Birdlife is part of the rich biodiversity of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, situated within the south-western side of Uganda. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is popular for being home to almost half the World’s population of Mountain gorillas in addition to diverse species of trees, plants, butterflies, Reptiles and Amphibians among others.

Although not usually emphasized, the birdlife in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is a genuine reason to visit the magnificent destination. This forest National Park is home to over 350 species of birds.

Popular species of birds in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Of the 350 species of birds in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, there are several Albertine Rift endemic species (over 23 species hence 90% of the total Albertine endemic birds), 14 species confined to Bwindi, several forest birds and many other unique species not spotted in other places of the country.

Commonest species are Palmnut vultures, Kivu ground thrush, African harrier hawk, red-headed bluebill, giant kingfishers, white-tailed blue flycatchers, African harrier hawk, Red-throated Alethe, Collared Apalis, Olive-breasted greenbul, Giant kingfisher, Black-billed turaco, Grauer’s broadbill, Chestnut-throated Apalis, Emerald Cuckoo, African wood owl, Sheller’s Crimsonwing, Dwarf Honeyguide, Bar-tailed trogon, Lagden’s bush-shrike, chapins fly catcher, African green pigeon, Regal Sunbird, Grauer’s rush warblers, Montane Oriole, African green broadbill, Dusky Twinspot, common bulbul, Archer’s robin-chat, Black-faced Rufous warblers, short-tailed warblers, Mountain masked Apalis, Strange Weaver, Regal Sunbird, Rwenzori batis, handsome francolin, cinnamon-chested bee-eater, Purple-breasted sunbirds, Crowned hornbill, Grey guckoo-shrike, handsome francolin, African green pigeon, blue-headed sunbirds, and many others.

Best birding places in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

The commonest birding trails with high chances of spotting numerous species of birds are the Mubwindi swamp trail in Ruhija, Buhoma waterfall trail in Buhoma sector, the Bamboo zone and many others. Of all the four sectors of the Park, Ruhija sector is the best for seeing the rich birdlife in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Best time for spotting the birdlife in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Birdlife in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park can be spotted all year round. The dry season-months of January, February, June, July, August, September and December are usually chosen for the dry trails and scarcer vegetation that make hiking easier. The wet months-March, April, May, October, and November are usually the breeding season thus more bird species will be spotted while the migratory species of birds can also be seen. Birds of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park mainly nest in the months of May and June because there is also plenty of food for them.

The early morning hours are perfect for birding in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park because numerous species including Rwenzori batis, cinnamon-chested bee-eater and western green tinker can be seen.