MAUMBUS

Journal o£ West African Ornithology

Revue d’Omithologie de l’Ouest Africain

VOLUME 33 Number 1 March 2011

ISSN 0331-3689

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2011

1

The birds of the Lesio-Louna and Lefini Reserves,

Batéké Plateau, Republic of Congo

by Tony King

The Aspinall Foundation, Port Lympne Wild Animal Park, Hythe, Kent CT21 4PD,

U.K. <tonyk@aspinallfoundation.org>

Received 27 April 2009; revised 14 January 2011.

Summary

This paper summarises all known information regarding the avifauna of the

Lesio-Louna and Lefmi Reserves of the Republic of Congo. Located in the

Batéké Plateau region, the major habitats are open Loudetia grassland and

lightly wooded Loudetia or Hyparrhenia grassland, with gallery and swamp

forests along water-courses and patches of dry forest on higher ground.

Observations and mist-netting were undertaken between 2002 and 2007, with

264 species recorded. One subspecies represents a new record for Congo: the

intra- African migrant Pygmy Kingfisher Ceyx pictus natalensis, which occurs

sympatricaily with a resident subspecies. Fifty-nine species are newly

published for the reserves, of which the most notable include White-crested

Tiger Heron Tigriornis leucolophus (on nest), Black-breasted Snake Eagle

Circaetus pectoralis, African Marsh Harrier Circus ranivorus, Chestnut-

flanked Sparrowhawk Accipter castanilius, Wahlberg’s Eagle Aquila

wahibergi, Grey Kestrel Faîco ardosiaceus, Peregrine Falcon F. peregrinus.

Bronze-winged Courser RhinoptUus chalcopterus, African Skimmer

Rynchops flavirostris, Homs Swift Apus horus. Black-backed Barbet Lybius

minor. Red-throated Cliff Swallow Hirundo rufigula, Orange-tufted Sunbird

Cinnyris bouvieri, Holub’s Golden Weaver Ploceus xanthops and Zebra

Waxbiil Amandava subflava. These species additions bring the total of species

known for the reserves to 317, which includes 74 Guineo-Congolian and five

Zambezian biome species, reinforcing the categorisation of the Batéké Plateau

as the northern limit of the Guinea-Congolian/Zambezian transition zone.

Résumé

Les oiseaux des Réserves de Lésio-Louna et Léfini, Plateau Batéké,

République du Congo. Cet article résume toutes les connaissances concernant

Pavifaune des Réserves de Lésio-Louna et Léfini de la République du Congo.

Situés dans la région du Plateau Batéké, les habitats principaux sont la prairie

2

T. King

Malimbus 33

à Loiidetia et la savane herbeuse faiblement boisée à Loudetia ou Hyparrhenia,

avec des forêts-galerie et forêts de marécages le long des cours d'eau et des

tâches de forêts sèches sur les reliefs. Des observations et la pose de filets de

bagueur ont été réalisées entre 2002 et 2007, avec 264 espèces enregistrées.

Une sous-espèce est nouvelle pour le Congo: le Martin-pêcheur pygmée Ceyx

pictiis natalensis, migrateur africain, qui est sympatrique avec une sous-

espèce résidente. Cinquante-neuf espèces sont publiées pour la première fois

pour ces réserves, dont les plus notables incluent TOnoré à huppe blanche

Tigriornis lencolophus (au nid), le Circaète à poitrine noire Circaetus

pectoralis, le Busard grenouillard Circus ranivorus, TAutour à flancs roux

Accipter castanilius, l’Aigle de Wahlberg Aquila wahlbergi, le Faucon ardoisé

Falco ardosiaceus, le Faucon pèlerin F. peregrinus, le Courvite à ailes bronzées

Rhinoptihis chalcopterus, le Bec-en-ciseaux d’Afrique Rynchops flavirostris, le

Martinet horns Apus horns, le Barbican de Levaillant Lybius minor,

l’Hirondelle à gorge fauve Hirundo rufigula, le Souimanga de Bouvier

Cinnyris bolivien, le Tisserin safran Ploceus xanthops et le Bengali zébré

Amandava subflava. L’addition de ces espèces porte le total des espèces connues

pour les réserves à 317, dont 74 espèces pour le biome Guinéo-Congolais et

cinq espèces pour le biome Zambézien, ce qui renforce le placement du Plateau

Batéké en limite Nord de la zone de transition Guinéo-Congolaise/Zambézienne.

Introduction

The Lesio-Louna and Lefini Reserves lie c. 140 km north of Brazzaville in the

Republic of Congo (hereafter referred to as Congo) (Fig. 1). The two reserves form

part of the Batéké Plateau, an area of rolling savanna and patchy forest extending

from southeast Gabon across central Congo and extending into the Democratic

Republic of Congo (hereafter referred to as DRC). This region is well-known amongst

ornithologists for the unique diversity of its avifauna (Dowsett-Lemaire 1997a, 2001,

Christy 2001), which may be attributed to the diversity of forest and grassland-

woodland habitats in the area. These varied habitats support elements of both the

Guinea-Congo forest biome and Zambezian (southern grassland/woodland) biome

avifaunas (Fishpool & Evans 2001). The richness of the savanna avifauna of the

Batéké Plateau was one of the principle reasons for the classification of the Lesio-

Louna and Lefmi Reserves of Congo (Dowsett-Lemaire 2001) and the Bombo-

Lumene Game Reserve in DRC (Demey & Louette 2001) as “Important Bird

Areas” (IBAs), and for the creation of the Batéké Plateau National Park (BPNP) in

Gabon.

Despite the internationally recognised diversity and importance of the Batéké

Plateau avifauna, in reality very little is known about it. The main reports available for

Gabon give 267 species for the zone around Léconi, and 255 species for the BPNP (P.

2011

Birds of Lesio-Louna and Lefmi Reserves

3

Figure 1. Inset: protected areas (shaded) within the Batéké Plateau region of

Congo and Gabon. Main map: survey sites and other localities in the Lesio-

Louna and southwest Lefini Reserves, with forest cover shaded in light grey,

watercourses in dark grey, selected villages as black spots, tracks as dotted lines,

and the major National Road 2 as a thick dashed line to the east of the reserves.

Christy and T. King unpubL). In Congo, Dowsett-Lemaire (1997a) gave a list of 240

species for the “Lefini Reserve”, in fact based primarily on a week-long visit to the

Lesio-Louna Reserve, since when a further 16 species have been published (King et

al. 2004, King 2007, 2008a, King & Chamberlan 2007, Rainey et al. 2009). King et

al. (2004) also provided information on timing of moult amongst forest and savanna

birds, based on a small mist-net survey during 2002.

4

T. King

Malimbus 33

The aim of this paper is to summarise all known information regarding the

avifauna of the Lesio-Louna and Lefmi Reserves in Congo, including records of

another 59 species newly published for the reserves, with notes on seasonality,

breeding, moult and morphological measurements collected during the period 2002-7.

Study sites

The Lefmi Reserve was created in 1951, covering c. 400,000 ha, and was enlarged to

630,000 ha in 1963, to include a large area east of the previous limits, stretching to the

Congo River (Fig. 1). The Lesio^Louna Reserve is an area of 44,000 ha adjacent to

the eastern boundary of the southwest portion of the Lefmi Reserve (Fig. 1), created

in 1993 through an agreement between The Aspinall Foundation of the U.K. and the

Ministry of Forest Economy of the government of Congo, as a sanctuary for the

réintroduction of gorillas orphaned by the illegal bush-meat trade. It was upgraded to

a Natural Reserve by Presidential Decree in 1999.

The two reserves range from 300 m to 750 m in altitude. The major habitats are

open Loudetia grassland and lightly wooded Loudetia or, especially on the remaining

plateaus and in damp valley bottoms, Hyparrhenia grassland, with gallery and swamp

forests along the water-courses and some patches of dry forest on higher ground (Fig.

2, on p. 9; Dowsett-Lemaire 1997a, King et al. 2004). Much of the wooded grassland

is dominated by Hymenocardia acida, while other woody species present include

Annona senegalensis, Bridelia ferruginea, Gardenia ternifolia, Syzygium guineense

var. macrocarpum, Maprounea africana, Chaetocarpus africanus, Nauclea latifolia,

Strychnos spp., Vitex spp. and Albizia adianthifolia. Xylopia spp.. Raphia sp. and

Uapaca spp. are amongst the dominant species of gallery and swamp forest, while dry

mixed forest is often characterised by Piptadeniastrum africanum. The reserves

support a mix of forest and savanna mammals (King 2008b, King & Dallimer 2010).

The climate of the reserves is similar to that elsewhere on the plateau, with a dry

season from late May to September, the heaviest rains in October-November and

March-April, with a drier period around January-February (Dowsett-Lemaire 1997a).

Rainfall and temperature were measured from June to mid-December 2002 at

Iboubikro (the base camp for the Lesio-Louna Reserve; summary in King et al. 2004),

and then rainfall was measured from July 2005 onwards at both Iboubikro and the

Confluent camp (at the confluence of the Louna and Lefmi rivers in the Lefmi

Reserve) (Fig. 3). A long dry season in 2005, with no rain at all in August and the first

big rains of the wet season on 20 September, resulted in savanna fires burning further

into forest areas than nonnal. The year 2006 showed a surprisingly large difference in

rainfall between the two sites, with Iboubikro receiving a relatively high 2013 mm,

and the Confluent camp 1483 mm. By totalling the mean monthly rainfall for all

available data from 2002 to 2006, an average annual rainfall for the two reserves can

be estimated as 1660 mm.

2011

Birds of Lesio-Louna and Lefmi Reserves

5

350

V, ^ ^ CP y' X'' ■>

r5o

# -# -# -# -#

sfe Jh

X

r

Figure 3. Rainfall (mm) for Iboubikro in the Lesio-Louna Reserve (dark grey

bars) and Confluent in the Lefini Reserve (pale grey), July 2005 to Dec 2006.

Methods

Observations were made in the two reserves from February 2002 to April 2007,

principally in areas close to the main camps of the Lesio-Louna management project,

particularly Iboubikro, Camp des ecogardes. Confluent camp, Abio, Ngondoro and Mt

Blanc (Fig. 1), and the vehicle and river access routes between them. Observations

included species, maximum group size noted (1, 2, 3-9, 10-29, 30-99, 100+),

evidence of breeding (breeding or non-breeding plumage, on nest, feeding juveniles,

carrying nest material etc.) and any other notable information.

Mist-netting was carried out only in the Lesio-Louna Reserve, in 2002 (results

summarised in King et al 2004), very briefly in 2003, then again from late 2005 to

early 2007. Most netting was carried out close to Iboubikro (named “Base-Vie” in

King et al 2004), and the nearby sites of Camp des ecogardes and Idzoua Inkou (Fig.

1). In 2002 (and briefly in 2003), netting was also carried out at Ngondoro, and briefly

at Lac Bleu. Habitats surveyed included gallery forest interior, forest-savanna transition,

and lightly wooded savanna. Generally, 3-5 nets (6 x 2.5 m, 38 mm mesh) were set at

a time, almost always at 0.5-5 m from the ground. Birds captured were identified (and

sexed and aged by plumage characters if possible) using Borrow & Demey (2001).

Mass was measured using spring balances to the nearest 1 g, except heavy birds where

stated to the nearest 5 g. Wing length was measured to the nearest mm, using a wing-

rule and flattening the primaries gently against the rule (following Svensson 1992).

Tail length was measured with the reverse side of the wing-rule, to the base of the tail

feathers above the under tail-coverts (unless otherwise stated). Other measurements

were taken using a pair of dial callipers, such as bill length to feathering, bill length to

skull, tarsus, body length and total length, but are not presented in this paper. Notes on

brood patch were recorded from November 2005 onwards. Moult of flight and tail

feathers was noted throughout the sampling period. Each flight and tail feather was

6

T. King

Malimbus 33

assessed, and a bird was recorded as being in moult if at least one primary feather was

either growing or still had a sheath. Birds were marked with a water-based pen on the

underside of the wings, to allow identification of recaptured birds for up to several

weeks after capture (the longest recorded time between captures being 16 weeks).

Sequence and nomenclature follow Borrow & Demey (2001), with some

corrections based on Borrow & Demey (2004). Subspecific identifications are given

when detemiined, as the habitat is atypical of the central African region as a whole

and therefore range assumptions based on geographic locality can be unreliable. Brief

notes are given on distribution, habitat types, seasonality and breeding, plus a

summary of information from netted birds (638 netted birds representing 86 species).

Measurements are given in mm, except mass which is in g; measurements of four or

more birds are summarised as range (mean ± standard deviation).

All observations are by the author except where otherwise referenced; other infor-

mation is only included when it adds to an understanding of the species’ status, and is

always referenced. All species known from the reserves are included; those not recorded

by the author are placed in square brackets, and those newly published for the reserves

are marked with an asterisk {i.e. species not included in Dowsett-Lemaire 1997a,

King et al. 2004, King 2007, 2008a, King & Chamberlan 2007, or Rainey et al

2009). Photographs of many species are online at <http://carpe.umd.edu/resources/

Documents/King_2009_PhotoGuide_oiseaux_birds.pdfview> or on request to the author.

Status is assessed as: R = resident, M = intra- African migrant, P = Palaearctic

migrant, V = rare visitor. An assessment of abundance is given for resident species

using the following scale: Abundant (> 10 may be seen or heard in suitable habitat per

day). Common (1-10 may be seen or heard in suitable habitat per day), Frequent

(often seen but not every day). Uncommon (several records per year), Rare (one

record per several years). Site locations are given in Fig. 1 and Table 1.

Results

Podicipedidae

Tachybaptus nificoUis Little Grebe. R. Singles or pairs at Iboubikro seasonal ponds

Oct-Nov, Jan-Feb (2004, 2005) and Lac Bleu Nov (2006); small groups at Lac Bleu

Jul 2004 (five birds), Jul 2005 (seven); breeding plumage Nov.

Anhingidae

Anhinga riifa African Darter. R/M? Uncommon. Lefmi, Louna and Lesio rivers, Feb-

Aug. Singly except for a pair resident at Abio island Jul 2006. Also Lac Sampion

(Dowsett-Lemaire 1997a).

Ardeidae

Ixobrychus m. mimitus Little Bittern. P. One photographed in riverside vegetation at

Etsotso on the Louna River, 8 Jan 2007. Also one immature in a marsh in the Lesio-

Louna, Nov (Dowsett-Lemaire 1997a).

2011

Birds of Lesio-Louna and Lefini Reserves

7

Table 1. Gazetteer of locations in or near the Lesio-Louna and southwest Lefini

Reserves mentioned in the text.

*Tigriornis leucolophus White-crested Tiger Heron. R. Rare. One on a nest consisting

of a few twigs on a fork in a small branch overhanging the Louna River (Fig. 4), c. 3 m

above river, near Abio, Oct-Nov 2006, first observed 17 Oct. A single chick hatched

19 Nov (N. Ngoulou pers. comm.). The first record for the Batéké Plateau.

[Gorsachius leuconotus White-backed Night Heron. R? Lac Bleu from 15 Jun 1975

(Dowsett & Dowsett-Lemaire 1989). Gallery forest (Dowsett-Lemaire 1997a).]

Nycticorax nycticorax Black-crowned Night Heron. R. Uncommon. Up to three together

on the Louna River near Etsotso, 13 Apr and 20 Jul 2003, and Abio island, Mar 2007.

Ardeola ralloides Squacco Heron. P. Singles observed four times, 25 Oct 2006, 2 Dec

2005, 3 Dec 2004, 2 Mar 2004, Iboubikro ponds and Lefini river.

Bubulcus ibis Cattle Egret. R. Widespread, frequent. Breeding plumage Nov.

*Butorides striata Green-backed Heron. R. Frequent. Singles along Louna River

Nov-Jun, also Iboubikro ponds and Lefini river. Juvenile Feb.

8

T. King

Malimbus 33

Egretta garzetta Little Egret. P. Singles observed twice, Nov, Dec, Iboubikro ponds

and Confluent camp.

*£. intermedia Intermediate Egret. R/M? Singles or small groups, Iboubikro and Louna

River, Nov-Dec. First record for Batéké Plateau, but common in Brazzaville (pers. obs.).

E. alba Great Egret. P. Singles: Iboubikro ponds, Dec 2004; Mt Blanc, Jan-Feb 2005.

Ardea purpurea Purple Heron. R. Frequent. Resident on Louna and Lefmi rivers;

visitor to Iboubikro ponds, Oct-Dec. Juveniles Apr, Oct.

A. cinerea Grey Heron. P. Singles at Iboubikro ponds and Louna River, Feb-Mar 2003.

Scopidae

Scopus umbretta Hamerkop. R. Singles or pairs ail year along Louna River and at

Iboubikro ponds; groups of 3-5, Jul-Oct. Common on Louna River, less so on Lefmi

River, confirming preference for open rather than forested habitats (Brown et al.

1982).

Ciconiidae

Ciconia abdimii Abdim’s Stork. M. Large migratory flocks, sometimes of thousands

of birds, Feb-May (earliest 6 Feb 2007; latest 14 May 2005), especially along Louna

and Lefmi rivers.

*C. episcopus Woolly-necked Stork. V/M? One observed on a small sand bank along

the Lefmi River opposite Confluent camp, 22 Nov 2004. A pair reported from Lesio-

Louna Reserve, probably Iboubikro, 5-12 Jul 1998 (M. Akangala unpubk).

C. ciconia White Stork. V. Two birds in freshly burnt grassland half-way up the

escarpment of Epopé, along the Lefmi River, 21 Dec 2004 (Rainey et al. 2009). First

record for Batéké Plateau, the second for Congo (Mokoko Ikonga & Bokandza-Paco

2001, Rainey et al. 2009).

Threskiornithidae

Bostrychia rara Spot-breasted Ibis. R. Frequently heard at dawn and dusk flying over

gallery forests.

Anatidae

"^Pteronetta hartlaubii Hartlaub’s Duck. R/V? One flushed along Lefmi River c. 3 km

west of the confluence with the Louna, 15 Oct 2003.

Sarkidiornis melanotos Knob-billed Duck. R/V? Two at Iboubikro ponds, 5 Jun 2006.

One along the Louna River, 20 Nov 2004 (C. Chamberlan pers. comm.). Also

reported at Iboubikro in Aug (Dowsett-Lemaire 1997a).

Nettapus auritus African Pygmy Goose. R/V? Group of three on Lefmi River east of

Confluent camp, 29 Dec 2002. One male and two females on an ox-bow lake at Abio,

7 Jan 2007. Also reported at Iboubikro, Apr (Dowsett-Lemaire 1997a).

Pandionidae

^Pandion haliaetus Osprey. P. One fishing at Lac Bleu, 31 Jan 2005. One perched

along the Louna River south of Abio island, 16 Oct 2006.

Accipitridae

*Aviceda cuculoides African Cuckoo Hawk. R. Uncommon. Singles along Louna

River, Jun and Oct 2005, and at Camp des ecogardes, Dec 2005.

2011

Birds of Lesio-Louna and Lefmi Reserves

9

a b

Figure 2. Views of the Lesio-Louna and Lefini Reserves: (a) Lefini gallery forest

looking southeast from Mt Epopé; (b) Louna gallery forest looking north from

Mt Ngaka towards Mt Abio; (c) Loudetia grassland with scattered Hymenocardia

acida trees near Mt Epopé; (d) Loudetia grassland between Mpoumako and

Abio; (e) seasonal ponds at Iboubikro; (f) cliff forests near Mâh from ridge above

Lac Bleu. Photos: (a) A. Sully, (b-^e) T. King, (f) P. King.

*Pernis apivorus European Honey Buzzard. P. One adult in typical plumage feeding

in a tree at the confluence of the Lefini and Louna rivers, 15 Nov 2003. Further

observations in the same area during Dec 2003 and Jan 2006.

10

T. King

Malimbus 33

Figure 4. White-crested Tiger Heron on nest overhanging the Louna river, near

Abio island, 2006, Photo: T. King.

^Macheiramphiis alcinus Bat Hawk. R? Two at Idzoua Inkou, 25 May 2006.

Elanus caeruleiis Black-shouldered Kite. R. Singles frequently observed Sep-Mar,

especially on Mâh plateau.

Milvus migrans Black Kite. R/M? Frequent. Widespread, singly or in small groups, all

year (except May, Nov-Dec).

Haliaeetus vocifer African Fish Eagle. R. Uncommon along the Louna and Lefmi

rivers, all year. Juveniles Oct and Feb.

Gypohierax angolensis Palm-nut Vulture. R. Frequent. Singly or in groups of two,

along the Lefmi, Louna and Lesio rivers, Dec-Jul. Juveniles Feb-Mar, May.

^Circaetus pectoralis Black-breasted Snake Eagle. R/M? One photographed soaring

over open grassland between Abio and Mpoumako, 5 Feb 2007. Few records in

Congo: one collected Brazzaville, 15 Sep 1939 (Malbrant & MacLatchy 1949), and a

pair in SW Congo, Sep and Nov 1990 (Dowsett-Lemaire et al. 1993).

Terathopius ecaiidatus Bateleur. R. Uncommon. Singles or pairs in the Abio area,

Sep-Dec, Mar. Juvenile with two adults, Oct.

Polyboroides typus African Harrier Hawk. R. Frequent. Singles or pairs in wooded

grassland and gallery forest throughout, Jun-Jan. Juvenile Dec. One adult landed on a

2011

Birds of Lesio-Louna and Lefmi Reserves

11

Figure 5. Wahlberg’s Eagle over the Louna River, 31 Mar 2007. Photos: T. King.

dead tree in Lesio gallery forest to investigate holes of a colony of Sladen’s Barbets,

Nov 2006.

[Circus pygargus Montagu’s Harrier. P? One observation in Jan (Dowsett-Lemaire

1997a).]

*C ranivorus African Marsh Harrier. R/V? Singly at Mt Blanc marsh, 5 and 7 Jan

2006. Barred tail and rufous rump clearly seen. First record for Batéké Plateau, known

in Congo only from the southwest (Loudima: Dowsett & Dowsett-Lemaire 1989) and

the north (Odzala, one pair passing in Feb: Dowsett-Lemaire 1997b).

*C. aeruginosus Eurasian Marsh Harrier. P. Singles observed four times, two males

and two females, at Mt Blanc marsh, Confluent camp, Abio and Etsotso marsh, 13 Jan

Figure 6. Peregrine Falcon at Confluent camp, 6 Feb 2007. Photos: T. King.

12

T. King

Malimbus 33

and 2 Dec 2004, 6 and 8 Feb 2007. Already recorded from the southwest (Kouilou

region: Dowsett-Lemaire et al. 1993) and north (Odzala and Nouabalé-Ndoki:

Dowsett-Lemaire 1997b, 1997c) of the country.

Melierax metabates Dark Chanting Goshawk. R. Singles frequently observed in wooded

grassland near Idzoua Inkou. Carrying nesting material late Mar 2006. Pair Oct 2005.

Accipiter tachiro African Goshawk. R. One in heavily wooded grassland between

Iboubikro and Mâh, 4 Jul 2005. Also in forest (Dowsett-Lemaire 1997a).

*A. castanilius Chestnut-flanked Sparrowhawk. R? One flying low over

Hymenocardia acida trees in grassland between two gallery forest patches of the

Leflni River, mobbed by Lesser Striped Swallows, 29 Dec 2003. Few records from

Congo, known from the southwest (Goumina: Dowsett-Lemaire et al. 1993) and north

(Odzala: Dowsett-Lemaire 1997b), while the closest record is probably Loukolela on

the Congo River in DRC (Chapin 1932).

^Urotriorchis macrourus Long-tailed Hawk. R. Uncommon. Five singles observed,

all at Confluent, Feb, Jun and Nov. Very vocal juvenile, several days in Nov 2004.

Kaupifalco monogrammicus Lizard Buzzard. R. Frequent. Singles in wooded

grassland throughout, Jul, Dec-Feb.

Biiteo aiigiiralis Red-necked Buzzard. R. Frequent. Singles or pairs throughout, all

year. In moult Feb.

[Aqiiila rapax Tawny Eagle. R. Breeding resident (Dowsett-Lemaire 1997a).]

Figure 7. Finsch’s Francolin, Lesio-Louna Reserve, Mar 2006. Photo: T. King.

2011

Birds of Lesio-Louna and Lefmi Reserves

13

*À. wahlbergi Wahlberg’s Eagle. M. One soaring above Louna River near Abio

island, 31 Mar 2007 (Fig. 5): distinctive silhouette unmistakeable. Few records in

Congo. Satellite tracking demonstrated that a female of this species tagged in Namibia

passed over Congo on both legs of her annual migration, in Apr and Aug 1994

(Meyburg et al. 1995), and an immature was seen in Odzala, 17 Aug 1994 (Dowsett-

Lemaire & Dowsett 1998).

[Lophaetus occipitalis Long-crested Eagle. R? Forest (Dowsett-Lemaire 1997a).]

Polemaetus bellicosus Martial Eagle. R? Uncommon. One immature perched beside

Louna River near Port Albert, 21 Jul 2006; two sightings of adults at Epopé (Lefmi

River) and Abio, Nov 2006 (Rainey et al. 2009). First records for Congo (Rainey et

al. 2009), although already known from the Batéké Plateau in Gabon (Borrow &

Demey 2001, pers. obs. Feb 2007).

Falconidae

Falco tinnunculus Common Kestrel. R (and P?). Frequent. Singles and pairs in grass-

land and around rocky escarpments throughout, all year except May-Jun. Group of

three Aug. The resident subspecies is richly coloured and thought to be rupicolus

(Dowsett-Lemaire & Dowsett 1998). One bird perched in a savanna tree along the

track between Mpoumako and Abio, 11 Mar 2007, appeared to have a plain (not

barred) grey tail, and may have been of the Palaearctic race F. t. tinnunculus, which is

not yet confirmed for Congo but of which a specimen was collected in Kinshasa, DRC

(Malbrant & Maclatchy 1949).

*F. ardosiaceus Grey Kestrel. R? One perched on a Hymenocardia acida tree in

lightly wooded grassland near Lac Bleu, 4 Oct 2004. Few records in Congo, but

known from the Batéké Plateau in Gabon (Borrow & Demey 2001).

*F. peregrinus Peregrine Falcon. R? One juvenile photographed at dusk at Confluent

camp, 6 Feb 2007 (Fig. 6). The colours of the underparts and head (with apparent rufous

nape) indicate the resident ssp. minor, while the highly vocal behaviour also suggests

a local bird (D. Forsman in. litl). No resident populations previously reported in Congo,

but considered resident in the Batéké Plateau in Gabon (Borrow & Demey 2001).

Phasianidae

Francolinus finschi Finsch’s Francolin. R. Frequent. Singles or pairs in Loudetia

grassland, particularly on both tracks towards Mâh from Iboubikro, but also

Mpoumako-Abio region and Camp des ecogardes (Fig. 7). Dowsett-Lemaire (1997a)

estimated the species density in open Loudetia grassland at c. 1 pair/km^.

[F. squamatus Scaly Francolin. R. Forest and thickets (Dowsett-Lemaire 1997a).]

F. afer Red-necked Francolin. R. Frequent. Singles and pairs in grassland throughout,

all year. Group of three Oct.

Numididae

[Guttera pucherani Crested Guineafowl. R. Forest (Dowsett-Lemaire 1997a).]

*Numida meleagris Helmeted Guineafowl. R. Frequent. Singles and pairs in wooded

grassland. Small group Jun. Regularly recorded by Reserve staff during monitoring activities.

A group of nearly 50 reported in Lesio-Louna Reserve in 1998 (M. Akangala unpubl.).

14

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Malimbus 33

Turnicidae

Tiirnix sylvatica Little Buttonquail. R? Frequent in grassland.

[T. hottentotta Black-rumped Buttonquail. R? Moist grassland (Dowsett-Lemaire 1997a).]

Rallidae

[Sarothriira pulchra White-spotted Flufftail. R. Gallery forest (Dowsett-Lemaire 1997a).]

[S. riifa Red-chested Flufftail. R. Marsh (Dowsett-Lemaire 1997a).]

Crex egregia African Crake. R/M? Frequent. Singles and pairs, especially in rank

grassland along roads on plateau, Nov-May.

Amaiirornis flavirosths Black Crake. R. One at Lac Sampion, 28 Aug 2002.

Heliornithidae

Podica senegalensis African Finfoot. R. Frequent. Singles all year, Louna River. Also

on Lefmi and Lesio rivers.

Otididae

Eiipodotis senegalensis White-bellied Bustard. R. Common. Singles, pairs and small

groups (usually 3^) in grassland all year, especially Mpoumako to Abio. Small

chicks Sep 2005. Side-striped Jackals Canis adustns often observed near family

groups, probably hunting young birds.

E. melanogaster Black-bellied Bustard. R. Frequent. Singles and pairs in grassland all

year (except May-Jun).

Jacanidae

Actophilornis africana African Jacana. R. Frequent. Singles and pairs all year,

Iboubikro ponds (especially Jan-Jun) and Louna River; also Lefmi River. Juveniles

Feb-Jun.

Glareolidae

Cursorius temminckii Temminck’s Courser. R/M? Frequent. Singles, pairs and groups

(< 10) in grassland, often in recently burnt areas, Apr-Nov.

*Rhinoptilus chalcopterns Bronze-winged Courser. M? A pair in non-woody savanna

between Kiani and Ngondoro, just before dusk, 21 Jan 2004. A singleton on the same

savanna track around 19h30, 23 Jan 2004. Both sightings within several hundred

metres of more heavily-wooded savanna. Few records in Congo, known only from

Odzala, Dec-Jan (Dowsett-Lemaire 1997b) and a specimen in Brazzaville University

from the “route du nord”, 20 Dec 1970 (Dowsett & Dowsett-Lemaire 1989). Malbrant

& Maclatchy (1949) record it from “côte de Loango”, but Dowsett (1991) considers

this location to be in Cabinda (Angola).

Charadriidae

Vanellus lugubris Lesser Black-winged Lapwing. R (and M?). Frequent. Grassland

throughout. Singles and pairs all year; flocks (7-20), Dec-Apr.

Scolopacidae

^Gallinago media Great Snipe. P. One in a grassy marsh at Ngondoro, flushed four

times, 8-9 Jan 2004. On each occasion flew silently and landed in the same marsh.

Already known from the Batéké Plateau, Oct-Feb (Salvan 1972, Dowsett & Dowsett-

Lemaire 1989).

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Birds of Lesio-Louna and Lefmi Reserves

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^Tringa nebularia Common Greenshank. P. Singles, Iboubikro ponds, 28 Oct 2006,

and Louna River, 6 Jan 2007.

[T. glareola Wood Sandpiper. P? Marsh (Dowsett-Lemaire 1997a).]

*Actitis hypoleucos Common Sandpiper. P. Singles, Louna and Lefmi rivers and

Iboubikro ponds, Jul-Apr, commonly from Sep. Group of three, Aug 2004.

Rynchopidae

*Rynchops flavirostris African Skimmer. V. One pair skimming along the Lefmi

River at Confluent, 15 Jun 2003.

Columbidae

Treron calva African Green Pigeon. R. Common in forest. Singles all year, small

groups Oct-Jun, calling Aug-May. One netted in primary moult, Dec 2005: mass 190;

wing 167; tail 89.

^Turtur brehmeri Blue-headed Wood Dove. R. Uncommon. Five singles observed

along forested rivers: Loubilika River, 24 Aug 2003; Lefmi River near Loubilika, 24

Aug 2003; near Confluent, 16 Feb 2006; Louna River near Abio island, 12 Jul 2006

and 14 Feb 2007.

T. tympanistria Tambourine Dove. R. Uncommon. Singles and pairs, Confluent and

Iboubikro. One male netted in primary moult, Aug 2006: mass 80; wing 1 19; tail 90.

T. afer Blue-spotted Wood Dove. R. Common. Singles in wooded grassland and

forest edges throughout, all year. Pairs Jan, Feb. Three netted: mass 59, 60, 68; wing

109, 111, 1 1 1 ; tail 85,88,91. In primary moult Feb.

[Oena capensis Namaqua Dove. V. One male, Sep (Dowsett-Lemaire 1997a).]

Columba iriditorques Western Bronze-naped Pigeon. R. Common. Singles and pairs

in forest throughout, all year. Calling Oct-Feb. One female netted, Feb 2006: mass

125; wing 152; tail 102. Tail considerably longer than measurements given by Urban

etal. (1986).

C. unicincta Afep Pigeon. R. Uncommon. Eight observations of singles, pairs or small

groups, Lefmi and Louna rivers, Confluent camp, Jan, Mar, Jul-Aug, Nov-Dec.

Streptopelia semitorquata Red-eyed Dove. R. Common. Singles, pairs and groups in

wooded grassland and forest edges throughout, all year. One adult netted Jan 2006, in

primary moult: mass 220; wing 180; tail 125.

*S. capicola Ring-necked Dove. R/V? Two singles: on track from Mâh to Imvouba,

19 Feb 2004; Camp des ecogardes, 13 Nov 2006. Resident elsewhere in the Batéké

Plateau (Borrow & Demey 2001).

Psittaddae

Psittacus eriîhacus Grey Parrot. R. Common. Singles, pairs, flocks up to 60, all year,

in forest throughout, but especially Lefmi River.

[Agapornis pullarius Red-headed Lovebird. V? Occasional flocks (Dowsett-Lemaire

1997a).]

Musophagidae

Corythaeola cristata Great Blue Turaco. R. Uncommon. Singles or pairs in gallery

forest along Louna, Lefmi and Loubilika rivers, and at Lac Bleu. Pair Apr.

16

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Malimbus 33

Taiiraco persa Green Turaco. R. Frequent. Heard in forest throughout, seen

occasionally, mainly along Louna river. Small group Nov.

[Crinifer piscator Western Grey Plantain-eater. V? One on Lesio River, Feb

(Dowsett-Lemaire 1997a).]

Cuculidae

Oxylophiis levaillantii Levaillant’s Cuckoo. M? Three singles, gallery forest and

forest edge at Lefmi River, hill above Lac Bleu and Camp des ecogardes, Jul, Sep,

Dec.

Cuculus solitarius Red-chested Cuckoo. R. Singing in forest throughout, Sep-Mar.

C. clamosus gabonensis Black Cuckoo. R? One photographed along Louna River 9

Jan 2007.

C. gularis African Cuckoo. R/M? Two singles in wooded grassland, Jul, Nov.

[Cercococcyx mechowi Dusky Long-tailed Cuckoo. R. Forest (Dowsett-Lemaire 1997a).]

[C. olivinus Olive Long-tailed Cuckoo. R. (Dowsett-Lemaire 1997a).]

dnysococcyx cupreiis African Emerald Cuckoo. R. Singing in forest throughout,

Aug-Feb.

[C. klaas Klaas’s Cuckoo. R. Forest (Dowsett-Lemaire 1997a).]

*C. caprins Didric Cuckoo. R. Six singles in wooded grassland, Jan, Mar, Sep, Nov-

Dec. Two males and two females netted, male in primary moult Nov: mass (m) 26,

32, (f) 36, 39; wing (m) 106, 112, (f) 114, 119; tail (m) 77, 77, (f) 80, 83. The two

males showed great variation in the amount of white in the plumage (Fig. 8).

Ceiithmochares aereus Yellowbill. R. Frequent. Singles and pairs in forest or forest

edge throughout, Mar, May, Sep-Oct, Dec.

Centropus anselli Gabon Coucal. R. Uncommon. Four singles in forest or forest edge,

Iboubikro and Louna River, Jan, Mar, Oct.

C. grilla Black Coucal. R? Uncommon. Singles and pairs in dense grassland on Mâh

plateau, Feb, Nov. Also near Etsotso marsh, Jan.

C. senegalensis Senegal Coucal. R. Frequent. Singles in wooded grassland and forest

edges throughout, although no observations May-Aug.

*C. monaclms Blue-headed Coucal. R? One juvenile at Iboubikro ponds, 3 Jul 2005.

It was small for a coucal, with black tail, rufous back, streaky brown head and pale

dirty white throat. First record for Batéké Plateau, although widespread in southern

Congo (Dowsett & Dowsett-Lemaire 1989).

Tytonidae

*Tyto alba Barn Owl. R? One between Mâh and Mt Blanc, 14 Dec 2005.

Strigidae

{Otus senegalensis African Scops Owl. R? Included in an unpublished 1996 report by

K. Bailey, D. Daramani, R.J. Dowsett and F. Dowsett-Lemaire.]

Bilbo africaniis Spotted Eagle Owl. R. Pair at Idzoua Inkou, 1 Mar 2004.

[Scotopelia peli Pel’s Fishing Owl. R. Forested rivers (Dowsett-Lemaire 1997a).]

[S. bolivien Vermiculated Fishing Owl. R. Swamp forest (Dowsett-Lemaire 1997a).]

[Strix woodfordii African Wood Owl. R. Forest (Dowsett-Lemaire 1997a).]

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Birds of LesiO“Louna and Lefini Reserves

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Caprimulgidae

Caprimulgus natalensis Swamp Nightjar. R. Abundant in grassland throughout. Three

netted in 2002; mass (to nearest 5 g) 50, 50, 50; wing 141, 142, 142; tail 87, 88, 92.

Smaller than measurements given in Fry et al. (1988) for C. n. natalensis, although

they note that “Gabon birds are small”.

C. climacurus Long-tailed Nightjar. R/M? Camp des ecogardes, Nov 2005; grassland

near the confluence of the Lefini and Louna rivers, Jun 2005.

[C fossil Square-tailed Nightjar. R? Included in an unpublished 1996 report by K.

Bailey, D. Daramani, R.J. Dowsett and F. Dowsett-Lemaire.]

[C. pectoralis Fiery-necked Nightjar. R. Forest edges and ponds (Dowsett-Lemaire

1997a).]

Macrodipteryx vexillarius Pennant-winged Nightjar. M. Common in grassland, Jul-Aug.

Apodidae

Cypsiurus parvus African Palm Swift. R. Common. Singles, pairs and small groups

throughout, all year.

Apus apus Common Swift. P. Large flocks throughout, Sep-Mar; earliest 20 Sep,

latest 29 Mar.

[A. cq/fer White-rumped Swift. R/V? Uncommon (Dowsett-Lemaire 1997a).]

*Apus horus Homs Swift. R/M? Small numbers at Abio camp, with large flock of

Common Swifts and a few Little Swifts, 29 Mar 2007; probably previously

overlooked. Known from the Batéké Plateau in Gabon (Borrow & Demey 2001, pers.

obs. Feb 2007).

affinis Little Swift. R. Large breeding colony at bridge over Lefini River in

Mbouambé, on nest Feb; small numbers observed throughout reserves.

Coliidae

Colius striatus Speckled Mousebird. R. Small groups common around Mâh.

Trogonidae

[Apaloderma narina Narina’s Trogon. R. Forest (Dowsett-Lemaire 1997a).]

Alcedinidae

Halcyon badia Chocolate-backed Kingfisher. R. One in forest at Iboubikro, 8 Apr 2006.

H. alhiventris Brown-hooded Kingfisher. R. Frequent. Singles in wooded grassland

and forest clearings at Mt Blanc, Idzoua Inkou, Ekassaka, Confluent, and plateau near

Mpoumako, Jan-Feb, Nov.

H. leucocephala pallidiventris Grey-headed Kingfisher. M. Singles in wooded

grassland throughout, including Iboubikro camp, Idzoua Inkou, Mt Blanc, Etsotso. Of

the 18 observations, 17 were during the period mid- Apr to early Aug, the other in

Dec. Photos from Apr, May and Aug are clearly of the southern race pallidiventris,

which has been reported as a non-breeding visitor in S Congo (Borrow & Demey

2001). No photo or description is available for the one observation in Dec 2005 at

Idzoua Inkou.

H. m. malimbica Blue-breasted Kingfisher. R. Common. Calling in forest throughout, Oct-

Apr. Three netted: mass (to nearest 5 g) 75, 80, 85; wing 106, 115, 117; tail 70, 79, 79.

18

T. King

Malimbus 33

H. senegalensis fuscopilea Woodland Kingfisher. R. Common. Singles and pairs ail

year, vocal and conspicuous at forest edges, especially along Louna and Lefmi rivers

and Iboubikro ponds. Groups of three Jan-Feb, Jun, Nov. Juvenile Nov. Three netted:

mass 54, 55, 58; wing 95, 101, 104; tail 60, 65, 65.

H. c. cheliciiti Striped Kingfisher. R. Frequent in wooded grassland in Lesio-Louna

and on Mâh plateau. Singles all year except Apr-Jun; pair Dec.

Ceyx lecontei African Dwarf Kingfisher. R. One at Iboubikro ponds, 2 Dec 2006.

C. pictiis African Pygmy Kingfisher. R and M. Common. Mostly the resident ssp.

ferruginus or pictus, but also the migratory southern African natalensis (Fry et al.

1988). Forest edges throughout, including Iboubikro, Idzoua Inkou, Mt Blanc,

Confluent. Singles all year; pairs Feb, Nov. Hunting dragonflies Feb. Sixteen C. p.

ferruginus or pictus netted (all Aug-Feb, see Fig. 9 left): primary moult Dec; active

brood patch Oct; juvenile Oct. Fifteen adults: mass 1 1-14 (12.3 ± 0.9); wing 50-54

(52.3 ± 1.4); tail 22-26 (24.9 ± 1.0); one juvenile (dark bill): mass 14; wing 54; tail

25. Four recaptured (including one twice), maximum distance c. 600 m. One C. p.

natalensis netted (Fig. 9 right), identified by blue spot above the white blaze on side

of neck, orange superciliary stripe broad at the rear, and deep bill (C.H. Fry, in litt.),

apparently a young bird as it had dark markings at the base of its bill, 16 May 2006:

wing 55 (longer than the C. p. ferruginus /pictus)\ mass 12; tail 23. First record of this

subspecies in Congo.

[Alcedo leucogaster White-bellied Kingfisher. R. Swamp forest (Dowsett-Lemaire

1997a).]

A. c. cristata Malachite Kingfisher. R. Uncommon. One perched by ox-bow lake

behind Abio camp, 8 Dec 2006; one at puddles in road along the northern limit of the

Lefmi Reserve, Feb 2007.

A. quadribrachys giientheri Shining-blue Kingfisher. R. Frequent. Lefmi, Louna and

Lesio rivers, Iboubikro ponds; singles throughout year. One male netted, 4 Nov 2005:

mass 32; wing 79; tail 36; recaptured seven weeks later, same net.

Megaceiyle maxima Giant Kingfisher. R. Singles and pairs, all year. Common along

Lefmi and Louna rivers, also Loubilika River and Iboubikro ponds.

Ceryle r. rudis Pied Kingfisher. R. Singles and pairs all year. Common along Lefmi

and Louna rivers. One aggressive interaction with a swimming cobra, Epopé, Lefmi

River, Jun 2005. Oceasional visitor to ponds and lakes in the Lesio-Louna (Dowsett-

Lemaire 1997a).

Meropidae

Merops breweri Black-headed Bee-eater. R. Frequent. Singles and pairs all year.

Small groups Feb, Jun, Nov. Forest edges, Louna and Lefmi rivers, Iboubikro.

M gularis australis Black Bee-eater. R. Frequent. Singles and pairs all year. Small

groups Jan, Apr. Forest edges, Lefmi, Louna and Lesio rivers, Iboubikro. Often at

sandbank at Camp des ecogardes, Aug (nesting?). One netted, Jun 2002: mass 33;

wing 99; tail 75. The large size of the netted bird confirmed the subspecific identity,

with a distinct but ill-defined green superciliary stripe (Fig. 10), as Chapin (1939)

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Birds of Lesio-Louna and Lefmi Reserves

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noted to occur occasionally in this subspecies. Recent texts claim the head of australis

to be all black, except in W Africa towards the boundary of the subspecific limit with

nominate giilaris, which exhibits a clear blue supercilium (Fry et al 1988, Hoyo et al.

2001, Borrow & Demey 2001).

M pusillus meridionalis Little Bee-eater. R. Frequent in grassland from Iboubikro to

Mâh. Singles and pairs all year, small groups Jan, May-Jun, Dec, juveniles Nov-Jan.

Netted three adults, one in primary moult Nov, one with possible active brood patch

Aug, and one Juvenile in primary moult, Dec: mass 13, 15, 15 (ad), 14 (juv); wing 78,

78, 79 (ad), 78 (juv); tail 59, 61, 62 (ad), 63 (juv).

M. V. variegatus Blue-breasted Bee-eater. R. Common in grassland throughout, including

Iboubikro to Mâh, Ngondoro, Abio, Etsotso, all year. Small groups all year except

Mar-May; juveniles Nov-Jan. Eight adults netted: mass 18-21 (20.1 ± 1.1); wing 80-86

(82.9 ± 2.6); tail 59-64 (61.6 ± 1.9); possible brood patch Aug. Smaller than measure-

ments in Fiy et al (1988) for ssp. bangweoloensis, and by Chapin (1939) for ssp. loringi.

M. albicollis White-throated Bee-eater. M. Flocks up to 30, occasionally more, in

wooded grassland and forest edges throughout, Nov-Apr; earliest 7 Nov 2006, latest 2

Apr 2007. One adult in primary moult netted, 2 Dec 2005: mass 23; wing 95; tail 76.

[M persicus Blue-cheeked Bee-eater. P/V. One observation, Feb (Dowsett-Lemaire

1997a).]

M. apiaster European Bee-eater. P. Flocks up to 100 in wooded grassland and forest

edges throughout, Sep-Apr; earliest 26 Sep 2006, latest 3 Apr 2007.

M malimbicus Rosy Bee-eater. R/M? Flocks up to 100, Nov-Jan, smaller groups Jan-

Feb, Jun, Aug-Sep, Dec. Forest edges near Louna and Lefmi rivers.

Coradidae

*Coracias garnilus European Roller. P. One perched in wooded grassland between

Mâh and Ingolo, 16 Feb 2007.

C. c. caudatus Lilac-breasted Roller. R. Frequent. Singly or in pairs in wooded

grassland between Mpieri forest (just west of Idzoua Inkou) and Mâh, and between

Mpoumako and Abio, all year. Pair copulating Aug.

Eurystomiis gularis neglectus Blue-throated Roller. R. Uncommon. Singles and pairs

in gallery forest from Abio to Confluent, Sep, Jan. Pair investigating hole in dead tree

in forest clearing at Confluent, Jan 2007. Probably commoner and overlooked.

E. glaucurus Broad-billed Roller. R (and M?). Common. Singles and small groups all

year in wooded grassland and forest edges throughout. Large flocks Dec-Jan.

Phoeniculidae

[Rhinopomastus aterrimus Black Wood-hoopoe. R? A pair occasionally seen on the

edge of gallery forest along the Lesio river, 1994-1996 (Dowsett-Lemaire 1997a,

Dowsett-Lemaire & Dowsett 1998).]

Upupidae

Upupa epops Hoopoe. M? Seven observations, singly or in groups of 3-5, in wooded

grassland between Camp des ecogardes and Mâh, and between Mpoumako and Abio,

21 Sep to 14 Oct 2006. Otherwise only a single undated observation in 2002.

20

T. King

Malimbus 33

Bucerotidae

[Tropicranus albocristatus White-crested Hombill. R? Forest (Dowsett-Lemaire 1997a).]

*Tockiis camurus Red-billed Dwarf Hombill. R? One in gallery forest at Iboubikro,

31 Oct 2005.

T. f fasciatiis African Pied Hombill. R. Common and conspicuous in gallery forest

throughout. Singles, pairs and small groups all year. Carrying nest material Feb.

^Bycanistes fistulator sharpii Piping Hombill. R. Frequent in gallery forest along

Lefmi and Louna rivers, also Iboubikro and Idzoua Inkou. Singles, pairs and small

groups all year. Large flocks Feb (seven pairs), Jul (nine birds), Dec (1 1 birds).

B. albotibialis White-thighed Hombill. R. Three above forest canopy at base of Mâh

cliffs, 7 Nov 2006.

Capitonidae

Gymnobucco b. bonapartei Grey-throated Barbet. R. Common. Singles, pairs and

small groups in forest and forest edge, Iboubikro. One adult netted, active brood patch

and in primary moult, Oct 2006: morphometries and photograph in King &

Chamberlan (2007).

G. sladenii Sladen’s Barbet. R. Small groups in gallery forest at Iboubikro all year.

Nesting colony preyed upon by African Harrier Hawk, Oct 2006. Flocks of c. 20-30

feeding on fruit, Nov 2006. One caught an insect in flight. Six netted, primary moult

Aug, Nov, active brood patch Aug: morphometries and photographs in King &

Chamberlan (2007). The only records for Congo.

Pogoniuhis scolopaceus flavisqiiamatus Speckled Tinkerbird. R. Common. Forest

edges throughout. Singles all year, pairs Jun, Dec. Five netted, primary moult Nov-

Jan, possible active brood patch Dec-Jan: mass 15-17 (15.8 ± 0.8); wing 57-60 (57.8

± 1.3); tail 31-34 (33.2 ± 1.3). One recaptured four weeks later, close to original net.

P. atroflavus Red-mmped Tinkerbird. R. Frequent. Forest edge Iboubikro, Aug, Dec-

Jan, Mar. Three netted: mass 18, 18, 18; wing 62, 64, 66; tail 30, 32, 32.

P. siibsulphureus flavimentum Yellow-throated Tinkerbird. R. Common. Forest edges

throughout. Singles all year, pairs Jun, Oct, Dec. Observed feeding on small flying

temiites. Twelve netted (including at least 1 juvenile, Oct): mass 8-10 (9.3 ± 0.7);

wing 47-52 (48.8 ± 1.5); tail 22-24 (22.6 ± 0.8, n = 10).

P. bilineatus leiicolaima Yellow-rumped Tinkerbird. R. Common. Forest edges

throughout, all year. Three adults netted, possible active brood patch Feb: mass 11,

11,11; wing 51, 53, 53; tail 26, 27, 27.

P. chrysoconiis extoni Yellow-fronted Tinkerbird. R? One adult netted in wooded

grassland at Idzoua Inkou, 30 May 2006; morphometries and photo in King &

Chamberlan (2007). First record for Congo.

Tricholaema hirsiita Hairy-breasted Barbet. R. Uncommon. Camp des ecogardes and

Iboubikro camp (King 2008a). Apparently intermediate between race ansorgii and

QithQY flavipuncîaîa or angolensis (King 2008a).

T. frontata Miombo Pied Barbet. R. Wooded grassland at Idzoua Inkou, Jul 2005 to

May 2006 (King & Chamberlan 2007). Feeding nestlings in a hole in a dead branch of

2011

Birds of Lesio-Louna and Lefmi Reserves

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a Hymenocardia acida tree, Oct. One adult netted, 3 Oct 2005: morphometries and

photos in King & Chamberlan (2007). First records for Congo.

"^Lybius minor Black-backed Barbet. R? One in wooded grassland at Mt Blanc 28 Nov

2006. Subspecies unclear: yellowish bill, whitish head sides, grey crown and nape.

Indicatoridae

"^Indicator indicator Greater Honeyguide. R? An adult male on the trunk of a dead

tree in a burnt area of gallery forest at the confluence of the Lefmi and Louna rivers,

21 Jan 2004. Few records in Congo, only from the coast (Dowsett-Lemaire et al.

1993), although known from the Batéké Plateau in Gabon (Borrow & Demey 2001).

I. conirostris Thick-billed Honeyguide. R? One netted in degraded forest at Camp des

ecogardes, Nov 2005: mass 29; wing 94; tail 60.

Piddae

{Jynx ruficollis Red-throated Wryneck. R? Open wooded grassland (Dowsett-Lemaire

1997a).]

Campethera cailliautii permista Green-backed Woodpecker. R. Frequent. Singles and

pairs in forest edge, Ngondoro and Iboubikro. One female (in primary moult Oct) and

two males netted: mass (m) 43, 46, (f) 48; wing (m) 92, 98, (f) 97; tail (m) 54, 57, (f) 63.

*C n. nivosa Buff-spotted Woodpecker. R. Two netted in forest and forest edge: one

male, 19 Dec 2005, one female with active brood patch, 7 Oct 2006: mass (m) 35, (f)

38; wing (m) 82, (f) 90; tail (m) 42, (f) 45.

C caroli Brown-eared Woodpecker. R. Uncommon. Singles or pairs in burnt clearing

in forest at Confluent Mar-Apr, Dec 2004. Also gallery forest edge at Iboubikro, Mar

2007.

Dendropicos fuscescens sharpii Cardinal Woodpecker. R. Frequent. Singles in

wooded grassland, especially near Idzoua Inkou, Jan, May-Jun, Oct-Nov. Two males

netted, in primary moult Nov, Dec: mass 22, 24; wing 79, 80; tail 40, 4L

*D. xantholophus Yellow-crested Woodpecker. R. Uncommon. Singles, pairs and

small groups in degraded forest. Confluent and Iboubikro, Feb-Mar, Jun, Oct-Dec.

Male in hole in tree Dec.

{D. elliotii Elliot’s Woodpecker. V? One in gallery forest, Iboubikro, 12 Dec 2002

(King etal. 2004).]

Alaudidae

[Mirafra africana Rufous-naped Lark. R. Loudetia grassland (Dowsett-Lemaire 1997a).]

M rufocinnamomea Flappet Lark. R. Abundant. Conspicuous display flight common

above grassland throughout, including Mt Blanc, all year. One netted: mass 29; wing

79; tail 52.

Hirundinidae

[Psalidoprocne nitens Square-tailed Saw-wing. R. Forest (Dowsett-Lemaire 1997a).]

P. pristoptera Black Saw-wing. R. Frequent. Singles, pairs and small groups at Mt

Blanc, Confluent, Lac Bleu and Epopé, especially Nov-Apr, also Jun, Sep.

Phedina brazzae Brazza’s Martin. V. One along wooded grassland ridge above Lac

Bleu, 20 Jun 2005 (King 2007).

22

T. King

Malimbus 33

Riparia cincta Banded Martin. R. Abundant. Singles, pairs and small groups over

grassland throughout, all year. Flock of > 12, Dec. Carrying nest materials, Mt Blanc,

Nov. Visiting holes in large sand bank along Louna River, Nov.

Hiriindo semirufa Rufous-chested Swallow. R/M? Grassland throughout. Singles and

pairs Jul-Feb, flock Jul. Investigating buildings at Camp des ecogardes, Aug, Nov.

H. senegalensis Mosque Swallow. R? Two at Ngondoro, 8 Jan 2004.

H. abyssinica Lesser Striped Swallow. R. Frequent. Grassland throughout, all year.

Large flocks at the village of Mbouambé. Carrying nest material Jan. Nesting Mt

Blanc, Jun, Sep. Juveniles Jan.

*//. nifigida Red-throated Cliff Swallow. M? Large floeks in various grassland

habitats at Ngondoro, 8-9 Jan 2004, associated with other swallows and swifts. A

huge flock of hundreds or even thousands in moist grassland south of Abio along the

Louna River, 6 Dec 2006; two at Mt Abio the next day. Apparently expanding

northwards (Borrow & Demey 2001), and recorded from coastal Congo (Dowsett &

Dowsett-Lemaire 1989) and central and southeast Gabon (Borrow & Demey 2001).

H. fidigida Roek Martin. R. Frequent. Rocky outcrops throughout (Mt Abio, Epopé,

Ngaka, above Lac Bleu), Feb, Jun, Sep, Nov-Dec.

H. nigrita White-throated Blue Swallow. R. Abundant along Lefini and Louna rivers,

also oeeasionally at Ngondoro camp and Camp des ecogardes. Singles and pairs all

year, flocks (> 10) Dec-Feb, Apr. Nest-building Jan. On nest Feb, Apr. Juveniles

Mar, Sep-Oct.

H. riistica Bam Swallow. P. Uncommon, only seven observations in the reserves.

Usually singly, Nov-Dec, Apr; latest 3 Apr 2007. Abundant elsewhere on Batéké

Plateau in both Congo and Gabon, Feb 2007 (pers. obs.).

^Delichon urbicum Common House Martin. P. Four observations of pairs or small

groups, 20 Sep 2006, Dec-Jan, 10 Mar 2007.

Motacillidae

Motacdia flava Yellow Wagtail. P. One at Camp des ecogardes, 30 Nov 2005. Also

Iboubikro ponds (Dowsett-Lemaire 1997a).

[Andrus cinnamomeus Grassland Pipit. R? Local (Dowsett-Lemaire 1997a, as A.

n'c hardi).]

A. nyassae Woodland Pipit. R. Common, wooded grassland.

A. leucophrys Plain-baeked Pipit. R. Common, Ngondoro, Lac Bleu.

"^A. pallidiventris Long-legged Pipit. R? Iboubikro ponds, Jul and Sep 2005. Very

plain pipit, greyish head, pale supercilium, bobbing tail.

[A. brachyurus Short-tailed Pipit. R. Short grassland (Dowsett-Lemaire 1997a). ]

Macronyx croceus Yellow-throated Longclaw. R. Common. Grassland throughout.

Singles and pairs all year; groups of three Mar, Nov. Carrying nest material Jan, Feb.

Pycnonotidae

Andropadus virens Little Greenbul. R. Abundant in forest throughout, all year. Small

groups Jun-Jul, Nov. Of 164 netted: active brood patch Dec; primary moult all year

but especially Oct-Feb; juveniles Oct-Dec, Mar-Jun. Adults: mass 20-30 (24.7 ± 1.8,

2011

Birds of Lesio-Louna and Lefmi Reserves

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n = 130); wing 69-84 (76.8 ± 2.9, n = 130); tail 62-77 (70.7 ± 3.1, n = 128). Juveniles

and immatures: mass 19-26 (23.6 ± 1.9, n = 34); wing 70-80 (75.0 ± 2.6, n = 34); tail

63-75 (70.0 ± 2.7, n = 32).

A. gracilis Little Grey Greenbul. R. Frequent. Forest throughout. Mar, Jun, Oct, Dec.

Two adults netted, in primary moult Apr, Aug; mass 18, 21; wing 73, 74; tail 68, 69.

A. gracilirostris Slender-billed Greenbul. R. Pair, Iboubikro, 6 Apr 2007.

Baeopogon indicator Honeyguide Greenbul. R. A pair regularly in mixed species

flocks, Iboubikro camp, Jun 2006.

*Chiorocichla simplex Simple Leaflove. R? One, Iboubikro camp, 15 Jan 2004.

[C. flavicollis Yellow-throated Leaflove. R. Gallery forest and thickets (Dowsett-

Lemaire 1997a).]

Thescelocichla leucopleura Swamp Palm Bulbul. R. Common. Small, vocal groups in

gallery forest along Lefmi and Louna rivers, and Ngondoro, all year. Carrying nest

material Jan. Three netted at Ngondoro, 2002: mass (to nearest 5 g) 50, 50, 55; wing

100, 109, 112; tail 97, 102, 105.

[Pyrrhurus scandens Leaflove. R. Forest (Dowsett-Lemaire 1997a).]

Bleda notatus ugandae Lesser Bristlebill. R. Forest understorey, Iboubikro (Rainey et

al. 2009). Six netted, including one female: mass 44, wing 99, tail 88. Five larger

birds, primary moult Dec: mass 45-50 (48.0 ± 2.3); wing 102-106 (103.8 ± 1.5); tail

91-97 (95.2 ±2.5).

Pycnonotus barbatus tricolor Common Bulbul. R. Abundant and conspicuous.

Singles, pairs and small groups in wooded grassland and forest edges throughout, all

year. Carrying nest material Jul. Among 39 netted (including two juveniles), active

brood patches Aug, Oct, many in primary moult Oct-May, juveniles Oct-Nov.

Adults: mass 30-N-2 (26.4 ± 2.2, n = 37); wing 85-103 (94.2 ± 4.3, n = 37); tail 78-92

(83.8 ± 3.5, n = 36). Juveniles: mass 36, 37; wing 89, 89; tail 74, 82. One recapture,

four days and c. 600 m away (Iboubikro to Camp des ecogardes).

Neolestes torquatus Black-collared Bulbul. R. Frequent. Wooded grassland at

Ngondoro, Mt Blanc and Camp des ecogardes, Dec-Feb. One female netted. Camp

des ecogardes, 25 Dec 2005, with active brood patch: mass 25, wing 76, tail 63.

Nicator chloris Western Nicator. R. Frequent. Forest at Iboubikro, Confluent. One

male, three females (based on size) and one juvenile netted: mass (m) 61, (f) 43, 46,

47, (j) 41; wing (m) 112, (f) 92, 94, 96, (j) 94; tail (m) 114, (f) 92, 95, (j) 94.

Turdidae

Cossypha natalensis larischi Red-capped Robin Chat. R? Four adults netted in gallery

forest understorey, Iboubikro, Jun 2002, Nov-Dec 2005, primary moult Dec, probable

active brood patch Dec: mass 31-35 (32.8 ± 1.7); wing 90-91 (90.3 ± 0.5); tail 66-68

(67.0 ± 0.8). The short tail is typical of ssp. larischi (Keith et al. 1992). These are the

only records for the Batéké Plateau (King et al 2004).

[C. niveicapilla Snowy-crowned Robin Chat. R. Thickets (Dowsett-Lemaire 1997a).]

*Alethe diademata castanea Fire-crested Alethe. R? One adult netted, gallery forest

understorey, Iboubikro, 22 Dec 2005: mass 33; wing 85; tail 66.

24

T. King

Malimbus 33

Stizorhina fraseri Rufous Flycatcher Thrush. R. Frequent and vocal in forest,

Iboubikro.

Cercotrichas lencophrys White-browed Scrub Robin. R. Frequent. Singles and pairs

in wooded grassland, Idzoua Inkou. Five adults netted match ssp. munda in

coloration, including extensive brown band on tail (Fig. 1 1); primary moult Feb; mass

15-17 (16.0 ± 1.0); wing 60-66 (62.6 ± 2.6); tail 52-64 (57.4 ± 4.4).

SaxicoJa torquatus salax Common Stonechat. R. Uncommon. Rocky grassland above

Lac Bleu, 25 Jan 2004, 1 1 Apr 2007; sand bank on Lefini River at Epopé, 12 Nov 2006.

Myrmecocichla tholloni Congo Moor Chat. R. Common in non-wooded grassland

throughout. Singles and pairs all year; small groups Sep-Mar, Jun. Dowsett-Lemaire

(1997a) estimated densities of up to 6 pairs/km^ near Mâh.

M. nigra Sooty Chat. R. Common in wooded grassland throughout. Singles, pairs and

small groups all year. Nine netted, active brood patch Aug, primary moult Nov-Dec.

Seven males: mass 39^6 (41.3 ± 2.3); wing 95-100 (97.6 ± 1.5); tail 52-60 (57.1 ±

2.8). Two females: mass 36, 40; wing 94, 95; tail 55, 57. Tails shorter than those cited

by Keith et al. (1992).

Sylviidae

[Melocichla mentalis African Moustached Warbler. R? Tall rank grassland (Dowsett-

Lemaire 1997a).]

Cisticola lateralis Whistling Cisticola. R. Frequent at Idzoua Inkou.

C. rufilatus Tinkling Cisticola. R. One singing in wooded grassland at Idzoua Inkou, Oct.

C. galactotes Winding Cisticola. R. Common. Grassy marshes, ponds and rivers

throughout. Vocal all year. Three netted, primary moult Dec: mass 17, 19, 19; wing

60, 61, 63; tail 50,51,56.

C. natalensis Croaking Cisticola. R. Frequent in grassland throughout. Vocal Sep-

Apr. One adult (Aug) and one juvenile (Apr) netted: mass 26 (a), 22 (j); wing 74 (a),

66 (j); tail 61 (a), 57 (j). Long tail of adult suggests non-breeding plumage (Urban et

al 1997).

C. brachypteriis Short-winged Cisticola. R. Frequent in wooded grassland at Idzoua

Inkou and Camp des ecogardes. One netted: mass 8; wing 48; tail 32.

C. fulvicapillus Piping Cisticola. R. Common in wooded grassland throughout. Vocal

Dec-Jun.

C.juncidis Zitting Cisticola. R. Common in grassland throughout. Vocal Sep-May.

C. brimnescens Pectoral-patch Cisticola. R. Ngondoro, Jan 2004.

[C. cinnamomeus Pale-crowned Cisticola. R? Grassy marsh, Mâh, June 1989

(Dowsett-Lemaire 1997a).]

Prinia subflava Tawny-flanked Prinia. R. Common in wooded and rank grassland

throughout. Singles and pairs all year, small groups Dec-Jan. Carrying nest material

Feb. Six netted (but no data for one). One small bird: mass 6, wing 48. Four larger,

primary moult Dec-Jan: mass 8-10 (9.3 ± 0.96), wing 52-55 (53.3 ± 1.5), tail 52-56

(53.3 ± 2.31, n = 3). Short tails indicate all birds (Dec-Jan, Mar, Jul) were in breeding

plumage (Urban et al. 1997).

2011

Birds of Lesio-Louna and Lefini Reserves

25

Figure 8. Two male Didric Cuckoos netted in the Lesio-Louna Reserve; left, Nov

2005; right, Dec 2005. Photos: C. Chamberlan.

Schistolais leucopogon White-chinned Prinia. R. Small, vocal groups frequent in rank

grassland and forest edge, Idzoua Inkou; also Mt Blanc.

[Apalis rufogularis Buff-throated Apalis. R. Forest (Dowsett-Lemaire 1997a).]

Camaroptera brachyura tincta Grey-backed Camaroptera. R. Common in forest edge,

Iboubikro and Idzoua Inkou. Ten netted, brood patch Aug, Oct (same bird), primaiy moult

May: mass 1 1-14 (12.4 ± 1.17); wing 50-56 (54.1 ±2.51); tail 31^0 (37.6 ± 3.16, n = 8).

[C. superciliaris Yellow-browed Camaroptera. R. Forest clearings (Dowsett-Lemaire

1997a).]

Eremomela salvadorii Salvadori’s Eremomela. R. Frequent in wooded grassland, Mt

Blanc and Idzoua Inkou. One netted: mass 8; wing 56; tail 27.

E. scotops congensis Green-capped Eremomela. R. Small, vocal groups common in

wooded grassland, Idzoua Inkou; also Camp des ecogardes. All year.

[Sylvietîa ruficapilla Red-capped Crombec. R. Wooded grassland (Dowsett-Lemaire

1997a).]

S. virens tando Green Crombec. R. Common. Forest edge, Iboubikro. Singles and

pairs all year, small group Mar. Twelve netted, primary moult May, Oct-Nov: mass

26

T. King

Malimbus 33

8-10 (8.9 ± 0.7); wing 48-53 (50.3 ± 1.7); tail 12-20 (16.9 ± 2.2). Several with small

yellow streak on belly.

*Phylloscopus trochilus Willow Warbler. P. Singles at Iboubikro, Î7 Sep 2005, 1 and

18 Oct 2006.

*Sylvia borin Garden Warbler. P. One adult netted 2 Dec 2005: mass 18; wing 79; tail

54; plumage worn.

Hyliota fl.avigaster Yellow-bellied Hyliota. R. Frequent in wooded grassland,

especially Idzoua Inkou.

Hylia p. prasina Green Hylia. R. Frequent in forest, Iboubikro, Three netted: mass 12,

16, 16; wing 58, 67, 69; tail 40, 48, 49. The smaller individual probably a female, the

others probably males (Urban et al. 1997).

Muscicapidae

Fraseria o. ocreata Fraser’s Forest Flycatcher. R. Frequent. Small, vocal groups in

forest canopy, Iboubikro, Confluent, Loubilika. All year.

F. cinerascens ruthae White-browed Forest Flycatcher. R. Frequent. Forest

understorey, Iboubikro and Lefini River. Three netted: two males, primary moult Dec

(mass 23, 22; wing 82, 83, tail 67, 68) and one female with active brood patch (Jan)

(mass 19, wing 79, tail 63).

Malaenornis pallidus murinus Pale Flycatcher. R. Common in wooded grassland

throughout. Singles and pairs all year; small groups Nov-Dec. Six netted, primary

moult Dec: mass 24-31 (27.7 ± 2.7); wing 89-105 (96.7 =b 6.1); tail 72-82 (77.3 ± 4.5).

Figure 9. African Pygmy Kingfishers netted in the Lesio-Louna Reserve: left,

resident subspecies ferruginus or pictus, Oct 2005; right, migant subspecies

natalemis^ May 2006. Photos: C. Chamberlan.

2011

Birds of Lesio-Louna and Lefini Reserves

27

Figure 10. Black Bee-eater Merops gularis australis netted in the Lesio-Louna

Reserve, Jun 2002. Photo: C. Chamberlan.

Figure 11. Two White-browed Scrub Robins, netted in the Lesio-Louna Reserve,

Nov 2005 (left) and Feb 2006. Photos: C. Chamberlan (left) and T. King.

28

T. King

Malimbus 33

Figure 12. Bates’s Paradise Flycatcher, ssp. bannermani, Lesio-Louna Reserve:

left, male, Aug 2006; centre, male on nest, Dec 2005; right, female, Dec 2006.

Photos: C. Chamberlan (left) and T. King.

^Miiscicapa striata Spotted Flycatcher. P. Wooded grassland throughout (Camp des

ecogardes, Idzoua Inkou, Abio). Singles, pairs and small groups; Sep (four, earliest 19

Sep 2005), Nov (one). Mar (one), 7 Apr 2006 (one). One adult netted, 5 Nov 2006:

mass 14; wing 88, tail 62. Probably ssp. striata: larger than balearica, streaked rather

than spotted breast eliminates tyrrenhica, and unlikely to be neiimanni due to locality.

Figure 13. Left: Reichenbach’s Sunbird, Lesio-Louna Reserve, Jan 2006 (photo:

D. Dayman). Centre: male Olive-bellied Sunbird, Lesio-Louna Reserve, Oct 2005

(photo: C. Chamberlan). Right: Orange-tufted Sunbird, Lefini north, 1 Mar

2007 (photo: T. King).

2011

Birds of Lesio-Louna and Lefini Reserves

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M cassini Cassin’s Flycatcher. R. Common on Lefmi, Louna and Lesio rivers.

Singles and pairs all year. Nest-building Feb; on nest Jan-Feb, Sep.

Myioparus p. plumbeus Lead-coloured Flycatcher. R. Frequent. Singles or pairs in

wooded grassland and forest edges, Iboubikro, Idzoua Inkou, Ngondoro, Aug, Oct,

Dec-Mar. Juvenile Feb, Seven netted. Six adults: mass 12-18 (14.5 ± 2.1); wing 62-

67 (64.3 ± 2.0); tail 53-61 (57.8 ± 3.3, n = 5). One juvenile: mass 11; wing 63; tail 61.

Monarchidae

[Trochocercus nitens Blue-headed Crested Flycatcher. R. Forest (Dowsett-Lemaire

1997a).]

Terpisphone viridis African Paradise Flycatcher. R? Uncommon, forest edge,

Iboubikro and Ngondoro.

T. batesi bannermani Bates’s Paradise Flycatcher. R. Common. Singles and pairs in

forest interior and forest edge, Iboubikro. On nest (both sexes) Oct, Dec-Jan.

Nestlings Oct, Dec. Thirteen netted, active brood patch Aug (possibly), Oct, Dec,

primary moult Dec. Six males: mass 15-16 (15.3 ± 0.5); wing 77-83 (79.0 ± 2.3); tail

(T2) 82-89 (84.4 ± 2.70, n = 5); projection of central tail feathers (T1-T2) 15, 19, 20,

25, 63. Six females: mass 13-16 (14.2 ± 1.0); wing 72-77 (74.8 ± 2.3); tail (T2) 72-

77 (74.5 i 2.1); projection of T1-T2 0-9 (4.5 ± 3.3). One unsexed (female or young

male): mass 15, wing 80, tail (T2) 82, projection of T1-T2 7. The combination of the

long central tail feathers and uncrested head (Fig. 12) are diagnostic of ssp.

bannermani, but the measurements appear closer to those of T. rnfocinerea than of

other races of T. batesi, as given by Urban et al. (1997). Often (Fig. 12 left) but not

always (Fig. 12 right), the head appeared significantly darker than the rest of the

underparts, a characteristic also considered more typical of T. rufocinerea than of T.

batesi (Urban et al. 1997).

Platysteiridae

Bias m. musicus Black-and-white Flycatcher. R. Frequent. Singles and pairs near

forest edges throughout, Nov-Mar, Jul. One male netted 6 Nov 2005: mass 22; wing

88; tail 50.

Dyaphorophyia c. castanea Chestnut Wattle-eye. R. Frequent in forest understorey,

Iboubikro. One male and two females netted: mass (m) 15, (f) 13, 15; wing (m) 62, (f)

59, 60; tail (m) 28, (f) 24, 26.

Platysteira cyanea Common Wattle-eye. R. Pair, Idzoua Inkou 25 Feb 2004.

Batis minor erlangeri Black-headed Batis. R. Frequent in wooded grassland at Idzoua

Inkou, also Camp des ecogardes. Singles and pairs all year, small group Jul. One

female netted Dec 2005; mass 11; wing 58; tail 43.

B. minulla Angola Batis. R. Frequent, Idzoua Inkou and Camp des ecogardes.

Paridae

Parus leucomelas White-winged Black Tit. R. Common in wooded grassland

throughout Lesio-Louna. Singles and pairs all year, small groups Aug-Feb, May. Four

adults netted, active brood patch Aug: mass 21-28 (24.8 ± 3.0); wing 80-89 (84.8 ±

3.8); tail 66-72 (69.0 ± 2.6).

30

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Malimbus 33

Remizidae

Anthoscopus caroli ansorgei Grey Penduline Tit. R. Iboubikro, 5 Nov 2004 and 1 Oct

2006.

Nectariniidae

Anthreptes aurantium Violet-tailed Sunbird. R. Frequent along Lefini, Louna and Lesio

rivers, also Lac Bleu. Singles and pairs ail year, also small groups. Nest-building Apr,

Jul. At nest Nov. Feeding nestlings Dec. Feeding juveniles Jan, Jul, Oct. Juveniles

Dec-Jan, Mar, Jun-Jul, Oct. Cooperative breeding observed (King & Cheke 2009). Two

males, three females and one juvenile netted, primary moult Jan: mass (m) 12, 13, (f) 12,

13, 13, (j) 13; wing (m) 65, 66, (f) 62, 62, 62, (j) 64; tail (m) 46, 48, (f) 42, 43, 44, (j) 45.

*A. rectirostris tephroiaemus Green Sunbird. R. Uncommon. Seven observations at

Iboubikro, Oct-Dec, Mar. Almost always in pairs.

*A. seimimdi Little Green Sunbird. R? One, Confluent, 8 Mar 2005; small group,

Abio island, 30 Mar 2007.

[Deleornis fraseri Fraser’s Sunbird. R, Forest (Dowsett-Lemaire 1997a).]

Anabathmis reichenbachii Reichenbach’s Sunbird. R. Common. Singles, pairs and small

groups at Lefini, Louna and Lesio rivers, Iboubikro ponds, and Ngondoro marsh. Often

aggressive towards other sunbirds, especially A. aurantium. Carrying nest material Mar.

Nesting Mar, Jun, Nov-Dec. Feeding nestlings and fledglings Nov. Feeding juvenile Feb.

Juveniles Feb, Jul, Oct-Nov. Seven adults (Fig 13 left) and one juvenile netted, active

brood patch Dec, primary moult Mar, Jul: mass (a) 7-12 (8.8 ± 1.72, n = 6), (j) 10;

wing (a) 53-60 (56.2 ± 2.8, n = 6), (j) 58; tail (a) 40-50 (44.0 ± 4.4, n = 5), (j) 46. First

records in the Batéké Plateau region of Congo (King et al. 2004). Given its apparent

abundance and conspicuousness, it is surprising that it has been previously overlooked,

unless it has increased in recent years. Recently recorded from the BPNP, Batéké Plateau

in Gabon, Jun 2007 (P. Christy pers.comm.), and in Franceville, Sep 2007 (pers. obs.).

Cyanomitra verticalis bohndorffi Green-headed Sunbird. R. Common in forest edges,

Iboubikro and Idzoua Inkou, also Mt Blanc and Confluent. Singles and pairs all year,

juveniles Feb-Mar. Four males and five females netted, active brood patch Feb, head

moulting from juvenile to female plumage Dec: mass (m) 10-15 (13.5 ± 2.4), (f) 10-

16 (12.6 ± 2.2); wing (m) 64-67 (65.3 ± 1.3), (f) 58-62 (60.6 ± 1.7); tail (m) 44-49

(46.3 ± 2.06), (f) 39-45 (41.3 ± 2.63, n = 4).

C. cyanolaema Blue-throated Brown Sunbird. R. Uncommon in forest and forest

edge, Iboubikro. One male netted: mass 14, wing 71, tail 54.

C. olivacea cephaelis Western Olive Sunbird. R. Abundant in forest and forest edge

throughout. Singly or in pairs, all year. Netted 38 males, 14 females, five juveniles

(May, Nov-Dec), one immature male, probable brood patches Dec, primary moult

Jul-Dec, Feb: mass (m) 10-14 (1 1.4 i 0.9, n = 37), (f) 9-12 (10.0 ± 0.8), (j/i) 8-1 1

(10.2 ± 1.3, n = 6); wing (m) 61-68 (65.1 ± 1.9, n = 37), (f) 56-60 (57.4 ± 1.3), OVi)

56-64 (59.7 ± 3.2, n = 6); tail (m) 47-60 (53.2 ± 2.9, n = 36), (f) 40^4 (42.5 ± 1.4, n

= 13), (j/i) 39-47 (44.3 i 3.1, n = 6). Four recaptured: maximum distance c. 600 m

(Iboubikro to Camp des ecogardes).

2011

Birds of Lesio-Louna and Lefmi Reserves

31

*Chalcomitra r. rubescens Green-throated Sunbird. R. Common in forest edge

throughout, including Mt Blanc. Singles and pairs all year, also small groups. Nest-

building Sep (using parts of old nest and spiders web). At nest high in forest edge tree

and harassing Woodland Kingfisher, Mar. Pair with juvenile Oct. Feeding on flying

termites Sep. Three males (one adult; two immature, Nov) and one female netted,

primary moult Oct-Nov: mass (ad m) 11, (imm m) 11, 11, (f) 10; wing (ad m) 68,

(imm m) 66, 67, (f) 60; tail (ad m) 46, (imm m) 41, 41, (f) 36.

C. amethystina deminuta Amethyst Sunbird. R. Common in wooded grassland

throughout, especially Idzoua Inkou. Singles and pairs all year, also small groups.

Juvenile Feb, immature males May, Aug, Nov. Five males (two adult, three immature)

and three females netted, primary moult Feb (female). May and Aug (immature

males): mass (m) 12-14 (13.2 ± 0.8), (f) 11, 13, 14 ; wing (m) 69-71 (69.8 ± 0.8), (f)

63, 64, 65; tail (m) 41-45 (43.2 ± 1.5), (f) 38, 38, 40.

Hedydipna collaris somereni Collared Sunbird. R. Frequent in forest edge throughout

(but not Idzoua Inkou or Mt Blanc). Singles and pairs all year, also small groups.

Carrying nest material April. Feeding on flying termites Sep. One male and two

females netted, active brood patch Dec, primary moult Oct: mass (m) 8, (f) 8, 8; wing

(m) 53, (f) 50, 51; tail (m) 33, (1) 29.

Cinnyris c. chloropygius Olive-bellied Sunbird. R. Common in forest edge throughout,

including Mt Blanc, but not Idzoua Inkou. Singles all year, pairs Dec-Apr, also small

groups. Five males (Fig. 13 centre), two females and three juveniles (Oct-Nov) netted,

active brood patch Nov, primary moult Dec: mass (m) 6-7 (6.4 ± 0.5), (f) 6, 6, (j) 5, 6,

7; wing (m) 50-52 (50.8 ± 0.8), (f) 47, 48, 0) 47, 50, 50; tail (m) 31-36 (33.0 ± 2.0),

(f) 32, 32, (j) 30, 32, 33. These measurements are slightly larger than those given by

Fry et al. 2000 for ssp. chloropygius, but smaller than those given for ssp. orphogaster.

[C. congemis Congo Sunbird. V? One male between Lefmi River and Ngo, 1 Feb

1994 (Dowsett-Lemaire 1997a).]

*C. bouvieri Orange-tufted Sunbird. R? One photographed, perched conspicuously on an

Annona senegalensis shrub in rank grassland beside the road along the northern boun-

dary of Lefmi north (2°24'S 15°25'E), 1 Mar 2007. The only sunbirds known from

western and west-central Africa with the combination of green head, throat and mantle,

dark purple breast band and dark belly are Palestine C. osea. Purple-banded C.

bifasciata and Orange-tufted; of these only Orange-tufted has a dark brown, rather than

black, belly, and the small bluish forehead and throat patches apparent in Fig. 13 (right).

[C.johannae Johanna’s Sunbird. R. Forest (Dowsett-Lemaire 1997a).]

C. c. cupreus Copper Sunbird. R. Abundant in wooded grassland and degraded forest

throughout. Singles all year, also pairs and small groups. Carrying nest material Feb.

At nest Feb. Male and female feeding nestlings Mar. One male and one female netted:

mass (m) 8, (f) 9; wing (m) 59, (f) 57; tail (m) 46, (f) 41.

Laniidae

Lanius collaris Common Fiscal. R. Common in wooded grassland throughout Lesio-

Louna and adjacent plateau. Singles all year, juveniles Nov-Jan.

32

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Malimbus 33

[L. souzae Sousa’s Shrike. R? Local in wooded grassland (DowsetLLemaire 1997a).]

Malaconotidae

Bocagia minuta Marsh Tchagra. R. In pairs at Mt Blanc marsh, frequent.

Tchagra senegala Black-crowned Tchagra. R. Common in wooded grassland

throughout. Singles and pairs all year; small group Nov.

Dryoscopus gambensis Northern Puffback. R. Three observations: Idzoua Inkou and

Mt Blanc.

Laniarius leucorhynchus Sooty Boubou. R. Common at Iboubikro ponds. Three adults

netted, primary moult Aug, Dec: mass 54, 57, 57; wing 94, 99, 101; tail 90, 91, 92.

Tail longer than measurements given by Fry et al. (2000).

Dicruridae

Dicrurus ludwigii Square-tailed Drongo. R. Frequent in forest edge, Idzoua Inkou.

*Z). modestus Velvet-mantled Drongo. R. Uncommon. Confluent (five observations)

and Louna River (once). Always singly, perched high on exposed branch in gallery

forest. Widespread in Congo (Dowsett & Dowsett-Lemaire 1989, as D. adsimilis), but

not previously recorded from the Batéké Plateau (Borrow & Demey 2001), except in

the BPNP in Gabon (pers. obs. Feb, Aug-Sep 2007, P. Christy unpubL).

Corvidae

Corvus albus Pied Crow. R. Mâh village, uncommon. Also one flying high westwards

over Confluent, 16 Apr 2004.

Sturnidae

Onychognathus fulgidus Forest Chestnut-winged Starling. R. Frequent in Lefmi River

gallery forest.

Lamprotornis purpureiceps Purple-headed Glossy Starling. R. Frequent in gallery

forest at Iboubikro, Confluent, and Louna River. Pairs, all year.

[L. nitens Cape Glossy Starling. V? One pair at Lac Bleu (Dowsett-Lemaire 1997a).]

L. splendidus Splendid Glossy Starling. R. Frequent in gallery forest throughout,

Aug-Jan, Apr, Jun. Pairs and small groups. Flock of 24 at Ngondoro, 9 Jan 2004.

Cinnyricinclus leucogaster verreauxi Violet-backed Starling. M. Wooded grassland

throughout, especially Idzoua Inkou. All records Feb-Oct (earliest 25 Feb 2004, latest

4 Oct 2004), therefore a non-breeding migrant. Pairs Mar-Sep, small groups Feb-Oct,

flocks > 10 Apr-May, Sep. Two males and four females netted, primary moult Dec:

mass (m) 38, 39 (m), (f) 40-43 (41.5 ± 1.7); wing (m) 104, 106, (f) 97-103 (100.0 ±

2.4); tail (m) 59, 60, (f) 53-56 (54.5 ± 1.3). The two netted males had white bases to

the outer web of their outer tail feathers (T6), a feature diagnostic of ssp. verreauxi

(Fry et al 2000, Borrow & Demey 2001).

Passeridae

Passer griseus Northern Grey-headed Sparrow. R, Frequent. Singles and pairs in

camps and villages, Dec-Jun. One netted Feb 2002: mass 28; wing 85.

Petronia superciliaris Yellow-throated Petronia. R. Common in wooded grassland,

especially at Idzoua Inkou. Singles and pairs all year, small groups May, Sep. Feeding

juvenile Sep. Juvenile Nov. Sixteen adults and two juveniles or immatures netted.

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Birds of Lesio-Louna and Lefini Reserves

33

primary moult Nov-Dec (all), also May; mass (a) 23-28 (24.5 ± 1.5), (j/i) 24, 26;

wing (a) 87-95 (90.8 ± 2.7), (j/i) 82, 85; tail (a) 53-60 (56.7 ± 2.1), Q/i) 53, 54.

Ploceidae

Ploceus nigrimentus Black-chinned Weaver. R. Uncommon. Wooded grassland

between Iboubikro and Mâh, 13 Jan 2004, 20 Jun 2006, and by sand-pits near Abio

camp, 1 1 Sep 2006.

*P. xanthops Holub’s Golden Weaver. R. Mt Blanc marsh, 28 Feb 2004 (one) and 7

Jan 2006 (pair): large, bright yellow weavers with black bill, one with reddish throat

patch. First records for the Batéké Plateau, otherwise known in Congo from only the

extreme south (Dowsett & Dowsett-Lemaire 1989, Borrow & Demey 2001).

P. n. nigerrimus Vieillot’s Black Weaver. R. Common in wooded grassland, forest

edges, rivers, camps and villages. Nesting colonies Aug-Feb. Among 28 netted,

primary moult Mar, possible active brood patches Dec-Jan. Seven adult males and 21

females (may include some immature males): mass (m) 35-39 (37.4 ± 1.4), (f) 28-34

(30.3 ± 1.8, n = 20); wing (m) 82-86 (84.1 ± 1.5), (f) 73-81 (76.2 ± 2.1, n = 20); tail

(m) 52-55 (53.0 ± 1.4, n = 4), (f) 46-50 (48.0 ± 1.6, n = 4).

*P. cucullatus collaris Village Weaver. R. Breeding colonies in villages, where

abundant. One male in breeding plumage netted 27 Dec 2005, Camp des ecogardes:

mass 40; wing 85; tail 51 (Fig. 14). The broad chestnut breast band and only very thin

strip of chestnut on the back of the neck indicate ssp. collaris (known from coastal

Gabon to S Congo: Borrow & Demey 2001), rather than bohndorffi (most of Gabon

and Congo), although the mantle is not as heavily marked as the figure of collaris

shown in Borrow & Demey (2001).

*P. tricolor Yellow-mantled Weaver. R? Uncommon. An adult 19-21 Jan 2004, and a

pair 6 Dec 2004, in a burnt clearing in gallery forest at Confluent. Known from the

Mayombe region of Congo, but not previously recorded on the Batéké Plateau

(Dowsett-Lemaire et al. 1993, Borrow & Demey 2001).

*Pachyphantes superciliosus Compact Weaver. R. Pairs or small groups, Mt Blanc,

frequent. Breeding plumage Nov, Jan-Mar.

Malimbus nitens Blue-billed Malimbe. R. Frequent. Singles and pairs in gallery forest

and by ponds, Iboubikro and Louna river, Jan-Feb, Nov.

[M malimbicus Crested Malimbe. R. Gallery forest (Dowsett-Lemaire 1997a).]

*M rubricolUs Red-headed Malimbe. R? Singles high in gallery forest at Confluent

19-20 Jan and 25 Mar 2004. Not previously known from the Batéké Plateau in Congo,

although reported in Brazzaville and the Mayombe (Dowsett & Dowsett-Lemaire 1989).

Quelea erythrops Red-headed Quelea. R. Frequent. Flocks in grassland throughout

(Ngondoro, Mt Blanc, Camp des ecogardes, Lefini River). Breeding plumage Dec-

Mar. Two females or non-breeding males netted, Aug, Nov: mass 15, 16; wing 60, 64;

tail 31, 32.

*Euplectes hordeaceus Black-winged Red Bishop. R. Abundant in tall plateau

grasslands in Lefini north, but only two observations from Mâh plateau. Breeding

plumage Feb-Mar, May.

34

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Malimbus 33

E. m. macroura Yellow-mantled Widowbird. R. Abundant. Singles and flocks in

grassland throughout. Breeding plumage Nov-May, non-breeding Jul-Nov, in moult

Nov. Three males (including two in breeding plumage) and four females netted, active

brood patch Feb, male ending primary moult to non-breeding plumage Aug, primary

moult finished and tail moult nearly finished to breeding plumage 29 Nov: mass (m)

24, 27, 29, (f) 19-25 (21.8 ± 2.7); wing (m) 81, 81, 81, (f) 66-75 (69.3 ± 4.0); tail (m)

55 (non-breeding), 104 (breeding), (f) 49, 54, 57.

E. albonotatus White-winged Widowbird. R. Two observations at Mt Blanc marsh: 14

Feb 2005 (breeding plumage); 28 Dec 2005 (in moult).

*£■. ardens concolor Red-collared Widowbird. R. Frequent in rank grassland on

plateau, especially near Mpoumako, abundant in tall plateau grasslands of Lefmi

north, one observation at Iboubikro ponds. All-black breeding plumage Feb-May.

Previously unreported from the Batéké Plateau, and known in Congo only from the

southeast (Loudima and Divénié, Dowsett & Dowsett-Lemaire 1989, Borrow &

Demey 2001).

E. hartlaubi humeralis Marsh Widowbird. R. Frequent. Singles, pairs and small

groups in moist grasslands throughout, except on plateau. Breeding plumage Nov-

Jun, non-breeding Jun-Jul.

Estrildidae

Nigrita canicapillus Grey-crowned Negrofmch. R. Iboubikro camp, 17 and 26 Sep 2005.

N. I luteifrons Pale-fronted Negrofmch. R. Frequent. Singles and pairs in forest edges

throughout (Idzoua Inkou, Iboubikro, Confluent). Nest-building Jan (male, in

Hymenocardia acida tree). One female netted 16 Aug 2006, possible active brood

patch, primary moult: mass 12; wing 56; tail 36.

N. bicolor Chestnut-breasted Negrofmch. R. Iboubikro ponds, 14 Jan 2004;

Confluent, 12 Nov 2004.

[N. fusconotus White-breasted Negrofmch. R. Forest (Dowsett-Lemaire 1997a).]

Pytilia afra Orange-winged Pytilia. R. Small flocks frequent in wooded grassland at

Idzoua Inkou, Camp des ecogardes. Twelve adults and two juveniles (Oct) netted,

primary moult Aug, Oct, Feb: mass (a) 14-19 (16.8 ± 1.5), (j) 17, 19; wing (a) 57-63

(60.0 ± 1.5), (j) 61, 61; tail (a) 31-37 (33.7 ± 1.8, n = 7), (j) 32.

Pyrenestes ostrinus Black-bellied Seedcracker. R. Frequent. Singles in bushy

vegetation, Iboubikro ponds and Confluent. Singing Jan.

Spermophaga haematina pustulata Western Bluebill. R. Frequent in forest

understorey, Iboubikro and Confluent. Four males, one female and one juvenile (Jan)

netted, primary moult Dec: mass (m) 23-25 (24.0 ± 0.8), (f) 24, (j) 22; wing (m) 67-

75 (71.5 ± 3.4), (f) 66, (j) 70; tail (m) 55-59 (57.5 ± 1.7), (f) 52, (j) 54.

Lagonosticta rubricata congica Blue-billed Firefmch. R. Singles and pairs frequent at

Mt Blanc and elsewhere on Mâh plateau. One male netted, Ngondoro, 4 Dec 2002:

mass 10; wing 46; tail 40.

Estrilda paludicola Fawn-breasted Waxbill. R. Frequent in moist grassland,

Ngondoro marsh, Mt Blanc, Etsotso. Juveniles Jan.

2011

Birds of Lesio-Louna and Lefmi Reserves

35

E. m. melpoda Orange-cheeked WaxbilL R. Pairs, small groups and flocks abundant

in tall grassland throughout. Juveniles Feb. Four netted: mass 6-8 (7.0 ± 0.8); wing

43^7 (45.0 ± 1.8); tail 43 (n = 1).

[E. astrild Common WaxbilL V? Moist grassland (Dowsett-Lemaire 1997a).]

*Amandava subflava clarkei Zebra WaxbilL M? Pairs and small groups in tall

grassland, Camp des ecogardes (Fig. 14), Iboubikro, Idzoua Inkou, Ngondoro, Nov-

Jan. One noted within a small flock of Bronze Mannikins. First record for the Batéké

Plateau, but known from Kouilou and the Brazzaville area (Dowsett & Dowsett-

Lemaire 1989, Dowsett-Lemaire & Dowsett 1991, Borrow & Demey 2001).

Ortygospiza locus teîla Locust Finch. R? Short moist grassland (Dowsett-Lemaire

1997a).

O. gabonensis Black-chinned Quailfmch. R? One at Iboubikro ponds, 1 Jun 2006.

Lonchura c. cucullata Bronze Mannikin. R. Flocks abundant in grassland throughout.

Nest-building Jan-Feb. At nest Dec, Feb. Juveniles Feb-May, Sep. Group of seven

juveniles without adults, Feb 2007. Five netted, primary moult Apr, JuL mass 8-9 (8.4

± 0.5); wing 47-49 (47.4 ± 0.9); tail 25-33 (30.0 ± 3.0).

[L. Black-and-white Mannikin. R? Tall grassland (Dowsett-Lemaire 1997a).]

Viduidae

Vidua macroura Pin-tailed Whydah. R. Common in grassland on plateau; rarely in

reserve except non-breeding birds at camps. Breeding plumage Nov- Apr, non-

breeding plumage Sep-Nov. One adult netted, non-breeding plumage, in primary

moult, Iboubikro, 4 Nov 2006: mass 13; wing 70; tail 50.

Fringillidae

Serinus atrogularis Black-throated Seedeater. R. Pairs and small flocks frequent in

wooded grassland throughout. Carrying nest material Feb. Eleven netted: many in

primary moult Nov-Dec: mass 9-1 1 (10.2 ± 0.6); wing 65-70 (66.4 ± 1.6); tail 40-45

(41.3 ± 1.5).

*S. mozambicus Yellow-fronted Canary. R. Mt Blanc: small group, 15 Jan 2004;

single, 1 1 Feb 2005.

Emberizidae

Emberiza t. tahapisi Cinnamon-breasted Rock Bunting. M. Singles, pairs and small

groups in wooded grassland and camps with bare ground, Oct- Apr (earliest 16 Oct

2004, latest 9 Apr 2007). Seven netted (including at least six females), primary moult

Mar: mass 12-16 (14.3 ± 1.6); wing 72-78 (74.6 ± 2.2); tail 56-62 (59.2 ± 2.2, n = 6).

E. cabanisi cognominata Cabanis ’s Bunting. R, One adult netted, Camp des

ecogardes, 5 Nov 2005: mass 23, wing 76, tail 64.

Discussion

In total, I recorded 264 species during the study period. Fifty of the species given by

Dowsett-Lemaire (1997a) were not recorded, mainly due to differences in survey

36

T. King

Malimbus 33

effort and observer experience, although ten of these were based on observations other

than her own (Wood Sandpiper, Long-crested Eagle, Montagu’s Harrier, Western

Grey Plantain-eater, Black Wood-hoopoe, Blue-cheeked Bee-eater, Namaqua Dove,

Red-headed Lovebird, Congo Sunbird, Common Waxbill). Fifty-nine species are

newly published here, giving a total of 317 species now known from the two reserves

(240 given by Dowsett-Lemaire 1997a, 16 more by King eî al. 2004, King 2007,

2008a, King & Chamberlan 2007 and Rainey et al. 2009, and two more in an

unpublished 1996 report by K. Bailey, D. Daramani, R.J. Dowsett and F. Dowsett-

Lemaire). Sixty-three families are represented, the most species-rich being Sylviidae

and Accipitridae (23 species each), followed by Nectarinidae (16), Estrilidae (16) and

Ploceidae (15). At least 217 of the species are resident, and another 37 probably are,

accounting for 80 % of the species. The remaining species are intra-African migrants

(c. 4 %), Palaearctic migrants (c. 7 %), rare visitors (c. 3 %) and undetermined (c. 6

%). Four species constitute first records for Congo, details of which have been

published elsewhere: Miombo Pied Barbet, Yellow-fronted Tinkerbird, Sladen’s

Barbet (King & Chamberlan 2007) and Martial Eagle (Rainey et al. 2009). One

subspecies also represents a new record for Congo, and is newly reported here: the

intra-African migrant African Pygmy Kingfisher Ceyx pictus natalensis, which occurs

sympatrically with the resident subspecies. The Common Kestrel may also be

represented by two subspecies, a resident and possibly the Palaearctic migrant F. t.

tinnimculus. The Grey-headed Kingfisher is represented mostly by the migratory ssp.

pallidiventris, but there may also be a resident subspecies.

Possible additional species

Staff of the Lesio-Louna management project claim at least another five species for

the reserves, which are not included in the present list as they require confirmation:

Goliath Heron Ardea goliath (Lefmi River: F. Ikoli), Saddle-billed Stork

Ephippiorhynchus senegalensis (Iboubikro ponds, c. 2005: P. Mobie), Marabou Stork

Leptoptilos criimeniferus (Etsotso marsh: B. Ngamouno), Crowned Eagle

Stephanoaetus coronatiis (no specific record but local people have a Téké name for a

large, forest-dwelling eagle that eats monkeys: P. Mobie & B. Ngamouno pers.

comm.) and Black-casqued Hombill Ceratogymna atrata (Lefmi gallery forest: L.

Okandza). Additionally, there are surely some species that remain overlooked. The

undescribed “Téké Cisticola”, known only from the Batéké Plateau region of Gabon

(Borrow & Demey 2001), is likely to be present in the reserves, and should be

searched for by someone familiar with its distinctive song. Similarly, the locally

distributed Dambo Cisiticola Cisticola dambo may occur in appropriate habitat (rank

grass in valley bottoms, F. Dowsett-Lemaire in litt.), but also requires expert

identification.

The observations presented here are to a large extent restricted to areas at or near

the base camps of the reserves management project. Large areas of the reserves

remain unsurveyed and some habitats have received little attention. Future work

2011

Birds of Lesio-Louna and Lefmi Reserves

37

Figure 14. Lefti male Village Weaver, Lesio-Louna Reserve, Dec 2005 (photo: C.

Chamberlan). Right: Zebra Waxbills, Lesio-Louna Reserve, Dec 2006 (photo: T.

King).

focussing on such areas is likely to discover further species. Palaearctic migrants

appear to be under-recorded, and careful observation of raptors during migration

periods may also reveal additional species.

Biogeographical considerations

The list of 317 species presented here for the two reserves includes 74 Guineo-

Congolian and five Zambezian biome species (following Fishpool & Evans 2001),

reinforcing the categorisation by Dowsett-Lemaire (2001) of the Batéké Plateau as the

northern limit of the Guinea-Congolian/Zambezian transition zone of White (1983)

(King & Chamberlan 2007, Dowsett et al. 2008). The five Zambezian biome species

recorded from the reserves are Black-backed Barbet, Miombo Pied Barbet, Red-

throated Cliff Swallow, Sousa’s Shrike and Red-capped Crombec. Additionally,

several other species recorded in the reserves are also distributed primarily in south-

central Africa, either with apparently isolated populations in the Batéké Plateau, such

as Pale-crowned, Tinkling and Piping Cisticolas, or which reach their northern limit in

the Batéké Plateau through apparently continuous distributions, such as Short-tailed

Pipit, Grey Penduline Tit, Green-capped Eremomela and Orange-winged Pytilia.

Conservation and management

The mixing of these two major African avifaunas provides a varied bird community,

although overall species richness is poor when compared to other sites in Congo with

more complete forest avifaunas. For example, of the six IB As recognised in Congo,

the present site is the only one to support less than half of the 200 Guinea-Congolian

biome species known from the country (Dowsett-Lemaire 2001). Therefore it is the

savanna avifauna of the reserves which is of higher conservation value than that of the

forest. As elsewhere on the Batéké Plateau (Christy 2001, Dowsett-Lemaire 2001),

38

T. King

Malimbus 33

the reserves are an important refuge for Black-chinned Weaver, Finsch’s Francolin

and Congo Moor Chat. Finsch's Francolin presumably suffers from hunting, although

the species most frequently observed for sale in villages were Red-necked Francolin,

African Crake, and Little Buttonquail. The other major threats to the birds of the

reserves appear to be the excessive burning of savanna areas, often four or five times

a year, which surely disrupts grassland nesting activities and perhaps also availability

of arthropod and seed food sources, and deforestation of the cliff forests along the

eastern boundary of the Lesio-Louna Reserve for charcoal and crop plantations. The

joint management project for the reserves (Mathot et al 2006) is tackling

deforestation and to some extent the excessive burning of the savannas, but hunting of

birds is not generally regarded as a management concern, certainly not to the same

extent as hunting of large mammals. With none of the game birds known from the

reserves currently considered of global conservation concern, it is debatable whether

efforts to reduce hunting of birds would be useful or justifiable. Conservation

recommendations for the birds of the area would therefore simply be to continue to

assure sustainable management of the various ecosystems of the Lefmi watershed,

while investigating the impacts of excessive grassland burning on birds and other

fauna and flora. Such information would help in developing an extensive fire

management strategy for the area, although any such strategy would be extremely

difficult to implement in most areas given the high level of human activity within and

around the reserves.

Acknowledgments

I thank the Ministère de F Economie Forestière et de l’Environnement of the Republic

of Congo, and The Aspinall Foundation of the U.K., for their long-term and continued

support of the joint management project for the Lesio-Louna and south-west Lefmi

Reserves. I also thank the Conservateur of the Lesio-Louna Reserve, Florent Ikoli,

and his predecessor Mbani Akangala Mankarika, Christelle Chamberlan, Simon

Tyler, Martin Dallimer, David Flayman, Rupert Horsley, Jean Bafmga, Joachim

Ombani, Prime Mobie, Ghislain Mvila, Paco Yoka, Gervais Mviri and all the project

staff for their help with the field work, Gilbert Nsongola for help with botanical

identifications, Richard and Phyllis King for their help with the literature search,

Robert Prÿs-Jones and the staff of the British Museum (Tring) for providing access to

their specimen collection and library, Michel Louette and the staff of the Royal

Museum for Central Africa at Tervuren, Belgium, for access to their specimen

collection and library, Christelle Chamberlan, David Hayman, Phyllis King and

Andrew Sully for use of their photos, Françoise Dowsett-Lemaire, Robert Dowsett,

Patrice Christy, Bob Cheke, Hilary Fry, Bill Clark, Dick Forsman, Ron Demey, Jean

Marc Thiollay and Alan Tye for their expert opinions on numerous difficult

identifications, Martin Dallimer, Hugo Rainey and Peter Jones for providing valuable

2011

Birds of Lesio-Louna and Lefmi Reserves

39

background information and advice, and an anonymous referee for comments on a

previous draft.

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{Cercopithecus neglectus) in the Lesio-Louna and south-west Lefini Reserves,

Bateke Plateau, Republic of Congo. Primate Conserv. 23: 39-44.

King, T. & Chamberlan, C. (2007) First records for Congo-Brazzaville of Miombo

Pied Barbet Tricholaema frontata. Yellow-fronted Tinkerbird Pogoniulus

chrysoconus and Sladen’s Barbet Gymnobucco sladeni. Bull. Afr. Bird Club 14:

193-199.

King, T. & Cheke, R. A. (2009) Cooperative breeding in the Violet-tailed Sunbird

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King, T. & Dallimer, M. (2010) The fruit bats (Chiroptera: Pteropodidae) of the

Lesio-Louna Reserve, Bateke Plateau, Republic of Congo. Mammalia 74: 63-69.

King, T., Tyler, S. & Dallimer, M. (2004) Timing of moult and new species records

of birds in the Lesio-Louna Reserve, Republic of Congo. Malimbus 26: 1-10.

Malbrant, R. & Maclatchy, a. (1949) Faune de l’Equateur Africain Français.

Vol. 1. Oiseaux. Lechevalier, Paris.

Mathot, L., Ikoli, F., King, T. & Puit, M. (2006) La réintroduction des gorilles

comme moyen de valorisation et de gestion durable du sud-ouest de la Réserve de

Faune de la Léfmi. Parcs Réserves 61 : 24-31.

Meyburg, b. U., Mendelsohn, J.M., Ellis, D.H., Smith, D.G., Meyburg, C. &

Kemp, A.C. (1995) Year-round movements of a Wahlberg’s Eagle Aquila

wahlbergi tracked by satellite. Ostrich 66: 135-140.

Mokoko Ikonga J. & Bokandza-Paco, F. (2004) Premières observations de la

Cigogne blanche Ciconia ciconia au Congo-Brazzaville. Bull. Afr. Bird Club 8: 61.

Rainey, H.J., Mokoko Ikonga, J., Vernon, R. & King, T. (2009) Additions to the

avifauna of Congo-Brazzaville. Bull Afr. Bird Club 16: 53-60.

2011

Birds of Lesio-Louna and Lefmi Reserves

41

Rand, A.L., Friedman, H. & Traylor, M.A. (1959) Birds from Gabon and Moyen

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Town.

Svensson, L. (1992) Identification Guide to European Passerines. Privately

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

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42

Malimbus 33

New breeding data on some lowland forest birds in

Western Cameroon, and their implications for

altitudinal breeding season reversal

by Svenja Sammler

Institut für Biodiversitâtsforschung, Allgemeine und Spezielle Zoologie, University of

Rostock, Universitatsplatz 2, 18055 Rostock, Germany

Present address: University of Potsdam, Institute for Biology and Biochemistry, Unit

of Evolutionary Biology/Systematic Zoology, KarELiebknecht-Str. 24-25, Haus 26,

D- 14476 Potsdam=Golm, Germany. <sammler@uni-potsdam.de>

Received 22 May 2009; revised 13 October 2010

Summary

I review literature and present new breeding records for 37 understorey

lowland forest bird species in Western Cameroon. New breeding records for

March and April were found for at least 1 1 species. Detailed data on breeding

behaviour are presented for two Estrildidae, the Chestnut-breasted Negrofmch

Nigrita bicolor and the Red-headed Antpecker Parmoptila woodhousei.

Altitudinal breeding season reversal was confirmed for several species,

including one. Red-tailed Bristlebill Bleda syndactyla, not before known to

show it. Several others appeared to show no well-defined breeding season in

the lowlands but only bred in the dry season in montane areas. Three species

were found to be dry-season breeders at all altitudes.

Résumé

Nouvelles données sur la reproduction de quelques oiseaux des forêts des

basses terres de l’Ouest du Cameroun, et leurs implications dans

l’inversion de la saison de reproduction en altitude» Je passe en revue la

littérature et les nouvelles observations sur la reproduction pour 37 espèces

d’oiseaux du sous-étage des forêts des basses terres de l’Ouest du Cameroun.

De nouvelles observations sur la reproduction ont été relevées pour mars et

avril concernant au moins 1 1 espèces. Des données détaillées sur le comporte-

ment reproducteur ont été présentées pour deux Estrildidae, la Nigrette à ventre

roux Nigrita bicolor et le Parmoptile à gorge rousse Parmoptila woodhousei.

E’ inversion de la saison de reproduction en altitude a été confirmée pour plusieurs

espèces, dont l’une, le Bulbul moustac Bleda syndactyla, n’était pas auparavant

connue pour cela. Il a été relevé que sept espèces ne paraissaient pas avoir une

2011

Breeding seasons in Western Cameroon

43

saison de reproduction bien définie dans les basses terres mais se reproduisaient

seulement en saison sèche dans les zones montagneuses. Il a été relevé que

trois espèces étaient reproductrices de saison sèche quelle que soit l’altitude.

Introduction

The breeding seasons of most tropical lowland forest birds are still poorly known (Tye

1992), this being especially true for West Africa (Serle 1981, Chapman 1995). Many

species have no records at all (Fry et al. 1988, Keith et al. 1992, Urban et al. 1997,

Fry et al. 2000, Fry & Keith 2004). For apparently sedentary species of the forest

zones of Western Cameroon, breeding seasons are influenced by altitude and by local

weather patterns generated by the presence of Mt Cameroon (Tye 1986, 1992). Serle

(1981) reviewed breeding records of West Cameroonian birds, and Tye (1992)

discovered there a reversal of breeding seasons by 17 typically lowland birds at higher

altitudes. Since then, more breeding records have been published for this area, but

these have not been fully reviewed. During a study of lowland forest birds in the

Banyang-Mbo Wildlife Sanctuary, SW Cameroon, further new breeding data were

collected, which initiated this paper. I concentrate on mist-netted birds for which

additional data were obtained during the field study or from recent literature, resulting

in some new conclusions on the breeding seasons of certain species.

Study area and methods

The field study was conducted from 1 1 Mar to 16 Apr 2006 along a 500-m transect at

the Nguti field station of the Banyang-Mbo Wildlife Sanctuary (5°20'N, 9°28'E, alt.

240 m), SW Cameroon. The sanctuary is situated in tropical lowland rainforest. The

vegetation close to the field station is degraded by selective logging. The most

common tree species is Uapaca guineensis (Euphorbiaceae) which is mainly

accompanied by other Euphorbiaceae and Caesalpiniaceae. The study site was

situated in the forest as well as in neighbouring forest plantations. The climate is

influenced by the presence of Mt Cameroon and Mt Kupe (Nambu 2001). Mean

annual minimum and maximum temperatures recorded for this area are 23.7°C and

30.2°C respectively (Nambu 2001), rainfall ranges from 3497.7 to 4739.0 mm per

annum (Nchanji & Plumptre 2001). The wet season runs from about mid-March to the

end of October, with a peak in August (Nambu 2001).

Visual observations of attended nests were supplemented by mist-netting on 18

days from 6h00 until 18h00. Nets were closed during night and rainfall. At up to nine

separated locations, standard (2.4 m high) mist nets in various lengths totalling 90 m,

and one 6 m “canopy nef ’ were used. Brood patches, biometrics (weight, wing, tail

and tarsus), and photographs were taken of mist-netted birds, which were identified to

44

S. Sammler

Malimbus 33

subspecies level. Brood patches were classified into three categories: none (down

feathers of ventral surfaces visible), little developed (incubation patch naked but skin

nomial) and strongly developed (skin of incubation patch thickened and wrinkled).

I reviewed breeding records in the literature for the lowlands of Western

Cameroon and for the mountain chain and the eastern slopes of Mt Cameroon to Limbe,

thus corresponding to the former British Cameroons. Following Tye (1992), the division

between lowland and montane forest taken here is based on climate, vegetation com-

position and avifaunal distributions, and is lowest on Mt Cameroon, which has montane

forest above 500 m. The montane zone comprises the “intermediate” and “high” zone

of Tye (1992) who also combined these zones in the appendix of her paper.

Sequence and names follow Borrow & Demey (2001); vernacular names of birds

are given in Appendix 1 .

Results

All mist-netted birds are listed in Sammler (2007). Breeding indications including

brood patches, regressed to month of laying, are given for 37 species including

previous records from the literature (Appendix 1). To the best of my knowledge, all

papers publishing breeding records in the study area since Serle (1981), are included

in Appendix 1, where special attention is given to 15 species that were considered in

Tye's (1992) study on reversed breeding seasons.

For the 1 1 species listed below, breeding records in March and/or April are the

first for these months in the lowland forest of Western Cameroon.

Pogoniulus scolopaceus Speckled Tinkerbird. One caught, 10 Apr. Its little-

developed brood patch indicates the beginning of the breeding season. This

corresponds well with observations of three females with enlarged ovaries in May and

June (Serle 1950, 1981), the only previous breeding records for Western Cameroon.

Phyllastrephm icterinus Icterine Greenbul. One bird showed a strongly developed

brood patch, 25 Mar, which contradicts a supposed non-breeding season of Feb-May

in the lowland forests of Western Cameroon, based on former records (Appendix 1).

Nicator chloris Western Nicator, One bird showed a strongly developed brood

patch, 5 Apr; another a little-developed brood patch, 29 Mar. These data fit well with

other breeding records in lowland forest populations (Appendix 1). The records in

Appendix 1 (except one from the foothills of Mt Cameroon at 130 m in January:

Eisentraut 1963) support reversal of breeding season at higher altitudes (Tye 1992).

Criniger calitrus Red-tailed Bulbul. Five birds with brood patches were recorded in

Mar-Apr. Serle (1981) did not distinguish between lowland and montane records,

thus, the records of breeding activity from Banyang-Mbo are the first (March) and the

first confirmed (April) for the lowland area in these months. Assuming Serle ’s records

to be lowland records, the Apr-Aug breeding season suggested by Appendix 1 would

2011

Breeding seasons in Western Cameroon

45

be prolonged to include March. These new records support a reversal of breeding

season with altitude from wet season in lowlands to dry season in montane areas as

stated by Tye (1992).

Stiphrornis erythrothorax Forest Robin. Two birds with little-developed brood

patches, March and April, being the first indication of breeding activity in these

months for Western Cameroon.

Camaroptera chloronota Olive-green Camaroptera. Three birds with brood

patches, March and April, the latter being the first record for this month in Western

Cameroon. Recent data (Bowden 2001) refute a reversal of breeding season as stated

by Tye (1992). Results from Appendix 1 indicate breeding from November to April

independently of altitude.

Dyaphorophyia castanea Chestnut Wattle-eye. Two birds with little-developed

brood patches, March and April, the latter being the first record for this month in Western

Cameroon. Appendix 1 indicates breeding in both seasons in the lowlands.

Illadopsis rufipennis Pale-breasted llladopsis. The record of a little-developed

brood patch on 1 1 Apr is the first for this month in Western Cameroon. Appendix 1

indicates a breeding season from March to August in the lowland region. One male

found by Eisentraut (1963) at 150 m on the slopes of Mt Cameroon had enlarged

testes in December, but he also stated that all other birds were not in breeding

condition at that time and altitude. On the other hand, in the montane area, this species

is found breeding in the dry season (Bowden 1986, Tye 1992). These records strongly

suggest a reversal of breeding season with altitude, but Tye (1992) did not list this

species as a definite reversal breeder because of one breeding record in December,

almost certainly lowland, from Ghana (Bannerman 1951).

Parmoptila woodhousei Red-headed Antpecker. Of three males and one female

captured in April, none showed a brood patch and two males were moulting. One nest

was found, in a shrub of Irvingia gabonensis overgrown by lianas, in a neglected

plantation, 28 Mar. The nest was built of foliage including grass, moss and fibres,

1.4 m above the ground. Its outside diameter measured 30 cm; the side entrance faced

NNW. On 5 Apr, four eggs were found, of a washed-out white except at the poles,

which were pure white, with tiny dark dots all over. They measured 15.5 x 10.8,

15.05 X 10.7, 15.4 X 10.65 and 15.3 x 10.5 mm. At the beginning of the observation

(5-8 Apr), the eggs were not regularly incubated during day-time. During nights, both

adult birds stayed in the nest. On 9 Apr, one adult was frequently recorded in the nest

during the day. On 16 Apr, two eggs had hatched. This is apparently the first breeding

record of this species in Cameroon.

From the lowlands of Nigeria, where the climate is similar to that of Cameroon,

breeding was recorded in March (Fry & Keith 2004). Bates (1908b, 1909) published

average egg measurements of 13 x 10 mm, based on a clutch of four white eggs.

Schonwetter & Meise (1983) and Fry & Keith (2004) misinterpreted this to be measure-

ments of a single egg, resulting in them presenting incorrect average and minimum

sizes. Bates (1908b, 1909) also referred to another clutch of one pure white egg measuring

46

S. Sammler

Malimbus 33

14.5 X 10.5 mm, together with two already hatched juveniles. Thus, the Banyang-Mbo

clutch differs from the other descriptions in its larger average egg size and colour.

Nigrita bicolor Chestnut-breasted Negroflnch. Only one individual was netted, 1

Apr, having a brood patch. Three pairs were observed building nests in isolated trees

in the clearing around the field station. The globular nests were built between 2.2 and

3.8 m above ground and consisted of leaf skeletons (up to 25 cm long) and grass

panicles as described by Serle (1950). One nest entrance faced NNW, the others SSW.

All of the trees {Citropsis sp. and Dacryodes edulis) were occupied by Weaver Ants

Oecophylla longinoda, as described by Bannerman (1949) for N. b. bicolor (in

Banyang-Mbo, N. b. brunnescens occurs).

One nest remained empty although two adult birds were seen several times in its

vicinity. The second nest was found on 2 Apr, with two hatchlings. This nest was

observed for two sessions: 14h00-18h00 on 3 Apr and 6h00-14h00 on 4 Apr. The

hatchlings were fed every 47 min. on average by both adults who almost always first

landed far from the nest in the tree and later climbed up to the nest. Nest visits lasted

1 8-67 s. Begging calls could be heard when the adults were in the nest. On 8 Apr, one

adult tried to lure the fledglings out of the nest. Begging calls could be heard in the

area for two more days.

The third pair started building a nest c. 1 m above ground on 27 Mar. On 2 Apr,

the same pair built another nest in a neighbouring tree, which was finished on 4 Apr.

On 6 Apr, two washed-out white eggs with very tiny light grey dots were laid. They

measured 13.85 x 10.95 and 14.85 x 11.5 mm. On 7 Apr, no further egg was added,

and no adult was observed. On 14 Apr, however, four eggs were found in the same

nest, incubated by one adult.

These are apparently the first breeding observations in March and April for

Cameroon. Breeding has been noted in May and June (Serle 1950, 1981), and

juveniles in July (Rodewald et al. 1994). Other eggs from Cameroon are slightly

greater than the mean observed in Banyang-Mbo (Bates 1911: mean 16 x 11.5 mm

(n=5); Serle (1950): 15 x 11.4, 15 x 11.5, 15 x 11.3, 14.5 x 11.3; Schonwetter &

Meise (1983): 16.0-16.2 x 11.5-12.0). Egg colour differed from the description by

Bates (1911) and Serle (1950) who mentioned “perfectly” and “immaculate” white

eggs, respectively.

Spermophaga haematina Western Bluebill. A little-developed brood patch, 6 Apr, is

the first indication of breeding for this month in Western Cameroon. Appendix 1

indicates no particular breeding season in the lowlands.

Discussion

Brosset (1990) stated that the start of the rainy season is the proximate factor initiating

the annual reproduction of tropical lowland forest birds. But for many montane forest

species, nesting activities commence with the onset of the dry season (Tye 1992,

2011

Breeding seasons in Western Cameroon

47

Fotso 1996). Primary and secondary production is likely to be the ultimate factor in

both areas (Brosset & Érard 1986, Tye 1992, Fotso 1996). However, breeding seasons

of frugivorous and insectivorous birds might be different (Fotso 1996). Whereas most

forest birds in southern Cameroon, a region characterized by two annual rainfall

peaks, have no distinct breeding season (Bates 1908a), some but not all bird species in

the lowland forests of Western Cameroon, breed seasonally (Appendix 1).

The differences of breeding strategies between species might be explained by

food requirements and nest structure, as discussed by Tye (1992). Whereas some of

the insectivorous species that feed above the ground, like Terpsiphone rufiventer and

Camaroptera chloronota, show a well-defined breeding season in the dry months at

all altitudes, insectivorous species feeding on the ground or omnivorous birds, such as

Alethe diademata, Criniger calurus and Andropadus latirostris, reverse breeding from

the rainy season in the lowlands to the dry season in the montane areas. Others, like

Phyllastrephus icterinus, P. xavieri, Hylia prasina, Illadopsis cleaveri and possibly

Cyanomitra obscura and Dyaphorophyia castanea appear to have no well-defined

breeding season at low altitudes but in montane areas breed only in the dry season.

Many of these are species living mainly close to the ground, where seasonal climate at

least in the lowlands may be buffered by microclimate in the forest understorey. In the

montane area, the seasonality may be too strong for such buffering to be effective.

However, apparent lack of seasonality in lowland breeding may result from lumping

records from different locations and years (Tye 1992), so some of these species could

be breeding season reversers. Rainfall in western Cameroon is quite variable in timing

between years and has been poorly recorded (Bowden 2001), so combining records

from different years may mask the causative effects of climatic factors. On the other

hand, future research, especially in the less-studied rainy season, might reveal

additional species with more extended breeding seasons than indicated by Appendix 1 .

All of the breeding patterns reported here for southwest Cameroon appear to be

heavily influenced by climate. The data in Appendix 1 are from this area only, and

breeding patterns for these species may be different in other parts of West Africa: for

example, Camaroptera chloronota, noted here as a dry-season breeder at all altitudes,

is known to breed in the wet season elsewhere (Tye 1992). Western Cameroon, with

birds exhibiting a range of different breeding strategies, is an excellent site for

research on factors constraining the timing of breeding in lowland forest birds.

Acknowledgments

I greatly thank Ragnar Kinzelbach who initiated the study of lowland forest birds at

Banyang-Mbo and Frank Steinheimer for excellent organisation of and assistance in

the field studies, helpful discussions and comments on an earlier draft. The Wildlife

Conservation Society staff at Nguti and Limbe kindly facilitated my research. I

acknowledge the use of the library of the Museum für Naturkunde at the Humboldt

48

S. Sammler

Malimbus 33

University of Berlin and The Natural History Museum at London and Tring. Guy

Kirv/an provided relevant literature. Hilary Tye and Chris Bowden thoroughly

commented on earlier drafts and provided additional useful detail on their records.

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2011

Breeding seasons in Western Cameroon

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348-382.

Appendix 1

Monthly distribution of breeding records

50

S. Sammler

Malimbus 33

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^ Although Eisentraut (1963) altitudes checked and found reliable (Jan birds collected in “Lager IV” at 130 m = lowland and

“Lager V” at 600 m = intermediate), these records were based on enlarged gonads (although heavily enlarged) so indicate only

possible breeding. Otherwise only wet-season records in lowlands and only dry-season in highlands.

Based on one montane dry-season record with actual month not stated, which was omitted by Bowden 1986 (H. Tye pers. comm.).

52

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Malimbus 33

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Breeding seasons in Western Cameroon

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54

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Malimbus 33

2011

55

Short Notes — Notes Courtes

A record of Black-necked Grebe Podiceps nigricollis in The Gambia in

1989 constitutes an addition to the national list

The Palaearctic population of Black-necked Grebe Podiceps nigricollis nigricollis

reaches coastal West Africa in the northern winter, although as a regular occurrence

this appears to be a relatively recent phenomenon. Before the 1990s there were few

records of this species south of Morocco, where it winters irregularly and generally in

small numbers (maximum counts in the 1990s include 300 at Douyeit in 1992, 206 at

Sebkha Bou-Areg in 1995, and 325 at Barrage Mohamed V in 1995: Thévenot et al.

2003). However, further east in North Africa it is much more widespread and abun-

dant at suitable wetlands, with counts of up to 850 birds in the 1970s in the El Kala

wetlands of Algeria (Isenmann & Moali 2000) and concentrations in Tunisia of up to

3800 at the Lac de Tunis, 5800 at Sidi Mansour and 3100 at Moknine (Isenmann et al.

2005). Important non-breeding sites for this population in Egypt are Lake Qarun,

where over 10,000 were recorded in 1979 and 1980 (Goodman & Meininger 1989)

and Lake Nasser, where 5811 have been recorded (Baha el Din 1999). The first record

from Senegal was of three birds at the Parc National des Oiseaux du Djoudj in the

Senegal Delta in December 1980 (Morel & Morel 1990). Three birds were also seen

in the Parc National du Banc d’Arguin in Mauritania in March 1986 (Isenmann 2006).

Since 1990 it has become a more regular visitor to N Senegal, in Oct-Nov, while

there are records of vagrants during the northern winter, in S Niger, N Nigeria and

SW Cameroon (Borrow & Demey 2001). Counts of 50 or more in coastal West Africa

in 1994, 1995 and 1996 indicate an extension of the non-breeding range to the

wetlands of the Senegal Delta during the 1990s (Dodman & Rose 1997), in increasing

numbers, e.g. 130 at Chatt Boul in Mauritania in Jan 1997 (Dodman et al. 1997) and

328 in the delta wetlands of Mauritania in Jan 1999 (Dodman & Diagana 2003). The

Palaearctic population is estimated at 159,000-288,000 (Wetlands International 2006).

The Black-necked Grebe is currently not listed for The Gambia (Barlow et al.

1997). On 4 Nov 1989, A. Makin {per T. Disley pers. comm.) was informed by three

birdwatchers of a Black-necked Grebe at Kotu Sewage Farm, Kombo, St Mary

Division in coastal Gambia (13°28'N, 16°43'W); the bird had reportedly been seen by

others previously. The next day, AM photographed a single Black-necked Grebe

swimming with a small group of White-faced Whistling Ducks Dendrocygna vidnata

at the sewage farm (Fig. 1). The bird was referred to by AM as a “typical winter

adult”. It was also present on 7 Nov but could not be found on 12 Nov. Black-necked

Grebe is easily separated from the widespread resident and also locally increasing

Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis by its larger size, greyer plumage, pale cheeks and

distinctive head shape with slightly upturned bill (Barlow et al. 1997).

56

Short Notes

Malimbus 33

Figure L Black-necked Grebe and White-faced Whistling Ducks, Kotu Sewage

Farm, The Gambia, 5 Nov 1989 (photo: A. Makin)*

A request for further observations of Black-necked Grebe in The Gambia, made in

early 2010 by CRB via the AfricaiiBirding e-mail discussion list and more generally,

drew no response. Therefore, this record constitutes the first and only known record to

date for Black-necked Grebe for The Gambia. Given the wintering range expansion of

this population to the Senegal Delta in the 1990s, it is perhaps surprising that there

have been no further records in the coastal wetlands of The Gambia.

Andrew Makin and Tony Disley kindly furnished the information and made this note

possible.

References

Baha el Din, S.M. (1999) Directory of Important Bird Areas in Egypt. Palm Press, Cairo.

Barlow, C., Wacher, T. & Disley, T. (1997) A Field Guide to the Birds of The

Gambia and Senegal. Pica Press, Robertsbridge.

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

Dodman, T. & Diagana, C.H. (2003) African Waterbird Census / Les Dénombrements

d 'Oiseaux d'Eau en Afrique 1999, 2000 and 2001. Wetlands International, Wageningen.

Dodman, T. & Rose, P. (1997) Application of the African Waterfowl Census in

estimating the distribution and abundance of African waterfowl. Pp. 23-39 in

Dodman, T. (ed.) 1997. A Preliminary Waterbird Monitoring Strategy for Africa.

Wetlands International, Wageningen.

Dodman, T., De Vaan, C., Hubert, E. & Nivet, C. (1997) African Waterfowl

Census 1997. Les Dénombrements Internationaux d'oiseaux d'eau en Afrique,

1997. Wetlands International, Wageningen.

2011

Notes Courtes

57

Goodman, S.M. & Meininger, P.L. (1989) The Birds of Egypt. Oxford University

Press, Oxford.

ISENMANN, P. (2006) Les Oiseaux du Banc d’Arguin. PNBA, Nouakchott, Mauritanie.

ISENMANN, P. & Moali, A. (2000) Oiseaux d’Algérie / Birds of Algeria. SEOF, Paris.

ISENMANN, P., Gaultier, T., El Hili, A., Azafzaf, H., Dlensi, H. & Smart, M.

(2005) Oiseaux de Tunisie / Birds of Tunisia. Société d’Etudes Ornithologiques de

France, Paris.

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

ThÉvenot, m., Vernon, R. & Bergier, P. (2003) The Birds of Morocco. Checklist

20, British Ornithologists’ Union, Tring.

Wetlands International. (2006) Waterbird Population Estimates - Fourth

Edition. Wetlands International, Wageningen.

Received 20 September 2010

Revised 20 December 2010

Clive R. Barlow' & Tim Dodman^

'Hanou Avenue, Brufut Gardens, The Gambia <birdsofthegambia@hotmail.com>

^Hundland, Papa Westray, Orkney KW17 2BU, U.K.

Un oiseau nouveau au Burundi: le Moineau domestique Passer domesticus

Le Moineau domestique Passer domesticus est une espèce d’origine paléarctique,

notée dans différents pays de l’Ouest africain jusqu’au Tchad, et devenue commune

en Afrique australe (Anderson 2006, Summers-Smith 2009). La sous-espèce indiens

introduite à Durban en Afrique du Sud vers les années 1900 a connu par la suite une

expansion vers tous les pays du sud du continent jusqu’en République Démocratique

du Congo, en Tanzanie et jusqu’au Kenya (Anderson 2006). Il est donc observé dans

les pays limitrophes du Burundi. Dans la RDC, l’oiseau se trouve dans certaines

régions du Sud Est, aux confins de la Tanzanie (Anderson 2006). Dans ce pays, il a

été introduit à partir de Dar-es-Salaam en 1984 en provenance de la Zambie et a

continué son expansion vers l’Ouest (http://tanzaniabirdatlas.com/maps/distribution-

maps/1 204.pdf, consulté 19 jan 2011). Dès 2008, ce moineau a été signalé au

Rwanda, à Gitarama et aux portes de la ville de Kigali (Anonymous 2009,

Nsabagasani 2009).

Le Moineau domestique, qui n’avait jamais été signalé sur le territoire

burundais (Schouteden 1966) a été observé au moins à trois endroits différents en

2009. La reconnaissance de cette espèce a été faite en notant la calotte grise des

mâles, une barre alaire blanche et une bavette noire descendant vers la gorge (Sinclair

& Ryan 2003), patron de plumage très distinct de celui du Moineau à tête grise Passer

gris eus.

58

Short Notes

Malimbus 33

Dans la plaine de la Rusizi au nord-ouest du Burundi, dans le village de Gatumba,

province de Bujumbura Rural (3°20'S, 29°15'E), j’ai vu régulièrement trois couples

en mars, soit perchés sur les branches des arbres, soit volaient autour des habitations

ou encore se trouvaient dans la cour des maisons. Ce village est constitué de maisons

de paysans bordées au sud par le delta de la Réserve Naturelle Gérée de la Rusizi, à

l’est, au nord et à l’ouest par les cultures de riz et de tomates. Dans le village, on

trouve quelques arbres, notamment des Eucalyptus et des Manguiers Mangifera

indica. A l’occasion d’une excursion organisée par l’Association Burundaise pour la

Protection des Oiseaux, nous avons vu un couple de Moineaux domestiques dans les

bananeraies situées autour des habitations dans la commune de Mpanda (3°14'S,

29°24'E), province de Bubanza, le 9 mai. Dans cette commune, le milieu est rural et

agricole. A proximité des habitations, les bananiers sont dominants, suivis du manioc,

du maïs et des haricots. A quelques mètres, on y trouve de grands champs de riz.

Enfin, deux mois plus tard (le 4 juillet), j’ai observé une dizaine d’individus mâles et

femelles qui entraient et sortaient du haut du toit d’une maison dans un des quartiers

nord de la mairie de Bujumbura (3°2rS, 29°23'E). C’est un quartier nouvellement

construit dont certaines maisons sont achevées et d’autres sont encore en construction.

Il n’y a pas de végétation à proximité sauf l’un ou l’autre arbre se trouvant en bordure

de la route voisine. Je n’ai pas pu remarquer quelqu’indice d’activité de reproduction.

Il est donc possible que certains immigrants cherchent à s’établir au Burundi. Le

Moineau domestique devient donc le second Passer à être recensé au Burundi après le

Moineau à tête grise. Il est possible que ces deux moineaux puissent être concurrents

et il serait intéressant de surveiller le domestique, son extension géographique et, le

cas échéant, comparer son alimentation à celle du Moineau à tête grise.

Bibliographie

Anderson, T. R. (2006) Biology of the Ubiquitous House Sparrow: from genes to

populations. Oxford University Press, Oxford.

Anonymous (2009) House Sparrow in Rwanda. Birdlife Africa Newsletter 1 1(2.): 13.

Nsabagasani, C. (2009) in Recent reports. Bull. Afr. Bird Club 16: 107.

Schouteden„H. (1966) La faune ornithologique du Burundi. Mus. Roy. Afr. Centrale

Doc. Zool. 11: 1-81.

Sinclair, I. & Ryan, P. (2003) A Comprehensive Illustrated Field Guide to the Birds

of Africa South of the Sahara. Struik, Cape Town.

Summers-Smith, J.D. (2009) Family Passeridae (Old World sparrows). Pp. 760-813

in DEL Hoyo, J., Elliott, A. & Christie, D. (eds) Handbook of the Birds of the

World, vol. 14.. Lynx, Barcelona.

Reçu 16 décembre 2010;

Revu 2 1 j anvier 2011

Régine Pacis Nasasagare

Université de Liège, Belgique et Ecole Normale Supérieure, Burundi <rpnas(^yahoo.fr>

2011

59

Errata

Increased abundance of Savile’s Bustard Lophotis savilei in east-central

Nigeria

In this article (2010, Malimbus 32: 103-104), the names of two of the authors (T.C.

Omotoriogun and J.D. Onoja) were reversed, with one of them incomplete. The

authors should have been listed as follows: Samson Andrew Da’an, Taiwo Crossby

Omotoriogun, Joseph Daniel Onoja, Talatu Tende & Ulf Ottosson.

Ed.

Extensions of documented distributions for three bird species in

Burkina Faso

In this article (Connor, MJ. 2010, Malimbus 32: 104-106), on line 15 of the section

headed “Muscicapa aquatica Swamp Flycatcher”, the phrase “the latter authors”

should be altered to read “the former authors”.

M.J. Connor

60

Malimbus 33

News & Letters — Nouvelles & Lettres

Request for information and photos of weaver nests

Weavers are a large and diverse bird family, ranging from granivores to insectivores,

colonial breeders to solitary nesters, monogamous or polygynous mating systems, and

with brightly coloured to dull brown plumage. Their conservation status ranges from

the most abundant land-bird in the world, the Red-billed Quelea Quelea qiielea, to 13

threatened species.

Many weavers are common and breed in close proximity to humans. This enables

their breeding effort to be easily monitored, and the Animal Demography Unit at the

University of Cape Town now provides a platfonn for observers to submit records

directly to a web server. The project is a “Virtual Museum” project called PHOWN

(PHotos Of Weaver Nests) and the following information is requested: a digital photo

of a weaver colony or solitary nest, coordinates, identity of the species, nest count and

date. The data submitted to PHOWN will provide information on the distribution, size

and geographic variation of nesting colonies of weavers globally. Single records are

used to examine nest site choice and the extent of mixed species colonies, while

repeated photographs of a colony can track changes within a breeding season and over

many years. More applications could be developed; for instance, users could monitor

all the weaver colonies in a small area to provide nesting densities.

More details of the project may be found at <http://weavers.adu.org.za/phown.php>,

including a species list, instructions on participating, a link to the Virtual Museum

submissions page and summaries of records that have already been submitted. All

weavers in the family Ploceidae are included. Ornithologists and bird watchers in

West Africa are warmly invited to participate.

H. Dieter Oschadleus

Animal Demography Unit, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch 7701, South Africa

weavers4africa@gmail.com

2011

Nouvelles & Lettres

61

Conservation books available free for readers in developing countries

The British Ecological Society (BES) and the NHBS Environment Bookstore together

are offering free ecology and conservation books to readers and professionals in

developing nations. The aim of this scheme is to provide ecology and conservation

books to those from outside Western Europe, North America, Japan, Australia and

New Zealand who would otherwise be unable to obtain them, in order to spread

ecological knowledge as widely as possible. The scheme is a collaboration between

the BES (who pay for the postage), NHBS (who organize the distribution) and the

publishers and authors of the books (who provide the books free). For further

information, see <http://www.nhbs.com/conservation/gratis-books.php>.

62

Malimbus 33

Society Notices — Informations de la Société

Gérard J. Morel, deceased 15 February 2011

Council has just learnt, with great regret, of the passing away of Dr. Gérard J. Morel, co-

founder of our Society in 1979, then Vice-President, President, and Honorary President.

A full obituary and appreciation of Gérard will appear in the next issue of Malimbus.

We extend our sincere condolences to his wife. Dr Marie-Yvonne Morel, and family.

W.A.O.S. Council

Gérard J. Morel, décès le 15 février 2011

Le Conseil vient d’apprendre, avec immense regret, du décès du Dr Gérard J. Morel, co-

fondateur de l’Association en 1979, puis Vice-président, Président, et Président d’honneur.

Une notice complète paraîtra dans le prochain numéro de Malimbus. Le Conseil adresse

à son épouse, Dr Marie-Yvonne Morel, ainsi qu’à toute sa famille, ses vives condoléances.

Conseil de la S. O. O. A.

Appeal for abstractors

Since soon after Malimbus was launched in 1979, we have been putting a record for

each article (paper and short note) on the Ornithological Worldwide Literature (OWL)

database. OWL is an indexed compilation of citations that pertain to ornithology and

come from the worldwide scientific periodical literature. Ornithologists around the

globe access this important resource at no cost via the internet <http://www.birdlit.org>.

The more details in a record, the more likely it will be found when searching the

database, and thus that the corresponding article will be taken into account by researchers.

Unfortunately the majority of the earlier Malimbus records are very rudimentary and

will only be found by searches for title of the article or authors’ names. To increase

the chance of Malimbus articles being found during searches we need volunteers to

add information to each record, especially an abstract, subject codes, keywords and

species names. Since all Malimbus articles are freely available on the WAOS website,

there is no need to have copies of Malimbus to do this. Please contact me if you would

like to help increase the value and usefulness of Malimbus in this way.

Peter Browne

<pbrowne@primus.ca>

2011

Informations de la Société

63

Appel aux rédacteurs d’abstracts

Peu après le lancement de Malimbus en 1979, nous avons entrepris de mentionner

chaque article ou note courte sur la base de données de la Littérature Ornithologique

Mondiale (Ornithological Worldwide Literature OWL). OWL est une compilation

avec un index de citations se rapportant à L ornithologie et provenant de la littérature

scientifique périodique du monde entier. Les ornithologues dans le monde accèdent

gratuitement à cette importante ressource via le site Internet <http://www.birdlit.org>.

Plus il y a d’informations dans la mention, plus il y a de chances qu’elle puisse

être trouvée par ceux qui consultent la base de données, et ainsi que l’article

correspondant soit pris en compte par le chercheur. Malheureusement, la majorité des

mentions anciennes de Malimbus dans la base de données sont très rudimentaires et ne

seront trouvées qu’en cherchant un titre d’article ou les noms des auteurs. Pour

augmenter la probabilité qu’un article soit trouvé au cours d’une recherche, nous

avons besoin de volontaires pour ajouter des informations à chaque mention, en

particulier un abstract, les codes par sujets, les mots-clés et les noms d’espèces.

Depuis que tous les articles sont accessibles gratuitement sur le site Internet de la

SOOA, il n’est plus nécessaire d’avoir des exemplaires de Malimbus pour le faire.

Veuillez me contacter si vous êtes disposé à nous aider à accroître ainsi la valeur

ajoutée et l’utilité de Malimbus.

Peter Browne

<pbrowne(^primus.ca>

W.A.O.S. membership changes

Changements dans la liste d’adhérents de la S.O.O.A.

New members and reinstatements — Nouveaux membres et réintégrations

Ashford, A., 64 Main Street, Askham Bryan, York, North Yorks Y023 3 QU, U.K.

Kisasa Kafutshi, R., Institut de Botanique B22, Université de Liège, 27 rue du

Rectorat, 4000 Liège, Belgium

Name and address changes and corrections — Changements et corrections de

nom ou adresse

Elliot, Sir C.C.H., Bt, Ph.D., Blue Bam House, South Leigh, Witney, Oxon 0X29

6XH, U.K.

Hjort, Dr C., Hessle, Munkarp 111, SE 24391 Hoor, Sweden

Sharland, R.E., Rm 23, Bayford House Nursing Centre, Rookwood, nr Newbury,

Berks RG20 8EB, U.K.

T. Dodman

64

Society Notices

Malimbus 33

West African Ornithological Society

Société d’Ornithologie de l’Ouest Africain

Revenue Account for the year ended 31 December 2010

Notes

The first two columns relate to the society’s Sterling and Euro bank accounts, while

the third shows the combined accounts in Sterling, at €1 = £0.8565 on 31 Dec 2010.

All figures are individually rounded to the nearest £/€.

The surplus during 2010 was largely due to lower costs for Malimbus printing and

distribution compared to 2009. The total balance increased by £474, a result of the surplus

of £389 plus a profit of £85 on the Euro balance of 1 Jan 2010 due to an increase in the

value of the Euro against the Pound, from 0.8287 on 1 January to 0.8565 on 31 December.

An electronic payment system was established during 2010, so members can now

pay subscriptions via PayPal on the Society's website (http://malimbus.free.fr/).

After managing the Society’s Euro account for many years, Marie-Yvonne Morel

handed over this task to Nils and Marine Robin, who have opened a new Euro account

for the Society. On behalf of Council I thank Marie-Yvonne for managing the Euro

account so well for many years, and Nils and Marine for taking over this important role.

T. Dodman

1 certify that I have verified the bank balances.

J.N. Rendall

Treasurer, Papa Westray Community Co-operative

Instructions to Authors

Malimbus publishes research articles, reviews and news about 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 four 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. 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 (or

in the official language of the country in which the work was done) 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: authors’ names should be listed with surname (family name) last, with given names

or initials preceding it {e.g. John A. Smith); 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 abbrevi-

ated 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.

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 infor-

mation; 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 range extensions, an assessment of abundance

(see Malimbus 17: 36) and dated breeding records; indicate migratory status and period of

residence only as shown by the study. 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

25: 4-30, 24: 15-22, 23: 1-22, 1: 22-28, or 1: 49-54) or in the textual format of recent issues.

Taxonomic sequence and scientific names (and preferably also vernacular names) should follow

either Borrow & Demey (2001, Birds of Western Africa, Christopher Helm, London, with names

as amended in Borrow & Demey 2004, Field Guide to the Birds of Western Africa, Christopher

Helm, London), or The Birds of Africa (Brown et al. 1982, Urban et al. 1986, 1997, Fry et al.

1988, Keith et al. 1992, Fry & Keith 2000, 2004, 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 and an augmented and

updated version of this may be found on the web site (http://maliiTibus.free.fr/instmale.htm); a

copy may be obtained from the Editor, who will be happy to advise on the presentation of

specific studies.

When designing Figures, and particularly font size, pay attention to Malimbus page shape

and size. Figures prepared in or scanned into an appropriate graphics package and saved at high

resolution are preferred. They should be supplied as graphics files, and not pasted into a Word

file. Low-resolution files and poor-quality printouts will not be accepted. Authors are encouraged

to submit photographs that illustrate salient points of their articles. Photographs should be high-

contrast and high resolution (at least 600 dpi). They should be supplied in graphics file format

{e.g. jpg or tif) and not pasted into a Word file. Consult the Editor for further advice.

A pdf file of Papers and Short Notes, and one copy of the issue in which they appear, will be

sent to single or senior authors, gratis.

SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTiON LIBRARIES

3 9088 01617 5523

MAUMBUS 33(1) March 2011

Contents — Table des Matières

The biîrds of the Lesio-Louna and Lefiiii Reserves,

■ Batéké Plateau, Republic of Congo.

T„ King-

New breeding data on some lowland forest birds in Western Cameroon,

and their implications for altitudinal breeding season reversal.

S. Sammler

Short Notes ~ Notes Courtes

A record of Black-necked Grebe Podiceps nigricoltism The Gambia

in 1989 constitutes an addition to the national list.

C.R. Barlow & T. Dodman

Uii oiseau nouveau au Burundi: le Moineau domestique

Passer domesticus.

R.P. Nasasagare

Errata

Increased abundance of Savile^s Bustard Lophotis saviiei

in east-centra! Nigeria. 59

Extensions of documented distributions for three bird species

in Burkina Faso, • 59

News & Letters — ^ Nouvelles.& Lettres 60-61

Society Notices — Informations de la Société ■ 62-64

1-41

42-54

55-57

57-58