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MAUMBUS

Journal of West African Ornithology

Revue d’Omithologie de I’Ouest Africain

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VOLUME 34 Number 2 September 2012

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New bird records from southwestern Burkina Faso

by Marco Pavia', Giovanni Boano", Fabrizio Silvano'^ & Karama Mamadou''

'Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra, Universita di Torino,

Via Valperga Caliiso 35, 1-10125 Torino, Italy. <marco.pavia@iinito.it>

"Museo Civico di Storia Natiirale di Carmagnola,

Via San Francesco di Sales 188, 1-10022 Carmagnola (TO), Italy

'^Museo Civico di Storia Naturale di Stazzano,

Villa Gardella, 1-15060 Stazzano (AL), Italy

^Association Intervillageoise de Gestion des Ressources naturelles et de la Faiine

AGEREF, PO Box 223, Banfora, Burkina Faso

Received 7 November 2011; revised 30 April 2012.

Summary

We present the results of three bird surveys performed in southwestern

Burkina Faso (Cascades Region), documenting ten additional species new to

the country: Ovambo SpaiTowhawk Accipiter ovampensis, Black Sparrowhawk

A. melanoleucos, Red Phalarope Phalaropiis fulicariiis. Black-shouldered

Nightjar Caprimidgus nigriscapularis. Red-headed Lovebird Agapomis

pullarius. Buff-spotted Woodpecker Campethera nivosa. Grasshopper Warbler

Locustella naevia, African Reed Warbler AcrocepJialus baeticatus, Emin’s

Shrike Lanins giibeniator and Tropical Boubou Laniarius aethiopicus. Also

included are species for which our data represent a range extension within

Burkina Faso and a complete checklist of the species observed.

Resume

Nouvelles observations d’oiseaux dans le sud-ouest du Burkina Faso.

Nous presentons les resultats de trois etudes omithologiques realisees dans le

sud-ouest du Burkina Faso (Region des Cascades), documentant dix especes

nouvelles pour la region: FEpervier de I’Ovampo Accipiter ovampensis,

FAutour no'iY A. melanoleucos, le Phalarope a bee large Phalaropiis fulicariiis,

FEngoulevent a epaulettes noires Capriiniilgiis nigriscapiilaris, FInseparable

a tete rouge Agapomis pullarius, le Pic tachete Woodpecker Campethera nivosa,

la Locustelle tachetee Locustella naevia, la Rousserolle africaine Acrocephalus

baetieatus, la Pie-grieche a dos roux Lanins gubernator et le Gonolek

d’Abyssinie Laniarius aethiopicus. Sont aussi incluses des especes pour

lesquelles nos donnees representent une extension de leur aire de repartition a

Finterieur du Burkina Faso ainsi qu’une liste complete des especes observees.

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M. Pavia et al

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Introduction

The field data here reported were collected in November 2003, February 2010 and

March 2011 in the Cascades Region, southwestern Burkina Faso. The Cascades

Region, like many other parts of Burkina Faso, has received little ornithological

attention, most of which has been devoted to the northern and central parts of the

country, with a focus on Palaearctic migrants or areas of special interest such as the

W-Arly-Pendari National Parks area (Green & Sayer 1979, Thonnerieux 1985, 1988a,

1988b, Thonnerieux et al. 1989, Weesie & Belemsobgo 1997, Thiollay 2006, Balan9a

et al 2007, Connor 2010).

Study area and methods

We concentrated our activities in the Banfora area, particularly around Lemorodougou

Lake, and in the Classified Forest of Comoe-Leraba (see gazetteer in Table 1 ).

Table 1. Gazetteer with locality codes used in Appendix 1.

Banfora Area. Lemorodougou Lake (12-13 and 17-18 Feb 2010, 10-14 and 22-23

Mar 2011) covers a surface of < 2 km“ and is completely bordered by a thick flooded

Typha reedbed. The area around the lake is extensively cultivated with rice and millet

fields. The area was investigated with mist-nets, direct observation on foot and by

boat, and sound recording. Karfiguela falls (1 Dec 2003, 15 and 17 Feb 2010, 14 Mar

2011), also known as Cascades de Banfora, on the Comoe near Banfora, are one of

the most important tourist attractions of the region. The water falls from a sandstone

cliff c. 50 m high. Along the river, especially downstream of the waterfall, a thin but

dense gallery forest has developed, with some huge Mango Mangifera iiidica trees

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Birds of SW Burkina Faso

59

and scattered small eultivated fields, mainly Date Phoenix dach'lifera orchards. The

records here were from mist-netting, direct observation and sound reeording. Some

obserx ations were made also at the nearby Karfiguela marsh (22-23 Mar 2011).

Classified Forest of Conioe-Leraba. In this proteeted area, also reported as Diefoula-

Logoniegue forest (Lungren et al. 2001 ), we made observations in two main localities.

Folonzo (27-30 Nov 2003, 5-8 Feb 2010, 16 and 21 Mar 201 1) is a village located at

the border of the protected aea. Habitats near the village include arable fields of millet

or cotton, with scattered trees and small dense woods close to water sources. The

habitat inside the protected area is mainly open, park-like savanna woodland. This

area was surveyed by mist-nets placed close to water sources, and by car. Le Copalier

campsite (8-10 Feb 2010, 17-20 Mar 2011) lies south of Folonzo, inside the

Classified Forest, along the right bank of the Comoe River. It is characterized by

semi-decidous gallery forest up to 30-40 m high and dry forest of 15-20 m, with

temporary swamps generated after river flooding during the rainy season, and a l-km“

dense humid evergreen forest characterized by Danielia oliveri, Isoberlinia doka. Kayo

senegalensis and Pterocarpiis erinaceiis (Guinko 1984). This area was surveyed by

mist-nets, direct observation and sound recording, both diurnal and nocturnal.

Tengrela Lake (14 Feb 2010), close to Banfora, is locally famous for its population

of a few dozen Hippos Hippopotamus amphibiiis, which have been extirpated by

illegal hunting from the other lakes of the Banfora area. This lake is also a well known

spot for bird-watching. It is larger than Lemorodougou Lake but much more altered

by human activities. The shores are almost completely cultivated and natural

vegetation is nearly absent, and floating vegetation is less developed than in

Lemorodougou Lake. We spent one morning in the area using a boat and walking

around the lake.

Pics de Sindou (16 Feb 2010) is an eroded limestone formation of c. 1 .5 km“ of peaks

and ridges, mostly c. 50 m high with very steep slopes, 42 km east of Banfora. It is

well known for its archaeological and ethnographic interest. Its fauna is typical of

rocky areas, which are otherwise rare in the Banfora area.

Galerie a Roussettes (16 Feb 2010) is a wetland of 3 km“, extensively covered by

floating vegetation or semi-submerged trees. A dense gallery forest, inhabited by a

huge colony of fruit bats, characterizes the northern part of the area. The area was

briefly surveyed on foot.

Moussodougou Lake (16 Feb 2010) is an artificial lake, of c. 6 km*", between Sindou

and Banfora. It is one of the three largest artificial lakes of the Banfora area. It was

surveyed from the dam, so all the southern part of the lake could be observed. It was

not possible to see the northern part of the lake where, probably, the water was

shallower.

Kou forest (15 Mar 2011), also known as the “Guinguette”, is a Classified Forest

consisting of a patch of dense, well preserved forest along a freshwater spring c. 15

km west of Bobo Djoulasso, and is the only forest area of the region, except for the

one at Karfiguela falls.

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Opportunistic observations were also made during car trips between the various

sites and the base eamp, both in the Banfora area and in the Comoe-Leraba Forest.

Our surveys were carried out during the dry season. Birds were reeorded through

visual observations, tape recording and mist-netting. Nearly all of the observed

speeies were documented by photographs, and some voucher specimens were

collected to provide verifiable documentation of distributional records and material

for further studies of avian systematic, genetic, morphology, annual cycles and

biogeography (Bates et al. 2004).

Taxonomy and scientific names follow Bon'ow & Demey (2001). The distribution

of birds in Burkina Faso was evaluated from recent literature (Borrow & Demey

2004, Connor 2010, Kenneiiey & Pearson 2010) and compared with Brown et al.

(1982), Urban et al. (1986, 1997), Fry et al. (1988, 2004), Keith et al. (1992), Dowsett

& Dowsett Lemaire (1993), PNUE (1999) and Fry & Keith (2000). We have not taken

into consideration unchecked bird-watching trip reports, including those found on the

internet. To avoid repetition, PNUE (1999) will henceforth be quoted as PNUE and

Borrow & Demey (2004) will be indicated as B&D.

Results

We recorded 226 species, including 652 mist-netted individuals of 90 species

(Appendix 1). These included ten species new for Burkina Faso (according to PNUE

1999 and Borrow & Demey 2004) and several other interesting records, discussed in

more detail below.

Additions to the avifauna of Burkina Faso

Accipiter ovampensis Ovambo Sparrowhawk. One female, killed by local people in

Folonzo and given to us on 7 Feb 2010, was prepared as a study skin and preserved in

the Museo Civico di Storia Naturale di Carmagnola (MCCI B3237). A second

individual, probably a male, was mist-netted, measured and released at Le Copalier

campsite on 18 Mar 2011 (Fig. 1). The latter represents the third record for the

country since, on 19 Feb 2011, an adult was photographed by C. Gruwier near

Karfiguela falls at c. 10°43'N, 4°49'W (B. Portier in litt.). Ovambo Sparrowhawk is

an uncommon dry season visitor to the savanna zone, recorded in neighbouring

countries (B&D, Salewski 2000), and to be expected in southern Burkina Faso.

A. melaiioleiiciis Black Sparrowhawk. One was photographed at Le Copalier

campsite on 10 Feb 2010 (Fig. 2 left). This is a true forest species (B&D) recorded

only much further south in Ghana and Ivory Coast.

Phalaropiis fiilicariiis Red Phalarope. One was photographed and observed with a

40x telescope, while swimming in the centre of Moussodougou Lake, on 16 Feb 2010.

Its small size was appreciated by comparison with nearby White-faced Whistling

Ducks. We noted the plain grey mantle and the white breast with a darker mark at the

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Birds of SW Burkina Faso

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Figure 1. Ovambo Sparrowhawk /icc//7/V^r Le Copalier campsite.

Figure 2. Black Sparrowhawk Accipiter melanoleiicos^ (left), and young Buff-

spotted Woodpecker Campethera nivosa^ both at Le Copalier campsite.

base of the hindneek, the small dark mask, and dark hinderown and bill. The length of

the bill and overall shape and behaviour exeluded first-winter Little Gull

Hydrocoloeiis minutiis, the only other bird with a similar eolour pattern. Usually

pelagic or coastal in the non-breeding season, the Red Phalarope is sometimes

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M. Pavia et al.

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recorded inland along migration routes. It is commonly reported in the Atlantic Ocean

off West Africa but rarely in the Gulf of Guinea, and only as an accidental in

continental West Africa (B&D).

Agapornis puUariiis Red-headed Lovebird. Two were seen, and identified also by

call by G. Vaschetti (pers. comm.), at Folonzo on 28 Nov 2003. A pair was observed

extensively, from < 10 m, on trees close to Folonzo village on 21 Mar 2011; we

observed all the characteristics of the species, in particular the small size and short

tail, green body with red face (brighter in one individual than the other), and dark eyes.

The closest breeding range is in the north of Ivory Coast and Ghana (B&D) but there

are four reports from along the Niger and Mekrou rivers in Niger, which have been

accepted by the Niger records committee (Brouwer 2001, J. Brouwer pers. comm.),

and the habitat of the Folonzo area is suitable for the species. It is unlikely that the

Folonzo birds were escaped from captivity, given the long time between our two

observations and the remoteness of the village of Folonzo from possible trade

routes.

Caprimiilgus mgriscapiilaris Black-shouldered Nightjar. A singing male (one of 2

3 singers) was sound-recorded at Le Copalier campsite on 17 Mar 2011 (Xenocanto

XC 74873), representing a great range extension from the closest known areas in

southwest Mali (Dowsett & Dowset Lemaire 201 1), eastern Ivory Coast and southern

Nigeria.

Campethera nivosa Buff-spotted Woodpecker. A recently-fledged individual mist-

netted in gallery forest close to Le Copalier campsite, 17 Mar 2011 (Fig. 2 right).

Even though it was a young bird, we are confident of the identification as we

compared it with many pictures and some specimens in the Natural Histoiy Museum

of Torino, where specimens of other Campethera woodpeckers were also studied. Its

known range is far to the south, in the Guinea-Congo forest block, but with a single

small area in southern Mali. It is also reported from the nearby Comoe National Park,

Ivoiy Coast (Salewski 2000). Our record demonstrates breeding of the species in the

forest of southern Burkina Faso. Strangely, no other woodpecker species was seen

clearly during our surveys.

LocusteUci naevia Grasshopper Warbler. A single individual was mist-netted at

Lemorodougou Lake (Fig. 3 top) on 13 Feb 2010. The closest known wintering areas

of this Palaearctic migrant are in Ghana and Mali, along the Niger River (B&D,

Kennerley & Pearson 2010).

Acrocephalus haeticatiis African Reed Warbler. Quite common in the reedbeds of

Lemorodougou Lake, where several individuals were mist-netted and photographed

(Fig. 3 bottom), and others observed. We identified reed warblers using plumage and

measurements, according to Kennerley & Pearson (2010). To confirm the

identification we sequenced the barcoding region of the cytochrome oxidase I gene

using the procedures and primers detailed in Johnsen et al. (2010), and compared the

sequences with those available on the Barcoding of Life Database

<www.boldsystem.org>. Out of 16 Acrocephalus individuals whose DNA was

2012

Birds of SW Burkina Faso

63

sequenced, 1 1 \\ere this species while five were A. scirpaceiis (D. Zuccon, pers.

comm.). The West African distribution of the African Reed Warbler is fragmentary,

probably due to a lack of information other than from coastal sites in Senegal and

along the Niger River (B&D, Kennerley & Pearson 2010).

Figure 3. Grasshopper Warbler Lociistella imevia^ (top) and African Reed

2LYh\QV Acrocephaliis baeticatus^ both at Leniorodougou Lake.

Lanins giibernator Emin’s Shrike. A single male seen and photographed in wooded

savanna close to Le Copalier campsite, 20 Mar 201 1 (Fig. 4 left). Patchily distributed

in Africa (Sinclair & Ryan 2010) but to be expected in Burkina Faso, as it is reported

from Ghana (B&D), northern Benin (Dowsett & Dowsett-Lemaire 2011), and as a

probable breeder in nearby Comoe National Park, Ivory Coast (Salewski 2000).

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M. Pavia et al.

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Laniarius aethiopiciis Tropical Boubou. A single individual mist-netted at Le

Copalier campsite, 10 Feb 2010 (Fig. 4 right). Known from nearby in the Ivory Coast

(B&D, Salewski 2000).

Figure 4. Emin’s Shrike Lanins gubernator (left) and Tropical Boubou Laniarius

aethiopiciis^ both at Le Copalier campsite.

Figure 5. Shining Blue Kingfisher Alcedo qiiadribrachys^ Le Copalier campsite

(left) and Short-winged Cisticola Cisticola brachypteriis^ Folonzo.

Other noteworthy records

Among the other species recorded for the Cascade Region during our surveys, the

following merit additional notes according to our knowledge of the cuirent literature.

Ardeidae

Egretta intermedia Intermediate Egret. A few individuals were recorded and

photographed at Lemorodougou and Tengrela Lakes, but 85 were seen at

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Birds of SW Burkina Faso

65

Moussodoiigoii Lake on 16 Feb 2010. This species is not otherwise reported in

southwest Burkina Faso (B&D).

Anatidae

Deudrocygua viduata White-faced Whistling Duck. Regularly observed at

Lemorodougou Lake in 2010 with flocks of c. 100. One tlock of > 1500 was observed

at Moussodougou Lake, and included 30 Spur-winged Geese.

Nettapiis aiiritits African Pygmy Goose. Regularly observed at Lemorodougou Lake,

with a maximun flock of 72 on 23 Mar 2011.

Falconidae

Falco tumiiucidiis Common Kestrel. Regularly observed in and around the city of

Banfora and at the Pics de Sindou, where a breeding pair referable to the local

subspecies F. t. nifescens was observed on 16 Feb 2010.

F. biarmiciis Lanner. Commonly observed in many habitats. A pair with chicks

occupied what was probably an old Pied Crow nest on a high-voltage tower close to

Karfiguela marsh, 22-23 Mar 2011.

Rallidae

Porphyho alleni Allen’s Gallinule. Quite common in Lemorodougou Lake, with

juveniles seen and photographed. Present in most of Burkina Faso, but not in the

southwest (B&D).

P. porphyria Purple Swamphen. Single individuals were regularly seen and

photographed at Lemorodougou Lake in 2010 and 2011. According to B&D this

species is present only in the north of Burkina Faso.

Jacanidae

Microparra capeusis Lesser Jacana. Quite common in Lemorodougou and Tengrela

Lakes, where many individuals were seen and photographed feeding on the floating

vegetation in the centre of the lakes. Our observations confirm those of Lungren et al.

(2001) and Portier et al. (2002). Reported by B&D only in the extreme southwest,

close to the border with Ivory Coast.

Columbidae

Streptopelia decipiens African Morning Dove. Commonly seen and photographed in

various localities of the Banfora area and at the Pics de Sindou. According to B&D

the southwest of Burkina Faso is outside the distribution range of the species, which is

typical of arid woodland.

Caprimulgidae

Macrodipteiyx longipennis Standard-winged Nightjar. Quite common in the open

wooded savannas of the Classified Forest of Comoe-Leraba, where 12 were mist-

netted on 5-8 Feb 2010. A nest with two eggs was photographed near Le Copalier

campsite on 19 Mar 201 1 (E. Chaplain pers. comm.).

Coliidae

Urocolius macrouriis Blue-naped Mousebird. Six individuals were seen near Banfora

and five at Tengrela Lake, during the 2003 survey. Inhabits the north of Burkina Faso

and the Sahel (B&D).

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Alcedinidae

Halcyon malimbica Blue-breasted Kingfisher. Quite eommon at Le Copalier

campsite, where four were mist-netted on 8-10 Feb 2010 and two 17-20 Mar 2011.

Reported in the extreme south of Burkina Faso (B&D) as it is typical of riparian

forests in wooded savannas.

Alcedo qiiadribrachys Shining Blue Kingfsher. One mist-netted at Le Copalier

campsite, 9 Feb 2010 (Fig. 5 left). Previously known in Burkina Faso only from Arly

National Park (Green & Sayer 1979). It inhabits streams of the Guineo-Congolian

forests (B&D).

Hirundinidae

Hirimdo dciurica Red-rumped Swallow. A roost-like concentration of several

hundred, with a few Bam Swallows and Wire-tailed Swallows, was observed in the

Karfiguela marsh on 22-23 Mar 2011. Photographs indicate the presence of the

Senegambia-Chad H. d. domicella and of Palaearctic H. d. riifiila.

H. aethiopica Ethiopian Swallow. One was mist-netted at Le Copalier campsite, 6 Feb

2010. Distributed only in the extreme north of Burkina Faso (B&D), but expected in

the region as it inhabits the Ivory Coast quite close to the border.

Turdidae

Myrmecocichia cinnamomeiventris Cliff Chat. A few were photographed in the Pics

de Sindou area, a suitable habitat for the species, on 16 Feb 2010. As stated by

Connor (2010), who saw this species at the Karfiguela falls, this suggests a wide

distribution of this species in southwest Burkina Faso where there is suitable habitat.

Patchy in West Africa, as it is associated with rocky areas in savannas. In Burkina

Faso, only otherwise reported in the W National Park area (Green & Sayer 1979),

while the nearest occurrence is in the northern Ivory Coast (B&D).

Sylviidae

Cisticola aberrans Rock-loving Cisticola. One photographed at Pic de Sindou, 16 Feb

2010. Inhabits rocky outcrops in the savanna and otherwise only known in the east of

Burkina Faso, in particular in the W National Park area (B&D).

C galactoles Winding Cisticola. Quite common in low vegetation around

Lemorodougou Lake, where 12 were mist-netted in 2010 and 2011; also seen at

Karfiguela falls, 17 Feb 2010. Otherwise reported only in the extreme south and the

centre of Burkina Faso along the White Volta River (B&D).

C brachyptenis Short-winged Cisticola. One photographed in wooded savannah close

to Folonzo, 7 Feb 2010 (Fig. 5 right); another photographed at the Galerie a

Roussettes, 16 Feb 2010; three mist-netted at Lemorodougou Lake, 12-13 Mar 2011.

Not included in PNUE but widely reported for south Burkina Faso (B&D), based on

as yet unpublished records, e.g. not uncommon in Nazinga Game Ranch (B. Portier

and F. Dowsett-Lemaire in lift.).

C. jiincidis Zitting Cisticola. One observed close to the Karfiguela falls on 1 Dec

2003, and one photographed at Lemorodougou Lake on 12 Feb 2010. Patchy in West

Africa, with a few populations in central and western Burkina Faso (B&D).

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Birds ol'SW Burkina Faso

67

Hyliota jlaviguster Yellow-bellied Hyliota. Two observed in wooded savanna around

Folonzo, 28-29 Nov 2003. Not included in PNUE, but reported with a wide

distribution in Burkina Faso by B&D, based on as yet unpublished records (B. Fortier

and F. Dowsett-Lemaire in lilt.).

Muscicapidae

Muscicapa aquatica Swamp Flycatcher. One photographed at the Galerie a

Roussettes, 16 Feb 2010; three mist-netted at Le Copalier campsite, 17 and 19 Mar

2011. Otherwise reported only in the extreme east of the country, in particular in the

W National Park (Green & Sayer 1979, B&D). More recently, Connor (2010)

reported one near Ouagadougou and other observations in southern Burkina Faso, and

B. Portier {in litt.) found it at Nazinga Game Ranch and Kabore Tambi National Park.

These data suggest a wider distribution in this part of the countiy.

Myiopariis pliimbeits Lead-coloured Flycatcher. One seen on the Comoe river bank

east of Folonzo, 29 Nov 2003; one mist-netted at Le Copalier campsite, 17 Mar 2011.

Otherwise only reported in the east, close to the Benin border (B&D).

Platysteiridae

PlaU’steira cyanea Common Wattle-eye. Commonly observed at the Karfiguela falls

and Le Copalier campsite, where five were mist-netted. Otherwise only in the east

(B&D), despite its presence in the north of southern neighbouring countries.

Sturnidae

Onychognathiis neninanni Neumann’s Starling. A pair photographed at Karfiguela

falls, 15 Feb 2010. Included in PNUL as O. morio. Patchy in West Africa, including

extreme southwest Burkina Faso, southeast Mali and northern Ivory Coast (B&D).

Associated with rocky outcrops but not reported at Karfiguela by Connor (2010),

suggesting that it is probably not common, even in suitable habitat.

Ploceidae

Ploceus nigricoUis Black-necked Weaver. Fairly common in the wooded area at

Karfiguela falls, where six mist-netted on 16 Feb 2010. Also observed at Kou forest,

15 Mar 2011. Known only in the southwest (B&D), but our obseiwations close to

Banfora and Bobo-Dioulasso extend the known range.

Qiielea qiielea Red billed Quelea. Numerous flocks of tens up to 150, together with

Eiiplectes weavers at a roost in the reed beds of Lemorodougou Lake in 2010 and

2011. According to B&D, only distributed in the centre and north of Burkina Faso.

Eiiplectes afer Yellow-crowned Bishop. Single individuals seen and mist-netted at

Lemorodougou Lake and Karfiguela marsh. Patchy in West Africa (B&D),

particularly along the Niger valley and in the centre and north of Burkina Faso. In the

south, only reported in a small area close to the Mali border (B&D).

Emberizidae

Einberiza tahapisi Cinnamon-breasted Rock Bunting. A breeding pair of the

subspecies E. t. goslingi, with the female carrying food, was photographed at the Pics

de Sindou, 16 Feb 2010.

68

M. Pavia et al.

Malimbus 34

Discussion

We documented ten bird species new for Burkina Faso and new localities for a

number of others. Considering the shortness of the surveys, limited to the dry season,

these results indicate that there is still much to be learned about the distribution of

birds in the Cascades Region. In particular, surveys in the wet season are

recommended in order to acquire a more complete knowledge of the bird fauna. We

did not record certain species reported as common in nearby Comoe National Park by

Salewski (2000), such as some woodpeckers, warblers and starlings. In some cases

this was probably due to our lack of familiarity with some vocalisations.

Overall our observations indicate that in southwest Burkina Faso, beside the

typical Sudanian zone bird fauna, some elements of the Guineo-Congolian avifauna

can occasionally be observed or may even be present as small breeding or migratory

populations.

Acknowledgments

This work was part of a wider cooperation project between the Provincia di Vercelli

(Italy) and AGEREF (Banfora, Burkina Faso). The field work was partially financed

by the action “Alimentation, Ecotourisme et Nature: microprojets ecologiques dans la

foret classee de la Comoe-Leraba” within the cooperation project between Burkina

Faso and the Provincia di Vercelli, Settore Risorse Umane, Tutela Ambientale e

Sanita. We thank the Minister of the Environment and Sustainable Development of

Burkina Faso for the support of our research. In particular we thank the Director of

the Faunal Office, Urbain Belemsobgo, for his help with permits and for his

enthusiasm for our work. We also thank our friend Ousmane Ouedraogo for his

assistance during our visits in 2003 and 2010. We are indebted to Aristide

Belemsobgo and Ismael Ton for their assistance during field works. A special thanks

also to Dario Zuccon of the Musee National d’Histoire Naturelle, Paris, for the genetic

analyses of our specimens and to Mike Connor for his reprint on the birds of Burkina

Faso. All the people of AGEREF gave us a very nice welcome and provided

invaluable logistical support during all phases of the work. We also would like to

thank the referees JoostBrouwer, Francoise Dowsett-Lemaire and Bruno Portier for

their critical and constructive comments.

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82

Malimbus 34

Aspects of the breeding biology

of Abdim’s Stork Ciconia abdimii in Nigeria

by Samuel T. Ivande'’", Shiiwua A. Manu", Zingfa J. Wala“’^,

Joseph D. Onoja“ & Talatu Tende"’"^

'Sehool of Biology, University of St Andrews,

Bute Building, St Andrews, Fife KYI 6 9TS, U.K. <sti2@st-andrews.ac.uk>

“A.P. Leventis Ornithological Research Institute, University of Jos Biological

Conservatory, P.O. Box 13404, Laminga, Jos, Nigeria

'^Animal Demography Unit, Zoology Department, University of Cape Town,

Rondebosch 7701, Cape Town, South Africa

■^Department of Biology, Lund University, Sweden

Received 30 January 2012; revised 29 June 2012.

Summary

Breeding distribution, arrival dates, nesting tree preferences, incubation and

Hedging periods, and clutch and brood sizes of Abdim’s Stork Ciconia

abdimii in Nigeria are described based on data collected during a study from

28 April to 19 August 2010. Earliest laying dates were at the end of March to

early April, with Hedging dates from mid- to late July. Nesting materials,

average clutch size (2.7 ± 0.1 1 eggs, n = 57 nests) and brood size (2.47 ± 0.07

chicks, n = 76 nests) of this population were similar to those of other

populations studied in West Africa. A population of at least 538 birds was

estimated for the 77 villages searched in Adamawa, Bauchi and Kano States,

of which Abdim’s Storks were found nesting in 53 villages. All nests in the

areas searched were in villages. Baobabs Adansonia digitata appear to be a

preferred nest-tree species out of 12 tree species used for nesting.

Resume

Aspects de la biologic de la reproduction de la Cigogne d’Abdim Ciconia

ahdimii au Nigeria. Les zones de reproduction, les dates d’arrivee, les arbres

preferes pour la nidification, les periodes de couvaison et des premiers envois,

ainsi que le nombre d’oeufs et de poussins de la Cigogne d’Abdim au Nigeria

sont decrits sur la base de donnees collectees au cours d’une etude effectuee

du 28 avril au 19 aout 2010. Les dates des premieres pontes se situaient de fin

mars a debut avril, avec les premiers envois de poussins de mi-juillet a fm

juillet. Les materiaux pour la construction du nid, la taille moyenne de la

2012

Breeding biology of Abdim’s Stork

83

niehee (2.7 ± 0.1 1 oeufs, n = 57 nids) et le nombre moyen de poiissins (2.47 ±

0.07 poiissins, n = 76 nids) de cette population etaient similaires a eeux

d'aiitres populations etudiees en Afrique de I’Ouest. Une population d’au

moins 538 oiseaux a ete estimee pour les 77 villages etudies dans les Etats de

TAdamawa, Bauchi et Kano, parmi lesquels des Cigognes d’Abdim out ete

observees nichant dans 53 villages. Tons les nids des zones etudiees se

trouvaient dans des villages. Le Baobab Adcwsonia digitata parait etre I’arbre

prefere de nidification, parmi 12 especes d’arbres utilises.

Introduction

Abdim’s Stork Ciconia ahdimii is an intra-African trans-equatorial migrant, breeding

during rainy seasons in many human settlements across the Sahel (Brown et al. 1982).

It aiTives on its West African breeding grounds between March and April, breeds

between May and August, then moves south at the onset of the diy season (Brown et

al. 1982, Borrow & Demey 2004). Its arthropod prey also becomes abundant with the

rains (del Hoyo et al. 1992), which makes it a potentially suitable species to

investigate seasonal changes in behaviour and possible effects of the changing climate

on this behaviour. Its migratoiy strategy has led African tribesmen to use it as an

indicator of rainfall, where it is welcomed as the “harbinger of rains” (Brown et al.

1982). In northern Nigeria, where the species is a common breeding visitor, local

fanners have planned their agricultural calendars according to its seasonal movements

(Ezealor 2002). Despite its importance to African people and the opportunities it

presents for climatic studies, data on its population size and general behaviour are still

limited in West Africa and especially in Nigeria. In West Africa, study of the species

has been carried out in Benin (Adjakpa 2000) and Niger (Christensen et al. 2008,

Petersen et al. 2008).

The A.P Leventis Ornithological Research Institute (APLORI) has attempted the first

large scale distributional survey of this species in northern Nigeria, as the start of a long-

terni study to understand the effect of the changing climate on its ecology. This article

presents findings from the survey, which was carried out from 28 Apr to 19 Aug 2010.

Methods

Surveys were carried out in seven states in northern Nigeria: Adamawa, Bauchi,

Gombe, Kano, Sokoto, Taraba and Zamfara States (Fig. 1). These states, mostly

within the Sahel and Sudan savannah ecological zones, occur between 9° and 13°N

and 4° and 13°E. Mean annual rainfall in the region ranges between 400 and 1000 mm

during the wet season (May-Sep) with heaviest rainfall in August. Temperature

ranges from 12 to 36°C in the dry season and 18-43°C in the rainy season.

84

S.T. Ivande et al.

Malimbus 34

Figure 1. Map of Nigeria showing states visited during the survey. Stars =

extensive survey in at least one Local Government Area; dots = casual surveys.

Extensive surveys were earned out in one Local Government Area (EGA) in each

of Adamawa, Bauchi and Kano States, including: three survey visits to Alkaleri EGA

in Bauchi State from 29 Apr to 2 May, 26-29 May and 29 Jun to 6 Jul 2010; two

survey visits to Eufore EGA, Adamawa State, 19-21 Jul and 16-19 Aug 2010; one

survey visit to Rano EGA in Kano State on 9-10 Jun 2010. On the first survey visit to

these states, a systematic search of villages was carried out by driving along major

routes in the area. We stopped at every village along the route to record numbers of

Abdim’s Storks and nests, nest contents and characteristics of nesting trees.

Geographical coordinates of all trees where Abdim’s Storks’ nests were seen were

taken with a Garmin 60 GPS so that nests could be re-located in areas where more

than one survey visit was made, i.e. Adamawa and Bauchi States. Casual surveys

(without stops to observe nests) were done in Gombe, Sokoto, Taraba and Zamfara

States during this phase of the project. We also looked for nests outside villages as

we drove between them, and although we did not search woodlands between villages.

2012

Breeding biology of Abdim’s Stork

85

we belie\e that we would have deteeted some nests outside villages had there been

many.

All trees where Abdim’s Stork nests were seen were identified to species. They

w ere climbed w ith a ladder and the nests were observed for general structure, nesting

materials and contents. Frequency of use of such tree species for nesting, tree height,

and diameter at breast height (DBH) estimated by eye to the nearest 1 metre were

recorded. Permission was sought from the village head in order to climb any trees.

The number of home clusters in each village was estimated in order to group

villages into settlement size categories and hence investigate the relationships

betw een settlement size and number of birds and nests. Villages were classed as small

( 1-30 houses) and large (> 30 houses). Whether the tree was fenced in within a home

or not w as also recorded, to assess birds’ preferences for nesting on trees within home

settlements and if this provided protection. We assessed local knowledge and beliefs

about the species via unstructured interviews with local people.

The breeding population was estimated from the number of nests counted, where

each active nest represents a breeding pair. Information on breeding phenology was

estimated by comparing our observations of breeding Abdim’s Storks in Bauchi State

on the three visits there, with breeding observations reported by Bigalke (1974 in

Brown et al. 1982) and Adjakpa (2000). Mean clutch size was calculated from clutch

sizes recorded during the survey period preceding first observation of chicks. Mean

brood size was estimated from data collected on the subsequent visit. This is when the

highest number of chicks was observed. A Mann- Whitney test was used to compare

the average number of nests per tree in small and large villages and between trees that

w^ere fenced in or not. Means are given ± S.E.

Results

Breeding phenology, clutch and brood size

A total of 188 nests was recorded from all villages visited in Bauchi State from 29

Apr to 2 May 2010. The contents of 88 (47 %) of these nests were recorded, of which

57 (65 %) contained 1-4 eggs (mean 2.7 ± 0.1 1 ). Eggs were mostly white, sometimes

looking stained and with light brown spots. No chicks were found during this survey

visit and the earliest possible date for the start of incubation in Bauchi State in 2010,

calculated by subtracting a 28-30 day incubation period (Bigalke 1974, Adjakpa

2000) from the date of our earliest visit (29 Apr to 2 May), must therefore have been

between the last week in March and the first week of April.

Our seeond survey, 26-29 May (27-30 days later), revealed that 80 % of the eggs

had hatched and brood size was 2.47 ± 0.07 chieks (n = 76 nests). Based on the descripttion

in Brown et al. (1982) we estimate that the ehicks were a few days to about two weeks

old at the most (see Fig. 2 A-D). Assuming a 50-60 day fledging period (Brown et al.

1982) we therefore estimate fledging dates to be sometime between mid- and late July.

86

S.T. Ivande et al.

Malimbus 34

Figure 2. Abdims Stork chicks observed in Bauchi State. Nigeria. 26-29 May

2010. A-B: chicks probably up to a couple of days old. C-D: more developed

chicks, probably 7-15 days old.

The third surv ey \ isit to Bauchi State (29 Jun to 6 JuL 30-36 days after the second

\isit) was earlier than the estimated fledging dates, and the chicks observed were

more developed. We obsen. ed two failed flight attempts by chicks during this visit

and. on both occasions, the chicks were picked up and returned to the nests. Flights

that were more successful were obsen ed during a later \ isit to breeding colonies in

Adamawa State (19-21 Jul). when on sighting climbers some young birds made short

flights from the nest to nearby trees and returned to their nests later. .About 90 % of 80

nests were empt\' when we visited .Adamawa State 16-19 .Aug. and we assume that

most of the chicks had fledged.

Breeding distribution and population size

.Abdim's Storks were sighted in all the seven states visited during this sur\ ey (Fig. 1).

In .Adamawa. Bauchi and Kano States, of “7 villages searched, breeding was obseiwed

in 53 (69 %) in Fufore and .Alkaleri LG.As (.Adamawa and Bauchi States respectively),

in none in Rano LG.A (Kano State). In the 53 villages. 269 nests with breeding

evidence were recorded. Taking each nest to represent a breeding pair, we estimate a

2012

Breeding biology of Abdim’s Stork

87

breeding population of at least 538 individuals for this area. However, we directly

eounted c. 412 birds as we drove through villages, including birds seen in flight,

perched on trees, foraging or gathering nesting materials on the ground. The highest

number of Abdim's Storks seen at one time was a group of c. 86 soaring birds in

Adamawa State. A group of c. 56 birds was also recorded in Bauchi State, where we

estimated an average group size of 7.6 birds. We counted only four birds in the 12

villages surveyed in Rano LGA, where local reports suggest fewer Abdim’s Storks in

this area than about 15 years ago.

Nesting tree characteristics and other nest observations

The 269 Abdim’s Stork nests observed were on a total of 144 trees belonging to 12

species. The average tree height and DBH irrespective of tree species were 19.5 ±

0.57 m and 1.1 ± 0.06 m respectively (Table 1). The most common tree for nesting

was Baobab Adausonia digitata with 91 records (63 %), probably because it has large

branches providing adequate support for the nests. The nests on other tree species

mostly occurred in villages with few or no Baobab trees.

Table 1. Tree species used for nesting and their characteristics.

Nests were usually built with dry sticks and grasses (Fig. 3 A). The twigs were

piled together and usually supported in portions of the tree where many branches

formed multi-forked and cupped hollows that provided good support for the nests (see

Fig. 3A). A few birds were seen collecting twigs for nest repairs and building, and

locals reported cases where such materials were taken from conspecifics or other

species. In some villages, Abdim’s Stork nests were observed on trees where White-

billed Buffalo Weaver Biibalomis cdbirostris nests also occuiTed. Locals reported that

88

S.T. Ivande et al.

Malimbiis 34

Abdim’s Storks take twigs from these nests when they breed and these materials are

reclaimed by the Buffalo Weavers when they also return to breed. Other materials

including pieces of clothes and rags, sacks, polythene bags and in one case, human

hairs, were also observed to make up nesting materials (see Fig. 3 B D).

Figure 3. Nest building and nesting materials in Abdim’s Storks in Nigeria. A: a

breeding pair still building with dry twigs and grass. B: nest with rags. C: nest

with hair. D: nest with PVC bag and rags.

Anthropogenic associations and possible threats

All colonies and trees with Abdim’s Stork nest were recorded within villages and

settlements or at the outskirts, and interviews with villagers indicated that birds were

hardly ever found nesting outside villages. Out of the 33 villages where breeding

activity was evident in Alkaleri, 23 were small settlements while another ten were

large. Although on average there were more nests and birds per tree in larger

settlements, these differences were not significant (Mann Whitney tests: Z = -1 .3, P =

0.21 and Z = -1 .4, P = 0. 1 5 respectively). There was also no significant difference in

the average number of nests per tree irrespective of whether trees were fenced in or

not (Mann Whitney test; Z = -0.6, P = 0.56).

2012

Breeding biology of Abdim’s Stork

89

Residents of Dugnri Village (Bauchi State) reported a case of unintentional

poisoning of storks leading to mass mortality in the breeding season preceding our

survey, after storks fed on insects in farmlands where pesticides had been used. Only

a single breeding pair was recorded in this village where residents claimed > 20 pairs

had bred in the previous year. In one village in Rano LGA, a pair that had consistently

bred there was reportedly last seen about five years previously when one of the pair

was shot. We also observed a wind storm destroy a nest in a village in Bauchi State

although this nest was reconstructed on our next visit.

Discussion

Many of the breeding parameters of the population we studied were similar to those of

other populations of the species. Nest materials observed by us are consistently

reported for this species (Brown et al. 1982). Similar clutch sizes were reported by

Brown et al. (1982) (1-3 eggs, mean 2.2, maximum 3, n = 16 nests), Adjakpa (2000)

(1-5, mean 3.2) and Christensesn et al. (2008) (1-4, mean 2.78, n = 36). Our

estimated start date of incubation, late March to early April, is comparable with dates

for populations in the far north of Benin (Adjakpa 2000), at about the same latitudes

{i.e. 10-12°N), where rainfall pattern is similar. Populations in Niger however start

incubation later, around early May (Christensen et al. 2008), probably because of their

more northerly latitudes with the corresponding later start of rainfall.

The average size of groups of Abdim’s Storks in Bauchi State (7.6) is lower than

that of not less than ten birds reported previously (Brown et al. 1982, Hoyo et al.

1992). Foraging densities of c. 80-90 Abdim Storks per ha have also been estimated

in Kano State (Amatobi et al. 1987).

Various factors, including habitat degradation for urban development, agricultural

activities, overgrazing and reduced food availability due to pesticides might have

caused population declines in this species. Given the agrarian nature of most surveyed

villages, a possible decline due to pesticides deserves further investigation. Other

threats reported by Adjakpa (2000) include hunting of birds for meat, egg removal,

and destruction of nests and nesting trees during violent storms. These were observed

and reported in some of the villages we surveyed. Although some ot our results may

appear to indicate a declining Abdim’s Stork population, our survey is not sufficient

or extensive enough to be sure. Abdim’s Stork populations have not been well studied

in Nigeria and we hope that as this project continues, more informed conclusions will

be made about population status and dynamics of the species in Nigeria.

The association of this bird with humans was evident as all records of the birds

were within human settlements, with more nests and birds recorded in the larger

villages. The slightly higher number of nests observed on trees fenced within

compounds rather than outside also seems to suggest that this association with

humans may be of some benefit to the species.

90

S.T. Ivande et al.

Malimbus 34

The association between Abdim’s Stork and Baobabs may be partly due to the

fact that Baobabs are common, gregarious and widespread in the savannas of Nigeria,

and are often planted and protected by people, so often associated with human

settlements (Keay et al. 1960, Arbonnier 2004). They and the storks thus both enjoy

some form of protection in this area. Also, the other nest-tree species often appeared

freshly trimmed and the locals reported that such trees, especially Neem Azadirachta

indica, were trimmed regularly, in most cases for firewood and fencing material. This

is likely to disturb any bird that may be breeding or intending to breed in such trees

and may reduce their attractiveness for the storks. The species is reported to reuse

nests repeatedly (not necessarily by the same pair) and we hope to confirm nest

fidelity from tagged storks in the next phase of this project.

Acknowledgments

We are grateful to the Leventis Conseiwation Foundation for funds to carry out this

research. We also acknowledge and thank Mr Haladu Idi (Yankastar), Alhassan and

all the other staff at APLORI for the various roles they played in supporting this

project. Special thanks also to Mr Afang and Mr Salisu, our field assistants, without

whose tree-climbing skills data on breeding activities, especially clutch and brood

sizes, would have been difficult to obtain. Many thanks also to Will Cresswell, Shola

Iwajomo, Daniel Cox and two anonymous reviewers who made helpful comments and

suggestions on the manuscript. This is contribution no. 53 from the A.P. Leventis

Ornithological Research Institute.

References

Aiviakpa, J. (2000) The breeding biology of Abdim’s Storks Cicouia abdimii in the

far north of Benin. Ostrich 71 ; 61-63.

Amatobi, C.I., Apeji, S.A. & Oyidi, O. (1987) Effect of some insectivorous birds on

populations of grasshoppers (Orthoptera) in Kano State, Nigeria. Samaru J. Agric.

Res. 5: 43-50.

Arbonnier, M. (2004) Trees, Shrubs and Lianas of West A frican Diy Zones. CIRAD

MAGRAF, Paris.

Borrow, N & Demey, R. (2004) Birds of Western Africa. Christopher Helm, London.

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

Academic Press, Eondon.

Christensen, K.D., Faek, K., Jensen, E.P. & Petersen B.S. (2008) Abdim’s Stork

Ciconia abdimii in Niger: population size, breeding ecology and home range.

Ostrich 79: 177-185.

2012

Breeding biology of Abdim’s Stork

91

Ezealor, A.U. (ed.) (2002) Critical Sites for Biodiversity Conservation in Nigeria.

Nigerian Conser\ alion Foundation, Lagos.

Hovo, J. DEL, Elliot, A. & Sargatal, J. (eds) (1992) Handbook of the Birds of the

Workk \ ol. 1. Lynx, Barcelona.

Keay, R.W.J., Onochie, C.F.A. & Stanfield, D.P. (1960) Nigerian Trees, vol. 1.

Federal Department of Forest Research, Ibadan.

92

Malimbus 34

Contribution a I’etude de la biologic de reproduction du

Martin-pecheur huppe Alcedo cristata

par Robert Kisasa Kafutshi

Universite de Kinshasa, Faeulte des seienees, Departement de Biologie, B.P. 190

Kinshasa XI, R.D. Congo

Universite de Liege, Departement de seienees de la vie (Biologie des organismes et

eeologie), 27 Boulevard du Reetorat B22, 4000 Liege, Belgique

<bob_kisasa(^yahoo.fr>

Requ 7 Janvier 2012; revu 1 8 juillet 2012.

Resume

De 2004 a 2009, 127 nids du Martin-peeheur huppe Alcedo cristata ont ete

suivis dans la region de Kinshasa (Republique Democratique du Congo), en

vLie du eomptage des ceufs, et du baguage des jeunes et adultes. Au total 195

Martins-pecheurs huppes dont 57 adultes nicheurs et 138 poussins ont ete

bagues dont tons les adultes et 121 poussins ont ete peses et mesures. Les

resultats obtenus montrent que le Martin-pecheur huppe pond 2-4 oeufs qu’il

incube 15-16 jours. La duree d’elevage des poussins est de 16 a 17 Jours. Les

exigences liees au metabolisme et a I’ecologie chez les Jeunes peuvent

expliquer le patron de croissance des poussins.

Summary

Contribution to the breeding biology of the Malachite Kingfisher Alcedo

cristata. From 2004 to 2009, 127 nests of the Malachite Kingfisher cristata

were monitored in the Kinshasa region (Democratic Republic of Congo) by

counting eggs and ringing chicks and adults. In total, 195 birds (57 adults and

138 fledglings) were ringed, of which all adults and 121 chicks were weighed

and measured. The Malachite Kingfisher lays 2^ eggs that are incubated 15-

16 days in the burrow. The nestling period is 16-17 days. Chick metabolic

and ecological demands may explain the pattern of growth of the nestlings.

Introduction

Aucune etude d’envergure n’a ete envisagee pour comprendre le patron de croissance des

poussins du Martin-pecheur huppe Alcedo cristata. Quelques infomiations Ifagmentaires

2012

Reproduction du Martin-pecheur hiippe

93

\ oire anecdotiques siir celte espece afrotropicale portent sur son regime alimentaire

(Douthwaite 1976, Fiy et al. 1992, Libois & Laudelout 2004), y compris celui des

poussins (Kisasa Kafutshi 2012a, 2012h). Chez les oiseaux nidicoles, la maturation

des fonctions physiologiques, la chronologic et le mode de croissance des differents

organes repondent a line pression selective et leur croissance est susceptible de mettre

en evidence des parametres plus ou moins importants pour la survie de Foiseau

(Hallet-Libois 1985). Dans la presente etude, j’ai initie de fines observations sur la

croissance et le developpement des poussins afm de cerner les besoins de la nichee et

d’expliquer le patron de consommation de Fespece en periode de la reproduction.

IMethodes

Kinshasa, capitale de la Republique Democratique du Congo, est comprise entre 4° et

5°S, 15° et 16°30'E. Presque trois quarts du territoire de sa province sont occupes par

des habitations humaines, et les espaces verts peripheriques n’en torment qif environ

Lin quart. Le climat est tropical humide, avec quatre mois de saison seche (mi-mai a

mi-septembre) et huit mois de saison des pluies (mi-septembre a mi-mai) (Koy

Kasongo 2010). La peche de subsistance y est fortement developpee et la pression qui

s’exerce sur les oiseaux ichtyophages et leurs sites a augmente. La region de Kinshasa

est caracterisee par Fabsence de Forets, la presence de cours d’eau et caniveaux

insalubres dans lesquels se developpent divers insectes et le petit poisson Gambusie

Gambusia affinis. La nouvelle cite regroupe les communes de la peripheric de la

region. On y trouve des etangs de pisciculture dans quelques lambeaux forestiers.

C’est dans ces derniers que tons les sites de nidification et nids du Martin-pecheur

huppe ont ete obsei'ves. Cette etude porte sur les sites de nidification du Monastere et

des Symphonies de Nda-Gye (voir descriptions par Kisasa Kafutshi 2012a).

Dans ces deux sites, 127 nids ont ete suivis pendant la periode de septembre 2004

a avril 2009, pour le comptage des oeufs (a Faide d’une lampe de terrier muni d’un

petit miroir), pour le baguage des jeunes et dans la mesure du possible des adultes

apres Fouverture du nid. Ce suivi a permis de determiner quelques variables de la

reproduction. La taille de ponte est le nombre des oeufs observes dans un nid. La duree

d’incubation a ete estimee comme le temps entre la ponte du premier oeuf et la naissance

du premier poussin, bien que Fon ne sache pas pour cette espece si F incubation ne

commence pas avant la ponte du dernier oeuf (dans ce cas, la periode d’incubation

serait Fintervalle entre la ponte du dernier oeuf et Feclosion du premier). La duree de

Fincubation derivee des cas connus (n = 94 pontes) etant de 15 jours (voir Resultats),

cela pemret Festimation de la date de ponte du premier oeuf a partir de la date d’eclosion

du premier oeuf, pour les nids dans lesquels je ne Fai pas observee directement (n = 6

pontes). L’age et la duree d’elevage de 121 jeunes ont ete estimes a partir des

observations directes de leur naissance a la sortie de nid (cela a ete possible une fois

les oeufs reperes et suivis regulierement) La duree d’elevage a ete estimee comme

94

R. Kisasa Kafutshi

Malimbus 34

rinten alle de jours entre la naissance du premier poussin et la sortie du nid du dernier

poussin. Le succes de reproduction est le rapport correspondant au nombre total des jeunes

produits au nombre total des oeufs pondus dans un site pendant la periode de 1’ etude.

L’ouverture des nids et le baguage des nichees ont ete effectues apres I’eclosion

de tous les oeufs du nid, pour eviter I’abandon des oeufs (un seul cas observ e dans cette

etude). Pour ce faire, il est necessaire de creuser un acces independant du tunnel

d’envol a I’aide d’une pelle appropriee. L’acces est pratique, soit lateralement, soit

deniere le nid en fonction de la disposition des lieux. Les jeunes sont captures et

bagues entre le 3eme et le 16eme jour apres I’eclosion. Les mesures etaient realisees a

I’aide d'un peson (100 g avec une precision de 1 g) et d'un pied a coulisse (precision

0,1 mm). Puis, ils sont relaches au nid et enfm faeces cree est soigneusement referme

tout en evitant feboulement du nid. La masse corporelle ainsi que di verses

mensurations ont ete relevees a inten alles reguliers (un ou deux jours) de la maniere

suivante: longueur de la mandibule superieure, de fextremite anterieure de la narine a

la pointe du bee; longueur de la mandibule inferieure, de la pointe du bee a la base;

longueur de la premiere remige primaire, de la base a fextremite; longueur de la

premiere remige secondaire, de la base a fextremite; longueur des rectrices, de la base

a fextremite; longueur du tarse gauche, de la base a fextremite; taille du corps, de

fextremite du bee a fextremite du croupion sans rectrices.

Resultats

Les pontes ont ete obseix ees exclusivement pendant la saison pluvieuse, le nombre de

pontes le plus important ayant ete enregistre entre fevrier et avril (Fig. 1).

12 -

10

8 - ^

E 4

O

JJmI

□

■ 2004-5

□ 2007-8

□ 2008-9

Figure 1. Distribution du mois de ponte pour les 94 pontes du Martin-pecheur

huppe observees dans la region de Kinshasa. Le seul nid de mai etait du debut du

mois, et tous les nids de septembre etaient de la deuxieme partie du mois.

2012

Reproduction du Martin-pecheur huppe

95

Les variables de nidification pour les premieres et les deuxiemes nichees soul

presentees dans le Tableau 1: il n’y a aucune difference significative entre les valeurs

des premieres et des deuxiemes nichees (Mann-Whitney U, P > 0,05). La taille de

ponte etait de 2—4- oeufs (soit 32 pontes de deux oeufs, 55 de trois et sept pontes de

quatre); en plus, cinq ceufs ont etes trouves detruits dans un nid qui a semble

recemment abandonne. Sur les 257 oeufs pondus dans I’ensemble (n = 94 pontes), 138

jeunes (n = 67 nichees) ont pu survivre et etre eleves, bagues et envoles. La

destruction des nids parait la cause principale de la diminution de taux de

reproduction pour les secondes nichees (Kisasa Kafutshi & Aloni Komanda 2011,

Kisasa Kafutshi 2012). Cette destruction pent etre involontaire (le sable utilise dans

les constructions anarchiques des maisons au voisinage des sites de nidification est

extrait sur les falaises de nidification occasionnant ainsi la destruction des nids, des

oeufs et parfois des jeunes) ou volontaire (foiseau est souvent piege, chasse et tue

comme concurrent indesirable aux pisciculteurs lorsqu’il installe son nid au voisinage

des etangs). Les nids ayant survecu a la destruction etaient soigneusement nettoyes

par les couples nicheurs avant de les reutiliser pour de nouvelles pontes, ce qui

justifierait fabsence des ectoparasites chez tous les oiseaux captures.

Jusqu’a I’age d’environ trois jours, les poussins etaient nus, aveugles, avec la

mandibule inferieure plus longue que la superieure (les deux mandibules etant noires),

et deux des trois doigts sondes. Visiblement, seuls leur taille et leur poids changeaient

(Tableau 2). Le plumage des jeunes emerge essentiellement entre le 5eme et le 9eme

jour (Fig. 2). Les gaines des plumes sont perceptibles sous la peau des le 5eme jour.

Les remiges primaires et secondaires percent les premieres puis les pteryles spinales,

ventrales emergent aux environs du 7eme jour. Les rectrices, les plumes des faces

dorsales et laterales de la tete, des pteryles humerales et femorales emergent aux

environs du 9eme jour et les trois doigts sont libres, les yeux sont ouverts et la

mandibule superieure depasse legerement finferieure (de 2,8 mm). Des le 11 erne

jour, tout le coips des poussins est convert a la fois des foun'eaux et des plumes. Et

enfm, du 13 au 17eme jour tout le corps des poussins est completement convert de

plumes.

La masse ponderale a ete croissante jusqu’au 13eme jour. A partir de cet instant,

la courbe a plafonne (Fig. 3). La courbe presente deux phases de croissance: une

augmentation du poids caracterisee par femergence de plumes et fouverture d’yeux

( 9-1 3eme jour) puis une perte de poids d’environ 0,8 g a la sortie du nid.

Le Tableau 2 pemiet de voir a quel point de developpement les jeunes se trouvent

lorsqu’ils quittent le nid, et de detemiiner les structures ayant tennine leur croissance et

celles qui continuent encore a grandir apres I’envol. Lorsqu’ils quittent le nid, les jeunes

avaient presque la taille corporelle des adultes, mais toutes les structures chez les poussins

continuent a croitre apres I’envol. Cependant les differents rapports de tallies obtenus

montrent que cette croissance varie d’une structure a I’autre. Le tarse et la remige

primaire ont pratiquement leur taille adulte tandis que les mandibules, les rectrices et

les remiges secondaires doivent encore croitre de maniere substantielle (Tableau 2).

96

R. Kisasa Kafutshi

Malimbus 34

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2012

Reproduction du Martin-pecheur huppe

97

Figure 2. Photos illustratives des caracteristiques morphologiques des poussins

du Martin-pecheur huppe de I’eclosion a la sortie du nid. Les numeros indiquent

Page des poussins (jours apres Peclosion).

98

R. Kisasa Kafutshi

Malimbus 34

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Figure 3. Croissance ponderale de 121 poussins (seulement sept le 17eme jour)

du Martin-pecheur huppe (moyenne ± ecart-type).

Des 57 adultes bagues et relaches, 12 ont ete recaptures les annees suivantes dans

le meme site mais avec des paitenaires differents. Deux sur 138 jeunes bagues et

relaches ont ete recaptures comme adultes nicheurs, 1-3 ans apres avoir quitte les nids.

Discussion

Dans la region de Kinshasa, la ponte du Martin-pecheur huppe a ete observee

uniquement en saison des pluies. Au sud du Katanga en Republique Democratique du

Congo, Lippens & Wide (1976) ont observe sa ponte en saison seche comme en

saison pluvieuse (deja a paitir de janvier). Au Kenya, c’est aussi pendant la saison des

pluies que les pontes ont ete observees (Imboma & Nalianya 2007). C’est

probablement la disponibilite de la nourriture, fortement correlee avec la latitude, qui

serait un facteur determinant de I’activite reproductrice (Morel & Morel 1971). A

Kinshasa comme au Katanga, a chaque saison seche, les feux de brousse sont

2012

Reproduction du Martin-pecheur huppe

99

provoques dans les savanes herbeuses pour preparer le sol a ragriculture sur briilis.

Les etangs sont vidanges (une des techniques les plus utilisees habituellement pendant

la saison seche pour capturer les poissons et nettoyer les etangs). Ces deux pratiques

eontribueraient a la diminution de la disponibilite des petits poissons et insectes

exploites par le Martin-pecheur huppe et pourraient expliquer T absence de ponte

pendant la saison seche dans la region de Kinshasa.

La taille des pontes du Martin-pecheur huppe varie de deux a quatre (mode trois)

oeufs. Lippens & Wille (1976) paiient de trois oeufs et Woodall (2001 ) de trois a quatre.

La duree d'incubation et d’elevage chez le Martin-pecheur huppe est de 31-33

jours; il est court comparativement aux autres especes de la famille. Chez le Martin-

pecheur d’Europe Alcedo atthis, elle est de 46-48 jours (21 jours d’incubation et 25-

27 d’elevage des poussins: Doucet 1971, Hallet-Libois 1985), et pour le Martin-

pecheur pie Ceryle nidis 44 jours (18 d’incubation et 26 d’elevage: Reyer 1980). La

taille de I’espece ainsi que le climat pourraient expliquer la duree de nidification

(Ricklefs 1968).

La premiere partie de la courbe de croissance ponderale des poussins (Fig. 3)

presente une allure sigmoidale. L’augmentation du poids est particulierement

prononcee entre le 5eme et le 13eme jour (soit 6-15 g). Par la suite, les jeunes

maigrissent concomitamment avec la restriction alimentaire partielle (Kisasa Kafutshi

2012) et, au moment de I’envol, ils pesent c. 14 g. Ce fait a ete aussi signale chez le

Martin-pecheur d’Europe (Hallet-Eibois 1985). La perte de masse corporelle ne

modifie pas les autres parametres de la croissance tels que la taille coi*porelle et la

maturation des fonctions (Tableau 3).

Eastman (1969) suggere que chez les poussins inexperimentes des martins-pecheurs,

le mouillage constant des plumes suite aux tentatives repetees de peche est une cause

majeure de mortalite juvenile. La necessite d’un vol rapide et precis pour la peche et

d’une protection efficace du corps contre I’eau poun'aient expliquer la maturite des

remiges primaires au moment de la sortie du nid. Ce fait a egalement ete observe chez

le Martin-pecheur d’Europe (Hallet-Libois 1985), dont les jeunes sont encore nourris

quelques jours apres la sortie du nid. II est cependant difficile de confirmer le

noumssage de jeunes du Martin-pecheur huppe quelques jours apres I’envol. Tons les

nids etaient tres secs, et ne presentaient aucun signe de vie apres I’envol des poussins.

Le nombre faible des jeunes recaptures ne serait-il pas imputable d’une part a

1 ’existence d’une structure sociale basee sur une territorialite stricte et f intolerance

des adultes reproducteurs vis-a-vis de leurs jeunes une fois envoles comme chez le

Martin-pecheur d’Europe (Libois 1994) et d’autre part a la quietude du site ?

La croissance du bee est reguliere mais lente (Tableau 2). II en resulte qu’a

I’envol, le bee des jeunes est beaucoup plus petit que celui des adultes (69-70 %).

Cela signifierait qu’un long bee n’est pas un element capital pour la survie des

oiseaux, e’est-a-dire pour la peche (O’Connor 1977). Chez le Martin-pecheur

d’Europe, les jeunes sont capables de se nourrir eux-memes des I’envol et ce malgre

leur petit bee (Codourey 1967, Hallet-Libois 1985).

100

R. Kisasa Kafutshi

Malimbus 34

Jusqu’au 5eme jour environ, la mandibule inferieure des poussins du Martin-

pecheur huppe depasse la superieure, ensuite c’est le contraire a partir du 9eme jour

(Tableau 2). Ce fait a ete aussi signale chez d’autres alcedinides comme le Martin-

pecheur d’Europe (Hallet-Libois 1985) et TAlcyon geant Megaceiyle maxima

(Dowsett 1971). On pent des lors se demander si ces differences repondent a une

fonction. Les poussins des martins-pecheurs sont nourris avec des poissons entiers qui

sont engages tete la premiere dans leur gosier. Chez les petits poussins qui reclament

la noLirriture en dressant le cou verticalement et dont la dimension du bee est faible, la

presence d’une mandibule inferieure plus grande faciliterait le positionnement de la

proie. Par contre, pour la prehension une mandibule superieure legerement plus

grande que I’inferieure est probablement plus commode. Hallet-Libois (1985) note

que les differences s’inversent au moment ou les jeunes commencent a rester seuls,

lorsqu’ils sont capables d’assurer eux-memes leur thermoregulation par I’acquisition

des plumes; ils se tiennent alors a Lentree de la chambre, la tete tournee vers le tunnel

et le nourrissage se fait dans une position horizontale. Dans ces conditions, Lavantage

pour tons les jeunes alcedinides d’avoir une mandibule inferieure plus longue serait

indiscutablement moindre. Chez le Martin-pecheur canadien Megaceiyle alcyoii, la

thermoregulation augmente avec la croissance et le developpement du plumage, les

plumes ne jouant toute fois un role isolant qu’une fois sorties de leur fourreau (Hamas

1994). Ces observations sont vraisemblablement transposables au Martin-pecheur

huppe. Ces trois especes ont en effet des moeurs fort semblables: nidification

saisonniere dans le terrier, jeunes nus et aveugles a Leclosion et restant plus d’une

semaine au nid.

Les paupieres se torment puis s’ouvrent des le 9eme jour apres Leclosion.

Lorsque les parents arretent le rechauffement, les poussins sont done capables de voir.

Ceci faciliterait le nourrissage, les jeunes pouvant mieux se positionner pour

quemander la becquee (Hallet-Libois 1985).

Remerciements

Cet article constitue un des chapitres de ma these. Mes tres sinceres remerciements au

Dr Alain Vandeipoorten et au Dr Johan Michaux pour leurs directives et Lopportunite

qiLils m’ont accordee de faire mon doctorat et de le soutenir a Luniversite de Liege.

Bibliographic

CODOUREY, J. (1967) Bees anormaux chez le martin-pecheur et la pie. Nos Oiseaux,

29: 99 100.

Doucet, J. (1971) Contribution a Letude de la mue des remiges et des rectrices chez

le Martin-pecheur d’Lurope. Gerfaut 61: 14-42.

2012

Reproduction du Marlin-pecheur huppe

101

Douthw’aite, R.J. (1976). Fishing techniques and foods of the Pied Kingfisher on

Lake Victoria in Uganda. Ostrich 47: 153- 160.

Dowsett, R.J. (1971) Grow th of nestling Giant Kingfishers, Ceiyle maxima. Ostrich

42: 297-298.

E.ASTMAN, R M. (1969) The Kingfishers. Collins, Londres.

Fry, C.H., Fry, K. & Harris, A. (1992) Kingfishers: Bee-Eaters and Rollers.

Christopher Helm, London.

Hallet-Libois, C. (1985) Modulations de la strategic alimentaire chez le Martin-

\^Qc\\mx fAlcedo atthis). Call. Ethol. appl. 5: 1-206.

Ham.yS, M.J. (1994) Belted Kingfisher [Ceiyle alcyon). Pp. 45-60 in PoOLE, A. &

Gill, F. (eds). The Birds of North America, vol. 3(84). Academy of Natural

Sciences, Philadelphia.

Imboma, T.S. & Nalianya, N. (2007) The breeding success and seasonal distribution

of the Malachite Kingfisher [Alcedo cristata) along the Nairobi River. Ostrich 78: 510.

Kisasa Kaeutshi, R. (2012a) Le regime alimentaire du Martin-pecheur huppe Alcedo

cristata pendant la periode de reproduction dans la region de Kinshasa (R.D.

Congo). Malimbus 34 : 17-28.

Kisasa Kaeutshi, R. (2012b) Reponses du Martin-pecheur huppe Alcedo cristata a la

perturbation de ses sites de nidification. Malimbus 34: 29-38.

Kisasa Kaeutshi, R. & Aloni Komanda, J. (201 1) The impact of soil texture on the

selection of nesting sites by the Malachite Kingfisher (Alcedinidae: Alcedo

cristata Pallas 1764). Ostrich 82: 243-246.

Koy Kasongo, R. (2010) Amelioration de la Qualite des Sols Sableux du Plateau des

Bateke (RD Congo) par Application des Materiels Geologiqiies et des Dechets

Organiques Industriels Locaux. These, Universite de Gent.

Libois, R.M. (1994) Demographic du Martin-pecheur [Alcedo atthis): incidences

climatiques sur le succes reproducteur. Gerfaut 84: 19-38.

Libois, R.M & Laudetout, A. (2004) Food niche segregation between the Malachite

Kingfisher [Alcedo cristata), and the Pied Kingfisher [Ceiyle rudis) at Lake

Nokoue, Benin. Ostrich 75: 32-38.

Lippens, L. & Wille, H. (1976) Les Oiseaiix du Zaire. Lannoo. Tielt.

Morel, G. & Morel, M.Y. (1971) Adaptations ecologiques. Ostrich suppl. 8: 331.

O’Connor, R .J. (1978) Growth strategies in nestling passerines. Living Bird 16:

209-238.

Reyer, U.H. (1980) Flexible helper structure as an ecological adaptation in the Pied

Kingfisher [Ceiyle rudis L.). Behav. Ecol. Sociobiol. 6: 219-227.

Ricklees, R.E. (1968) Patterns of growth in birds. Ibis 1 10: 419-451.

Woodall, P.F. (1991) Morphometry, diet and habitat in the kingfishers (Aves:

Alcedinidae). J. Zool. Land. 223: 79-90.

102

Malimbus 34

Additions and corrections

to the avifauna of Ebo Forest, Cameroon

by Fran^oise Dowsett-Lemaire & Robert J. Dowsett

Le Pouget, 30440 Sumene, France <dowsett@aol.com>

Received 12 August 2011; revised 1 May 2012.

Summary

In the course of three weeks of field work in Ebo Forest (Cameroon) in

January February 2001, our observations included 75 species new to the list

for the forest, and result in some corrections to the previously published list.

Resume

Additions et corrections a Favifaune de la Foret d’Ebo, Cameroon. Lors

de trois semaines de travail de terrain dans la foret d’Ebo (Cameroun) en

janvier-fevrier 2001, nous avons obseiwe 75 especes supplementaires et

apportons quelques corrections a la liste publiee des oiseaux de la foret.

Introduction

Whytock & Morgan (2010) published a list of the birds of the Ebo forest and

surrounding farmland, based on their surveys, over a period of 12 weeks in 2008.

They refer to our own work in the area (Dowsett-Lemaire & Dowsett 2001) by stating

that we did just a “four-day assessment at a single locality in 2000” (Whytock &

Morgan 2010, p. 23). This is incoiTect, as is clear from our itinerary, map and gazetteer:

we organized three expeditions into the forest, from Ndokmen Nord to Mt Kak in the

north (7-15 Jan 2001 ), to the Ekem and Ebo rivers in the south ( 1 7-22 Jan 2001 ) and

again in the north, from Logndeng to Bekob (8-12 Feb 2001). This is a total of 18

days, to which we can add a couple of days travelling along the eastern edge of the

forest on 2^ Feb, as far as the village of Lognanga, where we camped (Fig. 1 ).

Whytock & Morgan (2010) also wrote (p. 23) that our list did not distinguish

species recorded in Ebo from those found elsewhere in the region. This is again

incorrect: for many species of local or rare occurrence, we gave exact localities within

Ebo, and we meant that “common and widespread” species could be assumed to have

been in Ebo as well as other prospected forests. More specifically, Whytock &

Morgan (2010, p. 30) wrote that both Rachel’s Malimbe Malimbus racheliae and

2012

Birds of Ebo Forest

103

Red-bellied Malimbe M. eiythrogaster had presumably been omitted from the

“remarkably accurate” maps of Borrow & Demey (2004) for the region, because

neither w as obser\ ed by us. In fact. Borrow & Demey (2004) had simply not seen our

report; we observed Red-bellied Malimbe near Mt Kak, inside Ebo, and Rachel’s

Malimbe near the river Grand Nouya (Dowsett-Lemaire & Dowsett 2001, p. 37), a

few km to the north of Ebo, this river taking its source in the Ebo forest.

Figure 1. Map of the Ebo forest (stippled) showing rivers and main localities;

adapted from the map in Dowsett-Lemaire & Dowsett (2001).

104

F. Dowsett-Lemaire & R.J. Dowsett

Malimbus 34

In 2000, the official size of Ebo forest (not given by Whytock & Morgan 2010)

was 1417 knf and it was then proposed as a “Sanctuaire de Faune” (MINEF 2000). R.

Whytock {in lift. 2011) infonns us that most of this forest (1114 km^) has now been

proposed as a National Park. The altitudinal range is 9-1207 m. Even though

Whytock & Morgan (2010) do not define the boundaries of what they call Ebo forest,

the rough outline in their Eig. 1 corresponds to that of the forest on our map, except

perhaps for the far northeast comer (Fig. 1). Due probably to very shallow soils, Ebo

forest is more markedly semi-evergreen than forests to the north and west. Most of the

forest on hills has a low canopy with widely spaced emergents. Selective logging

within Ebo was confined to the Ebo valley in the north, and more recently (2000

onwards) in the far south (Ekem confluence). A few small villages existed in the

north, but they were all evacuated in 1959 60. Bekob is the site of an abandoned

village; Eboh in the south was in 2001 a recently established village of professional

hunters, and the only village in the reserve. Further details on forest structure and

vegetation can be found in Dowsett-Eemaire & Dowsett (2001).

Methods

Details of locations are taken directly from our report (Dowsett-Eemaire & Dowsett

2001). Corrections to species’ names, and species already recorded by Whytock &

Morgan (2010) but to which we gave a significantly different status or habitat, are

given in [ ]. For ease of reference we use the bird names of Borrow & Demey (2004),

except for Collared Sunbird, as the genus Hedydipna is incorrect (Mann & Cheke

2006): the resurrected genus Anthodiaeta has not been defined in relation to the

broader genus Anthreptes, so we prefer to retain Collared Sunbird in the latter.

Abundance abbreviations (as defined in Whytock & Morgan 2010) follow the species

names: A = Abundant, C = Common; F = Frequent; records of anything less than

Frequent are uncoded and given in more detail. Habitat categories also follow

Whytock & Morgan (2010) but their categories 4 and 7 are not used in the list below,

and swamp forest (2) as used here is not necessarily dominated by Raphia. Their

category 1 (“closed canopy secondaiy forest and occasionally primaiy forest at hill

summits” our italics) suggests that most forest in Ebo is secondary. This is tme around

Bekob, but not in most parts of the forest. For birds of aerial space (one raptor, swifts,

one swallow), a categoiy not recognized by Whytock & Morgan (2010), we give no

number.

Results

We present below 75 additions and some corrections to the list of Whytock & Morgan

(2010).

2012

Birds of Ebo Forest

105

Phalacrocoracidae

Phalacrocorax afhcauiis Long-tailed Cormorant. F, 6. A few on Ebo, Ekem and

low er Iw OLiem ri\'ers.

Aiihinga nifa Afriean Darter. 6. One on the Ekem River.

Ardeidae

Biitorides striata Green-baeked Heron. 6. One pair on the Ekem and lower Iwouem

ri\ers.

Threskiornithidae

Bostiychia rara Spot-breasted Ibis. 2. One Bushed from marshy stream, foothills of

Mt Kak.

Anatidae

Pterouetta hartlaiibi Hartlaub’s Duek. 6. A pair on a stream at Ndokmen Nord, on the

Ebo river (near Eboh village) and lower Iwouem.

Accipitridae

[Accipiter tachiro Afriean Goshawk. C, 1. Whytock & Morgan (2010) classified this

species as U; we consider this to be the commonest Accipiter, heard singing regularly

at dawn. It is certainly more common than Black Sparrowhawk A. melanoleiiciis,

which they classified as F.]

Hieraaetiis pennatiis Booted Eagle. One (pale phase) at Eboh, 17 January.

Rallidae

Sarothriira pulchra White-spotted Flufftail. C, 1,2. Almost throughout, on small or

marshy streams and depressions.

S. elegcms Buff-spotted Flufftail. 1. We heard this species outside Ebo, but the local

hunters knew the voice well, as at Ndokmen Nord and Logndeng.

Heliornithidae

Podica senegalensis African Finfoot. F, 6. Seen on the Ebo river at Eboh, Ekem river

and near Ndokmen Nord.

Glareolidae

Glareola uuchalis Rock Pratincole. 6. A dozen on the lower Iwouem river.

Scolopacidae

Actitis hypoleucos Common Sandpiper. C, 6. A few on all rivers.

Colunibidae

Columba iriditorcpies Western Bronze-naped Pigeon. 1. One pair at Lognanga.

Aplopelia laix’ata Lemon Dove. 1. Found only on Mt Kak, one pair seen and another

bird singing, at 850-950 m altitude.

Cuculidae

Chiysococcyx caprius Didric Cuckoo. 3. Heard at Logndeng and Lognanga.

Strigidae

Bubo poensis Fraser’s Eagle Owl. 3. One heard at Lognanga.

B. leiicostictus Akun Eagle Owl. 1 . One heard and reacted to tape on slopes of Mt Kak.

Scotopelia bouvieri Vermiculated Fishing Owl. 2. One singing near Bekob (in Raphia

and mixed forest on a stream, 900 m altitude).

106

F. Dowsett-Lemaire & R.J. Dowsett

Malimbus 34

Glaucidiimi tephronotum Red-chested Owlet. 1. One singing on the slopes of Mt Kak.

G. sjostedti Sjostedt’s Owlet. C, 1. The common owl of the region in primary forest,

up to three heard from one spot (e.g. Mt Kak).

Apodidae

Telacanthiira melanopygia Black Spinetail. One pair over the Ebo river at Eboh,

several around the Ekem river.

Neafrapus cassini Cassin’s Spinetail. F. More widespread than Sabine’s Spinetail

Rhapidiira sabini, including Ebo forest (Bekob) and the Ekem river.

Apiis apus Common Swift. A. Large flocks seen throughout the region.

A. batesi Bates’s Swift. A few around the Ekem river.

Trogonidae

[Apa/oderma aeqiiatoriale Bare-cheeked Trogon. E, 1. Not “rare” as in Whytock &

Morgan 2010), but met at all localities, in small numbers, sometimes two calling close

to each other.]

Alcedinidae

Alcedo qiicidhbrachys Shining Blue Kingfisher. F, 6. On various small streams and

rivers {e.g. Ebo and Ekem).

A. leiicogaster White-bellied Kingfisher. F, 1. Widespread, near small streams.

Megaceiyle maxima Giant Kingfisher. F, 6. Widespread on large, rocky rivers (Ebo,

Ekem, Iwoiiem).

Meropidae

Merops muelleri Blue-headed Bee-eater. 1. One pair, in small gaps in canopy,

between Mamba and Eboh.

Coraciidae

[Ewystomus gularis is the correct name for Blue-throated Roller, not glaiiciiriis'''

as in Whytock & Morgan (2010).]

Bucerotidae

Tockiis hartlaubi Black Dwarf Hornbill. 1. One pair with a juvenile between Mamba

and Eboh, and one singing on the slopes of Mt Kak.

Lybiidae

Gymnobiicco peli Bristle-nosed Barbet. 3. Some colonies at Lognanga.

Indicatoridae

Indicator maculatus Spotted Honeyguide. 1. One in song near Mt Kak, another on

way from Logndeng to Bekob.

/. conirostris Thick-billed Honeyguide. 1 . One singing at foot of Mt Kak, another on

way from Logndeng to Bekob.

Picidae

Campethera cailliaiitii Green-backed Woodpecker. 1 . One heard near Ndokmen Nord.

Dendropicos gabonensis Gabon Woodpecker. 3, 2. Single birds heard in secondary

forest at Ndokmen Nord and Lognanga, and in open swamp forest at Bekob.

Hirundinidae

Psalidoprocne nitens Square-tailed Saw-wing. One near Eboh.

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Birds Ebo Forest

107

[P. pristoptera Black Saw-wing. Unlike Whytoek & Morgan (2010), we did not

record this species in Ebo, but only in clearings at higher altitudes outside the area

(Mt Nlonako, savannas of the Bafang Plateau north of Nkondjock). Whytoek &

Morgan (2010) placed this species in Habitat 1, but this swallow is unlikely to be in

primaiy or old secondaiy forest.]

Hiruudo nigrita White-throated Blue Swallow. 6. Small numbers on the Iwouem river.

Campephagidae

Campephaga phoenicea Red-shouldered Cuckoo-shrike. 3. Three in female plumage

at Eognanga on 3 Feb, perhaps on passage.

C. qiiiscalina Purple-throated Cuckoo-shrike. 2. In open-canopy swamp forest near

Bekob (two pairs), thus much more local than Blue Cuckoo-shrike.

[Coracina aziirea Blue Cuckoo-shrike. At least F, rather than “uncommon” as in

Whytoek & Morgan (2010).].

Pycnonotidae

Andropadus gracilis Fittle Grey Greenbul. 1, 2. Focal in humid valley bottoms: a few

at Bekob (including swamp forest) and Eboh.

[A. amorgei Ansorge’s Greenbul. C, 1. At all localities; not “uncommon” as in

Whytoek & Morgan (2010).]

Calyptocichla serina Golden Greenbul. F, 1. Widespread species of open canopy and

edge of large rivers.

Baeopogon damans Sjostedt’s Honeyguide Greenbul. F, 1. Widespread in

understorey of primary forest, especially near streams.

Turdidae

Sheppardia cyoruithopsis Fowland Akalat. 1. This mid-altitude species was located

once from its calls on the way from Fogndeng to Bekob (900-1000 m).

Cossypha cyanocampter Blue-shouldered Robin Chat. 5. One heard at Bekob (in

Afvamomiim and Marantaceae).

Sylviidae

Eremoniela badiceps Rufous-crowned Eremomela. F, 1,3. Bekob.

Macrosphemis flavicaus Yellow Fongbill. F, 1. Present wherever there are thickets,

although somewhat more localized than Grey Fongbill M concolor.

Phylloscopiis sibilatrix Wood Warbler. 1. A few in open canopy, slopes of Mt Kak.

Hylia prasiua Green Hylia. F, 1. Focally common at higher altitudes, or more humid

areas: Ebo valley, Fogndeng to Bekob, Mt Kak.

Cisticolidae

Apalis nigriceps Black-capped Apalis. F, 1. Widespread, especially in open canopy.

A. riifogiilaris Buff-throated Apalis. C, 1,3. Throughout.

Muscicapidae

[Fraseria cinerascens White-browed Forest Flycatcher. F, 1 with 6. Noted as “rare”

by Whytoek & Morgan (2010), but we found it in forest understorey along all major

rivers (such as the Ebo and Ekem). Habitat 6 (streams and rivers) should be added, as

the species depends on the proximity of watercourses.]

108

F. Dowsett-Lemaire & R.J. Dowsett

Malimbus 34

Muscicapa olivascens Olivaceous Flycatcher. U, 1. A few, up to 1100 m on Mt Kak.

M. cassini Cassin’s Grey Flyeateher. F, 6. Forested banks of all large rivers, ineluding

the Ebo, Ekem and Iwouem.

M. epiilata Eittle Grey Flycatcher. 1. One singing at Bekob.

M. caerulescens Ashy Flyeateher. 3. One singing at Eognanga.

M. infuscata Sooty Flyeateher. 3. Several family parties near Ndokmen Nord.

Platysteiridae

Bias miisicus Black-and-white Flyeateher. 3. One pair at Eogndeng (open forest).

Batis poensis Bioko Batis. F, 1, 3. A few heard in seeondary forest near Eogndeng and

Eognanga and in open eanopy on slopes of Mt Kak.

[Dyaphorophyia tonsa White-spotted Wattle-eye. 1. One bird on slopes of Mt Kak. In

Ebo (and elsewhere) this species is eonfmed to subcanopy of primary forest, thus

Whytock & Morgan’s (2010) reeord in “low vegetation on basalt outerops” (Habitat

7), is surprising.]

Monarchidae

Elminia nigromitrata Dusky Crested Flycatcher. F, 1. Forest understorey.

Remizidae

Pholidornis rushiae Tit-hylia. 1. Two birds in seeondaiy forest at Bekob (900 m).

Nectariniidae

Anthreptes rectirostris Green Sunbird. C, 1. Widespread in open eanopy.

[A. collahs Collared Sunbird. C, 1. Noted as “uneommon” by Whytoek & Morgan

(2010), but common throughout any forest.]

A. seiiuwidi Eittle Green Sunbird. 3. One pair at forest edges at Eboh.

Cyanomitra oritis Cameroon Sunbird. 1. At least one heard on the mountain between

Eogndeng and Bekob; probably heard on Mt Kak, above 1000 m.

Chalcomitra rubescens Green-throated Sunbird. F, 3. Forest edges at Eognanga and

old secondary forest at Bekob.

Cuinyris hatesi Bates’s Sunbird. F, 1. A few seen well on Mt Kak and near Bekob,

above 800 m.

C. chloropygiiis Olive-bellied Sunbird. C, 3. Throughout, in famibush.

C. miiiuUus Tiny Sunbird. F, 1. In seeondary forest at Ndokmen Nord, at Bekob and

between Mamba and Eboh.

C. superhus Superb Sunbird. E, 3. A few at Ndokmen Nord and Eognanga.

Zosteropidae

Zosterops senegaleusis Yellow White-eye. 1. One pair in old seeondary forest at

Bekob, 900 m.

Malaconotidae

Diyoscopus senegaleusis Black-shouldered Puffbaek. 1, 2. In open forest near water,

Eogndeng and Bekob, one pair at eaeh place.

D. sabini Sabine’s Puffbaek. C, 1 . Widespread in eanopy of primaiy and seeondary forest.

Laniarius leucorhynchiis Sooty Boubou. 2, 3. In moist thiekets at Ndokmen Nord and

swamp forest at Bekob, one pair duetting at eaeh plaee.

2012

Birds of Ebo Forest

109

Malaconotus multicolor Multi-coloured Bush Shrike. 1. One in forest canopy at

Bekob (900 m).

M. crueutus Fieiy-breasted Bush Shrike. 2. Two pairs in open, swamp forest near Bekob.

Oriolidae

[Oriolus uigripeimis Black-winged Oriole. Although Whytock & Morgan (2010) list

this species for Ebo, in our experience in western Cameroon north of the Sanaga it is

not found at low or medium elevations, where Western Black-headed Oriole O.

braclnrliyuchus occurs, but replaces the latter at higher altitudes. We therefore feel its

occurrence at Ebo requires confirmation. The nearest location where we have found

this species was on the slopes of Mt Nlonako, above 1300 m (Dowsett-Lemaire &

Dowsett 2001 ).]

Sturnidae

Poeoptera lugiibris Narrow-tailed Starling. 3. A pair near a colony of Gynmobiicco

barbets, at Eognanga.

[Lamprotornis splendidiis is the correct name for Splendid Glossy Starling, not L.

""purpureus'' as in Whytock & Morgan (2010).]

Ploceidae

Ploceus albimicha Maxwell’s Black Weaver. 1 . Some in a bird party on Mt Kak (950 m).

Malimbiis riibricollis Red-headed Malimbe. 1. One pair in open canopy at Bekob.

Estrildidae

Mandingoa nitidiila Green Twinspot. 3. A pair in an overgrown garden at Logndeng.

Discussion

Altogether we recorded some 212 species in three weeks. Our additions represent a

substantial proportion of the forest avifauna. Many come from the Bekob area where

Whytock & Morgan (2010) had a base camp. Why these species, which were listed in

Dowsett-Lemaire & Dowsett (2001), were overlooked in their paper is unclear. They

recorded a few forest species additional to our list, as follows: White-crested Tiger

Heron Tigriornis leucolopha. Red-chested Cuckoo Cuculiis solitarius (although we

doubt that this bird would qualify as “abundanf’, meaning around 11-100 seen or

heard daily), Sandy Scops Owl Otiis icterorhynclnis, African Piculet Sasia africcma.

Shrike Flycatcher Megabyas flammulatiis and Forest Chestnut-winged Starling

Onychognatlms fiilgidus. It would be interesting to know where they recorded Banded

Prinia Prinia bairdii and Black Saw-wing, as these birds of scrub and large forest

clearings appear restricted to high altitudes in the region.

Whytock & Morgan (2010) mentioned a few more non-forest species, such as

Intermediate Egret Egretta intermedia, African Fish Eagle Haliaeetus vocifer, Long-

legged Pipit Antlnis pallidiventris (for which no habitat was ticked in their Table 1)

and Bronze Mannikin Spermestes cucullata. The Fish Eagle is listed under Habitat 3

(secondary forest and farmbush), which suggests it was a wanderer, as this is a species

110

F. Dowsett-Lemaire & R.J. Dowsett

Malimbus 34

of large rivers (perhaps originating from the larger Nkam river outside Ebo). The

presenee of the pipit and egret in the Ebo forest or even boundary villages is

surprising as these speeies require very open habitats, but then Whytoek & Morgan

(2010) did not explain the boundaries of what they eall Ebo forest. The proposed

National Park is likely to exelude all villages (now on the boundary of the forest

reserve) and some of the more degraded habitats; thus it seems premature to ealeulate

or propose a total number of bird speeies for the area. Both Dowsett-Lemaire &

Dowsett (2001) and the present paper inelude enough details on loeations of

observations for future reference, and it is likely that a number of species of farmbush

and villages listed by both Whytoek & Morgan (2010) and Dowsett-Lemaire &

Dowsett (2001) will be excluded once the boundaries of the proposed national park

become known.

Dowsett-Lemaire & Dowsett (2001) also dealt with some important forests to the

north of Ebo: Ndokbou (which is contiguous), Makombe (west of Ndokbou) and Mt

Nlonako. Ndokbou and Makombe are included together with Ebo in Important Bird

Area CM026 (Fishpool & Evans 2001). These two forests are now a 30-year logging

concession certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (R. Whytoek in litt. 201 1).

References

Bof^ROW, R. & Demey, N. (2004) Field Guide to the Birds of Western Africa.

Christopher Helm, London.

Dowsett-Lemaire, F. & Dowsett, R.J. (2001) First Survey of the Birds and

Mammals of the Yahassi area. South-western Cameroon. Unpubl. rep. to WWF-

Cameroon. Available at:

<www.afficanbirdclub.org/countries/Cameroon/documents/MiscRep-27(Yabassi).pdf>.

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

Associated Islands: priority sites for conseiwation. Pisces, Newbury.

Mann, C.F. & Cheke, R.A. (2006) The validity of the sunbird genus Hedydipna. Bull.

Brit. Orn. Club 126: 199-200.

MINEF (2000) Plan de Zonage Phase 5. (Version provisoire). Ministere des Eaux et

Forets, Yaounde.

Whytock, R.C. & Morgan, B.J. (2010) The avifauna of the Ebo Forest, Cameroon.

Malimbus 32: 22-32.

2012

Occurrence and breeding of

swifts Apodidae and swallows Hirundinidae

near Wa in northern Ghana, March-May 2010

by Robert J. Douthwaite' & Ware Zakaria“

'‘Holly Oast’, Hode Lane, Bridge, Canterbury CT4 5DH, U.K.

<bobdouthwaite@onetel.com>

"Ghana Wildlife Division, Mole National Park,

PO Box 8, Damango, Northern Region, Ghana

Received 5 March 2012; revised 9 July 2012

Summary

Numbers and breeding activity of swifts Apodidae and swallows Hirundinidae

were monitored between 22 March and 8 May 2010, during the late dry and

early wet seasons, along two roads near Wa, in Upper West Region, Ghana.

Fifteen species were recorded. Species richness was similar on both transects

but relative abundance was higher on the transect nearer the Black Volta river,

especially after the onset of the rains when numbers of Red-chested/Barn

Swallows Hinmdo hicida and H. nistica, Lesser-striped Swallow H. ahyssinica.

Pied-winged Swallow H. leucosoma. Common Swift Apiis apiis, White-rumped

Swift A. caffer and Little Swift A. affinis increased significantly. Breeding

activity was similar on both transects. Wire-tailed Swallow H. smithii was the

only species breeding at the start of the study, but by early May, Lesser-

striped, Red-chested and Pied-winged swallows, and White-rumped Swift,

Little Swift and possibly Palm Swift Cypsiuriis pannis had all begun to nest.

Resume

Apparition et reproduction de martinets Apodidae et d’hirondelles

Hirundinidae pres de Wa au Nord du Ghana, mars-mai 2010. Les

nombres de martinets Apodidae et d’hirondelles Hirundinidae ainsi que leur

reproduction ont ete suivis entre le 22 mars et le 8 mai 2010, en fm de saison

seche et au debut de la saison des pluies, le long de deux routes pres de Wa,

en Region du Upper West, au Ghana. Quinze especes ont ete enregistrees. La

richesse specifique etait similaire sur les deux transects mais I’abondance

relative etait plus importante sur le transect le plus proche de la riviere Volta

Noire, particulierement apres I’arrivee des pluies quand le nombre des

Hirondelles de Guinee et rustiques Hinmdo lucida/nistica, des Hirondelles

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RJ. Douthwaite & W. Zakaria

Malimbus 34

striees H. abyssinica, des Hirondelles a ailes tachetees H. leiicosoma, des

Martinets noirs Apus apus, des Martinets cafre A. caffer et des Martinets des

maisons A. affuiis a augmente significativement. L’activite liee a la

reproduction a ete similaire sur les deux transects. L’Hirondelle a longs brins

H. smithii etait la seule espece en reproduction au debut de I’etude, mais au

debut de mai, les Hirondelles striees, les Hirondelles de Guinee et les

Hirondelles a ailes tachetees, ainsi que les Martinets cafre, les Martinets des

maisons et peut-etre les Martinets des palmes Cypsiuriis pan'iis avaient tons

commence a nidifier.

Introduction

With the exception of an annotated bird-list compiled at Tumu (10°52T4, 1°59'W) in

1968-9 (Sutton 1970), no previous information on the birds of Upper West Region in

Ghana has been published. From late March to early May 2010, numbers and

breeding activity of swallows Hirundinidae and swifts Apodidae were monitored near

the regional capital, Wa, as part of a broader study aimed at assessing the impact on

non-target fauna of an aerial spraying operation carried out to suppress populations of

tsetse flies Glossina tachinoides and G. palpalis gambieusis . The spraying operation

was only partially successful, and no evidence of harmful effects on non-target fauna

was found (I.F. Grant in lift., pers. obs., see below). The results of the monitoring are

reported below.

Study area and methods

Swallows and swifts were counted along two transects, one 22.3 km long, in a sprayed

area between Dorimon and Wechiau, and the other 30.2 km long in the unsprayed

area on the Wa-Mangwe road (Fig. 1). Initial sightings were made by four observers

facing forward in a slow-moving (< 30 k.p.h.), hard-topped vehicle that stopped as

required to allow adequate observation. All sightings, irrespective of distance from the

observer, were recorded against distance from the start of the transect. Counting

began between 6h45 and 7h00 at Dorimon (10°2T"N, 2°41T7"W) and concluded at

c. 8hl0 in Wechiau (9°50'9"N, 2°41'r'W). A second count was made on the return

journey from Wechiau, starting at 8h30. However, numbers were almost invariably

higher on the first count {e.g. Red-chested/Bam swallows: Sign test, n = 24, P =

0.003) and data from the second count have therefore been disregarded for all species.

Counting on the unsprayed transect began in Wa (10°3'53"N, 2°29'29"W) at 6h30 h

and ended c. 1.5-2 h later at Mangwe (9°57'9"N, 2°14'20"W). Rather than

transforming counts to normalise the data, the non-parametric Mann- Whitney U-test

has been used to examine seasonal differences in numbers.

2012

Swifts and swallows in N Ghana

113

In addition to the road counts, numbers of Little Swifts over Wechiau township, at

Busa in the unsprayed area, and of Palm Swifts at Dabo school in the sprayed area

(but not on a transect: 10°6'59"N, 2°46'4"W), were also counted daily.

Culverts under the road were checked periodically for active swallow and swift

nests. After the final spray, a Ridgid SeeSnake endoscope with a 9.5 mm diameter

head was used to inspect the contents of retort-shaped swallow nests.

Low voltage power transmission lines run alongside both roads, providing

conspicuous perches for swallows and other birds. Both roads pass through gently

undulating Guinea Savanna that has been heavily degraded by shifting cultivation and

fire, and by the cutting of trees for fuelwood, timber and browse. The dominant tree

was the Shea Butter Tree Biityrospermiim paradoxiiui. Despite their similarities in

vegetation and land use, the two sample areas differ in other respects. The Dorimon-

Wechiau road, which lies 5-10 km east of the Black Volta river, is underlain by

114

R.J. Douthwaite & W. Zakaria

Malimbus 34

sedimentaty rocks (slates, phyllites, schists, tuffs and gre}^vackes) and is lower lying

(< 275 m altitude), better watered, and more hea\ ily settled than the area beside the

Wa-Mangwe road. The latter crosses volcanic granitoid rocks on higher ground (>

325 m). Thus the Dorimon-Wechiau area is probably more favourable for insects and

insectivorous birds than the area between Wa and Mangwe.

Spraying to suppress tsetse populations was carried out at night by aircraft flying

parallel transects 270 m apart a few metres above the tree canopy, though higher in

the vicinity of the numerous cellular phone masts. An area of c. 7530 km” in Upper

West Region of Ghana and neighbouring Burkina Faso was sprayed. Four spray

treatments were made of the entire area with a further three of heavily infested areas

on the banks of the Black Volta river. Spraying of the area between Dorimon and

Wechiau took place between 6 April and 6 May (Table 1). The insecticide used was

deltamethrin, which was applied as an aerosol in ultra-low volume at the rate of 0.33-

0.35 g active ingredient ha'^ The fate of the insecticide is unknown but

meteorological conditions were generally unfavourable for spraying and some of the

spray may ha\ e dispersed into the atmosphere rather than reaching target sites near

the ground.

The start of the spraying operation had been delayed by poor visibility due to a

persistent harmattan, with \er\' hot (daily maxima > 40°C), very diy (relative

humidity RH < 10 %), dusty northeast winds. Conditions ameliorated in the first few

days of April and light southwesterly winds set in. Hea\y rain fell overnight on 5-6

April (Table 1). flooding roadside borrow pits and drainage culverts on the Dorimon

transect. With the onset of the rains, southwesterly winds prevailed; the RH increased

to over 60 %. and daily maximum temperatures fell 5-10°C. Shallow temperature

inversions were noted on some days around dawn.

Results

Counts are summarised in Table 2. The median and range, rather than mean and

standard error, are given because the means for some species appeared to be skewed

by the inclusion of occasional high counts, perhaps due to passage on migration.

Under these circumstances the median better expresses the "typical" number present.

Apiis cipiis Common Swift. Seen beUveen 9 April and the end of the study; on the

Dorimon-Wechiau transect, significantly more numerous after the onset of the rains

(Table 2). Flocks of 30-150 birds were noted moving northwest on 14 April, 24-26

April and 3-6 May.

A. ciffinis Little Swift. Flocks were seen regularly over Wechiau and Busa. Numbers

increased in both areas after the rains began and a breeding colony with 1 1 nests was

found under the eaves of the Wechiau mosque on 28 April.

A. differ \\'hite-rumped Swift. Seen intermittently in small numbers on both

transects, on the Donninon-Wechiau transect more commonly after the onset of the

2012

Swifts and swallows in N Ghana

1 15

Table 1. Key dates in the monitoring programme.

Table 2. Counts of swifts, martins and swallows between Dorimon and Wechiau,

and Wa and Mangwe. Dry season = up to 5 April; wet season = 6 April onwards.

Numbers are median (minimum-maximum) counts. Significance of differences

was assessed using the Mann-Whitney U test; ns indicates P> 0.05.

116

R.J. Douthwaite & W. Zakaria

Malimbus 34

rains. Many of the retort-shaped swallow nests found in culverts showed evidence of

previous use by swifts, with feathers stuck to the mouths of the nest chambers. Two

nests, one on each transect, were occupied by White-rumped Swifts at the end of the

study: both contained a single egg, and both had probably been built originally by

Lesser-striped Swallows Hirimdo abyssinica.

Cypsiiiriis parvus Palm Swift. Up to 1 1 were seen on the Dorimon transect, including

six or seven that frequented palm trees on the edge of the village. Up to nine were also

seen regularly around a palm tree to the north of the transect, in the school grounds at

Dabo. Up to two were seen on the Wa transect. There was no evidence of seasonal change

in numbers but one pair was suspected of breeding at Dabo at the end of the study.

Riparia riparia Sand Martin. One amongst migrating House Martins and Barn

Swallows near Wechiau, 31 March.

Pseiidhirimdo griseopyga Grey-rumped Swallow. The only record was of two on

the Wa-Mangwe road, 19 April.

Hirimdo lucida Red-chested Swallow and H. rustica Barn Swallow. No attempt

was made to separate Red-chested and Barn swallows routinely, due to their

similarity, the large numbers present, and time constraints. Flocks of migrating Bam

Swallows, together with House Martins, were noted in late March, but photographs of

several groups taken in May show only immature Red-chested Swallows. Numbers

increased significantly on the Dorimon transect with the onset of the rains, but no

similar influx occurred on the transect from Wa, where they were less common

throughout the study (Fig. 2). A Red-chested Swallow nest with one egg was found in

a culvert beneath the Dorimon-Wechiau road on 9 May.

Figure 2. Counts of Red-chested and Barn swallows. All counts are shown (none

had a count of zero birds). Flashes = rainfall; arrows = spray treatment.

2012

Swifts and swallows in N Ghana

1 17

Hinmdo smilhii Wire-tailed Swallow. Small numbers present throughout the study

on both transeets, with up to eight between Dorimon and Weehiau and six on the Wa

Mangwe road. There was no evidence of a seasonal change in abundance. Breeding

w as in progress in both areas at the start of the study. A nest in a culvert near Weehiau

contained two eggs on 25 March and three on 29 March but the chicks were probably

taken by children in mid-April shortly before tledging. On the Wa transect, one nest

held tw o eggs on 26 and 30 March and two chicks on 9 April. On 19 April one chick

remained in the nest, while the second had fledged and was seen nearby.

H. abyssinica Lesser-striped Swallow. Common on both transects throughout the

study, and the most numerous species on the Wa-Mangwe road. Numbers increased

significantly on the Dorimon transect with the onset of the rains but no comparable

increase occurred on the Wa transect. Family parties were present on both transects at

the start of the study but had dispersed by the end, leaving populations mainly

comprised of pairs. Nest building began immediately after the first rain and by the end

of the study there were three nests each with four eggs on the Dorimon transect, and

one nest with four eggs on the Wa-Mangwe road. A badly decomposed adult was

found in an old nest on the Wa transect but the cause of death was not determined.

H. daiirica Red-rumped Swallow. Present in small numbers on both transects with

no evidence of change.

H. seuegalensis Mosque Swallow. Seen in small numbers on both transects following

the onset of the rains.

H. semiriifa Rufous-chested Swallow. Seen in small numbers throughout the study

on the Dorimon transect but not recorded along the Wa-Mangwa road.

H, leiicosoma Pied-winged Swallow. Present throughout the study on both transects,

with a significant increase occurring on the Dorimon-Weehiau road after the onset of

the rains. A newly lined but empty nest was found in a culvert on the Dorimon

transect on 9 May.

Delichon iirbicum House Martin. Seen infrequently (9 days out of 27) on the

Dorimon transect, in flocks of up to 20 birds, between 31 March and 3 May. On the

Wa-Mangwe road, one record of three birds on 3 April.

Discussion

Deltamethrin aerosols applied for tsetse-fly control in southern Africa are known to

have short-lived “knock-down” effects on a broad spectrum of arthropods, which may

result in their greater vulnerability to predation and reduced population size (SEMG

1987, 1993). In ideal conditions, the effects of spray drift may occur up to 40 km

downwind (pers. obs.). However, no effects of this spraying operation were detected

in bats or birds (pers. obs.) or in non-target terrestrial and aquatic arthropods (I.F.

Grant in litt.). A lack of any significant impact on the prey of swallows, i.e. small

insects, is confinned by the lack of any change in swallow abundance before and after

118

R.J. Douthwaite & W. Zakaria

Malimbus 34

each spray treatment. Red-chested/Barn and Lesser-striped swallow numbers in the

three days before each spray cycle, for example, were similar to those recorded in the

three days immediately afterwards (Mann- Whitney U-test, pre-spray counts = 11,

post-spray counts = 8, P > 0.05, for both taxa).

The most dramatic influx of Red-chested/Bam swallows to the sprayed area

occurred on 6 April, the day after the first heavy rain had fallen and before the area

was sprayed. Spraying during the previous night had taken place some 22^2 km to

the north, but the wind at the time was southeast Force 2, i.e. blowing spray droplets

gently away from rather than towards the study area. It was therefore concluded that

spraying had no effect on the numbers of those species studied.

While the diversity of swift and swallow species was similar on the two transects,

relative abundance was generally greater on the Dorimon transect, especially after the

rains began, when numbers of Red-chested/Bam, Lesser-striped and Pied-winged

swallows, and Common, White-rumped and Little swifts all increased significantly on

the Dorimon transect with no comparable increase on the Wa transect (Table 3). It

was clear that migrants favoured the more humid, riverine corridor of the Black Volta

river, where food may have been more abundant, rather than the drier uplands of the

Wa-Mangwe transect.

No breeding activity was recorded at the start of the study except in the Wire-

tailed Swallow, but with the onset of the rains. Lesser-striped Swallows began

collecting mud immediately and other species began to prospect for nest sites in

culverts under the roads. By early May, Lesser-striped, Red-chested and Pied-winged

swallows, and White-rumped, Little and possibly Palm swifts had all begun to breed,

confirming the lack of any adverse impact of spraying.

The bird-life in much of Africa is threatened by habitat destruction caused mainly

by a rapidly expanding human population that is heavily dependent upon subsistence

farming and wood fuel. The impact of these changes on bird populations is largely

unknown as monitoring schemes are either non-existent or still in their infancy, e.g. in

Uganda and Botswana. The Upper West Region of Ghana is in many ways typical,

undergoing rapid environmental change and lacking any previous replicable

observations on bird populations. The sites and methods used in this study could

easily be used for repeat counts by some of the numerous visitors to the nearby

Wechiau Hippo Sanctuaiy, but a suitable forum for recording their observations is

presently non-existent.

Acknowledgments

The work was carried out under contract with the Ministry of Agriculture, Ghana, and

we thank Mr Charles Mahama (Project Coordinator, Multinational Project for the

Creation of Sustainable Tsetse and Trypanosomiasis Free Areas in East and West

Africa) and his staff, for their support. We also thank Dr Richard Suu-Ire, Mr Joseph

2012

Swifts and swallows in N Ghana

119

Yaw Oppong and Mr Anatole Roger Dipama for assistance in the field, and Dr I.F.

Grant for his comments on the manuscript.

References

SEMG (Scientific Environmental Monitoring Group) (1987) Environmental

Monitoring of Tsetse Control Operations in Zimbabwe 1986. Institut fur

Biogeographie, Universitat des Saarlandes, Saarbrucken.

SEMG (Scientific Environmental Monitoring Group) (1993) Environmental

Monitoring of Tsetse Control Operations in Zambia and Zimbabwe. Impact of

Aerial Spraying and Odour-baited Targets on Ecosystems. Report 1987-1990.

Institut fur Biogeographie, Universitat des Saarlandes, Saarbrucken.

Sutton, R.W.W. (1970) Bird records from Ghana in 1967 and 1968/69 Part 2.

Northern Ghana. Bull. Niger. Orn. Soc. 7: 76-93.

120

Malimbus 34

Short Notes — Notes Courtes

Eurasian Wigeon Anas penelope^ a new species for The Gambia

On 22 January 2010, we visited rice fields near Madina-Sapu in the Lower River

Division of The Gambia (13°49'N, 15°25'W). Several species of waders, herons and

raptors were sighted both in and around the fields. Among them a duck was

discovered which appeared to be a male Eurasian Wigeon Anas penelope. This was

the only duck in the area. It stood in the water of a rice paddy at a distance of c. 100

m, and was observed with binoculars and telescopes. It stopped foraging at the

moment of discovery and started to walk and swim around slowly for a few minutes.

Then it tlew into the adjacent rice paddy where it resumed foraging. Total observation

time was c. 15-20 min., during which several photographs were taken (Fig. 1).

Aftenvards the duck remained in the area.

The bird was a medium-sized dabbling duck with short neck, rounded head and

small bill. The pointed tail made it look slender. The bill was short, dull blue with a

black tip. The legs were black (but partly covered with mud). The eye was dark. The

head was chestnut brown, including forehead and crown, and darker around the eye.

The mantle was dark grey with some chestnut-brown feathers. The neck and upper

breast were chestnut brown, distinctly divided from the whitish lower breast, and the

under-parts were mottled chestnut brown and grey. The white belly was darkened by

mud and the under tail-coverts were white with increasing black mottling towards the

tip of the tail. The tertials and wing tips were blackish, and the speculum dark without

a white trailing edge. The under wing-coverts were uniform pale grey. The outer tail-

feathers had dark centres and white edges. These characteristics are distinctive of

Eurasian Wigeon. The uniform grey underparts of the wing, seen when the bird flew

for a short distance, ruled out Northern Pintail A. acuta and American Wigeon A.

americana. The chestnut-brown head indicates that this bird was a male. The absence

of a yellowish forehead is typical for first-winter males and males in eclipse plumage.

In first-winter birds, the belly often shows a mottled grey pattern, while the wing

lacks the distinctive white panel of adults and often has uniform grey coverts

(Svensson et al. 2009, Duivendijk 2010). We thus conclude that this was a first-winter

male Eurasian Wigeon.

The Eurasian Wigeon breeds in northern Eurasia and winters from southern

Eurasia to North Africa. In its wintering areas the species prefers coastal regions with

shallow fresh- or salt-water marshes, flooded grassland and lagoons (Cramp &

Simmons 1977, Hoyo et al. 1992). To our knowledge, no records of Eurasian Wigeon

have so far been documented for The Gambia (Vestergaard-Jensen & Kirkeby 1980,

Gore 1990, Barlow et al. 2007, Borrow & Demey 2004). Even though West Africa,

including The Gambia, offers numerous suitable wetlands in the form of river deltas.

2012

Notes Courtes

121

tloodplain marshes and riee fields, the Eurasian Wigeon remains a scarce winter

\ isitor south of the Sahara, where its regular occurrence is known only for the Inner

Niger Delta and the Atlantic coast from Mauritania to northern Senegal (Giraudoux et

al. 1988, Borrow & Demey 2004).

Figure 1. First-winter male Eurasian Wigeon Anas penelope at a rice paddy near

Madina-Sapu, The Gambia, 22 Jan 2010 (photo: Louis de Vos).

The possibility that this bird originated from an ornamental waterfowl collection

cannot be ruled out completely. However, the bird was not ringed and showed no

signs of captivity such as unnatural behaviour, abnormal feather wear or damaged bill

or feet, and we are not aware of any ornamental waterfowl collections in the

Senegambia region. Furthermore, considering the occurrence of the species in

northern Senegal, a wild origin seems more likely.

References

Barlow, C., Wacher, T. & Disley, T. (2007) Buxk of the Gambia and Senegal. 2nd.

ed., A. & C. Black, London.

Borrow, N. & Demey, R. (2004) Field Guide to the Birds of Western Africa.

Christopher Helm, London.

Cramp, S. & Simmons, K.E.L. (eds) (1977) Handbook of the Birds of Europe, the

Middle East and North Africa. The Birds of the Western Palearctic, vol. 1 . Oxford

University Press, London.

122

Short Notes

Malimbus 34

Duivendijk, N. van (2010) Advanced Bird ID guide. The Western Palearctic. New

Holland, London.

Giraudoux, P., Degauquier, R., Jones, P.J., Weigel, J. & Isenmann, P. (1988).

Avifaune dxx^x'gQX. Mcdhnbus 10: 1-140.

Gore, M.E.J. (1990) Birds of the Gambia. Checklist 3, 2nd ed., British

Ornithologists’ Union, Tring.

Hoyo, J. del, Elliot, A. & Sargatal, J. (eds) (1992) Handbook of the Birds of the

World, vol. 1. Lynx, Barcelona.

SvENSSON, L., Mullarney, K. & Zetterstrom, D. (2009) Collins Bird Guide, 2nd

ed.. Harper Collins, London.

Vestergaard-Jensen, j. & Kirkeby j. (1980) The Birds of the Gambia. Aros Nature

Guides, Aarhus.

Received 8 August 2011; revised 6 Januaiy 2012.

A. DE Baerdemaeker', S.D. Elzerman', N. Venema^ & M. Colley’^

^Museum Natural History Rotterdam, PO Box 23452,

3001 KL Rotterdam, The Netherlands <debaerdemaeker(@bureaustadsnatuur.nl>

"Koninginneweg 235, 2982 AM Ridderkerk, The Netherlands

^Bird Travel Foundation The Netherlands,

Schubertdreef 87, 2992 EV Barendrecht, The Netherlands

^P.M.B. 733, SeiTekunda Post Office, SeiTekunda Western Division, The Gambia

First record and probable breeding of African Pitta Pitta angolensis in

Omo Forest Reserve, southwest Nigeria

The Omo Forest in southwestern Nigeria is an Important Bird Area and Biosphere

Reserve, known to hold at least 74 bird species restricted to the Guinea-Congo Forests

Biome (Ezealor 2001). In spite of effort by the Nigerian Conserv^ation Foundation and

World Bank to secure the forest, its 4.6 km" Strict Nature Reserv e and the 142 km"

Biosphere Extension Areas around it are still experiencing severe degradation due to

excessive exploitation of timber, agricultural encroachment and poaching (Ezealor

2001, Olmos & Turshak 2009, pers. obs.).

On the damp, calm, cloudy mornings of 27 and 30 May 2012, at 7h00 and lOhOO

respectively, we caught two African Pittas Pitta angolensis (Figs 1 and 2) in the lower

pockets of mist nets in the primary forest of Omo Forest Resen e, at altitude c. 75 m

near Erin Camp (6°55'6'N, 4°19'10''E), at two locations separated by < 60 m. Biometrics

of the two birds were: wing length 114, 117 mm; tarsus 37, 34 mm; bill 22, 23 mm;

head 49, 48 mm; tail 44, 40 mm; weight 69, 60g. One had an active brood patch (Fig. 2).

2012

Notes CoLirtes

123

Figure 1. African Pitta mist-netted in Omo Forest Reserve, 30 May 2012.

This is the first record of African Pitta for Omo Forest Reserve (Green et al. 2007,

Olmos & Turshak 2009), and provides a strong indication of local breeding. There are

no breeding reeords of this species in Nigeria (Elgood et al. 2001 ).

This is contribution no. 55 from the A.P Leventis Ornithologieal Researeh Institute

(APLORI). We are grateful to Dr A.P. Leventis for funding APLORI, to the National

Centre for Biosystematics (Natural History Museum, University of Oslo) and the

Research Council of Norway for sponsoring OTC’s field work in Nigeria, and to

Nicholas Wicks and Clifford Omonu who assisted during field work.

References

Elgood, J.H., Heigham, J.B., Moore, A.M., Nason, A.M., Sharland, R.E. & Skinner, N.J.

(1994) The Birds of Nigeria. Checklist 4. 2nd ed., British Ornithologists’ Union, Tring.

Ezealor, A.U. (2001) Nigeria. Pp. 673-692 in Fishpool, L.D.C. & EVANS, M.I.

(eds) Important Bird Areas in A frica and Associated Islands. Pisces, Newbury.

Green, A. A., Hael, P. & Leventis, A.P. (2007) Avifauna of Omo Forest Reserve,

SW Nigeria. Malimbits 29: 16-30.

124

Short Notes

Malimbus 34

Figure 2. Brood patch of African Pitta, Omo Forest Reserve, 27 May 2012.

Olmos, F. & Turshak. G.L. (2009) Sur\ ey of birds in Omo Forest Reserv e, south-

western Nigeria. Bull Afi\ Bird Club 16: 185-197.

Received 17 July 2012; revised 2 August 2012.

Taiwo Crossbv Omotoriogux^'". Omosbemi Temidayo", Taive Adeni^•i Adeyanju".

Ulf Ottossox" & Jan T. Liejeed^

^National Centre for Biosystematics, Natural Histoiy Museum, University of Oslo,

Norway. <libeity_omos(^yahoo.com>

”A.P. Leventis Ornithological Research Institute,

Laminga. Jos Plateau State. P.O. Box 1304, Nigeria

2012

125

News & Letters — Nouvelles & Lettres

New internet resources on Benin

We are pleased to announce that the Benin pages of the African Bird Club web site

<ww\\ .africanbirdclub.org/countries/Benin/introduction.html> have undergone a major

revision to include new pages on geography, I BA, hotspots, visiting and conservation,

as well as many new photographs, links and an up-to-date country checklist. They

now provide a w ealth of information on bird species and where to find them, special

sites with conservation potential, and practical information about Benin, which should

be helpful to tourists, as well as to residents planning off-the-beaten-track trips to

learn about their local birds.

Benin has great potential as an emerging ecotourism and birding destination and

w e hope that you will find the site useful and attractive. Many thanks are due to John

Caddick, Bob Dowsett and Franpoise Dowsett-Lemaire for their work to produce this

revision.

Bruno Fortier

African Bird Club country recorder and checklist compiler for Benin

<brunoportier@yahoo.fr>

Society Notices — Informations de la Societe

Peter Denzil Alexander-Marrack (1946-2011)

Peter Alexander-Marrack was bom in 1946 in Hammersmith, London, and educated

at Hendon County Grammar School, and Corpus Cliristi College, Cambridge (1965-71 ).

He obtained a double first in Natural Sciences, specialising in Geology, and gained a

Ph.D. for his geological work in east Greenland. He was a member of the Cambridge

Bird Club, and also took part in a university botanical expedition to Turkey.

Peter joined the Shell Group in 1971, specialising in the geological interpretation

of seismic data for oil and gas exploration. After basic training, he worked in the

Netherlands, Brunei and Sarawak, Nigeria (1977-81), Thailand, Gabon (1986-90)

and Norway. In 1994, he married Jo Draisma, whom he had first met in Borneo.

126

News & Letters

Malimbus 34

Peter was a member of the Nigerian Field Society and was Secretary of the

Society's Resident Committee from 1980-1. He joined the Nigerian Ornithologists’

Society in 1977 and was a member of WAOS ever since. He wrote three papers on

birds in Nigeria and Gabon for Malimbus (see below), and also helped the Editor by

refereeing many papers and reviewing publications on central Africa, including after

he moved back to Europe. In Norway Peter and Jo joined the Norsk Omitologisk Forening

and, before they left, NOF asked Peter to give a presentation about birds in Gabon.

Peter was always a birdwatcher, and was also interested in butterflies, dragonflies,

spiders, robber flies, orchids and nature in general. In 2000, he took early retirement

and he and Jo moved to Heerenveen in the Netherlands, where they enjoyed many

trips looking at plant and animal life, and he also researched his family history. In

January 2010, he was diagnosed with an incurable cancer, which at first confined him

to a wheel chair though later he was only able to watch the garden birds from his bed.

But he still enjoyed reading Malimbus and appreciated an article in the September

201 1 issue on the Loango Weaver, which he had studied himself in Gabon. He died on

25 December 2011.

Council is very grateful to Jo Alexander-MaiTack for contributing to this small

memorial, and we extend our sympathies and best wishes to her on behalf of Peter’s

friends in the Society.

W.A.O.S. Council

P.D. Alexander-Marrack: articles in Malimbus / articles dans Malimbus

Alexander-Marrack P. (1992) Nearctic vagrant waders in the Cap Lopez area,

Gabon. Malimbus 14: 7 10.

Alexander-Marrack P. (1994) Notes on a breeding colony of the African River

Martin Pseudochelidon ewystomina in Gabon. Malimbus 16; 1-9.

Alexander-Marrack P. (1994) Reviews of Euquete Faimistique dans la Foret du

Mayombe et Check-liste des Oiseaux et des Mammiferes du Congo (F. Dowsett-

Lemaire & R.J. Dow'sett, 1989) and of Flore et Faune du Bassin du Kouilou

(Congo) et lew Exploitation (ed. by R.J. Dowsett & F. Dowsett-Lemaire, 1991).

Malimbus 16: 61-62.

Alexander-Marrack P.D., Aaronson M.J., Farmer R., Houston W.H. & Mills T.R.

( 1985) Some changes in the bird fauna of Lagos, Nigeria. Malimbus 7: 121-127.

Peter Denzil Alexander-Marrack (1946-2011)

Peter Alexander-Marrack naquit en 1946 a Hammersmith, Londres, et fut eleve du

lycee du Hendon, puis du College Coipus Christi a Cambridge (1965-71). II obtint sa

licence avec distinction en Sciences Naturelles, specialite Geologic, et un Ph.D. pour

son etude geologique dans I’Est du Groenland. II fut membre du Cambridge Bird

Club, et participa aussi a une expedition botanique de I’universite en Turquie.

2011

N Olive lies et Letlres

127

Peter rejoignit le groupe Shell en 1971, en se specialisant dans I’interpretation

geologique des donnees sismiques de la recherche de petrole et de gaz. Apres ses

debuts professionnels, il fiit affecte aux Pays-Bas, a Brunei et Sarawak, au Nigeria

(1977-81), en ThaTlande, au Gabon (1986-90) et en Norvege. En 1994, il epousa Jo

Draisma, qu’il a\'ait rencontree a Borneo.

Peter etait membre de la Nigerian Field Society et fut Secretaire de sa Comite de

EAssociation des Residents en 1980-1. Il adhera a la Nigerian Ornithologists’ Society

en 1977 et a toujours ete membre de la SOOA depuis lors. 11 est Eauteur de trois

articles sur les oiseaux du Nigeria et du Gabon pour Malimhus (voir ci-dessus) et a

egalement aide le Redacteur en chef par la relecture de nombreux articles et la

recension de publications sur EAfrique centrale, y compris apres son retour en

Europe. En Norvege, Peter et Jo s’inscrivirent au Norsk Ornitologisk Forening et,

avant leur depart, le NOE demanda a Peter de faire un expose sur les oiseaux du

Gabon.

Peter a toujours ete un birdwatcher, et il s’interessa aussi aux papillons, libellules,

araignees, mouches a toison, orchidees et a la nature en general. En 2000, il partit tot

a la retraite et lui et Jo s’etablirent a Eleerenveen dans les Pays-Bas, ou ils prirent

plaisir a faire de nombreux voyages pour observer les plantes et la vie animale, et il

effectua aussi des recherches sur Ehistoire de sa famille. En Janvier 2010, on lui

trouva un cancer incurable, qui commenqa par le confmer dans un fauteuil roulant et

plus tard il fut reduit a observer de son lit les oiseaux du jardin. Mais il prenait encore

plaisir a la lecture de Malimbus et il apprecia un article du numero de septembre 201 1

sur le Tisserin a bee grele, qu’il avait lui-meme etudie au Gabon. Il est decede le 25

decembre 2011.

Le Conseil est tres reconnaissant a Jo Alexander-Marrack de sa contribution a cette

courte notice, et nous lui exprimons nos condoleances et nos meilleurs voeux de la

part de tons les amis de Peter au sein de la Societe.

Le Conseil de la S.O.O.A.

Arrears of subscriptions

We had hoped to include a new list of the Members of WAOS with this issue, but

have been unable to do so owing to the fact that a substantial number of Members on

our cuiTent list have not paid their subscriptions. I have been contacting these

Members in an attempt to re-establish their subscriptions, but this is a long process

and has not yet finished. Would all Members please check their subscription status

with me, and provide their e-mail address (for internal use) to facilitate future

communication. At the end of this year Council will decide a policy for temiinating

128

News & Letters

Malimbus 34

the membership of those who have not brought their subscriptions up to date, and we

hope to be able to issue a new Members List in 2013.

Tim Dodman, Treasurer and Membership Secretary,

Hundland, Papa Westray, Orkney KW17 2BU, U.K. <tim@timdodman.co.uk>

Arrieres de cotisations

Nous avions espere inclure une nouvelle liste des Membres de la SOOA dans ce numero,

mais nous n’avons pas ete en mesure de le faire en raison de ce qu’un nombre important

de Membres sur notre liste actuelle ne sont pas a jour du paiement de leurs cotisations.

J’ai entrepris d’entrer en contact avec ces Membres afin qu’ils renouvellent leur inscrip-

tion, mais c’est une demarche qui prend du temps et se poursuit. Merci a tons les

Membres de bien vouloir verifier fetat de leur inscription avec moi et de me commu-

niquer leur adresse internet (pour un usage interne) afm de faciliter nos echanges. En

fin de cette annee, le Conseil decidera d’une politique en ce qui conceme le retrait de la

liste des membres de ceux qui ne seront pas a jour du paiement de leurs cotisations, et

nous esperons etre en mesure de publier une nouvelle Liste des Membres en 2013.

Tim Dodman, Tresorier et charge des adherents,

Hundland, Papa Westray, Orkney KW17 2BU, U.K. <tim(^timdodman.co.uk>

W.A.O.S. membership changes

Changements a la liste d’adherents de la S.O.O.A.

New members — Nouveaux membres

PORTIER, B., Chemin de la Neuville 40, 4821 Andrimont, Belgium

Rose, J., 1 bis Rue des Chatre-Sacs, 92310 Sevres, France

Deaths — Deces

Alexander-Marrack, P.d.

Address changes and corrections — Changements et corrections d’adresse

Rainey, H., 140 Argyle St, Cambridge CBl 3LS, U.K.

Tamungang, A.S., Dept of Animal Biology, University of Dschang, PO Box 146,

Dschang, West Province, Cameroon

Tye, Dr A., Birdlife Cypms, PO Box 28076, Nicosia, CY-2090, Cyprus

<alan.tye(@birdlifecypms.org.cy>

Tim Dodman

Treasurer and Membership Secretar\'

Instructions aux Auteurs

Malimhiis publie des articles de recherche, des re\ ues de publications et des notivelles traitant de

I'ornithologie ouest-africaine.

Les Articles et les Notes Courtes doivent etre des apports originaux; ceiix deja public's

ailleurs. en partie ou en totalite. seront normalement refuses. Les Notes Courtes sont des articles

de moins de 1500 mots (references eomprises) ou de quatre pages imprimees. Autant que possible,

les manuscrits auront ete au prealable soiimis a au moins tin ornithologue ou biologiste pour tin

examen minutieux. Les manuscrits seront envoyes pour critique a au moins tin lectetir competent.

Les textes des Nouvelles & Lettres ne devraient pas depasser 1000 mots.

Les textes sont aeceptes en anglais et en fraiK^ais; la Redaction pourra aider les auteurs dont

la langue maternelle n'est pas Lime de celles-ci. Nous preferons les envois de manuscrits par

email (en piece jointe). Consultez le Redacteur pour plus de details, par ex. les logiciels compatibles.

Tons les Articles (mais non les Notes Courtes) comporteront tin Resume, n’excedant pas

5% de la longueur totale. Le Resume mentionnera brievement les principaux resultats et

conclusions de L Article et ne sera pas un simple compte rendu de ce qui a ete fait. Les resumes

seront publies a la fois en anglais et en frangais (ou dans la langue officielle du pays dans lequel

le tra\ ail a ete realise) et seront traduits au mieux par la Redaction.

La presentation des tableaux, chiffres, unites metriques, references, etc. doit correspondre a

cedes des numeros recents. A notez, en particulier: Les noms des auteurs doivent etre listes en

faisant preceder le nom de famille par le prenom ou des initiales (ex. John A. Smith); les dates

seront ecrites ”2 fev 1990" mais les mois seuls pourront etre ecrits en entier; les heures seront

ecrites “6h45”, “IThOO”; les coordonnees “7°46'N, 16°4'W” (pas de zeros en tete); les nombres

jusqu'a dix seront ecrits en toutes lettres, excepte devant une unite de mesure (ex. 6 m); les

nombres a partir de 1 1 seront ecrits en chiffres sauf au debut d’line phrase. Toutes les references

citees dans Tarticle, et aucune autre, doivent figurer dans la bibliographic.

Les articles sur I’avifaune doivent comprendre une carte ou un index geographique, incluant

tons les endroits cites, lls doivent comporter quelqties breves indications sur le climat, la topographic,

la vegetation et les circonstances ou evenements inhabituels avant ou pendant I’etude (ex. pluies

tardives, etc.). Les listes d’especes ne doivent contenir que des donnees importantes: les listes

completes ne sont justifiees que pour les regions encore non etudiees ou delaissees pendant long-

temps. Autrement, ne citer que les especes sur lesquelles Tetude fournit une information nouvelle

sur la repartition, la periode de sejour, la reproduction, etc. Pour chaque espece, indiquer Textension

de Laire de repartition, une estimation d’abondance {Mcdwihus 17: 38) et les donnees datees sur la

reproduction; indiquer le statut migratoire et la periode de sejour seulement tels qu’ils ressortent de

Letude. Eventuellement, replacer les donnees dans le contexte en les comparant brievement avec

une liste regionale de reference. Les longues listes d’especes peuvent etre presentees sous la forme

de tableaux (ex. Mcilhnbiis 25: 4-30, 24: 15-22, 23: 1-22, 1: 22-28, or 1: 49-54) ou sous la forme

redigee des numeros recents. La sequence taxonomique et les noms scientifiques (et de preference

aussi les noms vernaculaires) doivent suivre Borrow & Demey (2001, Birds of Western Africa,

Christopher Helm, London, avec des noms rectifies de Borrow & Demey 2004, Field Guide to the

Birds of Western Africa, Christopher Helm, London), ou 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, Academic

Press, London), a moins de donner les raisons de s’ecarter de ces auteurs. Un guide plus complet a

Pintention aux auteurs d’articles sur Favifaune, comprenant Fechelle d’abondance des especes

conseillee, a ete publie dans Maliinbiis 17: 35-39 et une version augmentee et actualisee de celle-ci

mise sur le site internet (http://malimbus.free.fr/instmale.htm). La Redaction se fera un plaisir de

donner des conseils pour les etudes specifiques.

Pour le dessin des Figures, et en particulier la taille des caracteres, tenir compte des

dimensions de la page de Maliinbiis. On prefere les figures preparees sur logiciel graphiqtie

approprie et sauvegardees en haute definition. Les fichiers de basse resolution et les impressions

de mauvaise qualite seront refuses. Les auteurs sont encourages a soumettre des photographies

qui illustrent des points importants de leurs articles. Les photographies doivent etre en couleurs

et de haute definition. Les figures et les photographies doivent etre envoyees comme fichiers de

logiciel graphique (par ex. jpg ou tif), et ne pas etre incluses dans un fichier de Word et non pas

etre incluses dans un fichier de Word. Consulter le Redacteur pour tout renseignement.

Un fichier pdf des Articles et des Notes Courtes, et une copie du numero de publication

seront envoyes gratis a I’auteur ou a I’auteur principal.

mi

|tUS 34|2) 1N{|feinl>er M12

Contents — Table des Matidres

i|-

New bird records from southwestern Burkina Faso,

M. Pavia, G. BoanOj F. Silvano & K. Mamadou 57-81

Aspects of the breeding biology of Abdim’s Stork

Ciconia abdimn ^

S.T. Ivande, S.A. Many, ZJj Wala, J.D. Onoja & T. Tende 82-91

Contribution a Fetude de la bitlogie de reproduction

du Martin-pecheur hnppe cr/stflto,

R. Kisasa Kafutshi 92-101

Additions and corrections to the avifauna of Ebo Forest, Cameroon.

F. Dowsett-Lemaire & RJ. Dowsett 102-110

Occurrence and breeding of swifts Apodidae and swallows

Hiriindinidae near Wa in northern Ghana, March-May 2010.

R J. Douthwaite & W. Zakaria 111-119

Short Notes — Notes Courtes

Eurasian Wigeon Anas penelope^ a new species for The Gambia.

A. de Baerdemaeker, S.D. Elzerman, N. Venema& M. Colley 120-122

First record and probable breeding of African Pitta

Pitta angoiensis in Omo Forest Reserve, southwest Nigeria.

T.C. Omotoriogun, O. Teinidayo, T.A. Adeyanju,

U. Ottosson & J.T. Litjeld ^ 122-124

News & Letters — Nouvelles et Lettres 125

Society Notices — Informations de la Societe

125-128