🌍 Overview
Tarangire National Park, located in northern Tanzania about 118 km southwest of Arusha, is one of East Africa’s finest yet often-overlooked birding destinations. Covering roughly 2,850 km², Tarangire forms part of the northern safari circuit together with Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro, and Serengeti.
The park’s mosaic of woodland savanna, baobab forest, riverine vegetation, and wetlands sustains an extraordinary avifauna exceeding 500 species—making it one of the most species-rich bird areas in Tanzania and a designated Important Bird Area (IBA) by BirdLife International.
🕊️ Why Tarangire is a Top Birding Destination
- Diverse habitats—baobab-studded hills, seasonal marshes, acacia woodlands, and the Tarangire River valley.
- Resident and migratory species—including Eurasian migrants from October to April.
- Large flocks—especially in the dry season when water concentrates along the Tarangire River and Silale Swamp.
- Accessibility—excellent birding from safari vehicles or on guided walking safaris.
Whether you’re a keen ornithologist or a casual traveler, Tarangire offers easy sightings of both East African endemics and charismatic savanna species.
🏞️ Habitats and Bird Distribution
| Habitat Type | Key Birding Features | Common & Notable Species |
|---|---|---|
| Acacia & Baobab Woodland | Dominant habitat across the park, home to dry-country specialists | Yellow-collared Lovebird, White-bellied Go-away-bird, Red-and-yellow Barbet, Northern White-crowned Shrike |
| Tarangire Riverine Forest | Tall riparian trees along the river attract forest and water-associated species | African Fish Eagle, Woodland Kingfisher, Green Wood-hoopoe, Grey-headed Kingfisher |
| Open Grassland & Plains | Excellent for ground-dwellers and raptors | Kori Bustard, Secretary Bird, Ostrich, Coursers, Larks |
| Swamps & Floodplains (Silale, Larmakau) | Seasonal wetlands draw large congregations of waterbirds | Pelicans, Openbill Stork, Yellow-billed Stork, Great Egret, Spur-winged Goose |
| Rocky Outcrops & Termite Mounds | Perches for raptors and colorful bee-eaters | Lilac-breasted Roller, Abyssinian Roller, European Bee-eater |
🐦 Signature Birds of Tarangire
🦅 1. Raptors and Birds of Prey (Accipitridae, Falconidae, Strigidae)
Tarangire’s open savannas and baobab trees make it prime territory for large eagles, vultures, and owls.
Eagles & Hawks
- Martial Eagle (Polemaetus bellicosus)
- Tawny Eagle (Aquila rapax)
- Bateleur (Terathopius ecaudatus)
- African Hawk-Eagle (Aquila spilogaster)
- Brown Snake Eagle (Circaetus cinereus)
- Wahlberg’s Eagle (Hieraaetus wahlbergi)
- Long-crested Eagle (Lophaetus occipitalis)
- Steppe Eagle (Aquila nipalensis) – migrant
Kites, Buzzards & Harriers
- African Harrier-Hawk (Polyboroides typus)
- Black-shouldered Kite (Elanus caeruleus)
- Augur Buzzard (Buteo augur)
- Steppe Buzzard (Buteo buteo vulpinus)
- African Marsh Harrier (Circus ranivorus)
Vultures
- Lappet-faced Vulture (Torgos tracheliotos)
- White-backed Vulture (Gyps africanus)
- Hooded Vulture (Necrosyrtes monachus)
- Rüppell’s Griffon (Gyps rueppellii)
- Egyptian Vulture (Neophron percnopterus) – occasional visitor
Falcons
- Pygmy Falcon (Polihierax semitorquatus)
- Lanner Falcon (Falco biarmicus)
- Eurasian Hobby (Falco subbuteo)
- Greater Kestrel (Falco rupicoloides)
Owls and Night Birds
- Verreaux’s Eagle-Owl (Bubo lacteus)
- Spotted Eagle-Owl (Bubo africanus)
- African Scops Owl (Otus senegalensis)
- Pearl-spotted Owlet (Glaucidium perlatum)
- Fiery-necked Nightjar (Caprimulgus pectoralis)
- Square-tailed Nightjar (Caprimulgus fossii)
🐦 2. Waterbirds and Waders (Anatidae, Ardeidae, Ciconiidae, Threskiornithidae, Charadriidae, Scolopacidae)
The Silale Swamp and Tarangire River create outstanding wetland habitats in both the wet and dry seasons.
Ducks and Geese
- Egyptian Goose (Alopochen aegyptiaca)
- Spur-winged Goose (Plectropterus gambensis)
- White-faced Whistling Duck (Dendrocygna viduata)
- Comb Duck (Sarkidiornis melanotos)
Herons and Egrets
- Grey Heron (Ardea cinerea)
- Black-headed Heron (Ardea melanocephala)
- Purple Heron (Ardea purpurea)
- Great Egret (Ardea alba)
- Little Egret (Egretta garzetta)
- Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis)
- Squacco Heron (Ardeola ralloides)
Storks and Ibises
- Marabou Stork (Leptoptilos crumenifer)
- Yellow-billed Stork (Mycteria ibis)
- Saddle-billed Stork (Ephippiorhynchus senegalensis)
- African Openbill (Anastomus lamelligerus)
- Glossy Ibis (Plegadis falcinellus)
- Hadada Ibis (Bostrychia hagedash)
- Sacred Ibis (Threskiornis aethiopicus)
Pelicans and Spoonbills
- Great White Pelican (Pelecanus onocrotalus)
- Pink-backed Pelican (Pelecanus rufescens)
- African Spoonbill (Platalea alba)
Waders, Plovers, and Sandpipers
- Black-winged Stilt (Himantopus himantopus)
- African Jacana (Actophilornis africanus)
- Spur-winged Lapwing (Vanellus spinosus)
- Crowned Lapwing (Vanellus coronatus)
- Kittlitz’s Plover (Charadrius pecuarius)
- Common Sandpiper (Actitis hypoleucos)
- Wood Sandpiper (Tringa glareola)
- Ruff (Calidris pugnax)
🕊️ 3. Ground and Grassland Birds (Otididae, Numididae, Phasianidae, Cuculidae, Burhinidae, Pteroclidae)
Tarangire’s open plains and termite mounds are perfect for these terrestrial species.
Bustards and Korhaans
- Kori Bustard (Ardeotis kori) – iconic park species
- White-bellied Bustard (Eupodotis senegalensis)
- Buff-crested Bustard (Eupodotis gindiana)
Guineafowl and Francolins
- Helmeted Guineafowl (Numida meleagris)
- Crested Francolin (Ortygornis sephaena)
- Yellow-necked Spurfowl (Pternistis leucoscepus)
Cuckoos
- Diederik Cuckoo (Chrysococcyx caprius)
- Klaas’s Cuckoo (Chrysococcyx klaas)
- Jacobin Cuckoo (Clamator jacobinus) – migrant
Coursers and Thick-knees
- Spotted Thick-knee (Burhinus capensis)
- Three-banded Courser (Rhinoptilus cinctus)
Sandgrouse
- Double-banded Sandgrouse (Pterocles bicinctus)
- Yellow-throated Sandgrouse (Pterocles gutturalis)
🐤 4. Woodland and Savanna Birds (Bucerotidae, Coraciidae, Meropidae, Upupidae, Indicatoridae, Picidae, Capitonidae)
These bright, conspicuous birds bring color to Tarangire’s baobabs and acacias.
Hornbills
- Von der Decken’s Hornbill (Tockus deckeni)
- Red-billed Hornbill (Tockus erythrorhynchus)
- African Grey Hornbill (Lophoceros nasutus)
Rollers
- Lilac-breasted Roller (Coracias caudatus)
- Abyssinian Roller (Coracias abyssinicus)
- European Roller (Coracias garrulus) – migrant
Bee-eaters
- Little Bee-eater (Merops pusillus)
- White-fronted Bee-eater (Merops bullockoides)
- European Bee-eater (Merops apiaster) – migrant
Hoopoes and Woodpeckers
- African Hoopoe (Upupa africana)
- Nubian Woodpecker (Campethera nubica)
- Bearded Woodpecker (Chloropicus namaquus)
Honeyguides and Barbets
- Greater Honeyguide (Indicator indicator)
- Red-and-Yellow Barbet (Trachyphonus erythrocephalus)
- D’Arnaud’s Barbet (Trachyphonus darnaudii)
🐧 5. Doves, Pigeons, Parrots, and Turacos (Columbidae, Psittaculidae, Musophagidae)
Doves & Pigeons
- Laughing Dove (Spilopelia senegalensis)
- Ring-necked Dove (Streptopelia capicola)
- Emerald-spotted Wood Dove (Turtur chalcospilos)
- Namaqua Dove (Oena capensis)
Parrots and Lovebirds
- Yellow-collared Lovebird (Agapornis personatus) – Tarangire endemic
- Meyer’s Parrot (Poicephalus meyeri)
- Brown-headed Parrot (Poicephalus cryptoxanthus)
Turacos
- White-bellied Go-away-bird (Corythaixoides leucogaster)
- Bare-faced Go-away-bird (Crinifer personatus)
🪶 6. Passerines and Songbirds (numerous families)
These smaller birds add life and sound to Tarangire’s woodland edges and campsites.
Weavers and Starlings (Ploceidae, Sturnidae)
- Rufous-tailed Weaver (Histurgops ruficauda) – Tanzania endemic
- White-headed Buffalo-Weaver (Dinemellia dinemelli)
- Village Weaver (Ploceus cucullatus)
- Speke’s Weaver (Ploceus spekei)
- Superb Starling (Lamprotornis superbus)
- Ashy Starling (Lamprotornis unicolor) – semi-endemic
- Greater Blue-eared Starling (Lamprotornis chalybaeus)
Finches, Sparrows, and Waxbills (Estrildidae, Passeridae)
- Red-billed Firefinch (Lagonosticta senegala)
- Blue-capped Cordon-bleu (Uraeginthus cyanocephalus)
- Cut-throat Finch (Amadina fasciata)
- House Sparrow (Passer domesticus)
- Grey-headed Sparrow (Passer griseus)
Larks, Pipits, and Chats (Alaudidae, Motacillidae, Muscicapidae)
- Red-capped Lark (Calandrella cinerea)
- Rufous-naped Lark (Mirafra africana)
- Plain-backed Pipit (Anthus leucophrys)
- African Stonechat (Saxicola torquatus)
- Northern Wheatear (Oenanthe oenanthe) – migrant
Shrikes, Flycatchers, and Drongos (Laniidae, Monarchidae, Dicruridae)
- Northern White-crowned Shrike (Eurocephalus rueppelli)
- Grey-backed Fiscal (Lanius excubitoroides)
- Fork-tailed Drongo (Dicrurus adsimilis)
- Paradise Flycatcher (Terpsiphone viridis)
Sunbirds (Nectariniidae)
- Beautiful Sunbird (Cinnyris pulchellus)
- Scarlet-chested Sunbird (Chalcomitra senegalensis)
- Marico Sunbird (Cinnyris mariquensis)
- Eastern Violet-backed Sunbird (Anthreptes orientalis)
Cisticolas, Warblers, and Babblers (Cisticolidae, Sylviidae, Leiothrichidae)
- Rattling Cisticola (Cisticola chiniana)
- Winding Cisticola (Cisticola galactotes)
- Grey-backed Camaroptera (Camaroptera brevicaudata)
- Arrow-marked Babbler (Turdoides jardineii)
- Northern Pied Babbler (Turdoides hypoleuca)
🧭 7. Migratory Species (Palearctic and Intra-African Migrants)
Between October and April, the park hosts many migrants:
- European Bee-eater
- Barn Swallow
- Sand Martin
- Eurasian Roller
- Steppe Eagle
- Common Whitethroat
- Willow Warbler
- Common Sandpiper
- Yellow Wagtail
📍 Best Birding Hotspots in Tarangire
- Silale Swamp – pelicans, storks, and raptors.
- Tarangire River corridor – waterbirds, hornbills, kingfishers, and eagles.
- Sangaiwe Gate and woodland – lovebirds, barbets, shrikes.
- Boundary Hill area – raptors and cliff-nesting species.
- Campgrounds and picnic sites – weavers, starlings, and ground birds at close range.
🗓️ Best Seasons for Birding
| Season | Months | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Green Season | Nov–Apr | Migrants, breeding plumage, lush landscapes |
| Dry Season | Jun–Oct | River congregations, large raptors, excellent visibility |
🧩 Conservation Notes
Tarangire’s birdlife is safeguarded by TANAPA and conservation NGOs like the Wildlife Conservation Society and BirdLife International, which list Tarangire as an Important Bird Area (IBA TZ047).
Key threats include habitat loss around the park boundary, human-wildlife conflict, and climate-driven changes in floodplain hydrology. Ongoing research by the Tanzania Bird Atlas Project continues to update Tarangire’s bird checklist and migration data.
More on Tarangire NP Signature Birds
🟡 1. Yellow-Collared Lovebird (Agapornis personatus)
- Endemic to northern Tanzania, found mainly in Tarangire, Lake Manyara, and adjacent dry savannas.
- Small, brightly colored parrot with a green body, yellow collar, and black face.
- Often seen in noisy flocks nesting in tree cavities or old weaver nests.
⚪ 2. Rufous-Tailed Weaver (Histurgops ruficauda)
- Another Tanzania endemic, restricted to the Tarangire–Serengeti ecosystem.
- Builds large communal nests of dry grass.
- Easily spotted near lodges and campsites.
🪶 3. Kori Bustard (Ardeotis kori)
- Africa’s heaviest flying bird, common in Tarangire’s grasslands.
- Males display during breeding season with spectacular puffed-up plumage.
🦅 4. African Fish Eagle (Haliaeetus vocifer)
- Found near the Tarangire River and Silale Swamp.
- Known for its iconic cry and dramatic dives to catch fish.
🦜 5. Lilac-Breasted Roller (Coracias caudatus)
- One of Tanzania’s most photographed birds, with vivid plumage of blue, green, and lilac.
- Performs aerobatic displays, especially during the breeding season.
🕊️ 6. Northern Pied Babbler, Red-and-Yellow Barbet, and Ashy Starling
- Typical “dry-country” birds frequently seen near campgrounds and picnic sites.
- Ashy Starling is semi-endemic to Tanzania’s central savannas.
🌊 Waterbirds and Waders
During the wet season (November–May), Tarangire’s floodplains and Silale Swamp become sanctuaries for waterbirds.
Key species:
- African Openbill Stork
- Marabou Stork
- Yellow-billed Stork
- Great White Pelican
- African Spoonbill
- Saddle-billed Stork
- Spur-winged Goose
- Egyptian Goose
- African Jacana
- Black-winged Stilt
- White-faced Whistling Duck
- Common and Wood Sandpipers (Palearctic migrants)
The swamp areas are also hunting grounds for raptors such as the Black-chested Snake Eagle, Bateleur, and African Marsh Harrier.
🦅 Raptors and Birds of Prey
Tarangire supports one of Tanzania’s richest concentrations of raptors thanks to open terrain and plentiful prey.
Commonly seen raptors:
- Tawny Eagle
- Bateleur
- Martial Eagle
- Brown Snake Eagle
- Long-crested Eagle
- Steppe Eagle (migrant)
- African Hawk-Eagle
- Secretary Bird
- Lappet-faced Vulture, White-backed Vulture, Hooded Vulture
Fun fact: Tarangire’s Baobabs and tall Acacias provide perfect nesting sites for large eagles and vultures, whose breeding season peaks around March–May.
🕯️ Nocturnal Birds
After dusk, Tarangire reveals another layer of avian life.
Nocturnal and crepuscular species include:
- Verreaux’s Eagle-Owl
- African Scops Owl
- Spotted Eagle-Owl
- Pearl-spotted Owlet (diurnal calls common)
- Fiery-necked Nightjar
- Square-tailed Nightjar
Guided night drives in concession zones offer rare chances to spot these secretive birds.
🗓️ Best Time for Birdwatching
| Season | Months | Birding Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Green/Wet Season | November – April | Migratory species arrive; breeding plumage visible; wetlands teeming with storks and pelicans |
| Dry Season | June – October | Easier sightings near Tarangire River; large flocks of resident birds; raptors more visible |
For photographers, the wet season offers vivid backdrops, while the dry season ensures excellent light and accessibility.
🧭 Top Birdwatching Spots in Tarangire
- Silale Swamp – best for waterbirds, pelicans, and raptors.
- Tarangire River Valley – year-round species concentration.
- Sangaiwe Hill and Acacia Woodland – excellent for lovebirds, barbets, and shrikes.
- Public Campsites & Picnic Sites – good for dry-country species and starlings.
- Boundary Hill Area – panoramic birdwatching combined with elephant herds.
📸 Bird Photography Tips
- Use telephoto lenses (300–600mm) for perched and flight shots.
- Early morning and late afternoon provide optimal lighting.
- Bring binoculars (8×40 or 10×42) and a field guide such as Birds of East Africa by Stevenson & Fanshawe.
- Respect bird safety—avoid playback calls or disturbing nesting areas.
🌿 Conservation and Research
Tarangire’s bird diversity is supported by long-term habitat protection under TANAPA (Tanzania National Parks Authority).
However, habitat fragmentation and climate change threaten surrounding migration corridors.
Key conservation entities and initiatives:
- BirdLife International – IBA designation
- Tanzania Bird Atlas Project
- Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) research on wetland ecosystems
- Tarangire Elephant Project (TEP) monitoring habitat overlap with bird species
- Community conservation programs in villages like Minjingu and Sangaiwe that reduce pressure on woodland habitats.
🛖 Where to Stay for Birding
| Lodge / Camp | Location | Birding Advantage |
|---|---|---|
| Tarangire Safari Lodge | Inside park near river | Superb views of riverine birds and raptors |
| Oliver’s Camp (Asilia Africa) | Southern Tarangire | Proximity to Silale Swamp and night safaris |
| Swala Camp (Sanctuary Retreats) | South-west sector | Excellent wetland and woodland mix |
| Sangaiwe Tented Lodge | Near Sangaiwe Gate | Good for lovebirds and dry-country species |
| Boundary Hill Lodge | Eastern edge | Elevated panoramic birdwatching |
🧭 Recommended Birding Itineraries
- 2-Day Tarangire Birding Safari – Ideal from Arusha; focus on riverine and woodland birds.
- 4-Day Tarangire–Lake Manyara Circuit – Combines wetland species and forest birds.
- Northern Tanzania Birding Expedition (10–14 days) – Tarangire, Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro, Serengeti, Arusha NP, and Engikaret Plains.
📚 Useful Resources for Birders
- Field Guide to the Birds of East Africa – Stevenson & Fanshawe
- Birds of Africa South of the Sahara – Sinclair & Ryan
- BirdLife International – Important Bird Areas in Tanzania
- Tanzania Bird Atlas Project database
🌈 Conclusion
Tarangire National Park stands out as one of Africa’s premier birdwatching destinations, offering an incredible diversity of species within a compact, easily accessible area.
From endemic lovebirds fluttering among baobabs to majestic raptors soaring over the Silale Swamp, Tarangire promises rewarding experiences in every season.
Whether you are a serious birder or simply someone who delights in color and song on safari, Tarangire will leave you with an unforgettable impression—and a very long checklist.