Birds of Tarangire National Park: Birding Guide
Birds of Tarangire National Park: Tarangire National Park is a beautiful Tanzanian national park, inhabited by a wide variety of wildlife, including birds. The park is celebrated for hosting large herds of elephants, the ancient giant baobab trees, as well as classic Tanzania safari landscapes that make your Tanzania safari unforgettable.
Travelers after photography and bird watching beyond the big five Tanzania safari should best visit Tarangire National Park. More than 500 bird species are recorded in Tarangire National Park. Tarangire hosts a great diversity of birdlife. Savannah birds, wetland species, raptors, migratory birds, and more can all be seen in Tarangire.
Why is Tarangire a Bird Watcher’s Paradise?
Tarangire National Park has a unique landscape, combining seasonal swamps, acacia woodland, riverine habitats, wetlands, and open grassland dotted by ancient baobab trees. The various habitats provide ideal conditions for different bird species in Tarangire, making it a birder’s paradise indeed. With the diversity of the landscape, travelers, even on a game drive, not really into birding, can be sure to spot a good number of birds in Tarangire National Park.
How Many Bird Species are in Tarangire National Park?
As mentioned earlier, there are over 500 bird species in Tarangire National Park. This makes the park one of the best bird-watching destinations in Tanzania. They include water birds, raptors, woodland birds, ground birds, migratory species, and endemic and near-endemic East African bird species.
Key Bird Species in Tarangire National Park.
Below are the different species of birds in Tarangire National Park that any keen birder can spot while on a Tanzania birding safari in the park.
- Endemics and Specials. The endemic birds in Tarangire include the beautiful Yellow-collared Lovebird, Ashy Starling and the Rufous-tailed Weaver.
- Tarangire National Park boasts of some of the highest concentrations of raptors in Tanzania. Bateleur, Martial Eagle, Tawny Eagle and the Secretary Bird are some of the raptors to look out for. Be sure to have a pair of binoculars to spot some of these birds in Tarangire Park.
- With the presence of seasonal wetlands and the Tarangire River, water birds are quite abundant in the park. The eastern and southern marshes of Tarangire, like the Silale Swamp, are hotspots for water birds. These include the Great White Pelican, Saddle-billed Stork, Grey Crowned Crane, and many others.
Best Birding Habitats in Tarangire National Park
Birding in Tarangire National Park can be experienced from just about anywhere; after all, the birds are not confined to one spot of the park. However, the hot spots below are for birds in Tarangire.
- Tarangire River. The Tarangire River is a vital lifeline for wildlife in Tarangire, including birds. This is more so in the dry season. Birds easily seen here include the Northern Carmine Bee-eater, Sandgrouse, and Kingfishers among so many others.
- Open Grasslands. Ground-dwelling birds in Tarangire are many, and with the vast size of the park and open plains, you are sure to see a good variety of options like Kori Bustards and the Common Ostrich.
- Acacia Woodlands. This is a birding hotspot in Tarangire National Park where you can spot colorful woodland birds. These include Von der Decken’s Hornbill, Lilac-breasted Roller, and more.
Notable Birds in Tarangire National Park
With well over 500birds, the below are notable birds in the park that many bird enthusiasts look forward to spotting on their bird watching safari in Tanzania.
- Ashy Starling. It is a locally common and endemic bird
- Red-and-yellow Barbet
- Red-bellied Parrot
- Von de Decken’s Hornbill
- White-headed Buffalo-weaver
- Rufous-tailed Weaver, which is endemic
- Northern Pied Babbler, which is Near-endemic
- African Grey Flycatcher
Best Time for Bird Watching
Bird life in Tarangire National Park is plentiful all year through. However, bird watching is especially more thrilling and at its best when the Pale Arctic and intra-African migratory birds are in the park. This is from November to April, which is the rainy season and often the low season of travel. Many resident birds in Tarangire are nesting around this time and, as such quite very easy to spot them.
What to Pack for your Tarangire Bird watching Safari
Packing right for your Tarangire National Park safari, and more especially for birding, is important. The right clothes that blend into nature, a waterproof day pack to keep your gadgets and tech safe, good and comfortable hiking boots, a birding book, a pair of binoculars, a wide-brimmed hat, water bottle, light rain jacket, and flashlight for the night excursions are a must-have.
Tanzania is an amazing birding destination. Apart from Tarangire National Park, there are several other Tanzania destinations to combine with to have a complete bird-watching safari experience. Ngorongoro Crater, Serengeti National Park, Usambara Mountains, Udzungwa and more are great birding destinations to not miss.
Ready to plan your Tarangire birding safari and beyond? Reach out to us to have us create your ultimate Tanzania birding safari.
