Ovacado eating bird of prey ©muoki kioko 2016
Often referred to as ‘Hawks’ by locals, they are Nairobi’s most common ‘bird of prey’ known as Black Kites.
Bird of prey means their diet is made of meat..now that’s what got me interested in this one as i heard a ‘swash’ then it land on this pole and fed until it couldn’t eat more. The swash was off an ovacado tree. I’ve known dogs to love ovacado fruit but a bird of prey!??
Nairobi signs ©muoki kioko 2016
If you don’t see these either on lamp poles or trees as you enter the city centre from the East/Airport, then you are probably in another city.
Described as a gregarious scavenger ie likes being in groups/moving in groups scavenging dead matter and rubbish dumps – does that then describe the environment they thrive in (an environment being the total ecosystem & ALL it’s components)?? Else, where do they scavenge..
Known as a ‘marabou stork’, Nairobi is among the few known breeding sites of natures own “rubbish recycler”. Making Nairobi a good starting site to ‘bird watch’.
photos and text
©muoki kioko
2009-2016
email:muokikioko@gmail.com
Fully spread out and ready to punch, this African praying mantis took on any bird that dared imagine it had found an easy meal.
Crossing an empty tarmac road every insect eating bird around felt Christmas had come early, little did they expect to be stood up and attacked with punches on their faces and as soon as one left another descended as if to say to the others ‘how can you be defeated’.
One after another came and went as this mantis faced them. It was very clear on who it’s enemies were as it didn’t turn to face me as I closed in for this Macro shot nor a car passing over it.
Bravo champion..!
photos and text
©muoki kioko
2009-2015
email:muokikioko@gmail.com
Copyright: Muokikioko[/caption]
Very shy distinct Upland wetland birds found in undisturbed swamps of Nairobi. Easily recognizable with their flicking of tail that reveals their white rump(butt) and with a red bill with yellow tip. The slightest noise sends them into cover making watching them a very interesting affair especially when in groups. Photography of the same is even more intriguing when you have to wait half a day to a full day just for it to come out let alone face a direction you can get its face and then compose an interesting picture.
In Nairobi they can be sighted at the swamps just after Village Market near ‘Tribe Hotel’ or just before the Runda estate gate. These swamps are an extension of a swamp area that covers part of UNEP (united nations environmental program International Head Quarters) land. Water birds are an indicator of the health of the environment.
(Here’s a public transport map). This location also has fish and it’s a bonus when you find birds of prey (flesh eating birds) with a full meal on the road. Being also next to forest and quiet gardens there are numerous varieties of birds to see both nesting and feeding around here..
Bird checklist in English/French & German is here: Birds of Kenya Checklist for download
Every Teusday Morning ‘Nairobi Ringing Group’ gather at Nairobi Museum (approximately 1km from city centre) for bird ringing. Led by some of Africa’s finest bird ringers/ornithologists, birds are caught in special nets and tagged with special numbered rings(each unique) then released.
Which type of birds are caught? At times raptors (birds of prey) like this ‘little sparrowhawk’
Sometimes rarely seen doves like this ‘tambourine dove’
Other times birds that were thought not to exist in Nairobi like this ‘Grey Olive greenbul’
Other times the sweetest bird to handle(make sure you request to handle it)!
‘Grosbeaked weaver’
*ringing is done through the Ornithology Department starting 7:00am-9:30am teusdays only
Text & Images
©Muoki Kioko 2009-2013
For permissions to use images email: muokisphotography@yahoo.com
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Every wednesday mornings and every 3rd sunday of the month birders meet at ‘The National Museum’ at 8:45am and depart for a birding outing in and around Nairobi.
It is also a good starting point to select a knowledgable bird guide like “me”.
*more info on birding locations around Nairobi, purchase ‘In & about Nairobi k tour options‘ by Muoki kioko (ISBN 9966-05-161-9). either from leading bookstores or online.
Arboretum forest Park, Nairobi
nairobi Arboretum Forest park, Nairobi Kenya
This is one of the recreational forest parks of Nairobi that acted as an experiment ground for trees brought into Kenya (East Africa) so that the railway line may have enough timber for it’s coal engines. Today (100+ years later) it has over 200 species both local and indigenous. A good spot for quiet time. Also a good place for bird watching. Remember to register at main gate if entering as a group, birdwatching, photographing or intending to take video clips – they have guidelines on these.
Nairobi 