December 1998 
Guineafowl Numididae Makhangj tl.ikhanga) 
Family Ralhdae (Rails and relatives) 
Crakes Raflidae: Bikhuttusili (Shikhutuvili) 
Family Gruidae (Cranes) 
Grey Crowned Crane Be. tg ulorum 
gihbenceps Lihoham i ( Llngongyi) This name 
is onomatopoeic from Ihc species' call “Hohany' 
Hohany!" 
Family Columbidae (Pigeons and Doves; 
Doves Columbidae Shituii (Vituti) 
African Green Pigeon Treron calva gibberifrons 
Ininga (Tsininga) 
Tambourine Dove Turtur tympanistria : 
Shinamusotsi (Vinaniusotsi) 
Speckled Pigeon Columba g. guinea Likahuruku 
(Vikaburuku)* 
Lemon Dove Aplopelia I. larvata: Shituku 
(Vituku)" 
Red-eyed Dove Streptopelia semitonjuata: Ekuku* 
African Mourning Dove Streptopelia decipiens : 
Likhuli.* Likhuli is wailing during times of 
sorrow or grief. This species has not been 
recorded in Kakamega itself (Savalli 1989) 
although it occurs fairly close in the Lake 
Victoria basin (Zimmerman el (il. 1996). 
Family Psittacidae (ftirrots and Lovebirds) 
Parrots Psittacidae Ekasuku (Kasuku) Kasuku 
means “parrot" in both Kiluhya and Kiswahili 
(hence the popular Kenyan cooking fat, Kasuku. 
will) its parrot logo). Calling someone a Kasuku 
means that they are very talkative. 
Grey Parrot Psittacus e. erithacus: Liluma 
(Maluma) From the verb Khuluma meaning “to 
bite”. 
Family Musophagidae {Turacos) 
Turacos Musophagidae Makhulungu 
(Likhulungu) 
Great Blue Turaco Corythaeola cristaia Emandu* 
Family Cuculidae (Cuckoos and Coucals) 
CuckiK>s Cuculidae Linamasaa (Mananiasaa)*. 
The call of the Black Cuckoo Cuculus clamosus 
is a bad omen; Tl’s mother, for example, had 
him chase it away from the house when it called 
at night. 
African Emerald Cuckoo Chrysococcy.x c. cupreus. 
Ijenyanga. The pneumonic for the call of this 
species, Ijenyanga. is loosely translated as “What 
are you thinking?”; the second part of the call is 
translated as a response, Ijonjoli, which means 
“Nothing!”. 
Blue-headed Coucal Centropus monachus fischeri: 
Litutu (Malutu). The call of this species is 
believed to indicate coming rain. In addition, 
people on occasion catch this bird and carry it 
with them if they are attempting something 
difficult, in particular at sporting events, as a 
“good hope for success”. 
Family Strigidae (Typical Owls) 
Owls Strigidae Shikhule/Likhule (Makhulc). This 
name comes from the verb Khwikhula , “to wail", 
and signifies the ill omen bestowed on a village 
if an owl calls there. Khwikhula is specifically 
used for mourning after a person has died. 
Family Coliidac (Mousebirds) 
Speckled Mousebird Colitis striatus kikuyuensis: 
iseru (Tsieru) 
Family Alcedimdae (Kingfishers) 
Kingfishers Alcedinidae: Shisiamemu 
(Visiamcmu). Shisiamemu is mostly applied to 
the African Pygmy Kingfisher Ispidina picta 
Family Meropidae (Bee -caters) 
Bee-eaters Meropidae Lilobi (Bilobi/Malobi) 
Family Bucerotidae (Hornbills) 
Southern Ground Hornbill Buconus leadbeateri 
Lihututu (Mahututu) 
Crowned Hornbill Tockus allxitermmaius geloensis : 
ShiiiU'ittia (Vimemia) 
Black-and-white Casqued Hornbill Bxcanistes 
subcylindricus subquadratus Linganga 
(Mang;inga) 
Family Capilonidac (Barbels and Tinkcrhirds) 
Tmkerbirds Pogoniulus spp I rondo (Tsirondo). 
I rondo is believed to be the origin of the place 
name Rondo, as in Rondo Retreat, the 
missionary guesthouse in southern Kakamega. 
near Isecheno. 
Grey-throated Barbel Cymnohucco boimpurtei 
cinereiceps : Litcsi (Mates!) 
Family Picidae (Woodpeckers and Wrynecks) 
Woodpeckers Picidae Iscnjelo (Tsisenjelo) 
Family Molacillidae (Wagiails, Pipits and Longclaws) 
African Pied Wagtail Moiaalhi aguimp vidua 
Shiclionjonjia (VJchonjonjiu) The nesting of 
this species in the roof of a house is believed to 
bring good luck to the homestead Carrying the 
head of Shiclionjonjia with you to a sporting 
event, especially wrestling, ensures your victory. 
Family Hirundinidae (Swallows and Martins) 
Swallows Hirundinidae Iniinvii ( Tsiniinyu) 
‘f-y 
mr. 
Family Pycnonotidae (Bulbuls) 
Common Bulbul Pycnonotus bar bat us: Likholovc 
(Makholove) 
Family Ttmaliidae (Babblers, Chatterers and llladopses) 
