Birds watchers kenya

10/10/2025

Swahili:: DETEPWANI.
English:: Pied Kingfisher.
Scientific:; Ceryle Rudis.
Gender::Male.
Order:Coraciiformes.
Family:Alcedinidae.
Subfamily:Cerylinae.
Genus: Ceryle F. Boie.
Species: C. rudis.

Detepwani is a medium-sized kingfisher, about 25 cm (9.8 in) long with a white with a black mask, a white supercilium and black breast bands. The crest is neat and the upperparts are barred in black. Several subspecies are recognized within the broad distribution.
Detepwani is black and white plumage and crest, as well as its habit of hovering over clear lakes and rivers before diving for fish, make it distinctive, Male have a double black band across the breast and white crest.
They are usually found in pairs or small family groups. Female have a Single black band across the breast.When perched, they often bob their head and flick up their tail.
It can consume prey without returning to a perch, often manipulating the subject with its bill and swallowing in flight, and so can hunt over large water bodies or in estuaries that lack perches required by other kingfishers.
Detepwani feeds mainly on fish, although it will take crustaceans and large aquatic insects such as dragonfly larvae.
It usually hunts by hovering over the water to detect prey, before diving vertically bill-first to capture fish. When not foraging, it has a straight rapid flight.
When perched the Detepwani often bobs its heads up and down and will sometimes raise its tail and flick it downwards. It calls often with sharp chirruk chirruk notes. Unlike some kingfishers,
it is quite gregarious, and forms large roosts at night.

08/10/2025

Swahili:: KWEZI MARIDADI.
English:: Superb Stalling or Spreo Superbus.
Scientific::Lamprotornis Superbus.
Gender: Male.
Order:Passeriformes.
Family:; Sturnidae.
Genus:Lamprotornis.
Species:L.Superbus.

Kwezi Maridadi superb starling (Lamprotornis superbus) is a member of the starling family of birds. It was formerly known as Spreo superbus.
They are long-lived birds that can live over 15 years in captivity.
This species is 18 to 19 cm (7.1 to 7.5 in) in height.
These small short-tailed starlings have a long narrow bill, robust bodies, strong feet and a distinctive plumage pattern.
Their spectacular iridescent plumage is due to the arrangement of melanin granules within the feathers, resulting in structural blues and greens, rather than colors derived from pigments.
The appearance of the kwenzi Maridadi is very similar to the kwenzi Jangwa also found in East Africa.
Kwenzi Maridadi is distinguished by having pale creamy-white eyes, as opposed to red eyes in the Hildebrandt's. Moreover, only adult superb starlings have a white breast band.
In the adult plumage, superb starlings have a bronzy-black crown and ear-coverts. The area between the eye and the bill on the side of their head (the lore) is black. Almost all their body is a blue-green glossy color; the chin, the throat, the chest, the nape, the mantle, their back, and their uppertail-coverts. The nape area displays the most prominent blue tones. A slender white strip divides the glossy chest from the red-orange abdomen, flanks, and thighs. The vent, as well as the underside of the tail and wings, are white. On the wings, the primary feathers 6-9 show an inward curve on the inner web, whereas primaries 5-8 have tapered outer web. The glossy metallic-green wings have dark black spots on the median and grater coverts. Their irises are creamy-white. Their legs and their bills are black.
Kwenzi Maridadi look like are sexually monomorphic, which means that both sexes look alike. However.... Next Article..... Maridadi Female.
Kwezi Maridadi has a long and loud song consisting of trills and chatters. At midday it gives a softer song of repeated phrases. There are several harsh calls, the most complex, which is described as "a shrill, screeching skerrrreeee-cherrrroo-tcherreeeeeet." Additionally, kwezi Maridadi produce warning chirr old version of bell bicycle and a reapeated whit-chor-chi-vii when they are excited.
They Dominate between double fencing of Lake Nakuru National park watcher Kenya we have learned different Kwenzi Maridadi warning sounds & behaviour..Do not ignore their Warnings sound.

01/10/2025

Swahili:: KWENZI MARIDADI.
English:: Superb Stalling.
Scientists:: Lamprotornis superbus.
Gender:: Juveniles.
Order::Passeriformes.
Family::Sturnidae.
Genus:: Lamprotornis.
Species:: L. superbus.

Juveniles have duller plumage. There are distinct plumage regions, but there is no glossy sheen except on the tail and wing feathers.
The iris appears brown at first, later grayish white.
The bill has a pale yellowish color with darkening on the tip.
The legs are brown with black round stripes. By seven months, the bird acquires adult plumage, although the eyes remain dark, and there is yellow coloring at the base of the bill.
Kwezi Maridadi was originally thought to be a member of the Spreo genus. However, over time, the species from the Spreo genus changed considerably. Scientists reclassified some species of Spreo, including the kwezi Maridadi making the glossy species belong to the Lamprotornis genus. The classification of the kwezi Maridadi was challenging, since its behavior was different than the other species of the Lamprotornis genus. However, DNA hybridization data indicate that the kwezi Maridadi is part of the Lamprotornis genus.
Kwenzi Maridadi eggs are uniformly dark blue, measuring 24–26 millimetres (0.94–1.02 in) x 18–19 millimetres (0.71–0.75 in) and weighting 4.5 g. Females lay 3-4 eggs.
Based on captive breeding, the incubation period lasts 12–13 days, and the surprisingly short nestling period ranges from 18–24 days. Only the females incubate.
Nestlings are fed insects, primarily caterpillars and grasshoppers.
Kwenzi Maridadi form large social groups in which both breeding parents and 1-14 alloparents contribute to the care of the offspring.
It appears that both members of the breeding pair are involved in raising the young until they achieve independence. Individuals who are provisioned or nestled have been observed carrying food in their bills and did not seem to regurgitate.
Juvenile Kwezi Maridadi has a long and loud song consisting of trills and chatters. At midday it gives a hush song of repeated phrases. There are several harsh calls, the most complex, which is described as "a shrill, screeching skerrrreeee-cherrrroo-tcherreeeeeet." Global Birding Birds watchers kenya Ornithological photography

29/09/2025

Swahili:: KWERA WA KAMAU (Disputed Swahili Name).
English;; Baglafecht Weaver.
Scientific:: Ploceus Baglafecht.
Gender:: Female.
Order:: Passeriformes.
Family:: Ploceidae.
Genus:: Ploceus.
Species:: P. Baglafecht.
Kwera wa Kamau (Disputed Swahili Name)is 15 cm long.
Female Kwera wa Kamau lacks a mask but has dusky lores with yellowish-green cap, concolorous with the upperparts. In the non breeding plumage the mask is largely lost but there remains a dusky area around the eye, greyish brown on the upperparts, including the crown, with white washed buff underparts. Juveniles and immature birds do not have a mask on the dark-yellowish green head.
Kwera wa Kamau normally breeds singly rather than in colonies. The nests are loosely woven and usually placed in the foliage of trees or bushes. It is often aggressive to other birds and not shy of people. Birds watchers kenya Ornithological photography

27/09/2025

Swahili:: KWERA WA KAMAU.
(Disputed Swahili name).
English;; Baglafecht Weaver.
Scientific:: Ploceus Baglafecht.
Gender:: Male.
Order:: Passeriformes.
Family:: Ploceidae.
Genus:: Ploceus.
Species:: P. baglafecht.
Kwera wa Kamau (Disputed Swahili Name)is 15 cm long.
The combination of a pale eye, some black on the face, a yellow breast, and yellow edges on the wings are features found across all subspecies.
Breeding Plumage.
Head:Golden-yellow forehead and crown, with a contrasting black mask from the bill to the ear coverts.
Upperparts: Olive-green upperparts with dark streaks on the mantle and back.
Wings:Dark brown flight feathers with yellow margins, and broadly greenish-margined wing-coverts.
Underparts: Bright yellow from chin to undertail-coverts, with a slightly brighter yellow breast.
Eye:Pale yellow.
Bill:Black.
Legs:Brown.
Non-Breeding Plumage (Nominate Race)
Head and Upperparts:: Ashen-gray, with dusky streaks on the crown, mantle, and back.
Underparts:: Buffy on the chin, throat, and breast, with whitish on the belly and undertail-coverts.
Wings and Tail:Remain similar to the breeding plumage.
Face:The black mask is largely lost, with a dusky area around the eye still visible.
Birds watchers kenya Ornithological photography Birds lover Tour Guide Birding Kenya

26/09/2025

Mambo Jambo..
To those who will be Cruising Lake Nakuru National Park Birds watchers kenya Ornithological photography we will be guiding you to where to see what!.
First Don'ts No Perfume,No Horning, Unless Makaria,Naishi Camping site and Sarova Lion Hill Game Lodge Nakuru Baboon's Cliff Lake Nakuru Lake Nakuru Lodge Don't get out of your car.
Let's Go
From South Main Entrance of the park Kambu Kidari-zambarao,Kidenenda, Hajivale Mwafrika,Nyati,Swala, Waterbuck and Zebra Drive East towards Flamingo Hill camp.
Turn Back Kiluwuluwi,Bata, Kwarara, Shakivale and warthog Drive East From Main Entrance towards WCK.
From WCK drive east eazy, grassland Savannah you are in Lionsness Named Nyambura with her 2 Cubs territory, Our Dad might be home drive less than 1km you meet Road Junction Turn right.
Heading to South Yellow Acacia Forest on left side Down you see the lake...Mwari,Chokowe,Fimbi, Tumbili,Nyani...
As you drive Past Sarova and Lake Nakuru lodge you meet Foolish River coming from left side...
After River Njiga you meet roads Junction Turn right drive easily Kifaru territory heading to Birds Point..
Turn back to junction and turn right and you are in Twiga territory heading to Makaria Falls..
You are Allowed to get out of the car at Makaria Camping site. Switch off your car engine and Monkey and Baboons will join you as enjoying Falls & Lunchbox!
Drive easily to Naishi Camping site North and Don't Stop till you pass Airstrips towards Naishi Plains...
Enjoy as you wide up your Game Drive.
Global Birding Nature Kenya-the EANHS

25/09/2025

Swahili:: KWERA WA KAMAU
(Disputed Swahili Name).
English;; Baglafecht .
Scientific:: Ploceus Baglafecht.
Gender:: Female.
Order:: Passeriformes.
Family:: Ploceidae.
Genus:: Ploceus.
Species:: P. Baglafecht.
Kwera wa Kamau (Disputed Swahili Name)is 15 cm long.
Female Kwera wa Kamau lacks a mask but has dusky lores with yellowish-green cap, concolorous with the upperparts. In the non breeding plumage the mask is largely lost but there remains a dusky area around the eye, greyish brown on the upperparts, including the crown, with white washed buff underparts. Juveniles and immature birds do not have a mask on the dark-yellowish green head.
Kwera wa Kamau normally breeds singly rather than in colonies. The nests are loosely woven and usually placed in the foliage of trees or bushes. It is often aggressive to other birds and not shy of people.
Birds watchers kenya Ornithological photography

25/09/2025

Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife, through a notice signed by Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano, announced that all Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS)-managed sites will be open to Kenyan citizens at no cost. The move is part of efforts to celebrate this year’s theme, “Tourism and Sustainable Transformation.”
This initiative is an opportunity for every Kenyan to reconnect with our breathtaking wildlife heritage, deepen our collective commitment to conservation, and experience the unparalleled beauty of our natural treasures,” the notice read.

KWS opens all national parks for free entry: Who qualifies and when23 September 2025 at 12:50All KWS parks, reserves and sanctuaries will be free for Kenyan citizens as the country marks UN World Tourism Day.Tourists waiting to enter Nairobi National ParkDenis MwangiFollowKenyans will enjoy free acc...

23/09/2025

Swahili:: KWERA NGUYA.
English:: Village Weaver.
"Black-headed Weaver",
"Layard's Black-headed Weaver",
"Black-hooded Weaver",
"Mottled-backed Weaver",
"Mottled Weaver", "Spotted-backed Weaver",
"Spot-backed Weaver".
"V-marked Weaver".
Gender:: Female.
Order:Passeriformes.
Family:Ploceidae.
Genus:Ploceus.
Species: P. cucullatus.

This often abundant species occurs in a wide range of open or semi-open habitats, including woodlands and human habitation, and frequently forms large noisy colonies in towns, villages, and hotel grounds. This weaver builds a large coarsely woven nest made of grass and leaf strips with a downward-facing entrance, which is suspended from a branch in a tree. Two or three eggs are laid. Kwera Nguya are colonial breeders, so many nests may hang from one tree.
Kwera Nguya feed principally on seeds and grain, and can be a crop pest, but readily take insects, especially when feeding young, which partially redresses the damage to agriculture. The calls of this bird include harsh buzzes and chattering.
Kwera Nguya is a stocky, 15–17 cm (5.9–6.7 in) bird with a strong conical bill and dark reddish eyes. The adult female has streaked olive upperparts, yellow and black wings, and pale yellow underparts. Young birds are like the female, but browner on the back.
Birds fly in and leave again constantly, making significant noise. Colonies can contain as many as 150 nests, but eight to a hundred nests in a single tree are usual.

22/09/2025

Swahili:: FUMVU.
English:: Laughing Turtle Dove.
*Palm Dove.
*Senegal Dove.
*Little Brown Dove.
Scientific; Spilopelia senegalensis.
Order: Columbiformes.
Family: Columbidae.
Genus: Spilopelia.
Species:S. senegalensis.

Fumvu English names include Laughing Turtle Dove, Palm Dove, Senegal Dove and Little Brown Dove.
Fumvu is a small pigeon that is a resident breeder in Kenya.
Fumvu is a long-tailed, slim pigeon, typically 25 cm (9.8 in) in length.
Fumvu have a bluish grey rump and upper tail coverts. The tail is graduated and the outer feathers are tipped in white. The sexes are indistinguishable in the field. Young birds lack the chequered neck markings. The legs are red.
Fumvu eat the fallen seeds, mainly of grasses, other vegetable matter and small ground insects such as termites and beetles.
They are fairly terrestrial, foraging on the ground in grasslands and cultivation. Their flight is quick and direct with the regular beats and an occasional sharp flick of the wings characteristic of pigeons in general.
Male in courtship display follows the female with head bobbing displays while cooing. The male pecks its folded wings in "displacement-preening" to solicit copulation from the female. A female accepts by crouching and begging for food. The male may indulge in courtship feeding before mounting and copulating. Pairs may preen each other.
Males may also launch into the air with wing clapping above their backs and then glide down in a gentle arc when displaying.
Initially the altricial hatchlings are fed with regurgitated crop-milk, a secretion from the lining of the crop of parent birds.
The young fledge and leave the nest after about 14 to 16 days.
The chuckling call is a low rolling croo-doo-doo-doo-doo with a rising and falling amplitude.

22/09/2025

Swahili:: FUMVU.
English:: *Laughing Turtle Dove.
*Palm Dove.
*Senegal Dove.
*Little Brown Dove.

Order:
Columbiformes.
Family:
Columbidae.
Genus:
Spilopelia.
Species:
S. senegalensis.

Fumvu (Spilopelia senegalensis) Fumvu Other names include Laughing Turtle Dove, Palm Dove, Senegal Dove and Little Brown Dove.
Fumvu is a small pigeon that is a resident breeder in Kenya.
Fumvu is a long-tailed, slim pigeon, typically 25 cm (9.8 in) in length.
Fumvu have a bluish grey rump and upper tail coverts. The tail is graduated and the outer feathers are tipped in white. The sexes are indistinguishable in the field. Young birds lack the chequered neck markings. The legs are red.
Fumvu eat the fallen seeds, mainly of grasses, other vegetable matter and small ground insects such as termites and beetles.
They are fairly terrestrial, foraging on the ground in grasslands and cultivation. Their flight is quick and direct with the regular beats and an occasional sharp flick of the wings characteristic of pigeons in general.
Male in courtship display follows the female with head bobbing displays while cooing. The male pecks its folded wings in "displacement-preening" to solicit copulation from the female. A female accepts by crouching and begging for food. The male may indulge in courtship feeding before mounting and copulating. Pairs may preen each other.
Males may also launch into the air with wing clapping above their backs and then glide down in a gentle arc when displaying.
Initially the altricial hatchlings are fed with regurgitated crop-milk, a secretion from the lining of the crop of parent birds.
The young fledge and leave the nest after about 14 to 16 days.
The chuckling call is a low rolling croo-doo-doo-doo-doo with a rising and falling amplitude.

19/09/2025

Swahili:: NELI KIDARI-CHEKUDU.
English:: Hunter Sunbird.
Scientific::Chalcomitra hunteri.
Order::Passeriformes.
Family::Nectariniidae.
Gender:: Juvenile & Immature.

Neli Kidari-chekudu Juvenile and immature lack the adult male's vibrant iridescence and distinct coloration, instead exhibiting duller, more subdued plumage, often with a shorter, straighter bill. They transition from a predominantly "gaping" juvenile stage to an immature plumage with some red developing, eventually leading to the mature appearance with the characteristic iridescent green head and the hunter's distinct red throat and breast band.

*Deeper color:
The red color on the breast deepens and spreads further.

*Moustachial streaks:
The beginnings of the black moustachial streaks of the adult male can become visible.

*Self-feeding:
Immature birds are often observed self-feeding on nectar and insects, a key step towards independence.

**Key Differences to Note:
Lack of adult iridescence:
The key distinguishing feature of the mature Hunter's sunbird is its glossy green head, iridescent dark blue crown, and tail feathers. The juvenile and immature birds lack these features.

*Plumage progression:
The transition from juvenile to adult plumage is a gradual process, with immature birds displaying an intermediate plumage that shows a progression of color and features.

Juvenile and immature Neli Kidari-chekudu lack the adult male's vibrant iridescence and distinct coloration, instead exhibiting duller, more subdued plumage, often with a shorter, straighter bill.
They transition from a predominantly "gaping" juvenile stage to an immature plumage with some red developing, eventually leading to the mature appearance with the characteristic iridescent green head and the hunter's distinct red throat and breast band.

*Juvenile Neli Kidari-chekudu
Similar to female:
The juvenile plumage is generally similar to that of the adult female, with dull, olive-toned upperparts and yellowish underparts.

*Gape:
Young juveniles have a prominent gape (the fleshy opening at the base of the bill).

*Bill:
The bill is noticeably shorter and straighter than the adult's, and may have an orange base.

*Fading coloration:
The bill also has less red coloration than the adults.

*Immature Neli Kidari-chekudu:
Developing color:
Immature birds show a progression of color, with orange-red developing on the throat and breast.

The most common call is a deep “chyup,” and the song is a typical sunbird jumble.