Tropical Birding Trip Report UGANDA custom tour June 2014
UgandaUganda:::: Great apes & great birds June 15 ––– 30, 2014
Tour Leader: Scott Watson
Report and Photos by Scott Watson/Tropical Birding
The massive, and monotypic Shoebill. 1 www.tropicalbirding.com +1-409-515-0514 [email protected]
Tropical Birding Trip Report UGANDA custom tour June 2014
Introduction:
This custom tour was designed to maximize our opportunity to find, and spend time with, Gorillas and Chimpanzee as well as find as many bird species as possible, all within the ultra diverse Uganda. That being said, even though we focused a lot of time on primates, we still found an amazing 473 bird species, and of that 15 Albertine Rift Endemics! On top of that, a respectable 42 species of mammals with an amazing 10 species of primate! The reason for such high diversity is due in part to the wide array of habitats we visited. Starting in the endemic rich Bwindi Impenetrable Forest of the far south, then the dryer forests of Kibale and Budongo, to the grasslands and bush of Queen Elizabeth NP and Murchison Falls NP, and even the swamp and riparian forests of Lake Victoria. Add to this some world class accommodation and food, and you have the makings of a unique East African tour involving some of the rarest and most beautiful birds and mammals this great continent has to offer.
Itinerary:
June 15 Entebbe (arrival)
June 16 Entebbe to Ruhijo (Bwindi Impenetrable Forest) June 17 Gorilla Tracking
June 18 Gorilla Tracking to Buhimo June 19 Birding Buhimo (Bwindi Impenetrable Forest)
June 20 Buhimo to Queen Elizabeth NP June 21 Queen Elizabeth NP to Ndali
June 22 Chimpanzee Tracking Kibale Forest
June 23 Ndali to Masindi June 24 Budongo Forest
June 25 Masindi to Murchison Falls NP June 26 Murchison Falls NP
June 27 Murchison Falls NP June 28 Murchison Falls to Kampala
June 29 Mabamba Swamp to Entebbe
June 30 Entebbe and departure
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Tropical Birding Trip Report UGANDA custom tour June 2014
The beautiful Pied Kingfisher singing at Queen Elizabeth NP
June 15: Entebbe (arrival)
With flights arriving early, in the nice town of Entebbe on the shores of Lake Victoria, we focused our efforts today on the bird rich Entebbe Botanical Gardens, one of the oldest Botanical Gardens in East Africa. With large mature fruiting and flowering trees, coupled with some great shoreline habitat on Lake Victoria, this is a very birdy park indeed, even holding a few species we only saw here. On arrival we were greeted by a paid of BLACK-AND-WHITE CASQUED HORBILLS trumpeting away. In the same tree a stunning DOUBLE-TOOTHED BARBET made it presence felt, while a LIZARD BUZZARD flew by and perched up in a tree. Two parrots we found here and nowhere else were the tiny RED-HEADED LOVEBIRD and a pair of GRAY PARROT, the latter is especially beautiful when seen outside of a cage! Especially common here are GREAT BLUE TURACO and the comical EASTERN PLANTAIN-EATER. Once along the lake shore the diversity increased even more with the usual shoreline species such as; PINK-BACKED PELICAN, LONG-TAILED CORMORANT, HAMERKOP, AFRICAN OPENBILL, SADDLE-BILLED STORK, MARABOU STORK, YELLOW-BILLED DUCK, the weird PALM-NUT VULTURE, and the always stunning AFRICAN FISH-EAGLE. Next we got into some serious weaver action on the lakeside where the noise and sight of seeing hundreds of weavers building nests in the rushes is a very interesting spectacle. We found; NORTHERN BROWN-THROATED, ORANGE, VILLAGE, SLENDER-BILLED, BLACK-HEADED, and GROSBEAK WEAVERS. Sunbirds were also in evidence and the best of them were OLIVE-BELLIED and GREEN-HEADED SUNBIRDS among the very common SCARLET- CHESTED, RED-CHESTED, and COLLARED SUNBIRDS. There were also a couple of mammal species seen today including; GUEREZA PIED COLOBUS, VERVET MONKEY, and RED-LEGGED SUN SQUIRREL.
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Tropical Birding Trip Report UGANDA custom tour June 2014
The common, yet beautiful, Scarlet-chested Sunbird
June 16: Entebbe to Ruhijo (Bwindi Impenetrable Forest)
This morning was a very, very early start in order to drive the huge distance (some 550km) southwest to Ruhijo near the border of Congo. That being said we still managed to do a little birding en route and even saw some great species like; the Uganda National Bird (GRAY-CROWNED CRANE), many LONG-CRESTED EAGLES, AUGER BUZZARDS, BARE-FACED GO-AWAY-BIRD, and BLUE-NAPED MOUSEBIRDS. We arrived in Ruhijo within Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, our basecamp for Gorilla tracking, by 4pm and started birding right away. Simply birding along the road for the last couple hours of daylight we even managed a few Albertine Rift Endemics, which is the west branch of the east African rift, running through Tanzania, Burundi, Rwanda, and catching the southern edge of Uganda. The first of these endemics was a striking HANDSOM FRANCOLIN crossing the road. Birding a side trail got us into a nice feeding flock which help endemics; RWENZORI BATIS, and STRIPE-BREASTED TIT. Some nearby flowers brought in the strikingly beautiful endemic REGAL SUNBIRD, while hidden in a nearby tangle we “enjoyed” brief glimpses of the very shy GRAUER’S WARBLER, also an Albertine Rift endemic. A nice BARRED LONG-TAILED CUCKOO finished off this very birdy travel day.
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Tropical Birding Trip Report UGANDA custom tour June 2014
Some of the most beautiful forest Africa has to offer, the impenetrable Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
June 17: Gorilla Tracking
Today we were to try for one of the world’s top mammals, the critically endangered Mountain Gorilla. Before we headed out though, we did a little birding first at the trail head where the Gorilla orientation takes place. Here we managed to find yet another Albertine Rift endemic in the form of two RED-FACED WOODLAND-WARBLERS. Singles of the beautiful BLACK-BILLED TURACO and GRAY-THROATED BARBET also made an appearance. After our introduction to our local guide and trackers we were off through the forest, and there is a reason this is called impenetrable. Most of the time we were off trail, sliding down, and then climbing up, some seriously slippery and muddy slopes. Very little birding was possible for the first 4 hours as it is very difficult, and risky, to have binoculars around your neck whilst trying not to fall a few hundred feet below. Although, when stopped for a break we managed some pretty good stuff, best being an Albertine Rift endemic STRANGE WEAVER strangely foraging on the forest floor. Also seen was a beautiful BAR-TAILED TROGON and a pair of CHESTNUT-WINGED STARLINGS. After some 4 hours we found the Kyaguliro group of Gorillas. For the next hour we enjoyed watching this group of 18 Gorillas forage for food and play. We saw the huge male Silverback and even witnessed a mother nursing her young. An absolutely incredible experience, and one which should be treasured with this critically endangered mammal.
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Tropical Birding Trip Report UGANDA custom tour June 2014
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Tropical Birding Trip Report UGANDA custom tour June 2014
Mo Mountain Gorillas in Bwindi, young female (above), Silverback (middle), baby (below).
After our incredible gorilla experience we still had some time left to bird the road, and we managed to rack a few good ones; BUFF-SPOTTED WOODPECKER, SHELLEY’S GREENBUL, YELLOW-STREAKED BULBUL, AFRICAN HILL BABBLER, and then a starting line up of CHESTNUT-THROATED, RUWENZORI, GRAY, BUFF-THROATED, and BLACK-FACED APALIS. After some time a singing DOHERTY’S BUSHSHRIKE finally gave us all a great view, as well at the Albertine endemic STUHLMANN’S SUNBIRD. This marked the end of an unforgettable day!
June 18: Gorilla Tracking
If finding Gorillas once was amazing, then twice is even better! Today we were off again, still feeling the stiffness in the legs from the previous day, a good morning stretch was in order. Today we were to track the Bitukura Gorilla group, which was a bit further away than yesterdays group, but like I always say, you have to work for the good stuff. After a few hours of hiking we found them, and again had a memorable hour of observing these beautiful mammals in their beautiful forest home.
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Tropical Birding Trip Report UGANDA custom tour June 2014
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Tropical Birding Trip Report UGANDA custom tour June 2014
The rest of this afternoon was spent driving to Buhimo, on the other end of Bwindi Forest. We did however make a couple birding stops along they way and saw some great birds, including possibly the best Bee-eater species in the world, BLACK BEE-EATER! Other great finds at “the neck” are were; SPECKLED TINKERBIRD, PETIT’S CUCKOO- SHRIKE, HONEYGUIDE GREENBUL, TORO OLIVE GREENBUL, BROWN-CHESTED ALETHE, BLACK-THROATED APALIS, GREEN SUNBIRD, and GRAY-HEADED NIGRITA.
The very attractive L’Hoest’s Monkey near our cabin in Buhimo. 9 www.tropicalbirding.com +1-409-515-0514 [email protected]
Tropical Birding Trip Report UGANDA custom tour June 2014
June 19: Birding Buhimo (Bwindi Impenetrable Forest)
With the Gorilla tracking behind us, today was all about birds, and we spent most of the day birding the primary forest of Bwindi accompanied by a local guide, plus two guards since forest Elephants are in the area. We started thing of fast and furious with WESTERN BRONZE-NAPED PIGEON, OLIVE LONG-TAILED CUCKOO, BLACK BEE- EATER, YELLOW-THROATED TINKERBIRD, and incredible views of the stunning MANY-COLOURED BUSHSHRIKE. The trail this morning was fairly level, and a nice break from the 2 days of Gorilla tracking. The undergrowth was thick, yet many of our targets were skulking undergrowth specialties that being said we still found, and had good looks at; MOUNTAIN ILLADOPSIS, GREY-WINGED, ARCHER’S, and WHITE-BELLIED ROBIN-CHATS, both FIRE- CRESTED and RED-THROATED ALETHES, and even a GRAUER’S WARBLER. On our way back we found a great flowering tree which then gave rise to both PURPLE-BREASTED and BLUE-HEADED SUNBIRDS, both Albertine endemics. After lunch we birded a bit of the secondary growth. The highlight by far was finding a pair of the rare Albertine endemic CHAPIN’S FLYCATCHERS. GREEN CROMBEC, YELLOW-SPOTTED BARBET, BLACK CUCKOO (gabonensis), RED-TAILED GREENBUL, and RUFOUS FLYCATCHER-THRUSH were other great finds for the afternoon.
June 20: Buhimo to Queen Elizabeth NP
After a couple of hours birding the hotel grounds in the morning, and saying goodbye to our L’HOEST’S MONKEY friends, we were off heading north directly to our lodge in Queen Elizabeth NP in a much dryer grassland and bush country, more typical of East Africa. After a couple hours off during the heat of the day we headed out on our boat cruise in the canal connecting 2 of the rift lakes. This was great for seeing some of the wildlife up close as well as getting onto some good birds such as; AFRICAN SKIMMER, COLLARED PRATINCOLE, AFRICAN DARTER, PINK- BACKED PELICAN, AFRICAN PYGMY KINGFISHER, and AFRICAN FISH-EAGLE. This was great for our first taste of grassland mammals too, and our first encounter with AFRICAN ELEPHANTS for the tour, were 2 bulls playing in the water. Plenty of BUFFALO, HIPPOS, and NILE CROCODILE also caught our attention, as the day came to an end.
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Tropical Birding Trip Report UGANDA custom tour June 2014
A comical view of a Pink-backed Pelican in full yawn/stretch.
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June 21: Queen Elizabeth NP to Ndali
Birding some of the open areas in Queen Elizabeth NP this morning gave way to some nice birds, but mammals were very few and far between for some reason. Although first we checked a nearby Papyrus swamp for a few local targets, and we scored big with great looks at the striking PAPYRUS GONOLEK as well as finding LESSER SWAMP- WARBLER and LITTLE RUSH-WARBLER. Next we birded the dryer, open areas of the park finding our target WHITE-TAILED LARK, as well as a few SENEGAL LAPWINGS. RED-NECKED SPURFOWL were everywhere, and checking a nearby crater lake gave a few very late lingering LESSER FLAMINGOS. Driving north, and seeing many LONG-CRESTED EAGLES, we arrived at our luxurious lodge above a deep crater lake at Ndali. Here we birded the lodge grounds for the rest of the afternoon, which turned out to be quite productive, giving us great looks at; COPPER, PURPLE-BANDED, NORTHERN DOUBLE-COLLARED, GREEN-THROATED, and SCARLET-CHESTED SUNBIRDS, ROSS’S TURACO, AFRICAN EMERALD CUCKOO, CROWNED HORNBILL, and AFRICAN PARADISE- FLYCATCHER. Most of these birds were easily seen from the cabin balcony or near the lodge pool with a cocktail!!
June 22: Chimpanzee Tracking Kibale Forest
Another early start this morning to ensure we get to Kibale Forest on time. On arrival, well after a quick stop for a YELLOW-SPOTTED NICATOR en route, we met our Chimpanzee guide before heading off into the forest to begin our search. Kibale is a much dryer, and flat, forest compared to Bwindi, making this kind of off-trail tracking for Chimps much easier than Gorillas. After about 2 hours we came across our first primates, a large troop of cute RED- TAILED MONKEYS, and a view of the rarer GRAY-CHEEKED MANGABY’S. Birds on the other hand were extremely quiet, and nothing of significance was seen in the early morning hours.
A Red-tailed Monkey wondering what we are. 12 www.tropicalbirding.com +1-409-515-0514 [email protected]
Tropical Birding Trip Report UGANDA custom tour June 2014
Finally word rang out of a Chimpanzee high in a fruiting tree, and we were off running. Arriving on scene we could see the chimp but maybe 100 feet up and barely in view, so we waited for it to possibly descend, until suddenly the distinctive sound of chimps in the distance caught our attention. We were off again at a brisk pace to try and track them down. Three adults (including one female in heat) were crashing through the trees above us, while 4 more were running on the ground. After rounding a final corner we stopped dead in our tracks as two males were grooming each other on a low branch, in clear view, incredible! We spent the following, fleeting, hour with these amazing primates as they socialized. Our closest relatives have just as much character and charm.
What are friends for? Removing bothersome ticks from armpits.
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Tropical Birding Trip Report UGANDA custom tour June 2014
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Tropical Birding Trip Report UGANDA custom tour June 2014
Another incredible experience; watching wild Chimpanzee’s in Kibale Forest.
Back from our chimp experience and after a nice lunch we did some birding at a nearby swamp. Here we birded a perimeter trail and picked up a few nice birds including; GREEN-BACKED TWINSPOT, PURPLE-HEADED STARLING, TORO OLIVE GREENBUL, SOOTY FLYCATCHER, AFRICAN SHRIKE-FLYCATCHER, RED-HEADED BLUEBILL, and WHITE-CHINNED PRINIA. Birding the forest on the road was extremely quiet with little of note but a single NARINA TROGON.
The subtle beauty of a White-chinned Prinia 15 www.tropicalbirding.com +1-409-515-0514 [email protected]
Tropical Birding Trip Report UGANDA custom tour June 2014
June 23: Ndali to Masindi
After an hour of birding around the lodge, and a nice leisurely breakfast for a change (and a nearby GIANT KINGFISHER) we were off heading north towards Masindi. Today was to be a long travel day on mainly unpaved roads. We did stop at a couple Papyrus swamps and eventually get great looks at the skulky WHITE-WINGED SWAMP-WARBLER, but not much else of note, except for an always interesting Ugandan countryside. On arrival in Masindi we checked into our hotel and birded the grounds in the last bit of daylight. This wasn’t too bad as we found; GREAT SPARROWHAWK, WOODLAND KINGFISHER, RED-CHEEKED CORDONBLEU, and a SPLENDID STARLING.
June 24: Budongo Forest
An early start had us arriving in Budongo Forest just after sunrise where we would bird the “Royal Mile” for the day. Here we could pick up lots of new birds, and we did just that. With the morning chorus kicking off we managed to entice a few skulkers into view, best being a nice SCALY-BREASTED ILLADOPSIS, soon followed by a BROWN ILLADOPSIS. Next we were locked onto a flock of Swifts circling above us, most were SABINE’S, but among them we picked out 2 CASSIN’S SPINTAILS, a great find. Then we were onto the kingfishers, and we could hear 4 different species at one time. First we found the abundant AFRICAN PYGMY-KINGFISHER and the common (here) AFRICAN DWARF-KINGFISHER, both tiny and extremely beautiful. Then we tried for 2 canopy loving species and eventually got both the BLUE-BREASTED and CHOCOLATE-BACKED KINGFISHERS. The latter being a tough specialty here, and is a real beauty indeed. Nearby a CHESTNUT WATTLE-EYE came into view, as did 3 huge WHITE-THIGHED HORBILLS as they flew into an overhanging tree with a crash. Moving along we eventually found a nice canopy flock with quite a few species; SPOTTED GREENBUL, GRAY-THROATED TIT-FLYCATCHER, the very local CHESTNUT-CAPPED FLYCATCHER, OLIVE-GREEN CAMAROPTERA, RUFOUS-CROWNED EREMOMELA, LEMON- BELLIED CROMBEC, JAMESON’S WATTLE-EYE, DUSKY TIT, LITTLE GREEN SUNBIRD, and the tiny WHITE- BREASTED NIGRITA were all present in about 4 different trees above us.
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Tropical Birding Trip Report UGANDA custom tour June 2014
After a nice box lunch and a small afternoon break, it was back to birding and our first species of the afternoon was our rarest of the day, the striking CRESTED MALIMBE which is a bit out of range here. We also saw its much commoner cousin, the RED-HEADED MALIMBE. As the afternoon continued the forest grew extremely quiet, suddenly a large crash in the trees caught our attention as we soon realized it was a lone Chimpanzee travelling through, always an incredible site to see this “bonus” chimp. Other primates were in evidence as well mainly being the resident SYKES BLUE GENTLE MONKEY. The last bird of the day before heading back to Masindi was a Blue- breasted Kingfisher which had descended from the canopy to catch a lizard, a great end to a great day.
The beautiful Blue-breasted Kingfisher capped off the day in Budongo
June 25: Masindi to Murchison Falls NP
This morning we left Masindi and headed north through Budongo and then in Murchison Falls NP on route to our lodge. This is a pretty good distance, but we still made some short birding stops along the way. Our first stop got us onto a very cooperative PUVEL’S ILLADOPSIS, which can be a tough local specialty. Soon after flushing a few CRESTED FRANCOLINS we stopped the car to check out some birds on the road ahead. To our surprise they were the very uncommon AFEP PIGEON, rarely seen on the group, a great bonus! This would they be the start of a great day for Columbidae, since soon after the Afeps we found BLACK-BILLED WOOD-DOVE and then a pair of BRUCE’S GREEN-PIGEONS. After this we did not stop much once we hit a serious zone of biting flies which were extremely
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Tropical Birding Trip Report UGANDA custom tour June 2014 persistent, and by the millions. Although, from the car we did get great views of the unique WESTERN VIOLET- BACKED SUNBIRD near a flowering bush.
By noon we had made it to our ferry crossing at the White Nile, with our lodge looming over the bank on the other side, and just in time as it was getting into the heat of the day. The ferry crossing itself can be quite interesting, with Hippos, and RED-THROATED BEE-EATERS surrounding the boat. Upon arriving at the lodge we had lunch and took a nice afternoon break before going out on a game drive at 4pm. Murchison Falls NP is another different habitat, mostly a mix of palm savannah and riverine woodland, meaning more new birds and mammals are on hand. Our afternoon drive started off with a nice target FOXY CISTICOLA perched up and singing on the top of a bush. This distinctive Cisticola can sometimes be tricky when not singing. A flyby WHITE-CRESTED TURACO gave us some colour before going head-first into a pile of new Cisticola species for the tour, including; SINGING, WHISTLING, RATTLING, CROAKING, and ZITTING CISTICOLAS. A pair of ABYSSINIAN GROUND-HORNBILLS were a nice touch, seeming large than the near by, and abundant, grazing ORIBI. Now late in the afternoon, it seemed every bush had a bird perched on top of it. The best “teed up” birds were; BLACK-BILLED BARBET, PALE FLYCATCHER, VIOLET- BACKED STARLING, SHELLEY’S RUFOUS SPARROW, SPECKLE-FRONTED WEAVER, RED-HEADED QUELEA, and the stunning ORANGE BISHOP. Our last new bird of the day however was the PIAPIAC, a strange Corvid which forages in small flocks and feeds on the insects stirred up my game, in this instance, a family of WARTHOG.
The strange Piapiac in Murchison Falls NP
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Tropical Birding Trip Report UGANDA custom tour June 2014
June 26 th and 27 th : Murchison Falls NP
We had two full days in Murchison Falls NP, both of them consisted of both a morning and afternoon game drive covering the open grassland and the riverine forest habitat around the delta area. Key birding times were early morning and late afternoon since it gets very, very hot here by 9:30am at this time of year. We did have some good birding around the Acacia woodland near the river and near the delta. We struck out on the Shoebill here but picked up a couple new birds like SADDLE-BILLED STORK, SPUR-WINGED GOOSE, and BLACK-HEADED LAPWING. The wooded area got us some great targets such as; GREATER HONEYGUIDE, the elegant BLACK SCIMITAR-BILL, NUBIAN WOODPECKER, the sleek SILVERBIRD, major target RED-WINGED GRAY WARBLER, NORTHERN CROMBEC, LESSER BLUE-EARED STARLING, and the shining BLACK-WINGED BISHOP. The unique palm dominated grassland held some cool birds among the bountiful Giraffe, Buffalo, Oribi, Kob, Defassa Waterbuck, Coke’s Hartebeest, and long limbed Patas Monkeys. We had multiple HEUGLIN’S FRANCOLINS crossing the road in front of us, and some careful scanning revealed; SECRETARYBIRD, STANLEY and BLACK-BELLIED BUSTARDS, FLAPPET LARK, and BLACK-BELLIED FIREFINCH. The major highlight of our time here in Murchison Falls NP was taking a boat trip up the White Nile to Murchison Falls itself, where all of the rivers water squeezes through a 7m canyon with extreme force. We took the large “Africa Queen” two story boat the 9km upriver, passing huge numbers of Hippos and Nile Crocodiles, and the ever present PIED KINGFISHER, RED-THROATED BEE-EATER, MALACHITE KINGFISHER, AFRICAN FISH-EAGLE, and near the falls we found a few ROCK PRATICOLES on an exposed rock.
Murchison Falls in all its glory 19 www.tropicalbirding.com +1-409-515-0514 [email protected]
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On our final night we went on a night drive in the park, finding PENNANT-WINGED NIGHTJAR and GRAYISH EAGLE-OWL as the best birds, and great views of the nocturnal WHITE-TAILED MONGOOSE! Then back to our luxury accommodation for the 3 rd and final night
The intricate beauty of the Speckle-fronted Weaver
June 28 th : Murchison Falls to Kampala
Catching the 7am ferry back across the White Nile, we were off to cover lots of distance to get back to the capitol of Kampala. We made a few scenic/birding stops along the way, especially following the escarpment on the east end of Lake Albert. On the way we had our first EASTERN CHANTING-GOSHAWK, SENEGAL COUCAL, BEARDED WOODPECKER, and even our first colony of STAW-COLOURED FRUIT BAT. Before getting to Masindi for lunch a quick stop in Budongo Forest again was on offer, and it was a great stop. New species here were, the shy YELLOW LONGBILL, a very cooperative DUSKY LONG-TAILED CUCKOO, and our best look at the delicious CHOCOLATE- BACKED KINGFISHER. By the end of the day we were at our base in the busy city of Kampala.
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Tropical Birding Trip Report UGANDA custom tour June 2014
A nice morning yawn from a Hippo while crossing the ferry from our lodge
June 29: Mabamba Swamp to Entebbe
An early departure from Kampala had us at Mabamba Swamp of the shores of Lake Victoria in time to meet our boat driver and get into the marsh before the day heated up. We were here for one reason, Shoebill. On the water, and driving through the narrow canals through the Papyrus the song of Papyrus Gonolek was everywhere. When the marsh opened up a little, the birding became easier with AFRICAN MARSH-HARRIER, LONG-TOED LAPWING, AFRICAN JACANA, the tricky LESSER JACANA, and the beautiful AFRICAN PYGMY-GOOSE coming into view. After another 20 minutes a large gray head came into view from across the marsh, and I could see our boat driver smiling. We were onto it, the massive, obscure, and monotypic Shoebill. Specializing on eating Lungfish and only laying eggs every 5 years, this truly is a weird birds, and we were able to watch it for over an our. Most of the time it was standing motionless, waiting for its prey to swim by, but we even saw it strike and miss. We had acquired our main target for the day, everyone was happy. From here we birded the surrounding shoreline, finding our first BLUE-BREASTED BEE-EATER and enjoying more great views of common species like FAN-TAILED WIDOWBIRD, RED-BILLED FIREFINCH. AND SOOTY CHAT.
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Tropical Birding Trip Report UGANDA custom tour June 2014
The final target bird of the trip, what better species that Shoebill!? 22 www.tropicalbirding.com +1-409-515-0514 [email protected]
Tropical Birding Trip Report UGANDA custom tour June 2014
June 30: Entebbe and Departure
Today we had some more time to bird the Entebbe Botanical Gardens again before our afternoon flights out of Entebbe. Some great final looks at GRAY PARROT, MADAGASCAR BEE-EATER, LIZARD BUZZARD, AFRICAN OPENBILL, and AFRICAN JACANA we very welcome before our long trips home. This was an incredibly diverse tour which not only included some of the best mammals in the world, namely Gorilla and Chimpanzee, but also nearly 500 species of birds! Uganda really has something for everyone!
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Tropical Birding Trip Report UGANDA custom tour June 2014
Bird List: ARE = Albertine Rift Endemic
PELICANS: Pelecanidae
Pink-backed Pelican Pelecanus rufescens
CORMORANTS: Phalacrocoracidae
Great Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo
Long-tailed Cormorant Phalacrocorax africanus
ANHINGAS: Anhingidae
Darter Anhinga melanogaster
HERONS, EGRETS, AND BITTERNS: Ardeidae
Gray Heron Ardea cinerea
Black-headed Heron Ardea melanocephala
Goliath Heron Ardea goliath
Purple Heron Ardea purpurea
Great Egret Ardea alba
Intermediate Egret Egretta intermedia
Little Egret Egretta garzetta
Squacco Heron Ardeola ralloides
Rufous-bellied Heron Ardeola rufiventris
Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis
Striated Heron Butorides striatus
Black-crowned Night-Heron Nycticorax nycticorax
HAMERKOPS: Scopidae
Hamerkop Scopus umbretta
STORKS: Ciconiidae
Yellow-billed Stork Mycteria ibis
African Openbill Anastomus lamelligerus
Saddle-billed Stork Ephippiorhynchus senegalensis
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Tropical Birding Trip Report UGANDA custom tour June 2014
Marabou Stork Leptoptilos crumeniferus
SHOEBILLS: Balaenicipitidae
Shoebill Balaeniceps rex
IBIS AND SPOONBILLS: Threskiornithidae
Sacred Ibis Threskiornis aethiopicus
Hadada Ibis Bostrychia hagedash
Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus
African Spoonbill Platalea alba
DUCKS, GEESE AND SWANS: Anatidae
White-faced Whistling-Duck Dendrocygna viduata
Egyptian Goose Alopochen aegyptiacus
Spur-winged Goose Plectropterus gambensis
African Pygmy-goose Nettapus auritus
Yellow-billed Duck Anas undulata
OSPREY: Pandionidae
Osprey Pandion haliaetus
HAWKS, EAGLES AND KITES: Accipitridae
Black-shouldered Kite Elanus caeruleus
Black Kite Milvus migrans
African Fish-Eagle Haliaeetus vocifer
Palm-nut Vulture Gypohierax angolensis
Hooded Vulture Necrosyrtes monachus
White-backed Vulture Gyps africanus
Rueppell's Griffon Gyps rueppellii
Lappet-faced Vulture Torgos tracheliotus
White-headed Vulture Trigonoceps occipitalis
Black-breasted Snake-Eagle Circaetus pectoralis
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Brown Snake-Eagle Circaetus cinereus
(Western) Banded Snake-Eagle Circaetus cinerascens
Bateleur Terathopius ecaudatus
African Marsh-Harrier Circus ranivorus
African Harrier-Hawk Polyboroides typus
Lizard Buzzard Kaupifalco monogrammicus
Dark Chanting-Goshawk Melierax metabates
Eastern Chanting-Goshawk Melierax poliopterus
Gabar Goshawk Micronisus gabar
African Goshawk Accipiter tachiro
Shikra Accipiter badius
Little Sparrowhawk Accipiter minullus
Black Goshawk (Great Sparrowhawk) Accipiter melanoleucus
Steppe' Common Buzzard Buteo buteo vulpinus
Augur Buzzard Buteo augur
Tawny Eagle Aquila rapax
Wahlberg's Eagle Aquila wahlbergi
African Hawk-Eagle Hieraaetus spilogaster
Martial Eagle Polemaetus bellicosus
Long-crested Eagle Lophaetus occipitalis
Crowned Hawk-Eagle Stephanoaetus coronatus
SECRETARYBIRDS: Sagitarridae
Secretary-bird Sagittarius serpentarius
FALCONS: Falconidae
Gray Kestrel Falco ardosiaceus
Red-necked Falcon Falco chicquera
Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus
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FRANCOLINS AND QUAIL: Phasianidae
Crested Francolin Francolinus sephaena
Heuglin's Francolin Francolinus heuglini
Red-necked Spurfowl Francolinus afer
Handsome Francolin ARE Francolinus nobilis
Common Quail Coturnix coturnix
GUINEAFOWL: Numididae
Helmeted Guineafowl Numida meleagris
CRANES: Gruidae
Gray Crowned-Crane Balearica regulorum
RAILS, CRAKES, GALLINULES AND COOTS: Rallidae
White-spotted Flufftail Sarothrura pulchra
Black Crake Amaurornis flavirostris
Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus
BUSTARDS: Otidae
Kori Bustard Ardeotis kori
Stanley (Denham's) Bustard Neotis denhami
Black-bellied Bustard Lissotis melanogaster
JACANAS: Jacanidae
Lesser Jacana Microparra capensis
African Jacana Actophilornis africanus
STILTS AND AVOCETS: Recurvirostridae
Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus
THICK-KNEES: Burhinidae
Water Thick-knee Burhinus vermiculatus
Spotted Thick-knee Burhinus capensis
COURSERS AND PRATINCOLES: Glareolidae
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Temminck's Courser Cursorius temminckii
Collared Pratincole Glareola pratincola
Rock Pratincole Glareola nuchalis
PLOVERS AND LAPWINGS: Charadriidae
Long-toed Lapwing Vanellus crassirostris
Spur-winged Plover Vanellus spinosus
Senegal Lapwing Vanellus lugubris
Crowned Lapwing Vanellus coronatus
Wattled Lapwing Vanellus senegallus
Black-headed Lapwing Vanellus tectus
Kittlitz's Plover Charadrius pecuarius
Three-banded Plover Charadrius tricollaris
SANDPIPERS: Scolopacidae
Marsh Sandpiper Tringa stagnatilis
Common Greenshank Tringa nebularia
Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos
GULLS: Laridae
Gray-headed Gull Larus cirrocephalus
TERNS: Sternidae
Gull-billed Tern Sterna nilotica
Whiskered Tern Chlidonias hybridus
SKIMMERS: Rynchopidae
African Skimmer Rynchops flavirostris
PIGEONS AND DOVES: Columbidae
Rock Dove Columba livia
Speckled Pigeon Columba guinea
Afep Pigeon Colomba unicincta
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Rameron Pigeon Columba arquatrix
Western Bronze-naped Pigeon Columba iriditorques
African Mourning Dove Streptopelia decipiens
Red-eyed Dove Streptopelia semitorquata
Ring-necked Dove Streptopelia capicola
Laughing Dove Streptopelia senegalensis
Vinaceous Dove Streptopelia vinacea
Emerald-spotted Wood-Dove Turtur chalcospilos
Blue-spotted Wood-Dove Turtur afer
Black-billed Wood-Dove Turtur abyssinicus
Tambourine Dove Turtur tympanistria
Namaqua Dove Oena capensis
Bruce's Green-Pigeon Treron waalia
African Green-Pigeon Treron calva
PARROTS: Psittacidae
Red-headed Lovebird Agapornis pullarius
Grey Parrot Psittacus erithacus
TURACOS: Turacidae
Great Blue Turaco Corythaeola cristata
Black-billed Turaco Turaco schuettii
White-crested Turaco Tauraco leucocephalus
Ross' Turaco Musophaga rossae
Bare-faced Go-away-bird Corythaixoides personatus
Eastern Plantain-eater Crinifer zonurus
CUCKOOS: Cuculidae
Levaillant's Cuckoo Clamator levaillantii
Red-chested Cuckoo Cuculus solitarius
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Black Cuckoo Cuculus clamosus
Barred Long-tailed Cuckoo Cercococcyx montanus
Dusky Long-tailed Cuckoo Cercococcyx mechowi
Olive Long-tailed Cuckoo Cercococcyx olivinus
Klaas' Cuckoo Chrysococcyx klaas
African Emerald Cuckoo Chrysococcyx cupreus
Dideric Cuckoo Chrysococcyx caprius
Yellowbill Ceuthmochares aereus
Blue-headed Coucal Centropus monachus
Senegal Coucal Centropus senegalensis
White-browed Coucal Centropus superciliosus
OWLS: Strigidae
African Scops-Owl Otus senegalensis
Grayish Eagle-Owl Bubo cinarescens
Verreaux's Eagle-Owl Bubo lacteus
African Wood-Owl Strix woodfordii
NIGHTJARS: Caprimulgidae
Swamp Nightjar Caprimulgus natalensis
Plain Nightjar Caprimulgus inornatus
Long-tailed Nightjar Caprimulgus climacturus
Square-tailed Nightjar Caprimulgus fossii
Pennant-winged Nightjar Macrodipteryx vexillarius
SWIFTS: Apodidae
Sabine's Spinetail Rhaphidura sabini
Cassin's Spinetail Neafrapus cassini
African Palm-Swift Cypsiurus parvus
African (Black) Swift Apus barbatus
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Little Swift Apus affinis
White-rumped Swift Apus caffer
MOUSEBIRDS: Colidae
Speckled Mousebird Colius striatus
Blue-naped Mousebird Urocolius macrourus
TROGONS: Trogonidae
Narina Trogon Apaloderma narina
Bar-tailed Trogon Apaloderma vittatum
KINGFISHERS: Alcedinidae
Malachite Kingfisher Alcedo cristata
African Pygmy-Kingfisher Ispidina picta
African Dwarf Kingfisher Ispidina lecontei
Chocolate-backed Kingfisher Halcyon badia
Gray-headed Kingfisher Halcyon leucocephala
Woodland Kingfisher Halcyon senegalensis
Blue-breasted Kingfisher Halcyon malimbica
Striped Kingfisher Halcyon chelicuti
Giant Kingfisher Megaceryle maxima
Pied Kingfisher Ceryle rudis
BEE-EATERS: Meropidae
Black Bee-eater Merops gularis
Red-throated Bee-eater Merops bulocki
Little Bee-eater Merops pusillus
Blue-breasted Bee-eater Merops variegatus
Cinnamon-chested Bee-eater Merops oreobates
Swallow-tailed Bee-eater Merops hirundineus
White-throated Bee-eater Merops albicollis
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Blue-cheeked Bee-eater Merops persicus
Madagascar Bee-eater Merops superciliosus
Northern Carmine Bee-eater Merops nubicus
ROLLERS: Coraciidae
Broad-billed Roller Eurystomus glaucurus
HOOPOES: Upupidae
African Hoopoe Upupa africana
WOOD-HOOPOES: Phoeniculidae
Green Woodhoopoe Phoeniculus purpureus
Forest Woodhoopoe Phoeniculus castaneiceps
Black Scimitar-bill Rhinopomastus aterrimus
HORNBILLS: Bucerotidae
Crowned Hornbill Tockus alboterminatus
African Gray Hornbill Tockus nasutus
African Pied Hornbill Tockus fasciatus
Black-and-white-casqued Hornbill Ceratogymna subcylindricus
White-thighed Hornbill Ceratogymna albotibialis
Abyssinian Ground-Hornbill Bucorvus abyssinicus
BARBETS: Capitonidae
Gray-throated Barbet Gymnobucco bonapartei
Speckled Tinkerbird Pogoniulus scolopaceus
Yellow-throated Tinkerbird Pogoniulus subsulphureus
Yellow-rumped Tinkerbird Pogoniulus bilineatus
Yellow-fronted Tinkerbird Pogoniulus chrysoconus
Yellow-spotted Barbet Buccanodon duchaillui
Hairy-breasted Barbet Tricholaema hirsuta
Spot-flanked Barbet Tricholaema lachrymosa
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Black-billed Barbet Lybius guifsobalito
Double-toothed Barbet Lybius bidentatus
Yellow-billed Barbet Trachyphonus purpuratus
HONEYGUIDES: Indicatoridae
Greater Honeyguide Indicator indicator
Lesser Honeyguide Indicator minor
Willcock's Honeyguide Indicator wilcocksi
Least Honeyguide Indicator exilis
WOODPECKERS: Picidae
Nubian Woodpecker Campethera nubica
Buff-spotted Woodpecker Campethera nivosa
Cardinal Woodpecker Dendropicos fuscescens
Brown-backed Woodpecker Dendropicos obsoletus
Bearded Woodpecker Dendropicos namaquus
Yelow-crested Woodpecker Dendropicos xantholophus
Elliot's Woodpecker Dendropicos ellioti
Gray Woodpecker Dendropicos goertae
Olive Woodpecker Dendropicos griseocephalus
BROADBILLS: Eurylaemidae
African Broadbill Smithornis capensis
LARKS: Alaudidae
White-tailed Lark Mirafra albicauda
Rufous-naped Lark Mirafra africana
Flappet Lark Mirafra rufocinnamomea
SWALLOWS: Hirundidae
Bank Swallow Riparia riparia
Plain Martin Riparia paludicola
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Banded Martin Riparia cincta
Gray-rumped Swallow Hirundo griseopyga
Rock Martin Hirundo fuligula
Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica
Angola Swallow Hirundo angolensis
Wire-tailed Swallow Hirundo smithii
Lesser Striped-Swallow Hirundo abyssinica
Rufous-chested Swallow Hirundo semirufa
Mosque Swallow Hirundo senegalensis
Red-rumped Swallow Hirundo daurica
House Martin Delichon urbica
White-headed Sawwing Psalidoprocne albiceps
Black Sawwing Psalidoprocne holomelas
WAGTAILS AND PIPITS: Motacillidae
African Pied Wagtail Motacilla aguimp
Cape Wagtail Motacilla capensis
Mountain Wagtail Motacilla clara
Yellow-throated Longclaw Macronyx croceus
Plain-backed Pipit Anthus leucophrys
African Pipit Anthus cinnamomeus
Long-billed Pipit Anthus similis
CUCKOO-SHRIKES: Campephagidae
Gray Cuckoo-shrike Coracina caesia
Black Cuckoo-shrike Campephaga flava
Petit's Cuckoo-shrike Campephaga petiti
BULBULS: Pycnonotidae
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Common Bulbul Pycnonotus barbatus
Little Greenbul Andropadus virens
Kakamega (Shelly's) Greenbul A. (masukuensis) kakamegae
(Little) Gray Greenbul Andropadus gracilis
Ansorge's Greenbul Andropadus ansorgei
Plain (Cameroon Sombre) Greenbul Andropadus curvirostris
Slender-billed Greenbul Andropadus gracilirostris
Yellow-whiskered Bulbul Andropadus latirostris
Olive-breasted Mountain Greenbul Andropadus kikuyensis
Honeyguide Greenbul Baeopogon indicator
Spotted Greenbul Ixonotus guttatus
Yellow-throated Leaflove Chlorocichla flavicollis
Joyful Greenbul Chlorocichla laetissima
Toro Olive Greenbul Phyllastrephus hypochloris
Yellow-streaked Bulbul Phyllastrephus flavostriatus
Common Bristlebill Bleda syndactyla
Red-tailed Greenbul Criniger calurus
NICATORS: Nictoridae
Yellow-spotted Nicator Nicator chloris
BABBLERS: Timaliidae
Scaly-breasted Illadopsis Illadopsis albipectus
Mountain Illadopsis Illadopsis pyrrhoptera
Brown Illadopsis Illadopsis fulvescens
Puvel's Illadopsis Illadopsis puveli
African Hill Babbler Illadopsis abyssinica
Arrow-marked Babbler Turdoides jardineii
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THRUSHES: Turdidae
Red-tailed Ant-Thrush Neocossyphus rufus
White-tailed Ant-thrush Neocossyphus poensis
Rufous Flycatcher Thrush Stizorhina fraseri
Mountain (Olive) Thrush Turdus olivaceus abyssinicus
African Thrush Turdus pelios
Spotted Morning Thrush Cichladusa guttata
White-browed Robin-chat Cossypha heuglini
Blue-shouldered Robin-chat Cossypha cyanocampter
Snowy-headed Robin-chat Cossypha niveicapilla
Red-capped Robin-chat Cossypha natalensis
Grey-winged Robin-chat Cossypha polioptera
Archer's Robin-chat ARE Cossypha archeri
White-bellied Robin-chat Cossypha roberti
Red-backed (White-browed) Scrub-Robin Cercotrichas leucophrys
African Stonechat Saxicola torquata
Sooty Chat Myrmecocichla nigra
Brown-chested Alethe Alethe poliocephala
Red-throated Alethe ARE Alethe poliophrys
Fire-crested Alethe Alethe diademata castanea
Equatorial Akalat Sheppardia aequatorialis
Eastern Forest Robin S. erythrothorax xanthogaster
FLYCATCHERS: Muscicapidae
African Dusky Flycatcher Muscicapa adusta
Cassin’s Flycatcher Muscicapa cassini
Ashy Flycatcher Muscicapa caerulescens
Dusky-Blue Flycatcher Muscicapa comitata
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Chapin's Flycatcher ARE Muscicapa lendu
Sooty Flycatcher Muscicapa infuscata
Swamp Flycatcher Muscicapa aquatica
Forest Flycatcher Fraseria ocreata
Silverbird Empidornis semipartitus
Pale Flycatcher Bradornis pallidus
White-eyed Slaty-Flycatcher Melaenornis fischeri
Northern Black-Flycatcher Melaenornis edolioides
Gray Tit-Flycatcher Myioparus plumbeus
Grey-throated Tit-Flycatcher Myioparus griseigularis
MONARCH FLYCATCHERS: Terpsiphonidae
African Blue-Flycatcher Elminia longicauda
White-tailed Blue-Flycatcher Elminia albicauda
African Paradise-Flycatcher Terpsiphone viridis
Black-headed Paradise-Flycatcher Terpsiphone rufiventer
CISTICOLAS, APALIS, PRINIAS, CAMAROPTERA, EREMOMELA: Cisticolidae
Red-faced Cisticola Cisticola erythrops
Singing Cisticola Cisticola cantans
Trilling Cisticola Cisticola woosnami
Whistling Cisticola Cisticola lateralis
Chubb's Cisticola Cisticola chubbsi
Rattling Cisticola Cisticola chiniana
Winding Cisticola Cisticola galactotes
Carruther's Cisticola Cisticola carruthersi
Siffling (Short-winged) Cisticola Cisticola brachypterus
Foxy Cisticola Cisticola troglodytes
Wing-snapping (Ayre's) Cisticola Cisticola ayersii
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Zitting Cisticola Cisticola juncidis
Tawny-flanked Prinia Prinia subflava
White-chinned Prinia Prinia leucopogon
Black-faced (Banded) Prinia Prinia bairdii melanops
Gray-capped Warbler Eminia lepida
Red-winged Grey Warbler Drymocichla incana
Chestnut-throated Apalis Apalis porphyrolaema
Buff-throated Apalis Apalis rufogularis
Ruwenzori (Collared) Apalis ARE Apalis ruwenzorii
Gray Apalis Apalis cinerea
Black-throated Apalis Apalis jacksoni
Black-faced (Masked Mountain) Apalis ARE Apalis personata
Gray-backed Camaroptera Camaroptera brachyura brevicaudata
Olive-green Camaroptera Camaroptera chloronota
Rufous-crowned Eremomela Eremomela badiceps
Black-faced Rufous Warbler Bathmocercus rufus
AFRICAN WARBLERS: Macrosphenidae
Green Hylia Hylia prasina
Yellow Longbill Macrosphenus flavicans
Northern Crombec Sylvietta brachyura
White-browed Crombec Sylvietta leucophrys
Green Crombec Sylvietta virens
Lemon-bellied Crombec Sylvietta denti
Moustached Grass-Warbler Melocichla mentalis
Grauer's Warbler ARE Graueria vittata
BUSH WARBLERS AND ALLIES: Cettiidae
Chestnut-capped Flycatcher Erythrocercus mccallii
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LEAF-WARBLERS: Phylloscopidae
Brown Woodland-Warbler Phylloscopus umbrovirens
Red-faced Woodland-Warbler ARE Phylloscopus laetus
REED-WARBLERS: Acrocephalidae
African Reed-Warbler Acrocephalus baeticatus
Great Reed-Warbler Acrocephalus arundinaceus
Lesser Swamp-Warbler Acrocephalus gracilirostris
GRASSBIRDS AND ALLIES: Locustellidae
White-winged Warbler Bradypterus carpalis
Little Rush-Warbler Bradypterus baboecala
Cinnamon Bracken-Warbler Bradypterus cinnamomeus
WHITE-EYES: Zosteropidae
African Yellow White-eye Zosterops senegalensis
BATISES AND WATTLE-EYES: Platysteridae
Black-and-white Shrike-flycatcher Bias musicus
African Shrike-flycatcher Megabias flammulatus
Brown-throated Wattle-eye Platysteira cyanea
Chestnut Wattle-eye Dyaphorophyia castanea
Jameson's Wattle-eye Dyaphorophyia jamesoni
Chin-spot Batis Batis molitor
Western Black-headed Batis Batis minor erlangeri
Rwenzori Batis ARE Batis diops
BUSHSHRIKES: Malaconotidae
Brubru Nilaus afer
Northern Puffback Dryoscopus gambensis
Pink-footed Puffback Dryoscopus angolensis
Black-crowned Tchagra Tchagra senegala
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Brown-crowned Tchagra Tchagra australis
Tropical Boubou Laniarius aethiopicus
Mountain Black Boubou Laniarius poensis
Black-headed Gonolek Laniarius erythrogaster
Papyrus Gonolek Laniarius mufumbiri
Luedher's Bushshrike Laniarius luehderi
Gray-green Bushshrike Telophorus bocagei
Many-coloured Bushshrike Telophorus multicolor
Doherty's Bushshrike Telophorus doherti
SHRIKES: Laniidae
Red-backed Shrike Lanius collurio
Gray-backed Fiscal Lanius excubitoroides
Mackinnon's Fiscal Lanius mackinnoni
Common Fiscal Lanius collaris
ORIOLES: Oriolidae
Black-tailed Oriole Oriolus percivali
Western Black-headed Oriole Oriolus brachyrhynchus
DRONGOS: Drongidae
Velvet-mantled Drongo Dicrurus modestus
Fork-tailed Drongo Dicrurus adsimilis
CROWS: Corvidae
Pied Crow Corvus albus
White-necked Raven Corvus albicollis
Piapiac Ptilostomus afer
TITS: Paridae
Dusky Tit Melaniparus funereus
White-shouldered Tit Melaniparus guineensis
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Stripe-breasted Tit ARE Melaniparus fasciiventer
STARLINGS: Sturnidae
Narrow-tailed Starling Poeoptera lugubris
Chestnut-winged Starling Onychognathus fulgidis
Greater Blue-eared Glossy-Starling Lamprotornis chalybaeus
Lesser Blue-eared Glossy-Starling Lamprotornis chloropterus
Rueppell's Glossy-Starling Lamprotornis purpuropterus
Purple-headed Starling Lamprotornis purpureiceps
Splendid Starling Lamprotornis splendidus
Violet-backed Starling Cinnyricinclus leucogaster
Wattled Starling Creatophora cinerea
OXPECKERS: Buphagidae
Yellow-billed Oxpecker Buphagus africanus
SUNBIRDS: Nectarinidae
Bronze Sunbird Nectarinia kilimensis
Purple-breasted Sunbird ARE Nectarinia purpureiventris
Green-headed Sunbird Cyanomitra verticalis
Brown-throated Blue Sunbird Cyanomitra cyanolaema
Blue-headed Sunbird ARE Cyanomitra alinae
Western Olive Sunbird Cyanomitra olivacea
Northern Double-collared Sunbird Cinnyris preussi
Stuhlman’s Sunbird ARE Cinnyris stuhlmanni
Olive-bellied Sunbird Cinnyris chloropygia
Regal Sunbird ARE Cinnyris regia
Copper Sunbird Cinnyris cuprea
Superb Sunbird Cinnyris superba
Marico Sunbird Cinnyris mariquensis
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Purple-banded Sunbird Cinnyris bifasciatus
Red-chested Sunbird Cinnyris erythrocerca
Variable Sunbird Cinnyris venusta
Green-throated Sunbird Chalcomitra rubescens
Scarlet-chested Sunbird Chalcomitra senegalensis
(Gray-chinned) Green Sunbird Anthreptes rectirostris tephrolaema
Little Green Sunbird Anthreptes seimundi
Western Violet-backed Sunbird Anthreptes longuemarei
Collared Sunbird Hedydipna collaris
Gray-headed Sunbird Deleornis axillaris
SPARROWS: Passeridae
Shelly's Rufous Sparrow Passer shellyi
Northern Gray-headed Sparrow Passer griseus
WEAVERS: Plocidae
Speckle-fronted Weaver Sporopipes frontalis
Chestnut-crowned Sparrow-weaver Plocepasser superciliosus
Baglafecht Weaver Ploceus baglafecht
Lesser Masked-Weaver Ploceus intermedius
Spectacled Weaver Ploceus ocularis
Black-necked Weaver Ploceus nigricollis
Northern Brown-throated Weaver Ploceus castanops
Orange Weaver Ploceus aurantius
African (Vitelline) Masked-Weaver Ploceus velatus
Village (Black-headed) Weaver Ploceus cucullatus
Slender-billed Weaver Ploceus pelzelni
Black-headed Weaver Ploceus melanocephalus
Strange Weaver ARE Ploceus alienus
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Black-billed Weaver Ploceus melanogaster
Vieillot's Weaver Ploceus nigerrimus
Grosbeak Weaver Amblyospiza albifrons
Red-headed Weaver Anaplectes rubriceps
Cardinal Quelea Quelea cardinalis
Red-headed Quelea Quelea erythrops
Red-billed Quelea Quelea quelea
Red-headed Malimbe Malimbe rubricollis
Crested Malimbe Malimbus malimbicus
Fan-tailed Widowbird Euplectes axillaris
Black Bishop Euplectes gierowii
Black-winged Bishop Euplectes hordeaceus
Orange Bishop Euplectes franciscanus
Yellow Bishop Euplectes capensis
Yellow-shouldered Widowbird Euplectes macrourus
White-winged Widowbird Euplectes albonotatus
FINCHES: Estrildidae
Grey-headed Negrita Nigrita canicapilla
White-breasted Negrita Nigrita fusconota
Green-backed Twinspot Mandingoa nitidula
Brown Twinspot Clytospiza monteiri
Red-headed Bluebill Spermophaga ruficapilla
Red-billed Firefinch Lagonosticta senegala
African Firefinch Lagonosticta rubricata
Black-bellied Firefinch Lagonosticta rara
Red-cheeked Cordonbleu Uraeginthus bengalus
Crimson-rumped Waxbill Estrilda rhodopyga
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Common Waxbill Estrilda astrild
Black-rumped Waxbill Estrilda troglodytes
Bronze Mannikin Lonchura cucullata
WHYDAHS: Viduidae
Village Indigobird Vidua chalybeata
Pin-tailed Whydah Vidua macroura
SEEDEATERS: Fringillidae
Yellow-crowned (Cape) Canary Serinus canicollis flavivertex
Western Citril Serinus frontalis
Yellow-fronted Canary Serinus mozambicus
Brimstone Canary Serinus sulphuratus
Streaky Seedeater Serinus striolatus
Thick-billed Seedeater Serinus burtoni
BUNTINGS: Emberizidae
Cinnamon-breasted Bunting Emberiza tahapisi
Golden-breasted Bunting Emberiza flaviventris
Mammal List:
MAMMALS
Eastern Mountain Gorilla Gorilla gorilla berengii
Chimpanzee Pan paniscus
Grey-cheeked Mangaby Lophocebus albigena
Patas Monkey Cercopithecus patas
Guereza Pied Colobus Colobus guereza
Olive Baboon Papio anubis
Cercopithecus aethiops Vervet Monkey pygerythrus
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Tropical Birding Trip Report UGANDA custom tour June 2014
Sykes Blue Gentle Monkey Cercopithicus stuhlmanni
Red-tailed Monkey Cercopithicus ascanius schmidti
L'Hoest's Monkey Cercopithecus lhoesti
Straw-coloured Fruit Bat Eidolon helvum
Scrub Hare Lepus saxatilis
Uganda Grass Hare Poelagus marjorita
Striped Ground Squirrel Euxerus erythrops
Carruther's Mountain Squirrel Funisciurus carruthersi
Alexander’s Dwarf Squirrel Paraxerus alexandri
Boehm's Squirrel Paraxerus alexandri
Ochre Bush Squirrel Paraxerus ochraceus
Red-legged Sun Squirrel Heliosciurus rufobrachium
Unstriped Grass Rat Arvicanthis niloticus
Black-backed Jackal Canis mesomelas
Spotted Hyaena Crocuta crocuta
African Civet Civetticus civetta
Lion Panthera leo
African Elephant Loxodonta africana
Hippopotamus Hippopotamus amphibious
Common Warthog Phacochoerus africanus
Giraffe Giraffa camelopardalis
Buffalo Syncerus caffer
Bushbuck Tragelaphus scriptus
Black-fronted Duiker Cephalophus nigrifrons
Oribi Ourebia ourebi
Kob Kobus kob
Steinbuck Raphicerus campestris
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Tropical Birding Trip Report UGANDA custom tour June 2014
Defassa Waterbuck Kobus ellipsiprymnus defassa
Topi Damaliscus lunatus topi
Coke’s Hartebeest (Kongoni) Alcelaphus buselaphus cokei
Banded Mongoose Mungos mungo
White-tailed Mongoose Ichneumia albicauda
Slender Mongoose Herpestes sanguinea
Dwarf Mongoose Helogale parvula
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