VIRUNGA SAFARIS TOUR GIDE. African Grey Parrot

In case you are Planning a Uganda Birding Safari. Then plan to enjoy the African Grey Parrot.

African grey parrots gifted with the ability to mimick almost any sound.
In this section of the birding safari, we share with you information about African Grey Parrots that can help you enjoy your Bird watching tour to Africa.

Where to find the African Grey Parrots in Uganda (Psittacus erithacus)

The African grey parrot is among the larger of forest and woodland parrots.
You will mainly find this Uganda bird in forests like the miombo woodland.
Like the other types of parrots, African grey parrots have far-carrying calls which they make frequently during long flights over the forest canopy.
In Uganda you will find them in forests from 700-2300 meters.

Characteristics of the African grey parrot

The African grey parrot is a large broad-winged grey parrot with a height of 30-31cm and sexes are alike.
It has a short square- ended scarlet red tail which is difficult to see unless there is good light.
If you are at close range you will be able to see its creamy – yellow eyes, whitish sides of the face.
It also has scaly grey fringes from the head to the neck.
During flight the birds show a darker near black primaries but the red tail is characteristic!

In their habitats

You can find flocks of African grey parrots in any forested habitat but you might also see these birds in pairs or small groups.
They gather at fruiting trees and often follow regular paths to roosting and feeding areas.
In flight or when perched up, the African grey parrot gives a variety of great loud squawking call and raucous notes and sometimes the sounds can be explosive!

                                                                                                       Size: Medium, 12 to 13 inches long and from 275 grams up to 650 grams (1.4 pounds). Congos are slightly larger and heavier than Timnehs.

Personality: Shy but can be affectionate. Tends to bond strongly with one person. Relatively quiet voice, although capable of loud calls. Congos are more prone to feather plucking.

Food
The parrots in forest are mainly dependent on vegetarian diet like seeds, fruits, leaves and palm nuts. Sometimes they are observed to feed on snails to enrich their vegetarian diet with protein. To maintain good health of a pet parrot and keep them happy, it becomes essential to give a variety of things to eat. For example, you can give a diet full of fruits, leaves and vegetables. They also need occasional protein rich supplements. It need not be snail always, you can also give eggs that too has an equal amount of protein required for the bird.

Care
These parrots are supposed to be the most intelligent of all bird species. To stay happy in the captivity, these birds need mental stimulation to a large extent to be healthy and happy. This pet demands a lot of attention and maintenance. You need to spend a lot of time with this creature as they are very social and always seek company.

Reducing Animal-Human Disease Spread

The government of Uganda heads to eradicating the spread of diseases from animals to humans through a forthcoming conference aimed at  identifying , responding , controlling and  communicating ways through some diseased spread from animals to human beings.This will help in controlling the spread of diseases such as  Ebola, Marburg whose outbreaks has remained a puzzle to the  the  health ministry.
The Uganda Medical Association (UMA), the Uganda Veteri-nary Association (UVA) and their international and local partners will hold a One Health conference in Kampala 14-16 February 2013 at Hotel Africana. This is the first joint One Health meeting being organised by the two professional bodies,according to a statement from Uganda media centre.
The President of the Republic of Uganda, Gen. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, will be the Guest of Honour at the opening ceremony of this conference. The conference draws key speakers and delegates from various countries and has been supported by the Government of Uganda, international and local partners including UN organisations.
The theme of the conference is, “DISEASE ERADICATION: What will it take?” Areas of discussion during the conference will include ,
Disease Surveillance and Diagnostics,Response to Disease Threats,,Prevention and control,Communication and Policy  ,Environment and Disease,Social and Economic Dimensions
Today, the population of the World stands at more than 7 billion people. Awareness, knowledge, understanding and respect of the interdependency of the health of humans, animals, and the environment is critical. The One Health concept as a worldwide strat-egy seeks to expand interdisciplinary collaborations, establish effective communication and identify opportunities to work together in the areas of medical education, clinical care, public health and biomedical research among human, animal, and ecosystem health professionals.
The interactions between humans, animals and the environment present enormous health concerns. Presently, about 75% of emerging and re-emerging diseases are either zoonotic (affect both humans and animals) or vector-borne (carried from infected animals to others through biting insects). The roles of human health, animal health, and ecosystem health professionals are significant in addressing healthcare issues worldwide. Vigilant protection of human food and animal feed from food-borne diseases, the safeguarding of the environment from contamination, and guarding against acts of bio-terrorism has become critical for human, animal and environmental survival.

The Joint Conference presents opportunities for researchers, policy makers, legislators, service providers and public health specialists to share experiences and identify strategies for strengthening collaboration for the effective eradication of disease and enhance economic gains and better livelihoods of disease-free communities. Health is strength, health is wealth, and health is wisdom.
The objectives of the conference include ;  Providing a better understanding of the One Health concept and its implications on human and animal disease reduction and eradication.
Demonstrating  the significance of the One Health concept in human and animal disease eradication (prediction, identification, response, control, communication) and showcasing  successful One Health initiatives and interventions carried out in Uganda and other countries, e.g. control of Ebola, Marburg, Rabies, etc.

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      VIRUNGA SAFARIS TOUR COMPANY.

Services offered include;

 Game drive,

Bird watching,

Gorrilla and Chimpazee Trekking,

Mountain Climbing,

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About Virunga Safaris Limited 

 

 

 Welcome to Virunga Safaris a Ugandan tour operator and the only safari company offering top range Wildlife experience in Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania and Rwanda.  Its exciting safaris and tours into the deep wilds of EAST AFRICA. We are the only competent group Africans, who are passionate about wildlife safaris (game drive), cultural safaris, Bird watching sa
faris, Photo safaris, Gorilla tracking safaris, chimpanzee tracking, Tailor made tours, Holidays and volunteer trips, Educational and student trips. The company will provide you with unforgettable wildlife experiences with excellent and very knowledgeable guides, custom designed four-wheel drive vehicles, the type of accommodation you want, from camping to medium and luxurious.
We have a dedicated team with combined experience especially in the field of tourism, guiding, customer care and conservation and we offer services which is unforgettable to our clients with excellent results and comments. Our field guides are knowledgeable and speak English and the local languages.
About Virunga Safaris Limited 

 

 
 We offer top quality services, which both surprise and excite our clients who come to relax, Adventure or explore the natural and cultural beauty of Africa.
Virunga Safaris is synonymous with all that is best in travel and quality guiding experiences to any destination across Uganda according to the interest of the client and it is also specialized in providing innovative travel products & service like camping and hotel booking.
It focuses on specialized game viewing and bird watching around Uganda and the neighboring countries in particular while using expert professionals in the art and science of wild life guiding and our guides are embedded with trust and openness that explains our overall service delivery right from the time we meet with you.                                                                                                             Its tour, visit meets a number of sites in order to get a good impression about the natural beauty of Uganda.

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African Buffalo

Head and body length is 170-340 cm, Shoulder height is100-170 cm, Tail length is70-110 cm, Adult weight is 300-900 kg

Depending on the subspecies, African buffalo range in color from dark brown or black (in savannah-living races) to bright red (forest buffalo). The body is heavy-set, with stocky legs, a large head, and short neck. There are no distinct markings on the body, although forest buffalo tend to darken with age and may thus have dark patches mingled with the red base color. The ears are large and tend to droop; they are edged by a long fringe of hairs, including two white tufts in forest buffalo. Both male and female African buffalo have horns; in savannah buffalo, these are hook-shaped, curving first downwards and then hooking up and inwards, and growing up to 160 cm long. The horns of males are larger than females, and in males the bases of the horns expand into a known as a "boss". Forest buffalo have much shorter horns (no more than 40 cm long) which are relatively straight and which sweep backwards in line with the forehead.

Similar species

• The Asian water buffalo (Bubalus arnee) has a lighter build than the African buffalo, and has long saber-like horns. Domestic water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis), however, tend to be more heavy set and may have shorter horns with curled tips. The horns of water buffalo are triangular in cross-section with strong keels (the horns of African buffalo are rounded in cross-section, especially towards the tips); male water buffalo never develop a boss at the horn base.

Gestation period: 340 days.

Litter size: 1, rarely 2.

Weaning: Around 6 months.

Sexual maturity: 3.5-5 years.

Life span: Typically 18-20, up to 29 in captivity.

African buffalo will breed year-round if conditions allow, but where water is scarce most births occur during the wet season. At birth, the calf is lighter than the adults; baby savannah buffalo are usually dark reddish-brown, while baby forest buffalo are usually bright red.

African buffalo may be active throughout the day and night; on average, 18 hours per day are spent foraging and moving. Herds usually occupy a stable home range; in savannah buffalo, these areas may be 126 to 1,075 square kilometers in size. African buffalo are formidable animals on account of their large size, large herds, and large horns. Herds will stick together and may charge as a unit when threatened, a tactic which ensures that predators have difficulty preying on even young and feeble animals. Oxpeckers and cattle egrets are birds which frequently accompany buffalo, feeding on insects flushed from the grass as the buffalo walk and also eating biting insects from the buffalo's skin. Regular use of mud wallows also helps protect buffalo from insects.
Savannah buffalo live in large herds of 50-500 animals, comprised of smaller subgroups of bachelor males, females and their young, or juveniles. Old males may be solitary. Forest buffalo live in smaller mixed herds of 8-20 animals

Diet: Grass.

Main Predators: Lions, crocodiles.

African buffalo are found in a variety of habitats, including open savannah, woodlands, and rainforest. Once ranging widely in sub-Saharan Africa, the distribution of this species has shrunk due to hunting and disease issues. The approximate range is depicted in the map below.

Drums of Buganda Kingdom- Uganda

Kabaka of Buganda carried by the members of Mbugo clan

In the past of the ceremonies of the Baganda court were closely tied to the yourth of the large number of drums belonging to the kabaka. Each drum or Group of Drums was named and men where specifically appointed to take up residence at the Lubiri (the Baganda Palace) for the sole purpose of beating drums. 

The Kingdom of Buganda is situated in the Central region of the country known today as Uganda. It is right in the heart of Africa astride the Equator and in the North West shores of Lake Victoria and it’s also the source of the great river Nile. Buganda Kingdom is the home to the nation’s political and commercial capital city Kampala as well as the country’s main International airport Entebbe. There is a saying in Luganda that goes "Tezirwa ngumba" which means, they are not beaten without a reason .In modern times you are most likey to hear drums being played at traditional weddings, funurals, or occasions of celebration.
Although drums are frequently thought of as being merely musical instruments, they in fact have a wide range of uses. In the past there were literally hundrds of different beats for the drums and each rythm was known and had a definite meanining-for example a certain dance taking place a call to war,  a fire a larm, the news that acertain cheif was passing. As aperson hard the Drum, it was there duty to repeat the message so that within afew minite the message could pass over many mile.

Defferent drums at desplay

Traditionally, the drums belonged to the Kabaka and when he presented a cheif with a possition of office he bestowed upon him a Drum. This is why the playing of Drum was an important part of the ceremonies involved in the crowining of kabaka once he had 'tuned' the drum no one was else was allowed to play them.
Kigand (as Buganda calture is known) has drums of two kinds -the first is made of a hollowed block of wood, tappering towards the base, with skins stretched over the head and base. The skins are laced with thongs of hide. They are named according to there size and use, and the important one are also given names individually. the other types, seen more raely now days, is known has ngalabi and exists in value sizes. Always made of hollowed- out wood,it is long and slender, tappering gradually and then widening out again to form the base on which the drum stands. The top is covered with a skin-usually that of the type of water lizard-which is pegged on. The bottom of the drum is left open. These drums are particullary attractive and lage one may be as much as 140cm high.
The range of drums used in the past was enormouse-each was made sightly defferently of varying size with different decorations. Each type served a distinct purpose and was played a slightly defferent way, often by the specific clans. Examples include Nakawanguzi, which means the conqueror. This Drum was played when the kabaka had been Succeful in his attarcks on sorrounding tribes. The Kyejo was used when the Kabaka executed the trable makers as a worning to others. The makumbi warned poeple to cultivate banana gardens or risk to having there hand cut off. The va-mu-lugudo meaning get out of the way, was used when the wives of the kabaka where out working-No one was allowed to be on the road in front of them. so the drummer went a head to warn people to stand a side.

Drum sellers at Mpambire

Drums are also associated with chieftainships, with each cheaf having his drums bestowed with his office by the kabaka. The various clans of buganda also had there own drums and particular drum beats, selected drums where responsible for making, beating, mantainance and safe keeping of drums-different drums for each particular Drum types.
There is a splendid collection of Drums at the Uganda Museum in Kampala. Dum-making can be seen at Mpambire in the Mpanga forest reserve.

Facts About Giraffes

There's still confusion among experts about how many giraffe species and subspecies really exist.
Giraffes are the tallest animals in the world. Males can grow up to 18 feet (5.5 meters) tall, females can reach 14 feet (4.3 m) tall and their babies, called calves, are born around 6 feet (1.8 m) tall. Calves can grow up to an inch a day.
Like a human fingerprint, each giraffe's coat is unique. Some subspecies have patterns that look like oak leaves, while others have square-shaped patterns that make the giraffe look like it's covered by a net. Their coat colors vary from white to light tan to nearly black, depending on what they eat and where they live. Some experts think that the patterns are for camouflage.
In the wild, giraffes will sleep only about 20 minutes a day — and usually not more than five minutes at a time — as they need to stay alert to watch for predators.
All giraffes have two hair-covered horns called ossicones. Male giraffes use their horns to playfully fight with one another. They also spar by swinging their heads at one another and entwining their necks, which is called "necking." [Images: Animals' Dazzling Headgear]
Like camels, giraffes can go for a long time without drinking water because their diet — especially acacia leaves, their favorite food — contains a lot of water. When they do get thirsty, they have to bend down awkwardly to drink, which makes them easy targets for predators. To help protect themselves, giraffes usually go to watering holes together and take turns watching for predators.
Giraffes are herbivores, and they eat leaves, buds and branches from mimosa and acacia trees. Their height helps them reach food well above where other animals can reach. A giraffe may eat more than 75 pounds (34 kilograms) of food each day. Because they get just a few leaves in every bite, they spend most of their day eating.

Acacia trees have long thorns that deter most animals — but not giraffes. Their 18-inch (46-centimeter) tongues can reach around the thorns, and their thick, sticky saliva coats any thorns they might swallow. The dark blue-gray color of a giraffe's tongue helps protect it from sunburn while the giraffe is reaching for tree leaves.
Giraffes are ruminants, like cows, and their stomachs have four compartments that digest the leaves they eat. After a giraffe swallows a mouthful of leaves once, a ball of already-chewed leaves, or cud, will make its way back up the throat for more grinding.
Giraffes can breed anytime throughout the year. A male will sort of flirt with a female in heat, sometimes feeding beside her and tangling necks with her. Females give birth to a single calf about 14 months after they mate.
When a giraffe calf is born, it drops to the ground head first from about 6 feet (1.8 meters) high. The fall surprises the calf and makes it take a big breath, but doesn't really hurt it. The calf can walk after about an hour, and it can run with its mom just 10 hours after it's born. After they're a few weeks old, calves join a group of young giraffes called a crèche.
Giraffes can live up to 25 years in the wild and longer in captivity.

Where giraffes live:
Giraffes used to live throughout arid and dry-savanna zones of sub-Saharan Africa, wherever there were trees. Now their range has shrunk due to habitat loss. Most giraffes live in wooded savannas, open woodlands and riparian forests, in east Africa and the northern parts of southern Africa, where they're protected by national parks.
West African Giraffes only survive in the wild, and the only known population lives in southwestern Niger.
The only remaining wild population of Ugandan Giraffes is in Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda. They've also been re-introduced to six sites in Kenya and one other site in Uganda.

Conservation status: Least Concern to Endangered
Overall, the species is of least concern, but the subspecies listed above, the West African Giraffe and the Ugandan Giraffe, are both endangered.
Giraffes are widespread throughout Africa, and their population totals more than 100,000. Experts believe their numbers are shrinking due to habitat loss and poaching, so the species may soon be listed as threatened.
The West African Giraffe is endangered. There are currently fewer than 200 individuals in this subspecies, though experts think they're on the rise thanks to conservation programs.
The Ugandan Giraffe is also endangered. There are fewer than 2,500 individuals in this subspecies, and experts are worried that this number is shrinking.

Odd facts:

Giraffes look a little like a cross between a camel and a leopard: They have a small hump on their back and a spotted coat. People used to call the giraffe a "camel-leopard," and that's how the giraffe got its species name, camelopardalis.
A giraffe's foot is 12 inches (30 centimeters) across — about the size of a dinner plate.
A giraffe's neck is 6 feet (1.8 m) long and weighs about 600 pounds (272 kg).
A giraffe's back legs look shorter than its front legs, but they're really about the same length — 6 feet (1.8 m).
A giraffe's heart is 2 feet (0.6 meters) long and weighs about 25 pounds (11 kg).
For a long time people thought giraffes were mute, but they actually communicate by emitting moans or low notes that humans can't hear. They can also whistle, hiss, moo and roar.
Besides humans, giraffes' only predators are lions and crocodiles. Giraffes can defend themselves with a deadly kick when they need to.
Many male giraffes check whether a female's in heat by nudging her to make her pee. They can usually tell by smell, but some males will even taste the urine to see if she's ready to mate.
Giraffes have the same number of vertebrae in their necks as we do — seven. Each one can be over 10 inches (25.4 cm) long.

Giraffes run by moving their front and back legs on one side forward together. Their funny gait makes them pretty fast: The record running speed of a giraffe is 34.7 mph (56 kph).

ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE OF BIRDS

African Fish Eagle

Modern birds like modern reptiles are believed to have originated from a group of a small primitive reptile (pseudosachia) that lived during the Jurassic period. However due to evolution, many birds have been produced of different colors, melodious songs and with so many behaviors which is done due to interbreeding and these (bird) are of more important as explained; birds are the source of food and follows into two categories;

Great bue turraco

1.  Domesticated bird; all presence domesticated birds were once wild e.g. domesticated fowl was domesticated from red jungle fowl, (Genus Gallus) inhabiting south eastern Asia. Over the many birds have been involved for production for both meat and eggs; domestic ducks descended from mallard (genus anus). It is believed to have been first domesticating in China and South Eastern Asia. In the United Kingdom, there are about twelve birds used for production of meat and eggs; domestic gues was domesticated from the grey lag goose (genus Anser); domestic turkey was domesticated from Mexican wild turkey (genus Maleagris). This bird is mostly domesticated for production of meet, domestic guinea fowls is descended from the wild. Guinea fowl (genus Numida)

Gray headed kingfisher

Birds are domesticated for production of primarily meat.

In West Africa, the bird is common food component in market. In Nigeria, guinea Fowl abound in market more than chicken. In East Africa, Limited domestication has taken place probably due to the restricted wildlife legislation; domestic pigeon, descended from the rock pigeon (Columba). Initially it was domesticate from a sacred bird but eventually used for food; domestic ostrich descended from the wild ostrich. Its initial domestication was due to the demand of its feathers and gills.

Saddle billed stork

2. As source of Wild birds countries to constitute an important source of food throughout the wild. Almost all the wild varieties of domesticated birds are hunted for food. Other birds are trancolines. Other birds are trancolines, spur fowl and passerines birds belonging to the order Passeriformes; Wild birds and source of food; wild birds countries constitute an important  source of food throughout the world. Almost all the wild varieties of domesticated birds are hunted for food. Other birds are trancolines, spur fowls, and passerine birds belonging to order Passeriformes; fertilization of plants; dispersal of seed plants. This can be by both endo-zoocally and exo-zoocally; Scavenging and their by enhancing health of the environment; they are source of income. As source of income, birds contribute to.                

Black headed gonolek

Ø The hunting fees which are substantial for tourists.

Ø They also capture fees for which normally higher than those of hunting.

Ø They also contribute  income through photographing

Ø They also contribute to tourism particularly of areas of specie bird interest.

Ø They contribute leisure production mostly from ostrich; birds as pests. The best example of birds as pests is found in red billed quallea. It is distributed throughout drier parts of Africa south of Sahara. Their ranges, stretches from Senegal and Mauritania in the west across the continent to Ethiopia and Somalia in the East, then south words through Uganda, Kenya ,Tanzania and Zambia to South Africa.  Then northward into Nabia and Angola. They are estimated to be around 10 billion; the birds are great threat to growers of cereal crops in 25 developing countries.

Let’s all join hands and we protect the environment where different animals live like the birds that help in the changing of the ecosystem.