Uganda – May 2018

This was a 26-day private MEGA birding trip to Uganda, doing a loop around the entire country and visiting some areas not often visited by international birders.

I flew on the direct South African Airways flight from Johannesburg to Entebbe, a reasonably short flight which left on time, arrived early and provided excellent service. The return flight to Johannesburg was also on SAA, which left early and arrived early into South Africa.

In planning the trip, I had considered a number of options for guides and itineraries and settled on Paul Tamwenya of Uganda Journeys (www.birdinginuganda.com). Paul was an excellent guide for both the forest and savanna birding, and had the necessary skills, experience, persistence and patience to achieve what we did on the trip.

The final tally of birds was 612 species including 5 heard only and of these 187 were lifers. This was the highest number of bird species recorded for any trip that I have done, exceeding the trip lists for Kenya and Peru, which were also quite extensive. Considering that the migrants had largely left, this was a high proportion of the resident species which would be about 800 species. 

Shoebill

We got all the main targets, such as Shoebill, Green-breasted Pitta, Grauer’s Broadbill, Black-breasted Barbet (four at Kidepo), Fox’s Weaver and Karamoja Apalis plus a whole host of excellent birds. The heard only birds were Nahan’s Partridge, Yellow-throated Cuckoo, African Wood Owl, Swamp Nightjar and Ituri Batis, with the African Wood Owl and Swamp Nightjar having been seen previously. Many more birds were heard and typically I don’t record lifers which are heard only.

The timing of the trip was for May, which was at the end of the wet season and is not a popular time for birding, with most birding trips being undertaken from June to August. However, it’s a good time for birding with many of the birds in breeding and nesting mode. Overall the weather was pleasant, with warm and sunny days, and some rain. Whilst we did get wet on a couple of days, the rain didn’t impact significantly on the birding, and just after the rain was excellent for birding. Walking in the forests on some steep paths, particularly in Bwindi, was hard work due to the very slippery conditions.

Permits to see Mountain Gorilla are very expensive at US$600 per person and Chimpanzee at US$150 pp, so I didn’t do these trips. In any event we did come close to Mountain Gorilla, having one cross the path in Bwindi, didn’t see it but did see its footprints. We did see Chimpanzee alongside the road plus had plenty calling in various forests on the trip. 

Other than these two mammals, we did see a range of other monkey species which were far more interesting, with a total of 37 mammals seen. Of these mammals, the highlight was seeing African Forest Elephant at Kibale National Park, which is usually an elusive elephant and has been ravaged by poaching, with some countries reporting up to 80% decline in population.   

Birding in Uganda

Uganda is one of the top birding countries in Africa and is probably the best country to see the iconic Shoebill. It has a great variety of habitats, packed into a fairly small area, and has a bird list nearly on a par with neighbouring Kenya. Whilst driving in Uganda is fairly slow, most of the roads are good, with many new roads being constructed with funding from UN Aid, however there are some pretty awful roads as well.

Uganda has ten national parks: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Rwenzori Mountains National Park, Kibale National Park, Kidepo Valley National Park, Lake Mburo National Park, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, Mount Elgon National Park, Murchison Falls National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, and Semuliki National Park. There are many less-visited ones, such as Kidepo Valley and Semuliki, which offer a good variety of more-widespread African bird species, as well as a good variety of large mammals.

Uganda's main attractions are its forests and swamps, where many restricted range species can be found. Uganda only has one endemic species, the Fox's Weaver which occurs adjacent to wetlands east of Soroti. The Fox’s Weaver is getting hard to find as their nesting trees are chopped down for firewood, wetlands drained and cattle grazing impacts on habitat. An intensive survey undertaken in 2015 had failed to locate Fox’s Weaver (Survey on the Fox’s Weaver, the only Ugandan Endemic bird species by Dianah Nalwanga, Roger Skeen, Michael Opige and Achilles Byaruhanga) and they noted that there had been no reliable sightings since 2010. Thus our chances of finding the Fox's Weaver were very low. Some birders are shown Northern Brown-throated Weaver instead and claim them as Fox’s Weaver, although the birds are quite different.

The Albertine Rift, on the western side of Uganda, stretches from northern Uganda along its borders with Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, down into Tanzania. There are many species which are endemic to the Albertine Rift Valley and most birding trips to Uganda focus on this area. This area is also famous for the Mountain Gorilla which is probably the only reason many tourists visit Uganda.

Despite the encroachment of farms and villages on the forests, many of the remaining forests, some of which are quite extensive, appear to be in excellent condition. However, this encroachment is relentless as population growth demands the creation on new subsistence farms, and ultimately all the forests, along with their birds and mammals will disappear.

For this trip, I visited all the national parks except for Mount Elgon, including seldom visited Kidepo National Park. In addition, I wanted to see Uganda’s only endemic bird, the Fox’s Weaver, which is found in the Soroti area. The trip itinerary had us leaving Entebbe and heading for the Southwest of Uganda, then making our way up the Western border to Semuliki and then around to the Northern Uganda to Kidepo, before heading south to Soroti and then back to Entebbe.

Whilst the Albertine Rift Valley was the best area to get new birds, the most enjoyable part of the trip was Kidepo National Park and then finding the Fox’s Weaver after wading through wetlands Southeast of Soroti. I did have advice from several birders suggesting that I skip Kidepo and Soroti, due to long driving distances and supposedly not much to see on the way. However, as it worked out, we did see quite a few new birds on the drive to/from Kidepo, plus had a birding bonanza in Kidepo. In addition, the Murchison Falls were spectacular, and this national park was well worth visiting.

Birding was tough work at times, got soaked a few times but rain didn’t materially impact on the trip. After the rain, the birding really picked up in the forests.  Mud and slippery slopes made birding difficult in the forests. Some of the dirt roads were very slippery and we got stuck the one evening in Kidepo, after going out following some rain. Even the rescue vehicle got stuck and we only retrieved the vehicle the next day. The tsetse flies, mosquitoes and biting midges in Semuliki were awful, plus plenty of tsetse flies in Murchison Falls and Kidepo National Parks.

The day before I was due to fly back to Johannesburg, I had my camera, computer, passports, money, credit cards etc. stolen from outside the hotel where we were having lunch, with the vehicle in sight from where I was sitting. As it was the weekend, I would have missed my flight to South Africa the following day and I had the prospect of staying in Uganda until I could get a new passport. About 5 hours later, I received an email from the Ugandan police to say that they had recovered my passports, credit cards, bank cards, drivers licence, yellow fever certificate and other paperwork. Luckily these had been dropped off by the thoughtful crooks at a fuel station, together with the empty wallets which had my business card and email address.

Luckily and thanks to the Uganda police, I was able to fly out of Entebbe the following day, with a bit less luggage to carry and no money till I got back to Johannesburg.

Whilst I had travel insurance to cover most of the losses, the worst part was losing all my photographs from the two-month trip to Namibia, South Africa and Uganda. I had posted some photos on eBird and Facebook, when I had access to good Wifi, and these have been included in this trip report.

Grey Crowned Crane were seen throughout Uganda

Albertine Rift

The Albertine Rift is the western branch of the East African Rift, covering parts of Uganda, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Rwanda, Burundi and Tanzania. It extends from the northern end of Lake Albert to the southern end of Lake Tanganyika. The Albertine Rift and the mountains are the result of tectonic movements that are gradually splitting the Somali Plate away from the rest of the African continent.

Albertine Rift

There are currently 40 to 42 endemic birds, depending on taxonomy used, which occur in the Albertine Rift. In Uganda it’s possible to see up to 26 of these endemics, depending on taxonomy used, and as listed below: 

Handsome Francolin (Francolinus nobilis)             

Rwenzori Turaco (Tauraco Johnston)

Rwenzori Nightjar (Carrimulugus poliocephalus rwenzorii) – IOC lumps this with Montane Nightjar (Caprimulgus poliocephalus)      

Willard's Sooty Boubou (Laniarius willardi) – recent split from Mountain Sooty Boubou (Laniarius poensis) and not recognised by some taxonomies        

Stripe-breasted Tit (Parus fasciiventer)   

Grauer's Broadbill (Pseudocalyptomena graueri)

Red-throated Alethe (Alethe poliophrys)

Dwarf Honeyguide (Indicator pumilio)    

Mountain Masked Apalis (Apalis personata)        

Rwenzori Apalis (Apalis rwenzori)          

Grauer's Swamp Warbler (Bradypterus graueri)  

Grauer's Warbler (Graueria vittata)         

Neumann's Warbler (Hemitesia neumanni)          

Red-faced Woodland Warbler (Phylloscopus laetus)         

Lagden's Bush-shrike (Malaconotus lagdeni)

Yellow-eyed Black Flycatcher (Melaenornis ardesiacus)   

Rwenzori Batis (Batis diops)

Kivu Ground Thrush (Geokichla piaggiae tanganicae) – IOC lumps this with Abyssinian Ground Thrush (Geokichla piaggiae)

Archer's Robin-Chat (Cossypha anomala)              

Purple-breasted Sunbird (Nectarinia purpureiventris)       

Regal Sunbird (Cinnyris regia)     

Rwenzori Double-collared Sunbird (Cinnyris stuhlmanni)             

Strange Weaver (Ploceus alienus)            

Dusky Crimson-wing (Cryptospiza jacksoni)          

Shelley's Crimson-wing (Cryptospiza shelleyi)

Blue-headed Sunbird (Cyanomitra alinae)     

For this trip, I saw 20 of the Albertine Rift endemics which represents a high success rate. 

       

Resources

The best available field guide “Birds of East Africa” by Stevenson and Fanshawe, published in 2002, needs some updating. Quite a few of the bird species have been split since 2002 and new names assigned, such as Abyssinian Thrush (split from Olive Thrush) and Kandt’s Waxbill (split from Black-headed Waxbill). In addition, the Boran Cisticola and Ruaha Chat (split from Arnot’s Chat) are not shown as occurring in Uganda, both of which we saw. Some of the range maps are inaccurate, such as the map for the Greater Kestrel, which is rare for Uganda, is shown as occurring in Northeast Uganda.

Whilst I had the “Birds of East Africa” field guide with me, I preferred to use the iPhone app for this field guide which has most of the birds calls as well. In addition, I used the Robert’s iPhone app for Southern Africa to compare species which occurred in Uganda as well as further south. The field guide “Birds of Africa South of the Sahara” was also a useful reference guide.

The small book “Where to Watch Birds in Uganda” by Rossouw and Sacchi, published in 1998, is useful for trip planning and for reading on tour. It is a bit out of date but still a very useful reference. 

All the sites visited during the trip and the various bird lists have been published on eBird.  

Trip Report

Wednesday 2^nd May: Johannesburg to Entebbe

Flew on SAA arriving in Entebbe at 14:30 after a four-hour flight from Johannesburg. Passport control and customs was uneventful, although you do need to show your Yellow-fever Certificate on arrival and the previously approved 30-day visa (US$50) was issued on arrival.

Met Paul Tamwenya at the airport, together with Philip who was a trainee guide, and headed to our accommodation in Entebbe. After checking in spent 2.5 hours at Entebbe Botanic Gardens where the highlights were Great Blue Turaco, Ross’s Turaco, Eastern Plantain-eater, Black-and-white-casqued Hornbill, African Grey Parrot, Black-headed Gonolek, Yellow-throated Leaflove, Snowy-crowned Robin-Chat, Orange Weaver and Grey-headed Nigrita.

Great Blue Turaco

Overnight stay at Victoria View Guest House which had very comfortable accommodation. 

Thursday 3^rd May: Mabamba Wetland and Lake Mburo National Park

Birding on Mabamba Wetlands in morning looking for the Shoebill. Plenty of good birds seen in the wetlands and it took about 3 hours to find two Shoebill, with close approaches to one bird. Other than great views of this iconic bird and a must-see bird for Africa, other highlights were Lesser Jacana, Blue-headed Coucal, Blue-breasted Bee-eater and African Blue Flycatcher.

Searching for the Shoebill

Mabamba Wetlands

Shoebill

Continued our journey Southwest with lunch on the equator, arriving at Lake Mburo National Park just before 5pm. Stopped at various wetlands to pick up some new species for Uganda and had a Shoebill at one of the stops. Some late afternoon birding within Lake Mburo NP, had Rüppell's Vulture, Ross's Turaco, Bare-faced Go-away-bird, Spot-flanked Barbet, Brown Babbler, Yellow-billed Oxpecker, Black Bishop and Red-cheeked Cordon-bleu.

Paul Tamwenya in middle with Philip on left, at lunch stop

Overnight stay in Mburo which had excellent accommodation however no power supply or hot water. 

Friday 4^th May: Lake Mburo National Park and Kisoro

Did a boat trip on Lake Mburo, with a pair of secretive and seldom seen African Finfoot being seen, then birded in the national park till about 1pm. 

African Finfoot

Highlights were Grey Kestrel, which proved to be common throughout Uganda, Trilling Cisticola, Long-tailed Cisticola, Black-lored Babbler, Grey-throated Tit-Flycatcher and White-winged Black Tit.  We were looking for the Red-faced Barbet which is the key target for Lake Mburo but failed to find any. In hindsight it would have been better to go walking with an armed ranger, as per the itinerary, instead of the boat ride.

Grey Kestrel

Village Weaver (Black-headed)

Woodland Kingfisher

Striated Heron

Continued our drive down to Kisoro passing through some spectacular scenery and mountains. One stop fairly close to Kisoro was to see a local rarity, the Ruaha Chat which usually occurs further south in Tanzania and has now been split from the Arnot’s Chat. The Arnot’s Chat (race M. a. leucolaema) was first recorded for Uganda in 1992 where it was reported as breeding along the Uganda border with Rwanda and Tanzania. The Ruaha Chat is now regarded as a separate species (https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs10336-010-0548-2) and is an accepted split by Clements and IOC.

Had a short stop in some forests overlooking Kisoro just before 6pm and had Mountain Buzzard, Mountain Oriole, Yellow-whiskered Greenbul, Red-faced Woodland Warbler and Mountain Yellow Warbler.

Had a two-night stay Kisoro Travelers Hotel which had spacious accommodation and good meals.

Saturday 5^th May: Mgahinga Gorilla National Park

Mgahinga NP is located in the south western part of Uganda in Kisoro district. The park lies between altitudes 2,227m and 4,127m and includes three of the Virunga volcanoes which are Mt. Muhavura (4,127m), Mt. Gahinga (3,474m), and Mt. Sabinyo (3,645m). The name Mgahinga was derived from the Kinyarwanda word “Gahinga” that means “Pile of volcanic lava stone heaps where cultivation is carried out”. To add on “Sabinyo” means “the old man’s teeth” and “Muhavura” means “Guide”. Mgahinga NP was established to protect the Mountain Gorilla and also endangered Golden Monkey.

Map showing various trails

We drove up to the entrance of Mgahinga NP along an awful road and then had to do a visitor’s induction before being allowed to walk up the mountain slopes with an armed ranger as escort.

Local birding guide and armed ranger

Birding was slow at times, particularly in the bamboo forests, the path wet and slippery, but we did end up with some outstanding birds. We did the three to four-hour Gorge Trail between Gahinga and Sabinyo which goes up to about 2,700m in elevation.

Rwenzori Double-collared Sunbird

We walked as far as the Gorge where Paul managed to see a Shelley’s Crimsonwing dart into the bushes. We stayed in the area for the next hour or so and had a possible sighting as it flew across the stream, however never managed to see the bird to ID it. Other than being a major rarity, it’s described as shy, elusive, seldom seen, when flushed flies rapidly for short distance and dives for cover and does not reappear. Only two photos of a live bird exist according to https://africageographic.com/blog/the-only-two-known-photos-of-a-live-shelleys-crimsonwing/

Paul Tamwenya at the Gorge

Highlights were Rwenzori Turaco (managed to get photos), Rwenzori Batis, Mackinnon’s Shrike, Stripe-breasted Tit, Cinnamon Bracken Warbler, Evergreen Forest Warbler, Mountain Masked Apalis, Rwenzori Hill Babbler, Abyssinian Thrush (split from Olive Thrush), Archer’s Ground Robin, Blue-headed Sunbird, Rwenzori Double-collared Sunbird, Regal Sunbird, Strange Weaver, Dusky Crimsonwing, Kandt’s Waxbill (split from Black-headed Waxbill), Western Citril and Yellow-crowned Canary.

Rwenzori Turaco

Malachite Sunbird

We did see a couple of Golden Monkey which was something special, as they are very timid, plus Mantled Guereza and Black-fronted Duiker. The Duiker is also a shy antelope and usually difficult to see.

Mantled Guereza or Black-and-white Colobus

Sunday 6^th May: Kisoro to Bwindi Impenetrable NP (Ruhija sector)

We left Kisoro after breakfast stopping at the Echuya Forest Reserve where it took nearly an hour to actually see the Barred Long-tailed Cuckoo which was calling repeatedly. Good forest birds included Yellow-rumped Tinkerbird, White-tailed Blue Flycatcher, White-browed Crombec, Chubb’s Cisticola, Rwenzori Apalis, Green-headed Sunbird, Regal Sunbird and Black-crowned Waxbill.

Regal Sunbird

We then birded along the road through Bwindi NP until we arrived at our accommodation. Had good views of Handsome Francolin alongside the road, plus Black-billed Turaco, Grey-throated Barbet, Western Tinkerbird, Chestnut-throated Apalis, Stuhlmann’s Starling, Sharpe’s Starling and Rwenzori Hill Babbler.

Handsome Francolin

We went out late afternoon and into the evening to get views of Rwenzori Nightjar which was also heard calling in flight. This nightjar is currently considered a subspecies of the Montane Nightjar, having previously been a separate species. This paper published in 2014 probably resulted in the lumping of the nightjars http://boc-online.org/bulletins/downloads/BBOC1341-Jackson.pdf

Had a two-night stay Trekker’s Tavern which had spacious accommodation and good meals. 

Monday 7^th May: Bwindi Impenetrable NP (Ruhija sector)

We checked in at the offices of the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) in the early morning and after being assigned an armed ranger plus birding guide, took a short walk up the road before starting our descent into the forest valley along a muddy and slippery track. It started to rain hard after about an hour, so after standing in the rain for the next ½ hour, decided to go back to our accommodation. Didn’t see much of note for the wet morning except for Pink-footed Puffback, Rwenzori Apalis, Blue-headed Sunbird and Brown-capped Weaver.

The rain cleared at about midday and the sunshine brought the birds out again. In the afternoon we birded close to the accommodation and along the access road through Bwindi. Highlights were Least Honeyguide, White-chinned Prinia, Slender-billed Starling, Green-headed Sunbird and Yellow-bellied Waxbill.

Jackson's or Kikuyu Three-horned Chameleon (Trioceros jacksonii) 

Tuesday 8^th May: Bwindi Impenetrable NP (Ruhija and the Neck sectors)

As we had aborted the trail walk the previous day, we went back to the UWA offices and picked up the armed ranger plus birding guide, before heading into the forest valley along the same track. Had some excellent birding along the track with the key target being Grauer's Broadbill. We found at least three Grauer's Broadbill and observed them nest building. Both African and Grauer's Broadbill are pretty special birds to see in Africa.

We continued along the muddy track and eventually got to the Mubwindi Swamp which had Grauer's Swamp Warbler and Carruthers's Cisticola, both of which are difficult birds to get in Uganda.

Other highlights were the beautiful Doherty's Bushshrike and Lagden's Bushshrike seen close together, plus White-headed Wood Hoopoe, Dwarf Honeyguide, Grey Cuckooshrike, Petit's Cuckooshrike, Dusky Tit, Black-throated Apalis, Black-faced Rufous Warbler, Banded Prinia, Yellow-eyed Black Flycatcher, Waller's Starling and Strange Weaver.

On the way back up the track we came across fresh tracks of Mountain Gorilla, which weren’t there on the way down, so that’s the closest we came to the gorillas.

Each Mountain Gorilla has its own name

We went back to our accommodation for a shower and lunch, before driving through “The Neck” to Buhoma, both different parts of Bwindi. Had some good birding stops along the way with Blue Malkoha, Black Bee-eater, Speckled Tinkerbird, Purple-headed Starling, Slender-billed Starling, Western Yellow Wagtail and Streaky Seedeater being seen. The Black Bee-eater is a beautiful bird and one of the top ten targets for Uganda.

Had a two-night stay Buhoma Community Homestay which had excellent accommodation and great meals. 

Wednesday 9^th May: Bwindi Impenetrable NP (Buhoma sector)

We took a short drive to the UWA offices in Buhoma and picked up two armed rangers plus a birding guide, before heading into the forest valley along a wide dirt track. Buhoma is at a lower elevation than Ruhija and has different birds to see. It was far more pleasant birding in Buhoma and had some lovely Red-tailed Monkey, L’Hoest’s Monkey and Black-fronted Duiker along the trail. 

L’Hoest’s Monkey

Red-tailed Monkey

Had some good birding along the track before it started to rain. We waited in the heavy rain for quite a long time before deciding to walk back to the UWA offices. We then waited till the rain stopped before going out again.

The birding after the rain was excellent and the many highlights for the day included Bar-tailed Trogon, Black Bee-eater, Yellow-throated Tinkerbird, Yellow-spotted Barbet, Tullberg's Woodpecker, Elliot's Woodpecker, Brown-throated Wattle-eye, Chestnut Wattle-eye, Lühder's Bushshrike, Bocage's Bushshrike, Many-colored Bushshrike, Petit's Cuckooshrike, Western Oriole, Red-tailed Bristlebill, Kakamega Greenbul, Red-tailed Greenbul, Ansorge's Greenbul, Plain Greenbul, Little Greenbul, Toro Olive Greenbul, Cabanis's Greenbul, Green Crombec, Green Hylia, Buff-throated Apalis, Olive-green Camaroptera, Black-faced Rufous Warbler, Mountain Illadopsis, Dusky-blue Flycatcher, Grey-winged Robin-Chat, Red-throated Alethe, Equatorial Akalat, Fraser's Rufous Thrush, Grey-headed Sunbird, Little Green Sunbird, Grey-chinned Sunbird, Red-headed Malimbe, Black-billed Weaver and Jameson's Antpecker.

Bwindi is the top birding spot in Uganda, having the richest forest in East Africa with its known biodiversity in terms of trees, plants, butterflies and birds. The forest protects some 400 species of plants, 350 bird species and 120 mammals. But as it’s largely dense forest, birding can be difficult and frustrating at times, as it is in the Asian rainforests. Today’s birding in Buhoma, despite the heavy rain, was outstanding and one of the highlights of the trip.

Thursday 10^th May: Queen Elizabeth II NP (Ishasha sector)

We took the two-hour drive to the southern part of Queen Elizabeth National Park and spent the rest of the day birding within the park, the savanna birding being quite different to the tropical rainforests.  On the initial drive up to the park we had some new birds for the trip including Blue-spotted Wood Dove, Nubian Woodpecker, Red-faced Cisticola, Singing Cisticola and Yellow-throated Longclaw.

Long-toed Lapwing

Within the national park, we had over 90 species for the 6.5 hours birding, including Red-necked Spurfowl, Palm-nut Vulture, Western Banded Snake Eagle, African Pygmy Kingfisher, Blue-breasted Kingfisher, Black Bee-eater, White-headed Barbet, Double-toothed Barbet, Marsh Tchagra, Moustached Grass Warbler, Fan-tailed Grassbird, Stout Cisticola, Short-winged Cisticola, Black-lored Babbler, Snowy-crowned Robin-Chat, Black-winged Red Bishop and Fawn-breasted Waxbill.

Had a two-night stay Pumba Safari Lodge which had spacious accommodation and good meals. 

Friday 11^th May: Queen Elizabeth II NP

We spent the full day in the Queen Elizabeth National Park which included an afternoon boat trip down the natural channel running between Lake George and Lake Edward.  Overall a very pleasant days birding with 135 species seen plus some game viewing.

The boat trip was enjoyable with Hippo and African or Cape Buffalo seen on the water’s edge, many Collared Pratincole and Lesser Black-backed Gull (fuscus), at least one Lesser Black-backed Gull (Heuglin's), together with many Banded Martin, White-winged Tern and Gull-billed Tern feeding over the water. As the guide on the boat was explaining how aggressive Hippo are about defending their territory, one of the guests from north America asked, “How can Hippo do any damage as they don’t have teeth?” He obviously hadn’t noticed their razor-sharp teeth which result in many deaths. 

Game viewing along channel from boat

Highlights for the day included eight White Stork getting ready to migrate, plus Black-bellied Bustard, African Crake, Senegal Lapwing, Temminck's Courser (top bird of the day), Red-throated Bee-eater, Western Black-headed Batis, White-tailed Lark, Angolan Swallow, Grey-rumped Swallow, Swamp Flycatcher, Brown-backed Scrub Robin, Long-billed Pipit, Short-tailed Pipit, Holub's Golden Weaver and Black-chinned Quailfinch.

We had time to stop and ID the various larks, pipits and cisticolas properly and take photos as well, which was much appreciated. Many of the LBJ’s had quite different plumages to the same species seen in Southern Africa, with the East African birds tending to be darker.

Saturday 12^th May: Queen Elizabeth II NP to Semuliki National Park

We travelled from Queen Elizabeth National Park up to Kasese in the morning, then onto Fort Portal for lunch, before birding on the way to our accommodation at Semuliki National Park.

We started off the morning with two Black Coucal right on the side of the road, very impressive. Then had great views and photos of Papyrus Gonolek in the reedbeds near Lake George. Had our first Piapiac in Kasese which would prove to be abundant further north.

After lunch we drove up into the hills and down through a valley which was once good habitat for birds and is now well populated and denuded. There was evidence of bush clearance and charcoal production throughout Uganda, and for Semuliki many of the areas specialities have become more difficult to find due to habitat loss.

Semuliki is basically a swampy forest on the Semuliki River which forms the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The elevation is quite low for Uganda, at about 700m and doesn’t have a mountain barrier along the border, unlike most of the Albertine Rift. Being on the divide between West and East Africa, there are quite a few West African birds that have been seen at Semuliki.

A full 35 Guinea-Congo forest biome bird species are, within East Africa, known only from Semuliki National Park. These are Spot-breasted Ibis, Hartlaub's Duck, Congo Serpent Eagle, Chestnut-flanked Goshawk, Red-thighed Sparrowhawk, Long-tailed Hawk, Nkulengu Rail, Black-throated Coucal, Chestnut Owlet, Bates's Nightjar, Black-wattled Hornbill, White-crested Hornbill, Black Dwarf Hornbill, Red-billed Dwarf Hornbill, Red-rumped Tinkerbird, Spotted Honeyguide, Lyre-tailed Honeyguide, Zenker's Honeyguide, African Piculet, Gabon Woodpecker, White-throated Blue Swallow, Palm Swamp Greenbul, Simple Greenbul, Eastern Bearded Greenbul, Sassi's Olive Greenbul, Yellow-throated Nicator, Northern Bearded Scrub-robin, Lowland Akalat, Grey Ground Thrush, Fiery-breasted Bush-shrike, Red-eyed Puffback, Black-winged Oriole, Maxwell's Black Weaver, Blue-billed Malimbe and Grant's Bluebill.

Another 12 species, with an extremely limited distribution in East Africa, have a better chance at being seen at Semuliki. These are Western Bronze-naped Pigeon, Yellow-throated Cuckoo, Piping Hornbill, Red-sided Broadbill, Xavier's Greenbul, Capuchin Babbler, Yellow Longbill, Blue-headed Flycatcher, Red-billed Helmetshrike, Crested Malimbe, Pale-fronted Antpecker and Chestnut-breasted Nigrita.

However, despite what some trip itineraries may include for birds to be seen at Semuliki, the likelihood of seeing a large proportion of these specialities on a short two or three-day visit, is very unlikely. For our trip we saw 8 of the 35 West African specialities and 6 of the 12 species with limited distribution in East Africa.

Whilst Semuliki National Park has some great East African specialities and is an essential part of the itinerary for a serious birding trip, it’s not for the faint hearted. It had very basic accommodation, together with plenty of tsetse flies, mosquitoes and biting midges, which left us covered in bites. The midges are the worst as they are too small to see and did most of their damage in the open-air dining area of the camp.  

It reminded me of the mangrove swamps in northern Australia where you get bitten by sandflies no matter how much bug spray you use but crawling through the mangroves and then sitting still for some time in the mud, is the only way to see some of the birds.

The late afternoon drive into Semuliki had African Marsh Harrier, Ross's Turaco, Black-billed Barbet, Whistling Cisticola, Cabanis's Bunting, Cardinal Quelea, Black Bishop and Black-crowned Waxbill.

Yellow-billed Barbet

Had a three-night stay at UWA Banda’s which had very basic accommodation. 

Sunday 13^th May: Semuliki National Park

We headed down the trails within the swampy forest in the early morning, in gumboots, together with Justus our armed ranger and local expert birder. Justus was quite a character and had a few amusing tales to tell about Derrick, a mate of mine and a South African birder who has spent a lot of time in Uganda with Justus.  

We spent the full day in the swamps and had some excellent birding with the highlights being Blue-throated Roller, White-crested Hornbill, Black-casqued Hornbill, Piping Hornbill, Yellow-billed Barbet, Yellow-spotted Barbet, Zenker's Honeyguide (rarity for Uganda), Brown-eared Woodpecker, Jameson's Wattle-eye, Lowland Sooty Boubou, Red-bellied Paradise Flycatcher, Western Nicator, Yellow-throated Nicator, Red-tailed Bristlebill, Red-tailed Greenbul, Xavier's Greenbul, Lemon-bellied Crombec, Olive-green Camaroptera, Forest Scrub Robin, Fraser's Rufous Thrush, Blue-billed Malimbe, Crested Malimbe and Chestnut-breasted Nigrita.  

Blue-throated Roller

For myself, the bird of the day was briefly seeing a pair of the beautiful Hartlaub's Duck perched on a branch over the stream where we stopped for lunch. These are very skittish ducks and they flew off before I had a chance to get a photo. We had been looking for these ducks for most of the morning with no luck. 

Zenker's Honeyguide (rarity for Uganda)

For the mammals, we had four De Brazza’s Monkey, which was new for the trip, plus Red-tailed Monkey, Mantled Guereza and Alexander’s Bush Squirrel.

Monday 14^th May: Semuliki National Park

We started off early and walked much the same trails within the swampy forest together with Justus, getting back for lunch, then had some late afternoon birding closer to the UWA Banda’s area. 

We had some good birding in the morning until is became hot and the birds went quiet. Highlights for the morning were juvenile Crowned Eagle on nest, Red-billed Dwarf Hornbill, Red-rumped Tinkerbird, Blue-headed Crested Flycatcher, Red-bellied Paradise Flycatcher, Simple Greenbul, Red-tailed Greenbul, Xavier's Greenbul, Forest Robin (Eastern), Fraser's Rufous Thrush, Crested Malimbe, Black-necked Weaver, Chestnut-breasted Nigrita, Orange-cheeked Waxbill (not found in Uganda according to the field guide) and Black-bellied Firefinch. 

Red-billed Dwarf Hornbill

We also had at least two Yellow-throated Cuckoo calling from various parts of the forest, but the cuckoo didn’t want to show despite a lot of effort by Justus and Paul.  

Red-rumped Tinkerbird

Birding in the late afternoon we had an adult pair of Western Bronze-naped Pigeon, very attractive birds, which had been eluding us for a few days.

Tuesday 15^th May: Semuliki to Kibale Forest NP

After breakfast we had a short visit to the hot springs trail near the UWA offices. After that we drove through to Fort Portal, had a quick visit to some roadside wetlands and then continued onto Kibale Forest National Park.

Hot springs near the UWA offices

Arriving at the edge of Kibale forests at about 11:30 we started to see some new birds including Shining-blue Kingfisher, which Paul spotted as we crossed a small stream, African Finfoot flushed from a small river, Hairy-breasted Barbet, Velvet-mantled Drongo, Cassin's Flycatcher and Slender-billed Weaver.

We checked into our lovely accommodation and had a really good lunch before heading off to the Bigodi Swamp for some late afternoon birding.

Bigodi Swamp is a community managed wetland and is being protected against continual encroachment. One of the highlights was seeing Ugandan Red Colobus, an endangered and range restricted colobus monkey, plus Red-legged Sun Squirrel and Boehm’s Squirrel. Nothing of note for the three hours of birding along the circular route except for White-spotted Flufftail which we heard at a couple of places and must have had at least six individuals. At one stage we had one within a couple of meters away but wouldn’t show. I had heard them previously in Kenya but had yet to see one.    

Had a two-night stay at Kibale Homestay which had excellent accommodation and provided great meals. 

Wednesday 16^th May: Kibale Forest NP

Today was a big day as we were after the Green-breasted Pitta, one of two Pittas occurring in Africa, the other being the African Pitta which I had seen in Mozambique. As one trip report said, “The Green-breasted Pitta is one of Africa's most difficult and sought-after birds, and seeing one is a top highlight in any lifetime of birding.” There were only two must-see birds that I wanted in Uganda, which were the Shoebill and Green-breasted Pitta.

In Uganda the Green-breasted Pitta occurs between 1,100 and 1,400 meters and although there are historical records of sightings from Budongo and Mabira Forest Reserves, Kibale National Park is the only reliable site for the pitta in the country.

However, the pitta hadn’t been seen in Kibale since March and mid-May was not the best time of year. The pitta usually calls loudly at first light during summer months of June to August, which is the best time to locate the bird. Another guide and birder we met in Kibale, had spent most of the previous day looking for the pitta without any success. Some birders reckon it’s easy to get the pitta, but most have different stories, with one birder taking 10 hours over 2 days to find the pitta, and of course many don’t have any luck.

We had an early start, picked up the armed ranger guide and started walking at 6:30am, about 30 min before sunrise. Paul wore his special “pitta hat” for the day and the plan was to be at a known pitta territory at sunrise to hopefully hear one call. We then proceeded to walk up and down various trails in the forest for the next three hours without seeing a single bird, that has to be the quietest forest I have ever been in.

At about 9:30am we took a break and it looked like the ranger guide was thinking about giving up. I only found out later that the ranger had no experience with finding pittas and was more of a hindrance. We had looked at a couple of pitta territories and I thought it was worth another look at one close to where we stopped for a rest. As I wandered off down the trail the rest of the group caught up and overtook me. I stopped along the way at several places and Paul hung back as well. Paul then heard the pittas calling at about 10am, which was quite late, as usually they only call at sunrise.

We then had two pittas calling quite loudly and Paul headed off trail into the forest to find them. Even though they were calling loudly, they were difficult to find and eventually Paul had one calling from a branch just off the ground. I managed to get a brief view as the pitta launched itself from the branch onto the forest floor and then moved quickly down the forest slopes. The ranger then proceeded to chase the pitta off and it wasn’t seen again. Not very satisfactory but at least I got a brief sighting of the pitta and thanks to Paul’s experience and perseverance for finding the pitta.

We then headed back to our accommodation with only four species of birds seen during 4.5 hours in the Kibale forests, although the focus for the morning was all on the pitta.

Late afternoon we did some birding along the road in Kibale Forest NP and had Mottled Spinetail, Black Bee-eater, Blue-throated Roller, Yellow-crested Woodpecker, African Grey Parrot, Cassin's Flycatcher, Chestnut-winged Starling, Narrow-tailed Starling, Blue-throated Brown Sunbird, Tiny Sunbird, Red-headed Malimbe and White-breasted Nigrita. 

Palm-nut Vulture seen quite often in Uganda

In the afternoon we also had Grey-cheeked Mangabey, Ugandan Red Colobus and a large troop of Chimpanzees calling loudly down the valley.

Thursday 17^th May: Kibale Forest NP to Masindi

After breakfast we headed further north to Masindi which was to be our base for visiting Budongo Forest the following day. Shortly after entering the Kibale Forest we had three African Forest Elephant alongside the road which was something special to see.

We then had a couple of hours birding along the busy road through the northern part of Kibale Forest NP. Some excellent birds for Kibale included Cassin's Hawk-Eagle, Afep Pigeon, Dusky Long-tailed Cuckoo (heard only), Lühder's Bushshrike, Lowland Masked Apalis, Cassin's Flycatcher and White-collared Oliveback. The Oliveback was a particularly good bird to see and is a sought-after target for many birders.  

Later in the morning we stopped at a small papyrus wetland and had two White-winged Swamp Warbler showing very nicely, a bird that we had been looking for at quite a few sites and had no luck. Late afternoon on the road to Hoima we had White-thighed Hornbill, White-throated Bee-eater, the only Red-headed Lovebird of the trip, Black-throated Wattle-eye, Spotted Greenbul, Western Citril, yellow-shouldered race of the Yellow-mantled Widowbird and Village Indigobird.

We arrived into Masindi at about 6pm, where we had a two-night stay at New Court View Hotel which had good accommodation and meals. 

Friday 18^th May: Royal Mile – Budongo Forest

Had an early start and drove through to Budongo Forest to meet up with the local guide. Along the way it had been raining and the roads were very muddy and slippery. Paul is an excellent driver and somehow we got through the mud without getting stuck, with the Toyota Landcruiser going sideways at times through the mud.

The Royal Mile is regarded by many birders as one of the top birding spots in Uganda. We had a bit of a slow start but as we spent time in the forest, along the 2 km stretch of road, we saw some excellent birds. Early on we had two Nahan’s Partridge calling but didn’t manage to see them as they like to keep well hidden. Later on, in the morning we saw and photographed Uganda Woodland Warbler visiting a nest at the base of a large tree, this being a warbler which is usually only seen at the top of the forest canopy.

At the end of the Royal Mile we had African Dwarf Kingfisher perched on an overhanging bush next to the road and I managed to get quite close with some good photos. Very nice kingfisher to get and similar in size and plumage to the African Pygmy Kingfisher, which was more common in Budongo and elsewhere in Africa. In the late afternoon, I managed to see Chocolate-backed Kingfisher which had been calling but was being very elusive.

The many highlights included Dusky Long-tailed Cuckoo (seen this time), White-thighed Hornbill, Shining-blue Kingfisher, Speckled Tinkerbird, Yellow-throated Tinkerbird, Willcocks's Honeyguide, Brown-eared Woodpecker feeding young at nest, Yellow-crested Woodpecker, Chestnut Wattle-eye, Ituri Batis (heard only), Red-bellied Paradise Flycatcher, Little Grey Greenbul, White-throated Greenbul, Grey Longbill (heard only), Green Hylia, Chestnut-capped Flycatcher, Yellow-browed Camaroptera, Rufous-crowned Eremomela, Fraser's Forest Flycatcher, Fire-crested Alethe, Blue-throated Brown Sunbird, Superb Sunbird, Cabanis's Bunting, Red-headed Malimbe, White-breasted Nigrita, Grey-headed Oliveback and Red-headed Bluebill.

Birding in the farmlands on the way back we had about 20 Compact Weaver plus a huge flock of Cardinal Quelea.   

Saturday 19^th May: Murchison Falls NP - Kaniyo Pabidi Forest

After a noisy night, the accommodation being packed with noisy Indians on the Friday evening who didn’t seem to sleep, we headed northwards for a relatively short drive to the southern entrance to the Murchison Falls National Park. Stopping along the way we had Black-crowned Tchagra, Brown-crowned Tchagra, Red-shouldered Cuckooshrike, Brown-backed Scrub Robin, Black-winged Red Bishop, Black Bishop and Yellow-mantled Widowbird.

Once in Kaniyo Pabidi Forest, which forms the southern part of Murchison Falls, we were now in different habitat and started to see new birds, such as Abyssinian Ground Hornbill on the side of the road. We went looking for Puvel's Illadopsis which was calling and was eventually seen walking quietly on the ground. Other good birds for the morning’s drive included Red-throated Bee-eater, White-throated Bee-eater, African Grey Woodpecker, Red-winged Pytilia and Bar-breasted Firefinch.

Myself at top of Murchison Falls

Paul and Philip at top of Murchison Falls

Narrow gorge at Murchison Falls 

We drove to the top of the Murchison Falls on the White Nile which was quite spectacular. The Nile River is forced through a 7m gap and drops 43m, with an average flow of about 300 cumecs, although we had high water levels during our visit being at the end of the wet season. We had a single Rock Pratincole at the top of the falls.

We than had lunch at the Red Chilli and I did some birding around the campsite after lunch. Had Spotted Palm Thrush around the dining area plus Silverbird, Red-winged Grey Warbler, White-browed Robin-Chat, Brown-throated Wattle-eye, Speckle-fronted Weaver and Red-cheeked Cordon-bleu around the campsite. Quite a few birds were seen from the campsite overlooking a valley including Black Coucal, White-fronted Black Chat, White-headed Saw-wing, African Grey Hornbill and various cuckoos. 

Late afternoon we went out for some more birding and into the evening. Highlights included Vinaceous Dove, Black-billed Wood Dove, Tambourine Dove, Greyish Eagle-Owl, Long-tailed Nightjar, Orange-breasted Bushshrike, Brown Babbler, Lesser Blue-eared Starling, Beautiful Sunbird, Red-winged Pytilia and Bar-breasted Firefinch.

Had a two-night stay at Red Chilli which had good rondavel accommodation and provided great meals. 

Sunday 20^th May: Murchison Falls NP – Northern

Had an early start and took the ferry across to the northern part of Murchison Falls. Spent the morning birding and then did the river cruise up to the bottom of Murchison Falls in the afternoon.

Murchison Falls from the bottom of the falls

African Fish Eagle

The northern part of Murchison Falls was open savanna and quite different to the Kaniyo Pabidi Forest. For the first time we had large flocks of Piapiac, quite a few Abyssinian Ground Hornbill and plenty of antelope. 

Rothschild’s Giraffe with African Buffalo

This was the first national park where the game was plentiful, and we saw Lelwel Hartebeest (Jackson’s), Uganda Kob, African Buffalo, Burchell’s Zebra, Defassa Waterbuck, Rothschild’s Giraffe, Bushbuck, Oribi, Common Warthog, Hippo, African Bush Elephant, Side-striped Jackal, Olive Baboon, Patas Monkey and Striped Ground Squirrel during the morning’s trip.

Rüppell's starling

Birding highlights included Heuglin's Francolin, Western Banded Snake Eagle, Dark Chanting Goshawk, Montagu's Harrier, Denham's Bustard, Senegal Thick-knee, Black-headed Lapwing, Black-billed Wood Dove, Blue-naped Mousebird, at least sixty Northern Carmine Bee-eater, Black-backed Cisticola, Buff-bellied Warbler, Shelley's Sparrow, Chestnut-crowned Sparrow-Weaver, Northern Red Bishop and Black-rumped Waxbill.

Water Thick-knee

The Nile River cruise was very pleasant and the falls very impressive. We had a look for Pel’s Fishing Owl but they hadn’t been in their roosting trees for a few months. The papyrus reeds do have Shoebill at times but the more reliable spot is further down the river at the Nile Delta. Some good birds were Yellow-billed Stork, Black-crowned Night Heron, Rock Pratincole, Black Coucal, Giant Kingfisher and Red-throated Bee-eater.

Nile River

Monday 21^st May: Murchison Falls to Kidepo NP

After breakfast, we took the ferry across to the northern part of Murchison Falls and then continued northeast towards Kidepo National Park, passing through Gulu and Kitgum on the way.

African Harrier-hawk or Gymnogene (Polyboroides typus) seen through much of Uganda

On the drive through Murchison Falls NP we had Comb Duck and Red-necked Falcon, the only sightings for the trip. A short stop outside of the national park produced Red-winged Warbler. Not much seen on the way to Kitgum which we reached by 2pm. From Kitgum to the entrance to Kidepo, we had some good birds including Hooded Vulture, Great Spotted Cuckoo, Wahlberg's Eagle and African Black Swift.

It had started to rain heavily and by the time we reached Kidepo at 4:30pm, the roads were very slippery. Driving to our accommodation, we had Clapperton's Francolin, Bruce's Green Pigeon, Blue-headed Coucal, Abyssinian Roller, Fox Kestrel, Northern White-crowned Shrike, Moustached Grass Warbler, Superb Starling and Bronze-tailed Starling. As we arrived at our accommodation, we had Side-striped Jackal in the camp.

Apoka Banda’s In Kidepo NP

Had a three-night stay at Apoka Banda’s which had basic but comfortable rondavel accommodation with a huge double bed.   

Tuesday 22^nd May: Kidepo NP - Narus Valley

After breakfast, we met up with our ranger and local birding guide, who was very knowledgeable about Kidepo. We then birded Narus Valley till about 1pm. The advantage of an armed ranger accompanying us that we could get out and walk around, including up to the plentiful African Buffalo. One of the first stops was up a rocky hill and we managed to get great views of two Stone Partridge which are normally very shy. In the same area we had Boran Cisticola, a bird that still has to be shown in the field guide as occurring in Uganda.

View over Kidepo National Park

For the morning’s birding we had close to 90 species and it was a pleasure to bird in Kidepo. The many highlights for the morning included White-headed Vulture, Lappet-faced Vulture, Martial Eagle, White-crested Turaco, Black Coucal, Eurasian Hoopoe (dark Central African race waibeli), Abyssinian Scimitarbill, Abyssinian Ground Hornbill, Abyssinian Roller, D'Arnaud's Barbet, Meyer's Parrot, Western Black-headed Batis, Slate-coloured Boubou, Yellow-billed Shrike, Red-winged Lark, White-shouldered Black Tit,  White-bellied Tit, Red-pate Cisticola, Short-winged Cisticola, Foxy Cisticola, Mocking Cliff Chat, Brown-rumped Bunting and Shelley's Sparrow.

It started to rain in the early afternoon and we delayed our afternoon birding till about 3:30pm. I did some birding around the camp and found Shelly’s Sparrow, Chestnut Sparrow, Grey-capped Social Weaver and took some photos of the resident Superb Starling. Highlights for the afternoon’s birding were Steppe Eagle, Shikra, African Crake, Bruce's Green Pigeon, White-bellied Go-away-bird, Common Kestrel, Peregrine Falcon (African race minor which has darker breast markings than the migrant race calidus), Fan-tailed Raven, White-tailed Lark and Swamp Nightjar which was heard calling after 7pm.

Sunset over Kidepo Mountains

As we were birding later in the afternoon it started to rain steadily, and we ended up getting well and truly stuck down one of the tracks. After spending quite a bit of time trying to get out of the mud, we called in a rescue team, who also got stuck. We eventually abandoned the vehicle and left in the rescue vehicle, which then got stuck again, as the driver tried to turn in the narrow track. Eventually got into camp after 10pm, well after the on-site generator had been switched off.

Wednesday 23^rd May: Kidepo NP - Kidepo Valley

After breakfast, Paul went off with the rescue team and recovered the vehicle. I did some birding around the camp and found a Somali Bunting. At about 9am we headed up the Kidepo Valley for some quite different birding to Narus Valley, the main target being Black-breasted Barbet.

The roads were initially quite muddy and slippery but with the sunshine they dried out quite quickly. After we passed through some security gates, we stopped in a small woodland and had Rose-ringed Parakeet, White-crested Helmetshrike, Red-and-yellow Barbet and a few other birds, before I spotted the impressive Black-breasted Barbet perched nearby. In that area we found about four of the Black-breasted Barbet and managed to get photographs.

We continued to find new birds as we made our way to the Kidepo River, which was in flood, and then slowly made our way back to Apoka. The point where we stopped on the Kidepo River was about 50m from the South Sudan border.

Flooded Kidepo River

Myself and Philip

Local expert birding guide and ranger with Philip

Some very impressive birding for the morning with close to 100 species see. We had two huge flocks of over 500 Abdim’s Stork in each flock, plus Eastern Chanting Goshawk, Little Sparrowhawk, White-bellied Go-away-bird, Great Spotted Cuckoo, Jacobin Cuckoo, Pearl-spotted Owlet, Jackson's Hornbill, Northern Red-billed Hornbill, Northern Crombec (race carnapi), Yellow-breasted Apalis, Yellow-bellied Eremomela, Rufous Chatterer, Yellow-spotted Petronia, White-billed Buffalo Weaver, White-headed Buffalo Weaver, Red-headed Weaver and Cut-throat Finch.

We went out again for some evening birding, leaving just before 6pm and had Verreaux's Eagle, Hartlaub's Bustard, Bruce's Green Pigeon, Greyish Eagle-Owl, Swamp Nightjar (heard), Freckled Nightjar, Slender-tailed Nightjar, Red-pate Cisticola and Fawn-breasted Waxbill.

Thursday 24^th May: Kidepo NP to Soroti

After breakfast, we headed out of Kidepo, with some birding for 1.5 hours through the park, before driving on to Kitgum then turning south to Lira and Soroti.

Again we had some excellent birds with some new ones added, Greater Painted-snipe, African Reed Warbler, Yellow-bellied Hyliota, White-fronted Black Chat, Red-billed Oxpecker and Black-faced Quailfinch. Interesting that we only saw one Red-billed Oxpecker for the trip, yet many Yellow-billed Oxpecker, whereas in South Africa, the Red-billed Oxpecker is common and the Yellow-billed Oxpecker difficult to find.

Between Kidepo and Kitgum we had a nice range of raptors including Verreaux's Eagle, Lizard Buzzard, Dark Chanting Goshawk, Shikra and Grey Kestrel. We also had some Fan-tailed Raven and Red-winged Pytilia. At this stage of the trip, we had already seen close to 600 species and it was getting difficult to find new birds for Uganda.

Between Kitgum and Lira, we had Woolly-necked Stork, Western Banded Snake Eagle and African Jacana. Then driving from Lira to Soroti we started to go past some large wetlands. We had nice views of Marsh Widowbird which has a squared and longer tail than Fan-tailed Widowbird plus pale orange buff shoulders. We also had Yellow-throated Leaflove, Winding Cisticola, Swamp Flycatcher, Compact Weaver and Yellow-mantled Widowbird.

We had one night at the Soroti Hotel which was very much upmarket compared to what we had been in for the past week or so. It also had WiFi so was able to submit eBird lists and catch up on news for the first time in ages.

Friday 25^th May: Soroti – Lake Bisina

Today was another big day as we were after the Fox’s Weaver. This weaver, being the only endemic bird for Uganda, has become increasingly difficult to find as many of the nesting trees are cut down for firewood, swamps drained and cattle grazing impacts on habitat. 

The weaver typically nests at the edge of wetlands or in seasonally flooded areas and is usually only found on Lake Bisina and Lake Opeta. Lake Bisina is a large freshwater lake in eastern Uganda to the southeast of Soroti and is also known as Lake Salisbury. It is connected upstream via a wetland to Lake Opeta and drains into Lake Kyoga.

An intensive survey undertaken in 2015 had failed to locate any Fox’s Weaver (Survey on the Fox’s Weaver, the only Ugandan Endemic bird species by Dianah Nalwanga, Roger Skeen, Michael Opige and Achilles Byaruhanga) and they noted that there had been no reliable sightings since 2010. Thus our chances of finding the Fox's Weaver were very low. 

Sites Surveyed for Fox's Weaver in 2015

Some visiting birders get shown Northern Brown-throated Weaver instead of Fox’s Weaver by the local boatmen, as usually the Fox’s Weaver requires an expedition in a small wooden dugout canoe. Not sure how you can confuse a Northern Brown-throated Weaver with a Fox’s Weaver as they are quite different. One of my birding mates reckons that Fox’s Weaver don’t exist after his attempt to find them resulted in photos of Northern Brown-throated Weaver. In fact, none of the standard birding tours visit Soroti or Kidepo for that matter and prefer to focus on western Uganda and the Albertine Rift. 

Timing is everything and luckily a group of birders from the Uganda Bird Guides Club had located nesting Fox’s Weaver on the previous day. To get to the weaver would require wading in quite deep water through the wetlands, which I didn’t have a problem with. My boots were falling apart and I thought by the end of the day they would be ready to throw away.

Paul and local guide on the wetlands

Overnight I had an email from an experienced South African birder who used to live in Uganda, asking about Karamoja Apalis. I asked Paul about the Karamoja Apalis at breakfast and was told that the best chance, only 40% probability, would have been at the other side of the Kidepo River, which we couldn’t cross due to high water levels.

After breakfast, we picked up a local guide in Soroti before heading off to Lake Bisina. We took some back roads and ended up at a flooded road which we then needed to walk along to get the weaver site. We had to wade through quite deep water for 1-2 km, with flooded wetlands on either side and then walk some distance on dry ground. It was good fun walking through the wetlands with Lesser Jacana, Lesser Moorhen and Allen’s Gallinule being flushed as we walked.

Wading along flooded road in wetlands

Shortly after getting to dry land, Paul got very excited and said have you seen the Apalis. He had found a pair of Karamoja Apalis and I managed to get some good photos. The Karamoja Apalis is a grey Apalis with white underparts, white patch on inner secondaries of wings and white outer tail. When news of the Karamoja Apalis sighting got out, it started a local twitch for some Ugandan birders.

Shortly after that we had the Fox’s Weaver at their nests, about six weavers in total. The Fox’s Weaver were seen in wooded grassland near the wetlands. They are similar to Speke's Weaver but with very dark back and plain yellow rump, quite evident when weaver is displaying. The weaver has a pale-yellow eye, very heavy bill and yellow crown extends down to bill.

Fox's Weaver Nesting Site

Two megas for the morning plus some great wetland birding, made for some very rewarding birding. Another unusual sighting was Lynes’s Cisticola, which had dark streaking on the back, rusty-brown head and buffy-brown underparts. Other great birds for the morning included Fulvous Whistling Duck, Little Bittern, Squacco Heron, Rufous-bellied Heron, Striated Heron, Black-chested Snake Eagle, African Marsh Harrier, African Swamphen, Common Moorhen, Black Coucal, Horus Swift, Abyssinian Ground Hornbill, Abyssinian Roller, Foxy Cisticola, Silverbird, Yellow-throated Longclaw, Shelley's Sparrow and Little Weaver.

We then made our way down south to Mbale for the evening.

Saturday 26^th May: Mbale to Jinja

We drove from Mbale westwards towards Kampala and overnighted in Jinja.

After the birding highlights of Kidepo and Soroti, it was difficult to conjure up new species, however I had lifers for every day of the trip and we continued to build on the Ugandan list. We had a short stop in Tororo and added Wire-tailed Swallow and Red-winged Starling to the list which cracked the 600 species seen. Between Tororo to Iganga we had short stops at various rice paddies and wetlands, which added Red-headed Quelea to my life list.

We stopped in Iganga where I lost all my camera gear and documents. Paul also lost his camera, plus photos from several trips and even the iPhone cable was stolen.

Overnighted at the Sunset hotel in Jinja which was a comfortable hotel with excellent meals.

Sunday 27^th May: Mabira Forest to Entebbe

We had just under three hours birding at Mabira Forest, close to Jinja before fighting with some awful traffic on the way to Kampala and then to the airport at Entebbe.

Mabira Forest was surprisingly good for the short time we had, with the top bird for the morning was getting good views of White-spotted Flufftail. Other great birds included Forest Wood Hoopoe, Chestnut Wattle-eye, Western Nicator, Yellow-lored Bristlebill (Bright yellow throat and full yellow undersides with light brown eyes. Formerly considered a subspecies of the Green-tailed Bristlebill), Toro Olive Greenbul, White-throated Greenbul, Yellow Longbill, Grey Longbill, Yellow-browed Camaroptera, Brown Illadopsis, Fire-crested Alethe, Blue-shouldered Robin-Chat (difficult bird to see), Little Green Sunbird, Weyns's Weaver, Grey-headed Nigrita and White-breasted Nigrita.

It then took a lot longer to get to the airport than expected, arriving after 2pm for a flight leaving at 3:30pm. SAA arrived early and left early, so I didn’t have much time to spare, to get through security, check-in and border controls.

Overall a very successful mega birding trip, which had plenty of highs and some lows. Thanks very much to the professionalism, experience and skills of Paul Tamwenya and the various local birders we met along the trip. Thanks also to Philip who helped along the way and battled with the bird ID’s and was often given a hard time.

Mammals

A total of 37 mammal species seen:

Hyracoidea

Hyraxes (Procaviidae)

Rock Hyrax [sp] (Procavia capensis)

Proboscidea

Elephants (Elephantidae)

African Bush Elephant (Loxodonta africana)

African Forest Elephant (Loxodonta cyclotis)

Primates

Old World Monkeys (Cercopithecidae)

Uganda Redtailed Guenon (Cercopithecus ascanius schmidti)

Silver Monkey (Cercopithecus doggetti)

Golden Monkey (Cercopithecus kandti)

L'Hoest's Monkey (Cercopithecus lhoesti)

De Brazza's Monkey (Cercopithecus neglectus)

Vervet Monkey [sp] (Chlorocebus pygerythrus)

Patas Monkey (Erythrocebus patas)

Grey-cheeked Mangabey [sp] (Lophocebus albigena)

Olive Baboon (Papio anubis)

Mantled Guereza [sp] (Colobus guereza)

Mantled Guereza [matschiei] (Colobus guereza matschiei)

Ugandan Red Colobus (Piliocolobus tephrosceles)

Great Apes, Humans (Hominidae)

Common Chimpanzee [sp] (Pan troglodytes)

Rodentia

Squirrels & Marmots (Sciuridae)

Striped Ground Squirrel [sp] (Xerus erythropus)

Red-legged Sun Squirrel [sp] (Heliosciurus rufobrachium)

Alexander's Bush Squirrel (Paraxerus alexandri)

Boehm's Bush Squirrel [sp] (Paraxerus boehmi)

Carnivora

Mongooses (Herpestidae)

Banded Mongoose [sp] (Mungos mungo)

Dogs (Canidae)

Side-striped Jackal [sp] (Canis adustus)

Perissodactyla

Horses (Equidae)

Burchell's Zebra [sp] (Equus burchellii)

Artiodactyla

Pigs (Suidae)

Common Warthog [sp] (Phacochoerus africanus)

Hippopotamuses (Hippopotamidae)

Common Hippopotamus [sp] (Hippopotamus amphibius)

Giraffes & Okapi (Giraffidae)

Rothschild's Giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis rothschildi)

Cattle & Spiral-horned Antelope (Bovidae)

Impala [sp] (Aepyceros melampus)

Lelwel Hartebeest (Alcelaphus buselaphus lelwel)

Topi [sp] (Damaliscus korrigum)

Klipspringer [sp] (Oreotragus oreotragus)

Oribi [sp] (Ourebia ourebi)

African Buffalo [sp] (Syncerus caffer)

East African Eland (Taurotragus oryx pattersonianus)

Bushbuck [sp] (Tragelaphus scriptus)

Black-fronted Duiker [sp] (Cephalophus nigrifrons)

Defassa Waterbuck (Kobus ellipsiprymnus defassa)

Uganda Kob (Kobus kob thomasi)

Common Reedbuck [sp] (Redunca redunca)

Birds

I recorded a total of 612 birds of which 186 were lifers and 5 heard only. The list of birds according to the IOC taxonomy, with subspecies identified where possible, was as follows:

ANSERIFORMES

Ducks, Geese and Swans (Anatidae)

White-faced Whistling Duck (Dendrocygna viduata)

Fulvous Whistling Duck (Dendrocygna bicolor)

White-backed Duck [leuconotus] (Thalassornis leuconotus leuconotus)

Spur-winged Goose (Northern) (Plectropterus gambensis gambensis)

Knob-billed Duck (Sarkidiornis melanotos)

Egyptian Goose (Alopochen aegyptiaca)

Hartlaub's Duck (Pteronetta hartlaubii)

Hottentot Teal (Spatula hottentota)

Yellow-billed Duck [ruppelli] (Anas undulata ruppelli)

GALLIFORMES

Guineafowl (Numididae)

Helmeted Guineafowl (Helmeted) [meleagris] (Numida meleagris meleagris)

Crested Guineafowl (Western) [verreauxi] (Guttera pucherani verreauxi)

New World Quail (Odontophoridae)

Stone Partridge [florentiae] (Ptilopachus petrosus florentiae)

Nahan's Partridge (Ptilopachus nahani)

Pheasants and allies (Phasianidae)

Crested Francolin (Crested) [grantii] (Dendroperdix sephaena grantii)

Heuglin's Francolin (Pternistis icterorhynchus)

Clapperton's Francolin [gedgii] (Pternistis clappertoni gedgii)

Handsome Francolin (Pternistis nobilis)

Red-necked Spurfowl (Cranch's) [cranchii] (Pternistis afer cranchii)

PHOENICOPTERIFORMES

Flamingos (Phoenicopteridae)

Greater Flamingo (Phoenicopterus roseus)

Lesser Flamingo (Phoeniconaias minor)

CICONIIFORMES

Storks (Ciconiidae)

Yellow-billed Stork (Mycteria ibis)

African Openbill [lamelligerus] (Anastomus lamelligerus lamelligerus)

Abdim's Stork (Ciconia abdimii)

Woolly-necked Stork (African) (Ciconia episcopus microscelis)

European White Stork (Ciconia ciconia ciconia)

Saddle-billed Stork (Ephippiorhynchus senegalensis)

Marabou Stork (Leptoptilos crumenifer)

PELECANIFORMES

Ibises, Spoonbills (Threskiornithidae)

African Sacred Ibis (Threskiornis aethiopicus)

Hadada Ibis [sp] (Bostrychia hagedash)

Glossy Ibis (Plegadis falcinellus)

African Spoonbill (Platalea alba)

Herons, Bitterns (Ardeidae)

Little Bittern (African) (Ixobrychus minutus payesii)

Black-crowned Night Heron (Eurasian) (Nycticorax nycticorax nycticorax)

Striated Heron (Old World) [atricapilla] (Butorides striata atricapilla)

Squacco Heron (Ardeola ralloides)

Rufous-bellied Heron (Ardeola rufiventris)

Western Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis)

Grey Heron (Grey) [cinerea] (Ardea cinerea cinerea)

Black-headed Heron (Ardea melanocephala)

Goliath Heron (Ardea goliath)

Purple Heron (Purple) [purpurea] (Ardea purpurea purpurea)

Great Egret (African) (Ardea alba melanorhynchos)

Intermediate Egret (Yellow-billed) (Ardea intermedia brachyrhyncha)

Little Egret (Western) (Egretta garzetta garzetta)

Hamerkop (Scopidae)

Hamerkop [umbretta] (Scopus umbretta umbretta)

Shoebill (Balaenicipitidae)

Shoebill (Balaeniceps rex)

Pelicans (Pelecanidae)

Pink-backed Pelican (Pelecanus rufescens)

SULIFORMES

Cormorants, Shags (Phalacrocoracidae)

Reed Cormorant [africanus] (Microcarbo africanus africanus)

White-breasted Cormorant (Phalacrocorax lucidus)

Anhingas, Darters (Anhingidae)

African Darter [rufa] (Anhinga rufa rufa)

ACCIPITRIFORMES

Secretarybird (Sagittariidae)

Secretarybird (Sagittarius serpentarius)

Ospreys (Pandionidae)

Western Osprey (Eurasian) (Pandion haliaetus haliaetus)

Kites, Hawks and Eagles (Accipitridae)

Black-winged Kite (African) (Elanus caeruleus caeruleus)

African Harrier-hawk [typus] (Polyboroides typus typus)

Palm-nut Vulture (Gypohierax angolensis)

Hooded Vulture (Necrosyrtes monachus)

White-backed Vulture (Gyps africanus)

Rüppell's Vulture [rueppelli] (Gyps rueppelli rueppelli)

White-headed Vulture (Trigonoceps occipitalis)

Lappet-faced Vulture [tracheliotos] (Torgos tracheliotos tracheliotos)

Black-chested Snake Eagle (Circaetus pectoralis)

Brown Snake Eagle (Circaetus cinereus)

Western Banded Snake Eagle (Circaetus cinerascens)

Bateleur (Terathopius ecaudatus)

Bat Hawk [anderssoni] (Macheiramphus alcinus anderssoni)

Crowned Eagle (Stephanoaetus coronatus)

Martial Eagle (Polemaetus bellicosus)

Long-crested Eagle (Lophaetus occipitalis)

Wahlberg's Eagle (Hieraaetus wahlbergi)

Steppe Eagle [orientalis] (Aquila nipalensis orientalis)

Verreaux's Eagle (Aquila verreauxii)

Cassin's Hawk-eagle (Aquila africana)

African Hawk-eagle (Aquila spilogaster)

Lizard Buzzard [monogrammicus] (Kaupifalco monogrammicus monogrammicus)

Gabar Goshawk [aequatorius] (Micronisus gabar aequatorius)

Dark Chanting Goshawk [metabates] (Melierax metabates metabates)

Eastern Chanting Goshawk (Melierax poliopterus)

Shikra [sphenurus] (Accipiter badius sphenurus)

Little Sparrowhawk [minullus] (Accipiter minullus minullus)

Black Sparrowhawk [melanoleucus] (Accipiter melanoleucus melanoleucus)

African Marsh Harrier (Circus ranivorus)

Montagu's Harrier (Circus pygargus)

Black Kite (Black) [migrans] (Milvus migrans migrans)

Yellow-billed Kite [parasitus] (Milvus aegyptius parasitus)

African Fish Eagle (Haliaeetus vocifer)

Mountain Buzzard (Buteo oreophilus)

Augur Buzzard (Buteo augur)

OTIDIFORMES

Bustards (Otididae)

Denham's Bustard (Denham's) (Neotis denhami denhami)

Black-bellied Bustard [melanogaster] (Lissotis melanogaster melanogaster)

Hartlaub's Bustard (Lissotis hartlaubii)

GRUIFORMES

Flufftails (Sarothruridae)

White-spotted Flufftail (Southern) (Sarothrura pulchra centralis)

Finfoots (Heliornithidae)

African Finfoot [senegalensis] (Podica senegalensis senegalensis)

Rails, Crakes and Coots (Rallidae)

African Crake (Crex egregia)

Black Crake (Amaurornis flavirostra)

African Swamphen (Porphyrio madagascariensis)

Allen's Gallinule (Porphyrio alleni)

Common Moorhen [meridionalis] (Gallinula chloropus meridionalis)

Lesser Moorhen (Paragallinula angulata)

Cranes (Gruidae)

Grey Crowned Crane [gibbericeps] (Balearica regulorum gibbericeps)

CHARADRIIFORMES

Stone-curlews, Thick-knees (Burhinidae)

Senegal Thick-knee (Burhinus senegalensis)

Water Thick-knee [vermiculatus] (Burhinus vermiculatus vermiculatus)

Spotted Thick-knee [maculosus] (Burhinus capensis maculosus)

Stilts, Avocets (Recurvirostridae)

Black-winged Stilt (Himantopus himantopus)

Plovers (Charadriidae)

Long-toed Lapwing [crassirostris] (Vanellus crassirostris crassirostris)

Spur-winged Lapwing (Vanellus spinosus)

Black-headed Lapwing [tectus] (Vanellus tectus tectus)

Senegal Lapwing (Vanellus lugubris)

Crowned Lapwing [coronatus] (Vanellus coronatus coronatus)

African Wattled Lapwing [sp] (Vanellus senegallus)

Kittlitz's Plover (Charadrius pecuarius)

Three-banded Plover (African) (Charadrius tricollaris tricollaris)

Painted-snipes (Rostratulidae)

Greater Painted-snipe (Rostratula benghalensis)

Jacanas (Jacanidae)

Lesser Jacana (Microparra capensis)

African Jacana (Actophilornis africanus)

Sandpipers, Snipes (Scolopacidae)

Common Sandpiper (Actitis hypoleucos)

Common Greenshank (Tringa nebularia)

Coursers, Pratincoles (Glareolidae)

Temminck's Courser [temminckii] (Cursorius temminckii temminckii)

Collared Pratincole [fuelleborni] (Glareola pratincola fuelleborni)

Rock Pratincole (White-naped) (Glareola nuchalis nuchalis)

Gulls, Terns and Skimmers (Laridae)

Grey-headed Gull [poiocephalus] (Chroicocephalus cirrocephalus poiocephalus)

Lesser Black-backed Gull (Baltic) (Larus fuscus fuscus)

Lesser Black-backed Gull (Heuglin's) (Larus fuscus heuglini)

Gull-billed Tern (Common) [nilotica] (Gelochelidon nilotica nilotica)

White-winged Tern (Chlidonias leucopterus)

COLUMBIFORMES

Pigeons, Doves (Columbidae)

Rock Dove (Feral) (Columba livia ''feral'')

Speckled Pigeon [guinea] (Columba guinea guinea)

Afep Pigeon (Columba unicincta)

African Olive Pigeon (Columba arquatrix)

Western Bronze-naped Pigeon (Columba iriditorques)

Dusky Turtle Dove (Streptopelia lugens)

Mourning Collared Dove [logonensis] (Streptopelia decipiens logonensis)

Red-eyed Dove (Streptopelia semitorquata)

Ring-necked Dove [tropica] (Streptopelia capicola tropica)

Vinaceous Dove (Streptopelia vinacea)

Laughing Dove [senegalensis] (Spilopelia senegalensis senegalensis)

Emerald-spotted Wood Dove (Turtur chalcospilos)

Black-billed Wood Dove (Turtur abyssinicus)

Blue-spotted Wood Dove (Turtur afer)

Tambourine Dove (Turtur tympanistria)

Bruce's Green Pigeon (Treron waalia)

African Green Pigeon [sp] (Treron calvus)

MUSOPHAGIFORMES

Turacos (Musophagidae)

Great Blue Turaco (Corythaeola cristata)

Black-billed Turaco (Green-rumped) (Tauraco schuettii emini)

White-crested Turaco (Tauraco leucolophus)

Rwenzori Turaco [sp] (Rwenzorornis johnstoni)

Ross's Turaco (Musophaga rossae)

Bare-faced Go-away-bird (Black-faced) (Corythaixoides personatus leopoldi)

White-bellied Go-away-bird (Corythaixoides leucogaster)

Eastern Plantain-eater (Crinifer zonurus)

CUCULIFORMES

Cuckoos (Cuculidae)

Senegal Coucal [senegalensis] (Centropus senegalensis senegalensis)

Blue-headed Coucal [fischeri] (Centropus monachus fischeri)

White-browed Coucal [sp] (Centropus superciliosus)

Black Coucal (Centropus grillii)

Blue Malkoha [aereus] (Ceuthmochares aereus aereus)

Great Spotted Cuckoo (Clamator glandarius)

Levaillant's Cuckoo (Clamator levaillantii)

Black-and-white Cuckoo (Clamator jacobinus pica)

Diederik Cuckoo (Chrysococcyx caprius)

Klaas's Cuckoo (Chrysococcyx klaas)

Yellow-throated Cuckoo (Chrysococcyx flavigularis)

African Emerald Cuckoo (Chrysococcyx cupreus)

Dusky Long-tailed Cuckoo (Cercococcyx mechowi)

Barred Long-tailed Cuckoo (Njobo's) (Cercococcyx montanus montanus)

Black Cuckoo [sp] (Cuculus clamosus)

Red-chested Cuckoo (Cuculus solitarius)

STRIGIFORMES

Owls (Strigidae)

Greyish Eagle-owl (Bubo cinerascens)

Verreaux's Eagle-owl (Bubo lacteus)

African Wood Owl [nuchalis] (Strix woodfordii nuchalis)

Pearl-spotted Owlet [licua] (Glaucidium perlatum licua)

CAPRIMULGIFORMES

Nightjars (Caprimulgidae)

Black-shouldered Nightjar (Caprimulgus nigriscapularis)

Rwenzori Nightjar (Caprimulgus poliocephalus rwenzorii)

Swamp Nightjar [natalensis] (Caprimulgus natalensis natalensis)

Freckled Nightjar [tristigma] (Caprimulgus tristigma tristigma)

Long-tailed Nightjar [climacurus] (Caprimulgus climacurus climacurus)

Slender-tailed Nightjar (Caprimulgus clarus)

Apodiformes

Swifts (Apodidae)

Mottled Spinetail [sharpei] (Telacanthura ussheri sharpei)

African Palm Swift (African) [myochrous] (Cypsiurus parvus myochrous)

Alpine Swift [sp] (Tachymarptis melba)

African Black Swift [roehli] (Apus barbatus roehli)

Little Swift (Little) [aerobates] (Apus affinis aerobates)

Horus Swift (Horus) (Apus horus horus)

White-rumped Swift (Apus caffer)

COLIIFORMES

Mousebirds (Coliidae)

Speckled Mousebird [sp] (Colius striatus)

Blue-naped Mousebird [sp] (Urocolius macrourus)

TROGONIFORMES

Trogons (Trogonidae)

Narina Trogon [sp] (Apaloderma narina)

Bar-tailed Trogon (Apaloderma vittatum)

CORACIIFORMES

Rollers (Coraciidae)

Lilac-breasted Roller (Lilac-breasted) (Coracias caudatus caudatus)

Abyssinian Roller (Coracias abyssinicus)

Blue-throated Roller [neglectus] (Eurystomus gularis neglectus)

Broad-billed Roller [sp] (Eurystomus glaucurus)

Kingfishers (Alcedinidae)

Chocolate-backed Kingfisher (Halcyon badia)

Grey-headed Kingfisher [sp] (Halcyon leucocephala)

Striped Kingfisher [chelicuti] (Halcyon chelicuti chelicuti)

Blue-breasted Kingfisher [malimbica] (Halcyon malimbica malimbica)

Woodland Kingfisher [senegalensis] (Halcyon senegalensis senegalensis)

African Dwarf Kingfisher [lecontei] (Ispidina lecontei lecontei)

African Pygmy Kingfisher [sp] (Ispidina picta)

Malachite Kingfisher (Mainland) [galeritus] (Corythornis cristatus galeritus)

Shining-blue Kingfisher [guentheri] (Alcedo quadribrachys guentheri)

Giant Kingfisher [maxima] (Megaceryle maxima maxima)

Pied Kingfisher [rudis] (Ceryle rudis rudis)

Bee-eaters (Meropidae)

Black Bee-eater [australis] (Merops gularis australis)

Swallow-tailed Bee-eater [heuglini] (Merops hirundineus heuglini)

Little Bee-eater [sp] (Merops pusillus)

Blue-breasted Bee-eater (Blue-breasted) [loringi] (Merops variegatus loringi)

Cinnamon-chested Bee-eater (Merops oreobates)

Red-throated Bee-eater [frenatus] (Merops bulocki frenatus)

White-throated Bee-eater (Merops albicollis)

Olive Bee-eater [superciliosus] (Merops superciliosus superciliosus)

European Bee-eater (Merops apiaster)

Northern Carmine Bee-eater (Merops nubicus)

BUCEROTIFORMES

Hoopoes (Upupidae)

Eurasian Hoopoe (Central African) [waibeli] (Upupa epops waibeli)

Wood Hoopoes (Phoeniculidae)

Forest Wood Hoopoe [brunneiceps] (Phoeniculus castaneiceps brunneiceps)

White-headed Wood Hoopoe [jacksoni] (Phoeniculus bollei jacksoni)

Green Wood Hoopoe [marwitzi] (Phoeniculus purpureus marwitzi)

Common Scimitarbill [schalowi] (Rhinopomastus cyanomelas schalowi)

Abyssinian Scimitarbill [cabanisi] (Rhinopomastus minor cabanisi)

Ground Hornbills (Bucorvidae)

Abyssinian Ground Hornbill (Bucorvus abyssinicus)

Hornbills (Bucerotidae)

Northern Red-billed Hornbill (Tockus erythrorhynchus)

Jackson's Hornbill (Tockus jacksoni)

Crowned Hornbill (Lophoceros alboterminatus)

African Pied Hornbill (Congo) (Lophoceros fasciatus fasciatus)

African Grey Hornbill [sp] (Lophoceros nasutus)

Red-billed Dwarf Hornbill (Lophoceros camurus)

Piping Hornbill (Eastern) [duboisi] (Bycanistes fistulator duboisi)

White-thighed Hornbill (Bycanistes albotibialis)

Black-and-white-casqued Hornbill [subquadratus] (Bycanistes subcylindricus subquadratus)

Black-casqued Hornbill (Ceratogymna atrata)

White-crested Hornbill (Eastern) (Horizocerus albocristatus cassini)

PICIFORMES

African Barbets (Lybiidae)

Grey-throated Barbet (Grey-headed) (Gymnobucco bonapartei cinereiceps)

Speckled Tinkerbird [flavisquamatus] (Pogoniulus scolopaceus flavisquamatus)

Western Tinkerbird (Eastern) (Pogoniulus coryphaea hildamariae)

Red-rumped Tinkerbird (Pogoniulus atroflavus)

Yellow-throated Tinkerbird [flavimentum] (Pogoniulus subsulphureus flavimentum)

Yellow-rumped Tinkerbird [sp] (Pogoniulus bilineatus)

Yellow-fronted Tinkerbird [chrysoconus] (Pogoniulus chrysoconus chrysoconus)

Yellow-spotted Barbet (Buccanodon duchaillui)

Hairy-breasted Barbet (Streaky-throated) [ansorgii] (Tricholaema hirsuta ansorgii)

Spot-flanked Barbet [sp] (Tricholaema lacrymosa)

White-headed Barbet (White-headed) [leucocephalus] (Lybius leucocephalus leucocephalus)

Black-billed Barbet (Lybius guifsobalito)

Double-toothed Barbet [aequatorialis] (Lybius bidentatus aequatorialis)

Black-breasted Barbet (Lybius rolleti)

Yellow-billed Barbet (Eastern) [elgonensis] (Trachyphonus purpuratus elgonensis)

Crested Barbet [suahelicus] (Trachyphonus vaillantii suahelicus)

Red-and-yellow Barbet [versicolor] (Trachyphonus erythrocephalus versicolor)

D'Arnaud's Barbet (D'Arnaud's) [darnaudii] (Trachyphonus darnaudii darnaudii)

Honeyguides (Indicatoridae)

Zenker's Honeyguide (Melignomon zenkeri)

Dwarf Honeyguide (Indicator pumilio)

Willcocks's Honeyguide [willcocksi] (Indicator willcocksi willcocksi)

Least Honeyguide [pachyrhynchus] (Indicator exilis pachyrhynchus)

Lesser Honeyguide [sp] (Indicator minor)

Greater Honeyguide (Indicator indicator)

Woodpeckers (Picidae)

Nubian Woodpecker [nubica] (Campethera nubica nubica)

Tullberg's Woodpecker (Fine-banded) [taeniolaema] (Campethera tullbergi taeniolaema)

Brown-eared Woodpecker (Carol's) (Campethera caroli caroli)

Yellow-crested Woodpecker (Chloropicus xantholophus)

Cardinal Woodpecker (Western) [lepidus] (Dendropicos fuscescens lepidus)

Elliot's Woodpecker (Elliot's) (Dendropicos elliotii elliotii)

African Grey Woodpecker (Grey) [centralis] (Dendropicos goertae centralis)

FALCONIFORMES

Caracaras, Falcons (Falconidae)

Lesser Kestrel (Falco naumanni)

Greater Kestrel [arthuri] (Falco rupicoloides arthuri)

Fox Kestrel (Falco alopex)

Grey Kestrel (Falco ardosiaceus)

Red-necked Falcon (African) [ruficollis] (Falco chicquera ruficollis)

Peregrine Falcon (African) (Falco peregrinus minor)

PSITTACIFORMES

African and New World Parrots (Psittacidae)

Grey Parrot (Psittacus erithacus)

Meyer's Parrot [saturatus] (Poicephalus meyeri saturatus)

Old World Parrots (Psittaculidae)

Rose-ringed Parakeet [krameri] (Psittacula krameri krameri)

Red-headed Lovebird [ugandae] (Agapornis pullarius ugandae)

PASSERIFORMES

Broadbills (Eurylaimidae)

Grauer's Broadbill (Pseudocalyptomena graueri)

Pittas (Pittidae)

Green-breasted Pitta (Pitta reichenowi)

Wattle-eyes, Batises (Platysteiridae)

African Shrike-flycatcher [aequatorialis] (Megabyas flammulatus aequatorialis)

Black-and-white Shrike-flycatcher [musicus] (Bias musicus musicus)

Rwenzori Batis (Batis diops)

Chinspot Batis [puella] (Batis molitor puella)

Western Black-headed Batis [erlangeri] (Batis erlangeri erlangeri)

Ituri Batis (Batis ituriensis)

Chestnut Wattle-eye (Platysteira castanea)

Black-throated Wattle-eye [mentalis] (Platysteira peltata mentalis)

Brown-throated Wattle-eye [nyansae] (Platysteira cyanea nyansae)

Jameson's Wattle-eye (Platysteira jamesoni)

Helmetshrikes (Prionopidae)

White-crested Helmetshrike [sp] (Prionops plumatus)

Bushshrikes (Malaconotidae)

Lagden's Bushshrike (Eastern) (Malaconotus lagdeni centralis)

Many-colored Bushshrike [sp] (Chlorophoneus multicolor)

Bocage's Bushshrike [jacksoni] (Chlorophoneus bocagei jacksoni)

Orange-breasted Bushshrike [sp] (Chlorophoneus sulfureopectus)

Doherty's Bushshrike (Telophorus dohertyi)

Marsh Tchagra (Marsh) (Bocagia minuta minuta)

Brown-crowned Tchagra [emini] (Tchagra australis emini)

Black-crowned Tchagra (Black-crowned) [armenus] (Tchagra senegalus armenus)

Pink-footed Puffback [nandensis] (Dryoscopus angolensis nandensis)

Northern Puffback [sp] (Dryoscopus gambensis)

Lowland Sooty Boubou (Laniarius leucorhynchus)

Mountain Sooty Boubou (Rwenzori) (Laniarius poensis holomelas)

Slate-colored Boubou (Laniarius funebris)

Lühder's Bushshrike (Laniarius luehderi)

Tropical Boubou [major] (Laniarius major major)

Papyrus Gonolek (Laniarius mufumbiri)

Black-headed Gonolek (Laniarius erythrogaster)

Brubru [sp] (Nilaus afer)

Cuckooshrikes (Campephagidae)

Grey Cuckooshrike [pura] (Coracina caesia pura)

Red-shouldered Cuckooshrike (Campephaga phoenicea)

Petit's Cuckooshrike (Campephaga petiti)

Shrikes (Laniidae)

Yellow-billed Shrike [affinis] (Corvinella corvina affinis)

Northern White-crowned Shrike (Eurocephalus ruppelli)

Mackinnon's Shrike (Lanius mackinnoni)

Grey-backed Fiscal [sp] (Lanius excubitoroides)

Northern Fiscal [sp] (Lanius humeralis)

Figbirds, Orioles (Oriolidae)

Western Oriole [laetior] (Oriolus brachyrynchus laetior)

Mountain Oriole (Oriolus percivali)

Black-headed Oriole [rolleti] (Oriolus larvatus rolleti)

Drongos (Dicruridae)

Fork-tailed Drongo [sp] (Dicrurus adsimilis)

Velvet-mantled Drongo (Velvet-mantled) [coracinus] (Dicrurus modestus coracinus)

Monarchs (Monarchidae)

Blue-headed Crested Flycatcher [nitens] (Trochocercus nitens nitens)

Red-bellied Paradise Flycatcher [sp] (Terpsiphone rufiventer)

African Paradise Flycatcher [sp] (Terpsiphone viridis)

Crows, Jays (Corvidae)

Piapiac (Ptilostomus afer)

Pied Crow (Corvus albus)

Fan-tailed Raven [sp] (Corvus rhipidurus)

Fan-tailed Raven [rhipidurus] (Corvus rhipidurus rhipidurus)

White-necked Raven (Corvus albicollis)

Fairy Flycatchers (Stenostiridae)

African Blue Flycatcher [teresita] (Elminia longicauda teresita)

White-tailed Blue Flycatcher (Elminia albicauda)

Dusky Crested Flycatcher [nigromitrata] (Elminia nigromitrata nigromitrata)

Tits, Chickadees (Paridae)

White-shouldered Black Tit (Melaniparus guineensis)

White-winged Black Tit [insignis] (Melaniparus leucomelas insignis)

White-bellied Tit (Melaniparus albiventris)

Dusky Tit [funereus] (Melaniparus funereus funereus)

Stripe-breasted Tit [fasciiventer] (Melaniparus fasciiventer fasciiventer)

Nicators (Nicatoridae)

Western Nicator (Nicator chloris)

Yellow-throated Nicator (Nicator vireo)

Larks (Alaudidae)

Red-winged Lark (Red-winged) [kidepoensis] (Mirafra hypermetra kidepoensis)

Rufous-naped Lark (Rufous-naped) [rwenzoria] (Mirafra africana rwenzoria)

Flappet Lark [sp] (Mirafra rufocinnamomea)

White-tailed Lark (Mirafra albicauda)

Red-capped Lark [saturatior] (Calandrella cinerea saturatior)

Bulbuls (Pycnonotidae)

Dark-capped Bulbul (Pycnonotus tricolor tricolor)

Kakamega Greenbul [kakamegae] (Arizelocichla kakamegae kakamegae)

Olive-breasted Greenbul (Arizelocichla kikuyuensis)

Slender-billed Greenbul [gracilirostris] (Stelgidillas gracilirostris gracilirostris)

Little Greenbul [virens] (Eurillas virens virens)

Little Grey Greenbul [ugandae] (Eurillas gracilis ugandae)

Ansorge's Greenbul [ansorgei] (Eurillas ansorgei ansorgei)

Plain Greenbul (Eastern) (Eurillas curvirostris curvirostris)

Yellow-whiskered Greenbul [latirostris] (Eurillas latirostris latirostris)

Spotted Greenbul (Ixonotus guttatus)

Simple Greenbul (Chlorocichla simplex)

Yellow-throated Leaflove (Southern) (Atimastillas flavicollis flavigula)

Toro Olive Greenbul (Phyllastrephus hypochloris)

Cabanis's Greenbul [sucosus] (Phyllastrephus cabanisi sucosus)

Xavier's Greenbul [xavieri] (Phyllastrephus xavieri xavieri)

White-throated Greenbul (White-throated) (Phyllastrephus albigularis albigularis)

Yellow-streaked Greenbul [olivaceogriseus] (Phyllastrephus flavostriatus olivaceogriseus)

Red-tailed Bristlebill [woosnami] (Bleda syndactylus woosnami)

Yellow-lored Bristlebill (Yellow-eyed) (Bleda notatus ugandae)

Red-tailed Greenbul [emini] (Criniger calurus emini)

Swallows, Martins (Hirundinidae)

White-headed Saw-wing (White-headed) (Psalidoprocne albiceps albiceps)

Black Saw-wing [rwenzori] (Psalidoprocne pristoptera rwenzori)

Grey-rumped Swallow [griseopyga] (Pseudhirundo griseopyga griseopyga)

Banded Martin [suahelica] (Riparia cincta suahelica)

Barn Swallow (White-bellied) (Hirundo rustica rustica)

Angolan Swallow (Hirundo angolensis)

African Wire-tailed Swallow (Hirundo smithii smithii)

Rock Martin (Red-throated) [rufigula] (Ptyonoprogne fuligula rufigula)

Lesser Striped Swallow [unitatis] (Cecropis abyssinica unitatis)

Red-breasted Swallow [gordoni] (Cecropis semirufa gordoni)

Mosque Swallow [saturatior] (Cecropis senegalensis saturatior)

Red-rumped Swallow [emini] (Cecropis daurica emini)

Crombecs, African warblers (Macrosphenidae)

Moustached Grass Warbler [amauroura] (Melocichla mentalis amauroura)

Yellow Longbill [hypochondriacus] (Macrosphenus flavicans hypochondriacus)

Grey Longbill (Macrosphenus concolor)

Northern Crombec (Northern) [carnapi] (Sylvietta brachyura carnapi)

Green Crombec [baraka] (Sylvietta virens baraka)

Lemon-bellied Crombec [denti] (Sylvietta denti denti)

White-browed Crombec [sp] (Sylvietta leucophrys)

Yellow Flycatchers (Erythrocercidae)

Chestnut-capped Flycatcher [congicus] (Erythrocercus mccallii congicus)

Family Uncertain (Incertae Sedis 1)

Green Hylia [prasina] (Hylia prasina prasina)

Leaf warblers and allies (Phylloscopidae)

Red-faced Woodland Warbler [laetus] (Phylloscopus laetus laetus)

Uganda Woodland Warbler (Phylloscopus budongoensis)

Reed warblers and allies (Acrocephalidae)

Lesser Swamp Warbler [jacksoni] (Acrocephalus gracilirostris jacksoni)

Rufescent Reed Warbler (Acrocephalus baeticatus cinnamomeus)

Mountain Yellow Warbler (Iduna similis)

Grassbirds and allies (Locustellidae)

White-winged Swamp Warbler (Bradypterus carpalis)

Grauer's Swamp Warbler (Bradypterus graueri)

Cinnamon Bracken Warbler [sp] (Bradypterus cinnamomeus)

Evergreen Forest Warbler (Volcanic) (Bradypterus lopezi barakae)

Fan-tailed Grassbird [alexinae] (Schoenicola brevirostris alexinae)

Cisticolas and Allies (Cisticolidae)

Red-faced Cisticola (Red-faced) [sylvia] (Cisticola erythrops sylvia)

Singing Cisticola [belli] (Cisticola cantans belli)

Whistling Cisticola [antinorii] (Cisticola lateralis antinorii)

Trilling Cisticola [woosnami] (Cisticola woosnami woosnami)

Chubb's Cisticola (Chubb's) [chubbi] (Cisticola chubbi chubbi)

Rattling Cisticola [sp] (Cisticola chiniana)

Boran Cisticola [bodessa] (Cisticola bodessa bodessa)

Lynes's Cisticola (Cisticola distinctus)

Winding Cisticola [sp] (Cisticola marginatus)

Carruthers's Cisticola (Cisticola carruthersi)

Stout Cisticola (Rufous-crowned) [nuchalis] (Cisticola robustus nuchalis)

Croaking Cisticola [strangei] (Cisticola natalensis strangei)

Mongalla Cisticola (Cisticola ruficeps mongalla)

Short-winged Cisticola [sp] (Cisticola brachypterus)

Foxy Cisticola [troglodytes] (Cisticola troglodytes troglodytes)

Long-tailed Cisticola (Cisticola angusticauda)

Zitting Cisticola (African) [uropygialis] (Cisticola juncidis uropygialis)

Black-backed Cisticola (Black-necked) [eximius] (Cisticola eximius eximius)

Wing-snapping Cisticola [sp] (Cisticola ayresii)

Tawny-flanked Prinia [sp] (Prinia subflava)

Banded Prinia [bairdii] (Prinia bairdii bairdii)

White-chinned Prinia [reichenowi] (Schistolais leucopogon reichenowi)

Red-winged Warbler [jodopterus] (Heliolais erythropterus jodopterus)

Rwenzori Apalis (Oreolais rwenzorii)

Red-winged Grey Warbler (Drymocichla incana)

Buff-bellied Warbler (Phyllolais pulchella)

Yellow-breasted Apalis (Brown-tailed) [flavocincta] (Apalis flavida flavocincta)

Lowland Masked Apalis (Apalis binotata)

Mountain Masked Apalis [personata] (Apalis personata personata)

Black-throated Apalis [jacksoni] (Apalis jacksoni jacksoni)

Chestnut-throated Apalis (Apalis porphyrolaema)

Buff-throated Apalis [sp] (Apalis rufogularis)

Karamoja Apalis [karamojae] (Apalis karamojae karamojae)

Grey-capped Warbler (Eminia lepida)

Grey-backed Camaroptera [sp] (Camaroptera brevicaudata)

Yellow-browed Camaroptera (Camaroptera superciliaris)

Olive-green Camaroptera (Tawny-beasted) [toroensis] (Camaroptera chloronota toroensis)

Black-faced Rufous Warbler [vulpinus] (Bathmocercus rufus vulpinus)

Yellow-bellied Eremomela [griseoflava] (Eremomela icteropygialis griseoflava)

Rufous-crowned Eremomela [badiceps] (Eremomela badiceps badiceps)

Fulvettas, Ground Babblers (Pellorneidae)

Puvel's Illadopsis [strenuipes] (Illadopsis puveli strenuipes)

Brown Illadopsis (Brown) [ugandae] (Illadopsis fulvescens ugandae)

Mountain Illadopsis [pyrrhoptera] (Illadopsis pyrrhoptera pyrrhoptera)

Laughingthrushes (Leiothrichidae)

Rufous Chatterer [rubiginosa] (Turdoides rubiginosa rubiginosa)

Black-lored Babbler (Sharpe's) (Turdoides sharpei sharpei)

Brown Babbler [cinerea] (Turdoides plebejus cinerea)

Arrow-marked Babbler [emini] (Turdoides jardineii emini)

Sylviid Babblers (Sylviidae)

Rwenzori Hill Babbler (Pseudoalcippe atriceps)

White-eyes (Zosteropidae)

African Yellow White-eye [sp] (Zosterops senegalensis)

Hyliotas (Hyliotidae)

Yellow-bellied Hyliota [flavigaster] (Hyliota flavigaster flavigaster)

Starlings, Rhabdornis (Sturnidae)

Purple-headed Starling (Hylopsar purpureiceps)

Greater Blue-eared Starling [sp] (Lamprotornis chalybaeus)

Lesser Blue-eared Starling (Lamprotornis chloropterus)

Bronze-tailed Starling [emini] (Lamprotornis chalcurus emini)

Splendid Starling [splendidus] (Lamprotornis splendidus splendidus)

Purple Starling [amethystinus] (Lamprotornis purpureus amethystinus)

Rüppell's Starling [purpuroptera] (Lamprotornis purpuroptera purpuroptera)

Superb Starling (Lamprotornis superbus)

Violet-backed Starling [leucogaster] (Cinnyricinclus leucogaster leucogaster)

Red-winged Starling [morio] (Onychognathus morio morio)

Slender-billed Starling [theresae] (Onychognathus tenuirostris theresae)

Chestnut-winged Starling (Hartlaub's) [hartlaubii] (Onychognathus fulgidus hartlaubii)

Waller's Starling (Albertine) (Onychognathus walleri elgonensis)

Stuhlmann's Starling (Poeoptera stuhlmanni)

Narrow-tailed Starling (Poeoptera lugubris)

Sharpe's Starling (Poeoptera sharpii)

Oxpeckers (Buphagidae)

Yellow-billed Oxpecker [africanus] (Buphagus africanus africanus)

Red-billed Oxpecker (Buphagus erythrorynchus)

Thrushes (Turdidae)

White-tailed Ant Thrush [praepectoralis] (Neocossyphus poensis praepectoralis)

Fraser's Rufous Thrush [vulpina] (Stizorhina fraseri vulpina)

African Thrush (African) [centralis] (Turdus pelios centralis)

Abyssinian Thrush [sp] (Turdus abyssinicus)

Chats, Old World Flycatchers (Muscicapidae)

Fire-crested Alethe [woosnami] (Alethe castanea woosnami)

Forest Scrub Robin (Forest) [collsi] (Cercotrichas leucosticta collsi)

Brown-backed Scrub Robin (Cercotrichas hartlaubi)

White-browed Scrub Robin (Red-backed) [zambesiana] (Cercotrichas leucophrys zambesiana)

Fraser's Forest Flycatcher (Eastern) (Fraseria ocreata ocreata)

Grey-throated Tit-flycatcher [griseigularis] (Myioparus griseigularis griseigularis)

Grey Tit-flycatcher [plumbeus] (Myioparus plumbeus plumbeus)

White-eyed Slaty Flycatcher [sp] (Melaenornis fischeri)

Yellow-eyed Black Flycatcher (Melaenornis ardesiacus)

Northern Black Flycatcher [lugubris] (Melaenornis edolioides lugubris)

Pale Flycatcher [sp] (Melaenornis pallidus)

African Grey Flycatcher (Greyish) [neumanni] (Melaenornis microrhynchus neumanni)

Silverbird (Empidornis semipartitus)

Ashy Flycatcher [brevicauda] (Muscicapa caerulescens brevicauda)

Swamp Flycatcher [infulata] (Muscicapa aquatica infulata)

Cassin's Flycatcher (Muscicapa cassini)

African Dusky Flycatcher [pumila] (Muscicapa adusta pumila)

Dusky-blue Flycatcher [comitata] (Muscicapa comitata comitata)

Red-throated Alethe [poliophrys] (Chamaetylas poliophrys poliophrys)

Archer's Ground Robin (Archer's) (Cossypha archeri archeri)

Grey-winged Robin-Chat (Grey-winged) (Cossypha polioptera polioptera)

Blue-shouldered Robin-chat [bartteloti] (Cossypha cyanocampter bartteloti)

White-browed Robin-chat [heuglini] (Cossypha heuglini heuglini)

Snowy-crowned Robin-chat [sp] (Cossypha niveicapilla)

White-starred Robin [rwenzorii] (Pogonocichla stellata rwenzorii)

Forest Robin (Eastern) (Stiphrornis erythrothorax xanthogaster)

Equatorial Akalat [aequatorialis] (Sheppardia aequatorialis aequatorialis)

Spotted Palm Thrush [guttata] (Cichladusa guttata guttata)

African Stonechat [sp] (Saxicola torquatus)

Mocking Cliff Chat [subrufipennis] (Thamnolaea cinnamomeiventris subrufipennis)

Sooty Chat (Myrmecocichla nigra)

Ruaha Chat (Myrmecocichla collaris)

White-fronted Black Chat [clericalis] (Oenanthe albifrons clericalis)

Familiar Chat [sp] (Oenanthe familiaris)

Sunbirds (Nectariniidae)

Grey-headed Sunbird (Deleornis axillaris)

Little Green Sunbird [minor] (Anthreptes seimundi minor)

Grey-chinned Sunbird (Grey-throated) (Anthreptes rectirostris tephrolaemus)

Collared Sunbird [garguensis] (Hedydipna collaris garguensis)

Green-headed Sunbird (Green-headed) [viridisplendens] (Cyanomitra verticalis viridisplendens)

Blue-throated Brown Sunbird [octaviae] (Cyanomitra cyanolaema octaviae)

Blue-headed Sunbird [alinae] (Cyanomitra alinae alinae)

Olive Sunbird (Eastern) [group] (Cyanomitra olivacea [olivacea-group])

Scarlet-chested Sunbird [sp] (Chalcomitra senegalensis)

Bronzy Sunbird [kilimensis] (Nectarinia kilimensis kilimensis)

Malachite Sunbird [cupreonitens] (Nectarinia famosa cupreonitens)

Olive-bellied Sunbird [orphogaster] (Cinnyris chloropygius orphogaster)

Tiny Sunbird (Cinnyris minullus)

Rwenzori Double-collared Sunbird [sp] (Cinnyris stuhlmanni)

Northern Double-collared Sunbird (Eastern) (Cinnyris reichenowi reichenowi)

Regal Sunbird [regius] (Cinnyris regius regius)

Beautiful Sunbird (Beautiful) (Cinnyris pulchellus pulchellus)

Marico Sunbird [sp] (Cinnyris mariquensis)

Red-chested Sunbird (Cinnyris erythrocercus)

Superb Sunbird [buvuma] (Cinnyris superbus buvuma)

Variable Sunbird [sp] (Cinnyris venustus)

Copper Sunbird [cupreus] (Cinnyris cupreus cupreus)

Old World Sparrows, Snowfinches (Passeridae)

House Sparrow [sp] (Passer domesticus)

Shelley's Sparrow (Passer shelleyi)

Northern Grey-headed Sparrow [ugandae] (Passer griseus ugandae)

Chestnut Sparrow (Passer eminibey)

Yellow-spotted Petronia [pyrgita] (Gymnoris pyrgita pyrgita)

Weavers, Widowbirds (Ploceidae)

White-billed Buffalo Weaver (Bubalornis albirostris)

White-headed Buffalo Weaver [dinemelli] (Dinemellia dinemelli dinemelli)

White-browed Sparrow-Weaver (Black-billed) (Plocepasser mahali melanorhynchus)

Chestnut-crowned Sparrow-weaver (Plocepasser superciliosus)

Grey-capped Social Weaver [arnaudi] (Pseudonigrita arnaudi arnaudi)

Speckle-fronted Weaver [emini] (Sporopipes frontalis emini)

Thick-billed Weaver [melanota] (Amblyospiza albifrons melanota)

Baglafecht Weaver [sp] (Ploceus baglafecht)

Baglafecht Weaver (Stuhlmann's) [stuhlmanni] (Ploceus baglafecht stuhlmanni)

Slender-billed Weaver [pelzelni] (Ploceus pelzelni pelzelni)

Little Weaver [kavirondensis] (Ploceus luteolus kavirondensis)

Spectacled Weaver (Yellow-throated) (Ploceus ocularis crocatus)

Black-necked Weaver (Black-backed) [nigricollis] (Ploceus nigricollis nigricollis)

Strange Weaver (Ploceus alienus)

Black-billed Weaver (Hooded) (Ploceus melanogaster stephanophorus)

Holub's Golden Weaver (Ploceus xanthops)

Orange Weaver [rex] (Ploceus aurantius rex)

Northern Brown-throated Weaver (Ploceus castanops)

Lesser Masked Weaver [intermedius] (Ploceus intermedius intermedius)

Vitelline Masked Weaver [uluensis] (Ploceus vitellinus uluensis)

Fox's Weaver (Ploceus spekeoides)

Village Weaver (Black-headed) [bohndorffi] (Ploceus cucullatus bohndorffi)

Vieillot's Black Weaver (Black) (Ploceus nigerrimus nigerrimus)

Weyns's Weaver (Ploceus weynsi)

Black-headed Weaver [fischeri] (Ploceus melanocephalus fischeri)

Golden-backed Weaver (Ploceus jacksoni)

Yellow-mantled Weaver [interscapularis] (Ploceus tricolor interscapularis)

Compact Weaver (Ploceus superciliosus)

Brown-capped Weaver (Ploceus insignis)

Blue-billed Malimbe (Malimbus nitens)

Red-headed Malimbe [rubricollis] (Malimbus rubricollis rubricollis)

Crested Malimbe [malimbicus] (Malimbus malimbicus malimbicus)

Red-headed Weaver (Northern) (Anaplectes rubriceps leuconotos)

Cardinal Quelea [cardinalis] (Quelea cardinalis cardinalis)

Red-headed Quelea (Quelea erythrops)

Red-billed Quelea [aethiopica] (Quelea quelea aethiopica)

Northern Black Bishop (Euplectes gierowii ansorgei)

Black-winged Red Bishop [sp] (Euplectes hordeaceus)

Southern Red Bishop (Euplectes orix)

Northern Red Bishop [franciscanus] (Euplectes franciscanus franciscanus)

Yellow Bishop (Yellow) [crassirostris] (Euplectes capensis crassirostris)

Fan-tailed Widowbird [phoeniceus] (Euplectes axillaris phoeniceus)

Yellow-mantled Widowbird (Yellow-shouldered) (Euplectes macroura macrocercus)

Yellow-mantled Widowbird (Yellow-mantled) [macroura] (Euplectes macroura macroura)

Marsh Widowbird [humeralis] (Euplectes hartlaubi humeralis)

White-winged Widowbird [eques] (Euplectes albonotatus eques)

Red-collared Widowbird (Red-collared) (Euplectes ardens ardens)

Waxbills, Munias and Allies (Estrildidae)

Jameson's Antpecker (Parmoptila jamesoni)

White-breasted Nigrita [fusconotus] (Nigrita fusconotus fusconotus)

Chestnut-breasted Nigrita [saturatior] (Nigrita bicolor saturatior)

Grey-headed Nigrita [schistaceus] (Nigrita canicapillus schistaceus)

White-collared Oliveback (Nesocharis ansorgei)

Grey-headed Oliveback (Nesocharis capistrata)

Red-winged Pytilia [emini] (Pytilia phoenicoptera emini)

Green-winged Pytilia [sp] (Pytilia melba)

Cut-throat Finch [alexanderi] (Amadina fasciata alexanderi)

Dusky Crimsonwing (Cryptospiza jacksoni)

Red-headed Bluebill [ruficapilla] (Spermophaga ruficapilla ruficapilla)

Black-bellied Firefinch [rara] (Lagonosticta rara rara)

Bar-breasted Firefinch [lateritia] (Lagonosticta rufopicta lateritia)

Red-billed Firefinch [ruberrima] (Lagonosticta senegala ruberrima)

African Firefinch [sp] (Lagonosticta rubricata)

Red-cheeked Cordon-bleu [bengalus] (Uraeginthus bengalus bengalus)

Yellow-bellied Waxbill [kilimensis] (Coccopygia quartinia kilimensis)

Fawn-breasted Waxbill [sp] (Estrilda paludicola)

Orange-cheeked Waxbill (Estrilda melpoda)

Black-rumped Waxbill (Estrilda troglodytes)

Common Waxbill [adesma] (Estrilda astrild adesma)

Black-crowned Waxbill [nonnula] (Estrilda nonnula nonnula)

Kandt's Waxbill [kandti] (Estrilda kandti kandti)

Quailfinch (Black-faced) [ugandae] (Ortygospiza atricollis ugandae)

Quailfinch (Red-billed) [dorsostriata] (Ortygospiza atricollis dorsostriata)

Bronze Mannikin [sp] (Lonchura cucullata)

Black-and-white Mannikin [poensis] (Lonchura bicolor poensis)

Indigobirds, Whydahs (Viduidae)

Village Indigobird (South African) [centralis] (Vidua chalybeata centralis)

Pin-tailed Whydah (Vidua macroura)

Steel-blue Whydah (Vidua hypocherina)

Wagtails, Pipits (Motacillidae)

Western Yellow Wagtail [sp] (Motacilla flava)

Wells's Wagtail (Motacilla capensis wellsi)

African Pied Wagtail [vidua] (Motacilla aguimp vidua)

Yellow-throated Longclaw [croceus] (Macronyx croceus croceus)

African Pipit [sp] (Anthus cinnamomeus)

Long-billed Pipit (Nicholson's) [dewittei] (Anthus similis dewittei)

Plain-backed Pipit [zenkeri] (Anthus leucophrys zenkeri)

Short-tailed Pipit [leggei] (Anthus brachyurus leggei)

Finches (Fringillidae)

Western Citril (Crithagra frontalis)

Black-throated Canary [somereni] (Crithagra atrogularis somereni)

Yellow-fronted Canary [barbata] (Crithagra mozambica barbata)

Brimstone Canary [sharpii] (Crithagra sulphurata sharpii)

Thick-billed Seedeater [sp] (Crithagra burtoni)

Streaky Seedeater [sp] (Crithagra striolata)

Yellow-crowned Canary [sassii] (Serinus flavivertex sassii)

Buntings (Emberizidae)

Somali Bunting (Emberiza poliopleura)

Golden-breasted Bunting [kalaharica] (Emberiza flaviventris kalaharica)

Brown-rumped Bunting [affinis] (Emberiza affinis affinis)

Cabanis's Bunting (Cabanis's) (Emberiza cabanisi cabanisi)