Burundi
Burundi is a small, densely populated country in the African Great Lakes region, characterized by rolling highlands, steep valleys and a mountainous divide between the Congo and Nile drainage basins. Elevations exceed 2,600 metres in the west before descending sharply toward Lake Tanganyika, while the northeast contains lower plateaus, savanna and wetlands. Remaining natural habitats include montane forest, grassland, papyrus swamps and lake shores, although much of the landscape has been converted to agriculture. Its tropical climate is moderated by elevation, with cooler conditions across the central highlands.
Overview
Burundi lies at the meeting point of Albertine Rift, East African and Central African bird faunas. The montane forests of Kibira National Park, contiguous with Rwanda's Nyungwe Forest, are the country's most important birding area and support Albertine Rift specialties including Great Blue Turaco, Rwenzori Turaco, Red-throated Alethe and Purple-breasted Sunbird. Rusizi National Park and the Lake Tanganyika wetlands provide contrasting habitat for papyrus specialists, waterbirds and migrants, while Ruvubu National Park protects savanna and woodland species. Burundi receives few international birding visitors and specialist infrastructure is limited, despite considerable potential and short distances between major habitats. Political and security conditions can affect travel, particularly near some border areas, so current travel advice and knowledgeable local guidance are advisable.
Top 10 target species
| Species | Annual frequency | January | February | March | April | May | June | July | August | September | October | November | December |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pied Crow Corvus albus | 43.3% | 18.0% | 54.9% | 31.6% | 20.8% | 43.8% | 23.8% | 42.3% | 39.4% | 70.9% | 60.5% | 62.6% | 51.0% |
| Common Bulbul Pycnonotus barbatus | 42.7% | 12.0% | 60.0% | 35.3% | 43.8% | 50.0% | 11.9% | 39.5% | 29.1% | 35.5% | 61.4% | 63.3% | 70.3% |
| Speckled Mousebird Colius striatus | 38.1% | 17.4% | 55.6% | 20.7% | 10.4% | 62.5% | 19.1% | 37.5% | 28.2% | 41.1% | 53.5% | 63.5% | 47.5% |
| Laughing Dove Spilopelia senegalensis | 36.3% | 17.8% | 61.6% | 27.6% | 14.6% | 56.3% | 19.1% | 27.0% | 31.2% | 32.3% | 45.4% | 67.5% | 34.8% |
| Black Kite Milvus migrans | 34.1% | 1.1% | 44.0% | 27.6% | 18.8% | 0.1% | 19.1% | 24.6% | 65.0% | 38.2% | 73.0% | 69.2% | 29.2% |
| Northern Gray-headed Sparrow Passer griseus | 31.8% | 9.1% | 45.3% | 30.3% | 14.6% | 43.8% | 3.6% | 13.0% | 34.0% | 54.2% | 42.4% | 43.8% | 47.9% |
| African Palm Swift Cypsiurus parvus | 25.7% | 0.2% | 44.8% | 31.6% | 0.0% | 6.3% | 11.9% | 20.7% | 33.9% | 29.4% | 55.7% | 63.7% | 10.2% |
| Bronze Mannikin Spermestes cucullata | 24.9% | 9.1% | 32.5% | 32.9% | 6.3% | 25.0% | 15.5% | 14.9% | 23.2% | 18.2% | 37.3% | 47.5% | 36.5% |
| Northern Fiscal Lanius humeralis | 23.1% | 8.6% | 28.8% | 26.3% | 12.5% | 37.5% | 0.0% | 13.0% | 9.8% | 40.9% | 34.8% | 53.8% | 11.3% |
| White-browed Robin-Chat Cossypha heuglini | 22.5% | 1.1% | 30.1% | 28.9% | 8.3% | 6.3% | 8.4% | 12.6% | 21.4% | 18.1% | 52.7% | 45.5% | 36.8% |