The year is into its last quarter and that means you don’t have much time to book your last trip for the year and add those Tanzanian endemic Bird Lifer’s to your bird species list.
In this article we look at 10 of these endemic bird species of Tanzania today.
Did you know that there are 24 endemic bird species of Tanzania? In addition to this, there are 43 near endemic species to be seen, which means they are resident in Tanzania and neighbouring countries. The non resident species are known to be in Tanzania from November to April.
#1 Banded Green Sunbird
The Banded Green Sunbird is characterised by a short bill and a green head, with the male having a narrow red band across his chest.
This bird is on the vulnerable species list due to shrinking habitat, which is forest and savannah.
#2 Kipengere Seedeater
Kipengere Seedeater’s natural habitat is in sub tropical or moist montane forests and sub tropical highland scrublands.
It is a medium-sized bird with streaked underparts. The head and upper parts of the body are dark olive-brown and on the on mantle and back is a darker streak.
This species is threatened due to habitat loss.
#3 Mrs Moreau’s Warbler
Mrs Moreaus Warbler is characterised by being mostly olive green above with the forehead and crown being rufous brown as are the sides of the head and chest. The chin is whitish.
It is found in the montane forests in the Uluguru Mountains and is classified as threatened due to habitat loss.
#4 Pemba Scops Owl
The Pemba Scops Owl is found in wooded habitats including native forests and overgrown plantations on Pemba, the northern island of Zanzibar.
The owl can be either a brown morph or rufous brown morph. Both have a pale scapular band, black bill and the eyes and legs are yellow. These birds are listed as vulnerable due to the loss of habitat.
#5 Reichenow’s Batis
The Reichenow’s Batis is a small sized bird with similarities to a fly catcher. Its colouring is contrasting black, grey and white with a white underside.
Their habitat is coastal lowland forests.
They are not a threatened species.
#6 Pemba White Eye
The Pemba White Eye inhabit dry or moist forests, bushlands, thickets and dry savannah.
It is a small bird with a distinctive white eyering and a yellow body darkening into ashy coloured wings.
They are not considered a threatened species.
#7 Uluguru Mountain Greenbul
Uluguru Mountain Greenbuls are small birds with a grey head and underparts and olive green wings and tail.
Their habitat is in montane forests or low canopy forests. They are not considered threatened.
#8 Udzungwa Forest Partridge
The Udzungwa Forest Partridge is a brownish partridge with rufous face and olive brown crown and upperparts. Below it is grey in colour. It has a red bill, brown eye and yellow legs.
As its name suggests, it is a forest dwelling bird in the mountains of Udzungwa and is classified as endangered due to the loss of habitat.
#9 Moreau’s Sunbird
Moreau’s Sunbird is a tiny bird of about 12 cm long.
The adult male has a bronzey-green upper body with a dark brown tail. His green throat is separated from the red to orange breast by a narrow blue band. The belly and sides of the breast are yellow. The eyes are dark brown or black, and the curved beak and legs are black.
The adult female has an upper body of olive green, with the feathers of her head in metallic greenish-grey. Her tail is a darkish brown blending into paler outer feathers. The chin and throat are greyish-yellow, and the breast and belly are olive-yellow. The eyes are dark brown, and the beak and legs are black.
The Moreau’s Sunbird inhabits the mountainous montane forests of Tanzania and are considered a near threatened species.
#10 Usambara Eagle Owl
The Usambara Eagle Owl is identified as a large owl with tawny brown upperparts which are barred with darker brown and creamy white underparts.
Its chest has brown blotches and irregular black lines on the belly. The owl’s bill is bluish white in colour, and the eyes a dull yellowish-orange.
The montane forests of Usambara mountains are its habitat, but there have been sightings reported in the Uluguru mountains and potentially in the Nguru mountains.
Book your Birding Break now
There are 24 endemic species to see and add to your birding list. Knowing where to go and how to get there is our specialty.
For a comprehensive list of endemic bird species to Tanzania, click this link. It is a birders’ paradise and we know the best places for you to visit to find these birds.
Get in touch to book your birding experience at https://www.tanzaniabirding.com/contactus.html.
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