INSPIRE BEYOND BOOKS : OLOI AND THE LOVE FOR BIRDS

OLOI AND THE LOVE FOR BIRDS

Kenya has some of the best bird watching opportunities in the world and there are an estimated 1,070 species in Kenya alone, making it possible to spot over a hundred species each day. With a variety of habitat, from forest and scrub, to water and city, Kenya is a fantastic destination for dedicated ornithologists and anyone with a passing interest in birds.On the open savannah, where most safaris are conducted, you will likely spot eagles, vultures and the Ground Hornbill, which stands at around 110cm in height. Also in abundance are ox-peckers, snowy egrets, sunbirds and bustards, and you can’t fail to notice Ostriches, the world’s tallest birds. Near water you can see flamingos, kingfishers, hammerkops, love birds, plovers, herons, storks and African fish eagles, as well as breeding pairs of ospreys.In and near woodland, of which Kenya has in abundance, there are bee-eaters, drongos, hornbills, shrikes, lilac-breasted rollers and barbets. Even the cities harbour an abundance of bird life, with large flocks of wagtails and weaver birds, to name but two species.Bird watching in Kenya is a fantastic and rewarding experience. Just don’t forget to bring your binoculars and field guide! –

Below are some of the birds we have caught on camera during our tours

Common Ostrich – males have a black body with contrasting white wings and tail, which are often stained brown. The neck and legs are pink-grey, which turn bright pink in the breeding season. Females and immature are grey-brown. Usually found in dry open plains and lightly wooded grasslands

Grey Heron – A large slim grey heron with a distinctive white neck with a line of black streaks down the front. The white forehead and crown contrast strongly with the black line which runs from behind the eyes and ends in a wispy crest. The bill is yellowish brown, the eyes eyes yellow and the legs brown. Breeding birds have orange-red eyes and reddish legs. In flight the head and neck are tightly tucked in, as in all herons, and the underwings are seen to be entirely grey. Sexes are similar, and immature is paler than adult and has a grey crown. Usually solitary, occurring on lakes, swamps and ponds, and along rivers. Very few nest sites are known, leading ornithologists to believe that the majority of these birds breed elsewhere in Africa.

Great White Egret- Largest of the white egrets and almost as large as the Grey Heron. It is all white , slender –bodied and long-necked and has long, all black legs, a long strong yellow bill and a distinctive thin black line extending from the gape to behind the eyes. The similar yellow billed Egret is smaller and has a thin black line extending from the gape to immediately below the eyes. During breeding the bill turns black and long nuptial plumes grow down the back. Sexes are like. Usually solitary, except when roosting or breeding, it occus along the edges of swamps, lakes and rivers, in open water. Flies with its head and neck tucked tightly into its shoulders

Lesser Flamingo

Unmistakable, this bird is best distinguished from the greater flamingo by its smaller size and deeper pink plumage. The dark red, black tipped bill also distinguishes it and is diagnostic. Sexes are alike and immature is drab greyish white, with a grey brown bill and legs. Highly gregarious birds, they occur almost exclusively on alkaline lakes. Lesser flamingos are surface feeders, filtering their food from the top few centimeters of the water. Greater Flamingos by contrast, filter their food from the bottom mud in shallow water

African White – Backed Vulture

A large, uniform brown vulture with a dark head and neck and a white ruff at the base of the neck. The eyes are dark and the bill is black. The white back and rump are seen only in flight or when the wings are held open. The white forewing is distinctive. Sexes are alike but immature is a darker uniform brown without white on the back or rump. Roosts and nests in trees often near water. The commonest vulture of game country.

location – Nakuru

Vulturine Guinea Fowl

A large distinctive looking guineafowl with long legs and with long pointed tail feathers. The small, grey –coloured bare head with a tuft of velvety brown feathers on the nape is characteristic. The feathers of the neck and chest are long long and pointed with white stripes and cobalt blue edges, and the breast and sides of the chest are bright cobalt –blue. The back, belly and wings are black with small white spots. Sexes are alike but female is slightly smaller than the male. Immature is duller than the adult. Highly gregarious, occurring in large flocks in dry desert and thornbush country. Usually seen at dawn and dusk, often approaching water.

Verreaux’s Eagle Owl- Larger than the spotted Eagle- Owl and generally grey in colour, finely vermiculated brown, the face is distinctly paler and is edged with black, the eyes are dark with conspicuous pink eyelids, and the bill is white. The ear tufts are small and not always visible. Sexes are alike but female is larger than male. Immature resembles adult but is browner. Occurs in acacia woodland and bush, and in savannah country, often along rivers and water courses. Also found in cultivated country. Preffers large trees where it typically roosts on a large branch in deep shade. The bird’s call, a deep low, hu hu hu hoo is often heard – both during the day and at night.

Red billed Hornbill

The slender, all red bill and white spotted black wings render this hornbill unmistakable. Female is similar to male but is smaller and has a smaller bill. Immature resembles adult but has a much shorter brownish-coloured bill. A common species, it is usually seen in pairs feeding on the ground on insects seeds and scorpions. Occurs in semi-arid savannahs and thornbush country where its monotonous kok kok kok call is a characteristic feature.