Top 15 Most Famous East African Birds

Birds of East Africa: Top 15 Most Famous East African Birds

East Africa is one of the world’s most exciting birdwatching destinations. With its wide range of habitats—ranging from mountain forests and savannahs to wetlands and coastal regions—this region is home to over 1,300 bird species. Whether you’re an expert birder or a casual traveler, the avian diversity across Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, and Ethiopia offers a rich and colorful experience.

Here’s a list of the 15 most famous birds of East Africa that bird lovers should watch out for on their next safari or nature tour.

1. Superb Starling (Lamprotornis superbus)

This brilliantly colored bird is a common sight across East Africa. With its shimmering blue-green feathers, orange belly, and white chest, the superb starling is not only beautiful but also bold and sociable—often seen hopping around lodges and campsites.

2. African Fish Eagle (Haliaeetus vocifer)

Often called the “Voice of Africa,” this majestic bird of prey is known for its powerful call and striking black, white, and chestnut plumage. Found near lakes and rivers, it’s frequently seen swooping down to catch fish in its strong talons.

3. Grey Crowned Crane (Balearica regulorum)

Uganda’s national bird is a regal sight in wetlands and open grasslands. Its golden crown of feathers, elegant posture, and courtship dances make it a favorite among photographers and birders alike.

4. Lilac-breasted Roller (Coracias caudatus)

This vibrant bird is one of Africa’s most photographed. It sports lilac, turquoise, green, and blue feathers and performs dramatic aerial displays when courting or defending its territory.

5. Shoebill Stork (Balaeniceps rex)

One of the most unusual birds in the world, the shoebill is a rare and prehistoric-looking species found in papyrus swamps of Uganda and South Sudan. It gets its name from its massive, shoe-shaped bill.

6. Secretary Bird (Sagittarius serpentarius)

Standing tall on long legs and sporting a head of elegant black feathers, the secretary bird looks like a cross between an eagle and a stork. It hunts snakes on foot across savannahs and is often seen striding gracefully through open grasslands.

7. Flamingos (Lesser and Greater)

East Africa’s soda lakes, like Lake Nakuru and Lake Natron, are famous for their massive flamingo flocks. Their pink color comes from the algae and small crustaceans they feed on. Watching tens of thousands of flamingos wading in shallow water is a sight to behold.

8. African Grey Parrot (Psittacus erithacus)

This intelligent bird lives in parts of Uganda and western Kenya and shows exceptional mimicking ability. Although it stays shy in the wild, conservationists treasure it because habitat loss and illegal trade threaten its survival.

9. Abyssinian Ground Hornbill (Bucorvus abyssinicus)

This large, ground-dwelling hornbill delivers a deep, booming call and displays striking facial features. It thrives in dry savannahs and open woodlands, mostly in Ethiopia and northern Kenya.

10. Malachite Kingfisher (Corythornis cristatus)

Small but dazzling, the malachite kingfisher gleams with electric blue and orange plumage. You’ll often spot it perched quietly near streams and swamps, waiting to catch small fish or insects.

11. Marabou Stork (Leptoptilos crumenifer)

This tall, bald-headed stork earns the nickname “the undertaker” because of its scavenging behavior and somber appearance. It cleans up animal carcasses in the wild, playing a vital ecological role.

12. African Hoopoe (Upupa africana)

You can recognize this bird by its cinnamon-colored body, black-tipped crest, and zebra-striped wings. It probes the soil with its long, curved bill to find insects.

13. Turaco (Ross’s and White-cheeked)

Turacos boast deep green, violet, or blue plumage and flashy crimson wings. These fruit-eating birds dwell in forests and often glide through the treetops in Uganda and Rwanda.

14. Eastern Yellow-billed Hornbill (Tockus flavirostris)

People often call this bird the “flying banana” because of its curved yellow bill. It hops on the ground in search of insects and seeds, especially in East Africa’s dry regions.

15. Helmeted Guineafowl (Numida meleagris)

This speckled, chicken-like bird sports a bright blue head and a helmet-shaped crown. It moves in flocks and frequently darts across roads or scratches in dry bushlands.

Plan Your Tour

Whether you’re birdwatching on Lake Victoria, trekking in the Rwenzori Mountains, or exploring the plains of the Maasai Mara, East Africa’s birdlife offers endless variety. Bring your binoculars, a bird guidebook, and a good camera—because every trail, lake, and treetop has a new surprise waiting to be discovered.

For birders and safari travelers alike, this region is truly a birding paradise.

Plan your safari and meet the winged wonders of East Africa up close.