Bird watching is one of the key tourist activities in Uganda, an exceptional experience that attracts a high number of travelers to the Pearl of Africa. It’s undeniable that Uganda is a haven for birders being home to over 1065 bird species sited in different parts of the country. Over time, Uganda birding safaris have progressed with an increase in the number of Uganda birding safaris confirmed by travel operators and birding companies. In the past four years, a team of Uganda ornithologists and scientists has discovered 11 new bird species, which give hope for improved Uganda birding tours in the coming years. Incoming birders to Uganda have a chance to see new bird species, which they have seen before. Interestingly, some of these bird species are endemic to Uganda and cannot be seen anywhere else in the world. A one Professor Derrick Pomeroy who also sits on the East African Committee for birders confirmed the new set of bird species. Bird watching complements other tourist activities in Uganda like mountain gorilla trekking, game viewing, mountaineering, cultural trips, and chimpanzee trekking among others which together make a complete Uganda safari package. The newly discovered bird species in Uganda include:
1.Crested Barbet (Trachyphonus Vaillantii)
Crested Barbet
Sited in Lake Mburo National Park, crested barbet is a new bird species every birder to Uganda should not miss seeing. The bird species was first sighted in 2016 by a team of ornithologists who had gone fro a birding trip in Lake Mburo National park. Other bird species in Lake Mburo National Park include the shoebill stork, saddle-billed stork, Greenwood hoopoe, Tabora Cisticola, Papyrus Yellow Warbler, great snipe, African finfoot, African fish eagle and Abyssinia ground hornbill among others. Birders are advised to bring binoculars for closer and greater views.
2.Red Fronted Parrot (Poicephalus Guglielmi tiny cisticola)
For those who want to see the red-fronted parrot, its found in Murchison falls National park. The new bird has added on the population of birds in this park giving assuring travelers of a memorable bird watching experience. The other birds seen in Murchison Falls National park include open billed stork, secretary birds, grey-headed kingfisher, Giant kingfisher, Osprey, Black-bellied bustards, Long-toed plover, and Black-headed Lapwing among others.
3.Purple Grenadier (Uragaethus Ianthinogaster)
4. Capped Cordon bleu (Uragaethus Cynocepharus)
These two bird species were sited in Karamoja region in northeastern Uganda in 2016. Karamoja regions is known to have many other bird species which include White-bellied Canary, Purple Grenadier, Grey warbler, Straw Tailed Whydah, Steel Blue Whydah, Magpie Grenadier, and Buff Crested Bustard among others. Birding in the Karamoja region is done at Narus river (Kidepo Valley National Park) and in Pian Upe game reserve all offering travelers with an exceptional birding experience.
5.Blue Cuckoo Shrike (Coracina Azurea)
6.Blue-Headed Bee Eater (Merops Muelleri)
7.Eurasian Sparroe Hawk (Accipiter)
These birds live in Kabwoya wildlife reserve in Hoima and were discovered in 2017. Other birds in Kabwoya game reserve include Francolin, Black-faced Apalis, Dusky Crimson, and Grauer’s Warbler among others. The reserve is also home to numerous animals which include Patas Monkeys, Vervet Monkeys, Uganda Kobs, Impalas, warthogs and bushbucks among others.
8.Black Collared Barbet (Lybius torquatus)
Black Collared Barbet
This new bird was discovered in 2018 in the swampy areas of Lake Mburo National Park. Black-collared Barbet adds to the population of birds in Lake Mburo and Uganda as a whole.
Migratory birds to Uganda
Every day in the months of October, Uganda receives over 1,000,000 birds especially the white-winged black terns which migrate from chilly winter in Europe and other North American regions. These birds return in March and April hence the best time to see them in Uganda.
Contribution of Birding Safaris to Uganda tourism
Uganda birding trips generate over $7,000 (shs26m) which money has improved Uganda’s Gross Domestic Product. Also, birding promoted employment opportunities for birding guides earning them a living to improve their standards of living.
With the newly discovered bird species, Uganda remains your best birding destination in Africa. Contact Africa Adventure Safaris today, Book a birding safari to any of the birding spots and enjoy a memorable bird watching experience in Uganda.
