Pipits and Wagtails in Uganda

Pipits and Wagtails in Uganda: Uganda boasts of over 1000 bird species, making it a bird lover’s dream destination and the ‘Eden of Birding’ in Africa. Pipits and Wagtails are among the most interesting species to spot. These slender or slim birds are ground-feeding insectivores that are commonly found in open country. Pipits are a very difficult group of birds as they are small passerine birds belonging to the cosmopolitan genus Anthus. They have medium-long tails and are part of the family Motacillidae, along with wagtails and long claws. Pipits are found all over the world, except for the driest deserts and rainforests. They have a lark-like appearance, with streaky plumage and long hind claws, but they are smaller and slenderer than larks, with longer tails. Wagtails are similar in shape but have even longer tails. Most species of wagtails are associated with watery habitats and come in different colours, including black, white, and grey, as well as yellow plumage.

Pipits and Wagtails are among the unique bird species that can be spotted in Uganda. It is a home to about 16 species of Wagtails and Pipits out of the 54 species that exist worldwide.

Pipits and Wagtails species include:

·    African Pied Wagtail a resident and breeding species in Africa easily seen in cultivations and forest glades

. Western Yellow Wagtail a very common Palearctic migrant staying here from Sep to May and has numerous races that all occur here

·       White Wagtail – a very scarce Palearctic migrant always seen on the isolated pools.

·        Mountain Wagtail – a very elegant and long tailed Wagtail always found on first flowing river rocks

·        Cape Wagtail Motacilla capensis pairs are easily seen near ponds and on lakes.

·        Grey Wagtail small numbers do occur as it is a Palearctic migrant from September to March

·        Long-billed Pipit Anthus Similis

·        Gray Wagtail Motacilla cinerea

·        European rock Pipit

·        Richard’s Pipit

·        Yellow-throated Longclaw Macronyx croceus

·        Sharpe’sLongclaw

·        Eastern Yellow Wagtail

·        Citrine Wagtail

·        Mekongo Wagtail

·        Tree Pipit Athus trivialis

·        Plain-backed Pipit Anthus Leucophrys

·        African Pipit Anthus Cinnamomeus

·        Red-throated Pipit Anthus Cervinus

·        Tawny Pipit Anthus campestris

·        Buff- bellied Pipit

·        African Pipit Anthus cinnamomeus

·        Short-tailed Pipit

·        Olive-backedPipit

·        Jackson’s Pipit Anthus Latistriatus

If you’re interested in bird watching, you can book a birding trip to Uganda with Journeys Uganda. The company offers guided birding tours a unique opportunity to take you through the country’s most scenic birding spots, these and other bird species in their natural habitat such as the Shoebill Stork, African Green Broad Bill, The Great Blue Turaco and others including Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Murchison Falls National Park among others. Whether you’re a seasoned birder or a novice, this adventure is sure to be an unforgettable experience.