Kenyan Endemics

Kenyan Endemics

The birds listed below are all Kenyan specialities; species and races that are unique to Kenya, or species that are known from only two or three countries, one of which is Kenya. The terms used to describe the bird's status are taken from the IUCN Red List. We've noted the status for those that are critically endangered, endangered or vulnerable. The full list is: Extinct, Extinct in the wild, Critically Endangered, Endangered, Vulnerable, Lower Risk, Data Deficient and Not Evaluated.

Williams' Lark, Mirafra williamsi

Endemic to N Kenya and known from only two areas: the black larva desert near Marsabit and stands of Barleria shrubs in the rocky larva areas north-east of Isiolo. There are no breeding records and little is known about the bird although it has been known since 1955.

Sharpe's Longclaw, Macronyx sharpei

Found in short grassland in the highlands of western and central Kenya between 2000-3400m. It may reach Uganda on the western side of Mt. Elgon. It resembles the Yellow-throated Longclaw but is smaller and lives at higher elevations. It is Endangered by a rapid reduction in the extent of it's habitat. UNEP WCMC Fact sheet
Other Names: Sharpe's Pipit, Anthus sharpei

Hinde's Babbler, Turdoides hindei

Endemic to a small area of central Kenya, with an estimated total population of around 500, it inhabits scrub in the foothills (1300m-1500m) around the South and East of Mt. Kenya. The species is Vulnerable as it depends on secondary vegetation and open woodland much of which is threatened by intensive farming, see UNEP WCMC fact sheet.

Taita Thrush, Turdus (olivaceus) helleri

Confined to the Ngangao and Mbololo forest on the Taita Hills and Mount Kasigau in SE Kenya. The species has a range of around 3.5km² and is classified as Critically Endangered see UNEP WCMC fact sheet.

Aberdare Cisticola, Cisticola aberdare

A highland Cisticola found around in grassland near to the Rift valley around Molo, Mau Narok and in the Aberdares at elevations above 2100m. It is classed as endangered because of loss of habitat.UNEP WCMC fact sheet

Tana River Cisticola, Cisticola restrictus

A rare and elusive bird known only from the lower Tana River. So elusive in fact, that it's not even certain that the species exists. Only six or seven specimens have ever been found and it has not been detected for around 30 years.

Montane White-eye, Zosterops poliogastor

A polytypic group of humid, highland forest forms (generally found above 1500m). There is much discussion/debate on the exact number of distinct Montane White-eyes and also on the individual status of each; poliogastor may well embrace more than one species. The following are Kenyan endemics:

• Kulal White-eye, Zosterops poliogaster kulalensis: A grey-bellied form found in a small area of forest on Mt. Kulal, where by 1980 only 40 km² remained under trees. Because of the very small range the Kulal White-eye is classified as Vulnerable. UNEP WCMC fact sheet. See Threatened Birds of Kenya - Kulal White-eye for more recent information about this bird.
• Taita White-eye, Zosterops poliogaster silvanus: Found in SE Kenya around the Taita Hills. Despite being one of the most numerous birds of the Taitas and capable of foraging far from the forested areas, it is classified as Endangered because of the limited habitat within a small range. UNEP WCMC fact sheet.
• Kikuyu White-eye, Zosterops poliogaster kikuyuensis: Found on Mt Kenya and in the Aberdares.

Forest or Sokoke Batis, Batis mixta ultima

A fairly common bird from the Arabuko-Sokoke Forest south to Shimba Hills. While this race is noted by Zimmerman et al and Sibley & Monroe as being an endemic, Zimmerman does cite some evidence to suggest that intergrading occurs with Batis mixta mixta.

Clarke's Weaver, Ploceus golandi

This bird is known only from the Kilifi-Sabaki area of the Kenyan coast, mostly in the Arabuko-Sokoke Forest. Regularly observed in the Sokoke, but never between January and March and there are no breeding records. Its annual disappearance for three months may indicate that it breeds away from the Sokoke Forest. It is classified as Endangered because of it's range, see UNEP WCMC fact sheet.

East African Endemics and Other Limited Distribution Species.

Moorland Francolin, Francolinus psilolaemus

Found in Ethiopia, Kenya and eastern Uganda. In central Kenya it's local and uncommon above 2300m on the Mau Escarpment, the Aberdares and Mount Kenya. Quite common above 3000m on Mount Elgon on the Ugandan border.

Chestnut-Naped, Francolinus castaneicollis

Not one to travel to Kenya for since it's only been recorded once, in 1975, at Moyale near the Ethiopian border. Outside Kenya it's found only in Ethiopia and Somalia.
Other Names: Ethiopian Francolin

Jackson's Francolin, Francolinus jacksoni

Believed until quite recently to be a Kenyan endemic, Jackson's Francolin is found in Ethiopia, Uganda and in Kenya in the Aberdares and on Mount Kenya where it is fairly common and in smaller numbers in the Mau forest and Cherangani Hills. Despite it's restricted range it's not regarded as threatened because of the numbers which are present.

Heuglin's Bustard, Neotis heuglinii

Limited to Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Somalia and Kenya. Uncommon in Kenya, mainly to the east of Lake Turkana, north and North-West of Mt. Marsabit and in the North-East corner near the Somali and Ethiopian borders. Occasionally wanders South, as far as the centre of Tsavo East National Park.

African White-winged Dove, Streptopelia reichenowi

Restricted to river valleys in south-eastern Ethiopia, southern Somalia and north-eastern Kenya. In Kenya common along the Daura River on the Ethiopian border.
Other Names: White-winged Dove, White-winged Collared Dove, White-winged Ringed Dove, Reichenow's Dove.

Fischer's Turaco, Tauraco fischeri

Found in coastal areas of southern Somalia, Kenya and northern Tanzania. In Kenya present all along the coast where suitable forest is present and inland along the Tana River as far as Garsen.
Other Names: Black-crested Turaco

Hartlaub's Turaco, Tauraco hartlaubi

Found in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda but only definitely known to breed in Kenya, Hartlaub's Turaco's range is centred around the Kenyan Highlands. It's usually found in evergreen forests in highlands but can also be seen in gardens around Nairobi and Nanyuki.
Other Names: Black-crested Turaco

Sokoke Scops-Owl, Otus ireneae

Another Kenyan bird that is Endangered because of it's small range, this small owl was only discovered relatively recently (1966). It inhabits the Arabuko-Sokoke Forest near the Kenyan coast and possibly the lowlands of the Usambara Mountains of Tanzania. It may also be present in the Mundane range north of Sokoke.UNEP WCMC fact sheet
Other Names: Morden's Scops-Owl

Forbes-Watson's Swift, Apus berliozi

Only known from Yemen, Somalia and Kenya. A scarce, non-breeding visitor in Kenya, near forests on the southern half of the coast.
Other Names: Berlioz's Swift, Watson's Swift

White-headed Mousebird Colius leucocephalus

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Somali Bee-eater, Merops revoilii

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Black-billed Wood-hoopoe, Phoeniculus somaliensis

Sometimes lumped with the Violet Wood-hoopoe, Phoeniculus damarensis and the Green Wood-hoopoe, Phoeniculus purpureus as a single species, the Black-billed Wood-hoopoe is found in Eritrea, Ethiopia, Somalia, Sudan and Kenya. Limited to north-eastern Kenya where it's fairly common in open bush and riparian woodland.

Jackson's Hornbill, Tockus jacksoni

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Mombasa Woodpecker, Campethera mombassica

A woodland bird, endemic to Somalia, Kenya and Tanzania. In Kenya fairly common in coastal woodland and along the Tana River as far as Garissa.

Friedmann's Lark, Mirafra pulpa

A rare lark found only in Ethiopia and Kenya. Very few sightings in Kenya, mostly from Tsavo East and Tsavo West, although it's also been seen on the Uaso Nyiro River near Samburu.

Gillett's Lark, Mirafra gilletti

Recorded in Somalia, eastern Ethiopia and Kenya. Don't go to Kenya especially for this one though, it's known only from specimens taken near the Somali border in 1901.

Collared Lark, Mirafra Collaris

An African endemic found in Kenya, Somalia and Ethiopia. In Kenya mostly found in the North-East. It prefers bushed grassland in arid areas usually on red soils.

Somali Short-toed Lark, Calandrella Somalica

Depending on who you read this is either a race of the Lesser Short-toed Lark, Calandrella rufescens; a species with two subspecies,athensis and megalensis or two distinct species, C. somalensis and C. athensis. We've followed Zimmerman et al. and treated it as one species. It's found in Somalia, Ethiopia, Kenya and Tanzania. In Kenya, mostly found in the South, from Nairobi through to Tanzania. Locally common on short grass plains, appearing in large numbers after heavy rains.
Other Names: Rufous Short-toed Lark, Athi Short-toed Lark

Masked Lark, Spizocorys personata

A dry country lark of Ethiopia and Kenya. In Kenya found in three areas; from the Ethiopian border to the Galgalu desert; Marsabit; and, the most easily accessed area, the Shaba game reserve, where it may be found in the same areas as Williams' Lark.

Malindi Pipit, Anthus melindae

A coastal lark of dry, open country, found in Somalia and Kenya. In Kenya it's restricted to the northern coast from Malindi North and inland along the Tana River Delta in areas of short grass subject to flooding.

Sokoke Pipit, Anthus sokokensis

Restricted to the coastal forests of Kenya and Tanzania, in Kenya it is found in the Arabuko-Sokoke forest and possibly in the nearby Shimba hills. It may already be extinct in Tanzania and is Endangered in Kenya because of it's very small range.UNEP WCMC fact sheet

Pangani Longclaw, Macronyx aurantiigula

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Fischer's Greenbul, Phyllastrephus fischeri

Found in Somalia, Kenya, Tanzania and Mozambique. In Kenya it's common (but shy) in forest and woodland along the coast, the lower Tana River and in the Shimba Hills.

Tiny Greenbul, Phyllastrephus debilis

Local in lowlands of Kenya, Tanzania, Zimbabwe and Mozambique. Distribution in Kenya is restricted to the Arabuko-Sokoke forest and the Shimba Hills National Park.
Other Names: Slender Bulbul

Black-lored Babbler Turdoides sharpei

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Scaly Babbler, Turdoides squamulatus

Coastal Babbler endemic to East Africa in Kenya, Ethiopia and Somalia. In Kenya local and uncommon along the coast from Mombasa northwards and inland along the Tana River.
Other Names: Squamulated Babbler

Northern Pied Babbler, Turdoides hypoleucus

Endemic to Kenya and Tanzania. In Kenya it is found only in the southern half of the country to the east of the Rift Valley. It's usual habitat is bush, savannah, forest edge - and Nairobi gardens.

Scaly Chatterer, Turdoides aylmeri

Found in Somalia, Ethiopia, Kenya and Tanzania. In Kenya, local in dry scrub to the North, East and South of the central highlands.

East Coast Akalat, Sheppardia gunningi

A lowlands bird of Kenya, Tanzania, Mozambique and Malawi. Quite common in the Arabuko-Sokoke forest and also found at Rabai, Shimoni, the Shimba Hills and the lower Tana River in Kenya. Classed as Vulnerable because of its small range and threats to its forest habitat. WCMC fact sheet
Other Names: Gunning's Robin, Gunnings Akalat, Eastern Akalat

Alpine Chat, Cercomela sordida

A bird of alpine moorlands in Ethiopia, Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania. Found above 4000m in Kenya on Mt. Elgon, the Cherenganis, Aberdares and Mt. Kenya.
Other Names: Mountain Chat, Moorland Chat, Hill Chat

Chapin's Flycatcher, Muscicapa lendu

Mountain forests of DR Congo, Uganda and Kenya. In Kenya it's on the extreme western end of its range and is found only in the Kakamega and North Nandi forests in western Kenya. Classed as Vulnerable because of its small fragmented range and pressure on its natural habitat.WCMC fact sheet
Other Names: Chapin's Alseonax, Lendu Alseonax

Hunter's Cisticola, Cisticola hunteri

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Chubb's Cisticola, Cisticola chubbi

A bird of the highlands, usually above 1500m, in Zaire, Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda. Locally common on the eastern edge of it's range in western Kenya.

Lynes' Cisticola, Cisticola distinctus

Known from Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania. In Kenya it's found in the central Rift Valley, from Lake Nakuru south through the Kedong Valley to the Loita Hills. Locally common in some areas.

Boran Cisticola, Cisticola bodessa

Found only in Sudan, Eritrea, Kenya and Ethiopia. Local and uncommon in northern Kenya from Mt Kenya westwards.

Somali Long-billed Crombec, Sylvietta isabellina

Limited to Kenya, Ethiopia and Somalia. In Kenya, uncommon in dry scrub in northern and eastern parts of the country.
Other Names: Somali Crombec

Turner's Eremomela, Eremomela turneri

Restricted to mountain forests in Kenya, Uganda and Congo. In Kenya found only in the Kakamega Forest. Classed as Endangered because of destruction and degradation of it's fragmented and small range. WCMC Fact Sheet

Red-throated Tit, Parus fringillinus

A reasonably common endemic of southern Kenya and Northern Tanzania. It's found between 1000 and 1600m and in Kenya it's range extends from the Maasai Mara East to Amboseli and North almost to Nairobi.

Little Yellow Flycatcher, Erythrocercus holochlorus

An East African endemic, found in Somalia, Kenya and Tanzania. In Kenya it's common in forest and woodland on the coastal lowlands.
Other Names: Yellow Flycatcher

Grey-crested Helmet-shrike, Prionops poliolophus

An East African Endemic, found only in Kenya and Tanzania. In Kenya local and uncommon from the Maasai Mara and up the rift valley as far north as Elementeita and Nakuru. Usually found between 1,200-2,200m in open woodland, wooded grassland and bushland.

Long-tailed Fiscal, Lanius cabanisi

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Abbott's Starling, Cinnyricinclus femoralis

Only known from Kenya and Tanzania. In Kenya it inhabits forests between 1800 and 2300 metres on Mt Kenya and in the Aberdares and possibly the Limuru Escarpment and Chyulu hills. It is generally scarce even where it is found and while not endangered is regarded as vulnerable because it is quite rare within a fairly small range; see UNEP WCMC fact sheet

Amani Sunbird, Anthreptes pallidigaster

The Amani Sunbird is unique to coastal woodland in Kenya and Tanzania. It's main location is in Kenya's Arabuko-Sokoke forest and even there it's scarce. It's only other location in Kenya is the Marafa forest near Malindi Classed as Endangered due to it's restricted range; see UNEP WCMC fact sheet

Taveta Golden Weaver, Ploceus castaneiceps

The Taveta Golden Weaver is endemic to lowlands around Mt. Kilimanjaro in both Kenya and Tanzania. The most likely places to see it in Kenya are at Amboseli and in the south of Tsavo West, particularly near Lake Jipe. In both areas it's fairly common where it occurs.

Jackson's Widowbird, Euplectes jacksoni

For more information see the Jackson's Widowbird species page.