Birds! Birds! Birds! Not The Big 5 But the Little Hundreds

Weaver Bird on Safari in Tanzania

Everyone who goes on a wildlife safari wants to see the Big 5. That is Elephants, Lions, Buffalo, Leopards and Rhino. They are called the Big 5 because they were at a time the 5 most difficult animals to hunt on foot. Now they are the ones that everyone wants to see on the game drives. It is breathtaking to see these animals in the wild. But after seeing the Big 5 (though rhinos are rare) as well as Giraffes, Zebras, Impala and all other sorts of mammals (and reptiles) you begin to focus on the incredible variety of birds that are found in the parks.

I admit I am not a “birder” but I have learned a lot about the birds of East Africa and the unique ways they adapt to the environment. They range from the beautifully blue Malachite Roller, to the Saddle-Billed Stork and the clever weaver birds who build their ball-shaped nests hanging from trees with the entrance at the bottom to prevent predators from getting to their young.

They are fascinating to watch and beautiful to see. So when you go on a wildlife safari don’t forget your binoculars or zoom lens to see the wide variety of feathered residents of the wilds of Africa.

Malachite Roller, Selous Tanzania

Saddle Billed Stork in Tanzania