​Birds – Aberdare NP

Anthony Ham
Expert
By Anthony Ham

Anthony is a renowned Africa expert and author of many Lonely Planet guidebooks, including the guide to Kenya.

Anthony is a renowned Africa expert and author of the Lonely Planet guide to Kenya.

Anthony is the author of the Lonely Planet guide to Kenya.

The forests and moorlands of Aberdare National Park are a birder’s paradise, with nearly 300 species recorded. Among the interesting visitors at the bird-feeding platforms is the striking Hartlaub’s turaco. Other birding highlights include the endemic (and therefore unique) Aberdare cisticola, which is found at higher altitudes. Several interesting sunbirds, including the rare scarlet-tufted malachite sunbird, can be found on the mountain peaks.

Notable Birds in Aberdare NP
› ‹
African thrush
Common
Baglafecht weaver
Locally common
Crowned hornbill
Common
Greater blue-eared starling
Common
Hartlaub’s turaco
Locally common

Birding Rating

Birding Specials –Treats for Avid Birders

(E) endemic = only lives in Kenya
(NE) near-endemic = also lives in neighboring countries

Facts & Figures

Birds in Aberdare NP
Bird Species
300
Migratory Birds
Nov to Apr

Best Time for Bird Watching

Aberdare offers good bird watching year-round, but November to April is when migrants from Europe and North Africa are present. This partly coincides with the Wet season (October to May) when many species can be seen in breeding plumage. Most forest and moorland specials are resident throughout the year, so the drier months (June to September and December to February) might be good for combining bird watching and forest hiking.

Want To Visit Aberdare NP?

60 Aberdare Safaris

Birding Rating

Facts & Figures

Birds in Aberdare NP
Bird Species
300
Migratory Birds
Nov to Apr