Birds of Maasai Mara National Reserve; The park is a bird watcher’s haven hosting over 500 bird species to see. Birding in the Masai Mara is quiet rewarding since it hosts over 500 bird species and a daunting 47 species of birds of prey, the Masai Mara’s treetops, bushes and skies are a feast for bird viewers. Other facts, the savannah birds range from freakishly large such as the world’s largest bird the Ostrich, teeny tiny sunbirds hard to spot with the naked eye.
Year-round birdwatching delight
Look up to the skies; The park’s skies can be filled with the notable bird species and other species can be seen high above and grassy plains and scan the savannah to spot any of the six species of vultures scavenging the carcasses of animals of prey.
Birding in Massai Mara National Reserve doesn’t matter on what time of year you visit the park; you’re bound see some very special feathered friends.
The best time of year to go birding, is from November through April when European and Northern African migratory birds arrive. It can be rainy season, a time of year when variety of birds can be seen in their breeding plumage.
Big on birds – the grasslands
The grasslands are home to turkey -sized ground Hornbills, Secretary birds, Kori Bustards, Jaunty Crowned -plovers and flocks of white storks. Other stunning flocks of Crowned Cranes, Saddle -Billed Storks, groups of Yellow -Billed Storks and Sacred Ibis can be spotted in the Swamplands.
This reserve is also a great place to view the Goliath Heron, Grey Heron, Great White Egret and Black -headed Heron among others. Furthermore, Masai Mara’s Musiara Marsh is perfect site for birdwatching. It’s among the few Destinations in Kenya where to see the endangered Madagascar Squacco Heron between October and May.
River Birds
Head over to the Mara River; Visit Mara and be able to see one of seven species of kingfishers, from the Giant Kingfisher to the tiny Pygmy kingfisher. The forest lining the river are home to the beautiful Ross’s Turaco and Schalow’s Turaco. The most notable birds of the Mara are the bird’s prey, from the great Martial Eagle to the tiny Pygmy Falcon. The Martial Eagle is so strong commonly known to feast on young impala and dik-dik. Although, the most magical of the birds of prey is the Bateleur. Looking up and watching a Bateleur glide across the clear blue African skies which is quite an impressive experience.
Bird list of Masai Mara National Reserve; Includes the endemic bird species ‘’E’’ to Kenya and the near -endemic bird species ‘’NE’’ common to the region;
African wood owl
Grey- crested helmet -shrike ‘’NE’’
Abdim’s stork
African finfoot
Cinnamon – breasted bunting
Denham’s bustard
Giant kingfisher
African wood owl
African finfoot
Rufous -throated wryneck
Rosy-throated longclaw
Rufous – bellied heron
Ross’s turaco
Hildebrandt’s starling
Jackson’s widowbird
Lazy cisticola
Purple grenadier
Red – throated tit
Ostrich
Rufous- bellied heron
Rufous – throated wryneck
Trilling cisticola
Silverbird
Swahili sparrow
Tabora cisticola
Southern ground hornbill
Schalow’s turaco
Secretary bird
Silverbird
Yellow – throated sandgrouse
Yellow – mantled widowbird
Usambiro barbet ‘’NE’’
White -bellied go -away bird
Woolly -necked stork among others.
Best time to do birding on Kenya Safari;
The migration varies every year and has been mostly unpredictable in recent years. The excellent time to go birding Safari in Kenya is during the short rains of November and early December, most of the species are in breeding plumage. That’s also when the display behaviors of whydah and other bird species in a place.
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