African Birds: Species, Facts, Habitats & Tanzania Birdwatching Guide

Your Birding Guide

Discover every iconic bird of Tanzania

Tanzania hosts over 1,100 bird species across its national parks — from the fish eagles of Lake Manyara to the flamingos of Lake Natron and the turacos of the Udzungwa forests. This guide profiles 34 of the most iconic species, curated by our naturalists since 2019.

Filter the categories below to explore each family — eagles, storks, kingfishers, flamingos and more. Every card opens a complete species profile with habitat, behaviour and where to see it.

Built by African Majestic Adventure — since 2019

All Species

Explore All 190 Bird Species by Family

Browse every verified bird species profile — eagles, storks, herons, flamingos, kingfishers and more — 190 species across over forty families, curated since 2019.

Eagles & Large Raptors • 11 Species

African Fish Eagle

Habitat: Lakes, rivers and wetlands, calling from treetops over water.

Eagles & Large Raptors • 11 Species

African Hawk-Eagle

Habitat: Woodlands and forest edges, hunting primates and medium prey.

Eagles & Large Raptors • 11 Species

Bateleur Eagle

Habitat: Open savanna, soaring with distinctive short-tailed flight.

Eagles & Large Raptors • 11 Species

Crowned Eagle

Habitat: Dense tropical forests, powerful predator of monkeys and duikers.

Eagles & Large Raptors • 11 Species

Martial Eagle

Habitat: Open woodland and savanna, Africa's largest eagle.

Eagles & Large Raptors • 11 Species

Tawny Eagle

Habitat: Savanna and grasslands, versatile scavenger and hunter.

Eagles & Large Raptors • 11 Species

Verreaux's Eagle

Habitat: Rocky cliffs and kopjes, specialist hunter of hyrax.

Eagles & Large Raptors • 11 Species

Secretarybird

Habitat: Open grasslands, terrestrial raptor that stomps snakes.

Storks • 7 Species

Marabou Stork

Habitat: Savanna and urban areas, massive scavenger at carcasses.

Storks • 7 Species

Saddle-billed Stork

Habitat: Wetlands and river edges, Africa's tallest stork.

Storks • 7 Species

Yellow-billed Stork

Habitat: Shallow lakes and marshes, wading stork with curved yellow bill.

Herons, Egrets & Bitterns • 8 Species

Goliath Heron

Habitat: Lakes, rivers and swamps, the world's largest heron.

Herons, Egrets & Bitterns • 8 Species

Grey Heron

Habitat: Wetlands and riverbanks, patient hunter standing motionless for fish.

Ibises & Spoonbills • 4 Species

Sacred Ibis

Habitat: Marshes and wetlands, white ibis with black head and curved bill.

Ibises & Spoonbills • 4 Species

African Spoonbill

Habitat: Shallow waters and mudflats, wading with distinctive spoon-shaped bill.

Flamingos • 2 Species

Greater Flamingo

Habitat: Soda lakes and lagoons, tallest flying bird with pink plumage.

Flamingos • 2 Species

Lesser Flamingo

Habitat: Alkaline lakes, the most numerous flamingo species in East Africa.

Cranes • 4 Species

Grey Crowned Crane

Habitat: Wetlands and grasslands, Tanzania's national bird with golden crown.

Ibises & Spoonbills • 4 Species

Hadada Ibis

Habitat: Riverbanks and woodland edges, noisy ibis with raspy call.

Plovers & Lapwings • 5 Species

Crowned Lapwing

Habitat: Open grasslands and short-grass plains, bold plover with crown.

Hornbills • 8 Species

Southern Ground Hornbill

Habitat: Savanna grasslands, largest living hornbill booming across plains.

Hornbills • 8 Species

Von der Decken's Hornbill

Habitat: Dry savanna and bushveld, red-billed hornbill of the acacia.

Turacos • 5 Species

Ross's Turaco

Habitat: Riverine forests and woodland, vivid purple bird with red crest.

Bee-eaters • 4 Species

White-fronted Bee-eater

Habitat: Riverbanks and woodland, colourful bee-eater catching insects on wing.

Kingfishers • 6 Species

Malachite Kingfisher

Habitat: Reedy margins of pools and rivers, tiny electric-blue kingfisher.

Kingfishers • 6 Species

Woodland Kingfisher

Habitat: Open woodland and savanna, blue-and-red kingfisher on exposed perch.

Rollers • 3 Species

Lilac-breasted Roller

Habitat: Open woodland and savanna, spectacular rainbow-coloured roller.

Ostriches • 2 Species

Ostrich

Habitat: Open savanna and semi-desert, the world's largest living bird.

Bustards • 4 Species

Kori Bustard

Habitat: Open grassland and savanna, one of the heaviest flying birds.

Sunbirds & Passerines • 4 Species

Sunbirds in Tanzania

Habitat: Gardens, forest edges and montane zones, 151 species of Nectariniidae.

Sunbirds & Passerines • 4 Species

Superb Starling

Habitat: Woodland and savanna, iridescent blue-green starling with white belly.

Specialist & Featured • 3 Species

Hamerkop

Habitat: Wetlands and riverbanks, unique bird building massive roofed nests.

Specialist & Featured • 3 Species

Shoebill

Habitat: Papyrus swamps and wetlands, prehistoric-looking giant with shoe-shaped bill.

Specialist & Featured • 3 Species

African Penguin

Habitat: Coastal waters and islands, endemic penguin species of southern Africa.

Ostriches • 2 Species

Somali Ostrich

Habitat: Arid bushed grassland and semi-desert, blue-necked ostrich of the Horn.

Guineafowl • 3 Species

Helmeted Guineafowl

Habitat: Savanna and scrub, noisy grey guinea fowl with bare blue head.

Guineafowl • 3 Species

Vulturine Guineafowl

Habitat: Arid savanna and dry bush, strikingly patterned blue-and-white guineafowl.

Guineafowl • 3 Species

Crested Guineafowl

Habitat: Forest undergrowth and dense woodland, small spotted guineafowl.

Francolins, Spurfowl, Quails & Partridges • 4 Species

Grey-breasted Spurfowl

Habitat: Acacia savanna and bushland, Tanzania near-endemic spurfowl.

Francolins, Spurfowl, Quails & Partridges • 4 Species

Hildebrandt's Spurfowl

Habitat: Upland forest edges and dense thickets, handsome red-legged spurfowl.

Francolins, Spurfowl, Quails & Partridges • 4 Species

Stone Partridge

Habitat: Rocky hillsides and woodland, small hardy partridge of West and East Africa.

Francolins, Spurfowl, Quails & Partridges • 4 Species

Udzungwa Partridge

Habitat: Montane forest undergrowth of the Udzungwa Mountains, rare Tanzania endemic.

Ducks, Geese & Waterfowl • 4 Species

Egyptian Goose

Habitat: Lakes, rivers and open grassland, striking brown-and-white shelduck.

Ducks, Geese & Waterfowl • 4 Species

Spur-winged Goose

Habitat: Wetlands and lakes, Africa's largest waterfowl with spurs on its wings.

Ducks, Geese & Waterfowl • 4 Species

Knob-billed Duck

Habitat: Pools, swamps and seasonal waters, male with a heavy black knob on bill.

Ducks, Geese & Waterfowl • 4 Species

African Pygmy-Goose

Habitat: Lily-covered pools and lagoons, Africa's smallest waterfowl.

Grebes & Rails • 5 Species

Little Grebe

Habitat: Freshwater ponds and reedy lakes, tiny diving bird with puffy tail.

Grebes & Rails • 5 Species

African Purple Swamphen

Habitat: Swamps and dense reedbeds, huge violet-blue rail with red bill.

Grebes & Rails • 5 Species

Black Crake

Habitat: Marsh edges and papyrus fringes, bold glossy-black rail with red bill.

Grebes & Rails • 5 Species

Common Moorhen

Habitat: Wetlands and ponds, red-fronted rail that flicks its tail when walking.

Grebes & Rails • 5 Species

Red-knobbed Coot

Habitat: Open lakes and reservoirs, black coot with white bill and red knobs.

Jacanas • 2 Species

African Jacana

Habitat: Lily ponds and floating vegetation, lily-trotter with huge feet.

Jacanas • 2 Species

Lesser Jacana

Habitat: Floating vegetation and shallow pools, tiny jacana with bright yellow bill.

Plovers & Lapwings • 5 Species

Black-winged Lapwing

Habitat: Open grassland and short plains, black-winged plover with red legs.

Plovers & Lapwings • 5 Species

Spur-winged Lapwing

Habitat: Open wetlands and lake edges, bold plover with black spur on wing.

Plovers & Lapwings • 5 Species

Three-banded Plover

Habitat: Shorelines and lake margins, small plover with white head band.

Plovers & Lapwings • 5 Species

Kittlitz's Plover

Habitat: Muddy shores, pans and short grassland, tiny sandy-brown plover.

Sandpipers & Waders • 4 Species

Common Sandpiper

Habitat: Rivers, shores and lakes, bobbing wader with white wing bar.

Sandpipers & Waders • 4 Species

Ruff

Habitat: Wetland margins and floodplains, leucistic migratory wader with variable plumage.

Sandpipers & Waders • 4 Species

Wood Sandpiper

Habitat: Freshwater wetlands and muddy edges, heavily spotted migratory sandpiper.

Sandpipers & Waders • 4 Species

Little Stint

Habitat: Mudflats and lake shores, tiny high-energy migratory wader.

Stilts & Avocets • 2 Species

Black-winged Stilt

Habitat: Shallow lakes and marshes, elegant wader on extraordinarily long pink legs.

Stilts & Avocets • 2 Species

Pied Avocet

Habitat: Shallow alkaline lakes, striking black-and-white wader with upturned bill.

Thick-knees & Stone-curlews • 2 Species

Spotted Thick-knee

Habitat: Open savanna and stony ground, cryptic nocturnal wader with big yellow eyes.

Thick-knees & Stone-curlews • 2 Species

Water Thick-knee

Habitat: Riverbanks and lake shores, greyish thick-knee bold around water at dusk.

Oystercatchers • 1 Species

African Oystercatcher

Habitat: Rocky coasts and sandy shores, all-black oystercatcher of southern Africa.

Coursers & Pratincoles • 3 Species

Temminck's Courser

Habitat: Open short grassland and bare ground, sandy-patterned courser that vanishes when still.

Coursers & Pratincoles • 3 Species

Collared Pratincole

Habitat: Rivers, lakes and floodplains, tern-like pratincole hawking insects at dusk.

Coursers & Pratincoles • 3 Species

Three-banded Courser

Habitat: Arid savanna and gravel plains, elegant courser with parallel white bands.

Gulls & Terns • 3 Species

Grey-headed Gull

Habitat: Lakes, coasts and harbours, grey-headed gull common across East African waters.

Gulls & Terns • 3 Species

Caspian Tern

Habitat: Lakes, coasts and estuaries, the world's largest tern with heavy red bill.

Gulls & Terns • 3 Species

White-winged Tern

Habitat: Lakes and freshwater marshes, small migratory tern that winters in Africa.

Cormorants & Darters • 3 Species

African Darter

Habitat: Rivers and lakes, distinctive snakebird that swims with only its neck above water.

Cormorants & Darters • 3 Species

Reed Cormorant

Habitat: Freshwater lakes and rivers, small slim cormorant with long tail.

Cormorants & Darters • 3 Species

Great Cormorant

Habitat: Large lakes, rivers and coasts, big black cormorant with white face patch.

Pelicans • 2 Species

Great White Pelican

Habitat: Large lakes and coastal lagoons, huge white pelican fishing cooperatively.

Pelicans • 2 Species

Pink-backed Pelican

Habitat: Freshwater wetlands and lakes, grey-brown pelican with pinkish back.

Herons, Egrets & Bitterns • 8 Species

Cattle Egret

Habitat: Grasslands and farmlands, white egret that follows grazing animals.

Herons, Egrets & Bitterns • 8 Species

Little Egret

Habitat: Wetlands, rivers and coasts, elegant white egret hunting with darting steps.

Herons, Egrets & Bitterns • 8 Species

Squacco Heron

Habitat: Dense reedbeds and wetland fringes, buff-brown heron that erupts with a shout.

Herons, Egrets & Bitterns • 8 Species

Purple Heron

Habitat: Reedbeds and swamps, slender heron with rufous neck and striped chest.

Herons, Egrets & Bitterns • 8 Species

Black-crowned Night Heron

Habitat: Wooded wetlands and rivers, stocky heron that fishes at night, found in colonies.

Herons, Egrets & Bitterns • 8 Species

Dwarf Bittern

Habitat: Swamps and reedy marsh edges, tiny secretive bittern of tropical Africa.

Ibises & Spoonbills • 4 Species

Glossy Ibis

Habitat: Marshes and shallow wetlands, dark ibis with burnished green-purple sheen.

Storks • 7 Species

Abdim's Stork

Habitat: Open grassland and farmland, small black-and-white stork that migrates in huge flocks.

Storks • 7 Species

Woolly-necked Stork

Habitat: Wetlands, rice fields and forest edges, glossy black stork with white neck.

Storks • 7 Species

White Stork

Habitat: Open farmland and wetlands, familiar black-and-white Palearctic migrant.

Storks • 7 Species

African Openbill

Habitat: Marshes and freshwater wetlands, dark stork with gap in its bill for snails.

Cranes • 4 Species

Black Crowned Crane

Habitat: Wet grasslands and marshes of West and East Africa, crowned crane with golden tuft.

Cranes • 4 Species

Wattled Crane

Habitat: Vast wetland marshes and floodplains, Africa's largest crane with hanging wattles.

Cranes • 4 Species

Demoiselle Crane

Habitat: Open plains and semi-desert, small elegant grey crane with white head plumes.

Sandgrouse • 3 Species

Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse

Habitat: Arid savanna and dry plains, sandgrouse that drinks at dawn in flocks.

Sandgrouse • 3 Species

Yellow-throated Sandgrouse

Habitat: Thornbush and arid woodland, sandgrouse with barred wings and yellow throat.

Sandgrouse • 3 Species

Four-banded Sandgrouse

Habitat: Open grain-growing plains and dry savanna, sandy sandgrouse of the interior.

Pigeons & Doves • 5 Species

Laughing Dove

Habitat: Gardens, farmland and open woodland, small pinkish dove with a spreading laugh.

Pigeons & Doves • 5 Species

Emerald-spotted Wood-Dove

Habitat: Woodland and savanna, shy dove with iridescent green wing-spots.

Pigeons & Doves • 5 Species

Tambourine Dove

Habitat: Forest edge and dense thickets, tiny bird with snow-white belly and red bill.

Pigeons & Doves • 5 Species

African Green-Pigeon

Habitat: Fruiting trees in forest and woodland, lime-green pigeon feeding on figs.

Pigeons & Doves • 5 Species

Speckled Pigeon

Habitat: Rocky areas, cliffs and towns, large grey pigeon with red bare skin around eye.

Cuckoos • 4 Species

Jacobin Cuckoo

Habitat: Open woodland and savanna, striking black-and-white crested cuckoo.

Cuckoos • 4 Species

Dideric Cuckoo

Habitat: Woodland and gardens, small green-glossed cuckoo with a ringing repeated call.

Cuckoos • 4 Species

Red-chested Cuckoo

Habitat: Forest and dense woodland, lays eggs in robin-chat nests, with a loud insistent call.

Cuckoos • 4 Species

African Emerald Cuckoo

Habitat: Dense forest canopy, dazzling iridescent green cuckoo heard more than seen.

Bustards • 4 Species

Denham's Bustard

Habitat: Open grassland and light woodland, large brown bustard with black cap and white neck.

Bustards • 4 Species

White-bellied Bustard

Habitat: Short grassland and bushed plains, grey bustard with a black belly band.

Bustards • 4 Species

Black-bellied Bustard

Habitat: Open savanna and grassland, black-bellied bustard with barred brown back and loud croak.

Turacos • 5 Species

Great Blue Turaco

Habitat: Lowland rainforest canopy, huge blue turaco with a yellow casque and crimson wing-patch.

Turacos • 5 Species

Livingstone's Turaco

Habitat: Forest and dense woodland, green turaco with white face and tall crimson crest.

Turacos • 5 Species

Violet Turaco

Habitat: Forest canopy and riverine woodland of West Africa, brilliant violet-blue turaco with crimson crest.

Turacos • 5 Species

Schalow's Turaco

Habitat: Montane and riverine forests, bright green turaco with crimson flight feathers.

Eagles & Large Raptors • 11 Species

Wahlberg's Eagle

Habitat: Open woodland and savanna, slender tree-nesting eagle that migrates to the equator.

Eagles & Large Raptors • 11 Species

Long-crested Eagle

Habitat: Forest edges, rivers and wetlands, black eagle with shaggy crest hunting small mammals.

Eagles & Large Raptors • 11 Species

Steppe Eagle

Habitat: Open plains and woodland, large brown migratory eagle wintering in East Africa.

Vultures • 4 Species

Lappet-faced Vulture

Habitat: Arid savanna and open plains, Africa's largest vulture with fleshy head folds.

Vultures • 4 Species

White-backed Vulture

Habitat: Savanna and wooded plains, commonest large African vulture gathering at carcasses.

Vultures • 4 Species

Hooded Vulture

Habitat: Savanna, towns and refuse sites, small slim vulture with a bare grey head.

Vultures • 4 Species

Rüppell's Griffon

Habitat: Mountain cliffs and open plains, high-flying griffon often seen at kills below.

Kites, Hawks & Harriers • 4 Species

Yellow-billed Kite

Habitat: Savanna, towns and rivers, familiar brown kite with pale yellow bill hunting on the wing.

Kites, Hawks & Harriers • 4 Species

African Harrier-Hawk

Habitat: Woodland and forest edges, bare-faced hawk that probes crevices with a double-jointed leg.

Kites, Hawks & Harriers • 4 Species

Gabar Goshawk

Habitat: Acacia woodland and savanna, small agile goshawk hunting birds in dense cover.

Kites, Hawks & Harriers • 4 Species

Lizard Buzzard

Habitat: Savanna and open woodland, compact grey buzzard that really takes lizards.

Kites, Hawks & Osprey

Osprey

Habitat: Coasts, lakes and large rivers, fish-eating raptor that plunges talons-first.

Falcons & Kestrels • 4 Species

Peregrine Falcon

Habitat: Cliffs, coasts and open sky, the world's fastest bird stooping on prey.

Falcons & Kestrels • 4 Species

Lanner Falcon

Habitat: Open country and rocky hills, large pale falcon hunting birds on powerful level flight.

Falcons & Kestrels • 4 Species

Common Kestrel

Habitat: Open grassland, farmland and roadsides, hovering falcon with chestnut back.

Falcons & Kestrels • 4 Species

Greater Kestrel

Habitat: Arid savanna and open plains, pale sandy kestrel often seen on the ground.

Owls • 4 Species

Verreaux's Eagle-Owl

Habitat: Woodland and riverine forest, Africa's largest owl with dark face and pink eyelids.

Owls • 4 Species

Spotted Eagle-Owl

Habitat: Savanna, wooded hills and rocky outcrops, common barred eagle-owl of open country.

Owls • 4 Species

Pearl-spotted Owlet

Habitat: Acacia savanna and woodland, tiny brown owlet active in daylight with eye-like spots.

Owls • 4 Species

African Wood Owl

Habitat: Forest and dense woodland, compact owl with facial disc and a distinctive piercing call.

Nightjars • 3 Species

Fiery-necked Nightjar

Habitat: Woodland and savanna, cryptic nightjar named for its glowing rufous collar.

Nightjars • 3 Species

Freckled Nightjar

Habitat: Arid savanna and open stony ground, grey nightjar with fine white freckling.

Nightjars • 3 Species

Pennant-winged Nightjar

Habitat: Open woodland and savanna, male shows spectacular elongated white wing streamers.

Swifts • 3 Species

Common Swift

Habitat: Open skies over towns and wetlands, dark migratory swift that rarely lands.

Swifts • 3 Species

Little Swift

Habitat: Towns, cliffs and open air, small square-tailed swift with a white rump patch.

Swifts • 3 Species

African Swift

Habitat: Mountains, cliffs and open skies, large swift of African highlands.

Mousebirds • 2 Species

Speckled Mousebird

Habitat: Savanna, gardens and scrub, scruffy brown bird that scrambles mouse-like through bushes.

Mousebirds • 2 Species

Blue-naped Mousebird

Habitat: Arid savanna and bushy woodland, long-tailed mousebird with blue nape patch.

Cuckoo-Roller • 1 Species

Cuckoo-Roller

Habitat: Forest canopy and wooded savanna, sole member of its family combining features of both cuckoos and rollers.

Hoopoes • 2 Species

African Hoopoe

Habitat: Open woodland, lawns and gardens, cinnamon bird with zebra-striped wings and a crest.

Wood Hoopoes & Scimitarbills • 2 Species

Green Wood Hoopoe

Habitat: Savanna and woodland, glossy dark bird that probes tree crevices with a long curved bill.

Wood Hoopoes & Scimitarbills • 2 Species

Common Scimitarbill

Habitat: Acacia savanna and woodland, slender dark bird with a sickled black bill.

Hornbills • 8 Species

African Grey Hornbill

Habitat: Open woodland and savanna, grey hornbill with casque-less short bill.

Hornbills • 8 Species

Red-billed Hornbill

Habitat: Savanna and dry woodland, familiar black-and-white hornbill with a scarlet bill.

Hornbills • 8 Species

Crowned Hornbill

Habitat: Forest edges and woodland, medium hornbill with a ridge-topped casque.

Hornbills • 8 Species

Trumpeter Hornbill

Habitat: Tropical forests and riverine woodland, large black hornbill with a deep trumpeting call.

Hornbills • 8 Species

African Pied Hornbill

Habitat: Open woodland and forest edge, black-and-white hornbill with a heavy yellow bill.

Hornbills • 8 Species

Abyssinian Ground Hornbill

Habitat: Open savanna and dry grassland, giant black hornbill with a huge bright blue throat patch.

Rollers • 3 Species

European Roller

Habitat: Open woodland and farmland, migratory roller with vivid turquoise wings.

Rollers • 3 Species

Rufous-crowned Roller

Habitat: Arid savanna and dry thornbush, buffy roller perched conspicuously on wires and trees.

Bee-eaters • 4 Species

Little Bee-eater

Habitat: Open savanna and riverbanks, tiny green bee-eater with a golden crown.

Bee-eaters • 4 Species

European Bee-eater

Habitat: Open country and riverbanks, brilliant rainbow migrant hawking insects in flocks.

Bee-eaters • 4 Species

Carmine Bee-eater

Habitat: Riverbanks and open savanna, spectacular crimson bee-eater nesting in huge colonies.

Kingfishers • 6 Species

Giant Kingfisher

Habitat: Rivers and lakes, Africa's largest kingfisher diving head-first for fish.

Kingfishers • 6 Species

Pied Kingfisher

Habitat: Lakes and rivers, black-and-white kingfisher that hovers above water before diving.

Kingfishers • 6 Species

Grey-headed Kingfisher

Habitat: Dry woodland and savanna near water, grey-headed kingfisher that feeds on lizards and insects.

Kingfishers • 6 Species

African Pygmy Kingfisher

Habitat: Dense thickets and forest edges, tiny jewel-like kingfisher with violet crown.

African Barbets • 3 Species

Black-collared Barbet

Habitat: Woodland and riverine forest, chunky red-headed barbet with loud duetting call.

African Barbets • 3 Species

Crested Barbet

Habitat: Savanna and woodland, streaky barbet with a smart black crest and yellow face.

African Barbets • 3 Species

Red-and-yellow Barbet

Habitat: Dry bushland and arid savanna, boldly marked barbet often in pairs.

Honeyguides • 2 Species

Greater Honeyguide

Habitat: Woodland and savanna, bird that leads honey badgers and people to bees' nests.

Honeyguides • 2 Species

Lesser Honeyguide

Habitat: Woodland and forest edge, small grey-backed honeyguide with a trilling call.

Woodpeckers • 2 Species

Cardinal Woodpecker

Habitat: Woodland and gardens, tiny red-capped woodpecker that taps on slender branches.

Woodpeckers • 2 Species

Bearded Woodpecker

Habitat: Forest and dense woodland, olive woodpecker with a black-flecked moustache.

Parrots, Lovebirds & Parakeets • 3 Species

Grey Parrot

Habitat: Lowland rainforest, intelligent grey parrot famed for its talking ability.

Parrots, Lovebirds & Parakeets • 3 Species

Fischer's Lovebird

Habitat: Acacia savanna and dry woodland, gregarious green lovebird, a Tanzania near-endemic.

Parrots, Lovebirds & Parakeets • 3 Species

Meyer's Parrot

Habitat: Savanna woodland and riverine forest, brown parrot with yellow shoulder patch.

Trogons • 1 Species

Narina Trogon

Habitat: Mature forest and dense riverine woodland, crimson-bellied trogon with a haunting call.

Flycatchers, Thrushes & Songbirds • 6 Species

African Paradise-Flycatcher

Habitat: Forest and woodland edges, male has a dazzling long white tail as it hawks insects.

Flycatchers, Thrushes & Songbirds • 6 Species

Olive Thrush

Habitat: Forest, gardens and highland scrub, melodious thrush with a warm orange belly.

Flycatchers, Thrushes & Songbirds • 6 Species

Hildebrandt's Starling

Habitat: Open woodland and cultivated areas, iridescent starling with a pale whitish belly.

Oxpeckers • 2 Species

Yellow-billed Oxpecker

Habitat: Savanna with large game, red-billed oxpecker that perches on buffalo and rhino to feed.

Oxpeckers • 2 Species

Red-billed Oxpecker

Habitat: Savanna with wild and domestic mammals, oxpecker with a bright red bill and pale eye-ring.

Shrikes & Bushshrikes • 4 Species

Magpie Shrike

Habitat: Open savanna and acacia woodland, long-tailed black-and-white shrike seen in family parties.

Shrikes & Bushshrikes • 4 Species

Common Fiscal

Habitat: Savanna, gardens and farmland, bold black-and-white shrike that impales prey on thorns.

Shrikes & Bushshrikes • 4 Species

Tropical Boubou

Habitat: Dense undergrowth and thickets, black-and-white bushshrike that duets loudly.

Shrikes & Bushshrikes • 4 Species

Orange-breasted Bushshrike

Habitat: Forest and woodland, vividly coloured bushshrike with a black face mask.

Babblers, Larks & Cisticolas • 4 Species

Arrow-marked Babbler

Habitat: Dense thickets and woodland undergrowth, scrappy brown babbler that travels in noisy groups.

Babblers, Larks & Cisticolas • 4 Species

Rufous-naped Lark

Habitat: Short grassland and open savanna, boldly streaked lark with a rufous nape and crest.

Babblers, Larks & Cisticolas • 4 Species

Rattling Cisticola

Habitat: Savanna, woodland edges and shrubby scrub, small streaked warbler with a harsh rattling call.

Babblers, Larks & Cisticolas • 4 Species

Red-capped Lark

Habitat: Bare ground and short semi-desert grassland, plain lark with a bright red cap.

Weavers, Waxbills & Finches • 5 Species

Village Weaver

Habitat: Reedbeds, farmland and villages, noisy yellow weaver building woven nests in colonies.

Weavers, Waxbills & Finches • 5 Species

Southern Red Bishop

Habitat: Grassland and wetlands, breeding male a brilliant flame-red-and-black weaver.

Weavers, Waxbills & Finches • 5 Species

Black-headed Weaver

Habitat: Wetlands, reedbeds and lakeshores, yellow weaver with a black hood, nesting in colonies.

Weavers, Waxbills & Finches • 5 Species

Common Waxbill

Habitat: Grassland, reedbeds and gardens, tiny finch with a mask-like red eye-line and wax-red bill.

Weavers, Waxbills & Finches • 5 Species

Pin-tailed Whydah

Habitat: Savanna and gardens, breeding male a black-and-white bird with two enormously long tail feathers.

Swallows & Martins • 3 Species

Barn Swallow

Habitat: Open country and farmland, steel-blue swallow with a long forked tail, wintering in Africa.

Swallows & Martins • 3 Species

Wire-tailed Swallow

Habitat: Open woodland and waterways, glossy blue swallow with two hairlike tail streamers.

Wagtails & Pipits • 2 Species

African Pied Wagtail

Habitat: Waterways, lawns and urban areas, black-and-white wagtail that bobs its long tail.

Sunbirds & Passerines • 4 Species

Scarlet-chested Sunbird

Habitat: Brachystegia woodland and gardens, tiny sunbird with a brilliant scarlet breast band.

Planning Tips

When and Where to See These Birds

The best birding in Tanzania depends on the season, the region and the habitat. Here are key factors to plan around.

Seasonal Timing

October to April is peak birding with migratory species from Europe and Asia. Breeding plumage is on display across most families.

Lake Manyara

Over 400 recorded species in a compact park. Flamingos, storks, kingfishers and the famous tree-climbing lions share the habitat.

Serengeti Ecosystem

Raptors follow the Great Migration. Secretarybirds, kori bustards and rollers are year-round residents of the short-grass plains.

Ngorongoro Highlands

Montane species like turacos and sunbirds in the forest rim, plus flamingos in the crater lake. A compact birder paradise.

Birding Itineraries

Popular Birdwatching Safari Routes

Combine iconic birding with classic safari on these curated itineraries built by our naturalists.

4 Days • Birding Focus

Manyara & Tarangire Birding

Lake Manyara NP • Tarangire NP

Day 1: Arrive Manyara, afternoon lakeside birding

Day 2: Full-day guided bird walk, flamingos and storks

Day 3: Tarangire, raptors and bustards on the plains

Day 4: Morning birding, depart

200+ species possible | flamingos, fish eagles, kori bustard

Plan This Trip

6 Days • Full Circuit

Serengeti & Ngorongoro Birding

Serengeti NP • Ngorongoro Crater

Day 1: Arrive Serengeti, sunset birding

Day 2: Central Serengeti, raptors and rollers

Day 3: Full day, migration birds and species checklist

Day 4: Ngorongoro rim, forest turacos and sunbirds

Day 5: Crater floor, flamingos and waders

Day 6: Morning birding, depart

300+ species possible | turacos, sunbirds, flamingos

Plan This Trip

5 Days • Forest Specialist

Udzungwa & Mikumi Forest Birds

Udzungwa Mountains • Mikumi NP

Day 1: Arrive Udzungwa, afternoon trail walk

Day 2: Full day forest birding, turacos and hornbills

Day 3: Sanje Falls trail, endemic species

Day 4: Transfer to Mikumi, evening birding

Day 5: Morning game drive and birding, depart

Endemic turacos | hornbills, sunbirds, forest specials

Plan This Trip

Why Choose Us

Why Bird with African Majestic Adventure

Local naturalist-led birding with the expertise and passion that comes from years in the field.

Local Expertise

Our birding guides are Tanzanian naturalists who know every habitat, every call and every seasonal pattern across the parks.

Tailored Itineraries

We build birding safaris around your target species list, preferred pace and travel dates — no cookie-cutter trips.

Species Records

We maintain verified checklists for every park and region, ensuring you see the right birds in the right habitats.

Since 2019

Operating from Arusha since 2019 with deep roots in Tanzania conservation and birding community.

190

Featured Species

1,100+

Bird Species in Tanzania

15+

National Parks

Since 2019

Established

Common Questions

Frequently Asked Birding Questions

Best time for bird watching in Tanzania?+

October to April is peak birding season with migratory species from Europe and Asia arriving. Breeding plumage is on display across most families. Resident species like fish eagles, hornbills and starlings are visible year-round.

Which parks are best for birdwatching?+

Lake Manyara (400+ species), Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, Tarangire, and Nyerere offer exceptional birding diversity from flamingos to eagles. Udzungwa Mountains has endemic forest species.

How many bird species are in Tanzania?+

Tanzania hosts over 1,100 bird species across diverse habitats including savanna, forests, wetlands, and montane zones. This makes it one of Africa top birding destinations.

Can I combine birdwatching with a classic safari?+

Absolutely. Every safari we offer includes birding alongside big game viewing. Our guides are trained in both wildlife and bird identification.

How do I book a birding safari?+

Reach us via WhatsApp at +255 672 757 346 or through our contact page and we will craft a tailor-made birding itinerary for you.

Ready to Go Birding in Tanzania?

Let our local naturalists craft a birding safari around your target species and travel dates.

WhatsApp Us Now Send an Enquiry

Explore 190 Iconic Bird Species of Tanzania

Discover every iconic bird of Tanzania

Explore All 190 Bird Species by Family

When and Where to See These Birds

Popular Birdwatching Safari Routes

Why Bird with African Majestic Adventure

Frequently Asked Birding Questions

Ready to Go Birding in Tanzania?