Kenya is home to a wide variety of bird species. With its diverse habitats ranging from forests, savannahs, wetlands, deserts and coastlines, Kenya provides environments that allow various types of birds to thrive. But just how many bird species can be found in this East African nation?
Quick Answer
There are approximately 1,100 bird species found in Kenya, making it one of the most bird-diverse countries in Africa.
With its equatorial location, Kenya experiences warm temperatures year-round providing a hospitable climate for many bird species. The country’s diverse topography is another key factor that allows different types of birds to inhabit specific regions and ecosystems.
Kenya has over 50 Important Bird Areas (IBAs) that are recognized globally for their significance in conserving bird populations. Some of the top birding destinations in Kenya include:
- Maasai Mara National Reserve
- Lake Nakuru National Park
- Tsavo East & West National Parks
- Amboseli National Park
- Samburu National Reserve
- Mount Kenya National Park
- Aberdare National Park
- Nairobi National Park
These parks and reserves provide critical habitats for birds and contain high numbers of endemic and migratory species. According to BirdLife International, Kenya has 33 Endemic Bird Areas (EBAs) which hold restricted-range bird species found nowhere else on earth. Understanding the diversity of Kenya’s avifauna requires looking at some key categories:
Endemic Birds
Endemic birds are those that are only found in a particular geographical region. Kenya has about 30 terrestrial endemic bird species that occur nowhere else on earth except within its borders. Some examples include:
- Taita Thrush
- Taita Apalis
- aber Scops-Owl
- Hinde’s Babbler
- Clarke’s Weaver
Most of Kenya’s endemic birds are restricted to specific montane forests such as the Taita Hills and Mount Kenya. These isolated habitats have allowed unique species to evolve.
Migratory Birds
Kenya lies along the Eastern Africa flyway, a major migratory route for birds between Eurasia and Africa. Each year, millions of migratory birds fly to Kenya to spend the winter or breed during the summer. Examples of migratory birds found seasonally in Kenya include:
- European Bee-eater
- Lesser Kestrel
- Osprey
- Barn Swallow
- Common Swift
- Yellow Wagtail
Kenya’s wetlands along the Rift Valley lakes and coastline provide stopover habitat for migrating waterbirds and wading birds. Lakes Nakuru, Bogoria, Baringo, and Naivasha all attract huge seasonal flocks of migratory birds.
Coastal and Marine Birds
Kenya has a 536 km coastline along the Indian Ocean which supports a variety of coastal and marine birds. Examples include:
- Crab Plover
- Sooty Gull
- Saunders’s Tern
- Sooty Falcon
- Caspian Tern
Coastal birds frequent the sandy beaches, mangroves, and intertidal habitats. Pelagic species like petrels and shearwaters are found offshore over deep ocean waters. The coral reefs also support many tropical seabirds.
Raptors
Kenya has a diverse range of raptors or birds of prey. Raptors fill vital ecosystem roles and Kenya is home to over 50 species including:
- African Fish Eagle
- Lammergeier
- Verreaux’s Eagle
- Lappet-faced Vulture
- Martial Eagle
- Long-crested Eagle
- African Harrier-Hawk
The national parks provide excellent raptor viewing during the raptor migration from August to October. Birds like steppe eagles, pallid harriers, and lesser spotted eagles fly south through Kenya in huge numbers.
Wetland Birds
Kenya has several extensive wetlands providing habitats for diverse waterbirds. Examples include:
- Grey Crowned Crane
- Long-toed Lapwing
- Garganey
- African Jacana
- Great White Pelican
- African Pygmy Goose
Key wetlands include lakes Nakuru, Naivasha, Baringo, Bogoria, and the Tana River deltas. These wetlands attract huge congregations of Lesser Flamingos, Great White Pelicans, storks, herons, egrets, and other waterfowl.
Forest Birds
Kenya has indigenous montane forests and lowland forests that provide habitats for specialized forest-dwelling birds. Examples include:
- African Hill Babbler
- Abbott’s Starling
- Eastern Double-collared Sunbird
- Abyssinian Crimsonwing
- Northern Puffback
- Woodhouse’s Antpecker
Key forest bird sites are the Kakamega Forest, Mount Kenya forests, Cherangani Hills forests, Aberdare Range forests, and Arabuko Sokoke coastal forest.
Grassland and Savanna Birds
The savannas and grasslands provide vital habitat for specialized open country birds adapted to these ecosystems. Examples include:
- Ostrich
- Kori Bustard
- Secretarybird
- Northern White-bellied Bustard
- Jackson’s Widowbird
- Red-and-yellow Barbet
The Maasai Mara and other savanna parks support high densities of grassland species like wheatears, larks, pipits, and coursers.
Threatened Birds
A number of Kenya’s endemic and restricted-range species are threatened with extinction. Some endangered birds in Kenya include:
- Taita Falcon
- Taita Thrush
- Basra Reed Warbler
- Aberdare Cisticola
- Spotted Ground Thrush
- Hinde’s Babbler
Habitat loss, degradation, small range size, and climate change are the major threats facing endangered birds. Various conservation programs aim to protect key habitats and species.
Table of Kenya’s bird families
Bird Family | Number of Species |
---|---|
Accipitridae (Hawks, Eagles, Kites) | 54 |
Alaudidae (Larks) | 21 |
Apodidae (Swifts) | 13 |
Ardeidae (Herons, Egrets) | 17 |
Bucerotidae (Hornbills) | 12 |
Caprimulgidae (Nightjars) | 15 |
Charadriidae (Plovers, Lapwings) | 15 |
Cisticolidae (Cisticolas) | 24 |
Columbidae (Pigeons, Doves) | 12 |
Coraciidae (Rollers) | 5 |
This table shows a selection of the major bird families found in Kenya and the number of species in each family. In total, Kenya has around 130 bird families represented in its avifauna.
Conclusion
Kenya has a remarkably diverse avifauna with around 1,100 species recorded so far. Its equatorial location, varied habitats, and position along a major migration flyway make it a birding paradise. Kenya’s national parks protect critical ecosystems and habitats for both resident and migratory birds. However, habitat loss remains a major threat, especially for endemic species with tiny global ranges. Protecting Kenya’s birds requires active conservation programs, sustainable development, and public awareness to preserve this natural heritage for future generations.