The Unique birds in Uganda : Uganda is known as Africa’s premier birding destination with the list of birds found in the country topping 1000, most of these birds live only in these tropical forests with the are sightings being described as mythical while it’s believed that some of the birds living in the remote forests of Uganda may not even be classified as of yet. These birds have greatly attracted many people to come for birding safari in Uganda. These birds include;

The grey crowned Crane
The grey crowned crane is Uganda’s national bird and it is one of the unique birds in Uganda. The grey crowned crane is highly respected and protected by the law of Uganda even young children know that it is a national symbol that needs to be respected. In 1893, the then governor of Uganda, Sir Frederick Jackson chose this bird as a symbol on the Union Jack. It was approved by His Majesty George V of England to be inserted on flags flown by the governor of Uganda. The crested crane continues to be Uganda’s National bird – because of its beauty and humble ways. It appears on all instruments of the state and the national Coat of Arms.

Shoebill Stork
The shoebill is one of the most attractive birds in Uganda and pre-historic birds to Africa making it the most sought bird in the world. The shoebill is also known as “whale head”, whale-headed stork, or shoe-billed stork, a very large stork-like bird which derives its name from its enormous shoe-shaped bill. Visitors do not need to be good birders or an ornithologist to experience the bird, the bird is so impressive and without doubt the most extraordinary bird to discover in Africa for any traveller. There are a few countries in Africa where to find this impressive bird and the few; Uganda has the best sights for the shoebill stock birdwatching experiences. Thus most birders from around the world travel to Uganda to catch a rare glimpse of this clumsy giant, the type of bird was not protected and its egg were also frequently from the nets.
The Secretary bird
The secretary is considered as one of the unique birds in Uganda because of its hunting gates and speeding range. Secretary birds and caracaras are the only 2 birds of prey that hunt on the ground instead of from the air. Secretary birds’ diets consist of small rodents, amphibians, and reptiles. Human encroachment on secretary birds’ natural habitat has led the species to be classified as vulnerable to extinction. Some of its grasslands habitat has been burned and cleared for livestock. Those open areas leave little protection for the prey animals, making it hard for secretary birds to find food. Some secretary birds can make do in human-created open areas by scavenging small animals that didn’t escape the fires or other predators. The presence of humans mainly herders is known to interfere with secretary bird breeding.
Green Breasted Pitta
The green breasted pitta is also one unique bird because it is an elusive species that is rarely seen and about 44 of them are remaining in the world despite its relatively common status in the Central/East African countries. It lives a well camouflaged in the lowland tropical forest and photographing some of these little guys is a good dream. Another is the African Green Broadbill and this can only be seen in two places in the world, It can be found in the Itombwe mountains of Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda’s in Kibale national park. The specie is declining due to loss of its habitat from the forest clearing and degradation, this bird species has greatly attracted many tourists for Uganda safaris.

Great Blue Turaco
The great Blue Turaco and the white crested Turaco are some of the largest, most exquisite birds which are found in Uganda. These birds are actively hunted their meat and the feathers are liked as high commodities which has decreased their numbers. Shelley’s crimson wing is one of the world’s rarest birds and can be found on most bird bucket lists. They live in a thin trip of the mountains and the volcanoes which are known as the Albertine Rift which border Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic republic of Congo.
Winged Nightjar
The standard winged nightjar is a bird characterized by the central flight feathers which appear during the breeding season on the male. It also a dream come true to view these birds during this short time span when their feathers which can be stretched up to 38m in length. The short tailed warbler can also be found in Uganda’s forest undergrowth while these forests of the DRC and Rwanda are also home to this camouflaged species. In addition, there is the Doherty’s Bush shrike which is found in the subtropical montane forests and the moist shrubs of central Africa. These are brightly coloured birds and are one of the more common birds seen in Uganda and their population levels are table in most parts where they are found.

Bar Tailed Trogon
The bar tailed Trogon is a beautiful medium sized bird which lives in high altitude forests and has a large range throughout central and southern Africa although it’s rarely seen. Finally, is the black breasted barbet which is seen by very few individuals and is highly sought after by the bird watchers. It tends to live in the areas of conflict and it rarely seen by the tourist who come for safari tours to Uganda.
