Bird species of the Masai Mara National Reserve
visitors who are interested in both birding and wild animal safaris, Masai Mara National Reserve is the best destination. Today, we will explore Masai Mara National Reserve in order to cater to the needs of visitors who are interested in bird watching or who are birders.
To be honest, this location has everything. From the “African Big 5” to the Wildebeest Mass Migration, which includes a harsh river crossing with over a hundred crocs smirking as they wait for one unfortunate beast to tip a hoof into the water (Lion, Leopard, Buffalo, Elephant, and Rhino). The best part, though, is the excellent bird watching, with over 500 species documented. It’s a birder’s paradise, with the legendary Secretary bird attempting to swoop down on a Puff Adder for lunch! Beautiful lilac-breasted rollers may also be found in large numbers here.
The Masai Mara is a popular tourist destination because of its incredible wildlife. It is also a genuine paradise for birds, having the second highest number of species in Africa. This reserve contains a variety of habitats that are ideal for bird viewing, such as densely wooded regions, swamps, and other places surrounding the reserve’s two permanent rivers, the Mara and Talek, which are home to hundreds of species.
There are approximately 500 species of birds in the Masai Mara, but the rosy-throated long claw and magpie shrike are two of the most well-known. Other popular species include the Rosy-breasted Long Claw, Secretary bird, Kori Bustard, Southern Ground Hornbill, Schawlow’s Turaco, Grey-crested Helmet shrike, Red-necked Spur fowl, and Red-winged Francolin.
The Masai Mara national reserve is not only a terrific place to visit for animals, but it’s also a great place to visit for birds, with over 500 species to choose from. The Masai Mara National reserve is home to a large number of birds, including endemic and near-endemic species, savannah species, and wooded species, which have been categorized and named according to their species as stated below for easier identification.
Common bird species sported in the Masai Mara National Reserve
Little Bittern, Dwarf Bittern, Black-crowned Night-Heron, Cattle Egret, Little Egret, Common Squacco-Heron, Rufous-bellied Heron, Striated (Green-backed) Heron, Intermediate (Yellow-billed) Egret, Great (White) Egret, Grey Heron, Purple Heron, Goliath Heron, and Black-headed Heron are among the herons, egrets, and bitterns.
Hammerkop and shoebill species may be found in the Masai Mara National Reserve. Other species that can be found include the Little White Stork, Black Stork, Abdim’s (White Bellied) Stork, Woolly-necked Stork, Saddle-billed Stork, Marabou Stork, African Open-billed Stork, and Yellow-billed Stork are among the stork species found in Masai Mara National Reserve.
Ringed plover, Kittlitz’s plover, three-banded plover, Caspian plover, blacksmith lapwing, spur-winged lapwing, Senegal lapwing, black-winged lapwing, crowned lapwing, African wattled lapwing, and greater painted snipe are among the plover, lapwing, and painted snipe species found in the Masai Mara National Reserve.
Rufous-necked Wryneck, Nubian Woodpecker, Golden-tailed Woodpecker, Cardinal Woodpecker, Bearded Woodpecker, and Grey Woodpecker are among the woodpecker and wryneck species found in Masai Mara National Reserve.
The White-tailed Lark, Rufous-napped Lark, Flappet Lark, Fawn-colored Lark, Red-capped Lark, and Fischer’s Sparrow-Lark are among the lark and sparrow lark species found in Masai Mara National Reserve.
The Banded Martin, Brown-throated Sand Martin, Common House Martin, and Grey-rumpled Swallow are among the swallows and martins found in Masai Mara National Reserve.
Therefore, there are several birds which you will see while visiting the Masai Mara National park summarized as Pennant-winged Nightjar, Square-tailed Nightjar, Dusky Nightjar, Schawlow’s Turaco, Rufous-bellied Heron White-headed Vulture, Ruppell’s Vulture, Secretary bird, Temminck’s Courser, Grey-crested Helmet shrike, Red-necked Spurfowl, Red-winged Francolin, White-headed Vulture, Ruppell’s Vulture, Secretary bird, Temminck’s Courser Bare-faced Go-away-bird, Rosy-breasted Longclaw Southern Ground Hornbill, Rufous-chested Swallow Eremomela green-capped, Black Coucal, Kori Bustard, Bush Pipit Among the many species are the White-tailed Lark, Flappet Lark, Athi Short-toed Lark, Rufous-tailed Weaver, Trilling Cisticola, Long-tailed Cisticola, Wattled Plover, Saddle-billed Stork, and Magpie Shrike.
When can one do successful birding trips in the Masai Mara National Reserve?
If you’re interested in bird watching, the ideal months to go are October to April, but you may go at any time of year. It’s an exciting activity because you get to learn about and name bird species by sight and sound in their natural habitat. This expedition is generally led by a Masai birding expert who, together with our guide, points out many of the species you’re likely to observe.
But most importantly, the Masai Mara National Reserve offers bird watching safaris throughout the year, but the best and most ideal time to visit the reserve for bird watching is from November to April, when the park hosts migratory bird species, and from June to October, when the reserve is dry and the grassland is short, providing you with uninterrupted views of the colorful birds.
Other wildlife of the Masai Mara National Reserve
The Masai Mara is home to the Big Five, so you’ll almost certainly encounter lions, leopards, buffalo, and elephants on each trip, while black rhinos are more difficult to find. The reserve is known for its massive cat populations, which include one of the world’s greatest concentrations of lions, as well as substantial numbers of leopards and cheetahs. The spotted hyena, black-backed jackal, and bat-eared fox are among the other predators, while antelope species include topi, eland, reedbuck, impala, and Thomson’s gazelle. The Masai giraffe, the world’s biggest subspecies of giraffe found exclusively in Kenya and Tanzania, is clearly identifiable.