Bulletin of the EANHS 28(3-) 
ARTICLES 
LUHYA BIRD NAMES 
The modem world is concerned both with the loss of 
biological diversity and of cultural diversity (Diamond 
1992). As people have increasingly little contact with 
natural habitats, we fear that traditional knowledge of 
the environment will be lost. In western Kenya, a very 
high human population density has caused the 
contraction of natural habitats into small patches such 
as Kakamega rainforest, which now covers only about 
25% of its historical area (KWFT 1984). 
In order to provide a permanent record of a part of 
the cultural heritage of the i.uhya people of the 
Kakamega region, we decided to document traditional 
Isukha (the subtribe of the Luhya surrounding Kakamega 
Forest) bird names for as many species as possible. Of 
particular importance is the documentation of the name 
of the Grey Parrot Psitiacus trithacus. a species which, 
once common, has now all but disappeared from Kenya 
(Zimmerman el at. 1996), Local names for trees have 
already been listed elsewhere (KWFT 1984. KIFCON 
1994), perhaps because of the economic importance of 
many tree species, but the traditional names of other 
taxa have not previously been documented 
Additionally, wc feel that documentation of local 
names is important for iocal conservation efforts, 
especially for school age children. Often it is the children 
who spend the most time in the forest, hunting or 
observing birds, and therefore efforts lo educate them 
about local bird names and the customs surrounding 
birds are especially important 
For each bird species in the list below, we give 
common English names, italicized scientific names (with 
trinomial where relevant) and Luhya names, from 
Kakamega, in bold, and with the plural in parenthesis 
Our taxonomy. English nomenclature and systematic 
order follow Zimmerman et at. (1996). Accounts of 
any traditional beliefs or nomenclatural explanations 
concerning a particular bird follow the relevant entry. 
We recorded most of the names through interviews 
during our fieldwork in Kakamega in September 1996 
(Anon. 1997), with further names (marked *) added 
subsequently by TI and GA. 
Family Ardeidae (Herons. Egrets, and Bitterns) 
Cattle Egret Bubulcus i ibis Shilonda ngombe 
(Vilonda ngombe). Meaning, literally, "cattle 
follower". 
Black-headed Heron Ardea melanocephala: 
Mukhonolelo (Mukhonolelo) 
Family Scopidae (Hammerkop) 
Hammerkop Scopus u . umbrella : Shiluvi (Viluvi) 
Family Ciconiidae (Storks) 
White Stork Ciconia ciconia Likuyi (Makuyi)* 
Family Threskiomithidae (Ibises and Spoonbills) 
Hadada Ibis Bostryclua hagedash brevirosiris : 
Shinamaha (Yinamahu) 
Family Anatidae (Ducks and Geese) 
Ducks Anatidae Libala (Mubata) 
Family Accipitridae (Vultures, Eagles, Hawks, Kites, 
and allies) 
Eagles Accipitridae: Lihungu* 
Black Kite Milvus migrans parasuus Likhongoza 
(Makhongo/.a) 
African Harrier-Hawk (Gymnogene) Polyboroides 
i typus : Ikhasi (Tsikhasi) 
Great Sparrowhawk Accipiier m. melanoleucus : 
Shilit/a (Vilitza). Meaning "one that eats”, for 
the species’ taste for chickens. 
Long-crestcd Eagle Lophaetus occipitalis: 
Inangobua (Tsinangobua) 
African Crowned Eagle Stephanoaeius coronaius: 
Inditsu (Tsinduzu). This name signifies 
strength, in particular, for the species’ ability to 
take large prey 
Family Phasianidac (Quail and Francolins) 
Quail Commix spp lsindu (Tsisindu) 
Francolins Francolinus spp. Iklmale (Tsikhwale) 
Family Numididac (Guineafowl) 
The EANHS wishes to thank the following 
for their support in 1998: 
Sponsors of the Society: 
Brooks Childress 
Arturo Foresti 
Edward van den Berghe 
John Fox 
J.H.E Leakey 
Mary K. Minot 
Clara Kathurima 
Norman Searle 
Lucy Vigne Camm 
Pat Colbert 
Corporate members: 
Benny Bvtebier 
United Touring Company 
Lucile Ford 
Lake Turkana Lodge (Ivory Safaris) 
Jay ant Ruparel 
Major Donors: 
Radha Ruparel 
Royal Society for the Protection 
Secta Ruparel 
of Birds (RSPB) 
Narinder Heyer 
Global Environment Facility 
