For the complete list of Birds in Dar es Salaam see list of birds spotted in dar es salaam , this list identifies 504 birds of which 65 are only sited in Pugu.
One bird specie is even claimed to be endemic to the Pugu Forest but the experts did not fully agree on this. The Pale-breasted Illadopsis (Trichastoma rufipennis puguensis), now the question is whether the Pugu version is adequately different from its kin in the East Usambara.
The East Coast Akala (Sheppardia gunningi) is in Tanzania, only recorded in Pugu Hills (Howell 1981) and has extremely local distribution elsewhere in East Africa, though new reports mention its presence in the Rondo Forest Reserve.
The Sokoke Pipit also recorded from the Pugu Hills is an other rare observation.
A nominate race under the name Red-tailed Ant Trush (Neocossyphus rufus) seen in Pugu is an other subject of interest for scientist.
Personally I am still a low league Bird Watcher and adequatly exited about the exotic colorfull birds like the Turacos and the Trogons. For some reason the scientific sensations seem to become more dull the more limited their numbers and consequently the more difficult to spot.
On this web page we like to introduce the most common birds around Pugu Hills which can be seen especially before 8:00 A.M. when sitting quietly at the terras of the Restaurant. While some birds are only visiting Pugu Hills during specific seasons we added the time of the year for records available. For most birds it is also described where they can be found.
| Eastern bearded scrub robin |
| White browed Coucal |
| Narina's Trogon |
| Striped Kingfisher |
Yellow-Rumped Tinkerbird
(Pogoniulus pussilus) July/1997
Length 10 cm. Common all over Tanzania in Forest undergrowth, woodland and
suburban gardens. In trees around parking
Crawling along the branches like a cat, the Coucal can be observed from quite close.
This seasonal visitor (dry season) is foun at the bottom of the presemises or around the simming pool circleing for insects in the air.
This hornbill does not like to come to close to humans but having adequate undisturbed space at Pugu and attracting attention even from far by its loud calls, the trumpeter hornbill can be seen on a regular basis. Most common are the Forest edge or in the mango tree at the gate.
Another shrub dweller moving around in the forest undergrowth attracting attention while searching for food under the dead leaves. The white "make-up" lines around his eyes are very clear.
After the tragical visit of the African Pitta in 2003 which got trapped in one of the bandas and exhausted soon after its capture, a second one was spotted in February 2008, after first being mis-interpreted as a kingfisher
This new (?) arrival at Pugu Hills is form August 2008 first confused with a woodpecker due to the white dots but later very close and ages to study the pattern of the white dots, the conclusion could only be as above. A small group is now during the dry season investigating each following tree for insects sometimes joint by a yellow bill. The secretive behaviour mentioned in some reference book is at least not valid for the group visiting Pugu Hills.
Common waxbill (Estrilda astrild)
March 1999
Length 10 cm. Common all over Tanzania. Searching for food on the ground.
September 1999
Length 10 cm. Eastern part of Tanzania. Forest edge seen around parking lot on the ground
Length 35 cm. Crawling around the bush in search for insects.
Her silent presence sometimes on a few meters distance is disclosed by the bright red and blue/green/yellows. The young chick (2007) seems to be very confortable at Pugu Hills not impressed by the dogs nor humans moving around.
Very noisy, shreeking to its fellows which may be more than three or four. Common around banda's, on goal post at football field with clear long red beak and bright blues.
Black cuckooshrike (Campephaga flava) July/1997
Length
20 cm. Common all over Tanzania, note yellow gape. Open forest,
plantations and other wooded and bushed habitats. Seen in trees under
restaurant entrance and terras
Common bulbul (Pynonotus barbatus)
Length 20 cm. Most common bird at Pugu Hills and found all over East Africa. In trees around parking
Red-capped Robin-chat (cossypha natalensis)
Length 15 cm. Most common along coast up and border with Kenya. Often found in undergrowth along path to camp-site
Common Camaroptera (Camaroptera brachyura )race pileata. July/1998
Length 10cm.Common except in dryer areas of Tanzania. Red eyes quite distinct. Found in undergrowth to camp-site
Black-throated Wattle-Eye (Platysteira peltata)
Length 13 cm. Not too common in Tanzania. Found in trees around parking
Collared
Sunbird (Anthreptis
collaris)
Length 10 cm.Common in Tanzania. Around restaurant searching for nektar. Unmistakably colorful.
Dark-backed Weaver (Ploceus bicolor)
Length 14 cm. Along coast found in trees around parking
Yellow Bishop (Euplectus capensis) May/1999
Length 15 cm.Tall bushed grassland. Often seen at sports ground together with the Red colored bishop (Zanzibar Red Bishop -Euplectus nigroventris-
Pin-tailed Whydah (Vidua macroura)
May 1999
Length
12 cm. excluding
Green-winged Pytillia (Pytilia melba) July/1999
Length 13 cm. Found all over East Africa. In undergrowth along path to camp-site
to the top
Crested Guineafowl (Guttera Pucherani) Feb/2007
This noisy bird is hard to miss if a goup of them decides to visit our premises, flying to the tree tops when disturbed. The crested guineafowl differs from the helmeted guineafowl often found as domestic bird around the houses in Dar es Salaam. Being one of the targeted poaching objects in Pugu Forest they can be found stuck in a trap like the one on the photograph which did not survive the injuries and/ or shock (1997)
to the top
Hoopoe (upupa epops) 1997 on road 100m. before gate, Southern Ground Hornbill (Bucorvus cafer) December 1999 in dead tree behind camp site, Green Turaco (Tauraco persa) February 1997 in trees under restaurant, Green Wood-Hoopoe in Mango tree next to Tanesco Supply House (Phoeniculus purpureus) April 2005.
For a list of birds which is spotted or heard by experienced bird watchers please click on "Birds of Pugu Forest"