With more than 520 bird species recorded, Nairobi National Park gives Kenya’s capital one of the longest bird lists of any city in the world. The park’s substantial area of undisturbed grassland is of great importance for species such as the range-restricted Jackson’s widowbird, which breeds here regularly after good rains. Other grassland species include common ostrich, secretary bird and a variety of bustards. Waterbirds often gather around Hyena Dam and Nagolomon Dam. Nairobi NP is a popular birding destination, and it’s easy to book a full- or half-day guided birding trip at short notice.
Birding Specials Treats for Avid Birders
(NE) near-endemic = lives in Kenya and neighboring countries- Abyssinian thrush
- Blacksmith lapwing
- Brown-backed woodpecker
- Common moorhen
- Corncrake
- Fischer’s lovebird
- Grey crowned crane
- Hamerkop
- Hartlaub’s bustard
- Jackson’s widowbird
- Kori bustard
- Lappet-faced vulture
- Lesser kestrel
- Long-tailed fiscal
- Marabou stork
- Martial eagle
- Northern pied babbler
- Pallid harrier
- Purple grenadier
- Saddle-billed stork
- Secretary bird
- Sharpe’s longclaw (NE)
- Shelley’s francolin
- Sooty falcon
- Tawny eagle
- White-bellied bustard
- White-browed coucal
- White-headed vulture
- White-tailed lark
- Yellow-necked spurfowl
Best Time for Bird Watching
Nairobi NP offers good bird watching throughout the year, but the best time is November to April when the migrants from Europe and North Africa are present. Many species are nesting at this time as it coincides with the breeding season. The spectacular Jackson’s widowbird displays from March to May. Although April is a good month for birding, it may be difficult to get around because it can be very wet.