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MALIMBUS

Journal of the West African Ornithological Society

Revue de la Société d’Ornithologie de l’Ouest Africain

VOLUME 23 Number 1

ISSN 0331-3689

March 2001

West African Ornithological Society

Société d’ Ornithologie de l’Ouest Africain

Council:

President: Dr Gérard J. Morel

Vice-president: Prof. C. Hilary Fry

Treasurer and Membership Secretary: Robert E. Sharland

Managing Editor: Dr Alan Tye

Member of Council: Dr Max Germain

Secretary to Council: Dr Roger Wilkinson

Meetings Secretary: Dr Hazell S.S. Thompson

Editorial Board: Dr R.J. Dowsett, Dr F. Dowsett-Lemaire, Dr C.H. Fry, A.A. Green,

A.M. Moore, Dr G.J. Morel, Dr J. Pérez del Val, Dr P. Scholte, Dr R. Wilkinson

Malimbus distribution: G.D. Field

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The Society grew out of the Nigerian Ornithologists’ Society, which was founded in

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2001

1

A contribution to the ornithology of Mount Oku forest,

Cameroon

by Roger C, Fotso

Cameroon Biodiversity Project, P.O. Box 3055, Messa, Yaounde, Cameroon

Received 1 September 1997; revised Î September 2000.

Summary

The Mt Oku bird list is incomplete, but with a total of 217 species observed,

including 37 of the 53 species considered to be characteristic of the montane

forest ecosystem and 11 of the 20 known endemics of the highlands of

western Cameroon, the avifauna of the region is rich and diverse. At least one

species (Great Blue Turaco Corythaeola cristata ), last seen in the region in

1984, may have disappeared due to forest clearing. Some of the species

reported in the literature appear to have been misidentified.

Résumé

La liste des oiseaux du Mt Oku n’est certainement pas encore complète.

Cependant, avec un total de 217 espèces recensées, y compris 37 des 53

espèces considérées comme caractéristiques des écosystèmes des forêts de

montagne, et 11 des 20 espèces endémiques de l’archipel montagnard de

P ouest du Cameroun, Pavifaune de la région apparaît très riche et diversifiée.

Au moins une espèce (Touraco géant Corythaeola cristata ), encore présente

dans la région en 1984, aurait déjà disparue, à cause de la déforestation. Il

apparaît également qu’un certain nombre d’espèces signalées dans la

littérature avaient été mal identifiées.

Introduction

The avifauna of the Cameroon Mountain forests has been well surveyed by Serle

(1950, 1954, 1965, 1981), Eisentraut (1963, 1973), Stuart (1986) and Smith &

McMiven (1993). About 256 species have been listed as present in the region,

including some 53 which are restricted in their distribution to the mountain forest

ecosystem. Twenty of these are endemic to western Cameroon and adjacent E Nigeria

(Louette 1981, Collar & Stuart 1985, Thiollay 1985).

2

R.C. Fotso

Malimbus 23

The most diverse and important areas in the region appear to be Mt Cameroon,

Mt Kupe and the Bamenda Highlands (Collar & Stuart 1988). The distribution and

status of many species are still poorly known and recent changes in habitats and

consequent changes in bird species composition (Decoux & Fotso 1988), lead to a

need for the species list for the region to be updated.

I started this project in 1990, with the aim of examining bird species diversity and

population status in the Oku mountain forest. The survey was carried out between

January 1990 and July 1991, with further observations in 1992, 1995 and 1996.

Observations by Dowsett-Lemaire & Dowsett (1998) are also included.

Study area and methods

The Oku region (6°12'N, 10°31'E; Fig. 1), is situated in the northern section of the

Bamenda Highlands, close to the contact zone between the mountain forest and the

savanna in the north. The study area of about 200 ha on the northern slope of Mt Oku

holds one of the best-preserved fragments of montane forest in the region. The

vegetation associations include moist montane forest, degraded forest, and stands of

bamboo Arundinaria alpina. This forest shows structural and floristic changes

according to altitude: at lower altitudes it is dominated by Schefflera abyssinica and

Carapa grandiflora, while higher it is dominated by Syzygium guineense, Rapanea

melanophloeos and Podocarpus latifolius (Thomas 1987). The forest understorey is

dominated in places by Ardisia cymosa, Psychotria peduncularis and Brillantaisia

sp.. Between 2400 and 2700 m altitude, Arundinaria alpina becomes increasingly

common and forms species-poor stands, especially on steep slopes. Above 2600 m,

the forest changes character, becoming much more open, and is dominated by

Podocarpus latifolius and stands of Arundinaria alpina. This is the western-most and

only W African location for this botanical association, which is well developed in E

Africa (Letouzey 1968).

Few trees are permitted to grow on cultivated land, and the majority of these are

of exotic origin (mainly Eucalyptus). There is no transition zone between the forest

and farms, nor between forest and savanna at the mountain summit.

The Oku forest plays an important role in the local economy and culture, as it

provides a wide range of forest products for the local people, including firewood,

bamboo, honey and medicinal plants (Macleod 1987). Many footpaths have been

created in the forest, running from its edge at around 2200 m up to the top of the

mountain at 2900 m. Four of these footpaths were selected for use in this study, and

marked with beacons at altitudinal intervals of 10 m.

Census trips through the forest were made chiefly between 07h30 and llhOO,

since many birds species seem to be more active during this period of the day ( e.g .

Decoux & Fotso 1988). For a census, I walked along the path from the farm border at

2200 m up to 2800 m, stopping near each beacon to record all bird species heard or

2001

Birds of Mt Oku

3

Figure 1. The Cameroon mountain ridge and the range of the Afro-montane

vegetation district (black). The narrow line indicates the 900 m contour.

4

R.C. Fotso

Malimbus 23

seen. Thirty-eight censuses were made during the periods Jan-May 1990, and Feb-Jul

1991. Areas dominated by savanna type vegetation at lower altitude (1600-1800 m)

and several other patches of forest in the region were also explored.

Results

Two hundred and seventeen bird species have been reported in the Oku area forest,

including 37 characteristic of the montane forest ecosystem, 1 1 of which are endemic

to western Cameroon and adjacent E Nigeria, while 17 are Palaearctic migrants.

During the study period, I was able to confirm the presence of 159 species, including

several not mentioned by previous authors.

The species list indicates abundance as follows: 1 = very few sightings (usually

less than 10) over the whole period; 2 = frequent (often seen or heard); 3 = common

(seen heard virtually every visit to suitable habitat). Endemics (E) and species

characteristic of montane forest (F) are also indicated. [ ] indicates species unlikely to

be present; brackets sibling species difficult to tell apart in the field.

Podicipedidae

Tachybaptus ruficollis Little Grebe. 2.

Ardeidae

Nycticorax nycticorax Night Heron. Stuart et al. (1986).

Ardea cinerea Grey Heron. 2.

A. melanocephala Black-headed Heron. 1.

Scopidae

Scopus umbretta Hamerkop. 2.

Ciconiidae

Ciconia nigra Black stork. 1.

C. abdimii. Abdim’s Stork.

Anatidae

Nettapus auritus Pygmy Goose. 1 .

Anas sparsa Black Duck. 3.

Accipitridae

Pernis apivorus Honey Buzzard.

Machaerhamphus alcinus Bat Hawk. Stuart et al. (1986).

Elanus caeruleus Black Shouldered Kite. 3.

Milvus migrans Black Kite. 3.

Gypohierax angolensis Palmnut Vulture. 2.

Necrosyrtes monachus Hooded Vulture. 3.

Gyps africanus White-backed Vulture. 3.

G. rueppellii Ruppell’s Griffon Vulture. 2.

Aegypius occipitalis White-headed Vultue. 3.

Circaetus gallicus beaudouini Beaudouin’s Eagle. Stuart et al (1986).

Polyboroides typus Harrier Hawk. 3.

2001

Birds of Mt Oku

5

Circus macrourus Pallid Harrier. 1 .

C. aeruginosus Marsh Harrier. Stuart et al. (1986).

C. pygargus Montagu’s Harrier.

Accipiter tachiro toussenelii West African Goshawk. 1.

A. melanoleucus Great Sparrowhawk. 2.

A. hadius Shikra.

Kaupifalco monogrammicus Lizard Buzzard. 2.

Buteo huteo Common Buzzard Wilson (1989).

B. auguralis Red-tailed Buzzard. 2.

Aquila rapax Tawny Eagle. 1.

A. wahlbergi Wahlberg’s Eagle. 1.

Lophaetus occipitalis Long-crested Hawk Eagle. 2.

Spizaetus africanus Cassin’s Hawk Eagle. 2.

Stephanoaetus coronatus Crowned Eagle. 2.

Polemaetus bellicosus Martial Eagle.

Falconidae

Falco tinnunculus Kestrel. 3.

F. alopex Fox Kestrel. 2.

F. ardosiaceus Grey Kestrel. 2.

F. subbuteo European Hobby.

F. cuvieri African Hobby. 2.

F. biarmicus Lanner. 2.

F. peregrinus Peregrine. 1.

Phasianidae

Francolinus squamatus Scaly Francolin. 2.

F. bicalcaratus Double-spurred Francolin. 3.

Coturnix chinensis Blue Quail. Dowsett-Lemaire & Dowsett (1998).

Rallidae

Sarothrura rufa Red-chested Flufftail. Dowsett-Lemaire & Dowsett (1998).

S. elegans Buff-spotted Flufftail. 1.

Heliornithidae

Podica senegalensis Finfoot.

Scolopacidae

Gallinago gallinago Common Snipe.

Tringa ochropus Green Sandpiper. 2.

Actitis hypoleucos Common Sandpiper. 2.

Columbidae

Treron calva Green Pigeon. 2.

Turtur tympanistria Tambourine Dove. 2.

T. afer Blue-spotted Wood Dove. 3.

Columba larvata Lemon Dove. 2, F.

C. arquatrix Olive Pigeon. 3, F.

[C. unicincta African Wood Dove. Wilson (1989).]

Streptopelia senegalensis Laughing Dove. 2.

6

R.C. Fotso

Malimbus 23

Musophagidae

Corythaeola cristata Great Blue Turaco. Stuart et al. (1986),

Tauraco persa Green Turaco. 2.

T. bannermani Bannerman’s Turaco. 3, F, E.

Cuculidae

Clamator glandarius Great Spotted Cuckoo.

Cuculus solitarius Red-chested Cuckoo. 2.

C. clamosus Black Cuckoo. Stuart et al. (1986).

C. canorus Common Cuckoo. Stuart et al. (1986).

C. gularis African Cuckoo. 2.

Chrysococcyx klaas Klaas’s Cuckoo. 3.

Centropus monachus Blue-headed Coucal. 3.

Tytonidae

Tyto alba Bam Owl. 2.

Strigidae

Otus scops European Scops Owl.

O. leucotis White-faced Owl. 1 .

Bubo africanus Spotted Eagle Owl. 2.

B. poensis Fraser’s Eagle Owl.

B. lacteus Giant Eagle Owl.

Ciccaba woodfordi African Wood Owl. 2.

Asio capensis Marsh Owl. J.R. Parrott (pers. comm.).

Caprimulgidae

Caprimulgus tristigma Fleckled Nighjar. 2.

C. europaeus European Nightjar. J.R. Parrott (pers. comm.).

C. rufigena Rufous-cheeked Nightjar.

Macrodipteryx longipennis Standard-wing Nighjar. 1.

Apodidae

Apus pallidus Pallid Swift. Stuart et al. (1986).

A. apus European swift. Stuart et al. (1986).

A. batesi Bates’s Swift. Stuart et al. (1986).

A. barbatus African Black Swift.

A. caffer White-rumped Swift. 2.

A. affinis Little Swift. 3.

Tachymarptis aequatorialis Mottled Swift. Stuart et al (1986).

Coliidae

Colius striatus Speckled Mousebird. 3.

Trogonidae

Apaloderma vittatum Bar-tailed Trogon. 2, F.

Alcedinidae

Halcyon leucocephala Grey-headed Kingfisher. 2.

H. malimbicus Blue breasted Kingfisher. 3.

H. chelicuti Striped Kingfisher. 2.

Corythornis leucogaster White-bellied Kingfisher. 3.

Ceyx pictus Pygmy Kingfisher.

2001

Birds of Mt Oku

7

Meropidae

Merops variegatus Blue-breasted Bee-eater. 3.

M. albicollis White Throated Bee-eater. 3.

M. apiaster European Bee-eater. 1 .

M. nubicus Carmine Bee-eater. 2.

Phoeniculidae

Phoeniculus bollei F White-headed Wood-hoopoe. 3.

Upupidae

Upupa epops Hoopoe.

Lybiidae

Gymnobucco calvus Naked-faced Barbet.

Pogoniulus coryphaeus Western Green Tinkerbird. 3, F.

P. chrysoconus Yellow-fronted Tinkerbird.

P. bilineatus Yellow-ramped Tinkerbird. 2.

Buccanodon duchaillui Yellow Spotted Barbet. 3.

Lybius bideniaius Double-toothed Barbet.

Indicatoridae

Indicator conirostris Thick-billed Honeyguide. Stuart et al. (1986).

I. indicator Greater Honeyguide.

/. minor Lesser Honeyguide.

Picidae

Campethera tullbergi Tullberg's Woodpecker. 2, F.

Dendropicos fuscescens Cardinal Woodpecker. 3.

D. elliotii Elliot's Woodpecker. 2, F.

D. goertae Grey Woodpecker. 3.

Alaudidae

Mirafra africana Rufous-naped Lark. 2.

Hirundinidae

[Psalidoprocne obscura Fantee Roughwing.]

P. pristoptera Black Roughwing. 3.

Pseudohirundo griseopyga Grey-ramped Swallow. Wilson (1989).

Hirundo abyssinica Striped Swallow. 3.

H. daurica Red-ramped Swallow. 3.

H. fuligula African Rock Martin. 3.

H. rustica Bam Swallow. Holyoak & Seddon (1989).

Delichon urbica House Martin. 3.

Motacillidae

Motacilla j lava Yellow Wagtail. 3.

M. clara Mountain Wagtail. 2.

Anthus novaeseelandiae Richard’s Pipit. 3.

A. similis Long-billed Pipit. 2.

A. trivialis Tree Pipit. 2.

A. cervinus Red-throated Pipit.

Macronyx croceus Yellow Throated Long-claw. 3.

8

R.C, Fotso

Malimbus 23

Campephagidae

Campephaga phoenicea Red-shouldered Cuckoo-shrike.

C. petiti Petit’s Cuckoo-shrike. 1.

Coracina caesia Grey Cuckoo-shrike. 2, F.

Pycnonotidae

Andropadus montanus Cameroon Mountain Greenbul. 2, F, E.

A. tephrolaemus Moutain Greenbul. 3, F.

Phyllastrephus poensis Cameroon Olive Greenbul. 2, F, E.

Chlorocichla flavicollis Yellow-throated Leaflove.

Pycnonotus barbatus Common Bulbul. 3.

Turdidae

Luscinia megarhynchos Nightingale.

Cossypha isabellae Mountain Robin-Chat. 3, F, E.

C. niveicapilla Snowy-crowned Robin-Chat. 2.

Saxicola torquata Stonechat. 3.

S. rubetra Whinchat. 2.

Myrmecocichla cinnamomeiventris Mocking Cliff-Chat. 2.

Turdus pelios African Thrush. 3.

Alethe poliocephala Brown-chested Alethe.

Sylviidae

Bradypterus lopezi bangwaensis Evergreen-Forest Warbler. 3, F.

Chloropeta natalensis African Yellow Warbler. 3.

Cisticola brunnescens Pectoral-patch Cisticola. 3.

C. robustus Stout Cisticola. Dowsett-Lemaire & Dowsett (1998).

C. cantans Singing Cisticola.

C. chubbi Chubb’s Cisticola. 3, F.

Prinia subflava West African Prinia. 3.

Urolais epichlora Green Longtail. 3, F, E.

Apalis pulchra Black-collared Apalis. 3, F.

A.jacksoni Black-throated Apalis. 2, F.

A. cinerea Grey Apalis. 3, F.

Poliolais lopezi White-tailed Warbler. F, E. Wilson (1989).

Camaroptera brevicaudata Grey-back Camaroptera. 3.

Phylloscopus trochilus Willow Warbler. 2.

P. sibilatrix Wood Warbler. 3.

Sylvia borin Garden Warbler. 1.

S. atricapilla Blackcap. 1.

Muscicapidae

Ficedula hypoleuca Pied Flycatcher.

Muscicapa adusta Dusky Flycatcher. 3.

Elminia albiventris White-bellied Flycatcher. 3, F.

Terpsiphone viridis Paradise Flycatcher.

Platysteira peltata laticincta Black-throated Wattle-eye. 3, F, E.

Batis senegalensis Senegal Bâtis. 1 .

B. minor Black-headed Batis. 2.

2001

Birds of Mt Oku

9

Timaliidae

Illadopsis abyss mica African Hill Babbler. 3, F.

Kakamega poliothorax Grey-chested Illadopsis. 1 , F.

Paridae

Parus albiventris White-bellied Tit. 3.

Zosteropidae

Zosterops senegalensis Yellow White-eye. 3.

Nectariniidae

Nectarinia oritis Cameroon Blue-headed Sunbird. 3, F, E.

N. verticalis Green-headed Sunbird. 3.

N. bouvieri Orange-tufted Sunbird. 3.

N. preussi Northern Double-collared Sunbird. 3, F.

N. coccinigaster Splendid Sunbird. 3.

Laniidae

Lanius mackinnoni Mackinnon’s Shrike. 3.

L. collaris Fiscal Shrike. 3.

L. senator Woodchat Shrike. 1.

Malaconotidae

Laniarius ferrugineus Bell Shrike. 3.

L. atroflavus Yellow Breasted Boubou. 3, F, E.

L.fuelleborni Füllebom’s Black Boubou. 3, F.

Telophorus gladiator Green-breasted Bush-shrike. F, E. Stuart et al. (1986).

Corvidae

Corvus albus Pied Crow. 3.

Oriolidae

Oriolus nigripennis Black-winged Oriole. 3.

Sturnidae

Onychognathus walleri Waller’s Chestnut-winged Starling. 3, F.

O. morio Crag Chestnut-wing Starling. 3.

Lamprotornis splendidus Splendid Glossy Starling. 3.

Ploceidae

Passer gris eus Grey Sparrow. 3.

Ploceus bannermani Bannerman’s Weaver. 3, F, E.

P. baglaflecht Baglafecht Weaver. 3.

P. ocularis Spectacled Weaver. 2.

P. melanogaster Black-billed Weaver. 3, F.

P. cucullatus Village Weaver. 3.

P. insignis Brown-capped Weaver. 2, F.

P. preussi Preuss’s Golden-backed Weaver.

Euplectes capensis Yellow Bishop. 2.

E. gierowii Black Bishop. C. Bowden (pers. comm.).

E. ardens Red-collared Whydah.

Estrildidae

Nesocharis ansorgei Little Olive-back. 2, F.

Cryptospiza reichenowii Red-faced Crimson-wing. 3, F.

10

R.C. Fotso

Malimbus 23

Pytilia melba Green-winged Pytilia. 1 .

Lagonosticta senegala Red-billed Firefinch. 2.

Estrilda astrild Waxbill. 3.

E. nonnula Black Crowned Waxbill. 3.

Lonchura cucullata Bronze Manninkin. 3.

L. bicolor Red-backed Mannikin.

Fringillidae

Serinus mozambicus Yellow-fronted Canary. 3.

S. burtoni Thick-billed Seedeater. 3, F.

Linurgus olivaceus Oriole Finch. 3, F.

Emberizidae

Emberiza cabanisi Cabanis’s Yellow Bunting. 2.

Discussion

Several species listed in the literature were not seen. I may have missed some that are

rare or difficult to see {Indicator conirostris, Telophorus gladiator , Poliolais lopezi ),

and also some of the migrants {Circus aeruginosus , Caprimulgus europaeus) or

vagrants {Circaetus gallicus beaudouini, Cuculus clamosus ) that fly across the region.

Other species may have been missed because they are difficult to identify in the field

{Buteo buteo, Apus apus, A. pallidus, A. batesi, A. barbatus, Psalidoprocne obscura).

However it is unlikely that I simply missed Corythaeola cristata , Halcyon badia,

Alethe poliocephala, Cossypha roberti, Nectarinia olivacea, and N. ursulae.

Corythaeola cristata is very vocal and easy to see where present. It was last seen in

the region in 1984 (Stuart 1986) and seems to have disappeared due to forest clearing.

Several of the Palaearctic migrants {Ciconia nigra. Circus aeruginosus, C.

macrourus, Lanius senator), were seen only on very few occasions, indicating that

they were on passage or scarce winter visitors. There are very few records of Ciconia

nigra in Cameroon, and no evidence of wintering there. I saw one well in Feb 1991 in

farmland.

Some of the species reported in the literature may have been misidentified (see

also Dowsett-Lemaire & Dowsett 1998). Halcyon badia, mentioned by J.R. Parrott

(pers. comm.) might have been a mistake for H. chelicuti. Cossypha roberti (Wilson

1989) was possibly a mistake for C. isabellae, whose ssp. batesi is fairly common in

the region. Nectarinia olivacea and N. ursulae (Wilson 1987) may have been female

N. verticalis or another species, seen in poor light. According to Dowsett-Lemaire &

Dowsett (1998), other species such as Aquila rapax and Columba unicincta (Wilson

1989) are unlikely to be found in the Oku area, as is Phyllastrephus poliocephalus

(reported by Wilson 1989); Batis minima reported by Stuart et al (1986) was

probably B . minor. Holyoak & Seddon (1989) claimed to have seen Buteo buteo near

Lake Oku. Another observation of the species by Germain et al (1973) was

considered by Louette (1981) to be doubtful, since the range of this species is not

2001

Birds of Mt Oku

11

supposed to extend into Cameroon. I did not find it, and believed these observations

might have been, juvenile B. auguralis » which is now known to breed in the area

(Serle 1981, Fotso 1996). However, Dowsett-Lemaire & Dowsett (1998) have

recently mentioned B, buieo from the area as a passage migrant.

The Mt Oku bird list is incomplete, but with a total of 217 species observed ,

including 37 of the 53 species considered characteristic of the montane forest

ecosystem and 1 1 of the 20 known endemics of the highlands of western Cameroon,

the avifauna of the region is rich and diverse. Two species ( Tauraco bannermani and

Platysteira laticincta ) are restricted in distribution to the Bamenda Highlands, with

viable populations probably now only found in the Oku forest. These results show the

importance of the Oku forest to the conservation of biological diversity in the

Cameroon highlands and W Africa.

Acknowledgments

BirdLife International and the Fauna and Flora Preservation Society provided funding

for this project. John and Heather Parrott encouraged me to undertake this work.

Ernest Kerning has been an excellent field assistant. A special thanks to Dr M.

Fouette, Ginette Kombele, Bonaventure Sonke and my wife Jeanette for their

comments and corrections on the manuscript.

References

Collar, N.J. & Stuart, S.N. (1988) Key Forests for Threatened Birds in Africa ,

Monograph 3, International Council for Bird Preservation, Cambridge.

Decoox, J.P. & Fotso, R.C. (1988) Composition et organisation spatiale d'une

communauté d'oiseaux dans la région de Yaoundé. Conséquences

biogéographiques de la dégradation forestière et de P aridité croissante. Àlauda

56: 126-152.

Dowsett-Lemaire, F. & Dowsett, RJ. (1998). Surveys of Oku Mountain and other

IBAs in NW Province (Cameroon), Febraary-March 1998. Unpubl. rep. to

Birdlife International, Cambridge.

Eisentraut, M. (1963) Die Wirbeltiere des Kamerungebirges. P. Parey, Hamburg.

Eisentraut, M. (1973) Die Wirbeltierfaima von Fernando Poo und Westkameran.

Bonn. zool. Monogr. 3: 1-428.

Fotso, R.C. (1996). Seasonal breeding in birds and its implications for the

conservation of biodiversity in the Oku region, Cameroon. Bird Conserv .

Internat. 6: 394-399.

Germain, M., Dragesco, J., Roux, F. & Garcin, H. (1973) Contribution à

P ornithologie du sud Cameroun. Oiseau Rev.fr.Orn. 43: 119-182, 212-259.

12

R.C. Fotso

Malimbus 23

Holyoak, D.T. & Seddon, M.B. (1989) Notes on some birds of western Cameroon.

Malimhus 11: 123-127.

Letquzey, R. (1968) Etude phytogéographique du Cameroun, Lechevalier, Paris.

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295.

Macleod, H. (1987) The conservation of Oku Mountain Forest, Cameroon. Study

Rep. 15, International Council for Bird Preservation, Cambridge.

Serle, W., (1950) A contribution to the Ornithology of British Cameroon. Ibis 92:

343-376, 602-638.

Serle, W. (1954) A second contribution to the Ornithology of British Cameroon. Ibis

96: 47-80.

Serle, W. ( 1 965) A third contribution to the Ornithology of British Cameroon. Ibis

107:60-94,230-246.

Serle, W. (1981) The breeding season of birds in the lowland rainforest and in the

montane forest of west Cameroon. Ibis 123: 62-74.

Smith, T.B. & McNiven, D. (1993) Preliminary survey of the avifauna of Mt

Tchabal Mbabo, West-central Cameroon. Bird Conserv. Internat. 3: 13-19

Stuart, S.N. (ed.) (1986) Conservation of Cameroon Montane Forest. International

Council for Bird Preservation, Cambridge.

Thiollay, J.M. (1985) The West African avifauna: a review. Pp 171-186 in

Diamond, A.W. & Lovejoy, T.E. (eds.) Conservation of Tropical Forest Birds.

Tech. Publ. 4, International Council for Bird Preservation, Cambridge.

Thomas, D.W. (1987). Vegetation of Mount Oku. Pp. 54-56 in Macleod, H. (ed.)

The Conservation of Oku Mountain Forest, Cameroon. Study Rep. 15,

International Council for Bird Preservation, Cambridge.

Wilson, J.D. (ed.) (1987) The Status and Conservation of the Montane Forest

Avifauna of Mount Oku, Cameroon, in 1985. International Council for birds

Preservation, Cambridge.

Wilson, J.D. (1989) Range extensions of some bird species in Cameroon. Bull. Brit.

Orn. Club 109: 110-115.

200 ï

13

The birds of Mount Kupe, southwest Cameroon

by Christopher G.R, Bowden

BirdLife International, Wellbrook Court, Girton Road, Cambridge CB3 ON À, U.K,

(Present address: International Research Section, RSPB, The Lodge, Sandy, Beds

SGI 9 2DL» U.K. e-mail: chris.bowden@rspb.org.uk)

Received 25 October 1999; revised 6 January 2001.

Summary

A total of 335 bird species has now been recorded on Ml Kupe. All records

for the forest and surrounding farmland have been collated in this checklist

both from before and after my own study period of 1991-4. Of 29 restricted-

range species, confined to the Cameroon Mountains Endemic Bird Area, 19

occur on Mt Kupe, including the Mt Kupe Bush-shrike Malaconotus

kupeensis , which is otherwise known only from the neighbouring Bakossi

Mountains. The high species diversity arises from the presence of these

endemics, together with at least 25 other montane species and a high diversity

of lowland forest birds.

Résumé

Un total de 335 espèces d’oiseaux est maintenant répertorié pour le mont

Kupé. Toutes les observations relatives à la forêt et aux cultures avoisinantes

données dans cette liste ont été faites avant et après la période de mon étude

1991 4 Des 29 espèces de distribution réduite, limitées à la Zone d’Oiseaux

Endémiques des Monts Camerounais, 19 se trouvent sur le mont Kupé, y

compris le Gladiateur du Kupé Malaconotus kupeensis qui est par ailleurs

connu seulement des monts Bakossi voisins. La grande richesse d’espèces

provient de la présence de ces endémiques ainsi que d’au moins 25 autres

espèces de montagne et d’une riche variété des espèces forestières de plaine.

Introduction

This checklist summarises all known bird observations from Mt Kupe. It gives

information on breeding seasonality, migration, abundance, habitat and altitudinal

range for each species. Few forest areas in the Lower Guinea region have been as

intensively studied year-round as was possible in this 1991-4 study.

14

C.G.R. Bowden

Malimbus 23

Mt Kupe straddles the boundary between Southwest and Littoral Provinces of SW

Cameroon (Fig. 1). It supports a unique avifauna (Serle 1949, 1950, 1951, 1954,

1965, Collar & Stuart 1985) that includes 1 1 species of conservation concern as well

as 19 restricted range species (Stattersfield et al 1998). There are also important pop-

ulations of primate species including the “Endangered” Drill Mandrillus leucophaeus

(Lee et al. 1988) and a newly described nocturnal prosimian Pseudopotto martini

(Schwartz 1996, C. Wild pers. comm.). There are over 80 amphibians and 70 reptiles,

including four highly restricted chamaeleons, notably Chamaeleo pfefferi , known

only from Kupe and the adjacent mountains (Wild 1993), and a newly discovered

Skink Panaspis chriswildi. The flora is also important, including eight recently dis-

covered species (Cheek & Cable 1996). The aim of the BirdLife Mt Kupe Forest Pro-

ject is to secure the future of the forest, by working with local people towards sustain-

able use of the area’s resources. The mountain has important cultural significance for

the Bakossi people (the majority of the villagers), who believe it to be the home of the

ancestral spirits and the source of all wealth (Bowden & Bowden 1993).

Figure 1. Map of SW Cameroon, showing location of Mt Kupe.

The Cameroon-Nigeria-Bioko mountain chain supports many endemics of all

studied taxa, and qualifies as an “Endemic Bird Area” (Bibby 1992). Many endemic

species occur throughout the chain, whilst others only occur on certain peaks within

restricted altitudinal ranges. Kupe lies centrally within the chain, and supports many

of the endemic birds, including the highly localised and rare Mt Kupe Bush-shrike.

The species composition is similar to that of Mt Nlonako and of the Bakossi

Mountains on either side, but has less in common with Manenguba Mountain which,

although equally close by, is slightly higher with more grassland (see Dowsett-

Lemaire & Dowsett 1999 for more detailed comparison).

2001

Birds of Mt Kupe

15

Kola Sango

f Kola Mission

Kola Carrefour

454 m

Primary

forest

Secondary

(disturbed)

forest

Farms with

canopy

cover

Farms with

few or no

trees

Areas yet

to be

mapped

Figure 2. Vegetation map of the Mt Kupe study area showing all adjacent

settlements and trails referred to in the text. Adapted from vegetation map

compiled by author in 1992 (BirdLife International 1993).

16

C.G.R. Bowden

Malimbus 23

A habitat map of Mt Kupe was produced in 1992, which showed 30 km2 of

primary forest, surrounded by cultivation and damaged forest (BirdLife International

1993). Loum Forest Reserve in the south is covered by secondary forest at 350 m and,

although there are other fragmented areas of degraded forest at low altitudes, most

areas below 1000 m are farmland with variable amounts of tree cover (Fig. 2).

The great diversity of bird species in a relatively small area of mainly sub-

montane forest mosaic within surrounding cultivated and degraded forest habitats,

combined with its relatively easy access, makes Kupe an ideal location to see a wide

variety of birds. The montane component is of great international importance but it is

the lowland forest component that is largely responsible for the high diversity.

Nineteen of the 29 Cameroon mountains restricted range species occur here, as well

as three of the six species confined to the Cameroon and Gabon lowlands Endemic

Bird Area (Stattersfield et al. 1998).

Area covered and methods

This study summarises all ornithological work carried out in the area, with particular

reference to observations within the 3.25 yr period (Mar 1991 to Jun 1994, subsequently

termed the “study period”) when I was resident in Nyasoso. All of my records during

this time were recorded in a log-book, to which visiting birdwatchers also contributed,

and which is held at the Mt Kupe Forest Project headquarters in Nyasoso. An effort has

been made to include all subsequent records up to the time of publishing.

The study area included all of the forest on Mt Kupe and the surrounding areas of

farmland, to the roads connecting Kolia, Loum, Tombel and Ndum and the track

between Ndum and Kolia (Fig. 2). The settlements around the mountain range from

small villages to small towns.

Although most parts of the mountain were visited several times during the study

period, there was a strong emphasis on the forest areas adjacent to Nyasoso; coverage

has not been even, and the eastern slopes have been poorly covered. These include the

Loum Forest Reserve, which I visited twice and which has been more recently visited

by F. Do wsett- Lemaire and R.J. Dowsett. Between Apr and Jul 1994, Richard Stone

and O’Kah Ebwekoh did point-count censusing along trails covering the north, south,

east and west slopes within the forest, providing quantitative data on the relative

abundance of many key species, particularly in relation to altitude. These results will

be published elsewhere, but their observations are incorporated here. This paper also

includes some results of my mist-netting programme at three sites above Nyasoso: at

900 m on the Nature Trail, at 1200 m on the Shrike Trail, and at 1550 m on Max’s

Trail (shown on Fig. 2). At least two full days mist-netting were carried out at each of

these sites in each month of the year, with at least 400 m of four-panel mist-nets.

Birds were given individually numbered metal rings, standard measure-ments taken

and brood patch and moult recorded. Over 2000 birds were captured.

2001

Birds of Mt Kupe

17

Climate

Kupe is hot and humid, with one long wet season (Mar-Nov). The wettest months are

normally Jun-Sep but with considerable variation from year to year. The dry season

(Deo-Feb) can be almost rainless in some years. Mean figures for several years

combined are given in Table 1. Most of the rain arrives from the southwest,

producing a rain shadow on the lower eastern side. Being inland from Mount

Cameroon, the whole area is in a larger rain shadow. The rainfall data are from just

three locations, and none is available for the upper slopes of the mountain.

Temperature data are even scarcer, but Tombel shows similar average temperatures

for all months (23.4-25.8 C), with no clear seasonal trends. This may be misleading,

as temperatures during the dry season are somewhat higher during the day and lower

at night. Relative humidity is high throughout the year, rarely falling below 80%.

Table 1. Rainfall data (mm) (from Ejedepang-Koge 1986)

History of ornithological research

The first ornithological research carried out on Mt Kupe was by William Serle,

between 1948 and 1952 when he discovered both the Mt Kupe Bush- shrike and

Gilbert’s Babbler Kupeornis giiberii in the forest above Nyasoso. He lived in Kumba,

and stayed at the Government Rest House in Nyasoso, visiting the forest from there,

with his assistant Gilbert Nkwocha, who did the majority of the skin preparations.

Some of his specimens came from Tombel and Essosong but most are from Nyasoso

(Serle 1949, 1950, 1951, 1954, 1965).

Martin Eisentraut made collections of birds and bats using mist-nets in the 1960s

(Eisentraut 1968, 1973). The International Council for Bird Preservation (now

BirdLife International) carried out a survey of the birds of the west Cameroon

mountain chain which included two visits to Kupe in early 1984 (Stuart 1986a); I was

a member of that team.

After Serle’s discovery of the Mt Kupe Bush-shrike (Serle 1950), it was not seen

again until 1989, by Duncan McNiven. It has been seen by over 40 other observers

since then.

Since the initiation of the Mt Kupe Forest Project in 1991 and improved visitor

facilities, more visiting birdwatchers including regular bird-tour groups have come to

the area. This increase in observer activity has greatly contributed to the information

18

C.G.R. Bowden

Malimbus 23

presented here. Recent findings include the discovery of Zenker’s Honeyguide

Melignomon zenkeri (Bowden et al. 1995), White-naped Pigeon Columba albinucha

(Williams 1995), and Bates’s Weaver Ploceus batesi (Bowden & Andrews 1994).

Françoise Dowsett-Lemaire and Bob Dowsett have visited the mountain several times

since I was there, and their findings (published and unpublished) are incorporated.

Conservation status and threats

Mt Kupe has had no statutory protection apart from two small Forest Reserves (Loum

F.R. and a small area near the summit), a status that has not given effective protection

to other forests in Cameroon. With the greater awareness of the biological

significance of Mt Kupe in recent years, the Ministry of Forest and Wildlife (MINEF)

has recently proposed that the area be designated a Community Forest.

The main threats to the forest are encroachment by farming, small-scale timber

extraction, and heavy hunting of the larger mammals. Other more localised problems

are unregulated exploitation of the bark of Prunus africanus for sale to drug

companies; this often kills the trees, and adjacent forest is often damaged in the

process of extraction. The local communities have shown a growing commitment to

conserving the forest and its wildlife since the benefits of doing so have emerged. A

voluntary hunting ban within the forest was imposed in 1993 by several of the

villages, and has been largely respected. More recently though, some forest clearance

as high as 1500m has taken place, showing that project activities and collaboration

with community leaders need to be well maintained if the good will to conserve the

forest is to be effective.

Species list

Codes used in the species list

Status:

R = Resident

PM = Palaearctic migrant

AM = Intra-African migrant

LM = Local migrant

? = Status unknown or uncertain

Abundance:

r = rare (1-3 records)

u = uncommon (more than 3 records, but not usually recorded)

f = frequent (usually recorded when relevant area visited)

c = common (1-10 recorded/day in suitable habitat)

a = abundant (10-100 usually seen per day in suitable habitat)

2001

Birds of Mt Kupe

19

v = very abundant (>100 usually seen per day in suitable habitat)

? = abundance uncertain

Habitat:

P = primary forest

S = secondary or disturbed forest

F = farmbush (cultivation) with significant tree cover

O = open farms with little or no tree cover

G = grassy knolls around summit

Altitude range (m) is given in parentheses. Threat status is taken from BirdLife

International (2000).

Observers:

The following (in order of last initial) have contributed records; their initials are given

for the most significant records.

Mark Andrews (SMA); Chris Bowden (CGRB); I Beeh (JB); Nik Borrow (NB);

Thieri Bara (TB); Peter Dolton (PJD); Bob Dowse rt (RID); Lincoln Fishpool (LF);

Chris Gibbins (CG); Peter Hay man (PVH); Steve Jones (SJ); E. Krabbe (EK); Epie

Ngoe Kingsley (ENK); Steve Keen (SK); Françoise Dowsett-Lemaire (FDL); Rod

Leslie (RL); O’kah Ebwekoh (OEM); Rod Martins (RPM); Andrew' Ngwene (AN);

Duncan Mc-Niven (DMN); Simon Ngwese (SN); Iain Robertson (IR); Paul Rodewald

(PWR); Chris Sykes (CS); Liz Smith (EMS); Richard Stone (RES); U. Sorensen

(UGS); Chris Wild (CW); Eddie Williams (EW); Richard Webb (RW). The BirdLife

IB A survey team consisted of Kevin Yana Njabo, Bobo Kadiri Serge, Dennis Anye

Mdeh, Njeh Francis and CGRB.

Ardeidae

Buhulcus ibis Cattle Egret. AM (mid-Nov to mid-Apr) u O (400-600). Most records

are of 1 6 individuals in Tombe! area.

Butorides striatus Green-backed Heron. R? S (400). One record, Kolia Songo along

Ekouk River, Jtm 1992. Status unclear since this area rarely visited.

Ciconidae

Omnia abdimii Abdim’s Stork. AM O (300). One record: flock of 10 on farmland

between Loum and Tombel, 23 Apr 1991.

Âccipitrîdae

Avîceda cuculoîdes Cuckoo Falcon. ? r F (800-900). Recorded above Nyasoso 18 Sep

1992 (SK, RES), 18 Oct 1992 (CGRB) and one Nyasoso village Dec 1999 (BirdLife

IB A team).

Pernis apivoms Honey Buzzard. PM (Sep-Apr, occasionally to May), f, FP (350-

1600).

Maeheiramphus alcinus Bat Hawk. R? F (750-850). Four records, Feb— Mar 1992.-3.

20

C.G.R. Bowden

Malimbus 23

Milvus migrans Black Kite. AM (Nov- Apr, occasionally late Aug to early Jun) f O

(350-1200). Only M. m. parasitus recorded.

Gypohierax angolensis Palm-nut Vulture. R f OFSP (350-2050). More records Mar-

Apr and Sep-Nov than rest of year.

Necrosyrtes monachus Hooded Vulture. AM? F (600-1000). Singles 7 Apr 1992

(EW) and 4 Dec 1999 (BirdLife IB A team).

Gyps africanus White-backed Vulture. AM? F (1000). One sighting, 20 Nov 1992

(SK). This was a time when many migrant species were recorded.

Dryotriorchis spectabilis Congo Serpent Eagle. R FP (850-1600). Four sight records.

Polyboroides typus Harrier Hawk. R f FSP (350-1600). Nest-building begins Oct;

birds observed sitting in Nov, usually in Silk-cotton Ceiba trees.

Accipiter melanoleucus Great Sparrowhawk. R f FS (700-2000). Seen every month,

but more records in Nov may indicate the breeding season: it breeds in the late wet

season in W Africa generally (Brown et al. 1982).

A. erythropus Red-thighed Sparrowhawk. R FP (800-1000). Four records, all in farms

and forest around Nyasoso. A bird seen at 2000 m in Feb 1984 was almost certainly

this species (CGRB).

A. castanilius Chestnut- flanked Sparrowhawk. ? F (800). One sighting, Oct 1998 (LF).

A. tachiro African Goshawk. R f FSP (350-1500). The small size of the race

macroscelides has led to some confusion with A. castanilius. All mist-netted

individuals were A. tachiro (wing length: 185, 195, 199, 201, 229, 237 mm; weight

198, 204, 216, 230, 299, >300 g).

Kaupifalco monogrammicus Lizard Buzzard. R u OF (350-1050). Most common

between Kolia, Loum and Tombel, the lower and more intensively cultivated areas.

Buteo auguralis Red-necked Buzzard. AM (Nov-May) u OF (700-2000). Nesting

observed on southern edge of Nyasoso.

Aquila wahlbergi Wahlberg’s Eagle. AM F (850-950) F. Three records: 18 Sep 1992

(SK, RES), 18 Mar 1993 (EW), 23 Nov 1993 (CGRB). All probably passage birds

(although Nov record, near Mpako, is late), as this species generally prefers more

open grassland habitats.

Hieraaetus ayresii Ayres’s Hawk Eagle. ? FSP (1000). Two records, both immature

birds in the same area, where farms meet forest above Nyasoso: 29 Feb 1992, 27 Feb

1993. The difficulty of separating immatures from those of Spizaetus africanus (F.

Dowsett-Lemaire & R.J. Dowsett pers. comm.) led to these records originally being

treated with caution, but Clark (1999) had four sightings of adults in 1998, so it may be

more common, with some records attributed to S. africanus actually being H. ayresii.

Spizaetus africanus Cassin’s Hawk Eagle. R u FSP (450-1550). Recorded almost

every month. See identification comment for Hieraaetus ayresii.

Lophaetus occipitalis Long-crested Eagle. R u OF (350-950).

Stephanoaetus coronatus Crowned Eagle. R u SP (850-2000). Recorded most

months, displaying Jan-Apr. An immature seen from Nature Trail at Nyasoso, 18 Jul

1993 was following with interest a full-grown dog.

2001

Birds of Mt Kupe

21

Falconidae

Falco subbuteo Eurasian Hobby. PM SF (900). One seen above Nyasoso 5 Oct 1991

is the only confirmed record. Two other hobby sightings at 1550m 26 Dec 1993 and

at the summit 28 Apr 1994 may relate to this species or African Hobby F. cuvieri.

F. biamiicus Tanner. AM (Nov to early May) u O (350-850). May breed in the area.

Strongly associated with habitation where it preys on chickens. Seen in Nlohe,

Tombel and Nyasoso.

Phasianidae

Francolinus squamatus Scaly Francolin. R f OF (400-2000). Nest with eggs reported

in Nyasoso, Feb.

Rail idac

Sarothmra pulchra White-spotted Flufftail. R f FSP (750-1600). Heard all months,

most frequently in secondary forest.

S. elegans Buff-spotted Flufftail. R? u FS (800-1550). Its eerie call (mainly heard at

night) was believed by many local people to be that of a chamaeleon. Heard from

onset of rains, in neglected thickets and stream beds within cultivated areas. First dates

of calling in the study period were between 9 and 16 Mar, and not heard after 26 M)

Crex egregia African Crake. AM O (850). A migrant caught by hand on a foggy night

on Nyasoso main street, 27 Nov 1991.

Gallinula angulata Lesser Moorhen. LM? (800) F. À sub-adult caught in a trap by

schoolboys on the Mgusi side of Nyasoso, 17 Jan 1993, was released unharmed.

Columbidae

Columba unicincta Alep Pigeon. ? P (1350-1500). Two records of this generally

lowland forest species: two birds on 28 Feb 1950, one of which was collected (Serle

1954); a sighting on 29 Nov 1995 (CGRB).

C. albinucha White-naped Pigeon, ? FP (1000-1450) “Near-threatened”. First record:

three seen at 1000 m above Nyasoso, 30 Mar 1993 (EW). Two seen there some 10

days later (EW, CGRB) and four in the same place, 20 Apr 1994 (EW). Sightings in

the same area in Mar 1997 and 1998 of birds eating fruit of Sapiurn (FDL, RID). Two

seen at 1450 in, 21 Sep 1992 (SK). Subsequent records from neighbouring Bakossi

Mts (Williams 1995, Dowsett-Lemaire & Dowsett 1999), Manenguba and Santchou

(Dowsett-Lemaire & Dowsett 1999, Anon. 2000) so appears similarly distributed

within the mountain chain to Gilbert’s Babbler Kupeornis gilberti , but at lower

densities. Prior to the Kupe records, only reported in Cameroon from Rumpi Hills in

1967 (Eisentraut 1968); otherwise known only from montane E Congo-Kinshasa and

W Uganda.

C. sjostedti Cameroon Olive Pigeon. R u FSP (900-2000). Most records of this

mountain chain endemic are of groups of 2-10 flying above the canopy. More

common above 1 500 m but occasional records over farm-bush as low as 900 m. Max.

60 at 1000 m, above Nyasoso, 21 Oct 1991.

Apiopelia Îar\>aîa Lemon Dove. R u P (900-1950). Six mist-netted and, as suggested

by Serle (1950), these more closely resembled C. /. simplex , the Sao Tomé race, than

22

C.G.R. Bowden

Malimbus 23

inornata found elsewhere in Cameroon. One of the birds, however, had cinnamon

underparts, resembling C. /. larvata from southern Africa, but this species has been

found to be quite variable in other parts of its range too (A.Tye pers. comm.). Few

sightings but probably not uncommon.

Streptopelia semitorquata Red-eyed Dove. R u O (350-400). Only known from

Tombel, Loum and the road between them where it is not common.

Turtur afer Blue-spotted Wood Dove. R f O (350-900).

T. tympanistria Tambourine Dove. R f OFSP (450-1850). Less common in primary

forest than elsewhere, consistent with findings of Brosset & Erard (1986).

T. brehmeri Blue-headed Wood Dove. R u SP (850-1150).

Treron calva African Green Pigeon. R f FSP (700-1800).

Psittacidae

Psittacus erithacus Grey Parrot. R u OF (350-850). Only small groups (up to 3)

recorded Apr-Aug, but flocks of 15-28 flying over Nyasoso to and from roosts in

Nov, and flocks of 41 and 50 in Jan. Largest flocks 8-14 in Feb-Mar and Sep-Oct.

Poicephalus gulielmi Red-fronted Parrot. R F (950-1000). Few records: May-Jun

1990 (SMA, PVH) and Mar 1999 (NB).

Musophagidae

Tauraco persa Green Turaco. R f FSP (500-1400). Most frequent in farm-bush with

trees; not often recorded in primary forest.

T. macrorhynchus Yellow-billed Turaco. R c FSP (700-2050). Occurs throughout

primary forest and in farms with trees.

Corythaeola cristata Great Blue Turaco. R u FS (350-1000). Possibly at reduced

densities owing to hunting. Not in primary forest; occurs sporadically in farms with

high canopy cover and in secondary forest around many villages including Nyasoso,

Nsuke, Kolia and in Loum Forest Reserve. Recorded all months except Dec-Jan.

Cuculidae

Oxylophus levaillantii Levaillanf s Cuckoo. AM (late Nov to early Apr) u FS (600-

1050).

Cuculus solitarius Red-chested Cuckoo. AM? (Dec-Sep) u SP (700-1550).

C. clamosus Black Cuckoo. R f OFS (500-1000). Perhaps a partial migrant, but

recorded every month, mostly in farmbush, and only the non-migratory race

gabonensis has been confirmed. Call heard mostly Apr-Nov.

C. canorus Common Cuckoo. PM P (1000-1050). Two records above Nyasoso: 25

Nov 1993 (UGS, JB, EK); 23 Mar 1998 (FDL).

Cercococcyx olivinus Olive Long-tailed Cuckoo. R f OFS (500-1500). Only in

primary forest and detection usually relies on the far-carrying calls, which were heard

throughout the year. Eisentraut (1973) mentions collecting a C. mechowi at 1100 m,

which has not otherwise been recorded. The two have very different voices but are so

similar in plumage that perhaps the specimen should be re-examined.

Chrysococcyx cupreus Emerald Cuckoo. R f FSP (550-1550). A juvenile seen, late

Nov. Call heard every month, but less in the first half of the year.

2001

Birds of Mt Kupe

23

C. klaas Klaas’s Cuckoo. R f OFS (400-1000). Call heard every month; juveniles

seen Sep and Nov.

C. caprius Didric Cuckoo. R u OF (400-1000). Recorded in cultivated areas in all

months except May-Jun, with a peak of calling birds in Jul. Whether there is

movement in and out of the area is unclear.

Ceuthmochares aereus Yellowbill. R f FSP (700-1600).

Centropus leucogaster Black-throated Coucal. R u FSP (850-1000). Usually detected

by deep resonant call from areas where farms border the forest above Nyasoso.

C. monachus Blue-headed Coucal. R f OF (400-1000).

Tytonidae

Tyto alba Bam Owl. R u O (400-850). Five records, in different months from

Nyasoso and the banana plantations at Loum, suggest a small resident population.

Strigidae

Otus icterorhynchus Sandy Scops Owl. R P (1550). One record: one found roosting 1

m above ground on Max’s Trail (TB).

Bubo poensis Fraser’s Eagle Owl. R u OFSP (850-1600).

Glaucidium tephronotum Red-chested Owlet. R u P (1100-1600). One seen,

apparently part of a mixed-species bird-party, Feb 1984; one mist-netted (Stuart

1986b).

G. sjostedti Chestnut-backed Owlet. R u P (1250-1550). First record for Kupe was

one mist-netted above Nyasoso, Nov 1992; since heard there and on Max’s Trail

where one responded to play-back in Nov 1994 (SJ).

Strix woodfordi African Wood Owl. R u P (1000-2000).

Caprimulgidae

Caprimulgus climacurus Long-tailed Nightjar. AM r O (850). One record: in open

farms at Nyasoso, Feb 1984. Presumably a passage bird.

C. nigriscapularis Black-shouldered Nightjar. R u OF (750-900). Distinctive call

most often heard on moonlit nights in the dry season. Earliest record 15 Aug, but

mainly heard late Oct to early Feb (latest 10 Feb). A male killed in Nyasoso, 7 May

1994, was nearing completion of primary moult, suggesting that the species may

actually be resident, but quiet during the wet season.

Apodidae

Telacanthura ussheri Mottled Spinetail. LM? r O (850). One record: four birds over

Nyasoso, 18 Dec 1993.

T. melanopygia Black Spinetail. AM? r OF (850). Two records, 8 and 10 Feb 1992,

both of two birds with other passage swifts and hirundines over Nyasoso. Fry et al.

(1988) mention only one record for Cameroon, although I have also seen this species

near Nguti (Korup), Limbe and Kumba (see Rodewald et al. 1994), and there are

more recent records from southern Cameroon (FDL, RJD).

Rhaphidura sabini Sabine’s Spinetail. LM? u O (800-850). Described as non-

migratory by Fry et al. (1988), the nine records are all from times when other species

are moving through, but perhaps this represents local wandering (FDL pers. comm.).

24

C.G.R. Bowden

Malimbus 23

The records were: 1-2 on 14 Mar 1994, 20 Mar 1994, 21 Mar 1991, 30 Apr 1992; 2-5

on five dates between 12 and 28 Nov 1992.

Cypsiurus parvus Palm Swift. R f OFSP (350-1500). Most frequent between Kolia

and Loum; only occasionally over primary forest.

Apus barbatus sladeniae African Black Swift. LM? r OF (850-2050). Apart from one

record mentioned for “Bakossi” and attributed to Nyasoso in Fry et al. (1988), SMA

and PVH recorded it in Jun 1 990, and FDL and RJD saw several near the summit in

Mar 1998. Although separation from A. b. barbatus in the field is almost impossible,

the birds in this part of Cameroon are regarded by some (e.g. Collar & Stuart 1985,)

as a separate species A. sladeniae , classified as ‘Data Deficient’ (BirdLife

International 2000).

A. apus European Swift. PM u OF (850). Only seen during two-week passage periods

both north and south. Records are of groups up to 100, all from Nyasoso, 8-20 Mar

and 19 Sep to 3 Oct.

A. batesi Bates’s Swift. R? u OFSP (800-1000). Recorded almost every month.

Regularly enters the cave on the Nature Trail at Nyasoso; four mist-netted there.

Although such a cave is a potential nest-site, none of the birds caught in Aug and Oct

had incubation patches or moult in progress.

A. affinis Little Swift. R u OF (350-1950).

Tachymarptis aequatorialis Mottled Swift. ? P (1950-2050). One record: three at the

summit, 13 Feb 1984 (Stuart 1986b). Otherwise, Fry et al. (1988) record it in

Cameroon only from the Bamenda area.

Coliidae

Colius striatus Speckled Mousebird. R f OF (350-1000). Breeding recorded Jan-Feb

(Serle 1965).

Trogonidae

Apaloderma narina Narina’s Trogon. R u P (950-1300). Despite the difficulty of

separating it from A. aequatoriale, it seems that this species is the more common,

although not recorded at the higher elevations.

A. aequatoriale Bare-cheeked Trogon. R u P (1000-2000). Five records during the period.

A. vittatum Bar-tailed Trogon. R u SP (1000-2000). Mainly in primary montane

forest, but also seen in an overgrown Quinine Cinchona plantation at Essosong.

Alcedinidae

Halcyon badia Chocolate-backed Kingfisher. ? u SP (900-1450).

H. leucocephala Grey-headed Kingfisher. AM u O (350-850). Passage migrant, seen

between Loum and Tombel, 10 Feb to 13 Apr; one stayed in Nyasoso college grounds

23-27 Nov 1992.

H. malimbica Blue-breasted Kingfisher. ? r FP (600-1 150).

H. senegalensis Woodland Kingfisher. R f O (350-900).

Ceyx lecontei Dwarf Kingfisher. R u FSP (650-1000). Five mist-netted in areas where

rarely sighted; one seen several times in farmland at the roadside between Nsuke and

Mbulle.

2001

Birds of Mt Kupe

25

C. picta Pygmy Kingfisher. R f OF (350-1000).

Alcedo leucogaster White-bellied Kingfisher. R u SP (900-1550). Rarely seen, but mist-

netted frequently in the forest. Moult Feb-Mar, suggesting breeding early dry season.

Megaceryle maxima Giant Kingfisher. R? u O (450). Recorded only in farmland near

Kolia, near the Dibombe River; most other streams probably too small to support it.

Meropidae

Merops gularis Black Bee-eater. R u FS (650-1050). A nest-burrow was made in the

path (Max’s Trail) at 950m above Nyasoso from 18-26 Mar 1993, but the nest failed,

presumably due to disturbance. Dependent juveniles seen Apr in two years.

M. pusillus Little Bee-eater. LM? r O (350). Owing to confusion with M. variegatus ,

just two acceptable records (both in association with M. variegatus) between Tombel

and Loum: four on 21 Mar 1994 and one on 3 Apr 1994 (a time when many migrant

species were passing through). Louette (1981) suggests there is some dispersal in the

dry season away from breeding areas.

M. variegatus Blue-breasted Bee-eater. R? u O (350-850). Probably breeds in the

area: dependent juvenile seen 23 Nov 1992; juveniles seen Mar-Apr. Over half of the

records are from late Mar and Nov, suggesting some passage at those times.

M. albicollis White-throated Bee-eater. AM f OF (350-900). Dry season migrant with

peak numbers at passage times, notably early Apr. Earliest 25 Oct, latest 5 May.

M. apiaster European Bee-eater. PM u OFSP (850-2000). Recorded between 8 Sep

and 16 Oct on southward passage (flocks of 6-100), with fewer records on return

passage, 2 1 Mar to 2 Apr.

Coraciidae

Eurystomus gularis Blue-throated Roller. LM? FS (900-1000). Four records between

Aug and Nov in the study period.

Bucerotidae

Tockus albocristatus White-crested Hombill. R u SP (900-1250).

T. fasciatus Pied Hombill. R f OFSP (350-2000). The commonest hombill, found in

all areas, but favouring farms with tree cover and secondary forest. One seen eating a

chamaeleon Chamaeleo montium. Usually in groups of 3-8.

Bycanistes fistulator Piping Hombill. R? u OF (500-1100). Possibly at its upper

altitudinal limit at Nyasoso, and more common at lower altitudes nearby. Four

records in 1991, one in 1992, none in 1993, one in 1994.

B. cylindricus albotibialis White-thighed Hombill. LM? FSP (350-900). Nine records

during the study period, all between Jul and Jan in groups of 1-10. Does not occur

high on the mountain, despite preferring primary forest (Rodewald et al. 1994).

B. subcylindricus Black-and- White Casqued Hombill. ? O (350). One bird seen above

Lala, Nov 1998 (Dowsett-Lemaire & Dowsett 1999).

Ceratogymna atrata Black-casqued Wattled Hombill. LM? SP (850-1300). Two

records in the period: groups of three and four in primary forest above Nyasoso.

There were however several records during a two week visit in Feb 1984 (Stuart

1986b) suggesting a decline since then.

26

C.G.R. Bowden

Malimbus 23

C. elata Yellow-casqued Wattled Hombill. ? S (350) “Near threatened”. One record:

Loum F.R., Nov 1998 (FDL, RJD) is on the edge of its range.

Lybiidae

Gymnobucco calvus Naked-faced Barbet. R a OFSP (350-2050). Found in all habitats

including the canopy of primary forest; most numerous in secondary forest. Breeds at

least May-Nov (brood patch data), with moult Oct-Apr.

G. peli Bristle-nosed Barbet. ? F (950). Only confirmed records: 15 pairs breeding in

Dec 1995 and Jan 1996 low on Max’s Trail (NB). Another colony observed nearby at

Nyang.

Pogoniulus scolopaceus Speckled Tinkerbird. R f OFSP (850-2050).

P. coryphaeus Western Green Tinkerbird. R f OFSP (850-2050).

P. atroflavus Red-rumped Tinkerbird. R u OFSP (700-2000). One mist-netted in late

Nov had a brood patch.

P. subsulphureus Yellow-throated Tinkerbird. R f FSP (350-1100). One mist-netted

in May had a brood patch.

P. bilineatus Yellow-rumped Tinkerbird. R f OFS (350-1550). Although common at

higher elevations on neighbouring mountains, presumably the closed canopy on Kupe

prevents it from penetrating the forest very far.

Buccanodon duchaillui Yellow-spotted Barbet. R f FSP (350-2050). Nest excavation

noted in Mar and Apr.

Tricholaema hirsuta Flairy-breasted Barbet. R u SP (850-1500).

Lybius bidentatus Double-toothed Barbet. R u OF (750-900).

Trachyphonus purpuratus Yellow-billed Barbet. R f FSP (350-1900). Nest

excavation at 1000 m, mid-May.

Indicatoridae

Prodotiscus insignis Cassin’s Honeybird. R? u FS (850-1000). Seven records, all

between Mar and Aug.

Melignomon zenkeri Zenker’s Honeyguide. R? u FSP (900-1300). At least four

individuals recorded above Nyasoso, a major range extension for this species: two

singing at the edge of primary forest; one seen in farms with many trees; two mist-

netted in secondary forest on the Nature Trail at Nyasoso. Most singing recorded

Sep-Oct but also through to Apr. Song consists of a series of c. 20 whistles at a rate

of 2 s'1, the pitch and volume gradually increasing and then falling again at the end

(described in more detail by Bowden et al. 1995). Neither of the birds caught in Nov

was moulting, although one seen on 1 Apr 1997 was at least in tail moult (FDL, RJD).

Indicator maculatus Spotted Honeyguide. R? P (900-1700). Recorded three times,

above Nyasoso: one with enlarged ovaries, 19 Nov (Serle 1950); one on 10 Apr (Serle

1954); one seen in Nov 1990 (DMN).

I. conirostris Thick-billed Honeyguide. R u/f OFSP (600-1850).

I. exilis Least Honeyguide. R u F (850-950).

I. willcocksi Willcocks’s Honeyguide. R? FS (850-1000). Three records during the

study period.

2001

Birds of Mt Kupe

27

Picidae

Sasia africana African Piculet. R u FSP (850-1 200), Usually seen on vines in

disturbed areas of secondary forest but also occurs in primary; 28 mist-netted on

Nature Trail at Nyasoso. Within a few months of being ringed, the alloy ring

invariably discolours to a dull orangey surface. Breeds in the dry season: nest-

building early Apr; carrying food late Nov; performing butterfly- like display flight in

early Mar; brood patches Dec-Mar; moult Jan-May.

Campethera cailliautii Green-backed Woodpecker. R u FSP (850-1200).

C. tullhergi Tullberg’s Woodpecker. R u P (900-2000). Usually in mixed-species

flocks, high in large trees in open areas. Typically associates with Phyllastrephus

poliocephalus, Andropadus tephrolaemus, Kupeornis gilberti and Ploceus bicolor .

Not often below 1400 m.

C. nivosa Buff-spotted Woodpecker. R u FSP (850-1500). Most frequent in

secondary forest and farm-bush with trees, but also enters primary forest. Two mist-

netted on Nature Trail at Nyasoso, where often associates with mixed species parties,

typically including Terpsiphone rufiventer, Criniger calurus and Ploceus bicolor.

Only record above 1050 m was one collected by Serle (1965).

Dendropicos gabonensis Gabon Woodpecker. R u FSP (700-1200). Usually seen in

farms with good tree cover, it is less associated with mixed-species foraging flocks

than the previous two species.

D. fusees cens Cardinal Woodpecker. R f OFS (850-1050).

D. ellioti Elliot’s Woodpecker. R u P (1250-1950). Strongly associated with thickets

in tree-falls, generally occurring low in the vegetation. Not as numerous as C.

tullbergi, contrary to Stuart & Jensen’s (1986) generalisation for mountain chain as a

whole. One mist-netted.

D. xantholophus Yellow-crested Woodpecker. R u F (800-950). Seven records of this

lowland species in the study period, all from farmland around Nyasoso and Bendume.

Eurylaimidae

Smithornis sharpei Grey-headed Broadbill. R f SP (850-1950). Evenly distributed

within the forest. Display flight heard most months, but more frequently Sep-Nov.

Brood patches Nov, family parties mist-netted in Jan and Mar, 23 moulting birds

May-Jul; suggesting breeding season is the dry season.

S. rufolateralis Rufous-sided Broadbill. R? u P (900-1050). Only three confirmed

records in the period, in the lowest undisturbed forest: two displaying males in Feb

and one female in Apr.

Pittidae

Pitta reichenowi Green-breasted Pitta. ? S (900-950). First confirmed record, 22 Feb

1992 (SMA). Call heard, 2 Mar 1993 (TB). Both at forest edge above Nyasoso.

Hirundinidae

Psalidoprocne nitens Square-tailed Saw-wing. R f OFSP (600-1050).

P. pristoptera Black Saw-wing. R c OFSP (350-1100). The commonest saw-wing.

Local race petiti sometimes regarded as specifically distinct. Nests found high in a

28

C.G.R. Bowden

Malimbus 23

volcanic ash quarry bank, beside the road at Mboh (550 m). Juveniles seen there in

Aug (paler rumps and shallowly forked tails) bore superficial resemblance to

Mountain Saw-wing P. fuliginosa of further west. Serle (1954) recorded three nests

with young near Nyasoso, Apr.

P, obscura Fanti Saw-wing. AM? OF (850). Only certain record, Apr 1991 (EW)

possibly a migrant.

Himndo semirufa Red-breasted Swallow. ? u O (350-850). Most noticeable when

collecting mud from puddles for nest-building in Mar.

H, abvssinica Lesser Striped Swallow. LM (late Sep-Jun) f OF (350-950). Breeds in

the villages Mar-May but absent Jul-Aug, returning late Sep. Larger numbers noted

late Oct and Nov and late Mar, when flocks of up to 60 roost in Elephant Grass

Pennisetum purpureum at Nyasoso.

H. fuliginosa Forest Swallow. R f OFSP (750-1550). Usually in loose groups of up to

ten, feeding around large emergent trees in secondary forest and farms or above the

canopy of primary forest. Roosts and breeds in the cave on Nyasoso Nature Trail

where 23 mist-netted. One with a brood patch, May; starting primary moult in Aug,

finishing in Oct. No evidence of seasonal movements.

H.fuligula Rock Martin. ? u G (2000). Only recorded around the summit in Feb 1984

(Stuart 1986b), in Jun 1994 (RES, OEM) and in Mar 1998 (FDL, RJD).

H. nisi lea Bam Swallow. PM f OFSPG (350-2050). First arrivals between 19 Sep

and 27 Oct, and last departures between 1 1 and 21 Apr during the study period.

Delichon urbica House Martin. PM OF (850-2000). Two Nyasoso records: 20 on 19

Sep 1991; one on 29 Feb 1992 (CGRB). Several near summit 24-25 Mar 1998 (FDL).

Riparia riparia Sand Martin: PM OF (850). 25 passed over Nyasoso with other

migrants on 19 Sep 1991.

Motacillidae

Moiacilla j lava Yellow Wagtail. PM (late Nov to Apr) u O (350-850). Passage

migrant in small numbers, with 1-2 spending several weeks in the area. Arrived

apparently later than in other parts of Cameroon, the first being between 23 Nov and

5 Dec, and the last sightings from 1 1 Mar to 23 Apr.

M. clam Mountain Wagtail. R u FSR (600-J050).

Anthus trivialis Tree Pipit. PM (late Nov to Mar) u O (850).

A. novaeseeiandiae cameroonensis Cameroon Pipit. AM r O (850). Two records of

singles on the college sports field in Nyasoso 22-23 Oct 1993 and 9-18 Jan 1994.

Campephagidae

Coracina caesia Grey Cuckoo-Shrike. R f P (1100-1950). Most common above 1400 m.

C. azurea Blue Cuckoo-Shrike. R? SP (900-1200) SP. Four records in the study period.

Campephaga petiti Petit's Cuckoo-Shrike: R f FSP (800-1050), Most often seen in

disturbed forest where often joins mixed-species flocks. Attended nest and recent

fledglings recorded in Nov and Apr respectively.

C phoenicea Red-shouldered Cuckoo-Shrike. AM? F (800). One record: a male in

moult on the Ngusi side of Nyasoso, 30 Jan 1994 (CGRB). A savanna bird, wandered

2001

Birds of Mt Kupe

29

into the forest belt during its non-breeding season. No previous records in the forest

belt (e.g. Louette 1981, Keith et al. 1992) but one seen well to the north of Kupe on

Mt Oku (Williams 1992).

C. quiscalina Purple-throated Cuckoo-Shrike. R? u FSP (850-1200). Probably resident

but no records between mid-Jun and Oct. One breeding record at 950 m, Nov (SJ).

Pycnonotidae

Andropadus virens Little Greenbul. R a FSP (350-1950). Commonest in secondary

forest and farms with trees; in primary forest only occurs in natural clearings. An

altitudinal migrant, absent above 1400 m during the wet season, and generally scarce

above 1100m. Brood patches recorded Mar-Jul, juveniles Feb-Jul, moult Feb-Oct

with all birds moulting by Aug. Breeding season is therefore clearly defined as the

early wet season.

A. gracilis Little Grey Greenbul. R f FSP (350-1300). Usually seen in secondary

forest, in middle strata or canopy, but five mist-netted on Nyasoso Nature Trail and

one at 1 200 m. One with brood patch in Nov, when a juvenile was also caught.

A. curvirostris Plain Greenbul. R u FS (700-1 100).

A. gracilirostris Slender-billed Greenbul. R u FSP (850-1500). Not recorded above

1 100 m except by Serle (1965).

A. latirostris Yellow-whiskered Greenbul. R a FSP (350-1950). Altitudinal migrant,

absent above 1300 m Apr-Sep, but occurs almost to the summit in the dry season.

Much less common above 1300 m, even in the dry season. The most numerous

species mist-netted in secondary and low-altitude primary forest. Brood patches

(n=3 1 5) indicate breeding May-Oct (apart from one brood patch at 1200 m in Feb),

and moult starts from early Sep into the dry season. Some evidence that juveniles tend

to move to higher altitudes during the dry season, but no records of breeding there.

Individuals have moved between 900 and 1250 m above Nyasoso, and one from

Nyasoso to Ndum (7 km).

A. ansorgei Ansorge’s Greenbul. ? u S (850-950). Several records from the Nature

Trail above Nyasoso (FDL, RJD, SMA, NB).

A. tephrolaemus Mountain Greenbul. R a SP (900-2050). Above 1400 m often forms

a large proportion of mixed-species flocks. Much less common lower down and

relatively rare at 900-1000 m. Birds seen on nests in mid-Apr, which is also when

Serle (1954) recorded a nest with young, but brood patches recorded only Oct-Feb.

A. montanus Cameroon Montane Greenbul. R u SP (900-1600), “Near-threatened”.

Eisentraut (1968, 1973) found it at 900 m. No other records until nine caught at 1550

m, including two juveniles in Feb and Apr. All three birds caught in Jan had brood

patches. Inhabits the dense shrub layer of relatively open areas within the forest,

mostly tree-falls.

Calyptocichla serina Golden Bulbul. R u FSP (850-1200).

Baeopogon indicator Honeyguide Bulbul. R f FSP (850-1 100). Most song heard

Mar-Apr.

Ixonotus guttatus Spotted Bulbul. R u OFS (850-900).

30

C.G.R. Bowden

Malimbus 23

Chlorocichia flavicoiiis Yellow-throated Leaflove. R u OF (850-900). Recorded in

farms and gardens near Nyasoso.

C. simplex Simple Leaflove. R u OF (450-1000).

Thescelocichla leucopleums Swamp Palm Bulbul. R u OF (550-1000).

Phyllastrephus poensis Cameroon Olive GreenbuL R f P (1050-2000). Occupies the

lower and middle vegetation strata, often in pairs or as part of mixed species foraging

flocks typically comprising P poliocephalus , Andropadus tephrolaemus and

Kupeornis gilberii. More numerous above 1300 m. Brood patches Nov- -Feb.

P. icterinus Icterine GreenbuL R? u SP (900-1100). Because of contusion between

this species and P. xavieri , only three records confirmed, including one heard calling

by PWR, who is familiar with both species from Korup,

P xavieri Xavier’s GreenbuL R f SP (900-1200). Measurements of eight birds mist-

netted referred them to this species. Usually associated with mixed-species foraging

flocks and not seen above mid-storey vegetation. Brood patches Tan-Mar.

P. poliocephalus Grey-headed GreenbuL R f SP (850-2000), “Near-threatened”.

Noisy and almost always in mixed-species flocks, usually with Campethera tullbergi,

Kupeornis gilbert i, Andropadus tephrolaemus , Phyllastrephus poensis and Ploceus

bicolor. Most numerous 1200-1800 rn and distinctly less so in secondary forest and

above 1800 m Brood patches Jan-Feb. A nest with young, 10 Apr, at 2000 m; a

female collected on 9 Feb was about to lay eggs (Serle 1954).

Bleda notata Grey-headed Bristlebill. R u FS (750-900). A lowland species at its upper

altitudinal limit. Three records, including one mist-netted on Nyasoso Nature Trail.

Criniger chloronotus Eastern Bearded Bulbul. ? P (900-950), A female collected at

900 m (Serle 1965). N records during the study period but more recent records at the

base of the Shrike Trail and Nyasoso Nature Trail (EW, FDL, RID).

C. calurus Red-tailed Bulbul. R f SP (700-1 100). Separation of this species from C.

ndussumensis has caused considerable discussion. Birds with bill dimensions

suggesting both species have twice been caught together, apparently a pair, on

Nyasoso Nature Trail. They had similar plumage with no suggestion of the pale lores

of ndussumensis. Usually forages in middle and lower strata in fairly dense

vegetation, often in mixed-species flocks with Campethera nivosa » Phyllastrephus

xavieri, Anthreptes fraseri and Ploceus bicolor. More numerous in disturbed forest

with more understorey than in true primary forest. Despite the problems of

identification, this is the more common of the two species.

C. ndussumensis White-bearded Bulbul. ? u P (950). Recently confirmed at 950 m on the

Shrike Trail (FDL); cautious reports of the call (EW, SK) based on Ghappuis (1975).

Pycnonotus barbatus Common Bulbul. R a OFSP (350-1200). Less numerous with

greater tree cover and only enters primary forest at tree-fall gaps.

Turdidae

Neocossyphus poensis White-tailed Ant Thrush. R f SP (850-1950). No juveniles

recorded among 16 caught, but moult noted at 900 m in Nov, suggesting wet season

breeding.

2001

Birds of Mt Kupe

31

N. fraseri Rufous Flycatcher-Thrush. R f FSP (750-1950). Most vocal towards end of

dry season. Occupies middle strata in primary and disturbed forest. A recent fledgling

collected 23 Jan (Serle 1965).

Turdus pelios West African Thrush. R c OFS (350-1000). Breeding at least Mar-Jul.

Zoothera crossleyi Crossley’s Ground Thrush. R u P (1000-2050), “Near-threatened”.

Song heard mostly Mar-May but, among seven caught, brood patches recorded Sep

and Jan and another was finishing wing moult in Nov (which accords with three birds

moulting on Mt Cameroon in Dec- Jan: Bowden 1986). These limited data imply that

breeding occurs during the wet and early dry seasons.

Alethe diademata Fire-crested Alethe. R u SP (850-1350). Among 13 mist-netted,

one juvenile in Nov and birds in moult Oct-Dec, suggesting a breeding season similar

to that of A. poliocephala for which there are more data.

A. poliocephala Brown-chested Alethe. R f SP (800-2000). Mist-netting has shown

this species to be more numerous than field observations would suggest (180

captures). Brood patches recorded Jul-Sep at 950-1250 m but only in Jan (two

individuals) at 1550 m, supporting Tye’s (1992) suggestion of a reversed breeding

season at higher altitudes in this species. One bird ringed as an adult at 1200 m on 5

Feb 1984 was recaptured in the same area in Nov 1992 and again on 24 May 1994.

Sheppardia bocagei Bocage’s Akalat. R f P (850-1700). Relatively common up to

1400 m, above which it is markedly less so. Juveniles recorded May-Jul at 900 m;

two brood patches at 1200 m in Feb. A juvenile caught at 1550 m in Dec is suggestive

of a reversed breeding season at higher altitudes.

Luscinia megarhynchos Nightingale. PM O (850). One migrant stayed on the school

campus at Nyasoso, 18-20 Mar 1992.

Cossypha roberti White-bellied Robin-chat. R u P (900-2000). Juveniles been seen

Mar; brood patches recorded Nov and Feb (1550 and 1850 m) so certainly a dry

season breeder at high altitudes.

C. isabellae Mountain Robin-chat. R f P (1350-2000). Common above 1500 m,

associated with dense low shrubs. Brood patches recorded Nov-Feb, juveniles Dec-

Mar, and moult Mar-Apr.

C. cyanocampter Blue-shouldered Robin-chat. ? C (850). One record, from a thicket

in Nyasoso village, Mar-Apr 1 997 (FDL).

C. niveicapilla Snowy-crowned Robin-chat. R f O (600-850).

Saxicola rubetra Whinchat. PM r O (850). Three records from open areas at Nyasoso:

Feb 1984, 25 Dec 1992 (PJD), 27 Feb 1993. Generally inhabits drier areas, which

may explain why none seen for more than one day.

Sylvidae

Bradypterus baboecala Little Rush Warbler. R f O (450-900). Found exclusively in

areas of tall Elephant Grass Penniseium purpureum , which is mostly in recently aban-

doned cultivated areas. Difficult to observe, but mist-netting suggests fairly common.

Bathmocercus rufus Black-faced Rufous Warbler. R c FSP (700-1600). Occupies low

shrubby vegetation, notably stands of Acanthaceae, where it skulks close to ground

32

C.G.R. Bowden

Malimbus 23

level. Only penetrates primary forest at major treefalls. A brood patch recorded Apr

and young juveniles caught May.

Acrocephalus rufescens Greater Swamp Warbler. R c O (350-1000).

Hippolais polyglotta Melodious Warbler. PM F (950). One record, 28 Nov 1994 (SJ).

Eremomela badiceps Rufous-crowned Eremomela. R f FSP (850-1200). Usually in

mixed species flocks (typically with Apalis nigriceps), gleaning insects from the outer

leaves of middle and higher strata branches. Family parties including young juveniles

recorded in Jan, Apr and May.

Sylvietta virens Green Crombec. R f OFS (750-1550).

S. denti Lemon-bellied Crombec. ? S (850). Two sightings of pairs; birds singing near

Nyasoso (FDL, RJD). Probably under recorded.

Macrosphenus concolor Grey Longbill. R f FSP (900-1200).

M. flavicans Yellow Longbill. R u SP (850-1300).

Phylloscopus trochilus Willow Warbler. PM (mid-Nov to early Apr) u OFG (750-

1950). Small numbers, mainly on passage in Nov and Feb- Apr. Frequents open farms

and joins mixed species flocks in more enclosed areas. Recorded on open grassy

knolls near the summit, but not inside primary forest.

P. sybilatrix Wood Warbler. PM (mid-Nov to Apr) f OFSP (350-1100). Abundance

appears to vary between years, but more numerous than P. trochilus and more often

enters forest. Often in mixed species flocks; tends to forage in upper half of taller trees.

P. herberti Black-capped Woodland Warbler. R f SP (900-2000). Alone, in small

parties or in mixed species flocks; common throughout primary forest and slightly

less so in secondary forest, and in all strata of relatively open vegetation. In addition

to the song described by Stuart (1986a), has another common call, a clear, drawn out,

slightly ascending trill lasting about 2 s. Brood patches recorded Nov-Dec. Some

suggestion of altitudinal migration: the only birds caught at 900 m were in May-Jun,

with sightings there from 3 1 Mar (FDL).

Hyliota flavigaster Yellow-bellied Hyliota. R u FS (850-1000). A canopy-dwelling

species of disturbed areas, usually in mixed species flocks. Slightly more numerous

than H. violacea.

Hyliota violacea Violet-backed Hyliota. ? u SP (950-1100). Only three records

during the study period, in disturbed forest (RES) but several sightings in Jun 1990

(SMA, PVH). One other record from Southwest Province, in a clearing at Korup

(Rodewald et al. 1994).

Hylia prasina Green Hylia. R f FSP (850-1550).

Sylvia borin Garden Warbler. PM F (850-950). Five records: 10 Nov 1992 (SK); several

singing 20 and 22 Mar 1998 (FDL, RJD); 19 Mar 1999 (NB); 29 Mar 2000 (NB).

S. atricapilla Blackcap. PM r S (850). One record: Nyasoso Nature Trail 14 Jan 1995

(CG, CS).

Cisticola anonymus Chattering Cisticola. R c O (350-950).

C. erythrops Red-faced Cisticola. R u O (350-850). In areas with stands of Elephant

Grass Pennisetum purpureum.

2001

Birds of Mt Kupe

33

C. chubbi Chubb’s Cisticola. R u SG (900-2050). Recorded near Essossong, with a

nest with young at 1050 m nearer to Nyasoso, 10 Apr (Serle 1954); this is low for this

species. The only other records have been on grassy outcrops near the summit (Stuart

& Jensen 1986, RES in 1994). Much more numerous on nearby mountains with more

grassland.

Prinia sub/lava Tawny-flanked Prinia. R f O (350-900). Birds carrying nest material

mid-Nov.

P. leucopogon White-chinned Prinia. R c OF (350-1000).

P. bairdii Banded Prinia. R c OFS (350-1550). Frequents dense shrubby vegetation,

only entering forest where large treefalls have created such habitat. Fledglings noted

late Nov.

Urolais epichlora Green Longtail. R c FSP (850-2000). Prefers openings and gaps in

the canopy, which perhaps explains why it is more numerous on other nearby

mountains than on Kupe. Most records are from above 1200 m, with lower ones all

Feb-Jul, suggesting seasonal movement. Brood patches Dec-Jan; seen feeding young

mid-Apr; family parties mid-Apr and early Jun.

Apalis binotata Masked Apalis. R? u FS (750-1000). Three records during the study

period, in dense secondary thicket. One had only a narrow black stripe down the

throat, broad white cheeks and yellow sides to the breast, unlike any available

fieldguide illustrations, but comparison with skins at the British Museum (Natural

History) revealed that it was certainly this species and probably a sub-adult female.

A. jacks oni Black-throated Apalis. R u FS (850-1350). Montane species of clearings

and disturbed vegetation, sometimes joining mixed species flocks.

A. nigriceps Black-capped Apalis. R c FS (750-1250). Invariably in mixed species

flocks, even as family groups. Juveniles noted in Jan and May.

A. cinerea Grey Apalis. R c P (950-2050). Montane species. Pair breeding in dense

vegetation near ground level a tree-fall gap, late Dec. One with brood patch, Oct.

Juvenile collected 10 Apr (Serle 1965).

A. rufogularis Buff-throated Apalis. R f FSP (850-1 100). One in wing moult, May.

Camaroptera brachyura Grey-backed Camaroptera. R c OFS (350-1550). Common

in cultivation and gardens; one record in a tree-fall gap at 1550 m inside primary

forest. The local name translates to ‘man who lives by the fence’: an apt habitat

description.

C. superciliaris Yellow-browed Camaroptera. R u FS (700-1150).

C. chloronota Olive-green Camaroptera. R f FSP (750-1300). Brood patches Nov-

Mar.

Poliolais lopezi White-tailed Warbler. R u SP (850-1900) “Near threatened”. Occurs

in stands of dense low shrubby vegetation, notably Acanthaceae (mainly Oreacanthus

mannii ), which is found typically at higher elevations where the canopy is less

continuous but also in disturbed areas lower down. Brood patches Oct-Feb.

Muscicapidae

Fraseria ocreata Fraser’s Forest Flycatcher. R u FSP (750-1200).

34

C.G.R. Bowden

Malimbus 23

Muscicapa striata Spotted Flycatcher. PM u O (650-1000). Mainly 1 Oct to 28 Nov

(18 records); 3 records 26 Mar to 1 Apr.

M. adusta Dusky Flycatcher. ? F (850-900). Two records in farms at the edge of the

forest above Nyasoso. Also scarce on Manenguba and in the Rumpi Hills, but

common on Mt Cameroon and in the Bamenda Highlands (Stuart & Jensen 1986).

M. olivascens Olivaceous Flycatcher. ? S (850-1050). Three records: one mist-netted

on Nyasoso Nature Trail, 24 Nov 1992; one seen nearby, 20 Mar 1993, and again in

1998 (FDL).

M. cassini Cassin’s Grey Flycatcher. ? u S (400). Seen on the Dibombe River at Kolia

Songo, apparently the only river large enough for it on Kupe.

M. epulatus Little Grey Flycatcher. ? u FS (850-1000).

M. sethsmithi Yellow-footed Flycatcher. R f FSP (850-1950). A bird of tree-fall gaps,

small forest clearings and recently cleared farms. Brood patches Feb and Jul; nest

building late Feb; fledglings seen late Jul and Oct; suggest protracted breeding season.

M. caerulescens Ashy Flycatcher. R u FS (850-950).

M. comitata Dusky Blue Flycatcher. R u FS (750-1050).

M. fuliginosa Sooty Flycatcher. R u F (850-1050). Juveniles seen in late Nov.

Myioparus plumbeus Grey Tit-Flycatcher. ? O (400). One seen above Lala, Nov 1998

(Dowsett-Lemaire & Dowsett 1999).

Platysteiridae

Megabyas flammulata Shrike Flycatcher. R u FSP (850-1250). Usually in pairs or

small parties in the canopy at forest edge, but occasionally penetrates primary forest.

An immature seen late Apr.

Bias musicus Black and White Flycatcher. R f FS (800-1000). Two active nests, Jan.

Batis minor Black-headed Bâtis. R u FS (850-1050).

B. poensis Bioko Batis. R FS (850-1050). Four records from mixed species flocks in

disturbed areas. A nest with eggs, Mar 1998 (Dowsett-Lemaire & Dowsett 1999).

Platysteira concreta Yellow-bellied Wattle-eye. R f SP (900-1950). Unobtrusive but

reasonably common in small groups; sometimes joins mixed species flocks, where

mainly below 3 m. Brood patches Dec-Mar; moult Jul-Aug.

P. chalybea Black-necked Wattle-eye. R u SP (900-1950). Uncommon below 1400

m. Usually in a well developed shrub layer and often close to the forest floor. Joins

mixed species flocks but more often in pairs or family parties. Brood patches at 1550

m, Jan-Feb.

P. castanea Chestnut Wattle-eye. R u FSP (850-1250). An active nest, late Feb.

P. tonsa White-spotted Wattle-eye. R SP (850-1200). Five records during the period.

Joins mixed species flocks.

P. cyanea Scarlet-spectacled Wattle-eye. R c OFS (350-1050).

Monarchidae

Erythrocercus mccalli Chestnut-capped Flycatcher. R u SP (350-1300).

Elminia longicauda Blue Fairy Flycatcher. R c OFS (350-1100). Open cultivation,

occasionally entering secondary forest. Carrying food, late Mar; fledglings mid-Jun.

lirds of Mt Kupe

Trochocercus nigmmitratus Dusky Crested Flycatcher, R u FSP (850-1550).

Unobtrusive in low dense thicket within forest, but mist-netting has shown it to be

numerous. One brood patch at 900 m, Feb.

I aibiventris White-bellied Flycatcher. R u P (1300-2000). Favours openings in the

forest which probably explains why it is less common on Kupe than on neighbouring

mountains. Generally alone or in pairs, but occasionally joins mixed species flocks.

T nitens Blue-headed Crested Flycatcher. R? SP (900-1500). Five records in the

study period, in forest understorey. Family with dependent young, 1 Apr (FDL, RJD).

Terpsiphone viridis African Paradise Flycatcher. R f OFS (450-1100). Most

numerous in open farms and gardens where alone or in pairs. Occasionally joins

mixed flocks at the forest edge. Several white males seen.

T. batesi Bates’s Paradise Flycatcher. R u FSP (800-1200). More a forest bird than T.

viridis , usually in mixed species flocks. Females of the two species difficult to

separate. Probably the commoner of the two species overall and certainly within

forest habitats. Two brood patches, Jan; a juvenile, Jan.

T mfiventer Red-bellied Paradise Flycatcher. R c SP (700-1700). Most mixed

species flocks up to 1400 m contain this species. Breeds throughout dry season;

family parties late Nov; brood patches Jan; an active on 1 Mar; moult in progress

May.

TImaliidae

Kakamega polio thorax Grey-chested Illadopsis. R f P (1150-2000). Rare below 1400

m. À juvenile mist-netted Oct; moulting Nov-Dee and Feb; suggests breeding late

rains.

Illadopsis fulveseens Brown Illadopsis. R u SP (900-1200).

I, rufipennis Pale-breasted Illadopsis. R u FSP (900-1350).

I. cleaveri Black-cap Illadopsis. R u SP (900-2000). Brood patches Jan-Feb at 1550

m and Jun-Jul and Nov at 900 m, which, despite the small sample, suggests a

reversed breeding season at higher altitudes.

Kupeornis gilberti Gilbert’s Babbler. R f SP (1000-2050) “Endangered”. Discovered

on Kupe by Serle (1949). Usually frequents the larger boughs of tall trees (canopy

and middle strata), searching for food in moss, epiphytes and crevices. Occasionally

descend to the understorey. Always in groups of up to 25, usually with Phyllasirephus

poliocephalus and other species that associate with the latter. Often noisy when

excited by snakes or other dangers, but remain quiet for long periods. Breeding

recorded Apr and Jun by Serle (1954, 1957, 1981); juveniles seen Nov-Jan,

suggesting an extended breeding season. One mist-netted, at 1550 m in Nov; it was

starting wing moult.

Picathartes oreas Grey-necked Rock fowl. R u SP (900-2000) “Vulnerable”. At low

densities throughout the forest. Three mist-netted, two on the Nyasoso Nature Trail,

close to the village. Several old nests found at lower altitudes on overhanging rock

faces in forest. One old nest was re-used: the two eggs hatched 3 and 5 Apr 1994, but

the nest had fallen for unknown reasons eight days later. Hunters in Nyasoso are

36

C.G.R. Bowden

Malimbus 23

familiar with “rockfowl” as they often term them, and believe that they were more

numerous twenty years ago. It gets caught in spring-traps (snares) set for mammals,

which may have reduced the population.

Remizidae

Pholidornis rushiae Tit-hylia. R u F (850-1000). Alone or in groups of up to six;

joins mixed flocks. Favours leguminous trees that are retained in farms for main-

taining soil fertility, where it gleans insects from bare branches. Juveniles late Mar.

Nectariniidae

Anthreptes fraseri Fraser’s Scarlet-tufted Sunbird. R u SP (850-1550). Usually in

mixed species flocks. One with brood patch, Nov.

A. rectirostris Green Sunbird. R f OFS (850-1550).

A. collaris Collared Sunbird. R f FSP (400-1600).

Nectarinia seimundi Little Green Sunbird. ? F (1000). One record, Apr 1997 (FDL,

RJD); likely under-recorded.

N. batesi Bates’s Sunbird. R u FS (850—1 100). Not often seen (easily overlooked); five

mist-netted on Nyasoso Nature Trail. In creepers and thicker vegetation, any height.

N. olivacea Olive Sunbird. R a FSP (350-1600). The most numerous sunbird at low

altitudes, in all vegetation levels but mostly in the middle strata both in farm-bush

with considerable tree cover, and in forest. Brood patches Oct-Apr; most birds

moulting in Apr. However, two birds also had brood patches in Jul. Mist-netting

suggests altitudinal movements, birds moving down in the wet season.

N. ursulae Ursula’s Sunbird. R f SP (900-2000) “Near-threatened”. Throughout the

forest but less common below 1200 m. In all vegetation strata, but mostly high in the

canopy. Birds carrying nest material, late Nov; a family party with fledglings, late

Dec; brood patches Dec-Feb; moult Feb-Apr indicating a relatively short breeding

season. The only records at 900 m were in Jul, indicating some altitudinal migration.

N. oritis Cameroon Blue-headed Sunbird. R a SP (900-2050). Censuses by RES and

OEM showed that this is the most numerous bird species within the primary forest.

Above 1400 m it is locally abundant around flowering trees, notably an endemic

Rubiaceae with long pendulous flowers near ground level. Breeding season

protracted, but mostly towards the end of the wet season: brood patches in almost

every month. Moult mainly Nov-Jan.

N. verticalis Green headed Sunbird. R f OF (350-1050).

N. cyanolaema Blue-throated Brown Sunbird. R? u OF (850-1050).

N. fuliginosa Carmelite Sunbird. ? OF (650-950). Two records during the period.

N. rubescens Green-throated Sunbird. R u OFS (350-900).

N. chloropygia Olive-bellied Sunbird. R c OF (350-1000). Status uncertain in view of

potential confusion with N. minulla (< q.v .). Building nests late Mar.

N. minulla Tiny Sunbird. ? FS (850-1050). Present in farm-bush low on Max’s Trail

in 1998 (FDL, RJD). Serle (1950) collected four on farms above Nyasoso. Probably

overlooked during the study period, possibly due to potential confusion with N.

chloropygia {q.v.).

2001

Birds of Mt Kupe

37

N, preussi Northern Double-collared Sunbird, LM? u FSP (1000-2050). Much less

common on Kupe than on neighbouring mountains, presumably due to its preference

for relatively open areas. Recorded only above 1950 m by Stuart (1986a) in Feb, but

also occasionally occurs down to the farms above Nyasoso.

N, bolivien Bouvier’s Sunbird. ? r FP (850-1400). Two records: 850 m, Nov 1990

(DM); 1400 m, 29 Feb 1992 (SMA). Common on neighbouring Mt Manenguba in

more open habitats.

N. euprea Copper Sunbird. LM? OF (350-900), Two records: one between Loum and

Tombe!, 1 1 Apr (CGRB); one above Nyasoso, 20 Sep (RES).

N. coccinigaster Splendid Sunbird. R u OF (850-950).

N. superba Superb Sunbird. R u OF (350-950). An active nest, late Nov. Serle (1954)

collected one at its nest, 28 Feb.

Zosteropidae

Zosîerops senegalensis Yellow White-eye. R f FSP (800-2050).

Oriolidae

Oriolus brachyrhynchus Western Black-headed Oriole. R f FSP (850-1600).

Generally regarded as a lowland species (e.g. Serle 1950), but three records were

from. 1050-1600 m.

O. nigripennis Black-winged Oriole. R f FSP (850-2000). Brosset & Erard (1986)

regarded it as more of a secondary forest species than O. brachyrhynchus , but this is

not supported by observations on Kupe. Both species tend to occur in the canopy and

occasionally in mixed species Rocks, with little altitudinal separation.

Laniidae

Lanius mackinnoni Mackinnon’s Shrike. R f O (600-1000). Juveniles early Dec.

L. collaris Fiscal Shrike. ? O (850). Recorded Nyasoso, Feb 1984 (Stuart 1986b) but

not since.

L. senator Woodchat Shrike. PM O (850). Three records of passage migrants, all on

Nyasoso college campus: Feb 1984, 18 Mar 1993, 18 Nov 1994 (SJ).

Malacoeotidae

Dryoscopus senegalensis Red-eyed Puffback. R f FS (750-1300).

D.-angolensis Pink-footed Puffback. R u FSP (750-1950). A family party, 1 Apr

(FDL).

D. sabini Sabine's Puffback. R u FSP (850-1300).

Laniarius luehderi Lühder’s Bush Shrike. R f OF (350-1000).

L fuelleborni Füllebom’s Black Boubou. R f P (1000-2000). Inhabits areas with

dense low shrubby vegetation, which is often on steep slopes or in tree-falls. Such

areas are limited on Kupe and it is more numerous on neighbouring mountains.

Malaconotus bocagei Grey Bush-shrike. R f OF (750-1000).

M. multicolor Many-coloured Bush Shrike. R f FSP (750-1300). The far-carrying

“whoop” call is often heard in secondary forest. One record from 1300 m on Max’s

Trail (FDL), but mainly below 1000m. Colour morphs included birds with underparts

entirely yellow or mainly orange. Serle did not record any bush-shrike other than M

38

C.G.R. Bowden

Malimbus 23

kupeensis on Kupe; if this represents a real change, it could have implications for

competition with M. kupeensis.

M. kupeensis Mt Kupe Bush-shrike. R? u P (950-1450) “Endangered”. Described by

Serle (1952), then not seen until 1989 (Bowden & Andrews 1994). Despite

considerable effort, only 13 sightings during the study period; 26 sightings (probably

of seven pairs, once two pairs in an apparent territorial dispute), but call heard only

2-3 times, in 1990 (SMA, PVH). Mostly seen in the wet season, especially Jun-Jul;

despite greater observer effort in the dry season, no sightings between 10 Oct and 20

Feb. All sightings were along trails above Nyasoso (except a pair at 1300 m above

Kupe village: SN), all in primary forest with relatively open understorey. Mostly 1-6

m above the forest floor although occurs almost up to the canopy. There has been

forest loss in 1998 in one of the sites at 1250 m on Max’s Trail. More detailed

descriptions of calls are given by Dowsett-Lemaire (1999); a subsequent recording is

a series of harsh accelerating ticks, terminating with some richer but somewhat more

husky scalding notes: “tic tic tic tic tic tic tic - cheeow - cheow - cheow cheow” (NB).

Scarce, but several birds seen near Lake Edib in the neighbouring Bakossi Mountains

(I. Faucher pers. comm., Dowsett-Lemaire & Dowsett 1999).

M. cruentus Fiery-breasted Bush-shrike. R FS (900-1000). Five records in the period.

One, mist-netted on Nyasoso Nature Trail, was mid-way through primary moult, Jul.

M. gladiator Green-breasted Bush-shrike. R u P (1 100-2000), “Vulnerable”. Solitary,

at low densities in primary forest. All but one record were above 1400 m where move

high in the canopy. Usually detected by call (described by Stuart & Jensen 1986).

Records spread evenly through the year.

M. monteiri Monteiro’s Bush-shrike. ? P (1450) “Data deficient”. One sighting, at

1450 m, 21 Sep 1992 (Andrews 1994). Taxonomic status uncertain (Hall et al. 1966,

Hall & Moreau 1970, Stuart 1986a, Sibley & Monroe 1990, Williams 1998); perhaps

conspecific with M. gladiator.

Nicator chloris West African Nicator. R f FSP (500-1250). Highly vocal, occurs in

all strata of the vegetation. One with brood patch, Nov.

Prionopidae

Prionops caniceps Red-billed Helmet Shrike. R P (950-1250). Four records during

the period, of groups of 2-5 in the canopy of primary forest.

Dicruridae

Dicrurus atripennis Shining Drongo. R f SP (900-2000). The commonest drongo in

primary forest, where often leads mixed species flocks.

D. adsimilis Fork-tailed Drongo. R f FSP (850-1450). Open secondary areas but also

penetrates primary forest. Sometimes leads mixed species flocks.

D. ludwigii Square-tailed Drongo. R u P (1200-1550) P. Primary forest, perhaps

under-recorded. See comment by Dowsetts - did you net any?

Corvidae

Corvus albus Pied Crow. R f O (350-850). Associated with large villages, especially

the eastern lowland settlements of Nlohe and Loum where flocks of up to 25 seen.

2001

Birds of Mt Kupe

39

Sturnidae

Poeoptera lugubris Narrow-tailed Starling. R u OFS (400-1050). Mainly in small

parties in farms with high canopy cover. There was a regular roost of up to 40 birds in

Nyasoso village in late Nov each year. Birds carrying nest material, 1 Jul.

Onychognathus walleri Waller’s Chestnut-winged Starling. R c SP (1000-2050).

Common only above 1500 m; very few records below that. Usually in flocks of up to

12, in the canopy. More numerous on neighbouring peaks than Kupe.

O. fulgidus Forest Chestnut-winged Starling. R? u FS (800-1000). Occurs at low

densities in secondary habitat, usually singly or in pairs. Largest flock: 18 above

Nyasoso, 26 May 1994 (RES).

Lamprotomis purpureiceps Purple-headed Glossy Starling. ? (Apr-Sep) u FSP (850-1450).

L. purpureus Purple Glossy Starling. ? F (850-950). Three records in the period, all in

farms above Nyasoso.

L. splendidus Splendid Glossy Starling. ? (Feb-Jun) u F (850-1000).

Passeridae

Passer griseus Grey-headed Sparrow. R c O (350-900).

Ploceidae

Ploceus batesi Bates’s Weaver. ? S (900) “Endangered”. Two sightings of two birds

on the edge of Nyasoso, Jun 1990 (Bowden & Andrews 1994).

P. pelzelni Slender-billed Weaver. LM? OF (350-900). Generally near open water.

Three records, presumably passage birds: one near Loum, 1 1 Apr 1992 (CGRB); two

in farms above Nyasoso, 25 Sep 1992 (SK) and 24 Nov 1994 (SJ).

P. nigricollis Black-necked Weaver. R c OFS (350-950). Cultivated areas and

villages; sometimes joins mixed-species flocks in secondary forest. Only the olive-

backed morphs occur in the area.

P. ocularis Spectacled Weaver. R u OF (350-900). Less numerous than the very

similar P. nigricollis and less inclined to enter forest. Most records are of birds

roosting in Elephant Grass Pennisetum purpureum around Nyasoso.

P. melanogaster Black-billed Weaver. R u SP (900-1950). Occurs at low densities in

areas with breaks in the canopy. Usually singly or in pairs in low shrubby vegetation.

A nest with young at 900 m, 26 Dec.

P. nigerrimus Vieillot’s Black Weaver. R c OFS (350-1000).

P. cucullatus Village Weaver. R v O (350-950). Breeds throughout the year, often in

mixed colonies with P. nigerrimus.

P. albinucha Maxwell’s Black Weaver. ? u S (850). One record of a juvenile seen in

a mixed species flock below Nyasoso Nature Trail, 9 Apr 1998 (NB).

P. bicolor Dark-backed Weaver. R f SP (850-2000). Building nests late Oct and late

Nov; dependent juveniles seen late Feb. Often shows a small black spot in the centre of

the breast (not obvious except when displaying), which is not described in field guides.

P. insignis Brown-capped Weaver. ? FP (850-1250). Two records: Feb 1984 (Stuart

1 986a); Jun 1 990 (SMA, PVH).

P. preussi Preuss’s Weaver. R u OFS (850-1050).

40

C.G.R. Bowden

Malimbus 23

Maiimbus nitens Bîue-biîled Malimbe. ? S (950-1000). Two records between Tape

Etuhe and Essosong.

M. malimbicus Crested Malimbe. R u SP (800-1000). Usually in mixed-species

flocks unless breeding. Building nests from late Jul to early Oct; nest with young late

Nov and the first week of Dec. Seven nests observed, all in palms.

M. ruhricollis Red-headed Malimbe. R u FS (900-1000).

M, eryihrogoster Red-bellied Malimbe. ? F (950). Two seen above Nyasoso, Jan 1996 (MB),

Euplectes hordeaceus Fire-crowned Bishop. LM? u O (350-850). Occurs in small

numbers in areas with Elephant Grass Pennisetum purpureum , appearing late Jul and

probably breeding Aug-Oct. Not usually seen early Dec but there is one record on 19

Feb. Although much less obvious when not in breeding plumage, may leave the area

in non-breeding season.

E. macrounis Yellow-mantled Whydah, LM? u O (350-400). Recorded only along

the road between Tombel and Loum, on seven occasions between 2 May and 15 Oct.

All records were of breeding males; they may remain in the area but be less obtrusive

at other times of year.

Amblyospiza albifrons Thick-billed Weaver. LM u O (350-850). Apparently leaves

the area in dry season; breeds wet season in patches of tall Elephant Grass

Pennisetum purpureum. First records each year generally mid-Jun (once early Apr:

FDL); the last, late Oct.

Estrildidae

Parmoptila woodhousei Flower-pecker Weaver-finch. R u FS (700-1050). Seen only

in disturbed areas with a dense low herb layer. Occurs singly or in small groups;

when enters secondary forest, rarely moves far from the ground or lower strata.

Nigrita canicapilla Grey-crowned Negrofmch. R f OFSP (350-1600). Most numerous

in cultivated areas where the mournful song is usually heard.

N. luteifrons Pale-fronted Negrofmch. R u F (750-1000).

N. bicolor Chestnut-breasted Negrofmch. R u SP (350-1000).

N. fusconota White-breasted Negrofmch. R f FS (800-1050).

Nesocharis shelleyi Little Olive-back. R u P (1550-2000). Recorded only from

primary forest, in forest edge and tree-falls. Usually in flocks of 2-15.

Cryptospiza reichenovii Red-faced Crimson-wing. R u OFSP (850-1300). Occurs in

open areas with herbaceous vegetation, but has been mist-netted in primary forest.

One with brood patch at 1200 m, Nov; two juveniles netted at 1850 m, Feb.

Spermophaga haematina Bluebill. R f OFS (350-1950). Found in cultivation, but

skulks in dense vegetation so not seen as frequently as mist-netting would suggest.

Regularly enters disturbed forest but rare in primary. Brood patches recorded at 900

m Oct-Dec.

Mandingoa nitidula Green Twinspot. R u FSP (850-1200). Usually in low thick cover

but occasionally higher, in small groups. Mist-netted in primary forest, but generally

seen in secondary habitats including farms. One caught with brood patch, Dec; a

juvenile netted Feb.

2001

Birds of Mt Kupe

41

Estrilda melpoda Orange-cheeked Waxbill. R c O (350-900). Usually with E.

nonnula.

E. astrild Common Waxbill. LM? O (350-1000). Seven records during the period, all

of flocks of 5-20 in grassy areas at roadsides, late Feb to mid-Apr (except one flock

at Kack, 1 1 Jul 1993). Often with E. melpoda. Dates suggest local movements.

E. nonnula Black-crowned Waxbill. R a OFS (350-1200). The most numerous

waxbill, in flocks up to 120, throughout the year in cultivated areas. Also in farms

with high canopy cover and rarely even in gaps in true forest. The relative abundance

of this species and E. melpoda is the reverse of the situation at Korup (Rodewald et

al. 1994).

E. aîricapilla Black-headed Waxbill. ? u O (850). Four records during the period, in

flocks of E. nonnula , Aug-Sep. Probably overlooked, but whether it is a migrant

remains unclear. Commoner nearer the coast (e.g. Serle 1954, Rodewald et al. 1994,

pers obs.).

Lonchura cucullata Bronze Mannikin. R a O (350-1000). Usually in flocks of 10-20.

Juveniles seen mid-Apr.

L. poensis Black and White Mannikin. R c O (350-900). Widespread but at low

densities in cultivated areas, often with waxbills.

Viduidae

Vidua macroura Pin-tailed Widow. LM? (Jul-Nov) u O (350-850).

Fringillidae

Serinus mozambicus Yellow-fronted Canary. R c O (350-900).

Linurgus olivaceus Oriole Finch. R? SG (1050-2000). One record during the period,

near Essosong; previously recorded on grassy knolls near the summit by Stuart

(1986a).

Emberizidae

Emberiza tahapisi Cinnamon-breasted Rock Bunting. AM O (850). One record: a

migrant on Nyasoso college campus, 29 Nov 1992.

E. cabanisi Cabanis’s Bunting. ? O (750-900). Two records of singing males in

maize fields near Essossong: Nov 1998 (FDL, RJD); Dec 1999 (BirdLife IBA team).

Acknowledgments

The inhabitants of the villages surrounding Mt Kupe welcomed the Mt Kupe Forest

Project and visiting birdwatchers and researchers. The approval and assistance

received from Paramount Chief R.M, Ntoko of Bakossi and the Principal of the Govt.

High School Nyasoso, Mr Epie Godfred Njumbe, was especially important. I am

enormously indebted to the many observers who have allowed their records to be

included here, but especially to Mark Andrews, Peter Hayman, Françoise Dowsett-

Lemaire, Bob Dowsett, Eddie Williams, Richard Stone, Steve Keen and Duncan

McNiven. O’kah Ebwekoh, Simon Ngwese, Rod Leslie, Paul Rodewald, Birdquest,

42

C.G.R. Bowden

Mal imbus 23

Bird Bonanzas, BirdLife International Cameroon IBA team, Liz Smith, Ngoe

Kingsley, Àsabe Ebong, Epie Ngome, Chris Wild and Sadie King have all been of

considerable assistance with additional records, discussions or other practical help.

Other observers who kindly provided records are listed earlier. Françoise Dowsett-

Lemaire in particular, and Bob Dowsett, Lincoln Fishpool, Alan Tye and Chris Wild

gave considerable help on earlier drafts of this paper. I also acknowledge the help and

foresight of BirdLife International (ICBP as it was known at the time) in initiating the

Mt Kupe Forest Project, with additional funds from the European Union and

WWF(US). In 1994, the project management passed from BirdLife to WWF, under

contract from MINEF, with funding mainly from the European Union, WWF

International and BirdLife prior to 1997 and from the Global Environment Facility

and the UK Department for International Development since then. Thanks also to the

Cameroon Government, the Ministry of Forestry and Wildlife and the Ministry of

Scientific and Technical Research for their support.

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2001

Birds of Mt Kupe

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Chappuis, C. (1975) Les oiseaux de l’ouest africain. Suppl, sonore, Alauda, Paris.

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104.

2001

45

Bird exploitation for traditional medicine in Nigeria

by Gerhard Nikolaus

Feldweg 87, 27474 Cuxhaven, Germany

Received 20 January 2000; revised 10 September 2000.

Summary

A survey covering most Nigerian fetish markets during Aug-Sep 1 999 found

199 species and indicated that just a few thousand birds are sold annually on

these markets. The traditional medicinal use of the important fetish species is

explained. Information on prices and origin of the birds are given. There is an

alarming sign that the forest eagles and larger vultures, owls, hombills and

turaco appear to be severely endangered by the demands for traditional

medicine, and urgent conservation action is needed to protect them.

Résumé

Une enquête couvrant la plupart des marchés fétichistes en août-septembre

1999 y trouva 199 espèces et montra que juste quelques milliers d’oiseaux

sont vendus annuellemnent sur ces marchés. L’usage médicinal traditionnel

des importantes espèces fétiches est expliqué. Sont données également des

indications sur les prix et l’origine des oiseaux. Il y a là un signe alarmant que

aigles forestiers et grands vautours, chouettes, calaos et touracos apparaissent

gravement menacés par la demande de la médecine traditionelle et que des

mesures urgentes de sauvegarde sont nécessaires.

Introduction and methods

Wildlife is heavily exploited almost everywhere in W Africa (Martin 1991). In the

forest belt, game meat is a common source of protein. In most parts of W Africa the

larger game animals have disappeared. Recent studies have been carried out to

calculate the extent and effects of traditional hunting, especially on endangered

species. (Ziegler 1996). Traditional medicine, known as wudu, juju or fetish, is still

very popular and can be met everywhere (Taylor & Fox 1992, Cocker 1999). Each

market has its comer with all kinds of “medicines”. Some of these items are from

highly endangered mammal and bird species. Many animals offered for sale are

especially hunted for this purpose.

46

G. Nikolaus

Malimbus 23

To judge the impact of fetish markets on birds and to find out the main species

affected, an inventory of many markets was carried out in Nigeria from 22 August to

10 September 1999, Nigeria was selected because the tradition is still very evident

and the country has a high species diversity. The strong economy in Nigeria might

create an attractive market for animals killed in neighbouring countries such as

Cameroon or Niger.

This study covered 24 markets in Nigeria and included almost all well-known

fetish markets in the country. Assisted by Mr Babatunde, working as interpreter and

driver, it was possible to check each stall offering birds and list them. Most birds were

represented by heads only, some by complete skins. Mr Babatunde, being from the

same tribe as the fetish traders on the markets, assisted the survey by asking some of

the older women about the use of the birds, the prices and the origin of the birds. In

some cases, when the identification was problematic, the heads were purchased and

properly identified at a later date by comparing with other skulls.

Results

Who sells the birds?

The sale of local medicines throughout Nigeria is done only by people of the Yoruba

tribe from the southwest. The Yoruba believe that witches are generally women, who

fly about at night and are associated with birds (especially nightjars: Parrinder 1963).

Almost all shops are run by women. The tradition of fetish selling is handed down

within a family. Only these people have the power to change a dead bird into a

medicinal item, but they are still only the “pharmacy” selling them. Young sellers in

particular do not know the use of their goods. The witch doctor sends his clients to

these “herb people” and only the which doctor decides which birds, herbs or minerals

are needed and how they are to be used.

Which species are involved and what are they used for?

The list below gives all 199 species of birds identified in the markets (plus Ground

Hombill; scientific names may be found in the list below), with the number of

individuals recorded. All species linked to fetish tradition are indicated by an asterisk,

with their uses. Many of these special medicinal birds are offered as complete skins.

Unsurprisingly, there is usually a logical link between some special habit of the bird

and its medicinal use. Most bird fetishes are kept by the customers somewhere in the

house, shop or office. Examples are birds to attract customers, to have enough money

or to make sure that the daughter becomes a beauty. Something against witches is

usually hidden near the door. Hooded Vultures are buried in the ground before a new

house is built. Parts of others, eagles and large vultures for example, are directly used

as medicine in some kind of mixture.

2001

Fetish birds in Nigeria

47

Struthionldae

Struthio camelus Ostrich 6.

Ardddae

Ixobrychus sturmii Dwarf Bittern 1.

Tigriornis ieueolophus White-crested Tiger Heron 4,

Nycticorax leuconotus White-backed Night Heron 2.

N. nycticorax Night Heron 12,

Ardeola ralloides Squacco Heron 1 ,

*Bubulcus ibis Cattle Egret 58. Brings money and luck,

Butorides striatus Green-backed Heron 3.

Egretta intermedia Yellow-hilled Egret 1.

Ardea cinerea Grey Heron 6.

A. melanocephala Black-headed Heron 21.

Scopidae

Scopus umbretta Hamerkop 8.

Ciconildae

Anastomus iarneliigerus Open hi J i 3.

*Ciconia abdimii Abdim’s Stork 1. Brings fertility

Leptoptilos crumeniferus Marabou 3,

Threskiornfthidae

Bosttychia hagedash Hadada 4,

Lampribis rara Spot-breasted Ibis 2,

Anatidae

Dendrocygna bicolor Fulvous Duck 1 .

D. viduata White-faced Tree Duck 12,

Plectropterus gambensis Spur-winged Goose 1 .

Pteronetta hartlaubii Hartlaub’s Duck 3.

Anas undulata Yellow-billed Duck 1.

A. acuta Pintail 1.

Accipitridae Eagles (all birds of prey) against weakness of body. Large vultures

against mental disturbance, epileptic problems, bad eyesight.

*Aviceda cucuioides Cuckoo Falcon 1.

*Elanus caemleus Black-shouldered Kite 5.

*Chelictinia riocourii Swallow-tailed Kite 2.

*MUvus migrans Black Kite 23.

*Haliaeetus vocifer African Fish Eagle 2.

*Gypohierax angolensis Palm-nut Vulture 23.

^Neophron percnopterus Egyptian Vulture 1 .

*Necrosyrtes monachus Hooded Vulture 48. To bury in the ground before building a

new house to give luck for the future.

*Gyps africanus White-backed Vulture 5.

*G. meppelUi Riippell’s Griffon 15.

48

G. Nikolaus

Malimbus 23

*Trigonoceps occipitalis White-headed Vulture 1.

*Circaetus gallicus beaudouini Short-toed Eagle 1.

*C. cinereus Brown Harrier Eagle 1.

*C. cinerascens Banded Harrier Eagle 2.

* Dryotriorchis spectabilis Serpent Eagle 1 .

* Polyboroides typus Harrier Hawk 10.

* Me lie rax gabar Gabar Goshawk 7.

*M. metabat es Dark-chanting Goshawk 2.

*Accipiter tachiro West African Goshawk 11.

*A. badius Shikra 10.

*A. erythropus Western Little Sparrow-Hawk 3.

* Butas tur rufipennis Grasshopper Buzzard 8.

*Kaupifalco monogrmmicus Lizzard Buzzard 17.

*Buteo augur alis Red-necked Buzzard 16.

*Aquila wahlbergi Wahlberg’s Eagle 4.

*Lophaetus occipitalis Long-crested Hawk-Eagle 7.

*Stephanoaetus coronatus Crowned Eagle 4.

Falconidae Against weakness of body.

*Falco tinnunculus rufescens Kestrel 9.

*F. ardosiaceus Grey Kestrel 1 .

*F. chicquera Red-necked Falcon 2.

*F. cuvierii African Hobby 3.

*F. biarmicus Lanner Falcon 4.

Numididae

Guttera edouardi Crested Guinea-Fowl 1 .

Numida meleagris Helmeted Guinea-Fowl 40.

Phasianidae Against fever (Sodeinde & Soewu 1999)

*Coturnix coturnix Quail 1.

*C. delegorguei Harlequin Quail 1 .

*Ptilopachus petrosus Stone Partridge 7.

*Francolinus ahantensis Ahanta Francolin 2.

*F. bicalcaratus Double-spurred Francolin 243.

Rallidae

Himantornis haematopus Nkulengu Rail 3.

Porzana egregia African Crake 1 .

Amaurornis flavirostris Black Crake 3.

Porphyrio alba Purple Gallinule 3.

Gallinula chloropus Moorhen 1 .

G. angulata Lesser Moorhen 1 .

Gruidae

*Balearica pavonina Black Crowned Crane 7. Guarantees a lucky wedding and

family future.

2001

Fetish birds in Nigeria

49

Heliornithidae

Podica senegelensis Finfoot 3.

Otididae

Neotis denhami Denham’s Bustard 4.

Ardeotis arabs Arabian Bustard 2.

Eupodotis senegalensis White-bellied Bustard 2.

E. melanogaster Black-bellied Bustard 6.

Burhinidae

Burhinus senegalensis Senegal Thicknee 5.

B. capensis Spotted Thicknee 1 .

Cursoriidae

Rhinoptilus chalcopterus Bronze-winged Courser 2,

Charadriidae

Vanellus senegallus Senegal Wattled Plover 1.

V. tectus Black-headed Plover 12.

V. crassirostris Long-toed Lapwing 1 .

Pteroclidae

Pterocles quadricinctus Four-banded Sandgrouse 1 .

Columbidae

Treron australis Green Pigeon 15.

T. waalia Bruce’s Green Pigeon 8.

Turtur afer Blue-spotted Wood-Dove 8.

Streptopelia semitorquata Red-eye Dove 2.

S. senegalensis Laughing Dove 9.

Psittacidae

*Psittacus erithacus Grey Parrot 73. Gives intelligence.

Poicephalus gulielmi Red-fronted Parrot 2.

P. senegallus Senegal Parrot 24.

Psittacula krameri Rose-ringed Parakeet 1 1 .

Musophagidae Attract customers.

*Corythaeola cristata Great Blue Turaco 43. Protects from poverty.

*Tauraco persa Green Turaco 18.

*T. erythrolophus Yellow-billed Turaco 3.

*Musophaga violacea Violet Turaco 70.

*Crinifer piscator Grey Plantain-eater 44.

Cuculidae

*Clamator jacobinus Jacobin Cuckoo 17. If it calls in the forest, a close relative or

friend will die. Gives protection.

*C. levaillantii Levaillant’s Cuckoo 6. If it calls in the forest, a close relative or friend

will die. Gives protection.

C. glandarius Great Spotted Cuckoo 1 .

Cuculus clamosus Black Cuckoo 1 .

50

G. Nikolaus

Malimbus 23

C. gularis African Cuckoo 1 .

Chrysococcyx caprins Didric Cuckoo 3.

Ceuthmochares aereus Yellow-bill 1.

Centropus leucogaster Black-throated Coucal 7.

C. grilli Black Coucal 2.

*C. senegalensis Senegal Coucal 108. For blessing.

Tytonidae

*Tyto alba Bam Owl 42. Protection from witchcraft.

Strigidae Protection from witchcraft.

*Otus senegalensis African Scops Owl 9.

*0. leucotis White-faced Owl 38.

*Bubo africanus Spotted Eagle-Owl 15.

*B. poensis Fraser’s Eagle-Owl 1.

*Glaucidium perlatum Pearl-spotted Owlet 15.

*Strix woodfordii African Wood-Owl 5.

Caprimulgidae Protection from witchcraft.

*Caprimulgus climacurus Long-tailed Nightjar 3.

*C. nigriscapularis Black-shouldered Nightjar 1.

* Macrodipterteryx longipennis Standard-winged Nightjar 4.

Apodidae Used for blessing.

*Apus caffer White-rumped Swift 2.

*A. affinis Little Swift 13.

Trogonidae

Apoloderma narina Narina's Trogon 1.

Alcedinidae

Halcyon leucocephala Grey-headed Kingfisher 2.

H. malimbica Blue-breasted Kingfisher 1 .

H. senegalensis Woodland Kingfisher 1 1 .

H. chelicuti Striped Kingfisher 1 .

*Ceyx pictus Pygmy Kingfisher 77. Attracts customers to a shop.

Alcedo cristata Malachite Kingfisher 3.

Megaceryle maxima Giant Kingfisher 1 .

Meropidae

Merops pusillus Little Bee-eater 1 .

M. albicollis White-throated Bee-eater 1 .

M. malimbicus Rosy Bee-eater 3.

M. nubiens Carmine Bee-eater 1 .

Coraciidae Give beauty.

*Coracias naevia Rufous-crowned Roller 10.

*C. cyanogaster Blue-bellied Roller 2.

*C. abyssinica Abyssinian Roller 23.

*C. garrulus European Roller 0.

2001

Fetish birds in Nigeria

51

* Eurystomus glaucurus Broad-billed Roller 35.

Phoeniculidae

Phoeniculus castaneiceps brunneiceps Forest Wood-Hoopoe 2.

P. purpureus Green Wood-Hoopoe 7.

Upupidae

Upupa epops senegalensis African Hoopoe 1 .

Bucorvidae Give protection and security, like protecting the house or farm.

*Tropicranus albocristatus White-crested Hombill 13.

*Tockus hartlaubi Black Dwarf Hombill 3.

*T. camurus Red-billed Dwarf Hombill 1.

*T. erythrorhynchus Red-billed Hombill 41.

*T. fasciatus Pied Hombill 35.

*T. nasutus Grey Hombill 25.

*Bycanistes fistulator Piping Hombill 16.

*B. subcylindricus Black & White Casqued Hombill 5.

*B. cylindricus Brown-cheeked Hombill 5.

*Ceraiogymna atraîa Black-casqued Hombill 15.

*C. data Yellow-casqued Hombill 5.

*Bucorvus abyssiniens Ground Hombill 0. Important fetish species, but not found on

the markets. The game cannot see the hunter, so that the hunter gets very close.

Lybiidae

*Pogoniulus chrysoconus Yellow-fronted Tinker-bird 46. Helps if a woman cannot

get children.

Lybius vielloti Vieillot’s Barbet 2.

L. bidentatus Double-toothed Barbet 1 .

L. dubius Bearded Barbet 2 1 .

Picidae

Jynx torquilla Wryneck 1.

*Campethera punctuligera Fine-spotted Woodpecker 25. Improves business.

*Mesopicos goertae Grey Woodpecker 4. Improves business.

Hirundinidae Used for blessing.

*Hirundo abyssinica Striped Swallow 1 .

*H. ethiopica Ethiopian Swallow 12.

*H. rustica Bam Swallow 2.

*Delichon urbica House Martin 1 .

Motacillidae

*Motacilla aguimp African Pied Wagtail 3. Gives security.

Pycnonotidae

Pycnonotus barbatus White-vented Bulbul 2 1 .

Turdidae

*Cossypha niveicapilla Snowy-headed Robin-Chat 16. Against students’ examination stress.

*C. albicapilla White-crowned Robin-Chat 3. Against students’ examination stress.

52

G. Nikolaus

Malimbus 23

Turdus pelios African Thrush 12.

Sylviidae

Melocichla mentalis Moustached Warbler 1.

Hypergerus atriceps Oriole Warbler 1.

Muscicapidae

Melaenornis edolioides Black Flycatcher 1.

Platysteira cyanea Wattle-eye 1.

Timaliidae

Turdoides plebejus Brown Babbler 4.

Nectariniidae

Nectarinia verticalis Green-headed Sunbird 1 .

N. senegalensis Scarlet-chested Sunbird 4.

N. chlorophygia Olive-bellied Sunbird 3.

N. cuprea Copper Sunbird 1 .

Laniidae

Corvinella corvina Yellow-billed Shrike 7.

*Tchagra senegalla Black-crowned Tchagra 9. This musician gives his talent.

L. aethiopicus Tropical Boubou 1.

L. barbatus Gonolek 1 .

Malaconotus blanchoti Grey-headed Bush-Shrike 2.

Prionopidae

Prionops plumatus Crested Helmet-Shrike 5.

Dicruridae

Dicrurus adsimilis Fork-tailed Drongo 3.

Corvidae

Ptilostomus afer Piapiac 6.

*Corvus albus Pied Crow 55. Gives protection from witchcraft.

Oriolidae

Oriolus auratus African Golden Oriole 4.

Sturnidae

Lamprotornis chalybaeus Blue-eared Glossy Starling 1.

L. splendidus Splendid Glossy Starling 4.

L. pulcher Chestnut-bellied Starling 1 .

Cinnyricinclus leucogaster Violet-backed Starling 1.

Ploceidae

Passer gris eus Grey-headed Sparrow 2.

Sporopipes frontalis Speckle-fronted Weaver 1.

*Ploceus cucullatus Village Weaver 198. Used for blessing.

*P. nigerrimus Vieillot’s Black Weaver 13. Used for blessing.

Malimbus rubricollis Red-headed Malimbe 1.

Anaplectes melanotis Red-headed Weaver 1.

Euplectes orix Red Bishop 4.

2001

Fetish birds in Nigeria

53

Estrildidae

Spermophaga haematina Blue-bill 1.

lagonosticta senegala Red-billed Fire-Finch 3.

Estrilda troglodytes Black-rumped Waxbill 1.

Viduidae

Vidua macroura Pin-tailed Whydah 5.

V. orientalis Paradise Whydah 1 .

Practically any species can turn up on these markets, but Palaearctic migrants are

scarce. The results provide interesting data on the abundance of some rare species in

Nigeria. Spot-breasted Ibis is new for Nigeria (Elgood et al. 1994). White-crested

Tiger Heron, White-backed Night Heron, Yellow-billed Duck, Serpent Eagle,

Crowned Eagle, Nkulengu Rail, Red-fronted Parrot and Fraser’s Eagle-Owl are little

recorded in the country. The absence of records of most storks Ciconia, spoonbills

Platalea , Tawny Eagle Aquila rapax , Martial Eagle Hieraaetus bellicosus. Red-

headed Lovebird Agapornis pullaria, Verreaux’s Eagle-Owl Bubo lacteus, fishing-

owls Scotopelia and Ground Hombill Bucorvus abyssinicus could be an alarming sign

or simply show that the hunting pressure in the savanna is lower.

Where are they sold?

Usually these items are sold in the old markets. Only at Lagos and Kano were there

two different markets offering local medicinal products. The really important markets

in Nigeria are at Lagos, Oshogbo, Ilorin, Kano, Jos, Onitsha, Ijebu-Ode and Abeokuta.

From these, traders also visit smaller markets which are not active every day.

During this survey, the following markets were visited (numbers in brackets stand

for birds counted): Lagos I (22), Lagos II (145), Ibadan (68), Ife (51), Ilesa (30),

Oshogbo (151), Ilorin (151), Jebba (26), Kaduna (11), Kano I (151), Kano II (130),

Jos (297), Akwanga (15), Lafia (0), Makurdi (29), Ikom (0), Calabar (32), Ikot-

Ekpene (5), Port Harcourt (39), Onitsha (479), Ore (54), Ijebu-Ode (145), Epe (21)

and Abeokuta (194).

What are the numbers involved?

The total number of birds counted on the markets was 2251. Since almost all

important fetish markets in Nigeria were checked during this study, a maximum

figure of 5000 birds for sale at one time in the whole of the county is realistic. This is

the first time a comprehensive study has been carried out to assess the numbers and

species involved. The idea that huge numbers of birds, hundreds of thousands or even

millions, are possibly involved in W Africa (Cocker 1999), is speculative.

Many of the birds offered have been in the shops a long time, especially the

species unimportant in fetish. Even if the number of birds revealed by this study were

to be sold and replaced in Nigeria once or twice each year (a turnover rate also

suggested by Cocker 1999), the annual toll taken by the markets would not amount to

54

G, Nikolaus

Malimbus 23

more than a few thousand, and the toll would be significant only for large raptors,

hombills and other threatened species.

How much money is involved?

Vultures, especially the large species, are the most valuable products sold. Large

vultures fetch US$1 0-20, a lot of money in Nigeria for many people. The problem is

that traders cannot find these birds in Nigeria any more and have to obtain them from

neighbouring countries like Chad and Niger. Hooded Vultures, eagles, Palm-nut

Vultures and the large hombills cost $5-10, the other real fetish birds $2-5, and

normal bird heads $0.2-1, depending on size and quality. The prices are similar in

other W African countries like Ivory Coast and Guinea.

Where do the birds come from?

The real fetish birds are hunted for this purpose and are usually kept complete. Game

birds, like herons, ducks, francolins, bustards, plovers and doves were always

represented by heads only. Hunters sell game birds to customers, but take the

unwanted heads to the Yomba people to get some extra money. Most are not

important in the fetish culture. Many road casualties and dead birds from the live-bird

markets in Lagos and Kano end up here.

Large vultures were the only birds mentioned to be imported to Nigeria but real

fetish birds are sometimes taken far by traders to the important markets to get the best

price. From here the Yoruba also take them to the small markets, which are not

served daily. A Yoruba woman at Kaduna mentioned that she goes once or twice a

month to Ilorin to get items ordered by customers. Kaduna has very little demand,

even though it is a very large town. All non-fetish birds are said to be of local origin.

Discussion: are species endangered through fetish?

Many of the species involved are common in Nigeria but the fact that large vultures

are very expensive on the markets and “cannot be found in the country any longer” is

an alarming sign. Actually not a single live, large vulture was seen on this trip. Phil

Hall (pers comm.) last saw a large vulture about 10 years ago. Some national parks

are probably the last remaining sites for them left in Nigeria. Vultures are actually

protected in the Nigerian culture and nobody likes to kill one because it brings bad

luck for ever. On the other hand, any part of the vulture, especially the eggs, has the

greatest of magic powers and is really worth money.

The other species suffering from fetish exploitation are forest eagles, especially

Crowned Eagle. Hunting affects resident forest species most, due to the high hunting

pressure there. The fact that no Tawny Eagle was found in the markets could mean

that they were not available during the rainy season, that hunting has not reached the

non-forest areas to great extent, or that they are getting scarce in the country.

2001

Fetish birds in Nigeria

55

The large vultures and eagles are likely to be highly endangered by fetish

anywhere in W Africa. If not seriously protected immediately, the last of them will

soon end up on these markets. Crowned Eagle and harrier-eagles are also the

commonest eagles seen on markets in Ivory Coast and Guinea (pers. obs.), perhaps

because of their owl-like heads. Owls, especially the large species, are very important

in the fetish culture. Any night bird is linked to witches. To keep an owl or part of it

as a fetish in the house makes it impossible for a witch to enter.

Great Blue Turaco and the large hornbills have declined throughout their W

African range. Here, habitat destruction and their persecution for fetish markets go

hand in hand.

The demand for large vultures, eagles, large hornbills and owls calls for

immediate action to save the small populations remaining in the country. Legislation

is necessary, but education programs are even more urgently needed. Most of the

species concerned probably have a chance to survive only in protected sites.

Acknowledgments

This survey was only possible with the help of Philip Hall, who provided his car and

his driver. Mr Babatunde was not only a safe driver, much of the information on the

fetish culture was added by him. The Nigerian Conservation Foundation

recommended potential markets and supported the visa. Mr A.P. Leventis guaranteed

for the visa and made life comfortable by offering his guest-houses in the country.

D.J. Pearson, A.M. Nason, C.H. Fry, J. Baker and J.S. Ash gave valuable comments.

Thanks to all of them.

References

Cocker, M. (2000) African birds in traditional magico-medicinal use — a

preliminary survey. Bull. Afr Bird Club 7: 60-66.

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.

Martin, C. (1991) The Rainforests of West Africa: Ecology, Threats, Conservation.

Birkhâuser, Basel.

Parrinder, G. (1963) Witchcraft : European and African. Faber & Faber, London.

Sodeinde, O.A. & Soewu, D.A. (1999) Pilot study of the traditional medicine trade

in Nigeria. TRAFFIC Bull. 1 8: 35-40.

Taylor, E.M. & Fox, J. (1992) The fetish market, Lome, Togo. Niger. Field 57: 1 19-125.

Ziegler, S. (1996) Une première analyse de la chasse dans le Parc National du Haut

Niger. Nature Faune 12 (4): 13-29.

56

Malimbus 23

Short Notes — Notes Courtes

Black-and-White Mannikin Lonchura bicolor , new for Comoé National

Park, Ivory Coast

A recently-published list of the birds of Comoé National Park, Ivory Coast, comprises

494 species. An additional species for the park, Black-and-White Mannikin Lonchura

bicolor , was mist-netted and photographed on 28 Sep 2000, in an isolated, 4-ha forest

block surrounded by bush and tree savanna, at c. 8°45"N. On 11 Oct 2000, two

individuals were observed at the same site. Thiollay (1985) reports the species only

south of 8°N.

References

Salewski, V. (2000) The birds of Comoé National Park. Malimbus 22: 55-76.

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

Received 10 November 2000 Volker Salewski & Frank Gôken

Institut fiir Vogelforschung “Vogelwarte Helgoland”,

An der Vogelwarte 21, 26386 Wilhelmshaven, Germany

The Yellow-billed Duck Anas undulata in West Africa

The Yellow-billed Duck Anas undulata is common in E and southern Africa, from

Ethiopia to the Cape (Brown et al. 1982, Scott & Rose 1996). It is not a true migrant

but, dispersing in relation to rainfall, may be nomadic within parts of its range. Ringed

birds have been recovered up to 1007 km from the ringing site (Oatley & Prÿs-Jones

1986). There have been occasional records in W Africa, well outside the species’

normal range (Fig. 1). Robertson (1992) suggested that these occurrences might

represent a regular or breeding population. In order to increase awareness of this

potentially important population, all known records are detailed below.

1. A single male captured on the Indop Plain, Bamenda Province, Cameroon, by

G.M. Durrell, and exported alive to the Severn Wildfowl Trust (now Wildfowl and

Wetlands Trust), Slimbridge, UK, semetime in 1949 (Anon. 1950). The exact capture

location was not recorded, but was approximately 5°55'N, 10°9'E. the bird was

considered to be of A. u. rueppelli (which occurs from Kenya northwards) or an

undescribed race. See Durrell (1954) for a description of the expedition.

2. Four or five Yellow-billed Ducks observed at Lahore de la Vina (Vina River),

Cameroon (7°8'N, 13°50T: Robertson 1992) in 1951 (Monard 1951). The birds were

initially considered to be Black Ducks Anas spar sa, but one was shot (specimen dated

2001

Notes Courtes

57

29 Jun 1951). This record was given as one bird by Louette (1981) and erroneously

mapped in NE Nigeria by Brown et al. (1982) (Robertson 1992).

3. Five photographed by Chris Pearson on the Mambilla Plateau, Nigeria (7°30"N,

11°35"E) “about 1978” (Fry 1986). This record was given as Dec 1979 by Elgood et

al. (1994).

4. Two seen at lake near Ngaoundéré, Cameroon (7°5'N, 13°351s), 25 Dec 1990

(Robertson 1992).

5. Dried head of one dead bird for sale at a fetish stall in Ijebu-Ode market, 100

km east of Lagos, Nigeria (6°50"N, 3°50"E), in September 1999, was unlikely to have

been traded in from elsewhere (not being a special fetish species), and local

informants said it was of local origin (Nikolaus 2001 and pers. comm.).

6. C. 50 seen at Dang Lake, Ngaoundere, Cameroon on (approx. 7°20/ N, 13°35'

E) 10 Apr 1999 (“RD” = R. Demey 1999).

Further records are required to understand fully the status of Yellow-billed Duck

in Cameroon and Nigeria. The species is naturally highly dispersive, but the records

(so far as is known) are from suitable breeding habitat. The Black Duck subspecies A.

s. leucostigma , a river specialist, is resident on the Cameroon Highlands and

Adamawa Plateau (Scott & Rose 1996); it too has been increasingly recorded on the

Mambilla Plateau, Nigeria (Hall 1977, Elgood et al. 1994, Walsh 1985), suggesting

increased observer coverage or that this species too is expanding its range.

We are grateful to G. Nikolaus for allowing us to include his unpublished observation,

and to Alan Tye for permitting the late inclusion of missed records.

References

Anon. (1950) Waterfowl collection. Severn Wildfowl Trust Ann. Rep. 3: 33-44.

Brown, L.H., Urban, E.K. & Newman, K. (eds) (1982) The Birds of Africa, vol.l.

Academic Press, London.

Demey, R. (1999) Recent reports. Bull. Afr. Bird Club 6: 152-157.

Durrell, G.M. (1954) The Bafut Beagles. Rupert Hart-Davis, 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.

Fry, C.H. (1986) First Yellow-billed Duck record for Nigeria. Malimbus 8: 43.

Hall, P. 1977. Black Duck Anas sparsa on Mambilla Plateau, first record for Nigeria.

Bull. Niger. Om. Soc. 13: 80-81.

Louette, M. (1981) Birds of Cameroon: an annotated check-list. Verhandel. Konink.

Acad. Wetensch. Lett. Schone Kunst. Belg., Kl. Wetensch. 43(163): 1-295.

Monard, A. (1951) Oiseaux. Résultats de la Mission Zoologique Suisse au

Cameroun. Mem. Inst.fr. Afr. noire, Sér. Sci. nat. 1: 59-122.

Nikolaus, G. (2001) Bird exploitation for traditional medicine in Nigeria. Malimbus

23: 45-55.

58

Short Notes

Malimbus 23

Oatley, T.B. & Prys-Jones, R.P, (1986) A comparative analysis of movements of

southern African waterfowl (Anatidae) based on ringing recoveries. S. Afr J.

Wildl Res. 16: 1-6.

Robertson, I. (1992) New information on birds in Cameroon. Bull. Brit. Om. Club

112: 36-42.

Scott, D.A. & Rose, P.M. (1996) Atlas of Anatidae Populations in Africa and

Western Eurasia. Publ. 41, Wetlands International, Wageningen.

Walsh, J.F. 1985. Extension of known range of the African Black Duck Anas spars a

in West Africa. Bull. Brit. Om. Club 105: 117.

Received 31 January 2000

Revised 1 September 2000 H. Glyn Young1 & Iain Robertson2

lrThe Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust,

Les Augrès Manor, Trinity, Jersey JE3 5BP, Channel Islands

2Laurelbank, Exnaboe, Virkie, Shetland ZE3 9JS, U.K.

What was Boyd Alexander’s Bioko vulture?

The recent exchange between Moore (2000) and Pérez del Val (1996, 2000) seems to

have missed two key points which would, I believe, have led them to a decisive

conclusion as to the identity of the supposed White-backed Vulture Pseudogyps

africanus collected by Alexander (1903) on the island of Bioko. An important

principle for such records is that they should not be admitted to regional lists unless

fully proven.

The Palm-nut Vulture Gypohierax angolensis is common and widespread on

Bioko (Pérez del Val 1996) and has been so throughout the 20th century (Amadon

1953, Basilio 1963). Most inhabitants were said to consider the brown juvenile as a

different species from the pied adult (Basilio 1963). Alexander (1903), however,

failed to see it, but determined a vulture specimen to be an adult female White-backed

Vulture which, he said, was “locally distributed along the coast-line” and “much

prized for food”. This species has never since been reported on the island, nor Alexan-

der’s field notes corroborated. Yet the species should be well-known if these state-

ments are correct, and could never, pace Moore (2000), be considered a “vagrant”.

More telling is that White-backed Vultures have not been recorded as flying

across water anywhere in Africa, and Bioko is 32 km from the mainland. Their

manner of flight may simply not permit them to reach the island.

It seems clear that Alexander made an error in identification. Alexander (1900)

similarly saw 100 supposed Egyptian Vultures Neophron percnopterus “on migration

... at great altitude” at the Zambezi River. I and others are sure these were White

2001

Notes Courtes

59

Storks Ciconia ciconia (Mundy 1978). Early explorers were by no means infallible in

their identifications.

What then did Alexander have as his Bioko specimen? Probably it was simply an

immature Palm-nut Vulture. Although vagrant White-backed Vultures occur in odd

places (e.g. Brosset & Erard 1977), but on the mainland, the whole tenor of

Alexander’s remarks is that the species was fairly common on Bioko. This cannot

refer to White-backed Vulture, which should be removed from the Bioko (and

Equatorial Guinea) list.

References

Alexander, B. (1900) An ornithological expedition to the Zambesi River. Ibis (7)6:

424-458.

Alexander, B. (1903) On the birds of Fernando Po. Ibis (8)3: 330403.

Amadon, D. (1953) Avian systematics and evolution in the Gulf of Guinea. The J.G.

Correia collection. Bull. Amer. Mus. Nat. Hist. 100: 393-452.

Basilio, A. (1963) Aves de la Isla de Fernando Poo. Coculsa, Madrid.

Brosset, A. & Erard, C. (1977) New faunistic records from Gabon. Bull. Brit. Om.

Club 97: 125-132.

Moore, A. (2000) Comment on species rejected from and added to the avifauna of

Bioko Island (Equatorial Guinea). Malimbus 22: 31-33.

Mundy, P.J. (1978) The Egyptian Vulture {Neophron percnopterus) in southern

Africa. Biol. Conserv. 14: 307-315.

PÉREZ del Val, J. (1996) Las Aves de Bioko. Edilesa, Leon.

PÉREZ DEL Val, J. (2000) Reply to Moore. Malimbus 22: 33-34.

Received 27 September 2000 P.J. Mundy

P.O. Box FM 424, Famona, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe

Correspondence on this matter is now closed. (Ed.)

First breeding record of Hadada Bostrychia hagedash from Senegal

On 5 August 2000, a nest containing two nestling Hadada Bostrychia hagedash, was

discovered in a holiday resort at Saly Portudal on the Atlantic coast of Senegal,

northwest of Mbour, Thiès Region (coordinates of the nest: 14°26.40'N, 17°0.75'W).

The nest, made of sticks, was rather loosely built on a forked branch of a

eucalyptus Eucalyptus camaldulensis tree, at a height of c. 10 m. The tree was part of

a stand of eucalyptus planted between the apartments of the hotel. The nest was small,

diameter c. 50 cm, with some longer sticks supporting the base (Fig. 1). The nestlings

60

Short Notes

Malîmbus 23

were feathered and already showed the characteristic white cheek streaks, but with the

bill c. 80% of adult bill length.

Figure 1, Nest of Hadada in Eucalyptus tree, with one adult and one juvenile

visible, Saly Portudal, Senegal, 7 Aug 2000.

No adult birds were present when the nest was discovered at 16hOQ, and the two

juveniles were standing or walking on the edge of the nest. At 19h00, one adult bird

was on the nest as well. An adult was also present the following day at 9h00, but

absent at 12h00. On 7 August an adult was again present between !Qh3Q and 12h00. It

occasionally preened one of the nestlings. Both adult and young were silent. The

young birds were never seen to walk off the nest. During the last visit, faeces from

under the nest tree were collected for diet analysis. Because the gardens under the

trees were regularly worked by gardeners, the faeces were probably not more than two

days old.

According to Brown et al. (1982) young Hadadas are fully feathered at 27 days,

including the white cheek streaks, and they do not walk on surrounding branches

before they are 34 days old (Skead 1951). Based on this information, we estimate that

our nestlings were about one month old. With an incubation period of 25-28 days

(Hancock et al 1992) and a clutch of 2-3 eggs (Brown et al. 1982), laid every other

2001

Notes Courtes

61

day (Skead 1951), laying must have started between 6 and 11 June. This agrees with

laying dates reported from Niger and Nigeria (Brown et al. 1982). Both Brown et al.

(1982) and Hancock et al. (1992) mention breeding from The Gambia between

January and March. However, neither Jensen & Kirkeby (1980), Gore (1990),

Dowsett & Forbes-Watson (1993), nor Barlow et al. (1997 and pers. comm.) mention

Hadada as a confirmed breeding species for this country. According to E.K. Urban,

author of the species’ entry in Brown et al. (1982) this statement is possibly based on

Chapman (1969). However, Chapman only mentioned that the Hadada occurs

regularly in The Gambia in “Stink comer” marsh from January to early March,

without giving any evidence for breeding. Hancock et al. probably simply copied the

data from Brown et al. (1982). Therefore, breeding in The Gambia should be

considered previously unproven.

Hadadas are irregularly observed throughout the year in the southern half of

Senegal (Morel & Morel 1990), particularly in Niokolo Koba and elsewhere along the

River Gambia (Sauvage & Rodwell 1998), and in The Gambia (Gore 1990, Barlow et

al. 1997). Breeding has not previously been documented from Senegal, although

Morel (1972) stated that it perhaps nested in mangroves of Casamance and The

Gambia. Considering their solitary breeding behaviour (Brown et al. 1982, Hancock

et al. 1992) and the rather poor ornithological coverage of Senegal, they may easily

have been overlooked. In August and September of 1995 and 1996, a pair of Hadadas

was regularly observed at the IRD (formerly ORSTOM) ecological field station of

Mbour. The birds usually arrived in the early morning, singly or together. No

indication of breeding was obtained (Moussa Sega Diop, pers. comm.). This site is

not more than 10 km apart from the actual breeding place. The nest site has been

developed in the last 15 years, with many hotels and bungalows constructed and c.

100 ha of fenced, park-like landscape created by planting fast-growing eucalyptus

trees. Some of these trees have now grown to c. 15-17 m and, together with other tree

species, form a luxuriant green area in a surrounding landscape where tree densities

are ever decreasing, mainly due to over-exploitation.

The faecal analysis revealed many tiny arthropod fragments, many of which,

based on leg structure, were identified as dung-beetles Scarabaeidae, and one

complete individual was an Onthophagus sp. This suggests that the birds fed at fresh

livestock faeces, where Scarabaeidae concentrate. Skead (1951) mentions Hadadas

searching cow-pats for dung-beetles, especially in dry conditions. According to

Hancock et al. (1992), Hadadas prefer to feed in moist soil by probing. Except for

swimming pools and the sea, we found no water pools, water courses or moist

grasslands near the nesting site, but the birds could also feed on the irrigated lawns of

the tourist complex, as they do elsewhere (Hancock et al. 1992, WCM pers. obs. in

Burundi, Uganda and South Africa).

We gratefully acknowledge the assistance of Abdoulaye Danfa and Pape Charles Sow,

FAO Locustox Project, Dakar, Senegal, for their help in analysing the Hadada faeces.

62

Short Notes

Malimbus 23

Moussa Sega Diop, IRD, Dakar, kindly draw my attention to some earlier observations

in the breeding period. For their valuable comments on an earlier version of this note,

and for their making some of the cited publications available, we thank Joost Brouwer,

Bob Dowsett and Peter L. Meininger, Gerard J. Morel and Emil K. Urban.

References

Barlow, C., T. Wacher & Disley, T. (1997) A Field Guide to Birds of The Gambia

and Senegal. Pica Press, Mountfield.

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

Academic Press, London.

Chapman, E.A. (1969) Gambian observations, winter 1946-47. Bull. Brit. Om. Club 89: 96.

Gore, M.E.J. (1990) Birds of the Gambia. Checklist no. 3 (2nd ed.), British

Ornithologists’ Union, Tring.

Hancock, J.A., Kushlan, J.A. & Kahl, M.P. (1992) Storks, Ibises and Spoonbills of

the World. Academic Press, London.

Jensen, J.V. & Kirkeby, J. (1980) The Birds of The Gambia. Hostrup Film-Grafik, Ârhus.

Morel, G.J. (1972) Liste Commentée des Oiseaux du Sénégal et de la Gambie.

ORSTOM, Dakar.

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

Dowsett, RJ. & Forbes-Watson, A.D. (1993) Checklist of Birds of the Afrotropical

and Malagasy Regions. Tauraco Press, Liège.

Sauvage, A. & Rodwell, S.P. (1998) Notable observations of birds in Senegal

(excluding Parc National des Oiseaux du Djoudj), 1984-1994. Malimbus 20: 75-122.

Skead, C.J. (1951) A study of the Hadedah Ibis Hagedashia h. hagedash. Ibis 93:

360-382.

Received 1 September 2000 Wim C. Mullié & Geny Mullié-Mbézellé

Revised 23 December 2000 P.O.Box 3300, Dakar, Senegal

e-mail: mullie@metissacana.sn

Précisions sur la répartition de la Tourterelle de l’Adamaoua

Streptopelia hypopyrrha au nord Cameroun

Au Cameroun, la Tourterelle de l’Adamaoua est décrite comme une espèce très

localisée; elle est décrite presque uniquement dans les régions de Ngaoundéré, du

plateau de l’Adamaoua, et dans certains secteurs de la vallée de la Bénoué et de

Garoua, sans autres précisions pour l’ensemble des provinces du Nord et de

l’Adamaoua. (Louette 1981, Urban et al. 1986). Cependant, on peut l’observer plus

fréquemment et sur une aire plus large que ce qui est indiqué jusqu’à présent.

J’apporte ici quelques précisions sur son comportement, notamment sur sa

2001

Notes Courtes

63

reproduction qui n’avait pas jusqu’alors été infirmée au Cameroun (Dowsett &

Forbes-Watson 1993), et sur ses niveaux d’abondance relevés sur le terrain. Ces

éléments ont été récoltés lors de séjours répétés de plusieurs semaines dans les régions

concernées, sur une présence totale de 19 ans au Cameroun.

L’oiseau recherche aussi bien les habitats légèrement boisés que les zones

découvertes, tels que les franges forestières, lisières claires, plantations et cultures en

zone arbustive. Il n’est pas rare aux abords des villages, habitations et activités

humaines, chemins et routes. Elle se montre généralement peu farouche et sa distance

de fuite est faible vis à vis de l’homme. Elle peut être vue loin de tout point d’eau

dans la journée, individuellement ou par couple en période de reproduction, en petits

groupes hors reproduction ou avec un nombre dominant de juvéniles. Elle ne se

montre vraiment à découvert qu’en début de journée ou de soirée; elle passe le reste

du temps dans les sous-bois clairs et frais. Les rassemblements de plusieurs oiseaux

ne sont pas fréquents. Elle peut être observée dans les groupes d’autres espèces de

columbidés, notamment ceux de Pigeons de Guinée Columba guinea, de Tourterelles

des bois Streptopelia turîur et dans une moindre mesure de Tourterelles maillées S.

senegalensis. Par contre en vol, elle ne semble pas s’associer à d’autres espèces. Je

Fai observée jusqu’à 1200 m (région du Mboum, 7°48XN, 13°30"W). L’espèce semble

fréquenter entre octobre et mai les sites d’altitude moyenne (400-800 m), c’est à dire

majoritairement le plateau de l’Adamaoua et ses contreforts ou les zones alluviales

(Dénoué, Vina, mayos non asséchés), délaissant les plaines et vallées où d’ordinaire

(mai-novembre) on l’observe plus abondamment, c’est à dire lorsque les adultes ont

quitté les sites de reproduction.

Les effectifs totaux pour l’ensemble du pays ne paraissent pas dépasser 400-600

couples (80 couples pour le Parc de la Bénoué: S. de Kort comm, per s.). Cette

estimation est réalisée à partir de comptages d’individus (1978-94) dans les zones où

j’ai pu l’observer régulièrement, en général de novembre à février (les abondances

relevées ont été transposées en densités relatives d’abondance aux territoires de

répartition, et pour une période allant de novembre à avril, définis sur Fig. 1). Cette

estimation est par ailleurs pondérée par les indications reccueillies auprès de la

population. L’aire principale de répartition observée se situe entre Guider au nord et

Tibati au sud (c. 7-10°N). Elle est assez commune dans la partie sud de la plaine de la

Bénoué (de Kontcha à Ngaoundéré); rare à l’est, dans la plaine de la Vina; localisée à

peu commune en remontant vers le nord, bien que certains secteurs (Réserve du Faro,

massif de Vokre, région de Garoua et Parc de la Bénoué) montrent des concentrations

plus importantes tout au long de l’année. Les juvéniles quittent rapidement le territoire

des adultes alors que ces derniers entreprennent une deuxième couvée. Cinq jeunes

sur sept de première couvée appartenant tous à quatre couples, marqués de nuit avant

leur 17ème jour par teinture colorée sur les rectrices externes, n’ont pas été revus sur

le territoire de leurs parents qui entreprenaient une deuxième couvée de février à mai

(Wak, 7°44"N, 13°45"W, rives de la Bénoué, décembre-mai. 1982). Les adultes quant

à eux, semblent se disperser à partir du mois de mai (Urban et al. 1986, Hoyo 1997).

64

Short Notes

Malimbus 23

L’espèce montre donc des variations d’abondance en fonction des saisons: localisée

en période de reproduction (nov-mai), dispersée ensuite.

Figure 1. Densités de la Tourterelle de l’Adamaoua dans Faire d'étude. Barres

verticales = commune; barres horizontales = fréquente; u = peu commune; r ~

rare.

Tous les huit nids observés en nature étaient placés dans l’ombre de la végétation»

sur des arbustes solides, à c. 2=4 m au dessus du sol; aucun ne se trouvait à moins de

800 m d’un point d’eau. Ils étaient constitués de brindilles lâches en forme de coupe

plate. A l’approche du nid (c. 10 m), l’oiseau baisse la tête et reste parfaitement

immobile. Je me souviens également de la reproduction de cette espèce dans une

collection privée (Mont Fébé» 1967-70) en volière. Le propriétaire indiquait que ses

oiseaux se reproduisaient régulièrement tout au long de l’année.

Je remercie Silvano de Kort (Institut d’ Evolution et d’ Ecologie, Leiden» Pays-Bas)

pour avoir partagé avec moi ses informations sur cette espèce au Cameroun» ainsi que

Marc Languy (Birdlife, Yaoundé).

2001

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65

Bibliographie

Dowsett, RJ. & Forbes- Watson, A.D. (1993) Checklist of Birds of the Afrotropical

and Malagasy Regions. Tauraco Press, Liège.

Hoyo, J. del, Elliot, A. & Sargatal, J. (eds) (1997) Handbook of the Birds of the

World , vol. 4. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona.

Louette, M. (1981) The birds of Cameroon. An annotated check-list. Verhandel.

Koninkl. Acad. Wetensch. Lett. Schone Kunst. Belg., Kl. Wetensch. 43: 1-295.

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

Press, London.

Reçu 1 1 juillet 2000

Revu 5 janvier 2001 Jean-Michel Lapios

27 rue de l’Abreuvoir, F-78570 Chanteloup-les-Vignes, France

jmlapios@diomedea.org

Observations of Bôhm’s Flufftail Sarothrura boehmi in Nigeria

From February 1998 until February 2000 I worked in a rural Primary Health Centre

(10°41.2'N, 5°24.4'E) in Hwimo, Niger State, Nigeria. On 16 Aug 1998, I heard an

unrecognised bird call from one of the rice fields next to our house, and on 17 and 18

Aug tape-recorded it. The muddy rice field habitat suggested it might be a rail or

flufftail (Rallidae). The clinic staff told me it was a tiny bird that was very difficult to

see. Comparison with Gibbon (1995) suggested Bôhm’s Flufftail Sarothrura boehmi.

On 19 Aug, the bird responded to playback of the S. boehmi call from Gibbon (1995)

and I managed to catch a glimpse of it, enough to see it was a flufftail. It continued to

be heard until 30 Aug. It called for long periods. The call was a quite low “hoo”,

hardly 1 s long and repeated about 25-30 times per min. Phil Hall (pers. comm.) also

compared the call I had recorded with Gibbon (1995), and concurred with the

identification.

On 5 Sep 1999 at 21hOQ, I heard the same call again, from a rice field about 100 m

from where it had been heard and seen in 1998. The next day it called again, but now in

the same rice field as the previous year. I last heard it on 7 Sep 1999 at 02h00.

Elgood et al. (1994) mention only one record of Bôhm’s Flufftail for Nigeria, a

bird captured at Ife University in Feb 1968, though a nocturnal call thought to be from

this species was not infrequently heard there. These observations are therefore the

second and third for Nigeria.

As in each year the bird was heard for only a short period, it may have been a

rainy season visitor from further south and the possibility of breeding is unknown.

The clinic staff however, told me that they hear the same bird nearly every year in the

same places. They say it is there, but only in small numbers. These observations

66

Short Notes

Malimbus 23

suggest that Bôhm’s Flufftail may have been overlooked in Nigeria, partly because of

its nocturnal behaviour, soft call and the low density of birdwatchers.

References

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.

Gibbon, G. (1995) Southern African Bird Sounds. South African Birding, Durban.

Received 30 November 1999 Marc de Bont

Revised 1 October 2000 C.P. 083, Sao Gabriel da Cachoeira AM, 69.750-000, Brazil

email: hermarclO@hotmail.com

A new sight record in Cameroon of the distinctive race crossensis of

Green-throated Sunbird Nectarinia rubescens

On 19 March 2000, while watching birds along the edge of Bali-Ngemba Forest

Reserve, near Bamenda, Cameroon (5°50'N, 10°4"E), our attention was drawn to a

large number of sunbirds visiting a flowering Albizia zygia tree. Amongst some 15

Orange-tufted Sunbirds Nectarinia bouvieri were a pair of Northern Double-collared

Sunbirds N. preussi, a pair of Green-headed Sunbirds N. verticalis and a larger,

completely dark-looking sunbird. Once the latter’s iridescent green forehead was

seen, contrasting with the rest of the blackish-brown plumage, the bird was easily

identified as a male Green-throated Sunbird N. rubescens. However, it lacked the

species’s eponymous green throat: only the malar stripe was iridescent green bordered

by violet, as were the forehead and forecrown. Having observed a similar bird in SE

Nigeria, RD recognized it as the distinctive subspecies crossensis, in which the throat

is concolorous with the rest of the underparts (Mackworth-Praed & Grant 1973).

Aware of the importance of this record, we spent an hour at the site and counted four

adult males, one immature male and two females. The birds were easily picked out

from the other sunbirds present by their larger size and, in the males, their blackish

plumage. The immature male was moulting into adult plumage, with blackish-brown

feathers breaking through the brownish-olive, female-like plumage.

This appears to be the first documented record of N. r. crossensis from Cameroon

since Serle collected the specimens from which the subspecies was described (Serle

1963). Only two adult male specimens were secured: the first just west of Bamenda

(5°55^N, 10°10"E), in May 1948 (Serle 1950), the second at Mamfe (5°45T4, 9°20'E),

in March 1953 (Serle 1963).

The subspecies was recently discovered in E Nigeria, apparently at the north-

western edge of its range, where single males were recorded at three sites in 1995-7

2001

Notes Courtes

67

(Hopkins et al 1999). Subsequently, several birds have also been reported from Atteh, c.

10 km north-west of Burn, Taraba State, on 7-9 January 1999 (M. Hopkins in litt.).

Our sighting adds more weight to the argument that crossensis is a valid race. The

limited number of specimens and the absence of further records have induced some

authors to question this (White 1965 p. 297, Eisentraut 1973). Although the glossy

forehead suggested otherwise, Hopkins et al (1999) did not entirely rule out the

possibility that crossensis was an eclipse plumage, or derived from one, because eclipse

plumages are known to be highly variable in some sunbird species (Skead 1967). In

view of the new record, and the fact that this plumage has now been observed at

different times of year, this possibility appears increasingly improbable. It would be

interesting to find out the limits of this race’s range to the south, between Mamfe and the

Bakossi-Bamale area, where it meets nominate rubescens (Hopkins et al 1999).

Our visit to BalLNgemba Forest Reserve was part of a programme of field surveys

conducted for the Important Bird Areas in Cameroon Project of the Cameroon

Ornithological Club, funded by GEF-UNDP. BirdLife International gave technical

support to the project through funding by Dutch International Co-operation (DGIS).

We thank Adolphe Tsesekoua for assistance in the field, M. Languy (BirdLife

Cameroon Programme Co-ordinator) for his support, and R.J. Dowsett, L.D.C.

Fishpool and A. Tye for comments on a draft of this note.

References

Eisentraut, M. (1973) Die Wirbeltierfauna von Fernando Poo und Westkamerun.

Bonn. zool. Monogr. 3: 1=^428.

Hopkins, M.T.E., Demey, R. & Barker, J.C. (1999) First documented records of

Green-throated Sunbird Nectarinia rubescens for Nigeria, with a discussion of the

distinctive race crossensis Malimbus 21: 57-60.

Mackworth-Praed, C.W. & Grant, C.H.B. (1973) Birds of West Central and

Western Africa. Longman, London.

Serle, W. (1950) A contribution to the ornithology of the British Cameroons. Ibis 92:

243-376, 602-638.

Serle, W. (1963) A new race of sunbird from West Africa. Bull. Brit. Omithol. Club

83: 118-119.

Skead, C.J. (1967) The Sunbirds of Southern Africa. Balkema, Cape Town.

White, C.M.N. (1965) A Revised Check-list of African Non-passerine Birds.

Addendum to African flycatchers, tits » etc. Government Printer, Lusaka.

Received 22 June 2000 Ron Demey1 & Kevin Yana Njabo2

Van der Heimstraat 52, 2582 SB Den Haag, The Netherlands

email: 106706.603@compuserve.com

2Cameroon Ornithological Club, BP. 6776 Yaounde, Cameroon

email: Birdlife@camnet.cm

68

Malimbus 23

Corrigenda

Notes complémentaires sur l’avifaune du Niger (G. Debout, P. Meister &

M. Ventelon 2000, Malimbus 22: 87-88)

Les noms scientifiquesde deux espèces ont été par erreur abrégées: p. 88, ligne 10, au

lieu de ‘T. erythrorhynchus ” on lira “ Tockus erythrorhynchus" ; ligne 16, “P.

melanocephalus ” on lira “ Ploceus melanocephalus

Observations d’un nid du Coucal noire Centropus monachus et attitude

de l’homme face à ses oisillons à Irangi, République Démocratique du

Congo (B. Kizungu 2000, Malimbus 22: 88-90)

Dans tout l’article, y compris le titre, au lieu de “Coucal noire Centropus monachus ”

on lira “Coucal moine Centropus monachus

First records of Tufted Duck Ay thy a fuligula in Cameroon (Bobo Kadiri

Serge, Dennis Anye Ndeh, Kevin Yana Djabo & Lesi Nayuoh 2000,

Malimbus 22: 91-92)

The names of the authors of this paper should read “Serge Kadiri Bobo, Dennis Ndeh

Anye, Kevin Yana Njabo & Lesi Nayuoh”. In reference to the paper they should

therefore be abbreviated: S.K. Bobo, D.N. Anye, K.Y. Njabo & L. Nayuoh.

2001

69

Reviews — Revues

Oiseaux d’Afrique, par C. Chappuis, 2000. 15 disques et 2 livrets. SEOF (Paris).

Vol.l (4 CD, 423 espèces, livret de 68 pp.): Sahara, Maghreb, Madère, Canaries et

îles du Cap-Vert. Vol. 2(11 CD, 1043 espèces, livret de 192 pp.): Afrique occidentale

et centrale. Disponibles séparément ou groupés à la Bibliothèque de la SEOF, 55 rue

Buffon, 75005 Paris; e-mail: seof@mnhn.fr. Vol.l 350 +35 FF de port (Euro 50 + 5);

vol.2 750 + 35 FF de port (Euro 114 + 5); l’ensemble 980 + 35 FF de port (Euro 149 +5).

Avec la sortie de cette encyclopédie sonore des oiseaux de l’Ouest africain, une étape

importante de la connaissance acoustique de Favifaune de ces régions vient d’être

franchie. Un premier volume (4 disques compacts et un livret bilingue français-

anglais) présente, pour le Sahara, le Maghreb et les îles atlantiques (Madère, Canaries

et îles du Cap-Vert) les chants et cris de 423 espèces (sur les 425 connues) nicheuses

et migratrices (soit hivernantes soit en transit vers l’Afrique subsaharienne et qui sont

au nombre de 275). Un deuxième volume (11 disques compacts et 1 livret en anglais

ou en français, sur demande) donne les émissions sonores de 1043 espèces connues en

Afrique occidentale et centrale au sud du Sahara et dans trois des quatre îles du golfe

de Guinée (Sâo Tomé, Principe et Bioko), région correspondant pratiquement à la

couverture géographique de notre Société. Ces deux livraisons regroupent donc les

émissions sonores de 1466 espèces d’oiseaux sur les 1550 répertoriées, soit 95% de

Favifaune de ces régions.

Les émissions sonores, de la qualité à laquelle nous a habitués Chappuis,

proviennent des enregistrements de Fauteur lui-même (il commença à enregistrer en

Afrique de l’Ouest dès 1968) et de 62 preneurs de son pour le volume 1 et 136 pour le

volume 2. Le sérieux des informations publiées est attesté par le travail ardu de

vérification, comparaison, réflexion que fit Fauteur au laboratoire. Pour le volume 2,

par exemple, il retint 3200 enregistrements sur les 5500 disponibles.

Les livrets qui accompagnent ces disques sont d’un format réduit, malgré les 68

pages pour le volume 1 et 192 pour le volume 2, taille modeste qui en permettra un

usage aisé sur le terrain (si la reliure est assez solide). Que l’ornithologue travaillant

en Afrique de l’Ouest peut être heureux aujourd’hui: il dispose à la fois de ces

enregistrements et des guides de Isenmann (2000, Les Oiseaux d'Algérie — The Birds

of Algeria, SEOF, Paris) et Borrow & Demey (sous presse. Birds of Western Africa,

A. & C. Black, London) dont le texte renvoie à ces enregistrements. Félicitons les

auteurs de cette parfaite collaboration. Ces livrets ne se contentent pas d’expliquer la

genèse du travail, les difficultés rencontrées et la façon d’utiliser ces disques, comme

c’est habituellement le cas, mais donnent une synthèse de nos connaissances. Tout

d’abord, dans le texte même, des clefs acoustiques sont données pour les familles ou

les genres difficiles en même temps que des commentaires sur leur systématique

70

Reviews

Malimbus 23

actuelle en relation avec leurs émissions sonores. Dans l’introduction proprement dite

du livret globale qui accompagne le volume 2, l’apport de la connaissance de

l’acoustique est bien mis en évidence, et résumé de la façon suivante. Au niveau de la

systématique, on note une liste des 266 espèces dont les émissions sont publiées pour

le première fois et une liste des espèces enregistrées sur les îles périphériques du

continent. Ce chapitre comporte aussi la mise en évidence d’espèces non encore

décrites ou récemment trouvées par l’acoustique; il résume les cas où la spécificité

des taxons serait à envisager ou à refuser en fonction de l’acoustique; les cas de

parallélisme ou de divergence entre les évolutions acoustiques et morphologiques; les

analogies acoustiques de groupes, qui dans certains cas sont analysés sous forme de

clefs ou de tableaux de détermination; et enfin les convergences acoustiques ou

coïncidences. Dans le domaine de l’éthologie on signale les chants découverts pour

les espèces supposées ne pas en avoir, les duos synchrones, les rapports acoustiques

entre oiseaux parasites et leurs hôtes, ainsi que la défense territoriale en hivernage.

Dans le domaine de l’écologie sont mises en évidence les caractéristiques propres aux

espèces africaines, surtout en forêt, et la structure du signal lié à une contrainte du

milieu.

On peut regretter l’absence de toute carte et une lecture attentive permettra

certainement aux plus tatillons de trouver (encore) dans ce texte très serré un certain

manque d’homogénéité et de rigueur dans l’orthographe de quelques noms de lieu,

par exemple.

Cette vaste zone de l’Afrique de l’Ouest et du Centre, jusqu’alors pratiquement

terra incognita des acousticiens, est dorénavant bien connue. Ce travail prolonge vers

le nord ceux de Stjemstedt (1993, Birdsongs of Zambia , Wildsounds, Holt) et de

Gibbon (1995, Southern African Bird Sounds , Southern African Birding, Durban), si

bien que la quasi-totalité des émissions sonores entendues entre la Méditerranée et le

Cap (à l’exception de l’extrême Est africain) sont maintenant disponibles.

Gérard J. & Marie- Yvonne Morel

The Birds of Africa, vol. 6. Ed. by C.H. Fry, S. Keith & E.K. Urban, 2000. 724 +

xvii pp. incl. 36 col. plates, many maps and line drawings. Academic Press, London.

ISBN 0-12-137306-1, hardback, £99.

Each volume in this excellent series raises the standards set by previous volumes, and

this one is no exception. The volume includes babblers, tits, nuthatches, creepers,

sunbirds (25% of the book), white-eyes, sugarbirds, shrikes, orioles, drongos, crows

and starlings.

Changes adopted for this volume are both procedural and technical, and have

improved the reliability and comparability of the species accounts. The accounts are

2001

Revues

71

written by fewer people, which has helped speed production, and their names are

featured on the cover and more prominently inside. Almost all museum measurements

for this volume have been taken by one person (David Pearson). All the “Description”

sections were written by Pearson, and (as previously) all the “Voice” and “Field

Characters” by Keith. Apart from these sections, almost half of the species accounts

were written by Fry. The authors have made efforts to incorporate the latest published

(up to 1999) and unpublished information, including Neil Baker’s Tanzanian atlas

data, and the work includes a new taxonomic treatment of the sunbirds by Michael

Irwin, at last breaking the group up into more than the two genera that have been

lately widely accepted. The maps are noticeably more detailed and accurate, and the

“Range and Status” sections more detailed than previously, often with a concluding

paragraph on status changes (almost always negative) and threats.

The above praise is general; the following complaints are detail. The book has

adopted the awful “English” name illadopsis for what were previously known, at least

in West Africa, as akalats. These birds are still called akalat in French, and many of

us will continue to use that name in English. The fact that “akalat” is used for some

chats in East Africa is really not at all confusing. Some references, not just recent

ones, have been missed. For example, the Olive Sunbird on Principe is not

Cyanomitra o. obscura (the Bioko race), but is indistinguishable from mainland C. o.

cephaelis (Tye & Macauley 1993, Malimhus 14: 65-66). Still in the Gulf of Guinea,

the book calls the island of Annobon “Pagalu”, although the inhabitants have always

used “Annobon” and Pagalu is the name of the political division, not the island.

The plates are all by Martin Woodcock again, and are good. One could complain

about the lack of realism in some of the sunbird and starling plates, but iridescence

has always been difficult to convey in paintings. Here, some appear too bright and

others not as bright or iridescent as they truly are. However, they do in general show

the features required for adequate field identification, when used with the textual

descriptions.

What more to say except that this volume and the rest of the series are simply

indispensable for all African ornithologists? The quality of this volume warrants that

continued reliance.

Alan Tye

72

Malimbus 23

Society Notices — Informations de la Société

Editor’s Report for the years 1997-2000

Since achieving in 1996 a standard publication schedule (March and September) for

the two issues per year, the flow of manuscripts has been sufficient to permit the

maintenance of this schedule except for delays of a single month for both issues of

1998. Statistics for the years 1997-2000 are summarized in Table 1.

Table 1. Publication statistics, 1997-2000

'including Corrigenda.

Since Volume 1, the average number of pages per volume has been 126.

Although the total for 2000 is low, the supply of papers for the coming year appears

adequate to maintain the average. However, more worrying is the steady decline in

scientific papers received, with the number received during 2000 being about half the

annual total during the mid-1990s. No limit is imposed on the number of pages per

issue.

All full-length papers and 76% of Short Notes were reviewed by two

(occasionally one or three) referees, in addition to the Editor. Referees are

acknowledged in each issue as the “Editorial Board”.

Four papers were rejected because of poor methodology (2) or lack of new data

(2). Rejection took place within nine months of receipt. Of the 70 scientific papers

published, 65 (93%) required revision by their authors (beyond minor editorial

changes), a process which occupied from four days to 30 months (median two

months), a shorter period than in previous years due to increased use of email by

authors. The delay between receiving a final acceptable version of a paper and its

publication was 1-12 months (median 5), a period difficult to reduce further, given

our 6-monthly publication schedule. Altogether, including the time taken for review

by referees, editing by me and proof-reading by authors, the delay between first

2001

Informations de la Société

73

receipt of a submission and its publication was 2-26 months (median 10), with 73%

of papers published within one year of receipt.

No Index has been published since that to Volume 17 (1995). I should like to

record here my gratitude to John Elgood, who carefully compiled the annual index

until shortly before his death. I should be interested to hear from any member

interested to take on this task. Revised Membership Lists were published in 1997 and

2000.

I should like to express my thanks to all referees for sacrificing their precious

time and providing their valuable insights, as well as to Geoffrey Field, Gérard Morel,

Bob Sharland, Roger Wilkinson and Hazell Thompson for continuing to manage the

journal’s printing, distribution, and mailing lists.

Alan Tye

Rapport du Rédacteur pour la période 1997-2000

Depuis qu’on est parvenu en 1996 à un rythme régulier de publication (mars et

septembre) pour les deux livraisons de l’année, l’arrivée des manuscrits a suffi pour

maintenir ce rythme excepté pour les deux parutions de 1998 avec un retard d’un

mois. Les statistiques pour les années 1997-2000 sont résumées dans le Tableau 1.

Tableau 1. Statistique de publication 1997-2000

Corrigenda inclués.

Depuis le Volume 1, le nombre moyen de pages par volume a été de 126. Bien que le

total pour 2000 soit faible, la réserve d’articles pour l’année prochaine paraît

suffisante pour rester dans la moyenne. Toutefois, plus préoccupant est le constant

déclin de la soumission d’articles scientifiques; ainsi la soumission au cours de 2000

a été d’environ la moitié du total annuel pour la moyenne des années 90. Aucune

limite n’est imposée pour le nombre de pages par numéro.

Tous les longs articles et 76% des Notes Courtes furent critiqués par deux (parfois

un ou trois) lecteurs sans compter le Rédacteur. Les lecteurs sont remerciés pour

chaque numéro dans le “Comité de Rédaction”.

74

Society Notices

Malimbus 23

Quatre articles furent rejetés à cause d’une médiocre méthodologie (2) ou du

manque de faits originaux (2). Le rejet eut lieu dans les neuf mois qui suivirent leur

réception. Sur les 70 articles scientifiques publiés, 65 (93%) demandaient des

révisions par leurs auteurs (c’est-à-dire plus que des corrections de la rédaction), une

pratique qui prit de quatre jours à 30 mois (moyenne deux mois), un délai plus court

que les années précédentes dû à l’usage accru du courrier électronique par les

auteurs. Le délai entre la réception du bon-à-tirer d’un manuscrit et sa publication fut

1-12 mois (moyenne 5 mois), délai difficile à réduire encore, étant donné notre

rythme de publication bisannuelle. Au total, si l’on compte le temps demandé par les

lecteurs, les corrections par moi-même et la lecture des épreuves par les auteurs, le

délai entre la première réception d’un article proposé et sa publication aura été 2-26

mois (moyenne 10), avec la publication de 73% des articles dans moins d’un an du

date de leur réception.

Aucun Index ne fut publié depuis celui du Volume 17 (1995). J’aimerais ici

exprimer ma gratitude à John Elgood, pour avoir minutieusement compilé l’index

annuel jusque peu avant sa mort. Je serais heureux de connaître le nom d’une

personne désireuse de reprendre ce travail. Des Listes des Membres remises à jour

furent publiées en 1997 et 2000.

Je voudrais exprimer ma gratitude à tous les membres du Comité de Rédaction

pour avoir donné de leur temps et fourni d’utiles critiques; je voudrais aussi remercier

Geoffrey Field, Gérard Morel, Bob Sharland, Roger Wilkinson et Hazell Thompson

pour s’occuper de l’impression de la revue, de sa distribution et de la liste des

abonnés.

Alan Tye

2001

Informations de la Société

75

West African Ornithological Society

Revenue Account for the year ended 31 December 1999

Balance Sheet as at 31 December 1999

Assets

Building society balance

Bank balance

Debtor

Liabilities

Creditor

Subscriptions in advance

Accumulated funds

Balance at 1 January

Surplus for year

R.E. Sharland, Treasurer

Certified that I have verified the Society’s bank and building society balances.

G.D. Field

76

Society Notices

Malimbus 23

West African Ornithological Society

Revenue Account for the year ended 31 December 2000

R .E. Sharland, Treasurer

Certified that I have verified the Society's bank balances.

G.D. Field

Instructions to Authors

Malimbus publishes Papers, Short Notes, Reviews, News & Letters, and illustrative material

covering the field of West African ornithology.

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 1500

words (including references) or three 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 & Letters should not exceed 1000 words.

Contributions are accepted in English or French; editorial assistance will be made available

to authors whose first language is not one of these. Either an electronic copy (e-mail attachment)

or two paper copies are required, typed on one side of the paper, with double spacing and wide

margins. Consult the editor for further details, e.g. for acceptable software.

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 6h45, 17h32; 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 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 regional checklist. 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, 1997, Fry et al. 1988, Keith et al. 1992, Urban et al. 1998,

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 computer programs other than specialized graphics packages,

and by printers other than laser printers, 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.

Ten 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.

SW

SON AN

SI TUTION

3 9088 00997 6739

ES

Malimbus 23(1) March 2001

Contents — Table des Matières

A contribution to the ornithology of Mount Oku forest, Cameroon.

R.C. Fotso 1-12

The birds of Mount Kupe, southwest Cameroon.

C.G.R. Bowden 13-44

Bird exploitation for traditional medicine in Nigeria.

G. Nikolaus 45-55

Short Notes — Notes Courtes

Black-and- White Mannikin Lonchura bicolor , new for Comoé

National Park, Ivory Coast. V. Salewski & F. Goken 56

The Yellow-billed Duck4/ms undulata in West Africa.

H.G. Young & I. Robertson 56-58

What was Boyd Alexander’s Bioko vulture?

P.J. Mundy 58-59

First breeding record of Hadada Bostrychia hagedash from Senegal.

W.C. Mullié & G. Mullié-Mbézellé 59-62

Précisions sur la répartition de la Tourterelle de l’Adamaoua

Streptopelia hypopyrrha au nord Cameroun. J.-M. Lapios 62-65

Observations of Bôhm’s Flufftail Sarothrura boehmi in Nigeria.

M. de Bont 65-66

A new sight record in Cameroon of the distinctive race crossensis

of Green-throated Sunbird Nectarinia rubescens.

R. Demey & K.Y. Njabo 66-67

Corrigenda

Notes complémentaires sur l’avifaune du Niger

(G. Debout, P. Meister & M. Ventelon 2000, Malimbus 22: 87-88) 68

Observations d’un nid du Coucal noire Centropus monachus et

attitude de l’homme face à ses oisillons à Irangi, République

Démocratique du Congo (B. Kizungu 2000, Malimbus 22: 88-90) 68

First records of Tufted Duck Aythya fuligula in Cameroon (B.K. Serge,

D.A. Ndeh, K.Y. Djabo & L. Nayuoh 2000, Malimbus 22: 91-92) 68

Reviews — Revues 69-71

Society Notices — Informations de la Société

72-76