Birds in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park

Birds in Bwindi Impenetrable  Forest National Park: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is a birder’s paradise, hosting over 350 bird species, including several Albertine Rift endemics that cannot be found anywhere else in the world. The park’s montane and lowland forests provide a variety of habitats, making it a critical bird conservation area recognized as an Important Bird Area (IBA) by BirdLife International. Migratory birds are present from November to April.

There are several stunning Uganda birds in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park that one will encounter on their Birding Safari in Uganda, from the tiny African Green Broadbill to the multi colored Rwenzori Turaco, Bwindi is home to a massive number of 350 birds, 23 of 24 bird species are endemic to the Albertine Rift. Some of these notable bird examples of the Albertine Rift Endemics include the Rwenzori Turaco, a striking bird with vibrant green, red and blue plumage. Endeavor not to miss out on this. Another is Grauer’s Broadbill, which is a rare and sought after bird surely found in higher altitude forests. It’s known for its bluish green plumage and quite nature. An African Green Broadbill will also be seen especially in Ruhija in the thick montane forests. There are also more chances to spot a small and elusive Shelley’s Crimsinwing with crimson red feathers and a green back. A ground-dwelling handsome Francolin bird with a spotted brown body and a red face. Yellow-eyed Black Flycatcher is often seen in the mid-canopy and endemic to the Albertine Rift.

The park is also home to Forest Bird Species that add to its ornithological appeal. Among these are; African Emerald Cuckoo characterized by a dazzling green plumage and a melodic call, often heard before it’s seen. Black Bee-eater is also part of the forest birds that a birder will spot here. This vibrant black bird with a red throat and green streaks is well known for catching insects’ mid-flight. Great Blue Turaco which is the largest turaco species has striking blue and yellow feathers and a comical appearance. One will also encounter a stunning green and red bird often found perched silently in the forest understory called a Bar-tailed Trogon.

 Raptors and Large Birds: Bwindi’s forests and clearings provide hunting and nesting grounds for several birds of prey like Crowned Hawk-Eagle, this is a powerful predator that hunts monkeys and small mammals. One may recognize it by its striking black and white patterns. Another is an African Harrier-Hawk, a versatile hunter capable of raiding nests and preying on small birds. Commonly seen soaring above forested ridges is a Augur Buzzard.

 Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is also home to Water and Wetland Birds habited in its rivers and swampy areas which attract a variety of water-associated species like the African Black Duck which is often found in fast-flowing forest streams. Near rivers will be seen an African Finfoot, a secretive bird with a duck-like appearance.

Colorful and Small Birds that one will see in Bwindi are Green-headed Sunbird, vibrant green with iridescent feathers often seen feeding on flowers, Dusky Crimsonwing which is brightly colored bird that favors the forest floor and White-tailed Blue Flycatcher, a small lively bird with striking blue plumage and a white tail.

Best locations for birding in Bwindi are Buhoma sector which offers trails like the waterfall trail that is great for forest birds, Ruhija sector which is known for high altitude species including Albertine Rift endemics. Good for mixed flocks of canopy and understory species are Nkuringo and Rushaga sectors and then Mubwindi Swamp, a prime site for spotting rare species like the Grauer’s broadbill.

On a birding tour in Bwindi, be keen to inquire and learn about the birds feeding, habitat and distribution, social behavior not forgetting the general description.

Birding in Bwindi goes on throughout the whole year however March to May and September to November are peak months. Birds migrate into the forest from December to February making them the best time to spot migratory birds.

All birders are recommended to pack Binoculars with at least 8x magnification and a field guide for East African birds as they plan to embark on a birding safari in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park.

Birds in Bwindi play a critical role in bird conservation, particularly for Albertine Rift endemics and globally threatened species. The park’s strict protection as a national park helps maintain habitats for these birds, but ongoing efforts are necessary to combat habitat loss and climate change. Engage safaris promises a birding safari in Bwindi that will linger longer memories after your stay.

Here is a part of the list of birds of in Bwindi

  1. African Green Broadbill
  2. Grauer’s Broadbill
  3. Rwenzori Turaco
  4. Shelley’s Crimsonwing
  5. Handsome Francolin
  6. Bar-tailed Trogon
  7. African Emerald Cuckoo
  8. Black Bee-eater
  9. Yellow-eyed Black Flycatcher
  10. Great Blue Turaco
  11. Dusky Crimsonwing
  12. White-tailed Blue Flycatcher
  13. Green-headed Sunbird
  14. Blue-headed Sunbird
  15. Collared Apalis
  16. Short-tailed Warbler
  17. Red-throated Alethe
  18. Brown-capped Weaver
  19. African Blue Flycatcher
  20. Regal Sunbird
  21. Strange Weaver
  22. Grauer’s Swamp Warbler
  23. Mountain Masked Apalis
  24. Kivu Ground Thrush
  25. Stripe-breasted Tit
  26. African Finfoot
  27. African Black Duck
  28. Augur Buzzard
  29. Crowned Hawk-Eagle
  30. African Harrier-Hawk
  31. Red-chested Owlet
  32. Olive Pigeon
  33. White-bellied Robin-Chat
  34. Stuhlmann’s Double-collared Sunbird
  35. Archer’s Robin-Chat
  36. Grey Cuckooshrike
  37. Slender-billed Greenbul
  38. Black-headed Waxbill
  39. White-browed Crombec
  40. White-tailed Ant Thrush
  41. Equatorial Akalat
  42. Lühder’s Bushshrike
  43. Olive Thrush
  44. Cinnamon-chested Bee-eater
  45. Yellow-bellied Waxbill
  46. African Hill Babbler
  47. Black-throated Apalis
  48. Montane Oriole
  49. Ruwenzori Nightjar
  50. Willard’s Sooty Boubou
  51. Grey-throated Barbet
  52. Yellow-spotted Barbet
  53. Buff-throated Apalis
  54. Red-faced Woodland Warbler
  55. Yellow-streaked Greenbul
  56. Yellow-rumped Tinkerbird
  57. Western Nicator
  58. Scaly-breasted Illadopsis
  59. Mountain Illadopsis
  60. Grey-winged Robin-Chat
  61. African Shrike Flycatcher
  62. Northern Double-collared Sunbird
  63. Brown-backed Scrub-Robin
  64. African Dusky Flycatcher
  65. Chapin’s Flycatcher
  66. Fraser’s Eagle-Owl
  67. Black-faced Rufous Warbler
  68. Least Honeyguide
  69. Blue-throated Roller
  70. Little Greenbul
  71. Red-headed Malimbe
  72. African Broadbill
  73. Olive-green Camaroptera
  74. Mountain Sooty Boubou
  75. Chubb’s Cisticola
  76. Narrow-tailed Starling
  77. Hartlaub’s Turaco
  78. Black-faced Apalis
  79. African Grey Woodpecker
  80. Mountain Yellow Warbler
  81. Red-capped Robin-Chat
  82. Thick-billed Seedeater
  83. African Green Pigeon
  84. White-browed Robin-Chat
  85. Grey-headed Negrofinch
  86. Yellow-breasted Apalis
  87. African Paradise Flycatcher
  88. Grey-backed Camaroptera
  89. Black-throated Wattle-eye
  90. Rufous Flycatcher-Thrush
  91. Brown Illadopsis
  92. Common Waxbill
  93. African Olive Sunbird
  94. White-eyed Slaty Flycatcher
  95. Yellow-fronted Canary
  96. Black-and-white Shrike-flycatcher
  97. Black-throated Sunbird
  98. African Citril
  99. White-naped Raven
  1. Wood Pipit