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West African Ornithological Society
Société d’Ornithologie de l’Ouest Africain

U

Maümbus Volume 15 (1993)
Index

Compiled by J. H. Elgood

2

I Systematic Names

Italic numbers signify an illustration.

Accipiter badius 13, 43
castanilius 70, 78
erythropus 25
melanoleucus 26, 70
tachiro 27

Acrocephalus rufescens 74, 78
Actitis hypoleucos 72
Actophilomis af ricana 13, 22
Aegypius occipitalis 12
tracheliotus 12

Aenigmatolimnas marginalis 71
Alopochen aegyptiacus 12, 94
Amandava subflava 11
Amauromis flavirostris 13
Amblyospiza albifrons 75
Anas acuta 22

clypeata 20, 22
hottentota 20, 22
querquedula 12, 77, 94
sparsa 70

Anastomus lamelligerus 12
Andropadus 52

ansorgei 49, 52, 74
gracilirostris 48, 52
latirostris 49
virens 25, 32, 49
Anthreptes collaris 25, 42
gabonicus 75, 78
platura 15, 23
Anthus campestris 77
leucophrys 1 1, 44
Apalis flavida 32, 33
Apus aequatorialis 91
affinis 23, 41
apus 10, 43, 90, 91
bar bat us 43, 90-91
caffer 10
horus 73, 78
Aquila rapax 13, 22
wahlbergi 10

Ardea cinerea 12, 22
goliath 12
melanocephala 12
purpurea 12
Ardea ralloides 10
Ardeotis arabs 20, 22
Aviceda cuculoides 10

Balearica pavonina 13
Batis minima 75
orientalis 15
poensis 75
senegalensis 20, 22
Bleda canicapilla 30, 31
eximia 52

Bostrychia hagedash 12
Botaurus stel laris 20, 22
Bradomis pallidus 44
Bubo africanus 14, 43
lacteus 10

Bubulcus ibis 12, 43
Bucorvus abyssinicus 11, 89
Buphagus africanus 15, 23
Burhinus capensis 13
senegalensis 13
Butastur rufipennis 13, 44
Buteo auguralis 13
buteo 70

Butorides striatus 48
Bycanistes fistulator44

Calidris alba 71
ferruginea 72
minuta 71
minutilla 72
subminuta 68, 71
temminckii 72
Calyptocichla senna 52
Camaroptera brachyura 15, 23, 41
chloronota 32

3

Campephaga phœnicea 15
Campethera nivosa 29, 30
punctuligera 11
Canirallus œuleus 68, 71, 78
Caprimulgus batesi 68, 73, 78
binotatus 49
climacurus 23, 43
enarratus 49

Centropus Senegal ensis 13, 41
superciliosus 72, 78
Cercococcyx olivinus 72
Cercotrichas galactotes 15, 23
leucosticta 52
podobe 52
Ceryle rudis 14
Ceuthmochares aereus 28
Ceyx pi eta 44

Charadrius alexandrinus 68, 71, 77
dubius 22
forbesi 44
hiaticula47, 71
marginatus 71
tricollaris 71
Chelictinia riocourii 10
Chlidonias hybrida 1 1
leucoptera 13
Chlorocichla simplex 41
Chrysococcyx caprins 43
cupreus 28
klaas 43

Ciconia abdimii 12
ciconia 12
episcopus 10, 80

Cinnyricinclus leucogaster 11, 20, 23
Circaetus cinereus 10
gal liens 10, 70
Cirens aemginosns 12, 70
pygargns 12, 70
Cisti cola jnnei dis 15
Clamator glandarins 13, 43, 72
Clytospiza dybowskii 42
Colnmba gninea 13
larvata 72

Coracias abyssinica 14
cyanogaster 20, 23
naevia 10

Coracina aznrea 74, 78
pectoral is 15

Corvinella corvina 14, 23, 44
Corvns albns 15, 41
mficollis 23

Corythomis cristata 14, 23
Cossypha niveicapilla 20, 23, 41
Cotnmix delegorgnei 10, 20, 22, 71
Creatophora cinerea 74
Crinifer piscator 10, 23, 41
Cncnlns solitarins 43
Cnrsorins chalcopterns 10
Cypsinrns parvns 14, 44

Dendrocygna bicolor 20, 22, 92
vidnata 12

Dendropicos fnscescens 11, 43
goertae 14, 88
namaqnns 1 1
Diernrns adsimilis 15, 41
Indwigii 29, 33
Dryoscopns angolensis 76
gambensis 14, 41

Egretta alba 12
garzetta9, 10
intermedia 12, 22
Elan ns caernlens 12, 42
Emberiza flaviventris 1 1
forbesi 11
tahapisi 15, 23

Ephippiorhynchns Senegal ensis 12, 22
Eremomèla pnsilla 15
Eremopteryx lencotis 14
nigriceps 23
Estrilda astrild 43
bengala 16
caemlescens 20, 23
melpoda 44
troglodytes 16

4

Euplectes afer 15
hordeaceus 15, 42
macrourus 42
orix 15, 23

Eupodotis melanogaster 13
Eurystomus glaucurus 14, 43

Falco alopex 13

ardosiaceus 13, 70
biarmicus 13
chicquera 10
cuvieri 10
peregrinus 10
tinnunculus 13
vespertinus 10
Ficedula hypoleuca 44
Francolinus ahantensis 27
bicalcaratus 42
clappertoni 13
icterorhynchiis 13

Gallinago gallinago 22
Gallinula angulata 10
media 47

Glareola cinerea 20, 22
pratincola 20, 22
Glaucidium perlatum 14
Gypohierax angolensis 10
Gyps africanus 12
rueppellii 12

Haematopus ostralegus 47
Halcyon chelicuti 14
leucocephala 14, 43
senegalensis 14, 41
Haliaetus vocifer 12
Himantopus himantopus 13, 47
Himantornis haematopus 71, 78
Hippolais polyglotta 43
Hirundo abyssinica 41
cucullata 68, 73
daurica 44
rufigiila 73
rustica 14, 43, 73

Hirundo semirufa 44
senegalensis 14
smithii 14, 73, 78
spilodera 68, 73
Hylia prasina 33, 34
Hyliota violacea 75

Indicator indicator 14, 73, 78
maculatus 29, 30
minor 14, 44
Ixobrychus sturmii 9

Jubula lettii 68, 73, 78

Kaupifalco monogrammicus 13, 41

Lagonosticta rubricata 44
senegala 16, 41
Lamprotomis caudatus 15
chloropterus 15
nitens 74
purpureus 15
Laniarius aethiopicus 40
bar bar us 14
erythrogaster 23
ferrugineus 77
turatii 41

Lanius collaris 20, 23, 41
collurio 14, 74
excubitor 1 1
excubitorius 11
senator 14, 23
Earns ridibundus 20, 22
sabini 69

Leptoptilos crumeniferus 12
Limosa limosa 22
Lonchura bicolor 43
cucullata 16, 41
fringilloides 41
malabarica 16
Lophaetus occipitalis 13, 44
Lybius leucocephalus 11
rolled 14
vieil loti 14, 43

5

Macheiramphiis alcinus 20, 22
Macrodipîeryx longipennis 14, 23, 44
Macronectes giganteus 69
Macronyx croceus 41
Malaconotus bocagei 76, 78

sulfureopectus 14, 44 ;■

viridis 74, 78

Malimbiis erythrogaster 76, 78
nitens 35

Melaenornis edolioides 11
Melierax metabates 13
Merops aibicollis 14, 43, 76
bulocki 14. 61-67, 77
bullockoides 77
hirundineus 10, 20, 23, 77
nubicus 10
oriental is 14
pusillus 10, 23, 44, 66
Mesopicos (=Dendropicos) gocrtae 41
Micronisiis gabar 12
Mil vus mi grans 12, 43
Mirafra af ricana 52
rufocinnamomea 14
Motacilla aguimp 14, 20, 23
flava 14, 43

Muscicapa striata 23, 43
Mycteria ibis 12, 22
Myioparus plumbeus 44
Myrmecocichla aethiops 1 1

Necrosyrtes monachus 10, 50
Nectarinia chloropygia 41
cuprea 15, 41
oritis 77
piilchella 15
reichenbachii 75, 78
senegalensis 15
verti calls 43
Neotis denhami 10
Nesocharis capi strata 25, 43
Nettapus auritus 12
Nicator chloris 31, 52
Nigrita bicolor 25, 44
canicapilla 44

Nilaus afer 14, 23
Numenius arquata 72
Numida meleagris 13
Nycti corax leuconotus 47-48
nycticorax 10

Ocean i tes océaniens 69
Oceanodroma castro 69
Oena capensis 13
Oenanthe bottae 1 1
hispanica 15, 23
oenanthe 23

Oriolus auratus 15, 20, 23
oriolus 20, 23, 74
Otus leucotis 10
scops 14

Oxylophus jacobinus 13, 72
levaillantii 10

Pandion haliaetus 22
Parus leiicomelas 15
rufiventris 75, 78
Passer domesticus 20, 23
griseus 15, 41
Pelecanus onocrotalus 12
rufescens 12, 22
Pernis apivorus 10
Phalacrocorax africanus 12
carbo 20, 22, 70
Phoeniculus aterrimus 20, 22
purpureus 14
Pholidomis rushiae 74, 78
Phyllanthus atripennis 30, 31
Phyllastrephus albigularis 74
icteriniis 74

(Pyrrhurus) scandensSl, 52
xavieri 76

Picoides obsoletus 14
Platalea ^Iba 12

leucorodia 20, 22
Platysteira cyanea 25, 41
Plectroptems gambensis 12
Plocepasser superciliosus 15

6

Ploceus cucullatus 15, 41
insignis 75, 77
intermedius 75, 78
luteolus 15
nigerrimus 41
nigricollis 25, 32, 41
preussi 75, 76, 77, 78
subpersonatus 78
tricolor 75
velatus 15, 23
Pluvianus aegyptius 13
Pogoniulus bilineatus 25, 41, 67
chrysoconus 14
Poicephalus meyeri 13
Polemaetus beliicosus 13
Polyboroides radiatus 43
Prinia subflava 15, 42
Prodotiscus insignis 73, 78
Psalidoprocne ni tens 44
obscura 44

Psittacula krameri 13, 23
Pterocles exustus 10
quadricinctus 13
Ptilopachus petrosus 13, 22, 77
Ptilostomus afer 13
Puffinus puffinus 92
Pycnonotus barba tus 15, 41, 95-96
Pyrenestes ostrinus 33, 35
Pyrrhurus (= Phyllastrephus) scandens
31,52

Pytilia melba 16, 23
phoenicoptera 1 1

Quelea erythrops 1 1
quelea 15

Remiz flavifrons 75
parvulus 20, 23
Rostratula benghalensis 20, 23

Sagittarius serpen tari us 13
Sarkidiornis melanotos 12
Sarothrura pulchra 27, 30
Sasia af ricana 73, 78

Saxicola rubetra 44
Scopus umbretta 12
Scotopelia bouvieri 68, 73, 78
Serinus leucopygius 15
mozambicus 5

Spermophaga haematina 33, 35
Spheniscus demersus 70
Sphenoeacus mental is 41
Sporopipes frontalis 15, 23
Stercorarius pomarinus 69
Sterna albifrons 69
caspia 69

Streptopelia decipiens 13
semitorquata41, 112
vinacea 13
Struthio camel us 9
Sylvietta brachyura 15, 34
denti 34, 74, 78
virens 24, 33, 34

Tachybaptus ruficollis 12
Tachymarptis aequatorialis 10, 89
melba 90

Tauraco persa 28, 30
Tchagra Senegal a 14, 41
Terathopius ecaudatus 12
Terpsi phone 5pp. 25
viridis 15, 20, 23
Thescelocichla leucopleura 25
Threskiornis aethiopica 12
Tigriomis leucolophus 70
Tockus erythrorhynchus 14, 23, 81-87,
82

fasciatus 41
nasutus 14
T reron waalia 13
Tringa glareola 22, 47
ochropus 47
stagnatilis 47
totanus 13, 72
Trochocercus ni tens 75, 78
Turdoides.plebejus 15, 32
reinwardii 32, 44

Turdus 51

pelios 15, 41

Turtur abyssinicus 13, 22
afer 41

chalcospilos 72

Tytoalba 13, 41,50

Upupa epops 14

Vanellus albiœps 13
senegallus 13, 22
spinosus 13
tectus 10

Vidua camerunensis 20, 23
chalybeata 15
macroura 15, 41
on entai is 16

Zosterops Senegal ensis 15, 41

II Authors and Contents

Accounts. 60

Balança G. & de Visscher M.N. Nouvelles données de distribution pour deux
espèœs d’oiseaux au Burkina Faso. 89-90

Bretagnolle, F. An annotated checklist of birds of north-eastern Central African
Republic. 6-16

Boer, W.F. de & Legoupil, F. Observations sur la présence et l’abondance des
oiseaux au Tchad. 17-23
Book Reviews. 59-60, 97-100

Cheke, R. A. Manx Shearwater Puffinus puffinus new to Ivory Coast. 92
Crick, H.Q.P. Population density of Red-throated Bee-eaters Merops bullocki in a
pristine habitat. 61-67

Diop, M.S. & Treca, B. Nichoirs artificiels utilisés par le Petit Calao à bec rouge
Tockus erythrorhynchus. 81-88

Dowsett, R.J. A long-lived Common Bulbul Pycnonoîus barbatus in Nigeria. 95-96
Do wsett- Lemaire, F., Dowsett, R.J. & Bulens, P. Additions and corrections to the
avifauna of Congo. 68-80

Editorial. 1-5

Evans, M.I. Nest sites of Brown Nightjar Caprimulgus binotatus and Collared
Nightjar C. enarratus. 49-50

Ezealor, A.U. An unusual record of Fulvous Tree-Duck Dendrocygna bicolor
breeding in the Hadejia-Nguru Wetlands, north-eastern Nigeria 92-93
Ezealor, A.U. Albinism in Spur-winged Goose Plectropterus gambensis. ^-94
Field, G.D. Breeding of slender-billed Bulbul Andropadus gracilirostris in Sierra
Leone. 48-49

Gutter, W, The status of the Black Swift Apus barbatus in western West Africa 90-
91

Harkrider, J.R. Garden and farm-bush birds of Njala, Sierra Leone. 38-46
Herroelen, P. Seconde observation d’un Huîtrier pie Haematopus ostralegus au
Zaïre. 47

Iles, D. White-backed Night Heron Nycticorax leuconotus in Sierra Leone. 47-48

Notices. 59-60, 101-111

Triplet, P., Trolliet, B., Yesou, P. & Treca, B. On the laying period of the Egyptian
Goose Alopochen aegyptiacus in the delta of the River Senegal. 94-95
Wacher, T. Some new observations of forest birds in The Gambia. 24-37

I

à'I

Sd

MALIMBUS

Journal of the West African Ornithological Society
Revue de la Société dOrnithologie de TOuest Africain

VOLUME 15 Number 1

June 1993

ISSN 0331-3689

West African Ornithological Society
Société d* Ornithologie de TOuest Africain

Council 1993:

President: Dr Gérard J. Morel
Vice-president: John H. Elgood

Treasurer and Membership Secretary: Robert E. Sharland
Member of Council: Dr Max Gemiain
Secretary to Council: Mrs Amberley Moore
Managing Editor: Dr Alan Tye

Editorial Board: P.D. Alexander-Marrack, Dr R.A. Cheke, G.D. Field, Dr L.D.C.
Fishpool, M.E. J. Gore, A.A. Green, Dr G.J. Morel

Correspondence should be addressed as follows:

- to the Managing Editor (lUCN, P.O. Box 1, Amani, Tanga, Tanzania) regarding
contributions to Malimbtis, including incidental photographs or line drawings;

- to the Treasurer (1 Fisher’s Heron, East Mills, Fordingbridge, Hampshire, SP6
2JR, UK) regarding subscriptions, financial matters and back numbers;

- to the President (1 Route de Sallenelles, Bréville-les-Monts, 14860 Ranville,
France) regarding policy matters.

The Society grew out of the Nigerian Ornithologists’ Society, which was founded in
1964. Its object is to promote scientific interest in the birds of West Africa and to
further the region’s ornithology, mainly by means of its journal Malimbus (formerly the
Bulletin of the Nigerian Ornithologists' Society).

Applications for membership are welcomed. Annual membership subscription rates are
£10.00 for Ordinary Members and £25.00 for Corporate Members. Payments may be
made in £ Sterling to the Treasurer, or in French Francs to the President. Members
receive Malimbus by surface mail free of charge. Extra charges are required for air mail
(enquire of Üie Treasurer for rates).

Back Numbers: Vols 11-14 (1975-78) of the Bulletin of the Nigerian Ornithologists'
Society (the same format as Malimbus) are available at £2 per issue (£4 per volume) or
£15 a set. limbus Vols 1-9 are available at £3 per issue (£6 per volume) and Vol. 10
onwards at £5 per issue (£10 per volume). A full set of Malimbus Vols 1-14 may be
purchased at the reduced price of £95. Postage and packing are free. Please enclose
payment with your order, which should be addressed to tlie Treasurer.

Distribution: G.D. Field

1993

1

Editorial

There has recently been considerable discussion witliin the Society regarding the future
of Ma limbus and, indeed, of the Society itself. This culminated in the questionnaire
circulated with the last issue, to which the response has been good, with over 80
completed questionnaires returned to date (about one third of membership), A full
analysis is in progress and will appear in the following issue, including a summary of
comments and decisions regarding the surplus of funds. I should like here to deal solely
with points regarding Malimhus itself.

In general, most respondents found the scientific content of the journal its most
useful feature, followed by book reviews and notices. Photographs were least
appreciated, but several people thought them important for an attractive appearance, if
their quality could be improved. There were similar comments regarding production
quality, especially the cover and paper; tliese will be taken into account, and quality will
be improved in the near future, following discussions with our printer. Regarding
photograph quality, we are entirely dependent upon readers and others contributing
their work. We cannot pay any fee, but if any reader would like to send in good
photographs (colour, monochrome, prints or slides), we should be happy to publish
them. Similarly, we can use line drawings which illustrate West African birds or
scenery. Some members suggested publishing the occasional colour photograph. This is
acceptable in principle, although expensive; however, there would have to be some
justification for the expense, such as description of a new taxon or previously unknown
nest and eggs.

Several respondents made suggestions for additions to the journal’s content. The
most common was that the ‘Tsfotices” section should be expanded to include news of
ornithological and conservation projects in West Africa, expedition reports etc. This
suggestion is accepted but again, we are entirely dependent on contributions. News
submissions are henceforth welcomed (to be sent to me). They will be subject to the
usual editorial process, including translation if this is considered important. One person
suggested that news should appear as a separate newsletter; this would require more
work (who would volunteer?) and it is not yet clear if there is sufficient interest in
submitting news to justify it. At present we feel that including a notes and news section
in die journal is tlie best option.

Another common suggestion regarding content was that we should publish papers
on a wider variety of subjects. The lack of such papers is no fault of the journal: we
have several times indicated that papers on any topic relevant to West African
ornithology will be considered. Again, the journal is absolutely dependent on receiving
contributions and I can only encourage readers to send their work to Ma limbus', papers
reporting ecological or behavioural studies would be especially welcome. It is
impossible to improve the journal’s quality and standing unless authors are prepared to
submit their better work. We can offer very prompt publication for well-written papers;
at present, all papers are appearing in the issue following receipt of an acceptable

2

A. Tye

Malimbus 15

manuscript. This is far faster than most other omitiiological journals.

I must add that the reason for the JoumaTs recent leanness is that fewer papers have
been received, following the boom of the late eighties. I should love hhlimbus to
become bigger, or even quarterly (as two respondents suggested) but we need the
material. Our rejection rate of papers is very low - bad papers are usually heavily edited
rather than being rejected out of hand - so we need more submissions if the journal is to
regain its former healthier size. One person suggested merging Malimbus with Tauraco,
Scopus and Honeyguide; personally I would also include Ostrich and all the other
“minor” African ornithological journals. Council will bear the suggestion in mind but
will not be initiating any discussions to that end.

Specific suggestions for widening the content of Malimbus included accepting
papers on identification. A decision to accept such work had, in fact, already been
taken, so I hope that members will work at their problem groups. Identification papers
should deal only with difficult groups and should emphasise comparative features.
Papers covering ground which is already adequately covered in widely-available
literature, such as the standard guides and reference works, will not be accepted.

Other specific requests were for taxonomic papa's (which we have, in fact, always
accepted: see Malimbus 1(1) and recent issues), for a resumption of the Recent
Literature Supplements and for a Correspondence section. Correspondence has also
always been accepted, but no-one has bothered to correspond recently! Comments on
recent papers or controversies are welcome but the Editor’s decision on what to publish
is final. The Literature Supplements were discontinued when Hilaiy Fiy could no longer
devote the considerable time required to their production; they were compilai by him
virtually single-handedly aid no-one else can face the job. They were handed over to
the editorship of Tauraco and subsequently died. If anyone feels he or she has sufficient
spare time to comb the huge range of literature required for the production of
exhaustive supplements, we should be happy to know. Access to an excellent libraiy,
such as the Alexander at Oxford, would be essential.

One person requested more book reviews; another requested fewer...

There was some comment about the language of publication. One person requested
the full texts of all papers to be published in both French and English; I do not feel that
this is necessary, since most members can probably manage some of both languages.
Further, it would double the size of the journal (or should it become two separate
editions?), increase costs, and more than double the work of the Editor and President,
who presently undertake the translations for bilingual items. One other suggestion was
that French papers should also be published in English: an anglocentric view that
ignores our francophone readers’ preferences and the fact that most of West Africa is
francophone. Only one person suggested fiiat papers in French be no longer accepted;
we therefore believe that the present policy is the correct one. One person requested
bird names to be included in local vernaculars, including other colonial languages. This
might be considered where a paper deals with ethnological subjects and names in
Portuguese or Spanish might be considered for papers dealing with countries where
those languages are official but, in general, vernacular names in a single language (that

1993

Editorial

3

of tlie paper) are ad^uate.

Finally, one person raised the subject of advertising in Malimbus. We have
considered this for a long time but there are two problems. One is that, as far as I know,
no advertisements have ever been submitted; tliey would be acceptable if tliey were,
since they would augment the Society’s funds. In view of this, the other problem is that,
evidently, advertising will have to be solicited. This needs someone to undertake the
post of advertising manager - any volunteers? Such a person might face the difficulty
tJiat few organisations would wish to advertise in such a specialist and low-circulation
journal, but who knows?

To smn up, tlie Society is in a reasonably healtliy state, as is the journal, but both
could be better. The editorship will do its best, but most depends on tlie contributors; I
end by passing back the buck.

Alan Tye

Editorial

Ces derniers tanps, il a été beaucoup question, au sein de la Société, de Tavenir de
Malimbus et bien entendu aussi de la Société elle-même. Cela s’est traduit par le
questionnaire distribué avec le dernier numéro, qui fut bien accueilli puisque plus de 80
réponses ont été reçues à ce jour (environ un tiers des abonnés). L’analyse complète est
en cours et paraîtra dans la prochaine livraison ainsi qu’un résumé des commentaires et
des décisions concernant l’excédent budgétaire. Je voudrais aborder ici seulement les
questions concernant K4aUmbus même.

En général, la plupart de ceux qui ont répondu estiment que le contenu scientifique
de la revue est son aspect le plus utile, suivi de la revue des livres et des annonces. Les
photographies sont les moins appréciées mais certains les jugent importantes par leur
côté attrayant, à condition qu’elles soient de meilleure qualité. On trouve des
commentaires similaires quant à la présentation, particulièrement la couverture et le
papier; ces remarques seront mises à profit prochainement après discussion avec notre
imprimeur.

En ce qui concerne la qualité des photographies, nous dépendons entièrement des
lecteurs et de ceux qui proposent leurs articles. Nous ne pouvons payer de droits mais
nous publions volontiers les bons clichés envoyés par les lecteurs (couleurs ou noir et
blanc, sur |3apier ou diapositives). De même, nous pouvons utiliser des dessins au trait
qui représentent des oiseaux de l’Ouest africain ou des paysages. Quelques membres
suggèrent de publier à l’occasion des photos en couleurs. En principe, c’est faisable
bien que coûteux; la dépense devrait donc être justifiée, par exemple par la description
d’un nouveau taxon ou bien de nid ou d’oeufs encore inconnus.

Plusieurs réponses suggèrent d’entendre le contenu de la revue et la plupart que la
partie “Annonces” soit élargie et comprenne des nouvelles sur les projets d’ornithologie

4

A. Tye

Malimbus 15

et de protection dans l’Ouest africain, des rapports d’expéditions, etc. Cette suggestion
est acceptée mais, encore une fois, nous dépendons entièrement de ce qu’on nous
propose. Les offres de publication sont dès maintenant les bienvenues (me les adresser).
Elles suivront le processus d’édition habituel, y compris la traduction, si cela est jugé
important. Une personne suggère que les nouvelles paraissent séparément sous forme de
lettre; cela demanderait plus de travail (qui est volontaire?) et il n’est pas certain que
l’intérêt de ces nouvelles le justifie. Pour l’instant, nous estimons que consacrer une
rubrique de la revue aux notes et nouvelles est la meilleure formule.

Il est d’autre part conununément suggéré, concernant la teneur de la revue, que nous
devrions publier des sujets plus variés. Le manque de tels articles n’est pas imputable à
la revue: nous avons maintes fois précisé que nous examinerions les manuscrits sur tout
sujet relatif à l’ornithologie ouest-africaine. La revue, répétons-le, dépend totalement
des articles qui lui sont soumis et je ne puis qu’encourager les lecteurs à envoyer leurs
travaux à Malimbus-, les articles traitant d’écologie ou de comportement seront
particulièrement appréciés. Il est impossible d’améliorer la qualité et le niveau de la
revue si les auteurs ne consentent pas à nous confier le meilleur de leurs travaux. Nous
assurons une publication rapide aux articles bien rédigés; actuellement, tous les articles
sont publiés dans le premier numéro qui suit la réception d’un manuscrit jugé publiable.
C’est bien plus rapide que pour la plupart des autres revues d’ornithologie.

Je dois ajouter que la raison de la “minceur” de la revue ces temps-ci vient du plus
faible nombre d’articles reçus, après l’abondance des années 80. J’aimerais que
Malimbus épaississe, devienne même trimestriel (comme deux réponses le suggèrent),
mais nous avons besoin de “papiers”. Notre taux de refus est très bas — les articles
médiocres sont habituellement fortement remaniés plutôt que refiisés d’emblée et nous
avons donc besoin de plus d’offres de publication pour que la revue recouvre sa santé
d’hier. Une personne suggère la fusion de Malimbus avec Tauraco, Scopus et
Honeyguide, personellement, je comprendrais aussi Ostrich ainsi que toutes les autres
revues secondaires d’ornithologie africaine. Le Conseil se souviendra de cette
suggestion mais n’entamera aucune négotiation à cet effet.

Il est aussi proposé, pour élargir le contenu de Malimbus, de publier des articles
d’identification. Une décision en ce sens avait été en fait déjà prise et j’espère que des
membres s’attaqueront à des groupes difficiles. Les articles d’identification devraient
traiter seulement de tels groupes et souligner les caractères comparatifs. Les articles sur
des questions déjà bien traitées dans les manuels courants, tels que les guides classiques
et les ouvrages de référence, ne seraient pas acceptés.

D’autres demandes particulières concernent les articles de taxonomie (que nous
avons, de fait, toujours acceptés: voir Malimbus 1(1) et les numéros récents), la reprise
des “Recent Literature Supplements” et de la rubrique Correspondance. La
Correspondance aussi a toujours été acceptée mais personne n’en a fait récemment! Les
commentaires sur les articles récents et les controverses sont les bienvenues mais c’est
au Rédacteur de décider ce qu’il doit publier. Les “Literature Supplements” furent
interrompus quand Hilary Fry ne disposa plus de temps considérable qu’exigeait leur
préparation; c’est lui seul qui pratiquement en faisait la compilation et personne d’autre

1993

Editorial

5

ne peut s'en charger. Ces suppléments furent confiés à la rédaction de Tauraco et
finalement abandonnés. Si quelqu'un estime avoir assez de temps libre pour fouiller
Fénonne masse de littérature nécessaire à la préparation des suppléments exhaustifs,
nous serions heureux de rapprendre. Il serait indispensable d'avoir accès à une
excellente bibliothèque telle que FAlexander d'Oxford.

Une personne demande plus d'analyses de livres, une autre moins...

Il y a quelques commentaires sur la langue de la revue. Un abonné demande que
tous les textes soient publiés à la fois en français et en miglais; je ne pense pas que ce
soit nécessaire car la plupart des lecteurs possèdent plus ou moins les deax langues. De
plus, cela ferait doubler la taille de la revue (à moins d'en faire deux séparées?),
augmenterait les frais, et ferait plus que doubler la tâche du Rédacteur et du Président
qui actuellement assurent la traduction des textes bilingues. Il est aussi suggéré que tous
les articles en français soient aussi publiés en anglais: c’est un point de vue
“Miglocentriste” qui ne tient pas compte des préférences de nos lecteurs francophones et
du fait que la plus grande partie de FOuest africain est francophone. Une seule persoime
suggère de ne plus accepter d'articles en français; nous pensons donc que notre
pohtique actuelle est la borme. Une personne demande que les noms d’oiseaux soient
donnés aussi dans les dialectes locaux y compris les langues des anciens pays
colonisateurs. Cela pourrait être retenu quand un article traite de sujets etlinologiques et
les noms en portugais ou en espagnol être envisagés pour les pays dont c'est la langue
officielle, mais, en général, les noms vernaculaires d'une seule langue (celle de l'article)
suffisent.

Enfin, une personne soulève la question de la publicité dans Malimbus. Nous y
avons pensé depuis longtemps mais il y a deux difficultés. La première est que, à ma
connaissance, aucune demande ne nous a jamais été faite; elle serait acceptée puisque
cela augmenterait les ressources de la Société. A cet effet, la deuxième difficulté est
que, évidemment, la publicité doit être recherchée. Cela suppose que quelqu'un prenne
la poste de responsable de la publicité — y a-t-il des volontaires? Ce responsable se
trouverait alors dans la situation difficile où peu d'organismes désireraient faire de la
publicité dans une revue aussi spécialisée et d'un aussi faible tirage, mais qui sait?

Pouer nous résumer, la Société, de même que la revue, sont raisonnablement
prospères, mais les deux pouiraient aller mieux. La Rédaction fera de son mieux mais
l’essentiel dépend des collaborateurs de la revue; je tennine en vous renvoyant la balle.

Alan Tye

6

Malimbus 15

An annotated checklist of birds of north-eastern
Central African Republic

by François Bretagnolle

CEPE-CNRS, route de Mende, BP 505 1 ,
34033 Montpellier Cedex, France.

Received 28 December 1 990
Revised 13 April 1993

Summary

During a four month stay in the Vakaga prefecture, northern C.A.R., in 1988,
232 species of birds were recorded; an annotated list of species with particular
biogeographical interest is presented. A brief comparison with a checklist from
a region ftuHier south is made.

Résumé

A Foccasion d'un séjour de quatre mois dans la préfecture de la Vakaga (au
nord de la République Centrafricaine) en 1988, 232 espèces d'oiseaux ont été
observées. Une liste systématique commentée des espèces ayant un intérêt
biogéographique est présentée ainsi qu'une brève comparaison avec une liste
concernant une région située plus au sud.

Introduction

The avifauna of the Central African Republic (C.A.R.) has been little studied. Recently,
Carroll (1988) published a checklist for the C.A.R. but without data for the north-
eastern and south-eastern parts of the countiy. I spent four montlis (March, May, June
and August) in the Vakaga Prefecture in the north-east of the country, and had the
opportunity to observe the birds during excursions eveiy day in a 120 x 30 km area
around Birao (see Fig. 1).

In Uiis paper, I present my personal omiüiological records with some indication of
tlie status and abundance of bird species in die region. A complete checklist is givai in

the Appendix.

1993

Birds of NE C.A.R.

7

Fig. L Vakaga Prefecture, Central African Republic

8

F. Bretagnolle

Malimbus 1 5

The Vakaga Environment

The Vakaga prefecture is situated between Sudan and Chad (10°N, 23®E) and lies on
the southern limit of the Chadian Basin. It is a wide floodplain where dry sand
formations (unflooded levees) and temporarily flooded depressions (inundated alluvial
soils) alternate. It is divided from the rest of tlie C.A.R. by a long chain of mountains
(Precambrian origin), the Dar Chala Cluster, separating the Oubangui Basin from the
Chari (L. Chad) Basin. The major geological formations of the region are quaternary
(alluvial materials and aeolian materials such as old ergs).

The climate is determined by a high pressure zone centred over the Chadian-Lybian
Desert and is thus Sudano-Sahelien (sub-climate Sahelo-Sudanien) which progressively
becomes Sudano-Guinean towards the south (for definition see Boulvert 1986). Annual
precipitation, averaged over twenty years, is 870 mm in Birao. However, this average
must be used with caution because it masks very high inter-annual fluctuations (530
mm to 950 mm) and the decline in rainfall in tlie last few years. The dry season begins
at the end of September and finishes at the end of May, maximum rainfall occurring
usually in August.

All the rivers of the Vakaga region belong to Üie Chari Basin and flow into Lake
Cliad. In the Vakaga Plain, the rivers only flow between June and the end of September,
and at that time are lost in wide marshy zones. These rivers merge to form the Bar
Aouk, which flows into the Chari River. In the rainy season, the inundation zone is
filled first from rain before the river water, which flows down from the mountains,
causes a flood. The Vakaga Plain thus becomes a vast mosaic of ponds, lakes, channels
and marshes among the unflooded sand levees. During the dry season, water bodies
progressively dry up and disappear by the end of February, although for the last few
years there were three or four permanent water bodies which persisted in the region
throughout the dry season.

Vegetation on the Vakaga consists of a mosaic of wooded savanna and grassland
formations whose respective importance varies with topography and soil patterns.

Wooded savanna formations are generally found on unflooded soils. The
characteristic pattern is a patchwork of mixed lowland tree savanna and savanna
woodland. Frequently, the distribution of trees within a formation is clumped,
sometimes very accentuated where the species are grouped on old termite mounds. The
principal tree sj^ecies are: Anogeisus leiocarpus, Terminalia hxijlom, Butyrospemium
paradoxum, Tamarindus indica, Xeromphis nilotica, Combretum nigricans, C. molle,
Piliostigma thonningii. Gardenia temifolia, Burkea africana. Balanites aegypliaca,
Khaya senegalensis, and Isoherlinia sp. (see Boulvert 1986).

A great majority of tlie grass formations consist of savanna grassland in temporary
flooded areas (floodplain prairies). I also include in the grassland savarma category,, the
cultivated zones occurring near villages.

Two important phytogeographical differences from tlie more southern regions of the
C.A.R. are the lack of pemianent rivers, the gallery forest being replaced by lines of
trees (Kigelia afncana, Mitragyna inemiis, Diospyros mespiliformis), and the presence

1993

Birds ofNECA.R,

9

of several Sahelien plant species for which the Vakaga is their southern natural limit.
This latter point has M Boul vert (1986) to put the Vakaga Plain in tlie Sudano-Sahelien
phytogeographical domain.

The sedentary human population density is small (0.5 inhabitants per km^).
However, human pressure on die enviromnent (much stronger in the last few years) is
high, due to the presence of large Zebu herds led by the nomadic Mbororo, who travel
across the plain throughout the dry season. The Mbororo are responsible for fires,
overgrazing and felling of trees to feed the animals. Sedentary people live in small
villages situated along the few tracks of the region, their main activity being agriculture
(millet and groundnuts).

Systematic List

Although this list may not be exhaustive, it indicates our present knowledge of the
avifauna of the Vakaga Prefecture. Some 232 species of bird have been recorded there,
of which 169 are known or suspected to breed. I recorded only 22 migratory species,
probably due to the lack of observations in March. The list below includes species for
which die Vakaga data add to our knowledge about their geographical distribution
(extend the known range compared with the information available in Carroll 1982; 1988
and in Nikolaus 1 987) or species with data on nesting; remaining species are listed in
the Appendix. During my stay in Vakaga, I did not liave the opportunity to prospect the
southern mountain region. Therefore species living there have not been included.

One can make several comparisons with the checklist of Carroll (1982) concerning
a region furtlier to the southwest (Manovo-Gounda-St.Floris National Park). First, an
important guild of species is disappearing in Vakaga, with the disappearance of the
forest gallery along the rivers. Second, the Vakaga region lacks many species which
require dense forest and instead supports several sahelian species.

The meaning of abbreviations is as follows.

Status: B breeding; PB probable breeding (present in reproductive season, but no
proof of breeding); R resident; M migratory; ? uncertain status.

Abundance: C common species (with a few hours stay in the appropriate
environment, contact with the species is probable); U uncommon species (with a few
hours stay in the appropriate environment, contact with the species is uncertain); O
occasional (only one or two observations of the species during the four-month
observation period).

Example: Little Egret Egretta garzetia: PB, R, U. Ten near Birao 1 1 Mar. Mar,
May, Jun, Aug. This means that I observed the species several times in tlie months of
March, May, June and August and that on 1 1 March I observed 10 individuals together.

Ostrich Stmthio camelm: ?, O. Three in 1983 near Birao. More common in SW
Vakaga near Manovo National Park. Not personally recorded.

Dwarf Bittern Ixobrychm stumiii: PB, U. Birao lake and near the village. May, Jun, Aug.

10

F. Bretagnolle

Malimbus 1 5

Black’crowned Night Heron Nycticorax nycticorax. PB, U. Jun, Aug.

Squacco Heron Ardeola ralloides. PB, R, U. Breeding plumage Aug. Mar, May, Jun, Aug.
Little Egret Egretta garzetta: PB, R, U. Ten near Birao 1 1 Mar. Mar, May, Jun, Aug.
Woolly-necked Stork Ciconia episcopus: ?, Ô. One along the Yata river 24 Jun.

White Stork Ciconia ciconia: M, O. One 23 May, one 13 Jun, Birao.

Cuckoo Falcon Aviceda cuculoides: PB, R(?), U. Several observations near Birao of
adults and immatures. May, Aug.

Honey Buzzard Pernis apivorus: M, O. One near Birao 16 May.

Swallow-tailed Kite Chelictinia riocourii: PB, R, U. Max. ten in Yata river 11 Mar.
Mar, May, Jun, Aug.

Palm-nut Vulture Gypohierax angolensis: ?, O. One near Am-Dafok 1 1 Mar.

Hooded Vulture Necrosyrtes nwnachus: B, R, C. Adult sitting at nest in Birao Mar.
Mar, May, Jun, Aug.

Snake-Eagle Circaetus gallicus: PB, R, U. Mar, May, Jun, Aug.

Brown Snake-Eagle Circaetus cinereus: PB, R, U. Mar, May, Jun, Aug.

Wahlberg’s Eagle Aquila waiilbergi: PB, R, U. Mar, May, Jun, Aug.

Red-necked Falcon Falco chicquera: B, R, U. Adults attending nest Mar. Mar, May,
Jun, Aug.

Red-footed Falcon Falco vespertinus: M, O. One male and one female along the Yata
river 1 5 Mar.

African Hobby Falco cuvie/i: PB, U. May, Jun, Aug.

Peregrine Falco peregrinus: ?, O. One imm. near Birao 21 Jun.

Harlequin Quail Cotumix delegorguei: ?, U. May, Aug.

Lesser Moorhen Gallinula angulata: PB, U. May, Jun, Aug.

Denham’s Bustard Neotis denhanU. PB, U. May, Jun.

Painted Snipe Rostratula hengalensis: ?, O. One female 10 Jun, one male and one
female 20 Jun at Birao lake.

Brown-winged Courser Cursorius chalcopterus: PB, U. May, Jun.

Black-headed Lapwing Vanellus tectus: B, C. Adults nesting Mar. Mar, May, Jun, Aug.
Whiskered Tern Chlidonias hybrida: ?, U. Ten 24 Jun, six 10 Aug Birao lake. Jun, Aug.
Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse Pterocles exustus: PB, R(?), U. Mar, Jun.

Western Grey Plantain-eater Crittifer piscator: PB, R, U. Mar, May, Jun, Aug.
Levaillant’s Cuckoo Oxylophus levaillantii: PB, U. Jun, Aug.

White-faced Owl Otus leucotis: PB, U. May, Aug.

Verraux’s Eagle-Owl Bubo lacteus: PB, U. Mar, Jun.

European Swift opus: M, O. Mar, some in May.

White-rumped Swift Apus caffer. ?, O. Two flocks in Birao. May, Jun.

Mottled Swift Tachynmrptis aequatorialis: ?, U. Several observations of small flocks
in Birao. May breed in the Dar Chala. May, Jun, Aug.

Little Bee-eater Merops pusillus: PB, R, U. Mar, May, Jun, Aug.

Swallow-tailed Bee-eater Merops hirutidineus: PB, U. May, Jun, Aug.

Carmine Bee-eater Merops nubicus: ?, O. Flock near Birao 20 Jun.

Rufous-crowned Roller Coracias naevia: ?, O. Two obs. Jun.

1993

Birds of NE C.A.R.

11

Abyssinian Ground Hornbill Bucorvus abyssiniens: PB, R, U. Mar, May, Jim, Aug.
White-headed Barbet Lybius leucocephalus: PB, R, U. Mar, May, Jun, Aug.
Fine-spotted Woodpecker Cmnpethera putictuUgem: PB, R, O. One Mar, one male
and one female Aug.

Cardinal Woodpecker Dendropicos Juscescens: PB, R, U. Mar, May, Jun, Aug.
Bearded Woodpecker Dendropicos natnaquns: PB (?), O. One male and one female, Jun.
Plain-backed Pipit AtUhus leucophrys: PB, U. May, Jun, Aug.

Grey-backed Fiscal Lanins exenbitorins: PB, R, U. Mar, May, Jun, Aug.
Distinguished from L. excubiior by pattern of long, broad tail: basal outer part white,
distal part black, tipped white.

Amethyst Starling Cinnyricynclm hucogaster: PB, U. May, Jun, Aug.

Red-breasted Wheatear Oenandte hottae: ?, U. Probably breeding in the Dar Chala. May.
Ant-Chat Myrmecocichla aethiops: PB, U. May, Jun.

Black Flycatcher Melaenomis edolioides: ?, O. Jun.

Yellow-bellied Bunting E'/n^eriza flaviventris: PB, R, U. Mar, May, Jun.

Little Bunting Eniberiza forbest PB, R, U. Mar, Jun.

Red-headed Quelea Qnelea erythrops: PB, U. May, Jun, Aug.

Red-winged Pytilia Pytilia phoenicoptera: PB, U. Jun, Aug.

Zebra Waxbill Atnandava snbflava: ?, O. Two obs., May, Jun.

Acknowledgments

I would like to thank Max Germain, A.A. Green, J.D. Thompson and Paul Isenmann for
their helpful comments and criticism of the manuscript. Many thanks to Ingrid and
Jean-Marc Froment who received me during my travels across the C.A.R. The period
spent in Manovo is one that I cherish for its beauty. I dedicate this manuscript to

Florence Pingco.

References

Boulvert, Y. (1986) Carte phyto géographique de la République Centrafiicaine au
1/1 00000. Feuille Ouest et feuille Est. ORSTOM, Paris.

Carroll, R. W. (1982) Ornithological investigation of the Central African Republic.

M. Biol. Thesis, Southern Connecticut State College, New Haven.

Carroll, R. W. (1988) Birds of the Central African Republic. Malimbus 10: 177-200.
Nikolaus, G. (1987) Distribution atlas of Sudan’s birds with notes on habitat and
status. Bonn. zool. Monogr. 25.

12

F. Bretagnolle

Malimbus 15

Appendix

Other species observed (with status).

Dabchick TachybapUts mficoUis: PB, U. Jun, Aug.

Reed Cormorant Phalacracorax afrkanm: PB, U. Mar, May, Jun, Aug.
White Pelican Pelecanm onocrotalus: M, O. Mar.

Pink-backed Pelican Pelecanm mfescem: M, O. Mar.

Cattle Egret Bubulcm ibis: B, C. Mar, May, Jun, Aug.

Intermediate Egret Egretta interniedia: ?, O. May, Aug.

Great White Egret Egretta alba: PB, U. Mar, May, Jun, Aug.

Purple Heron Ardea purpurea: ?, O. Jun.

Grey Heron Ardea cinerea: M, U. Mar, May, Jun, Aug.

Black-headed Heron Ardea ntelanocephtda: PB, C. Mar, May, Jun, Aug.
Goliath Heron Ardea goliath: ?, O. Aug.

Hamerkop Scopm untbretta: PB, U. Mar, May, Jun, Aug.

Wood Ibis Mycteria ibis: ?, O. Mar.

Open-billed Stork Anastonms lameUigerm: PB, C. Mar, May, Jun, Aug.
Abdim’s Stork Ciconia abdintii: B, C. May, Jun, Aug.

Saddle-billed Stork Ephippiorhynchm senegalensis: ?, O. Mar.

Marabou Leptoptilos crutneniferm: PB, C. Mar, May, Jun, Aug.

Hadada Bostrychia hagedash: ?, O. Aug.

Sacred Ibis Threskiomis aethiopica: ?, U. Mar, May, Jun, Aug.

African Spoonbill Platalea alba: M, O. Mar.

White-faced Tree-Duck Detutocygna nduata: PB, U. May, Jun, Aug.
Egyptian Goose Alopochen aegyptiacus: PB, U. May, Aug.

Spur-winged Goose Plectropterm goitibensis: PB, U. Mar, May, Jun, Aug.
Knob-billed Duck Sarlddiomis tttelatwios: PB, C. Mar, May, Jun, Aug.
^gmy Goose Nettapm auritm: PB, C. Aug.

Garganey Anas querquedula: M, C. Mar.

Black-shouldered Kite Elaitm caerulem: PB, U. May, Jun, Aug.

Black Kite Milvm nügrans: PB, C. Mar, May, Jun, Aug.

River Eagle Haliaeetm vocifer: PB, U. Mar, Jun, Aug.

White-backed Vulture Gyps africanm: PB, U. Mar, May, Jun, Aug.
RüppePs Griffon Gy/M rueppeUii: PB, U. Mar, May, Jun, Aug.
Lappet-faced Vulture tracheUotm: PB, U. Mar, May, Jim, Aug.

White-headed Vulture Aegypim occipitalis: PB, O. Mar, Jun.

Bateleur Terathopim ecaudatm: PB, C. Mar, May, Jun, Aug.
Harrier-Hawk Polyboroides typm: PB, U. Mar, May, Jun, Aug.
Montagu's Harrier Circm pygargm: M, O. Mar.

Marsh Harrier Circm aeruginosm: M, O. Mar.

Gabar Goshawk Micronisim gabar: PB, C. Mar, May, Jun, Aug.

1993

Birds of NE C.A.R.

13

Dark Chanting Goshawk Melierax metabates: PB, C. Mar, May, Jun, Aug.
Shikra Accipiter badius: PB, C. Mar, May, Jun, Aug.

Grasshopper Buzzard Butmtur rufipennis: PB, U. May, Jun, Aug.

Lizard Buzzard Kaupifalco ntonogratnnticus. PB, U. Jun, Aug.

Red’tailed Buzzard Buteo auguralis: PB, U. Jun, Aug.

Tawny Eagle Aquila rapax: PB, U. Mar, Jun, Aug.

Long-crested Eagle Lophaetus occipitalis'. PB, U. Mar, May, Aug.

Martial Eagle Polenmetus belUcosus: ?, O. Jun, Aug.

Secretary Bird Sagittarius serpen tari us: ?, O. Mar.

Kestrel Falco tinnunculus: ?, O. May.

Fox Kestrel Falco alopex: ?, O. May, Jun.

Grey Kestrel Falco ardosiaceus: PB, U. May, Jun, Aug.

Lanner Falco biarnticus: PB, U. May, Jun, Aug.

Helmeted Guineafowl Numida meleagris: B, C. Mar, May, Jun, Aug.

Stone Partridge Ptilopachus petrosas: B, C. Mar, May, Jun, Aug.
Clapperton’s Francolin Francolinus clappertoni: B, C. Mar, May, Jun, Aug.
Heuglin's Francolin Francolinus icterorynchus: ?, O. May.

Black Crake Amauromis flavirostris: PB, O. May, Jun.

Black Crowned Crane Balearka pavonina: ?, U. May, Jun.

Black-bellied Bustard Eupodotis nielanogaster. PB, U, May, Jun, Aug.
LilyArotter Actophilomis af ricana: PB, C. May, Jun, Aug.

Black-winged Stilt Hinumtopus hinmntopus: PB, U. Mar, May, Jun, Aug.
Senegal Thick-knee Burhinus senegalensis: ?, O. Jun.

Spotted Thick-knee Burhinus capensis: ?, O. May, Jun.

Egyptian Plover Pluvianus aegyptius: PB, U. May, Jun.

Wattled Lapwing Vanellus senegaUus: PB, U. May, Jun.

White-headed Lapwing Vanellus albiceps: ?, O. Jun.

Spur-winged Lapwing Vattellus spinosus: ?, O. Jun.

Redshank Tringa totanus: M, O. Mar.

White-winged Black Tern Chlidonias leucopterus: M, U. May, Jun, Aug.
Four-handed Sandgrouse Pterocles quadricinctus: PB, U. May, Jun, Aug.
Bruce’s Green Pigeon Treron waalia: PB, C. Mar, May, Jun, Aug.
Black-billed Wood Dove Tartar abyssmicus: PB, C. Mar, May, Jun, Aug.
Namaqua Dove Oena capensis: M, C. Mar, Jun.

Speckled Pigeon Coluntba guinea: PB, C. Mar, May, Jun, Aug.

Mourning Dove Streptopelia decipiens: PB, C. Mar, May, Jun, Aug.
Vinaceous Dove Streptopelia vinacea: PB, C. Mar, May, Jun, Aug.

Meyer’s Parrot Poicephalus nieyeri: PB, C. Mar, May, Jun, Aug.
Rose-ringed Parakeet Psittacula kranieri: PB, C. Mar, May, Jun, Aug.
Jacobin Cuckoo Oxylophus jacobituts: PB, U. Jun, Aug.

Great Spotted Cuckoo Clantator glandarius: ?, U. May, Jun, Aug.

Senegal Coucal Centropus senegalensis: PB, C. Mar, May, Jun, Aug.

Barn Owl Tyto alba: ?, O. Jun.

14

F. Bretagnolle

Malimbus 1 5

Scops Owl Otm scops: ?, O. Jun.

Spotted Eagle-Owl Bubo africauus: PB, U. Jun, Aug.

Pearl-spotted Owlet Glaucidmm petiaium: PB, U. Mar, May, Jun, Aug.
Standard-winged Nï^ijur Alacrodipieryx longipennis: PB, U. May, Jun.

Palm Swift Cypsiurm parvus: B, C. Mar, May, Jun, Aug.

Grey-headed Kingfisher Halcyon leucocephaM: PB, C. May, Jun, Aug.

Senegal Kingfisher Halcyon senegalensis: PB, C. May, Jun, Aug.

Striped Kingfisher Halcyon chelkuti: PB, U. May, Jun, Aug.

Malachite Kingfisher Corythornis cristata: PB, C. May, Jun, Aug.

Pied Kingfisher Ceryle rudis: PB, U. Mar, May, Jun, Aug.

Red-throated Bee-eater Merops bullocki: PB, U. Jun, Aug.

White-throated Bee-eater Merops albicoUis: M, C. May, Jun.

Little Green Bee-eater Merops orietUaUs: PB, C. Mar, May, Jun, Aug.

Abyssinian Roller Coracias abyssinka: B, C. Mar, May, Jun, Aug.

Broad-billed Roller Eurystonms ghmcurus: PB, C. May, Jun, Aug.

Green Wood-Hoopoe Phoenkulus purpureus: PB, C. Mar, May, Jun, Aug.

Black Wood-Hoopoe Phoenkulus aterrinms: PB, C. Mar, May, Jun, Aug.

Hoopoe Upupa epops: PB, C. Mar, May, Jun, Aug.

Red-billed Hornbill Tockus erythrorynchm: PB, C. Mar, May, Jun, Aug.

Grey Hornbill Tockus nasutus: PB, C. Mar, May, Jun, Aug.

Yellow-fronted Tinkerbird Pogoniulus chrysoscotms: PB, C. Mar, May, Jun, Aug.
Vieillot’s Barbet Lybius vkilloti: PB, C. Mar, May, Jun, Aug.

Black-breasted Barbet Lybius rolled: PB, U. Mar, May, Jun, Aug.

Greater Honeyguide huUcalor indicator: PB, U. Jun, Aug.

Lesser Honeyguide Indicator ndnor: ?, O. Jun.

Grey Woodpecker Dendropkos goertae. PB, C. Mar, May, Jun, Aug.

Brown-backed Woodpecker Pkoides obsoletus: PB, U. Mar, May, Jun, Aug.

Flappet Lark Mirafra rufocmnatmtnea: PB, U. May, Jun.

Chestnut-backed Finch-Lark Erenwpteryx kucotis: M, O. Mar.

Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica: M, O. Aug.

Wire-tailed Swallow Hirundo stmthi: PB, U. May, Jun, Aug.

Mosque Swallow Hirundo senegalensis: PB, U. May, Jun, Aug.

Yellow Wagtail Motacilla flava: M, C. Mar.

African Pied Wagtail Motacilla aguitnp: PB, U. Mar, May, Jun, Aug.

Long-crested Helmet-Shrike Prionops pluniata: PB, U. Mar, May, Jun, Aug.

Brubru Shrike Nilaus afer. PB, U. Mar, May, Jun, Aug.

Gambian Puff-back Shrike Dryoscopus ganéemis: PB, C. Mar, May, Jun, Aug.
Black-crowned Tchagra Tchagra senegala: PB, U. Mar, May, Jun, Aug.

Gonolek Laniarius barbarus: PB, U. May, Jun, Aug.

Orange-breasted Bush-Shrike Malaconotus sulfiireopectm: PB, U. Mar, May, Jun, Aug.
Long-tailed Shrike Corvinella conina: PB, C. Mar, May, Jun, Aug.

Red-backed Shrike Lanius collurio: M, O. Mar.

Woodchat Lanius senator: M, O. Mar.

1993

Birds ofNECA.R.

15

African Golden Oriole Oriolm miratm: PB, U. May, Jun, Aug.

Glossy-backed Drongo Dicmrm mkitttiiis: B, C. Mar, May, Jun, Aug.

Purple Glossy Starling Lmnprotonüs purpureas: PB, C. Mar, May, Jun, Aug.

Lesser Blue-eared Glossy Starling Lamprotornis chhropterm: PB, U. May, Jun, Aug.
Long-tailed Glossy Starling Lmuprotornk cmdatus: PB, C. Mar, May, Jun, Aug.
Yellow-billed Oxpecker Buphagm afrkmius: PB, U. Mar, May, Jun, Aug.

Black Magpie PtUostonms afer. PB, C. Mar, May, Jun, Aug.

Pied Crow Corms albm: PB, U. Mar, May, Jun, Aug.

White-breasted Cuckoo-Shrike Coracma pectoraUs: ?, O. Jun.

Red-shouldered Cuckoo-Shrike Cmnpephaga phoenkea: PB, U. May, Jun, Aug.
Common Bulbul Pyctwuotm barbatm: PB, U. Jun, Aug.

Spanish Wheatear Oenauthe tmpauka: M, O. Mar.

Rufous Scrub-Robin Cercotrichas galactotes: ?, O. May.

West African Thrush Turdm pelios: PB, U. Jun, Aug.

Brown Babbler Turdoides pkbejus: PB, C. Mar, May, Jun, Aug.

Zitting Cisticola Cisdcola junciSs: PB, U. Jun, Aug.

Tawny-flanked Prinia Prima subflam: PB, C. Mar, May, Jmi, Aug.

Grey-backed Camaroptera Canmraptera brachyura: PB, C. Mar, May, Jun, Aug.
Green-backed Eremomela Eretmmela pmilla: PB, U. Mar, May, Jun, Aug.

Nuthatch Warbler Sylvktta brachyura: PB, C. Mar, May, Jun, Aug.

Grey-headed Batis BMis orimtalis: PB, U. Mar, May, Jun, Aug.

Paradise Flycatcher Terpsiphme viridm: PB, U. May, Jun, Aug.

White-shouldered Black Tit Parus leucontelas: PB, U. May, Jun.

Pygmy Long-tailed Sunbird Anthrept^ platura: PB, U. Mar, May, Jun, Aug.
Scarlet-breasted Sunbird Nectarmia seuegalemis: PB, C. Mar, May, Jun, Aug.
Copper Sunbird Nectarmia cuprea: PB, U. May, Jun, Aug.

Beautiful Long-tailed Sunbird Nectarmia pulchella: PB, C. Mar, May, Jun, Aug.
Yellow White-eye Zmterops senegalemk: PB, U. Mar, May, Jun, Aug.

Rock Bunting Emberiza tahapki: ?, O. May, Jun.

Yellow-fronted Canary Sennas nwiambkus: PB, U. May, Jun.

Grey Canary Sermus leucapygius: ?, O. Jun.

Slender-billed Weaver Phceus iuteolus: PB, U. May, Jun, Aug.

Vitelline Masked Weaver Placeus velatus: PB, U, May, Jun, Aug.

Village Weaver Placeus cucullatus: PB, C. May, Jun, Aug.

Red-billed Quelea Queka queka: PB, C. Mar, May, Jun, Aug.

Yellow-crowned Bishop Euplectes afer. PB, U. Aug.

Fire-crowned Bishop Euplectes hardeaceus: PB, U. Aug.

Red Bishop Euplectes arte: PB, Aug.

Sparrow-Weaver Plocepasser supercilliosus: PB, U. Mar, May, Jun, Aug.
Grey-headed Sparrow Passer griseus: PB, C. Mar, May, Jun, Aug.

Scaly-fronted Weaver Sporapipes frantalk: PB, U. Mar, May, Jun, Aug.

Pin-tailed Whydah Vidua macraura: PB, U. Mar, May, Jun, Aug.

Senegal Indigo-Finch Vidua chalybeata: PB, O. Aug.

16

F. Bretagnolle

Malimbus 15

Broad-tailed Paradise Whydah Vidua orientalis: PB, C. Aug.

Melba Finch PytUia melba. PB, U. Mar, May, Aug.

Black-rumped Waxbill Estrilda troglodytes: PB, C. Mar, May, Jun, Aug.
Red-cheeked Cordon-bleu Estrilda bengala: PB, C. Mar, May, Jun, Aug.
Senegal Fire-Finch Lagonosticta senegala: PB, C. Mar, May, Jun, Aug.
Silverbill Lonchura nudabarica: PB, U. Mar, Jun.

Bronze Mannikin Lonchura cucullata: ?, O. Jun.

1993

17

Observations sur la présence et Pabondance
des oiseaux au Tchad

par W.F. de Boer & F. Legoupif

‘Université de Groningen, Bureau Buitenland, Postbus 72,

9700 AB Groningen, Pays-Bas.

^s/c 271 Av. du Maréchal de Lattre de Tassigny, 33200, Bordeaux, France.

Reçu 18 juillet 1992
Revu 3 mars 1 993

Résumé

Les auteurs ont observé 218 espèces d’oiseaux dans des régions sud du Tchad.
Une liste a été préparée avec les nouvelles observations dans les différentes
régions. Une diminution dans l’abondance de 44 espèces a été remarquée en
comparant ces résultats avec d’autres études.

Summary

The autliors observed 2 1 8 bird species in soutliem Chad. New observations for
the country and for the different regions are given in a list. Comparison with
earlier studies suggests a decline in tlie abundance of 44 species.

Introduction

Dans les années 1950 et 1960, 1’avifaune du Tchad a été bien décrite et suivie (Salvan
1967-1969). Le Tchad est un pays riche en oiseaux (Simon 1965, Salvan 1967-1969,
Newby 1979, 1980), mais les événements intérieurs survenus au Tchad au début de la
dernière décennie ont causé une rupture dans les études ornithologiques. Avant la
guerre civile, de nombreuses descriptions et d’importantes recherches ont été faites (par
ex. Da Camara-Smeets & Manikowski 1981, Da Camara-Smeets 1982). Ces études se
sont essentiellement déroulées avant les années de sécheresse de 1973-74 et 1983-84.
Ces périodes sèches ont eu un impact important sur l’environnement. Depuis les années
60 la pluviométrie moyenne a baissé d'environ 20-40 % et un abaissement de 0.5-1 .0 m
de la nappe phréatique a été constaté (SNV 1990). Le lac Tchad a vue sa superficie
diminuer et la lac Fitri s’est asséché entièrement en 1984. Il est certain que ce
phénomène a dû jouer sur la situation de l’avifaune tchadienne de la même manière

18

W.F. de Boer & F. Legoupil

Malimbus 1 5

Figure 1: Carte du Tchad avec les préfectures, le Lac Fitri et le Parc National de
Zakouma où les observations ont été faites. Quelques isohyètes qui déterminent les
zones différentes climatiques, la capitale N*djaména (’») et le Lac Tchad sont aussi
indiquées.

1993

Oiseaux du Tchad

19

quTl influençait le nombre d’oiseaux migrateurs quittant TAfrique vers TEurope (Den
Held 1981). Durant ces dernières armées, ce sont surtout les oiseaux aquatiques, et
principalement la présence et la répartition des Anatidés, qui ont fait Tobjet d’un suivi
(Roux & Jarry 1984, Jarry & Roux 1987, Jarry et al 1987). A part ces études, il n’y a
pas eu d’investigations poussées concernant les autres espèces. C’est la raison pour
laquelle nous avons essayé de contribuer par cette étude à la connaissance actuelle de
Tavifaune du Tchad.

Aire d'Etude

La période de recueil des données se situe entre mars 1 989 et août 1 990. Les auteurs, un
écologiste et un vétérinaire, travaillaient à l’époque dans des projets de développement
situés Fun à Ati (100 km vers le nord-est du Lac Fitri) et l’autre à N’djaména. La Figure
1 monte ces lieux et les régions visitées. Les observations ont été effectuées en tant
qu’activité secondaire lors de sorties de travail ou de loisir en brousse et elles ont
surtout été faites dans les zones situées autour des lieux de résidence des auteurs. Des
visites ont néanmoins permis de se rendre dans le sud du pays (Préfecture du Moyen-
Chari et Parc National de Zakouma), dans Test (Préfectures d’Ouaddai et du Biticine) et
au lac Fitri. Il est à remarquer que des régions d’intérêt pour Tavifaune comme le
massif du Tibesti, au nord du pays, et le lac Tchad (peut-être la zone la plus importante)
ne figurent pas ici.

Au Tchad, la steppe sub-désertique et la savane arbustive comprennent la région
située entre 16®N et 1 1®N et la savane boisée domine au sud de 1 1®N. La pluviométrie
annuelle varie de 0 à 100 mm dans le nord, pour atteindre 1300 mm dans le sud. On y
trouve Ixois types de climat délimités par les isohyètes: les climats saharien, sahélien et
soudanien. Pendant la saison des pluies de grandes concentrations d’oiseaux peuvent
être observées autour des flaques d’eau, des mares et des oueds. On y rencontre
également des espèces locales, et de provenance d’Afrique de Test et d’Afrique
australe. Ces oiseaux sont attirés au Tchad en cette période par la disponibilité en
insectes, graines et autres nourritures. Les passereaux paléarctiques arrivent vers la fin
du mois d’octobre, au moment où les flaques sèchent. Pendant la saison sèche chaude, à
partir du mois de mars, une grande partie de Tavifaune se retire vers des zones humides
comme les rivières du sud et de Test et les lacs Tchad et Fitri. Ces deux lacs sont d’une
très grande importance pour certains oiseaux migrateurs comme les Anatidés. Pendant
cette période, Tavifaune afrotropicale peut partir vers des pays d’Afrique plus
méridionaux. Quant aux passeraux paléarctiques, ils retournent en Europe entre mars à
mai.

Résultats

Parmi les 218 espèces observées, on en note 166 d’origine afro-tropicale, 31 d’origine
paléarctique et 21 d’origine mixte. La plupart des observations ont été faites dans la

20

W.F. de Boer & F. Legoupil

Malimbus 15

préfecture de Batha (130 espèces) et dans celle du Chari-Baguirmi (158). On a observé
110 espèces pour la fréquence 1 (une ou peu d’observations), 63 pour la fréquence 2
(nombre d'observations moyen) et 45 pour la fréquence 3 (nombreuses observations).

Presque toutes nos observations ont déjà été faites par d’autres ornithologues dans
ces mêmes régions (Simon 1965, Salvan 1967-1969, Newby 1979-1980, Brown et ai.
1982, Urban et ai. 1986, Fry et ai. 1988). Par contre, il y a aussi des différences. Nos
nouvelles observations et celles des espèces rencontrées en dehors des régions citées par
d’autres auteurs, ont été décrites dans l’Annexe. Trois espèces, Macimerhamphus
aicinus, Giareola pratincoia et Vidua camerunensis, surtout connues au Nord-
Cameroun, ont été observées autour de N’djaména le long de la frontière. On notera des
espèces connues au lac Tchad mais rencontrées pendant cette étude dans les environs du
lac Fitri: Botaurus steiiaris. Anas hottentota et une dizaine d’observations de Phtaiea
leucorodia dans la préfecture de Batha et au lac Fitri. Des espèces, auparavant
observées dans le sud du Tchad, l'ont été dans d’autres régions: Dendrocygna bicolor
plusieurs fois au lac Fitri et dans la préfecture du Chari-Baguirmi, un Merops
hirundinem dans la préfecture du Ouaddaï, Comcias cyanogaster et Terpsipimne viridis
dans la préfecture du Chari- Baguimii. Les deux phases de cette dernière esptee ont pu
être observées, la phase blanche étant la plus fréquente. MotaciUa aguimp a été vu dans
le Batha; Orioius auratus, Otioius orioius et Cossypha niveicapiUa dans la préfecture
du Chari-Baguirmi.

Plusieurs espèces ont été peu rencontrées au Tchad, mais leur présence a pu être
confirmée: Phaiacrocorax carbo iucidus sur le fleuve Chari près de la capitale,
Coturnix deiegorguei, Giareoia cinerea, Larus ridibundus, Lanius coliaris,
Cinnyricincius leucogaster, Bâtis senegaiensis, Remiz parvuius et Estriida
caeruiescens. Le Passer domesticus n’est pas fréquemment relevé par d’autres
observateurs mais nous avons pu en identifier des dizaines à côté d’un abreuvoir placé
dans la cour de la maison.

Il n’y a qu’une seule espèce de la liste que nous ayons observée de nombreuses fois
bien qu'elle soit donnée comme “rare” par Salvan (1967-1969): le Souchet Anas
clypeata, migrateur paléarctique, dont l'aire de répartition et l'abondance varient chaque
année de même que celles d’autres Anatidés d’origine paléarctique (P. Weesie com.
pers.). Par contre, nous avons attribué la fréquence “1” à 44 esptees qui ont été décrites
par Salvan comme “commune” ou 'Très commune”; elles sont marquées par un * dans
l’Annexe. Ce ne sont pourtant pas des espèces sahariennes normalement considérées
coimne rares, sauf six d'entre elles. Cœi pourrait indiquer une diminution de certaines
espèces. La raréfaction de l’Outarde arabe Ardeotis arabs s’explique sans doute par la
chasse dont elle est l’objet à l’aide d’annes modernes.

Il est évident que cette liste est incomplète. Il n'a pas été possible de faire une
inventaire systématique, ni complet du pays. Seules 218 espèces ont été observées alors
que la liste, d'après l’étude de Salvan (1967-1969) en comptait 488.

1993

Oiseaux du Tchad

21

Remerciements

Nous remercions Peter Weesie et Jamie Skinner pour leurs suggestions et lescorrections
du texte.

Bibliographie

Brown, L., Urban, E.K. & Newman, K. (eds.) (1982) The Birds of Africa, vol. 1.
Academie Press, London.

Da Camara-Smeets, M. & Manikowski, S. ( 1 98 1 ) Préférences alimentaires de Ploceus
cucullatus au Tchad. Malimbus 3: 41-48.

Da Camara-Smeets, M. (1982) Nesting of Üie village weaver Ploceus cucullatus. Ibis
124: 241-251.

Den Held, J. J. (1981) Population changes in the Purple Heron in relation to drought in
the wintering area. Ardea 69: 193-198?

Fry, C.H., Keith, S. & Urban, E.K. (eds.) (1988) The Birds of Africa, vol. 3. Academic
Press, London.

Jarry, G., Roux, F. & Czajkowski, A.M. (1988) LTmportance des Zones Humides du
Sahel Occidental pour les Migrateurs Paléarctiques. Centre de Recherches sur la
Biologie des Populations d’Oiseaux, Paris.

Jarry, G. & Roux, F. (1987) Importance, composition et distribution des populations
d’Anatidés présentes en hiver dans l’ouest africain tropical. Bev. Ecol Terre Vie
Suppl. 4: 205-209.

Newby, J.E. (1979, 1980) The birds of Ouadi Rime - Ouadi Achim Faunal Reserve: a
contribution to the study of the Chadian avifauna. Malimbus 1: 90-109; 2: 29-50.

Roux, F. & Jarry, G. (1984) Numbers, composition and distribution of populations of
Anatidae wintering in West Africa. Wildfowl 35: 48-60.

Salvan, J. (1967-1969) Contribution à l’étude des oiseaux du Tchad. Oiseau Rev. fr.
Omithol 37: 255-284; 38: 53-85, 127-150; 39: 38-69.

Simon, P. (1965) Synthèse de l’avifaune du massif montagneux du Tibesti. Gerfaut 55:
26-71.

SNV (1990) Etude Ecologique de Paysage de la Préfecture du Batha. SNV
(Association Néerlandaise d’ Assistance au Développement), N’djaména.

Urban, E.K., Fry, C.H. & Keith, S. (eds.) (1986) The Birds of Africa, vol. 2. Academie
Press, London.

22

W.F. de Boer & F. Legoupil

Malimbus 1 5

Annexe

Liste des nouvelles observations des espèces rencontrées en dehors des régions citées
par d’autres auteurs et des espèces dont la fréquence suggère une diminution (marquées
avec un voir texte pour explication).

Région de l’observation; B = Préfecture du Batha, C = Préfecture du Chari
Baguirmi, F = zone du Lac Fitri, G = Préfecture du Guéra, I = Préfecture du Biltine, M
= Préfecture du Moyen-Chari, O = Préfecture d’Ouaddaï, Z = Parc national de
Zakouma.

Fréquence: 1 = une ou peu d’observations, 2 = nombre d'observations moyen, 3 =
nombreuses observations.

Régions Fréquence

Grand Connoran Ptmlacroœrœc carbo lucidus CF 1

Anhinga d’Afrique Atihinga melatiogaster * Cl

Pélican gris Pelecanus rufescens * BCFZ 1

Butor étoilé Bo ta unis stellaris F 1

Aigrette intermédiaire Egf'etta intemiedia * F 1

Héron cendré Ardea cinerea * BCF 1

Tantale Ibis Mycteria ibis * BC 1

Jabiru du Sénégal Ephippiorhynchus senega lerisis * CZ 1

Spatule blanche Platalea leucorodia BF 2

Dendrocygne fauve Dendwcygna bicolor CF 2

Pilet Anas acuta * CF 1

Sarcelle hottentote Anas hottentota CF 1

Souchet Ams clypeata CF 3

Balbuzard pêcheur Pandion haliaetus * C 1

Faucon des chauves-souris Macliaerhaniphus alcinus C 1

Aigle ravisseur Aquila rapax * C 1

Caille arlequin Cotumix delegorguei B 1

Poule de rocher Ptilopachus petrosus * C 1

Outarde arabe Ardeotis arabs * BO 1

Jacana Actophilomis africana * C 1

Glaréole à collier Glareola pratincola C 1

Glaréole cendrée Glareola cinerea M 1

Petit Gravelot Charadtius dubius * BZ 1

Vanneau caronculé Vanellus senegallus * Cl

Bécassine des marais Gallinago gallinago * C 1

Barge à queue noire Limosa limosa * CF 1

Chevalier Sylvain Tringa glareola * B 1

Mouette rieuse Larus ridibmidus F 1

Emerauldine à bec noir Turtur abyssinicus * C 1

1993

Oiseaux du Tchad

23

Pemiche à collier Psittacuîa krameri *

Touraco Gris Crmifer piscaîor *

Engoulevent à longue queue Caprimulgm cUmacurm *
Engoulevent à balanciers Macrodipterix longipemiis *
Martinet à dos blanc Apus affinis *

Martin-pêcheur huppé Corythomis cristata *

Guêpier nain Merops pusillm *

Guêpier à queue d'hirondelle Merops hirundinem
Rollier à ventre bleu Coracias cyanogaster
Petit Calao à bec rouge Tockus etythrorhynchus
Barbu de Vieillot Lybim vieilloti *

Alouette-moineau à front blanc Eremopterix nigriceps *
Bergeronnette pie Motacilla aguimp
Pie-grièche bru-bru Nilam afer *

Gonolek de barbarie Laniarius erythrogaster *
Corvinelle CorvineHa corvina *

Pie-grièche fiscale Lanim collatis ^

Pie-grièche à tête rousse Lanim senator *

Loriot doré Oriolus anmtus
Loriot d'Europe Oriolus oriolus
Merle améthyste Cinnyticinclus leucogaster
Pique-boeuf à bœ jaune Buphagus ajncanus *

Corbeau brun Cot-vm ruficolUs *

Traquet motteux Oenanthe oenanthe *

Traquet oreillard Oenanthe hispanica *

Agrobate rubigineux Cercotrichas galactotus *

Petit Cossyphe à tête blanche Cossypha niveicapilla
Camaroptère à tête grise Camaroptem brachyura *
Gobe-mouches gris Muscicapa striata *

Gobe-mouches soyeux du Sénégal Bâtis senegalensis
Moucherolle de paradis Terpsiphone viridis
Rémiz à ventre jaune Remiz panmlus
Petit Soui-manga à longue queue Anihreptes platura *
Bruant cannelle Emberiza tahapisi *

Tisserin à tête rousse Ploceus vela tus *

Ignicolore Euplectes orix *

Moineau domestique Passer domesticm
Moineau quadrillé Spompipes frontalis *

Combassou du Cameroun Vidua camerm.ensis
Beaumarquet Pytitia melba *

Queue de vinaigre Estrilda caerulescens

BC

C

c

C

B

c

c

O

c

BCO

C

B

B

Z

C

c

B

BO

c

C

c

BC

B

BC

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24

Malimbus 15

Some new observations of forest birds in The Gambia

by T. Wacher

Institute of Zoology, Zoological S'ociety of London,

Regent’s Park, London.

(Contact address: KKWRC, c/o NCWCD, PO Box 61681 ,

Riyadli 1 1575, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia)

Received 27 August 1 992
Revised 30 March 1 993

Summary

Sight records of 19 forest-adapted bird species obtained during 1987-1993 in
The Gambia are presented. One species, the Green Crombec Syivietia virem, is
new to The Gambia. Most of the others have only a few previously published
records. The range of several of these species is significantly extended within
the countiy, and together they provide evidence that, despite the great reduction
of forest cover in recent years and the fragmented nature of the remaining forest
patches, nearly all forest-adapted species historically recorded within The
Gambia were still present there in 1992-3. It is suggested that protection of
remaining forest fragments is thus still valuable for bird conservation, in
addition to the wealth of other benefits such measures would create.

Résumé

L'article rapport l'observation de 19 espèces forestières en Gambie pour la
période 1987-1993. Une seule espèce, la Fauvette Crombec Yerie Sylvie tta
virens flaviventris, est nouvelle pour la Gambie. La plupart des autres n'avaient
été que rarement signalées. La distribution de plusieurs espèces se voit
considérablement étendue. L'oisemble de ces observations est la preuve que, en
dépit d'une grave déforestation ces dernières années et malgré le morcellement
des derniers îlots boisés, la quasi totalité des espèces forestières jadis observées
en Gambie y étaient encore présentes en 1 992-93. On peut donc supposer que la
protection des derniers lambeaux forestiers garde sa valeur pour la conservation
des oiseaux, sans compter tous les avantages que procurerait une telle mesure.

1993

Forest birds in The Gambia

25

Introduction

The ornithology of the Senegambian region of West Africa has received a significant
recent boost with tlie simultaneous publication of the second editions of the checklists
of The Gambia (Gore 1990) and Senegambia (Morel & Morel 1990). These together
have updated infomiation about tJie status and distribution of birds in an area that is
critically placed on the Atlantic coast, at die interface between the arid north and the
humid south.

This paper presents new infomiation about die status of some of the most tiireatened
and least well-known species of The Gambia, the forest-adapted birds. The observations
rqxirted here include one species new to The Gambia, and several regarded as very rare
or odierwise of uncertain status by Gore (1990). Frequendy seen forest species, namely
Lemon-mmped Tinkerbird Pogoniulm hiiineatm. Little Greenbul Andropadm virens.
Scarlet-spectacled Wattle-eye Platysteira cyanea, paradise flycatchers Terpsiphone
spp.. Collared Sunbird Anthreptes collaris and Black-throated Weaver Ploceus
mgricoiiis are not considered furdier. Of die additional rarer species not reported here,
the Little Spairowhawk Accipiter erythropus has been reported regularly to the Gambia
Omidiological Society (GOS) by visiting birdwatchers. Some of these reports are from
locations of untypical habitat, but it seems probably resident in small numbers in and
around coastal forest patches. The only two reports that included notes did not
convincingly describe diis distinctive bird. Rare forest birds included by Gore (1990),
but for which no reports of any sort are known for the period considered, are Swamp
Palm Bulbul Thescelocichla leuco pleur us, Chesinui-hreasied Negro-Finch Nigrita
bicolor and White-cheek«i Olive Weaver Nesocharis capistmta.

Methods

Observations were made in The Gambia over the period 1987 to 1993, with the bulk of
the information being collect^ in 1990 and 1991. The objective was to compile spatial
and tanporal infonnation on tlie presence of bird species in all habitats from all parts of
the country. Particular sites were visited for periods typically of one to three hours,
recording all species seen or heard during the site visit. The data were treated such that
any species was recorded only once on a given visit and a location was only visited
once on a particular day.

Each record was identified by date, location (name and 10 x 10 km grid refereiice)
and observer. Detailed notes are added to records of particular interest. All except 1 16
of the 46,700-odd records (to the end of July 1 992) were collected by GOS members
resident in The Gambia. Observers, referred to by initials in the accounts below, are as
follows: J.R. Alder (JRA), C.R. Barlow (CRB), M. Chable (MC), R.M. Jones (RMJ),
F.B. Symons (FBS), R. Webzell (RW), D.& K. Wheeler (DKW) and the author (TJW).
Names of other observers are given in full. Identifications were in all cases verified by
either several observers, or photographic evidence, or both.

26

T. Wacher

Malimbus 15

Fig. 1. The Gambia, showing: a) major administrative divisions; b) distribution of
Gambia Ornithological Society records for all species, 1987-1992, over the 10 x 10
km grid (symbol sizes proportional to the square root of number of records in each
square).

Fig. la shows the major geographical regions referred to in the text. Coverage is
indicated by tlie distribution of all records collected by GOS members between May
1987 and July 1992, shown on the 10 x 10 km grid in Fig. lb. Forest patches in The
Gambia are all very small and scattered. Sites of major importance include Abuko (at
tlie northern-most location for White-Spotted Flufftail, Fig. 2), and Pirang, (southern
location in the same map). Each of tliese constitutes only some 70 ha of forest habitat.
Gunjur forest patch is a 40 ha site some 25 km to the south of Abuko; Albreda hes on
the north bank of die river opposite Pirang. Nianimaru, Gassang Forest and Baboon
Islands constitute a distinctive group of swamp forest patches in MacCarthy Island
Division (see Fig. 3, map for Black-bellied Seedcracker which has recently been seen
only in these llu-ee sites).

Records

Black Sparrowhawk AccipUer nielaiwleucas

A single record from Tanji, 28 Apr 1963 (Gore 1990); a possible sighting from the
same place, Nov 1981 (Morel & Morel 1990). Six records from Casamance, all in dry

1993

Forest birds in The Gambia

27

season montlis betwœn 1 980 and 1 983 (Morel & Morel 1 990). An old record of a bird
picked up at sea off Dakar (Brown et al. 1 982).

GOS has collected three further records: an immature at Bmfut, 17 Apr 1991 (A,
Shaw & TJW); an adult filmed feeding in a tree at Abuko, early May 1991 (M. & J.
Cooke); an adult at Gunjur, 18 Apr 1992 (G. Svalin). Full details of all three records are
on file with GOS. All three records were in die late diy season, as were those of Gore
(1990) and Brown et al (1992). There may be some dispersal at this time of year.

West African Goshawk Accipiter tachiro

Considered a scarce forest resident (Gore 1 990) and restricted to the Casamance region of
Senegal (Morel & Morel 1990). Ericsson (1989) reports a single bird east of Georgetown,
and Jensen & Kirkeby (1980) report observations in Lower and Upper River Divisions
(see Fig. la), but GOS currently has no details of any records east of Pirang.

GOS has more than 20 records of this species between Nov 1 987 and Jan 1 993, all
in the coastal region, including observations at Tanji, Marakissa, Pirang and Sanyang,
in all months except Feb, Apr, Oct and Dec (JRA, CRB, MC, RMJ, FBS, RW, TJW);
an immature sœn at Bmfut, 24 Apr 1991 (TJW).

One adult was observed feeding on a large ant-lion in Pirang, and was also observed
holding a large stick in its beak while perched, on 15 Jun 1991 and again soaring over
the forest on 14 Sep 1991 giving slow “kek....kek” call. These latter observations imply
breeding and birds were observed sitting at a nest at Sanyang on three occasions in July
1992 (TJW).

Ahanta Francolin Frmtcolmm ahautemk.

Reported by Gore (1990) as rare and local in Abuko and Pirang, with 1 1 records since
1971, including eight from Pirang made by Ellenberg et ai (1988) in 23 days'
observations. Restricted to coastal Casamance according to Morel & Morel (1990).

Two definite recent sightings from Abuko: in 1989 (JRA), and 23 Jun 1991 (FBS &
TJW). An adult with half-grown young in dense forest at Gunjur 28 Jun 1992 (TJW) is
the first definite breeding record. Thrœ glimpses of francolins wiüiin Pirang forest in
Nov 1990 and Aug 1991 (JRA, RMJ & TJW) were thought likely to be tliis species and
they were heard there in Jan 1993 (CRB & TJW).

White-spotted FlufTtail Samthmra pukhra

All recent records from Abuko (Gore 1990); heard calling in the forests of southern
Casamance in May and June 1980 (Morel & Morel 1990).

On five occasions at Pirang, calling birds were seen in the period Aug-Sep 1991,
including one nest-building (JRA, MC, FBS, TJW); also once in July 1992 (TJW &
W.F. Snow). Two sightings Abuko: 17 Aug 1991 (TJW) & 15 Sep 1991 (FBS & TJW).
Heard at Abuko on several other occasions. Map Fig. 2.

Located by listening for the call (cf. Chappuis 1974-85), moving close and settling
to wait, and occasionally imitating the call by whistling. Males gave both a more
common “standard” call and a higher pitched, “rapid” version. These would appear to

28

T. Wacher

Malimbus 15

correspond to calls (a) and (b) of Urban et al. (1986). To call, the male adopted a partial
crouching posture, with tail cocked, back horizontal and beak pointing downward; the
whole body bobbed rhythmically in time with each note of the 6-7 note sequence. In the
rapid call the head and neck also jerked backward and forward in time with the notes.
After a series of calls facing in one direction the bird turned deliberately and
conunenced a fresh series from Hie same location facing in a new direction. This was
accompanied by a marked change in apparent sound volume, giving tlie impression that
the bird had suddenly moved away.

A male was observed for 30 min. building a nest in Pirang on 25 Aug 1991 (TJW).
It made repeated trips to an area of damp, rotted vegetation, which it gaüiered in its bill,
scurrying away out of site under dense ground cover for periods of 1-3 min before
reappearing for a fresh load. During this period the bird was silent although at least
tliree other individuals in Üie area were calling persistently.

Green Touraco Tmmco pema

A scarce local resident of forest near the coast in The Gambia (Gore 1990); reasonably
frequent in Casamance (Morel & Morel 1990).

GOS has collected 106 further observations, which support Gore's assessment It
has been seen in all months of the year. Additional locations are ten records from
Sanyang May-Jun 1991 and Jul 1992 (JRA, MC, FBS, TJW), five at Gunjur, May-Jun
and Aug 1991 (JRA, MC, FBS, TJW), and six at Kasa Kunda, Jun-Aug 1991 (FBS,
TJW). Map Fig. 2.

Botli individuals of a pair, watched for 45 minutes at Kasa Kunda on 29 Jun 1991
(FBS, TJW), made repeat journeys between a probable nest site in the top of a densely
leaved tree at die edge of a tliick woodland patch, and a large Rosewood Pierocarpm
erinaceus, from wliich both were breaking off dead twigs about 10-25 cm in length and
carrying tliem back to the site.

Emerald Cuckoo Chrysococcyx cuprem

Gore (1990) reports one record tliis century (July 1981) from Bruftit; heard regularly in
Casamance July-October (Morel & Morel 1 990).

A single male photographed while calling from die topmost dead branches of a tall
Detarimt senegalense at Brufut, 18 Oct 1990 (TJW). The site was intensively visited
during 1990 and 1991; the call was not noticed prior or subsequent to diis observation.
A photograph of a female or immature Chrysococcyx sp. taken at Abuko during 1 990
(F. Grauper pers. comm.) seems likely to be this species.

Y el low bill Ceuthnwchares aereus

A single record from Jabang, near die coast, May 1963, plus an unconfirmed record
from Pirang in 1985 (Gore 1990). Jensen & Kirkeby (1980) refer to a 1910 record from
Albadarr, on the north bank of the river, while Morel & Morel (1990) report 11
observations in Casamance since 1971 .

A single adult flushed from a creeper-strewn tree at the edge of a forest patch at

1993

Forest birds in The Gambia

29

Brufut, 1 1 Nov 1990 (MC, RMJ, TJW). A possible sighting of an immature in Pirang,
15 Jun 1991 (TJW).

Spotted Honeyguidc Indicator niaculatm

A scarce resident in Lower River Division, with a single record from the Baboon
Islands area and recent observations at Brikama and Yundum, Jun and Aug 1989 (Gore
1990). In Senegal, confined to Casamance (Morel & Morel 1990).

Two additional records: a single bird at Kartong Crocodile Pool, 15 Apr 1991
(DKW, TJW); another photographed near Busura, 21 Jul 1991 (TJW). Map Fig. 2.

At Kartong the bird was seen at close range, and a Lesser Honeyguide /. minor was
seen in tlie same tree. The Busura bird was in relatively open, orchard-like woodland to
tlie soutli of file village; a Greater Honeyguide 7. indicator was seen nearby at tlie same
time.

BufT-spotted Woodpecker Catnpethera nivosa

A rare resident of forest in Lower River Division, at Abuko, Fajara and Pirang (Gore
1990). Jensen & Kirkeby (1980) give two records on the north and south banks near
Tendaba but GOS does not have details of these observations. Widely distributed in
Casamance (Morel & Morel 1 990). ^

Between 1987 and 1992 GOS accumulated a furtlier 25 records, including nine at
Abuko and four at Pirang. Additional localities are Brufut, Sanyang, Kudang, Gassang
Forest, Baboon Islands, Albreda and Gunjur, Apr-Sep, Dec (JRA, CRB, MC, RMJ,
DKW, TJW). Map Fig. 2.

These observations extend the range of tliis sj^ecies in The Gambia; it appears to be
resident in the swamp forests of MacCarthy Island Division and also occurs on the
north bank of tlie river near tlie coast at Albreda.

All observations were in forest except at Kudang (May 1991), when a pair was seen
in dense undergrowth (2-3 m high) eitlier side of a freshwater channel winding across
an open swamp, 2-3 km from the nearest forest. They flew across open swamp and
water, following the watercourse. They may have been in transit between more typical
habitat locations.

Square-Tailed Drongo Dicrurm ludwigii

Of uncertain status; there is a record for Nianimaru in 1899 (Budget! 1901), and five
recent records, all from December, at Kabafitta, Abuko and Mile 65 (Gore 1990).
Records from improbable habitat near the tourist centres are rejected, but in view of the
fact that the species is widespread in forest patches of Casamance (Morel & Morel
1990), it is likely to be a rare resident in remnant forest in The Gambia (Gore 1990).

There are 15 reliable sight records from 1991 to 1993 in four localities, with
photographic support, including Baboon Islands, Gassang Forest, Nianimaru and
Albreda, in all months except Jan-Mar (JRA, MC, RMJ, FBS, DKW, TJW). Map Fig. 3.

Conspicuous in Gassang Forest, high in the branches of Mitragyna stipula trees. Not
found in Abuko and Pirang despite being present across the river near Albreda.

30

T. Wacher

Malimbus 15

WHITE-SPOTTED FLUFFTAIL

9 records from 2 grid squares

Fig. 2. Distribution of observations for selected species, 1987-1992. See text for
details.

1993

Forest birds in The Gambia

31

Nicator Nicator chhris

Three sightings Abuko, in Feb 1974, Dec 1975 and Nov 1986 (Gore 1990). Morel &
Morel (1990) report some 12 observations, all in Casamance, Jan-Aug.

A single bird photographed in dense tliicket in Gunjur, 1 1 Jul 1992 (TJW). This is
the first wet-season record for The Gambia, and the first outside Abuko.

Grey-headed Bristlebill Bleda cmticapilkt

Known from Cape St. Mary, Abuko and Pirang (Gore 1990); widespread in the
Casamance and present in Salomn (Morel & Morel 1 990).

Forty-six records in the period 1987-1992, in all montlis except March and April.
Additional localities include Bmfut, Sanyang, Kasa Kunda, Gunjur, (JRA, CRB, MC,
RMJ, FBS, DKW, TJW). Map Fig. 2. Most records were at the height of the wet season,
when the song aids detection.

Leaf-love Phyllmtrephm scmtdem

Scarce resident in riverine forest, known from Abuko, Fajara, Howbah and Sukutu
(Gore 1 990). Keith et ai. ( 1 992) report it common in western Gambia, which it is not,
though it is reasonably common in the Casamance (Morel & Morel 1990); Ericsson
(1989) reports a single bird at Fajara 13 Nov 1984, but GOS has no other details.
Ellenberg el al. (1988) reported small flocks in Pirang Forest in May 1985 and Oct
1986.

Recent records obtained on the north bank at Albreda, Dec 1990 and Oct 1992
(JRA, TJW) and from tlie extreme soutli at Gunjur, Sep 1991, Jul, Oct and Dec 1992
(FBS, TJW). At Albreda, directly across the 5 km- wide river from Pirang, tliree or four
birds were seen in forest tliicket giving distinctive calls (Dec 1990), and a pair chasing,
with one bird engaging in wing shimmering displays, (Oct 1992). At least two parties
were calling at Gunjur in Jul and Oct 1992. Tliis behaviour made Üiem readily detected
at botîî locations, but in contemporary visits, to both Pirang and Abuko, which are larger
tracts of suitable habitat lying between Albreda and Gunjur, no Leaf-loves were seen or
heard.

Capuchin Babbler Phyllantltm atripemüs

Gore (1990) reports this species as of uncertain status: an old skin in the British
Museum labelled The Gambia but of doubtful provenance; two good sightings from
Sukuta, May-Jun 1979. Jensen & Kirkeby (1980) record six near Jambur in 1962, and a
sighting in middle river, GOS does not have details of these observations. Widespread
in Casamance (Morel & Morel 1 990).

Twelve further rœords in forest patches at two locations in the south in 1991-1993,
including photographs and evidence of possible nesting. There appears to be little
publishai infomiation about the Capuchin Babbler (Bannerman 1 930-5 1 , Mackworth-
Praed & Grant 1970-73). Colston & Cmry-Lindahl (1986) note tliat Mt Nimba birds fed
primarily on insects, that males showed enlarged testes Jul-Aug, and that they were
hardly seen except when travelling with mixed bird parties”.

32

T. Wacher

Malimbus 15

A party of at least six or seven was seen in a small forest patch near Sanyang May-
Jun 1991, Jul 1992, Nov 1992-Jan 1993, and at least two similar groups were
subsequently found near Gunjur, Jun 1991. (JRA, CRB, MC, FBS, DKW, TJW). Map
Fig. 2.

At Sanyang on 2 Jun 1991 in a party of at least six, more than one individual was
seen tugging at creepers and carrying strands of dry vegetation up under a pahn frond
sagging from a short, creeper-laden. Oil Palm Elaeis guineensis, well inside the forest
tliieket. The activity was centred near tlie trunk, c. 3 m off the ground, where it was
cloaked in dense vegetation. The group also appeared to drive a sun squirrel
Heliosciurus sp. away from the site.

The birds were not seen again despite several return visits in the following weeks,
but were relocated in the same place in July 1992. A pair of West African Goshawks
frequented the site and in July 1992 were nesting directly over the area where the
Capuchin Babblers had been seen carrying vegetation. Several adults were seen
carrying beakfuls of insect larvae at the same loeation on 1 5 Nov 1992.

At Gunjur, which is a much larger forest patch, tliough more isolated by open fields,
parties of Capuchin Babblers were encountered moving tlirough dense vegetation at tlie
forest edge on tliree occasions, and once well into tlie interior under die liigh canopy.
They fed on the ground and moved tlirough the branches to a height of 3-4 m.

At both sites, the Brown Babbler Turdoides plebejus and Blackcap Babbler T.
reinwardii were present. Capuchin Babblers and Blackcap Babblers were onee (May
1991) seen togetlier in a mixed party which included Black-tliroated Weavers Ploceus
mgricollis. Grey-headed Bristlebill and Little Greenbul Andwpadus virens. These birds
were scolding a source of disturbance in thicker cover.

Y ellow-chested Apalis Apalis flavida

First recorded in The Gambia in Feb 1969; tlie nearest otlier records are in Ghana (Hall
& Moreau 1970, Gore 1990). All records up to 1990 have been at Abuko, except one
from Sibanor, Western Division. Morel & Morel (1990) report none from Senegal.

More tlian 50 records between 1987 and 1993, including all montlis and resulting in
considerable extension of the known range. Photographed at Baboon Islands, Abuko
and Pirang.

Eleven records obtained from the known site at Abuko. New sites in Western
Division are Brufut, Madina Ba, Pirang, Solifor Point and Tanji. Four observations
were made in a forest patch on tlie north bank near Albreda and 21 in MacCarthy Island
Division at Baboon Islands, Gassang Forest, Nianiniaru and Bansang. Observers were
JRA, CRB, MC, RMJ, FBS, DKW & TJW. No records were obtained from Upper
River Division. Map Fig. 3.

It is notable that this species was not previously reported from Pirang, although
Ellenberg et al. (1988) report the Green-backed Caniaroptera Camaroptem chloronota
tliere. C chloronota is also reported in Abuko and east of The Gambia in Senegal by
Morel & Morel (1990). The records detailed here certainly refer to A. flavida,
confirmed by photographs and voice, which has been checked against recordings by
Chappuis (1974-85).

1993

Forest birds in The Gambia

33

Fig. 3. Distribytion of observations for selected species, 1987-1992. See text for
details.

34

T. Waclier

Malimbus 1 5

Green Hylia llylia prashia

Scarce local resident confined to renmant forest, known from Abuko, Sukuta and Pirang
(Gore 1990). Common in Casamance (Morel & Morel 1990).

Of 60 records of tliis species in tlie period 1987 to 1992, representing all months
except April, only one lies outside Üie iimnediate coastal area south of the river, this
being in a forest thicket near Brumen Bridge, 25 Nov 1990. Of the remainder, 19
records were from Abuko, 25 Brufut, 13 Pirang and one each from Sanyang, 13 Sep
1991 and Gunjur, 1 Jun 1991 (JRA, MC, RMJ, TJW). Map Fig. 3.

The loud, double whistle of tliis species, given once followed by a long interval of
silence, and sometimes interspersed with harsh throaty rattling notes, also at long
intervals, is of great assistance in detecting this elusive bird.

Green Crombec Sylvietta \ireiis

Gore ( 1 990) does not mention tliis species, but quotes tliree old records of the Lemon-
Bellied Crombec Sylvietta denti. Morel & Morel (1990) refer to one Green Crombec
captured and two sighted in Casamance.

A small crombec with dull greenish upperparts, pale untidy supercilium, pale
greyish underside with clean wliite vent and indistinct pale yellow smudge in centre of
belly was first encountered in the forest remnant at Brufut on 21 Apr 1990. At least
tliree birds were present, moving through the branches and leaves of small trees and
shrubs, persistently flicking tlieir wings. Confimiation of identification was built up
over a series of observations of this species at five different locations, including
photographs that have been compared with skins in the British Museum of Natural
History. Clinching details included the flesh-coloured legs, dark upper mandible and
flesh lower mandible. The song shows broad similarity with tliat recorded by Chappuis
(1974-85) in Sierra Leone, tliough witli minor differences. These appear to be tlie first
records for The Gambia.

Localities include Brufut, Gunjur, Sanyang, Pirang and Tanji, with records in all
months except Feb and Mar (.TRA, CRB, MC, RMJ, FBS, DKW, TJW). Map Fig. 3. An
individual was seen carrying nesting material in Brufut on 7 Jul 1990.

The birds gave a soft “prrrt....prrrt” contact call, reminiscent of the common
Crombec Sylvietta brachyura, as they crept in the foliage of dense tliicket and canopy
from near tlie ground to canopy level. They appeared to favour trees smothered in dense
creeper growth, though four were seen in more ojx;n conditions adjacent to the forest
patch at Brufut. The song was usually given from cover near tlie top of a bush or tree,
making the bird difficult to locate. It is tliin in quality but carries well, and once known,
frequently heard in season: a cheerful down-scale tumble, more hurried than S.
bmchytira. In The Gambia the last one or two notes typically reverse a short way back
up the scale. Song is much less prominent in tlie dry season. The failure to see or hear
the bird at Abuko over three years, at times when it was known to be singing elsewhere,
is sometliing of a mystery.

1993

Forest birds in The Gambia

35

Black-bellied Seedcracker Piremstes mtrmm

The status of this species in The Gambia has always been uncertain. Bannemian (1930-
51) opined that specimens labelled Bie Gambia were likely to have come from furtlier
south. Gore (1990) reports records from Jabang in April and May 1959 and from
Walikunda in August 1980 but expresses doubt about one from Abuko in April 1984.
Jensen & Kirkeby (1980) consider it regular in Abuko, but GOS is not aware of any
records from Abuko for the 1980’s and early 1990's. Present in Casamance and
Niokolokoba in Senegal (Morel & Morel 1 990).

Fifteen recent records from the freshwater swamp forest of MacCarthy Island
Division include all montlis except Ian, Oct and Nov. Adults, juveniles, and a nest have
all been seen and photographed. Localities are Nianimam, Gassang Forest and Baboon
Islands (IRA, MC, FBS, DKW, TJW). Map Fig. 3.

Gambian adults appear to have a brown mantle in both sexes; no black-backed
individuals were clearly identified. The large-billed morph (Smitli 1987) was clearly
seen and photographed; as yet no definite observations of smaller-billed birds have been
made. The birds were most commonly seen low in dense vegetation near watercourses
under the forest canopy, especially in the dry season, but at the height of tlie wet season
individuals were seen in relatively open tracts of forest (as a result of recent felling)
where they fel on sœds of a sedge.

Fully-fledged, all-dark juveniles were seen at Nianimaru on 10 Mar 1991 and
Gassang on 13 Jul 1991 and a nest was found at Baboon Islands on 7 Sep 1991. The
nest was a globe about 30cm in diameter with a side entrance and composed of what
appeared to be dry fi*onds of a fem. It was placed in the heart of a young screwpine
Pandanus sp., about 1 m above ground level under a dense canopy of Raphia, creepers,
and other trees on a small island. The site was flooded daily by tidal freshwater to a
depth of c. 20 cm. The adult was presumed to be incubating; once flushed from tlie nest
it was very reluctant to leave Üie area, and when in Üie nest remained quiet for long
periods.

Bluebill Spemwphaga hmnmüim

Known from Abuko and Western Division (Gore 1990); widespread in the Casamance
(Morel & Morel 1990).

More than 30 additional recent records, with new locations at Bijilo Forest,
Sanyang, Kasa Kunda, Pirang and Gunjur, scattered tliroughout tiie year (Jan, Mar, Jun-
Sep, Nov) (JRA, MC, DKW, TJW). Map Fig. 3.

It is clear from records collected by visiting bird-watchers (not used in this paper)
that the confusion between this species and the Blue-billed Malimbe Malimbus nitem,
(Gore 1990) still persists. From 1987 to date several A/, ni tens have been reported from
Abuko, none with supporting notes. Some of these probably refer to tlie Bluebill. The
current status of M. ni tern in The Gambia remains unclear; it must be regarded as at
best extremely elusive and probably very rare. Its presence requires verification.

36

T. Wacher

Malimbus 15

Discussion

The species discussed above are at their northern limit near tlie West African coast. The
forest fragments that remain in The Gambia have been much reduced in recent years,
and continue to be under great i:)ressure. If tliey disappear, nearly all the species listed in
tliis article will go from the country with them, reducing the range of each in the
process. However, nearly all tlie rarer forest-adapted species historically documented
for the country were still present in the last few years. Furthennore new species are still
being found, such as the Green Crombec. The remaining network of small forest
patches (Abuko at 70 ha is tlie biggest), appears still to support all tlie species reported
above. Protection from felling and fires may secure them into the future. The forest
birds are an especially attractive group within the national avifauna, and the birds of
The Gambia already attract important tourist income. Otlier advantages of forests
extend far beyond bird conservation. It is very much to be hoped that conservation and
forestry interests can cooperate to preserve the remaining natural forests of The
Gambia.

Acknowledgments

My colleagues in tlie Gambia Ornithological Society, notably J.R. Alder, C.R. Barlow,
M. Chable, R.M. Jones, R. Webzell and D. Wheeler, provided enüiusiastic support for
assembling the data-base from which this paper is written, many hours of good
companionship in the field, and much discussion of local ornithological lore. The
infonnation reported here is the result of tlie combined efforts of this group wiüi tiie
author. I am very grateful to the Institute of Zoology, London, for providing facilities
and funds to collate tliese data while writing up otlier aspects of tlie work.

References

Bannerman, D.A. (1930-1951) The Birds of Tropical West Africa, 8 vols. Crown
Agents, London.

Brown, L.H., Urban E.K. & Newman, K. (1982) The Birds of Africa, vol. 1. Academic
Press, London.

Budgett, J.S. (1901) On tlie ornithology of tlie Gambia River. Ibis 8: 48M97.

Chappuis, C. (1974-1985) Illustration sonore de problèmes bioacoustiques posés par les
oiseaux de la zone Ethiopienne. Alauda 42-53, Suppléments sonores.

Colston, P. R. & Curry -Lindahl, K. (1986) The Birds of Mount Nimba, Liberia.
British Museum (Natural History), London.

Ellenberg. H., Galat-Luong, A., Maydell, H. von, Muhlenberg, M., Panzer, K.F.,
Schmidt-Lorenz, R., Sumser, M., & Szolnoki, T.W. (1988) Pirang - Ecological
Investigations in a Forest Island in The Gambia. Stiftung Walderhaltung in Afrika,
Hamburg.

1993

Forest birds in The Gambia

37

Ericsson, S. (1989) Notes on birds observed in Gambia and Senegal in November
1984. Maiimbmll: 88-^94.

Fry, C.H., Keith, S. & Urban, E.K. (1988) The Birds of Africa, vol. 3. Academic
Press, London.

Gore, M.E.J. (1990) Birds of The Gambia. Checklist No. 3 (2nd ed.), British
Ornithologists' Union, Tring.

Hall, B.P. & Moreau, R.E. (1970) An Atlas of Spéciation in African Passerine Birds.
British Museum (Natural Histoiy), London.

Jensen, J.V. & Kirkeby, K. (1980) The Birds of The Gambia. Aros Nature Guides,
Aarhus.

Keith, S., Urban, E.K. & Fry, C.H. (1992) The Birds of Africa, vol. 4. Academic
Press, London.

Mackworth-Praed, C.W. & Grant, C.H.B. (1970-73) Birds of West Central and
Western Africa, 2 vols. Longman, London.

Morel, G.J. & Morel, M.-Y. (1990) Les Oiseaux de Sénégambie. ORSTOM, Paris.

Smith, T.B. (1987) Bill size polymorphism and interspecific niche utilisation in an
African finch. Nature 329: 717-719.

Urban, E.K., Fry, C.H. & Keith, S. (1986) The Birds of Africa, vol. 2. Academic
Press, London.

38

Malimbus 15

Garden and farm-bush birds of Njaïa^ Sierra Leone

by J. Robert Harkrider

Department of Biological Sciences, Njala University College,
University of Sierra Leone

(Current address: Biology Department, Cypress College, Cypress,
California 90630, USA)

Received 1 8 August 1 992
Revised ITNovanber 1992

Summary

From October 1988 to June 1989, 95 avian species were recorded in a
residential, garden area and in farm-bush areas around Njala University College,
Sierra Leone. A total of 62 species was observed in the garden area. Twelve
species were permanent residents and an additional 26 occurred Üiroughout tlie
study period. All of these species are known for close association with human
habitation. Twenty-five species of European and intra-African migrants
occurred in the residential area. Thirty-two species seen in die fami-bi^h were
not observed in die garden area. Seven of diese were residents while the others
were migratoiy or casual wanderers. Migratory patterns were associated with
seasonality and human activity such as burning fields.

Résumé

D’octobre 1988 à juin 1989, 95 espèces aviennes ont été notées dans les jardins
d’un quartier résidentiel ainsi que sur des champs autour de Njala University
College, Sierra Leone. Un total de 62 espèces fut observé dans les jardins.
Douze espèces y résidaient en pennanence et 26 autres y apparurent au cours de
l’étude. Toutes ces espèces sont connues pour leur étroite association avec les
habitations humaines. Vingt-cinq espèces de migrateurs européens et intra-
africains furent rencontrées dans le quartier résidentiel. Trente-deux espèces
observées sur les cultures ne le furent pas dans les jardins. Sept d’entre elles
étaient résidentes tandis que les autres étaient migratrices ou occasionelles. Les
modalités des migrations étaient liées aux saisons et aux activités humaines
telles que les brûlis.

1993

Birds of Njala, Sierra Leone

39

Introduction

Recent work in West Africa has resulted in the publication of check-lists for such areas
as Nigeria (Elgood 1982), Ghana (Grimes 1987) and The Gambia (Gore 1991). For
some areas, such as Sierra Leone, a published country -wide list does not exist.

In Sierra Leone, Serle (1948a, 1948b, 1949a, 1949b) reported the results of a nine-
month survey made during 1942 and 1943. Additional data from otlierwise unpublished
sources are given in Bannerman (1930-1951). Field (1974) published an extensive
account of birds of tlie Freetown Peninsula. Harding & Harding (1982), in tlie Kilimi
region, and Happel (1985), in the Outamba region, surveyed the avifauna of the
proposed Outamba-Kilimi National Park in die nortli-west part of the country near the
Guinea border. Davies (1987) published a survey of birds of the Gola Forest and Tiwai
Island in the far soutlieastem region of Sierra Leone. More recently. Allport et al.
(1989) reported on a comprehensive, five-montli survey in tlie Gola Forest area.

Most of tliese surveys concentrated on Uie remaining, relatively undisturbed habitats
on the periphery of Sierra Leone. Areas altered by human activity dominate Sierra
Leone yet, with the exception of Field’s (1974) report on tlie Freetown peninsula and
one section of the Allport et al (1989) report, disrupted areas remain little studied.
Elgood & Sibley (1964) showed that the avifauna of disrupted areas around Ibadan,
Nigeria, retains a rich species diversity. The dynamics of the bird populations in Nigeria
were associated with seasonal changes; both European species (Elgood et al 1 966) and
African species (Elgood et al 1973) migrate seasonally, creating a constantly clianging
avifauna. The goal of the present study was to document the avifauna associated with
garden and fanii-bush areas at a location in central Sierra Leone.

Study Site and Methods

The study was conducted from September 1 988 to June 1 989 on tlie campus of Njala
University College, University of Sierra Leone. Njala is 205 km from Freetown at
8°30’30”N, 12®5’W. The site is adjacent to the Taia River about 125km from tlie coast
and has an elevation of about 40 ni above sea level. Tlie annual rainfall is 1 90-205 cm,
most of wliich occurs during the rainy season from May to November. The campus was
established in 1964; however, agricultural activity at Njala dates to the original
settlement in the early nineteenth century on a lowland rain forest site. A fonnal
agricultural training college was established at Njala in 1919 and the area has remained
a training site since tliat time (Kallay 1980).

The residential study was done in the Adaptive Crop Research and Extension
Project (ACRE) residential area, which was established in 1963. Asphalt streets divided
the houses into blocks in a rectangular network. The study area consisted of a block of
single-storey houses with concrete walls and sloped metal roofs. The houses had
spacious gardens, separated by hibiscus hedges. Many fruit trees, including pawpaw
Catica papaya, banana Mma sp. and mango Mangifera indica, as well as ornamental

40

J.R. Harkrider

Malimbus 1 5

trees and slirubs such as Indian abnond Tetviinalia catappa, grew in the garden area.
The site is smiilar to that described as “garden” by Elgood & Sibley (1964) in Nigeria.

The observation of the garden birds was focused on the block containing the “Chief
of Station” house. The garden area was defined as that area inside the asphalt road tliat
surrounded die block. During tlie study period only two of the seven houses in the block
were inliabited. The front gardens were maintained in a lawn-like condition by grazing
goats. The back yards could best be described as ‘Sveedy”.

The residential area was adjacent to fields thet were cultivated by traditional slash-
and-bum teclmiques. Some of tlie fields were planted wliile otliers had one to several
years’ growth of fami-bush scrub. These areas are periodically fanned, grazed, or
burned. Major crops include sweet potatoes, maize and cassava. In some areas upland
rice is cultivated. Elgood & Sibley (1964) referred to tliis vegetation type as “Derived
Savanna and Native Farms”.

In the garden area, observations of the bird fauna throughout the study period were
made daily, primarily in tlie early morning, late afternoon and evening. In the fann-
bush, each of tliree different trails in tlie campus area was surveyed at least once a week
during tlie study period, usually in tlie late afternoon. A daily survey was made of the
farm-bush adjacent to Üie residential area.

Scientific names of birds are given in the tables.

Results

A total of 62 species was documented in the garden area during the nine months of
observation (Tables 1 and 2). Many of these sjiecies were common residents in the
farm-bush area and simply moved between farm-bush and gardens. A few species,
indicated by a W under habitat (Table 1), were not seen in the farm-bush, but only
observed in wooded areas when outside tlie garden.

Table 1 lists 12 species as “resident” in the garden area. All tliese species, observed
daily tliroughout the study period, have a close association with human habitation that is
widely documented and all but two are listed as common garden birds by Elgood &
Sibley (1964).

The “common” birds (Table 1 ) were also known for close association wiüi humans.
Some, like the Simple Leaflove, would roost and forage in the garden, but not as
consistently as the residents. The Chestnut-and-black Weaver and tlie Village Weaver
nested in trees at tlie end of the rainy season, but were visitors during tlie rest of the
period. All but tliree of the “conmion” species were reported as garden birds in Ibadan
(Elgood & Sibley 1964).

Turati’s Bush-shrike was an early morning visitor, usually heard rather than seen.
On several occasions individuals with a white wingbar, suggestive of Bell-Shrike L.
aethiopicus, were observed. If confirmed, this would represent an extension of range of
tlie latter species (Field 1979).

1993

Birds of Njala, Sierra Leone

41

Table 1. Birds observed in the ACRE residential garden area of Njala throughout
the study period. Status: “Resident” = seen daily; “Common” = seen most days;
“Frequent” — seen throughout study period but gaps of several days sometimes
occurred between observations. Usual habitats: W=: woodland, F=farm-bush.

Status

Habitat

Hooded Vulture Necrosyrtes monachus

Common

F

Lizard Buzzard Kaupifalco monogrammicm

Frequent

W-F

Red-eyed Dove Streptopetia semilorqmta

Common

W-F

Red-billed Wood Dove Turturafer

Common

W-F

Grey Plantain-eater Crinifer piscator

Frequent

F

Senegal Coucal Centropm senegalensis

Frequent

F

Bam Owl Tyto alba

Frequent

F

Little Swift Apus ajfmis

Resident

F

Senegal Kingfisher Halcyon senegalensis

Frequent

F

Pied Hombill Tockus fasciatiis

Frequent

W-F

Lemon-ramped Tinker-bird Pogoniulus bilineaim

Frequent

W

Grey Woodpœker Mesopicos goertae

Frequent

F

Yellow-throated Long-claw Macron^ croceus

Frequent

F

Lesser Striped Swallow Hinmdo abyssinica

Resident

F

Gambian Puffback Dryoscopus gambensis

Frequent

W

Black-crowned Tchagra Tchagra senegala

Frequent

F

Turati’s Bush-Shrike Lamarim turatii

Common

W

Fiscal Shrike Lanins colhris

Resident

F

Glossy-backed Drongo Dicrums adsimilis

Frequent

W-F

Pied crow Corvus albus ^

Common

F

Simple Leaflove Chiorocichh simplex

Conmion

W

Common Bulbul Pycnonotns barbaius

Resident

W-F

Scarlet-spectacled Wattle-eye Phtysteira cyanea

Common

W

Snowy-head^ Robin-Chat Cossypha niveicapilla

Resident

W

Kurrichane Thrash Turdus peiios

Resident

w

Moustached Warbler Sphenoeacus meniaiis

Frequent

F

Grey-backed Camaroptera Camamptem brachyura

Resident

W-F

Olive-bellied Sunbird Nectarinia chloropygia

Common

F

Copper Sunbird N. cuprea

Resident

F

Senegal White-eye Zosierops senegalensis

Common

W

Village Weaver Ploceus cuculhtus

Conmion

F

Chestnut-and-black Weaver P, nigetrimus

Common

F

Black-necked Weaver P. nigricoUis

Resident

F

Grey-headed Sparrow Passer griseus

Resident

F

Senegal Fire finch Lagonosticta senegala

Resident

F

Pin-tailoi Whydah Vidua macroura

Common

F

Bronze Mannikin Lonchura cucuUata

Resident

F

Magpie Mannikin L. fringiUoides

Conmion

F

42

J. R. Harkrider

Malimbus 15

Table 2. Birds not seen in the ACRE residential garden area, but common in
adjacent farm-bush throughout the period of study.

Black-shouldered Kite Elatius caeruleus
Double-spurred Francolin Francolinus bicalcaratus
Tawny-flanked Prinia Prinia subflava
Collared Sunbird Anthreptes collaris
Fire-crowned Bishop Euplectes hordeaceiis
Yellow-mantled Wliydah E. macrottms
Dybowski’s Twin-spot Clytospiza dybowskii

A few species were common in the fann-bush, but never observed in tlie garden
area (Table 2). The Double-spurred Francolin and Dybowski’s Twin-spot were
frequently observed foraging on tlie ground near the residential area, but never within it.
The Fire-crowned Bishop and Yellow-mantled Whydah, common in fields across the
road from tlie residential area, were restricted to areas with tall grass and open space.

The seasonal appearance of birds in tlie garden area is reported in Table 3. Some
species are well-known European migrants such as the Spotted Flycatcher and the
Yellow Wagtail. These arrived early in the dry season and remained conunon through
most of this season. Other seasonal visitors were well-known intra-African migrants
such as tlie Cattle Egret. Some arrived late in the year, for example the Broad-billed
Roller did not appear until January but remained into the rainy season. Some of the
migrants had a short but obvious stay. The Grey-headed Kingfisher was prominent,
perching in or around tlie residential area for two months during the dry season. The
Shikra and Grasshopper Buzzard were botli present during the mid-dry season, tlie latter
particularly obvious around fires as tlie fann-bush was burned.

In contrast to movements into the area during the dry season, there were also
obvious movements out. The Harrier-Hawk, a frequent visitor to the residential area,
was not observed in Njala for three months of tlie late dry season. Other species, such as
tlie Olive-backed Sunbird and the Wliite-cheeked Olive Weaver, disappeared for most
of the dry season. Klaas’s Cuckoo and the Didric Cuckoo showed a similar pattern.
These species were most obvious during tlie weaver nesting period, stalking the nests of
the Chestnut-and-black Weaver.

Great Spotted Cuckoos were obviously in transit. They were common for a week
during March but were not seen before or after. This matches the “clearly defined
spring passage” reported for Nigeria by Elgood ei al. (1973).

Seasonal birds found in the farm-bush but not in the residential area (Table 4)
followed patterns similar to those described above. For example, the migrant Whinchat,
like the Spotted Flycatcher, was present through most of the dry season. The Little Bee-
eater, like the Grey-headed Kingfisher, stayed for less than two months during the dry
season. Many of these birds were not seen in the residential area because of their

1993

Biirds of Njala, Sierra Leone

43

Table 3. Birds with a seasonal appearance in the ACRE residential garden area of

Njala.

Months

O

N

D

J

F

M

A

M

J

Cattle Egret Btibulcus ibis

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

Black Kite Milvtis migmns

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

Harrier-Hawk Polyboroides radiatus

Shikra Accipiter badius

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

Great Spotted Cuckoo Chmator gbndarius
Red-chested Cuckoo Cuculus solitarius

X

X

Klaas’s Cuckoo Chysococcyx klaas

X

X

Dich'ic Cuckoo C caprins

X

X

X

X

Spotted Eagle-Owl Bubo africanus

X

X

Long-tailed Nightjar Caprimulgus climacurus

Swift sp. Apus apus or A. barbatus

Grey-headed Kingfisher Halcyon leiicocephalus

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

WWte-throated Bee-eater Merops albicollis

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

Broad-billed Roller Eiirystomus glaucurus

Vieillot’s Barbet Lybius vieilloti

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

Cardinal Woodpecker Dendropicos fuscescens

X

Yellow Wagtail Motacilla Jhva

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

Spotted Flycatcher Muscicapa striata

X

X

X

X

X

Melodious Warbler Hippolais polyglotta

X

X

X

X

X

X

Swallow Hirundo rustica ^

X

X

X

X

Olive-backed Sunbird Nectarinia verticalis

X

X

X

X

White-cheeked Olive Weaver Nesocharis capistrata

X

X

X

Conmion Waxbill Estrilda astrild

X

X

Black-and-white Mannikin Lonchiira bicolor

X

X

X

restricted habitat; for example, the Standard-winged Nightjar, Forbes’ Banded Plover,
and Little Bee-eater were associated with burnt fields in tlie dry season. Others were not
seen in the residential area simply because they were so rare. For example, the Pale
Flycatcher was observed on only one afternoon but for an extended period, feeding
from the lower branch of a tree near the residential area. This species is normally found
in the northern savanna.

44

J.R. Harkrider

Malimbus 15

Table 4. Seasonal birds found in the farm^bush but not found in the residential
garden area.

Months

ONDJ FMAMJ

Long-crested Eagle Lophaetus occi pi ta Us x

Grasshopper Buzzard Butastiir rufipennis
Forbes’ Banded Plover Charadrius forbesi
Standard-winged Nightjar Macrodiptetyx longipennis
Palm Swift Cypsiums parvus

Pygmy Kingfisher Ceyx picta x

Little Bee-eater Merops pusillus

Piping Hombill Bycanistes Jistulator

Lesser Honey guide Indicator minor

Plain-backed Pipit Anthus leucophrys x

Rufous-chested Swallow Hirundo semirufa

Red-rumped Swallow H. daurica

Fanti Rough-winged Swallow Psalidoprocne ohscura x

Square-tailed Rough-winged Swallow P. ni tens x x

Orange-breasted Bush-Shrike Malaconotm sulfureopectus

Long-tailed Slirike Corvinella corvina

Black-cap Babbler Turdoides reinwardii x

Pale Flycatcher Bradomis pallidus x

Pied flycatcher Ficedula hypoleuca

Grey Tit-Flycatcher Myioparus plumbeus x x

Whinchat Saxicola rubetra

Grey-crowned Negro-Finch Nigrita canicapilla

Chestnut-breasted Negro-Finch N. bicolor

Blue-billed Fire finch Lagonosticta rubricata

Orange-cheeked Waxbill Estrilda melpoda x x

X X
X X

X X X X X
X

X X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X X

X X X X

X X

X

X X

X X

X X X X X X
X

X

X

X

Discussion

In nortliem Sierra Leone, Harding & Harding (1982) described 69 species from the
savanna and Happel (1985) recorded an additional 36 species in similar habitat. Of
these 105 species, only 55 are shared with the list of 94 from Njala. The “derived
savanna” of central Sierra Leone and the present study is substantially different from
the “native savanna” of the north which was studied by Harding 8c Harding (1982) and
Happel ( 1 985), particularly since garden areas were not included in tlie northern studies.
The disrupted rain forest at Njala has less bird diversity tlian similar areas adjacent to

1993

Birds of Njala, Sierra Leone

45

non-disrupted forest Iiabitats. In tlie fann-bush around the Gola Forest (Allport et al
1989), 176 bird species were documented. Only 59 of these were on tlie Njala list.

The avifauna of tlie Njala residential area and farm-bush was similar to the town
and garden bird populations of Ibadan, Nigeria (Elgood & Sibley 1964) and birds
associated with human habitation on the Freetown Peninsula (Field 1974). Major
differences concern the relative abundance and tlie time of occurrence of species. These
locations have a long history of human habitation in disrupted rain forest areas and are
probably representative of the avifauna that will displace the forest avifauna as human
habitation continues to expand and destroy tliese forests.

Acknowledgments

My work was supported by a grant from the Council for International Exchange of
Scholars (Fulbright Program). I wish to Üiank Dr Aiah Gbakima and Dr Abu Sesay for
their support and encouragement during my tenure at Njala University College. I also
wish to thank Dr William Lindsey, Political Affairs Officer, and members of the United
States Information Service staff at the United States Embassy in Freetown for their help
and encouragement during my Fulbright tour. I appreciate the helpful conunents of Mr
G.D. Field related to tliis manuscript.

References

Allport, G., Ausden, M., Hayman, P.V., Robertson, P. & Wood, P. (1989) The
Conservation of the Birds of Gola Forest, Sierra Leone. Study Report 38,
International Council for Bird Preservation, Cambridge.

Bannerman, D.A. (1930-1951) The Birds of Tropical West Africa, 8 vols. Crown
Agents, London.

Davies, A.G. (1987) The Gola Forest Resen’es, Sierra Leone: Wildlife Conservation
and Forest Management. International Union for Conservation of Nature,
Cambridge.

Elgood, J.FI. (1982) The Birds of Nigeria. Check-list 4, British Ornithologists’ Union,
London.

Elgood, J.H. & Sibley, F.C. (1964) The tropical forest edge avifauna of Ibadan,
Nigeria. Ibis 106: 221-248.

Elgood, J.H., Sharland, R.E. & Ward, P. (1966) Palaearctic migrants in Nigeria. Ibis
108:84-116.

Elgood, J.H., Fry, C.H. & Dowsett, R.J. (1973) African migrants in Nigeria. Ibis 115:
145, 375-409.

Field, G.D. (1974) Birds of Freetown Peninsula. Fourah Bay College Bookshop,
Freetown.

Field, G.D. (1979) The Laniarius bushslirikes in Sierra Leone. Bull Brit. Om. Club 99:
42-44.

46

J.R. Harkrider

Malimbus 15

Gore, M.E.J. (1991) Birds of The Gambia. Check-list 3, British Omitliologists’ Union,
London.

Grimes, L.G. (1987) The Birds of Ghana. Check-list 9, British Ornithologists’ Union,
London.

Happel, R.E. (1985) Birds of tlie Outamba area, northwest Sierra Leone. Malimbus 7:
101-102.

Harding, D.P. & Harding, R.S.O. (1982) A preliminary checklist of birds in the Kilimi
area of nortliwest Sierra Leone. Malimbus 4: 64-68.

Kallay, T.B. (1986) The Growth ofNjala. A Historical and Social Sketch ofNjala as
an Educational Institution up to 1980. Njala University College, Njala.

Serle, W. (1948a) Notes on the birds of Sierra Leone. Part 1. Ostrich 19: 129-141.

Serle, W. (1948b) Birds of Sierra Leone (Part II). Ostrich 19: 187-199.

Serle, W. (1949a) Birds of Sierra Leone (Part III). Ostrich 20: 70-85.

Serle, W. (1949b) Birds of Sierra Leone (Part IV). Ostrich 20: 1 14-126.

1993

47

Short Notes

Seconde observation d*un Huîtrier pie HaeituUopus ostralegus au Zaïre

L’arrière-saison de 1957 était à tout point remarquable en ce qui concerne le passage
inaccoutumé de limicoles paléarc tiques. Le 1 novembre, j’avais noté à Coquilhatville
(actuellement Mbandaka, 0®4’N, 18®16’E), sur un remblai de sable parsemé de flaques
d’eau, quelques Bécassines doubles Gallinago media, des Chevaliers sylvains Tritiga
glareola, un Chevalier culblanc T. ochropus, deux Chevaliers stagnatiles T. stagnatilis,
un Grand Gravelot Charadhus hiaticula et une Echasse blanche Himantopus
himantopus (Herroelen 1 958). Le lendemain, je retournai à cet endroit intéressant et j’y
observai à mon étonnement deux Huîtriers pies Haematopus ostralegus. J’aurais bien
voulu en récolter un spécimen mais le terrain qu’ils fréquentaient était situé trop près de
l’agglomération.

Le Huîtrier pie est un écliassier côtier rarement vu à l’intérieur des terres en Afrique
centrale. Chapin (1939) a récolté une femelle (de la sous-espèce longipes: Vaurie 1965)
à Avakubi (1®24’N, 27°40’E) le 3 octobre 1913; jusqu’à présent, c’est la seule pièce à
conviction pour le Zaïre. La présence de l’espèce près de l’Equateur constitue
l’observation la plus occidentale en Afrique centrale; Mbandaka se trouve notaimnent à
1050 km au Sud-ouest d’Avakubi. Précédeimnent l’Huîtrier pie était connu de sept
pays de l’Afrique de l’Est (Dowsett 1980).

Bibliographie

Chapin, J.P. (1939) The Birds of the Belgian Congo, part 2. Bull. Amer. Mus. Nat Hist.
75.

Dowsett, R.J. (1980) The migration of coastal waders from the Palaearctic across
Africa. Gerfaut 70: 3-35.

Herroelen, P. (1958) Poelruiter Tringa stagnatilis. Wielewaal 24; 20-21 .

Vaurie, C. (1965) The Birds of the Palaearctic Fauna. Non-Passeriformes. Witherby,
London.

Reçu 18 juillet 1992

Revu 18 décembre 1992 P. Herroelen

Leuvensesteenweg 347, B-3370 Boutersem, Belgique

White-backed Night Heron Nycticorax leuconotus in Sierra Leone

On 17 June 1992, my son, Moray Iles and myself were birdwatching along tlie coastal
road which runs south from Freetown, Sierra Leone, west of the Peninsula Mountains.
Returning from a dugout punt trip along tlie No. 2 River which enters tlie sea between

48

Short Notes

Malimbus 15

Sussex and York, our attention was drawn to two small herons a few yards into the
mangroves. After reversing the boat, we were able to identify two White-backed Night
Herons Nycticorax leuconotiis, one of which was photographed. The birds kept close
together and quietly climbed amongst Üie lower mangrove roots, only a little disturbed
by our presence. The mid-afternoon light provided clear views. Tliey appeared sliglitly
bigger than Green-backed Heron Butorides striatus, seen some minutes before, but gave
the impression of being slender and long-legged. The crown, nape and lores were dull
black; the eyes were large and liquid black surrounded by a white eye-ring. Below tlie
whitish chin, the neck, chest and belly were dark rust, tlie back and wings dark grey.
We did not detect any white on the back, possibly because tlie birds neither flew nor
moved their wings. After some minutes they moved further into the mangrove.

We can trace no published records of tliis species in Sierra Leone but G.D. Field
(pers. comm.) refers to a specimen being collected in 1952 in Songo Creek near tlie
Peninsula and to unpublished sight records for the Little Searcies River and from Kono.
Tliis sighting would therefore appear to be unusual.

Received 19 October 1992

Revised 23 February 1 993 Dudley lies

Waylands, East Hanney, Oxon., 0X12 OJE, U.K.

Breeding of Slender-billed Bulbul Aiidropadus gracilirostris in Sierra Leone

As Keith et al. (1992) state that the nest and eggs of the Slender-billed Bulbul
Andropadus gracilirostris are undescribed, a note of my observations in Sierra Leone
may be wortli-while.

Although basically a forest canopy species, tlie Slender-billed Bulbul is much less
dependent on forest than most of the genus and in the 1 970s used regularly to breed in
my garden at Fourah Bay College on the outskirts of Freetown. My house was near tlie
edge of tlie college housing area, with plenty of rather scrubby secondary forest or
“bush” witliin easy flying distance. The garden consisted of open grass and a number of
trees and shrubs, particularly Anisophyllea lauritia and Dialiimi guineense, left when
the ground was originally cleared for housing because of their edible fruits. The
Dialium trees (and others) were frequently infested with hairy caterpillars, attracting
Didric Cuckoos Chrysococcyx caprius and the Slender-billed Bulbuls, which were
therefore regularly in tlie garden and I could expect to see or hear them tliere most days
of the year.

In four separate years a pair built in one of these Dialium trees, in another year they
chose a Rauvolfia vomitaria close to the house, and in another a tall, straggly hedge of
the exotic Tecoma stans, none of which trees was higher tlian 6-7 m.

Nests were built ahnost entirely by one individual, presumably the female; another
bird, presumably the male, accompanied each visit, normally without assisting in
building, although very occasionally he too would bring material. The latter bird also

1993

Short Notes

49

occasionally gave bursts of song, again suggesting tliat it was the male. The site was
always a terminal fork, witli liglit leaf shading above, rather tliicker in the case of the
Tecoma, though here, by the time the young fledged, the tree had almost entirely shed
its leaves. The outer shells of the nests were of leaves, usually dead but sometimes
green, with spiders’ webs and lichen but practically no moss, and with a rather
perfunctory lining of petioles, tlie whole seeming ratlier small for the size of bird. The
two eggs (not measured) were pinkish, heavily marked all over with purplish red-brown
streaks and smears, so tliat at a glance tliey looked simply brown. Both sexes incubated
and brought food to the young, in die latter case swooping up onto a twig below the
nest, pausing for several seconds and then hopping up onto the nest. After delivering tlie
food, die adult swallowed faecal pellets. It then usually brooded the young for several
minutes, even when diey were quite large, though I cannot be sure that both sexes did
this. Only one breeding attempt was completed successfully; usually the nests were
predated, probably by Vine Snakes Thelotomis kirtlandii which were plentiful in the
area. The successful nest (in the Tecoma) was started a few days before 9 November
and die single young fledged 1 1 December.

The species was observed elsewhere in Sierra Leone eidier building or carrying
food, both inside and at die edge of the forest, usually in much liigher trees (some 1 5-20
m high) diough one nest in a small tree at die forest edge was only slightly higher than
my garden nests. In all, my records show breeding or attempted breeding in Jun (1, the
only pre-rains record), Sep (3), Oct (5), Nov (8), Dec (2), Jan (2), the mondi being
adjusted to the assumed date of laying. This seasonality is typical of Andwpadus (Keith
et al. 1992), although the species more strictly confined to forest {A. virens, A.
latirostris, A. ansorgei) continue breeding well into the dry season (Feb-Mar) (Keidi et
al 1992, pers. obs).

I thank John Elgood for reading this note and making some helpful conuiients.

Reference

Keith, S., Urban, E.K. & Fry, C.H. (1992) The Birds of Africa, vol. 4. Academic

Press, London.

Received 5 January 1993 G.D. Field

37 Milton Grove, New Milton, Hants, BH25 6HB, U.K.

Nest sites of Brown Nightjar Caprimulgus binotatus and Collared Nightjar C.
enarratus

I was interested to read die notes on Brown Nightjar Caprimulgus binotatus by Carroll
& Fry (1987) and Fry (1988), and would like to point out a record of a nightjar species
nesting odier than on a firm substance which pre-dates the one discussed in the notes:
the Madagascan endemic Collared Nightjar C enarratus has been recorded nesting on

50

Book Reviews

Malimbus 15

an epiphytic fern Asplénium on a tree-trunk, 1.7 m above the ground (Dhondt 1976).
Like the Brown Nightjar, the Collared Nightjar is a little-known species of the
rainforest interior witli large eyes and ridged eyebrows and whose nestlings have not
been documented. Anomalously, its eggs are unmarked white, and it possesses a “facial
disc”, similar to tliat of a Bam Owl Tyto alba and which, I believe, does not occur in
any otlier member of the genus.

References

Carroll, R.W. & Fry, C.H. (1987) A range extension and probable breeding record of
the Brown Nightjar {Caprimulgus binotatus Bonaparte) in southwestern Central
African Republic. Malimbus9: 125-127.

Dhondt, A. (1976) Une nidification de l’Engoulevent à collier Caprimulgus ennaratus.

OiseauxRev.fr. OnhA6\ 173-174.

Fry, C.H. (1988) Brown Nightjar. Malimbus 10: 222.

Received 10 Febmary 1993

M. LE vans

Montrose, Llanddeiniol, Llanrhystud, Dyfed SY23 5AN, U.K.

Book Reviews

The Vultures of Africa. By P. Mundy, D. Butchart, J. Ledger & S. Piper, 1992. 464
pp., numerous line drawings and colour plates. Acorn Books, Randburg / Russel
Friedman Books, Flalfway House. ISBN 1-874802-03-3. US$60, hardback.

This is a labour of love by four vulture experts, as expressively declared in a preface
and acknowledgments. It is not, however, intended primarily for otlier vulture experts
(if it were, sales would be small!) but is a good read for any interested naturalist. The
style is easy and conversational; discussions start from first principles {e.g. a page on
how evolution works) but progress to include tlie latest research results (to early 1992!)
and the most arcane facts. Thus everyone, from layman to expert, will find interest in it.
There is also much stimulating speculation in areas where knowledge is lacking, such as
the function of tlie bare “eyes” beside tlie crop in griffons. The residences of the authors
and, to some extent, availability of data, give the book a soutliem African emphasis, but
the authors have tried to be as pan-African as possible, and there is a lot of West
African information within. What few errors I spotted were not southern African, for
example Djoudj National Park is said to be part of the Saloum area, and tlie Hooded
Vulture Necrosyries monachus is not shown as present in Liberia nor “in tlie forest zone
between Freetown and Ghana” (perpetuating die error of The Birds of Africa).

1993

Book Reviews

51

Two points of design attract conmient. First, there are no references in tlie text and,
forewarned, I thought that I would find tliis concession to “readability” irritating. In
fact, it improves the style and should not create great problems for those wishing to
pursue points furtlier, because a full bibliography is given at the end, cross-referenced
by chapter and species; I liked the idea. Second, all the tables are collected at the back,
although the figures accompany the text. This idiosyncratic arrangement I found
inconvenient and it led to my simply ignoring most of the tables. This was perhaps a
concession to non-scientists, but surely not a necessary one.

The title is modest, in that the first chapter is a global survey of species and
spéciation (including American vultures), which sets out some original views. The other
comparative chapters are similarly not restricted to African species.

Individual accounts of the 1 1 African species, each accompanied by a nice painting
by Butchart in somewhat 1 9tli-century style (intended as a compliment), take up 161
pages. Each starts with an interesting tale of the species’ discovery and naming,
followed by a description and biological account. This was the only major section of tlie
book which I skimmed, rather than reading from beginning to end; inevitably, as a
collection of facts about individual species, it makes relatively dry reading but the facts
are valuable and will be indispensable to vulture entliusiasts. Getting towards the end of
this section, I realised that I had still only reached the middle of the book. The
remaining half is packed with photographs, accompanying more comparative chapters,
attractively and penetratingly analytical in style and wide in scope. One on foraging,
feeding and socializing discusses guilds, food location, competition between species
and with non-vultures, bill morphology, sequence of events at carcasses, types and
sources of food, food webs, an analysis of the Serengeti ecosystem and gathering
places. There are chapters on the role of vultures in African cultures (San, Egyptian, SE
African Bantu), modem attitudes, tlireats and tlie Vulture Study Group. This last was
the only one I did not like; it is entirely southern African in context, with nauseatingly
endless lists of the autliors’ friends. These minutiae are not really of great interest to
anyone other than the characters involved and the chapter could have been much
shorter. This aside, I found Üie book an excellent read and I tliorouglily recommend it.

Alan Tye

The Birds of Africa, Vol 4. Ed. by S. Keith, E.K. Urban & C.H. Fry, 1992. 609pp., 32
colour plates. Academic Press, London. ISBN 0-12-137304-5. £72.

At last this monumental work reaches the passerines. Originally planned for four
volumes. Birds of Africa has expanded with each issue. The average length of a species
account is now 1000 words and there will be tliree more volumes before the task is
completed. This one covers broadbills, pittas, larks, swallows, pipits, wagtails, cuckoo-
shrikes, bulbuls and the smaller tlirushes, but for reasons of space true tJirushes Turdus
and tlieir allies are held over until Volume 5.

52

Book Reviews

Malimbus 15

Readers of previous volumes will know the format. Besides the tliree editors, ten
authors have contributed the species accounts, but in the interests of unifonnity
individual entlmsiasms are not allowed much scope, and at times one longs for those
enlightening remarks on “jizz” that can add such helpful touches: for instance, no
mention is made of the Slender-billed Andropadus grad liros tris and Golden
Calyptocichla serina Bulbuls’ habit of sitting for long periods in an upright position
calling at the very top of the canopy, thus distinguishing them immediately from all
other bulbuls.

The 32 plates are again by Martin Woodcock, and his skill is such tliat even those
plates witli large numbers of birds depicted, such as swallows, do not appear cluttered.
Particularly pleasing are tlie small chats and wheatears, the Phyllastrephus Plate 19 is
masterly, and one whole plate is reserved for juvenile robins. Less happy are some of
the deep forest bulbuls which the painter has clearly not seen in life. I fmd the Golden
Bulbul (Plate 21) almost unrecognizable and neither illustration nor text details tlie bare
skin at the eye of Green-tailed Bristlebill Bleda eximia. Sometimes size can be
misleading: in life the Rufous-rumped Lark Pinarocorys erythropygia is distinctly
larger than Rufous-naped Lark Mirafra africana\ on Plate 3 it appears tiny in
comparison. Similarly on Plate 27 tlie ratlier large Black Scrub-Robin Cercotrichas
podobe, partly through tlie perspective, looks smaller than the small Forest Scrub-Robin
C. leucosticta. Apropos size, it seems a pity that in the descriptions a rough overall
length is not given. However old-fashioned this may be, it does give the reader a
general idea of die bird.

I heartily endorse some taxonomic decisions. Nicator Nicator chloris goes back to
tlie slirikes. In tlie field it never had affinities with tlie bulbuls. Similarly at the generic
level, the Leaf-love returns as Pyrrhurus scandens after its flirtation with
Phyllastrephus, to the otlier west African members of wliich it was distinctly odd man
out. On English names, however, I deeply regret that the seal of approval is given to
“greenbul”, a bastardised coinage from “bulbul” with no etymological justification. The
French, witli more sense of language, stick to bulbul tliroughout.

For tlie field worker, tliree of tlie more difficult passerine groups are included: larks,
pipits and bulbuls. In West Africa, except along the borders of the Saliara, tlie first two
present few of the problems of eastern or southern Africa, but bulbuls are a West
African family par excellence, hitherto atrociously illustrated, while authors have
tended to surrender, particularly over Andropadus, with plirases like “hardly identifiable
in the field”. No book can include everything, but this volume goes a long way to
making Andropadus identification simple and pays useful attention to calls, though I
wonder how helpful to most readers is the remark re Ansorge’s Greenbul A. ansorgei
“reminiscent of flight call of Brown-headed Cowbird”.

Although one can hardly carry these volumes in one’s luggage on a trip to Africa,
yet time spent studying species likely to be encountered will make a tremendous
difference. May it not be too long before we get our hands on the cisticolas.

G.D. Field

1993

Book Reviews

53

The lUCN Sahel Stydics, 199L Ed. by A.P. Wood & P. Rydén, 1992. xv + 169 pp.
lUCN, Gland. ISBN 2^8317^0082-5. £12.50 + p & p from lUCN, 219c Hunüngdon
Road, Cambridge, U.K.

This is the second volume of lUCN Sahel Studies; tJie first was published in 1989. It is
concerned with die issue of achieving sustainable land use in tlie Sahel and discusses
the grand problems involved, including population growth, drought and failure of
“development” policies. The major cause of land degradation, in tJie Sahel as elsewhere,
is population growth combined with failure to develop away from subsistence
agriculture, which leads to over-use of resources. The region is in a grim situation, with
most of its countries bankrupt or nearly so.

lUCN's Sahel Prograimiie began in 1984 and includes regional studies, monitoring,
the formulation of national conservation strategies, field projects, training and
education, many of which are dealt wiüi in tliis multi-authored volume. Chapter 2, by C.
Geerling & S. de Bie, identifies the key problem with admirable clarity: ecological
limits. A human population dependent upon livestock production has reached a limit
where higher levels of resource use are not sustainable. The same applies to arable
agriculture in the region. This is why fluctuations in key resources, especially rainfall,
lead directly to such drastic fluctuations in productivity and human survival. The
solution is to develop security of food production at (or below) the carrying capacity of
the land: a blindingly obvious conclusion but one that is extremely difficult to
implement. This chapter ends by identifying a consequence, Üiat excess people have to
be subsidized or employed outside subsistence agriculture, but does not address how
this can be achieved in die poor Sahelian countries.

Other chapters consider water scarcity management, the UN Sudano-Sahelian
Progranune, World Bank activities, the Ethiopian National Conservation Strategy, the
Niger rural code, participatory land-use planning, the Tin-Telloust water management
programme in Niger and comparative studies from Botswana (wildlife ranching), Saudi
Arabia (attempts to reverse environmental degradation) and Australia (range
management).

Tliis is obviously not a book about birds but it is about problems Üiat bear upon tlieir
survival Chapter 2 is especially im|Jortant for all involved in conservation, in any
habitat (as the problems identified are so generally applicable). The rest will be of
interest primarily to conservationists and land managers working in die Saliel

Alan Tye

Every Arrival Late. By R.T. Wilson, 1992. 282 pp., black & white photos. Book
Guild, Lewes. ISBN 0-86332-734-6. Hardback £14.95.

This may be the first autobiographical work reviewed in Malimbus. It concerns Africa,
intelligently observed and wryly reported, by an international civil servant and amateur

54

Auüior

Malimbus 15

(in the original and best sense of the word) ornithologist who provides a series of
snapshots of two years in liis life. It deals witli 13 African countries, of which seven fall
witliin Milinibus's area of coverage and which might give an intending visitor useful
hints as well as food for tliought. For instance, the chapter on Niger recounts adventures
which will be only too familiar to anyone who has travelled long-distance by road in
francophone West Africa; efficient, but only in comparison with tlie anglophone parts.
More seriously, Wilson presents a perceptive analysis of the problems of desertification
in the Saliel. All tlie chapters are enlivened by little snippets of infonnation tlirown in as
asides; I didn’t know that the Dead Sea Apple Calotropis procera (that familiar,
spindly, grey, roadside weed of semi-arid regions) was used in Sudan to blind people in
one eye so tliat slavers would reject them. Cameroon, Nigeria and Togo are crammed
into one chapter, in which the Cameroon and Nigeria accounts concentrate on the
behaviour of bureaucrats, tlie disorganization of urban Cameroon, the Fon of Bafut and
the horrors of public transport, while Togo’s bit reinforces the impression of the
comparative efficiency and lack of fuss of francophone countries.

Ethiopia gets the most coverage: not surprising given the author’s country of
residence during tlie period covered. Of the countries dealt with which I know, the
treatment is generally fair, except Wilson is unnecessarily hard on Tanzania, perhaps
because he remembered it in better, earlier days and then returned at its nadir. This
chapter contains several small errors which increase the level of criticism and ratlier
s|X)ilt my enjoyment of it. There is a scattering of misprints tliroughout the book, die
best being “the Mushophagidae - literally tlie banana-eaters”. Yes, birds do feature,
alüiough only incidentally, and mostly Corvidae.

Tliroughout the book, one finds oneself comparing one’s own experiences with
tliose recounted and wondering whether one’s own are more interesting or amusing and
whether one could have written about them better. In producing tliis book, Wilson has
done what many of us have, more or less seriously, considered doing ourselves. He is
adept at summing up the character of a country and its people (indigenous and not) in a
few words and tlirough a few incidents. The book is written from the viewpoint of an
expatriate, and Wilson’s problem is that sometimes he is too perceptive; his direct
analyses will offend some readers, who will consider him a smug neo-colonialist,
without realising tliat he is simply seeing and telling tlie trutli about Africa, and without
seeing his subtle sympathy tlirough the obvious criticism. But then, I doubt tliat he was
writing for such iieople.

Alan Tye

Bird Census Techniques. By C.J. Bibby, N.D. Burgess & D.A. Hill, 1992. 257 + xvii
pp. Academic Press, London. ISBN 0-12-095830-9. Hardback £19.50.

This book is intended to bring together the methodology for various bird census
techniques, which is scattered tliroughout tlie literature and difficult of access. Chapters

1993

Article

55

include general considerations and sources of error, territory mapping, line transects,
point counts, capture and marking, individual species counts, distribution studies and
habitat mapping and sampling. Such a combination might sound dry and daunting.
However, each topic is clearly explained and assumes little previous knowledge of
census techniques or statistics. The text is well-endowed with examples, mostly in
separate boxes, which add interest and reality to tlie tlieory. Some also amuse, such as
tlie sketches of omitliologists at work (mostly clad in wellies and anorak, bearded and
male - possibly a biassed sample!). Inevitably, tlie emphasis is heavily on European and
North American studies and to a certain extent reflects situations alien to West Africa,
such as differences in habitat, species abundance and the coverage possible {e.g. in atlas
recording), but there is still a great amount relevant to a tropical situation. Besides being
a basic background source, tliis book is also a useful starting point for more detailed
enquiries; subjects are well-referenced and there is a 10-page bibliography. Each
chapter also ends wiüi a useful summary. If you’re going to count birds, this is wortli a
read.

Hilary Tye

Putting Biodiversity on the Map: Areas for Global Conservation. Bibby, NJ.
Collar, M.J. Crosby, M.F. Heath, C. Imboden, T.H. Johnson, A.J. Long, A.J.
Stattersfield & S.J. Thirgood, 1992. vi + 90 pp. International Council for Bird
Preservation, Cambridge. ISBN 0-946888-24-8, paperback. £12.50 from ICBP, 32
Cambridge Road, Girton, Cambridge, U.K.

A foreword by E.O. Wilson defines tlie problem with crystal clarity: life on earth is
entering an extinction spasm which could be the greatest since the Cretaceous saw tlie
end of die dinosaurs, 65 million years ago. It will be caused by habitat destruction by
humans, who are at present destroying c. 2% of Uie remaining tropical forest each year,
besides their effects on other habitats. Tliis book is the first global attempt to identify
the places (temied “endemic bird areas” or EBAs) which, if protected, would save the
majority of bird species.

The book is profusely illustrated with maps, graphs and photographs. The
presentation is clear, with a marginal running summary wliich I found at first iiritating
but soon learnt to ignore, but which may be of great use in bringing the message to
politicians and others who will not look at more than ten words strung togeüier.

One important point, often overlooked, is emphasized by the Introduction:
biodiversity is a global concept and only has meaning as such. A local increase in
diversity caused by converting primary forest to second-growth, which may add
widespread, open-country species to the system, might contribute to a decrease in
global biodiversity due to extinctions of endemics.

Wliy use birds as indicators of important places to protect? They are the only group
of organisms to fulfil tliree pre-conditions for the analysis undertaken in tlie book: tliey

56

Book Reviews

Malimbus 15

have dispersed to all terrestrial habitats and land areas (needed for global analysis), their
taxonomy is well-understood (needed for diversity analysis) and tlieir geographical
distributions are well-known (needed for mapping). Data on other animals and plants
are also presented, and tliey generally support the conclusions drawn from birds. The
analysis is based on all land-birds wiüi an overall range < 50000 km^; tliis includes 27%
of all bird species and 77% of threatened species. The ranges of these species are
combined to identity EBAs: areas witli more tlian one such species entirely restricted to
tliem. It excludes some species of conservation interest, especially large birds inliabiting
big ranges at low density (e.g. bustards, storks and cranes), but such species often
include EBAs witliin tlieir ranges.

The global coverage means tliat Africa gets only six pages to itself, but this ignores
frequent mentions in more general sections. West Africa (as defined by Malimbus’s
area of coverage) has eight EBAs: Cape Verde Islands, Upper Guinea forests,
Cameroon mountains, Cameroon-Gabon lowlands, Principe, Sâo Tomé, eastern Zaire
lowlands and Albertine Rift mountains. Alternative taxonomic treatment of one species
would add a ninth: Pagalù (Annobon). All except Cape Verde are mainly or exclusively
forest, as are most restricted-range bird species and EBAs world-wide. Habitat
destruction is obviously the greatest threat to tliese areas and their birds.

There is not much here to surprise anyone with a knowledge of the West African
avifauna but the book is packed with useful facts and figures on which to base
conservation arguments and pkmning. It will be an essential reference for tliose whose
role includes these activities and will hold tlie attention of anyone interested in bird
conservation.

Alan Tye

Letters on West Africa and the Slave Trade. Paul Erdmann Isert’s Journey to
Guinea and the Caribbean Islands in Columbia (1788). Transi, and ed. by S.A.
Winsnes, 1992. 278 + x pp.. Oxford University Press, Oxford. ISBN 0-19-726105-1.
Hardback £30.

This is tlie first published English translation of tlie original Gennan text {Reise nach
Guinea wui den Caribaischen Inseln in Columbia) by Üiis respected amateur botanist
with broad scientific interests, who worked for the Danes on the Gold Coast. The
translator has thoroughly edited the text, giving additional information on the
background to Isert’s presence on tlie coast, and has included some drawings (two of
birds, one first described by Isert) which were not in Üie original work.

Isert travelled to West Africa in 1783 as chief surgeon at Christiansborg Castle
(Accra) and otlier Danish forts in tlie area, during the brief period of Danish expansion
on the Gold Coast. He was there for tliree years, during which he journeyed east to
Whydah in the Kingdom of Dahomey (now in Benin Republic) and inland as far as
Akwapem, where he returned later to establish a plantation, in order to render transport

1993

Book Reviews

57

of slaves to tlie West Indies redundant. Tliis enterprise resulted in the deatli, within a
few months, of Isert, his wife and their new-born daughter; tlie project then collapsed.

Altliough Isert was one of tlie earliest post-Linnean biologists to visit West Africa,
his scientific work is not dealt wiüi in detail in tliis book. This is his account of his
experiences, including his participation in a Danish-led war and narrow escape from
murder on a slave ship to St Croix. He was far ahead of his time in his ahnost value-free
and unprejudiced accounts of West African culture. Peppered tliroughout, he does
record some of tlie plants and animals tliat he found, and his adventures in searching for
tliem. Some of his bird notes are interesting, including what are perhaps the earliest
records of woodhoopoes and indigobirds (which visited his ship on the voyage out! ).

Altliough Isert was a competent naturalist, his biological notes are not especially
well interpreted in Üie editor’s footnotes. She is not a biologist, and has done well in
searching for identifications in references known to her but, unfortunately, some of her
biologist infoniiants (credited in die footnotes), have misled her in a number of cases.
Isert consistently provides the contemporary Linnean names of die plants and animals
he mentions, which are sufficient for any modem biologist aware of the ways that
nomenclature has changed over the years to identify most of diem. However, in the
footnotes, Isert’s names are often wrongly interpreted; for instance, the Motacilla
curuca of Isert is interpreted as a wagtail because Motacilla is thus currently applied,
whereas in Isert’s day, that genus covered a much wider range of birds (in the golden
age of lumping) and it is obvious that Isert meant Sylvia cufruca (and, with good
scientific circumspection, Isert admits that it might not have been diis precise species
but a similar one). Such instances are conunon, and die unfortunate fact is that, because
Isert’s names are diemselves so easy to interjiret, no footnote is needed at all in die
majority of cases. However, Isert’s bird references provide little infonnation that is not
available in other contemporary accounts or from later, more exhaustive studies, so
ignore die biology and enjoy diis book for its historical description of die Coast, wliich
is its proper purpose in any case.

;:b

Alan Tye

Conservation of West and Central African Rainforests. Ed. by K. Cleaver, M.
Munasinghe, M. Dyson, N. Egli, A. Peuker, & F. Wencélius, 1992. 354 + xi pp. World
Bank, Washington. ISBN 0-8213-2256-7. Obtainable from World Bank, 1818 H St
NW, Washington, DC 20433, USA.

This is “World Bank Environment Paper No. 1”, published in cooperation with lUCN.
It consists of papers from a 1990 conference, which originated from the controversy
over whether development aid contributes to forest destruction, or whether its role in
the alleviation of poverty creates the social and economic climate necessary for forest
conservation to succeed. The subject concerns all biologists interested in West Africa,
where what little forest remains is disappearing at an alaniiing rate.

58

Book Reviews

Malimbus 15

An introductory paj^er by J. Sayer sets the scene, stating that “The hard fact is Üiat
most aid projects, and especially those in forestry, fail.” and citing examples of the
disastrous effects of World Bank aid in the destruction of natural forest. The association
with lUCN is brought out in several papers, and lUCN’s forest policy identified as
based on Üirce principles: conserve viable populations of all species, retain sufficient
forest to provide for national requirements of forest products, and retain forest in areas
prone to erosion or flooding. These are sound, and one hopes Üiat the World Bank
policy-makers will take Üiern into account when planning future aid. AnoUier good idea,
mentioned in two papers, is to establish a forest conservation convention listing
important sites, after the fashion of Üie Ramsar wetland convention.

The underlying causes of forest destruction are identified as poverty combined witli
poor land management and inappropriate development. Chapter 2 suimnarizes World
Bank forest policy, designed to address these problems; basically this is to support
population prograimnes and agricultural intensification, minimize the negative impact
of developments, support international controls which promote sustainable use of
forests, promote conununity forestry and Uie creation of “forest resources” (presumably
meaning plantations) and support tlie expansion of natural forest reserves.

Many pai^ers are verbose, dry and jargon-ridden, while otliers are clear and concise.
One section deals with country strategies and the “protection status” of forests in
various countries. Another looks at the agricultural and demographic causes of
deforestation and jx^ssible solutions, including a highly detailed paper on Uie effects of
fire. The section on natural forest management includes an alanning chapter on Ivory
Coast, where primary forest is selectively logged and non-commercial species
“devitalized”, a management practice which must heavily damage the biological value
of tlie forest. An unrealistic chapter on “rational timber exploitation” gives questionably
low estimates of the damage eaused by logging. In contrast, a chapter on estimating
sustainable levels of harvesting sensibly concludes that they should imitate natural
mortality by taking over-mature trees (present harvesting criteria do not work like tliis).
Back to the other extreme, a chapter by tliree anthropologists stupidly claims that
biodiversity in African rainforests “exists ... because of human activities”. This is based
on a misunderstanding of tlie tenu “biodiversity”; tlie number of species might increase
with the creation of secondary habitats, but this contributes to the restriction and
extinction of species dependent on the primary habitat, thereby decreasing global
biodiversity: biodiversity only makes sense as a global concept.

There is much in the book that is misguided in tliis way, but some that is very
sensible. Unfortunately, those World Bank and other decision-makers without
biological training will probably not know which is which, and one wonders what effect
the publication will have on tlieir future activities.

Alan Tye

1993

59

Notices

Ninth Pan-African Ornithological Congress

The Nintli Pan-African Ornithological Congress will be held in The Gambia from 17
October to 23 October 1996. To ensure that you receive relevant infonnation and
circulars as they are produced, send your address and an International Reply-paid
Coupon to the Chairman, Local Organizing Committee, Ninth Pan-African
Ornithological Congress, P.O. Box 2954, Serrekunda, The Gambia or to Trevor Wilson,
Bartridge Partners, Umberleigh, Nortli Devon EX37 9AS, U.K.

Neuvième Congrès Pan-Africain d’Ornithologie

Le Neuvième Congrès d’Omithologie Pan-Africain se tiendra en Gambie du 17 au 23
octobre 1996. Pour être assuré de recevoir tous renseignements et circulaires à mesure
qu’ils sont diffusés, veuillez donner votre adresse ainsi qu’un coupon-réponse
international au Chairman, Local Organizing Committee, Ninth Pan-African
Omiüiological Congress, P.O. Box 2954, Serrekunda, The Gambia ou bien à Trevor
Wilson, Bartridge Partners, Umberleigh, Nortli Devon EX37 9AS, U.K.

Forthcoming meetings of the Society

It is proposed to hold the next biannual meeting of WAOS at a venue in The
Netlierlands, in 1994. It is hoped to hold the 1996 meeting in conjunction with the ninth
Pan-African Ornithological Congress in The Gambia; this will be the first such meeting
to be held on African soil and we hope tliat the combination of die two events will
encourage many members to attend. Furtlier details of botli meetings will be published
in future issues of Malimbm.

Prochaines réunions de la Société

Nous nous proposons de tenir la prochaine réunion bisannuelle de la SOOA aux Pays-
Bas en 1994. Nous espérons tenir la réunion de 1996 conjointement avec le 9ème
Congrès Pan-africain d'Omithologie en Gambie. Ce sera la première réunion de ce
genre sur la terre africaine et nous espérons que la simultanéité de ces deux événements
encouragera beaucoup de membres à y assister. Les renseignements sur ces deux
réunions paraîtront au fur et à mesure dans les prochains hdalimbus.

60

Notices

Malimbus 1 5

West African Ornithological Society
Revenue Account for the year ended 31 December 1992

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Malimbus 15 (1) June 1993
Contents

Editorial 1-5

An annotated checklist of birds of north-eastern Central African Republic

François Bretagnolle. 6-16

Observations sur la présence et l'abondance des oiseaux au Tchad.

W.F. de Boer & F. Legoupil 17 - 23

Some new observations of forest birds in The Gambia.

T.Wacher 24-37

Garden and farm-bush birds of Njala, Sierra Leone.

J. Robert Harkrider 38 - 46

Short Notes

Seconde observation d'un Huîtrier pie Haematopus ostmlegus au Zaïre.

P. Flerroelen 47

WTiite-backed Night Heron Nycticomx leuconotus in' Sierra Leone.

Dudley lies 47 - 48

Breeding of Slender-billed Bulbul Andropadus gracilirostris in Sierra Leone.

G.D. Field 48-49

Nest sites of Brown Nightjar Caprimulgus binotatus and Collared Nightjar

C. ena trains. M.I. Evans 49 - 50

Book Reviews 50 - 58

Notices

59-60

,n\

MALIMBUS

Journal of the West African Ornithological Society
Revue de la Société d'Ornithologie de l’Ouest Africain

VOLUME 15 Number!

October 1993

West African Ornithological Society
Société d’ Ornithologie de TOuest Africain

Conseil 1993:

Président: Dr Gérard J. Morel

Vice-Président: John H. Elgood

Trésorier et chargé des abonnements: Robert E. Sharland

Secrétaire Générale: Mme Amberley M. Moore

Membre du Conseil: Dr Max Germain

Rédacteur en Chef: Dr Alan Tye

Comité de Rédaction: P.D. Alexander-Marrack, Dr RA. Cheke, Prof. J.E. Elgood,
G.D. Field, Dr L.D.C. Fishpool, Dr M. Louette, Dr G. J. Morel, Dr J.F. Walsh

La correspondance doit être adressée comme suit:

- au Rédacteur en Chef (lUCN, PO Box 1, Amani, Tanga, Tanzania) pour les
publications dans Malimbus, y compris éventuellement des photos ou des dessins au
trait.

- au Trésorier (1 Fisher’s Heron, East Mills, Fordingbridge, Hampshire, SP6 2JR,
U.K.) pour les abonnements, les questions financières et les numéros anciens.

- au Secrétaire Générale (1 Uppingham Road, Oakham, Rutland, LE 15 6JB, U.K.)
pour les demandes des Bourses de Recherches de la Société.

- au Président (1 Route de Sallenelles, 14860 Bréville-les-Monts, France) pour les
questions d’intérêt général.

La Société tire son origine de la “Nigerian Ornithologists’ Society”, fondée en 1964.
Son but est de promouvoir l’intérêt scientifique pour les oiseaux de l’Ouest africain et
de faire avancer l’ornithologie de ces régions principalement au moyen de sa revue
Malimbus (anciennement Bulletin of the Nigerian Ornithologists ’ Society).

Les demandes d’adhésion sont les bienvenues. Les cotisations annuelles sont de £10
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Distribution: G.D. Field

1993

61

Population density of Red-throated Bee-eaters Merops
bullocki in a pristine habitat

by Humphrey Q.P. Crick

Zoology Department, Aberdeen University, Tilly drone Avenue,
Aberdeen, AB9 2TN, Scotland.

(Present address: British Trust for Ornithology, The Nunnery,
Thetford, Norfolk, IP24 2PU, U.K.)

Received 27 July 1992
Revised 18 July 1993

Summary

Red-throated Bee-eaters Merops bullocki in essentially pristine Guinea savanna
bordering tlie major river valley system in Yankari Game Reserve, northern
Nigeria, had an average population density of 25-50 birds per km^, with a peak
density of 50-90 per km^ along the central 7 km of the central river valley. The
population mean was c. 2-4 times as dense as that recorded in a high density
area of degraded savanna around the city of Zaria. Colony size was also 2-5
times larger and several low-quality sites were used. It is suggested that colony
site shortage occurs in the pristine habitat.

Résumé

Dans la savane guinéenne essentiellement intacte, qui borde le réseau de vallées
des rivières principales de la Yankari Game Reserve du nord du Nigéria, le
Guêpier à gorge rouge Merops bullocki atteignait une densité moyenne de 25-50
oiseaux au km^ avec un maximum de 50-90 sur les 7 km du cours moyen de la
vallée centrale. La densité moyenne était de c. 2-4 fois plus élevée que celle
relevée sur une zone à forte densité dans une savane érodée autour de la ville de
Zaria. La taille des colonies était aussi de 2-5 fois plus grande et plusieurs sites
médiocres étaient utilisés. On suggère que dans un habitat intact il y aurait
pénurie de sites propices.

Introduction

The Red-throated Bee-eater Merops bullocki is a medium-sized bee-eater weighing 20-
25 g (Crick & Fiy 1986). It inhabits Guinea savanna dissected by streams and rivers.

62

H.Q.P. Crick

Malimbus 15

Guruntun

Figure 1. Map of the centre of Yankari Game Reserve showing the approximate
ranges used by seven numbered populations of Red-throated Bee-eaters in the
valley of the River Gaji. Colony sites are denoted by filled circles and Wikki vUlage
by a star.

1993

Bee-eater population deœity

63

between about 8® and 12®N from Senegal to the Sudan, and nests in compact colonies
dug into earth bmks or cliffs ^ly 1984).

Fiy (1 972) suggested that colony distribution was determined by the occurrence of
cliffs suitable for nesting. Dyer (1979) predicted that Red-throated Bee-eaters in
Nigeria’s effectively pristine Yaikari Game Reserve would have fewer suitable nest
sites tiian in the degraded savanna farmland around Zaria in northern Nigeria (1 1®08’N,
7®47’E) where agricultural bush-clearance has promoted the formation of steep-sided
lateritic erosion gullies. This paper documents Red-throated Bee-eater colony
dispersion, size and habitat in Yanl^ Game Reserve in 1978-81 for comparison with
the population n^ Zaria.

Study Area and Methods

Yankari Game Reserve, in Bauchi State, Nigeria, is about 100 km south-east of Bauchi
City, and has an area of 2240 km^ between 9®30’ and 10®00’N and between 10® 15’ and
10®45’E in the Northern Guinea Savanna zone. It has been relatively undisturbed by
man and can be considered an example of savanna in its pristine state (Gadzama et ai
1974), containing, at the time of study, healthy populations of large vertebrates
including c. 350 African Elephant Loxodonta africana (Jia et al. 1982).

The major topographical feature of Yankari is tire River Gaji (Hausa for “tired”)
which flows perennially from north to south through the centre of the reserve and is a
tributary of the River Benue. It is fed by numerous warm springs and seepages which
are important in maintaining flow during the dry season. The River Gaji has cut a valley
up to 1 km wide, bounded in places by sheer sandstone escarpments up to 30 m high. At
various places along the escarpments, water run-off from the surrounding land has
caused severe erosion, leaving large areas of bare lateritic gullies and cliffs suitable for
bee-eater colonies.

The vegetation of Yankari consists of riparian formations and savanna woodland
(Geerling 1973). The former comprise Cyperus exalta tus swamp, Jardinia congoensis
grassland. Mimosa pigm scrub, and dense evergreen forest. The savanna woodland is
intermediate between Northern Guinea and Sudan types (Keay 1959) dominated by
Afzelia africana, Burkea africana, Anogeissus leiocarpus, Detarium spp. and
Combretum spp. On the well-drained, sandy and eroded soils found along gullies,
seasonal stream beds and bordering the highly eroded areas along the escarpment of the
River Gaji are dense stands of 10-15 m tall Pteleopsis habeensis.

Red-throated Bee-eaters return to the area of their previous breeding colony as the
rainy season ends in September. Nest-tunnel excavation begins adjacent to the old
colony, or up to 0.5 km distant, and continues until November. In September 1979 and
1 980, a systematic search was made along tire valley of the River Gaji to find colony
sites. Eroded areas md gullies were investigated on foot, after having been identified
from aerial photographs. New colonies were also found by observing the flight direction
of bee-eaters to and from night-time ftee-roosts. Areas outside the valley were also

64

H.Q.P. Click

Malimbus 15

searched, particularly in areas located from aerial photographs where seasonal streams
occurred, but no colonies or Red-throated Bee-eaters were found.

Results

All colonies were found within 2 km of the River Gaji and no bee-eaters were seen to
forage further than 3 km from the river. Colonies were found on the banks of the Gaji
(which were exposed as water-levels dropped in September), in highly eroded areas
along the escarpments of the river valley and in gullies cut into the surrounding plain.

There were seven main populations of Red-throated Bee-eaters whose boundaries
(Fig. 1) were determined from sightings of marked individuals and of interchange
between colony sites. Bee-eaters were rarely seen, and marked individuals never seen,
in the larger gaps between foraging areas.

Table 1. Red-throated Bee-eater populations in Yankari Game Reserve between
Guruntun Bridge and Fadaman Valley, 1978-81.

Population

Colony Sites

Position

Approximate
Population Size

1

C6

Gully

200

C7

Gully

2

C14

Roadside bank

100

3

Cll

Eroded area

150

C12

Eroded area

C13

Eroded area

4

C2

Man-made pit

300

C3

River bank

C17

Dried river bank

C19

River bank

ODC

Dried river bank

NDC

Dried river bank

5

C18

Eroded area

150

6

Cl

Man-made pit

200

C20

Eroded area

7

C15

Eroded area

150

C16

Eroded area

1993

Bee-eater population density

65

The seven populations used or tried to use 17 colony locations (Table 1).
Population estimates were made from observations of numbers of birds and nest-holes.
The high number of colonies for Population 4 was a result of abandonment of sites due
to tourist vehicle disturbance (ODC) or predator activity (Nile Monitor Lizards Vamnus
niloticus at C17 and C19). Most colonies were in eroded areas in vertical lateritic cliffs
2-5 m high, with nest-holes dug into a band 1-3 m wide, starting at about 0.5 m from the
top. Exposed roots projecting from such cliffs were used as perches by bee-eaters. One
unusual level-ground location (C3) has been described before (Crick & Fry 1980).

An estimate of population density from the figures in Table 1, although
approximate, allows comparison with other published data. The seven populations
contained c. 1250 Red-throated Bee-eaters (before nesting began), giving a mean of c.
1 80 individuals per population. Most foraging during the dry season (September to
March) was made in the river valley (c. 1-2 km wide), so the bee-eaters occupied an
area of 25-50 km^ along the 25 km length of the River Gaji surveyed, i.e. 25-50 birds
per km^ However, this calculation includes some areas which were not used by Red-
throated Bee-eaters and can be considered an underestimate. If one considers just the
central section of river, containing three contiguous populations (4, 5 and 6), there were
about 650 bee-eaters in 7-14 km^ representing a density of 50-90 birds per km^

Discussion

Yankari is probably similar to the typical habitat of the Red-throated Bee-eater during
its recent evolutionary history. The estimated maximum population density of Red-
throated Bee-eaters in Yankari was 50-90 per km^ Fry (1984) estimated the population
of bee-eaters in degraded savanna woodland around Zaria, which he considered to be a
high density area, to be 21 per km^ This was in an area of 25 km^ which included
feeding territories but not unutilized areas. This high density area was separated from
others by c. 5 km by watersheds. He calculated an average density over the terrain as a
whole of 0.59 birds per kml The density of bee-eaters in Yankari Game Reserve was
estimated as 0.56 birds per km^ if measured over its full 2240 km^ area.

Colony size was larger in Yankari than near Zaria. Most colonies contained 100 or
more individuals in Yankari, but the normal size near Zaria was about 60, with a range
of 9-1 10 (Fry 1973). Dyer (1979) predicted that Yankari would have more pressure on
suitable nest sites because, without agricultural clearance of savanna woodland, erosion
gullies would be rarer. Dyer’s prediction appears to be bom out because Red-throated
Bee-eaters in Yankari not only form more crowded colonies and denser populations but
also use unsuitable colony sites. One colony was set in a shallow sandy bank, sloping at
about 30® and was destroyed when elephants walked across it (pers. obs.). Other
colonies were dug in flat ground, not previously documented.

Lack of suitable nesting habitat is actually just one of a range of plausible
explanations for the differences in colony size (Wittenberger & Hunt 1985). However,
there has been httle investigation into the consequences of colony size variation within

66

H.Q.P. Crick

Malimbus 1 5

species and more work is needed (Brown et al 1 990). Red-throated Bee-eaters appear
to be obligate colonial breeders (Siegel-Causey & Kharitonov 1990), having highly
developed social behaviour which may result in energetic as well as anti-predator
benefits. In their review, Siegel-Causey & Kharitonov (1990) concluded that an
unpredictable and abundant food supply is the most likely cause of coloniality, perhaps
through benefits such as information transfer (Brown ei al 1991), whereas predation
will determine the form of a colony. Thus, although it may be true that nest-site
shortage may limit nesting opportunities in Yankari, the greater size of colonies may
reflect a more unpredictable or abundant food supply or higher predation risks than near
Zaria.

Fry (1973) concluded “that bee-eaters encounter very little direct competition for
Hymenoptera and that they occupy the niche of predation on larger, venomous, flying
Hymenoptera practically alone”. It is interesting to ask why Little Bee-eaters Merops
pusillus, which live in the same habitat as Red-throated Bee-eaters, nest solitarily in
earth banks. Fry (1984) suggested that the prey of Little Bee-eaters, with a greater
proportion of small Coleoptera and Diptera and fewer Hymenoptera than taken by Red-
throats, are more stable and predictable in one locality, allowing the economic defence
of breeding territories. Territoriality may limit their population density, which Fry
(1 984) estimated at 5 per km^ near Zaria. Little Bee-eaters also appeared to be much
less abimdant than Red-throated Bee-eaters in Yankari (pers. obs.). It seems reasonable
to hypothesize therefore that Red- throated Bee-eaters are colonial nesters because their
food supply is relatively abundant but spatially unpredictable.

Acknowledgments

This was part of a study funded by the U.K. Natural Environment Research Council. I
thank Dr Hilary Fry and Dr Roger Wilkinson for supervisory help and Dr Augustine
Ezealor, Ahmadhu Makama, Phil & Nicki Marshall for help in the field. Dr Robert
Prys- Jones made valuable comments on an earlier draft of the manuscript.

References

Brown, C.R., Brown, M.B. & Shaffer, M.L. (1991) Food-sharing signals among
socially foraging Chff Swallows. Anim. Behav. 42: 551-564.

Brown, C.R., Stutchbury, B.J. & Walsh, P.D. (1990) Choice of colony size in birds.
Trends Ecoi Evol 5: 398-403.

Crick, H.Q.P. & Fry, C.H. (1980) Level-ground nesting by Merops bullocki. Malimbus
2: 73-75.

Crick, H.Q.P. & Fry, C.H. (1986) Effects of helpers on parental condition in red-
throated bee-eaters {Merops bullocki). J. Anim. Ecol. 55: 893-905.

Dyer, M. (1979) The Adaptive Significance of Cooperative Breeding in the Red-

1993

Bœ-€ater population density

67

throated Bee-eater (Merops bullockij (Vieillot) and Other Bee-eaters. Ph.D Thesis,
Aberdeen University.

Fry, C.H. (1972) The social organisation of bee-eaters (Meropidae) and cooperative
breeding in hot climate birds. Ibis 114: 1-14.

Fry, C.H. (1973) The biology of African bee-eaters. Living Bird 11: 75-112.

Fry, C.H. (1984) The Bee-eaters. Poyser, Calton.

Gadzama, N.M., Mustafa, S. & Parr, M.J. (1974) Notes on the history of human
influence in the Yankari Game Reserve area, Nigeria. Nigerian Field 39: 76-85.

Geerling, C. (1973) The Vegetation of Yankari Game Reserve: its Utilisation and
Condition. Bulletin 3, Dept of Forestry, Ibadan University.

JiA, I, Marshall, P.J. & Crick, H.Q.P. (1982) A Guide to the Yankari Game Reserve.
Hudahuda, Zaria.

Keay, R.W.J. (1959) Vegetation Map of Africa South of the Tropic of Cancer. Oxford
University Press, Oxford.

Siegel-Causey, D. & Kharitonov, S.P. (1990) The evolution of coloniality. Current
Omithol 7: 285-330.

WiTTENBERGER, J.F. & HuNT, G.L. (1985) The adaptive significance of coloniality in
birds. Avian Biol 8: 1-78.

Lemon-rymped Tinkerbird - Barblon à croupion jaune ~ Pogomulm hUmeatm

Photo H.Q.P. Crick

68

Malimbus 1 5

Additions and corrections to the avifauna of Congo

by F. Dowsett-Lemaire*, RJ. Dowsett* and P„ Bulens^

‘Rue des Lavandes 12, 34190 Ganges, France
^SMTL, BP 25 1 , 97200 Fort de France, Martinique

Received 15 December 1992
Revised 21 May 1993

Summary

This paper documents 69 recent additions and a few corrections to the
preliminary checklist of the Congo avifauna published by Dowsett & Dowsett-
Lemaire (1989). The total number of species now known from the country is
567. All the recent records are from the south-western part of the country ; the
north is still largely unexplored. Fifteen of the new records are of Palaearctic
migrants (including Chamdrius alexandrinm, the most southerly sighting so
far) or vagrants {Calidris subminuta). New intra-African migrants include die
swallows Hirundo cucullaia and H. spilodera, on the late date of 4 November.
Most new records of forest birds fill gaps between forestoi regions to the north
and south where these species were already known, or represent southward
extensions from Gabon. Several of these are from flooded forest, a habitat rather
neglected by naturalists so far {e.g. Canimllm oculem, Jubuk iettii, Scotopeiia
bouvieri, Caprimulgm batesi).

Résumé

Cet article documente 69 additions récentes et quelques corrections à la liste
préhminaire des oiseaux du Congo publiée par Dowsett & Dowsett-Lemaire
(1989), ce qui donne un total de 567 espèces. Toutes ces nouvelles données
proviennent du sud-ouest du pays; le nord reste encore largement inexploré.
Quinze des données récentes concernent des espèces paléarctiques, y compris
Charadrius alexandrinus (dont c'est Lobservation la plus méridionale en
Afrique) et un erratique, Calidris subminuta. Parmi les migrateurs intra-
africains, citons les hirondelles Hinmdo cucuüata et H. spilodera, de passage
tardif un 4 novembre. La plupart des nouvelles données d’espèces forestières
étaient à prévoir comme ces oiseaux étaient déjà connus au nord et au sud du
Mayombe congolais; d’autres représentent une extension vers le sud à partir de
la forêt gabonaise. Plusieurs de ces espèces fréquentent essentiellement ou
exclusivement la forêt inondée, un milieu fort peu étudié jusqu’ici, par ex.
Canirallus oculeus, Jubuh letiii, Scotopeiia bouvieri, Caprimulgm batesi.

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Birds of Congo

69

Introduction

This paper updates the preliminary checklist of the birds of Congo published by
Dowsett & Dowsett-Lemaire (1989): tiierem^ some 500 species were considered
sufficiently well docmnented while a number of doubtful records were also mentioned
as requiring confirmation.

From August 1990 to January 1991, with one week in April 1991, FD-L and RJD
carried out a study of die natural resources of the Kouilou basin (from the coast to the
Mayombe) on behalf of the petroleum company Conoco (Dowsett & Dowsett-Lemaire
1991). Habitats in the basin are diverse and include dry-land forest (virtually the only
habitat on the Mayombe hills), seasonally and permanently flooded forest (extensive in
the sublittoral zone of the lower Kouilou basin), mixed papyrus marsh, flooded
grassland, dry sandy grassland, mangrove, coastal thickets, rivers and some small lakes.
Some 427 species were recorded in and around Conoco’s concession (4°-4®40’S,
1 1®40'-12°10'E), including many new country records (Dowsett-Lemaire & Dowsett
1991). Since for most species apart from the seabirds (Dowsett & Simpson 1991)
details of localities and dates were not given, it seems preferable to list and substantiate
all additions to the 1989 checklist in Üie present paper. For seven species of seabirds
new to die country, details appear in Dowsett & Simpson (1991), the species being the
Southern Giant Petrel Macronectes giganteus, Wilson’s Storm Petrel Oceanites
oceanicus, Madeiran Storm Petrel Oceanodroma castro, Pomarine Skua Stercorarius
pomarinus, Sabine’s Gull Larus sabirti, Caspian Tern Sterna caspia and Little Tern S.
albifrons. All but the last two were seen mainly off-shore, with one Oceanites seen
along Tchissanga beach on one occasion.

PB was resident in Pointe-Noire from May 1990 to Mar 1992 and contributed
several new records from coastal regions. We also include a few new species records
provided by R.D.H. Simpson (pers. comm.) during excursions along the coast (1985-
1991), and one observation by R. Demey {in litt.) on a visit to Brazzaville.

Details of plumage are given below for only a few species, i.e. the more tricky and
unusual ones. Corrections to the 1 989 list concern some critical specimens examined in
Paris (Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle) by RJD and FD-L in 1991, and the local
status of three bulbuls has to be modified after the confusion over identifications based
on published tapes (Chappuis 1975) was sorted out during 1990. Finally, the one other
post-1989 reference to the counhy’s avifauna (Hecketsweiler & Mokoko Ikonga 1991)
has added several improbable species without justification: unacceptable records are
detailed below. ^

A gazetteer of Congo zoological localities was published by Dowsett (1991);
coordinates of sites mmtioned for the first time here are: Djéno 4®56’S, 1 r57’E; Foni
(Lac) 4®30’S, ir46’E; Loufoualéba (Lac) 4®55’S, ITSS’E; Malélé 4®25’S, 12®8’E;
Mango-Tandou 4®33’S, 1 1®59’E; Pointe-Indienne 4°40’S, 1 1°47’E.

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Malimbus 1 5

Additions to the Congo List

Jackass Penguin Spheniscus demersus. Dowsett & Dowsett-Lemaire (1989) and
Dowsett & Simpson (1991) overlooked a report of one captured by a fisherman (and
seen by a zoologist) at Pointe-Noire in March 1954 (Malbrant & Maclatchy 1958).
While one cannot be sure that this bird arrived without an assisted passage on a boat, its
occurrence as a natural vagrant is supported by another, in Gabon further north, away
from the route taken by boats to and from the Cape (Malbrant & Maclatchy 1 958).

White-breasted Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo. Only two observations: one on Lac
Loufoualéba (Djéno) 18 Aug 1990 (PB); one on the Kouilou River at Kakamoéka 12
Oct 1990 (FD-L).

Tiger Bittern Tigriornis leucolophus. Recorded throughout the region, in swamp
forest and along small streams in rain forest (FD-L, RJD).

Black Duck Anas sparsa. An adult was well seen on a small wooded river near Bas-
Kouilou in August 1986 (R.D.H. Simpson pers. comm.).

Black-breasted Snake Eagle Circaetus gallicus pectoralis. A pair seen twice in forest
clearings near Béna (Sep and Nov 1990, FD-L and RJD). The species was already
known, from a specimen collected in Brazzaville (Malbrant & Maclatchy 1949), but
was omitted in error from our 1989 checklist.

Montagu’s Harrier Circus pygargus. One male over coastal savanna near Bas-
Kouilou, on 29 Jan 1991 (FD-L, RJD).

European Marsh Harrier C aeruginosas. One female at Bas-Kouilou (over
mangrove) 2 Jan 1991 (FD-L, RJD); a female near Diosso 3 Mar 1991 and an
immature at Lac Foni 20 Feb 1992 (PB, latter with P. Alexander-Marrack).

Chestnut-flanked Goshawk Accipiter castanilius. One flying low through forest
understorey atGoumina, 16 Sep 1990 (FD-L).

Black Goshawk A melanoleucus. A few observations of singles in sublittoral forest-
savanna mosaic and in the Mayombe (FD-L, RJD).

Steppe Buzzard Buteo buteo. Three sightings, 6 Jan 1991 at Bas-Kouilou (PB, RJD),
17 Feb 1991 at Mango-Tandou and 21 Sep 1991 atL. Foni (PB).

Grey Kestrel Falco ardosiaceus. One seen near Djéno on two occasions (30 Dec 1990,
24 Mar 1991) with a pair on 12 Feb 1992, in savanna dotted with small tree clumps
(PB).

1993

Birds of Congo

71

Harlequin Quail Cotumbc detegorgueL A female (breeding?) watched closely several
times in dry grassland at Ménengué (Sep 1990, FD-L, RJD), and a pair seen near
Pointe-Indienne 8 Mar 1992 by PB who also saw the species in captivity there.

Nkulengu Rail Himantornis haemmtopm. Heard widely in dry-land rain forest,
especially in the Mayombe; tape-recorded (FD-L).

Grey-throated Rail CmiraUm ocukm. Commonly heard, even numerous, in flooded
forest of the Kouilou basin, and in the Mayombe ^agne) where the right habitat is far
more local (FD-L). Densities and voice are described in Dowsett-Lemaire & Dowsett
(1991).

Btthm’s Flufftail Sarffûtmm boehnd. Heard in rank grass near the coast, at Tchissanga
and Mpindé, from 17 Dec 1990 to Jan 1991 (FD-L).

Striped Crake Aenigmatdmmm nmtgiimlis. At least two birds (a male and a female,
judging by their coloration) were flushed from a seasonal sedge and Jardinea grass
swamp at Bas-Kouilou on 1 Jan 1991 (FD-L). The wato* was 20-30 cm deep.

Ringed Plover Charadrim hitdkula. Two first-year birds on muddy shore at Bas-
Kouilou 14 Nov 1990 (FD-L, RJD); three at Pointe-Noire beach 13 Jan 1991 (FD-L,
RJD, PB); subsequently seen at Pointe-Indienne by PB {e.g. Dec 1991).

Three-handed Plover C tricollam. Two adults on diy land in the port area of Pointe-
Noire 22 Oct 1990 (RJD).

Kentish Hover C tdexmtdrinm. One well seen on Pointe-Indierme beach 8 Dec 1991
by PB (the dark lateral breast patches, and in flight broad white sides to the tail,
distinguished this from other possible Charadrim species).

Little Stint Calidris ndnuta. Several near Tchissanga 4 Dec 1990 (RJD, see next
species), and two on Pointe-Noire beach 13 Jan 1991 (FD-L, RJD, PB).

Long-toed Stint C subndnuta. On 14 Nov 1990 we found an unfamiliar stint Calidris
sp. in a small group of waders pushed by the high tide onto dry ground near the
buildings of Conoco’s base at the Kouilou River mouth (4®27'S, IIMLE). We were
watching tiiese birds at a range of just a few metres, with binocula-s, from our vehicle.
Other species in the group, alongside the stint, were Sanderlings C alba. Ringed
Plovers and a White-fronted Sandplover Charadrius marginaius.

We were struck by the bird's yellowish-green legs and very upright, long-necked
appearance. It was a small stint, witii a fairly long bill (longer than in Little Stint C
minuta). It was generally greyish, with a slight band of streaking on the chest, and
traces on the back of a few brown feathers. In flight it showed a white wing bar and

72

F. Dowsett-Lemaire, RJ. Dowsett& P. Bulens

Malimbus 1 5

white sides to the tail. We were convinced that the leg colour was natural, and the
following three species came to mind: Temminck’s Stint C. temminckii. Long-toed Stint
or Least Sandpiper C minutilla. Its “jizz” and streaky plumage were not at all like
Temminck’s Stint, which reminds us of a miniature Common Sandpiper Aciitis
hypoleucos. The long-necked appearance pointed more to Long-toed Stint; when we
renewed an acquaintance with Least Sandpipers in Maryland in early 1992, we felt we
could definitely rule out that dark, stumpy httle bird, which has a relatively short neck
and legs.

We were unable to photograph this bird or to show it to another ornithologist, but
we are confident of the identification. The few African records are mostly from the east
(Urban et al. 1 986), with a couple from South Africa. One of these, a captured bird, was
originally identified as Least Sandpiper (Sinclair et al. 1984, 1986) but there is as yet no
acceptable record of the latter in Africa.

Curlew Sandpiper C ferruginea. A dozen or so with Little Stints by a road puddle
near Tchissanga beach 4 Dec 1990 (RJD). Also seen at Pointe-Noire by PB (no dates).

Curlew Numenius arquata. Two seen with Whimbrels N. phaeopiis at Bas-Kouilou 26
Aug 1990 (FD-L,RJD, PB).

Redshank Tringa totanus. Singles seen by R.D.H. Simpson, e.g. Bas-Kouilou in Sep
1990 and Pointe-Noire harbour.

Cinnamon Dove Coluntba larvata. We have checked the specimen from Brazzaville
mentioned in Malbrant & Maclatchy (1949), which is in Paris, and found it correctly
identified. The locality is unusual for a species which is essentially montane.

Emerald-spotted Wood-Dove Turtur chalcospUos. One pair and a single on the road
between Madingo-Kayes and Lac Youbi 29 Jan 1991 (FD-L, RJD); also seen on a few
occasions by PB in the coastal region.

Pied Crested Cuckoo Oxylophus jacobinus. Two of the race pica (with a white chest)
at Bas-Kouilou 2 Jan 1991 (RJD).

Great Spotted Cuckoo Clantator glandarius. One seen by RJD at Tchissanga 4 Dec
1990.

Olive Long-tailed Cuckoo Cercococcyx olivinus. Very common and noisy in the
Mayombe Sep-Dec, more local near the coast (flooded forest at Koubotchi). Tape-
recorded (FD-L).

White-browed Coucal Centropus superciliosus. One well seen in savanna near Djéno
21 Jul 1991 (PB).

1993

Birds of Congo

73

Maned Owl Jubulm leML Very noisy in the rains, and occurring in high numbers in
flooded forests of the Kouilou basin, more local in the Mayombe: for a description of
the voice and densities see Dowsett-Lemaire (1992). The voice is quite unlike that
described in Fry el al. (1988), which is in fact of male Strix woodfordiL

Bouvier* s Fishing Owl Scotopelia bmvieri Frequents the same habitat as the previous
species, and also quite common (FD-L). Tape-recorded. PB also saw a specimen shot
near Pointe-Indienne m Aug 1990 and a tame immature at Mango-Tandou (Jun 1991)
taken from the Ntombo marsh and fed on sardines.

Bates’s Nightjar Caprimulgm batesL Another species characteristic of seasonally
flooded forest (Ménengué, Koubotchi, Béna), with a veiy long calling season (Dowsett-
Lemaire & Dowsett 1991). Tape-recorded.

Horus Swift Apm horns. Quite common in small numbers in the gorges of Diosso and
Tchissanga, wifli a small proportion of the dark-ramped morph ^"touhonf\ especially in
Aug-Sep. Also occasionally elsewhere (Bas-Kouilou Jul, Sounda Sep, Mpindé Apr)
(FD-L, RJD, PB).

Cassin’s Honeyguide Fmdotiscus imignis. One flycatching on the edge of forest at
Goumina, 16 Sep 1990 (FD-L); one near Mango-Tandou, 6 Apr 1991 (PB).

Black-throated Honeyguide Indicator mdkator, A few heard singing in the dry forest
of coastal gorges (Diosso, TchissMiga) in Aug-Sep 1990 (FD-L, RJD), and at Djéno
(PB).

African Picukt Smia afrkana. One on the edge of secondary low thicket near Mpindé

23 Dec 1990 (PB).

Greater Striped Swallow Hinmdo cucultata. Two at Mpindé on 4 Nov 1990, among
flocks of migrating swallows {K rustica, spilodera and rufiguîa) (RJD). Their large
size, pale buff rump and very indistinct streaking below clearly distinguished them from
species with which they might be conftised. RJD is familiar with the species in southern
Africa.

South African Cliff Swallow K spUodera. A few well seen in mixed swallow flock
(see above) at Mpindé 4 Nov 1990 (RJD)v They were clearly distinguishable from the
H. ruftguia by their lack of white in the short tail, and the mottled, not dark, chin and
upper breast.

Wire-tailed Swallow H. smitML Six passing over the beach at Tchissanga (5 Oct 1990)
and a pair at Sounda on the Kouilou (19 Oct, FD-L).

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F. Dowsett-Lemaire, RJ. Dowsett& P. Bulens

Malimbus 1 5

Blue CuckoO”Shrike Coracma azurea. Widespread in the Mayombe, more local nem-
the coast (Koubotchi), often as pairs in mixed bird parties.

Ansorge’s Bulbul Andropadm mtsorgeL One tape-recorded at Goumina, in fairly
untouched forest on tire Kouilou River, 16 Sep 1990 (FD-L).

Icterine Bulbul Phyllmtrephm kterinm. Widespread and common in rain and swamp
forest from the subhttoral zone to the Mayombe. The vocalisations are described in
Dowsett-Lemaire & Dowsett (1991) vrith the aid of sonograms; with the help of colour-
ringing and playback experiments, FD-L was able to show that Chappuis's (1975)
second and third tape sequences attributed to White-throated Bulbul P. alboguhris
apply instead to P. icterinus.

Gorgeous Bush-Shrike Malaconotiis viridis. Two or three singers in each of three
localities of coastal savanna, at Pointe-Indienne, Diosso Museum, and the road from
Diosso to Mpindé, Mar 1991 to Feb 1992 (PB). The song was heard in Mar, Jul, Oct,
Jan-Feb, and was tape-recorded. The habitat (overgrown cassava gardens) is atypical of
the species elsewhere in Africa {e.g. Zambia and Malawi).

Red-backed Shrike Lanim coUurio. A female or immature seen at Pointe-Indierme 4
Nov 1990 (FD-L, RJD), and an immature at Mpindé 16 Nov 1991 (PB).

European Oriole Oriolm oriolm. A female well seen at Pointe-Indienne 4 Nov 1 990
(FD-L, RJD); two birds at Djéno 4 Nov 1991 (PB vrith D.E. Sargeant).

Red-shouldered Starling Lamprotoims nüem. One was well seen (and its yellow eyes
noted) perched on a dead tree at Djéno 6 May 1990 (PB).

Wattled Starling Creatophom cmerea. One in non-breeding dress watched in a dead
tree at Djéno 6 Oct 1990, and about 50 (also in eclipse plumage) feeding in cassava
fields 4 km north of Djéno 2 1 Jul 1 99 1 (PB).

Rufous Cane-Warbler Acrocephalm mfescem. A few resident in papyrus at Lac
Nanga (FD-L, RJD, PB) and Lac Loufoualéba (PB).

Lemon-bellied Crombec Sylnetta denti A few seen and heard in tall open canopy at
Koubotchi (FD-L).

Tit-Hylia Pholidomis rmhiae. A singing bird well seen at Goumina, and many heard
there and elsewhere in the Mayombe from the Kakamoéka arœ to Dimonika and Col de
Bamba (FD-L). The loud trilling song, illustrated spectrographically in Dowsett-
Lemaire & Dowsett (1991), is more suggestive of Sylviidae than Remizidae.

1993

Birds of Congo

75

Violet-backed Hyliota Hyliota violacea. One seen near Soimda in a mixed bird party
22 Jul 1990 (PB) and at Goumina 15 Sep 1990 (FD-L).

[Fernando Po Batis Batis (tmninta) poensis. The song of an unfamiliar Batis or
Platysteira was heard in Oct 1 990 at Goumina (FD-L); it was not possible to see the
bird in the dense vegetation. From tapes kindly made available by C. Chappuis from
Gabon, it seems B. poensis is the only possibility, but confirmation is desirable. The
voice of B, minima (sensu stricto) is very different.]

Blue-headed Crested Flycatcher Trochocercus nitens. Common locally in dense
forest understorey and thickets from Koubotchi to the Mayombe.

Rufous-bellied Tit Pams mjiventris. This species was identified by R. Demey (in litt.)
in savaima bush north of Brazzaville 16 Dec 1 990.

Yellow-fronted Penduline Tit Retniz Jlavifrotts. Three watched at close range at
Goumina, and one singing at Béna (FD-L) in Oct 1990, but this elusive species may be
more widespread than these records suggest.

Mouse-brown Sunbird Anthreptes gabonicus. One at Djéno in riparian bush Jul 1990
and Apr 1991 (PB), and one on the edge of riparian forest on the Kouilou at Goumina in
Sep 1990 (FD-L).

Reichenbach’s Sunbird Nectarinia reichenbachii. Locally very common in low bushy
vegetation over water all along the coast and inland to Lac Nanga.

Thick-billed Weaver Antblyospiza albifrons. Small breeding colonies established in
Typha reed-beds at Pointe-Noire, particularly active in December (PB, FD-L, RJD); two
nests in papyrus at Djéno being built in Jan, and old nests at Pointe-Indienne (PB).
Breeding birds correspond to the description of the nearest known race, saturata from
Bas-Zaïre (RJD).

Lesser Masked Weaver Ploceus interniedius. One male seen closely at Ménengué 28
Dec 1 990 (RJD); several nests under construction in papyrus heads on the shores of Lac
Nanga in Nov, and a female brooding there in Jan (FD-L).

Yellow-mantled Weaver P. tricolor. Seen locally in forest canopy, usually in bird
parties, from Koubotchi to the Mayombe."^

Brown-capped Weaver P. ittsignis. A specimen collected by Descarpentries & Vilhers
(1964) in the Chaillu Mts at Mbila, and attributed by them to Preuss’s Golden-backed
Weaver P. preussi, was re-examined by us in Paris and it appears instead to be an
immature male P. insignis. This is an interesting addition to the other two highland

76

F. Dowsett-Lemaire, RJ. Dowsett& P. Bulens

Malimbus 15

species already known from the Mayombe summit: Crossley’s Ground Thrush Zoothera
(gumeyi) crossleyi and Pink-footed Puffback Dryoscopm angolensis (Dowsett-Lemaire
& Dowsett 1989).

Red-bellied Malimbe Malimbus erythrogaster. One well seen in a tall tree by the road
at Béna 22 Nov 1990 (FD-L), and subsequently by PB (Jun and Nov 1991).

Modifications of status

From the hst of birds published by Dowsett-Lemaire & Dowsett (1991), it is clear that
the known ranges of many species have now been extended into coastal Congo.

White-throated Bee-eater Merops albicoUis, From a review of the literature Dowsett
& Dowsett-Lemaire (1 989) assumed that this species was a widespread migrant in
southern Congo. We, however, did not see it, and believe it is likely to be of only
irregular occurrence there.

White-throated Bulbul Phyllastrephus albigularis. Some records by Dowsett &
Dowsett-Lemaire (1989) from the Mayombe were based on sound, but FD-L became
convinced in 1990 that the relevant vocalisations were in fact all of P. icterinus (cf.
above). Therefore the only certain record we have of P. albigularis is a bird captured at
Col de Bamba in June 1 989.

Xavier’s Bulbul P. xavieri Chappuis’s (1975) recording attributed to this species
actually belongs to Serine Bulbul Calyptocichla serina: our 1989 records of P. xavieri
based on voice are therefore considérai invalid and the species may not occur in this
part of Congo. The calls presented by Chappuis as P. icterinus may actually be of P.
xavieri-, some observations in Uganda by FD-L suggest this but more research is needed
elsewhere, especially by tape-recording colour-ringed (measured) birds and playback
experiments.

Species to be deleted from the Congo list

Grey-green Bush-Shrike Malaconotus bocagei The single Congo record (Dowsett-
Lemaire & Dowsett 1 989) was based on a brief sighting of a silent individual, and was
not confirmed during subsequent visits to the Mayombe. We prefer to withdraw it,
although the species should eventually be found in southern Congo, given that it is
already known from the Zaire side (Chapin 1954).

Preuss’s Golden-backed Weaver Ploceus preussi. The immature specimen mentioned
by Descarpentries & Villiers (1964) was re-examined by FD-L and RJD and appears in

1993

Birds of Congo

77

fact to be P. imi^is (sœ above). There are no other records of P. preussi for Congo; it
is however known from the Zairean Mayombe (Schouteden 1926) and should
eventually be found in southern Congo.

Hecketsweiler & Mokoko Ikonga (1991) published a small list of species from the area
of the Conkouati reserve in southern Congo, based on observations in Jul-Aug 1990. A
number of birds tiiat they mention appear to be unlikely in southern Congo on account
of their distribution and/or dates. The following seven species are otherwise unknown
from Congo and we suggest they be rejected in the absence of substantiated records:

Garganey Anm querquedula. July-August are improbable months to find this

Palararctic species in Congo.

Stone-Partridge Pühpachm petmsm. Claimed from a forest locality in the Mayombe,
this savanna bird (from die Sahel and Guinea woodland) is unknown in west-central
Africa south of northern Cameroon and Central African Republic (Urban et al. 1 986).

Red-throated Bee-eater Memps buUockL This species also is unknown in west-central
Africa south of Cameroon and Central African Republic, whereas its sibling M
bulhckoides, common in Congo, is not mentioned by Hecketsweiler & Mokoko Ikonga
(1991).

Swallow-tailed Bee-eater M himndineus. A savanna species, unknown in west-
central Africa betwœn Nigeria and Angola.

Tawny Pipit Anthm camp^irm. This Palaearctic migrant is unknovra in west-central
Africa south of Nigeria and improbable tiiere during its brewing season (Jul-Aug). The
Long-legged Pipit A. palUdiventris, a common resident in coastal Congo, is not
mentioned by Hœketsweiler & Mokoko Ikonga (1991).

Blue-headed Sunbird Nectarinia oriüs and Preuss*s Double-collared Sunbird N.
premsi are both montane species, absent from western Africa south of Cameroon.

Swamp Boubou Lmiarim '^fermginem*' of Hecketsweiler & Mokoko Ikonga (1991)
should be understood as L bicolor (cf. Dowsett & Dowsett-Lemaire 1980, 1989).

Discussion

The total of 500 ^cies recorded for Congo by Dowsett & Dowsett-Lemaire (1989)
now becomes 567, with 69 additions and two deletions. Most of tiie 1 5 newly recorded
Palaœrctic migrants were to be expected except for Charadrius alexandrinus, the most
southerly record to date (after a recent record on the Gabonese coast: Christy 1 990), and

78

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Malimbus 15

Calidris subminuta which could only be a vagrant. Of the intra-African migrants,
Hirundo cucullata and H. spilodera were known to migrate to the lower Congo basin,
but only the latter was known north of Zaire (to Gabon). Early November must be about
the latest date for these birds to return to breeding areas in southern Africa. The
observation of flocks of Creatophora cinerea points to veiy wide dispersal abihties in a
species that was not previously known nearer than Luanda in central Angola (Traylor
1963).

Among forest birds, most of the new records fill gaps between southern Gabon to
the north, and Cabinda/Zairean Mayombe/Angola to the south where they were already
known (references in Dowsett & Dowsett-Lemaire 1989), i.e. Tigriomis leucolophus,
Accipiter castanilius^ Himantomis haematopus, Scotopelia bouvieri, Prodotiscus
insignis, Sasia africana, Comcina azurea, Pholidomis rushiae, Trochocercus nitens,
Anthreptes gabonicus, Nectarinia reichenbachii, Ploceus tricolor. Others represent
southward extensions from the Gabonese forest: Canirallus oculeus, Jubula lettii,
Caprimulgus batesi, Sylvietta denti, Remiz fhvifrons and Malimbus erythrogaster.

Of non-forest species, some were expected on the basis of wide African
distribution, e.g. Clamator and Oxylophus spp., Hirundo smithii, Acrocephalus
rufescens. Others must have originated from the Zambezian Region to the south: Apus
horus, Centropus superciliosus. Indicator indicator, Malaconotus viridis, Ploceus
intermedius and Parus rufiventris.

We feel that the coastal savannas of Congo have probably been sufficiently well
explored by now, especially by PB, to suspect that the rare Loango Slender-billed
Weaver Ploceus subpersonatus (recorded only from the Gabonese coast, Cabinda and
coastal Zaire) is absent from this country ; it is likely that its special habitat of clumps of
bushes and palm trees on the edge of permanent pools is missing (Collar & Stuart 1985;
PB’s observations in Gabon). Finally, of forest species known from both sides of the
Congolese Mayombe (Gabon and Bas-Zaire/Cabinda), only three have still to be found
in southern Congo: Malaconotus bocagei and Ploceus preussi for which the evidence is
so far unsatisfactory (see above), and the Narrow-tailed Starling Poeoptera lugubris.

A total of just under 570 species is still well below the potential for Congo, given
the size of the country and diversity of habitats. While the south and south-west in
particular are now reasonably well known, the northern forests and the savannas north
of Brazzaville remain much under-explored. Over 60 species recorded by Brosset &
Erard (1986) in north-east Gabon are still unknown from adjacent Congo. We hope that
research can be directed there in the future.

Acknowledgments

The research undertaken in the Kouilou region by FD-L and RJD was generously
sponsored by Conoco (Congo) Inc., and among the staff who were especially helpful we
would like to thank Rod MacAlister and Roger Simpson. Access to the collections of
the Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle (Paris) was kindly provided by Dr C. Erard.

1993

Birds of Congo

79

We are gratefiil to Richard Brooke for bringing to our attention the penguin record, and
to Dr L.D.C. Fishpool and anoüier referee for their comments on the manuscript.

References

Brosset, a. & Erard, C, (1986) Les Oiseaux des Régions Forestières du Nord-Ouest
du Gabon, vol I: Ecologie et Comportement des Espèces. Société Nationale de
Protœtion de la Nature, Paris.

Chapin, J.P. (1954) The birds of the Belgian Congo, part 4. Bull Amer. Mus. Nat Hist
75B: 1^846.

Chappuis, C. (1975) Illustration sonore de problèmes bioacoustiques posés par les
oiseaux de la zone éthiopienne. Ahuda 43: 427-474. O^isque ALA 10, no. 5).

Christy, P. (1990) New records of Palaearctic migrants in Gabon. Malimbus 1 1 : 117-

122.

Collar, NJ. & Stuart, S. N. (1985) Threatened Birds of Africa and Related Islands.
LC.B.P./I.U.C.N, Cambridge.

Descarpentries, a. & ViLLiERS, A. (1964) Contribution à la faune du Congo
(Brazzaville). Mission A. Villiers & A. Descarpentries. H. Oiseaux. Bull Inst. fr.
Afr. noire 26A: 10234032, 1346-1392.

Dowsett, R.J. (1991) GazetteCT of zoological localities in Congo. Tauraco Res. Rep. 4:
335-340.

Dowsett, R.J. & Dowsett-Lemaire, F. (1980) The systematic status of some Zambian
birds. Gerfaut 10: 151-199.

Dowsett, R.J. & Dowsett-Lemaire, F. (1989) Liste préliminaire des oiseaux du
Congo. Tauraco Res. Rep. 2: 29-51.

Dowsett, R.J. & Dowsett-Lemaire, F. (eds) (1991) Flore et faune du bassin du
Kouilou (Congo) et leur exploitation. Tauraco Res. Rep^A: 1-340.

Dowsett, R.J. & Simpson, R.D.H. (1991) The status of seabirds off the coast of Congo.
Tauraco Res. Rep. 4: 241-250.

Dowsett-Lemaire, F. (1992) On the vocal behaviour and habitat of the Maned Owl
Jubuk lettii in south-western Congo. Bull Brit Omithol Club 112: 213-218.

Dowsett-Lemaire, F. & Dowsett, R.J. (1989) Liste commentée des oiseaux de la forêt
duMayombe (Congo). Tauraco Res. Rep. 2: 5-16.

Dowsett-Lemaire, F. & Dowsett, R.J. (1991) The avifauna of the Kouilou basin in
Congo. Tauraco Res. Rep. 4: 189-239.

Fry, C.H., Keith, S. & Urban, E.K. (1988) The Birds of Africa, vol. 3. Academie
Press, London.

Hechets^iler, P. & Mokoko Ikonga, J. (1991) lâf Réserve de Conkouati, Congo. Le
Secteur Sud-est lUCN, Gland.

Malbrant, R. & Maclatchy, R. (1949) Faune de l’Equateur Africain Français, vol.
1 . Oiseaux. Chevalier, Paris,

80

F. Dowsett-Lemaire, R.J. Dowsett& P. Bulens

Malimbus 1 5

Malbrant, R. & Maclatchy, R. (1949) Faune de V Equateur Africain Français, vol.
1. Oiseaux. Chevalier, Paris.

Malbrant, R. & Maclatchy, R. (1958) A propos de l’occurrence de deux oiseaux
d’Afrique australe au Gabon: le Manchot du Cap, Spheniscus demersus Linné et la
Grue Couronnée, Balearica regulorum Bennett. Oiseau Rev. fr. Om. 28: 84-86.
ScHOUTEDEN, H. (1926) Confributicms à la faune ornithologique du Congo belge. VI.

Mes récoltes ornithologiques dans le Bas Congo. Rev. Zool. afr. 13: 182-206.
Sinclair, J.C. & the Rarities Committee. (1984) S.A.O.S. Rarities Committee Report.
Bokmakierie 36: 64-68.

Sinclair, J.C. & the Rarities Committee. (1986) S.A.O.S. Rarities Committee’s
Annual Report. Bokmakierie 38: 20-25.

Traylor, M.A. (1%3) Check hst of Angolan birds. Publ. cult Comp. Diamant Angola
61: 1-250.

Woolly-necked Stork - Cigogne épiscopale - Ckonia episcopus
Photo HQ.P. Crick

1993

81

Nichoirs artificiels utilises par le Petit Calao à bec rouge
Tockus erythrorhynchus

par Moussa Séga Diop et Bernard Tréca
ORSTOM, B.P. 1386, Dakar, Sénégal

Reçu 21 mai 1993
Revu 20 octobre 1993

Résumé

L'importance des nichoirs artificiels pour la reproduction du Petit Calao à bec
rouge Tockus erythrorhynchus est démontrée dans une aire d'étude quasi-
naturelle au Sénégal Nous donnons ici la description des nichoirs utilisés et
discutons des avantages et des inconvùtients des trois différents modèles.

Summary

The importance of nest boxes for the brewing of the Red-billed Hombill Tockus
erythrorhynchus is danonstrated in a semi-natural study area in Senegal. We
describe tiie nest boxes used and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of
the three dUffaent models.

Introduction

Le Petit Calao à bec rouge Tockus erythrorhynchus se reproduit habituellement dans
des cavités naturelles rtouvées dans des arbres (Kemp 1976). Les sites propices à
Finstallation d’un nid dans une cavité doivent avoir certaines caractéristiques selon
Fe^ce qui va y nicher et peuvmt être difficiles à rtouver (Snow 1976, Wiens 1989).
Dans le cas du Petit Calao à bec rouge, les sites paraissent souvent en nombre
insuffisant, car les vieux arbres ou les arbres morts sont souvent exploités pour le bois.
Les nichoirs peuvent alors fournir des sites de remplacement tout à fait acceptables,
comme c'est le cas pour d'autres espèces d'oiseaux en zone paléarctique (Blagosklonov
1987) et en Afrique australe (Riekert & Clinning 1985).

Pom une étude éco-étiiologique menée sur la station ORSTOM de M'Bour (70 ha
dont 56 de savane, protégés depuis une quarantaine d'années), situfe à 80 km au sud de
Dakar, au Sénégal, dix nichoirs artificiels ont été installés en mai-juin 1991.

82

M. S. Diop & B. Tr&a

Malimbus 1 5

Déroulement de k nidification

En août-septembre 1991, nous avons constaté que sept de ces dix nichoirs étaient
occupés par des Petits Calaos à bec rouge (Fig. 1). Par ailleure, toujours sur la station de
M’Bour, et pendant la même saison de reproduction, deux autres couples de Petits
Calaos à bec rouge ont utilisé des cavités natmelles. Tune dans un Baobab Adansonia
digitata et Pautre dans un Cassia Cassia siamea. Au total donc neuf couples se sont
reproduits sur la station bien que 89 Petits Calaos à bec rouge y aient été capturés et
bagués cette année.

Figure 1. Petit Calao à bec rouge au nichoir.

Les nichoirs sont aménagés par les Petits Calaos de la même façon que les cavités
naturelles: apport de différents matériaux (feuilles, brindilles) et fermeture partielle de
rentrée par la femelle avec de la boue mélangée à de la salive, qui durcit en séchant
(Collias 1964). Il restera une petite fente par laquelle le mâle passera la nourriture à la
femelle qui reste claustrée dans son nid pendant toute la saison de reproduction, c'est à
dire environ deux mois, en août-septembre. La nourriture, surtout des acridiens, mais
aussi d'autres arthropodes et des fruits, est apportée par le mâle uniquement dans un
premier temps. Quand les oisillons ont environ trois semaines, la femelle qui a révêtu
un plumage neuf brise la boue s&hée qui fermait Poitrée du nid et sort aider le mâle

1993

Nichoirs artificiels pour calaos

83

dans la recherche et l’apport de nourriture au nid. Les jeunes restés au nid rebouchent
immédiatement l’entrée avec de la boue ou des déjections et ne sortiront chacun à son
tour que lorsqu’ils seront capables de voler.

La reproduction s’est déroulée tout à fait normalement dans les nichoirs et a même
pu être suivie réguhèrement, sauf dans les nichoirs de type III, difficiles à ouvrir, alors
que dans les cavités naturelles, nous n’avons pu noter que le nombre de jeunes à
l’envol. Pendant sa claustration, la femelle mue toutes ses grandes plumes de vol,
rémiges et rectrices.

Ceux qui pourraient être intéressés par la fabrication et la pose de nichoirs artificiels
trouveront donc ici une description de ces nichoirs, ainsi que des informations sur la
reproduction du Petit Calao à bec rouge dans ces nichoirs.

Description des nichoirs

Trois types de nichoirs ont été construits, tous en contreplaqué de 6 mm d’épaisseur,
peints en vert pour les protéger des intempéries. Par ailleurs, nous nous sommes aperçus
qu’au début de l’installation les Petits Calaos à bec rouge donnaient des coups de bec
sur les bords de l’entrée du nichoir, apparemment pour enlever la peinture et ainsi
améliorer l’adhérence de la boue qui fermera l’entrée du nid. Les dimensions
extérieures sont dormées dans le Tableau 1.

Type I, nichoirs à parois amovibles. La paroi verticale opposée à l’entrée est
composée d’une plaque de contreplaqué, amovible, et d’une plaque de verre au travers
de laquelle le nid peut être observé et qui peut éventuellement s’enlever aussi (Fig. 2).

Type II, nichoirs à toit amovible. Dans ce type de nichoirs, le toit n’est fixé sur
l’ensemble de la boîte que par un système de crochets. On peut donc y effectuer des
observations par le dessus, en enlevant le toit (Fig. 3, a et b).

Type III, nichoirs non ouvrants. Le toit, le fond et les parois verticales sont
définitivement fixés et il n’est pas possible dans ce type de nichoir d’observer l’intérieur
(Fig. 3, c).

Hauteurs et orientation de l’entrée des nids

Les dix nichoirs ont été installés dans des arbres répartis sur l’ensemble de la zone de
savane de la station (56 ha), à des hauteurs et selon des orientations différentes, selon
les possibilités d’accrochage, entre 2.70 m et 4.15 m. Les cavités naturelles occupées
étaient à 3.20 m et 6 m de hauteur. On peut noter qu’en dehors de la zone d’étude, à
l’université de Dakar, un nid de Petit Calao à bec rouge a été trouvé dans une cavité
naturelle située à moins de 20 cm au-dessus du sol.

Pratiquement toutes les orientations disponibles ont été utilisées par les Petits
Calaos à bec rouge (Tableau 1), mais il se trouve qu’aucun nichoir n’avait son entrée
dirigée entre le NNE et le SSE. Cependant l’une des deux cavités naturelles était

84

M. S. Diop & B. Tréca

Malimbus 1 5

Figure 2. Nichoirs de type I (à parois amovibles). E entrée; P perchoir; Pc paroi
amovible en contreplaqué; Pv paroi amovible en verre.

Figure 3. (a et b) Nichoirs de type II (à toit amovible), T toit amovible; (c) Nichoir
de type III (à parois et toit fixes). Même échelle que Fig. 2.

1993

Nichoirs artificiels pour calaos

85

orientée plein Est, Feutre au SW. Il ne semble donc pas que Forientation des entrées ait
une influence sur les choix des sites de nidification.

Tailles des entrées et des nkhoirs

Les nichoirs occupés avaimt des entrées comprises entre 5 et 10 cm de diamètre; donc
ces ouvertures conviennent bien au Petit Calao à bec rouge. Kemp (1976) note même
que les diamètres d*entrée de 4 cm sont {déférés. Les cavités naturelles occupées sur la
station de M’Bour avaient F une une entrée ronde de 6 cm de diamètre et Fautre une
entrée ovale d'environ 10 cm de large, mais déjà en partie colmatée les aimées
précédentes. Après l’installation de la femelle dans son nid et colmatage partiel de
l’entrée avec de la boue, la fente restante, par où le mâle passera la nourriture à la
femelle et aux jeunes, avait une largeur de 5 à 10 mm.

Les modèles de nichoirs décrits ci-dessus conviennent très bien aux Petits Calaos à
bec rouge puisque le taux d’occupation est assez élevé (70 %), même dans cette zone
protégée depuis longtemps et où un nombre assez appréciable d’arbres ont vieilli.
Cepoidant sur les quatre nichoirs de petite taille (A, B, C et D), deux seulement ont été
occupés. Le seul nichoir de taille moyenne (E) a également servi. Sur les cinq grands
nichoirs G, H, I et J), quatre ont permis la reproduction des Petits Calaos à bec
rouge.

Territorialité

En dehors de la période de reproduction, les Petits Calaos à bec rouge se déplacent
souvent en petits groupes et on n’observe alors aucun comportement territorial Dès le
début de la saison des pluies, ce comportement grégaire disparaît. Les couples se
foraient, rodent autour des cavités et les défendent contre leiurs congénères. A M’Bour,
nous avons pu observer des batailles entre Calaos pour les nichoirs A et G distants de
50 m environ en un lieu dégagé. Finalement le nichoir A n’a pu être occupé bien qu’il
ait souvent été visité par un couple différent de celui qui s’est installé dans le nichoir G.

Par contre, les nichoirs H et I, séparés d’environ 50 m également, mais entre
lesquels se trouvaient des arbres à feuillage touffii ont été occupés tous les deux. Le
nichoir F, très éloigné des autres nichoirs n’a pas été utilisé. D’après Kemp (1988), en
Afrique du Sud, le territoire défendu par un couple de Petits Calaos à bec rouge en
rq^roduction dans une cavité naturelle est d’environ dix hectares. Nous avons observé à
M’Bour la défense du voisinage du nid par le mâle ou la femelle qui chassent par
intimidation tout autre Calao qui s’en approche. Cependant, parfois le couple de Calao
s’éloigne de son nid pour aller chercher des matériaux de construction ou pour se
nourrir. En définitive, neuf couples ont pu s’installer sur les 56 hectares de savane de la
station.

Tableau L Types, dimensions extérieures, orientation et succès des nichoirs.

86

M. S. Diop & B. Tr&a

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1993

Nichoirs artificiels pour calaos

87

Succès de la reproduction

Le succès de la r^roduction s'est montré meilleur dans les grands nichoirs (moyenne
de 3.3 jeimes à Lenvol, contre LO dmis les aufres: Tableau 1). Riekert & Clinning 1985
avaient déjà noté que la taille des nichoirs influence les dates de ponte, le nombre
d'oeufs, la mortalité des jeunes et la prédation. Au cours de notre étude, les
dérangements occasionnés par Fouverture des nichoirs ne semblent pas avoir influé sur
le succès de la reproduction. Dans le nichoir E qui a été ouvert le plus souvent le taux
de réussite a même été de 100 % (quatre jemies à Fenvol sur quatre oeufs pondus).

Aucune perte de nid ou de poussin par prédation n'a été mise en évidence dans cette
étude. Cette prédation est souvent moins importante chez les oiseaux qui utihsent des
cavités (Wiois 1989). Pourtant la fermeture partielle de Fentrée du nid avec de la boue
est probablement une adaptation à une prédation assez importante. D’ailleurs Kemp
(1988) signalent que, chez cette espèce, la principale cause d’échec de la reproduction
est la p-édation, par le mâle surtout.

Discussion

Comme deux cavités naturelles seulement ont été occupées par les Petits Calaos à bec
rouge sur la station de M’Bour, les sept nichoirs artificiels utilisés sur le même site
suggèrent que la reproduction de ces oiseaux est peut-être limitée par le nombre de
cavités disponibles. Selon Blagosklonov (1987) on trouve toujours dans la nature un
nombre coi^idérable d’oiseaux qui ne parviennent pas à se reproduire faute, semble-t-il,
d’avoir pu trouver un site convenable pour l’installation de leur nid. Les sites de
nidification artificiels que sont les nichoirs offrent aux Calaos la possibilité de se
reproduire en plus grand nombre, même s’il a été montré chez les mésanges que les
nichoirs peuvent attirer davantage de prédateurs (Nilsson 1984). Mais la possibilité
offerte aux oiseaux de choisir un site bien adapté à leurs exigences de reproduction et
éventuellement de ne pas réutiliser chaque année le même site peut limiter la
prolifération des parasites et diminuer la mortalité des oisillons (Blagosklonov 1987).

Bibliographie

Blagosklonov, K. (1987) Guide Pratique pour la Protection des Oiseaux. Mir,
Moscou.

CoLLiAS, N.E. (1964) The evolution of nests and nest-building in birds. Am. ZooL 4:
175-190.

Kemp, A.C. (1976) A study of the ecology, behaviour and systematics of Tockus
hombills (Aves Bucerotidae). Transvaal Mus. Mem. 20.

Kemp, A.C. (1988) Family Bucerotidae: hombills. Pp. 375-413 in C.H. Fry, S. Keith &
E.K. Urban (^s), The Birds of Africa, vol. 3. Academic Press, London,

88

M. S. Diop & B. Tr&a

Malimbus 15

hombiüs (Aves Bucerotidae). Transvaal Mus. Mem. 20.

Kemp, A.C. (1988) Family Bucerotidae: hombills. Pp. 375-413 in C.H. Fiy, S. Keitii &
E.K. Urban (eds), The Birds of Africa, vol 3. Academie Press, London.

Nilsson, S. G. (1984) The evolution of nest-site selection among hole-nesting birds: the
importance of nest predation and competition. Omis Scand. 15: 167-175.

Riekert, B. & Clinning, C. (1985) The use of artificial nest boxes in the Dean Viljooi
Game Park, Bohnakierie 37: 67-95.

Snow, D.W. (1976) The Web of Adaptation. CoUins, London.

Weens, J.A. (1989) The Ecology of Bird Communities, (2 vols). Cambridge University
Press, Cambridge.

Grey Woodpecker - Pic gris - Dmdropkm goertae
Photo M.E.J. Gore

1993

89

Short Notes

Nouvelles données de distribution pour deui espèces d'oiseaui au Burkina Faso

Au coure d’un séjour de mai 1992 à février 1993 dans le Yatenga, au nord du Burkina
Faso, nous avons eu Foccasion de faire de nombreuses observations ornithologiques.
Parmi les 250 espà:es rencontrées, deux ont retenu notre attention car leur présence
dans cette région ne corrœpond pas à Faire de répartition connue à ce jour.

Le Martinet marbré Tachymarptis aequMorMis. Cette espèce a été observée à cinq
reprises. Un groupe de 30 individus chassaient le 8 juin 1992 au dessus d’une savane
sèche et boisée un peu nord du village de Thou (13®55’N, 2®46’0) proche de la
frontière malieime; un deuxième groupe d’importance similaire a été vu dans la même
zone le 1 1 juillet 1992 ainsi qu’un individu isolé le 20 août sur un point légèrement plus
au nord (14®5’N, 2®43’0). Les 29 juillet et 2 août 1992, deux individus évoluaient en
compagnie de dix Matinets pâles Apus palUdm au dessus du village de Sabouna situé
au sud-est de la premise zone (13®47’N, 2®20’O). Fin février 1993, un groupe de cinq
individus a été observé au dessus du lac de barrage de Thiou, situé à 20 km au sud du
village de Thou mentionné plus haut. Dans tous les cas, nous avons bien pu observer
ces gran& martinets à la poitrine et au ventre finement barrés, ne laiæant aucun doute
sur leur identité. Nous n’avons par contre pas pu déterminer la sous-espèce. Ces
observations s’ajoutent à celles de Côte dTvoire (Thiollay 1985), du Togo (Walsh et ai.
1990), du Sénégal en 1986 et de Guinée en 1988 (Dévissé 1992), qui sont toutes situées
en dehors de Faire de nidification connue ai Afrique de FOuest. Cette espèce est en
effet considérée comme localisé dans le nord de la Sierra Leone et au sud-est du Ghana
(Fry et al. 1988). La répétition, sur quelques mois, de nos observations dans une zone
relativement restreinte peut suggérer Fexistence d’une population nicheuse dans la
région, plutôt que celle d’un erratisme saisonnier. La falaise de Bandiagara au Mali, à
une centaine de km plus au nord-ouest, pouirait convenir au Martinet marbré.

Le Grand Calao d’Abyssinie Bucorvm abyssinkm. Un mâle a été vu le 3 juin aux
environs du village de Sollé (14®7’N, 2®6’0) tandis qu’un autre a été observé le 15
octobre près du village de K^n (14®2’N, 2®45’0) (J. Ogier com. pers.). Pour le Burkina
Faso, cette esptee semble avoir été citée une fois en région de savane à la frontière avec
le Bénin (Green & Sayer 1979) tandis qu’un couple a été observé au nord-est de
Ouagadougou en juillet 1977 par L.D.C. Fishpool {fide R.A. Cheke). Dans les pays
voisins, Fesptee est mentionée dans le Parc du W au Niger (Koster & GrettenbCTger
1 983), la Boucle du Baoulé au Mali (de Bie & Morgan 1 989) et le nord-est du Bénin
(RA. Cheke com. pCTs.). Elle semble plus abondante en Côte dTvoire (Thiollay 1985)
et au Ghana (Grimes 1987). Nos observations réalisées plus au nord ainsi que celles de
Duhart & Descamps (1963) pour le delta du Niger au Mali complètent donc les données
précédentes pour la zone sahélienne. L’esptee n’est donc pas, comme le suggèrent Fiy
et al. (1988), absente le long d’un axe est-ouest entre la Sénégambie et le Nigéria.

90

Short Notes

Malimbus 15

Bibliographie

De Be, S. & Morgan, N. (1969) Les oiseaux de la Réserve de la Biosphère “Boucle du
Baoulé”, Mali. Malimbus 11: 41-60.

Dévissé, R. (1992) Première observation au Sénégal du Martinet marbré Tachymarptis
aequatorialis. Malimbus 14: 16.

Duhart, F. & Descamps, M. (1%3) Notes sur Favifaune du delta central nigérien et
régions avoisinantes. Oiseau Rev. fr. Om. 33 (No. spécial): 1-107.

Fry, C.H., Keith, S. & Urban, E.K. (1988) The Birds of Africa, vol. 3. Academie
Press, London.

Green, A. A. & Sayer, J. (1979) The birds of the Pendjari and Arli National Parks
(Benin & Upper Volta). Malimbus 1: 14-28.

Grimes, L.G. (1987) The Birds of Ghana. Checklist 9, British Ornithologists’ Union,
London.

Koster, S.H. & Grettenberger, J. (1983) A preliminary survey of birds in park W,
Niger. Malimbus 5: 62-72.

Thiollay, J.M. (1985) The birds of Ivory Coast: status and distribution. Malimbus 7: 1-
59.

Walsh, IF., Cheke, R.A. & Sowah, S.A. (1990) Additional species and breeding
records of birds in the republic of Togo. Malimbus 12: 2-18.

Reçu 27 janvier 1 993

Revu 1 5 juin 1993 Gilles Balança & Marie-Noël de Visscher

CIRAD/GERDAT/PRIFAS, BP 5035, 34032 Montpellier, France

The status of the Black Swift Apus barbatus in western West Africa

West of Cameroon, the Black Swift Apus barbatus is known from two skins, one taken
at Obudu Plateau, Nigeria, and the other at Rokupr, Sierra Leone (Mackworth-Praed &
Grant 1970, Fry et al. 1988). There are no pubhshed sightings west of Nigeria (Elgood
1982). The following observations of daik swifts by the author in Sierra Leone, Liberia,
Guinea, and Ivory Coast show that Black Swifts, termed ""Apus (barbatus glanvillei? f'
by Gatter (1 988), must be regular in this part of West Africa.

Sierra Leone. In eastern Sierra Leone between Sefadu and the Loma Mts, a flock of
about 20 birds was seen on 1 7 Mar 1 984.

Liberia. On Mt Saki, north of Voinjama, just at the Guinean border, on 29 May 1 984
(Gatter 1 988) a breeding site with several pairs was found in a crack under an overhang
on a vertical surface of a granite dome, about 600-700 m a.s.l. (together with C.
Steiner).

Ivory Coast. On Mt Tonkui, near Man, at least singles were seen with European Swifts
A. apus and numerous Alpine Swifts Tachymarptis melba, around the television tower
on 3 Apr 1991.

1993

Short Notes

91

Mt Nimba. On the higher ridges of Guin^n, Ivorien and Liberian Mt Nimba, more
than 20 rœords from six yors between 1981 and 1993, some together with M. Behmdt
and P. Gatter, show that tiiis is the typical, but overlooked indigenous swift there. On
different ridges of the mountain, flocks of up to 100 or more A. barbatus were seen in
February, March and A^l on several occasions. They were the only swifts there on
some days. On oftier days thousands of European Swifts passed by, often calling, but
we never heard the calls of Black Swifts among them.

European Swifts ^nd nine monftis, from late August to late May, in Liberia. As a
result of loop migration in Africa, numbers can be high in December, but lower during
the dry monftis of January .and February Mid enormous in March, April and May (Gatter
1987a, 1987b).

G.D. Field {in lUt) has unpublished obsawations of large flocks of svrifts including
Mottled Swift A. aeqmtorialis and dark A. apus/barbatm types in western Sierra Leone
from Freetown northwards, particularly in May /June. He suggests these swifts were A.
barbatus, although no proof was obtained.

The racial identity of these birds awaits ftirther specimens. In all the observations,
the birds were not^ as being very dark, with the chin and throat without any whitish
area. The voice was clearly different from that of A. apm. Once, trilling social calls
were heard, similar to tiiose of Alpine Swifts (not described for Black by Fry et
al 1988). Our field notes fit quite well with A, k gknvillei from Sierra Leone, but there
may be several different subspecies in this western area, which includes isolated
mountain ranges and hilly country in Sierra Leone, Ivory Coast, Guinea and northern
Liberia.

References

ELGœo, IH. (1982) The Birds of Nigeria. Checklist 4, British Ornithologists’ Union,
London.

Fry, C.H., Keith, S. & Urban, E.K. (1988) The Birds of Africa, vol. 3. Academic
Press, London.

Gatter, W. (1 987a) Migration behaviour and wintering of Palaearctic birds in Liberia
(West Africa). Verh. om. Ges. Bayern 24; 479-508.

Gatter, W. (1987b) Bird migration in West Africa: observations and hypothesis on
migration strategies and migration routes. Bird migration in Liberia Part IL
Vogelwarte 34: 80-92.

Gatter, W. (1988) The birds of Liberia (West Africa). A preliminary list with status
and open questions. Verk om. Ges. Bayern 24: 689-723.

Mackworth-Praed, C.W. & Grant, C.H.B. (1970) Birds of West Central and Western
Africa, vol. 1 . Longman, London.

Received 28 January 1993

Revised 19 May 1993 ^ Wulf Gatter

Buchstr. 20, D-73252 Lenningen, Germany

92

Short Notes

Malimbus 15

Manx Shearwater Puffinus pujfînus, new to Ivory Coast

Mead and Claric (1 993) have pubhshed details of a Manx Shearwater Puffinus puffinus,
ringed as a bird of the year (EURING age code 3) on Bardsey Island, off Aberdaron,
Gwynedd, Wales (52°46’N, 4®48’W), on 8 September 1989, which was recovered dead
at Grand Lahou, Ivory Coast (5°9’N, 50®rW), in or before August 1991. This appears
to be the first record for Ivory Coast: the species is not listed by Thiollay (1986), nor in
the update by Demey & Fishpool (1991). The only record for neighbouring Ghana is
also from a recovery of a British-ringed bird (Grimes 1987); there are more records
from Liberia, where the Manx Shearwater is considered uncommon but not rare (Getter
1988).

References

Demey, R. & Fishpool, L.D.C. (1991) Additions and annotations to the avifauna of
Côte d’Ivoire. Malimbus 12: 61-86.

Gatter, W. (1988) The birds of Liberia (West Africa). A preliminary list with status
and open questions. Verb. om. Ges. Bayern 24: 689-723.

Grimes, L.G. (1987) The Birds of Ghana. Check-list 9, British Ornithologists’ Union,
London.

Mead, C.J. & Clark, J.A. (1993) Report on bird ringing for Britain and Ireland for
1991. Ringing Migration 14: 1 -72 .

Thiollay, J.M. (1985) The birds of Ivory Coast. Milimhus 7: 1-59.

Received 24 June 1993 R.A. Cheke

c/o Natural Resources Institute, Central Avenue,
Chatham Maritime, Chatham, Kent, ME4 4TB, U.K.

An unusual record of Fulvous Tree-Duck Dendrocygna bicolor breeding in the
Hadejia-Nguru Wetlands, northeastern Nigeria

During a routine bird survey on 27 January 1990, a female Fulvous Tree-Duck
Dendrocygna bicolor with a downy duckling was encountered in a partially vegetated
portion of Nguru lake (12°50’N, 10°26’E). Instead of flying away from the boat, which
was within 8 m of the birds, the hen engaged in vigorous distraction displays while the
duckling escaped into a nearby reed bed. The hen swam in very tight circles, flapped its
wings, swam to within 5 m of the boat and then veered away in an apparent attempt to
lure the observers away. Its continued display even after its young was safe in the reed
bed made the team curious, and we scrutinised the surroundings more closely. It was
then that another duckling which had been caught in a nearby fishing net was sighted.
As the team removed the duckling from the net, the duck stopped displaying and flew

1993

Short Notes

93

into the reed bed. The traj^d duckling was in good condition, was completely downy
and its age was estimated to be about seven days.

The month of this observation falls outside the reported breeding period of
this species in Nigeria, which is July-September (Serle cited by Elgood 1981 , Brown et
al 1982, Madge & Bum 1989). This observation of downy ducklings in late January,
which implies laying in December (assuming an incubation period of about three
weeks), is apparently unusual for Nigeria. However, in Senegal, which lies in the same
saheUan ecological zone as northeastern Nigeria, breeding activities or birds in breeding
condition have been reported for the months of January- June, as well as in September
and November ^ackworth-Praed & Grant 1970, Morel & Morel 1990), prompting a
suggestion that breeding in this species may be aseasonal and opportunistic in
Senegambia ^orel & Morel 1990, G.J. Morel in litl). Although this record might
suggest that aseasonal breeding occurs in a wider geographical area, including Nigeria,
it might otherwise result from a veiy late renesting after unsuccessfiil previous attempts.

Acknowledgment is due to T. Stowe and M. Dyer, the two other members of the survey
team, for encouragement to publish this report, and to the reviewers of the original
manuscript for constructive criticism.

References

Brown, L.H., Urban, E.K. & Newman, K. (1982) The Birds of Africa, vol. 1.
Academic Press, London.

Elgood, J.H. (1982) The Birds of Nigeria. Checklist 4, British Ornithologists’ Union,
London.

Mackworth-Praed, C.W. & Grant, C.H.B. (1970) Birds of West Central and Western
Africa, voL 1 . Longman, London.

Madge, S. & Burn, H. (1989) Wildfowl An Identification Guide to the Ducks, Geese
and Swans of the World. Christopher Helm, London.

Morel, G.J. & Morel, M.-Y. (1990) Les oiseaux de Sénégambie. ORSTOM, Paris.

Received 19 February 1993 Augustine U. Ezealor

Revised 25 June 1 993 Dept of Biological Sciences,

Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria

Albinism in Spur-winged Goose Plectropterus gambemis

On 28 January 1990 in the Hadejia-Ngum wetlands in northeastern Nigeria, I observed
a complete albino Spur-winged Goose Plectropterus gambensis among a flock of about
120 normal conspecifics in a fadama (flood-retreat marshland) near Dumbari. The head,
neck and breast were dirty white in colour probably due to foraging in muddy water, but

94

Short Notes

Malimbus 1 5

the rest of the body was whiter. A second sighting of an albino Spur-winged Goose with
the same description was made on 17 January 1993 at a fadama pond near Damasa,
about 9 km NW of the location of the previous sighting. About 500 other normal
conspecifics and about 3000 Garganeys Anas querquedula were in the same pond. A
game guard in the wetlands made similar observations in 1987 and 1993 while
patrolling an area near Nguru lake, about 36 km NW of Damasa (H. Hassan pers.
comm.). It is not known whether these records were of the same individual.

Although albinism is not unusual in birds, there is not, to my knowledge, any report
of its occurrence in Spur-winged Geese.

Received 19 February 1993 Augustine U. Ezealor

Revised 25 June 1 993 Dept of Biological Sciences,

Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria

On the laying period of the Egyptian Goose Alopochen aegyptiacus in the delta of
the River Senegal

Brown et al. (1983) indicate that the laying period in Senegal of the Egyptian Goose
Alopochen aegyptiacus extends from July to October, i.e. over the rainy season.
However, in early 1 993, we observed six different broods of this species, all in the delta
of the River Senegal: a pair with one duckling about one week old on 18 January
(Senegal); an adult with nine juveniles about three-quarters of the size of the adult on 1 7
January (Senegal); a pair witli six juveniles about one third the size of the adults on 30
March (Senegal); a pair with four juveniles about half tlie size of adults on 22 January
(Mauritania); a pair with four juveniles about half to two-thirds the size of the adults on
22 January (Mauritania); a pair with five juveniles about two-thirds the size of the
adults on 24 January (Mauritania).

Assuming an incubation period of 28-30 days and a fledging period of 75-80 days
(Brown et al. 1983), the laying dates of the January observations ranged from early
October to around 10 December, and for the March observation the beginning of
February.

Similar observations outside the period defined by Brown et al. (1983) have
previously been made by Jarry (in Morel & Morel 1990) who discovered two nests in
the Djoudj National Park in January 1975 while Dupuy (1976) and Roux et al. (1977)
report families respectively from October to February and from 15 October to 15
February and till May, which indicate laying in February. We therefore conclude tliat
the laying period is not limited to July-October but can continue until January or
February, particularly when aquatic resources are not limited. With the artificial flood
due to the Diama Dam, it is possible that the Egyptian Goose is now able to breed
during a longer period than formerly.

1993

Short Notes

95

References

Brown, L.H., Urban, E.K. & Newman, K. (1983) The Birds of Africa, vol. 1.
Academic Press, London.

Dupuy, A.R. (1976) Données nouvelles concernant la reproduction de quelques espèces
aviennes au Sénégal. Oiseau Rev.fr. Om. 46: 47-62.

Morel, G. J. & Morel, M.-Y. (1990) Les Oiseaux de Sénégambie. ORSTOM, Paris.
Roux, F., Jarry, g., Maheo, R. & Tamisier, A. (1977) Importance et origine des
populations d’anatidés hivernant dans le delta du Sénégal. Oiseau Rev. fr. Om. 47:
1-24.

Received 21 May 1993
Revised 24 August 1 993

P. Triplet*, B. Trolliet*, P. Yèsou* & B. Tréca^
‘ONC-CNERA Avifaune Migratrice, F-85340 Ile d’Olonne, France

mSTOM, BP 1386, Dakar, Senegal

A long-lived Common Bubul Pycnonotus barbatus in Nigeria

Keith et al. (1992) quote an 18 year-old individual from Chad as the longest-lived
Common Bulbul Pycnonotus barbatus in the wild. As this record has not been
published, details ought to be put on record.

The bird concerned was ringed (British Trust for Ornithology ring no. CR40257) at
Mallamfatori, Lake Chad (Nigeria) (13®37’N, 13°20’E) on 27 August 1968 and
retrapped on 27 September. It was recaptured and released on 4 February 1987
(information kindly supplied by the B.T.O). It was half way through active primary
moult in August and September 1 968, and was most probably already adult (juvenile
birds had only a partial moult at that time). This species breeds in the area mainly from
March to May (pers. obs.), before the rains. This would mean that it hatched in the first
half of 1967 or earlier, and was 19 years old when recaptured. From its wing length
(101 mm) it was probably a male: the range for 38 non-juveniles (March-May) was 93-
104 mm (mean 96.6), and the species shows fairly well-marked sexual dimorphism in
size (Britton 1972; pers. obs.).

The locality of the 1987 recapture was reported as Maiduguri, some 193 km from
where the bird was ringed, but I am sure it would in fact have been at Mallamfatori, as
the person who reported it gave his address as the Lake Chad Research Institute, which
has a station there (though its postal box, and hence address, is in Maiduguri).

As reported by Keith et al. (1992), there is an even older record for this species
from a captive bird, and an increasing number of passerine species have produced
comparable results in the wild. These figures need to be compared to the considerably
shorter mean hfe expectancies quoted by these authors (1.4-2 years), but I believe the

96

Short Notes

Malimbus 1 5

means would be greater if ringers undertaking mark-recapture studies were to observe
colour-marked birds and did not rely only on retraps (Dowsett 1985). Some individuals
are very hard to recapture after the experience of being ringed. Our knowledge of
longevity could also be improved if ringers made a point of revisiting sites where many
resident birds have been ringed in the past. Any ringer wishing to know of such
localities, in West Africa or elsewhere, could contact me for details from the Tauraco
Afring data bank.

I thank Humphrey Crick for his helpful comments on a draft of this note.

References

Britton P.L. (1972) Weights of African bulbuls (Pycnonotidae). Ostrich 43: 23-42.
Dowsett R. J. (1985) Site-fidelity and survival rates of some montane forest birds in
Malawi, south-central Africa. Biotropica 17: 145-154.

Keith S., Urban E.K. & Fry C.H. (1992) The Birds of Africa, vol. 4. Academic Press,
London.

Received 21 May 1993

Revised 24 August 1 993 R. J. Dowsett

12 rue des Lavandes, F-34190 Ganges, France

1993

97

Book Reviews

Enquête Faunistique et Floristique dans la Forêt de Nyungwe, Rwanda. Ed. by R. J.

Dowsett, 1990. 140 pp. Tauraco Reæarch Report 3, Tauraco Press, Jupille-Liège. £7
(inc. P & p) from 194 rue de Bois de Breux, B-4020 Jupille-Liège, Belgium.

This is a collection of papers on various aspects of the biology of this important forest.
Three chapters (including the one on the study area) and the annexe are in French, four
(including the two on birds) in English. One of the bird chapters deals with the
behavioural ecology, status and distribution of Nyungwe forest birds, the other with the
zoogeography and systematics of forest birds of the Albertine Rift, of which Nyungwe
is a part. Both pay special attention to the Albertine endemics and threatened species,
and Chapter 3 contains a lot of new behavioural and ecological information about these
species and others, including the call of what was probably the Itombwe Owl Phodilus
prigoginei. Chapter 4 has a section on spéciation in the Apalis warblers of the region.
Other chapters deal with vegetation, mammals, butterflies, amphibians and reptiles,
while the annexe examines Cyamudongo Forest, an outlier of Nyungwe.

Alan Tye

La Réserve de Conkouati: Congo. Le secteur sud-est. By P. Hecketsweiler & J.
Mokoko-Ikonga, 1991. 323pp. lUCN, Gland. ISBN 2-8317-0080-9.

La Réserve de Conkouati: Congo. Le secteur sud-ouest By C. Doumenge, 1992. 231
pp. lUCN, Gland. ISBN 2-8317-0095-7.

Paperbacks £12.50 each from lUCN, 219c Huntingdon Road, Cambridge, UK.

Both of these reports are based on impact studies carried out for petroleum companies,
BP in the south-east sector and Chevron in the south-west. The Conkouati Reserve is
situated in south-western Congo, adjacent to Gabon. Like other faunal reserves in
Congo it is a reserve only on paper, being open to all forms of exploitation (logging,
mining, bush-meat hunting etc.). It encompasses a great variety of habitats: mangrove,
lagoons and marshes, a mosaic of forest patches and grassland savannas, seasonally
flooded forest and tall dry-land forest (extending inland into the great massif of the
Mayombe). Its natural history is very poorly known, like that of most parts of the
country.

Both reports follow the same format, with the main chapters covering the physical
environment, biological inventories, human environment and exploitation of local
resources, and impact of oil exploration. Neither BP nor Chevron found exploitable oil
in the area so their impact will have been limited - except for BP’s reprehensible

98

Book Reviews

Malimbus 15

method of opening up its seismic transects Üirough forest and savanna with a bulldozer,
when this can be done with small teams on foot.

Hecketsweiler spent only 2\ months in the field (June to August 1 990), in the
middle of the diy season, and Doumenge a similar period in the dry season of 1991.
With limited time and assistance, their contribution to the study of the biological
resources is inevitably restricted. The chapters on floristic and faunistic inventories
occupy only a few score pages, about a quarter of the main text. Both authors are
botanists by training and most of the text on biological resources, as well as most of the
appendices, are taken up with details of floristic transects and plant lists. Birds are
covered by less than a page in the main text and a tentative, partial list in an appendix of
just over 120 species, about a quarter of the potential (cf. Dowsett-Lemaire & Dowsett
1991, Tauraco Res. Rep. 4: 189-239). It is regrettable that some birds were actually
collected for identification, despite which several species listed are extremely unlikely
and are certainly the result of misidentification (cf. Dowsett-Lemaire el al 1993,
Malimbus 15 ); this could have been avoided by submitting the relevant section (or
specimens) to referees.

Overall, Doumenge’ s contribution is of a higher standard than Hecketsweiler &
Mokoko-Ikonga’s, and he pays more attention to the available literature. Like all parts
of southern Congo, Conkouati has been subjected to intensive hunting pressure and the
mammal fauna appears greatly depleted. More detailed surveys need to be carried out to
redefine the status of all hunted species; unless the “reserve” receives some effective
protection (at least in a core area), the future of its wildlife is very dim indeed.

F. Dowsett-Lemaire

Ornithology for Africa. By G.L. Maclean, 1990. xxiii + 270 pp, 16 col. plates,
numerous line drawings. University of Natal Press, Pietermaritzburg. ISBN 0-86980-
737^ (hardback), 0-86980-771-4 (paperback). Paperback 55 Rand.

Although aimed at Africa, the Preface gives away a South African bias: “Our African
sun stays north of the shadows at all times of year” - not for us in West and Equatorial
Africa it doesn’t. For us, the South African term “oversummering” for Palaearctic
migrant visitors is as misleading as “overwintering” might be to a South African, and
the claim that Africa’s universities are souüiem hemisphere ones makes no sense. This
bias might appear trivial were it not for the fact that most of the continent (and its
universities) lies north of the equator.

Maclean’s stated aim is to cater for two groups of readers: invested laymen and
university undergraduates. I am not sure how well he succeeds. Maclean admits that
some sections will be uimecessary for students, but these are easily bypassed. More
seriously, many complex concepts and technical terms, which would probably baffle the
layman, are introduced without explanation (e.g. disulphide bonds, gill pouches) and
only some are included in the glossary. It would not have harmed to define all terms at

1993

Book Reviews

99

first mention. Many unnecessary terms are used too: do we really need “epimeletic”
behaviour, when “parental” will do?

The chapto on flight leaves some questions inadequately answered {e.g. the reason
for the difference in wing shape betwœn soarers and gliders) and some explanations
will leave the novice struggling, e.g. the potentially illuminating illustration of wing
aerodynamics relative to lifestyle using cisticolas is so abbreviated as to baffle a
beginner. The chapter on food and feeding is mainly about feeding methods, with bills
illustrated by colour plates; it is pitched about right for an introductory text. That on
zoogeography is interesting to someone who knows the birds discussed but will not
mean much to an African student who has no idea what a cotinga looks like or does.
Ecology is dealt with in a chapter on “Adaptations to environments”; this is fairly
successftil and interesting but is marred by hinting at details which are not explained.
For example, in the account on salt glands, countercurrent flow and active ion transport
are mentioned but not explained at all This would leave both student and layman
wondering what was meant. The migration and navigation chapter is good, illustrated
by a surprising variety of migration patterns, all well-explained. Two wide-ranging
chapters on breeding biology form the biggest topic section of the book.

The text is in some places attractively composed (e.g. the chapter on classification
and origin digresses on feather structure and colour), but in other places dry. Some
sœtions are up-to-date (tiiCTe is one on DNA hybridization) and others rather dated (e.g.
the behaviour chapter: no behavioural ecology here, and not much elsewhere in tiie
book). Not enough is made of the prime role that bird studies have played in many areas
of biological advance. I spotted few eirors, most of which did not concern Africa, such
as “trogons cannot adapt to savanna woodland”, whereas some central American
species inhabit what in West Africa would be tenned Guinea Savanna.

As an ornithological text, it is not bad, but there are more interesting ways to learn
about birds than in an ornithology course, via behaviour and ecology courses,
biogeography courses etc, all of which can use birds as examples. Such courses could
use this book as a source. Unfortunately, most African universities md students cannot
afford a gr^t range of boofe and must stick to one or two for a course basis. In such a
case, I would not recommend using this as one; but then, I would probably not
rœommend any “straight ornithology” book at all

Alan Tye

Les Zones Humides au Niger et leur Importance pour les Oiseaux d'Eau. By W.C.
Mullié, M. Salifou, J. Brouwer & A. Kounou, 1993. 48 pp. Département de Formation
en Protection des Végétaux, Niamey. Available free from lUCN, Programme pour le
Sahel, BP 10933, Niamey, Niger.

This A4 spiral-bound booklet, which is entirely in French (not even an English
summary), reports ground censuses of waterbirds carried out. over two-week periods

100

Book Reviews

Malimbus 15

during two winters. The counts were part of the IWRB annual waterbird census and Hie
results are presumably summarised in their annual reports (see reviews Malimbus 14:
32-33, 14: 68). Ten sites were visited in 1992 and 16 in 1993 (only 6 in both years) of
which most had never been censused before; all were in SW Niger. Counts for several
species and sites indicated tlieir international importance by the criteria of the Ramsar
Convention but several key sites were under threat of destruction or actually being
destroyed, including a major Niger River floodplain area and the last Borassus
aethiopia forest in Niger. The bulk of tlie report consists of species accounts and site
descriptions, but also includes some climatic and hydrological data, notes on relevant
conservation legislation in Niger and marmnal observations from VV National Park.

Alan Tye

1993

101

Notices

Results of questionnaire on use of W.A.O.S. funds

As mentioned in the Editorial of the last issue, the response to the questionnaire on the
future of the Society and of Malimbus was encouraging, in that 82 replies were received
(by the close at mid-May) out of a total membership of about 250. The responses
regarding Malimbus were dealt with in the last issue; here we deal with the first part of
the questionnaire, which covered the use of Society funds. Most of the subscription
income currently goes towards the publication of Malimbus, and this will continue to be
the case, but a small surplus has built up (see Accounts in last issue) and members were
asked to indicate which one of the following proposals for use of this surplus they
would support.

1 . Invest to build up a reserve, to keep the subscription rate down.

2. Contribute towards the support of a West African postgraduate student
undertaking a research degree in West African ornithology.

3. Award small grants to West African students for research projects in West
African ornithology.

4. Award small grants to expeditions to West Africa which have an ornithological
component.

The results for and against these four proposals were:

% for

% against

1

28

40

2

29

32

3

56

16

4

13

48

(the “for” total is >100% because some members indicated support for more than one
proposal).

There is thus a clear preference for supporting West African students in small
ornithological projects and a definite disinclination to support expeditions. These results
mirror the preferences of Council, which feels that there is a comparatively large
number of funding sources available to expeditions but very few for West African
students. Council also feels that the future of West African ornithology must lie with
West Africans and that the Society should play a role in encouraging the development
of indigenous ornithological research. This is consistent with the Society’s aim of
promoting scientific interest in the birds of West Africa.

As a corollary, members were asked for their reactions to the idea of increasing
subscriptions to raise funds specifically for one of the above proposals. In favour were
57%, while 37% were against; once again proposal 3 received twice as much support as
any of the others. If subscriptions were raised for this purpose, 52% said they would not

102

Notices

Malimbus 15

resign but some qualified this by stating that they would only accept a small rise. At the
other extreme, only three members said they would resign if such an increase were
implemented.

In view of this, Council has decided to offer small grants to West Africans for
research projects in West African ornithology. Although the questionnaire specified
students. Council feels that it should not entirely restrict grants to students but should
broaden the eligibihty to include qualified scientists and amateurs. However, preference
will be given to student applicants. For the present, no increase in subscription is
envisaged in order to increase the funds available for this purpose.

N.J. Skinner & A. Tye

Résultats du questionnaire sur l'usage des fonds de la S. O. O. A.

Comme il a été dit dans l’éditorial du dernier numéro, la réaction devant le
questionnaire sur l’avenir de la Société et de Malimbus était encourageante, en ce que
82 réponses étaient reçus (à la date-limite de mi-mai) de la part d’un total d’environ 250
membres. Les réponses au sujet de Malimbus furent traitées dans le numéro précédent;
nous analyserons ici la première partie du questionnaire, qui concerne l’utilisation des
fonds de la Société. La majeure partie des recettes fournies par les abonnements est
actuellement consacrée à la publication de Malimbus et il en sera encore ainsi dans le
futur, mais un léger excédent s’est constitué (cf les comptes au dernier numéro) et les
adhérents avaient à indiquer laquelle des propositions ci-dessous ils appuieraient pour
l’usage de cet excédent;

1 . Investir pour constituer une réserve et ne pas augmenter le prix de l’abonnement.

2. Participer aux frais de recherches d’un étudiant ouest-africain de 3ème cycle
entreprenant un doctorat en ornithologie ouest-africaine.

3. Allouer de petites bourses à des étudiants ouest-africains pour des projets de
recherche sur l’ornithologie ouest-africaine.

4. Allouer de petites bourses à des expéditions dans l’Ouest africain ayant un intérêt
ornithologique.

Voici les résultats pour ou contre ces quatre propositions:

% pour

% contre

1

28

40

2

29

32

3

56

16

4

13

48

(le total des “pour” est >100% parce-que certains membres ont choisi plus d’une
proposition).

Il y a donc une nette préférence en faveur de l’aide à des étudiants ouest-afiicains
pour de petits sujets d’ornithologie et un refus manifeste d’aider des expéditions. Ces

1993

Notices

103

résultats reflètent les préférences du Conseil d ’Administration qui estime qu’il y a
comparativonent un plus grand nombre de sources de financement pour les expéditions
mais très peu pour les étudiants ouest-africains. Le Conseil estime aussi que l’avenir de
romithologie ouest-afiicaine doit être entre les mains des Africains de l’Ouest et que la
Société devrait jouer un rôle en encourageant le développement d’une recherche
omitihologique autochüione. Cela concorde avec les objectifs de la Société de susciter
un intérêt scientifique envers les oiseaux de l’Ouest afncain.

Corollairement, on demandait aux membres leur réaction à l’idée d’augmenter les
abonnements pour trouver des fonds destinés précisément à l’une des propositions ci-
dessus. Il y eut 57% pom et 37% conte: de nouveau, la proposition 3 recueillit deux
fois plus de vok que les autres. Si les abonnements étaient augmentées dans ce but,
52% déclarent qu’ils ne se retireraient pas mais certains avec cette réserve qu’ils
n’accepteraient qu’une légère hausse. A l’opposé, seuls trois membres disent qu’ils se
retireraioit si une telle augmentation était appliquée.

En présence de ces résultats, le Conseil a décidé d’offrir de petites subventions à
des ressortissants ouest-africains pour des projets de recherches d’ornithologie de ladite
région. Bien que le questionnaire précisât ''étudiants”, le Conseil estime qu’il ne devrait
pas limiter les bourses uniquanent à des étudiants mais devrait étendre la candidature à
des scientifiques et des amateurs qualifiés. Cependant, la préférence sera donnée aux
candidatures d’étudiants. Pour le moment, aucune hausse des cotisations n’est
envisagée pour augmenta* le fonds destinés à ce projet.

N. J Skinner & A. Tye

W.A.O.S. Research Grants

Following the results of a questionnaire survey of members’ opinions (see above),
Council has decided to offer small grants to support ornithological research in West
Africa. Initial conditions for the awards are given below, altliough these may be
changed by Council at any time. For the purposes of these awards. West Africa is
defined as comprising the following countries: Cape Verde, Sao Tomé e Principe,
Mauritania, Mali, Niger, Chad, C.A.R., Senegal, The Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, Guinea,
Sierra Leone, Liberia, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Togo, Benin, Nigeria, Cameroon, Equatorial
Guinea, Gabon, Congo, Cabinda region of Angola, Zaire, Rwanda, Burundi.

1. Not more tiian £1000 will be disbursed from the fund in any one calendar year
and no single grant will exceed £500. Grants may be made as a single sum or in
instalments as Council deems fit.

2. Applications will only be considered from students at West African universities,
qualified West African scientists and West African amateur ornithologists; preference
will be given to students, and especially to postgraduate degree research.

3. The subject of the research must be primarily ornithological and the research
must take place within West Africa.

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Malimbus 15

4. Applications may be submitted at any time, to the Secretary to Council,
1 Uppingham Road, Oakham, Rutland, LE 15 6JB, U.K.

5. Apphcations must be submitted in duplicate, in either English or French, and
must include the following sections, of which sections a-d combined should not exceed
four typed pages:

a. aim of the research;

b. scientific justification for the research;

c. relevant background of related studies;

d. detailed account of methods to be employed; location and biotope of study

site(s); timing and duration of study;

e. detailed list of equipment and projected expenditure, indicating precisely for

which items funding is requested from WA.O.S.;

f. statement of funding which may already have been promised or granted by other

bodies;

g. statement of other funding bodies to which application has been made;

h. statement that any permits required for the research (e.g. ringing licences, permits

to work within the proposed study area etc.) have been acquired or applied for
(note that grants will not be disbursed until proof is supplied that such permits
have been acquired);

i. full curricula vitae of all participating investigators, including evidence of

nationality and list of previous scientific publications (selected reprints may be
sent as supporting documents);

j. degree for which the research may be registered and institution at which it will be

carried out;

k. name, address and qualifications of supervisor(s); preferably include supporting

letters from supervisor (s); for professionals, similar details should be provided
from Head of Department; for amateurs, reference of competence from an
established ornithologist or professional scientist.

l. names and addresses of two additional academic referees (other than supervisors).
It must be emphasised that applications cannot be considered unless all the above
material is supphed.

6. Applicants must give an undertaking to provide brief {c. one page) reports at six-
monthly intervals from the date the award is made. Grant recipients must also provide a
final report on completion of the project or of the part of it for which W.A.O.S. funding
was made, in a form suitable for publication in Malimbus. Applicants will be
encouraged to submit their full research results for publication in Malimbus and
editorial assistance may be made available to grant recipients to this end.

7. Applications will be considered by Council and may be sent by Council for
scientific comment to any other authority it considers appropriate. Council’s decision
regarding which projects to award and the amount of any grant to be made is final.

Alan Tye
for W.A.O.S. Council

1993

Notices

105

Bourses de Recherches de la S. O. O. A.

Au vu des résultats d’une enquête auprès des adhérents (cf. ci-dessus), le Conseil a
décidé d’offrir un certain nombre de petites bourses pour aider la recherche
ornithologique en Afrique de l’Ouest. Les conditions préliminaires à remplir sont
données ci-dessous, bien qu’elles puissent être modifiées à tout moment par le Conseil.
En ce qui concerne ces bourses, l’Afrique de l’Ouest est définie par les pays suivants;
les Iles du Cap-Vert, Sâo Tomé et Elle du Prince, Mauritanie, Mali, Niger, Tchad,
R.C.A., Sénégal, Gambie, Guinée-Bissau, Sierra Leone, Libéria, Côte d’ivoire, Ghana,
Togo, Bénin, Nigéria, Cameroun, Guinée Equatoriale, Gabon, Congo, région de
Cabinda en Angola, Zaïre, Rwanda et Burundi.

1. Il ne sera pas déboursé plus de £1000 par année civile et aucune bourse
n’excédera £500. Les dotations pourront être versées en une fois ou par tranches selon
la décision du Conseil.

2. Seules seront examinées les candidatures des étudiants d’universités ouest-
africaines, de scientifiques qualifiés et d’ornithologues amateurs de l’Ouest africain; la
préférence ira aux étudiants et particulièrement à ceux préparant une tJièse.

3. Le sujet de la recherche doit être d’abord l’ornithologie et se déroulera en
Afrique de l’Ouest.

4. Les candidatures peuvent être remises à n’importe quelle date à: The Secretary to
Council, 1 Uppingham Road, Oakliam, Rutland LE 15 6JB, UK.

5. Les candidatures doivent être remises en double exemplaire, soit en anglais soit
en français, et comprendre les rubriques suivantes, dont abcd n’excèderont pas un total
de quatre pages dactylographiées.

a. but de la recherche;

b. justification scientifique de cette recherche;

c. état des connaissances relatives au sujet;

d. description détaillée des techniques à utiliser; lieu(x) et biotope(s) du ou des

site(s) de l’étude; calendrier et durée;

e. hste détaillée du matériel et des dépenses envisagées, en précisant pour quel poste

le financement de la S. 0.0. A. est sollicité;

f. désignation des fonds qui pourraient être déjà promis ou accordées par d’autres

organismes

g. désignation des autres organismes de financement auxquels des demandes

auraient été faites;

h. indiquer que toutes autorisations de recherches (p. ex. permis de baguage, permis

de travailler sur le site d’étude envisagé etc...) ont été obtenues ou sollicitées
(noter que les bourses ne seront versées qu’après obtention de la preuve de ces
autorisations);

i. cunicultm vitae complet de tous ceux qui participent à cette recherche, y compris

document de nationalité et liste des publications scientifiques (un choix de tirés
à part pourra étayer le dossier);

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Notices

Malimbus 15

j. diplôme pour lequel celte recherche peut être enregistrée et laboratoire où elle se

déroulera;

k. nom, adresse et qualifications du ou des directeur(s); si possible, avec une lettre

de recommandation de ces directeurs; pour les professionels, ees détails devront
être fournis par le responsable du département; pour les amateurs, attestation de
compétenee par un omitliologue qualifié ou un professionnel;

l. noms et adresses de deux autres autorités académiques (en sus des directeurs).
Nous insistons sur le fait que les candidatures ne seront examinés qu’après réception de
tous les documents cités ci-dessus.

6. Les candidats s’engageront à fournir un bref rapport (c. une page) tous les six
mois à partir de l’obtention des fonds. Ils devront aussi fournir à la elôture du projet (ou
d’une de ses phases), financé par la S. O. O. A., un rapport final qui convienne à la
publication dans Malimbus. Il est recommandé aux boursiers de la S.O.O.A. de
soumettre la totalité de leurs résultats de recherches à Malimbus et la Rédaetion pourra
les aider à cet effet.

7. Les candidatures seront examinées par le Conseil et pourront être soumises à
toute autre personnalité jugée compétente. Les décisions du Conseil sur le choix des
projets à finaneer ou sur le montant des bourses seront sans appel.

Alan Tye

pour le Conseil d’Administration de la S.O.O.A.

Recent Literature Supplements

One of the respondents to the recent questionnaire suggested resurrecting tlie Recent
Literature Supplements to Malimbus, whieh used to be produced by Prof C.H. Fry. In
the Editorial of the last issue, I welcomed the idea, but explained why they had lapsed. I
am delighted to be correeted by Prof Fry and by Dr R.J. Dowsett, Editor of Tauraco,
who inform me that the supplements have in fact been continued. Four hundred
references were abstracted in Tauraco 2(1), and a similar number will appear in the next
issue. This is considerably more African titles than covered by any other abstract
service. The bibliography 1971-90, eompiled by Hilary Fry and checked and expanded
by Dr Dowsett and Dr F. Dowsett-Lemaire, is scheduled to be published at the end of
1993. If anyone wishes to assist in preparation of the supplements, he or she is welcome
to contact Dr Dowsett at 12 rue des Lavandes, 34190 Ganges, France.

Alan Tye

Suppléments de Bibliographie Récente

Une des personnes interrogées par le récent questionnaire suggérait de reprendre les
“Recent Literature Supplements” de Malimbus, préparés habituellement par le Prof

1993

Notices

107

C.H. Fry. Dans l’éditorial du dernier numéro, bien que je trouve l’idée excellente, j’ai
expliqué pourquoi ils avaient cessé de paraifre. J’ai le plaisir d’être contredit par Prof.
Fry et par le Dr R. J. Dowsett, Editeur de Tauraco, qui m’apprennent que les
suppléments continuent en effet. Quatre cents références ont été analysées dans
Tauraco 2(1) et autant paraîtront dans le prochain numéro. Cela fait bien plus de
références africaines que n’en offre aucun autre service bibliographique. La
bibliographie 1971-90, préparée par Hilary Fry, revue et augmentée par les Drs Dowsett
et F. Dowsett-Lemaire, devait paraître fin 1993. Si quelqu’un désire aider à la
préparation des suppléments, qu’il veuille bien s’adresser à M. Dowsett, 12 rue des
Lavandes, 34190 Ganges, France.

Alan Tye

Languages of publication fiîMtdimbm

Since analysing the results of the recent questiormaire (see the previous issue and
elsewhere in this one) more replies have continued to be received. These largely
confirm the analysis results. One additional suggestion, from a German member, was
that papers should be accepted in German. This it has not bœn possible to accept, since
German is not a language widely understood in West African ornithological cirles, and
every journal has to have its language limits: indeed, Malimbus is exceptional these
days in accepting papers in more than one language. However, I should like to assure
German contributors, and others whose first language is not English or French, that I
and the editorial board will provide every assistance to authors in polishing their
contributions in our two languages of publication. Language difficulties should not be
allowed to prevent the publication of important scientific data and authors should not
shy from submitting their work in language that may not be perfect.

Alan Tye

Langues de publication dans Malimbus

Depuis l’analyse des résultats du récent questionnaire (cf. le numéro précédent ainsi que
celui-ci), d’autres réponses ont continué de nous parvenir. Elles confirment dans
l’ensemble cette analyse. Un adhérent allemand a en outre suggéré que Ton accepte les
articles en allanand. Cette proposition n’a pas été retenue car l’allemand n’est pas une
langue répandue dans les milieux ornithologiques de TOuest africain et toute revue doit
avoir ses limites sur le plan linguistique: en effet. Malimbus est actuellement une
exception puisqu’il accepte des textes en plus d’une langue. Cependant, je tiens à
assurer aux auteurs allanands, et à ceux dont la langue maternelle n’est ni l’anglais ni le
français, que le comité de rédaction et moi-même leur procurons toute Laide nécessaire
à l’amélioration de leur manuscrit dans Lune ou l’autre langue de la revue. Les

108

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Malimbus 15

difficultés linguistiques ne sauraient être un obstacle à la publication d’importantes
données scientifiques et les auteurs ne doivent pas hésiter à soumettre leurs travaux sous
une forme qui laisserait à désirer.

Alan Tye

W.A.O.S. biennial meeting, 6-8 May 1994

The third biennial meeting of tire Society will be held on 6-8 May 1994 at Kampen,
near the IJssel estuary in the Netherlands, based on an hotel there. It may also be
possible to offer an alternative of cheaper accommodation. A package by minibus from
Harwich via the Hook of Holland, arranged by Roger Beecroft of Halcyon Holidays,
may be available for members travelling to the meeting from Britain. For full details of
the meeting and travel package, send a self-addressed envelope to one of the following:
Mrs A.M. Moore, 1 Uppingham Road, Oakham, Rutland LE 15 6JB, U.K.;

Dr M.-Y. Morel, 1 route de Sallenelles, 14860 Bréville-les-Monts, France;

J. Nap, Henri Dunantstraat 7, 8264 AB Kampen, Netherlands.

Amberley Moore

Réunion bisannuelle de la S.O.O.A., 6-8 mai 1994

La troisième réunion bisannuelle de la Société se tiendra du 6 au 8 mai 1 994 à Kampen,
près de l’embouchure de l’IJssel, aux Pays-Bas, dans un hôtel local. II sera sans doute
possible de proposer un logement moins cher à quelques membres. Pour recevoir par la
suite plus de détails sur la réunion, envoyez une enveloppe avec vos nom et adresse à;
Mme M.-Y. Morel, 1 route de Sallenelles, 14860 Bréville-les-Monts, France, ou à
M. J. Nap, Henri Dunantstraat 7, 8264 AB Kampen, Pays-Bas, ou à
Mme A. M. Moore, 1 Uppingliam Road, Oakliam, Rutland LE 15 6JB, Angleterre.

Amberley Moore

British Birdwatching Fair 1993

Once again, generous sponsorship (which provided half the cost of mounting the stand)
by the Bird and Wildlife Bookshop of Piccadilly, London, enabled the Society to
present a display at the annual Birdwatching Fair, held at Rutland Water on 20-22
August 1993. During the tliree days of the fair, the W.A.O.S. stand attracted many of
the 10500 visitors.

Ian Wallace generously donated one of his paintings, a watercolour of a Blue Fairy
Flycatcher Elminia longicauda, which was raffled. The wiimer was Mr J. Spencer of

1993

Notices

109

Cambridge. The Rev. and Mrs Torn Gladwin kindly donated books for additional
prizes, which wctc won by Mrs H. Corbet and Mr J. Knowles. The money raised was
sufficient to cover Üie remaining expenses of running the stall and to make a modest
addition to tibe Society’s funds. New members were recruited and the fair provided an
opportunity to meet some of the ornithologists currently working in West Africa.

Thanks are due to Francis Stone and Geoffrey Field, who travelled to Rutland
Water to man the stall.

The fair this year was in aid of tiie BirdLife International Polish Wetlands Projet
and the organisers expect it to have raised £40000 for this purpose.

Amberley Moore

The ecological roles and value of sandgrouse: request for information.

Sandgrouse of the genus Pierocles inhabit hot, semi-arid and arid biotopes, preferring
stony areas or low shrubby growüi. They feed predominantly on hard seeds, especially
of legumes (Fabaceae). Six species are endemic to Africa, and six are shared between
northern Africa and Asia. India and Madagascar each have one endemic species. All are
adapted to exploit the often ephemeral productivity of semi-arid ecosystems (Maclean
1976 Pma Ini Om, Congr. 16: 502-526, 1985 S, Afr. J. Wild! Res. 15; 1-6, Thomas
1984a & Afr. J. ZooL 19: 113-120, 1984b J. Arid Environ. 7: 157-181). The natural
history of sandgrouse (Pteroclidae) has been reviewed by Maclean & Fry (1986 pp.
422-441 in Urban, E.K., Fry, C.H. & Keith, S. (eds) The Birds of Africa, vol. 2,
Academic Press, London) and Campbell & Lack (1985 A Dictionary of Birds, Poyser,
Calton). Although sandgrouse behavioural and physiological ecology is fairly well
known, there is little recent documentation of their demography, ecological roles or
value as a sustainable natural resource. Sandgrouse can occur at very high densities.
Meinertzhagen (1954 Birds of Arabia, Oliver & Boyd, London) reported that huge
flocks of Pin-tailed Sandgrouse P. alchata darkened the Arabian skies early this
century, and Baker (1921 The Game-birds of India, Burma and Ceylon, John Bale, Sons
& Danielsson, London) speculated that this was file '‘quail” which provided for the
wandCTing Israelites. Baker (1921) and Lynn-Allen (1951 Shot-gun and Sunlight: the
Game Birds of East Africa, Batchworth, London) described file great value placed on
sandgrouse hunting at their traditional watering sites and in conjunction with falconiy,
and their importance as a source of protein for indigenous peoples in East Aftrca and
India. Ali & Ripley (1969 Handbook of the Birds of India and Pakistan, Oxford
University Press, London) tell of “prestige” shoots of Black-bellied Sandgrouse P.
orientalis for ent^taining British Viceroys, Governors and notables. Witherby (1902
Bird Hunting on the White Nile, The Office of “Knowledge”, London) reported
“sandgrouse shooting at many points along the banks of the White Nile”. Recently,
commercial shooting of Namaqua P. namaqua and Spotted P. burchelli Sandgrouse has
beoi offered at R 450 (US$ 150) per hunter per morning in South Africa. Although this

110

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Malimbus 15

embryonic industry supplements agriculture in a semi-arid environment, we believe that
this resource is under-valued and under-utilized.

Although any information (published or unpublished) on the ecology of sandgrouse,
particularly in terms of tlieir ecological roles as consumers and dispersers of seed and as
a source of food and recreation for humans, is welcome, we specifically require answers
to the following questions.

1 . Where are high population density nuclei for each species of sandgrouse?

2. How big are these populations?

3. What are their limiting factors {e.g. habitat destruction for agriculture, human
predation etc.)l

4. Are these populations utilized for human food or recreation (hunted, trapped,
netted etc.J!

5. If so, how many birds are taken each hunting season, year?

6. Is tliis for subsistence, socializing or commerce?

7. What are the values of these bags, as protein sources or as commercial (paid)
hunting?

Please specify sandgrouse species, locality, country, or region wherever possible.

Please also send information or addresses of any biologists, hunters,
conservationists, farmers etc. who might have such information.

R.M. Little & T.M. Crowe
Gamebird Research Programme, FitzPalrick Institute,
University of Capetown, Rondebosch 7700, Soutli Africa

Le rôle et la valeur écologique des gangas; demande dMnformation.

Les gangas du genre Pterocles habitent les milieux semi-arides et arides des régions
chaudes et préfèrent les zones caillouteuses ou une végétation buissonante basse. Ils se
nourrissent principalement de graines dures, en particulier de légmnineuses (Fabaceae).
Six espèces sont endémiques de l’Afrique et six se répartissent entre l’Afrique du Nord
et l’Asie. L’Inde et Madagascar ont chacun une espèce endémique. Toutes sont
adaptées à l’utilisation de la production souvent éphémère des écosystèmes semi-arides
(Maclean 1976 Proc. Int. Om. Congr. 16: 502-526, 1985 S. AJr. J. Wildl. Res. 15: 1-6,
Thomas 1984a 5. Afr. J. Zool 19: 113-120, 1984b J. Arid Environ. 7: 157-181). Une
révision de la famille des gangas (Pteroclidae) a été faite par Maclean & Fry (1986 pp.
422-441 in Urban, E.K., Fry, C.H. & Keith, S. (eds) The Birds of Africa, vol. 2,
Academie Press, London) et Campbell & Lack (1985 A Dictionary of Birds, Poyser,
Calton). Quoique l’écologie comportementale et physiologique soit assez bien connue,
on a peu de données récentes sur leur démograpliie, leur rôle écologique ou leur valeur
comme ressource naturelle durable. Les gangas peuvent atteindre de très fortes densités.
Meinertzhagen (1954 Birds of Arabia, Oliver & Boyd, London) rapportait que
d’énormes vols de Gangas cata P. alchata obscurcissaient le ciel d'Arabie au début du
siècle et Baker (1921 The Game-birds of India, Bumta and Ceylon, John Baie, Sons &

1993

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111

Danielsson, London) se demandait s’il ne s’agissait pas des “cailles” qui nourissaient
les Hébreux pendant l’Exode. Baker (1921) et Lynn-Allen (1951 Shot-gun and
Sunlight: the Game Birds of East Africa, Batchworth, London) signalaient la faveur
dont jouissait la chasse au ganga aux points d’eau traditionnels, associée à la
fauconnerie, et son importance comme source de protéines pour les indigènes de l’Est
africain et de l’Inde. Ali & Ripley (1969 Handbook of the Birds of India and Pakistan,
Oxford University Press, London) parlaient des chasses de prestige au Ganga unibande
P. orientalis pour les loisirs des Vice-roi, gouverneurs et personnalités britanniques.
Witherby (1902 Bird Hunting on the White Nile, The Office of “Knowledge”, London)
parlait du “tir au ganga en de nombreux points des rives du Nil Blanc”. Récemment, on
a proposé une chasse touristique des Gangas namaqua P. namaqua et de Burchell P.
burchelli à 450 R (1 50 $US) par chasseur et par matinée en Afrique du Sud. Bien que
cette industrie rudimentaire s’ajoute à l’agriculture dans un milieu semi-aride, nous
croyons que cette ressource est sous-estimée et sous-exploitée.

Bien que toutes les données (publiée ou inédites) sur l’écologie des gangas, en
particulier sur leur rôle écologique comme consommateurs et disséminateurs de graines
et comme source de nourriture et de loisirs, soient les bienvenues, nous sollicitons plus
précisément une réponse aux questions suivantes:

1 . Où sont les points de plus forte population pour chaque espèce de ganga?

2. Quelle est l’importance de ces populations?

3. Quels sont les facteurs hmitants (p. ex. destruction de l’habitat par l’agriculture,

prédation par l’homme etc.)l

4. Ces populations sont-elles exploitées pour l’alimentation humaine ou pour les
loisirs (chasse, piégeage, capture au filet etc.)l

5. Si oui, combien d’oiseaux est-il pris à chaque saison de chasse ou par année?

6. S’agit-il d’un moyen de subsistance, de relations sociales ou de commerce?

7- Quelle est la valeur de ces prises comme source de protéines ou comme chasse
(rémunérée) commerciale?

Veuillez préciser autant que possible l’espèce de ganga, la localité, le pays ou la

région.

Veuillez aussi nous envoyer renseignements ou adresses de tous biologistes,
chasseurs, spécialistes de la protection, cultivateurs etc. qui pourraient détenir de telles
données.

R.M. Little & T.M. Crowe
Gamebird Research Programme, FitzPatrick Institute,
University of Capetown, Rondebosch 77(X), South Africa

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Malimbus 15

Red-eyed Dove -- Tourterelle à collier - Sireptopdia semüorquMm
Photo M.E.X Gore

Instructions aux Auteurs

Malimbus publie des Articles, des Notes courtes, des Analyses d’ouvrages, des Lettres
et des illustrations traitant de l’ornithologie ouest-africaine. Les Notes courtes sont des
articles de moins de 1000 mots (références comprises) ou de 2 pages imprimées. Les
textes sont acceptés en anglais et en français. Ceux déjà publiés ailleurs, en tout ou
partie, seront normalement refusés. Autant que possible, les manuscrits auront été
auparavant soumis au moins à un ornithologue ou biologiste pour un examen minutieux.
Les manuscrits seront envoyés pour critique à au moins un lecteur compétent.

Les textes soumis seront tapés en deux exemplaires, d’un seul côté de la page,
double interhgne et avec larges marges. Les tirages sur imprimante matricielle ne seront
acceptés que s’ils ont la “qualité-courrier”. Les auteurs ne doivent pas envoyer un
double de leur disquette en même temps que l’article qu’ils soumettent, mais sont priés
d’indiquer s’ils peuvent le faire dans le cas où leur article serait accepté. Les disquettes
seront retournées aux auteurs. Consultez l’Éditeur pour des détails supplémentaires,
c’est-à-dire les programmes de texte compatibles.

Les Conventions concernant les tableaux, les chiffres, le système métrique, les
références, etc. peuvent être trouvées dans ce numéro et doivent être soigneusement
suivies. Notez en particulier que les dates s’abrégeront comme 2 fév 1990 mais dans un
texte pourront s’écrire en entier; que les heures s’écriront comme 6.45, 17.00; que les
coordonnées s’écriront comme 7°46’N, 16°4’W; que les nombres jusqu’à dix s’écriront
en entier, excepté devant une unité de mesure (p. ex. 6 m), que les nombres à partir de
11 s’écriront en chiffres sauf au début d’une phrase. Toute Référence citée dans
l’article, et aucune autre, doit figurer dans la bibliographie.

Les Articles contenant de longues Listes d’Espèces seront sous forme de tableaux
(p. ex Malimbus 1: 49-54) ou sous forme de texte comme dans Malimbus 1: 90-109.
Les noms et la séquence systématique des listes suivront Brown et al. (1982), Urban et
al. (1986) et Fry et al. (1988) The Birds of Africa, vols 1-3 (Academie Press, London)
pour les non-passereaux et White (1960-1963) Revised Checklists of African Passerine
Birds, Hall & Moreau (1970) An Atlas of Spéciation in African Passerine Birds (British
Museum (Natural History), London) ou Serle & Morel (1975) A Field Guide to the
Birds of West Africa (Collins, London) pour les passereaux, à moins de dormer dans le
texte les raisons pour s’écarter de ces auteurs.

Les Figures doivent être préparées pour une reproduction directe, permettant une
réduction de 20 à 50%; on se servira d’encre de chine sur papier blanc de boime qualité
ou calque épais et de caractères Letraset (ou équivalent) selon le cas. Pour le dessin des
Figures, tenir compte du format de Malimbus.

Tous les Articles (mais non les Notes courtes) comporteront un Résumé,
n’excédant pas 5% de la longeur totale. Le Résumé mentionnera brièvement les
principales résultats et conclusions de l’Article et ne sera pas un simple compte rendu
du travail. Les résumés seront publiés à la fois en anglais et en français et seront traduits
au mieux par le Rédaction.

Vingt Tirés-à-part des Articles (mais non des Notes courtes) seront envoyés gratis
à l’auteur ou à l’auteur principal. Les tirés-à-part ne seront ni agrafés, ni reliés ou
recouverts; ces sont de simples extraits de la revue.

Malimbus 15 (2) October 1993
Contents

Population density of Red-throated Bee-eaters Merops bullocki
in a pristine habitat.

H.Q.P. Crick. 61-67

Additions and corrections to the avifauna of Congo.

F. Dowsett Lemaire, R. J. Dowsett & P. Bulens. 68-80

Nichoirs artificiels utilisés par le Petit Calao à bec rouge
Tockus erythrorhynchus.

M.S. Diop & B. Tréca 81-88

Short Notes

Nouvelles données de distribution pour deux espèces d'oiseaux au

Burkina Faso. G. Balança & M.N. de Visscher. 89-90

The status of the Black Swift Apus barbatm in western West Africa.

W. Gatter. 90-91

Manx Shearwater Puffinus puffinus, new to Ivoiy Coast.

R. A. Cheke. 92

An unusual record of Fulvous Tree-Duck Dendwcygna bicolor
breeding in the Hadejia-Nguru Wetlands, northeastern Nigeria.

A. U. Ezealor. 92-93

Albinism in Spur-winged Goose Plectropterus gambensis.

A. U. Ezealor. 93-94

On the laying period of the Egyptian Goose Alopochen aegyptiacus
in the delta of the River Senegal.

P. Triplet, B. Trolliet, P. Yésou & B. Tréca. 94-95

A long lived Common Bulbul Pycnonotus barbatm in Nigeria.

R.J. Dowsett. 95-96

Book Reviews 97-100

Notices

Results of questionnaire on use of W.A.O.S. funds.- 101-103

W. A. O.S. Research Grants. 103-106

Recent literature supplements. 106-107

Languages of publication of Malimbus. 1 07- 1 08

W.A.O.S. biennial meeting, 6-8 May 1994. 108

British Birdwatching Fair 1 993. 1 08-109

Ecological roles and value of sandgrouse; request for information. 109-1 1 1

MALIMBUS

Journal of the West African Ornithological Society
Revue de la Société d’Ornithologie de FOuest Africain

Volume 16 (1994) Index
Compiled by J.H. Elgood

2

I Systematic Names

Nomenclature follows Dowsett, R.J. & Forbes-Watson, A.D. (1993) Checklist of Birds
of the Afrotropical and Malagasy Regions, Tauraco Press, Liège (= DFW), except
where taxa considered subspecies by DFW are treated as full species by authors (e.g.
Acrocephalus baeticatus used by an author would be separately listed, although
submerged in A. scirpaceus by DFW). Synonyms used in articles in the journal (mainly
from The Birds of Africa) are referred by parentheses to the names used by DFW
(unless very close, e.g. sharpei/ sharpii) and page numbers are also given under DFW’s
name. Where a species has been split by DFW but not by an author, the broader
specific name is given in parentheses {e.g. Anhinga ( melanogaster ) rufa, the latter name
being that used by DFW). Names in parentheses with an “ = ” sign are DFW names,
thus '‘Campephaga ( = Lobotos) lobata” means that the author used Campephaga while
DFW use Lobotos; ‘'Alcedo (Corythornis) cristatus” means that at least one author
used Corythornis but DFW use Alcedo. All references to a species are listed under the
DFW name (e.g. Alcedo), whatever genus the author may have used, but under the
alternative name are listed only those so-called by authors. The aim of this system is
that all references should be findable by using DFW names, whether those names are
used by authors or not.

Italic numbers signify an illustration.

Accipiter badius 1 3
erythropus 13, 35, 105
melanoleucus 13, 78, 105
tachiro 13, 35, 105
Acrocephalus arundinaceus 23
rufescens 42
schoenobaenus 23, 42
scirpaceus 23, 42
Actitis hypoleucos 11, 15
Actophilornis africanus 14, 79
Agapornis swindernianus 37, 107, 122
Agelastes meleagrides 12, 14
Alcedo (Corythornis) cristata 16
(Corythornis) leucogaster 17, 109
quadribrachys 16, 82
Alethe diademata 2^, 41, 115
poliocephala 23, 115
Amandava subflava 28, 47
Amaurornis flavirostris 14
Amblyospiza albifrons 27, 45, 86
Anas acuta 123
Andropadus ansorgei 22, 113
curvirostris 22, 40, 113
gracilirostris 22, 40, 114
gracilis 22, 40, 113
latirostris 22, 40, 114
virens 22, 40, 114

Anhinga (melanogaster) rufa 77, 127
Anous stolidus 80
tenuirostris 80
Anthreptes collaris 26, 118
fraseri 26, 116, 118
longuemarei 44
rectirostris 26, 85, 118

Anthoscopus flavifrons 118
Anthus cervinus 19
leucophrys 19, 112
similis 19, 84
trivialis 19, 84, 112, 124
Apalis flavida 43
nigriceps 24, 85, 116
sharpii 24, 116, 122
Apaloderma narina 108
Apus (Tachymarptis) aequatorialis 82,
108

affinis 16, 108
apus 16, 108
caffer 16, 37, 108
pallidus 82

Ardea cinerea 13, 104
goliath 12

melanocephala 10, 78
purpurea 13, 77
Ardeola ralloides 5, 15
Arenaria interpres 80
Aviceda cuculoides 13

Baeopogon indicator 22, 40, 114
Bathmocercus cerviniventris 12, 24
Batis minor 44
occulta 117, 122
Bias musicus 26
Bleda canicapilla 22, 114
eximia 114
syndactyla 22, 114
Bostrychia olivacea 104, 122
hagedash 78

3

Botauras stellaris 13
Bradornis pallidus 44
Bubo africanus 16
leucostictus 108, 122
poensis 108
Bubulcus ibis 12, 104
Buccanodon duchaillui 18, 38, 111
Burhinus senegalensis 79
vermiculatus 79
Buteo auguralis 14, 78, 104
Butorides striatus 12, 104
Bycanistes (Ceratogymna) cylindricus
18, 122

(Ceratogymna) fistulator 18, 83, 110

Calidris ferraginea 36
minuta 5, 36, 80
temminckii 36
Calonectris diomedea 77
Calyptodchla serina 22, 114
Camaroptera brachyura 24, 85, 116
chloronota 24, 43, 116
superciliaris 43, 116
Campephaga ( = Lobotos) lobata 12,
22, 84

phoenicea 22, 84
quiscalina 22, 40
Campethera caroli 19, 38, 112
maculosa 18, 111, 122
nivosa 19, 38, 111
Canirallus oculeus 106
Caprimulgus climacurus 16
inornatus 37
nigriscapularis 37
Centropus grillii 37
leucogaster 16, 108
monachus 37
senegalensis 16, 108

Ceratogymna atrata 18, 83, 110
( = Bycanistes) cylindricus 122
elata 18, 33, 110
( = Bycanistes) fistulator 110
Cercococcyx mechowi 16, 107
olivinus 16, 107
Cercotrichas ( = Erythropygia)
leucosticta 115, 122
podobe 5

Ceryle ( = Megaceryle) maxima 16, 82
rudis 16, 82

Ceuthmochares aereus 16, 107
Ceyx lecontei 37, 109
pictus 17, 109

Chaetura ( = Rhaphidura) sabini 16, 82
( = Telecan thura) ussheri 16

Charadrius dubius 36
forbesi 15, 79
tricollaris 57-58
Chiidonias leucopterus 36
(Sterna) niger 80
Chlorocichla falkensteini 40
flavicollis 22
simplex 22, 40, 114
Chloropeta natalensis 42
Chrysococcyx caprius 16, 107
cupreus 16, 107, 115
klaas 16, 107

Ciccaba ( = Strix) woodfordii 16
Cichladusa ruficauda 33
Ciconia episcopus 13
Cinnyricinclus leucogaster 20
Circaetus cinereus 13, 35
Circus aeruginosus 13
macrourus 5
Cisticola aberrans 85
brachyptems 24
cantans 42
erythrops 24, 42
galactotes 43
lateralis 24, 42, 116
natalensis 43
Clamator glandarius 1 5
(Oxylophus) levaillantii 15, 107
Clytospiza ( = Euschistospiza)
dybowskii 46
monteiri 46
Columba guinea 4
iriditorques 15, 106
unicincta 15
Coracias abyssinica 17
naevia 17

Coracina azurea 22
Corvus albus 20, 86
Corythaeola cristata 15, 81, 103, 107
Corythornis ( = Alcedo) cristata 16
( = Alcedo) leucogaster 17, 109
Cossypha cyanocampter 23, 41, 85
niveicapilla 23
Coturnix chinensis 35, 78
Crecopsis (Crex) egregia 14, 36, 106
Crinifer piscator 15, 81
Criniger barbatus 22, 114
calurus 22, 114

olivaceus 12, 23, 100, 101, 114, 122
ndussumensis 41
Cuculus clamosus 16, 107, 115
gularis 16

solitarius 15, 37, 107
Cypsiurus parvus 16, 82, 108

4

Delichon urbica 19, 84
Dendrocygna viduata 78
Dendropicos fuscescens 19, 38
gabonensis 19, 112
poecilolaemus 38
( = Thripias) pyrrhogaster 112
Dicrurus adsimilis 20
atripennis 20
ludwigii 20

Drymocichia incana 10, 24, 43
Dryoscopus gambensis 20, 84, 112
sabini 20

Dryotriorchis spectabilis 13, 105, 122
Dyaphorophyia (Platysteira) blissetti 26
(Platysteira) castanea 26, 44, 117
(Platysteira) concreta 26

Egretta alba 13
garzetta 13
gularis 13
intermedia 35
Elanus caeruleus 13, 78
Elminia (Trochocercus) nigromitrata 26
Emberiza cabanisi 44
( = Miliaria) calandra 124
forbesi ( = affinis) 44
Eremomela badiceps 25, 116
Eremopteryx leucotis 5
Erythrocercus mccallii 26, 118
Erythropygia (Cercotrichas)
leucosticta 115, 122
Estrilda astrild 28, 47, 85
atricapilla 47

( = Lagonosticta) larvata 47
melpoda 28, 94=99, 120
nonnula 47
Euplectes afer 46
ardens 27, 46
gierowii 34
hordeaceus 27
macrourus 27
Eupodotis melanogaster 14
Eurystomus giaucurus 17, 83, 110
gularis 17, 37, 83, 110
Euschistospiza (Clytospiza) dybowskii 46

Falco ardosiaceus 14, 35
biarmicus 14
subbuteo 78
tinnunculus 14
Ficedula albicollis 43
hypoleuca 25, 43
semitorquata 43

Francolinus ahantensis 14, 78, 106, 122
bicalcaratus 14
lathami 14, 106
Fraseria cinerascens 44, 85
ocreata 43, 85, 117

Galerida modesta 56-67
Gallinago gallinago 36
Gallinuia angulata 14, 36, 79

Glareola pratincola 79
Glaucidium tephronotum 108, 122
Guttera pucherani 14
Gymnobucco bonapartei 37
calvus 18, 110
peli 110
sladeni 38

Gypohierax angolensis 1,8, 13, 78, 105

Halcyon badia 17, 108, 115
chelicuti 17, 82
leucocephala 17, 83
malimbica 108
senegalensis 17, 109
Haliaeetus vocifer 13
Heliolais (Prinia) erythroptera 43
Hieraaetus ayresii (dubius) 6, 78, 105, 122
Himantopus himantopus 15, 36, 79, 106
Hippolais polyglotta 23, 42
Hirundo abyssinica 112
fuligula 84

( = Pseudhirundo) griseopyga 2

lucida 19

nigrita 19, 39, 84

preussi 33

rufigula

rustica 19, 39, 112
senegalensis 19, 108
smithii 39

Hydrobates pelagicus 77
Hylia prasina 25, 43, 117
Hyliota violacea 25, 117, 122
Hypargos ( = Mandingoa) nitidulus 28, 46

Illadopsis (Malacocincla, Trichastoma)
cleaveri 23, 41, 115
(Malacocincla, Trichastoma)
fulvescens 23, 41, 115
(Trichastoma) rufescens 116, 122
(Malacocincla, Trichastoma)
rufipennis 23, 115
Indicator conirostris 18, 111
maculatus 18, 38, 111
willcocksi 84, 111

5

Ixobrychus minutas 12, 35, 77
sturmii 104
Ixonotus guttatus 114

Jynx torquilla 84

Kaupifalco monogrammicus 14

Lagonosticta (Estrilda) larvata 47
rara 28

rabricata 47, 85
rufopicta 28, 47
senegala 28, 93

Lamprotomis caudatas 40, 74, 86
chalcurus 40
cupreocauda 122
(Spreo) pulcher 98
purpureiceps 40
splendidus 86

Laeiarius ferrugineus 20, 84
leucorhynchus 20, 39, 84, 112
Lanius collaris 20, 39, 84, 87
excubitor 5
senator 20
Larus fuscus 36, 80
ridibundus 80
sabini 80

Limosa lapponica 80
Lobotos (Campephaga) lobatus 12, 22, 84
Lonchura bicolor 28, 47, 88^93, 94-99, 120
cucullata 28, 88-93, 94-99, 120
fringilloides 28, 47, 120
Lophaetus occipitalis 14, 105
Luscinia megarhynchos 23
Lybius bidentatos 18
( = Tricholaema) hirsutus 18
vielloti 18, 83
Lymnocryptes minimus 32

Macheiramphus aicinus 13, 35
Macrodipteryx longipermis 16, 82
Macronyx croceus 19, 39, 112
Macrosphenus concolor 25, 116
kempi 25, 117, 122

Malacocincla ( = Illadopsis) cleaveri 23, 41
( = Illadopsis) Mvescens 23, 41
( = Illadopsis) rafipennis 23
Malaconotus cruentus 20
lagdeni 112, 122
multicolor 20, 112

Malimbus ballmanni 12, 27, 86
cassini 45

malimbicus 27, 45, 120
nitens 27, 45, 120
rubricollis 27, 45, 120
scutatus 27, 119
sp„ 115

Mandingoa (Hypargos) nitidula 28, 46
Megabyas flammulatus 10, 25, 85, 117
Megaceryle (Ceryle) maxima 16, 82
Melaenornis annamarulae 25
Melichneutes robustus 18
Melierax (Micronisus) gabar 5, 13
Melocichla (Sphenoeacus) mentalis 23
Merops albicollis 17, 83, 110
breweri 8
gularis 17, 83, 109
malimbicus 2
muelleri 17, 83, 109
nubicus 17
pusillus 17, 83
superciliosus 83
Mesopicos goertae 19, 84
( = Thripias) pyrrhogaster 19
Micronisus ( = Melierax) gabar 1 3
Miliaria (Emberiza) calandra 124
Mil vus migrans 13, 105
Mirafra africana 84
Motacilla aguimp 84
Clara 19
flava 19, 112
Muscicapa adusta 43
caerulescens 25, 34
cassini 85
comitata 25, 117
epulata 25, 117

( = Myioparus) griseigularis 43, 117
olivascens 25, 117, 122
striata 25, 117, 124
ussheri 117, 122
Mycteria ibis 13

Myioparus (Muscicapa) griseigularis
43, 117
plumbeus 117

Neafrapus cassini 108
Necrosyrtes monachus 1 3
Nectarinia adelberti 26, 85, 119
batesi 118
bouvieri 44
chloropygia 26, 119
coccinigaster 27, 85
cuprea 26, 85
cyanolaema 26, 119
johannae 27, 119

6

Nectarinia minulla 119
olivacea 26
osea 44
preussi 34
rubescens 44
seimundi 118
superba 27, 44, 119
venusta 26
verticalis 26, 119

Neocossyphus ( = Stizorhina) finschi 115
poensis 23, 41, 115
Neotis denhami 14
Nesocharis capistrata 28, 47
Nettapus auritus 35, 78
Nicator chloris 23, 115
Nigrita bicolor 28, 46, 86, 120
canicapilla 28, 46, 120
fusconata 28, 46, 120
luteifrons 46
Numenius arquata 80
phaeopus 11

Nycticorax nycticorax 12, 77

Oceanodroma leucorhoa 77
Onychognathus fulgidus 20, 86
Oriolus brachyrhynchus 20, 39, 86
nigripennis 20, 40
Ortygospiza atricollis 86
Otus icterorhynchus 108, 122
leucotis 16

Oxylophus ( = Clamator) levaillantii 107

Pachycoccyx audeberti 52
Pandion haliaetus 35, 78
Parmoptila rubrifrons 28
woodhousei 46
Parus funereus 26
leucomelas 85
Passer domesticus 74, 86
griseus 28, 120
Pelecanus onocrotalus 5
rufescens 15

Pernis apivorus 13, 35, 78, 105
Petronia dentata 46
Phalacrocorax africanus 12
Phalaropus fulicarius 80
Philomachus pugnax 5
Phoeniconaias minor 7, 12
Phoeniculus ( = Rhinopomastus)
aterrimus 5
bollei 17, 83, 110
castaneiceps 17, 110

Phoenicurus phoenicurus 124
Pholidornis rushiae 25, 33, 117
Phyllanthus atripennis 23, 42
Phyllastrephus albigularis 41
icterinus 22, 40, 1 14
leucolepis 12

( = Pyrrhurus) scandens 22
xavieri 41

Phylloscopus sibilatrix 24, 42, 116
trochilus 24, 42

Picathartes gymnocephalus 20, 21
Pirinestes ( = Pyrenestes) ostrinus 28
Pitta angolensis 38
Platalea alba 78

Platysteira ( = Dyaphorophyia) blissetti 26
( = Dyaphorophyia) castanea 26, 44, 1 1 7
( = Dyaphorophyia) concreta 26
cyanea 26

Plectropterus gambensis 78
Plocepasser mahali 92
Ploceus albinucha 27, 119
baglafecht 45

cucullatus 27, 45, 98, 99, 119
heuglini 86
melanocephalus 45
nigerrimus 27, 45, 119
nigricollis 27, 119
ocularis 45
pelzeni 86
preussi 27, 45
superciliosus 27, 45
tricolor 27, 34, 86, 119
velatus 4

Podica senegalensis 14
Podiceps ( = Tachybaptus) ruficollis 77
Poeoptera lugubris 34, 86
Pogoniulus atroflavus 18, 38, 111
bilineatus 18
scolopaceus 18, 38, 111
subsulphureus 18, 38, 111
Poicephalus gulielmi 37, 106
senegalus 80

Polyboroides typus 13, 105

Porphyrula (Porphyrio) alleni 14, 36, 79
Prinia bairdii 43
( = Heliolais) erythroptera 43
subflava 24, 116
Prionops caniceps 20, 112
Prodotiscus insignis 18, 84, 111
Psalidoprocne nitens 19, 38, 112
obscura 19, 84, 112

Pseudhirundo (Hirundo) griseopyga 2, 19
Pseudochelidon eurystomina 1-9, 4, 71
Psittacula krameri 81
Psittacus erithacus 15, 81, 106

7

Pteronetta hartlaubii 13, 78, 105
Ptilostomus afer 74, 86
Pycnonotus barbatus 22
Pyrenestes (Pirinestes) ostrinus 28
sanguineus 120, 122
Pyrrhurus (Phyllastrephus) scandens 22

Queiea erythrops 27, 45, 120
quelea 27

Rhaphidura (Chaetura) sabini 16, 37,
82, 108

Rhinopomastus (Phoeniculus)
aterrimus 5
Riparia congica 32
paludicola 33, 38
riparia 19, 38

Rostratula benghalensis 15, 36
Rynchops flavirostris 80

Sarothrura elegans 14
pulchra 14, 106
rufa 36

Sasia africana 38, 111
Saxicola rubetra 23
Scopus umbretta 6, 13
Serinus mozambicus 85
Sheppardia cyomithopsis 23, 41
Smithornis capensis 112
rufolateralis 112

Spermophaga haematina 28, 47, 120
Sphenoeacus ( = Melocichla) mentalis 23
Spizaetus africanus 14, 32, 78, 106, 122
Sporopipes squamifrons 93
Spreo ( = Lamprotornis) pulcher 98
Stephanoaetus coronatus 14, 35, 78, 106
Stercorarius longicaudus 80
pomarinus 80
Sterna albifrons 80
dougallii 80

( = Chlidonias) nigra 80
Stiphrornis erythrothorax 23, 41, 115
Stizorhina (Neocossyphus) finschi 23, 115
Streptopelia decipiens 4
semitorquata 6, 15, 106
vinacea 4

Strix (Ciccaba) woodfordii 16, 108
Sturnus vulgaris 6
Sylvia atricapilla 24
borin 24, 42
communis 33

Sylvietta denti 25, 85, 116
virens 25, 43, 116

Tachybaptus (Podiceps) ruficollis 12, 77
Tachymarptis ( = Apus) aequatorialis 108
Tauraco macrorhynchus 15, 107
persa 15, 37, 107
schuetti 37

Tchagra australis 20, 38, 84, 112
minuta 20

Telecan thura melanopygia 108, 122
(Chaetura) ussheri 16, 108
Terpsiphone bates! 44
rufiventer 26, 44
viridis 26

Thescelocichla leucopleura 114
Threskiornis aethiopicus 12
Thripias (Dendropicos, Mesopicos)
pyrrhogaster 19, 112
Tigriornis leucolophus 35, 77, 104, 122
Tockus ( = Tropicranus) albocristatus 1 10
camurus 83, 110
fasciatus 17, 83, 110
hartlaubi 17, 83, 110
nasutus 5

Trachyphonus purpuratus 18, 38, 111
Treron calva 15, 76, 80, 106
Trichastoma ( = Illadopsis) cleaveri 115
( = Illadopsis) fulvescens 1 1 5
( = Illadopsis) rufescens 116, 122
( = Illadopsis) rufipennis 1 1 5
Tricholaema (Lybius) hirsuta 18, 38,

111

Tringa glareola 5
nebularia 5,11
ochropus 15, 106
stagnatilis 36, 80
totanus 36

Trochocercus ( = Elminia) nigromitratus
26

nitens 26, 44

Tropicranus (Tockus) albocristatus 18, 1 10
Turdus pelios 23, 85
( = Zoothera) princei 122
Turnix hottentotta 35
sylvatica 14, 79
Turtur afer 15, 106
brehmeri 15, 36, 106
tympanistria 15, 37, 106
Tyto alba 16, 53-55

Upupa epops 17, 83

Urocolius macrourus 4

Urotriorchis macrourus 14, 35, 105, 122

8

Vanellus senegallus 15 Zoothera (Turdus) princei 122

spinosus 79 Zosterops senegalensis 27, 119

Vidua macroura 28
wilsoni 46

Errata

P.22, line 3. Following Coracina azurea, “C. quiscalina” implies Coracina; should
read “Campephaga quiscalina”. Similarly “C. phoenicea” (line 6) denotes
Campephaga phoenicea and “C lobata'' (line 8) Campephaga iobata.

P.24, last full line. For “C. chlownota"' read “C. brachyura” .

P.35, four lines from bottom. For ''coturnix'' read ''Coturnix'\

P.80, six lines from bottom. For Rhyne hop s'’ read '' Rynchops" .

P.85, penultimate line. For '' Langonosticta" read "'Lagonosticta”.

II Authors and Contents

Akinpelu, A.L Moult and weight cycles in two species of Lonchura in Ile-Ife,
Nigeria. 88-93

Akinpelu, A.I. Breeding seasons of three estrildid species in Ile-Ife, Nigeria. 94-99.
Alexander-Marrack, P. Notes on a breeding colony of the African River Martin
Pseudochelidon eurystomina in Gabon. 1-9
Allport, G.A. & Fanshawe, J.R. Is the Thick-billed Cuckoo Pachycoccyx audeberti
a forest dependent species in West Africa? 52-53
Book Reviews. 59-66, 126-129

Cable, T.T. First record of Three-banded Plover Charadrius tricollaris in Ivory
Coast. 57-58

Change of editorial address. 73
Corrigendum. 125

Demey, R. & Fishpool, L.D.C. The birds of Yapo Forest, Ivory Coast. 100-122
Erard, C. & Morel, G. J. La sous-espèce du Cochevis modeste Galerida modesta en
Sénégambie. 56-57

Farnsworth, S.J. Corn Bunting Emberiza calandra in Mauritania and West Africa.
124-125

Germain, M. & Cornet, J.-P. Oiseaux nouveaux pour la République Centr-
africaine ou dont les notifications de ce pays sont peu nombreuses. 30-51
Gore, M.E.J. Bird records from Liberia. 74-87
Halleux, D. Annotated bird list of Macenta Prefecture, Guinea. 10-29
News & Letters. 67-68, 130-133
Society Notices. 69-72, 134-140
Tréca, B. Des pythons mangeurs de canards. 123-124

Yalden, D.W. A note on the diet of Barn Owls Tyto alba at Djoudj, Senegal. 53-55

MAUMBÜS

Journal of the West African Ornithological Society
Revue de la Société dOrnithologie de TOuest Africain

smfHs.

VOLUME 16 Number 1 June 1994

ISSN 0331-3689

West African Ornithological Society
Société d’ Ornithologie de l’Ouest Africain

Council 1994:

President: Dr Gérard J. Morel
Vice-president: John H. Elgood

Treasurer and Membership Secretary: Robert E. Sharland
Member of Council: Dr Max Germain
Secretary to Council: Mrs Amberley Moore
Managing Editor: Dr Alan Tye

Editorial Board: Dr R.A. Cheke, G.D. Field, Prof. C.H. Fry, A.A. Green, Prof. K.
Howell, G.S. Keith, Dr J.F. Walsh, Dr R. Wilkinson

Matintbus distribution: G.D. Field

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1994

1

Notes on a breeding colony of the African River Martin
Pseudochelidon eurystomina in Gabon

by Peter Alexander-Marrack

van Alkemadelaan 350/401, 2597 AS Den Haag, The Netherlands

Received 1 1 August 1992
Revised 1 February 1994

Summary

Observations of a breeding colony of African River Martins are reported from
the Port Gentil area, Gabon. An “open-bill” display, social gathering of nest-
material, and hole excavation are described. Predation by Palm-nut Vultures
Gypohiemx angolensis is inferred.

Résumé

Les observations sur une colonie d’Hirondelles de rivière aux environs de
Port Gentil, Gabon, sont présentées. Une parade du “bec-ouvert”, le
ramassage social des matériaux du nid et le creusement des troux sont décrits.
La prédation par le Vautour palmiste Gypohierax angolensis est inferée.

Introduction

Recent sununaries of the biology of the African River Martin Pseudochelidon
eurystomina have been compiled by Turner & Rose (1989) and Keith et ai (1992).
Breeding on sand bars on tiie Congo and Oubangui rivers has been described by
Ch^in (1953). During the early rainy season a part of the population breeds in the
coastal savannas of Gabon. H. Morand showed me a breeding colony near Gamba
(2'’45’S, 10’00’E) on 29 Oct 1988; some limited observations from this locahty have
been incorporated by Keith et al (1992). In September-October 1989 I made more
detailed observations of a breeding colony further north near Animba, 30 km SSE of
Port Gentil (0“58’S, 8°54’E), which are reported in this paper. There is no evidence
that the River Martins nested in this area during the three preceding years although a
flock of over 100 was seen flying over on 4 Sep 1988. They were again absent in
1990 and 1991 Stouthamer pers. comm.).

2

P.D. Alexander-Manack

Malimbus 16

Locality and Terrain

The main Animba breeding colony was situated in grassy savanna surrounded by
swamp forest. This site is 5 km from the Atlantic coast and 4 km from the nearest
river. A second, much smaller, colony was discovered in a separate savanna plain 2.5
km to the south-east. In contrast to the Gamba colony, where nest holes were
preferentially located in old sand ridges elevated 1.5 m above the surrounding plain,
both of the Animba colonies were constructed on a very gently inclined surface
within the plain, although in both cases well above the level reached by flooding
during the early part of the rainy season.

The soil consists mainly of white sand. Vegetation comprises grasses {Loudeiia
simplex, Rhynchelitrum filifolium) and sedges (Cyperus tenax) (P. Christy pers.
comm.). In September, at the end of the dry season, the grass was short, partly due
to seasonal burning, partly to grazing by buffalo and other herbivores, allowing
good views of the birds at the entrances to nest holes. With the onset of the rains,
the grass grew rapidly and, by the end of October, visibility of the nest holes was
much more restricted. Access to the edge of the colony by vehicle was possible
until 15 Oct 1989. Thereafter flooding of lower-lying parts of the plain necessitated
walking or wading the last 2 km of track. The main colony was situated close to an
old sand track leading to an abandoned village. The area was occasionally visited
by local farmers seeking freshwater fish in the surrounding swamp forest, and by
hunters.

Chronology

Although westward migration of River Martins across Gabon may begin as early as
April ^rosset & Erard 1986), the main passage occurs between June and early
September (Erard 1981). All the birds seen on passage in northeast Gabon in August
were in adult plumage (P. Christy pers. comm.). The birds arrive on the coast at
Gamba from mid-August onwards (D. Sargeant pers. comm.).

The first arrival of River Martins in the Animba study area was noted on 10 Sep
1989, when two birds flew over. On 23 Sep 1989, the main colony was discovered by
P. Stouthamer. My own observations began on the following day and continued every
weekend until tiie abandonment of the colony, with the exception of 5 Nov 1989
when heavy rain prevented access. Observations of the activities at the main colony
are summarised in Table 1.

The smaller colony had about 100 holes on 24 Sep 1989 (although at least one
was occupied by Grey-rumped Swallow Hirundo griseopyga), and was close to the
location where a colony of Rosy Bee-eaters Merops malimbicus had nested the
previous year, but not in 1989. It appeared to be progressively abandoned during the
study period, with no evidence of successful breeding. Few holes showed signs of

1994

Breeding African River Martins

3

fresh sand excavation on 15 Oct. Possibly the majority of the River Martins moved to
the main colony. All observations which follow refer to the main colony.

Table 1. Chronology of activitie§ at a colony of Pseudochelidon eurystondna at
Animba, Gabon, in 1989.

Sep October Nov

Observation dates:

24

1

8

15

22

29 11

Open-bill, wing-quivering display

X

X

X

X

Excavation of nest-holes

X

X

X

Gathering of nest material

X

X

X

X

Broken egg-shells at surface

X

Adults bringii^ food to nests

X

X

X

X

Adidts carrying away faecal sacs

X

X

X

Naked nestlings seen at surface

X

Gypohiemx at colony

X

X

Numbers of adult Martins seen

300

600

600

430

300

100 0

Colony area, density and population

The approximate area of the main colony was estimated (by pacing out the perimeter
with a compass) as 3900 m^ on 24 Sep 1989. Locally there were as many as 9 holes
per m^, although many of these were probably abortive attempts (or perhaps used by
unpaired individuals for roosting). The minimum distance between pairs of birds on
the ground was estimated (from photographs) as about 60 cm, equivalent to 2-3 pairs
perm^

Table 1 shows some estimates of numbers of individuals visible at the surface of
the colony, made in the late afternoons (17.00-17.45) when the majority had returned
from feeding. Because some birds were already within the holes (incubating), these
figures are minimum estimates.

Displays and calls

Observations were made from inside a vehicle on the perimeter of the colony. All
birds further than 2 m away ignored the car.

An “open-bill” display given on the ground was noted during the first four weeks,
but was most p-evalent on 24 Sep 1989. One bird, with bill open, wings drooped and
quivering and throat feathers raised, approached another from the side or from

4

P.D. Alexmider-Mamck

Malimbus 16

Figure 1. *‘Open-biir displays of River Martins. The sketches are traced from

photographs.

1994

Breeding African River Martins

5

behind, keeping its head lower than the second bird and often looking up at it (Fig. 1).
This display was accompanied by distinctive “greek greek” calls. In one case, the first
bird attempted to copulate with the second. In most cases, the second bird was not
receptive and repulsed the first. An open bill without wing -quivering, by an
unreceptive bird, preceded attack. No successful copulations were actually observed;
it is possible that this takes place in depressions within the colony where the birds are
obscured from view by clumps of grass. Soliciting birds were sometimes persistent
and were repeatedly driven off. However, an unsuccessful individual often tried its
luck with other birds in adjacent parts of the colony. On one occasion, two birds were
seen apparently attempting copulation with a third bird, all three with open bills; they
all flew off together. In another case, a soliciting bird was driven off by the second
bird, A^iiich then proceeded to sohcit a third individual. Once a soliciting bird, after
being driven off, entered a hole. In another case, a displaying bird (with open bill)
was mounted by one which was not displaying. In another, a soliciting bird
^proached a second, which did not attack but assumed a parallel position with wings
droqping and throat feathers raised, before entering a nearby hole. This was repeated
three times at the same location within 5 min., but the first bird did not follow the
secOTid into the hole.

This display was not confined to the area around the nest-holes; soliciting
individuals continued to display to other birds within a flock collecting nest material
from the periphery of the colony. D. Sargeant (pers. comm.) has observed the same
display on the beach at Gamba, some kilometres from the colony there, and Brosset
& Erard (1977) recorded a somewhat similar display at M Tassa (northeast Gabon) in
February -March, when the birds were on eastward passage.

The interpretation of the “open-bill, wing-quivering” display as pair-bonding
courtship (mentioned in Keith et al. 1992) has been questioned by R. Wilkinson
(pers. comm.) who suggests that it may simply be sohciting copulation. However, he
notes that the pseudo-juvenile behaviour appears strange for a supposed male
soliciting copulation with a female. Could the displaying individuals be females?
Further observations are required, but resolution of the problem is hindered by the
identical appearance of the sexes and the restless nature of the birds, which makes
observations of individuals necessarily short.

Other displays were rare. Some birds were seen digging sand, but only for a few
seconds at a time. One soliciting bird was later seen trying to pull grass stems, as if
collecting nest material. Both these cases may be examples of (ritualised)
displacement activity.

Erard (1981) and D. Sargeant (pers. comm.) have noted that the birds often fly
close together in pairs in large flocks, noticeable even when feeding high up. It is
possible that the birds were displaying in flight, as observed in October over the
Congo coast Powsett-Lemaire & Dowsett 1991) and on southwestward migration in
northeast Gabon as early as April-May (“vols aile dans aile par paires et trios”:
Brosset & Erard 1986). It is not known how this behaviour relates to displays on the

6

P.D. Alexander-Marrack

Malimbus 16

ground.

The calls of birds at the colony were tape-recorded on 1 Oct 1989 when most of
the birds were present, and on 1 5 Oct 1 989 when there were reduced numbers.
Copies of these recordings have been deposited with the British Library of Wildhfe
Sounds and with C. Chappuis. A large variety of calls was notai. The “greek’’ call
associated with the “open-bill” display has already been mentioned. Other calls
included a high-pitched “prree” and a deeper “yuk”. Adults returning to nest-holes at
dusk gave a soft call before entering (presumably to inform a partner already inside),
and calls also provided a signal for change-over of adults in holes in the early
morning. On 29 Oct 1989, nestlings were heard calling “kyow kyow kyow” within
the nest-holes.

Daily Movements

Bird behaviour at the colony was once observed at dusk (30 Sep 1989) and at dawn
the following day. All birds roosted in holes during the night. There was no surface
activity until 5.57 (some four minutes after the onset of a general dawn chorus in the
neighbouring forest), when the River Martins began streaming out of the holes. The
mass exodus took 6 min. A small proportion (about 100 birds) reappeared overhead
at 6.07, some calling; more birds then came out of the holes, their place being taken
by the returning birds. By 6.10, a general return to the colony was underway. “Open-
bill” displays on the ground began at 6.15. Many birds remained on the surface,
displaying and preening until 7.15 when there was a heavy rain shower, at which
most flew up or entered holes. After the shower, at 7.25, there were fewer birds on
the surface and these were more restless, flying up together at about one-minute
intervals. The River Martins were disturbed by larger birds flying over, such as
Ayres’ Hawk-Eagle Hieraaetus dubius, Hameikop Scopus umbrella and Red-eyed
Dove Streptopelia semitorquala. The flock flew around almost silently for a minute,
in a formation resembhng that of European Starhngs Stumus vulgaris, before landing
and resuming normal social vocalizations. More Martins returned at 8.20, and “open-
bill, wing-quivering” displays continued. Some nest material was brought to holes at
8.55. By 9.15, there were less than 100 birds at the surface of the colony, but a flock
of about 150 was seen collecting nest material from an area of longer grass on the
south side of the colony. By 10.05 most of the birds had flown off, leaving none at
the surface; however, several birds flew out of holes when I approached on foot. The
time of general mid-moming departure from the colony was quite variable; on 24 Sep
1989, there were only some 20 birds overhead at 8.40, while on 15 Oct 1989 there
was little activity in the area after 8.10.

Until about 16.15, activity was limited to a few birds returning to or leaving nest-
holes. Thereafter a flock resumed collecting nest-material in the longer grass, and
most of the colony gradually returned and resumed displays, preening, and

1994

Brœding African River Martins

7

excavation of holes. Birds at neighbouring nest-holes generally tolerated each other
i^> to a minimum distance of about 0.6 m. In one case, two birds repeatedly attacked
each other, flying up to 1 m above ground level. At 17.55 the majority left again to
feed. They returned between 18.15 and 18.25, and entered the holes directly; few
remained above ground as dusk fell.

Nest-holes and materials

On 30 Sep 1989, two birds were observed excavating the same hole with their feet.
Each took its turn to dig within the hole, while the other was positioned a few cm
behind, moving the pile of sand, generated by the bird in fi-ont, further away fi-om the
entrance to the hole.

Further excavation activity was noted up to 22 Oct 1989, no doubt in
maintenance of the holes to counter effects of caving and rain. More of the holes
constructed along the old sandy vehicle track were washed in by rain than those in the
grassy area, where the sand was firmer.

Martins were seen bringing nest-material to the holes on 1 Oct 1989. It consisted
of grass stems (about 15 cm long) and shorter pieces of 4-5 cm. On 8 Oct 1989,
bundles of short grass were brought.

The dimensions of four holes were studied (after abandonment of the colony) on
17 Dec 1989. The average horizontal length was 152 cm (range 130-179 cm) and the
average maximum vertical depth below the surface was 66 cm (range 50-80 cm).
Two of the holes were straight; in the other two there was a shght deviation to the
right. The terminal chamber was not noticeably wider than the rest of the hole. A thin
layer of rotting grass stems was found at the bottom of the hole. In the colony in
general, there appeared to be no preferred orientation to the holes.

Food

Adult River Martins, probably fi*om the Animba colony, were seen feeding over the
river, 5 km southeast of the colony, and as far as 16 km to the northwest. From 8 Oct
1989, adults were seen bringing food to the nests. Sometimes the items were large
enough to protrude from the bird’s bill; such items, tentatively identified through
binoculars, included day-flying moths (Lepidoptera) and a grey beetle (Coleoptera).
In most other cases, on arrival at the nest-hole, movements in the throat of the adult
suggested manipulation of a bolus in preparation for feeding the nestlings. Some
adults were once observed apparently eating sand, and one bird tried to eat the
remains of a broken egg shell on the ground.

Faecal sacs were carried out of the hole and dropped by the flying adult some
metres away. Pellets were dumped near the entrance of the hole by the adult, walking

8

P.D. Alexander-Marrack

Malimbus 16

away from it. In samples of pellets and encapsulated faeces collected on 24 Sep, 1
Oct, and 15 Oct 1989, 65% of prey items were alate ants (Formicidae), while 24%
were termites (Isoptera) (Fry 1992).

Nestlings

Two naked nestlings were seen on 15 Oct 1989. One of them, found dead at the
surface, was collected, preserved in alcohol, and subsequently deposited at the British
Museum, Tring (Reg. No. A/1991.1.1). The other was seen crawling around outside
the entrance of a hole. After several adults attacked it, it moved back into the hole.

No feathered nestlings were seen, although the remains of some were found on 29
Oct 1989 scattered around the entrances of 20 nest holes. These consist»! mainly of
partly grown flight feathers, the longest being 88 mm; the ratio of sheath length to
total feather length for 36 feathers was 0.31 ± 0.06 (x ± s.d.).

Predation

On 15 Oct 1989, nine Palm-nut Vultures Gypohierax angolensis were seen on the
ground at the colony, on the same day that naked River Martin nestlings were seen at
the surface. On 29 Oct 1989, 18 Palm-nut Vultures (including five immatures) were
seen at the colony, when feathers of River Martin nestlings were found. The presence
of these raptors deterred many of the adult Martins from entering the nest-holes. As I
approached on foot, the raptors flew off and the Martins resumed their normal traffic
in and out of nest-holes, until I was within 30 m of the colony.

Although local villagers are known to trap Black-headed Bee-Eaters Merops
breweri at their nest holes for food, there was no evidence of human interference at
the Martins’ colony.

Colony abandonment

The last positive sightings of River Martins were made on 29 Oct 1989. The colony
must have been abandoned some time between this date and 11 Nov 1989. No
fledglings were seen in the area but D. Sargeant (pers. comm.) observed six
immatures near Gamba on 7 Dec 1989. P. Christy (pers. comm.) has seen large
numbers of immatures on eastward migration at Makokou (northeast Gabon) in
February-March.

1994

Breeding African River Martins

9

Acknowledgments

I thank Patrice Christy, Hilary Fry, Dave Sargeant and Roger Wilkinson for
comments on the manuscript, Hilary Tye for help with the figure, and Pierre Bulens,
Marc Studer and Christiane Boeuf for help in studying the Animba colony. I am
grateful to the late Hervé Morand for showing me the colony at Gamba, and to
Passchier Stouthamer for discovering the Animba colony.

References

Brosset, a. & Erard, C. (1977) New faunistic records from Gabon. Bull Bril Om.
Club 97: 125-132.

Brosset, A. & Erard, C. (1986) Les Oiseaux des Régions Forestières du Nord-est
du Gabon. VoLl. Ecologie et comportement des espèces. Société Nationale de
Protection de la Nature, Paris.

Chapin, J.P. (1953) The birds of the Belgian Congo. Part 3. Bull Am. Mus. Nat Hist
75A.

Dowsett-Lemaire, F. & Dowsett, R.J. (1991) The avifauna of the Kouilou basin in
Congo. Tauraco Res. Rep. 4: 189-239.

Erard, C. (1981) Sur les migrations de Pseudochelidon eurystomina Hartlaub au
Gabon. Oiseau Rev. fr. Om. 51: 244-246.

Fry, C.H. (1992) Myrmecophagy by Pseudochelidon eurystomina and other African
birds. Bull Bril Om. Club 112A: 87-96.

Keith, S., Urban, E.K. & Fry, C.H. (1992) The Birds of Africa^ vol.4. Academic
Press, London.

Turner, A. & Rose, C. (1989) A Handbook to the Swallows and Martins of the
World. Christopher Helm, Bromley.

10

Malimbus 16

Annotated bird list of Macenta Prefecture, Guinea

by Dominique Halleux

24 rue du faubourg du Temple, 7501 1 Paris, France

Received 7 November 1992
Revised 26 May 1993

Summary

An annotated list of 319 birds is presented for a prefecture of Guinea not
visited by ornithologists since 1960. Included are 50 new species for Guinea.
The hst highlights a great avifaunal diversity, similar to that of the nearby
forests of Gola (Sierra Leone) and Nimba (Guinea, Liberia, Ivory Coast). It
includes five Red Data Book species, two records of Red-winged Grey
Warbler Drymocichla incana 1600 km west of its known range and the first
description of a Shrike Flycatcher Megabyas flammulata nest.

Résumé

L’auteur présente une hste annotée de 319 espèces d’oiseaux observées dans
la préfecture de Guinée Forestière de Macenta non prospectée par les
ornithologues depuis 1960. Cette liste apporte un total de 50 nouvelles
espèces à la liste des oiseaux du pays et met en lumière la grande richesse
avierme du massif forestier de Ziama, similaire à celle des forêts voisines de
Gola (Sierra Leone) et de Nimba (Guinée, Libéria, Côte d’ivoire). Cette hste
contient cinq espèces du Red Data Book, deux observations de la Fauvette
grise à ailes rousses Drymocichla incana, 1600 km à l’ouest de son domaine
de répartition jusqu’ici reconnu, et la première description du nid du Gobe-
mouches écorcheur Megabyas flammulata.

Introduction

This hst is mainly the result of a three-year stay in the region of Macenta. Macenta
Prefecture (8°3rN, 9°32’W) is located within the Guinée Forestière Province in
southeastern Guinea, and lies between Gola Forest in Sierra Leone (150 km) and Mt
Nimba forests on Guinea’s border with Liberia and Ivory Coast (80 km). This area
has recently been made accessible by the rehabilitation of the Guéckédou-Sérédou
road in 1989. The boundary between savanna and evergreen forest crosses the
Prefecture. The local avifauna thus comprises species of these two biomes, with some

1994

Birds of Macenta, Guinea

11

Paleaarctic migrants. Very few previous data are available from this region, with just
two reports from Berlioz (1958) and Berlioz & Roche (1960), concerning the birds of
Ziama forest near Sérédou.

Geographical context

Relief is uneven and average altitude outside of the Ziama Massif is about 450-5 50m.
This massif rises to 1200 m, and runs north-south through the middle of the
prefecture.

The average annual rainfall is 2300 mm, with a single dry season occurring from
December to March. The wettest months are July to September. In 1991, the mean
maximum and minimum temperatures were JO'C and 20°C.

This region lies towards the northwestern limits of the Upper Guinea forest block.
Native evergreen tropical moist forest remains at higher altitudes, mostly on the
Ziama Massif and on some of its surrounding hills. Although the forest extends to the
massif summit, most of it lies below about 900 m. An extensive mature forest also
occurs on the massifs western and southeastern slopes, towards the Liberian border,
with an average altitude of 500-600 m. The lower-lying northern areas support semi-
deciduous forest, where a marked dry season and Saharan Harmattan winds cause
heavy leaf fall and seasonal opening of the canopy. A large area of permanent
savanna woodland including patches of Hypparhenia-àomindAQà. grassland and
gallery forests occurs down the northeastern slopes of the Ziama Massif in Kouankan
Sub-prefectme.

During the last 20 years, the forests have been severely encroached by
uncontrolled clearing for upland rice cultivation, along the edges and in the interior.
This is increasing, largely because of immigrating farmers from drier, northern
regions of Guinea. It has also been accelerated by road rehabilitation, which has
greatly improved access. The previous dense, native forest has been transformed into
a mosaic of secondary regeneration areas first dominated by Albizia, Harungana,
Musanga and Trema, together with coffee grown under tree cover, and humid
Pennisetum grassland. Imperata grasslands are now spreading through the remaining
forest-grassland mosaic in the northwest of the Ziama Massif, as soils degrade.

Methods

The species list is not exhaustive, being based principally on approximately 90 one-
day visits devoted to ornithology in the Macenta region during 1988-1991. My work
in agricultural development also took me into the field almost daily. Specific sites
visited include forest relicts to the northwest of Pasima, the main road from Macenta
to Nzébéla ferry, the Sérédou region, and a dirt road between Sérédou and the

12

D. Halleux

Malimbus 16

Quinquina Station’s 'Toste 5”. The last was the most regularly visited. Attention was
focussed on forest species, especially those of the Ziama Massif. Observations of
nocturnal Strigidae and C^rimulgidae are veiy incomplete.

Where additional data have been obtained from other observers, the source is
acknowledged. All data given without references are personal observations. An
asterisk indicates a new record for Guinea (cf. Walsh 1987, Morel & Morel 1988).
Square brackets enclose uncertain records, which are not included in the total count
number.

Results

The list which follows includes 319 confirmed species, of which 50 are new for
Guinea (cf. Walsh 1987, Morel & Morel 1988). The number of new bird species for
Guinea seems high, but the country has long been closed to foreign scientists and
there have been no resident ornithologists.

The high avian diversity indicates that the Macenta region is as rich as the nearby
and better-studied Gola Forest in Sierra Leone and Nimba Forests in Liberia (Colston
& Curry-Lindahl 1986, Allport et al. 1989). However, the 1200 m high Ziama Massif
is not sufficiently high or isolated from the surrounding habitats for local endemism
to have evolved.

Several threatened or near-threatened species occur in Macenta, including
Criniger olivaceus, Campephaga lobata, Bathmocercus cerviniventris, Picathartes
gymnocephalus, Melaenomis annamarulae and possible records of Malimbus
ballmanni and Agelastes meleagrides. Phyllastrephus leucolepis has not been
recorded, but might be expected to occur in lowland forests southeast of Ziama near
the Liberian border. The Macenta forests also support some mammals that are
otherwise rare in West Africa. Guinea’s last remaining Forest Elephants Loxodonia
afiicana eye lotis, still occur on the southeastern slopes of Ziama, together with some
Forest Buffaloes Syneerus eaffer nanus. A small population of Dwarf Hippopotamus
Choeropsis liberiensis also exists. Leopards Panthera pardus and Golden Cats Felis
auraia are present.

Little Grebe Tachybaptus mficoUis. Sérédou pond, Jun.

Long-tailed Cormorant Phalacrocorax africanus. Sérédou pond, Jun.

Little Bittern Ixobrychus minutus. Uncommon, open wetlands, Jul, Aug.
Black-crowned Night Heron Nycticorax nycticorax. Frequent, open streams near
Macenta.

Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis. Abundant, open areas, dry season. The most common
species of Ardeidae.

Green-backed Heron Butorides striatus. Uncommon, open wetlands and streams
near Macenta and Sérédou.

1994

Birds of Macenta, Guinea

13

Western Reef Heron Egretta gularis. Uncommon; single birds with Green-backed
Herons.

Little Egret K ganetta. Common; small flocks (3-7) in open wetlands.

Great White Egret K alba. Frequent, widespread, open wetlands.

Purple Heron Ardea purpurea. Frequent, open wetlands.

Grey Heron A cinerea. Uncommon; wide^aead except on the Ziama Massif, single birds.
Hamerkop Scopus umbretta. One record of 4-6 individuals on open wetlands near
Macenta, Feb 1989.

Yellow-biUed Stork Mycteria ibis. One record of a single sub-adult, Macenta town.
Mar 1991.

Woolly-necked Stork Ciconia episcopus. Two observations of single birds,
souflieast of Ziama Massif

Hartlaub*s Duck Pteronetta hartlaubi. Frequent, small streams in forest mosaic area
around Macenta. Pairs or small groups. Ni^tial displays observed Apr.
*Cuckoo-Falcon Aviceda cuculoides. Uncommon, lowland forest around Ziama

Massif

Honey Buzzard Pemis apivorus. Uncommon, Palaearctic winter imtil April, forests
and grassland-forest mosaic.

Bat Hawk Machaeramphus alcinus. One record of two birds, Ziama Massif, Feb
1990. May be overlooked.

Black-shouldered Kite Elanus caeruleus. Common, open areas. Nests Mar.

Black Kite Milvus tmgrans. Common, open areas. 150 migrating northwest over
Sérédou Pass in half an hour, 18 Feb 1990.

Palmnut Vulture Gypohierax angolensis. Common, all types of habitat with trees.
Hooded Vulture Necrosyrtes monachus. Two records of single birds soaring over
Macenta town. Common further north in Guinea.

Brown Snake Eagle Circaetus cinereus. Rare, grassland-forest mosaic on Ziama
Massif and around Macenta, Jun. Single birds.

•Congo Serpent Eagle Dryotriorchis spectabilis. Single record near Irié in lower
storey of mature secondary forest. Mar.

Harrier Hawk Polyboroides typus. Common. The most often seen medium-sized
raptor in the area. Forest and forested mosaic. Nest observed Jan.

Western Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus. Frequent wintering in savanna areas
near Macenta.

Gabar Goshawk Micronisus gabar. Rare, open grasslands north of Macenta, Jan.
African Goshawk Acdpiter tachiro. Uncommon, various forested habitats up to 900
m on the Ziama Massif Probably overlooked.

Shikra A batUus. Uncommon, gardens and wooded grasslands.

•Red-thighed Sparrowhawk A erythropus. Uncommon to frequent, primary and
secondary forest and Macenta gardens.

•Black Sparrowhawk A melanoleucus. Frequent, primary and secondary forest,
and forest-grassland mosaic.

14

D. Halleux

Malimbus 16

^Long-tailed Hawk Urotriorchus macroums. Uncommon, Ziama forest and forest-
grassland mosaic. Observed flying at middle levels below canopy.

Lizard Buzzard Kaupifalco monogrammicus. Common in semi-open areas,
roadsides, grassland-forest mosaic. Nest Feb.

Red-tailed Buzzard Buteo auguralis. Frequent, grassland-forest mosaic and
secondary forest.

Long-crested Eagle Lophaetus occipitalis. One bird in 1990 in north of prefecture in
grassland-forest mosaic.

Cassinis Hawk Eagle Spizaetus africanus. One pair and an immature over Macenta
town, Jul 1991.

Crowned Eagle Stephatwaetus coronatus. Uncommon, Ziama Massif forests above
Sérédou, where it is well known by hunters. Threatened because its huge size makes
it a valuable target.

Kestrel Falco tinnunculus. Recorded in Sérédou, Apr (Wilson 1990).

Grey Kestrel F. ardosiaceus. Uncommon, savanna areas northeast of Macenta.
*Lanner F, biamticus. Locally common, open lands.

[White-breasted Guineafowl Agelastes meleagrides. Reported by hunters on Ziama
Massif but requires confirmation.]

Crested Guineafowl Guttera pucherani. Not observed, but well known by hunters.
According to them, it is becoming increasingly rare.

Latham's Forest Francolin Francolinus lathami. Common in forest undergrowth
(Wilson 1990).

Ahanta Francolin F. ahantensis. Frequent, dense imdergrowth of secondary forest.
Double-spurred Francolin Francolinus bicalcaratus. Abundant, savanna areas.
Nesting Dec-Jan.

Little Button-Quail Tumix syivaüca. Common, open savanna areas near Macenta.
White-spotted Crake Sarothmra pulchra. Common, old farmlands and clearings.

* Buff-spotted Crake S. elegans. Report of a singing bird in dense undergrowth
within secondary forest near Sérédou Forest Research Centre (Wilson 1990).

■•African Crake Crex egregia. Frequent, moist grasslands east of Macenta, Apr.
Black Crake Anumromis Jlavirostris. Common, open pools or slow streams with
aquatic vegetation.

^Allen’s Gallinule Porphyrio alleni. Sérédou pond, Jun.

* Lesser Moorhen Gallinula angulaia. Rare, observed only in one small pond on the
Liberian border track, west of Macenta near the tea plantation.

Fin foot Podica senegalensis. Common, forested streams on Ziama Massif up to 800 m.
Denham's Bustard Neotis denhami. Single record of a bird flying low over
Macenta, Feb 1989.

Black-bellied Bustard Eupodods melanogaster. One bird regularly seen in an open
savaima near RC^ Coffee Centre, east of Macenta.

African Jacana Actophilomis africana. Common, single birds or pairs on open
ponds. Juveniles c. 15 days old, Jun, Sérédou pond.

1994

Birds of Macenta, Guinea

15

Painted Snipe Rostratula benghalensis. Open wetlands near Sérédou (Wilson 1990).
Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopm. Single record in Mar 1991 of six birds
flying over Macenta.

Forbes’s Plover Charadrius forbesL Single record from grassland near Macenta RC^
Coffee Centre, Feb 1990.

Senegal Wattled Plover VaneUus senegaUm. Uncommon, in newly-cleared, large

rice-fields.

Green Sandpiper Tringa ochropus. Frequent, sandy stream banks, Palaearctic
winter.

Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos. Frequent. Single birds or pairs along
streams during Palaearctic winter. Departs end Apr.

African Green Pigeon Treron calva. Frequent, all habitats from wooded savannas to
primary forest. Small groups of 3-6.

Blue-headed Wood-Dove Tartar brehmeri. Common, paths in primary and
secondary forests. Commonly heard Ziama Massif, up to 1000 m.

Tambourine Dove T. tympanistria. Frequent, shyer than preceding species and may
be overlooked. Denser vegetation of seccaidary forests.

Blue-spotted Wood-Dove T. afer. Abundant, grassland-forest mosaic areas around
farmlands and on tracks.

Bronze-naped Pigeon Cohimba irUUtorqaes. Common, Ziama and its surroundings.
Easily observed in fruiting Trema guineensis or on harvested rice fields.

African Wood Pigeon C anicincta. Uncommon, Ziama Massif forests, mostly
during the wet season. Single calling birds May-Jun; small groups feeding in fruiting
trees Aug.

Red-eyed Dove Streptopelia semiterqaata. Abimdant, open lands and farmlands.
Grey Parrot Psittacas erühracas. Single record of two birds near Sérédou, 1989.
Abundant in Yomou prefecture, to the south of Macenta.

Green Turaco Tauraco persa. Abundant, all wooded habitats. On Ziama Massif up
to 1200 m.

Crested Turaco T. macrorhynchus. Frequent, primary and secondary forest. Singly
or in pairs, Ziama Massif and its surroundings.

Grey Plantain-eater Crinifer piscator. Abundant, savanna woodlands northwest of
Ziama Massif. Singly or in groups of 4-6.

Blue Plantain-eater Coryûtaeola cristata. Common, primary and secondary forest
and wooded edges of old clearings, up to 900 m. Hunted for meat and for feathers,
which are used in Loma bird-man dancing dress.

Great Spotted Cuckoo ClanuUor glandarias. Single record of a pair in a Macenta
garden, Feb 1990.

Levaillant’s Cuckoo C levaiUantU. Frequent in and around Ziama. Single birds in
old farmlands, forests and woodlands, Apr-Jul.

Red-chested Cuckoo Cacalas soUtarias. Single record, Ziama Massif in primary
forest near Sérédou.

16

D. Halleux

Malimbus 16

Black Cuckoo C clamosus. Frequent, wcxxied habitats firran savanna woodland to
primary forest, Apr-Jun.

•African Cuckoo C gularis. Single record in savanna woodland east of Macenta,
Mar 1989.

Dusky Long-tailed Cuckoo Cercococcyx mechawi. Collected at Sérédou in 1959
(Berlioz & Roche 1960).

Olive Long-tailed Cuckoo C oUvinus. Rare. Heard Ziama Massif, Apr.

Klaas’s Cuckoo Chrysococcyx klaas. Frequent, wide range of wooded habitats.
Recorded once in a mixed species flock on Ziama Massif at 1000 m.

Didric Cuckoo C caprius. Common, gardens and semi-open lands. Heard mostly
during the wet season.

Emerald Cuckoo C cupreus. Uncommon, primary and secondary forests.

Yellowbill Ceuthmochares aereus. Common, primary and secondary forest. Often
around mixed species flocks up to 1000 m where it often hides in dense hanas.
[Black-throated Coucal Centropus leucogaster. No confirmed record, but well
known to Ziama hunters.]

Senegal Coucal C senegalensis. Abundant, open or semi-open areas. Nest Feb.

Barn Owl Tyto alba. Frequent, Macenta town.

White-faced Owl Otus leucotis. Wooded savanna northeast of Macenta in 1990.
Spotted Eagle Owl Bubo africanus. Common, forests and all open habitats
including road sides.

African Wood Owl Ciccaba woodfmrdi. Secondary forest and forest-grassland
mosaic.

Long-tailed Nightjar Caprimulgus dimacurus. One record, Macenta, Mar 1991.
Standard-wing Nightjar Macrodpteryx longipennis. Common. Observed in display
flight every year in Jan at RC^ Coffee Centre, Macenta.

Common Swift Apus apus. Very abundant Palaearctic wintering species, all habitats.
Last birds observed during the first week of May after termite display flights.
•White-rumped Swift A caffer. Uncommon. Single birds or pairs chasing flying
termites in a large mixed flock of swifts. Mar,

Little Swift A affinis. Frequent, single birds or small groups. No colonies recorded.
Palm Swift Cypsiurus parvus. Abundant and widespread. Pairs or small groups in
open or partly-open habitats with oil palms.

•Sabine’s Spinetail Chaetura sabini. Common, small flocks (2-6) on and near
Ziama Massif.

•Mottle-throated Spinetail C ussheri. Uncommon. Single birds over slopes of
Ziama Massif, Jun-Jul 1991.

CJiant Kingfisher Ceryle tnaxima. Common, wooded streams in partly-open areas.
Singly or in pairs.

Pied Kingfisher C rudis. Frequent, Sérédou pond.

Shining Blue Kingfisher Alcedo quadribrachys. Frequent, partly-open streams.
Malachite Kingfisher Corythomis cristata. Common, small open ponds. Nest JuL

1994

Birds of Macenta, Guinea

17

White-bellied Kingfîsher C leucogaster. One record in a forest stream southwest of

Ziama Massif (Wilson 1990).

Pygmy Kingfîsher Ceyx picta. Common, partly-open habitats in forest-grassland
mosaic and farmlands.

Woodland Kingfisher Halcyon senegalensis. Widespread and common in many
semi-open habitats. Nest-digging, Apr.

Blue-breasted Kingfisher H, malimbica. Uncommon, semi-forested habitats.
Recorded up to 1000 m on Ziama Massif.

Chocolate-backed Kingfisher H badia. Collected near Sérédou (Berhoz & Roche
1960).

Grey-headed Kingfîsher H leucocephala. Common, open habitats and the more
qpen areas of grassland-fca-est mosaic. Nests recorded Macenta, Mar, Apr.

Carmine Bee-eater Merops nubiens. One record west of Macenta, Feb 1 990 (J.M.
Garreau pers. comm.); probably a vagrant from northern wintering areas near Kankan
prefecture where it is seasonally common (pers. obs.).

White-throated Bee-eater M albicoUis. Abundant and widespread in dry season, all
open and semi-open habitats. Small groups of 5-20.

Little Bee-eater M pusillus. Common to abundant, open habitats and large
clearings. Nests recorded Macenta, Apr.

Black Bee-eater M. gularis. Locally common, gaps and edges of secondary forests.
Nest excavation cm Ziama Massif, Mar.

Blue-headed Bee-eater M muelleri. Frequent, Ziama Massif. May be overlooked as
it perches low in dense vegetation. Same habitats as Black Bee-eater but appears to
prefer dense secondary growths with Albizia sassa and A. zygia surrounded by forest.
Fledglings Jul.

Abyssinian Roller Coradas abyssinien. Seasonally frequent, farmlands when fields
are burned ^eb-Mar). Numbers vary between years: abundant 1989, rare 1990, no
record 1991.

Rufous-crowned Roller C naevia. Uncommon, dry season. Single birds.
Broad-billed Roller Eurystonms ^aucums. Common to abundant, forest-grassland
mosaic rather than pure forest, thus differing from the following species.
Blue-throated Roller K gularis. Frequent, forest edges and clearings, up to 700 m.
Nests recorded Apr.

Hoopoe Upupa epops. Single record in northern part of prefecture, Feb 1990.
*Bufr-headed Wood-Hoopoe Phoeniculus bollei. Frequent, small groups of 4-6 on
dead trees in clearings and secondary forest.

•Forest Wood-Hoopoe P, castaneiceps. Uncommon, secondary forest and old
plantations within grassland-forest mosaic.

Black Dwarf Hornbill Tockus hartlaubi. Uncommon, Ziama mature secondary
forest. Two observations of feeding of juveniles, Mar-Apr.

Pied Hornbill T. fasciatus. Abundant to very abundant in all wooded habitats except
primary forest.

18

D. Halleux

Malimbus 16

White-crested Hornbill Tropicranus albocristatus. Common, primary and
secondary forest, often recorded near driver ant columns.

Yellow-casqued Hornbill Ceraiogymna data. Common, primary and secondary
forests in Ziama. Calls Apr-Jun.

*Black-casqued Hornbill C atrata. Uncommon, secondary forest and forest-
grassland mosaic. Single recca*d west of Ziama in 1989, more common on the east
side of Ziama and in the prefecture of Nzérékoré to the east.

Piping Hornbill Bycanistes fistulator. Frequent, clearings and grassland-forest
mosaic. Small noisy groups of 5-10.

Brown-cheeked Hornbill B. cylindricus. Uncommon. Single bird or pair on the
western slopes of Ziama Massif. Calls over primary forest Feb-Mar.

Double-toothed Barbet Lybius bidentatus. Frequent, in pairs in woodland savannas.
Nest excavated Jan.

Vieillot’s Barbet L vieilloti. Uncoimnon, open woodland savaimas. Single birds.
Hairy-breasted Barbet L. hirsutus. Uncommon, primary and mature secondary
forest in Ziama.

Naked-faced Barbet Gymnobucco cahus. Abundant, all types of wooded habitats.
Small groups of 7-10.

* Yellow-spotted Barbet Buccanodon duchaillui. Uncommon, primary and
secondary forest and old clearings. Small groups or pairs, from high canopy to
undergrowth.

Speckled Tinkerbird Pogoniulus scolopaceus. Abundant, farmbush, forest-grassland
mosaic and secondary forests. Single birds in mixed species flocks. Nest Jun,
Lemon-rumped Tinkerbird P. bilineatus. Very few certain records in forest and
forest edges.

Yellow-throated Tinkerbird P. subsulphurem. Common to abundant, secondary
forest and forest roads and old clearings, especially in fruiting Trema guineensis.
Red-rumped Tinkerbird P. atroflavus. Uncommon. Single birds or pairs along the
edges of primary and secondary forest iq) to 1000 m.

Yellow-billed Barbet Trachyphonus purpuratus. Single sighting at an abandoned
coffee plantation north of Macenta. May have been overlooked.

Spotted Honeyguide Indicator maculatus. Two records from Sérédou and lower
southeastern slopes of Ziama Massif (Wilson 1990).

*Thick-billed Honeyguide /. conirostris. Uncommon, forest edges and coffee
plantations. Inconspicuous and may have been overlooked.

* Lyre-tailed Honeyguide Melichneutes robustus. Ziama Massif from 900 m
upward. Mar- Jun. Display songs regularly heard in Ziama along Macenta-Sérédou
road.

Cassinis Honeyguide Prodotiscus insignis. Uncommon, lowland forests in the
Ziama region. Inconspicuous and may have been overlooked,

Golden-backed Woodpecker Campethera maculosa. Uncommon, mature
secondary and primary forest in Ziama in mixed species flocks, Apr-May 1991 .

1994

Birds of Macenta, Guinea

19

* Brown-eared Woodpecker C caroU. Uncommon, primary and mature secondary
forest on Ziama Massif.

BufT-spoUed Woodpecker C nivosa. Frequent, mature secondary forests.

Cardinal Woodpecker Dendropicos Juscescens. One record from Sérédou, Jul

1991.

G^bon Woodpecker D. gabonensis. Common, all wooded habitats.

Grey Woodpecker Mesopicos goertae. Frequent, gardens and wooded savannas.
Fire-bellied Woodpecker M pyrrhogaster. Frequent, primary and, particularly,
secondary forest.

Sand Martin Riparia riparia. Rare, grasslands. Single birds among swallow flocks
during Palaearctic winter. Mostly observed dming the northerly migrations in Mar.
Bam Swallow Hinmdo rustica. Abundant winter visitor. Leaves beginning of Apr
after the first termite flights, a major source of premigration food.

Red-chested Swallow H, ludda Abundant, open areas.

•White-throated Blue Swallow H. nigrita. One pair regularly recorded on the Diani
liver near Nzébéla in 1 989 and 1 990.

Mosque Swallow H, senegalensis. Common, open areas. Nest-building May.

Lesser Striped Swallow H. abyssinka. Abundant, open areas. Nest-building May.
•Grey-rumped Swallow Pseudohirundo griseopyga. Abundant, grasslands near
Macenta, May-Sep.

House Martin Delichon urbica. Rare, in mixed swallow flocks during northerly
migration. Mar.

Square-tailed Roughwing PsaUdopwcne nUens. Abundant, forests along roads and
paths. Nest Ziama Jul.

Fantee Roughwing P. obscura. Common, open areas.

Yellow Wagtail MotadUa flava. Abundant, moist grasslands during the Palaearctic
winter. Very abundant during the northerly migrations, leaves in Mar. At this time,
some of the birds show good breeding plumage, most are M / flava and around 5%
M / ihunbergi.

•Mountain Wagtail M dam. Locally common, mountain streams. Displays Mar.
African Pied Wagtail M. aguimp. One record Dec 1989 by a small pond west of
Ziama Massif.

Plain-backed Pipit Anthus leucophrys. One record of a pair with young in short
^ass within the RC* Coffee Cenfte in Macenta, May 1991. Probably overlooked.
•Long-billed Pipit A similis. Common, rocky areas around Macenta (Jean Lefebvre
quarry) and the lower slopes of Ziama Massif and its surroundings.

Tree Pipit A tridaUs. Three records of single birds in the foothills of Ziama Massif,
Apr 1989 and 1990, on northerly migration.

Red-throated Pipit A cervinus. Occasional, open grassland on northerly migration,
Apr.

Yellow-throated Longclaw Macronyx croceus. Abundant, open grasslands. Two
nests, Apr, May.

20

D. Halleux

Malimbus 16

Grey-headed Helmet Shrike Prioiwps caniceps. Uncommon. Groups of 5-8 at mid
to high levels in primary forests and an old coffee plantation, 500-700 m.

Gambian Puffback Shrike Dryoscopus gambensis. Single record in a lowland
secondary forest north of Macenta. May have been overlooked.

*Sabine*s Puffback Shrike D. sabini. Single record in primary forest canopy
(Wilson 1990).

*Lesser Tchagra Tchagra minuta. Common in humid grasslands dominated by
Pennisetum, Apr-May. Small groups of 3-5, appearing for one or two weeks.
Brown-headed Tchagra T. australis. Frequent, bushes in clearings on and near
Ziama Massif up to 1000 m. Single birds or pairs.

Tropical Boubou Laniarius ferrugineus. Common, often heard in semi-open
habitats.

Sooty Boubou L leucorhynchus. Uncommon, forests around Ziama Massif. Nest-
building in bushes within a montane forest clearing on Ziama Massif at 900 m. May.
*Many-coloured Bush-Shrike MaJaconotus multicolor. Frequent, dense hanas in
primary forest on Ziama Massif.

Fiery-breasted Bush-Shrike M cruentus. Uncommon, middle strata of primary and
secondary forests on Ziama Massif

Fiscal Shrike Lanius collaris. Abundant, open habitats. Nests recorded Mar, Apr,
May.

Woodchat Shrike L senator. One bird recorded each Dec-Jan during three years in
savanna woodland near Macenta RC^ Coffee Centre.

Western Black-headed Oriole Oriolus brachyrhynchus. Common, all forest types;
observed on Ziama Massif up to 900 m.

Black-winged Oriole O. nigripennis. Uncommon, Ziama Massif forests where it is
sympatric with the preceding species.

Square-tailed Drongo Dicrurus ludmgii. Frequent, primary and secondary forest.
Lone birds, pairs or family groups.

Shining Drongo D. atripennis. Common, many wooded habitats; on Ziama Massif
up to 800 m.

Glossy-backed Drongo D. adsimilis. Common, all wooded and semi-wooded
habitats.

Chestnut-winged Starling Onychognathus fulgidus. Common, primary and
secondary forests on Ziama Massif Groups of 5-10.

Amethyst Starling Cinnyricinclus leucogaster. One group of seven birds (mostly
females and young) in forest southeast of Sérédou, Jun 1990.

Pied Crow Corvus albus. Common, all semi-open habitats. Nest Mar.

White-necked Rockfowl Picathartes gymnocephalus. Common in all suitable areas
including large overhanging rocks inside mature forest. Common and widespread 20
years ago according to local hunters. Recorded outside Ziama 10 km north of
Macenta. Rarely recorded except at nests, during Jul-Jan breeding season (Fig. 1).
Recorded once at ant column. Nine nest sites were recorded in Ziama at 1 .5-4 m high.

1994

Birds of Macenta, Guinea

21

they were used by a single pair, even if two or three nests were present. Locally
named “Kouma Oni”, it is well known to Ziama hunters, who are used to sheltering
and trapping rodents and hyræces along rocks on which rockfowl nest. Rodent traps
are said not to catch rockfowl. Hunters sometimes catch it at night on the nest, but the
species is here mainly threatened by destruction of its habitat.

Figure 1. White-necked Rockfowl Picaihaiies gymnocephalus at nest.

22

D. Halleux

Malimbus 16

*Blue Cuckoo-Shrike Coracina azurea. Frequent, Ziama primary or secondary
forest. Single birds or pairs; one family group M.

Purple-throated Cuckoo-Shrike C. quiscalina. Frequent, Ziama forests and
surrounding forest-grassland mosaic. Canopy to low undergrowth.

Red-shouldered Cuckoo-Shrike C. phoenicea. One record of a male on Ziama
Massif at 900 m, primary forest canopy.

“Western Wattled Cuckoo-Shrike C lobata. Uncommon. Five records in Ziama
primary and secondary forest, above 800 m. More or less associated with high-strata
mixed species flocks. Inconspicuous. Call is a very soft high-pitched ‘ftsit tsit”.
Garden Bulbul Pycnonotus barbaius. Abundant, all habitats from true forest to
gardens.

Plain Greenbul Andropadus curvirostris. One report in forest above Sérédou
(Wilson 1990).

Little Grey Greenbul A gracilis. Common, primary and secondary forest. Solitary
or with mixed bird parties.

“Ansorge’s Greenbul A ansorgei. Common to abundant, Ziama Massif forest edges.
Slender-billed Greenbul A graciUrostris. Common, primary and secondary forests.
Single birds or pairs. Often seen in fruiting Trema guineensis along forest paths.

Little Greenbul A virens. Common, forest undergrowth and forest edges.
Yellow-whiskered Greenbul A. latirostris. Abundant, primary and secondary
forests. Groups of 3-5.

Golden Bulbul Calyptocichla serina. Rare, forest canopy from 900 m on Ziama
Massif.

Honeyguide Bulbul Baeopogon indicator. Common, wooded areas, especially
secondary forest. Single birds or pairs.

Yellow-throated Leaf-love Chlorocichla flavicoUis. Frequent, wooded savannas
near Macenta.

Simple Leaf-love C simplex. Common, bushes and forest edges.

Swamp Palm Bulbul Theselocichla leucopleura. Abundant, moist areas of
secondary forest and forest-grassland mosaic. Groups of three.

Leaf-love Phyllastrephus scandens. Common, wooded areas. Usually in highly
vocal groups of 4-6.

“Icterine Bulbul P. icterinus. Abundant, lower strata of primary forest up to 800 m
on Ziama Massif. Small groups in mixed species flocks.

“Bristle-bill Bleda syndactyla. Single bird recorded at ant column at 1000 m, Jul
1989. Also recorded by Wilson (1990).

Grey-headed Bristle-bill B. cankapiUa. Frequent, Ziama and surrounding forested
areas.

Bearded Bulbul Criniger barbotas. Abundant, undergrowth of all wooded areas of
Ziama and surrounding regions. Noisy groups of 5-8.

White-bearded Bulbul C calurus. Abundant, forest undergrowth and old clearings.
Noisy groups of 2-3, often associated with mixed flocks.

1994

Birds of Macenta, Guinea

23

Yellow-bearded Bulbul C olivacem. Frequent, forest on Ziama Massif up to 900 m.
Not recorded in the surrounding lowland forests. Silent Usually single birds or pairs,
but five apparent adults once recorded together.

Nicator Nicaior chhris. Common, all wooded habitats from lowlands up to 1000 m.
Usually single birds.

Whincbat Swdcola mbeira. Abundant, open habitats during winter. Departs Mar.
Fire-crested Alethe Alethe Sademaia. Frequent, secondary forests on Ziama Massif
to 900 m, in the vicinity of ant columns.

*Brown-chested Alethe A poUocephala. Common, secondary forests, often by ant
columns.

Whiskered Redbreast Shepparttia cyomithopsis. Frequent, mature secondary

forests around 900 m.

Forest Robin Stiphromis eryihrothorax. Frequent, forests on Ziama Massif at 600-
900 m.

Blue-shouldered Robin-Chat Cossypha cyanocampter. Recorded at Sérédou

(Berlioz & Roche 1960).

Snowy-crowned Robin-Chat C. niveicapilla. Uncommon, bushes near coffee
plantations surrounded secondary forest. Probably overlooked.

White-tailed Ant-Thrush Neocossyphm poensis. Frequent, rocky areas within

jnimary forest on Ziama Massif.

•Finsch’s Flycatcher-Thrush Stizorhina finschL Frequent, mature secondary forest
and abandoned clearings on and around Ziama Massif up to 800 m.

Nightingale Luscima megarhynchos. Common during Palaearctic winter, wooded
savannas and gardens near Macenta. Song often heard.

Œive Thrush Turdus pelios. Common, gardens and open areas with isolated trees.
Brown Akalat Malacocincla Julvescens. Common on and around Ziama Massif in
primary and secondary forest and old coffee plantations.

White-breasted Akalat M. mfipennis. Present in dense undergrowth within
undisturbed forest (Wilson 1990).

^Blackcap Akalat M deaveri. Common in forest undergrowth (Wilson 1990).
Capuchin Babbler Phyllanthus atripennis. One record of five birds in the tea
plantation west of Macenta.

Sedge Warbler Acrocephalus schoenobaenus. Rare, bushes along open small
streams in Mar, during northerly migration.

Reed Warbler A scirpaceus. Frequent, Dec-Feb in open bush savannas near
Macenta.

Great Reed Warbler A amndinaceus. Twice heard in humid area with Pennisetum
tussocks west of Ziama Massif, Feb and Mar.

Moustached Warbler Sphenoeacm mmialis. Abundant, all humid grasslands with
Pennisetum tussocks.

Melodious Warbler Hippolms polyglotta. Common, Dec to mid-Mar in savanna
woodland and gardens.

24

D. Halleux

Malimbus 16

Garden Warbler Sylvia horin. Rare during Palaearctic winter in bushes at forest
edges, farmlands and gardens.

Blackcap S. atricapUla. Rare, primary and secondary forests on Ziama Massif up to
900 m. Mar 1990.

Willow Warbler PhyUoscopus trochilus. Recorded at Sérédou (Berlioz 1958).

Wood Warbler P. sibilatrix. Uncommon, Palaearctic winter in primary and
secondary forest canopy.

Red-faced Cisticola Cisticola erythrops. Common, marshy open habitats.

Whistling Cisticola C lateralis. Common, moist semi-open areas and gardens.
Shortwing Cisticola C. brachyptera Common, short grasslands.

Tawny-flanked Prinia Prinia subflava. Conunon, forest edges and forest-grassland
mosaic up to 900 m in Ziama.

* Black-capped Apalis Apalis nigriceps. Common, primary forest on Ziama Massif
above 700 m. Six to eight individuals usually joining mixed-species flocks foraging
within the canopy, preferring higher strata.

Sharpe*s Apalis A sharpei. Common, primary and secondary forest on Ziama
Massif. Immatures Jun. Two or three birds usually associated with mixed-species
flocks, middle to low strata.

*Red-winged Grey Warbler Drymocichla incana. Three surprising records of a
single bird corresponding to the description of this central African species on 4 Jun,
16 and 18 Jul 1989. All three records were in the same grass tussocks in a flooded
marshy area near the Macenta tea plantation. Observations were made in good
afternoon light, first with 10 x 40 Zeiss binoculars, then with a 20 x 77 Kowa
telescope on tripod at a distance of 25 m. The bird was strikingly light grey on the
upperparts, with the underparts almost whitish, becoming pale buff on the belly and
under-tail coverts. The primaries on the closed wings made a small chestnut-brown
patch. The bill was long and black, eyes white-grey, and legs pale, perhaps pinkish.
The tail was grey, lightly scaled, long and was sometimes flicked. The bird was
alone, constantly moving, and was most of the time hidden in the grass and bushes 30
cm above the pond’s surface. It sometimes flew low and straight to a nearby grass
island like a Grasshopper Warbler Locustella naevia. It was completely silent. The
uniform grey, long tail, light grey back and whitish eye rule out confusion with Red-
winged Warbler Prinia eryihroptem.

Black-capped Stream Warbler Bathmocercus cerviniventris. Locally common in
humid, open sites near old clearings within mature forest on Ziama Massif.
Yellow-browed Camaroptera Camaroptera superciliaris. Frequent, Ziama Massif
and surrounding areas. More silent and thus less noticeable than other camaropteras.
Single birds in undergrowth or lianas within primary and secondary forest.
Green-backed Camaroptera C, chloronota. Abundant, all wooded habitats
including coffee plantations. Single birds in dense low and middle strata.
Grey-backed Camaroptera C chloronota. Common, forest edges and abandoned
clearings.

1994

Birds of Macenta, Guinea

25

Rufous-crowned Eremomela Eremomela badiceps. Common. Small groups in
mixed species flocks foraging in the canopy, or monospecific groups.

Green Crombec Sylvtetta virens, A few certain records within undergrowth in
wooded habitats.

Lemon-bellied Crombec S. denti. Common in undergrowth of forest edges and
often associated with mixed flocks in lower and middle canopy strata. Distinction
between the two crombec species was difficult because of the great similarity
between the local subspecies.

Olive Longbill Macmsphenus concolor. Common, primary and secondary forest. In
mixed qjecies flocks, favouring dense lianas. Frequently heard in Ziama. Nest 2.5 m
high in a liana. Mar.

*Kemp*s LongbUl M kempt. One recOTd of a single individual in a mixed species
flock in mature secondaiy forest at 800 m near Sérédou.

Green Hylia H^a prasma. Abundant, all wooded habitats. Single birds or pairs,
sometimes eating arboreal ants Oecophylla.

Tit-Hylia Phalidomis rushiae. Frequent. Groups of 4-5 in light undergrowth of
secondary forest and plantations. Up to 1000 m on Ziama Massif
Spotted Flycatcher Musckapa siriata. One record in RC^ Coffee Centre in Macenta
among isolated trees in open grassland.

Little Blue Flycatcher M eptdata. Small groups recorded twice in mixed-species
flocks in the Ziama forest canopy.

* Olivaceous Flycatcher M olivascens. One record in secondary forest on the
southeastern slopes of the Ziama Massif (Wilson 1990).

Ashy Flycatcher M caemlescens. Regularly recorded at wooded river edges and
humid areas of secondary forest.

Dusky Blue Flycatcher M comiiaia. One record in secondaiy forest (WilscMi 1990).
Ussher’s Dusky Flycatcher Artomyim ussheri. Abundant, forested areas. Groups of
3-7.

Pied Flycatcher Ficedula hypoleuca. Common during the Palaearctic winter, on and
around Ziama Massif among bushes along forest edges.

*Aima*s Forest Flycatcher Melaenomis annamarutae. Three records at 800 m near

the SEQUINA tree nursery, Mar-Apr 1991. First recorded in Guinea on eastern
slopes of Ziama Massif, Apr 1990 (Wilson 1990).

Violet-backed Flycatcher Hyliota violacea. Frequent, Ziama Massif and
surrounding secondary forests up to 800 m. In mixed-species canopy flocks.

Shrike Flycatcher Megabyas flammulata. Frequent in and near old clearings,
favouring the canopy of Albizia and Piptadeniastrum species. A nest recorded in Ziama
in Mar 1 991 is the first to be described. It was 15m high in the fork of an Albizia sassa
at 850 m above Sérédou, in secondary growth. Both male and female incubated. The
nest was hemi^herical, about 4 cm diameter. It was hght grey, looked smooth and
seemed to consist of mosses and vegetable fibres. It was tightly bound to the bark,
probably by spider webs. It was very inconspicuous, looking like a bump on the foric.

26

D. HaUeux

Malimbus 16

* Black and White Flycatcher Bias musicus. Frequent and widespread in patchy
forest and its edges, and in coffee plantations. Display flights May.

Scarlet'spectacled Wattle-eye Platysteira cyanea. Common, gardens and grassland-
forest mosaic edge.

Chestnut Wattle-eye P. castanea. Abundant, primary and secondary forests on
Ziama Massif up to 900 m. Common member of mixed-species flocks in low and
middle strata.

Red-cheeked Wattle-eye P. blissetti. Uncommon, low dense undergrowth of
lowland secondary forest edges around Ziama Massif May have been overlooked.

* Golden-bellied Wattle-eye P. concreta. Common, primary and secondary forest
around mixed-species flocks in the lower strata.

Chestnut-cap Flycatcher Erythrocercus maccalli. Common to abundant, forests
above 700 m on Ziama Massif. In mixed-species flocks in high and medium strata.
Small groups of 6-9 noisy individuals.

Blue-headed Crested Flycatcher Twchocercus nitens. Three records from Ziama
Massif in forest undergrowth up to 900 m.

Dusky Crested Flycatcher T. nigromitratus. Frequent, primary and secondary
forest, 600-900 m. In mixed-species flocks in low forest undergrowth. Typical two-
note call.

Red-bellied Paradise Flycatcher Terpsiphone rufiventer. Abundant, forest
undergrowth. Single birds or pairs, sometimes associated with mixed species flocks.
Nest Jul.

Paradise Flycatcher T. virUBs. One record from Ziama Massif near the Sérédou pass
at 700 m.

*Dusky Tit Pams Junereus. Uncommon. Small noisy groups of 8-12, sometimes
associated with mixed-species flocks above 800 m on Ziama Massif.

Scarlet-tufted Sun bird Anthrepies fraseri. Frequent, often in lower and middle
forest strata. In small numbers in most mixed-species flocks.

Yellow-chinned Sunbird A rectirostris. Recorded in primary and secondary forest
canopy on Ziama (Wilson 1990).

Collared Sunbird A collaris. Abundant, forest and forest edges. Groups of 3-6.

Olive Sunbird Nectarinia oUvacea. Common, forest and plantation undergrowth.
Single birds or pairs within the lower strata.

Olive-backed Sunbird N. verticaUs. Uncommon in wooded patches in open lands
and gardens.

Blue-throated Brown Sunbird N, cyanolaema. Common visitors to April-flowering
Pentadesma butymcea in lowland secondary forest.

Buff-throated Sunbird N. adelberti. Frequent, flowering trees and low bushes at
edges of lowland forest and in forest canopy.

Variable Sunbird N, venusta. Occasional records at forest edge on Ziama Massif.
Olive-bellied Sunbird N. cMoropygia, Frequent, clearings and edges of secondary forest.
Copper Sunbird N. cuprea. Abundant, open, bushy savannas.

1994

Birds of Macenta, Guinea

27

Splendid Sunbird N. mccinigasier. Frequent, gardens and small woodlots in semi-
open areas on and around Ziama Massif.

Johanna* s Sunbird N, johannae. One record from Quinandou on Ziama massif, Feb
1989 (Ledm 1989).

Superb Sunbird N. superha. Uncommon, clearings and forest edge on Ziama

Massif.

Yellow White-eye Zosterops senegalemis. Common, gardens, old clearings and

forest edges up to 1000 m.

^Grosbeak Weaver Amblyospiza albifrons. Frequent, gardens and grassland-forest
mosaic. Small groiqjs feeding on fruiting Trema gaineensis.

Village Weaver Ploceus cucullaius. Very abundant. Colonies in most villages,
where it is considered a good omen.

Vieillot’s Black Weaver P. nigerrimus. Very abundant. Breeds in colonies (6-30
nests) in relict trees over stagnant ponds, Mar-Aug.

Compact Weaver P. supercUiosus. Uncommon, moist grassland.

Yellow-mantled Weaver P. tricolor. Frequent, secondary forest and old plantations
around Macenta. Feeding young at nest, Apr.

* Maxwell* s Black Weaver P. albmucha. One record in a mixed species flock on
Ziama Massif. Common in the southern Nzérékoré prefecture.

Black-necked Weaver P, nigiicoUis. Common, most wooded habitats and gardens,
ascending Ziama Massif along clearings and forest edges. Prefers semi-open habitats.
Western Golden-backed Weaver P. preussi. Five records of single birds or pairs on
and aroimd Ziama Massif.

[Gola Malimbe Malimbus baUmanni. One brief sighting of a bird resembling this
species in a moist forested area near the Quinquina Station’s “Poste 5” above Sérédou
at 1000 m.]

Red-vented Malimbe M. scutatus. Common, humid areas within primary and
secondary forest. Groups of 5-6 noisy birds. Nest-building Feb.

Kue-billed Malimbe M nitem. Common, forest undergrowth on Ziama Massif.

Single birds or pairs.

Red-headed Malimbe M mbricolUs. Common, primary and secondary forest.
Crested Malimbe M. malimbicus. Common. Pairs or small family groups in
secondary forest and plantations. Nest Apr.

*Red-headed Quelea Quelea erythrops. Common. Groups of 2-10 birds in flocks of
seed-eaters in rice fields before the harvest in M and Aug.

[Red-billed Quelea Q, quelea. Noted as common in fields around Sérédou but

without supporting data (Wilson 1990).]

Red-collared Whydah Euplectes ardens. Common, rice fields and humid
grasslands.

Fire-crowned Bishop K hordeaceus. Common, open humid Pennisetum grassland.
Yellow-mantled Whydah £1 macrourus. Very abundant, open and semi-open

grasslands.

28

D. Halleux

Malimbus 16

Grey-headed Sparrow Passer griseus. Common, small towns.

Pin-tailed Whydah Vitbia macroura. Frequent, open grassland, mostly moist areas.
Green-backed Twinspot Hypargos nitidulus. Rare, humid parts of mature
secondary forest along clearings. One bird favoured the middle strata. May have been
overlooked.

Crimson Seedcracker Pirenestes ostrinus. Frequent, grassy edges of swamps or
inundated rice fields.

Grey-headed Negro Finch Nigrita canicapilla. Common, forest patches, old
clearings and secondary forest. Nest-building Apr.

Chestnut-breasted Negro Finch N. bicolor. Frequent, abandoned clearings and
secondary forest edges up to 800 m. Nest-building Jun.

White-breasted Negro Finch N. fiisconata. Uncommon in mixed-species flocks
along forest edges.

*Red-fronted Flower-pecker Weaver-Finch Pamtoptila rubrifrons. A single and a
pair in low bushes near a moist area in Ziama Massif forest, one with a mixed species
flock. Both records were made in Black-capped Stream Warbler sites.

Bluebill Spermophaga haematina. Common in dense bushes in moist parts of forest,
and along forest paths.

*Grey-headed Olive-back Nesocharis capistrata. Two records in 1991, one of them
in a fruiting Ficus in grassland-forest mosaic. Mar and Aug.

Orange-cheeked Waxbill Estrilda melpoda. Abundant, tall grass habitats and small
bushes. On Ziama Massif up to 1000 m. Flocks of 6-15.

Common Waxbill K astrild. Abundant, grassland around Macenta, where several
hundred slept in Pennisetum tussocks during Feb and Mar.

Bar-breasted Fireflnch Lagonosticta mfopicta. Common, open grasslands with
Pennisetum. Usually in pairs.

Red-billed Fireflnch L senegala. Abundant, all open habitats near villages.
Black-bellied Fireflnch L rara. Frequent, grasslands. Often in groups of 3^.
*Orange-breasted Waxbill Amandava subjlava. One record of six birds in newly-
cut, humid grassland near Macenta, Aug 1 990.

Magpie Mannikin Lonchura fringilloides. Frequent, newly cleared lands with relict
trees. Nest-building Jul-Aug.

Black and White Mannikin L bicolor. Common, grass clearings or forest edges up
to 1000 m. Nests recorded Mar, Jun.

Bronze Mannikin L cucuUata. Abundant, all open habitats and gardens.

Acknowledgments

I am grateful to G.D. Field and Dr J.F. Walsh for their helpful comments on the
manuscript. I thank R. Wilson for sending me his report on Ziama birds and A. Le
Dru for giving me his data on Guinea birds. I give special thanks to Mr Mamadou

1994

Birds of Macenta, Guinea

29

Oury Bah, Directeur National des Forêts et de la Chasse, for his constant kind
support.

References

Allport, G., Ausden, M., Hayman, P.V., Robertson, P. & Wood, P. (1989) The
Conservation of the Birds of Gola Forest, Sierra Leone. Study Rep. 38,
International Council for Bird Preservation, Cambridge.

Berlioz, J. (1958) Note sur quelques oiseaux de la Guinée française. Bull. Mus. Nat
Hist Nat 2ème sér., 3: 298-301.

Berlioz, J. & Roche, J. (1960) Etude d'une collection d’oiseaux de Guinée. Bull.
Mus. Nat Hist Nat 32: 272-283.

Colston, P.R. & Curry-Lindahl, K. (1986) The Birds of Mount Nimba, Liberia.

British Museum (Natural History), London.

Ledru, a. (1989) Atlas de Répartition des Oiseaux de Guinée. Unpubhshed report.
Morel, G. J. & Morel, M.Y. (1988) Les oiseaux de Guinée. Malimbus 10: 143-176.
Walsh, J.F. (1987). Records of birds seen in north-eastern Guinea in 1984-85.
Malimbus9: 105-122.

Wilson, R. (1990) Annotated Bird List for the Forêt Classée de Ziama and
Immediate Environs. Unpublished report commissioned by lUCN.

30

Malimbus 16

Oiseaux nouveaux pour la République Centrafricaine ou
dont les notifications de ce pays sont peu nombreuses

par Max Germam* et Jean-Paul Comef

‘44 rue Cluseret, 92150 Sureties, France
mSTOM, B.P. 1386, Dakar, Sénégal

Reçu 10 juillet 1993
Revu 19 janvier 1994

Résumé

Nous fondant sur nos investigations en République Centiafricame et étude de
spécimens déposés au Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle (Paris) au cours
des 20 dernières années, nous signalons de ce pays 12 espèces qui n’y avaient
pas, jusqu’ici, été enregistrées. Des informations faunistiques sont également
apportées qui ont trait à quelques aufres espèces et concernent souvent des
dormes récentes, notamment certaines de celles fournies par Carroll (1988).

Summary

Based on field observations and the examination of specimens received
during the last 20 years by the Muséum National d’Histoire Natmelle (Paris)
12 species which had not been previously documented from Central African
Repubhc are reported. Additional informati<Mi on other spœies mid on some
recent records, especially those provided by Carroll (1988), is also presented.

Introduction

Le propos, essentiellement faunistique, de cette note est de faire état d’un certain
nombre de captures et observations ayant porté, en République Centrafricaine, sur des
espèces qui n’en avaient pas jusqu’ici été signalées, de première notificaticm récente
pour ce pays (postérieure à Green 1983) ou dont les records préexistants sont peu
nombreux. La plupart des données que nous rapportons ont été recueillies au cours
d’investigations virologiques (ORSTOM et Institut Pasteur) aymit nécessité, de 1969
à 1978, la capture et la dissection d’un grand nombre d’oismux; elles ne représentent
qu’une part de l’information ornithologique réunie en cette circonstance. Certaines
d’entre elles, qui contribuent à p-éciser sensiblemoit la gfegraphie d’une réparition,
nous paraissent présenter un intérêt immédiat alors que s’élabore une checkhst des
oiseaux de RCA (R. J. Dowsett en prép.). Cmroll (1982, 1988), s’essayant à dresser

1994

Oiseaux de la R.C.A.

31

une telle liste, y a introduit quelque confusion, ayant insuffisamment tenu compte de
la littérature préexistante et s’étant quelquefois risqué à faire état d’observations
originales qui eussent appelé plus de réserve critique (RJ. Dowsett & M. Germain en
prép.); il lui est en outre arrivé de mal interpréter des informations non publiées
venues en sa possession, donnant alors place à des observations inexistantes
(Germain 1992). Les informations reprises par Carroll (1988), seule facilement
accessible, ne s’accompagnent pas de renvois précis à leurs sources respectives; il
nous a donc paru indispensable d’inclure, dans la seconde des listes qui vont suivre,
celles de nos observations ayant été mises à contribution par cet auteur (bassin de la
Lobaye et région de Bangui principalement), chaque fois qu’elles portent sur des
espèces entrant dans le propos que nous avons défini. Nous l’avons fait dans le souci
de confirmer leur authenticité et de préciser leur locahsation.

Présentation des données

Le corps principal de notre information provient de captures au filet conduites de
septembre 1971 à décembre 1978 (environ 4500 oiseaux capturés, MG et JPC). Ont
également été retenues un certaine nombre de captures intéressantes réalisées en 1969
et 1 970 par Dr Jérôme Moindroit, qui fut le premier en charge du programme
épidémiologique ayant permis ces observations. Des oiseaux n’ont
qu’ exceptionnellement été obtenus au fusil. Certaines données font référence à des
spécimens de RCA déposés au Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle, Paris
(MNHN), par Charlotte Choux (CC), Raymond Pujol (RP), Jérôme Moindrot (JM) ou
l’un de nous (MG, auquel cas la mention MNHN figure seule). Le matériel provenant
de Lotémo, dans l’extrême sud du département de la Lobaye, a été récolté par notre
collègue Jean-Pierre Hervé (JPH). Une collection de référence avait été constituée, à
l’Institut Pasteur de Bangui, à partir du matériel récolté en RCA (387 spécimens).
Cette collection, entreprise dè 1 969 par J. Moindrot et à laquelle il sera quelquefois
fait référence (IPB), fut perdue quelque dix ans plus tard, du fait de malencontreuses
initiatives auxquelles nous n’eumes aucune part. Toutes les déterminations en avaient
été vérifiées par l’un de nous (MG).

Nous dénommons “exemplaire” tout oiseau ayant été déterminé en main, même
s’il n’a pas été conservé. Les sujets figurant dans les collections du Muséum se
signalent par la mention MNHN.

Les divisions phytogéographiques sont celles proposées par Boulvert (1986), soit,
du sud au nord: domaine congo-guinéen, secteurs de la forêt dense humide (SF) et
périforestier (SPF, mosaïque forêt-savane); dom. soudano-guinéen (DSG); dom.
médio-soudanien (DMS); dom. soudano-sahélien (DSS). On trouvera, en annexe, un
index des localités citées; celles-ci sont toutes à moins de 600 m d’altitude, à
l’exception de Bouar (100 m), Bocaranga (1070 m) et Sarki (1170 m), qui
appartiennent à l’étage submontagnard.

32

M. Germain & J.-P. Comet

Malimbus 16

C*est d*im secteur de 150 km de rayon, s’étendant du sud-ouest au nord de
Bangui, que provient le plus grand nombre des captures et observations; forêt dense
de la basse Lobaye et savanes périforestières la jouxant, entrée des savanes soudano-
guinéennes leur succédant au nord. Dans plusieurs des stations: Botambi (SF),
Landjia, Mboko, Ndélé près Bangui, Géringou, Ngoundji (SPF) et Bozo (DSG), des
captures s’étendant sur plusieurs jours consécutifs ont été régulièrement pratiquées,
plusieurs fois par an et en toutes saisons, pendant les sept années qu’a duré le
programme (la mention ‘*près Bangui”, pour le village de Ndélé, est une convention
de notre part, visant à écarter toute confusion avec la localité du même nom située
dans le nord de la RCA). Des captures ponctuelles ont également été conduites dans
les régions de Berbérati (Nassoulé, Gamboula), Carnot (Nandobo), Sarki,
Bossembélé (Bogoin), Bouca (Marali), Sibut, Grimari (Zagwa), Bambari (Marago) et
Bangassou (Nagtelaka); les régions de Bossangoa (Doumba), Rafaï, ainsi que la zone
subsahélienne (Garba, lac Mamoun), ont été prospectées par J. Moindrot. Dans la
région de Bangui, la saison des pluies s’étend d’avril à octobre; mars et novembre
sont des mois de transition. L’étiage de l’Oubangui a lieu de février à avril.

Espèces nouvelles pour la République Centrafricaine

Aigle-autour africain Spizaetus africanm. Une femelle immature capturée par un
villageois à Mboro (SF, près de Mbaïki), début janvier 1975. Aile 343; queue 260;
tarse 79, emplumé jusque sur la base des premières phalanges; tête roux rosé, striée
de brun sur la calotte; poifrine comme la tête, un peu plus claire, striée; ventre et
sous-caudales blancs, ces dernières, ainsi que les flancs, tachées de roussâtre; parties
supérieures bnmes; rœtrices brunes barées de plus sombre, avec hseré blanchâtre à
l’extrémité. Exemplaire perdu ^PB). Espèce forestière connue, dans cette région, de
la rive zaïroise de l’Oubangui (Libenge, Schouteden 1%2).

Bécassine sourde Lymnocryptes minimus. Landjia (SPF, près de Bangui), 24 jan
1970, un ex., MNHN. Cette espèce est un visiteur d’hiver régulier autour du lac
Tchad; ses notifications scmt peu ncttnteeuses au sud de la zone sahélienne, tant au
Cameroun qu’au Soudan (Louette 1981, Nikolaus 1987).

Hirondelle de rivage du Congo Riparia congica. Une femelle (ovaire très petit)
tuée, 7 mai 1978, dans une bande d’une hentaine de petites Riparia, sur un banc de
sable de l’Oubangui, quelques km en aval de Bangui. Parties inférieures
uniformément blanches, du menton aux sous-caudales; amorce bilatérale d’un
bandeau pectoral d’un brun grisâtre clair, à bords flous; parties dorsales du même
brun, un peu plus sombre et unifomie; aile 88; spécimen perdu (TPB). Cette espèce,
dont la distribution épouse les cours inférieur et moyen du Congo, n’avait pas
jusqu’ici été observée en amont d’Impfondo, sur l’Oubangui (Keith ei al 1992). Sa
capture près de Bangui accroît de quelque 400 km sa distribution connue le long de
cet affluent. Elle n’induit pas de sympatrie partielle avec THirondelle paludicole R.

1994

Oiseaux de la R.C.A.

33

paludicola, observée dans la même région mais peu susceptible de s’y reproduire;
suivant Hall & Moreau (1970), ces hirondelles constituent avec l’Hirondelle de
rivage R. riparia une super-espèce. Il semble s’agir d’une implantation faible ou
d’incursions liées à un certain erratisme, soit à partir de l’aval, soit à partir du bassin
de la Lua (région de Géména, Zaïre) où l’espèce a été observée (Schouteden 1 %2).
R. congica est toutefois considérée comme sédentaire dans ses quartiers les mieux
cormus (Chapin 1953, Turner & Rose 1989).

Hirondelle de Preuss Himndo preussi. Géringou (SPF, entre Bangui et Damara), 12
juin 1 976, mâle, MNHN. Autres exemplaires: Géringou, avr et juin, femelles;
Landjia, avr, mâle. Populations sporadiquement implantées, toujours le long de cours
d’eau, dans le domaine congo-guinéen et le sud du domaine soudano-guinéen,
observées de la région de Berbérati à celle de Bagassou: Nassoulé (sep), Bangui (avr,
juin, août), rivière Ombella au nord de Damara (avr, sep), Ngaoda (avr), Kembé
(mars), Dékolo (avr). nidifie sous les ponts, en colonies qui peuvent être très denses
(environ 2800 nids sous le pont enjambant la Mbari à Dékolo). Construction observée
en avril, des jeunes encore au nid ou s’essayant à voler à la mi-juin.

Merle à queue rousse Cichladusa ruficauda. Six specimens de Bangui (SPF),
déposés au MNHN: mâles 17 jan 1978, 13 fév 1978, 25 mars 1978 immature;
femelles 25 mars 1978, 17 nov 1971; adulte non sexé 21 nov 1967 (RP).
Régulièrement observé dans les parcs et jardins de Bangui, qui sont les heux où il est
apparu le plus souvent dans nos filets (7 ex. en tout); également obtenu à Landjia et
Mboko, en savane arbustive, en janvier et juin; à Botambi (SF), dans des clarières de
culture (juin et août); non rencontré ailleurs en RCA. Manifestement sédentaire, cet
oiseau se reproduit vraisemblablement en saison sèche: chant surtout entendu de
février à mai; un ovaire en début d’activité constaté début janvier; capture dans le
même filet d’une femelle et d’un immature, fm mars. L’aire de distribution connue de
l’espèce intéresse l’ouest de l’Angola et la basse vallée du Congo jusqu’au confluent
de l’Oubangui; les observations faites à Bangui révèlent sa présence près de 550 km
en amont de ce dernier point. Cet oiseau serait à rechercher sur tout le cours inférieur
de rOubangui, le long duquel il a probablment progressé. Tout dorme à penser que
son installation dans la région de Bangui est relativement récente; l’habitude qu’il a
de se percher très en évidence, au sommet d’un buisson ou d’un arbuste, pour émettre
un chant particulièrement sonore, le brun-roux vif de son plumage, sa fréquentation
des jardins, rendent en effet peu vraisemblable qu’il soit demeuré inaperçu
d’observateurs tels que Dybowski, AUine et Blancou.

Fauvette des jardins Sylvia communis. Sarki (DSG), 23 jan 1973, capture de deux
mâles et ime femelle (IPB). Ces captures sur les contreforts orientaux de l’Adamaoua
n’offrent rien d’inattendu; 5. communis est un visiteur d’hiver signalé du Cameroun,
du Tchad, du Soudan et du nord du Zaïre (Louette 1981, Salvan 1967-1969, Nikolaas
1987, Schouteden 1%2).

Astrild-mésange Pholidomis rushiae. Botambi (SF), 10 mai 1978, capture d’une
femelle. Ventre et croupion d’un jaune franc: il s’agit de P. r. denti, sous-espèce

34

M. Germain & J.-P. Comet

Malimbus 16

occupant le centre et Test du bloc forestier équatorial, à laquelle Louette (1981)
rapporte également les populations du sud-est du Cameroun. L’ovaire était au repos.
Gobe-mouches à lunettes blanches Muscicapa caemlescens. La Maboké (SF), 2
juil 1966 (RP), un adulte, MNHN. Capture contribuant à combler, pour cette espèce
forestière, un hiatus marginal de la répartition connue, entre le sud du Cameroun et le
nord du Zaïre (Louette 1981, Hall & Moreau 1970).

Etourneau à queue étroite Poeoptem lugubris. La Maboké, 13 juil 1968, un mâle,
(RP) MNHN. Même remarque géographique que l’espèce précédente.

Soui-manga de Reichenow Nectarinia preussi. Sarki (DSG), 27 jan 1973: un mâle,
bec 15, MNHN; une femelle, bec 13, MNHN. Espèce orophile forestière dont l’aire
occidentale intéresse, au Cameroun, les grands massifs du sud-ouest, les bombements
du rehef dans la région de Yaoundé et l’Adamaoua (Germain et al 1973); sa capture
sur les prolonguements orientaux de ce dernier plateau n’offre donc rien de
suprenant. Louette (1981) note que les populations de la région de Yaoundé et de
l’Adamaoua se caractérisent par un bec plus court (inférieur aux 16-19 de la forme
nominale) et reconnaît la sous-espèce genderuensis-, nos spécimens présentent bien
cette même caractéristique. Ils ont été capturés dans une ripisylve; l’ovaire de la
femelle était actif.

Tisserin tricolore Ploceus tricolor. Deux spécimens de la Maboké (SF), MNHN: 14
juil 1966 (RP), adulte non sexé, poitrine et ventre d’un brun terne et sombre; 12 juil
1968 (RP), non-sexé, subadulte, même caractères de coloration mais haut de la
poitrine taché légèrement de roux. Espèce forestière présente dans le sud du
Cameroun (race nominale) et au Zaïre. Les caractères de coloration donnent à penser
que les exemplaires de le Maboké sont des femelles de la race interscapularis
Reichenow (à laquelle sont rapportées les populations voisines du nord-ouest du
Zaïre, région de Géména, Schouteden 1962) ou l’expression d’un cline entre les deux
formes.

Euplecte de Gierow Euplectes gierowü. Bangui (SPF), 19 août 1969 (CC), un mâle
en plumage nuptial, MNHN. Non signalée du Cameroun (Louette 1981), cette espèce
l’est par contre, au Zaïre, de régions voisines de la nôtre (territoires de Bosobolo et
Géména notamment, Schouteden 1962).

Espèces dont la première notifîcation pour la RCA est récente ou les records
existants peu nombreux

La fonction de cette partie est notamment de préciser le contenu et la localisation
d’un certain nombre d’observations non publiées que la liste fournie par Carroll
(1 988) rapporte de façon ambiguë ou peu précise. Lorsque nos observations ont pour
effet d’étendre sensiblement une aire géographique ou de donner lieu à des
considérations d’ordre infraspécifique, remarque en est faite dans le texte. Les
références figurant entre parenthèses après l’annonce de chaque espèce sont celles

1994

Oiseaux de la R.C.A.

35

des notifications déjà existantes; Bouet (1 944) rend compte des spécimens déposées
au MNHN par Dybowski au retour de sa mission dans les régions qui nous
intéressent (1891-92), ainsi que des récoltes d’Alline dans les années 1930. Nos
propres notifications ne viennent qu’à la suite.

Blongios nain Ixobrychm nunutm. (Bouet 1955, Snow 1978, Green 1984, Carroll
1988). Espèce présente en touts saisons à Bangui et dans ses environs (Landjia,
Mboko), neuf ex., dont deux certainement de la sous-espèce paléarctique minutus
(oct-nov). Observation d’un immature à Bozo, oct.

Butor à tête blanche Tigriomis Imcolophus. (Snow 1978, Carroll 1988, Green &
Carroll 1991). Bobia, un ex., avr (TPB); Kinga, un ex. tué par xm chasseur, juil.
Aigrette intermédiaire Egretta intermedia. Pragesco 1961, Carroll 1988, Green &
Carroll 1991, Bretagnolle 1993). Landjia 19 déc 1974, observation de deux individus.
Erratique saisonnier dans le sud de la RCA.

Sarcelle à oreillons Nettapus auritus. (Malbrant 1952, Snow 1978, Gren 1983,
Carroll 1988, Bretagnolle 1993). Landjia, 19 nov 1972, observation d’un individu.
Déjà signalée de la région de Bangui (Snow 1 978).

Balbuzard pêcheur Pandion haliaetus. (Blancou 1948, Jehl 1974, Carroll 1988).
Migrateur observé une seule fois: étangs de Landjia, 3 oct 1 971 .

Bondrée apivore Pemis apivorus. (Jehl 1974, Carroll 1988, Bretagnolle 1993).
Migrateur paléarctique ayant ses quartiers d’hiver dans le bloc forestier. Une obs.,
Mboko, 5 oct 1 971 ; ex. tué dans la région de Bangui, 6 déc 1 969 (IPB).

Faucon des chauves-souris Machaeraniphus alcinus. (Berlioz 1934, Blancou 1938-
1939, Snow 1978, Carroll 1988). Bangui, 20 jan, une obs.

Circaète brun Circaetus cinereus. (Green 1983, Carroll 1988, Bretagnolle 1993).
Une obs., méridionale pour cette espèce: Bozo 31 jan, adulte (en savane arborée).
Autour tachiro Accipiter tachiro. (Snow 1978, Friedmann 1978, Carroll 1988).
Botambi, deux mâles, MNHN: 17 avr 1970 (JM) et 20 oct 1971. Il s’agit de A. l
toussenelii.

Autour minuUe A erythropus. (Bouet 1944, Carroll 1988, Green & Carroll 1991).
Landjia, 6 mai 1970 (JM), mâle, MNHN; Bangui 24 jan 1974, femelle immature,
MNHN. La Maboké, une obs., jan.

Autour à longue queue Urotriorchis macrourus. (Carroll 1988, Green & Carroll
1991). Kinga: une obs., juil.

Aigle blanchard Stephanoaetus coranatus. (Carroll 1988, Green & Carroll 1991).
Un ex. tué par un chasseur dans les environs de Pisa, mars 1 972.

Faucon ardoisé Falco ardosiaceus. (Snow 1978, Green 1983, Carroll 1988,
Bretagnolle 1993). Deux obs.: Gomoka, juil, Damara, nov.

Caille bleue cotumix chinensis. (Bouet 1944). Landjia, 16 jan 1974, capture d’un
adulte mâle.

Tumix nain Tumix hottentota. (Germain 1992). Rappel: Mboko, 24 jan 1975, une
femelle, MNHN. Il s’agit de T. h nam.

36

M. Germain & J.-P. Comet

Malimbus 16

Râle nain à poitrine chatain Sarothura rufa. (Urban et al 1986). Bangui: 10 nov
1968 (PR), 23 août 1969 (CC), femelles, MNHN.

Râle africain Crex egregia. (Bouet 1944, Snow 1978, Green 1984, Carroll 1988,
Green & Carroll 1991). Bangui, 10 nov 1968 (RP), immature, MNHN. Boukoko, une
obs., déc.

Petit poule d’eau africain GaUinula angulata. (Berlioz 1939, Snow 1978, Carroll
1988, BretagnoUe 1993). Landjia, 13 jan 1975, ex. femelle. Boukoko, une obs., mai.
Poule d* Allen Porphyrio aUeni. (Carroll 1988). Boukoko, 19 mai, femelle, ovaire
actif. Landjia, ime obs., juin. Un ex., Bangui, juil. (JM, IPB).

Rhynchée Rostratula beng^aUnsis. (Green 1983, Carroll 1988, BretagnoUe 1993).
Landjia, trois femelles capturées en jan, deux en mai-juin (ovaires actifs). Autres ex.:
Boda, fév; Bobia, mai; lac Mamoun (JM), mars.

Echasse blanche Hinumtopus himantopus. (Jehl 1974, Green 1983, Carroll 1988,
Green & Carroll 1991 , BretagnoUe 1993). Landjia, une obs, jan.

Petit Gravelot Charadrius dubius. (Jehl 1974, Green 1983, Carroll 1988, Green &
CarroU 1991). Landjia: visiteur d’hiver régulier, mais en très faible nombre; un ex.,
jan 1975.

Pluvier à front blanc C marginatus. (CarroU 1988, Green & CarroU 1991). Bangui,
mai, un ex., femelle immature. Landjia et plages de l’Oubangui dans cette même
région: isolés et petits groupes, mai, nov, déc.

Bécasseau minute Caüdris minuta. (Jehl 1974, CarroU 1988, Green & CarroU 1991,
Germain 1 992). Hivernant régulier à Landjia, plusieurs captures en déc.

Bécasseau de Temminck C temmincldi. (Jehl 1974, Green 1984). Landjia, 13 jan,
un ex. (IPB).

Bécasseau cocorli C fermginea. (Green & CarroU 1991). Landjia, 7 oct 1973, une obs.
Bécassine des marais Gallinago gaUinago. (Jehl 1974, Green 1983, 1984, Green &
CarroU 1991). Landjia: hivernant assez abondant, 16 ex. entre 16 déc et 18 fév. Lac
Mamoun, un ex., mars (JM).

Chevalier gambette Tringa totanus. (Dragesco 1961, Jehl 1974, Green 1983, 1984,
BretagnoUe 1993). Visiteur d’hiver peu nombreux dans le sud de la RCA. Une obs.,
Landjia, précoce: 12 août 1972, deux individus.

Chevalier stagnatile T. stagnatilis. (CarroU 1988, Green 1984, Green & CarroU
1991). Landjia, 30 jan, un ex. mâle.

Goéland brun Larus fuscus. (CarroU 1988). Une observation isolée: Bangui, sur le
fleuve, 9 jan 1 973, adulte de la race nominale (dessus ardoisé sombre).

Guifette leucoptère Chüdonias lemoptems. (Jehl 1974, Green 1983, CarroU 1988,
BretagnoUe 1993). Bangui (île Mboulou), 5 fév et 2 avr 1978, mâles, MNHN.
Fréquemment observé sur l’Oubangui, le plus souvent en petits groupes, entre 5 fév
et 21 mai. Plus fortes densités en fin de saison sèche: plus de 100 observées sur
quelques km, 23 avr 1 978. Observé une seule fois sur les étangs de Landjia, 16 déc.
Tourterelle à tête bleue Turtur brehmeri. (Bouet 1944, Friedmann 1978, Green 1984,
CarroU 1 988, Green & CarroU 1991). Botambi et Ue Bokassi, juin et oct: trois ex.

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Oiseaux de la R.C.A.

37

Tourterelle tambourinette T, tympanistria. (Blancou 1938-39, Snow 1978,
Friedmann 1978, Carroll 1988). Assez nombreuses captures dans les régions de
Bangui, Bozo, Sibut, Bambari, Bangassou, Rafaï, en toutes saisons et toujours en
sous-bois.

Perrroquet vert à tête rouge Poicephalm guUelmi. (Bouet 1944, Carroll 1988,
Green & Carroll 1991). Botambi, un ex., nov (JM, IPB).

Inséparable à collier noir Agapomis swinderniana. (Snow 1978, Carroll 1988,
Green & Carroll 1991). Mbaïki, mai, un ex., tué par un chasseur.

Touraco vert Tauraco persa. (Bouet 1944, Carroll 1988, Green & Carroll 1991).
Boboui, août, im ex. (IPB).

Touraco à bec noir T. schuetii. (Blancou 1948, Bouet 1961, Snow 1978, Carroll
1988). Non signalé du département de la Lobaye (mention erronée dans une liste non
publiée que Carroll a eu en main, cf. Germain 1992), mais connu de Bangui (Alline
m Bouet 1961), ainsi que de Zémio, localité-type de T. s. sharpei.

Coucou solitaire Cuculus soUtarius. (Blancou 1948, Snow 1978, Friedmann 1978,
Green 1983, Carroll 1988, Green & Carroll 1991). Mbaïki, avr, une obs.

Coucal noirou Centropus grilUi. (Blancou 1938-39, Carroll 1988). Landjia, déc, une
obs.; Bangassou, avr, une obs.

Coucal à nuque bleue C monachm. (Bouet 1944, Snow 1978, Green 1983, Carroll
1988). Une obs. à Landjia, mars, et une à Bonganou, avr. Dans la région de Bangui,
aujourd’hui très savanisée, l’espèce du genre la plus communément observée est C.
senegalensis.

Engoulevent à épaulettes noires Caprimulgus nigriscapularis. (Carroll 1988,
Germain 1992). Exemplaires: Kapou, mai, femelle, ovaire actif; Bozo, août, mâle.
Engoulevent terne Caprimulgus inomatus. (Blancou 1938-39, Snow 1978, Carroll
1988, Green & Carroll 1991). Bozo, déc, un ex. mâle.

Martinet épineux de Sabine RhaphiAira sabini. (Blancou 1938-39, Carroll 1988,
Green & Carroll 1991, Germain 1992). Landjia, avr, une obs. de deux (rappel);
observé sur l’Oubangui, 20 km en amont de Bangui, avr, (F. Bretagnolle corn. pers.).
Martinet à croupion blanc caffer. (Berhoz 1939, Malbrant 1952, Snow 1978,
Carroll 1988, Green & Carroll 1991, Bretagnolle 1993). Bozo, 13 août 1977, mâle,
IPB. Obs.: Mbaïki, 5 jan; environs de Sibut, mai (F. Bretagnolle corn. pers.).

Petit Martin-chasseur à tête châtaine Ceyx lecontei. (Friedmann 1 978, Carroll
1988, Green & Carroll 1991). La Maboké: 19 avr 1966, ime femelle; 14 juin 1966, un
immature, (RP) MNHN. Botambi, juil, un ex., IPB; Lotémo, sep et nov, plusieurs ex.
(JPH).

Rolle à gorge bleue Eurystomus gularis. (Snow 1978, Carroll 1988, Green &
Carroll 1991). La Maboké, mai, une obs.

Barbu â gorge grise Gynmobucco bonapartei. (Bouet 1944, Snow 1978, Carroll
1988, Green & Carroll 1991). La Maboké, 30 juil 1968, (RP) MNHN. Exemplaires:
Botambi, nov, (JM, IPB); Mboko, oct; Ngoundji, mai. Observé près de Bangui et
Mbaïki, jan, fév.

38

M. Germain & J.-P. Comet

Malimbus 16

Barbu de Sladen G. sladenL (Carroll 1988). Mongoumba, jan 1975, une obs. d’un
isolé (face nue et bec sombres, touffes claires). Signalé de la rive zaïroise de
rOubangui dans la même région (Schouteden 1 962).

Petit Barbu grivelé Pogonmlus scohpaceus. (Friedmann 1978, Carroll 1988, Grreen
& Carroll 1991). Botambi, trois ex., mâles, juil, déc; Géringou, nov, un ex. mâle.
Barbu à croupion rouge P. atwflams. (Friedmann 1978, Carroll 1988, Green &
Carroll 1991). La Maboké, un ex., août.

Petit Barbu à gorge jaune P. suhsulphureus. (Blancou 1958, Snow 1978,
Friedmann 1978, Carroll 1988). La Maboké, 24 mai 1966 (RP), mâle, MNHN.
Géringou, nov, un ex.

Petit Barbu à taches jaunes Buccanodon duchaillui. (Snow 1978, Carroll 1988,
Green & Carroll 1991). Botambi, avr, un ex. femelle.

Barbu hérissé Tricholaema hirsuta. (Bouet 1944, Snow 1978, Carroll 1988), La
Maboké, 21 déc 1966 (RP), adulte, MNHN. Géringou, nov, un ex. mâle.
Tachyphone pourpré Trachyphonus purpuratus. (Bouet 1944, Snow 1978,
Friedmann 1978, Carroll 1988, Green & Carroll 1991). Rafaï, déc, un ex. (JM, IPB).
Indicateur Uichtii Indicator nmculatus. (Friedmann 1978, Carroll 1988). Gomoka,
oct, un ex. (JM, IPB). Landjia, mai, un ex. mâle; Lotémo, sep (JPH), trois mâles, une
femelle, ovaire en activité (cette capture dans la Lobaye annule la réserve faite par
Germain 1992).

Picule Sasia africana. (Carroll 1988, Green & Carroll 1991). La Maboké, 23 avr
1966 (RP), femelle, MNHN. Botambi, plusieurs ex., jan, juin, oct, nov.

Pic tacheté Campethera nivosa. (Bouet 1944, Snow 1978, Friedmann 1978, Carroll
1988). Exemplaires; Botambi, juil; Géringou, fév, dont deux femelles ovaires actifs.
Pic à oreillons bruns C caroli. (Bouet 1944, Snow 1978, Friedmann 1978, Carroll
1988, Green & Carroll 1991). Exemplaires: Botambi, avr, juil; Mboko juil; Ngoundji,
jan.

Pic à poitrine tachetée Dendropkos poecilolaemm. (Bouet 1944, Snow 1978, Carroll
1988, Green & Carroll 1991). Exemplaires: Botambi, jan; Mboko, déc; Bozo, fév.

Pic cardinal D. fuscescens. (Blancou 1938-39, Snow 1978, Green 1983, Carroll
1988, Bretagnolle 1993). Exemplaires: Mboko, mars, juin, sep; Ndélé près Bangui,
mars, juin; Boda, oct

Brève à poitrine fauve Pkta angolensis. (Friedmarm 1978, Carroll 1988, Germain
1992). Botambi, 3 juil 1975, femelle, aile 118, manteau vert sombre, sus-caudales
bleues sans nuance violacée (P. a, angolensis), MNHN. Comme on le remarquera,
cet exemplaire appartient à la sous-espèce présente dans le sud-est du Cameroun,
tandis que celui récolté beaucoup plus loin à Lest par Friedmarm, près de Baroua, est
de la race longipennis.

Hirondelle hérissée à queue courte Psalidoprocne nitens. (Green & Carroll 1991).
La Maboké, 17 avr 1966 (RP), femelle, MNHN.

Hirondelle paludicole Riparia paludkola. (Carroll 1988). Etangs de Landjia (ex.):
23 avr 1970, adulte (JM, IPB); 3 mars 1976, trois mâles (ailes 96, 97, 100) et trois

1994

Oiseaux de la R.C.A.

39

femelles (ailes 94, 96, 96), gonades des deux sexes au repos. Les caractères de
coloration sont ceux de R. p. paludibula: gorge, poitrine et flancs d’un brun grisâtre
clair, ventre et sous-caudales blancs. La distance entre Landjia et le lieu
d’observation de l’espèce le moins éloigné (sud-est de Sahr, au Tchad, Hall &
Moreau 1970) est 480 km. Carroll signale sa présence dans le parc de Manovo-
Gounda-Saint Floris. Dans le sud du Tchad, elle est présente toute l’année (Salvan
1967-69) et la reproduction a été observée en jan-fév (Dragesco 1961). La place
qu’occupent des tendances dispersives ou franchement migratoires dans le
comportement des diverses populations afrotropicales d ’Hirondelles paludicoles reste
très mal connue (Curry-Lindahl 1981, Turner & Rose 1989); il semblerait qu’elle soit
d’importance très irréguhère, dans le temps comme dans l’espace. Les incursions très
méridionales constatées en RCA pourraient avoir été favorisées (au travers de
perturbations ayant intéressé l’entomofaune?). par les déficits pluviométriques qui
ont affecté, à partir de 1967, la zone sahéhenne.

Hirondelle de rivage R. riparia. (Jehl 1974, Carroll 1988, Keith et al. 1992).
Mboko, 25 jan 1975, femelle, aile 103, MNHN. Landjia, 21 jan, deux ex. mâles;
plusieurs observations en jan-fév. Keith et al. (1992) signalent la reprise, dans l’ouest
de la RCA, d’un sujet bagué au Danemark.

Hirondelle à longs brins Hirundo snüthii. (Hall & Moreau 1970, Green 1983,
Carroll 1988, Green & Carroll 1991, Bretagnolle 1993). Sarki, jan, un ex.

Hirondelle noire H. nigrita. (Bouet 1944, Carroll 1988, Green & Carroll 1991).
Observée, par couples, sur les plans d’eau méridionaux: Oubangui dans la région de
Bangui, fév, avr, juin; Mbaïki, avr, rivière Lobaye à Bagandou, jan; rivière Kadéi
près de Gamboula, sep.

Hirondelle de cheminée H. ntstica. Nous nous bornerons ici à signaler la reprise à
Boda (par un chasseur), le 15 déc 1974, d’un juvénile bagué au nid le 1 juil de la
même année, à Romanswiller, Bas-Rhin, France.

Alouette sentinelle Macronyx crocem. (Hall & Moreau 1970, Green 1983, Carroll
1988). Observé, le plus souvent par paires, à Landjia et Bonganou, mars-juin.

Tchagra à tête brune Tchagra australis. (Bouet 1944, Hall & Moreau 1970, Carroll
1988, Green & Carroll 1991). La Maboké, deux ex. 1966, dont un en sep 1966 (RP),
MNHN. Obtenu à Botambi, déc; à Landjia, Mboko, Ndélé près Bangui, Géringou,
mars, mai, nov et déc; à Bozo, jan; Nassoulé, sep.

Gonolek noir Laniarius leucorhynchus. (Bouet 1944, Hall & Moreau 1970, Carroll
1988, Green & Carroll 1991). Ngoundji, 28 oct 1971, un ex., MNHN; mars, un ex.
Egalement obtenu à Bangui, juin; Boda, juil; Nandobo, sep; Rafaï (JM), déc.
Pie-grièche fiscale Lanius callaris. (Oustalet 1904-05, Malbrant 1952, Hall &
Moreau 1970, Carroll 1988). Quelques captures et observations dans la région de
Mbaïki-Bangui-Damara (juin^oût, oct, déc) et 50 km au sud-est de Carnot (sep). Il
s’agit, comme au Cameroun, de L c. smithii, mais il est ici beaucoup moins commun.
Loriot à tête noir Oriolus hrachyrhynchus. (Bouet 1944, Hall & Moreau 1970,
Carroll 1988, Green & Carroll 1991). Mbaïki, mai, une obs. Manifestement peu

40

M. Germain & J.-P. Comet

Malimbus 16

abondant, à la différence de ce qui s’observe dans le sud du Cameroun (Germain et
al 1973).

Loriot à ailes noires O, nigripennis. (Hall & Moreau 1970, Carroll 1988, Green &
Carroll 1991). Bangui, fév, un ex. (IPB).

Merle métallique à tête pourprée Lamprotomis purpureiceps. (Bouet 1944, Hall &
Moreau 1970, Carroll 1988, Green & Carroll 1991). Gomoka, avr, un ex. (IPB).
Bosongo, avr, une obs.

Merle métallique à queue violette L. chalcurus. (Blancou 1938-39, 1958,
Schauensee 1949, Malbrant 1952, Hall & Moreau 1970). Sarki, jan, un ex. mâle.
Merle métallique à longue queue L, caudatus. (Malbrant 1952, Hall & Moreau
1970, CarroU 1988). Garba, fév, un ex. aPB).

Ëchenilleur pourpré Campephaga quiscalina. (Carroll 1988, Green & CarroU
1991). Mboko, 17 mai, capture d’un couple, femeUe avec ovaire actif, sous-espèce
nominale. Ngoundji, mai, un ex. femelle; Bonganou, avr, obs. d’un mâle, dans un
masssif de parasoliers. Les observations centrafricaines prolongent sensiblement à
l’est l’aire connue de la sous-espèce.

Bulbul ÿracile Andropadus gracilis. (Friedmann 1978, Carroll 1988). Botambi, juil,
un ex. femeUe. Egalement capturé à Rafaï, en même temps que A. virens, déc (JM).
Bulbul curvirostre A curvirostris. (Hall & Moreau 1970, Friedmann 1978, Carroll
1988). Botambi, jan, un ex. de chaque sexe; Ngoundji, oct, deux mâles (dont un IPB).
Bulbul à bec grêle A gracüirostris. (Friedmann 1 978, Carroll 1 988). La Maboké, 1 5
sep 1966 (RP), deux ex., MNHN. Cette espèce existe donc bien dans le bassin de la
Lobaye (Carroll 1988).

Bulbul à moustaches jaunes A latirostris. (Hall & Moreau 1970, Friedmann 1978,
Carroll 1988, Green & Carroll 1991). La Maboké, deux ex. (RP), MNHN: 20 avr
1966, mâle; 6 août 1968. Cette espèce est, après A. virens, l’Andropadus le plus
fréquemment capturé dans les sous-bois du sud-ouest de la RCA; Lotémo, La
Maboké, Botambi, Ndélé près Bangui, Geringou. Egalement obtenu à Nagbalaka et
Rafaï. Des ovaires (108 examinés) ne sont trouvés actifs que de mai a août, tandis que
chez A. virens cette même période se prolonge jusqu’en novembre.

Bulbul à queue blanche Baeopogon indicator. (Friedmann 1978, Carroll 1988). La
Maboké, 13 juil 1968 (RP), mâle, MNHN; Ngoundji, 21 déc 1972, femelle, ovaire
actif, MNHN. Egalement obtenu à Bozo, avr.

Bulbul de Falkenstein Chlorocichla falkensteini. (Carroll 1988). Kouango, 7 nov
1970 (JM), adulte, MNHN. Plusieurs captures en savane arbustive à Mboko et
Bangui, juin, oct-déc.

Bulbul modeste C simplex. (Carroll 1988). Plusieurs captures: Botambi, Bangui et
environs, Bozo, Marali, Nassoulé, fév-déc. A Botambi, capturé une seul fois (juin),
en lisière de canopée, dans des filets placés à 15 m du sol. Ovaires en activité: sep-
dec, fév.

Bulbul ictérin Phyllastrephus icterinus. (Carroll 1988, Carroll & Green 1991).
Botambi: 8 mai 1973, mâle, MNHN; 24 jan 1974, femelle, MNHN. Autres ex.:

1994

Oiseaux de la R.C.A.

41

Botambi, mai; Lotémo, sep (JPH), un mâle et trois femelles (deux ovaires en
activité).

Bulbul icterin tacheté P. xavieri. (Bouet 1944, Hall & Moreau 1970, Carroll 1988,
Green & Carroll 1991). Botambi ex.: mâle, 22 jan 1974, MNHN; mâle, jan, c^turé
en liséré de canopée, à 1 5 m du sol; mâle, avr, Lotémo, sep, deux mâles.

Bulbul à gorge blanche P. albigularis. (Friedmann 1978, Carroll 1988). La Maboké,
2 juin 1966 (RP), male, MNHN; Bangui (Kouanga), 10 déc 1969 (JM), un ex.,
^fl^îHN. Botambi, une vingtaine d’ex., jan, mai, juil-déc; Géringou.

Bulbul de Reichenow Criniger ndussutnemis. (Hall & Moreau 1970, Keith et al
1992). Nous avons rapporté à C. calurus emini, dont un specimen provenant de
Botambi a figuré dans la collection IPB, tous les Criniger (19 ex.) que nous avons
capturés dans la région de Bangui et en basse Lobaye, à l’exception d’un seul qui
nous a paru devoir l’être à C ndttssumensis: Botambi, mai, mâle, aile 92, bec plus fin
(hauteur à la base 5.5 mm), sous-caudales assez fortement lavées de roussâtre.

Merle rouge-gorge Sheppardia cyomithopsis. (Hall & Moreau 1970). La Maboké,
sans date (RP), un adulte, MNHN. Capture qui annonce une continuité de distribution
de cette espèce entre ses deux aires subspécifiques d’Afrique équatoriale: Cameroun
méridional à Gabon et nord-est du Zaïre (où il est signalé des abords de Mobaye, Hall
& Moreau 1970). Comparé avec ceux du Gabon et du Cameroun, ce spécimen (aile
72 sur l’oiseau en peau, mâle?) se présente avec des flancs légèrement plus ternes,
d’un brun châtain plutôt que roux clair.

Rouge-gorge de forêt Sdphromis eryütroihorax. (Friedmann 1978, Carroll 1988).
La Maboké, 6 août 1968 (RP), immature, MNHN. Botambi, huit ex., jan, avr, juil,
nov, déc; Bangui et Raf^ (JM), d^.

Cossyphe à ailes bleues Cossypha cyanocampter. (Carroll 1988, Keith et al 1992).
Botambi: jan, un ex. mâle; nov, femelle.

Alèthe à huppe romstAledte diademata. (Friedmann 1978, Cairoll 1988). Botambi,
14 jan 1972, immature mâle, MNHN; 16 autres ex., avr, mai, juil, août. La Maboké,
jan, un ex. (JM); Gomoka, nov, un ex.

Grive fourmilière à queue blanche Neocossyphus poensis. (Friedmann 1978,
Carroll 1988). La Maboké (RP), un ex., sans date, MNHN; Botambi, 13 jan 1972,
femelle, MNHN. Comparés avec ceux du Cameroun et du Gabon, ces exemplaires
ont leurs parties dorsales d’un brun sensiblement plus chaud et des rectrices externes
portant moins de blanc à leur extrémité (M p. praepectomlis). Egalement capturé
dans la région de Bangassou: Nagbalaka, avr, im mâle.

Grive akalat brune Malacocincla fulvescens. (Hall & Moreau 1970, Friemann
1978, CarroU 1988). La Maboké, 16 mai 1966 (RP), mâle, MNHN; Bouar, 1970
(RP), adulte, MNHN. Botambi et île Bokassi, plusieurs captures, jan, juin, août, oct;
ovaires trouvés actifs en juin et oct Egalement obtenu à Bangui, entre cette ville et
Damara, à Bozo et à Rafaï.

Grive akalat à tête noire M. cleaveri. (White 1962, Green & Carroll 1991). La
Maboké, 19 mai (RP), mâle, MNHN.

42

M. Gemiain & J.-P. Comet

Mdimbus 16

Cratérope capucin Phyllanthm atripennis. (Bouet 1944, Hall & Moreau 1970,
Friedmann 1978, Carroll 1988). Botambi, 7 avr 1977, MNHN; “Oubangui”, sans date
(RP), MNHN. Les caractères de coloration sont ceux de P. a, bohndorffi. Quatre ex.
capturés à Rafaï, déc (JM).

Phragmite des iQnc% Acrocephalm schoenobamm. (Jehl 1974, Carroll 1988, Green
& Carroll 1991). Bangui, 31 oct 1972, un ex., MNHN. Egalemait capturé à Landjia,

20 avr 1978, un mâle.

RousseroUe effarvate A scirpacem. (Jehl 1974, Cairoll 1988). Ngoundji, 24 jan
1972, mâle, MNHN. Autres captures: Bangui, 29 déc 1971, une femelle; Mboko, 2
mars 1972, im ex.; Landjia, jan 1976, deux femelles et un mâle; Rafaï, 15 d& 1970
(JM), un ex.

RousseroUe des cannes A rufescens, (Carroll 1988). Route Bangui-Mbaïki, 23 juin
1966 ^), un ex., Bangui, 13 août 1969 (CC), mâle, MNHN. Egalement capturé à
Mboko: juil, deux femelles dont une avec ovaire actif; août, ime femelle.
Gobe-mouches jaune Chloropeta natalensis. (Carroll 1988). Bangui, 7 août 1%9
(CC), femelle, MNHN. Egalement capturé à Kapou, Mboko, Landjia, Géringou,
Ngoundji, Gomoka, Bozo, Marali, en mai (un ovaire en activité), sep, oct, d&-fév.
HypolaYs polyglotte Hippolais polygtotta. (Carroll 1988). Ngoundji: 17 mars 1972,
femelle, MNHN; jour suivante, un mâle. Mbaïki, 5 mars 1974, une obs. très probable.
Il est à remarquer que H. icterina est également connu de la RCA, où Dybov^ski Fa
obtenu sur la haute Kouma (“Poste de la Haute Kémo”), MNHN (Bouet 1944).
Fauvette des jardins Sylvia borin. (Jehl 1974, Carroll 1988). Visiteur d'hiver
abondant dans les savanes préforestières du sud-ouest e la RCA: Mboko (savane
arborée et cultures, 37 ex.), Landjia, Kapou, Bangui, Ngoundji, Bobui, Géringou,
Bozo. Egalement capturée dans la région de Bambari et à Rafaï. Dates exhêmes de
capture: 17 oct et 20 avr.

Pouillot fitis Phylloscopus trochilm. (Schauensee 1949, Malbrant 1952, Carroll
1988). Un mâle capturé à Mboko le 21 déc 1971, un mâle et une femelle le 2 mars
1972; Landjia, 21 jan 1975, un mâle; Géringou, 24-27 nov, trois ex. de chaque sexe.
Pouillot sifTleur P. sibilatrix. (Carroll 1 988). Captures: la Maboké, 29 jan 1 970, un
ex. (JM); Kapou, 28 déc 1971, une femelle; Mboko, 21 déc 1971, un mâle; Bozo, 26
nov 1974, un mâle et une femelle.

Cisticole à face rousse Cisticola erythrops. (Bouet 1944, Hall & Moreau 1970,
Green 1983, Carroll 1988). Bangui: 24 nov 1967 (RP), un ex., MNHN; 13 et 15 août
1969 (CC), mâle et femelle, MNHN; 29 déc 1971, femelle, MNHN. Mboko, 29 fév
1972, femelle, MNHN. Ngoundji, 17 mars 1972, mâle, MNHN. Nomb*eusœ captures
dans la région de Bangui; également obtenu à Bozo, dans la région D^ara-Sibut et à
Nassoulé. Ovaires trouvés actifs en sep-oct.

Cisticole chanteuse C. cantam. (Blancou 1938-9, Bouet 1944, Carroll 1988).
MNHN, mâles; Ngoundji, 26 et 27 jan 1972, 17 mars 1972; Marali, 13 juil 1972.
Autres localités de capture: Kapou, Mboko, Géringou, Bozo, Zagwa.

Cisticole siflleuse C lateralis. (Blancou 1938-39, Hall & Moreau 1970, Green 1983,

1994

Oiseaux de la R.C.A.

43

Canx>ll 1988). MNHN: La Maboké, 22 sep 1966 (RP), un ex.; Ngoundji, 27 jan 1972,
une femelle; Bogoin, 3 fév 1972, deux femelles. Autres localités de capture: Botambi,
Mboko, Ndélé près Bangui, Nandobo.

Cisticole roussâtre C galactotes. ^Berlioz 1935, Green 1983, Carroll 1988). Capturé
à Landjia (étangs, 36 ex.), Mboko, Kapou, Géringou. Un ovaire trouvé actif en août.
Cisticole striée C naialensis. (Bouet 1944, Malbrant 1952, Friedmann 1978, Carroll
1988). Mboko, oct, une femelle.

Fauvette à ailes rousses Prinia erythroptera. (Bouet 1944, Hall & Moreau 1970,
Carroll 1988). Ngoundji 27 mai 1972, femelle, MNHN. Egalement capturée à
Mboko, oct; Bozo, fév, avr, Marali, sep; Zagwa, nov.

Fauvette-roitelet rayée Prinia bairdii. (Carroll 1988, Green & Carroll 1991).
Botambi, jan, un mâle (IPB).

Fauvette des buissons à tête grise Apalis flavida. (Blancou 1938-39, Hall & Moreau
1970, Carroll 1988, Germain 1992). Ngoundji, mars, un ex. mâle.

Fauvette grise à ailes rousses Drymocichla incana. (Blancou 1938-39, Hall &
Moreau 1970, Carroll 1988, Germain 1992). Sarki, jan, un ex. mâle (IPB).
Camaroptère à sourcils Camaroptera superciliaris. (Friedmaim 1978, Carroll
1988). Capturé à Botambi, jan; Bangui, juin et oct; Ndélé près Bangui, sep; Ngoundji,
jan.

Camaroptère à dos vert C. chloronota. (Friedmaim 1978, Carroll 1988). La
Maboké, six ex. (RP) au MNHN: 16 mars, 21 avr (deux), 6, 19 et 31 mai 1966;
Botambi, 10 jan 1972, un ex., MNHN. Autres captures: Botambi, août, oct; environs
de Bambaii, nov.

Fauvette crombec verte Sytvietta virens. ^Ball & Moreau 1970, Carroll 1988, Green
& CaiToll 1991). La Maboké, 31 mai 1966 (RP), mâle, MNHN. Autres localités de
capture: Botambi, Landjia, Bangui, Boboui, Gomoka, Nassoulé, en toutes saisons.
Hylia y trit Hytia prasina. friedmaim 1978, Carroll 1988). Botambi, 10 jan 1972,
male, MNHN; quelques autres captures, jan, juil, oct, nov. Capturé une fois à Ndélé
près Bangui, juin.

Gobe-mouches pygmée Muscicapa oibista. (Blancou 1938-39). Bouar, 1970 (RP),
un ex., MNHN.

Gobe-mouches à gorge grise M griseigtdaris. (Friedmann 1978, Carroll 1988). La
Maboké, 6 août 1 968 (RP), un ex., MNHN.

Gobe-mouches noir Ficedula hypoleuca. (Blancou 1938-39, Carroll 1988). MNHN:
Bangui, 17 nov 1970 (IM), un ex.; Ngoundji, 24 jan 1972, femelle. Autres ex., peu
nombreux: Ngoundji et Bozo, entre 23 oct et 9 mars, Kapou un obs. Rappelons que le
Gobe-mouches à collier F. albicollis a été obtenu en RCA par Dybowski, sur la haute
Kouma (MNHN, Bouet 1944): trois mâles, début mars 1892, ayant revêtu leur
plumage d’été, et dont le réexamen (MG) écarte toute éventuahté de confusion avec
F. semitorqmta.

Gobe-mouches forestier Fraseria ocreata. (Bouet 1944, Carroll 1988, Green &
Carroll 1991). Ile Bokassi, obs. d’un petit groupe, juin.

44

M. Gennain & J.-P. Comet

Malimbus 16

Gobe-mouches à sourcils blancs F. dnerascens. (Hall & Moreau 1970, Friedmann
1978, Carroll 1988). Captures: sur File Bokassi, juin; Nagbalaka, avr, immature.
Gobe-mouches pâle Bradomis palUdus. (Blancou 1938-39, Carroll 1988). Plusieurs
captures dans la région de Bangui, en mars, juin, oct-jan, uniquement dans le secteur
périforestier.

Gobe-mouches soyeux à joues noires Bâtis minor. (Bouet 1944, Green 1984,
Carroll 1988). Bogoin, 4 fév 1972, mâle, race erlangeri, MNHN. Une vingtaine
d’ex., capturés à Mboko, Ndélé près Bangui, Ngoundji, Géringou, Bozo, Marali et
Bogoin, en jan-juin, août-nov.

Gobe-mouches caronculé Platysteira castanea. (Friedmann 1978, Carroll 1988,
Green & Carroll 1991). La Maboké, 2 et 6 mai 1966 (RP), une femelle, un immature,
MNHN. Botambi (forêt), 14 ex.: jan, mars-mai, juil-août, oct, dont deux femelles en
état de pondre en avr et mai. Les autres captures intéressent les savanes méridionales:
Mboko, Ngoundji, Bo, Bozo et environs de Bambari, mais toujours dans des galeries
forestières, à l’exception de celle de Mboko (savane arbustive, avr, un couple).
Gobe-mouches noir huppé Trochocercus nitens. (Carroll 1988, Green & Carroll
1991). Botambi, juil, femelle, ovaire en activité.

Moucherolle à ventre roux Terpsiphone rufiventer. (Hall & Moreau 1970,
Friedmann 1978, Green 1983, Carroll 1988, Green & Carroll 1991). Capturé à
Botambi (entre jan et nov): six ex., dont un couple, en jan (femelle avec ovaire en
debut d’activité) et une femelle en état de pondre en mars. Egalement obtenu à
Lotémo, sep, un ex. de chaque sexe. Il s’agit dans tous les cas de la sous-espèce
schubotzi, décrite de Bangui (dos roux, tête gris bleuté).

Moucherolle de Bates T. batesi. (Green 1984, Carroll 1988, Green & Carroll 1991,
Germain 1992). Rappel: un mâle capturé à Botambi, oct.

Soui-manga violet Anthreptes longuemarei. (Blancou 1938-39, 1958, Hall &
Moreau 1970, Friedmann 1978, Green 1983, Carroll 1988). Capturé à Ngoundji, oct;
Sarki, jan; Rafaï, déc (JM). Observé à Bozo (accouplements en jan) et Kapou, fév.
Soui-manga à gorge verte Nectarinia rubescens. (Carroll 1988, Green Sc Carroll
1991). Exemplaires: Mboko, Bangui, Géringou, fév, mars, juin; Mbaïki, jan, une obs.
Soui-manga de Bouvier Nectarinia bouvieri. (Blancou 1938-39, Hall & Moreau
1970). Bangui, 20 août 1%9 (CC), femelle, MNHN. Egalement obtenu par Moindrot
(IPB), à Bangui, sep, Rafaï, déc.

Soui-manga à touffes oranges N. osea. (Schauensee 1949, Malbrant 1952, Hall &
Moreau 1970). Bozo: 8 sep 1976, deux mâles en plumage nuptial incomplet (un au
MNHN).

Soui-manga superbe N superba. (Blancou 1948, Hall & Moreau 1970, Friedmann
1978, Carroll 1988). Deux ex., Landjia et Mboko, mai et oct; observé à Pisa, mai.
Bruant de Cabanis Emberiza cabanisi. (Blancou 1938-39, Bouet 1944, Friedmann
1978, Green 1983, Carroll 1988). Exemplaires: Ngoundji, Mboko, Landjia, Bo, en
jan, mai-juil, sep, oct.

Bruant à ventre jaune K forbesL (Blancou 1938-39, Hall & Moreau 1970, Green

1994

Oiseaux de la R.C.A.

45

1983, Carroll 1988, Bretagnolle 1993). Sarki, jan, un ex.

Gros-bec à front blanc Amblyospiza albifrons. (Carroll 1988, Green & Carroll
1991). Bangui, 20 août 1969 (CC), mâle, MNHN. Egalement captué à Botambi, oct;

Bo et Bozo, juin.

Tisserin baglafecht Ploceus baglafecht. (Germain 1992). Deux mâles, MNHN:
Ngoundji, 27 mai 1972 et Marali, 13 juil 1972. Egalement capturé à Bogoin, fév, un mâle.
Tisserin noir de Vieillot Ploceus nigerrimus. (Hall & Moreau 1970, Carroll 1988,
Green & Carroll 1991). Hall & Moreau (1970) ne le signalent que des abords du
confluent de TUellé. Commun dans les milieux anthropisés du sud-ouest de la RCA
(régions de Bangui, Damara, Bozo et Marali), où ses colonies, souvent associées à
celles de P. cucullatus, ne sont guère susceptibles d’être longtemps passées
inaperçues: il semblerait donc que sa forte implantation actuelle y soit le fait d’une
progression géographique assez récente, à partir du nord du Zaïre et du sud du
Cameroun. Très nombreuses captures dans la région de Bangui; des ovaires actifs en
mars, avr, juil, sep et oct. Egalement commun dans la région de Berbérati. Il nous a
par contre paru manquer ou être beaucoup moins fréquent dans l’est du pays (région
de Bangassou, 1974).

Tisserin à tête noire Ploceus melanocephalus. (Hall & Moreau 1970, Carroll
1988). Capturé ou observé à Mboko, Landjia, Géringou, Kapou, en juin, août-oct.
Tisserin gros-bec P. superciliosus. (Blancou 1938-39, Bouet 1944, Hall & Moreau
1970, Carroll 1988, Green & Carroll 1991). La Maboké, 1 juin 1966 (RP), mâle,
MNHN. Nombreuses captures â Mboko, Landjia, Ndélé près Bangui, Ngoundji,
Géringou, Gomoka et Bozo; déc-mars, sep. oct.

Tisserin à lunettes P. ocularis. (Berlioz 1939, Malbrant 1952, Hall & Moreau 1970,
Green 1983, Carroll 1988, Green & Carroll 1991). Bangui, 30 août 1969 (CC),
femelle, MNHN; Mboko, 24 août 1972, mâle, MNHN. Fréquentes captures à Mboko,
Landjia, Géringou; avr-août, oct-déc; un ovaire actif en juin. Egalement capturé à
Sarki, jan.

Malimbe de Cassin Malimbus cassini. (Carroll 1 988). Botambi, juil, capture d’un
mâle (IPB). L’espèce est connue du Zaïre limitrophe (territoires de Gemena et
Libenge, Schouteden 1962).

Malimbe à bec bleu M. nitens. (Friedmann 1978, Carroll 1988, Green & Carroll
1991). Un ex. capturé dans la région de Bangui, déc, par Moindrot, (IPB); également
obtenu à Rafaï, déc.

Malimbe à tête rouge M mbricollis. (Carroll 1988, Green & Carroll 1991). La
Maboké, 17 juil 1968 (RP), mâle, MNHN.

Malimbe huppé M. malimbicus. (Bouet 1944, Hall & Moreau 1970, Friedmann
1978, Caroll 1988, Green & Carroll 1991). Botambi, 11 jan 1972, mâle, MNHN;
août, femelle.

Travailleur à bec rouge Quelea erythrops. (Hall & Moreau 1970, Green 1983,
Carroll 1988, Bretagnolle 1993). Quelques captures et observations à Bangui et dans
la région environnante: Botambi, Kapou, Landjia, Mboko; fév, mars, juin-août.

V

46

M. Germain & J.-P. Comet

Malimbus 16

Vorabé Euptectes afer. (Blancou 1939-39, Green 1983, Carroll 1988, Bretagnolle
1993). Captoé à Landjia et Bangui, jum-oct, mais difficile à idaitifiCT en dehors de la
période nuptiale.

Veuve noire K ardms. (Blancou 1938-39, Green 1983, CmtoU 1988). Nombreuses
captures et obsarations de mâles en plumage nuptial, août-déc, dans les savanes des
régions de Bangui, Bozo, Bouca, Sibut, Carnot, Bambari.

Petit Moineau soukie Petmma dmtata. (Malbrant 1952, Hall 1970, Carroll 1988).
Bogom, 3 fév 1972, femelle, MNIM; même date, deux ex. dont une fanelle, ovaire
actif. Bozo, fév, un ex.

Combassou noir Vidua wUsonL (Blancou 1938-39, Hall & Moreau 1970). Nous
avons rapporté à cette espèce la seule veuve du groupe Hypochem que nous ayons
eue en main: Landjia, oct, mâle; plumage noir à reflets violacés (ni bleus, ni vols),
remiges et rectrices brunes, bœ blanc, frés légèrement rosé, iris tam, aile 65 (IPB).
Esp^e que son parasitisme associe à Lagonosticta rufopicta (Payne 1985).

Bengali tacheté à ventre roux Clytmpha nwnteiri. (Blancou 1938-39, Bouet 1944,
Malbrant 1952, Hall & Moreau 1970, Carroll 1988). La Maboké, 15 sep 1966 (RP),
mâle, MNHN; Bangui 20 nov 1967, et 15 août 1969 (CC), mâle, MNHN. Très
nombreuses captures, en toutes saisons, dans la région de Bangui (principalement
dans le secteur péri forestier, mais quelques captures intéressent la zone forestière) ;
également capturé dans les régions de Bozo, Sibut, Marali, Carnot, Berbérati,
Bocaranga, Bambari, Bangassou, Rafaï. Ovaires en activité, sep-d&.

Bengali tacheté à ventre noir C dybowski. (Blancou 1938-39, Bouet 1944, Blancou
1958, HaU & Moreau 1970, Friedmaim 1978, Carroll 1988). Bangui, 18 août 1969
(CC), mâle, MNHN, La localité type de Pespèce est sur la haute Kouma (‘'haute
Kémo”, Dybowski). Beaucoup moins souvent capturé et observé que Pespèce
pr&édaite: Bangui et Kapou, d&; Bo, juin; Bozo, mars, juin, sep; Nandobo, mars,
s^; Sarki, jan; Rafaï, déc (JM).

Bengali vert tacheté H^rgm nitidulm. (Friedmann 1978). La Maboké, 18 mai
1%6 ^P), mâle, MNHN. En RCA, Pespèce n’etait jusqu’ici connue que de PEst
(environs de Baroua).

Sénégal! nègre Nigrita cmicapUla. (Friedmann 1978, Cæroll 1988, Green & Carroll
1991). Exemplaires: Botonbi, mai (IPB), août; Mboko, sqp, nov; Bangui, nov; Ndélé
p'ès Bangui, juin, une fonelle avec ovaire actif.

Sénégal! nègre à front jaune N. luteifrom. (Carroll 1988). Bozo, mars, ex. mâle.
Bosongo, juil, une obs.

Sénégal! brun à ventre roux K bkohr. (Friedmaim 1978, Carroll 1988). Géringou,
10 juin 1977, femelle, MNHN. Egalement capturé à Botambi et à Rafaï, déc, par
Moindrot.

Sénégal! brun à ventre blanc N. fiiscmata. (Carroll 1988, Gréai & Carroll 1991).
Botambi, mai, juin, deux ex. mâles; Ngoundji, mai, ex. mâle.

Astrild fourmilier à gorge rousse PamwptUa wmémusé. (Hall & Moreau 1970,
Friedmann 1978, Carroll 1988). Botambi, jan, ex. femelle.

1994

Oiseaux de la R.C.A.

47

Gros-bec sanguin Spermophaga haematina. (Hall & Moreau 1970, Carroll 1988).
Assez nombreuses captures dans les zones forestière et périforestière de la région de
Bangui, en toutes saisons; ovaires actifs de juil à nov. Egalement capturé à Bozo,
nov; Nandobo, sep.

Sénégal! vert à joues blanches Nesocharis capistrata. (Blancou 1938-39, Hall &
Moreau 1970, Green 1983, Carroll 1988). Bangui, 22 nov 1967 (RP), mâle, MNHN.
Capturé, toujours en faible nombre, à Mboko, juin; Bozo, août, sep; dans les régions
de Bossangoa (Doumba), juil; de Bocaranga (Saiid), jan, fév, de Bambari (Marago),
nov.

Sénégal! à cape noire Estrilda nonnula. (Bouet 1944, Hall & Moreau 1970, Green
1983, Carroll 1988). Bangui, 28 août 1969 (CC), mâle, MNHN. Commun en toutes
saisons dans la région de Bangui: ex. de Mboko, Landjia, Bangui, Kapou, Ngoundji,
Géringou; des ovaires actifs en sep et oct. Aucune obs., dans cette même région, de
l’espèce voisine E. atricapilla, laquelle a par contre été signalée de l’extrême sud-
ouest de la RCA (préfecture de la Sangha-Mbaère: Green & Carroll 1991).

Sénégal! ondulé K astrild. (Bouet 1944, Hall & Moreau 1970, Carroll 1988, Green
& Carroll 1991). Assez nombreuses captures et observations dans la région de
Mbaïki-Bangui, en toutes saisons; une femelle en état de pondre en sep. Egalement
obtenu à Bozo et près de Bambari.

Amarante masqué K larvata. (Oustalet 1904-05, Blancou 1938-39, Hall & Moreau
1970, Green 1983, Carroll 1988, Germain 1992). Bozo, sep, capture d’un couple;
Maiali, une obs.

Amarante pointé Lagonosticta rufopicta. (Malbrant 1 952, Hall & Moreau 1 970,
(jreen 1983, 1984, CaiToll 1988). Mboko, 24 août 1972, mâle, MNHN. Plusieurs fois
capturé dans la région de Bangui, en zone périforestière: Kapou, Bangui, Mboko,
Landjia, Ngoundji et Géringou, en toutes saisons. Un ovaire actif en oct.

Amarante flambé L rubricata. (Blancou 1938-39, Hall & Moreau 1970, Carroll
1988). MNHN: Mboko, 24 août 1972, femelle; Ngoundji, 25 jan 1972, femelle.
Capturé en toutes saisons dans la zone périforestière de la région de Bangui, ainsi
qu’a Bozo, Marali, Sarki et Zagwa. Ovaires actifs de sep à déc.

Ventre-orange Anutndava suhfUtva. (Malbrant 1952, Hall & Moreau 1970, Green
1983, Carroll 1988, Bretagnolle 1993). Capturé dans le secteur périforestier de la
région de Bangui, en toutes saisons: Mboko, Landjia, Kapou, Bangui, Géringou. Un
ovaire actif en nov.

Spermète-pie Lonchura fringilloides. (Bouet 1944, Hall & Moreau 1970, Carroll
1988). Capturé plusieurs fois dans le secteur périforestier de la région de Bangui:
Mboko, Landjia, Bangui, Bonganou, Géringou, Ngoundji, Boboui, en jan, juil, oct et
nov.

Spermète à bec bleu L bicolor. (Cairoll 1988, Green & Carroll 1991). Capturé ou
obsCTvé en toutes saisons dans la région de Mbaïki-Bangui, notamment à Botambi,
Landjia, Mboko et Géringou. Egalement capturé ou observé à Bozo, Marali, Carnot,
Nandobo, Marago; Rafaï (JM). Des ovaires actifs en sep-nov.

48

M. Germain & J.-P. Comet

Malimbus 16

Remerciements

Nous tenons tout particulièrement à remercier MM. C. Erard et F. Roux qui nous ont
ouvert les collections du Muséum et souvent aidés de leurs avis. Nous soimnes
redevables à Mme. C. Choux, MM. le Dr. J. Moindrot et R. Pujol, d’un précieux
matériel déposé dans ces mêmes collections. Mm. R.J. Dowsett, R.A. Cheke, A.A.
Green et A. Tye nous ont fait bénéficier de judicieuses remarques. Nos
remerciements vont également à MM. F. Bretagnolle, J. Germain, J.-P. Hervé, le Rev.
M. Martorell et le Médecin-Colonel Morel, pour des récoltes ou des observations,
ainsi qu’a M. N. Rankpaira, pour toute la part qu’il a prise au travail de capture.

Bibliographie

Berlioz, J. (1934) Etude d’une collection d’oiseaux de l’Oubangui-Chari. Bull Mus.
Nat. Hist Nat 6: 228-234.

Berlioz, J. (1935) Etude d’une collection d’oiseaux de l’Afrique Equatoriale
Française. Bull Mus. Nat Hist Nat. T. 349-353.

Berlioz, J. (1939) Etude d’une nouvelle collection d’oiseaux de l’Oubangui-Chari
(A.E.F.). Bull Mus. Nat Hist Nat 11: 526-530.

Blancou, L. (1938-1939) Contribution à l’étude des oiseaux de l’Oubangui-Chari
occidental (bassin siq>érieur de l’Ouham). Oiseau Rev. fr. Om. 8: 405-430, 642-
649; 9: 58-88, 255-277, 410-485.

Blancou, L. (1948) Contribution à l’étude des oiseaux de l’Oubangui-Chari oriental
(Haut Mbomou). OiseauRev.fr. Om. 18: 33-77.

Blancou, L. (1958) Contribution à l’étude des oiseaux de l’Oubangui-Chari
méridional. Bouar et Bangui (Bassin de la Lobaye). Oiseau Rev. fr. Om. 28: 189-
212.

Bouet, g. (1944) Révision des collections d’oiseaux recueillis au Congo et dans
l’Oubangui par la mission J. Dybowski (avril 1891 -mai 1892). Oiseau Rev. fr.
Om. 14: 44-88.

Bouet, G. (1955, 1961) Oiseaux de l’Afrique Tropicale. Faune de VUnion
Française, 16 et 17, 0.R.S.T.O.M., Paris.

Boulvert, y. (1986) Carte phytogéographique de la République Centrafricaine.
Notice explcative. O.R.S.T.O.M., Paris.

Bretagnolle, F. (1993) An aimotated checklist of birds of north-eastern Cental
African Republic. Malimbus 15: 6-15.

Carroll, R.W. (1982) An ornithological investigation of the Central African
Republic. M.Sc. thesis. Southern Coimecticut State College, New Haven.

Carroll, R.W. (1988) Birds of the Central African Repubhc. Malimbus 10: 177-200.

Chapin, J.P. (1953) The Birds of the Belgian Congo. Tome 3. Bull Amer. Mus. Nat
Hist ISA.

1994

Oiseaux de la R.C.A.

49

Curry-Lindahl, K. (1981) Bird Mgration in Africa, 2 vol. Academie Press, London.
Dragesco, J. (1961) Oiseaux es savanes d’Afrique équatoriale. Oiseau Rev. Jr. Om.
31: 178-192,262-271.

Friedmann, H. (1978) Results of the Lathrop Central African Republic Expedition
1976, Ornithology. Los Angeles Co. Mus. Sci. 287: 1-12.

Germain, M. (1992) Sur quelques données erronées concernant l’avifaune de la
Lobaye, Répubhque Centrafricaine. Malimbus 14: 1-6.

Germain, M., Dragesco, L, Roux, F. & Garcin, H. (1973) Contribution à l’ornithologie
du Sud-Cameroun. H. Passeriformes. Oiseau Rev. Jr. Om. 43: 212-259.

Green, A. A. (1983) The birds of Bamingui-Bangoran National Park, Central African
Repubhc. Malimbus 5: 17-30.

Green, A.A. (1983) Additional bird records from Bamingui-Bangoran National Park,
Central African Republic. Malimbus 6: 70-72.

Green, A. A. & Carroll, R.W. (1991) The avifauna of Dzanga-Ndoki National Park
and Dzanga-Sangha Rainforest Reserve, Central African Repubhc. Malimbus 13:
49-66.

Hall, B.P. & Moreau, R.E. (1970) an Atlas of Spéciation in African Passerine
Birds. British Museum (Natural History), London.

Jehl, H. (1974) Quelques migrateurs paléarctiques en République Centrafricaine.
AlaudaAl: 397-406.

Keith, S., Urban, E.K. & Fry, C.H. (1992) The birds of Africa, vol. 4. Academie
Press, London.

Louette, m. (1981) The birds of Cameroon. An annotated checklist. Verhandl. Kon.

Acad. Wetensch. Lett Schone KunsL Belg. 43.

Malbrant, R. (1952) Faune du Centre Africain Français (Mammijères et Oiseaux).
Lechevalier, Paris.

Nikolaus, G. (1987) Distribution atlas of Sudan’s birds with notes on habitats and
status. Bonn. zooL Monogr. 25: 1-322.

Payne, R.B. (1985) The species of parasitic finches in West Africa. Malimbus 7:
103-113.

OusTALET, M.E. (1904-1905) Catalogue des oiseaux rapportés par la mission Chari-
Lac Tchad. Bui. Mus. Nat Hist Nat 10: 431-437, 537-542; 11: 10-16.

Salvan, J. (1967-1969) Contribution à l’étude des oiseaux du Tchad. Oiseau et Rev.

fr. Om. 37: 255-284; 38: 53-85, 127-150, 249-273; 39: 38-69.

ScHAUENSEE, R.M. DE (1949) Results of the Carpenter African Expedition, 1947-
1948. Part I: Birds. Notulae Naturae 2\9: 1-16.

ScHOUTEDEN, H. (1962) La faune ornithologique des districts de la Mongala et de
L’Ubangi. Doc. zooL Mus. Roy. AJr. Centr. 3: 1-144.

Snow, D.W. (1978) An Atlas of Spéciation in AJHcan Non-Passerine Birds. British
Museum (Natural History), London.

Turner, A. & Rose, C. (1989) a Handbook to the Swallows and Martins of the
World. Christopher Helm, London.

50

M. Gennain & J.-P. Comet

Malimbus 16

Urban, E.K., Fry, C.H. & Keith, S. (1986) The Birds of Africa, vol. 2. Academic
Press, London.

White, C.M.N. (1962) A Revised Check List of African Shrikes, Orioles, Drongos,
Starlings, Crows, Waxwings, Cuckoo-Shrikes, Bulbuls, Accentors, Thrushes and
Babblers. Government Printer, Lusaka.

Annexe

Index des localités citées.

Conventions: SF, secteur de la forêt dense humide; SPF, secteur périforestier, DSG,
domaine soudano-guinéen; DMS domaine médio-soudanien; DSS domaine soudano-
sahélien.

Bagandou (SF)

3”35’N

17*53’E

Bambari (DSG)

5‘46’N

20”40’E

Bangassou (SF)

4"50’N

23* 7’E

Bangui (SPF)

4“22’N

18"35’E

Baroua, rivière Oussi (DSG)

5’20’N

24"20’E

Berbérati (SF)

4”16’N

15"4rE

Bo (SPF)

4"36’N

18*2rE

Bobia (SPF

4"48’N

18"15’E

Boboui (SPF)

4”37’N

18*19’E

Bocaranga (DMS)

6‘’59’N

15“39’E

Boda (SPF)

4“20’N

17*30’E

Bogoin (DSG)

5”20’N

17*38’E

Bokassi (île) (SF)

4”14’N

18*34’E

Bonganou (SF)

4'16’N

18*17’E

Bossangoa (DMS)

6”29’N

ir27’E

Bossembélé (DSG)

5"25’N

ir40’E

Botambi (SF)

4”12’N

18*30’E

Bouar (DSG)

5“57’N

15"36’E

Bouca PMS)

6“30’N

18'17’E

Boukoko (étang) (SF)

3“54’N

ir54’E

Bozo (DSG)

5"10’N

18”30’E

Bosongo (SF)

4°13’N

18“16’E

Carnot (DSG)

4°56’N

15*52’E

Damara (SPF)

4“58’N

18*42’E

Dékolo (SF)

4“43’N

22*40’E

Oiseaux de la R.C.A.

Doumba (DMS)

6“50’N

1T58’E

Gamboula (SPF)

4“ 8’N

15°9’E

Garba (DSS)

9”12’N

20“30’E

Géringou (SPF)

4“35’N

18"34’E

Gomoka (SPF)

4”38’N

18"16’E

Grimari (DSG)

5°44’N

20° 3’E

Haute Kouma (DSG)

6°17’N

19°35’E

Kapou (SPF)

4“15’N

18°16’E

Kembé (SPF)

4'’36’N

2r54’E

Kinga (SF)

3'’43’N

ir43’E

Kouango (SPF)

4"58’N

19°59’E

Landjia (étangs) (SPF)

4”22’N

18°40’E

Lotémo (SF)

3"38’N

ir54’E

Maboké (la) (SF)

3“54’N

irso’E

Mamoun (lac) (DSS)

10" 5’N

2r55’E

Manovo-Goun^ (Parc) (DSS)

9"30’N

21° O’E

Marago (DSG)

5“49’N

20°44’E

Marali (DSG)

6"3’N

18°24’E

Mbaïki (SF)

3°50’N

18° O’E

Mboko (SPF)

4"22’N

18°42’E

Mboro (SF)

3°53’N

18° 2’E

Mobaye (SPF)

4"19’N

2ril’E

Mongoumba (SF)

3"38’N

18°36’E

Nagbalaka (SF)

4°45’N

22°50’E

Nandobo (DSG)

4°39’N

15°48’E

Nassoulé (SPF)

4"15’N

15°23’E

Ndélé près Bangui (SPF)

4°34’N

18°27’E

Ngaoda (DSG)

5"48’N

20° 1 3’E

Ngoundji (SPF)

4"39’N

18°34’E

Pisa (SF)

4"3’N

18°12’E

Rafaï (DSG)

4"58’N

23°56’E

Sarki, rivière Koui (DSG)

6“57’N

15°25’E

Sibut (DSG)

5°44’N

19° 5’E

Yaka (SF)

4" 8’N

18°15’E

Zagwa (DSG)

5"46’N

20° 9’E

Zémio (DSG)

5°2’N

25°8’E

52

Malimbus 16

Short Notes

Is the Thick-billed Cuckoo Pachycoccyx audeberü a forest dependent species in
West Africa?

The Thick-billed Cuckoo is a rare or sparsely distributed bird of moist woodland,
with a wide range covering much of the Afrotropical region (Fry et al. 1988). Its
habits of calling frequently and of making long, high flights at certain times of year
make it a fairly obvious species, so this status assessment is probably accurate.

The Thick-billed Cuckoo is a known brood parasite but the only confirmed host
is Retz’s Helmet-Shrike Prionops retzii (Fry et al. 1988). Several other species of
helmet-shrike occur in the eastern and southern part of the cuckoo’s range. The
Chestnut-fronted Helmet-Shrike P. scopifrons is suspected to be a host in East
African coastal forests, where it is more common than Retz’s Helmet Shrike (Short &
Home 1985, pers. obs.). Other members of the genus Prionops may be parasitised,
but the White helmet-Shrike P. plumatus is ignored as a host (Vernon 1984).

The western subspecies of Thick-billed Cuckoo P. a. brazzae occurs throughout
W Africa from Zaire to Guinea. It is generally an uncommon bird, being patchily
distributed in savanna woodland, gallery and forest edge habitats. The only potential
hosts in this region are the Red-billed P. caniceps and White Helmet-Shrikes. Since
the latter is ignored elsewhere, Colston & Curry-Lindahl (1986) concluded that the
cuckoo solely parasitises the former species in this region, stating that it is “..limited
by the distribution of its host species”. The Red-billed Helmet-Shrike is a bird of
closed canopy and gallery forest (Mackworth-Praed & Grant 1973) but has
occasionally been recorded in cocoa plantations on the periphery of forested areas
(Allport et al. 1989). Thus, although the cuckoo is frequently recorded outside forest
and is rarely seen within it, it must, nevertheless, be forest dependent as a breeding
bird in W Africa.

The Thick-billed Cuckoo was Usted as a “Candidate” for inclusion in the African
bird Red Data Book (Collar & Stuart 1985) but there was insufficient evidence of
threats for the species as a whole to be considered at risk (N.J. Collar pers. comm.).
This is a justifiable assessment since its wide range in south and east Africa must
guarantee its continued survival. The situation in west Africa, however, gives cause
for greater concern. The loss of forest in the Upper Guinea area over the last twenty
years has been alarmingly rapid and widespread (Sayer et al 1992), fragmenting the
once intact regional populations of forest fauna and flora. Commoner species, which
occur at higher densities, such as the Red-billed Helmet-Shrike, are likely to
withstand the effects of this reduction of their ranges, but rarer animals, such as the
Thick-billed Cuckoo, could now have been reduced to populations which are no
longer viable, and consequently risk local extinction.

1994

Short Notes

53

References

Allport, G., Ausden, M., Hayman, P.V., Robertson, P. & Wood, P. (1989) The
Conservation of the Birds of Gola Forest, Sierra Leone. Study Rep. 38,
International Council for Bird Preservation, Cambridge.

Collar, N.J. & Stuart, S.N. (1985) Threatened Birds of Africa and Related Islands.
ICBP/IUCN, Cambridge.

Colston, P.R. & Curry-Lindahl, K. (1986) The Birds Of Mount Nimba, Liberia.

British Museum (Natural History), London.

Fry, C.H., Ketth, S. & Urban, E.K. (1988) The Birds of Africa, vol. 3. Academic
Press, London.

Mackworth-Praed, C.V. & Grant, C.B.H. (1973) Birds of West Central and
Western Africa^ vol. 2. Longman, London.

Sayer, J.A., Harcourt, C.S. & Collins, N.M. (1992) The Conservation Atlas of
Tropical Forests: Africa. Macmillan, Basingstoke.

Short, L.L. & Horne, J.F.M. (1985) Notes on some birds of the Arabuko-Sokoke
forest. Scopus 9: 1 17-126.

Vernon, C.J. (1984) The breeding biology of the Thick-billed Cuckoo. Proc. 5 Pan-
Afr. Om. Congr.: 825-840.

Received 6 July 1992
Revised 11 February 1994

Gary A. Allport & John R. Fanshawe
BirdLife International, Wellbrook Court, Girton Road, Cambridge CB3 ONA, U.K.

A note on the diet of Bam Owls Tyto alba at Djoudj, Senegal

A small batch, 155g, of Bam Owl pellets was collectai from the car park at ‘T.C.”
(Parc Campement), Parc National des Oiseaux de Djoudj, Senegal (c. 16'’20’N,
16”20’W) on 18 and 23 March 1992. The identity of the predators is certain, as they
were visible roosting in the trees there. Skulls and jaws were extracted from each
pellet, working “dry”, and are presented in Table 1 as Minimum Numbers of
Individuals (MNI), that is the highest number in any one category (skulls, left
dentaries, right dentaries) needed to explain the total contents of the batch.

Rodent remains were initially identified by reference to Rosevear (1%9), and the
identities later checked against reference collections in the Mammal Section, British
Museum (Natural History). However, the taxonomy of many African rodents is
unstable, and there is little correspondence (or cross-reference) between Rosevear
(1969) and the recent checklists for Senegal (Hubert et al. 1973, Duplantier &
Granjon 1 992). I have attempted to reconcile these. The identity of non-rodent prey is
discussed later.

54

Short Notes

Malimbus 16

The overwhelming majority of the 79 prey items was Multimammate Rats
Mastomys natalensis (Table 1). These are common commensal rodents throughout
sub-Saharan Africa, and were probably caught by the owls around the park
headquarters. Taxonomically, what was formerly regarded (e.g. by Rosevear 1969) as
a single wide-ranging species is now believed to contain two or three species,
distinguished primarily by their chromosome counts. The Djoudj specimens are
probably referable to M erythroleucus (see Duplantier & Qranjon 1992). Three other
rodents were represented, a pygmy mouse Nannomys haussa, a small gerbil Gerbillus
nanus (upper molar row m*'^, 2.95 mm) and the grass rat Arvicanthis nilohcus. The
two Arvicanthis were very young, barely weaned, and were recognised primarily
from isolated teeth. The gerbil is presumably the species referred to by Duplantier et
al (1991) as G. henleyi, since G. nanus and G. henleyi are both small gerbils with a
chromosome count of 2n = 52 (Lay 1983); G. nanus is the earher name. The only
non-rodent prey were four shrews and two small birds. The shrews, with an upper
tooth row (i-m’) length of 6.98 mm in the best preserved skull, seem referable to
Crocidura planiceps (see Hutterer & Happold 1 983). The two passerines are small
seed-eaters with bill lengths of about 1 1.6 and 12.1 mm, and a tarsus length of 17.5
mm; these measurements closely match Yellow-crowned Bishop Euplectes afer,
which is abundant in the area.

Table 1. Prey of a pair of Barn Owls Tyto alba at Djoudj, Senegal, March 1992.
Weights interpreted by comparison with skeletons of British prey species.

Prey species

Estimated
body wt
(g)

SkuUs

(n)

Jaws

Left Right
(n) (n)

MNI

% of Total
total prey

prey nos. wt Oi)

%of

total
prey wt.

Mastomys natalensis

35

64

66

68

68

86.1

2380

93.7

Crocidura ? planiceps

6

3

4

3

4

5.1

24

0.9

Nannomys haussa

5

2

2

2

2

2.5

10

0.4

Arvicanthis niloticus

40

2

1

2

2

2.5

80

3.1

Gerbillus nanus

12

1

1

1

1

1.3

12

0.5

Passerine sp.

17

2

2

2

2

2.5

34

1.3

Totals

79

100

2540

100

This diet is remarkable for the extent to which it is dominated by a single prey
species, and for the scarcity of “truly wild” prey; although murid rodents typically
provide around 80% of the diet in southern Africa, and M natalensis is predominant
among them, 94% provided by a single species is notable (Wilson et al 1988). It may
be that the seasonally flooded lowlands around P.C. support few “wild” rodents;

1994

Short Notes

55

alternatively, Üie abundance of commensal rodoits may make it unnecessaiy for the
owls to hunt ftirtiher afield. It would require trapping studies to estabhsh the former
point, though the latter is very evident from casual observation. These Bam Owls
were clearly not exploiting the abundant waders present, as were those in Bissau
reported by Heim de Balsac (1965).

I thank Steve Rums^ for stimulating this note, and (through the Wetland Tmst) for
tiie o^ortunity to participate in the bird ringing activities at Djoudj; I also thank the
University of Manchester for an Overseas Travel Grant which partly defrayed the

costs.

References

DuPLANTffiR, J.M., Granjon, L. & Ba, K. (1991) Découverte de trois espèces de
rongeurs nouvelles pour le Sénégal: un indicateur supplémentaire de la
désertification dans le nord du pays. Mammalia 55: 313-3 15.

DuPLANTffiR, J.M. & Granjon, L. (1992) Liste révisée des rongeurs de Sénégal.
Mammalia 56: 425-431.

Hem de Balsac, H. (1965) Quelques enseignements d’ordre faunistique tirés de
Fétude ahmentafre de Tyto alba dans l’ouest de l’Afrique. Alauda 33: 309-322.
Hubert, B., Adam, F, & Poulet, A. (1973) Liste préliminaire des rongeurs du
Sénégal hé^mmalia 37: 76-87.

Hutterer, R. & Happold, D.C.D. (1983) The shrews of Nigeria (Mammalia:
Soricidae). Bonn, zool Monogr. 18: 1-79.

Lay, D.M. (1983) Taxonomy of the genus Gerbillm (Rodentia, Gerbillinae) with
comments on the apphcations of generic and subgeneric names and an annotated
list of ^ecies. Z Saüget. 48: 329-354.

Rosevear, D.R. (1969) The Rodents of West Africa. British Museum (Natural
Histoiy), London.

Wilson, R.J., Wilson, M.P. & Fry, C.H. (1988) Tytonidae. Pp. 105-110 in Fry,
C.H., Keith, S. & Urban, E. (Eds), The Birds of Africa, voL 3. Academic Press,
London.

Rœeived21 May 1993

Revised 8 Septonber 1993 D.W. Yalden

Deparfrnent of Environmental Biology,
The University, Manchester M 13 9PL, U.K.

56

Short Notes

Malimbus 16

La sous-espèce du Cochevis modeste Galerida modesta en Sénégambie

Le Cochevis modeste occupe une bande de territoire relativement étroite qui traverse
obliquement le continent depuis le sud de la Sénégambie et la Guinée jusqu’au
Soudan méridional (Keith et al. 1992). White (1961), puis Dean & Keith (in Keith et
al. 1992) reconnaissent quatre races à cette espèce: G. m. modesta Heuglin qui
s’étendrait du Burkina Faso et du N Ghana jusqu’au Darfour et au NW de l’Ouganda
(giffardi Hartert n’est plus reconnue et est incluse dans modesta, avis également
partagé par P.R. Colston in litt., à l’examen des séries du British Museum); bucolica
Hartlaub du N Zaïre jusqu’au W Ouganda; strumpelli Reichenow du Cameroun;
nigrita Grote de la Sénégambie au Sierra Leone et jusqu’au Mali.

Dans un récent article. Jones (1991) conclut que la population de Cochevis
modeste de la Gambie appartient à la sous-espèce giffardi. De plus, elle rappeUe que
la population de Casamance (territoire sénégalais au sud de la Gambie) appartient à la
sous-espèce nigrita qui est beaucoup plus foncée que modesta. Que la population
sénégambieime fût divisée en deux sous-espéces, seulement distantes d’une centaine
de kilomètres, et sans obstacle naturel important, semblait peu probable et nous
amena à étudier la série de spécimens de la collection ORSTOM de Mbour, collectés
par l’un de nous, GJM, et que B. Tréca voulut bien nous confier.

Le lot reçu du Sénégal comprend neuf spécimens collectés entre Tambacounda et
Kédougou, Casamance orientale (voir carte in Morel & Morel 1990), sur cuirasses
latéritiques. Leur plumage est bien homogène; dessus brun foncé, chaque plume
bordée d’un liseré chamois, poitrine lavée de fauve roussâtre et grivelée de petites
taches brun foncé. La longueur d’aile phée des cinq mâles varie de 79.5 à 82.5 mm (x
80.6), celle des quatre femelles de 75.5 à 76.5 mm (x 76.0). Les poids moyens des
mâles (15-17 g, x = 16.5) sont du même ordre de grandeur que ceux des femelles (15-
22 g, X 16.7).

Trois mâles et une femelle collectés au Mali (Ban Markala, delta intérieur du
Niger, Koulikoro et Bougouni) et deux mâles du nord Cameroun (Kapsicki et
Garoua) sont identiques, en tenant compte du fait que les individus en plumage frais
sont plus pâles, plus sable (ce sont les hserés des plumes qui dorment la teinte de fond
des parties supérieures) que ceux en plumage usé (c’est la partie centrale foncée des
plumes qui domine). Ils sont bien différents de deux spécimens (un de chaque sexe)
de Tchang (plateau camerounais) de la sous-espèce strumpelli, caractérisés par leur
grande taille (aile 90 et 86), leurs parties supérieures très foncées et leurs parties
inférieures lavées de caimelle clair, et d’un autre (de sexe indéterminé, aile 90) de
Moundou, Tchad, proche de strumpelli mais plus clair. Ils diffèrent aussi beaucoup de
quatre spécimens de nigrita du Fouta Djalon, Guinée, dans le même état d’usure du
plumage, qui ont (1) les plumes du dos quasi noires avec des hserés cannelle, de tels
hserés s’observant également sur les ailes (couvertures et surtout vexiüe externe des
rémiges secondaires), (2) les parties inférieures nettement lavées defauve, (3) la
poitrine plus franchement marquée de grosses taches noirâtres. Ces quatres spécimens

1994

Short Notes

57

ont une longeur d’aile moyenne de 82.1 (80.5-83); ils sont étiquetés femelle mais
l’identification du sexe peut être douteuse.

Les Cochevis modestes des régions du Sahel méridional, du nord Cameroun, du
Mali moyen et du Sénégal oriental paraissent bien appartenir à une même sous-
espèce, à dessus foncé mais non noirâtre. Il ne nous fait pas de doute qu’il ne s’agit
pas de la sous-espèce nigrita mais de modesta (incluant gijfardi) que l’on trouve
ailleurs en Afrique de l’Ouest au Nigéria, au Ghana et au Burkina Faso (spécimens au
British Museum, P. R. Colston in litt).

Il nous est agréable de remercier Rachel M. Jones pour ses commentaires et Peter R.
Colston pour les informations qu’il nous a transmises sur le matériel du British
Museum.

Bibliographie

Jones, R.M. (1991) The status of larks in the Gambia, including first records of Sun
Lark Galerida modesia. Malimbus 13: 67-73.

Keith, S., Urban, E.K. & Fry, C.H. (1992) The Birds of Africa, vol. 4. Academic
Press, London.

Morel, G. J. & Morel, M.-Y. (1990) Les Oiseaux de Sénégambie. ORSTOM, Paris.
White, C.M.N. (1961) A Revised Check-list of African Broadbills, Pittas, Larks,
Swallows, Wagtails and Pipits. Government Printer, Lusaka.

Reçu 21 décembre 1993

Revu 12 avril 1994 C. Erard* & G. J. MoreP

‘Laboratoire d’ Ornithologie, Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle,

55 me Buffcai, 75005 Paris, France
^1 route de Sallenelles, 14860 Bréville-les-Monts, France

First record of Three-banded Plover Charadrius tricoUaris in Ivory Coast

On 14 August 1993, 1 observed a Three-banded Plover in a flooded rice field 5 km
east of Bouaké, Ivory Coast. The bird was feeding and resting in and around shallow
pools of water and on exposed mudflats.

Upon realising the significance of the sighting, I returned to the site with
reference materials, including Urban et al. (1986). The bird was relocated and the
identification confirmed. The white forehead, light grey face and pink legs served to
separate it from the only similar species ~ Forbes’s Plover C. forbesi. The bird called
on numerous occasions, particularly when it was flushed; the calls fitted those
described in Urban et al (1986) for Three-banded Plover. Other more circumstantial
evidence supporting this identification is that Forbes’s Plover is known to be present

58

Short Notes

Malimbus 16

in Ivory Coast only during the period November to April and is typically found in
drier habitats than Three-banded Plover (Urban et ai 1 986).

This bird was seen regularly by myself and by students at the nearby International
Christian Academy for a period of over two weeks, imtil 30 August.

This species is not included in ThioUay’s (1985) list of the birds of Ivory Coast.
Subsequent published notes on birds in Ivory Coast (e.g. Walsh 1986, Balchin 1988,
Holy oak & Seddon 1990, Demey & Fishpool 1991) do not mention it. Urban et ai
(1986) give northern Nigeria as its nearest location of regular occurrence and
consider it a vagrant elsewhere in West Africa. Their map shows two vagrants in
countries neighbouring Ivory Coast - one in southern Mali, near the Ivory Coast
border, and one in southern Ghana. This sighting seems therefore to constitute the
first record of Three-banded Plover in Ivory Coast.

References

Balchin, C.S. (1988) Recent observations of birds from the Ivory Coast. Malimbus
10: 201-206.

Demey, R. & Fishpool, L.D.C. (1991) Additions and annotations to the avifauna of
Côte d’Ivoire. Malimbus 12: 61-86.

Holyoak, D.T. & Seddon, M.B. (1990) Notes on some birds of the Ivory Coast.
Malimbus 11: 146-149.

Thiollay, J.M. (1986) The birds of the Ivory Coast. Malimbus 7: 1-59.

Urban, E.K., Fry, C.H. & Keith, S. (1986) The Birds of Africa, vol. 2. Academic
Press, London.

Walsh, J.F. (1986) Notes on the birds of the Ivory Coast. Malimbus 8: 89-93.

Received I February 1994

Ted T. Cable

Department of Forestry, Kansas State University,
Manhattan, Kansas 66506, USA

1994

59

Book Reviews

The Wild Bird Trade. Anon., 1992. 24 pp. WCI Policy Report 2, New York
Zoological Society AThe Wildlife Conservation Society, New York.

Flight to Eitinction. The Wild-Caught Bird Trade. By D. Bowles, D. Currey, P.
Knights & A. Michels, no date (1992). 27 pp. Animal Welfare Institute /
Environmental Investigation Agency, Washington DC/London. ISBN 0-9516342-2-4.

These two reports cover the same issue and reach the same conclusion: that
international trade in wild-caught birds should immediately be banned. The Wild Bird
Trade is a policy statement by one of the world’s foremost conservation
organisations, and one which has long bear involved in bird protection issues. Flight
to Extinction provides more of the background upon which both reports are grounded
^lA help is acknowledge in the WCI report); it is die fact-packed result of detailed
investigations by EIA in the world’s top bird exporting and importing countries.
Some of these facts are of great concern to bird conservation in West Africa. Senegal
is the world’s number one bird exporter, die biggest importing block is the European
Community and the biggest single importing country the U.S.A. There is excellent
evidence that trade is the direct cause of declines to near-extinction in many species,
espœially parrots. Taking account of mortality between capture and final sale in the
importing country, some 14-20 milhon birds are caught for international trade each
year, while huge domestic markets in some countries add an unknown extra burden.
The Convoition on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) has failed to
confrol this trade and is ignored by most exporting and importing states, whether
signatories or not. Its regulations do not even work properly in the two countries with
die best controls (U.K. mid U.S.A.).

Both reports conclude that the wild bird trade as it currently exists must be
stoj^d, because it is endangering many species, and that a moratorium on all trade is
the only way to achieve this. As a resident in the world’s number two exporting
country, this is a conclusion with which I completely agree. Time is needed to
develop and institute workable controls and a moratorium should encourage captive
brewing and research on sustainable management of wild populations. Anyone who
still beheves that the concept of sustainable use, so favoured by some conservation
organisations, can be made to work under current conditions should read these
reports. To restart trade with good controls from a zero-point will be easier than
trying to work existing regulations onto a market which is completely out of control.

The Wild Bird Trade is primarily a position statement, useful for influencing
policy-makers, while Flight to Extinction is more useful as a source of facts. Both are
cIot and concise; I hope they succeed.

Alan Tye

60

Book Reviews

Malimbus 16

Storks, Ibises and Spoonbills of the World. By J.A. Hancock, J.A. Kushlan &
M.P. Kahl, 1992. 385 pp., 49 colour plates, 40 colour photographs. Academic
Press, London. ISBN 012-322730-5. £65.00.

Of the making of bird books there is no end, and the market is apparently
inexhaustible. Popular at present are books dealing with related species on a world-
wide basis, sub-divided into the manageable, e.g. the Christopher Helm series, and
the coffee table type. At first sight this book belongs to the latter - it weighs some 5
lb - but it is not a coffee table production, which implies something intellectually
lightweight, and it is certainly not for bedtime reading.

A book of 385 pages, dealing with only 49 species, and including 54 triple-
columned pages of references, Js not aimed at the dilettante, though the
introductory sections, covering Classification, Conservation, Courtship and
Reproduction, Feeding Behaviour and Ecology, and illustrated with some splendid
photographs (almost all by the authors themselves) can be read as much by the non-
expert as the speciahst - indeed the opening Classification paragraphs predicate a
surprising lack of knowledge among readers.

However, the authors quickly move on to explaining their taxonomic criteria
(for a really excellent discussion see pages 153-154 on whether the American
Eudocimus ibises constitute one or two species). In their survey they include the
Shoebill Balaeniceps rex but exclude the Hamerkop Scopus umbretta, a decision
African readers will regret as, despite the obvious differences, the Hamerkop is
always regarded as close to the storks and, on a practical level, among family
monographs it is unlikely to find a niche elsewhere.

The bulk of the book consists of species accounts, of 3-11 pages each (about
some ibises very little is known), including one full-page painting and a
distribution map. Pages are double column except for the first page of each enfiy,
which I find disconcerting. The maps for all the species I know, though inevitably
small-scale, seem adequate. The paintings by Alan Harris and David Quinn are
meticulously detailed, not always totally successful in giving life to the birds, but
some - the supreme example Quinn’s Shoebill - marvellously evocative.

Rightly, stress is laid on conservation. Large, slow-flying birds are particularly
at risk to hunting pressure; wetlands are drained, food chains poisoned, even the
large trees needed for nest colonies cut down. The status of some, particularly
Asian, species is already near catastrophe. For Africa, I suspect the authors are a
little complacent in suggesting there is no immediate threat. Of the 49 species, 1 5
occur in West Afiica, either as residents or migrants, and I think that anyone who
has spent long in any part of the region will agree that locally, little by little,
numbers are diminishing. One example: the only breeding colony of African
Spoonbills Platalea alba I knew in Sierra Leone used to be secure because of local
taboos. With outsiders moving into the area, those taboos were eroded and even 12
years ago the yoxmg were increasingly pillaged for food; I do not suppose that trend

1994

Book Reviews

61

has been reversed since.

However, this book is both very readable and as comprehensive as the available
evidence allows and will remain the basis for future researches. Anyone
particularly interested in this group needs this book. For more general birdwatchers
I suspect the price is rather high.

G.D. Field

Enquête Faunistique dans la Forêt du Mayombe et Check-liste des Oiseaux et
des Mammifères du Congo. By F. Dowsett-Lemaire & R. J. Dowsett, 1989. Tauraco
Research Report 2.

Flore et Faune du Bassin du Kouilou (Congo) et leur Exploitation. Ed. by R.J.
Dowsett & F. Dowsett-Lemaire, 1991. Tauraco Research Report 4.

Both available from Tauraco Press, rue de Bois de Breux 194, B^020 Jupille-Liège,
Belgium.

Report no. 2 summarises the results of the authors’ three weeks’ field work in the
eastern part of Mayombe in the dry season of 1989 (part of the UNDP /UNESCO
“Projet Mayombe”). They added 50 species to the Congo bird list, of which 16
represent important range extensions southwards from Gabon. The most interesting
discovery was of Zooihera gumeyi on a montane stepping-stone between Cameroon
and Angola. The report includes the first attempt at a comprehensive review of the
avifauna of Congo since Malbrant & Maclatchy’s (1949). Their compilation listed
500 species but, in view of the under-explored nature of the country and the diversity
of habitat, the authors predicted that this figure should increase to at least 700.
Indeed, subsequent additions were recently published by these authors and P. Bulens
(1993 Malimbus 15: 68-80).

Report no. 4 is a more substantial work. Commissioned as an environmental
impact study for an onshore oil exploration drilling campaign by Conoco, the report
presents the results of seven months’ field work in the coastal basin area. The impact
of human activity on soil erosion (a major problem in this area) is understated in this
report. However, its value hes in the wealth of new data presented on the fauna. Half
of the 22 chapters (especially those on mammals and hunting) are in French, the rest
in English.

The first of the two ornithological chapters reviews the onshore distribution of
mainly forest birds and includes observations on the ecology, behaviour and
vocalisations of selected species. The songs of Canirallus oculeus, Muscicapa
olivascens and Pholidomis rushiae are described for the first time. Based on

62

Book Reviews

Malimbus 16

differences in voice and ecology, Criniger calurus and C ndmswnensis are treated as
separate species. Sonograms are included for the latter and five other species. Some
corrections to three Phyllastrephus species identifications on the Alauda recordings
(disk ALA 10, no. 5) are proposed. The authors attribute the rarity of Stephanoaetus
coronatus, Guttera plumifera and Agelastes niger in the area to intensive hunting
pressure, while Merops breweri may be threatened by the loss of nest sites as large
parts of the sandy savannas are planted with Eucalyptus, as well as snaring by
villagers. Seasonal patterns of Ireeding and moult are reviewed. Wing lengths and
weights of 76 species of ringed birds are tabulated.

The second ornithological chapter briefly reviews the status of seabirds off the
Congo coast. One old (1943) record of Phalacrocorax capensis has been overlooked.
The apparent absence in recent years of Sula capensis points to a decline in the
wintering population in this area. Statistics of ringed Palaearctic terns {Sterna
hinmdo, S. paradisaea and 5. sandvicensis) recovered on the West African coast
between Cameroon and Angola are analysed. As elsewhere along the coast, trapping
of terns by children is a problem here.

This report, which is lavishly illustrated with seven beautiful colour plates, is
essential reading for anyone studying the avifauna of Congo and adjacent countries.

Peter Alexander-Marrack

A Directory of African Wetlands. By R.H. & J.S. Hughes, 1992. xxxiv + 820 pp.,
48 maps. lUCN, Gland, United Nations Environment Programme, Nairobi & World
Conservation Monitoring Centre, Cambridge. ISBN 2-88032-949-3. Paperback
available from WCMC, 219c Huntingdon Rd., Cambridge CB3 ODL, U.K. or lUCN,
rue Mauvemey 28, CH-1 196 Gland, Switzerland.

This book aims to identify important sites and “hydrological units” in order to guide
conservation planners. Its data were gathered from maps and literature and from
requests to country experts, from whom the response was generally poor. The detail
given is limited by space, despite the book’s 4 cm thickness, and two more detailed
works are recommended, although only one of them is referenced!

Countries are considered in alphabetical order within regions, although no map is
given to show where to find a particular country, and the contents fist is so long (22
pages) that it is hard to use that to find your country. This makes the book’s use
unnecessarily difficult. WAOS’s W Africa falls into three regions. The longest
country account for W Africa, by far, is Zaire’s (53 pp.), the shortest Guinea-Bissau’s
(4); most countries get 6-10. Each region has an interesting introduction of about 8
pages, covering topography, climate, wetland types, vegetation and fauna. This
includes fascinating detail on the hydrological history of the area (although this might

1994

Book Reviews

63

be considered rather irrelevant to the stated purpose) and lengthy species Usts. The
bird hsts are a httle odd, including many common species (rendering it difficult to get
at the conservation value) and non-wetland ones. There is some attempt to identify
critical species in the country and wetland accounts, although full species hsts are not
repeated in these accounts; this is probably justifiable as there would otherwise be
unnecessary repetition, but many of the fauna and flora sections in country accounts
are still too brief, e.g. the importance of Guinea-Bissau for Palaearctic waders is
acknowledged by half a sentence, and Banc d’ Arguin’ s birds get only three
sentences. Each country chapter has topography and climate sections (the latter
seeming unnecessarily detailed) and a list of wetlands, then individual wetland
descriptions include location, area, altitude, hydrology, biology, human impact and
conservation status. Referencing is incomplete, although some key works are cited in
the text.

A few httle shortcomings suggest that the book was finalised in a hurry. The
faima sections in the regional introductions have occasional statements referring to
countries not in that region, suggesting that the decision on how to group countries
was changed at a late stage. In one introduction, many birds are referred to as “E
only”, with no indication of what that means (not east, nor Europe). The coverage of
wetlands seems comprehensive, but many of those discussed are not mapped,
although they could easily have been. Also, the maps often have names displaced or
repeated in additional places.

Despite these quibbles, there are apparently few errors of fact and the book is
definitely more readable than most WCMC publications. It is an indispensable source
of reference on African wetlands.

Alan & Hilary Tye

Checklist of Birds of the Afrotropical and Malagasy Regions. Volume 1. Species
limits and distribution. By R.J. Dowsett & A.D. Forbes- Watson, 1993. 374 pp.
Tauraco Press, Liège. ISBN 2-87225-000-X.

A Contribution to the Distribution and Taxonomy of Afrotropical and Malagasy
Birds. Ed. by R.J. Dowsett & F. Dowsett-Lemaire, 1993. 389 pp. Tauraco Research
Report 5, Tauraco Press, Liège. ISBN 2-87225-0 10-X.

Paperbacks, £15 each incl. airmail postage, from Aves a.s.b.l., Maison de
l’Environnement, Rue de la Régence 36, B-4000 Liège, Belgium.

These two important works (along with a promised Volume 2) are destined to replace
White (l%0-65) as the commonly-used basis for Afrotropical bird taxonomy. In this

64

Book Reviews

Malimbus 16

they will be competing with The Birds of Africa (Brown et al 1982, Urban et al
1986, Fry et al 1988, Keith et al 1992, et seq.) but happily the two treatments
largely coincide. The stated intention of the Checklist is to up-date White’s work and,
for Madagascar, that of Sclater (1924-30). All off-shore islands are included,
although the South Atlantic and Prince Edward groups are treated in a separate
section, as not being truly Afrotropical.

The Checklist is in two parts: a systematic list (86 pp.) and country distribution
tables (173 pp.), with indices to English, French and scientific names. The systematic
hst includes, for each species, a selective synonymy (a complete one is to be in
Volume 2), key taxonomic references, alternative generic attributions, and subspecies
\\iiich are sometimes regarded as full species. Each species is provided with selected
references to the standard literature {e.g. Birds of Africa, Hayman et al 1986, Serle &
Morel 1977) for colour illustrations, where possible, and to selected pubhshed vocal
recordings. The species are numbered according to a new adaptable system,
permitting ordering and sorting of databases.

The vernacular names included reflect local usage within Africa and, thankfully,
no attempt to standardise is made, as this is the function of scientific names. A further
sensible decision is to include regional qualifiers (European, African etc.) only where
necessary to distinguish between species found together. Good sense is also shown
with regard to the use of hyphens and apostrophes. In all, this is the best treatment of
vernacular names to appear in years.

The family sequence adopted is conventional, largely following Voous (1977),
Hall & Moreau (1970), Snow (1978) and Birds of Africa, but not Sibley & Monroe
(1990), which is considered still too controversial. The approach to superspecies
employed is, however, stricter than that of most previous authors.

To check the list’s accuracy and assess its opinions, I examined three groups:
wheatears Oenanthe and relatives, Cisticola spp., and Gulf of Guinea endemics.

The treatment of wheatears is non-commital, with few superspecies. '"Oenanthe"'
bifrasciata is retained therein, despite the arguments of Tye (1988, 1989a, b) and
Clancey (1990), all of which are ignored in the bibliography, although one is
mentioned in the Tauraco Research Report 5 (“TRR5”). The cisticolas are similarly
treated conservatively, with no sphts for C brunnescensicinnamomea, laisidistinctus,
aberranslemini and others. Most of the cisticola decisions are adequately justified in
TRR5, although the whealear reasoning therein is less satisfactory.

Many of the Gulf of Guinea endemic species are suppressed {e.g. Bostrychia
bocagei, Treron sanctithomae, Dicrurus modes tus) although the more distinctive
ones and others are accorded specific rank (e.g. Otus hartlaubi, Zoonavena
thomensis, the Zosterops spp., starlings and sunbirds). Terpsiphone atrochalybeia is
recognised, but not T. smithii. A line has to be drawn somewhere, but any line is
arbitrary and some decisions are puzzling {e.g. reverting to merging Speirops
lugubris with S. melanocephalus). Endemics of conservation interest elsewhere in
Africa are similarly suppressed. Most such decisions are scientifically reasonable, but

1994

Book Reviews

65

undesirable from a conservation standpoint.

The distribution tables forming the bulk of the Checklist are difficult to check
without returning to original references; they have therefore to be taken at face value.
The few species which I checked seem up-to-date, and the main use of the tables may
be as a quick reference to discover whether one’s records really are unusual.
However, they will quickly become out-dated as faunistic knowledge increases.

TRR5 contains two papers, by one or both of the editors. First comes
“Afrotropical avifaunas: annotated country checkhsts”. These are, in fact, expanded
versicms of the tables in the Checklist and they completely obviate the need of the
67% of the Checklist that the latter occupy. It is a great shame that the two
pubhcations were not combined, with three sections in one volume - a systematic list,
country tables and the second p^r of TRR5. As issued, one needs the two separate
publications, of different sizes (which will be a continual irritation to users, rendering
their bookcases untidy or forcing a separation), and the bulk of the Checklist is rather
a waste of paper. The extra detail in the tables of TRR5 consists in separating each
coimfry into its own table (several countries are combined in regional tables in the
Checklist), slight up-dates ovct the Checklist (noted as such) and references for each
species’s status entry, mostly to pubhshed annotated hsts for the country, and with
explanatory footnotes where necessary. The references are up to 1993, with
Malimbus appearing frequently; further substantial information was obtained from
many correspondents. For countries which I know, the treatment appears generally
meticulous and reliable. Rarity records are treated critically and reasons given for
rejection or doubt.

The second paper, “Comments on the taxonomy of some Afrotropical bird
species”, gives the reasoning for all cases where the treatment of the Checklist
diverges from White (1960-65) or Sclater (1924-30). The arguments are mostly
sensible but individual workers will have their points of disagreement, especially if
their wcrk has been overlooked. The reasons given for the suppression of Gulf of
Guinea species are often not very convincing and the authors did not request
information from some recent visitors to the islands, regarding work in press and
vocal recordings (deposited at the British Library of Wildlife Sounds) which would
support some specific separations. Generally, the authors are “lumpers” and they
place, occasionally, too much reliance on minor vocal characteristics to justify splits
or mergers.

On a practical level, the quality of the bindings could have been better for works
which will be much consulted: the cover of the TRR5 copy became half-detached on
first reading. Of the few typographic errors noticed, only those relating to
nomenclature are of importance e.g. Agapomus {Checklist), Malacocichla (TRR5).

In summary, these publications are the most thoughtful and comprehensive
treatment of Afrotropical bird taxonomy and nomenclature to have appeared since
their acknowledged antecedents, and they thoroughly deserve to become the
systematic basis for Afrotropical ornithology in the future.

66

Book Reviews

Malimbus 16

References

Brown, L.H., Urban, E.K. & Newman, K. (1982) The Birds of Africa, vol. 1.
Academic Press, London.

Clancey, P.A. (1990) The generic status of the Buff-streaked Chat of the southern
Afrotropics. Gerfaut SO: 179-191.

Fry, C.H., Keith, S. & Urban, E.K. (1988) The Birds of Africa, vol. 3. Academic
Press, London.

Hall, B.P. & Moreau, R.E. (1970) An Atlas of Spéciation in African Passerine

Birds. British Museum (Natural History), London.

Hayman, P., Marchant, J. & Prater, T. (1986) Shorebirds. Groom Helm, London.
Keith, S., Urban, E.K. & Fry, C.H. (1992) The Birds of Africa, vol. 4. Academic
Press, London.

ScLATER, W.L. (1924-30) Systema Avium Aethiopicarum. 2 parts. British
Ornithologists’ Union, London.

Serle, W. & Morel, G.J. (1977) A Field Guide to the Birds of West Africa. Colhns,
London.

Sibley, C.G. & Monroe, B.L. (1990) Distribution and Taxonomy of Birds of the
World. Yale University Press, New Haven.

Snow, D.W. (Ed.) (1978) An Atlas of Spéciation in African Non-passerine Birds.

British Museum (Natural History), London.

Tye, a. (1988) Foraging behaviour and selection of prey and perches by the
Buffstreaked Chat Oenanthe bifasciata. Ostrich 59: 105-1 15.

Tye, a. (1989a) The systematic position of the Buff-streaked Chat
Oenanthe/Saxicola bifasciata. Bull. Brit. Omithol. Club 109: 53-58.

Tye, a. (1989b) Superspecies in the genus Oenanthe. Bonn. zool. Beitr. 40: 165-182.
Urban, E.K., Fry, C.H. & Keith, S. (1986) The Birds of Africa, vol. 2. Academic
Press, London.

Voous, K.H. (1977) List of Recent Holarctic Bird Species. British Ornithologists’
Union, London.

White, C.M.N. (1960, 1962) A check list of the Ethiopian Muscicapidae (Sylviinae).

Occ. Pap. Nat Mus. S. Rhodesia 24B: 399^30; 26B: 653-738.

White, C.M.N. (1961) A Revised Check List of African Broadbills [... etc].
Government Printer, Lusaka.

White, C.M.N. (1962) A Revised Check List of African Shrikes [... etc]. Govemmait
Printer, Lusaka.

White, C.M.N. (1963) A Revised Check List of African Flycatchers [... etc].
Government Printer, Lusaka.

White, C.M.N. (1965) A Revised Check List of African Non-passerine Birds.
Government Printer, Lusaka.

Alan Tye

1994

67

News & Letters

OrDÎthological Societies in The Gambia
Dear Sir,

The Gambia Ornithological Society (GOS) was founded in 1975. It promotes
interest in the bird-life and general natural history of The Gambia and supports local
wildlife conservation. Local programmes include evening bird walks, weekend trips
further afield and indoor evening meetings. These activities are intended for GOS
members but we are happy for visitors to join our meetings when possible. Although
it has proved impossible to maintain contact with overseas members. Life
Membership of GOS applies for as long as and whenever the member is in The
Gambia. Telephone numbers and a contact address are given below.

The existence of a “Gambian Ornithological Society” has recently been brought
to our notice. We wish them every success but the similarity of the names of the two
societies may lead to confusion. We wish to emphasise that the two societies and
their officers are quite distinct. The President of the Gambia Ornithological Society is
the President of The Gambia, H.E. Sir Dauda Kairaba Jawara, and the Vice-President
of the society is the Director of the Department of Wildlife Conservation, Dr A.
Camara.

A number of local bird-guides offer their services to visiting ornithologists.
Several are very competent and are reliable guides to some of the more interesting
sites away horn the hotels. Some have recently joined GOS and, while we are glad of
their support, we must emphasise that possession of a GOS membership card is in no
way an endorsement of their abihties.

GOS is pleased to receive records from visiting ornithologists. These will be
entered on our database and unusual sightings critically considered by a rarities
committee.

Donal Murray, Chairman (office 394847, home 371486)
Bill Snow, Hon. Secretary (462932)
The Gambia Ornithological Society, P.O. Box 757, Banjul, The Gambia

African Bird Club

From 1 January 1994, the African Bird Club will provide a focus for gathering
information on a continental basis and making it more accessible to both resident and
overseas birders. It aims to foster an interest in bird conservation in the region, to

68

News & Letters

Malimbus 16

promote and work with local African societies, to produce a twice-y early colour
bulletin featuring identification papers and site guides, to encourage visits to lesser-
known parts of the region, to locate and publish information on globaUy threatened
and near-threatened species and to develop a Conservation Research Fund. Anyone
can join; the standard membership rate is £12 per year. The ABC is also seeking
Founder Members to fund its launch and first year of operation. Founder Membership
is available as a one-off payment of £30 and includes the first year’s subscription. For
a comprehensive membership leaflet, please contact: The Membership Secretary, The
African Bird Club, c/o Birdlife International, Wellbrook Court, Girton Road,
Cambridge CB3 ONA, U.K.

A dater du 1 janvier 1 994, FAfrican Bird Club sera un centre de collecte de données à
l’échelle continentale et en faciletera l’usage à la fois aux ornithologues résidents et à
ceux d’outre-mer. Le club a comme buts de stimuler l’intérêt pour la protection des
oiseaux dans la région, de promouvoir les sociétés africaines locales et de travailler
avec elles, d’éditer un bulletin semestriel en couleur présentant des articles
d’identification et des guides régionaux, d’encourager la visite des secteurs les moins
connus de la région, de rechercher et publier les données sur les espèces menacées
d’extinction générale ou en danger et de créer un Fonds de Recherche pour la
Conservation. Chacun peut adhérer: la cotisation ordinaire est de £12 par an.
L’A.B.C. recherche aussi des Membres Fondateurs pour financer son lancement et la
première année de fonctionnement. La qualité de Membre Fondateur s’acquiert par
un versement unique de £30 et comprend la première année de souscription. Pour
obtenir une notice complète d’inscription, veuillez vous adresser à: The Membership
Secretary, The African Bird Club, c/o BirdLife International, Wellbrook Court,
Girton Road, Cambridge CB3 ONA, UK.

1994

69

Society Notices

Editor* s Report for 1993

Malimbus Volume 15 contained 112 pages in the usual two issues (June and
October), an increase of 36 pages ova* the previous year (which was the slimmest
volume ever). Since Malimbus began publication in 1979, the average number of
pages per volume has bœn 125.

During the 21 scioitific papas wae received, along with 1 1 book reviews
and 12 notices or other items. Eighteen scientific papers were published in Volume
15, wth 13 book reviews and 10 notices or other items; a list of members of the
Society was also issued. One paper was withdrawn by its authors during the year,
none was rejectol. Of the 18 scientific articles published, 15 r^uired revision by
tiieir authors (beyond minor editorial changes), a process which occupi^ between 3
and 28 montiis (mean 7 months). The delay between receiving a final acceptable
version of a p^er and its pubhcation ranged from 1 to 7 months (mean 3.7 months);
tire longer delays were caused entirely by papers waiting for an issue to fill. The
delay between rœeiving an initial submission and its publication was thaefore 4-30
mondis (mean 9 months). Most papers are therefore pubhshed vritiiin a year of being
received.

Since the delay between receiving an initial submission and an acceptable
revision is so variable, it is impossible to predict exactly how lage the coming issues
will be. The size of an issue is not usually known until the month of going to press.
However, there is a steady sfream of papers coming in, which should allow us to
maintain output at over 100 pages for the coming Volume 16, and hopefully beyond,
although it may be some time before the peak of 227 pages (1988, with the
publication of Avifaune du Niger) is beaten. As mentioned in a recent editorial
(appeal!), we are entirely dependent on the flow of papers from authors.

I am hoping eventually to regularise the timing of appearance of issues, at March
and September each year, but this goal is proving elusive; at present it is subject to
the variations in rate of appearance of acceptable final versions of manuscripts,
because there is no appreciable backlog of papers ready for publication. Until
submissions increase substantially, the months of issue will probably continue to
vary.

The production process of Malimbus changed somewhat when I moved to
Tanzania in 1991. At present the processing of words and the typesetting (by a desk-
top publishing program and laser printer) are done in Tanzania and camera-ready
copy is then sent to Geoffrey Field in Britain, who, along with our Treasurer and
Secretary, ensures that the printing and distribution of the journal go smoothly. I
should like to ex|^ess my gratitude to this whole team for their constant kind support.

70

Society Notices

Malimbus 16

AU of the full-length papers in Malimbus and over 80% of the Short Notes are
subject to peer-review by two (occasionaUy one or three) referees. Therefore I should
also like to thank aU of the referees who have spent time, sometimes a lot of it, in
reviewing papers. I am extremely grateful for their painstaking work.

Finally, there would be no journal without the authors: thanks to all, and keep the
papers coming.

Alan Tye

Rapport du Rédacteur pour 1993

Le Volume 15 de Malimbus comprenait 1 12 pages avec les deux numéros habituels
(juin et octobre), 36 pages de plus que Tannée précédente (le plus mince volume
jamais publié). Depuis le début de parution de Malimbus en 1 979, le nombre moyen
de pages a été de 125.

Au cours de Tannée, nous avons reçu 21 articles scientifiques ainsi que 11
analyses de livres, 12 avis ou autres sujets. Dix-huit articles scientifiques furent
publiés dans le Volume 15, avec 13 analyses de livres et 10 avis ou autres sujets; une
hste des adhérents à la Société a aussi été fournie. Un seul article a été retiré par les
auteurs durant cette année; aucun n’a été refusé. Sur les 18 articles scientifiques
publiés, 15 demandaient une révision par leurs auteurs (outre les corrections
mineures), tâche qui prit de 3 à 28 mois (7 mois en moyenne). Le délai entre la
réception d’un manuscrit bon à imprimer et sa pubhcation fut de 1 à 7 mois (3,7 mois
en moyenne): les plus longs délais étaient uniquement dus à des articles attendant de
compléter un numéro. Le délai entre la réception d’un manuscrit proposé et sa
parution était donc de 4 à 30 mois (9 mois en moyenne). La plupart des articles ont
ainsi été publiés moins d’un an après leur réception.

Comme le délai entre la réception d’un manuscrit et sa dernière révision est très
variable, il est impossible de prévoir exactement l’importance des numéros à venir.
Elle n’est habituellement cormue que le mois même où le numéro va à l’impression.
Cependant, il y a une rentrée constante de manuscrits, ce qui devrait nous permettre
de maintenir la production à plus de 100 pages pour le prochain Volume 16 et,
espérons-le, au delà, quoique nous soyons loin de battre le record de 227 pages (en
1988 avec la publication de VAvifaune du Niger). Comme il est indiqué dans un
récent éditorial (en fait, un appel), nous dépendons entièrement du volume de
manuscrits envoyés par les auteurs.

J’espère à la longue fixer les dates de sortie des numéros, soit mars et septembre
de chaque année, mais cet objectif paraît hors d’atteinte; pour le moment, il subit les
aléas du retour des versions définitives des manuscrits, car nous ne disposons d’aucun
arriéré appréciable d’articles prêts à publier. Tant que les soumissions
n’augmenteront pas sensiblement, les dates de parution continueront de varier.

Le système de production de Malimbus changea un peu quand je suis parti en

1994

Society Notices

71

Tanzanie en 1991. Actuellement, l’élaboration des textes et la saisie (sur logiciel
d’édition de bureau et imprimante laser) sont effectuées en Tanzanie et un exemplaire
prêt à filmer est alors envoyé en Grande-Bretagne à Geoffrey Field, qui, avec le
Trésorier et la Secrétaire, veille à la bonne marche de l’impression et de la
distribution de la revue. Je tiens à exprimer ma gratitude à toute cette équipe pour
leur aide constante et affable.

Tous les longs articles et plus de 80% des notes courtes de Malimbus sont soumis
à une lecture critque par deux (parfois un ou trois) lecteurs. C’est pourquoi je
voudrais aussi remercier tous les lecteurs qui ont donné de leur temps et parfois
beaucoup pour la critique des manuscrits. Je leur suis très reconnaissant de leur
travail consciencieux.

Enfin, il n’y aurait pas de revue sans les auteurs d’articles: merci à tous et
continuez de nous en envoyer.

Alan Tye

River Martin - Hirondelle de rivière - Pseudochelidon eurystomina
Photo: Peter Alexander-Marrack

72

Society Notices

Malimbus 16

West African Ornithological Society
Revenue Account for the year ended 31 December 1993

1992

Income

Subscriptions

£2825

£2739

Back Number sales

124

12

Bird Fair (net)

32

26

Conference

-

60

Interest

73

241

£3054

£3078

Expenditure

Printing, postage etc.

£2662

£2158

Surplus for year

392

920

£3054

£3078

Balance Sheet as at 31 December 1993

Assets

Building Society balance
Bank balance

£4226

323

£5141

£4549

Liabilities

Creditors

Subscriptions in advance

290 290

934

340

1274

£4259

£3867

Accumulated Funds

Balance at 1 January

Surplus for year

£3867

392

2947

920

£4259

£3867

R.E. Sharland, F.C.A.
Hon. Treasurer

Instructions to Authors

MaUntbiis publishes Papers, Short Notes, Reviews, Letters, News and Notices, and
illustrative material covering the field of West African ornithology. Written
contributions are accepted in English or French; editorial assistance will be made
available to authors whose first language is not one of these. Papers and Short Notes
cover original contributions; material published elsewhere, in whole or in part, wiU
not normally be accepted. Short Notes are articles not exceeding 1000 words
(including references) or two printed pages in length. Wherever possible, manuscripts
should first have been submitted to at least one ornithologist or biologist for critical
scrutiny. Manuscripts wiU be sent for critical review to at least one relevant authority.

Items for News and Notices should not exceed 1000 words.

Contributions, of which two copies are required, should be typed on one side of
the paper with double spacing and wide margins. Dot-matrix printouts wiU only be
accepted if they are of “near-letter” quality. Authors should not send a diskette copy
with their initial submission, but are requested to indicate whether they can do so if
their paper is accepted. Diskettes will be returned to authors. Consult the editor for
further details, e.g. for acceptable word processing programs.

Conventions regarding tabular material, numbers, metric units, references, etc.
may be found in this issue and should be adhered to carefully. Note particularly the
following: dates should be in the form 2 Feb 1990 but months standing alone in text
may be written in full; times of day are written 6.45, 17.32; coordinates are written in
the form 7°46’N, 16°4’E; numbers up to ten are written in full, except when followed
by abbreviated units (e.g. 6 m), numbers from 1 1 upwards are written in figures
except at the beginning of a sentence. All References mentioned in the article, and
only such, must be entered in the bibhography.

Articles containing lengthy Species-lists should be in tabular form (e.g.
Malimbus 1: 22-28 or 1: 49-54) or of the textual format of Malimbus 1: 90-109.
Taxonomic sequence and scientific names must follow Dowsett & Forbes-Watson
(1993, Checklist of Birds of the Afrotropical and Malagasy Regions, Tauraco Press,
Liège) or The Birds of Africa (Brown et al 1982, Urban et al 1986, Fry et al 1988,
Keith et al 1992, Academie Press, London), unless reasons for departure from these
authorities are stated in the article. Vernacular names should preferably also follow
these authorities.

Figures should be prepared as for final reproduction, allowing for 20-50%
reduction, using indian ink on good quality white paper or heavy tracing, and
adhesive transfer lettering as appropriate. Diagrams produced by a computer printer
are rarely of acceptable quality. When designing Figures, pay attention to the page-
shape of Malimbus.

All Papers (but not Short Notes) should include a Summary, not exceeding 5%
of the total length. The Summary should include brief reference to major findings of
the paper and not simply review what was done. Summaries vrill be pubhshed in both
English and French and will be translated as appropriate by the Editorial Board.

Twenty Offprints of Papers (but not of Short Notes) will be sent to single or
senior authors, gratis. Offprints will not be stapled, bound, or covered; they are
merely cut from copies of the journal.

Malimbus 16 (1) June 1994
Contents

Notes on a breeding colony of the African River Martin
Pseudochelidon eurystomina in Gabon.

P. Alexander-Marrack 1-9

Annotated bird list of Macenta Prefecture, Guinea.

D. Halleux 10-29

Oiseaux nouveaux pour la République Centrafricaine ou dont les
notifications de ce pays sont peu nombreuses.

M Germain & J. -R Cornet 30-51

Short Notes

Is the Thick-billed Cuckoo Pachycoccyx audeherti a forest dependent

species in West Africa? G.A. Allport & J.R Fanshawe 52-53

A note on the diet of Barn O^ls Tyto alba at Djoudj, Senegal.

D.W. Yalden 53-55

La sous-espèce du Cochevis modeste Galerida modesta en Sénégambie.

C. Erard & G. J. Morel 56-57

First record of Three-banded Plover Charadrius tricollaris in

Ivory Coast T.T. Cable 57-58

Book Reviews 59-66

News & Letters 67-68

Society Notices 69-72

MALIMBUS

Si,

I

Bird

Journal of the West African Ornithological Society
Revue de la Société d'Ornithologie de TOuest Africain

VOLUME 16 Number 2
ISSN 0331-3689

November 1994

West African Ornithological Society
Société d ’Ornithologie de l’Ouest Africain

Conseil 1994:

Président: Dr Gérard J. Morel
Vice-Président: John H. El good

Trésorier et chargé des abonnements: Robert E. Sharland
Secrétaire Générale: Mme Amberley M. Moore
Membre du Conseil: Dr Max Germain
Rédacteur en Chef: Dr Alan Tye

Comité de Rédaction: G.D. Field, Dr W. Gatter, Dr L.G. Grimes, Dr G. J. Morel, Dr
M.-Y. Morel, Dr J.-M. Thiollay, H.S.S. Thompson, H. Tye, Dr R. Wilkinson

Distribution de Malimbus: G.D.Field

La correspondance doit être adressée comme suit:

- au Rédacteur en Chef (c/o V.S.O., P.O. Box 6297, Dar-es- Salaam, Tanzania)
pour les publications dans Malimbus, y compris éventuellement des photos ou
des dessins au trait;

- au Trésorier (1 Fisher’s Heron, East Mills, Fordingbridge, Hampshire, SP6 2JR,
U. K.) pour les abonnements, les questions financières et les numéros anciens;

- à la Secrétaire Générale (1 Uppingham Road, Oakham, Rutland, LE15 6JB)
pour les demandes des Bourses de Recherches de la Société;

- au Président (1 Route de Sallenelles, 14860 Bréville-les-Monts, France) pour les
questions d’intérêt général.

La Société tire son origine de la “Nigerian Ornithologists’ Society”, fondée en 1964.
Son but est de promouvoir l’intérêt scientifique pour les oiseaux de l’Ouest africain et
de faire avancer l’ornithologie de ces régions principalement au moyen de sa revue
Malimbus (anciennement Bulletin of the Nigerian Ornithologists’ Society).

Les demandes d’adhésion sont les bienvenues. Les cotisations annuelles sont de £10
pour les Membres Ordinaires et de £25 pour les Sociétés (les cotisations peuvent être
payées en £ sterling au Trésorier ou en francs français au Président). Les Membres
Ordinaires reçoivent Malimbus par courrier ordinaire et les Sociétés par courrier
aérien, gratuitement. Un supplément est exigé des Membres Ordinaires pour le
courrier aérien (demander au Trésorier le tariO-

Anciens Numéros: Les Vols 11-14 (1975-78) du Bulletin of the Nigerian
Ornithologists’ Society (du même format que Malimbus) sont disponibles à £2 par
numéro (£4 par volume) ou £15 l’ensemble. Les Volumes 1 à 9 de Malimbus sont
disponibles à £3 par numéro (£6 par volume) et, à partir du Vol. 10, à £5 par numéro
(£10 par volume). On peut acheter la série complète des Vols 1 à 16 de Malimbus au
prix spécial de £110. Frais de port et emballage sont gratuits. Veuillez joindre le
paiement à votre commande et l’adresser au Trésorier.

Bourses de Recherches de la S. 0.0. A.: Les conditions à remplir pour les
candidatures se trouvent dans Malimbus 15: 103-106 et peuvent être obtenues auprès
de la Secrétaire Générale (voir adresse ci-dessus).

1994

73

Change of Editorial Address

As of 31 December 1994, I shall be leaving Amani and the new address for all
editorial correspondence, including manuscript submissions, will be:

Dr Alan Tye
do VSO
P.O. Box 6297
Dar-es-Salaam
TANZANIA*

fax: +255 51 46272

This address is already valid but mail may be sent to my old address (P.O. Box 1,
Amani, Tanga, Tanzania; fax +255 53 42620) as long as it is timed to arrive before
31 December 1994 {i.e. posted airmail before the end of November).

Alan Tye

Changement d’Adresse de la Redaction

A partir du 31 décembre 1994, je quitterai Amani et la nouvelle adresse pour tout
courrier destiné à la rédaction, y compris les soumissions de manuscrits, sera:

Dr Alan Tye
c/o VSO
P.O. Box 6297
Dar-es-Salaam
TANZANIE.

fax: +255 51 46272

Cette adresse est déjà utilisable mais le courrier peut être envoyé à mon ancienne
adresse (P.O. Box 1, Amani, Tanga, Tanzanie; fax +255 53 42620) à condition qu’il
puisse arriver avant le 31 décembre 1994 {i.e. courrier aérien posté avant fin
novembre).

Alan Tye

74

Malimbus 16

Bird records from Liberia

by M.EJ. Gore

Government House, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands

Received 11 October 1992
Revised 25 March 1994

Summary

Based on observations from 1988 to 1990, a record is presented of birds
considered by Gatter (1988) to be uncommon or rare, including three species
new for the country. Passer domesticus, Lamprotornis caudatus and
Ptilostomus afer. Also presented are several records of species of which there
are very few records from Liberia and new breeding records. Deforestation
further north may be enabling birds from the Guinea savanna zone to reach
Liberia. A movement of African species was noted down the coast in
September - October.

Résumé

L’auteur, sur la base d’observations de 1988 à 1990, présente ses données sur
les oiseaux considérés par Gatter (1988) comme peu communs ou rares, y
compris trois espèces nouvelles pour le pays. Passer domesticus,
Lamprotornis caudatus et Ptilostomus afer. Sont également rapportées
quelques observations d’espèces rarement signalées au Libéria et de
nouvelles données sur la reproduction. Il est possible que le déboisement plus
au nord permette aux oiseaux de la savanwe guinéenne d’atteindre le Libéria.
Des espèces africaines descendant le long de la côte ont été notées en
septembre - octobre.

Introduction

I was resident in Liberia from February 1988 until I was evacuated by helicopter, at
the height of the civil war, in August 1990. During this period I studied birds daily in
and around Monrovia I also travelled extensively throughout the country: I regularly
visited Lake Pi so and Robertsport (in Mar 1988 with W. Gatter and G. Hodgson) and
the Firestone Estate on the coast, visited Yekepa and Nimba Mountain in the north-

1994

Birds in Liberia

75

Figure 1. Map of Liberia, showing localities mentioned in the text

76

M.E.J. Gore

Malimbus 16

east of the country on five occasions, in March, June and November 1988, November
1989 and February 1990, travelled to Sapo National Park in River Cess County in
November 1988 in company with Kevin and Christine Carlson and made an
extensive tour of the remaining rain forest in Lofa County in company with Wulf
Gatter in March 1989. Observers are identified by their initials. All locations
mentioned are given in Figure 1.

I have used Gatter (1988) as a basis for this paper, recording only species which
he considered to be uncommon or rare, confirming his view of the status where there
was any doubt and commenting where my observations suggest a different status or
where I saw a species in regions outside what he considered to be their normal range.
Three new species are added to the Liberian list, one of which he included in his
paper. There are few breeding records from Liberia and I have included all evidence
of breeding, even of the most common species. Î have also included records of
species which appear to be declining in numbers.

At the time of writing Liberia is still in turmoil, the country divided under the
control of three warring factions. After four years of civil war there are few signs of a
political solution and little likelihood that the country can return to a semblance of
normality in the near future. Uncontrolled logging is being carried out as the only
source of foreign exchange available to the main rebel faction, which controls most
of the area which until recently was still under primary forest. And starving villagers
have eaten every wild creature they have been able to trap or shoot. Deforestation to
the north and east of Liberia has decimated the forest in Sierra Leone and much of
Guinea as well as further up the West African coast. Two of the new records and one
previously unconfirmed relate to species which normally occur in the Sudan or
Guinea savanna zones. I believe that the opening of the forest has enabled these birds
to move down the coast through open country; more such records are likely to occur
in the future. I noted a similar phenomenum in The Gambia. Between 1981 and 1991 a
number of species formerly confined to the Sudan zone had appeared in The Gambia
in increasing numbers as the desert moved inexorably southwards (Gore 1981, 1991).

Finally, I have commented on an apparent movement of African species
southwards (in fact westwards along the coast in Liberia), from late August to early
October, which I noted on two consecutive years and which has not previously been
reported. Most obvious were the flocks of Green Pigeon Treron calva but several
other species were observed only at this time of the year which suggests such a
movement.

Species list

For ease of reference I have followed the same order as Gatter (1988). The status
abbreviations given in parentheses at the end of each of the species notes are those
used for that species by Gatter (1988) as follows:

1994

Birds in Liberia

77

RB resident breeder

R(B) resident, but breeding unproven

(RB) resident and breeding status unproven; species may leave during the rains

PM Palaearctic migrant

NM Nearctic or Neotropical migrant

AfM migrates within Liberia and neighbouring areas

AfM/B migrates to and from Liberia to breed in Liberia

AfM/NB migrates to and from Liberia to spend the non-breeding season in Liberia

V vagrant

? indicates doubt about the status immediately preceding the question mark,

but not of occurrence
a abundant

c common

u uncommon

r rare

u-c

uScN

(*)

means the species is not uncommon, or is locally uncommon and locally
common

uncommon in south, common in north etc.
all possible further information needed.

Dabchick Podiceps ruficollis. Seen only on a small lake at Liberia Agriculture
Company estate (LAC) where 2-3 were present Jun and Nov 1988. (RB, AFM, u)
Cory’s Shearwater Cahnectris diomedea. Seen commonly, up to 12 (once 20) often
in view at a time, 15-35 km off Monrovia, Dec-Mar 1988-90. (PM, u)

Leach’s Petrel Oceanodroma leucorhoa. One c. 16 km off Marshall River, 14 Feb
1988. (PM, r (*))

Storm Petrel Hydrobates pelagicus. Few records on regular offshore boat trips; c. 6
14 Feb 1988; 2-3 on several occasions, Dec-Mar 1988-90. (PM, u)

Darter A/i/ri/igfl rufa. Only record: a single near Yekepa, Mar 1988. (AfM/NB, u)
Little Bittern Ixohrychus minutus. Four singles seen separately in swamps in
Monrovia suburbs, 12 Sep 1988. The birds must have been migrants either Palaeartic
or intra-African as the swamps were in densely populated areas and the birds could
not have survived persecution for any length of time. (RB, AfM?, PM, u (*))

Night Heron Nycticorax nycticorax. Regularly seen for most of the year (no records
Jun- Aug) along St Paul’s River, (max. 30, adults and immatures, 12 Feb 1989) but no
breeding colony located. (PM, AfM/B?, u)

Tiger Bittern Tigriornis leucocephala. A juvenile recovered from a boy at the
Firestone Rubber Plantation and subsequently released Nov 1988; he said he had
taken it from a nest in mangrove bordering the Marshall River. (RB, u)

Purple Heron Ardea purpurea. Singles seen on numerous occasions at Omega
swamp throughout the year (except Jun-Aug when area not visited) but no evidence

78

M.EJ. Gore

Malimbus 16

of breeding; one at Zwedru, Mar 1988. (PM, AfM/NB?, u)

Black-headed Heron Ardea melanocephala. Flocks of 6-10 regularly seen at dusk
flying down the St Paul’s River, Dec-Feb 1988-90; max. 24, early Jan 1989. (AfM/NB
u)

Hadada Boystrychia hagedash. Only record: a pair in forest along the Sinoe River
bordering Sapo National Park, Nov 1988. (R(B), AfM u-c)

African Spoonbill Platalea alba. Single circling over St Paul’s River, Nov 1988.
(AfM, u)

White-faced Tree Duck Dendrocygna viduata. Seen in parties of 2-8, infrequently
but throughout the year, at Omega swamp and once, a pair, at Lake Piso, 27 Nov
1988. (RB, AfM, u)

Pygmy Goose Nettapus auritus. Small numbers seen regularly throughout the year,
and apparently resident, on a complex of small lakes near the Voice of America
station (VOA) but no young seen; c. 15 at LAC, 2 Jun 1988. (R(B), u).

Spur-vringed Goose Plectropterus gambensis. One in a swamp at LAC, 2 Jun 1988.
(RB. AfM, r)

Hartlaub’s Duck Pteronetta hartlaubii. Two at Yekepa, Nov 1988 (with K&CC) and
four at Lofa (with WG), Mar 1989, on both occasions flying over forest. (RB, u)
Osprey Pandion haliaetus. Fairly common winter visitor on the coast. (PM, u)
Palmnut Vulture Gypohierax angolensis. No longer common; now a scarce
resident, having been shot for “fun” by hunters. One or two (both adults and
juveniles) seen regularly, but not invariably, near the coast on both the Marshall and
Lofa Rivers and several inland at Lofa (with WG), Mar 1989. (RB, AfM, c)

Black Sparrowhawk Accipiter melanoleucus. Singles seen on three occasions in
forest adjoining the St Paul’s River. (R(B), u)

Red-tailed Buzzard Buteo auguralis. Not common; only one record, two near
Zwedru, Nov 1988. (AfM/B, c)

Cassin’s Hawk-eagle Spizaetus africanus. Regularly seen throughout the year in
vicinity of VOA. (Listed by Gatter (1988) as Hieraaetus africanus. RB, u)

Ayres Hawk-eagle Hieraaetus dubius. Two records: singles over forest at Yekepa,
March 1988 and Robertsport, 30 Oct 1988. (R(B), r(*))

Crowned Eagle Stephanoaetus coronatus. Two sightings: single near Firestone
Rubber Estate, Jun 1988; pair at Lofa, Mar 1989. (RB, u)

Black-shouldered Kite Elanus caeruleus. Seen only at Yekepa where I recorded 1-2
on every visit, Feb, Mar, Jun and Nov. (R?, AfM, u)

Honey Buzzard Pernis apivorus. Not a common migrant; seen only once, near
Robertsport, Feb 1988. (PM, c)

Hobby Falco subbuteo. Singles at Yekepa, 5 Nov 1988 and over Mamba Point,
Monrovia, Feb 1990. (PM, u)

Blue Quail Coturnix chinensis. Recorded only once: a covey of c. 10 in open
grassland near Lake Piso (with WG and GH), Mar 1988. (R?)B, AfM, u)

Ahanta Francolin Francolinus ahantensis. Pair with chicks near Zwedru, 5 Apr

1994

Birds in Liberia

79

1988. (RB,c)

Button Quail Tumix sylvatica. Two or three in open grassland near Lake Piso (with
WG and GH), Mar 1988. (AfM/B, r (*))

Lesser Moorhen Gallinula angulata. Only record: one at LAC, 2 Jun 1988. (RB ?,
AfM, R(*))

Alien’s Gallinule Porphyria alleni. Only record: one at LAC, 2
Jun 1988. (RB?, AfM, u)

African Jacana Actophilornis africana. No longer common anywhere near the coast
or inhabited areas, undoubtedly due to shooting. I saw only one, on a swamp near
Ganta, Apr 1988. (RB, AfM?, c)

Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus. Single on swamp on outskirts of
Monrovia, Nov 1988. (AfM/PM?, u(*))

Senegal Thick-Knee Bur/tmus senegalemis. Two at VOA, Feb 1989. (AfM, r(*))
Water Thick-knee Burhinus vermiculatus. Apparently resident on sandy beaches
bordering the estuaries; seen throughout the year on the Marshall and Lofa Rivers.
No breeding records. (RB, AfM?, u-c)

Common Pratincole Glareola pratincola. Pairs behaving as if breeding near Lake
Piso, Mar 1988 and Omega swamp. May 1989. (AfM/B, u)

Forbes’s Banded Plover Charadrius forbesii. Two records; a flock of five at LAC,
24 Nov 1988 and c. 10 at Guthries Plantation, Mar 1990, both groups presumably
African migrants as I visited both areas at different times during the year and did not
encounter them. (RB?, AfM, c)

Spur- winged Plover Vanellus spinosus. One on a sand spit in Monrovia Port, 26
Dec 1988 to early Mar 1989. (V, r (*))

Spur-winged Plover - Vanneau éperonné - Vanellus spinosus
Photo; Michael Gore

80

M.EJ. Gore

Malimbus 16

Bar- tailed Godwit Limosa lapponica. Two flying off Mamba Point, Monrovia, 11
Oct 1988. (PM, r(*))

Curlew Numenius arquata. Only sighting: one off Mamba Point, Sep 1988. I saw
none on the mudflats adjoining the main rivers. (PM, u(*))

Marsh Sandpiper Tringa stagnatilis. Two in estuary of Marshall River, 28 Oct 1988.
(PM, r-u(*))

Turnstone Arenaria interpres. Small parties, up to c. 15, seen at entrance to Marshall
River, Mar and Oct 1988, and at St Paul’s River, Sep 1988. (PM, u)

Grey Phalarope Phalnropus fulicarius. One bird and subsequently three together c.
30 km off Monrovia on two separate occasions in Feb 1990. (PM, r(*))

Little Stint Calidris minuta. Small numbers seen regularly among other waders in
estuary of Marshall River, Feb- Mar 1988 and 1989 and Nov 1988. (PM, u)

Long-tailed Skua Stercorarius longicaudus. One positively identified, 24 km off
Monrovia, Mar 1990. (PM, r (*))

Pomarine Skua Stercorarius pomarinus. Common (sometimes up to ten in view
simultaneously) 10-40 km off Monrovia on numerous occasions Dec-Mar 1988-89
and 1989-90. (PM,u(*))

Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus. Once; a single off Mamba Point,
Monrovia, 17 Nov 1988. (PM, u)

Sabine’s Gull Larus sabini. Three watched flying west of Mamba Point, 11 Aug 1989
(an early date, cf. Brown et al. 1982); parties of 3-6 seen c. 50 km off Monrovia on
several occasions. Feb-Mar 1990. (PM, r (*))

Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus. One first-winter bird off Mamba Point,
Monrovia, 1 Oct 1988. (PM, u)

Noddy A/ioms stolidus. Two individuals seen flying with flock of Black Terns Sterna
nigra off Mamba Point, Monrovia on 1 Jul and 7 Aug 1989; one immature, again with
S. nigra, there early Jun 1990. (V(*))

White-capped Noddy Anous tenurostris. One with flock of Sterna nigra off Mamba
Point, Monrovia, 20 and 27 Oct 1988. (V(*))

Little Tern Sterna albifrons. Common passage migrant on the coast; flocks of 10-20
frequently seen Feb-Mar and Sep-Oct 1988-90. (PM?/AfM?, u)

Roseate Tern Sterna dougallii. Only one flock of c. 40 positively identified, with
many birds in breeding plumage, roosting on sandbank at entrance to Marshall River,
12 Mar 1988. (PM, u)

Black Tern Sterna nigra. Over- summering flocks of 100-200 birds present off
Monrovia each year, Apr- Aug 1988-90. (PM, a)

African Skimmer Rhynchops flavirostris. Seen only twice: one feeding at dusk on
St Paul’s River, 12 Jan 1989, and an immature with a flock of Sterna nigra off Mamba
Point, Monrovia, 8-9 Aug 1989. (RB?, AfM, u (*))

Green Pigeon Treron calva. Common on the coast only in Aug-Sep 1988-89, when
flocks were frequently observed moving eastwards. (RB, AfM, a)

Senegal Parrot Poicephalus senegalensis. Frequent seasonal visitor to British

1994

Birds in Liberia

81

Embassy garden in Monrovia, Nov-Mar. Max. c. 10, Mar 1990. (RB?, r, introduœd?

e»

Rose-ringed Parakeet Psittacula krameri. Occasional, irregular visitor throughout
the year to British Embassy garden, Monrovia, (max. flock of seven which was
present on most days for four weeks in Feb-Mar 1990). (RB?, AfM, r (*))

Grey Parrot Psittacus erithacus. Rock of seven at Sapo National Park, Nov 1988,
were the only wild birds I saw. Presumed escapees seen regularly around Monrovia.
(RB,c)

Great Blue Turaco Corythaeola cristata. Seen only on the periphery of Sapo
National Park, Nov 1988, where common. (RB, r-c)

Grey Plantain-eater Crinifer piscator. Two near Robertsport, 7 Feb 1988; two
regularly in garden by St Paul’s River, Dec 1988 to Jan 1989; next seen, four in Jan
1990. As I have no records for other times of the year I believe they are migrants.
(R(B). u)

Senegal Coucal Centropus se negate nsis. Young in the nest, in gardens in Monrovia,
Feb and Apr 1990. (R(B), c)

Senegal Coucal - Coucal du Sénégal - Centropus senegalensis
Photo: Michael Gore

82

M.EJ. Gore

Malimbus 16

Standard-winged Nightjar Macrodipteryx longipennis. Males in breeding plumage
on outskirts of Monrovia, Feb-Mar 1989-90. (AfM/B, u-c)

Sabine’s Spinetail Chaetura sabini. C. 10 over Nimba Mountain, Apr 1988; none
seen on subsequent visits in Feb and Nov. Several in Lofa (with WG), Mar 1989. (RB,
AfM?, u-c)

Mottled Swift Apus aequatorialis. Small group seen over forest in Lofa (with WG),
Mar 1989. (V, AfM, r)

Pallid Swift Api/s pallidus. One positively identified, flying with European Swifts A.
apus over lower reaches of Lofa River, 31 Oct 1988. (PM, r (*))

Palm Swift Cypsiurus parvus. Common wherever there are plantations of palms, in
some places (I noticed them in Grand Gedah county) villagers erect artificial thatched
nesting sites, from which they take the young for food. Half grown young in one such
structure near Zwedru, Nov 1988. (RB, c)

Giant Kingfisher Ceryle maxima. Seen regularly along the lower reaches of all the
main rivers throughout the year. (RB, AfM?, u)

Pied Kingfisher Ceryle rudis. Perhaps increasing; regularly seen along the St Paul’s,
Farmington and Lofa Rivers; breeding colony of 4-8 nest holes in bank near St Paul’s
River Bridge, active Nov 1989. (RB, AfM?, u)

Shining-blue Kingfisher Alcedo quadribrachys. Five chicks, near fledging, taken by
children from nest in bank of Marshall River, 29 Oct 1988. (RB, c)

Striped Kingfisher Halcyon chelicuti. One record; single at Yekepa, Nov 1988.
(AfM/NB, V (*))

Striped Kingfisher - Martin-chasseur strié - Halcyon chelicuti
Photo: Michael Gore

1994

Birds of Liberia

83

Grey-headed Kingfisher Halcyon leucocephala. Non-breeding visitor to coastal
areas, Oct-Feb; 1-2 present in British Embassy garden, Monrovia, each year. (AfM/B,
AfM/NB, u-c)

White-throated Bee-eater Merops albkoUh. Abundant passage migrant, Mar-Apr
and Oct-Dec; none seen other months. (AfM/NB, a)

Black Bee-eater Merops gularis. Total of c. 10 at Yekepa, Mar 1988; two at Zwedru,
Apr 1988, none on subsequent visits in Jun and Nov; several near Lake Piso, Mar
1988; common and apparently breeding in roadside banks on edge of Gola Forest
(with WG), Mar 1989. (RB, AfM/B, u-c)

Blue-headed Bee-eater Merops muelleri. Pair in clearing in primary forest in Lofa
County (with WG), 8 Mar 1989. (RB, r-u (*))

Carmine Bee-eater Merops nubiens. Five near Lake Piso, 7 Feb 1988. (AfM/NB, r)
Little Bee-eater Merops pusiUus. Several pairs nesting in holes in low banks near
Lake Piso, Feb and Mar 1988. (RB, AfM/B, u-c)

Blue-cheeked Bee-eater Merops superciliosus. Common in mangrove along the
lower reaches of the Marshall and Lofa Rivers, Mar-Apr 1988 and 1989. Not seen at
any other time. (PM?, AfM/B?, u, (*))

Broad-billed Roller Eurystomus glaucurus. Pair entering nest hole high in a palm
tree near Omega swamp. May 1988. (AfM/NB, AfM/B, a)

Blue- throated Roller Eurystomus gularis. Common on edge of forest in Lofa
County (with WG), Mar 1989. (RB, AfM, u-c)

Hoopoe Upupa epops. One seen in garden near St PauPs River by R. Tillin, a
reliable observer, in Nov 1989. (PM?, AfM/NB?, r)

Buff-headed Wood-Hoopoe Phoeniculus bollei. Three records: single near Zwedru,
Apr 1988; a pair and a single at Yekepa, Nov 1988. (R(B), u (*))

Piping Hornbill Bycanistes fistulator. Flocks of 6-12 regularly seen throughout the
year at VOA and over the lower reaches of Lofa River. (R(B), AfM, u-c)
Black-casqued Hornbill Ceratogymna atrata. Present in small numbers in forest at
Sapo National Park, Nov 1988 and at Lofa County, Mar 1989, where they were just
hanging on despite deforestation and shooting. (R(B), u~c)

Yellow-casqued Hornbill Ceratogymna elata. Recorded only in primary forest in
Lofa County (with WG), where a total of c. 10 was seen over a three-day period, Mar

1989. (RB. u-c)

Red-billed Dwarf HornbiU Tockus camurus. Several individuals seen (with WG) in
primary forest in Lofa County, Mar 1989. (RB, u-c)

Pied Hornbill Tockus fasciatus. Male at nest hole high in a tree at Zwedru, Nov 1988.
The commonest hornbill in and around Monrovia when trees were fruiting. (RB, c-a)
Black Dwarf Hornbill Tockus harthubi A male feeding a female in a nest hole 30
m up in a tree in primary forest at Lofa, Mar 1989 (with WG) is the first documented
breeding record. Not seen elsewhere. (R(B), r-u)

Vieillot’s Barbet Lybius vieUloti. Seen once: a pair in open woodland near Lake
Piso, Nov 1988. (RB, u)

84

M.EJ. Gore

Malimbus 16

Willcocks’s Honey-Guide Indicator willcocksL One in northern Lofa County (with
WG), 8 Mar 1989. (R(B), u(*))

Cassin’s Honeyguide Prodotiscus insignis. Seen in secondary forest at Nimba (with
K&CC), Nov 1988. (R(B), u (*))

European Wryneck 7y/ix torquilla. One at Yekepa, Nov 1988, seen by my wife.
(PM, u (*))

Grey Woodpecker Mesopicos goertae. One in garden near St Paul’s River, Nov
1988, seen by K&CC. (R(B), r-u (*))

Rufous-naped Bush-Lark Mirafra africana. Two or three singing in grassland at
Yekepa on the Guinea border, Nov 1989. Other ground-nesting birds, e.g. Long-billed
Pipit Anthus similis, were feeding young at this time and their behaviour would
suggest that they were about to breed. (AfM/NB, r (*))

House Martin Delichon urbica. 4-6 feeding over British Embassy compound in
Monrovia, 27 Dec 1988 and 1 Jan 1989. (PM, r(*))

African Rock Martin Hirundo fuligula. Seen only in the area of Yekepa mine
where 8-10 were present on every visit. (RB, u (*))

White-throated Blue Swallow Hirundo nigrita. Common along the lower reaches
of all the rivers I visited, nesting under bridges. (RB, u-c).

Fanti Rough-wing Swallow Psalidoprocne obscura. Common at Nimba, Mar 1988;
none seen on subsequent visits in Jun and Nov 1988. Common in forest clearings and
along streams near Buchanan, Nov 1988, with total of 20 counted in one area which
indicates a movement towards the coast during the rains. (RB), AfM, u (*))
Long-billed Pipit Anthus similis. Pair carrying food in grassland high in the Nimba
Hills, Nov 1989. (RB, u-c)

Tree Pipit Anthus trivialis. 1-3 seen in gardens at Yekepa Nov 1988, Nov 1989 and
Feb 1990 and at Lofa, Mar 1989. (PM, u-c)

African Pied Wagtail Motacilla aguimp. Seen only on St Paul’s River near the
coast, pair feeding young in nest under jetty, Jan 1990. (RB, u)

Wattled Cuckoo-Shrike Campephaga lobata. Male in secondary forest in Lofa
County (with WG), 6 Mar 1989, is my only record of this endangered bird. (RB, r (*))
Red-shouldered Cuckoo Shrike Campephaga phoenicea. One male in secondary
forest at Nimba, 6 Mar 1989. (RB, r (*))

Gambian Puff-back Shrike Dryoscopus gambensis. .Only record is one near Lake
Piso, Mar 1988. (RB, u-c)

Bell Shrike Laniarius ferrugineus. One seen and heard in British Embassy garden,
16 and 20 Sep 1988 during what appeared to be a migration of African birds down the
coast, including the very obvious movement of Treron calva. (R(B), r (*))

Sooty Boubou Laniarius leucorhynchos. One in secondary bush at Zwedru, 8 Nov
1988. (RB, u(*))

Brown- headed Tchagra Tchagra australis. At least two singing males in open bush
at LAC, Jun 1998. (R(B), u (*))

Fiscal Shrike Lanius collaris. Breeding prior to the rains in Feb-Mar when several

1994

Birds in Liberia

85

nests were found in and around Monrovia. (RB, a)

Blue-shouldered Robin-Chat Cossypha cyanocampter. Seen only in secondary
forest and gardens at Yekepa, where present on all my visits. (RB, u (*))

Olive Thrush Turdm pelms. Single birds appeared in the British Embassy garden in
Mar-Apr 1988 and subsequently, infrequently during the dry seasons, (RB, r-u)
Black-capped Apalis Apalk nigriceps, A pair entering a nest in hanging moss high
in a tree on Nimba Mountain, Nov 1988. (RB, r-u (*))

Grey-backed Camaroptera Camaroptera brachyura. Nesting recorded only during
the latter part of the rains; two newly hatched young in nest in low bush in British
Embassy garden, Nov 1988; carrying food in same area, Nov 1989. (RB, a)
Rock-loving Cisticola Cisticola aberrans. Two on cliff at Mamba Point, Monrovia,
2 Oct 1988, during period of apparent migration of African species. (RB, u (*))
Lemon-bellied Crombec Sylvktta denti. Pair feeding two young in nest attached to
top of a single thorn stem at Yekepa, 5 Nov 1988. Several unoccupied or used nests
were subsequently found in the Yekepa area. (RB, r-u)

White-browed Forest Flycatcher Fraseria cinerascem. Single in forest at Lofa

County (with WG), Mar 1989. (R(B), r (*))

Forest Flycatcher Fraseria ocreata. Pair feeding young c. 10 m up in tree in forest
clearing at Sapo National Park, Nov 1988 would appear to be the first confirmed
breeding record. Elsewhere only seen in forest at Lofa (with WG), Mar 1989. (R(B),

u-c)

Ca^in^s Grey Flycatcher Muscicapa cassini. Nest containing two young on tree
trunk over stream in Lofa County (with WG), Mar 1989. (RB, c)

Shrike Flycatcher Megabyas flammuiatu. Several seen in clearing at Sapo National
Park, Nov 19ffi and at Lofa, Mar 1989. (RB, u)

Black Tit Pams leucomelas. One in British Embassy -garden, Monrovia, 26 Apr 1988
is the first confirmed record for Liberia. (Included in Gatter 1988 on the basis of this
record, RB, V(*).)

Yellow-chinned Sunbird Anthreptes rectirostris. Not uncommon in secondary bush

at VOA; several seen Nov 1988. (RB, U"C(*))

Buff- throated Sunbird Nectarima adelberti. Local; seen only in secondary bush at

Yekepa and LAC, Nov 1988. (RB, AfM, u-c)

Splendid Sunbird Nectarima coccinigaster. One in garden at Yekepa, Jun 1988.
((RB). AfM, r-u(*))

Copper Sunbird Nectarima cuprea. One in garden at Yekepa,. Jun 1988. (RB, AfM,
r-u (*))

Yellow-fronted Canary Serinus mozambicus. Pair seen regularly in British
Embassy garden in Monrovia throughout 1989. (R(B), r-u(*))

Waxbill Estrilda astrild. Seen only in secondary growth bordering gardens at
Yekepa where small group was present, Nov 1988. (RB, r-c)

African Fire-Finch Langonmticta rubricata. Small parties, max. c. 10 in open
country near Robertsport, Mar 1988 (with WG and GH) and on several occasions in

86

M.EJ. Gore

Malimbus 16

same area during 1989; not seen elsewhere. (RB, u-c)(*))

Chestnut-breasted Negro-Finch Nigrita bicolor. Nest-building in thick foliage c. 10
m up in a small tree in a clearing at Sapo National Park, Nov 1988. (RB, c)

Quail Finch Ortygospiza atricolUs. A large flock of c. 50-80 on roadside near Lake
Piso, Oct 1988; not seen on other visits in Feb, Mar and Nov. (R(B), u-c (*))

House Sparrow Passer domesticus. Single male in British Embassy garden on 13 Jul
1989 is the first record for Liberia. The same, or another, male was seen c. 100 metres
away (during a gun battle outside the Embassy!) on 28 Jun 1990.

Grosbeaked Weaver Amblyospiza albifrons. Total of c. 8 in swamp and adjoining
bush at Yekepa, Nov 1988. (B(AfM), r, (*))

Gola Malimbe Malimbus ballmanni. Two pairs seen within 0.5 km of each other
near the research station at Sapo National Park, Nov 1988. They were feeding high
up, but beneath the canopy; one pair was carrying nesting material. (RB, r-c (*))
Weaver Ploceus sp. Two sightings of an unidentified species including black-
masked males with pure yellow on forhead and crown: a flock of c. 30 at LAC, Nov
1988; c. 6 at Guthries Plantation, Mar 1990. (Two candidate species placed in square
brackets: P. heuglini and P. pelzelni.)

Yellow- mantled Weaver Ploceus tricolor. Two or three in forest clearings at Sapo
National Park, Nov 1988, and Lofa, Mar 1989. (RB, u)

Splendid Glossy Starling Lamprotornis splendidus. Flocks appeared (sometimes
50+) each year in open woodland and gardens bordering St Paul’s River and at
Guthries Estate in Sep-Oct, coinciding with the observed arrival of other African
migrants. (RB, AfM? u-c)

Long-tailed Glossy Starling Lamprotornis caudatus. A pair was seen in a garden
bordering St Paul’s River, Jan-Mar 1989, by R. Tillin, who subsequently recorded
them on video. The video tape confirms the identification. First record for Liberia
Chestnut- winged Starling Onychognathus fulgidus. One record: small flock in
northern Lofa County (with WG), 7 Mar 1989. (RB, u (*))

Narrow-tailed Starling Poeoptera lugubris. One record: two in northern Lofa
County (with WG), 6 Mar 1989. (RB, u (*))

Black-winged Oriole Oriolus brachyrhynchus. One in forest at Lofa, 8 Mar 1989.
(RB, u(*))

Pied Crow Corvus albus. Surprisingly rare; seen only at VOA where 1-2 pairs
appeared to be resident, nesting in the radio pylons. (RB, r-u)

Piacpiac Ptilostomus afer. A single bird visited the British Embassy garden on
several mornings from 19 May to 15 Jun 1988; not seen subsequently. It would fly in
from some waste ground and then move off towards the beach. At first I assumed that
it was an escapee from a ship, but it appeared to be wild and in view of the number of
other Sahel species which are now appearing in Liberia, as the forest has been
cleared, I am of the view that it was a wild bird. First record for Liberia. (V?, r(*), ?
escaped bird)

1994

Birds in Liberia

87

References

Brown, L.H., Urban, E.K. & Newman, K. (1982) The Birds of Africa, voL 1.
Academic Press, London.

Gatter, W. (1988) The birds of Liberia: a preliminary list with status and open
questions. Verh. orn. Ges. Bayern 24: 689-723.

Gore, M.EJ. (1981) Birds of The Gambia. Checklist 3, British Ornithologists’
Union, London.

Gore, M.E.J. (1991) Birds of The Gambia, 2nd ed. Checklist 3, British
Ornithologists’ Union, Tring.

Fiscal Shrike - Pie-grièche fiscale - Lanius collaris
Photo: Michael Gore

88

Malimbus 16

Moult and weight cycles in two species of Lonchura in
Ile-Ife, Nigeria

by A. I. Akinpelu

Department of Zoology, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria

Received 10 February 1993
Revised 25 November 1993

Summary

From April 1987 to June 1990 Lonchura cucullata and L. bicolor were
examined for moult and weight. The birds moulted between May and
October. The period of moult was estimated as 183 days for L. cucullata and
145 for L. bicolor. Adult females trapped on nests showed that reproduction
and moult overlapped. Adult males reached their lowest weights in August
and adult females between July and August, during the moult period.

Résumé

Des Lonchura cucullata et des L. bicolor ont été étudiés d’avril 1987 à juin
1990 pour leur mue et leur poids. Les oiseaux muaient entre mai et octobre. La
durée de la mue fut estimée à 183 jours pour L. cucullata et à 145 jours pour L.
bicolor. Les femelles adultes prises au nid montraient que reproduction et mue
chevauchaient. Les mâles adultes atteignaient leur poids minimum en août et
les femelles adultes entre juillet et août, pendant leur mue.

Introduction

As part of a study into the ecology of the Bronze Mannikin Lonchura cucullata and
the Black and White Mannikin L. bicolor (see Akinpelu 1994), their annual cycles
with particular regard to moult and weight were examined.

Methods

The data were collected from mist-netted birds or birds trapped on the nest during the
period April 1987 to June 1990. Each bird was weighed and examined for stages of

1994

Lonchura annual cycles

89

feather growth of the primaries and secondaries. Individual feather growth was
scored on a scale from 0 (= old) to 5 (= fully-grown) (Newton 1966, Pimm 1976,
Wilkinson 1983, Aidley & Wilkinson 1983).

Both species have ten primaries and six secondaries on each wing so that the
primaries have a maximum score of 100 and the secondaries a maximum score of 60.
The scores were regarded as an index of the general state of moult.

PRIMARY MOULT SCORE

Figure 1. Scattergram of date plotted against primary moult score in Lonchura
cucuUata^ where Day 1 = 1 May (plotted values are for 1988 and 1989).

Results

In total, 102 Lonchura cucullata and 74 L. bicolor were examined. Fig. 1 shows the
scattergram of primary moult score in L. cucullata plotted against date. The
regression equation for estimating the duration of moult in an individual is y (date) =
5.07 + L78x where x is the moult score (taking 1 May as day 1). The estimated
duration of primary moult was 183 days. There was no significant difference between
the progression of moult of males and females.

Fig. 2 shows the scattergram of primary moult score in Lonchura bicolor plotted
against date. The regression equation is y = 2.46 + L43x where x is score (taking 2
June as day 1). The duration of moult was estimated as 145 days.

90

A.I. Akinpelu

Malimbus 16

PRIMARY MOULT SCORE

Figure 2. Scattergram of date plotted against primary moult score in Lonchura
bicolor y where Day 1 = 2 June (plotted values are for 1988 and 1989).

Table 1. Simultaneous reproduction and moult in seven females of Lonchura
cucuUata and five females of L. bicolor trapped on the nest

Date trapped

No. of eggs in nest

Moult of the right wing

Primaries Secondaries

cucuUata

24 Jun 1989

2

5520000000

000002

22 Jul 1989

3

5553100000

000555

27Jul 1989

3

5555400000

005555

27 Jul 1989

5

5555210000

015555

27 Jul 1989

4

5555310000

035555

18 Jun 1990

4

5553000000

000004

25 Jun 1990

4

5555300000

000455

bicolor

25 Jun 1989

3

5552000000

100035

27 Jul 1989

4

5555531000

000555

27 Jul 1989

2

5555520000

002555

31 Jul 1989

2

5555540000

005555

31 Jul 1989

4

5555531000

005555

1994

Lonchura annual cycles

91

Replacement of flight feathers followed the pattern usual for passerine birds, with the
primary remiges being dropped consecutively in descending order. It was observed
that moult and feather growth on each wing were usually symmetrical, as found by
Woodall (1975) for Bronze Mannikin.

Table 1 shows that females of both species were moulting even when incubating
eggs. All these females were actively moulting the rectrices as well as the wing, and
all had a brood patch.

o — -_o Lenchuro bicolor
•- —• Lowclwiro cucuHoto

Figure 3. Annual variations in mean body weight of males of two Lonchura
species.

Fig. 3 shows the annual variations in the body weight of males of both species.
Both were at their heaviest in April-May. It was observed that they spent most of
their time feeding during this period. Their weights then dropped sharply from June
to August. Weight began to increase from September to October, during the late
rains.

Having finished laying in May-June 1988 the females lost weight sharply until
July-August, after which weight began to increase to an annual peak in May-June
(Fig. 4).

92

A. I. Akinpelu

Malimbus 16

© -© Lonchuro bicolor

m -m Lonchuro cuculloto

Figure 4. Annual variations in mean body weight of females of two Lonchura
species.

Discussion

Moult occurred between May and October in both species which coincided with the
period of a lush growth of vegetation and abundant grass seeds used as food (see
Akinpelu 1994). From regression analysis, the estimated duration of moult (183 days)
for Lonchura cucullata was longer than in L. bicolor (145 days) and similar to 183
days for White-browed Sparrow- Weaver Plocepasser mahali in northwestern
Botswana (Jones 1978). Wilkinson (1983) showed that regression analysis can
suggest a longer moult duration than indicated by retrap data It is probable that if
retrap data were available the estimated moult duration in an individual would be
much shorter. However, moult and breeding cycles of adult Lonchura females
showed some overlap.

Breeding and moult are two major events in the annual cycle and impose
energetic demands on the individual. It seems that the protracted moult observed in
Lonchura species and the associated small daily metabolic demand of feather
production do not interfere with the competing demands of reproduction. This is
equally the assertion of Jones (1978) for White-browed Sparrow-Weaver. Payne

1994

Lonchura annual cycles

93

(1969, 1980) suggested that compatibility of breeding and moult in the Scaly-
feathered Finch Sporopipes squamifrons and Red-billed Firefinch Lagonosticta
senegala may permit exploitation, by breeding, of temporary unseasonal rainfall in
arid habitats. In such species it will be advantageous that moult is slow and
comparatively undemanding so that if conditions deteriorate drastically moult can
still be sustained and at the same time no constraint will be imposed on further
breeding should favourable conditions persist or recur.

Adult males reached their lowest weights (Fig. 3) during the latter part of the
rainy season (August) and adult females (Fig. 4) by mid-rainy season (July) perhaps
because of reproductive stresses such as care of fledglings. These periods of lowest
weights fell within the period of annual moult (May- October). The decrease in weight
recorded during the moult is comparable to the findings of Fogden (1972) that most
of the birds he studied in Southeast Asia lost weight during moult.

Acknowledgments

I wish to express my profound gratitude to Professor A.O. Segun and Dr. G.A.O.
Arawomo for their criticisms and assistance, and to Mr. B. Faloba of the Natural
History Museum who accompanied me on most of my field trips.

References

Aidley, D.J. & Wilkinson, R. (1987) Moult of some Palaearctic warblers in northern
Nigeria. Bird Study 219-225.

Akinpelu, a. I. (1994) Breeding seasons of three estrildid species in Ile-Ife, Nigeria
Malimbus 16:94-99.

Fogden, M.P.L. (1972) The seasonality and population dynamics of equatorial forest
birds in Sarawak. Ibis 1 14: 307-342.

Jones, P.J. (1978) Overlap of breeding and moult in the Whitebrowed
Sparrowweaver in northwestern Botswana. Ostrich 49: 21-24.

Newton, I. (1966) The moult of the Bullfinch Pyrrhula pyrrhula. Ibis 108: 41-47.

Payne, R.B. (1969) Overlap of breeding and moulting schedules in a collection of
African birds. CoAîdor 71: 140-145.

Payne, R.B. (1980) Seasonal incidence of breeding, moult and local dispersal of Red-
billed Firef inches Lagonosticta senegala in Zambia. Ibis 122: 43-55.

Pimm, S.L. (1976) Estimation of the duration of bird moult. Condor 1%. 550.

Wilkinson, R. (1983) Biannual breeding and moult-breeding overlap of the
Chestnut- bel lied Starling Spreo pulcher. Ibis 125: 353-361.

Woodall, P.F. (1975) The life history of the Bronze Mannikin. Ostrich 46: 55-86.

94

Malimbus 16

Breeding seasons of three estrildid species in Ile-Ife, Nigeria

By A. I. Akinpelu

Department ofZoology, Obafemi A wolowo University, Ile-îfe, Nigeria

Received 10 February 1993
Revised 25 November 1993

Summary

Reproductive activities of three species of Estrildidae, Lonchura cucullata, L.
bicolor and Estrilda melpoda, were monitored for three years (April 1987 to
March 1990) with the aim of determining the influence of environmental
factors on reproduction. Breeding seasons coincided with the rainy season,
when grass seeds were abundant. Reproduction was bimodal in both species
of Lonchura but unimodal in Estrilda melpoda.

Résumé

Les activités reproductrices de trois espèces d’Estrildidés, Lonchura
cucullata, L. bicolor et Estrilda melpoda, ont été suivies pendant trois ans
(d’avril 1987 à mars 1990) en vue de préciser l’influence des facteurs du
milieu sur la reproduction. Les saisons de reproduction coïncidaient avec la
saison des pluies quand les graines de Graminées sont abondantes. La
reproduction était bimodale chez les deux espèces de Lonchura mais
uni modale chez Estrilda melpoda.

Introduction

This paper presents part of an ecological study of three estrildids, the Bronze
Mannikin Lonchura cucullata, the Black and White Mannikin L. bicolor and the
Orange-cheeked Waxbill Estrilda melpoda. The three-year study investigated
breeding seasons in relation to environmental factors, particularly solar hours,
temperature and rainfall.

Study area and methods

The study was carried out from April 1987 to March 1990 on the 5,065 ha campus of

1994

Estrildîd brœding seasons

95

Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife (7°29*N, 4°33'E)= The area lies within the
tropical lowland moist forest zone of southern Nigeria. Much of the forest has been
cleared for farming and development and this has led to the formation of derived
savanna.

Meteorological data were provided by the meteorological unit of the Teaching
and Research Farm of Obafemi Awolowo University. Systematic searches for nests
were carried out twice a week throughout the year from 7.00 to 11.00. Half of the
study area was covered on each alternate visit and identified nests were marked so
that none was counted twice. Breeding season was taken as the time eggs were found
inside the nests therefore breeding season as defined here was shorter than the full
breeding period.

Figure 1. Climatic data for three yeare (April 1987 to March 1990): (a) solar
hours (histogram) and relative humidity; (b) mean monthly temperatures; (c)
total monthly rainfaU (histogram) and number of rain-days»

96

Ai. Akinpelu

Malimbus 16

Results

Climate

Meteorological data from April 1987 to March 1990 (Fig. 1) show the pattern of solar
radiation, relative humidity, temperature, rainfall and number of rain-days. The rainy
season starts around mid-March and ends in October, with a slight decrease in the
amount of rainfall and number of rain-days during August The decline in rainfall
during August was invariably followed by a spell of heavy rains throughout
September and October. The dry season lasts for about four and a half months from
November to mid-March. Weather data for 1988 showed an early commencement of
rains in February: November to January were the driest months and much of the
vegetation during these months was dry or burnt.

Relative humidity at 9,00 was higher during the rainy season (70-85%) than
during the dry season (38-66%). The mean monthly maximum temperature fluctuated
between 26.7°C and 37.0°C while the mean minimum temperature was between
14.2°C and 23.3°C. The dry season mean minimum temperatures were slightly lower
than those for the rainy season while the dry season mean maximum temperatures
were higher than those for the rainy season. The number of solar hours depends on
cloud cover so was lower during the rains (Fig. 2).

Figure 2. Breeding period of three estrildid species between April 1987 and
March 1990 plotted against rainfall (histogram).

1994

Estrildid breeding seasons

97

Breeding

The number of active nests (with eggs) for 1987, 1988 and 1989 recorded for L.
cucullata was 53, 88, 72, for L. bicolor it was 28, 44, 38 and for E. melpoda 12, 33
and 33 respectively. Fig. 2 shows monthly distribution of all the active nests each
year. The breeding season commenced in mid-April and lasted till mid-August for L.
bicolor and July for E. melpoda. In L. cucullata it commenced from mid-March and
extended until July. A second breeding season in both Lonchura spp. started in mid-
October and lasted till early December except for 1987 when it was observed as early
as September for L. cucullata. The peak number of nests was recorded in May and
June for L. cucullata and L. bicolor respectively. No active nest was observed from
late August to early October and from late December to March of the following year
for L. cucullata. In each year the breeding peak (May-July) for all three species
occurred a few weeks before the rainfall peak. The timing of peak breeding for E.
melpoda varied between years (May 1987, April 1988, June 1989) but was constant
for the other two species.

The proximity of the reproductive peak to the rainfall peak is adaptive, because at
that time there was an abundance of nesting materials (green grass inflorescences):
also, grass seeds, which formed a major part of the diet of nestlings (Table 1), would
be most abundant in the late rains when the eggs had hatched.

Table 1. Number of crops of adults and nestlings of each species containing
specific foods.

Food

Lx)nchura cucullata
Adults Nestlings
(n=25) (n=13)

Lonchura bicolor
Adults Nestlings
(n=ll) (n=5)

Estrilda melpoda
Adults Nestlings
(n=8) (n=4)

Plants

Panicum seed

25

13

10

5

6

4

Digitatia seed

25

13

11

5

0

2

Sporobolus seed

22

11

11

4

3

4

Chloris seed

7

2

8

5

3

4

Urochloa seed

0

6

0

4

4

4

Portulaca seed

0

2

0

2

0

0

Eragrostis seed

16

1

0

1

0

0

Unidentified seed AX

0

0

8

5

0

2

Unidentified seed W

0

0

0

2

0

2

Unidentified seed Rm

0

8

0

2

0

0

Unidentified seed Be

0

0

0

0

0

1

Arthropods

Isoptera alates

18

13

7

4

3

4

Lepidoptera larvae

5

9

7

5

5

4

Diptera larvae

0

11

0

0

7

4

Arachnida

0

4

0

5

1

2

98

A.L Akinpelu

Malimbus 16

Discussion

Biannual breeding has been reported previously in a number of tropical birds
including the Chestnut-bellied Starling Spreo pulcher (Wilkinson 1983) and the
Village Weaver Ploceus cucullatus (Din 1986). The three estrildid species
reproduced about the same period of the year with April to August being the major
breeding season and November being a minor reproductive peak for the Lonchura
spp.. Estrilda melpoda did not exhibit this minor peak. All three species bred during
the rains which is contrary to the observation of Woodall (1975) on L. cucullata in
southern Africa where breeding took place in the dry months. Cessation of breeding
during the dry season may have resulted from scarcity of nesting materials and grass
seeds.

A number of factors like the onset of rainfall (Immelmann 1971), changes in food
availability (Earlé 1981) and body condition (Jones & Ward 1976) are important in
the stimulation of breeding in tropical and arid zone birds. Nest building with green
grass inflorescences started in the three estrildid species as early as April when
rainfall may have acted as a proximate factor through the stimulation of fresh green
vegetation. The abundance of alate termites during their prenuptial flights and other
insect larvae during the rainy season may have contributed to peak performance
during the breeding season (Table 1). This conforms with the observations of Skead
(1975), in South Africa, and Thompson (1989) in Sierra Leone, where grass seeds
and insects were fed on by several estrildids, including Lonchura spp..

Acknowledgments

I would like to express my sincere gratitude and indebtedness to Professor A.O.
Segun and Dr. G.A.O. Arawomo for suggesting the problems as well as for guidance
and encouragement throughout this investigation. Their criticisms and valuable
counsel during every stage of this work have been of immense help. I would also
acknowledge with much appreciation the assistance of the staff of the Natural History
Museum and Zoology Department of Obafemi Awolowo University.

References

Din, N.A. (1986) Breeding Biology of some Weaver Birds in lle-lfe Area. Ph.D.

thesis, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife.

Earlé, R.A. (1981) Factors governing avian breeding in Acacia savanna,
Pietennaritzburg. Part 1: Extrinsic factors. Ostrich 52: 65-73.

Immelmann, K. (1971) Environmental factors controlling reproduction in African
and Australian birds - a comparison. Ostrich Suppl. 8: 193-204.

1994

Estrildid breeding seasons

99

Jones, PJ, & Ward, R (1976) The level of reserve protein as the proximate factor
controlling the timing of breeding and the clutch size in the Red-billed Quelea
Quelea quelea. Ibis 1 18: 547-574.

Skead, D.M. (1975) Ecological studies of four estrildines in the central Transvaal.

SuppL 11: 1-55.

Thompson, H.S.S. (1989) Diet and breeding seasonality of the Bronze Mannikin
Lonchura cucullata (Swainson) and the Blue-billed Mannikin L. bicolor (Frazer)
in western Sierra Leone. Malimbus 1 1: 73-87.

Wilkinson, R. (1983) Biannual breeding and moult-breeding overlap of the
Chestnut-bellied Starling Spreo pulcher. Ibis 125: 353-361.

Woodall, RF. (1975) On the life history of the Bronze Mannikin. Ostrich 46: 55-
86.

Village Weaver - Tisserin gendarme - Ploceus cucullatus
Photo: Michael Gore

100

Malimbus 16

The birds of Yapo Forest, Ivory Coast

by Ron Demey* and L.D.C. FishpooF

‘Grole Peperstraat 3, B-9100 Sint-Niklaas, Belgium
^c/o BirdLife International, Wellbrook Court, Girton Road, Cambridge CB3 ONA,

U.K.

Received 3 April 1994
Revised 29 August 1994

Summary

The avifauna of the previously ornithologically ignored Yapo Forest is
described in an annotated checklist of 225 species. Yapo Forest consists of
some 24,000 ha of secondary lowland rainforest and constitutes the largest
remaining tract of mature forest within easy reach from Abidjan, Ivory
Coast’s main city. Three species listed as threatened or near- threatened by
Collar & Stuart (1985) occur in Yapo. It holds the most important known
population in the country of one of these, the Yellow- throated Olive Bulbul
Criniger olivaceus. The checklist, based upon observations made during 167
visits over the period 1985-1990, includes notes on breeding, seasonal
occurrence and general ecology of species, and on field identification of some
difficult species.

Résumé

L’avifaune de la Forêt de Yapo, jusqu’ici méconnue des ornithologues, est
décrite dans une liste annotée de 225 espèces. La Forêt de Yapo comprend
quelques 24.000 ha de forêt secondaire ombrophile de plaine, et constitue la
plus vaste formation forestière survivante à proximité d’Abidjan, ville
principale de Côte d’ivoire. Trois espèces classées comme menacées, ou près
de l’être, par Collar & Stuart (1985) ont été observées à Yapo. D’une de
celles-ci, le Bulbul à barbe jaune Criniger olivaceus, Yapo possède la
population la plus importante connue du pays. La liste, basée sur des
observations faites au cours de 167 visites pour la période de 1985-1990,
comprend des notes sur la reproduction, la présence saisonnière et l’écologie
générale des espèces, ainsi que sur l’identification sur le terrain de quelques
espèces difficiles.

1994

Birds of Yapo Forest

101

Introduction

The Forêt de Yapo ~ Yapo Forest - is by far the largest extant tract of mature forest
within easy reach from Ivory Coast’s economic capital, Abidjan. As such, it holds a
wide variety of Upper Guinea forest birds, some of which, such as the Yellow-
throated Olive Bulbul Criniger olivaceus, are easier to see here than anywhere else
known to us in the country. It seems, therefore, surprising that it has hitherto largely
been ignored by ornithologists - it is, for example, not mentioned by Thiollay (1985).

The observations presented in this paper were gathered over the period 1985-
1990 when, in all, we made 167 visits to Yapo, spread over all months of the year and
totalling some 1400 hours in the field. A few complementary data from other
observers have also been included. While we make no claims that the avifaunal
inventory detailed below is exhaustive only a few overnight visits were made,
mistnets were used on a few occasions only and parts of the forest are inaccessible on
short visits we think that the asymptote has almost been reached. At least some of the
obvious absences from the list are real rather than apparent: if Yapo has been little
visited by ornithologists, it is well known to poachers, with the result that the large
hornbills, raptors and guineafowl are scarce or absent, as are large mammals. The
lack of any large rivers or lakes in Yapo explains the lack of birds of riparian habitat.

Description of Yapo Forest

Located some 55 km north of Abidjan, the forest (5°42’N, 4°6’W) is composed of
three sections (Yapo, Mambo and l’Abbé; see Fig. 1), collectively known locally as
Yapo, which at present cover some 24,000 ha. The forest is cut by two main roads
(Abidjan-Agboville and Abidjan-Abengourou), by the country’s only main railway
line (which forms the boundary between the Yapo and Mambo sections) and by an
overhead power line. The area is low-lying (altitude 75 m), more or less flat, with a
few swampy places and a number of small streams, most of which dry to
disconnected pools during the main dry season (December to March). The area
receives an annual average of some 1750 mm of rain, with a peak in June-July and a
smaller one in October. The mean annual temperature is 26.5°C, with a minimum of
21°C and a maximum of 33°C. The forest is of the evergreen type, described as
Diospyros spp. and Mapania spp. forest (Mangenot et al. 1948), and is characterised
by an abundance of species such as Dacryodes klaineana, Piptadeniastrum
africanum, Heritiera utilis, Anopyxis klaineana and Scottellia chevalieii.

Mammal species were rarely encountered in Yapo except for squirrels, which are
common and of which two species were identified (Red-footed Squirrel Funisciurus
pyrrhopus and Giant Forest Squirrel Protoxerus stangeri). A few small groups of
Campbell’s and Lesser White-nosed Monkeys Cercopithecus campbelli and C.
petaurista survive, but these are extremely wary. All the more remarkable, therefore.

4°10 W 4°05'W 4°00'W

102

R. Demey & L.D.C Fishpool

Malimbus 16

1994

Birds of Yapo Forest

103

is the occurrence of Chimpanzees Pan troglodytes, which were heard on a few
occasions. The only antelopes seen were Red-flanked Duiker Cephalophus rufilatus
and Bushbuck Tragelaphus scriptus. Tree Hyrax Dendrohyrax arbor eus are common
and may be heard calling from the early evening till just after dawn. Bosman’s Potto
Perodicticus potto was once spotted at night. Giant Rat Cricetomys emini and Brush-
tailed Porcupine Atherurus sp. are trapped for food by local people.

Yapo was established as a forest reserve of some 30,000 ha in 1930 and has been
selectively managed since that time. Apart from a small area of trials with exotic tree
species (400 ha), the forest has been used as an experimental site for promoting the
sustainable extraction of indigenous forest timber. Initially, mature specimens of non-
commercial tree species were selectively poisoned over large areas which were
subsequently replanted with commercially valuable native trees (e.g. Terminalia
ivorensis, Khaya ivorensis, Heritiera utilis and Aucoumea klaineana). More recently,
the selective poisoning (somewhat euphemistically called “essais de dévitalisation”)
has not been followed by the replanting of trees, but the forest left to regenerate in the
hope that marketable species, released from competition, would put on extra growth.
In 1989 the selective logging of some of these trees began. Thus, Yapo has been
much modified by man; there is nothing remotely approaching primary forest. What
remains, however, is good secondary and in eastern Ivory Coast even this is hard to
find.

In 1986 a wide circular track was built in the forest west of the road to Agboville.
This, combined with the grid system of trails, greatly enhanced accessibility.

In an old and relatively extensive clearing (called the “main clearing” hereafter)
the local headquarters of the state company managing the forest was situated. The
company’s employees and their families were also housed here, forming a small
village with a few cultivated plots and some farmbush. This site was particularly
productive for birds in the early morning, with many forest species coming to feed in
the trees in and around the clearing. Many of the non-forest species appearing on the
Yapo list were also seen here.

We were unable to satisfy ourselves as to what, if any, have been the implications
for the forest avifauna of the tree poisoning, in effect the removal of a number of tree
species. It is possible that the relative paucity of large frugivores (hornbills, Great
Blue Turaco Corythaeola cristata etc.) was caused by the loss of possible food
sources as well as by hunting. On the other hand the increased number of dead
standing trees could be argued to favour woodpeckers, barbets and other hole nesting
species. This is a subject worthy of further study.

Presentation of the data

The data are presented in the form of an annotated checklist including an indication
of abundance, and observations on behaviour, habitat preferences, breeding, and

104

R. Demey & L.D.C. Fishpool

Malimbus 16

seasonal occurrence. Some notes on calls and field identification of some of the more
difficult species are included, where these appear to be missing from the literature.

Abundance is indicated as follows (cf. Gore 1990 and Grimes 1987):

Common invariably encountered, singly (e.g. raptors) or in quite good

numbers

Not Uncommon usually, but not invariably, encountered

Uncommon fairly frequently, but not regularly, encountered

Scarce only irregularly and infrequently encountered

Rare rarely encountered (less than five records).

The indication of abundance is based upon both sighting and call, and is, therefore,
inevitably inexact and relative; it is intended as a guide only. It should also be
understood that assessing specific habitat preferences in a forest like Yapo is
sometimes problematic; it seems much more clear-cut in less disturbed forests, e.g. in
Gabon (cf. Brosset & Erard 1986).

In total, 225 species were identified within the limits of Yapo Forest. These
include three species listed as threatened or near-threatened by the ICBP/IUCN Red
Data Book (Collar & Stuart 1985), while 24 species that occur are listed as candidates
for treatment as threatened (see Appendix).

Many species were found to be much commoner than hitherto supposed, certainly
in Ivory Coast (cf. Thiollay 1985). We have indicated where our findings on the
status of these birds, and of others, differ from those of Thiollay (1985).

Scientific names and sequence of families and species follow Brown et al.
(1982), Urban et al. (1986) and Fry et al. (1988) for the non-passerines and Thiollay
(1985) for the passerines. A change, resulting from the revision of the genus Batis
(Lawson 1984, 1986) is incorporated, and Kemp’s Longbill Macro sphenus kempi is
treated as a full species, following Hall & Moreau (1970).

Systematic list

Dwarf Bittern Ixobrychus sturmii. One sighting, Apr.

White-crested Tiger Heron Tigriornis leucolophus. Rare. Very secretive. A few
records of single birds on branches overhanging forest streams.

Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis. Rare dry season visitor. Seen flying over the main
clearing, Nov-Dec.

Green-backed Heron Butorides striatus. Rare. A few sightings of single birds (once
two together) flying over the main clearing or along streams near a main track, Dec-
Apr.

Grey Heron Ardea cinerea. Two sightings of single birds: one near a small stream
along a main track (Nov) and one flying over (Mar).

Olive Ibis Bostrychia olivacea. One sighting of a single bird flying silently at 9.20 h
along the tarmac road through the Plantation de l’Abbé, 1 Nov 1988.

1994

Birds of Yapo Forest

105

Hartlaub’s Duck Pteronetta hartlaubiL A single bird near a stream along a main
track, 28 May 1987. The rarity of this species is attributable to a lack of suitable
habitat.

Honey Buzzard Pernis apivorus. Scarce. Sightings of one to two birds circling
above the forest in Nov, Dec, Feb, Apr and Jul.

Black Kite Milvus migrans. Common above the main roads through the forest, Nov-
Apr.

Palmnut Vulture Gypohwrax angolensis. Common. Adults and immatures seen in
all months, flying above the forest or perched on big boughs of high trees along wide
tracks and edges.

Congo Serpent Eagle Dryotriorchis spectabilis. Two sightings of adults at two
localities, perched at mid-level along tracks. One seen hunting low along a track
before disappearing into the forest According to Brown et al. (1982) this species is
quite vocal; in Yapo, however, we heard it only once.

Harrier Hawk Polyboroides typus. Not uncommon. Adult on nest (near power line
clearing) mid-Nov to early Feb. A pair with a juvenile in Apr. Other juveniles seen
Jun-Aug. Display flight seen Feb, Jul, Oct

African Goshawk Accipiter tachiro. Not uncommon. Regularly seen at dawn
circling high over the forest, calling. Juveniles seen in Oct, Dec and Jan. One juvenile
seen with aim snake in its talons.

Red-thighed Sparrowhawk A. erythropus. Scarce. A pair seen, silently nest-
building, on 1 Nov at 9.30 h. Nest (undescribed in the literature; cf. Brown et al.
1982, Brosset & Erard 1986) was situated in the fork of a tree next to a track, at a
height of some 15 m: a loose structure consisting of relatively long (^ 40 cm), finger-
thick sticks. Although the site was regularly watched thereafter (especially the next
day), the pair was not seen again.

Black Sparrowhawk A. melanoleucus. Scarce. A few records of singles; once a
pair. Seen flying just above and below the canopy and perching inconspicuously
below the canopy next to a track.

Long-tailed Hawk Urotriorchis macrourus. Not uncommon. The distinctive call
was regularly heard, but the bird seen much less often; mainly middle strata inside the
forest, but also lower down (to just above the forest floor); occasionally near tracks
and clearings. An adult with a juvenile seen in Oct; a single juvenile in Jul. A wholly
grey individual (morph described in Mack worth- Praed & Grant 1970, but not in
Brown et al. 1982) was seen once. Vocalizations include a soft klee-klee-klee-klee-
klee-klee (heard from a pair).

Red-necked Buzzard Buteo auguralis. Rare. Sightings: 8 Nov 1987 (one high above
the forest); 27 Nov 1988 (one); 18 Nov 1989 (two).

Ayres’s Hawk Eagle Hieraaetus dubius. Scarce. Seen flying above and perched
inside the forest, Feb, Apr (a pair), Aug-Oct, Nov (an immature).

Long-crested Eagle Lophaetus occipitalis. One sighting of a bird on the forest edge,
2 Nov 1987.

106

R. Demey & L.D.C Fishpool

Malimbus 16

Cassin’s Hawk Eagle Spizaetus africanus. Rare. A few sightings of singles or pairs.
Crowned Eagle Stephanoaetus coronatus. A resident pair seen and heard regularly.
Display flight of the pair seen in Jun. Once seen with a Piping Hombill Cemtogymrta
fistulaîor and once with a squirrel in its talons.

Latham’s Forest Francolin Francolinus lathami. Probably common, but very
seldom seen. Many heard calling at night (never by day).

Ahanta Francolin F. dhantensis. Uncommon. Along forest edges, wide tracks and
clearings; mostly recorded at dawn, when calling.

Nkulengu Rail Himantornis haematopus. Not uncommon. This species was never
encountered during the day, but duetting pairs were heard just after sunset at a
number of different localities. Does not approach playback of its call.

Grey-throated Rail Canirallus oculeus. Apparently rare. Three sightings at the
same, half-dry bed of a small forest stream of one (twice) and two birds, searching for
food by removing dead leaves with jerking movements of the bill. Due to the extreme
secretiveness of this species and the fact that the call was unknown to us, its
abundance is difficult to assess.

White-spotted Flufftail Sarothrura pulchra. Common. Mostly along the main
tracks in rank herbaceous tangles; never deep inside the forest. Calls throughout the
year.

African Crake Crex egregia. One sighting, of four birds in the main clearing on 8
May; may indicate local movement.

Green Sandpiper Tringa ochropus. Scarce. A few sightings of singles at puddles or
small pools along the main tracks, Dec-Mar.

Green Pigeon Treron calva. Common. In groups in the canopy or flying fast over
the forest. Sings whole year round. A pair seen mating in Oct; one on nest in Jan;
nest-building observed in Jun.

Blue-headed Wood Dove Tartar brehmeri. Common, but shy and not often seen.
Lower strata of the forest (usually flushed from ground), singly or in pairs.
Sometimes on tracks. Sings whole year round.

Tambourine Dove T. tympanistria. Common in the forest and along tracks and
edges. Usually in the lower and middle strata. Solitary or in pairs. Juveniles seen in
Apr.

Red-billed Wood Dove T. afer. Common in the main clearing and along edges with
old or new plantations. Absent from the forest proper, even along the main tracks.
Western Bronze-naped Pigeon Colamba iriditorqaes. Common in the forest proper
and along tracks; solitary or in pairs. Sings whole year round.

Red-eyed Dove StreptopeUa semitorqaata. Once seen flying over the main clearing.
Grey Parrot Psittacas erithacas. Scarce. Mostly singles or pairs; a few flocks of up
to 11-13. Most sightings Nov-Feb, but singles also in May and Jul. All were of ssp.
timneh.

[ Red- fronted Parrot Poicephalas galielmi. Three green parrots flying over the
main clearing on 6 Jul 1987 were almost certainly this species, since the only other

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Birds of Yapo Forest

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green parrot oœurring in Ivory Coast is the savanna-dwelling Brown-necked Parrot
P. robustus. ]

Black-collared Lovebird Agapornis swinderniana. Not uncommon. Mostly seen in
flocks of 5-10 birds coming to feed at dawn on the fruit of an oil palm in the main
clearing. Bigger flocks, of up to 20, seen Jan-Jun. Juveniles seen Feb-Jul.

Great Blue Turaco Corythaeola cristata. Not uncommon. Groups of 3-10 birds.
Like all large species, suffers from hunting.

Yellow-billed Turaco Tauraco macrorhynchus. Common throughout, in pairs or
small groups. Immatures seen in Oct and Jan. Green Turaco T. per sa does not occur
in Yapo. In our experience, the two species can fairly easily be separated by their
call. r. macrorhynchus starts abruptly with a single, loud, harsh note followed by a
series of khaw notes. T. persa takes a “run-up” {woop-woop) before starting the series
of khaw notes.

Levaillant^s Cuckoo Oxylophm kvaiUantii. Rare. A few sightings of silent singles,

Dec- Mar.

R^-chested Cuckoo Cuculm soUtarius, Scarce. Heard irregularly the whole year
round (never more than one bird per visit).

Black Cuckoo C. ckimosus. Not uncommon. Mostly heard singing from Oct to Jan.
Never heard in Apr-May and rarely in Jun. Maximum six heard in one day.

Dusky Long-tailed Cuckoo Cercococcyx mechowL Uncommon. Sings whole year
round. Individuals regularly heard calling from the same territory. Recorded calling at
night in places where it was never heard by day.

Olive Long- tailed Cuckoo C. oUvinm. Common. This species, which is generally
considered rare (Fry et al. 1988, Thiollay 1985), is the most frequently heard cuckoo
in Yapo and the one that seems to occur at the highest density. Also calls at night
(seems to prefer dark, moonless nights). Mostly heard Aug-Mar, rarely in Apr-May,
never in Jun.

Cuckoo responses to playback. The Cercococcyx cuckoos and Cuculus clamosus
respond differently to playback of their respective calls. C. clamosus approaches and
resumes calling from a prominent position nearby, while Cercococcyx react by flying
silently at the source of the sound, often passing very close to it. They usually fly on
to a perch in thick cover from where they may or may not call in response.
Chrysococcyx cuckoos, on the other hand, seem unmoved by playback of their calls.
Emerald Cuckoo Chrysococcyx cupreus. Common in forest interior. Sings whole
year round, but mostly heard Oct-Mar. Juveniles seen in Dec and Jan. Once a pair
was seen in a mixed-species flock (Dec).

Klaas’s Cuckoo C. Maas. Common. Mostly clearings and edges. Sings whole year
round. A juvenile seen 28 Feb.

Didric Cuckoo C caprius. One sighting of a juvenile in the main clearing, 7 Feb.
Yellowbill Ceuthmochares aereus. Common. Forest interior or along edges, from
lower strata to just under the canopy; solitary or in pairs. A frequent member of
mixed-species flocks.

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Black-throated Coucal Centropus leucogaster. Uncommon. Along wide tracks and
forest edges, in rank vegetation; not in high forest. Singly or in pairs. Sings whole
year round.

Senegal Coucal C. senegalensis. Rare. Only along the outer edges of the forest.
Sandy Scops Owl Otus icterorhynchus. A feather picked up from a path proved, on
comparison with museum material, to be of this species.

Fraser’s Eagle Owl Bubo poensis. Common. Heard and seen on all nights spent in
the forest.

Akun Eagle Owl B. leucostictus. One sighting: a singing pair on a main track, at
night (Aug). The song was reminiscent of B. poensis: the “grunting” part was similar,
but the “hooting” consisted of a more plaintive wail, and there was also a sort of
barking (not present on Chappuis’s 1978 recording).

Red-chested Owlet Glaucidium tephronotum. Song heard and recorded on two
nights (Aug). This species responds well to playback, but, since it is crepuscular as
well as nocturnal, if the bird is to be seen well, playback should be attempted at dusk.
Wood Owl Strix woodfordii. Probably the commonest owl in Yapo. Heard and seen
on all nights in several places.

Sabine’s Spinetail Raphidura sabini. Common in all months. Maximum ten
together (Aug).

Black Spinetail Telacanthura melanopygia. Scarce. Sightings of 1-3 birds.

Mottled Spinetail Telacanthura ussheri. Scarce. Singles or pairs over the main
clearing.

Cassin’s Spinetail Neafrapus cassini. Not uncommon over the main clearing; also
seen elsewhere. Mostly 1-2 birds, sometimes 3-4, max. eight (May).

Palm Swift Cypsiurus parvus. Scarce. Singles or pairs, mostly over the main
clearing.

European Swift Apus apus. Not uncommon from Mar to beginning of Jun and again
from Oct to Jan. Once recorded in Aug. Highest numbers in Apr-May and Oct-Nov
(up to 50 in a day).

White-rumped Swift A. coffer. Two certain sightings, Nov and Apr.

Little Swift A. affinis. Scarce. Mainly above the main clearing. Mostly 1-3 birds,
max. six (May).

Mottled Swift Tachymarptis aequatorialis. One sighting of two calling birds, 2 Feb
1986.

Narina’s Trogon Apaloderma narina. Only one record of a singing bird, well inside
the forest, 1 Feb. The rarity of this species, which is considered frequent in rainforest
(Fry et al. 1988) and described as widely distributed all over the forest zone in Ivory
Coast (Thiollay 1985), seems remarkable.

Chocolate- backed Kingfisher Halcyon badia. Uncommon. Sings whole year round.
Heard frequently but very seldom seen.

Blue-breasted Kingfisher H. malimbica. Scarce. Song heard irregularly the whole
year round.

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Birds of Yapo Forest

109

Woodland Kingfisher H. senegalensis. Rare. Three sightings in the main clearing,
Feb, Apr and Aug.

Dwarf Kingfisher Ceyx lecontei. Rare. Seen both in the forest interior and at the
edges, at all levels, not necessarily near water. Once seen in a mixed-species flock.
Pygmy Kingfisher C. picta. Not uncommon in fairly large clearings, never seen in
the forest itself. A juvenile in Oct.

White-bellied Kingfisher Corythornis leucogaster. Scarce. Only recorded near
streams inside the forest. An adult with a juvenile seen 12 Apr. Voice (not described
in the literature): in flight, a high-pitched, vigorous (t)seee, reminiscent of Ceyx picta
but somewhat louder, more piercing. Very useful in announcing the imminent arrival
of the bird, which flies so fast and direct as to be otherwise hard to see at all. The
juvenile was heard to utter tsk, tsk calls.

Blue-headed Bee-eater Merops muelleri. Uncommon along forest paths and narrow,
shady tracks. Never in open areas. Seen all year round, mostly in pairs; one sighting
of a trio. In view of the relative paucity of information about this species (Fry 1984,
Fry et al. 1988, Fry & Fry 1992) some details are given.

Food and foraging. Forages by sallying from a perch (mainly lianas, also thin bare
branches: height: 1-15 m) in short, sweeping flights. Bill snapping sometimes heard.
Food items noted during five observation periods, totalling 90 min., included: 3 very
small insects (swallowed without rubbing or beating), 2 Odonata adults, 2 small and 4
medium-sized butterflies (all these insects were rubbed and beaten, but effortlessly
swallowed whole, with wings and legs still attached).

Breeding. The trio was watched on 1 Dec for 50 min. between 13.00 and 14.00 h.
After some foraging activity (height 1-6 m), two birds alighted on a perch less than 1
m above the ground and each started making alternating fluttering flights above a 30
cm high bank at the edge of the track. They flew a little lower at each flight, until
finally one bird landed briefly. Thereupon a second bird also landed briefly at the
same spot. Both birds repeated this action a few times, each time staying a little
longer, until one bird pecked a few times at the earth before flying off. The same bird
repeated this action two more times without being imitated by its companion. The trio
then assembled again on a branch 3 m away from the spot and resumed foraging. The
whole incident took about 10 min.. Subsequent visits revealed that no burrow was
dug. A pair feeding a juvenile in the canopy (height 20 m) was seen on 1 Mar.

Voice. The s(l)ip contact call is heard frequently and, although not loud, is quite
characteristic and, once learned, greatly assists in locating this unobtrusive species.
Other calls noted: soft, muffled, hoarse little noises (frequently uttered); a soft,
suppressed week week, followed by a few billsnaps.

Black Bee-eater M. gularis. Uncommon. Due to its preference for more open
habitat, more often seen than M. muelleri, although less common in Yapo. Mostly
seen perching conspicuously on dead branches in clearings and along wide, open
tracks. Also a few sightings within the forest proper, then always very high up, in an
emergent tree or in some open space. Encountered all year round, mostly in pairs.

110

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Malimbus 16

Two sightings of three birds together (Jan, Oct). Four birds flying purposefully over
the forest together, first seen crossing one track, then seen again crossing another,
having apparently flown in a straight line over 5 km of forest (the observer in the
meantime having driven that distance), were perhaps an indication of some local
movement (28 Aug).

Voice. Although the literature states that the species rarely calls (Fry 1984, Brosset &
Erard 1986, Fry et al. 1988, Fry & Fry 1992), the rather loud and distinctive contact
call - clip or wic - was heard at every encounter (also at other places in Ivory Coast,
and in Zaire) and often betrayed the presence of birds perched unobtrusively. No
other calls were heard.

White-throated Bee-eater M. albicollis. Common non-breeding visitor from end of
Oct to May (last sighting: 25 May). In small groups in clearings and near forest edges
and tracks.

Blue-throated l^oWer Eurystomus gularis. Uncommon the whole year round. Singly
or in pairs, along tracks or in emergent trees in the forest.

Broad-billed Roller glaucurus. Although this Afrotropical migrant is common in
the area, it is rare within Yapo and was only seen in large clearings.

Forest Wood-Hoopoe Phoeniculus castaneiceps. Rare. A few records of one or two
birds well inside the forest. Once seen in the main clearing. Remarkably, we have no
records of White-headed Wood-Hoopoe P. bollei, given that this species occurs in
even heavily degraded forest and occurs in small forest remnants less than 50 km
distant.

White-crested Hornbill Tockus albocristatus. Not uncommon. The well
documented habit of following monkey troops was observed a few times. A juvenile
seen on 10 Jan.

Black Dvrarf Hornbill T. hartlaubi. Very secretive. One male in l’Abbé, 5 Feb.
Red-billed Dwarf Hornbill T. camurus. Scarce. More often heard than seen. Song
mostly heard in Nov-Dee; also recorded in Mar, Jul and Sep. A few records of 2-3
birds in mixed-species flocks.

Pied Hornbill T. fasciatus. Common. Mostly a few birds together, sometimes in
groups of up to 35 or even 50 (Nov-Dec). Adults with juveniles in Jan-Feb.

Piping Hornbill Ceratogymna fistulator. Not uncommon. In pairs or small, noisy
groups.

Brown-cheeked Hornbill C. cylindricus. One sighting of 5-7 birds together, 14 Aug
1988.

Black-casqued Hornbill C. atrata. Rare. A few records of 2-4 birds together, inside
the forest. On two occasions, when the birds were heard only, it was not possible to
be certain whether they were this species or Yellow-casqued Hornbill C. elata.
Bristle-nosed Barbet Gymnobucco peli. Rare. A small nesting colony was
discovered in l ’Abbé, Feb 1989.

Naked-faced Barbet G. calvus. Not uncommon. A few small colonies (numbering a
few pairs) in dead emergents or in clearings.

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Speckled Tinkerbird Pogoniulus scolopaceus. Common in open habitats and in the
forest proper, mainly lower and middle strata; singly or in pairs.

Red-rumped Tinkerbird P. atroflavus. Common. Forest interior, at all levels.
Yellow- throated Tinkerbird F. subsulphureus. Common. Occurs at all levels,
though mainly in the canopy. The Upper Guinea race P. s. chrysopygius has a whiter
throat than the extra-limital nominate race and may thus easily be confused with
Yellow- rumped Tinkerbird P. bilineatus. However, after having compared series of
tape-recorded calls with the recordings of Chappuis (1981), we conclude that P.
bilineatus do&s not occur in Yapo.

Yellow-spotted Barbet Buccanodon duchaillui. Common. At edges and in the
forest proper, mid-level to canopy. Singly or in pairs; occasionally in mixed-species
flocks. Although the main call is described as “a purring brrrr...'" (Fry et al. 1988),
we have rarely heard this. In Yapo the most frequent call (heard at all hours of the
day) consists of a series of hoots, practically indistinguishable from one of the songs
of Hairy-breasted Barbet Tricholaema hirsuta. Once, five birds perched in the canopy
in sight of each other emitted this type of song continuously for more than 30 min. in
late afternoon.

Hairy-breasted Barbet Tricholaema hirsuta. Common. Mainly in the forest proper,
also at edges and in clearings; usually in pairs.

Yellow-billed Barbet Trachyphonus purpuratus. Scarce. Forest interior.
Encountered singly; occasionally in mixed-species flocks.

Cassia’s Honeybird Prodotiscus insignis. Scarce. Mainly seen at edges or in
clearings, singly or in pairs. Occasionally joins mixed-species flocks in the canopy.
Voice (undescribed in the literature): a distinctive buzzy tsrrr-tsrrr-..., uttered in flight.
Spotted Honeyguide Indicator maculatus. One sighting of a bird attracted to melted
beeswax bait.

Thick-billed Honeyguide /. conirostris. Uncommon. Very seldom seen. In one
territory inside the forest singing was heard from exactly the same spot high in the
canopy from May to Jan in three consecutive years. Three sightings in the main
clearing.

Willcocks’s Honeyguide 1. willcocksL Rare. Definitely identified once, in the main
clearing, 1 Jan 1989.

African Piculet Sasia africana. One sighting, the first for Ivory Coast (Demey &
Fishpool 1991), of a pair at the forest edge. Plantation de FAbbé, 6 Nov 1988.
Watched from 9.30 to 11.20 h, while the birds flew back and forth between the forest
and a recently burned clearing at the other side of thé track, to inspect dead trees (8-
10 m high). Voice: a rapid, shrill, piercing see-see-see-see-see, sunbird-like, but
louder, shriller. A soft, rapid tapping was also heard.

Little Green Woodpecker Campethera maculosa. Two records of singles at mid-
level near a main track.

Buff-spotted Woodpecker C. nivosa. Uncommon, forest interior at mid-level; often
in mixed-species flocks. An adult with a juvenile, Dec.

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Malimbus 16

Brown-eared Woodpecker C. carolL Not uncommon. Forest interior, mainly at
mid-level, occasionally within 1 m of the forest floor. Frequently in mixed-species
flocks.

Gabon Woodpecker Dendropicos gabonensis. Not uncommon, inside the forest and
at edges; singly or in pairs. Mainly upper-middle level, occasionally higher; at forest
edges also lower, in bushes.

Fire- bellied Woodpecker D. pyrrhogaster. Uncommon to scarce. Upper strata of
forest interior and edges; in pairs. Once seen in a mixed-species flock.

Rufous-sided Broadbill Smithornis rufolateralis. Not uncommon. Mid-level in
forest interior. Starts displaying before dawn, when still dark (the first bird sound
heard). Only sporadically heard after 9.00 h. Starts again in late afternoon and at
dusk. Sometimes the thin, plaintive theew theew call is not followed by the display
flight. African Broadbill S. capensis was not recorded in Yapo, although Thiollay
(1985) states that it occurs in the undergrowth of primary and secondary forest.
European Swallow Hirundo rustica. Uncommon, Oct-Jan.

Lesser Striped Swallow H. abyssinica. Uncommon, in clearings. A pair collecting
mud for nest-building in May. A fledgling seen 28 May.

Square-tailed Roughwing Psalidoprocne nitens. Common. In small flocks in
clearings and along wide tracks. Biggest flocks 20-25 birds.

Fanti Roughwing P. obscura. Rare. Single birds in the main clearing in the company
of P. nitens, Dec- Jan, Mar and May.

Plain-backed Pipit Anthus leucophrys. One bird in the main clearing, 20 Nov.

Tree Pipit A. trivialis, A single bird in the main clearing, 29 Mar.

Yellow Wagtail Motacilla flava. Scarce. Singles in clearings and along tracks
(sometimes narrow, shady ones), Oct-Mar.

Yellow- throated Longclaw Macronyx croceus. One bird in the main clearing, 7 Feb.
Chestnut-bellied Helmet Shrike Prionops caniceps. Common. Middle and upper
strata of the forest. In small groups of 4-9 birds, often in mixed-species flocks.
Juveniles seen May-Nov.

Sabine’s PufFback Shrike Dryoscopus sabinL Not uncommon. Singles or pairs in
the upper strata. A regular member of mixed-species flocks.

Brown-headed Tchagra Tchagra australis. Rare. Shrubbery at the outer edges of
the forest.

Black Boubou Shrike Laniarius leucorhynchus. Rare. Recorded in the main
clearing (once) and along the outer edges of the forest, in tangles, rank vegetation and
thicket. Does not enter the forest proper.

Many-coloured Bush Shrike Malaconotus multicolor. Scarce, A canopy species
which is extremely hard to see, despite its bright colours. A few records of 2-3 birds
singing together (mostly May-Jun and Nov).

Lagden’s Bush Shrike M. lagdeni. Scarce. Singing recorded Oct-Jan and (once) Jul.
Pairs seen nest-building 20 Dec 1986 and 22 Nov 1987. On both occasions the nest
was hidden in the leafy regrowth on the top of a broken-off tree c. 6 m high. While

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Birds of Yapo Forest

113

approaching with nesting material (long, thin, barely visible fibres), the birds sang in
duet. Only one further sighting in the vicinity of the nest of a (silent) bird on 6 Dec
1987. A bird was seen carrying food on 27 Oct 1985. Voice (not described in the
literature): most distinctive and typical are a far-carrying, slow hoot, hoot-hoot
followed after a pause by two melodious whistling syllables hweet-huuuu. The
number of hoots may vary. Also other melodious whistles. The quality of the sound is
quite characteristic and not easily forgotten, once heard well.

Black-headed Oriole Oriolus hrachyrhynchus. Common. Mostly canopy, but
occasionally low down (e.g. two birds at 1 m above the forest floor, chasing each
other, calling excitedly and spreading downward pressed tail, 20 Jun). Juveniles seen
Oct-May. A frequent member of mixed- species flocks. Black- winged Oriole O.
nigripennis appears to be absent from Yapo.

Glossy-backed Drongo Dicrurus adsimilis. Common. Mostly along edges and in
(even small) openings in the forest. Always high up, on bare branches below the
canopy. An adult with a juvenile seen 29 May.

Shining Drongo D. atripennis. Common. Mid-level inside the forest A frequent,

noisy member of mixed-species flocks.

Narrow- tailed Starling Poeoptera lugubris. Scarce. In groups of 4-22, in the main
clearing, Oct-Nov. A sighting of a single bird, 8 Mar.

Forest Chestnut-winged Starling Onychognathus fulgidus. Rare. A few sightings
of one or two birds in clearings and along wide tracks, Oct-Jan.

Copper-tailed Glossy Starling Lamprotomis cupreocauda. This species, listed as
near-threatened by Collar & Stuart (1985), is quite common in Yapo, in pairs or small
groups in the canopy. Although essentially frugivorous, it probably also takes insects,
as does Purple-headed Glossy Starling L. purpureiceps in Gabon (Brosset & Erard
1%6), as it is occasionally encountered in mixed-species flocks.

Amethyst Starling Cmnyricinclm leucogaster. One sighting of a flock of about ten
flying over the canopy, Sep.

Blue Cuckoo-Shrike Coracina azurea. Scarce; records scattered throughout the
year. A canopy species, occurring singly or in pairs. Despite' its bright colouring,
quite inconspicuous and easily overlooked if the vocalizations are not known.
Readily joins mixed-species flocks.

Common Bulbul Pycnonotus barbatus. Common in the main clearing and along
roads and edges. Penetrates the forest along the main tracks. Not in the forest proper.
Cameroon Sombre Bulbul Andmpadm curvirostris. Not uncommon. Lower and
middle strata in the forest. A juvenile seen in Apr.

Little Grey Bulbul A. gracUis. Common. An edge species, frequenting the upper and
middle strata along tracks and clearings. In pairs or small groups. Occurs alongside
Ansorge*s Bulbul A. ansorgei. Adults feeding juveniles seen in Jan.

Ansorge’s Bulbul A. ansorgei. Common. Very similar in plumage, behaviour and
habitat preferences to A. gracilis but occasionally also inside the forest, when always
in the canopy.

114

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Malimbus 16

Slender-billed Bulbul A. graciürostris. Common. Canopy of high emergent trees in
the forest and at edges; mostly in pairs.

Little Green Bulbul A. virens. Common. Mostly in the lower stratum along tracks
and edges; does not enter true forest. Sings whole year round.

Yellow-whiskered Bulbul A. latirostris. Common. Probably the most numerous
bulbul in the forest proper. Sings in all months, with a marked increase Jun-Dec.
Golden Bulbul Calyptocichla serina. Not uncommon in canopy. Singly or (mostly)
in pairs; sometimes three or four together.

Honeyguide Bulbul Baeopogon indicator. Common. Upper levels, singly or in
pairs. Heard singing in all months.

Spotted Bulbul Ixonotus guttatus. Common. Canopy; rarely lower down (as low as
2-3 m). Always in conspicuous, noisy, monospecific groups, mostly 6-20, once 30.
Four birds building a nest together in an isolated tree in the middle of the main
clearing, at a height of 8 m, Nov. Adults feeding begging juveniles in Jul, Aug, Oct,
Nov.

Simple Leaflove ChlorocichUi simplex. Rare. Does not enter true forest but occurs
on the forest margins in secondary regrowth and abandoned farmplots.

Swamp-palm Bulbul Thescelocichla leucopleura. Scarce. Restricted to those few
swampy areas of the forest supporting rafia palm. Usually in noisy monospecific
groups.

Icterine Bulbul Phyllastrephus icterinus. Common. Lower to middle strata, in small
groups (3-6) in mixed-species flocks. Begging juveniles seen in May, Jul and Oct.
Bristlebill Bleda syndactyla. Not uncommon. Lower level, mostly near the forest
floor. Heard singing all year round. A begging juvenile seen in Jan. A frequent
member of mixed-species flocks.

Green-tailed Bristlebill B. eximia. Rare. Only a few sightings, on or near the forest
floor, singly or with mixed-species flocks (once near driver ants and once catching
emerging termites).

Grey-headed Bristlebill B. canicapilla. Common. The most vocal of the genus. In
pairs or small family groups. Heard singing in all months. A forest floor species,
frequently joining mixed-species flocks and attracted to ant columns -- all three
bristle-bills sometimes attend the same column.

Western Bearded Bulbul Criniger barbatus. Common. Lower and middle strata. In
pairs or small groups. A characteristic member of mixed-species flocks, like the other
members of the genus, but also occurring in small, noisy, monospecific groups.
Red-tailed Bulbul C. calurus. Common. Middle strata. In small, noisy groups with
mixed-species flocks. A begging young seen in May.

Yellow- throated Olive Bulbul C. olivaceus. Common. Middle strata. Always seen
in mixed-species flocks, in small numbers (1-3). Begging young seen in Nov and
Apr. Heard singing in all months. The status of this species, listed as Vulnerable by
Collar & Stuart (1985), is worthy of note; it is definitely rare in Taï Forest, its only
other known locality in Ivory Coast (Thiollay 1985v Gartshore 1989). The song,

1994

Birds of Yapo Forest

115

which consists of three short, harsh syllables, uttered in the same, relatively low
pitch, sounds identical to the recording of White-bearded Bulbul C ndussumensis by
Chappuis (1975).

Western Nicator Nicator chloris. Common, mostly in the lower and middle strata
(cf. Gabon, where mostly in the canopy: Brosset & Erard 1986). Singing noted in all
months.

Forest Scrub-Robin Cercotrichas leucosticta. Rare. Recorded on four different
dates, in May-Jul 1985 (once two birds) and in Apr 1986. Never seen or heard again
thereafter.

Fire-crested Alethe Alethe diademata. Not uncommon. Always on or near the forest
floor. Heard singing in all months. Young birds with adults seen Oct-Nov. Where
driver ants are on the move, this species will be near. Voice: in addition to its usual
song (Chappuis 1975) it also has a curious, subdued song including imitations of
other species. This mimesis, which does not seem to be documented, was heard to
include fragments of Cuculus clamosus, Chrysococcyx cupreus, Halcyon badia,
Forest Robin Sîiphrornis eiythrothorax, Finsch’s Rycatcher-Trhush Neocossyphus
finschi and Malimbus sp.

Brown-chested Alethe A. poliocephala. Scarce, but probably more frequent than
records suggest (twice mist-netted in places where it had never been observed). An
inconspicuous, forest floor species. Seen at ant columns, but much shyer than A.

diademata.

Forest Robin Stiphrornis erythrothorax. Common. Encountered singly, on the
forest floor or low above it. Song heard in all months. Attends ant columns.
White-tailed Ant Thrush Neocossyphus poensis. Common in pairs on the forest
floor or just above it. Regularly attends ant columns. This species can be separated
from N. finschi in the field on behaviour. N. poensis wags its tail up and down like a
chat; N. finschi flicks its white outer tail feathers sideways, scissor fashion. This is
very obvious and is diagnostic. The calls are also very different.

Finsch’s Flycatcher-Thrush N. finschi. Common in pairs in the middle strata. Much
more conspicuous than N. poensis (see above).

Grey Ground Thrush Turdus princeL One sighting of a single bird, on the ground,
well inside the forest Very secretive.

Brown Akalat Trichastoma fulvescens. Common in small groups, perching low on
vegetation (rarely on the ground), often in mixed-species flocks. Begging juveniles
seen in Oct and Dec. Voice: it is perhaps of interest that the so-called “dict-a-fone”
song (cf. Chappuis 1975) was never heard, either in Yapo, or elsewhere in Ivory
Coast (while in RD*s experience in Zaïre this type of song was always part of the
vocalizations).

Pale-breasted Akalat T. rufipennh. Uncommon. Similar in habits and behaviour to

T. fulvescens.

Blackcap Akalat T. cleaveri. Not uncommon. Usually on the forest floor, often
singly. Sings shortly after dawn, rarely thereafter.

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R. Demey & L.D.C. Fishpool

Malimbus 16

Rufous-winged Akalat T. rufescens. Uncommon, forest floor. Often in pairs. Song
distinctive and far-carrying. Listed as near-threatened by Collar & Stuart (1985).
Wood Warbler Phylloscopus sihilatrix. Uncommon. Edges and clearings, mostly
canopy, Nov-Apr. Sometimes heard singing; occasionally in mixed flocks of small
insectivores.

Whistling Cisticola Cisticola lateralis. Scarce. Only around the periphery of Yapo;
does not penetrate the forest along tracks.

Tawny-flanked Prinia Prinia subflava. Common in regrowth of fairly large
clearings.

Black-capped Apalis Apalis nigriceps. Common. A canopy species occurring in
pairs. Mostly seen in mixed flocks of small insectivores. Rather inconspicuous but
easily detected once its vocalizations are known. Duets.

Sharpe’s Apalis A. sharpii. Common. Canopy; sometimes lower down near edges.
Mostly in pairs in mixed flocks of small insectivores. Both this species and A.
nigiiceps call persistently throughout the day and are often the only birds to be heard
during the heat of midday. Both species, along with other small insectivores of the
canopy, seem to favour leguminous trees with finely divided, bipinnate leaves, e.g.
Piptadeniastrum afiicanum. The leaf structure of such trees (large numbers of very
small leaflets with midribs providing perches) possibly favour the gleaning activities
of these birds.

Yellow-browed Camaroptera Camaroptera superciliaris. Common. Shrubbery in
clearings and along tracks. Adults with one or two young seen Dec-Mar.
Green-backed Camaroptera C. chloronota. Not uncommon, in dense undergrowth
along tracks. Usually skulking and infrequently seen, but distinctive, loud and
prolonged song attracts attention.

Grey-backed Camaroptera C. brachyura. Common. Shrubbery in clearings and
along wide tracks. A juvenile seen 15 Nov.

Brown-crowned Eremomela Eremomela badiceps. Common in canopy, sometimes
descending to mid-level. In pairs or small groups. Juveniles seen in all months from
Mar to Nov.

Green Crombec Sylvietta virens. Common. Dense shrub in clearings and along
tracks. Never in the forest proper.

Lemon- bellied Crombec S. denti. Not uncommon. Mostly in the canopy, but nests
lower down. Nests (in clearing and along a track) found Jan-Apr. A frequent member
of mixed flocks of small insectivores. Inconspicuous, but the song reveals its
presence.

Grey Longbill Macrosphenus concolor. Common. All levels, but mostly upper and
middle strata in the forest proper; also near edges and open areas. A regular member
of mixed- species flocks. Is easy to confuse in the field, at least initially, with Scarlet-
tufted Sunbird Anthreptes fraseri\ they are of similar size and colour while the scarlet
tufts of the sunbird are, in our experience, never visible. M. concolor, however, lacks
any distinctive head markings and has pale flesh-coloured legs, while A.Jraseri has a

1994

Birds of Yapo Forest

117

conspicuous eye=ring and dark greyish-black or brownish legs. These field marks are
often more easily seen than the differences in bill structure and coloration; straight
and dark with a pale base in M. concolor, slightly curved in A. fraseri with upper
mandible dark and gradually tapering to a point, lower mandible pale horn and almost
straight.

Kemp’s Longbill M. kempt Rare. Bushy areas along the forest edge.

Green Hylia Hylia prmina. Common. Mostly middle strata of the forest, singly or in
pairs. Often in mixed-species flocks. Adults with juveniles seen in May and Aug.
Tit-Hylia rushiae. Not uncommon. Mainly in the canopy of lower trees,

but also higher up, in monospecific groups of 3-8. Also joins mixed flocks of small
insectivores. A pair feeding a young in Mar.

Spotted Flycatcher Muscicapa striata. Rare. Main clearing and outer edges, Oct-

Nov.

Little Grey Flycatcher M. epulata. Scarce. Middle strata of more open parts of the
forest (near edges or along shady tracks) with high trees. Very unobtrusive.
Olivaceous Flycatcher M. olivascens. Scarce. Middle and lower strata in the forest.
A pair with a juvenile in Feb.

Grey-throated Flycatcher M. griseigukiris. Rare. A few records of singing birds,
along the main clearing and at the outer edge of the Plantation de F Abbé, Sep-Oct

1988.

Dusky Blue Flycatcher M, comitata. Uncommon. A pair seen fairly frequently in
the main clearing.

Ussher’s Flycatcher M. ussheri. Not uncommon. Always high on top of emergent
dead trees or branches. Adult on nest (18 m high in dead tree at edge of main
clearing), Oct. Juveniles seen mostly Jul-Aug, also Apr.

Grey T it- Flycatcher My fpparas plambeus. Two records of singing birds in or near
clearings, Jan and Nov.

Forest Flycatcher Fraseria ocreata. Not uncommon. Forest edge as well as interior,
mostly at mid-level. Mainly singly or in pairs; sometimes three or four together.
Young birds seen in Aug and Dec. Sometimes joins mixed-species flocks.
Violet-backed Hyliota Hyliota violacea. Scarce. Canopy along edges. Singly, in
pairs or small groups (mostly consisting of two pairs). Mostly seen in mixed flocks of
small insectivores.

Shrike Flycatcher Megabyas flammulata. Not uncommon. Canopy, sometimes
lower down. Mostly singly or in pairs. Considered an Afrotropical migrant in Gabon
(Brosset & Erard 1986), but recorded by us in all months. Young birds seen in Mar
and May.

West African occulta. Not uncommon. A canopy species, usually seen in

mixed flocks of small insectivores, singly or in pairs.

Chestnut Wattle-eye Platysteira castama. Common. Middle strata inside the forest.
In pairs or family groups (parents with one young), frequently in mixed-species
flocks. Young birds seen Feb-Nov.

118

R. Demey & L.D.C. Fishpool

Malimbus 16

Golden- bellied Wattle-eye P. concreta. One record: a male in a mixed-species
flock, at a height of 2-3 m, Jan.

Chestnut-capped Flycatcher Erythrocercus mccallii. Not uncommon. Upper and
middle strata. In forest proper or along edges; usually in small groups. Adults with
young seen in Feb and May. A regular member of mixed-species flocks.

Blue-headed Crested Flycatcher Trochocercus nitens. Uncommon. Favours dense
lianas at mid-level. Always recorded in mixed-species flocks.

Dusky Crested Flycatcher T. nigromitratus. Not uncommon. Lower strata, from
ground to 2 m, rarely to 4 m (so always lower than T. nitens). Favours the most
humid parts of the forest. In pairs or small family groups; regularly in mixed-species
flocks. Seen with nesting material in Jan. Adults with begging young in Mar and Jun.
Red-bellied Paradise Flycatcher Terpsiphone rufiventer. Common, noisy and
conspicuous. Mostly mid-level. A typical member of mixed-species flocks. Paradise
Flycatcher T. viridis was never recorded in Yapo.

Forest Penduline Tit Anthoscopus flavifrons. Rare, but probably overlooked due to
its small size, dull colouring and habit of keeping to the canopy of the highest trees.
Under these circumstances it is difficult to identify; it looks rather like a small female
sunbird but the short stubby bill is the give-away. On the rare occasions when it
descends lower, the yellow on the frons remains almost impossible to see. Occurs in
small groups (3-4).

Scarlet-tufted Sunbird Anthreptes fraseri. Common; the commonest sunbird after
Olive N. olivacea. Middle strata in forest proper. A typical member of mixed-species
flocks; up to ten birds per flock. (See Macrosphenus concolor for field
differentiation.)

Yellow-chinned Sunbird A. rectirostris. Not uncommon. Mostly canopy along
forest tracks and clearings. In pairs or family parties.

Collared Sunbird A. collaris. Common. In canopy of tall trees (forest proper),
smaller trees and even bushes (edges and clearings). Mostly in pairs or small family
groups (parents with one young). Regularly in mixed flocks of small insectivores.
Females seen nest-building in Jul and Dec. Begging juveniles in Mar, May-Aug and
Dec.

Little Green Sunbird Nectarinia seimundi. Uncommon. Mostly canopy,
occasionally lower down. Unusual for a sunbird in that it occurs in small
monospecific groups of up to eight, which helps identification.

Bates’s Sunbird N. batesi. Probably rare; difficult to assess, because is very
inconspicuous, small canopy bird. Only a few definite sightings of singles. We agree
with Brosset & Erard (1986) who likened this species to a miniature N. olivacea in its
dull colour, upright posture and strongly curved bill. N. seimundi on the other hand, is
not unlike a small Anthreptes fraseri] these two species differ from N. olivacea and
N. batesi in their brighter colouring, more horizontal postures and straighter bills.
Olive Sunbird N. olivacea. Common; the commonest sunbird. Lower strata. A
regular member of mixed-species flocks. Nest-building seen in Mar.

1994

Birds of Yapo Forest

119

Olive- backed Sunbird N. verticalis. One record: a male high up in a mixed- species
flock, Nov.

Blue-throated Brown Sunbird N. cyanolaema. Common, Canopy in forest proper
or along edges and clearings. In pairs or small groups,,

Buff-throated Sunbird N. adelberti. Uncommon. Edges and clearings. Juveniles
seen Sep- Oct.

Olive-bellied Sunbird N. chloropygia. Common in clearings. In pairs.

Tiny Sunbird N. minulla. Rare (overlooked?). Not readily distinguishable in the
field from N. chloropygia. Reference is made in the literature to blue barring in the
red breast feathers of male minulla, which chloropygia lacks. This is, however,
virtually impossible to see in the field. A more helpful distinction, which equally
applies to females, is bill structure. In minulla the bill is appreciably shorter and less
curved, such that the lower mandible appears to be almost straight except for the very
tip, whereas it is equally curved over most of its length in chloropygia. N. minulla
appears to be dependent on forest, chloropygia being much more catholic in its
choice, occurring from forest edge and clearings to gardens in city centres. Both
species can thus occur at one site; at such sites we have been unable to distinguish
any difference between them in habitat preference.

Johanna’s Sunbird N. johannae. Not uncommon. Upper and middle strata, along
tracks and clearings. Mainly in pairs. A female at a nest. May. An immature male,
Mar.

Superb Sunbird N. superba. Uncommon. Only seen in the main clearing: does not
enter forest proper. An immature male, Nov.

Yellow White-eye Zosterops senegalensis. Scarce in clearings and along wide, open
tracks.

Village Weaver P/dceus cucuUatus, Rare. A few sightings in the main clearing of 2-
20 birds, Apr, Jul, Oct.

Chestnut and Black Weaver Ploceus nigerrimus. Two sightings in the main

clearing, Feb and May.

Yellow-mantled Weaver P. tricolor. A sighting of a single in the main clearing
(May) and a pair with a juvenile (Nov) in the Plantation de l’Abbé. The rarity of this
species in Yapo seems surprising, considering that it occurs in good numbers in small
forest remnants at Adiopodoumé, less than 50 km distant.

Maxwell’s Black Weaver P. albinucha. Scarce. Singly or in small groups (up to 12).
Mainly in the forest, usually high up, but singles occasionally in the main clearing.
Juveniles seen Feb and Dec.

Spectacled Weaver P. nigricoUis. Scarce. Singles occasionally in the main clearing.
Golden-backed Weaver P. preussi. One sighting of a juvenile in the canopy of a big
tree in the forest, 11 Sep 1988.

Red-vented Malimbe Malimbus scutatus. Common. A few always present in the
main clearing, where breeding. Also in the forest canopy, although rarely (because of
lack of palm trees?). Juveniles seen Oct-Dec. Not in mixed-species flocks.

120

R. Demey & L.D.C Fishpool

Malimbus 16

Blue-billed Malimbe M. nitens. Common. Lower strata in the forest and along
edges; in pairs or small groups. Nests (always above forest streams) with eggs Jun-
Mar and nestlings Jun-Mar. A regular member of mixed-species flocks.

Crested Malimbe M. malimbicus. Uncommon. Mainly middle strata in the forest;
occasionally in the main clearing. Singly or in pairs; one record of eight together.
Nest-building Apr-May and Sep. Juveniles seen Feb, May, Aug and Nov. A regular
member of mixed- species flocks.

Red-headed Malimbe M. rubricollis. Scarce. Upper strata above shady tracks.
Mostly in pairs. Sometimes in mixed-sp)ecies flocks.

Red-headed Quelea Quelea erythrops. Two sightings of small flocks (15 birds) in
the main clearing. Mar and Apr.

Grey-headed Sparrow Passer grise us. Scarce near human habitations in the main
clearing.

Seedcracker Pyrenestes sanguineus. An adult in the main clearing (Jul) and a
juvenile in the Plantation de l’Abbé (Nov).

Grey-crowned Negrofinch Nigrita canicapilla. Common. Mostly canopy. Nest-
building observed Oct and Dec. Juveniles seen Aug (once tliree together), Oct and Nov.
Chestnut-breasted Negrofinch N. bicolor. Not uncommon. All levels of the forest.
Nest-building observed in May, Jun, Aug and Oct. juveniles seen in May-Jun.

White- breasted Negrofinch N. fusconota. Scarce. Canopy along clearings and
tracks. Sometimes in mixed flocks of small insectivores.

Red-fronted Antpecker Parr/iop/ito (woodhousei) jamesoni. Scarce. Lower strata in
the forest (below 5 m), occasionally along edges. Mostly in pairs or family groups.
Sometimes in mixed-species flocks. Juveniles seen Dec-Jan and Jun. Voice
(previously undescribed): whseeet, rather vigorous for such a small bird.

Blue-billed Weaver Spermophaga haematina. Scarce, but unobtrusive and probably
more common than records suggest. Low down, occasionally mid-level. Sometimes
in mixed-species flocks. A juvenile mist-netted in such a flock in Mar.
Orange-cheeked Waxbill Estrilda melpoda. Not uncommon in shrubbery and long
grass in large clearings.

Magpie Mannikin Lonchura fringilloides. One sighting of two birds in the main
clearing, 15 Nov.

Blue-billed Mannikin L. bicolor. Not uncommon in clearings and along forest
edges.

Bronze Mannikin L. cucullata. Rare. A small flock in the main clearing, Apr.

Acknowledgments

We wish to thank Jean-Louis Blanchez for having greatly facilitated our
ornithological activities in Yapo, by providing the necessary permits. We also thank
the following for generously supplying their data and notes: T. Bara, J.-L. Blanchez,

1994

Birds of Yapo Forest

121

J. & P. Chandley, A. Jaramillo, J. Mariaux, R.-M. La Fontaine, D. Turner and D.
Wolf, and M. Gartshore for identifying the Sandy Scops Owl feather. L.G. Grimes
and A. Tye are thanked for their comments on the manuscript.

References

Brosset, a. & Erard, C. (1986) Les Oiseaux des Régions Forestières du Nord-Est
du Gabon, vol 1: Ecologie et Comportement des Espèces. Société Nationale de
Protection de la Nature, Paris.

Brown, L.H., Urban, E.K. & Newman, K. (1982) The Birds of Africa, vol. 1.
Academie Press, London.

Chappuis, C. (1975, 1978, 1981) Illustration sonore de problèmes bioacoustiques
posés par les oiseaux de la zone éthiopienne. Alauda 43: 427-474; 46; 327-355;
49; 35-58.

Collar, N.J. & Stuart, S.N. (1985) Threatened Birds of Africa and Related Islands.
ICBP/IUCN, Cambridge.

Demey, R. & Fîshpool, L.D.C. (1991) Additions and annotations to the avifauna of
Côte d’Ivoire. Malimbus 12: 61-86.

Fry, C.H. (1984) The Bee-eaters. Poyser, Cal ton.

Fry, C.H. & Fry, K. (1992) Kingfishers, Bee-eaters & Rollers. Christopher Helm,
London.

Fry, C.H., Keith, S. & Urban, E.K. (1988) The Birds of Africa, vol. 3. Academic
Press, London.

Gartshore, M.E. (1989) An Avifaunal Survey ofTai National Park, Ivory Coast.
Study Report 39, ICBP, Cambridge.

Gore, M.E.J. (1990) Birds of The Gambia. Check-list 3. British Ornithologists’
Union, Tring.

Grimes, L.G. (1987) The Birds of Ghana. Check-list 9. British Ornithologists’ Union,
London.

Hall, B.P. & Moreau, R.E (1970) An Atlas of Spéciation in African Passerine Birds.

British Museum (Natural History), London.

Lawson, W.J. (1984) The West African mainland forest-dwelling population of
Batis: a new species. Bull. Brit. Orn. Club 104: 144-146.

Lawson, W.J. (1986) Spéciation in the forest-dwelling populations of the avian genus
Batis. Durban Mus. Novit. 13: 285-304.

Mackworth-Praed, C.W. & Grant, C.H.B. (1970, 1973) Birds of West Central and
Western Africa. 2 vols. Longman, London.

Mangenot, G., Miege, J. & Aubert, G. (1948) Les éléments floristiques de la basse
Côte d’ivoire et leur répartition. Comptes Rend. Soc. Biogéogr. 25 (214): 30-34.
Thiollay, J.-M. (1985) The birds of Ivory Coast: status and distribution. Malimbus
7: 1-59.

122

R. Demey & L.D.C. Fishpool

Malimbus 16

Urban, E.K., Fry, CH. & Keith, S. (1986) The Birds of Africa, vol 2. Academie
Press, London.

Appendix

Species recorded from Yapo Forest included in the ICBPAUCN Red Data Book

(Collar & Stuart 1985)

Status: Vulnerable

Yellow- throated Olive Bulbul Criniger olivaceus

Status: Near-threatened

Rufous- winged Akalat Trichastoma mfescens
Copper-tailed Glossy Starling Lamprotornis cupreicauda

Candidate species for treatment as threatened:

White-crested Tiger Heron Tigriornis leucolophus
Olive Ibis Bostrychia olivacea
Congo Serpent Eagle Dryotriorchis spectabilis
Long-tailed Hawk Urotriorchis macrourus
Ayres’s Hawk Eagle Hieraaetus dubius
Cassin’s Hawk Eagle Spizaetus africanus
A hanta Francolin Francolinus ahantensis
Black-collared Lovebird Agapornis swinderniana
Sandy Scops Owl Otus icterorhynchiis
Akun Eagle Owl Bubo leucostictus
Red-chested Owlet Glaucidium tephronotum
Black Spinetail Telacanthura melanopygia
Brown-cheeked Hornbill Ceratogymna cylindricus
Little Green Woodpecker Campethera maculosa
Lagden’s Bush Shrike Malaconotus lagdeni
Forest Scrub-Robin Cercotrichas leucosticta
Grey Ground Thrush Turdus princei
Sharpe’s Apalis Apalis sharpii
Kemp’s Longbill Macrosphenus kempi
Olivaceous Flycatcher Muscicapa olivascens
Ussher’s Rycatcher Muscicapa ussheri
Violet-backed Hyliota Hyliota violacea
West African Batis Batis occulta
Seedcracker Pyrenestes sanguineus

1994

123

Short Notes

Des pythons mangeurs de canards

Le 16 janvier 1994, au cours du recensement international des oiseaux d’eau au Parc
National des Oiseaux du Djoudj (Nord Sénégal), Féquipe prospectant le marigot du
Petit Djoudj a découvert des filets posés par des braconniers en travers du marigot. A
côté de quelques poissons (silures et Tilapià) de belle taille, nous avons trouvé cinq
Pythons de Séba Python sebae, de 3.5 à 5 m de îongeur, emmêlés dans les filets, et
qui avaient péris noyés (Fig. 1).

Figure. 1. Cinq I^thons de Séba qui avaient chacun ingurgité un Canard pilet

Deux de ces serpents présentaient un fort renflement au niveau de l’estomac et
Fautopsie a montré qu’ils avaient chacun ingurgité un Canard pilet Anas acuta. Le
contenu stomacal des trois autres ne contenait qu’une bouillie non identifiable.

Pouvant atteindre 6 m de Iongeur, le Python de Séba est le plus grand serpent
d’Afrique. Connu pour se nourrir habituellement de petits rongeurs (Larivière &
Dupuy 1978), de gros rongeurs, d’oiseaux terrestres, de petites antilopes et de Suidés
(Schmidt & Inger 1961) ou de batraciens (N. Ndiaye corn, pers.), il apparaît donc
qu’il peut aussi se nourrir régulièrement de canards. Les nombreuses populations
d’Anatidés au Parc National des Oiseaux du Djoudj (120 000-275 000 canards,
Schricke et al. 1991) peuvent ainsi fournir des proies de rechange aux pythons.

Par ailleurs les Pythons de Séba seraient beaucoup plus nombreux qu’on ne le
pensait généralement Les cinq pythons noyés dans les filets étaient en bon état de
conservation et avaient donc été capturés moins de 24 heures avant leur découverte.
Un essai de désherbage des marigots par brûlage des roseaux dans la zone de
Gainthe, en octobre 1993, sur une dizaine d’hectares, avait permis d’observer la fuite
devant le feu d’environ 80 de ces pythons (A. Ndiaye corn. pers.).

124

Short Notes

Malimbus 16

Bibliographie

Lariviere, J. & Dupuy, a. R. (1978) Sénégal, ses Parcs, ses Animaux. Fernand
Nathan, Paris.

ScHRiCKE, V., Triplet, R, Tréca, B., Sylla, S.I. & Diop, I. (1991) Dénombrement
des Anatidés dans le Parc National des Oiseaux du Djoudj et ses environs
(Janvier 1990). Bull, mensuel OJf. Nat. Chasse Cons. Nat. 153: 29-34.

Schmidt, K.P. & Inger, R.F. (1%1) Living Reptiles of the World. Hamish Hamilton,
London.

Reçu 12 avril 1994 Bernard Tréca, ORSTOM, B. P. 1386, Dakar, Sénégal

Com Bunting Emberiza calandra in Mauritania and West Africa

I was birdwatching in the sand dunes about 4 km south of Nouakchott, Mauritania, in
the late afternoon of 27 November 1984 when I noticed a small, plump, greyish
brown bird with streaked plumage, perched near the top of a small bush amongst the
scrub vegetation in the dunes. On closer inspection using 10 x 50 binoculars at a
distance of some 50 m I was intrigued to confirm its identity as a Corn Bunting
Emberiza calandra, a species with which I am familiar in Europe and N Algeria.

The following identification features were noted at the time: plumage generally
greyish brown, streaked darker brown on a paler grey throat and chest, the streaks
becoming lighter brown on the flanks and belly; back and wings streaked brownish,
bill relatively large but short, giving a chunky appearance; moustachial stripe dark
brown; ear coverts and crown streaked light brown. Overall it appeared slightly larger
and heavier than several other species observed on the same day in adjacent areas,
including Tree Pipit Anthus trivialis, Spotted Flycatcher Muscicapa striata and
female Redstart Phoenicunis phoenicurus. On approaching closer, the bird flew away
silently towards Nouakchott, without displaying any obvious wing bar or outer tail
colour contrast, the flight being somewhat laboured.

Lamarche (1988) describes Corn Bunting as accidental in Mauritania, citing
observations in Nouadhibou in 1978 (Trotignon in Mahé 1985) and Cap Timirist in
1987. Mahé (1985) quoted southward winter dispersal in Morocco, where the species
breeds. One observation is recorded for Senegal (Morel & Morel 1990). E.D.H.
Johnson {in litt.) caught one at Beni Abbes, SW Algeria, in 1965. The available data
suggest that Corn Bunting remains an accidental species in West Africa

I would like to thank Drs A. Tye and G.J. Morel for commenting on an earlier draft
of this note.

1994

Corrigendum

125

References

Lamarche, B. (1988) Liste commentée des oiseaux de Mauritanie. Etud. Sahariennes
Ouest~Afr. 1(4). Association des Naturalistes Sahariens et Ouest-Africains,
Nouakchott/Pari s.

Mahé, E. (1985) Contribution à V Étude Scientifique de la Région de Banc d’Arguin
2V20*Nil9’‘20'N. Thèse, Univ. des Sciences et Techniques du Languedoc,
France.

Morel, G.J. & Morel, M.-Y. (1990) Les Oiseaux.de Sénégambîe. ORSTOM, Paris.
Received 16 May 1994

Revised 13 August 1994 S.J. Farnsworth

Hammerkop, Frogmill, Hurley, Maidenhead, Berks SL6 5NL, UK.

Corrigendum

Oiseaux nouveaux pour ïa République Centrafricaine ou dont les notifîcations
de ce pays sont peu nombreuses. (Germain, M. & Cornet, J.-P., 1994, Maümbus

16: 30-51).

Une très préjudiciable lacune bibliographique dont j’assume toute la responsabilité
nous a conduits, dans cette note, à considérer la capture prés de Bangui, en mai 1978,
d*une Hirondelle de rivage Riparia congica, comme constituant la première
notification de cette espèce en R.C.A.. C’est en réalité à Jehl (1976, Les oiseaux de
File Kembé (R.C.A.). Alauda 44: 153-167) que Ton doit de pouvoir étendre la
répartition de cette espèce jusqu’au moyen Oubangui, cet auteur en ayant obtenu un
exemplaire le 24 mars 1974, sur File de Kembé, 25 km en amont de Bangui. Que
Malîmbus et ses lecteurs veuillent bien me pardonner cette malencontreuse erreur.

De plus, la page 31, ligne 6, doit se lire: par Carroll dans sa publication de

1988, seule facilement [Le Rédacteur assume toute ïa responsabilité de cette
erreur... A.T.]

Reçu 21 septembre 1994

Max Germain
44 rue Cluseret, 92150 Suresnes, France

126

Malimbus 16

Book Reviews

Cormorants, Darters, and Pelicans of the World. By P.A. Johnsgard, 1993. xiv +
445 pp. +31 pp. of colour plates. Smithsonian Institution, Washington DC. ISBN 1-
56098-216-0. Hardback £38.25.

This partial monograph of the Pelecaniformes excludes the other families which have
never been so treated to date (Fregatidae and Phaethontidae), because it would have
been too much work to include them and comparatively little is known about them.
So states the author in his preface; still, it’s a shame. Johnsgard monographs appear
regularly, and this one follows the established format. There is a series of
comparative introductory chapters, followed by a section on each species. As always,
Johnsgard makes no claim to expert knowledge of the group he is monographing, and
the book is simply a review of current knowledge.

The systematic treatment thoroughly reviews published opinions, and chooses
safe compromises. This results in only one oddity: the classification of all the New
Zealand blue-eyed shags as different species, resulting in comparatively too much
coverage. The other introductory chapters cover comparative morphology,
maintenance and locomotory behaviour, foraging behaviour (including fascinating
summaries of pelican plunge-diving and fishing with domesticated cormorants),
social behaviour, breeding, population dynamics and conservation (although few
species are endangered, this section contains some important lessons). These chapters
are all comprehensively researched; they make rather dry reading but are invaluable
as leads into the research literature. Many sections contain useful comparative tables,
e.g. of breeding productivity. But in this part of the book, the margins occupy more
than one-quarter of the page; who wants to pay for that?

The rest (252 pp.) comprises the species accounts. To assess their usefulness, I
compared the West African species accounts (two cormorants, one darter, two
pelicans) with those in Volume 1 of The Birds of Africa (Brown et al. 1982,
Academic Press, London). Generally, the plumage descriptions are more detailed
than in BoA, especially of young stages. There are more measurements and weights,
but fewer egg measurements. Details for identification in the hand are given, with
keys in an appendix; these might be useful for researchers on this group, who are
among the few individuals likely to buy it. The illustrations (photos plus line
drawings) are less useful than the portraits in BoA, at least for identification. There is
more detail on habitat, food, social behaviour and breeding for most species, although
not substantially for the pelicans. Items of information are much better referenced
than in BoA, and the style is more conversational. All these points are what might be
expected for a monograph, and result in the conclusion that those interested in these
groups (particularly worldwide) will certainly value the book, but the majority of
ornithologists will be content without it.

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One point where I think Bo A wins is the maps. Johnsgard’s attempt to show more
detail (usefully, showing major breeding colonies) but could have been better
designed to do so. There are some errors {e.g. dots to indicate colony sizes omitted,
although captions say they should be there). The mapped distributions often differ
from those in BoA, and I think that BoA is usually more correct, particularly as in
some cases Johnsgard’s range descriptions agree with BoA maps, rather than with his
own; as an extreme example. Pink-backed Pelican Pelecanus rufescens is shown
breeding on the Seychelles but not so listed in the text. Some maps are definitely
wrong, e.g. most of Africa is shown as “non-breeding” range of the Darter Anhinga
melanogasîer, whereas it is actually probably resident in much of this range, but
breeding is simply not proven. Others omit some documented records which are
mentioned in BoA.

Apart from the maps, I spotted few errors: a few mis-spellings only. Johnsgard
has fulfilled the task he set himself in his usual thorough fashion.

Darter - Anhinga d’Afrique - Anhinga melanogaster
Photo: Michael Gore

The Birds of CITES and How to Identify Them. By J. Erritz0e, 1993. xxii +199
pp., 10 monochrome + 75 colour plates. Lutterworth Press, Cambridge. ISBN 0-
7188-2894-1, £30 (hardback): ISBN 0-7188-2892-5, £26 (ringbound); ISBN 0-7188-
2895-X, £95 (leatherbound).

Restrictions on trade imposed under the Convention on International Trade in
Endangered Species of wild fauna and flora (CITES) cover 1478 bird species, the
basis for this book. Species which are, or are likely to become, endangered, are
illustrated in colour. A further 1072 “lookalike” species included in the CITES
listings are illustrated in black and white. CITES Appendix III comprises species

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which aiiy party to the Convention has made subject to jurisdiction and in need of
cooperation from other parties for the purposes of controlling trade; hence about 130
Ghanaian species are included in colour. This is not so interesting for the West
African ornithologist as it may seem, as some of these are local races of species
common worldwide, such as Green Fruit Pigeon, Village Weaver and Cattle Egret,
although the implications of having to restrict trade in even common species merit
consideration.

The title’s claim to be an identification guide is over-ambitious, given the brief
plumage descriptions, poor colours in many plates, lack of comparison with similar
species for families not included in the lookalike list and scant referencing of regional
handbooks and family monographs. It is doubtful whether the book will be useful on
its own as an identification guide but, if misidentification leads to non-CITES species
being erroneously included, this cannot be a bad thing for the birds. The availability
of a leatherbound edition suggests it is aimed partly at the collectors’ market.
However, any attention to the problems caused to wildlife by the bird trade is
welcome, and the support by WWF and Prince Philip in launching this book, together
with its generally attractive appearance, should contribute to raising public awareness
of CITES.

Hilary Tye

Handbook of the Birds of the World. Volume 1. Ostrich to ducks. Ed. by J. del

Hoyo, A. Elliott & J. Sargatal, 1992. 696 pp., 50 colour paintings, numerous photos.
Lynx Eidicions, Barcelona. ISBN 84-87334-10-5. Hardback c. £95.

The obvious course to take, when reviewing this book from a West African
perspective, is to compare it with The Birds of Africa (Brown et al 1982, Urban et al
1986, Fry et al 1988, Keith et al 1992, Academie Press, London) (henceforth BoA).
However, the two works have very different aims and approaches. The present book
(henceforth HBW) does not attempt to usurp regional works, and the Family is the
basic unit for the biological accounts. The family sections include systematics and
evolution, morphology, habitat, habits, voice, food and feeding, breeding,
movements, relations with man, status and conservation, with the emphasis on
systematics, status and conservation. Family sections are profusely illustrated by
photographs, which are excellent, many illustrating actions; from one photo of
ostriches running, one can see exactly how the legs move.

Following the family account, each species has a concise text and a plate. The
artists have done some brilliant work, especially Lluis Centelles and Francesc Jutglar.
They deserve lots more commissions. All species are illustrated, as are many
subspecies and both sexes if sufficiently different, but the book is not an
identification guide and only breeding plumage is shown. Measurement sections are

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very brief and not of great intraspecific use. Every species has a small map, not
normally depicting less than a continent, even if the bird’s distribution is very limited.
Perhaps the biggest mistake is to include voice in the family, not species accounts.
The Introduction admits that such generalizations are of little use, whereas voice can
be a key to specific identification.

Does the family vs species approach otherwise succeed? Accounts for
monospecific families (e g. ostrich) contain much of the detail which would go into
species accounts in Bo A. They are very comprehensive, better illustrated and easier to
read (less telegraphic) than BoA. In multispecific families, the family section permits
more consideration of comparative aspects (taxonomy, competition, etc.) than in
BoA. Non-African information about African species is also better integrated. HBW
has generally more detail for many groups than BoA, especially more biology, but
less detail per species. However, it is difficult to pin down most general statements to
the species for which the information is known. This makes it hard to define gaps in
knowledge for individual species.

Family and species accounts are selectively referenced (major studies, regional
works and information from little- studied areas) at the end of each. The reference to
the original description of each taxon is also given.

The Introduction is a text-book style, but readable, account of the characteristics
of Class Aves: not just a nod to bird biology, but 37 large pages of interesting
material.

Most mistakes are minor, some of an iberian nature (e.g. isquium for ischium).
However, there are some errors of fact or interpretation, and some uncritical
statements: e.g. “large size, colonial nesting and very specialized habits ... make
[herons] extremely vulnerable to any direct attacks and also to environmental
changes. Nevertheless, due to their great capacity for survival, only a few ... are
seriously threatened”. What causes this “great capacity for survival”? The statement
merely begs that question. And what is one to make of the assertion (p. 199) that “By
attracting sunlight, this patch [of dark feathers around an albatross’s eye] improves
vision, as it deviates sunlight that would otherwise strike the eye directly.”? Are the
authors aware of some recent research on relativity? Other statements of a similar
nature are, if not common, rather too frequent for scientific comfort.

Most of us use BoA most as an identification reference. HBW may unnecessarily
have reduced its market by not attempting to compete. To have included more
plumage illustrations and better descriptions would have enabled many to do without
regional works, by buying only this series. Still, the two works basically serve
different functions. HBW is a good introduction to bird families and is excellent on
group biology; it is also the better read. BoA is better for Africa, for individual
species and for identification. Given the prices of the two series, most of us will have
to be content with only one.

Alan Tye

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Malimbus 16

News and Letters

Request for information on pittas

I am working on a new book, The Pittas of the World, which is intended to
summarise all published and unpublished information for each species in this little
known family (last monograph was Elliot’s in 1895). A colour plate is planned for
each of the 31 species and some colour illustrations for subspecies as well.

I would welcome any unpublished or published information, e.g. trip reports,
field observations with notes on habitat, identification tips, vocalisations, breeding
records, descriptions of nest sites and nests, descriptions of juvenile plumages,
behaviour or diet. Records of birds killed at windows or by other accidents are of
interest, as are current status and populations everywhere; possible threats to survival
will be particularly useful. Even notes from captive birds will be of interest.

Loaned photos used for reference will be returned in due course and contributions
will be gratefully acknowledged in the book, with full name and address. Hease send
any information to: Johannes Erritz0e, Taps Old Rectory, DK-6070 Christiansfeld,
Denmark (fax +45 75 573255).

Demande d’informations sur les brèves

Je travaille à un nouveau livre, The Pittas of the World, dont l’objet est de
résumer toutes les données publiées ou inédites sur chaque espèce de cette famille
peu connue (la dernière monographie est celle d’Elliot en 1895). Une planche en
couleurs est prévue pour chacune des 31 espèces de même que quelques illustrations
en couleurs pour les sous-espèces.

J’apprécierais tous renseignements publiées ou non (mais des lettres en anglais,
allemandais ou danois seulement, s.v.p.), p. ex. comptes rendus de voyages,
observations de terrain avec notes sur l’habitat, conseils pour l’identification, données
sur l’acoustique et la reproduction, descriptions de nids et de leurs emplacements,
descriptions des plumages juvéniles, notes sur le comportement ou le régime
alimentaire. Les relevés d’oiseaux tués contre des vitres ou autres accidents sont
intéressants de même que statut actuel et état des populations où que ce soit; les
menaces possibles contre la survie d’une espèce seront particulièrement utiles. Même
des observations d’oiseaux captifs auront de l’intérêt.

Les photos prêtées et utilisées comme documents seront renvoyées en temps
voulu et la contribution reconnue avec gratitude dans l’ouvrage, avec nom et adresse
complets. Veuillez adresser toutes données à Johannes Erritz0e, Taps Old Rectory,
DK-6070 Christiansfeld, Danemark (fax +45 75 573255).

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131

Request for bird observations from Niger

Since the appearance of Giraudoux et al/s very useful Avifaune du Niger: état des
connaissances en 1986 {Malimbus 10. 1-140), a lot more has become known about
the birds of Niger. In coordination with lUCN-Niger and the Département de Faune,
Pêche et Pisciculture, we are trying to prepare an updated description of the avifauna
of Niger. In this context we are requesting the assistance of all those who have, or
know of, documentation of bird observations made in Niger. We are looking
especially for previously unpublished information, but published information is very
welcome, too. Of published information, please send us a copy or bibliographic
reference (as complete as possible). For unpublished information, please mention as
far as possible names of contributors, geographic references, dates of observations,
description of habitats, the species recorded and any details for individual species
regarding abundance, breeding, habitat preference and behaviour. For less common
species a description of the birds observed would be appreciated. All information
used will be duly ackowledged in any resulting publications.

Where possible, we prefer submitted records to be attributable to 30’ squares (30’
latitude by 30’ longitude), or finer. Each 30’ square is approximately 50 x 50 km, and
is identified by the co-ordinates of its centre, as well as by the name of prominent
town, lake etc. lying within it. The boundaries of each square can be identified with
reasonable accuracy even on the Michelin 1:4,000,000 map of NW Africa However,
all data are welcome, even if they can be localised only as referring to, e.g., “the road
between Niamey and Maradi”. To facilitate your work, we can send you copies of a
checklist of bird species reported from Niger, on which the species observed at a
particular site can be ticked, and other details added.

Joost BrouweF & Wim Mullié^
‘ICRISAT Sahelian Centre, B.P. 12404, Niamey, Niger.
Tel. +227 722529, fax 734329, e-mail ICRISATSC@CGNET.COM.
From 15 Dec 94: Dept of Soil Science and Geology, RO. Box 37, 6700 AA
Wageningen, The Netherlands. Tel. (0)8370 84410; fax (0)8370 82419.
'DFPV, B.R 12625, Niamey, Niger.' Tel. +227 732181, fax 732237.

Demande d’informations sur les oiseaux du Niger

En 1988 Giraudoux et al. ont publié Avifaune du Niger: état des connaissances en
1986 {Malimbus 10: 1-140). Depuis la publication de cette liste très utile, les
connaissances sur les oiseaux du Niger se sont beaucoup approfondies. En
collaboration avec TUICN-Niger et le Département de Faune, Pêche et Pisciculture,
nous entreprenons la révision de l’avifaune du Niger. Pour cela nous recherchons
toutes observations et documentation sur les oiseaux au Niger. Aussi demandons-

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Maiimbus 16

nous l’assistance de tous ceux qui pourraient nous aider. Nous recherchons
particulièrement les observations encore non publiées mais des photocopies d’articles
publiés sont également les bienvenues. Dans ce dernier cas, veuillez nous envoyer
soit une photocopie soit la référence bibliographique. Quant aux observations
inédites, nous vous saurions gré de nous donner, si possible, les noms des
observateurs, les coordonnées géographiques, les dates des observations, une
description de l’habitat, les espèces observées et, pour chaque espèce, son degré
d’abondance, son mode de nidification, son habitat préféré et son comportement.
Pour les espèces plus rares, nous aimerons avoir plus de détails. Toute utilisation de
vos observations sera citée dans les publications à paraître.

Nous préférons recevoir des listes d’espèces classées par carré de 30’ (30’ de
latitude par 30’ de longtitude), ou même des surfaces plus réduites. Chaque carré de
30’ mesure approximativement 50 x 50 km, et est identifié par les coordonnées de
son centre et par le nom d’une ville, d’un lac etc., situés dans ce carré. Les limites de
chaque carré se distinguent assez facilement sur la carte Michelin du Nord-Ouest de
l’Afrique au 1:4.000.000. Toutefois, toutes les données seront les bienvenues, même
si on ne peut les localiser que, par exemple, “le long de la route entre Niamey et
Maradi”. Pour faciliter votre travail, nous pouvons vous envoyer la liste des espèces
observées au Niger, sur laquelle vous indiquerez celles que vous avez observées, avec
indication de la localité ainsi que les autres détails demandés.

Joost Brouwer^ & Wim Mullié^
4CR1SAT Sahelian Centre, B. R 12404, Niamey, Niger.

Tel. +227 722529, fax 734329, e-mail ICRISATSC@CGNET.COM.

Du 15 déc 94: Dept. of Soil Science and Geology, P. O. Box 37, 6700 AA
Wageningen, The Netherlands. Tel. (0)8370 84410; fax (0)8370 82419.

'DFPV, B.P. 12625, Niamey, Niger. Tel. +227 732181, fax 732237.

Ornithological society and bird records in Plateau State, Nigeria

An ornithological society is being set up in Plateau State, Nigeria, and is anxious to
secure as many records as possible from previous inhabitants of or visitors to the
state. We should be very grateful if you could send records to the following address.
Any enquiries about the society are also welcome.

Dr Mark Hopkins
TCNN, P.O. Box 64, Bukuru, Plateau State, Nigeria

1994

News & Letters

133

New journal: Advances in Raptor Studies

In February 1995, a new ornithological journal will commence publication. Advances
in Raptor Studies welcomes original contributions pertaining to all aspects of the
biology of birds of prey, including owls. Manuscripts will be accepted in English,
with a complete summary in the author’s language. For further information
(instructions to authors, subscriptions etc.) write to:

The Editor, Advances in Raptor Studies,
Giovanni Leonard! Editore, Via Santangelo Fulci 28, 95127 Catania, Italy.

Funds for conservation projects

BirdLife International and the Fauna and Flora Preservation Society, with support
from British Petroleum, hold an annual competition for conservation exploration
projects. Projects are judged especially on the level of host country involvement and
the global importance of the conservation issues on which the project is focused.
Proposals for 1995 expeditions must be entered no later than 31 December 1994. For
further information, contact:

Michael K. Poulsen

BirdLife International, Wellbrook Court, Girton Road, Cambridge CB3 ONA, U.K.

Tel. +44 (0)223 277318; fax +44 (0)223 277200

134

Malimbus 16

Society Notices

Third Biennial Meeting of the Society

The third biennial meeting, 6-8 May 1994, was held in the Netherlands at the
suggestion of Peter Alexander-Marrack. Arrangements for the meeting, held in
Kampen, a Hanseatic town on the River Ijssel, were made by Jan Nap. The meeting
was attended by 24 members and guests, from the Netherlands, France and Britain.

The General Meeting of the Society was held on Saturday, 7 May. The minutes
are given below.

Dinner on Saturday evening was followed by a presentation by Frans Schepers
and P. Eklelaar of two field studies set up by International Wader and Waterfowl
Research (WIWO) in West Africa, as part of their research programme into the Afro-
Palaearctic migration system. Frans Schepers described a project on waders in the
coastal region of Gabon and Mr Edelaar a research project in irrigated rice-fields in
north Cameroon. It was particularly encouraging to hear of research currently being
carried out in West Africa

In addition to the business of the meeting, members were able to take advantage
of the proximity of the Zwarte Meer reserve and the well known wetlands of
Oostvaardersplassen in Flevoland. Jan Nap had obtained permission for a visit to the
ringing site at Zwarte Meer which is the stronghold of the Great Reed Warbler in the
Netherlands. Indeed, besides excellent views of that bird, Icterine, Savi’s and Reed
Warblers and Reed Bunting were noted in the reed beds. In the surrounding fields
there was a good population of Marsh Harrier, Lapwing and Black-tailed Godwit.
Members were also privileged to be able to visit a breeding colony of Purple Heron
on private farmland.

The meeting ended with a visit on Sunday morning to Oostvaardersplassen.
Despite the rain, members visited several locations in this wetland reserve and were
well rewarded with views of Bluethroat and Spoonbill, and close views from a hide
of over 20 pairs of nesting Avocet, with amongst them a nesting Little Ringed Plover.
Mention must also be made of the large breeding colony of Cormorant and the
interesting display set out at the Oostvaardersplassen Centre.

The Society is most grateful to Mr Schepers and Mr Edelaar for travelling to
Kampen especially to talk about the WIWO projects, and special thanks are due to
Jan Nap for making all the local arrangements and for providing such an interesting
and enjoyable programme of excursions which ensured the success of the meeting.

Amberley Moore

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135

Minutes of the General Meeting of the West African Ornithological Society held
at 15.15 h on Saturday 7 May 1994 at the Olde Brugge Hotel, Kampen, The
Netherlands

Present:

G.J. Morel
R.E. Sharland
M. Germain
A.M. Moore

President

Treasurer

Member of Council
Secretary to the Council

and 10 Members of the Society.

The President welcomed members to the third biennial meeting of the Society. He
particularly thanked Peter Alexander-Marrack (who was unfortunately unable to
attend because of illness), for suggesting that the meeting be held in Holland, and Jan
Nap, for organizing such an excellent programme for the meeting. He also thanked
Mr Schepers and Mr Edelaar for sparing the time to come to speak after dinner.

He regretted that our Vice-President, John El good, had not felt well enough to
travel to Kampen, particularly as he was, with Hilary Fry and Bob Sharland, a
founder of W.A.O.S.

The President felt that the interest of members from Holland, France, U.K. and
Austria in the meeting gives encouragement for the future of the Society. The
purpose of the Society was not only to meet but to promote research, particularly to
encourage young researchers, into the ornithology of West Africa.

1. The Minutes of the General Meeting held at Felixstowe on 16 May 1992, These
had been published in Malimbus 14: 69-71 and were agreed as correct and signed.

2. Financial Report. The Treasurer presented his financial statement showing the
accounts for 1993. It had not been possible to get them audited in time for the
meeting. There was still a surplus in 1993 of £320; this was less than in 1992 because
money had been spent on improving Malimbus.

The proposal of M. Skilleter, seconded by G.D. Field, that subject to audit the
accounts for 1993 should be accepted, was agreed by the meeting.

The Treasurer drew members’ attention to an error in the accounts for 1992
printed in Malimbus, June 1993. The subscription income should read £2739 and not
as printed.

Mr Field said that the surplus for the year was now very low and that annual
increases in printing costs and postal charges will erode it. The possibility of reducing
these costs will be explored. The meeting did not consider it appropriate to raise the
subscription at present but the possibility was considered of a lower subscription for
African members. The Treasurer said that, of the African members, the two in
Nigeria receive their journal free from W.A.O.S. and the subscriptions of the six
African members in Ghana are paid by the R.S.P.B. W.A.O.S. also sends free copies
of Malimbus to West African universities.

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Malimbus 16

The Society is unable to apply for charitable status as it is not constituted within
the U.K. The Treasurer agreed to pursue the possibility of getting a better rate of
interest on the Society’s funds than is presently obtained.

3. Editor’s Report and Malimbus. Mr Field presented the Editor’s Report on behalf of
Dr Tye. It was noted that it would be published in Malimbus [see Malimbus 16:69-70].

Dr Germain, seconded by Mr Field, proposed that the Editor be asked to consider
placing the vernacular name of the species after the scientific name, where the names
appear together in Malimbus, reversing current usage. There was general agreement
with this and the feeling of the meeting would be conveyed to the Editor.

Dr Chappuis asked whether a bibliography of West Africa could be included in
Malimbus. The President said that this is now being prepared by Hilary Fry and it
will be published by Robert Dowsett as a supplement to Tauraco. It was suggested
that a note about its availability could be included in Malimbus.

A review will appear in Malimbus of the Dowsett et al. Afrotropical Checklists.
The President suggested that Devillers’ list of French names of birds, the same as that
used in The Birds of Africa should be used by authors who publish in Malimbus. This
should ensure that authors only use recognized vernacular names.

Dr Skinner said that the Editor had taken cognizance of members’ wishes
expressed in the questionnaire about the content an format of Malimbus.

It was suggested that a slip for payment of subscriptions should be inserted in
Malimbus each year. It was felt that this would simplify the collection of
subscriptions and may bring in new members.

The President expressed his thanks to Dr Tye for his continued excellent
editorship despite the difficulties of communication.

4. Funding of research by W.A.O.S. The Secretary said that, following the
evaluation of the questionnaire, by Dr Skinner and Dr Tye {Malimbus 15: 101-106),
Council has published an invitation for researchers from West Africa, particularly
those doing postgraduate research, for grants of up to £500. Not more than £1000 of
the Society’s funds shall be disbursed in any one year. Additional notices will be
circulated in the next few months.

It was agreed to implement Dr Skinner’s suggestion that a personal approach
should be made to universities in West Africa to see whether they have students there
who might benefit.

Mr Beecroft noted that the surplus funds had diminished over the last two years
and felt care should be taken that the surplus did not become a deficit. The meeting
agreed to his proposal, seconded by Mr Field, that not more than £1000 should be
disbursed in grants before consideration of the matter again at the next biennial
meeting.

5. Biennial Meeting 1996. The Council asked the meeting to consider holding the
next biennial meeting in The Gambia, during the 9th Pan-African Ornithological
Congress, 17-23 October 1996. After discussion, this was accepted in principle by the
meeting.

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137

A circular will be placed in Malimbus outlining the programme and asking
members to register their interest.

It was suggested that the business meeting could be conducted during the week
and the possibility of arranging a joint symposium with other African ornithological
societies during one of the scientific sessions of the Congress will be explored.

6. The Birds of Nigeria. The President read a letter from John El good describing the
progress of a second edition of the B.O.U. Checklist no. 4 since the biennial meeting
in Felixstowe. The revised text is now in proof and it is hoped it will be published
during the summer. It will follow the nomenclature of The Birds of Africa as far as
possible and this edition will include coloured plates. The species list for Nigeria is
now increased to 883.

7. African Bird Club. The meeting noted the formation of the African Bird Club.
Details of the club had been circulated to those attending the meeting.

8. Any other business. Mr Skilleter thanked the Council for the work it had
undertaken on behalf of W.A.O.S. during the past two years.

There was no further business and the meeting closed at 17.00 h.

Amberley Moore

Troisième Assemblée Bisannuelle de la Société

La troisième assemblée bisannuelle eut lieu du 6 au 8 mai 1994 aux Pays-Bas, sur la
suggestion de Peter Alexander-Marrack. La réunion, tenue à Kampen, cité
hanséatique sur le fleuve Ijssel, fut préparée par Jan Nap. Elle fut suivie par 24
adhérents et accompagnateurs, venus des Pays-Bas, de France et de Grande-Bretagne.

L’Assemblée Générale de la Société, dont le compte rendu est donné ci-dessous,
eut lieu le samedi 7 mai.

Le samedi soir, le dîner fut suivi par les exposés de Frans Schepers et P. Edelaar
sur deux missions montées par l’International Wader and Waterfowl Research
(WIWO) en Afrique de l’Ouest, dans le cadre de leur programme de recherches sur le
système migratoire Afro-Paléarctique. Frans Schepers présenta un projet sur les
limicoles dans la zone côtière du Gabon et M. Edelaar une étude sur des rizières
irriguées du nord-Cameroun. Il était particulièrement encourageant d’apprendre que
des recherches sont menées dans l’Ouest Africain.

En dehors de l’ordre du jour de la réunion, les participants pouvaient profiter de
la proximité de la réserve de Zwarte Meer et des célèbres zones humides
d’Oostvaardersplassen en Hevoland. Jan Nap avait obtenu la permission de visiter le
site de baguage de Zwarte Meer, bastion de la Rousserolle turdoïde aux Pays-Bas.
Après avoir très bien vu cette espèce en effet, on nota aussi l’Hypolaïs ictérine, la
Locustelle luscinidfde et le Bruant des roseaux dans les roselières. Dans les champs

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alentour, il y avait une bonne population de Busard harpaye, de Vanneau et de Barge
à queue noire. Les participants eurent aussi la chance de pouvoir observer une colonie
de Héron pourpré sur les terres privées.

La réunion s’acheva avec l’excursion le dimanche matin à Oostvaardersplassen.
Malgré la pluie, les participants visitèrent plusieurs endroits de ces marais en réserve
et eurent la chance d’observer Gorge-bleue et Spatule; une hutte permettait
d’observer de près une vingtaine de paires d’Avocette au nid et, parmi eux, un nid de
Petit Gravelot. N’oublions pas la grande colonie de Grand Cormoran et les
intéressantes vitrines du Centre d ’Oostvaardersplassen.

La Société est très reconnaissante à MM. Schepers et Edelaar d’être venus exprès
à Kampen pour parler des projets du WIWO; elle remercie tout particulièrement Jan
Nap pour les préparatifs sur place et pour son programme d’excursions intéressantes
et agréables qui ont fait le succès de cette réunion.

Amberley Moore

Compte rendu de l’Assemblée Générale de la Société d’ Ornithologie de FOuest
Africain tenue le samedi 7 mai 1994 à 15.15 h au Olde Bru^e Hotel, à Kampen,
Pays-Bas

Etaient présents;

G.J. Morel
R.E. Sharland
M. Germain
A.M. Moore

Président
T résorier

Membre du Conseil

Secrétaire

et 10 Membres de la Société.

Le Président souhaite la bienvenue aux membres de la Société pour la troisième
assemblée bisannuelle. Il tient à remercier Peter Alexander-Marrack
(malheureusement dans l’impossibilité d’assister pour raison de santé) pour avoir
proposé que la réunion ait lieu aux Pays-Bas et Jan Nap pour avoir organisé
l’excellent programme de la réunion. Il remercie aussi MM. Schepers et Edelaar pour
avoir trouvé le temps de venir après dîner faire un exposé.

Il regrette que notre Vice- Président, John El good, ne se soit pas senti capable de
faire le voyage de Kampen, d’autant plus qu’il est, avec Hilary Fry et Bob Sharland,
fondateur de la S.O.O.A.

Le Président estime que l’intérêt dans la réunion de membres des Pays-Bas, de
France, du Royaume-Uni et d’Autriche est encourageante pour l’avenir de la société.
Son but est, non pas seulement de se réunir, mais aussi d’encourager la recherche en
ornithologie ouest-africaine, particulièrement parmi les jeunes chercheurs.

1. Compte rendu de FAssemblée Générale tenue à Felixstowe le 16 mai 1992. II a

1994

Society Notices

139

été publié dans Malimbm 14:69-71 et a été approuvé et signé.

2. Rapport Financier. Le Trésorier présente son relevé financier avec les comptes
pour 1993. Il n*a pas été possible de les soumettre à un audit avant la réunion. Il
restait encore on excédent de £320 en 1993, mais moins qu*en 1992 à cause de frais
consacrés à F amélioration de Malimbm.

La proposition de M. Skilîeter, appuyée par G.D. Field, que, sous réserve de
vérification, les comptes de 1993 soient approuvés, est acceptée par rassemblée.

Le Trésorier attire l’attention des participants sur une erreur dans les comptes de
1992 et publiée dans Malimbus de juin 1993. Le revenu des abonnements est de
£2739 et non comme il est imprimé.

G.D. Field dit que l’excédent de l’année est maintenant très bas et que les
augmentations annuelles des frais d’impression et de poste réduiront ce surplus. On
cherchera s’il est pœsible de diminuer ces frais. L’assemblée ne juge pas opportun
d’augmenter la cotisation pour le moment mais envisage la possibilité de la diminuer
pour les adhérents africains. Le Trésorier observe que, parmi les Africains, les deux
Nigérians reçoivent la revue gratis et que les cotisations des six adhérents africains du
Ghana sont payées par la R.S.P.B.. La S.O.O.A. envoie aussi Malimbus gratuitement
aux universités de FOuest africain.

La société ne peut solliciter le statut de société à but non lucratif du fait qu’elle
n’est pas établie au Royaume-Uni. Le Trésorier continuera de chercher à obtenir un
meilleur taux d’intérêt pour les fonds de la société que celui en cours actuellement.

3. Rapport du Rédacteur. G.D. Field lit le rapport de la Rédaction à la place d’A.
Tye. II est noté qu’il paraîtra dans Malimbm [voir Malîmbus 16: 70-71]. M. Germain,
appuyé par G.D. Field, propose de demander au Rédacteur d’envisager de mettre le
nom vernaculaire de l’espèce après le nom scientifique, lorsque les deux noms sont
donnés ensemble dans Malimbus, à l’inverse de l’usage actuel L’accord est unanime
sur ce point et ce voeu sera transmis au Rédacteur.

C. Chappuis demande si Malimbus pourrait publier une bibliographie de FOuest
africain. Le Président répond que C.H. Fry la prépare et qu’elle paraîtra, comme
supplément, dans Tauraco. On suggère d’insérer dans Malimbus un avis pour
annoncer sa parution.

Malimbus publiera une analyse des Afrotropical Checklists de Dowsett et al Le
Président suggère que les auteurs qui publient dans Malimbus utilisent la liste des
noms français des oiseaux de Devillers, qui est la même que celle suivie par The
Birds of Africa. On serait ainsi assuré que les auteurs n’utiliseraient que les noms
vernaculaires reconnus.

N.J. Skinner dit que le Rédacteur a eu connaissance des desiderata des membres
exprimés dans le questionnaire à propos de la teneur et de la présentation de
Malimbm.

On suggère qu’un bulletin d’abonnement soit glissé dans Malimbus chaque
année; cela pourrait simplifier le recouvrement des cotisations et peut-être nous valoir
de nouveaux adhérents.

140

Society Notices

Mal imbus 16

Le Président adresse ses remerciements à A. Tye qui remplit avec une efficacité
constante son rôle de Rédacteur malgré les difficultés de communication.

4. Financement de recherches par la S.O.O.A. La Secrétaire rappelle que, après
l’analyse du questionnaire préparée par A. Tye et N. J. Skinner {Malimbus 15: 101-
106), le Conseil a fait paraître une offre de bourses d’un montant maximum de £500 à
l’intention des étudiants des universités africaines, particulièrement ceux qui
préparent un diplôme de troisième cycle. La somme prélevée sur les fonds de la
société ne pourra excéder £1000 par an. D’autres annonces paraîtront les mois qui
viennent.

Il est décidé de donner suite à la suggestion de N. J. Skinner de s’adresser
personellement aux universités ouest-africaines pour voir si elles ont des étudiants qui
pourraient profiter des bourses.

R. Beecroft fait observer que notre fonds de réserve a diminué ces deux dernières
années et qu’il faut veiller à ce que le surplus ne tourne pas au déficit. L’assemblée
accepte la suggestion, appuyée par G.D. Field, de ne pas consacrer plus de £1000 aux
bourses avant réexamen du sujet à la prochaine assemblée bisannuelle.

5. Assemblée Bisannuelle de 1996. Le Conseil demande à l’assemblée de donner
son avis sur le projet de réunir la prochaine assemblée bisannuelle en Gambie, au
cours du neuvième Congrès Panafricain d ’Ornithologie, 17-23 octobre 1996. Après
discussion l’assemblée donne son accord de principe.

Une annonce paraîtra dans Malimbus avec le programme et demandera aux
abonnés de faire connaître leur intérêt.

Il est suggéré que l’assemblée elle-même pourrait avoir lieu durant la semaine du
congrès et qu’on devrait essayer d’organiser une réunion commune avec les autres
sociétés ornithologiques africaines pendant l’une des sessions scientifiques.

6. The Birds of Nigeria. Le Président lit une lettre de John El good qui donne l’état
d’avancement de la seconde édition de la B.O.U. Checklist no. 4 depuis l’Assemblée
Bisannuelle de Felixstowe. Le texte définitif en est aux épreuves et devrait paraître
cet été. Il suivra autant que possible la séquence systématique de The Birds of Africa
et comportera des planches en couleurs. Le nombre d’espèces pour le Nigéria s’élève
maintenant à 883.

7. African Bird Club. L’assemblée prend note de la fondation de 1 ’African Bird
Club et peut consulter des dépliants le concernant.

8. Divers. M. Skilleter remercie le Conseil pour ce qu’il a fait dans l’intérêt de la
S.O.O.A. au cours des deux années écoulées.

L’ordre du jour étant épuisé, la séance est levée à 17.00 h.

Amberley Moore

Instructions aux Auteurs

Malimbus publie des Articles, des Notes Courtes, des Analyses d’Ouvrages, des
Informations, des Lettres et des illustrations traitant de Tomithologie ouest-africaine.
Les textes sont acceptés en anglais et en français; la Rédaction pourra aider les
auteurs dont la langue maternelle n’est pas l’une de celles-ci. Les Articles et les Notes
Courtes comprisent des matériaux originaux; ceux déjà publiés ailleurs, en tout ou
partie, seront normalement refusés. Les Notes Courtes sont des articles de moins de
1000 mots (références comprises) ou de deux pages imprimées. Autant que possible,
les manuscrits auront été auparavant soumis au moins à un ornithologue ou biologiste
pour un examen minutieux. Les manuscrits seront envoyés pour critique à au moins
un lecteur compétent.

Les textes des Informations et des Lettres ne devraient pas dépasser 1000 mots.

Les textes soumis seront tapés en deux exemplaires, d’un seul côté de la page,
double interligne et avec larges marges. Les tirages sur imprimante matricielle ne
seront acceptés que s’ils ont la “qualité-courrier”. Les auteurs ne doivent pas envoyer
un double de leur disquette en même temps que l’article qu’ils soumettent, mais sont
priés d’indiquer s’ils peuvent le faire dans le cas où leur article serait accepté. Les
disquettes seront retournées aux auteurs. Consultez l’Editeur pour des détails
supplémentaires, c’est-à-dire les programmes de texte compatibles.

Les Conventions concernant les tableaux, les chiffres, le système métrique, les
références, etc. peuvent être trouvées dans ce numéro et doivent être soigneusement
suivies. Notez en particulier que les dates s’abrègeront comme 2 fév 1990 mais dans
un texte pourront s’écrire en entier; que les heures s’écriront comme 6.45 h, 17.00 h;
que les coordonnées s’écriront comme 7°46’N, 16°4’W; que les nombres Jusqu’à dix
s’écriront en entier, excepté devant une unité de mesure (p. ex. 6 m), que les nombres
à partir de 1 1 s’écriront en chiffres sauf au début d’une phrase. Toute Référence citée
dans l’article, et aucune autre, doit figurer dans la bibliographie.

Les Articles contenant de longues Listes d’espèces seront sous forme de tableaux
(p. ex. Malimbus 12: 39-51, 1: 22-28 ou 1: 49-M) ou sous forme de texte comme
dans Malimbus 12: 19-24, 12: 61-86, 13: 49-66 ou 16: 10-29. La Séquence
systématique et les Noms scientifiques (et de préférence aussi les Noms
vernaculaires) suivront Dowsett & Forbes-Watson (1993, Checklist of Birds of the
Afrotropical and Malagasy Regions, Tauraco Press, Liège) ou The Birds of Africa
(Brown et al. 1982, Urban et al. 1986, Fry et al. 1988, Keith et al. 1992, Academie
Press, London), à moins de donner dans le texte les raisons pour s’écarter de ces
auteurs.

Les Figures doivent être préparées pour une reproduction directe, permettant une
réduction de 20 à 50%; on se servira d’encre de chine sur papier blanc de bonne
qualité ou calque épais et de caractères Letraset (ou équivalent) selon le cas. Les
figures produites par les imprimantes sont rarement de qualité acceptable. Pour le
dessin des Figures, tenir compte du format de Malimbus.

Tous les Articles (mais non les Notes Courtes) comporteront un Résumé,
n’excédant pas 5% de la longeur totale. Le Résumé mentionnera brièvement les
principa.ux résultats et conclusions de l’Article et ne sera pas un simple compte rendu
du travail. Les résumés seront publiés à la fois en anglais et en français et seront
traduits au mieux par la Rédaction.

Vingt Tirés-à-part des Articles (mais non des Notes courtes) seront envoyés
gratis à l’auteur ou à l’auteur principal. Les tirés-à-part ne seront ni agrafés, ni reliés
ou recouverts; ce sont de simples extraits de la revue.

Malimbus 16 (2) November 1994
Contents

Change of Editorial address. 73

Bird records from Liberia.

M.E.J. Gore 74-87

Moult and weight cycles in two species of Lonchura in Ile-Ife, Nigeria.

A. I Akinpelu 88-93

Breeding seasons of three estrildid species in Ile-Ife, Nigeria.

A.I. Akinpelu 94-99

The birds of Yapo Forest, Ivoi^ Coast

R. Demey & L.D.C. Fishpool 100-122

Short Notes

Des pythons mangeurs de canards. B. Tréca 123-124

Com Bunting Emberiza calandra in Mauritania and West Africa.

S. J. Farnsworth 124-125

Corrigendum

Oiseaux nouveaux pour la République Centrafricaine ou dont les

notifications de ce pays sont peu nombreuses. M. Germain 125

Book Reviews 126-129

News & Letters 130-133

Society Notices 134-140

MAUMBUS

Journal of the West African Ornithological Society
Revue de la Société d’Omithologie de l’Ouest Africain

VOLUME 17 Number 1
ISSN 0331-3689

May 1995

West African Ornithological Society
Société d’Ornithologie de l’Ouest Africain

Council 1995:

President: Dr Gérard J. Morel
Vice-president: John H. El good

Treasurer and Membership Secretary: Robert E. Shari and
Member of Council: Dr Max Germain
Secretary to Council: Mrs Amberley Moore
Managing Editor: Dr Alan Tye

Editorial Board: P.W.P. Browne, Dr P. Cotton, Dr G.J. Morel, H. Tye, Dr R.
Wilkinson

Malimbus distribution: G.D. Field

Correspondence should be addressed as follows:

- to the Managing Editor (2 School Lane, Kings Ripton, Huntingdon, Cambs
PE17 2NL, U.K.) regarding contributions to Malimbus, including incidental
photographs or line drawings;

- to the Treasurer (1 Fisher’s Heron, East Mills, Fordingbridge, Hants SP6 2JR,
U.K.) regarding subscriptions, financial matters and back numbers;

- to the Secretary (1 Uppingham Road, Oakham, Rutland LE15 6JB, U.K.)
regarding applications for W.A.O.S. Research Grants;

- to the President (1 Route de Sallenelles, 14860 Bréville-les-Monts, France)
regarding policy matters.

The Society grew out of the Nigerian Ornithologists’ Society, which was founded in
1964. Its object is to promote scientific interest in the birds of West Africa and to
further the region’s ornithology, mainly by means of its journal Malimbus (formerly
the Bulletin of the Nigerian Ornithologists' Society).

Applications for membership are welcomed. Annual membership subscriptions are
£10.00 for Ordinary Members (individuals) and £25.00 for Corporate Members
(libraries and other organisations). Payments may be made in £ Sterling to the
Treasurer, or in French Francs to the President. Ordinary Members receive Malimbus
by surface mail and Corporate Members by air mail, free of charge. Extra charges are
required for airmail dispatch to Ordinary Members (enquire of the Treasurer for rates).

Back Numbers: Vols 11-14 (197S78) of the Bulletin of the Nigerian Ornithologists'
Society (the same format as Malimbus) are available at £2 per issue (£4 per volume)
or £15 a set. Malimbus Vols 1-9 are available at £3 per issue (£6 per volume) and
Vol. 10 onwards at £5 per issue (£10 per volume). A full set of Malimbus Vols 1-16
may be purchased at the reduced price of £110. Postage and packing are free. Please
enclose payment with your order, which should be addressed to the Treasurer.

W.A.O.S. Research Grants: guidelines for applications may be found in Volume
15(2) of Malimbus and can be obtained from the Secretary to Council (address above).

1995

1

Change of Editorial Address

As of 30 May 1995, I shall be leaving Tanzania and the new address for all editorial
correspondence, including manuscript submissions, will be:

Dr Alan Tye
2 School Lane
King’s Ripton
Huntingdon
Cambs PE17 2NL
U.K.

Changement d’Adresse de la Redaction

A partir du 30 mai 1995, je quitterai le Tanzanie et la nouvelle adresse pour tout
courrier destiné à la rédaction, y compris les soumissions de manuscrits, sera:

Dr Alan Tye
2 School Lane
King’s Ripton
Huntingdon
Cambs PE17 2NL
U.K.

Vues de la Mauritanie: Adrar - Views of Mauritania: Adrar
Bruno Lamarche

2

Malimbus 17

Bird observations in Kaédi and Foum Gleïta,
southern Mauritania

by S.J. Farnsworth

Hammerkop, Frogmill, Hurley, Maidenhead, Berks SL6 5NL, U.K.

Received 3 February 1992
Revised 16 May 1994

Summary

An irrigation project adjacent to the Gorgol Noir River in southern
Mauritania, completed in 1985, transformed an arid area into a much more
verdant habitat. Bird observations from the project area and the nearby town
of Kaédi in 1985 are presented, which demonstrate a possible new site for
many waterbirds, including several range extensions.

Résumé

Un projet d’irrigation attenant au cours du Gorgol Noir, sud mauritanien, et
achevé en 1985, a transformé un endroit aride en un habitat beaucoup plus
verdoyant. L’article présente les observations d’avifaune sur cet
aménagement et dans la cité voisine de Kaédi en 1985, ce qui permet
d’envisager un nouveau site pour une nombreuse sauvagine et une extension
d’habitat pour plusieurs espèces.

Study Area and Methods

I visited southern Mauritania from 24 February to 7 March and 20 March to 1 1 April
1985. Most of my work was carried out on the Gorgol Noir irrigation project
(16°9’N, 12°43’W) near the village of Foum Gleïta on the western side of the Massif
de I’Assaba The project is adjacent to the Gorgol Noir River about 35 km upstream
of the confluence with the Gorgol Blanc River and some 80 km east of Kaédi and 20
km north-west of Mbout (see Fig. 1). During my visits it did not rain, although
several violent dust storms occurred. Shade temperatures in the day rose to a
maximum of about 50°C, niglit temperatures were sometimes as high as 32°C.

The irrigation project consists of a dam across a narrow rocky gorge through
which the Gorgol Noir used to flow seasonally and which has now created a

1995

Birds of Kaédi and Foum Gleïta

3

Figure 1. Map of study area.

permanent reservoir upstream, where previously only occasional seasonal flooding
had taken place. Water from the new reservoir is conveyed downstream by surface
earth canals over a distance of some 15 km, for distribution to irrigated fields. In
1985, the fully irrigated area covered 600 ha, preparatory work having also been
completed for a further 2000 ha Initial trials were being carried out on the efficiency
of growing maize, sorghum, carrots and tomatoes.

Prior to the project, the terrain was generally arid, apart from the occasional
seasonal flow in the Gorgol Noir, discharging into the Gorgol Blanc and eventually
into the Senegal River at Kaédi. The completed part of the project area had been
transformed by 1985 into a much more verdant habitat. In addition to irrigation,
occasional releases of excess water are made from the canals onto lower ground, thus
creating some small, shallow, marshy lakes. The recent change from an arid to a more
verdant habitat is considered likely to influence bird species using the project area.
Comments from colleagues, familiar with the original habitat, indicated that
waterbirds were previously infrequent there.

During my visits I noted the presence of bird species, without carrying out precise
counts.

4

S.J. Farnsworth

Malimbus 17

Results

My observations are listed in Table 1 for the town of Kaédi, just north of the Senegal
River (16°rN, 13°30’W), and Table 2 for the irrigation project area near Foum
Gleïta. Only two species (Abyssinian Roller Coracias abyssinica and Hoopoe Upupa
epops) were recorded in both locations.

Table 1. Birds observed at Kaédi.

Speckled Pigeon Columba guinea
Mourning Dove Streptopelia decipiens
Vinaceous Dove S. vinacea
Blue-naped Mousebird Urocolius macrourus
Abyssinian Roller Coracias abyssinica
Hoopoe Upupa epops
Mosque Swallow Hirundo senegalensis
Pied Crow Corvus albus

Blue-eared Glossy Starling Lamprotornis chalybaeus
Long-tailed Glossy Starling L. caudatus
Grey-headed Sparrow Passer griseus
Vitelline Masked Weaver Ploceus velatus
Red- billed Fi refinch Lagonosticta sene gala

The Kaédi data are presented because little appears to have been published
specifically for the area, although Lamarche (1988) indicates that more than ten
ornithological visits have been made to the half-degree square encompassing the
town.

The Foum Gleïta data are of interest not only because Lamarche (1988) indicated
that the half-degree square encompassing the project had been little studied
omithologically but also because of the recent change in habitat. At Foum Gleïta, the
Black Wood-Hoopoes and the Chestnut- backed Finch-Larks were in groups of
maximum size 1 1 and five respectively; the Gabar Goshawk was a single bird seen
over the reservoir.

Table 2. Birds observed in the Gorgol Noir irrigation project area (Foum
Gleïta).

1 Waterbird species, within range indicated by Lamarche (1988) but possibly a new site.

2 Non- waterbird species, within range indicated by Lamarche (1988) and probably
little influenced by the changed habitat.

3 Probable range extension, as interpreted from Lamarche (1988).

1995

Birds of Kaédi and Foum Gleïta

5

Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis 1

White Pelican Pelecanus onocrotalus 1

Squacco Heron Ardeola ralloides 3

Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis ' 2

Little Egret Egretta garzeita 3

Great White Egret E. alba 3

Grey Heron Ardea cinerea 1

Hamerkop Scopus umbretta 1

Yellow- billed Stork Mycteria ibis 3

Spoonbill Platalea leucorodia 1

Fulvous Whistling Duck Anas acuta 3

Pintail Anas acuta 2

Garganey A. querquedula 1

Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus 2

Pallid Harrier C. macrourus 3

Gabar Goshawk Melierax gabar 3

Kestrel Falco tinnunculus 2

Black- winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus 3

Senegal Thick-knee Burhinus senegalensis 2

Common Pratincole Glareola pratincola 2

Little Ringed Plover Charadrius dubius 1

Spur- winged Plover Vanellus spinosus 1

Common Snipe Gallinago gallinago 1

Spotted Redshank Tringa erythropus 3

Greenshank T. nebularis 3

Wood Sandpiper T. glareola 3

Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos 1

Little Stint Calidris minuta 1

Ruff Philomachus pugnax 1

Chestnut- bel lied Sandgrouse Pterocles exustu. 2

Pied Kingfisher Ceryle rudis 3

Blue-cheeked Bee-eater Merops superciliosus 3

Abyssinian Roller Coracias abyssinica 2

Black Wood-Hoopoe Phoeniculus aterrimus 2

Hoopoe Upupa epops 2

Red-billed Hornbill Tockus erythrorhynchus 3

Grey Hornbill T. nasutus 2

Sand Martin Riparia riparia 2

Chestnut- backed Finch-Lark Eremopterix leucotis 2

Black Scrub Robin Cercotrichas podobe 2

Great Grey Shrike Lanius excubitor 2

Chestnut- bel lied Starling Spreo pulcher 2

6

SJ. Farnsworth

Malimbus 17

Acknowledgments

I thank A. Tye, P.W.P. Browne and G.J. Morel for constructive comments on an
earlier draft of this note and Mrs H. Tye for assistancé with the map.

Reference

Lamarche, B. (1988) Liste commentée des oiseaux de Mauritanie. Etud. Sahariennes
Ouesî-Afr. 1(4). Association des Naturalistes Sahariens et Ouest-Africains,
N ouakchott/Pari s.

Vues de la Mauritanie: Adrar - Views of Mauritania: Adrar
Bruno Lamarche

1995

7

Birds of the Rio Del Rey estuary, Cameroon

by Jane Thomas

Publications Department, College of Forestry, Oregon State University,
Corvallis, Oregon 97331, USA

Received 28 December 1991
Revised 7 June 1994

Summary

During nine 80-km river censuses from December 1978 to May 1979 and in
July 1983, plus other observation periods, 68 water-related bird species were
recorded in Cameroon’s Rio del Rey estuary. Numbers of species and
individuals were greatest during the dry season, when Palaearctic and
regional migrants were present. Avocets Recurvirostra avosetta were seen in
January and February, and a flock of up to 500 Lesser Flamingos
Phoeniconaias minor was seen on five different occasions (December- May).

Résumé

Au cours de neuf parcours fluviaux de 80 km, de décembre 1978 à mai 1979
et en juillet 1983, complétés par d’autres observations, nous avons noté dans
l’estuaire du Rio del Rey au Cameroun 68 espèces d’oiseaux liées au milieu
aquatique. C’est durant la saison sèche que le nombre d’espèces et
d’individus étaient au maximum, tandis que les migrateurs paléarctiques et
régionaux étaient présents. Des Avocettes Recurvirostra avosetta furent
observées en janvier et février et un vol comptant jusqu’à 500 Petits Flamants
Phoeniconaias minor fut vu à cinq reprises différentes, de décembre à mai.

Introduction

The Rio del Rey estuary is a large area (several thousand km^) of creeks and
mangrove swamps between the Cross River in Nigeria and Mt Cameroon. Until a
new road was completed in 1985, travelling by river boat through these channels and
up the Ndian River was the only way to reach the town of Mundemba and what is
now the Korup National Park. Several observers have mentioned individual bird
species seen in the Rio del Rey (Serle 1950, 1954, 1965, Louette 1981), and a draft

8

J. Thomas

Mal imbus 17

4°30' N

eP39' E

RIO DEL REY ESTUARY
CAMEROON

River census survey route
Mangroves
^ Towns

-^w,. - Roads

International boundary

I 20 km I

Ekondo Titi

Idenao

Figure 1. The Rio del Rey estuary, Cameroon, showing the census route. Inset:
location within Africa and Cameroon.

1995

Birds of Rio del Rey

9

management plan for the Korup National Park (Gartlan undated) listed birds found in
the general vicinity. Tye (1987) has suggested that the estuary may be of international
importance as a wintering site for Palaearctic waders. However, no one has written
specifically about the Rio del Rey area.

In 1978 and 1979 I travelled frequently to Mundemba; on eight of those river
trips and on one trip in 1983 I recorded birds seen from the boat. The route from
Ekondo Titi to Mundemba was approximately 80 km (Fig. 1), and the journey usually
lasted about eight hours.

Study Area and Methods

Numerous creeks and channels flow through the mangrove swamps of the Rio del
Rey estuary, joining to form broad channels such as the one known as “Big Belly”,
which has extensive mudflats at low tide (Fig. 1). Upstream from the mangroves, the
river is bordered by mixed mangroves and forest (shown as mangroves in Fig. 1) and
finally by primary rain forest. The river is tidal up to Mundemba; above that point, it
borders the Korup National Park and is fast-flowing and seasonally very variable in
volume (Thomas 1991).

The climate is warm and humid, with a high annual rainfall that ranges from 6203
mm at Mundemba to 8623 mm at Idenao, 50 km south of the study area (Fig. 2).
December to February is the driest part of the year, and June to October the wettest.

Month

Figure 2. Precipitation at Idenao, 50 km south of the study area, and at
Mundemba (Ndian Plantation), based on data from Griffiths (1972) for a period
of 10-11 years.

10

J. Thomas

Malimbus 17

I attempted to record all bird species seen on each trip, and on some trips I tried
to count every bird. However, several factors limited these observations. The boat
kept to the centre of the channel; therefore many smaller birds were undoubtedly
under-represented (Anthreptes gabonensis and Fraseria cinerascens, in particular;
English names may be found in the Appendix). Similarly, birds swimming under
overhanging vegetation (e.g. Pteronetta hartlaubii and Podica senegalensis) may
have been missed at times.

Observations were sometimes irregular or inconsistent; during wet-season trips
when few birds were present, I sometimes rested for parts of the afternoon. The
different times and tidal conditions also affected the species and numbers of birds
recorded. Birds were censused only during December to July, although on one
August trip I noted that there were “not many birds”.

Results and Discussion

Total species and numbers

The Appendix shows the 58 bird species identified during the nine river censuses,
plus ten other species recorded during other river trips ôr from shore, for a total of 68.
Only birds typically found near water or at the forest edge are included here; forest
species such as bulbuls are excluded (but see Thomas 1991).

The censuses in the Appendix are organized by month rather than year. Total
numbers of species ranged from a high of 44 on 13 February to a low of six in July.
Similarly, total bird counts varied. On 13 February I counted at least 307 individual
birds (excluding over 500 flamingos). Eleven days later the number was 115, and in
July the count was only 28 individuals.

Numbers of both resident nd migrant species increased as the dry season
progressed, to the 13 February maximum (Fig. 3). During the much lower count on
24 February (14 species), many of the usual forest edge species were missed because
the boat passed the forest late in the day; in addition, the tide was high in the
mangroves, and several sandbar/mudbank and other species were absent (Appendix,
Fig. 3). Numbers were again fairly low for the April trip, when the boat passed the
mangroves at night (18 species, mostly forest edge residents). On 2 May there were
very few birds present (8 species seen), but I had malaria and probably missed some
of the few that were there.

By the last two trips the weather was dull and grey, typical of the wet season, and
few birds were present - 16 species on 25 May (mostly residents) and six on 5 July,
when the tide in the mangroves was relatively high. All of the July birds were of
resident species except one Ardea melanocephala which, according to Louette
(1981), should be in southern Cameroon “at the peak of the dry season only”.
However, I have also seen this species on the Sanaga River southeast of Douala in
July 1978.

Number of species

1995

Birds of Rio del Rey

11

Date/Trip number

Figure 3. Total numbers of species seen during each census, plus numbers of
resident species, Palaearctic and intra-African migrants, and species found
primarily on sandbars or mudflats. Some species are included in more than one
status category (Appendix), so numbers of resident, Palaearctic, and intra-
African species often add up to more than the total species numbers. Many of
the sandbar/mudflat species are also counted as migrants.

The numbers of resident, Palaearctic, and regional migrant species all changed
with the seasons (Fig. 3). The fact that both resident and intra-African counts varied
so dramatically suggests that the line between these categories is not distinct; in very
wet parts of Africa even “resident” birds may make local movements.

Palaearctic waders

Six migrant wader species were identified during the censuses. They were most
abundant during January and February; however, Numenius phaeopus and Tringa
nebularia were first seen in December, and Actitis hypoleucos was present from
December to April.

12

J. Thomas

Malimbus 17

The large numbers of Recurvirostra avoseîta seen during January and February
are of interest. Urban et al. (1986) shovy this species occurring only in the far north of
Cameroon: Lx)uette (1981) mentions just one record for the coast. The birds recorded
here were all on the mudflats near Big Belly; similarly, Hilary Tye (pers. comm.) saw
five R. avoseîta on a mudflat at the northern end of Big Belly in February 1984.

Tye (1987) has suggested that the Bight of Biafra may be a stopping place for
waders migrating along the Atlantic coast to over-winter in Namibia. Most of the
waders in this study were seen during the middle of the dry season (January-
February) and therefore were unlikely to have travelled farther south. However, other
birds may have passed earlier in the season. There were no March censuses, and in
April and May very few migrants were seen.

Other seasonal variation

Other species present only during the drier part of the year included Ardea cinerea,
which may be either a Palaearctic or a regional migrant (Louette 1981), and A.
goliath, for which Louette gives only dry-season records in Cameroon; he believes it
must nest outside the country. According to Brown et al. (1982), Ciconia episcopus
(seen December-February) avoids the rains in wetter areas, and Louette (1981)
reports few Cameroon observations during the rainy season. Brown et al. (1982)
report that Threskiornis aethiopica, also seen December-February, moves farther
north to breed during the rains. Serle (1965) noted it during November 1941 in the
Rio del Rey.

A large flock of Phoeniconaias minor (up to 500 birds or more) was seen at Big
Belly on five occasions. Although Louette (1981) lists this species as a “rare visitor to
Cameroon”, and mentions 2000 birds in the Rio del Rey in February-March of 1932,
it appears that the Big Belly flamingos are often present; it would be interesting to
know where these birds breed. Western Cameroon is the eastern extremity of the
range for the West African population of this nomadic species (Brown et al. 1982).

References

Brown, L.H., Urban, E.K. & Newman, K. (1982) The Birds of Africa, vol. 1.
Academic Press, London.

Gartlan, J.S. (undated) The Korup Regional Management Plan (Draft). Publication
25-106 of the Wisconsin Regional Primate Center, Madison, Wisconsin.
Griffiths, J.F. (ed.) (1972) Climates of Africa. World Survey of Climatology, vol.
10, Elsevier, New York.

Louhtte, M. (1981) The birds of Cameroon. An annotated checklist. Verhandl. Kon.

Acad. Wetensh. Lett. Schone Kunst. Belg. 43: 1-163.

Serle, W. (1950) A contribution to the ornithology of the British Cameroons. Ibis
92: 343-376, 602-638.

1995

Birds of Rio del Rey

13

Serle, W. (1954) A second contribution to the ornithology of the British Cameroons.
Ibis 96: 47-80.

Serle, W. (1965) A third contribution to the ornithology of the British Cameroons.
Ibis 107: 60-94, 230-246.

Thomas, J.M. (1991) Birds of the Korup National Park, Cameroon. Malimbus 13: 11-23
Tye, a. (1987) Identifying the major wintering grounds of Palaearctic waders along
the Atlantic coast of Africa, from marine charts. Wader Study Group Bull. 49: 20-
27; 50: 17.

Urban, E.K., Fry, CH. & Keith, S. (1986) The Birds of Africa, vol. 2. Academic
Press, London.

River Eagle - Aigle pêcheur - Haliaeetus vocifer
Photo: Michael Gore

Numbers of birds censused during nine river journeys through the Rio del Rey estuary, Cameroon,

Dec-May 1978-79 and July 1983.

14

J. Thomas

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Malimbus 17

Key to trips

Observation zone: Mae = mangroves and mudflats; For = forested river.
Tide: H = high; M = medium; L = low; H-M = high, falling to medium, etc.).

Date 2 Dec 1978 12 Dec 1978 4 Jan 1979 13 Feb 1979 24 Feb 1979

Zone Man For For Man Man For For Man Man For

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Tide ? ? H-M M H M-L H M-L M-H M

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1995

Birds of Rio del Rey

15

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16

J. Thomas

Malimbus 17

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1995

Birds of Rio del Rey

17

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1995

19

Observations on nesting and associated behaviour
of the Shrike Flycatcher Megabyas flammulatus
in Tai National Park, Ivory Coast

by C Ryall* & J.J. StoorvogeP

‘D.E.M., Famborough College, Boundary Road, Farnborough,
Hants GU14 6SB, UK.

^Apartado 211, 7210 Guapiles, Costa Rica

Received 21 May 1993
Revised 10 December 1994

Summary

A nest, incubation and associated behaviour of a pair of Shrike Flycatchers
Megabyas flammulatus and one accompanying male are described. Two calls
and two display types were noted, one of each being previously undescribed.

Résumé

L’article décrit le nid, la couvaison et le comportement qui s’y rapporte d’une
paire de Bias écorcheurs Megabyas flammulatus, accompagnée d’un mâle.
Deux cris et deux types de parades ont été notés: l’un des cris et l’une des
parades n’avaient pas encore été décrits.

Introduction

The Shrike Rycatcher Megabyas flammulatus is a moderately common species in
primary and secondary forest of West Africa, from Sierra Leone to Gabon and Bioko
(Fernando Po), and in Central Africa (Mackworth-Praed & Grant 1973, Allport et al.
1989), but little is known of its ecology or nesting behaviour.

As part of an ICBP survey of primary forest birds in Tai National Park, Ivory
Coast, a study of canopy bird parties was carried out from tree platforms situated
between 30 and 40 m from the ground. This permitted observations, over the period
28 December 1990 to 15 January 1991, of the behaviour of a pair of Shrike
Rycatchers which had constructed a nest on a bough about 6 m from one of the
platforms.

20

C. Ryall & J. J. Stoorvogel

Malimbus 17

Results

Nest Structure

The nest was found on 12 December 1990, during its construction by a pair of Shrike
Flycatchers. It was situated in the upper canopy of a Klainodexa tree, 35-40 m above
the ground, and positioned on a horizontal, 5 cm diameter branch, at a fork. The
branch was leafless, so the nest was completely exposed. It was a raised cup of
approximately 4 cm diameter and 1.5 cm height, composed mainly of flakes of bark
and lichen, apparently bound together and attached to the branch with cobwebs. Since
it was not possible to see into the nest, neither eggs nor chicks could be seen.

Behavioural observations

Observations of behaviour were started on 28 December, by which time the nest had
been completed, eggs laid and incubation begun. The observer was partially obscured
while on the platform and was 6 m from the nest. Though there may have been some
wariness initially, the birds quickly became habituated, as on several occasions
incubating birds remained on the nest as the observer climbed up to the platform.

Observations were made on 28 and 31 December 1990, 4, 8, 12 and 15 January
1991. Early on 28 December, birds attending the nest appeared wary of the observer
but later and on subsequent days did not leave the nest at the arrival or departure of
an observer. Initial signs of unease on the first day of observations included restless
moving about the canopy with much sideways tail-wagging, and characteristic
chuick-chuick calls; both sexes behaved in this way.

At least three birds attended the nest, two males and one female, although nest
change-overs were always between a male and female, so there is no evidence that
more than one male took part in incubating the eggs or feeding young. A second male
was seen in the vicinity of the nest on several occasions when another male was
incubating. When two males were present near the nest, they often interacted. Twice,
two males appeared simultaneously or nearly so, one began incubating while the
other remained within 50 cm of the nest; there was much interactive calling {chuick-
chuick) combined with a dipping or nodding display by the non-incubating male, in
which the head and upper body were repeatedly tilted downwards briefly towards the
other bird. On one such occasion, the second male remained near the nest for 15 min.;
on the other, the incubating male left the nest and drove the second male away, to a
distance of 3 m. On 31 December, two males (one incubating) and a female were
seen together near the nest, all giving dipping displays with both call types. The
female replaced the incubating male, which departed and began foraging with the
second male.

On arrival to incubate, a male or female either began incubating without display
or gave a dipping and tail-wagging display, with chuick-chuick calls or an insect-like
rasping trill prrrt, whether or not another bird was present (Table 1). Once, an
arriving female gave a brittle chip-chip call.

1995

Nesting of Shrike Flycatcher

21

Table 1. Arrival behaviour before commencing incubation. The female was
never seen to arrive in the absence of other birds.

Other bird nearby

No other bird nearby

Male arrived

Gave display

2

5

Gave little or no display

2

2

Female arrived

Gave display

3

Gave little or no display

3

Incubating birds sometimes left the nest unattended (eight occasions) and were
sometimes replaced within a few seconds (seven occasions). Once, a departing male
gave the prrrt call, although no other bird was nearby. Once, a male left the nest to
join another male, which greeted it with the prrrt call; both then departed but the
female immediately arrived and settled on the nest, without display. Once, the female
sat on the nest, with a male nearby, when a troop of Diana Monkeys Cercopithecus
diana passed close by.

On 15 January, both male and female made brief visits (^ 2 min.) to the nest,
during which they appeared to feed chicks. That day, they rarely left the nest
unattended for more than 2 min..

The relative proportion of time spent by the male and female in incubation
changed dramatically during the study. On 28 December, the male occupied the nest
for about 12 times more time than the female; by 8 January, this ratio had reduced to
about 2.5 and subsequently the female had a similar or a greater role than its mate.

Discussion

Mackworth-Praed & Grant (1973) described M. flammulatus as occurring in
secondary forest, and Grimes (1987) found them to be “not uncommon” in
undergrowth and the middle layer of mature and secondary forest. At Tai Forest we
encountered them in small foraging parties in mid-storey as well as canopy of
primary forest. This concurs with earlier observations in Ivory Coast (Thiollay 1971)
and in Gola Forest, Sierra Leone (Allport et al. 1989).

In NE Gabon, Erard (1987) recorded M. flammulatus occurring at 18-36 m in
canopy and emergent trees of gallery forest and 12-15 m in secondary growth. The
nest described here was situated at 35-40 m in the upper canopy of primary forest and
the breeding birds ^parently foraged nearby. Restriction of nesting to forest canopy
may account for the paucity of previous reports on nesting in this species.

22

C. Ryall & J.J. Stoorvogel

Malimbus 17

The nest closely resembled that described by Mackworth-Praed & Grant (1960),
though they later suggested that this and their earlier description of habits probably
related to the Black and White Flycatcher Bias musicus. Our observations also
correspond closely with the recent description by Halleux (1994) of a M.flammulatus
nest in Guinea. However, nest-building behaviour, eggs, clutch size and hatching
success remain unknown. Likewise, uncertainty in the laying date prevents
determination of the incubation period. However, eggs were laid in mid to late
December. Birds were found in breeding condition during October on nearby Mt
Nimba (Colston & Curry-Lindahl 1986).

Brosset & Erard (1986) described the social unit in this species as not a pair but
rather two adult males often accompanied by a juvenile or, more often, an adult
female. In the present case, two males and a female were frequently present near the
nest. Both males were in full adult plumage. However, the fact that an incubating
male was never replaced by another male suggests that only one male and the female
incubated the eggs.

The second male moved within 25 cm of the nest on 28 December but was driven
off on 31 December, perhaps indicating increasing intolerance on the part of the
incubating male. On 4 January the second male never approached closer than 10 m
from the nest and from 8 January, the second male was never seen in the vicinity.

There is, therefore, circumstantial evidence that the second male did not incubate
the eggs or feed chicks. Halleux (1994) stated that both male and female incubated,
but he would likewise have been unable to determine the involvement of additional
adults.

Erard (1990) found evidence that the third adult commonly accompanying
breeding pairs of Sooty Hycatcher Muscicapa infuscata may not have participated in
nest building or incubation but only in defence of the territory. In the Forest
Rycatcher Fraseria ocreata, however, Erard (1990) found that such supernumerary
adults participated in all nesting activities except incubation. Similar social
arrangements also appear commonplace in some Malimbus spp. (Brosset & Erard
1986).

The apparent change in incubation proportions by male and female may have
been caused at least in part by a differential response to disturbance: C. Erard (pers.
comm.) has observed that, in Gabon, males of various forest species are less shy than
females. Alternatively, the female could have been foraging more to replenish food
reserves, just after egg laying.

Mackworth-Praed & Grant (1973) described the calls of the West African race M.
f. flammulatus as a musical chuick and Bannerman (1951) a tuwick call. These are
presumably the bisyllabic chuick-chuick noted here as made by both sexes.
Mackworth-Praed & Grant (1973) also note the female as making a churring note.
This may be analogous to the prrrt recorded in our study, although this was uttered
by both sexes. A brittle chip-chip call emitted once by the female in our study has no
counterpart in other descriptions.

1995

Nesting of Shrike Flycatcher

23

Calls were almost always accompanied by one of two displays - side to side tail-
wagging and dipping ™ occasionally in combination but often independently.
Bannerman (1951) described similar slow wagging of the tail. However, dipping does,
not appear to have been recorded previously and may be specific to the nesting

context.

Both sexes indulged in the two main call types and the two forms of display.
There was, however, some indication that the male dipped more frequently and more
vehemently but with less tail-wagging than the female. No clear pattern can be
discerned with respect to the circumstances in which each type of call or display was

used.

Acknowledgments

We are particularly indebted to Mary E. Gartshore and Gary Allport of BirdLife
International for facilitating the Tai Forest study. Thanks are also due to Christian
Erard, Humphrey Crick and Lincoln Fishpool for their invaluable comments on the
draft paper, and to Mick Green, Ian Francis and Nicky Penfold for their support in
this study.

References

Allport, G., Ausden, M., Hayman, P.V. & Wood, P. (1989) The Conservation of
the Birds of Gola Forest, Sierra Leone. Study Rep. 38, International Council for
Bird Preservation, Cambridge.

Bannerman, D.A. (1951) The Birds of Tropical West Africa, vol. 8. Crown Agents,
London.

Brosset, a. & Erard, C. (1986) Les Oiseaux des Régions Forestières du Nord-Est
du Gabon, vol. 1: Ecologie et comportement des espèces. Société Nationale de
Protection de la Nature, Paris.

Colston, RR. & Curry -Lindahl, K. (1986) The Birds of Mount Nimba, Liberia.

British Museum (Natural History), London.

Erard, C. (1987) Ecologie et comportement des gobe-mouches (Aves:
Muscicapinae, Platysteirinae, Monarchinae) du nord-est du Gabon. Vol. 1:
Morphologie des espèces et organisation du peuplement. Mém. Mus. Nat. Hist.
Nat. Sér. A, 138.

Erard, C. (1990) Ecologie et comportement des gobe-mouches (Aves:
Muscicapinae, Platysteirinae, Monarchinae) du nord-est du Gabon. Vol. 2:
Organisation sociale et écologie de la reproduction des Muscicapinae. Mém. Mus.
Nat. Hist. Nat. Sér. A, 146.

24

C. Ryall & J. J. Stoorvogel

Malimbus 17

Grimes, L.G. (1987) The Birds of Ghana. Checklist 9, British Ornithologists’ Union,
London.

Halleux, D. (1994) Annotated bird list of Macenta Prefecture, Guinea Malimbus
16: 10-29.

Mackworth-Praed, C.W. & Grant, C.H.B. (1960) Birds of Eastern and North
Eastern Africa, vol. 2. Longmans, London.

Mackworth-Praed, C.W. & Grant, C.H.B. (1973) Birds of West Central and
Western Africa, vol. 2. Longmans, London.

Thiollay, J.M. (1971) L’avifaune de la région de Lamto (Moyenne Côte d’Ivoire).
Ann. Univ. Abidjan, sér. E. Ecologie, 4: 7-132.

Egyptian Vulture - Vautour percnoptère - Neophron percnopterus
Photo: Michael Gore

1995

25

Vues de la Mauritanie “ Views of Mauritania: Pointe d^Iwik, Banc d^Arguin

Bruno Lamarche

26

Malimbus 17

Short Notes

The Common Gull Larus canus in Senegal

On 10 January 1994 at St-Louis-du- Sénégal, we saw a first- winter Common Gull
Larus canus, a species that we know well from its Eurasian breeding and wintering
grounds, one of us having particularly studied its biology (Triplet & Etienne 1986,
Triplet 1994). What was probably the same bird was resighted at the same place on
18 January, together with another first-winter individual and one adult of the same
species. They were resting on a ruined pier in the company of three Mediterranean
Gulls L. melanocephalus, at least 14 Audouin’s Gulls L. audouinii (including eight
with Spanish rings), and tens of Grey-headed L. cirrocephalus. Black-headed L.
ridibundus and Slender-billed Gulls L. genei, thus allowing useful comparison of size
and mantle colour. Both the adult and one of the immature birds were typical, with
their gently rounded head with a dark iris and thin bill, mantle almost as dark as that
of Grey-headed Gulls, and the tips of the tertiaries forming a very large white
crescent, points which separate the Common Gull from the rather similar Ring- billed
Gull L. delawarensis (Grant 1986). The second immature was somewhat larger and
heavier, and showed a thin tertiary crescent. It had a dark mantle and a thin bill,
however, and close observation showed that the apparent lack of white on the
tertiaries was due to very heavy wear, the tips of these feathers being abraded about 1
cm, with the shafts projecting.

The Common Gull was given as a vagrant to Senegambia by Urban et al (1986),
without detail or reference. This could refer to a single adult observed on 25
September 1984 in The Gambia, where a first-winter bird was thereafter seen on 4
January 1986 (Gore 1990) or to the two records of single birds, claimed from Dakar
without date and description (Milon, quoted by Heim de Balzac & Mayaud 1962),
which were not retained by Morel & Morel (1990). Our observations thus appear to
constitute the first documented records of Common Gull in Senegal.

References

Gore, M.E.J. (1990) Birds of The Gambia, 2nd ed.. Checklist 3, British
Ornithologists’ Union, Tring.

Grant, RJ. (1986) Gulls: a Guide to Identification, 2nd ed.. Poyser, Calton.

Heim de Balzac, H. & Mayaud, M. (1962) Oiseaux du Nord-Ouest de l’Afrique.
Lechevalier, Paris.

Morel, G.J. & Morel, M.-Y. (1990) Les Oiseaux de Sénégambie. ORSTOM, Paris.
Triplet, P. (1994) Kleptoparasitisme du Goéland cendré Larus canus sur l’Huîtrier-
pie Haematopus ostralegus consommateur de coques Cerastoderma edule,
adaptations comportementales. Alauda 62: 113-122.

1995

Short Notes

27

Triplet, P. & Etienne, P. (1986) Le kleptoparasitisme du Goéland cendré Larus
canus s\xv Haematopus osîralegus. Oiseau Rev. jr. Orn. 56: 376-378.

Urban, E.K., Fry, CH. & Keith, S. (1986) The Birds of Africa, vol. 2. Academie

Press, London.

Received 22 March 1994
Revised 10 November 1994

Pierre Yésou & Patrick Triplet
Office National de la Chasse, CNERA Avifaune Migratrice,
53 rue Russeil, F-44000 Nantes, France

Comportement “rapace” d’un Drongo brillant Dicrurus adsimilis

Il est connu que le Drongo brillant Dicrurus adsimilis peut tenir sa proie (un insecte
le plus souvent) avec une patte, pendant qu’il la décortique et la mange, à la façon
d’un faucon (Chapin 1954, McLachlan & Liversidge 1958). Chapin (1954) cite même
un Drongo brillant effectuant un court vol avec un gros papillon de nuit dans une
patte. Cependant, le comportement que M. Sakho et moi -même avons observé près de
Ziguinchor (Casamance, Sud Sénégal) le 10 juillet 1994 ne semble pas avoir été
décrit: il s’agit de la chasse et de la capture en vol, par les pattes, d’un papillon de
nuit d’une envergure d’environ 8 cm.

L’oiseau, à partir du perchoir où il se tenait, a fondu sur sa proie qui volait. Le
papillon a fait un écart mais s’est retrouvé face au mur d’une maison et le Drongo a
pu facilement le saisir à l’aide de ses pattes (apparemment les deux pattes). Puis
l’oiseau est parti se poser dans un arbre. Il a alors pris le papillon dans son bec et est
allé se percher dans un autre arbre où il a décortiqué et mangé sa proie en s’aidant à
nouveau d’une de ses pattes pour la maintenir.

Habituellement, le Drongo capture ses proies à la façon d’un gobe-mouches ou
d’un guêpier (Clancey 1964), c’est à dire avec son bec. Il semble donc pouvoir
utiliser aussi ses pattes, probablement lorsque la proie est grosse.

Bibliographie

Chapin, J.P. (1954) The birds of the Belgian Congo, Part 4. Bull. Am. Mus. Nat. Hist.
75B: 1-847.

Clancey, P.A. (1964) The Birds of Natal and Zululand. Oliver & Boyd, Edinburgh.
McLachlan, G.R. & Liversidge, R. (1958) Roberts' Birds of South Africa. Trustees
of the South African Bird Book Fund, Cape Town.

Reçu 31 octobre 1994

Bernard Tréca
ORSTOM, B.P. 1386, Dakar, Sénégal

28

Short Notes

Maiimbus 17

Black- throated Apalis Apalis jacksoni, a new bird for Gabon

On 19 August 1993, I saw two small warblers high in the canopy of a patch of
primary forest, along the roadside on route N4, about 1 km west of Bokaboka,
Ogooué-Ivindo province, Gabon (c. 0°58’N, 13°45’E). I recognised them as Black-
throated Apalis Apalis jacksoni, a species with which I am familiar from East Africa.
My companions, N. Gardner, A. Hatfield, B. Reed and R. Webb, all agreed with the
identification. The male showed a jet black head and throat with a broad white
moustachial stripe, bright yellow underparts and olive-green upperparts with white
edges to the secondaries and tertials; its graduated tail was black with small white
tips. The female was similar but duller, with a greyish head and throat. The
combination of yellow underparts, white edges to the inner remiges and broad
moustachial stripe eliminated the superficially similar Masked Apalis A. binotata,
which is known to occur in the area.

Black-throated Apalis is not listed for Gabon by Dowsett (1993) and this would
appear to be the first record for the country. The occurrence of this species in Gabon
is not altogether surprising as birds of the nominate race jacksoni have been obtained
from the Dja River area, Cameroon (Louette 1981) and the species has recently been
recorded in the Odzala National Park, Congo (R.J. Dowsett in Hit.).

References

Dowsett, R.J. (1993) Afrotropical avifaunas: annotated country checklists. Pp. 1-322
in Dowsett, R.J. & Dowsett-Lemaire, F. (eds), A contribution to the Taxonomy of
Afrotropical and Malagasy Birds. Tauraco Res. Rep. 5, Tauraco Press, liège.
Louette, M. (1981) The Birds of Cameroon. An Annotated Checklist. Verhandl.
Kon. Acad. Wetensh. Lett. Schone Kunst. Belg. 43: 1-163.

Received 16 November 1994 Iain Robertson

Laurelbank, Exnaboe, Virkie, Shetland ZE3 9JS, U.K.

Description des oeufs et du nid de la Prinia aquatique Priniafluviatilis

Ce n’est qu’en 1974 que Chappuis proposa de scinder Prinia subflava en deux
espèces: la Prinia aquatique P. fluviatilis et la Prinia modeste P. subflava, sur la base
de différences d’habitat, de morphologie et de vocalisations (Chappuis 1974), mais
les deux espèces ont seulement été décrites quelques années plus tard (Chappuis et al.
1989, 1993).

Les observations sur la nidification de Prinia subflava (c’est-à-dire ûq fluviatilis
et de subflava confondus) sont nombreuses mais il est quasiment impossible de savoir

1995

Short Notes

29

de quelle espèce il s’agit (p. ex. Bannerman 1939, Jensen & Kirkeby 1989). En effet,
on peut rencontrer les deux espèces à peu de distance l’une de l’autre, fluviatilis dans
la végétation riveraine et subflava dans la steppe arbustive aride.

Il restait ainsi à décrire les nids et les oeufs. Nous disposons de deux sources de
données, celles de R. de N. et celles de G.J.M., toutes deux obtenues sur le bas
Sénégal, en des points distants d’environ 80 km à vol d’oiseau. Naurois (1969) écrit:
^'Attachés à l’extrémité des feuilles pendantes, une dizaine de nids sont découverts le
13 septembre, de distance en distance, sur moins d’un kilomètre de longueur: 3 ou 4
sont abandonnés, 1 est en construction; les 5 autres contiennent une fois un oeuf,
deux fois 2 oeufs (pontes incomplètes), deux fois 4 oeufs. Lors de la visite suivante,
le 21 novembre, les oiseaux auront déjà abandonné ces nids.” Ceux-ci sont fort
habilement sertis à mi-hauteur (comptée à partir du plan d’eau) des joncs, presque
invisibles en raison de la compacité de ces touffes. Plusieurs nids furent collectés.
Malheureusement, le colis expédié vers la France fut perdu. Ils étaient tout à fait
semblables^ aux nids de la Cisticole des joncs Cisticola juncidis en forme de poche,
faite de fines herbes flexibles, assez profonds pour que les balancements provoqués
par le vent ne puissent pas projeter les poussins hors du nid (Fig. 1). Les parois
étaient assez épaisses aux parties inférieures pour assurer l’étanchéité et la résistance
aux déchirements, très minces et à claire-voie aux parties supérieures, où il n’y a pas
de “bord” défini, mais seulement les pointements irréguliers formés par les plus

Figure 1. Croquis du nid de Prinia fluviatilis^ découvert sur le bas Sénégal, par
R. de N.. A gauche, le nid en coupe.

Pontes collectées par R. de N. (de 1961 à 1963) dans la partie nord du delta du
Sénégal, le long du marigot de Tiallakt, en deux points peu éloignés l’un de l’autre,
soit 15 oeufs. Ces oeufs sont d’un bleu uni, assez intense et légèrement luisant, sans

30

Short Notes

Malimbus 17

tache. Le plus grand mesure 16,0 x 11,5 mm et les plus petits 13,75 x 11,2 et 14,1 x
10,0; moyenne 14,6 x 11,1.

Une autre ponte (de 3 oeufs) a été collectée par G.J.M., près de Richard-Toll, le
29 septembre 1961, au bord d’un canal d’irrigation de rizières: 15,19 x 11,06, 15,61 x
11,19, 15,44 X 11,33; moyenne 15,41 x 11,19. Ces oeufs étaient bleu assez foncé. Le
nid était tissé à l’intérieur et au sommet de plusieurs tiges d’herbes aquatiques
{Scirpus sp.). Les oeufs de cette ponte sont, par leurs dimensions et leur couleur, tout
à fait comparables à ceux trouvés par R. de N..

Certes, comme les oiseaux, dont les pontes sont décrites dans cette note, n’ont pas
été examinés en mains, on peut objecter que leur identification n’est pas irréfutable.
Toutefois, la situation même des nids, tout près de l’eau, voire au-dessus, semble
exclure qu’il puisse s’agir de P. subflava.

. Trois autres pontes collectées en Guinée Bissau, près de Cacine (ITN, 15°W), en
terrain marécageux, par R. de N. (et alors attribuées à P. subflava) semblent bien
appartenir à P. fluviatilis: les oeufs sont de la même couleur bleu, sans tache, et les
dimensions semblables des pontes du Sénégal. Ces dernières données permettent de
suggérer que l’aire de répartition de P.fluviatilis atteint au sud le ITN.

La description que font les auteurs des oeufs de P. subflava (au sens ancien du
nom) est remarquable: “very variable; pale turquoise- blue, unmarked or stippled or
spotted or blotched with light red-brown; others white so finely stippled all over as to
appear uniform shaded salmon colour, or sprinkled with sharp red-brown spots”
(Lynes in Bannerman 1939); “as variable as those of any bird known” (Mackworth-
Praed & Grant 1973). Bien que les oeufs de certains autres Sylviidés (p. ex. les
Cisticoles Cisticola spp.) montrent autant de variabilité, ce n’est pas ce que nous
avons trouvé au Sénégal, en deux localités différentes, pour P. fluviatilis. Il est
vraisemblable que les nombreuses pontes décrites par les auteurs anciens
comprenaient celles des deux espèces, ce qui contribuait à la variabilité.

Malheureusement, les nombreuses descriptions d’oeufs ne sont jamais
accompagnées d’une description précise de la végétation et du milieu où la ponte a
été collectée, si bien qu’il est quasiment impossible de savoir de quelle espèce il peut
s’agir (Shuel 1938 a, b).

Toutefois, comme les oeufs de P. fluviatilis, collectés en deux localités
différentes au Sénégal, sont d’un bleu, nous suggérons que les oeufs tachetés, tels que
ceux décrits par Lynes {in Bannerman 1939) ou Shuel (1938b, avec planche de deux
types différents d’oeufs tachetés de P. subflava) pour le nord du Nigéria, seraient
ceux de P. subflava, sensu stricto. La couleur des oeufs constituerait alors un critère
de distinction de plus entre les deux espèces de Prinia. Nous laissons à nos collègues
le soin de vérifier cette hypothèse sur le terrain.

Nous remercions la Western Foundation of Vertebrate Zoology, Camarillo,
California, qui possède la collection R.D. Etchécopar, d’avoir bien voulu mesurer
pour nous les oeufs de la ponte de G.J.M..

1995

Short Notes

31

Bibliographie

Bannerman, D.A. (1939) The Birds of Tropical West Africa, vol. 5. Oliver & Boyd,
London.

Chappuis, C. (1974) Illustration sonore de problèmes bioacoustiques posés par les
oiseaux de la zone éthiopienne. Alauda 42: 467-500.

Chappuis, C, Érard, C. & Morel, G.J. (1989) Type specimens of Prinia subflava
(Gmelin) and Prinia fluviatilis Chappuis. Bull. Brit. Orn. Club 109: 108-110.

Chappuis, C., Érard, C. & Morel, G.J. (1993) Morphology, habitat, vocalizations
and distribution of the River Prinia Prinia fluviatilis Chappuis. Proc. 7 Pan-Afr.
Orn. Congr.: 481-487.

Jensen, J.V. & Kirkeby, J. (1980) The Birds of The Gambia. Aros Nature Guides,
Ârhus.

Mackworth-Praed, C.W. & Grant, C.H.B. (1973) Birds of West-Central and
Western Africa, vol. 2. Longman, London.

Naurois, R. de (1969) Peuplements et cycles de reproduction des oiseaux de la côte
occidentale d’Afrique. Mém. Mus. Nat. Hist. Nat., n. sér., sér. A, Zool. 56: 1-312.

Shuel, R. (1938a) Notes on the breeding habits of birds near Zaria, northern Nigeria
Description of their nests and eggs. Ibis (14)2: 230-244.

Shuel, R. (1938b) Further notes on the eggs and nesting habits of birds in northern
Nigeria (Kano Province). Ibis (14)2: 463-480.

Reçu 18 novembre 1994 René de Naurois^ & Gérard J. MoreP

Revu 15 février 1995 ^8 allée des Daims, 91800 Brunoy, France

route de Sallenelles, 14860 Bréville-les-Monts, France

Mallard Anas platyrhynchos in Nigeria

On 5 December 1993, I visited Dagona Waterfowl Sanctuary, Hadejia-Nguru
Wetlands, northern Nigeria (12°45’N, 10°35’E). About 10,000 Palaearctic ducks were
present on the lake, mainly Pintail Anas acuta and Garganey A. querquedula. Among
the main flock of about 4000 Pintail was a single male Mallard A. platyrhynchos. It
was in pristine breeding plumage and showed no sign of any plumage aberrations,
such as are seen on almost all captive “Mallards” in northern Nigeria, many of which
appear to be hybrids of some description. This, combined with the fact that it was part
of a large flock of wild Palaearctic ducks, strongly suggests that the bird was of wild
origin.

Brown et al. (1982) describe the Mallard as a vagrant to West Africa, and this
bird is accepted by El good et al. (1994) as the first substantiated record for Nigeria.

32

Short Notes

Malimbus 17

References

Brown, L.H., Urban, E.K. & Newman, K. (1982) The Birds of Africa, vol. 1.
Academie Press, London.

Elgood, J.H., Heigham, J.B., Moore, A.M., Nason, A.M., Sharland, R.E. &
Skinner, N. J. (1994) The Birds of Nigeria, 2nd ed.. Check-list 4, British
Ornithologists’ Union, Tring.

Received 23 December 1994 Igor Debski

Old Millfield, Alresford Road, Wivenhoe, Essex C07 9JU, U.K.

Egyptian Goose - Oie d’Egypte - Alopochen aegyptUicus
Photo: Michael Gore

1995

33

Book Review

Crows and Jays. A guide to the crows, jays and magpies of the world.

By S. Madge & H. Bum, 1994. 192 + xxiii pp., 30 colour plates. Christopher Helm,
London. ISBN 0-7136-3999-7. Hardback £25.95.

This book’s emphasis is on identification, not biology; displays, calls, habitat etc. are
only given insofar as they aid identification. Even breeding data are included because
they are “often useful when comparing similar species”. Despite this, much
interesting biological information is summarized, but this is not a monograph:
Goodwin’s Crows of the World (1986, British Museum (Natural History), London) is
not superseded. The book’s W. African interest is comparatively limited. Corvid
diversity is greatest in Central and S. America, and in S.E. Asia; Africa is relatively
poor, and W. Africa has only four species of the world’s 120-odd: the Piapiac
Ptilostomus (spelt Ptilosomus in about half of its occurrences in the book) afer, Pied
Crow Corvus albus and two ravens. Like all bird books these days, this one draws
attention to conservation aspects, listing threatened species and discussing threats and
the action required to avert them.

Hilary Burn’s illustrations are super and the layout and conventions used are
sensible {e.g. vernacular names, amount of detail in descriptions). In places, however,
the idiosyncratic English constructions and paucity of punctuation marks cause
irritating hesitation in the flow: those split-seconds required to work out the exact
meaning. Even a cursory reading reveals lots of typographic slips, some of which
could be misleading {e.g. Chough Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax is not found in “Las
Palmas” (on Gran Canaria) but on the island of La Palma. There are other factual
errors {e.g. Piapiac eats not oil-palm “seeds” but the pericarp of the fruit).

So what is the market for this book? The style is that of previous Helm guides
{e.g. the well-used Shorebirds by Hayman, Marchant & Prater, 1986), but without the
raison d'être. The wader- watcher seriously needs Shorebirds, but hardly anyone will
need this book for crow identification (although it would serve the purpose
excellently) because the corvids are dealt with adequately by most regional field
guides; few people would want to carry an extra book around the world for such a
small group of comparatively easy species. Neither is it aimed at crow biologists. One
must therefore conclude that it is primarily for the collector (of books, not crows), of
which there are obviously enough these days to support such a project.

Alan Tye

34

Malimbus 17

Society Notices

Au sujet des articles en anglais par des francophones; un avis personnel
du Président

Je constate que plusieurs notes et articles, rédigés en anglais par des auteurs de langue
française, sont régulièrement publiés dans Malimbus. Or, la S.O.O.A. a été fondée, à
l’initiative de nos collègues britanniques, non seulement pour unir les efforts et les
moyens du plus grande nombre d’ornithologues de l’Ouest africain mais aussi pour
permettre à chacun de s’exprimer dans une des deux langues dominantes de la sous-
région, l’anglais et le français. Chacun, nous l’espérons, aura pu remarquer que notre
société a le souci de rester bilingue: la grande majorité de nos collègues anglophones
le comprend et l’accepte.

Je n’ignore pas que, pour les besoins de leur, carrière, les ornithologues
francophones doivent publier l’essentiel de leurs travaux dans une revue de classe
“A” et en anglais, mais cela ne doit pas les empêcher de publier en français dans une
revue, telle que Malimbus, où le bilinguisme est de règle. Quant à la diffusion des
résultats, elle sera la même que les articles soient en anglais ou en français. Mais les
articles en français auront sans doute une plus large audience s’ils sont destinées à un
pays francophone.

C’est d’ailleurs, à mon sens, une question de courtoisie de la part des
ornithologues européens envers les pays où ils ont été admis à exercer une recherche
sur l’avi faune.

G.J. Morel

Note de la Rédaction. Sans être opposée à l ’opinion exprimé ci-dessus, la politique
de la Rédaction restera d’accepter de tout auteur les articles dans l’une ou l’autre
langue.

English and French language papers by francophone authors: a
personal view from the President

I note that many articles published in Malimbus are written in English by
francophone authors. W.A.O.S. was founded, on the initiative of our British
colleagues, not only to combine the efforts and resources of the maximum number of
West African ornithologists, but also to enable use of either of the two major
languages of the region, English or French. Everyone, I hope, will have remarked that
our Society is concerned to remain bilingual; the gréât majority of our anglophone
colleagues understand and accept that aim.

1995

Society Notices

35

I realise that, for the purposes of career advancement, francophone ornithologists
must publish the bulk of their work in first=class, English-language journals, but that
should not prevent their publishing in French in a journal such as Malimbus, where
both languages are acceptable. Here, the language used has no bearing on the
circulation of their results, and articles destined for francophone countries would
doubtless have a wider readership if written in French. Besides, for European authors,
I feel that there is a question of courtesy to the country where one has been permitted
to carry out one’s research.

G.J. Morel

Editor^s note. While not disagreeing with the above, editorial policy will remain to
accept papers in either language from any author.

Guidelines for avifaunal papers in MaUmbus ^

Malimbus publishes many articles comprising regional or national species lists. There
is no suggestion that this should not continue, for such lists play an important role:
they are used for reference by amateurs and travellers, they constitute the raw data for
regional bird atlases, and they provide information for conservation planning. These
lists are of greatest use if they are easy to digest and analyse, but submitted
manuscripts do not always match this criterion (as those who edit them are well
aware!). Some mss. contain no map or gazetteer and their content of other
information varies greatly (indication or not of migratory status, indication of
abundance or density etc.). Such variation renders the work of the Editorial Board
unnecessarily difficult and reduces the ultimate usefulness of the data. Accordingly,
the following guidelines have been developed; they should be followed as closely as
possible by potential authors of avifaunal papers.

1. Localities. Every such paper must contain either a map showing all localities
mentioned or a gazetteer giving geographical coordinates, or both. A map should
always have a border and scale, and the border should bear latitude and longitude
marks. It would be helpful if the map could show degree squares or half-degree
squares (= quarter square-degrees), according to the scale, but beware of curved lines
of latitude or longitude on many projections. Note that maps produced by computer
printers are rarely of a quality acceptable for publication.

2. Background. The paper should contain brief notes on climate, topography,
vegetation types and zones. It would also be helpful to state (particularly for lists
compiled during brief visits) the climatic conditions and state of the vegetation during
the study, and any unusual events during or preceding the observations (abnormally

36

Society Notices

Mal imbus 17

long, short, early, late, light or heavy rains, drought, light or heavy floods, fires,
locust swarms etc.).

3. Results: the species list. Lists should include only significant information. Full
lists are justified only if they deal with areas formerly completely unstudied or not
visited for many years, during which the area changed substantially. Rather than
repeating data by submitting complete lists of observations during a trip, species
should only be included if your observations provide new information on range,
period of residence, breeding, etc. If you have substantial other biological
information (ecology, voice, behaviour, etc.), then the data are probably better
presented in some form other than a species list.

Where possible, indicate the following for each species: migratory status
(resident, Palaearctic migrant, intra-African migrant etc.) and period of residence but
only where known {e.g. do not simply assume residence for normally-resident
species); species not previously recorded for the region, or range extensions, with a
summary of previously-known range or nearest populations; an assessment of
abundance, as follows (approximating the system used by The Birds of Africa: Brown
et al. 1982, Urban et al. 1986, Fry et al. 1988, Keith et al. 1992 et seq., Academie
Press, London):

>100 may be seen or heard in suitable habitat per day
1 1-100 may be seen or heard in suitable habitat per day
1-10 may be seen or heard in suitable habitat per day
often seen but not every day
several records per year
one record per several years (resident species)
one record per several years (non-residents).

For species with few records (uncommon, rare, vagrant), each record may be listed
individually, with precise dates.

Breeding records should be dated as precisely as possible, so that they may be
extrapolated to month of laying; present the original observations (e.g. “newly-
fledged young 10 March”; “11 out of 15 trapped females with stage 3 brood patches
1-14 June”) rather than the extrapolation. Extrapolated data should only be used in
separate analyses of breeding seasons for a population or avifauna.

Where appropriate, briefly compare observations of each species with an
authoritative pre-existing regional checklist, to set new data in context.

The results section may be in tabular format (as in Malimbus 12: 39-51, 1: 22-28,
or 1: 49-54) for data which may be so abbreviated; for longer species accounts,
textual format may be used {e.g. Malimbus 12: 19-24, 12: 61-86, 13: 49-66, 16: 10-
29).

Very abundant (VA)
Abundant (A)
Common (C)
Frequent (F)
Uncommon (U)

Rare (R)

Vagrant (V)

The taxonomic sequence and scientific names should follow Dowsett, R.J. &
Forbes-Watson, A. (1993) Checklist of Birds of the Afrotropical and Malagasy
Regions (Tauraco Press, Liège) or The Birds of Africa, unless reasons for departure
from these authorities are stated in the article; the only such reason normally accepted

1995

Society Notices

37

is conformity with a previous authoritative checklist for the region. These works are
also preferred sources for vernacular names, but other vernacular names widely
current within West Africa may be accepted. In lists, present the scientific name
before the vernacular, and use only vernacular names of the language of the article.

G.J. Morel & A. Tye

Presentation des articles d’avifaune pour Malimbus

Malimbus publie beaucoup de listes régionales ou nationales d’avifaune. Il y a tout
lieu de penser que cela continuera, car ces listes jouent un rôle important: elles sont
utilisées par les amateurs et les touristes comme documents de référence et
constituent les données brutes qui permettront d’établir les atlas régionaux et aideront
à faire des plans pour la conservation. Ces listes ne sont vraiment utiles que si elles
sont faciles à consulter et à analyser. Ce n’est pas toujours le cas actuellement (et
ceux qui les révisent en savent quelque chose!). Certains manuscrits ne comportent ni
carte ni répertoire de localités et les autres informations qu’ils fournissent sont fort
variables (indication ou non du statut migratoire, de l’abondance ou de la densité
etc.). Cette absence d’homogénéité rend le travail de l’équipe de rédaction
inutilement laborieux et nuit à l’utilisation ultérieure des données. Nous avons donc
établi les normes de présentation suivantes que les auteurs d’études d’avifaune
suivront dans toute la mesure du possible.

1. Localités. Chaque liste devra fournir soit une carte donnant toutes les localités
citées ou un répertoire avec les coordonnées géographiques soit les deux à la fois.
Toute carte devra avoir un cadre et une échelle et le cadre porter les indications de
latitude et de longitude. Il est préférable que la carte soit découpée en degrés carrés
ou en demi-degrés (= quarts de degrés carrés), suivant l’échelle, mais se méfier des
lignes courbes des latitudes ou longitudes sur de nombreuses projections. Noter que
les cartes produites par les imprimantes sont rarement de la qualité requise pour la
publication.

2. Cadre de Fétude. L’article comportera des indications succintes sur le climat, la
topographie, le type et les zones de végétation. Il serait également utile de préciser
(en particulier pour les listes établies au cours de brefs séjours) les conditions
climatiques et l’état de la végétation durant l’étude ainsi que tout événement
inhabituel survenu avant ou pendant les observations (pluies anormalement longues,
courtes, précoces, tardives, faibles ou violentes, sécheresse, crues faibles ou fortes,
feux, vols de criquets etc.).

3. Résultats: la liste des espèces. Les listes ne fourniront que des données
importantes. Les listes complètes se justifient seulement si elles traitent de régions
encore totalement inexplorées ou non visitées pendant de nombreuses années au
cours desquelles la région aurait changé considérablement. Plutôt que de répéter des
données en proposant des listes complètes obtenues au cours d’une voyage, veuillez

38

Society Notices

Malimbus 17

ne citer que les espèces sur lesquelles vous avez des éléments nouveaux: répartition,
période de séjour, reproduction etc. Si vous avez un certain nombre d’autres données
biologiques (écologie, voix, comportement etc.) vos données seront probablement
mieux présentées sous une forme autre qu’une liste d’espèces.

Autant que possible, indiquer pour chaque espèce: le statut migratoire (résident,
migrateur paléarctique, migrateur afrotropical etc.) et la durée de séjour, mais
seulement là où elle est connue (p. ex. ne pas affirmer qu’une espèce est résidente
sous prétexte qu’elle est connue normalement comme telle); les espèces nouvelles
pour la région ou les extensions d’aire, ainsi qu’un bref historique de la distribution
des populations les plus proches; une estimation de l’abondance, comme suit (d’après
les normes suivies par The Birds of Africa: Brown et al. 1982, Urban et al. 1986, Fry
e? al. 1988, Keith et al. 1992 et seq., Academie Press, London):

Très abondant (TA) >100 peuvent être vus ou entendus dans l’habitat adéquat
chaque jour

Abondant (A) 11-100 peuvent être vus ou entendus dans l’habitat

adéquat chaque jour

Commun (C) 1-10 peuvent être vus ou entendus dans l’habitat adéquat

chaque jour

Fréquent (F) vus souvent mais pas chaque jour

Pas commun (PC) plusieurs observations par an

Rare (R) une observation sur plusieurs années (espèces résidentes)

Erratique (E) une observation sur plusieurs années (espèces non
résidentes).

Pour les espèces peu observées (pas communs, rares, erratiques), chaque observation
peut être signalée avec les dates précises.

Veuillez dater les dbnnéès sur la reproduction avec toute la précision possible de
façon à pouvoir extrapoler le mois de la ponte; donner les observations originales (p.
ex. “jeunes nouvellement envolés, 10 mars’’; “11 sur 15 femelles capturées avec
plaque incubatrice au stade 3, 1-14 juin”) plutôt que la date de ponte extrapolée.
N’utiliser les données extrapolées que pour les analyses séparées de saisons de
reproduction pour une population ou une avifaune.

S’il y a lieu, afin de placer les nouvelles données dans leur contexte, comparer
succintement les observations de chaque espèce avec celles d’une liste régionale déjà
publiée qui fait autorité.

Les Résultats peuvent être présentés sous forme de tableau (comme dans
Malimbus 12: 39-51, 1: 22-28 ou 1: 49-54) si les données peuvent être ainsi
condensées ou, pour les listes d’espèces plus longues, sous forme de texte (p. ex.
Malimbus 12: 19-24, 12: 61-86, 13: 49-66, 16: 10-29).

On suivra la séquence systématique et les noms scientifiques de Dowsett, R.J. &
Forbes- Watson, A. (1993) Checklist of Birds of the Afrotropical and Malagasy
Regions (Tauraco Press, Liège) ou bien de The Birds of Africa, à moins de donner la
raison de s’en écarter; la seule raison normalement retenue est celle de garder la

1995

Society Notices

39

séquence d’une importante liste régionale déjà publiée. Ces ouvrages sont aussi les
sources privilégiées des noms vernaculaires, mais on peut utiliser d’autres noms
vernaculaires d’usage courant en Afrique de l’Ouest. Dans les listes, placer le nom
scientifique avant le nom vernaculaire et n’utiliser que les noms vernaculaires de la
langue de l’article.

G. J. Morel & A. Tye

Blue-naped Mousebird ~ Coliou huppé - Urocolius macrourus
Photo: Michael Gore

40

Society Notices

Mal imbus 17

West African Ornithological Society
Revenue Account for the year ended 31 December 1994

Income

1993

Subscriptions

£3073

£2825

Sales of back numbers

422

124

Bird Fair

-

32

Interest received

232

73

£3727

£3054

Expenditure

Printing and publication

£3133

£2097

Postage

581

565

Conference

9

-

Surplus for year

4

392

£3727

£3054

Balance Sheet as at 31 December 1994

Assets

Building society balance

£3006

£4226

Bank balance

1447

323

Debtors

235

-

£4688

£4549

Liabilities

Subscriptions in advance

425

290

£4263

£4259

Accumulated funds

Balance at 1 January

£4259

£3867

Surplus for year

4

392

£4263

£4259

R.E. Sharland
Hon. Treasurer

Instructions to Authors

Malimbus publishes Papers, Short Notes, Reviews, News and Letters, and illustrative
material covering the field of West African ornithology. Written contributions are
accepted in English or French; editorial assistance will be made available to authors
whose first language is not one of these. Papers and Short Notes cover original
contributions: material published elsewhere, in whole or in part, will not normally be
accepted. Short Notes are articles not exceeding 1000 words (including references) or
two printed pages in length. Wherever possible, manuscripts should first have been
submitted to at least one ornithologist or biologist for critical scrutiny. Manuscripts
will be sent for critical review to at least one relevant authority.

Items for News and Letters should not exceed 1000 words.

Contributions, of which two copies are required, should be typed on one side of
the paper, with double spacing and wide margins. Dot-matrix printouts will only be
accepted if they are of “near-letter” quality. Authors should not send a diskette copy
with their initial submission, but are requested to indicate whether they can do so if
their paper is accepted. Diskettes will be returned to authors. Consult the editor for
further details, e.g. for acceptable word processing programs.

Conventions regarding tabular material, numbers, metric units, references, etc.
may be found in this issue and should be adhered to carefully. Note particularly the
following: dates should be in the form 2 Feb 1990 but months standing alone in text
may be written in full; times of day are written 6.45 h, 17.32 h; coordinates are
written in the form T 46’N, 16°4’E; numbers up to ten are written in full, except when
followed by abbreviated units {e.g. 6 m), numbers from 11 upwards are written in
figures except at the beginning of a sentence. All References mentioned in the
article, and only such, must be entered in the bibliography.

Avifaunal articles must contain a map or gazetteer, including all localities
mentioned. They should include brief notes on climate, topography, vegetation, and
conditions or unusual events prior to or during the study (e.g. late rains etc). Species
lists should include only significant information; full lists are justified only for areas
previously unstudied or unvisited for many years. Otherwise, include only species for
which the study provides new information on range, period of residence, breeding
etc. For each species, indicate migratory status, period of residence (as shown by the
study), range extensions, an assessment of abundance {Malimbus 17: 36) and dated
breeding records. Where appropriate, set data in context by brief comparison with an
authoritative region2il checkJist. Lengthy species lists should be in tabular form {e.g.
Malimbus 12: 39-51, 1: 22-28, or 1: 49-54) or of the textual format of recent issues
{e.g. Malimbus 12: 19-24, 12: 61-86, 13: 49-66, 16: 10-29). The taxonomic sequence
and scientific names (and preferably also vernacular names) should follow Dowsett
& Forbes-Watson (1993, Checklist of Birds of the Afrotropical and Malagasy
Regions, Tauraco Press, Liège) or The Birds of Africa (Brown et al. 1982, Urban et
al. 1986 and Fry et al. 1988, Keith et al. 1992, Academie Press, London), unless
reasons for departure from these authorities are stated. A more complete guide for
authors of avifaunal papers, including the preferred abundance scale, appeared in
Malimbus 17: 35-39. A copy may be obtained from the Editor, who will be happy to
advise on the presentation of specific studies.

Figures should be prepared as for final reproduction, allowing for 20-50%
reduction, using indian ink on good quality white paper or heavy tracing, and
adhesive transfer lettering as appropriate. Diagrams produced by a computer printer
are rarely of acceptable quality. When designing Figures, pay attention to the page-
shape of Malimbus.

All Papers (but not Short Notes) should include a Summary, not exceeding 5%
of the paper’s length. The Summary should include brief reference to major findings
of the paper and not simply review what was done. Summaries will be published in
both English and French and will be translated as appropriate by the Editorial Board.

Twenty Offprints of Papers (but not of Short Notes) will be sent to single or
senior authors, gratis. Offprints will not be stapled, bound, or covered; they are
merely cut from copies of the journal.

Malimbus 17 (1) May 1995
Contents

Change of Editorial Address 1

Bird observations in Kaédi and Foum Gleïta, southern Mauritania.

S.J. Farnsworth 2-6

Birds of the Rio del Rey estuary, Cameroon.

J. Thomas 7-18

Observations on nesting and associated behaviour of the Shrike Flycatcher
Megabyas flammulatus in Tai National Park, Ivory Coast

C. Ryall & J. J. Stoorvogel 19-24

Short Notes

The Common Gull Lams conus in Senegal. P. Yésou & P. Triplet 26-27

Comportement “rapace” d’un Drongo brillant Dicrurus (Similis.

B. Tréca 27

Black-throated Âpalis Apalis jacksoni^ a new bird for Gabon.

I. Robertson 28

Description des oeufs et du nid de la Prinia aquatique Prinia fluviatilis.

R. de Naurois & G.J. Morel 28-31

Mallard Anas platyrhynchos in Nigeria. I Debski 31-32

Book Review 33

Society Notices

34-40

MALIMBUS

IL
71
2^1
/>(/ ;

Journal of the West African Ornithological Society
Revue de la Société d’Ornithologie de TOuest Africain

VOLUME 17 Number 2
ISSN 0331-3689

December 1995

West African Ornithological Society
Société d’Ornithologie de l’Ouest Africain

Conseil:

Président: Dr Gérard J. Morel
Vice-Président: John H. Elgood

Trésorier et chargé des abonnements: Robert E. Sharland
Secrétaire Générale: Dr Roger Wilkinson
Membre du Conseil: Dr Max Germain
Rédacteur en Chef: Dr Alan Tye

Comité de Rédaction: Dr H.Q.P. Crick, Dr RJ. Dowsett, Dr F. Dowsett-Lemaire,
Dr C. Erard, Dr L.D.C. Fishpool, Dr M. Germain, Dr D.T. Holyoak, Dr P.J.
Jones, Dr G.J. Morel, Dr M.-Y. Morel, Dr F. Roux, Dr B. Tréca, Dr H. Tye,
Dr J.F. Walsh, Dr R. Wilkinson

Distribution de Malimbus: G.D. Field, Mrs A.M. Moore

La correspondance doit être adressée comme suit:

- au Rédacteur en Chef (2 School Lane, King’s Ripton, Huntingdon, Cambs
PE 17 2NL, U. K.) pour les publications dans Malimbus, y compris éventuelle-
ment des photos ou des dessins au trait;

-au Trésorier (1 Fisher’s Heron, East Mills, Fordingbridge, Hampshire, SP6
2JR, U. K.) pour les abonnements, les questions financières et les numéros
anciens;

-au Secrétaire Générale (Zoological Gardens, Chester CH2 ILH, U.K.) pour
les demandes des Bourses de Recherches de la Société;

-au Président (1 Route de Sallenelles, 14860 Bréville-les-Monts, France) pour
les questions d’intérêt général.

La Société tire son origine de la “Nigerian Ornithologists’ Society”, fondée en
1964. Son but est de promouvoir l’intérêt scientifique pour les oiseaux de l’Ouest
africain et de faire avancer l’ornithologie de ces régions principalement au moyen
de sa revue Malimbus (anciennement Bulletin of the Nigerian Ornithologists’
Society).

Les demandes d’adhésion sont les bienvenues. Les cotisations annuelles sont de £10
pour les Membres Ordinaires et de £25 pour les Sociétés (les cotisations peuvent
être payées en sterling au Trésorier ou en francs français au Président). Les
Membres Ordinaires reçoivent Malimbus par courrier ordinaire et les Sociétés par
courrier aérien, gratuitement. Un supplément est exigé des Membres Ordinaires
pour le courrier aérien (demander au Trésorier le tarif).

Anciens Numéros: Les Vols 11-14 (1975-78) du Bulletin of the Nigerian Ornitholo-
gists ’ Society (du même format que Malimbus) sont disponibles à £2 par numro (£4
par volume) ou £15 l’ensemble. Les Volumes 1 à 9 de Malimbus sont disponibles à
£3 par numéro (£6 par volume) et, à partir du Vol. 10, à £5 par numéro (£10 par
volume). On peut acheter la série complète des Vols 1 à 17 de Malimbus au prix
spécial de £115. Frais de port et emballage sont gratuits. Veuillez joindre le
paiement à votre commande et l’adresser au Trésorier.

Bourses de Recherches de la S.O.O.A.: Les conditions à remplir pour les candida-
tures se trouvent dans Malimbus 15: 103-106 et peuvent être obtenues auprès du
Secrétaire Générale (voir adresse ci-dessus).

1995

Body weights and wing moult of the Bronze Mannikin

Lonchura cucullata and Blue-hilled Mannikin L. bicolor

in Sierra Leone

41

by Hazell Shokellu Thompson & Alan Tye'

Department of Zoology, Fourah Bay College,

University of Sierra Leone, Freetown, Sierra Leone
•Present address: 2 School Lane, King’s Ripton, Huntingdon,
Cambridgeshire PE17 2NL, U.K.

Received 25 November 1993
Revised 1 July 1995

Summary

The weight and stage of wing moult of 552 Bronze Mannikins and 660 Blue-
billed Mannikins were recorded in western Sierra Leone over a 19-month
period. Body weights declined during the dry season to minima about
March-June and were greatest at the end of the wet season and early dry
season. Annual variation in body weight was about 12-13% in both species.
Males were slightly heavier than females for most of the year but females
became significantly heavier than males for three months towards the end of
the rains. Moult was protracted in both species. Adults moulting remiges
could be found in all months of the year. The primary moult of juveniles
may be incomplete. The peak moulting season (when all trapped birds were
moulting) occurred during the dry season (January-May). It is suggested
that the low daily metabolic demands of the slow moult enable it to occur
then - a period of decreasing food availability - after breeding has taken
place during peak food availability in the wet season.

Résumé

Le poids et l’état de la mue de 552 Capucins nonnettes Lonchura cucullata et
de 660 Capucins à bec bleu L. bicolor ont été notés en Sierra Leone
occidentale sur une période de 19 mois. Le poids corporel baissait pendant
la saison sèche jusqu’à son minimum entre mars et juin et était le plus élévé à
la fin de la saison humide et au début de la saison sèche. Chez les deux
espèces le poids corporel variait au cours de l’année d’environ 12-13%. Les
mâles étaient légèrement plus lourds que les femelles presque toute l’année
mais les femelles étaient considérablement plus lourdes que les mâles
pendant trois mois vers la fin des pluies. La mue était prolongée chez les

42

H. S. Thompson & A. Tye

Malimbus 17

deux espèces. On trouvait des adultes avec des rémiges en mue à tous les
mois de l’année. La mue des primaires des juvéniles peut être incomplète. Le
pic de la mue (quand tous les oiseaux capturés sont en mue) avait lieu
pendant la saison sèche (janvier-mai). Cela suggère que, du fait du faible
coût métabolique journalier de cette longue mue, elle puisse avoir lieu en
saison sèche - quand la nourriture disponible diminue - après la reproduc-
tion qui s’est déroulée durant le maximum de nourriture disponible en
saison des pluies.

Introduction

Woodall (1975) carried out a comprehensive field study of the life history of the
Bronze Mannikin Lonchura cucullata in Zimbabwe. Eyckerman & Cuvelier (1982)
presented notes on the pattern of moult of this species in Cameroon, and
Thompson (1989) investigated its diet and breeding seasonality in Sierra Leone.
Akinpelu (1994a, b) presented data on breeding season, moult and weight cycles of
Bronze Mannikin and Blue-billed Mannikin L. bicolor in Nigeria.

These two species regularly cause damage to cereal crops (Bashir 1983, Manser
1984, F.A.O. 1988) and the results presented in this paper were obtained as part of
a study designed to investigate their ecology and behaviour in relation to
agricultural practices in Sierra Leone (Thompson 1986). The aim here is to
describe seasonal patterns of body weight and wing moult for the two species over
19 months in coastal Sierra Leone.

Methods

The study was conducted at Lumley (8°27'58"N, 13°16T9"W) on the west coast of
the Freetown Peninsula. The climate is characterised by distinct wet and dry
seasons; the rains extend from May to October, with maximum rainfall in July.

Birds were mist-netted weekly between January 1984 and August 1985, in rice
farms where they were regarded as pests. Nets were operated for approximately
three hours on each visit, starting either towards dusk (after 16.00 h) in 1984 or
just before dawn (6.30-7.00 h) in 1985. Trapped birds were weighed in the field to
the nearest 0.1 g, using a Pesola spring balance, recalibrated before each netting
trip. Dusk and dawn weights are treated separately below, to allow for any
differences.

Primary and secondary moult scores were obtained by scoring individual
feather growth on a scale from 0 (old feather) to 5 (new) (Newton 1966). Both
species have nine large primaries (innermost numbered PI; the outermost reduced
PIO was not scored) and six secondaries (outermost SI) on each wing, so the
maximum possible primary and secondary scores are 90 and 60 respectively. The

1995

Mannikin weight and moult cycles

43

birds were classified as adults or juveniles on the basis of body plumage (Serle &
Morel 1977).

Seasonal variation in the breeding potential of the two species was determined
by examination of the gonads of 490 trapped adults. The birds were killed as part
of a pest control drive on farmers’ fields, dissected in the field and the gonads
measured with vernier calipers (Thompson 1989). Breeding activity was investi-
gated by recording the presence of nests with eggs or nestlings, during twice-
weekly standardized walks along set routes through the study area. In addition,
searches for nests were made throughout the study area whenever indications of
breeding activity (e.g. birds with nesting material) were noted during the standard
walks.

Error bars on Figures are standard errors of the means.

Results

Body weight

In 1984 (observations beginning in January), the mean monthly body weights at
dusk of the two species tended to be lowest towards the end of the dry season and
highest towards the end of the rains (Fig. 1). In 1985, dawn weights declined from

N ' 1984 ^ ' 1985 '

(•) 2 16 10 9 1 15 76 2 4 16 15 7 9 7 10 27 44 28 2 2

(o) 6 11 12 16 3 5 30 13 23 20 12 6 6 14 30 32 35 12

Figure 1. Seasonal variation in mannikin body weights, shown against rainfall
(histograms). Open circles: Bronze Mannikin. Closed circles: Blue-billed Mannikin.

44

H. S. Thompson & A. Tye

Malimbus 17

N , 1934 , t 1935 /

13 3 7 8. s 2 3 19 18 19 4 12

(oj 7 5 11 8 6 4 11 11 15 16 8 10

Figure 2. Monthly variation in body weight of male (open circles) and female (closed
circles) Bronze Mannikins.

a peak in February-March, to the end of the dry season (Fig. 1). Annual variation
in monthly means was about 1.2 g (12-13%), in each species.

Mean dusk weights in 1984 were significantly greater than dawn weights for the
same period in 1985 (January-May and July, when data were available for both
years). Mean differences averaged 4% in Bronze Mannikins (t,Q = 12.56, p < 0.01)
and 5.5% in Blue-billed Mannikins (t^ = 11.5, p < 0.01).

Adult males of both species were usually slightly (but not significantly) heavier
than adult females, except during the latter part of the wet season in 1984 (Figs 2 &
3) when females averaged significantly heavier than males: from August to
October for Bronze Mannikins (t^^ = 3.35, p < 0.01) and from September to
November for Blue-billed Mannikins (tj^ = 3.34, p < 0.01).

Wing moult patterns

Wing moult in both species followed the regular passerine pattern; primary moult
was descendent and secondary moult ascendent, although -there were marked
irregularities in occasional individuals.

In adult Bronze Mannikins, primary moult was normally symmetrical, with
only one growing primary on each wing at any time (Table 1). Replacement of

1995

Mannikin weight and moult cycles

45

1984 ^ ' 1985

(k) 22 10 4 8 4 1 2 4 15 22 11 12

(o) 27 6 6 4 6 1 2 6 11 1 4 13 10

Figure 3. Monthly variation in body weight of male (open circles) and female (closed
circles) Blue-billed Mannikins.

the secondaries started about half-way through the primary moult, during growth
of P4 (primary score 31-40: Table 1). Moult of secondaries was less regular than
that of primaries; in several birds examined, S6 was shed concurrently with SI and
before S2-S5, these last being shed and replaced in quick succession towards the
end of primary moult. Secondary moult usually ended after primary moult.

Normally, Blue-billed Mannikins shed P1-P3 in rapid succession so that, in
most individuals, all three were growing together (Table 2). In several such cases,
P5 was shed at the same time as P1-P3 and before P4. In a few individuals, one or
more of P6-P8 were growing at the same time as P3, even though total primary
score was < 30. Primary moult thus appears relatively commonly to start at two
points on the wing: PI and P5. Replacement of the secondaries started when
primary score was 31-40 (Table 2) and then proceeded rapidly, so that, unlike
Bronze Mannikins, secondary moult was complete before all the primaries were
replaced.

Timing and duration of wing moult

The lowest mean primary scores occurred in September (Bronze Mannikin: Fig. 4)
and November (Blue-billed Mannikin: Fig. 5). Mean moult score was never zero

Table 1. The pattern of primary and secondary wing moult in Bronze Mannikins

46

H. S. Thompson & A. Tye

Malimbus 17

a x:

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Mean monthly moult score n Mean monthly moult score

1995

Mannikin weight and moult cycles

47

I® Î 5 10 19 16 5 11 1 2 6 II 20 21 10 6 12 30 31 ç- 33

«•1 3 5 2S 12 1 1 ^ » 1 2 7 ÎI 15 12 7 t?7 11

4. Monthly primary moult scores of adult (open circles) and juvenile (closed
circles) Bronze Mannikins.

N j I ,^905 ^

!•) - 16 11 8 16 61 23 77 2 f IS 13 9 S îé 23 21 15

«o! - 7 12 7 8 le 3 - - = - 24 15 13 17 23 U

Figure 5. Monthly primary moult scores of adult (closed circles) and Juvenile (open
circles) Blue-billed Mannikins.

48

H. S. Thompson & A. Tye

Malimbus 17

N ' 1984 ' ' 1985 '

(•) 5 12 25 16 20 U 12 37 12 25 22 21 10 6 U 30 33 3é

(x) ------ 13 37 86 2 43 19 13 19

Figure 6. Timing of moult and breeding in the Bronze Mannikin.

and low mean scores were associated with lost inner primaries (Tables 1 & 2),
indicating the start of moult towards the end of the rains. Juveniles of both species
leave the nest in a distinct immature plumage, then moult into adult dress in the
succeeding weeks (Woodall 1975, pers. obs.).

Populations of both species contained moulting individuals in all months (Figs
4-7), but primary moult in adult and juvenile Bronze Mannikins occurred mainly
between September and May; juveniles may not have replaced the full set of
primaries, with an apparent asymptote occurring at primary score 60-70 (Fig. 4),
In both adult and juvenile Bronze Mannikins, moult occupied some seven months
(c. 210 days). In the Blue-billed Mannikin, primary moult mainly occupied
November to April, with juveniles ceasing moult at primary scores 50-60 (Fig. 5);
primary moult therefore lasted some five months (c. 1 50 days).

In the 1984-5 moult cycle, every adult caught was undergoing wing moult in the
periods December-March (Bronze Mannikin: Fig. 6) and January-May (Blue-
billed Mannikin: Fig. 7) and the highest proportions of moulting birds were found
in the same periods in the 1983-4 cycle.

1995

Mannikin weight and moult cycles

49

(©] 15 13 9 22 57 31 77 24 16 15 16 9 S 16 26 27 2 4

(•1 _ _ . - - - 22 10 4 8 4 3 2 15 15 22 1 1

Figure 7. Timing of moult and breeding in the Blue-billed Mannikin.

Moult-breeding overlap

In 1984, the breeding season of Bronze Mannikins, as defined by nests found with
eggs or young, occurred from August to November. The proportions of trapped
adults moulting during these months were 27%, 48%, 83% and 90% respectively
(Fig. 6). There was therefore clear overlap between the breeding and moult periods
of this species.

Active nests of Blue-billed Mannikins were not found, but enlarged oocytes of
both species, which indicated potential breeding activity, were found from
September to November. At the end of this period, only 31% of trapped adult
Blue-billed Mannikins were moulting (Fig. 7), indicating clearer separation
between moult and breeding in this species.

Discussion

The body weight changes shown during the year by both species were probably
influenced by three factors: food supply, reproductive state and moult. Both
species are primarily granivorous, feeding on grass seeds and cereals (Thompson
1989). Most grasses produce flowers and seeds during the wet season and seeds are
therefore generally most abundant in the late rains and early dry season. Similarly,
cultivated crops such as rice and maize, on which the mannikins feed, ripen and

50

H. S. Thompson & A. Tye

Malimbus 17

are harvested at the end of the rains. Grass seeds and cultivated grains should
therefore decrease in abundance with the progress of the dry season, as the stock
from the previous rains is depleted by predation and germination.

The drop in body weights during the dry season could therefore be caused partly
by declining food supplies. Also, the main moult periods coincided with the dry
season, so the additional physiological strain of moult may have contributed
further to declining weights during the dry season. The birds were heaviest in
September and October, when food supply would be most plentiful. However,
gonadal development probably also contributed to the relatively high body
weights of females at this time, the only period when their weights surpassed those
of the males.

The seasonal weight variations observed by Akinpelu (1994a) in Nigeria are the
reverse of those reported here: mannikin weights increased during the dry season
and declined during the rains. However, when considered in relation to the major
events of the life cycle, the pattern of variation in the two studies is similar: weights
increased prior to breeding and declined sharply after the breeding season, during
the main moult period. These similarities suggest that the physiological demands
of moult and breeding are probably more important than food availability in
influencing weight cycles. Birds probably increase their food intake in preparation
for breeding, then lose weight as a result of the stresses of parental care and moult.
Food may not be limiting, because birds in Nigeria gained weight during the
dry season, when food supplies would have been declining. Further research,
monitoring food supply through the year in the two study areas, could clarify this
point.

The protracted population moult periods recorded for the two species are
similar to those noted in several other tropical birds (e.g. Ward 1969, Fogden
1972, Jones 1978, Payne 1980), including the Bronze Mannikin in Zimbabwe
(Woodall 1975). This has been attributed to lack of synchrony in the onset of
moult in tropical bird populations and slowness of moult in individual birds
(Ward 1969) although the latter of the two factors may be the more important,
since moult in many tropical species seems to be a relatively fixed annual event
(e.g. Snow & Snow 1964, Snow 1976, Dittami & Gwinner 1985, Dittami & Knauer
1986, Dittami 1987). Slow moult may be favoured by the dangers of impaired
flight accompanying rapid moult and by the reduced daily metabolic effort
required (Jones 1978). The low daily metabolic demand of slow moult may permit
the two mannikin species to moult during a period of declining food supply (dry
season) after breeding has occupied the food peak of the late wet season.

The overlap of moult and breeding periods in the two populations, especially in
that of the Bronze Mannikin, suggests that breeding and moult may have
overlapped in some individuals, although our data were inadequate to confirm
this. Akinpelu (1994a) found overlap in some individuals of both species. Most
tropical bird species separate breeding and moult because of their high energy
costs and, although overlap has been documented in several Afrotropical species.

1995

Mannikin weight and moult cycles

51

overlap in individuals is rare (Payne 1969, Jones 1978, Wilkinson 1983). In the
mannikins, initiation of moult before finishing breeding might be favoured,
because the overlap period would occur when seed stocks were most abundant and
the slow moult rate would minimise its energetic demands.

Acknowledgments

We thank the Fourah Bay College Research Council for the grant which made this
study possible, E. Johnson and G. Eleady=Cole for assistance in the field, the
farmers of the Lumley area who allowed us access to their fields, and J.A. Showers
for setting the Figures. Humphrey Crick took over the Editor’s responsibilities for
this paper, in order to ensure impartiality, and he and Roger Wilkinson made
helpful comments on a previous draft.

References

c

Akinpelu, a. I. (1994a) Moult and weight cycles in two species of Lonchura in Ile-
Ife, Nigeria. Malimbus 16: 88-93.

Akinpelu, A.I. (1994b) Breeding seasons of three estrildid species in Ile-Ife,
Nigeria. Malimbus 16: 94-99.

Bashir, E.A. (1983) An Assessment of Bird Pest Problems to Rice in Liberia.

U.N.D.P./F.A.O. Report RAF/81 /022, Rome.

Dittami, J.P. (1987) A comparison of breeding and moult cycles and life histories
in two tropical starling species: the Blue-eared Glossy Starling Lamprotornis
chalybaeus and Rüppel’s Long-tailed Glossy Starling L. purpuropterus. Ibis
129: 69-85.

Dittami, J.P. & Gwinner, E. (1985) Annual cycles in the African Stonechat and
their relationship to environmental factors. J. Zool Land. 207: 357-370.

Dittami, J.P. & Knauer, B. (1986) Seasonal organisation of breeding and
moulting in the Fiscal Shrike Lanius collaris. J. Orn. 127: 79-84.

Eyckerman, R. & CuvELiER, D. (1982) The moult of some bird species on
Mount Cameroon. Malimbus 4: 1-4.

F.A.O. (1988) Terminal Report on Regional Research and Training Project for Crop
Protection against Grain-Eating Birds in West Africa. U.N.D.P./F.A.O. Rep.
AG:DP/RAF/81/022, Rome.

Fogden, M.P.L. (1972) The seasonality and population dynamics of equatorial
forest birds in Sarawak. Ibis 114: 307-343.

Jones, P.J. (1978) Overlap of breeding and moult in the White-browed Sparrow-
Weaver in northwestern Botswana. Ostrich 48: 21-24.

Manser, P.D. (1984) Rice pests in the Gabon. Rice Comm. Newsl. 33(1).

Newton, I. (1966) The moult of the Bullfinch Pyrrhula pyrrhula. Ibis 108: 41-47.

52

H. S. Thompson & A. Tye

Malimbus 17

Payne, R. B. (1969) Overlap of breeding and moult schedules in a collection of
African birds. Condor 71: 140-145.

Payne, R.B. (1980) Seasonal incidence of breeding, moult and local dispersal of
Red-billed Firefinches Lagonosticta senegala in Zambia. Ibis 122: 43-56.

Serle, W & Morel, G.J. (1977) A Field Guide to the Birds of West Africa. Collins,
London.

Snow, D.W. (1976) The relation between climate and annual cycles in the
Cotingidae. Ibis 118: 366-401.

Snow, D.W. & Snow, B.K. (1964) Breeding seasons and annual cycles of
Trinidad land-birds. Zoologica 48: 1-39.

Thompson, H.S.S. (1986) The Ecology and Behaviour of the Bronze Mannikin
Lonchura cucullata ( Swainson ) and the Blue-billed Mannikin Lonchura bicolor
( Frazer) in Relation to Rice Cultivation in Western Sierra Leone. Unpubl. M.Sc.
thesis, University of Sierra Leone.

Thompson, H.S.S. (1989) Diet and breeding seasonality of the Bronze Mannikin
Lonchura cucullata (Swainson) and the Blue-billed Mannikin Lonchura bicolor
(Frazer) in western Sierra Leone. Malimbus 11: 73-87.

Ward, P. (1969) The annual cycle of the Yellow- vented Bulbul in a humid
equatorial environment. /. Zool. Lond. 157: 25-45.

Wilkinson, R. (1983) Biannual breeding and moult-breeding overlap of the
Chestnut-bellied Starling Spreo pulcher. Ibis 125: 353-361.

Woodall, P.F. (1975) On the life history of the Bronze Mannikin. Ostrich 46:
55-86.

Spotted Redshank - Chevalier arlequin - Tringa erythvopus
Photo: Michael Gore

1995

53

The birds of the Kounounkan Massif, Guinea

by Peter V. Hayman* ^ Madeleine Prangley', Adrian Barnett'
and Djirimba Diawara^

'c/o Fauna and Flora Preservation Society, 1 Kensington Gore,
London SW7 2AR, England

^Direction Nationale des Forêts et de la Chasse, Conakry, Guinée
^Address for correspondence: Peter V. Hayman, 25 Chieveley Drive,
Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN2 5HG, England

Received 21 December 1993
Revised 14 January 1995

Summary

A ten-day field survey of monsoon forest in western Guinea found 134 bird
species. One, Picathartes gymnocephalus, is listed by lUCN as Vulnerable
and four, Francolinus ahantensis, Ceratogymna elata, Platysteira blissetti
and Apalis sharpii, are Candidate Threatened Species. Due to its position at
the edge of the Upper Guinea forest block, the forest avifauna contained a
high percentage of dry country birds.

Résumé

Une recherche de dix jours sur le terrain en forêt ombrophile de Touest de la
Guinée a permis de trouver 134 espèces d’oiseaux. L’une d’elles, Picathartes
gymnocephalus, est classée par l’UICN comme Espèce Vulnérable et quatre,
Francolinus ahantensis, Ceratogymna elata, Platysteira blissetti et Apalis
sharpii, comme Espèces Menacées Possibles. Eu égard à sa situation en
bordure du massif forestier de Haute Guinée, l’avifaune forestière possédait
un pourcentage élevé d’oiseaux de région sèche.

Introduction

As in many West African countries, there has been extensive deforestation
throughout Guinea (Barnes 1990), although remnant forest patches, some of the
last in the west of the country, still exist around the Kounounkan Massif (Wilson
1992), an area also sometimes known as “Kamalayah” {e.g. Bournonville 1967,
Wilson 1992). Some 5032 ha in extent, the Kounounkan Massif is a sandstone
outlier of the Fouta Djalon, where the Loma-Man dorsal meets the coastal plain.
The massif is situated about 90 km east of the capital, Conakry, in Forecariah

Senegal

54

P. V. Hayman et al.

Malimbus 17

S

b

1995

Birds of Kounounkan

55

Prefecture (Fig. 1). The massif has been dissected by riverine erosion, leaving a
number of plateaux and steep-sided ravines. It is in the ravines that forest still
survives, whilst on the ridge tops there is some natural savanna and on the lower
slopes a mixture of farmbush and secondary regeneration.

The forest here is at the north-western extremity of the Upper Guinea forest
block (Ackery 1991, Wilson 1992), in the area which White (1983) classified as a
mosaic of Guineo-Congolian woodland and secondary grassland. Recent botani-
cal studies (J. Komah, pers. comm.), found Afzelia africana (Caesalpiniaceae),
Aningeria altissima (Sapotaceae), Cola gigantea (Sterculiaceae) and Morns
mesozygia (Moraceae), indicator species which would place Kounounkan’s vege-
tation in White’s “drier peripheral semi-evergreen Guineo-Congolian rain forest”
phytocoenosis. The climate is monsoonal with a distinct wet season from April to
November.

The area was in the process of designation as a forest reserve in the 1950s
(Pinauldt & Thévenin 1952), but this was interrupted by independence in 1958 and
only resumed in late 1989 (see Barnett et al. 1994). We have been unable to find
any records of previous ornithological work at Kounounkan, although there are
various references to the Conakry area {e.g. Richards 1982, Browne 1984) and
elsewhere in Guinea {e.g. Brosset 1984, Walsh 1987, Morel & Morel 1988, Halleux
1994).

Methods

At the request of the Direction Nationale des Forêts et de la Chasse (DNFC), a
preliminary assessment of the conservation value of the Kounounkan Massif was
undertaken during November and December 1992, and part of this included a
survey of the birds. Ten full days were spent in the field. Three localities were
surveyed extensively by PVH, MP and AB, two in primary or near-primary forest
and one in regenerating farmbush. Further observations were also made in
farmbush and around towns and villages. Additionally, in six villages adjacent to
the Kounounkan Massif, DD carried out surveys of the extent and species-focus
of local hunting. He used the regional language, Susu.

Results

One hundred and thirty-four species were recorded (see Appendix), which
included a mixture of species typical of the Upper Guinea forest block {e.g.
Stephanoetus coronatus, Criniger barbatus, Alethe poliocephala: for English names
see Appendix) and species more typical of dry country {e.g. Polemaetus bellicosus,
Streptopelia vinaced). Using Thiollay’s (1985) categorisation of true forest
bird species, it was possible to compare the composition of the avifauna of

56

P. V. Hayman et al.

Malimbus 17

Kounounkan with that of other forests in the western part of the Upper Guinea
forest block. The percentage of true forest species was calculated from the total
number of species given in Ausden & Wood (1990) for the Western Area Forest,
Sierra Leone, Allport et al. (1989) for Gola Forest, SE Sierra Leone, and Bourque
& Wilson (1990) for the forest at Diecke and Ziama in SE Guinea. The percentage
of forest species was highest in Diecke (54%), intermediate in Gola (46%), Ziama
(44%) and Western Area (40%), and lowest at Kounounkan (34%). This follows
the trends in increased climatic aridity and increasing proportion of open, dryland
vegetation as the northerly Sahel Zone is approached (see White 1983).

Pleat har tes gymnocephalus, which is regarded as Vulnerable by Collar & Stuart
(1985), was found in the Kounounkan forest. Single birds were seen on three
occasions in the ten-day period. Although the data are few, this seems to represent
a very high encounter rate (cf. Allport et al. 1989, Ausden & Wood 1990). Also,
two rocks used as breeding sites were found, both along the same steep-sided
stream bed in primary forest. The first rock was approximately 12 m high and 20 m
wide with a slight overhang. It had 12 nests on it, nine of which were old, one was a
newly built cup and two were new cups with linings. The second rock was more
steeply overhanging, about 8 m wide, 4 m high at its highest, but with only 2 m of
vertical face below the overhang. There were two newly-built nest cups on the
vertical face at the base of the overhang.

Apart from a possible sighting by Richards (1982) at Kakulima Hill near
Conakry, there are no records of this species in W Guinea (see map in Thompson
& Fotso 1995). These sightings, therefore, represent a north-westerly range
extension of approximately 125 km, the nearest known birds being in the Western
Area Forest, Sierra Leone (Ausden & Wood 1990, Thompson 1993, Thompson &
Fotso 1995).

Unlike at Gola Forest, where P. gymnocephalus was familiar to local people and
even given religious significance (Allport et al. 1989), the people (including
hunters) in the Kounounkan area did not seem to know of the species at all.

The following species were recorded which were candidates for inclusion in
Collar & Stuart (1985): Francolinus ahantensis, Ceratogymna data, Platysteira
blissetti and Apalis sharpii. The hornbill and the apalis were recorded in the forest,
whereas the francolin and the wattle-eye were both recorded in thick, regenerating,
farmbush. A species of Malacocincla was also recorded in the farmbush. Its
identity was never resolved, but it was either the Near-threatened M. rufescens or
the Candidate M. puveli. Several over-wintering Palaearctic migrants were seen in
both the forest and farmbush habitats, including Ficedula hypoleuca.

The hunting pressures around Kounounkan appeared to be lower than in other
parts of Guinea (e.g. Bourque & Wilson 1990), and considerably lower than in
other parts of the Upper Guinea forest block (e.g. Robinson 1971, Verschuren
1983). The six surveyed villages had only ten hunters in total and some of these
never hunted in the forest. Their targets were mostly larger mammals (e.g.
duikers), and consequently there was little pressure on the birds. This was borne

1995

Birds of Kounoiinkan

57

out by a reasonable number of sightings of such large species as Corythaeola
crisîata, which are favoured quarry elsewhere.

Acknowledgments

In Guinea we would like to thank all at the Direction Nationale des Forêts et de la
Chasse, especially the late Directeur Général, Dr. Mammadou Oury Bah, Michael
Wilson, Catherine Cruvallier and Mikael Grut (World Bank), Paul Anspach
(GTZ), André Simon (FAO) and the staff of Guinée Ecologie. Thanks also to
Mammadou Saliou Diallo and Mr and Mrs Mammadou Bella Sase Balde for
logistical support, and to Jeremie Koman. In the U.K. we would like to thank
Amanda Hillier and Roger Wilson (Flora and Fauna Preservation Society), Gary
Allport and the library staff at Birdlife International and Ken Smith of the RSPB.
Malcolm Ausden and Philip Atkinson read and commented on earlier versions of
the manuscript. This paper is the result of work done for the Fauna and Flora
Preservation Society, London.

References

Ackery, P.R. (1991) Hostplant utilization by African and Australian butterflies.
Biol. J. Linn. Soc. 44: 335-351.

Allport, G., Ausden, M., Dayman, P.V., Robertson, P. & Wood, P. (1989)
The Conservation of the Birds of the Gola Forest, Sierra Leone. Study Rep. 38,
ICBP, Cambridge.

Ausden, M. & Wood, P. (1990) The Wildlife of the Western Area Forest, Sierra
Leone. Report to Forestry Division, Govt of Sierra Leone, Conservation
Society of Sierra Leone, International Council for Bird Preservation, Royal
Society for the Protection of Birds.

Barnett, A., Prangley, M. & Dayman, P.V. (1994) The Kounounkan Massif,
south-western Guinea, West Africa: results of a short ecological survey with a
preliminary assessment of conservation requirements. Pp. 2-6 in Wildlife
Conservation in West Africa. NCS Occ. Pap. 1. Nigerian Field Society (UK
branch), Guildford.

Barnes, R.F.W. (1990) Deforestation trends in tropical Africa. Afr. J. Ecol. 28:
161-173.

Bourque, J.D, & Wilson, R. (1990) Guinea Forest Biodiversity Study: Ziama and
Diecke Reserves. Unpubl. rep. to lUCN, Gland.

Bournon VILLE, D. DE (1967) Le chimpanzé en République de Guinée. Bull. Inst,
fond. Afr. noire 29 A: 1188-1269.

Brosset, a. (1984) Oiseaux migrateurs européens hivernant dans la partie
guinéenne du Mont Nimba. Alauda 52: 81-101.

58

P. V. Hayman et al.

Malimbus 17

Browne, P.W.P. (1984) Seven new species for Conakry, Guinea. Malimbus 6: 74.
Collar, N.J. & Stuart, S.N. (1985) Threatened Birds of Africa and Related
Islands. ICBP/IUCN, Cambridge.

Halleux, D. (1994) Annotated bird list of Macenta Prefecture, Guinea.
Malimbus 16: 10-29.

Morel, G.J. & Morel M.-Y. (1988) Les oiseaux de Guinée. Malimbus 10:
143476.

PiNAULDT, Y & Thévenin, A. (1952) Procès-verbal de la Commission du
Classement de la Forêt du Kounounkan. Official letter to Forestry Department,
dated “Fourecariah, 19 June, 1952”.

Richards, D.K. (1982) The birds of Conakry and Kakulima, Democratic
Republic of Guinea. Malimbus 4: 93-103.

Robinson, P.T. (1971) Wildlife trends in Liberia and Sierra Leone. Oryx 11:
117-122.

Thiollay, J.-M. (1985) The West African forest avifauna: a review. Pp. 171-186 in
A.W. Diamond & T.E. Lovejoy (eds), Conservation of Tropical Forest Birds.
Tech. Publ. 4, ICBP, Cambridge.

Thompson, H.S.S. (1993) Status of White-necked Picathartes - another reason
for the conservation of the Peninsula Forest, Sierra Leone. Oryx 27: 155-158.
Thompson, H.S. & Fotso, R. (1995) Rockfowl: the genus Picathartes. Bull. Afr.
Bird Club 2: 25-28.

Verschuren, J. (1983) Conservation of the Tropical Rain Forest in Liberia:
Recommendations for Wildlife Conservation and National Parks. Unpubl. rep.,
lUCN, Gland.

Walsh, F.J. (1987) Records of birds seen in north-eastern Guinea in 1984-1985.
Malimbus 9: 105-122.

White, F. (1983) The Vegetation of Africa. A descriptive memoir to accompany the
UNECSO/AETFAT/UNSO vegetation map of Africa. UNESCO, Paris.
Wilson, R. (1992) Guinea. Pp. 193-199 in J.A. Sayer, C.S. Harcourt & N.M.
Collins (eds). The Conservation Atlas of Tropical Forests: Africa. lUCN,
Cambridge.

1995

Birds of Kounounkan

59

Appendix

Bird species recorded at Kounounkan (Nov-Dec 1992)

Each species is recorded by habitat (forest or farmbush) and in each habitat the
species is given a simple abundance rating based on encounter rates.

* = Candidate threatened species (Collar & Stuart 1985)

** = Vulnerable species (Collar & Stuart 1985)

Status at Kounounkan

1 = Rare ( < 5 records)

2 = Frequent (>5 records but not found daily)

3 = Moderately Common (recorded daily)

4 = Common ( > 5 records daily)

5 = Abundant (large numbers recorded daily)

Habitat: FB = farmbush; F = forest.

Abundance in:
FB F

Bubulcus ibis Cattle Egret 2

Ardea cinerea Grey Heron 1

Scopus umbretta Hamerkop 2

Milvus migrons Black Kite 4

Gypohierax angolensis Palm-nut Vulture 2 2

Necrosyrtes monachus Hooded Vulture 4

Circaetus cinereus Brown Snake Eagle 1

Polyboroides radiatus Harrier Hawk 2

Circus aeruginosus Marsh Harrier 1

Accipiter tachiro African Goshawk 1 1

A. badius Shikra 2

A. erythropus Western Little Sparrowhawk 1

A. meianoieucus Great Sparrowhawk 1

Kaupifalco monogrammicus Lizard Buzzard 1

Buteo auguralis Red-necked Buzzard 2 1

Stehanoetus coronatus Crowned Eagle 1

Polemaetus bellicosus Martial Eagle 1

Falco ardosiaceus Grey Kestrel 1

F. biarmicus Fanner 2

*Francoiinus ahantensis Ahanta Francolin 2

F. bicalcar atus Double-spurred Francolin 3

Himantornis haematopus Nkulengu Rail 1

60

P. V. Hayman et al.

Treron calva Green Pigeon

Turtur tympanistria Tambourine Dove

T. afer Red-billed Wood Dove

Columba iriditorques Western Bronze-naped Pigeon

Streptopelia semitorquata Red-eyed Dove

S. vinacea Vinaceous Dove

S. senegalensis Laughing Dove
Corythaeola cristata Great Blue Turaco
Tauraco per sa Green Turaco

Crinifer piscator Grey Plantain-eater
Oxylophus levaillantii Levaillant’s Cuckoo
Ceuthmochares aereus Yellowbill
Centropus leucogaster Black-throated Coucal
C. senegalensis Senegal Coucal
Strix woodfordii Wood Owl

Macrodipteryx longipennis Standard-winged Nightjar

Cypsiurus parvus Palm Swift

Apus apus Common Swift

A. affinis Little Swift

Tachymarptis aequatorialis Mottled Swift

Apaloderma narina Narina’s Trogon

Halcyon leucocephala Grey-headed Kingfisher

H. malimbica Blue-breasted Kingfisher

H. senegalensis Senegal Kingfisher

Ceyx picta Pygmy Kingfisher

Corythornis leucogaster White-bellied Kingfisher

Alcedo quadribrachys Shining Blue Kingfisher

Merops albicollis White-throated Bee-eater

M. apiaster European Bee-eater

Coracias abyssinica Abyssinian Roller

Tockus fasciatus Allied Hornbill

T. nasutus Grey Hornbill
*Ceratogymna elata Yellow-casqued Hornbill
Gymnobucco calvus Naked-faced Barbet
Pogoniulus atrqflavus Red-rumped Tinkerbird
P. bilineatus Yellow-rumped Tinkerbird
Lybius bidentatus Double-toothed Barbet
Campethera nivosa Buff-spotted Woodpecker
Dendropicos pyrrhogaster Fire-bellied Woodpecker
Hirundo rustica European Swallow

1995

Birds of Kounounkan

61

Abundance in:
FB F

Psalidoprocne obscur a Fanti Rough- wing 3

Motacilla clara Mountain Wagtail 2

Anthus trivialis Tree Pipit 2

Prionops caniceps Red-billed Helmet Shrike 2

Tchagra senegala Black-crowned Tchagra 1

Lanius collaris Fiscal Shrike 1

Oriolus brachyrhynchus Black-headed Oriole 2

Dicrurus adsimilis Glossy-backed Drongo 1

D. atripennis Shining Drongo 3

Ptilostomus afer Piapiac 1

Corvus albus Pied Crow 3

Campephaga phoenicea Red-shouldered Cuckoo-shrike 1

Pycnonotus barbatus Common Bulbul 5

Andropadus virens Little Greenbul 4

A. ansorgei Ansorge’s Greenbul 2

A. gracilirostris Slender-billed Greenbul 1 2

A. latirostris Yellow- whiskered Greenbul 4

Baeopogon indicator Honeyguide Bulbul 2 2

Chlorocichla simplex Simple Leaflove 1

Bieda canicapilla Grey-headed Bristlebill 1

Criniger barbatus Yellow-bearded Bulbul 2

C. calurus White-bearded Bulbul 1

Nicator chloris Western Nicator 2

Saxicola rubetra Whinchat 1

Alethe poliocephala Brown-chested Alethe 3

A. diademata Fire-crest Alethe 1 3

Sheppardia cyornithopsis Whiskered Redbreast 2

Cossypha niveicapilla Snowy-crowned Robin-Chat 2

Neocossyphus poensis White-tailed Ant-Thrush 1 3

Stizhorina finschii Finsch’s Rusty Thrush 2

Turdus pelios West African Thrush 1

Malacocincla fulvescens Brown Akalat 1

*M. rufescens/ puveli Akalat sp, 1

Phy liant hus atripennis Capuchin Babbler 2

Turdoides reinwar dii Black-cap Babbler 2

**Picathartes gymnocephalus White-necked Picathartes 1

Acrocephalus scirpaceus Reed Warbler 2

Sylvia atricapilla Blackcap 2

S. borin Garden Warbler 1

Phylloscopus trochilus Willow Warbler 2

62

P. V. Hayman et al.

Malimbus 17

Abundance in:
FB F

Cisticola cantans Singing Cisticola

Prinia subflava Tawny-flanked Prinia

*Apalis sharpii Sharpe’s Apalis

Camaroptera brachyura Grey-backed Camaroptera

Macrosphenus concolor Olive Longbill

Hylia prasina Green Hylia

Ficedula hypoleuca Pied Flycatcher

Fraseria ocreata Fraser’s Forest Flycatcher

Melaenornis edolioides Black Flycatcher

*Platysteira blissetti Red-cheeked Wattle-eye

P. castanea Chestnut Wattle-eye

Terpsiphone viridis Paradise Flycatcher

T. rujïventer Red-bellied Paradise Flycatcher

Anthreptes seimundi Little Green Sunbird

A. fraseri Fraser’s Scarlet-tufted Sunbird

Nectarinia venus ta Variable Sunbird

N. coccinigaster Splendid Sunbird

N. chloropygia Olive-bellied Sunbird

N. oUvacea Olive Sunbird

Emberiza tahapisi Cinnamon-breasted Rock Bunting
Ploceus cucullatus Village Weaver
Malimbus rubricollis Red-headed Malimbe
M. malimbicus Crested Malimbe
Euplectes hordeaceus Fire-crowned Bishop
F. ardens Long-tailed Black Whydah
Clytospiza dybowskii Dybowski’s Twinspot
Mandingoa nitidula Green-backed Twinspot
Spermophaga haematina Bluebill
Estrilda melpoda Orange-cheeked Waxbill
Lagonosticta senegala Red-billed Firefinch
Lonchura cucullata Bronze Mannikin
L. bicolor Black and White Mannikin

1995

63

Notes on the avifauna of the Bétérou area, Borgou Province,

Republic of Benin

by Patrick M. Claffey

B.P. 302, Parakou, Republic of Benin

Received 24 May 1994
Revised 28 February 1995

Summary

Observations were made during 1987-1995. Of the 227 species listed, 15 have
not previously been recorded in Benin, namely Gallinula chloropus, G.
angulata, Merops persicus, Pyrrhurus scandens, Cossypha niveicapilla, Eryth-
ropygia galactotes, Muscicapa striata, M. cassini, Hyliota flavigaster, Sylvia
communis, Nectarinia verticalis, Sporopipes frontalis, Estrilda nonnula, Neso-
charis capistrata, and Lonchura fringilloides. Of the 227 species, 159 have
previously been recorded in the Arli and Pendjari National Parks in N.
Benin and Burkina Faso, and almost all are known from Togo. E. galactotes
is not known from Togo or Ghana; its previously known range lies north of
13°N.

Résumé

Les observations ont eu lieu de 1987 à 1994. Sur les 227 espèces recensées, 15
n’avaient pas encore été signalées au Bénin: Gallinula chloropus, G. angulata,
Merops persicus, Pyrrhurus scandens, Cossypha niveicapilla, Erythropygia
galactotes, Muscicapa striata, M. cassini, Hyliota flavigaster, Sylvia commu-
nis, Nectarinia verticalis, Sporopipes frontalis, Estrilda nonnula, Nesocharis
capistrata, et Lonchura fringilloides. Sur les 227 espèces, 1 59 avaient déjà été
signalées des Parcs Nationaux d’Arli et de Pendjari au Nord Bénin et au
Burkina Faso, et presque toutes sont connues au Togo. E. galactotes n’est
connu ni du Togo ni du Ghana; son aire s’arrêtait auparavant au nord du
13°N.

Introduction

Most of my observations were made in the immediate surroundings of Bétérou in

the Borgou Province of central Benin. The few notes from other areas, but with
significance for the Benin avifauna, are indicated in the footnotes to the Appendix.

64

P. M. Claffey

Malimbus 17

Figure 1. Map of central Benin, showing study sites. Dashed lines are provincial boundaries.

1995

Birds of Bétérou

65

Table 1. Gazetteer

N

E

N

E

Ahémé (Lac)

6°30'

2°0'

Natitingou

10°15'

r20'

Bassila

9°0'

r40'

N’Dali

9°30'

2°45'

Bétérou

9°12'

2° 16'

Ouari Maro

9° 10'

2° 10'

Bohicon

T9'

2°4'

Parakou

9°30'

2°30'

Boko

9°3r

2°30'

Savé

8°0'

2°30'

Dassa

7045,

ri5'

Toho (Lac)

6°35'

rio'

Kouffé (Monts)

8°30^

2°0'

Wé-Wé

9°20'

2° 10'

All localities mentioned are given in Table 1 or Fig. 1 or both. The observations
were made over nine years, 1987- 1995.

Following correspondence with A.A. Green, I have included his hitherto
unpublished findings from the Forêts Classeés of Ouari Maro, Ouémé Supérieur
and Monts Koulfé (Green & Sayer 1977, A.A. Green in litt.) in this paper. They
considerably broaden its scope and add much useful information, since Green had
the specific goal of studying the forests, an area which I felt I had touched on only
superficially.

The observations of Green & Sayer (1979) in the Arli and Pendjari National
Parks, respectively in Burkina Faso and N. Benin, constitute the only other
recent systematic study of any area of Benin, supplemented by the observations of
Thonnerieux (1985). There are many similarities between the Bétérou area
and the parks, significant differences being the cliffs and waterlogged area in the
parks, and the more dense woodland and forest which are features of Bétérou
(Green & Sayer 1977). Brunei (1958) established a list for the south of Benin
and 102 of the species on that list are to be found herein. Holyoak & Seddon
(1990) produced distributional notes which confirm a number of species identified
here.

In this paper I indicate the abundance and status of each species based on my
own notes. I have checked these against the more detailed observations of Green &
Sayer (1979), particularly with regard to status. I have also indicated what I believe
to be local movements of a number of species. Maclean (1993) was used for the
identification of a number of calls.

The observations presented herein, together with those mentioned above, and
studies of Togo by Cheke (1982), Cheke & Walsh (1980, 1984) and Cheke et al
(1986, 1990), go towards providing an overall picture of the avifauna of
the Dahomey Gap, although there is still room for further study, particularly in
Benin.

66

P. M. Claffey

Malimbus 17

Habitats

Bétérou is the geographical centre for this paper. In all, the area covered is from
Wé-Wé, 30 km to the northwest, to Parakou, 45 km to the east. It includes the
Forêts Classées of Ouémé Supérieur to the north and Ouari Maro to the south,
with the notes of Green & Sayer (1977) from the Monts Kouffé, which I have not
visited, and a few notes of my own from an area just north of Parakou.

The area lies within the Northern Guinea Savanna Zone, the rains lasting from
May to October, with the peak in September. Consistent rainfall with a yearly
average over 1200 mm means that the savanna is well wooded and features a
variety of bird species, including four species of barbet, four species of hornbill
and eight species of shrike.

The Ouémé, an important river which rises in northwest Atacora Province and
drains Benin, flows through Bétérou and is an important feature of the area. When
it ceases to flow, from December to July, it has a small number of sandbanks and
some very large pools. However, its most significant feature in terms of the
avifauna is the heavy fringing vegetation and the gallery. There are a number of
feeder streams with similar features though on a smaller scale, leaving wadis and
areas of heavy vegetation and forest during the dry season which are very
favourable to certain species such as shrikes, flycatchers, sunbirds and estrildids.
The wetlands in the area consist mainly of small lily-covered ponds and some
waterlogged areas along the open river banks.

Green & Sayer (1977) noted four principal forest types, as follows.

Dense, dry forest. A limited area which is a development of the more open
savanna woodlands (denoted SW); it is composed of species typically associated
with the savanna, with a maximum height of 20 m and a dense understorey.
Characteristic species include Afzelia africana, DanielUa oliveri and Khaya senega-
lensis.

Dense, humid, semi-deciduous forest. Small patches (mostly 50-150 ha) near the
Togo border and in the Monts Koufie, consisting of four levels: a scrubby
undergrowth with some grass, an understorey (2-8 m) dominated by small woody
species and saplings of upper-storey species, an 8-25 m sub-canopy dominated
by Dalium guineense, Mimusops andongensis, Holarrhena floribunda, Drypetes
floribunda and Malacantha alnifolia, and a canopy (25-40 m) dominated by
Antiaris africana, Ceiba pentandra, Cola cordifolia, Milicia excelsa, and Ricinoden-
dron heudelotil

Gallery forest. Linear formations of dense forest with a maximum width of
several hundred metres. Similar in structure and species composition to Dense
Forest, with a more or less continuous canopy, but in general less rich.

Riparian forest. Like Gallery Forest but only a few metres wide.

The study covers these areas as well as the following types of habitat: savanna
woodland, secondary growth forest, kopjes and rocky outcrops, farmland, human
habitation sites, savanna scrubland, small ponds and areas of wetland along the

1995

Birds of Bétérou

67

River Ouémé. It also covers all seasons of the year. The wide range of habitats
explains the variety of species reported, from the unexpected Erythropygia
galactotes (English names may be found in the Appendix), a sahelian bird
reported in Benin for the first time and somewhat south of its known range, to
Guttera pucherani and Tauraco persa, both forest species noted by Green & Sayer
(1977).

As is often the case, the greatest threat to birdlife in the area comes from man.
Until recently the area was very thinly populated, but deforestation and land
exhaustion in the southern part of Atacora Province have brought about an influx
of people in search of new farmland. Some areas of woodland are already being
destroyed through slash and burn farming. The area bordering the Forêt de Ouari
Maro is increasingly threatened although the government is now taking serious
steps for the protection of these areas. There is also increased use of artificial
fertilisers and pesticides, especially for cotton, which will probably have a
significant effect on the overall ecology of the area.

Results and Discussion

Of the 227 species listed in the Appendix, 15 have not been reported from Benin in
previously published studies to which I have had access, including Dowsett (1993).
These are: Gallinula chloropus, G. angulata, Merops persicus, Pyrrhurus scandens,
Cossypha niveicapilla, Erythropygia galactotes, Muscicapa striata, M. cassini,
Hyliota flavigaster, Sylvia communis, Nectarinia verticalis, Sporopipes frontalis,
Estrilda nonnula, Nesocharis capistrata and Lonchura fringilloides. Merops persicus
was observed by Green in the forest area. Pyrrhurus scandens was found in Ouari
Maro by Green & Sayer (1977). Sporopipes frontalis is a first record and was found
breeding. Muscicapa cassini, observed by me in the river gallery, has not been
previously recorded in Benin, although it has been reported by Cheke et al. (1990)
in Togo. Sylvia communis and Muscicapa striata are previously unrecorded
Palaearctic migrants, while Phylloscopus sibilatrix has formerly been found only
by Holyoak & Seddon (1990). Ixobrychus minutus and Crecopsis egregia were
previously only known from 19th-century records (Oustalet 1898). Emberiza
cabanisi was found by Douaud (1955) and frequently by me, although it seems to
have been overlooked by Dowsett (1993). There have been two previous records
for Merops hirundineus, J.F, Walsh’s record which appears in Dowsett (1993), and
an unpublished record for April 1978 by A. A. Green. I obtained two further
records from October and December of different years. Estrilda nonnula, however,
should be treated with caution, as indicated in the Appendix.

All the estrildids are subject to local movement during the dry season and per-
haps more particularly so during the months of November to January, when there
is the constant threat to their rainy season habitat from bush fires. This brings
concentrations of these species into the restricted wetland and waterlogged areas.

68

P. M. Claffey

Malimbus 17

The ponds harboured some interesting birds, including Gallinula angulata, a
first Benin record even if not a very surprising one, and a breeding pair of
Porphyrula alleni, not previously recorded breeding here. Waders were less
common, Actitis hypoleucos being the only common one. Gallinago gallinago was
noted on a number of occasions, while Tringa stagnatilis possibly over-wintered.
Calidris minuta was recorded once, and there were a number of other passage
migrant waders. Vanellus spinosus probably bred at Savé. The Gallinula chloropus
was recorded in southern Benin.

Of the species listed herein. Green & Sayer (1979) found 159 in Arli-Pendjari.
The main distinction is in the number of raptors - 40 in the parks as against 16 for
my study area. This is explained by the relative abundance of game in the parks.
The floodlands of the park also present a wider variety of waders (20 species) and
other waterbirds. The Bétérou area is distinguished by a greater variety of
woodland and forest species.

Green & Sayer (1977) listed 95 bird species, of which 11 were forest birds not
found in Pendjari by Green & Sayer (1979). These were: Guttera pucherani,
Tauraco persa, Bycanistes jistulator, B. cylindricus, Tockus fasciatus, Macronyx
croceus, Pyrrhurus scandens, Terpsiphone rufiventris, Laniarius ferrugineus, Nicator
chloris, Nectarinia verticalis. All of these except for Guttera pucherani, Tauraco
persa, Macronyx croceus and Pyrrhurus scandens have also been observed by me.
Green notes however that there were “no true forest species” amongst his
observations.

Acknowledgments

I would like to thank Peter McDermot who is at the origin of this paper and also
Dr Robert Cheke for his encouragement and helpful comments. I am grateful to
A. A. Green for very useful additional records, for his comments on this paper, and
for spurring me to go back and look at the forest again.

References

Brunel, J. (1958) Observations sur les oiseaux du Bas-Dahomey. Oiseau Rev. fr.
Orn. 28: 1-38.

Cheke, R.A. (1982) More bird records from the Republic of Togo. Malimbus 4:
55-61.

Cheke, R.A. & Walsh, J.F. (1980) Bird records from the Republic of Togo.
Malimbus 2: 112-120.

Cheke, R.A. & Walsh, J.F. (1984) Further bird records from the Republic of
Togo. Malimbus 6: 15-22.

1995

Birds of Bétérou

69

Cheke, R.A, & Walsh, J.F. & Sowah, S.A, (1986) Records of birds seen in the
Republic of Togo during 1984-1986. Maiimbus 8: 51-72.

Cheke, R.A. & Walsh, J.F. & Sowah, S.A. (1990) Additional species and
breeding records of birds in the Republic of Togo. Maiimbus 12: 2-18.
Douaud, J. (1955) Les oiseaux du Dahomey et du Niger. Oiseau Rev. fr. Orn. 25:
296-307.

Dowsett, R. J. (1993) Afrotropical avifaunas: annotated country checklists. Pp.
1-322 in Dowsett, R.J. & Dowsett-Lemaire, F. (eds), A Contribution to the
Distribution and Taxonomy of Afrotropical and Malagasy Birds. Tauraco Res.
Rep. 5, Tauraco Press, Liège.

Fry, C.H. (1984) The Bee-Eaters. Poyser, London.

Green, A. A. & Sayer, J.A. (1977) La Conservation des Ecosystèmes Eorestiers de
la Région des Monts Koujfé. Unpubl. report, FAO/PNUD.

Green, A. A. & Sayer, J.A. (1979) The birds of the Pendjari and Arli National

Parks. Maiimbus 1: 14-29.

Hayman, P., Marchant, S. & Prater, T. (1986) Shorebirds. Helm, London.
Holyoak, D.T & Seddon, M.B. (1990) Distributional notes on the birds of

Benin, Maiimbus 11: 128-134.

Jones, P.J. (1984) The status of the Pygmy Kingfisher in northeastern Nigeria.
Maiimbus 6: 11-14.

OusTALET, G. (1895) Catalogue des oiseaux du Dahomey réunis par M.
Mièrémarque au Muséum d’Histoire Naturelle, en 1898. Bull. Mus. Nat. Hist.
Nat. 8: 361-364.

Maclean, G.L. (1993) Roberts’ Birds of Southern Africa, 6th ed. John Voelcker
Bird Book Fund, Cape Town.

Serle, W. & Morel, G.J. (1979) Les Oiseaux de TOuest Africain. Delachaux et
Niestlé, Neuchâtel-Paris.

Thonnerieux, y. (1985) Notes complémentaires sur l’avifaune des Parcs Natio-
naux de l’Arli (Burkina) et de la Pendjari (Benin). Maiimbus 1: 137-139.
Wilkinson, R. (1979) Palaearctic Rufous Scrub Robin: new to Nigeria. Maiim-
bus 1: 65.

Wilkinson, R. (1982) Seasonal movements of the Pygmy Kingfisher Ceyx picta
in West Africa. Maiimbus 4: 53.

Appendix

70

P. M. Claffey

Malimbus 17

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1995

Birds of Bétérou

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on small open areas of ground where they were not seen later in the season. Returns in 1994 were later, with the first
birds noted on 4 November. A large roost of an estimated 3000 birds is located on the river just north of Bétérou.

3 Noted in small numbers in the Bétérou area but helicopter pilots from the WHO/Oncho project have noted flocks of up
to 500 to the northwest along the R. Ouémé.

Species Months dance Status Habitat Breeding References

Plectropterus gamhensis Spur-winged Goose (4) 1 2 F R R

Elanus caeruleus Black-shouldered Kite (5) 12-4 C L S

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(with faded head shields) with a juvenile, 40 km east of Bétérou, near Parakou.

10 Agitated behaviour suggesting presence of nest or young noted further south on the River Ouémé at Savé, 20 Jan 1994.
This is outside the immediate geographical range of this paper but, since this is also along the River Ouémé, it seems
possible that given suitable sandy habitat the birds I noted in the Bétérou area may also breed.

Abun-

Species Months dance Status Habitat Breeding References

G allinago gallinago Common {\\) 12-1 R P W

Tringa stagnatilis M?lys\\ '^:àn(Xp\^QV {M) 7 R P W

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17 In the Forêt Classée de Bassila, Apr 1977 (A. A. Green in iitt.) and at Ouari Maro, Jan 1994.

18 Very common on roads for a brief period, suggesting passage.

19 Often in mixed groups with A. ajfinis, or in isolated pairs.

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26 Noted by Green & Sayer (1979) as resident all year round in Pendjari. In the Bétérou area I noted definite movements.
Seen in groups of up to 20 in July, then disappears in August, until November. The distinctive call renders it unlikely to
have been missed during this period. The movements may be local, to the more open parts of N Benin.

27 Forêt Classée de Bassila, west of the Bétérou area.

Species Months dance Status Habitat Breeding References

H. leucosoma Pied-winged Swallow 9 R R V

H. smithii Wire-tailed Swallow 1-12 F R V

78

P. M. Claflfey

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Bradornis pallidus Pale Flycatcher 11 R R SW

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34 First Benin record. A female in scrub near my house at Bétérou, 18 Sep 1994. Identified by striking white throat, brown
crown, mousy brown upperparts and chestnut in the wing.

35 First Benin record. Seen 10 km west of Bétérou, 21 Sep 1990. Brown upperparts and striped underparts well seen.

Species Months dance Status Habitat Breeding References

M. cassini Cassin’s Grey Flycatcher (36) 11 R R R

Batis senegalensis Senega! Batis 9-4 F L SW

80

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and groups of four or five seen picking insects from yam mounds and from the ground in cultivated fields. Calls, a
grating churr, and a piping whistle of a single note, used at dusk by pairs some hundreds of metres apart, echoing each
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Species Months dance Status Habitat Breeding References

Ptilostomus afer Piapiac (43) 1^12 R R S

82

P, M. Claffey

Malimbus 17

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83

1995

00 m

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Birds of Bétérou

53 First Benin record. Not previously recorded west of the Cross River in SE Nigeria, so possibly an escaped cage bird (J.F.
Walsh & R.A. Cheke, pers. comm.). In a low bush near Bétérou, 16 Sep 1991. Identification based on striking black
crown, grey back and red rump.

Species Months dance Status Habitat Breeding References

84

P„ M. Claffey

Malimbus 17

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1995

85

Notes on the birds of the coastal and Kindia areas, Guinea

by Ron Demey

Van der Heimstraat 52, 2582 SB Den Haag, Netherlands

Received 3 January 1995
Revised 1 August 1995

Summary

An avifaunal list is presented, summarizing observations made during a stay
in Guinea from the end of May to mid-December 1991. Of a total of 268
species identified, seven are new to Guinea, bringing the total number of
species known for the country to 606; of these, 66 were not previously
recorded in the coastal region between Boffa and Forécariah and 163 in the
region of Kindia. Recent papers on the Guinea avifauna are critically
reviewed in an attempt to produce an accurate species list for the country.

Résumé

Une liste d’avifaune, synthétisant des observations faites au cours d’un
séjour en Guinée de fin mai à mi-décembre 1991, est présentée. Sur un total
de 268 espèces identifiées, sept sont nouvelles pour la Guinée; le total des
espèces connues pour le pays est ainsi de 606. Parmi celles-ci, 66 sont
nouvelles pour la région côtière entre Boffa et Forécariah et 163 pour la
région de Kindia. Les articles récents sur l’avifaune guinéenne sont
examinés de façon critique afin d’établir une liste exacte des espèces du pays.

Introduction

Morel & Morel (1988) synthesised what was then known of the composition and
distribution of the avifauna of Guinea. The observations of Walsh (1987), in the
north-east of the country, were not included in their list and complement it. Since
then, surveys of birds have been carried out in the coastal wetlands (Altenburg &
Van der Kamp 1989, 1991) and in the Diécké and Ziama forests, near the border
with Liberia and Ivory Coast (Wilson 1990). A study to assess the impact of the
cage bird trade on the population of Grey Parrots Psittacus erithacus in Guinea
was carried out in 1991 (Dandliker 1992). Recently, an updated checklist for the
country has been published (Dowsett 1993). A list for Macenta Prefecture in the
southeast of the country, published shortly afterwards, includes 44 additional
species (Halleux 1994).

86

R. Demey

Malimbus 17

Figure 1. Map of the coastal and Kindia areas, Guinea, showing localities mentioned
in the text: la Conakry Peninsula; Ih Kobaya; Ic Dubréka; Id Coyah; 2 Wassou; 3
Boffa; 4 Forécariah; 5 Mambia; 6 Foulayah; 7 Koba; 8 Kolenté.

From the end of May to mid-December 1991, I resided in Conakry and made
bird observations in the region of Kindia, described as less-prospected by Morel &
Morel (1988) (20 one-day visits), and in the coastal area near Conakry, up to Boffa
in the west and Forécariah in the east (16 one-day visits) (see Fig. 1 and Table 1).
My stay coincided with the rainy season and early dry season. By the end of

Table 1. Gazetteer

N

W

N

W

Boffa

10°12'

14°6'

Kindia

10°4'

i2°5r

Conakry

9°3r

13°43'

Koba

10°0'

12°43'

Coyah

9°45'

13°26'

Kobaya

9°40'

13°36'

Dubréka

9°48'

13°3F

Kolenté

10°6'

12°37'

Forécariah

9°28'

13°6'

Mambia

9°50'

1307,

Foulayah

10°2'

12°53'

Wassou

10°4'

13°40'

1995

Birds of western Guinea

87

October the grasslands had become straw-coloured and from the beginning of
November onwards bush-fires were started.

Of a total of 268 species identified, seven appear to be new to the country, as
compared to the most recent checklist (Dowsett 1993) supplemented by the
observations of Halleux (1994), while others represent new records for the Kindia
(163 species) and coastal areas (66 species), as compared to the relevant published
information (Richards 1982, Morel & Morel 1988, Altenburg & Van der Kamp
1991). These are included in the present list, comprising 184 species, which also
includes a few species, listed as new to the country or the coastal area by Altenburg
& Van der Kamp (1991), which were independently seen and identified by me.
Ayres’s Hawk Eagle Hieraaetus ayresii, already listed by Morel & Morel (1988) for
the coastal area, has been included because its occurrence was doubted by Dowsett
(1993), who excluded it from his country total. With one exception (Black-backed
Cloud Cisticola Cisticola eximius, of which a detailed description is given), I was
familiar with all the species from elsewhere in Africa. Species new to Guinea and
those whose occurrence required proof are detailed below.

With these additions, the total number of species recorded in Guinea now stands
at 606. This comprises the 552 species accepted by Dowsett (1993) augmented by
54 species figuring in the above-mentioned reports and in this paper (see
Appendix). It should be noted that all of the previously published lists contain
errors and were examined critically in an attempt to arrive at an exact country
total. For example Morel & Morel (1988), when listing the species added by Walsh
(1987), erroneously omit Hadada Ibis Bostrychia hagedash but mention Western
Bronze-naped Pigeon Columba iriditorques, apparently overlooking the fact that
the latter was already included in their list under the name C. rnalherbii. Altenburg
& Van der Kamp (1991) overlooked Walsh’s records and incorrectly claimed eight
“firsts” already recorded by him. Halleux (1994) seems to have been unaware of
Altenburg & Van der Kamp’s study and, consequently, incorrectly claimed four
species as new for Guinea (White-rumped Swift Apus caffer. Black-and-white
Flycatcher Bias musicus. Red-headed Quelea Quelea erythrops and Zebra Waxbill
Amaridava subflava). He also claimed Finsch’s Flycatcher-Thrush Stizorhina
finschi and Kemp’s Longbill Macrosphenus kempi as new species, overlooking the
fact that they figure in Morel & Morel (1988) as S. fraseri and M. flavicans.
Dowsett (1993) appears to have been unaware of Wilson’s (1990) unpublished
report; hence his omission of 3 1 species listed by Wilson (including eight records
provided by Halleux); all these, except Nkulengu Rail Himantornis haematopus,
were subsequently published by Halleux (1994).

Notes on selected species

Ayres’s Hawk Eagle Hieraaetus ayresiL An adult near Wassou, 8 Dec. Rather
stocky eagle; brown upperparts; white throat; white underparts heavily blotched

88

R. Demey

Malimbus 17

darkish; white shoulder-patches (“landing lights”); underwings heavily barred and
spotted blackish; tail square, dark brown, with broad dark terminal band and
three narrower bands. Previously recorded by Richards (1982) and included in
Morel & Morel (1988); listed by Dowsett (1993) as requiring proof.

Arctic Tern Sterna paradisaea. A bird in non-breeding dress, probably a first-
summer (second calendar year), foraging in Conakry harbour, 11-14 Jun. Descrip-
tion: cap black; forehead, crown and lores white; upperparts pale grey; faint,
dusky carpal bar; wings with white trailing edge and no dark wedge on primaries;
rump, deeply forked tail, and underparts white; underwing pure white with black
tips to primaries forming neat narrow trailing edge; bill black. Included by Morel
& Morel (1988) on the basis of recoveries of ringed birds; no localities given. Up to
the end of 1991 there were three recoveries of birds ringed in Britain (Mead &
Clark 1987; J.A. Clark in litt.); no localities published so far.

Mottled Swift Apus aequatorialis. Sightings all months Jun-Nov, singles and
groups of up to 20, in both the coastal area (two localities) and around Kindia
(four localities). Overall total more than 100 individuals. Larger and heavier than
European Swift A. apus, with which it was often associated. In good light, showed
dark brownish upperparts, white throat and greyish belly. Considering the
frequency with which this species was observed, it seems remarkable that it was
previously only recorded by Altenburg & Van der Kamp (1991), although
Richards (1982) suspected its occurrence. Listed by Dowsett (1993) as requiring
proof.

White-rumped Swift A. coffer. Three together near Dubréka, 30 Jun. Identified
by long outer tail feathers and white, relatively narrow U-shaped rump patch.
In the coastal area, previously recorded by Altenburg & Van der Kamp
(1991); listed by Dowsett (1993) as requiring proof; listed by Halleux (1994) for
Macenta.

Least Honeyguide Indicator exilis. A bird was tape-recorded, singing in the canopy
of remnant forest. Centre de Recherches Agronomiques de Foulayah, 3 Nov. C.
Chappuis (in litt.), confirmed the identity of the recording. First record for Guinea.
Black-backed Cloud Cisticola Cisticola eximius. Discovered in moist grassland
near Koba (20 km east of Kindia), Sep-Nov. In pairs, with a maximum of about 20
birds (8 Sep). Male: crown, sides of head and neck uniformly pale rufous-brown;
no supercilium; upperparts boldly streaked with black; conspicuous orange-rufous
rump, upper tail-coverts and lower flanks; wing feathers dark brown with pale
edges; tail brownish-black above, white with subterminal black spots below;
underparts whitish; legs and feet brownish pink; bill mainly horn-coloured.
Female as male, but with forecrown indistinctly streaked. Voice: a distinctive,
sharp, dissonant tchereet-tchereet; a series of rather thin tsree-tsree-tsree-tsree=. . .
uttered during undulating display flight high above territory, sometimes accompa-
nied by wing-snapping. The tchereet call was occasionally uttered during the
display flight. The birds were very active and conspicuous in Sep, when females
carrying food were observed. In Nov, however, when the grass had become dry

1995

Birds of western Guinea

89

and bush-fires had been started, they were extremely shy and seemed to have
almost disappeared (only three birds seen on three visits out of five; all three
showed streaked crowns). First records for Guinea.

Lead-coloured Flycatcher Myioparus plumbeus. One singing bird seen well
in wooded savanna, Mambia environs, 14 Jul and 2 Oct. First records for
Guinea.

Rufous-winged Illadopsis Illadopsis rufescens. This species’ distinctive, rhythmic
song (which may be rendered tk-tk-tk-hu-hu-hu) was heard at two sites: once in a
forest patch at the base of Mount Kakoulima, near Dubréka (30 Jun) and three
times in the remnant forest of the Centre de Recherches Agricoles de Foulayah
(Jul and Sep). First records for Guinea. The indication of this species’ occurrence
in Guinea by Allport et al. (1989) is an error (G. Allport pers. comm.).

West African Penduline Tit Anthoscopus parvulus. A single bird in wooded
savanna, Koba, 10 Nov (with G. Dandliker). First record for Guinea.
Red-headed Quelea Quelea erythrops. Several sightings of males in breeding
plumage, in grassland and cultivation, coastal and Kindia areas, Aug-Nov, Up to
40 birds together. Previously only recorded by Altenburg & Van der Kamp (1991)
and Halleux (1994).

White-cheeked Oliveback Nesocharis capistrata. Three sightings of singles, in the
coastal area near Forécariah (bushes along track), and in the Kindia area at
Kolenté (moist grassland), Aug-Sep. First records for these areas. Recorded in
Macenta by Halleux (1994)

Red-winged Pytilia Pytilia phoenicoptera. Two sightings of single males and two of
a pair, in two localities in the Kindia area, Jul and Sep-Nov. First records for
Guinea.

Crimson Seedcracker Pyrenestes sanguineus. A male, corresponding to the descrip-
tion of P. s. coccineus (Mackworth-Praed & Grant 1973), at the edge of
cultivation. Centre de Recherches Agricoles de Foulayah, 1 Sep. Previously only
recorded in Macenta (Halleux 1994).

Zebra Waxbill Amandava subflava. Several sightings of flocks (2-80 birds) in
grassland in the coastal area and near Kindia (Kolenté), Aug-Nov. Previously
only recorded by Altenburg & Van der Kamp (1991) for the coastal area.
Cabanis’s Bunting Emberiza cabanisL A singing male near Wassou, coastal area
(shrubs by cultivation), 22 Sep, and a pair near Mambia, Kindia area (wooded
savanna), 21 Sep. First records for Guinea.

90

R. Demey

Malimbus 17

Systematic list

Codes preceding species names

' Species not included in Dowsett (1993) but added by Halleux (1994).

2 Species not included in Dowsett (1993) but added by this paper.

* Further information in text, above.

Areas and occurrence

C Coastal area
K Kindia area

X Species recorded by me, but already listed by Morel & Morel (1988) for that
area. One species, Quail Finch Ortygospiza atricollis, recorded by Richards
(1982), has erroneously been omitted from the list of the coastal area by
Morel & Morel (1988).

XX Species new to the area.

(xx) Species listed by Altenburg & Van der Kamp (1991) as new to the coastal area
and independently observed there by me.

Localities (numbered on Fig. 1)

Only given for “xx” and “(xx)” species.

Coastal area:

1 Conakry peninsula (coast, city), Kobaya (mudflat in the Bay of Sangaréa),
Dubréka environs (main road along escarpment; remnant forest at base of
Mount Kakoulima) and Coyah environs (gallery forest 15 km north-east of
Coyah along main road to Kindia).

2 Wassou environs (grassland, wooded savanna, cultivation).

3 Boffa and environs (grassland, wooded savanna, cultivation).

4 Forécariah and environs (cultivation and bushes).

Kindia area:

5 Mambia environs (grassland and wooded savanna).

6 Foulayah, Centre de Recherches Agronomiques (small patch of forest sur-
rounded by grassland and cultivation along main road a few km south-west of
Kindia).

7 Koba (grassland and wooded savanna along main road 20 km south-east of
Kindia).

8 Kolenté, Projet agricole (cultivation, grassland, gallery forest).

Sequence and nomenclature follow Dowsett & Forbes-Watson (1993).

1995

Birds of western Guinea

91

Ardeidae

C

K

Localities

Bubulcus ibis Cattle Egret

Scopidae

X

XX

5,8

Scopus umbretta Hamerkop

Threskiornithidae

X

XX

5, 6, 7, 8

Bostrychia hagedash Hadada Ibis

Anatidae

(XX)

XX

2,8

Dendrocygna viduata White-faced Whistling Duck

(XX)

XX

1,6

Anas acuta Northern Pintail

Acdpitridae

(XX)

1

Pernis apivorus Honey Buzzard

XX

2

Elanus caeruleus Black-shouldered Kite

X

XX

5, 6,7,8

Milvus migrans Black Kite

X

XX

5,6,7,8

Gypohierax angolensis Palm-nut Vulture

X

XX

5

Necrosyrtes monachus Hooded Vulture

X

XX

5,6, 7,8

Gyps africanus White-backed Vulture

(XX)

XX

2,7,8

Cir cactus cinerascens Western Banded Snake Eagle

XX

2

Polyboroides typus Harrier Hawk

(XX)

XX

1,2,8

Circus pygargus Montagu’s Harrier

(XX)

1,2

^Accipiter cry t hr opus Western Little Sparrowhawk

XX

6,8

A. badius Shikra

X

XX

7,8

Buteo auguralis Red-necked Buzzard

XX

6,7,8

*Hieraaetus ayresii Ayres’s Hawk Eagle

X

2

Lophaetus occipitalis Long-crested Eagle

Falconidae

XX

XX

2,8

Falco ardosiaceus Grey Kestrel

Phasianidae

X

XX

8

Francolinus bicalcaratus Double-spurred Francolin

X

XX

5,6,7,8

Ptilopachus petrosus Stone Partridge

Rallidae

X

XX

5,7,8

Sarothrura pulchra White-spotted Flufftail

XX

5

Amaurornis flavirostra Black Crake

Charadriidae

X

XX

6

Charadrius marginatus White-fronted Plover

Scolopaddae

(XX)

1

Calidris canutus Red Knot

(XX)

1

C alba Sanderling

Sternidae

(XX)

1

*Sterna paradisaea Arctic Tern

XX

1

92

R. Demey

Malimbus 17

Columbidae

C

K

Localities

Streptopelia senegalensis Laughing Dove

X

XX

5,6,8

S. vinacea Vinaceous Dove

(XX)

X

1,2

S. semitorquata Red-eyed Dove

X

XX

all

Tver on australis Green Pigeon

Psittacidae

XX

XX

2,5,7,8

Psittacula krameri Rose-ringed Parakeet

Musophagidae

(XX)

1

Tauraco per sa Guinea Turaco

X

XX

5, 6,7,8

Crinifer piscator Western Grey Plantain-eater

Cuculidae

X

XX

5,6,7,8

Clamator levaillantii Levaillant’s Cuekoo

(XX)

XX

l,2,4,5,6,7,l

Cuculus solitarius Red-chested Cuekoo

XX

XX

1, 2,3,5, 6

C clamosus Black Cuekoo

XX

6

Chrysococcyx cupreus Emerald Cuekoo

XX

XX

4,5,6,8

C. klaas Klaas’s Cuekoo

X

XX

5,6

C caprius Didric Cuekoo

X

XX

5,6,7,8

Ceuthmochares aereus Yellowbill

XX

6,7,8

Centropus grillii Black Coucal

XX

8

C. leucogaster Black-throated Coucal

XX

6

C monachus Blue-headed Coucal

XX

8

C. senegalensis Senegal Coucal

Strigidae

X

XX

5, 6, 7,8

Bubo leucostictus Akun Eagle Owl

Apodidae

XX

6

' Telacanthura ussheri Mottled Spinetail

XX

6

Cypsiurus parvus Palm Swift

X

XX

5,6,7,8

*Apus aequatorialis Mottled Swift

(XX)

XX

1,4,5,6,7,8

A. apus European Swift

X

XX

5,6,7,8

^A. cajfer White-rumped Swift

Alcedinidae

(XX)

1

Halcyon malimbica Blue-breasted Kingfisher

X

XX

5,6,7

H. chelicuti Striped Kingfisher

Meropidae

XX

5,7,8

M crops hirundineus Swallow-tailed Bee-eater

XX

2

M. albicollis White-throated Bee-eater

X

XX

5,6,7,8

M. apiaster European Bee-eater

Coradidae

XX

XX

2,7,8

Coracias cyanogaster Blue-bellied Roller

(XX)

X

2

Eurystomus glaucurus Broad-billed Roller

Phoeniculidae

X

XX

8

Phoeniculus purpureus Red-billed Wood Hoopoe

(XX)

XX

2, 6,7,8

1995

Birds of western Guinea

93

C K Localities

Bucerotidae

Tockus fasciatus Pied Hornbill

X

XX

5,6,8

T. nasutus Grey Hornbill

(XX)

XX

1,2, 5,6,7, 8

Bycanistes fistulator Piping Hornbill

XX

XX

1,4,6

Capitonidae

Pogoniulus bilineatus Yellow-rumped Tinkerbird

XX

XX

2, 3,5,6, 7, 8

Lybius vieilloti Vieillot’s Barbet

XX

XX

2,5

L. bidentatus Double-toothed Barbet

XX

2

Indicatoridae

Indicator indicator Greater Honeyguide

XX

XX

2,5,6

2*/. exilis Least Honeyguide

XX

6

Picidae

Campethera punctuligera Fine-spotted Woodpecker

XX

8

Dendropicos fuscescens Cardinal Woodpecker

XX

XX

2,5,6

Mesopicos goertae Grey Woodpecker

X

XX

5

Picoides obsoletus Brown-backed Woodpecker

XX

XX

2,5, 7, 8

Alaudidae

Galerida modesta Sun Lark

X

XX

5,7,8

Hirundinidae

Psalidoprocne obscur a Fanti Saw-wing

X

XX

5,6,7, 8

Riparia riparia European Sand Martin

XX

7,8

R. paludicola African Sand Martin

XX

8

^Pseudhirundo griseopyga Grey-rumped Swallow

XX

XX

2, 4, 5,7, 8

Hirundo abyssinica Lesser Striped Swallow

X

XX

6,8

H. daurica Red-rumped Swallow

XX

5,6

H. preussi Preuss’s Cliff Swallow

XX

5

H. fuligula Rock Martin

XX

5

H. leucosoma Pied-winged Swallow

XX

XX

2,3,5, 8

H. iucida Red-chested Swallow

(XX)

X

1,2,4

Deiichon urbica House Martin

XX

7

Motadllidae

Motacilla flava Yellow Wagtail

XX

7

Anthus leucophrys Plain-backed Pipit

XX

7,8

A. trivialis Tree Pipit

XX

XX

2,5

Pycnonotidae

Andropadus virens Little Greenbul

XX

X

1,2,4

A. gracilis Little Grey Greenbul

XX

6

A. gracilirostris Slender-billed Greenbul

X

XX

5,6

Baeopogon indicator Honeyguide Bulbul

XX

6,8

Chlorocichla simplex Simple Leaflove

X

XX

5,6,8

C. flavicollis Yellow-throated Leaflove

XX

5,6,8

Pyrrhurus scandens Leaflove

(XX)

XX

2,6,7,8

94

R. Demey

Malimbus 17

C K Localities

Turdidae

Turdus pelios West African Thrush

X

XX

5, 6, 7, 8

Luscinia megarhynchos Nightingale

XX

XX

2, 5, 7, 8

Cossypha albicapiîla White-crowned Robin-Chat

X

XX

5,7,8

Saxicola rubetra Whinchat

X

XX

6,7,8

Myrmecocichla cinnamomeiventris Mocking Chat

XX

5

Sylviidae

Melocichla mentalis Moustached Warbler

XX

XX

1,2,3,5,6,7,8

Acrocephalus arundinaceus Great Reed Warbler

XX

8

Hippolais polyglotîa Melodious Warbler

(XX)

XX

2, 6,7, 8

Eremomela pusilla Green-backed Eremomela

XX

XX

2,5,7

Sylvietta virens Green Crombec

XX

6,7,8

S. denti Lemon-bellied Crombec

XX

5,6

S. brachyura Northern Crombec

XX

5

Phylloscopus trochilus Willow Warbler

X

XX

5,6,7

Hyliota flavigaster Yellow-bellied Hyliota

XX

5

Hylia prasina Green Hylia

XX

XX

1,2,6

Sylvia borin Garden Warbler

XX

XX

2,5,6

^*Cisticola eximius Black-backed Cloud Cisticola

XX

7

C. natalensis Croaking Cisticola

XX

XX

1,2,8

C. brachypterus Short-winged Cisticola

XX

XX

all

C. lateralis Whistling Cisticola

XX

X

1,2, 3, 4

C. erythrops Red-faced Cisticola

XX

XX

1,2,4,5,6,7,8

C cantans Singing Cisticola

X

XX

5,7,8

Prinia subflava Tawny-flanked Prinia

X

XX

5,6,7,8

Heliolais erythroptera Red-winged Warbler

XX

XX

2,8

Hypergerus atriceps Oriole-Warbler

X

XX

8

Musdcapidae

Melaenornis edolioides Western Black Flycatcher

X

XX

5,6,8

Ficedula hypoleuca Pied Flycatcher

X

XX

5,6,8

Muscicapa striata Spotted Flycatcher

XX

7

^*Myioparus plumbeus Lead-coloured Flycatcher

XX

5

Platysteiridae

Batis senegalensis Senegal Batis

XX

5,7

Dyaphorophyia blissetti Red-cheeked Wattle-eye

XX

6

Platysteira cyanea Scarlet-spectacled Wattle-eye

X

XX

5,7,8

Monarchidae

Elminia longicauda Blue Flycatcher

XX

5

Timaliidae

^*Illadopsis rufescens Rufous-winged Illadopsis

XX

XX

1,6

Turdoides plebejus Brown Babbler

X

XX

5,6,7, 8

1995

Birds of western Guinea

95

C K Localities

T. reinwardii Blackcap Babbler

XX

XX

1,2, 4, 5, 6, 8

Phyllanthus atripennis Capuchin Babbler

XX

5,8

Paridae

Pams leucomelas White- winged Black Tit

XX

XX

2,5

Remizidae

^*Anîhoscopus parvulus West African Penduline Tit

XX

7

Nectariniidae

Anthreptes collaris Collared Sunbird

XX

5,6

Nectarinia olivacea Olive Sunbird

XX

XX

1,6,8

N. verticalis Green-headed Sunbird

XX

5,6

N. senegalensis Scarlet-chested Sunbird

XX

2

N. venusta Yellow-bellied Sunbird

X

XX

5, 6, 7, 8

N. cuprea Copper Sunbird

(XX)

XX

all

N. coccinigaster Splendid Sunbird

(XX)

X

2

Zosteropidae

Zoster ops senegalensis Yellow White-eye

XX

5, 6, 7, 8

Oriolidae

Oriolus auratus African Golden Oriole

XX

XX

2,3,6

Laniidae

Corvinella corvina Yellow-billed Shrike

XX

XX

2, 5, 7, 8

Malaconotidae

Tchagra australis Brown-crowned Tchagra

XX

4

r. senegala Black-crowned Tchagra

XX

X

2,3,4

Laniarius turatii Turati’s Boubou

X

XX

5,6, 7, 8

Malaconotus sulfureopectus Orange-breasted Bush Shrike xx

XX

2,3,5,6,7,8

M. blanchoti Grey-headed Bush Shrike

XX

8

Nicator chloris Western Nicator

X

XX

6

Prionopidae

Prionops plumatus White Helmet Shrike

XX

7,8

Dicruridae

Dicrurus ludwigii Square-tailed Drongo

XX

XX

2, 5, 6, 8

D. adsimilis Fork-tailed Drongo

XX

X

2

Corvidae

Ptilostomus afer Piapiac

X

XX

6

Corvus albus Pied Crow

X

XX

5,6, 7, 8

Sturnidae

Cinnyricinclus leucogaster Amethyst Starling

X

XX

6

Passeridae

Passer griseus Grey-headed Sparrow

X

XX

5,7,8

96

R. Demey

Malimbus 17

C K

Ploceidae

Ploceus nigerrimus Vieillot’s Black Weaver

XX

XX

P. cucullatus Village Weaver

X

XX

*Quelea erythrops Red-headed Quelea

(XX)

XX

Euplectes afer Yellow-crowned Bishop

(XX)

XX

E. hordeaceus Fire-crowned Bishop

X

XX

E. macrourus Yellow-mantled Whydah

Estrildidae

X

XX

Nigrita bicolor Chestnut-breasted Negrofinch

XX

'^Nesocharis capistrata White-cheeked Oliveback

XX

XX

Pytilia hypogrammica Yellow-winged Pytilia

XX

2* P. phoenicoptera Red-winged Pytilia

XX

^*Pyrenestes sanguineus Crimson Seedcracker

XX

Mandingoa nitidula Green Twinspot

XX

Euschistospiza dybowskii Dybowski’s Twinspot

XX

XX

Lagonosticta rufopicta Brown Firefinch

XX

X

L. senegala Red-billed Firefinch

X

XX

L. rara Black-bellied Firefinch

XX

XX

L. rubricata Blue-billed Firefinch

XX

XX

Estrilda melpoda Orange-cheeked Waxbill

X

XX

E. astrild Common Waxbill

XX

Uraeginthus bengalus Red-cheeked Cordon-bleu

XX

*Amandava subjiava Zebra Waxbill

(XX)

XX

Ortygospiza atricollis Quailfinch

X

XX

Lonchura cucullata Bronze Mannikin

X

XX

L. bicolor Black-and-white Mannikin

Viduidae

XX

Vidua chalybeata Village Indigobird

XX

V. macroura Pin-tailed Whydah

X

XX

V. paradisaea Long-tailed Paradise Whydah

Fringillidae

(XX)

XX

Serinus mozambicus Yellow-fronted Canary

Emberizidae

XX

XX

Ember iza cabanisi Cabanis’s Bunting

XX

XX

Localities

4. 5. 6. 8

5. 6. 7. 8

4. 6. 7. 8

1,8

5,6J,8

5. 6. 7. 8

5,6

4.8

5.6.8

5.6
6
6

2.5.8

1

7.8

2, 3, 5, 7,8

4. 5. 6. 8

5.6.7.8
8

7

2.8

4.7.8

5. 6. 7.8

6.7

5.8

5. 6. 7. 8

2. 5. 7. 8

1,2, 5, 6, 7

2,5

1995

Birds of western Guinea

97

Acknowledgments

I thank R. Wilson for sending me his report on Diécké and Ziama birds, C.
Chappuis for examining the tape-recording of Indicator exilis, and L.DG.
Fishpool, GJ. Morel, A. Tye and J.F. Walsh for their comments on the
manuscript.

References

Allport, G., Ausden, M., Hayman, P.V., Robertson, P. & Wood, P. (1989)
The Conservation of the Birds of Gola Forest, Sierra Leone. Study Rep. 38,
International Council for Bird Preservation, Cambridge.

Altenburg, W. & Van Der Kamp, J. (1989) Etude Ornithologique Préliminaire
de la Zone Côtière du Nord-Est de la Guinée. Study Rep. 30, International
Council for Bird Preservation, Cambridge.

Altenburg, W. & Van Der Kamp, J. (1991) Ornithological Importance of
Coastal Wetlands in Guinea. Study Rep. 47, International Council for Bird
Preservation, Cambridge.

Dandliker, G. (1992) Le Perroquet gris Psittacus erithacus en Guinée. Evaluation
des populations, contribution à la biologie, étude de l’exploitation commerciale et
recommandations pour la gestion. Unpubl. rep., CITES.

Dowsett, R.J. (1993) Afrotropical avifaunas: annotated country checklists. Pp.
1-322 in Dowsett, R.J. & Dowsett-Lemaire, F. (eds.) A Contribution to the
Distribution and Taxonomy of Afrotropical and Malagasy Birds. Tauraco Res.
Rep. 5, Tauraco Press, Liège.

Dowsett, RJ. & Forbes-Watson, A.D. (1993) Checklist of Birds of the
Afrotropical and Malagasy Regions. Vol 1: Species limits and distribution.
Tauraco Press, Liège.

Halleux, D. (1994) Annotated bird list of Macenta Prefecture, Guinea. Malim-
bus 16: 10-29.

Mackworth-Praed, C.w. & Grant, C.H.B. (1973) Birds of West Central and
Western Africa, vol. 2. Longmans, London.

Mead, C.J. & Clark, J.A. (1987) Report on bird-ringing for 1987 [error, = 1986].
Ringing Migr. 8: 135-200.

Morel, GJ. & Morel, M.-Y. (1988) Liste des oiseaux de Guinée. Maiimbus 10:
143-176.

Richards, D.K. (1982) The birds of Conakry and Kakulima, Democratic
Republic of Guinea. Maiimbus 4: 93-103.

Walsh, J.F. (1987) Records of birds seen in north-eastern Guinea in 1984-1985.
Maiimbus 9: 105-122.

Wilson, R. (1990) Annotated bird lists for the Forêts Classes de Diécké and
Ziama and their immediate environs. Unpubl. rep., lUCN, Gland.

98

R. Demey

Malimbus 17

Appendix

Additions to Dowsett’s (1993) species list for Guinea
Total additions, 54 species.

Note that Thick-billed Honeyguide Indicator conirostris (Halleux 1994) is lumped
with /. minor by Dowsett & Forbes-Watson (1993). References are: AV =
Altenburg & Van Der Kamp (1991); H = Halleux (1994); MM = Morel & Morel
(1988); W = Wilson (1990); D = this study.

Tachybaptus ruficollis Little Grebe W, H

Aviceda cuculoides Cuckoo Falcon W, H

Dryotriorchis spectabilis Congo Serpent Eagle H

Accipiter erythropus Western Little Sparrowhawk W, H, D

A. melanoleucus Black Sparrowhawk H

Urotriorchis macrourus Long-tailed Hawk H

Hieraaetus ayresii Ayres’s Hawk Eagle MM, D

Falco biarmicus Lanner H

Himantornis haematopus Nkulengu Rail W

Crecopsis egregia African Crake H

Porphyrio alleni Allen’s Gallinule H

Gallinula angulata Lesser Moorhen H

Cuculus gularis African Cuckoo H

Telacanthura ussheri Mottled Spinetail W, H, D

Raphidura sabini Sabine’s Spinetail W, H

Apus aequatorialis Mottled Swift AV, D

A. cajfer White-rumped Swift AV, H, D

Phoeniculus bollei White-headed Wood Hoopoe W, H

P castaneiceps Forest Wood Hoopoe H

Ceratogymna atrata Black-casqued Hornbill W, H

Buccanodon duchaillui Yellow-spotted Barbet H

Melichneutes robustus Lyre-tailed Honeyguide H

Indicator exilis Least Honeyguide D

Campethera caroli Brown-eared Woodpecker W, H

Pseudhirundo griseopyga Grey-rumped Swallow H, D

Hirundo nigrita White-throated Blue Swallow H

Motacilla clara Mountain Wagtail W, H

Lobotos lobatus Western Wattled Cuckoo-shrike H

Coracina azurea Blue Cuckoo-shrike W, H

Andropadus ansorgei Ansorge’s Greenbul H

Phyllastrephus icterinus Icterine Greenbul W, H

Bleda syndactyla Bristlebill W, H

Alethe poliocephala Brown-chested Alethe W, H

1995 Birds of western Guinea 99

Cisticola eximius Black-backed Cloud Cisticola D

Apalis nigriceps Black-capped Apalis W, H

Drymodchla incana Red-winged Grey Warbler H

Meiaemrnis annamaruiae Nimba Flycatcher W, H

Musdcapa olivascens Olivaceous Flycatcher W, H

Myioparus plumbeus Lead-coloured Flycatcher D

Dyaphorophyia concreta Yellow-bellied Wattle-eye W, H

Illadopsis deaveri Blackcap Illadopsis W, H

/. rufescens Rufous- winged Illadopsis D

Pams funereus Dusky Tit ' W, H

Anthoscopus parvulus West African Penduline Tit D

Dryoscopus sabini Sabine’s Puffback W, H

Tchagra minuta Marsh Tchagra H

Malaconotus multicolor Many-coloured Bush Shrike W, H

Ploceus albinucha Maxwell’s Black Weaver W, H

Amblyospiza albifrons Thick-billed Weaver H

Parmoptila rubrifrons Red-faced Flowerpecker H

Nesocharis capistrata White-cheeked Oliveback H, D

Pytilia phoenicoptera Red-winged Pytilia D

Py renest es sanguineus Crimson Seedcracker H, D

Emberiza cabanisi Cabanis’s Bunting D

Singing Bush Lark - Alouette chanteuse - Mimfm cantillans
Photo: Michael Gore

100

Malimbus 17

Short Notes

Confirmation de la présence du Martinet alpin Apus melba au Sénégal

Lors d’une étude ornithologique au Parc National du Niokolo-Koba (Sud-Est
Sénégal), nous avons rencontré le 13 février 1995 un feu de brousse d’intensité
moyenne, le long de la piste qui longe la rivière Niokolo. Ce feu avait dû être plus
violent au cours de l’heure précédente et avait brûlé partiellement une large
superficie de savane. Nous nous sommes arrêtés pour observer les Rolliers
d’Abyssinie Coracias abyssinica qui se rassemblent souvent aux alentours des feux.
Notre attention fut attirée par au moins une soixante de grands martinets,
chassant entre 10 et 50 m d’altitude, et que nous avons d’abord pris pour des
Martinets noirs Apus apus. Pourtant leur taille nous a tout de suite semblé trop
grande pour cette espèce. Aux jumelles, nous avons observé très nettement la gorge
ainsi que tout le ventre blancs, avec une bande sombre sur la poitrine. L’identifica-
tion ne faisait plus de doute, il s’agissait bien du Martinet alpin A. melba.
Manifestement, ces martinets, qui volent haut habituellement, étaient descendus
pour chasser les insectes fuyant le feu. Ces oiseaux évoluaient au-dessus du feu et
dans les zones voisines.

Dans la littérature on ne trouve qu’une seule mention d’observation du
Martinet alpin au Sénégal: un individu dans une bande de Martinets noirs (Morel
& Roux 1966). Fry et al. (1988) citent aussi: “Flocks of 2-40 seen at 2 localities in
Senegambia...” mais sans précision de lieu, de date ni d’auteur et, de plus, ni Morel
& Morel (1990) ni Gore (1990) ne mentionnent ces observations. Par ailleurs, un
rapport manuscrit de R. Dévissé (1991) signale trois observations personelles de
Martinets alpins au Parc National du Niokolo-Koba: quatre à Simenti le 8 juin
1986, l’espèce encore notée à Vourouli le 26 déc 1987, et huit individus à Malapa le
20 fév 1989.

On a découvert que cette espèce migratrice paléarctique nichait au Mali dans les
falaises du pays Dogon et pouvait y être très abondante (Fry et al. 1988). La rareté
des observations de l’espèce l’extrémité ouest de l’Afrique ainsi que la date de notre
observation, mi-février, peuvent faire penser à un passage de migrateurs remon-
tant vers l’Europe.

Bien que semblant éviter la côte Atlantique, mais compte tenu de la capacité de
vol de cette espèce, on devrait la trouver plus qu’ occasionnellement en Afrique de
l’Ouest (Mackworth-Praed & Grant 1970). Il a cependant fallu des circonstances
exceptionnelles pour que ces martinets descendent à une altitude permettant de
bien les observer. Il est par ailleurs connu que ces martinets profitent souvent des
sources de nourriture localement abondantes, comme les feux de brousse (Cramp
1985). Ceux-ci n’étant pas rares en zone de savane, le Martinet alpin pourrait être
observé plus souvent.

Merci à R. Dévissé pour nous avoir aimablement communiqué ses observations et
autorisé à les citer.

1995

Short Notes

101

Bibliographie

Cramp, S. (1985) Handbook of the Birds of Europe, the Middle East and North
Africa, voL 4. Oxford University Press, Oxford.

Devisse, R. (1991) Synthèse des observations ornithologiques faites au Sénégal par
R. Devisse, entre le 3 octobre 1985 et le 1 juillet 1989. Rapport manuscrit.

Fry, C.H., Keith, S. & Urban, E.K. (1988) The Birds of Africa, vol 3. Academie
Press, London.

Gore, M.EJ. (1990) Birds of the Gambia (2nd ed.). Checklist 3, British Ornitholo-
gists’ Union, Tring.

Mackworth-Praed, C.W, & Grant, C.H.B. (1970) Birds of West Central and
Western Africa. Longman, London.

Morel, G.J. & Morel, M.-Y. (1990) Les Oiseaux de Sénégambie. ORSTOM,
Paris.

Morel, G. J. & Roux, F. (1966) Les migrateurs paléarctiques au Sénégal L Non
passereaux. Terre Vie 20: 143-176.

Reçu 28 mai 1995 Bernard Tréca & Mamadou Sakho

ORSTOM, B.P. 1386, Dakar, Sénégal

Winter site fidelity of Redstart Phoenicums phoenicums in N. Nigeria

Berthold (1993) notes that bird ringing is revealing more and more cases of fidelity
to wintering sites. Cuadrado et al. (1995) conclude that Blackcaps Sylvia atrica-
pilia wintering in southwestern Europe seem to return to the same general area
year after year. Elgood et al (1994) list retraps of Yellow Wagtail Motacilla fiava
by Sharland at Kano, up to seven years after ringing, and a Spanish Wheatear
Oenanthe hispanica ringed in December 1964 which remained until February then
returned for the 1965-66 winter. Elgood et al (1994) quote R.E. Sharland as
reporting that, of ten Common Redstarts Phoenicums phoenicurus ringed at Kano,
two were retrapped the following year.

A female Common Redstart P. p. phoenicurus was controlled by me over three
winters, in the same 200-300 m of hedge, in my garden in Kaduna, Northern
Nigeria. It was first ringed on 15 Nov 1962 and departed on 25 Mar 1963. It
returned on 9 Nov 1963 and remained until 27 Mar 1964. It returned again on 30
Nov 1964, remaining until 18 Mar 1965, after which it was not seen again. The
“arrival” dates in 1963 and 1964 refer to when the bird was first heard calling or
was mist-netted. The “departure” dates were when it was last heard. It was also
mist-netted from time to time to check its identity, and it became quite tame. There
was also a male in the same hedge from 25 Feb 1962 until 5 Mar 1962, presumably
feeding up before moving north.

I can find nothing in the literature providing evidence of similar, consistent, and

102

Short Notes

Malimbus 17

specific fidelity to such a limited winter site. The bird stayed, on average, about
four months over three successive winters.

References

Berthold, P. (1993) Bird Migration. Oxford University Press, Oxford.
CuADRADO, M., Senar, J.C. & CoPETE, J.L. (1995) Do all Blackcaps Sylvia
atricapilla show winter site fidelity? Ibis 137: 70-75.

Elgood, J.H., Heigham, J.B., Moore, A.M., Nason, A.M., Sharland, R.E. &
Skinner, N.J. (1994) The Birds of Nigeria (2nd ed.). Checklist 4, British
Ornithologists’ Union, Tring.

Received 9 January 1995 Morris Skilleter

Revised 4 May 1995 12 Westcliffe Road, Sunderland SR6 9NW, U.K.

More observations of Audouin’s Gulls Lams audouinii in Senegal

As a confirmation of recent observations of Audouin’s Gulls Larus audouinii,
wintering on the Senegalese coast south of Dakar (Bâillon 1989, Delaporte &
Dubois 1990, Anon. 1994), a team of Scandinavian ornithologists counted, in
Nov-Dec 1994, on one day 1 12 and the next 456 Audouin’s Gulls near Palmarin,
in the same area where the earlier observations had been made. As we could visit
only about 10% of the apparently suitable ponds, we suggest that the total
wintering population could have been much larger. Many of the birds wore a white
plastic ring in addition to a metal ring; we were able to read 1 6 of the latter which
indicated their place of ringing as Spain.

References

Anon. (1994) Audouin’s Gulls in Senegambia. Bull. Afr. Bird Club 1: 59-60.
Bâillon, F. (1989) Nouvelles données sur l’hivernage du Goéland d’Audouin
{Larus audouinii Payr.) en Sénégambie. Oiseau Rev. fr. Orn. 59: 296-304.
Delaporte, P. & Dubois, P. J. (1990) Premier recensement hivernal des Laridés
sur les côtes du Sénégal et de Gambie. Alauda 58: 163-172.

Received 4 January 1995
Revised 1 July 1995

Kenneth Bengtsson

Gronvagen 5B, S-23232 Arlov, Sweden

1995

Short Notes

103

First record of Little Gull Lams mimutus in Cameroon

On 16 November 1994, in the course of a boat trip to the estuary of the Rio del
Rey in South-West Province, Cameroon, we observed three small gulls perched on
pilings in the water a few yards from the shore. There were large numbers of Black
Terns Chlidonias niger in the area, some of which were also perched on the pilings
and so it was easy to see that the gulls were only slightly bigger than the terns.
Other noticeable features were a dark spot behind the eye and a dark patch in the
“shoulder” area. The primaries and tail appeared mainly dark. The beak was dark
and the legs flesh coloured. We did not get good sightings of the birds flying but
the combination of the dark ear-spot, the dark patch on the shoulder and above all
the small size led us to identify them as immature Little Gulls Lams minutus. Other
possibilities such as Franklin’s Gull L. pipixcan or Sabine’s Gull L. sabini are
appreciably larger and do not show the dark ear-spot.

Little Gull was not recorded by Louette (1981) nor have we found any reference
to it in subsequent literature. It has, however, been recorded as vagrant in both
Nigeria and Gabon (Dowsett & Dowsett-Lemaire 1993).

References

Louette, M. (1981) The Birds of Cameroon, an annotated checklist. Verhandel
Kon. Acad. Wetensch. Lett. Schone Kunst. Belg. 43: 1-163.

Dowsett, R.J. & Dowsett-Lemaire, F. (eds) (1993) A Contribution to the
Distribution and Taxonomy of Afrotropical and Malagasy Birds. Tauraco Res.
Rep. 5, Tauraco Press, Belgium.

Received 27 February 1995 Bill & Rowena Quan trill

Revised 17 June 1995 Tor House, 36/37 Newtown,

Bradford-on-Avon, Wilts BA15 INF, U.K.

Red-tailed Ant-Tlirush Neocossyphus rufus in Central African Republic

On a visit to the Dzanga-Ndoki National Park in the Sangha Prefecture of the
Central African Republic, in January 1995, 1 was sitting quietly by a small stream
with wooded banks when I observed a bird sitting on a branch about 0.5 m up
from the ground. It was only about 12 m away and the light was quite good so I
was able to see clearly that it had the stance and shape of a thrush, with quite a
bright rufous underside, a greyish head, and brown back and wings. The upperside
of the tail appeared wholly rufous but, after sitting quietly for a few minutes, the
bird hopped into the stream and bathed and, as it flew back onto a higher branch
to preen, I observed that the central feathers in the upperside of the tail were
darker. As it was preening I was also able to see that the whole of the underside of
the tail was orange. Neither during its short flight nor during preening did I

104

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observe any wing-bar or underwing pattern. The area of the park where these
observations were made was about 34 km east of Bayanga (approximately 2°45'N,
16°20T).

From these observations I concluded that the bird was a Red-tailed Ant-thrush
Neocossyphus rufus. The thrush-like stance and build, and lack of wing markings,
eliminate Rufous Flycatcher-Thrush N. fraseri. The Red-tailed Ant-thrush was
originally included in a list of birds of the Central African Republic, allegedly for
the Lobaye Prefecture (Carroll 1988) but the record was subsequently rejected by
Germain (1992) as founded on a mistaken reading of unpublished data. It is not
included by Green & Carroll (1991) for Dzanga-Ndoki National Park and
Dzanga-Sangha Rainforest Reserve.

References

Carroll, R.W. (1988) Birds of the Central African Republic. Malimbus 10:
177-200.

Germain, M. (1992) Sur quelques données erronées concernant Favifaune de la
Lobaye, République Centrafricaine. Malimbus 14: 1-6.

Green, A. A. & Carroll, R.W. (1991) The avifauna of Dzanga-Ndoki National
Park and Dzanga-Sangha Rainforest Reserve. Malimbus 13: 49-66.

Received 27 February 1995 Rowena Quantrill

Revised 17 June 1995 Tor House, 36/37 Newtown,

Bradford-on-Avon, Wilts BA15 INF, U.K.

Recent records of White-naped Pigeon Columba albinucha from Cameroon

The White-naped Pigeon Columba albinucha is a little-known species of lowland
and transitional montane forest, classified as “Near threatened” by Collar &
Stuart (1985). Its main centre of distribution is in the Ruwenzori mountains of
Zaire with fewer records from adjacent Uganda. Records outside this region have
been restricted to three birds collected by Eisentraut at 1 100 m in the Rumpi Hills
of south-west Cameroon in 1967 (Louette 1981). Despite a considerable amount of
ornithological work in south-west Cameroon since then, most notably by the
I.C.B.P. Cameroon Montane Forest Expedition of 1984 (Stuart 1986), this species
has remained unrecorded there until very recently. The following recent sightings,
however, suggest that this species may be of more regular occurrence in south-west
Cameroon than earlier thought.

On 21 September 1992 a probable sighting was made of two birds at 1550 m in
the canopy of montane forest on Mt Kupe by Steve Keen (pers. comm.).

At 8.30 h on 30 March 1993 I saw three White-naped Pigeons in bare trees
bordering a small coffee farm at 1000 m on Mt Kupe. The habitat was primarily

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farmbush but primary transitional forest bordered it nearby. All the bird’s
distinctive features were visible. Overall the birds appeared a dark purple-bronze,
with white speckling confined to the lower chest and belly. The bill and legs
appeared bright red, much brighter than depicted in Urban et al. (1986). The nape
patch appeared a very pale grey, nearly white, on all the birds seen. Their tails were
distinctly bicoloured, bronze with very broad light grey terminal bands, similar to
the tail of the Western Bronze-naped Pigeon C. iriditorques, which has not yet been
recorded on Mt Kupe. As I watched the birds, they continually flew out of view
towards the ground, possibly to an unseen food source, before flying back into the
trees and spending long periods motionless. They were not wary, allowing an
approach to within 15 m.

At 9.00 h on 9 July 1993 I saw two White-naped Pigeons at exactly the same site
and behaving in the same way. On 13 April, together with C.G.R. Bowden, I saw
two birds there again, also at around 9.00 h.

Following this, there were no further records from this site for nearly a year,
despite regular observer coverage.

At 8.40 h on 19 March 1994 I saw three White-naped Pigeons in flight near the
isolated village of Edib, at 1100 m in the Bakossi Mountains of south-west
Cameroon. The habitat was farmbush with coffee plantations, again with primary
transitional forest nearby.

At about 9.00 h the next day I saw four birds of this species in a bare tree at the
“regular” site at 1000 m on Mt Kupe.

There appears to be a pattern to these sightings. With the exception of Keen’s
September record in primary montane forest, all have been at small coffee farms in
farmbush with primary transitional forest nearby between 19 March and 9 April
and between 8.00 and 9.00 h. I should add that my visits were regular and that the
birds were present on practically every visit made to the site between 8.00 and 9.00
h, but none was seen on visits made later in the day.

Clearly more fieldwork needs to be done as regards this species in the Cameroon
region, especially in the little-known Bakossi Mountains, an area with ten times
more forest than Mt Kupe, and where I suspect the bulk of the Cameroon
population to be. This species may also be present in other ecologically similar
areas such as Mts Cameroon and Nlonako in Cameroon and the Obudu Plateau in
Nigeria.

References

Collar, N.J. & Stuart, S.N. (1985) Threatened Birds of Africa and Related

Islands. International Council for Bird Preservation, Cambridge.

Louette, M. (1981) Birds of Cameroon. An annotated checklist. Verhandel. Kon.

Acad. Wetensh. Lett. Schone Kunst. Belg. 43: U163.

Stuart, S.N. (ed.) (1986) Conservation of Cameroon Montane Forests. Inter-
national Council for Bird Preservation, Cambridge.

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Malimbus 17

Urban, E.K., Fry, C.H. & Keith, S. (eds) (1986) The Birds of Africa, vol. 2.
Academie Press, London.

Received 22 March 1995 Eddie Williams

17 Sycamore Close, Upton, Wirral, Merseyside L49 4LQ, U. K.

An historical breeding record in Mali and description of the young of the
Grasshopper Buzzard Butastur rufipennis

According to Brown et al. (1982) the downy young of the Grasshopper Buzzard
Butastur rufipennis is undescribed. However, Millet-Horsin (1921) obtained two
living nestlings which had been taken from a nest near Kati (12°44'N, 8°4'W),
Mali, on 22 June 1920. The birds lived in captivity until the following August,
when they died; they were presented at a Meeting of the Société Ornithologique de
France on 7 October 1921. Millet-Horsin described the birds as being completely
white when secured. Their heads had become a bright reddish (equivalent to the
bright rufous for immatures as described by Brown et al. 1982) at death, in
contrast to the chocolate colour of the adult head.

In a subsequent account, Millet-Horsin (1922) referred to the young being buff-
grey (“gris-bloncF) but it is unclear whether he was contradicting himself or
referring to the birds when a little older. It is possible that the specimens decayed
and were discarded in the meantime (they are not listed in the Museum of Natural
History, Paris; J.-F. Voisin in litt.) and, if so, Millet-Horsin may have been relying
on memory for the second account.

The record is apparently the first and only confirmed breeding record for the
species in Mali, although Lamarche (1980) records nest-building by B. rufipennis
south of San (13°18'N, 4°54'W) in March. Elsewhere in West Africa, there are
nesting records from Nigeria in March (Elgood et al 1994) and the species has
twice nested in the Keran Park in northern Togo between April and June (J.F.
Walsh & R.A. Cheke, unpubk). Courtship has been seen in The Gambia,
suggestive of possible breeding there also (Gore 1990).

I am grateful to Dr J.-F. Voisin for seeing if the specimens survived in Paris and to
him and Dr G.J. Morel for their comments on a draft.

References

Brown, L., Urban, E.K. & Newman, K. (1982) The Birds of Africa, vol. 1.
Academic Press, London.

Elgood, J.H., Heigham, J.B., Moore, A.M., Nason, A.M., Sharland, R.E. &
Skinner, N.J. (1994) The Birds of Nigeria. Check-list 4 (2nd ed.), British
Ornithologists’ Union, Tring.

1995

Short Notes

107

Gore, M.E. (1990) Birds of The Gambia. Check-list 3 (2nd ed.), British Ornitholo-
gists’ Union, Tring,

Lamarche, B. (1980) Liste commentée des oiseaux du Mali. 1ère partie: non-
passereaux. Malimbus 2: 121-158.

Millet-Horsin, [H.], (1921) Société ornithologique de France. Communication
du Dr. Millet-Horsin. Rev.fr. Orn. 7: 177-180.

Millet-Horsin, [H.], (1922) Déplacement de l’Est à l’Ouest d’espèces Africaines.
Rev. fr. Orn. 7: 295.

Received 4 May 1995 R. A. Cheke

Revised 1 August 1995 c/o Natural Resources Institute, Central Avenue,

Chatham Maritime, Chatham, Kent ME4 4TB, UK.

108

Malimbus 17

Book Reviews

An Annotated Ornithological Bibliography of Guinea-Bissau. By CJ. Hazevoet,
1995. 9 pp. Versl. Tech. Geg. 55, Inst, voor Systematiek en Populatiebiologie,
Universiteit van Amsterdam, P.O. Box 94766, 1090 GT Amsterdam. Available on
request from the author.

The lack of ornithological knowledge of this country is made obvious by the
brevity of this A4 booklet, which attempts to be a complete bibliography. It lists
only a little over 100 references, of which one quarter are by J. Tendeiro, on avian
parasites. The author has made a thorough search of the early Portuguese
literature and is quite up-to-date. Most references are not annotated but some
have a single-sentence guide to content. Some references to neighbouring areas of
Guinea or Senegal are also included.

Alan Tye

Coastal Waterbirds in Gabon, Winter 1992. Ed. by FJ. Schepers & E.C.L.
Marteijn, 1993. 293 pp. Stichting WIWO, Zeist. ISBN 90-9006776-0. Paperback
DEI 30 from Stichting WIWO, van Stuivenbergweg 4, 6644 AB Ewijk,
Netherlands.

The preface to this book explains the extraordinary conservation importance of
Gabon, with its largely unspoilt coastline and forests, a point elaborated in the
following chapters.

The bulk of the report is in English, with an extended summary in French. The
biggest fault, as with some previous WIWO publications, is the odd English; the
text was corrected by a Dutchman, whereas it would have been better to have had
the draft proof-read by a native English speaker. Occasionally, careful thought is
needed to elucidate exactly what is meant, and one or two sentences are
incomprehensible.

In two months, some 60% of the coast was surveyed, including all the large
mudflats and most of the coastal lagoons. A chapter on habitats presents an
excellent descriptive and quantitative picture. The extent of mudflats was deter-
mined, from maps and field observations, to be only about half of that previously
calculated for the country from marine charts (Tye, A., 1987, Wader Study Group
Bull. 49: 20-27, 50: 17). The charts are probably out of date for the location of
some flats, but most of the observations for the present report were not made at
spring tides (on average they would have been based on mean tidal range), whereas
the earlier estimate from marine charts gave the fullest extent of flat at tidal
extremes. Therefore the real extent of flats probably lies between the two
estimates.

1995

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109

The waterbird counts give details of all species, from pelicans to terns, with
localities and habitat preferences. Apart from waders (Charadrii), which were
mostly of Palaearctic origin, most species were Afrotropical. Unusual records
included Terek Sandpiper Xenus drier eus (with photo). Pacific Golden Plover
Pluvialis fulva and Dunlin Calidris alpina, but no identification details are given in
support of the latter two.

One chapter presents the count results, another a full systematic list for
waterbirds, with details of distribution (many maps), ecology and behaviour, and
another sets the results in the context of the Ramsar criteria, to assess the
international importance of the various sites. Meeting the criteria are: Gabon’s
largely intact and extensive mangroves; the coast as a whole, for rare species (e.g.
Damara Tern Sterna balaenarum and Loango Slender-billed Weaver Ploceus
subpersonatus), several waterbirds, marine mammals and turtles; Corisco Bay, the
Gabon estuary and Cap Lopez Bay for numbers of waders and/or > 1% of the
population of one or more species. A final chapter on other species observed
contains useful “checklist-type” information on landbirds and other vertebrates.
Notable records include Black-throated Coucal Centropus leucogaster, south of its
known range, and feral Fischer’s Lovebirds Agapornis fischeri.

In summary, this is another excellent WIWO baseline study, helping to ensure
that the West African coast becomes among the best-known in the tropics for
birds.

Alan Tye

Guide des Oiseaux de la Réserve de la Lopé. Par P. Christy & W. Clarke, 1994.
191pp., 59 planches en couleur, 1 carte. ECOFAC, Libreville.

Ce guide est le premier des ouvrages consacrés à l’inventaire de la flore et de la
faune de la réserve de la Lopé, mené sous l’égide du projet régional gabonais de
conservation et d’utilisation rationelle des écosystèmes forestiers d’Afrique cen-
trale dont le sigle est ECOFAC. Cette réserve est située au centre du Gabon, juste
au sud de l’équateur.

Dans ce guide, l’inventaire couvre la zone touristique ECOFAC qui présente
trois types d’habitat: rives du fleuve Ogooué, savanes et forêts bordant celles-ci.
Les espèces qu’on pourrait observer soit au centre de la réserve, jusqu’ici peu
accessible, soit à la liséré des forêts mais en faible densité, sont dénommées
“additives”. Nous avons compté 402 espèces (dont 54 “additives”) ce qui
représente un peu moins des deux tiers des espèces recensées au Gabon (629
d’après Dowsett & Dowsett-Lemaire, 1993, A Contribution to the Distribution and
Taxonomy of Afrotropical and Malagasy Birds, Tauraco Press, Liège). C’est dire
l’intérêt de cette réserve, en particulier pour les espèces forestières, mais ce guide
sera aussi très utile à quinconque s’intéresse à l’avifaune du Gabon.

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Malimbus 17

Car ce guide est très complet et très soigné. Les differents milieux (fleuve,
savanes et forêt) sont décrits rapidement, mais avec indication précise des lieux les
plus intéressants. Les noms des espèces sont donnés en latin, en français et en
anglais, avec mention du nom utilisé par Serle & Morel (1977, A Field Guide to the
Birds of West Africa, Collins, London, ou 1979, Les Oiseaux de l’Ouest Africain,
Delachaux & Niestlé, Neuchâtel-Paris) quand celui-ci diffère de la nomenclature
maintenant adoptée.

Le souci de l’identification des oiseaux sur le terrain a dominé la conception de
ce livre. La description de l’oiseau par P. Christy s’accompagne toujours de
remarques sur son comportement à terre ou au vol, des lieux et conditions dans
lesquels on peut l’observer. Un soin tout particulier a porté sur les émissions
sonores et, grande originalité de ce guide, les illustrations en couleur de la plupart
des espèces dues à W. Clarke résultent de croquis effectuées sur le terrain si bien
que l’attitude de l’oiseau a été privilégiée par rapport au détail des couleurs. Quand
c’est nécessaire, plusieurs dessins sont consacrés à une seule espèce et quand deux
espèces sont difficiles à séparer sur le terrain, elles figurent sur la même planche
avec tous les détails pouvant faciliter l’identification. On peut regretter car il faut
bien trouver quelque chose à critiquer que la réserve de la Lopé n’ait pas été mieux
située géographiquement et que l’avifaune n’ait pas été succintement analysée
(nombre d’espèces etc.).

En conclusion, c’est un livre remarquable et l’on ne peut que féliciter les auteurs
et les organismes qui en ont subventionné la réalisation.

Marie- Yvonne Morel

Coastal Assessment of Parc National du Banc d^Arguin, Mauritania. By A. R. G.
Price, A. J. de Grissac & R. F. G. Ormond, 1992. Pp. x -h 42. lUCN, Gland. ISBN
2-8317-0106-6, paperback.

This report presents a research plan, including some specific project proposals, for
the Banc d’Arguin National Park.

The importance of the park is briefly described; its biological riches, a result of
upwelling, include the world’s largest concentration of wintering waders
( > 2,000,000) and nest sites for 25000-40000 seabirds. Previous research, mostly on
birds and littoral ecology, is reviewed and a preliminary bibliography presented,
containing over 40 references.

The research plan advocates a multidisciplinary approach, with modelling of the
system to permit prediction of the consequences of management options. The
strategic plan is superficial, specifying only four “levels” of research: (1) specific,
e.g. birds, (2) ecosystem, e.g. interactions between fish and birds (the authors do
not seem to understand the term “ecosystem” - birds are termed an ecosystem!),
(3) interactions between resources and humans and (4) interactions between

1995

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111

natural processes, “ecosystems” and humans, using predictive modelling. The five-
year timescale attached to the envisaged progression from level 1 to 4 is unrealistic;
the levels would have to be to some extent concurrent and the later stages which
would depend on the results of earlier ones could not possibly be expected to
happen within five years. Indeed, the five year programme, scheduled to finish in
1995, has hardly begun.

In contrast to the unrealistic and vague generalities of strategy, the specific
research projects proposed are generally sound, although there are not enough of
them to meet the overall purpose of enabling predictive modelling and manage-
ment planning, and the methodology is not thought out in great detail; one
important aspect inadequately covered by the proposal dealing with it is the extent
of human use of the park’s resources.

The report includes no more development jargon and verbiage than is usual in
similar lUCN reports; but it is irritating that consultants feel bound to write such
rubbish in an attempt to increase the apparent erudition of their work. One does
not know the resources available to the authors, especially time allocated to the
job, but I would have expected a proper research plan to be far more comprehen-
sive; this report is so superficial and neglects so many subject areas that it fulfils its
stated aim in only a sketchy fashion.

Alan Tye

A Birdwatchers’ Guide to The Gambia. By Rod Ward, 1994. Pp. 116, line drawings
and maps. Prion, Perry. ISBN 187-1104-041. Paperback £9.75 from Natural
History Book Service, Wills Rd., Totnes TQ9 5XN, U.K.

This is an addition to Prion’s series of birdwatchers’ guides, others covering Nepal,
Morocco, Southern Spain & Gibraltar, and Seychelles. The aim of the series is to
help the birdwatcher make the most of a short visit, giving first an introduction to
the country and general information for the tourist, followed by detailed site
information for the birdwatcher.

With a list of over 500 bird species in a country of only 10,000 km^, which is easy
to travel to and within, the package tours available in The Gambia have made it a
popular destination for birdwatchers. Dr Ward directs the reader to 19 selected
areas of special interest, 17 of them within easy reach of the main resorts on the
coast and two up-river, Tendaba and Basse, with an additional note on birding on
the river itself.

There is a selective list of the rarer bird species which have been “reliably”
recorded, with site information about each, and a full species tick-list for the
country, although it is not made clear from what authority these lists are derived.
Checklists of butterflies, amphibians, reptiles and larger mammals, and a selective
bibliography, are also included. As detailed accounts of the region and its birds are

112

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Malimbus 17

outside the scope of the Birdwatchers’ Guides, travellers who like to have more
than a superficial knowledge of the zoogeography of the countries which they visit
might have preferred a fuller bibliography.

The tourist information is given in considerable detail, some inevitably already
(1995) out of date, but the introduction to the country and its river is somewhat
brief. The description of the River Gambia is also short and unfortunately
inaccurate. In fact, the river is tidal for all of its 475 km within The Gambia; the
limit of its tidal reaches at the Barrakunda Falls marks the eastern boundary of the
country. The mangrove swamps of the mud flats and bolons of the lower reaches
occur because of the salinity, not the tidal nature, of the Lower River.

Each site description has a sketch map, and Rob Hume’s delightful line
drawings, which accompany the text, give an indication of the type of habitat and
of special birds to be found there. A second edition would perhaps benefit from the
addition of a simple illustrated guide to the trees which are often used as markers
in the site directions, and which may be unfamiliar to the visitor. Apart from the
rather poor map of the whole country, the book is nicely produced and, on the
whole, will serve its purpose well.

Amberley Moore

WeiBstorchzug. Okologie, Gefahrdung und Schütz des WeiBstorchs in Afrika und

Nahost. By Holger Schultz, 1988. Pp. 460, many monochrome photos and maps.
Josef Margraf, Weikersheim. ISBN 3-8236=1141-0, paperback.

This is the report, entirely in German, of an investigation by WWF-Germany and
ICBP into the threats to the White Stork Ciconia ciconia on its migration routes
and in winter quarters in the Middle East and Africa. The species in Europe is
comparatively well-known; this study was initiated with the aim of gathering data
to enable the preparation of a protection and management plan for the non-
breeding areas. The study is based partly on a review of literature but mainly on
the results of a questionnaire circulated to correspondents in each country, and by
three field trips by the author, to Sudan, southern Africa and the Middle East.

The book comprises two sections, “general” and “specific”, the latter consisting
of a country by country presentation. The general section gives a synopsis of
migration routes, breeding and wintering areas, habitat selection and threats. The
biggest threat is hunting, throughout the migration and winter range, other
important ones are poisoning, often from pesticides used for the control of locusts,
army worms etc., and habitat change, especially by desertification and human
activities. There is also a section considering whether ringing might interact with
the stork’s habit of thermoregulation by defaecating on its legs, to cause leg injury
and death, and the conclusion is that it can, especially in hot climates.

For West African states, the country accounts vary between two and 13 (Mali)
pages, countries where storks are rare being dealt with briefly. Some countries are

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113

grouped, e.g. Guinea-Bissau to Liberia, with only three pages between them. Some
other parts of Africa receive fuller treatment, especially those which the author
visited. Each account includes a discussion of status, movements, habitat use,
threats and protection measures. The quality of the information obviously varies
hugely between countries, depending on such obvious factors as the existence of
resident, active ornithologists and ease of access to outsiders. Similarly, the
distribution maps presented for each country vary in detail and style. Some habitat
photos are included, as are lists of references and correspondents pertaining to
each country. On the whole, the accounts make an excellent summary of
knowledge up to 1988 and a sound basis for future work.

Alan Tye

News & Letters

The BP Conservation Programme Awards

£34,000 of grant support are available for research. Birdlife International, Fauna
and Flora International and the British Petroleum Co. pic. come together in this
award scheme to assist and encourage high priority conservation research projects.
Successful applications should include undergraduate participants and demon-
strate local collaboration. For more information contact: Expeditions Officer, BP
Conservation Programme, Birdlife International, Wellbrook Court, Girton Road,
Cambridge CB3 ONA, U.K.. Telephone +44 (0)1223 277318; facsimile +44
(0)1223 277200; email birdlife@gn.apc.org.

114

Malimbus 17

Society Notices

W.A.O.S. Research Grant

Following an encouraging early response of four applications for grants, an award
of £500 has been made to Mr M.S. Diop, towards his comparative study of the
behavioural ecology of the Red-billed Hornbill Tockus erythrorhynchus and Grey
Hornbill T. nasutus in Senegal. Mr Diop is a graduate student of the University of
Dakar; his research, which is taking place in association with ORSTOM Dakar,
will be supervised by Dr B. Tréca.

Bourse de Recherche de la S.O.O.A*

Faisant suite aux premières réponses encourageantes de quatre demandes de
bourse, une allocation de £500 a été décernée à M. M.S. Diop, en contribution à
l’étude comparée de l’éco-éthologie du Petit Calao à bec rouge Tockus erythror-
hynchus et du Petit Calao à bec noir T. nasutus au Sénégal. M. Diop est un étudiant
de 3ème cycle de l’université de Dakar; ses recherches, qui se déroulent en
association avec l’ORSTOM de Dakar, seront dirigées par M. B. Tréca.

New Secretary to Council

Mrs A.M. Moore resigned as Secretary to Council, with effect from 30 June this
year. We have grown used to Amberley’s meticulous, efficient and, above all,
unfailingly good-humoured approach to this time-consuming job, which she has
undertaken for the past seven years. Her tact, when organising other members of
Council, is unsurpassed. We are obviously disappointed, although not in the least
surprised, that she feels it is time for a break. We are sure that we speak for all
those members with whom she has dealt so courteously, when we wish her well in
her rather more peaceful future.

Our regret at losing Amberley’s services is only lessened by the fact that Dr R.
Wilkinson has agreed to take her place. Roger is a long-standing member of the
Society, whose West African experience was gained primarily in Nigeria, where he
enjoyed six years teaching and researching birds at Bayero University, Kano. He
now works as Curator of Birds at Chester Zoo and retains a research interest in
West African species. We are especially pleased to have Roger as the new
Secretary, as he is one of our most regular and punctual referees, often returning
carefully-reviewed manuscripts within a day of receipt - a characteristic advan-
tageous in an officer who will have to spend much time answering correspondence.

Members should note the address of the new Secretary (inside front cover), to
whom enquiries about Research Grants should be sent. Please note that member-

1995

Society Notices

115

ship enquiries should still be addressed to the Treasurer and Membership
Secretary, R.E. Sharland.

Council

Un nouveau Secrétaire au Conseil

Mme A.M. Moore a démissioné de son poste de Secrétaire du Conseil à compter
du 30 juin de cette année. Nous nous étions habitués à la façon méticuleuse,
efficace et, par dessus tout inlassablement affable, d’Amberley de s’acquitter de
cette tâche prenante durant les sept dernières années. Son tact pour accorder les
points de vue des membres du conseil est inégalé. Nous sommes évidemment déçus
mais aucunement surpris qu’elle juge le moment venu de s’arrêter. Nous sommes
sûrs de parler au nom de tous les membres avec qui elle a agi aussi délicatement en
lui souhaitant un avenir un peu plus paisible.

Notre regret de perdre les services d’Amberley est seulement atténué par le fait
que R. Wilkinson a accepté de la remplacer. Roger est depuis longtemps membre
de la Société; il a surtout acquis son expérience de l’Ouest africain au Nigéria où il
eut le plaisir d’enseigner et de faire des recherches sur les oiseaux pendant six ans à
l’université Bayero, Kano. Il est maintenant Conservateur de la section des
oiseaux au Zoo de Chester et s’intéresse toujours aux recherches sur les oiseaux de
l’Ouest africain. Nous sommes particulièrement contents que Roger soit le
nouveau Secrétaire car il est l’un des lecteurs de manuscrits les plus réguliers et les
plus ponctuels et renvoie souvent les textes minutieusement relus le lendemain de
leur réception; c’est une qualité appréciable chez quelqu’un qui passera beacoup de
temps à répondre au courrier.

Les adhérents noteront l’adresse du nouveau Secrétaire (au verso de la couver-
ture) à qui les questions sur les bourses de recherches devront être adressées.
Veuillez noter que le courrier relatif aux abonnements doit toujours être envoyé au
Trésorier, également chargé des abonnements, R.E. Sharland.

Le Conseil

Biennial meeting of the Society, 1996

As mentioned in Maîimbus 16: 136-7, Council hopes to organize a General
Meeting of the Society to coincide with the 9th Pan-African Ornithological
Congress, which is now to be held in Accra, Ghana, in December 1996. We hope
that many members will be able to attend. The African Bird Club is trying to
arrange reduced fares to Ghana for the Congress. Further details will be circulated
with the next Malimbus.

116

Society Notices

Malimbus 17

Assemblée bisannuelle de la Société en 1996

Comme il a été annoncé dans Malimbus 16: 140, le Conseil espère organiser une
Assemblée Générale de la Société de façon à ce qu’elle coïncide avec le 9ème
Congrès Panafricain d’Ornithologie qui se tiendra à Accra, Ghana, en décembre
1996. Nous espérons que nombreux seront les adhérents à pouvoir y assister.
L’African Bird Club cherche à obtenir des tarifs réduits pour le Ghana à l’occasion
du Congrès. De plus amples détails seront fournis par le prochain Malimbus.

Senegal Kingfisher - Martin-chasseur du Sénégal - Hakyon senegalensis
Photo: Michael Gore

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Instructions aux Auteurs

Malimbus publie des Articles, des Notes Courtes, des Analyses d’Ouvrages, des Informations,
des Lettres et des illustrations traitant de l’ornithologie ouest-africaine. Les textes sont
acceptés en anglais et en français; la Rédaction pourra aider les auteurs dont la langue
maternelle n’est pas l’une de celles-ci. Les textes des Informations et des Lettres ne devraient
pas dépasser 1000 mots. Les Articles et les Notes Courtes doivent être des apports originaux;
ceux déjà publiés ailleurs, en partie ou en totalité, seront normalement refusés. Les Notes
Courtes sont des articles de moins de 1000 mots (références comprises) ou de deux pages
imprimées. Autant que possible, les manuscrits auront été auparavant soumis au moins à un
ornithologue ou biologiste pour un examen minutieux. Les manuscrits seront envoyés pour
critique à au moins un lecteur compétent.

Les textes soumis seront tapés en deux exemplaires, d’un seul côté de la page, double
interligne et avec larges marges. Les tirages sur imprimante matricielle ne seront acceptés que
s’ils ont la “qualité-courrier”. Les auteurs ne doivent pas envoyer un double de leur disquette
en même temps que l’article qu’ils soumettent, mais sont priés d’indiquer s’ils peuvent le faire
dans le cas où leur article serait accepté. Les disquettes seront retournées aux auteurs.
Consultez l’Editeur pour des détails supplémentaires, c’est-à-dire les programmes de texte
compatibles.

Les conventions concernant les tableaux, les chiffres, le système métrique, les références, etc.
peuvent être trouvées dans ce numéro et doivent être soigneusement suivies. Notez en
particulier que les dates s’abrègeront comme 2 fév 1990 mais dans un texte pourront s’écrire en
entier; que les heures s’écriront comme 6.45 h, 17.00 h; que les coordonnées s’écriront comme
7°46'N, 16°4'W; que les nombres jusqu’à dix s’écriront en entier, excepté devant une unité de
mesure (p. ex. 6 m), que les nombres à partir de 1 1 s’écriront en chiffres sauf au début d’une
phrase. Toute référence citée dans l’article, et aucune autre, doit figurer dans la bibliographie.

Les articles d’avifaune doivent comprendre une carte ou une liste des localités citées. Ils
devraient donner quelques détails sur le climat, la topographie, la végétation et l’environne-
ment (y compris les événements inhabituels) avant ou d^urant l’étude (p. ex. pluies tardives,
etc.). Les listes d’espèces ne devraient contenir que des données importantes: les listes
complètes ne sont justifiées que pour les régions encore non étudiées ou délaissées pendant
longtemps. Autrement, ne citer que les espèces sur lesquelles l’étude fournit de nouveaux faits
sur la répartition, la période de séjour, la reproduction, etc. Pour chaque espèce, indiquer le
statut migratoire, la période de séjour (telle qu’elle ressort de l’étude), l’extension de l’aire, une
estimation d’abondance {Malimbus 17: 38) et les données datées sur la reproduction.
Eventuellement, replacez les faits dans le contexte en les comparant brièvement avec une liste
régionale de référence. Les longues listes d’espèces devraient être sous forme de tableaux (p. ex.
Malimbus 12: 39-51, 1: 22-28, ou 1: 49-54) ou sous forme de texte des derniers numéros (p. ex.
Malimbus 12: 19-24, 12: 61-86, 13: 49-66, 16: 10-29). La séquence taxonomique et les noms
scientifiques (et de préférence aussi les noms vernaculaires) devraient suivre Dowsett & Forbes-
Watson (1993, Checklist of Birds of the Afrotropical and Malagasy Regions, Tauraco Press,
Liège) ou The Birds of Africa (Brown et al. 1982, Urban et al. 1986, Fry et al. 1988, Keith et al.
1992, Academie Press, London), à moins de donner les raisons de s’écarter de ces auteurs. Un
guide plus complet aux auteurs d’articles sur l’avifaune, comprenant une notation d’abondance
des espèces la plus conseillée, est publié dans Malimbus 17: 35-39. On peut en obtenir une
copie de la Rédaction, qui se fera aussi un plaisir d’offrir ses conseils sur la présentation de ce
genre d’études.

Les figures doivent être préparées pour une reproduction directe, permettant une réduction
de 20 à 50%; on se servira d’encre de chine sur papier blanc de bonne qualité ou calque épais et
de caractères Letraset (ou équivalent) selon le cas. Les figures produites par les imprimantes
sont rarement de qualité acceptable. Pour le dessin des Figures, tenir compte du format de
Malimbus.

Tous les Articles (mais non les Notes Courtes) comporteront un Résumé, n’excédant pas 5%
de la longeur totale. Le Résumé mentionnera brièvement les principaux résultats et conclu-
sions de l’Article et ne sera pas un simple compte rendu du travail. Les résumés seront publiés
à la fois en anglais et en français et seront traduits au mieux par la Rédaction.

Dix tirés-à-part des Articles (mais non des Notes courtes) seront envoyés gratis à l’auteur
ou à l’auteur principal. Les tirés-à-part ne seront ni agrafés, ni reliés ou recouverts; ce sont de
simples extraits de la revue.

Malimbus 17(2) 1995
Contents

Body weights and wing moult of the Bronze Mannikin Lonchura
cucullata and Blue-hilled Mannikin L. bicolor in Sierra Leone.

H.S. Thompson & A. Tye

The birds of the Kounounkan Massif, Guinea.

P.V. Hayman, M. Prangley, A. Barnett & D. Diawara

Notes on the avifauna of the Bétérou area, Borgou Province,

Republic of Benin.

P.M. Claffey

Notes of the birds of the coastal and Kindia areas, Guinea.

R. Demey

Short Notes

Confirmation de la présence du Martinet alpin Apus melba au
Sénégal. B. Tréca & M. Sakho

Winter site fidelity of Redstart Phoenicurus phoenicurus in Nigeria.
M. Skilleter

More observations of Audouin’s Gulls Larus audouinii in Senegal.

K. Bengtsson

First record of Little Gull Larus minutas in Cameroon.

B. Quantrill & R. Quantrill

Red-tailed Ant-Thrush Neocossyphus rufus in Central African
Republic. R. Quantrill

Recent records of White-naped Pigeon Columba albinucha from
Cameroon. E. Williams

An historical breeding record in Mali and description of the young of
the Grasshopper Buzzard Butastur rufipennis. R.A. Cheke

Book Reviews

News & Letters

Society Notices

299 Pfl

10/03/96

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