Birds of Murchison falls national park

Murchison falls National Park is one of the best tourist destinations in Uganda and East Africa situated in the western region of Uganda in Masindi district, Murchison falls national park is a largest national park covering an area of 1952 square kilometers. Murchison falls national park consists of many attractive features including the magnificent Murchison falls, birds and animals.

Murchison falls national park is an important birding site and a habitant to a wide range of bird species recorded to be approximately 451 bird species which are easily spotted in the park, Murchison falls national park is dominated by woodland, savannah grasslands and riverine forests which provide a perfect habitant for numerous bird species. Murchison falls National Park is also composed of Albert Nile bank and Victoria which are also habitants for birds, the park is a habitant to numerous types of bird species such as Albertine rift endemic birds, water birds and savannah bird species, some bird species in the national park are rare, common and rare birds. Occasional and rare birds habiting in Murchison falls national park include Gray crowned crane, Giant Kingfisher, Giant Heron, Shoebill stork, Abyssinian Ground Hornbills, Nightjars, Marabou stork, Black headed lapwing, Back-bellied Bustard  and many more.

 Murchison falls National Park has been recognized as one of the best place to view the prehistoric-looking shoe bill stork in Africa which are best spotted in dry season in periods of January to march, birds in the park include  Shoe bill, African Darter, Giant Kingfisher, Osprey, Long-toed Plover, Grey-headed Kingfisher, Veracious Dove, Black-headed Lapwing, Abyssinian Ground Hornbill, Rock Pratincole, Yellow-fronted Tinkerbird, Black-billed Barbet, Long-tailed Nightjar bird, Weaver Birds, Yellow-billed Stork, Martial Eagle, Silver bird, Gray crowned crested crane, Sandpipers, Pied Kingfishers, Standard-winged Nightjar, Malachite Kingfishers, Blue-headed Coucal, Denham’s Bustard, Swamp Flycatcher, Giant Heron, African Jacana, Secretary Bird, Read-throated Bee eater, Saddle-billed stork, Senegal Thick-Knee, Red winged Grey Warbler, palm nut vulture, Piapiac, speckle-fronted weaver, Squacco heron, white-browed sparrow-weaver, Denham’s bustard, black-headed coucal, black billed barbet, African jacana, African qualifinch, Abyssinian ground hornbill and many more.

Murchison falls national park receives migratory bird species in period of November to April, these birds migratory from areas surrounding Murchison falls and Uganda most especially from democratic republic of Congo forests.

Places to view birds in Murchison falls national park

Budongo forest

Budongo forest is a home for many bird species which are seen while on a guided nature walk in the forest upon visiting Murchison falls national park, the forest is a habitant to approximately 360 species of birds with 2 endemic species that is Yellow-footed flycatcher and Puvel’s illadopsis. Other bird species in the park include African dwarf kingfisher, Black-eared ground thrush, Blue-breasted kingfisher, Brown twin spot, Cassin’s hawk eagle, Cassin’s spine tail, Chestnut-capped flycatcher, Chocolate-backed kingfisher, Crested Guinea fowl, Crowned eagle, Grey-headed sunbird, Ituri batis, Lemon-bellied Crombec, Little green sunbird, Olive-breasted greenbul and many more.

 Lake Albert delta

 Lake Albert Nile is an area where Victoria Nile enters into Lake Albert situated in south western region of Murchison falls national park, while in this area you get to see a good number of birds hiding in the shrubs and fronting vegetation in the waters. Birds like shoe bill, king fishers, pied giant malachite, francolin, grey heron, woodpecker, warblers, ducks, geese, woodpecker and many more. These birds are easily spotted while on a boat cruise on the bottom of the waterfalls.

Near Parra and red chilli

Birds in Murchison falls national park are also spotted in shrubs around paraa safari lodge and red chill lodge.

Kaniyo pabidi forest

Kaniyo pabidi forest is a great birding watching spot in Murchison falls national park situated in the south region of Murchison falls national park 8 kilometers from kichumbanyobo gate. This forest is a home to many bird species such as Ituri batis, yellow footed fly catcher, white thighed horn bill, Puvel’s illadopsis and many more. These birds are easily spotted while on forest nature walk in the forest.

Birds in Murchison national park are easily spotted on activities like

Game drive and guided nature works where you get to spot birds like common and rare bird species in the savannah vegetation and thick forests such as marabou storks, Abyssinian ground horn bill, secretary birds, black bellied bustards, open billed stock and many more.

Boat cruise where you get to spot majorly water bird species living in thickets and woodland around the river banks such as malachite king fishers, pied giant malachite, francolin, grey heron, woodpecker, warblers, ducks, geese, woodpecker and many more.

Best time to go bird watching in Murchison falls national park

Murchison falls national park is a home to a large population of birds which are able to be spotted throughout the year, for a tourists visiting the park purposes to enjoy the colorful bird life the best time to visit Murchison falls national park is the period of January to March and November to April. The period of January to march are typically dry and a low season which facilitates easy moving through the park and spotting of various bird species (birds are plenty in the park). In the period of November and April the park receives migratory bird species thus being a perfect time for bird watching in Murchison falls national park.

In the months of April to May and August to October Murchison falls national park are typically wet which heavy rains which makes the trails in the park to be typically muddy and slippery, this makes bir watching expedition a little bit hard though not impossible.

What to carry to bird watching safari in Murchison falls national park  

Right equipments and gadgets plays a great role in making your bird watching experience in Murchison falls national park amazing and the best of your life in the park by facilitating easy viewing of the birds, these equipments include binoculars, sun glasses, comfortable hiking shoes, birders guide book, a pointer, a bag pack, drinking water and many more.

Accommodation in Murchison falls national park

While on a safari in Murchison falls national park, accommodation can be got from fort Murchison safari lodge, Chobe safari lodge, Murchison River lodge, Nile safari lodge, paraa safari lodge, pakuba safari lodge, Murchison tree house, geo lodges, Amuka safari lodge, baker’s lodge and many more. These areas offer comfortable sleeping rooms and delicious meal types.