Rwanda is home to a variety of beautiful and colorful birds, including the rare and majestic blue bird. Found in the lush forests of the country, these birds are a sight to behold.
With their vibrant blue feathers, these birds have become a symbol of Rwanda’s natural beauty and have been celebrated in culture and folklore for centuries. They are also an important part of the country’s bird-watching tourism industry.
From their graceful flight across the sky to their unique song, these birds are a delight to observe in their natural habitat.
1. Pittas
Pittas are a family of passerine birds, known as Pittidae, found in Asia, Australasia, and Africa. There are a total of 44 different species of pittas, all of which share a similar appearance and behavior.
These birds are classified as Old World suboscines, which means they are closely related to other birds in the Smithornis and Calyptomena genera. Pittas are usually between 16-27 centimeters in length and have short, rounded wings.
They have strong legs and their bodies are typically covered in colorful feathers. They are mostly found in tropical and subtropical forests, although some species may inhabit grasslands or wetlands. Pittas are omnivores, which means they eat both plants and animals.
They are mostly active during the day, and their diet consists of insects, worms, snails, small lizards, fruits, and berries. They usually hunt for food on the ground, but they may also occasionally forage in the trees.
Pittas are known for their colorful plumage, which can range from shades of blue, to green, and red. These birds also have loud, melodic calls which they use to communicate with one another. In general, pittas are solitary birds that live alone or in pairs.
They make their nests in tree hollows, on the ground, or in the crevices of rocks. During the breeding season, male pittas will perform a courtship display to attract a mate. This display includes singing, bowing, and hopping around while fluffing its feathers.
Once a female has been chosen, the birds will build a nest together and share the responsibility of incubating the eggs and feeding the chicks.
Pittas are an important part of the ecosystem, as they help to control the populations of small insects and other animals that they feed on. They are also important seed dispersers, helping to spread the seeds of various plants throughout the environment.
Unfortunately, some species of pittas are threatened or endangered due to habitat loss and hunting. Conservation efforts are being made to protect these birds and ensure their survival.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Pittidae |
2. Grey-crowned Crane
The grey-crowned crane is a bird from the crane family Gruidae, and it is known by many different names.
It is commonly referred to as 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, and it has a distinctive grey crown on its head. It is mainly white in color, with black on its wings and neck, and it has a long, curved bill. It has a large wingspan, and it is able to fly quite well.
The grey-crowned crane is found in parts of Africa and it is known for its elaborate mating dances, which can be quite spectacular to watch. It is an omnivore and it feeds mainly on seeds, insects, small mammals, and other small animals.
The grey-crowned crane is an important species, as it helps to control insect populations in its habitat, and it plays an important role in the ecosystem.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Gruiformes |
| Family | Gruidae |
| Genus | Balearica |
| Species | B. regulorum |
3. African Fish Eagle
Source: Wikipedia
The African fish eagle, also known as the African sea eagle, is a beautiful bird species found across sub-Saharan Africa. It is most commonly seen near large bodies of water with an abundant food supply, making it an important part of the local ecosystems.
The African fish eagle is a majestic sight, with its large wingspan and unique black and white feathered wings. It is also the national bird of four nations: Malawi, Namibia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
As a result, it is known by many different names in various languages, making it a symbol of unity amongst many people.
The African fish eagle is an iconic species that plays an important role in the African landscape, providing a vital source of food for humans and wildlife alike.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Accipitriformes |
| Family | Accipitridae |
| Genus | Icthyophaga |
| Species | I. vocifer |
4. Woodland Kingfisher
The woodland kingfisher is a species of kingfisher that is found in many parts of Africa south of the Sahara. It is a type of tree kingfisher, meaning that it prefers to inhabit woodland and forested areas.
This kingfisher is a medium-sized bird, with males typically measuring around 24 cm from the beak to the tip of the tail feathers. It is mostly brown in color, with a distinctive white stripe on the top of the head, a pale blue throat, and a bright blue breast.
This species of kingfisher is known for its loud, distinctive call, which can be heard throughout the woodland and forest areas it inhabits. Woodland kingfishers feed primarily on insects, although they will also eat some small fish, frogs, and lizards.
They hunt by perching in a tree and waiting for prey, before quickly swooping down to catch the insect or small animal. This species of kingfisher is widely distributed in Africa south of the Sahara.
It is also found in Angola, Botswana, Ethiopia, Kenya, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania, and Zambia. They are not considered endangered, although their numbers have been decreasing in some areas due to habitat destruction.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Coraciiformes |
| Family | Alcedinidae |
| Genus | Halcyon |
| Species | H. senegalensis |
5. Blue-Headed Sunbird
The blue-headed sunbird is a species of bird that belongs to the family Nectariniidae. This species of bird is native to the African countries of Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, and Uganda.
It is a medium-sized bird, with an average length of 12-14 cm and a wingspan of 18-20 cm. It has striking plumage, consisting of a blue head, and a bright yellow or orange chest, with a black or dark brown back and wings.
The blue-headed sunbird is an agile and active bird, moving swiftly through the air and often seen flitting from flower to flower as they feed on nectar, pollen, and insects. They can also be seen in mixed-species flocks, foraging for food in the undergrowth.
These birds are monogamous, and both the male and female take part in the nesting process. The female builds a cup-shaped nest out of grass, bark, and moss, while the male feeds the female during the nesting period.
The blue-headed sunbird is a common species in its range and is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Nectariniidae |
| Genus | Cyanomitra |
| Species | C. alinae |
Conclusion
Bluebirds in Rwanda are a great asset to the environment and to the people of Rwanda. They offer a variety of benefits to both the environment and people, such as providing food, controlling pests, and helping to pollinate plants.
Bluebirds in Rwanda have seen a steady decline in population due to habitat loss and degradation, but with proper conservation efforts, there is hope that their numbers will rebound.