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MALIMBUS

Journal of West African Ornithology

Revue d’Ornithologie de l’Ouest Africain

VOLUME 25 Number 1 March 2003

ISSN 0331-3689

published by:

publiée par:

West African Ornithological Society

Société d’Ornithologie de l’Ouest Africain

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

Secretary to Council: Dr Roger Wilkinson

Meetings Secretary: Dr Hazell S.S. Thompson

Members of Council: Dr Roger Fotso, Dr Max Germain

Editorial Board: Dr C. Chappuis, Dr R.A. Cheke, Dr R. Demey, Dr T. Dodman, R.J.

Dowsett, Dr L.D.C. Fishpool, Dr D.C. Houston, Dr P.J. Jones, Dr G.J. Morel, Prof

C.W.T. Pilcher, Dr V. Salewski, Dr R. Wilkinson

Malimbus distribution: G.D. Field Web site: http://malimbus.free.fr/

Correspondence should be addressed as follows:

— to the Managing Editor (Dr A. Tye, CDRS, Casilla 17-01-3891, Quito, Ecuador;

email <atye@fcdarwin.org.ec>) regarding contributions to Malimbus ;

— to the Treasurer (1 Fisher’s Heron, East Mills, Fordingbridge, Hampshire, SP6

2JR, U.K.) regarding subscriptions, financial matters and back numbers;

— to the Secretary to Council (Zoological Gardens, Chester CH2 1LH, U.K.; email

<r.wilkinson@chesterzoo.co.uk>) regarding W.A.O.S. Research Grants;

— to the Meetings Secretary (Dr H.S.S. Thompson, BirdLife, Wellbrook Court,

Girton Road, Cambridge CB3 ONH, U.K.; email <hazell.thompson@birdlife.or.ke>)

regarding attendance at or suggestions for meetings;

— to the President (1 Route de Sallenelles, 14860 Bréville-les-Monts, France; email

<gmorel@mail.cpod.fr>) regarding policy matters.

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

1964. Its object is to promote scientific interest in the birds of West Africa and to

further the region’s ornithology, mainly by means of its journal Malimbus (formerly

the Bulletin of the Nigerian Ornithologists ’ Society).

Applications for membership are welcome. Annual membership subscriptions are

£10 for Ordinary Members (individuals) and £25 for Corporate Members (libraries

and other organisations). Payments may be made in £ Sterling to the Treasurer, or in

French Francs to the President. Ordinary Members receive Malimbus by surface mail

and Corporate Members by airmail, free of charge. Extra charges are required for

airmail dispatch to Ordinary Members (enquire of the Treasurer for rates).

Back Numbers: Vols 11-14 (1975-78) of the Bulletin of the Nigerian Ornitholo-

gists ’ Society (the same format as Malimbus) are available at £2 per issue (£4 per vol-

ume) or £15 a set. Malimbus Vols 1-9 are available at £3 per issue (£6 per volume)

and Vol. 10 onwards at £5 per issue (£10 per volume). A full set of Malimbus Vols 1-

24 may be purchased at the reduced price of £175. Postage and packing are free.

Please enclose payment with your order, which should be addressed to the Treasurer.

W.A.O.S. Research Grants: guidelines for applications may be found in this issue

(pp. 72-75) and can be obtained from the Secretary to Council (address above).

2003

1

Editorial — no Malimbus 24(2)

Most of you will have been wondering why you have not received the second issue of

2002, vol. 24(2). It is sad to report that no second issue was produced, owing to lack

of material. This has become a serious problem over the past year, the major factor

being not a decline in bird research in W Africa, but the fact that the results are less

and less frequently submitted to Malimbus. Good science from W Africa has often

been sent to other journals, and researchers understandably do not want always to

publish in the same place. However, increasingly, even basic avifaunal studies are

submitted elsewhere, notably to the Bulletin of the African Bird Club.

So far, Malimbus has managed to attract enough material to fill on average 120

pages per year and, with a publication run of almost 40 years (including our original

incarnation as the Bulletin of the Nigerian Ornithologists ’ Society) and 5000 pages,

our journal has become the single most-quoted reference for W African ornithology

(see, for example, the reference pages of The Birds of Africa).

However, by September 2002 (the usual month for publishing the second issue of

the year) there were no full-length papers ready and, by the end of the year, only one:

not enough to justify sending a second issue to press. As you will notice, the present

issue is of normal size, but this represents an entire year’s input of material and there

is no backlog for the second issue of 2003.

If this decline in submissions continues, Malimbus will eventually cease to appear

altogether. Even at the present rate, we cannot produce more than one issue per year.

For the moment, no decision on the future of the journal will be taken, in the hope that

this decline can be reversed. But, we need your help.

We should like to ask you, our members, to assist in the following ways. First, we can

all submit our own articles to our own journal. Second, we can encourage our colleagues

and friends working in W Africa to do the same. Not only do we want more material, we

should like to see an increase in quality, with more of the “hard science” from W Africa

appearing in our pages. We offer an established journal, with high standards of refereeing,

but standards can only increase in line with the quality of submissions. A third way to

assist is with publicity. We currently have a healthy bank balance (see accounts on the last

page of this issue), thanks to your continued support, and can afford to invest in a little

publicity. If any member has an idea of how better to publicise our Society and Journal,

please contact any member of Council (addresses inside front cover).

More concretely, Council has discussed the idea of a post of

Publicity Officer

which would be a position on Council.

If any member is interested in filling this position, please let us know.

Essential attributes would be some time to spare, skills in web site maintenance, and

preferably a professional background in publicity.

2

Editorial

Malimbus 25

We are still hoping that this will not be the only issue of 2003. Other societies

have survived similar hard times. But the journal needs more than readers: we need

submissions! Please help us to ensure the future of Malimbus.

Alan Tye & Gérard J. Morel

on behalf of WAOS Council

Éditorial — il n’y avait pas de Malimbus 24(2)

Beaucoup d’entre vous ont dû se demander pourquoi ils n’avaient pas reçu la seconde

livraison de 2002, vol. 24(2). Il est regrettable d’avoir à avouer que la seconde

livraison n’a pu aboutir faute de manuscrits. Ceci est devenu une grave préoccupation

l’an passé, le principal facteur n’étant pas un déclin de la recherche ornithologique en

Afrique de l’Ouest, mais le fait que ses résultats sont de moins en moins souvent

proposés à Malimbus. Les bons articles sur l’Afrique de l’Ouest ont souvent été

envoyés à d’autres revues, bien que l’on comprenne que les chercheurs ne veuillent

pas toujours publier dans le même journal. Cependant, de plus en plus d’études même

simples sont proposées ailleurs, en particulier au Bulletin of the African Bird Club.

Jusqu’ici, Malimbus a drainé assez d’articles pour offrir une moyenne annuelle de

120 pages; avec une durée de publication sur près de 40 ans (y compris notre origine

dans le Bulletin of the Nigerian Ornithologists’ Society) et ses 5000 pages, notre

journal est devenu la référence la plus citée pour l’ornithologie ouest-africaine (voir,

par exemple, la page bibliographique de The Birds of Africa).

Mais, en septembre 2002 (le mois habituel de sortie du deuxième numéro de

l’année) il n’y avait plus de longs articles prêts et, à la fin de l’année il n’y en avait

qu’un seul. Ce n’était pas assez pour justifier l’envoi d’un second numéro à

l’imprimeur. Comme vous le constaterez, ce numéro est d’un volume normal, mais

cela représente une année entière de manuscrits et il n’y a aucune réserve pour la

seconde livraison de 2003.

Si ce manque de manuscrits continue, Malimbus devra finalement cesser de

paraître. Même, au rythme actuel, nous ne pouvons plus produire plus d’une livraison

par an. Pour l’instant, aucune décision sur l’avenir de la revue n’est prise, dans

l’espoir que ce déclin peut être renversé. Mais, nous avons besoin de votre aide.

Nous voudrions vous demander, à vous les membres de notre société d’aider de

différentes façons. D’abord, soumettre les articles à notre journal. Ensuite, encourager

vos collègues et amis qui travaillent dans l’Ouest africain à agir de même. Car, non

seulement nous avons besoin de plus de soumissions mais nous aimerions en voir

augmenter la qualité, avec plus de “science rigoureuse” sur l’Ouest africain. Nous

proposons une revue bien assise, avec un haut niveau critique, mais ce niveau

s’élèvera seulement avec la qualité des articles proposés. Un troisième moyen d’aider

2003

Editorial

3

repose sur la publicité. Nous avons actuellement un bon bilan financier (voir en

dernière page de ce numéro), en particulier grâce au renouvellement de vos

cotisations, avec pour certains une grande générosité et nous pouvons envisager

d’investir un peu dans la publicité. Si l’un d’entre vous a quelque idée pour mieux

promouvoir la Société et sa Revue, qu’il prenne contact avec l’un des membres du

Conseil (adresses au revers de la page de couverture).

Plus concrètement, le Conseil a discuté l’idée d’un poste de

Publiciste

qui siégerait au Conseil.

Si l’un des membres est intéressé par ce poste, qu’il le fasse savoir.

Ses qualités essentielles seraient d’avoir quelque temps libre, des compétences pour la

maintenance du site web, et de préférence une formation professionnelle en publicité.

Nous espérons bien que ce ne sera pas le seul numéro de 2003. D’autres sociétés

ont connu des heures sombres qu’elles ont réussi à dépasser. Il ne suffit cependant pas

que vous lisiez les articles qui vous sont offerts mais que vous participiez à

l’élaboration de la revue. Aidez-nous à assurer l’avenir de Malimbus.

Alan Tye & Gérard J. Morel

pour le Conseil de SOOA

4

Malimbus 25

An updated overview of the birds of W National Park,

southwest Niger

by T. Crisler1,2, C. Jameson1,3 & J. Brouwer4

’Wildlife Biologists, Natural Resource Management Program, US Peace Corps, Niger

2Present address: 416 W. Third St., Trinidad, CO 81082, U.S.A. <tcrisler@aetivematrix.net>

3Present address: 1610 C Beekman Place, NW, Washington, DC 20009, U.S.A.

<cjameson@umich.edu>

4Brouwer Environ.& Agric. Consultancy, Wildekamp 32, 6721 JD Bennekom,

The Netherlands. <brouwbar@bos.nl>

Received 7 January 2002; revised 21 May 2002.

Summary

We bring up to date information on birds in Parc National du W in SW Niger.

For the 354 species recorded in the park (49 more than in previous

publications), information is given on abundance (dry season and wet season),

breeding, monthly occurrence, and occurrence by habitat or part of the Park.

Seven new species for Niger are discussed at greater length, as are two

threatened and four near-threatened species. Five species whose occurrence is

in doubt are also treated.

Résumé

Mise à jour de l’ensemble de l’avifaune du Parc National du W au sud-

ouest du Niger. Nous mettons à jour les données sur les oiseaux du Parc

National du W au SO du Niger. Pour les 354 espèces notées dans le parc (49

de plus que dans les publications antérieures), nous apportons des données sur

l’abondance (saison sèche et saison des pluies), la reproduction, la présence

mensuelle ainsi que la présence par habitat ou par secteur du parc. Sept

espèces nouvelles pour le Niger font l’objet d’un examen minutieux, de même

que deux espèces menacées et quatre vulnérables. Cinq espèces dont la

présence est douteuse sont aussi examinées.

Introduction

Parc National du W is the only National Park in Niger, and one of its 15 Important

Bird Areas (Brouwer et al. 2001). A preliminary survey of the birds of Park W and a

2003

Birds of W National Park

5

subsequent update were published more than 15 years ago (Koster & Grettenberger

1983, Shull et al 1986). A vast amount of data on birds in the Park has since been

collected, and the park’s species list now stands at 352. In addition, hundreds of new

monthly records, locations and breeding records have been made. It therefore seems

opportune to review available ornithological information from the Park. For the first

time we also include seasonal estimates of abundance for all species.

The Park W in Niger lies 150 km south of Niamey, where Niger, Burkina Faso

and Benin come together. Together with the contiguous parks of the same name in

Burkina Faso and Benin, it forms the largest contiguous tract of protected savanna in

West Africa. In the northeast, the Niger River forms the park boundary and makes

several sharp turns, which together form the W from which the park takes its name,

while the Tapoa River forms its northwest boundary (Fig. 1). The Mékrou River

forms the southern boundary of the Niger park (with Benin on the south bank) and the

international border with Burkina Faso is the park limit in the west.

The Park lies within the northern Sudan zone, and usually receives 500-800 mm

of rainfall per year (average 1961-90 c. 700 mm, range 221-1178). The rain generally

falls in the period May-October, with a marked peak in August. Virtually no rain falls

6

T. Crisler, C. Jameson & J. Brouwer

Malimbus 25

at all the rest of the year. This rainfall pattern and the underlying geology largely

determine vegetation patterns in the park. Extensive areas are quite rocky, caused by

outcropping metamorphic Precambrian rocks (e.g. quartzites, schists and gneisses). In

places, these are overlain by Tertiary sediments, which give rise to widespread

laterite-capped plateaux. Along the three rivers are Quaternary alluvial floodplains.

The vegetation is predominantly wooded savanna and shrubland, transitional between

sahelian and sudanian savanna, mostly deciduous but with a few (thorny) evergreens.

There is also a small amount of grassland. In addition to the floodplains with some

stands of palms along the Niger River, there are evergreen gallery forests along its

main tributaries, and ephemeral pools and wetlands in the upland areas.

The area that is now occupied by the park was first identified as a future reserve

in 1926. In 1937, it was the first reserve created in Niger, re-classified as a Total

Fauna Reserve in 1953, and a National Park in 1954. The park is adjoined by two

reserves: the Partial Reserve of Dosso (306,000 ha) across the Niger River to the

northeast, and the Total Fauna Reserve of Tamou (presently 76,000 ha) north of the

Tapoa River. Because of its floodplains, the park was designated a Wetland of

International Importance under the Ramsar Convention, in 1987.

There is a large hotel and conference centre as well as a visitors’ centre at the park

entrance, overlooking the Tapoa River near Tapoa. During the tourist season

(November-May approximately), there is one serviced tourist campsite (house

symbol on Fig. l)and other areas where tourists can camp privately. Tourists must be

accompanied by a registered park guide at all times in the park. In the 1980-1 season

there were 1700 paying visitors, in 1994-5 not quite 1000. The decline is probably

related to the decreasing number of westerners living in Niamey, and to the negative

effect of unrest in the north of the country during the early 1990s. For the year 1 994—

5, income from visitors was estimated at US$ 25000.

Study areas and methods

New data are mostly from surveys carried out by TC and CJ between December 1994

and April 1997, when they were Peace Corps Volunteers working as wildlife

biologists with park staff. During 1995, TC was based at Tapoa Village, on the north

side of the park, which also serves as the main entry point for visitors (Fig. 1). At the

same time CJ was based at Boscia just across the Niger River from the Park (Fig. 1).

Beginning in January 1996, CJ replaced TC at Tapoa. During the course of their

duties, TC and CJ visited many parts of the park together with Nigérien colleagues,

and kept notes of all birds observed. Data collection was made from a car, a dugout

canoe with an outboard motor, and a motorcycle. Very little walking was done in the

park due to the presence of lions, with the exception of walking transects and short

forays close to a vehicle. Official activities included an annual large mammal survey,

prescribed burning, monthly waterhole surveys of both mammals and birds, monthly

2003

Birds of W National Park

7

river counts for water birds along the Niger River bordering the park and the lower 15

km of the Mékrou River (see Ambagis et al. 2003), walked transect counts for all

birds in various vegetation types accessible from the river, and research for a

Guidebook to Park W (Jameson & Crisler 1996). Night surveys were carried out twice

a month during most of two years, once at full moon and once at new moon, over the

same circular route (with occasional alterations due to weather or blocked routes). We

drove slowly and used hand-held lights to locate eyeshine of both birds and mammals.

A circuit lasted c. 4 h, from 20h00 to 24h00, covering 60-75 km. Observations were

also made while off duty. Coverage was best in the northern, central (down to the

Mékrou River), and eastern areas of the park. The southern and western parts, which

are also the zones of heaviest poaching, were infrequently visited. In addition, some

observations made by JB and Wim Mullié (WCM), during one- to three-day visits in

1990-4, and observations made Spike Millington (SM) in 1989-90, are also included.

Observations were noted separately for the following habitats or sections of the

Park (see Koster & Grettenberger 1983 for detailed descriptions): on or along the

Niger River; on or along the Mékrou River; on or along the Tapoa River; in woodland

areas (including the isolated wetlands these contain); in shrubland areas (including the

isolated wetlands these contain).

Estimates of abundance were made by JB and WCM, and later by TC and CJ. In

this paper we give semi-quantitative estimates of abundance for the whole park,

separately for the dry season (Nov-Apr) and wet season (May-Oct) as per Koster &

Grettenberger (1983).

Indications of breeding were noted as follows: courting, building a nest, carrying

nesting material, on a nest, eggs or young in a nest, or feeding fledged young.

Species list

The complete list of 352 species is presented in Appendix 1. Koster & Grettenberger

(1983) reported 283 species but actually listed only 282 (due to a species repetition),

and Shull et al (1986) added 25 more. We add a further 49, and drop four of their

species ( Gyps fulvus, Spizaetus africanus, Euplectes ardens and Vidua funerea) plus

Ciconia ciconia (see below).

Of the 352 species, 319 have been observed during the dry season and 252 during

the wet season. Per month, most species were observed during November and

December (234 and 239 respectively), fewest during September and October (174 and

183). Water adds considerably to species richness: the Niger River habitat has the

most species (263), the shrubland (88) and woodland (194) the fewest. In total, 82

species have been found breeding in the Park, with a clear peak in Jun-Jul(-Aug) and

a secondary peak in Dec-Jan.

Many of the species in Park W show seasonal differences in abundance and are at

least partially migratory. According to our observations, and dividing the year into a

8

T. Crisler, C. Jameson & J. Brouwer

Malimbus 25

wet season and dry season only, 32 species show wet season, intra-African migration

(from further south in Africa), 68 show dry season, intra-African migration (from

nearer the Sahara or water-birds dispersing after breeding elsewhere), and 64 are at

least partially dry-season migrants from the Palaearctic. In drawing these conclusions,

we have not allowed for possible higher visibility during the dry season, e.g. due to

congregation around waterholes. Certain Palaearctic migrants apparently oversummer

in small numbers in the Park as well, or arrive early and/or depart late. The possible

(partial) migratory status of many species cannot be reliably assessed, including some

that have only been observed during one of the two seasons and have been classified

as vagrant or rare for that season. Much remains to be discovered about seasonal

movements of birds in Park W.

According to Brouwer et al. (2001), of the 25 species defined by Fishpool &

Evans (in press) as characteristic of the sudano-guinean biome and also occurring in

Niger, 21 have been observed in the park. The park forms the main Important Bird

Area (IBA) for this biome in the country. Of these, the Blue-bellied Roller Coracias

cyanogaster and Sun Lark Galerida modesta are vagrants observed only during the

dry season, while the Moho Hypergerus atriceps is a rare dry season visitor. All 18

other species have been reported during both wet and dry seasons, and are proven or

likely breeders. Of the 16 sahelian biome species in Niger, 6 (38%) have been

observed in the park, mostly during the dry season and all only uncommonly to rarely.

However, the park and the Makalondi district IBA are the only IBA’s in the wintering

range of some of the sahelian species (Brouwer et al. 2001). In addition, there are

quite large colonies of egrets in the interior of the park, which have never been

properly censused.

New species for Niger

We discuss here the seven new species for Niger, not mentioned by Giraudoux et al

(1988), nor in other refereed publications since then.

Milvus tnilvus Red Kite. One seen at the Tapoa River on 14 Jun 1995, soaring with a

group of Hooded Vultures (TC). Identified by the long wings with pale areas at the

base of the primaries, and the very long, notched, rufous tail with black terminal band;

the head was lighter than the rest of the body. There is a recent increase in

observations south of the Sahara: Brown et al. (1982) mention reports only from

South Africa and E Africa, but Barlow et al (1997) add four records for The Gambia,

and mention further observations in South Africa and E Africa.

Francolinus coqui Coqui Francolin. Rare: observed in May (TC); seen several times

in the neighbouring Reserve de Faune de Tamou (1990-4, JB); not uncommon in the

Makalondi area 50 km northwest of the park (1967-97, P. Souvairan unpubl.);

observed near Sabongari, on the Dosso-Gaya road, 80 km to the east of the park (JB).

Holy oak & Seddon (1991) also mention it near Sabongari and note that, although

Giraudoux et al. (1988) did not list the species for Niger, Snow (1978) did. Urban et

al. (1986) also mention it as occurring in W Niger, possibly based on the same source.

2003

Birds of W National Park

9

Chrysococcyx klaas Klaas’s Cuckoo. Uncommon during the rainy season, May-Jun

(TC); observed in the Makalondi area since 1969, but becoming less common (P.

Souvairan unpubl). Not mentioned for Niger by Giraudoux et al. (1988). Fry et al.

(1988) map it as a breeding visitor in SW Niger, as part of a continuous sudano-

sahelian distribution, but without mentioning any specific locality in Niger.

Apus horns Horus Swift. At least five individuals seen, 3 Jul 1995, and subsequently

in Aug-Sep at the same location along the Mékrou River (TC). Each time, excellent

views were had of the extensive white rump and shallowly forked tails. Doubtful

records near Sokoto (320 km ENE of the park) and Zaria (600 km ESE of the park) in

NW Nigeria (closest observations) but almost certainly breeding N Cameroon to W

Chad (Fry et al. 1988). Probably overlooked, in confusion with White-rumped Swift

A. eaffer , and doubtlessly more widespread (Fry et al. 1988). Chantier & Driessens

(1995) also mention it occurring on the Mambilla Plateau, Nigeria (which is near the

Cameroon border) but they probably meant the town of Mambilla, near Zaria, (P.J.

Jones, pers. comm.).

Galerida modesta Sun Lark. Three groups of two, four and five on bare soil patches

in grassy shrubland, between the Tapoa and Mékrou rivers, 28 Aug 1993 (JB, WCM).

Mapped in SW Niger by Keith et al. (1992), as part of a continuous sudanian and N

guinean distribution in W Africa, though no locality in Niger is specified. Observed

near Gaya, late Nov 1988 (Holyoak & Seddon 1991), but not recognized as a new

species for Niger.

Pseudhirundo griseopygia Grey-rumped Swallow. At least one in a group of c. six

swallows flying over the Mékrou River 10 km upstream of the former full-service

camping place (12°10'N, 2°25'E), 22 Dec 1993 (JB); small, pale below and with a

grey rump, “dirtier” and longer-tailed than House Martin Delichon urbica. Not

mentioned for central Benin (Claffey 1995) or Togo (Cheke & Walsh 1996), but

Green & Sayer (1979) refer to it as rare Oct- Apr on dry floodplains in Arli and

Pendjari National Parks. These two parks straddle the Mékrou River less than 100 km

from the site of JB’s observation. Closest record in Nigeria is at Kainji in the Niger

valley, 250 km to the southeast (Elgood et al. 1994). Not uncommon in N Ghana, 300

km to the southwest (Grimes 1987).

Pyrrhurus scandens Leaflove. One seen 6-10 m above the ground in gallery forest

along the Mékrou River (12°14'N, 2°24'E), 29 Aug 1993. It was the size of a Turdus

thrush, with grey head, brown back and cinnamon-coloured underparts; medium-

length, solid bill dark grey; eye reddish brown; ssp. scandens based on relatively

brown upperparts and rich cinnamon underparts (JB, WCM). This is far from all

previous records, but possibly overlooked in Park W due to its relative inaccessibility

during the rainy season. The nearest observation in Benin appears to be near Parakou,

250 km to the south (Claffey 1995). In Togo, seen as far north as Aledjo, 300 km

away (Cheke & Walsh 1996). Occurs in gallery forest in Nigeria, but no closer than

Kainji, 250 km to the southeast (Keith et al. 1992, Elgood et al. 1994).

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T. Crisler, C. Jameson & J. Brouwer

Malimbus 25

Globally threatened species

Two globally threatened species (Stattersfield & Capper 2000) have been observed in

the Park. The Lappet-faced Vulture Torgos tracheliotus is uncommon throughout the

year, breeding Nov-Jan. Lesser Kestrel Falco naumanni is rare during the dry season

(Jan-Mar), near the three rivers and in woodland habitat.

Four near-threatened species (Stattersfield & Capper 2000), have been found in

the Park. Pallid Harrier Circus macrourus is frequent during the dry season (Sep-

Apr): based on frequency of sitings per area covered, it seems likely that the park

regularly holds more than 30 individuals of this species, qualifying it as an Important

Bird Area (Brouwer et al. 2001). Black Crowned Crane Balearica pavonina is rare

during the rainy season and uncommon during the dry season (observed all months

except Aug-Sep). Stanley’s Bustard Neotis denhami is uncommon during the dry

season (Nov-Apr). African Skimmer Rynchops flavirostris is rare Mar-Aug, breeding

Jun.

Doubtful records (excluded from Appendix 1)

Ciconia ciconia White Stork. In their Discussion, Koster & Grettenberger (1983)

mention this species as common along the Niger River floodplains, but it is not

included in their species list. Walsh (1989) listed Koster & Grettenberger (1983) in

the references he had consulted, but stated that there are no sightings of White Stork

for the Park. We have never seen White Storks in the Park and believe that the

mention in Koster & Grettenberger (1983) may have been in error for White Egret,

which is common along the Niger River in the Park during the dry season.

Gyps fulvus European Griffon. One mentioned by Shull et al (1986) with no details

provided. Uncommon Palaearctic migrant to The Gambia and Senegal (Barlow et al.

1997). Winter visitor in small numbers to northern sub-Saharan Africa and a recent

record in E Africa (Clark 2001). Future sightings should be well documented to

exclude other Gyps vultures.

Spizaetus africanus Cassin’s Hawk-Eagle. Recorded by Shull et al. (1986), but is a

strict dense forest species. Misidentification of Ayres’s Hawk-Eagle Hieraaetus

ayresii (not yet reported from the Park but seen 100 km further north by JB), a species

of drier areas (Brown et al. 1982), seems likely (W. Clark pers. comm.). We include

neither species in the Park list for now.

Euplectes ardens Long-tailed Black Whydah. Giraudoux et al (1988) noted that the

single mention (Nov) by Koster & Grettenberger (1983) is 700 km from the closest

known population (Jos Plateau, Nigeria) and that when not breeding it can easily be

confused with related species. Future sightings should be properly documented.

Vidua funerea Dusky Indigobird. Mentioned by Koster & Grettenberger (1983) and

Shull et al. (1986), but considered unlikely to occur in the park by Giraudoux et al.

(1988) because its host, Blue-billed Firefinch Lagonosticta rubricata, is not known

there. See also Payne (1996).

2003

Birds of W National Park

11

Possible declines

Scotopelia peli Pel’s Fishing Owl. Previously noted by Koster & Grettenberger

(1983) in every month of the year and in four of the five habitats in the park. We

frequently attempted to locate this species, without success. It is here on the edge of

its range and its rapid disappearance could be a sign of a regional range reduction.

Conservation status and threats

Poaching and disturbance, burning by poachers and pastoralists, illegal fishing,

grazing, cutting of trees and collection of other natural products, and construction of

new roads all constitute threats to the park. There are almost 500 km of unpaved roads

in the park. Illegal grazing was made possible by eradication of the tsetse fly, and

affects pasture availability for antelopes, vegetation composition, tranquillity, access

to water for wildlife, and transmittance of diseases to wild animals. Up to 15000 cattle

(as well as sheep and goats) are thought to be present illegally during the wet season.

Newer large-scale threats include dam building and rock phosphate mining. In

January 1999, the Niger and Benin governments agreed to construct the Dyodyonga

hydroelectric facility, at the gorge in the Mékrou River on the southern boundary of

the Park (c. 12°18'N 2°37'E). The project will favour the development of industry

and the exploitation of mineral resources in the Mékrou area. Possible hydrological

and ecological consequences of dam construction, easier Park access (also for

poachers), increased traffic, and environmental consequences of mining and industrial

activities, appear not to have been considered in these plans.

Up until now Park W has managed to avoid the catastrophic consequences of

unchecked poaching seen in some other W African parks, and represents by far the

best, most extensive, relatively undisturbed upland area in the Sudan zone of Niger

and neighbouring countries. Together with the Park Ws in Benin and Burkina Faso,

and with Arli NP in Burkina Faso and Pendjari NP in Benin, it makes up a huge

contiguous block of protected land. The potential for coordinated environmental

protection is enormous, but so are the obstacles due to problems of intergovernmental

cooperation. A three-country program, funded by the European Union, is currently

trying to overcome this, coordinate management and thereby improve protection for

many regionally threatened species.

Acknowledgments

Much of the new information presented in this paper was collected while TC and CJ

were Volunteers of the US Peace Corps, based in the Park during 1994-5 and 1995-6

respectively. Support from the Management of the Park and Peace Corps-Niger is

much appreciated. We would particularly like to mention Ibrahim Bello, Souley

12

T. Crisler, C. Jameson & J. Brouwer

Malimbus 25

Boubacar, Boubacar Mahamane and Abdou Burkinabé for sharing their knowledge of

the park with us. We also appreciate the use of the notes of Spike Millington and the

comments of Bill Clarke on Cassin’s Hawk-Eagle. The archives of the late Pierre

Souvairan proved most valuable. We are also grateful for the constructive comments

on this paper by Peter Jones, Alan Tye and an anonymous referee.

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14

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31

First recordings of vocalisations of Yellow- footed

Honeyguide Melignomon eisentrauti

and confirmed records in Ivory Coast

by Hugo Rainey1, Nik Borrow2, Ron Demey3 & L.D.C. Fishpool4

‘School of Biology, Bute Medical Building, University of St Andrews, KYI 6 9TS, U.K.

2 Flat 5, 63-67 St. George’s Drive, Pimlico, London SW1V 4DD, U.K.

<n. borrow@btintemet.com>

3 Van der Heimstraat 52, 2582 SB Den Haag, The Netherlands.

<ron. demey@compuserve.com>

4BirdLife International, Wellbrook Court, Girton Road, Cambridge CB3 ONA, U.K.

<hncoln.fishpool@birdlife.org.uk>

Received 16 January 2002; revised 30 January 2003.

Summary

We document the first confirmed observations in Ivory Coast of the Yellow-

footed Honeyguide Melignomon eisentrauti , at four sites: Marahoué and Mont

Péko National Parks, and Guéoulé and Cavally Forest Reserves, all in the

northern part of the forest zone. The song and calls were recorded for the first

time and a spectrogram of the song is presented. Our observations suggest that

this species may prefer the northern, semi-deciduous forests in Upper Guinea.

Résumé

Premiers enregistrements des vocalisations de l’Indicateur d’Eisentraut

Melignomon eisentrauti et premières mentions confirmées en Côte

d’Ivoire. Nous commentons les premières observations en Côte d’ivoire de

l’Indicateur d’Eisentraut Melignomon eisentrauti. Nous avons observé

l’espèce dans les Parcs Nationaux de la Marahoué et du Mont Péko, et les

Forêts Classées de Guéoulé et du Cavally, quatre localités situées dans la

partie nord de la zone forestière. Le chant et les cris ont été enregistrés pour la

première fois et un sonogramme du chant est présenté. Nos observations

semblent indiquer que l’espèce pourrait préférer les forêts semi-décidues du

nord de la Haute-Guinée.

32

H. Rainey et al.

Malimbus 25

Introduction

The Yellow-footed Honeyguide Melignomon eisentrauti is an elusive bird, closely

resembling Zenker’s Honeyguide M. zenkeri (Serle 1959, Eisentraut 1963, Colston

1981, Louette 1981). Few sightings have been good enough for certain identification

(Bowden et al. 1995, Gatter 1997) including six unconfirmed observations from Taï

National Park, Ivory Coast over many months of study (Gartshore 1989, Gartshore et

al. 1995, Thiollay 1985). The last confirmed observations were made in Sierra Leone

and Liberia in the 1980s (Allport et al. 1989, Gatter 1997). BirdLife International

(2000) lists this species as Data Deficient.

Results

Observations

We observed the Yellow-footed Honeyguide in Marahoué and Mont Péko National

Parks (NP) and Cavally and Guéoulé Forest Reserves (FR) in Ivory Coast; these

constitute the first confirmed records for the country. Its hitherto unknown

vocalisations were tape-recorded. These areas have been the subject of a number of

recent bird surveys and have been found to hold many globally threatened bird species

(Christy & Schulenberg 1999, Rainey 2000, Rainey et al. 2001, Demey 2002, Demey

& Rainey 2002, Rainey & Lachenaud 2002). Our observations of M. eisentrauti are

detailed below in chronological order.

On 31 December 2000 in Marahoué NP (7°5'N, 6°0'W), NB was walking with a tour

group along the main circular track (the “Grande Boucle”) in an area of generally

open forest, with tall thin trees emerging from a dense understorey. An unfamiliar call

was heard, consisting of a series of about 13 clear, emphatic notes, slightly

descending in pitch and slowing towards the end, and transcribed as tuu-i tuu-i tuu-i

tuu-i ... tuu tuu tuu (Fig. 1). When the tape-recorded song was played back, a bird

responded immediately and aggressively by flying straight towards the source of the

sound and perching in the tree above the observers’ heads. It was a honeyguide with

grey head and underparts, green upperparts and black tail with the conspicuous white

outer feathers tipped black. The stout yellow bill with a strongly curved culmen was

very obvious and, when the bird perched in clear view, yellow feet were apparent. The

song phrase was repeated intermittently with no apparent standard pause between

utterances. The bird usually remained at a height of c. 30 m, but occasionally came

much lower, investigating the source of playback. This constitutes the first confirmed

record for the country and appears to be the first description and recording of the

species’ song (Bowden et al. 1995, Chappuis 2001). The forest is semi-deciduous and

the park lies on the forest-savanna boundary; it covers 1010 km , of which roughly

two-thirds are forest (Fishpool 2001).

2003

Yellow-footed Honeyguide in Ivory Coast

33

Figure 1. Power (a) and frequency (b) spectrograms of the song of Yellow-footed

Honeyguide Melignomon eisentrauti. Recorded 31 Dec 2000, Marahoué National

Park, Ivory Coast, by Nik Borrow.

On 23 March 2001, in the north of Mont Péko NP (7°0'N, 7°16'W), at the foot of

Mont Kahoué, HR and Gondo Manh watched a small honeyguide for 10 min. It was

feeding in a tree, moving along small branches and amongst the leaves at a height of

1 5-20 m. It was slim and quite agile, and behaved rather like a warbler (cf. Bowden et

al. 1995). Its overall proportions were similar in some respects to Cassin’s Honeybird

Prodotiscus insignis rather than a more robust Indicator sp. It had uniformly pale grey

underparts, including the throat and sides of the head, with no facial streaks. The bill

and feet were pale yellow with a slight pink tinge. The outer tail feathers were white

below; the inner tail feathers grey. Above, the outer tail feathers were grey-white at

the base, becoming greyer towards the tips. The mantle and wings were not seen well,

but towards the shoulder and edges of the wings appeared slightly brighter with a

yellowish tinge to the general olive-green colour. Compared to the seven illustrations

of which we are aware (Colston & Curry-Lindahl 1986, Fry et al. 1988, Bowden et al.

1995, Gatter 1997, Borrow & Demey 2001, Short & Home 2001, del Hoyo et al.

2002) the bill and feet were much less yellow. The colour of the mantle resembled

most that in Borrow & Demey (2002) and Colston & Curry-Lindahl (1986). The tail

was paler than that in Borrow & Demey (2001) perhaps indicating an immature bird.

Bowden et al. (1995) noted that the greenish wash on the breast of some museum

specimens was not evident on the bird that they observed; it was also not visible on

our bird. The forest in the area of the observation has been logged in the past and is

now quite dense, but access is easy as elephants keep paths open in the understorey. It

is in some ways similar to the semi-deciduous forest in Marahoué NP, with many tall

thin trees forming a broken canopy. Mont Péko has lowland forest in the south and

34

H. Rainey et al

Malimbus 25

becomes more mountainous (up to 1000 m a.s.l.) in the north with some lowland

areas. The park area is officially 340 km2 but in fact nearer 280 km2 (Fishpool 2001).

On 1 March 2002, RD and LDCF saw a medium-sized honeyguide perching quietly c.

5 m above ground along the main trail through Guéoulé FR (7°34'N, 7°53'W) in

semi-deciduous forest at an altitude of about 700 m. The bird was facing the observers

and had a rather stout yellowish bill, with a conspicuously curved, dark culmen,

giving it a distinctive jizz, quite unlike that of Indicator honeyguides. The head, ear-

coverts and underparts were plain medium-grey, wings and mantle olive-green; the

underside of the tail white tipped black. The legs and feet, which were clearly visible,

were pale chrome yellow, confirming the identity of the bird. Playback of NB’s tape-

recording did not elicit any reaction. After having been watched for over 5 min., the

bird silently disappeared into the forest. About three hours later and c. 500 m further

down the same trail, a song identical to NB’s recording was heard. It came from just

below the canopy, at a height of c. 15 m, near a somewhat more open space next to

the trail. This time, playback of NB’s recording elicited an immediate response, the

bird flying silently towards the source of the sound, crossing the trail back and forth

several times above our heads. On one occasion it perched as low as c. 4 m above

ground on small, leafless branches of a bush next to the trail, c. 5-6 m away. It

remained there long enough for excellent views through a telescope of 30 x

magnification. It appeared somewhat paler and more brightly coloured than that of the

first, with the pale grey underparts showing a distinct greenish wash on the breast.

The upperparts were a more vivid green than usually shown in illustrations. The bill

was more extensively yellow than apparent on the first individual, with only the tip of

the upper mandible dark; the legs and feet were as yellow as those of the first bird.

After a while another bird flew in. During their interaction, a series of indistinct calls

were uttered, transcribed as wrreew wrreew rreew-rreew-rreew truwp. Song and calls

were tape-recorded. The song was very similar to that recorded in Marahoué NP. The

call, which has not apparently been described before, is shown in Fig. 2.

Figure 2. Frequency spectrogram of a call of Yellow-footed Honeyguide Melignomon

eisentrauti , 1 Mar 2002, Guéoulé Forest Reserve, Ivory Coast, recorded by Ron Demey.

2003

Yellow-footed Honeyguide in Ivory Coast

35

On 29 March 2002, a Yellow-footed Honeyguide was seen in Cavally FR (6°10'N,

7°48'W) by HR and RD. It was observed for c. 15 min. while feeding on small

branches at a height of c. 20-25 m, sometimes close to other birds. It was chased by a

sunbird and subsequently appeared to follow and perhaps chase a Sharpe’s Apalis

Apalis sharpii. This individual had an olive wash on its breast. It was silent, and

playback of NB’s recording did not elicit any obvious response. The forest in the area

was fairly open and degraded, with some large trees but the canopy generally below

30 m. The forest in this area is transitional between moist and semi-deciduous

(Laurent Aké Assi pers. comm.). Cavally FR lies west of Taï NP on the Liberian

border. This is north-west of the unconfirmed observations in Taï NP (Gartshore

1989, Gartshore et al. 1995, Thiollay 1985). Cavally FR covers an area of

approximately 1000 km and is contiguous with Goin-Débé FR to the north.

>

J3 1 000 (a)

0)

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Figure 3. Power (a) and frequency (b) spectrograms for Zenker’s Honeyguide

Melignomon zenkeri. From Chappuis (2000), recorded in October at Mt Kupé,

SW Cameroon, by R. Martins.

Vocalisations

A sonogram and power spectrum of the recording made by NB (Fig. 1) show that the

song differs quite considerably from that of Zenker’s Honeyguide (cf. Bowden et al.

1995, Chappuis 2001), which has short, whistled bell-like notes (Fig. 3). That of

Yellow-footed consists of harsh strident notes which are more drawn out. Comparison

of the power spectra of both species (Figs 1 and 3) illustrates the essential characters

for distinguishing the calls in the field. The Yellow-footed song lasts 12.4 s and

Zenker’s 15 s. Both are series of repeated regular phrases that are similar in structure

but vary in their maximum and minimum frequencies, as is typical of the songs of

honey guides (Claude Chappuis pers. comm.). The phrases of Yellow-footed are

repeated at a rate of 1 s'1, those of Zenker’s at 1.8 s'1. Each note of the Yellow-footed

36

H. Rainey et al.

Maîimbus 25

song is separated by a very short pause, but four times longer than those in the song of

Zenker’s, a difference readily apparent in the field. The variation in intensity of the

phrases throughout the song is another important distinction. Zenker’s rises from the

start and fades away at the end with the first and last phrases almost inaudible. The

variation in intensity in the Yellow-footed is much less marked. Both songs begin at

an average frequency just above 3000 Hz, but the frequency of Yellow-footed shows

a marked decline throughout the song, whereas in Zenker’s there is an initial rise and

a final drop at the end.

Discussion

With this recording, it should be easier to detect this species than hitherto. However,

as it does not appear to respond to playback unless it is already singing, systematic

surveys using playback may not be very productive. Mont Péko and Marahoué NPs

are now reasonably well known (Thiollay 1985, Demey & Fishpool 1991, Christy &

Schulenberg 1999, Rainey 2000, Rainey et al. 2001, Rainey & Lachenaud 2002), but

in Marahoué NP the song has so far been identified only once. The song is quite loud

and strident and unlikely to be missed, so the absence of records suggests the species

does not sing frequently. The song has so far been heard only in December and

March, the first and last months of the dry season in the forest zone of Ivory Coast.

Our observations are all from the northern, drier, semi-deciduous forests, as are

almost all previous records throughout its range (Bowden et al. 1995). However,

much remains to be discovered about this species and the relatively large number of

unconfirmed records from the southern moist forest zone (Macdonald 1980, Thiollay

1985, Gartshore 1989, Gartshore et al. 1995; also Banco NP, Abidjan, 6 Apr 2002

(HR)) suggest that it may be more common there than yet supposed.

Acknowledgments

Guy Rondeau, Adama Dro and Gondo Manh provided invaluable assistance in Mont

Péko National Park as did all the agents forestiers of Mont Péko NP under Cdt. André

Dje Bi Ta and Lt. Justin Ossohou, who are thanked for aiding many aspects of HR’s

work. NB would like to thank Birdquest for supporting his work. RD and LDCF thank

Francis Lauginie, whose help made the visit to Guéoulé FR possible, and Philippe

Vehikpo Koffi for his logistical assistance and cheerful company. The observation in

Cavally FR took place during a survey organised by Conservation International and

Afrique Nature International (Francis Lauginie) for which they are thanked. Claude

Chappuis and an anonymous referee provided some incisive comments when

reviewing an initial draft of this paper. Many thanks to Mark Adams of the Natural

History Museum at Tring for allowing access to specimens.

2003

Yellow-footed Honeyguide in Ivory Coast

37

References

Allport, G.A., Ausden, M, Hayman, P.V., Robertson, P.A. & Wood, P. (1989)

The Conservation of the Birds of Gola Forest, Sierra Leone. Study Rep. 38,

International Council for Bird Preservation, Cambridge.

BirdLife International (2000) Threatened Birds of the World. Lynx, Barcelona.

Borrow, N. & Demey, R. (2001) Birds of Western Africa. Christopher Helm,

London.

Bowden, C.G.R., Hayman, P.V., Martins, R.P., Robertson, P.A., Mudd, S.H. &

Woodcock, M.W. (1995) The Melignomon honey guides: a review of recent

range extensions and some remarks on their identification, with a description of

the song of Zenker’s Honeyguide. Bull . Afr. Bird Club 2: 32-38. ^

Chappuis, C. (2001) Oiseaux d’Afrique. CDs with booklet. Société d’Études

Ornithologiques de France, Paris.

Christy, P. & Schulenberg, T.S. (1999) The avifauna of the Parc National de la

Marahoué, Côte d’ivoire. Pp. 60-65 in Schulenberg, T. S., Short, C.A. &

Stephenson, P. J. (eds.^ A Biological Assessment of the Parc National de la

Marahoué, Côte d’Ivoire. RAP working paper 13, Conservation International,

Washington.

Colston, P. R. (1981) A newly described species of Melignomon (Indicatoridae) from

Liberia, West Africa. Bull. Brit. Orn. Club 101: 289-291.

Colston, P.R. & Curry-Lindahl, K. (1986) The Birds of Mount Nimba, Liberia.

British Museum (Natural History), London.

Demey, R. (2002) Oiseaux observés dans la Forêt classée de Guéoulé. Unpubl. rep. to

Afrique Nature International.

Demey, R. & Fishpool, L.D.C. (1991) Additions and annotations to the avifauna of

Côte d’Ivoire. Malimbus 61-86.

Demey, R. & Rainey, HJ. (In press) The Birds of Haute Dodo and Cavally Forest

Reserves. RAP report, Conservation International, Washington DC.

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

Fishpool, L.D.C. (2001) Côte d’Ivoire. Pp 219-232 in Fishpool, L.D.C. & Evans,

M.I. (eds.) Important Bird Areas in Africa and Associated Islands. Pisces,

Newbury.

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

Press, London.

Gartshore, M.E. (1989) An Avifaunal Survey of Taï National Park, Côte d’Ivoire 28

January- 11 April 1989. Study Rep. 39, International Council for Bird

Preservation, Cambridge.

Gartshore, M.E., Taylor, P.D. & Francis, I.S. (1995) Forest Birds in Côte

d’Ivoire. Study Rep. 58, International Council for Bird Preservation, Cambridge.

Gatter, W. (1997) Birds of Liberia. Pica Press, Mountfield.

38

H, Rainey et ai.

Malimbus 25

Hoyq, J. del, Elliot, A. & Sargàtal, J. (2002) Handbook of the Birds of the World ,

vol. 7. Lynx, Barcelona.

Louette, M. (1981) A new species of honeyguide from West Africa (Aves,

Indicatoridae). Rev. Zooi. afr. 95: 131-135.

Macdonald, M.A. (1980) Further notes on uncommon forest birds in Ghana. Bull.

Brit Orn , Club 100: 170-172.

Rainey, H.J. (2000) The Avifauna of the Parc National du Mont Péko , Côte d’Ivoire.

Unpubl. rep. to BirdLife International, Cambridge.

Rainey, HJ , Francis, !.. Manh, G., Miner, I. & Taylor, P. (2001) A Checklist of

the Birds of Mont Péko National Park. Unpubl. rep. to BirdLife International,

Cambridge.

Rainey, H.J. & Lachenaud, O. (2002) Recent bird observations from Ivory Coast.

Malimbus 24: 23-37.

Sekle, W. (1959) Note on the immature plumage of the Honeyguide Melignomon

zenkeri Reichenow. Bull. Brit. Orn. Club 79: 64.

Short, L.L. & Horne, J.F.M. (2001) Toucans, Barbets and Honeyguides. Oxford

University Press, Oxford.

Thigllay, J.-M. (1985) The birds of Ivory Coast: status and distribution. Malimbus 6:

1-59.

2003

39

Seasonal waterbird and raptor fluctuations on the Niger and

Mékrou Rivers in Niger

by Julia Ambagis , Joost Brouwer & Chris Jameson

'US Peace Corps — Niger. Present address: 32 May Street, 1R, Worcester, MA 01610,

U.S.A. <jambagis@yahoo.com>

2 Brouwer Envir. & Agric. Consultancy, Wildekamp 32, 6721 JD Bennekom,

The Netherlands. <brouwbar@bos.nl>

3 US Peace Corps — Niger. Present address: 1610 C Beekman Place, NW, Washington,

DC 20009, U.S.A. <j amesoncm@y ahoo . com>

Received 13 February 2002; revised 10 February 2003.

Summary

Waterbirds and raptors were surveyed on the Niger and Mékrou Rivers in W

National Park, SW Niger, most months between 1995 and 1999. During the study,

101 species of raptor and waterbird were identified, of which 73 were observed

more than twice. Bird numbers and species composition fluctuated with the

seasons, for all species, even those considered sedentary or resident. Species

composition also differed between the two rivers, some species being found only

or mostly on one river and not or rarely on the other. The two rivers support more

individuals and species of Affotropical waterbirds and raptors during the hot

season (Mar-May), and more Palaearctic waterbirds in the cold season (Dec-Feb).

Résumé

Variations saisonnières des oiseaux d’eau et des rapaces sur les

fleuves Niger et Mékrou au Niger. Les oiseaux d’eau et les rapaces

forent suivis sur le Niger et le Mékrou dans le Parc National du W, sud-

ouest du Niger, la plupart des mois entre 1995 et 1999. Durant cette étude,

101 espèces de rapaces et d’oiseaux d’eau forent identifiés, dont 73

observés plus de deux fois. La composition en nombre et en espèces

variait avec les saisons, pour toutes les espèces, même celles considérées

comme sédentaires ou résidentes. L’agencement en espèces différait aussi

entre les deux rivières, et certaines espèces ne se trouvaient rares ou

communes que sur une rivière et jamais ou rarement sur l’autre. Les deux

rivières hébergeaient le plus grand nombre d’individus et d’espèces de

sauvagine et de rapaces afrotropicaux pendant la saison chaude (mars-

mai), et plus d’oiseaux d’eau en saison froide (déc-fév).

40

J. Ambagis, J. Brouwer & C. Jameson

Malimbus 25

Introduction

Rivers and their floodplains form an important but scarce resource in Niger, both for

people and for birds (Brouwer et al. 2001). By far the most important river in Niger is

the Niger River, which flows for 550 km through the southwestern part of the country.

Since 1992, waterbirds have been counted each year during January and February

along various stretches of the Niger River, as well as at a number of isolated wetlands

elsewhere in the country (Brouwer & Mullié 2001). The present study reports on the

results of monthly waterbird and raptor surveys by US Peace Corps Volunteers from

1995 to 1999 along the Niger River and its tributary the Mékrou, in W National Park

in Niger. W National Park was designated a Ramsar Site in 1987 in part because of its

importance to waterbirds. CJ initiated the surveys in 1995, in part to determine what

birds were using the protected habitat areas of the park. The results are also of interest

for potential expansion of ecotourism on the Niger River. We focus on seasonal

differences in presence for the various species encountered, and on differences

between the two rivers.

Study areas and methods

The stretch of the Niger River where waterbirds and raptors were counted is

approximately 75 km long, from Koro Gungu to Boumba (see Crisler et al. 2003 for a

map of the area). This area lies within the northern Sudanian zone (Brouwer et al.

2001) and usually receives 500-800 mm of rain annually (May-October, with a

marked peak in August). Minimum and maximum annual rainfall recorded are 221

and 1178 mm respectively. Maximum flow along this section of the Niger River

occurs around February, when the peak of the floods originating in Guinea and Mali

« • T I

arrives. Maximum flow can be up to 1800 m s' , with the river up to 1 km wide. At

flood stage, several large areas of floodplains and marshes are inundated. Minimum

flow occurs around July, when it can be only tens of mV1. On rare occasions, surface

flow even ceases altogether, although large pools of standing water always remain.

During the period of minimum flow, extensive areas of rocks and sandbars are

exposed and shallow backwaters are formed. The dominant vegetation along the river

includes stands of palms Borassus aethiopum , and various kinds of marsh and aquatic

plants. Where higher ground adjoins the river one can find baobab Adansonia

digitata, kapok trees Bombax costata, Prosopis africanus, and various Combretaceae

(Brouwer et al. 2001).

The first part of the Niger River that we surveyed, from Koro Gungu to Boscia,

runs between farmland on the left bank and the Réserve de Tamou and W National

Park on the right bank. The Tamou reserve was set up to act as a buffer zone between

the park and human cultivation and habitation (Dufresne et al. 1982). The second

section, from Boscia to Boumba, runs along the W Park on its right bank and

2003

Waterbirds and raptors on Niger and Mékrou rivers

41

comprises well separated villages, fields and fallow areas on the left. Areas outside

the park have much less natural savanna vegetation, and are under pressure from

cultivation and grazing (IUCN 1993).

The stretch of the Mékrou River that we surveyed was approximately 1 5 km long,

from Boumba on the Niger River to the Rapids of Barou. Some months, the Mékrou

River section was shorter or impassable due to sandbars and rocks that became

exposed as the water level dropped. Because the Mékrou has a more local origin, in

northern Togo, it is usually at its highest around January, when it is up to 50 m wide.

It often does not flow at the end of the dry season, from April or May to July. This

section of the Mékrou River differs from the sections of the Niger in several ways. It

is narrower, almost dry part of the year, supports much more gallery forest and has

much less intensive land use along its banks.

In the variable environment of the Sahel, most waterbirds and raptors are likely to

show some degree of mobility in response to environmental variability, be it seasonal

or irregular. Thus the surveys were conducted once every month, when possible (see

Table 1), although few were carried out after August 1997. The data used here are

from February 1995 to April 1999. Immediately prior to the rainy season, surveys

were often missed, especially on the Mékrou River, because of low water levels. A

number of other months were missed due to boat failure and other technical

difficulties. Months not surveyed were calculated as missing data, not zeros. The

monthly surveys will in due course permit detection of long-term trends in bird

numbers.

Table 1. Surveys from which results were used in this paper.

Year River Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Total

The survey crew consisted of a local boat driver and two or three biologists, who

were not the same for all surveys. Participants included CJ (1995-7), Abdou Hamidou

(1995-8), Denise Foy (1996-7), Katie Furbur (1996-7), Donata Roome (1997), JA

42

J. Ambagis, J. Brouwer & C. Jameson

Malimbus 25

(1997-8), Jessie Bulloch (1997-9), Kara Gregor (1998-9), Ousmane Halidou (1998—

9) and Adrian VerHagen (1999). We tried to minimize observer bias by overlapping

old and new surveyors. We surveyed waterbirds and raptors because both groups are

easily identifiable and good indicators of the status of the riparian environment.

Surveys on the Niger River began at c. 7h30 on consecutive days (one day Boscia-

Koro Gungu, the next day Boscia-Boumba), using a small motorboat at an average

speed of about 15 km of river per hour. The Mékrou survey began after surveyors

completed the Boscia-Boumba section, at c. 10h30. We counted birds in front of us on

the river and on both banks, and as far out as we could positively identify them. The

precise route along the river varied according to circumstances such as water level,

location of sand banks and presence of hippopotamus Hippopotamus amphibius. We

disembarked once per Niger River section, to survey specific marshy islands with

high individual bird counts and species diversity.

The months were grouped into cold (Dec-Feb), hot (Mar-May), rainy (Jun-Aug)

and mini-hot (Sep-Nov) seasons, to facilitate the identification of possible seasonal

effects on bird numbers. Bird names and migratory status are taken from Brown et al.

(1982), Urban et al. (1986), Fry et al. (1988) and Dowsett & Forbes-Watson (1993).

Results

Individual species

A total of 101 species of waterbird and raptor was seen during the surveys. Of these,

the following 28 were seen only once or twice and are not included in the statistical

calculations for individual species: Pink-backed Pelican Pelecanus rufescens, Dwarf

Bittern Ixobrychus sturmii, Yellow-billed Stork Mycteria ibis, African Openbill Stork

Anastomus lamelligerus. Woolly-necked Stork Ciconia episcopus, African Spoonbill

Platalea alba, Fulvous Whistling Duck Dendrocygna bicolor, Egyptian Goose

Alopochen aegyptiacus, African Pigmy Goose Nettapus auritus. Northern Pintail Anas

acuta, Honey Buzzard Perms apivorus, Lappet-faced Vulture Torgos tracheliotus,

Montagu’s Harrier Circus pygargus. Red-tailed Buzzard Buteo auguralis. Booted

Eagle Hieraaetus pennatus. Martial Eagle Polemaetus bellicosus. Lesser Kestrel

Falco naumanni, African Hobby Falco cuvierii, Black Crake Amaurornis flavirostris.

Painted Snipe Rostratula benghalensis. Rock Praticole Glareola nuchalis, Black-

tailed Godwit Limosa limosa. Common Redshank Tringa totanus. Little Stint Calidris

minuta, Common Tern Sterna hirundo, African Skimmer Rynchops flavirostris, Pel’s

Fishing Owl Scotopelia peli, and Blue-breasted Kingfisher Halcyon malimbica.

Except for the Honey Buzzard, Lappet-faced Vulture and Pel’s Fishing Owl, these

were all seen on the Niger River, with about nine of these species observed there each

season except the mini-hot season (only three species).

For the remaining 73 species, Table 2 presents the average, minimum and

maximum numbers of birds per species that were seen for each river and each season.

2003

Waterbirds and raptors on Niger and Mékrou rivers

43

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44

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Aquila wahlbergi Wahlberg's Eagle I 03(0-1) 0 03(0-1) 0.5(0-l) 03(0-2) 0 0 03(0-1)

2003

Waterbirds and raptors on Niger and Mékrou rivers

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46

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2003

Waterbirds and raptors on Niger and Mékrou rivers

47

The following species met the Ramsar Convention criterion of 1% of global

population, according to the 1% figures in Rose & Scott (1997). Dendrocygna viduata

(threshold 2500 individuals): average number during the hot season was 3290, and

two counts exceeded 6000 (6338 in Feb 1997, 6292 in May 1995). Plectropterus

gambensis (threshold 500): exceeded during the hot season in May 1995 (638), and

April 1997 (543). Sarkidornis melanotus (threshold 500): exceeded during the hot

season in May 1995 (742), Apr 1996 (660), May 1996 (630) and Apr 1997 (510).

Pluvianus aegyptius (threshold 200): exceeded in May 1995 (204), with counts of 100

or more common.

Almost all species showed evidence of movement, including supposedly resident

species (Dowsett & Forbes- Watson 1993) such as Anhinga rufa, Phalacrocorax

africanus, and Egretta intermedia. At the same time, some individuals of many

Palaearctic migrants remained during the boreal summer (wet season). These were

probably of pre-breeding age.

The Niger and Mékrou rivers differed in species composition and abundance

(Table 2). The much shorter section of the Mékrou River contained higher absolute

numbers of the following species: Ixobrychus minutus, Butorides striatus, Pandion

haliaetus, Terathopius ecaudatus, Polyboroides typus, Alcedo cristata, and

Megaceryle maxima.

Species groups

Total number of waterbirds and raptors varied significantly across seasons (ANOVA

F3 = 4.901, P = 0.002). Total number of species on the rivers varied by season and

varied differently on the two rivers (Table 3). For both calculations the species seen

only once or twice were included, but their effect on total number of birds seen and on

number of species seen per survey was always very small.

The highest numbers of species on the Niger River were sighted during the hot

season (total 70), although the average number of species seen per survey was slightly

higher during the cold season (34.1 vs. 31.9). The fewest species were seen in the

mini-hot season (total 52, average 26.3). On the Mékrou River, the total number of

species seen ranged from 45 in the mini-hot season to 30 in the rainy season. The

number of species observed per survey on the Mékrou River did not differ

significantly between the seasons, and was usually between 1 3 and 20.

Total number of birds sighted also varied by season and river (Table 3). On both

rivers, highest numbers were seen during the hot season, with the cold season coming

second on the Niger River and the mini-hot season on the Mékrou River.

There were also differences in the densities of different bird groups between

seasons, calculated by dividing the number of birds by the length of river surveyed.

Density of Anseriformes (Anatidae, all species) fluctuated significantly with the

seasons (ANOVA F3 = 4.231, P = 0.032). Anseriformes, Charadriiformes

(Recurvirostridae, Burhinidae, Glareolidae, Charadriidae, Scolopacidae, Stemidae),

and Ciconiiformes (Ardeidae, Scopidae, Ciconiidae, Threskiomithidae) occurred at

48

J. Ambagis, J. Brouwer <& C. Jameson

Malimbus 25

higher densities on the Niger River than on the Mékrou River (all data combined,

Wilcoxon sign test Z = -3.043, -3.314, -2.314 respectively, P < 0.05 in all cases).

Coraciiformes (Alcedinidae) and Falconiformes (Accipitridae, Falconidae) occurred

at higher densities on the Mékrou River (Z = 3.629, 2.786 respectively, P < 0.05).

There was no significant difference between rivers for Pelecaniformes

(Phalacrocoracidae) and Gruiformes (Rallidae, Gruidae, Jacanidae). More

Anseriformes were seen in the hot season than any other season. Three of the most

variable species were Dendrocygna viduata, Plectropterus gambensis , and

Sarkidornis melanotos (Table 2). For these species the highest numbers occurred

during the hot season and the lowest numbers were recorded in the mini-hot season.

Of the African Charadriiformes, Pluvianus aegyptius was most commonly seen in the

hot season (Table 2) but was visible throughout the year (observed during 34 out of

the 35 surveys).

Table 3. Seasonal differences in the number of birds and species, quoted as mean

(min.-max.), observed per river section.

Discussion

The Niger and Mékrou Rivers differ in the numbers of bird species and individuals

found on them. Moreover, the bird numbers change, sometimes dramatically, between

the seasons.

Of course, not every bird on every survey could be counted and numbers counted

are thus minima. Both banks were visible on all surveys, but as the river was wider in

and after the rainy season (June-August) both shores could not be seen equally well

the entire time. Also some birds are more cryptic and thus more easily missed. On the

Niger River, vegetation cover is patchy, while on the Mékrou River, woody

vegetation is thick all along its banks. In addition, the timing of the surveys may have

2003

Waterbirds and raptors on Niger and Mékrou rivers

49

had some effect on the results. Surveys on the Niger River were conducted early in

the morning while the Mékrou was surveyed mid-morning. This will have affected

survey results in different but consistent ways: for some species a later survey hour

generally means less activity, for others it means more activity.

More birds were seen in the hot season than in the rainy season. Waders were

mostly of Palaearctic origin and were therefore most prevalent during the cold season

(and on the Niger River). Anatidae were mostly of Afrotropical origin and most

numerous during the hot season. Other local wildlife was also more prevalent on the

riverbanks in the hot season. This is in part because smaller waterholes in other parts

of the bush dry up during the hot season and the Niger River itself drops 3 m or more.

Thus, birds and animals are drawn to the remaining water in the river.

On the Niger River, the second most important season after the hot season, for

waterbirds and raptors in general, was the cold season, whereas for the Mékrou River

it was the mini-hot season. This is probably due to differences in hydrological

conditions between rivers. During the cold season the Niger River still has quite a bit

of water, a scarce resource at that dry time of year. The Mékrou dries out more

quickly, so that river is more important for waterbirds and raptors at the start of the

dry season, i.e. during the mini-hot season.

Some species require specific habitats. The Niger River is a larger, faster flowing

body of water with less vegetation on its banks than the Mékrou River. Thus, it is a

better habitat for ducks and waders, some of which, such as Dendrocygna viduaia , use

the large Niger River as a flyway. These can also be seen during the dry season in

huge rafts on the Niger River or on exposed islands in the middle of the river.

Ciconiiformes utilize the sloping bare banks and scattered islands for foraging and

nesting habitats.

The smaller Mékrou River with its densely vegetated banks and forest was better

for species such as kingfishers that require riparian habitat for both nesting and

foraging, often perching on branches next to or overhanging the river. Such branches

are much less common on the Niger River. In addition the Mékrou River lacks islands

and long sloping banks. All the same, some Ciconiiformes were seen regularly on the

smaller Mékrou, but mostly the smaller species and less frequently than on the Niger.

Falconiformes were observed frequently on both rivers. The riparian habitat, as well

as farm and grazing land, contain abundant prey for them.

Conclusions

W National Park protects savanna habitat, which is becoming increasingly rare in

West Africa. It also protects significant areas of wetland and its associated birds along

the Niger and Mékrou Rivers. The diversity of habitat along these rivers is important

to Palaearctic migrants as well as Afrotropical birds (see also IUCN 1986). Our data

indicate that the park merits its status as a Wetland of International Importance under

50

J. Ambagis, J. Brouwer & C. Jameson

Malimbus 25

the Ramsar Convention. These baseline data now permit assessment of long-term

trends in waterbird and raptor numbers. Waterbirds and raptors can be important

indicators of the environmental integrity of the park and rivers.

In this variable environment many taxa move regularly or irregularly. The rivers

and isolated wetlands have in part complementary ecological functions, providing

suitable feeding and resting habitat to the same species but at different times of the

year. This complicates the assessment of the migratory status of a number of

waterbird species. To determine if movements that we noted were seasonal migration

or local movements, surveys would need to be conducted on the rivers and the

isolated wetlands simultaneously during each season, and percentages of juveniles

would need to be noted.

We show that, for Afrotropical waterbirds at least, the importance of certain

wetlands is better demonstrated by counts during the hot season than by counts during

the cold season, as is more commonly done, although for Palaearctic waterbirds

obviously the best time is the cold season. For observing large numbers and many

species of Afrotropical waterbirds and raptors along the two rivers, the hot (late dry)

season is obviously best. Local people report that, on certain large isolated wetlands in

S Niger, the largest concentrations of waterbirds are also found during the dry season.

Acknowledgments

This work was performed as part of a contract for the United States Peace Corps

(USPC). JA and CJ gratefully acknowledge the USPC for their support of the project

and volunteers working on the survey. Thanks go to the Nigérien boat drivers, Abdou

Hamidou and Ousmane Halidou, without whom this work could not have happened,

and to our fellow surveyors Denise Foy, Katie Furbur, Jessie Bulloch, Donata Roome,

Kara Gregor and Adrian VerHagen. Many thanks to Tim Dodman, Lincoln Fishpool,

Alan Tye and an anonymous referee, who offered valuable advice on drafts of this

paper. JA would also like to thank Chris Petersen and Sean Todd for their guidance

and statistical advice regarding this manuscript.

References

Brouwer, J. & MulliÉ, W.C. (2001) A method for making whole country waterbird

population estimates, applied to annual waterbird census data from Niger. Ostrich

Suppl. 15: 73-82.

Brouwer, J., Codjo, S.F. & MulliÉ, W.C. (2001) Niger. Pp. 661-672 in L.D.C.

Fishpool and M.E. Evans (eds), Important Bird Areas of Africa and Associated

Islands. BirdLife International, Cambridge.

2003

Waterbirds and raptors on Niger and Mékrou rivers

51

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

Academic Press, London.

Crisler, T., Jameson, C. & Brouwer, J. (2003) An updated overview of the birds of

Park W, southwest Niger. Malimbus 25: 4-30.

Dowsett, R.J. & Forbes-Watson, A.D. (1993) Checklist of Birds of the Afrotropical

and Malagasy Regions. Volume 1 : Species limits and distribution. Tauraco Press,

Liège.

Dufresne, A., Cloutier, A. & Thorsell, J. (1982) 28ème Réunion de la

Commission des Parcs Nationaux et des Aires Protégées. Parc National du “W”,

Niger, 18-22 mars 1982. Compte Rendu. IUCN, Niger.

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

Press, London.

IUCN (1993) Environmental Synopsis, Niger. IUCN, Gland.

IUCN (1986) The IUCN Sahel Report. A long term strategy for environmental

rehabilitation. IUCN, Gland.

ROSE, P.M. & Scott, D. (1997) Waterfowl Population Estimates. 2nd ed. Wetlands

International, Wageningen.

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

Press, London.

52

Malimbus 25

Short Notes — Notes Courtes

Two new raptors for Nigeria and other raptor observations at Lake Chad

Two new raptor species for Nigeria were discovered in dry, open savanna woodland

4-5 km from Lake Chad, Bomo State, Nigeria in November 2001, during the Lake

Chad Bird Migration Project (Ottosson et al. 2001).

Eastern Imperial Eagle Aquila heliaca

We saw a juvenile Eastern Imperial Eagle along the road from Baga to Metele near

the shore of Lake Chad (13°14'34N, 13°3L32E) on 14 Nov 2001. It was soaring c.

150 m above us with an adult Tawny Eagle A. rapax belisarius. Both birds continued

soaring close to us for several minutes until they reached a high altitude and parted,

the Eastern Imperial Eagle gliding southeast. The observation was made in good

weather conditions, with a 32x telescope and lOx binoculars.

The Eastern Imperial Eagle appeared clearly the larger, with broader, longer

wings and bigger, more protruding head. Its most prominent character was the dark

streaking on the otherwise pale yellowish-brown underparts, which covered the

underwing coverts and body feathers except for the lower belly and vent. The flight

feathers were uniformly blackish apart from three to four pale grey inner primaries

forming a “window” which was visible from below and above. The upperparts were

more difficult to observe but the rump was white and the greater and median wing

coverts had narrow white tips. The general colour was similar to the underside.

Compared to the Tawny Eagle, the white primary feather shafts formed a larger pale

patch on the primary base. The age was determined by the fresh appearance of all

feathers as well as an S-shaped trailing edge to the wing and neat white tips to the

blackish rectrices and remiges, as described by Forsman (1999).

Two additional observations, both of first calendar-year birds, were made on 16

and 24 Nov 2001. At least the latter observation probably concerned the same

wintering bird as the individual described above, based on plumage similarity and

observation at the same site.

Eastern Imperial Eagle winters mainly in Egypt and Sudan but is regular as far

south as Kenya and Tanzania (Brown et al. 1982, Zimmerman et al. 1999). There is

one record of an immature in N Cameroon (Borrow & Demey 2002), but it does not

seem to have been observed elsewhere in W Africa.

Barbary Falcon Falco pelegrinoides

As we knew Barbary Falcon might occur in the area, we systematically checked each

large falcon we saw. On 23 Nov 2001 we saw an adult of this species along the above-

mentioned road (13°13'31N, 13°33T7E). We watched it for 4 min. with the sun

2003

Notes Courtes

53

behind us, with a 32x telescope and lOx binoculars. It was mostly about 100-200 m

away but approached to c. 60 m while patrolling for prey. After circling low over the

area it flew northeast.

It was distinguished from Lanner F. biarmicus, which is very common in the area,

by the different jizz and proportions in flight. Compared to Lanner, it showed clearly

shorter and broader tail and more compact wings that were broader in the arm but

more pointed at the tip. Wing beats were faster than Lanner’ s and the bird appeared

somewhat smaller. The general colour of the upperparts was paler grey than on

Lanner, with upper tail, rump and lower back distinctively pale bluish grey (cf.

Forsman 1999). The primaries were darker than rest of the upperparts and the black

tail bars were broader towards the tip of tail. Different from both Lanner and

Peregrine F. peregrinus, the underparts were pale tawny and virtually lacked barring

or streaking. Some diffuse bars on the flanks, and spots on the breast, were present but

could only be seen when very close. All wing feathers were finely barred on a pale

sandy background, the barring being uniform in density and tone. There was thus no

contrast between the coverts and flight feathers, very different from Lanner (Forsman

1999). At certain angles, diffuse dark commas at the base of the primaries could be

seen. The moustachial stripe was black and narrow, as in Lanner but more pointed

than in Peregrine. The sandy yellowish cheek-patch appeared clear-cut and round. The

head was largely black apart from neck and sides of nape, which were reddish-brown.

On 24 and 26 Nov 2001, adult Barbary Falcons were seen somewhat to the north

of the first site. Both birds were perched in acacia trees, we approached them to 20-25

m in a car and both were photographed (Fig. l).

Fig. 1. Barbary Falcon and Short-eared Owl near L. Chad, 2001. Photos: Rolf

Gustafsson.

54

Short Notes

Malimbus 25

Barbary Falcon has been suggested (U. Ottosson, C. Hjort pers. comm.) to occur

around Malamfatori, Lake Chad but no observations were confirmed until now

(Borrow & Demey 2002). We agree with Brouwer & Mullié (2000), who suggest that

Barbary Falcons are probably more common wintering in the Sahel than previously

thought, although some records they mention lacked substantiation. Birds from

eastern N African breeding populations occur, although rarely, as far south as Kenya

during winter (Brown et al. 1982).

Other raptors

Our observation of a Short-eared Owl Asio flammeus represents the fourth Nigerian

record (Elgood et al. 1994). We flushed the bird from an acacia tree in the middle of

the day on 22 Nov 2001. It then sat on a grassy hill and then in another acacia c. 20 m

from us (Fig. 1). Among other features, the yellow iris, black triangle around the eyes,

white trailing edge to the wings and yellow-toned general colour rule out all other

similar species.

Our visit to Lake Chad produced several other interesting discoveries such as

remarkable numbers of migrant Palaearctic raptors, especially Steppe Eagle A.

nipalensis and Booted Eagle Hieraaetus pennatus , both virtually unknown in Nigeria

until the end of the 1990’s (Philip Hall pers. comm.). Daily counts included up to 72

Steppe Eagles and 12 Booted Eagles.

Our trip was made possible by kind logistical and financial support from A.P.

Leventis. Philip Hall arranged all practical matters in Nigeria and played an essential

role in planning the survey. Christian Hjort and Ulf Ottosson helped with references.

Dick Forsman, Christian Hjort, Mikael Nordstrom, Ulf Ottosson and Kalle Rainio

made invaluable comments on early versions of the manuscript. Headmaster Adam

Piyer in Alagamo village showed great hospitality in housing us. Finally, hearty

thanks to our driver, Usman Ntakiel, for cooperation during the month in the field.

References

Borrow, N. & Demey, R. (2002) Birds of Western Africa. Christopher Helm, London.

Brouwer, J. & Mullié, W.C. (2000) The Barbary Falcon Falco pelegrinoides in the

Sahel. Alauda 68: 158-161.

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

Academic Press, London.

Elgood, J.H., Heigham, J.B., Moore, A.M., Nason, A.M., Sharland, R.E. &

Skinner, N.J. (1994) The Birds of Nigeria. Checklist 4 (2nd ed.), British

Ornithologists’ Union, Tring.

Forsman, D. (1999) The Raptors of Europe and the Middle East. T. & A.D. Poyser,

London.

Ottosson, U., Hjort, C. & Hall, P. (2001) The Lake Chad Bird Migration Project:

Malamfatori revisited. Bull. Afr. Bird Club 8: 121-126.

2003

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55

Zimmerman, D.A., Turner, D.A. & Pearson, DJ. (1999) Birds of Kenya &

Northern Tanzania . Christopher Helm, London.

Received 5 February 2002 William Velmala1 & Rolf Gustafsson2

'Pellonperankatu 4 K 138, FIN-20740 Turku, Finland

<wvelmala@hotmail.com>

2Edeforsgatan 86, S-974 38 Luleâ, Sweden

On the plumages of Senegal Coucal Centropus senegalensis and a

putative observation of Black-throated Coucal C. leucogaster in Niger

Debout et al. (2000) reported what would be the first observation of Black-throated

Coucal Centropus leucogaster in Niger, near Niamey in July 1998. While the

description given clearly matches C. leucogaster, the site and habitat mentioned

(gardens and old cultivation) would be very unusual for this forest species, which has

not otherwise been reported far from any forested area. The only records at similar

latitudes are from Mali (Lamarche 1980-1) possibly erroneously (R.J. Dowsett pers.

comm.), Dandum in Guinea-Bissau (Rodwell 1996) and southern Senegal (Morel &

Morel 1990), where other typical forest species have been found. This led Demey et

al. (2001) to question the record and discuss the possibility of an undescribed form of

Senegal Coucal C. senegalensis .

Two plumage morphs of Senegal Coucal C. senegalensis are presently known: the

typical bird, with creamy white underparts and black restricted to the top of head, and

a melanistic form “ epomidis ” with black head and breast and rufous belly. Demey et

al. (2001) suggest that epomidis does not occur more than 200 km from the coast.

However, in Ivory Coast, this morph is known from several localities far inland

(Schouteden & De Roo 1967, Yaokokore-Beibro 1997 and pers. obs.) at least as far

north as Korhogo, 500 km from coast (Brunei & Thiollay 1969).

In the Abidjan area where both morphs are common, I observed an atypical

Senegal Coucal in September 1999. It had the head and upper breast black, and the

rest of the underparts creamy white, thus showing the same pattern of coloration as in

Black- throated Coucal. However, it was accompanying a typical C. senegalensis and

was similar to it in size and structure; Black- throated Coucal is much larger and has a

very strong bill. Furthermore, the habitat where it was seen — scrub interspersed with

cultivated land in the city’s suburbs — seems quite unlikely for C. leucogaster.

It thus seems that an undescribed, black-throated morph of C. senegalensis occurs

in West Africa, and the Niamey bird is perhaps more likely for to have been this

morph rather than C. leucogaster.

I thank Volker Salewski for his comments on a draft of this note.

56

Short Notes

Malimbus 25

References

Brunel, J. & Thiollay, J.-M. (1969) Liste préliminaire des oiseaux de Côte d’ivoire.

Alauda 37: 230-254, 315-337.

Debout, G., Meister, P. & Ventelon, M. (2000) Notes complémentaires sur

l’avifaune du Niger. Malimbus 22: 87-88.

Demey, R., Dowsett, R. J. & Fishpool, L.D.C. (2001) Comments on Black-throated

Coucal Centropus leucogaster, claimed from Niger. Malimbus 23: 112-113.

Lamarche, B. (1980-1) Liste commentée des oiseaux du Mali. Malimbus 2: 121-

158; 3: 73-102.

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

Rodwell, S. P. (1996) Notes on the distribution and abundance of birds observed in

Guinea-Bissau, 21 February to 3 April 1992. Malimbus 18: 25-43.

Schouteden, H. & De Roo, A. (1967) Contribution à l’étude de la faune

ornithologique de la Côte d’ivoire. Rev. Zool. Bot. Afr. 76: 99-109, 200.

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

1-59.

Yaokokore-Beibro, K.H. (1997) Inventaire préliminaire de Vavifaune des Parcs

Nationaux des Iles Ehotilé, du Mont Peko et de la réserve du Mont Nimba, Côte

d’Ivoire. WWF, Abidjan.

Received 18 April 2002 Olivier Lachenaud

34 Avenue des Amandiers, 86180 Buxerolles, France

lachenaud@cirad.fr

First nests of Long-tailed Hawk Urotriorchis macrounis found in Ivory Coast

We can find no previous description of the nest of the Long-tailed Hawk Urotriorchis

macrourus in the literature so we present here our observations of two nests that we

discovered in Ivory Coast.

On 10-11 April 1994, 6 km south of the main research station in Ta'i Forest

National Park, IS found a large untidy nest of sticks 20-25 m up in the mid-upper

canopy. The nest was flat, shallow and roughly 50-70 cm in diameter. It was in the

fork of an unidentified tree and very visible from below. It nest was initially located

by piping and screeching calls given by the large, white downy young. On play-back

of the young bird’s taped call, two adults alighted on the tree and began a high pitched

and far carrying screeching call. One visited the nest momentarily. There may have

been more than one young in the nest but it was not possible to confirm this from the

ground. The forest in this location was disturbed and quite close to the park boundary.

On 15 March 2001, on the east side of Mont Péko in Mont Péko National Park at

approximately 400 m altitude, HR saw an adult Long-tailed Hawk repeatedly carrying

2003

Notes Courtes

57

small sticks into a Cotton Tree Ceiba pentandra, where it was found to be

constructing a nest. The nest was at a height of 35 m on a branch where it forked from

the trunk, just below the crown. It was a typical, messy raptor nest consisting of loose

twigs piled onto the fork. Its diameter was c. 40 cm and the average size of the twigs

used was c. 1 cm thick by 20-30 cm long. During 30 min. observation from less than

20 m from the tree, the bird returned at least five times. At one point, another

individual joined it, so perhaps more than one bird brought sticks. An adult was

observed the next day, again bringing sticks to the nest. The forest in this area on the

steep slopes of Mont Péko had quite open undergrowth but just 50 m away became

very dense with many tree falls. The canopy was quite broken for the same reason.

This species is found from Sierra Leone east to Uganda (Brown et al. 1982,

Dowsett & Forbes-Watson 1993) and is generally described as uncommon to rare

although many believe it more common than observations indicate (Brown et al.

1982, Cheke & Walsh 1996, Elgood et al. 1994, Kemp & Kemp 1998). Gatter (1997)

and Grimes (1987) found it common in Liberia and Ghana respectively. It is

widespread in Ivory Coast, where it has been recorded from every surveyed protected

area in the country except Comoé National Park (Christy & Schulenberg 1999,

Demey & Fishpool 1994, Gartshore et al. 1995, Salewski 2000, Thiollay 1985,

Waltert et al. 1999, R. Demey pers. comm., HR pers. obs.). In Mont Péko it is

frequently encountered (HR pers. obs.) (definition from Morel & Tye 1995) as in

Bossematié and Yapo (Demey & Fishpool 1994, Waltert et al. 1999) whilst it is

apparently less common in Taï (Gartshore et al. 1995, HR pers. obs.). The forest in

Mont Péko has a much more open canopy than in Taï, which may facilitate

observation in the canopy, although the species appears to hunt in dense foliage

(Brown et al. 1982, Kemp & Kemp 1998).

References

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

Academic Press, London.

Cheke, R.A. & Walsh, J.F. (1996) The birds of Togo. Checklist 14, British

Ornithologists’ Union, Tring.

Christy, P. & Schulenberg, T.S. (1999) The avifauna of the Parc National de la Marahoué,

Côte d’Ivoire. Pp 60-65 in Schulenberg, T.S., Short, C.A. & Stephenson, P.J. (qôs.)

A Biological Assessment of the Parc National de la Marahoué , Côte d’Ivoire. RAP

working pap. 13, Conservation International, Washington.

Demey, R. & Fishpool, L.D.C. (1994) The birds of Yapo Forest, Ivory Coast.

Malimbus 16: 100-122.

Dowsett, R.J. & Forbes-Watson, A.D. (1993) Checklist of the Birds of the

Afrotropical and Malagasy Regions , vol. 1. Tauraco Press, Liège.

Elgood, J.H., Heigham, J.B., Moore, A.M., Nason, A.M., Sharland, R.E. &

Skinner, N.J. (1994) The Birds of Nigeria. Checklist 4 (2nd ed.), British

Ornithologists’ Union, Tring.

58

Short Notes

Malimbus 25

Gartshore, M.E., Taylor, P.D. & Francis, LS. (1995) Forest Birds in Côte

d’Ivoire. Study Rep. 58, BirdLife International, Cambridge.

Gatter, W. (1997) Birds of Liberia. Pica Press, Mountfield.

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

London.

Kemp, A. & Kemp, M. (1998) Birds of Prey of Africa and its Islands. New Holland,

London.

Morel, G.J. & Tye, A. (1995) Guidelines for avifaunal papers in Malimbus.

Malimbus 17: 35-37.

Salewski, V. (2000) The birds of Comoé National Park, Ivory Coast. Malimbus 22:

55-76.

Thiollay, J.-M. (1985) The birds of Ivory Coast: status and distribution. Malimbus 6:

1-59.

Waltert, M., Yaokokore-Beibro, K.H., Mühlenberg, M. & Waitkuwait, W.E.

(1999) Preliminary check-list of the birds of the Bossematié area, Ivory Coast.

Malimbus 21: 93-109.

Received 13 February 2002 Hugo Rainey1 & Ian Sinclair2

'School of Biology, Bute Medical Building,

University of St Andrews, St Andrews KYI 6 9TS, U.K.

2P.O. Box 38770, Pinelands, 7430, Cape Town, South Africa

House Sparrow Passer domesticus colonises Guinea-Bissau

In early May 2001, we noticed some House Sparrows Passer domesticus in the old

Bissau harbour known as Pidjiguiti. On 23 May, we found a small population nesting

in harbour structures (two nests seen) and feeding within the harbour limits. We

estimated c. 10-20 House Sparrows living in the port, over an area of c. 6 ha. We

found no sparrows in Bissau city centre, which is right beside the harbour.

Unfortunately, we could not determine the subspecies of these birds.

To our knowledge, House Sparrow has never been recorded in Guinea-Bissau

(e.g. Frade & Bacelar 1955, Hazevoet 1996). It is likely that they have arrived very

recently, since we have been in the harbour and city centre many times in the last few

years without noticing any. House Sparrows have been present in Senegal and The

Gambia (north of Guinea-Bissau) from the 1970s and 1980s, respectively (Gore 1990,

Morel & Morel 1990, Barlow et al. 1997). The source of the new immigrants is

unknown, but the site suggests that they might have arrived by ship. In fact, according

to our observations, House Sparrows are still absent from coastal towns north (and

south) of Bissau (e.g. Cacheu, Sao Domingos) that should perhaps have been reached

first if the colonisers had come overland from Senegal.

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59

References

Barlow, C. Wacher,T. & Disley, T. (1997) A Field Guide to the Birds of The

Gambia and Senegal. Pica Press, Mountfield.

Frade, F. & Bacelar, A. (“1955”: publ. 1957) Catâiogo das aves da Guiné

Portuguesa. I - Passeres. An. Junta Invest. Ultramar 10: 1-195.

GORE, M.E.J. 1990. Birds of the Gambia. Checklist 3 (2nd ed.), British

Ornithologists’ Union, Tring.

Hazevoet, C.J. 1996. Birds observed in Guinea-Bissau, January 1986, with a review

of current ornithological knowledge of the country. Malimbus 18: 10-24.

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

Received 21 February 2002 Paulo Catry1 & Hamilton Monteiro

IUCN, Apartado 23, 1031 Bissau Codex, Guinea-Bissau

’Present address: Rua de Campolide 215, 4° dto, 1070 Lisboa, Portugal.

<paulo. catry @netc.pt>

Baillon’s Crake Porzana pusilla, new to The Gambia, with notes on seven

other species

Unless otherwise stated the records below refer to Kartung (13°12'N, 16°45'W) in the

south of The Gambia, in 2001. Previously known Gambian status, as given by Barlow

et al. (1999), is given in square brackets. All bird measurements are in mm.

Turnix sylvatica Little Button-Quail. One trapped on 16 Mar, having been seen for a

few days previously. After this, up to six were present for several days. [Infrequent

and local.]

Porzana pusilla Baillon’s Crake. At about 8h00 on 22 Feb, Stella Beavan and I were

walking around some pools, when she spotted a small crake. We watched it for more

than 2 h with binoculars and a telescope, down to <7 m, and concluded, using Barlow

et al. (1999), that it must be a Baillon’s Crake. It was feeding in a fairly extensive area

of sparse, grassy growth, up to 30 cm high, in shallow water on the edge of a bed of

Typha reeds. It walked around, making rapid pecks, occasionally with short, darting

runs, preferring the denser parts of the vegetation. It was small, dumpy and brown,

clearly striped and spotted, and smaller and with shorter legs than nearby Black

Crakes Amaurornis flavirostris . The forehead and top of the crown were chestnut

brown, the nape slightly paler forming a slight collar. The back was blackish, streaked

white, with the sides of the back chestnut brown with black streaks. Scapulars, wing-

coverts and primaries carried some white spotting. The sides of the face, chest and

flanks were plain slate grey, the belly and rear flanks boldly striped white and

blackish. The dark-centred remiges were broadly edged and tipped buff, emphasising

a V effect at the sides of the back. The tail projected a short way beyond the

60

Short Notes

Malimbus 25

primaries. The upper tail-coverts were rich huffish chestnut, without spots, and under

tail-coverts dark blackish, spotted white. The eye was clear red, the bill grey-greenish,

without red, and the legs greenish, with lower part of tarsus and feet pinkish.

On the evening of 13 Mar, two unidentified crakes were seen at the same place by

Jerry Lewis and Ron Clevely. The next day, good views of these and another crake

were obtained, and they were identified as two Baillon’s and one Little Crake P.

parva. One Baillon’s walked into one of the Ottenby walk-in traps that were set in the

late afternoon, and was photographed. Baker (1993) was not available at the time, but

subsequent reference indicated that the bird was probably a first-winter (mantle

feathers black with chocolate fringes and white flecking and edging) female (wing 89,

outer primary 12<wing tip, longest toe excluding nail 36, tail 46, weight 32.4 g).

These are the first records of Baillon’s Crake for The Gambia. It has previously

been recorded and trapped at Richard-Toll (Morel & Morel 1990) and Djoudj (Barlow

et al. 1999) in N Senegal.

Porzana parva Little Crake. One trapped and photographed on 14 Mar. It was

identified by: upperparts dark brown with paler streaks; underparts grey, extending

onto sides of face and forecrown, rear flanks and vent slightly darker, tipped and

barred white (grey-white effect rather than black-white of Baillon’s); remiges brown,

no white on outer primary; tertials black with paler brown edging; greater coverts

brown, medium coverts with blackish centres and broad, brown edging and tipping;

tail black with browner edging; eye dark red; bill pale green with red area at base; legs

and feet dull greenish; wing 105; outer primary 18<wing tip; bill to skull 19.5; tarsus

36.8; tail 53.2; weight 42.7 g. The grey underparts and tertial pattern (black with paler

brown edging) indicate that the bird was an adult male (Baker 1993). There are many

records in N Senegal (Morel & Morel 1990, Rodwell et al. 1996), but this is only the

second for The Gambia. [One, 1998 near Sapu.]

Indicator maculatus Spotted Honeyguide. One trapped on 27 Feb, along with a

Greater Honeyguide I. indicator , and photographed. [Sporadic sightings, all in

Western Division; a few Senegal records in Basse-Casamance and one in Niokola-

Koba (Morel & Morel 1990).]

Luscinia svecica Bluethroat. One first-year male ssp. cyanecula trapped on 2 Mar.

Previously trapped at Ginak, Nov 1995, Feb 1996, Feb 1997 and three between Nov

1999 and Feb 2000. Evidently more regular than previously thought, though in small

numbers. [Rare-uncommon winter visitor.]

Turdus pelios African Thrush. Large movement on 12-15 Mar: 15 trapped, as

compared with 1 1 caught during the remainder of 30 trapping days.

Phylloscopus trochilus Willow Warbler. None present in Oct 2000. The first

appeared 12 Mar; in the succeeding ten days 28 were trapped. [Most numerous Oct-

Nov and Mar-Apr.]

Spermophaga haematina Western Bluebill. One female trapped in open scrubland,

10 Nov, and retrapped four days later. [Uncommon: forest thickets.]

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61

References

Baker, K. (1993) Identification Guide to European Non-Passerines. British Trust for

Ornithology, Thetford.

Barlow, C., Wacher, T. & Disley, T. (1999) A Field Guide to Birds of The Gambia

and Senegal. Pica Press, Mountfield.

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

Rodwell, S. P., Sauvage, A., Rumsey, S.J.R. & Braünlich, A. (1996) An annotated

check-list of birds occurring at the Parc National des Oiseaux du Djoudj in

Senegal, 1984-1994. Malimbus 18: 74-1 11.

Received 10 April 2001 J.M.B. Kingt

Stonehaven, 1 6 Marsh Road,

Rode, Frome, Somerset BAI 1 6PE, U.K.

tSadly, Michael King died before this note could be published. An obituary was

published in Ringers Bull. 10(10): 84 (spring 2002). I thank Lincoln Fishpool and

Derek Toomer for their assistance in providing this information.

Ed.

Hartlaub’s Ducks Pteronetta hartlaubii feeding on elephant dung

Hartlaub’s Duck Pteronetta hartlaubii is a large forest duck that is common in the

rivers, streams and smaller lakes of central Africa. It is valuable to skin collectors (F.

Duckworth, pers. comm.) and is large-bodied enough to warrant being hunted for

food: it is classed as Near- threatened (BirdLife International 2000). Little is known of

its habits: a nest has never been found, although BaAka pygmies in Central Africa say

that it builds its nest on the ground on the edges of small streams in thick vegetation.

It is thought to feed mostly on insects and other animal material, although seeds have

also been reported (Brown et al. 1982). This note describes Hartlaub’s Ducks using

elephant dung as a food source.

The vegetation of the region where these observations were made is Guineo-

Congolian rainforest (White 1983). Small, often swampy, forest clearings are found

scattered throughout this forest, especially along river courses. They are characterised

by short herbaceous vegetation, usually dominated by Cyperaceae (e.g. Leonard

1951). In areas protected from poaching, many large mammals, including Forest

Elephant Loxodonta africana cyclotis, use these clearings to feed on the vegetation

and to ingest mineral-rich water and soil (Klaus et al. 1998, Houston et al. 2001). The

activities of elephants maintain a short sward and in some cases (“elephant-

dominated” clearings), create large areas of bare soil in the centre. Several of the

elephant-dominated clearings (locally known as bais) in two adjoining National Parks,

62

Short Notes

Malimbus 25

Nouabalé-Ndoki National Park (NNNP) and Dzanga-Ndoki National Park (DNNP), in

the Republic of Congo and the Central African Republic respectively, have been

monitored by conservation and research projects for periods of 18 months and twelve

years (Inkamba-Nkulu 2002, Turkalo & Fay 2001). A small forest lake near the

NNNP frequented by elephants has also been monitored for the last three years. The

monitoring in all cases is by observation from a hide at the edge of the clearing, and

data on all elephants and other large mammals visiting the clearings are recorded.

Hartlaub’s Ducks were commonly found in all of the monitored elephant-

dominated clearings at all times of year. Between five and 30 individuals could be

seen at any one time scattered across the whole clearing. In addition, up to six ducks

at a time were seen at the small forest lake, which was heavily used by elephants and

buffalo; the ducks were present > 70% of the time during an earlier study (Ruggiero &

Eves 1998). Hartlaub’s Ducks often perched in trees surrounding the clearings or in

the water, usually in pairs. When elephants arrived at a large bai, the number of ducks

visible on the ground tended to increase. They followed the elephants around, often

calling. The elephants occasionally reacted by chasing the ducks. When an elephant

produced dung the ducks immediately started to feed on it by pulling it apart and

ingesting items from it. The ducks would also feed on older dung but seemed to prefer

fresh dung.

In the forest clearings of the region, Hartlaub’s Duck will follow and even jump

up on animals such as Bongo Tragelaphus eurycerus and Forest Buffalo Syncerus

caffer nanus and remove ectoparasites (Ruggiero & Eves 1998). These authors also

observed Black Crakes Limnocorax flavirostra and African Jacanas Actophilornis

africana foraging in elephant dung in the region (Ruggiero & Eves 1 998) but did not

mention that Hartlaub’s Ducks did the same thing. Various mammal species have

been observed feeding on elephant dung in the region, including Agile Mangabeys

Cercocebus agilis, Sitatunga Tragelaphus spekeii, forest duikers Cephalophus spp.,

Red River Hogs Potamochoerus porcus, Civets Civetticticus civetta and squirrels

(Ekondzo & Gautier-Hion 1998, White 1995); these species were assumed to feed

mostly on seeds ingested but not fully digested by elephants.

Elephants produce 12-20 dung piles a day ( e.g . Tchamba 1992, Barnes 1996) and

each elephant may spend many hours at a given clearing. The clearings therefore

contain large quantities of elephant dung in various stages of decay. Elephant dung

typically contains undigested seeds and partially digested fruit fragments. Dung piles

are also attractive for many insects, which feed on and lay their eggs in the nutrient-

rich substrate. The dung piles are usually covered with flies and beetles, and harbour

various insect larvae. However, the ducks’ preference for fresh dung suggests that it is

seeds or fruit fragments that they are selecting rather than insects. The birds might

also benefit from clays ingested by the elephants, which could help in absorbing plant

toxins in their own diet (D. Houston pers. comm.). The presence of so many ducks at

one time in the clearings is clearly linked to the abundance of dung, which is, in turn,

linked to the number of elephant-hours at the clearing. Thus, in the areas of central

2003

Notes Courtes

63

Africa where these forest clearings occur, Hartlaub’s Duck may depend on another,

far more threatened, species, the Forest Elephant, for providing a rich and dependable

food source.

We thank the Congo Ministry of Forest Economy and the Dept of Wildlife and

Protected Areas, especially its director Mr. J.-P. Onday and Mr. B. Djoni, Conservator

of NNNP, for their support for the Park and for conservation in Congo. We thank Mr.

Bryan Curran (Director) and Mr. J. Mokoko-Ikonga (Asst. Director) of the Wildlife

Conservation Society Congo Protected Areas Programme. Thanks also to the

Ministère de Recherche Scientifique and the Ministère des Eaux, Forets, Chasses,

Pêche, de l’Environnement et du Tourisme, and the Dzanga-Sangha Project, Central

African Republic. WCS, US Fish and Wildlife Service, Central African Regional

Program for the Environment (CARPE), and Columbus Zoo all helped with funding.

Thanks to Lincoln Fishpool for help with references and for communication with the

outside world, and to David Houston for suggestions for the final version of this ms.

References

Barnes, R.F.W. (1996) Estimating forest elephant abundance by dung counts. Pp.

33^8 in Kangwana, K. (ed.) Studying Elephants. Tech. Handbook 7, African

Wildlife Foundation, Nairobi.

Birdlife International (2000) Threatened Birds of the World. Birdlife

International, Cambridge.

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

Academic Press, London.

Ekondzo, D. & Gautier-Hion, A. (1998) Elephant dung: a food source for the

crested mangabey Cercocebus galeritus. Afr. Primates 3: 41-42.

Houston, D.C., Gilardi, J.D., & Hall, A.J. (2001) Soil consumption by elephants

might help minimize toxic effects of plant secondary compounds in forest browse.

Mammal Rev. 3: 249-254.

Inkamba-Nkulu, C. (2002) Suivi des bais et identification de l’éléphant de foret

( Loxodonta africana cy clot is Matschie 1900) dans le Parc National de Nouabalé-

Ndoki. Rapport Annuel 2001-2002. Unpubl. rep. to WCS-Congo, Bomassa.

Klaus, G., Klaus-Hugi, C. & Schmid, B. (1998) Geophagy by large mammals at

natural licks in the rain forest of the Dzanga Natural Park, Central African

Republic. J. Trop. Ecol. 14: 829-839.

Leonard, J. (1951) Contribution a l’étude de la végétation des bains d’éléphants au

Congo Belge. Le Rhynchosporeto-Cyperetum longibracteato. Publ. Roy. Soc. Bot.

Bel g. 84: 13-27.

Ruggiero, R.G. & Eves, H.E. (1998) Bird-mammal associations in forest openings of

northern Congo (Brazzaville). Afr. J. Ecol. 36: 183-193.

Tchamba, M. (1992) Defecation by the African forest elephant Loxodonta africana

cyclotis in the Santchou Reserve, Cameroun. Mammalia 56: 155-158.

64

Short Notes

Malimbus 25

Turkalo, A. & Fay, J.M. (2001) Forest elephant behaviour and ecology:

observations from the Dzanga Saline. Pp. 207-213 in Weber, W., White, L.,

Vedder, A. & Naughton, L. (eds) Conservation and Ecology of the African

Rain Forest. Yale University Press, Ithaca.

White, F. (1983) The Vegetation of Africa. UNESCO, Paris.

White, L.J.T. (1995) Factors affecting the duration of elephant dung piles in rain

forest in the Lopé Reserve, Gabon. Afr. J. Ecol. 33: 142-150

Received 1 8 November 2002

Revised 3 February 2003

Andrea Turkalo , Clement Inkamba-Nkulu & Fiona Maisels ’

'Wildlife Conservation Society, BP 1053, Bangui, Central African Republic

Wildlife Conservation Society, Nouabalé-Ndoki Project, BP 14537, Brazzaville, Congo

Corresponding author: Institute of Cell, Animal and Population Biology,

Edinburgh University, U.K.; email <bomassa@uuplus.com>

2003

65

Reviews — Revues

Handbook of the Birds of the World, vol. 7, Jacamars to Woodpeckers, by J. del

Hoyo, A. Elliott & J. Sargatal (eds), 2002. Lynx, Barcelona. ISBN 84-87334-37-7,

hardback, €145. Available from Lynx Edicions, www.hbw.com.

The introductory essay in this latest excellent volume of HBW is on recently extinct

birds, by Errol Fuller. I found this chapter fascinating but, compared with the rest of

the book, it is rather poorly written and could have done with stricter copy-editing to

bring the style more into line (and up to the literary standard of) the rest of the book.

Aside from its verbosity, I found it tantalising in reviewing the subject rather

superficially — with a more concise style, more information could have been

included in the same space.

There the real criticism ends! This is the last of the non-passerine volumes in the

series and, as a bonus, included with this volume comes a plastic laminated,

illustrated group index card, indicating in which volume each non-passerine bird

group falls. At last, the species descriptions have a voice section, rather than, as in

previous volumes, leaving the family introduction sections to deal with voice.

However, two minor irritations remain: the family sections are still not clearly

referenced, and the maps have too few reference points. It would be helpful if maps

were to show country boundaries, especially to help determine the geographical limits

of closely related species, which appear on different maps: it is currently almost

impossible to determine whether such species are allopatric, parapatric or in part

sympatric.

There is also a good discussion of taxonomic problems for most groups,

especially woodpeckers, whose taxonomic section reads as an excellent guide to

potential research projects! Woodpeckers make up almost half of this volume, while

the chapter on honeyguides is very short, reflecting lack of knowledge as much as

lack of species. Barbets are classed as a single family separate from the toucans,

although the authors admit that toucans are derived from, and form a sister group to,

the Neotropical barbets, with this clade being the sister-group of old world barbets.

However, the fact that the latter are probably not a monophyletic group leads the

authors back, for simplicity and practicality, to treating all barbets as one family and

the morphologically different and uniform toucans as another. One practical

advantage of this is that it makes the family sections less repetitive than would have

been the case with multiple barbet families.

As usual, the family sections are illustrated with high quality photographs,

although it becomes evident that, in the present volume, many of the species are so

poorly known that photography manages to illustrate a relatively small proportion

compared with, for instance, volume 6 (see Malimhus 24: 44-45). The family sections

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Reviews

Malimbus 25

are generally well written and uniform in style, with a relatively small number of

authors having contributed to this volume.

The plates are mostly up to the usual high standard of HBW, although the colours

are occasionally rather washed out, e.g. Plate 7, where the Green Barbet Stactolaema

olivacea is not green enough and the Yellow-throated Tinker Pogoniulus s.

subsulphureus is depicted with just a trace of cream on the throat and supercilium

instead of the intense yellow it shows in life. It is sometimes a little difficult to assign

the birds on a plate to the correct species, as usually only one reference number is

given for each species: where there are many subspecies, these can sometimes appear

closer to the wrong species’ number. Either the numbers need to be better placed or

the subspecies better grouped, or dividing lines added.

Anyway, these are comparatively minor points, and as has become usual in

reviews of HBW, I end by congratulating once again the authors, photographers,

artists and editors on a wonderful achievement.

Alan Tye

Field Guide to the Birds of East Africa, by T. Stevenson & J. Fanshawe, 2002. 602

pp. including 570 col. plates, many maps. T. & A.D. Poyser, London. ISBN 0-85661-

079-8, hardback, £29.95.

Two important African regional guides have appeared so far this year. One, Birds of

Western Africa (by Borrow & Demey, Christopher Helm, London), was reviewed in

the last issue of Malimbus (24: 45-47). This, the other, might at first sight appear out

of the geographical area of interest of this journal but, in addition to Uganda, Kenya

and Tanzania, the book also includes Rwanda and Burundi, which we include in our

Society’s range. It also includes a surprisingly high proportion of what are normally

considered strictly W African birds, owing to the fact that many of the latter extend

just into E Africa in Uganda, especially in the Semliki Valley.

There are many differences between the two books mentioned. The price of the

present work is 55% that of Borrow & Demey and, with 25% fewer pages than

Borrow & Demey’ s 832, and a smaller, typical field-guide page size, this book

weighs about half the W African guide, despite the fact that it includes 1388 species,

80% of all the birds that occur in sub-Saharan Africa, and over 100 species more than

Borrow & Demey. It will thus be much more handy for field use. The high-quality

glossy paper is similar in both books, and space and weight have here been saved in

several other ways. First, the introductory sections are reduced to a minimum (14

pages). Second not all subspecies are described and relatively few are illustrated;

instead, the text (and to a lesser extent the plates) discusses all races considered

“important or distinctive”. This is probably acceptable for a field guide, since full

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taxonomie treatment can be found in other works. Third, the species texts focus on

field identification, with no detailed plumage descriptions, although there are short

sections on “habits” (including habitat, range, status and breeding) and voice. A

further difference is that this book follows the now-standard and convenient field

guide style of text opposite plate, with mostly 3-5 species per page.

There is a distinct Kenya bias, reflecting the experience of the authors as well as

data availability. But sometimes this is more serious, for instance where a restricted-

range Kenyan race is depicted rather than a more widespread Tanzanian one.

I was surprised by the variable and often poor quality of the type. Some pages are

very poor indeed, with the type so shadowed as to make one feel as if seeing double. I

hope this is a fault restricted to the copy reviewed, and luckily it appears to affect

only the type and not the plates. A small irritation is that Family names are not

included on the text or plate pages. The English names used are sometimes those in

commonest use (e.g. “spurfowl” is maintained for three species of Francolinus) —

but sometimes pedantic and over-standardized (e.g. lapwing for all Vane l lus — who

really uses “Blacksmith Lapwing”?). Unfortunately, the American style of

unnecessary hyphenation is adopted (e.g. Green-Pigeon).

Despite the fact that three artists (Brian Small, John Gale, Norman Arlott)

contribute to the plates, the style is quite uniform, and in the main very clear and

useful, although there seems to have been some trouble depicting iridescence (e.g.

pigeons and cuckoos) and occasionally proportions (e.g. green pigeons Tver on). Lines

are sometimes used to divide species where necessary on a crowded plate but they

could have been used more; in a few cases, such as swallows and helmet-shrikes, it

can be quite confusing trying to work out which bird goes with which name. The text-

plus-plate is usually adequate for identification, with a very few exceptions where one

is left baffled as to distinctions (e.g. white-eyes Zoster ops ).

Each species has a small map accompanying its text, usually quite generalized

and with little attempt made to show detailed distribution; for that, one is referred to

country atlases, already published for Kenya and Uganda. This is unfortunate for

some species, especially montane endemics, which are shown with much broader

ranges than they really have. Individual Eastern Arc blocks are sometimes forgotten

(e.g. Usambara Weaver Ploceus nicolli is not shown in the Udzungwas). Perhaps the

oddest manifestation of this is under Loveridge’s Sunbird Cinnyris loveridgei, where

the text claims that “race” moreaui is probably a hybrid between loveridgei and

Eastern Double-collared Sunbird C. mediocris, but then the areas where moreaui

occurs (as acknowledged in the text) are not mapped as part of the range of either

mediocris or loveridgei. Perhaps another indication of Kenya bias is that Zanzibar and

Pemba islands are missed off almost all of the range maps, and are hardly ever

mentioned in the species texts.

However, many of the above are minor criticisms in that they affect relatively few

species, and the authors and editor have produced a generally excellent book, more

comprehensive than competitors, permitting it to occupy a niche in the relatively

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Reviews

Malimbus 25

crowded East African field guide community. The shortcomings mentioned could

perhaps be put right in a second edition, but the saddest news is that the monstrous

Elsevier has swallowed up Academic Press and its bird imprint Poyser, and has

decided to suppress the latter and no longer publish bird books. Since some of the

best bird guides and monographs to appear in recent years have come out under this

imprint, this loss is serious. Poyser’s high standards, as maintained in this book, are

and will be hard to match.

Alan Tye

Important Bird Areas in Africa and Associated Islands, ed. by L.D.C. Fishpool &

M.I. Evans, 2001. 1 144 + xvi pp. Birdlife International, Cambridge. ISBN 1-874357-

20-X, hardback, £55.

There are 1228 IB As in Africa and its islands (including the central and S Atlantic,

and W and S Indian Ocean) that are presented in this book, of which only 343 (28%)

fall within the 40% of Africa defined by WAOS’s area of coverage. The density of

IBAs is higher in E Africa, Ethiopia and Madagascar, with very few in the Sahara,

Sahel and especially in the Congo basin, regions that make up about half of WAOS’s

area of coverage. Whether this represents a true situation or lack of knowledge is not

clear. I would guess that for the Sahara and Sahel it is indeed a true picture, but that

other parts of W Africa are under-represented due to lack of information.

The Introduction to the book starts with a question: why bother with birds? The

answer, referring to the “intricate linkages between all components of the Earth we

live in” sums up Birdlife’s conservation philosophy, that conserving birds helps lead

to a sustainable future for all life on earth: birds are conspicuous and well-known

indicators of biodiversity. The main objective of this book is to identify the most

important sites for bird conservation, using a standard methodology, as a tool for

planning and management. The methods for site selection are outlined, with criteria

including: holds significant numbers of a threatened species; is a significant part of an

Endemic Bird Area (as defined by A.J. Stattersfield et al. 1998. Endemic Bird Areas

of The World. Birdlife, Cambridge); contains a significant component of a group of

species more or less confined to the biome of the site; supports 1% of a biogeographic

population of a congregatory waterbird or of the global population of a congregatory

seabird or a terrestrial species; supports 20,000 waterbirds or 10,000 pairs of

seabirds. The major biomes in W Africa are Sahara, Sahel, Sudan-Guinea savanna,

Guinea-Congo forests and Afrotropical highlands. Photographs of some of these are

included.

The remainder of the Introduction explains how to use the book and presents pan-

African summaries. Almost half of all African IBAs are unprotected by law and many

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are poorly known, and a series of recommendations is given for survey, monitoring,

policy and planning, management, awareness raising and institutional strengthening.

Most of the book comprises country chapters, each of which consists of an

introduction covering landforms, vegetation, endemic and threatened species (not just

birds), ornithological importance, conservation infrastructure, and an inventory of

IBAs. For each IBA there is a site description, bird list, threatened and endemic non-

birds, conservation issues and references. Finally come dense appendices covering,

among other things, all of Africa’s bird species and the IBA criteria that they could

potentially fulfil, and lists of species that actually do fulfil certain criteria.

A few points might be improved in a revised edition. The country maps have

IBAs indicated by dots, rather than an outline of their shape. In some cases it would

not be possible to give a true outline, but in many it would, and this would help to

give a better idea of site size and position. It is not always clear how the less well-

defined sites were selected, especially in fairly uniform areas such as the Sahara and

Sahel. Numbers of IBAs per country or per land area vary markedly between

countries, to some degree reflecting biological diversity but also suggesting that the

criteria were not fully standardised between countries/contributors. Similarly, the

introductory sections to the country accounts vary greatly in degree of detail: contrast

the eight pages for St Helena, Ascension & Tristan with the 2.5 pages for the more

diverse Sao Tomé e Principe. Thus the chapters seem to reflect the knowledge, care

and interest of the different contributors. I noticed few factual errors, but some of the

maps are poor. One of the worst is Tanzania, where many dots are in the wrong place,

including mainland sites indicated on the islands of Zanzibar and Pemba, and vice

versa.

This is an excellent reference book: a source of facts and (especially) figures. It is

not easy reading, although the country introductions are often fascinating. Few

individuals will want to buy it, but it is an indispensable tool for conservation

planning, so anyone involved in conservation (not just of birds) in Africa should

ensure they have access to the chapters for their countries of interest.

Alan Tye

Birds of Western & Central Africa, illustrated checklist, par Ber van Perlo, 2002.

Collins, London. ISBN 000-2201186, paperback, £19.99.

Insistons d’emblée sur le titre “Illustrated Checklist”, car il ne s’agit pas d’un guide

conventionnel mais plutôt d’un aide-mémoire illustré. L’un des soucis constants de

l’auteur était de rester dans les limites d’un livre de poche. Le format est de 19 x 12

cm, c’est-à-dire celui du Serle & Morel (1977) ou encore du célèbre Peterson, chose

remarquable si l’on tient compte de l’énorme superficie couverte (Ouest et Centre

70

Reviews

Malimbus 25

africains ainsi que le Rép. Dém. du Congo, les îles du Cap-Vert et celles du Golfe de

Guinée) et du nombre d’espèces traitées, soit environ 1500 illustrées par 109

planches. On a donc là un ensemble cohérent pour un guide de terrain, texte et

illustrations que l’on peut saisir d’un seul coup d’œil, sans avoir à feuilleter.

Une courte introduction comprend quelques données sur les climats en rapport

avec la position du soleil, une carte de la végétation et quelques symboles et

abréviations. Les deux premiers tiers de l’ouvrage sont consacrés à la description des

espèces et aux planches, toutes en couleurs, malheureusement sans référence

d’aucune sorte à la systématique. Le reste est occupé par les cartes, donc séparées du

texte, par un appendice (noms français et portugais), un index des noms scientifiques

et anglais ainsi qu’une courte bibliographie.

Dans la partie descriptive, la page de gauche comporte pour chaque espèce une

courte description du plumage (environ 2-3 lignes mais sans mention des plumages

saisonniers), de l’habitat, des émissions vocales et du statut (résident ou migrateur).

Le nom est donné en anglais puis en latin. Les noms français et portugais

n’apparaissent que dans l’annexe. Cette décision est regrettable pour les francophones

qui, rappelons-le, sont à peu près aussi nombreux que les anglophones et ne manquera

pas de les gêner. Les noms français auraient pu en effet être donnés en petits

caractères comme dans le Borrow & Demey (2001; voir Malimbus 24: 45-47), ce qui

aurait facilité l’usage de l’ouvrage. Quand le nom utilisé diffère de celui utilisé par

Serle & Morel (1977), ce dernier est rappelé entre parenthèses.

La page de droite est consacrée à l’illustration. Dans l’ensemble, les planches sont

moins décevantes, moins figées que celles du Borrow et Demey (2001) et les couleurs

mieux rendues. Si nous prenons les bulbuls Pycnonotidae, nous préférons sans

hésitation ceux de Van Perlo à ceux de Borrow & Demey. Les premiers ont plus de

caractère, de vie, de “jizz” comme disent nos collègues anglophones. Quant aux

couleurs, les Lamprotornis sont hélas pour la plupart verts; pour les tourterelles du

genre Streptopelia, groupe notoirement délicat, seul le dessin de la queue étalée en

vol montre les différences. Le fond des planches est d’un blanc cassé uniforme, ce qui

diminue inévitablement les contrastes; ainsi, toutes les espèces à ventre clair

ressortent mal. Nous avons regretté l’absence de mention du plumage d’éclipse, pour

les tisserins par exemple; de même, nous déplorons que le nom des familles

n’apparaisse pas en haut de chaque planche. Disons aussi que les descriptions

succinctes et le format très réduit des illustrations rendent assez difficiles certaines

identifications.

Les cartes de distribution, compte tenu de leur taille (celle d’un timbre-poste) et

des inévitables lacunes, nous ont paru trop réduites, d’une interprétation difficile. Le

choix des couleurs (gris avec différentes nuances) ne nous a pas semblé très heureux.

Certaines données concernant la distribution ou la systématique sont ainsi ignorées. Il

n’a pas toujours été tenu compte des races. Un certain nombre d’espèces qui se

reproduisent dans le Paléarctique sous leur forme nominale, débordent sur le Sahel

soit comme sous-espèce soit sous la même forme. Exemple: la Poule d’eau Gallinula

2003

Revues

71

chloropus au sud du Sahara est présente sous sa forme nominale et non

meridionalis. Également, le Moineau domestique Passer domesîicus, récemment

introduit en Afrique de l’Ouest sous sa forme indiens, pourtant bien différenciée, est

dépeint sous sa forme nominale.

La description des vocalisations est très inégale parfois inexistante. L’auteur

renvoie seulement dans sa bibliographie aux disques de Chappuis (2000). Il est

regrettable que pour chaque espèce le numéro correspondant du disque ne soit pas

cité. Quant à la bibliographie, elle est incomplète et l’on se demande si l’auteur a eu

connaissance de certaines listes: par exemple, celles de Lamarche (1980-1, 1988),

Morel & Morel (1990) et de Thiollay (1985) ne sont pas citées.

Sans les rechercher vraiment, nous avons constaté quelques fautes d’orthographe.

Par exemple, p. 9, Serle & Morel devient “Serle & Merle”; d’autres existent ici et là

et peuvent rendre la lecture difficile. La reliure paraît bonne et les différents cahiers

sont cousus. Les caractères sont petits, ressortent mal et feront souffrir les porteurs de

lunettes. C’était, semble-t-il, le prix à payer pour avoir un guide transportable.

En dépit de ces critiques, et bien qu’il ne nous paraisse pas toujours bien adapté

aux débutants, nous conseillons aux voyageurs ou aux résidents des régions couvertes

par cet aide-mémoire de l’emporter dans leurs bagages — il pèse 600 g — ne lui

demandons donc pas trop. Nous conseillerons surtout aux voyageurs d’emporter à la

fois le Van Perlo et le Borrow & Demey: le premier, plus léger, suivrait partout et le

second resterait sous la tente ou dans la voiture.

Bibliographie

Borrow, N. & Demey, R. (2001) Birds of Western Africa. Helm, London.

Chappuis, C. (2000) Oiseaux d’Afrique. Société d’Études Ornithologiques de France,

Paris

Lamarche, B. (1988) Liste Commentée des Oiseaux de Mauritanie. Études sahar.

ouest-afr. 1(4): 1-162.

Lamarche, B. (1980-1) Liste commentée des oiseaux du Mali. Malimhus 2: 1 2 1—

153; 3: 73-102.

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

Serle, W. & Morel, G. J. (1977) A Field Guide to the Birds of West Africa. Collins,

London.

Thiollay J.-M. (1985) The Birds of Ivory Coast. Malimbus 7: 1-59.

Gérard Morel & Marie- Yvonne Morel

72

Malimbus 25

Society Notices — Informations de la Société

The new W.A.O.S. web site

At last the Society has a web site: http://malimbus.free.fr/. The need for a site was

recognised some time ago, but we have only now managed to solve the problems of

who, where and how to set it up. Thanks to the kind assistance of Julien Guyonnet,

the site now exists. At present it is in a somewhat rudimentary state, but we hope to

continue adding new information and pages. So far, the bilingual site gives a little

background to the Society, how to subscribe, guidelines for W.A.O.S. Research

Grants (also printed below in this issue), and information on Mal imbus. There, one

can find an expanded version of the Instructions for Authors of submissions to the

journal and the contents of recent issues.

Comments on the site are welcome and should be sent to the President. We

especially welcome offers to add links to our site on the pages of other relevant

organisations.

Le nouveau site web de la S.O.O.A.

Enfin la Société a un site web: http://malimbus.free.fr. Le besoin d’un site avait été

reconnu depuis quelque temps déjà, mais ce n’est que maintenant que nous avons

réussi à résoudre les questions de qui s’en chargerait, comment et où. l’installer. Grâce

à l’aide bienveillante de Julien Guyonnet, le site existe désormais. Il est pour le

moment dans un état un peu rudimentaire, mais nous espérons y ajouter de nouvelles

informations et quelques pages. Jusqu’ici le site (qui est bilingue) donne un peu

d’histoire sur la Société, comment y adhérer, des instructions sur les Bourses de

Recherches de S.O.O.A. (également imprimées plus bas dans ce numéro), et des

renseignements sur Malimbus. C’est là que se trouvent les instructions aux auteurs

plus détaillées pour les soumissions à la revue et le contenu des numéros récents.

Les commentaires sur le site seront les bienvenus et doivent être adressés au

Président. Nous apprécierions spécialement les propositions d’établir des liens avec

notre site sur les pages d’autres organisations équivalentes.

W.A.O.S. Research Grants

It seems to be time for a reminder that the Society offers research grants in support of

West African ornithology.

Conditions for W.A.O.S. Research Grants are given below, although these may be

changed by Council at any time. For the purposes of these awards, West Africa is

2003

Informations de la Société

73

defined as comprising the following countries: Cape Verde, Sao Tomé e Principe,

Mauritania, Mali, Niger, Chad, C.A.R, Senegal, The Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, Guinea,

Sierra Leone, Liberia, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Togo, Benin, Nigeria, Cameroon,

Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Congo (Brazzaville), Dem. Rep. of Congo (Kinshasa),

Cabinda region of Angola, Rwanda, Burundi.

1. Not more than £1000 will be disbursed from the fund in any one calendar year and

no single grant will exceed £500. Grants may be made as a single sum or in

instalments as Council deems fit.

2. Applications will only be considered from students at West African universities,

qualified West African scientists and West African amateur ornithologists; preference

will be given to students, and especially to postgraduate degree research.

3. The subject of the research must be primarily ornithological and the research must

take place within West Africa.

4. Applications may be submitted at any time, to the Secretary to Council, Zoological

Gardens, Chester CH2 1LH, U.K.; email <r.wilkinson@chesterzoo.co.uk>.

5. Applications must be submitted by email or in duplicate, in either English or

French, and must include the following sections, of which sections a-d combined

should not exceed four typed A4 pages:

a. aim of the research;

b. scientific justification for the research;

c. relevant background of related studies;

d. detailed account of methods to be employed; location and biotope of study

site(s); timing and duration of study;

e. detailed list of equipment and projected expenditure, indicating precisely for

which items funding is requested from W.A.O.S.;

f. statement of finding which may already have been promised or granted by

other bodies;

g. statement of other funding bodies to which application has been made;

h. statement that any permits required for the research (e.g. ringing licences,

permits to work within the proposed study area etc.) have been acquired or applied for

(note that grants will not be disbursed until proof is supplied that such permits have

been acquired);

i. full curricula vitae of all participating investigators, including evidence of

nationality and list of previous scientific publications (selected reprints may be sent as

supporting documents);

j. degree for which the research may be registered and institution at which it will

be carried out;

k. name, address and qualifications of supervisor(s); preferably include

supporting letters from supervisor(s); for professionals, similar details should be

provided from Head of Department; for amateurs, reference of competence from an

established ornithologist or professional scientist.

74

Society Notices

Malimbus 25

1. names and addresses of two additional academic referees (other than

supervisors).

It must be emphasised that applications cannot be considered unless all the above

material is supplied.

6. Applicants must give an undertaking to provide brief (c. one page) reports at six-

monthly intervals from the date the award is made. Grant recipients must also provide

a final report on completion of the project or of the part of it for which W.A.O.S.

funding was made, in a form suitable for publication in Malimbus. Applicants will be

encouraged to submit their full research results for publication in Malimbus and

editorial assistance may be made available to grant recipients to this end.

7. Applications will be considered by Council and may be sent for scientific comment

to any other authority it considers appropriate. Council’s decision regarding which

projects to award and the amount of any grant to be made is final.

W.A.O.S. Council

Bourses de Recherches de la S.O.O.A.

Le moment semble venu de rappeler que la Société offre des bourses de recherche

pour aider l’ornithologie ouest-africaine.

Les conditions à remplir pour des Bourses de Recherches de la S.O.O.A. sont

données ci-dessous, bien qu’elles puissent être modifiées à tout moment par le

Conseil. En ce qui concerne ces bourses, l’Afrique de l’Ouest est définie par les pays

suivants: les Iles du Cap-Vert, Sâo Tomé, et l’Ile du Prince, Mauritanie, Mali, Niger,

Tchad, R.C.A., Sénégal, Gambie, Guinée-Bissau, Guinée, Sierra Leone, Libéria, Côte

d’ivoire, Ghana, Togo, Bénin, Nigéria, Cameroun, Guinée Equatoriale, Gabon,

Congo (Brazzaville) , Rép. Dem. du Congo (Kinshasa), région de Cabinda en Angola,

Rwanda et Burundi.

1. Il ne sera pas débours, plus de £1000 par année civile et aucune bourse n’excédera

£500. Les dotations pourront être versées en une fois ou par tranches selon la décision

du Conseil.

2. Seules seront examinées les candidatures des étudiants d’universités ouest-

africaines, de scientifiques qualifiés et d’ornithologues amateurs de l’Ouest africain;

la préférence ira aux étudiants et particulièrement à ceux préparant une thèse.

3. Le sujet de la recherche doit être d’abord l’ornithologie et se déroulera en Afrique

de l’Ouest.

4. Les candidatures peuvent être remises à n’importe quelle date à: The Secretary to

Council, Zoological Gardens, Chester CH2 1LH, U.K.; email <r. wilkinson@chesterzoo.co.uk>.

5. Les candidatures doivent être remises par courrier électronique ou en double

exemplaire, soit en anglais soit en français, et comprendre les rubriques suivantes,

dont abcd n’ excéderont pas un total de quatre pages A4 dactylographiées.

2003

Informations de la Société

75

a. but de la recherche;

b. justification scientifique de cette recherche;

c. état des connaissances relatives au sujet;

d. description détaillée des techniques à utiliser; lieu(x) et biotope(s) du ou des

site(s) de l’étude; calendrier et durée;

e. liste détaillée du matériel et des dépenses envisagées, en précisant pour quel

poste le financement de la S.O.O.A. est sollicité;

f. désignation des fonds qui pourraient être déjà promis ou accordées par d’autres

organismes;

g. désignation des autres organismes de financement auxquels des demandes

auraient été faites;

h. indiquer que toutes autorisations de recherches (p. ex. permis de baguage,

permis de travailler sur le site d’étude envisagé etc.) ont été obtenues ou sollicitées

(noter que les bourses ne seront vers, es qu’ après obtention de la preuve de ces

autorisations);

i. curriculum vitae complet de tous ceux qui participent à cette recherche, y

compris document de nationalité et liste des publications scientifiques (un choix de

tirés à part pourra étayer le dossier);

j. diplôme pour lequel cette recherche peut être enregistrée et laboratoire où elle

se déroulera;

k. nom, adresse et qualifications du ou des directeur(s); si possible, avec une lettre

de recommandation de ces directeurs; pour les professionels, ces détails devront être

fournis par le responsable du département; pour- les amateurs, attestation de

compétence par un ornithologue qualifié ou un professionnel;

l. noms et adresses de deux autres autorités académiques (en sus des directeurs).

Nous insistons sur le fait que les candidatures ne seront examinés qu’ après réception

de tous les documents cités ci-dessus.

6. Les candidats s’engageront à fournir un bref rapport (c. une page) tous les six mois

à partir de l’obtention des fonds. Ils devront aussi fournir à la clôture du projet (ou

d’une de ses phases), financé par la S.O.O.A., un rapport final qui convienne à la

publication dans Malimbus . Il est recommandé aux boursiers de la S.O.O.A. de

soumettre la totalité de leurs résultats de recherches à Malimbus et la Rédaction

pourra les aider à cet effet.

7. Les candidatures seront examinées par le Conseil et pourront être soumises à toute

autre personnalité jugée compétente. Les décisions du Conseil sur le choix des projets

à financer ou sur le montant des bourses seront sans appel.

Conseil de la S.O.O.A.

76

Society Notices

Malimbus 25

West African Ornithological Society

Revenue Account for the year ended 31 December 2002

Income 2001

Subscriptions and donations £2340 £2573

Sales of back numbers 234 574

Interest 46 88

£2620 £2231

Expenditure

Printing and publication £1603 £1880

Postage 450 485

Council expenses 166

2219 2365

Surplus for year 401 870

£2620 £2221

Balance Sheet as at 31 December 2002

Assets

Bank and building society balances £8387 7961

8387 7961

Liabilities

Creditors 1200 1000

Subscriptions in advance 210 385

1410 1385

£6027 £6176

Accumulated funds

Balance at 1 January £6576 £5706

Surplus for year 401 870

£6977 £6126

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 critically scrutinised by at least one other ornithologist or biologist before

submission. 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. Submission by email (attached file) is

preferred. For submissions on paper, two copies are required, typed on one side of the paper,

with double spacing and wide margins. Consult the editor for further details, e.g. acceptable

software.

Conventions regarding format of tabular material, numbers, metric units, references, etc.

should match recent issues. Note particularly: 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 and

coordinates in the form 7°46'N, 16°4'E (no leading zeros); 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 may be in tabular form (e.g. Malimbus 12:

39-51, 1: 22-28, or 1: 49-54) or in 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 Borrow & Demey (2002, Birds of Western

Africa, Christopher Helm, London), or 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, 2000, Keith et al. 1992, Academie Press,

London), unless reasons for departure from these authorities are stated. A more complete guide

for authors of avifaunal papers, including the preferred abundance scale, appeared in Malimbus

17: 35-39. A copy may be obtained from the Editor, who will be happy to advise on the

presentation of specific studies.

Figures should be prepared as for final reproduction, allowing for 20-50% reduction.

Figures prepared in an appropriate graphics package and saved at high resolution are preferred.

Low-resolution files and poor-quality printouts will not be accepted. Printers other than laser

printers rarely produce acceptable quality. Figures on paper should use indian ink on good

quality white paper or heavy tracing, and adhesive transfer lettering as appropriate. When

designing Figures, pay attention to the page-shape of Malimbus. Consult the Editor for advice.

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.

MALIMBUS 25(1) March 2003

Contents — Table des Matières

Editorial 1-3

An updated overview of the birds of W National Park, southwest Niger.

T. Crisler, C. Jameson & J. Brouwer 4-30

First recordings of vocalisations of Yellow-footed Honeyguide

Melignomon eisentrauti and confirmed records in Ivory Coast.

H. Rainey, N. Borrow, R. Demey & L.D.C. Fishpool 31-38

Seasonal waterbird and raptor fluctuations on the Niger and

Mékrou Rivers in Niger.

J. Ambagis, J. Brouwer & C. Jameson 39-51

Short Notes — Notes Courtes

Two new raptors for Nigeria and other raptor observations

at Lake Chad. W. Velmala & R. Gustafsson 52-55

On the plumages of Senegal Coucal Centropus senegalensis and a

putative observation of Black-throated Coucal C. leucogaster

in Niger. O. Lachenaud 55-56

First nests of Long-tailed Hawk Urotriorchis macrourus found

in Ivory Coast. H. Rainey & I. Sinclair 56-58

House Sparrow Passer domesticus colonises Guinea-Bissau.

P. Catry & H. Monteiro 58-59

Baillon’s Crake Porzana pusilla, new to The Gambia,

with notes on seven other species. J.M.B. King 59-61

Hartlaub’s Ducks Pteronetta hartlaubii feeding on elephant dung.

A. Turkalo, C. Inkamba-Nkulu & F. Maisels 61-64

Reviews — Revues 65-71

Society Notices — Informations de la Société

72-76

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MALIMBUS

West African Ornithological Society

Société d’ Ornithologie de l’Ouest Africain

Membership List, 1 October 2003

West African Ornithological Society

Société d’Omithologie de l’Ouest Africain

Membership List, 1 October 2003

Would members please check their entries and notify any mistakes or changes to the

Treasurer and Membership Secretary, R.E. Sharland, 1 Fisher’s Heron, East Mills,

Fordingbridge, Hants. SP6 2JR, U.K..

Members are invited to send their email addresses, which will, on request, be

included in future editions of this list.

Country names in square brackets indicate country of residence and do not form

part of the postal address.

1. Ordinary Members

(by surname in alphabetical order)

Adjakpa, B.J., BP 03 1323, Cotonou, Republic of Benin

Alexander-Marrack, P.D., Almatademaweg 94, Heerenveen, 8442 JZ, The Netherlands

Ambagis, J. (Ms), 32 May Str., Worcester, MA 01610, U.S.A.

Anciaux, M., rue de Busson 28c, 5580 Buissonville, Belgium

Ashford, R.W., Dept of Parasitology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine,

Liverpool L3 5QA, U.K.

Bakyono, E., BP 4697, Ouagadougou Cl, Burkina Faso

Balança, G., Le Travers, 34570 Vailhauques, France

Balchin, C.S., 24 Juniper Close, Towcester, Northants. NN12 7XP, U.K.

Bara, T., 255 rue St Jacques, 75005 Paris, France

Barker, J.C., 89 Firs Drive, Hedge End, Southampton, Hampshire SO30 4QQ, U.K.

Barlow, C, Atlantic Hotel, PO Box 296, Banjul, The Gambia

Barnes, Miss G.P., BP 111, Ferkessédougou, Ivory Coast

Beaman, M., Two Jays, Kemple End, Birdy Brow, Stonyhurst, Lancashire BB6 9QY, U.K.

Beecroft, R., 2 Fen Cottage, Greeting St Mary, Ipswich IP6 8QE, U.K.

Beibro, Y.K.H., Dépt Zoologie, Université d’Abidjan, 22 BP 582, Abidjan, Ivory Coast

B Elman, P. J., 2 School Passage, Southall, London UB1 2DR, U.K.

Bennun, L., c/o BirdLife International, Wellbrook Court, Girton Road, Cambridge

CB3 0NA, U.K.

Bijlmakers, P., Postbus 20061, 2500 EB Den Haag, Netherlands

>

2

Blackwell, K., 41 Chamwood Avenue, Northampton, U.K.

Blasdale, P., Springfield, Seed Howe, Staveley, Kendal, Cumbria LÂ8 9PP, U.K.

Bqedts, B., c/o B.A.D., O.C.D.W. 4, BPV 316, Abidjan 01, Ivory Coast

Bojang, S.D., c/o Bakary Bojang, President’s Office, State House, Banjul, The

Gambia

Borrow, N., Flat 5, 63/7 St George’s Drive, Plimlico, London SW IV 4DD, U.K.

Bowden, C.G.R., c/o KSPB, The Lodge, Sandy, Beds. SG19 2DL, U.K.

Boyi, MG., Hadcjia Ngura Wetland Project [Nigeria], RSPB, The Lodge, Sandy,

Beds SGI 9 2DL, U.K.

Brady, I., U.S. Peace Corps, PO Box 582, Banjul, The Gambia

Bright, E., Badeggi Rice Research Project, PMB 8, Bid a,. Nigeria

Broadbridge, M.H., 23 A Westfield Road, Barton-on-Humber, Humberside DM18

5AA, U.K.

Brouwer, I., Wildekamp 32, 672 ID Bennehom, The Netherlands

Browne, P.W.P., 115 Crichton Street, Ottawa, Ontario KIM 1V8, Canada

Bruce-Lockhakt, Mrs F., 31 Church Farm Lane, Halesworth, Suffolk IP 18 6UP, U.K.

Buckingham, D., West End, Stoke Road, Westbuiy-sub-Mendip Wells, Somerset

BA5 I HD, U.K.

Bulens, I., Rue du Centre, Bouden as, 47170 Mezin, France

Cardy, P . 14 Dodds Road, Attleborough, Norfolk NR17 2HH. U.K.

Carter, C., PO Box 296, Simonstown 7995, South Africa

Catterall, M., 94 Alkincoats Road, Colne, Lancashire, U.K.

Cayol, F., Apt 37 ! 1 me Pauly, 75014 Paris, France

Chappuis, Dr C., Les Chardonnerets, 10 Vallon du Fer à Cheval, 76530 La Bouille,

France

Cheke, Dr R. A., NRI, Central Avenue, Chatham, Kent ME4 4TB, U.K.

Christy, P. (1), BP 2240, Libreville, Gabon

Christy, P. (2), 1 rue de Promenade, 79500 Melle, France

Claffey, P.M., 8 Teignmouth Road, London NW2 4HN, U.K.

Cochrane, J.M., Chaconia, Balmoral Wynd, Stewarton, Ayrshire KA3 5JL, U.K.

Collins, I.D., Bryher, 10 Row Lane, Seend Cleeve, Melksham SN12 6PR, U.K.

Cook, A.W., 6 Hazel Avenue, Thame, Oxon, OX9 2AW, U.K.

Couquillat, LM., L 'Arbec, Planchez 58320, Montsauche-Les-Settons, France

Coulter, Dr M., PO Box 480, Chocorua, New Hampshire 03817, U.S.A.

Daramani, D., Ghana Wildlife Society, PO Box 13252, Accra, Ghana

Davies, J., 21 Regent Terrace, Edinburgh EH7 5BT, U.K,

Davies, M.G., Summerleas, Crapstone Road, Yelverton, Devon PL20 6BT, U.K.

DeBont, M.,-Albertschweitzeriaan 10, 6525 Nijmegen, Netherlands

Degauquier, R., 298 me Jean Jaurès, 59920 Quièvreehain, France

Demey, R., van der Heimstraat 52, 2582 SB Den Haag, The Netherlands

3

Dodman, T., Hundland, Papa Westray, Orkney KW17 2BU, U.K.

Dowsett, R., 12 Rue des Lavandes, 34190 Ganges, France

Dyer, Dr ML, Hillside, Foxhole Lane, Gorran Haven, Cornwall CL26 6JP, U.K.

Eccles, S.D., 8904 Narem Place, Annandale, Virginia 22003, U.S.A.

Elliot, Sir C.C.H., Bt, Ph.D., FAO/UNDP Crop Protection Project, PO Box 30470,

Nairobi, Kenya

Elliott, A., Sardenya 476 Ent 30, 08025 Barcelona, Spain

Ezealor, Dr A., Dept of Biological Sciences, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria

Fanshawe, Dr L, Birdlife International, Wellbrook Court, Girton Road, Cambridge

CB3 0NA, U.K.

Farnsworth, S.J., Hammerkop, Frogmill, Hurley, Maidenhead SL6 5NL, U.K.

Faucher, L, Prince Arthur House, Mary Tavy, Tavistock, Devon PL 19 9QB, U.K.

Field, G.D., 37 Milton Grove, New Milton, Hampshire BH25 6HB, U.K.

Fishpool, Dr L.D.C., 12 Mountain Street, Chilham, Canterbury, Kent CT4 8DQ, U.K.

Florentz, J.L., 18 rue Belle Feuille, 92100 Boulogne, France

Fotso, R.C., Labo de Zoologie Faculté des Science, BP 812, Yaoundé, Cameroon

Fry, Dr C.H., Bridge End House, Kentmere, Staveley, Cumbria LA8 9JP, U.K.

Gallner, J.Q., St Pierre de Beaujeu, 04420 La Javie, France

Gardiner, S., Ashfoden House, Rodmell, Lewes BN7 3HE, U.K.

Gartshore, M.E., RR1 Walsingham, Ontario N0E 1X0, Canada

Gatter, Dr W., Buchstrasse 20, D-73252, Ober Lenningen, Germany

Germain, Dr M., 44 rue Cluseret, 92150 Suresnes, France

Gething, C, Turnpike Lodge, Cromer Road, Heveringham, Norwich NR 10 5 AD, U.K.

Giraudoux, P., 10 Impasse de Montoille, F-25870, Auxon-Dessous, France

Gore, M.E.J., CBE, 5 St Mary’s Close, Fetcham, Surrey KT22 9HE, U.K.

Goudesque, V., 61 rue de Paris, BAT8F, 95130 Franconville, Garenne, France

Graham, A.M., Gull’s Reach, 1 1 Armada Drive, Teignmouth TQ14 9NF, U.K.

Grant, A.C., Inverquharity Castle, Kirriemuir, Angus, Scotland, U.K.

Gray, H., 2173 Shoshone Avenue, Chico, California 95926, U.S.A.

Green, A. A., 78 Reynold’s Road, Shelburne Falls, MA 01370, U.S.A.

Griffin, D., 51a Palace Road East, East Molesey, Surrey KT8 9DN, U.K.

Grosso, E., 18 rue de l’Abondance, F 95800 Cergy-St.-Christophe, France

Grünewald, Dr L, Inst, of Tropical Medicine, WilhelmstraBe 27, 72074 Tübingen,

Germany

Guedon, G., 33 rue des Bourons, F-85100 Les Sables d’Olonne, France

Guillou, J.J., 35 me des Iris, 44700 Omault, France

Guitard, J.J., Quartier Dandarelet, 83460 Les Arcs / Argens, France

Gullick, T., c/o Mrs M. Parker, 5 Tile Bam Close, Famborough, Hampshire, U.K.

4

Cunningham, Dr FJ., 220 Russet Avenue, Lynden, WÀ 98264, U.S.A.

Hall, P., N.C.F., A.G. Leventis Ltd, WA House, Hangar Lane, Baling, London W5

3QR, IJ. K.

Hamblett, Mrs, 30 Elgin Road, Talbot Woods, Bournemouth BH4 9MN, U.K.

Hamdke, C., Flankenschanze 1 1, 13585, Berlin, Germany

Hardwick, J.H., Cardenal Cienfuegos 10/35, 33007 Oviedo, Spain

Harvey, M.S., 23 Birchfield Lane, Mil barton, Norwich NR14 8BZ, ILK.

Hawke, C., The Lodge, Sandy, Beds., U.K.

Heaton, A., 19 Rydal Gardens, Ashby de la Zouche, Leicestershire LE65 1FJ, U.K.

Heigham, J.B., 5 Chapel Close, Bratton Westbury, Wiltshire BA13 4RA, U K.

Helsens, T., 32 bis rae Richard Lenoir, 35000 Rennes, France

Higgleton, P., 17 Kinlett Close, Highwoods, Colchester C04 4UE, ILK.

Hjort, Dr C, Hessle Munkarp, S 24391 Hoor, Sweden

Hopkins, M., TCNN, PO Box 64, Bukuru, Plateau State, Nigeria

Hossqn, O., 18a Rue de Manner, 18280, Kehlen, Luxembourg

Howe, S., Alma House, Torphins-by-Banchory, Aberdeen ÀB3 4SR, U.K.

John, A.W.G., Brock Cottage, Sampford Spinney, Yelverton PL20 7QX, U.K.

Jones, Dr P.J., Dept of Forestry & Natural Resources, King’s Buildings, Edinburgh

EH9 3JT, U.K.

Jones, Ms R.M., 51 Lee Terrace, Blackheath, London SE3 9TA, U.K.

Kelly, Rev. M,, Sonkwala, PO Box 170, Obudu, Cross River State, Nigeria

Kennedy, E., c/o Korap Project, PO Box 2417, Douala, Cameroon

Kizuhgu, B., c/o Ntabaza Nwendanga, Petit Séminaire Notre Dame Mugeri, BP 02,

Cyangugu, Rwanda

Kreulen, D.A., Muitatulilaan 58, 9752 GG Haren, The Netherlands

Kuhn, LL, Paulschneiderstrasse 6, D99423, Weimar, Germany

Lachenaud, C., Délégation CIRAD, 01 BP 8483, Abidjan, Ivory Coast

Lamarche, B., 36 rae de Général Wilson, F7823Û, Le Peck, France

Lang, J.R., Merrywood, 76 New Forest Drive, Brockenhurst S042 7QW, U.K.

Lapios, J.M., La Grange, 27 rae de FAbravoir, 78570 Chantaloup des Vignes, France

Le Gal, P.Y., 74 allée des Peupliers, 34980 St Gely du Fesc, France

Leventis, A. P., 19 Ilchester Place, London W14 8AA, U.K.

Lieron, V., 28 rae Fardel, 2200 St. Brieuc, France

Lgesser, J., Progrès 1119, CH 2300 La Chemin de Fonds, Switzerland

Longley, P., Lt-Col., British High Commission, BMATT (WA), Accra, Ghana, Box

002, BFPO 747, Ghana

Macaulay, Mrs L., 7 Hill Road, Greenwich CT 06830, U.S.A.

Mackenzie, J., 32 Enstone Road, Middle Barton, Chipping Norton 0X7 7AP, U.K.

Manire, K., Peace Corps, BR 3194, Lomé, Togo

Manners, G., 1 Lawn’s Close, Melboum, Royston, Herts. SG8 6DR, U.K.

Manvell, A., 22 Cheston Avenue, Shirley, Croydon CRO 8DA, U.K.

Marches ani, D., 233 boulevard Jean Jaurès, 92100 Boulogne, France

Martins, R., 6 Connaught Road, Norwich NR2 3BP, U.K.

Masterton, A.N.B., PO Box 2093, Harare, Zimbabwe

Mikkola, Dr H.J., FAO, PMB 10, Banjul, The Gambia

Mikoko, I.J., BP 2522, Brazzaville, Congo

Mills, T.R., Cruglas Swyddffynnon, Ystrad Meurig, Ceredigion SY25 6AN, U.K.

Moore, A.M., 1 Uppingham Road, Oakham, Rutland LE 15 6JB, U.K.

Morel, Dr G.J., 1 route de Sallenelles, 14860 Bréville-les-Monts, France

<gmorel@normandnet.fr>

Morel, Dr M.-Y., 1 route de Sallenelles, 14860 Bréville-les-Monts, France

Mundy, P., PO Box FM 424, Famona, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe

Nap, J., Henry Dunantstraat 7, 8264 AB Kampen, The Netherlands

Naurois, Abbé R. de, 2 allée des Daims, 91800 Brunoy, France

Ndao, B., c/o Moustapha Sow, Baïdy Leona, Kaolack, Senegal

N’diaye, I., PNOD, BP 80, Saint Louis, Senegal

Neuenschwander, Dr P., IATA, BP 080932, Cotonou, Bénin Republic

Ntiamoa-Baidu, Dr Y., Ghana Wildlife Society, PO Box 13252, Accra, Ghana

Nuoh, A., Ghana Wildlife Society, PO Box 13252, Accra, Ghana

Nyame, S., Ghana Wildlife Society, PO Box 13252, Accra, Ghana

Pardon, Mrs D., 325 Balwyn Road, Balwyn N., 3104 Victoria, Australia

Park, P. O., 45 Hills Road, Cambridge CB2 1NZ, U.K.

Payne, Dr R. B., Museum of Zoology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan

48104, U.S. A.

Pearson, D.J., Browses, Sibton, Saxmundham, Suffolk IP 17 2JH, U.K.

Penhallurick, Dr J., Div. of Communication & Education, University of Canberra,

A.C.T.2601, Australia

Pilcher, E.J., 2 White Court, Kings Ride, Alfriston, East Sussex BN26 5XP, U.K.

Porter, Dr D., 60 Stanley Road, Hillmorton, Rugby CV21 3UE, U.K.

Quantrill, W., Tor House, 36 Newtown, Bradford-on- Avon, Wiltshire BA 15 INF, U.K.

Rainey, H., Biology School, Bute Medical Building, St Andrew’s University, Fife

KY16 9TS, U.K.

Randall, G., 33 Park Crescent, Twickenham TW2 6NS, U.K.

Redman, N., 37 Soho Square, London W1D 3QZ, U.K.

Riley, A., POB 100558, Scotsville 3209, South Africa

6

Robert, V., Institut Pasteur de Madagascar, BP 1274, Antananarivo, 101, Madagascar

Robertson, L, Sumburgh Hotel, Virkie, Shetland ZE3 9JN, U.K.

Robin, N., BP 65, Mata Uku, 98600 Uvea, Wallis & Fortuna, Oceania

Roux, F., La Riverolle, 3 rue de Chandelais, 49390 Mouliheme, France

Rumsey, S., Elms Farm, Pett Lane, Icklesham, Wincheslea, E Sussex TN36 4AH, U.K.

Sala, A.H., 10 Cité Verte, BP 185, Yaoundé, Cameroon

Salewski, V., Prinz-Rupprechtstr 34, 93053 Regensburg, Germany

Schifter, H., Schautagasse 62, 1100 Wien, Austria

Scholte, P.T., Nieuwe Teentuinen 12c, 1013 LV Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Shalders, M.B., Churchgate, 6/8 Church Street, Exning, Newmarket CB8 7EH, U.K.

Sharland, R.E., 1 Fishers Heron, East Mills, Fordingbridge, Hants SP6 2JR, U.K.

Short, Dr L., PMB, Nanyuki, Kenya

Skilleter, M., 12 Westcliffe Road, Roker, Sunderland, U.K.

Skinner, Dr N.J., 60 Gunton Drive, Lowestoft, Suffolk NR32 4QB, U.K.

Smalley, Dr M.E., International Livestock Centre for Africa, PO Box 5689, Addis

Ababa, Ethiopia

Smith, V.W., 1 Karrakatta Road, Goode Beach, Albany, Western Australia 6330,

Australia

Spierenberg, P., Hoomeslaan 233, 2221 CP Catwijk, The Netherlands

Stevenson, T., POB 1051, Nakuru, Kenya

Stone, N.H.F., 64 Trinity Road, Old Wolverton, Milton Keynes MK12 5PB, U.K.

Stuart, Dr S.N., 5466 30th St NW, Washington, DC 20015, U.S.A.

Sueur, F., 9 rue de Champneuf, Le Bout des Crocs, 80120 St Quentin-en-Tormont,

France

Tamungang, A.S., Dschang University, BP 285, Dschang, West Province, Cameroon

Taylor, P.B., Zoology Dept., University of Natal, PB X01, Scotsville 3209, South

Africa

Thiede, Dr W., An der Ronne 184, 50859 Kôln 40, Germany

Thiollay, Dr J.-M., Labo d’Ecologie ENS, 46 rue d’Ulm, 75230 Paris Cedex 5, France

Thompson, H., BirdLife International, Africa Division, PO Box 30772, 00506 Nyayo

Stadium, Nairobi, Kenya

Todd, A.J., 46a Box Lane, Boxmoor, Herts HP3 0DT, U.K.

Turner, D.A., PO Box 48019, Nairobi, Kenya

Tye, Dr A., Charles Darwin Research Station, Casilla 17-01-3891, Quito, Ecuador

<atye@fcdarwin.org.ec>

Urban, E.K., Dept of Biology, Augusta College, Augusta, Georgia 30910, U.S.A.

Van Biers, M., E. Permekelaan 23, 9830 St Martens-Latem, Belgium

7

Van Gastel, Dr A.J.G., Head of Seed Unit, International Center for Agricultural

Research in Dry Areas (ICARDA), PO Box 5466, Aleppo, Syria

Vivies, Y.M. de, Avenue de la République, F77380 Combs la Ville, France

Wacher, Dr T., 3 School Lane, West Horsley, Surrey KT24 6BQ, U.K.

Wagner, Mrs I., 12 North View, Wimbledon Common, London SW19 4UJ, U.K,

Wall, J.W,, 19 Tisdale Road, Scarsdale Road, New York, NY 10563-5613, U.S.À.

Wallace, J.P., 50 Cherry bum Gardens, Fenham, Newcastle-upon-Tyne NE4 9UQ, U.K,

Walsh, J.F., 80 Arundel Road, Lytham St Annes, Lancs., U.K,

Waltert, Dr M., Zcritrurn fill* Naturschutz der Univ. Gottingen, Fachb. Biologie,

Von Siebold S trafic 2, 37075 Gottingen, Germany

Warr, Mrs F.E., 6 Mansion Drive, Tring, Herts HP23 5BE, U.K.

Waters, Prof W.E., Orchards, Broxmore Park, Sherfield English, Romsey

8051 6FT, U.K,

Wilkinson, Dr R., North of England Zoological Society, Zoological Gardens,

Cheshire CH2 1LH, U.K. <r. wilkinson@chesterzoo.co.uk>

Wilson, R.T., Bartbridge House, Umberleigh, North Devon EX37 9AS, U.K.

Woodbridge, K„, Twinsness, North Ronaldsay, Orkney KW17 2BE, U.K.

Woodcock, M., Furlongs, Blakeney Long Lane, Wiveton, Norfolk NR25 7DD, U.K.

Zeibots, Dr W„, Honeysuckle Cottage, Bickton, SP6 2HA, U.K.

2. Corporate Members

(arranged in alphabetical order of continent, then country)

Africa

Cameroon Biodiversity Conservation Society (CBCS), c/o WCS, B.P. 3055, Messa,

Yaoundé, Cameroon

Bibliothécaire, Faculté des Sciences, Université de Yaoundé, Cameroon

T. King, Projet Protection des Gorilles, BP 13977, Brazzaville, Republic of Congo

N.C.R.C., PO' Box 925, Kasheshie, Accra, Ghana

Bibliothécaire, Faculté des Sciences Lab Zoologie, Université d’Abidjan, Abidjan,

Ivory Coast

Librarian, NatureKenya, National Museums of Kenya, PO Box 40658, Nairobi,

Kenya

Librarian, Kashim Ibrahim Library, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria

Nigerian IBA Project, Biology Dept, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria

Bibliothécaire, Direction des Parcs Nationaux du Sénégal, B.P. 5135, Dakar, Sénégal

Bibliothécaire, Station d’ Ornithologie, BP 1386, Dakar, Sénégal

Bibliothécaire, Faculté des Sciences, Université de Dakar, Dakar, Sénégal

8

Librarian, Durban Natural History Museum, PO Box 4085, Durban 4000, Sooth Africa

Librarian, Nasionale Museum, 9300 Bloemfontein, South Africa

OFSOS, PO Box 6614, 9300 Bloemfontein, South Africa

Percy Fitzpatrick Institute for Ornithology, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch

7700, South Africa

BirdLife Zimbabwe, PO Box RV100, Runiville, Harare, Zimbabwe

Librarian, National Museum, PO Box 240, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe

Europe

Le Gerfaut, IRSNB, 31 me Vautier, 1040 Bruxelles, Belgium

Bibliothécaire, Dépt d’ Ornithologie, Musée Royal de F Afrique Centrale, 1980

Tervuren, Belgium

D.A.F.I.F., L. Hansel, Vesterbrogade 140, 1620 Copenhagen, Denmark

Zoological Museum Library, Universitetsparkee 15, 2100 Kpbenhavn 0, Denmark

Charante, Impasse Lautrette, 16000 Àngouîeme, France

Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle, Bibliothèque, 55 rue de Buffon, 75005 Paris,

France

Office National de la Chasse, CNER Avifaune Migratrice Station, 85340 I F Ile

d’Olonne, France

Bibliothécaire, Station Biologique de la Tour du Valat, Fondation Sansouire Le

Sambuc, F- 13200 Arles, France

Institut für Vogelforschung, Vogelwarte Helgoland, 26386 Wilhelmshaven, Rustereil,

Germany

Museum Koenig, The Library, Âdenauerallee 160, D-53113 Bonn, Germany

(Dr J. Wittenburg), Omithologische Schriftenschau, Maienstrafie 13, D-38118

Braunschweig, Germany

Senckenbergische Bibliotek, Zietschriftenabteilung/DFG, BockeeheimerlandstraBe

134/8, 60325 Frankfurt/Main, Germany

Vogelwarte Radolfzell, (Dr G. Zink), 7761 Schloss Moggingen, Germany

Giovanni Leonard!, Editore, Advances in Raptor Studies, Via Santangelo Fulci 28,

95127 Catania, Italy

The Librarian, Institute Nazionale per la Fauna Selvatiea, 40064 Ozzana Emilia BO,

Italy

The Librarian, National Natuurhistorisch Museum Naturalis, Bibliotheek Naturalis,

Postbus 9517, 2300 RA Leiden, The Netherlands

The Ring, (Prof L. Tomialojc), Natural History Museum, Siendiewicza 21, 50335

Wroclaw, Poland

Museum and Institute of Zoology, Polish Academy of Science, Librairy, Wilcza Street

64, 00-679 Warszawa, Poland

Birds of the World, Lynx Editions, Montseny 8, 08193 Barcelona, Spain

The Library of Ecology, Lund University, Ekologiska Bibliotek, Solvegataan 37,

S223.62 Lund, Sweden

9

Bibliothèque, Museum d’ Histoire Naturelle, Case Postale 434, 1211 Geneva 6,

Switzerland

Library, Swiss Ornithological Institute, 6204 Sempach, Switzerland

African Bird Club, The Secretary, c/o Bud Lite International, Well brook Court, Girton

Road, Cambridge CB3 ONA, U.K.

Agent for Libraries, Oxford/Cambridge/Scotland A.T. Smail, 100 Euston Street,

London NW1 2HA, U.K.

British Library Acquisitions Unit (SR 15), British Library, Boston Spa, Wetherby

LS23 7BQ, U.K.

British Museum — Acquisitions Section, Dept Library Service, Natural History

Museum, Cromwell Rd, London SW7 5BD, U.K.

English Nature, Information and Library Services, Great Britain Headquarters,

Morthminster House, Peterborough PEI 1UA, U.K.

Librarian, Dept of Zoology, Edward Grey Institute, South Parks Road, Oxford 0X1

3PS, U.K.

Librarian, Hadejia-Nguru Wetland Project [Nigeria], RSPB, The Lodge, Sandy, Beds

SG19 2DL, U.K.

Mrs I. Thome, Editorial Editor, BIOS IS U.K., Garforth House, 54 Micklegate, York

YOÎ ILF, U.K.

RSPB, The Lodge, Sandy, Beds SGI 9 2DL, U.K.

The Librarian, BirdLife International, Wellbrook Court, Girton Road, Cambridge CB3

ONA, U.K.

The Librarian, British Tmst for Ornithology, The Nunnery, Nunnery Place, Thetford,

Norfolk IP24 2PU, U.K.

North America

Librarian, Royal Ontario Museum, University of Toronto, 100 Queens Park, Toronto

5, Canada

Albert R. Mann Library, Ithaca, New York 14850, U.S.A.

Biology Department., University of Wisconsin, 430 Lincoln Drive Madison,

Wisconsin 5376, U.S.A.

Conservation International Ghana Programme, 1015 18th Street NW, Suite 1000,

Washington, DC 20036, U.S.A.

COS Exchange, 439 Calle San Pablo, Camarillo, CA 93012-8506, U.S.A.

Smithsonian Instn. Libraries, NHB25 MRC154, PO Box 37012, Washington, DC

20036-7012, U.S.A.

Librarian, Museum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA

02138, U.S.A.

Librarian, ÂMNH, Central Park West at 79th Street, New York, NY 10024, U.S.A.

Librarian, International Crane Foundation, El 1376 Shady Lane Road, PG Box 447,

Baraboo, Wisconsin 53913-0447, U.S.A.

10

Library — Order Division, FMMH, Roosevelt Road and Lakeshore Drive, Chicago,

Illinois 60605, U.S.A.

Ornithology Library, Peabody Museum of Natural History, Yale University, Box

6666, New Haven, Connecticut 06511, U.S.A.

Publication Processing Department, X ISI, 3501 Market Street, PA 19104, U.S.A.

San Diego Zoo Library, PO Box 551, San Diego, California, U.S.A.

Wilson Ornithological Society, Museum of Zoology, University of Michigan, Ann

Arbor, Michigan 48 1 04, U.S.A.

11

MALIMBUS

Ql-

(p-f (

Journal of West African Ornithology

Revue d’Ornithologie de l'Ouest Africain

H 2.51

5ï (5_D

VOLUME 25 Number 2 November 2003

ISSN 0331-3689

published by: West African Ornithological Society

publiée par: Société d’Ornithologie de l’Ouest Africain

West African Ornithological Society

Société d’Ornithologie de l’Ouest Africain

Conseil:

Président: Dr Gérard J. Morel

Vice-Président: Prof. C. Hilary Fry

Trésorier et chargé des abonnements: Robert E. Sharland

Rédacteur en Chef: Dr Alan Tye

Secrétaire du Conseil: Dr Roger Wilkinson

Secrétaire adjoint: Dr Hazell S. S. Thompson

Membre du Conseil: Nils Robin

Comité de Rédaction: Dr R. A. Cheke, Dr N.B. Davies, R. Demey, RJ. Dowsett, Dr F.

Dowsett-Lemaire, A.A. Green, Dr L.D.C. Fishpool, Prof. C.H. Fry, Dr P.J. Jones, Dr I.

MacDonald, Dr G.J. Morel, Dr P. Scholte, Dr R. Wilkinson

Web site: http://malimbus.free.fr/

La correspondance doit être adressée comme suit:

— au Rédacteur en Chef (Dr A. Tye, CDRS, Casilla 17-01-3891, Quito, Ecuador;

email <atye@fcdarwin.org.ec>) pour les publications dans Malimbus ,

— au Trésorier (1 Fisher’s Heron, East Mills, Fordingbridge, Hampshire, SP6 2JR,

U.K.) pour les abonnements, les questions financières et les numéros anciens;

— au Secrétaire du Conseil (Zoological Gardens, Chester CH2 1LH, U.K.; email

<r.wilkinson@chesterzoo.co.uk>) pour les demandes des Bourses de Recherches;

— au Secrétaire adjoint (BirdLife, Wellbrook Court, Girton Road, Cambridge

CB3 ONH, U. K.; email <hazell.thompson@birdlife.or.ke>) pour la présence aux

réunions ou des suggestions pour celles-ci.

— au Président (1 Route de Sallenelles, 14860 Bréville-les-Monts, France; e-mail

gmorel@normandnet.fr) pour les questions d’intérêt général.

La Société tire son origine de la “Nigerian Ornithologists’ Society”, fondée en 1964.

Son but est de promouvoir l’intérêt scientifique pour les oiseaux de l’Ouest africain et

de faire avancer l’ornithologie de ces régions principalement au moyen de sa revue

Malimbus (anciennement Bulletin of the Nigerian Ornithologists' Society).

Les demandes d’adhésion sont les bienvenues. Les cotisations annuelles sont de £10

pour les Membres Ordinaires et de £25 pour les Sociétés (les cotisations peuvent être

payées en £ sterling au Trésorier ou en francs français au Président). Les Membres

Ordinaires reçoivent Malimbus par courrier ordinaire et les Sociétés par courrier

aérien, gratuitement. Un supplément est exigé des Membres Ordinaires pour le

courrier aérien (demander au Trésorier le tarif).

Anciens Numéros: Les Volumes 11-14 (1975-78) du Bulletin of the Nigerian

Ornithologists’ Society (du même format que Malimbus) sont disponibles à £ 2 par

numéro (£4 par volume) ou £15 l’ensemble. Les Volumes 1-9 de Malimbus sont

disponibles à £3 par numéro (£6 par volume) et, à partir du Vol. 10, à £5 par numéro

(£10 par volume). On peut acheter la série complète des Vols 1-25 de Malimbus au

prix spécial de £180. Frais de port et emballage sont gratuits. Veuillez joindre le

paiement à votre commande et l’adresser au Trésorier.

Bourses de Recherches de la S.O.O.A.: Les conditions à remplir pour les

candidatures se trouvent dans Malimbus 25: 72-75 et peuvent être obtenues auprès du

Secrétaire du Conseil (voir adresse ci-dessus).

2003

77

Ecologie du Francolin à double éperon Francolinus

bicalcaratus dans le sud-est du Bénin

par J. T. C. Codjia1, M.R.M. Ékué1 & G. A. Mensah2

'Faculté des Sciences Agronomiques, Univ. d’Abomey-Calavi, 01 BP 526 Cotonou,

Bénin; e-mail: ccodjia@avu.org, ekuemr@yahoo.fr

Inst. National des Recherches Agricoles du Bénin, 01 BP 2359, Cotonou, Bénin;

e-mail: ga_mensah@yahoo.com

Reçu 5 février 2002; revu 14 mars 2003.

Résumé

Dans une zone d’abondance et de chasse au sud-est du Bénin, l’habitat des

Francolins communs est constitué par des champs de cultures à proximité

desquels se situent des bandes de jachères ou de terres en friches. Un

recouvrement moyen de la végétation de 51-90 %, une hauteur de la strate

herbacée et arbustive de 1-2.7 m, un sol sec avec un degré d’encombrement

de 5-40 % et une gamme de température entre 28 et 31.7°C sont favorables

pour ces oiseaux. Les nids ont été retrouvés dans les champs, les jachères et

sur un terrain de football non entretenu. Dix nids ont été découverts en 46

jours dont cinq en petite saison sèche et cinq en petite saison des pluies. Les

nids ont une profondeur de 2.6 ± 0.4 cm, et un diamètre interne de 10.8 ±1.1

cm. La ponte est de 3.7 ± 0.7 œufs. La longueur du grand axe, du petit axe et

le poids des œufs sont respectivement de 41.4 ± 0.37 mm, 33.0 ±0.18 mm et

19.4 ±0.89 g.

Summary

Ecology of the Double-spurred Francolin Francolinus bicalcaratus in SE

Benin. In an area where it is quite common but often hunted, in SE Benin, the

Double-spurred Francolin Francolinus bicalcaratus occupies fields near strip

fallow. Mean vegetation cover was 51-90 %, while herbaceous and shrub

stratum height was 1-2.7 m. Soils were dry with an average litter cover of 5-

40 % and mean soil temperature 28-31.7°C. Nests were found in fields,

fallows and on a disused football field. Ten nests were found in 46 days, five

in the short dry season and five in the short rainy season. The nests were 2.6 ±

0.4 cm deep, with internal diameter 10.8 ±1.1 cm. Clutch size was 3.7 ± 0.7

eggs. Length of long and short axes and weight of the eggs were 41.4 ± 0.37

mm, 33.0 ±0.18 mm and 19.4 ± 0.89 g respectively.

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J.T.C. Codjia, M.R.M. Ékué & G.A. Mensah

Malimbus 25

Introduction

Le Francolin à double éperon Francolinus bicalcaratus est un galliforme terrestre

endémique en Afrique de l’Ouest où il est assez abondant. Son aire de répartition

s’étend entre 5° et 18°N, du Sénégal au Tchad et Cameroun (Urban et al. 1986,

Pomeroy & Abe 1992). F. bicalcaratus affectionne les zones de savane, mais il

possède une grande amplitude écologique. On le rencontre dans les champs de

cultures, les jachères, les friches, les plantations et même les forêts claires. Il se

rencontre du niveau de la mer jusqu’à 1500 m (Bannerman 1953, Bouet 1955,

Thiollay 1971, Akande 1979, Aliou 1986, Urban et al. 1986, Idassa 1987, Ékué

2000) . Bien qu’étant le principal oiseau gibier en Afrique de l’Ouest et

✓

particulièrement au Bénin (Ekué et al. 2002), peu de recherches ont été faites sur son

écologie (p. ex. Akande 1979, Aliou 1986, Idassa 1987, Agbelusi 1995, Ékué 2000,

2001) . Or la connaissance de l’habitat, de la répartition, de l’écologie, de

l’alimentation et de la dynamique des populations sont des données indispensables à

une gestion rationnelle de cette ressource faunique.

La présente étude vise à connaître les principaux facteurs de l’habitat et des sites

de nidification, à décrire les nids et enfin à faire l’étude biométrique des œufs.

Milieu d’étude

L’étude a été conduite dans le département du Plateau situé au sud-est du Bénin, et

plus précisément dans les sous préfectures d’Ifangni et de Sakété, entre 7°20' et

7°65'S, et 4°50' et 4°80AV. C’est une zone d’abondance des Francolins très

fréquentée par les chasseurs qui en ont fait une zone cynégétique principalement pour

la capture de cette espèce. Le climat est de type subéquatorial à deux saisons des

pluies et deux saisons sèches. L’étude a été menée de juillet à novembre 1999 et

couvre la petite saison des pluies et la petite saison sèche. Pendant cette période, la

pluviométrie enregistrée a été de 719 mm.

Au cours de la décennie 1988-98, la pluviométrie moyenne annuelle a été de

1 148 mm, la température moyenne annuelle entre 25 et 30 °C et l’insolation moyenne

annuelle de 1952 heures. Le paysage végétal est une mosaïque de champs de cultures

et de terres en jachère ou en friche. Le réseau hydrographique est peu développé et

constitué de quelques petits cours d’eau qui convergent vers les marécages.

Méthodes

Caractéristiques de l’habitat et des sites de nidification

La structure de l’habitat a été étudiée dans 45 sites. Ceux sont des sites de capture

retenus sur la base d’indices fiables de présence des francolins: cris des oiseaux tapis

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Ecologie du Franco! in à double éperon

79

dans l’herbe, envol, empreintes des doigts au sol, fientes, pouillages et plumes,

dommages causés aux cultures. Les francolins ont été capturés à l’aide de filet selon la

/

technique décrite par Ekué et al. (2002) après obtention d’une autorisation de capture

scientifique. Les francolins au nid n’ont pas été capturés. C’est une espèce

potentiellement exploitable en élevage de gibier pour la consommation et les

spécimens capturés sont gardés en volière pour des expériences de domestication.

Un site échantillonné couvre une superficie de 2500 m2 (50 x 50 m) et les

variables mesurées sur chaque site sont:

Le type de formation végétale ou de culture sur le site.

La composition spécifique: l’ensemble des espèces végétales cultivées et

adventices rencontrées sur un site a été recensé ainsi que leur état de développement.

Le degré de recouvrement de la végétation, apprécié visuellement et réparti en

cinq classes: 0-30 %, 31-50 %, 51-70 %, 71-90 %, > 90 %.

La hauteur de la strate herbacée et arbustive, mesurée à l’aide d’une perche gra-

duée et s’échelonne comme suit: < 1 m, 1-1 .5 m, 1.5-2 m, 2-2.5 m, 2.5-3 m, > 3 m.

Le degré d’encombrement du sol ou la litière, estimé dans un rayon de 10 m du

nid et exprimé en pourcentage.

La température régnant à l’intérieur du couvert végétal au moment de la capture,

relevée au sol à l’aide d’un thermomètre de terrain.

La présence de points d’eau, recherchés dans un rayon maximum de 300 m de

l’emplacement des filets sur un site donné.

La présence des nids, recherchés par une fouille systématique, du 10 août au 12

septembre (petite saison sèche) et du 3 1 octobre au 7 novembre (petite saison des pluies).

Les variables prises en compte dans la description des sites de nidification sont la

hauteur de la strate herbacée, le recouvrement de la végétation, la litière, la distance

par rapport aux habitations humaines, la distance par rapport aux champs et la

distance par rapport à la route. Les distances ont été mesurées à l’aide d’un décamètre.

Caractéristiques des nids

Les dimensions et le contenu des nids ont été mesurées. Un nid est considéré comme

abandonné lorsque, surveillé entre 8h00 et 18h00 pendant trois jours après sa

découverte, on n’aperçoit aucun occupant. Un œuf est considéré comme éclos lorsque

la coquille est brisée en deux et vidée de son contenu. Les deux parties sont

facilement identifiables et leur mise en commun permet de reconstituer l’œuf. L’œuf

est considéré comme cassé lorsqu’il y a des brisures sur la coquille et que tout ou une

partie du contenu de l’œuf est dans la coquille brisée ou déversée au sol et facilement

identifiable.

Caractéristiques biométriques des œufs

La longueur du grand axe et celle du petit axe ont été prises sur 3 1 œufs (collectés de

différents pontes au cours de nos travaux) avec un pied à coulisse de précision 0. 1 mm.

La masse en a été mesurée au moyen d’une balance électronique de précision 0.1 g.

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J.T.C. Codjia, M.R.M. Ékué & G. A. Mensah

Malimbus 25

Résultats

Caractéristiques de l’habitat

Type de végétation et de cultures. Un seul type de végétation caractérise l’ensemble

des zones prospectées. C’est une mosaïque de cultures et de jachères ou friches. Les

pieds de palmiers à huile Elaeis guineensis sont largement répandus dans toutes les

zones visitées. Les cultures fréquemment rencontrées sur les sites sont le maïs Zea

mays, le manioc Manihot esculenta, le niébé Vigna unguiculata, l’arachide Avachis

hypogea, la patate douce Ipomoea batatas et la tomate Solarium ly coper sicum. Dans

80 % des 45 sites prospectés, le maïs est en association avec le manioc. Presque tous

les plants de manioc sont déjà tubérisés. Le maïs a dépassé la phase de maturation des

graines et est en cours de séchage sur pied. Dans 30 % des cas, le maïs était déjà

récolté. Le niébé est présent dans 15 % des sites à l’état de formation de gousses. Alors

que 10 % des sites renferme l’arachide en grain, 5 % de la patate douce et 7 % de la tomate.

Composition spécifique de la couverture végétale. Au total, 19 familles de plantes

ont été recensées sur l’ensemble des 45 sites. Les familles les mieux représentées sont

les Poaceae (11 espèces) et les Asteraceae (neuf espèces). L’espèce typique très

caractéristique de ces lieux et qui domine les autres adventices est l’Herbe de Laos

Chromolaena odorata. Très largement répandue dans toute la zone, on la retrouve

dans 80 % des 45 sites prospectés et son recouvrement atteint parfois 60 %. Son

couvert est un endroit idéal de refuge pour les francolins. L’autre espèce très répandue

est Aspilia af ricana qui accompagne fréquemment le premier. L’Impérate Imperata

cylindrica qui occupe 32 % des sites offre aussi un bon abri pour les francolins.

L’hypothèse de départ est que les oiseaux s’associent à des structures de peuplements

plutôt qu’à des espèces végétales particulières.

Tableau 1. Distribution des francolins sur 45 sites en fonction du recouvrement

de la végétation.

Recouvrement de la végétation. Le Tableau 1 donne la distribution des sites et des

francolins en fonction des catégories de recouvrement de la végétation. Toutes les

variables mesurées ont leur valeur élevée dans les classes de recouvrement de 51-

90%. Les milieux plus ouverts et plus denses ne semblent pas propices aux francolins,

mais la différence entre les sites habités n’est pas significative (% 3 P > 0.2).

Cependant, le test de comparaison des captures par site révèle une différence

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Ecologie du Franco! in à double éperon

81

hautement significative (%24= 13.73, P < 0.01). La classe de recouvrement (51-70 %)

est favorable à la capture des francolins.

Hauteur de la strate herbacée et arbustive. Les francolins préfèrent une large gamme

de hauteur variant entre 1 et 2.70 m (Tableau 2). Les milieux où la hauteur de l’herbe

est < 1 m ou > 3 m ne semblent pas favorables aux francolins. Néanmoins, la

différence de sites habités n’est pas significative (%“5 = 5.69, P = 0.34). La

comparaison des captures par site révèle une différence significative (données

regroupées pour considérer les quatre classes < 1.5, 1.50-2, 2-2.5, >2.5 m: %23 =

10.25, P < 0.05). Les hauteurs de la strate herbacée de 1.50-2.70 m sont favorables à

la capture des francolins.

Tableau 2. Distribution des francolins sur 45 sites en fonction de la hauteur de la

strate herbacée.

Litière, température et points d’eau. La valeur moyenne de l’encombrement du sol

calculé sur les sites de capture des francolins est de 18 ± 1.6 % (max. 40%, min. 5%).

La température moyenne sous couvert végétal est de 29.4 ± 0.2°C (max. 31.7°, min.

28°). Pendant les périodes chaudes de la journée les francolins sont tapis sous l’herbe.

Aucun point d’eau n’a été découvert dans les milieux visités. Des observations faites

au bord des marécages tôt le matin (6h00-10h00) et tard dans la soirée ( 1 4h00-

19h00), n’ont pas permis de voir des francolins venir s’abreuver.

Ecologie de la reproduction

Au total, dix nids ont été découverts dont cinq en petite saison des pluies et cinq en

petite saison sèche.

Sites de nidification . Les valeurs des variables mesurées (moyenne ± écart-type,

(min.-max.)) sur les sites de nidification des francolins sont: hauteur de la strate

herbacée 131 ± 45 (50-210) cm; recouvrement de la végétation 29 ± 15 (10-60) %;

litière 26 ± 24 (5-70) %; distance par rapport aux habitations 132 ± 34 (100-180) m;

distance par rapport aux champs 11 ± 30 (0-100) m; distance par rapport à la route 39

± 28 (20-95) m. En plus de ces variables, on constate que 62.5 % des sites sont situés

dans une zone de jachères ou en friches, 25 % dans un champ de cultures et 12.5 %

sous une touffe de Chromolaena odorata sur un terrain de football non entretenu.

Dans tous les cas, le sol est de type ferrallitique et n’est pas gorgé d’eau.

82

J.T.C. Codjia, M.R.M. Ékué & G. A. Mensah

Malimbus 25

Description des nids. La profondeur du nid est de 2.6 ± 0.4 (0.5— 4.5) cm, et le

diamètre de 10.8 ± 1.1 (5-14.8) cm. Huit des dix nids sont abandonnés et dans les

deux occupés, les femelles de francolin ont été capturées par les chasseurs avant le

ramassage des œufs (on n’a pas observé de mâles dans les nids). Il y a plus d’œufs

pleins que d’œufs cassés et éclos. La taille de ponte est de 4.8 ± 0.7 (3-8, n = 7 nids).

Dans trois des nids se trouvent 3-4 œufs et dans quatre 5-8. Les principales causes du

taux élevé d’abandon de nids sont le ramassage des œufs et la capture des femelles

couveuses. Dans les deux nids arrivés à l’éclosion, le taux moyen d’éclosion est de 90

% (soit neuf œufs éclos sur 10 pondus).

Caractéristiques biométriques des œufs. Les mensurations des 3 1 œufs de francolins

collectés dans la nature (24) et obtenus en captivité (7) sont: longueur du grand axe

41.4 ± 0.4 (38-44.6) mm; longueur du petit axe 33.0 ± 0.2 (30.5-34.3) mm; poids

19.4 ± 0.9 (10-27) g. Il y a une très forte variabilité du poids.

Discussion

De l’analyse des résultats obtenus il ressort que les francolins fréquentent les champs

de culture à proximité desquels se situent des bandes de jachère ou de terres en friche.

Ces oiseaux ont une préférence pour des milieux ni trop ouverts ni trop denses, pour

une hauteur de la strate herbacée comprise entre 1 et 2.7 m, pour un sol non gorgé

d’eau mais dont le degré d’encombrement varie largement. Les francolins occupent

une gamme de températures pas très variable. Les jachères et friches à proximité des

zones cultivées leur assurent un abri idéal dans les moments chauds de la journée. Le

sol doit être dégagé pour leur faciliter la marche car ce sont des oiseaux terrestres.

Dans un milieu trop fermé, l’enchevêtrement des buissons au sol ne facilite pas le

déplacement et la recherche de nourriture.

Thiollay (1971) a observé dans la savane de Lamto en Côte d’ivoire qu’ après le

passage des feux de brousse, la plupart des francolins étaient concentrés autour des

bosquets et galeries et ne s’aventuraient en savane que pour se nourrir le matin et le

soir. Quand l’herbe a poussé, ils se tiendraient essentiellement en savane, mais quand

la couverture est devenue trop haute et dense, ils avaient tendance à venir se nourrir

sur les places dégagées c’est-à-dire principalement sur les pistes.

Il découle de ce qui précède que les francolins sont guidés dans le choix de leur

habitat par le souci de trouver un milieu qui leur offre de la nourriture, un couvert de

refuge et de nidification.

L’absence de points d’eau dans la zone ne signifie pas que les francolins

communs ne boivent pas. Ils peuvent cependant avoir des besoins modestes. Dans ces

conditions, l’opinion répandue chez les chasseurs selon laquelle les francolins

satisfont leurs besoins en eau à partir de la rosée qui se dépose sur les feuilles n’est

2003

Ecologie du Francolin à double éperon

83

pas à rejeter. Les besoins en eau des Francolins communs devraient faire l’objet de

recherches surtout lorsqu’on sait que leur aire de répartition s’étend jusqu’au Sahel où

la pluviométrie moyenne annuelle ne dépasse guère 200 mm (Urban et al. 1986).

Akande (1979) a découvert sept nids de cette espèce en octobre (2), novembre (1),

décembre (3) et janvier (1) pendant des recherches systématiques menées par cinq

hommes avec une périodicité de sept jours pendant 23 mois (jan 1977 à déc 1978).

Les dix nids découverts en 46 jours dans le cadre de cette étude confirment que la

capture a été menée en pleine saison de reproduction. Dans tous les cas (Akande

1979, Ékué 2000, cette étude), le maximum d’œufs est obtenu pendant la saison sèche.

En effet, Francolinus bicalcaratus est connue pour se reproduire au Bénin et au Togo

au moins deux fois par an avec des pics de reproduction au Bénin en février et en

octobre (Brunei 1958) puis au Togo en déc-fév et juillet (Cheke & Walsh 1996).

Selon Elgood et al. (1994), la reproduction au Nigeria a lieu aussi en saison sèche

surtout de novembre à février.

La variabilité des variables mesurées sur les sites de nidification suggère que les

francolins ne recherchent pas des sites particuliers de nidification. Cependant, le sol doit

être sec et pas dur afin que l’oiseau puisse creuser sa dépression et y déposer ses œufs. Un

sol mouillé rendrait difficile la couvaison des œufs qui nécessite une certaine température.

La taille de ponte montre une grande amplitude de variation (3-8). Jenkins (1961)

et Blank & Ash (1962) ont montré chez la Perdrix grise Perdix perdix que la taille

moyenne de la première ponte pouvait varier en fonction de l’âge des poules, des con-

ditions climatiques de l’année et de la latitude. La couvaison des œufs en fin de saison

sèche où la température ambiante est un peu élevée profiterait aux femelles. L’éclo-

sion coïnciderait avec le début de la saison pluvieuse et serait bénéfique aux oiseaux à

cause de l’augmentation de la disponibilité alimentaire d’origine animale et végétale.

Les variables mesurées sur les sites de nidification montrent une grande amplitude

de variation exceptée l’état du sol qui est toujours sec et non gorgé d’eau. On pourrait

interpréter cela comme l’absence d’un site de nidification particulier chez le francolin.

Selon Thiollay (1971), Akande (1979) et Aliou (1986), les nids des francolins sont

exposés à l’action des prédateurs naturels. Par contre, ce système de nidification

s’avère être efficace contre le plus grand prédateur qu’est l’homme. En effet, si les

chasseurs savaient exactement là où les francolins nidifiaient, ils iraient ramasser

systématiquement les œufs et capturer les femelles.

Bibliographie

Agbelusi, E.A. (1995) Some ecological studies of the forest bushfowl (. Francolinus

bicalcaratus L.) in the humid area of western Nigeria. Afr. J. Ecol. 33: 271-272.

Akande, M. (1979) Bush-fowl (Francolinus bicalcaratus bicalcaratus Linnaeus, 1766)

as a Pest and a Potential Source of Meat in Nigeria. PhD thesis, University of

Ibadan, Nigeria.

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J.T.C. Codjia, M.R.M. Ékué & G. A. Mensah

Malimbus 25

Aliou, D. (1986) Contribution à T Etude Ecoéthologique du Francolin Commun

(Francolinus bicalcaratus) en Milieu Naturel et son Utilisation dans

V Alimentation Humaine. Thèse d’ingénieur Agronome, Université Nationale du

Bénin, Bénin.

Bannerman, D.A. (1953) The Birds of West and Equatorial Africa , vol. 1. Oliver &

Boyd. London.

Blank, T.H. & Ash, J. S. (1962) Fluctuations in a partridge population. Pp. 1 18-130

in E.D. Le Cren & M.W. Holgate (eds) The Exploitation of Natural Animal

Populations. Blackwell, Oxford.

Bouet, G. (1955) Oiseaux de T Afrique Tropicale , 1ère partie. Faune de l’Union

Française 16, ORSTOM, Paris.

Brunel, J. (1958) Observations sur les oiseaux du Bas-Dahomey. Oiseau Rev. fr.

Orn. 28: 1-58.

Cheke, R. A. & Walsh, J. F. (1996) The Birds of Togo. Checklist 14, British

Ornithologists’ Union, Tring.

Ékué, M.R.M. (2000) Etude de l’Ecologie du Francolin Commun ( Francolinus

bicalcaratus Linnaeus, 1766) et Elaboration d’un Référentiel pour son Elevage en

Captivité Etroite. Thèse d’ingénieur Agronome, Université Nationale du Bénin, Bénin.

y

Ekué, M.R.M. (2001) Ecology study of bush fowl ( Francolinus bicalcaratus ,

Linnaeus, 1766) and working out pattern for its breeding in strict captivity. Bull.

Bureau Exchange Distrib. Inf. Minilivestock 10: 14-15.

Ékué, M.R.M., Mensah, G.A. & Codjia, J.T.C. (2002) Technique de capture du

francolin commun ( Francolinus bicalcaratus Linnaeus, 1766) par usage du filet.

Tropicultura 20: 44—48.

Elgood, J.H., Heigham, J.B., Moore, A.M., Sharland, R.E. & Skinner, N.J.

(1994) The Birds of Nigeria. Check-list 4 (2nd ed.), British Ornithologists’ Union,

Tring.

Idassa, A. (1987) Ethologie du Francolin Commun (Francolinus bicalcaratus) dans la

Savane Boisée du District Rural de Tchaourou en République Populaire du

Bénin. Rapport de stage. Ecole pour la formation des spécialistes de la faune,

Garoua.

Jenkins, D. (1961) Social behaviour in the partridge ( Perdix perdix). Ibis 103a: 155-158.

Pomeroy, D. & Abe, E. (1992) The distribution and abundance of gamebirds in

Africa with special reference to the East African francolins ( Francolinus spp.).

Pp. 527-538 in Birkan, M., Potts, G.R., Aebischer, N. J. & Dowell, S.D.

(eds) Perdix VI, First International Symposium on Partridges, Quails and

Francolins. Gibier Faune Sauvage 9: 527-538.

Thiollay, J.-M. (1971) L’avifaune de la région de LAMTO. Ann. Univ. Abidjan, sér.

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2003

85

Notable bird observations from Nigeria, including the first

records of Spot-breasted Ibis Bostrychia rara and

Yellow Longbill Macrosphenus flavicans

by Ron Demey1, Françoise Dowsett-Lemaire2 & R.J. Dowsett2

!Van der Heimstraat 52, 2582 SB Den Haag, The Netherlands;

2Le Rouget, F-30440 Sumène, France; <Dowsett@aol.com>

Received 13 September 2002; revised 15 October 2003

Summary

Based on field work earned out in SE Nigeria in 1988 and especially in 1997,

we document two species new to Nigeria (Spot-breasted Ibis Bostrychia rara

and Yellow Longbill Macrosphenus flavicans) and 68 species that are rarely,

if at all, reported from the area mentioned.

Résumé

Nouvelles données sur l’avifaune du Nigeria, avec les premières mentions

de l’Ibis vermiculé Bostrychia rara et de la Nasique jaune Macrosphenus

flavicans. Des données sont présentées sur deux espèces nouvelles pour le

Nigeria (l’Ibis vermiculé Bostrychia rara et la Nasique jaune Macrosphenus

flavicans ) et 68 autres qui ont été rarement ou pas du tout, signalées de la zone

mentionnée. Ces données résultent principalement d’observations effectuées

dans le sud-est du pays en 1988 et en particulier en 1997.

Introduction

This note presents observations of two bird species that are new to Nigeria and 72

species that are either rarely recorded in the country or for which there are few, if any,

records from the area where we recorded them, according to the most recent Nigerian

checklist (Elgood et al. 1994). They were mainly made during field surveys

conducted in 1997 for the Important Bird Areas in Nigeria Project (RD). Records

from the Nigerian Conservation Foundation expedition to eastern Nigeria in 1988

(RID & FDL) are also included if they were not mentioned by Ash et al. (1989) or

were not adequately taken into account by Elgood et al. (1994). Some additional

records, subsequently received from M. Hopkins, are also included. Records that are

86

R. Demey, F. Dowsett-Lemaire & RJ. Dowsett

Malimbus 25

not our own are followed by the observer’s name in parentheses. Formerly known

status is summarised in square brackets.

Abbreviations used are: FR = Forest Reserve; IITA = International Institute of

Tropical Agriculture; NP = National Park. Taxonomic sequence and species names

follow Borrow & Demey (2001). Most localities mentioned are included in the

gazetteers in one or more of Ash & Dowsett-Lemaire (1989), Elgood et al (1994) and

Ezealor (2001); coordinates for others are given herein.

Results

Ardeidae

Tigriornis leucolophus White-crested Tiger Heron. One near a forest stream, Afi

River FR, 9 Dec 1997; one on Ebe river. Cross River NP, Oban Division, 10 Apr

1988. [Uncommon to rare (Elgood et al. (1994).]

Threskiornithidae

Bostrychia rara Spot-breasted Ibis [B. olivacea Olive Ibis]. A calling ibis flew

overhead by a stream in dense forest at 19h00, in Cross River NP, Oban Division, 14

Apr 1988. When tapes of both species later became available, it was clear that what

was heard was B. rara. This is much the commoner species in neighbouring Cam-

eroon, and in view of the difficulty of getting the good views needed to separate the

two visually and the fact that no tape-recordings of B. rara were available until re-

cently, we believe records of B. olivacea from SE Nigeria are in need of confirmation

and that only B. rara should be accepted on the Nigerian list (cf. Elgood et al. 1994).

Acdpitridae

Macheiramphus alcinus Bat Hawk. One, Cross River NP, Oban Division, 12 Dec

1997. [Few Nigerian records.]

Dryotriorchis spectabilis Congo Serpent Eagle. One at forest edge, Upper Orashi FR,

Niger Delta, 17 Feb 1997. [Rare (Elgood et al. 1994).]

Accipiter castanilius Chestnut-flanked Sparrowhawk. One seen well on the Ikpan

river near Ekonganaku, Ikpan, 8 Apr 1988. [Four records (Elgood et al. 1994).]

Urotriorchis macrourus Long-tailed Hawk. Two, IITA, Ibadan, 17 Dec 1997; two,

Afi River FR, 5 Dec 1997; one, Cross River NP, Oban Division, beyond Ekonganaku,

1 1 Apr 1988, one. [Few recent records.]

Hieraaetus ayresii Ayres’s Hawk Eagle. One flying over, Atteh, c. 10 km northwest

of Burn (7°1"N, 10°53'E), Taraba State, 8 Jan 1999 (M. Hopkins). The sightings from

the Mambilla Plateau, mentioned by Elgood et al. (1994), included a single at Leinde

Fadali, 25 Mar 1988, and a displaying pair, 26 Mar 1988 (Ash et al. 1989). [Few

Nigerian records.]

Spizaetus africanus Cassin’s Hawk Eagle. One, Obiafu, Niger Delta (5°251Sf,

6°35'E), 15 Feb 1997; a pair, Afi River FR, 7 Dec 1997. [Few Nigerian records (see

Elgood et al. 1994); common in neighbouring Cameroon.]

2003

Birds of Nigeria

87

Rallidae

Himaniornis haematopus Nkulengu Rail. Two pairs duetting near a forest stream just

before dawn, Afi River FR, 6-9 Dec 1997. Although Elgood et al. (1994) mention

only two records, there are two other published records (Ash et al 1989).

Canirallus oculeus Grey-throated Rail. One seen well at a small stream crossing a

forest track, Cross River NP, Oban Division, 13 Dec 1997. [Only two old undated

records and a possible sighting in Omo Forest, 1987 (Elgood et al. 1994).]

Jacanidae

Microparra capensis Lesser Jacana. Up to 100, with > 60 at a single site, Hadejia-Nguru

wetlands, 19 Mar 1997. [A relatively high concentration of this uncommon resident.]

Charadriidae

Vanellus superciliosus Brown-chested Wattled Plover. A nest containing one egg was

found on a bare, burnt field next to the Sanga river, and two pairs observed, Sanga

River FR, 15 Mar 1997. This is the same area from which Wilkinson et al. (1988,

1989) reported a nest with four eggs on 20 February 1987 and recorded a bird on a

second site. [Few nests of this species have ever been found, all in Nigeria, although

parents with young were seen in Cameroon at Ngaoundaba, 25 Mar 1997, and at

Mayo Darlé, 6 Apr 1999 (Demey 1997, 1999), and two pairs behaved as if nesting at

Bamendjing reservoir, 1 Mar 1998 (RID & FDL).]

Scolopacidae

Calidris temminckii Temminck’s Stint. One, IITA, Ibadan, 13 Nov 1997. [Few

records from S Nigeria.]

Laridae

Lams ridibundus Black-headed Gull. First-winter bird, IITA, Ibadan, 16-18 Dec

1997. Two reported to have been present during previous days. [No records south of

Kainji (Elgood et al. 1994).]

Columbidae

Columba iriditorques Western Bronze-naped Pigeon. Two heard singing and one

female seen, Afi River FR, 7 Dec 1997. [Not previously recorded from E Nigeria but

“easily overlooked unless voice is known” and “may well occur right across the

country” (Elgood et al. 1994).]

Cuculidae

Cercococcyx mechowi Dusky Long-tailed Cuckoo. Two singing, Afi River FR, 9 Dec

1997. [Few recent records.]

Cercococcyx olivinus Olive Long-tailed Cuckoo. Up to three heard singing daily and

one seen, Afi River FR, 4-9 Dec 1997. Easternmost records for Nigeria. [Uncommon

from Ipake to Owerri (Elgood et al. 1994).]

Strigidae

Bubo poensis Fraser’s Eagle Owl. One singing, Afi River FR, 6 Dec 1997. [Rarely

recorded in Nigeria.]

Caprimulgidae

Caprimulgus nigriscapularis Black-shouldered Nightjar. One singing in savanna

88

R. Demey, F. Dowsett-Lemaire & R.J. Dowsett

Malimbus 25

woodland, Serti area, 9 Mar 1988; one singing, Obudu Plateau, 2 Apr 1988.

[“Secondary growth in the forest zone” (Elgood et al. 1994).]

Apodidae

Telacanthura melanopygia Black Spinetail. Three foraging over forest with a few

European Swifts Apus apus and Bam Swallows Hirundo rustic a, Afi River FR, 7 Dec

1997. [Rare vagrant and no records in the east (Elgood et al.{ 1994).]

Apus batesi Bates’s Swift. At least two flying over farmland at forest edges, with a

few Square-tailed Saw-wings Psalidoprocne nitens , Afi River FR, 6 Dec 1997; ten in

Ikpan Block, Cross River NP, Oban Division, 8 Apr 1988 (Ash et al 1989). [Recent

records from the SE suggest it may have been overlooked previously (Elgood et al

1994). Their records from Kagoro probably require proof, as they are a long distance

from Guineo-Congolian forest.]

Apus horus Homs Swift. One with a mixed flock of Apodidae and Hirundinidae

(including 50 Little Swifts Apus ajfinis), Dumbi, 20 km south of Zaria, 1 1 Mar 1997.

[Elgood et al. (1994) only accept recent records from the Mambilla and Obudu areas,

1985, while stating that it may have been overlooked.]

Trogonidae

Apaloderma aequatoriale Bare-cheeked Trogon. A singing bird seen and tape-

recorded, in formerly-logged forest, Cross River NP, Oban Division, 14 Dec 1997.

[The few records for Nigeria, Nov 1971 and Apr 1988, are from this area (Ash et al.

1989), reportedly in primary forest (Elgood et al. 1994).]

Bucerotidae

Ceratogymna atrata Black-casqued Hornbill. Common in Cross River NP, Oban

Division, Apr 1988 and Dec 1997. [Rare, except in Okomu FR (Elgood et al. (1994).]

Ceratogymna elata Yellow-casqued Hornbill. Frequent, Afi River FR, Dec 1997, and

Cross River NP, Oban Division, Apr 1988 and Dec 1997, as in neighbouring

Cameroon. [Mainly rare (Elgood et al. 1994). Near-threatened (BirdLife International

2000).]

Capitonidae

Gymnobucco peli Bristle-nosed Barbet. At least 20 at different sites, Afi River FR, 6-

9 Dec 1997; at least six, Cross River NP, Oban Division, 15 Dec 1997. [Overlooked

(Elgood et al. 1994) due to resemblance with Naked-faced Barbet G. calvus.]

Indicatoridae

Melichneutes robustus Lyre-tailed Honeyguide. One or two heard displaying, Cross

River NP, Oban Division, 15 Dec 1997. First record for the park. [Rarely recorded,

nearest locality Calabar (Elgood et al. 1994). Two of the four localities mentioned by

Elgood et al. (1994), Owerri (Bannerman 1951) and Umuagwu (Marchant 1953),

refer in fact to the sams record, from Umuagwu (Marchant 1953).]

Indicator maculatus Spotted Honeyguide. One, Afi River FR, 8 Dec 1997; one, Cross

River NP, Okwango Division, 3 Dec 1997. Both in mixed-species flocks. [Five

records (Elgood et al. (1994).]

•n

2003

Birds of Nigeria

89

Picidae

Jynx torquilla Eurasian Wryneck. One in savanna near the Obudu Ranch Hotel,

Obudu Plateau, 10 Dec 1997. [Uncommon north of the Niger and Benue rivers, rare

further south (Elgood et al. 1994, Künzel & Künzel 1999).]

Campethera cailliautii Green-bac ked Woodpecker. One, Afi River FR, 9 Dec 1997.

[No records from extreme SE (Elgood et al. 1994).]

Hirundinidae

[Psalidoprocne fuliginosa Mountain Saw-wing]. At least four hirundines matching the

description of this species were seen at Ngel Nyaki, Mambilla Plateau, 3 Mar 1997,

above the montane forest in the company of a dozen Black Saw-wings P. pristoptera

petiti. They were dull blackish-brown with a slightly forked tail, which appeared

square or even rounded when spread; underwing-coverts were paler and greyer

brown; distinctly browner and less slender than P. p. petiti. P. fuliginosa was accepted

on the Nigerian list by Elgood et al. (1994) and subsequently listed by Ezealor (2001),

on the basis of sightings on the Obudu Plateau, although Elgood et ai remark that

“confusion with P. p. petiti cannot be ruled out”; in fact confusion is only likely with

the juvenile of the latter. No breeding dates of P. p. petiti have been reported from

Nigeria, but in Cameroon nests have been found in Apr, Jun and Oct (Serle 1950);

juveniles may therefore be expected at almost any time of year. In view of the

identification problems presented by this species, the sightings from Ngel Nyaki are

best considered as requiring proof, as is the species’ occurrence in Nigeria.

Motacillidae

Anthus similis Long-billed Pipit. Not uncommon on Obudu Plateau (Ash 1990),

although Elgood et al. (1994) mention only a single specimen, attributed to race

bannermani , for that site. In Apr 1988 its song was found to be identical to that of

other populations, confirming that this population is not specifically distinct (Sibley &

Monroe 1990) from A. similis (Dowsett & Dowsett-Lemaire 1993).

Pycnonotidae

Andropadus curvirostris Cameroon Sombre Greenbul. One singing, Cross River NP,

Oban Division, 15 Dec 1997. [No records east of Owerri (Elgood et al. 1994).]

Calyptocichla serina Golden Greenbul. One, Cross River NP, Okwango Division, 3

Dec 1997. [Only four localities, the nearest being Calabar (Elgood et al. 1994).]

Baeopogon damans Sjôstedt’s Honey guide Greenbul. Frequent, Afi River FR, Dec

1997 (new locality); observed in Cross River NP, Oban Division, Dec 1997. [The

only previous sightings were from Oban Hills (Ash et al. 1989).]

Bleda canicapilla Grey-headed Bristlebill. One in remnant forest, Ayu Hills, Kaduna

State (9° 1974 8°34T3), 25 Sep 1999 (M. Hopkins). [Only previous site in N Nigeria is

Kagoro, c. 30 km to the northwest (Dyer et al. 1986).]

Criniger chloronotus Eastern Bearded Greenbul. Frequent, Afi River FR and Cross

River NP, Oban Division, Dec 1997. [Known only from two specimens collected in

Oban forest, 1981 (Elgood et al. 1994).]

90

R. Demey, F. Dowsett-Lemaire & RJ. Dowsett

Malimbus 25

Criniger ndussumensis White-bearded Greenbul. Frequent in mixed-species flocks

with Red-tailed Greenbul C. calurus , Afi River FR, Dec 1997, and Cross River NP,

Oban Division, Apr 1988 and Dec 1997, where calling birds were observed and tape-

recorded. [Listed by Ezealor (2001) for other localities, west to Ibadan, but the

difficulty of separating it from C. calurus means these records need confirmation. The

only certain reports at present are those where the species is distinguished by voice.]

Turdidae

Stiphrorornis erythrothorax Forest Robin. Common, Cross River NP, Oban Division,

Apr 1988 and Dec 1997. [Elgood et al. (1994) report it from Lagos to Owerri, but

recorded further east, to Calabar (Mackenzie 1979).]

Stizorhina fraseri Rufous Flycatcher Thrush. Several, Afi River FR, Dec 1997, and

Cross River NP, Oban Division, Apr 1988 and Dec 1997. Birds in Oban appear to be

hybrids, the tempo of song phrases being intermediate between those of fraseri and

finschi (Dowsett & Dowsett-Lemaire 1993). [Elgood et al. (1994) mention only two

records from Oban Hills, although previously reported from the Calabar area by

Mackenzie (1979). Ezealor (2001) treats fraseri and finschi as one species. Records

from Biseni would probably be of finschi.]

Oenanthe heuglini Red-breasted Wheatear. Frequent in grassy highlands near Selbe

(7°17'N, 11°8'E), Gashaka-Gumti NP, 28 Feb to 1 Mar 1997. Recorded from

Mambilla, Chappal Waddi, Gangirwal and Yelwa, Mar 1988, and the Obudu Plateau,

Apr 1988. [Seasonally not uncommon north of the Niger and Benue rivers (Elgood et

al. 1994); the single southern record (Obudu town, Nov), requires substantiation.]

Sylviidae

Prinia leucopogon White-chinned Prinia. A pair Gashaka-Gumti NP, 28 Feb 1997.

[Fourth record for Nigeria (cf. Elgood et al. 1994, Robertson 1995).]

Apalis rufogularis Buff-throated Apalis. Female in remnant forest, Ayu Hills, Kaduna

State, 25 Sep 1999 (M. Hopkins). [Second site in northern Nigeria (Dyer et al. 1986).]

Apalis nigriceps Black-capped Apalis. One, Afi River FR, 8 Dec 1997; a pair, Cross

River NP, Okwango Division, 3 Dec 1997. [Only two confirmed localities (Sapoba

and Okomu) (Elgood et al. 1994).]

Camaroptera chloronota Olive-green Camaroptera. Singing birds recorded at

following localities in 1997; Ibadan (IITA, Nov-Dec), the Niger Delta (Obiafu and

Upper Orashi area, Feb), Afi River FR (Dec) and Cross River NP, Oban Division

(Dec). [Eight localities (Elgood et al. 1994).]

Macrosophenus flavicans Yellow Longbill. Seen and heard at Ikpan Block and Oban

West, Cross River NP, Oban Division, Apr 1988; at least three, 13-14 Dec 1997. The

tape-recorded song o^ one individual, whose bright olive-yellow underparts were

observed, consists of a series of 7-10 clear, detached whistles, descending in scale

and slightly accelerating at the end, reminiscent of the song of Alethe poliocephala,

but softer. Elgood et al. ( 1 994) stated that the species was probably not uncommon in

forest east of the lower Niger, with two collected in the Owerri area (Umuagwu and

Ohoba (4°58'S, 6°51 13): Marchant 1953). However, Marchant attributed these to M.

2003

Birds of Nigeria

91

kempi flammeus and there appears to be no valid specimen of M. flavicans from

Nigeria. The error may have arisen through confusion between M. f flavicans , the

race occurring in Nigeria, and M. k. flammeus , as Elgood et ai (1994) list “M.

flavicans flammeus ”. Urban et al. (1997) were therefore correct in not mapping M.

flavicans in Nigeria. Our records are therefore the first for Nigeria.

Macro sphenus kempi Kemp’s Longbill. One seen and tape-recorded, Afi River FR, 9

Dec 1997. [No records from the east in Elgood et al. (1994), but race flammeus stated

to occur in SE Nigeria (Urban et al. 1997), as discussed above.]

Sylvietta denti Lemon-bellied Crombec. One at forest edge, Afi River FR, 6 Dec

1997. Not “indistinguishable in the field from S. virens (especially S. v. flaviventrisf

and does not occur in undergrowth, as stated by Elgood et al. (1994). S. denti lacks

the distinct pale supercilium of Green Crombec S. v. flaviventris and occurs in canopy

or mid-stratum, whereas S. virens is mainly in undergrowth in secondary situations,

and at forest edge. The two species also have very dissimilar vocalisations. [Only

three records and may be overlooked (Elgood et al. 1994).]

Musdcapidae

Muscicapa striata Spotted Flycatcher. Four, Gashaka, 24 Feb 1997; one at forest

edge, Oban, 12 Dec 1997. Apparently may over-winter. Also recorded from

Mambilla, Chappal Waddi, Leinde Fadali and Obudu, Mar-Apr 1988. [Known from

Serti (Hall 1977) and Calabar (Mackenzie 1979); few records from the SE and only

on passage Elgood et al. (1994).]

Muscicapa adusta Dusky Flycatcher. One at 1200 m, Obudu Plateau, 4 Apr 1988.

Mambilla Plateau: at least eight, Chappal Waddi, 20-24 Mar 1988; six, Leinde Fadali,

25-27 Mar 1988; two, Ngel Nyaki, 29 Mar 1988 (Ash et al. 1989); two, Selbe, 1 Mar

1997; all at the edge of forest patches at 1400-1900 m. [Few records, all from eastern

highlands (Ash et al. 1989, Elgood et ai 1994).]

Myioparus griseigularis Grey-throated Flycatcher. One seen and tape-recorded in

dense undergrowth at forest edge, Cross River NP, Oban Division, 15 Dec 1997.

[Only three records (Elgood et al. 1994).]

Myioparus plumbeus Lead-coloured Flycatcher. One singing at lowland forest edge,

Cross River NP, Oban Division, 12 Dec 1997. [Uncommon but widespread in savanna

woodland, not uncommon in gallery forest (Elgood et al. (1994).]

Monarchidae

Erythrocercus mccallii Chestnut-capped Flycatcher. Recorded from the Niger Delta,

1997: four in mixed-species flock, Upper Orashi, 16 Feb; three, Afi River FR, 8 Dec;

up to six daily, Cross River NP, Okwango and Oban Divisions, Dec. [One record in

the SE, from Umuagwu (Serle 1957, Elgood et al. 1994, single dot on map in Urban

et al. 1997) but Mackenzie’s (1979) records from the Calabar area were apparently

overlooked; a sighting north of Oban (Künzel & Klinzel 1999).]

Trochocercus nitens Blue-headed Crested Flycatcher. Frequent, Afi River FR and

Cross River NP, Oban Division, Dec 1997. [One record in the SE, from Umuagwu

(Elgood et al. 1994).]

92

R. Demey, F. Dowsett-Lemaire & R.J. Dowsett

Malimbus 25

Platysteiridae

Megabyas flammulatus Shrike Flycatcher. Two pairs in wooded savanna at Kwano,

Gashaka-Gumti NP, 27 Feb to 2 Mar 1997. New locality. [Range on map in Urban et

al. (1997) much further south, but also recorded even further north, at Kagoro (Elgood

et al. 1994).]

Dyaphorophyia tonsa White-spotted Wattle-eye. A pair, Afi River FR, 9 Dec 1997;

two pairs, Cross River NP, Oban Division, 13-14 Dec 1997. [Rare or very local, fairly

common in Ikpan Block (Ash et al. 1989, Elgood et al. 1994).]

Timaliidae

Illadopsis rufipennis Pale-breasted Illadopsis. Frequent, Cross River NP, Oban

Division (Ikpan block and Oban West), Apr 1988; a party of four on and just above

the forest floor at Kwano, Gashaka-Gumti NP, 28 Feb 1997. New localities.

Nectariniidae

Anthreptes rectirostris Green Sunbird. Common, Afi River FR, Dec 1997, and Cross

River NP, Oban Division, Apr 1988 and Dec 1997. [Recorded only from Ipake to

Owerri (Elgood et al. 1994), but our observations show that it ranges right across the

country.

Chalcomitra adelberti Buff-throated Sunbird. Male, Assop, western edge of Jos

Plateau, 8 May 1999 (M. Hopkins). First record from Plateau State.

Cinnyris johannae Johanna’s Sunbird. A male foraging in large flowering trees with

other sunbirds, Afi River FR, 7 Dec 1997. New locality. [Two previous records

(Elgood et al. 1994).]

Malaconotidae

Malaconotus multicolor Many-coloured Bush-shrike. One seen and tape-recorded,

IITA, Ibadan, 13 Nov 1997. Irregularly observed year-round at this site (C. Williams

pers. comm.). [One record mentioned from this site, implying rarity there (Elgood et

al. 1994).]

Buphagidae

Buphagus africanus Yellow-billed Oxpecker. Four in grassland near the Obudu Ranch

Hotel, Obudu Plateau, 10 Dec 1997; several localities on Mambilla Plateau, Apr 1988

and Mar 1997. [Few records south of the great rivers (Elgood et al. 1994).]

Ploceidae

Ploceus bannermani Bannerman’s Weaver. Two males in small forest patches in the

highlands near Selbe, Gashaka-Gumti NP, 1 Mar 1997. [Locally common there, as

well as on the Obudu Plateau (Ash et al. 1989).]

Ploceus baglafecht Baglafecht Weaver. About ten on slopes at the edge of gallery

forest at 1250 m Obudu Plateau, 4 Apr 1988 (Ash et al. 1989); one in the Obudu

Ranch Hotel garden, 10 Dec 1997. [Only on Mambilla Plateau (Elgood et al. 1994).]

Ploceus ocularis Spectacled Weaver. Two pairs, Gashaka-Gumti NP, 26 Feb 1997;

one pair seen and tape-recorded near Gashaka village, 1 Mar 1997. [Recorded in

Gashaka-Gumti by Ash et al. (1989). Few records, all from the extreme east (Ash et

al. 1989, Elgood et al. 1994).]

2003

Birds of Nigeria

93

Ploceus tricolor Yellow-mantled Weaver. Recorded in 1997 at Ibadan (IITA), the

Niger Delta (Upper Orashi, 17 Feb, nest-building) and Afi River FR (7 Dec, at nest);

Cross River NP, Oban Division, Apr 1988. [Quite common at Owerri and Omuagwu

(Marchant 1953). Few known localities east of Akure, all well to the east, including

Calabar (Elgood et al. 1994).]

Anaplectes rubriceps Red-headed Weaver. A female in savanna woodland, Old Oyo

NP, 19 Nov 1997, apparently a rather southerly record. Kagoro, 13 Mar 1997, a

female nest-building.

Estrildidae

Parmoptila woodhousei Red-headed Antpecker. A pair, Afi River FR, 8 Dec 1997;

one, 15 Apr 1988 (Ash et al. 1989) and three together, 14 Dec 1997, Cross River NP,

Oban Division. [Only recorded at five localities, the nearest being Calabar, Ikom and

Bashu (Elgood et al. 1994).]

Nigrita fusconota White-breasted Negrofinch. Common: Afi River FR, Dec 1997;

Cross River NP, Okwango Division (Ezealor 2001); Oban Division, Apr 1988 and

Dec 1997. [Only four localities in the SE (Elgood et al. 1994).]

Euschistospiza dybowskii Dybowski’s Twinspot. A female, Kagoro, 15 Mar 1997; in

Gashaka-Gumti NP, at least one male on the slopes of the plateau, 27 Feb 1997 and a

party of four near Selbe, 28 Feb 1997. [Not uncommon in Gashaka-Gumti, but very

local in Nigeria (Ash et ai 1989; Elgood et al. 1994).]

Lonchura bicolor Black-and- White Mannikin. Observed in Cross River NP, Oban

Division, Apr 1988 and Dec 1997. [Away from the coast in the SE, reported only

from the Mambilla and Obudu plateaux (Elgood et al. 1994).]

Acknowledgments

The field surveys in 1988 were on behalf of the Nigerian Conservation Foundation

(full acknowledgments in Ash & Dowsett-Lemaire 1989), and those in 1997 were

conducted for the Important Bird Areas in Nigeria Project, co-ordinated by Dr. A.U.

Ezealor. The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds and BirdLife International are

acknowledged for sponsoring the latter project. RD thanks Shiiwua Manu and Gus

Ezealor for their stimulating companionship in the field and Abdulmalik L. Abubakar,

Mohammed Garba-Boyi and Harry Hanson Junior for their assistance. Mark Hopkins

is thanked for having generously supplied his data, and C.H. Fry and R. Wilkinson for

comments on the manuscript.

References

Ash, J.S. (1990) Additions to the avifauna of Nigeria, with notes on distributional

changes and breeding. Malimbus 11: 104-1 16.

94

R. Demey, F. Dowsett-Lemaire & RJ. Dowsett

Malimbus 25

Ash, J. S., Dowsett, R.J. & Dowsett-Lemaire, F. (1989) New ornithological

distribution records from eastern Nigeria. Tauraco Res. Rep. 1: 13-27.

Ash, J.S. & Dowsett-Lemaire, F. (1989) The Nigerian Conservation Foundation

expedition to eastern Nigeria. Tauraco Res. Rep. 1: 1-5.

Bannerman, D.A. (1951) The Birds of Tropical West Africa, vol. 8. Crown Agents,

London.

BirdLife International (2000) Threatened Birds of the World. Lynx Edicions,

Barcelona.

Borrow, N. & Demey, R. (2001) Birds of Western Africa. Christopher Helm,

London.

Demey, R. (ed.) (1997) Recent Reports. Bull. Afr. Bird Club 4: 142-145.

Demey, R. (ed.) (1999) Recent Reports. Bull. Afr. Bird Club 6: 152-157.

Dowsett, R.J. & Dowsett-Lemaire, F. (1993) Comments on the taxonomy of some

Afrotropical bird species. Tauraco Res. Rep. 5: 323-389.

Dyer, M., Gartshore, M.E. & Sharland, R.E. (1986) The birds of Nindam Forest

Reserve, Kagoro, Nigeria. Malimbus 8: 2-20.

Elgood, J. H., Heigham, J. B., Moore, A. M., Nason, A. N., Sharland, R. E. &

Skinner, N. J. (1994) The Birds of Nigeria (2nd ed.). Checklist 4, British

Ornithologists’ Union, Tring.

Ezealor, A.U. (2001) Nigeria. Pp. 673-692 in Fishpool, L.D.C. & Evans, M.I.

(eds) Important Bird Areas in Africa and Associated Islands. Pisces Publications,

Newbury.

Hall, P. (1977) The birds of Serti. Bull. Nigerian Orn. Soc. 13: 66-79.

Künzel, T. & Künzel, S. (1999) First Nigerian record of Red-fronted Parrot

Poicephalus gulielmi , and other notable records from SE Nigeria. Malimbus 21:

111-113.

Mackenzie, P. (1979) Birds of the Calabar area. Malimbus 1: 47-54.

Marchant, S. (1953) Notes on the birds of south-eastern Nigeria. Ibis 95: 38-69.

Robertson, I. (ed.) (1995) Recent Reports. Bull. Afr. Bird Club 2: 123-127.

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

343-376, 602-638.

Serle, W. (1957) A contribution to the ornithology of the Eastern Region of Nigeria.

Ibis 99: 371-418, 628-685.

Sibley, C.G. & Monroe, B.L. Jr. (1990) Distribution and Taxonomy of Birds of the

World. Yale University Press, New Haven.

Wilkinson, R. & Beecroft, R. (1988) Kagoro Forest Conservation Study. Study

Rep. 28, International Council for Bird Preservation, Cambridge.

Wilkinson, R., Beecroft, R., Ezealor, A.U. & Sharland, R.E.S (1989) Brown-

chested Wattled Plover breeding in Nigeria. MalimbusW: 95.

2003

95

Short Notes — Notes Courtes

First records of Didric Cuckoo Chrysococcyx caprins parasitizing Cricket

Warbler Spiloptila clamans

On 6 Nov 2002, whilst carrying out bird survey work in Acacia woodland near

Alagamo (13°97M, 13°33"E), Bomo State, Nigeria, our attention was drawn to a pair

of Cricket Warblers Spiloptila clamans repeatedly alarm-calling. A recently fledged

Didric Cuckoo Chrysococcyx caprius was located close to the warblers, and soon both

individuals began feeding the cuckoo. The juvenile cuckoo’s lack of white in the outer

tail and indistinct whitish eye-stripe in front and behind the eye excluded Klaas’s

Cuckoo C. klaas. The observations were also north of the latter species’ expected

range. On 8 Nov 2002, a second recently fledged Didric Cuckoo was observed being

fed by a pair of Cricket Warblers at a site approximately 15 km NE of the first. In

both cases the juvenile cuckoos appeared to have fledged very recently, with flight

appearing cumbersome and awkward. The cuckoos were observed being fed only by

the Cricket Warbler pairs, and begging responses did not appear to be stimulated by

the proximity of other birds (Olivaceous Warbler Hippolais pallida , Black Scrub

Robin Cercotrichas podobe. Speckle-fronted Weaver Sporopipes frontalis). It

therefore seems likely that the Cricket Warblers were the foster parents. These appear

to be the first observations of Didric Cuckoo parasitizing Crick et Warbler. In Nigeria

the main hosts of Didric Cuckoo are Village Weaver Ploceus cucullatus and Black-

necked Weaver P. nigricollis (Elgood et al. 1994). Fry et al. (1988) also give Ploceus

species as the main hosts and list several others known, although the only warblers

included are Chestnut-vented Tit-Babbler Parisoma subcaeruleum , Rattling Cisticola

Cisticola chiniana and Spotted Prinia Prinia maculosa.

Didric Cuckoo is a relatively common rains migrant in N Nigeria, breeding north

to the Sahel and Sudan zones during Jul-Oct (Elgood et al. 1994). The first nests of

Cricket Warbler in Nigeria have only recently been found (pers. obs.) but the species

is a common resident in the Sahel and northern Sudan zones of the country (Elgood et

al. 1994) and recent observations suggest breeding occurs at least Oct-Nov and Mar-

Apr (pers. obs.). Doubt has been expressed over the veracity of several reported

Didric Cuckoo hosts, particularly sunbirds building enclosed nests with side entrance

(Fry et al. 1988). All Cricket Warbler nests observed in Nigeria have been domed

with side entrances (pers. obs.), though elsewhere its nests have been described as

variable, with both domed or partly domed known (Urban et al. 1997).

References

Borrow, N. & Demey, R. (2001) Birds of Western Africa. Christopher Helm,

London.

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Short Notes

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Elgood, J. H., Heigham, J. B., Moore, A.M., Nason, A.M., Sharland, R.E. &

Skinner, N J. (1994) The Birds of Nigeria. Checklist 4 (2nd ed.), British

Ornithologists’ Union, Tring.

Fry, C.H., Keith, S. & Urban, E.K. (1993) The Birds of Africa, vol. 3. Academic

Press, London.

Urban, E.K., Fry, C.H. & Keith, S. (1997) The Birds of Africa, vol. 5. Academic

Press, London.

Received 15 January 2003

Revised 29 January 2003 Jared M. Wilson & Paavo Sallinen

School of Biology, Bute Building, University of St Andrews,

St Andrews, Fife KYI 6 9TS, Scotland, and

A.P. Leventis Ornithological Research Inst., Jos, Nigeria. <jared.wilson@excite.com>

On the occurrence of the Black Stork Ciconia nigra in Nigeria

Both Brown et al (1982) and Dowsett & Forbes- Watson (1993) class the Black Stork

Ciconia nigra as a scarce winterer in West Africa, a conclusion that remained valid

even considering the rather large number of observations published by Walsh (1991).

Recently, its status has been discussed further, mainly about whether it should

formally be regarded as a vagrant or rare migrant (Salewski et al. 2000, Walsh 2002),

rather than a regular winter visitor. In that context we add some observations of Black

Storks made in northern Nigeria during the last decade, by Philip Hall and by people

working on the Lake Chad Bird Migration Project and at the Leventis Ornithological

Research Institute near Jos.

Elgood et al. (1994) give the status of Black Stork in Nigeria as an uncommon

Palaearctic migrant recorded between November and April, from Lake Chad south to

the Benue River in the east and the Kainji National Park in the west. The maximum

number mentioned was 30, seen in the Hadeija wetlands east of Kano. Our

observations are as follows: Dagonal (2°45T4, 10°35"E), four, 22 Jan 1993;

Doguntshugu, L. Chad (13°22"N, 13°30"E), one, 23 Feb 2002; Falgore GR (10°5074,

8°40"E), six, 4 Dec 2002; W of Maiduguri (ll°4915f, 13°09"E), 20, 22 Oct 2001;

Vom (9°421M, 8°45'E), one, 7 Dec 2001; Yankari NP (9°45TN, lO'GO'E), 20, 21 Mar

1999; and multiple observations in Sambisa GR (1 1°40XN, 14°2013): three, 20 Jan

1993; two, 20 Jan 1997; 35, 1 1 Nov 2000; five, 9 Nov 2001; four, 28 Jan 2002; three,

25 Feb 2002; five, 8 Nov 2002.

It thus seems that Yankari, from which there are several older records (Walsh

1991, Elgood et al. 1994), and Sambisa hold small regular wintering populations of

Black Stork. Both are protected reserves with intact riverine gallery forest, which was

suggested by Walsh (1991) to be the preferred habitat. Yankari lies within the

2003

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97

northern Guinea savanna, and Sambisa is a Guinea savanna outlier within the Sudan

zone. This distribution roughly fits into the narrow latitudinal band (9°307si-

11°30'N), which Walsh (1991) regarded as the main wintering zone for the Black

Stork in W Africa.

References

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

Academic Press, London.

Dowsett, R.J. & Forbes-Watson, A.D. (1993) Checklist of Birds of the Afrotropical

and Malagasy Regions. Tauraco Press, Liege.

Elgood, J.H., Heigham, J.B., Moore, A.M., Nason, A.M., Sharland, R.E. &

Skinner, NJ. (1994) The Birds of Nigeria. Checklist 4 (2nd ed.), British

Ornithologists’ Union, Tring.

Salewski, W., Bobek, M., Peske, I. & Pojer, F. (2000) Status of the Black Stork

Ciconia niger in Ivory Coast. Malimbus 22: 92-93.

Walsh, J.F. (1991) On the occurrence of the Black Stork Ciconia nigra in West

Africa. Bull. Brit. Orn. Club 111: 209-215.

Walsh, J.F. (2002) The status of Black Stork Ciconia nigra in West Africa.

Malimbus 24: 41 — 42.

Received 20 January 2003

Ulf Ottosson1, Christian Hjort1, Philip Hall2, William Velmala1'3 & Jared M. Wilson4

'Ottenby Bird Observatory, PI 1500, SE-38065 Degerhamn, Sweden

2Pro Natura International, 27 Mekuwen Road, Ikoyi, Lagos, Nigeria

3 Present address: Ruiskukkatie 3 D 80, FIN-90580 Oulu, Finland

4A.P. Leventis Ornithological Research Institute, Jos, Nigeria and

EGI, Dept, of Zoology, Univ. of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3PS, U.K.

e-mail: ottosson @ village. uunet. lu

Franklin’s Gull Larus pipixcan in The Gambia

In the late afternoon of 17 Jan 2002, at Bund Road, Banjul, The Gambia, my

companions and I had good views from the raised road over the sea and mud-flats

below. The tide was low, and Slender Billed Gulls Larus genei. Grey Headed Gulls L.

cirrocephalus , Caspian Terns Sterna caspia and Royal Terns S. maxima were present

on the mud. I noticed a different-looking gull, with white crescents above and below

the eye, and a black half-hood. Direct comparison with the other gulls suggested

Franklin’s Gull L. pipixcan. The mantle was quite light compared with my memory of

a Franklin’s Gull seen twice in Holland, in February 2000, but my companions agreed

on the determination. It was an adult in winter plumage, and the mantle seemed

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lighter because of the rather low sun shining over the back of the gull and making the

colours seem less intense. It was identified by the following characteristics: rather

small and sturdy, with a short dark bill; clear white crescents above and below the

eyes; half black hood, mainly on the back of the head, the front edge of the hood

smudged with paler black; forehead white; mantle rather dark, with the limit between

grey and white in the neck rather vague, but sharp on the wings; broad white band

between mantle and black wingtips; two large white tips of primaries in the black

wingtips; wings below white; dark legs.

Winter-plumaged adult Franklin’s Gull is most likely confused with Laughing

Gull L. atricilla and Mediterranean Gull L. melanocephalus.lt was distinguished from

Laughing Gull by the shorter bill, more white in the wingtips, and by being smaller

and more sturdy. Mediterranean Gull has a light-grey mantle, a heavier bill that is not

completely black, and the half black hood is not so clear on the back of the head.

Figure 1. Drawings (by LvW) and photograph (by Oane Tol) of Franklin’s Gull,

The Gambia, 17 Jan 2002.

2003

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99

We watched the bird at a distance of about 100 m for about 1 h 15 min., using

telescopes. During that time the bird rested, sometimes with its head in its feathers,

sometimes sitting. It also cleaned itself, took short walks now and then, and stretched

its wings. Drawings and photographs were made (Fig. 1).

Previous records of Franklin’s Gull in Africa include two records at Beira,

Mozambique, and four on the South African coast, plus the following W African

records: one paired with a Grey-headed Gull and nesting in the Saloum Delta,

Senegal, May 1983; one at Bund Road, Banjul, 1984; a first-winter bird at Ile de

Gorée, Senegal, Jan 1986; an adult in the Siné-Saîoum NP, Senegal, Apr 1986; an

adult at Hann, Senegal, Dec 1988; a first-winter at Hann, Feb 1991 (Urban et al. 1986,

Bâillon & Dubois 1992). It seems that Franklin’s Gull is a not uncommon vagrant to

Senegambia.

I thank the members of my group, David Hoekstra, Piet Zuidhof, Rommert Cazemier,

Huub Lanters, Oane Tol, Jan Kalsbeek, Sietse Bemardus, Roelf Hovinga and Bart Jan

Prak, for helping with the identification.

References

Bâillon, F. & Dubois, P.J. (1992) Nearctic gull species in Senegal and The Gambia.

Dutch Birding 14: 49-50.

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

Academic Press, London.

Received 31 January 2003 Lieu we van Welie

Revised 18 February 2003 Grevingaheerd 245, 9737 SN Groningen, Holland.

<1 ieu we van wel ie @ wish , nl>

A major range extension of Locust Finch Ortygospiza locustella in West Africa

The Locust Finch Ortygospiza locustella has two distinct sub-species with the

nominate in southern Africa and uellensis with a scattered distribution in east and

central Africa. It was only recently found in W Africa, with 20 seen near the Benoué

National Park in 1998 (S. de Kort pers. comm.) and in the extreme south of Cameroon

(Dowsett & Dowsett-Lemaire 2000), probably part of the Congo Basin population.

However, on 27 Oct 2002, a pair with three fledged young was found at Rockwater

Fish Farm, Jos, on the Jos Plateau in central Nigeria (9°531M, 8°52'E).

The birds appeared to be of the race uelensis , the male showing a plain dark

greyish back with no white spots, flanks plain charcoal grey with no white barring,

upper breast, neck, ear coverts, lores and supercilium bright orange-red, and rump and

wings similarly reddish. The female showed red only on wings and rump, pale fawn

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(rather than black) underparts, no white spotting on the back, and a small amount of

diffuse barring on the flanks (considerably less prominent than that illustrated for the

nominate race in either Clement et al. 1994 or Borrow & Demey 2001). The dark

greyish on the head was browner than in the male and extended down onto the lores

and ear coverts. The pale yellowish eye was very prominent in both sexes (eliminating

other Ortygospiza spp.) as was the two-toned bill: blackish upper mandible and red

lower mandible. The legs were whitish pink. The birds were distinctively very small

and squat, with prominent bulging lores that gave the head a blunt appearance, even in

flight. They flew with very rapid wing beats in shallow bounding flight, often giving a

distinct tinka-tinka-tinka. . . call, quieter and softer than the harsh metallic calls most

often given by Quail Finch. This call was extremely helpful in locating and

identifying birds as Locust Finch.

A return visit to the same site on 30 Oct revealed a second pair still lining their

nest, which was domed, made entirely of fine grasses, sparsely lined with feathers

(mostly white feathers, probably from Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis ) and 10 cm above

the ground. The habitat was very disturbed damp grassland on the edge of a fish farm.

Nearby was a small market garden and harvested millet and maize fields. The area

was heavily disturbed daily, as people moved through with livestock. The nest was in

a patch of rushes on the edge of a shallow ditch that was used to move water between

the fishponds. During the nesting period the ground below the nest became slowly

wetter but water never reached the nest. On 30 Oct, it contained two eggs. On 8 Nov

there were four eggs, being brooded by the female. The female was brooding on 2, 5,

1 1 and 22 Nov and the male on 15 and 18 Nov. Four chicks were first recorded on 18

Nov, when they were estimated to be about 3—4 days old. This suggested that

incubation lasted from 1 November and that hatching was synchronous. As most

small passerines begin incubation at the end of egg laying (Perrins & Birkhead 1983),

we assumed that brooding began on 1 or 2 Nov. As the chicks were 3-4 days old on

18 Nov, we estimate that incubation took 13-15 days: normal for a small passerine

(Perrins & Birkhead 1983). Both adults were seen feeding the chicks on several

occasions. The nestlings were ringed on 27 Nov when their feathers were still in pin

but close to emerging. On 2 Dec the flight feathers were approximately half grown

and on 9 Dec the chicks had fledged.

During this period, what was possibly another pair was noted about 100 m from

the first nest, but no nest could be found in the dense, rank grass. On 18 Dec a flock of

15 Locust Finches was seen at the same site.

These are the first records of this species for Nigeria and represent a major

extension of range. It is known to wander widely within its breeding range (Clement

et ai 1994) and the occurrence of a flock of 25 in W Kenya (Stevenson, 1992) clearly

shows that it wanders out of its normal breeding range. However, Clement et al.

(1994) state that these movements are temporary and birds return to their normal

breeding areas at the onset of the rains. While Aspinwall (1982) suggests that Locust

Finches only move very locally within their range, the occurrence of birds in Kenya

2003

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101

(Stevenson 1992) demonstrates that they sometimes undertake wider extra-limital

movements. This new record being of breeding birds suggests that it is a genuine

range extension rather than a case of vagrancy. The site has been popular with

birdwatchers since the 1970s, has been visited at least annually by birdwatchers since

then, and since 2001 has received much more attention by staff and students of the

A.P. Leventis Ornithological Research Institute. Consequently it seems unlikely that

the species remained undetected for very long at this site. However, African

Quailfinch O. atricollis and Zebra Waxbill Amandava subflava are common there, so

Locust Finch may have been overlooked. All three are highly terrestrial species and

therefore difficult to see except in flight. We initially spotted a male on the ground in

the open with fledglings. Further survey, including by calls, is recommended. The site

is now managed by ECWA (Evangelical Church of W Africa) Rural Development, so

it is likely hoped that the wet grassland habitat of the Locust Finches will be

maintained.

Our work was funded by the Leventis Conservation Foundation, to whom we are very

grateful. We would also like to thank the staff of ECWA Rural Development for

access to the site. Ulf Ottoson and Paavo Sallinen helped in the field. This is

publication no. 6 of the A.P. Leventis Ornithological Research Institute.

References

Borrow, N. & Demey, R. (2001) Birds of Western Africa. Helm, London.

Clement, P., Harris, A. & Davis, J. (1994) Finches and Sparrows: an Identification

Guide. Helm, London.

Dowsett, R.J. & Dowsett-Lemaire, F. (2000) New species and amendments to the

avifauna of Cameroon. Bull. Brit. Orn. Club 120:179-185.

Perrins, C.M. & Birkhead, T.R. (1983) Avian Ecology. Blackie & Son, Glasgow.

Stevenson, T. (1992) First record of the Locust Finch Ortygospiza locustella in

Kenya. Scopus 15: 32.

Received 19 February 2003

Revised 21 May 2003 Ross McGregor & Jared M. Wilson

University of St Andrews, Bute Building, St Andrews, Fife, KYI 6 9TS, U.K. and

A.P. Leventis Ornithological Research Institute, P.O. Box 13404, Laminga, Jos, Nigeria

A high altitude sighting of the Sao Tomé Short- tail Amaurocichla bocagei

Sâo Tomé in the Gulf of Guinea is well known for its endemic, restricted range, bird

fauna (Peet & Atkinson 1994), and it has been recognised by Fishpool & Evans

(2001) as an Important Bird Area. Eleven species of breeding land birds are listed by

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IUCN as in some degree threatened (IUCN 2002), all of which are endemic and occur

in the remaining primary rainforest of the island.

One of the most elusive of these species is the Sâo Tomé Short-tail Amaurocichla

bocagei , a species listed as Vulnerable (BirdLife International 2000, IUCN 2002)

because of its presumed small population size, based on estimates of the amount of

habitat considered suitable for the species that remains in Sâo Tomé. Previous

sightings of A. bocagei have been in primary rainforest below 600m, in the south-west

of the island, especially near watercourses (Peet & Atkinson 1994, Christy & Clarke

1998, Borrow & Demey 2001). During a systematic survey of the primary rainforest

of the island, we sighted A. bocagei in high altitude rainforest in central Sâo Tomé.

On 27 Dec 2001, a single adult A. bocagei was seen at Estaçâo Sousa (0°16'N,

6°33"E) at an altitude of 1 100 m in the central mountainous massif east of Pico de Sâo

Tomé. The bird was not especially close to a watercourse, but numerous small streams

have their headwaters in the vicinity. It was seen about 1 m above ground level

walking along a near-horizontal fallen tree branch. It had long legs, a long, thin bill

and was an overall dark brown. It made several characteristic calls and was observed

for more than 5 min. It appeared darker than other A. bocagei observed subsequently

in the lowlands. The occurrence of A. bocagei at high altitudes in the central

mountainous massif was confirmed by a local guide, who reported regular but

uncommon sightings in the region (Pedro Leitâo pers. comm.).

This sighting significantly extends the area of forest that may be considered

occupied by A. bocagei. However, the species still has a restricted range as it occurs

only in primary rainforest. The potential population size for the species could be much

larger than previously thought, although A. bocagei is probably uncommon at high

altitudes. We saw only a single individual during a six-day survey, whereas in the

heart of its lowland forest distribution, we observed several individuals and pairs

daily. We therefore do not recommend that its conservation status be changed unless

significant populations are discovered at high altitude.

We thank Pedro Leitâo, the staff of ECOFAC Sâo Tomé and Principe, Angus

Gascoigne and Peter Jones. The work was funded by the Davis Expedition Fund, the

British Ecological Society and the John Ray Trust. Additional support was provided

by Garmin (Europe) Ltd and Berghaus Ltd.

References

Borrow, N. & Demey, R. (2001) Birds of Western Africa. Christopher Helm, London.

Birdlife International (2000) Threatened Birds of the World. Lynx, Barcelona.

Christy, P & Clarke, W.V. (1998) Guide des Oiseaux de Sâo Tomé et Principe.

ECOFAC, Sâo Tomé.

Fishpool, L.D.C. & Evans, M.I. (eds) (2001) Important Bird Areas in Africa and

Associated Islands. Pisces, Newbury.

IUCN (2002) IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN, Gland.

2003

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Peet, N. B. & Atkinson, P.W. (1994) The biodiversity and conservation of the birds

of Sâo Tomé and Principe. Biodiversity Conserv . 3: 851-867.

Received 6 March 2003 Martin Dallimer1, Tony King2 & Rachel Atkinson3

’Dept of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, 310 Dinwiddie Hall, Tulane University,

New Orleans, LA 70118, U.S.A. <dallimer@tulane.edu>

2Projet Protection des Gorilles, BP 13977, Brazzaville, Republic of Congo.

3c/o Mauritian Wildlife Foundation, La Preneuse, Black River, Mauritius

New records of Moussier’s Redstart Phoenicurus moussieri and Lesser

Striped Swallow Hirundo abyssinica from Mauritania

During an expedition of the Swiss Ornithological Institute to Mauritania in September

2001, two bird species were observed, neither of which is mentioned in literature for

the country (Lamarche 1988, Keith et al. 1992, Dowsett & Dowsett-Lemaire 1993,

Borrow & Demey 2001) although they have been recorded in Mauritania (B.

Lamarche in litt.).

Phoenicurus moussieri Moussier’s Redstart. At our camp at 18°331Sf, 10°22AV

between Tidjikja and Tichit on 12 September, VS and FL saw a bird fly into a bush,

emerge after a short time to stay a few seconds on the ground, then fly off not to be

seen again. Although the observation, from c. 15 m, was brief, the red tail indicated

that it was a Redstart Phoenicurus sp. The deep red underparts excluded Black

Redstart P. ochruros and female Common Redstart P. phoenicurus. The bird differed

from male Common Redstart by the more intense colour of the underparts and the red

rather than black throat. It had a distinctive whitish supercilium, extending from the

forehead backwards and curving around the ear coverts. The supercilium was slightly

mottled with black, and the crown was dark with brown feather fringes, indicating a

male Moussier’s Redstart in eclipse plumage (Svensson et al. 1999).

According to Keith et al. (1992) Moussier’s Redstart is endemic to NW Africa

(Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya) with vagrants recorded in Malta, Italy and Britain.

It might be a short distance migrant but its movements are not well known (Keith et

al. 1992). Our observation is apparently the first south of the Sahara to be published,

although the species has been observed in the country by B. Lamarche (in litt.).

Hirundo abyssinica Lesser Striped Swallow. On the afternoon of 22 September in

the Guelta Metraugha, a narrow valley fringed by cliffs, at about 16°37'42"N,

1 1°24T2~ between Kiffa and Ayoun, we (VS, RA, FL, DP) observed a flock of c. 20

Lesser Striped Swallows together with some Bam Swallows H. rustica and African

Rock Martins H.fuligula. The Lesser Striped Swallows were distinguished from Bam

Swallows by the red head and mmp. Some of them flew less than 1 0 m overhead in

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good light, revealing their distinctly striped underparts and white undertail coverts,

which distinguish them from Red-rumped Swallow H. daurica.

Lesser Striped Swallows are migratory visitors north of 10°N, where they breed in

the rains (Keith et al. 1992). The present record, together with B. Lamarche’ s (in litt.)

unpublished observations, is the northernmost sighting of this species. The number

seen suggests that it may not be merely a vagrant.

The project was supported by Gesellschaft für Technische Zusammenarbeit (GTZ),

Ministère de Développement Rural et de l’Environnement (MORE), University of

Nouakchott (Faculté de Science et Technique), and the Swiss and German embassies

in Mauritania. VS was supported by the ESF BIRD programme. Mr Hambelli helped

with the field work. Tara Shine kindly improved our English.

References

Borrow, N & Demey, R. (2001) A Guide to the Birds of Western Africa. Princeton

University Press, Princeton.

Dowsett, R.J. & Dowsett-Lemaire, F. (1993) A Contribution to the Distribution and

Taxonomy of Afrotropical and Malagasy Birds. Res. Rep. 5, Tauraco Press, Liège.

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

Press, London.

Lamarche, B. (1988) Liste commentée des oiseaux de Mauritanie. Etud. sahar.

ouest-afr. 1(4): 1-162.

Svensson, L., Grant, P. J., Mullarney, K. & Zettenstrôm, D. (1999) Der Neue

Kosmos Vogelfiihrer. Kosmos, Stuttgart.

Received 29 November 2001

Revised 7 July 2003 Volker Salewski, Res Altwegg, Felix Liechti & Dieter Peter

Swiss Ornithological Institute, 6204 Sempach, Switzerland

First breeding record of Ovambo Sparrowhawk Accipiter ovampensis in

West Africa

Ovambo Sparrowhawk Accipiter ovampensis is a scarce though fairly widespread

endemic to woodlands in sub-Saharan Africa (Brown et al. 1982). Its movements and

breeding patterns are poorly known, and the only breeding records come from

southern Africa, where it regularly breeds from September to November (Maclean

1993), and Kenya, where there are single records from May and September

(Ferguson-Lees & Christie 2001). It is thought not to breed north of 1°N, and only

regularly breeds south of 6°S (Ferguson-Lees & Christie 2001), although juveniles

have been recorded in Senegal (Brown et al 1982).

2003

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105

In southern Africa, where is appears to be most common, it is generally resident,

although Harrison et al. (1996) found it less common in Zimbabwe during the austral

winter. In W Africa it occurs throughout the savanna zone as an uncommon to rare

intra-African migrant during the wet season (Jun-Oct), from Senegal to Central

African Republic (Borrow & Demey 2001), but may be resident in Togo and Ghana

Barlow et al. 1997). There is only one published record from Cameroon, of a spec-

imen collected in 1936 (Louette 1981), although there are two doubtful records from

Kalamaloué NP in the Far North province from Apr-May 1992 (Scholte et al. 1999)

and a recent sight record from central Cameroon in Apr 2002 (N. Borrow pers. comm.).

On 21 March 2003, we located two accipiters busy building a nest, in well-

developed Sudan-Guinea savanna woodland of the Bénoué National Park, Cameroon

(8°2015f, 13°50"E, see Fotso et al 2001). The following diagnosed them as Ovambo

Sparrowhawks: dark red iris, orange-yellow cere and legs, three narrow white bands

on the tail, white tip to the tail, and underparts barred all the way up to the chin. We

watched for about 30 min. as the birds ferried branches back to their nest, a large pile

of dry sticks. RH obtained photographs of one of the birds sitting on the nest (Fig. 1).

Figure 1. The Ovambo Sparrowhawk in Bénoué N.P., Cameroon. The original

colour photos clearly show the red iris and orange-yellow cere (Ed.).

This observation constitutes the first confirmed breeding record of Ovambo

Sparrowhawk for W and central Africa. The question now is whether this was an

isolated breeding attempt, or whether Ovambo Sparrowhawk regularly breeds in this

region.

References

Barlow, C., Wacher, T. & Disley, T. (1999) A Field Guide to the Birds of The

Gambia and Senegal. Christopher Helm, London

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Borrow, N. & Demey, R. (2001) Birds of Western Africa. Christopher Helm, London.

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

Academie Press, London.

Fergusom-Lees, J. & Christie, D.A. (2001) Raptors of the World. Christopher Helm,

London.

Fotso, R., Dowsett-Lemaire,F., Dowsett, R. J., Cameroon Ornithological

Club, Schûlte, P., Lang u y, M. & Bowden, C. (2001) Cameroon. Pp. 133-159

in Fishpqol, L.D.C. & Evans MJ. (eds) Important Bird Areas in Africa and

Associated Islands. Pisces, Newbury.

Harrison, J.A., Allan, D.G., Underhill, L.G., Herremans, M., Tree, A.J.,

Parker, V. & Brown, CJ. (eds) (1997) The Atlas of Southern Africa Birds. Vol

1: Non-passerines. BirdLife South Africa, Johannesburg.

Louette, M. (1981) The Birds of Cameroon. An Annotated Checklist . Paleis der

Academiën, Brussels.

Maclean, G.L. (1993). Roberts’ Birds of Southern Africa. 6th ed. John Voelcker Bird

Book Fund, Cape Town.

Scholte, P., De Kort, S. & Van Weerd, M. (1999). The birds of the Waza-Logone

area. Far North province, Cameroon. Malimbus 21: 16-50.

Received 12 June 2003

Revised 27 September 2003 Michael Mills1, Ron Hoff2 & Dolly ann Myers2

! Private Bag X402, Kruger National Park, Skukuza, 1350, South Africa

<michaelCg)birdingafrica.com>

282 Hack worth Lane, Clinton, TN 37716, U.S.A. <dollyron@ ester.com>

Comments on Kizungu et ah (2002): the birds of Idjwi, Democratic

Republic of Congo

There are several errors in the paper by Kizungu et ah (2002). Of the 26 species

claimed by the authors as new for Idjwi, one is certainly misidentified and another

probably so: Platysteira albifrons is an Angola scarp endemic (listed here without this

astonishing claim being mentioned) and is probably in error for P. peltata, and

Elminia longicauda is almost certainly in error for the parapatrie E. albicauda

(already known from Idjwi). The total number of acceptable species on the list of

Kizungu et ah (2002) probably stands, therefore, at 84. Three species claimed as new

were in fact already recorded by Prigogine (1967, 1973): Chrysococcyx cup reus,

Campephaga sulphurata (under the name of C. (phoenicea) flovo) and Nectarinia

erythrocerca (as N erythroceria). Six other species are not indicated as new, but do

appear to be so: Ardea melanocephala , Lophaetus occipitalis. Chrysococcyx caprius ,

A pus apus (if correctly identified), Dendropicos xantholophus (surprisingly the only

2003

Notes Courtes

107

woodpecker on their list) and Apalis binotaia. Thus of the 26 species claimed as new,

five had already been recorded by Prigogine or have to be deleted, whereas six others

were new but are not indicated as such; the number of species new to the Idjwi list

therefore is 27. As Prigogine listed 118 species (not 1 15, as stated by Kizungu et al.),

the total number of species for Idjwi stands at 145.

No fewer than 61 species recorded by Prigogine (1967, 1973) were not found by

Kizungu et al (2002), although some of these were common. These authors claim that

extensive deforestation has resulted in the disappearance of many species, but not all

those on Prigogine’ s list that they missed were forest birds, and in our experience

many of those that do mainly inhabit forest in this region can be found in secondary

situations. We must therefore question the thoroughness of their survey. In any case,

the supposed disappearance of such species as Apalis rufogularis eidos, Oriolus

percivali, Coracina caesia and Nectarinia purpureiventris (for example) requires a

more detailed and convincing argument than is put forward here. The avifauna of

Idjwi island remains in need of a thorough survey.

References

Kizungu, B., Kanyamibwa, S., Gatarabirwa, W. & Ukinzintambara, T. (2002)

Inventaire des oiseaux de File Idjwi (Lac Kivu, République Démocratique du

Congo) et statut de ses forêts. Malimbus 24: 15-22.

Prigogine, A. (1967) La faune ornithologique de File Idjwi. Rev. Zool Bot. afr. 75:

249-274.

Prigogine, A. (1973) La faune ornithologique de l’île Idjwi (addendum). Rev. Zool.

Bot. afr. 87: 189-194.

Received 13 September 2002

Revised 7 July 2003 R. Derney 1 , R. J. Dowsett2 & Françoise Dowsett-Lemaire2

'Van der Heimstraat 52, 2582 SB Den Haag, The Netherlands

crondemey @ compuserve.com>

2Le Pouget, F- 3 0440 Sumène, France <dowsett@aol.com>

Ectoparasite gleaning of Sitatunga Tragelaphus spekeii by Fire-crested

Alethe Alethe diademata and a bulbul

Most of the documented bird-mammal associations in Africa have been observed in

savannas (reviewed in Dean & MacDonald 1981, Vernon & Dean 1988) and include a

wide diversity of both bird and mammal species, with most interactions noted being

birds taking prey flushed by mammals. However, very few such interactions have

been documented within African forests (Vernon & Dean 1988), where visibility is

poor and mammals tend to flee when humans approach. This note describes one of the

108

Short Notes

Malimbus 25

few records of forest passerines gleaning ecoparasites from a large mammal in closed

canopy rainforest in Africa. The only previous record of gleaning by birds in closed

forests quoted in Dean & MacDonald (1981) is of Chorister Robin Cossypha dichroa

gleaning a Nyala Tragelaphus angasi.

Ruggiero & Eves (1998) reported bird-mammal associations from the Central

African forest in open, sedge-dominated clearings where visibility of mammals was

good and observers were located on viewing platforms. Most observations were of

birds catching insects disturbed by the mammals’ activities, although some birds

gleaned ectoparasites from their skins. All their observations were therefore made in

roughly the same conditions as a savanna. These clearings are a striking feature of

areas of the lowland forests of Central Africa, and are very attractive to some large

mammalian herbivores, including Gorilla Gorilla gorilla. Forest Elephant Loxodonta

africana cyclotis, and the aquatic antelope, the Sitatunga Tragelaphus spekeii {e.g.

Blake 2002, Magliocca et al 2002, Vanleeuwe et al. 1998).

Some aspects of Sitatunga population dynamics and ecology have been

documented (Manning 1983, Magliocca et al 2002, Owen 1970, Starin 2000) and

Ruggiero & Eves (1998) documented three bird species (African Jacana Actophilornis

africanus. Yellow-billed Oxpecker Buphagus africanus and Great Egret Egretta alba)

gleaning arthropods from their skin. These three bird species, however, tend to be

confined to open country, or to isolated patches of dry or swampy savannas embedded

within the forest zone. No bird species was observed by these authors to glean

arthropods from ungulates whilst actually within the forest itself.

The Mbeli clearing in the northern Republic of Congo is one of the sites men-

tioned by Ruggiero & Eves (1998). It lies 5 km inside the well-protected Nouabale-

Ndoki National Park. There has been an almost continuous research presence

(focusing on Gorillas) at the clearing since 1993 {e.g. Parnell 2002, Stokes et al. in

press), and most of the large mammals visiting the clearing are habituated to human

presence, especially at and around the viewing platform. Sitatunga are particularly

tame and can be seen resting and feeding both in the clearing and in the closed swamp

forest near the platform, often at distances of 10-20 m from the observer.

On 12 Mar 2001, a greenish coloured (unidentified) bulbul (Pycnonotidae) was

observed sitting on the back of an adult female Sitatunga in closed forest about 40 m

from the viewing platform at Mbeli. The bulbul was gleaning insects from the back of

the Sitatunga as it moved through the undergrowth of the swamp. Both animals were

completely unconcerned by the presence of the observer. The Sitatunga moved out of

sight after about 20 min.

On 16 Mar 2003, a Fire-crested Alethe Alethe diademata was seen gleaning

arthropods from the ears of a young male Sitatunga which was lying down ruminating

in the swamp forest. The bird was mostly perched on the back of the Sitatunga, and

leaped to the ears to pick off food, then settled again on the antelope’s back. The

animals were very close to the previous locality, but about 20 m further into the forest.

After about 10 min., the Sitatunga got up and moved around in the undergrowth; the

2003

Notes Courtes

109

alethe remained dose to it, sometimes perching on its hack and sometimes on

adjacent vegetation. Finally the Sitatunga and its attendant bird walked out of sight.

The antelopes were at no point worried about human presence, which allowed for

excellent views of the interactions.

In both cases the Sitatungas were completely unconcerned by the gleaning

activities of the birds. When they are hosts to Yellow billed Oxpeckers Buphagus

africanus , for example in the Odzala National Park, Congo, Sitatunga show signs of

distress, shaking their ears and twitching their skins (pers. obs.). It may be that the

smaller bills and weaker pecking of the two bird species observed here are less

irritating or painful to Sitatunga than are those of the Oxpeckers. This is the first

published record of Sitatunga being gleaned by birds, but other Tragelaphinae (Nyala

and Bushbuck Tragelaphus scriptus ) have been recorded being gleaned by Red billed

Oxpecker Buphagus erythrorhynchus , the Turdidae Chorister Robin and Natal Robin

Cossypha natalensis, and the Pycnonotidae Yellow-bellied Bulbul Chlorocichla

flaviventris (Dean & MacDonald 1981) and Yellow-spotted Nicator Nicator gularis

(Roche & Kilpin 2003). Yellow-bellied Bulbul has also been recorded gleaning

ectoparasites off Impala Aepyceros melampus. Common Duiker Sylvicapra grimmia ,

Red Duiker Cephalophus natalensis and Klipspringer Oreotragus oreotragus (Currie

1999, Dean & MacDonald 1981, Roberts 1993, 1995).

This sort of interaction between large mammals and birds may be very common in

closed forest. It is, however, particularly difficult to observe relaxed ungulates, due to

the high levels of hunting pressure in most areas of forested Africa. Hunting pressure

is becoming ever greater as access into the last remote forest tracts is facilitated by

logging roads throughout Central Africa. It will be increasingly more difficult to find

areas where such interrelationships between species can still be observed. Observers

in tropical forested Africa are encouraged to be alert for more records of this type, and

to act where they can to conserve this intricate, multifaceted forest world.

I thank the government of Congo’s Ministry of Forest Economy and the Department

of Wildlife and Protected Areas (DWPA), especially Mr J.-P. Onday, Director of the

DWPA, and Mr B. Djoni, Conservator of Nouabale-Ndoki National Park, for their

support for the Park and for conservation in Congo. In the Wildlife Conservation

Society (WCS), I thank Mr Bryan Curran, Director, and Mr J. Mokoko-Ikonga,

Assistant Director, both of the WCS Congo Protected Areas Programme. I particularly

thank Dr Emma Stokes and Thomas Breuer for their unfailingly warm welcome at

Mbeli Bai Research and Conservation Project. At the time of writing, the author was

supported by WCS and by a grant from the US Fish and Wildlife Service.

References

Blake, S. (2002) Forest buffalo prefer clearings to closed-canopy forest in the

primary forest of northern Congo. Oryx 36: 81-86.

Currie, J. (1999) Yellowbellied Bulbul feeds from Red Duiker. Ecol. J. 1 : 17.

110

Short Notes

Malimbus 25

Dean, W.R.J. & MacDonald, I.A.W. (1981) A review of African birds feeding in

association with mammals. Ostrich 52: 135-155.

Magliocca, F., Querouil, S. & Gautier-Hion, A. (2002) Grouping pattern,

reproduction and dispersal in a population of sitatungas ( Tragelaphus spekei

gratus). Can. J. Zool. 80: 245-250.

Manning, I.P.A. (1983) Ecology of the Sitatunga ( Tragelaphus spekei selousi

Rothschild, 1898) in the Bangweulu Swamps, Zambia, Central Africa. MSc,

Acadia University.

Owen, R.E.A. (1970) Some observations on the sitatunga in Kenya. Afr. Wildl. J. 18:

181-193.

Parnell, R.J. (2002) Group size and structure in western lowland gorillas ( Gorilla

gorilla gorilla ) at Mbeli Bai, Republic of Congo. Am. J. Primatol. 56: 193-206.

Roberts, S.C. (1993) Yellowbellied Bulbul gleaning on a klipspringer. Ostrich 64: 136.

Roberts, S.C. (1995) Gleaning in klipspringer pre-orbital glands by Redwinged

Starlings and Yellowbellied Bulbuls. Ostrich 66: 147-148.

Roche, C. & Kilpin, A. (2003) New record of gleaning by the Yellowspotted Nicator.

Bird Numbers 12: 18-19.

Ruggiero, R.G. & Eves, H.E. (1998) Bird-mammal associations in forest openings of

northern Congo (Brazzaville). Afr. J. Ecol. 36: 183-193.

Starin, E.D. (2000) Notes on sitatunga in the Gambia. Afr. J. Ecol , 38. 339-342.

Stokes, E.J., Parnell, R.J. & Olejniczak, C. (in press) Female dispersal and

reproductive success in wild western lowland gorillas ( Gorilla gorilla gorilla).

Behav. Ecol. Sociobiol.

Vanleeuwe, H., Cajani, S. & Gautier-Hion, A. (1998) Large mammals at forest

clearings in the Odzala National Park, Congo. Rev. Ecol. ( Terre Vie) 53: 171-180.

Vernon, C.J. & Dean, W.R.J. (1988) Further African bird-mammal feeding

associations. Ostrich 59: 38-39.

Received 21 April 2003

Revised 28 July 2003

Fiona Maisels

Wildlife Conservation Society, Nouabalé-Ndoki Project, BP 14537, Brazzaville, Congo

and (correspondence) Institute of Cell, Animal and Population Biology,

Edinburgh University, U.K. <fmaisels@wcs.org>

2003

111

News & Letters — Nouvelles & Lettres

Eleventh Pan-African Ornithological Congress

The 1 1th Pan™ African Ornithological Congress (PAOC XI) is planned for 21-25

November 2004, in Djerba, Tunisia, with the theme “Birds crossing borders —

linking people and habitats throughout Africa”. The convening organisation is the

Association “Les Amis des Oiseaux”, BirdLife’s partner in Tunisia.

The congress programme is still being developed but will include sessions on:

Migration

Waterbird movements and distribution

Transfrontier parks and conservation

Birds in North African tradition and arts

Other papers on any topic related to African ornithology and conservation will also be

accepted. Congress languages (simultaneous translation will be ensured) will be

French and English. Full information can be obtained from:

Association “Les Amis des Oiseaux” — PAOC XI

Ariana Center, Bureau C 209, Avenue 18 Janvier 1952, 2080 Ariana, Tunisia

Phone/Fax: +216 71 717860; e-mail: aao.bird@planet.tn

Onzième Congrès Ornithologique Pan-Africain

L’onzième Congrès Ornithologique Pan- Africain (PAOC XI) est prévu du 21 au 25

Novembre 2004 à Djerba, Tunisie, avec pour thème “Oiseaux sans frontières — lien

entre hommes et habitats à travers l’Afrique”, L’organisateur en est l’Association

“Les Amis des Oiseaux”, partenaire de BirdLife en Tunisie.

Le programme du congrès est en cours de préparation, mais il comprendra les

sessions suivantes:

Migration

Mouvements des oiseaux d’eau et leur répartition

Aires protégées transfrontalières et conservation

Oiseaux dans les traditions et les arts nord-africains

Les autres contributions sur les oiseaux et leur conservation en Afrique seront

également acceptées. Les langues du congrès seront le français et l’anglais (la

traduction simultanée sera assurée). On peut recevoir plus d’information de:

Association “Les Amis des Oiseaux” — PAOC XI

Ariana Center, Bureau C 209, Avenue 18 Janvier 1952, 2080 Ariana, Tunisie

Tél/Fax: +216 71 717860; e-mail: aao.bird@ planet. tn

112

Malimbus 25

Reviews — Revues

Echassiers, Canards, Limicoles et Laridés de l’Ouest Africain, par O. Girard,

2003. 220 pp., 28 planches. ONCFS, Ile d’Olonne. ISBN 2=910399-59-1, broché.

Disponible à: ONCFS, Service documentation, Saint-Benoist, F-78610 Auffargis,

France, €20 frais de port inclus.

Voici la seconde version, révisée et augmentée, du livre de Girard (1998) Echassiers ,

Canards et Limicoles de l'Ouest Africain (analysée dans Malimbus 21: 64, 1999). Ce

guide de poche est destiné d’abord aux personnes effectuant les comptages des

oiseaux d’eau dans l’Ouest africain, mais aussi à tous ceux qui, à des titres divers,

sont curieux de connaître cette avifaune. Comme dans la première édition, les

pélicans et les cormorans sont inclus dans les “échassiers”. Il y a deux changements

importants dans cette nouvelle édition, l’une étant l’adjonction des Laridés (incluant

les Sternidés), ce qui fait passer le nombre d’espèces traitées de 1 12 à 129.

Pour cette seconde version, les 30 premiers pages de la première version restent

pratiquement inchangées, et traitent de sujets tels que méthodes de comptages et de

baguage, protection des zones humides. La liste donnée des centres de baguage est

plus importante que précédemment et la bibliographie sommaire, mise à jour, est plus

longue. Manque en revanche l’annexe des longueurs d’ailes pliées, probablement

parce que ces données sont inutiles dans un guide d’identification des oiseaux destiné

aux comptages. Le texte est entièrement écrit en français, mais avec toujours

référence du nom des espèces en anglais et en portugais.

Il y a aussi une amélioration de la présentation, en particulier dans le texte faisant

vis-à-vis aux planches (taille de l’oiseau et caractères de son plumage, observé à terre

ou au vol). Les planches de la version originale sont reprises avec des fonds en

couleurs tenant compte de la couleur du plumage de l’oiseau, bleu par exemple pour

les espèces au plumage à dominance blanche. Il en résulte que les dessins gagnent en

lisibilité. Les couleurs sont également plus intenses, donc beaucoup plus

ressemblantes. Il y a six nouvelles planches pour les Laridés et les Sternidés.

La deuxième amélioration importante est la description détaillée des espèces, qui

maintenant occupent 1 1 8 pages contre 49 dans la première édition, avec seulement

une espèce par page. Tandis que dans la première version, seules 52 espèces étaient

décrites en détail, dans cette nouvelle version elles le sont toutes. Chaque espèce a sa

carte tenant compte des dernières connaissances, elle est plus détaillée que dans la

première version, et rendue particulièrement lisible par l’utilisation de couleur. Enfin,

les espèces ressemblantes à terre ou vol sont signalées avec description sommaire et

éventuellement dessins.

On peut regretter un certain manque de rigueur vis-à-vis de la classification. Un

rappel des noms des familles regroupées sous le nom de limicoles eût été

2003

Revues

113

pédagogique, mais Fauteur s’en excuse en expliquant que ce livre est d’abord un livre

de terrain, dont le nombre d’espèces a été limité à celui retenu lors des comptages.

On ne peut que remercier l’auteur de cet ouvrage, agent de l’Office National de la

Chasse et de la Faune Sauvage, spécialiste des canards et des limicoles et professeur

d’ornithologie à l’école de faune de Garoua (Cameroun) de nous faire profiter de son

expérience des zones humides de l’Ouest africain et le féliciter d’avoir, en moins de

cinq ans, complété d’une façon aussi substantielle la première version de son livre.

Marie- Yvonne Morel & Alan Tye

114

Malimbus 25

Society Notices — Informations de la Société

Editor’s Report for the years 2001=2

Since achieving in 1996 a standard publication schedule (March and September) for the

two issues per year, the flow of manuscripts had, until 2002, been sufficient to maintain this

schedule, except for delays of a single month for both issues of 1998. Since then, the news

has been bad, with a three-month delay in the second issue of 2001, and enough material

for only a single issue in 2002, both due to shortage of material. The future looks even

bleaker, with not a single full-length manuscript having been received since May

2002, more than one year ago. Statistics for 2001-2 are summarized in Table 1.

Table 1. Malimbus publication statistics, 2001-2

Since Volume 1, the average number of pages per volume has been 123. The 2001

volume was close to this average, but there was a sudden drop in 2002, not predicted in my

last report (written in March 2001: Malimbus 23: 12-1 A). I noted then a worrying steady

decline in submissions, with the number received during 2000 being about half the annual

average of the mid-1990s. Since then, submissions of full-length papers have fallen to zero,

although Short Notes continue to arrive at the former rate.

What has happened to these full-length papers? To some extent it is clear that

material suitable for Malimbus has been sent to other journals, such as the Bulletin of

the African Bird Club. However, surprisingly, the short notes that would be most

suitable for the latter and other competitors continue to be submitted to Malimbus.

Our most serious loss has been the fuller analyses of regional avifaunas, and it is not

obvious where these are now going, if indeed they are still being written. The

continued dearth of biological and ecological submissions is equally disappointing.

All full-length papers and 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’5.

Seven papers were rejected or withdrawn by their authors for one or more of the

following reasons: inadequate methodology (five), lack of new data (two) or poor

presentation (two). The proportion rejected, of those received the same year, was higher

2003

Informations de la Société

115

(20-25%) than in previous years (usually 0-10%), hut this was not caused by any change

in the standards for acceptance. Rejection took place within at most seven months of

receipt. Of the 23 scientific papers published, 15 (65%) required revision by their authors

(beyond minor editorial changes), a lower proportion than in previous years, perhaps

reflecting the smaller proportion of full-length papers published. Revision by authors

occupied from 12 days to five years and eight months(!) (median two months), similar to

recent previous years. The delay between receiving a final, acceptable version of a paper

and its publication was one week to 13 months (median 5 months), similar to recent

previous years and 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 receipt of a submission and its publication

varied from, two months to five years 10 months (median 1 1 months), with 58% of papers

published within one year of receipt.

No Index has been published since that to Volume 17 (1995). I should be

interested to hear from any member interested to take on this task.

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 Sharked, Roger Wilkinson and Hazel! Thompson for continuing to

manage the journal5 s printing, distribution, and mailing lists.

Alan Tye

Rapport de Rédacteur pour la période 2001-2

Depuis F instauration en 1996 d’un rythme normal de deux publications par an (mars

et septembre), l’arrivée des manuscrits fut suffisant jusqu’en 2002, excepté pour des

retards ne dépassant pas un mois pour les deux numéros de 1998. Depuis lors, la

situation s’est détériorée avec un retard de trois mois pour le deuxième numéro de

2001, et juste assez de texte pour un numéro unique en 2002, ces deux faits étant dus

à la pénurie de soumissions. L’avenir paraît encore plus sombre car nous n* avons

reçu aucun, article de fond depuis mai 2002, donc depuis plus d’un an. Les statistiques

pour les années 2001-2 sont résumées dans le Tableau 1.

Depuis le Volume 1, le nombre moyen de pages par volume a été de 123. Il faut

remarquer que 2001 était proche de la moyenne, mais il y eut une chute brusque en

2002, ce qui n’était pas prévu dans mon dernier rapport (écrit en mars 2001:

Malimbus 23: 72-74). On remarque alors un inquiétant déclin des manuscrits reçus:

ainsi, le nombre reçu au cours de F année 2000 fut à peu près la moitié du total annuel

des années 1990. Depuis lors, F arrivée des articles de fond est tombée à zéro, bien

que celle des Notes Courtes continue au rythme habituel.

Qu’est-il arrivé à ces articles de fond? Il est clair, jusqu’à un certain point, que ce qui

aurait pu être envoyé à Malimbus Fa été à d’autres revues, telles que le Bulletin of the

African Bird Club. Pourtant, curieusement, les notes courtes qui auraient dû mieux

convenir à ce dernier et autres concurrents continuent d’être soumises à Malimbus. Notre

116

Society Notices

Malimbus 25

perte la plus sérieuse concerne les analyses d’avifaunes régionales, et on ne voit pas bien où

elles vont maintenant, si toutefois elles sont encore rédigées. La pénurie constante de

manuscrits sur la biologie et l’écologie est également inquiétante.

Table 1. Statistiques des publications pour 2001-2

Tous les manuscrits de fond et les Notes Courtes ont été revus par deux (parfois

un ou trois) lecteurs en plus du Rédacteur. Les lecteurs sont cités dans chaque numéro

dans le Comité de Rédaction.

Sept articles furent refusés ou retirés par leurs auteurs pour un ou plusieurs des

motifs suivants: méthodologie inappropriée (cinq), manque de nouvelles données (deux)

ou mauvaise présentation (deux). Le nombre de refus par rapport à ceux reçus cette

même année (20-25%) fut plus élevé que les années passées (habituellement 0-10%),

mais ce n’était pas dû à quelque changement des critères d’acceptation. Le refus eut lieu

tout au plus dans les sept mois suivant la soumission. Sur les 23 articles scientifiques

publiés, 15 (65%) exigèrent une révision par leurs auteurs (en plus de changements

mineurs de la rédaction), une plus faible proportion que les années précédentes, peut-

être due au plus petit nombre de manuscrits de fond publiés. La révision par les auteurs

prit de 12 jours à cinq années et huit mois(!) (moyenne deux mois), semblable aux

années précédentes. Le délai entre la réception de la version finale d’un manuscrit et sa

publication fut d’une semaine à 13 mois (moyenne 5 mois), semblable à celui des années

précédentes et difficile à réduire, étant donné notre rythme de parution bisannuel. Au

total, c’est-à-dire le temps pris par les lecteurs, mes propres corrections et les lectures

d’épreuves par les différents auteurs, le délai entre la première réception d’un manuscrit

et sa publication a varié entre deux mois et cinq ans et 10 mois (moyenne 1 1 mois), 58%

des articles étant publiés dans l’année de leur réception.

Aucun index n’a été publié depuis celui du Volume 17 (1995). J’aimerais bien

savoir si un membre de la Société désire reprendre ce travail.

Qu’il me soit permis d’exprimer mes remerciements à tous les critiques qui ont

pris sur leur temps et donné des avis précieux, à Geoffrey Field, Gérard Morel, Bob

Sharland, Roger Wilkinson et Hazell Thompson pour continuer à diriger l’impression

de la revue, sa distribution ainsi que tenir à jour la liste des abonnés.

Alan Tye

Instructions aux Auteurs

Malimbus publie des Articles, des Notes Courtes, des Revues de Livres, des Informations, des

Nouvelles & Lettres et des illustrations traitant de l’ornithologie ouest-africaine.

Les Articles et les Notes Courtes doivent être des apports originaux; ceux déjà publiés

ailleurs, en partie ou en totalité, seront normalement refusés. Les Notes Courtes sont des articles de

moins de 1500 mots (références comprises) ou de trois pages imprimées. Autant que possible, les

manuscrits auront été auparavant soumis au moins à un ornithologue ou biologiste pour un examen

minutieux. Les manuscrits seront envoyés pour critique à au moins un lecteur compétent.

Les textes des Nouvelles & Lettres ne devraient dépasser 1000 mots.

Les textes sont acceptés en anglais et en français; la Rédaction pourra aider les auteurs dont

la langue maternelle n’est pas l’une de celles-ci. Nous préférons les envois de manuscrits par

e-mail (pièce jointe). Pour les envois sur papier, les textes seront tapés en deux exemplaires, d’un

seul côté de la page, avec double interligne et larges marges. Consultez l’Éditeur pour tout détail

supplémentaire, p. ex. les logiciels compatibles.

Les conventions concernant les tableaux, les chiffres, le système métrique, les références, etc.

peuvent être trouvées dans ce numéro et doivent être soigneusement suivies. Notez en particulier

que les dates s’abrègeront comme 2 fév 1990 mais dans un texte pourront s’écrire en entier; que les

heures s’écriront comme 6h45, 17h00; que les coordonnées s’écriront comme 7°46TSf, 16°4'W; que

les nombres jusqu’à dix s’écriront en entier, excepté devant une unité de mesure (p. ex. 6 m), que

les nombres à partir de 1 1 s’écriront en chiffres sauf au début d’une phrase. Toute référence citée

dans l’article, et aucune autre, doit figurer dans la bibliographie.

Les articles d’avifaune doivent comprendre une carte ou une liste des localités citées. Ils

devraient donner quelques détails sur le climat, la topographie, la végétation et l’environnement (y

compris les événements inhabituels) avant ou durant l’étude (p. ex. pluies tardives, etc.). Les listes

d’espèces ne devraient contenir que des données importantes: les listes complètes ne sont justifiées

que pour les régions encore non étudiées ou délaissées pendant longtemps. Autrement, ne citer que

les espèces sur lesquelles l’étude fournit de nouveaux faits sur la répartition, la période de séjour, la

reproduction, etc. Pour chaque espèce, indiquer le statut migratoire, la période de séjour (telle

qu’elle ressort de l’étude), l’extension de faire, une estimation d’abondance ( Malimbus 17: 38) et

les données datées sur la reproduction. Eventuellement, replacez les faits dans le contexte en les

comparant brièvement avec une liste régionale de référence. Les longues listes d’espèces devraient

être sous forme de tableaux (p. ex. Malimbus 12: 39-51, 1: 22-28, ou 1: 49-54) ou sous forme de

texte des derniers numéros (p. ex. Malimbus 12: 19-24, 12: 61-86, 13: 49-66, 16: 10-29). La

séquence taxonomique et les noms scientifiques (et de préférence aussi les noms vernaculaires)

devraient suivre Borrow & Demey (2002, Birds of Western Africa, Christopher Helm, London),

ou Dowsett & Forbes-Watson (1993, Checklist of Birds of the Afrotropical and Malagasy Regions,

Tauraco Press, Liège) ou The Birds of Africa (Brown et al. 1982, Urban et al. 1986, 1997, Fry et

al. 1988, 2000, Keith et al. 1992, Academie Press, London), à moins de donner les raisons de

s’écarter de ces auteurs. Un guide plus complet aux auteurs d’articles sur l’avifaune, comprenant

une notation d’abondance des espèces la plus conseillée, est publié dans Malimbus 17: 35-39. On

peut en obtenir une copie de la Rédaction, qui se fera aussi un plaisir d’offrir ses conseils sur la

présentation de ce genre d’études.

Les figures doivent être préparées pour une reproduction directe, permettant une réduction de

20-50%. On préfère les figures préparées sur logiciel graphique approprié et sauvegardées en

haute définition. Les fichiers de faible définition et les sorties sur imprimantes de mauvaise

qualité seront refusées. Les imprimantes autres que laser sont rarement de qualité acceptable. Les

figures sur papier utiliseront d’encre de chine avec du papier blanc de bonne qualité ou calque

épais ainsi que des caractères auto-collants selon le cas. Pour le dessin des Figures, tenir compte du

format de Malimbus. Consulter le Rédacteur pour tout renseignement.

Tous les Articles (mais non les Notes Courtes) comporteront un Résumé, n’excédant pas 5%

de la longeur totale. Le Résumé mentionnera brièvement les principaux résultats et conclusions de

l’Article et ne sera pas un simple compte rendu du travail. Les résumés seront publiés à la fois en

anglais et en français et seront traduits au mieux par la Rédaction.

Dix tirés-à-part des Articles (mais non des Notes courtes) seront envoyés gratis à l’auteur ou à

l’auteur principal. Les tirés-à-part ne seront ni agrafés, ni reliés ou recouverts; ce sont de simples

extraits de la revue.

MALIMBUS 25(2) November 2003

Contents — Table des Matières

Ecologie du Francolin à double éperon Francolinus bicalcaratus

dans le sud-est du Bénin.

J.T.C. Codjia, M.R.M. Ékué & G.A. Mensah

Notable bird observations from Nigeria, including the first records of

Spot-breasted Ibis Bostrychia rara and Yellow Longbill

Macrosphenus flavicans.

R. Demey, F. Dowsett-Lemaire & R.J. Dowsett

Short Notes — Notes Courtes

First records of Didric Cuckoo Chrysococcyx caprius parasitizing

Cricket Warbler Spiloptila clamans.

J.M. Wilson & P. Sallinen

On the occurrence of the Black Stork Ciconia nigra in Nigeria.

U. Ottosson, C. Hjort, P. Hall, W. Velmala & J.M. Wilson

Franklin’s Gull Larus pipixcan in The Gambia.

L. van Welie

A major range extension of Locust Finch Ortygospiza locustella

in West Africa.

R. McGregor & J.M. Wilson

A high altitude sighting of the Sâo Tomé Short-tail

Amaurocichla bocagei.

M. Dallimer, T. King & R. Atkinson

New records of Moussier’s Redstart Phoenicurus moussieri and

Lesser Striped Swallow Hirundo abyssinica from Mauritania.

V. Salewski, R. Altwegg, F. Liechti & D. Peter

First breeding record of Ovambo Sparrowhawk Accipiter

ovampensis in West Africa.

M. Mills, R. Hoff & D. Myers

Comments on Kizungu et al. (2002): the birds of Idjwi,

Democratic Republic of Congo.

R. Demey, R.J. Dowsett & F. Dowsett-Lemaire

Ectoparasite gleaning of Sitatunga Tragelaphus spekeii by

Fire-crested Alethe Alethe diademata and a bulbul.

F. Maisels

News & Letters — Nouvelles & Lettres

Reviews — Revues

77-84

85-94

95- 96

96- 97

97- 99

99-101

101-103

103- 104

104- 106

106- 107

107- 110

111

112-113

Society Notices — Informations de la Société

114-116

C? “7 I

As\oL5~I

g^iQl)5

VALIMBUS

Journal of West African Ornithology

Revue d’Ornithologïe de l'Ouest Africain

VOLUME 26 Numbers 1-2

ISSN 0331-3689

September 2004

published by: West African Ornithological Society

publiée par: Société d’Ornithologie de l’Ouest Africain

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

Secretary to Council: Dr Roger Wilkinson

Meetings Secretary: Dr Hazell S.S. Thompson

Webmaster: Peter W.P. Browne

Member of Council: Nils Robin

Editorial Board: P.W.P. Browne, Prof R.A. Cheke, Dr R. Demey, R.J. Dowsett, Dr

L.D.C. Fishpool, A.A. Green, Prof C.H. Fry, Dr. C.J. Hazevoet, Dr P.J. Jones,

F. Maisels, Dr G.J. Morel, Dr H. Tye, Dr R. Wilkinson

Malimbus distribution: G.D. Field Web site: http://malimbus.free.fr/

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<gmorel@normandnet.fr>) regarding policy matters.

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

1964. Its object is to promote West African ornithology, especially by means of its

journal Malimbus (formerly the Bulletin of the Nigerian Ornithologists ’ Society).

Applications for Membership are welcome. Annual subscriptions are £10 (€17) for

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2004

\ OCT 2 1 2004

Timing of moult and new species records of birds in the

Lesio-Louna Reserve, Republic of Congo

by Tony King1, Simon Tyler2 & Martin Dallimer3

1 Projet Protection des Gorilles, BP 13977, Brazzaville, Republic of Congo.

<ppg@uuplus.com>

2Trekforce Expeditions, PO Box 2063, 8 St Mark Street, Belize City, Belize.

<trekforce@btl.net>

’Strath Cauliadh Limited, Perth, Scotland, <martindallimer@yahoo.com>

Received 7 July 2003; revised 28 November 2003.

Summary

During three periods in 2002, 170 birds were netted, with 42 species

identified, in the Lesio-Louna Reserve, Téké Plateau, Republic of Congo. The

proportions of birds in primary moult differed between sampling periods.

Fewer woodland-forest birds were in moult during the dry Jun-Aug sampling

period than in the two wet sampling periods (Feb-Mar, Nov-Dee), suggesting

a Nov-Mar moult season. The savanna species exhibited a different pattern,

with 67% in moult during the Nov-Dec sampling period, and few in the other

two periods. This suggests an earlier moult season than for woodland-forest

birds, starting before late November and ending before the end of February.

Nine species were added to the previous area list of 236, of which five

( Pogoniulus atroflavus , Lamprotornis purpureiceps, Ploceus nigerrimus,

Quelea erythrops , Vidua ma croîtra) are widely recorded in Congo, while two

(. Halcyon leucocephala, Anabathmis reichenbachii ) are recorded on either

side of the Téké Plateau. A record of Dendropicus elliottii extends its known

distribution south, and one of Cossypha natalensis adds to the few for Congo.

Résumé

Rythme de mues et signalement de nouvelles espèces d’oiseaux dans la

Réserve de Lesio-Louna, République du Congo. Pendant trois périodes en

2002, 170 oiseaux furent capturés, et 42 espèces identifiées dans la réserve de

Lesio-Louna, plateau Téké, République du Congo. Les proportions d’oiseaux

en mue des primaires différaient entre les périodes d’échantillonnage. La

proportion d’oiseaux de régions boisées en mue était plus faible pendant

l’échantillonnage de saison sèche, juin-août, que lors des deux

échantillonnages de saison humide (nov-déc et fév-mars), ce qui suggère une

2

T. King, S. Tyler & M. Dal limer

Malimbus 26

période de mue de novembre à mars. Les espèces de savane montraient un

schéma différent, avec 67% de mue au cours de l’échantillonnage de nov-déc,

et peu au cours des autres échantillonnages, ce qui suggère une saison de mue

plus précoce que pour les oiseaux de régions boisées, commençant avant fin

novembre et se terminant avant fin de février. Neuf espèces furent ajoutées à

la liste précédente de 236 espèces pour la région, dont cinq ( Pogoniulus

atroflavus , Lamproîornis purpureiceps , Ploceus nigerrimus , Quelea

erythrops. Vidua macroura ) sont largement représentées au Congo, tandis que

deux (Halcyon leucocephala , Anabathmis reichenbachii) sont signalées de

part et d’autre du Plateau Téké. Une mention de Dendropicus elliottii étends

vers le sud sa présente distribution, et une de Cossypha naialensis s’ajoute

aux quelques données pour le Congo.

Introduction

The Lesio-Louna Reserve, officially titled La Réserve Naturelle des Gorilles de

Lesio-Louna, is an area of c. 500 km located 130 km north of Brazzaville in the

Republic of Congo (Figure 1). It is bounded by the Louna River to the west, the cliffs

of Mâh to the east, the Galingolo River to the north, and a boundary from Mbina to

the Louna River to the south. The Reserve comprises a small part of the Téké Plateau,

an area of c. 58,000 kirf in Congo, from Brazzaville in the south to Gamboma in the

north, and extending west to Ewo and into Gabon (Dowsett-Lemaire 1997c). The

climate of the reserve is similar to that elsewhere on the plateau, with a dry season

from late May to Sep, the heaviest rains Oct-Nov and then again Mar-Apr, with a

drier period around Jan-Feb (Moutsamboté 1994, Dowsetf Lemaire 1997c). The

limited weather data available for 2002 (Table 1) suggest that the survey was

conducted during a typical year. The altitude of the reserve ranges from 325 m along

the Louna River in the north-west, to 700 m at the top of the cliffs in the south. The

major habitat is savanna grassland (c. 360 km") with gallery and swamp forests along

the water-courses (c. 90 km"), plus some patches of dry forest on higher ground (c. 50

km"). Four types of savanna have been classified, based on the dominant species

found within each: Loudetia demeusei with Hymenocardia acida, Hyparrhenia ,

Loudetia simplex , and Loudetia demeusei (Moutsamboté 1994). Gallery forest is

dominated by Erismadelphus exsul , with Xylopia rubescens , Uapaca guineensis , Vit ex

rivularis, Pycnanthus marchalianus and Albizia sp., while swampy areas also contain

Mitragyna stipulosa , Symphonia globulifera and Alstonia boonei , with areas of

Ancistrophyllum secundiflorum and Raphia palms (Moutsamboté 1994). Dry forest on

higher ground is often dominated by Piptadeniastrum africanum , with other large

trees such as Pentaclethra eetveldeana , Pentaclethra macrophylla , Entandrophragma

angolensis and Millettia laurentii (Moutsamboté 1994).

2004

Birds of Lesio-Louna Reserve

3

Figure 1. Location of the Lesio-Louna Reserve and other sites mentioned in the

text, in the Republic of Congo,

Table 1. Weather data from Rase-Vie, Lesio-Louna Reserve, during 2002,

’Following the last rain before the dry season on 1 Jun, the first heavy rains of the

next wet season fell on 18 and 19 Sep.

4

T. King, S. Tyler & M. Dallirner

Malimbus 26

A list of 236 birds for the reserve was presented by Dowsett-Lemaire (1997c),

based primarily on a week-long survey of the Mâh region of the reserve in April 1996,

but incorporating records from previous visits to the area, and records by L.M. Matteo

and others. Since this report, no further observations of the avifauna of the reserve

have been published. The current report summarises moult data collected during mist-

netting in three distinct seasonal periods in the reserve in 2002, plus a few new

species records for the reserve added by opportunistic sightings.

Methods

Mist-netting was conducted at three sites in the reserve: Base-Vie (3°16'S, 15°28'E),

Ngondoro (3°12'S, 15°31'E) and Lac Bleu (3°19'S, 15°29'E). Nets were operated

during three distinct seasonal sampling periods: 23 Feb to 10 Mar 2002 (late wet

season); 2 Jun to 31 Aug 2002, plus one bird captured 25 Sep (dry season) and 28

Nov to 16 Dec 2002 (early wet season). Nets were placed in four broad habitat types:

forest interior, forest edge (in savanna but within 10 m of the forest), savanna (>10 m

from forest edge, this includes savanna with trees and shrubs) and habitation (within

the well established field camp, in savanna close to a small forested river). It should

be noted that our classification of “woodland-forest” species includes species of forest

interior, forest edge, thickets and heavily wooded savanna. Net effort, quantified as

net-hours between 05h00 and 19h00, was unequally distributed between sites (Base-

Vie 1222 net-hours, Ngondoro 217, Lac Bleu 37), seasonal periods (Feb-Mar 252,

Jun-Sep 859, Nov-Dec: 365), and habitat types (forest interior 266, forest edge 166,

savanna 366, habitation 678). Generally, three nets (6 x 2.5 m, 38 mm mesh) were set

at a time, almost always at 0.5-5 m from the ground. Whenever possible, nets were

left open for two to three consecutive days, although logistical issues often limited

net-time.

Birds captured were identified (and sexed if possible) using Borrow & Demey

(2001), whose nomenclature we follow. Standard measurements were taken but are

not presented in this paper. Each flight feather was assessed for moult, and a bird was

recorded as being in moult if at least one primary feather was either growing or still

had a sheath. Birds exhibiting primary moult were assigned cumulative scores

between 0 and 50 based on a score between 0 and 5 for each primary feather (0 = old

feather, 1 = pin, 2 = pin with emerging feather, 3 = half-grown feather, 4 = three-

quarter-length feather, 5 = full-grown new feather). Moult scores presented here are

for the left wing; right wing scores were generally but not always similar, y2 tests for

association are presented for comparison of numbers of birds in moult, while the

Mann-Whitney U test is used for comparison of moult scores (Chalmers et al 2000).

Opportunistic sightings were also recorded during the three survey periods, but

only species considered new to the reserve ( i.e . not in Dowsett-Lemaire 1997c) are

reported here.

2004

Birds of Lesio-Louna Reserve

5

Results

Moult

We captured 170 birds, with 42 species identified (Tables 2 and 3). Almost half (48%)

of these species were represented by single individuals, and just two species

(. Andropadus virens and Cyanomitra obscura ) were captured with any regularity.

Consequently, individual species totals in the three different study periods are very

different, which, could invalidate the conclusions of the following analyses (which use

grouped data from all species), if moult patterns are different in different species.

Table 2. Number of woodland-forest birds netted in the Lesio-Louna Reserve

during 2002, with number in primary moult and moult scores in parentheses.

6

T. King, S. Tyler & M. Dal limer

Malimbus 26

Despite the higher net effort in savanna than in forest interior, more woodland-forest

species were netted than savanna species; however, woodland-forest species were

netted in all habitat types, including savanna if it was close to forest or if it separated

two forest patches, while savanna species were not netted in forest.

For the woodland-forest species, the proportion of birds moulting their primary

wing feathers was significantly different between the three seasonal sampling periods

(X 2 = 6.585, P < 0.05) with 11% in moult during the dry Jun-Aug sampling period,

compared to 31% and 32% in the two wet sampling periods (Table 2). Further, the

moult scores for these species during the early wet sampling period (Nov-Dec) were

generally low (seven of nine less than 15), while during the other two sampling

periods the moult scores were apparently but not significantly (U test, P > 0.05) more

advanced (six of ten greater than 25) (Table 2).

The savanna species exhibited a significantly different pattern of moult timing in

comparison to the woodland-forest species (using woodland-forest moult proportions

to generate expected frequencies for savanna species: 5% = 13.09, P < 0.01).

Table 3. Number of savanna birds netted in the Lesio-Louna Reserve during

2002, with number in primary moult and moult scores in parentheses.

Feb-Mar Jun-Aug Nov-Dec Total

2004

Birds of Lesio-Louna Reserve

7

The proportion of savanna birds moulting their primaries was significantly

different between the three seasonal periods (x 2 = 24.972, P < 0.01), but low

proportions were in moult during the Feb-Mar and Jun-Aug sampling periods (6%

and 12% respectively), while a very high proportion were in moult during the Nov-

Dec period (67%) (Table 3). Also, the moult scores during the Nov-Dec sampling

period were significantly more advanced than for the woodland-forest species during

the same period (U = 17.5, p < 0.05), with ten of 12 scores over 20 (Table 3).

New records

The mist-net survey produced five new species records for the Lesio-Louna Reserve,

and a further four were added by sightings, as detailed below. These records bring the

total number of species reported in the area to 245.

Halcyon leucocephala Grey-headed Kingfisher. One adult observed for several

minutes, perched on low branches of forest-edge trees and nearby Hymenocardia

acida trees in savanna, Base-Vie, 26 Jul 2002. A new record for the Téké Plateau,

although already known from the Brazzaville area to the south and Odzala to the north

(Dowsett & Dowsett-Lemaire 1989, Dowsett-Lemaire 1997a).

Pogoniulus atroflavus Red-rumped Tinkerbird. One mist-netted in scrubby

savanna close to gallery forest, Base-Vie, 9 Dec 2002. Widely recorded elsewhere in

Congo (Dowsett & Dowsett-Lemaire 1989, Borrow & Demey 2001).

Dendropicos elliottii Elliot’s Woodpecker. One observed for > 2 min., perched on

vine within gallery forest at Base-Vie, 12 Dec 2002. A new record for the Téké

Plateau, and an extension of the known range of this species, east from Gabon and

south from NW Congo (Borrow & Demey 2001, Dowsett-Lemaire & Dowsettl998).

Cossypha natalensis Red-capped Robin Chat. One mist-netted in riverside gallery

forest at Base-Vie, 4 Jun 2002, around 6h00. Few records and poorly known in Congo,

this is a new record for the Téké Plateau. Previous Congo records from Ménengué in

Kouilou (Dowsett-Lemaire & Dowsett 1991), Dimonika & Manenga in Mayombe and

the Brazzaville region (references in Dowsett & Dowsett-Lemaire 1989).

Anabathmis reichenbachii Reichenbach’s Sunbird. Mist-netted four times, three of

them in nets located close to the forest edge along a large stream (Ngondoro, 5 Mar

2002 (2), 20 Jul 2002), the last in scrubby savanna near a small river (Base-Vie, 1 Dec

2002). A new record for the Téké Plateau, but not unexpected due to previous records

from Kouilou, Odzala and Nouabalé-Ndoki (Dowsett-Lemaire & Dowsett 1991,

Dowsett-Lemaire 1997a,b).

Lamprotornis purpnreiceps Purple-headed Glossy Starling. One pair observed in

savanna trees close to forest-edge and small river, Base-Vie, 26 May 2002. Already

known from the Téké Plateau (Gamboma) and widely recorded elsewhere in Congo

(Dowsett & Dowsett-Lemaire 1989).

Plocens nigerrimus Vieillot’s Black Weaver. Breeding colonies at both Base-Vie

and Ngondoro, mist-netted at both locations. Widespread and common throughout

Congo (Dowsett & Dowsett-Lemaire 1989, Borrow & Demey 2001).

8

T. King, S. Tyler & M. Dallimer

Malimbus 26

Quelea erythrops Red-headed Quelea. One female or non-breeding male mist-netted

at Ngondoro, 30 Aug 2002. Widespread and locally common in Congo but subject to

seasonal movements (Dowsett & Dowsett-Lemaire 1989, Dowsett-Lemaire &

Dowsett 1991, Dowsett-Lemaire 1997a, Borrow & Demey 2001).

Vidua macroura Pin-tailed Whydah. A male in breeding plumage observed at

Ngondoro, 6 Mar 2002. A widespread species (Dowsett & Dowsett-Lemaire 1989,

Borrow & Demey 2001 ).

Discussion

In the southern tropics of Africa, moult often occurs between December and April,

following a peak in breeding activity at the end of the dry season or beginning of the

rains (Dowsett-Lemaire & Dowsett 1991). In Congo, two moult studies are available,

from Odzala National Park in northern Congo (Dowsett-Lemaire 1997d) and the

Kouilou basin in the south-west (Dowsett-Lemaire & Dowsett 1991) (see Figure 1). In

Odzala, forest birds exhibited two main periods of moult, with some Andropctdus

(especially A. virens ) moulting Aug-Dee, while most other species moulted Jan-Apr.

In Kouilou, forest birds appeared to begin moult only in Jan, with just 6% and 8%

recorded in moult in Nov and Dec respectively.

Our results suggest a moult pattern somewhat different from these, with a

relatively high 32% of woodland-forest birds in moult during the Nov-Dee sampling

period. Most of these birds were in very early moult, implying that moult had started

no earlier than Nov. As elsewhere, the moult season appeared to continue to the Feb-

Mar sampling period, when 31% of woodland-forest birds were still in moult.

Sample sizes are too small to draw conclusions about most individual species, but

Cyanomitra obscura at least appears not to follow this general trend. As reported for

this species in Odzala (Dowsett-Lemaire 1997d), birds in moult were netted through-

out our sampling periods, with highly variable moult scores. This suggests a lack of

strong seasonality in moult, and probably therefore breeding, in this common species.

The timing of moult of savanna species appears different from that of woodland-

forest species. During the Nov-Dec sampling period, 67% of savanna birds netted

were in moult, many with advanced moult scores. By the Feb-Mar sampling period,

just 6% were in moult. These results suggest an earlier moulting season than for forest

birds, starting well before the end of November (perhaps as early as September, but

certainly by October), and ending before the end of February. Data for savanna birds

elsewhere in Congo is limited, although Dowsett-Lemaire (1997d) found a high

proportion of savanna birds moulting or in fresh plumage in early April in Odzala.

The relationship between moult and breeding seasons has been the subject of

much debate. For afrotropical birds, good reviews are given by Wilkinson (1983) and

Dowsett-Lemaire (1997d). The latter found little evidence of overlap between

2004

Birds of Lesio-Louna Reserve

9

breeding and moult in individual birds, with only small numbers of two or three

species suggesting exceptions to a rale. She argued that the only reliable records of

breeding-moult overlap come from more seasonal habitats than tropical forest, or

from areas of unpredictable rainfall. Her extensive studies in Congo and Gabon

provided strong evidence that the onset of flight feather moult is relatively fixed

within the annual cycle of birds there, and may be the major factor determining the

end of breeding. If this is so in our area, and if there is indeed an earlier moulting

season in the Lesio-Louna Reserve than elsewhere in Congo, this may suggest a

corresponding difference in timing of breeding. In accordance with this suggestion,

during a week’s visit to the Lesio-Louna Reserve in April 1997, F. Dowsett-Lemaire

(in lift.) observed breeding activity in several species (Eupodotis senegalensis ,

Hirundo fuligula , H. abyssinica , Bleda notaia , Cisticola juncidis , C. brachyptera,

Muscicapa cassini and Cinnyris cupreus ), indicating egg-laying for March or April.

She also noted an unusually high level of vocal activity in both forest and savanna

species, as at Lékoni (Gabon) on the Téké Flateau, in April 2000. These observations

contrast with those she made elsewhere in Congo, and suggest that there is indeed

more breeding activity at that time on the Téké Plateau than further north (Odzala) or

on the coast (Kouilou).

Of the nine new species records for the reserve, five ( Pogoniulus atroflavus,

Lamprotornis purpureiceps , Ploceus nigerrimus, Quelea erythrops and Vidua

macroura ) are widely recorded elsewhere in Congo (Dowsett & Bowsett-Lemaire

1989, Borrow & Demey 2001). The remaining four are new species records for the

Téké Plateau, although two, Halcyon leucocephala and Anabathmis reichenbachii , fill

a gap between records on either side (Dowsett & Dowsett-Lemaire 1989, Dowsett-

Lemaire 1997a,b, Dowsett-Lemaire & Dowsett 1991). The record of Dendropicus

elliottii appears to represent a small southern extension to its known distribution

(Dowsett-Lemaire & Dowsett 1998, Borrow & Demey 2001), while that of Cossypha

natalensis adds to the few records available for Congo (Dowsett & Dowsett-Lemaire

1989, Dowsett-Lemaire & Dowsett 1991), but its true status in the country remains

uncertain.

Acknowledgments

We thank the Ministère de l’Economie Forestière et de l’Environnement of the

Republic of Congo, and the John Aspinall Foundation of UK, for permission to

undertake this research in the Lesio-Louna Reserve. We also thank the staff of the

Projet Protection des Gorilles, Republic of Congo, in particular Ian Henderson,

Christelle Chamberian, Florent Ikoli, Nicaise Ngoulou and Prime Mobie. Françoise

Dowsett-Lemaire and anonymous referees provided advice on several drafts of this

paper. Waterproof notebooks were generously donated by BCB International Ltd.

10

T. King, S. Tyler & M. Dallimer

Malimbus 26

References

Borrow, N. & Demey, R. (2001 ) Birds of Western Africa. Christopher Helm, London.

Chalmers, N., Parker, P. & McConway, K. (2000) Statistical techniques. Pp. 355—

422 in WHITE, L. & Edwards, A. (eds.) Conservation Research in the African

Rain Forests: A Technical Handbook. Wildlife Conservation Society, New York.

Dowsett, R.J. & Dowsett- Lemaire, F. (1989) Liste préliminaire des oiseaux du

Congo. Tauraco Res. Rep. 2: 29-51.

Dowsett-Lemaire, F. (1997a) The avifauna of Odzala N. P. (Congo). Tauraco Res.

Rep. 6: 15-48.

Dowsett-Lemaire, F. (1997b) The avifauna of Nouabalé-Ndoki National Park,

northern Congo. Tauraco Res. Rep. 6: 1 1 1-124.

Dowsett-Lemaire, F. (1997c) The birds of the Léfini Reserve, Téké Plateau

(Congo). Tauraco Res. Rep. 6: 125-134.

Dowsett-Lemaire, F. (1997d) Seasonality of breeding and moult in forest and

savanna birds in northern Congo. Rev. Ecol. (Terre Vie) 52: 153-171.

Dowsett-Lemaire, F. & Dowsett, R.J. (1991) The avifauna of the Kouilou basin in

Congo. Tauraco Res. Rep. 4: 1 80-239.

Dowsett-Lemaire, F. & Dowsett, R.J. (1998) Further additions to and deletions

from the avifauna of Congo-Brazzaville. Malimbus 20: 15-32.

MOUTSAMBOTÉ, J.M. (1994) Etude botanique de la Lesio-Louna. Centre d’Etudes sur

les Ressources Végétales, Brazzaville.

Wilkinson, R. (1983) Biannual breeding and moult-breeding overlap of the Chestnut-

bellied Starling Spreo pulcher. Ibis 125: 353-361.

2003

Songs of Mali Firefinch Lagonosticta virata and their

mimicry by Barka Indigobird Vidua larvaiicola in West

Africa

11

by Robert R. Payee1 & Clive R. Barlow2

’Museum of Zoology & Dept of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of

Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, U.S.A. <rbpayne@umich.edii>

2Birds of the Gambia, P.O.B. 279, Banjul, The Gambia

<birdsofthegambia@hotmail.com>

Received 29 December 2003; revised 25 March 2004,

Summary

Vocalizations of Mali Firefinch Lagonosticta virata are distinct from other

firefmches in having a long whistle “feee”, a downslurred harsh “kyah”,

several slow and fast trills, and a distinctive “ehurrrr” excitement call. These

support their distinctiveness as a species. All vocalizations of Mali Firefinch

are mimicked in the songs of certain Barka Indigobirds Vidua larvaiicola , a

brood parasite with populations that mimic songs of several host species. We

describe the song and calls of L. virata and their song mimicry by the

indigobird, and suggest that populations of the indigobird have switched from

Black-faced Firefinch L. larvata to parasitize Mali Firefinch.

Résumé

Les chants de F Amarante de Koulikoro Lagonostica virata et leur

imitation par le Combassou de Barka Vidua larvaiicola en Afrique de

l'Ouest. Les vocalisations de l’Amarante de Koulikoro Lagonostica virata

sont distinctes de celles des autres amarantes en ayant un long sifflement

“feee”, un “kyah” descendant rauque et indistinct, plusieurs trilles lents et

rapides, et un cri d’excitation particulier “churrr”. Ces particularités sont

caractéristiques d’une espèce. Toutes les vocalisations de l’Amarante de

Koulikoro sont imitées dans les chants de certains Combassous de Barka

Vidua larvaiicola , parasite des nids avec des populations qui imitent les

chants de plusieurs espèces-hôtes. Nous décrivons les chants et cris de L.

virata et l’imitation du chant par le combassou, et suggérons que les

populations du combassou sont passées de l’Amarante masqué Z. larvata au

parasitisme sur l’Amarante de Koulikoro.

12

R. B. Payne & C.R. Barlow

Malimbus 26

Introduction

Although Mali Firefinch Lagonosticta virata is morphologically and genetically

distinct from other firefmch Lagonosticta species (Sorenson et al. 2003, Payne 2004)

their songs have been incompletely documented (Nicolai 1982). Most indigobird

species are host specific, mimicking songs and parasitizing a single estrildid species,

mainly firefinches, with most parasite-host associations known only through song

mimicry (Nicolai 1964, Payne 1982, 1998). We carried out field and aviary studies to

determine the songs of L. virata and song mimicry by indigobirds that occur in the

same geographic region.

The common name “Barka Indigobird” is here used for Vidua larvaticola, as in

Payne (2004). In the original species description (Payne 1982), “Baka” Indigobird

was used, with the etymological rationale of using a greeting term of the local Hausa

people (much as “Jambandu”, a Fulani greeting, was used for another indigobird

species there described). Later in 1982, R. Wilkinson (in litt.) drew my attention to

the fact that, according to standard Hausa-English dictionaries, “Barka” is correct.

Study areas and methods

Field observations were carried out in September 1999 and October 2000 in Mali,

between Bamako and Koulikoro at Tienfala forest reserve (12°55'N, 7°42'W) where

Mali Firefmch L. virata were previously observed (Nicolai 1982, Wheatley 1985). L.

virata is known in aviculture as Kulikoro Firefmch. The habitat at Tienfala was rocky

hillside and surrounding grassy woodland, as illustrated in Hinze (2001). L. virata

were common; Red-billed Firefinches L. senegala were the only other firefinches

seen there. A bird dealer in Bamako had many L. virata in his aviaries and was told

by his collectors they were caught east of Tienfala. L. virata occur westward to E

Senegal and eastward as far as Fiko near Bandiagara escarpment in central Mali.

Previous records of “L. rubricata ” in Mali refer to L. virata (Lamarche 1981, Payne

1997, 2004). Song mimics of L. virata at Tienfala were identified in the field as Barka

Indigobird Vidua larvaticola, by observaing it at close range and in a mist-net. We

tape recorded songs of two male indigobirds mimicking the calls and songs of this

firefmch. One was an adult with bluish-green plumage gloss, brown wings and pale

feet; the other was in sparrowy plumage.

Wild-caught indigobirds and estrildid finches were obtained from bird dealers in

Dakar, Senegal. Specimens of captive birds from Dakar (origin unknown) were

compared with museum series taken in the field. CRB interviewed two dealers in

Dakar; both reported their birds originated in Senegal, Guinea and Mali. An earlier

dealer’s lot of birds from SE Senegal (Goudiry) had L. virata and Vinaceous Black-

faced Firefmch L. larvata vinacea (Centre National pour la Recherche Scientifique et

Technique (CNRST, formerly ORSTOM) collection at Mbour, Senegal; Morel &

2003

Firefinch and indigobird songs

13

Morel 1990, Payne 1997). Finches are legally caught in SE Senegal with Kédougou

as the gathering centre. Field counts around Kédougou and elsewhere in Senegal by

CNRST and the Direction des Eaux, Forêts, Chasses et de la Conservation des Sol,

estimate population numbers to calculate a sustainable harvest (P. Reynaud pers.

comm.). We suspect SE Senegal was the site of origin of our captive birds.

Fire finches and their indigobird song mimics were tape recorded both in the field

in Mali and in captivity in The Gambia, using a Sony TC-D5M cassette recorder and

33 cm parabolic reflector. Songs were displayed using a Kay Elemetrics Digital

Sound Processor from 0-16 kHz using a 256 points per s (234 Hz) filter and printed

with a Mitsubishi P61U printer. We determined song mimicry by visually comparing

audiospectrograms of each song of each indigobird with audiospectrograms of

recordings of the estrildids. Such comparisons by different observers give consistent

and repeatable results (Payne et al. 2000a). Field and aviary recordings, and bird spe-

cimens, are in the University of Michigan Museum of Zoology (UMMZ). Recordings

(Barlow et al. 2001) are also in the Wildlife Sounds Archive, British Library, London

Mali Firefinch Lagonosticta virata and its indigobird song mimic

Calls and songs of L. virata are readily identified in the field (Fig. 1). (1) A short-

distance contact call (“tschek” or “kyah”) rises rapidly in pitch from 1.0 to 2.8 kHz

then falls slowly to 1 kHz and lasts 0.2 s; it is similar in form to the contact call

“peeeh” of L. rara in temporal pattern, nasal tone and harmonic overtones. (2) A

long-distance contact call “feeee” is a single whistle, usually held at one pitch c. 3

kHz and 0.8 to 1.0 s in duration, sometimes rising or falling in pitch (“doooey”) or

displaying a harmonic overtone with the fundamental lower than in simple “feeee”.

(3) Alarm call or contact note is a distinctive rattling trill, “churrrr”, with each note

falling from 1.9 to 1.2 kHz or rising from E9 to 2.0 kHz then falling to 1.2 kHz, the

notes with a harmonic peak at 3.8 kHz and overtone at 5 kHz, repeated 20-22 notes

per s, somewhat as in Jameson’s Firefinch L. rhodopareia but louder, deeper-pitched

and more mellow. (4) A slower variant “choorrrr” (Fig. 1). (5) A series of whistled

trills, the notes either rising or falling in pitch.

Calls of L. virata were described briefly but not recorded by Burkhard (1961) and

Goodwin (1982). Nicolai (1982) had audiospectrograms of “feeee”, “kyah” and

“churrrr”, corresponding with calls recorded in the present study, but he reported an

absence of trills. Later (J. Nicolai pers. comm.) he recorded trills as well. The distinc-

tive calls of L. virata are “churrrr”, wheeze “kyah” and whistle “feeee”, while their

whistled trills are similar to trills of some other firefmches (Payne 1973, 1982, 1998).

Calls of L. virata in the field and captivity are similar. Indigobirds at Tienfala

mimicked most calls and songs of L. virata (Fig. 2). Compare Figs. 1 and 2,

particularly Fig. 1 a-c, e with Fig. 2 a, b (feeee”); Fig. 1 d-g with Fig. 2 c, d

(“kyah”); Fig. 1 g-h with Fig. 2 e-g (“churrrr”); Fig. 1 i -1 with Fig. 2 h-m (trills).

14

R. B. Payne & C.R. Barlow

Malimbus 26

r

0

d o

{

M

\

g

. . • . 1 1 1 (

fhmnhip

■'Ml-

1 1 1 1 1 1 i ‘ i

|(M|Hhiiii

\vn h i i ni h

<h\mw

•n*

■ a

i ,,v v aV ' ,v

^ 'U!kM. -S', V -r(|Wi4., i u.'

***»**.

:

wwwww

' LlllUlUl

' ■ i m m u \ n i *

1.0

2.0

Time (s)

Fig. 1. Songs and calls of Mali Firefinch Lagonosticta virata : a-c, “feeee”; d,

“kyah”; e, “kyah” of one bird with “feeee” of its mate; f, g, h, “churrrr,,i, j, simple

trills k, 1, complex trills. Source of recorded birds: e, g, h, i, k, 1, Tienfala, Mali; a-d, f,

j, captives.

Indigobird song mimicry of L. virata was first recognized in a male Vidua

obtained from a bird dealer in Dakar. CRB recorded its songs from Dec 1999 through

March 2000, when it was saved as a specimen (UMMZ 236300), in blue-green

breeding plumage with brown wings and pale feet. Songs of Tienfala indigobirds

were similar to those of the captive, with the mimetic songs “feeee”, “kyah”,

“churrrr” and various trills (Fig. 2). The song mimicry strongly indicates a host-brood

parasite association between these birds. The wing of UMMZ 236300 is 64 mm,

compared with 64-68 mm (mean 66.4, n = 18) for male V. larvaticola (UMMZ) that

mimicked songs of L. larvata. Comparison of specimen UMMZ 236300 with other

2003

Firefinch and indigobird songs

15

UMMZ specimens of known song mimicry of L. larvata confirmed its identification

as V. larvaticola.

r

l

t

W

N

T,

:

>s

o

c

CD

D

CT

<D

Time (s)

Fig. 2. Mimicry songs and calls of Mali Firefinch L. virata by V. larvaticola. a, b,

“feeee” with introductory and terminal “kyah”; c, d, “kyah”; e-g, rattling trill (e, f,

“churrrr”, g, “choorrrr”)h-k, trills. Source of recorded birds: a, b, c, e, i, Tienfala,

Mali; d, f, g, h, j, k, captive.

Discussion

Songs and calls of L. virata are distinct from the songs and calls of other firefinches

including the most closely related Rock Firefinch L. sanguinodorsalis , Chad Firefinch

L. umbrinodorsalis and L. rhodopareia (Payne 1973, 1998, Brunei et al. 1980). V.

16

R. B. Payne & C.R. Barlow

Malimbus 26

larvaticola normally parasitizes L. larvata, and L. virata occurs in more arid regions

than L. lan>ata, although they overlap in Senegal. At Goudiry, E Senegal, the only

known site of L. virata in Senegal, L. lawata vinacea also occurs (Payne 1997). The

males of the morphologically similar V. larvaticola and Cameroon Indigobird V.

camenmensis have greenish or bluish breeding plumage, brown wings and pale feet

(Payne 1982) but V. larvaticola is more greenish and the wing primaries are darker in

fresh plumage. V. larvaticola usually occur in drier habitats than V. camenmensis ,

although the two overlap in N Nigeria. Nestling mouth colours of V. larvaticola in

Nigeria match those of the host young of L. Ian>ata (Payne 1982, Payne & Payne

1994) and it would be instructive to determine the mouth colours of young

indigobirds reared by L. virata.

There are no records of nests or brood parasitism of L. virata. The song mimicry

of L. virata by V. lamaticola suggests a recent host switch by this indigobird. Certain

host-parasite associations have been substantiated by observations of mixed broods of

host and indigobird, and by song mimicry of the host by the indigobird (Payne 1973,

1982). Behaviour experiments confirm that male indigobirds learn the songs of their

foster species, and females imprint to the songs of their foster species and lay eggs in

the nest of the same foster species (Payne et al. 1998, 2000b, 2001). The molecular

genetic variants that are shared across indigobird species and the occurrence of male

indigobirds with the appearance of one species and song mimicry of a host not the

normal host of that species indicate the success of occasional host switches by

indigobirds from one to another host species (Klein & Payne 1998, Payne et al. 2002,

Sorenson et al. 2003). The mitochondrial genes that have been characterized and

compared to date are not diagnostic for species identification of the indigobirds.

Finally, in V. camenmensis , song mimic populations are sympatric across a wide

geographic area, and the genetic similarity between these populations suggest that

other indigobirds have switched from one host species to another within W Africa

(Klein & Payne 1998, Sorenson & Payne 2002, Sorenson et al. 2003, Payne 2004).

Acknowledgments

Laura Payne helped with fieldwork. Jürgen Nicolai provided copies of his tape

recordings of L. virata. Pierre Reynaud was helpful in Senegal. Permits for field and

aviary research, collection and export were granted through the governments of Mali

(Direction Nationale des Ressources Forestières, Fauniques et Halieutiques, and

Centre National de Recherche Scientifique et Technologique), The Gambia (Dr. A.

Camara and Paul Murphy, Department of National Parks and Wildlife) and Senegal

(Direction des Eaux, Forêts, Chasses et de la Conservation des Sols). Janis Carter,

Amadou Diallo, Omar Faal and Pierre Reynaud discussed the bird trade. Research

was approved by the Institutional Committee for the Use and Care of Animals of the

University of Michigan under project numbers UCUCA 701 1 and 7966.

2003

Firefmch and indigobird songs

17

References

Barlow, C. Hammick, J. & Sellar, P, (2001) Bird Song of The Gambia and Senegal,

an aid to identification , 3 CD set. Mandarin Productions, Dorset.

Brunel, L Chappuis, C. & Erard, C. (1980) Data on Lagonosticta rhodopareia

bruneli. Bull Brit. Ornithol. Club 100: 164-170.

Burkhard, R. (1968) Über die Zucht einiger seltener Prachtfmken. Gefiederte Welt

92: 148-150.

Goodwin, D. (1982) Estrildid Finches of the World. British Museum (Natural

History), London.

HlNZE, I. (2001) Breeding the Mali or Kulikoro Firefmch Lagonosticta virata. Avic.

Mag . 107: 27-34.

Klein, N.K. & Payne, R.B. (1998) Evolutionary associations of brood parasitic

finches (Vidua) and their host species: analyses of mitochondrial restriction sites.

Evolution 52: 299-315.

Lamarche, B. (1981) Liste commentée des oiseaux du Mali, 2ème partie. Malimbus

3: 73-102.

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

Nicolai, J. (1982) Comportement, voix et relations de parents de S aruaramhe du Mali

(Lagonosticta virata). Malimbus 4: 9-14.

Payne, R.B. (1973) Behavior, mimetic songs and song dialects, and relationships of

the parasitic indigobirds (Vidua) of Africa. Ornithol Monogr. 1 1 : 1-333.

Payne, R.B. (1982) Species limits in the indigobirds (Ploceidae, Vidua) of West

Africa: mouth mimicry, song mimicry, and description of new species. Mise.

Publ. Univ. Michigan Mus. Zool. 162: 1-96.

Payne, R.B. (1997) The Mali Firefmch Lagonosticta virata in Senegal. Malimbus 19:

39-41.

Payne, R.B. (1998) A new species of firefmch Lagonosticta from northern Nigeria,

and its association with the Jos Plateau Indigobird Vidua maryae. Ibis 140: 368-

381.

Payne, R.B. (2004) Viduidae and firefmehes Lagonosticta . in Fry, C.H. & Keith, S.

(eds) The Birds of Africa, vol. 7. Elsevier, London.

Payne, R.B. & Payne, L.L. (1994) Song mimicry and species associations of west

African indigobirds Vidua with Quail-finch Ortygospiza atricollis , Goldbreast

Amandava subflava and Brown Twinspot Clytospiza monteiri. Ibis 136: 291-304.

Payne, R.B., Payne, L.L. & Woods, J.L. (1998) Song learning in brood parasitic

indigobirds Vidua chalybeata : song mimicry of the host species. Anim. Behav. 55:

1537-1553.

Payne, R.B., Woods, J.L., Siddall, M. & Parr, C.S. (2000a) Randomization

analyses: mimicry, geographic variation and cultural evolution of song in brood-

parasitic Straw-tailed Whydahs, Vidua fis chéri. Ethology 106: 261-282.

18

R. B. Payne & C.R. Barlow

Malimbus 26

Payne, R. B., Payne, L.L., Woods , J.L. & Sorenson, M.D. (2000b) Imprinting and

the origin of parasite-host species associations in brood parasitic indigobirds

Vidua chalybeata. Anim. Behav. 59: 69-81.

Payne, R.B., Woods, J.L. & Payne, L.L. (2001) Parental care in estrildid finches:

experimental tests of a model of Vidua brood parasitism. Anim. Behav. 62: 473-

483.

Payne, R.B., Hustler, K., Stjernstedt, R., Sefc, K.M. & Sorenson, M.D. (2002)

Behavioural and genetic evidence of a recent population switch to a novel host

species in brood parasitic indigobirds Vidua chalybeata. Ibis 145: 373-383.

Sorenson, M.D. & Payne, R.B. (2002) Molecular genetic perspectives on avian

brood parasitism. Integr. Comp. Biol 42: 388-400.

Sorenson, M.D., Sefc, K.M & Payne, R.B. (2003) Spéciation by host switch in

brood parasitic indigobirds. Nature 424: 928-931.

Wheatley, N. (1995) Where to Watch Birds in Africa. Christopher Helm, London.

2004

19

Notes sur l’Echenilleur caronculé Lobotos lobatus

par Olivier Lachenaud

34 Avenue des Amandiers, 86180 Buxerolles, France. <lachenaud, ipfo@wanadoo.fr>

Reçu 15 janvier 2004

Résumé

L’Echenilleur caronculé Lobotos lobatus est un oiseau rare et local, de la

Sierra Leone au Ghana, et menacé par la destruction de la forêt. Son statut et

sa distribution sont ici révisés. L’espèce a été observée en 1999 dans la région

de Divo, dans le sud de la Côte d’ivoire, ce qui constitue un nouveau site. Ces

observations sont présentées, avec des notes sur le comportement et le

plumage de cet oiseau mal connu.

Summary

Note on the Western Wattled Cuckoo-shrîke Lobotos lobatus . The Western

Wattled Cuckoo-shrike is a rare and local bird from Sierra Leone to Ghana, and

is threatened by forest destruction. Its status and distribution are reviewed.

Observations in 1999 in the Divo area, south-central Ivory Coast, a new locality,

are presented, with notes on behaviour and plumage of this little-known bird.

Introduction

Endémique du bloc forestier de Haute-Guinée, l’Echenilleur caronculé Loboîos

lobatus est connu de cinq pays: Ghana, Côte d’ivoire, Guinée, Libéria et Sierra

Leone. Une observation au Nigéria pourrait plutôt se rapporter au très voisin

Echenilleur loriot L. oriolinus, avec lequel il est peut-être conspécifique (Keith et al

1992, Elgood et al 1994).

L’oiseau est répandu et localement fréquent au Libéria (Gatter 1997) mais semble

beaucoup plus rare ailleurs. La population sierra-léonaise, restreinte à la Forêt de

Gola, a beaucoup diminué depuis les années 1970 (Allport et al. 1989). En Guinée,

l’oiseau est uniquement connu du Massif de Ziama, où il est peu commun (Halleux

1994); il pourrait toutefois se rencontrer dans d’autres forêts du sud-ouest du pays,

peu prospecté par les ornithologues. Au Ghana, d’où le spécimen type est réputé

provenir, l’espèce a été collectée trois fois entre 1875 et 1937 (Grimes 1987, Keith et

al 1992) mais aucune observation n’a été publiée depuis; Gartshore (1989) cite une

observation récente par M.Taylor, mais ne donne aucune précision. Des recherches à

20

O. Lachenaud

Malimbus 26

la fin des années 1980 (Dutson & Branscombe 1990) n’ont pas permis de retrouver

l’oiseau, qui semble donc très rare dans ce pays, voire au bord de l’extinction.

En Côte d’ivoire, l’Echenilleur caronculé est très local, présent surtout dans

l’ouest du pays. On le connaît des localités suivantes: Parc National de Taï, où il n’est

pas rare (Thiollay 1985, Gartshore 1989, Demey & Fishpool 1991, Gartshore et al.

1995); Réserve du Mont Nimba (Gartshore 1989, Yaokokore-Beibro 1997); Parc

National de la Marahoué (Demey & Fishpool 1991), probablement très rare sur ce

site, n’a pas été revu par Christy & Schulenberg (1999) ni par H J. Rainey (com.

pers.); Mont Kopé (Gartshore et al. 1995.); Forêt classée de Mopri (Gartshore et al.

1995.); Forêt classée de la Bossématié (Yaokokore-Beibro & Ellenberg 2000).

Connu de tous les types de forêts depuis les plus humides (Mont Kopé) jusqu’aux

lisières nord de la zone forestière (Marahoué), l’oiseau semble curieusement absent

de nombreuses localités apparemment favorables, comme la réserve de Lamto, la

Forêt classée de Yapo (Demey & Fishpool 1991), les Parcs Nationaux du Mont Péko

(H.J. Rainey com. pers.) et du Banco (obs. pers.). Gatter (1997) a d’ailleurs fait le

même constat au Libéria.

Si la répartition de cet oiseau n’est pas très bien connue, ses préférences écologiques

et ses moeurs le sont encore moins. Keith et al. (1992) le disent restreint à la forêt

primaire, bien qu’il ait été observé en forêt dégradée (Allport et al. 1989), dans des

plantations de café et de cacao avec arbres d’ombrage (Gartshore 1989, Demey &

Fishpool 1991, Gatter 1997) et même dans des plantations forestières de framiré

Terminalia iv or ensis (Gartshore et al. 1995). Son adaptation réelle à de tels milieux reste

discutable: les observations citées ont eu lieu en périphérie de réserves comportant

encore d’importantes surfaces de forêt primaire, comme le Parc National de Taï (Demey

& Fishpool 1991) ou la Réserve du Mont Nimba (Gartshore 1989), ou bien (en forêt de

Mopri) dans des zones récemment défrichées et plantées où l’oiseau pourrait être une

“relique” (Gartshore et al. 1995). L’oiseau fréquente essentiellement la canopée entre 20

et 50 m de hauteur (Keith et al. 1992, Gatter 1997), descendant rarement jusqu’à 6 m

(Gartshore 1989). 11 se joint parfois aux rondes d’insectivores; toutefois, au Libéria,

plus des deux tiers des observations ont eu lieu en dehors de ces rondes (Gatter 1997).

Observations

La région de Divo (5°50'N, 5°22'W), jusqu’ici totalement délaissée par les

ornithologues, se trouve à la limite des forêts sempervirentes et semi-décidues, à c. 50

km à l’ouest de la forêt de Mopri, où l’Echenilleur caronculé a été signalé (Gartshore

et al. 1995). Lors d’une visite de deux jours dans la région (31 oct et 1 nov 1999), j’ai

pu observer à quatre reprises l’oiseau, ce qui suggère qu’il soit loin d’y être rare.

Ecologie et comportement

Deux jours de suite, j’ai observé un petit groupe de 5-6 oiseaux à l’hôtel Djiboua, en

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L’Echenilleur caronculé Lobotos lobatus

21

périphérie est de la ville de Divo, dans un milieu de lambeaux de forêt défrichée, où

seuls quelques arbres de taille moyenne ont été épargnés, et présentant par conséquent

une canopée très ouverte. Les oiseaux venaient s’y nourrir tôt le matin, explorant le

feuillage entre 4 et 10 m de hauteur. Plusieurs étaient attirés par un Àlbizzia en fleurs,

en compagnie de soui-mangas (Nectariniidae) et de Pouillots si f fleur s Phylloscopus

sibilaîrix. Les oiseaux furent observés dans de bonnes conditions et à c. 10 m de

distance ou moins. Un comportement très remarquable, et qui ne semble pas avoir été

noté jusqu’à présent, consistait à courir sur les branches obliques, à la manière des

autres échenilleurs ou des Malimbus , mais bien plus rapidement. Le vol est assez

reconnaissable: les oiseaux volent lentement, d’arbre en arbre, et toujours les uns à la

suite des autres, tenant leur queue à demi étalée et lançant continuellement un “ tseet -

tseef déjà mentionné par Gartshore (1989), Keith et al. (1992) et Halleux (1994);

excepté ce cri, faible et audible uniquement à courte distance, l’oiseau semble être

silencieux.

Les deux autres observations eurent lieu sur la station de recherche du Centre

National de Recherche Agronomique (CNRA), à 20 km au sud-est de la ville de Divo.

Cette station couvre 3600 ha dont 2000-2500 de forêt encore bien conservée, le reste

étant occupé par des plantations (cacao, café, hévéa, palmiers). En lisière de forêt

dense, deux Echenilleurs caronculés exploraient le feuillage d’un Pipîadeniastrum

africanum , entre 10 et 20 m de hauteur. Ils attrapaient régulièrement des insectes au

vol à la manière des gobe-mouches. Un Loriot à tête noire Oriolus brachyrhynchus se

tenait non loin d’eux et la séparation des deux espèces, même à distance, était

immédiate. Le même jour, un peu plus loin sur la station, j’aperçus trois oiseaux en

vol au-dessus de la forêt, qui se posèrent ensuite dans un arbre à grande hauteur avant

de disparaître dans le feuillage.

Plumage

Selon Keith et al (1992), le mâle adulte se distingue de la femelle par sa large

caroncule orangée (la femelle n’ayant qu’un petit barbillon), la poitrine et le ventre

rouge-orangé (et non jaunes), le croupion rouge (non vert) et les bordures jaunes des

rémiges primaires. Aucun des oiseaux que j’ai observés ne présentait ce plumage.

Seuls certains, parmi le groupe de 5-6 observés à l’hôtel Djiboua, avaient les rémiges

bordées de jaune, mais pas de caroncule ni de coloration rouge sur le dessous; leur

croupion n’était ni vert ni rouge, mais jaune. Ces oiseaux étaient vraisemblablement

des mâles immatures, hypothèse probable car l’espèce vit habituellement seule ou par

couples (Keith et al. 1992, Gatter 1997), et/ou des mâles adultes en plumage usé ou

d’éclipse. Il semble en effet que la caroncule se dilate en période de reproduction (R.

Demey com. pers.). Les oiseaux observés sur la station CNRA ne présentaient ni

caroncule ni coloration rouge sur le dessous, mais je n’ai pu observer nettement la

coloration du croupion et de la bordure des rémiges.

Des observations supplémentaires sont nécessaires afin de déterminer si

l’Echenilleur caronculé et l’Echenilleur loriot, ont ou non un plumage d’éclipse. Si tel

22

O. Lachenaud

Malimbus 26

était le cas, ce serait un argument supplémentaire pour la séparation du genre Lobotos ,

souvent inclus dans Campephaga malgré son plumage très particulier, la présence de

caroncules et le faible dimorphisme sexuel, contrairement à Campephaga où mâle et

femelle sont très différents.

Conservation

Stattersfield & Capper (2000) placent l’Echenilleur caronculé dans la catégorie

Vulnérable, ce qui paraît justifié étant donné son aire restreinte, et sa rareté à

l’intérieur même de cette aire. Seules quelques populations sont protégées (dans la

forêt de Gola en Sierra Leone, le Parc National de Taï, la Réserve naturelle intégrale

du Mont Nimba, et le Parc National de la Marahoué où l’espèce est probablement

rare) et la majorité ne bénéficient que d’une protection très incomplète dans des

“réserves forestières” ou “forêts classées” très exposées au défrichement. L’espèce

semble plus adaptable à la dégradation de son milieu que d’autres endémiques ouest-

africaines; rien ne garantit pourtant qu’elle puisse survivre à long terme dans des

milieux dégradés en l’absence d’îlots forestiers voisins.

La Côte d’ivoire a subi en 20 ans la déforestation la plus rapide du monde. La

région de Divo ainsi que les régions voisines du centre de la zone forestière (Gagnoa,

Soubré, Lakota, Sinfra, Issia) ont été les plus touchées. Très peu de forêt y subsiste et

uniquement sous forme de taches isolées dont la surface continue de se réduire;

l’Echenilleur caronculé y est donc très menacé.

Parallèlement, il s’agit d’une région très mal connue sur le plan ornithologique,

puisque depuis les collections de Pfeffer (1961) dans la région de Gagnoa-Sinfra (zone

aujourd’hui intégralement défrichée ou presque), les seules prospections ont été celles de

Gartshore et al. (1995) en forêt de Mopri. Celles-ci ont permis de découvrir trois espèces

Vulnérables (l’Echenilleur caronculé, le Bulbul à barbe jaune Criniger olivaceus et le

Gobe-mouches du Nimba Melaenornis annamarulae ) et cinq quasi-menacées (Calao

à joues brunes Bycanistes cylindricus , Calao à casque jaune Ceratogymna elata ,

Grive-akalat du Libéria îlladopsis rufescens. Gladiateur de Lagden Malaconotus

lagdeni, Choucador à dos bleu Lamprotomis cupreocauda). Toutes ces espèces, ainsi

que deux autres collectées par Pfeffer (1961), le Bulbul à queue verte Bleda exlmia et

la Fauvette à capuchon Bathmocercus cerviniventris (les deux Vulnérables:

Stattersfield & Capper 2000), pourraient se retrouver dans d’autres forêts de la région.

Il serait urgent d’identifier les sites à protéger avant que ceux-ci disparaissent.

Remerciements

Je remercie Ron Demey pour l’attention qu’il a porté à mes observations, notamment

ses commentaires concernant le plumage, ainsi que Hilaire Y aokokoré-Beibro, Hugo

Rainey, Robert Dowsett et Françoise Dowsett-Lemaire qui m’ont transmis certains

articles.

2004

L’Echenilleur caronculé Loboîos lobatus

23

Bibliographie

Allport, G., Ausden, M., Hayman, P.V., Robertson, P. & Wood, P. (1989) The

Conservation of the Birds of Gola Forest, Sierra Leone. Study Report 38,

International Council for Bird Preservation, Cambridge.

Christy, P. & Schulenberg, T.S. (1999) The avifauna of the Parc National de la

Marahoué, Côte d’Ivoire. Pp 60-65 in Schulenberg, T.S., Short, C.A. &

STEPHENSON, P.J. (éds) A Biological Assessment of the Parc National de la

Marahoué, Côte d’Ivoire. RAP working papers 13, Conservation International,

Washington.

Demey, R. & Fishpool, L.D.C. (1991) Additions and annotations to the avifauna of

Côte d’Ivoire. Malimbus 12: 61-86.

Demey, R. & Fishpool, L.D.C. (1994) The birds of Yapo Forest, Ivory Coast.

Malimbus 16: 100-122.

Dutson, G. & Branscombe, J. (1990) Rainforest Birds in Southwest Ghana. Study

Report 46, International Council for Bird Preservation, Cambridge.

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.

GARTSHORE, M.E. (1989) An Avifaunal Survey of Ta'i National Park, Ivoiy Coast.

Study Report 39, International Council for Bird Preservation, Cambridge.

Gartshore, M.E., Taylor, P.D. & Francis, I.S. (1995) Forest Birds in Côte

d’Ivoire. Study Report 58, BirdLife International, Cambridge.

Gatter, W. (1997) The Birds of Liberia. Pica Press, Mountfield.

Grimes, L.G. (1987) The Birds of Ghana. Check-list 2, British Ornithologists’ Union,

Tring.

Halleux, D. (1994) Annotated bird list of Macenta Prefecture, Guinea. Malimbus 16:

10-19.

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

Press, London.

Pfeffer, P. (1961) Etude d’une petite collection d’oiseaux de Côte d’Ivoire. Bull.

Mus. Nat. Hist. Nat. Paris 33: 357-368.

Stattersfield, A.J. & Capper, D.R. (2000) Threatened Birds of the World. Lynx,

Barcelona.

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

7: 1-59.

Yaokokore-Beibro, K.H. (1997) Inventaire Préliminaire de TAvifaune des Parcs

Nationaux des Iles Ehotilé, du Mont Péko et du Mont Nimba, Côte d’ivoire.

WWF, Abidjan.

Yaokokore-Beibro, K.H. & Ellenberg, H. (2000) A contribution to the study of

the avifauna of the Bossematie Forest (Abengourou/Côte d’Ivoire). The future of

Bossematie Forest: current status. Ostrich 71: 292-294.

24

Malimbus 26

Behaviour of the White-necked Picathartes

Picathartes gymnocephalus , at nest sites prior to breeding

by Hazell Shokellu Thompson

BirdLife International, Africa Partnership Secretariat,

P.O. Box 3502-00100, Nairobi, Kenya <hazell.thompson@birdlife.or.ke>

Received 2 February 2004; revised 2 August 2004.

Summary

White-necked Picathartes Picathartes gymnocephalus apparently made

regular visits to their nesting sites outside the breeding season and roosted in

the vicinity all year round. Observations during breeding suggested that the

birds do not have helpers at the nest as has been previously speculated. All

nests in a colony were used simultaneously by different breeding pairs.

Previous assessments of Picathartes population sizes based on reports that

one breeding pair uses two nests at a colony were therefore probably

underestimates. A rarely seen group interaction behaviour, involving group

mutual bowing, is probably associated with breeding.

Résumé

Comportement du Picatharte à cou blanc Picathartes gymnocephalus sur

le site des nids avant la reproduction. Le Picatharte à cou blanc Picathartes

gymnocephalus faisait, semble-t-il, des visites régulières au site des nids en

dehors de la saison de reproduction et passait la nuit à proximité toute l’année.

Des observations au cours de la reproduction suggèrent que les oiseaux ne

reçoivent pas d’aide au nid comme on l’avait pensé auparavant. Tous les nids

d’une colonie étaient utilisés simultanément par les différentes paires nich-

euses. Des estimations antérieures de la population de Picathartes , reposant

sur le fait qu’une paire nicheuse utiliserait deux nids dans la colonie, étaient

probablement sous-évaluées. Un comportement de groupe, rarement observé,

avec des salutations mutuelles, est sans doute associé à la reproduction.

Introduction

The White-necked Picathartes Picathartes gymnocephalus occurs in Guinea, Sierra

Leone, Liberia, Ivory Coast and Ghana whilst its only congener, the Grey-necked

Picathartes P. oreas has been recorded from Nigeria, Cameroon, Gabon, continental

2004

Picathartes pre-breeding behaviour

25

Equatorial Guinea and Bioko (Fry et al 2000, Marks et al 2004). Both species have

conservation status Vulnerable (BirdLife International 2004) and are listed on

Appendix 1 of CITES. National law in Cameroon, Ghana and Sierra Leone protects

them but enforcement is minimal (pers. obs., R. Fotso & E. Gwusu pers. comm.).

Unusually for rainforest birds, Picathartes breed in mud nests in colonies of up to 40,

usually on rock or cliff faces and/or cave roofs (Thompson & Fotso 1995) but

occasionally on tree trunks ( e.g . Walter! & Muhlenberg 2000).

Picathartes biology and ecology have until recently not been studied in detail and

with a few exceptions (Grimes & Darku 1968, Tye 1987, Fotso 1993) studies have

been qualitative and based on either brief observations in the wild (e.g. Mudd &

Martins 1996, Waiter! & Muhlenberg 2000) or on observations of captive birds (e.g.

Faust 1971, McKelvey 1981). This paper describes roosting and pre-breeding

behaviour of White-necked Picathartes observed during a long-term study of the

ecology and behaviour of the species in Sierra Leone (Thompson 1997, 1998, 2001,

2004).

Study area and methods

The study was carried out in three forest reserves in Sierra Leone: the Western Area

Peninsula Forest (WAPF, 177 km2, 8° 1 5 14, 13°15'W) on the Atlantic coast, the Gola

Forest (748 km2, 7°40 N, !0°45 W) on the eastern border with Liberia, and the

Kambui Hills (158 km2, 7°45'N, 1 1°15'W) about 70 km to the west of Gola. All three

areas are rugged and hilly (up to 800 m a.s.l.) with steep-sided valleys and numerous

streams. Vegetation is essentially lowland evergreen rainforest, which grades into

forest-farm regrowth mosaic within 1-2 km of the reserve boundaries. The three study

colonies comprised three (WAPF), six (Gola) and seven nests (Kambui Hills), situated

on huge rocks (5.5-1 3.5m high by 13.5-1 6.1m wide ) in dosed canopy forest of

canopy height at least 10m, close to seasonally flowing streams.

Nest sites were observed for a total of 508 h (WAPF 206, Gola 48, Kambui 254).

Total observation time was distributed between different stages of the breeding cycle

as follows: pre-breeding activity (before any eggs were laid) 145 h, incubation 153 h,

nestling stage Î54 h. Observations were made from a 1.5 x 1 x 1 m hide constructed

from leaves and branches about 10 m from each breeding colony. This paper

describes observations made during the pre-breeding period in 1992 and 1993. To

determine diurnal activity at nesting sites, birds were observed at the WAPF and

Kambui Hills nesting sites from 8h0Q-18h00 for 30 hours over three days in April and

May 1992. Similar observations were made at the same sites for 57 hours over seven

days with observations from 0800-1800 hours between 8 and 27 July 1993.

Behaviour was quantified using the individual focal sample method and

simultaneous scanning (Altmann 1974). The number and duration of the following

activities were measured and recorded: nest repair (birds bringing nesting material to

26

H. S. Thompson

Malimbus 26

the nest or actively arranging material already in the nest); nest visits (birds sitting in

the nest or perched on its rim without engaging in nest repair); aggressive encounters

(fights or one bird chasing another without any immediate subsequent behaviour to

indicate that the chase might be part of some other type of interaction); preening

(auto- and allo-preening); hopping about; standing still (for longer than 1 min.);

perched on a branch; bathing; foraging for food. Active behaviours were given

precedence over passive ones whenever two or more categories occurred

simultaneously. Structured observation periods were supplemented by opportunistic

observations.

Results

The breeding cycle

Detailed results on the timing of breeding in Sierra Leone will be published elsewhere

but in general egg-laying occurred from June to December with chicks in the nest

from August to January. However, onset of egg-laying differed between sites and

years and began later, in late July to August, at WAPF and Kambui Hills in 1993

(Thompson 1997 and unpubl.). From February to May, there were no eggs or

nestlings at nesting sites. Birds were regularly seen at nest sites from April onward

and nest repair started in May after the first rains (Thompson 1997 and unpubl.).

Activity at nesting sites

In April and May, birds were seen at the WAPF and Kambui Hills nesting sites (no

observations were made in the Gola forest at this time) only at dawn and dusk,

08h00-10h00 and 16h00-18h00. Numbers seen per day ranged from two to nine and

birds were present at the sites for 12 % of observation time. Birds arrived at the sites

singly or in pairs, from the same general direction each day, and carried out

maintenance activity such as bathing and preening. Occasionally, birds made brief

visits to nests, or chased each other short distances; they sometimes displaced each

other at nests. Nest repair activity was not observed until late May.

In July, about 2-8 weeks prior to the start of egg-laying, birds visited the WAPF

and Kambui Hills nesting sites more or less throughout the day, being present for 22

% of observation time. Maximum numbers seen at this time were 14-16 birds at the

Kambui Hills nesting site. Birds spent most of this time repairing damaged nests (31

%). The remaining time was largely divided between perching on nest rims (17 %),

sitting in nests for 5-60 s periods (14 %), hopping about (14 %), autopreening (9 %,

allopreening was seen only once), and standing still (5 %). Other activities (10 %)

included bathing, foraging, aggression, and a peculiar group behaviour pattern

described below.

Nest repair was mainly observed in July at the WAPF and Kambui Hills nesting

sites and comprised birds resealing holes in the bottom of old mud nests remaining

2004

Picathartes pre-breeding behaviour

27

from the previous breeding season, and building up nest cup walls. Two individuals

cooperated in repairing each nest. As in many passerines, one bird remained at the

nest and arranged nesting material (mainly wet mud but also dried leaves, fibres and

twigs) brought by the other. Roles were frequently switched and birds occasionally

swallowed and regurgitated mud before using it on the nest.

Group Behaviour

A peculiar group behaviour was observed three times in July between 18h00 and

19h30 at the Kambui Hills site, as birds prepared to roost. Typically, 6-7 birds would

stand 0.5-1 m apart in a loose circle on the ground in front of the nesting rock and

make short abrupt runs toward each other. The bird approached would move a short

distance off and in turn chase the same or another individual. Chasing sequences some-

times extended to low branches on the trees surrounding the breeding site. At inter-

vals, a bird would stand and lower its head in a bowing display as if briefly looking at

the ground between its legs. The effect was to present the yellow crown and black ear

patches to the other bird(s) in the immediate vicinity. Each bow was usually followed

by feather raffling and tail shaking. One interaction session lasted 5 min. whilst each

of the others lasted 15 min. Bowing behaviour occurred about once every 2-3 min.

within each display session. Not all birds at the site took part in the displays; on one

occasion, two individuals remained standing on a nearby rock throughout the session.

Roosting behaviour

In July and August 1992, a year when egg-laying started in October at the Kambui

Hills nesting site (Thompson 1997), single birds were found roosting in the nests at

night, in all three site checks made. A maximum of three nests at the nesting site were

seen to be used in this way for roosting, although there were seven nests at the site.

However, all seven nests were subsequently used for breeding. At certain times in the

breeding season, all nests were being used simultaneously by breeding pairs of birds.

When eggs and chicks were in the nest (Oct -Jan), single birds invariably roosted in

the nests at night.

From February to April 1993, after chicks had fledged (the eon-breeding season),

birds congregated at the Kambui Hills breeding site in the evenings but usually left at

dusk in different directions, singly or in pairs, to roost in nearby trees. This occurred

in five of six site checks. In one case however, two birds roosted singly in separate

nests at the nesting site. No site checks were made at night in May and June.

Discussion

The pattern of activity observed at nesting sites suggests that White-necked

Picathartes made regular visits to their nesting sites outside the breeding season and

roosted in the vicinity all year round.

28

H. S. Thompson

Malimbus 26

No more than two birds at a time were seen repairing a particular nest. Although

birds were not distinguishable by plumage and only a few marked birds were

eventually observed breeding (Thompson 1997), these observations agree with those

of Tye (1987) and Fotso (1992) who also did not observe more than two individuals

attending nests. Contrary to speculation by Grimes (1976), of possible cooperative

breeding by the species, the birds do not seem to have helpers at the nest.

A striking feature of the behaviour of White-necked Picathartes prior to breeding

was the group interaction behaviour observed in the Kambui Hills, in which birds

engaged in group bowing displays. Similar behaviour has been observed during the

Picathartes breeding season in Ivory Coast (Mudd & Martins 1996), when a single

individual was seen performing a behavioural pattern (repeated three times in 30 min.)

which included a deep bow with raised and partially open wings, whilst facing a

roosting cave entrance around which several other birds were gathered. Mudd &

Martins (1996) were uncertain whether the behaviour observed was peculiar to that

individual, or a formalised display associated with roosting or breeding, but Fry et al.

(2000) refer to it as a “pre-group-roosting-intention-display”. The observations

described in this study and the timing of the behaviour (pre-breeding in Sierra Leone

and breeding in Ivory Coast) indicate that it is more likely associated with breeding.

Several authors have suggested that each pair of White-necked Picathartes uses

one nest for breeding and another for roosting at the same colony (Grimes & Darku

1968, Collar & Stuart 1985, Allport et al. 1989, Fry et al. 2000), so that number of

nests would be double the number of breeding pairs present. However, these

statements all trace back to observations by Grimes & Darku (1968) who found nests

in pairs at two colonies, and two nests associated with one pair of birds at one of these

sites. In contrast, the present study showed simultaneous use of all nests in a colony

by different pairs, indicating that previous population assessments based on one pair

using two nests ( e.g . Allport et al. 1989, Collar & Stuart 1985) may have been

underestimates.

Acknowledgments

Peter Jones (University of Edinburgh) and Mark Avery (Royal Society for the

Protection of Birds) provided guidance during the original study. Funds were

provided by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), BirdLife

International, American Museum of Natural History, Fauna and Flora International,

the Rain Forest Action Fund and the Wildlife Conservation Society of New York.

Alie P. Koroma, Augustine Macfoy, Tamba Fatoma, Mohamed Musa and Alhaji

Siaka provided invaluable assistance in the field. Essential logistic support was made

available by the Department of Zoology of the University of Sierra Leone, Forestry

Division of the Ministry of Agriculture, and the Conservation Society of Sierra Leone.

2004

Picathartes pre-breeding behaviour

29

I am grateful to the numerous village and town chiefs in various parts of Sierra Leone

who allowed me to work in their territories.

References

Allport, G., Ausden, A., Hayman, P., Roberstson, P. & Wood, P. (1989) The

Conservation of the Birds of the Go la Forest. Study Rep. 38, International

Council for Bird Preservation, Cambridge.

Altmann, J. (1974) Observational study of behaviour: sampling methods. Behaviour

49: 227-264.

Birdlife International (2004). Threatened Birds of the World 2004. CD-ROM,

Bird Life International, Cambridge.

Collar, N.J. & Stuart, S.N. (1985) Threatened Birds of Africa and Related Islands.

International Council for Bird Preservation, Cambridge.

Faust, R. (1971) Welt Erstzucht von Blaustim — Stelzenkrahen (P. oreas ). Gefied.

Welt 95: 240.

Fotso, R.C. (1993) Contribution a F etude du Picatharte chauve du Cameroun

Picathartes oreas. Proc. 8 Pan-Afr. Orn. Congr. Ann. Mus. Roy. Afr. Centr.

(Zool): 431-437.

Fry, C.H., Keith, S. & Urban, E.K. (eds) (2000) The Birds of Africa , vol. 6.

Academic Press, London.

Grimes, L.G. (1976) The occurrence of cooperative breeding behaviour in African

birds. Ostrich 47: 1-15.

Grimes, L.G. & Darktj, K. (1968) Some recent breeding records of Picathartes

gymnocephalus in Ghana and notes on its distribution in West Africa. Ibis 1 10: 93-99.

Marks, B.D., W eckstein, J.D., Johnson, K.P., Myer, M.J., Braimah, J. & Oppong,

J. 2004. Rediscovery of the White-necked Picathartes in Ghana. Bull. Brit. Orn.

Club 124: 151-153.

McKelvey, T.D. (1981) Successful hand-rearing of the White-necked Picathartes

Picathartes gymnocephalus. Int. Zoo Yearb. 21: 219-221.

Mudd, H. & Martins, R. (1996) Possible display behaviour of White-necked

Picathartes. Bull. Brit. Orn. Club 116: 15-17.

Thompson, H.S. (1997). The breeding biology and ecology of the White-necked

Picathartes Temminck 1825 in Sierra Leone. Unpubl. Ph.D. thesis, Open

University, Milton Keynes.

Thompson, H.S. (1998) White-necked Picathartes Picathartes gymnocephalus , its

ecology and conservation. RSPB Conservation Review 12: 93-97.

Thompson, H.S. (2001) Body mass, measurements and moult of the White-necked

Picathartes, Picathartes gymnocephalus , in Sierra Leone. Ostrich 72: 209-212.

30

H. S. Thompson

Malimbus 26

Thompson, H. S. (in press 2004) The reproductive biology of the White-necked

Picathartes, Picathartes gymnocephalus. Ibis online doi: 10.1 1 1 1/j.l 474-9 19X.

2004.00287.x

Thompson, H.S. & Fotso, R.F. (1995) Rockfowl — the genus Picathartes. Bull. Afr.

Bird Club 2: 25-28.

Tye, H. (1987). Breeding biology of Picathartes oreas. Gerfaut 77: 313-332.

Waltert, M & Mühlenberg, M. (2000) A nest of Grey-necked Picathartes

Picathartes oreas constructed on a tree. Bull. Afr. Bird Club 7: 132.

2004

31

Short Notes — Notes Courtes

Nest of the Nkulengu Rail Himantornis haematopus in Gabon

In 1993, we discovered a nest of the Nkulengu Rail at Makande (0°40'S, 1 1 °54'E) in

central Gabon. It was a few hundred metres from a major river (the Offoué), but in an

area that does not flood in the wet season. The habitat was mixed lowland forest,

which had been selectively logged three years previously. The undergrowth was thick

and tangled, mostly of Marantaceae (a predominance of Haumania liebrechtsiana).

The nest was about 1.5 m above the ground, on a flat liana tangle, above a small path

regularly used by forest antelope and other small mammals. It was constructed of

sticks and, seemingly, parts of the liana tangle itself, but few details could be seen, as

the parent bird was sitting on the nest. The bird continued to sit, eyeing us but without

moving, and we left after a few minutes.

Two subsequent visits about week apart were made to the nest: on the first visit

the bird was still sitting, and we left immediately. On the next visit the bird had gone,

and examination of the nest revealed no eggs or fragments thereof: either the young

had already hatched and left, or had been predated.

The only other published record of a nest of this species known to us was made by

Brosset (pers. comm, to Urban et al. 1986). This was described as a large thick structure of

twigs and leaves, 1 .2 m high in the undergrowth, and sounds similar to the nest seen at

Makande. This nest was “far from water” although this rail is known to occur often by water.

We are grateful to Dr Paul Posso of IRET, Gabon and Annie Gautier-Hion for the

opportunity to work at Makande Field Station. FM thanks Alick Cruickshank and

Patrice Christy for teaching her about birds! The field work was supported by grants

from the European Union (DG VIII-Bruxelles and the Gabonese delegation), the

Ministère de l’Environnement and CNRS (France), the Peoples Trust for Endangered

Species, the Percy Sladen Memorial Fund, and the Boise Fund.

Reference

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

Academic Press, Fondon.

Received 18 July 2003

Fiona Maisels & Augustin Moungazi"

'Wildlife Conservation Society, Nouabalé-Ndoki Project, BP 14537, Brazzaville, Congo

and (correspondence) Institute of Cell, Animal and Population Biology,

Edinburgh University, U.K. <fmaisels@wcs.org>

2IRET, BP 13354, Fibreville, Gabon

32

Short Notes

Malimbus 26

On sexual dimorphism and vocal behaviour in the Mount Kupe Bush

Shrike Malaconotus kupeensis

The Mount Kupe Bush Shrike Malaconotus kupeensis is endemic to the forests of

western Cameroon. The main population is apparently centred on the Bakossi Mts,

with a few pairs on Mt Kupe and a single bird observed in Banyang Mbo (a northern

extension of the Bakossi range) (Stattersfield & Capper 2000). The primary rain forest

in Bakossi may contain as many as 50 pairs, at medium altitudes (Dowsett-Lemaire &

Dowsett 2000). Since the territorial song was tape recorded in 1998 ( Dowsett-Lemaire

1999) I have searched for the species with tape playback on the lower slopes of Mt

Nlonako (Feb 1999) and Mt Manenguba (Mar 2000) but failed to find it. The tall,

primary rain forest on Nlonako is superficially similar to the type of forest favoured

by the bird elsewhere but is noticeably drier than in Kupe- Bakossi. The mid-altitude

gallery forests on the lower, SE slopes of Manenguba are of relatively recent origin

and may be too secondary (Dowsett-Lemaire & Dowsett 2000).

Four museum specimens of the species exist (not five as in Fry 2000), all

collected on Kupe. Serle obtained the type (an adult female) in 1949 and three birds

(adult pair and immature female) in 1951 (Serle 1951). Adults show limited

dimorphism in the breast pattern, with either a thin blackish necklace (thickened in the

middle) between white throat and grey breast, or a large, dark maroon round spot

within the white just above the grey breast. The former has been attributed to males

and the latter to females (Fry 2000, Flarris & Franklin 2000). My initial observations

of two birds in song, both with black necklace (Mar 1997 on Kupe, Mar 1998 in

Bakossi), and unpublished observations by S.M. Andrews (in Dowsett-Lemaire 1999)

also led me to assume that the dark necklace was restricted to males.

In Mar 2000 1 spent a week in the forest around Lake Edib (Bakossi) and located

four territories of Mount Kupe Bush Shrike. Two of the calling birds (presumed

males) showed a large maroon spot and the other two a dark necklace. One of the

presumed males with maroon spot was called up in precisely the same location where

1 had recorded the song two years earlier, given then by a bird with clearly a dark

necklace. The other was observed for an hour and was accompanied by its mate,

following silently behind. Both members of this pair were seen close to each other for

several minutes and looked identical: both had a similar maroon spot. The “male”

produced an occasional babbler-like song (as described in Dowsett-Lemaire 1999),

between feeding bouts, and a few detached soft whistles, of strange, distorted quality,

on a pitch reminiscent of Western Nicator Nicator chloris. These were tape-recorded.

Both members of the pair moved with noisy wing-snapping and were (initially)

feeding in a small, loose, mixed bird party. The presumed female was vocally silent.

The third territorial bird was called up with tape playback and sang back within

seconds. The fourth was feeding low down in a bird party; brief tape playback brought

it closer to me, followed by its mate 1-2 m behind, both birds were wing-snapping

and the “male” sang back a few times (the usual babbler-like chatter). I lost sight of its

mate before I could see details of the breast plumage. The third and fourth songsters

were clearly seen and had a complete blackish necklace, thickened in the middle. The

necklace of the male specimen collected in 1951 is apparently somewhat broken as it

2004

Notes Courtes

33

consists of a row of small dark spots (Fry 2000, Harris & Franklin 2000); these details

could not be seen in the field. The only immature specimen collected (a female) had

an “indistinct necklace of yellowish brown” (Serle 1951). In March 2002 Cohen &

Mills (2002) visited the Edib region in Bakossi and video-taped a Mount Kupe Bush

Shrike coming to tape playback, using a copy of my tape of babbler-like song (C.

Cohen pers. comm.); the bird photographed has a large maroon spot and no necklace.

Borrow & Demey (2001) correctly quote a pers. comm, by me saying that

“presence of maroon throat patch and necklace appears unrelated to sex”, based on the

above observations. But their general plumage description is a little ambiguous as

they write “with or without round maroon patch in centre; ‘necklace’ present in

some”. This suggests one might even come across a bird with both a necklace and a

maroon spot or with neither, which combinations have not yet been reported.

Nevertheless territorial birds assumed to be males (because the loud, stereotyped song

is given by only one bird per territory and the observed mates were vocally silent) can

have either, and the significance of one pattern over the other remains unclear.

Possibly the breast pattern might be related to age, with the maroon spot developing

after the necklace (as a necklace is already present in the one immature specimen).

Further observations on vocal behaviour by myself and also others (e.g. N.

Borrow, C. Cohen pers. comm.) confirm that the main song-type is clearly the loud,

babbler-like chatter (Dowsett-Lemaire 1999). Soft whistles (as above) were heard

only once, they are not far-carrying and are unlikely to be used in territorial

advertisement. Those I heard are probably related to the trisyllabic whistle heard by

Serle (1951) and detached whistles, “out of tune”, heard by I. Faucher {in Dowsett-

Lemaire 1999). Harris & Franklin (2000) describe several other vocalizations without

giving a specific source (they have never been to Cameroon) but they apparently

come from an unpublished manuscript by S.M. Andrews (seen by me), but with some

modifications. Bowden (2001) describes a “subsequent recording” to mine, obtained

by N. Borrow, which appears different. Bowden did not specify, however, that this

song was obtained in reaction to playback of my original tape and sounded just like

another babbler-like territorial song. The “cheow-cheeow-cheeow” notes given in

Bowden could equally be rendered “tchraa-tchraa-tchraa” as in my original

description (N. Borrow pers. comm.). Bowden (2001) mentions Dowsett-Lemaire

(1999) only in respect of “more detailed descriptions of calls”; but the main babbler-

like song I described had not been published previously. The “insect-like grating”

mentioned by Bowden & Andrews (1994) but never tape recorded, is said to be given

almost continuously by pairs (Harris & Franklin 2000). Colleagues and I have still not

come across it and I suspect that, either it is not as frequent as claimed, or that it is the

babbler-like chatter heard by different ears. Certainly confirmation based on good

tape recordings is required to clarify the description.

Almost nothing is known of the feeding ecology and territory size of this highly

localized species, whose endangered status should make such a study a priority among

conservationists in Cameroon. This would be greatly helped by colour-ringing a few

individuals but despite regular mist-netting on Mt Kupe over several years, only one

Mount Kupe Bush Shrike has been captured (Bowden & Andrews 1994, Bowden

2001). Birds seen feeding before tape playback was attempted were rather low down

34

Short Notes

Malimbus 26

in the mid-stratum, mainly 4-10 m up; they tend to sing a bit higher, often around 10-

1 5 m, and birds excited by tape playback go even higher, up to about 20 m.

The field surveys were supported by WWF-Cameroon. I am grateful to Nik Borrow,

Chris Bowden, Callan Cohen and Ron Demey for their comments on a draft.

References

Borrow, N. & Demey. R. (2001) Birds of Western Africa. Chistopher Helm, London.

Bowden, C.G.R. (2001) The birds of Mount Kupe, southwest Cameroon. Malimbus

23: 13-44.

Bowden, C.G.R. & Andrews, S.M. (1994) Mt Kupe and its birds. Bull Afr. Bird

Club 1:13-17.

Cohen, C. & Mills, M. (2002) First photographs of Mount Kupé Bush Shrike

Telophorus kupeensis in the wild. Bull. Afr. Bird Club 9: 94.

Dowsett-Lemaire, F. (1999). First observations on the territorial song and display of

the Kupe Bush Shrike Malaconotus kupeensis. Malimbus 21:1 15-1 17.

Dowsett-Lemaire, F. & Dowsett, R.J. (2000) Further biological surveys of

Manenguba and Central Bakossi in March 2000, and an evaluation of the

conservation importance of Manenguba, Bakossi, Kupe and Nlonako Mts, with

special reference to birds. Unpubl. rep. to WWF-Cameroon (also deposited at

BirdLife, Cambridge).

Fry, C.H. (2000). Malaconotus kupeensis. Pp. 395-396 in Fry, C.H., Keith, S. &

Urban, E.K. (Eds), The Birds of Africa, vol. 6. Academic Press, London.

Harris, T. & Franklin, K. (2000) Shrikes and Bush-shrikes. Christopher Helm,

London.

Serle, W. (1951) A new species of shrike and a new race of apalis from West Africa.

Bull. Brit. Orn. Club 71: 4 1 — 43 .

STATTERSFIELD, A.J. & Capper, D.R. (2000) Threatened Birds of the World. Lynx,

Barcelona.

Received 29 October 2003 F. Dowsett-Lemaire

Revised 24 March 2004 Le Pouget, 30440 Sumène, France. <dowsett@aol.com>

Status of the Cape Verde Cane Warbler Acrocephalus brevipennis on Sâo

Nicolau, with notes on song, breeding behaviour and threats

The Cape Verde Cane Warbler Acrocephalus brevipennis is a little known species

endemic to the Cape Verde Islands, regarded as Endangered because of its small and

declining population (Stattersfield & Capper 2000). Until 1998, it was thought to

survive only on the island of Santiago, with a population of probably several hundred

pairs, and to have become extinct on Brava (last recorded in the 1960s by Frade 1976)

and Sâo Nicolau (last seen in 1970: see Hazevoet et al. 1999). However, it was

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35

rediscovered on Sâo Nicolau in February 1998, when eight singing males were

located at three sites around 3 km apart (Hazevoet et ai. 1999). All apparently suitable

habitat on the island was searched and it was concluded that these represented the

entire Sâo Nicolau population and that the species’ future on the island was bleak, as

increasingly severe droughts pose a major threat to the dense stands of vegetation it

appears to need.

Few nests have been found. Castell (1999) photographed one in a stand of the

introduced Giant Reed Arundo donax (“cane”), but birds also nest in trees (Hazevoet

1995). Behaviour at the nest is unrecorded and the species’ vocalisations on Sâo

Nicolau are poorly known. In late September and October 2001, and in January 2003,

we revisited all the sites on Sâo Nicolau where the species was recorded in 1998, as

well as some other potentially suitable areas, to assess changes in population and

distribution. We also collected data on breeding biology, behaviour and song.

We found Cape Verde Cane Warblers at all three 1998 sites, and in almost

identical numbers, although we did not find them in 2001 at one of these sites, the

Fajâ Valley, despite two intensive searches of the same small area where a pair was

located in 2003. The results of timed simultaneous counts by observers 100 m apart

(measured by GPS) at these three sites are given in Table 1. No birds were found

away from these three sites despite extensive searching. However, undiscovered

populations might exist, especially in large cane stands in deep gullies in the Fajâ

Valley. Most records were of singing males, as these were easier to locate, but some

were confirmed to have mates.

Table 1, Counts of Cape Verde Cane Warbler on Sâo Nicolau. Numbers are

singing males (number of confirmed pairs in parentheses).

1 9 T

Hazevoet el al. (1999): only singing males recorded. “Hazevoet (2003). A tributary

of Ribeira da Queimada. 4A1so referred to as Ribeira da Prata. 5Ribeira Chafariz,

above Canto da Fajâ. 6Total seven birds.

The pair in the Fajâ Valley and two pairs at the lower end of Ribeira da Fragata

were found in large, open patches of cane with surrounding tree cover. All other birds

were in dense stands of large fruit trees, particularly Mango Mangifera indica , with or

without small patches of cane nearby, which appears to be the most important habitat

in the species’ stronghold on Santiago (Hazevoet et ai. 1999). In the first habitat, birds

spent much time in the cane but sometimes foraged in the surrounding fruit trees.

Birds in the second habitat were not observed using the small patches of cane that

36

Short Notes

Malimbus 26

were available to them, but fed instead in the canopy of large fruit trees in the

company of many Blackcaps Sylvia atricapilla and Iago Sparrows Passer iagoensis.

As A. donax is an introduced species on the Cape Verdes, being native to central Asia

but widely introduced across the world, the Cape Verde Cane Warbler must formerly

have been able to survive without it. Cane may now be important, as few birds were

seen in apparently suitable habitat without it, and it may have replaced a native

species with similar structure. Alternatively, it may be coincidental that A. donax

occurs in the damper areas that the warblers might favour anyway.

Songs of males were highly variable, though apparently similar to those given on

Santiago (Cramp & Brooks 1992, C.J. Hazevoet, pers. comm.). Most started with a

short, dry, two-note phrase with a rather croaking, frog-like quality, the second

syllable usually lower than the first but sometimes higher. This was usually followed

by a rapid two-note rattle, reminiscent of Lesser Whitethroat Sylvia curruca. In some

birds, the two-note rattle was greatly embellished with extra notes giving a far more

complex song. Some birds added a final liquid flourish of fast ascending, or ascending

and then descending, notes. Birds in Ribeira Tucudo seemed to give less complex

songs than those at Ribeira da Fragata. It is not known whether there is any

interchange of birds between these two populations, which are separated by a high

ridge of mountains. Birds appeared to sing throughout the day, although the quantity

of song output was low. Crude imitations by observers of elements of the call and

song caused birds to respond immediately, suggesting that playback could be a useful

tool in future surveys of this inconspicuous species.

On 29 Sep 2001, we found a nest in a tall sapling of a non-native Indonesian tree

known locally as Jambroeira Syzygium jambos. The nest was built in the junction of

four small branches c. 12 m above the ground. It was a deep, closely woven, cone-

shaped structure, larger and more substantial than many other Acrocephalus nests and

reminiscent of that of a Golden Oriole Oriolus oriolus. On that day and on 6 Oct, the

birds were clearly incubating eggs, changing places on the nest approximately every

15 min. Several times, the presumed female (smaller and never sang) left the nest for

less than a minute before returning. Egg-turning was observed several times, c. 2 min.

after changeover. On approaching the nest, both sexes gave a low, disyllabic call, the

second note lower than the first. While the female was incubating, the male often sang

quietly from nearby trees. When flying between perches, birds often landed with a

short glide, in the manner of some Hippolais warblers. A similar but old nest was

found later in the same valley in the same species of tree, but at a height of only 4 m.

Although estimates in 2001 and 2003 suggested that there was no serious decline

on Sâo Nicolau since 1998, this population faces a number of threats. Declines on

Santiago are attributed at least partly to loss of dense vegetation through drought

(Birdlife International 2000). It may be no coincidence that the areas with birds in

both Ribeira Tucudo and Ribeira da Fragata are irrigated, whereas apparently suitable

but unoccupied areas in Ribeira Brava and Ribeira da Queimada are not. Water in

irrigation tanks may be an important source of insects, and Cape Verde Cane

2004

Notes Courtes

37

Warblers were seen to drink from puddles around these on a number of occasions.

Cutting of cane for livestock feeding is another potential threat to the species, and

evidence of cane cutting was seen in Ribeira Tucudo in October 2001. However, there

was no evidence of substantial loss of cane at any of the three occupied sites between

2001 and 2003. The population requires monitoring, and efforts to maintain or

increase stands of cane and fruit trees in areas where the species persists, for example

by subsidising farmers to plant trees or cane, or promoting irrigation, would doubtless

help the species to survive on Sao Nicolau.

We are very grateful to Comelis J. Hazevoet and Rubén Barone Tosco for useful

comments, and to Julian Francis for his generous support of both expeditions.

References:

Castell, P. (1999) The nest and nestlings of the Cape Verde Cane Warbler

Acrocephalus hrevipennis . Bull. Afr. Bird Club 6: 100.

Chappuis, C. (2000) African Bird Sounds, Vol. 1: North-West Africa , Canaria and

Cap-Verde Islands. Société d'Etudes Ornithologiques de France, Paris.

Cramp, S. & Brooks, DJ. (eds) (1992) The Birds of the Western Palaearctic , vol. 6.

Oxford University Press, Oxford.

Frade, F. (1976) Aves do Arquipélago de Cabo Verde (Coleeçâo do Centro de

Zoologia da J.I.C.U.). Garcia de Orta (Zool.) 5: 47-58.

Hazevoet, C.J. (1995) The Birds of the Cape Verde Islands. Checklist 13. British

Ornithologists5 Union, Tring.

Hazevoet, CJ. (2003) Fifth report on birds from the Cape Verde Islands, including

records of 15 taxa new to the archipelago. Arq. Mus. Bocage , Nov. Sér. 3: 503-528.

Hazevoet, CJ., Monteiro, L.R. & Katcliffe, N. (1999) Rediscovery of the Cape

Verde Cane Warbler Acrocephalus hrevipennis on Sâo Nicolau in February 1998.

Bull. Brit. Orn. Club 119: 68-71.

Stattersfield, AJ. & Capper, D.R. (2000) Threatened Birds of the World. Lynx,

Barcelona.

Received 12 November 2003

Revised 8 December 2003

P.F. Donald1, R. Taylor1,

M. de Ponte Machado2, M.J. Pitta Groz3, C.E. Wells1, T. Marlow1 & S.M. Hille4

1 RSPB, The Lodge, Sandy, Bedfordshire SGI 9 2DL, U.K.

Sociedad Espanoia de Omîtologia,

Avda Trinidad 55, Edificio Anchieta, Pta 121, 38206 La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain

-2

Sociedade Portuguesa para o Estudio das Aves,

Rua da Vitoria, 53-3 Esq., PT-1 100-618 Lisboa, Portugal

4Konrad Lorenz Institute for Comparative Ethology,

Savoy eestrasse la, 1160 Vienna, Austria

38

Short Notes

Malimbus 26

La distribution de l’Hirondelle des mosquées Hirundo senegalensis en

Côte d’ivoire

L’Hirondelle des mosquées Hirundo senegalensis est largement répandue dans les

savanes de l’ouest africain, atteignant la côte du Ghana au Nigeria (Borrow & Demey

2001) ainsi que dans une grande partie de l’Afrique subsaharienne. En Côte d’ivoire,

elle n’aurait été identifiée que dans l’extrême nord du pays, au-delà de 9°30'N

(Thiollay 1985). Plus récemment cependant, Christy & Schulenberg (1999) citent sa

présence dans le Parc National de la Marahoué (6°55'-7°13'N) où elle serait peu

commune.

Ayant résidé près de cinq ans en Côte d’ivoire, entre 1997 et 2002, j’ai pu

constater que l’Hirondelle des mosquées a une répartition beaucoup plus vaste. Je l’ai

ainsi observée à Napié (9° 18 'N, 5°36'W, plusieurs oiseaux en avr 1999), Réserve

d’Abokouamékro (6°50'N, 5°2'W, commune en mars 1999) et Sassandra (4°57'N,

6°8'W, commune sep-avr). Dans la Région d’Abidjan (5°19'N, 4°1'W), je l’ai

observée tous les mois de sep à juin, en diverses localités: Riviéra près du Groupe

Scolaire Jacques Prévert (peu commune), Akouédo (commune), Forêt Classée

d’Anguédédou (fréquente), Adiopodoumé (une observation en mars, mais peut-être

plus abondante). N’ayant jamais été présent en juillet-août j’ignore si l’espèce est

résidente ou migratrice.

Ces localités se trouvent, soit dans les savanes, soit dans la région côtière

(Abidjan, Sassandra). Il est possible que l’Hirondelle des mosquées pénètre dans la

zone forestière proprement dite à la faveur des grandes clairières, mais cela reste à

confirmer. Des observations possibles, mais trop brèves pour être certaines, ont été

faites dans la région de Tiassalé-N’Douci (5°53'N, 4°50'W) en juin 1999 et avril

2001.

L’espèce paraît locale, au moins dans la région côtière; elle est commune en

certaines localités, mais absente d’autres sites immédiatement voisins. Ainsi, dans la

région de Sassandra, toutes les observations proviennent du même endroit, à quelques

kilomètres au nord de la ville, où l’espèce était présente à chaque visite; elle n’a

jamais été vue dans la ville elle-même. De même, en Forêt Classée d’Anguédédou, les

observations ont toutes été réalisées dans la même clairière.

Assez similaire à l’Hirondelle à ventre roux H. semirufa , H. senegalensis s’en

distingue principalement par ses joues orangées (non bleues), la présence d’un collier

roux, et la gorge pâle. Les couvertures sous-alaires sont blanches, et non orangées

comme chez H. semirufa ; ce caractère important n’est cependant pas toujours facile à

voir, même en vol. Les ailes sont plus larges, et le vol plus lourd et moins agile. De

plus, la voix d 'H. senegalensis est typiquement nasale. Les deux espèces sont

fréquemment sympatriques; toutefois, je n’ai jamais observé de bandes mixtes. J’ai

noté que H. senegalensis se perche uniquement sur les branches, et jamais sur les fils

électriques comme le fait souvent H. semirufa.

2004

Notes Courtes

39

H. senegalensis avait déjà été signalée de la côte par Bouet & Miilet-Horsin

(1916-7); mais les auteurs ne mentionnent pas H. semirufa, ce qui laisse penser à une

confusion entre les deux espèces (Thiollay 1985). De même, Brunei (1955) mentionne

H. senegalensis de Lamé, près d’Abidjan, mais cette observation n’est pas reprise

dans Brunei & Thiollay ( 1 969) ce qui suggère que Brunei soit plus tard revenu sur son

identification. L’espèce semble trop commune aujourd’hui pour avoir pu passer

inaperçue d’observateurs tels que Demey & Fishpool (1991), et sa présence dans le

sud de la Côte d’ivoire est certainement récente. Deux origines sont possibles pour

ces oiseaux: les populations du nord de la Côte d'ivoire, attribuées à la sous-espcec

septentrionale H. s. senegalensis (Brand & Thiollay 1 969) ou celles du sud du Ghana,

appartenant à la sous-espèce plus méridionale saturation (Grimes 1987). En l’absence

de photographie ou de spécimen, il n’est pas possible de dire quelle sous-espèce est

présente dans le sud de la Côte d’ivoire.

Je remercie Robert Dowsett, Françoise Dowsett- Lemaire et Lincoln Fishpool pour

leurs commentaires sur une première version de cet article.

Bibliographie

Borrow, N. & Demey, R. (2001). Birds of Western Africa. Christopher Helm,

London.

Bouet, G. & Millet-Horsin, H. (191 6—7) Liste des oiseaux recueillis ou observés à

la Côte d’ivoire en 1906-1907 et en 1913-1914. Rev.fr . Orn. 4: 345-349, 371—

375; 5: 3-6.

Brunel, J. (1955) Observations sur les oiseaux de la Basse Côte d’ivoire. Oiseau

Rev.fr. Orn. 25: 1—16.

Brunel, J. & Thiollay, J.-M. 1969. Liste préliminaire des oiseaux de Côte d’ivoire.

Alauda 37: 230-254, 315-337.

Christy, P. & Schulenberg, T.S. (1999) The avifauna of the Parc National de la

Marahoué, Côte d’ivoire. Pp. 60-65 in Schulenberg, T. S., Short, C.A. &

Stephenson, P J. (éds) A Biological Assessment of the Parc National de la

Marahoué, Côte d’Ivoire. RAP Working Paper 13, Conservation International,

Washington.

Demey, R. & Fishpool, L.D.C. (1991) Additions and annotations to the avifauna of

Côte d’Ivoire. Malimbus 12: 61-86.

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

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

1-59.

Reçu 15 janvier 2004

Revu 5 mai 2004

Olivier Lachenaud

1070 Avenue de Fès, 34090 Montpellier, France

<iachenaud,ipfo@wanadoo,fr>

40

Short Notes

Malimbus 26

Zebra Waxbill Amandava subflava , new for Mauritania

The Zebra Waxbill Amandava subflava is a locally common to scarce resident in West

Africa (Borrow & Demey 2001). It is uncommon and local in Mali north to 15°N

(Lamarche 1981), and frequent in Djoudj National Park, Senegal, where it breeds

(Rodwell et al. 1996). There are no published records from Mauritania so far (Gee

1984, Lamarche 1988, Dowsett & Dowsett- Lemaire 1993, Messaoud et al. 1998).

Zebra Waxbills were observed in Diawling National Park, Mauritania ( 1 6°1 8 ' 1 2 "N,

16°23'56"W), during two visits in 2003. On 18 May a flock of 5-7 was observed

foraging in short grass near the park headquarters, c. 1 1 km north of the Diama dam on

the Senegal river, the border with Senegal. Several flocks of similar size were observed

on 25-26 Oct, < 1 km from the first site. They were small, active estrildids with olive-

brownish mantle and barring on sides of belly, yellow-orange breast and belly, and

red bill and supercilium in males. The red rump and short brown tail distinguished

them from Black-rumped Waxbill Estrilda troglodytes , which might also occur in the

area. The field identification was confirmed by J. Korb, I. Maggini, and A. Mauley.

These are apparently the first records of the species for Mauritania, despite records in

nearby Djoudj NP (Rodwell et al. 1996), northeast of ours. These observations suggest that

Zebra Waxbills belong to the regular avifauna of the western Senegal River valley.

These observations stem from the Swiss Ornithological Institute project on Bird

Migration across the Sahara.

References

Borrow, N. & Demey, R. (2001) A Guide to the Birds of Western Africa. Princeton

University Press, Princeton, Oxford.

Dowsett, R.J. & Dowsett- Lemaire F. (1993) A Contribution to the Distribution and

Taxonomy of A frotropical and Malagasy Birds. Tauraco Press, Liège.

Gee, J.P. (1984) The birds of Mauritania. Malimbus 6: 31-66.

Lamarche, B. (1981) Liste commentée des oiseaux du Mali. Malimbus 3: 73-102.

Lamarche, B. (1988) Liste commentée des oiseaux de Mauritanie. Etud. sahar.

ouest-afr. 1(4): 1-162.

Messaoud, B., Hamerlynck, O. & Diagana C.H. (1998) Liste Commentée des

Oiseaux du Bas-delta Mauritanien et du Parc National du Diawling. Ministère de

Développement Rural et de F Environnement— Parc National du Diawling, Nouakchott.

Rodwell, S. P., Sauvage, A., Rumsey, S. J. R. & Bràunlich, A. (1996) An annotated

checklist of birds occurring at the Parc National du Djoudj in Senegal from 1984

to 1994. Malimbus 18: 74-111.

Recieved 14 January 2004 Volker Salewski

Revised 24 March 2004 Swiss Ornithological Institute, 6204 Sempach, Switzerland

volker.salewski@web.de>

2004

Notes Courtes

41

Cas de prédation par les Corbeaux bruns Corvus rufîcollis

Le Corbeau brun Corvus rufîcollis est connu pour son extrême opportunisme

alimentaire, ce qui est une adaptation aux milieux nord sahélien et subsaharien dans

lesquels il vit et se reproduit. Il consomme aussi bien des termites et des tiques que

des grains de maïs ou de riz, des poissons ou des petits mammifères et des charognes,

liste bien entendu non exhaustive. Valverde (1957) notait déjà que ce corbeau

consomme pratiquement tout ce qu’il y a de comestible dans le désert et mentionnait

qu’il est réputé s’attaquer aux lièvres et aux faons de gazelles, sans cependant faire

état d’observations confirmées. Cramp et aï. (1994) mentionnait des attaques de

lièvres en Israël, information reprise dans par Urban (2000). La présente note n’a pour

objet que de le confirmer sur la base de témoignages de ses rédacteurs.

Le 2 avril 2004, à 70 km au SW d’Agadez (Niger), en zone subdésertique

(16°27'N, 7°38'E) et en début de saison chaude et sèche (le 1 avril, à 13h00, il faisait

42°C à l’ombre avec 8% d’humidité relative), nous avons observé vers 8h00 au bord

de la piste le cadavre d’un faon de Gazelle dorcas Gazella dorcas, probablement né le

matin même, à côté duquel voletaient deux corbeaux bruns. Dans cette zone, où le

terrain est très plat et la végétation peu fournie, nous n’avons pas vu de chacal

s’éloigner, ni de traces d’un tel prédateur, qui aurait d’ailleurs probablement emporté sa

proie. La nuit précédente, nous avions subi dans notre campement installé à environ 1

km une violente tempête de sable, qui avait duré de 20h30 à 2h00. Cette tempête avait

effacé toutes traces antérieures. Le thorax de la petite gazelle était à nu, sanguinolent et

rouge frais, mais déjà complètement vidé des entrailles. A notre retour, moins de deux

heures plus tard, il avait été complètement disloqué et les restes éparpillés par les deux

corbeaux. En dehors de la tête et de la peau, il ne restait plus grand chose de leur proie.

Au mois de février 2004, MI avait observé au NE du massif de l’Aïr, près de

Tezirzek (19° 19 'N, 8°51'E), en lisière du désert du Ténéré, un Lièvre du Cap Lepus

capensis harcelé par deux Corbeaux bruns, qui l’attaquaient en volant en rase-mottes,

cherchant avec les pattes et le bec à le faire tomber et à le blesser. Fonçant sur eux en

voiture, jusqu’à l’éclatement d’un pneu, il a fait diversion, ce qui a permis au lièvre de

se réfugier sous un rocher et ainsi d’échapper à ses agresseurs.

Bibliographie

Bannerman, D.A. (1948) The Birds of Tropical West Africa, vol. 6. Crown Agents, London.

Valverde, J. A. (1957) Ave s del Sahara Espahol. Institute de Estudios Africanos, Madrid.

Cramp, S. & Perrins, C.M. (1994) The Birds of the Western Palaearctic, vol. 8.

Oxford University Press, Oxford.

Fry, If, Keith, S. & Urban, E.K. (2000) The Birds of Africa, vol.6. Academic Press, London.

Reçu 15 avril 2004 Mohamed Ixa1 & Nils Robin2

Revu 28 avril 2004 !BP 270, Agadez, Niger <tidenexp@intent.ne>

35 rue Bonaparte, 75006 Paris, France <nils.robin@wanadoo.fr>

42

Malimbus 26

Reviews — Revues

Handbook of the Birds of the World, vol. 8, Broadbills to Tapaculos, ed. by J. del

Hoyo, A. Elliott & D. Christie, 2003. 850 pp., 81 col. plates, 672 maps Lynx,

Barcelona. ISBN 84-87334-50-4, hardback, £120 from Lynx Edicions, www.hbw.com.

This is the first of the passerine volumes of HBW. , dealing with all of the suboscines

except the cotingas, manakins, tyrant-flycatchers and the probably basal scrub-birds,

lyrebirds and New Zealand wrens As such, the present volume deals with relatively

few West African species, but it does indicate differences between tropical areas in

recent levels of ornithological research. African species in this volume include four

broadbills (Eurylaimidae), the Madagascan asities (four species of Philepittidae), and

two pittas (Pittidae), of which all the broadbills and pittas occur within the WAOS

area of interest. All six are relatively poorly known forest birds, as are the majority of

the (Neotropical) species covered by the book, but whereas most of the information

on the West African species is relatively old, much of that for Neotropical species is

new (including many species recently discovered). This surely reflects the fact that

the number of ornithologists resident or working in West Africa is still tiny, whereas

Neotropical ornithology is expanding fast, with many studies being carried out by

residents of the countries where they work. Similar differences in study levels

between West and East-southern Africa are illustrated by the fact that the only photo

of African Broadbill Smithornis capensis included was taken at the extremity of its

range, in South Africa, and no photo of the central African Grey-headed Broadbill S.

sharpei , Grauer’s Broadbill Pseudocalyptomena graueri or Green-breasted Pitta P.

reichenowi is included. Even the asities are better served by photographs.

A 33-page foreword essay by M.D. Bruce on the history of bird classification

introduces the biggest Order, the Passeriformes, in a review starting from the days of

the Greek philosophers and including fascinating anecdotes about many of the less

well-known but interesting characters who contributed to bird systematics, along with

sympathetic critiques of their work.

The Introduction begins by summarising innovations in this volume, among

which is that photos are now indexed. The maps have been slightly improved by the

inclusion of major rivers, although I would have liked to see country boundaries too,

as it is still impossible to assign range boundaries on the maps to countries (like it or

not, we all use political boundaries as a practical frame of reference for distributions).

As regards the family and species accounts, little needs to be said. The family

sections include the usual detailed comparative treatment and superb photographs,

often of little known, newly discovered or difficult to see (never mind photograph)

understorey or canopy species. The species accounts are, if anything, more detailed than

in previous volumes, incorporating much unpublished information collected up to 2003.

2004

Prevues

43

This volume shows signs of hurried production, especially in spelling errors in the

introductory sections. Given the task of producing such a huge volume each year, this

is hardly surprising, but the proof reading lets down the content a little. However,

such a quibble only shows what we have come to expect of this wonderful series, and

in general this volume matches the usual exacting standards.

Alan Tye

Birds of Africa South of the Sahara, par I. Sinclair & P. Ryan, 2003. 760 pp., 359

planches en couleurs, 2100 cartes. Straik, Cape Town. ISBN 0-691-11815-9, broché,

£29.95.

Nous allions dire: encore un! Car les ouvrages se succèdent pour traiter de Tavifaune

africaine. Mais, cet ouvrage ne comporte qu’un seul volume pour couvrir toute

l’Afrique au sud du Sahara. Son format, légèrement plus grand que ceux dont on a

l’habitude pour ce genre d’ouvrages (21 x 14.5 x 3.8 cm), et son poids (1.2 kg) le

rendent un peu gros pour la poche mais encore facilement transportable et de-

présentation séduisante. Tout d’abord 5-7 espèces figurent par page, ce qui est

suffisant pour donner à chacune toute la place voulue. La typographie est satisfaisante

même pour les porteurs de lunettes.

Au début de l’ouvrage, l’identification des espèces est facilitée par la

représentation des espèces typiques (grèbes, ombrette, hiboux, soui-mangas, etc.) et

les coins des pages, dont les couleurs correspondent aux familles, permettent

d’atteindre rapidement le groupe recherché.

Sur la page de gauche figurent cartes de distribution, certes réduites à la

dimension d’un timbre-poste, mais bien contrastées et donnant une idée claire de la

répartition, avec un texte qui comprend description (3 4 lignes), habitat, statut

(abondance, sédentaire ou migratoire, endémique). La voix, en plus de la description

habituelle subjective, se réfère aux disques de Chappuis (2001 African Bird Sounds ,

Société d’Etudes Ornithologiques de France, Paris) et de Gibbon (1995 Southern

African Bird Sounds, Durban), déjà utilisés dans le Borrow & Demey (2001, Birds of

Western Africa , Helm, London). Désormais, tout guide de terrain se doit de

comprendre les références à des disques que l’on peut maintenant écouter sur des

appareils portables.

La page de droite est réservée à l’illustration qui a retenu toute l’attention des

auteurs. Une disposition très heureuse permet de localiser rapidement sur la planche,

l’espèce traitée en vis-à-vis grâce à un chiffre très visible. De pins, les représentations

des formes (adulte, immature, mâle ou femelle) d’une même espèce sont bien

regroupées et nettement délimitées par un trait Les oiseaux ne sont pas figés mais

figurés dans différentes postures, éventuellement sur leur support caractéristique. La

44

Reviews

Malimbus 26

plupart des plumages sont bien colorés, certains même excellents tel celui des Calaos

à bec rouge Tockus erythrorhynchus . Mais d’autres espèces, des groupes éprouvants

pour les artistes, sont mal colorées, comme la plupart des Streptopelia (le patron de la

queue en revanche est bien illustré) et les engoulevents (dont pourtant les taches

alaires et caudales typiques sont figurées). Il en va d’ailleurs ainsi, du moins dans

notre exemplaire, pour tous les oiseaux ternes, bruns ou noirâtres, ce qui représente en

fait beaucoup d’espèces. Il en résulte que l’ensemble des planches est fâcheusement

inégal. Pour la taille des oiseaux, il faut se contenter des mensurations en cm.

La bibliographie laisse à désirer et est curieusement incomplète. Il est en effet

regrettable que les auteurs aient privilégié les références anglophones au détriment

des francophones. Par exemple, la “Liste commentée des oiseaux de Mauritanie”

(Lamarche 1988, Etud. Sahar. Ouest-Afr. 1(4)) n’est pas citée, ni quelques guides tel

celui de Serle & Morel (1977, A Field Guide to the Birds of West Africa , Collins,

Londres) pourtant écrit en anglais. Peut-être faut-il attribuer à cette carence certains

oublis tels que l’extension de faire de la Tourterelle de l’Adamaoua Streptopelia

hypopyrrha , vers l’ouest au Togo et au sud-est sénégalais.

On doit regretter que les noms des espèces ne soient donnés qu’en anglais — ce

qui avantage les anglophones, évidemment les plus nombreux utilisateurs — mais pas

dans les deux autres langues largement parlées en Afrique, le français et le portugais.

Les noms dans ces deux langues seraient pourtant utiles même si l’ouvrage est traduit

ultérieurement.

En conclusion, cet ouvrage atteint les buts qu’il se proposait: fournir non

seulement aux touristes tournés vers la nature mais aussi aux ornithologues un manuel

facile à consulter.

Gérard Morel et Marie-Yvonne Morel

2004

45

News & Letters — Nouvelles & Lettres

24th International Ornithological Congress, 13-19 August 2006,

Hamburg, Germany

If you wish to receive information about this congress, please use the electronic

submission form available on the IOC meeting web site http://www.i-o-c.org. If you

are unable to use the electronic form, please contact us at the following addresses.

IOC 2006

Inst, of Avian Research, An der Vogelwarte 21, 26386 Wilhelmshaven, Germany

<info@i-o-c.org>

New bibliographic database for ornithologists

The BOU, AOU, and Birds Australia are proud to announce the replacement of

Recent Ornithological Literature (ROL) with the new Worldwide Ornithological

Literature (OWL). OWL is an indexed bibliographic database of citations from the

worldwide scientific literature that pertain to the science of ornithology. OWL deals

almost exclusively with serial publications. The new database is accessible at

www.birdlit.org at no charge. OWL’s scope will be more than just the “recent”

literature of ornithology. Eventually, the goal is to have the online database go back

50 or more years for citations to the serial literature.

OWL also asks for citations for all recent doctoral dissertations and those papers

published in obscure serials not usually covered in OWL. Anyone interested in

helping should contact Jay Sheppard, Managing Editor (JMSheppar@aol.com) or Bob

Dowsett, Afrotropical Coordinator (Dowsett@aol.com), for a list of journals needing

abstractors and other information. Abstractors should ideally have access to a

computer and their assigned journals.

Over 1100 serials have been cited in ROL/OWL since 1990. In a sample, 24%

were exclusively ornithological in scope, 73% were not and 3% were undetermined.

Bibliographies from forty Birds of North America life history accounts were

evaluated. Of the 5442 total citations, 66% were serials. A comparison revealed that

59%' of the serial citations should have been found in Biological Abstracts and

approximately 96% should have been found in the ROL. These numbers are only for

comparative purposes, as many papers preceded both indexes by decades, if not a

century or more. The commercial abstracting services charge a considerable fee for

their services, while OWL is free to any Internet user. The database will be expanded

46

News & Letters

Malimbus 26

with the addition of the old ROL supplements to the Ibis, Auk , and Emu printed over

the past 20 years. By the end of 2004, we expect to have a searchable database of

75,000-100,000 records.

Previously published scientific information that cannot be later found is literature

that may be lost to science. One must be able to find all those papers published in

one’s field of interest regardless of where in the world one is working. Please consider

helping to abstract. This is not an exceptionally time-consuming endeavour and you

will be helping generations of ornithologists to come.

R.J. Dowsett

dowsett@aol.com

2004

47

Society Notices — Informations de la Société

W.A.O.S. membership changes

New members

Jensen, F.P. Hejrebakken 44b, DK-3500 Vaerlose, Denmark.

Lamoreux, J., 203 Raymond Avenue, Charlotteville, VA 22903, U.S.A.

MACGREGOR, R., 9 Greensides Court, St Andrews, Fife KYI 6 9UG, ILK.

Gssom, W.K., IRNR-KNUST, Kumasi, Ghana.

Wilson, M.P., 3 Seaview Cottages, Cmndale Way, Broadstairs, Kent OT1Û 3RY, U.K.

BirdLife Africa, ICIPE Campus, Kasarani Road. FOB 3502-00100, Kenya.

Deletions

Balchin, C.S.

Barnes, Miss G.P.

Gething, C.

Nap, J.

British Trust for Ornithology

Cakdy, P.

Davies, I.

Name and address corrections and changes

Balança, G., 115 Impasse de la fonçasse, F-34570 Vailliaques, France.

Barlow, C., Appt 1, Radio SYD, PGB 279, Banjul, The Gambia.

Cayol, F . , La Prée, F-36100, Segry, France.

Cochrane, J.M., 195 Ay. de Général de Gaulle, 66500 Prades, France.

Coquillat [not Couquillat], J.-M., L'Arbec, 58320 Planchez en Morvain, France

Dowsett, RJ., Le Pouget, F-30440 Sumène, France.

Grünewald, Dr J., Stohrerweg 20, D-72070 Tübingen, Germany.

Hamdke, C., Waldenserstr. 35, D-10551 Berlin, Germany.

Howe, S., 9 Craigour Avenue, Torphins-by-Banchory, Aberdeen AB31 4JA, U.K.

Leventis, A.P., CBE, 19 Ilchester Place, London W14 8AA, U.K.

Longley, Lt Col. P., British High Commission Accra, (Ghana Box 002), via BFPO 747, U.K.

Manvell, A., 2 Rue Brochier, 13005 Marseilles, France.

Ottosgn [not Hosson], O., 18a Rue de la Manner, L-8280 Keklen, Luxemburg.

Randall, G., 6 Abbeyfields, Abbey Rd, Great Massingham, King's Lynn, Norfolk

PE32 2JE, U.K.

Robin, N., 35 Rue Bonaparte, 75006 Paris, France.

Stevenson, T., FOB 333, Naro Mom, Kenya.

Urban, E., Dept Biology, Augusta State University, GA 30904-2200, U.S.A.

ViviÉs, Y.M. de, BP 1512, 98735 Raiatea, French Polynesia.

R.E. Shari and

48

Society Notices

Malimbus 26

Mr A.P. Leventis, CBE

Members will be delighted to hear of the award of a CBE by the Queen to WAOS

Member Mr A.P. Leventis, for services to conservation, particularly in Nigeria.

R.E. Sharland

West African Ornithological Society

Revenue Account for the year ended 31 December 2003

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 must be 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 critically scrutinised by at least one other ornithologist or biologist before

submission. 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. Submission by email (attached file) is

preferred. For submissions on paper, two copies are required, typed on one side of the paper, with

double spacing and wide margins. Consult the editor for further details, e.g. acceptable software.

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.

Format of tabular material, numbers, metric units, references, etc. should match recent

issues. Note particularly: dates are written 2 Feb 1990 but months standing alone may be written

in full; times of day are written 6h45, 17h32 and coordinates in the form 7°46'N, 16°4'E (no

leading zeros); 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 listed in the bibliography.