Bird checklist in Akagera National Park; Akagera National Park, located in the eastern part of Rwanda, is renowned for its diverse ecosystem and abundant birdlife. Spanning over 1,200 square kilometers, the park encompasses various habitats, including savannah, wetlands, lakes, and woodlands, making it a haven for birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts alike. Here’s a comprehensive bird checklist highlighting some of the avian species that call Akagera home:

Raptors:
The park’s open savannah and woodland areas provide ideal hunting grounds for various raptors.

• Martial Eagle
• Bateleur
• Tawny Eagle
• African Hawk-Eagle
• Lizard Buzzard
• Long-crested Eagle
• Black-shouldered Kite
• White-backed Vulture
• Hooded Vulture
• African fish eagle

Water birds:
Akagera National Park is renowned for its flourishing wetlands, which serve as crucial habitats for numerous water birds.

• Grey-crowned crane
• African Jacana
• African Spoonbill
• Yellow-billed Stork
• African Openbill
• Squacco Heron
• Great White Pelican
• African Darter
• Black-crowned Night Heron
• Little Grebe

Savanna and Woodland Birds:

• Lilac-breasted Roller
• Red-throated Wryneck
• Grey-headed Kingfisher
• African Hoopoe
• Green Wood Hoopoe
• Ground Hornbill
• Woodland Kingfisher
• African Grey Hornbill
• Fork-tailed Drongo
• White-browed Robin-Chat

Wetland Birds:

• Black Crake
• African Pygmy Goose
• Black Heron
• Goliath Heron
• Lesser Jacana
• Yellow-billed Duck
• African Marsh Harrier
• Greater Swamp Warbler
• Purple Heron
• Rufous-bellied Heron
• Grassland Birds:
• Wattled Starling
• Red-collared Widowbird
• Fan-tailed Widow bird
• Yellow-throated Longclaw
• Pin-tailed Whydah
• Yellow Bishop
• Long-tailed Paradise Whydah
• ZittingCisticola
• Rattling Cisticola
• Croaking Cisticola

Forest Birds:

• White-headed Saw-wing
• Black Saw-wing
• Red-faced Barbet
• Olive Woodpecker
• White-bellied Tit
• Cabanis’sGreenbul
• Grey-backed Camaroptera
• African Thrush
• Olive Thrush
• Black-headed Oriole
• Aquatic Birds:
• African Pied Wagtail
• Greater Painted-Snipe
• African Skimmer
• Greater Flamingo
• Pink-backed Pelican
• African Fish Eagle
• Grey Heron
• Black-headed Heron
• Egyptian Goose
• White-faced Whistling Duck
• Migratory Birds:
• European Bee-eater
• Common Cuckoo
• Eurasian Hobby
• Yellow Wagtail
• Common Sandpiper
• Whiskered Tern
• Wood Sandpiper
• Common Greenshan
• African Reed Warbler
• Sedge Warbler

In conclusion, the bird checklist listed above only scratches the surface of the rich avian diversity found in Akagera National Park. Birdwatchers and enthusiasts can explore the park’s various habitats to encounter numerous other species, each contributing to the vibrant ecosystem of this beautiful Rwandan wilderness. From majestic raptors to colorful songbirds, Akagera offers an unforgettable birding experience amidst its stunning landscapes, and it stands as a testament to Rwanda’s commitment to conservation and biodiversity.

Its diverse habitats support a remarkable array of bird species, from majestic raptors to diminutive songbirds, making it a paradise for birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts. As visitors explore the park’s winding trails and tranquil waterways, they are treated to an unforgettable symphony of sights and sounds, each bird adding to the park’s timeless allure.