Come along anyway, and
relax by the beach or go birding instead!
With over 1000 bird species,
East Africahas amongst the largest number of species of
birds. Over 800 species are resident and about 200 are migratory species, with a large number of endemic species and over 56 species under threat. Tanzania
has over 80 Important Bird Areas (IBAs) covering over 167,000km2, and identified under criteria set by Birdlife International.
East
Africa is
a land of vast, dramatic landscapes
and spectacular wildlife. The landscapes range
topographically from the low-lying coastal regions up to
5825m at the peak of the highest mountain in Africa, Mt
Kilimanjaro. Habitats within these landscapes range
from lush forests, woodlands, bush & grasses, to semi-arid
country & deserts to freshwater lakes & rivers,
soda lakes, coastal beaches & reefs.
East Africa is thus home not
only to such icons as Mt Kilimanjaro, the Serengeti &
Masai Mara with the Great Wildebeest Migration, the Great
Rift Valley and Ngorongoro Crater, but also to a host
of stunning
avifauna that takes advantage of the diverse
landscapes. Tanzania's 80 Important Bird
Areas (IBAs) include regions in which there is a high
level of endemism, or that contain globally
threatened species.
Further information
about these IBAs and just a few of the species you
are likely to encounter on our East African Safaris
are listed below.
Zanzibar & Pemba
African Pygmy Kingfisher (Ispidina picta)
African Jacana (Actophilornis africanus)
Zanzibar
Zanzibar Island is famous throughout the world for its spices and for its outstanding coral reefs. With over 200 bird species on the island, there is a diverse range of avifauna here, including both endemic species and subspecies. There are two IBAs here and both are important for water birds such as terns and waders.
The indigenous Jozani Forest Reserve is the last remaining forest and is home to more than 40 bird species including several endemic species. During our 4 days in Zanzibar, you can expect to see some of the species of birds listed on the right.
Spice & Coral Island
Indigenous Forests
Endemic Species & Subspecies
Waterbird haven
Common:
African Jacana
Actophilornis africanus
African Pygmy Kingfisher
Ispidina picta
Common Greenshank
Tringa nebularia
Crab Plover
Dromas aedeola
Dark-backed Weaver
Ploceus bicolor
Dimorphic Egret
Egretta dimorpha
East Coast Akalat
Sheppardia gunningi
Mangrove Kingfisher
Halcyon senegaloides
Sooty Gull
Larus hemprichii
Whimbrel
Numenius phaeopus
Unusual or endemic* race:
Fischer's Turaco*
Tauraco fischeri
Grey Sunbird*
Cyanomitra veroxii
Little Greenbul*
Andropadus virens
Little Egret (Egretta garzetta)
Pemba
Pemba lies to the north of Zanzibar Island and about 50km off the mainland. Despite its proximity to Zanzibar, it is rarely visited by tourists and remains relatively remote. The largest remaining patch of forest, Ngezi forest, has a lush jungle-like canopy with thick cover on the forest floor and is home to four endemic species.
The nearby Misali island is covered in forest and our secluded beach retreat is surrounded by mangrove forests. During our 6 days on Pemba island, we will explore these habitats and can expect to see some of the bird species listed on the right.
The coastal region of East africa is
ecologically rich, highly diverse and home to over 450
species of birds. The coast includes thick forests,
thickets, mangroves, river inlets, saltpans, tidal mudflats
and offshore islands. The region is thus of major importance
for many water birds, including migratory waders. During
our 3 days at Ras Kutani, some of the birds you can
expect to see are listed on the right.
We hope that this has whet your appetite to come birding in Zanzibar.
Alternatively join us on a unique
Luxury Tanzania or Kenya Safari with our parent
company Conservation
Safaris. Discover an even greater number
of bird species, some unique to the sites we visit. All
our safaris take time
to observe the birds & support
conservation programs to conserve their
habitat.
We hope to see you soon on our
East Africa Diving Holidays... until then, happy
birding!
For
further information about birding in general or in East
Africa, take a look at:
Baker E. & Baker N. (2002). Important Bird Areas of Tanzania. Wildlife Conservation Society of Tanzania.
Stevenson T. & Fanshawe J. (2002). Field Guide to the Birds of East Africa. A & C Black Publishers.
Birdlife International: www.birdlife.org African Bird Club: www.africanbirdclub.org
East
Africa Diving | Zanzibar | Mafia | Pemba | Africa Diving | Whale
Sharks | Mnemba Atoll | Indian Ocean Diving info@EastAfricaDiving.com
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