Top Birds in Nyungwe Forest National Park.

Nyungwe Forest National Park is a haven for bird enthusiasts, attracting thousands of enthusiasts eager to explore its unique avian life. It’s recognised by BirdLife International as one of the most important birding areas in Rwanda, and it plays a vital role in conservation efforts. As one of the oldest and most pristine tropical rainforests in Africa, it is celebrated as the best birding site in Rwanda, hosting a remarkable variety of bird species to see in Nyungwe Forest National Park. This blog will list the top birds in Nyungwe Forest National Park, which bird lovers can encounter on their safaris. The park is home to over 322 bird species, including 29 that are endemic to the Albertine Rift and can only be found in Nyungwe. The park’s diverse ecosystems provide habitat to various bird species, such as tropical rainforests, woodlands, wetlands and grasslands. Visitors can enjoy bird watching amid the dense rainforest canopy and along open forest trails. Birding is best done in the morning when birds are most active and it’s led by an experienced birder who assists travellers by identifying various birds by their calls and sounds. Whether you are a passionate birder or a curious traveller, Nyungwe offers an unforgettable experience that showcases the richness of Rwanda’s natural heritage.

Top Birds in Nyungwe Forest National Park.

Passeriformes: Nectariniidae

• Purple-breasted Sunbird.
• Olive Sunbird.
• Collared Sunbird.
• Blue-headed Sunbird.
• Scarlet-chested Sunbird.
• Red- chested Sunbird
• Bronze Sunbird
• Regal sunbird
• Rockefeller’s Sunbird
• Variable Sunbird.
• Copper Sunbird
• Northern double-collared sunbird

Passeriformes: Cisticolidae

• Kungwe Apalis
• Black-throated Apalis
• Green-backed Camaroptera
• Rwenzori Apalis
• Chestnut-throated Apalis
• Gray Apalis
• Yellow-breasted Apalis

Passeriformes: Muscicapidae

• Swamp Flycatcher
• African Dusky Flycatcher
• Ashy Flycatcher
• Yellow-eyed Black- Flycatcher
• Cape Robin-chat
• Red-Capped Robin-chat
• Archer’s Robin-Chat
• Red-throated Alethe
• Sooty chat.

Passeriformes: Ploceidae

• Black-necked Weaver
• Red-headed Weaver
• Holub’s Golden-Weaver
• Village Weaver
• Dark-backed Weaver
• Strange Weaver
• Brown-capped Weaver
• Lesser Masked-weaver

Galliformes: Phasianidae

• Red-necked Spurfowl
• Scaly Spurfowl
• Blue Quail
• Red-winged Francolin
• Common Quail
• Handsome Spurfowl
• Red–wringed Francolin
• Harlequin Quail

Strigiformes: Strigidae

• Red-chested Owlet
• Albertine Owlet
• African Wood-Owl
• Abyssinian Owl
• Spotted Eagle-Owl

Passeriformes: Leiothrichidae

• Red-collared Mountain-Babbler
• Arrow-Marked Babbler
• Black-Lored Babbler

Musophagiformes: Musophagidae

• Black-billed Turaco
• Ross’s Turaco
• Rwenzonri Turaco
• Great Blue Turaco

Columbiformes: Columbidae

• Lemon Dove
• Red-eyed Dove
• Afep Pigeon
• Speckled Pigeon
• Dusky Turtle-Dove
• Mourning Collared-Dove
• Ring-necked Dove
• Laughing Dove
• Emerald-spotted Wood –Dove
• African Green-Pigeon
• Tambourine Dove
• Namaqua Dove
• Cuculiformes: Cuculidae
• Pied Cuckoo
• Thick-billed Cuckoo
• Blue Malkoha
• White- browed Coucal
• Red-chested Cuckoo
• African Emerald Cuckoo
• Black Cuckoo
• Klaas’s Cuckoo

Passeriformes: Phylloscopidae

• Willow Warbler
• Brown Woodland-Warbler
• Red-faced Woodland-Warbler
• Wood Warbler