Nyungwe is classified by Birdlife International as an “Important Bird Area” (IBA), which means that the park has “true significance” for the international conservation of bird population. In their fact sheet, they say that Nyungwe is one of the most important forests for conservation of montane birds in the region.

Rwanda’s Nyungwe national park is a birder’s paradise and it boasts of 278 species of birds of which 26 of those are found only in the few forests of the Albertine Rift. Some of the interesting birds include the Grauer’s Rush Warbler which an endemic species to the Albertine Rift Valley that thrives in isolated mountain swamps, such as Kamiranzovou. The Ruwenzori Turaco bird species are rare elsewhere but abundant in Nyungwe. Spectacular and rare sunbirds, such as the endemic Purple-breasted and Blue-headed can be seen feeding in flowering trees. The Black-and-white-casqued Hornbill, one of two hornbill species in the park, is known by its huge bill and honking call. The most Albertine Rift Endemic birds easily found in Nyungwe national park include Red-throated Alethe Alehe poliophrys, Kungwe Apalis Apalis argentea, Ruwenzori Apalis Apalis ruwenzorii, Ruwenzori Batis Batis diops, Stripe-breasted Tit Parus fasciiventer and Ruwenzori Nightjar Caprimulgus ruwenzorii, Dusky Crimson Wing Cryptospiza jacksoni as well as Archer’s Robin-chat Cossypha archeri among others.