Bulletin of the African Bird Club Vol 18 No 2 September 2011
Updates to the avifauna of Benin
Is Beesley’s Lark a species?
A summary of our knowledge of the Endangered Braun’s Bushshrike
Fourth Seychelles Bird Report
First photographs and sound-recordings of Black-tailed Cisticola
Demoiselle Cranes wintering in Ethiopia
Sooty Falcons in northern Cameroon
Status of Barn Swallow in Madagascar
First record of Greater Kestrel in western Africa
Three new birds for Seychelles
ISSN 1 352-481 XISSN 1352-481X
African Bird Club
The African Bird Club aims to:
• provide a worldwide focus for African ornithology
• encourage an interest in the conservation of the birds of the region
• liaise with and promote the work of existing regional societies
• publish a twice-yearly colour bulletin
• encourage observers to visit lesser known areas of the region
• encourage observers to actively search for globally threatened and near-threatened species
• run the ABC Conservation Programme
Registered Charity No 1053920
ABC Membership
Membership is open to all. Annual subscription rates are:
Individual Europe & Africa: UKf 18 Rest of the World: UKT20
Family Europe & Africa: UKT21 Rest of the World: UK£23
Student Europe & Africa: UKf 10 Rest of the World: UKf 12
Supporting UKf30 minimum Life UKf350
To join or for further details please visit the ABC website (where there are secure online payment facilities) or write to the Membership Secretary — see contact information below.
ABC Website
http://www.africanbirdclub.org
Photographers and artists
ABC is always looking for drawings and photos to publish in the Bulletin. If you are interested in contributing, please contact the Graphics Editor, Pete Leonard, pleonard@care4ftee.net
ABC particularly wishes to thank its Corporate Sponsors for their invaluable financial support in 2011: Access Africa Safaris, Ashanti African Tours, Avian Adventures, Avifauna, Ben’s Ecological Safaris, Bird Feeding Station, Birdfinders, Birding Africa, Birding and beyond Safaris, Birding Ecotours, Birdquest, Birdwatching Breaks, Calluna Books, Close Encounters, Field Guides, Greentours, Hyde-Lascelles, Lawson’s Birdwatching Tours, Limosa Holidays, MKA Ecology, Naturetrek, Ornitholidays, Rockjumper, Sarus Bird Tours, Sunbird, Turtle Bay Beach Club, WildSounds and Wildwings.
ABC Council
Phil Atkinson, Keith Betton (Chairman), John Caddick (Vice Chairman), Stephen Cameron, Clive Dickson, Chris Magin, Nigel Redman, Danae Sheehan, Sue Walsh (Secretary) and Alan Williams (T reasurer)
President: Tasso Leventis Vice President: Martin Woodcock
Bulletin Editorial Board
Chairman of the Board: Keith Betton Managing Editor: Guy Kirwan Assistant Editor: Ron Demey
David Allan, Chris Bowden, Callan Cohen, Lincoln Fishpool, Peter Lack, Pete Leonard (Graphics Editor), Jeremy Lindsell, Nigel Redman and Steph Tyler
Referees for Bull. ABC Vol.18
Jason Anderson, John Atkins, Phil Atkinson, Neil Baker, Rob Bijlsma, Nik Borrow, Stefan Brehme, Joost Brouwer, Brooks Childress, Nigel Collar, Adrian Craig, Ron Demey, Robert J. Dowsett, Framboise Dowsett-Lemaire, Lincoln Fishpool, Kees Hazevoet, Guy Kirwan, Peter Lack, Olivier Langrand, Pete Leonard, Michel Louette, Pete Morris, Michel Ottaviani, Vincent Parker, Nigel Redman, Peter Ryan, Roger Safford, Volker Salewski, Peter Steyn, Craig Symes, Jean-Marc Thiollay
Contact ABC
African Bird Club, do BirdLife International, Wellbrook Court, Girton Road, Cambridge CB3 ONA. E-mail:
• info@africanbirdclub.org • website: http://www.africanbirdclub.org Further information can be obtained directly from individual Council members by writing to them at the Club’s postal address, or by e-mail as follows:
Chairman Keith Betton • chairman@africanbirdclub.org Secretary Sue Walsh • secretary@africanbirdclub.org Treasurer Alan Williams • treasurer@africanbirdclub.org Bulletin Editor Guy Kirwan • editor@africanbirdclub.org Conservation Officer Chris Magin
• conservation@africanbirdclub.org
Information Officer Keith Betton • info@africanbirdclub.org Membership Secretary Clive Dickson
• membership@alricanbirdclub.org Representatives Coordinator Danae Sheehan
• reps@africanbirdclub.org Corporate Sponsors Officer Stephen Cameron
• corporatesponsors@africanbirdclub.org
The Bulletin of the African Bird Club
The Bulletin of the ABC provides a forum for news, letters, notices, recent publications, expedition results, reviews and interim publication of studies on African birds by contribu¬ tors from throughout the world. Publication of results in the Bulletin of the ABC does not preclude publication of final results as journal papers either by the ABC or elsewhere. No
material should, however, be submitted simultaneously to the Bulletin of the ABC and to any other publication.
Brief notes lor contributors appear elsewhere in this Bulletin and further details are available from the Editor (editor@ alricanbirdclub.org).
©201 1 Copyright African Bird Club and contributors. Quotations should carry a full acknowledgement. No part etc may be reproduced, copied or stored in a retrieval system without the prior written permission of the Club or authors.
Contents
Bull ABC Vol 18 No 2
THE NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM
3 0 AUG 2011
PURCHASED TRING LIBRARY
News & Comment
130 Club News
Compiled by Danae Sheehan
133 Conservation Fund News 138 Africa Round-up
Compiled by Ron Demey, Guy M. Kirivan and Peter Lack
147 Advertising information
226 Photospot: lago Sparrows
Passer iagoensis in the
mirror Ruben Barone and Guillermo Delgado
228 Recent Reports
Compiled by Ron Demey
244 Reviews
247 Obituaries
256 Notes for Contributors
Photographs
Maarten van den Akker, Jason Anderson, Ruben Barone, Keith Betton, Marijke de Boer, Nik Borrow, Sam Bostock, John Brodie-Good, Mike Buckland, Ralph Buij, Artur Bujanowicz, Callan Cohen (Birding Ajrica), Yirmed Demeke, Paul Donald, Robert J. Dowsett, Guy Esparon, Alain Fosse, Berihun Gebremedhin,
Agnes Giannotti, Jens Hering, David Hoddinott (Rockjumper Birding Tours), Jon Hornbuckle, K JolliJfe, Adam Kennedy, Jules Larue, Martim Melo, Johannes & Sharon Merz, Pete Morris, Aurelien Nahaboo, John Newby (Sahara Conservation Fund), Georges Olioso, Catherina Onezia, Dieter Oschadleus, Niall Perrins, Pierre Pistorius, Bruno Portier, Thomas Rabeil, Bruno Raveloson, Adam Riley (Rockjumper Birding Tours), Gerard Rocamora, Wes Serajin, Lionel Sineux, Adrian Skerrett, Guy-Philippe Sounguet, Dirk Stevens, Peter Steward, Michal Sur, Warwick Tarboton, Xana Teixeira, Steph Tyler, and Alexandre Vaz.
Front cover plate
African Pitta / Breve de l’Angola Pitta angolensis , Mushumbi Pools, Zimbabwe, December 2010 (Warwick Tarboton)
Features
148 The avifauna of Benin: additions and corrections
Robert J. Dowsett and Franco is e Dowsett-Lemaire
168 Notes on the structure and plumage of Beesley’s Lark
Chersomanes [albofasciata] beesleyi Paul F. Donald and Nigel J. Collar
174 The Endangered Braun’s Bushshrike Laniarius brauni:
a Summary Michael S. L. Mills, Martim Melo, Nik Borrow and Pedro vaz Pinto
182 Fourth report of the Seychelles Bird Records Committee
Adrian Skerrett, Michael Betts, John Bowler, Ian Bullock, David Fisher, Rob Lucking and John Phillips
193 Black-tailed Cisticola Cisticola melanurus in eastern Angola: behavioural notes and the first photographs and sound-recordings Michael S. L. Mills, Martim Melo and Alexandre Vaz
199 Discovery of a wintering site of Demoiselle Cranes
Anthropoides virgo in Kafta-Sheraro National Park, Ethiopia
Berilmn Gebremedhin and Yirmed Demeke
203 Largest-ever Red-headed Weaver Anaplectes rubriceps colony
H. Dieter Oschadleus and Dirk van Stuyvenberg
207 Status of Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica in
SOUth-west Madagascar Charlie J. Gardner and Louise D. Jasper
21 1 Sightings of Sooty Falcon Falco concolor in the far north of Cameroon Ralph Buij
215 An attack by a Hoopoe Upupa epops on a Guttural Toad
Amietophrynus gutturalis Gerrut Norval and Dirk Stevens
218 First breeding record for Little Bittern Ixobrychus minutus
in Libya Jens Hering and Elmar Fuchs
221 First record of Greater Kestrel Falco rupicoloides for Niger and western Africa Thomas Rabeil and Tim Wacher
223 First records for Seychelles of Alpine Swift
Tachymarptis melba, Desert Wheatear Oenanthe desertl and the genus Ficedula John and Viv Phillips
Bull ABC Vol 18 No 2 (2011) -129
Club News
ABC 2011 London meeting and AGM
On 16 April 2011, around 70 members and guests attended the ABC Annual Meeting at the Swedenborg Hall in central London, UK. The event included the Club’s 17th AGM.
After a brief opening address from ABC Chairman, Keith Betton, the meeting heard about BirdLife’s plans for Africa from Paul Kariuki Ndang’ang’a, who is the organisation’s Africa Species Programme Manager based in Nairobi, Kenya. This was an extra talk added on the day, as Paul happened to be in the UK for another conference.
The main programme then commenced with a presentation by James Bray on conserving the birds of coastal forests in Tanzania. As a recipient of funds from ABC’s Conservation Fund in 2008, he and several colleagues had studied these
forests which are a globally important hotspot for avian biodiversity but are potentially threatened by harvesting of East African Blackwood Dalbergia melanoxylon trees (Mpingo in Swahili). The team has written a report detailing the methods used and distribution and abundance of bird species within Mpingo forests around Kilwa, detailing the probable impacts of harvesting on Mpingo forest avifauna.
Danae Sheehan talked about her work at the Royal Society for the Protection for Birds (RSPB), which involves encouraging people to count birds in several African countries.
She explained that the Global Wild Bird Index (GWBI) project aims to develop a global Wild Bird Index that measures population trends of a representative suite of birds to act as a barometer of the general health of the environment. The project will work closely with the web-based WorldBirds, to additionally support
|
\ /VJ m |
|||
|
a |
l 1 |
||
|
0 |
II wM |
Speakers at the ABC London meeting and AGM, April 2011, from left to right: Paul Kariuki Ndang’ang’a, Tim Mackrill, Sarah Sanders, Danae Sheehan, Kabelo Senyatso, Tasso Leventis and James Bray (Keith Betton)
Conferenciers a l’Assemblee generate annuelle de l’ABC, Londres, avril 2011 ; de gauche a droite : Paul Kariuki Ndang’ang’a, Tim Mackrill, Sarah Sanders, Danae Sheehan, Kabelo Senyatso, Tasso Leventis et James Bray (Keith Betton)
the collation of data in the form of species lists and bird surveys. In collaboration with the BirdLife Africa Partnership secretariat, the GWBI project is currently supporting the development of new schemes in three African countries: Uganda, Rwanda and Botswana.
Kabelo Senyatso explained his studies on the conservation status of Kori Bustard A rdeotis kori across its entire African range. Formerly Director of BirdLife Botswana, he is currently studying at the University of East Anglia. His talk included a review of the species’ status across Africa, its response to land use designation, human movement patterns and habitat use.
Tim Mackrill outlined his own work on the migration and wintering behaviour of Ospreys Pandion haliaetus tracked from the UK to Africa. Based on studies at Rutland Water in the UK, Tim highlighted the challenges that Ospreys face when migrating, with young birds often heading too far west as they move south in autumn. In comparison, adults manage to learn better routes over time, and in particular this underlined the value of long-term satellite tracking.
Sarah Sanders, also of the RSPB, spoke about bird conservation challenges in the South Atlantic UK Overseas Territories. In particular she locused on Tristan da Cunha and especially the disaster just a month earlier when the MS Oliva ran aground on the far north-west promontory of Nightingale Island. Sarah described the operation to clean several thousand Rockhopper Penguins Eudyptes chrysocome that had become covered in the ship's cargo of oil (see also p. 1 4 1). The cost of the operation was substantial, so ABC decided to donate to the RSPB all of the money collected on the day of the AGM to help with the
130- Bull ABC Vol 18 No 2 (2011)
Club News
clean-up costs — doubling the total from its own funds to UK£ 1,250.
Finally, ABC’s President Tasso Leventis shared his photographs from several tours of the Obudu Plateau in Nigeria, which is an Important Bird Area covering 72,000 ha. Situated in the south-east of the country, close to the border with Cameroon, the area is wet and mountainous with a plateau at c. 1,500 m and peaks which rise to 1,700 m. Many habitats exist, including a large area of montane grassland crossed by numerous perennial mountain streams flowing through the valleys. Tasso managed to show the meeting over 200 photographs in 45 minutes, which is probably an ABC record!
Major milestones for African Bird Images and sound- recordings reached in April 2011
Two major milestones were reached in April 2011. The 2,000th species was loaded onto the African Bird Image Database (AFBID) of photographs (www.birdexplorers. com/afbid) and the 1,000th species onto Xeno-canto Africa (www.xeno- canto.org), the community database of shared bird sounds from Africa. These two databases represent a superb resource for all birders with an interest in African ornithology. We plan to maintain them as primary resources for African ornithology for many years to come.
AFBID was launched in August 2005 as a joint project between the African Bird Club, Bird Explorers (www.birdexplorers.com) and Birding Africa (www.birdingafrica. com). Since the launch, the database has been popular with photographers and over 700 have loaded more than 16,000 images taken in the African region. Many people use the database for help with identification or simply to browse the incredible variety of avian life in continental Africa and its related islands. A comprehensive range of search capabilities permits the user to find images of particular species and to view different species within countries. Special thanks go to Nik Borrow, Pete Leonard, Callan Cohen and Michael Mills for
Sudan
Guiror
Gulnerf
DR Congo
Angola
>tswa
' Spain
Weitefn
Sahara
Tuniila
EAA6; TOrkiye
Greece Tui
Turkmenistan
Mediterranean syria
Afghanis!
Ira<l Iran
Mauritania
Algeria
Mali Niger
Libya
Egypt Saudi
Arabia
Pak
Oman
Chad
Yemen .Gull of
South
Atlantic
Ocean
Somalia
Ara blan Sea
Map showing localities for African bird sound-recordings stored on www.xeno- canto.org/africa
Carte montrant les localites des enregistrements des vocalisations d’oiseaux africains deposes sur www.xeno-canto.org/africa
their ongoing help in this work, and also to Nik for adding an amazing 1,389 of his own images to the database. Birding Africa’s Callan Cohen, who provided the image for the 2,000th species, said “AFBID offers an unparalleled resource for ~rhe identification of African birds — a virtual museum for comparing species and subspecies across the continent.'’ Kevin Vang and Wojciech Dabrowka set up Bird Explorers as a non-profit organisation designed to promote bird and wildlife conservation though photography. Kevin said ‘‘Congratulations for the milestones. Those are great achievements, and it is great being in partnership with the ABC.”
Xeno-canto Africa was launched in March 2008 as a part of Xeno- canto (XC), the leading website for the storage and retrieval of bird songs and calls. The development is a joint initiative between Willem-Pier Vellinga and Bob Planque of XC and the African Bird Club. XC is supported long
term by the Netherlands Centre lor Biodiversity, Naturalis. The system has comprehensive features including powerful search and mapping capabilities, and a forum for the discussion of mystery songs. Sixty sound recordists in Africa have contributed nearly 3,000 recordings
Madagascar Blue Pigeon / Founingo bleu Alectroenas madamscariensis,
o
Anzojorobe, Madagascar, November 2010 (Callan Cohen / www. birdingafrica.com)
Club News
Bull ABC Vol 18 No 2 (2011) -131
representing more than 23 hours and over 1,000 species.
Willem-Pier Vellinga said “Xeno- canto is the place for bird sounds on the web and it now has recordings of over 7,300 species. Whether global professional or local amateur, anyone can share their recordings. XC organises the recordings and data in such a way that the combined global collections of all recordists become one collection easily accessible to the whole community. Based on its high use by scientists and birdwatchers, it is clearly a very valuable collection of recordings. Poor internet access in many parts of Africa has probably limited the growth of recordings from that continent and most of the uploads to XC Africa are performed by visitors and scientists when they return home. The rate at which new contributions are being made however seems to be increasing this year but there are still many opportunities to contribute to XC Africa, as can be seen on a map of recording distribution. You are invited to head out to less-visited areas and chart their bird sounds!”
Contributed by John Caddick
Slaty Egret Workshop in Maun
BirdLife Botswana organised and hosted an international workshop on the Slaty Egret Egretta vinaceigula in March 2011, held at the Thamalakane River Lodge near Maun, overlooking the Thamalakane River at the southern edge of the Okavango Delta. The workshop
was co-organised by the African Eurasian Waterbird Agreement (AEWA) and its aim was to initiate the development of a Single Species Action Plan for the Slaty Egret.
This egret is globally threatened (Vulnerable) because it has a small population, estimated at 3,000-5,000 birds, and occurs in a limited area of central / southern Africa, with Botswana, Namibia and Zambia holding the bulk of the population. Small numbers are resident in or visitors to Zimbabwe, South Africa, Angola and Mozambique, and the species might also be present in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Delegates from the AEWA Secretariat, from BirdLife International’s Kenya office and from governments and NGOs in most range states attended the workshop. Research priorities and threats to the species were discussed at length as were the actions needed to halt any declines.
A highlight was a field trip into Moremi Game Reserve, where 13 Slaty Egrets, including immatures and adults in breeding plumage, were seen. The field trip not only enabled all delegates to observe the species but also to see the problems associated with studying it, such as the difficulty in gaining access to heronries because of flooding, the vast size of the Okavango Delta and the limited number of vehicle tracks, not to mention the presence of dangerous mammals and crocodiles.
Contributed by Steph Tyler
Dale Hanmer— a tribute
1 was in Botswana in late February 201 1 preparing for the Slaty Egret Workshop when I heard from Julia Cecil, Dale Hanmer’s daughter, that her mother had sadly died on
2 March. Anyone who has birded in Malawi or Zimbabwe will have known of Dale and her monumental ringing studies in both countries.
She was a prolific writer of papers on a range of subjects, notably moult and biometrics, based on
her ringing work. She published widely in journals such as Scopus and Honeyguide, and also contributed to several Pan-African Ornithological Congresses.
After many years living in the Lower Shire Valley, she moved to Mutare in the Eastern Highlands of Zimbabwe. She continued ringing in Zimbabwe at wonderful sites such as Vumba Botanic Gardens where she studied sunbirds. In May 2003 she received a small grant from the ABC Conservation Fund to study the altitudinal migration of robins.
She only left Zimbabwe two years ago and had settled in a small bungalow in Suffolk where she intended to write up more of her work. Sadly this was not to be. She will, however, be long remembered for all her ornithological studies, as well as for being a remarkable woman. For a detailed obituary, see p. 247.
Contributed by Steph Tyler
ABC AGM 2012
Next year’s ABC Annual Meeting and AGM will be held on Saturday 21 April at the headquarters of the British Trust for Ornithology, The Nunnery, Thetford, Norfolk, IP24 2PU. As usual there will be a range of illustrated talks covering topics connected with bird conservation in Africa. Books, CDs and other items will be on sale. Full details will be published in early 2012. Check the ABC website for further details.
Participants at the Slaty Egret Workshop in Maun, Botswana, March 2011 (Steph Tyler)
Participants a l’atelier sur l’Aigrette vineuse a Maun, Botswana, mars 201 1 (Steph Tyler)
132 -Bull ABC Vol 18 No 2 (2011)
Club News
^ African Bird Club Conservation Fund
The ABC Conservation Awards have recently attracted several generous new sponsors, significantly boosting the number of grants possible. In large part this has been due to the efforts of the ABC Conservation Committee, who volunteer their services to review and comment on proposals, and provide Council with considered recommendations as to which merit funding. This ensures that sponsors can be confident that their donations support good- quality research projects with achievable aims. I would like to thank outgoing Conservation Committee member, Hazell Thompson, former Head of the African Secretariat of BirdLife International, for his many valuable contributions over the years.
New Awards
Detecting changes in the habitat and status of Hinde’s Babbler
At a recent Council meeting, UKT940 was awarded for a study of the globally Vulnerable Hinde’s Babbler Turdoides hindei , by Phil Shaw of St. Andrew’s University and Peter Njoroge of the National Museums of Kenya. In 2000-01 a systematic survey was conducted at six of the seven sites known to support populations of this Kenyan endemic. The survey provided estimates of the species’ global population and range, its rate of decline, and revealed a positive, non-linear relationship between thicket cover, babbler density and breeding success. This suggested that even a moderate increase in thicket cover might substantially improve the species’ density and productivity at some sites. Hinde’s Babbler densities were highest at two unprotected Important Bird Areas (IBAs), the Mukurweini and Kianyaga Valleys, where intensive cultivation threatened the species’ remaining habitat. During the intervening decade an IBA support group has helped to raise local awareness of the species’ threatened status and habitat requirements. Nonetheless, since 2004 the Kenya IBA monitoring programme has recorded a ‘large deterioration’ in habitat quality at Mukurweini and Kianyaga, and at a third IBA important for the species, Machakos Valleys. The 2000-01 survey was designed to be easily
repeatable. The current project aims to re-survey these three sites in July 2011, to determine the extent of any change in the species’ habitat, density and breeding success over the intervening 10-1 1 years. This will provide a reliable, detailed assessment of population and habitat trends; enable the update of an existing draft action plan for Hinde’s Babbler; and provide NatureKenya. with an up-to-date summary, which could help raise national awareness of the species’ global status. The project has also received part funding from the British Ornithologists’ Union, and the generous sponsorship of the ABC award by Olle Holst of Avifauna permitted the study to go ahead.
Avifaunal survey of the Lake Kenyatta ecosystem
Maurice Ogoma of the National Museums of Kenya was awarded UKT999.85 for avifaunal surveys of the ornithologically little-known Lake Kenyatta in the Lamu District of Kenya, 230 km north of Malindi. The lake and its subcatchment currently face myriad problems including degradation through forest encroachment, overgrazing during drought, excessive agricultural fertiliser application, over¬ fishing and human-wildlife conflicts. There have been no previous biodiversity surveys of the Lake Kenyatta ecosystem. To effectively ‘market the lake and its environs for ‘avian' tourism, information on the status of its avifauna is a key priority. The survey will produce the first- ever bird checklist of the area, record other taxa and provide baseline data for future research. In addition, the project will assess current threats to the site, and train at least two community guides in basic bird identification techniques. ABC is most grateful to Paul Bristow and Tasso Leventis, who jointly sponsored this award.
Population survey and threat assessment of Williams’s Lark in northern Kenya
An award of UK£1,090, made to Solomon Kipkoech of the National Museums of Kenya, was jointly sponsored by Paul Lascelles (Hyde- Lascelles) and Stephen Pringle. Williams’s Lark Mirafra williamsi is classified as Data Deficient by BirdLife International and is endemic to
ABC Conservation Fund
Bull ABC Vol 18 No 2 (2011) -133
f African Bird Club Conservation Fund
Williams’s Lark / Alouette de Williams Mirafra williamsi (David Hoddinott / Rockjumper Birding Tours)
Red-shouldered Vanga / Calicalic a epaules rousses Calicalicus rufocarpalis (Solohery Rasamison)
rocky lava deserts of northern Kenya. These deserts are unique habitats, represented in Kenya by Dida Galgalu Desert (north of Marsabit) and parts of Shaba National Reserve, which two sites are the sole localities for Williams’s Lark. The project will aim to determine the species’ local densities in Dida Galgalu Desert (a rarely visited IBA), assess potential threats to the species and its unique habitat, and estimate the global population size by also using results from a recent survey of Shaba National Reserve undertaken by Solomon. The Conservation Committee was so enthused by this proposal that several members expressed their desire to join the expedition!
Population estimate of Red-shouldered Vanga in south-west Madagascar
Red-shouldered Vanga Calicalicus rufocarpalis was discovered as recently as 1997, and is known only from a very small area of spiny forest in south-west Madagascar around Saint-Augustin, the Menarandra River and Tsimanampesotse National Park. The aims of the project — submitted by Malagasy researcher Sama Zefania — are: (i) to assess the species’ potential range between the Onilahy and Menarandra rivers; (ii) assess population densities in different habitats and hence determine the most important areas for the species; (iii) train local people, including protected area staff, in surveying the species, and (iv) disseminate knowledge about the species to Madagascar National Parks and tourists agencies. Council awarded UKT991
to the project, which was jointly funded by donations from Paul Bristow and Stephen Pringle.
Environmental education in Malawi
An award of UK£ 1,496 was made to the Zomba branch of the Wildlife and Environmental Societv
J
of Malawi (WESM) to undertake environmental education in several hundreds of school wildlife clubs in and around the Ramsar site of Lake Chilwa. For some years this work had been supported by funding from DANIDA. The ABC funding will provide a further six-months’ salary for a Wildlife Club Coordinator working in Phalombe District, in the Lake Chilwa basin, enabling him to disseminate a recently published Bird Activity Book. This is intended to take the children out of the classroom and involve them in activities that will increase their interest and knowledge of birds, and consequently give them a greater sense of the need to conserve creatures that are mainly considered as sport or food.
Survey of Karamoja Apalis in eastern Uganda
An award of UKT540, generously sponsored by Paul Lascelles (Elyde-Lascelles), was made to Atoz/rcUganda. During a bird population monitoring survey in early 2011 of the Iriri region of eastern Uganda, r.70 km west of Moroto, a AfozzzzrUganda team recorded six individuals of the globally Vulnerable and range- restricted Karamoja Apalis Apalis karamojae in
134 -Bull ABC Vol 18 No 2 (2011)
ABC Conservation Fund
^ African Bird Club Conservation Fund
Karamoja Apalis / Apalis du Karamoja Apalis karamojae (Adam Riley / Rockjumper Birding Tours)
dwarf Acacia drepanolobium scrub. The few previous Ugandan records of this species involved specimens taken on Mounts Moroto and Napak, and sight records from Kidepo Valley National Park, most recently in 1998. These observations may represent an extension of the species’ range, if the sightings were not simply due to local seasonal movements. The project aims to conduct a much more extensive survey of the Iriri region to confirm the status and distribution of the apalis there.
Reports
Status and viability of Lilian’s Lovebird in Malawi
At the June 2010 Council meeting an award of UKT960 was approved for a study of the Near Threatened Lilian’s Lovebird Agapornis lilianae by Tiwonge Mzumara -'(see Bull. ABC 18: 4). This study aimed to assess the current status of the lovebird in Liwonde National Park and also to investigate the hunting activities of communities around the park. Data collection was conducted in May-July 2010 and in late September-mid December 2010. The four main data collection methods were transect walks, drive transects, waterhole counts and point counts. These methods were used at three main bases (Chinguni, Mvuu and Mpwapwata) to ensure even coverage of the park. In total, 17 transect walks, five waterhole counts and five drive transects were completed. Overall, 2,113
lovebirds were recorded with the largest numbers in Mvuu-Sanctuary and Mpwapwata, especially along Lake Malombe. The lowest numbers were recorded in the Chinguni area. Lovebirds are widely distributed throughout the park, with sightings from Namisundu River northwards.
Lilian’s Lovebirds were mainly observed foraging on seeds of Acacia xanthophlea and fruits of Capparis tomentosa in the south and centre of the park. In the north, however, in addition to these two species, they also fed on the petals, sepals and immature fruits of Adamsonia digitata and the fruits of some Ficus spp. Lovebirds were also recorded feeding on seeds of herbs and grasses on the ground. Three roost sites were identified, one in the south, one in the Rhino Sanctuary and another between Masanje and Mvuu. A minimum of four nest cavities was found at each site, and sites are probably breeding sites as birds used the same holes until mid February. Head bobbing by males, which forms part of the species’ courtship behaviour, was first recorded in November.
During this study only one poisoned waterhole was found, probably because of the increased patrols introduced by the park’s management. Poacher activity, however, was still evident during transects. Only two of the communities questioned admitted hunting in the park, but the remainder mentioned hunting in other areas. A few households admitted hunting other parrots too. Hunting in the park is a seasonal event, which occurs mainly in the dry season. However, it also occurs in nearby agricultural fields throughout the year. Communities set traps for the lovebirds in their gardens as they view the birds as a pest. The use of poison was only mentioned during focus group discussions. Most respondents mentioned traps and 'bird rubbering’ as the main hunting methods.
In conclusion, there appears to be a viable population of lovebirds in the park. They are directly targeted in fields outside the park and it is important to understand what proportion of the population leaves the park to forage in planted fields. This will determine the percentage of the population at risk from hunting and where.
ABC Conservation Fund
Bull ABC Vol 18 No 2 (2011) -135
f African Bird Club Conservation Fund
Aberdare Cisticola / Cisticole des Aberdare Cisticola aberdare (David Hoddinott / Rockjumper Birding Tours)
Ecology and conservation status of Aberdare Cisticola in Aberdares National Park, Kenya
This project was undertaken by Philista Malaki of the National Museums of Kenya in 2010 (see Bull. ABC 17: 149). Aberdare Cisticola Cisticola aberdare is classified as Endangered and is endemic to central Kenya, where it is locally common in suitable habitat on both sides of the Rift Valley, at Molo, Mau Narok and in the Aberdare Mountains. The survey, which was conducted in mid-March 2011, involved a series of transects in the central moorlands of Aberdares National Park. It confirmed the presence of reasonable numbers of Aberdare Cisticola in suitable habitat. A total of 137 individuals (10% of them young) was counted within an area of 33.6 ha, yielding an estimated density of four birds / ha. Aberdare Cisticolas were recorded in reasonable numbers throughout
all parts of Aberdares National Park visited, except for Kiandongoro and Mutubio Gates. Philista’s observations clearly confirmed that Aberdares National Park continues to provide suitable habitat for the species. As a result, management of its preferred habitat is required to prevent bushes and shrubs naturally encroaching grasslands.
The field visit was well timed as it coincided with the onset of the rains and the birds’ breeding season. During the survey, Aberdare Cisticola was recorded at five breeding stages: displaying, nest building, incubation, feeding young (at the nest), and feeding dependent fledged young out of the nest.
To better understand the ecology and conservation requirements of Aberdare Cisticola, further field studies are needed concentrating on its breeding biology including dispersal and nesting success. Given the importance of tussock grassland and moors to this species, the ecological impacts of invasive weeds, fires and grazing by herbivores also require study, to permit active habitat management for the species.
Dr Chris Magin, on behalf of the Conservation Committee
Conservation Awards milestone
The ABC website (www.africanbirdclub.org/ club/consfund_projects.html) shows the complete list of Conservation Awards made since the inception of the programme over a decade ago. A remarkable total in excess of UK£ 100,000 has been donated during this period. You can also view many of the final project reports on this page.
136 -Bull ABC Vol 18 No 2 (2011)
ABC Conservation Fund
POSTfMl Wildlife y-J -JBS*.
Uly VJ y' V/ y ill
REED AND BUSH WARBLERS
Reed and Bush Warblers
□ Hardback J265-0O £48.79
Jewel Hunter
□ Softback £6999 £14.39
Birds of the Horn of Africa
Nigel Redman , John Fanshawe & Terry Stevenson Helm Field Guide to the birds of Ethiopia, Eritrea, Djibouti, Somalia and Socotra.
□ Softback £2999 £22.69
Where to Watch birds in Ethiopia
Spottiswoode, Gabremichael & Francis A comprehensive site guide to the 50 best birding sites.
□ Softback £6999 £14.59
Birds of Africa south of the Sahara
Ian Sinclair & Peter Ryan
Second edition, including 500 new images
and 400 updated distribution maps.
Unrivalled coverage of African birds in a single volume - the only book to describe the birds of Socotra, Pemba and the islands in the Gulf of Guinea.
□ Softback £29-99 £24.99
Sounds of Zambian Wildlife Bob Stjernstedt
An MP3 DVD featuring the sounds of 574 Zambian birds, 20 Zambian mammals & 32 frogs.
□ .££2-99 £1 9.99 (£16.66)
Birds of the
lorn of Africa
Biggest Twitch: around the world in 4000 birds - Alan Davies & Ruth Miller The story of how Ruth & Alan decided to pack in their jobs, sell their house and take on the ultimate birder's challenge - to smash the world record for the number of species seen in one calendar year.
□ Softback ££$-99 £9.99
Till I SOI MK HIHIfS Of MUIV.tM \U
III. I. M HEI.I) <
Field Guide Birds of Ghana
Nik Borrow & Ron Demey A compact and up-to-date field guide that uses illustrations from the acclaimed Field Guide to the Birds of Western Africa, with new text and maps specific to Ghana.
□ Softback £2999 £23.39
Als# available
Facing Extinction
□ Hardback £46-00 £35.99
Birds of the Middle East (2nd Ed.)
□ Softback £29-99 £23.99 Safari Sketchbook
□ Hardback £45-00 £39.99
The Endemic Birds of Madagascar - Guy Eldridge 4 DVD set featuring 1 30 Malagasy endemic species.
□ ■£62-99 £39.99 (£33.33)
Bird Sounds of Madagascar - F Hawkins & R Ran ft
The essential audio guide for birding in Madagascar, covering recordings of 127 species - mostly endemics.
□ £4-2-23 £7.99 (£6.99)
Birds of Madagascar - P Morris & F Hawkins A comprehensive photo guide. 500 colour photos, several colour plates and numerous maps.
□ 4229-99 £24.99
Mammals of Madagascar: A complete guide - Nick Garbutt
Detailed & authoritative. Illustrated by colour photos and line drawings, covering all 123 mammal species found on the island.
□ £24-99 £22.99
African Bird Sounds (Vols 1 & 2)
Claude Chappuis & The British Library Out of a total of 1 550 regular species in the area,
1 466 are presented (95% of the total) on 1 5 CDs.
□ Vo I 1&2 42989-90 £165.99 (£138.33)
□ Vo I 1 (North West Africa & Canary Islands) £63. 90 £59.99 £49.99)
□ Vo I 2 (West & Central Africa - south to Zaire) £133. fO £1 24.99 (£1 04. 1 6)
Other itvyst buys
Bats of Britain, Europe & North-west Africa (Dietz et al) . Hardback
Field Guide to Birds of Gambia & Senegal (Barlow et al) ....Softback
Bird Song of Kenya & Tanzania (Hammick) . CD
Sasol Birds of Southern Africa (Sinclair et al) . Softback
Birds of Southern Africa on DVD (Gibbon) . 3 DVD set
Southern African Bird Sounds (Gibbon) . 6 CD set
. 6 cassette set
|
£46-90 |
£35.99 |
|
|
£24-99 |
£19.99 |
|
|
£46-99 |
£11.99 |
(£9.99) |
|
£6999 |
£16.99 |
|
|
£44-99 |
£54.99 |
(£45.83) |
|
£44-99 |
£63.99 |
(£53.33) |
|
£6999 |
£43.99 |
(£36.66) |
Every sale helps the African Bird Club
WildSounds : Birdlife International Species Champion for the Spoon-billed Sandpiper. Whilst the little chap alongside is not normally found in Africa, we think you'll agree that saving his species is vitally important, which is why - in addition to the support we give to the African Bird Club - WildSounds is proud to support the Spoon-billed Sandpiper.
WildSounds,
m
Dept. ABC Cross Street Salthouse, Norfolk NR25 7XH United Kingdom
Call (UK) +44 (0)1263 741100
www.wildsounds.com/abc
Payment by cheque, postal order or credit card. POSTFREE only within the UK.
Prices in brackets indicate the price outside the European Union. For terms & conditions, please visit our web-site: www.wildsounds.com
shop
Africa Round-up
Compiled by Ron Demey, Guy M. Kirwan and Peter Lack
General
Category changes of threatened birds 2011
The latest update to the IUCN Red List for birds, released by BirdLife International in June 2011, brings the total number of globally threatened bird species to 1,253, an alarming 12% of the world total.
Of the 67 category changes, seven resulted from a genuine change in the status of species, 34 were a result of improved knowledge and 26 resulted from taxonomic revisions (either recently published or recently evaluated / re-evaluated by BirdLife). In the region covered by the African Bird Club, the category of 13 species changed.
Two raptors that were previously Least Concern are now threatened: Hooded Vulture Necrosyrtes monachus is Endangered, whilst Secretarybird Sagittarius serpentarius is Vulnerable. The newly recognised Socotra Buzzard Buteo socotraensis joins the list as Vulnerable (see Bull. ABC 17: 156-157). The situation of three species of Gulf of Guinea pigeon deteriorated: Sao Tome Olive Pigeon Columba thomensis is now Endangered (previously Vulnerable), Sao Tome Green Pigeon Treron sanctithomae Vulnerable and Sao Tome Bronze-naped Pigeon Columba malherbii Near Threatened (both previously Least Concern).
The recently split Principe Thrush Turdus xanthorhynchus (see below) is already considered to be Critically Endangered. Six species, on the other hand, have been classified at lower threat levels: Lesser Kestrel Falco naumanni is now Least Concern (previously Vulnerable), Rufous Fishing Owl Scotopelia ussheri is Vulnerable and Fuerteventura Stonechat Saxicola dacotiae Near Threatened (both previously Endangered). Three species of
Atlantic Island pigeon have benefited from conservation measures on their behalves: Madeira Pigeon Columba trocaz and Dark-tailed Laurel Pigeon C. bollii become Least Concern (both previously Near Threatened), whilst White-tailed Pigeon C. junoniae changes from Endangered to Near Threatened.
Source: www. birdlife.org! action! science! species/ 'global_species_programme!
whats_new.html
African biofuels a con?
African biofuels destined for Europe will result in up to six times the carbon emissions of fossil fuels, a new study has revealed. The report, commissioned by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB; BirdLife in the UK), Action Aid and Nature Kenya (the country’s BirdLife Partner), focuses on the Dakatcha Woodlands in Kenya which are set to be replaced by jatropha plantations (see Bull. ABC 18: 11). Campaigners say the results of the study make a mockery ol claims that biofuels represent a renewable alternative to fossil fuels. Dakatcha is one of the last remaining coastal forests in Kenya and is home to thousands
Southern Banded Snake Eagle / Circaete barre Circaetus fasciolatus (Adam Riley / Rockjumper Birding Tours)
of indigenous tribes' people who will be made homeless if the plans go ahead, as well as a range of threatened wildlife. Dr Helen Byron, RSPB’s Kenya expert, said: "The Dakatcha Woodlands are a haven for wildlife and the threat they face is a direct result of European demand for biofuels. No government has done a proper assessment of biofuels imported from overseas to see if they will, in fact, reduce our carbon emissions — so we decided to do it for them. We were shocked to discover that the biofuel produced from the proposed plantations at Dakatcha will result in up to six times more carbon emissions than fossil fuels.'' Taking into account the emissions produced throughout the production process, the study found that jatropha would emit 2. 5-6.0 times more greenhouse gases than fossil fuels. Much of the biofuel produced in Dakatcha is destined for Europe because of new EU targets. The Renewable Energy Directive requires 10% of transport to be renewable by 2020 and most member states plan to meet this almost entirely through biofuels, which is likely to result in a doubling of biofuel use in Europe by 2020. A recently commissioned study has demonstrated that extra biofuels will increase greenhouse gas emissions by at least 8 1 % and perhaps as much as 167%. Dakatcha is a global biodiversity hotspot and home to several globally threatened birds including Fischer's Turaco Tauraco fischeri, Southern Banded Snake- Eagle Circaetus fasciolatus , Sokoke Scops Owl Otus ireneae and Sokoke Pipit Anthus sokokensis. In particular, Clarke’s Weaver Ploceus golandi occurs at only two sites on Earth and is threatened with extinction if the plantation goes ahead.
Sources: BirdLife International press release, March 201 1;
World Birdwatch 33(1), p. 5
138 -Bull ABC Vol 18 No 2 (2011)
Africa Round-up
Wintering and migration strategies of a Black Kite revealed by satellite telemetry
An adult male Black Kite that bred in Germany was studied over a period of two years (June 2007-June 2009) using GPS satellite telemetry. Departure on migration was hesitant in both years, picking up speed only in late August when the bird was in southern Germany. However, if the time spent resting in central Germany after leaving the breeding territory is ignored, this Black Kite covered the distance on autumn migration more rapidly (234 km / day and 236 km / day, in 2007 and 2008, respectively) than on its return in spring (215 km / day in spring 2008 vs. 191 km / day in spring 2009). On 30 March it covered the longest recorded daily flight of 663 km, with the highest recorded mean flight speed in the course of a single hour being 89 km over Morocco.
The bird reached its wintering area, which in both 2007 and 2008 encompassed a rather large part of West Africa, on 1 5 September in both years. It divided its wintering into three zones, which it visited consecutively and which were c. 1,075 and 780 km apart, respectively.
The size of these zones was 54,430— 88,403 km2, 39,752-48,188 km2 and 7,955-16,339 km2, respectively. The male seldom used the same nocturnal roost on two consecutive nights and the mean distance between consecutive night roosts was 31-42
Black Kite / Milan noir Milvus migrans (Georges Olioso)
km. In the boreal winter of 2007 /
08 the kite covered at least 14,000 km within its wintering area, and the authors of the study assumed that prevailing climatic conditions were responsible for movements between the three areas.
Source: Population Ecol. Raptors & Owls 6, pp. 243—
284; www.raptor-research.de/ pdfs/ a _sp 1 00p/a_sp 1 52_PGE-06-243- 284 -Meyb u rg-Sch warzmila n.pdf
The Lesser Spotted Eagle’s migrations
A pair of Lesser Spotted Eagles Aquila pomarina in Germany was fitted with satellite transmitters, which recorded four autumn and two spring migrations in their entirety.
The pair, which travelled separately, wintered in Zambia (the male), and Zimbabwe, South Africa and Mozambique (the female), c.9,350 and 1 1,350 km distant from the nesting territory, respectively. The length of time spent on migration varied between 52 and 1 1 9 days (mean 81 days). For both birds autumn migration was longer (74-1 19 days) than spring migration (52-64 days), with the fastest speeds being achieved while crossing the Sahara. For both birds, the greatest daily distance flown was 521 km over northern Sudan, with cross¬ country speeds reaching a maximum 66.8 km/h.
Source: Population Ecol. Raptors & Owls 6, pp. 63-85; www. raptor-research, del pdfs/a_splOOp/a__spl 50_PGE-06-063- 085 -Meyb u rg-Schreiad ler.pdf
Great Snipe is the fastest migratory bird
Great Snipe Gallinago media could well be the fastest bird on Earth over long distances. After following the migration south from Sweden to central Africa of three birds equipped with geolocators — tiny tracking devices weighing just 1.1 g — Swedish scientist Raymond Klaassen and his colleagues lound that one bird flew 4,619 km non-stop in just two days at an astonishing mean speed of 96 km / h. The second bird flew 6,169 km in three days, and the third 6,800
km in 3.5 days. “We know of no other animal that travels this rapidly over such a long distance”, write the authors in their report. What is also unusual is that the migration route takes the snipes over habitats that would be perfect stopovers, where they could rest and refuel, but they don’t make use of these.
The study thus demonstrates that some migratory birds are prepared to accept extreme costs of strenuous exercise and large fuel loads, even when stopover sites are available and there is little tailwind assistance.
Source : Biol. Lett. 25 May 2011, dov.10. 1098/rsbl.201 1. 0343
Drongo uses both its own and other species’ alarm calls to steal food
Tom Flower of the Zoology Department in Cambridge, UK, has shown that wild Fork-tailed Drongos Dicrurus adsimilis make both drongo- specific alarm-calls and mimic the alarm-calls of a target species when watching the latter with food that the drongo wants. The result is that the targets abandon the food enabling the drongo to steal it. Flower found that the calls are indistinguishable (structurally) from the ‘correct’ calls, and via playback experiments was able to show that at least Meerkats Suricata suricatta and Pied Babblers
>
Fork-tailed Drongo / Drongo brillant Dicrurus adsimilis (Warwick Tarboton)
Africa Round-up
Bull ABC Vol 18 No 2 (2011) - 139
Turdoides bicolor were deceived by both.
Source: Proc. Roy. Soc. Lond. B 278,
pp. 1548-1 555
North Africa ‘New’ wolf
As long ago as 1880 Thomas Huxley commented that members of the Egyptian form of Golden Jackal Can is aureus lupaster looked suspiciously like Grey Wolves C. lupus. The same observation was made by several 20th century biologists studying skulls. Now, a new study, involving scientists from the University of Oslo, Oxford University’s Wildlife Conservation Research Unit and Addis Ababa University, has uncovered genetic evidence that unambiguously places the Egyptian jackals within the Grey Wolf species complex. It is not a jackal, but a wolf. Dr Eli Rueness, the first author of the paper, states that “We could hardly believe our own eyes when we found wolf DNA that did not match anything in GenBank.” It transpires that the colonisation of Africa by the ancestral stock of Grey Wolves took place c. 3 million years ago and is today embodied by the animal hitherto called the Egyptian jackal. Prof. Claudio Sillero added “Ethiopian Wolves C. simensis split off from the Grey Wolf complex even earlier than the newly discovered African wolf.” The team also found genetically very similar specimens 2,500 km from Egypt, in the highlands of Ethiopia. Golden Jackals are regarded by the IUCN as Least Concern, but the newly discovered African Wolf may be much rarer. Certainly, it is a priority for both conservation and science to discover its whereabouts and numbers. Prof. David Macdonald, an author of the paper, remarked that “A wolf in Africa is not only important conservation news, but raises fascinating biological questions about how the new African Wolf evolved and lived alongside not only the real Golden Jackals but also the vanishingly rare Ethiopian Wolf, which is a very different species with
which the new discovery should not
J
be confused.”
Source: httpdhoww. wildlifeextra. com / go/news/ egyptian-wolf.html#cr
Proposed World Heritage Site in Egypt threatened by development
The Amer Group, the Egyptian real estate developer responsible for the massive Porto Marina and Porto Sokhna tourism developments on Egypt’s coasts, plans to build Porto Fayoum on 263 ha in the Lake Qarun Protected area near Fayoum Oasis. This is the first development of such proportions to be permitted in an Egyptian protected area. This and other tourism developments planned for a 1 0-km stretch of the northern part of Lake Qarun will undoubtedly wreak untold damage to a pristine desert area, which contains one of the world’s most complete fossil records of terrestrial primates and marshland mammals, and remains critical to our understanding of mammalian evolution. In 2010 excavations revealed the complete fossil remains of a prehistoric whale new to science. The area has been listed as a proposed UNESCO World Heritage Site, not only for its priceless fossil deposits, but also its prehistoric and archaeological treasures, including Pharaonic tombs and quarries, and the world’s most ancient paved road.
Nature Conservation Egypt (NCE) considers that the tourism development will negatively impact birds and their habitats at Lake Qarun, which is an Important Bird Area (I BA). Through the Jensen Foundation, BirdLife supported NCE to establish a Site Support Group (SSG) to protect the site as well as generate incomes sustainably. Egypt’s official Tourism Development Authority (TDA) has participated in numerous studies highlighting Lake Qarun’s importance for ecotourism, yet it has approved the project to promote more conventional tourism at the lake, despite opposition from officials at the Ministry of State for Environmental Affairs responsible lor managing Egypt’s protected areas. NCE is calling for the area to be declared Egypt's first UNESCO
Geopark to attract tourists, create jobs and as a step towards making the area a World Heritage Site. Through its SSG network in Egypt, NEC hopes that the ‘Friends of Lake Qarun’ SSG will also participate in the project recently funded by the US Embassy’s Democracy Grants Programme. For more information concerning the proposed development contact info@ncegypt. org (Nature Conservation Egypt).
Source: BirdLife International press release, May 201 1
Kurrichane Buttonquail / Turnix d’Andalousie Turnix sylvaticus (Adam Kennedy)
Status of Kurrichane Buttonquail
A recent review of the history, status and distribution of the nominate race of Kurrichane Buttonquail Turnix sylvaticus in the Western Palearctic contains a valuable update to our knowledge of the species’ status in Morocco. The article features a number of photographs of both the birds and the buttonquail’s habitat in the Doukkala region of north-west Morocco.
Source: Dutch Birding 33, pp. 75-93
Ashy-headed Wagtail breeding in south-west Morocco
Arnoud van den Berg has described the recent surprise discovery of a breeding population of Ashy-headed Wagtails Motacilla flava cinereocapilla in south-west Morocco, e.g. around Oued Massa, which has been documented with both photographs and sound-recordings. The nearest known breeding areas for this taxon are on Sardinia and Sicily, and there
J '
140 -Bull ABC Vol 18 No 2 (2011)
Afi'ica Round-up
are very few previous records of it in Morocco, but Spanish Wagtail M. f. iberiae does breed in Morocco, and van den Berg found evidence of hybridisation between cinereocapilla and iberiae.
Source: Dutch Birding 33, pp. 117-121
Bruce’s Green Pigeon / Colombar waalia Treron waalia (Jason Anderson)
First Bruce’s Green Pigeon in Egypt
A Bruce’s Green Pigeon Treron waalia , photographed at Luxor in early January 2011, provides the % latest addition to the Egyptian bird list, and is also the first record for the Western Palearctic.
Source: Dutch Birding 33, pp.
121-122
Atlantic Ocean Islands
Azores Bullfinch should be downlisted
Currently listed as Critically Endangered, Azores Bullfinch Pyrrhula murina is endemic to the island of Sao Miguel in the Azores, and is considered to have an extremely small and declining population. In order to carry out a complete assessment of the species’ conservation status, Ricardo Ceia et al. attempted to calculate its population trend based on annual monitoring data from the period 1991-2008, as well as the species’ current population and range size. Contrary to previous inferences, Azores Bullfinch appears to be no
longer decreasing, although the quality of its laurel forest habitat continues to decline due to the persistent threat of invasive species.
Its population is currently estimated at 1,064 ± 304 individuals and the species’ range size variously at 144 km2 (extent of occurrence) and 83 km2 (area of occupancy) respectively. As result, the authors of the study have proposed that Azores Bullfinch be downlisted to Endangered.
Source: Bird Conserv. Intern. doi:10. 1017/S095927091 1000025
Canary Islands Stonechat population higher than previously thought
During a comprehensive survey of Canary Islands Stonechat Saxicola dacotiae, undertaken in 2005-06,
490 adult individuals were recorded. The birds preferred high, steep terrain, although the lower and flatter areas that comprise most of Fuerteventura were also occupied, albeit at lower densities. The extrapolated estimate considered most reliable arrives at a total population of c. 14,000 individuals, which is much higher than previous estimates. Discrepancies appear to be due to different methodologies used and the lack of sampling in extensive areas of low bird density, although a genuine increase in population during the last three decades cannot be excluded.
Source: Ardeola 57, pp. 387-405
Scavenging raptors in the Cape Verde Islands are in trouble
* A study on the Cape Verde Islands by Sabine Hille and Nigel Collar has found that scavenging raptors (two kites and a vulture) have experienced steeper declines and more local extinctions than non-scavengers (Osprey Pandion baliaetus and two falcons), with the partial scavenger (a buzzard) midway between the two groups. Specific causes of the declines have been identified to include incidental poisoning, direct persecution and declines in the availability of carcasses and other detritus. These findings, which highlight specifically the conservation importance of the island of Santo
Antao, indicate the priority that needs to be accorded to scavengers, and this general principle can be applied to many other places in both Europe and Africa. In Europe at least many insular populations are reaching unsustainable levels.
Source: Oryx 45, pp. 217-224
Recent surveys source of some optimism for Northern Rockhopper Penguin...
Approximately 80% of the world population of the globally Endangered Northern Rockhopper Penguin Eudyptes moseleyi breed at Tristan da Cunha and Gough Island, where its populations appeared to be declining. In 2009, all four islands in the Tristan da Cunha group (Tristan, Inaccessible, Nightingale and Middle) were surveyed, with estimated breeding totals as follows: Tristan 6,700 pairs, Inaccessible 54,000 pairs, Nightingale 25,000 pairs and 83,000 pairs on Middle Island. The counts confirm that Tristan da Cunha holds over 65% of the world population and suggest that numbers have been relatively stable for 30 years.
Source: Bird Conserv. Intern. dov.10. 1017/S095927091 1000013
...but then disaster struck!
In late March 201 1 a cargo vessel, the MS Oliva , became wrecked on Nightingale Island, threatening the ecosystem, not only through leaking fuel, but also the risk of any rats on the vessel colonising the island. Oil quickly surrounded Nightingale and extended into a slick several kilometres offshore from the wreck, and hundreds of oiled Northern Rockhopper Penguins Eudyptes moseleyi were soon coming ashore. The Tristan Conservation Department rapidly deployed nine people and placed baited rodent traps onshore in the vicinity of the grounded bulk carrier, while a salvage tug was rapidly despatched from Cape Town. By the end of April, there was still no evidence of rat infestation and the clean-up operation on the island's beaches, as well as of some affected areas on Middle and Alex islands, was
Africa Round-up
Bull ABC Vol 18 No 2 (2011) -141
in full swing, although many parts of the coasts of these islands, and the shoreline of Inaccessible Island, had not yet been visited. It was feared that at least 10,000 penguins might have been affected, with several thousand individuals having been treated, many successfully, on neighbouring Tristan da Cunha. However, the full impact of the spill on the population will not become apparent until the birds return to their breeding islands in August.
At the time of writing, in late May, there were still hundreds of penguins being cleaned and rehabilitated. For updates visit the Tristan Association website: www.tristandc.com/ newsmsoliva.php.
Sources: BirdLife International press releases, March and April 2011; www. tristandc. com! newsmsoliva.php
West and Central Africa
A Black Guillemot off Senegal
Four French observers recorded what was apparently Africa’s first Black Guillemot Cepphus grylle off Cap Vert, near Dakar, Senegal, in mid- October 2008. Unfortunately, the description of this unprecedented observation (the southernmost ever of the species) is somewhat basic, and no photographs were obtained, although the bird was seen ten times over a two-day period. The same observers also recorded the seventh Franklin’s Gull Larus pipixcan and third Laughing Gull L. atricilla in Senegal (erroneously stated to be the second).
Source: Dutch Birding 33, pp. 43—44
Black-necked Grebe new to The Gambia
A record of a Black-necked Grebe Podiceps nigricollis, photographed at Kotu Sewage Farm, Kombo, St. Mary Division in coastal Gambia, in November 1989, has only recently come to light. The record, of an adult in winter plumage, is documented in the latest issue of Malimbus and constitutes the first and only known observation to date of this species in The Gambia.
Source: Malimbus 33, pp. 55-57
New threat to Dwarf Olive Ibis
Reports from BirdLife Species Guardians on Sao Tome, in the Gulf of Guinea, indicate that hunting is increasing and includes the Critically Endangered Dwarf Olive Ibis Bostrychia bocagei. A group of hunters on Monte Carmo were found with more than 90 Sao Tome Green Pigeons Treron sanctithomae and at least one Dwarf Olive Ibis on 26 April 2011. The hunters had gained access through estate land under an Agripalma concession to foreign and Sao Tome investors, and intended for oil palm plantations.
The Agripalma concession lies adjacent to the Monte Carmo forests of Obo Natural Park and overlaps with the natural park's buffer zone. BirdLife has previously expressed concerns that the development of the oil palm plantation would have significant adverse impacts on forest biodiversity. Among the many impacts cited was an increased threat of hunting of threatened species owing to clearance of secondary forest that would lower bushmeat availability to local people.
“We are extremely worried that the increasing hunting pressure and habitat destruction may already be driving the Dwarf Olive Ibis closer to extinction than ever before,” said Dr Julius Arinaitwe, the BirdLife Regional Director. “One likely approach to reducing the hunting pressure could be promoting access to cheaper alternative sources of animal protein hand-in-hand with making the local people realise other values of the species, including ecotourism benefits.”
Source: BirdLife International press release, May 201 1
Avifauna of the Lesio-Louna and Lefini Reserves, Republic of Congo, summarised
In a recent paper, Tony King summarises all known information concerning the birds of the Lesio- Louna and Lefini Reserves, two sites on the Bateke Plateau in Congo- Brazzaville. The plateau is an area of rolling savanna and forest patches extending from south-east Gabon
into Congo-Kinshasa and harbours a uniquely diverse avifauna. The total number of species known from the two reserves now stands at 317, including 74 Guineo-Congolian and five Zambezian biome species. This reinforces the categorisation of the Bateke Plateau as the northern limit of the Guinea-Congolian / Zambezian transition zone.
One subspecies is new to Congo- Brazzaville: the intra-African migrant Pygmy Kingfisher Ceyx pictus natalensis, which occurs sympatrically with a resident subspecies.
Source: Malimbus 33, pp. 1—41
House Sparrow reaches Burundi
Having been reported for the first time from Rwanda in 2008, the House Sparrow Passer domesticus has now reached neighbouring Burundi. In 2009, the species was found at three sites: in a village in the Rusizi plains, north-east Burundi (three pairs), at Mpanda, Bubanza Province (one pair), and at Bujumbura (c.10 individuals).
Source: Malimbus 33, pp. 57-58
Should Swierstra’s Francolin be uplisted to Endangered?
Michael Mills and his colleagues have highlighted the importance of Mount Moco to bird conservation, especially within the context of Afromontane forests.' Of the 64 endemic / near¬ endemic taxa associated with the highlands of western Angola, all of the 19 forest-dependent taxa are known from Mount Moco. However, Swierstra’s Francolin Pternistis swierstrai is the only threatened endemic. During a visit in 2009, ten of 30 forest patches at Mount Moco lamer than 0.3 ha were surveved. The
O J
species was found in seven of these patches, leading the team to estimate a minimum of 75 pairs of Swierstra’s Francolin on Mount Moco, and therefore 185-420 pairs globally. Based on these results, the authors of the survey recommend that the francolin be uplisted from Vulnerable to Endangered. Furthermore, remaining forest cover on Moco is being eroded by bush fires, removal ol wood for construction material and clearance for subsistence
142 -Bull ABC Vol 18 No 2 (2011)
Africa Round-up
agriculture. To preserve the forest, Mills et al. have proposed the implementation of a well-defined protected area. For more information on Mount Moco see Bull. ABC 17:
18, and www.mountmoco.org.
Source: Bird Conserv. Intern. 21,
pp. 119-133
Some Black Storks need stopover places in Europe and the Sahara
D. Chevalier and colleagues from the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) in France used satellite tracking ol Black Storks Ciconia nigra to discover their use of stopover sites on migration from the breeding grounds in Western Europe to wintering areas in West Africa, and during their return in the northern spring. Some individuals do not stop at all while others use up to five places. Most such stopover sites were in-Spain, but several were in Morocco and Mauretania, and most were quite close to protected areas. However, individuals were not consistent either as to whether or where they stopped, necessitating a network of potentially suitable sites.
A separate paper by Frederic Jiguet v and colleagues, also from the CNRS, has modelled the West African wintering range of the species based on its ecological requirements, which
Black Stork / Cigogne noire Ciconia nigra (Warwick Tarboton)
data can be used for conservation planning on the species’ behalf.
Source: J. Ornithol. 152, pp. 1-13;
111-118
East Africa
Serengeti Highway
In 2010, Tanzania’s government announced extremely controversial plans for a 53-km commercial highway to run east to west through the Serengeti, Tanzania’s oldest national park and a UNESCO World Heritage site. The announcement caused worldwide concern, with catastrophic consequences forecast such as a collapse of the world’s last terrestrial mass migration (ol Blue Wildebeest Connochaetes taurinus ), as well as its supported ecosystems.
An obvious solution and only viable option as seen by many of the world’s scientists is for a new route bypassing the Serengeti altogether. A bypass proposal could now be included in the World Bank’s Country Assistance Strategy (CAS). With the project in the lending pipeline, the World Bank is willing to work with the government of Tanzania on an alternative southern route. NABU International (BirdEife Partner in Germany) supports an anti-poaching project in the northern extension of the Serengeti, Kenya’s Maasai Mara, and is also an official partner in a new film, Serengeti. The Vice President of NABU, Thomas Tennhardt, welcomed the news. “This solution would not only spare the Serengeti, ‘but benefit a far greater number of rural people in a densely populated area adjacent to the Serengeti by connecting them to commercial centres and road networks.’’ The alternative southern route should avoid the Serengeti, as well as the land of the last 400 Hadza, Africa’s last true hunter-gatherers. NABU also supports an online petition requesting the Tanzanian government to bypass the Serengeti, which can be signed at https://www.change.org/ petitions/justice-for-tanzania-means- no-serengeti-highway. Just before we went to press, it was announced
that the Tanzanian government had decided to withdraw its original proposal.
Source: BirdLife International press releases, February 2011 and July 2011
Grauer’s Swamp Warbler mist- netted at Kibira National Park, Burundi
The Endangered Grauer’s Swamp Warbler Bradypterus graueri is restricted to swamps in Burundi, Rwanda and eastern Congo- Brazzaville. Recently, a bird was mist-netted at a swamp in Kibira National Park, Burundi, known as Mwokora, during field work as part of the BirdLife International / MacArthur Foundation project ‘Implementing and monitoring an Adaptive Management Framework for Climate Change in the Albertine Rift’ implemented locally by ABO (BirdLife partner in Burundi). The bird was caught on 25 January 2011, and ABO staff estimated the local population to be 30 singing individuals. In 1984 the entire Burundi population was estimated at just ten pairs. The species currently faces many threats as its habitat is under pressure from the surrounding community harvesting raw materials for mats or for thatching.
At other suitable swamps in the park, agriculture is now seriously jeopardising habitat for the species. Urgent conservation measures — targeting valley swamps — are needed.
Source: BirdLife International press release, February 201 1
Last chance to prevent Africa’s first recorded bird extinction?
Liben Lark Heteromirafa sidamoensis , with a population of possibly fewer than 100 birds, has been widely tipped to become mainland Africa’s first recorded bird extinction, unless urgent action is taken to prevent its demise (see Bull. ABC 17: 155). Classified as Critically Endangered, the lark has now been thrown a lifeline thanks to funds raised by the British Birdwatching Fair held at Rutland Water in August’2010. The organisers Martin Davies and Tim Appleton presented
Africa Round-up
Bull ABC Vol 18 No 2 (2011) -143
a UK£242,000 cheque to Dr Marco Lambertini, BirdLife International's Chief Executive at a special reception hosted by His Excellency Berhanu Kebede, Ethiopia’s UK Ambassador, at the Ethiopian Embassy in London. The funds will be used by the Ethiopian Wildlife and Natural History Society, the BirdLife Partner in country, to work with local communities to reduce the impact of over-grazing by livestock and prevent conversion of the land to arable farming. Helping the grasslands recover will benefit both the lark and the pastoralists living there. Martin Davies said: “Ethiopia has a remarkable natural heritage and is hugely rich in species found nowhere else in the world.
Over 840 species of bird have been recorded in Ethiopia, 17 of which are unique to this country and 29 others nearly so. Unfortunately, this wonderful wildlife is under increasing threat and we hope that the proceeds from this year’s event will help the Ethiopian Wildlife and Natural History Society and BirdLife International to take the urgent steps needed to secure the future of this country’s unique birds.’’ Ethiopia’s UK Ambassador, His Excellency Berhanu Kebede, said: “Ethiopia’s biodiversity resources are under critical threat. Growing human and livestock populations pose the single most serious problem, resulting in deforestation, overgrazing, soil erosion, and desertification. To reverse the situation, the government of Ethiopia has promulgated laws and put in place the appropriate institutions. Significant achievements have been made in restoring the fauna and flora of the country; hence the percentage of land covered by forests has grown from three to nine per cent within five years.” Among other species set to benefit from the Birdfair’s proceeds are Prince Ruspoli’s Turaco Tauraco ruspolii (see Bull. ABC 18: 11), Ethiopian Bush Crow Zavattariornis stresemanni and White-tailed Swallow Hirundo megaensis.
Source: BirdLife International press release, March 2011
Soda ash plant to go ahead despite opposition
Tanzania’s National Development Corporation (NDC) in partnership with Tata Chemicals of India is to proceed with its multi-million dollar soda ash plant at the fragile Ramsar site of Lake Natron despite opposition from conservationists. Since 2007 green activists have been campaigning to stop Tanzania’s plan, which they say threatens East Africa’s only significant breeding site for Lesser Flamingos Phoeniconaias minor , thereby putting at risk 75% of the global population. Cyril Chami, the Minister for Industry and Trade, has said that plans to construct the factory are at an advanced stage, but the government was still waiting for the feasibility study, but that if necessary the government will seek an alternative to ensure the factory is built. President Jakaya Kikwete is also arguing that the plant will boost the economy. He claimed that experience from elsewhere shows that excavation can be done without harming the ecosystem. “What matters is the application of environmental-friendly technology to avoid disrupting flamingo breeding sites. Sometimes I doubt whether those who are opposing the plant are really patriotic, because it seems as if they are agents of some people we don’t know,” he said. However, President Kikwete wants the NDC to build the factory away from the lake to avoid the noise and pollution that could disturb the birds’ breeding grounds, and use pipes to tap the soda ash and transport it to the plant. In contrast, Arpakwa O’LeSikorei a wildlife and community conservation specialist who has worked on several projects around Lake Natron since 2009 warns that any attempt to build a soda ash plant will cause the flamingos to abandon the area. Tanzania could learn lessons from the Kenyan experience. “Soda ash mining has been going on at Lake Magadi for over 100 years and flamingos have not attempted to breed there over the last 50 years” said Mr Paul Matiku, the Executive Director of NatureYZnyz. “Soda ash
mining at Lake Magadi has left local communities disillusioned with little to show for the 100 years of mining. The environment has been damaged and fresh water nearly depleted He said that in 2003, scores of local Maasai were injured by police as they protested against a controversial land lease renewal in favour of Magadi Soda Company.
Sources: httpd/wwiv. theeastafrican. co. kelbusinessl-12 560/11 49964/ -/
bttvmczJ-Hndex.html; BirdLife International press release, April 2011
Eucalypt plantations are not all bad
The original forest of the East Usambaras has been much reduced by human activities, in some cases by replacing indigenous trees with introduced Eucalyptus plantations. Jasson John and Jonathan Kabigumila of Dar-es-Salaam University examined bird populations in both natural forest and plantations using timed species counts. From 240 counts, 63 forest species were recorded in natural areas and 4 1 in eucalyptus plantations, with four forest species found exclusively in plantations. There was some seasonal variation, but overall the study revealed that if the plantations were managed responsibly, in particular by retaining some undergrowth and some isolated forest trees, then eucalyptus plantations are not all bad news.
Source: Ostrich 82, pp. 27-37
Indian Ocean Islands
Trucks and timber seized after Asity Madagascar intervenes
In a joint operation with police, local communities and forestry officials, Asity Madagascar (the country’s BirdLife partner) has struck a blow against illegal loggers in the Tsitongambarika forest Important Bird Area in the far south-east of the island. Several trucks loaded with rosewood logs were seized. Evidence of the extent of illegal logging was provided by local communities, with whom Asity Madagascar has been working to develop sustainable
144 -Bull ABC Vol 18 No 2 (2011)
Africa Round-up
forest use. Asity Madagascar has trained local people to monitor the state of the forest, and provides incentives such as investment in developments chosen by the villagers (e.g., schools or improved water supplies) and goods such as fertilisers, when monitoring (independently verified) demonstrates successful forest conservation. More than 800 rosewood planks and 100 logs were recovered during the operation.
Asity Madagascar praised the prompt action, which followed a series of workshops organised by BirdLife to increase awareness of the social, economic and environmental damage caused by illegal logging. Tsitongambarika is the largest remaining area of lowland rainforest in southern Madagascar, and home to many avian endemics, several of which are globally threatened. After years of work by Asity Madagascar, Tsitongambarika has been granted temporary protected status, which is expected to become permanent within the next two years. “The success of this action demonstrates that, given appropriate support and incentives that enable them to see themselves as joint beneficiaries of protected areas, local communities can be highly effective in working with conservation organisations and government authorities to police violations of environmental law”, remarked Dr Roger Safford, Senior Programme Manager at BirdLife International.
Source: BirdLife International press release, April 2011
Relationships in Pterodroma petrels obscured
The enigmatic relationships between petrels from Round Island, near Mauritius, and their closest relatives were investigated by Ruth Brown and co-workers using evidence from mtDNA sequence data and ectoparasites. Their results reveal that the most common species on the island, Trindade Petrel Pterodroma arminjoniana , appears to be hybridising with two rarer species, Herald Petrel P. heraldica and Kermadec Petrel P. neglecm. Herald and Kermadec Petrels breed
sympatrically in the Pacific Ocean, where Trindade Petrel is absent, but no record of hybridisation between these two exists and they remain phenotypically distinct. The breakdown of species boundaries in Round Island petrels followed deforestation and changes in species composition due to hunting within their overlapping ranges. The authors of the study state that such multi¬ species interactions have implications not only for conservation, but also for our understanding of the processes of evolutionary diversification and speciation.
Source: PLoS ONE 10.1371/journal, pone. 0020350, 31 May 2011
Southern Africa
Logging halted at Mutulanganga IBA
Following a long campaign, commercial logging in Mutulanganga Important Bird Area (IBA) in Zambia has ceased through community pressure with the help of the Zambian Ornithological Society (ZOS; the BirdLife partner). Mutulanganga IBA is a Local Forest Reserve in southern Zambia with a sizeable area of mopane woodland. The forest protects the headwaters of the Mutulanganga, Bendele and Lusitu rivers, which flow into the Zambezi, and in so doing acts as protection from the severe impacts of flash floods and gully erosion on agricultural land and surrounding villages. The IBA was designated on
African Pitta / Breve de l’Angola Pitta angolensis (Warwick Tarboton)
the basis of its globally threatened and biome-restricted species.
Among birds found there are African Pitta Pitta angolensis , Barred Long-tailed Cuckoo Cercococcyx montanus , Western Banded Snake Eagle Circaetus cinerascens , Crested Guineafowl Guttera pucherani, Purple-crested Turaco Tauraco porphyreolophus, African Broadbill Smithornis capensis and Livingstone’s Flycatcher Erythrocercus livingstonei. It is also an important area for large mammals. In April 2010 the Fly Dragon Wood and Lumber Company was awarded a timber logging concession in Mutulanganga IBA on condition that the Environmental Project Brief (EPB) was approved. The company submitted an EPB to the Environmental Council of Zambia (ECZ), and ZOS, who has been implementing a community-based ecotourism and biodiversity conservation project in the region, immediately lodged an objection. A full Environmental Impact Assessment was eventually ordered, which was rejected by the Environmental Council in mid- January 2011, with the result that the lumber company has been prevented from logging Mutulanganga, although the option remains to them to lodge an appeal in the high court. Fortunately, this is both costly and considered to be otherwise unlikely because of the very strong case mounted by the ZOS.
Source: World Birdwatch 33, p. 2
Threatened warbler does well in ‘transformed’ habitat
The threatened Knysna Warbler Bradypterus sylvaticus has declined sharply on the Cape Peninsula over the last 20 years and is becoming confined to, but is surviving; verv well in, narrow belts of suburban riverine woodland, rather than the remaining natural forested patches. James Pryke and colleagues from Stellenbosch University examined potential food supplies in both habitats and found that, although there was a greater overall abundance of potential prey in the suburban areas, the preferred prey was equally common in both.
Africa Round-up
Bull ABC Vol 18 No 2 (2011) -145
Hence reduced food supply is nor the cause of the species abandoning natural forest patches. This represents an unusual case of a localised and threatened bird species faring better under transformed conditions than in natural habitats.
Source: Afr. J. Ecol. 49, pp 199-208
Taxonomic proposals
A new species of rail in Madagascar
In the light of two new specimens, Steve Goodman and his colleagues examined morphological and molecular genetic differentiation in the forest-dwelling Madagascar Wood Rail Mentocrex ( Canirallus ) kioloides complex of Madagascar.
Two subspecies are generally recognised: M. k. kioloides, which occurs in the island s humid central and eastern forests; and M. k. berliozi, which occurs in the transitional dry deciduous humid forests of the north-west. The new specimens, from a limestone karstic area in the lowlands (below r.300 m) of the central west, exhibit notably different size and plumage coloration, as well as being genetically divergent, from either subspecies of M. kioloides. As a result, Goodman et al. have named Tsingy Wood Rail Mentocrex beankaensis as a species new to science restricted to the Bemaraha and Beanka massifs. The species’ unusual vernacular name is taken from the Malagasy word for the rock pinnacles that characterise its range.
Source: Zootaxa 2776, pp. 49-60
Streaked Scrub Warbler is not a cisticolid
Streaked Scrub Warbler Scotocerca inquieta, which inhabits arid areas of North Africa to western Asia, has long been thought to be closely related to the cisticolid warblers. However, Per Alstrom and his colleagues analysed two mitochondrial and four nuclear genes from this species, and found that Streaked Scrub Warbler is sister to the mainly Asian Cettiidae (bush warblers, tesias, etc.). Superficial morphological similarity to cisticolid
Streaked Scrub Warbler / Dromoique vif-argent Scotocerca inquieta
(Jon Hornbuckle)
warblers has previously clouded the species true relationships. Detailed morphology, such as facial bristles and claw and footpad structure, also supports a closer relationship to Cettiidae and some other non- cisticolid warblers.
Source: Ibis 1 53, pp. 87-97
More than one species of Tiny Greenbul?
Tiny Greenbul Phyllastrephus debilis is the only bird species within the Eastern Arc Mountains / coastal forest mosaic known to be polytypic across an altitudinal gradient: P. d. albigula (which has a green head) is found in the Usambara and Nguru Mountains, whereas P. d. rabai (grey-headed) occurs in Tanzanian lowland and foothill forests. Using a combination of morphological and genetic data, Jerome Fuchs and his colleagues aimed to establish if this pattern of morphological differentiation is the result of disruptive selection along an altitudinal gradient or a consequence of secondary contact following population expansion of two differentiated lineages. They found significant biometric differences between lowland rabai and montane albigula in Tanzania, which are coupled with discrete differences in underparts coloration, and that lowland and montane birds form two distinct genetic lineages, with only limited gene flow at three mid¬ altitude localities. The extent of this
introgression appears to be limited and is probably a consequence of the recent expansion of rabai further inland. As a result, the Fuchs team has recommended that albigula be elevated to species rank.
Source: BMC Evol. Biol. doi:10. 1186/1471-2148-11-117
The black boubous of coastal East Africa
Don Turner and his colleagues have drawn attention to an interesting taxonomic and nomenclatural problem represented by the all¬ black boubous (. Laniarius spp.) of coastal East Africa, in Kenya and southern Somalia. These birds have traditionally been viewed as black morphs of Tropical Boubou L. aetbiopicus sublacteus and L. a. erlangeri. However, recent sound- recordings and observations of these birds by Brian Finch and Nigel Hunter have suggested that these all-black populations are vocally and behaviourally distinct from other populations of Tropical Boubou, and therefore merit taxonomic reinterpretation, especially using genetic methods. The authors also point out, if these black boubous are deemed worthy of separate taxonomic status, then the name L. nigerrimus would have priority, because their describer, Reichenow, named the all-black population in the Tana Delta thus, whilst the all¬ black birds in southern Somalia were originally named by the same author L. erlangeri. The typical black-and- white boubous in the latter region were also named by Reichenow, in this case L. aetbiopicus somaliensis. Source: Bull. Br. Ornithol. Cl. 131,
pp. 125-128
‘Gulf of Guinea Thrush’ is two species
The relationships of the thrushes on Sao Tome and Principe (in the Gulf of Guinea) are uncertain, although they are usually considered to represent separate races of the same species Turdus olivaceofuscus. Most recently, Martim Melo (now at the Percy Fitzpatrick Institute in Cape Town) and several colleagues
146 -Bull ABC Vol 18 No 2 (2011)
Africa Round-up
Gulf of Guinea Thrush / Merle de Sao Tome Turdus o. olivaceofuscus (Adam Riley / Rockjumper Birding Tours)
have studied the Principe form more extensively than previously, including its song and calls, as well as trapping some individuals to acquire samples for genetic analyses. They found that the birds on the two islands differ substantially in size, bill shape and several plumage characters, whilst the Principe form has one call type not previously noted from any Turdus species. The authors conclude that the two forms are independent lineages (almost certainly from African Thrush T. olivaceus ) and should therefore be considered
separate species: T. olivaceofuscus for the form on Sao Tome and T. xanthorhynchus for that on Principe. They also note that the Principe taxon is very rare and restricted to the most inaccessible parts of the island (see also p. 138).
Source: J. Zool. 282, pp. 120-129
Internet resources
Moroccan birds
Anyone interested in the birds of Morocco should consult http:// moroccanbirds.webs.com. The site contains links to PDFs of peer- reviewed papers, popular articles and unpublished reports, and also to blogs containing a wealth of photographs. It also includes a bibliography on the interesting Smir wetland, in northern Morocco, which is presently being destroyed.
Birds of Fuerteventura
A new blog on birds from the Canary Islands, dedicated entirely to the birds of Fuerteventura can be found at http://fuerteventurabirds.blogspot. com/
Contributed by Ruben Barone Tosco
Zoological Bibliography
Zoological Bibliography or Opera Zoologica is a new quarterly journal that can be downloaded free. The first issue was published in November 2010, and the most recent, No. 3, in May 2011. The journal features articles reporting on investigations into the bibliography of zoology chiefly relating to the dating of publications and to authorship, and is dedicated to two pioneers in this field, Charles Davies Sherborn (1861-1942) and Charles Wallace Richmond (1868-1932).
Contributed by Edward Dickinson
The birds of Libya
A book in English on the birds of Libya with an annotated checklist is in active preparation. Ornithologists are invited to send their unpublished records to Paul Isenmann, CEFE/CNRS, 1919 route de Mende, F-34293 Montpellier Cedex 3, France; e-mail: paul.isenmann@cefe.cnrs. ft; or Jens Hering, Wolkenburger Strafie 11, D-09212 Limbach- Oberfrohna, Germany; e-mail: jenshering.vso-bibliothek@t- online.de
|
Advertise in the Bulletin of the ABC |
|
|
Reach over 1,200 subscribers in more than 60 countries. Advertisements should be submitted as high-resolution PDF, Quark or InDesign files, preferably by e-mail to the Advertising Officer - advertising@africanbirdclub.org. All advertisements must be prepaid: cheques made payable to the African Bird Club or payment made via the ABC website www.africanbirdclub.org. |
Copy deadlines March Bulletin 15 January August Bulletin 15 June 1 Rates and technical details are available on the ABC web site at: www.africanbirdclub.org/club/advertise.html |
Africa Round-up
Bull ABC Vol 18 No 2 (2011) -147
The avifauna of Benin: additions and corrections
Robert J. Dowsett and Franc oise Dowsett-Lemaire
L’avifaune du Benin : additions et corrections. Depuis la publication de la liste des oiseaux du Benin par Dowsett (1993), 38 especes ont ete ajoutees a l’avifaune du pays dans diverses publications. Cet article presente 74 especes de plus nouvelles pour le pays et confirme le statut de quelques autres incluses par Dowsett (1993), mais pour lesquelles il manquait une localite ou des details convaincants. Par la meme occasion, nous rejetons 28 especes qui nous paraissent improbables ou mal identifies, et presentons une liste de 28 autres especes dont la presence au Benin est probable mais necessite confirmation — en particulier, les especes notees dans un pare trans-frontalier mais sans preciser de quel cote de la frontiere elies ont ete vues, et d’autres pour lesquelles nous manquons de details convaincants. Nous acceptons maintenant un total de 342 especes pour le pays.
Summary. Since the list of the birds of Benin was published by Dowsett (1993), 58 species have been added to the country’s avifauna in various publications. This paper presents another 74 species that are new and confirms some others included in Dowsett (1993) but which lacked a locality or supporting details. We also discuss 28 species that we believe have been claimed erroneously, and we list 28 that we consider require confirmation — in particular species listed from a transfrontier park, but not clearly credited to Benin, and others for which convincing details are not available. We now accept a total of 542 species for
Benin.
Benin (formerly Dahomey) has received little attention in the ornithological literature, and the only annotated list purporting to include all bird species known from the country is that by Dowsett (1993). Since then, a number of species have been added to the national list, in a series of articles (summarised below), but many remain undocumented. Some 20 species were added during a visit by us of six weeks (in Januarv- February 2009) to the transition zone forests of the south, with a few days further north in the Foret Classee de Ouari Maro, near Beterou, and two weeks (February 2010) in the two northern national parks, Pendjari and W’. Among resident birdwatchers, mention must be made in particular of P. M. Claffey who lived in the Beterou area (Borgou Province) in 1987-99, and visited Cotonou for a total of ten months in 2001-02. Several observers will be continuing field work in the country, making it premature to discuss in detail species' distributions. This paper is an initial attempt to bring the Benin list up to date.
Three publications deal with two transfrontier national parks, Pendjari-Arly and W’ du Niger (e.g. Green & Sayer 1979, Crisler et al. 2003, Balan^a et al. 2007), but it is not clear which species are recorded from the Benin side. As regards the Pendjari, we do not know which species in the list presented by Delvingt et al. (1989) were observed by those authors, or were
merely repeated from Green & Sayer (1979). The list for Arly-Pendjari in Balanga et al. (2007) includes records from an unpublished report (Grell et al. 2005: G. Balanca pers. comm.), but there are a number of improbable species there for which we have been unable to obtain details. Many of the species accepted for Benin by Dowsett (1993) on the basis of Green & Sayer (1979) have since been confirmed, and those that have not are listed below in a section on species requiring confirmation:
We exclude mention here of species mapped in the standard literature as apparently occurring in Benin (e.g. Borrow & Demey 2001, 2004, Fry & Keith 2004 and earlier volumes), if no locality has appeared in print, or anonymous reports (e.g. in Dodman & Taylor 1996 and others of the series). We have taken into account all published records we know of, and any not referred to here should be assumed to be unaccepted.
Initials of observers: B. Boedts (BB), R. A. Cheke (RAC), P. M. Claffey (PMC), M. Cocker (MC), C. de Vaan (CdV), R. J. Dowsett (RJD), F. Dowsett-Lemaire (FDL), S. Feys (SF), A. Fosse (AF), A. Giannotti (AG), A. A. Green (AAG), J. Gonin (JG), J. Goossens (JGoo), M. Langeveld (ML), J. & S. Merz (J&SM), W. Plomp (WP), B. Portier (BP), I. van Woersem (IvW) and J. F. Walsh (JFW). Observations by FDL and RJD together are designated by pers. obs. All
148 -Bull ABC Vol 18 No 2 (2011)
The avifauna of Benin: additions and corrections: Dowsett & Dowsett-Lemaire
photographs mentioned have been examined by us, and are archived in the Tauraco databases (to be deposited eventually at the Edward Grey Institute, University of Oxford). Copies of tape-recordings by FDL have been deposited at the British Library in London. Some of these observations have appeared in Bull. ABCs Recent Reports.
Additions to the avifauna of Benin
The following list includes 74 species (indicated by +) which are additions to the Benin list in Dowsett (1993), plus a few that were accepted there, but which require comment.
Great Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo (+)
In February 2003, AG had good views of one on the Niger near Karimama, alongside the much smaller Long-tailed Cormorant P. africanus. She obtained an acceptable photograph.
Black Heron Egretta ardesiaca (+)
Records in the north include three on the Niger River between the Mekrou and Sota outfalls, on 1 December 1987 (JFW), and one towards Mekrou Tounga, Monsey district, on 22 February 2009 (AG). Regularly seen in the south, observations which ruled out the possibility of misidentified dark-phase Western Reef ^ Egrets E. gidaris including a maximum of 90 at Lac Nokoue, on 17 February 2010 (BP) and birds photographed at Ganvie, where 40-30 were present on 22-23 November 2010 (JG).
Western Reef Egret Egretta gularis (+)
One (white morph) carefully identified at Ouidah lagoon, on 24 January 2009 (pers. obs.), and records of dark-phase birds on ox near the coast include a maximum of ten at Bouches du Roi, on 12 November 2010 (JG, photographed). A total of 1 15 reported during the 1996 Waterfowl Census (Dodman & Taylor 1996), but the caveat regarding identification of Black Llerons and Western Reef Egrets (and indeed Little Egret E. garzetta ) applies.
White-backed Duck Thalassornis leuconotus (+) Bouet (1914) listed this species from Bodjecali on the Niger, but this was not repeated in Bouet (1955). Llowever, there is an undated specimen of T. leuconotus in the Museum National d Histoire Naturelle (MNHN) in Paris, labelled ‘Botjecali,
Dahomey’ (P. Bousses in litt. 2009). Listed for the Parc National (P.N.) du W’ by Balan^a et al. (2007), but not by Crisler et al. (2003).
Northern Pintail Anas acuta (+)
One hundred were counted on the Niger River between Mekrou and Sota outfalls on 1 December 1987, with a single at the Chutes de Koudou on the same day (JFW), and one on the Pendjari River near Porga on 2 December 1987 (JFW). Dowsett (1993) was unaware of these records.
Beaudouin’s Snake Eagle Circaetus beaudouini
«
One perched by the Oueme River in the Agbassa area on 20 February 2009 (pers. obs.), and seen in Pendjari and the adjoining hunting area in March-April 2006 (Salewski 2007a) and March 2008 (J&SM). Also seen at Tanguieta on 29 May 2009 (J&SM). An adult near Mare Fougou, P.N. de la Pendjari on 28 January 2010 was photographed (AF et al.; Fig. 1). The observers were careful to exclude the possibility of Short¬ toed Snake Eagle C. gallicus. Green & Sayer (1979) stated that Thiollay (1977) reported the species from Pendjari but we see no mention of this record therein.
Figure 1. Beaudouin’s Snake Eagle Circaetus beaudouini , adult, P.N. de la Pendjari, Benin, 28 January 2010 (Alain Fosse)
Circaete de Beaudouin Circaetus beaudouini , adulte, P.N. de la Pendjari, Benin, 28 janvier 2010 (Alain Fosse)
Long-tailed Hawk Urotriorchis macrourus (+) One sang a few times (tape-recorded) while flying through swamp forest at Lokoli (opposite Lokoli village) on 9-10 February 2009, at 07.30 hrs on both days (pers. obs.). By 10th it was calling
The avifauna of Benin: additions and corrections: Dowsett & Dowsett-Lemaire
Bull ABC Vol 18 No 2 (2011) -149
in degraded Raphia swamp further south, and was not heard on 11th. The bird was probably no more than a wanderer. The species is known from Ilaro (06°53’N 03°0TE), 40 km east of the Nigerian border (Button 1967-68). Cheke (2001) lists this species in the Guineo-Congolian biome table for Benin, but without a locality: this was based on an unpublished report from the Lama (R. A. Cheke in lift. 2009), which the observer has since withdrawn as a misidentification.
Booted Eagle Hieraaetus pennatus (+)
One on the road between Natitingou and Boukoumbe on 17 January 1999 (PMC & MC), a pale-morph bird north of Kountori, Atacora, on 23 January 2007 (J&SM), and another pale- morph individual in Pendjari on 29 December 2009 (BP). Thiollay (1977) reported seeing three in the north, but without providing details.
Cassin’s Hawk Eagle Hieraaetus africanus (+)
In the Foret Classee de la Lama, one singing near layon (transect) 12 on 31 January 2009 (at 09.00 hrs) and one singing over forest along layon 1 1 on 1 March (at 09.33 hrs) — the characteristic ku-ku-wee, ku-ku-wee (FDL). A large nest in a 30-m tall Ceiba nearby (layon 11) might have belonged to this eagle. The nest was at a height of 22-23 m and was c. 1 m in diameter. First record for Benin; a sighting mentioned (without details) in an unpublished report by M. Waltert for the Lama was not repeated by Waltert & Muhlenberg (1999). The species is common in the forests of the Dahomey Gap on the Ghana / Togo border (pers. obs.), and it is known from Ipake (Ilaro), 40 km east of the Nigerian border (Elgood et al. 1994).
Crowned Eagle Stephanoaetus coronatus (+)
One seen and heard singing briefly near layon 1 5 in the Lama on 4 February 2009, at 15.00 hrs (RJD), is the first acceptable record for the country. Lama is the only forest block of sufficient size in Benin to support a pair of this large monkey-eating eagle. Not found during a second visit by us later that month; perhaps a vagrant from Nigeria. Claffey (1999c) reported two juveniles together, calling, in the dry woodland of the Foret Classee de l’Oueme Superieur, but if this species were present in what appears to be unsuitable habitat he would surely have heard the song of the adult. Moreover,
Crowned Eagles raise just a single young, and the occurrence of this species in the Upper Oueme requires confirmation.
Eleonora’s Falcon Falco eleonorae (+)
A juvenile marked with a satellite transmitter on Sardinia (Italy) was tracked through northern Benin on southbound passage towards Madagascar (Gschweng et al. 2008). It entered Benin on 10 November 2004 at c. 10°07’N 00°59’E (i.e. near Boukoumbe), then moved eastwards north of the Foret Classee de l’Oueme Superieur to leave the country on 12 November, roughly east of Nikki (taken from a series of dates and coordinates per M. Gschweng in litt. 2009).
Ahanta Francolin Francolinns ahantensis (+) There are numerous observations north to at least Ouari Maro (Claffey 1995; pers. obs.). Dowsett (1993) had listed the reports by Bouet (1914) and Brunei (1958) — the latter only heard — as requiring confirmation.
Savile’s Bustard Lophotis savilei (+)
Photographed in P.N. du W’, between Kofouno and Mare 25, in January 2005 (AG; Fig. 2).
Figure 2. Savile’s Bustard Lophotis savilei , P.N. du ‘W\ Benin, January 2005 (Agnes Giannotti)
Outarde de Savile Lophotis savilei , P.N. du T, Benin, janvier 2005 (Agnes Giannotti)
Pied Avocet Recnrvirostra avosetta
One photographed at Bouches du Roi on 12 November 2010 (JG). Twice reported at Guezin: three feeding with a large number of Black-winged Stilts Himantopus himantopus on 21 January 1994, and a group of ten on 5 February 1996
150 -Bull ABC Vol 18 No 2 (2011)
The avifauna of Benin: additions and corrections: Dowsett & Dowsett-Lemaire
(PMC). There is a report of 120 in Dodman & Taylor (1996); this exceptional total, and, even more remarkably, the 2,000 reported from Keta lagoon in south-east Ghana (Cheke & Walsh 1996) were probably misidentified Black-winged Stilts, which raises doubts about the reliability of some other figures presented in various Waterfowl Census reports. Dowsett (1993) listed this species from Benin on the basis of Bannerman (1953), but the record there was not from Grand-Popo, but from Klein Popo (Anecho) in Togo.
wet season reports, from Datori in July 2003 and Tchaourou on 22 August 2009 (J&SM). A specimen was collected at Abomey on 2 February by ‘Vaterlof (= Emmanuel-Georges Waterlot) (Didier & Boudarel 1913, a reference that seems to have been overlooked by all recent authors). A specimen reported as Aegialitis tricollaris, collected at Zimvo (Zinvie) in January (Bocage 1892) was perhaps C. forbesi , but it would have been destroyed in the fire at the Lisbon museum in 1975.
Grey Pratincole Glareola cinerea One at a small pond at Beterou on 22 July 1997 (PMC). Up to 30 were seen on the beach in front of the Sheraton Hotel, Cotonou, between 10 July and November 1999 (BB, PMC); and the species was photographed in the same area on 25 September 2010 (BP; Fig. 3). A pair on the Niger, just upstream of Malanville, on an unknown date (J. F. Walsh in litt. 1988).
Figure 3. Grey Pratincole Glareola cinerea , Cotonou, Benin, 25 September 2010 (Bruno Portier)
Glareole grise Glareola cinerea , Cotonou, Benin, 25 septembre 2010 (Bruno Portier)
Kittlitz’s Plover Charadrins pecuarius (+)
Several recorded on successive days at Grand-Popo on 19-21 November 1995, including immatures, in an area of dry swamp in front of the Auberge (PMC), and an immature at Cotonou on 24 September 2010 (BP). In the north, an adult in breeding plumage at Kakikoka Dam, Beterou, on 8 April 1998 (PMC), and also seen in the Pendjari (Salewski 2007a).
Forbes’s Plover Charadrins forbesi (+)
Most records are between December and April (up to ten birds), from the coast near Ouidah (PMC) north to the central Atacora (ML). There are also
Grey Plover Pluvialis squatarola (+)
Present in small numbers on the coast, with a maximum of nine at Bouches du Roi on 12 November 2010 (JG), and the latest there on 1 April 1994 (PMC).
Sanderling Calidris alba (+)
Frequently seen on the coast, in groups of up to 15 at Bouches du Roi and Cotonou on dates between 11 September (2010, photo: BP) and 22 April (1996: PMC).
Great Snipe Gallinago media (+)
On 17 February 2010, one was flushed from the wet grass and swamp areas of Plaine du So (BP). One was seen in the Pendjari on 19 November 2010 (JG). The observers concerned noted the deeper voice and short bill of this stocky species, as opposed to Common Snipe G. gallinago. Dowsett (1993) questioned the sight record in Brunei (1958) from Lac Nokoue, given the difficulty that exists in identifying snipe in the field.
Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa (+)
Small numbers (up to six) in December-March at Guezin (J&SM, PMC). Groups of 30 on the Niger at Bello Tounga, near Karimama, on 6 january 2005 (photographed) and 1 October 2006 (AG).
Bar-tailed Godwit Limosa lapponica (+)
Small numbers (up to three) on the coast between 6 November (2010, when photographed by BP near Cotonou: Fig. 4) and 1 April (1994, one at Bouches du Roi: PMC).
Eurasian Curlew Numenius arquata (+)
Nine were well seen ,at Bouches du Roi on 12 November 2010 (JG) — the observer distinguished
The avifauna of Benin: additions and corrections: Dowsett & Dowsett-Lemaire
Bull ABC Vol 18 No 2 (2011) -151
Figure 4. Bar-tailed Godwit Limosa lapponica , Cotonou, Benin, 6 November 2010 (Bruno Portier)
Barge rousse Limosa lapponica , Cotonou, Benin, 6 novembre 2010 (Bruno Portier)
Figure 5. Gull-billed Tern Sterna nilotica , Niger River at Karimama, Benin, March 2008 (Agnes Giannotti)
Sterne hansel Sterna nilotica , fleuve Niger a Karimama, Benin, mars 2008 (Agnes Giannotti)
Figure 6. A group of Royal Terns Sterna maxima and Sandwich Terns S. sandvicensis at Cotonou, Benin, 9 September 2010, including ringed birds (Bruno Portier)
Un groupe de Sternes royales Sterna maxima et Sternes caugek S. sandvicensis a Cotonou; Benin, 9 septembre 2010, avec des oiseaux bagues (Bruno Portier)
them from nearby Whimbrel N. phaeopus , something that is not clear from previous reports (e.g. Dodman & Taylor 1996, Grell et al. 2005).
Common Redshank Tringa totanus (+)
One was well seen at Cotonou on 21-23 November 2010 (BP, WP) and one at Bouches du Roi on 12 November 2010 (JG). Other reports of singles are: in the marsh in front of the Auberge at Grand-Popo on 26-29 April 1995, and near a group of Spotted Redshanks T. erytbropus at Guezin on 6 December 1996 (PMC). Inland records have been published without supporting details (e.g. Niaouli: van den Akker 2003a).
Gull-billed Tern Sterna nilotica (+)
One at Grand-Popo on 22 April 1995 (PMC). Three at the lagoon in Cotonou on 31 March 1999 (JGoo). One seen at Guezin on 18 January
2007 (J&SM). In the north, one in the Pendjari on 18 November 2010 (JG), and the species was photographed on the Niger River near Karimama in January 2005 and March 2008 (AG; Fig. 5).
Caspian Tern Sterna caspia (+)
A few records from the coast and Ganvie of small numbers, between 27 August (2003: SF) and December (2004: J&SM).
Royal Tern Sterna maxima (+)
Frequently seen on the coast in all months, often in groups of 10-25, with a maximum of 369 in Cotonou harbour on 6 November 2010 (BP). Ranges inland some 15 km to the north side of Lac Nokoue (AF et al.). A group photographed at Cotonou on 9 September 2010 included a ringed bird (BP; Fig 6), presumably originating from a colony in north-west Africa.
152 -Bull ABC Vol 18 No 2 (2011)
The avifauna of Benin: additions and corrections: Dowsett & Dowsett-Lemaire
Roseate Tern Sterna dougallii (+)
A bird ringed in Dublin, Republic of Ireland, on 11 July 1997 was recovered in Departement Atlantique (f.06°35’N 02°15’E) on 13 December 1997 ( Tauraco database, confirmed by Mrs J. Clark, British Trust for Ornithology, in litt. 2010).
Damara Tern Sterna balaenarum (+)
Up to 33 were on the beach at Cotonou harbour on 9-17 September 2010 (BP, WP; Fig. 7). Cheke (2001) mentioned up to 200 birds at the Bouches du Roi, but confusion with Little Tern S. albifrons is possible; JG had good views of four there on 12 November 2010.
Figure 7. Damara Tern Sterna balaenarum , Cotonou harbour, Benin, 1 1 September 2010 (Bruno Portier)
Sterne des baleiniers Sterna balaenarum , port de Cotonou, Benin, 1 1 septembre 2010 (Bruno Portier)
European Turtle Dove Streptopelia turtur (+) One at the Mekrou / Niger confluence on 23 February 2009 (photographed: AG). It had been reported at Agoue by Millet-Horsin (1923), but in the absence of a specimen the record was not accepted; this observer was not always reliable, claiming for example that he had proof of nest¬ building by Klaas’s Cuckoo Chrysococcyx klaas (Millet-Horsin 1921).
African Collared Dove Streptopelia roseogrisea
M
Present at Karimama, apparently at all seasons (photographed there by AG, on 29 October 2003: Fig. 8).
Figure 8. African Collared Dove Streptopelia roseogrisea , Karimama, Benin, 29 October 2005 (Agnes Giannotti)
Tourterelle rieuse Streptopelia roseogrisea , Karimama, Benin, 29 octobre 2003 (Agnes Giannotti)
Whiskered Tern Chlidonias hybrida (+)
Six in partial breeding dress on the Niger near Karimama on 27 February 2008 (photographed: AG). On and near the coast there are a few reports in November to April (JG, BP, WP), with a maximum 35 at Lac Aheme, of which most were moulting into breeding dress, on 28 February 2010 (BP, WP).
Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse Pterocles exustns
(+)
Seen in P.N. de la Pendjari on 26 and 28 March 2003 (J&SM), but not during other visits in January to March in other years. In P.N. du W’ (Niger) the species has been reported in all months between November and July (Crisler et al. 2003).
Black Cuckoo Cuculus clamosus (+)
A few records, from the coast (e.g. Porto Novo, on 5 August 2007: pers. obs.) north at least to Ouari Maro (Claffey 1995; J&SM). Observations include a juvenile begging from a Marsh Tchagra Tchagra minutus near Lokoli on 3 September 2003 (SF), a new host for this cuckoo (R. B. Payne in litt. 2009). Dowsett (1993) queried the specimen of Coccystes cafer in Oustalet (1898), and indeed it refers not to this species, but was the original name of Levaillanfs Cuckoo Clamator levaillantii.
African Emerald Cuckoo Chrysococcyx cupreus
(+)
Several records, north to the Lama at 0^°N (Waltert & Muhlenberg 1999; pers. obs.). Note that the name Cuculus cupreus Boddaert was
The avifauna of Benin: additions and corrections: Dowsett & Dowsett-Lemaire
Bull ABC Vol 18 No 2 (2011) -153
used in error in some old references (Sousa 1887, Oustalet 1898, Didier & Boudarel 1913, Bouer 1914), such records referring to Didric Cuckoo C. caprius.
Black-throated Coucal Centropus leucogaster (+) Widespread at all forest localities visited in 2009, from Drabo Gbo to Lokoli (pers. obs.). Tape- recorded. Presumably confused with Senegal Coucal C. senegalensis by previous observers. Far more often heard than seen (seen once at close range at the Lama), this coucal has a deep, slow song and especially contact call (a rapid doukdoukdoukdoukdouk...) for which there is no equivalent in Senegal C. senegalensis or Blue¬ headed Coucals C. monachus. Especially common in Niaouli plateau forest, more scattered in Lama transition woodland and Pobe, and uncommon at Lokoli (where the understorey is generally too open). Common in the forests of the Dahomey Gap in Ghana and Togo, and on the Nigerian side of the border (Button 1967-68).
Vermiculated Fishing Owl Scotopelia bouvieri
(+)
Apparently common in Lokoli swamp forest (pers. obs.), at the western limit of its range (a specimen is known from as far west as the Lagos area at 03°28'E: Elgood et ai 1994). A full song (seven notes) was heard before dawn, at 06.30 hrs, in flooded forest on the western bank on 7 February 2009; two different birds (including an immature, with descending call) were heard the next morning further awav. After moving- to the eastern bank on 8 February, two birds were heard counter¬ singing from 03.30 to 06.40 hrs in the morning of 9 February, in wet forest with Raphia south of Lokoli village. Lull songs (tape-recorded) included the typical introductory hoot followed by a series of 3-8 even notes, and the ending of one or two hoots ( cf Chappuis 2000).
Motded Swift Tachymarptis aeqnatorialis (+)
A bird which came to drink at the Mare Sacree, P.N. de la Pendjari, was watched at close range (12 Lebruary 2010: pers. obs., J&SM), as were some 40 together with 700 Alpine Swifts T. melba at Mare Bali on l-7 November 2010 (JG). Confirmatory photos were obtained on both occasions, but are too poor to publish.
Blue-naped Mousebird Urocolius macrounis Dowsett (1993) listed the species on the basis of an unpublished report by R. A. Cheke (in lift. 2009): this concerned a sighting of one at Degue- degue, near Malanville, on 25 October 1 9 (RAC). This was doubtless a vagrant, as from northern Nigeria westwards records are north of 13°N ( Tauraco database).
Blue-cheeked Bee-eater Merops persicus (+)
Two were watched closely on 4 Pebruary 2010 at Point Triple, P.N. du AV’ (pers. obs.). In the Niger side of the park there are only a few February and March records (Crisler et al. 2003). An April report further south in Benin (from Monts Kouffe: unpublished report in Claffey 1995) should be considered uncertain.
Hairy-breasted Barbet Tricholaema hirsuta (+) Discovered at two forest sites, Lokoli and Pobe, in 2009 (pers. obs.), with a few singing on a daily basis and apparently territorial (as tested using playback at Pobe). Tape-recorded. Button (1967-68) recorded it as common in the region of Ilaro, 40 km east of the Nigerian border. Listed from Pendjari-Arly (Balanca et al. 2007), but this is no doubt a misidentification, as there is no rain forest there for this Guineo-Congolian species.
Willcocks’s Honeyguide Indicator willcocksi (+) Two singing just outside riparian forest near Agbassa on 21 Pebruary 2009 (pers. obs.). One was singing in a 26-m tall Anogeissus , and another 120 m away in a 28-m tall Parkia biglobosa ; they were countersinging at 10.15-10.35 hrs; then the first moved to sing in a bare Bombax costatum (30 m tall). Well seen and tape-recorded. The habitat near Agbassa is very similar to that on the Konkori escarpment in Mole National Park (Dowsett- Lemaire & Dowsett 2008). One seen at close range in a mixed-species flock in Niaouli plateau forest on 24 Lebruary 2009 (PDL).
Although usually associated with Guineo- Congolian secondary forest, this honeyguide extends into the transition zone and also into the Sudanian zone where it is not uncommon in riparian situations (at least from Chad west to Ghana).
154 -Bull ABC Vol 18 No 2 (2011)
The avifauna of Benin: additions and corrections: Dowsett & Dowsett-Lemaire
Figure 9. European Wryneck Jynx torquilla , Didani, Benin, 23 January 201 1 (Johannes & Sharon Merz)
Torcol fourmilier Jynx torquilla , Didani, Benin, 23 janvier 2011 (Johannes & Sharon Merz)
European Wryneck Jynx torquilla (+)
One was seen and photographed at Didani, on 23 January 2011 (J&SM: Fig. 9).
Little Spotted (Green-backed) Woodpecker
Campethera cailliautii (+)
At least two singing in flooded forest at Lokoli in February 2009; one was tape-recorded (pers. obs.). In the forests of the transition zone in eastern Ghana, this woodpecker is normally found near water (pers. obs.). Listed from Pendjari-Arly (Balan^a et al. 2007), but in the absence of details of how it was distinguished from similar small woodpeckers, its occurrence so far north should not be accepted. Didier & Boudarel (1913) listed a specimen under the name Chrysopicus permistus , without locality, but in a collection obtained by Waterlot in Dahomey. P. BoussesJzVz litt. 2009) confirms that this specimen is in the MNFJN and that it is indeed C. cailliautii , the label reading A3 janvier 1910, Dahomey’.
Buff-spotted Woodpecker Campethera nivosa
(+)
The calls of one bird (a slurred wiurrrrr lasting one second and descending in pitch, given three times) were tape-recorded in Pobe forest on 12 February 2009 (FDL). This was in a section of forest with dense understorey and the bird was not seen. There is an earlier unpublished observation by M. van den Akker ( in litt. 2009) who mist-netted and photographed a female in Lama forest on 24 October 2002 (Fig. 10). As this woodpecker is very common in the dry forests of eastern Ghana
Figure 10. Buff-spotted Woodpecker Campethera nivosa mist-netted in Lama forest, Benin, 24 October 2002 (Maarten van den Akker)
Pic tachete Campethera nivosa capture au filet dans la foret de la Lama, Benin, 24 octobre 2002 (Maarten van den Akker)
Figure 11. Baumann’s Greenbul Phyllastrephus baumanni mist-netted in Lama forest, Benin, 27 February 2009 (Robert J. Dowsett)
Bulbul de Baumann Phyllastrephus baumanni capture au filet dans la foret de la Lama, Benin, 27 fevrier 2009 (Robert J. Dowsett)
it was to be expected in Benin, but the species appears to be quite rare. C. nivosa is known from the Ilaro region 40 km east of the Nigerian border (Button 1967-68). Didier & Boudarel (1913) listed a specimen of C. nivosa , without locality, in the Waterlot collection. P. Bousses [in litt. 2009) confirms that this specimen is in the MNFIN and that it is indeed C. nivosa , the label reading ’13 janvier 1910, Dahomey’.
Baumann’s Greenbul Phyllastrephus baumanni
«
Common in Lama forest (on all layons visited, 11-15, and off 9), especially in transition woodland, including the denser forms (midway
The avifauna of Benin: additions and corrections: Dowsett & Dowsett-Lemaire
Bull ABC Vol 18 No 2 (2011) - 155
between transition woodland and forest) (pers. obs.). As many as four were caught in one mist-net on layon 15 (Fig. 11), together with four White- throated Greenbuls P. albigularis. Quite vocal in February 2009, despite the drought, singing and calling a lot (tape-recorded several times). This bird is common in all of the dry forests of eastern Ghana as far as the Togo border, occurring low down in thickets under open canopy or in clearings (pers. obs.); east of Benin there are specimens from the Lagos area at 03°25’E (Fishpool 2000).
White-throated Greenbul Phyllastrephus albigularis (+)
Locally common in a few forests between 06°44’N and 07°17’N: at Niaouii (van den Akker 2003a; pers. obs.), Lama (Waltert & Muhlenberg 1999; pers. obs.) and Pobe (pers. obs.). Absent from Lokoli, where the understorey appears too open. A sight record from Begon (Brunei 1958) was considered by Dowsett (1993) to require confirmation, and those from north of 09°N (Claffey 1995, Grell et al. 2005, Balanqa et al. 2007) are certainly erroneous, for a species restricted to Guineo-Congolian vegetation.
White-tailed Ant Thrush Neocossyphus poensis
(+)
See next species.
Figure 12. White-tailed Ant Thrush Neocossyphus poensis mist-netted in Pobe forest, Benin, 21 May 2003 (Maarten van den Akker)
Neocossyphe a queue blanche Neocossyphus poensis capture au filet dans la foret de Pobe, Benin, 21 mai 2003 (Maarten van den Akker)
Finsch’s Flycatcher Thrush Stizorhina finschi
(+)
At least two encountered in Lokoli swamp forest in 2009; they were located by their characteristic loud calls ruit-ruit-ruit or wreet wreet wreet , which were tape-recorded (pers. obs.). Both individuals were moving through the forest and did not appear to be holding a territory. One seen in the same area on 14 November 2010 (JG). New for Benin, but possibly just wanderers. Didier & Boudarel (1913) listed a specimen of Cassinia finschi , without locality, in the Waterlot collection. P. Bousses {in litt. 2009) confirms that there is a specimen in the MNPiN labelled thus and that it does seem to be S. finschi. The label reads ‘25 Xbre 1910, Loc.: Porto-Novo’ , though it might be speculated if Waterlot did not obtain it elsewhere (Porto-Novo merely being where he was stationed).
Not recorded at Pobe in February 2009; T. Lougbegnon (pers. comm.) described to us a White-tailed Ant Thrush Neocossyphus poensis he watched with M. van den Akker (mentioned in van den Akker & Claffey 2004) as feeding in the mid-stratum (midway between the ground and canopy), snatching prey on tree trunks and also flycatching. This fits a Stizorhina far better than a Neocossyphus , and the two can be confused on general plumage characters. However, M. van den Akker (in litt. 2009) did mist-net and photograph a Neocossyphus in Pobe, on 21 May 2003 (Fig. 12), a fact not mentioned in his paper. As ant thrushes require very large territories in sheltered forest with deep shade, the forest at Pobe appears both unsuitable and far too small for the species to become established there. It can be no more than an irregular vagrant from the Nigerian side. In the 1960s at least, both White-tailed Ant Thrush and Finsch’s Flycatcher Thrush were common in Ilaro Forest Reserve 40 km east of Pobe (Button 1967-68).
Rufous Scrub Robin Cercotrichas galactotes (+) One was well seen in P.N. de la Pendjari, on 25-27 January 2007 (J&SM). Claffey (1995) reported seeing one near Beterou, on 26 December 1992, which is considerably further south than one might expect this species typical of the Sahel, and we prefer to treat the latter record as uncertain.
156 -Bull ABC Vol 18 No 2 (2011)
The avifauna of Benin: additions and corrections: Dowsett & Dowsett-Lemaire
Rufous-tailed (Common) Rock Thrush
Monticola saxatilis (+)
One in non-breeding plumage was present on rocky terrain on the east side of the road between Djougou and Natitingou on 17 January 1999 (PMC & MC).
Greater Swamp Warbler Acrocephalus rufescens
M
Seen and heard in a few places in mangrove and adjacent Typha and Phragmites beds at Togbin and Ouidah, on 22-24 January 2009 (pers. obs.), at Grand-Popo, e.g. on 4 February 2010 (AF et al.) and Plaine du So, on 17 February 2010 (BP).
Blackcap Sylvia atricapilla (+)
SM had very good views of one in a mango tree by her house at Cobly, on 7 January 2010. It was obviously a warbler, about the same size as a Grey-headed Sparrow Passer griseus present nearby, uniformly grey with a black cap, and thus a male. It is a species she knows well from Europe. Claffey (1998) reported this species at Beterou, on 23 March 1997, on the basis of a 'flock of some 10-12 birds in a thicket, all apparently of the same species’, but these numbers seem remarkable.
Black-backed Cisticola Cisticola eximius (+)
Two were observed closely, perched in grassland near Mare Fogou, P.N. de la Pendjari, on 13 February 2010 (pers. obs.). J&SM saw and heard some at Nanagade, near Cobly, on 28 December 2010 (Fig. 13). One was seen in the Natitingou area, on 16 November 2010 (JG). Salewski (2007b) corrected the earlier claim -from Pendjari
Figure 13. Black-backed Cisticola Cisticola eximius , Nanakade, Benin, 28 December 2010 (Johannes & Sharon Merz)
Cisticole a dos noir Cisticola eximius, Nanakade, Benin, 28 decembre 2010 (Johannes & Sharon Merz)
by Salewski & Korb (2007) as a misidentification, but his suggestion that the species might be found in northern Benin in time is confirmed.
Rufous Cisticola Cisticola rufus (+)
Two singles feeding on the ground among short fresh grass in tall woodland near Agbassa on 21 February 2009 (FDL). Very small, plain rufous- brown above. Near Cobly a singing bird was observed 6 June 2010 by J&SM, who compared the song to Chappuis (2000).
Red-cheeked Wattle-eye Dyaphorophyia blissetti
(+)
Several in dense thickets in semi-closed forest along layon 15 at Lama (pers. obs.). Tape- recorded and mist-netted (Fig. 14). This species was singing rather little in February 2009, and is probably more widespread than found to date in Lama forest. Common in the region of Ilaro, 40 km east of the Nigerian border (Button 1967-68).
Figure 14. Red-cheeked Wattle-eye Dyaphorophyia blissetti mist-netted in Lama forest, Benin, 1 March 2009 (Robert J. Dowsett)
Pririt de Blissett Dyaphorophyia blissetti capture au filet dans la foret de la Lama, Benin, 1 mars 2009 (Robert J. Dowsett)
Spotted Creeper Salpornis spilonotus (+) Tape-recorded at Bembereke on 19 February 1969 (Chappuis 2000; C. Chappuis in litt. 2009). Reportedly seen in 1977 at Natitingou (AAG).
Little Green Sunbird Anthreptes seimundi (+)
A group of five watched at close range feeding on the red flowers of the liane Combretum racemosum , at the edge of bas-fond (swamp) forest, at Niaouli,
The avifauna of Benin: additions and corrections: Dowsett & Dowsett-Lemaire
Bull ABC Vol 18 No 2 (2011) -157
on 28 January 2009 (FDL). Identified by their small size, olivaceous colour tinged with yellow on the belly, only slightly decurved bill and pale eye-ring; they were giving thin but sharp tsi or tsip calls, characteristic of the species. In Ghana, where the species is widespread, C. racemosum is its favourite food plant in the dry season, when these lianes are in full flower. East of Benin, Button (1967-68) reported it from Ilaro, 40 km east of the Nigerian border.
Tiny Sunbird Cinnyris minullus (+)
Several pairs in the midstorey and at edges in Pobe forest in February 2009 (pers. obs.). One pair well seen (female greyer below than Olive-bellied Sunbird C. chloropygius) and song tape-recorded, the song being weaker and sweeter than that of Olive-bellied Sunbird. Frequently singing in the early morning, in trees or lianes at heights of 10-25 m above the ground. A tape-recording from near Cotonou (Chappuis 2000) is not typical of C. minullus , and is more probably from C. chloropygius. In Nigeria there is a specimen from Badagri (06°25’N 02°53’E), close to the Benin border, near the coast (Elgood et al. 1994).
Eurasian Golden Oriole Oriolus oriolus (+)
Seen near Batia on l7 March 2008 (J&SM), a male near Tchaourou on 17 February 2009 (pers. obs.) and a female at Grand-Popo on 12 November 2010 (JG). In each case the possibility of African Golden Oriole O. auratus was excluded.
Emin’s Shrike Lanius gubernator (+)
Two in dry scrub near inselbergs on the road between Ouari Maro and Bassila on 16 January 1999 (PMC & MC) and a single, probably from the same pair, was there again on 6 March 1999 (PMC). A female seen and a poor photograph obtained, in woodland in the zone de chasse de la Mekrou, on 10 February 2010 (pers. obs.).
Marsh Tchagra Tchagra minutus (+)
A pair seen 8 km north of Ouari Maro on 16 February 1998 (PMC). A male with a begging juvenile cuckoo, believed to be a Black Cuckoo Cuculus clamosus , at Lokoli on 3 September 2003 (SF).
Figure 15. Chestnut-bellied Starling Lamprotomis pulcher, Karimama, Benin, March 2005 (Agnes Giannotti)
Merle metallique a ventre roux Lamprotomis pulcher, Karimama, Benin, mars 2005 (Agnes Giannotti)
Chestnut-bellied Starling Lamprotomis pulcher
(+)
A group observed along the road from Tanguieta to Porga in April 1996 (PMC). Seen in Pendjari on 18 March 2008 (J&SM). There are also reports from the central Atacora in July (ML), Bello Tounga, near Karimama, in August and March 2005 (AG, photographed: Fig. 15) and Malanville in Februarv— March (year unknown: CdV & IvW).
Speckle-fronted Weaver Sp or opipes frontalis (+) Several observations of small groups at Bello Tounga, near Karimama, where first seen in August 2003, and in December and February in subsequent years (photographed by AG: Fig. 16). A record in Claffey (1995) is erroneous (P. M. Claffey in litt. 2008).
Figure 16. Speckle-fronted Weaver Sporopipes frontalis , Karimama, Benin, August 2009 (Agnes Giannotti)
Moineau quadrille Sporopipes fontalis, Karimama, Benin, mars 2005 (Agnes Giannotti)
158 -Bull ABC Vol 18 No 2 (2011)
The avifauna of Benin: additions and corrections : Dowsett & Dowsett-Lemaire
Figure 17. Pair of Slender-billed Weavers Ploceus pelzelni , Ouidah, Benin, 4 February 2010 (Alain Fosse)
Tisserin de Pelzeln Ploceus pelzelni , un couple a Ouidah, Benin, 4 fevrier 2010 (Alain Fosse)
Slender-billed Weaver Ploceus pelzelni (+)
Nor uncommon along the coast, from Grand-Popo (J&SM) and Ouidah (pers. obs.; photographed by AF et al.), inland to the Plaine du So (pers. obs., BP "et al.\ Fig. 17). Didier & Boudarel (1913) listed a female specimen identified as Sitagra monacha , without locality, in the Waterlot collection. P. Bousses (in litt. 2009) confirms that this specimen is in the MNPiN and is labelled ‘15 janvier 1910, Dahomey’.
Fan-tailed Widowbird (Whydah) Euplectes axillaris (+)
Douaud (1955: 302) described seeing the species in a marsh near Malanville, on 11 August 1953, apparently on the Benin side of the Niger — which reference was overlooked by Dowsett (1993). Ouidah is the type locality of the Yellow-mantled Widowbird E. macroura , and the English name whydah should be applied to those birds and not the long-tailed parasitic widows Vidua.
Red-collared Widowbird (Whydah) Euplectes ardens (+)
Douaud (1955: 305) reported seeing a ‘superbe Ouidah noir’ of the race concolor at Natitingou, on 14 August 1953 — which reference was overlooked by Dowsett (1993). A small flock of non-breeders near Ouari Maro, in rank growth outside forest in the valley below Soubakperou hill, on 19 February 2009 (pers. obs.), were considered very probably this species. They were watched at close range: wings almost black, back strongly marked and more contrasting than in Northern Red Bishop E. franciscanus , breast richly buff, and call a thin see or tsee.
Figure 18. Green-winged Pytilia Pytilia melba ,
Karimama, Benin, August 2005 (Agnes Giannotti)
Beaumarquet melba Pytilia melba , Karimama, Benin, aout 2005 (Agnes Giannotti)
Pale-fronted Negrofinch Nigrita luteifrons (+)
A pair in Elaeis palms just outside Pobe forest, calling (tape-recorded), on 12 February 2009, and a pair in a fruiting Ficus thonningii inside forest on 14 February 2009 (pers. obs.); the contact call of this species, a descending series of soft whistles, is diagnostic. Button (1967-68) who knew the species from Ilaro (40 km east of the Nigerian border), also mentioned this descending sequence.
Green-winged Pytilia Pytilia melba (+)
Photographed at Bello Tounga, Karimama, in August 2005 (AG ; Fig. 18). Its parasite is Sahel Paradise Widow Vidua orientalis (known from the same locality).
Blue-billed Firefinch Lagonosticta rubricata (+) Payne (1982) and Dowsett (1993) suggested that this species needed confirmation in Benin, its occurrence then being based solely on a sighting from Pendjari-Arly (Green & Sayer 1979). We now know that it occurs in rank growth on the edge of forest in the area of Agbassa-Ouari Maro- Beterou (Claffey 1995; pers. obs.). It has also been reported further south, at Niaouli (van den Akker 2003a).
Zebra Waxbill Amandava subflava (+)
Several flocks of up to 15 on the Plaine du So in April and May (2010: BP, WP), 20 observed at Beterou on 12 February 1996 (PMC) and ten in grassland just outside Lpkoli forest on 5 February 2009 (pers. obs.). Further north, in February 2010, a dozen in the Pendjari on plains near Mare Fogou and Mare Tiabiga, and some at Batia (pers. obs., J&SM). An earlier record, by Bouet
The avifauna of Benin: additions and corrections: Dowsett & Dowsett-Lemaire
Bull ABC Vol 18 No 2 (2011) -159
(1914), from Agouagon near the Oueme River, was overlooked by Dowsett (1993).
Barka Indigobird Vidua larvaticola (+)
A male in breeding plumage was seen on 6 February 2010 near Mare 23, P.N. du T, in association with its host Black-faced Firefinch Lagonosticta larvata (pers. obs.). Two males thought to be this species were near Cobly on 30 August 2009 (J&SM).
Pale-winged (Wilson’s) Indigobird Vidua wilsoni (+)
Confirmed from P.N. de la Pendjari, where imitating calls of its host Bar-breasted Firefinch Lagonosticta rufopicta in February 2010 (FDL). Reported from Beterou by Claffey (1993), but without details of how identified and he did not report the host species.
Sahel Paradise Whydah (Widow) Vidua orientalis (+)
A male was photographed in August 2004 at Karimama (AG: Fig. 19), where its host Green¬ winged Pytilia is known. A specimen o V Stegannra paradisea aucupum was reported from Agouagon (Bouet 1914) — this is what is now known as V orientalis , but its host does not occur in southern Benin, and Exclamatory or Togo Paradise Whydah is more likely. Note that the name whydah is more correctly applied to the long-tailed Euplectes species (see E. axillaris above).
Figure 19. Sahel Paradise Whydah Vidua orientalis , Karimama, Benin, August 2004 (Agnes Giannotti)
Veuve a collier d'or Vidua orientalis , Karimama, Benin, aout 2004 (Agnes Giannotti)
Exclamatory Paradise Whydah (Widow) Vidua interjecta (+)
Many in breeding plumage were present in P.N. du lW’, in February 2010, with photographs taken and dropped tail feathers collected (pers.
Figure 20. Exclamatory Paradise Whydah Vidua interjecta , P.N. du T, Benin, January 2007 (Agnes Giannotti)
Veuve d’Uelle Vidua interjecta , P.N. du T, Benin, janvier 2007 (Agnes Giannotti)
obs.), and the species was also photographed there by AG in January 2007 (Fig. 20). Birds seen at various places in the north-west were thought by J&SM to be this species, from Pendjari south to the Cobly area. Similarly, birds identified as V interjecta in breeding plumage were seen in the southern Borgou in October-January (PMC). Its host Red-winged Pytilia Pytilia phoenicoptera is common in northern Benin, occurring south to Beterou (Claffey 1995).
Togo Paradise Whydah (Widow) Vidua togoensis (+)
A male in partial breeding plumage in the Pendjari, at the Campement des Elephants, on 14 February 2010, with characteristic yellow nape, was considered to be this species (RJD). Its host, Yellow-winged Pytilia Pytilia hypogrammica , is not yet known with certainty in Benin, although it has been listed from the Pendjari (Delvingt et al. 1989, Grell et al. 2005).
White-rumped Seedeater Serinus leucopygius (+) Seen occasionally between January and March (in 2003, 2005, 2007) in P.N. de la Pendjari (J&SM). Listed, without comment, from Niaouli (van den Akker 2003a), certainly in error, as this is a northern species of dry country.
Ortolan Bunting Emberiza hortulana (+)
One found in rocky hills near Cobly on 14 November 2009 (SM). A bunting seen in good light, with its yellow submoustachial stripe contrasting with the otherwise uniformly grey head and the cinnamon breast. It was thought to be a male. The observer had become familiar with the species in Cyprus earlier in the year.
160 -Bull ABC Vol 18 No 2 (2011)
The avifauna of Benin: additions and corrections: Dowsett & Dowsett-Lemaire
Species (not listed above) for which an acceptable record has been published since Dowsett (1993)
Since the publication of Dowsett (1993) there have been 38 published additions to the country avifauna. A few additional species in these works are considered to require confirmation, and are listed in the next section.
• Claffey (1993): Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus , Lesser Moorhen G. angulata , Leaflove Pyrrhurus scandens, Yellow-bellied Hyliota Hyliota flavigaster , Common Whitethroat Sylvia communis , Grey-headed Oliveback Nesocharis capistrata , Cabanis’s Bunting Emberiza cabanisi.
• Anciaux (1996): White-crested Tiger Heron Tigriornis leucolopha, White-spotted Flufftail Sarothrura pulchra , Common Nightingale Luscinia megarhynchos , Forest Chestnut¬ winged Starling Onychognathus fulgidus , Black-bellied Seedcracker Pyrenestes ostrinus.
• Claffey (1997): Red-footed Falcon Falco ves- pertinus.
• Claffey (1999b): Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis.
• Waltert & Muhlenberg (1999): Blue-throated Roller Eurystomus gularis , Purple-throated Cuckooshrike Campephaga quiscalina , Cameroon Sombre GtzznbnX Andr op adus curvi- rostris , Slender-billed Greenbul A. gracilirostris , Red-tailed Bristlebill Bleda syndactylus , Forest Robin Stiphrornis erythrothorax , Green Hylia Hylia prasina , Buff-throated Apalis Apalis rufo gularis, Fraser’s Forest Flycatcher Fraseria ocreata , Shrike Flycatcher Megabyas flammu- latus, Chestnut Wattle-eye Dyaphorophyia castanea , Puvel’s Illadopsis Illadopsis puveli , Purple-headed Glossy Starling Lamprotornis purpureiceps , Yellow-mantled Weaver Ploceus tricolor , Western Bluebill Spermophaga hae- matina.
• van den Akker (2003a): Black Sparrowhawk
Accipiter melanoleucus , Thick-billed Cuckoo Pachycoccyx audeberti , Black-shouldered
Nightjar Caprimulgus nigriscapularis , Naked¬ faced Barbet Gymnobucco calvus, Spotted Floneyguide Indicator maculatus , Honeyguide Greenbul Baeopogon indicator , Red-tailed Greenbul Criniger calurus , European Reed Warbler Acrocephalus scirpaceus , Melodious
Warbler Hippolais polyglotta , Rufous- crowned Eremomela Eremomela badiceps , Garden Warbler Sylvia borin , Yellow-browed Camaroptera Camaroptera superciliaris , Spotted Flycatcher Muscicapa striata , Tit- hylia Pholidornis rushiae , Chestnut-breasted Negrofinch Nigrita bicolor.
• van den Akker (2003b): Yellow-whiskered Greenbul Andropadus latirostris. Western Bearded Greenbul Criniger barbatus , White- browed Forest Flycatcher Fraseria cinerascens.
• Crisler e/W. (2003): Horus Swift Apus horus.
• van Muyen (2005): Common Black-headed Gull Lams ridibundus.
• van Muyen (2006): Dunlin Calidris alpina.
• Salewski & Korb (2007): Great White Pelican Pelecanus onocrotalus , Ayres’s Hawk Eagle Hieraaetus ayresii , Dorst’s Cisticola Cisticola guinea.
• Jones (2008): Brown S unbird Anthreptes gabonicus , Reichenbach’s Sunbird Nectarinia reichenbachii , Orange Weaver Ploceus auran- tius. Brown Sunbird and the weaver were not claimed to be new, but unpublished reports from the Lama and the Upper Oueme River, respectively, appear to have been misidenti- fied.
• Merz & Merz (2010): Streaky-breasted Flufftail Sarothrura boehmi.
• Manners (2010): Ruddy Turnstone Arenaria interpres.
The great majority of the forest species listed above were also recorded by us in 2009 (Dowsett- Lemaire & Dowsett 2009).
Of those 176 species listed for Benin by Dowsett (1993) on the basis of reports from the Pendjari-Arly transborder park (Green & Sayer 1979), which gave no indication of which country, nearly all have subsequently been confirmed to occur in the Benin sector (see, e.g., Salewski 2007a, van der Spek 2008) or elsewhere in the country. Those that cannot yet be accepted for Benin are listed below along with other species requiring confirmation.
Species whose presence on the Benin list is considered erroneous
Species that had been accepted in the 1993 Benin list (Dowsett 1993) are indicated (-).
The avifauna of Benin: additions and corrections: Dowsett & Dowsett-Lemaire
Bull ABC Vol 18 No 2 (2011) -161
Corn Crake Crex crex
Libois (1995) reported seeing this species in some numbers in southern Benin, but subsequently corrected his identification to Black Coucal Centropus grillii (Libois 1996: 63).
Grey Parrot Psittacus erithacus According to Bouet (1914), this species was reportedly very rare in the forest region north of Sakete. He saw birds in captivity said to have originated from this region. However, Dandliker (1992) demonstrated the lack of historical evidence for a wild population in the Dahomey region. Feral groups of up to seven are often seen in Cotonou, such birds showing the characters of nominate erithacus (B. Portier in litt. 2010).
Square-tailed Nightjar Caprimulgus fossii A female specimen from Porto-Novo, taken on 3 September 1910 (Didier & Boudarel 1913) must be a misidentification, as the species occurs no nearer than Gabon.
White-bellied Kingfisher Alcedo leucogaster
Van den Akker (2003a) thought he saw one in a teak tree on the edge of secondary forest at Niaouli. The habitat there is quite unsuitable (pers. obs.), and we suspect the bird was an African Pygmy Kingfisher Ceyx pictus. If this species of streams in the forest interior were to occur in the remnants in southern Benin, van den Akker would surely have mist-netted one during the considerable amount of time he spent ringing.
Black Bee-eater Merops gidaris Anciaux (1996) reported it in the bas-fond of Niaouli forest. However, the species was not seen in good conditions (a distant group of bee-eaters against the light, M.-R. Anciaux in litt. 2009) and it would be more prudent to consider the presence of this species in Benin as unproven, as no-one else has been able to confirm it.
Red-billed Dwarf Hornbill Tockus camurus A single female was reported from an area of old secondary forest, 5 km east of Beterou, on 19 October 1998 (Claffey 1999a). This is in an area of essentially Sudanian vegetation, so we believe this to be a misidentification — this hornbill is restricted to the Guineo-Congolian forests and is absent from the Dahomey Gap. It is so vocal that
it would have been noticed in the forest remnants of southern Benin, were it to occur in the country.
White-thighed Hornbill Bycanistes albotihialis
(-) and Black-and-white-casqued Hornbill B.
suhcylindricus (-)
Claffey (1995, based on an unpublished report by A. A. Green & J. A. Sayer) regards Brown¬ cheeked Bycanistes cylindricus as Abundant’, as opposed to Tare’ for the common Piping Hornbill B. fistulator. In mapping this record, Borrow & Demey (2001) assumed it to refer to the Lower Guinea endemic White-thighed Hornbill B. albotihialis , now considered a different species. Whether it is claimed to be this or the Upper Guinea endemic B. cylindricus , a hornbill of wet rain forest cannot possibly be Abundant’ in an area of essentially Sudanian woodland, and we have to assume there was confusion with another hornbill, probably Piping, which is common in the Ouari-Maro to Beterou area. Similarly, doubt can be attached to the status of Black-and-white- casqued Hornbill, based on sightings by the same observers.
Yellow-casqued Hornbill Ceratogymna data A. Kemp {in Fry et al. 1988) lists the species from Benin, but this is in error for Benin City, Mid- West State, Nigeria (Mason 1940).
Yellow-spotted Barbet Buccanodon duchaillui Van den Akker (2003a) lists this species in the appendix to his Niaouli list without any details, even though it is quite unknown in Benin. This species’occurrence is most unlikely, and it appears to be absent from the Dahomey Gap (pers. obs.).
Yellow-streaked Greenbul Phyllastrcphus flavostriatus
Listed from the Pendjari by Grell et al. (2005), this eastern African, montane forest species cannot possibly occur.
Fire-crested Alethe Alcthc diademata Claimed in March 1999 (JGoo in Bull. ABC 13: 99). No locality was given, but it was in Ouari Maro (P. M. Claffey in litt. 2008). Were this Guineo-Congolian forest species to occur in Benin, it would surely be in more suitable vegetation in the south. However, no-one has located it there, and the vagrant status of other forest Turdidae
162 -Bull ABC Vol 18 No 2 (2011)
The avifauna of Benin: additions and corrections: Dowsett & Dowsett-Lemaire
such as Finsch’s Flycatcher Thrush (see above) suggests that even the southern forests are too dry for this ant-following specialist.
Red-pate Cisticola Cisticola ruficeps (-)
Holyoak & Seddon (1990) reported seeing this species at 10°25’N 02°44’E (i.e. near Gamia). This Sahel species does not occur this far west in the Sudanian zone (Dowsett-Lemaire et al. 2005), and the species concerned was possibly Dorst’s Cisticola C. guinea.
Cassin’s Flycatcher Muscicapa cassini
Reported from the Oueme River at Beterou (Claffey 1995) and the Tapoa River in P.N. du ‘W’ (Crisler et al. 2003). This is a species of broad rivers in the Guineo-Congolian forest zone, and observations outside that area are either of Swamp Flycatcher M. aquatica or Ashy Flycatcher M. caerulescens. Its occurrence in P.N. du ‘W’ (Balan^a et al. 2007) is highly improbable.
Dusky-blue Flycatcher Muscicapa comitata
Reported from Toffo by Anciaux (1996), but the habitat (mango trees near habitation) (M.-R. Anciaux in litt. 2009) suggests that it was not this forest-associated species but some other small, grey flycatcher.
Bioko Batis Batis poensis
The specimen reportedly collected by Brunei (1958) at Begon (Ketou region), and considered to require confirmation by Dowsett (1993), has disappeared from the MNFiN (E. Pasquet in litt. 2009). As it came from a habitat described as ‘savane arboree’, it could have been a Senegal Batis B. senegalensis, which is widespread throughout the country. There is much degraded savanna between Ketou and Pobe (pers. obs.), and the observation of Bioko Batis on the edge of forest at Pobe mentioned by van den Akker & Claffey (2004) should not be accepted in the absence of a convincing description. Senegal Batis occurs on the edge of the forest zone at Lama, for example (pers. obs.). C. Erard (in Urban et al. 1997) cited Begon for Bioko Batis, but does not recall seeing the specimen, and agrees that its presence in Benin remains unproven (C. Erard in litt. 2009). It is unknown from the whole of the Dahomey Gap, including from eastern Ghana (pers. obs.).
Rufous-winged Illadopsis Illadopsis rufcscens
A bird mist-netted and photographed in Niaouli forest on 7 June 2001 (van den Akker 2003a) was not this species but Puvefs Illadopsis I. puveli. The colours are wrong for the richly rufous I. rufcscens , which is completely absent from the dry forests of the Dahomey Gap, where it is replaced by I. puveli.
Capuchin Babbler Phyllanthus atripennis (-) Dowsett (1993) included this species on the basis of the mention of ‘Dahomey’ by Bannerman (1953), but no supporting record has been traced. Subsequent reports lack confirmatory details (Delvingt et al. 1989, Claffey 1995).
Violet-tailed Sunbird Anthreptes aurantium Recorded by Bouet (1914) at Agouagon and Save. This claim is certainly erroneous as the species has not been recorded west of south-west Cameroon. A specimen claimed from Ondo (07°05’N 04°5TE), in southern Nigeria, was a misidentification of Western Violet-backed Sunbird A. longuemarei (Elgood 1982). This suggests that some other records in Bouet (1914) should also be treated with caution.
Blue-throated Brown Sunbird Cyanomitra cyanolaema
Based on a female from Adjacin (Oustalet 1898), but misidentified and not accepted by subsequent authorities.
Johanna’s Sunbird Cinnyris jobannae The type locality of the race fasciata (Jardine & Fraser 1852) was said to be West Africa, and was restricted to Abomey by Shelley (1876: 199), on the basis that the whole collection referred to was ‘chiefly’ from that locality. Abomey is in Dahomey (i.e. Benin, not Nigeria, as in White 1963). fdowever, the occurrence of this forest species in the savanna zone is inherently unlikely, and the specimen could have come from elsewhere in Upper Guinea.
Western Black-headed Oriole Oriolus brachyrhynchus
Reported from Niaouli and Lama, but confused with Black-winged Oriole O. nigripennis by Waltert & Muhlenberg (1999) and van den Akker (2003a). Anciaux (1996) on the other
The avifauna of Benin: additions and corrections: Dowsett & Dowsett-Lemaire
Bull ABC Vol 18 No 2 (2011) - 163
hand correctly listed only Black-winged Oriole for Niaouli, and Brunei (1958) found it ‘assez commun’ in forest, and collected several in the Pobe region; he failed to find Black-headed Oriole in the country. A specimen reported by Didier & Boudarel (1913) as O. larvatus , without locality, in the Waterlot collection, is also O. nigripennis (P. Bousses in litt. 2009); it is labelled ‘15 janvier 1910, Dahomey’ like other specimens obtained by Waterlot, which suggests this may be the date they were consigned or assembled, and not necessarily collected then.
The characteristic disyllabic contact call of birds in Benin was tape-recorded at Niaouli, Lokoli and Pobe, as well as several song types. Individuals seen at close range many times, with or without playback, and always definitely identified as 0. nigripennis (pers. obs.). Possibly Waltert & Muhlenberg confused the pale spot on the wing with the pale alula (present in O. nigripennis ), but from their description of the voice, it is clear we are dealing with a single species. Western Black¬ headed Oriole is found in wetter, less disturbed forest in the Guineo-Congolian region.
Sooty Boubou Laniarius leucorhyncbus Reported from Niaouli by van den Akker (2003a), who wrote ‘behaviour closer to that of a true shrike’, but Sooty Boubous do not behave like true shrikes and seek the densest understorey near the ground. They are noisy however, singing in a duet. FDL listened for them and played pre-recorded tapes at Niaouli (plateau) without success. The occurrence of this Guineo-Congolian endemic in the P.N. de la Pendjari (Grell et al. 2005) is quite impossible.
Black-crowned Waxbill Estrilda nonnula A sight record from Beterou by Claffey (1995) — far from the nearest records in the montane grasslands of eastern Nigeria (Elgood et al. 1994) — is obviously an error of identification or concerned an escaped cagebird.
Although the status of birds in northern Benin will be dealt with at a later date, it should be men¬ tioned here that the following species reported from ‘W’ and/or Pendjari-Arly National Parks (Balan^a et al. 2007) are certainly in error, regard¬ less of which side of the international border they are supposed to occur: Afep Pigeon Columba
unicincta , Pennant-winged Nightjar Macrodipteryx vexillarius , Green-throated Sunbird Chalcomitra rubescens , Crimson Seedcracker Pyrenestes sanguin¬ eus , Common Waxbill Estrilda astrild and Variable Indigobird Vidua funerea.
Species whose presence in Benin requires confirmation
Another 28 species require confirmation, most of them because published details are insufficient to be sure of their identification, or in the absence of an indication as to which side of international borders they have been reported. Dowsett (1993) had accepted species listed from Pendjari-Arly (Benin / Burkina Faso), and most have indeed since been found to occur in Benin, the exceptions (including others listed by Grell et al. 2005) being included below. Species accepted in 1993 but now discounted are marked (-).
• Bouet (1914): Common Quail Coturnix cotur- nix.
• Brunei (1958): Chestnut-capped Flycatcher Erythrocercus mccallii.
• Dowsett (1993): Common Teal Anas crecea (-), Secretary Bird Sagittarius serpentarius (-), Fesser Kestrel Faleo naumanni (-), Quail- plover Ortyxelos meiffrenii (-), Common Cuckoo Cuculus canorus (-).
• Claffey (1995): White Wagtail Motacilla alba , Magpie Mannikin Spermestes fringilloides.
• Dodman & Taylor (1996): Kentish Plover Charadrius alexandrinus.
• Claffey (1999b): Fesser Jacana Microparra capensis.
• Claffey (2003): Cuckoo Finch Anomalospiza imberbis.
• van den Akker (2003a): Cassin's Honeybird Prodotiscus insignis , Violet-backed Hyliota Hyliota violacea, Ussher’s Flycatcher Muscicapa ussheri , White-breasted Negro finch Nigrita fusconotus.
• Grell et al. (2005), Balan^a et al. (2007): Amur Falcon Faleo amurensis , Purple Swamphen Porphyrio porphyrio , Eurasian Oystercatcher Haematopus ostralegus, Curlew Sandpiper Calidris ferruginea , European Scops Owl Otus scops , European Roller Coracias garrulus (-), Bluethroat Luscinia svecica (-), Common Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita (-), Western
164 -Bull ABC Vol 18 No 2 (2011)
The avifauna of Benin: additions and corrections: Dowsett & Dowsett-Lemaire
Bonelli’s Warbler P. bonelli , Spectacled Warbler Sylvia conspicillata , Neumann’s (Red-winged) Starling Onychognathus [mono] neumanni , Yellow-winged Pytilia Pytilia hypo- grammica (-).
Conclusion
This paper adds 74 species to the Benin list and lists another 58 whose records have been published between 1993 and the present. Together with species accepted on the list of Dowsett (1993), including those listed from a transfrontier park and since confirmed, we now accept a total of 542 species from Benin. As, in our opinion, no fewer than 56 claimed species should be rejected or require confirmation, much remains to be clarified regarding the status and distribution of birds in the country. We hope to present a detailed synthesis in a few years time, when further field work has been completed, especially in the little-known northern half of Benin. A description of study sites and an annotated list of the 336 species observed by FDL and RJD in 2009 in south-central Benin is available as a pdf (Dowsett-Lemaire & Dowsett 2009) on request, as is a report on the 253 species found in the northern natiortal parks, lW’ and Pendjari (Dowsett-Lemaire & Dowsett 2010). It is hoped both will eventually be posted on the ABC website.
Acknowledgements
Bruno Portier has been of great help in the preparation of this manuscript, and we thank him too for the use of his photographs. We are grateful to all the other observers who have submitted records, in particular Robert Cheke, Patrick Claffey, Philippe Collard, Alain Fosse, Agnes Giannotti, Julien Gonin, Johannes & Sharon Merz, Wouter Plomp, Volker Salewski, Maarten van den Akker and Frank Walsh. We wish to thank especially: Peter Neuenschwander who stimulated our interest in the forests of Benin, and who kindly made available his house at Drabo Gbo in his absence; Prof. Brice Sinsin from Cotonou University, for his encouragement and for a research permit; and amongst many helpful officials in forestry reserves, Mr H. Hodonou, head of research at the Lama. We thank the Director of the P.N. de la Pendjari for permitting us to camp throughout the park. Patrick Bousses kindly provided details of Waterlot’s specimens housed in MNHN (Paris), Mme Evelyne Bremond-Hoslet (SEOF) photocopied Bouet (1914) for us and Ron Demey made helpful comments on an early draft.
References
van den Akker, M. 2003a. Birds of Niaouli forest, southern Benin. Bull. ABC 10: 16-22 [Corrigenda p. 74].
van den Akker, M. 2003b. First records for Benin of Yellow-whiskered Greenbul Anclropadus latirostris , Western Bearded Greenbul Criniger barbatus and White-browed Forest Flycatcher Fraseria cinerascens. Bull. ABC 10: 122-124.
van den Akker, M. & Claffey, P. 2004. Further records from the remnant forests of Benin: White-tailed Ant Thrush Neocossyphus poensis and Bioko Batis Batis poensis. Bull. ABC 1 1: 32-33.
Anciaux, M.-R. 1996. Aper^u de l’avifaune dans differents milieux de l’interieur des terres du Sud- Benin. Plateau d’Allada et sud de la depression de la Lama. Cahiers dEthologie 16(1): 79-98.
Balan^a, G., Cornells, D. & Wilson, R. 2007. Les Oiseaux du Complexe WAP. France: ECOPAS.
Bannerman, D. A. 1953. The Birds of West and Equatorial Africa. Edinburgh: Oliver & Boyd.
Bocage, J. V. B. du 1892. A ves de Dahome. f. Sci. math. phys. nat., Lisboa (2) 2(7): 185-187.
Borrow, N. & Demey, R. 2001. Birds of Western Africa. London, UK: Christopher Flelm.
Borrow, N. & Demey, R. 2004. Field Guide to the Birds of Western Africa. London, UK: Christopher Helm.
Bouet, G. 1914. Liste des oiseaux recueillis ou observes au Dahomey de 1908 a 1911. R.F.O. 6: 265-269, 305-308.
Bouet, G. 1955. Oiseaux de lAfrique Tropicale. Vol. 1. Faune de l’Union Franchise XVI. Paris: ORSTOM.
Brunei, J. 1958. Observations sur les oiseaux du Bas- Dahomey. L'Oiseau & R.F.O. 28: 1-38.
Button, J. A. 1967-68. The birds of Ilaro. Bull. Nigerian Orn. Soc. 4(13/14): 17-27; (15): 2-11; (16): 10-19; 5: 1-10.
Chappuis, C. 2000. African Bird Sounds, 2. West and Central Africa. 11 CDs. Paris: Societe d'Etudes Ornithologiques de France & London, UK: British Library.
Cheke, R. A. 2001. Benin. In Fishpool, L. D. C. & Evans, M. I. (eds.) Important Bird Areas in Africa and Associated Islands: Priori) y Sites for Conservation. Newbury: Pisces Publications & Cambridge, UK: BirdLife International.
Cheke, R. A. & Walsh, J. F. 1996. The Birds of Togo: An Annotated Check-list. BOU Check-list No. 14. Tring: British Ornithologists’ Union.
Claffey, P. M. 1995. Notes on the avifauna of the Beterou area, Borgou Province, Republic of Benin. Malimbus 17: 63-84.
The avifauna of Benin: additions and corrections: Dowsett & Dowsett-Lemaire
Bull ABC Vol 18 No 2 (2011) -165
Claffey, P. 1997. Western Red-footed Falcon Falco vespertinus , a new addition to the Republic of Benin list. Malimbus 19: 95-96.
Claffey, P. 1998. Blackcap Sylvia atricapilla , new to Benin. Malimbus 20: 57-58.
Claffey, P. 1999a. Occurrence of Red-billed Dwarf Hornbill Tockus camurus in the Republic of Benin. Bull. ABCS: 107-108.
Claffey, P. 1999b. Dams as new habitat in West African savannah. Bull. ABC 6: 1 17-120.
Claffey, P. M. 1999c. Crowned Eagle Stephanoaetus coronatus and White-breasted Negro-Finch Nigrita fusconota , new to the Benin list. Malimbus 21: 51-53.
Claffey, P. M. 2003. Parasitic Weaver Anomalospiza imberbis , new to Benin. Bull. ABC 10: 49-50.
Crisler, T., Jameson, C. & Brouwer, J. 2003. An updated overview of the birds of W National Park, southwest Niger. Malimbus 25: 4-30.
Dandliker, G. 1992. The Grey Parrot in Ghana: A Population Survey, A Contribution to the Biology of the Species, A Study of its Commercial Exploitation and Management Recommendations. Geneva: CITES Secretariat.
Delvingt, W., Heymans, J.-C. & Sinsin, B. 1989. Guide du Parc National de la Pendjari. Cotonou: CECA-CEE-CEGA.
Didier, R. & Boudarel, A. [“Bondarel”] 1913. Etude d une collection d’oiseaux du Dahomey. Bull. Mus. Hist. Nat. Paris 19: 332-338.
Dodman, T. & Taylor, V. (eds.) 1996. African Waterfowl Census 1996. Wageningen: Wetiands International.
Douaud, J. 1955. Les oiseaux du Dahomey et du Niger. Notes de voyage. Oiseau & R.F.O. 25: 295-307.
Dowsett, R. J. 1993. Afrotropical avifaunas: annotated country checklists. Benin. Tauraco Res. Rep. 5: 64-68.
Dowsett-Lemaire, F. & Dowsett, R. J. 2008. The avifauna of Mole National Park, Ghana. Malimbus 30: 93-133.
Dowsett-Lemaire, F. & Dowsett, R. J. 2009. The birds of southern Benin, January-February 2009, with notes on vegetation and larger mammals. Dowsett- Lemaire Misc. Rep. 65.
Dowsett-Lemaire, F. & Dowsett, R. J. 2010. Liste annotee des oiseaux observes aux Parcs du “W” et de la Pendjari (Benin), fevrier 2010. Dowsett- Lemaire Misc. Rep. 72.
Dowsett-Lemaire, F., Borrow, N. & Dowsett, R. J. 2005. Cisticola dorsti (Dorst’s Cisticola) and C. ruficeps guinea are conspecific. Bull. Br. Ornithol. Cl. 125: 305-313.
Elgood, J. H. 1982. The Birds of Nigeria: An Annotated Check-list. BOU Check-list No. 4. London, UK: British Ornithologists’ Union.
Elgood, J. EL, Heigham, J. B., Moore, A. M., Nason, A. M., Sharland, R. E. & Skinner, N. J. 1994. The Birds of Nigeria: An Annotated Check-list. BOU Check-list No. 4. Second edn. Tring: British Ornithologists’ Union.
Fishpool, L. D. C. 2000. A review of the status, distribution and habitat of Baumann’s Greenbul Phyllastrephus baumanni. Bull. Br. Ornithol. Cl. 120: 213-229.
Fry, C. H. & Keith, S. (eds.) 2004. The Birds of Africa.
Vol. 7. London, UK: Christopher Helm.
Fry, C. H., Keith, S. & Urban, E. K. (eds.) 1988. The Birds of Africa. Vol. 3. London, UK: Academic Press.
Green, A. A. & Sayer, J. A. 1979. The birds of Pendjari and Arli National Parks (Benin and Upper Volta). Malimbus 1: 14-28.
Grell, O. [et al.\ 2005. Plan d’amenagement participatif et de Gestion de la Reserve de Biosphere de la Pendjari. Annexe 2. Liste des oiseaux. (www.pendjari.net/ IMG/ pdf/ Oiseaux_de_la_reserve.pdf) .
Gschweng, M., Kalko, E. K. V., Querner, V., Fiedler, W. & Berthold, P. 2008. All across Africa: highly individual migration routes of Eleonora’s falcon. Proc. Roy. Soc. Lond. B 275: 2887-2896.
Holyoak, D. T. & Seddon, M. B. 1990. Distributional notes on the birds of Benin. Malimbus 11: 1 28— 134.
Jardine, W. & Fraser, L. 1852. Birds of Western Africa. Collections of L. Fraser, Esq. Contrib. Orn. 1852: 57-60.
Jones, L. 2008. Reichenbach’s Sunbird Anabathmis reichenbachii a new Benin record, and other interesting coastal records. Malimbus 30: 7 1-73. Libois, R. 1995. Sur une halte migratoire du Rale des genets ( Crex crex) dans le sud du Benin (Airique de l’Ouest). Aves 32(1): 67-69. [Correction 1996, 33(1): 63.]
Manners, G. 2010. First records of Ruddy Turnstone Arenaria interpres for Benin. Bull. ABC 17: 215. Mason, P. F. 1940. A brief faunal survey of north¬ western Benin. II Birds. Nigerian Field 9: 68-80. Merz, J. & Merz, S. 2010. First record of Streakv- breasted Flufftail Sarothrura boehmi for Benin. Bull. ABC 17: 213-214.
Millet-Horsin, [H. P.] 1921. Societe ornithologique de France. Communication du Dr Millet-Horsin. Rev. Frang. d'Orn. 7(152): 177-180.
Millet-Horsin, H. P. 1923. Contribution a l'etude de la faune ornithologique du Bas-Togo. Bull. Comite
166 -Bull ABC Vol 18 No 2 (2011)
The avifauna of Benin: additions and corrections: Dowsett & Dowsett-Lemaire
d’Etudes Hist. & Scient. Afr. Occid. Frang. 1923: 1-27.
van Muyen, B. 2003. First record of Common Black¬ headed Gull Lams ridibundus for Benin. Bull. ABC 12: 164-165.
van Muyen, B. 2006. First record of Dunlin Calidris alpina for Benin. Bull. ABC 13: 210-211.
Oustalet, A. 1898. Catalogue des oiseaux du Dahomey remis par M. Miegemarque au Museum dhistoire naturelle, en 1895. Bull. Mus. Hist. Nat. 8: 36 1 — 364.
Payne, R. B. 1982. Species limits in the indigobirds (Ploceidae, Vidua ) of West Africa: mouth mimicry, song mimicry, and a description of new species. Misc. Publ. Mus. Zool., Univ. Michigan 162: 1-96.
Salewski, V. 2007a. Rapport de voyage ornithologique au Parc National de la Pendjari et sa zone cynegetique, Benin, 24 mars-16 avril 2006. Germany: University of Regensburg.
Salewski, V. 2007b. No confirmed record of Black- backed "Cisticola Cisticola eximius from Benin. Malimbus 29: 125-126.
Salewski, V. & Korb, J. 2007. New bird records for Benin. Malimbus 29: 42-45.
Shelley, G. E. 1876-80. Monograph oftheNectariniidae, or Family of Sunbirds. London, UK: Privately published.
Sousa, J. A. 1887. Aves de Dahomey. / Sci. math. Phys. Lisboa 11(44): 217-219.
van der Spek, V. 2008. Burkina Faso & Benin 19-29 January 2008. Birding Breaks Report (www. travellingbirder.com).
Thiollay, J.-M. 1977. Distribution saisonniere des rapaces diurnes en Afrique occidentale. Oiseau & R.F.O. 47: 253-294.
Urban, E. K., Fry, C. H. & Keith, S. (eds.) 1997. The Birds of Africa. Vol. 5. London, ‘UK: Academic Press.
Waltert, M. & Muhlenberg, M. 1999. Notes on the avifauna of the Noyau Central, Foret Classee de la Lama, Republic of Benin. Malimbus 21: 82-92.
White, C. M. N. 1963. A Revised Check List Of African Flycatchers, Tits, Tree Creepers, Sunbirds, White- eyes, Honeyeaters, Buntings, Finches, Weavers and Waxbills. Lusaka: Government Printer.
Le Pouget, 30440 Sumene, France. E-mail: Dowsett@
aol.com
Received 31 October 2009; revision accepted 25
February 2011.
|
Appendix 1. Coordinates of Benin localities mentioned Abomey |
07°11’N 01°59'E |
|
Adjacin |
06°29'N 02°35’E |
|
Agbassa |
08°49’N 02°17'E |
|
Agouagon near the Oueme River |
07°59’N 02°18’E |
|
Agoue |
06°16’N 01°13'E |
|
Batia |
10°54'N 01°30’E |
|
Begon |
07°17’N 02°29’E |
|
Bembereke |
10°13’N 02°40’E |
|
Beterou |
09°12’N 02°16’E |
|
Bodjecali |
11°51’N 03°22'E |
|
Bouches du Roi |
06°17’N 01°56’E |
|
Boukoumbe |
10°1 1’N 01°06'E |
|
Campement des Elephants, P.N. de la Pendjari |
11°16’N 01°16’E |
|
Chutes de Koudou, P.N. du W |
11°39’N 02°15’E |
|
Cobly |
10°29’N 01°01’E |
|
Cotonou |
06°21’N 02°26’E |
|
Datori |
10°24’N 00°47'E |
|
Didani |
10°29N 00°59,E |
|
Djougou |
09°42’N 01 °40!E |
|
Foret Classee de I’Oueme Superieur |
c.09°25’N 02°15’E |
|
Foret Classee de la Lama |
06°59'N 02°07’E |
|
Gamia |
10°24’N 02°44'E |
|
Grand-Popo |
06°16’N 01 °50’E |
|
Guezin |
06°24’N 01 °57TE |
|
Karimama |
12°04'N 03°11’E |
|
Kofouno |
12°00’N 03°05’E |
|
Kountori, Atacora |
10°24'N 00°57'E |
|
lac Aheme |
06°23’N 01 °56'E |
|
lac Nokoue |
06°29'N 02°25'E |
|
Malanville |
11°52’N 03°23'E |
|
Mare 25, P.N. du W |
11°54’N 02°56'E |
|
Mare Bali, P.N. de la Pendjari |
11°12’N 01 °31’E |
|
Mare Fogou, P.N, de la Pendjari |
1 1°26’N 01 °35'E |
|
Mare Sacree, P.N. de la Pendjari |
1 1°28'N 01°28’E |
|
Mare Tiabiga. P.N. de la Pendjari |
1 1 °25'N 01°43'E |
|
Mekrou outfall |
12°24’N 02°49’E |
|
Mekrou Tounga, Monsey district |
c.12°25'N 02°50’E |
|
Monts Kouffe |
08°43’N 01 °5LE |
|
Nanakade |
10°26’N 00°53’E |
|
Natitingou, plateau Somba |
10°19’N 01 °22'E |
|
Niaouli plateau forest |
06°44’N 02°08'E |
|
Nikki |
09°56'N 03°12’E |
|
Ouidah lagoon |
06°20'N 02°05’E |
|
Plaine du So |
06°30’N 02°23'E |
|
Pobe |
06°58'N 02°40'E |
|
Point Triple, P.N. du W |
1 1 °54'N 02°24'E |
|
Porga |
11°03’N 00°58'E |
|
Sakete |
06°43!N 02°40'E |
|
Save |
08°02’N 02°29'E |
|
Sota outfall |
1 1 °52'N 03°23'E |
|
Tanguieta |
10°37'N 01 °16'E |
|
Toffo |
06°51’N 02°05'E |
|
Zimvo (Zinvie) |
06°37'N 02°21E |
|
zone de chasse de la Mekrou |
1 1 °20’N 02°02’E |
The avifauna of Benin: additions and corrections: Dowsett & Dowsett-Lemaire
Bull ABC Vol 18 No 2 (2011) -167
Notes on the structure and plumage of Beesley’s Lark
Chersomanes [ albofasciata ] beesleyi
Paul F. Donald ' and Nigel J. Collar1'
Notes sur la structure et le plumage de l’Alouette de Beesley Chersomanes [ albofasciata ] beesleyi.
L’Alouette de Beesley Chersomanes [, albofasciata :] beesleyi , un taxon tres rare et en diminution, confine au nord de la Tanzanie, a ete separee de l’Alouette eperonnee C. albofasciata , qui se trouve principalement en Afrique australe, dans le Handbook of the Birds of the World, Vol. 9 (2004). Ce traitement est base sur des differences genetiques non publiees, un dimorphisme sexuel plus marque, une poitrine plus fortement striee, un comportement different (hochements de queue) et une taille plus petite. Nous avons examine cinq specimens (quatre males, une femelle) de beesleyi et un grand nombre des differentes sous-especes de C. albofasciata d’Afrique australe. Les stries sur la poitrine sont toujours bien marquees chez beesleyi, mais c’est un caractere qu'on retrouve chez certains individus des races australes, surtout dans le nord. La taille de beesleyi est certes petite, mais il y a chevauchement de tous les caracteres mesures avec ceux de C. albofasciata. En plus, les hochements de queue ont ete observes chez C. albofasciata. Nous recommandons une evaluation plus serieuse du statut de la forme beesleyi mais suggerons que, quoiqu’en soit le resultat, la conservation de ce taxon biogeographiquement interessant et fortement menace doit etre prioritaire.
Summary. Beesley’s Lark Chersomanes [ albofasciata ] beesleyi, a very rare and declining taxon confined to northern Tanzania, was separated in Vol. 9 of Handbook of the Birds of the World (2004) from the largely southern African Spike-heeled Lark C. albofasciata on account of unpublished genetic differences, a higher degree of sexual dimorphism, heavier breast streaking, different behaviour (tail-cocking) and smaller size. We examined five specimens (four male, one female) of beesleyi and many more of various races of C. albofasciata from across southern Africa. Breast streaking was consistently marked in beesleyi but matched in some instances by southern African taxa, particularly in the northern part of that range, while size was small but within the overall range of albofasciata in all of the characters measured. Moreover, tail-cocking has been recorded in albofasciata. We urge fuller assessment of the status of beesleyi but suggest that, what¬ ever the outcome, the conservation of this biogeographically interesting and highly threatened taxon merits high priority.
Spike-heeled Lark Chersomanes albofasciata is largely confined to southern Africa, from Angola and Botswana south through Namibia to the Cape. The species is variable in size and plumage, and many subspecies have been proposed — up to 16 in Clancey (1980) — although this number was reduced to ten in Birds of Africa (Keith et al. 1992). The same ten subspecific divisions were followed by Handbook of the Birds of the World { HBW ; de Juana et al. 2004) and Roberts (Hockey et al. 2005). There is a single specimen record (omitted from Birds of Africa but included in HBW), a bird collected from the Kundelungu plateau in Congo-Kinshasa, currently unassigned to subspecies (Schouteden 1969, Lippens & Wille 1976), and a debated sight record from Amboseli, Kenya {HBW, Turner 1985). The various subspecies range from dark- backed races with rich rufous-brown underparts and ear-coverts, such as C. a. obscurata of Angola,
to pale-backed races that have the underparts only faintly suffused pale buff, such as C. a. kalahariae of southern Botswana (Fig. 1). Such conspicuous variation in plumage tones within a relatively small area is not unusual in certain larks, which respond to local variation in the colour of the substrate they occupy {HBW). Roberts notes that Spike-heeled Lark ‘exhibits considerable fine- scale geographic variation in plumage colouration linked to soil colour and vegetation density’, that differences among many contiguous subspecies are ‘broadly clinaf and that more study might further reduce the number of recognised subspecies.
On 2 November 1965, J. S. S. Beesley collected a lark from the Masai Plains (Angyata Osugat), some 40 km north of Arusha, northern Tanzania, nearly 2,000 km outside what was then the known range of Spike-heeled Lark. The specimen was described by Benson (1966) as a new subspecies, Chersomanes albofasciata beesleyi.
168 -Bull ABC Vol 18 No 2 (2011)
Structure and plumage of Beesley ’s Lark: Donald & Collar
Figure 1. Range of upperpart coloration in Chersomanes larks. From left: C. albofasciata kalahariae , C. a. alticola ,
C. a. bradfieldi, C. [a.] beesleyi (type specimen) and C. a. obscurata (P. F. Donald, © Natural History Museum)
Variations dans la couleur des parties superieures chez les alouettes du genre Chersomanes. De gauche a droite :
C. albofasciata kalahariae , C. a. alticola , C. a. bradfieldi ,
C. [a.] beesleyi (specimen type) et C. a. obscurata (P. F. Donald, © Natural History Museum)
in honour of its discoverer. In his description, Benson noted ‘upperside most similar to C. a. obscurata (Fiartert), but much less dark, blackish- brown rather than near jet-black . . . nape and margins on crown whitish rather than reddish, the uppertail coverts slightly paler red. On underside, dusky streaking on chest more pronounced than in any other subspecies; in tone of russet on lower chest to abdomen much paler than obscurata , nearest to C. a. kalahariae (Ogilvie-Grant) and erikssoni (Fiartert)/ Benson further noted that his specimen 'seems also to be unusually small (wing 80 mm only), White (1961) giving the wing-length of the male of two other subspecies, obscurata and C. a. boweni (de Schauensee), as respectively 81-89 and 81-91 mm'. This furnished the basis of the form's description in Birds of Africa, in which C. a. beesleyi was retained as a subspecies.
Piowever, the account of the family Alaudidae in HBW o levated beesleyi to a full species, Beesley’s Lark C. beesleyi, an arrangement also adopted by at least one field guide (Sinclair & Ryan 2003) and one world checklist (Clements 2007). The rationale for treating beesleyi as a full species was given in HBW as (1) hitherto unpublished work showing it to be genetically distinct from C. albofasciata, (2) a degree of sexual plumage dimorphism (not apparently shown in other races
of C. albofasciata), females being 'more richly rufous on belly’ and having ‘fewer, bolder breast streaks’, (3) heavier breast streaking, (4) different behaviour and (3) smaller size. The last of these characters is reflected in the alternative common name given in HBW, 'Pygmy Spike-heeled Lark although, as //Z?\Uwas the first authority to separate beesleyi as a species, it is unclear where this name was previously used. Almost immediately, doubts were expressed about the validity of elevating beesleyi to species level (Irwin 2003) and BirdLife International continues to recognise beesleyi as a subspecies of Spike-heeled Lark, so the form is not listed separately on the IUCN Red List. Careful assessment of the taxonomic status of beesleyi is important because it is extremely rare, occupies a very small range (confined to the 'Longido Game Controlled Area’: Baker & Baker 2002), and is apparently declining in numbers, making it one of Africa’s most threatened bird taxa ( HBW ); yet nothing so far has been published that quantifies and / or verifies the characters itemised in HBW as supporting its specific status.
Specimen evidence
We examined specimens of Chersomanes larks in the Natural History Museum (NHM), Tring, UK. Only five skins of beesleyi were available to us, four males (including the type) and a female; those specimens other than the type were collected by A. D. Forbes-Watson in April 1966. Larger numbers of specimens of most subspecies of Spike-heeled Lark recognised by Birds of Afica and HBW were available for comparison. Of the five characters listed in HBW for regarding beesleyi specifically, we comment on three. The genetic work is currently unpublished, and the presence of only a single female beesleyi in NFiM made quantitative assessment of sexual plumage dimorphism impossible, although this bird did not appear to differ greatly in breast streaking or underpart coloration from the males (Fig. 2).
Breast streaking. — Benson (1960) correctly pointed out that beesleyi shows more pronounced breast streaking than any other subspecies, and this is given as a salient feature in HBW. All five specimens of beesleyi in the NHM show^ clear breast streaking,’ which is generally less obvious or completely absent in specimens of the southern races of C. albofasciata examined. However, variation is high and individuals of
Structure and plumage of Beesley ’s Lark: Donald & Collar
Bull ABC Vol 18 No 2 (2011) - 169
Figure 2. Underparts of the five specimens of Chersomanes [alb o fas data] beesleyi in the Natural History Museum (Tring), four males on left, single female on the right (P. F. Donald, © Natural History Museum)
Parties inferieures de cinq specimens de Chersomanes [albofasciata] beesleyi du Natural History Museum (Tring), a gauche quatre males, a droite une femelle (P.
F. Donald, © Natural History Museum)
Figure 3. Range of breast streaking in Chersomanes larks. The left-hand two birds are C. [ albofasciata \ beesleyi showing the least and most heavily streaked birds of the five available, then the most heavily streaked examples in the collection of NHM (Tring) of C. a. kalahariae , C. a. alticola and C. a. obscurata (P. F. Donald, © Natural History Museum)
Variations dans Fimportance des stries sur la poitrine des alouettes du genre Chersomanes. Les deux oiseaux a gauche sont C. [albofasciata] beesleyi avec le moins et le plus de stries des cinq specimens presents, suivis des exemplaires les plus stries de la collection du NHM (Tring) de C. a. kalahariae , C. a. alticola et C. a. obscurata (P. F. Donald, © Natural History Museum)
some subspecies, such as C. a. alt'uola , C. a. kalahariae and C. a. obscurata , can occasionally exhibit breast streaking comparable in extent
Figure 4. Spike-heeled Lark Chersomanes albofasciata , Etosha National Park, Namibia, December 2010, presumed to be of the race boweni, showing prominent breast streaking (P. F. Donald)
Alouette eperonnee Chersomanes albofasciata, presumee de la sous-espece boweni, ayant des stries bien marquees sur la poitrine, Parc National d'Etosha, Namibie, decembre 2010 (P. F. Donald)
to that of beesleyi (Fig. 3). In December 2010, PFD observed a number of Spike-heeled Larks, presumably of the race boweni , in Etosha National Park, northern Namibia, and recorded prominent breast streaking in several of them (Fig. 4). These more heavily streaked races are among the more northerly of the southern African populations, suggesting that the degree of breast streaking might be related to latitude: while breast streaking is most frequent and pronounced in beesleyi , it is certainly not unique to this form and may be clinal. If, as seems likely, beesleyi represents a relic from a time when C. albofasciata or its ancestors were more widespread in Africa, originally clinal variation in a feature like breast streaking might misleadingly appear, with the disappearance of the intermediate forms, as a step change.
Size. — Benson (1960) again correctly pointed out that beesleyi is small, noting that the type is smaller than C. a. obscurata and C. a. boweni. With only four male beesleyi specimens available, and equally small sample sizes for several other taxa, statistical testing of differences in size was not appropriate. Nevertheless, visual plots of the measurements taken provide no evidence that beesleyi falls outside the size range of C. albofasciata (Fig. 3). In all measurements (bill to skull, wing- chord, tarsus, tail and the length of the spike on the hindclaw, all measured with dial callipers to 0.1 mm by PFD), beesleyi overlaps one or more
170 -Bull ABC Vol 18 No 2 (2011)
Structure and plumage of Beesley’s Lark: Donald & Collar
Figure 5. Boxplots of measurements of nine subspecies of Spike-heeled Larks Chersomanes albofasciata and C. [a.] beesleyi of northern Tanzania, arranged alphabetically. Only males were included because of significant sexual size dimorphism. All measurements are in mm. The horizontal line in each box represents the median, the box itself represents the interquartile range, the ‘whiskers’ the highest and lowest data values within the upper and lower limits, and the asterisks outliers. Sample sizes are 12 ( albofasciata ), 3 ( alticola ), 1 1 ( arenaria ), 4 {beesleyi), 7 ( boweni ), 6 {bradfieldi) , 8 ( erikssoni ), 8 {garulla ), 9 ( kalahariae ) and 6 ( obscurata ), respectively.
Mensurations de neuf sous-especes de l Alouette eperonnee Chersomanes albofasciata et de C. [a.] beeslejn du nord de la Tanzanie, par ordre alphabetique. Seules des males ont ete utilises a cause du dimorphisme sexuel prononce de la taille, Toutes les mensurations sont en mm. La ligne horizontale dans chaque bloc represente la valeur mediane, le bloc lui- meme represente l'ecart interquartile, les lignes les valeurs les plus hautes et les plus basses dans les limites superieures et inferieures, et les asterisques les valeurs hors normes. Nombre d’echantillons : 12 ( albofasciata ), 3 {alticola), 1 1 {arenaria), 4 {beesleyi), 7 {boweni), 6 {bradfieldi), 8 ( erikssoni ), 8 {garulla ), 9 {kalahariae) et 6 {obscurata), respectivement.
Structure and plumage of Beesley ’s Lark: Donald & Collar
Bull ABC Vol 18 No 2 (2011) -171
of the southern races of C. albofasciata or falls entirely within the overall range of that species. Bill length and tarsus length of beesleyi fall towards the centre of the range of variation shown by the southern subspecies of C. albofasciata. Wing length of beesleyi is similar to that of C. a. alticola (north-east South Africa) and overlaps with C. a. boweni (north-west Namibia and Angola) and C. a. erikssoni (north-east Namibia and Angola). The hindclaw spike length of beesleyi falls towards the upper end of variation in Chersomanes larks, although spike length is a character known to vary with the nature of the preferred vegetation (Green et al. 2009) and therefore may not be a useful taxonomic feature. Only on tail length does beesleyi stand out as being particularly small, but even this character overlaps with C. a. obscurata. In bill, tail and spike length, beesleyi is most similar to C. a. obscurata , the most northerly of the southern subspecies of C. albofasciata and the closest geographically to beesleyi.
While beesleyi is clearly not uniquely small in the range of variation exhibited by C. albofasciata , it certainly falls towards the lower end of the range of sizes exhibited, particularly in tail length. Such a pattern would be expected under Bergmann’s Rule, which states that intraspecific body size increases with latitude, probably as a response to decreasing temperatures. Bergmann’s Rule has considerable empirical support (e.g., Ashton 2002) and would predict that beesleyi should fall towards the lower end of the variation in size. Body size, therefore, does not necessarily lend support to the specific treatment of beesleyi since other reasons for its variation are possible.
Behaviour. — Claimed differences in behaviour between beesleyi and southern forms of C. albofasciata appear to be limited to tail-cocking, reported to be frequent in beesleyi and absent in all forms of C. albofasciata ( HBW ). However, these differences have not been quantified nor have any details been published, and C. albofasciata does at least occasionally cock its tail, particularly during sexual display (C. N. Spottiswoode in litt. 2009). Until field studies have been undertaken to quantify any difference, it should perhaps best be disregarded in assessments of the taxonomic status of beesleyi.
Conclusion
The rationale for elevating beesleyi to specific status therefore appears to require a more thorough presentation of the evidence. This should include an assessment of variation in songs and calls {HBW suggests that these are at least similar to those of Spike-heeled Lark), detailed behavioural observations and published estimates of genetic distances between beesleyi and all of the various races — especially obscurata — of C. albofasciata (although genetic distance alone may be deemed insufficient to diagnose specific status: Tobias et al. 2010). Whatever the outcome, every effort should be made to conserve the small and highly threatened population of beesleyi in northern Tanzania, since it unquestionably represents a distinctive and biogeographically interesting taxon (although it is also worth mentioning that renewed surveys in adjacent areas may produce new populations, as the region is generally poorly known ornithologically: M. P. S. Irwin in litt. 2010).
Acknowledgements
We are grateful to the staff of the Natural History Museum (Tring) for permitting access to the collection and for other assistance, to Michel Louette for providing further information on the specimen from Congo-Kinshasa, to Claire Spottiswoode and Lincoln Fishpool for advice and comments on this note prior to submission, and to Michael Irwin, Neil Baker and Peter Lack for their comments as referees.
References
Ashton, K. G. 2002. Patterns of within-species body size variation of birds: strong evidence for Bergmann's Rule. Global Ecol. Biogeogr. 11: 505-523.
Baker, N. E. & Baker, E. M. 2002. Important Bird Areas in Tanzania: A First Inventoiy. Dar es Salaam: Wildlife Conservation Society of Tanzania.
Benson, C. W. 1966. The Spike-heeled Lark Chersomanes albofasciata in East Africa. Bull. Br. Ornithol. Cl. 86: 76-77.
Clancey, P. A. (ed.) 1980. SAOS Checklist of Southern African Birds. Pretoria: Southern African Ornithological Society.
Clements, J. F. 2007. The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World. Sixth edn. Ithaca, NY: Cornell University Press.
Green, R. E., Barnes, K. N. & Brooke, M. de L. 2009. How the longspur won its spurs: a study of claw
172 -Bull ABC Vol 18 No 2 (2011)
Structure and plumage of Beesley 's Lark: Donald & Collar
and toe length in ground-dwelling passerine birds.
J. Zool. 277: 126-133.
Hockey, P. A. R., Dean, W. R. J. & Ryan, P. G. 2005. Roberts — Birds of Southern Africa. Seventh edn. Cape Town: Trustees of the John Voelker Bird Book Fund.
Irwin, M. P. S. 2005. Book review: Handbook of the Birds of the World , Vol. 9. Honeyguide 51: 77—78. de Juana, E., Suarez, F. & Ryan, P. G. 2004. Family Alaudidae (larks): family introduction. In del Hoyo, J., Elliott, A. & Christie, D. A. (eds.) Handbook of the Birds of the World. Vol. 9. Barcelona: Lynx Edicions.
Keith, S., Urban, E. K. & Fry, C. H. (eds.) 1992. The Birds of Africa. Vol. 4. London, UK: Academic Press.
Lippens, L. & Wille, H. 1976. Les Oiseaux du Zaire. Tielt: Lannoo.
Ryan, P. G.Q004. Beesley’s Lark Chersomanes beesleyi. In del Hoyo, J., Elliott, A. & Christie, D. A. (eds.) Handbook of the Birds of the World. Vol. 9. Barcelona: Lynx Edicions.
Sinclair, I. & Ryan, P. 2003. Birds of Africa South of the Sahara. Cape Town: Struik.
Schouteden, H. 1969. Note sur trois oiseaux du Katanga. Rev. Zool. Bot. Afr. 80: 308-310.
Tobias, J. A., Seddon, N., Spottiswoode, C. N., Pilgrim, J. D., Fishpool, L. D. C. & Collar, N. J. 2010. Quantitative criteria for species delimitation. Ibis 152: 724-746.
Turner, D. A. 1985. On the claimed occurrence of the Spike-heeled Lark Chersomanes albofasciata in Kenya. Scopus 9: 142.
a RSPB, The Lodge, Sandy, Bedfordshire SGI 9 2DL, UK. E-mail: paul. donald@rspb. org. uk " BirdLife International, Wellbrook Court, Girton, Cambridge CB3 ONA, UK. E-mail: nigel.collar@birdlife. org
Received 22 October 2010; revision accepted 10 December 2010.
Structure and plumage of Beesley’s Lark: Donald & Collar
Bull ABC Vol 18 No 2 (2011) -173
The Endangered Braun’s Bushshrike Laniarius brauni :
a summary
Michael S. L. Millfb, Martim Melob, Nik Borrouf and Pedro vaz Pintod
O pican^o de Braun Laniarius brauni , especie ‘Em Perigo’: uma sintese. O pican^o de Braun Laniarius brauni e uma especie lEm Perigo’ (Lista Vermelha das Especies Amea^adas) que apenas ocorre no norte de Angola, numa area inferior a 5.000 km2. Aqui revemos a literatura dispomvel sobre esta especie, sintetizamos a informa<;ao sobre os especimes conhecidos e apresentamos dados sobre as nossas observances originais. Com estes dados inferimos uma area de ocorrencia de 3.500 km2 e estimamos o tamanho da populacao em 3.500-7.000 individuos adultos (assumindo uma densidade de 1-2 individuos/ km2). A unica estimativa previa de 498-996 individuos adultos baseou-se numa estimativa incorrecta da area de ocorrencia. Apesar de ser mais abundante do que se estimava, esta especie ainda preenche os criterios para a categoria ‘Em Perigo’ devido a sua distribuRao restrita. E provavel que a sua area de distribuigao seja maior, mas recomendamos que se mantenha a classifica^ao ‘Em Perigo’ ate que sejam obtidos dados que comprovem esta suposRao. Esta especie nao existe em nenhuma area protegida, mas parece tolerar alguma perturbacjao visto mostrar p referenda por floresta secundaria e bordas de floresta a 600-870 m de altitude. Finalmente, descrevemos em detalhe as vocalizagoes desta especie e discutimos a literatura sobre a sua posigao sistematica.
Summary: The Endangered Braun’s Bushshrike Laniarius brauni is restricted to an area of less than 5,000 km2 in northern Angola. We review previous literature on this species, summarise information on speci¬ mens and provide details of our own unpublished records. From this we calculate a range size of 3,500 km2 and, based on the assumption of a mean density of 1-2 individuals/km2, calculate a population size of 3,500-7,000 mature individuals. The only previous population size of 498-996 individuals was based on an erroneous range size. Despite being more numerous than previously estimated, and potentially more widespread, it still meets criteria for Endangered status based on range size. We recommend that it retains Endangered status pending the collection of further field data. The species does not occur in any conserva¬ tion area, although it is perhaps tolerant of some habitat disturbance, favouring secondary forest and forest edge at 600-870 m. Finally, we describe in greater detail its vocalisations and discuss its systematic treat¬ ment in the literature.
The Endangered Braun’s Bushshrike Laniarius brauni has a range of <5,000 km2, limited to Cuanza Norte and Ufge provinces in northern Angola (Fry & Keith 2000, BirdLife International 2008, Fry 2009). Owing to its restricted distribution, even tiny errors in reported localities can distort accurate estimation of range size. Several inaccuracies and unsubstantiated claims exist in the literature, and are outlined below. Here we summarise fully details of specimens and review previous literature on the species, providing locality data as accurately as possible. We also present new and precise information from our own field observations. Finally, we provide a fuller description of the species’ vocalisations, which were described only briefly by Heinrich (1958) and Sinclair et al. (2007), and discuss its systematic treatment.
Collection localities and recent sightings
Braun’s Bushshrike was first collected on 17 April 1936 near Quiculungo (08°31’S 1 5° 1 9’E; c.800 m; also Quiculongo or Quicolungo; see Fig. 1) by Rudolf H. Braun. The specimen was sent to the Berlin Museum, where Erwin Stresemann tentatively described it as the male of Gabela Bushshrike L. [ luehderi \ amboimensis , then known only from a female specimen (Stresemann 1937). In 1939 Braun collected four additional specimens at Quiculungo, including females, and Stresemann soon realised his error. He invited David Bannerman to describe the new taxon, based on these four new specimens, two males and two females (Bannerman 1939). These four specimens, but not that collected in 1936, were sent to the British Museum and are still housed there (see Table 1). Bannerman (1939) described the new subspecies Laniarius
174 -Bull ABC Vol 18 No 2 (2011)
The Endangered Braun ’s Bushshrike: Mills et al.
Quibaxi
Samba Caju
Figure 1. A Google Earth (2009) image of record localities (small squares) and important towns (circles) within the range of Braun’s Bushshrike Laniarius brauni. Most records are from a distinctive area of forest habitats running r.150 km north-south, from r.40 km north-west of Ufge to c.20 km south ol Quiculungo. From Vista Alegre westwards is another block of forest, although much of this lies below 600 m, the lower altitudinal limit of Braun’s Bushshrike. Localities: 1 = type locality, 6 km north-west of Quiculungo; 2 = Ro<;a Canzele; 3=15 km south-west of Camabatela; 4 = Bolongongo; 5 = 30 km south of Ufge; 6 = Dembos forest; 7 = 20 km south of Quitexe; 8 = 7 km west of Quibaxi; 9 = rio Dange. Blue and purple lines indicate roads.
Figura 1. Uma imagem do Google Earth (2009) com as localidades de registo (quadrados) e povoacoes importantes (cfrculos) na area de distribuiqao do pican^o de Braun Laniarius brauni. A maior parte dos registos provem de um tipo de floresta distinto que se estende na direcQo norte-sul ao longo de cerca de 150 km, a partir de cerca de 40 km a noroeste de Ufge ate cerca de 20 km a sul de Quiculungo. De Vista Alegre para oeste existe outro bloco de floresta, mas a maior parte encontra-se abaixo dos- 600 m, a altitude minima a que ocorre o picango de Braun. Localidades:
1 = localidade tipo, 6 km a noroeste de Quiculungo; 2 = Ro<;a Canzele; 3=15 km a sudoeste de Camabatela; 4 = Bolongongo; 5 = 30 km a sul de Ufge; 6 = floresta de Dembos; 7 = 20 km a sul de Quitexe; 8 = 7 km a oeste de Quibaxi; 9 = rio Dange. Linhas azuis e roxas indicam estradas.
luehderi brauni , for its collector Braun. It should be noted that the locality details in the type description, ’Quicolungo, Angola, circa 09°50’S 15o20’E, south of the Cuanza River' (Bannerman 1939) match those given by Sick (1934) and are erroneous; Stresemann (1937) corrected Sick’s (1934) error to 08°29’S 15°16’E, but Bannerman (1939) overlooked this (Traylor 1962). This locality is c.6 km north-west of Quiculungo town, and just 2 3 km south-east of Bolongongo (08°28’S 15°15’E).
Braun collected another specimen in 1945 and two more in 1946. Then, in 1954-57, Gerd
Heinrich collected a series of 13 specimens, bringing the total to 21 (Table 1). The last record of the species in the 20th century was in November 1957. Extraordinarily, based on the specimens we have traced and a thorough review of the literature (Dean 2000; W. R. J. Dean unpubl. data), prior to 2005 the species was known from the records of just two people, Braun and Heinrich. In addition to the type locality, specimens were taken at (based on information in museum catalogues):
• rio Dange: 08°09'S 15°12’E, 810 m, r.20 km west of Camabatela (08°12’S 15°22’E);
The Endangered Braun ’s Bushshrike: Mills et al.
Bull ABC Vol 18 No 2 (2011) -175
Table 1 . A chronological list of the 21 specimens of Braun's Bushshrike Laniarius brauni we have traced. All are of adult specimens. Locality data is given according to the relevant museum catalogues in inverted commas, followed by the locality name we use. Museum abbreviations as follows: AMNH = American Museum of Natural History, New York; BMNH = British Museum of Natural History (now The Natural History Museum), Tring; FMNH = Field Museum of Natural History, Chicago; NMNH = Smithsonian Institution, Washington DC; YPM = Yale Peabody Museum of Natural History, New Haven; ZMB = Museum fur Naturkunde, Berlin; ZMH = Zoologisches Museum Hamburg.
Tabela 1. Uma lista cronologica dos 21 especimes de picango de Braun Laniarius brauni que conseguimos localizar. Todos os especimes sao de adultos. 0 nome da localidade dada por cada museu esta entre aspas e e seguido do nome da localidade dado por nos. As abreviagoes dos nomes de museus sao: AMNH = American Museum of Natural History, New York; BMNH = British Museum of Natural History (actualmente: The Natural History Museum), Tring; FMNH = Field Museum of Natural History, Chicago; NMNH = Smithsonian Institution, Washington DC; YPM = Yale Peabody Museum of Natural History, New Haven: ZMB = Museum fur Naturkunde. Berlin: ZMH = Zoologisches Museum Hamburg.
|
Date collected / |
Collector / |
Museum / |
Specimen no./ |
Location / Localidade |
Sex |
|
Data da colheita |
Colector |
Museu |
Especime n° |
||
|
17 April 1936 |
Braun |
ZMB |
36.1061 |
‘Quicolungo’; 6 km north-west of Quiculungo |
M |
|
*11 April 1939 |
Braun |
BMNH |
1939.8.4.1 |
'Quicolungo, Angola; -8.45/15.28'; 6 km north-west of Quiculungo |
M |
|
22 March 1939 |
Braun |
BMNH |
1940.12.2.13 |
‘Quicolungo, Angola; -8.45/15.28'; 6 km north-west of Quiculungo |
F |
|
1 April 1939 |
Braun |
BMNH |
1940.12.2.14 |
‘Quicolungo, Angola: -8.45/15.28'; 6 km north-west of Quiculungo |
F |
|
23 April 1939 |
Braun |
BMNH |
1940.12.2.12 |
‘Quicolungo, Angola; -8.45/15.28'; 6 km north-west of Quiculungo |
M |
|
4 May 1945 |
Braun |
ZMB |
49.25 |
‘Roga Alto Dange'; assumed to be Dange River |
F |
|
27 November 1946 |
Braun |
AMNH |
344028 |
‘Camabatela, Dange River’; Dange River |
M |
|
29 November 1946 |
Braun |
AMNH |
344027 |
‘Camabatela, Dange River’; Dange River |
M |
|
6 April 1954 |
Heinrich |
FMNH |
221265 |
‘Canzele, 30 km W Camabatela'; Roga Canzele |
M |
|
**6 May 1954 |
Heinrich |
FMNH |
221264 |
‘Canzele, 30 km W Camabatela'; Roga Canzele |
M |
|
**6 May 1954 |
Heinrich |
AMNH |
800773 |
‘Cantele, Qual Sul R.’; Roga Canzele |
M |
|
27 March 1955 |
Heinrich |
ZMH |
58.500 |
'N-Angola, 15 km S v. Camabatela'; 15 km south-west of Camabatela |
F |
|
27 March 1955 |
Heinrich |
ZMH |
58.501 |
‘N-Angola, 15 km S v. Camabatela’; 15 km south-west of Camabatela |
F |
|
30 March 1955 |
Heinrich |
FMNH |
225389 |
‘Camabatela, 15 km SW'; 15 km south-west of Camabatela |
M |
|
1 April 1955 |
Heinrich |
FMNH |
225390 |
‘Camabatela, 15 km SW'; 15 km south-west of Camabatela |
F |
|
1 April 1955 |
Heinrich |
ZMH |
58.499 |
‘N-Angola, 15km S v. Camabatela'; 15 km south-west of Camabatela |
M |
|
17 September 1957 |
Heinrich |
NMNH |
583410 |
‘Roca Canzele, North of Quiculongo, 600 m’; Roga Canzele |
M |
|
21 October 1957 |
Heinrich |
NMNH |
583411 |
‘Roca Canzele, North of Quiculongo, 700 m’; Roga Canzele |
M |
|
21 October 1957 |
Heinrich |
NMNH |
583412 |
‘Roca Canzele, North of Quiculongo, 700 m’; Roga Canzele |
F |
|
28 October 1957 |
Heinrich |
YPM |
YPM 95206 |
‘Cuanza Norte Province. Elev. 1969 feet, -8.467 15.267’; Bolongongo |
F |
|
30 October 1957 |
Heinrich |
YPM |
YPM 95205 |
‘Cuanza Norte Province. Elev. 1969 feet, -8.467 15.267’; Bolongongo |
M |
|
16 November 1957 |
Heinrich |
NMNH |
583413 |
‘Bolongongo, North of Quiculongo, 700 m’; Bolongongo |
M |
*the type specimen
** refers to the same specimen, first sent to the FMNH and later exchanged with AMNH
• Roga Canzele: 08°17’S 1 5° 1 TE, 870 m (Dean 2000), r.25 km north of Quiculungo, 27 km west of Camabatela and 9 km south-west of the rio Dange; sometimes spelt Cantele or Canzela;
• 15 km south-west of Camabatela: c.08°l6’S 15°15’E, 830 m, and c.7.5 km east of Roga Canzele; and
• Bolongongo: 08°28’S 15°15’E, 870 m, just 2 3 km west of the type locality.
We have assumed, based on its name, that Roga Alto Dange (see Table 1) must be on the Dange River and hence treat the locality as the rio Dange, from where there are two other