Top 20 Must-See Birds in Uganda for First-Time Visitors

Uganda is a place to see birds. It has lots of landscapes like wetlands and forests where you can find many kinds of birds. If you are visiting Uganda for the first time, you will see new birds every day.

The country has more than 1,000 kinds of birds. You can see them when you are on a safari walking in the forest or just driving around. You do not have to be an expert to enjoy birds. If you have a guide, binoculars, and you are patient, you can have a great time watching birds in Uganda.

Uganda is perfect for people who want to see birds for the time. The country has different types of landscapes like forests, plains, lakes and mountains. Each of these places has kinds of birds. So you can see birds. Also do other things like visit gorillas, chimpanzees and go on a boat cruise.

If you are visiting Uganda for the time it is a good idea to go to many different places. You can go to Mabamba Swamp to see the Shoebill. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is great for seeing birds that you can only find in Uganda. Murchison Falls National Park has birds that live in places and near water. Queen Elizabeth National Park has different kinds of birds and landscapes.

Here are the Top 20 Must-See Birds in Uganda for First-Time Visitors. These birds will make your trip to Uganda very special.

1. Shoebill

The Shoebill is a special bird. It has a bill and a tall body. It can stay still for a time. Mabamba Swamp is one of the places to see the Shoebill.

To see a Shoebill you have to be patient. It can stay hidden, in the plants for a time.. When it moves it is very exciting. Watching a Shoebill walk in the water or fly away is an experience.

2. Great Blue Turaco

The Great Blue Turaco is a cool bird that you can find in Uganda. It is big, has blue feathers and its face has red and yellow marks. also has a tail. When you see a Great Blue Turaco for the time you will remember it.

It likes to live in forests. You can find Great Blue Turaco in places like Bwindi and Kibale. Sometimes you can hear the Great Blue Turaco before you see it. This can make your walk in the forest really exciting.

3. African Green Broadbill

A lot of people who visit Uganda want to see the African Green Broadbill. This bird is small. It is really pretty. It lives in forests. You can find the African Green Broadbill in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

You might have to be patient and look carefully to find the African Green Broadbill.. When you do it is a great moment. The African Green Broadbill reminds us that Ugandas forests have birds that you cannot find in other places.

4. African Grey Parrot

The African Grey Parrot is famous for being smart and for being able to talk like people.. Seeing one in the wild is different. You can find Grey Parrots in forests and woods. They like areas around Kibale.

Listen for the African Grey Parrots calls. Look up at the trees. The African Grey Parrots grey body can blend in with the branches. So you have to look to find one.

5. African Fish Eagle

The African Fish Eagle is one of the recognizable birds in Africa. It has a head and chest and dark wings. Its beak is yellow and strong. The Fish Eagles call is easy to recognize.

You can see the Fish Eagle near lakes and rivers in Uganda. When you are on a boat on the Nile or Lake Victoria look for the Fish Eagle on branches over the water. It likes to sit and look for fish.

6. Grey Crowned Crane

The Grey Crowned Crane is Ugandas bird. It is really beautiful. The Grey Crowned Crane has a crown on its head, white cheeks and a black neck. It is very elegant.

You can see the Grey Crowned Crane in grasslands, wetlands and farms. Watching a pair of Grey Crowned Cranes walk together is really nice. They are very pretty when they dance together.

7. Black-and-White Casqued Hornbill

The Black-and-White Casqued Hornbill is a cool bird. It has a beak and a special casque on its head, big, looks really interesting.

You can find the Black-and-White Casqued Hornbill in forests like Kibale. Watching it move from branch to branch is really cool. You can see how well it is adapted to living in the forest.

8. Yellow-billed Barbet

The Yellow-billed Barbet is a bird. It is colorful and fun to watch. You can find it in woods, gardens and at the edges of forests.

Its bright beak and body make it easy to recognize. You can take pictures of the Yellow-billed Barbet. It is also a reminder that you do not have to go into the forest to see birds. Sometimes you can find them near your hotel or camp.

9. African Pied Hornbill

The African Pied Hornbill is another bird that’s easy to recognize. It is black and white. Its beak is very distinctive. You can find it in woods and at the edges of forests.

Look for the African Pied Hornbill on branches. Moving between trees. Its beak is easy to recognize once you know what it looks like.

10. Crested Eagle

The Long-crested Eagle is a really cool bird. It likes to live in areas. Its crest and profile make it easy to recognize when it is perched on a pole or tree.

You might see the crested Eagle when you are driving between national parks in Uganda. So it is an idea to have binoculars with you when you are on the road.

11. African Jacana

The African Jacana is a bird that lives in wetlands. It has toes that let it walk on floating plants.

Look carefully around water lilies and papyrus. Watching the African Jacana walk on the plants is really cool. It is an example of how birds adapt to living in wetlands.

12. Pied Kingfisher

The Pied Kingfisher is a bird that you can find near lakes and rivers.  is black and white.  has a special way of hunting. hovers over the water. Then dives down to catch fish.

When you are on a boat you might see the Pied Kingfisher hovering over the water. It is really exciting to watch. The Pied Kingfisher is one of the reasons why Ugandas lakes and riversre so great, for birdwatching.

13. Malachite Kingfisher

The Malachite Kingfisher is a bird that lives in wetlands. The Malachite Kingfisher has a back and an orange body that looks really nice when the sun shines on it.

You can see the Malachite Kingfisher sitting quietly near water. Then the Malachite Kingfisher will make a move to catch its food. If you take a boat trip or walk in the wetlands you might see the Malachite Kingfisher. The Malachite Kingfisher is a bird but it is really nice to look at.

14. African Paradise Flycatcher

The African Paradise Flycatcher is a nice bird that lives in the woods. it has a tail and nice colors,  moves around in a nice way.

 in the forest in gardens and in wooded areas, moves quickly so you need to be patient and listen to its call to find it. A guide can help you find the Paradise Flycatcher.

15. Rwenzori Turaco

The Rwenzori Turaco is a bird that people like to see when they visit the mountains in Uganda. The Rwenzori Turaco has feathers and lives in highland forests.

To find the Rwenzori Turaco you need to walk in the forest and climb up and down.. It is worth it to see the Rwenzori Turaco. The Rwenzori Turaco is a bird that lives in a very nice place.

16. Regal Sunbird

The Regal Sunbird is a nice bird that lives in the mountains. The Regal Sunbird has colors and is fun to watch.

You can find the Regal Sunbird in the highland forests like Bwindi. It is nice to go in the morning when the birds are active. The Regal Sunbird is a bird that you will remember.

17. African Broadbill

The African Broadbill is a bird that can make your walk in the forest very special. it has a body and a special shape, lives in vegetation so it can be hard to find.. If you have a guide you can find it , is a bird that you will be happy to see.

18. Headed Saw-wing

The White-headed Saw-wing is a bird that flies in the air. The White-headed Saw-wing is nice to watch when it flies over the forest, wetlands and open areas.

You should look up when you are in areas to see the White-headed Saw-wing. Sometimes the best sightings happen when you stop and look around. The White-headed Saw-wing is a bird that can add some fun to your day.

19. Helmeted Guineafowl

The Helmeted Guineafowl is a bird that you can see in the savannah. The Helmeted Guineafowl has a spotted body and a bare head.

You can see the Helmeted Guineafowl when you are on a game drive. The Helmeted Guineafowl is a bird and likes to move around in groups. Watching the Helmeted Guineafowl can be very entertaining.

20. African Wattled Lapwing

The African Wattled Lapwing is a bird that lives in areas. The African Wattled Lapwing has feathers and a nice face.

You can see the African Wattled Lapwing in the grasslands and wetlands. The African Wattled Lapwing is a bird that’s fun to watch even if you are just starting to learn about birds.

Planning Your First Uganda Birding Experience

The way to see birds in Uganda is to visit different places. You can go to Mabamba Swamp, Kibale Forest, Bwindi, Queen Elizabeth National Park and Murchison Falls.

It is good to go birdwatching in the morning when the birdsre active. You should bring binoculars, a book about birds, comfortable shoes and a notebook. A guide can help you find the birds.

Do not worry if you do not see birds. Your trip can be special just because you saw one bird. Seeing a Shoebill in the swamp or hearing a turaco call can be something you will remember.

A Journey Worth Taking

There are birds in Uganda and this list is just a few of them. Every place you go can have a bird to see.

When you are birdwatching it is good to take your time and look around. You might see a bird that you did not expect to find. That is what makes Uganda a nice place to go birdwatching.

You can use this list to help you plan your trip.. Do not just look for the birds on the list. Look around. Listen to the birds. Give yourself time to enjoy each bird you see. Uganda is a country, with nice birds and you can see them in many different places