BIRDS IN MASAI MARA
Birds of Masai Mara : Maasai Mara as a tourist destination is well known for its amazing wildlife at the same time a true haven for birdlife it is the second with the highest number of species in Africa. this reserve features a number of habitats conducive for great bird watching for example the richly forested areas, swamp and others surrounding the two permanent rivers the Mara and talek flowing through the reserve which is a popular habitat for hundreds of birds.
There are Approximately 450 species of birds in Maasai Mara but its well-known for the rosy-throated long claw and magpie shrike and other Popular Species like Rosy-breasted Long claw, Secretary bird, Kori Bustard, Southern Ground Hornbill, Schalow’s Turaco, Grey-crested Helmetshrike, Red-necked Spur fowl, Red-winged Francolin, White-headed Vulture, Temminck’s Courser, Bare-faced Go-away-bird, -chested Swallow, and Southern Ground Hornbill etc.
if you interested in bird watching safaris/ tours , the best time is from October to April however you can do birdwatching at any time of the year it is so adventurous as You get to know and name bird species by sight and sound in their natural habitat. This adventure is usually conducted by a birding specialist Masai guide together with our guide highlighting many of the birds you would likely see.
Below are some of the bird species in masai Mara National Park their habitants and food
| Bird species | Commonly known for | Favorite meal |
| Saddle billed stork | Stay around the Outskirts of the swamps and can grow up 5 feet. | Cat fish |
| Madagsar squacco | An endangered species spotted between October and may | Feeds on insects , small mammals and lizards . |
| Ross’s turaco and Schalow’s turaco | Found along the edges of the riverine forest.
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Mostly consume fruits seeds, flowers and snails more so in brooding season |
| Vulture Guinea fowl | Known for their gorgeous body and typically “homely” looking bald head. | eats seeds, worms, and insects. |
| Yellow-billed storks and sacred ibis | known to hunt side by side, | Mainly feed on small fresh water fish and aquatic insects |
| 7 species of kingfisher | Found along the rivers and most famous for hunting. | Feed on prey (fish and sticklebacks) |
| Lesser Flamingo | Commonly known for its bright pink color and staying on the shores of lake Nakuru | Eat crustaceans, diatoms, aquatic plants and algae |
| black-headed heron | Stay in the swamps | Their diet include ;fish, insects,earthworms,snakes,rodents ,birds and eggs |
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Lappet-faced Vulture
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Has a very powerful beck and can attack live animals | feasts on dead carcasses |
| Ruppell’s Vulture
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highest flying bird in the world, with a wingspan of 8 feet.
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They can eat the hide and even bones of a carcass.
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| The Little Egret | Spotted on Lakes like Naivasha, Amboseli, and Lake Baringo | feed on fish and small amphibians.
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| The Crowned Crane | Commonly known for performing courtship dances and live in the grasslands near rivers and lakes .they are omnivores | Eat both plants and animals |
Masai Maras’ endemic species include the Tara River cisticola, the Aberdare cisticola, Hinde’s pied-babbler, William’s lark, Sharpe’s pipit, and Clarke’s weaver.
