Birds of Serengeti National Park - Tanzania

Plan Your Bird Watching Serengeti Safari

We trust this guide will provide you all the information you need to choose Serengeti National Park for your next adventure. If you have any questions or require more details about the lodges, please fill out the contact form, and we will respond promptly! Alternatively, you can email us at safarioffers@ajkenyasafaris.com or james@ajkenyasafaris.com. You can also contact us via WhatsApp or phone at +254 748 258880.

Serengeti Birding

The Serengeti National Park is renowned not just for its vast plains but also for its diverse ecosystems. The western Serengeti features savannas dotted with resilient stands of whistling thorns and other vachellia, also known as acacias or thorn trees. The Grumeti River is lined with lush riverine forests. In the north, near Kenya’s Masai Mara National Reserve, you’ll find rolling hills around Lobo, supporting various woodlands. While the southeastern plains of the park may host fewer grassland bird species, the national park boasts an impressive variety of bird species. Birds, as one of the most diverse life forms, fulfill numerous ecological roles, serving as herbivores, insectivores, predators, and scavengers.

Serengeti Special Birds

The birdlife in the Serengeti ranges from the diminutive Beautiful Sunbird, often seen flitting around vibrant Aloe blooms, to the colossal ostrich with its striking pink legs and elaborate mating ritual. The Serengeti Biodiversity Program has identified approximately 540 bird species. Keep an eye out for the ‘Serengeti specials’: bird species unique to this region and not found elsewhere on Earth. These special birds include the grey-throated spurfowl, Schalow’s wheatear, red-throated tit, rufous-tailed weaver, grey-crested helmet shrike, and Schalow’s turaco. Other notable birds to spot include the secretary bird, African fish eagle, Fischer’s lovebird, and various vulture species.

Other Birds

Pursuing the Serengeti specials is a must for every dedicated birder. However, the diverse habitats of woodlands, riverine forests, and grasslands offer exceptional birdwatching opportunities for everyone. Have we mentioned the importance of bringing binoculars? Common sightings include the ostrich and other large birds like the southern ground hornbill, kori bustard, and secretary bird. One of the Serengeti’s most remarkable birds is the lilac-breasted roller, often perched in trees along the roads. While highlights are subjective, don’t miss the stunning black eagle soaring above the cliffs at Lobo or a colony of Jackson’s golden-backed weaver.