Nyandarua is a county in Kenya that is home to various bird species. The county has many different habitats, such as montane forests, grasslands, and wetlands, providing a rich habitat for many species.
From the iconic lilac-breasted roller to the endangered African green broadbill, the birds of Nyandarua provide a fantastic variety of sights and sounds.
In addition, Nyandarua is also home to many migratory species from all parts of the world.
For birdwatchers and environmentalists alike, Nyandarua provides an opportunity to observe and appreciate the beauty and diversity of birds in the wild.
16 Birds to Watch in Nyandarua
Nyandarua is a county in Kenya that is home to various bird species. The county has many different habitats, such as montane forests, grasslands, and wetlands, which provide a rich habitat for many other species.
Here are 16 birds that you should not miss when visiting Nyandarua:
1. Grey-crowned Crane
The Grey Crowned Crane is a bird species in the large crane family Gruidae. It is one of Africa’s most recognizable and iconic birds and is found throughout the continent and in parts of Asia.
This species is also known by several other names, including the African Crowned Crane, Golden Crested Crane, Golden Crowned Crane, East African Crane, East African Crowned Crane, African Crane, Eastern Crowned Crane, Kavirondo Crane, South African Crane, and Crested Crane.
The Grey Crowned Crane is a large bird with a wingspan reaching up to 7.5 feet in length.
Its plumage is primarily grey with black and white streaking on the wings and back. The bird sports a prominent, golden-yellow crown on its head and a red patch of skin on the throat. Its long legs are dark grey and end in a yellowish foot.
The Grey Crowned Crane is known for its elaborate courtship dance involving jumping, bowing, and flapping wings. The Grey Crowned Crane feeds on various items, including insects, worms, small vertebrates, and seeds.
It is typically seen in pairs or family groups and large flocks during the breeding season. This species is considered to be of least concern by the IUCN due to its wide range and healthy population.
The Grey Crowned Crane is an essential symbol in many African cultures and is featured on the national flags of Uganda and South Sudan.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Gruiformes |
| Family | Gruidae |
| Genus | Balearica |
| Species | B. regulorum |
2. Common Ostrich
The common ostrich is a species of large flightless bird native to Africa. It is the only living member of the genus Struthio, part of the ratite order of birds.
Ostriches are among the most prominent living birds, with adults reaching a height of up to 2.7 meters and weighing up to 156 kg. They are easily recognizable due to their distinctive long necks, legs, and black and white patterned feathers.
They have strong legs and long toes that help them balance while running, and their wings are tiny and incapable of flight. Ostriches are omnivorous, feeding on both plants and animals.
They are well adapted to their environment, able to live in hot, dry climates, and to cope with periods of drought. As a result, they are one of the most successful species of birds in the world.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Struthioniformes |
| Family | Struthionidae |
| Genus | Struthio |
| Species | S. camelus |
3. Yellow-billed Stork
The yellow-billed stork, scientifically known as Mycteria ibis, is a large wading bird native to Africa and Madagascar. It is part of the family Ciconiidae, which also includes other stork species, such as the black-necked stork and the greater flamingo.
The yellow-billed stork is sometimes called the wood stork or wood ibis due to its preference for wooded areas. It is widely distributed throughout sub-Saharan Africa, including countries like Sudan, Ethiopia, South Africa, and the island of Madagascar.
The yellow-billed stork is a large bird with a wingspan of up to 79 inches. Its bill is yellow, and its feathers are black and white. It has long, bare legs and a long neck.
Its diet consists primarily of small animals, including frogs, fish, insects, and small reptiles.
It feeds in shallow waters, often standing atop submerged logs and branches to spot prey. The yellow-billed stork is considered an essential species in African wetlands, as it helps keep the ecosystem balanced by controlling insect populations.
Unfortunately, its population has been declining due to habitat destruction and degradation. This has resulted in the species being classified as vulnerable by the IUCN.
As a result, conservation efforts have been put in place to help protect the species and ensure its future survival.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Ciconiiformes |
| Family | Ciconiidae |
| Genus | Mycteria |
| Species | M. ibis |
4. Helmeted Guineafowl
The helmeted guineafowl is a unique species of bird that belongs to the Numididae family. It is native to Africa, primarily south of the Sahara Desert, and has been widely introduced as a domesticated species in many other parts of the world.
The helmeted guineafowl is the only member of the genus Numida, so it stands out from other birds in the Numididae family. The helmeted guineafowl has been introduced into the West Indies, North America, Colombia, Brazil, Australia, and Europe as a domesticated species.
This bird is a popular choice for domestic purposes, as its hardiness and adaptability make it well-suited to human care.
It is known for being a social bird and is often found in small flocks in its native habitat. The helmeted guineafowl is a hardy bird capable of withstanding various temperatures.
It typically has a lifespan of up to 20 years and feeds on insects, fruits, and seeds.
The helmeted guineafowl is also a famous game bird and can often be found in hunting preserves. Overall, the helmeted guineafowl is an exciting and unique species of bird that is well-suited to many parts of the world.
Its broad introduction and popularity as a domesticated species make it a valuable asset to many communities.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Galliformes |
| Family | Numididae |
| Genus | Numida |
| Species | N. meleagris |
5. Yellow-billed Duck
The yellow-billed duck is a medium-sized dabbling duck found abundant in southern and eastern Africa. It is not a migratory species but will travel during the dry season in search of suitable waters.
It can be found in large flocks during these times, as it is highly social outside of breeding season. As its namesake implies, this duck is between 51 and 58 cm long and has a yellow bill.
It is typically found in wetlands, such as swamps, marshes, lakes, and rivers, and will feed off aquatic plants, insects, and small fish.
It is also known to forage on terrestrial vegetation on occasion. The yellow-billed duck is an essential species in Africa, as it serves as prey for different predators and a host for various parasites.
It is also a famous game bird hunted in many parts of the continent. The breeding season of the yellow-billed duck typically begins in the late summer or early autumn, and they will build nests near the water.
The female will typically lay up to 10 eggs, which she will incubate for around 28 days. After hatching, the ducklings will remain with their mother for some time before venturing off alone.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Anseriformes |
| Family | Anatidae |
| Genus | Anas |
| Species | A. undulata |
6. Yellow-necked Spurfowl
The yellow-necked spurfowl, or yellow-necked francolin, is an avian species belonging to the Phasianidae family. This species is native to several East African countries, including Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda.
It is a species of game bird recognized for the distinctive yellow patch on its neck. This distinguishing feature is what gave the species its name. The yellow-necked spurfowl is a medium-sized bird, typically measuring around 33 cm long.
It is a plump game bird with a beige or sandy-brown body, black and white barred wings, and a brown or black tail. As previously mentioned, this species is distinguished by a patch of yellow feathers on its neck.
The male will also have an orange or red patch on his forehead. The yellow-necked spurfowl is a ground-dwelling bird found in dry or semi-arid areas. It feeds primarily on seeds, insects, and other small invertebrates.
This species is monogamous and typically breeds during the wet season. The female will lay a clutch of four to seven eggs and incubate them for twenty-one- twenty-four days. The yellow-necked spurfowl is not considered to be a threatened species.
However, its populations are decreasing due to habitat destruction and other human activities. As a result, conservation efforts are needed to ensure the species’ survival.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Galliformes |
| Family | Phasianidae |
| Genus | Pternistis |
| Species | P. leucoscepus |
7. Secretarybird
The secretarybird is a large, powerful bird of prey native to Africa. It is a primarily terrestrial species, meaning it prefers to hunt on the ground rather than in the air.
It is found in the open grasslands and savannas of the sub-Saharan region, which is located in the south of the continent and comprises countries such as Kenya, Tanzania, and South Africa.
The species was first described by John Frederick Miller in 1779, and since then has become a well-known and beloved bird species. Secretarybirds are an impressive sight, with their long, slender legs and long wings.
They have a characteristic crest of feathers on the top of their head, giving them a regal look. They also have a long, hooked bill, which they use to hunt for their prey.
Their diet mainly consists of small mammals, reptiles, and insects, which they hunt by either swooping down from the sky to catch prey or by walking along the ground and using their muscular feet to catch prey.
Secretarybirds are also well-known for their mating rituals, which involve the male performing a courtship display of dancing and displaying his wings.
This is done to attract a mate and to mark his territory. Once a pair has bonded, they will usually remain together for life. The secretarybird is an impressive species of birds endemic to Africa.
It has a characteristic crest of feathers and a long, hooked bill and is found in the open grasslands and savannas of the sub-Saharan region. It is an iconic species of bird that has been described since 1779 and is well-known for its impressive mating rituals.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Accipitriformes |
| Family | Sagittariidae |
| Genus | Sagittarius |
| Species | S. serpentarius |
8. Lilac-breasted Roller
The lilac-breasted roller is an African bird of the roller family, Coraciidae. It is a brightly colored bird with a mainly blue plumage and a distinctive lilac breast.
It is found in many parts of Southern and Eastern Africa and is occasionally seen as a vagrant in the southern Arabian Peninsula. Its habitat is mainly open woodland and savanna.
It is usually not seen in treeless places like deserts or grasslands because it relies on trees or bushes for nesting and foraging. It feeds mainly on insects, such as caterpillars and beetles, but will also eat small reptiles and amphibians.
It is an agile flyer often seen hovering over trees or bushes, looking for food.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Coraciiformes |
| Family | Coraciidae |
| Genus | Coracias |
| Species | C. caudatus |
9. Saddle-billed Stork
The saddle-billed stork, also known as the saddlebill, is a species of large wading bird belonging to the family Ciconiidae.
This species is widely distributed and is a resident breeder in sub-Saharan Africa, stretching from Sudan, Ethiopia, and Kenya in the east-south to South Africa.
It is also found in The Gambia, Senegal, Côte d’Ivoire, and Chad in the west. The saddle-billed stork is an impressive bird with a length of up to 150 cm and a wingspan of up to 250 cm.
Its distinctive feature is its long, red, and yellow beak, shaped like a saddle, hence the name.
The bird’s plumage is mainly white, but it has black wings and black and white tail feathers. The saddle-billed stork is primarily found in wetlands, such as swamps, marshes, and floodplains, where it feeds on fish, frogs, and other aquatic animals.
It also occasionally eats small mammals and insects. The bird builds a large stick nest in trees close to water and usually lays two to four eggs.
The stork is typically found in flocks during the breeding season but tends to be solitary outside of this period. The saddle-billed stork is generally listed as a species of most minor concern by the IUCN, but its population is decreasing due to habitat degradation, disturbance, and hunting.
The species is protected by law in many countries, and conservation efforts are undertaken to ensure its continued survival.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Ciconiiformes |
| Family | Ciconiidae |
| Genus | Ephippiorhynchus |
| Species | E. senegalensis |
10. Vulturine Guineafowl
The vulturine guineafowl is the world’s most significant type of guineafowl today. It is only distantly related to the other existing guineafowl genera, meaning it does not share the same evolutionary history.
Its closest living relative, the white-breasted guineafowl, is found in Central Africa in primary forests.
These primary forests are the most ancient type of forest, meaning that the vulturine guineafowl has lived in the same environment as its closest relative for a long time.
This type of guineafowl is adapted to living in dry climates, which makes it well-suited to living in the African savanna. It is a ground-dwelling bird, meaning it spends much of its time searching for food on the ground.
It is omnivorous, meaning that it eats both plants and animals. It is an integral part of the African ecosystem, as it helps to keep the population of insects and small animals in check.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Galliformes |
| Family | Numididae |
| Genus | Acryllium |
| Species | A. vulturinum |
11. Spur-winged Lapwing
The Spur-winged Lapwing, or Spur-winged Plover, is a species of wader belonging to the family Charadriidae. As a group, waders are more significant than most other birds and typically have long legs and bills for foraging in mud or shallow water.
The Spur-winged Lapwing is renowned for being the bird that Herodotus referred to as the “trochilus” bird in his writings.
According to Herodotus, this bird and the Nile crocodile had a unique relationship in which the crocodile would allow the bird to enter its mouth and clean its teeth.
This behavior has not been observed in modern times, but it is an exciting example of a possible form of symbiosis. It is thought that the bird would eat parasites or food particles stuck in the crocodile’s teeth, which would benefit both animals.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Charadriiformes |
| Family | Charadriidae |
| Genus | Vanellus |
| Species | V. spinosus |
12. Lesser Jacana
The lesser jacana is a species of bird that belongs to the Jacanidae family. It is the only species found in the genus Microparra and, therefore, is referred to as monotypic.
The lesser jacana is a medium-sized shorebird native to the Americas and Asia tropical climates. It has a long neck, legs, and a short, rounded tail. Its wings are long and pointed, and the feathers are black, brown, and white.
The lesser jacana is often seen wading in shallow waters, searching for food with its long toes. Its diet consists mainly of insects, mollusks, and crustaceans.
The bird is known for its ability to walk on floating vegetation, which gives it its other name, “the lily-trotter.” The lesser jacana is an essential species in the wetlands and is a crucial indicator of healthy ecosystems.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Charadriiformes |
| Family | Jacanidae |
| Genus | Microparra |
| Species | M. capensis |
13. Red-knobbed Coot
The Red-Knobbed Coot, also known as the Crested Coot, is a species of bird belonging to the Rallidae family of rails and crakes. It is a sedentary breeder, living in a range that spans much of Africa and the southernmost parts of Spain.
Its preferred habitat is around freshwater lakes and ponds, where it builds a nest of dead reeds either near the water’s edge or, more commonly, on the water itself. The Red-Knobbed Coot typically lays around seven eggs per clutch.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Gruiformes |
| Family | Rallidae |
| Genus | Fulica |
| Species | F. cristata |
14. Black-headed Heron
The Black-headed Heron is a wading bird species in sub-Saharan Africa and Madagascar. It belongs to the family Ardeidae, which consists of herons, egrets, and bitterns.
This species is mainly resident, meaning it does not migrate, but some birds in West Africa may move north during the rainy season. The Black-headed Heron typically breeds in colonies during the wet season, building its nests in trees, reedbeds, or cliffs.
This behavior is typical of many birds in the Heron family, as nesting in colonies provides safety in numbers and allows them to share resources. It is also an effective way to ward off predators, as the number of birds in the colony can be pretty intimidating.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Pelecaniformes |
| Family | Ardeidae |
| Genus | Ardea |
| Species | A. melanocephala |
15. Hadada Ibis
The Hadeda ibis is a species of ibis native to Sub-Saharan Africa. As its name implies, it is best known for its loud and distinctive call, especially in the mornings and evenings when they fly out or return to their roosting trees.
The call consists of three to four notes, often described as “ha-de-da,” where the bird gets its name. The hadeda ibis is a large bird with a long neck and a curved beak. Adults have glossy blue-green to grey-brown feathers, and their head and neck are usually bare.
The average adult measures around 58 cm (23 inches) long and has a wingspan of around 97 cm (38 inches). The hadeda ibis live in various habitats, from open grasslands and wetlands to woodlands and savannahs.
It is an omnivorous bird, feeding insects, earthworms, amphibians, reptiles, small mammals, and some plant matter. It is a social bird and often forages in groups. The hadeda ibis is a common sight in many parts of its range.
It is not considered to be threatened with extinction. However, it is facing pressure from habitat destruction, humans hunting it for food, and the use of pesticides that kill its food sources. Conservation efforts are underway to protect the Hadeda ibis and its habitat.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Pelecaniformes |
| Family | Threskiornithidae |
| Genus | Bostrychia |
| Species | B. hagedash |
16. Common Hoopoe
The Eurasian hoopoe is a bird found across various habitats, making it the most widespread species of its genus, Upupa.
It is easily recognizable due to its distinctive coloring: its feathers are cinnamon, with black and white wings and a broad white band across its black tail. It also has a tall, erect crest and a long, narrow, downcurved bill.
When it calls out, its sound is a soft “oop-oop-oop.” This bird is a fascinating creature, with its unique pattern of feathers and its gentle call.
It is an integral part of its environment, providing a beautiful visual spectacle and a pleasant sound that can be heard throughout many habitats.
Its presence is also beneficial for its ecosystem, as it helps to spread seeds through its droppings and by disturbing the ground with its bill. The Eurasian hoopoe is a remarkable species that is worth appreciating and protecting.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Bucerotiformes |
| Family | Upupidae |
| Genus | Upupa |
| Species | U. epops |
Conclusion
The birds of Nyandarua are an essential part of the county’s rich biodiversity and play an integral role in its fragile ecosystem.
They are also a source of great delight to bird enthusiasts and all those who appreciate the beauty of nature.
We must continue to protect and conserve these birds and their habitats so that future generations can continue to enjoy them and benefit from their presence.