Birds Of Serengeti National Park

Birds Of Serengeti National Park

Serengeti National Park lies in the northern part of Tanzania; it is known all over the world due to its vast savanna lands, the migration of wildebeests and the Big Five mammals. Away, however, behind the thunder of hooves and the growls of predators lies the less obvious, but still mind-bogglingly spectacular, natural wonder, the sheer variety of birds. The Serengeti hosts more than 500 species of recorded birds and is therefore not only a refuge for the terrestrial giants but also for bird lovers and ornithologists.

A diverse avian community

The Serengeti ecosystem of 30,000 square kilometres with woodlands, savannahs, riverine forests, and wetlands contains a diverse population of birds. Birdlife Using the scenery as a backdrop, the bird species here are as small as jewels in the sunbirds, perched on acacia flowers to as large as ostriches towering on the plains.

There are a few classes of birds in Serengeti, namely, raptors, water birds, ground dwellers, song birds and migratory ones. All these groups have distinct roles in ensuring the ecological balance in the park.

Raptors

The Sky of Serengeti is dominated by an incredible collection of raptors. They are important as these birds of prey are essential to keep rodent, reptile and insect populations in check. Some of the most popular ones include:

Martial Eagle: It is the largest eagle in Africa, and it is extremely strong and has a sharp vision. It feeds on anything; reptiles, small antelopes, among others.

Bateleur Eagle: It has a distinct short tail and sharp reddish face easy to identify the Bateleur Eagle, which is often seen in the open woodlands and the savannahs.

Secretary Bird: This is a strange bird of prey that has long legs and an eagle’s head. This secretary bird is mostly spotted strolling on grass areas looking to feed on snakes.

The vulture (who are wrongly discarded and villified) also plays an essential role in cleaning up the stuff in the Serengeti. Other species like Ruppell’s Griffon Vulture and Lappet-faced Vultures are of great nutrient recycling importance since they feed on carrion.

Ground dwellers and grass land Birds

Other intriguing species that dwell on the ground can be found in the open plains of the Serengeti. The most famous one is the Common Ostrich, the largest bird in the world. Ostriches are unable to fly but are fairly fast, reaching more than 70 km/h, and are normally found in small herds of animals grazing in the savannah.

One more species worth mentioning is the Kori Bustard, one of the heaviest flying birds. Males may reach up to 20 kg and are also well-renowned in their mating rituals, which include puffing feathers and making booming calls.

The Helmeted Guinea fowl, so polka-dotted with spots that he wears a helmet-like crest, is also quite common, and travels in flocks, searching the ground for seed and insects.

Water Birds and Wetland Inhabitants

Despite the fact that most parts of the Serengeti are dry savannah, there are rivers such as Grumeti and Mara and seasonal swamps and pools which sustain various types of water birds. Some of these high-profile species include:

Saddle-billed Stork: A huge, brightly colored stork that has a bright red and black bill.

African Fish Eagle: is better heard than seen, and its calls are typical of the African waterways.

Sacred Ibis and African Spoonbill: Both species tend to be waders who stand in shallow water and use their specially constructed beaks in the search for fish and other invertebrates.

The flamingos are more typically found in Lake Natron and Lake Manyara, but during some seasons, flocks of flamingos can be found in the alkaline lakes of the Serengeti.

Forest Dwellers and Songbirds

The smaller birds of Serengeti are by no means less interesting. The generally low-density woodlands and riverine forests in the park offer abundant species of song birds, weavers, flycatchers and sun-birds.

Superb Starling: Pestilential, yet gaudily colored, with iridescent blue and orange plumage, these birds are common to such an extent that they are usually found in campsites looking to pick up crumbs.

Lilac-breasted Roller: This is one of the most photogenic birds in Africa; it is colored with kaleidoscope colours and is usually viewed sitting on acacia trees.

Variable Sunbird: It has shimmering green feathers and a beak like that of the humming birds and keeps humming around the flowers.

Weavers: These are active birds and their nesting is highly complex in nature and elaborate; it is perhaps seen hanging on the branches of trees in colonies.

The bird species out there in the Serengeti not only add colour to the surface of the earth, but also add a touch of a soundtrack to the wilderness through their diverse and wonderful calls.

Migratory birds

Numerous migratory birds pass through the Serengeti with European, Asian, and other African birds. These temporary tourists make use of such a park as a feeding ground, a breeding ground, or a stopover in their long trips.

Some of them include:

European Bee-eater: A brightly colored insectivore which nabs bees and other aerial insects in flight.

Common Cuckoo: It is notorious for its brood parasitism; its eggs are laid on nests of other birds.

White Stork: A migrant bird of the European continent and commonly sighted during foraging out in the open.

Such migrations form part of the constantly shifting avian environment of the Serengeti and show the interconnected nature of ecosystems around the planet.

Serengeti bird watching

Bird watchers can always find excitement in the Serengeti at any time of the year. The dry season (June to October) is also the best time to see general wildlife, but the wet season (November to May) can be the most rewarding for birdwatching, since migratory species come into town and those that stay put start breeding and looking their most colorfully dressed.

Such birdwatching spots as:

Seronera Valley: Appropriate combination of riverine and savannah species.

Grumeti River: Provides an opportunity to visit birds and raptors.

Ndutu Area: It is particularly prolific at calving season and the rainy months.

Western Corridor: This area is renowned for being highly varied in habitats and also in bird species.

Whatever your level – a layman on a safari or a serious birder with his binoculars and field guide handy – Serengeti is the place where you can have memorable experiences.

Conclusion

We see that Serengeti National Park has a very important but sometimes neglected organism that makes up its biodiversity, the birds. Their colours, songs, behaviours and their place in the ecosystem while on a Tanzania safari make them critical strands in the weave of this wonder of nature. The great eagle, the small sunbird, and all the flying things make the splendour of the park perennial. With conservation measures still going on, conservation of these birds and their habitat means that the next generation can be exposed to the full symphony of life in the Serengeti.