Uganda is the most fascinating country in Africa to most bird watchers due to the rare number of species documented within its regions and it provides quick access to a variety of bird-rich habitats which can not be found else where. Uganda’s unusual avian diversity of about 1,008 species recorded in a place alike to that of the Great Britain can be greatly attributed to its geographical location at its transitional view between the semi-desert of the north, the West African rainforest and East African savanna.

A key towards Uganda’s diversity is its wide variety habitats: volcanoes and an Afro-alpine zone arid semi-dessert, rich savannahs, plateau and montane rainforests, vast wetlands, Uganda altitude ranges from 650 to 5000m.
The Logic of Uganda’s intermediary post is that only one bird is common and strong to the country, rather than the ordinary Fox’s weaver. If only East Africa is taken into consideration, then 150 bird species are approximately found in Uganda. The list involves 7 of the 20 hornbill species registered in the area, 5 of the 14 honey guides, 7 out of 20 hornbill species registered in the area, 5 of the 20 bush family and 13 members from thrush family, four tinker birds, 3 sparrow hawks, 3 cuckoos, 11 warblers, eight sun birds, eight weavers, eight finches, four pigeons, 3 kingfishers, 3 nightjars and ten flycatchers.
Majority of Uganda’s species are Congolese and West African forest birds which are not easy to be seen elsewhere because in those countries in which those birds are habitated are so poorly developed for Tourism sector. Rain forests from Western Uganda must definitely be seen as the country’s vital bird habitat therefore that is the world’s greatest interest to bird watching especially if they are already used to typical East African birds. One of the most attractive forests within Uganda with localized bird species are Kibale Forest, Budongo Forest, Bwindi Forest plus Semliki. Nevertheless, Kibale is Uganda’s favorite spot for forest birds and it is neighboring Magombe swamp. Also the absolutely tame botanical gardens in Entebbe favor a variety of interesting species.

However therefore if you want to watch a variety of birds in Uganda for safari and tour enthusiast, Endeavour to visit Entebbe (forest birds plus water), Kidepo (more than 50 raptors recorded)., Murchison Falls (a best place in East Africa to see the Papyrus-associated shoebill), Lake Mburo (acacia associated birds plus water) finally Queen Elizabeth (more than 600 species are recorded),

  • BELOW IS A LIST OF SOME OF THE BIRD SPECIES IN UGANDAOstrich, it is the World’s largest bird commonly found in Kidepo Valley National Park.
  • Pelicans, they are water birds restricted to Kazinga Channel in Queen Elizabeth National Park. 
  • African darter, this is a snake bird that has an elongated rufus neck with an extension in a serpentine fashion.
  • Goliath heron, it is usually seen in the course of boat trips in Murchison Falls National Park.
  • Hamerkop, it is a moderate sized water bird seen on the Mweya Peninsula in Queen Elizabeth National Park.
  • Saddle billed stork, it is the largest also the most good looking amongst storks commonly watched in pairs on game drives at Murchison falls.
  • Marabou stork, it is a Macabre carrion-eating stork found in urban and rural surroundings most especially in down town Kampala.
  • Shoebill, obiviously huge grey swamp-dweller. It is the major motivating factor spear heading many ornithological tours and safaris to Uganda. These are seen mainly in, Mabamba Swamp, Murchison fall and Semliki Wildlife Reserve. 
  • Flamingos, surprising and social pink-white algae eaters mostly seen in large concentrations of Katwe plus Flamingo crater lakes in Queen Elizabeth National Park.
  • African Fish Eagle, Unusual grey snake- mostly eats raptor.
  • Helmeted guinea fowl
  • Africa Jacana; usually found in most wetlands of Uganda
  • Grey crowned crane; this is Uganda’s national bird found in grasslands plus swamps
  • African grey parrot; it is commonly seen in forested areas.
  • Great blue turaco; they are found in forested areas like Entebbe Botanical gardens
  • Ross’s turacco 
  • Eastern grey plantain-eater
  • African emerald cuckoo
  • Coucals
  • Verreaux’s eagle-owl; most owl species found in Uganda are usually seen during night safari tours and drives.
  • Pennant/standard winged nightjars; normally seen on the road leading to the highest part of Murchison falls after dusk.
  • Pied Kingfisher
  • Giant Kingfisher
  • Malachite Kingfisher
  • Red-throated bee-eater; it breeds in tall sandbanks along the Nile below Murchison falls and Lake Albert.
  • Lilac-breasted roller
  • Hoopoe
  • Black and white casqued hornbill
  • For-tailed drongo
  • Piacpiac; usually found at Murchison falls and Jinja.
  • African Finfoot
  • Jackson’s francolin
  • Denham’s bustard
  • African skimmer
  • Blue throated roller
  • Black bee eater
  • Forest/white headed wood hoope
  • African pied hornbill
  • Chocolate-backed kingfisher
  • Papyrus gonolek
  • Red headed bluebill and so many others