Most Common Birds in Samburu National Reserve
Samburu National Reserve is home to a wide variety of birds, but some species are more frequently seen than others due to their abundance, bold behavior, and adaptability to Samburu’s semi-arid landscape. Below are some of the most commonly seen birds across different habitats.
1. Superb Starling (Lamprotornis superbus)
🔹 Habitat: Open woodlands, near lodges, and picnic sites
🔹 Why It’s Common: Highly adaptable, often seen foraging around human settlements
🔹 How to Identify: Striking blue, orange, and white plumage, bold and noisy nature
🔹 Ease of Sighting: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Very Easy) – One of the most abundant birds in Samburu
2. White-headed Buffalo-Weaver (Dinemellia dinemelli)
🔹 Habitat: Acacia trees, thornbush savannah
🔹 Why It’s Common: Forms small noisy groups and builds large, conspicuous nests
🔹 How to Identify: White body, black wings, and bright orange patches under the tail
🔹 Ease of Sighting: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Very Easy) – Found in flocks and active year-round
3. Speckled Pigeon (Columba guinea)
🔹 Habitat: Rocky outcrops, cliffs, buildings
🔹 Why It’s Common: Adapts well to both wild and human-modified environments
🔹 How to Identify: Gray body, speckled wings, and a red eye patch
🔹 Ease of Sighting: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Very Easy) – Seen perched on rocks, rooftops, or in flight
4. Von der Decken’s Hornbill (Tockus deckeni)
🔹 Habitat: Dry acacia savannah, open woodlands
🔹 Why It’s Common: Easily spotted as it perches on tree branches or hops on the ground
🔹 How to Identify: Black-and-white body, large red or yellow bill (males)
🔹 Ease of Sighting: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Very Easy) – Seen along roadsides and in trees
5. Lilac-breasted Roller (Coracias caudatus)
🔹 Habitat: Open plains, thorny woodlands
🔹 Why It’s Common: Perches conspicuously on tree branches and fence posts
🔹 How to Identify: Vibrant purple, blue, green, and lilac plumage
🔹 Ease of Sighting: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Very Easy) – Often seen perched on treetops, scanning for insects
6. Pied Crow (Corvus albus)
🔹 Habitat: Open areas, near lodges and human settlements
🔹 Why It’s Common: Scavenger, often found around roads and garbage sites
🔹 How to Identify: Black body, white chest, and neck
🔹 Ease of Sighting: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Very Easy) – Seen around picnic sites and road edges
7. Egyptian Goose (Alopochen aegyptiaca)
🔹 Habitat: Riverbanks, waterholes
🔹 Why It’s Common: Thrives in both natural and human-influenced environments
🔹 How to Identify: Brown body, dark eye patches, and distinctive honking call
🔹 Ease of Sighting: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Very Easy) – Found along the Ewaso Ng’iro River
8. Yellow-necked Spurfowl (Pternistis leucoscepus)
🔹 Habitat: Open bushland, grassy plains
🔹 Why It’s Common: Ground-dwelling, vocal, and often forages along roads
🔹 How to Identify: Brown plumage, yellow throat patch, and loud calls
🔹 Ease of Sighting: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Very Easy) – Seen walking or running across roads
9. Namaqua Dove (Oena capensis)
🔹 Habitat: Dry bushland, semi-arid grasslands
🔹 Why It’s Common: Well adapted to arid conditions and frequently seen on the ground
🔹 How to Identify: Long tail, grayish-brown body, males have a black face
🔹 Ease of Sighting: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Very Easy) – Seen foraging along dry riverbeds
10. Northern Red-billed Hornbill (Tockus erythrorhynchus)
🔹 Habitat: Open savannah, acacia woodlands
🔹 Why It’s Common: Active feeder, often seen hopping along the ground
🔹 How to Identify: Red bill, black-and-white body, white belly
🔹 Ease of Sighting: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Very Easy) – Regularly seen perched on low trees
11. Rüppell’s Starling (Lamprotornis purpuroptera)
🔹 Habitat: Open woodlands, near lodges
🔹 Why It’s Common: Forms noisy groups, highly social
🔹 How to Identify: Glossy purple-black plumage, yellow eyes
🔹 Ease of Sighting: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Very Easy) – Often seen in groups near human activity
12. Marabou Stork (Leptoptilos crumenifer)
🔹 Habitat: Riverbanks, open plains, near carcasses
🔹 Why It’s Common: Scavenger, often seen near vultures at kill sites
🔹 How to Identify: Bald pink head, large bill, black wings, and a hunched posture
🔹 Ease of Sighting: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Very Easy) – Found near water sources and carcasses
13. Bateleur (Terathopius ecaudatus)
🔹 Habitat: Open savannah, near waterholes
🔹 Why It’s Common: Active hunter and scavenger, often seen soaring in the sky
🔹 How to Identify: Short-tailed eagle with bright red legs and face
🔹 Ease of Sighting: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Very Easy) – Frequently seen soaring in the sky
14. African Grey Hornbill (Lophoceros nasutus)
🔹 Habitat: Acacia woodlands, dry savannah
🔹 Why It’s Common: Adapts well to semi-arid areas and vocalizes frequently
🔹 How to Identify: Gray body, curved black-and-white bill
🔹 Ease of Sighting: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Very Easy) – Often seen calling from tree branches
15. White-bellied Go-away-bird (Corythaixoides leucogaster)
🔹 Habitat: Dry acacia savannah, riverine forests
🔹 Why It’s Common: Loud, conspicuous, often moves in pairs or small groups
🔹 How to Identify: Gray crest, white belly, long tail
🔹 Ease of Sighting: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Very Easy) – Named for its distinctive “go-away” call
Dominant Bird Families and Species in Samburu National Reserve
Samburu National Reserve hosts an exceptionally diverse bird population, but certain bird families are more dominant due to their adaptability to the semi-arid savannah, acacia woodlands, and riverine habitats. Among the most widespread and numerous bird families in the reserve are starlings (Sturnidae), weavers (Ploceidae), hornbills (Bucerotidae), and raptors (Accipitridae & Falconidae). These families thrive in Samburu’s varied landscape, making them some of the most frequently encountered birds on a game drive or nature walk.
The starlings, particularly the Superb Starling (Lamprotornis superbus) and Golden-breasted Starling (Lamprotornis regius), are among the most dominant and conspicuous birds. Their glossy plumage, social behavior, and tolerance for human activity make them an ever-present sight near lodges, picnic areas, and open savannahs. Weavers, such as the Speke’s Weaver (Ploceus spekei) and Village Weaver (Ploceus cucullatus), are another highly dominant group, forming large breeding colonies in acacia trees, especially along the Ewaso Ng’iro River. Their intricate nest-weaving skills and loud calls make them hard to miss. Hornbills, including Von der Decken’s Hornbill (Tockus deckeni) and Red-billed Hornbill (Tockus erythrorhynchus), are also widespread, easily spotted perching on branches or foraging on the ground in search of insects.
Raptors play a crucial ecological role in Samburu, with Bateleurs (Terathopius ecaudatus), Martial Eagles (Polemaetus bellicosus), and Augur Buzzards (Buteo augur) being among the most dominant birds of prey. These species are often seen soaring above the savannah or perching on dead trees, scanning for prey. Vultures, including the Lappet-faced Vulture (Torgos tracheliotos) and White-backed Vulture (Gyps africanus), are also highly visible, particularly around carrion sites, where they engage in scavenging alongside Marabou Storks (Leptoptilos crumenifer).
Additionally, water-associated birds such as Egyptian Geese (Alopochen aegyptiaca) and Pied Kingfishers (Ceryle rudis) are abundant along the Ewaso Ng’iro River, while ground-dwelling species like Yellow-necked Spurfowls (Pternistis leucoscepus) and sandgrouse (Pteroclidae) are commonly encountered along dusty game tracks. The sheer numbers and adaptability of these dominant families and species make them the most frequently seen birds in Samburu, providing exciting birdwatching opportunities for both beginners and seasoned birders.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on the Most Common Birds in Samburu National Reserve
1. Why are Superb Starlings so common in Samburu?
Superb Starlings (Lamprotornis superbus) are among the most adaptable birds in Samburu, thriving in both natural and human-modified environments. They have a varied diet of insects, fruits, and scraps, allowing them to survive year-round. Their bold and social nature makes them highly visible around lodges, campsites, and open savannahs. Additionally, they are cooperative breeders, meaning groups of starlings help raise each other’s young, increasing their survival rate.
2. Do Lilac-breasted Rollers migrate, or are they resident birds?
The Lilac-breasted Roller (Coracias caudatus) is a resident species in Samburu, meaning it does not migrate long distances. However, it may move locally within its territory in response to food availability. Unlike many birds, both males and females have the same striking plumage, making them easy to identify. Their habit of perching conspicuously on tree branches while searching for insects makes them one of the most photographed birds in Africa.
3. Why are hornbills often seen near termite mounds?
Hornbills, particularly Von der Decken’s Hornbill (Tockus deckeni) and Red-billed Hornbill (Tockus erythrorhynchus), are frequently spotted foraging near termite mounds because they feed on insects, termites, and small reptiles. Termite mounds become particularly active after rainfall, attracting hornbills looking for an easy meal. These birds also have a unique feeding strategy, where they use their long, curved bills to probe into cracks in the ground.
4. What’s the difference between the Somali Ostrich and the Common Ostrich in Samburu?
Samburu is home to both the Somali Ostrich (Struthio molybdophanes) and the Common Ostrich (Struthio camelus), but they are different species. The key differences are:
- Somali Ostrich has blue-gray legs and skin, while the Common Ostrich has pinkish skin.
- Somali Ostriches are more adapted to arid, desert-like habitats and are typically found north of the equator, including Samburu.
- Common Ostriches are larger and more widespread, seen in open grasslands and savannahs.
Due to its northern Kenya range, the Somali Ostrich is more commonly seen in Samburu than the Common Ostrich.
5. Why do Marabou Storks look so scruffy and ugly?
Marabou Storks (Leptoptilos crumenifer) may look bald and scruffy, but their featherless head serves a functional purpose—it helps keep them clean while feeding on carrion (dead animals). Since they are scavengers, they often stick their heads inside carcasses, and feathers in that area would quickly become dirty. Their large throat pouch helps regulate heat and is used during courtship displays.
6. Are Pied Crows and Ravens the same species?
No, while Pied Crows (Corvus albus) and White-necked Ravens (Corvus albicollis) are both part of the crow family (Corvidae) and share similar black-and-white plumage, they are different species.
- Pied Crows are smaller, have a longer tail, and are more common around human settlements.
- White-necked Ravens are larger, have a thicker, curved bill, and are more often found in rocky cliffs and hills.
Pied Crows are much more common in Samburu, while White-necked Ravens are rare but possible to see in rocky areas.
7. Why do Vulturine Guineafowl move in large groups?
Vulturine Guineafowl (Acryllium vulturinum) are highly social birds, often moving in flocks of 25-50 individuals. Their group movement is a defensive strategy to reduce predation, making it harder for predators like jackals and eagles to single out one bird. Unlike other guineafowl species, Vulturine Guineafowl rarely fly, preferring to run quickly when threatened.
8. What’s special about the African Grey Hornbill’s call?
The African Grey Hornbill (Lophoceros nasutus) is known for its distinctive, piping call, which sounds like a series of repeated whistling notes. These calls are often heard before the bird is seen and serve as both territorial signals and mating calls. Their vocal nature makes them easy to locate in Samburu’s woodlands.
9. Why do Egyptian Geese seem so aggressive?
Egyptian Geese (Alopochen aegyptiaca) are known for their aggressive territorial behavior, especially during breeding season. They often chase away other waterbirds, including much larger species, to defend their nesting area. Males engage in loud honking displays and wing-flapping to ward off intruders.
10. Do Yellow-necked Spurfowls really “scream” in the morning?
Yes! Yellow-necked Spurfowls (Pternistis leucoscepus) have a loud, harsh “kreee-kreee-kreee” call, which they often repeat loudly at dawn and dusk. These calls serve as territorial signals to other birds and help pairs stay in contact. Because of this behavior, they are one of the first birds heard early in the morning in Samburu.
11. Do Bateleurs always fly alone?
Yes, Bateleurs (Terathopius ecaudatus) are typically solitary or seen in pairs, unlike vultures, which gather in large groups around carcasses. Their name “Bateleur” comes from the French word for “tightrope walker,” referring to their distinctive rocking flight pattern caused by their short tail.
12. Why do weavers destroy their own nests?
Male weavers (Ploceidae) build elaborate hanging nests to attract females, but if a female rejects the nest, the male often tears it down and starts over. This is because females choose mates based on the quality of the nest, ensuring that only skilled nest-builders pass on their genes.
13. Why do Sandgrouse fly in flocks to water sources?
Sandgrouse (Pteroclidae) have a unique behavior where they fly long distances to waterholes at dawn and dusk. Males soak their belly feathers with water and carry it back to their chicks, who drink from the wet feathers. This adaptation helps them survive in Samburu’s dry environment, where water sources are scarce.
14. Do hornbills really seal themselves inside tree holes?
Yes! Female hornbills (such as Von der Decken’s Hornbill) seal themselves inside a tree cavity using mud and their own droppings, leaving only a tiny slit through which the male feeds them. This protects the female and her chicks from predators during incubation.
15. Can I feed birds at lodges in Samburu?
No, it is not advisable to feed birds at lodges, even if they seem comfortable around people. Human food is not part of their natural diet and can disrupt their feeding habits. Superb Starlings and weavers may attempt to snatch food from tables, but it is best to let them forage naturally.