Birds are some of the most fascinating creatures on the planet. Meru is a region in Kenya that is home to a wide variety of birds, including some of the most unique and rare species in the world.
From the vibrant lilac-breasted roller to the elusive shoebill stork, Meru’s birds offer a colorful and captivating glimpse into the region’s diverse wildlife.
Whether you’re an experienced birder or a novice just getting started, Meru is a great place to explore the avian world.
8 Birds to Watch in Meru
Meru National Park is one of the most diverse and scenic wildlife sanctuaries in Kenya. It is home to a variety of animals, plants, and birds, some of which are endemic to the region. If you are a bird lover, you will be delighted by the rich avian diversity that Meru has to offer.
Here are 8 birds that you should watch out for when you visit Meru.
1. Ring-necked Dove
The ring-necked dove is a species of dove found in East and southern Africa. It is a relatively common species and can be seen in various open habitats, such as grasslands, savannahs, and woodlands.
Other names include the Cape turtle dove and the half-collared dove, also known as the ring-necked dove. It is a primarily passive bird, meaning it does not migrate and remains in the same area for most of its life.
It is a relatively large dove species, with a distinctive bluish-gray coloration on its head, neck, and upperparts and a white underside. Its tail is tipped with a black band and has a bright pinkish-red collar around its neck.
The ring-necked dove is a social species and can often be seen in small flocks, foraging for seeds in open areas. It is an essential species in many African ecosystems, helping to disperse seeds and aiding in vegetation regeneration.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Columbiformes |
| Family | Columbidae |
| Genus | Streptopelia |
| Species | S. capicola |
2. Laughing Dove
The laughing dove is a species of small pigeon found in a wide range of habitats. It is native to Africa, the Middle East, South Asia, and Western Australia. The species has been present in Western Australia since 1898 and was released from the Perth Zoo.
This species prefers dry open habitats such as woodlands, savanna, and scrub. It feeds on a variety of seeds, grains, and insects. The laughing dove is a medium-sized bird with a grayish-brown back and wings, an orange-brown breast, and a red eye ring.
It has a distinctive laughing call, which can be heard throughout the day. The laughing dove is an important species for its native regions, providing food for many predators.
It is also essential for providing genetic diversity for other species of pigeons since it can hybridize with other members of the genus Streptopelia.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Columbiformes |
| Family | Columbidae |
| Genus | Spilopelia |
| Species | S. senegalensis |
3. African Finfoot
The African finfoot is an aquatic bird from the family Heliornithidae. It is a unique bird species found only in Africa’s rivers and lakes. It can be found in the continent’s western, central, and southern parts, spreading its range entirely.
The African finfoot is a medium-sized bird with a long, slender body shape and a distinctive, bright-colored bill.
Its feathers are mostly black, gray, and white, with a few brown patches. The African finfoot is a water bird, and it is known to feed on aquatic animals such as fish, mollusks, crustaceans, and insects. It is also known to eat plant material such as seeds and fruits sometimes.
Its diet is varied, and it can adapt to different food sources. The African finfoot is an essential bird species in the African ecosystem. It is a predator, eating species that could otherwise cause damage to the environment.
In addition, it serves as food for other animals, including fish, reptiles, and birds of prey. The African finfoot is a highly social species, living in large groups in the water. They can often be seen swimming together in groups, chasing each other, and playing.
They also have a powerful vocalization, with a loud, repetitive call. The African finfoot is an important species to conserve and protect. It is vulnerable to habitat destruction from human encroachment and other threats such as pollution and hunting.
Conservation efforts are needed to ensure its long-term survival in the wild.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Gruiformes |
| Family | Heliornithidae |
| Genus | Podica |
| Species | P. senegalensis |
4. Common Ostrich
The common ostrich is a bird native to Africa that cannot fly. It is one of the two extant species of ostrich, which are the only members of the genus Struthio in the ratite order of birds.
The common ostrich is the largest living bird species, with males reaching up to 2.8 meters tall and weighing up to 156 kilograms. They have long, solid legs and a long neck and can run up to 70 kilometers per hour.
They live in open savannahs and woodlands, feeding mainly on plants and eating insects, lizards, and small mammals. They typically lay around ten eggs, which both the male and female incubate.
The chicks are born with black-and-white striped feathers and can run around and feed themselves within a few days of hatching. Ostriches are also farmed for their feathers, leather, and meat.
They are socially gregarious birds and can be seen in large groups, which can be composed of several dozen individuals.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Struthioniformes |
| Family | Struthionidae |
| Genus | Struthio |
| Species | S. camelus |
5. Vulturine Guineafowl
The vulturine guineafowl is the largest species of guineafowl still in existence today. Its scientific name is Acryllium vulturinum, a member of the Numididae family. It is native to East Africa and parts of the Arabian Peninsula.
Systematically, it is only distantly related to other guineafowl genera, meaning that it is not very closely related to different species of guineafowl.
It is most closely related to the white-breasted guineafowl, Agelastes meleagrides, inhabiting Central Africa’s primary forests. This species is a monogamous bird, which means it mates for life.
It also has a remarkable ability to detect predators from long distances, making it one of the most successful species of guineafowl. The vulturine guineafowl is an impressive bird and a unique species that deserves protection and appreciation.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Galliformes |
| Family | Numididae |
| Genus | Acryllium |
| Species | A. vulturinum |
6. Buff-crested Bustard
The buff-crested bustard is a species of bird that can be found in East Africa. It belongs to the family Otididae, which comprises a variety of medium-sized birds.
The buff-crested bustard is a species of most minor concern, which means that the population numbers are stable and unlikely to become extinct. This species is usually found in dry, open habitats such as grasslands, savannas, and scrublands.
It is a ground-dwelling species and typically feeds on insects, small reptiles, and invertebrates. It is a relatively large bird, with a wingspan of up to 1.2 meters, and has a distinctive buff-colored crest on its head.
The buff-crested bustard is a unique species and an essential part of the East African ecosystem.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Otidiformes |
| Family | Otididae |
| Genus | Lophotis |
| Species | L. gindiana |
7. Saddle-billed Stork
The saddle-billed stork is an impressive species of wading bird that belongs to the stork family, Ciconiidae.
It is widely distributed across sub-Saharan Africa, from Sudan, Ethiopia, and Kenya in the East to South Africa, The Gambia, Senegal, Côte d’Ivoire, and Chad in the West.
This stork species is a resident breeder, meaning it does not migrate and instead chooses to remain in its chosen region throughout the year to breed. The saddle-billed stork is a large species, with adults measuring up to 140 cm in height and weighing up to 4.8 kg.
Its impressive size matches its striking appearance, as its feathers are a glossy black and white, with a bright red bill and a yellow face patch. Its legs are a bright red-orange.
The saddle-billed stork also has a large yellow crest, which can be spread into a fan above its head when it is alarmed or trying to impress a mate.
The saddle-billed stork is a solitary bird, usually seen alone or in small family groups, although, in some parts of its range, it can be found in larger flocks.
It feeds in shallow water, often still, where it can wade for fish, amphibians, insects, and other small prey. It builds large nests in trees or ground near the water’s edge.
The saddle-billed stork is a long-lived species, with an average lifespan of up to 30 years in the wild.
The International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) classifies it as a species of most minor concern. However, the population is believed to have declined due to habitat loss and hunting.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Ciconiiformes |
| Family | Ciconiidae |
| Genus | Ephippiorhynchus |
| Species | E. senegalensis |
8. Pel’s Fishing Owl
Pel’s fishing owl is a large member of the Strigidae family, which encompasses a variety of owl species. It is native to Africa and prefers to live near rivers and lakes.
At night, they hunt for their prey, which consists of fish and frogs, snatching them from the water’s surface. They prefer slow-moving rivers with plenty of trees with branches that overhang the river to roost in and hunt from.
Such trees provide them with a safe place to hide from potential predators and a vantage point to scope out potential prey. Pel’s fishing owl is an impressive hunter who has adapted to its environment to make the most available resources.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Strigiformes |
| Family | Strigidae |
| Genus | Scotopelia |
| Species | S. peli |
Conclusion
Birds in Meru are an essential part of the local environment and culture. They provide food, nesting material, and a source of entertainment. They also contribute to the local economy through tourism and bird-watching activities.
Meru’s unique bird species are a valuable and irreplaceable part of the region’s biodiversity and are worth preserving for future generations.