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Journal of West African Ornithology

Revue d’Omithologie de l’Ouest Africain

VOLUME 35 Number 1 March 2013

ISSN 0331-3689

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2013

Diet composit

Northern Grey-headed Sparrow Passer griseus and adult

Southern Red Bishop Euplectes orix in Burundi

by Régine Pacis Nasasagare1,2, Gaspard Ntakimazi3 & Roland Libois1

1 Zoogeographic Research Unit, Dept of Sciences “Biology, Ecology, Evolution”,

Univ. of Liège, Boulevard du Rectorat 27, 4000 Liège, Belgium. <rpnas@yahoo.fr>

2Dept of Natural Sciences, High Teacher Training School,

Boulevard du 28 Novembre, BP 6983, Burundi

3 Dept of Biological Sciences, University of Burundi, Bujumbura, Burundi

Received 20 June 2011; revised 3 August 2012.

Summary

We studied the diet composition of Northern Grey-headed Sparrow Passer

griseus and Southern Red Bishop Euplectes orix in four localities of the

Rusizi Plain, northwest Burundi. We analyzed crop contents of 100 adults

from each of the two species and the composition of food brought by parents

to nestlings of the sparrow at ten nests. In all four sites, the sparrow’s diet

consisted primarily of rice. The bishop also fed mostly on rice grains but also

ate Lepidoptera caterpillars, some other insects and wild grass seeds such as

Panicum sp. and Brachiaria sp. For adults of both bird species, there was no

significant variation in diet throughout the year. However, the diet of young

sparrows was much more diverse and changed from the day of hatching until

fledging. On the day of hatching, chicks ate mainly caterpillars but by the

tenth day, food items comprised one third caterpillars, one third Orthoptera

and the rest of other insects including Odonata, Dictyoptera, Isoptera and

adult Lepidoptera. After this and until fledging, the chicks were fed

increasingly on rice seeds. Simultaneously, the proportion of caterpillars taken

gradually decreased until none was fed to the nestlings at the end of the

nestling period. The items brought by parents also varied with time of day,

with caterpillars and grasshoppers in higher proportions in the morning,

decreasing around mid-day and then increasing in the evening.

Résumé

Composition du regime alimentaire des adultes et jeunes du Moineau gris

Passer griseus et des adultes de l’Euplecte ignieolore Euplectes orix au

Burundi. La composition des aliments des adultes du Moineau gris Passer

2

R.P. Nasasagare et al.

Malimbus 35

gris eus et de TEuplecte ignicolore Euplectes orix ainsi que le menu des jeunes

du moineau ont été identifiés dans quatre localités de la plaine de la Rusizi au

nord-ouest du Burundi. Les contenus des jabots de 100 adultes de chaque

espèce ont été analysés. Le contenu de becquées apportées aux jeunes du

moineau par les parents a été étudié également chez dix nids. Le régime

alimentaire des adultes du moineau se compose essentiellement de riz sur

l’ensemble des quatre sites. L’euplecte se nourrit également pour la majorité

des grains de riz. Il complète son alimentation par des larves de lépidoptères,

quelques autres insectes et surtout de graines des graminées sauvages

Panicum sp. et Brachiaria sp. En revanche, le menu des jeunes moineaux est

beaucoup plus diversifié et varie dès l’éclosion à l’envol. Le jour de leur

éclosion, les oisillons mangent essentiellement des chenilles de lépidoptères,

mais le dixième jour, le régime comprend un tiers des chenilles, un tiers des

orthoptères et un tiers d’insectes variés, y compris odonates, dictyoptères,

isoptères et papillons. Après cette période et jusqu’à l’envol, les oisillons sont

nourris progressivement avec des graines de riz. Parallèlement, la proportion

des chenilles diminue pour s’annuler au moment de l’envol. Les items

apportés par les parents variaient pendant la journée, les proportions des

chenilles et des criquets étaient plus importantes le matin, diminuant à la mi-

journée et réaugmentant le soir.

Introduction

The diets of various granivorous birds have been studied in several parts of Africa. Spanish

Sparrow Passer hispaniolensis adults and nestlings have been studied in Libya (Mirza

et al. 1975) and those of young and adult Spanish Sparrows and House Sparrows P.

domesticus in Algeria (Metzmacher 1985). During the first days of their life, both

species eat mainly insects, in contrast to the mainly vegetable adult diet (Mirza et al.

1975, Metzmacher 1985). The young of Red-billed Quelea Quelea quelea are fed

insects during the first five days and progress to grains of wild grasses (Disney et al.

1956, Morel & Morel 1974). In Nigeria, the analysis of stomach contents of adult

queleas during the dry season showed that the food was 54 % wild grass seeds and 46

% cultivated cereal grains (Yusufu et al. 2004), and the queleas may prefer wild seeds

compared to cultivated cereals (Ward 1965a) even when the latter are plentiful

(Yusufu et al. 2004). These authors did not find animal prey in the stomachs of adult

quelea. The Village Weaver Ploceus cucullatus feeds on animal and plant food in

Nigeria, including various arthropods, seeds of wild and cultivated origin, and the

mesocarp of ripe oil palm Elaeis guineensis (Adegoke 1983). In the Sudan Golden

Sparrow Passer luteus, stomach content analysis at different stages of breeding

showed that nestlings were fed almost exclusively on insects (Morel & Morel 1976).

Thompson (1989) investigated the importance of crops such as rice in the diets of the

2013

Granivore diets in Burundi

3

Bronze Mannikin Lonchura cucullata and the Black-and- White Mannikin L. bicolor

in Sierra Leone, and found that both species mainly ate wild seeds, with rice in small

proportion. The proportions of these items changed with season but Bronze Mannikin

still consumed rice even outside the cultivation period (Thompson 1989). In central

Africa, the Village Weaver feeds on small wild seeds during the dry season and larger

seeds during the wet season, with cultivated seeds eaten throughout the year even

outside the period of maturation and harvest (Camara-Smeets & Manikowski 1981).

In Ethiopia, the Red-billed Quelea feeds on several varieties of wild and cultivated

seeds according to their size and availability (Erickson 1979), with diet varying from

one region to another depending on the climate, and variation in diet affected by age

and sex. In southern African, both male and female quelea consume more seeds than

insects and the proportions vary during the day (Berry et al. 2004).

All of these studies reveal that young sparrows feed primarily on arthropods,

especially insects, whereas young quelea consume much more vegetable matter. Adult

Village Weaver and quelea feed on grass seeds of wild grains. In some localities, the

Village Weaver shows a preference for arthropods while the quelea and sparrows

prefer vegetable matter.

In Burundi and in the African Great Lakes region in general, rice farmers are in

conflict with granivorous birds due to their perceived impacts on cereals fields.

Determining the diet of granivorous birds could contribute to improving their

management. We studied the diet of adult Southern Red Bishop Euplectes orix and

Northern Grey-headed Sparrow Passer griseus , at four sites in the rice fields of the

Rusizi Plain, in northwest Burundi, where they are the commonest granivorous birds.

The diet composition of nestling Northern Grey-headed Sparrows, its daily variation

and its variation with age was also studied. Due to inaccessibility of the nests of the

bishop, diet of their nestlings was not studied. We found no published details on the

diet of these two species. The information collected permits an evaluation of the

damage the two species cause to cereal crops, particularly rice.

Study Area

The study was carried out near rice fields in the Rusizi Plain. The climate is dry

tropical, with annual rainfall c. 600 mm, and a dry season of 4-5 months (May-

August and sometimes September). The vegetation is largely degraded savanna of low

herbaceous growth with bare soil in places and scattered spiny shrubs and

Euphorbiaceae (Cazenave-Pierrot et al. 1979). Palm savanna, of Hyphaena

banguelensis var. ventricosa, is an endemic vegetation type, found only in the lower

Rusizi. The Rusizi Delta is covered with vast reed-beds, an almost pure association of

Phragmites mauritianus. Farmlands are devoted mainly to rice, cotton and coffee.

Study site 1 was in the town of Gihanga (3°1LS, 29°17'E), Bubanza Province.

This area is composed of Acacia trees scattered in a savanna. Site 2 (3°19'S,

4

R. P. Nasasagare et al.

Malimbus 35

29°14'E), in Mutimbuzi Commune, Bujumbura Province, consisted of Acacia ,

thickets of Lantana camara and clumps of Phragmites. Site 3 was in Buterere

Commune (3°19'S, 29°21'E), Bujumbura. It was surrounded by banana plants Musa

sp., sugarcane fields Saccharum officinarum. and mango trees Mangifera indica. Site

4 was in Kinama Commune (3°18'S, 29°23'E), Bujumbura, and contained mango and

banana trees and some Euphorbia candelabrum. In all four sites, in addition to rice

fields, there were also fields of sweet potatoes, beans and com.

Methods

Adult birds were sampled in the four sites during 2009. Birds were captured with mist

nets, around 7h00 GMT, two hours after sunrise. The presence of armed militias in the

Rusizi Plain prevented us from trapping at dusk. Birds which were determined, by

tactile pressure of their crops, to have not yet eaten were immediately released. Others

were sacrificed and their crop opened. At each site, 25 birds of each species were

sampled, making a total of 100 for each species. Six individuals of each species were taken

at each site in February, April and September, and seven at each site in November. We

did not capture birds during their breeding season (May-August). Crops were labelled

and preserved individually in bottles containing 70 % denatured alcohol. In the laboratory,

food items were identified using a dissecting microscope, then the items were dried to

constant weight and weighed using a precision balance (to 0.01 g). Proportions of

food items are expressed as the percentage of crops that contained each item type.

Since Northern Grey-headed Sparrows carry food to young in their beak, we

employed the use of direct observation to determine the food intake of nestlings, in

order to minimize disturbance of the birds. With food in the beak, adults paused to

scan the area carefully before entering the nest. A camouflaged observer, 3-5 m from

the nest, could thus observe with binoculars what adults took into the nest. Between

May and July 2009, ten broods were observed and 887 prey loads recorded, at the four

sites. At the time of the study, rice in plantations was ripening. Each day, 30-min.

observation periods were made in the morning, mid-day and evening, at each nest

from the first day of hatching (determined by when the parents began bringing food to

the nest) until fledging. Identification of Lepidoptera caterpillars was carried out using

Autrique & Perreaux (1989).

XLStat software (ANOVA) was used to calculate diet variation between the four

sites and with season. Statistica (Pearson correlation) was used to study the

relationship between proportion of rice in the diet of nestlings and their age. G-tests

(Sokal & Rohlf 1981) were used to calculate the diet variation in nestlings according

to age and time of day, and to test the variation in the bishop’s diet at different dates

or seasons. For the adult sparrows, only two out of 100 crops contained items other

than rice, and statistical testing of seasonal variation was not possible. Means are

given ± S.D. The notation “ns” means not significant (P > 0.05).

2013

Granivore diets in Burundi

5

Results

Adult Northern Grey-headed Sparrows ate mainly rice and seldom insects, and diet

composition did not change with season (F33 = 0.711; ns) or with site (F3î3 = 0.941,

ns) Rice made up 98 % of the diet, caterpillars 1 % and other insects 1 %. Analysis of

variance showed that food mass in crops did not vary significantly with season.

Adult Southern Red Bishops ate mainly rice (75 %), supplemented with seeds of the

wild grasses Panicum sp. (9 %) and Brachiaria sp. (8 %) They also occasionally fed on

insects (total 8 %), especially Lepidoptera caterpillars (5 %), dragonflies Odonata (1 %)

and Lepdoptera adults (butterflies, 1 %). Neither period of the year (G9 = 6.03, ns) nor

collection site (G9 = 13.21, ns) had a significant effect on food composition in crops

(four food categories: rice, Brachiaria , Panicum , insects). However, analysis of variance

of food mass in crops of birds that had eaten showed that food intake varied with season

(F3;3 - 3.456, P = 0.020), with crops from site 1 full in April and emptier in August

(Table 1). There was no variation in food mass between study sites (F3i3 = 0.161, P =

0.923); at this P value, we can conclude that food intake was homogeneous across sites.

Table 1. Food mass (g) in crops of Southern Red Bishop adults.

Young Northern Grey-headed Sparrows had a varied diet, of grasshoppers

Grthoptera, dragonflies, mantids Dictyoptera, butterflies, termites Isoptera, flies

Diptera and caterpillars. They were also fed raw rice seeds, cooked rice, bits of

cassava and sweet potatoes, from discarded human food. Day by day, the composition

of the diet of young changed gradually (G-test between six food groups comprising

crickets, termites, mantids and three groups formed by combining food categories to

avoid zeros as follows: rice and other vegetable matter, caterpillars and butterflies,

flies and dragonflies, G10o = 459.7, P < 0.001) (Fig. 1), with three main periods

identified. The first day, the diet was mainly composed of caterpillars (85 %), with the

dietary proportions between the first and the second day significantly different (G-test

grouping flies and dragonflies: G5 = 23.7, P < 0.001). The second period, from day 2

to 10, was relatively stable (G-test grouping flies and butterflies with rice: G40 = 44.4,

ns), with the young fed caterpillars (35 %) and grasshoppers (35 %), with other

insects (30 %). During this period, there was a significant diurnal change in

proportions (Gi2 = 27.8, P < 0.001), with the proportion of caterpillars highest in the

morning, decreasing at mid-day and then increasing again in the evening. The third

6

R.P. Nasasagare et al.

Malimbus 35

period of feeding was from day 1 1 , when the diet switched from being > 80 % insects,

until fledging when it was predominantly rice (70 %) (G-test grouping caterpillars

with butterflies, rice with other vegetable matter: G50 = 54.8, ns), although at fledging,

young birds still ate insects (30 %).

o sweet potato

■ cassava

□ cooked rice

□ raw rice

s butterflies

m flies

■ mantis

□ dragonflies

□ termites

■ grasshoppers

□ caterpillars

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21

(42)(42){41)(48)(44)(42)(44)(40)(42)(39)(47){47)(51)(45)(49)(46)(43)(39){36)(30)(30)

Day after hatching (n)

Figure 1. Diet composition of nestling Northern Grey-headed Sparrows; (n) =

number of beak-loads.

From the moment that the young sparrows became no longer exclusively insec¬

tivorous, there was a strong positive correlation between the proportion of rice in the

diet and their age (Fig. 2; y = -21.36 + 4.4 lx, r = 0.886, P < 0.0001). During this period

too, the food provided by parents differed at different times of the day (G!2 = 24.6, P =

0.05), with more grasshoppers in the morning than during the day and in the evening.

Discussion

Adult Northern Grey-headed Sparrows ate rice during the whole study period in the

four study sites, with insects being insignificant in their diet. This differs from other

species of Passer. The House Sparrow feeds on seeds of wild or cultivated plants,

fruits, flowers, leaves and insects, or leftovers from human food (Clark 1976, Gionfriddo

2013

Granivore diets in Burundi

7

100

90

Day after hatching

Figure 2. The proportion of rice in the diet of nestling Northern Grey-headed

Sparrows, depending on their age (regression and 95 % C.I.).

& Best 1995, Marion 2000, Centre d’ Expertise en Analyse Environnementale du Québec

2005, chapter 4 of Vincent 2005). Sagrario et al. (2007) even suggested that it is useful

for people by removing damaging insects from crops. Indeed, in China, the massive

destruction of sparrows by people may have led to a super-abundance of crickets

Orthoptera, which caused famine by feeding on crops (Shapiro 2001). Metzmacher

(1985) found that the Spanish Sparrow feeds mainly on plants, with dietary composition

depending on whether the bird is in breeding season or not. According to Morel &

Morel (1970), the adult Sudan Golden Sparrow moves from a diet purely of or

dominated by seeds while breeding, to a mixed diet or even pure insects afterwards.

The consumption of insects during breeding provides a protein supplement to meet

the requirements of reproduction (Avery 1980). In this study, adult birds were not

captured during breeding and it is possible that their diet was different at that time.

The Northern Grey-headed Sparrows of Rusizi Plain, where rice is plentiful

throughout the year, fed almost exclusively on rice. After the harvest, some rice

spikes are left on the fields and birds may continue to exploit them. Others germinate

in the fallows, providing grains until the following farming season. Moreover, in the

Risizi Plain, some rice is also cultivated after the main growing season so that this

resource is permanently available to the birds.

The diet of the Southern Red Bishop was identical in all study sites, reflecting

their fairly uniform habitat with essentially identical food resources. Their diet also

R. P. Nasasagare et al.

Malimbus 35

consisted of rice, supplemented by seeds of wild grasses. This is similar to the diet of

Red-billed Quelea, except that in the latter species the seeds of wild grasses are more

abundant than those of cereals, even during periods of grain maturity (Yusufu et al

2004). It seems that the quelea’ s diet is strongly influenced by the presence of

Panicum and consumption of cultivated grains occurs during periods where the wild

seeds are not abundant (Erickson 1979). However, the Village Weaver consumes

cultivated seeds all year round, even outside periods of maturation and harvest

(Camara-Smeets & Manikowski 1981), although the damage it causes to crops may be

minimal when the seeds of certain wild plants are available (Adegoke 1983).

The contrast of our study with others, with our birds eating mostly rice, is not sur¬

prising because our field work was carried out near rice fields. This simply confirms

the opportunistic feeding behaviour of sparrows of the genus Passer, as does the fact that

adult Grey-headed Sparrows feed on leftover human food in Bujumbura city (pers. obs.).

During the early nestling period of Northern Grey-headed Sparrow, the diet of the

young was composed mainly of caterpillars, which are a high-energy, easily digestible

food (Pinkowski 1978). On the second day, the range of insects brought by the parents

diversified. The high lipid and especially protein content of insects contributes to the

development of the nestlings while their high water content provides a larger part of

their water requirements too (Morel & Morel 1978). Seeds appeared in the diet later.

Many studies have shown that chicks with a mixed diet are first fed mainly on insects

and then progress gradually to seeds (Ward 1965b, Morel & Morel 1974, Akinpelu

1994, Kharrim et al. 1997, Kharrim et al. 1998, Marques et al. 2003, Akinpelu 2005,

Vincent 2005). However, the detailed pattern differs from one species to another.

House Sparrow nestlings eat mainly insects during the first three days of life while

plant items increase gradually during the following days (Anderson 2006).

The diurnal variations observed in the diet of young sparrows may be related to

the behaviour of the prey, as many insects are active during the coolest moments of

the day, but this might also be due the needs of the nestlings, which might be greater

before and after fasting during the night (Biermann & Sealy 1982).

The predominance of rice in the diet of these birds suggests they may cause

significant damage to the rice crop of the Rusizi Plain. However, Northern Grey¬

headed Sparrows fed their young on large quantities of invertebrates which are pests

in agricultural fields, which may help farmers. Study of the diet of young Southern

Red Bishops would help to verify if they too could be important in the fight against

insect pests. At this point, the balance of the positive and negative effects of these two

bird species on agricultural production is not known.

Acknowledgments

Grateful acknowledgement is expressed to guides who facilitated data collection. This

study was made possible by support from Belgian Technical Cooperation.

2013

Granivore diets in Burundi

9

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Morel, G.J. & Morel, M.-Y. (1978) Eléments de comparaison entre Quelea quelea

(L.) et Passer luteus (Lichtenstein) dans les savanes tropicales de l’Ouest africain.

Cah. ORSTOM Sér. Biol. 13: 347-358.

Pinkqwski, B.C. (1978) Feeding of nestling and fledging Eastern Bluebirds. Wilson

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Sagrario, G.V., Ronald, S.B., Gurr, G.M., Kinross, C., Anantanarayanan, R.

& Helen, L.N. (2007) Arthropod prey of shelterbelt-associated birds: linking faecal

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Sokal, R. & Rohlf, J. (1981) Biometry. 2nd ed., Freeman, New York.

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Ward, P. (1965a) Feeding ecology of the Black-faced Dioch Quelea quelea in

Nigeria. Ibis 107: 173-214.

Ward, P. (1965b) The breeding biology of the Black- faced Dioch Quelea quelea in

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7: 620-622.

2013

11

A new bird survey of the Mount Hombori region, Mali

by Samuel Ehrenbgld

Muehlemattstrasse 17, CH-6004 Luzem, Switzerland,

<samuelebrenbold@gmailcom>

Received 22 Febraary 2011; revised 17 January 2013.

Summary

Mount Hombori, Mali, is an almost inaccessible tableland of c. 2 km2, at the

border between the Sahara desert and the Sahel. It is one of the few remaining

unspoiled zones of primary vegetation of the Sahel, due to the high cliffs

surrounding its summit plateau, which have protected its biota from pasture

and agriculture. A two-month bird survey of the area was conducted in 2009,

and 124 bird species were recorded, of which six are threatened or near-

threatened (five of them raptors), and eight species are restricted to the Sahel

biome, confirming that the site qualifies as an Important Bird Area.

Recognition of this would help to improve protection for Mt Hombori and the

table mountains between Hombori and Douentza.

Résumé

Nouvelle étude de Favifaune de la région des Monts Hombori, au Mali.

Le Mont Hombori Tondo, au Mali, est un plateau presqu’inaccessible de c. 2

km2, à la limite du désert du Sahara et du Sahel II s'agit de Tune des rares

zones de végétation sahélienne primaire demeurée préservée, en raison des

hautes falaises entourant le plateau sommital, qui ont protégé ses biotes du

pâturage et de F agriculture. Pendant deux mois en 2009, Favifaune de la zone

a été étudiée et 124 espèces d’oiseaux ont été observées, dont six sont

menacées ou quasi-menacées (dont cinq rapaces), et huit espèces ne se

rencontrent que dans le biome Sahélien, ce qui confirme que le site mériterait

d’être considéré comme une Zone Importante pour la Conservation des

Oiseaux. Le reconnaître aiderait à améliorer la protection des Mts Hombori et

des montagnes tabulaires entre Hombori et Douentza.

Introduction

Mali has three climatic areas: the north, with < 127 mm of rain per year, is part of the

southern Sahara; the middle latitudes of the country are covered by the Sahel dry

12

S. Ehrenbold

Malimbus 35

savannas, with 200-600 mm of rain per year; the south, with up to c. 1400 mm rain

per year, is in the Sudanian region. In the Sahel and Sudanian zones there are well-

marked wet and dry seasons, with the wet season lasting from June to October.

Hombori is a village of c. 6000 inhabitants in eastern Mali, in the Sahelian zone south

of Timbuktu, at 15°N and 1°W. Average rainfall is therefore assumed to be c. 250-500

mm per year. The region is characterized by the presence of rocky outcrops and

mountains. With an elevation of 1155 m, Mount Hombori is the highest peak in Mali,

rising some 850 m above its surroundings. The vegetation on the near-inaccessible

summit plateau is very diverse, and the mosaic of shrubby and meadow vegetation on

the mid-level plateau (at around 400 m altitude) is also different from the

anthropogenic savanna of the plain below. A lack of thorny species illustrates the

absence of grazing pressure on the summit. Together with the nearby Main de Fatma,

Mt Hombori is visited by increasing numbers of hikers and climbers in recent years.

The climbing season starts in December and lasts until February. A climbing path

equipped with fixed cables was installed on Mt Hombori a few years ago but the way

up to its climbing sites is rather long and climbs are more diverse at Main de Fatma,

which reduces the tourist pressure on Mt Hombori.

In the Hombori region a number of distinct habitats can be found in a small area.

Mt Hombori (Hombori Tondo, Fig. 1A) comprises steep cliffs with many caves and a

summit plateau with an assemblage of different habitats (rock, grassland, temporary

swamps, small wooded areas). At the foot of the cliffs are stony slopes with isolated

trees and bushes (Fig. IB), some dense scrub vegetation and small fields, mainly

along the temporary rivers. Below these slopes lies a dry and stony mid-level plateau

(Fig. 1C), broken by ravines, gorges and rocky passages, and below this (Fig. 2D) are

the lower plains, with dry grassland, isolated trees and small wooded patches,

villages, roads and cultivation. Marshes (Fig. 2E) and temporary lakes (Fig. 2F) and

rivers (Fig. 2G) in flood plains may carry more densely wooded areas (Figs. 2E and

H) and have no settlements. At Hombori Hondo, sand dunes are found with a number

of villages on and at the base of the dunes. Cultivation (Fig. 21) includes millet and

sorghum with interspersed trees and bushes; along dunes (mainly), are found densely

vegetated gardens with a variety of fruit trees, palms and fields.

The main causes of the differences between these habitats are the presence or

absence of water and the intensity of grazing. The lower plains and the mid-level

plateau are grazed intensively by cattle. On the slopes, grazing is less intensive and

mainly by goats, and on the summit plateau grazing is completely absent. Large wild

mammals are rare in the Hombori region nowadays (Thiollay 2006), though Mt

Hombori hosts a small population of Olive Baboons Papio hamadryas. The Rock

Hyrax Procavia capensis is common around and on top of Mt Hombori. African

Elephants Loxodonta africana of the most northerly population may be seen on their

seasonal circular migration. In 2003, 2005 and 2009, fresh traces of a small cat

(Felidae) were observed on the summit plateau and on the massif of Barkoussou (J.

Kissling pers. comm.).

2013

Birds of Hombori, Mali

13

Figure 1. A: Mt Hombori, viewed from Mt Barkoussou, 2 Oct 2009. B: Slopes

below the steep cliffs of Mt Hombori (locality 11: see Fig. 3 and Table 1 for

locality numbers), 15 Oct 2009. C: The stony, dry, mid-level plateau below Mt

Hombori (locality 10), 22 Oct 2009.

Most ornithological research in Mali has taken place in the Niger delta, an

important wintering area for Palaearctic waterbirds. Even compared with the

Bandiagara Cliffs and Dogon Country, c. 200 km southwest of Hombori (Balança &

de Visscher 1993, Spierenburg 2000), the Hombori region has not been studied by

many ornithologists. However, in 2006 and 2007, the massifs between Hombori and

Douentza were surveyed by Clouet et al. (2009). In addition, some other recent

observations have been made but not yet published, including in Hombori and

Agoufou (35 km to the east of Hombori), 2004-6 by L. Kergoat (pers. comm.) and at

14

S. Ehrenbold

Malimbus 35

Hombori, Douentza and Gao (250 km east of Hombori) in 2002 and 2004 by F.

Dowsett-Lemaire and R. J. Dowsett (pers. comm.).

Figure 2. D: Mt Hombori, viewed from the plain (locality 6); in the middle

distance, the former site of the village of Hombori, 2 Oct 2009. E: Temporarily

inundated grassy plain (Fossa Marsh) with isolated trees (locality 4); in the

background the isolated mountain, Main de Fatma (locality 2), 28 Oct 2009. F:

View from temporary lakes in plain north of Hombori (locality 7), towards Mt

Hombori, 7 Nov 2009. G: Temporary river between the mid-level plateau and the

plain, northwest of Mt Hombori (locality 9), 3 Oct 2009. H: Succession of

different habitats in the Hombori region: stony lower plain with isolated trees,

humid grassland around temporary lakes (Fossa Marsh, locality 4), denser

woodland, and sand dunes, 28 Oct 2009. I: Cultivation of crops in the plain

between Mt Hombori and the “big dunes” (Table 1: locality 7), 6 Oct 2009.

2013

Birds of Hombori, Mali

15

The cliffs between Bouentza and Hombori are not protected in any way, but have

been suggested to qualify as an Important Bird Area (IBA: Clouet et al 2009). The

selection of Important Bird Areas (IBAs) has been a particularly effective way of

identifying conservation priorities (Fishpool & Evans 2001). Mali has 17 IBAs

(Fishpool & Evans 2001), ten of which are primarily wetlands. Seven sites qualify under

criterion Al, two qualify under A2 and the remaining sites under A3, four of these for

the Sudan-Guinea Savanna biome, four for the Sahel biome and two for the Sahara-

Sindian biome. The nearest IBA to Hombori is the Bandiagara Cliffs, also a UNESCO

World Heritage Site, which meets the A3 criterion for the Sahel and the Sudan-Guinea

Savanna biome. Due to lack of knowledge of the avifauna of Mali, Fishpool & Evans

(2001) pointed out the need to validate the sites already selected and to identify others.

Methods

During a two-month stay in Hombori (28 September to 4 December 2009), a bird

survey was conducted in the Mt Hombori region. The aim was to add to knowledge of

bird species present in the Hombori region and hence to determine its value and

importance in the region, and to evaluate its potential as an IBA. Additionally,

differences between the top of Mt Hombori and the lowlands are investigated.

The main habitats in the Mt Hombori region, including the summit plateau, were

surveyed for birds in a non-systematic and non-standardised way. During the two

months, 32 days were spent looking for birds at different locations (Fig. 3 and Table

1), but time spent in a given location varied considerably. Observations were mainly

made in the early morning (6h00-9h00) and in the afternoon (15h00-18h00).

Occasionally, observations were made at night.

Birds were identified using Borrow & Demey (2008). Species abundance was

estimated as: Very Abundant (VA) >100 may be seen or heard in suitable habitat per

day; Abundant (A) 11-100 may be seen or heard in suitable habitat per day; Common

(C) = 1-10 may be seen or heard in suitable habitat per day; Frequent (F) = often seen

but not every day; Uncommon (U) = fewer than five records during the observation

period. Breeding evidence was assigned to two categories: p = possible breeding

(based on abundance, behaviour such as presence of pairs, and habitat suitability), and

c = confirmed breeding (mainly based on observations of nests or nesting birds). IBA

biome-restrieted species were assigned to biomes: A02 Sahara- Sindian, A03 Sahel and

A04 Sudan-Guinea Savanna (Fishpool & Evans 2001).

Results

In total, 124 bird species were recorded (Table 2), including three threatened species

and three Near-threatened species: Beaudouin’s Snake Eagle Circaetus beaudouini (VU),

16

S. Ehrenbold

Malimbus 35

White-backed Vulture Gyps africanus (NT), Rüppell’s Vulture Gyps rueppellii (NT),

Hooded Vulture Necrosyrtes monachus (EN), Egyptian Vulture Neophron

percnopterus (EN) and European Roller Coracias garrulus (NT)

(<www.iucnredlist.org>, consulted 1 Nov 2012). Additionally, eight species were

found that are restricted to the Sahel biome A03 (African Collared Dove, Golden

Nightjar, Yellow-breasted Barbet, Black Scrub-Robin, Cricket Warbler, Sennar

Penduline Tit, Chestnut-bellied Starling, Sudan Golden Sparrow), one to biome A02

(Pharaoh Eagle Owl) and one to A04 (Fox Kestrel) (cf. Clouet et al. 2009). No

breeding evidence was obtained for 76 of the observed species (61 %); possible

breeding was assigned to 46 species (37 %) and breeding was confirmed for five

species.

The slopes below Mt Hombori and the neighbouring temporarily dry river beds

were inhabited by several bird species that, within the region of Hombori, seemed to

be confined mainly to this specific habitat: Cliff Chat, Neumannn’s Starling, Speckled

Pigeon and Yellow-breasted Barbet. On the dry and stony mid-level plateau below

this, Rock Bunting and Chestnut-backed Sparrow Lark were common. In the partly

wooded lower plains, regularly observed species included White-throated Bee-Eater,

Little Green Bee-Eater, Namaqua Dove, Abyssinian Roller, Chestnut-bellied Starling,

2013

Birds of Hombori, Mali

17

Table 1. Gazetteer of localities in the Hombori region, Mali.

Figure 4, J: Ascending Mt Barkoussou, c. 1 km west of Mt Hombori (locality 5), 2

Oct 2009. K: Summit plateau of Mt Hombori (locality 13), 30 Sep 2009.

Cricket Warbler, White-billed Buffalo-Weaver and Northern Grey-headed Sparrow.

Some Palaearctic migrants and wintering birds were also present: Hoopoe, Common

Redstart, several wheatear species, Western Olivaceous Warbler, Subalpine Warbler,

Western Bonellfs Warbler, Woodchat Shrike and, at water holes, Black Winged Stilt,

Table 2. Species list. Numbers refer to the localities listed in Table 1; Ab = abundance; Br - breeding evidence; BV

recorded by Balança & de Visdier (1993); C = recorded by Clouet et al (2009).

G. rueppellü Rüpell's Griffon Vulture

G fulvus Eurasian Griffon Vulture

Circus aemginosus Marsh Harrier

Accipiter badius Shikra

Buteo auguralis Red-necked Buzzard

2013

Birds of Hombori, Mali

19

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S. roseogrisea African Collared Dove

S. turtur European Turtle Dove

S. senegalensis Laughing Dove

20

S. Ehrenbold

Malimbus 35

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M. orientalis Little Green Bee-eater

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Coracias abyssiniens Abyssinian Roller

C. garrulus European Roller

2013

Birds of Hombori, Mali

21

Oenanthe oenanthe Northern Wheatear

O. hispanica Black-eared Wheatear

O. isabellina Isabelline Wheatear

Thamnolaea cinnamomeiventris Mocking Cliff-Chat

Monticola solitarius Blue Rock-Thrush

Sylvîidae

Hippolais pallida Olivaceous Warbler

Sylvia borin Garden Warbler

S. communis Common Whitethroat

22

S. Ehrenbold

Malimbus 35

Co co U O O

Corvus albus Pied Crow

C. mficollis Brown-necked Raven

Stureidae

Onychognathus neumanni Neumann’s Starling

Lamprotomis chalybaeus Greater Blue-eared Starling

2013

Birds of Hombori. Mali

23

Number of species _ 13 20 12 24

24

S. Ehrenbold

Malimbus 35

Greenshank, Green Sandpiper and Wood Sandpiper. Short-toed Snake Eagle and

Booted Eagle were regularly seen flying above the plain. Species that occurred

regularly and in quite high numbers in or flying over all habitats were Black Kite, Fox

Kestrel and Laughing Dove.

Discussion

The 124 bird species recorded during the survey represent c. 20 % of all species

observed in Mali. A longer period of observation or a different season would surely

add more species, such as intra-African migrants. Clouet et al. (2009) found 97

species in the Douentza and Elombori region in 2006 and 2007. Of these, 69 species

were recorded in 2009 (this study). Compared to the list of Clouet et al. (2009), this

study provided 55 additional species for the Hombori region, including three biome-

restricted species (Pharaoh Eagle Owl, Golden Nightjar and Sennar Penduline Tit).

Balança & de Visscher (1993) found 127 species during a visit to the Dogon Plateau

(200 km southwest of Hombori) during September-October, including 60 species also

observed at Hombori; thus 64 species observed at Hombori in this study were not seen

by Balança & de Visscher (1993). Forty-one species were observed by Balança & de

Visscher (1993), Clouet et al. (2009) and during this study. Due to the absence of

densely wooded areas, a number of woodland species that occur close to the

southwest ( e.g . Bandiagara cliffs: Balança & de Visscher 1993) are absent from the

Hombori region ( e.g Senegal Parrot Poicephalus senegalus. Western Grey Plantain-

Eater Crinifer piscator , Bearded Barbet Lybius dubius and Scarlet-chested Sunbird

Nectarinia senegalensis).

The presence of six threatened or near-threatened species and ten biome-restricted

species confirm that the site is a candidate IB A, possibly qualifying under criteria A1

(three species listed as EN, whose regular presence merits IBA status, irrespective of

their abundance; three species listed as VU or NT which would need to be regularly

present in significant numbers to qualify as an IBA) and A3 for the Sahel biome (eight

biome-restricted species).

The undisturbed summit and cliffs of Mt Hombori could be an important breeding

and roosting site for several bird species, for vultures, raptors and species of rocky

terrain, especially the Endangered Riippell’s Vulture and Egyptian Vulture, and other

raptors (e.g. Fox Kestrel, Lanner). Together with Hooded Vultures ( c . 20 individuals

around the village of Hombori), Riippelfs Vulture was the most numerous vulture

species (up to 37 individuals recorded in a single flock). The latter species was

presumably breeding on the cliffs, and local people affirmed that it did so. This

species also nests on trees, but cliffs are probably safer. Furthermore, the cliffs attract

Rock Martins, Rock Doves and Little Swifts. The Stone Partridge was more often

seen on the slopes and on the top of the table mountains (including Mt Hombori),

presumably because these are less disturbed than the mid-level plateau and lower

2013

Birds of Hombori, Mali

25

plains. Because there is almost no disturbance by humans on Mt Hombori, birds likely

choose the summit plateau as a resting place. For the House Bunting, the Hombori

Region probably constitutes the southern limit of its breeding range.

The bird diversity of the Hombori region may be due to the region’s habitat

diversity, the presence of temporary rivers, flood plains and ponds, rocky outcrops and

sandy plains. In October-November, a few weeks after the end of the rainy season,

some areas were still flooded and therefore provided food and shelter for different

bird species. Rainfall, vegetation and flooding are supposed to influence overall food

supply in the Sahel, where the density of Palaearctic passerines increased with the

number of trees, probably caused by increasing availability of invertebrate prey (Jones

et al. 1996). Other previously inundated areas were already being grazed by cattle,

and the numbers of waterfowl were low, probably due to the availability of other

wetlands in the area, e.g. the Inner Niger Delta.

The status of West African birds may change quickly with increasing human

population pressure and agriculture, road construction, tourism, hunting and mining

developments. In the Hombori region, there is high pressure on landscape and habitats

near villages and, in more humid areas, from various forms of agriculture, including

the cultivation of millet and sorghum, and livestock grazing. With increasing

population, woodcutting (mainly for cooking) could become a serious threat to

biodiversity. According to local people, hunting or catching of birds is rare and is

therefore not considered a threat to any of the observed bird species at the moment.

Apparently, people formerly collected vulture’s eggs, but they no longer do so. I never

saw any wild birds being sold at the local market. Nevertheless, there is evidence that

the severe decline of vultures and other large birds continues (e.g. Thiollay 2006).

Therefore, the potential breeding sites of Rüppell’s Vulture and other raptor species at

Mt Hombori and its neighbouring cliffs deserve to be protected and to this end,

establishing legal protection, monitoring remaining populations, protecting breeding

colonies and reintroducing wild ungulate herds within protected areas are

recommended by the IUCN ( Gyps rueppellii at <www.iucnredlist.org> consulted 1

Nov 2010). The local population of Riippell’s Vulture should be kept under long-term

surveillance in order to react to further decline of their population. Recognition of the

table mountains from Hombori to Douentza as an IBA would help to improve their

protection while, to complete our knowledge of breeding bird species, further

observation should be conducted, especially during other periods of the year.

Acknowledgments

I very much appreciated the support of local guides, especially Oumar “Déroba”

Meinanga, Hombori; without his support it would not have been possible to find all

those places of special ornithological interest. Thanks to Carole Schaber, Yvan Zeller

and all the others who helped in any way during this work. Valuable assistance and

26

S. Ehrenbold

Malimbus 35

contributions were received from Jonathan Kissling, Mary Crickmore, Laurant

Kergouat and André Wiertz. This survey was part of the Hombori Project, a

multidisciplinary survey of Mt Hombori which started in 2003, with the aim of

contributing to long-term biodiversity monitoring and locally- supported protection of

the Hombori region in Mali. I acknowledge financial support from the Leenaards

Foundation, WWF International and Dr Luc Hoffmann.

References

Balança, G. & de Visscher, M.N. (1993) Notes sur les oiseaux observés sur le

Plateau Dogon au Mali. Malimbus 14: 53-57.

Borrow, N. & Demey, R. (2008) Birds of Western Africa. Helm, London.

Clouet, M., Goar, J.-L. & Bousquet, J.-F. (2009) Note sur Favifaune des massifs

d’ Hombori et Douentza (Mali). Malimbus 31 : 47-54.

FlSHPOOL, L.D.C. & Evans, M.I. (eds) (2001) Important Bird Areas in Africa and

Associated Islands. Pisces, Newbury.

Jones, P. J., Vickery, J., Holt, S. & Cresswell, W. (1996) A preliminary assessment

of some factors influencing the density and distribution of Palaearctic passerine

migrants wintering in the Sahel zone of West Africa. Bird Study 43: 73-84.

Spierenburg, P. (2000) Nouvelles observations de six espèces d’oiseaux au Mali.

Malimbus 22: 23-27.

Thiollay, J.-M. (2006) Severe decline of large birds in the northern Sahel of West

Africa: a long-term assessment. Bird Cons. Internat. 16: 1-13.

2013

27

Observations of birds of the Soyo area, northwest Angola

by C. Stavrou1 & M.S.L. Mills2,3

Andrea Avraamidi 91, Nicosia 2024, Cyprus. <stavrouchris@gmail.com>

2A.P. Leventis Ornithological Research Institute, University of Jos,

PO Box 13404, Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria

3Percy FitzPatrick Institute of African Ornithology, DST/NRF Centre of Excellence,

University of Cape Town, Private Bag X3, Rondebosch 7701, South Africa

Received 22 February 2012; revised 28 January 2013.

Summary

The birds of the Soyo area, in extreme northwest Angola on the southern bank

of the Congo River, are relatively poorly known. Here we report observations

of 107 species made from November 2009 to May 2010. Among these are 36

species new to the area, bringing the known total to 156. Of particular interest

are the wet season observations (January-April), a period during which few

previous records have been made.

Resumo

As aves da regiâo de Soyo, no canto noroeste de Angola na margem sul do

Rio Congo, sao relativamente pouco conhecidas. Aqui apresentamos novas

observaçôes de 107 espécies feitas entre Novembre 2009 e Maio 2010. Entre

estas contam-se 36 espécies novas para a regiâo, aumentando a lista de

espécies para 156. As observaçôes realizadas na estaçâo das chuvas (Janeiro-

Abril) sâo particularmente intéressantes, por este ser um periodo corn muito

poucos registos até hoje.

Introduction

The birds of Soyo, Zaïre Province, northwest Angola (6°8'S, 12°22'E), situated on the

southern bank of the Congo River, are poorly known (Dean 2000). Prior to the 2006

surveys of Dean & Le Maitre (2008), only 25 species had been collected in the area.

Dean & Le Maitre (2008) reported 110 species, which, with ten species previously

collected but not found during their surveys, brought the total species list for the Soyo

area to 120. The vegetation of the Soyo area was described by Dean & Le Maitre (2008).

From November 2009 to May 2010, CS made numerous visits to Soyo, to work

on the construction of the Angola Liquid Natural Gas (ALNG) pipeline. He made bird

28

C. Stavrou & M.S.L. Mills

Malimbus 35

observations as his work schedule allowed, generally along the route of the pipeline

and in areas nearby. These include wet-season observations (Jan-Apr), a period

during which no previous observations had been made at Soyo but when many species

of Ploceidae are in breeding plumage. Dated observations for each species are given,

though where there are several observations per month, just the month may be

mentioned.

Study area

CS visited various habitats along the pipeline, from Sereia beach to Cadal Channel

and into Kwanda base, areas around the “accommodation camp” (hereafter “Camp”)

and the road leading to it, areas around the Pangui creek, the dirt road to Sereia beach,

the coastal dirt track from Sereia beach south to “PC2” camp and areas in Soyo town

(Fig. 1). The range of habitats surveyed includes the coastal savannas of Sereia beach

(Fig. 2 A), mixed cultivated fields (mainly of Cassava Manihot esculenta and

Groundnuts Arachis hypogea ) and wooded land south of the Pangui creek, palm

savannah and thickets south of “Road Crossing” (Fig. 2B), with diggings and pools

(Fig. 2C), extensive mangrove habitat adjacent to the various creeks (Fig. 2D), tidal

pools (Fig. 2E) and a small swamp close to PC2. Dominant trees in surveyed areas

were Baobab Adansonia digitata. Monkey Apple Strychnos henningsii and Ilala Fan

Palm Hyphaene guineensis.

Sereia beach

Figure 1. The study area indicating most of the sites mentioned in the text. Inset

shows location of this area (black rectangle) near the mouth of the Congo River.

2013

Birds of Soyo, Angola

29

Figure 2. A: coastal savanna at Sereia Beach, 8 Nov 2009. B: Black-bellied

Bustard Eupodotis melanogaster at Road Crossing, 13 Feb 2010, C: Little Egret

Egretta garzetta and Woolly-necked Stork Ciconia episcopus in pools created

along the pipeline route, 2 Feb 2010, D: mangrove creeks on the banks of the

Congo, northeast of Soyo, 27 Jan 2010. E: Hamer kop Scopus umhreita in tidal

flood pools close to Camp, 13 Feb 2010.

30

C. Stavrou & M.S.L. Mills

Malimbus 35

Results

We report a total of 107 species. The 36 species not recorded previously in the area

are marked with an asterisk: many of them were predicted to occur in the area by

Dean & Le Maitre (2008). These 36 bring the total known for the Soyo area to 156.

Phalacrocoracidae

Phalacrocorax africanus Reed Cormorant. Four records of single birds flying over the

main road or perched in mangroves, 15 Feb, 3 and 6 Mar.

Scopidae

Scopus umbretta Hamerkop. Singles and pairs seen on most days in mangrove

clearings at Road Crossing and behind Camp. Nov-May.

Ardeidae

Ardea goliath Goliath Heron. Five records of single birds flying over Camp and PC2.

20 Nov, 4 and 6 Dec, Mar.

A. purpurea Purple Heron. Four records of single birds in mangrove swamps behind

Camp, Dec, Feb.

A. melanocephala Black-headed Heron. Pairs seen on three occasions, either perched

on trees next to the road to Sereia beach or at the canal close to Sereia beach. Up to 1 3

regularly counted at Pangui creek. Fifteen birds counted around the swamp close to

PC2. Feb-May.

Bubulcus ibis Cattle Egret. Seen regularly in groups of up to 30 at Soyo town rubbish

piles, perched on trees along the road to Sereia and in cultivated fields close to Sereia

beach, Feb-May.

Egretta garzetta Little Egret. One at Road Crossing, 2 Feb.

*E. intermedia Yellow-billed Egret. One behind Kinwica Hotel, Feb; another at Road

Crossing, 5 Mar.

E. alba Great White Egret. Two records of single birds at Road Crossing, Feb, Mar;

one flying over Rwanda base, 25 May.

*E. ardesiaca Black Heron. One seen in mangrove swamps behind Camp, 18 Dec.

Threskiornithidae

Threskiornis aethiopicus Sacred Ibis. One bird seen on a palm tree close to Kinwika

hotel, 14 Feb; two in a palm tree at Rwanda Base, 27 Apr; two flying around the

swamp at PC2, 22 May.

Bostrychia hagedash Hadada. Two in the mangrove clearing behind Camp, 21 Dec.

Ciconiidae

Ciconia epis copus Woolly-necked Stork. Frequently seen on mud flats around Camp

and at Road Crossing, and soaring overhead. Usually in pairs, largest group 9 birds, 4

Nov-May.

*C. abdimii Adbim’s Stork. One bird in cultivated fields, 2 May; 1 1 in a clearing next

to Pangui creek, 8 May; two at Road Crossing, 13 May. All probably on northwards

passage.

2013

Birds of Soyo, Angola

31

Accipitridae

Miivus migrans Yellow-billed Kite. Seen on most days. More than ten together with a

flock of 20 Broad-billed Rollers observed catching insects over the rubbish dump and

c. 15 observed over the clearing at Bangui creek. Nov-May.

Elanus caemleus Black-shouldered Kite. One adult seen close to Camp, 19 May.

Pandion haliaetus Osprey. Six records of single birds and one of two birds, flying

along the coastline or perched in mangroves, Nov-May.

Haliaeetus vocifer African Fish Eagle. One seen perched over water next to the road

to Sereia beach, 2 May.

Gypohierax angolensis Palm-nut Vulture. Seen every day; both adults and juveniles,

Nov-May.

*Terathopius ecaudatus Bateleur. One seen in flight, 9 Dec.

Polyboroides typus Harrier Hawk. Six records of birds in flight close to Bangui creek

and Sereia beach, 28 Dec, Feb-Mar.

Buteo auguraiis Red-necked Buzzard. Six records of single birds, 11 Nov, Feb, 2 and

25 May.

Falconidae

Falco ardosiaceus Grey Kestrel. A pair seen regularly at Sereia beach, plus five

records of single birds, perched on palm trees close to Bangui creek, at Road Crossing

or at Camp, 17 Dec, Feb-May.

*F. cuvierii African Hobby. A single bird perched on a baobab tree close to Sereia

beach, 29 Feb.

Mumididae

*Numida meleagris Helmeted Guineafowl. A flock of c. 15 seen flying through

thickets next to the main road to Luanda c. 17 km south of Soyo, 24 May.

Phasianidae

*Pternistis afer Red-necked Spurfowl. A pair in Cassava cultivation next to the road

to Camp, 14 May.

Rallidae

*Crex egregia African Crake. One bathing in a shallow puddle dose to Sereia beach, 16 Feb.

*Amaurornis flavirostra Black Crake. Three and two birds seen in a swamp close to

PC2, 28 Apr, 22 May.

Otidldae

*Eupodotis melanogaster Black-bellied Bustard. Five records of single birds walking

in tall grass next to the dirt road leading to Camp, 2 and 13 Feb, 9 Mar, May.

Jacanidae

Actophilornis africanus African Jacana. Four and two birds seen in a swamp close to

PC2, 28 Apr, 22 May.

Burfainidae

Burhinus vermiculatus Water Thick-knee. Seen regularly. Three in a clearing in

mangroves at Road Crossing. Heard in the evening at Bangui creek and up to nine

birds flushed out of mangroves there. Feb-May.

32

C. Stavrou & M.S.L. Mills

Malimbus 35

Scolopacidae

Tringa glareola Common Sandpiper. Seven records of single birds, Dec-Mar.

Laridae

Sterna maxima Royal Tern. Four seen in flight at Deep Water Channel. Nov.

Columbidae

Streptopelia semitorquata Red-eyed Dove. Recorded daily, 1 5 Dec-May.

S. capicola Cape Turtle Dove. Two seen in a Baobab on the coastal road, 26 May.

*Turtur afer Blue-spotted Wood-Dove. Several seen in Mar. Turtur spp. were seen

and heard daily but the two species were difficult to distinguish.

T. chalcospilos Emerald-spotted Wood-Dove. One perched close to Pangui creek, 1 1 May.

*Oena capensis Namaqua Dove. Two males seen along the dirt road leading to Camp,

17 and 23 Mar.

Cuculidae

Chrysococcyx caprius Diedrick Cuckoo. One male seen, 26 Feb.

Centropus senegalensis Senegal Coucal. A pair and a single bird seen along the

coastal road to Sereia beach, and another bird seen regularly in thickets close to

Pangui creek, 3 1 Jan to 9 May.

C. superciliosus White-browed Coucal. Seen and heard regularly on the road to Sereia

beach and at Pangui creek, mostly single birds, 28 Jan-May.

Strigidae

*Bubo africanus Spotted Eagle-Owl. One seen in daylight in mangrove swamps, 20

Dec; one at night on the road to Camp, 2 Feb; two at night perched on pipes along the

pipeline clearing close to Pangui creek, 3 Mar; one found dead, 4 Mar.

Caprimulgidae

Caprimulgus fossii Square-tailed Nightjar. One found dead on the front bumper of a

vehicle, 2 Feb.

Apodidae

Cypsiurus parvus African Palm Swift. Seen daily around a palm tree in Camp, Nov-

May.

Apus affinis Little Swift. A single and two birds seen close to PC2, 22 Mar, 22 May.

Coliidae

Colius castanotus Red-backed Mousebird. Seen daily, usually in pairs, but up to 14

observed together, 1 1 Nov to 9 May.

*Urocolius indiens Red-faced Mousebird. Five seen near Pangui creek, 26 Feb.

Alcedinidae

Halcyon senegalensis Woodland Kingfisher. Seen and heard regularly, Nov-May.

H. chelicuti Striped Kingfisher. A pair seen on a palm tree at Sereia beach and two

single birds at Pangui creek, Feb and 25 May.

Ceyx pictus African Pygmy Kingfisher. Single birds seen frequently, Dec-May. One

seen entering its nest burrow with food in Dec.

Ceryle rudis Pied Kingfisher. One seen at a creek close to Kifouma village south of

Soyo, 24 May.

2013

Birds of Soyo, Angola

33

Meropidae

Merops pusillus Little Bee-eater. Singles and pairs seen regularly at Sereia beach and

close to Bangui creek, Feb-May.

M. hullockoides White-fronted Bee-eater. A pair seen perched on a low branch next to

the road to Sereia beach, 6 Feb; c. 30 around nest holes in an earth quarry 15 km south

of Soyo, 24 May; a flock of c. 50 around nest holes in an earth quarry 5 km from

Soyo, 27 May.

*M apiaster European Bee-eater. Pairs or small groups seen regularly, Mov-Mar.

More than 30 flying north, 9 Mar.

Coraciidae

Eurystomus glaucurus Broad-billed Roller. Single birds or pairs seen almost every

day, 20 Nov-May, A large group of c. 20, together with >10 Yellow-billed Kites,

seen hawking insects over the rubbish dump.

Upupidae

*Upupa epops Hoopoe. Single birds seen close to Pangui creek, 25 Dec, 12 and 24

May.

Bucerotidae

Tockus fasciatus African Pied Hombill. Three sightings; two pairs and four birds 15

km south of Soyo, 28 Dec, 16 Feb, 24 May.

Capitonidae

Pogoniulus bilineatus Yellow-ramped Tinkerbird. One seen 15 km south of Soyo, 24

May.

*Lybius minor Black-backed Barbet Two seen 15 km south of Soyo, 24 May.

Picidae

*Campethera cailliautii Green-backed Woodpecker. A pair in trees close to Sereia

beach, 22 Feb.

AlaudMae

*Mirofra mfocinnamomea Flappet Lark. Birds seen in display flights over open

savanna at Camp, Nov.

Hirundinidae

*Riparia riparia Sand Martin. Three records of single birds, and a pair seen around a

sand bank. 15 Dec, 5, 10 and 17 Mar.

*Psalidoprocne pristoptera Black Saw-wing. Four flying overhead close to Sereia

beach, 16 Feb; two seen 15 km south of Soyo, 24 May.

Hirundo abyssinica Lesser Striped Swallow. Frequently seen in May; also c. 20 seen

along the coast, 25 Feb; six close to Pangui creek, 10 Mar.

H. semirufa Red-breasted Swallow. Two seen close to Sereia beach, 14 Feb.

H. mfigula Red-throated Cliff-Swallow. Several seen on two occasions flying around

and entering a burnt down oil storage tank next to PC2, and c. 50 seen flying over a

bush fire, 25 Feb, 22 and 24 May.

Motacillidae

Anthus pallidiventris Long-legged Pipit. Seen every day, usually in pairs, Nov-May.

34

C. Stavrou & M.S.L. Mills

Malimbus 35

Campephagidae

*Campephaga quiscalina Purple-throated Cuckooshrike. Two females and one male

seen close to Road Crossing, 28 May. Identification was based on the plumage of the

females, but the birds were in rather atypical habitat. Petit’s Cuckooshrike C. petiti

occurs on the north bank of the river Congo (Dean & Le Maitre 2008).

Pycnonotidae

Pycnonotus tricolor Dark-capped Bulbul. Seen every day, usually in pairs, Nov-May.

Turdidae

*Cossypha heuglini White-browed Robin-Chat One seen at the swamp close to PC2, 22 May.

Cichladusa ruficauda Rufous-tailed Palm-Thrush. Seen daily in cultivated land,

around palm trees and in roadside thickets, Nov-May.

Sylviidae

Cisticola bulliens Bubbling Cisticola. Seen every day, Nov-Mar, frequently in tall

grass around Camp, at the edge of mangroves and in palm savanna. Sang most in

Nov-Dec.

C. aridulus Desert Cisticola. Seen every day around Camp, Nov-Mar.

*C. juncidis Zitting Cisticola. One seen in display flight adjacent to the main road to

Camp, 29 Apr.

Camaroptera brevicaudata Grey-backed Camaroptera. Single birds seen on three

occasions in thickets close to Pangui creek, 9, 1 0 and 20 May.

Platysteiridae

*Batis minulla Angola Batis. A pair seen twice in thickets close to Pangui creek, 8

and 12 May.

Platysteira albifrons White-fronted Wattle-eye. One female seen in thickets close to

Pangui creek, 1 1 May; a pair at the same spot the following day.

Paridae

Parus leucomelas White-winged Black Tit. One seen in mangroves at Pangui creek, 7 Mar.

Nectariniidae

Chalcomitra fuliginosa Carmelite Sunbird. A pair seen feeding on flowers in thickets

close to Road Crossing, 12 Mar; single females seen on several occasions, May.

Cyanomitra verticals Green-headed Sunbird. A pair seen twice in thickets close to

Pangui creek, 9 and 1 1 May.

Cinnyris bifasciatus Purple-banded Sunbird. Seen every day, with up to nine in one

day, Nov-May.

Malaconotidae

*Tchagra australis Brown-crowned Tchagra. Two seen in trees close to Camp, 4

Nov; three in cultivated fields with scattered trees close to Sereia beach, 22 Feb.

*T. senegalus Black-crowned Tchagra. One seen in open grassland close to Pangui

creek, 18 Nov.

Laniarius bicolor Swamp Boubou. One seen in mangrove thickets close to Camp, two

mating in mangroves at Pangui creek and birds were often seen in thickets close to

Pangui creek, 2 Mar-May.

2013

Birds of Soyo, Angola

35

Malaconotus sulfureopectus Orange-breasted Bush-shrike. Single birds seen in

thickets close to Bangui creek, 9 and 1 1 May.

Corvidae

Corvus albus Pied Crow. Seen daily, Nov-May. A pair nested on the communications

tower at Camp in Nov. At least 70 seen soaring close to Soyo town, 6 Mar.

Stureidae

Lamprotornis nitens Cape Glossy Starling. Seen every day, Nov-May. A pair nested

in a pole at Camp, Dec.

*Cinnyricinclus leucogaster Violet-backed Starling. A male seen perched close to

Road Crossing, 27 May.

Passeridae

Passer griseus Northern Grey-headed Sparrow. Seen daily at Camp where a pair

nested, and frequently seen throughout the study area, Nov-May.

Ploceidae

Ploceus ocularis Spectacled Weaver. Birds were seen going into nests hanging off

palm leaves next to Pangui creek, with five nests in use along a short length of the

creek, 17 Dec-May.

P. cuculiatus Village Weaver. Two colonies (subspecies nigriceps ) found in Baobab trees:

one on the road to Sereia beach, 14 Feb; the other c. 2 km inland from Sereia, 19 Mar.

P. superciliosus Compact Weaver. One seen on tall grass close to Pangui creek, 17 Dec.

P. nigricollis Black-necked Weaver. A male seen in thickets close to Pangui creek, 13

May.

*Quelea erythrops Red-headed Quelea. About 20 seen in a mixed flock with Bronze

Mannikins, in tall grass dose to Pangui creek, 16 Mar.

*Q. quelea Red-billed Quelea. One large flock seen with males of both red and white

morphs, 1 8 Mar; another group of eight birds, 23 May.

*Euplectes afer Yellow-crowned Bishop. One male in breeding plumage on the

coastal road to PC2, 28 Apr.

*E. hordeaceus Black-winged Bishop. Two records of single males: one close to

Sereia beach, 2 Feb; the other on the main dirt road to Camp, 1 1 Mar.

*E. aureus Golden-Backed Bishop. Two records of single males: one close to Sereia

beach, 22 Feb; the other behind Kinwika hotel, 18 Mar.

*E. macrourus Yellow-mantled Widowbird. Seen frequently throughout the study

area, 21 Dec-May.

*E. alhonotatus White-winged Widowbird. Single birds and small groups of the long¬

tailed Angolan subspecies asymmeîrurus seen frequently in tall grass, 5 Feb-Mar.

Estrildidae

Lonchura cucullata Bronze Mannikin. Commonly seen in large parties with young, or

in mixed flocks with other estrildids in grasslands, cultivated fields and at the edge

woodland, Nov-May.

Uraeginthus angolensis Blue Waxbill. Commonly seen on dirt roads or in grasslands

and woodland edges, Nov-May.

36

C. Stavrou & M.S.L. Mills

Malimbus 35

Estrilda perreini Grey Waxbill. A pair seen in thickets close to Pangui creek, 13 May.

E. melpoda Orange-cheeked Waxbill. Two records of a single bird in a mixed flock,

10 and 17 Mar; 10+ seen in a mixed flock close to Camp, 1 1 May.

E. astrild Common Waxbill. One seen outside Camp, 19 Dec; a pair observed close to

PC2, 25 Feb; one bird in mangroves at Pangui creek, 8 Mar; a flock of c. 10 at Camp,

21 Mar.

Viduidae

Vidua macroura Pin-tailed Whydah. Seen frequently throughout the study area, 17

Dec-May; a flock of c. 20 male and female birds was seen close to Pangui creek, with

some males displaying.

Fringillidae

*Serinus mozambicus Yellow-fronted Canary. A pair feeding in tall grass next to the

main road to Camp, 7 Mar.

S. capistratus Black-faced Canary. Three seen on tall grass close to PC2, 22 May.

Emberizidae

Emberiza tahapisi Cinnamon-breasted Bunting. Commonly seen, 4 Nov-Mar.

Acknowledgments

CS would like to thank Spiecapag and Oceaneering for giving him the opportunity to

travel to the area, and his colleagues, John Walker and Mick Pearson, for their

patience. Martim Melo kindly translated the summary to Portuguese. Referee

comments from Richard Dean and Bob Dowsett greatly helped to improve the

manuscript.

References

Dean, W.R.J. (2000) The Birds of Angola. Checklist 18, British Ornithologist’s

Union, Tring.

Dean, W.R.J. & Le Maître, D.C. (2008) The birds of the Soyo area, northwest

Angola. Malimbus 30: 1-18.

2013

37

A preliminary investigation into the avian pollinators of

three tree species in a Nigerian montane forest

by Charles Nsor1 & Hazel M. Chapman2

School of Biological Sciences, Gombe State University, Nigeria

Correspondence: University of Canterbury, School of Biological Sciences, PB 4800,

Christchurch, New Zealand. <hazelchapman@canterbury.ac.nz>

Received 9 June 2011; revised 20 August 2012.

Summary

Pollination mutualisms are essential for tropical forests, but are threatened by

forest fragmentation and degradation, which can lead to decline and loss of

pollinator species. We studied the avian pollinators of three West African

montane forest tree species, Anthonotha noldeae (dependent on birds for

pollination), Anthocleista vogelii and Croton macrostachyus (with flowers

characteristic of moth and insect pollination respectively). At 15 individuals

of each tree species, we recorded bird visits and identified visitors as

Pollinators, Secondary Pollinators and Robbers. In total, 25 bird species

visited at least one of the three tree species, and eight visited all three. The

Northern Double-collared Sunbird Cinnyris reichenowi and Orange-tufted

Sunbird C. bouvieri pollinated all three tree species. The Variable Sunbird C.

venustus pollinated only A. vogelii and A. noldeae. The Village Weaver

Ploceus cucullatus occasionally pollinated A. vogelii. Nineteen bird species

were considered Secondary Pollinators, while three were Robbers only. The

Village Weaver behaved sometimes as a Pollinator, sometimes as a Secondary

Pollinator and sometimes as a Robber. The frequency of bird visitation was

higher on A. noldeae than on A. vogelii or C. macrostachyus. Four species of

sunbird are crucial for the pollination of A. noldeae but the possibility exists

for its pollination by Secondary Pollinators should sunbirds decline. Despite

having flowers characteristic of insect pollination, both A. vogelii and C.

macrostachyus are pollinated by sunbirds and perhaps the Village Weaver.

Résumé

Une enquête préliminaire parmi les oiseaux pollinisateurs de trois espèces

d’arbres dans une forêt de montagne du Nîgéria, Les mutualismes de

pollinisation sont essentiels pour les forêts tropicales mais ils sont menacés

par la fragmentation et la dégradation des forêts, qui peut conduire au déclin

38

C. Nsor & H.M. Chapman

Malimbus 35

et à la disparition d’espèces pollinisatrices. Nous avons étudié les oiseaux

pollinisateurs de trois espèces d’arbres de forêts de montagne d’Afrique de

l’Ouest, Anthonotha noldeae (qui dépend des oiseaux pour sa pollinisation),

Anthocleista vogelii et Croton macrostachyus (aux fleurs caractéristiques

d’une pollinisation par, respectivement, papillons de nuit et insectes). Pour 15

individus de chaque espèce d’arbre, nous avons enregistré les visites d’oiseaux

et identifié les visiteurs Pollinisateurs, les Pollinisateurs Secondaires et les

Voleurs. Au total, 25 espèces d’oiseaux ont visité au moins une des trois

espèces d’arbres et huit ont visité toutes les trois. Le Souimanga de Preuss

Cinnirys reichenowi et le Souimanga de Bouvier C. houvieri ont pollinisé

toutes les trois espèces d’arbres. Le Souimanga à ventre jaune C. venustus a

pollinisé seulement A. vogelii et A. noldeae. Le Tisserin gendarme Ploceus

cucullatus a pollinisé occasionnellement A. vogelii. Dix-neuf espèces d’oiseaux

ont été considérées comme des Pollinisateurs Secondaires, tandis que trois

l’ont été seulement comme Voleurs. Le Tisserin gendarme s’est parfois

comporté comme un Pollinisateur, parfois comme un Pollinisateur Secondaire

et parfois comme un Voleur. La fréquence des visites d’oiseaux a été plus

élevée sur A. noldeae que sur A. vogelii ou C. macrostachyus. Quatre espèces

de souimangas sont cruciales pour la pollinisation de A. noldeae mais la

possibilité existe de sa pollinisation par des Pollinisateurs Secondaires en cas

de raréfaction des souimangas. Malgré leurs fleurs caractéristiques de la

pollinisation par insectes, A. vogelii et C. macrostachyus sont tous les deux

pollinisés par des souimangas et peut-être par le Tisserin gendarme.

Introduction

Sodhi et al. (2004) highlighted the vulnerability of tropical forest avifaunas to habitat

fragmentation and degradation. They lamented the lack of knowledge about tropical avian

ecology and stressed its importance for effective forest management. For example, loss

of plant-pollinator mutualisms can lead to reduced ecosystem function, extinctions

and trophic cascades. The more specialised the mutualism, the more vulnerable it is to

disruption through anthropogenic change (Bond 1994, Kearns et al. 1998, Sodhi et al.

2004, Aguilar et al. 2006, Anderson et al. 2011, Sekercioglu 2011). Floral morpho¬

logy is not necessarily a good predictor of pollinator specificity (Waser et al. 1996,

Ollerton, 1998, Fumero-Cabân et al. 2007) and careful observation and even experimen¬

tation may be necessary to comprehend the nature of mutualisms fully. While nectar¬

feeding insects have been well studied, this is not the case for passerine birds and we

lack data on their function as cross-pollinators ( Allen- Wardell et al. 1998).

The aim of this paper is to begin to address the gaps in knowledge identified

above for the montane forests of eastern Nigeria. Situated along the Cameroon border,

these forests belong to the Cameroon Highlands Forest Ecoregion (WWF Global 2000

2013

Avian pollinators of Nigerian forest trees

39

classification). The area belongs within the “West African Forests” biodiversity

hotspot (Myers et al 2000) which has exceptionally high levels of endemism across

all taxa, and is therefore designated a global conservation priority (Fishpool & Evans

2001). The montane forests are threatened by increasing human population pressure

and lack of effective conservation (Beck & Chapman 2008, Chapman et al 2004,

Cheek et al 2000, Ezealor 2002, Maisels et al 2001). While the avian diversity of

this area has been well studied, avian ecology and pollination mutualisms have

received little attention.

Most Afromontane forest tree species have small, often inconspicuous, flowers

indicative of pollination by non-specialized insect pollinators (Dowsett-Lemaire 1989).

However in the Ngel Nyaki forest, Nigeria, nectarivorous sunbirds (Nectariniidae) and

passerines such as the Common Bulbul Pycnonotus barbatus, flycatchers (Muscicapidae),

white-eyes (Zosteropidae) and weavers (Ploceidae) are common, and all of these taxa

have been recorded visiting a wide range of tree species (Ihuma 2006).

Here we ask which bird species visit the flowers of Nigerian Afromontane tree

species, to what extent each of them acts as a pollinator or nectar robber, and whether

bird species preferentially visit flowers with bird pollination syndromes (Fægri & van

derPijl 1979).

Methods

The research was conducted in and around the 46 km2 Ngel Nyaki Forest Reserve

(7°30T1, 1 1°30'E), located on the Mambilla Plateau in Taraba State, Nigeria (Fig. 1)

at an elevation of approximately 1550 m a.s.l. (Chapman & Chapman 2001). The

reserve comprises c. 7.2 km2 of escarpment forest as well as associated riparian forest

along streams. The Reserve is an Important Bird Area (Ezealor 2002).

Three trees species were chosen for this study: Anthonotha noldeae

(Leguminosae), Anthocleista vogelii (Gentianaceae) and Croton macrostachyus

(Euphorbiaceae). These species were chosen because they were common in Ngel

Nyaki forest and were in flower at the time of this study. A voucher specimen of each

species has been deposited at the Nigerian Montane Forest Project Herbarium located

in the Project field station, on Mambilla Plateau. A. vogelii flowers have traits

consistent with adaptation for bird pollination (flowers c. 3 cm long, 1.5 cm diameter

at the top, which do not open significantly) while A. noldeae (flowers c. 2 cm

diameter) and C. macrostachyus flowers have typical insect pollination syndromes

(Fig. 2). The flowers of C. macrostachyus are small and clustered in spikes; for this

species, bird visits to inflorescences were counted, not visits to individual flowers, and

hereafter a “flower” of C. macrostachyus is taken to mean an inflorescence.

For each of the three tree species, 15 individual trees were monitored along forest

edge and riparian forest habitat. Individual trees ranged from 450 m to 1 km distant

were monitored between 6h30 and 9h30, and 15h3Q and 17h30, which represented

40

C. Nsor & H.M. Chapman

Malimbus 35

periods of peak visitation (CN pers. obs.). Individual trees were observed for periods

of 20 min., at comparable stages of flowering. Birds were observed through 8 x 50

binoculars, at sufficient distance from the tree to avoid deterring them. We monitored

15 individuals of each of A. vogelii and C. macrostachyus for 6 h (making a total of

90 h per species) and 15 individuals of A. noldeae for 14.6 h (total 219 h for the species).

Observations took place during May-Jun (A. vogelii and C. machrostachyus ) and

Oct-Nov (A. noldeae) 2008. This disparity in time of assessment and observation

hours was due to the difference in flowering phenology among the three species. For

each avian visitor, time of arrival on the flower, time of departure, number of flowers

visited, other plant parts visited and overall bird behaviour, including nectar robbing,

were recorded, from each other. The avian visitors to each of the 15 focal trees of

each of the three species.

Figure 1. Map showing the position of Ngel Nyaki Forest Reserve on the

Mambilla Plateau, Nigeria, and in relation to the Cameroon Volcanic Line,

2013

Avian pollinators of Nigerian forest trees

41

Fig. 2. Flowers of the three focal tree species. A Anihocleista vogelii ; B

Anthonotha noldeae ; C Croton macrostachyus.

Avian visitors were categorized based on frequency of visitation and whether or not

they used the flowers in a manner that would be likely to facilitate pollen transfer: a

“Pollinator” was a frequent visitor which made contact with the flower in such a way that

pollination could be effected, (the visitor’s bill and bristles reach into the flower so as to

pass both the top of the pistil and the anthers); a “Secondary Pollinator” ( sensu Stein 2011)

was a visitor that made contact with flowers in a manner unlikely but possibly to result in

pollen transfer ( e.g . only brief contact with the flower, or eating pollen) and a “Robber”

was a bird that treated the flower in such a way as not to pollinate it, e.g. piercing the base

of the flower or using existing perforations to extract nectar (Coetzee & Giliomee 1985,

Fumero-Cabân et al. 2007). For each focal tree observed, the visitation rate by each bird

species was calculated as the number of visits/plant/h after the method of Anderson (2003).

Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to test focal observation data. The data

were normally distributed and differences in bird visitation rate to each tree species

were analysed using the Student’s t-test for equality of means. The statistical program

SAS was used for all analyses.

Results

In total, 25 bird species from ten families visited at least one of the three focal tree

species and eight of these (four families) visited all three tree species (Table 1). Of the

five species of visitors classified as Pollinators of at least one of the three tree species,

four were sunbirds (Nectariniidae) and the other was the Village Weaver P. cucullatus

(Table 1). Secondary Pollinators were more diverse, with 19 species recorded from eight

families (Table 1). Of the four Robber species, three were weavers (Ploceidae) while

the other was the Speckled Mousebird Colius striatus. The Village Weaver behaved

variably, as a Pollinator, Secondary Pollinator or Robber, depending on tree species

visited (Table 1). Similarly, the Green-headed Sunbird C. verticalis acted as a Secondary

Pollinator on A. vogelii and C. macrostachyus but as a Pollinator on A. noldeae.

42

C. Nsor & H.M. Chapman

Malimbus 35

Table 1. The pollinator status of bird species observed on the focal tree species:

P = Pollinator; SP = Secondary Pollinator; R = Robber (see text).

Anthocleista Croton Anthonotha

vogelii macrostachyus noldeae

Coliidae

Estrildidae

Estrilda nonnula Black-crowned Waxbill SP

Two species, the Northern Double-collared Sunbird C. reichenowi and the

Orange-tufted Sunbird C. bouvieri, were Pollinators of all three tree species but were

most active on A. noldeae. For example we recorded 536 visits from Northern

2013

Avian pollinators of Nigerian forest trees

43

Double-collared Sunbirds to A. noldeae but only 34 and five visits respectively to A.

vogelii and C macrostachyus, while Orange-tufted Sunbirds made 185 visits to A.

noldeae, 200 to A. vogelii and only 59 to C. macrostachyus. These two sunbird

species and the Variable Sunbird C. venus tus together accounted for the majority of

all bird visits to A. noldeae (94 %) and 50 % of those to A. vogelii. Only two sunbird

species, Northern Double-collared Sunbird and Orange-tufted Sunbird, were

Pollinators of C. macrostachyus and together accounted for 49 % of visits to this

species (Table 2). Other common visitors to A. vogelii and C. macrostachyus were the

Village Weaver (27 % and 14 % respectively) and Common Bulbul Pycnonotus

barbatus ( 1 1 and 20 %).

The bird visitation rate (mean number of visits/tree/h by all species) to A. noldeae

was significantly higher (4.74 ± 2.36 visits/tree/h) than to A. vogelii (2.21 ± 1.32

visits/tree/h; t12 = 1.006, P = 0.045) or to C. macrostachyus (0.54 ± 0.37 visits/tree/h;

t12= 1.166, P< 0.006).

A. noldeae was visited by 12 bird species of which four were Pollinators (Table

1). The most frequent visitor was the Northern Double-collared Sunbird, which

accounted for 51 % of all visits, while the Variable Sunbird and Orange-tufted

Sunbird accounted for 25 % and 18 %, respectively (Table 2).

A. vogelii was visited by 23 of the 25 bird species recorded during this study but

its Pollinators were limited to the three Cinnyris species, of which Orange-tufted

Sunbird was the most active (responsible for 41 % of all visits), plus occasional visits

by the Village Weaver (Tables 1 and 2). Secondary Pollinators of A. vogelii included

the Variable Sunbird (8 % of all visits) and Pygmy Sunbird Anthodiaeta platura

(5 %), Village Weaver (27 %) and Common Bulbul (1 1 %). In addition, Robbers were

common on A. vogelii, such that almost every flower examined had a hole pierced

through the bottom of the floral tube. Robbers included Bannerman’s Weaver Ploceus

bannermani, Baglaflecht Weaver P. baglafecht, Speckled Mousebird and sometimes

Village Weaver (Table 1).

Sixteen bird species were recorded visiting C. macrostachyus (Table 1). As with

A. vogelii, the Orange-tufted Sunbird was the most frequent visitor (47 % of all visits),

followed by Common Bulbul (20 %) (Tables 1 and 2). Robbers included Bannerman’s

Weaver, Village Weaver and Speckled Mousebird (Table 1).

There were significantly more visits in total (by all visitor species combined to all

three tree species combined) during the morning observation sessions (862 visits) than

the evening ones (595) (ANOVA Fi = 18.697, P < 0.001).

Discussion

Our results illustrate that the flowers of each of the three Afromontane tree species

studied in Ngel Nyaki forest are visited by a wide range of bird species with a variety

of beak types, and whether or not their flowers have traits indicative of bird pollination.

Table 2. Bird visitors observed on 15 Anthonotha noldeae, 15 Anthocleista vogelii and 15 Croton macrostachyus during 14.6

44

C. Nsor & H.M. Chapman

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n(%) of visits to all trees 200(40.7) 34(6.9) 5 (1.0) 25 (5.1) 40(8.1) 55 (11.2) 132 (26.9)

Mean visits/tree (n = 15) 13.3 ± 1.96 2.3 ± 0.83 0.3 ±0.21 1.7 ±0.45 2.7 ±0.71 3.7 ±2.57 8.8 ±4.12

Visitation rate

2013

Avian pollinators of Nigerian forest trees

45

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46

C. Nsor & H.M. Chapman

Malimbus 35

However in each case just three Cinnyris species, Northern Double-collared Sunbird,

Orange-tufted Sunbird and Variable Sunbird, were responsible for most pollination. It

appears that sunbirds, particularly of this genus, are necessary for the pollination of A.

noldeae and likely contribute to the pollination of A. vogelii and C. macrostachyus in

montane forests of Nigeria and Cameroon.

While we found that only sunbirds behaved consistently as pollinators, and

Village Weaver occasionally so, many more bird species visited flowers in a way that

could effect pollination and therefore the importance of such Secondary Pollinators

( sensu Stein 2011) cannot be discounted: they may introduce valuable redundancy

into the system. Avian visitors that are less effective pollinators have been shown

elsewhere to make significant contributions to seed production at times when the

usual pollinators are scarce (Mayfield et al. 2001, Wolff et al 2003). Future research

to quantify pollen loads on visitors and bird movement patterns among trees will be

necessary to confirm the importance of the different pollinators.

Most visitors and all Pollinators preferred to visit the “bird syndrome” flowers of

A. noldeae rather than those of the “moth syndrome” A. vogelii and “insect syndrome”

C. macrostachyus. The relative position of the stigma and anthers on A. noldeae is

such that insects are unlikely to pollinate, and white flowers are known to attract bird

polli-nators in Africa (Ley & ClaBen-Bockhoff 2009). A. noldeae has been shown to

be totally dependent on birds for outcrossed fruit set (Beavon & Chapman 201 1) so its

pollination mutualism with sunbirds, especially Northern Double-collared Sunbird,

appears to be extremely important. However, rate of visitation does not necessarily

imply pollination success (Castro & Robertson 1997, Ollerton 1998, Rivera-Marchand

& Ackerman 2006). Several times during this study an individual bird spent up to 20

min. in the same A. noldeae crown. This type of behaviour would seem to lead to

geitonogamous polli-nation (when pollen is transferred among flowers on the same

plant). Future work is needed to determine the contribution of the different visitors to

seed set in A. noldeae.

The contribution to seed set in A. vogelii and C. macrostachyus made by birds

relative to insects is unknown and exclusion experiments will be necessary to

determine this. However, bird visits were frequent, and Cheke & Mann 2001 reported

three other species of sunbird (Collared Sunbird Anthodiaeta. collaris, Blue-throated

Brown Sunbird Cyanomitra cyanolaema and Tiny Sunbird C. minullus) feeding on

flowers of Anthocleista spp.. While undoubtedly these tree species have many more

insect than bird visitors (K.P. Yoriyo pers. comm.), visiting taxa may vary with

season and pollination by birds may be important (Cane & Payne 1993, Roubik 2001).

The fact that montane forests are threatened by increasing human population

densities in Nigeria and Cameroon (Chapman & Chapman 2001, Chapman et al. 2004,

Cheek et al. 2000, Maisels et al. 2001) puts sunbirds at risk of population decline. In

order to predict the likely consequence on plant-pollinator mutualism more research is

required. However our study suggests that while secondary avian pollinators may help

compensate for Cinnyris on A. noldeae they are unlikely to substitute fully.

2013

Avian pollinators of Nigerian forest trees

47

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50

Malimbus 35

Road counts of Hooded Vultures Necrosyrtes monachus over

seven months in and around Banjul, coastal Gambia, in 2005

by Clive R. Barlow1 & Tony Fulford2

’Birds of The Gambia, Brusubi Gardens, The Gambia

<birdsofthegambia@hotmail.com>

2Medical Research Council, Keneba Field Station, Kiang West, The Gambia

Received 14 August 2012; revised 12 February 2013.

Summary

Results from a seven-month study to count Hooded Vultures Necrosyrtes

monachus in and around Banjul, The Gambia, are presented, as a preliminary

step towards establishing a population trend in The Gambia for this species. A

daily log was kept of Hooded Vultures observed during a 10.1 km car journey

over the same stretch of coastal road on 162 days between 5 June and 24

December 2005. All counts took place between 14h00 and 16h00 with an

average observation time of 25 minutes. Daily counts of Hooded Vultures

ranged from 0 to 116 birds, mean 29.4, 95 % confidence interval 25.6-34.0,

corresponding to 2.91 vultures per km. The Hooded Vulture remains

comparatively abundant in coastal areas of The Gambia.

Résumé

Comptages routiers de Vautours Charognard Necrosyrtes monachus

pendant sept mois dans et autour de Banjul, Gambie côtière, en 2005. Les

résultats d’une étude menée pendant sept mois pour compter les Vautours

Charognard Necrosyrtes monachus dans et autour de Banjul, Gambie, sont

présentés, étape préliminaire en vue d’apprécier l’évolution de la population

de cette espèce en Gambie. Un journal quotidien a été tenu des Vautours

Charognard observés durant un parcours en voiture de 10.1 km sur la même

partie d’une route côtière pendant 162 jours entre le 5 juin et le 24 décembre

2005. Tous les comptages ont été effectués entre 14h00 et 16h00, avec un

temps moyen d’observation de 25 minutes. Le nombre de Vautours

Charognard comptés par jour a varié de 0 à 116 oiseaux, avec une moyenne

de 29.4, un intervalle de confiance de 95 % entre 25.6 et 34.0, correspondant à

2.91 vautours par km. Le Vautour Charognard demeure relativement abondant

sur les zones côtières de Gambie.

2013

Hooded Vultures in The Gambia

51

Introduction

The Hooded Vulture Necrosyrtes monachus is widely commensal with humans in

West Africa (Mundy et al 1992) and is a non-specialised and versatile scavenger

(Barlow 2004). In The Gambia, the Hooded Vulture is common to locally abundant,

especially in coastal Western Division and Upper River Division (Barlow et al. 1997,

K. Roy pers. comm.). Historically, it has also been considered abundant in other parts

of the country and Bannerman (1930) notes it to be ubiquitous and “the most

abundant of its Family on the coast”, and 150 birds circled over a Common Warthog

Phacochoerus africanus within 10 minutes of it being shot in Jakally, Central River

Division in May 1976 (Gore 1990). Outside The Gambia, in a study area

encompassing Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger in 1970, the Hooded Vulture was found

to be very common with a mean abundance index of 0.84 birds per km (Rondeau &

Thiollay 2004). However by 2004 this was reduced by 45 % in rural areas (Rondeau

& Thiollay 2004), and it has been recommended that Hooded Vulture be reclassified

as Endangered under the IUCN Red List criteria (Ogada & Buij 2011). There is

insufficient information to establish a population trend in The Gambia, so, in the light

of present global concern for all vulture species, we present data collected in The

Gambia which confirm that it is currently locally abundant. This provides a

benchmark for monitoring future changes using a repeatable method.

Study area and methods

Hooded Vultures may be observed on the wing in The Gambia in all seasons, in all

daylight hours throughout the year, and they soar into the late afternoon (pers. obs.).

The area surveyed was a 10.1 km stretch of high-grade tarred road between the

capital, Banjul, and the western periphery of Serrekunda, in Kornbo St Mary Division

(KSMD), in coastal Gambia. This is the most heavily populated region in The

Gambia. The transect monitored (see Fig. 1) was a vehicle journey along the Banjul-

Serrekunda Highway from Point 1 (Radio SYD, Bund Road Junction Banjul,

13°27'50"N, 16°35'42"W), via a right turn after 8.9 km at Point 2 (Westfield Junction

13°26;43"N, 16°40'32"W) a further 1.2 km to Point 3 (the Serrekunda General Post

Office on Kairaba Avenue, 13°27T5"N, 16°40'58"W).

Road transects were driven on 162 days between 5 June and 24 December 2005.

This period covered a complete rainy season: the first measurable rain and the last

storm registered in Banjul during 2005 were 28 June and 24 October, respectively. All

journeys were made between 1 4h00 and 16h00. The journey time averaged 25

minutes, with duration largely determined by traffic conditions: a slightly quicker

journey of 20 minutes was made when traffic was reduced, e.g. at weekends.

Surveillance was made by CRB from the front passenger seat of a moving, high-

seated car using 10 x 40 binoculars and the naked eye. Hooded Vultures were counted

52

C. Barlow & T. Fulford

Malirnbus 35

Figure 1. Study area with transect showing Points 1 (start), 2 and 3 (finish).

by direct observation through all windows of the vehicle and all individuals seen

perched or flying on either side of the road were counted. It is reasonable to suppose

that some perched and hidden Hooded Vultures were overlooked. Hooded Vultures

were seen soaring, perched, foraging and on a few occasions “sun-bathing” on a beach

area near Point 1 . CRB identified the birds and entered the data.

The distance was measured using the vehicle odometer and GPS references were

established using a Garmin 12XL GPS receiver. Habitat and land use features

encountered along the first half of the route included the Banjul Municipal Council

rubbish dump which borders an extensive Avicennia mangrove system (the Tanbi

Wetland Complex), the State Central Prisons, a thin belt of coastal scmb with some large

baobabs Adansonia digitata, tidal lagoons, beaches, a bridge, and a seasonal patch of

wetland used for rice and small-scale vegetable production. The second half, beginning

at Old Jeshwang and including Kanifing West, consisted of peri-urban sprawl dominated

by long established human settlements, light industry, a modem housing lay-out, shops and

supermarkets, with fish cleaning and small scale slaughtering of domestic pigs activities in

this area. There is a fish landing site near to the Manjargo village of Old Jeshwang where

fish offal and by-catch are dumped. The slaughterhouses (mostly in the compounds of

small-scale pig farmers) operated late on Friday evenings and early on Saturday

mornings and the meat was then immediately on sale. At weekends there were fewer

vehicles on the roads, with consequently less disturbance of vultures, than on weekdays.

2013

Hooded Vultures in The Gambia

53

The variability between the daily counts was clearly greater than predicted by the

Poisson distribution, i.e. clustered or over-dispersed. Therefore, statistical analysis of

the number of vultures per transect employed multiple negative binomial regression of

the number of counts on month and day of week, both as categorical variables. Three

models were fitted, to generate means and their 95 % confidence intervals of (1) the

daily counts for each month, (2) the daily counts by day of the week and (3) the

counts at weekends compared with those on weekdays, with models (2) and (3)

controlled for (i.e. also fitting) the month-to-month variation. The models were fitted

and graphs drawn using Statal2 (Stata Corp.). The assumption that the negative

binomial would provide an adequate description of the distribution of counts is

supported by the approximate proportionality between the monthly means and their

standard deviations.

Results

In total, 4774 vultures were counted over all 162 transects. The mean count per

transect was 29.4 with maximum-likelihood base 95 % confidence interval (Cl) 25.6-

34.0. This value correspond to an average count of 2.91 (Cl 2.53-3.37) per km.

Counts ranged from zero (generally on rainy days or after heavy downpours during

the previous night) to a maximum of 1 1 6 birds on 22 Dec, a hazy day with low cloud.

Congregations of 40 birds soaring over Old Jeshwang were regular. The daily counts

with additional notes may be obtained from the authors or downloaded from the

“ Malimbus Supplements” section of the WAOS website <http://malimbus.free.fr/

suppindex.htm>.

The variation between months in average number of Hooded Vultures counted per

transect was considerably more than would be expected by chance (P < 0.00005). The

trend between June and December is generally increasing, with the number of birds

observed in December approximately four times that seen in June (Fig. 2).

Although there are reasons to suppose that the number of vultures seen would

vary with the day of the week, the evidence for this is not strong (Fig. 3). Comparing

weekends with weekdays shows a 33 % increase at weekends (P = 0.04 when

controlling for the monthly pattern) but its Cl is wide, allowing values for the

percentage increase over the average weekday value anywhere between 1 % and 73

%. The weekend peaks may be related to the lighter traffic and to the pig slaughtering

in Old Jeshwang: assemblages of soaring vultures were regularly observed over this

area at the weekends.

Discussion

Until the 1990s, Hooded Vulture was considered abundant in The Gambia

(Bannerman 1930, Gore 1990, Barlow et al. 1997), although no quantitative data were

54 C. Barlow & T. Fulford Malimbus 35

Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Figure 2. Pattern of counts of Hooded Vultures by month. Error bars represent

the 95 % confidence interval for the mean; number of days surveyed indicated

above each bar.

5r 21

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

Figure 3. Pattern of counts of Hooded Vultures by day of week. Error bars

represent the 95 % confidence interval for the mean; number of days surveyed

indicated above each bar.

available. This study has established a baseline of Hooded Vulture observation rates

over a standard and easily replicated route for a six-month period in 2005. This

method may be applied to any of the eight vulture species recorded in The Gambia.

Inspired by Ogada & Buij (2011), in February 2012 a project was inaugurated to

2013

Hooded Vultures in The Gambia

55

monitor Hooded Vulture numbers in villages and towns in all regions of the country

(Barlow 2012), to evaluate its population trend in The Gambia.

Reasons for Hooded Vulture declines in other countries include direct persecution

for body parts used in witchcraft and traditional medicine and as smoked meat for

human consumption, collisions with power lines, indiscriminate poisoning, and

reduced availability of scraps at slaughter sites and abattoirs due to changing

practices: e.g. horns, blood and viscera are now collected and processed for fertilizers

(Rondeau & Thiollay 2004). At present none of these factors would appear to be

significant in The Gambia, although their potential threats are manifest, and neither is

Diclofenac, responsible for the rapid recent decline of vultures elsewhere (Green et al

2004), used as a veterinary drug in the country (M. Meyer pers. comm.). Vulture parts

were not on open sale for traditional practices in any of the major markets

investigated in The Gambia in November 2012 (F. Mendy pers. comm.). However,

this does occur close by in Dakar, Senegal (M. Dia & W. Mullie in lift.) and even

more so in local markets in Bamako, Mali (pers. obs.) and elsewhere in West Africa

(Cocker 2000).

Acknowledgments

Joost De Batts at the Department of Water Resources gave support with GPS

information and data storage. Derek Pomeroy suggested we publish the data. David

Durin (deceased), my driver of many years, drove at a careful speed often in a field of

cantankerous taxi drivers. Kev Roy discussed high numbers of Hooded Vulture in the

Upper River Division of The Gambia and was a splendid field companion. Eric

Brohaugh kindly prepared the map. Dr Michael Meyer, a vet operating in The

Gambia, provided information on Diclofenac use in the country. Drs Tim Wacher and

R. Buij made comments to improve the manuscript. Alpha O. Jallow, the Director of

Parks & Wildlife Management, encouraged with enthusiasm our studies of vultures.

References

Bannerman, D.A. (1930) The Birds of Tropical West Africa, vol. 1. Crown Agents,

London.

Barlow, C.R. (2004) The utilization of oil-palm kernel by Necrosyrtes monachus in

The Gambia. Vulture News 51: 60-62.

Barlow, C.R. (2012) An investigation commences to establish the present status and

distribution of Hooded Vulture Necrosyrtes monachus in The Gambia, West

Africa: February 2012. Vulture News 62: 51-56.

Barlow, C., Wacher, T. & Disley, T. (1997) A Field Guide to Birds of The Gambia

and Senegal. Pica Press, Robertsbridge.

56

C. Barlow & T. Fulford

Malimbus 35

Cocker, M. (2000) African birds in traditional magico-medicinal use — a

preliminary study. Bull. Afr. Bird Club 7: 60-65.

Gore, M.E.J. (1990) Birds of The Gambia. Checklist 3, 2nd ed., British

Ornithologists’ Union, Tring.

Green, R.E. Newton, L, Shultz, S., Cunningham, A.A., Gilbert, M., Pain, D.J. &

Prakash, V. (2004) Diclofenac poisoning as a cause of vulture population

declines across the Indian subcontinent. J. Appl. Ecol. 41: 793-800.

Mundy, P., Butchart, D., Ledger, J. & Piper, S. (1992) The Vultures of Africa.

Acorn, Randburg.

Ogada, D.L. & Buij, R. (2011) Large declines of the Hooded Vulture Necrosyrtes

monachus across its African range. Ostrich 82: 101-133.

Rondeau, R. & Thiollay, J-M. (2004) West African vulture decline. Vulture News

51: 13-31.

2013

57

New and notable bird records for Burkina Faso

by 'Michiel van den Bergh

African Studies Centre at Leiden and V ogelbescherming Nederland,

Nieuwezijdse Voorburgwal 344, NL-1012rx Amsterdam, The Netherlands

<michielvdbergh@hotmail.com>

Received 25 June 2012; revised 28 January 2013.

Summary

Several bird records obtained in Burkina Faso during the period December

2011 to Mar 2012 are described, including the first record of Pectoral

Sandpiper Calidris melanotos for the country and the first fully-documented

records of Great Bittern Botaurus stellaris , Quail-plover Ortyxelos meiffreni

and Little Crake Porzana parva. Observations relating to the status in Burkina

Faso of Great Snipe Gallinago media, Blackstart Cercomela melanura,

Green-headed Sunbird Cyanomitra verticalis, and Iberian Chiffchaff

Phylloscopus ibericus are also described.

Résumé

Nouvelles et remarquables observations d’oiseaux pour le Burkina Faso.

Plusieurs observations d’oiseaux obtenues au Burkina Faso au cours de la

période de décembre 2011 à mars 2012 sont décrites, dont la première

observation du Bécasseau tacheté Calidris melanotos pour le pays et les

premières observations bien documentées du Butor étoilé Botaurus stellaris,

du Tumix à ailes blanches Ortyxelos meiffreni et de la Marouette poussin

Porzana parva. Sont aussi décrites des observations ayant trait au statut au

Burkina Faso de la Bécassine double Gallinago media , du Traquet à queue

noire Cercomela melanura , du Souimanga à tête verte Cyanomitra verticalis

et du Pouillot ibérique Phylloscopus ibericus.

Introduction and methods

I made bird observations while on a visit to Burkina Faso from 12 December 2011 to

9 March 2012, including in three main areas: urban Ouagadougou, the extensive

wetlands of the Sourou River Basin (primarily in Di and Lanfiera Departments) and

the predominantly dry Sahelian landscape of Lac Higa (mainly in Tankougounadié

Department). On many days the first and/or last hour(s) of the day where used for

58

M. van den Bergfa

Malimbus 35

birdwatching. Additionally, a four-day trip was made to the southwest of the country,

including Lac Tengrela, La Guinguette and Cascades de Karfiguela, around the end of

201 h During this period I obtained several remarkable bird records for Burkina Faso,

as described in this article.

Results

Botaurus stellaris Great Bittern. 1 observed and photographed several Great Bitterns

between Dec and Feb, including one at Lac de Tengrela (10 6468 AN, 4.83789°W) on

30 Dec and up to four birds in the same rice and reed field (13.02554°N, 3 44 34 9° W)

in the Sourou River Basin near Lanfiera in the last week of Jan (Fig. 1). One or more

Great Bitterns were also seen at several other locations in the Sourou River Basin, but

all within a few km of the above-mentioned rice-reed field. There appear to be no

published records of this species for Burkina Faso, although it is a rare winter visitor

to West Africa, with records in most neighbouring countries (Borrow & Demey

2004). However, it is included on the country’s unpublished national list

(NATURAMA in lift .), based on its rare occurrence in Burkina Faso (G.H. Oueda

pers. comm.). However, the photographs reported here constitute the first

confirmation of the species in the country (R. Demey pers. comm.).

Figure 1. Great Bittern Botaurus stellaris , Sourou River Basin. Lanfiera

Department, Burkina Faso, 27 Feb 2012.

2013

Burkina Faso birds

59

Ortyxelos meîffrenîî Quail plover, Two Quail-plovers were flushed in the Lac Higa

area, near the road between Sebba and Tankougounadié (a 13.46667°N, 0.58781 1°E)

on the evening of 2 Feb. About an hour later, around dusk, one bird appeared in the

open and started to forage on a small piece of fallow land < 5 m from the observer.

Photographs (Fig. 2 A) and video were taken of this bird. The habitat was a mixture of

small patches of low woodland, bushes, tall grasses and open fallow lands, in the

distance on the right of Fig. 2B. The species is regarded as locally uncommon in the

far northern and eastern comers of Burkina Faso (Borrow & Demey 2004), but these

photographs appear to constitute the first proof of the species for the country.

Figure 2. Quail-plover Ortyxelos meiffrenU 2 Feb 2012 (A), between Sebba and

Tankougounadié (B), Tankougounadié Department, Burkina Faso.

Porzana par va Little Crake. At least two Little Crakes were seen (a male and

female) and heard singing around dusk on three evenings during the period 23 Feb to

60

M, van den Bergh

Malimbus 35

1 Mar, in the S oui ou River Basin between Bousse and Lanfiera (13.04831°N,

3. 45400° W). Both birds were notably small, with green legs and a green-yellowish

bill with a red base (ruling out the similar Bâillon5 s Crake P. pusilla). The male was

blue-grey below with hardly any banding on its belly, while the female showed a light

brown to whitish belly: all features of Little Crake rather than Bâillon5 s Crake. They

moved around secretively in a small marshy area (c. 100 x 200 m), which included a

shallow pond surrounded by high reeds and some lower wet grassy areas, all within a

somewhat drier area but within the vast wetlands of the Sourou River Basin.

According to Borrow & Demey (2004), this species has not been recorded in Burkina

Faso, although it is a rare winter visitor to Niger just across the border. Thus, this is the

first published record for Burkina Faso. However, the species is included on the country's

national list (NATURAMA in Hit), as rare or vagrant. Borrow & Demey (2004) note

that Little Crakes are largely silent in winter quarters, but I heard a male singing (a

short repeated nasal kua , repeated with increasing speed, the ending pitched lower and

almost in a stutter) several times on two evenings at the above-mentioned location.

Galiinago media Great Snipe. Although this species is apparently an uncommon or

rare winter migrant in south-central Burkina Faso (Borrow & Demey 2004), at least

five birds were present (at least two different individuals photographed: see Fig. 3 A)

in one fallow rice field (13.0108°N, 3.43971°W) in the Sourou River Basin near

Lanfiera on 29 Feb, and one or two more were seen nearby (Fig. 3B), while four days

earlier one Great Snipe was seen in almost the same area. This number of birds is

noteworthy considering the species’ general rarity and unobtrusive behaviour (Cramp

1983; Borrow & Demey 2004). On 30 Dec, one was also seen and heard when flushed

at close range at Lac de Tengrela (10.64685°N, 4,83789° W)

Calidris meianotos Pectoral Sandpiper. In the late afternoon of 8 Mar, I observed a

Pectoral Sandpiper feeding among several other species of waders on Barrage 2

(12.39003°N, 1.53819°W; Fig. 4), one of Ouagadougou’s three water reservoirs. At

the end of the dry season (Feb-May) these reservoirs partly dry out and expose some

large mudflats, which attract large concentrations of waders. The bird was identified

as a Pectoral Sandpiper by a combination of: medium-sized sandpiper (similar in size

to Wood Sandpiper Tringa glareola : Fig. 4A) with a medium-length slightly decurved

bill with paler base, yellow-greenish legs and a finely but distinctly streaked breast

sharply demarcated from a white belly. The similar Sharp-tailed Sandpiper C. acuminata

has not been recorded in West Africa, but was ruled out by the abrupt junction

between the streaked breast and white belly, and by the less pronounced white

eyebrow (Hay man et al. 1986, Swenson et ah 2010: Fig. 4A). The bird showed a

fairly dear “V” across mantle and scapulars (Fig. 4B), created by paler, narrow fringes,

which, in combination with the quite fine streaking on the huffish breast, indicates

that the bird must have been an immature or first-year bird (Hayman et al 1986, Del

Hoyo et ah 1996). Post-juvenile moult starts in the winter quarters, but some juvenile

feathers are retained until the following complete post-breeding moult (Cramp 1983).

The next day the bird was easily relocated among the thousands of other waders,

2013

Burkina Faso birds

61

sometimes associating with the numerous Wood Sandpipers. This represents the first

record of a Pectoral Sandpiper for Burkina Faso (NATURAMA in lift.).

Figure 3. Great Snipe Gallinago media , 29 Feb 2012 (A), in the Sourou River

Basin (B), Lanflera Department, Burkina Faso.

Pectoral Sandpiper breeds in the coastal tundra of Siberia, Alaska and northwest

Canada, and winters in coastal and inland wetlands in southern South America, and in

smaller numbers in southeast Australia and New Zealand, with a few perhaps

migrating via Europe to spend the non-breeding season in Africa (Cramp 1983, Hoyo

et al. 1996, Chandler 2009). Hagemeijer & Blair (1997) and Snow & Perrins (1998)

report an apparent westward expansion recently to the western Palaearctic.

62

M. van den Bergh

Malimbus 35

Figure 4. Pectoral Sandpiper Calidris melanotos, (A) on right, with Wood

Sandpipers Tringa glareola , (B) lower right, with Wood Sandpipers and

Common Greenshank T. nebularia, at Barrage 2 (C), Ouagadougou, Burkina

Faso, 8 Mar 2012.

2013

Burkina Faso birds

63

Pectoral Sandpiper is an annual vagrant in Europe and has been recorded as a

vagrant in Mauritania, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Sao Tomé

e Principe and Gabon, but all records were along or near the coast. This record seems

to be the furthest inland in West Africa (Borrow & Demey 2004, Swenson et al

2010).

Cercomela melanin a Blaekstart Two Blaekstarts were observed on an inselberg

near the Niger border in the Tankougounadîé Department in Aug 201 1 (Bergh 2012).

This was the first record of Blaekstart for Burkina Faso. Probably the same two birds

were still present during Jan-Feb 2012 in the same area (1 3.572 14°N, 0.72902°E),

where one male was heard singing on several occasions. Also, one bird was seen

entering a small hole in a cliff (a potential breeding location: see Cramp 1983) and

staying in for almost a minute. However, no Blaekstart was seen entering this hole on

a second visit.

Phylloseopus ibericus Iberian CMffchaff. During the morning of 13 Dec, an Iberian

CMffchaff was heard and seen singing for a prolonged period in Ouagadougou

Classified Forest (Parc Bangre Weogo, 12.397 12°N, 1.48813°W). The identification

was mainly based on the voice which perfectly matched that of Iberian Chiffchaff

(two or three series, each 2-5 s long, of differently pitched whistles, each series of 1 -

5 notes quickly repeated) followed by short soft prrr calls similar to those of Common

Chiffchaff P. eollybita , but with no Common Chiffchaff elements in the rest of its

song. This was supported by plumage characters: brightly coloured bird, green above

and white below (no brown tinge), yellow under-tail coverts, head sides with

yellowish wash, very distinct supercilium, bill appearing rather long. Two other

possible Iberian Chiffchaffs were heard at Lac de Tengrela (30 Dec, 1 0.647 16°N,

4.83665°W), and at Koubri (1 Feb, 12.21897°N, L31634°W). These birds were seen

and heard too briefly to ensure positive identification. There is only a handful of

records in West Africa, including one in Burkina Faso (Borrow & Demey 2004).

Cyanomitra verticaiis Green-headed Sunbinf A male Green-headed Sunbird was

present in Ouagadougou Classified Forest (Parc Bangre Weogo, 12.39 137°N,

1.49547°W) from at least 13 until 16 Dec. Several photographs of the bird were

obtained on the first day (Fig. 5). In Burkina Faso this species is only known to occur

in the southwest, where several records have been obtained by B. Portier (pers.

comm.), Pavia et al (2012) and myself, including one at La Guinguette on 29 Dec

2011 (c. 1 1.18686°N, 4.44468°W) and two at Cascades de Karfiguela on 30 Dec 201 1

(10.72364°N, 4.8221 1°W; in the trees on the left of Fig. 5D). According to Borrow &

Demey (2004) there is also one record of this species in southeast Burkina Faso.

Acknowledgments

I thank Max Berlijn for his comments regarding the Pectoral Sandpiper’s recent

westward expansion, and Marco Pavia and Bruno Portier (the referees) for their

64

M. van den Bergh

Malimbus 35

interesting and useful comments. My gratitude also goes to the late Georges H. Oueda

(NATURAMA), who sadly passed away recently, for giving comments regarding the

status of some of the species in Burkina Faso.

Figure 5, Green-headed Sunbird Cyanomitra verticalis (A-C), in Parc Bangre

Weogo, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, 13 Dec 2011, and locality of the record at

the Cascades de Karfiguela (D), Burkina Faso, 30 Dec 201 L

References

Bergh, M, van den (2012) First record of Blackstart Cercomela melanura for

Burkina Faso. Bull Aft. Bird Club 19: 202-203.

2013

Burkina Faso birds

65

BORROW, N. & Demey, R. (2004) Birds of Western Africa. Christopher Helm,

London.

Chandler, R (2009) Shorebirds of the Northern Hemisphere . Christopher Helm,

London.

Cramp, S. (ed.) (1983) Handbook of the Birds of Europe the Middle East and North

Africa ; the Birds of the Western Palearctic, vol 3. Oxford University Press,

Oxford.

Hoyo, J del, Elliott, A. & Sargatal, 1 (eds.) (1996) Handbook of the Birds of the

World, vol. 3. Lynx, Barcelona.

Hagemeijer, E.J.M. & Blair, M.J. (eds) (1997) The EBCC Atlas of European

Breeding Birds: their Distribution and Abundance. Poyser, London.

Hayman, P„, Marchant, I. & Prater, T. (1986) Shorebirds; an Identification Guide

to the Waders of the World. Groom Helm, Australia.

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

Academic Press, London.

Pavia, M., Boano, G., Silvano, F. & Mamadou, K. (2012) New bird records from

southwestern Burkina Faso. Malimbus 34: 57-70.

Snow, D.W. & Perrins, C.M. (1998) The Birds of the Western Palearctic, vol. 2.

Oxford University Press, New York.

Swenson, L., Grant, P I, Mullarney, K. & Zetterstrôm, D. (2010) ANWB

Vogelgids van Europa. ANWB, Den Haag.

66

Malimbus 35

Short Notes — Notes Courtes

Recoveries of rings from two European birds in Burkina Faso

We report here details of two ringed birds found dead in northern Burkina Faso. Ring

recoveries of European birds in Burkina Faso are relatively rare, with a few from the

Sahel area in the north of the country (www.euring.org).

Ciconia ciconia White Stork. Ring number FRP CF4028. Ringed as a fully grown

individual on 16 Jun 2006 by Y. Kayser, at Tour du Valat, Arles, France (43°40rN,

4°38;'E). Found dead on 20 Feb 2007 at Bourzanga, Burkina Faso (BMl^N, l°33fW).

The distance and time from the point of ringing are 3389 km in 249 days.

Circus aeruginosus Marsh Harrier. Ring no. BYM DA 02135. Ringed as a puli us

on 20 Jun 2005 by V. Birakov, at Kleshchino, Beshenkovichi District, Vitebsk

Region, Belarus (54°58rN, 29°13rE). Found dead on 20 Feb 2006 at Bourzanga,

Burkina Faso (13°4T'N, 1°33W). The distance and time from the point of ringing are

5302 km in 243 days.

The White Stork is a Palaearctic migrant that winters in sub-Saharan West Africa

(Borrow & Demey 2004), in particular in the Sahel area of Mauritania and Mali; it is

also a common visitor to northern Burkina Faso, as shown by a satellite-tracked bird

(www.ooievaars.vlaanderen.be) and “11-100” previous ringing recoveries

(www.euring.org). The Marsh Harrier is also a Palaearctic migrant that winters

throughout sub-Saharan Africa (Borrow & Demey 2004); during the northern winter it

is widespread in Burkina Faso, which is an important wintering area for the species,

as demonstrated by the “101-1000” recoveries of European-ringed individuals, the

highest in the whole of Africa (www.euring.org). However, according to the Euring

database (www.euring.org), these are the first known recoveries from Burkina Faso of

a White Stork ringed in France and of a Marsh Harrier ringed in Belarus. This Marsh

Harrier recovery confirms that even individuals from eastern Europe winter in West

Africa, together with those from western and central Europe (Strandberg et ah 2008),

as no recoveries of any Marsh Harriers are reported from East Africa.

UB received the rings from his co-workers in northern Burkina Faso. We thank the

Centre de Recherches par le Baguage des Populations d 'Oiseaux and the Belarus Bird

Ringing Centre for providing ringing details.

References

Borrow, N. & Demey, R. (2004) Field Guide to the Birds of Western Africa.

Christopher Helm, London.

2013

Notes Courtes

67

Stranbberg, R., Klaassen, R.H.G., Hake, M., Qlofsson, P., Thorup, K. &

Alerstam, T. (2008) Complex timing of Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus

migration due to pre- and post-migratory movements. Ardea 96: 159-171.

Received 15 May 2012; revised 7 August 2012.

Marco Pavia1, Giovanni Boano2, Fabrizio Silvano3 & Urbain Belemsobgo4

1Igartimento di Seienze della Terra, Université di Torino,

Via Valperga Caluso 35, 1-10125 Torino, Italy. <marco.pavia@unito.it>

2Museo Civico di Storia Naturale di Carmagnola,

Via San Francesco di Sales 188, 1-10022 Carmagnola (TO), Italy

3Museo Civico di Storia Naturale di Stazzano,

Villa Gardella, 1-15060 Stazzano (AL), Italy

direction Générale de la Conservation de la Faune, Ministère de l'Environnement et

du Cadre de Vie, 565 rue Agostino Neto, 03 BP 7044 Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso

Observations of two species new to Mauritania and detailed records

confirming the presence of two other species

We report Long-billed Pipit Anthus similis and Lesser Blue-eared Starling

Lamprotornis ckloroptems as new to Mauritania, and African Golden Oriole Oriolus

auratus and Purple Glossy Starling L. purpureus , for which there were no previous

detailed records for the country. All four were observed in the Guidimaka region of

Mauritania, by MS.

Anthus similis Long-billed Pipit. Two were observed at 15°10'8.0"N, 12°10'56.9"W,

c. 3 km north of Selibaby, on 17 Jan 2007. The area is a sparsely vegetated chain of

stony and rocky hills that rise 50-80 m above the surrounding savanna, which is

dotted with Acacia spp. and thorny bushes. They were observed from 16h00 to 16hl5,

during which they moved carefully between the rocks, constantly looking up and

wagging their tails, but uttering no sounds. They were larger than Tawny Pipit A.

campestris , with dark brown, strongly streaked upperparts, lighter underparts with

dark streaks on the breast fading towards the flanks, and a dark tail with light outer

edges. The throat and supercilium were pale, and a dark streak on each cheek was

visible. The bill was long and deep, and the upper mandible slightly down-curved. MS

identified them as Long-billed Pipit, with which he was familiar from repeated

observations in Yemen and Oman. Richard's Pipit A. richardi has fewer streaks on

lighter underparts, a more upright body posture and longer legs. Tawny Pipit A.

campestris and Plain-backed Pipit A. leucophrys were eliminated because the

68

Short Notes

Maiimbus 35

observed birds had streaked upperparts. Long-billed Pipit has previously been

observed in Senegal (Rodwell et al 1996) in Djoudj National Park which is just

across the Senegal River from Mauritania. It has since been photographed in

Mauritania, at 16°25.9f, 10°21.4', in March 2007 (L Maggini in lift.).

Oriolus auratus African Golden Oriole. A male was observed at 14°56'22.LrN,

12°23'13.5"W, c. 2 km northeast of Boutanda, on 15 Nov 2007. The bird was in large

trees up to 1 5 m tall around a lake covering about 1 ha, which was surrounded by dry

savanna covered with Acacia spp. and Baobab Adansonia digitata trees. The male’s

call “fee-o” was shorter than that of the Eurasian Golden Oriole O. oriolus (which MS

was familiar with in Europe) and was heard continuously from lOhOQ to 1 lb.30,

during which the bird was seen several times, perching and flying. It had a pinkish red

bill, yellow under- and upperparts, black primaries, yellow wing-coverts and

secondaries (which are black in the Eurasian Golden Oriole) and a black eye stripe

which extended behind the eye (further than in the Eurasian Golden Oriole). The

African Golden Oriole has previously been observed in Senegal immediately south of

where it was found in Mauritania (Morel & Morel 1990).

Lamprotornis purpureus Purple Glossy Starling. Two were observed on the

Mauritanian side of the Senegal River at 15°7'59.2"N, 12°42?40.3"W near Wompou,

on 16 Nov 2007. They were observed from 14h30 to 16h00, feeding continuously and

silently on Ficus fruits at c. 10 m height within one of the many bushes and trees

which grew densely along the river. They had a glossy purplish head and underparts,

blue-green upperparts and wings, golden-yellow eyes, black bill, relatively large head

and short tail, and were clearly larger than two adult Lesser Blue-eared Starlings L.

chloropterus , which were observed nearby (see below). Purple Glossy Starling has

also been observed in Senegal immediately south of where it was found in Mauritania

(Morel & Morel 1990).

L chloropterus Lesser Blue-eared Starling. This species was first recorded when six

adults and one juvenile were observed at the edge of Khabou, on 21 Nov 2005 (Table

1). The adults had metallic blue-green underparts, slightly greener metallic upperparts

including the tail (purplish in Bronze-tailed Glossy Starling L. chalcurus), a dark

mask around the eyes, yellow-orange eyes (more orange than the golden-yellow eye

colour of Purple Glossy Starling), and black bill. The juvenile was light sooty brown

with a faint green sheen on the upperparts. They were first discovered at 6h30 in thick

vegetation of trees, bushes and grasses bordering a wet ditch. They then flew into the

adjacent agricultural fields where they foraged until 7h00. They were smaller than the

Purple Glossy Starlings described above and the Greater Blue-eared Starling L.

chalyhaeus which was observed an hour later in Khabou. Furthermore, the calls of the

Lesser Blue-eared Starling were brighter and clearer than those of the Greater Blue¬

eared Starling. Ten subsequent records are detailed in Table 1, including one

photographic record (Fig. 1). The Lesser Blue-Eared Starling is also known from

Senegal immediately south of where it was found in Mauritania (Morel & Morel

1990).

2013

Notes Courtes

69

Table 1. Records of the Lesser Blue-eared Starling Lamprotornis chloropterus in

Mauritania.

Figure 1. Two Lesser Blue-eared Starlings in Wompou, 24 Nov 2005 (photo: MS).

African Golden Oriole and Purple Glossy Starling are mentioned by Isenmann et al.

(2010) among species not retained on the Mauritanian list “because they are

inherently unlikely, unsupported by a description or seen by one observer only”.

Lamarche (1988) had reported these two species as present in Mauritania in general

terms with respect to locations and dates, and without detailed descriptions: African

70

Short Notes

Malimbus 35

Golden Oriole was said to be a rainy season visitor to Mauritania in the southern

Sahel and Senegal River valley, while Purple Glossy Starling was reported from the

south of Karakaroo Valley and the upper Senegal River valley. The observations

reported here therefore confirm their presence in the country.

We are grateful to Ivan Maggini for providing additional information on the Long¬

billed Pipit, and to Peter Browne for noticing that these records, submitted to the

Mauritanian Bird Atlas project, merited publication and for extensive comments on

this manuscript. We also thank two referees for helpful comments.

References

Isenmann, P., Benmergui, M., Browne, P., Ba, A.D., Diagana, C.H., Diawara, Y.

& Ould SlDATY, Z. EL A. (2010). Oiseaux de Mauritanie — Birds of Mauritania.

Société d’Etudes Ornithologiques de France, Paris.

Lamarche, B. (1988). Liste Commentée des Oiseaux de Mauritanie. Etudes

Sahariennes et Ouest-Africaines 1 : numéro 4 et Spécial. Nouakchott and Paris.

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

Rodwell, S.P., Sauvage, A., Rumsey, S.J.R. & Bràunlich, A. (1996) An annotated

check-list of birds occurring at the Parc National des Oiseaux du Djoudj in

Senegal, 1984-1994. Malimbus 18: 74-111.

Received 19 July 2012

Revised 21 September 2012

Max Schulz1 & Bruno Andreas Walther2

1 Baumgartenweg 3, 69429 Waldbrunn, Germany. <schulzbm@t-online.de>

2College of Public Health and Nutrition, Taipei Medical University,

250 Wuxing St., Taipei 11031, Taiwan

2013

71

News & Comment — Nouvelles & Commentaires

Georges Henry Oueda 1964-2012

La SOOA est triste d’apprendre le décès en décembre 2012 de Georges Henry Oueda,

du Burkina Faso, qui a succombé aux suites d’un accident vasculaire cérébral

quelques mois plus tôt, Georges était Directeur de la conservation de NATURAMA,

la principale organisation non gouvernementale de protection de la nature au Burkina

Faso. Il était un ardent défenseur de la conservation au Burkina et était impliqué dans

de nombreux projets à travers le pays. Les oiseaux constituaient sa passion première,

et il s’intéressait tout particulièrement aux oiseaux d’eau, Georges était Coordinateur

national des Dénombrements d’oiseaux d’eau de Wetlands International en Afrique

pour le Burkina Faso, un rôle qu’il a tenu pendant de longues années. Il a mené de

nombreux suivis des oiseaux d’eau dans le pays, en particulier à la Mare d’Oursi, où

il a aidé à la mise en place d’importantes initiatives de conservation par les

communautés locales.

Georges Henry Oueda.

72

News & Comment

Malimbus 35

Toujours amical et sympathique, Georges était prompt à offrir son sourire

conquérant. Il portait souvent des chemises burkinabées colorées, surtout celles avec

une grande poche sur la poitrine pour y glisser son paquet de cigarettes! Georges était

vraiment à Taise sur le terrain, et ses jumelles étaient presque toujours autour de son cou.

Georges va manquer à de nombreux amis de par le monde, qu’il connaissait au

travers de son engagement auprès des organisations internationales, telles que

Wetlands International, BirdLife International et l’Office National de la Chasse et de

la Faune Sauvage (France). Il manquera également énormément au Burkina Faso, où

il avait encore tant à offrir au futur dans le domaine de la conservation de la nature.

Nous exprimons nos sincères condoléances à ses collègues et à la famille aimante

qu’il a laissée. Georges a peut-être perdu sa dernière bataille, mais nous lui sommes

reconnaissants d’avoir gagné au cours de sa vie de nombreux combats pour la

conservation, et il laisse derrière lui un solide héritage pour la protection de la nature.

Tim Dodman

African Pitta Pitta angolensis in Omo Forest Reserve, Nigeria

The article by Omotoriogun et al. (2012) in the last issue of Malimbus attracted some

comment regarding the presence of African Pitta Pitta angolensis in the Omo Forest

Reserve, Nigeria. The species was first reported as present in the reserve by Green et

al. (1997) based on “old records”, and more recently by Olmos & Turshak (2009)

based solely on Green et al. (1997). However, the “old records” cannot now be

identified (A. A. Green in lift.), do not appear to have been fully documented else¬

where, and must therefore be regarded as unconfirmed. In view of this, the report by

Omotoriogun et al. (2012) indeed represents the first confirmed record of the species

in Omo Forest Reserve (A. A. Green in lift., P. Hall in lift.).

Thanks to Ron Demey, Arthur Green, Phil Hall and Taiwo Omotoriogun for raising

and clarifying this matter.

Green, A.A., Hall, P. & Leventis, A.P. (2007) Avifauna of Omo Forest Reserve,

SW Nigeria. Malimbus 29: 16-30.

Olmos, F. & Turshak, G.L. (2009) Survey of birds in Omo Forest Reserve, south¬

western Nigeria. Bull. Afr. Bird Club 16: 185-197.

Omotoriogun, T.C., Temidayo, O., Adeyanju, T.A., Ottosson, U. & Lifjeld, T.J.

(2012) First record and probable breeding of African Pitta Pitta angolensis in

Omo Forest Reserve, southwest Nigeria. Malimbus 34: 122-124.

Alan Tye (Ed.)

2013

73

Society Notices — Informations de la Société

W.A.O.S. Meetings Secretary

Hazell Shokellu Thompson has decided to step down from the WAOS Council

position of Meetings Secretary, to allow a replacement to be appointed who might

have more time available for this role. Council has very much appreciated Hazell’ s

contributions to Council deliberations on a variety of matters, which have been

especially valuable from his viewpoint as Director of the BirdLife Africa network and

more recently of BirdLife’s global partnership work. Hazell’ s experience with WAOS

began as a research student in Sierra Leone, working first on mannikins and then for a

doctorate on Picathartes , in later years while he was also teaching in the University

of Sierra Leone's Zoology Department. He has supported the society ever since,

including as a frequent referee of articles submitted to Malimbus. His wise insights

into what West Africa needs of an ornithological society and its journal have been

most valuable to Council and its individual members. We wish Hazell well in his

future career, in the knowledge that we can still rely on his help when needed.

Hazell informed Council of his decision late last year, and WAOS membership

was circulated by email to request volunteers or nominations to fill the vacant

position. We are pleased to report that Dr Shiiwua Manu has agreed to take up the

role of Meetings Secretary. The position’s responsibilities are defined as:

1. to promote the Society and its activities where possible, especially at relevant

meetings of other organisations;

2. to coordinate the organisation of any Society meetings, including in the margins of

the meetings of other organisations;

3. to participate actively in Council discussions;

4. to be involved in other Council activities as the occasion may arise.

In 2010, Dr Manu became Director of the A.P. Leventis Ornithological Research

Institute (APLORI) in Jos, Nigeria, having been associated with APLORI since it was

established in 2002, initially as Director of Scientific Programme. He has contributed

greatly to the development of APLORI, helping to establish it as the foremost

ornithological centre in West Africa, but still manages to carry out research on forest

bird ecology and intra-African migration. Manu also works as a consultant with

government and private agencies on a range of projects, including wild birds and

avian influenza, bird pest management in agriculture, and Important Bird Area (IBA)

monitoring. His experience with WAOS began when he was a field assistant working

for the Nigerian Conservation Foundation on Nigeria’s IBA survey, and then on the

Ibadan Malimbe Malimbus ibadanensis for his doctorate at the Edward Grey Institute,

Oxford University, Manu was pivotal in organising the recent Pan-African

Ornithological Congress, where he was appointed Chairman of the next PAOC, to be

74

Society Notices

Malimbus 35

held in West Africa in 2016. On behalf of WAOS members, we welcome Manu to his

new role.

W.A.O.S. Council

Secrétaire chargé des Réunions de la S.O.O.A.

Hazell Shokellu Thompson a décidé de se retirer du Conseil de la SOOA, au sein

duquel il était Secrétaire chargé des Réunions, afin de permettre la désignation d’un

remplaçant qui puisse disposer de plus de temps. Le Conseil a beaucoup apprécié les

contributions de Hazell à ses délibérations sur des sujets variés, particulièrement

précieuses en sa qualité de Directeur du réseau BirdLife Africa et plus récemment du

partenariat global de BirdLife. Le parcours de Hazell avec WAOS commença alors

qu’il était étudiant chercheur en Sierra Leone, travaillant d’abord sur les capucins,

puis pour un doctorat sur les Picathart.cs, puis plus tard alors qu’il enseignait aussi au

Département de Zoologie de l’Université de Sierra Leone. Il a toujours, depuis,

soutenu la société, y compris souvent par la relecture d’articles soumis à Malimbus.

La sagesse de ses vues sur ce dont l’Afrique de l’Ouest a besoin de la part d’une

société ornithologique et de son bulletin a été très appréciée par le Conseil et ses

membres. Nous souhaitons bonne chance à Hazell dans sa carrière future, tout en

sachant que nous pouvons encore compter sur son aide en cas de besoin.

Hazell a informé le Conseil de sa décision à la fin de Tannée dernière, et les

membres de la SOOA ont reçu un courriel circulaire pour susciter des volontaires ou

des propositions de candidats afin de pourvoir le poste vacant. Les responsabilités de

ce poste sont les suivantes:

1. promouvoir la Société et ses activités où cela est possible, en particulier lors de

réunions d’autres organisations ayant le même objet;

2. coordonner l’organisation des réunions de la Société, y compris en marge des

réunions d’autres organisations;

3. participer activement aux discussions du Conseil;

4. s’impliquer dans d’autres activités du Conseil lorsque l’occasion se présente.

En 2010, Manu est devenu le Directeur de T A. P Leventis Ornithological Research

Institute (APLORI) à Jos, Nigeria, au sein duquel il a travaillé depuis sa création en

2002, initialement comme Directeur du Programme Scientifique. Manu a beaucoup

contribué au développement d’APLORI, l’aidant à devenir le plus grand centre

ornithologique d’Afrique de l’Ouest et il conduit encore des recherches sur l’écologie

des oiseaux de forêts et les migrations intra-africaines. Manu travaille aussi comme

consultant du gouvernement et d’organismes privés sur des projets divers, dont les

oiseaux sauvages et la grippe aviaire, le contrôle des oiseaux ennemis des cultures, et le

monitoring des Zones importantes pour la Conservation des Oiseaux (ZICO). Son

parcours avec la SOOA a commencé quand il travaillait comme assistant de terrain à la

Fondation pour la Conservation du Nigeria sur les ZICO, puis sur le Malimbe d’Ibadan

2013

Informations de la Société

75

Malimbus ibadanensis pour son doctorat à l’Institut Edward Grey, Université d’Oxford.

Manu a joué un rôle central dans l’organisation du récent Congrès Panafricain

d’ Ornithologie, où il a été désigné Président du prochain PAOC, qui se tiendra en

Afrique de l’Ouest en 2016. De la part des membres de la SOOA, nous souhaitons la

bienvenue à Manu dans ses nouvelles fonctions.

Le Conseil de la S.O.O.A.

W.A.O.S. membership changes

Changements à la liste d’adhérents de la S.O.O.A.

New members — Nouveaux membres

Demeter, A., Av. Van Becelaere 13 A, 1 170 Brussels, Belgium

Fulford, Dr T., Medical Research Council, Keneba Field Station, Lower River

Region, The Gambia

Languy, M., 1 rue de la Bruyère, B-7743 Obigies, Belgium

Manu, Dr S., APLORI [Nigeria], c/o P. Hall OBE, A.G. Leventis Ltd, West Africa

House, Hanger Lane, Ealing, London W5 3QR, U.K.

Passa vy, G., 25 rue Erard, 75012 Paris, France

Sikkema, M., Eilansgrien 36, 9264 TC Eamewald, The Netherlands

Sineux, L. [Ivory Coast], Joris van der Haagenlaan 9, 6814 LJ Arnhem, The

Netherlands

Deaths — Décès

Bruce-Lockhart, Mrs F.

Address changes and corrections — Changements et corrections d’adresse

Borrow, N., 18 Knights Green, Sheringham, Norfolk NR26 8UQ, U.K.

Guitard, J.-J., 177 Chemin des Bois Routs, 83720 Trans en Provence, France

Hall, P., OBE [Nigeria], A.G. Leventis Ltd, West Africa House, Hanger Lane,

Ealing, London W5 3QR, U.K.

Jones, Ms R.M., Flat 1,16 Vanbrugh Park, Blackheath, London SE3 7AF, U.K.

Kisasa Kafutshi, R., 1 1-8540 Boulevard VIAU, St-Léonard, Québec HI R 2T7, Canada

Lachenaud, O., Mellier, 79120 Chenay, France

Thompson, Dr H.S., 6 Topham Way, Cambridge, Cambs CB4 3RA, U.K.

Waltert, Dr M., Georg- August-Universitât Gottingen, Dept of Conservation

Biology, Biirgerstrasse 50, 37073 Gottingen, Germany

Tim Dodman

Treasurer and Membership Secretary

76

Society Notices

Malimbus 35

West African Ornithological Society

Société d’Ornithologie de l’Ouest Africain

Revenue Account for the year ended 31 December 2012

Notes

There was a deficit during 2012, largely due to a one-off purchase of new software

for Malimbus production (£935) and a lower income from subscriptions compared to

last year, when significant payments in arrears were made after contacting members

whose subscription had lapsed. Without the investment cost of the software, the

annual result was positive (+£391). Subscriptions for 2012 have so far been received

from 134 members (115 individual, 19 institutional). The combined balance

decreased from last year by £641, a result of the 2012 deficit of £544 plus a loss of

£97 on the Euro balance of 1 Jan 2012 caused by a decrease in the value of the Euro

against the Pound from 0.838 on 1 January to 0.818 on 31 December; (note however

that the Euro has since increased in value against the Pound). The sterling balance

comprised £2161 in the bank and £21 in cash on 1st January 2012, and £1161 in the

bank and £26 in cash on 31st December 2012. Thanks to Nils and Marine Robin for

managing the WAOS Euro account.

T. Dodman

I certify that I have verified the bank balances.

J.N. Rendall

Treasurer, Papa Westray Community Co-operative

Instructions to Authors

Maiimbus 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 & Comment 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 as e.g. 7°46T3"N

(no leading zeros) or as decimal degrees to up to five decimal places (e.g. 1 .23456°N), but not as

decimal minutes; numbers up to ten are written in full, except when followed by abbreviated units

(e.g. 6 m), numbers from 1 1 upwards are written in figures except at the beginning of a sentence.

All references mentioned in the article, and only such, must be listed in the bibliography.

Avifauna! 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 Maiimbus 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. Maiimbus

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 (200 1 , 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 Maiimbus 17: 35-39 and an augmented and

updated version of this may be found on the web site (http://malimbus.free.fr/instmale.htm). The

Editor will be happy to advise on the presentation of specific studies.

When designing Figures, and particularly font size, pay attention to Maiimbus page shape

and size. Figures prepared in or scanned into an appropriate graphics package and saved at high

resolution are preferred. Low-resolution files and poor-quality scans will not be accepted.

Authors are encouraged to submit photographs that illustrate salient points of their articles.

Photographs should preferably be in colour and at high resolution. Figures and photographs

should be supplied as graphics flies (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.

MALIMBUS 35(1) March 2013

Contents — Table des Matières

Diet composition of young and adult Northern Grey-headed Sparrow

Passer griseus and adult Southern Red Bishop Euplectes orix in Burundi.

R. P. Nasasagare, G. Ntakimazi & R. Libois 1-10

A new bird survey of the Mount Hombori region, Mali.

S. Ehrenbold 11-26

Observations of birds of the Soyo area, northwest Angola.

C. Stavrou & M.S.L. Mills 27-36

A preliminary investigation into the avian pollinators of three tree species

in a Nigerian montane forest.

C. Nsor & H.M. Chapman 37-49

Road counts of Hooded Vultures Necrosyrtes monachus over seven

months in and around Banjul, coastal Gambia, in 2005.

C. Barlow & T. Fulford 50-56

New and notable bird records for Burkina Faso.

M. van den Bergh 57-65

Short Notes — Notes Courtes

Recoveries of rings from two European birds in Burkina Faso.

M. Pavia, G. Boano, F. Silvano & U. Belemsobgo 66-67

Observations of two species new to Mauritania and detailed records

confirming the presence of two other species.

M. Schulz & B.A. Walther 67-70

News & Comment — Nouvelles & Commentaires 71-72

Society Notices — Informations de la Société

73-76