There are over 1,290 documented bird species in the East African region. Globally, there are about 10,000 species of birds. Meaning that the region has approximately 13% of the world birds’ for its relatively small area. Birdwatchers find the overwhelming diversity and abundance of bird species in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania irresistible.

But differentiating between the hundreds of the bird species can be daunting to any amateur bird watcher, like myself. It is for this reason that I decided to write a blog article of the birds in East Africa. The blog categorizes the birds into families. It is my hope that this blog will assist you in identifying the birds of East Africa.

Each year, millions of birds migrate long distances across the world to East Africa.  Most bird species migrate to the region through flyways, which refer to well-established routes. The birds travel from Europe, Central Asia, the Americas, the Mediterranean region, and the East Atlantic to the East African region.

What are migratory birds?

Migratory birds are bird species that make a seasonal movement, mostly from Northern and Southern parts of the globe, via a designated route. These birds usually make fantastic voyages annually, particularly during the non-breeding season.

Palearctic migrants refer to bird species that breed in Asia or Europe but seasonally migrate south during the non-breeding season. Bird migration to East Africa could be broadly categorized into three main groups, namely waterbirds, raptors, and landbirds. 

·        Waterbirds (also known as aquatic birds)

They are bird species that live on wetlands or around wetlands. Most of these birds ecologically depend on water bodies.  These birds can thrive in freshwater habitats, although some species of waterbirds can still inhabit marine environments. Moreover, some waterbirds can be more aquatic or terrestrial than others. Adaptations among these birds can vary depending on their respective territories. 

Waterbirds in East Africa have adopted various strategies to enable them to exploit the variety of East African wetlands. The onset of the rainy season is a crucial trigger for migration among waterbirds.  Some common types of waterbirds that migrate to the East African region include grebes, cormorants, pelicans, storks, ibises, flamingos, swans, and ducks.

·        Birds of prey (Raptors)

Birds of prey include eagles, falcons, hawks, and vultures. Eastern Africa is an ideal habitat for numerous species of birds of prey. There are dozens of raptors migrating to the region via the Suez, most of which come to the African continent in winter.  Migrant species vary in nature and size.  Raptors that come to East Africa are either nocturnal or diurnal.  The latter primarily hunt on sight, while the former hunt by using hearing and sight. Raptors can either hunt on their prey or consume food they have not killed.  An example of the latter is the vultures that prey on carcasses and sometimes wounded animals.  Some raptors that migrate to Africa (not necessarily East Africa) include black kite, Griffon’s vulture, Egyptian vulture, Pallid Harrier, Hen Harrier, Marsh Harrier, long-legged buzzard, honey buzzard, Steppe eagle, red-footed falcon, and kestrel among others.

·        Landbirds

Landbirds include bird species such as swallows, common cuckoo, songbirds, and the turtle dove.  These birds can breed in farmlands and agricultural areas, and then cross the vast Sahara desert to East Africa’s open savannahs where they winter in large groups. These birds have remarkably complex, long-distance migration cycles.  Nevertheless, landbirds are more vulnerable to prevailing environmental changes than resident species.  Upon arriving in East Africa, these birds can concentrate together temporarily before dispersing into suitable habitats.  As such, their conservation is quite challenging.

Birds that migrate to East Africa

East Africa has one of the richest avifauna in the world. Close to 200 Palearctic migrants have been spotted in the region. Some of such bird migration to East Africa include the following: