Birding / Bird watching in Akagera National Park
This national park is excellent for birding, with over 480 species attracted by its diverse inhabitants. Savannah birds and raptors are extremely common, as are many endemic species such as the red-faced barbet. Short boat tours are also available on Akagera’s lakes, which allow you to get up close and personal with the many water birds, including the marabou stork, the African fish eagle, the open-billed stork, herons, cormorants, and egrets. If you’re lucky, you might get to see the shoebill stork. This park is also a good spot for bird watching, with over 525 species and a large number of migrant birds. It is also possible to spot the elusive shoebill stork. This park is also a haven for the endangered and beautiful papyrus Ganolex. If you enjoy birding, this is a birding paradise, and birding safaris are extremely popular among visitors to the park. You will also be astounded by the diversity and abundance of species. From the massive concentration of waterfowl to the myriad of savannah species, there is never a dull moment in Akagera, where over 500 bird species have been recorded. If you enjoy bird watching, this is a great place to see many endemic species as well as rare gems like the near-threatened papyrus Gonolex, which is only found in papyrus swamps. The other species include the black-headed ganolex, the lilac-breasted roller, the Heuglin’s roin chat, the Ross’s turaco, the created barbet, the swamp flycatcher, and the red-faced barbet.
Akagera is also one of the best birding destinations in the world, with the highest number of species per unit area. You should also visit Akagera National Park. I also recommend it to many birdwatchers. The southern area has a diverse range of birds and butterflies, and it is more rewarding for birding than the northern side, which is better for larger animals. After Nyungwe, Akagera National Park is Rwanda’s most significant ornithological site. Akagera National Park offers bird watching safaris in the morning and evening along game tracks, allowing visitors to observe various savanna-related bird species. This park is well-known throughout East Africa for its abundance of water birds, as well as for being one of the few places where papyrus endemics can be found. Common species you will see on your safari include the beautiful lilac-breasted roller, crested barbet, black-headed gonalek, Ross’s turaco, Heuglin’s robin-chat, and grey hornbill, among others.
More than 525 species have been recorded here, demonstrating the incredible diversity of birds, including 44 raptor species, Balaeniceps rex, and several Palearctic migrants such as Glareola nordmanni, Falco naumanni, and Gallinago media. This park represents the northernmost point of distribution of several Zambezian biome species, including Lanius souzae, Cisticola angusticauda, and Myrmecocichla arnotti. In addition, one species from the Guinea Congo Forests biome and seven from the Afrotropical Highlands biome can be found here.
Nonetheless, all of this information must be reviewed, especially given the park’s recent shrinkage, which implies that a number of species, including forest species such as Camaroptera chloronota and Cossypha cyanocampter, as well as montane forests, may no longer be found here. Akagera National Park is located off the beaten track near Rwanda’s border with Tanzania and covers a total area of 1085 square kilometers of low-altitude grasslands and woodlands. It is dotted with swamps and lakes that follow the twisting course of the River Akagera, as well as mountain ranges that border it. Akagera National Park, with its diverse habitats, is a truly beautiful park that supports over 12 antelope species, including the very small oribi, the attractive chestnut-coated impala, topi (also known as tsessebe in Southern Africa), and the world’s largest antelope, Cape eland.
Bird Species in Akagera National Park Rwanda
Akagera National Park is one of Africa’s best kept secrets, boasting a diverse range of wildlife and breathtaking scenery. With lions reintroduced in 2015 and plans for the return of the critically endangered black rhino, the Rwandan government is working hard to restore the area’s big-five status.
Ornithologists and bird enthusiasts have long been aware of Rwanda’s abundance of birds. Akagera’s lakes, woodlands, and savannas are home to at least 525 of the country’s 728 species.
There are an incredible number of birds that come in a variety of colors, shapes, and sizes. In this article, I’ve highlighted some of the most common species you might encounter during a one-day safari in Akagera. Other species, including the highly elusive and prehistoric-looking shoebill, are undoubtedly as impressive, if not more so, than those listed here. But I’ve attempted to compile a list of the species that the average tourist safari-goer has a 50% or better chance of seeing.
African Fish Eagle : The African Fish Eagle, with its contrasting white/brown plumage, resembles the American Bald Eagle. This magnificent and aggressive fishing bird is probably the most commonly seen eagle in Africa. There is a good chance of seeing this beautiful raptor, and pairs are likely to nest near water sources. They also make a distinct call.
Black-headed Weaver : The Black-headed Weaver is the only bird on this list that you will almost certainly see. This is because many of these birds nest in the trees near the visitor center (you must sign in before entering the main park). They are easily identified by their bright yellow color, large red eyes, and black hood.
Lilac-breasted Roller : The Lilac-breasted Roller, one of Akagera’s most colourful birds, will not go unnoticed. Despite its name, the Lilac-breasted Roller is best known for the electric blue plumage on its undersides. They are bold and beautiful, dropping prey from prominent perches such as roadside poles. This species, like all rollers, is well known for its rolling flight display.
African Jacana: The African Jacana is a long-legged, long-toed waterbird that lives in freshwater ponds and lakes and feeds on floating vegetation, particularly water lilies. The African Jacana, also known as the “Jesus Bird” due to its apparent ability to walk on water, has striking chestnut and white plumage, a powder-blue bill, and a frontal shield.
White-browed Coucals : Bulky, with a dark crown and face separated by a long white brow with pale streaking that extends across a brown-rufous back. Often found near water in a variety of rank vegetation, thickets, bushy and wooded grassland. The White-browed Coucal, a conspicuous bird and cuckoo relative (though not parasitic), has a range of harsh kak notes.
Fork-tailed Drongo : A small, inconspicuous glossy-black bird with vibrant orange eyes. This species of drongo, known for its forked tail, is common and widespread in forest edges, open wooded country, and semi-arid bush. The Fork-tailed Drongo, which appears in David Attenborough’s Africa series, is well-known for its mischievous ability to mimic other animals such as large birds of prey and meerkats.
Saddle-billed Storks: In comparison to the other storks on this list, one of the most visually appealing birds. The Saddle-billed Stork is a large black and white wader with a long tricolored bill. The yellow portion of the bill resembles a saddle, thus the name. This beautiful bird, which is usually found alone but sometimes in pairs, is most commonly found near Akagera’s wetlands.
African Grey Hornbill : The most commonly seen hornbill in Akagera. Pairs and groups are common in woodlands, bushland, and wooded grasslands. Like most hornbill species, they perform dramatic courtship displays in which they rock on perches, point their bills skyward, and flick open their wings. Females have a purplish-red tip on their long, curved bills.
Long-crested Eagles : This bird, possibly the second most commonly spotted eagle in Akagera (after the African Fish Eagle), is easily identifiable by its bright yellow eyes and long crest of feathers, which frequently wave in the wind. You’ll most likely see the Long-crested Eagle perched atop roadside poles and trees, waiting to pounce on unsuspecting rodents.
White-faced Whistling Duck : A long-legged, long-necked duck known for its loud far-carrying whistling. In flight, they appear mostly dark, but a closer look reveals a chestnut-colored neck and a distinctive white face. The White-faced Whistling Duck is a gregarious species that forms small to large flocks around Akagera’s great lakes.
Woodland Kingfisher: A lovely little bird with dove-grey, black, and bright blue plumage and a distinctive red and black bill. Contrary to the latter part of its name, the Woodland Kingfisher is frequently found away from water, in wooded areas where it preys on insects, lizards, and, on occasion, smaller birds. Singles and pairs are very common.
Palm-Nut Vulture : The Palm-nut Vulture, along with the African Fish Eagle and the Osprey, is one of three fish-eating raptors that live near Akagera’s lakes. It is very different in shape from other vulture species, with a bold black and white plumage, and it frequently perches on tree branches with a hunched appearance. They have long fishing bills and a large area of bare, pinkish skin around the eyes.
Cattle Egret : Not everyone’s favourite, but a fascinating bird nonetheless. A short-legged heron with predominantly white plumage and a buff-orange wash on the head, back, and breast. The Cattle Egret is a traditional game-hugging bird that is frequently seen hunting for small animals flushed out of the ground by larger mammals such as elephants, hippos, and buffalo. It is not uncommon to see one of these birds perched atop its symbiotic partner.
Little Bee-eater : Beautiful little birds with mostly green plumage and a yellow throat. Little Bee-eaters have a short, narrow blue stripe just above the black eyemask and across the throat patch. When perched, they maintain a fairly upright posture with a slowly wagging tail. They primarily hunt insects, capturing them with an audible click. In bushy and wooded grassland, it is common to see pairs or families.
Marabou Stork : The enormous stork is widely regarded as the ugliest bird species not only in Rwanda or Africa, but throughout the world! They are easily identifiable by their naked pink-reddish head and neck with scabby black spots. The Marabou Stork is massive in flight, with one of the largest wingspans of any bird.
Grey-crowned crane : The Grey Crowned Crane, an attractive and conspicuous bird, is Uganda’s national animal. This species is mostly grey with dark-chestnut, black, and white wings, but it is most distinguished by the bristly golden crown on its head. While this large crane will feed far from wetter areas, the best places to see this impressive bird are near lakes and inundated grasslands.
Helmeted Guineafowl : The Helmeted Guineafowl is a distinctive spotted gamebird distinguished by an upright bony casque on top of the head, a bright blue face, and red-tipped wattles. This comical species has been known to halt traffic due to its refusal to yield to vehicles. They are frequently seen on the ground in large flocks and can be found in a variety of habitats including grassland, bush country, and woodland.
Bare-faced Go-away Bird : These charismatic birds are open-country relatives of the colorful turacos. The Bare-faced Go-away-bird is named after its audible onomatopoeic calls. They are quite slender, with a black face, white neck and breast, and a tall grey crest, and are frequently seen in pairs in open woodland and bush country.
Goliath Heron : Akagera is home to the world’s largest heron, which stands 152cm (60″) tall. Aside from its massive size, this leggy bird is easily identifiable by its spear-like bill, warm chestnut head, and hindneck. Singles, and rarely small groups, are common. Despite their size, they can go unnoticed to the untrained eye.
Spur-winged Goose : Spur-winged Geese are most commonly found near freshwater sources and can be identified by their size and plumage. A large long-necked goose that is not particularly attractive, with a bare warty red face. In their slow and laborious flight, they have a long white bar along the leading edge of the wing. Their flight call is a repeated, varyingly rapid double wheezy note, similar to a hiccup.
Other bird species in Akagera National Park: African Darter, African Wattled Lapwing, Blue-cheeked Bee-eater, Common Squacco Heron, Crowned Lapwing, Eastern Grey Plantain-eater, Great Egret, Grey-backed Fiscal, Hamerkop, Lappet-faced Vulture, Little Egret, Long-tailed Cormorant, Osprey, Pin-tailed Whydah, Red-billed, Irefinch, White-backed Vulture, etc.
