tos yoi

Journal o£ West African Ornithology

Revue d’Ornithologie de 1’Ouest Africain

THE NATURAL

HISTORY MUSEUM

0 3 APR 2012

PURCHASED

TRING LIBRARY

" ' ‘i: \"H f ■

.

h 2012

VOLUME 34 Number i

ISSN 0331-3689

published by:

publiee par: Societe d’Ornithologie de 1’Ouest Africain

1

West African Ornithological Society

Societe d’Omithologie de l’Ouest Africain

Cou ncil:

President: Dr Jean-Marc Thiollay

Vice-President: Dr Roger Wilkinson

Members of Council:

P.W. Peter Browne, Nils Robin

Secretary to Council: Dr Joost Brouwer

Treasurer& Membership Secretary: Tim Dodman

Meetings Secretary: Dr Hazell S.S. Thompson

Managing Editor: Dr Alan Tye

Editorial Board: Dr J. Brouwer, R. Buij, Dr. R.A. Cheke, Dr A.J.F.K. Craig, A. A.

Green, Dr P.J. Jones, Dr M. Melo, Dr J.E. Newby, N. Robin, Dr J.-M. Thiollay, Dr R.

Wilkinson.

Web site: <http://nialimbus.free.fr/> includes full texts of all volumes of Bulletin of the

Nigerian Ornithologists ’ Society’ and Malimbus except the most recent five, plus tables

of contents, summaries, searchable indexes to species and authors, and lists for each

West African country of references in the journal which mention that country.

Correspondence should be addressed as follows:

to the Managing Editor (Dr A. Tye, SPREP, PO Box 240, Apia, Samoa;

<alantye@gmail.com>) regarding contributions to Malimbus ;

to the Treasurer (Hundland, Papa Westray, Orkney KW17 2BE1, U.K.;

<tim@timdodman.co.uk>) regarding subscriptions, finance and back numbers;

to the Secretary to Council (Wildekamp 32, 6721 JD Bennekom, The Netherlands;

<brouwereac@orange.nl>) regarding W.A.O.S. Research Grants;

- to the Meetings Secretary (BirdLife International, Wellbrook Court, Girton Road,

Cambridge CB3 ONA, U.K.; <hazell.thompson@birdlife.org>) regarding attendance

at or suggestions for meetings;

— to the Webmaster <pbrowne@primus.ca>, regarding the web site;

to the President (2 rue Riviere, F- 10220 Rouilly Sacey, France; <jm.thiollay@

wanadoo.fr>) regarding policy matters.

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

1964. Its object is to promote West African ornithology, especially by publishing its

journal Malimbus (formerly the Bulletin of the Nigerian Ornithologists ' Society).

Applications for Membership are welcome. Annual subscriptions are £15 (€22) for

Ordinary Members (individuals) and £35 (€44) for Corporate Members (libraries and

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

to M. or Mine N. Robin, 35 rue Bonaparte, 75006 Paris, France; <nils-robin@orange.fr>.

We kindly request members in the Euro Zone other than France, to use the free SEPA

bank transfer system, as cashing cheques from outside France is very costly.

Subscriptions may also be paid on line at <http://malimbus.free.fr/>. Ordinary

Members receive Malimbus by surface mail. Corporate Members by airmail. An extra

charge is made for airmail to Ordinary Members; enquire of the Treasurer for rate.

Back numbers: No original printed copies are available except of some very recent

issues. However, a pdf of any complete issue of Malimbus or of Bull. Nigerian Orn.

Soc. can be supplied at a cost of one half of the current year’s subscription. Please

send requests to the Treasurer.

W.A.O.S. Research Grants: guidelines for applicants may be found in Malimbus 25:

72-75 and on the web site, or may be obtained from the Secretary to Council.

012

1

THE NATURAL

HISTORY MUSEUM

03 APR 2012

PURCHASED

TRING LIBRARY

Relative abundance, agonistic behaviour, and resource

partitioning among three scavenging bird species in Ghana

by Nathaniel N.D. Annorbah1 & Lars H. Holbech2

'Ghana Wildlife Society, P.O. Box GP 13252, Accra, Ghana.

<nd.annorbah@gmail.com>

“Dept of Animal Biology and Conservation Science, University of Ghana,

Legon, Ghana

Received 8 September 2010; revised 25 September 201 1

Summary

The Hooded Vulture Necrosyrtes monachus , Pied Crow Corvus a/bus and

Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis are all scavengers of organic waste at refuse dumps

at the University of Ghana at Legon, where they have higher populations than

four decades ago. We examined their abundance, interactions while feeding,

and food types consumed. The vulture was the commonest of the three,

followed by the crow and egret. Eleven types of agonistic interaction were

observed, and seven food types identified. The Hooded Vulture and Pied

Crow ate the same six food types; the Cattle Egret ate four food types, three of

which were in common with the Hooded Vulture and Pied Crow, the other

being flies.

Resu me

Abondance relative, comportement agonistique et repartition des

ressources entre trois especes d'oiseaux charognards au Ghana. Le

Vautour charognard Necrosyrtes monachus , le Corbeau pie Corvus a /bus et

f Heron garde-boeufs Bubulcus ibis sont tous trois charognards de dechets

organiques sur les ordures a EUniversite du Ghana a Legon, ou leurs

populations sont plus nombreuses qu’il y a quatre decennies. Nous avons

examine leur abondance, leurs interactions lorsqu’ils se nourrissent et les

sortes de nourriture consommees. Le vautour etait le plus commun des trois,

suivi par le corbeau et Eaigrette. Onze types d’ interactions agressives ont ete

observees et sept sortes de nourriture identifiees. Le Vautour charognard et le

Corbeau pie ont consomme les memes nourritures, six sortes; T Heron garde-

boeufs a consomme quatre sortes de nourriture, dont trois communes avec le

Vautour charognard et le Corbeau pie, Eautre etant des mouches.

2

N.N.D. Annorbah & L.H. Holbech

Malimbus 34

Introduction

Of over 1 1 1 bird species regularly recorded each year on the University of Ghana (UG)

campus at Legon in the 1960s and 1970s, only 83 were recorded in 2004 (Grimes

2006). The more common species included the Hooded Vulture Necrosyrtes monachus.

Pied Crow Corvus cilbus and Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis. Grimes (2006) reported that

these three species were more common on the Legon campus in 2004 than in the

1960s and 1970s, but no details of population sizes or relative abundance were given.

Many environmental and infrastructural changes have occurred on the UG campus

and its environs since the 1970s, and the increase in numbers of these birds is thought

to be due to the easy availability of food from the numerous food stalls and undisposed

waste on campus (Grimes 2006), particularly from Refuse Transit Depots (RTDs) which

provide a dependable food source. RTDs are dumps where refuse from the student

hostels is temporarily stored before it is carted to a major dump outside the university.

Avian scavengers play an important role in clearing the environment of carcasses

and organic urban refuse, and may thereby curb the spread of diseases and undesirable

scavenging mammals (e.g. Sekercioglu 2006, Wenny et al. 2011). The scavengers on

the UG campus may fulfil this function but are a nuisance in that their droppings may

fall on pedestrians under trees (Gbogbo & Awotwe-Pratt 2008). This is of concern to

students due to their perception of wild birds as potential disease vectors (e.g. Fenlon

1981, Hubalek & Halouzka 1999, Hubalek 2004). These scavengers, especially the

Pied Crow, also litter the environment with plastic materials picked up from RTDs.

Since all three bird species feed on the same source of waste food material they

may compete for space or food resources. This study sought to examine the

populations of the three species, their interactions while feeding, and the food types

consumed, on the UG campus. The study focused on the populations at selected RTDs

on campus, to: determine the relative abundance of the three bird species feeding at

RTDs and on the campus in general; identify and document intra- and inter-specific

agonistic interactions between the three species at the feeding sites; identify food

types consumed by each of the three species.

Study area and methods

The UG campus is described by Grimes (2006). Each hall of residence has an RTD

located not more than 25 m from it. The refuse dumped in the mornings mainly

comprises polythene materials, many of which contain some organic matter that

serves as food for the scavengers. This early morning rubbish is carted away between

mid-morning and mid-afternoon. However, more rubbish, much of which is leftover

food from dining halls and kitchens, is brought in between afternoon and dusk. Some

of the scavengers are found at some of the RTDs in the late mornings, but their

numbers peak between late afternoon and dusk.

2012

Scavenging birds in Ghana

3

The RTDs at Mensah-Sarbah Hall (MSH) and Commonwealth Hall (CH) are

close to their respective halls, with tall trees overhanging them. The MSH RTD

receives large amounts of waste, from seven student residential quarters, and feeds a

large number of scavengers. The CH RTD receives appreciable amounts of waste

from the CH dining hall and a restaurant located within the premises.

The field study was carried out over about six weeks in June-July 2007.

Transect surveys

The area of the UG campus and its environs was divided into a grid of ten cells, each

'y

1 km". Counts were normally conducted between 7h00 and 9h00, between the second

week of June and the third week of July 2007. On each survey day, up to four cells

were surveyed. Each cell was surveyed on ten days, with main roads and footpaths in

the cell used as transects and repeated on each of the ten days on which the cell was

surveyed. Transects were walked over a distance of 500 m at a steady pace, and all

individuals of the three scavenger bird species seen or heard within c. 100 m on either

side of the transect were counted. The effective survey area in each cell was therefore

■y

0.1 km , or 10 % of the total area of the cell. Efforts were made to avoid double-

counting birds, by not recording any vocalizations heard behind the observer that had

previously been recorded in the last 30 m and by not recording any previously

detected birds that flew from behind to ahead of the observer.

Counts and observations at RTDs

Bird counts and behavioural observations were made at the MSH and CH RTDs,

normally between 15h30 and 18h00, from the second week of June through the third

week of July 2007, using binoculars from a distance to avoid disturbance to the birds.

Each RTD was studied for ten days in total. The number of birds of each of the three

species at the RTD was determined at the start of every 30-min. interval over a period

of 120 minutes (= total 4 counts in 120 minutes). Only birds present within 20 m of

the RTD and feeding or standing on or near garbage were counted. Agonistic

behaviour patterns displayed in response to intra- or inter-specific competition for

space or food, while feeding at the RTDs were also detailed during these 30-min.

periods. Food types consumed by the three species were documented.

Data analysis

Data were analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Scientists software (SPSS

12.0 for Windows). The data were checked for normality and an appropriate test

(ANOVA) was performed accordingly.

The relative abundance (RA) of each of the three bird species during transect

surveys and at the MSH and CH RTDs was calculated as the average daily number

(adn) of that species relative to the sum of the adns for the three species, as follows:

RA, = 100 (n,/N)

4

N.N.D. Annorbah & L.H. Holbech

Malimbus 34

where iij = the adn of the ith species and N = nv + nc + ne (where nv = the adn of

vultures; nc = the adn of crows; ne = the adn of egrets). For transects, the average of

the ten counts in each cell was first calculated to give the cell average, then the cell

averages for the ten cells were themselves averaged to give the adn for each species.

For RTDs, adn = overall average of the ten daily averages of the four counts made

each day.

Results

Relative abundance

The Hooded Vulture had the highest adns and RAs, followed by the Pied Crow and

the Cattle Egret (Table 1). The difference in adn values for the Hooded Vulture and

the Pied Crow was however, not statistically significant on transects, although it was

significant at the RTDs. The adn values for the Hooded Vulture and the Pied Crow at

the two RTDs were significantly different, whereas for the Cattle Egret they were not.

Table 1. Average daily numbers (adn) and relative abundance (RA) of the

Hooded Vulture, Pied Crow, and Cattle Egret on transects and RTDs over ten

days.

Transects MSH RTD CH RTD

'Values of adn with the same letter are not significantly different (ANOVA P > 0.05)

Agonistic interactions

Eleven types of aggressive interaction were displayed by the three species while

feeding at the RTDs (Table 2).

Stealing food. Some birds of all three species attempted to seize food items already

picked up by other birds (in the case of Cattle Egret, usually chicken intestines). This

kleptoparasitism seemed to occur more frequently between conspecifics. Robberies

were not always successful. Successful vultures and egrets usually consumed the

seized food items without moving far away, whereas successful crows usually flew

away to consume the seized food items some distance away. Robbed vultures and

crows usually tried to attack the robbers, while robbed egrets usually resisted the

robbery by trying to pull away the food material.

Pointing beak. Some Hooded Vultures and Pied Crows moved the beak towards another

individual, usually by a slight movement of the lowered head to one side, while

2012

Scavenging birds in Ghana

5

feeding. The recipient of this movement by a vulture usually retreated to some distance

away. Crows pointed at the head of other crows, resulting in alertness in the recipient.

Table 2. Agonistic interactions displayed by the Hooded Vulture, Pied Crow, and

Cattle Egret at the MSH and CH RTDs.

Hooded Vulture Pied Crow Cattle Egret

Raising crest +

Open wings display. Some Hooded Vultures faced another bird and spread the wings

slightly or fully. Conspecific recipients of this movement usually responded in a like

manner and both birds turned away, though fights sometimes ensued. Pied Crows and

Cattle Egrets normally retreated in response to such threats.

Claws display. Some Hooded Vultures lifted one of the legs horizontally and directed

the spread claws at another bird. This usually occurred simultaneously with the open

wings display. Conspecific recipients usually retreated, but rarely fought back. Pied

Crows and Cattle Egrets normally retreated in response to such threats.

Approaching directly. Some birds of all three species walked or leapt directly towards

another bird. When approached by a vulture, vultures sometimes moved away but

crows and egrets always retreated. When approached by a crow or egret, the

approached bird jumped or flew away, but sometimes confronted the approaching

bird. Crows usually approached other crows but sometimes egrets. Cattle Egrets only

approached conspecifics.

Pushing with feet. Some Hooded Vultures gave a strong push to another individual, using

the spread toes of one foot. This push usually dislodged the latter from its feeding point.

Fight. Hooded Vulture opponents confronted each other jumping forward while

showing their claws and trying to peck at each other, and simultaneously spread or

flapped the wings and raised themselves from the ground. The fighting pair repeatedly

bumped into each other until the loser fell on the ground trying to defend itself with

both feet. The loser usually moved away with folded wings, retracted neck, and

ruffled feathers. Some Pied Crows flew towards an opponent, with beak and claws

6

N.N.D. Annorbah & L.H. Holbech

Malimbus 34

directed towards the other, trying to reach it while simultaneously trying to avoid

blows, such that both animals rose vertically while facing each other. Losers usually

fell on their backs with body stretched out, while the winner rested on top of them.

Interposition. Some Pied Crows attempted to prevent other birds from reaching a

food item by quickly stepping between a prospective forager and the food item. This

interaction seemed to occur more frequently with other crows than with other species.

Raising beak. Some Pied Crows raised themselves up on the legs and stretched the

neck vertically, while directing the beak at a conspecific.

Attacking with claws. Some Pied Crows jumped on top of another, with both feet

with the toes spread. Recipients of such attacks were normally conspecifics and were

usually startled and fled.

Raising crest. Cattle Egrets sometimes raised the crest when approached by another

bird. This behaviour usually occurred during aggressive approach by a conspecific.

Only food robbing and approaching directly were common to all three species.

Approaching directly usually caused the recipient to flee and therefore made way for

the approaching bird to feed. Pointing beak and fighting were observed only in the

Hooded Vulture and Pied Crow.

Food types consumed

The food types consumed by the three species are listed in Table 3. Each species fed

on the same food types at both the MSH and CH RTDs. Hooded Vultures and the Pied

Crows shared six food materials. Cattle Egrets fed on the prolific numbers of flies

present in addition to fish fragments, pieces of meat and offal, but did not eat the other

food items.

Table 3. Food items consumed by Hooded Vulture, Pied Crow and Cattle Egret

at the MSH and CH RTDs.

Discussion

The RA values obtained during transect and RTD studies on the UG campus may be

explained by a number of factors. First, transect counts were made in the mornings

2012

Scavenging birds in Ghana

7

and RTD counts in the afternoons (due to refuse being dumped at RTDs in the

afternoons). Second, detectability could vary among the three species on the transects,

but not at the RTDs, where all birds were visible at close range.

In the Hooded Vulture and Pied Crow, the similar RAs in transect and RTD

studies reflect their proportionate abundance on the campus. The greater RA values

for Cattle Egrets at RTDs than on the transects may be because the Cattle Egrets on

campus have become accustomed to scavenging on RTDs owing to the ready

availability of food there compared with hunting for insects elsewhere. The large

number of flies present at the RTDs may be enough motivation for a high level of use.

The Hooded Vulture and Pied Crow were more omnivorous than the Cattle Egret,

which is a more specialised insectivore. There was no obvious trophic resource

partitioning between vulture and crow, but resource partitioning between the Cattle

Egret and the other two species was 50 %.

Pomeroy (1975) reported that Cattle Egrets fed at dumps in Uganda but stated that

they feed on insects associated with the dumps and are not true scavengers. Feare

(1975) also reported Cattle Egrets feeding at a dump in the Seychelles, but their diet

was unknown. Cattle Egrets have however been seen at dumps feeding on items other

than insects alongside vultures and crows (Burger & Gochfeld 1983). The

consumption by the Cattle Egret of fish fragments, pieces of meat and offal at RTDs,

in addition to flies, contradicts Pomeroy’s (1975) assertion that they eat only flies at

refuse dumps and therefore are not true scavengers. However, flies may still be the

major component of the diet at Legon: gut content analysis of Cattle Egrets from

landfills at Accra, Ghana have shown that fly larvae of the families Muscidae and

Calliphoridae constituted up to 84 % of the diet, with most of the rest being adult flies

(A. Kuranchie & L.H. Holbech, unpublished data). This, combined with the

observations at the RTDs, suggests they may play a significant role in the control of

pest flies in Ghana.

Acknowledgments

This study was carried out by NA as part of the requirements for the award of M. Phil,

at the Dept of Animal Biology and Conservation Science, University of Ghana. NA

immensely appreciates the constructive criticism and guidance of Prof. Dan

Attuquayefio, and constant encouragement by Benjamin Y. Ofori. We also thank

Peter Jones and R.A. Cheke for advice on the draft of this paper.

References

Burger, J. & Gochfeld, M. (1983) Behaviour of nine avian species at a Florida

garbage dump. Colonial Water-birds 6: 54-63.

8

N.N.D. Annorbah & L.H. Holbech

Malimbus 34

Feare, C.J. ( 1975) Scavenging and kleptoparasitism as feeding methods of Seychelles

Cattle Egrets Bubulcus ibis. Ibis 1 17: 388.

Fenlon, D.R. (1981) Seagulls ( Lams spp.) as vectors of salmonellae: an investigation

into the range of serotypes and numbers of salmonellae in gull faeces. J. Hygiene

86: 195-202.

Gbogbo, F & Awotwe-Pratt, V.P. (2008) Waste management and Flooded Vultures

on the Legon Campus of the University of Ghana in Accra, Ghana, West Africa.

Vulture News 58: 16-22.

Grimes, L. (2006) Avifaunal and environmental changes on the campus of University

of Ghana, Legon, between the 1960s and 2004. Malimbus 28: 57-68.

HubAlek, Z. (2004) An annotated checklist of pathogenic microorganisms associated

with migratory birds. J. wild 1. Disease 40: 639-659.

Hubalek, Z. & Halouzka, J. ( 1999) West Nile fever: a re-emerging mosquito-bome

viral disease in Europe. Emerg. infect. Diseases 5: 643-650.

Pomeroy, D.E. (1975) Birds as scavengers of refuse in Uganda. Ibis 117: 69-81.

Sekercioglu, C.H. (2006) Increasing awareness of avian ecological function. Trends

Ecol. Evol. 21: 464^171.

Wenny, D.G., DeVault, T.L., Johnson, M.D., Kelly, D., Sekercioglu, C.H.,

Tomback, T.F. & Whelan, C.J. (201 1 ) The need to quantify ecosystem services

by birds. Auk 128: 1-14.

2012

9

Successful second breeding of

Black-headed Heron Ardea melanocephala

after persecution by humans in Waza-Logone, Cameroon

by Paul Scholte1 & Moussa Barka~

'c/o Nieuwe Teertuinen 12c, 1013 LV Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

<pault.scholte@gmail.com>

"Waza National Park, Andirm, Cameroon

Received 3 1 May 2011; revised 9 December 2011.

Summary

Following flood releases beginning in 1994, the Black-headed Heron Ardea

melanocephala colony in the Waza-Logone area in Far North Region,

Cameroon increased from 750 nests in 1993 to 2500 in 2003. We earlier

attributed the exceptional colony size, many times larger than other known

colonies, to flooding, favourable rainfall and protection. In 2010 the habitual

rainy-season breeding was disturbed, triggering the departure of the herons.

Two weeks later, herons returned and started a second breeding attempt. The

subsequent 452 nests resulted in a surprising output of 1080 juveniles, not

lower than in the 1990s. Dry season number of herons (2047) in the floodplain

was also in line with late 1990s observations. The colony has, so far, been

able to withstand increased pressure, likely due to protection by the nearby

villagers. We offer suggestions to enhance future protection.

Resume

Deuxieme reproduction reussie de Herons melanocephales Ardea melano-

cephala en reponse a one persecution accrue par la population dans le

Waza-Logone, Cameroon. A la suite de lachers d’eau en periode de crue

ayant debute en 1994, la colonie de Herons melanocephales Ardea

melanocephala dans la zone du Waza-Logone en Region de FExtreme-Nord,

Cameroun, s’est accrue de 750 nids en 1993 a 2500 en 2003. Nous avions

auparavant attribue la taille exceptionnelle de la colonie, plusieurs fois celle

des autres colonies connues, aux inondations, a une pluviometrie favorable et

a la protection. En 2010, la reproduction habituelle de saison des pluies a ete

perturbee, provoquant le depart des herons. Deux semaines plus tard, les

herons revinrent et commencerent une seconde tentative de reproduction. Les

452 nichees qui s’en suivirent produisirent le nombre surprenant de 1080

10

P. Scholte & M. Barka

Malimbus 34

juveniles, pas inferieur a celui des annees 1990. Le nombre de herons en

saison seche (2047) dans la zone d'inondation a aussi ete en ligne avec les

observations de la fin des annees 1990. La colonie a, jusqu’a present, ete en

mesure de resister a une pression accrue, probablement en raison de la

protection par les villageois du voisinage. Nous avons presente des

suggestions pour renforcer la protection dans favenir.

Introduction

The Waza-Logone area, situated in the Far North Region of Cameroon, is

characterized by a Sahelo-Sudanian climate. In addition to long periods of below

average rainfall during the 1970s and 1980s, the area underwent a dramatic reduction

in flooding, due to the construction of an embankment along the Logone River in

1979 (Scholte 2005). Nevertheless, Waza-Logone still holds an impressive avifauna,

comprising over 379 species (Scholte et al. 1999). Its inclusion as Important Bird

Area was because of its abundant and diverse waterbird fauna (Fotso et al. 2001).

From 1994 onwards, attempts have been undertaken to rehabilitate the Logone

floodplain by opening two watercourses that had been closed off by the embankment

(Scholte 2005). This triggered the re-inundation of some 600 km", in which perennial

vegetation re-established in the following decade (Scholte 2005). We analysed the

subsequent changes in waterbird populations showing that their numbers in the dry

season increased, between 1993 and 2000, from 60,000 to 105,000, whereas the

number of species surpassing international 1% criteria doubled from 6 to 12 (Scholte

2006). The increase in Anatidae (ducks and geese) corresponded to their recovery in

West Africa following droughts in the 1980s. The increase in Ciconiiformes (storks,

herons, egrets and ibis) was not paralleled by similar trends in other West African

floodplains, suggesting that for these species the floodplain rehabilitation had played

an important role. The limited increase in the Marabou Stork Leptoptilos

crumeniferus , Yellow-billed Stork Mycteria ibis and Pink-backed Pelican Pelecanus

rufescem was attributed to repeated destruction of their breeding colonies by people,

who believe that they take larger fish than herons do, thereby competing with them. In

contrast, a Black-headed Heron Ardea melanocephala colony increased from 750

nests in 1993 to 2500 in 2003. The exceptional colony size, several times larger than

the next largest known colony, implied that besides improved habitat due to

reflooding and favourable rainfall, protection also played a vital role (Scholte 2006).

MB observed the colony during July-August 2010 and, together with PS,

revisited it in late November 2010, at the beginning of the dry season. Surprisingly,

the Black-headed Heron colony was still at full activity in November, with full-grown

juveniles in the nests (Fig. 1); this is the stage that it had reached in August in all

previously monitored years (Scholte 2006). Here we report this locally unusual case

of second breeding of a Black-headed Heron colony. Results from a waterfowl count

2012

Black-headed Heron second breeding

conducted in the Logone floodplain by the Garoua Wildlife School a few months later

(Battokok et al. 2011) allow comparison with the 1992-2000 dry-season counts. We

conclude by proposing measures that may further help the people of the adjacent

village of Andirni to reinforce protection of the colony.

Figure 1. Part of the Black-headed Heron colony at Andirni, with no adult birds,

and many juveniles having already left their nests (28 Nov 2010, photo: P.

Scholte).

Study area

We earlier described the Waza-Logone area and presented an annotated checklist of

its avifauna (Scholte et al. 1999, Scholte & Dowsett 2000). The Black-headed Heron

colony is located in the southeastern comer of Waza National Park, 10 km west of the

Logone floodplain, adjacent to Andirni, a village home to several National Park

guides, who regularly survey the colony and protect it from robbers. The area has

witnessed a continuing influx of seasonal labourers from Chad, bringing in cultures

with habits that pose a threat to large birds. Already in 1 998, some people were caught

at night trying to trap young herons. In 1993, the colony had existed for more than a

decade and was restricted to woodland west of the village. In 1994 it expanded into

12

P. Scholte & M. Barka

Malimbus 34

the area south of the village, exposing it to robbers. In 1998 the colony moved again

into the western woodland and in 2002 to the north of the village, where the most

effective protection could be expected (Scholte 2006). In 2010 the colony was once

again immediately west of the village, as the trees north of the village had died back,

most likely because of the repeated breeding of the herons. Until 1995, three small

Black-headed Heron colonies (< 50 nests) were present in the immediate vicinity of

Waza NP but, as far as we know, no new colonies have been established since.

As in many other parts of the Sahelo-Sudanian belt in West-Central Africa, in

2010 rainfall in Waza-Logone rainfall continued longer than usual, well into October.

Rainfall measured in Ndjamena (Chad) c. 50 km away, the closest reliable rainfall

data available (Scholte 2005), was 563 mm, comparable with the average of 1993-

2000 and 2003 (569 mm). However, our impression was that the extent of flooding

was well above average, comparable to the levels of 1994 and 1998.

Methods

Numbers of herons in the colony in July-August 2010 were estimated by MB based

on qualitative impression only.

In November 2010, only an area west of the village was occupied by the heron

colony, which facilitated counting. On 28 November, we counted the number of nests,

adults and young, following the same methodology as we applied in the 1990s

(Scholte 2006). From 6h45 till 8h30 we counted the number of nests and adult herons

in each nest tree. MB systematically orientated PS, who did the counting: for each tree

with nest occupancy, nests, young and the few adults were counted from the ground,

with binoculars. Median values were compared with Mann- Whitney tests.

Total waterbird counts were conducted between 14 and 23 Feb 2011, in the same

way as in 1992-2000 (see Scholte 2005). The area counted in 201 1 was, however, smaller

than in the 1990s, when the floodplain north of Waza NP (including Kalamaloue NP)

was included. The number counted in 2011 is therefore expected to be less than the

total number present in the whole area. In addition the count was conducted in

February, like in 1994 and 2000, when the area had dried up considerably.

Results

The number of herons in the colony in July-August 2010 appeared to be in the same

order as in the late 1990s, i.e. some 2000-2500 nests (Fig. 2). At the height of the

breeding season (first week of August), the colony was robbed of eggs and young

chicks and all adult birds left. A few adults arrived 2-3 weeks after the desertion and

started breeding again, although we cannot be certain that these individuals had been

present in August.

2012 Black-headed Heron second breeding 13

Figure 2. Numbers of Black-headed Heron nests in the Andirni colony and

dry-season counts of herons, j indicates a count conducted in a larger area

than the other counts, including the area north of Kalamaloue. f indicates a

count conducted in a smaller area than the other counts, not including the area

north of Waza NP. The question mark indicates an estimation only (see

Methods). Counts for 1995 and 1998 are adjusted: see footnote 2 to Table 1.

The colony count in November took place at a later stage in the breeding cycle

than previous counts: young were readily visible, contrary to the earlier counts, but

the often flimsy nests were not always easy to distinguish and many young were out

of nests (Fig. 1). No Cattle Egrets Bubulcus ibis were observed, in contrast to the

earlier, rains breeding seasons (Table 1). The number of nests per tree was not

different from that found during the relatively late breeding observations in 1993 and

1997b (Table 1). The number of nests and nest trees was, however, much reduced

(Table 1, Fig. 2). On the other hand, the number of juveniles (1080), was between the

numbers for the other two years that we surveyed the breeding colony ( 1993, 1997b),

due to the high number of juveniles per nest in 2010 (2.27), much higher than in 1993

and 1997 (Table 1).

The 2011 dry-season count found 2049 individuals of Black-Headed Heron

(Battokok et a/. 2011), fewer than in 1999 and 2000, but considerably more than in

1992-8 (Fig. 2).

14

P. Scholte & M. Barka

Malimbus 34

Table 1. Breeding data of the Black-headed Heron colony at Andirni.

’Data with a different letter in that column, P < 0.05; if at least one letter is the same,

P > 0.05.

'These counts were made prior to the main rains (as indicated by absence of breeding

Cattle Egrets), and in Fig. 2 have been adjusted upwards by a factor of 1.64 derived

from the two counts in 1997.

Discussion

During its growth in the 1990s, the colony occupied an increasing number of nesting

trees and there was no increase in number of nests per tree (Table 1). The number of

nests in August 2010 is based on qualitative impressions only. However, the apparent

constant size (2000-2500 nests) of the colony since 1999 suggests that availability of

food in the surroundings has limited its further increase (Fasola & Barbieri 1978). The

years 1993 and 1997 were characterized by low breeding success, less than one young

per nest (Table 1), as also reported from East Africa (Brown et al. 1982). This year,

2010, with more than two juveniles per nest, was very different. We attribute this to

the low number of returning breeders after the initial destruction of the colony,

possibly resulting in less competition for food.

The number of nests was likely underestimated in November 2010, as nests were

beginning to disintegrate. However, the count of young can be assumed to be reliable,

as the count took place between a few days and a few weeks before fledging (Fig. 1).

Even the smaller number of 452 nests during the November breeding in 2010

surpasses the size of all colonies reported in the literature (Scholte 2006).

We suspect that that the prolonged rainy and flooding season provided the

conditions that allowed this successful second breeding. However, similar rain and

flood conditions occurred in some years monitored previously, when no second

2012

Black-headed Heron second breeding

15

breeding took place. The late breeding in 2010 was likely due to the disturbance at the

height of the normal (August) breeding season. Although Black-headed Heron is

known for year-round breeding in more humid environments (Brown et al. 1982), this

is the only second breeding that we observed in Waza-Logone in 20 years. Second

breeding or “replacement" breeding is a common phenomenon after disturbance, and

has been observed in related species such as Grey Heron Ardea cinerea (Milstein et

al. 1970). However, we found no documented cases for herons in the west-central

African Sahelo-Sudanian zone, where the single short rainy season is expected to limit

an extension of the breeding season.

Conditions during the dry season may be critical for the survival of Black-headed

Heron, as for other species in the Sudano-Sahelian region (Scholte 2005). We do not

know what impact the fledging delay of c. three months had on the survival of Black-

headed Herons in 2011.

Although the Black-headed Heron is considered of Least Concern on the IUCN

Red List of Threatened Species (<www.iucnredlist.org> accessed 22 May 2011),

Waza-Logone harbours > 1 % of its global population, as well as the largest known

colony in the world (Scholte 2006), generating a special responsibility towards its

protection. The observations in Waza-Logone show that, in addition to improved

rainfall and floodplain rehabilitation, colony protection has played a crucial role for

some of the Afrotropical waterbirds. Colony and habitat protection are likely to

become more necessary because of increasing human pressure (Scholte 2006). The

progressive die-off of trees close to the village may however limit protection of the

heron colony. The protection of Waza NP has deteriorated in recent years, resulting in

escalating poaching of large mammals (Tumenta et al. 2010). Stork and pelican

colony robbery seems to have increased as well, although precise data are lacking.

The August 2010 heron colony destruction shows that the colony near Andirni

village, with its park guides, is not being spared. But the impact on diy season

numbers seems to have been limited, likely because of the buffering by high

breeding output, such as during the second breeding attempt in 2010. However,

there is now a new management team at Waza NP, which we hope will make better

use of the committed guides of Andirni. It remains a challenge to generate more interest

in the colony among park authorities and communities, as its protection is mainly a

concern of an ageing generation of park guides. When the breeding season continues

into the dry season, during which tourism takes place, guided tours into the colony

may become an option (cf. Bouton & Frederick 2003). Alternatively incentives could

be developed to assure that younger residents of Andirni guard the colony.

Acknowledgments

We thank Emmanual Battokok and his colleagues from the Garoua Wildlife School

and The Netherlands for use of the 2011 waterbird count results. We thank Joost

16

P. Scholte & M. Barka

Malimbus 34

Brouwer, Ralph Buij and Peter Jones, who critically commented on the manuscript,

and Daniel Sighomnou for providing rainfall data.

References

Battokok, E., Kamgang, S.A., Ngwa, L.G. & Mataba, B. (2011) Denombrement

des Oiseaux d'Eau dans la Plaine d’lnondation de Waza-Logone et le Lac Maga,

Extreme-Nord du Cameroun. Unpubl. report, Ecole de Faune de Garoua, Garoua.

Bouton S.N. & Frederick P.C. (2003) Stakeholders’ perceptions of a wading bird

colony as a community resource in the Brazilian Pantanal. Cons. Biol. 17: 297-

306.

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

Academic Press, London.

Fasola, M. & Barbieri, F. (1978) Factors affecting the distribution of heronries in

northern Italy. Ibis 120: 337-340.

Fotso, R., Dowsett-Lemaire, F., Dowsett, R.J., Cameroon Ornithological

Club, Scholte, P., Languy, M. & Bowden, C. (2001) Cameroon. Pp. 133-159 in

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

Associated Islands: Priority' Sites for Conservation. Pisces, Newbury.

Milstein, P.S., Prestt, 1. & Bell, A. A. (1970) The breeding cycle of the Grey Heron.

Ardea 58: 171-257.

SCHOLTE, P. (2005) Floodplain Rehabilitation and the Future of Conservation &

Development. Adaptive Management of Success in Waza-Logone, Cameroon.

Trop. Resource Managem. Pap. 67, Wageningen University and Research Centre,

Wageningen.

Scholte, P. (2006) Waterbird recovery in Waza-Logone (Cameroon), resulting from

increased rainfall, floodplain rehabilitation and colony protection. Ardea 94: 1 09—

125.

Scholte, P. & Dowsett, R.J. (2000) Birds of Waza new to Cameroon: corrigenda

and addenda. Malimbus 22: 29-31.

Scholte, P., de Kort, S. & van Weerd, M. (1999) The birds of the Waza-Logone

area. Far North Province, Cameroon. Malimbus 21: 16-50.

Tumenta, P.N., Kok, J.S., Van Russel, J.C., Buij, R., Croes, B.M., Funston, P.J.,

De Iongh, H.H. & Udo de Haes, A. (2010) Threat of rapid extermination of the

lion ( Panthera leo leo) in Waza National Park, Northern Cameroon. Afr. J. Ecol.

48: 888-894.

2012

Le regime alimentaire du Martin-pecheur huppe

Alcedo cristata pendant la periode de reproduction

dans la region de Kinshasa (R.D. Congo)

17

par Robert Kisasa Kafutshi

Universite de Kinshasa, Faculte des sciences, Departement de Biologie, B.P. 190

Kinshasa XI, R.D. Congo, et Universite de Liege, Departement des sciences de la vie

(Biologie des organismes et ecologie), 27 Boulevard du Rectorat B22, 4000 Liege,

Belgique. <bob kisasa@yahoo.fr>

Requ 6 juin 2011; revu 22 novembre 2011.

Resume

Le regime alimentaire du Martin-pecheur huppe a ete etudie a partir de 182

poignees de pelotes emises durant Lelevage des poussins de 65 nichees, a tous

les saisons pluvieuses de 2004 a 2009, dans deux sites de la region de

Kinshasa. Au total 2619 restes non digeres ont ete tries dans ces pelotes, dont

L analyse a revele 1100 proies. Le regime alimentaire du Martin-pecheur

huppe est riche et diversifie. Les proies etaient pour 92,7% des poissons

( Oreochromis niloticus, Gambusia affinis et Hemichromis elongatus), 5,9%

des insectes (odonates et orthopteres) et 0,5% des grenouilles.

Su mmary

Diet of the Malachite Kingfisher Alcedo cristata during the breeding

period in the Kinshasa area (Democratic Republic of Congo). The diet of

the Malachite Kingfisher was investigated by study of 182 regurgitated pellets

collected from 65 broods during the nesting period in the rainy seasons from

2004 to 2009, in two sites in the Kinshasa area. In total, 2619 undigested

remains were identified in the pellets, revealing 1100 prey. The Malachite

Kingfisher’s diet is rich and diverse. The prey identified were 92.7 % fishes

( Oreochromis niloticus , Gambusia affinis and Hemichromis elongatus ), 5.9 %

insects (Odonata and Orthoptera) and 0.5 % frogs.

Introduction

Cet article presente une partie d’une etude de differents aspects de Lecologie et de la

tactique alimentaire d’une espece africaine peu connue et sans interet economique

18

R. Kisasa Kafutshi

Malimbus 34

evident, en vue de sa gestion (Kisasa Kafutshi & Aloni Komanda 2011, Kisasa

Kafutshi 2012). Comme tout oiseau a tendance piscivore, il est considere comme un

concurrent indesirable par les pecheurs, qui le piegent et le tuent en consequence.

Selon FUnion Internationale pour la Conservation de la Nature, Fespece n’est pas

menacee. Pourtant ses sites de nidification deviennent de plus en plus rares dans

nombreuses villes africaines en pleine expansion; c’est la situation de Fespece dans la

region de Kinshasa (Kisasa Kafutshi 2012), dans le Parc National des lies Ehotile au

sud-est de la Cote d'Ivoire (Yaokokore-Beibro 2010) et en Nairobi (Imboma &

Nalianya 2007), et aucune mesure de protection n'est envisagee.

Les informations concemant son regime alimentaire sont particulierement frag-

mentaires voire anecdotiques. Celui-ci est compose de coleopteres aquatiques, notonectes,

larves d'insectes aquatiques, libellules, insectes terrestres, crevettes, crabes, tetards,

grenouilles, lezards et poissons (Brian 1977, Lippens & Wille 1976, Fry et al. 1992).

Dans des cas extremes, le Martin-pecheur huppe peut etre totalement insectivore, si

les poissons disparaissent du milieu (Libois & Laudelout 2004) ou totalement

piscivore avec une preference pour les cichlides en presence de plusieurs types de

proies (Reyer et al. 1988, Fry et al. 1992). Reyer et al. (1988) et Fry et al. (1992) ont

compare les differentes proies consommees par le Martin-pecheur huppe et le Martin-

pecheur pie Cetyle rudis , du lac Nokoue au sud du Benin, enfin d'evaluer le niveau de

chevauchement de leur niche ecologique. Ils ont constate que les deux oiseaux

consommaient en grande partie des poissons dans la vegetation flottante du lac,

notamment Kribia spp., Hemicliromis fasciatus et Sarotherodon melanotheron , et que

le Martin-pecheur pie pouvait etendre sa chasse vers la zone pelagique, au contraire

de F autre espece. Son regime alimentaire est ainsi plus diversifie (14 especes proies)

que celui du petit Martin-pecheur huppe (quatre especes proies). II ressort de ces

travaux que le Martin-pecheur huppe est un predateur opportuniste. Cependant les

auteurs ne nous donnent pas les informations transmises par les poussins aux parents.

Le present travail revele F importance de ces informations dans la modulation de la

strategic alimentaire des parents. L’objectif de F etude etait d'estimer la fraction de la

faune piscivore soumise a la predation du Martin-pecheur huppe dans deux sites en

periode de reproduction. Pendant la periode de reproduction, les besoins alimentaires sont

tres importants et varient en fonction de divers facteurs tel que l'age des poussins (Doucet

1971, Hallet-Libois 1985), le changement de la composition gastrique (White 1939), le

noinbre des jeunes (Hallet-Libois 1985) et la localisation des proies (Carlson & Moreno

1981). Dans la foulee de ces facteurs, ces investigations tentent de center les mecanismes

d'adaptation du comportement des adultes aux besoins de leur progeniture et aux sites.

Milieu d’etude

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

5°S, 15° et 16°30'E. La pression humaine qui s'exerce par la ville sur

2012

Regime alimentaire du Martin-pecheur huppe

19

l’environnement naturel de la region a augmente, avec une population humaine

croissante. Presque trois quarts du territoire de sa province est occupe par des

habitations humaines et les espaces verts peripheriques n’en forment qu’environ un

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

septembre et huit mois de saison des pluies (Koy Kasongo 2010). C’est dans les

lambeaux forestiers localises dans les peripheries des communes de la nouvelle cite

que tous les sites de nidification etudies ont ete reperes (Fig.l ).

Le site du Monastere (commune de Mont-Ngafula) est une concession forestiere

dans lequel les etangs de pisciculture ont ete amenages. Son cours d’eau contient aussi

divers insectes. On y trouve quelques petits rongeurs tels les ecureuils et les rats. Ilya

des ravins qui offrent des berges artificielles propices a Letablissement du petit

Martin-pecheur huppe et autres especes d’oiseaux. Les sablieres sont exploitees pour

la construction des habitations dans le voisinage immediat du site tandis que les

savanes adjacentes a la foret sont defrichees et amenagees pour V agriculture et les

habitations humaines.

Les Symphonies de Nda-Gye (commune de Ngaliema) est une foret secondaire de

500 ha. Les visites sont reglementees, deux fois par semaine pour les touristes et tous

les jours pour les recherches scientifiques. Le site est utilise pour la pisciculture. Des

etangs y ont ete amenages et leurs eaux regorgent de poissons et divers d’ insectes. Le

site heberge aussi des reptiles, des batraciens, de petits et grands mammiferes

notamment des singes et antilopes.

Methodes

La methode ideale pour etudier le regime alimentaire, Lobservation directe, s’est

averee impraticable dans le cas du Martin-pecheur huppe en raison de sa velocite et de

la petitesse de ses proies. La determination des restes de proies contenus dans ses

pelotes de rejection a ete adoptee ici, largement inspiree de celle mise au point pour

les etudes du regime alimentaire du Martin pecheur d’ Europe Alcedo atthis (Iribarren

& Nevado 1982, Hallet-Libois 1985) et du Martin-pecheur pie et du Martin-pecheur

huppe (Libois & Laudelout, 2004). Les pelotes de rejection des martins-pecheurs sont

essentiellement constitutes des restes non digeres de leurs proies, os de poissons et

d’autres petits vertebres, debris d’ insectes ou de crustaces. Line fois emises, elles se

desagregent rapidement et les constituants s’eparpillent. Le desavantage de cette

methode est qu’elle ne permet ni la detection ni l’estimation de la frequence des

proies qui ne laissent aucun reste. Done les analyses ci-dessous s’appliquent

seulement aux proies qui laissent des restes durs.

Au total 182 poignees de pelotes, dont 61 recoltees dans six nids (20 nichees) des

70 nids reperes au Monastere et 122 recoltees dans 13 nids (45 nichees) des 107

reperes aux Symphonies, ont ete analysees. La recolte s’est averee possible pendant

Lelevage des oisillons car, a ce moment, elles sont regurgitees par des poussins et

20

R. Kisasa Kafutshi

Malimbus 34

Figure 1. Ville de Kinshasa, avec limites des Zones et des Quartiers, et localisation des deux sites de nidification du

Martin-pecheur huppe etudies (Monastere, Symphonies de Nda-Gye).

2012

Regime alimentaire du Martin-pecheur huppe

21

parents dans le terrier, et s’accumulent an niveau de la chambre. Pour atteindre cette

chambre, il a fallu creuser un acces independant du tunnel d’envol, celui-ci etant trop

etroit (section ovale d'environ 8 sur 6 cm). En fonction de E emplacement du nid.

Faeces a ete pratique, soit lateralement, soit posterieurement au nid. Lorsque des

manipulations repetees devaient avoir lieu au meme endroit, nous avons place un

caisson destine a minimiser le derangement des oiseaux et a faciliter notre travail. Ce

caisson, enterre juste en arriere du nid, comprenait une ouverture au niveau de la

chambre. En surface, les operations une fois terminees, il a ete recouvert d’une

planche que nous avons camouflee par une poignee de terre et de feuilles, selon

F endroit, de maniere a ne pas attirer F attention d’eventuels curieux.

Un premier ramassage complet des pelotes a eu lieu le plus tot possible apres

Feclosion. Des prelevements complets ont ete ensuite effectues a un ou deux jours

d’intervalle jusqu’a F envoi des oisillons intervenant 16-17 jours apres Feclosion (soit

8-9 ramassages ou visites effectuees par nid). Cette methode a permis d’etudier la

consommation des adultes (premiers prelevements) et la variation au cours de la

periode d'elevage de divers facteurs tels que la taille des poissons captures et la

consommation des oisillons en fonction de leur age ou de site. Lors des prelevements

complets, les pelotes ont ete enlevees a la main puis le fond a ete gratte a Faide d’un

canif et les parois du tunnel ont ete raclees au moyen d’une petite brosse. Un miroir a

permis de s’assurer de Fefficacite de la recolte.

Les echantillons ont ete rapportes au laboratoire dans des sachets etiquetes. Les

pelotes ont ete alors mises a tremper quelques jours dans Feau afin de desagreger la

terre a laquelle ils ont ete meles. Us ont ete ensuite passes sur un petit tamis metallique

dont le fond a ete constitue d’un treillis a maille de 0,6 mm de cote. Les pieces

anatomiques interessantes pour la determination des proies ont ete generalement de

dimensions superieures a celles des mailles du tamis; la perte de donnees a ce niveau

est consideree negligeable.

Le tri a ete effectue en repandant Fechantillon par petites trainees sur un papier

fonce et en le parcourant sous fort eclairage avec Faide eventuelle d’une loupe. Les

aretes caracteristiques des poissons, les os de batraciens et les debris d’insectes ont ete

retires et classes par groupes systematiques. Les restes osseux trouves dans les pelotes

ont ete identifies en les comparant avec des pieces provenant de squelettes dissocies

prepares a partir de poissons recoltes dans les deux sites d’etude et prealablement

identifies au laboratoire d’hydrobiologie de Funiversite de Kinshasa. Les femurs, les

tibias, les humerus et les machoires de batraciens ont ete conserves. La determination

taxonomique n’a pas ete approfondie mais on a surpris un couple de Martin-pecheur

huppe capturant de petites grenouilles de 5 cm de long a leur sortie de Feau. Les

insectes ont ete identifies, en utilisant les cles d’identification d’Arnett (2000) entre

autres, a partir des restes suivants: elytres (Coleopteres), ailes membraneuses a

grosses nervures (Hymenopteres), antennes longues et portant de nombreux articles

(Orthopteres, Ensiferes), antennes courtes, avec peu d’articles (Orthopteres,

caeliferes) et presence de pterostigmas sur le bord anterieur de l’aile (Odonates). Pour

22

R. Kisasa Kafutshi

Malimbus 34

les proies mises en evidence par des pieces anatomiques symetriques (os iliaques de

batraciens; crochets mandibulaires, pattes et elytres d’insectes, par exemple), nous

avons divise le nombre d’elements trouves par deux et arrondi a F unite superieure.

Disposant des os caracteristiques des poissons consommes, nous avons cherche a

etablir s’il existe une bonne relation entre leurs dimensions et la taille des individus.

Pour chaque poisson, nous avons mesure la longueur totale du corps a l’aide d'un pied

a coulisse. Apres l’ebouillantage de la tete, nous avons preleve ses os caracteristiques,

en P occurrence les dentaires, premaxillaires, pre-operculaires et operculaires. Les os

preleves ont ete nettoyes, seches puis mesures au 0,1 mm pres a 1 ’aide d'un projecteur

de profil (Nikon model 6C, 8631). Des correlations ont ensuite ete recherchees entre

la longueur totale des poissons d’une part et la longueur de leurs differents os

caracteristiques, d’autre part (Tableau 1).

Tableau 1. Caracteristiques des relations entre longueur des os (operculaire, pre-

operculaire, premaxillaire, dentaire en cm) et longueur totale des poissons (LT,

cm) pour trois especes de poisson consommees par le Martin-pecheur huppe

(risque d’erreur a - 0,05).

Le test d’ANOVA est utilise pour comprendre 1'evolution de la taille des poissons

captures en fonction de Page des poussins pour un niveau de signification a P < 0,05.

Pour verifier l’homogeneite des proies en fonction des sites et de Page des poussins,

un test d’homogeneite de proportions, le G-test, a ete applique, ce qui permet le calcul

du Ggi0bai aussi du calcul des Gpartieis, que ce soit sur les lignes ou sur les colonnes du

tableau. Ces valeurs partielles de G pennettent immediatement de savoir a quel(s)

element(s) est due Peventuelle heterogeneite.

Resultats

Le regime alimentaire en fonction des sites

Au Monastere et aux Symphonies les nichees ou les echantillons ont ete preleves ont

livre un regime alimentaire fonde sur le poisson tilapia Oreochromis niloticus et les

odonates. Les resultats (Tableau 2) confirment la ressemblance entre le regime

2012

Regime alimentaire du Martin-pecheur huppe

23

observe dans les deux sites. Pour toute la duree d’elevage, 1100 proies ont ete

trouvees aux 65 nichees, soit une consommation moyenne de 17 proies par nichee.

Les poissons O. niloticns sont representes a 87 %, Hemichromis elongatus a 5,5 %, la

Gambusie Gambusia affinis a 0,2 %, les odonates a 5,3 %, les orthopteres a 0,6 % et

les grenouilles a 0,5 % (Tableau 2).

Tableau 2. Resultats du test d’homogeneite de proportions entre les especes

proies trouvees dans les nids du Monastere et des Symplionies.

Age des poussins (jours)

Figure 2. Evolution du nombre des proies trouvees dans les pelotes collectees du

nid, en fonction de Page des poussins (moyen ± 0,95 Cl).

24

R. Kisasa Kafutshi

Malimbus 34

Le regime alimentaire en fonction de Page des poussins

Deux periodes ont ete considerees: avant que les jeunes n’aient atteint Page de huit

jours et apres. Le nombre des proies trouvees a varie significativement avec Page des

poussins (Fig. 2: F6 229 = 1 0,4; P < 0,00001). La premiere periode peut en effet

comporter des pelotes emises au nid par les adultes (premier prelevement) alors qu’ils

rechauffaient leurs jeunes. C’est a la deuxieme periode qu’une consommation elevee a

ete observee suivie d’une restriction a partir deja du 13eme jour. En depit de ce que la

quantite des proies semble varier significativement avec Page des jeunes, les Gpartiei

pour les deux sites montrent qu'il y a heterogeneite uniquement au niveau de

Hemichromis elongatus sur le site Monastere (Tableau 3).

Tableau 3. Evolution de la proportion des proies en fonction de Page des

poussins (n = 138 poussins).

Age des poussins

Relation entre longueur des proies capturees et age des poussins

La selection de la taille des poissons captures a evolue au cours de la nidification (F6i

2604 = 45,4, P < 0,00001). A Peclosion, la taille etait superieure a celle observee cinq

jours plus tard. Dans cet intervalle de temps, il s’agirait vraisemblablement d’un

melange de pelotes de parents et des jeunes. A partir du 5eme jour a Penvol, la taille

des poissons trouves semble croitre concomitamment avec Page des nichees (Fig. 3).

La taille des poissons a varie de 2 a 6,5 cm, ceux de taille comprise entre 5,5 et 6 cm

etant predominants (Fig. 4).

Discussion

Le regime alimentaire du Martin-pecheur huppe est semblable dans les deux sites.

Cependant, il a varie significativement avec Page des poussins au site du Monastere.

25

2012

Regime alimentaire du Martin-pecheur huppe

Age des poussins (jours)

Figure 3. Evolution de la taille moyenne des poissons captures en fonction de

Fage des poussins (moyen ± 0,95 Cl).

Figure 4. Distribution de frequence de la taille des poissons captures par Alcedo

cristata dans la region de Kinshasa.

26

R. Kisasa Kafutshi

Malimbus 34

Des etudes ulterieures relatives a la phenologie de la reproduction des proies dans les

deux sites sont envisagees en vue de comprendre l'impact de la disponibilite de proies

sur la predation de ce petit alcedinide. Toutefois, 1’impact de 1'introduction de la

Perche du Nil Lutes niloticus sur le regime alimentaire du Martin-pecheur pie montre

qu’il module sa strategic alimentaire en fonction du site (Jan & Keeps 1994).

Au Monastere, le regime alimentaire etait constitue beaucoup plus de poissons de

petites tailles avant le Seme jour d’age des poussins et peu des poissons mais de

grande taille apres le 8eme jour. Ces resultats corroborent ceux de Hallet-Libois

(1985) pour le Martin-pecheur d’Europe et de Libois & Laudelout (2004) pour le

Martin-pecheur pie, qui montrent que des proies plus grandes sont apportees aux

jeunes des qu'ils atteignent un certain stade de developpement, correspondant

pratiquement a l'acquisition d’une “homeothermie de groupe”. Par contre la quantite

de proies consommees au site des Symphonies n’a pas semble varier significativement

avec Page des poussins. La qualite du site aurait un impact non negligeable sur la

disponibilite des proies et l’effort de nourrissage des poussins. Symphonies est un site

relativement calme par consequent les proies sont disponibles a chaque periode

d'elevage contrairement au site du Monastere tres menaces par la deforestation, les

feux de brousses et les activites agropastorales.

En ce qui conceme Eestimation quantitative de la consommation des proies par

nichee, le nombre de 17 proies en moyenne parait tres faible en regard de ce que Eon

pourrait attendre en comparaison avec le Martin-pecheur d’Europe (Iribarren &

Nevado 1982, Hallet-Libois 1985). Ce fait s’impute a une raison: certaines proies ont

pu ne laisser aucun reste, ce serait le cas, par exemple, de tetards d’amphibiens.

La taille des poissons captures a presente aussi une heterogeneite significative.

Avant le 8eme jour, les differentes pelotes pourraient etre un melange des proies

consommees par les parents et les jeunes ou etre uniquement constitutes de proies des

jeunes. On peut s’etonner qu’au 3eme jour, il y ait des poissons de plus de 5 cm de

longueur. En effet, les poussins de martins-pecheurs peu vent ingurgiter des proies

bien plus longues qu’eux: une fois tue, le poisson est engouffre dans le bee, tete en

avant. La tete atteint l’estomac, commence a etre digeree alors que le corps depasse le

bee. Le poisson avance dans le tube digestif au fur et a mesure de sa dissolution dans

Lestomac. En revanche, un adulte ne peut pas se permettre ce genre d’exercice: il ne

volera pas la bouche pleine sauf s’il transporte une proie pour ses jeunes. Les adultes

ont done tendance a consommer de petites proies alors que, sans doute pour des

raisons d’efficience energetique, ils apportent des proies plus grosses a leurs jeunes.

Lorsque les jeunes grandissent, cela a ete vu chez le Martin-pecheur d’Europe, les proies

apportees au n id ont tendance a etre plus grosses (Hallet-Libois 1985, Raven 1986).

La presente etude a donne une idee grossiere de la consommation et du spectre

alimentaire du Martin-pecheur huppe en periode de reproduction. Etant donne que les

differentes pelotes recoltees proviennent des adultes et des jeunes, et que certaines

proies ont ete consommees par les differentes nichees sans probablement laisser des

traces, il serait difficile sur base de cet echantillon d’aboutir a une conclure Liable sur

2012

Regime alimentaire du Martin-pecheur huppe

27

la consommation et F impact reel de ce petit predateur sur la faune piscivore.

Toutefois, la diversite des proies trouvees dans ces pelotes en general et les poissons

en particulier montre qne ce petit predateur pourrait compter parmi les bons

echantillonneurs de la faune piscicole d’un site. Le Martin-pecheur huppe est un

oppoiluniste qui semble ajuster son regime alimentaire en fonction de Page des

poussins. En majorite, ii s’agit de petits poissons de taille de 2-6,5 cm, en faible

quantite (17 proies diversifies pour une nichee) et sans grand interet economique

evident, qu’il capture pour nourrir ses poussins jusqu’a la sortie du nid (16-17 jours

apres Feclosion).

Parmi les poissons consommes par le Martin-pecheur huppe compte la Gambusie,

qui represente 0,2 % de son spectre alimentaire. II s’agit d’un petit cyprinide pullulant

dans les cours d’eau tres pollues de la region. Une etude de dosage de quelques

polluants courants de la region dans ses plumes ou ses ceufs est envisagee dans le but

de controler la chaine trophique qui est Pun des parametres importants a maitriser

dans la strategic de la gestion de la biodiversite.

Remerciements

Hommage au Dr Gerard J. Morel qui avait accepte et bien voulu compter parmi les

membres de jury de ma these. Paix a son ame. Merci a M. Nda-Gye du site des

Symphonies, a M..Lucien Lukumu, responsable de la reserve de chasse de Bombo-

Lumene et aux prieures du Monastere notre Dame d’Assomption de Mont-Ngafula

pour m’avoir autorise a travailler dans leur concession.

Bibliographic

Arnett, R.H. (2000) American Insects: a handbook of the insects of America north of

Mexico. 2eme ed., CRC Press, Boca Raton.

Brian, S.M. (1977) The food of a Malachite Kingfisher Alcedo cristata holding a

territory on a fishless river. Scopus 1: 24-25.

Carlson, A. & Moreno, J. (1981 ) Central place foraging in the Wheatear Oenanthe

oenanthe: an experimental test. J. anim. Ecol. 50: 917-924.

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

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

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-

pecheur {Alcedo atthis). Cali. Ethol. appl. 5: 1-206.

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.

28

R. Kisasa Kafutshi

Malimbus 34

Iribarren, I.B. & Nevado, L.D. (1982) Diet of the Kingfisher ( Alcedo atthis).

Alauda 50: 81-91.

Jan, H.W. & Keeps, P.C. (1994) Effects of Nile Perch ( Lates niloticus ) introduction

into Lake Victoria, East Africa, on the diet of Pied Kingfishers ( Ceryle rudis).

Hydrobiologia 279/280: 367-376.

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

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

Kisasa Kafutshi, 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 Geologiques et des Dechets

Organ iques Industriels Locaux. These, Universite de Gent.

Libois, R.M. & Laudelout, 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 Oiseaux du Zaire. Lannoo, Tielt.

Raven P. (1986) The size of minnow prey in the diet of young kingfishers, Alcedo

atthis. Bird Stud. 33: 6-1 1.

Reyer, H.U., Migongo-Bake, W. & Schmidt, L. (1988) Field studies and

experiments on distribution and foraging of Pied and Malachite Kingfishers at

Lake Nakuru (Kenya). J. anim. Ecol. 57: 595-610.

White, H.C. (1939) Change in gastric digestion of kingfishers with development. Am.

Nat. 73: 188-190.

Yaokorore-Beibro, H.K. (2010) Oiseaux du Parc National des lies Ehotile, sud-est

Cote d’Ivoire. Malimbus 32: 89-102.

2012

29

Reponses du Martin-pecheur huppe Alcedo cristata a la

perturbation de ses sites de nidification

par Robert Kisasa Kafutshi

Universite de Kinshasa, Faculte des sciences, Departement de Biologie,

B.P. 190 Kinshasa XI, R.D. Congo.

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

ecologie), 27 Boulevard du Rectorat B22, 4000 Liege, Belgique.

<bob_kisasa@yahoo.fr>

Regu 17 juin 2011; revu 26 decembre 2011.

Resume

De 2004 a 2009, deux colonies du Martin-pecheur huppe ont ete suivies avec

baguage des adultes et juveniles, le comptage des oeufs et la description des

activites journalieres des adultes au nid. 11 ressort de ces observations que 10

% des nids ont ete detruits par les gens au site des Symphonies contre 78 % au

site du Monastere. Par consequent, le nombre des nids ayant permis la

nidification a ete faible au Monastere et plus eleve aux Symphonies. Le

nombre de jeunes produits par nid aux Symphonies a ete le double du nombre

par nid au Monastere. Le degre de fidelite au site est plus eleve pour les

adultes nichant aux Symphonies (26 %) que pour ceux du Monastere (1 1 %).

Cela suggere que le site du Monastere est moins favorable a la survie du

Martin-pecheur huppe que le site de Symphonies. De surcroit, la meilleure

strategic pour proteger cette espece semble etre le maintien d’un bon nombre

de ses cantons de nidification.

Summary

Responses of the Malachite Kingfisher Alcedo cristata to disturbance at

its nesting sites. From 2004 to 2009, two colonies of Malachite Kingfisher

were monitored by ringing the nestlings and adults, counting eggs and

observing parental activity at the nests. Results show that 1 0 % of nests were

destroyed by people in the Symphonies site as against 78 % in the Monastery

site. Consequently, the number of nests available for breeding is lower at

Monastery than at Symphonies. The number of fledged chicks per nest at

Symphonies was twice that at the Monastery. Site fidelity is higher for the

adults in the Symphonies site (26 %) than at the Monastery (11 %). This

suggests that the Monastery site is less favourable to the survival of the

30

R. Kisasa Kafutshi

Malimbus 34

Malachite Kingfisher than the Symphonies site. The best strategy to protect

this species seems to be the maintenance of a good number of nesting sites.

Introduction

Ilya un besoin urgent de passer en revue et de comprendre f impact de 1 'urbanisation

sur Lenvironnement, afm d'evaluer son implication ecologique et de preconiser des

strategies visant la reduction des menaces sur la biodiversite (Ganzhorn & EisenbeiB

2001, Malcolm et al. 2006). La degradation des habitats naturels est depths longtemps

connue pour son impact negatif sur le succes de reproduction des oiseaux (Estades

2001, Burgess et al. 2007, Borges & Marini 2010). En general, la diversite des

oiseaux dans une zone urbaine est affectee par l'esperance vie de Eoiseau, la qualite

du site, le type d’habitation humaine, et le degre d'urbanisation (Batten 1972,

Beissinger & Osborne 1982, DeGraaf 1998).

De 2004 a 2009, on a initie dans la region de Kinshasa une etude d'ecologie

comportementale afm de prevoir la reaction des oiseaux aux modifications de leurs

sites de nidification. Cette region connait une degradation alarmante de son

environnement naturel, consecutivement a un accroissement de sa population

humaine. La peche de subsistance est fortement developpee et la pression qui est

exercee sur les oiseaux ichthyophages et leurs sites de nidification a augmente.

Le Martin-pecheur huppe est un oiseau sans interet economique evident mais il

semble qu'il soit un bon indicateur biologique de la sante d'un site (Imboma &

Nyaliana 2010). II est interessant d'evaluer la sante d'un site par le suivi de la

communaute d’oiseaux, d’autant plus que leur taxonomie et distribution geographique

sont relativement connues en comparaison aux autres classes (Louette et al. 1995). En

outre, le statut de conservation de la plupart des especes d’oiseaux a ete assez bien

evalue (Birdlife International 2000).

Le but de cette etude est d'evaluer les effets de la destruction volontaire ou

involontaire des nids du Martin-pecheur huppe sur sa strategic de reproduction, par

comparaison du degre de fidelite aux sites, du nombre des nichees et de

l'investissement parental des oiseaux dans differents sites d'une region.

Milieu cTetude

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

5°S, 15° et 16°30'E. La region est caracterisee par un climat tropical humide avec

quatre mois de saison seche de mi-mai a mi-septembre et huit mois de saison des

pluies de mi-septembre a mi-mai (Koy Kasongo 2010). Presque trois quarts du

territoire de sa province sont occupes par des habitations humaines, les espaces verts

peripheriques n’en forment qu’environ un quart. La peche de subsistance y est

2012

Reponses du Martin-pecheur huppe a la perturbation

31

fortement developpee et la pression qui s’exerce sur les oiseaux ichthyophages et

leurs sites a augmente.

La region de Kinshasa compte 25 communes reparties entre ancienne et nouvelle

cite (voir carte presentee par Kisasa Kafutshi 2012). Les communes de L ancienne cite

sont caracterisees par Labsence de forets, et 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 a la peripherie de la

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

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

huppe out ete observes. II s’agit des sites de Monastere (commune de Mont-Ngafula),

Kemi (commune de Lemba), Symphonies de Nda-Gye (dans la peripherie de la

commune de Ngaliema), et de la reserve et domaine de chasse de Bombo-Lumene

(commune de Maluku). Les falaises potentiel lenient propices au creusement des nids

ont ete explorees dans les autres sites mais aucune nidification n’a ete observee durant

toute la duree d’etude. Pour les sites de Kemi et Bombo-Lumene, les nids ont tous ete

detruits en plein elevage des poussins (Bombo) ou de couvaison des oeufs (Kemi), ce

qui a conduit a les omettre des analyses.

Le site de Monastere est une concession forestiere dans laquelle des etangs de

pisciculture ont ete amenages. Son cours d’eau contient aussi divers insectes. On y

trouve quelques petits rongeurs tels des ecureuils et des rats. II y a des ravins qui

offrent des berges artificielles propices a l’etablissement du Martin-pecheur huppe et

d'autres especes d’oiseaux. Les sablieres sont exploitees pour la construction des

habitations dans le voisinage immediat du site tandis que les savanes adjacentes a la

foret sont defrichees et amenagees pour l’agriculture et les habitations humaines.

Le site de Symphonies de Nda-Gye est une foret secondaire de 500 ha. Les visites

des touristes sont reglementees deux fois par semaine, et il est ouvert tous les jours

pour les recherches scientifiques. L’unique autre activite dans le site est la

pisciculture. Des etangs y ont ete amenages et leurs eaux regorgent de poissons et

divers insectes. Le site heberge aussi des reptiles, des batraciens, de petits et de grands

mammiferes notamment des singes et anti lopes.

Methodes

Cette etude a ete realisee de 2004 a 2009 excepte l’annee 2006. Elle consistait dans le

reperage des sites de nidification, la surveillance reguliere des sites pour le comptage

des oeufs, le controle et le baguage des jeunes pour suivre la phenologie et le succes de

reproduction, la collecte des pelotes (Kisasa Kafutshi 2012), et le prelevement

d’echantillons de sols sur les falaises pour les analyses granulometriques.

Le reperage des sites de nidification a ete fait par parcours a pied ou en pirogue le

long des rivieres a la recherche des berges favorables au creusement des terriers. Cela

a ete possible trois fois par semaine de 6h00 a lOhOO ou de 16h00 a 1 8h00 pendant les

32

R. Kisasa Kafutshi

Malimbus 34

huit mois des saisons pluvieuses et une fois par semaine de 6h00 a 9h00 pendant les

quatre mois des saisons seches. Les heures de visites ont ete choisies en dehors des

heures de frequentation des sites par des pisciculteurs ou jardiniers pouvant detruire

des nids. L’operation de suivi des nids a permis le comptage regulier des oeufs et le

baguage des jeunes et adultes. Le comptage s’est effectue a l'aide d’un tube muni a

son extremite d’un petit miroir incline a 45° eclaire par une ampoule. La capture et le

baguage des adultes ou des juveniles ont ete faits au moment de Louveilure des nids.

Les bagues sont des anneaux en aluminium numerate qu'on place au pied de l’oiseau

a partir de 1’age de trois jours. Les adultes nichant au meme moment ont ete egalement

captures, bagues et relaches. Les operations une fois terminees, le nid a ete soigneusement

rebouche de maniere a ne pas attirer Lattention d’eventuels curieux ou de predateurs.

Le baguage des oiseaux nous a permis d’estimer le succes de reproduction

(rapport du nombre total des jeunes bagues et envoles au nombre total des nids

potentiellement favorables a la nidification) pour chaque site et pour la duree de

L etude. Le taux de fidelite au site a ete defini comme le nombre des oiseau(x)

nicheur(s) recapture! s) au moins une fois au meme site durant une periode determinee.

L’investissement parental dans cette etude a ete exprime par la frequence de l'apport

joumalier des proies aux nids. Les observations ont ete faites a l'aide d'une paire de

jumelles placees dans une tente a l’affut a une distance d'environ 30 m du nid, de

6h00 a 19h00 pour toute la duree d'elevage (16-17 jours).

Les variables decrites dans cette etude etant ni aleatoires, ni normales, on a eu

recours au test non-parametrique de Mann-Whitney U pour comparer la reproduction

et l’effort de nourrissage pour les deux sites.

Resultats

Distribution des nids dans le temps

Au total, 177 nids potentiellement favorables aux activites de nidification ont ete

reperes dans les deux sites, dont 70 au Monastere, 107 aux Symphonies (Tableau 1 ).

Au Monastere, la plupart des nids construits ont ete detruits la meme annee, mais aux

Symphonies, la plupart des nids ont survecu pour etre reutilises T annee suivante (y2 =

59,45; P < 0,05) et le nombre de nouveaux nids construits d'une annee a l’autre est

faible. Aux Symphonies en 2004, quatre nids seulement, construits dans la zone

defrichee aux alentours du site, ont ete detruits. Contrairement au site du Monastere

(nids construits a Lexterieur de la foret et a environ 150 m des habitations humaines),

les nids aux Symphonies sont concentres a Linterieur du site (a l'abri de la population

humaine dans les alentours de ce site).

Succes de reproduction

La taille de la ponte observee chez 67 nichees du Martin-pecheur huppe a varie de deux

oeufs (n = 1 nichee) a quatre (5 nichees), la plupart (61 nichees) etant de trois oeufs. Ces

2012

Reponses du Martin-pecheur huppe a la perturbation

33

oeufs sont incubes 15-16 jours dans le nid creuse sur une falaise verticale. Aux Symphonies,

le succes d’eelosion etait presque le double du Monastere (Tableau 2: Mann Whitney U, z

= -2,2, P < 0,03). Par contre, Lelevage des poussins semble presqu’egal an Monastere et

aux Symphonies. Le succes de reproduction etait respectivement de 3 1 jeunes produits sur

70 nids potentiellement favorables au Monastere (= 0.44 jeunes par nid) et, aux

Symphonies, de 107 jeunes produits sur 107 nids potentiellement favorables (= 1 par nid).

Tableau 1. Fluctuation ties nids potentiellement favorables a Sa nidification, des

nids detruits et des nids non detruits (survecus a la fin de l’annee pour etre

reutilises pendant la prochaine), dans les sites du Monastere et des Symphonies.

34

R. Kisasa Kafutshi

Malimbus 34

Baguage

Au Monastere, 18 adultes ont ete captures, bagues et relaches dont deux

seulement ont ete recaptures. Par contre aux Symphonies, 39 adultes ont ete

captures, bagues et relaches dont 2-4 recaptures chaque annee a F exception de

l’annee 2005 (Tableau 3). Le taux de fidelite des adultes nichant au site des

Symphonies etait de 26 % (10 recaptures sur 39 bagues) soit deux fois superieur a

celui observe chez ceux du Monastere avec 11 % (2 repcatures sur 18 bagues).

D’autre part, sur 31 jeunes bagues au Monastere, aucun n’a ete recapture, et aux

Symphonies, deux sur 107 jeunes bagues et relaches en 2004 ont ete recaptures en

2008 et 2009 (Tableau 3).

Tableau 3. Fidelite au site des adultes et des jeunes du Martin-pecheur huppe de

2004 a 2009 dans la region de Kinshasa.

Effort parental de nourrissage des juveniles

Dans les 26 nichees suivies, dont 13 au Monastere et 13 aux Symphonies, rapport

journalier en proies n’a pas presente de difference significative entre les deux sites,

bien qu’au Monastere, il a ete marque par deux pics dans l'avant et Fapres-midi (Fig.

1 ). Aux Symphonies, un pic plus etendu a ete observe le matin. Dans les deux sites,

cet apport a ete plus cdeve avant midi et a diminue l’apres-midi.

L'apport en proies aux poussins dans les deux sites semble relativement faible

jusqu’au 8 ou 9eme jour apres eclosion, avec un pic le 9 ou lOeme jour, puis il a

diminue jusqu'a T envoi des poussins (Fig. 2).

35

2012 Reponses du Martin-pecheur huppe a la perturbation

40

<s> 30

.ll,

7-8 8-9 9-10 10-11 11-12 12-13 13-14 14-15 15-16 16-17 17-18 18-19

Heure

Symphonies

— ■ Poissons □ Insectes

1 1 1 1 i i _ . I .

6-7 7-8 8-9 9-10 10-11 11-12 12-13 13-14 14-15 15-16 16-17 17-18 18-19

30

6-7

w

0)

o

'

Cl

CO

0)

■O

<u

w

.Q

E

o

z

20

10

Monastere

■ Poissons □ Insectes

Heure

Figure 1. Apport journalier de proies aux poussins issus de 13 nichees de chacun

des deux sites.

Discussion

A partir des resultats, on voit que le succes de reproduction et la fidelite au site sont

plus eleves, et les nids plus stables d’une annee a L autre (nids construits, detruits ou

abandonnes), aux Symphonies qu’au Monastere, ce qui reflet la stabilite des deux

sites. Le site des Symphonies est protege: c’est une concession privee ou toutes les

visites sont reglementees, a Loppose du site du Monastere, ou les activites humaines

empechent probablement les martins-pecheurs de chasser et nourrir leurs poussins en

toute quietude. Le Martin-pecheur huppe semble marquer son passage: il utilise des

perchoirs alentours de son nid avant d’entrer dans son terrier pour nourrir ses poussins

(obs. pers.). II suffit de se mettre a cote de ces perchoirs pour qu’il n’entre pas.

Le succes de reproduction a ete deux fois superieur aux Symphonies par rapport

au Monastere. Le succes de reproduction a ete influence par le succes d’eclosion des

36

R. Kisasa Kafutshi

Malimbus 34

co

a>

o

i_

Q.

Cfi

CD

XS

CD

-Q

E

o

z

20

15

10

Monastere

1-2

3-5

6-7

8-9

10-11 12-13 14-16

Age des jeunes (jours)

Age des jeunes (jours)

Figure 2. Apport en proies a 13 nichees de chaque site, en fonction de Page des

poussins.

ceufs et de survie des poussins. Le taux de destruction des nids a ete plus eleve au

Monastere qu'aux Symphonies. Par consequent, aux Symphonies, on peut observer un

nombre plus important de jeunes produits. Les adultes des Symphonies sont

probablement dispenses de 1’effort supplemental de creusement des nids etant donne

que la plupart de ces nids (90 %) out ete reutilises d'une annee a l'autre. Par contre,

ceux du Monastere ont reconstruit leurs nids chaque annee (la chance de survie d’un

nid d’une annee a l’autre etant de 22 %), et peut-etre n’ont-ils pas suffisamment

d’energie a depenser pour la suite de la nidification (couvaison et elevage).

Les adultes semblent ajuster l’apport en proies aux nids dans les deux sites en fonction

de l’heure et de Page des poussins. L’ augmentation des apports de proies observee

dans les deux sites chez les jeunes de plus de neuf jours pourrait se justifier par les

exigences physiologiques liees a l’emergence des plumes et a la maturation des organes

2012

Reponses du Martin-pecheur huppe a la perturbation

37

(Hallet-Libois 1985). La frequence des apports de proies aux Symphonies etait basse

de 13h00 a 15h00, concomitamment avec le moment on le soleil est le plus accablant.

Par contraste, an Monastere, le depart on la pause des activites humaines pendant cette

periode rend les alentours des nids accessibles, favorisant ainsi une frequence elevee

des apports de proies. Dans les deux sites, de 15h00 a 18h00, une augmentation des

apports a ete observee. Cependant, aux environs de 1 8h00, les adultes semblaient apporter

plus d'insectes que de poissons. En effet, la retine des martins-pecheurs est adaptee

pour une bonne visibility des proies dans l’eau mais cette visibi lite diminuerait avec le

coucher du soleil (Moroney & Pettigrew 1987). Lorsque les proies sont rares, le predateur

a tendance a capturer tout ce qu’il rencontre (Royama 1970, Estabrook & Dunham 1976).

Des jeunes bagues, seulement 1,4% (2 sur 138) ont ete recaptures 2-3 ans plus

tard. La dispersion des jeunes serait un compromis entre la duree de la periode

d’immaturite sexuelle avant de se reproduire, le taux de mortalite apres avoir quitte

les nids et la structure sociale de l’espece. Chez le Martin-pecheur d’ Europe Alcedo

atthis (H urner & Libois, 2004) par exemple, la structure sociale est basee sur une

territorialite stride et Eintolerance des adultes vis-a-vis des jeunes apres I’envol. En

ce qui concerne le Martin-pecheur huppe, les etudes similaires par microsatellite sur

un grand echantillon des jeunes sont envisagees pour connaitre la structure sociale de

l’espece, un des parametres importants dans le suivi des populations d’oiseaux.

En outre, le taux de fidelite chez les adultes nichant au site des Symphonies (26

%) est deux fois superieur a celui observe chez ceux du Monastere (1 1 %). Le degre

de fidelite au site d’un animal est souvent correle avec la qualite de son habitat (Peris

& Rodriguez 1996, Malcolm et al 2006), et la presence d’un nombre important de

nids potentiellement favorable a la nidification est un atout decisif pour le succes de

reproduction du Martin-pecheur huppe (Libois 1994, 2001). La destruction des nids

justifierait indiscutablement l’echec de nidification et fabandon des sites observes

chez les adultes nicheurs de deux sites. Proteger le Martin-pecheur huppe sous-entend

done le maintien d’un nombre important de nids favorables a la nidification.

Bibliographie

Batten, L.A. (1972) Breeding bird species diversity in relation to increasing

urbanisation. Bird Study 19: 157-166.

Beissinger, S. & Osborne, D.R. (1982) Effects of urbanization on avian community

organization. Condor 84: 75-83.

Birdlife International (2000) Threatened Birds of The World. Lynx, Barcelona.

Burgess, N., Balmford, A., Cordeiro, J., FjeldsA, J., Kuper, W., Rahbek, C.,

Sanderson, E.W., Scharlemann, J.P.W., Somme, J.H. & Williams, P.H. (2007)

Correlations among species distributions, human density and human infrastructure

across the high biodiversity tropical mountains of Africa. Biol. Conserv. 134:

164-177.

38

R. Kisasa Kafutshi

Malimbus 34

DeGraaf, R., Hestbeck, J.B. & Yamasaki, M. (1998) Associations between

breeding bird abundance and stand structure in the White Mountains, New

Hampshire and Maine. Forest Ecol. Manag., 103: 217-233.

Estabrook, G.F & Dunham, A.E. (1976) Optimal diet as a function of absolute

abundance, relative abundance and relative value of available prey. Am. Nat. 100:

401-413.

Estades, C.F. (2001) The effects of breeding-habitat patch size on bird population

density. Landsc. Ecol. 16: 161-173.

Ganzhorn, J.U. & Eisenbeib, B. (2001) The concept of nested species assemblages

and its utility for understanding effects of habitat fragmentation. Basic appl. Ecol.

2: 87-95.

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

pecheur (Alcedo atthis). Cali. Ethol. Appl. 5: 1-206.

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 Kafutshi, R. (2012) 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.

Koy Kasongo, R.(20 10) Amelioration de la Qucilite des Sols Sableux du Plateau des

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

Organiques Industriels Locaux. These, Universite de Gent.

Louette, M., Bijnens, L., Agenonga, U.D. & Fotso, C.R. (1995) The utility of birds

as bioindicators: case studies in Equatorial Africa. Belg. J. Zoo/. 125: 157-165.

Malcolm, C.K., Navjot, S. & Susan, L.H. (2006) High sensitivity of montane bird

communities to habitat disturbance in peninsular Malaysia. Biol. Conserv. 129:

149-166.

Moroney, M.K., & Pettigrew, J.D. ( 1987) Some observations on the visual optics of

kingfishers (Aves, Coracii formes, Alcedinidae). J. Comp. Physiol. A160: 137-149.

Peris S.J., & Rodriguez R. (1996) Some factors related to distribution by breeding

Kingfisher ( Alcedo atthis L.). Ekologici Polska 54: 3 1-38.

Royama, T., ( 1970) Factors governing feeding rate, food requirements and brood size

of nestling Great Tits, Pants major. Ibis 108: 313-347.

2012

39

Short Notes — Notes Courtes

Blue-billed Malimbe Malimbiis nitens associating with crocodiles outside

the breeding season

Blue-billed Malimbe Malimbus nitens is known to prefer the vicinity of dens of

Central African Dwarf Crocodile Osteolaemus tetraspis (see Eaton el al. 2009 for

recent taxonomy) for nesting, presumably because of the nest protection provided by

the presence of crocodiles (Din 1982, Hudgens 1997). Blue-billed Malimbe builds

conspicuous nests on branches overhanging forest rivers and ponds, sometimes in

small colonies (Craig 2010).

While studying crocodiles in a private forest park in Gabon, 1 found that, although

it was non-breeding season, Blue-billed Malimbe occurred only at a forest pond

inhabited by a crocodile and did not occur at ponds with no crocodiles present. I

tested the hypothesis of association in a national park in Cameroon, also during non-

breeding season of Blue-billed Malimbe. The significant association found suggests

that nest protection might not be the only reason for the birds’ preference for ponds

inhabited by crocodiles.

Observations were conducted in Lekedi Park, Gabon (1°47'S, 1 3° 1 E) on 3-9 Apr

2009, and in Korup National Park, Cameroon (4°59'N, 8°50'E), on 13-30 Apr 2009.

Sixteen forest ponds (five in Lekedi and 1 1 in Korup), including pools in small forest

streams, were watched from shore from 1 h before sunrise until 3 h after sunset. If an

adult crocodile was seen, the same pond was watched for another night and morning,

but this difference in observation effort did not create a bias because at all sites where

Blue-billed Malimbes were found their presence was noted within the first 8 h of

observation. All ponds were 50-200 nr in size and no more than 1 m deep, located in

primary lowland rainforest and surrounded by dense vegetation. Forest away from the

ponds was not systematically surveyed for birds. In Lekedi Park the number of ponds

sampled was too small for statistical analysis, but in Korup National Park co-

occurrence was tested using Fisher’s Exact Probability Test, with the number of ponds

as the independent variable.

In Lekedi Park, five stagnant ponds were observed. Only one had a dwarf

crocodile, an adult 120 cm long (all sizes given by visual estimate). The only Blue-

billed Malimbe seen in the park in seven days was found at that pond, where it was

present on both evenings and both mornings of observation. The bird could be

individually recognized by an asymmetrical streak on its breast.

In Korup NP, 1 1 ponds (one stagnant pond and ten stream pools with very slow

current) were observed. Two stream pools had dwarf crocodiles (an adult 150 cm long

and a sub-adult 60 cm long). Blue-billed Malimbes were seen at both ponds with

crocodiles, but not at other ponds (2-tailed P = 0.0182), nor elsewhere in the park in

40

Short Notes

Malimbus 34

16 days. Only single birds were seen, once at the pond with the sub-adult crocodile

and twice (on two consecutive mornings) at the pond with the adult crocodile (it is

unknown if the two latter sightings were of the same bird or of two different

individuals).

All birds seen at both sites were in adult plumage. The bird seen at the pond with

the sub-adult crocodile had a smaller red breast patch, indicating that it was likely a

female. None of the birds was heard singing, although all three produced short calls.

There was no sign of nests at any of the pools. No differences in habitat parameters

between ponds with and without crocodiles were noted, although it is, of course,

possible that some unknown differences existed. All birds were actively foraging, at

1-15 m above ground (at all sites, the canopy was > 20 m high). No fruiting trees

were seen near the ponds, so foraging was probably for invertebrates. Searching

through vine tangles and clumps of dry leaves, reportedly common in this species

(Craig 2010) was observed only once, in Korup NP.

Interviews with park rangers in Korup NP showed that local people were well

aware of the year-round association between the bird and the crocodile. According to

the rangers, poachers trapping dwarf crocodiles for bush-meat use the presence of

Blue-billed Malimbe as an indicator of dwarf crocodiles’ presence. Locating dwarf

crocodiles without this clue requires prolonged observations of forest ponds, because

the crocodiles are extremely cryptic following decades of extreme hunting pressure

(Eaton 2006).

The association of Blue-billed Malimbe with Central African Dwarf Crocodile

was first noted in Nigeria (Din 1982) and then in Ghana (Hudgens 1997). It was

assumed that the birds benefit from protection against nest predators provided by the

crocodiles. However, my observations were made in April, while the breeding season

of Blue-billed Malimbe is Dec-Mar in Gabon, and May-Jun and Sep-Oct in

Cameroon (Craig 2010). Why do some Blue-billed Malimbes prefer ponds with dwarf

crocodiles outside the breeding season? It is possible that the birds simply remain in

the vicinity of the nesting site, but this is unlikely as this species is suspected to move

over large area of the forest when not breeding (Craig 2010). Nothing is known about

roosting habits of Blue-billed Malimbe; it could be suggested that the birds stay close

to safe roosting sites near the ponds (A.J.F.K. Craig in lift .), but roosting was not

observed during night-time observations of the ponds. It is also possible that their

preference for ponds with crocodiles is so strong that it persists outside the breeding

season for no adaptive reason, or that some birds start guarding future breeding sites

in advance or linger for a while after the end of the breeding season. Another

possibility is that crocodiles are beneficial to the birds in some way other than

repelling nest predators. Studies have shown (Fittkau 1973, Bondavalli & Ulanowicz

1999, Borquin 2008) that crocodilians can substantially alter the ecology of

surrounding habitat. In particular, they control fish populations, and the resulting

increase in insect numbers could be beneficial for the malimbes, which are

predominantly insectivorous (Craig 2010).

2012

Notes Courtes

41

1 thank the employees of Lekedi Park and Korup NP for assistance and information,

Alex Bernstein and Sarit Reizin for help with field research, and Steven Green for

editorial advice.

References

Bondavalli, C. & Ulanowicz, R.E. (1999) Unexpected effects of predators upon

their prey: the case of the American alligator. Ecosystems 2: 49-63.

BORQUIN, S.L. (2008) The Population Ecology’ of the Nile crocodile (Crocodylus

niloticusj in the Panhandle Region of the Okavango Delta, Botswana. Ph.D.

dissertation. University of Stellenbosch.

Craig, A.J.F.K. (2010) Family Ploceidae (Weavers). Pp. 74-197 in Hoyo, J. del,

Elliott, A. & Christie, D.A. (eds) Handbook of the Birds of the World , vol. 15.

Lynx, Barcelona.

Din, N . A. (1982) Observations on a colony of Blue-billed Malimbes, Malimbus nitens

at Ife, Nigeria. Kenyan J. Sci. Technol. Ser. B 3: 35-36.

Eaton, M.J. (2006) Ecology, conservation and management of the Central African

Dwarf Crocodile ( Osteolaemus tetraspis ). Pp. 84-95 in Anon, (ed.) Crocodiles:

Proceedings of the 18th Working Meeting of the IUCN-SSC Crocodile Specialist

Group. IUCN, Gland.

Eaton, M.J., Martin, A., Thorbjarnarson, J. & Amato, G. (2009) Species-level

diversification of African dwarf crocodiles (genus Osteolaemus): a geographic

and phylogenetic perspective. Molec. Phylog. Evol. 50: 496-506.

Fittkau, E.J. (1973) Crocodiles and the nutrient metabolism of the Amazon. Limnol.

Oecol. Reg. Svst. Flum. Amazonas 10: 103—133.

Hudgens, B.R. (1997) Nest predation avoidance by the Blue-billed Malimbe

Malimbus nitens (Ploceinae). Ibis 139: 692-694.

Received 24 August 2011; revised 14 September 201 1

Vladimir Dinets

1705 Laurel Av., Apt. 2, Knoxville, TN 37916, U.S.A..<dinets@gmail.com>

Additions to the avifauna of Omo Forest Reserve, SW Nigeria

The Omo forest is one of the most important protected areas in southwestern Nigeria.

The avifauna of the forest has been well surveyed by Green et al. (2007) and Olmos &

Turshak (2009), and the latter described the biogeographical importance of the area and

the conservation threats to it. A detailed map of the forest and the surrounding areas

was provided by Green et al (2007) who also described the main vegetation types.

In this note I provide three additions to the list of bird species recorded in the

forest, with three other records that are also of interest. I spent two nights at J-4 (28-

42

Short Notes

Malimbus 34

29 Nov 2006) and three at Erin Camp (30 Nov to 2 Dec 2006) in the forest at the start

of the dry season.

In total, 85 bird species were seen or heard, the majority of which had previously

been recorded from the forest, and the frequency with which I encountered them was

broadly in line with the results of others (Olmos & Turshak 2009). However, I found

three species that appear not to have been recorded from the Omo forest before.

Accipiter melanoleucus Black Sparrowhawk. A large black and white accipiter,

black above and white below with broad black barring on the flanks, was flushed from

a tree in a Gmelina plantation between J-4 and Omo Bridge on 30 Nov. The species is

unmistakeable and I am familiar with it from elsewhere in Africa. It was carrying a

squirrel Funisciurus sp., which it had just caught. Elgood (1994) records this species

as “not uncommon in lowland, montane and gallery forest from the coast north to the

great rivers” so its occurrence at Omo is to be expected.

Falco ardosiaceus Grey Kestrel. Single all-grey falcons with yellow ceres were seen

perched on telegraph poles at J-4 on 29 and 30 Nov. There are no other falcons

matching this description that occur in Nigeria. Elgood (1994) notes that this species

is a “Not uncommon resident seasonally in farm and open land with trees north of the

great rivers, less common in southwest ... Southerly records mainly dry season".

Presumably this species is not present at Omo throughout the year and these records

represent dry season migrants.

Telecanthura ussheri Mottled Spinetail. Two birds seen over J-4 on 29 Nov were

identified as this species by comparison with the superficially similar Little Swift

Apus affinis which were also present. The two birds were slightly larger with the dis-

tinctive “pinched" bases to the wings and longer, rounder, slightly hooked, wing tips.

I first noticed them on account of their peculiar flight, more “fluttery" than the Apus,

and then saw the pale patch on the lower belly which is diagnostic. I was looking out

for this species as I had seen it in Lagos a few days before. Elgood (1994) reported

that it is an “uncommon perhaps locally not uncommon resident Widespread from

Lagos — 14 sightings Mar-June, Ikom 16 Apr and Calabar in the south, north to

Yankari, Zaria and Kano" and noted that it is easily overlooked because of its

similarity to Little Swift. Its occasional occurrence at Omo is therefore to be expected.

These three additions to the Omo forest list are all species associated with

anthropogenic habitats, which have increased in the area in recent years. Their

occurrence is consistent with the distributions within Nigeria as described in Elgood

et a/. (1994). Green et al. (2007) pointed out that open country species have been

under-recorded in the area in the past because most observers have concentrated their

efforts in the intact forests.

The following records are also worthy of note.

Guttera pucherani Crested Guineafowl. A group of five north of Camp Erin on 1

Dec, and six on the access trail to Camp Erin on 2 Dec. This species was not recorded

by Olmos & Turshak (2009) in extensive surveys less than a year after my

observations and they imply that the species has been exterminated from the area as a

2012

Notes Courtes

43

result of illegal hunting. As mentioned by them shotgun cartridges were easily found

on the trails and shotguns were occasionally heard, particularly at night.

Terpsiphone viridis African Paradise Flycatcher. A female seen on the Camp Erin

nature trail on 1 and 3 Dec proved to be this species rather than Red-bellied Paradise

Flycatcher T. nifiventer. Two birds were seen in degraded forest at Omo Bridge on 3

Dec; one was a white phase male.

Platysteira cyanea Common Wattle-eye. A male was seen in a mixed feeding party

on the trail into Camp Erin on 1 Dec.

The number of species usually associated with degraded forest or forest margins,

which I saw deep in the forest close to Camp Erin, was notable, including these last

two species. These may just be cases of dry season wandering, but perhaps reflect the

slow encroachment of people into the forest, as mentioned by Olmos & Turshak

(2009).

I am grateful to the trustees of the Whitley Wildlife Conservation Trust and Paignton

Zoo for their continued support for the zoo’s efforts to provide an environmental

education service in and around the forest. Phil Hall provided good birding advice and

Sue Lowe and Helen Wade were excellent travelling companions. Roger Wilkinson’s

encouragement led me to prepare this note.

References

Elgood, J.H., Heigham, J.B., Moore, A.M., Nason, A.M., Sharland, R.E. &

Skinner, N.J. (1994) The Birds of Nigeria: an annotated checklist. Checklist 4,

2nd ed., British Ornithologists’ Union, Tring.

Green, A. A., Hall, P. & Leventis, A.P. (2007) Avifauna of Omo Forest Reserve,

SW Nigeria. Malimbus 29: 16-30.

Olmos, F. & Turshak, L.G. (2009) A survey of birds in Omo Forest Reserve, south

west Nigeria Bull. Afr. Bird Club 16: 184-196.

Received 6 June 201 1

Simon Tonge

Whitley Wildlife Conservation Trust, Paignton Zoo Environmental Park,

Totnes Rd, Paignton TQ4 7EU, Devon, U.K. <simon.tonge@paigntonzoo.org.uk>

Blue-breasted Kingfisher Halcyon malimbica feeding at sea

The Blue-breasted Kingfisher Halcyon malimbica is largely a bird of forest and dense

woodland. It often occurs in riparian vegetation along streams and rivers, and ventures

into coastal mangroves, but is not generally known to feed on the open coastline (Fry

et al. 1988, Fry et cd. 1992, Borrow & Demey 2001). Christy & Clark ( 1998) report

44

Short Notes

Malimbus 34

how the large subspecies H. m. dryas, endemic to Principe Island in the Gulf of

Guinea, forages along the south coast of the island, but provide scant information on

its foraging behaviour in this unusual habitat.

On 1 August 2011, I observed a Blue-breasted Kingfisher feeding along the

exposed, rocky coastline of southwest Principe. The bird spent at least 20 min.

perched on the sides of large boulders, 1-2 m above the sea, sallying forth to take

prey from wave-washed rocks. One perch was on an isolated boulder some 30 m

offshore. During the 20-min. observation period, the kingfisher made eight attempts

to catch prey. It was successful twice, picking up small prey items in flight and

immediately returning to its perch where it battered what appeared to be small crabs

against the rock before swallowing them. Several attempts failed when waves washed

over the target area; the kingfisher never touched the water, and aborted any attempt

when there was a risk of getting wet. Other attacks apparently failed because the prey

detected the approaching bird. All attacks were made low over the water, possibly to

reduce the chance of detection. This impression was reinforced by the fact that the

kingfisher was never observed to sit on top of a boulder, perhaps to avoid being

silhouetted against the sky. Its perches were so low that on one occasion it was

flushed by a breaking wave.

Blue-breasted Kingfishers occur in a wider range of habitats on Principe Island

than on the mainland (Christy & Clark 1998, Leventis & Olmos 2009). Their

apparently broader foraging niche (including using anvils to smash open snail shells:

Leventis & Olmos 2009) is consistent with ecological theory, given the island’s

depauperate avifauna (Jones & Tye 2006). By foraging in marine habitats, the

Principe population might increase its ability to cross marine barriers; several

individuals were observed on Ilheu Caroqo (Bone de Joquei), a small, vegetated islet 2

km off the southeast coast of Principe, during a brief visit on 30-31 July 2011.

However, they are confirmed to occur on only one of the four main Gulf of Guinea

islands (Jones & Tye 2006). Interestingly, the local form of Malachite Kingfisher,

Alcedo cristata nais (see Melo & Fuchs 2008) was also observed on Ilheu Carogo on

30 July, apparently the first record from this location (Jones & Tye 2006).

References

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

London.

Christy, P. & Clarke, W.V. (1998) Guide des oiseaux de Sao Tome et Principe.

ECOFAC, Sao Tome.

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

Press, London.

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

handbook. Christopher Helm, London.

Jones, P. & Tye, A. (2006) The Birds of Sao Tome and Principe, with Annobon,

islands of the Gulf of Guinea. British Ornithologists' Union, Oxford.

2012

Notes Con rtes

45

Leventis, A.P. & OLMOS, F. 2009. The Birds of Sao Tome e Principe: a photoguide.

Aves & Fotos Editora, Sao Paulo.

Melo, M. & Fuchs, J. (2008) Phylogenetic relationships of the Gulf of Guinea

Alcedo kingfishers. Ibis 150: 633-639.

Received 16 August 2011; revised 5 September 201 1

Peter G. Ryan

Percy FitzPatrick Institute of African Ornithology, University of Cape Town,

Rondebosch 7701, South Africa <pryan31@gmail.com>

Occurrence of two common forest bird species in Amurum Forest

Reserve on the Jos Plateau, Nigeria

Amurum Forest Reserve on the Jos Plateau (9°53'N, 8°59'E) covers 300 ha of mostly

savannah scrubland, gallery forest and inselbergs (rocky outcrops) (Ezealor 2002) and

lies at 1300 m above sea level. Most rain occurs from around May to August, while

the dry season is between October and March, with an average rainfall of 1400 mm

per year; temperature range is 20-25 °C (< 10 °C in extreme cases) during the coldest

months and 30-35 °C during warm and dry months (Payne 1998). Although the

reserve is protected, much of the surrounding vegetation has been cleared for

farmland and high levels of cattle and goat grazing occurs around the periphery. The

core of the reserve faces continued loss of standing trees through fuelwood collection,

as well as illegal setting of fires, gully erosion, and invasion by Lantana camara. In

spite of this, gallery forests surrounding seasonal streams, which form parts of the

fragmented system of lush gullies that extended into the Jos Plateau and other

savannah areas, still persist and are likely acting as biological corridors for species

movements (Seaman & Schulze 2010). The A.P. Leventis Ornithological Research

Institute (APLORI) has monitored the avifauna since 2001, so immigration of new

species can be detected.

On 10 Oct 2006, a Yellowbill Ceuthmochares aereus was caught in a mist net in a

relatively open area of savannah scrub in the reserve (Eig. 1). On 9 Feb 2007, 10 Mar

2007 and 21 Mar 201 1 Little Greenbuls Andropadus virens were caught in mist nets

in gallery forest (Fig. 2) and on 30 Jun 201 1, a song of this species was heard from the

gallery forest close to one of the capture sites.

Both are widespread, common, generalist foragers that prefer forest edge and

disturbed habitat (Fry et al. 1988, Keith et al. 1992), and are able to breed in degraded

forest. Conversion of primary to secondary forest has been shown to result in an increase

in population size of the Little Greenbul (Kofron & Chapman 1995; Smith et al. 2008), but

with negative consequences for individual fitness (Smith et al. 2008). Previously, the

nearest records of both species were 62 km from Amurum at Kurra Falls forest in

46

Short Notes

Malimbus 34

Plateau State (Turshak 2008) and they were also known 98 km away at Kagoro-Nindam

forest reserves in Kaduna State (Abalaka & Manu 2007). Both of these sites are ex-

periencing high and apparently unsustainable anthropogenic pressures (Ezealor 2001).

Figure 1. Yellowbill Ceuthmochares aereus caught at Amurum Forest Reserve in

October 2006.

Post-breeding dispersal of young birds, rains migrations, or increasing

anthropogenic pressures may all contribute to bird movements (Alerstam et al. 2003,

Newton 2008, Boyle et al. 2010). The occurrence of various forest birds further north

than the forest zone where suitable gallery forest exists, is also known. These records

may be vagrants, extensions of the former range or, more likely, reoccupations of part

of the northern extremity of the former range, with Amurum being part of the

historical range. Such range extremities are especially likely to suffer periodic

extinction and recolonization.

Special thanks to Mr A.P. Leventis for funding APLOR1 and to Prof. Jan T. Lifjeld

and the National Centre for Biosystematics, Natural History Museum, Oslo, Norway.

We are also grateful to N. Owen and Will Creswell for their comments on earlier

drafts. This is contribution no. 52 from the A.P Leventis Ornithological Research

Institute.

2012

Notes Courtes

47

Figure 2. Little Greenbul Andropadus virens caught at Amurum Forest Reserve

in March 2007.

48

Short Notes

Malimbus 34

References

Abalaka, J.I., & Manu, S. (2007) Factors affecting forest bird diversity and recent

avifaunal changes in the degrading Kagoro-Nindam forest reserves, Kaduna,

Niageria. Ostrich 78: 233-238.

Alerstam, T., Hedenstrom, A. & Akesson, S. (2003) Long-distance migration:

evolution and determinants. Oikos 103: 247-260.

Boyle, W., Norris, D. & Guglielmo, C. (2010) Storms drive altitudinal migration

in a tropical bird. Proc. Roy. Soc. B Biol. Sci. 277 : 251 1-2519.

Ezealor, A.U. (2001) Nigeria. Pp. 673-692 in Fishpool, L.D.C & Evans, M.I. (eds)

Important Bird Areas in Africa and Associated Islands. Pisces, Newbury.

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

Press, London.

Keith, S., Urban, E.K. & Fry, C.H. (1992) The Birds of Africa, vol. 4. Academic

Press, London.

Kofron, C.P. & Chapman, A. (1995) Deforestation and bird species composition in

Liberia, West Africa. Trop. Zool. 8: 239-256.

Newton, 1. (2008) The Migration Ecology ’ of Birds. Academic Press, London.

Payne, R.B. (1998) A new species of firefinch Lagonosticta from northern Nigeria and

its association with the Jos Plateau Indigobird Vidua maryae. Ibis 140: 368-381.

Seaman, B.S. & Schulze, C.H. (2010) The importance of gallery forests in the tropical

lowlands of Costa Rica for understorey forest birds. Biol. Consent 143: 391-398.

Smith, B.T., Mila, B., Grether, G.F., Slabbejoorn, H., Sepil, I., Buermann, W.,

Saatchi, S. & Pollinger, J.P. (2008) Evolutionary consequences of human dis-

turbance in a rainforest bird species from Central Africa. Molec. Ecol. 17: 58-71.

Turshak L.G. (2008) Effects of habitat structure and altitudinal gradients on avian species

diversity at Kurra Falls Forest. Unpubl. M.Sc. Thesis, University of Jos, Nigeria.

Received 23 September 2011; revised 27 October 2011.

Taiwo Crossby Omotoriogun ’ , Grace Torkura SengohoF, Matthew C. Stevens

& Daniel T.C. Cox24

'National Centre for Biosystematics, Natural History Museum, Univ. of Oslo,

Norway. <t.c.omotoriogun@nhm.uio.no>

~A.P. Leventis Ornithological Research Institute,

Laminga, Jos Plateau State, PO Box 1304, Nigeria.

'The Hawk Conservancy, Sarson Lane, Weyhill, Andover, Hampshire, SP1 1 8DY, U.K.

4School of Biology, Univ. of St Andrews, Bute Building, St Andrews, Fife, KYI 6 9TS, U.K.

2012

49

News & Letters — Nouvelles & Lettres

Faucon Lanier Falco biarmicus et scorpions

J.E. Newby (1981. Notes on the Lanner Falco biarmicus from Tenere Desert, with

comments on the incidence of scorpion predation by raptors. Malimbus 3: 53) rendait

compte de L alimentation d’un couple de Faucons lanier Falco biarmicus dans le

desert du Tenere a partir de Tanalyse des restes (os et plumes) et pelotes autour d’un

nid decouvert en mars 1979 au sommet d’un affleurement, c. 40 km a Test du massif

de FATr. Parmi les restes contenus dans les pelotes, ceux caracterisant des scorpions

(pinces et telsons), nombreux, suscitaient des interrogations sur le risque represente

pour ces rapaces par la venimosite des scorpions et sur les conditions de capture de

telles proies, principalement nocturnes.

Le risque d'envenimation par piqures de scorpions est faible pour les oiseaux vifs

et efficaces, proteges par leur plumage et les ecailles de leurs pattes. Outre la

difference de taille, la vivacite des scorpions n’est en effet pas comparable. Meme si,

selon mes propres collectes dans le desert du Tenere, effectuees a Test de l’ATr (Pince

de Crabe), a l’Adrar Madet, Termit et Djado en mars 2004 et novembre 2005, le

scorpion de loin le plus commun s’avere etre Leiurus quinquestriatus, une espece

particulierement dangereuse, rapide, mobile, au reflexe piqueur vif et dont la toxicite

du venin est la plus elevee (M. Goyffon comm. pers.). Quant au poison ingere (non

inocule), sa toxicite est fortement degradee, voire eliminee, par les sues gastriques

dans le processus de digestion.

L’ aptitude des rapaces a deceler et capturer des proies essentiellement nocturnes

telles que scorpions ou araignees du genre Galeodes resulte de ce que les oiseaux,

comme de nombreux vertebres autres que les mammiferes, ont la capacite de voir

Fultraviolet proche (Goldsmith, T. 2007. Ce que voient les oiseaux. Pour la Science

354: 68-74). La cuticule des scorpions est fluorescente sous UV, done sous les

radiations UV de la lumiere solaire refletee par la lune et celles emises par les etoiles.

Les scorpions sont ainsi visibles aux oiseaux la nuit. D’autre part, les

galeodes peuvent aussi etre fluorescentes sous UV, bien que cette fluorescence ne soit

pas globale mais surtout nette au niveau des articulations (M. Goyffon, comm. pers.).

Cependant, Newby ( 1981 et comm, pers.) doute de ce que les faucons lanier aient

une activite nocturne, et il est vrai que les observations manquent. Et pourtant, si des

scorpions sont parfois observes de jour, e’est en general parce qu’ils ont ete deloges,

par exemple (dans le desert) en pliant le couchage le matin ou en collectant du bois

mort ou des herbes seches pour le feu, et ils s’empressent de disparaitre.

La predation par les faucons est au contraire vraisemblable lorsque ceux-ci

passent la nuit dans les arbres Acacia raddiana plus ou moins decharnes que Lon

trouve en nombre sur la bordure orientale du massif de TAir, au debouche des oueds,

50

News & Letters

Malimbus 34

notamment ceux situes non loin du site de nidification decrit par Newby (1981). En

effet, Eecorce de ces acacias presente en general des decollements et fractures a

Einterieur desquels trouvent refuge et nourriture des scorpions, des araignees, divers

insectes et certainement aussi des geckos. Au pied de l’Adrar Madet (non loin du site

du nid examine par Newby 1981), en mars 2004, j’ai collecte des scorpions sur de tels

arbres. Lorsqu’a la nuit tombee les scorpions apparaissent a decouvert, ils sont alors

exposes aux coups de bee des faucons.

En cas d'abondance exceptionnelle de proies, il n’est pas impossible que des

scorpions sortent de leurs caches avant la nuit, au crepuscule. Par exemple, lors d’un

passage de criquets migrateurs, lesquels (selon P. Bruneau de Mire, comm, pers.)

perchent en nombre des le soir sur les arbres, lorsqu’il y en a, ou la fraicheur nocturne

les plonge dans un etat de torpeur: ce sont alors des proies faciles pour les scorpions,

preferentiellement predateurs de sauterelles si l'on en juge par l'abondance de leurs

vestiges dans les terriers. Ces arbres du desert presentent certainement de bien

meilleures opportunity de capture pour les rapaces que les milieux rocheux, dans

lesquels les scorpions peuvent plus facilement se soustraire aux attaques.

Nils Robin

35 rue Bonaparte, 75006 Paris, France. <nils-robin@orange.fr>

2012

51

Society Notices — Informations de la Societe

Editor’s Report for the years 2009-201 1

After the low period of 2003-5, when submissions were fewer than in preceding

years, and only single issues having been issued in 2002 and 2004, the situation

improved markedly. Two issues have since been printed each year as planned and the

period preceding that of this report, 2006-8, achieved annual page totals that have

rarely been exceeded during the lifetime of Malimbus. The statistics for 2009-1 1 are

not quite so exceptionally high or low and are summarized in Table 1 .

Table 1. Malimbus publication statistics, 2009-11.

Since Volume 1, the average number of pages per volume has been 122, and

although the average of the three years covered by this report is 115, the latest five-

year running average is 132. The rate of submissions was worryingly low in 2009-10,

resulting in smaller issues in 2010 and 2011, but in 201 1 submissions regained a level

comparable with that of earlier years. Encouragingly, more biological and ecological

submissions, and more articles by West African authors, are being received and

published. More items of news and comment have also been published per year than

usual. To date, Malimbus has managed to survive periods of low submissions and the

running average of pages published per year shows no overall trend over the journal’s

lifetime (Fig. 1 ). The immediate future in all these respects looks satisfactory.

All full-length papers and Short Notes were reviewed by two (occasionally one or

up to five) referees, in addition to the Editor. Referees are acknowledged in each issue

as the “Editorial Board’’. Two papers were rejected due to inadequate descriptions,

methodology and/or lack of new data, and another owing to its marginal relevance for

the journal (it was published elsewhere). The proportion rejected (8 %) of those

received the same year was similar to that of previous periods. Rejection took place

within at most six months of receipt. Of the 32 scientific papers published, all but two

52

Society Notices

Malimbus 34

Short Notes (94 %) required revision by their authors (beyond minor editorial

changes). The time taken by authors to revise their papers varied from same day

return to 34 months (median 3 months), similar to recent years. The delay between

receiving a final acceptable version of a paper and its publication was 1-9 months

(median 5 months), similar to previous years and difficult to reduce further, given our

6-monthly publication schedule. Altogether, including the time taken for review by

referees, editing by me and proof-reading by authors, the delay between first receipt

of a scientific submission ( i.e . not including News, Notices and Reviews, which are

always published in the issue immediately following receipt) and its publication was

3-42 months (median 10 months), with 56 % of papers published within one year of

receipt.

I should once again like to express my gratitude to all referees for their precious

time and valuable insights, as well as to Joost Brouwer, Peter Browne, Tim Dodman,

Ulf Leiden, Nils Robin, Bob Sharland and the late Gerard Morel for their

contributions to managing the journal’ s printing, distribution and mailing list,

assisting with translations, and placing copy quickly on the web site.

Alan Tye

250

BullNOS Malimbus

Volume

Figure 1. Malimbus and Bulletin of the Nigerian Ornithologists’ Society annual

page totals. Page size: f-f = foolscap; q-q = quarto; subsequent issues all A5. S =

special issue that year; 0 = no issue produced (1973); 1 = only one issue produced

that year. — Nombres annuels de pages de Malimbus et du Bulletin of the

Nigerian Ornithologists’ Society. Taille de page: f-f = ministre; q-q = quarto;

livraisons subsequentes sont toutes en A5. S = livraison speciale cette annee; 0 =

pas de livraison cette annee (1973); 1 = une seule livraison cette annee.

2012

Informations de la Societe

53

Rapport du Redacteur en chef pour la periode 2009-2011

Apres la periode basse des annees 2003-5, quand il y avait moins de soumissions

q if an cours des annees precedentes avec pour resultat la publication d’un seul

numero en 2002 et en 2004, la situation s’est sensiblement amelioree. Deux numeros

ont ete imprimes par an, comme prevu, et la periode 2006-8 precedant celle du

present rapport, a atteint des totaux annuels de pages rarement depasses au cours de

f existence de Malimbus. Les statistiques pour les annees 2009-1 1 ne sont pas aussi

exceptionnellement elevees ou basses et sont resumees dans le Tableau 1.

Table 1. Statistiques de publication de Malimbus pour 2009-1 1,

Depuis le Volume 1, le nombre moyen de pages par volume a ete de 122 et, bien

que la moyenne des trois annees couvertes par ce rapport soit de 115, la moyenne des

cinq annees les plus recentes est de 132. Le declin dans les soumissions a ete

inquietant pendant la periode 2009-10, d’ou des livraisons reduites en 2010 et 201 1,

mais en 2011 les soumissions ont retrouve un niveau comparable a celui des annees

precedentes. Fait encourageant, davantage de manuscrits sur la biologie et Fecologie,

et plus d'articles d’auteurs d’Afrique de TOuest, ont recemment ete requs et publies.

Plus de nouvelles et commentaires ont aussi ete publiees par an qu’ habituellement.

Jusqu’ ici, Malimbus a pu survivre a des periodes de manque de soumissions, et la

serie du nombre moyen de pages publiees par an ne montre aucune tendance

d’ensemble depuis la creation de la revue (Fig. 1). Le futur immediat se presente de

maniere satisfaisante sous ces differents criteres.

Tous les manuscrits longs et les Notes Courtes ont ete revus par deux lecteurs

(parfois un ou trois) en plus du Redacteur en chef. Les lecteurs sont cites dans chaque

numero a la rubrique Comite de Redaction. Deux articles furent refuses pour

descriptions ou methodologie inappropriee et manque de donnees nouvelles, et un

autre pour son caractere marginal par rapport a la revue (il a ete publie dans une

autre). La proportion de manuscrits refuses (8 %) par rapport a ceux requs la meme

annee a ete similaire a celle des annees precedentes. Le refus a ete notifie dans un

delai maximum de six mois apres la soumission. Sur les 32 articles scientifiques

54

Society Notices

Malimbus 34

publies, tous a l’exception de deux Notes Courtes (94 %) ont necessite une revision

par leurs auteurs (non compris des modifications mineures de la Redaction). Le temps

mis par les auteurs pour reviser leurs articles allait du retour le jour meme jusqu’a 34

mois (mediane 3 mois), comme dans les annees recentes. Le delai entre la reception

de la version definitive acceptable d’un manuscrit et sa publication a ete de 1-9 mois

(mediane 5 mois), done similaire a celui des annees precedentes et difficile a reduire

davantage, etant donne notre rythme de parution bisannuel. An total, en prenant en

compte le temps pris par les critiques, mes propres corrections et les lectures

d’epreuves par les differents auteurs, le delai entre la premiere reception d’un

manuscrit et sa publication a varie de trois a 42 mois (mediane 10 mois), avec 56 %

des articles publies dans les 12 mois de leur reception.

Je tiens de nouveau a remercier tous les lecteurs pour le temps et les avis qu’ils

ont genereusement donnes, ainsi que Joost Brouwer, Peter Browne, Tim Dodman, Ulf

Leiden, le regrette Gerard Morel, Nils Robin, Bob Sharland, qui ont contribue a

fimpression du journal, a sa distribution, a la tenue de la liste des abonnes, ainsi que

pour leur assistance en matiere de traductions ou pour en avoir rapidement mis copie

sur le site Internet.

Alan Tye

Redacteur en chef

W.A.O.S. membership changes

Changements a la liste cTadherents de la S.O.O.A.

New members — Nouveaux membres

Bargain, B., Village de Trunvel, 29720 Treogat, France

Bergh, M. van den, Nieuwe Zijds Voorburgwal 344, 1012RX Amsterdam, The

Netherlands

Fourie, S.R.,The Orchard, Benthall Lane, Benthall, Broseley, Shrops. TF12 5RR, U.K.

FIillyer, A., 2 Evergreen Drive, 8 Milton Road, Bournemouth, Dorset BH8 8IP, U.K.

Holler, C., Kammakargatan 12, Stockholm 1 1 140, Sweden

Nasasagare, R.P., Ecole Normale Superieure, BP 6983 Bujumbura, Burundi

Robb, M., 2300 Rue Grenet, Apt #31 1, St Laurent, Quebec H4L 4Y9, Canada

Deaths — Deces

Thiede, Dr W.

Address changes and corrections — Changements et corrections d'adresse

Claffey, P.M., Divine Word Missionaries, 3 Pembroke Road, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4,

Eire <pmclaffeysvd@yahoo.co.uk>

2012

Informations de la Societe

55

Demey, R., Walter Thijsstraat 9, B-3500 Hasselt, Belgium

Green, A. A., 486 Little Mohawk Road, Shelburne Falls, MA 01370, U.S.A.

Guitard, J.J., Quartier Dandarelet, 83460 Les Arcs sur Argens, France

< j j . gu i tard@wanadoo . fr>

Jones, Ms R.M., 21 1 Court Road, Mottingham, London SE9 4TG, U.K.

Morel, Dr M.-Y., 43 rue Fessart, 92100 Boulogne-Billancourt, France

Payne, Dr R.B., 1306 Granger Ave, Ann Arbor, Ml 48104, LJ.S.A.

Redman, N., 36 Soho Square, London W1 D 3QZ, U.K.

Tamungang, A.S., POB 146, Dschang, West Province, Cameroon

Voaden, N.J., 18 Fair Hill, Shipham, Winscombe, Somerset BS2 1TH, U.K.

Wall, J.W., 19 Tisdale Road, Scarsdale, New York, NY 10583-5613, U.S.A.

Wallace, J.P., 50 Cherrybum Gardens, Fenham, Newcastle-upon-Tyne NE4 9UO,

U.K.

Walsh, J.F., 80 Arundel Road, Lytham St Annes, Lancs. FY8 1BN, U.K.

Margaret Koopman, Niven Library, Percy Fitzpatrick Institute, University of

Cape Town, Rondebosch, Western Cape 7701, South Africa

Royal Museum of Central Africa, Central Library, Leuvensesteenweg 13, 3080

Tervuren, Belgium

Librarian, Royal Ontario Museum, University of Toronto, 100 Queens Park,

Toronto ON, M5S 2C6, Canada

Ornithology Library, Peabody Museum of Natural History, Yale University, PO

Box 2081 18, New Haven, Connecticut 06520, U.S.A.

Smithsonian Institution Libraries, NHB 25 MRC 154, PO Box 37012, Washington,

DC 20013-7012, U.S.A.

University of Wisconsin, Memorial Library, Acquisition Serials Dept, 728 State

Street, Madison, WI 53706-1418, U.S.A.

Publication Processing Department, X ISI, 3501 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA

19104, U.S.A.

Tim Dodman

Treasurer and Membership Secretary

56

Society Notices

Malimbus 34

West African Ornithological Society

Socicte cTOrnithologie de EOuest Africain

Revenue Account for the year ended 31 December 2011

Notes

The surplus during 2011 was largely due to increased income from subscriptions

compared to 2010, which resulted from a campaign to contact members whose

subscription had lapsed. The combined balance increased by £1671 over the year, a

result of the 201 1 surplus of £1739 combined with a loss of £68 on the Euro balance

of 1 Jan 2010 due to a decrease in the relative value of the Euro from £0.8565 on 1

Jan 2011 to £0.8380 on 31 Dec 2011.

The sterling balance on 1 Jan 201 1 comprised £1499 in the bank and £5 in cash,

whilst the sterling balance on 31 Dec 201 1 comprised £2161 in the bank and £21 in

cash.

T. Dodman

I certify that I have verified the bank balances.

J.N. Rendall

Treasurer, Papa Westray Community Co-operative

Instructions to Authors

Malimbus publishes research articles, reviews and news about West African ornithology.

Papers and Short Notes must be original contributions; material published elsewhere, in

whole or in part, will not normally be accepted. Short Notes are articles not exceeding 1500

w ords (including references) or four printed pages in length. Wherever possible, manuscripts

should first have been critically scrutinised by at least one other ornithologist or biologist before

submission. Manuscripts will be sent for critical review to at least one relevant authority.

Items for News & Letters should not exceed 1 000 words.

Contributions are accepted in English or French; editorial assistance will be made available

to authors whose first language is not one of these. Submission by email (attached file) is

preferred. Consult the editor for further details, e.g. acceptable software.

All Papers (but not Short Notes) should include a Summary, not exceeding 5 % of the

paper's length. The Summary should include brief reference to major findings of the paper and

not simply review what was done. Summaries will be published in both English and French (or

in the official language of the country in which the work was done) and will be translated as

appropriate by the Editorial Board.

Format of tabular material, numbers, metric units, references, etc. should match recent issues.

Note particularly: authors' names should be listed with surname (family name) last, with given names

or initials preceding it (e.g. John A. Smith); dates are written 2 Feb 1990 but months standing alone

may be written in full; times of day are written 6h45, 17h32 and coordinates in the form 7°46'N,

16°4'E (no leading zeros); numbers up to ten are written in full, except when followed by abbrevi-

ated units (e.g. 6 m), numbers from I 1 upwards are written in figures except at the beginning of a

sentence. All references mentioned in the article, and only such, must be listed in the bibliography.

Avifaunal articles must contain a map or gazetteer, including all localities mentioned. They

should include brief notes on climate, topography, vegetation, and conditions or unusual events

prior to or during the study (e.g. late rains etc.). Species lists should include only significant infor-

mation; full lists are justified only for areas previously unstudied or unvisited for many years.

Otherwise, include only species for which the study provides new information on range, period

of residence, breeding etc. For each species, indicate range extensions, an assessment of abundance

(see Malimbus 17: 36) and dated breeding records; indicate migratory status and period of

residence only as shown by the study. Where appropriate, set data in context by brief comparison

with an authoritative regional checklist. Lengthy species lists may be in tabular form (e.g. Malimbus

25: 4-30, 24: 15-22, 23: 1-22, 1 : 22-28, or 1 : 49-54) or in the textual format of recent issues.

Taxonomic sequence and scientific names (and preferably also vernacular names) should follow

either Borrow & Denrey (2001, Birds of Western Africa , Christopher Helm, London, with names

as amended in Borrow & Demey 2004, Field Guide to the Birds of Western Africa , Christopher

Helm, London), or The Birds of Africa (Brown et at. 1982, Urban et al. 1986, 1997, Fry et al.

1988, Keith et al. 1992, Fry & Keith 2000, 2004, Academic Press, London), unless reasons for

departure from these authorities are stated. A more complete guide for authors of avifaunal papers,

including the preferred abundance scale, appeared in Malimbus 17: 35-39 and an augmented and

updated version of this may be found on the web site (http://malimbus.free.fr/instmale.htm). The

Editor will be happy to advise on the presentation of specific studies.

When designing Figures, and particularly font size, pay attention to Malimbus page shape

and size. Figures prepared in or scanned into an appropriate graphics package and saved at high

resolution are preferred. Low-resolution files and poor-quality printouts will not be accepted.

Authors are encouraged to submit photographs that illustrate salient points of their articles.

Photographs should preferably be in colour and at high resolution. Figures and photographs

should be supplied as graphics files (e.g. jpg or tif), and not pasted into a Word file. Consult the

Editor for further advice.

A pdf file of Papers and Short Notes, and one copy of the issue in which they appear, will be

sent to single or senior authors, gratis.

MALIMBUS 34(1) March 2012

Contents — Table des Matieres

Relative abundance, agonistic behaviour, and resource partitioning

among three scavenging bird species in Ghana.

N.N.D. Annorbah & L.H. Holbech

Successful second breeding of Black-headed Heron Arclea melanocephala

after persecution by humans in Waza-Logone, Cameroon.

P. Seholte & M. Barka

Le regime alimentaire du Martin-pecheur hupp e Alcedo cristata pendant

la periode de reproduction dans la region de Kinshasa (R.D. Congo).

R. Kisasa Kafutshi

Reponses du Martin-pecheur luippe Alcedo cristata

a la perturbation de ses sites de nidification.

R. Kisasa Kafutshi

Short Notes — Notes Courtes

Blue-billed Malimbe Malimbus nitens associating with crocodiles

outside the breeding season.

V. Dinets

Additions to the avifauna ofOmo Forest Reserve, SYV Nigeria.

S. Tonge

Blue-breasted Kingfisher Halcyon malimbica feeding at sea.

P.G. Ryan

Occurrence of two common forest bird species

in Amuruni Forest Reserve on the Jos Plateau, Nigeria.

T. C. Omotoriogun, G.T. Sengohol, M.C. Stevens & D.T.C. Cox

News & Letters — Nouvelles & Lettres

1-8

9-16

12-28

29-38

39-41

41-43

43-45

45-48

49-50

Society Notices

Informations de la Societe

51-56