Birds of the East Usambara Mountains

Birds are perhaps the best known animal group in the East Usambaras. The famous ornithologist, Reginald Moreau, resided in Amani in the 1920-40s and is largely responsible for the knowledge on birds of these mountains. His findings included discoveries of new species, one of which has been named in his honor (long-billed tailorbird, Orthotomus moreaui). He was followed by Simon Stuart who investigated the ecology of forest birds in the Amani-Sigi area from 1979-1981. Other bird researchers have also greatly enriched our understanding of bird life in these vastly rich mountains.

At present there are over 350 species recorded from lowland and montane habitats, covering the entire span of mountain ranges that form the East Usambaras (Nilo and Mtai to Amani and Magoroto). For comparison, Finland has 330 times more area than the East Usambaras and yet only 400 species of birds.

Of these bird species, 12 are on the globally threatened bird list and are therefore one of the Amani Nature Reserve’s primary foci for future conservation efforts. Four very rare forest species occur here and are therefore very much sought after by visiting birders: long-billed tailorbird, Sokoke scops owl Otus ireneae, Usambara eagle-owl Bubo vosseleri, and Tanzanian weaver Ploceus nicolli.

Poster by: N.J. Cordeiro
© East Usambara Conservation Area Management Programme (EUCAMP) / Amani Nature Reserve

African broadbill Smithornis capensis Photo: V. Pohjonen	Red-headed bluebill Spermophaga ruficapilla Photo: V. Pohjonen
Green-backed twinspot Mandigoa nitidula Photo: N.J. Cordeiro	Tambourine dove Turtur tympanistria Photo: N.J. Cordeiro
Red-capped robin chat Cossypha natalensis Photo: N.J. Cordeiro	Yellow-throated warbler Phylloscopus ruficapilla Photo: N.J. Cordeiro
White-chested alethe Alethe fuellebornii Photo: N.J. Cordeiro	Yellow-streaked greenbul Phyllastrephus flavostriatus Photo: N.J. Cordeiro
Collared sunbird Anthreptes collaris Photo: N.J. Cordeiro	Shelley's greenbul Andropadus masukuensis Photo: N.J. Cordeiro
Striped-cheek greenbul Andropadus milanjensis Photo: N.J. Cordeiro	Olive sunbird Nectarinia olivacea Photo: N.J. Cordeiro
Tropical boubou Laniarius aethiopicus Photo: N.J. Cordeiro
	African paradise flycatcher Terpsiphone viridis Photo: N.J. Cordeiro
	White-eared barbet Stactolaema leucotis Photo: N.J. Cordeiro
Square-tailed drongo Dicrurus ludwigii Photo: N.J. Cordeiro
Scaly francolin Francolinus squamatus Photo: N.J. Cordeiro
	African goshawk Accipiter tachiro Photo: N.J. Cordeiro
	Retz's helmet shrike Prionops retzii Photo: N.J. Cordeiro
Brown-hooded kingfisher Halcyon albiventris Photo: V. Pohjonen