburu and Baringo.
UNSTRIPED GROUND SQUIRREL (Xerus rutilus) – About 50 at Samburu.
BUSH SQUIRREL (Paraxerus sp.) – Often known as Olive Tree Squirrel, we saw about 6 at Mountain Lodge.
RED-LEGGED SUN SQUIRREL (Heliosciurus rufobrachium) – Two singles at Kakamega.
BLACK-BACKED JACKAL (Canis mesomelas) – Three at Samburu, 4 at Nakuru, and 2 at Masai Mara.
COMMON (SMALL-SPOTTED) GENET (Genetta genetta) – Four at Samburu.
LARGE-SPOTTED GENET (Genetta tigrina) – Three at Mountain Lodge.
SLENDER MONGOOSE (Herpestes sanguineus) – Three at Mountain Lodge feeding on a dead Waterbuck, and then 1 at Masai Mara.
BANDED MONGOOSE (Mungos mungo) – Six at Masai Mara.
EASTERN DWARF MONGOOSE (Helogale hirtula) – Two at Samburu.
WHITE-TAILED MONGOOSE (Ichneumia albicauda) – Some of the group saw 1 at Mountain Lodge.
MARSH MONGOOSE (Atilax paludinosus) – Some of the group saw 2 at Mountain Lodge.
SPOTTED HYAENA (Crocuta crocuta) – Three at Mountain Lodge, and then about 35 at Masai Mara - including some eating a freshly killed wildebeest.
LEOPARD (Panthera pardus) – Some of the group saw 1 at Mountain Lodge, and then everyone had great looks at a mother and cub at Samburu.
LION (Panthera leo) – Three at Samburu, and then about 15 at Masai Mara.
CHEETAH (Acinonyx jubatus) – We had a mother and her kitten right next to our vehicle at Masai Mara - wonderful!
AFRICAN ELEPHANT (Loxodonta africana) – Many great encounters throughout the tour; in all we saw a total of about 220.
ROCK HYRAX (Procavia capensis) – Ten along the cliffs at Lake Baringo.
TREE HYRAX (Dendrohyrax arboreus) – Heard at Naro Moru, and 1 seen at Kichwa Tembo.
GREVY'S ZEBRA (Equus grevyi) – We saw 8 of these rare zebras at Samburu.
BURCHELL'S ZEBRA (Equus burchelli) – Small numbers at Nairobi, Solio, and Nakuru, and then many thousands at Masai Mara.
BLACK RHINOCEROS (Diceros bicornis) – We saw a mother (apparently with her hidden young one) at Masai Mara.
WHITE RHINOCEROS (Ceratotherium simum) – We saw 12 of these introduced rhinos at Lake Nakuru.
WARTHOG (Phacochoerus aethiopicus) – Widespread in fairly open country throughout the tour; we saw a total of about 80.
HIPPOPOTAMUS (Hippopotamus amphibius) – Two at Kisumu, and about 80 along the Mara River.
COMMON GIRAFFE (Giraffa camelopardalis) – One at Nairobi, and about 40 at Masai Mara.
RETICULATED GIRAFFE (Giraffa reticulata) – Twenty-five at Samburu, and 4 at the Solio Game Ranch.
ROTHSCHILD'S GIRAFFE (Giraffa rothschildi) – Nine at Nakuru included 2 close fighting males.
BUSHBUCK (Tragelaphus scriptus) – About 50 at Mountain Lodge, and 2 at Masai Mara.
GREATER KUDU (Tragelaphus strepsiceros) – Three females at Samburu.
COMMON ELAND (Taurotragus oryx) – One at Nairobi NP, and then about 60 at Masai Mara.
AFRICAN BUFFALO (Syncerus caffer) – We saw 2 at Mountain Lodge, and then about 300 at Nakuru, and 600+ at Masai Mara.
COMMON WATERBUCK (Kobus ellipsiprymnus) – Ten at Samburu.
DEFASSA WATERBUCK (Kobus defassa) – Eight at Mountain Lodge, 50 at Nakuru, and about 70 at Masai Mara.
BOHOR REEDBUCK (Redunca redunca) – Three from the Ole Sereni Hotel, Nairobi.
BEISA ORYX (Oryx beisa) – About 20 at Samburu, and 40 at Solio Game Ranch.
TOPI (Damaliscus lunatus) – One hundred and fifty at Masai Mara.
HARTEBEEST (KONGONI) (Alcelaphus buselaphus) – One at Masai Mara.
BLUE WILDEBEEST (Connochaetes taurinus) – A spectacular migration this year, with hundreds of thousands to the south of Kichwa Tembo - a truly amazing spectacle!
KIRK'S DIK-DIK (Modoqua kirki) – Four along the Magadi Road, and about 150 at Samburu.
IMPALA (Aepyceros malampus) – Widespread away from forest throughout the tour; we saw a total of about 700.
GERENUK (Litocranius walleri) – About 40 at Samburu.
THOMSON'S GAZELLE (Gazella thomsoni) – Three hundred at Nakuru, and about 1000 at Masai Mara.
GRANT'S GAZELLE (Gazella granti) – Fifty-five at Samburu, 40 at Nakuru, and 20 at Masai Mara.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
Reptiles seen on the tour included;
Water Monitor; 1 at Sagana and 2 at Lake Baringo.
Nile Crocodile; about 12 (including some huge ones) at Samburu.
Red-headed Rock Agama; about 15 at Samburu, and 10 at Baringo.
Tropical House Gecko; 2 at Samburu and 3 at Bogoria.
Totals for the tour: 434 bird taxa and 50 mammal taxa