Tsavo East National Park has an impressive checklist of more than 500 bird species. This includes a long list of dry-country specials, many of which are quite easily seen. Look out for the magnificent golden-breasted starling, golden pipit and rosy-patched bush-shrike, as well as the striking vulturine guineafowl. The park is also probably the most southerly stronghold for the Somali ostrich and a significant wintering ground for migrant species from Europe. Migratory birds are present from November to April.
Birding Specials Treats for Avid Birders
- African finfoot
- Black-faced sandgrouse
- Fischer’s starling
- Golden pipit
- Golden-breasted starling
- Lesser kestrel
- Martial eagle
- Northern brownbul
- Pangani longclaw
- Pygmy falcon
- Red-bellied parrot
- Rosy-patched bush-shrike
- Rufous chatterer
- Secretary bird
- Shelley’s starling
- Slender-tailed nightjar
- Somali bee-eater
- Somali bunting
- Somali ostrich
- Taita falcon
- Taita fiscal
- Vulturine guineafowl
Best Time for Bird Watching
Tsavo East offers excellent bird watching at any time. This is because the dry-country species that are of greatest interest to birders are resident and can be spotted year-round. The variety of species present is boosted by migratory birds from November to April. Heavy storms are possible in November and April, but generally this won’t disrupt bird-watching activities too much.