Explore Birds of Nairobi National Park, Kenya.
Birds of Nairobi National Park: Nairobi National Park is one of the few wildlife reserves in the world that is located within a capital city, making it Nairobi National Park, only 7 kilometres south of the city centre. The park, occupying an area of around 117 square kilometres, is a popular tourist attraction due to its wide variety of wildlife, classic savannah scenery, and a view of the Nairobi skyline.
Although the Big Five game species of the park include lions, leopards, rhinos, elephants, and buffalo, it is also a haven for birdwatchers, and over 400 bird species can be found in the park, including locals and migrants, especially found in the park. To lovers of birds, Nairobi National Park provides a convenient and satisfying touring and ornithological research centre.
Birdlife in Nairobi National Park.
The park on a Kenya safari supports a great variety of birds because of its multiplicity of habitats such as grasslands, open savannahs, acacia woodlands, riverine forests and swamps, which are all conducive to the survival of birds. The wetlands, such as Nairobi Dam, and swamps in the seasonal rainforests become attractive to the waterbirds and waders, and the grasslands of the park to the ground-based birds, such as bustards and larks. The trees which are scattered in the park, like acacia and fig trees, also serve as nesting places and perching areas for raptors and weavers, as well as hornbills.
The birds in Nairobi National Park can be classified into a few groups: raptors, water birds, grassland birds, and forest/woodland birds. This variety in the presence of birds makes it a good place to watch birds throughout the year.
Raptors and Birds of Prey
Nairobi National Park is famous for its impressive population of raptor birds, which include eagles, hawks, kites, falcons, and vultures. Common sightings include:
- Tawny Eagle: This is an enormous and fierce bird that can be frequently found flying over the savannah in search of carrion.
- African Fish Eagle: This is commonly found around the water bodies, such as Nairobi Dam, and is identified by its characteristic call.
- Pale Chanting Goshawk: This is a medium-sized bird of prey that can be seen most of the time sitting on acacia trees searching for rodents.
- Lappet-faced Vulture: the largest vulture of Africa, which is occasionally observed flying in pairs around or eating on carcasses.
Raptors are the great attraction among birdwatchers, and their occurrence also enhances the use of Nairobi National Park as an indicator of a healthy ecosystem since raptors are known to thrive in an area where there is plenty of food supply and no human disturbance.
Wetlands and Waterbirds.
Nairobi National Park has several wetlands and the Nairobi Dam, which ensures that birds that are dependent on water are present in the park, making Nairobi National Park an ideal place to view the waders and aquatic birds. The species characteristic of the area are the following:
- Grey Heron (Ardea cinerea): Large in the piers of the river and on shallow ponds are observed wading birds of this kind.
- African Jacana (Actophilornis africanus): It is associated with long toes, which enable it to move on floating plants.
- Coots and Moorhens: These are common in the swampy regions, and they are active and can be easily observed.
- Goliath Heron (Ardea goliath): This is the largest heron in Africa and is a lone bird that preys on fish found in the shallows.
The common sandpipers, little stints, and kingfishers are also migratory species and are common during certain seasons, which are mostly during the rainy seasons in Kenya when temporary wetlands thrive.
Grassland and Savanna Birds
The savannah and open grasslands of the Nairobi National Park offer a habitat to rare bird species that are adapted to an open environment:
- Kori Bustard: It is one of the heaviest flying birds, and it is commonly found wandering slowly along the grasslands.
- Secretary bird: This raptor-like bird is famous for hunting snakes and small mammals on foot, and it is an attraction to photographers.
- Crowned Lapwing: Ground-dwelling waders which are both conspicuous and readily distinguishable by their crowns of black and white.
- Red-billed Quelea: This bird is commonly seen in large groups in the process of grazing on grains.
There are also larks, pipits, and francolins that are part of the ecosystem of the grasslands, feeding on insects and seeds and acting as prey to the larger predators.
Birds in the woods/woodland and tree-dwelling.
There are some smaller forest and woodland birds that can be found in the acacia woodlands and individual trees. Visitors can spot:
- African Grey Hornbill: This is very easy to identify due to its huge beak and loud calls.
- Malimbe (Malimbus scutatus): This is a weaver that is a small, coloured bird which nests in the treetops.
- Lilac-breasted Roller (Coracias caudatus): This is a brightly coloured bird and is mostly seen sitting in a prominent place, and therefore is a favourite among photographers.
- Weaver birds (Ploceidae family): Weavers can build complicated nests and bring movement and sound to the trees.
Some of these woodland species are resident birds, which can be seen all year round, as opposed to migratory water birds.
Migratory Birds
Nairobi National Park belongs to a wider flyway in East Africa where migratory birds in Europe, Asia and other parts of Africa migrate. Seasonal migrants include:
- Common Sandpipers (Actitis hypoleucos): these come from the north in winter and are also found on riverbanks.
- Barn Swallows (Hirundo rustica): They are aerial insect predators which nest around water bodies.
- European Bee-eaters (Merops apiaster): bright and colourful, they consume insects and make a very impressive spectacle when they are in flight.
The migratory species improve the ecology and biodiversity of Nairobi National Park; thus, it is a place of conservation education and birdwatching.
Birdwatching Tips
To have the best visit while doing the birdwatch:
- When to visit: Early mornings (sunrise to 10 am) and late afternoons are the best times to visit since birds are rather active in cooler fragments of the day.
- Equipment: You can improve your experience with the use of a pair of field guides, a zoom-based camera, and a pair of field glasses.
- Guided Tours: It is hard to stop at the services of local guides who can help to see the elusive species and provide information on behaviour and habitat.
- Be Kind to Nature: Walk on trails and avoid creating disturbance to nesting or feeding birds.
Conservation Importance
The Nairobi National Park is an important component in the conservation of biodiversity in urban areas. The park has resident and migratory birds, which are found in the urban sprawl of Nairobi. By preserving wetlands, grasslands, and the acacia woodlands, it is also believed that many species will be saved due to the loss of habitat in other areas. Visitors can give donations by helping with the conservation fees of the parks, guided eco-tours and the community conservation programmes.
Conclusion
The Nairobi National Park is not merely a city-surrounding wildlife park; it is a birdwatcher’s heaven where one can witness the existence of a huge variety of species in a miniature, reachable place. Ranging between the raptors and the colourful rollers and the waders, lapwings, and weavers, the bird life of the park renders it a leading attraction to amateur bird-lovers and professional ornithologists alike.
