​Birds – Serengeti NP

Philip Briggs
Expert
By Philip Briggs

Philip is a renowned Africa expert and author of many guidebooks to African destinations, including the Bradt guide to Tanzania.

Philip is a renowned Africa expert and author of the Bradt guidebook to Tanzania.

Philip is the author of the Bradt guidebook to Tanzania.

More than 500 bird species have been recorded in Serengeti National Park. The park is a significant part of the Serengeti-Mara ecosystem, which is one of Africa’s Endemic Bird Areas (EBAs) and hosts five bird species found nowhere else. Of these, grey-breasted spurfowl is common around Seronera, while Fischer’s lovebird and rufous-tailed weaver (a fascinating bird placed in its own genus) are conspicuous in woodland, but Usambiro barbet and grey-crested helmet-shrike are less easily seen. Migratory birds are present from November to April.

Notable Birds in Serengeti NP
› ‹
Fischer’s lovebird
Locally common, endemic to Tanzania
Grey-breasted spurfowl
Locally common, endemic to Tanzania
Rufous-tailed weaver
Locally common, endemic to Tanzania
Secretary bird
Common
Usambiro barbet
Locally common, endemic to Mara-Serengeti

Birding Rating

Birding Specials –Treats for Avid Birders

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

Facts & Figures

Birds in Serengeti NP
Bird Species
500+
Migratory Birds
Nov to Apr

Best Time for Bird Watching

Bird watching in the Serengeti is good year-round, but is at its very best from November to April when Palearctic and intra-African migratory birds are present. This is also nesting time for resident species and some birds can be spotted in their breeding plumage. The best time for wildlife viewing is January to February and June to October, depending on the area in the park.

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Birding Rating

Facts & Figures

Birds in Serengeti NP
Bird Species
500+
Migratory Birds
Nov to Apr