Birds of Western Africa: 2nd Edition (Helm Field Guides) 1472905687, 9781472905680

Table of contents :
Title Page
Copyright
Contents
Acknowledgements
How to Use This Book
Area Covered
Species Accounts
Plates
Maps
Taxonomy and Nomenclature
Author’s Note
Topography, Climate and Habitats
Topography
Climate
Main Habitats
Restricted-Range Species and Endemic Bird Areas
Taxonomy: Some Definitions
Organisations
Bird Topography
Glossary
Abbreviations and Symbols
Species Accounts
Potential Species
References
French Index
English and Scientific Index
Quick Index to the Main Groups of Birds

Citation preview

Birds of

WESTERN AFRICA Second Edition

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HELM FIELD GUIDES

Birds of

WESTERN AFRICA Second Edition

Nik Borrow and Ron Demey with contributions to the maps from Robert J. Dowsett

CHRISTOPHER HELM LONDON

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As was the case for the previous edition of this work, NB produced the artwork and the maps, while RD wrote the text. However, as we worked in close collaboration with each other and critically examined each other’s work, this book is once again a joint project.

First published in 2014 by Christopher Helm, an imprint of Bloomsbury Publishing Plc 50 Bedford Square, London, WC1B 3DP www.bloomsbury.com Copyright © 2014 by Nik Borrow and Ron Demey The right of Nik Borrow and Ron Demey to be identified as the authors of this work has been asserted by them in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or used in any form or by any means – photographic, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or information storage or retrieval systems – without permission of the publishers. Bloomsbury is a trademark of Bloomsbury Publishing Plc Bloomsbury Publishing, London, New Delhi, New York and Sydney A CIP catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library Commissioning editor: Nigel Redman Designer: Julie Dando, Fluke Art ISBN (print) 978-1-4729-0568-0 ISBN (ePub) 978-1-4081-8880-4 Printed in China This book is produced using paper that is made from wood grown in managed sustainable forests. It is natural, renewable and recyclable. The logging and manufacturing processes conform to the environmental regulation of the country of origin. 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

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CONTENTS

Plate

Page

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 10 HOW TO USE THIS BOOK 11 Area covered 11 Species accounts 11 Plates 13 Maps 14 Taxonomy and nomenclature

14

Authors’ note 15 TOPOGRAPHY, CLIMATE AND MAIN HABITATS

16

Topography 16 Climate 19 Main habitats 19 RESTRICTED-RANGE SPECIES AND ENDEMIC BIRD AREAS

21

TAXONOMY: SOME DEFINITIONS

23

ORGANISATIONS 24 BIRD TOPOGRAPHY 26 GLOSSARY 28 ABBREVIATIONS AND SYMBOLS

33

SPECIES ACCOUNTS Ostrich

STRUTHIONIDAE

59

150

Albatrosses

DIOMEDEIDAE

1

34

Frigatebirds

FREGATIDAE

1

Petrels and shearwaters

PROCELLARIIDAE

1–4

34–40

5–6

42–44

34

Storm-petrels

HYDROBATIDAE AND OCEANITIDAE

Penguins

SPHENISCIDAE

6

44

Tropicbirds

PHAETHONTIDAE

6

44

Gannets and boobies

SULIDAE

7

46

Grebes

PODICIPEDIDAE

8

48

Pelicans

PELECANIDAE

8

48

Cormorants

PHALACROCORACIDAE

9

50

Darters

ANHINGIDAE

9

Herons, egrets and bitterns

ARDEIDAE 10–14

Hamerkop

SCOPIDAE

Storks

CICONIIDAE

Ibises and spoonbills

THRESKIORNITHIDAE

14–15, 18

Flamingos

PHOENICOPTERIDAE

18

Ducks and geese

ANATIDAE 19–24

Osprey

PANDIONIDAE

25

Vultures, eagles, hawks and allies

ACCIPITRIDAE

25–42

Secretary-bird

SAGITTARIIDAE

Falcons

FALCONIDAE

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14 16–17

28 43–46

50 52–60 60 64–66 60–62, 68 68 70–80 82 82–116 88 118–124

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Guineafowl

NUMIDIDAE 47

Francolins, quails and partridges

PHASIANIDAE 48–51

Stone Partridge

ODONTOPHORIDAE 48

128

Buttonquails

TURNICIDAE 52

136

Rails, crakes and gallinules

RALLIDAE 53–55

Flufftails

SAROTHRURIDAE 56

Cranes

GRUIDAE 58

148

Finfoot

HELIORNITHIDAE 52

136

126 128–134

138–142 144

Bustards

OTIDIDAE 57–58

Jacanas

JACANIDAE 59

150

Painted-snipe

ROSTRATULIDAE 71

174 152

146–148

Oystercatchers

HAEMATOPODIDAE 60

Avocets and stilts

RECURVIROSTRIDAE

60

152

Thick-knees

BURHINIDAE 61

154

Egyptian Plover

PLUVIANIDAE 62

Coursers and pratincoles

GLAREOLIDAE 62–63

156 156–158

Plovers and lapwings

CHARADRIIDAE 64–66, 72–73

160–164, 176–178

Sandpipers and allies

SCOLOPACIDAE 67–71, 74–76

166–174, 180–184

Skuas

STERCORARIIDAE 77–78

186–188

Gulls, terns and skimmers

LARIDAE 79–86

190–204

Auks

ALCIDAE 78

188

Sandgrouse

PTEROCLIDAE 87

206

Pigeons and doves

COLUMBIDAE 88–92

208–216

Parrots

PSITTACIDAE 93–94

218–220

Parakeets and lovebirds

PSITTACULIDAE 94

Turacos

MUSOPHAGIDAE 95–96

222–224 226–232

Cuckoos and coucals

CUCULIDAE 97–100

Barn owls

TYTONIDAE 101

Typical owls

STRIGIDAE 101–105

220

234 234–242

Nightjars

CAPRIMULGIDAE 106–108

244–248

Swifts

APODIDAE 109–111

250–254

Mousebirds

COLIIDAE 112

Trogons

TROGONIDAE 112

Kingfishers

ALCEDINIDAE 113–115

258–262

Bee-eaters

MEROPIDAE 116–118

264–268

Rollers

CORACIIDAE 119–120

270–272

Hoopoes

UPUPIDAE 120

272

Wood-hoopoes and scimitarbills

PHOENICULIDAE 121

Hornbills

BUCEROTIDAE 122–124

276–280

Barbets and tinkerbirds

RAMPHASTIDAE 125–128

282–288

Honeyguides

INDICATORIDAE 129–130

290–292

Woodpeckers and wrynecks

PICIDAE 131–134

294–300

256 256

274

Broadbills

EURYLAIMIDAE 135

Pittas

PITTIDAE 135

Larks

ALAUDIDAE 136–139

304–310

Swallows and martins

HIRUNDINIDAE 140–145

312–322

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302 302

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Wagtails, pipits and longclaws

MOTACILLIDAE 146–150

324–332

Cuckooshrikes

CAMPEPHAGIDAE 151–152

334–336

Bulbuls

PYCNONOTIDAE 153–160

338–352

Nicators

NICATORIDAE 160

Thrushes

TURDIDAE 161–163

Chats and allies

MUSCICAPIDAE, SAXACOLINAE 162–172

356–374

Cisticolas and allies

CISTICOLIDAE 173–181

378–394

Sylviid warblers

SYLVIIDAE 182–183, 191–193 396–398, 414–418

Locustella warblers and allies

LOCUSTELLIDAE 184, 186

400, 404

Reed warblers and allies

ACROCEPHALIDAE 185–187

402–406

Leaf warblers

PHYLLOSCOPIDAE 188–189

Longbills, crombecs and allies

MACROSPHENIDAE 184, 189–190

Hyliotas

HYLIOTIDAE 190

Flycatchers

MUSCICAPIDAE, MUSCICAPINAE 194–198

352 354–358

408–410 400, 410–412 412 420–428

Fairy flycatchers

STENOSTIRIDAE 199

Monarchs

MONARCHIDAE 199–200

430–432 434–438

430

Batises, wattle-eyes and allies

PLATYSTEIRIDAE 201–203

Picathartes

PICATHARTIDAE 204

Babblers

TIMALIIDAE 204–207

Tits

PARIDAE 208

Penduline tits

REMIZIDAE 209

450

Spotted Creeper

SALPORNITHIDAE 208

448

White-eyes

ZOSTEROPIDAE 210

Sunbirds

NECTARINIIDAE 210–215

440 440–446 448

452 452–462

Shrikes

LANIIDAE 216–218

462–468

Bush-shrikes

MALACONOTIDAE 219–224

470–480

Helmetshrikes

PRIONOPIDAE 224

Orioles

ORIOLIDAE 225

482

Drongos

DICRURIDAE 226

484

480

Crows

CORVIDAE 226–227

484–486

Starlings

STURNIDAE 228–231

488–494

Oxpeckers

BUPHAGIDAE 231

Sparrows

PASSERIDAE 232–234

496–500

Weavers

PLOCEIDAE 234–244

500–520

Estrildid finches

ESTRILDIDAE 245–253

522–538

494

Whydahs, indigobirds VIDUIDAE 254–255

540–542

True finches

FRINGILLIDAE 256–257

544–546

Buntings

EMBERIZIDAE 258–259

548–550



and Cuckoo Finch

260–266 Island Forms POTENTIAL SPECIES

552–564 566

REFERENCES

567

FRENCH INDEX

568

ENGLISH AND SCIENTIFIC INDEX

576

QUICK INDEX TO THE MAIN GROUPS OF BIRDS

592

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NouadhibouNouadhibou

Gao

Mopti

Gao

Mopti

Banfora

Banfora

Ibad Lagos Abidjan

Abidjan

(Equatoria

Figure 1. Western Africa

8

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Faya

Gao

Faya

Gao

Tahoua

Tahoua Zinder

Kano Zaria

Zinder

Abéché

Kano Zaria C

C

ha

ora

Ibadan Lagos

Abéché

ha

ri

ri

Ibadan Lagos

djan Port Harcourt Port Harcourt

ng o

o ng

o ng Co

Lékoni

Co

Lékoni

(Equatorial Guinea) (Equatorial Guinea)

Co

BATA

Co ng

BATA

Douala

o

Douala

Pointe NoirePointe Noire

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This field guide is principally based on our Birds of Western Africa (2001), updated with the results of subsequent research. It draws extensively upon the work of many ornithologists past and present, as well as the observations of numerous birders. Although we have acknowledged the contribution of many of them before, it is a genuine pleasure to thank again all those who have directly or indirectly contributed to this work. First of all, we are particularly grateful to Robert Dowsett and Françoise Dowsett-Lemaire for generously sharing their vast and intimate knowledge of African birds with us and for providing us with invaluable help, advice and stimulating discussions over many years. Bob Dowsett was also hugely instrumental in improving the accuracy of the distribution maps, for which additional corrections were suggested by Joost Brouwer, Marc Languy, Bruno Portier, Hugo Rainey and Tim Wacher. Since the publication of Birds of Western Africa, we have benefited from the constructive comments of a large number of individuals including Mark Andrews, George Angehr, Thierry Bara, Peter Bijlmakers, Christian Boix, Sering Bojang, Chris Bowden, Joost Brouwer, Ralph Buij, Iain Campbell, Claude Chappuis, Patrice Christy, William S. Clark, Nigel Cleere, Callan Cohen, Jacob C. Cooper, Mary Crickmore, Richard Cruse, Tony Disley, Tim Dodman, Andrew Dunn, Geoffrey Field, David Fisher, Lincoln Fishpool, Dick Forsman, Cornelis Hazevoet, the late Paul Herroelen, Andrew Hester, the late Ian Hinze, Guy Kirwan, Olivier Lachenaud, Marc Languy, James Lidster, Michel Louette, Martim Melo, Pierfrancesco Micheloni, Michael Mills, David Monticelli, Robert Payne, Bruno Portier, Bill and Rowena Quantrill, Adam Riley, Stephen Rumsey, Jean-Marc Thiollay, Alan Tye, Mark Van Beirs and Jared Wolfe. Mark Adams and Robert Prˆys-Jones, at the Natural History Museum, Tring, UK, and Michel Louette, at the Royal Museum for Central Africa, Tervuren, Belgium, are thanked for continuing to facilitate access to specimens. BirdLife International kindly permitted the use of some of its maps. We thank Nigel Redman, the Commissioning Editor, for having initiated the project and for his assistance in producing this book. Once again, Julie Dando has expertly executed the digital manipulation of images, production of maps, and design and layout of the plates and text. NB would like to thank the many Birdquest clients, friends and companions in the field, including, in particular, Didi Abdel-Haviz, Emmanuel Appiah-adjei, William Apraku, Taku Awa, Bamenda Highlands Forest Project, Lawrence Bangura, Innocent Ndong Bass, Mark Beaman, Sylvain Zo Beugre, David Daramani, Joachim Dibakou, Dabala Dji, Enongene Louis Epie, Kingsley Epie, Brian Finch, George Fon Fru, Germain Gagné, Kenneth Gbengba, Ghana Wildlife Society, Alan Greensmith, Bernard Guévorts, Solomon Jallow, Ekpe Kennedy, Korup National Park Project, Pedro Leitão, Norberto de Lima Vidal, Mount Kupe Forest Project, Gilles Monnoyeur, Pete Morris, Nwese Joseph Mulango, Idrissa Ndiaye, Francis Ntakor, Isaac Ntakor, James Ntakor, Robert Ntakor, Luc Guirobo Nomo, Antoine Ombrou, Aoudou Oumarou, Gerhard Radl, Momoh B. Sesay, Sio, Dembo Sonko, Wandifa Touray and Mark Williams. RD thanks his field companions in various African countries, especially Dennis Ndeh Anye, Thierry Bara, JeanMichel Borie, Jane & Peter Chandley, Martine Cmok, Mohamed Moussa Balla Condé, Patrick Dauda, Ian Davidson, Klaas-Douwe (KD) Dijkstra, Gus Ezealor, Jerry Garteh, Namory Keïta, Marc Languy, Gondo Manh, Shiiwua Manu, Moses Massah, Flomo Molubah, Ara Monadjem, Michel Nicole, Kevin Yana Njabo, Arnold Okoni-Williams, Georges Oueda, Hugo Rainey, Alain Rousseau, Alhaji Siaka, Kadiatou Soumah, Michel Tia, Jan Van de Voorde, and the members of field teams in Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Ghana, Guinea, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Nigeria, Senegal and Sierra Leone. RD also thanks Saliou Diallo (Guinée Écologie) for his friendship and assistance in organising field work in Guinea, Lincoln Fishpool (BirdLife International) for his companionship in the field and help in various ways, Jennifer McCullough and Leeanne Alonso (Conservation International) for their invitations to participate in Rapid Assessment Program expeditions, and Francis Lauginie (Afrique Nature), Guy Rondeau (Okapi) and Annika Hillers for inviting him to participate in various other surveys. Francis Lauginie also deserves special thanks for his marvellous hospitality and much practical assistance over the years. Finally, as always, RD expresses his deepest gratitude to Rita Swinnen for her love, tireless patience, and enthusiastic, good-natured and unstinting support of a project that has consumed far more time and energy than was ever anticipated.

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HOW TO USE THIS BOOK This book illustrates and briefly describes all species definitely recorded from western Africa, as well as some that have been claimed but whose occurrence requires proof. The design and layout have been executed with field identification in mind.

AREA COVERED Western Africa, as defined here and subsequently referred to as ‘the region’, comprises the 23 countries, south of the Sahara, from Mauritania in the north-west to Chad and the Central African Republic in the east, and CongoBrazzaville in the south-east, including the Cape Verde and Gulf of Guinea islands. The term ‘region’ is used in a general sense and does not indicate an avifaunal or biogeographical region or subregion. For ease of reference, all range states comprising western Africa are covered in their entirety; thus parts of northern Mauritania, Niger and Chad that are often considered to be within the Western Palearctic are included. The four principal Gulf of Guinea islands comprise Bioko (formerly Fernando Po), Príncipe, São Tomé and Annobón (formerly Pagalú). Bioko and Annobón form part of Equatorial Guinea.

SPECIES ACCOUNTS Many species groups have a short introduction highlighting their key features. This information is intended to be read in conjunction with the species accounts. The species accounts comprise the following elements.

Names The first line of each species account contains the English name followed by the scientific (binomial) name and the French name (see page 14 for an explanation of the taxonomy and nomenclature used in this book).

Measurements To indicate the bird’s relative size, length (in cm) is mentioned after the species names. Wingspan (WS) and tail-streamer length are mentioned where relevant. Measurements are taken from authoritative sources, complemented by our own mensural data obtained from specimens. Some measurements from Birds of Western Africa (2001) and Field Guide to the Birds of Western Africa (2004) have been corrected. Total-length measurements represent the length of museum skins lying on their backs and measured from bill tip to tail tip. Note that direct comparison of these measurements can be quite misleading because they do not take into account other aspects of physiognomy, such as relative bill, neck and tail lengths, bulk, etc. It is therefore most useful only when comparing related species.

Subspecies If the species has a single subspecies (= race) occurring in the region, its name is placed at the beginning of the species account. If more than one subspecies occurs, these are succinctly described within the species account. Racial information is primarily provided to indicate the extent of geographical variation within the region. It should be borne in mind, however, that differences between subspecies are often subtle (e.g. colour tones) or based on measurements, and are thus often very hard or impossible to discern in the field. Identification Each species account typically begins with the key features. Principal characteristics of the different plumages follow, in the order: adult male, adult female, juvenile and, if relevant, immature. We have attempted to include as much information as space permitted, without repeating what can be seen on the plates – the text is intended to supplement the illustrations and to highlight the most relevant identification features. Diagnostic or important identification features are placed in semi-bold italics. Distinguishing features of similar species are given where relevant. (For more detailed species descriptions, please refer to Birds of Western Africa, 2001). The term ‘immature’ (used generally for a non-adult bird) has normally not been used to indicate juvenile plumage (the first plumage of true, non-downy, feathers). For young passerines of Palearctic origin wintering in our region, ‘immature’ indicates ‘first-winter’ plumage. In some cases ‘immature’ is used when the available information prevents greater precision. The terms ‘winter’ and ‘summer’ refer to northern hemisphere seasons. The terms ‘small’, ‘medium-sized’ and ‘large’ indicate only the relative size of a species compared to its close relatives. For the sake of brevity, and when not indicated otherwise (or obviously different), the term ‘top of head’ includes forehead and crown, ‘throat’ includes the chin, and ‘legs’ includes legs and feet. ‘Above’ generally encompasses head and upperparts, and sometimes also tail; ‘below’ the entire underparts; in some cases, certain

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parts are excluded, but this should be obvious from the context. ‘Flight feathers’ include primaries and secondaries (but not tail feathers). ‘Wing feathers’ include flight feathers and wing-coverts. ‘Upperparts’ often includes scapulars and wing-coverts (if concolorous). Study of the illustrations should preclude any confusion. Colour names have deliberately been kept as simple as possible and most will be readily understood. Where two colours are combined (compound colours), the last named is dominant; in other words, they should be interpreted as the second colour tinged with the first; e.g. reddish-brown is brown tinged red. Where the suffix -ish is added, this indicates a weaker or less distinct shade of that colour. Frequently used colours include buff (pale or dull yellowish with a brownish or beige tinge), chestnut (dark reddish-brown), olive (dull yellowish-green, like the fruit) and horn (pale brownish-yellow; used solely for bills). Dusky (dirty greyish or brownish) is often used for rather indistinct darkish markings. The term dark (opposite pale) is used for dark plumage markings that lack any obvious colour.

Habitat and habits (HH) The habitat in which the species normally occurs is briefly indicated. Some typical behaviour relevant to identification is mentioned wherever space permitted. If a species is endemic to the region, this has been mentioned. Other information given in this section includes the species’ status and relative abundance. Status The status of each species is denoted as follows: Resident: a species that resides within its range throughout the year and breeds; the opposite of a migrant. Intra-African migrant: a species that breeds in one part of Africa and spends the post-breeding season in a different area, or appears only seasonally in another part. Palearctic visitor: a species that breeds in the Palearctic region (Europe, North Africa and part of Asia) and spends the boreal winter in sub-Saharan Africa. The term ‘visitor’ includes both passage migrants and birds that remain in the region through the winter. Vagrant: a species outside its normal range. More than one category may be applicable. It is sometimes difficult to distinguish between a genuine vagrant and a species with only a few records. Some ‘vagrants’ may prove to be more or less regular, albeit rare or scarce, given increased observer coverage. Abundance Only five, easily understood, abundance categories are used, based on the likelihood of a species being recorded during a visit to an appropriate area at an appropriate time of year: Common: invariably encountered, singly or in significant numbers, within its normal habitat. Fairly common: usually, but not invariably, encountered within its normal habitat (= ‘frequent’ or ‘not uncommon’). Uncommon: relatively frequently, but not regularly, encountered within its normal habitat. Scarce: only irregularly and infrequently encountered within its normal habitat. Rare: rarely encountered, often implying fewer than c.10 records. Note that relative abundance is somewhat subjective and can vary across the species’ range and according to season.

Voice Only the most characteristic vocalisations are (briefly) given. In a few cases, where the species is mainly silent or the vocalisations are unimportant for identification purposes, these have been omitted when space was limited. Transcriptions of calls and songs are placed in italics. As is widely acknowledged, transcribing bird sounds so that they can be unambiguously interpreted by others is almost impossible. Phonetic renditions and verbal descriptions are necessarily highly subjective and open to misinterpretation, but there appears to be no convenient alternative. The user of this book is therefore advised to listen to sound recordings and compare them with the transcriptions, in order to understand the authors’ interpretation. In the transcriptions of vocalisations the following conventions apply: single vowels are pronounced short (thus a as in ‘apple’, e as in ‘extra’, i as in ‘it’, u as in ‘full’) ee as in ‘see’, ‘be’

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iiiiii is higher pitched than eeee k as in ‘cat’ (c is not used for the hard ‘k’ sound) ch as in ‘check’ sh as in ‘sheep’ CAPITAL LETTERS indicate that the component in question is considerably louder than the others. Pauses between notes or syllables are denoted as follows (after Alström et al. 1991): seesee no discernable pause see-see very short pause see see normal pause, as in ordinary conversation see, see longer pause (at least c.1 second) see...see pause of more than 2 seconds

Note In some cases, a note is included, usually relating to taxonomy or nomenclature. Alternative names ‘[Alt]’ Some alternative English names in widespread or recent use are given. Globally threatened species Species designated by BirdLife International in 2013 as globally threatened (‘Red List species’) are indicated at the end of the species account as follows: CR = Critically Endangered

Species facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild in the immediate future.

EN = Endangered

Species facing a very high risk of extinction in the wild in the near future.

VU = Vulnerable

Species facing a high risk of extinction in the wild in the medium-term future.

The following categories are also indicated: NT = Near Threatened

Species coming very close to qualifying as threatened.

DD = Data Deficient Species for which there is inadequate information to make an assessment of its risk of extinction. This is not a threat category but an acknowledgement that future research may show that classification as threatened is appropriate. For a comprehensive discussion of the above categories and periodic updates of the species’ threat status, see the BirdLife website: www.birdlife.org.

PLATES All species positively recorded and a few species only claimed from western Africa are illustrated in colour. Our aim has been to illustrate as many distinct plumages as space would permit. Thus, distinctive male, female and immature plumages are depicted, subject to the availability of representative specimens or personal field notes. This is also the case with races that are sufficiently distinctive to be separated in the field. Wherever possible or desirable, care has been taken to respect family groupings. On most plates, the species are arranged in order of resemblance and are thus not necessarily in taxonomic order. Species and distinctive subspecies that occur exclusively on Cape Verde and Gulf of Guinea islands are grouped on the final seven plates (260–266). Although recent molecular studies have proposed substantial changes to the order (and number) of families, we have decided to largely follow the familiar former taxonomic sequence, as we aim to be as user-friendly as possible and know from experience how confusing and irritating a radically different sequence in a field guide can be. A few plates depict birds painted to different scales; in such cases the various birds or groups are divided by a narrow line on the plate. The majority of the illustrations are those of Birds of Western Africa (2001), as amended in the subsequent Field Guide to the Birds of Western Africa (2004). They have, however, been completely rearranged into new plates, and many additional amendments and new figures have been included.

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MAPS Updated distribution maps are provided for all species. The maps are based on published data up to 2013. Unpublished data known to us have been taken into account, when considered reliable. The maps reflect the known or inferred distribution of a species in areas of suitable habitat. Although they are necessarily small and often rather sketchy, we believe it is far better to have such maps rather than none, as they permit an understanding of a species’ occurrence at a glance. We would, however, like to emphasise that they do not and cannot provide a detailed reflection of actual distributions and should therefore be used with caution and common sense.

Key to the maps: resident

?

mainly resident but partially migratory or erratic within range non-breeding visitor (main range) non-breeding visitor (sparse occurrence)

x

breeding visitor vagrant or isolated record

x

uncertain record or range

TAXONOMY AND NOMENCLATURE For the non-passerines we have, in general, followed the first volume of the extensively revised and updated fourth edition of the ‘Howard and Moore’ Checklist (Dickinson & Remsen 2013; hereafter abbreviated as H&M4), as we consider this to be the most authoritative list available. As the second volume, covering the passerines, had not been published at the time of writing, we have based our taxonomic treatment on information made available to us, combined with other sources such as the previous (third) edition of the ‘Howard and Moore’ Checklist (Dickinson 2003), the Handbook of the Birds of the World (del Hoyo et al. 2003–11) and the IOC World Bird List (Gill & Donsker 2014). In some cases, where a taxon has been variably treated as a subspecies or a species by different authors, the taxon has been treated under a separate English name, but to indicate that the taxonomy is not undisputed, the specific name under which it is also treated is placed within parentheses. This has been done in cases where there is evidence to suggest that the taxon may preferably be treated as a separate species, e.g. Psittacus (erithacus) timneh and Tockus (erythrorhynchus) kempi, although a few others, e.g. Ficedula (hypoleuca) speculigera and Parus (leucomelas) guineensis, are more controversial. This has also been done in a few cases where evidence suggests that the form often treated as a species may actually best be ‘lumped’, e.g. Indicator (minor) curvirostris, Acrocephalus (scirpaceus) baeticatus and Eremomela (icteropygialis) salvadorii. Note that, for the non-passerines, parentheses always indicate that the form in question is treated as a subspecies in H&M4; thus Caprimulgus (pectoralis) nigriscapularis is considered to be a race of C. pectoralis. Cases where we have preferred not to follow H&M4 are Macaronesian Shearwater Puffinus baroli (included in Audubon’s Shearwater P. lherminieri by H&M4), Forest Wood-hoopoe Rhinopomastus (not Phoeniculus) castaneiceps, and Black Dwarf Hornbill and White-crested Hornbill, both placed in Horizocerus by a recent study (Gonzalez et al. 2013). English names are generally those of H&M4, except in some cases where the names proposed for Afrotropical species differ from those used in western Africa. Regarding the spelling of English bird names, we wholeheartedly adhere to H&M4 rules, as these reflect our own. The French names are those proposed in Noms français des oiseaux du monde (1993), with a few amendments, mainly reflecting usage in the Western Palearctic (Commission de l’Avifaune Française 2011) and more recent taxonomic changes.

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AUTHORS’ NOTE Many interesting observations remain buried in personal notebooks or unpublished reports. It is therefore recommended that relevant data be submitted to a refereed journal for publication, e.g. Malimbus or Bulletin of the African Bird Club (see page 24). Future fieldwork will certainly add to our knowledge of western Africa’s avifauna and the information presented in this guide, especially concerning species’ ranges, can (and will) become out of date. The authors (c/o the publishers, Christopher Helm) would therefore be pleased to receive any comments and information which updates and corrects the text, maps or illustrations.

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TOPOGRAPHY, CLIMATE AND HABITATS TOPOGRAPHY Most of the western African mainland is, unlike eastern and southern Africa, largely flat and low lying, with altitudes rarely exceeding 400 m except for granite inselbergs that can reach 700 m. Notable montane or hilly areas include the Fouta Djalon (Guinea; average altitude c.900 m; highest peak: Mt Loura, 1538 m), the Loma Mts (Sierra Leone; highest peak: Mt Bintumani, 1945 m), Mt Nimba (1752 m, Guinea/Liberia//Ivory Coast), the Jos Plateau (C Nigeria; average altitude c.1280 m; highest peak 1829 m), the Aïr Mts (Niger; average altitude 500–900 m; highest peak 2022 m), and the Tibesti and Ennedi Mts (N Chad; highest peak, in Tibesti, 3445 m). The interior of Gabon and Congo is occupied by a vast plateau ranging at 300–1000 m. The most important, however, is the Cameroon highlands, a chain of mountains in western Cameroon running south-west and extending across the border into south-east Nigeria (Mambilla and Obudu Plateaux) (Fig. 2). It contains the highest peak in western Africa, Mt Cameroon (4095 m), which is volcanic and still active. Other mountains include Mt Rata (1768 m) in the Rumpi Hills, Mt Kupe (2064 m), Mt Nlonako (1825 m), Mt Manenguba (2411 m) in the Bakossi Mts, and Mt Oku (3011 m) in the Bamenda Highlands. In Nigeria, the highest peak on the Mambilla Plateau is Chappal Wadi (c.2419 m); the Obudu Plateau reaches c.1716 m.

Mamb

teau

a Pla

maw

Ada

Mt Oku

au

da

en

m Ba

teau

u Plate

Obud

illa Pla

NIGERIA

ds an

hl

g Hi

Bakossi Mts Rumpi Hills

Mt Manenguba Mt Nlonako

Mt Kupe

Mt Cameroon

CAMEROON

Pico Basilé

Bioko

kilometres 0

50

100

Figure 2. The Cameroon highlands The Gulf of Guinea islands are part of the line of volcanoes, extending from the Cameroon highlands south-west into the Atlantic Ocean. Bioko lies on the continental shelf just c.30 km off the coast of Cameroon and was probably linked to the African mainland in the past. Pico Basilé (3011 m) is still active. Príncipe, São Tomé and Annobón, however, are true volcanic islands surrounded by deep seas. This isolation has led to a species-poor avifauna with a high degree of endemism.

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Ponta do Sol

Santo Antão 17N

São Vicente

Mindelo

Santa Luzia Branco

Sal

Vila da Ribeira Brava

Santa Maria

Raso

São Nicolau

CAPE VERDE ISLANDS

Sal Rei

Boavista

16N

Curral Velho

kilometres 0

20

40

60

Tarrafal

Santiago

Ilhéus do Rombo

Brava 25W

Vila Nova Sintra

São Filipe

Fogo

24W

Maio Porto Inglês

15N

PRAIA

23W

Figure 3. Cape Verde Islands The oceanic Cape Verde Islands are situated 460–830 km off the coast of Senegal and consist of ten islands and several islets of volcanic origin that have never been connected to the African mainland (Fig. 3). Five are mountainous (Santiago, Fogo, Brava, Santo Antão and São Nicolau), with peaks exceeding 1000 m (and up to 2800 m on Fogo, the only active volcano), while the other five (São Vicente, Santa Luzia, Sal, Boavista and Maio) are of low relief. The region has five or six main river systems. The 4030 km-long Niger River, the third-largest river in Africa, with its main tributary the Bénoué (or Benue), drains the major part of the region. It arises in the high-rainfall hills of southeastern Guinea, only a few hundred kilometres from the ocean, flows through every climatic and vegetation zone of the region and forms a huge inland delta, which considerably delays flooding downstream such that maximum water levels here occur well into the dry season, coinciding with the northern hemisphere winter and important for migrant waterbirds. The other main river systems are the Senegal River, the Ogooué, the Congo River and its tributary the Ubangi, and the Chari (sole affluent of Lake Chad). There are few large natural lakes in the region, the largest being landlocked Lake Chad, which exhibits considerable fluctuations in water levels.

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12

Nouadhibou 1

2

11

4

Nouakchott

Faya

16 15

Gao

6

Tahoua

Dakar Banjul

13

5

3

17

18

Bamako

19

Bissau

8 7

Mopti

9

Zinder

Niamey Ouagadougou 10 33 32

20

Kano

39

Zaria

Banfora

Conakry

22 23

Freetown

24

27 25

Monrovia

21

26

Yamoussoukro 28 29

30 31

Abidjan

LAKE CHAD

40

Abuja

34

48

41

14

42

Ibadan

Porto-Novo Lagos 38 37 Lomé 36 Accra 35

45 46

47

Port Harcourt

43 44

51

61

50 59

54

Douala

Bata

SAO ˜ TOMÉ

60

49

58 Bangui

Yaoundé

BIOKO

PRÍNCIPE

Abéché

N'Djamena

53

52 55

62 63

Libreville

56

64

57 ANNOBÓN

Lékoni

65

Figure 4. Some important birding localities. NP = National Park Mauritania 1 Baie de l’Etoile 2 Banc d’Arguin NP 3 Diawling NP Mali 4 Adrar des Iforhas 5 Lac Faguibine 6 Central Niger delta 7 Bandiagara escarpment 8 Boucle du Baoulé NP 9 Mandingues Mts Niger 10 ‘W’ NP 11 Aïr Mts Chad 12 Tibesti 13 Ennedi 14 Zakouma NP Senegal 15 Djoudj NP 16 Lac de Guiers 17 Delta du Saloum NP 18 Niokolo-Koba NP 19 Basse Casamance Guinea 20 Fouta Djalon 21 Mt Nimba Sierra Leone 22 Loma Mts

23 Tingi Mts 24 Gola Forest Liberia 21 Mt Nimba 25 Wonegizi Mts 26 Sapo NP Ivory Coast 21 Mt Nimba 27 Comoé NP 28 Marahoué NP 29 Taï NP 30 Lamto 31 Yapo Forest Burkina Faso 10 ‘W’ NP 32 Po NP 33 Arli NP Ghana 34 Mole NP 35 Ankasa Resource Reserve 36 Kakum NP 37 Atewa Forest Reserve 38 Bobiri Benin 10 ‘W’ NP Nigeria 39 Kainji NP 40 Hadejia-Nguru wetlands 41 Jos Plateau

66 Pointe Noire

Brazzaville

42 Wase Rock 43 Gashaka-Gumti NP 44 Mambilla Plateau; Gotel Mts 45 Obudu Plateau 46 Cross River NP; Oban Hills 47 Lower Niger delta Cameroon 48 Waza NP 49 Bénoué NP 50 Adamawa Plateau 51 Bamenda Highlands 52 Campo-Ma’an NP 53 Dja Game Reserve 54 Korup NP Central African Republic 50 Manovo-Gounda-St Floris NP 51 Bamingui-Bangoran NP 52 Dzanga-Sanga Forest 53 Lobaye Préfecture 54 Ouossi R. (Baroua and Zémio area) Equatorial Guinea 55 Mt Alen Gabon 56 Makokou 57 Lopé NP Congo 58 Nouabalé-Ndoki NP 59 Odzala NP 60 Léfini Faunal Reserve 61 Conkouati Faunal Reserve

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CLIMATE The principal feature of the region’s climate is the alternate wet and dry seasons, which are governed by the movement of the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ), a zone of low pressure towards which blow winds from the northern and southern high pressure belts. South-westerly winds from the Atlantic Ocean are warm and moist, while north-easterly winds from the Sahara, known as Harmattan, are hot, dry and dusty. The ITCZ annually oscillates north and south following, with a lag of 1–2 months, the position of the sun. At the northern summer solstice it lies near the Tropic of Cancer and wet maritime winds produce a rainy season north of the equator. When the ITCZ moves south and the sun is over the Tropic of Capricorn, most of the region comes under the influence of the continental, hot, dry Harmattan. Overall, the dry season lengthens and rainfall decreases with increasing latitude. In the south, the dry season generally extends from December to March, while in the north it lengthens to at least seven months, from October to April. This pattern can, however, exhibit considerable annual variation, especially in the north where the wet season is short (July–September) and rainfall is erratic in timing, quantity and distribution. In the south, from Ivory Coast to Nigeria, the rains decrease in August, resulting in a ‘short dry season’. In the part of our region south of the equator, namely Gabon and Congo, the weather pattern is the reverse of that to the north, with a dry season from mid-May through September and a long rainy season from October to mid-May. Rains decrease during a short dry spell in December–January. Here also, monthly rainfall varies greatly from year to year. Maximum temperatures and temperature ranges increase with latitude. In the forest zone temperatures vary little, averaging around 27°C throughout the year, whereas in the desert they may range from around 0°C to more than 45°C.

MAIN HABITATS Western Africa contains a broad range of habitats, from rain forest to desert. They are arranged in a series of parallel latitudinal bands orientated west–east, reflecting the decreasing northward rainfall gradient. Except locally, the lack of relief means there is little disturbance to the zonal arrangement of both climatic and vegetation belts. The sea coast is generally flat and sandy, with some intertidal mud and sand flats. Africa’s largest intertidal mudflats occur in the region, in N Mauritania (Banc d’Arguin area, 46,000 ha) and along the coast of Guinea-Bissau, Guinea and Sierra Leone (284,300 ha). Smaller mudflats, which seasonally hold significant aggregations of waders, are the Senegal delta and Sine-Saloum, both in Senegal. Brackish creeks and lagoons may occur behind the narrow coastal belt; these may be very large locally (e.g. in Ivory Coast). Mudflats and lagoons typically are bordered by mangroves. Open swamps and swamp forest may be found further inland. Africa’s two major lowland rain forest blocks occur in the region, often referred to as the Upper Guinea and Lower Guinea forests, separated, from E Ghana to Benin, by the Dahomey Gap, where savanna reaches the coast. These forests, except within the Dahomey Gap, originally covered most of the area between Sierra Leone and SE Guinea to SW CAR and Congo. Much of this area is now deforested and replaced by ‘derived savanna’, a mosaic of cultivation, farmbush and secondary forest, which permits savanna species to penetrate the forest zone. Of the remaining forest, very little is true primary: most has been modified by man. As the degree of secondary modification may be hard to gauge, the term ‘high forest’ has been proposed. This forest zone may be subdivided into the moister evergreen forests in the south and the drier semi-deciduous (or semi-evergreen) forests further north, but the change is progressive. The savanna zone, immediately north of the forest, is usually subdivided, on the basis of the density of the woodland and species composition, into two: the Guinea savanna in the south and the drier Sudan savanna further north. The zone is characterised by various types of wooded grassland, in which there is a gradual decrease of tree cover and tree height, reflecting the decline in rainfall, northward. The other dominant feature of the vegetation here is the grasses that grow under and between the trees. In Guinea savanna they are tall (2–3 m), dense perennial species which, with increasing latitude, give way to smaller species in which annuals become increasingly common. Watercourses are bordered by gallery forest of various width. Some dense forest patches may remain; these permit forest species to penetrate deep into the savanna zone. Bare, granitic inselbergs are a typical feature of the landscape, especially in the northern Guinea savanna. A feature of these savannas, especially in the south, are the

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fires that regularly rage through them in the late dry season (December–February). Although a natural phenomenon to which taxa of the region are well adapted, these fires are now almost all deliberately started by man. In the south-east of our region, in central Congo and Gabon, a northward extension of the vast woodlands of southern Africa penetrates, as a wedge, into the forest zone. This gives rise to the presence of bird species and subspecies of southern affinities. The Sahel zone, north of the savanna zone, is characterised by thorn scrub (with Acacia spp. and Ziziphus spp.), sparse, mostly annual, grasses, and very low and often erratic rainfall (mean 100–600 mm). The most important wetlands of the region stretch across this semi-arid belt and include the Senegal delta (with Djoudj National Park), the central Niger delta in Mali, the Hadejia–Nguru wetlands in N Nigeria, and the Logone floodplain in N Cameroon. The northern border of the region is formed by the Sahara desert, which consists of arid landscapes with sandy, stony or rocky substrates and sparse plant cover, except in depressions, wadis and oases, where water is retained. Afrotropical highlands with montane forest and montane grassland occur only in W Cameroon and on Bioko. Montane forest differs from lowland forest in tree species composition and is also relatively rich in endemic bird species. Local variations in rainfall result in differences in the altitude at which it is found. A combination of high rainfall and reduced temperature causes montane forest to occur at relatively low elevations on Mt Cameroon and Bioko (generally above 800 m). Further inland, montane forest is only found higher, e.g. above 1200 m on Mt Kupe and at 2000–2950 m in the Bamenda Highlands (Stattersfield et al. 1998).

Sahara Sahel Sudan and Guinea Savanna Guinea - Congo Forests Afrotropical Highlands Transition zones

Figure 5. The vegetation zones of western Africa

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RESTRICTED-RANGE SPECIES AND ENDEMIC BIRD AREAS BirdLife International has analysed the distribution patterns of birds with restricted ranges, defined as landbird species which have or have had a total global breeding range of less than 50,000 km2 throughout historical times (i.e. post-1800) (Stattersfield et al. 1998). The results demonstrate that these restricted-range species tend to cluster, often on islands or in isolated patches of a particular habitat. Regions where two or more species of restricted range share completely or partially overlapping distributions are termed Endemic Bird Areas (EBAs). Where the distributions of such species only partially overlap, the total area of the EBA may be considerably larger than 50,000 km2. Areas where only one restricted-range species occurs are termed Secondary Areas (SAs). Most EBAs also have one or more globally threatened bird species and are important for restricted-range species from other wildlife groups. They are therefore clearly priorities for conservation action. EBAs vary considerably in size (from a few square kilometres to more than 100,000 km2) and in the numbers of restricted-range species that they support (from two to 80), and thus their relative importance also varies. In western Africa, a total of 87 restricted-range species occur in seven EBAs and four SAs. The region’s EBAs comprise the Cape Verde Islands (four restricted-range species), Annobón (3), São Tomé (21), Príncipe (11), the Upper Guinea forests (15), the Cameroon and Gabon lowlands (6), and the Cameroon mountains (29). The region’s Secondary Areas (all with one restricted-range species) are the Upper Niger valley, South-west Nigeria, Lower Niger valley and Gabon–Cabinda coast. Six restricted-range species are shared between EBAs.

1 8

5

9

10

7 4 3 2 Endemic Bird Areas 1 Cape Verde Islands 2 Annobón 3 São Tomé 4 Príncipe 5 Upper Guinea forests 6 Cameroon and Gabon lowlands 7 Cameroon mountains

6 11

Secondary Areas 8 Upper Niger valley 9 South-west Nigeria 10 Lower Niger valley 11 Gabon-Cabinda coast

Source: BirdLife International

Figure 6. Endemic Bird Areas of western Africa

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Tropical lowland and montane forests are the predominant habitats, and in the Upper Guinea forests and Cameroon mountains, in particular, it is estimated that there has been major (>50%) loss of these key habitat types. The Cameroon mountains are particularly important for the absolute numbers of restricted-range species occurring (the third largest total in the African region) and for the proportion of these that are threatened (12 species). São Tomé and the Upper Guinea forests also rate very highly in terms of their biological importance and threat levels. Examples of highly threatened restricted-range species include: Raso Lark Alauda razae (confined to one minute island in the Cape Verdes and at risk from introduced predators); Dwarf Olive Ibis Bostrychia bocagei, São Tomé Fiscal Lanius newtoni and São Tomé Grosbeak Neospiza concolor (all from São Tomé and assumed to have tiny populations in a small area of primary forest); Bannerman’s Turaco Tauraco bannermani (which is only likely to survive if the KilumIjim forest, the largest remaining montane forest area in the Cameroon mountains, is preserved) and Mount Kupe Bush-shrike Chlorophoneus kupeensis (which has a very small population with a small range and suffers from habitat loss). The BirdLife International African Partnership has identified potentially conservable sites termed Important Bird Areas throughout the continent, including suites of sites within EBAs that seek to protect the unique species within these areas (see www.birdlife.org).

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TAXONOMY: SOME DEFINITIONS Taxonomy is the science of classification and naming of living organisms. The classification of organisms attempts to reflect relationships between them and works on a hierarchical system by which an organism is placed in categories of decreasing level, from ‘kingdom’ to ‘species’ and ‘subspecies’. These categories are known as taxa (singular: taxon; hence ‘taxonomy’). The main categories useful to the field ornithologist are the following. Vertebrates are divided into classes: mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and fish. Birds are vertebrates characterised by the possession of feathers and belong to the class Aves, which is the scientific name for ‘birds’. Class Aves contains approximately 29 large groups called orders, with names ending in ‘-iformes’. Birds of the order Passeriformes (passerines, or songbirds) are placed together because they share certain morphological characters. Other orders include, for example, Procellariformes (albatrosses, shearwaters and storm-petrels), Strigiformes (owls) and Piciformes (woodpeckers, honeyguides and barbets). The orders are divided into c.190 families, with names ending in ‘-idae’, following the same logic of shared characters. Examples of families within the order of Passeriformes are: Hirundinidae (swallows and martins), Pycnonotidae (bulbuls), Ploceidae (weavers) and Estrildidae (Estrildid finches). Families may be divided into subfamilies, with names ending in ‘-inae’. For example, Saxicolinae (chats) and Muscicapinae (flycatchers) are subfamilies of Muscicapidae. Across all the families, birds are clustered into more than 2,000 genera (singular: genus). Examples of different genera within the family Estrildidae are: Estrilda, Uraeginthus, Pytilia, Lagonosticta, Spermestes, etc. A genus comprises one or several species. For example, four species belonging to the genus Pytilia occur in western Africa: Pytilia melba, Pytilia hypogrammica, Pytilia phoenicoptera and Pytilia afra. According to the Biological Species Concept, which is followed here, a species can be defined as a population, or group of populations, of actually or potentially interbreeding individuals, reproductively isolated from all other such populations. Members of a species should be able to interbreed freely and produce fertile offspring. The scientific name of a species is based on an internationally accepted, binomial system and consists of a two-part, latinised name, which is conventionally written in italics. The first part is the generic name (with first letter capitalised), the second the specific name (all lower case). Finally, a species may be divided into different subspecies (also called races). Subspecies are groups of similarlooking individuals, slightly different from other groups, but belonging to the same species. Members of subspecies can or could still interbreed with other members of the same species. A subspecies’ name is added as a third part to the species’ scientific name, e.g. Cuculus clamosus gabonensis. The first population to be described becomes the nominate subspecies and carries the same subspecific and specific names, e.g. Motacilla flava flava. If there is no doubt as to which species or genus is involved, the name can be shortened to Motacilla f. flava or M. f. flava.

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ORGANISATIONS INTERNATIONAL BirdLife International Wellbrook Court, Girton Road, Cambridge CB3 0NA, UK. E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.birdlife.org BirdLife International is a global partnership of conservation organisations that strives to conserve birds, their habitats and global biodiversity. It is the official Red List authority on birds for the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). A network of Important Bird Areas (IBAs) and Endemic Bird Areas (EBAs) has been identified with the aim to conserve the species within these areas. Publications: World Birdwatch magazine (quarterly) and, with Cambridge University Press, Bird Conservation International (quarterly).

African Bird Club (ABC) c/o BirdLife International, Wellbrook Court, Girton Road, Cambridge CB3 0NA, UK. E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.africanbirdclub.org The ABC aims to provide a worldwide focus for African ornithology and encourage an interest in the conservation of the birds of the region. Its website and journal are valuable sources of information on African birds. Publication: Bulletin of the African Bird Club (bi-annual).

REGIONAL West African Ornithological Society / Société d’Ornithologie de l’Ouest Africain Website: malimbus.free.fr The Society aims to promote scientific interest in the birds of West Africa and to further the region’s ornithology, principally through publication of its journal. Publication: Malimbus (bi-annual).

NATIONAL Burkina Faso Fondation des Amis de la Nature (Naturama) E-mail: [email protected]

Website: www.naturama.org

Cameroon Cameroon Biodiversity Conservation Society E-mail: [email protected]

The Gambia West African Bird Study Association E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.gambia.dk/nature/wabsa.html

Ghana Ghana Wildlife Society E-mail: [email protected] 

Website: www.ghanawildlifesociety.org

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Guinea Guinée Ecologie E-mail: [email protected]

Ivory Coast SOS-Forêts E-mail: [email protected]

Liberia Society for Conservation of Nature in Liberia E-mail: [email protected]

Website: www.scnlib.net

Nigeria Nigerian Conservation Foundation E-mail: [email protected]

Website: www.ncfnigeria.org

Sierra Leone Conservation Society of Sierra Leone E-mail: [email protected]

Website: http://conservationsl.org

For additional contacts in western African countries, please consult the ABC website.

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BIRD TOPOGRAPHY crown

forehead bill

nape mask

chin throat breast breast-sides lesser coverts median coverts

hindneck mantle scapulars back

greater coverts

tertials (inner secondaries)

primary coverts flank

secondaries

belly tibia

primaries vent

tail

lateral crown-stripe

undertailcoverts tarsus

central crown-stripe wattle

claw

toe

nostril

nape

hindneck

lappet

mantle scapulars

spur lesser coverts median coverts greater coverts

tertials primary projection

tibia secondaries

tibiotarsal joint

primaries tail (rectrices) tarsus

hind toe

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supercilium

iris

culmen upper mandible

eye-stripe

cutting edge lower mandible gonys lore submoustachial stripe

eye-crescent (subocular spot) ear-coverts ear-covert surround

malar stripe

orbital ring (bare skin) crest

cere

eye-ring (feathering)

gular stripe moustachial stripe lore hand carpal joint

wingbar

arm

speculum trailing edge

leading edge

rump uppertail-coverts

underwing-coverts axillaries (armpit) alula lesser coverts

primary coverts 1 2

median coverts

6 primaries

9 7

8

9

8 10

1 2

3 4 5 secondaries

greater coverts

outer web

shaft

emargination 6

7

tertials (inner secondaries)

inner web notch

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GLOSSARY adult A bird in final plumage (plumage no longer changing with age).

cere Bare and often brightly coloured skin at the base of the upper mandible, containing the nostrils.

aerial Air-frequenting (e.g. an aerial feeder).

cheek Loosely applied to the area on the side of the head.

Afrotropical Referring to the biogeographical region that comprises sub-Saharan Africa. allopatric Mutually exclusive geographically. Applied to (taxonomically) closely related forms (populations) whose ranges do not overlap. Opposite of sympatric. See also parapatric. antiphonal Referring to precisely timed alternating singing or calling by two birds, usually a mated pair. aquatic Living in water. arboreal Living in trees. arm Inner part of wing, between the body and the carpal joint (wing-coverts and secondaries).

cline A gradual change of a species’ morphological characters across its geographical distribution. collar A band of contrasting colour on the neck. colony An assemblage of birds within a discrete area to nest (hence colonial species). congeneric Belonging to the same genus (hence congeners). conspecific Belonging to the same species. covert Small feathers that cover the bases of the flight feathers (e.g. wing-coverts, tail-coverts).

axillaries The feathers at the junction of the underwing and the body; the ‘armpit’ of a bird.

crepuscular Active in twilight (at dawn or dusk).

bare parts Those parts not covered by feathers (including bill, cere, eyes, wattles, orbital ring and feet).

cryptic Colours or markings aiding concealment (as in nightjars).

bib A contrasting, usually dark area, on the throat and/ or upper breast.

culmen The ridge of the upper mandible.

biome A major regional ecological community, characterised by a distinctive flora and fauna, e.g. Guinea-Congo Forests and Sudan-Guinea Savanna.

deciduous A tree that loses its leaves during set periods of the year, remaining leafless for some time.

brood parasite A species that lays its eggs in the nest of another (the ‘host’) and plays no parental role in raising its young, e.g. cuckoos, honeyguides and indigobirds.

crest A tuft of elongated feathers on the head.

dambo Seasonally wet grassland on acid soils.

dimorphic Having two distinct morphs or forms. dissonant Not in harmony, harsh-toned. distal Furthest from centre of body or point of attachment; opposite of proximal.

call Brief vocalisation, used mainly to maintain contact with conspecifics or to alert to danger. Often consists of a single, simple note (cf. song).

disyllabic Consisting of two syllables.

cap A contrasting patch on the top of the head.

duetting Male and female of a pair singing simultaneously or antiphonally in response to each other.

carpal The bend of the wing between ‘hand’ and ‘arm’, or carpal joint. carpal bar A contrasting, dark bar on the upperwing, running diagonally from the carpal joint towards the body. Exhibited in certain plumages by some gull species.

diurnal Active during the day / in daylight.

eclipse plumage A female-like plumage acquired by males of some species (e.g. ducks and some sunbirds) during or following breeding.

carpal joint The joint at the bend of the wing.

edgings/edges In relation to feather patterns, indicates outer feather margins. Edgings can result in distinct paler or darker panels of colour on wings or tail.

carpal patch A contrasting mark or area at or near the carpal joint.

emergents Trees whose crowns are conspicuously taller than the surrounding canopy.

casque An enlargement on the upper surface of the bill, in front of the head, as on hornbills.

endemic Native or confined to a particular area (e.g. turacos are endemic to Africa).

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epiphyte A plant that uses another for support, not for nutrients.

gliding Flight on a direct course without, or between, wingbeats.

extralimital Outside a given area.

gorget A distinctively coloured or streaked band across the throat or upper breast (‘necklace’).

eye-crescent A crescent above or below the eye; often occurring both above and below (forming broken eye-ring). eye-ring A ring of tiny feathers surrounding the orbital ring. eye-stripe A usually dark stripe that extends back from the bill over the lores and through the eye (post-ocular stripe). face Anthropomorphic term, encompassing the forehead, lores, supercilium, ear-coverts and upper throat, or any combination of these. feral A free-flying bird derived from domesticated or captive stock. filoplume A thin, hair-like feather. first-winter An immature plumage stage acquired after juvenile plumage and recognised by the presence of retained, and more worn, juvenile feathers in wings and tail (refers to winter season in northern hemisphere and is therefore used for Palearctic migrants). flight feathers Main wing feathers (primaries and secondaries), but excluding tail feathers. forest A continuous stand of trees at least 10 m tall, their crowns interlocking. forest outliers Patches of forest away from main forested areas. form A general term for distinguishable entities, including species, subspecies, morphs, etc. fringes In relation to feather tracts, indicates complete feather margins (compare edgings). Contrasting fringes can result in a scaly appearance to body feathers or wing-coverts. frontal shield An area of bare, fleshy or horny skin on the forehead, usually brightly coloured (e.g. on gallinules) frugivorous Fruit-eating (hence frugivore, fruit-eater). gallery forest Forest along rivers. gape The fleshy interior and corners of the bill. genus (plural genera) A taxonomic category between family and species, representing one or more species with a common ancestor (phylogenetic origin); the genus name forms the first part of the two-part scientific name.

graduated Referring to a tail in which the central rectrices are longest, the others becoming progressively shorter toward the sides. granivorous Feeding on grains or seeds (hence granivore, seed-eater). grassland Land covered by grasses and other herbs, either without woody plants, or the latter not covering more than 10% of the ground. gregarious Commonly assembling in groups. gular Related to the throat. A gular pouch is a loose area of skin extending from the throat (e.g. on pelicans). A gular stripe is a stripe extending on the centre of the throat (usually narrow and dark). hand The outer part of the wing, between carpal joint and tip. herbaceous Of or similar to herbs. Holarctic Biogeographical region that includes the Palearctic and Nearctic regions, i.e. most of the temperate zone of the northern hemisphere. hood A contrasting area covering all or most of the head and neck. hybrid The product of a cross between individuals of unlike genetic constitution; usually used for a cross between individuals of different species. immature A general term for a non-adult bird. inner wing Inner part of the wing; also called arm. insectivorous Insect-eating (hence insectivore, insecteater). inselberg An isolated hill or mountain rising abruptly from its surroundings. iridescent The glossy or ‘metallic’ effect of changing colours caused by reflected light from specially structured feathers, e.g. on glossy starlings and sunbirds. iris (plural irides) The round, coloured membrane surrounding the pupil of the eye. juvenile A bird in its first feathered, non-downy, plumage. jizz An overall impression of the appearance a bird in the field based on a combination of characters. leading edge The front edge of the wing. Generally

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referred to when it is marked with a contrasting (dark or pale) band. littoral Situated near a (sea) shore. local Occurring within a small or restricted area. mangrove Open or closed stands of salt-adapted evergreen trees or bushes occurring on shores between high- and low-water mark. mask A dark area of plumage surrounding the eye, usually extending from the base of the bill to the ear-coverts. melanistic A blackish morph. midwing panel A contrasting pale area in the middle of the inner wing on some gull species. migratory Making regular geographic movements. mirror A subterminal white spot on the wingtip of a gull. Not to be confused with the white primary tips (these, if present, are always visible on a gull at rest; mirrors are usually not visible on the closed wing). monotypic A biological group having a single representative. E.g. ‘monotypic genus’ (a genus with a single species), ‘monotypic species’ (a species with no subspecies). See polytypic. montane Growing or living in mountainous areas. morph A normal but distinct plumage variant which is not related to sex, age or season. morphological Pertaining to form and structure. mottled Plumage marked with coarse spots or irregular blotches. moult The process of replacement of old feathers by new. Moult may be complete (all head, body, wing and tail feathers replaced during the same period) or partial (involving the renewal of all or most contour feathers, except those of wings and tail). In smaller species moult is usually repeated during a set period each year; in larger species (e.g. raptors) it may be spread over several years with overlapping moults. nail an enhanced, harder part of the bill at the tip of the upper mandible, prominent in some ducks and seabirds. Nearctic Biogeographical region comprising N America south to the tropics. nocturnal Active at night. nomadic Referring to a wandering or erratically occurring species with no fixed territory when not breeding.

nominate (race or subspecies) The first described and named form of a species, typified by its subspecific name being the same as the specific e.g. Sylvietta virens virens. non-passerines All orders of birds except the passerines. notched Referring to a tail in which the central feathers are slightly shorter than the outer ones, forming a very shallow fork or notch. nuchal Relating to the hindneck or nape (used with reference to a crest, patch or collar). orbital ring Ring of bare skin immediately surrounding the eye (not to be confused with eye-ring). outer wing Outer part of the wing; also called hand. Palearctic Biogeographical region that includes Europe, N Africa, the Middle East and N Asia south to the Himalayas and Yangtze River. parapatric Occupying different but contiguous geographical areas. Applied to taxonomically related populations whose ranges are closely contiguous but do not overlap. See also allopatric and sympatric. partial migration Migration by part of a population. passage migrant A migrant that occurs regularly but only briefly at a locality during migration to and from its breeding and wintering grounds. passerines Members of the large order Passeriformes, often referred to as ‘perching birds’ or ‘songbirds’, character­ised by perching with three toes pointing forward and one toe back. Includes all species from broadbills onward. pectoral tufts Coloured tufts at each side of the breast. pelagic Of the open sea. A pelagic species spends most of its life at sea, far from land. pied Patterned black and white. polyandrous A female animal that mates with more than one male during the breeding season. polygamous An animal that has two or more mates of the opposite sex at the same time. polygynous A male animal that mates with more than one female during the breeding season. polymorphic Having more than two distinct plumage morphs. polytypic A biological group having more than one representative. E.g. ‘polytypic genus’ (a genus with two or more species), ‘polytypic species’ (a species with two or more subspecies). See monotypic.

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post-ocular stripe A short, usually pale, stripe, which extends back from the eye. Sometimes reduced to a post-ocular spot.

shorebird Another term for wader.

primary forest Forest in a virgin or undisturbed state.

soaring Circling flight (often in thermal of warm air).

primary projection The distance that the tips of the primaries project beyond the tertials on a closed wing.

song A more complex pattern of vocalizations, mainly uttered in the breeding season (cf. call).

proximal Nearest to centre of body or to point of attachment; opposite of distal.

speculum A usually iridescent panel on the secondaries in dabbling ducks.

race Synonymous with subspecies.

stratum (plural strata) Level (used to indicate levels within forest, e.g. middle strata = mid-levels).

rain forest Closed-canopy forest in areas of high rainfall. range Geographical area in which a taxon is distributed. raptor Bird of prey (generally refers to diurnal species, not owls). rectrices (singular rectrix) Main tail feathers. rictal bristles Sparse, though often prominent, bristles at the base of the bill. remiges (singular remex) Flight feathers (primaries and secondaries). resident A species or population that occurs year-round in the same area and breeds there, even though some individuals may not remain in the same area throughout the year. riparian Bordering water. riverine Living or growing on a river bank. roost A sleeping or resting place. saddle Generally used to indicate a part of the upperparts contrasting in colour with the rest of the upper surface (e.g. in juvenile marsh terns) Sahel Semi-arid zone between savanna and desert, characterised by scattered, thorny vegetation. savanna Habitat dominated by grasses with a varying proportion of trees and shrubs. secondary forest Forest regenerating after a greater or lesser degree of disturbance, often by selective logging or agriculture. It is characterised by a lack of large trees and a significant proportion of coloniser species. secondary bar A contrasting dark bar on the secondaries, as in immature plumages of some gull species. sedentary A species that remains in the same site throughout the year, individuals wandering no more than a few kilometres at the most. serrated With a fine, saw-like edge (as in the outer edge of the outer primary in saw-wings).

shoulder patch An area of contrastingly coloured wingcoverts.

streamer An exceptionally long, slender tail feather, as in some bee-eaters, paradise flycatchers and sunbirds. square Referring to a tail in which all feathers are of equal length, forming a straight border. subadult An imprecise term indicating a bird in nearly adult plumage; often used when precise age is difficult to establish, e.g. in large raptors. subspecies A population of a given species that differs more or less obviously in appearance from one or more other populations of the same species. Subspecies are assumed to be (at least theoretically) capable of interbreeding but to be relatively isolated from each other, with interbreeding limited to areas of contact. The border between species and subspecies is often arbitrary. The nominate subspecies is the one first named: its scientific name has the second and the third terms identical, e.g. Tauraco persa persa. subterminal Near the end. A subterminal band is a contrasting (dark or pale) band, usually broad, situated near the tip of a feather or feather tract (used particularly in reference to the tail). supercilium A usually pale stripe, which extends from the base of the upper mandible, above the lores and the eye (extending behind the eye; compare supraloral stripe). superspecies A group of closely related and largely or entirely allopatric species. supraloral stripe A short, usually pale, stripe, which extends from base of upper mandible, over lores, to just above or in front of eye (not extending behind the eye; if it does it becomes a supercilium). sympatric Occurring in the same geographical area. Opposite of allopatric. taxon (plural taxa) A named form (this unit of ­biological

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classification can refer to a group of organisms of any taxonomic rank, e.g. family, genus, species, subspecies, etc.) taxonomy The science of classification and naming of all life forms. terminal At the end. A terminal band is a contrasting (dark or pale) band, usually broad, situated at the tip of a feather or feather tract (used particularly in reference to the tail). terrestrial Living or occurring mainly on the ground. thermal Rising current of heated air (used by e.g. raptors to gain height). thicket A closed stand of bushes and climbers usually 3–7 m tall. top of head Includes forehead and crown. trailing edge The rear edge of the wing, often contrasting with the rest of the wing (cf. leading edge). understorey The lowest stratum in forest or woodland. vent The area around the cloaca (anal opening), just behind the legs (not to be confused with the undertail-coverts). vermiculations Narrow, often wavy, bars that generally create an overall effect and are visible only at close range. wader General term used, in the plural, for members of several families within the Charadriiformes, including thick-knees, plovers, lapwings, oystercatchers, avocets, painted-snipes, sandpipers, etc.; another term for shorebird.

wattle Naked, fleshy, usually brightly coloured, skin on head (e.g. around eye), base of bill or throat (e.g. as in wattle-eyes, African Wattled Plover and Blackcasqued Hornbill). window A contrasting pale panel in the outer wing of some raptors and gulls. wingbar Generally a narrow and well-defined dark or pale bar on the upperwing, and often referring to a band formed by pale tips to the greater or median coverts (or both, as in ‘double wingbar’). wing feathers Includes flight feathers and wing-coverts. wing panel A contrasting, usually pale band on the wing; broader and generally more diffuse than a wingbar (often formed by pale edges to the remiges or coverts). At rest, usually refers to a panel on the secondary coverts, secondaries and/or tertials; in flight, usually refers to a panel on the primary bases. wingspan The distance as measured from wing-tip to wing-tip. wooded grassland Land covered by grasses and other herbs, with woody plants covering 10–40% of the ground. woodland An open stand of trees at least 8 m tall with a canopy cover of 40% or more. The field layer is usually dominated by grasses. zygodactyl Form of foot with the outer and inner toes pointing backward, the middle toes forward, as in turacos, cuckoos, parrots, owls and woodpeckers.

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ABBREVIATIONS AND SYMBOLS  male  female ad adult br breeding c. circa (approximately) C central CAR Central African Republic esp. especially H&M4

‘Howard and Moore’ Checklist, 4th edition (Dickinson & Remsen 2013)

imm immature incl. including I. Island Is Islands Jan, Feb, etc January, February, etc. juv juvenile L. Lake Mt Mount, Mountain Mts Mountains N, NE, E, SE, S, SW, W, NW compass directions (north, north-east, east, etc.) non-br non-breeding NP National Park R. River sec second ssp. subspecies (= race) WS wingspan

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PLATE 1: ALBATROSSES, GIANT PETREL AND FRIGATEBIRDS ALBATROSSES Huge pelagic seabirds with stout bodies, extremely long and narrow wings, and short tails. Sexes similar. Adult plumage only attained after several years. Flight continuous and powerful, gliding and banking on stiff, slightly bowed, motionless wings, alternately showing upper- and underside. Spend most of their lives at sea, feeding mainly on squid and fish. Normally silent away from breeding colonies. Breed on small oceanic islands, principally in southern hemisphere. Identification best based on underwing pattern and bill coloration. Almost nothing is known of the occurrence of albatrosses in offshore waters within our region.

Black-browed Albatross Thallasarche melanophris Albatros à sourcils noirs

?

80–95 cm; WS 213–246 cm

Adult Combination of dark ‘saddle’ and upperwings, white rump and underparts, and grey tail, typical of smaller albatrosses. Underwing white with broad black band on leading edge. Small dark ‘brow’. Bill orange-yellow. Juvenile Underwing largely dark, with only ill-defined whitish stripe along centre. Bill greyish-brown with blackish tip. Adult plumage attained in c.5 years. Gannets and boobies have relatively shorter wings, longer, wedgeshaped tails and conical bills. HH Vagrant from Southern Ocean. Albatross seen offshore Congo (Aug 1988) was presumably this species or the next. EN

Yellow-nosed Albatross Thallasarche chlororhynchos Albatros à nez jaune

71–81 cm; WS 178–205 cm

Adult Underwing white with narrow black border; head pale grey; bill black with orange-yellow culmen and pinkish-orange tip. Juvenile Head white; bill all black. HH Potential vagrant from Southern Ocean. [Alt: Atlantic Yellow-nosed Albatross] EN GIANT PETRELS Very large pelagic seabirds, equal in size to small albatross, but with stouter body and proportionately shorter, narrower wings. Sexes similar. Adult plumage attained in c.7 years. Flight laboured and less graceful than albatross; stiff wingbeats interspersed with short glides. Feed mostly on small marine organisms, predominantly squid, fish and crustaceans. May gather around fishing boats to retrieve offal.

Southern Giant Petrel Macronectes giganteus Pétrel géant

86–99 cm; WS 185–210 cm

Adult dark morph Greyish-brown with whitish head and massive, pale bill. Juvenile/ immature wholly sooty-black, progressively fading with age. Adult white morph (rare) All white with some black specks. Juvenile/immature as adult. HH Vagrant/rare visitor from Southern Ocean, offshore Congo (mainly Aug–Nov; sometimes up to 50). Breeds on Antarctica and subantarctic islands. Immatures disperse further north than adults, regularly reaching tropics. NT FRIGATEBIRDS Large, unmistakable seabirds with extremely long, angular wings and very long, deeply forked tails. Bill long and hooked. Flight very buoyant; soar effortlessly for long periods; never settle on sea. Forage in flight by swooping down on prey or by harassing other seabirds, forcing them to disgorge their catch. Readily take offal. Plumages variable, differing according to age (period needed to acquire adult plumage probably 4–6 years) and sex.

Magnificent Frigatebird Fregata magnificens Frégate superbe ? x

Ascension Island Frigatebird Fregata aquila Frégate aigle-de-mer

? ? ? ?

90–110 cm; WS 215–245 cm

Adult male Entirely black; red gular pouch (inflated in display, but unlikely to be seen in a vagrant). Adult female All-dark underwings; white breast. Immature Head, breast and belly white; all-dark underwing; broken breast-band. Seven transitional immature plumages described, with progressively decreasing amounts of white. HH Breeds (or bred) Cape Verde (islets off Boavista); very rare and almost extinct (total population, Dec 2011: one male and one female). Offshore vagrant, Gambia (Mar 1965, Oct 1980). A frigatebird photographed in coastal Gambia in 2005 was either this species or the next. Voice Silent at sea.

89–96 cm; WS 196–201 cm

Adult male Inseparable in field from Magnificent Frigatebird, but somewhat smaller. Adult female Typically as male but with dark brown collar and breast-band. Pale morph (perhaps referring to birds breeding in subadult plumage) has white breast and belly, and narrow white ‘spur’ on axillaries. Immature As pale-morph female, but with white head and some white on underwing-coverts. HH Possible vagrant. Frigatebirds seen on Ghana coast (Aug 2010) and in waters of São Tomé and Príncipe (Aug 1991, Mar 1992), were presumably this species or Magnificent Frigatebird. Breeds on islet off Ascension. VU

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Yellow-nosed Albatross

Black-browed Albatross

juv juv

ad

ad

ad white morph

ad dark morph

 Southern Giant Petrel 

 

pale morph imm

imm

Magnificent Frigatebird

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Ascension Island Frigatebird

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PLATE 2: FULMAR AND LARGE SHEARWATERS Northern Fulmar Fulmarus glacialis Fulmar boréal

43–52 cm; WS 101–117 cm

Rather stocky seabird with relatively large head and short neck and tail. Even at great distance easily distinguised from gulls by flight on stiff, straight, relatively narrower and shorter wings. Head and underparts typically white; upperparts pale grey with diffuse x white patch at base of primaries; tail paler grey. Wings lack white trailing edge. Small dark spot in front of eye. Flight consists of rapid wingbeats followed by long periods of gliding low over waves. Floats high when swimming. Shearwaters have more slender appearance, with longer, narrower wings, narrower tail and thinner bill, and are darker above, incl. on head. Large gulls have different jizz, with buoyant flight on long, narrow, rather pointed, black-tipped wings; upperwings have white trailing edge. HH Palearctic vagrant, Senegal (single record, the first for the Afrotropics: one freshly dead off Dakar, early Sep 1999, ringed as nestling in Ireland). SHEARWATERS (Plates 2–3) Medium-sized to large pelagic seabirds with long, narrow wings and horny-plated, hook-tipped bills with external tubular nostrils (‘tubenose’). Fly low over waves on stiff wings, long glides alternating with a few fast flaps. Spend most of their lives at sea and are normally only seen on land at breeding colonies or as storm-driven waifs. Most species breed in burrows or crevices in sea cliffs on oceanic islands. Normally silent away from breeding colonies. Feed mostly on small marine organisms, predominantly squid, fish and crustaceans. Many may gather around fishing boats to retrieve offal. Occurrence in W Africa inadequately known.

Scopoli’s Shearwater Calonectris diomedea Puffin cendré

45–56 cm; WS 110–125 cm

Rather featureless large shearwater (about size of Lesser Black-backed Gull) with ashybrown upperparts and unmarked white underparts. At close range shows diagnostic pale yellowish bill and variable amount of white in uppertail-coverts. Ashy-brown extends onto head- and neck-sides. On underwing, has white wedges on inner webs of otherwise black outer primaries; compared to Cory’s Shearwater, this results in narrower black band on outer wing and more angled white underwing panel. Flight appears lazy with several deep wingbeats followed by long, low glide. Wings typically held bowed downwards. HH Offshore visitor from Palearctic. Breeds on Mediterranean islands, dispersing in non-breeding season. Migrates mainly to S African waters. Seasonally fairly common to common off Dakar (mainly Sep–Nov and Mar–Jul). Rare in innermost part of Bight of Biafra.

Cory’s Shearwater Calonectris borealis Puffin boréal

45–56 cm; WS 110–125 cm

As Scopoli’s Shearwater, but rather heavier-looking, with heftier bill, rather darker head and mantle. Primaries wholly dark, creating solid, well defined, broad black band on outer wing and rounded white underwing panel. HH Offshore visitor from Palearctic. Breeds on Atlantic islands, dispersing in non-breeding season. Migrates mainly to east coasts of N and S America. Status inadequately known as previously not distinguished from Scopoli’s Shearwater. Separation from Scopoli’s at sea often complicated by birds moulting primaries.

Cape Verde Shearwater Calonectris edwardsii Puffin du Cap-Vert

?

40 cm; WS 90–110 cm

As Scopoli’s and Cory’s Shearwaters but usually smaller (wings 10–15% shorter) and slimmer; head smaller, more angular; tail relatively longer; head and upperparts slightly darker and greyer brown; bill slimmer, grey with dark subterminal band (looking blacktipped at distance). Underwing pattern and flight as Scopoli’s. HH Breeds Cape Verde (common), presumably dispersing south in non-breeding season. Recorded off Mauritania, Senegal (common in Oct. e.g. >4400 Oct 2007) and Guinea-Bissau. Voice Vocal at colonies at dusk and dawn. Nasal whining noises and low groans. NT

Great Shearwater Ardenna gravis Puffin majeur

43–51 cm; WS 105–122 cm

Large shearwater, with distinctive dark cap, white collar, brown-grey upperparts and white uppertail-coverts. Underwing largely white with dark diagonal band on underwing-coverts (appearing smudgy at distance). White underparts with diffuse dark patch on belly (often difficult to see) and grey-brown undertail-coverts. Bill dark and relatively fine. At long range, gleaming white blaze on neck-sides contrasts strongly with dark cap and upperparts. Flight strong and powerful, stiff wingbeats interspersed by glides. Wings normally held straight. HH Rare offshore visitor from Southern Ocean. Note Formerly included in Puffinus.

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Northern Fulmar Cory’s Shearwater

Scopoli’s Shearwater

Cape Verde Shearwater

Cape Verde Shearwater

Great Shearwater

Cory’s Shearwater

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PLATE 3: SHEARWATERS Sooty Shearwater Ardenna grisea Puffin fuligineux

x

40–50 cm; WS 95–110 cm

Large, all-dark shearwater with diagnostic silvery underwing-coverts (esp. immediately behind carpal joint; often difficult to see at distance). Long, slim body; long, narrow and pointed wings often swept back. Flight strong, direct with stiff-winged flaps followed by descending glides. Tends to arc rather higher than other shearwaters, esp. in strong winds. HH Offshore visitor from Southern Ocean. Possible at any season, though most likely Sep–Jan (one of the commonest shearwaters off Dakar, e.g. c.1000– 9700 in Oct, 1995–2008). Note Formerly included in Puffinus. NT

Manx Shearwater Puffinus puffinus Puffin des Anglais

30–35 cm; WS 71–83 cm

Medium-sized shearwater, black above and white below. Black of cap and upperparts extends to below level of eye and onto breast-sides. Wings rather straight and not angled backwards from carpal joint. Typical flight a series of rapid stiff-winged strokes followed by shearing over waves, banking from side to side, alternately showing black upperside and white underside. HH Scarce but probably regular offshore visitor from Palearctic, particularly during northern autumn and winter. Transequatorial migrant, wintering mainly off east coast of S America; also S Africa.

Balearic Shearwater Puffinus (yelkouan) mauretanicus Puffin des Baléares

30–40 cm; WS 76–93 cm

Resembles Manx Shearwater, but slightly larger and longer-bodied and lacks striking contrast between upper- and underside, having brownish (not black) upperparts merging into dirty greyish-buff (not pure white) underparts and grey-brown vent, flanks and axillaries. Dark rear body can show conspicuously when banking. Plumage variable, darkest birds may resemble Sooty Shearwater (but latter has more uniform head and underparts). Majority of palest birds have brown ‘shawl’ across upper breast and more uniform-looking head, nape and upperparts. More typical, darker birds have more clearly defined chocolate-brown cap (encompassing crown, lores and ear-coverts) which contrasts with paler nape. HH Vagrant from W Mediterranean. Recorded off Mauritania and, rarely, Senegal. Also likely to occur further south (a few reach S Africa). CR

Macaronesian Shearwater Puffinus baroli Puffin de Macaronésie

25–30 cm; WS 58–67 cm

Recalls compact, miniature Manx Shearwater with smaller bill. Underwing margins and tips of wings have less black. Stiff-winged flight usually low, consisting of several rapid wingbeats followed by brief glide. P. b. baroli Black of cap does not usually extend to level of eye, giving bare-faced appearance; undertail-coverts white. Breeds Atlantic islands. P. b. boydi Dark area on head-sides more extensive; undertail-coverts dark. Breeds Cape Verde (uncommon to scarce). HH Both taxa probably scarce but regular offshore to at least 9°S (e.g. 0–56 in Oct off Dakar, 1995–2008). Voice At colonies at night (esp. when no moon) a pleasant, rather high-pitched, laughing kwi-kwi-kukurrr, rapidly repeated. Note Formerly included in Little Shearwater P. assimilis but the three forms breeding in tropical and subtropical parts of Atlantic Ocean (these and lherminieri) appear not to be closely related to the other forms of the complex. Therefore presently either included in Audubon’s Shearwater P. lherminieri (H&M4), split as Macaronesian Shearwater, or treated as two separate species, Barolo Shearwater and Boyd’s Shearwater.

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Sooty Shearwater

Manx Shearwater

Balearic Shearwater

baroli

darker individual

Macaronesian Shearwater

boydi

paler individual

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PLATE 4: PETRELS Bulwer’s Petrel Bulweria bulwerii Pétrel de Bulwer

25–29 cm; WS 67–73 cm

Medium-sized, long-winged, all-dark petrel with pale diagonal band on upperwing. Long, narrow, graduated tail (usually held closed and appearing pointed) diagnostic. Flight buoyant and erratic, circling low over waves. Sooty Shearwater is much larger, with different flight action and square-ended tail. HH Breeds on Cape Verde (uncommon) and other Atlantic islands. Disperses south in non-breeding season (Nov onwards). Scarce offshore Mauritania–Gulf of Guinea. Voice Silent at sea. Low, hoarse barking hroo-hroohroo- (likened to steam engine) and yapping who whuf, at night at colonies.

Fea’s Petrel Pterodroma feae Pétrel gongon

35 cm; WS 84–91 cm

Combination of principal plumage marks, shape and flight action distinctive. Dark grey above with pale forehead and lores, dark eye-mask and pale grey lower rump and tail. In favourable light, dark outer wing, carpal bar and upper rump (forming variable M mark) contrast with greyer mantle and back. Underparts white with contrasting blackishgrey underwings and dusky pectoral patches of variable size (‘shawl’, sometimes absent). Erratic, zigzag flight; towering in strong winds. Sometimes follows ships; will x settle on water to retrieve food. HH Breeds Cape Verde (uncommon). Movements poorly x known. Probably rare non-breeding visitor offshore, south to 9°S. Voice Eerie, drawn-out mournful sounds, uttered at night at colonies. NT

Zino’s Petrel Pterodroma madeira Pétrel de Madère

33 cm; WS 78–83 cm

Extremely similar to, and often indistinguishable at sea from, Fea’s Petrel. Slightly smaller, more slender and paler, appearing less masked due to less contrasting, paler forehead and crown; flanks more heavily mottled grey; wings shorter, broader and blunttipped; bill slimmer. HH Possible non-breeding visitor. Breeds only in mountains of Madeira. EN

Herald Petrel Pterodroma arminjoniana Pétrel de la Trinité du Sud

37 cm; WS 95 cm

Medium-sized, polymorphic petrel with long pointed wings held forward at carpal joint and short bill. In all plumages, dark grey-brown above; underwing with pale wedgeshaped patch at base of primaries and primary coverts. Pale morph White below with dark sides of neck and breast forming collar; underwing with pale leading edge and broad pale band on secondaries. Dark morph Wholly dark grey-brown; underwing typically as pale morph, but pale areas may be reduced to base of primaries. Several intermediate morphs occur. HH Vagrant from Southern Ocean. Single record, Cape Verde (off Brava, Sep 2008, intermediate morph). [Alt: Trindade Petrel]

x

Cape Petrel Daption capense Damier du Cap

x

39 cm; WS 81–91 cm

D. c. capense. Medium-sized pelagic petrel with striking black-and-white chequered upperparts and diagnostic white patches on upperwings. Head black, underparts white, tail principally white with broad black terminal band. Flight typically consists of 5–8 quick wingbeats on stiff wings followed by periods of gliding. HH Vagrant from Southern Ocean; old record off Togo (date unknown). Usually feeds from surface, sitting gull-like on water and picking at food objects; may also dive. Often found in association with fishing boats and habitually follows ships.

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Fea’s Petrel Zino’s Petrel

Bulwer’s Petrel

ad pale morph

Herald Petrel

Cape Petrel

ad dark morph

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PLATE 5: STORM-PETRELS STORM-PETRELS Small, swallow-like pelagic seabirds. Largely dark with white rump. Solitary or gregarious at sea. Identification often difficult; flight action is an important clue. Feed mostly on small crustaceans, squid, fish and other animal matter. Breed colonially in burrows or crevices on oceanic islands. Silent away from breeding colonies. Occurrence in W Africa inadequately known.

European Storm-petrel Hydrobates pelagicus Océanite tempête

15–16 cm; WS 37–41 cm

Smallest and darkest storm-petrel in W Africa. All black except contrasting square white rump and diagnostic, but variable, white band on underwing-coverts. Feet do not project beyond square tail in flight. Narrow, pale diagonal bar sometimes visible on upperwing, esp. in fresh plumage. Flight weak and fluttering, bat-like, with almost continuous wing strokes interspersed by short glides. Often patters surface with wings raised. HH Fairly common to uncommon offshore visitor from Palearctic. Breeds in N Atlantic and Mediterranean; winters mainly off S Africa (mostly Nov–Apr). Recorded year-round. Significant passage off W Africa Sep–Nov and Feb–May.

Wilson’s Storm-petrel Oceanites oceanicus Océanite de Wilson

15–19 cm, WS 38–42 cm

O. o. oceanicus/exasperatus. Small, with pale diagonal upperwing bar and U-shaped white rump which wraps round to sides of undertail-coverts. Short, rounded wings lack obvious bend at carpal joint. Legs project beyond square tail in flight (sometimes creating illusion of forked tail). Underwing mostly dark, sometimes with faint greyish band on underwing-coverts. Flight direct and purposeful with rapid wingbeats and short glides, often recalling a swallow. ‘Walks’ on water when feeding, pattering over surface with high-raised wings. Wings typically held rather straight when gliding. HH Offshore visitor from Southern Ocean (mainly Apr–Oct). Probably fairly common to common and regular off entire W African seaboard throughout the year. Most abundant storm-petrel off Dakar in Sep–Oct.

Leach’s Storm-petrel Hydrobates leucorhous Océanite culblanc

19–21 cm; WS 43–48 cm

H. l. leucorhous. Relatively large storm-petrel, with long angular wings showing obvious bend at carpal joint and rather long, forked tail (fork visible from certain angles only). White rump V-shaped, less conspicuous and with much less lateral extension than other storm-petrels; usually has diagnostic dark central division which, though hard to see, gives rump a smudgy appearance. Upperwing has prominent dirty grey diagonal band across coverts. Underwing all dark. Feet do not project beyond tail in flight. Flight buoyant and bounding with deep tern-like wingbeats followed by short shearwater-like glides and characteristically sudden changes of speed and direction. Unlike other storm-petrels does not habitually foot-patter. Wings held angled when gliding. HH Probably regular Palearctic visitor in relatively small numbers off entire W African seaboard throughout the year. Note Formely placed in Oceanodroma.

Madeiran Storm-petrel Hydrobates castro Océanite de Castro

19–21 cm; WS 43–46 cm

Relatively large, with white rump (extending to lateral undertail-coverts) and slightly forked tail (often appearing square). Wings rather angular with obvious bend at carpal joint and pale diagonal bar on upperwing-coverts; underwing all dark. Feet do not project beyond tail in flight. Flight typically buoyant and zigzagging, with deep wingbeats and low shearwater-like glides with wings held horizontally or bowed downwards. Often patters surface with wings held horizontally; frequently sits on water. Difficult to separate from Wilson’s and Leach’s Storm-petrels. Wilson’s has long, projecting legs and more noticeable wingbar; Leach’s has rather similar jizz, but less extensive white rump and more forked tail. HH Breeds on Cape Verde (locally fairly common) and other Atlantic islands; presumably also São Tomé and/or nearby islets. Probably regular in small numbers offshore. Note Formely placed in Oceanodroma. May consist of multiple species; Cape Verde population sometimes treated as distinct species, Cape Verde Storm-petrel Hydrobates (Oceanodroma) jabejabe.

White-faced Storm-petrel Pelagodroma marina Océanite frégate

19–21 cm; WS 41–44 cm

P. m. eadesorum/hypoleuca. Distinctive. Rather large, greyish storm-petrel with white underparts and white face with dark patch (‘mask’) on ear-coverts. Wings broad in centre. Rump grey. Very long legs project beyond slightly forked tail. Sails low over sea on stiff wings. Flight erratic, with legs dangling and pendulum-like swinging from side to side, giving impression of bouncing off wave tops. HH Breeds on Cape Verde (eadesorum; locally common) and extralimital Salvage and NE Canary Islands (hypoleuca), dispersing outside breeding season. Scarcely recorded but probably regular offshore Mauritania to at least 9°N.

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Wilson's Storm-petrel

Leach's Storm-petrel Madeiran Storm-petrel

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PLATE 6: VAGRANT STORM-PETRELS, PENGUIN AND TROPICBIRDS Black-bellied Storm-petrel Fregetta tropica Océanite à ventre noir

?

20 cm; WS 46 cm

Dark storm-petrel with white central underwing-coverts having broad dark margins and mainly white underparts. Nominate has variable black stripe down centre of underparts that broadens onto vent (diagnostic, but often hard to see); race melanoleuca lacks that stripe. Blackish above with faint pale upperwing bar and white rump. Throat and upper breast blackish-brown; undertail-coverts black. Feet project slightly beyond tail in flight. HH Vagrant from Southern Ocean. Breeds mainly Nov–May, then disperses northwards to 10°N. Claimed from coastal waters of Sierra Leone and Liberia; also Gulf of Guinea.

?

White-bellied Storm-petrel Fregetta grallaria Océanite à ventre blanc

20 cm; WS 46 cm

F. g. leucogaster. Resembles Black-bellied Storm-petrel, from which often difficult to separate at sea, but has paler upperparts (black feathers fringed grey) and entirely white belly. Underwing shows more white, with narrower and better defined dark leading edge. Dark throat sharply demarcated from white underparts. Tail blackish, darker than upperparts. HH Breeds on S Atlantic and Indian Ocean islands. Not definitely recorded from our region. Population of Black-bellied Storm-petrel breeding on Gough Is (F. t. melanoleuca) has white belly like White-bellied Storm-petrel. Field identification of any white-bellied Fregetta storm-petrel in our region thus problematic. One observed north of Cape Verde (Aug 1986) therefore subject of debate.

Jackass Penguin Spheniscus demersus Manchot du Cap

60–70 cm

Stocky, flightless seabird, with flipper-like wings, and short legs and tail. Adult Rather small penguin with black face and throat separated from black upperparts by broad white supercilium joining white underparts over neck-sides. Black band across upper breast down flanks to legs. Bill black. Sometimes narrower partial or complete black band between black face and breast-band. Juvenile Head and upperparts sooty-grey; underparts white. HH S African vagrant, Gabon (Setté Cama, Dec 1956) and Congo x (Pointe-Noire, Mar 1954). Floats with head held high and most of body submerged. On x land, walks upright with waddling gait. Breeds coastal Namibia, South Africa and adjacent islands; adults mainly sedentary. Voice Usually silent at sea. [Alt: African Penguin] VU TROPICBIRDS Medium-sized, graceful, highly aerial seabirds. Adults largely white; tail wedge-shaped with two greatly elongated central feathers. Sexes similar. Young heavily barred black on upperparts, lacking long tail streamers. Buoyant, rather tern-like, purposeful flight, fluttering wingbeats alternated with long glides. Feed mostly on fish, also squid, caught by hovering, then plunging vertically. Breed on islands in rocky crevices or sheltered scrape on ground; on São Tomé also in trees. Loosely colonial.

Red-billed Tropicbird Phaethon aethereus Phaéton à bec rouge

45–50 cm; WS 100–115 cm

P. a. mesonauta. Adult Mainly white with red bill, black streak through eye and long white tail streamers (46–56 cm). Upperparts narrowly barred black (sometimes difficult to see in strong sunlight); outer primaries and their coverts black, forming diagnostic band on upperwing. Juvenile/immature Closely barred upperparts appear grey at distance; inner secondaries and upperwing-coverts barred; black nuchal collar; black-tipped yellowish x bill. HH Scarce and local. Breeds on islets off Senegal (Îles de la Madeleine) and on Cape x x Verde (Santiago, Brava, Ilhéus do Rombo, Raso, Boavista). Elsewhere mainly recorded as offshore vagrant. Voice Shrill keek or karreek. Also loud, piercing calls, only likely to be heard at breeding colonies.

White-tailed Tropicbird Phaethon lepturus Phaéton à bec jaune

x

x

x x

40 cm; WS 92 cm

P. l. ascensionis. Adult Pure white with short black streak through eye, black in outer primaries forming patch on upperwing, black diagonal wingbar (forming characteristic V), long white tail streamers (33–40 cm) and yellowish-orange bill. Juvenile/immature Note coarse barring on upperparts and extensive white on upperwing; bill pale yellow with black tip. HH Breeds on São Tomé (Príncipe?) and Annobón, where locally common. Elsewhere mainly recorded as offshore vagrant. Voice Shrill kirrik-kirrik-kirrik.

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PLATE 7: GANNETS AND BOOBIES GANNETS AND BOOBIES Large, conspicuous seabirds with stout, tapering bills, cigar-shaped bodies, long, narrow wings and wedge-shaped tails. Flight steady and purposeful with shallow flaps followed by a glide. Flocks often fly in single file. Feed on fish and squid, principally by plunge-diving from relatively great height. Breed colonially. In W Africa only likely to be encountered offshore.

Northern Gannet Morus bassanus Fou de Bassan

85–100 cm; WS 170–192 cm

Largest seabird likely to be encountered (only vagrant frigatebirds are larger). Adult Predominately white with creamy-yellow head and neck, and black wingtips. Juvenile Entirely dark brown with small white spots on upperparts, and a whitish, V-shaped rump patch. Immature Becomes progressively whiter, producing confusing patterns; much individual variation. Adult plumage acquired over 4 years. Second calendar-year Head and underparts largely white; above mostly dark, with white on uppertail-coverts and usually on lesser upperwing-coverts. Crown often dark; remnants of juvenile plumage form partial dark collar. Third calendar-year Head and underparts as adult; flight and tail feathers mainly black; upperparts and wing-coverts mottled black and white. Fourth calendar-year As adult, but central tail feathers black and secondaries mixed black and white. HH Fairly common to scarce non-breeding visitor to at least 10°N (Sep–Jul).

Cape Gannet Morus capensis Fou du Cap

84–94 cm; WS 165–180 cm

Adult As Northern Gannet but with all-black secondaries and tail. Usually slightly smaller and has longer black gular stripe, but this rarely noticeable in field. Juvenile/ immature Plumage sequence similar to Northern Gannet. Probably inseparable from immature Northern until 3rd year; white secondaries and/or outer tail feathers strongly suggest Northern. HH Rare to scarce non-breeding visitor from southern African waters to Gulf of Guinea, mostly immatures (late May/Jun–Oct). Confusion with Northern Gannet masks true status and range. VU

Brown Booby Sula leucogaster Fou brun

65–75 cm; WS 135–150 cm

S. l. leucogaster. Adult Distinctive pattern of uniformly dark brown upperparts, head, throat and upper breast contrasting strongly with white underparts, incl. underwingcoverts. Bill yellowish. Juvenile/immature As adult but white of underparts sullied dusky-brown. Adult plumage acquired over 2–3 years. Juvenile Northern Gannet has white crescentic mark on rump; also larger, less agile, with slower flight and relatively shorter tail. HH Breeds Cape Verde (several islands), Guinea (Alcatraz) and Gulf of Guinea Is, where locally common. Uncommon to rare wanderer along region’s coastline.

Masked Booby Sula dactylatra Fou masqué

81–92 cm; WS 152 cm

S. d. dactylatra. Adult Superficially similar to Northern and Cape Gannets but smaller, with shorter, yellowish bill, small black mask, pure white head, more extensive black on secondaries, black tips to scapulars and more pointed, all-black tail. Juvenile Head and upperparts brown, separated by narrow white collar; underparts white. Immature Becomes progressively whiter (with back whitening first; white collar broadening), x attaining adult plumage over 2 years. HH Vagrant, Cape Verde (Ilhéu de Curral Velho, off x x Boavista, 2003–05, adult; Dec 2012) and Gulf of Guinea (offshore between São Tomé and Príncipe, Mar 1992, six; Tinhosas, 1960, specimen & Jul 1996, adult; Santaren I., May 1965, adult). Also far from coast at 00°19’S 07°06’W. Nearest breeding colonies on Ascension.

Red-footed Booby Sula sula Fou à pieds rouges

66–77 cm; WS 91–101 cm

x

S. s. sula. Small booby with great variety of plumages. Adults have red feet and pink base to bill. Adult white morph (typical) Entirely white with black remiges and black carpal patch on underwing. Adult brown morph Wholly brown or greyish-brown. Adult intermediate morph Mainly dull white with brown upperwings. Juvenile Similar to adult x brown morph, but plumage streaked, bill dark, facial skin purplish and feet yellowish-grey. x Immature Distinguished from adult intermediate morph by duller bare-part coloration. x Adult plumage acquired over 2–3 years. HH Vagrant, Cape Verde (some records at sea; also adult in Brown Booby colony, Rombo, Aug 1986, and Raso Oct 2012–Mar 2013) and Gulf of Guinea (around Tinhosas and Príncipe; immatures, Jan & Apr 1995); also Nigeria (Lagos, Jul 1970, one). Nearest breeding colony on Ascension.

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Northern Gannet

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Brown Booby

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PLATE 8: GREBES AND PELICANS GREBES Small waterbirds, adapted for diving and swimming under water. Sexes similar. Feed on fish and invertebrates. Build floating nest. Chicks have stripes on head-sides and neck.

Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis Grèbe castagneux

25–29 cm

x

T. r. capensis. Small, compact, mainly dark grebe, with rounded head, short neck, stubby bill and fluffy rear end. Adult breeding Blackish-brown above with bright chestnut cheeks and foreneck and conspicuous yellowish-white gape patch. Adult non-breeding Duller x xx x and paler, with contrasting dark cap and reduced, more whitish gape patch. Juvenile Head-sides with irregular white stripes. HH Locally common resident, but may wander widely to utilise seasonal waterbodies. Singly or in pairs, occasionally in groups, in aquatic, preferably well-vegetated, habitats. Swims buoyantly and dives frequently. Presence of Palearctic migrants (nominate race: somewhat smaller, with slightly less white in secondaries; indistinguishable in field) suspected, NW Mauritania (Banc d’Arguin) and N Senegal. Voice Loud, descending, whinnying trill bi-i-i-i-i-i-i... uttered frequently and year-round, often in duet.

Black-necked Grebe Podiceps nigricollis Grèbe à cou noir x

x

x x x

x x

Great Crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus Grèbe huppé

46–51 cm; WS 59–73 cm

P. c. cristatus. Large, slim grebe with long, slender neck and long, pink, sharp-pointed bill. In flight has much white on forewing, scapulars and secondaries. Adult non-breeding Largely dark above and white below; triangular head with blackish on crown not reaching to level of eye. Adult breeding Unmistakable, with double-horned crest and chestnut and black tippets. HH Palearctic vagrant, Senegal (Djoudj, Jan 1971; Dakar, Sep 1980) and Niger (Arlit, Feb 1984). Could occur in any aquatic habitat, incl. sea.

x x

28–34 cm

P. n. nigricollis. Medium-sized grebe with short, slender, slightly upturned and sharply pointed bill, conspicuous red eyes and high, steep forehead with forecrown peak. In flight shows white secondaries. Adult non-breeding Black cap diffusely extending to below eye. Ear-coverts and neck often dusky. Adult breeding Black neck, loose golden eartufts and chestnut flanks. Juvenile As adult non-breeding but browner overall. HH Rare Palearctic visitor (Oct–May). Has become more regular to SW Mauritania/NW Senegal since 1990.

x

PELICANS Huge waterbirds with characteristic massive bills and very large, distensible gular pouches. Sexes similar. Flight strong, with heavy wingbeats alternated by glides; head drawn back. Often soar. Float high on surface when swimming. Often flying in formation and foraging in groups. Feed almost exclusively on fish. Usually silent; low growling and croaking at colonies.

Great White Pelican Pelecanus onocrotalus Pélican blanc

140–175 cm; WS 245–310 cm

Adult non-breeding Mainly white with diagnostic black flight feathers. Bill greyish with pink cutting edges, pouch yellow. Bare facial skin pink. Adult breeding Acquires variable pinkish tinge to plumage and small ragged crest on rear of crown; bare-part colours intensify; bare facial skin pinkish-yellow in male, bright orange in female. Juvenile Dull greyish-brown above, whitish below; flight feathers dark brown. Bill, pouch and legs greyish. Immature Paler than juvenile, whitening progressively with age, flight x feathers darkening, bare parts becoming more yellow. In flight, note underwing pattern (brown on coverts progressively lost with age); contrasting white rump. Full adult plumage probably attained in 3rd or 4th year. HH Scarce to locally common resident or intra-African migrant in large aquatic habitats. Roosts and nests on ground. Often fishes in coordinated groups. Flies in V-shaped or curved skeins, often at great height. Movements in W Africa unclear. x

Pink-backed Pelican Pelecanus rufescens Pélican gris

125–150 cm; WS 215–250 cm

Adult Smaller and duller than Great White Pelican, with pale grey cast to plumage and, in flight, less contrasting wing pattern. Bill and pouch pale yellowish. When breeding, x acquires short grey crest on nape, small blackish patch in front of eye, and pinkish tinge x to upperparts; bare-part colours intensify. Juvenile Brownish above with grey bill, x x greenish-yellow pouch and greyish-pink legs. Immature Becomes progressively paler. Full adult plumage probably attained in 3rd or 4th year. In flight, underwing pattern as adult; contrasting white rump. HH Irregularly distributed, rare to locally common. Principally resident; local movements recorded. In large aquatic habitats. Normally fishes singly. Usually roosts and nests in trees, sometimes far from water, occasionally on ground.

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Little Grebe

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PLATE 9: CORMORANTS AND DARTER CORMORANTS Medium-sized to large waterbirds with dark plumage, strong bills hooked at tip, long necks and bodies, and long, wedge-shaped tails. Sexes similar. Juveniles duller or paler. Catch fish underwater principally by surface-diving. Stand upright, wings often held open to dry. Fly with outstretched neck. Flight strong and direct with regular wingbeats. Take-off from water requires run across surface, beating it with both feet at once. Mostly gregarious and breeding colonially, on ground, sea cliffs or in trees, often in association with other waterbirds, such as herons, ibises, spoonbills and darters. Normally silent, except at breeding sites, where they utter various short guttural calls.

Long-tailed Cormorant Microcarbo africanus Cormoran africain

51–56 cm; WS 85 cm

M. a. africanus. Small cormorant with short bill, short neck and long tail. Adult breeding Blackish with green gloss and short crest on forehead. Bill and bare facial skin yellow, becoming swollen and orangey or red at start of breeding season. Eye red. Adult nonbreeding Duller, without crest. Some brownish like immature but with red eye. Immature Mainly dull brownish above, pale brownish to buffish-white below. HH Widespread and x locally common resident in aquatic habitats. Often favours smaller rivers and pools than White-breasted Cormorant; also less gregarious. Swims low in water, with neck erect and bill held up at angle; often only head and neck above surface. Subject to local movements related to water levels. Note Formerly included in Phalacrocorax. [Alt: Reed Cormorant]

White-breasted Cormorant Phalacrocorax (carbo) lucidus Cormoran à poitrine blanche 80–100 cm; WS 125–150 cm Large cormorant with long, thick neck and variable amount of white on throat and breast. Adult breeding Throat to breast, and sometimes belly, white. Rest of plumage xx black; upperparts glossed green; white patch on thigh in early breeding season. Bare x x x x x skin at base of lower mandible yellow. P. c. maroccanus (Great Cormorant) has white x x typically confined to head-sides, throat and upper breast. Adult non-breeding Duller, x xx without white thigh patch. Juvenile Brownish above; mainly whitish below (amount of white variable). Immature Gradually darker and more glossy. Adult plumage acquired over c.2 years. HH Locally common to uncommon resident. In all aquatic habitats, incl. freshwater lakes, marshes, rivers, mangroves, estuaries and inshore waters. Perches on shorelines, on rocks and in trees. Gregarious. Roosts in groups; breeds colonially. Usually feeds singly; flocks may form where prey abundant. P. c. maroccanus breeds on Moroccan coast, where largely sedentary; some may move as far south as NW Senegal outside breeding season. Voice Various deep, guttural calls. Usually silent away from colony. Note Separation of maroccanus from lucidus unclear.

x

x x

x

x

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x

Cape Cormorant Phalacrocorax capensis Cormoran du Cap

61–64 cm; WS 109 cm

Adult breeding Medium-sized all-black cormorant with yellow-orange gular area and relatively short tail. Adult non-breeding Dull brown with slightly paler underparts; gular area dull yellowish-brown. Juvenile/immature As adult non-breeding but underparts whiter. Long-tailed Cormorant is smaller and has longer tail. White-breasted Cormorant best distinguished at all ages by larger size and yellow facial skin. HH Vagrant from southern African coasts, Gabon (several records, Jun–Sep 1986–89, 1–7 birds). EN

x ?

DARTERS Large aquatic birds superficially resembling cormorants but slimmer, with long, slender bills without hook. Found mainly on fresh water. Feed singly, spearing fish with bill. Breed colonially in trees.

African Darter Anhinga rufa Anhinga d’Afrique

c.80 cm; WS 120 cm

A. r. rufa. Slim, with long pointed, dagger-shaped bill and slender neck with distinct kink (obvious in flight and when perched). In flight, long graduated tail often held in fan shape. Adult male Mainly black with chestnut foreneck, white stripe below eye extending onto neck-sides, and buffish-white streaks on wing-coverts and scapulars. Adult female Crown and hindneck brown (not black), rest of neck buffish-brown, white neck-stripe less x distinct. Immature As adult female, but even browner and paler, without white neckstripe. Adult plumage acquired over c.2 years. HH Locally common but declining resident in aquatic habitats; avoids sea, but frequents coastal lagoons. Swims with only head and neck above water. Perches in trees and on rocks, sometimes on shore, often with wings spread like cormorant. May soar on thermals, often at great height. Irregular, local movements occur, presumably in response to fluctuating water conditions.

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PLATE 10: NIGHT HERONS AND LARGE BITTERNS BITTERNS, HERONS AND EGRETS (Plates 10–14) Slender, medium-sized to large wading birds with long necks and legs and long, straight, pointed bills. Flight strong with regular wingbeats and neck retracted, forming an S (unlike storks, spoonbills, ibises and cranes). Sexes similar. Adult plumage attained during 2nd, 3rd or 4th calendar year. Most species usually found in or near water. Feed on a wide variety of prey, most taking fish and other aquatic animals.

Black-crowned Night Heron Nycticorax nycticorax Bihoreau gris

56–65 cm; WS 90–100 cm

N. n. nycticorax. Medium-sized, stocky heron with relatively short neck and legs. Adult Crown, mantle and scapulars black contrasting with grey wings, rump and tail. Head-sides and underparts white. Two long white plumes on hindneck (absent in nonbreeding). Eye crimson. Legs and feet pale yellow, becoming red during courtship. Feet project clearly beyond tail in flight. Juvenile Dark brown streaked buff with conspicuous buff spots on wings. Adult plumage takes 3 years to acquire, the white spotting on upperparts and dark streaking on underparts becoming progressively less marked with advancing age. Black crown acquired during 2nd year. In flight, note absence of white on back and distinct feet projection. HH Uncommon to locally common resident and Palearctic visitor (Sep–Apr; some, esp. immatures, suspected to remain yearround). In aquatic habitats. Gregarious and largely nocturnal. Mostly roosts by day in trees or dense marshy vegetation, leaving roost at dusk. Occasionally seen feeding in daylight. Breeds in colonies in trees or bushes, usually in company of other herons, cormorants or darters. Voice Distinctive, low, harsh kwok in flight.

White-backed Night Heron Gorsachius leuconotus Bihoreau à dos blanc

50–55 cm

Adult Medium-sized, stocky heron with black head and huge eye surrounded by white patch. Upperparts blackish-brown with white plume-like scapulars forming diagnostic but rather inconspicuous triangular patch on back. Short nuchal crest. Throat white, x x x neck and breast rufous, belly white with black streaking. In flight, note inconspicuous x white patch on back; feet project slightly beyond tail. Juvenile Darker than juvenile Black? crowned Night Heron, with fewer wing spots and blackish forehead; eye huge. In flight, note presence of white scapulars and slight feet projection. HH Scarce and local resident along well-vegetated streams, ponds and creeks. Largely nocturnal and secretive. Roosts in dense foliage or swampy vegetation. Easily overlooked; seldom seen unless flushed, or when active at dusk or at night. Voice A croaking note. Usually silent.

Great Bittern Botaurus stellaris Butor étoilé

70–80 cm; WS 125–135 cm

B. s. stellaris. Medium-sized, stocky and thick-necked with brown, cryptically patterned x x plumage, black crown and black malar stripe. Heavy, dagger-shaped yellowish bill. x x x xx x x Flight owl-like with deep wingbeats on broad, rounded wings strongly bowed downwards. x x x x x x x x Immature has crown and malar stripe browner. Heavier-looking than White-crested Tiger x x x x ? x Heron, is streaked (not barred), lacks white crest, and occurs in quite different habitat. x HH Rare Palearctic visitor (recorded Nov–early Apr); may be more regular than records x x suggest. Frequents dense reedbeds, marshes, swamps, mangroves. Very secretive. Active by day and night. ‘Freezes’ in upright posture, bill ‘sky-pointing’ when threatened. Voice Silent outside breeding season.

White-crested Tiger Heron Tigriornis leucolopha Onoré à huppe blanche

66–80 cm

Adult Cryptically patterned, barred black and buffish-brown heron with diagnostic white crest and long, dagger-shaped bill. When not raised, crest is half-concealed by x nape feathers and often difficult to see. Crown may look black. Appears all-dark in x flight; primaries tipped white. Juvenile More strongly barred than adult. Juvenile Blackx x x crowned and White-backed Night Herons are smaller, streaked (never barred), and have white spots on wing-coverts. HH Uncommon to rare resident of shaded forest streams; also mangroves. Secretive and largely nocturnal, hence seldom seen. ‘Freezes’ in bitternlike posture when alarmed. Voice Far-carrying, single or double, low moaning note, regularly repeated in slow tempo, usually for brief periods before dawn and after sunset.

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PLATE 11: SMALL BITTERNS AND HERONS Little Bittern Ixobrychus minutus Blongios nain

30–38 cm; WS 49–58 cm

Very small, thick-necked heron with contrasting pale wing panel (esp. striking in flight). Adult male Crown and back black, head-sides and neck rich chestnut (Afrotropical race payesii) or pale buffish (Palearctic race minutus). Adult female Streaked brownish, with duller black crown, nape and tail, and browner, less contrasting upperwing-coverts. Juvenile More heavily streaked than female. Following post-juvenile moult resembles x adult but has darker, mottled and spotted wing panel. HH Uncommon to locally fairly x common resident (payesii) and Palearctic visitor (nominate, Sep–Apr; north of line on map). In reedbeds, marshes, areas of rank vegetation near water, occasionally mangroves. Secretive and shy. ‘Freezes’ in erect posture with bill ‘sky-pointing’ when threatened. Local movements may occur in response to fluctuating water conditions. Distribution of races inadequately known. Voice Usually silent. Hard ker-ek and sharp, rapid kekekekek. Breeding male utters deep croaking hogh or woof at c.2-second intervals.

Dwarf Bittern Ixobrychus sturmii Blongios de Sturm

25–30 cm; WS 50 cm

Adult Tiny heron with uniformly slate-grey upperparts (incl. face) and buffish x underparts (darkest on belly) heavily streaked black. Prominent black streak from base of bill to centre of belly. Lores and orbital ring bluish to yellowish-green. Bill blackish with variable amount of yellow at base and below. Flight slow and heavy with legs dangling. Confusion only likely with Green-backed Heron, esp. in flight, but latter has contrasting dark crown and unstreaked, pale grey neck, and is larger. Juvenile Upperparts x duller, feathers edged buff. HH Locally fairly common to rare wet season migrant; perhaps resident in some areas. Frequents vegetated streams and ponds, marshes, temporary pools, seasonally inundated grassland, reedbeds, mangroves. ‘Freezes’ in typical bittern stance when alarmed. Voice Occasionally kehk! or a loud croak when disturbed.

Green-backed Heron Butorides striata Héron strié

40–48 cm; WS 60–70 cm

B. s. atricapilla. Adult Small, stocky heron with erectile nuchal crest, dark crown and upperparts, grey head-sides and underparts, and white throat with buff line reaching belly. Greenish tinge to upperparts only visible at close range or in good light. In flight appears largely dark with conspicuous yellow legs (reddish-orange when breeding), dangling on take-off. Beware of confusing flying bird with Giant Kingfisher, which has similar size, upperpart coloration and call. Juvenile Mainly brown above with white or x buff spots on wing-coverts; head and underparts prominently streaked; distinct malar stripe. HH Common resident in heavily vegetated margins of rivers, streams, lakes and pools, mangroves, occasionally floodplains. In tidal habitats often far from cover at low tide. Usually adopts hunched stance when feeding, with body almost horizontal and legs bent. Voice Loud, explosive KYAH! when flushed. [Alt: Striated Heron] x

Squacco Heron Ardeola ralloides Crabier chevelu

40–48 cm; WS 71–86 cm

Small, stocky heron, appearing largely cinnamon or buffish-brown at rest but with contrasting white wings, rump and tail in flight. Adult breeding Largely cinnamon with long cream-coloured and black-edged feathers on crown and nape forming a crest; bill bright blue with black tip. Adult non-breeding Much duller. Earth-brown above, streaked below, with shorter crest. Bill, legs and feet greenish-yellow. Juvenile x x As adult non-breeding but darker brown, breast more streaked, wings mottled brown. x HH Locally common resident and Palearctic visitor (mainly Oct–Mar). In vegetated freshwater habitats; rarely along coast and in estuaries. Singly or in loose groups. Often remains motionless, when cryptic coloration renders it inconspicuous. Voice Croaking and nasal grating sounds.

Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis Héron gardebœufs

48–56 cm; WS 90–96 cm

B. i. ibis. Commonest and most easily seen heron. Small, short-necked and largely white. Typical stance is hunched with neck sunk into shoulders. In flight, appears stocky with hunched neck and rather short, heavy bill; flies with rapid, shallow wingbeats. Adult breeding Crown, breast and mantle rich buff. Bill and lores bright orange to coral-red. Legs coral- to dusky-red. Adult non-breeding All white with yellow bill and lores; legs greenish-yellow to greyish. Juvenile Bill, legs and feet black. HH Common, tame and gregarious, occurring in open fields, grassland, inundated areas, margins of freshwater lakes and rivers, rubbish dumps and around human habitation. Will feed in drier habitats than other egrets. Often with cattle, taking insects disturbed by them. Readily perches and roosts in trees. Flies in loose flocks, often in line or V-formation. Breeds during or just after rains; then absent from many areas. Voice Short, gruff kok or kwok.

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payesii 

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minutus 

Little Bittern 

Dwarf Bittern payesii  payesii

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Green-backed Heron Squacco Heron ad br

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PLATE 12: EGRETS Black Heron Egretta ardesiaca Aigrette ardoisée

48–55 cm; WS 90–95 cm

Medium-sized, slender and all-black heron with conspicuous deep-orange or yellow x feet and dark eyes. Adult Has long, loose plumes on crown, nape and mantle. Feet may x briefly turn red at start of breeding season. Eyes often erroneously stated to be yellow. x xx x x Juvenile As adult but duller. Differs from dark morph Western Reef Egret by smaller size, x darker and more uniform plumage (no white throat), darker bill and legs, and dark eye. HH Uncommon to locally common resident of shallow waters of floodplains, marshes, x x xx x margins of rivers, lakes and lagoons, mangroves and mudflats. Often in tight groups, but also solitary. Distinctive feeding posture with wings spread and held forwards over head to form shaded ‘umbrella’ canopy. Voice Usually silent.

Western Reef Egret Egretta gularis Aigrette des récifs

55–65 cm; WS 86–104 cm

E. g. gularis. Medium-sized egret with, in breeding plumage, long plumes on nape, scapulars and breast. Dimorphic. Adult dark morph Blackish- to slate-grey with white throat and variable amount of white on primary coverts. Legs greenish-black merging x x x into greenish-yellow feet, yellow often extending up rear edge of legs to tarsal joint or even tibia. Eye yellowish, lores olive or yellowish-olive. Adult white morph Very similar to Little Egret and some birds may not be safely separable in the field; note rather heavier bill with slightly drooped tip, horn-brown or grey with yellowish base to lower mandible (sometimes all black when breeding), and yellowish feet and lower legs. HH Common resident. Largely confined to coastal areas (mangroves, tidal pools, mudflats, saltpans, lagoons), occasionally inland at freshwater sites. Mostly solitary away from colonies, but occasionally in small, loose parties. Voice Throaty growl rraaahh.

Little Egret Egretta garzetta Aigrette garzette

55–65 cm; WS 88–95 cm

E. g. garzetta. Medium-sized, all-white egret, distinguished from other white egrets by combination of slender, straight black bill, black legs and typically sharply demarcated yellow feet. Adult breeding Plumes on nape, mantle and breast; yellow lores. Adult non-breeding Lacks plumes; lores grey-green; bill often pale along basal half of lower mandible. Juvenile Bare parts dull-coloured; no plumes. HH Fairly common to common x x resident and Palearctic visitor (Aug–Apr). In all aquatic habitats, both salt and fresh x water. Feeds principally by wading through shallow water snapping at prey with quick movements. Often runs quickly on land or in shallow water, opening and closing wings as it does so. Real abundance perhaps partially obscured due to confusion with white-morph Western Reef Egret. Voice Harsh, throaty growl wrraaahh.

Intermediate Egret Ardea intermedia Aigrette intermédiaire

65–72 cm; WS 105–115 cm

A. i. brachyrhyncha. Medium-sized, all-white egret with yellow bill and mainly black legs and feet. Resembles Great Egret, but smaller, with shorter, less kinked neck, shorter bill, and line of gape ending level with posterior edge of eye. Legs above tarsal joint yellow. Eye and lores yellow. Adult breeding Has extensive filamentous plumes on foreneck, breast and scapulars (may reach beyond tail), and slight crest on rear crown, but lacks long x nape plumes of Little and Western Reef Egrets. Bill becomes red with yellow tip, lores x and orbital skin bright green, eye red and tibia crimson. HH Fairly common to uncommon resident; local movements recorded. In freshwater and coastal habitats, incl. floodplains, inundated areas, margins of rivers and lakes, and mudflats. Often associates with other heron species. Feeds by walking slowly in shallow water or on dry grassland, lunging to catch prey. Voice Usually silent. Note Formerly included in Egretta.

Great Egret Ardea alba Grande Aigrette

85–100 cm; WS 140–170 cm

x

Large, slender, long-necked white egret, with line of gape extending well beyond eye (diagnostic). Largest egret, in size similar to Grey Heron. In flight, and often at rest, long neck curved into distinctive S-shaped bulge. Flight slower than other egrets with legs projecting further. Adult melanorhynchos non-breeding Bill long and yellow, eye yellow, lores and orbital skin olive-green. Legs and feet black. Adult breeding Bill becomes black, x eye bright red, lores and orbital skin emerald-green. Long plumes develop on scapulars (extending well beyond tail), foreneck and breast. Nominate has tibia and rear edge of tarsus yellowish. Juvenile Bill yellow tipped blackish. HH Common to uncommon resident; W Palearctic race alba recorded from CAR. In most fresh and saltwater habitats. Mostly solitary away from breeding colonies; occasionally in small flocks. Feeds by wading slowly or standing motionless. Voice Loud, deep, croaking krraak and dry kr-r-r-r-rh. Note Formerly included in Egretta.

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PLATE 13: LARGE HERONS Species on this plate are all large and readily identified. Juveniles/immatures are duller versions of adults.

Purple Heron Ardea purpurea Héron pourpré

78–90 cm; WS 120–150 cm

A. p. purpurea. Slender, lightly built heron with long thin bill and snake-like neck. Adult Crown black; head-sides, neck and underparts rufous striped with black. Upperparts dark slate-grey tinged purple-chestnut on shoulders. In flight, long neck kinked into very distinct bulge, upperwing dark with little contrast, underwing-coverts rufous, toes long and often held splayed. Goliath Heron is much larger, with rufous (not black) crown and heavier bill. Juvenile Sandy-brown above, neck indistinctly streaked, legs yellow. x HH Uncommon to locally common Palearctic visitor (mainly Sep–Apr; some, esp. immatures, year-round) and resident. In aquatic habitats, incl. floodplains, river margins, shores of lakes and lagoons; rarely in mangroves or on mudflats. Usually solitary. Skulks in dense aquatic vegetation. Feeds by standing motionless with body almost horizontal, catching fish with rapid strike of head. Will occasionally freeze in bittern-like posture. Voice Loud, harsh kaark, similar to, but higher-pitched than Grey Heron.

Cape Verde Purple Heron Ardea (purpurea) bournei See Plate 260. Grey Heron Ardea cinerea Héron cendré

90–100 cm; WS 155–175 cm

A. c. cinerea. Large, mainly grey-and-white heron. Adult Head largely white with diagnostic black stripe from behind eye merging with black plumes on nape. In flight has prominent white carpal patches contrasting with black flight feathers; underwing uniformly dark grey. Bill and lores yellow, becoming orange to vermilion at start of breeding season. Black-headed Heron has crown and head-sides black (dark grey in x x juvenile) and underwing-coverts white, contrasting strongly with blackish flight feathers. x Juvenile Duller and plainer grey, lacking any black, with grey crown and hindneck, and greyish (not white) throat and upper neck. HH Common to fairly common resident and Palearctic visitor (mainly Aug–Apr; some, esp. immatures, year-round). In most aquatic habitats, incl. marshes, floodplains, margins of lakes and rivers, lagoons, estuaries and shallow sea coasts, coastal rice fields, occasionally in grassland. Mostly solitary, but sometimes in small groups. Feeds by waiting motionless in shallow water. Also wades and walks through shallows. Voice Loud, croaking fraank or kraak.

Pallid Heron Ardea (cinerea) monicae Héron pâle

90–100 cm; WS 155–175 cm

As Grey Heron, of which it is usually considered a race, but much paler. HH Endemic to Banc d’Arguin, NW Mauritania, where principally sedentary; some disperse as far south as Senegal delta and Sine Saloum, Senegal. Breeding population up to 1999 estimated at 1000–2400 pairs; recent figures lower. Voice Loud, croaking fraank or kraak.

Black-headed Heron Ardea melanocephala Héron mélanocéphale

92–96 cm; WS 150–160 cm

Adult Large heron with black head and hindneck, contrasting white throat and foreneck, and grey belly. Upperparts darker grey than Grey Heron. Relatively short bill black above, greenish-yellow below. In flight, shows distinctive two-tone underwing, white underwing-coverts contrasting with blackish flight feathers. Juvenile Dull grey above with dark grey crown and head-sides, less black on hindneck and variable amount of rufous-buff on underparts. HH Uncommon to locally fairly common resident; seasonal x movements occur (north with rains). Solitary and largely terrestrial, frequenting grassland and cultivated areas rather than aquatic habitats, though does occur in marshes and margins of rivers and lakes. Feeds by walking slowly over open areas. Voice Raucous, nasal kuark. x

Goliath Heron Ardea goliath Héron goliath

135–150 cm; WS 210–230 cm

The world’s largest heron. Adult Head, hindneck and underparts rufous-brown; throat white; foreneck and upper breast white streaked with black; upperparts dark grey. Powerful, blackish bill. In flight, brown underwing-coverts contrast with dark grey flight feathers; legs held below horizontal. Juvenile Basically as adult, but brown parts paler, x x xx grey areas suffused with rufous, head-sides and neck whiter. HH Rare to uncommon and local resident. Mainly in freshwater habitats, incl. lakes, marshes, mangroves and rivers; also lagoons and estuaries. Mostly solitary and rarely encountered away from water. Feeds by standing motionless for long periods, occasionally by walking and wading. Voice Far-carrying, raucous kwaaark. x

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PLATE 14: VAGRANT HERONS, HAMERKOP AND IBISES Snowy Egret Egretta thula Aigrette neigeuse

55–65 cm; WS 90–95 cm

Adult As Little Egret (Plate 12) but usually with rear of lower legs dull yellow (Little has alldark legs); toes deeper yellow; lores bright yellow outside courtship period (in Little Egret yellow during short courtship period only, otherwise grey-green). HH N American vagrant, Cape Verde (São Vicente, Nov 2005, possibly ship-assisted). Voice Low, hoarse hraahrr.

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Great Blue Heron Ardea herodias Grand Héron

110–125 cm; WS 175–195 cm

Resembles Grey Heron (Plate 13), but larger, with relatively longer neck and heavier bill. Adult Sides of head and neck tinged pinkish-grey. Small shoulder patch and thighs chestnut. Juvenile As juvenile Grey Heron, but browner above, more buff below. HH N American vagrant, Cape Verde (Boavista, Mar 2002). Voice Low, harsh kraak.

x

HAMERKOP Unique, medium-sized waterbird, endemic to the Afrotropical region. Sexes similar. Feeds on amphibians and small fish; also crustaceans, invertebrates, occasionally small mammals. Builds huge, domed nest of sticks, grass and mud, usually in major fork of large tree. Pairs have several nests in home territory.

Hamerkop Scopus umbretta Ombrette africaine

50–56 cm; WS 85–94 cm

Unmistakable. Adult umbretta Uniformly dark brown, with thick backward-pointing x crest and stout hook-tipped bill combining to give head distinctive shape. Flight rather buoyant and owl-like, on broad, rounded wings; wingbeats often rather jerky. Glides with neck extended. In soaring flight can appear raptor-like. S. u. minor (coastal belt, x x Sierra Leone–Cameroon) smaller and darker. Juvenile Similar to adult. HH Fairly common to common resident in any aquatic habitat within open woodland, incl. lakesides, river banks, seasonal pools and marshes, but also in drier areas. Some dispersal during rains observed in drier areas. Singly or in pairs, occasionally in groups. Voice Distinctive nasal trumpeting yip-purr, yip-yip-yip-purr-purryip-yip uttered when in groups or during display. Flight call a high-pitched nasal yip or wek. IBISES Medium-sized terrestrial and wading birds with rather long necks and legs and slender decurved bills. Sexes similar. Fly with strong wingbeats and neck outstretched. Forage in dry habitats, on forest floor or in shallow wet areas by probing in soft mud. Feed mainly on insects; also various other invertebrates and small vertebrates.

Northern Bald Ibis Geronticus eremita Ibis chauve ? x

x x

x

?

70–80 cm; WS c.130 cm

Adult Unmistakable. Stocky, blackish ibis with shaggy crest, ‘bald’ reddish head, and reddish bill and legs. Legs do not project beyond tail in flight. Juvenile Head feathered; no crest; duller plumage. In 2nd year nuchal crest and violet gloss on coverts begin to appear, but head still largely feathered. Full adult bare-part coloration probably attained during 3rd year. HH Rare Palearctic visitor or vagrant (Oct–May). Breeds in Morocco in small numbers. Voice Silent away from colony. CR

African Sacred Ibis Threskiornis aethiopicus Ibis sacré

65–82 cm; WS c.120 cm

Adult Distinctive, mainly white ibis with bare black head and neck, long, heavy black bill, and long blue-black scapular plumes falling over folded wings and tail. Black tips to flight feathers visible in flight. Wing edge and flanks often tinged buffish-yellow. Dull grey bare patch at breast-sides extending in line on underwing becomes blood-red x when breeding. Juvenile Head and neck feathered, blackish with white mottling; throat and foreneck white. Scapulars less developed, primaries more extensively tipped black. Immature In subsequent plumages ornamental scapulars develop, black on primaries and greater primary-coverts gradually decreases. Full adult plumage with completely bare head and neck attained in 3–4 years. HH Uncommon or scarce to locally common resident. In variety of habitats incl. floodplains, marshes, margins of rivers and lakes, grasslands, cultivation and occasionally estuaries, lagoons and sea coast. Gregarious. Flocks tend to fly in V formation. Voice Various hoarse, squealing, moaning and croaking sounds at colony. Usually silent away from nest.

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PLATE 15: IBISES Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus Ibis falcinelle

55–65 cm; WS 80–95 cm

Small, dark, rather slender ibis (other dark ibises less slender). Distinctive flight with rapid wingbeats followed by short glide, legs projecting well beyond tip of tail. Adult breeding Rich purplish-chestnut glossed with green on wings. Lores pale bluish x x bordered above and below by narrow white line. Adult non-breeding Duller; head and x x x x x neck with variable amount of fine white streaking. Juvenile Sooty-brown; head and throat variably mottled white. Following post-juvenile moult, head and neck streaked with white, but less distinctly than adult. HH Locally fairly common to scarce Palearctic visitor (Sep–Jun). Breeding recorded C Mali (inner Niger delta); suspected NW Senegal. In freshwater habitats incl. marshes, floodplains, inundated areas, margins of rivers and lakes; occasionally coastal lagoons, estuaries. Gregarious; usually in small groups. Forages by walking slowly and probing in soft mud and shallow water; also takes prey from surface. Often associated with herons, egrets and storks. Usually flies in line, sometimes in V formation. Voice Mostly silent. Occasionally a harsh, low graa-graa-graa in flight. x

Hadada Ibis Bostrychia hagedash Ibis hagedash

76–89 cm

B. h. brevirostris. Large, dark and noisy ibis with rather short legs and dark bill with x red on upper mandible. Adult Largely dull brown with white malar stripe and metallic x x green gloss on wing-coverts. Flight rather irregular and jerky with one deep wingbeat followed by several shallow flaps; wings broad and rounded, bill held downwards, legs do not project beyond tail. Juvenile Duller, lacking green gloss. HH Locally fairly common to scarce resident along streams and rivers in open woodland, also marshes, moist grassland, mangroves, forest edge. Recorded breeding in rain forest in Cameroon and Gabon; presumably also breeds in Taï NP, Ivory Coast. Usually in pairs. Forages by picking prey from surface or probing in soft soil. Voice Distinctive, far-carrying, nasal haa! haa-de-dah! frequently uttered in flight. Also a loud HAAA! when alarmed.

Olive Ibis Bostrychia olivacea Ibis olive

65–75 cm

All-dark forest ibis with relatively short, coral-red bill. Adult olivacea (Sierra Leone– Ivory Coast) Head dark brown with loose nuchal crest and bare blackish-blue face. Upperparts blackish-brown glossed bronze-green; wing-coverts metallic coppery and purple-blue. Underparts dark brown. Legs greenish to dark reddish, not projecting beyond ? tail in flight. Crest often difficult to see in field, esp. in flight. Races not distinguishable in field; cupreipennis (Cameroon–Congo) has neck and body greener; rothschildi (Príncipe) has crest glossier purple and more graduated down neck. Juvenile/immature As adult but duller, with shorter crest. HH Rare to uncommon and local resident. Along streams and rivers in rain forest; occasionally away from water and in mangroves. Shy and rarely seen. Flies above forest at dawn and dusk, calling. B. o. rothschildi endemic to Príncipe, where the only ibis and probably extinct (unconfirmed claim from 1991). Voice Loud, resonant, disyllabic HAH-hah or k-HA-haw with stress on first syllable, usually uttered in flight. From perch also a single haaw!

Spot-breasted Ibis Bostrychia rara Ibis vermiculé

47–55 cm

Small, dark forest ibis with neck and underparts spotted rufous-brown. Adult Head has blackish nuchal crest, bright turquoise patches in front of and behind eye, and in a line below base of bill. Upperparts blackish-brown, wing-coverts metallic green. Crest lax and difficult to see in field, esp. in flight. Bill red. Legs do not project beyond tail in flight. Juvenile Duller, with shorter crest and bill, and no turquoise facial markings. Sympatric but rarer Olive Ibis is noticeably larger, has uniform brown underparts and lacks turquoise facial patches; best distinguished by lower-pitched call with stress on first syllable. HH Generally rare or scarce; locally fairly common, Gabon and Congo. Singly or in pairs along forest streams and in swamp forest. Usually silent and secretive during day. Flies above forest at dawn and dusk, calling. Voice Fairly loud, raucous and nasal k-HAH! k-HAH! or ah-HAW ah-HAW and ah-HAH-hah with stress on second syllable; uttered in flight and usually frequently repeated. Also a nasal haw. Usually calls at dusk and during night.

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PLATE 16: STORKS I STORKS (Plates 16–17) Large to very large wading and terrestrial birds with long bills, necks and legs. Tail short. Full adult plumage attained during 2nd, 3rd or 4th calendar year. Fly with neck outstretched (unlike herons), except Marabou Stork, and legs trailing. Normal flight action consists of soaring and gliding, often at great heights, alternated with slow wingbeats. Gregarious or solitary. Food consists of various small animals. Most species normally silent.

African Openbill Stork Anastomus lamelligerus Bec-ouvert africain x x

x

x x

80–94 cm

A. l. lamelligerus. Unmistakable. Adult Blackish stork with distinctive large ivorycoloured bill with wide gap between mandibles. Feathers of neck and upperparts glossed green, bronze and purple. Juvenile Dull brown with buff edges to mantle and upperwing-coverts, and shorter, almost straight bill lacking gap. HH Uncommon or rare to locally fairly common intra-African migrant. Principally dry-season visitor, but appears regular throughout the year at many localities. Frequents variety of, mainly freshwater, aquatic habitats, incl. swamps, marshes, lakes, large rivers, rice fields and floodplains. Gregarious. Feeds entirely on snails and freshwater mussels.

Woolly-necked Stork Ciconia episcopus Cigogne épiscopale

c.90 cm

C. e. microscelis. Unmistakable. Adult Large, mainly black stork with white neck, x x x x belly and undertail-coverts. Black on forecrown diffusely extending onto midcrown x x and head-sides but leaving narrow white forehead. Tail black and slightly forked (often obscured by long undertail-coverts). Black areas strongly glossed bluish and purplish. Bill black with reddish tip and culmen. Legs black. Juvenile Duller, more brownish, lacking white forehead. In flight, white head, neck, belly and projecting undertail-coverts. No other stork has combination of black body and white neck. HH Rare to locally fairly common. Mainly resident, but irregular seasonal movements recorded. In various habitats, usually near water. Mainly solitary, but may gather in small flocks. Forages by walking slowly, picking up prey.

Saddle-billed Stork Ephippiorhynchus senegalensis Jabiru d’Afrique

145–150 cm; WS 240–270 cm

Adult Unmistakable. Very large black-and-white stork with impressive black and x red bill with yellow ‘saddle’. Head, neck, upper and underwing-coverts, scapulars and xx x tail black, rest of plumage white. Legs dark with pinkish-red tarsal joints and toes. In x flight, white flight feathers conspicuous. Male has brown eyes and two small yellow x x x (sometimes red) wattles hanging from base of bill. Female has yellow eyes and usually x x lacks wattles. Juvenile Mainly greyish, with dusky bill lacking saddle. Immature Duller version of adult; bill duller red and black, with yellow saddle starting to appear. HH Rare to scarce resident. Singly or in pairs in any freshwater or alkaline habitat, incl. floodplains, large rivers and swamps. Feeds principally on fish. Normally shy and wary.

Marabou Stork Leptoptilos crumenifer Marabout d’Afrique

c.150 cm; WS 230–285 cm

Unmistakable. Adult Huge, heavy-bodied stork with dark slate-grey upperparts, white underparts, bare pinkish head and neck, and massive pale bill. Has two inflatable x air-sacs, one long and pendulous hanging below throat, the other smaller and generally x x x hidden between shoulders. Legs black, often heavily stained with white excrement. x x x x x xx x When breeding, colours of bare parts intensify. In flight, uniform dark grey underwings x with white axillaries diagnostic; head tucked into shoulders. Juvenile/immature Firstx x year is dark brown on upperparts with buff-edged wing-coverts. Second and 3rd year increasingly like adult, gradually gaining paler grey upperparts and more developed markings on bare facial skin. HH Irregularly distributed, scarce to locally fairly common. Principally resident; some seasonal movements recorded (south during dry season). Frequents almost any open habitat, both terrestrial and aquatic. Eats virtually any animal matter. Scavenges at carrion but also catches live food. Generally gregarious. Voice Clatters with bill. Various grunting, squealing and bleating sounds at breeding site. x

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PLATE 17: STORKS II Yellow-billed Stork Mycteria ibis Tantale ibis

95–105 cm; WS 155–165 cm

Adult Mainly white with black flight feathers and tail, slightly decurved yellow bill, and red legs. Has bright orange-red bare facial skin and variable pink suffusion on upperwing-coverts, esp. in breeding season. In flight, black flight feathers and tail. White Stork has red bill and white tail. Juvenile Largely greyish-brown on head, neck x x xx and upperparts; breast and belly white. Bill dull greyish-yellow, facial skin dull orange, legs brownish. By end of first year more like adult but duller. HH Uncommon or rare to x seasonally and locally fairly common. Mainly resident; seasonal movements recorded. In all aquatic habitats, incl. rivers, freshwater marshes, lakes, estuaries and mudflats. Gregarious, but seldom in large flocks. Often associated with other waterbirds such as herons, other storks and pelicans. Has disappeared from many parts of its former range.

White Stork Ciconia ciconia Cigogne blanche

x

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x xx x x

100–120 cm; WS 155–165 cm

C. c. ciconia. Adult Large white stork with black flight feathers and red bill and legs. Juvenile Duller, with off-white plumage, shorter, blackish bill with red base and dull red legs. In flight, black flight feathers, white tail. Yellow-billed Stork has yellow bill and black tail. HH Uncommon or rare to locally fairly common Palearctic visitor (mainly Aug–Apr). Mostly in grassland and open savanna where particularly attracted to locust swarms and bush fires. Also in wetland areas. Gregarious, migrating in (occasionally large) flocks. Crosses Sahara on broad front. A few, mostly immatures, remain in Africa during northern summer.

Black Stork Ciconia nigra Cigogne noire

95–100 cm; WS 145–155 cm

x x

Adult Large, mainly black stork with white belly, and red bill, orbital skin and legs. Juvenile Sooty-brown with bill, orbital skin and legs pale grey-green. Bill and legs become red during 2nd calendar year, when c.10 months old. In flight, all-black x x x upperparts. Compare Abdim’s Stork (smaller, white rump and lower back, yellowish-green xx x x x bill and legs, shorter legs projecting less in flight. Immatures more alike, but white rump and dusky-greenish legs with pink joints diagnostic of Abdim’s). HH Rare or scarce to uncommon Palearctic visitor (Sep–early May). Locally regular in small numbers. Usually near water (lakes, ponds, rivers, marshes), but may occur in dry habitat, incl. grassland, on migration. Often solitary, occasionally in small groups. May associate with other storks.

Abdim’s Stork Ciconia abdimii Cigogne d’Abdim

75–81 cm

Adult Rather small, largely black stork with white belly, rump and lower back. Bill x greenish-horn with red tip. Bare facial skin grey-blue with red patch in front of eye and x under bill. Legs dull green with reddish ‘knees’ (tarsal joint). During breeding season bare parts become brighter. Juvenile Duller, more brownish above and lacks gloss of adult. x x xx x x x Bill and legs duller and rather darker. In flight, white lower back and rump; compare Black Stork. HH Scarce to locally fairly common intra-African migrant. Breeds in northern tropics prior to and during wet season. Moves south at onset of dry season, to arrive in southern tropics early in rains. Mainly terrestrial, feeding in open grasslands, pastures and cultivated areas. Gregarious. Congregates at locust swarms, outbreaks of army worm caterpillars and grass fires.

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PLATE 18: SPOONBILLS AND FLAMINGOS SPOONBILLS Large, white wading birds with characteristic spoon-shaped bills and long necks and legs. Sexes similar. Fly with neck outstretched; sometimes soar. Gregarious or solitary. Feed by sweeping bill from side to side in water. Food mainly consists of aquatic insects and other invertebrates; also molluscs, crustaceans, small fish, frogs. Mainly silent away from breeding colonies.

African Spoonbill Platalea alba Spatule d’Afrique

x xx

x

x

xx

x

x

c.90 cm

Adult breeding All white with red bare face and red legs; bill grey with red margins; loose, fluffy nuchal crest. Adult non-breeding Lacks crest; bare-part coloration somewhat duller. Juvenile Bill yellowish; legs black; no red on face. In flight, note black tips to primaries and primary-coverts. HH Patchily distributed, uncommon or scarce to locally fairly common resident. In shallow water of lakes, marshes, lagoons and estuaries. Voice Hoarse aark-aark. x

Eurasian Spoonbill Platalea leucorodia Spatule blanche

80–90 cm; WS 115–130 cm

Adult leucorodia breeding Bill black with yellow tip; legs black; long, loose nuchal crest; yellowish breast-band. Non-breeding adult lacks crest and breast-band. Adult balsaci breeding Bill all black. Juvenile As adult non-breeding but with black tips to x x primaries, dull pinkish bill and throat, and dull yellowish-brown legs. Immature Bill and legs gradually darken, black on flight feathers decreases, outer primaries retaining some black on tips. Full adult plumage probably attained in 3rd calendar year. HH Nominate is locally fairly common to scarce Palearctic visitor (Aug–Mar); immatures remain in winter quarters during first summer or longer. P. l. balsaci breeds NW Mauritania (endemic to Banc d’Arguin, where locally common but recently declining resident); some (mainly immatures) disperse to nearby wetlands, south to Senegal delta. Mainly coastal, in shallow water of e.g. lagoons and estuaries. Small numbers at inland wetlands. Flocks tend to fly in line or V formation. FLAMINGOS Large wading birds with extremely long necks and legs, pink plumage and unique down-curved bills adapted for filterfeeding. Sexes similar; males typically larger. Fly in lines or V formations with neck outstretched. Highly gregarious and quite noisy. Occur on shallow brackish, alkaline or saline lakes and lagoons. Feed mainly on microscopic algae and small aquatic invertebrates.

Greater Flamingo Phoenicopterus roseus Flamant rose

127–140 cm; WS 140–165 cm

Adult Very tall, pale pink flamingo (appearing largely white at distance) with pink bill x contrastingly tipped black. In flight, scarlet lesser and median coverts contrast strongly x x with black flight feathers. Juvenile Dull greyish plumage; note rather large, dark grey x bill tipped black. In subsequent plumages, first becomes whiter, then progressively more x pink. Adult plumage attained in 3–4 years. HH Locally common in breeding areas (colonies x known from Mauritania and Senegal), uncommon to rare elsewhere. Mainly resident, x x though some dispersal from breeding colonies. Migrants from W Palearctic occur during northern winter. Frequents coastal aquatic habitats. Wades with head submerged when feeding, or swims and up-ends in deeper water. Voice Goose-like hank-hank and a nasal gnaaaa.

Lesser Flamingo Phoeniconaias minor Flamant nain

80–90 cm; WS 95–100 cm

Adult Rather small, rose-pink flamingo with dark red, black-tipped bill (appearing entirely dark at distance); much smaller than Greater Flamingo. In flight, lesser and x median coverts contrast less than in Greater Flamingo. Juvenile Brownish-grey; bill x smaller than Greater Flamingo. In subsequent plumages, first becomes whiter, then x x xx gradually more pink. Adult plumage attained in 3–4 years. HH Locally fairly common x x to scarce in aquatic habitats (esp. Senegal delta); mainly coastal. Normally highly xx x gregarious, but also observed singly and in small groups. Feeds by wading in shallow water or swimming in deeper water moving head and neck in rhythmic scything curves. Occasionally associates with Greater Flamingos. Only known breeding colony in our region in Senegal delta and adjacent Aftout es Saheli. Sporadic reproduction and large fluctuations in numbers suggests exchanges with E and/or S African populations. Voice High-pitched chissik or kwirrik. Feeding flocks utter constant murmuring murr-err. NT

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PLATE 19: DUCKS AND GEESE I DUCKS AND GEESE (Plates 19–24) Medium-sized to large waterbirds with plump bodies, short, robust legs, webbed feet and flat bills rounded at tip; tails short. Flight fast and direct with neck outstretched. Often gregarious.

Fulvous Whistling Duck Dendrocygna bicolor Dendrocygne fauve x

x x

x

x

xx x x

x

45–53 cm

Upright-standing fulvous-brown duck with bold white streaks on flanks. In flight, white U-shaped uppertail-coverts contrast with blackish wings and tail and fulvous-brown body. Juvenile Duller. Whistling ducks are longer-necked and longer-legged than other ducks in the region. Sexes similar. No seasonal variation. HH Uncommon to locally common resident. Subject to irregular movements. Frequents well-vegetated freshwater lakes, marshes and rice fields. Feeds mainly at night. Often mixes with White-faced Whistling Ducks. Voice Clear, slightly nasal whistle k-wheew or ksweeoo, in flight and usually repeated.

White-faced Whistling Duck Dendrocygna viduata Dendrocygne veuf

43–48 cm

Upright-standing, mainly dark duck with long neck and legs. In flight, appears uniformly dark with chestnut forewing; easily identified as a whistling duck by long neck, broad rounded wings and feet projecting beyond tail, combined with frequently uttered whistling call. Adult Diagnostic white face and throat contrast with black rear of head and upper neck. Lower neck, breast and mantle dark chestnut; breast-sides and flanks closely barred black x and white; belly and undertail-coverts black. White face may become stained brownish. Juvenile (plumage retained for a few weeks only) Duller, with buffish face and upper neck, blackish crown and hindneck, and chestnut breast-band. HH Locally common resident. Subject to local movements. In most open freshwater habitats, esp. with some emergent vegetation. Highly gregarious. Often forages in rice fields. Active at night but also feeds diurnally. Voice Vocal, esp. in flight. Characteristic, clear, sibilant 3-note whistle swee-swee-sweeoo, usually repeated.

Black-bellied Whistling Duck Dendrocygna autumnalis Dendrocygne à ventre noir

48–53 cm

Large whistling duck with, in adult, conspicuous pinkish-red bill. Dark brown cap contrasts with pale grey-brown head and neck; conspicuous whitish eye-ring. In flight, mainly dark with long, broad white band on centre of upperwing (diagnostic). HH Neotropical vagrant, Gambia (Kotu sewage ponds, Dec 1998). Only record for Africa; possibility of escape cannot be eliminated. Normally in freshwater habitats. Voice A whistled wee-cheew or weechew-weeweewheew...

x

Hartlaub’s Duck Pteronetta hartlaubii Canard de Hartlaub

56–58 cm

Fairly large, mainly dark chestnut-brown duck. Head and neck black. Bill blackish tipped dull pink. In flight, appears large and bulky with pale blue (sometimes appearing whitish) wing-coverts forming contrasting panel. Adult male Has variable amount of white at base of bill and on forehead. Adult female Duller and usually without any white on head. Juvenile Duller still. HH Uncommon to locally fairly common resident. Singly, in pairs or small groups in well-forested streams and rivers, mangroves and sheltered pools. Quiet and unobtrusive; most active in evenings and early mornings. Frequently perches in trees. Voice Low, fast kakakakarrr in flight, and whit-whit-whit.

Brent Goose Branta bernicla Bernache cravant x

55–62 cm; WS 105–120 cm

B. b. bernicla (Dark-bellied Brent Goose). Distinctive, small dark goose with black head, neck and upper breast, dark grey belly and contrasting white vent and rump. Bill and legs blackish. Adult White flash on neck-sides. Juvenile Lacks white neck patch and has pale edges to wing-coverts forming bars at rest. HH Palearctic vagrant, NW Mauritania (Baie de l’Étoile, Dec 1978, one) and Senegal (Cap Skirring, Feb 1997, two photographed). Mainly on mudflats and estuarine waters. Voice Low, guttural hrot.

x

Greater White-fronted Goose Anser albifrons Oie rieuse x x

x x x

x x

x

65–78 cm; WS 130–160 cm

A. a. albifrons. Adult Large, mainly brownish-grey goose with pink bill, diagnostic white blaze on forehead and blackish bars on belly. Vent and uppertail-coverts white. Legs and feet orange. Immature Similar, but without barring on belly; forehead may lack white. HH Palearctic vagrant, NW Mauritania (Nov 1973, two), Niger (mare d’Assamakka, Dec 1993, two; near Zinder, Jan 1995, two; Yaya, Feb 1995, one), N Nigeria (Zaria, dry season 1973/4; Hadejia–Nguru, Jan 1989) and Chad (Zakouma NP, undated). Normally winters in Europe. Voice Disyllabic kow-yoo or kyo-kyok suggestive of yelping dogs.

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PLATE 20: DUCKS AND GEESE II Egyptian Goose Alopochen aegyptiaca Ouette d’Égypte

63–73 cm; WS 134–154 cm

Unmistakable. Large and bulky with pink bill and long pink legs. In flight, white wingcoverts contrast with blackish flight feathers and form diagnostic panels above and below. Adult Chocolate-brown eye patch. Juvenile Duller; bill and legs greyish. HH Locally fairly common in broad Sahel belt; rare visitor elsewhere. Partially migratory over much of range; movements poorly understood. Usually in pairs or small groups in wetland habitats. Readily perches in trees. Voice Hoarse taash taash... in flight. Male utters harsh, wheezy hiss when displaying. Female gives harsh, nasal, slightly trumpeting cackle honk-haah-haah-haah.

xx

Ruddy Shelduck Tadorna ferruginea Tadorne casarca x

x

Common Shelduck Tadorna tadorna Tadorne de Belon x

x x

Knob-billed Duck Sarkidiornis melanotos Canard à bosse x

x

x

x x

58–71 cm; WS 100–120 cm

Unmistakable. Large, boldly marked, conspicuous duck. In flight, mainly white with dark greenish head (appearing black), black flight feathers and chestnut breast-band. Adult male Bright red bill with knob. Adult female Slightly smaller and duller; bill without knob. HH Rare Palearctic visitor (late Nov–Feb). Mainly on flat sandy shores, bays and estuaries, but also on fresh water near coast and in cultivated fields and grassland. Voice Male utters low whistling calls, female a rapid ga-ga-ga-ga-ga-ga-gak.

x

x

60–70 cm; WS 110–135 cm

Large duck with distinctive plain rusty-orange plumage. Head paler, orange-buff. Rump and tail black. Bill and legs blackish. In flight, white wing-coverts contrast with blackish flight feathers and form conspicuous panels above and below. Adult male Narrow blackish neck collar (indistinct or absent in eclipse). Adult female Similar but lacks collar. HH Palearctic vagrant, Mauritania (Baie de l’Étoile, Mar 1978; Lake Aleg, Jan 2007). Nearest breeding populations in NW Africa; these are mostly sedentary, but occasionally undertake short-distance movements. Voice Main call a loud honking aangh.

x x

56–76 cm

S. m. melanotos. Unmistakable. Large, bulky duck with white head and neck speckled black, mainly white underparts and iridescent black upperparts. In flight, white underparts contrast with black wings and upperparts. Male breeding Bill with fleshy black protuberance (‘knob’ or ‘comb’) on upper mandible (reduced in non-breeding). Adult female Smaller, without knob on bill. Juvenile Dark brown above, buffish-brown below. HH Uncommon to locally and seasonally common in freshwater wetlands. Movements usually related to availability of water. Voice Mainly silent. Calls varied; usually in display.

Spur-winged Goose Plectropterus gambensis Oie-armée de Gambie

75–100 cm; WS 160–180 cm

x x

P. g. gambensis. Huge black-and-white perching duck with long neck and long, pinkish legs. Flight slow and laboured with ‘fingered’ wings producing loud swishing noise. Adult male Black plumage glossed iridescent green and purple; red frontal knob. In flight, white forewing above and below. Adult female Smaller and duller; frontal knob reduced or absent. Juvenile Duller and browner; face entirely feathered. HH Uncommon to locally and seasonally common in freshwater wetlands and flooded grassland. Movements poorly understood, but usually related to availability of water. Usually gregarious. Feeds mainly in early mornings and at night. Voice Mainly silent. Male occasionally utters soft, wheezy cheweh or cherwit.

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PLATE 21: DUCKS III DABBLING DUCKS (Plates 21–23) Feed in water by up-ending or skimming the surface with bill. Rise vertically from the water without any foot-pattering. Upperwing pattern and speculum colour are often important identification marks. In Palearctic species males adopt female-like ‘eclipse’ plumage soon after breeding, from May/June until October/November. Females and juveniles of African species usually very similar to males.

Northern Pintail Anas acuta Canard pilet

51–62 cm; WS 79–87 cm

A. a. acuta. Long-necked, slim duck. In flight, characteristic silhouette with long neck and pointed tail, broad white trailing edge to speculum and greyish underwing. Adult x male Head and hindneck dark brown; neck-sides, breast and centre of underparts white. Long, finely pointed tail. Speculum dark green glossed with bronze and bordered x x x with pale rufous at front and white at rear. Adult female Rather plain, buff-brown head; x x slim grey bill. Speculum brownish bordered white. HH Palearctic visitor (mainly Oct–Mar) x to freshwater and coastal wetlands. Locally common south to Senegal–Chad, uncommon to scarce further south. Voice Male has clear, mellow krrup, reminiscent of Common Teal; female a low quack. x

x

Northern Shoveler Spatula clypeata Canard souchet x x x x x

x

x x

x x

x x

Eurasian Wigeon Mareca penelope Canard siffleur x xx x

x

x x

x

x

x

x

x

? x x

Mallard Anas platyrhynchos Canard colvert x ?

46–55 cm; WS 78–90 cm

M. s. strepera. Medium-sized duck with diagnostic small white speculum (conspicuous in flight; also often visible at rest), white belly and white underwing. Adult male Mainly greyish; black rear end; lead-grey bill. Adult female Mottled brownish with greyer head; bill blackish on culmen with well-defined dull orange sides. White speculum smaller than in male. Female Mallard superficially similar but plumage warmer brown, orange on bill less clear-cut, belly brownish, tail with more white. HH Rare Palearctic visitor (Nov–Mar) to freshwater wetlands. Voice Mainly silent. Female gives loud quack. Note Formerly included in Anas.

x

??

45–56 cm; WS 76–89 cm

Resembles Eurasian Wigeon in size and structure. In flight, white axillaries contrast with greyish underwing (all plumages). Adult male Crown cream-white; dark metallic green band from eye to nape. Adult female As Eurasian Wigeon but head, neck and upperparts greyer, more contrasting with rusty-orange breast and flanks. HH N American vagrant, N Senegal (Feb 1975; winter 2005/06) and Cape Verde (Maio, Dec 2004/Jan 2005,). Voice Similar to Eurasian Wigeon but male’s whistle more throaty and disyllabic wheeoh-woh. Note Formerly included in Anas.

Gadwall Mareca strepera Canard chipeau

x

45–51 cm; WS 71–85 cm

Adult male Chestnut head with yellow forehead and crown; pinkish breast. In flight, striking white panel on upper forewing and white belly. Adult female Rather uniform rusty-brown to brownish-grey with darker smudge around eye. In flight, appears long winged with short pointed tail and relatively small bulbous head; from below has conspicuous white belly and grey underwing. HH Scarce to uncommon Palearctic visitor (Nov–Mar) to freshwater and coastal wetlands. Voice Male utters distinctive melodious, whistling swheeoooh; female a growling krrr. Note Formerly included in Anas.

American Wigeon Mareca americana Canard à front blanc x

44–52 cm; WS 73–82 cm

Distinguished in all plumages by long, broad bill, producing characteristic front-heavy appearance at rest and in flight. Adult male Head dark green, breast white, flanks and belly chestnut. In flight, conspicuous blue-grey panel on forewing, separated by white wingbar from dark green speculum. Adult female Best distinguished by bill shape. In flight, wing pattern similar but duller than male; underwing-coverts all white. HH Locally common to uncommon Palearctic visitor (mainly Oct–Apr) to freshwater and coastal wetlands. Voice Mostly silent. Male utters gruff, nasal took-took; female a variety of quacks. Note Formerly included in Anas.

x

x

x x

x

50–60 cm; WS 81–95 cm

A. p. platyrhynchos. Large, heavily built duck. In flight, has dark blue speculum prominently bordered with white at front and rear; underwing largely white. Adult male Green head; narrow white collar; purplish-brown breast; yellow bill. Adult female Pale brown marked darker; bill orange with irregular dark area on culmen. In flight, brown belly. HH Palearctic vagrant (Nov–Mar) to freshwater wetlands. Voice Male has low, nasal vrreb; female a loud quack.

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PLATE 22: DUCKS IV Yellow-billed Duck Anas undulata Canard à bec jaune

51–58 cm

Large, mainly greyish-brown dabbling duck with conspicuous yellow bill with black stripe on culmen. In flight, has dark blue speculum narrowly bordered with white at front and rear, white underwing-coverts and dark belly. A. u. ruppelli somewhat darker and browner than nominate; bill deeper yellow. Juvenile Pale fringes to feathers broader and more buffy. HH Scarce and local, E Nigeria and Cameroon; race and status unclear. In freshwater wetlands. Voice Male utters low whistles; female a series of quacks.

African Black Duck Anas sparsa Canard noirâtre

48–57 cm

A. s. leucostigma. Large, blackish dabbling duck. In flight, has dark blue speculum prominently bordered with white at front and rear, and barred tail; underwing-coverts and axillaries white contrasting with dark flight feathers and underparts. Adult Mainly blackish-brown with pale buffish spots on upperparts and buff bands across rather long tail. Bill dull pink with darker saddle. Juvenile Duller; buff spots on upperparts much reduced. Bill greyish. HH Rare and local resident. Mostly in pairs or family parties on rocky, usually well-wooded streams and rivers in both montane and lowland areas; x occasionally on lakes and pools. Relatively unobtrusive and easily overlooked. Voice Mainly silent. Male utters soft, wheezy wheep; female a loud quack.

African Pygmy Goose Nettapus auritus Anserelle naine

30–33 cm

Small and brightly coloured. Mainly dark glossy green above and rusty-orange below. In flight, largely dark with white face and belly; upper- and underwing dark with conspicuous white patch on inner secondaries. Adult male White head with black crown and bright metallic green neck-sides bordered by black. Bill bright yellow with black nail. Adult female Duller. Head-sides and foreneck mottled greyish; narrow dusky x eye-stripe. Juvenile Duller than female; eye-stripe more prominent. HH Scarce to locally fairly common in freshwater wetlands rich in emergent vegetation, particularly waterlilies. Usually in pairs or small groups. Occurrence often sporadic; movements in response to changing water levels and habitat availability. Voice Male utters soft, rather melodious, whistled kewheep and khep-khep-kheew. Female a soft quack.

Cape Teal Anas capensis Canard du Cap x x x x

xx

Marbled Teal Marmaronetta angustirostris Sarcelle marbrée x

x

xx

x

44–48 cm; WS 78–82 cm

Distinctive, pale brownish-grey duck with pink bill. In flight, green speculum with broad white borders at front and rear forming double white wingbars. HH Scarce to uncommon resident and non-breeding Afrotropical visitor to open aquatic habitats. Nomadic; longdistance movements, presumably in response to changing water levels, recorded. Voice Usually silent. Male has a high-pitched whistled whee-hee-hew; female a nasal rrrhep.

39–42 cm; WS 63–70 cm

Small, slender, pale grey-brown duck with dark eye patch, rather large head and slim grey bill. Upperparts with large buffish spots. In flight, relatively long neck, wings and tail, pale secondaries, no speculum nor wingbars, white underwing. HH Regular Palearctic winter visitor in very small numbers (mainly Dec–Feb), Senegal (mainly Djoudj; also Niokolo-Koba); also N Chad (Ounianga Lakes; >500, Jan 2009). Rare or vagrant elsewhere. Bred N Senegal (one pair, 1979). Frequents freshwater and coastal wetlands. Relatively shy and often remains concealed in emergent vegetation. Voice Mostly silent. VU

White-backed Duck Thalassornis leuconotus Dendrocygne à dos blanc

38–40 cm

T. l. leuconotus. Small, buff-and-brown barred duck with contrasting white loral patch. xx x Sloping forehead, large-headed and hump-backed appearance, and short tail held flat x x ? x on water produce distinctive shape. In flight, entirely brown and buff except white lower back (inconspicuous at distance); feet protrude beyond tip of very short tail. xx HH Uncommon and local resident. Favours vegetation-rich lakes and pools. Sits low in water and spends most of day resting among vegetation. Feeds principally by diving. x Patters coot-like across surface on take-off, but rarely flies, preferring to swim into cover if disturbed. Voice Clear, sharp whistle whit-wee or si-wee-wheet, not unlike whistling duck, when swimming and in flight.

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PLATE 23: DUCKS V Garganey Spatula querquedula Sarcelle d’été

37–41 cm; WS 59–67 cm

Adult male Head dark purplish-brown with bold white stripe from above eye curving onto nape, breast dark brown, flanks pale grey, scapulars pointed and blackish striped white. In flight, pale grey-blue panel on forewing and green speculum bordered with white at front and rear; dark breast contrasts with whitish belly. Adult female x Mottled dull brown with pale supercilium bordered by dark crown and eye-stripe, x xx and whitish loral spot and throat usually separated by dusky stripe on ear-coverts x (sometimes lacking). In flight, dull greyish forewing and white trailing edge (rear border to speculum broader than front bar; reverse of Common Teal). HH Locally common to uncommon Palearctic visitor (mainly Sep–Mar) to freshwater and coastal wetlands. Voice Male has distinctive dry rattling call; female a harsh, nasal kheh and soft quack. Note Formerly included in Anas.

Common Teal Anas crecca Sarcelle d’hiver

34–38 cm; WS 53–59 cm

A. c. crecca. Small dabbling duck, slightly smaller than Garganey. In flight, appears mainly dark and small with narrow pointed wings. Upperwing has short white wingbar bordering x dark green speculum, and narrow white trailing edge. Adult male Head chestnut with x dark green band from eye to nape narrowly bordered with yellow, body greyish x with white stripe on scapulars, sides of undertail-coverts creamy-yellow bordered with black. Adult female Head rather plain with darker crown and indistinct eye-stripe. Body greyish-brown speckled and mottled dark; whitish stripe at sides of undertail-coverts. Bill brownish-grey, often with dull orange base. HH Locally fairly common to uncommon Palearctic visitor (Oct–Mar) to freshwater wetlands. Voice Male has clear, liquid kreek, frequently uttered. Female gives sharp nasal quack and low growling trrr. x

x

Green-winged Teal Anas (crecca) carolinensis Sarcelle de Caroline x

x

34–38 cm; WS 53–59 cm

As Common Teal, of which it is usually considered a race, but male lacks most of narrow lines on head-sides, has vertical white stripe on side of breast and no horizontal white stripe on scapulars. Female virtually inseparable from female Common Teal, but bar above speculum on average more buffish. HH N American vagrant, Mauritania (Diawling NP, Jan 2005) and Cape Verde (São Vicente, Dec 2004–Feb 2005).

Blue-winged Teal Spatula discors Sarcelle à ailes bleues

37–41 cm; WS 60–64 cm

Adult male Dull violet-blue head with large white crescent in front of eye and white patch at sides of black vent. In flight, has bright blue panel on forewing separated by x x x x white wingbar from green speculum, and no white trailing edge to secondaries. Adult female Head pattern as female Garganey but more indistinct; prominent pale loral spot. Legs yellowish. In flight, wing pattern as male but duller. HH N American vagrant, Senegal (Senegal delta, Mar 1975, 1979, 1989 & 2005; near Dakar, Mar 2006) and Cape Verde (Santiago: Dec 2007–Mar 2008, Feb–Mar 2012, Dec 2012 [four], Mar 2013; São Vicente: Mar 2000, Feb 2010 [seven]). In freshwater and coastal wetlands. Voice Mostly silent. Note Formerly included in Anas.

Hottentot Teal Spatula hottentota Sarcelle hottentote

30–35 cm

The region’s smallest dabbling duck. Distinctive combination of dark crown contrasting with buff head-sides, dusky patch on ear-coverts, and greyish-blue bill. In flight, has mainly dark upperwing with green speculum bordered by white trailing edge. Adult male Upperparts dark brown fringed grey-buff; underparts buffish spotted dark brown. Adult female Slightly duller. Juvenile As female but duller still. HH Uncommon and local resident in freshwater wetlands. Voice Fast, harsh, nasal kekekekekeh. Male also utters metallic clicking notes in display. Note Formerly included in Anas.

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  Garganey

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Common Teal

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Green-winged Teal

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Blue-winged Teal Hottentot Teal

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PLATE 24: DUCKS VI DIVING DUCKS Feed by diving. Swim under water and run along the surface to take off.

Common Pochard Aythya ferina Fuligule milouin x

x

?

x x

x

x x

x

Ferruginous Duck Aythya nyroca Fuligule nyroca x

x x

x

x

xxx

x

x

x

x

x

xx

x

x

38–42 cm; WS 60–67 cm

Mainly dark chestnut with conspicuous pure white undertail-coverts. Bill longish, forehead high, crown peaked. In flight, broad white band across flight feathers contrasts strongly with rest of upperwing, underwing mainly white, well-defined white belly and undertail contrast with dark body. Adult male Diagnostic white eye. Adult female Duller, with dark eye. HH Uncommon to rare Palearctic visitor (late Oct–Feb) to freshwater and coastal wetlands. Voice Mainly silent. Male utters soft wheeoo. NT

Tufted Duck Aythya fuligula Fuligule morillon x

42–49 cm; WS 67–75 cm

Medium-sized with peaked crown, sloping forehead and rather long bill creating distinctive head profile. In flight, has grey band across flight feathers on upperwing. Adult male Unmistakable combination of bright chestnut head, black breast and rear end, and pale grey body. In eclipse, duller, more female-like, but head plain, breast darker and eye reddish. Adult female Head brownish with diffuse pale loral patch, eyering and line behind eye; breast brownish; body greyish-brown. In flight, has greyish underwing and belly. HH Uncommon to rare Palearctic visitor (late Oct–Feb) to freshwater and coastal wetlands. Voice Mainly silent.

40–47 cm; WS 65–72 cm

Small duck with steep rounded forehead and flattish crown. In flight, has conspicuous white band across upperside of secondaries and inner primaries, and extensive white belly. Adult male Black with striking white flanks and belly and long, drooping crest. Eye yellow. Adult female Dark brown with short tuft at rear of crown, flanks paler. Often has variable amount of white on lores or around base of bill, and whitish undertailcoverts. HH Rare to locally uncommon Palearctic visitor (Nov–Mar) to freshwater and coastal wetlands. Voice Mainly silent. Female has growling krrr.

Ring-necked Duck Aythya collaris Fuligule à bec cerclé

37–46 cm; WS 61–75 cm

Small, compact duck with high crown, peaking in rounded crest on hindcrown (producing rather triangular head shape) and small indentation between hindcrown and nape. x x x Bill three-coloured: slate-grey with broad black tip and white subterminal band. In flight, like Tufted Duck, but band across upperside of flight feathers grey (not white). Adult male Plumage recalls Tufted Duck but flanks pale grey with vertical white ‘spur’ at front; upper edge of flank panel more S-curved; white line at bill base. Adult female Brown with rufous-brown flanks. Diffuse pale patch at bill base; pale eye-ring (often forming ‘spectacles’ if pale line extending backwards from eye present). Eye dark. HH N American vagrant, Cape Verde (Santiago, Nov 2009–Mar 2010, 1, 7–8; Dec 2012, five; Mar 2013, one; São Vicente, Mar 2003, 2; Dec 2007, 2; Sal, Nov 1999, 3).

Lesser Scaup Aythya affinis Fuligule à tête noire x

38–45 cm; WS 66–74 cm

Small diving duck with peaked hindcrown. In flight, has conspicuous white band on upperside of secondaries; inner primaries pale grey; belly white; underwing whitish. Adult male Upperparts, and often also rear flanks, finely vermiculated dark grey. Head glossed purple. Bill blue-grey with black nail. Eye yellow. Adult female Dull brown with white ring at base of bill. Head-sides may possess indistinct pale patch with wear. Female Tufted Duck normally has less white at base of bill, and broader black bill tip. HH N American vagrant, Cape Verde (São Vicente, Jan–Feb 1999, 3).

Common Scoter Melanitta nigra Macreuse noire

44–45 cm; WS 70–84 cm

Medium-sized, compact blackish sea duck. In flight, appears uniformly dark with paler flight feathers. Adult male Entirely black with yellow patch on knobbed black bill. Adult female/juvenile Dark sooty-brown with characteristic pale cheeks and foreneck, visible at long range. Bill greyish. HH Rare or scarce Palearctic visitor, N Mauritania (mainly Nov–Mar). Usually in groups of 10–100 at sea.

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Common Pochard

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 Ferruginous Duck

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Tufted Duck

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Ring-necked Duck   

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 

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 Lesser Scaup

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PLATE 25: OSPREY, FISH EAGLE AND PALM-NUT VULTURE OSPREY Rather large raptor, preying exclusively on fish caught by plunge-diving. Feet specially adapted to catch slippery prey: soles spiny with hind toe reversible. Placed in its own monotypic family Pandionidae. Sexes similar.

Osprey Pandion haliaetus Balbuzard pêcheur

52–60 cm; WS 150–170 cm

P. h. haliaetus. Large, with mainly dark upperparts and white underparts. Wings long and narrow, with long ‘hand’ and only four ‘fingers’. Tail relatively short and square. Flies with shallow, powerful wingbeats interspersed with long glides. Soars and glides on arched wings held angled at carpal joint. Adult Head white with short nuchal crest and broad dark stripe through eye. Pale brown streaks form indistinct band on upper breast x (usually more prominent in female). Eye yellow. In flight, from below, black carpal patches contrast with white underwing-coverts; greater coverts blackish, forming dark line across centre of wing. Juvenile Similar, but feathers of upperparts narrowly fringed buffish. Greater coverts white barred dark; flight feathers coarsely barred dark. Eye orange. Adult plumage acquired after c.18 months. HH Locally common to uncommon Palearctic visitor (mainly Sep–Apr; immatures may remain year-round). Breeds Cape Verde (all islands; fairly common). Perches on prominent vantage point at large rivers, lagoons, lakes, etc. Voice Usually silent in Africa. ACCIPITRIDAE (Plates 25–35) A large and diverse-looking assemblage of diurnal raptors. Characteristically have hooked bills and powerful talons. Exhibit a wide variety of wing shapes, tail shapes and flight actions, according to habitat and hunting techniques. Sexes more or less alike; females almost always larger. Normal flight consists of regular wingbeats alternated with gliding. Almost all species carnivorous. Conspicuous aerial displays used by many. Identification often problematic; correct assessment of jizz (combination of structure, proportions, wing attitudes, and flight actions) essential.

African Fish Eagle Haliaeetus vocifer Pygargue vocifère

63–73 cm; WS 190–240 cm

Large eagle associated with water. Soars on broad flat wings. Adult White head, mantle x and breast contrast with black of upperparts and chestnut of ‘shoulders’ and lower underparts. Short white tail often hidden by wings when perched. In flight from below, x white head and upper breast and white tail contrast with chestnut underwing-coverts x x and lower underparts, and black flight feathers. Adult female Averages 10% larger than x male; white of breast does not extend as far down as in male and is squarer. Juvenile Drab mottled brown above; breast whitish variably streaked brown; rest of underparts heavily mottled brown and white, with darker belly. Tail whitish broadly tipped blackish. Cere grey. In flight from below, underwingcoverts contrast with blackish flight feathers; primaries with pale window; tail whitish with black terminal band (diagnostic). Immature Following first moult, paler than juvenile, with head and underparts mainly whitish streaked brown; often has dark superciliary streak. Terminal dark band on tail narrower. In 3rd–4th year, gradually acquires more adult features: head, mantle and breast white, initially with some black streaking; tail gradually whitens and loses terminal band; chestnut appears on shoulders, belly and underwing. Cere pinkish. Full adult plumage attained in at least 5 years. HH Uncommon or rare to locally fairly common but declining resident on large rivers, lagoons, lakes, reservoirs. Feeds mainly on fish, which is caught with talons. Voice Vocal. Highly distinctive, far-carrying, ringing WEEE-AH kleeuw kleeuw kleew, uttered by both sexes at rest and in flight, with head thrown back; male higher-pitched than female. Often duets. x x

Palm-nut Vulture Gypohierax angolensis Palmiste africain

c.60 cm; WS 140–150 cm

Chunky, with broad, rounded wings and very short, rounded tail. Adult Readily identified by black-and-white plumage and bare reddish-pink face. Bill heavy, yellowish-horn. In flight, mainly white with black secondaries and black tail broadly tipped white. Primaries tipped black. Juvenile Entirely drab brown with darkish bill, dull yellow face and cere. In flight, dark brown with blackish-brown flight and tail feathers. In immature, brown gradually replaced by white, producing mottled appearance. Adult plumage acquired in 3–4 years. HH Fairly common to locally common resident. Frequents rain forest clearings and edges, cultivation, mangroves, and riparian forest. Often near water. Relishes nuts of oil and raphia palms, but also feeds on small animals, incl. fish, amphibians and crabs, occasionally mammals, birds and large insects; also scavenges. Voice Usually silent. Various low growling and barking notes.

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Osprey

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PLATE 26: VULTURES I VULTURES (Plates 26–28) Medium-sized to huge with long, broad, strongly ‘fingered’ wings, and usually unfeathered head and neck. Larger species have long neck with ruff at base, and short tail. Carrion eaters. Given to soaring, often at great height. In flight head is tucked between shoulders and appears relatively small. All species in our region are declining.

Egyptian Vulture Neophron percnopterus Vautour percnoptère

55–75 cm; WS 155–175 cm

N. p. percnopterus. In all plumages, distinctive flight silhouette with wedge-shaped tail and small, narrow head. Soars with wings held flat; when gliding, wings slightly arched. Adult Mainly white with bare yellow face, long, narrow bill and long feathers at back of head. In flight from below, black flight feathers contrast with white underwing-coverts. Juvenile Dark brown; face and legs greyish. Gradually acquires white feathers. Adult plumage attained in c.5 years. HH Scarce to uncommon and local resident and Palearctic visitor (Aug–May). In desert, sub-desert and arid savanna. Voice Usually silent. EN

x

Hooded Vulture Necrosyrtes monachus Vautour charognard

65–75 cm; WS 170–182 cm

N. m. monachus. Smallish, dark brown vulture with bare face and throat. In flight, uniformly dark with broad wings and short, rounded tail. Adult Bare face and neck pink, flushing red in excitement. Back of head and neck covered in creamy down. Small ruff at base of neck. Bill long, slender and black with pink base. Juvenile Similar, but feathers of upperparts tipped buff; bare face and throat whitish (can flush red as in adult); back of x x head and neck covered in brownish down. Juvenile Palm-nut Vulture (Plate 25) has heavy bill, feathered head and short, rounded tail. Juvenile Lappet-faced Vulture (Plate 27) has similar silhouette and can be difficult to distinguish at distance, if size cannot be gauged, but has larger head with relatively short bill. HH Resident; still locally common but declining. Gregarious and omnivorous scavenger. Often near habitation, scavenging for offal and refuse; also in open country, with other vultures. Voice Usually silent. EN xx

x

White-headed Vulture Trigonoceps occipitalis Vautour à tête blanche

78–85 cm; WS 202–230 cm

Distinctive vulture with characteristic peaked hindcrown. Upperparts black, face and neck white to pink. Breast black, rest of underparts white. Bill red tipped black, cere blue. Adult male In flight from below, white-tipped greater coverts form diagnostic narrow band separating coverts from flight feathers. Adult female Similar but with inner secondaries white, conspicuous when perched and in flight. Juvenile Mainly dark brown; bare parts duller. In flight, entirely dark with contrasting white band on underwing as adult. Gradually acquires adult plumage; sexual dimorphism apparent after first moult (2nd year). Full adult plumage attained in c.6 years. HH Rare to uncommon and local resident in dry to lightly wooded savanna. Voice Usually silent. VU

White-backed Vulture Gyps africanus Vautour africain

80–98 cm; WS 212–218 cm

Very large, mainly brownish vulture with, in all plumages, blackish bill. Soars with wings x x held in shallow V. Adult Mainly brown with white back and rump (visible when wings are opened and in flight), and bare blackish face. Plumage pales with age; very old birds buffish-white. Skin of neck blackish, sparsely covered with whitish down. White x x x x ruff at base of neck. In flight from below, black flight feathers contrast with whitish xx underwing-coverts. Juvenile Darker brown with narrow whitish streaking; no white on back. In flight from below, mainly dark brown with long, narrow white bar near leading edge of wing; short white streaking on underwing-coverts visible at close range. Not always safely separable from juvenile Rüppell’s Vulture. Gradually becomes plainer and paler; white on back appears in 4th year. Adult plumage acquired in 6–7 years. HH Uncommon to locally fairly common resident in lightly wooded savanna. Gregarious. Voice Usually silent. May utter hisses, rattles, squeals and cackles at carcasses. EN

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PLATE 27: VULTURES II Rüppell’s Vulture Gyps rueppelli Vautour de Rüppell

85–107 cm; WS 220–250 cm

G. r. rueppelli. Adult Very large, with dark grey-brown feathers broadly tipped buffish or whitish, producing scaly appearance. Bare skin on head and neck greyish, sparsely covered with whitish down. White ruff at base of neck. Flight and tail feathers blackish. x x x x Bill heavy and yellowish-horn with grey cere. Eye pale yellow. In flight from below, very dark with long, narrow white bar on leading edge of wing and two long and more indistinct white lines formed by white-tipped coverts. Juvenile Dull tawny-brown; rather plain, not scaly-looking, above and broadly streaked paler below. Head and neck covered in brownish down; skin initially pinkish, soon darkening. Bill blackish. Eye dark. In flight from below, very young birds with single long, narrow white bar near leading edge of wing not safely separable from juvenile White-backed Vulture. In immature, white tips to underwing-coverts form additional white lines, permitting separation from young White-backed in flight. Adult plumage acquired in 6–7 years. HH Locally fairly common resident. In dry, open savannas. Voice Usually silent. May utter hisses, grunts and shrieks at carcasses. [Alt: Rüppell’s Griffon Vulture] EN

Griffon Vulture Gyps fulvus Vautour fauve

95–110 cm; WS 230–280 cm

G. f. fulvus. Adult Huge, mainly sandy-brown vulture with whitish ruff and yellowish bill and eye. Greater upperwing-coverts have broad buff tips. In flight from below, blackish x x x flight feathers contrast with pale brownish underwing-coverts, which have 1–2 paler x ? lines. Soars with wings held in shallow V. White-backed Vulture is darker brown and smaller; adult has white patch on back. Juvenile Slightly darker and streaky with pale brownish ruff and dark bill and eye. Greater upperwing-coverts lack broad buff tips. In flight, underwing-coverts paler and plainer than in adult. Adult plumage acquired in 6–7 years; differences in age groups slight. HH Uncommon to scarce Palearctic visitor (Aug–early May; records in all months in Mauritania). Voice Usually silent. May utter hisses and hoarse grunts at carrion. [Alt: Eurasian Griffon Vulture]

Lappet-faced Vulture Torgos tracheliotos Vautour oricou

98–115 cm; WS 255–290 cm

x

T. t. tracheliotos. Huge, mainly dark vulture with bare head and neck and massive bill. Soars with wings held flat or slightly arched. Adult Mainly blackish with white streaks on underparts and white ‘trousers’. Head and neck deep pink with folded skin (lappets). Bill x x x yellowish-horn; cere blue-grey. In flight, broad wings with saw-toothed trailing edge and xx slightly bulging secondaries; from below, distinct white bar along leading edge of wing and white thighs contrast with mainly black plumage. Juvenile Duller and more uniformly darkish. In flight, appears wholly dark. Juvenile/immature White-backed and Rüppell’s Vultures have more square-tipped tails (slightly more wedge-shaped in Lappet-faced). In immature, bare skin on head becomes more reddish, white gradually appears on underparts, white bar on underwing starts appearing in 2nd year, ‘trousers’ half white in 4th year. Adult plumage acquired in 6–7 years. HH Uncommon to scarce resident. In dry country. Voice Usually silent. VU

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PLATE 28: EURASIAN BLACK VULTURE, BAT HAWK AND SECRETARY-BIRD Eurasian Black Vulture Aegypius monachus Vautour moine

100–115 cm; WS 250–285 cm

Huge, mainly dark vulture, similar in size to Lappet-faced Vulture. Soars with wings held flat or slightly arched. Adult Very dark brown (appearing blackish) with largely pale head. xx Base of bill and cere pale blue. In flight, appears all dark but wing-coverts darker than x flight feathers, wings rather evenly broad with saw-toothed trailing edge; tail slightly wedge-shaped. Differs from Lappet-faced Vulture in having more rectangular wings, uniformly dark lower underparts with contrasting pale feet, and somewhat longer and more wedge-shaped tail. Juvenile Plumage and head blackish; base of bill and cere pinkish. In immature, plumage gradually becomes browner after c.2 years, head turns paler. Adult plumage acquired in 6–7 years. HH Palearctic vagrant (records in Mali, Jan 1995 and Senegal, Jan 2005, Feb 2005 & 2007, immatures). Voice Usually silent. [Alt: Cinereous Vulture] NT

Bat Hawk Macheiramphus alcinus Milan des chauves-souris

45 cm; WS 110 cm

M. a. anderssoni. Characteristic shape with long, broad and pointed wings and rather long, square tail reminiscent of large dark falcon. Adult Mainly blackish-brown with dark stripe on centre of white throat and short occipital crest. Occasionally some white below; throat sometimes dark. Juvenile Underparts have variable amount of white (often mainly white with irregular dark brown breast-band). HH Uncommon to rare and local resident. Frequents forest edge, riverine forest and woodland; often near rivers. Crepuscular; x roosts in trees during day and emerges to hunt over open areas at dusk. Catches prey (mainly small bats, also birds) in feet and swallows it whole in flight. Flight with slow wingbeats, but rapid and graceful when hunting. Voice Rather hoarse, high-pitched kwheet-kwheet-wheet-wheet-... and kwik-kwikik-kwik-kwikik-... SECRETARY-BIRD Very large, unique, strange-looking and mainly terrestrial raptor with very long, strong legs and short toes adapted for walking and killing prey by impact. Placed in its own monotypic family Sagittariidae. Sexes similar. Prey includes reptiles, small rodents and insects, caught on the ground. Endemic to Africa. On the brink of regional extinction.

Secretary-bird Sagittarius serpentarius Messager sagittaire

125–150 cm; WS 210 cm

Unmistakable. Adult Mainly grey with bare reddish face and long plume-like erectile feathers on nape tipped black. Rump and belly black. Tail narrowly tipped white with black subterminal band. Long legs yellow with black-feathered tibia (‘trousers’). x x In flight, black flight feathers contrast with pale grey wing-coverts and body; very long x x x x x x x x central rectrices project beyond long legs, producing distinctive silhouette. Juvenile Similar, but facial skin yellow and central tail feathers shorter. Underwing-coverts tinged brownish. HH Rare resident and wanderer. Southward movements in dry season recorded. In grassland, woodland, floodplains. Strides slowly in grass, searching for prey. Also soars high, like vulture. Voice Usually silent. VU

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PLATE 29: KITES Black-shouldered Kite Elanus caeruleus Élanion blanc

31–35 cm; WS 75–85 cm

E. c. caeruleus. Smallish, very pale raptor with relatively broad head and long wings. In flight all-white below except contrasting black primaries. Adult Blue-grey above with small dark eye patch and black ‘shoulders’, white below. When perched, wings project beyond shortish, square tail. Juvenile/immature Similar, but washed brown above, x feathers edged white, breast washed rufous. HH Fairly common or locally common to uncommon resident. Local seasonal movements occur. In variety of open habitats, incl. grassy plains and farmland. Uses prominent perches. Glides on angled wings raised high in V; hovers frequently and persistently, often with trailing feet. Feeds mainly on small rodents. Voice Mostly silent. x x

x

African Swallow-tailed Kite Chelictinia riocourii Élanion naucler

35–38 cm; WS 90 cm

Adult Small, very slender and graceful raptor with long pointed wings and deeply forked tail. Pale grey above, pure white below with narrow black patch on coverts, along edge of underwing. Tail projects well beyond wingtips when perched. Juvenile Tail short, x x feathers of upperparts edged rufous, breast washed pale rufous. HH Uncommon to x x x locally and seasonally common intra-African migrant, moving south at start of dry season, returning to breed in Sahel during rains. In dry, open country, incl. wooded grassland and cultivation. Gregarious, often in small flocks; occasionally singly or in pairs. Hovers, soars and hangs motionless against wind with spread tail. Catches prey (mainly insects; also lizards and, rarely, small rodents) by dropping from hover; insects also taken in flight. Attracted to bush fires. Roosts in groups (largest near Kaolack, Senegal:16,000, Jan 2007). Voice Usually silent.

Black Kite Milvus migrans Milan noir

50–60 cm; WS 130–155 cm

M. m. migrans. Adult As Yellow-billed Kite, but with pale greyish head narrowly streaked black and black bill (contrasting with yellow cere); wing more contrasting, with diffuse, broad, pale diagonal bar across coverts above and pale area at base of primaries below. Eye colour variable, from pale brown (at c.2–3 years old) to pale yellowish (at c.6–7 years). Juvenile Very similar to juvenile Yellow-billed Kite but more streaked on head and underparts. HH Uncommon to locally fairly common Palearctic visitor (Aug–May) in various habitats. Distribution uncertain due to confusion with Yellow-billed Kite. Rare resident, Cape Verde. Voice As Yellow-billed Kite.

x

Yellow-billed Kite Milvus migrans parasitus Milan d’Afrique

50–60 cm; WS 130–155 cm

Commonest African raptor. Medium-sized with long, slightly forked tail (which may appear square or only slightly notched when spread). Flight graceful and buoyant with slow wingbeats and long, narrow wings angled back at carpal joint. Adult Entirely chocolate-brown (sometimes appearing quite rufous) with yellow bill and dark eye. Female/immature Western Marsh Harrier have square tails and typically soar and glide with wings in shallow V and less tail-twisting. Juvenile Rather paler below, with dark bill. Upperpart feathers have pale tips, underparts some pale streaking. Beware confusing rufous-looking birds with Red Kite. HH Common intra-African migrant. Sedentary in some areas with permanent food sources (e.g. large towns, wetlands). Ubiquitous and gregarious. Omnivorous; takes any animal matter, incl. offal; often searches for road kills. At coast mainly piscivorous. Attracted to bush fires. Soars and glides with wings slightly arched and tail constantly twisting. Roosts in groups when not breeding. Voice Distinctive. Plaintive, tremulous keeeey-aarrrr. Note If split from Black Kite, scientific name becomes M. aegyptius parasitus.

Red Kite Milvus milvus Milan royal x x xxx

? x

55–72 cm; WS 140–180 cm

M. m. milvus. Distinctive. Medium-sized, elegant raptor with long, narrow wings and long, deeply forked tail. Flight action as Black Kite, but even more graceful. Adult Mainly rufous narrowly streaked black; head pale greyish. Wings have conspicuous pale diagonal band across coverts above and strongly contrasting, large whitish ‘window’ on primaries below. Tail rusty-red above, paler below. Juvenile Similar, but underparts paler; upperwing-coverts narrowly tipped white; tail browner. HH Palearctic vagrant, Mauritania (Sep 1981, Dec 1984), Gambia (Dec 1987, Feb & May 1996), Cameroon (Nov 2003). Voice Usually silent. NT

Cape Verde Kite Milvus (milvus) fasciicauda See Plate 260. 90

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PLATE 30: HARRIERS I HARRIERS (Plates 30–31) Medium-sized and slender raptors with long wings and tails. Sexually dimorphic; females mainly brownish, some posing identification problems. Adult plumage attained during 2nd calendar year. Flight buoyant with wings characteristically held in shallow V. Hunt low, quartering the ground and dropping on prey (frogs, small rodents, birds, insects). Frequent open country, cultivated areas and marshes. Roost on the ground. Usually silent.

Montagu’s Harrier Circus pygargus Busard cendré

38–50 cm; WS 96–120 cm

Most elegant harrier with narrow pointed wings, long tail and very agile, tern-like flight. Adult male Mainly blue-grey; belly white variably streaked chestnut. In flight, wings with black tips and one black bar above, two below. Rare dark morph is blackish with greyish tail. Adult female Facial pattern less distinct than Pallid Harrier’s, white, claw-shaped x xx x area around eye larger. Upperwing paler than Pallid, often with dark bar on base of x secondaries (never shown by Pallid); underwing more uniform, with three well-defined dark bands and broad pale band along dark trailing edge. Rare dark morph is blackishx brown with pale greyish on underwing and banded tail. Juvenile Usually deeper rufous below than Pallid, cheek patch smaller, no prominent pale collar. Underwing has dark tips to primaries. HH Uncommon to locally common Palearctic visitor (mainly Oct–Apr). Frequents open habitats, incl. floodplains, rice fields, etc. Feeds mainly on insects, esp. grasshoppers; also reptiles, birds, rodents. Roosts on ground, also during hottest part of day, sometimes in groups (largest night roost near Darou Khoudoss, Senegal: 1300, Feb 2008). Wintering grounds in Sahel between c.11°N and 16°N.

Pallid Harrier Circus macrourus Busard pâle

40–50 cm; WS 95–120 cm

x

Adult male Pale grey above with black wedge at wingtip, mainly white below. Adult female Dark brown above with white uppertail-coverts. Distinguished from adult female Montagu’s Harrier by darker upperwing with almost uniformly dark secondaries and less neatly marked underwing, with paler primaries contrasting with darker x x x x secondaries and darkish greater secondary coverts. Also has narrow pale collar (usually x absent in Montagu’s) and less white around eye. Juvenile Plain rufous below; dark cheek patch reaching base of bill, bordered by dark eye-stripe and narrow pale collar (usually absent in juvenile Montagu’s); white around eye less extensive than in Montagu’s; neck-sides uniform dark brown. Underwing lacks dark tips to inner primaries. HH Uncommon or scarce to locally fairly common Palearctic visitor (mainly Sep–Apr) in open habitats. Prey includes insects, esp. grasshoppers, small mammals and small birds; also reptiles and frogs. NT x

Hen Harrier Circus cyaneus Busard Saint-Martin

43–55 cm; WS 97–121 cm

C. c. cyaneus. Recalls corresponding plumages of Pallid and Montagu’s Harriers but has broader, less pointed wings with five ‘fingers’ (not four). Adult male Head to breast, x upperparts and tail blue-grey; rest of underparts white, sharply demarcated from breast. In flight, large black wingtips and white uppertail-coverts; underwing white with dusky trailing edge. Adult female Brown above with white uppertail-coverts. Tail has 4–5 dark bars, subterminal bar broadest. Underparts buffish heavily streaked brown. Underwing has three well-defined dark bands (incl. trailing edge) on secondaries extending onto primaries. Juvenile Very similar to adult female, but underparts usually darker and washed rufous; secondaries below darker than primaries with less distinct barring. HH Palearctic vagrant, Mauritania (near Nouakchott, Sep 1972, adult male; a few other reports in Oct, Nov, Mar and Apr) and Cape Verde (Santiago, Dec 2011, adult female). x x x

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PLATE 31: HARRIERS II AND HARRIER HAWK Western Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus Busard des roseaux

42–56 cm; WS 110–140 cm

C. a. aeruginosus. Adult male Mainly brown, with buff-brown head and breast streaked darker. In flight, striking tricoloured wings with large black tips and plain, blue-grey tail. Rare dark morph is blackish-brown with whitish band on underwing. Adult female Mainly dark brown with creamy crown, nape and throat. Leading edge of wing usually creamy, breast often has pale patch. Juvenile Similar to adult female but darker brown and lacks pale breast patch. Creamy areas usually slightly deeper in colour and restricted to crown and throat, but sometimes also on leading edge of wing; rarely entirely lacking. Adult male plumage acquired in c.3 years. HH Fairly common to locally common Palearctic visitor (mainly Sep–May). Hunts over open habitats, incl. marshy areas, flooded grasslands, rice fields, etc. Takes frogs, birds and small mammals; also reptiles and insects.

African Marsh Harrier Circus ranivorus Busard grenouillard

44–50 cm; WS 110 cm

Brown with, in all plumages, diagnostic combination of barred tail and lack of white uppertail-coverts. Adult male Brown above with whitish leading edge to wing. Below, paler brown variably streaked dark brown; lower underparts more rufous. Tail brown above, greyish below, both sides barred black. Face outlined by ring of whitish feathers. In flight from below, brownish underwing-coverts; whitish flight feathers distinctly barred x black. From above, plain rufous rump and barred tail diagnostic. Adult female Similar, but often darker and more rufous. Juvenile Darker brown and plainer than adult with variable amount of whitish on nape and throat and irregular whitish breast-band. Other harriers with barred tails have conspicuous white uppertail-coverts. Adult female/immature Western Marsh Harrier have no barring on wings and tail, and no rufous in plumage. HH Uncommon resident. In or near marshy areas; also hunts over other open habitats, esp. grassland. Food includes small mammals, birds, lizards, frogs and insects. Main range in S and E Africa.

African Harrier Hawk Polyboroides typus Gymnogène d’Afrique

60–68 cm; WS c.160 cm

P. t. pectoralis. Medium-sized raptor with small head, broad wings and relatively x long, slightly rounded tail. Flight with slow, buoyant wingbeats alternated with glides; frequently soars. Adult Mainly grey with bare, yellow face (flushing orange-red in excitement) and lower underparts finely barred black and white. Tail black with white band across centre and narrow white tip. In flight, has characteristic pattern of grey wings broadly tipped black, and black tail with distinctive white bar; on underwing, narrow white line separates grey from broad black trailing edge and tips. Juvenile/ immature Dark brown to tawny, variably mottled, streaked and barred. In flight, remiges and rectrices more or less distinctly barred; greater coverts tipped dark. Full adult plumage acquired in c.2–3 years. Young best identified by small head and jizz; beware confusion with other brown raptors (especially eagles). HH Generally fairly common to common resident. Some local northern movements during rains recorded. In forest and woodland. Long legs very flexible at ankle, enabling insertion into tree holes and crevices. Clings to tree trunks with flapping wings while probing cavities. Feeds on variety of small animals; also oilpalm husks and eggs. Regularly raids nests, esp. of colonial species, such as weavers. Male performs undulating display flight. Voice Plaintive whistling sueeeee and high-pitched hueeeup-hueeeup-hueeeup-...

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African Marsh Harrier

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PLATE 32: SNAKE EAGLES SNAKE EAGLES (Plates 32–33) Medium-sized eagles, with relatively large heads and large yellow eyes (producing somewhat owllike appearance when perched), long, broad wings, bare tarsi and short toes. Given to soaring and perching for long periods. Drop on their prey (mainly snakes and other reptiles) and kill it on the ground with their powerful feet. Occur in open country and woodland.

Short-toed Snake Eagle Circaetus gallicus Circaète Jean-le-Blanc 59–69 cm; WS 162–195 cm Adult male Head and upperparts typically grey-brown. Below largely white, with upper breast mottled brown or brown streaked whitish, and rest of underparts irregularly blotched and barred brown. Upperwings have variable contrast between greyish-brown coverts and darker brown flight feathers. Underwings white with irregular, narrow dark lines on coverts and three narrow dark bands and dusky trailing edge to flight feathers. Tail has 3–4 brown bars with subterminal bar broadest. Some have brown parts darker, creating dark hood, and more distinct markings below. Adult female Similar, but usually with throat and upper breast all dark without pale streaking. Juvenile Head and breast more rufous-brown, blotches on underparts and underwing pattern usually paler and more indistinct. By 3rd (or 4th) calendar-year head, breast and upper mantle plumage replaced by pale feathering with dark shaft streaks. In 4th–6th calendar-year gradually acquires adult plumage. Full adult plumage typically attained in 8th or 9th calendar-year. HH Uncommon to locally fairly common Palearctic visitor (mainly Sep–May). In open savanna woodland, floodplains, cultivation. Some immatures remain in wintering areas during northern breeding season. Frequently hovers or hangs motionless in wind. Voice Usually silent in Africa.

Beaudouin’s Snake Eagle Circaetus beaudouini Circaète de Beaudouin

62–69 cm; WS c.170 cm

Adult male Similar to Short-toed Snake Eagle but head, upperparts and upper breast typically darker grey-brown and lower breast and belly white with variable amount of x narrow dark bars (sometimes restricted to breast-sides and flanks). Throat has variable amount of white. Underwing usually plain white with dark trailing edge and two narrow xx x x x x x parallel blackish bars across flight feathers (even the palest Short-toed has underwingx ? coverts with dark markings). Upperwing more uniformly dark. Head appears large and owl-like on perched bird, but not so in flight. Adult female Throat and upper breast usually all dark. Juvenile Dark brown above, more rufous-brown below. Underwing-coverts brownish; remiges with indistinct dusky bars. Tail has indistinct dusky bands. Differs from juvenile Brown Snake Eagle mainly in narrow dark bars on underside of flight feathers, extensive dark tips to primaries and lack of white bands in tail. Pale buzzards and Osprey have dark carpal patches in flight. HH Rare to scarce or locally fairly common resident and intra-African migrant, many moving north with rains. In open moist and dry woodlands. Frequently hovers or hangs motionless in wind. Voice Clear kee-u, uttered in series. Usually silent. VU ?

Black-breasted Snake Eagle Circaetus pectoralis Circaète à poitrine noire

63–68 cm; WS 178 cm

Adult Distinctive pied raptor with yellow eye. Blackish-brown above and on breast, pure white below. Tail square with three dark bars. Underwing white with dark trailing edge and two narrow parallel blackish bars on flight feathers. Juvenile Entirely rufous-brown, darker on wings. May fade to buffish within 6 months of fledging; underparts sometimes mottled white. Underwing whitish with rufous-brown coverts, dusky tips to primaries and x x three faint parallel bars on flight feathers (creating dusky appearance, esp. on secondaries, x from distance); tail indistinctly barred, appearing grey at distance. Immature Blackishbrown and white feathers gradually appear, latter with dark centres, marking underparts with brown blotches. Full adult plumage probably attained in 3rd year. HH Rare in our region. Nomadic and/or regular intra-African migrant; movements inadequately known. In open savanna woodland. Frequently hovers or hangs motionless in wind. Voice Usually silent.

Brown Snake Eagle Circaetus cinereus Circaète brun x x

x

x xx x

66–75 cm, WS 200 cm

Adult Entirely dark brown. In flight, unmarked whitish remiges contrast with dark brown body and underwing-coverts. Tail dark brown with three narrow pale bars. Juvenile Similar to adult, or with white streaks on head or white feathers on lower underparts. Immature Acquires variable amount of white mottling on underparts. HH Uncommon to locally fairly common in savanna woodland. Some northward movements with rains recorded. Perches very upright and for long periods on prominent vantage point. Soars, but rarely hovers or hunts in flight. Voice Mainly silent.

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PLATE 33: SNAKE EAGLE, LONG-CRESTED EAGLE AND BATELEUR Western Banded Snake Eagle Circaetus cinerascens Circaète cendré

55–60 cm; WS 114 cm

Stocky, shorter tailed than other snake eagles. Adult male Grey-brown. Tail with single broad white bar across centre (usually concealed when perched, but conspicuous in ? flight). Underwing white with four dark parallel bars on flight feathers. Cere and base of bill pinkish or orange-yellow. Adult female As male or all brown as illustrated. Juvenile x x Much paler. Top of head whitish streaked dark; upperparts pale brown, feathers edged buff. Underparts buffish-white, slightly darker on breast and with some brown on belly and thighs. Underwing and tail pattern as adult but duller. Immature Variably mottled and streaked brown on underparts, later apparently acquiring brown plumage with varying amounts of barring on lower underparts. HH Uncommon resident in savanna and riverine woodland. Local seasonal movements reported. Perches unobtrusively for long periods on large tree. Voice Vocal. Loud kho-kho-kho-kho-... descending in pitch, in aerial display or from perch. Also a plaintive, nasal ko-ah ko-ah ... and ko-ah ko-koaaah from perch.

Long-crested Eagle Lophaetus occipitalis Aigle huppard

53–58 cm; WS 115 cm

Unmistakable. Medium-sized blackish eagle with long, loose crest and, in flight, large x white patches (‘windows’) on primaries both above and below. Flies with rapid shallow wingbeats interspersed by glides; soars with wings held flat. Adult Eye, cere and feet yellow. Legs feathered (white in males, dirty white or mixed with brown in some x females). Juvenile Crest shorter (attains adult length after 3 months), eye grey (yellow after 9 months). HH Uncommon to locally fairly common resident. Frequents wooded savanna, cultivation and forest edge. Perches conspicuously and for long periods atop trees or poles. Captures prey (mainly rodents) on ground. Voice Vocal. High-pitched, nasal keeee-aah and a series of sharp kikikikikikeeah with variations, from perch or in soaring display flight. Also short nasal kwoh. x

Bateleur Terathopius ecaudatus Bateleur des savanes

55–70 cm; WS 170–187 cm

xx

Stocky, large-headed, almost tail-less eagle. In flight, unique silhouette with long, broad-based wings curving to a point and very short tail. Soars with wings held in marked V, frequently canting. Adult male Black with chestnut mantle to uppertailx coverts, grey lesser and median upperwing-coverts, and chestnut tail. Loose feathers of x x head give cowled appearance. Bare facial skin, cere and feet bright red (sometimes fading to yellowish). In flight, white underwing-coverts contrast with black inner primaries and secondaries. Some have creamy or pale brown upperparts. Adult female Similar but with grey panel on secondaries and inner primaries. In flight, underwing largely white with black trailing edge. Juvenile Entirely brown. Bare facial skin and cere greenish-blue. Note large head, long wings, invisible tail, dark eye. In flight, silhouette similar to adult, but tail slightly longer. In immature, plumage becomes sooty-brown, tail shortens, face turns yellowish, feet pinkish. Recognisable adult plumage gradually acquired at 5–7 years; full adult plumage attained in 7–8 years. HH Generally uncommon to rare and decreasing, but may still be fairly common locally. Usually singly or in pairs, occasionally in small groups, in wooded savanna. Feeds on small animals, incl. termites, and carrion. Northern limit of range expands northwards during rains. Voice Far-carrying, barking kow-aw and soft ko-ko-ko-ko-koaaagh. Usually silent. x

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PLATE 34: HAWKS AND SPARROWHAWKS Lizard Buzzard Kaupifalco monogrammicus Autour unibande

35–37 cm; WS 79 cm

K. m. monogrammicus. Medium-sized, stocky grey raptor with diagnostic black stripe x on centre of white throat and single white band on black tail. Uppertail-coverts white. x x Lower underparts white narrowly barred grey. Underwing white narrowly barred grey; appears all white at distance. Rarely, tail has two white bands. Cere and legs pinkishred. Juvenile Similar but mantle and wing-coverts edged buff, underparts washed buffish, bare parts paler. Adult plumage attained within one year. HH Fairly common resident in various types of woodland and cultivation. Perches for long periods in trees or on wires and poles, from which it catches prey (lizards, small snakes, insects, also small mammals and birds) with quick dash. Voice Far-carrying, characteristic, melodious KLEEUUu-kluklukluklu.

Gabar Goshawk Micronisus gabar Autour gabar

28–36 cm; WS 60 cm

M. g. niger. Smallish Accipiter-like raptor with prominent white uppertail-coverts. Adult x xx Plain grey above and on breast, rest of underparts narrowly barred grey. Cere and legs pinkish-red. Underwing narrowly barred; four black bars on tail. Dark Chanting Goshawk is much larger. Melanistic morph is all black except for white barring on upperside of xx x x x x primaries and faint white bars on tail; no white uppertail-coverts. Juvenile/immature Pale, streaky head; underparts whitish streaked rufous-brown on breast and barred rufous-brown on belly and flanks; cere and legs yellowish to orange. Underwing-coverts narrowly barred rufous-brown. HH Fairly common to uncommon resident in wooded savanna, floodplains and thornbush. Some seasonal movements recorded. Hunts from perch or on the wing, feeding mainly on small birds. Often robs nests. Voice Rapid, high-pitched kik-kik-kik-... or kwk-kwik-kwik-...; also more melodious kwee-kwee-kwee-...

Dark Chanting Goshawk Melierax metabates Autour sombre x

38–48 cm; WS 95–110 cm

M. m. metabates. Medium-sized, grey raptor with long red legs, long broad wings and longish, rounded tail. Adult Plain grey above and on breast, rest of underparts narrowly barred grey. Uppertail-coverts white finely barred grey. In flight, dark wingtips above and below. Cere and legs pinkish-red. Juvenile/immature Brown above, variably marked x ? brown and white below. Cere and legs dull yellowish to orangey. In flight, note shape of wings and tail; uppertail-coverts white narrowly barred grey-brown. HH Fairly common to locally common resident in open woodland and thornbush. Perches prominently and upright on poles or atop trees and bushes. Feeds on variety of small animals, incl. lizards, snakes, mammals and insects; also birds. Voice Usually silent except when breeding. Melodious call, a loud, accelerating, piping wheeeow-whew-whew-whew or kleeu-kleeu-klu-klu-klu by both sexes, from perch or in flight. x

ACCIPITER HAWKS (Plates 34–36) Small to medium-sized, with rather short, rounded wings and long tails. Tarsi bare and long. Marked size difference between sexes; females much larger. Swift and agile. Hunt by dashing on their prey (mainly birds and small mammals), following a stealthy approach behind cover.

Ovambo Sparrowhawk Accipiter ovampensis Épervier de l’Ovampo

33–40 cm; WS 67 cm

Medium-sized Accipiter. Adult Grey above; entire underparts, incl. throat, narrowly barred grey. Tail grey above with four broad blackish bars, narrow white tip and rather faint white shaft streaks in grey bars. Underwing barred blackish on remiges. Eye dark red. Cere and legs orange-red to yellow. Compare Gabar Goshawk. Rare melanistic morph x is all black with paler tail bars; remiges barred dark below. Juvenile/immature Two x forms. Head and underparts either rufous or whitish variably (usually lightly) streaked dark brown; some barring on flanks. Both forms have brown upperparts with buffish edges to feathers (producing scaly effect when fresh), whitish supercilium and dark patch on ear-coverts. HH Uncommon to rare resident. In woodland. Distribution inadequately known. Fast, dashing flight; also soars. Feeds mainly on birds. Voice Highpitched keep-keep-keep-... Usually silent except when breeding.

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Lizard Buzzard

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PLATE 35: SPARROWHAWKS Shikra Accipiter badius Épervier shikra

28–30 cm; WS 58–60 cm

A. b. sphenurus. Small, pale Accipiter. Adult Blue-grey above, white below with fine rufous barring. In flight, uniformly grey above (no white on rump or tail), very pale below; wingtips dusky. Eye orange to red. Cere and legs yellow. Juvenile/immature Brown above, dark throat-stripe, blotched and barred below, tail barred. In flight from below, indistinctly barred on wings and tail. Eye yellow. Adult plumage acquired in two years. HH Fairly x common to locally common resident. Local seasonal movements. In wooded grassland, woodland and plantations; also suburban gardens. Soars frequently. Less unobtrusive and more vocal than congeners. Usually hunts from perch, dropping onto prey (mostly lizards) on ground; also takes insects and birds. Voice Vocal. Fast, sharp ki-ki-ki-ki-... Also kiwik-kiwik-kiwik-kiwik-... (male), and plaintive keeu-keeu-keeu-... (female).

Red-thighed Sparrowhawk Accipiter erythropus Épervier de Hartlaub

23–28 cm; WS 40 cm

Very small (size of wood dove). Adult erythropus Blackish above with white crescent on uppertail-coverts (conspicuous in flight) and three small, broken white bars on blackish tail. Grey-white tinged pinkish below; underwings and undertail barred blackish. xx Eye orange to red with bright red orbital ring. Female is noticeably larger with browner x upperparts. Lower Guinea race zenkeri (S Cameroon–S CAR/Congo) has deep rufous underparts and two unbroken and more distinct white spots on tail. Juvenile Brown above, variably barred brown below. HH Uncommon to scarce resident. Inhabits rain forest, second growth at edges and along clearings; also forest patches and riparian forest in transition zone. Unobtrusive; principally active in early morning or late afternoon. Feeds mainly on small birds, lizards and large insects. Voice Usually silent. High-pitched kik-kik-kik-kik-... or ki-ki-ki-ki-kiw-kiw.

Eurasian Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus Épervier d’Europe x

x

x

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28–41 cm; WS 58–80 cm

A. n. nisus. Small to medium-sized. Tail long, narrow-based and square-cut with sharp corners, narrow white tip, broad subterminal band and 4–5 narrower dark bars. Adult male Dark slate-grey above, narrowly barred rufous below; rufous ear-coverts. Adult female Much larger and browner with white supercilium and brownish barring on underparts. Juvenile Browner than female; barring more irregular. HH Scarce Palearctic visitor, Mauritania (Aug–Mar); vagrant elsewhere. In open country and woodland. Voice Usually silent on migration.

Levant Sparrowhawk Accipiter brevipes Épervier à pieds courts

29–39 cm; WS 63–80 cm

x

Medium-sized with rather slender and pointed, black-tipped wings. Adult male Head (incl. ear-coverts) and upperparts blue-grey. Underparts white narrowly barred rufous. xx Tail with unbarred central feathers and, below, narrow dark bars. In flight, appears very pale below, with whitish-looking underwing and contrasting black primary tips. Eye dark. Compare Shikra. Adult female Only slightly larger. Browner and more barred, with dark stripe on throat. Juvenile Dark brown above with rufous edges to feathers. Below white with dark line on throat; rest of underparts with bold drop-shaped spots. Underwing has dark barring, densest on coverts; dark tips on primaries much smaller than in adult and less contrasting. HH Palearctic vagrant (most records Jan–May). Voice Usually silent on migration.

Black Sparrowhawk Accipiter melanoleucus Autour noir

46–55 cm; WS 102 cm

Largest Accipiter. Adult temminckii Head and upperparts black contrasting with pure white underparts; mottled black patches on breast-sides, flanks and thighs. Tail long, dark brown above, whitish below, barred blackish on both surfaces (terminal x x xx x band broadest). Underwing white with narrow parallel blackish bars on flight feathers. Rare melanistic morph all black with white throat. Nominate slightly larger. Juvenile/ immature Two forms. Upperparts dark brown with rusty edges to feathers. Underparts and underwing either rufous or white, streaked brown (most heavily on breast). Underwing barred blackish on remiges. Attains adult plumage after c.30 months. HH Fairly common to rare resident. In various types of forest and dense woodland. Feeds mainly on birds, esp. doves and pigeons, caught inside or outside forest. Voice Usually silent; vocal when breeding. Call kyip or klee-ep (male) and deeper chep (female); duet an alternating series.

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PLATE 36: FOREST HAWKS AND SERPENT EAGLE African Goshawk Accipiter tachiro Autour tachiro

36–48 cm; WS 70 cm

Medium-sized forest Accipiter with three white spots in centre of blackish tail. Adult macroscelides Slate-grey above, narrowly barred orange-chestnut below, flanks and thighs orange-chestnut. Underside of flight feathers barred black and white, underwingcoverts barred orange. A. t. toussenelii (S Cameroon–CAR/Congo) is paler and plainer below. Underparts unbarred greyish-white washed rufous, esp. on flanks and thighs, or slightly barred. A. t. lopezi (Bioko) slightly richer in colour than macroscelides; sometimes with rufous on throat. Juvenile macroscelides/lopezi Dark brown above with whitish supercilium, whitish below with dark throat-stripe, spotted breast and barred flanks and thighs. Juvenile toussenelii Almost pure white below; some dark spots on breast-sides; flanks and thighs variably marked with short broad bars. HH Common to fairly common resident. In rain forest (incl. transition zone) and riparian forest in southern savannas. Unobtrusive, usually keeping to dense cover, except when soaring and calling over territory. Feeds mainly on small birds and mammals; also insects. Voice Series of sharp, abrupt kwit! notes, in (usually high) display flight over territory or from perch, esp. at dawn. Resembles call of Velvet-mantled Drongo. Juvenile has plaintive, nasal we-aaaaauw. Note If the three above races are split from extralimital forms, scientific name becomes A. toussenelii (Red-chested Goshawk).

Chestnut-flanked Sparrowhawk Accipiter castanilius Autour à flancs roux

28–36 cm; WS 60 cm

Adult male Somewhat owl-like, rounded head slate-grey darkening to blackish-grey on upperparts (incl. rump). Below white with faint, narrow grey bars on throat and dark grey bars on rest of underparts; breast-sides, flanks and thighs bright rufous. Tail blackish x ? with three white spots in centre. Underside of flight feathers barred black and white. Eye yellow to reddish-brown. Orbital ring, cere and legs yellow; toes dusky. Adult female Upperparts browner; flanks darker rufous. Larger (about size of male African Goshawk). x x Juvenile Brown above; white below, with dark brown spots on breast and dark brown bars on flanks and thighs, latter with rufous. Tail barred dark and paler brown. Eye brown; legs dirty yellow; toes dusky. In area of overlap, African Goshawk of race macroscelides difficult to separate but has paler grey head, paler upperparts and paler, brighter orange-chestnut barring on underparts; toussenelii paler and much less marked below. Juvenile macroscelides very similar to juvenile Chestnut-flanked Sparrowhawk and probably indistinguishable in field. HH Uncommon to scarce forest resident. Hunts from low perch in dense undergrowth of rain forest, dashing with extreme suddenness and speed onto prey (mainly small birds). Voice Unknown.

Congo Serpent Eagle Dryotriorchis spectabilis Serpentaire du Congo

51 cm; WS 85–96 cm

Short-winged and long-tailed forest eagle with relatively large head and long bare legs. Adult spectabilis Dark chocolate-brown above, white variably tinged pale buff below and with dark throat-stripe, bold spots on breast and more bar-like markings on belly. Eye large, dark. Lower Guinea race batesi is paler brown above and less marked below, with spots and bars restricted to flanks. Compare adult Cassin’s Hawk Eagle (Plate 39). Juvenile Head mottled whitish and pale brown, underparts white with bold blackish spots and variable rufous wash. HH Scarce to locally fairly common resident. Hunts from perch inside forest or along tracks and clearings. Does not soar. Drops onto prey on ground and hunts arboreal reptiles in tree crowns. Feeds on snakes, lizards and amphibians, possibly also small mammals. Range limits of races inadequately known. Voice Vocal. Series of nasal kow or klow (=klah) notes. Also a drawn-out, plaintive klooooow.

Long-tailed Hawk Urotriorchis macrourus Autour à longue queue

57–73 cm; WS 90 cm

Unmistakable forest hawk with very long, graduated tail tipped and barred white and contrasting white uppertail-coverts. Adult Slate grey above, mainly rich chestnut below, long black tail. Underwing rich chestnut on coverts, white barred black on flight feathers. In rare variant chestnut replaced by slate-grey. Juvenile/immature Brown above, white variably marked dark brown below ? (sometimes almost unmarked) with stripe on throat, blotches on upper breast and broad xx x bars on flanks. White-crested Hornbill (Plate 123) occurs in same habitat and has rather similar shape with long graduated tail, but is mainly black and has different behaviour. HH Uncommon or scarce to locally fairly common resident. In forest interior; regularly near tracks and clearings. Mainly at mid-levels, also lower. Prey probably mainly squirrels and other arboreal mammals, also birds. Voice Distinctive. Two drawn-out, plaintive whistles teeu-ieeew teeu-ieeeew, the second slightly higher pitched, with variations. Also soft klee-klee-klee-klee-....

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African Goshawk toussenelii

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PLATE 37: CUCKOO HAWK, HONEY BUZZARDS AND GRASSHOPPER BUZZARD African Cuckoo Hawk Aviceda cuculoides Baza coucou

40 cm; WS 91 cm

A. c. cuculoides and batesi. Plumage pattern and flight silhouette with long wings and longish square tail superficially reminiscent of large cuckoo. When perched, wings almost x xx reach tip of tail. Adult Dark grey above and on breast, lower underparts white with broad x chestnut bars. In flight, shows chestnut underwing-coverts; flight feathers whitish with long, narrow, black parallel bars. Juvenile Dark brown above with whitish supercilium, white below variably marked with brown drop-like spots (occasionally only some coarse barring on flanks). Underwing-coverts buffish speckled dark brown; remiges barred like adult. HH Uncommon to fairly common resident. Some local seasonal movements. Favours dense woodland and riverine forest. Usually unobtrusive. Pairs perform undulating and tumbling display flights, with much calling. Hunts from perch, catching prey (mainly insects, lizards) on ground or in fast, agile flight. Voice Usually silent. Territorial song a rapid pikpikpik-huwiu-pikpikhuwiupikhuwiu-pikhuwiu-pikhuwiu-... increasing in speed (as if getting more excited). Also a drawn-out, plaintive hueeee-uuw and sharp peeuw.

European Honey Buzzard Pernis apivorus Bondrée apivore

51–60 cm; WS 113–150 cm

Medium-sized raptor with highly variable plumage (from blackish through various shades of brown to whitish below), but with characteristic small-looking head and slender neck, protruding well in flight. Tail rather long, with rounded corners. Bill small. Soars on flat wings, slightly bowed when gliding. Adult male Blue-grey head, brown upperparts, white underparts with bold, irregular dark bars. In all plumages, diagnostic tail pattern x ? with dark terminal band and two narrower bars near base. Underwing has dark carpal patches, prominent broad black trailing edge and, typically, parallel bands across base of pale grey flight feathers. Primaries with sharply demarcated, small black tips. Eye yellow. Adult female Usually browner on head and upperparts than male. Tail bands narrower, two bars near base wider spaced. Flight feathers usually with more, and more evenly spaced, bars. Juvenile Flight and tail feathers with 4–5 more evenly spaced. Uppertail-coverts often showing whitish U. Eye dark. HH Uncommon or scarce to locally fairly common Palearctic visitor (mainly Nov–May; immatures often remain year-round, adults occasionnally). Favours forest and dense woodland, but can occur anywhere on migration. Principally insectivorous. Voice Usually silent in Africa.

Oriental Honey Buzzard Pernis ptilorhynchus Bondrée orientale

55–65 cm; WS 148–165 cm

Very similar to European Honey Buzzard but lacks dark carpal patches on underwings. Adult male has dark tail with broad pale band; female tail more like European Honey Buzzard but inner bar broader (hard to see). Also compare immature African Harrier Hawk (Plate 31). HH E Palearctic vagrant. Single record, Gabon (Aug 2004). x

Grasshopper Buzzard Butastur rufipennis Busautour des sauterelles

41–44 cm; WS 102 cm

Slender with long wings, tail and legs and, in flight, conspicuous rufous, blacktipped ‘hand’. Adult Dark grey-brown above, rufous with narrow dark streaking below. Underwing has well-defined blackish border to pale rufous flight feathers. Juvenile More rufous than adult; feathers of upperparts edged rufous. HH Common intra-African migrant, breeding locally in semi-arid belt during rains, moving south in dry season (as far x south as northern edge of forest). Perches conspicuously and for long periods atop small trees and bushes. Often near bush fires, catching disturbed insects (mainly grasshoppers). When breeding, preys on wide variety of small animals, incl. reptiles, rodents, birds and amphibians. Flight low and buoyant, rather ‘harrier-like’; also soars on flat wings. Voice Loud ki-ki-ki-ki-kee when breeding. Otherwise silent. x

x

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PLATE 38: BUZZARDS BUTEO BUZZARDS Medium-sized raptors with broad-winged, eagle-like shape, but generally smaller and with only moderately ‘fingered’ wings. Tarsi bare. Plumages very variable, sometimes creating identification problems. Mostly seen soaring, wings held in shallow V, or perching on vantage points. Prey on wide range of small animals mostly caught on ground, incl. rodents and reptiles; also small birds, amphibians, insects.

Common Buzzard Buteo buteo Buse variable

45–58 cm; WS 110–132 cm

Rather compact raptor with broad, rounded wings and tail. In flight from below, flight x feathers whitish indistinctly barred grey and tipped blackish (forming dark trailing edge), x x x dark carpal patch. B. b. vulpinus (Steppe Buzzard) Plumage variable. Underparts and tail x x typically pale rufous-brown. In foxy morph these are uniform dark chestnut; tail with xx x xx subterminal band. Rare dark morph mainly blackish. Nominate Very dark to pale brown (less rufous), usually with diffuse pale breast-band; underwing pattern less contrasting, barring on flight and tail feathers broader and less distinct. HH Irregularly distributed, rare to scarce Palearctic visitor (Nov–May). Distribution of races unclear; both reported from Mauritania and Liberia; birds in Senegal and from Ivory Coast eastwards attributed to vulpinus. Occasional presence of nominate in Senegal suspected. In various open habitats. Voice Loud, mewing peee-ah. Usually silent in Africa.

Long-legged Buzzard Buteo rufinus Buse féroce

50–65 cm; WS 115–163 cm

B. r. rufinus and cirtensis. Resembles Common Buzzard but slightly larger, looking x x heavier when perched, with larger bill and longer legs, and has dark rufous-brown belly xx and ‘trousers’ contrasting with pale buff, almost unmarked, head and upper breast. x x x Tail plain orange-rufous, often paling at base. In flight, appears more eagle-like, with longer wings and slightly longer tail and has large black carpal patch and trailing edge to underwing. Plumage variable, but typically mainly buffish and orange-rufous. Dark morph mainly blackish; below, greyish flight feathers narrowly barred darker and with dark trailing edge; tail barred with broad subterminal band. Races indistinguishable in field; N African cirtensis slightly smaller. Juvenile Similar but wing lacks distinct dark trailing edge and tail more buff-grey with faint barring (rarely with narrow dark terminal band). HH Scarce to uncommon Palearctic visitor (mainly Oct–May). In various open habitats, incl. floodplains. Breeding recorded in Saharan Mauritania. Voice Usually silent. x

Cape Verde Buzzard Buteo (rufinus) bannermanni See Plate 260. Red-necked Buzzard Buteo auguralis Buse d’Afrique

40–50 cm; WS 95 cm

Adult Dark brown above with chestnut head-sides and nape. Below, throat and breast x dark brown; rest of underparts white variably blotched dark brown. Relatively short x x rounded tail bright rufous with narrow black subterminal band. Upperwing has pale panel at base of primaries. Underwing white with black tips to flight feathers and black carpal markings continuing as irregular line along coverts. Juvenile Brown above, tail brown barred black, underparts entirely white blotched black on breast and flanks. HH Scarce to locally fairly common resident and intra-African migrant. Moves north with rains. In woodland, forest clearings and edges, and cultivated areas. Voice Loud, drawn-out, mewing peeee-ah.

Augur Buzzard Buteo augur Buse augure

55–60 cm; WS 132 cm

B. a. augur. Large, distinctive buzzard with very broad wings and conspicuously short, rounded tail. Adult male (typical) Black above, white below; tail bright rufous (often with narrow black subterminal band). In flight from below, underwings white with blackish trailing edge, primary tips and carpal crescents. Dark morph has entire underparts and underwing-coverts black. Adult female Similar but with throat black or streaky black. Juvenile Brown above, wing-coverts tipped buff. Tail brown narrowly barred darker. Underparts buffish-white boldly streaked dark on throat, breast-sides and flanks. In flight, duller than adult; silhouette distinctive. HH Single claim, N Cameroon (Nov 1993). Nearest breeding areas of this mainly sedentary E African species in E Sudan and NE DRCongo. Voice Loud, rather nasal bark ewah-ewah-ewah-...

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PLATE 39: SMALL AND MEDIUM-SIZED EAGLES I EAGLES (Plates 39–42) Medium-sized to very large raptors with broad ‘fingered’ wings. Tarsi feathered. Given to soaring. Prey on large and small mammals, birds, and reptiles; some eat carrion and insects. In general fiercer and more active than buzzards. Occur in open country, woodland and forest.

Bonelli’s Eagle Aquila fasciata Aigle de Bonelli

55–72 cm; WS 145–180 cm

A. f. fasciata. Medium-sized eagle with relatively small, protruding head and longish tail. Adult Dark brown above; white, lightly streaked dark below. In flight, small white patch on mantle; no pale ‘windows’ on primaries above; white body contrasts with dark underwings; longish tail with black terminal band. Adult African Hawk Eagle has conspicuous white ‘windows’ on primaries above and whiter secondaries below. Juvenile Rusty-brown below. In flight, resembles juvenile African Hawk Eagle, but lacks obvious pale areas on primaries above and has dusky secondaries below. Distinctive silhouette in flight should distinguish it from most other raptors. Gradually acquires adult plumage over 3 years, becoming darker brown; underparts streaked dark; broad dark bands on greater coverts and tail starting to show. HH Scarce to rare Palearctic visitor (Sep–May). Soars less than most other raptors, with wings held flat or slightly arched and tail often closed. Glides on slightly arched wings with carpal joints pressed forward and almost straight rear edge. Voice Usually silent.

African Hawk Eagle Aquila spilogaster Aigle fascié

60–74 cm; WS 142 cm

Medium-sized eagle with long wings narrowing towards body and longish tail. Adult Blackish above; white streaked black below; thighs unstreaked. Female larger than male and more heavily streaked below. In flight, pale greyish ‘windows’ on primaries above; underwing with black-mottled underwing-coverts and black trailing edge; tail pale grey x x with broad black terminal band and several indistinct narrow dark bars. Ayres’s Eagle is noticeably smaller, with more heavily marked underparts, heavily barred underwings and no ‘windows’ on primaries. Juvenile Dark brown above, rufous below. Underwingcoverts rufous bordered by dark line; tail grey, narrowly barred. Gradually acquires adult plumage in 3–4 years. Juvenile Black Sparrowhawk of rufous-breasted form has similarly coloured underparts, but is smaller, has bare legs and different behaviour. Juvenile Ayres’s Eagle is smaller, with paler rufous underparts and much bolder barring on flight feathers below. HH Scarce to locally fairly common resident. In savanna. Preys mainly on large birds (esp. gamebirds) and mammals up to size of hare. Voice Melodious klu-klu-klu-kluee or kluee-kluee, reminiscent of Wahlberg’s Eagle but shorter. x

?

Ayres’s Eagle Hieraaetus ayresii Aigle d’Ayres

45–60 cm; WS 124 cm

Small, stocky eagle with broad, rounded wings and fairly long tail. Adult Blackish-brown ? above; white below boldly streaked and blotched black, incl. thighs. Short, erectile x occipital crest. Plumage variable; variations include: white forehead, short white x x supercilium, sparsely marked underparts. In flight, white ‘landing lights’ (small white spot x x at base of neck on leading edge of wing). Below: heavily mottled black-and-white wingcoverts, heavily barred flight and tail feathers, black terminal tail band. Female larger and usually more heavily marked below. Juvenile Pale rufous to whitish head and underparts. Wing-coverts pale rufous, flight feathers and tail white barred blackish. HH Uncommon to scarce resident and partial migrant. In forest and dense woodland. Catches mainly medium-sized birds in flight following dive from soaring position or fast dash from perch. Voice Usually silent. Melodious whueeep-whip-whip-whip-whip-whueep in aerial display near nest; also whip-whip-whip-...

Cassin’s Hawk Eagle Aquila africana Aigle de Cassin

50–61 cm; WS 120 cm

Rather small forest eagle with short rounded wings and longish tail. Adult Blackish above, dark hood contrasting with white neck-sides; white below marked black on breastsides, flanks and thighs. Underwing mainly black on coverts, barred on flight feathers. ? Tail dark brown above, whitish below with three black bars and a broader subterminal x band. Compare Black Sparrowhawk (Plate 35). Juvenile Head pale rufous streaked blackish; upperparts grey-brown, feathers edged buff. Underparts mainly white streaked and spotted blackish, breast-sides and flanks pale rufous. Tail grey-brown barred darker. Underwing-coverts streaked rufous. HH Scarce to locally fairly common forest resident. Preys mainly on birds; also squirrels. Voice Vocal. Loud ku-ku-wee or ku-wee ku-ku-wee in soaring display flight; also drawn-out, high-pitched weeeee-eh from perch. Note Formerly placed in Spizaetus.

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PLATE 40: SMALL AND MEDIUM-SIZED EAGLES II Booted Eagle Hieraaetus pennatus Aigle botté

45–55 cm; WS 110–132 cm

x

Small, buzzard-sized eagle with, in all plumages, small white spot at base of neck on x x leading edge of wing (‘landing lights’), broad buff diagonal band on upperwing and narrow whitish crescent at base of square tail. Legs heavily feathered (hence name). Two morphs. Pale morph brown above, creamy-white below with contrasting blackish flight feathers. x x x Tail greyish and unbarred. Dark morph entirely dark brown. Black Kite may appear similar x x x to dark morph from above, but is more slender with shallowly forked tail and has flapping x x and gliding flight. Wahlberg’s Eagle is longer-winged, less stocky and usually soars with closed tail. HH Scarce to locally fairly common Palearctic visitor (mainly Dec–Apr). In wooded savanna. Preys mainly on birds up to size of pigeons; also lizards, rodents and insects. Voice Usually silent on migration.

Wahlberg’s Eagle Hieraaetus wahlbergi Aigle de Wahlberg

55–61 cm; WS 141 cm

Smallish, rather slender and variably coloured eagle with slight occipital crest (not always visible), baggy ‘trousers’ and dark eye. Characteristic silhouette when soaring, with head protruding, long, parallel-edged wings held flat or slightly downcurved and long, square tail usually held closed. Adult Commonest morphs uniformly dark to warm brown. In flight, appears all dark, with slightly paler flight feathers contrasting faintly with x x underwing-coverts. Uncommon pale morph has head and underparts white to buffy. In x x flight, dark flight and tail feathers contrast with white underparts and underwing-coverts. Intermediate plumage variations may occur. Juvenile As adult. Compare dark morph Booted Eagle and Brown Snake Eagle (Plate 32). HH Fairly common to scarce intra-African migrant. In broad savanna belt; more numerous and widespread in dry season. Breeds in Sudan savanna during rains (later than other raptors). Perches inconspicuously in tree or soars for long periods. Takes mainly birds, rodents and lizards. Voice Usually silent. Distinctive, clear and loud kleeeee-ay. Also fast kyip-kyip-kyip-kyip-...

Tawny Eagle Aquila rapax Aigle ravisseur

62–75 cm; WS 165–185 cm

x x x

A. r. belisarius. Often rather ragged-looking eagle. Wings fairly long; tail broad and rounded. Flight and tail feathers dark greyish with faint or no dark bars; ‘fingers’ contrastingly darker. Soars with wings held flat or ‘hand’ slightly depressed and tail fanned; when gliding, ‘hand’ slightly more arched. Adult Variable. Dark brown to tawny xx x x x and even pale buffish, with dark-centred body feathers and upperwing-coverts giving xx streaked appearance. Above, creamy-white patch from lower back to uppertail-coverts. x In pale birds three inner primaries usually contrastingly pale, producing ‘window’ in dark area of underwing. Juvenile Typically paler, rufous-tawny bleaching to creamy-white (a few darker). Wings have narrow white trailing edge; tail tipped white. Pale tips to greater coverts form narrow line on centre of wing, both above and, less distinct, below. Pale ‘window’ on underside of inner primaries always present. Immature Variable. White trailing edge lost. Eye becomes yellow. Adult plumage acquired in c.4–5 years. HH Fairly common to scarce resident and partial migrant. Local seasonal movements. In forest–savanna mosaic, wooded savanna and dry open plains with scattered trees. Hunts from perch or on the wing. Feeds on any animal matter, also carrion; robs other large birds of their prey. Voice Usually silent. Barking kyow and guttural kwork in display.

Steppe Eagle Aquila nipalensis Aigle des steppes

62–81 cm; WS 163–200 cm

A. n. orientalis. Medium-sized to large, brown eagle with long, broad wings. Flight and tail feathers greyish with rather indistinct but, in good light, noticeable blackish bars x (incl. on base of primaries, which are unbarred in spotted eagles); ‘fingers’ contrastingly black. Head more protruding than in spotted eagles and ‘hand’ more ample than in Lesser Spotted. Powerful bill with oval nostrils and long yellow gape extending to below rear x of eye. Bushy ‘trousers’. Soars and glides with wings slightly arched, as spotted eagles, but wingbeats slower. Adult Dark brown with usually paler patch on nape. Usually whitish patch on base of inner primaries, small white patch on centre of back and some pale on uppertail-coverts (as spotted eagles). Juvenile Typically paler with diagnostic whitish band on centre of underwing, broad white trailing edge to wings and broad white terminal band to tail. Above, broad white tips to greater coverts form line on centre of wing, usually prominent whitish patch on primaries and broad white U on uppertail-coverts. Immature Variable, but has complete or partial white band on centre of wing and traces of white trailing edge to wings and tail. Older birds may lack pale central wing band, but can be identified by greyish flight and tail feathers with dark barring and dark tips. Adult plumage acquired in c.5–6 years. HH Scarce Palearctic visitor (Oct– May). In various open habitats, incl. floodplains, rice fields, etc. Migrates mainly to E & S Africa. Voice Generally silent in Africa.

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PLATE 41: MEDIUM-SIZED AND LARGE EAGLES Lesser Spotted Eagle Clanga pomarina Aigle pomarin 55–65 cm; WS 145–170 cm Adult Medium-sized, well-proportioned, dark brown eagle with relatively long, broad wings and rather short, wide and rounded tail. Rather narrow ‘trousers’ may produce longx legged appearance. In flight, wing-coverts typically slightly paler than flight feathers; x x below, two whitish carpal crescents diagnostic (if present); above, white patch at base x of inner primaries and pale U on uppertail-coverts. Often small white spot on centre of back. Flight quite buzzard-like, with rather fast wingbeats and head not protruding. Soars with wings held flat or ‘hand’ slightly depressed and tail fanned. Juvenile Variable, but typically darker than adult, with pale patch on nape, irregular pale streaking on underparts, and narrow pale tips to greater coverts, trailing edge of wing and tail (quickly abraded). Primary patch and U on uppertail-coverts more distinct. Some dark birds have little or no contrast between coverts and flight feathers. Very rare pale morph has pale rufous or buffish underparts. Adult plumage acquired in c.4–5 years. HH Rare Palearctic visitor (records Dec–Mar, Jun). Mainly in E & S Africa, where passage migrant and winter visitor, Oct–Apr. In Africa principally feeds on termites, grasshoppers and other insects taken on ground. Voice Usually silent. Barking kow-kow-kow. Note Formerly included in Aquila. x

x

Greater Spotted Eagle Clanga clanga Aigle criard

60–70 cm; WS 155–180 cm

Adult Darker, more uniform and heavier than Lesser Spotted Eagle, tail relatively shorter, xx ‘trousers’ more bushy, eye dark. In flight, wing-coverts typically as dark or slightly darker than flight feathers (but sometimes paler); below, a single whitish carpal crescent; above, diffuse white patch on primaries, usually some whitish on uppertailcoverts; sometimes a small white spot on centre of back. Soars and glides with wings slightly more arched than Lesser Spotted Eagle. Juvenile Typically even darker than adult with diagnostic heavily spotted upperwing-coverts and scapulars, and white trailing edge (some paler and less spotted); underparts usually streaked; vent pale. Wing-coverts typically slightly darker than flight feathers. Primary patch often more extensive. Adult plumage acquired in c.5–6 years. Rare and confusing pale morph (‘fulvescens’), occurring at all ages, is pale buffish or yellowish-brown to rufous, diffusely streaked darker on underparts. Flight feathers as normal form, greater coverts dark, carpal crescent present. HH Rare Palearctic visitor (records Dec–Apr). Feeds on termites, grasshoppers and other insects; also small mammals, lizards, amphibians and birds. Voice Usually silent. Note Formerly included in Aquila. VU

Eastern Imperial Eagle Aquila heliaca Aigle impérial

70–83 cm; WS 175–205 cm

Large. Adult Blackish-brown with pale tawny crown and nape and broad black terminal band to closely barred, greyish tail. White ‘braces’ bordering mantle diagnostic but difficult to see. In soaring flight, long and parallel wings held flat and tail usually held x x closed. Juvenile Pale yellowish-brown and streaky with paler rump and contrasting dark fight feathers and tail. From distance, streaks on breast and upper belly may appear as broad band. Innermost primaries have pale wedge (visible from above and below); on upperwing, white tips to greater and median coverts form two narrow parallel lines. Wings more S-curved than in adult; tail held slightly spread when soaring. Immature Gradually acquires adult plumage over 6–7 years; becomes mottled blackish-brown and yellowish with adult head and tail pattern appearing early. HH Rare Palearctic visitor (Nov–Apr). Scarce migrant to E Africa. Voice Silent on migration. VU

Spanish Imperial Eagle Aquila adalberti Aigle ibérique x x

?

72–85 cm; WS 180–210 cm

Adult Very similar to Eastern Imperial Eagle, but has pure white leading edge of wing (visible from above and below); flight feathers usually somewhat darker and less barred; tail paler grey and unbarred. Juvenile More rufous-brown and generally unstreaked. HH Palearctic vagrant, Cameroon (Jan 1978); one, radio-tagged as nestling in Spain (Jun 1996), was tracked across Mauritania and Senegal (late 1996–Jan 1997). Voice Silent on migration. VU

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PLATE 42: LARGE EAGLES Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaetos Aigle royal

75–90 cm; WS 190–225 cm

A. c. homeyeri. Very large with rather long tail and long, supple wings held in shallow x x V when soaring and usually also when gliding. Secondaries longest in centre, producing x slight S-curve at rear edge of wings. Adult All-dark brown with rufous-yellow (‘golden’) crown and nape (usually noticeably contrasting with rest of plumage). In flight, diffuse pale panel on upperwing-coverts; body and underwing-coverts darker than flight feathers. Juvenile Dark chocolate-brown with broad black terminal band to white tail and variably distinct white wing patches (both features distinctive and visible from above and below; wing patches occasionally lacking). Immature Gradually acquires adult plumage over 6–8 years; distinctive tail pattern retained for 4–5 years. HH Rare Palearctic visitor (mainly Sep–Apr; records in all months), Mauritania; observations from Tichitt area and Ouadâne (2003–4) suggest local breeding. Breeding recorded in extreme NE Mali (Adrar des Ifôghas) and Niger (Aïr) at edge of large rocky massifs. Feeds mainly on medium-sized mammals, also large birds, reptiles and carrion. Voice Usually silent.

Verreaux’s Eagle Aquila verreauxii Aigle de Verreaux 80–90 cm; WS 190–210 cm Very large, powerful eagle with, in all plumages, distinctive flight silhouette produced by long broad wings narrowing towards body and fairly long, often partially spread tail. Soars with wings held in shallow V. Adult Entirely black except for narrow white V on mantle and white lower back and rump. In flight, has large whitish ‘windows’ on ? primaries (visible from above and below), and white Y on back. Juvenile Crown and mantle tawny-rufous; rest of upperparts blackish-brown with feathers edged buff, giving scaled appearance; head-sides to breast black becoming buffish-brown mixed with black on belly and thighs. In flight, primaries have pale buffish ‘windows’, flight feathers and tail indistinctly barred; from above, rump feathers white edged black, forming narrow white crescent at base of tail. Gradually acquires adult plumage in c.3–4 years. HH Rare resident, Niger (N Aïr) and NE Chad (Ennedi). Vagrant elsewhere. Inhabits gorges, crags, inselbergs. Feeds mainly on hyrax. Voice Usually silent. x

Crowned Eagle Stephanoaetus coronatus Aigle couronné

80–99 cm; WS 163–209 cm

Very large, powerful forest eagle with broad rounded wings and long tail. Adult male Dark brown above and on throat, boldly barred and blotched black, rufous and buff below. Tail xx grey above, white below with three broad blackish bars. Short, erectile occipital crest. x Underwings have diagnostic rufous coverts bordered by bold black-and-white greater x coverts, white flight feathers with broad black trailing edge and three narrower parallel black bars. Adult female Noticeably larger and usually more heavily marked below; flight feathers have only two narrow black bars. Juvenile Head and underparts mainly white. Underwing-coverts pale rufous-buff; 3–4 bars on remiges. Gradually acquires adult plumage in c.4 years. HH Scarce to fairly common resident. In rain forest and large areas of forest in southern savannas. Preys on monkeys and other mammals to size of duiker. Voice Far-carrying, melodious kewee-kewee-kewee-... (male) and deeper kowi-kowi-kowi-... (female), in undulating display flight, often at great height, esp. in hot midday hours. NT

Martial Eagle Polemaetus bellicosus Aigle martial

78–86 cm; WS 195–260 cm

Very large, powerful savanna eagle with broad, flat-crowned head, long broad wings and short tail. Adult male Dark grey-brown above and on breast; white below speckled dark brown. Tail greyish below narrowly barred blackish. Short, erectile occipital crest. In flight, dark wings and breast contrast with white lower underparts. Flight feathers x x x xx x xx narrowly and indistinctly barred. Adult female Larger and usually more heavily spotted below. Juvenile Top of head and upperparts grey with pale edges to feathers, underparts plain white. In flight mainly white below with narrowly and indistinctly barred flight feathers and tail. Acquires adult plumage in c.6–7 years. HH Rare to scarce resident in small and declining numbers. In various woodland types. Soars at great height with wings held flat and primary tips slightly upturned. Occasionally hovers. Hunts mostly on the wing, also from prominent perch, preying on mammals, large birds and reptiles; also eats carrion. Voice Usually silent. Rapid klee-klee-klee-klooee-klooee... in display flight and from perch. VU

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PLATE 43: FALCONS I FALCONS (Plates 43–46) Small to medium-sized diurnal raptors with long, pointed wings and narrow, longish tail. Sexual dimorphism marked or at least present to some degree; females usually larger. Juveniles most like adult females but often darker and more streaked; adult plumage usually acquired during 2nd calendar year. Aerial hunters; hunt by stooping or hovering. Prey include birds, small rodents, reptiles and insects. Normal flight fast and strong, consisting of fast wingbeats alternating with glides. Occur in open or relatively open habitats.

Lesser Kestrel Falco naumanni Faucon crécerellette

25–33 cm; WS 58–74 cm

Resembles Common Kestrel but slightly smaller and central tail feathers usually slightly protruding. Adult male Head pale blue-grey; upperparts plain rufous-brown with bluegrey greater coverts; underparts lightly marked. In flight, tricoloured upperwings exhibit x diagnostic blue-grey panel between dark outer wing and rufous coverts. Underwing x mainly white with dark tips and often diffuse trailing edge. Adult female As Common Kestrel x x xx of nominate race but paler, with less-marked head and underparts. Underwing whiter, dusky wingtip more distinct. Claws pale. HH Locally common to rare Palearctic visitor (Sep–May). Often in small or even large groups (of 10s–100s of birds) over various open habitats. Feeds principally on insects, caught in the air or on ground. Roosts in groups (largest near Kaolack, Senegal: 28,600, Jan 2007). Voice Usually silent away from breeding grounds.

Common Kestrel Falco tinnunculus Faucon crécerelle

30–38 cm; WS 65–80 cm

Adult male tinnunculus Head grey with dusky moustachial stripe; upperparts rufousbrown spotted black; tail grey with broad black subterminal band and narrow white tip. Underparts buff densely spotted black. In flight, dark flight feathers contrast with chestnut upperwing-coverts and upperparts; pale underwing densely barred and spotted dark. Afrotropical rufescens overall darker and more heavily marked; head darker slate; x x x x x underparts more rufous; tail has some barring. Adult female Head brownish streaked x black, upperparts and tail brown barred black. Underwing more heavily barred than male. Juvenile As female but more boldly streaked below. HH Nominate is fairly common Palearctic visitor (Sep–May); status and distribution of resident rufescens unclear but generally uncommon to locally common. In wide variety of open habitats, incl. cultivation, grassland, woodlands with herbaceous vegetation; resident also on rocky outcrops and in towns. Frequently hovers with tail fanned. Also frequently soars on slightly blunt-looking wings (recalling small Accipiter). Feeds on small mammals and insects; also lizards and small birds. Sometimes associates with Lesser Kestrels near locust swarms. Voice Sharp, piercing keekee-kee-kee-...; also shrill, vibrant krree-e-e-e-krree-e-e-e-e... . Cape Verde forms alexandri and neglectus: see Plate 261.

Rock Kestrel Falco (tinnunculus) rupicolus Faucon sud-africain

30–34 cm; WS c.70 cm

As Common Kestrel, of which it is often considered a race, but sexual dimorphism reduced. Brighter, more colourful and less marked than F. t. tinnunculus; underwing whiter. Adult male Has variable narrow dark barring on grey rump and tail (sometimes indistinct or absent). Adult female Generally browner, with some dark streaking on head and more barring on tail. HH Uncommon resident. Habits as Common Kestrel. Voice As Common Kestrel.

Greater Kestrel Falco rupicoloides Crécerelle aux yeux blancs x

Fox Kestrel Falco alopex Crécerelle renard x

x

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x

33–36 cm; WS c.75 cm

Adult Mainly tawny-rufous with finely streaked head, creamy-white eyes, boldly barred upperparts, and grey tail broadly barred black and narrowly tipped white. Breast finely streaked; flanks barred. In flight, appears very barred above, with rump and tail barred grey and black; below, largely white underwings contrast with tawny body. Juvenile Eyes dark; underparts streaked; tail rufous barred black. HH Single record, E Niger (Termit area, 16 Feb 2009, adult, presumably ssp. fieldi). Distributed discontinuously in E Africa and across arid habitats in southern Africa. Voice Rapid kek-kek-kek-...; alarm kwee-kwee.

35–42 cm; WS c.90 cm

Very rufous, long-winged and long-tailed falcon. Adult Entirely foxy-red narrowly streaked black; tail narrowly barred black. In flight, mainly blackish flight feathers contrast with rufous upperwing-coverts. Underwing tipped black, flight feathers whitish indistinctly barred black. Juvenile Streaking more prominent; barring on tail broader. HH Uncommon to fairly common and local resident. Seasonal movements recorded. On inselbergs and rocky hills in savanna. Flight buoyant; rarely hovers. Feeds mainly on insects; also lizards and small mammals. Voice Sharp kee-kee-kee-kee-... near breeding sites.

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Lesser Kestrel

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Common Kestrel

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Rock Kestrel

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Fox Kestrel

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PLATE 44: FALCONS II Red-necked Falcon Falco chicquera Faucon chicquera

29–36 cm; WS 65–80 cm

F. c. ruficollis. Adult Top of head and nape bright chestnut contrasting with white cheeks; small dark moustachial stripe. Upperparts blue-grey densely barred black. Underparts white narrowly and densely barred black except on throat; upper breast has pale rufous-buff band. In flight, dark above with blackish primaries; below, dense x x barring appears greyish from distance; black subterminal tail band. Juvenile Duller, with pale rufous-buff underparts and underwing-coverts. HH Scarce to locally fairly common resident. Typically associated with Borassus palms. Feeds mainly on birds caught in the air. Esp. active at dusk. Voice Shrill, harsh, scolding kheep-kheep-kheep-... and soft k-krrree-up.

African Hobby Falco cuvierii Faucon de Cuvier

28–31 cm; WS c.70 cm

Distinctive, swift and slender falcon with long, pointed wings and rufous underparts. Adult Blackish-slate above, orange-rufous below, palest on throat, with some indistinct, fine black streaks; short moustachial stripe. (Beware: cheeks occasionally whitish causing x confusion with Eurasian Hobby). In flight from below, mainly orange-rufous; flight feathers narrowly barred dusky. Tail barred below. Juvenile Duller, with underparts heavily streaked black. Feathers of crown, nape and upperparts narrowly fringed rufous (often forming variable rusty nuchal patch). HH Uncommon to locally fairly common resident. Some northward dispersal with rains. In forest–savanna mosaic, wooded grassland and derived savanna. Feeds mainly on insects caught and eaten on the wing; also takes small birds. Esp. active at dusk. Voice Shrill kee-kee-kee-... and short, sharp kik.

Eurasian Hobby Falco subbuteo Faucon hobereau

29–36 cm; WS 70–92 cm

F. s. subbuteo. Elegant falcon with long, pointed wings. Flight action and silhouette may recall swift Apus. Adult Dark top of head with well-defined, narrow black moustachial stripe contrasting with white cheeks and throat. Upperparts dark slate-grey. Underparts whitish boldly streaked blackish; vent and thighs bright rufous. In flight, uniformly dark x x above, underwing densely barred greyish (appearing dark from distance). Juvenile x xx x x Browner, with pale forehead and no rufous on vent and thighs. HH Scarce to rare Palearctic visitor (Aug–May). Main wintering area in southern third of Africa. In various open habitats. Feeds mainly on insects and small birds, caught in the air. Voice Usually silent away from breeding grounds.

Red-footed Falcon Falco vespertinus Faucon kobez

28–31 cm; WS 60–78 cm

Adult male Dark blue-grey with rufous vent and thighs. Cere, orbital ring and feet reddish. In flight, silvery grey flight feathers contrast with rest of plumage. Adult female Crown, nape and underparts pale creamy buff to deep orangey, small black x mask around eye, upperparts slate-grey densely barred dark. In flight, barred flight and tail x feathers with dark trailing edge contrast with pale orangey underwing-coverts and body. x x x Contrasting pale head consipicuous from afar. Juvenile Top of head brown with pale x forehead and broad pale neck collar; small black mask around eye and short moustachial x stripe contrast with white cheeks. Upperparts greyish-brown; underparts buffish variably streaked dark brown. In flight, dark flight feathers contrast with rest of upperparts; underwing with black-barred flight feathers, dark trailing edge, and variably dark-barred underwing-coverts. HH Rare to uncommon Palearctic visitor (mainly Sep–May). Winters in S Africa. On migration sometimes in large groups. Feeds principally on insects, caught and eaten on the wing. Regularly hovers. Voice Usually silent away from breeding grounds. NT

Amur Falcon Falco amurensis Faucon de l’Amour

26–32 cm; WS 58–75 cm

Adult male As Red-footed Falcon but with white underwing-coverts. Adult female Crown slate-grey with white forehead and short black moustache contrasting with white cheeks and throat. Upperparts and tail slate-grey barred blackish. Underparts white barred and blotched black, and washed pale rufous on lower belly, vent and thighs. Cere, orbital ring and feet orange-red. In flight, white below with boldly barred flight x feathers, black-mottled underwing-coverts, and broadly barred tail (subterminal band broadest). Juvenile Similar to adult female but upperparts browner and fringed buff; underparts more streaked. Bare parts paler. HH Palearctic vagrant, Gabon (Lopé, Oct 1993). Passage migrant to E Africa, wintering in S Africa. Voice Usually silent away from breeding grounds.

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Red-necked Falcon

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African Hobby

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PLATE 45: FALCONS III Grey Kestrel Falco ardosiaceus Faucon ardoisé x

30–39 cm; WS c.70 cm

Unmistakable. Adult Wholly slate-grey with bright yellow cere, orbital ring and legs; primaries blackish. Juvenile Similar, but slightly tinged brown. HH Fairly common to scarce resident. In various woodland types, farmland, large clearings and recently burnt areas. Perches on conspicuous vantage point. Never hovers. Preys largely on insects and reptiles, also small mammals and birds. Voice Shrill, rasping, vibrant twitter. Usually silent.

x

Sooty Falcon Falco concolor Faucon concolore

32–38 cm; WS 73–90 cm

Slender, long-winged and long-tailed falcon. Central tail feathers often slightly protruding, creating wedge-shaped tail. When perched, wingtips reach tip of tail. Adult Entirely ? x x blue-grey with blackish tips to wings and tail. Cere, orbital ring and feet yellow. In flight, uniform underwings and tail with dark tips. Darkness of plumage varies; older birds darker (sometimes blackish). Juvenile Head pattern as Eurasian Hobby, but cheeks and throat buffy (not white). Upperparts grey; feathers narrowly fringed buff. Underparts brownishbuff with diffuse dark streaking. In flight from above, grey with darker flight feathers and tail tip; from below, barred underwing with dusky tips and trailing edge, barred tail with unbarred central feathers projecting slightly and broad, dark subterminal band. HH Rare Palearctic visitor, recorded Niger (in and around Aïr Mts, Jul–Sep), E Chad and N Cameroon (May–Jun). Breeds NE Africa–Arabian Gulf; winters in SE Africa and Madagascar (Oct–May). Feeds mainly on insects and small birds, caught on the wing. Voice Usually silent away from breeding grounds. NT x

x

Merlin Falco columbarius Faucon émerillon

24–33 cm; WS 50–69 cm

x

F. c. aesalon. Smallest falcon of the region. Compact, with relatively short, pointed wings and moderately long tail. When perched, wingtips do not reach tip of tail. Adult ? male Head pattern rather indistinct, with darkish crown, faint moustachial stripe and diffuse pale nape patch. Upperparts blue-grey; tail with broad black subterminal band. Underparts off-white to pale rusty, variably streaked dark. Adult female Brown upperparts fringed rufous or buff; tail barred. Underparts buffish heavily streaked dark brownish. Faint moustachial stripe. In flight, coarsely barred underwing; barred tail. HH Palearctic vagrant, reported from NW Mauritania (Dec 1982) and NW Senegal (Nov 1982). Normal southernmost wintering range NW Africa, where scarce. Favours open habitats. Preys mainly on small birds, caught after low flight. Voice Usually silent.

Eleonora’s Falcon Falco eleonorae Faucon d’Éléonore

36–42 cm; WS 84–105 cm

Medium-large, very slender falcon with long wings and tail. All plumages possess x diagnostic underwing pattern with darker underwing-coverts contrasting with paler flight feathers. Adult Two morphs, with intermediates. Pale morph has blackish top of head and well-defined moustachial stripe, contrasting strongly with white cheeks x and throat. Upperparts blackish. Underparts orange-buff to rufous-orange narrowly streaked blackish. Dark morph is entirely brownish-black. Juvenile Browner than pale morph; underparts buffish. HH Palearctic visitor. Breeds in Mediterranean and along Atlantic coast of Morocco and Canary Is; departs to main wintering grounds in Madagascar end Oct. Previously believed to migrate through Mediterranean and Red Sea, but recent research found that adults take a direct overland route and juveniles a more westerly course through W Africa. Few records, but satellite telemetry suggests species visits many countries of our region, from Mauritania to N Guinea, east to Chad, Cameroon and CAR. At least some (most?) immatures oversummer in Africa. Feeds on insects and small birds, usually caught in effortless, fluid flight. Voice Usually silent away from breeding grounds. x

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Sooty Falcon

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PLATE 46: FALCONS IV Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus Faucon pèlerin

33–50 cm; WS 80–115 cm

Stocky, powerful falcon with broad-based, pointed wings and relatively short tail. Adult minor Blackish top of head and broad moustachial stripe contrast strongly with white cheeks and throat. Dark slate-grey above; densely spotted and barred black below. Underwing narrowly and evenly barred blackish (appearing grey from distance). Palearctic calidus larger and paler, with narrower moustachial stripe; underparts less x x x heavily marked; nominate as calidus but slightly darker, with broader moustachial x xx stripe; brookei has some rufous on nape, underparts tinged rufous. Juvenile Dark x brown above with rufous-fringed feathers, heavily streaked below. Head pattern as adult, but with pale forehead, (often) pale supercilium, and whitish to buff cheeks. In juvenile calidus streaking on underparts narrower. Juvenile Lanner is paler above than juvenile Peregrine and more boldly streaked below; underwing-coverts darker, contrasting with paler flight feathers. HH Patchily distributed, uncommon to locally fairly common resident (minor) and uncommon to rare Palearctic visitor (calidus; mainly Nov–Apr). Distribution of Palearctic races inadequately known; most records refer to calidus (long-distance migrant breeding in N Eurasia and wintering throughout Africa) but may include nominate (resident or partial migrant in Europe–N Asia) and Mediterranean brookei. Residents frequent inselbergs and cliffs, migrants various open habitats. Feeds mainly on birds, caught on the wing. Voice Loud, shrill khyeh-khyeh-khyeh-... Usually silent except near breeding site. Cape Verde form madens: see Plate 260.

Barbary Falcon Falco (peregrinus) pelegrinoides Faucon de Barbarie

32–45 cm; WS 76–100 cm

Resembles pale Peregrine Falcon in flight action and silhouette. Adult Head pattern as x x x xx Peregrine, but variable amount of rufous or cinnamon on forehead, sides of crown and x ? xx x x nape, moustachial stripe narrower, white cheek patch larger. Underparts pale pinkishbuff narrowly and indistinctly barred brown. Juvenile As juvenile Peregrine, but head with buff or rufous (reflecting adult plumage); underparts sandy-buff with finer streaking. In flight, note uniformly marked, dark-tipped underwing with sandy-buff ground colour. HH Rare Palearctic visitor. Breeding reported, N Mauritania; possibly breeds elsewhere in southern Sahara. Voice Sharp kek-kek-kek-... Usually silent away from breeding grounds.

Lanner Falcon Falco biarmicus Faucon lanier

38–52 cm; WS 90–115 cm

Large falcon with long, relatively blunt-tipped wings. Adult abyssinicus Crown and nape rufous bordered by black stripe from eye to nape; narrow blackish moustachial stripe contrasts with whitish cheeks. Upperparts blue-grey or grey-brown; underparts whitish washed pinkish or creamy-buff from breast downwards and variably, finely and x sparsely spotted brown, mostly on flanks and thighs. Underwing pale, flight feathers narrowly barred dusky. N African erlangeri and tanypterus paler. Juvenile Crown and x nape paler; upperparts dark brown, often incl. crown; throat whitish; rest of underparts heavily streaked blackish-brown. Underwing-coverts dark with some pale mottling, contrasting with pale flight feathers. HH F. b. abyssinicus is uncommon to fairly common resident, local seasonal movements recorded; erlangeri resident N Mauritania, visitor N Senegal; tanypterus E Chad (probably resident). Preys mainly on medium-sized birds, caught on ground and in flight. Often glides and soars with upcurved wingtips. Voice Raucous kreh-kreh-kreh-... and shrill kirrree-kirrree-. Usually silent except near breeding site.

Saker Falcon Falco cherrug Faucon sacre

43–60 cm; WS 102–135 cm

F. c. cherrug. Large, powerful falcon, resembling Lanner Falcon but usually heavier. Adult Head conspicuously pale, whitish-buff with ill-defined eye-stripe and narrow, variably x x distinct moustachial stripe and crown streaking. Upperparts brown fringed rufous. Tail x feathers barred; barring on central pair indistinct or absent. Underparts buff-white variably streaked dark brown, heavier on flanks; ‘trousers’ usually dark. Underwingcoverts typically dark, contrasting with paler flight feathers. Juvenile Head pattern usually more pronounced with more densely streaked crown and more prominent eye-stripe and moustache; underparts more boldly streaked; underwing-coverts darker and even more contrasting. Juvenile Lanner difficult to separate, but typically darker above; underwing less contrasting; head more strongly patterned; ‘trousers’ never dark. Some juvenile Peregrines of ssp. calidus similar to some juvenile Saker, but distinguished by lack of rufous tinge to upperparts, less heavily streaked underparts, lack of contrasting dark underwing-coverts and structural differences. HH Rare Palearctic visitor (most records Sep–May). Preys mainly on medium-sized birds and mammals, caught on ground after low flight. Voice Usually silent away from breeding grounds. EN

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PLATE 47: GUINEAFOWL GUINEAFOWL Afrotropical family of medium-large terrestrial birds with small, bare heads, relatively long necks and thickset bodies. Bare skin of head and neck often brightly coloured. Wings and tail short; feet strong. Sexes similar; males usually larger. Sedentary. Reluctantly take flight; prefer to run. In groups when not breeding. Often vocal. Roost in trees. Feed on a variety of vegetable and animal matter.

White-breasted Guineafowl Agelastes meleagrides Pintade à poitrine blanche

40–45 cm

Adult Small black guineafowl with bare, bright reddish head and upper neck, and broad white collar extending to upper breast. Tail well developed and held horizontally. Juvenile Dull brownish-black with white belly. Head dark reddish-brown with two tawny stripes from bill to nape (forming V); some reddish-brown feathers on wings and body. HH Rare to locally fairly common resident. In primary rain forest and nearby old secondary forest. Nest undescribed. Endemic. Voice Various quiet, twittering contact and feeding calls, constantly uttered, incl. pit pit pit ... and short trill prrirrr. VU

Black Guineafowl Agelastes niger Pintade noire

40–43 cm

Adult Small all-black guineafowl with bare, bright reddish head and upper neck. Juvenile Dull black with white belly. HH Scarce and local resident. In primary rain forest; principally within forest interior, occasionally in dense undergrowth at edges. Forages on ground, scratching in leaf litter, removing it to rest on bare circular patch of 30 cm during day (good indicator of species’ presence). Elusive, but not shy if approached quietly; whistled imitation of song may attract it. Nest undescribed. Voice Various quiet, twittering contact and feeding calls, constantly uttered, incl. hard pit pit pit... Song a fast, rising series of rather melodious, whistling notes, huw hee-huwhee-huwhee-huwhee-huwhee-huwhee-wheet-wheet-wheet...

Plumed Guineafowl Guttera plumifera Pintade plumifère 45–51 cm ?

G. p. plumifera. Adult Medium-large guineafowl with bare greyish-blue head and straight, stiff, irregular crest. Plumage black finely speckled bluish-white. Primaries chestnut; outermost secondaries edged white. Juvenile Duller, with shorter crest and lightly scaled underparts. HH Locally fairly common to scarce resident. In primary rain forest and old second growth. Flies into trees when disturbed, often calling loudly. Voice Vocal. Loud, trumpeting ku-ku-khep ku-ku-khep ku-ku-khep... Flock produces discordant chorus of harsh khep-khep-... or kha-kha-kha-... calls when alarmed. Contact calls low and harsher than those of Black Guineafowl.

Crested Guineafowl Guttera pucherani Pintade de Pucheran

46–56 cm

Adult verreauxi Large guineafowl with bare blue head, bushy black crest and bare red throat. Plumage black finely speckled bluish. Flight feathers chestnut; whitish outer webs to outermost secondaries form conspicuous wingbar in flight. G. p. sclateri (SE Nigeria– SW Cameroon) has crest very short in front, longer at rear. Juvenile Head tawny-buff with blackish crown and neck. Plumage a mix of black, buff, rufous and blue barring. HH Locally fairly common to uncommon resident. In rain forest and forest–savanna mosaic, esp. at edges and in second growth. Emerges on dirt roads or in clearings at dawn or after heavy rain. Flies into trees when disturbed, often cackling loudly. Voice Contact call a soft clucking chuk. A sharp, nasal kak! interspersed with a hard rattle when alarmed, kak kak-kak kak-uk kak-uk kurr-r-r-r-r-k, resembling that of Helmeted Guineafowl but lower-pitched; also sharper kek-kek and faster krrrrrrrrrk.

Helmeted Guineafowl Numida meleagris Pintade de Numidie

53–63 cm

Adult galeatus Large guineafowl with bare pale bluish head and upper neck, bony x casque (‘helmet’) on crown and red gape wattle. Plumage dark grey densely speckled white. Nominate (E Chad) has larger casque and blue gape wattles. Juvenile Head tawnybuff with two blackish lateral crown-stripes and no casque; plumage mainly dull greybrown speckled buffish-white and irregularly barred rusty-buff. Immature As adult, but with smaller casque, shorter wattles and feathered neck. HH Locally common to scarce resident. Introduced, Cape Verde (Santiago, Fogo, São Nicolau, Maio; common), São Tomé (rare) and Annobón. In various types of woodland, riparian forest and cultivation. Regularly visits waterholes. Runs fast, with halfraised wings (secondaries arched over back). Voice Commonest call a series of hard, raucous notes interspersed with a grating rattle chek-chek-chek krrrrrr chek-chek-chek-... Contact note a soft, metallic chink. Female also utters a rather high-pitched, piping whistle huu-i huu-i huui- ...; male responds with single chek or cheenk. ?

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PLATE 48: STONE PARTRIDGE AND FRANCOLINS I Stone Partridge Ptilopachus petrosus Poulette de rocher

c.25 cm

Small dark brown chicken-like bird with relatively long, broad tail usually held cocked. Fine feather markings only visible at close range. Legs dark red. Bare skin around eye dull red. HH Locally common to uncommon resident. In small groups in various woodland and grassland habitats, often with rocks. Runs when disturbed; flies reluctantly. Voice Highly distinctive. An abruptly started, rising series of clear, fluty notes with cheerful, pleasant quality, weet-weet-weet-weet-..., often in duet or chorus and mostly at dawn and dusk. Note Now placed in Odontophoridae. FRANCOLINS Thickset terrestrial birds with small heads, short, robust bills, short wings and tails, and strong feet. Males typically larger than females. Juveniles often resembles adult female. Usually in pairs or small groups. Reluctantly take flight; prefer to run. Sedentary. Feed on variety of plant and animal matter, incl. seeds, green leaves, fruits, roots, insects and their larvae, millipedes, and small molluscs. Calls often loud and raucous. Identification features include bare part coloration, vocalisations, habitat and range. All were formerly placed in Francolinus.

Latham’s Forest Francolin Peliperdix lathami Francolin de Latham

20–25 cm

F. l. lathami. Small, distinctively patterned francolin. Adult male Bold head pattern with black eye-stripe bordered by long white supercilium; upperparts largely chestnut; underparts black spotted white; legs yellow. Adult female Browner than male; belly white. Juvenile Head brownish; upperparts rufous-brown mottled black; throat white. HH Uncommon to locally common resident. In forest interior, occasionally emerging onto tracks. Secretive. Extremely hard to flush; prefers to escape by running through undergrowth. Rises suddenly and steeply with loud, fast wingbeats when almost stepped upon, flying short distance, then crashing into vegetation. Voice Distinctive nocturnal calls, very different from other francolins, include series of full, rather melodious notes, accelerating at end krookrookrookrookrookroo; loud krok! krokrorrrr krok! krokrorrrr ... given for long periods from tree perch or from ground. Also loud, high-pitched kirr-kikikiki kirr-kikikiki ... or kroah-kokoko... in duet, mainly at dusk or in early night.

Scaly Francolin Pternistis squamatus Francolin écaillé

30–33 cm

P. s. squamatus. Dark grey-brown francolin with conspicuous scarlet legs. Black and buff vermiculations and bars, whitish throat, and scaly aspect produced by pale fringes to underparts only noticeable under favourable conditions. HH Common to fairly common resident. At forest edge and in second growth and thickets. Voice Series of loud, grating syllables increasing in volume kerrrAAK kerrrAAK kerrrAAK... with variations; also ascending khiup-khiup-khiup-khiup khiupkiurrr khiupkiurrr...., fast kehkehkehkehkeh... and khe-kip khe-kip khe-kip... mostly at dawn, in early morning and at dusk, occasionally at night; often several together.

Ahanta Francolin Pternistis ahantensis Francolin d’Ahanta

c.33 cm

Dark francolin with orange-red bill and legs. Dark brown above, streaked white on hindneck and mantle. Throat white, rest of underparts grey-brown narrowly streaked white. Western populations (from Guinea-Bissau west), sometimes recognised as ssp. hopkinsoni, generally paler, but differences clinal. HH Fairly common or uncommon to locally scarce resident. At forest edge and in second growth, overgrown clearings, cultivation and thickets. Usually shy and keeping to dense cover, but occasionally emerging onto tracks. Endemic. Voice Repeated, loud, grating, rather high-pitched keekee-keRRREE kee-kee-keRRREE... or RREEA-kekerrr RREEA-kekerrr... usually in duet. Occasionally calls at night.

Mount Cameroon Francolin Pternistis camerunensis Francolin du Cameroun

c.33 cm

Very dark, highly local francolin with bright red bill, eye patch and legs. Adult male Head-sides and neck grey with dark centres to feathers; upperparts blackish-brown. Below mainly dark grey with dark-centred feathers. Adult female Upperparts brown heavily blotched and barred with black and rufous-buff. Throat dirty white streaked dusky. Underparts with mostly U-shaped whitish markings. HH Endemic to Mt Cameroon (850–2100 m), where uncommon forest resident on north-eastern and south-eastern slopes. Very shy, seeking cover at slightest disturbance. Voice Short series of loud, trumpeting (not grating) whistles, KILU KILU KILU, slower KEE-ku KEE-ku KEE-ku or combinations of both. Usually given at dusk, from concealed perch; also in duet. Alarm an abrupt khik. EN

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PLATE 49: FRANCOLINS II Coqui Francolin Peliperdix coqui Francolin coqui

20–25 cm

Adult male spinetorum Head and neck rufous-orange paling to buffish on throat; crown and nape rusty-brown; whitish collar with small black bars on lower neck. Underparts pale buff heavily barred black on breast and flanks; undertail-coverts deep rusty-buff. x Nominate (SW Gabon–Congo) has barring on underparts extending onto belly (both sexes). Adult female Face and throat pale buffish; pale supercilium bordered below by narrow black line curving downward on neck; throat with narrow black necklace. Upper breast unbarred vinaceous-grey, lower breast and flanks heavily barred black. HH Resident with disjunct distribution: spinetorum rare to uncommon; nominate locally common. In various types of grassland. Flushes when almost trod upon, flying fast and far. Voice Oft-repeated, rhythmic, shrill kEE-kwi, kEE-kwi... , and shrill, rasping kREEK-krik kREEk-kREEk krikikikikew, accelerating at end and fading away.

White-throated Francolin Peliperdix albogularis Francolin à gorge blanche

c.23 cm

Small francolin with white throat and chestnut wings (conspicuous in flight). Adult male albogularis (west of range) Crown greyish and chestnut bordered by creamywhite supercilium; upperparts largely brown-grey variably marked with black and rusty; x underparts buff with some chestnut streaks on flanks. Eastern buckleyi (from E Ivory Coast east) has supercilium and head-sides buff to rusty-buff. Adult female albogularis Variably and finely barred dark on breast and flanks. In buckleyi wavy barring extends onto belly. HH Generally uncommon to rare and local resident. In various types of wooded grassland. Shy and skulking. Hard to flush; prefers to escape danger by slipping away into vegetation. Voice Far-carrying, very fast, high-pitched kulikulikulikulikuli... and shrill, rasping kREEK-krik kREEk-krikikikikew, accelerating at end and fading away; similar to Coqui Francolin.

Schlegel’s Francolin Peliperdix schlegelii Francolin de Schlegel

?

21–24 cm

Small. Adult male Head mainly rusty-orange with dusky crown and eye-stripe. Upperparts vinous-chestnut with pale shaft streaks and blackish mottling. Underparts whitish narrowly barred black; flanks with some chestnut streaks. Legs yellow; one spur. Adult female Duller; narrow barring on underparts more irregular. Legs spurless. HH Uncommon to rare and local resident. In wooded grassland. Hard to flush; often prefers to freeze, thus allowing close approach. Voice Loud initial note, followed by accelerating series of more grating ones, fading at end, KWEEK! kre-kre-krekrekrekew; lower-pitched and less shrill than those of Coqui Francolin.

Ring-necked Francolin Scleroptila streptophora Francolin à collier

30–33 cm

Dark brown francolin with black-and-white barring on neck and upper breast. Adult male Crown dark grey-brown bordered by long white supercilium; head-sides, nape and neck rufous-chestnut. Upperparts dark grey-brown with narrow pale shaft streaks. Throat white. Lower breast to belly dull brown-buff; long flank feathers broadly edged blackish. Legs yellow. Adult female Similar, but upperparts barred rusty-buff; pale shaft streaks broader. HH Rare and local resident, W Cameroon highlands (Foumban area, 1050–1200 m). Apparently no confirmed recent records. Favours rocky, grassy slopes. Voice Distinctive, short series of melodious, fluty notes thuuu, tee whiut tew-tewew, unlike calls of any other francolin. NT

Finsch’s Francolin Scleroptila finschi Francolin de Finsch

c.35 cm

Medium-sized francolin with mainly rufous head and wings. Dusky stripe back from eye, curving down neck. Upperparts dark grey-brown with buff and tawny vermiculations, bars and shaft streaks. Throat whitish; upper breast brownish-grey; lower breast to belly tawny marked with chestnut and grey. Rufous primaries and outer secondaries conspicuous in flight. Legs yellow. HH Locally fairly common to uncommon resident. In open grassland. Not particularly shy. Voice Loud, repeated, rather high-pitched kwit-ekwee, usually given at dusk.

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coqui

 Coqui Francolin  spinetorum



 

 

buckleyi albogularis

White-throated Francolin    Schlegel’s Francolin

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

Finsch’s Francolin Ring-necked Francolin

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PLATE 50: FRANCOLINS III Double-spurred Francolin Pternistis bicalcaratus Francolin à double éperon

30–35 cm

P. b. bicalcaratus. Large, mainly brownish francolin with conspicuous white supercilium and greenish-yellow bill and legs. Legs have two spurs. Female smaller, spurs reduced. Several other races described (e.g. ogilviegranti, S Nigeria–S Cameroon) but variation clinal, with darkest birds in wetter habitats. HH Common resident. In various types of grassland, farmbush, cultivation and scrub at forest edge. Principally active in early morning and late afternoon. Often seen on tracks. Voice Series of loud, grating syllables, rrrraak kerRRAK kerRRAK ..., mostly given at dawn and dusk from low perch (termite mound, rock, stunted tree, etc.); flight call krrror krrror krrror ...; contact call kek kek kek ...

Heuglin’s Francolin Pternistis icterorhynchus Francolin à bec jaune x

c.32 cm

The only francolin in our region with combination of yellow bill, eye patch and legs. Adult male Long, narrow supercilium white freckled brown; head-sides and neck white finely streaked dark brown. Upperparts grey-brown, vermiculated and barred buff. Below buff, streaked and spotted dark brown on breast and belly. Double-spurred Francolin lacks yellow eye patch and has greenish bill and legs. Clapperton’s Francolin has red eye patch and dusky-red bill and legs. HH Common resident. In open and lightly wooded grassland, and cultivation. Voice Harsh, slow kerak kerak kek or faster kerak-kerak-kerak-kerak-kerrr, mainly given from low perch in early morning and late afternoon.

Clapperton’s Francolin Pternistis clappertoni Francolin de Clapperton

30–33 cm

P. c. clappertoni. Large francolin with distinctive combination of red eye patch, long ? white supercilium and black bill. Upperparts grey-brown with buff-fringed feathers; uppertail-coverts and tertials barred buff. Throat white; rest of underparts creamyx white streaked and spotted black. Legs dusky-red. HH Locally common resident. In arid grasslands with scattered trees and bushes; also cultivation and rocky hillsides. Voice Short series of loud, grating kerrrAK or slower, more drawn-out kerrroAH calls, with variations, somewhat resembling those of Double-spurred and Heuglin’s Francolins, usually given from low perch (termite mound, small rock, low branch, etc.). Also short series of khek-kheh-kheh-kheh, sometimes preceded by kerrak.

Red-necked Francolin Pternistis afer Francolin à gorge rouge

35–41 cm

Large francolin with bare red throat (diagnostic). Adult cranchii (S Gabon–Congo) Crown and upperparts brown. Head-sides, neck and mantle greyish finely streaked and vermiculated black. Rest of underparts grey with dark vermiculations and broad chestnut streaking on belly. Bill, bare patch around eye, throat and legs red. Nominate (introduced São Tomé) has white supercilium and moustachial stripe; upper breast pale brown streaked black; rest of underparts blackish-brown, feathers fringed white. HH Locally fairly common to common resident. In various types of grassland. Voice Loud, grating, rather low-pitched kAARkukukuw kAARkukukuw ... and higher-pitched squealing series increasing in volume and ending in drawnout grating koAARRK koAARRK koAARRK-kek koAARRK-kek KeRRRrrr, with variations and combinations of both; also a fast koarkkoark-koark-koark-... Mainly given in early morning and late afternoon.

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Double-spurred Francolin

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Heuglin’s Francolin

Clapperton’s Francolin

afer

cranchii

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Red-necked Francolin

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PLATE 51: BARBARY PARTRIDGE AND QUAILS Barbary Partridge Alectoris barbara Perdrix gambra

32–35 cm

A. b. spatzi. Adult Readily identified by distinctive head and neck pattern and boldly barred flanks. Crown rufous-brown; face and throat grey-white bordered by white-spotted, rufous-brown collar. Upperparts greyish; tail corners rufous-brown (conspicuous in flight). Bill and legs bright red. Juvenile Very plain, lacking distinct head pattern and flank bars. HH N African species just reaching our region in extreme N Mauritania (Zemmour) and N Chad (Tibesti), where rare and local resident on rocky slopes. Voice A rapid series of hoarse, impure kruk or ktchuk notes interspersed with occasional kuk-kow (or chukor), which breaks rhythm. QUAILS Very small and dumpy. Sexually dimorphic. Secretive; usually seen when flushed. Reluctant to fly, but migratory and capable of sustained flight.

Common Quail Coturnix coturnix Caille des blés

16–19 cm; WS 32–35 cm

Adult male coturnix Strong head pattern with blackish anchor on throat; breast-sides and flanks streaked buff, black and chestnut. In flight, plain wings; streaked upperparts. C. c. inopinata (Cape Verde) slightly smaller. Adult female Duller; no anchor on throat. x HH Uncommon or rare to locally fairly common Palearctic visitor (Sep–Apr). On migration x x x in all types of habitats, but usually favours open grassland. Very skulking and difficult to flush; prefers to run swiftly through grass, or to crouch and remain still. When pressed, flies low on bowed, whirring wings, usually swiftly returning to cover. Voice A soft, rolling wrreee when flushed. Advertisement call, normally not uttered in winter quarters, a far-carrying, rhythmic KWIk-ik-wik.

Blue Quail Synoicus adansonii Caille bleue

13–14 cm

Adult male Unmistakable. Dark slaty-blue (often appearing black) with chestnut on wings, flanks and uppertail-coverts. Boldly contrasting pattern of white malar area x and upper breast, and black, laterally extending stripe on throat. Adult female Dark x x x brown above, streaked, mottled and vermiculated buff, rufous and black. Face and x underparts pale rufous-brown heavily barred black on breast and flanks (diagnostic). x x HH Uncommon to rare and local resident and intra-African migrant. Movements inadequately known, locally apparently related to rains. In variety of grasslands, esp. wet or seasonally flooded, at edges of cultivation and in extensive clearings. Wary and normally hard to observe. Flies reluctantly; difficult to flush a second time. Flight short, fast and direct, with whirring wingbeats. Not vocal. Voice Male: series of piping whistles kee-keew kee-keew kee-kee-kuh, first note loudest. Also a harsh, growling HEhéhéhé (male only?). A squeaky whistle tir-tir-tir or shrill swi when flushed. Note Formerly placed in Coturnix or Excalfactoria.

Harlequin Quail Coturnix delegorguei Caille arlequin

15–18 cm

Adult male delegorguei Small, dark quail with distinctive black and white head pattern x and black-and-chestnut underparts. Top of head blackish-brown bordered by long x x x xx whitish supercilium extending onto neck-sides; throat white with black stripe on centre extending laterally and forming ‘anchor’. Island race histrionica (São Tomé) is generally x x x x x x darker in both sexes. Adult female Resembles female Common Quail but darker, with x x pale tawny underparts and chestnut-buff undertail-coverts. HH Nominate is sparsely x reported, nomadic intra-African migrant; histrionica common resident, São Tomé, vagrant, Príncipe. Movements inadequately known, correlated with rains in certain areas; no definite breeding records (breeds in rains in E & S Africa). In grasslands, rank herbage and cultivation. Voice Emphatic, rhythmic kwit kwit-kwit-kwit kwit-kwit-kwit kwit-kwit, reminiscent of Common Quail, but slightly slower, more deliberate, marginally higher-pitched and more monotonous. A squeaky skreeee when flushed.

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Barbary Partridge 

 Common Quail



 

Blue Quail





Harlequin Quail

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PLATE 52: BUTTONQUAILS AND AFRICAN FINFOOT BUTTONQUAILS Very small, quail-like, terrestrial birds with short, rounded bodies and wings, and cryptic plumage. Lack hind toe. Females larger and brighter coloured than males; sex roles reversed. Occur in grassland and scrub, occasionally forest edge. Secretive and difficult to flush; usually do not fly far.

Quail-plover Ortyxelos meiffrenii Turnix à ailes blanches

11–13 cm

Very small, short-tailed grassland bird. Mainly sandy-rufous above and whitish below, x with distinctive wing pattern and flight action. Greater coverts white, contrasting with x x blackish, white-tipped remiges and forming conspicuous diagonal band on upperwing. x Flight fluttering and erratic, reminiscent of bush lark or butterfly. Common Buttonquail ? ? and quails have different wing pattern, low whirring flight and different jizz. Quails also have darker upperparts and no, or much less, white on underparts. HH Uncommon to scarce and local. Resident and partial intra-African migrant, some moving north with rains. In arid and semi-arid grassland and thorn scrub. Secretive, creeping rapidly through grass with hesitant, to-and-fro, chameleon-like gait, but also running courser-like in the open. Sits tight until almost trodden upon; rises silently, flying off in jerky, undulating flight and usually landing only a short distance away. Voice Described as a very soft low whistle; silent when flushed.

Common Buttonquail Turnix sylvaticus Turnix mugissant

14–16 cm

T. s. lepurana. Head and upperparts cryptically and variably coloured, being marked with x x shades of brown, rufous and buff; head-sides pale buff finely spotted blackish; median x and greater wing-coverts largely pale buff with bold blackish spots. Breast orangey, x spotted black on sides; rest of underparts whitish. In flight, brown flight feathers contrast with pale coverts. HH Scarce to uncommon resident and intra-African migrant. x Wet-season breeding visitor to drier parts of range. In various types of grassland and cultivation. Prefers escaping danger by running rather than flying. When flushed, flies low and for only short distance before dropping into cover. Rarely flushed a second time. Secretive, but sometimes permits close approach by quiet observer. Most active in early morning and late afternoon, when often venturing into the open along tracks. Voice Strange, low, far-carrying hooooooo... like distant lowing cow or foghorn. Difficult to locate. Uttered by female mostly at dawn and dusk, also at night and during day.

Black-rumped Buttonquail Turnix hottentottus Turnix hottentot

x x

x

x

x

x x

14–16 cm

T. h. nanus. Resembles Common Buttonquail, but upperparts darker, head-sides orangerufous and sides of orange-rufous breast and flanks barred black and white (not spotted). In flight, blackish rump and uppertail-coverts diagnostic. HH Apparently rare and local resident and intra-African migrant or vagrant. Similar to Common Buttonquail, but usually in moister grasslands with shorter herbage. Voice Low, resonant hoots similar to Common Buttonquail but shorter and delivered in rather fast series hooo, hooo, hooo, hooo,...

AFRICAN FINFOOT Unobtrusive grebe-like waterbird with long neck and small head. Inhabits quiet forested rivers, streams, lakes and lagoons with overhanging vegetation. Feeds mainly on insects, spiders, millipedes, crabs and shrimps; also snails, frogs and small fish.

African Finfoot Podica senegalensis Grébifoulque d’Afrique

50 cm

P. s. senegalensis. Distinctive waterbird with darkish upperparts, long stiff tail, red bill x and bright orange-red legs and feet. Adult male breeding Forehead to hindneck black xx with green gloss, separated from slate-grey throat and foreneck by whitish line from eye down neck-side. Upperparts dark brown glossed green, finely spotted white; lower breast x and belly white; flanks barred dark brown and white. Dark morph, formerly treated as x separate race camerunensis, is much darker above and below, with blue gloss and very few or no spots on upperparts, and no white line on neck-sides. Adult male non-breeding Throat and foreneck white. Adult female Smaller, forehead to hindcrown brown, throat and foreneck white. Juvenile As female but paler, much browner with few white spots; lower neck, breast and flanks tawny buff. Bill dark. HH Locally scarce to fairly common resident of well-vegetated, shaded forest and woodland streams and mangroves. Swims low in water, usually near water’s edge. Pumps head and neck back and forth with each leg-stroke. Occasionally creeps with remarkable agility through undergrowth of muddy banks. Movements related to changing water levels recorded. Voice Calls include dry cackles and guttural notes. Usually silent.

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Quail-plover

Common Buttonquail ad

Black-rumped Buttonquail dark morph

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

African Finfoot

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PLATE 53: RAILS AND CRAKES RAILS Medium-sized to large terrestrial and aquatic birds. Secretive. Sexes similar. Feed on a variety of animal and plant matter.

Nkulengu Rail Himantornis haematopus Râle à pieds rouges

c.43 cm

Largest African rail. Adult Large and stout with brownish plumage, rather heavy, black bill and conspicuous long red legs. Plumage mainly dull, darkish brown with paler fringes to feathers (producing mottled or scaly effect) and whitish throat. Juvenile/immature Similar but belly whitish to pale brownish; legs duller. Downy young Distinctive, with x broad blackish-brown stripe from forehead to tail, black mask contrasting with creamyx white sides of head, throat and underparts, and brown breast-band; rest of plumage pale brownish. HH Uncommon to locally common resident. Skulking, unobtrusive inhabitant of rain forest. Would mostly remain unrecorded but for characteristic, loud song. Voice Distinctive antiphonal song a far-carrying, sonorous duet koKAWkoKAW-hoHO, repeated for several minutes and uttered mostly after sunset and before sunrise; also at night. Given from ground or from perch up to 20 m high. Solitary birds give two loud, honking notes HO-HO, repeated at regular intervals.

Grey-throated Rail Canirallus oculeus Râle à gorge grise

x x

African Water Rail Rallus caerulescens Râle bleuâtre

x

African Crake Crex egregia Râle des prés x x x

x x

x

Corn Crake Crex crex Râle des genêts x x x

x x

x

20–23 cm

Adult Face to breast grey, upperparts dark brown with dark-centred feathers, lower underparts barred black and white. Flight feathers blackish. Juvenile Browner below, barring less distinct. HH Common to rare resident and intra-African migrant. In wet and dry grassy habitats, edges of cultivation and freshwater swamps, rank herbage, etc. Active all day, but mostly at dawn and dusk. Skulking, but not shy. Flicks short tail while walking. When flushed, flies reluctantly for short distance with dangling legs. Voice Single hard kluk, kruk, krw or kip, occasionally in fast series.

x

x

28 cm

Adult Medium-sized rail with distinctive long red bill and red legs; head-sides and underparts grey. Juvenile Browner. HH Rare and very local resident. Skulking and usually keeping to cover of reedbeds and dense vegetation in swamps or beside ponds and rivers. Most active at dusk. Voice Vocal. A fast series of shrill notes, starting with rapid trill, speeding up, then gradually slowing and descending in intensity trrrrri-kew-kew-kew-kewkew-... Others may join with low clucking and grunting notes. [Alt: African Rail]

x

x

30 cm

Distinctively coloured, slender rail. Adult Face and throat grey; crown and nape dark brown merging into olive-brown on rest of upperparts; some large white spots on edge of wing; tail bright rufous-chestnut. Neck, breast and upper belly rich chestnut; lower underparts to undertail-coverts barred brownish and buff. Juvenile Head and underparts dark brown. HH Rare to uncommon resident. Unobtrusive and rarely seen, occurring singly or in pairs along small watercourses in rain forest. Voice Calls include short bursts of muffled dook-dook-dook-....

x x x

x

25–28 cm

Mainly brownish-buff with diagnostic bright chestnut wings (conspicuous in flight). Upperparts greyish-brown with black feather centres; head-sides, broad supercilium and breast-sides brownish-grey; flanks and undertail-coverts barred tawny and white. HH Rare Palearctic visitor (Oct–Apr). Main winter range in SE Africa. In various grassy habitats. Skulking and rarely seen. When flushed, flies reluctantly over short distance with dangling legs. Most active at dawn and dusk. Voice Silent in winter quarters.

x

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juv

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Nkulengu Rail Grey-throated Rail

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African Water Rail

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African Crake Corn Crake

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PLATE 54: CRAKES CRAKES Species on this plate are small aquatic birds. Flick short tail while walking. Legs and toes long; wings rounded. Flight over short distances fluttering and seemingly weak, but many are long-distance migrants. Feed on wide variety of animal and vegetable matter. Most species skulking and difficult to observe.

Little Crake Zapornia parva Marouette poussin

18–20 cm

Slightly larger and more slender than Baillon’s Crake, with olive-brown upperparts having some white spots and streaks, inner webs of tertials fringed buff, forming creamy line, xx x and long primary projection (almost as long as exposed tertials, with at least five primary x tips visible). Bill lime-green with red base. Adult male Face and underparts blue-grey. x Adult female Whitish throat; buffish underparts. HH Patchily recorded, rare Palearctic visitor. Most records from Senegal delta (Oct–Apr). Probably overlooked. In marshes and similar wet habitats with dense vegetation. Usually secretive but not shy; sometimes in the open and allowing close approach. Only reluctantly flies. Voice Mostly silent in winter quarters. Song of male ik ikik ik, a rhythmic series kik-kik-kik-kik-kik-..., or an accelerating series of notes descending in pitch kwek, kwek, kwek kwek kwek-kwekkwek..., mainly at night. Note Formerly included in Porzana.

Baillon’s Crake Zapornia pusilla Marouette de Baillon

17–19 cm

Z. p. intermedia. Smallest crake. Adult male Darker and better marked than Little Crake, with red-brown upperparts more densely and conspicuously speckled white, x xx short primary projection (primaries barely projecting beyond tertials, with rarely more than three primary tips visible), obvious black-and-white barring on flanks extending forward of legs. Bill wholly greyish-green. Adult female Throat and underparts often paler, ear-coverts brownish. HH Rare to locally scarce Palearctic visitor (late Sep–Apr). First breeding evidence: N Senegal (Djoudj) and Gambia (wetland near Pakali Ba) 2009; S Mauritania (Diawling) Jan 2010. Probably overlooked. In marshes and similar wet habitats with dense vegetation. Very skulking and rarely in the open, but not shy and often tame. Most active at dawn and dusk. Voice Probably silent in winter quarters. Song of male a dry rattle tk tk tk tk rrrrrkkkkkkk, mainly at night. Note Formerly included in Porzana.

Spotted Crake Porzana porzana Marouette ponctuée

22–24 cm

x x

Compact, freckled-looking crake with diagnostic plain buff undertail-coverts. Bill yellow with orange-red base. Adult male Upperparts olive-brown streaked black; underparts x x xx x x xx x x paler, tinged grey and covered with fine white flecks. Adult female Usually browner and x more speckled. HH Patchily recorded, generally rare Palearctic visitor (Nov–Apr); fairly x x x x common in Senegal delta. Probably overlooked. In freshwater wetlands with dense cover. Usually skulking but not particularly shy; also forages in the open. Flies reluctantly. Mainly x x active at dusk. Voice Rhythmic series of far-carrying, explosive hwit! notes (‘whiplash’), also heard in winter quarters, mainly at dusk and at night. Contact calls between wintering birds a hard whee-up.

Striped Crake Amaurornis marginalis Marouette rayée

18–21 cm

Smallish crake with diagnostic russet rear flanks and undertail-coverts. Upperparts dark brown with white-edged feathers forming lines and giving streaked appearance. Bill x xx greenish and relatively heavy. Adult male Head-sides and breast to flanks buffish-brown x x with very faint pale barring on lower flanks; throat and belly off-white. Adult female xx x x x Similar but head grey; breast to flanks paler grey, faintly streaked white. Juvenile Like x adult female but duller and browner overall, lacking white streaks; head-sides and breast x x tinged rufous. HH Patchily recorded, scarce to rare resident and intra-African migrant. In seasonally flooded grassland, swampy areas and edges of rice fields and drainage ditches with waist-high herbage, avoiding permanent marshes with higher vegetation. Highly secretive. Very hard to flush. Voice Usually silent. In breeding season a long dry rattle (like engine) rrtktktktktktktktktk..., mainly at night. Call a fast krw-krw-krw-... Note Formerly placed in monotypic Aenigmatolimnas.

Black Crake Zapornia flavirostra Râle à bec jaune

19–23 cm

Adult All-black crake with conspicuous yellow bill and red legs. Eye and orbital ring red. Juvenile Duller; bill and legs dusky. HH Locally common resident. Frequents a variety of freshwater wetlands and swampy places, and edges of lakes, ponds, rivers and reedbeds. Less shy than other crakes; often in the open. Voice Vocal. A variety of clucking, purring and growling sounds, uttered in stereotyped duet. Note Formerly included in Amaurornis.

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

 Little Crake 





Spotted Crake Baillon’s Crake





Striped Crake juv

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Black Crake

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PLATE 55: GALLINULES AND MOORHENS GALLINULES AND MOORHENS Less secretive than rails and crakes. Frequent open water or clamber about in dense waterside vegetation. Feed on wide variety of animal and vegetable matter.

Allen’s Gallinule Porphyrio alleni Talève d’Allen

25 cm

Adult Rather small and elegant, glossy purplish-blue and dark green gallinule with white undertail, bluish frontal shield, red bill and long red legs and feet. At start of breeding, x frontal shield turquoise-blue in male, apple-green in female; subsequently, shield becomes x x blue in both adults; following breeding, shield dark grey or dark blue. Juvenile Mainly warm buffish-brown with dark-centred upperpart feathers giving scaly appearance. x HH Uncommon to locally common resident and intra-African migrant. In freshwater x x x wetlands. Usually skulking; mostly seen when it dashes from dense cover or clambers in tangled vegetation. Occasionally feeds in the open. Jerks tail when moving; walks on floating plants. Voice Various hard, dry calls, singly or in series, e.g. kuk kuk kuk kk and kip-kip-kip-kip-kirrrr. In flight, high-pitched kli-kli-kli-... x

American Purple Gallinule Porphyrio martinicus Talève violacée

33 cm

Adult Superficially resembles Allen’s Gallinule but larger, with red, yellow-tipped bill, bluewhite frontal shield and yellow legs. Juvenile Upperparts unpatterned (not scaly) and more olive than juvenile Allen’s; undertail-coverts white. Bill darkish; frontal shield grey; legs dull yellow. HH American vagrant, 90 km off Liberia (juvenile, Jun 1968) and Cape Verde (Santiago, Feb–Mar 2008).

x

x

Purple Swamphen Porphyrio porphyrio Talève sultane x

x

x x x x x

45–50 cm

P. p. madagascariensis (African Swamphen). Unmistakable. Adult Very large, glossy purple and blue-green rail with white undertail, massive bright red bill, red frontal shield and long red legs. Eye red. Juvenile Paler and greyer, with duskier bare parts. HH Patchily distributed, locally common to rare resident. Singly, in pairs or small groups in marshes, reedbeds, and shallow ponds and lakes with rank herbage. Rather shy, usually keeping to dense vegetation, but occasionally foraging in the open. Voice Various nasal, groaning, trumpeting, grunting, clucking, hooting and wailing calls.

x x

Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus Gallinule poule-d’eau

30–36 cm

Adult Mainly blackish with ragged white line along flanks, white-sided undertail, red, x rounded frontal shield and red, yellow-tipped bill. Legs and long toes greenish. G. c. chloropus has wing-coverts concolorous with upperparts and tinged olive; in slightly smaller meridionalis upperwing-coverts are slaty blue-grey without olive tinge. Juvenile Mainly greyish-brown, with greenish-brown bill. HH G. c. meridionalis is patchily distributed, locally fairly common to rare resident. Nominate locally and seasonally uncommon to fairly x x common Palearctic visitor in Sahel (Oct–Apr). In variety of freshwater habitats with fringing vegetation. Tail cocked when walking. Voice Sudden, single yerrrrp and short hard kik, sometimes in rapid series kikikikikik-kik-kik-kik... x

Lesser Moorhen Gallinula angulata Gallinule africaine x x

x

x

x x

x x

x

x

Eurasian Coot Fulica atra Foulque macroule x

x

x

x x

23 cm

Adult Resembles Common Moorhen, but has bright yellow bill with red culmen and is paler grey below and smaller. Frontal shield red and pointed. Female somewhat paler than male, with smaller frontal shield. Juvenile Dark brown above; head-sides, neck and breast brownishbuff; throat and centre of belly whitish, becoming pale greyish on flanks; bill dusky-yellow with darkish culmen. HH Fairly common to rare resident and intra-African migrant. Some move north during rains. In freshwater habitats with much herbaceous vegetation, incl. temporarily flooded places, rice fields and swamps. Voice Short, sharp khup and prp, also in series.

36–42 cm

F. a. atra. Plump, thickset, all-black waterbird with white bill and frontal shield. Legs and lobed toes grey-green. HH Rare to locally fairly common Palearctic visitor to desert oases and wetlands in Sahel (Oct–Apr). Breeding recorded, N Senegal (two pairs, Jan 2001). Dives frequently. Takes off in long pattering run across water with fluttering wings. Voice Loud, sharp kut or khuk.

x

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Allen’s Gallinule

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American Purple Gallinule

Purple Swamphen

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Common Moorhen

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Lesser Moorhen

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Eurasian Coot

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PLATE 56: FLUFFTAILS FLUFFTAILS Small, secretive rail-like birds, now placed in their own family Sarothruridae. Vocalisations highly characteristic. Note, in males, amount of chestnut on head, neck and breast, markings on body (spots or streaks) and colour of tail. Most females hard to identify in the field; juveniles even more so. Feed mainly on small invertebrates; also seeds.

White-spotted Flufftail Sarothrura pulchra Râle perlé

15 cm

Adult male Head, breast and tail reddish-chestnut, rest of plumage black densely spotted white. Adult female More brownish and entirely barred reddish-buff; tail ? reddish-chestnut barred blackish. Juvenile Unique among flufftails in being as x respective adult but duller. Races distinguished by richness of plumage colours, width of barring in female, and size. In centralis (Congo) barring in female narrower and slightly paler than in nominate (from Nigeria west); zenkeri (extreme SE Nigeria–Gabon), the most richly coloured race, has upperparts blacker; batesi (interior S Cameroon) even blacker, chestnut paler. HH Common to scarce resident. In swampy forest, rank vegetation and shrubby growth along forest trails, edges and abandoned plantations, not always near water. Skulking and shy, creeping swiftly through dense vegetation without disturbing it and rarely venturing into the open. Voice Vocal. Song a rapid series of short, resonant notes too-too-too-too-too-... or hu-hu-hu-hu-hu. Duets; second bird joining with similar song or with low, growling krw krw krw... When excited, a very fast, hard and shrill kwipipipipipip... Whistled imitation or playback of song often attracts bird very close to source of sound.

Buff-spotted Flufftail Sarothrura elegans Râle ponctué

15 cm

S. e. reichenovi. Adult male Basic pattern similar to White-spotted Flufftail, but chestnut paler, upperparts spotted buff (not white) and rufous tail barred black. Underpart spotting white, becoming buff on lower flanks and undertail-coverts. Adult female Brown above finely spotted buff; coarsely barred tawny-and-brown belly. Juvenile Sooty-brown; x x x belly paler. HH Generally uncommon to rare resident. In forest, generally preferring edges of tangled growth, but also in forest interior and abandoned and overgrown cultivation, scrub and plantations; not necessarily near water. Voice Song (mainly at night) a drawn-out, low and hollow, foghorn-like whoooooooooooooo... lasting 3–4 seconds. Second bird may join with very fast, low tugutugutugutugu... Often sings from (sometimes high) perch.

Red-chested Flufftail Sarothrura rufa Râle à camail

15 cm

Adult male bonapartii Bright reddish-chestnut head and breast; rest of plumage black finely streaked white. S. r. elizabethae (CAR) slightly larger. Adult female Upperparts blackish-brown finely and densely barred buffish-brown; head-sides paler brown, x becoming buffish on throat; rest of underparts buffish-brown barred blackish, belly paler. x x x x Juvenile Mainly sooty-black; some fine white streaking above. HH Locally common resident, SE Cameroon–Gabon; scattered records elsewhere. In marshy areas, rank herbage and dense vegetation bordering ponds and rivers. Voice Song a more or less regular series of single notes whoah whoah whoah ... Second bird may join with higher pitched wheea wheea wheea ... Variations include series of alternating whoah and took notes or hoo-du hoo-du hoo-du ..., also in rapid series. Calls include loud and fast pulipulipulipulip...

Chestnut-headed Flufftail Sarothrura lugens Râle à tête rousse x x

x

Streaky-breasted Flufftail Sarothrura boehmi Râle de Böhm

x

x x

x x

15 cm

S. l. lugens. Adult male The only flufftail in the region with chestnut restricted to head; rest of plumage black finely streaked white. Adult female Head streaked buff-brown; underparts spotted and streaked. Juvenile Mainly sooty-black. HH Inadequately known. Rare to scarce and local. In tall, dense herbage in grassy marshes and clearings, where extremely difficult to see. Voice Song a series of moaning hoo notes, delivered at same or increasing speed and intensity, then dying away.

x x x

15 cm

Adult male Differs from male Chestnut-headed Flufftail in having rufous on head paler and extending onto mantle and upper breast; underparts whiter with coarser streaking. Adult female Brownish-black with scalloped and barred appearance. Juvenile Mainly sooty-black. HH Inadequately known. Resident and intra-African migrant. In shallowflooded grassland and open areas of rather short grass dotted with clumps of high herbage, not always near water. Difficult to see unless flushed. Voice Song a hollow whoo note, repeated in long series (up to 25×). Also a rapid, crescendo kyeh-kyeh-kyeh-kyeh-...

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White-spotted Flufftail

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 Buff-spotted Flufftail

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 Red-chested Flufftail

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Chestnut-headed Flufftail

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Streaky-breasted Flufftail

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PLATE 57: SMALL AND MEDIUM-SIZED BUSTARDS BUSTARDS Medium-sized to very large terrestrial birds with long necks and legs, short bills and cryptically coloured upperparts. In large species, males much larger than females. Juveniles usually much like adult female. Singly or in pairs, in a variety of open-country habitats. Walk slowly and deliberately and only reluctantly take flight. Flight powerful with neck outstretched. Feed on insects, small vertebrates, and vegetable matter, incl. shoots, seeds, fruits and flowers. Largely silent outside breeding season. Subject to seasonal movements, migrating north in response to rains. Breed mainly in rainy season. All species declining because of hunting and trapping.

Savile’s Bustard Lophotis savilei Outarde de Savile

41 cm

Smallest bustard of our region, with relatively short neck and legs. Adult male Nape with tuft of rufous feathers (rarely seen; erected in display); head-sides creamy-white; neck deep buff. Throat black, foreneck grey, rest of underparts black. In flight, blackish x remiges separated from tawny upperwing-coverts by whitish line. Adult female Throat white; neck deep buff; broad white breast-band. HH Locally fairly common to scarce. Generally considered sedentary, but seasonal movements suspected. In arid and semiarid habitats. Secretive; flies reluctantly and for short distance only, preferring to avoid detection by remaining immobile in cover. Voice Clear, whistled tuit-thit. Male advertisement a whistled note followed by a rapid series of short whistles tuit! tutututututututu, or accelerating series of clear whistles thut thut-thut-thut-thutututututut; also series of frog-like notes in same rhythm.

Black-bellied Bustard Lissotis melanogaster Outarde à ventre noir

60 cm

L. m. melanogaster. Medium-sized bustard, with long, thin neck and long legs. Adult male Black stripe from eye ending in short nuchal crest. Throat mottled blackish merging into black line bordered with white on foreneck; rest of underparts black. Upperparts buffish-brown with dark blotches and vermiculations. In flight, upperwing has largest x x area of white of any bustard; underwing mainly black with white patch on primaries. x x Adult female Mainly brownish-buff with dark blotches and vermiculations. In flight, much less white in wing; flight feathers mainly blackish. HH Locally fairly common to scarce. Mainly sedentary, but northward movement with rains suspected. In various types of open woodland; also farmland and derived savanna. Male display includes flight with deliberate wingbeats, alighting after glide with raised wings. Voice Generally silent. Male advertisement a hoarse, nasal sound followed by low, drawn-out growl leading into cheerful, popping note vwok, rrorr-WIK!

White-bellied Bustard Eupodotis senegalensis Outarde du Sénégal

50–60 cm

Fairly small and slender, white-bellied bustard. Adult male senegalensis Forehead and forecrown black becoming greyish-blue on hindcrown, bordered black on nape; headsides and throat whitish except black patch on throat which extends onto sides of upper neck; neck greyish-blue; breast tawny. In flight, black flight feathers with some whitish on inner webs of primaries contrast with tawny-buff upperwing-coverts; underwing whitish with black trailing edge. E. s. mackenziei (Barrow’s Bustard; SE Gabon–Congo) has tawny-buff hindneck. Adult female Throat white; neck mainly tawny-buff. HH Generally uncommon to rare. Local seasonal movements reported. In wooded and open grassland, edges of cultivation and thorn scrub. Wary. Voice Vocal. Loud, sonorous, rather nasal, kuk-kwarrak often repeated; variation: kuk-wrik-e-haah!

Nubian Bustard Ardeotis nuba Outarde nubienne x

x

x

Houbara Bustard Chlamydotis undulata Outarde houbara x

50–70 cm; WS 140–180 cm

A. n. agaze. Adult male Fairly large, pale bustard with diagnostic rufous, black-edged crown (ending in short crest at nape) and black throat contrasting with whitish headsides. In flight, black remiges with large white area on primaries and greater primarycoverts; secondaries tipped white and white at base; tail with white patches at sides of base; underwing largely white. Adult female Head markings duller, throat patch smaller. HH Uncommon to rare resident. Some local northward movements with rains. In arid and semi-arid scrub. Voice Described as a shrill maqur. Note Formerly placed in Neotis. NT

55–65 cm; WS 135–170 cm

C. u. undulata. Adult male Fairly large, mainly sandy-coloured with conspicuous black frills on neck-sides. In flight, black flight feathers; white patch on outer primaries. HH Occurs or has occurred, Mauritania (north of 20°N); no recent records. In desert and semi-desert. Wary. Male performs spectacular ‘trotting’ display with raised neck plumes and head drawn back onto mantle. Voice Generally silent. VU

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Black-bellied Bustard Savile’s Bustard mackenziei

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 senegalensis

White-bellied Bustard

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Houbara Bustard

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PLATE 58: LARGE BUSTARDS AND CRANES Denham’s Bustard Ardeotis denhami Outarde de Denham ?

x

Arabian Bustard Ardeotis arabs Outarde arabe x

x

x x x xx x xx

80–100 cm; WS 170–250 cm

A. d. denhami. Adult male Large, with rufous hindneck and bold white markings on blackish wings (also conspicuous in flight). Head-sides greyish, foreneck and upper breast blue-grey becoming whitish on belly. Adult female Smaller; head-sides, throat and foreneck tinged buffish. HH Scarce to locally fairly common. Northward movement with rains. In wooded grassland, farmland and vast grassy plains; attracted to freshly burnt grassland. Usually wary. Male performs ‘balloon’ display, puffing out neck and breast feathers. Voice Mostly silent. Occasionally utters a guttural barking and booming sound. Note Formerly placed in Neotis. NT

xx

x x x

x

80–100 cm; WS 205–250 cm

A. a. stieberi. Adult male Large, with greyish, thick-looking neck and breast finely and densely barred blackish (appearing all grey at distance). Crown buffish broadly bordered black, with short black nuchal crest; supercilium creamy-white. Upperparts mainly dull earth-brown and tawny; underparts whitish. In flight, mainly dark above; outer primaries and coverts mainly black. Adult female Smaller. HH Uncommon to rare resident. Southward movements in dry season reported. On arid grassy plains and in Acacia woodland. Voice Generally silent. NT

CRANES Large terrestrial and wading birds with long necks and legs and relatively short, straight bills. Sexes similar; males usually larger. Juveniles tinged brown. Flight slow and laboured with narrow neck outstretched and long legs projecting. Feed on plant and animal matter.

Black Crowned Crane Balearica pavonina Grue couronnée

100 cm; WS 180–200 cm

Unmistakable. Adult pavonina Very dark, slate-grey and black, with large white wing x panel and straw-coloured crest. Bare area on head-sides half white, half pink. In flight, x conspicuous white upper- and underwing-coverts contrast with dark remiges and body; xx xx x x xx x x xx head and legs held slightly below horizontal, giving hump-backed appearance. Eastern x x x ceciliae (from E & C Chad east) has bare cheek patch more extensively red (not pink), with only upper quarter white (about half in nominate). Immature Washed rusty, crest shorter, no bare area on head-sides. Adult plumage attained after c.1 year, full development of facial pattern may require another year. HH Rare to locally fairly common but declining resident with local seasonal movements. In pairs or small groups. Frequents moist and dry open habitats, incl. wet plains, rice fields, seasonally flooded areas, and margins of lakes and rivers; also agricultural fields and dry savanna. Voice Far-carrying, mellow trumpeting honk or ka-wonk, usually in flight. VU

Common Crane Grus grus Grue cendrée x x

x

x

x

100–120 cm; WS 180–220 cm

G. g. grus. Adult Large; mainly grey with bushy feathers hanging over tail. White stripe from eye along neck-sides. Small red patch on crown visible at close quarters. In flight, all grey with contrasting black remiges. Immature Browner overall. HH Palearctic vagrant, NW Mauritania (Dec 1981–Feb 1982, 30–35), NW Senegal (Mar 2010, Jan 2012), W Niger (Feb 2002), NE Nigeria (five sightings, Dec–Mar 1989–91). Voice Far-carrying, nasal trumpeting, usually in flight.

Demoiselle Crane Grus virgo Grue demoiselle

90–100 cm; WS 155–180 cm

Adult Smaller and more elegant than Common Crane, with long white plumes from eye contrasting with black head and foreneck, and plainer, paler grey upperparts. Greatly x x elongated, narrow, pointed tertials fall neatly over tail. In flight as Common Crane, but bill shorter, forehead steeper, black on neck reaching breast, and inner primaries tinged greyish. Immature Dull, washed-out version of adult. Paler than first-winter Common. HH Palearctic visitor, C & S Chad; numbers unknown. Formerly locally common in NE Nigeria (Chad basin); only one record since 1972 (Hadejia–Nguru wetlands, Dec 1988–Feb 1989, adult). Voice Clear trumpeting, higher pitched than that of Common Crane. Note Formerly placed in Anthropoides.

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Arabian Bustard

Denham’s Bustard

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Black Crowned Crane

Demoiselle Crane Common Crane

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PLATE 59: OSTRICH AND JACANAS OSTRICH A huge, flightless bird, with long, almost bare neck, powerful legs and two, forward-directed, toes. The largest and heaviest living bird, now endemic to Africa (since extinction in Arabia). Unique in having only two, forward-directed, toes. Sexually dimorphic. Principally herbivorous.

Ostrich Struthio camelus Autruche d’Afrique Height  210–275 cm,  175–190 cm S. c. camelus. Unmistakable. Adult male Huge. Black body, white primaries and tail. In breeding season bill and bare skin (esp. on neck) become redder. Adult female Smaller; plumage dull grey-brown. Juvenile Similar to adult female. Adult height attained at ? c.12 months; full adult plumage of males acquired in c.2 years. Chick has buffish, spiky down, tipped black, and black spots on neck. Juvenile plumage emerges at c.3 months. HH Rare to scarce resident. Population rapidly declining through much of range in W Africa, principally due to excessive hunting and collecting of eggs for food; locally exterminated. Usually in pairs or small groups, in open plains, thorn scrub, semi-desert. Often wary. Voice Largely silent. Displaying males utter a far-carrying, deep, booming sound. ?

?

?

?

?

?

JACANAS Distinctive, long-legged waterbirds with extremely long toes and claws, enabling them to walk on floating vegetation.

Lesser Jacana Microparra capensis Jacana nain

16 cm

Small, inconspicuous, crake-like jacana. Adult Much smaller than African Jacana, with rufous crown and nape, white supercilium, dark eye-stripe and no frontal shield. x Underparts white; neck-sides tinged pale golden-yellow. Tail short, rufous-chestnut. x x x x x In flight, white trailing edge contrasts with black flight feathers. Pale brown panel in x xx x x centre of upperwing; underwing largely black. Short, rounded wings and trailing feet may recall crake. Juvenile Similar; rump blackish. Juvenile African Jacana is almost twice as large with longer bill, golden wash on underparts and black crown and hindneck; in flight, no white trailing edge to wing. HH Patchily distributed local resident and seasonal wanderer. Rare to locally fairly common. Frequents freshwater wetlands with floating vegetation (water lilies) or emergent grass; also temporally flooded areas. Usually singly, but may gather in numbers. Easily overlooked. Flies readily, briefly raising wings upon landing. Voice Soft, rapid whoopwhoop-whoop-whoop-whoop, chattering kikikikikikikiki, softer ku-ku-ku, plaintive shreee shree shree shree or see sree srrr, and soft chrr-chrr-chrr.

African Jacana Actophilornis africanus Jacana à poitrine dorée

30 cm

Combination of bright chestnut upperparts and long greyish legs with extraordinary long toes diagnostic. In flight, huge trailing feet, rounded chestnut wings with black primaries and short tail. Adult Crown and hindneck black, bill and large frontal shield bright blue. Head-sides, throat and neck white bordered by golden-yellow upper breast; rest of underparts chestnut. Juvenile White supercilium contrasting with dark brown crown, hindneck and eye-stripe. Underparts white with breast-sides washed yellow, flanks chestnut. HH Common resident and wanderer at pools, marshes and backwaters with floating and emergent vegetation, also temporarily flooded areas (even small) and rice fields. Usually in small, loose groups, occasionally in pairs or large gatherings. Not shy. Sex roles reversed, the larger female being polyandrous and leaving parental care mostly or entirely to the male. Voice Various nasal, strident and grating sounds, incl. husky drawn-out whining kyowrrr, shorter, repeated kreep-kreep-kreep... and high-pitched weep-weep-weep...

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Ostrich

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chick c. 4 weeks

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Lesser Jacana African Jacana

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PLATE 60: OYSTERCATCHERS, STILT AND AVOCET OYSTERCATCHERS Conspicuous and stocky shorebirds with pied or all-black plumage, long orange-red bills and pinkish legs. Sexes similar, female slightly larger. Mainly coastal. Vocal.

Eurasian Oystercatcher Haematopus ostralegus Huîtrier pie

40–45 cm; WS 75–85 cm

H. o. ostralegus. Large, bulky, black-and-white wader with long, stout orange-red bill and sturdy, pinkish legs. In flight, has broad white wingbar and white wedge from lower back to uppertail-coverts. Adult breeding Head, upperparts and breast black. Eye and orbital ring red. Adult non-breeding Similar, but with white half-collar on throat and neck-sides (‘chinstrap’). Immature Duller, with white half-collar and dark-tipped bill. Upperparts brownish-black, eye brownish-red, orbital ring dull orange, legs dull pinkish. HH Uncommon or scarce to locally common Palearctic visitor (mainly Oct–Apr). Frequents coastal creeks, sandy beaches, estuaries and saltpans. Voice Loud and vigorous, high-pitched KLEEP! or K-PEEP! Also sharp kip kip kip...

African Black Oystercatcher Haematopus moquini Huîtrier de Moquin ? ?

?

42–45 cm

As Eurasian Oystercatcher but plumage entirely black. HH Sedentary S African species; seasonal short-distance movements recorded. Entirely black oystercatchers reported from Senegal (near Dakar, Feb 1970, one; Basse Casamance, Dec 1975, two); their identity remains uncertain, as African Black Oystercatcher not known north of 12°S in Angola and Canarian Black Oystercatcher H. meadewaldoi considered extinct (last collected in 1913; reportedly disappeared in 1940s). NT

STILTS AND AVOCETS Elegant, long-legged shorebirds with pied plumage and slender bills. Sexes similar. Juveniles relatively similar to adults.

Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus Échasse blanche

35–40 cm; WS 67-83 cm

H. h. himantopus. Graceful black-and-white wader with long neck, black, needle-like x bill and extraordinarly long, pinkish legs. In flight, legs extend far beyond tail; wings pointed, all black above and below; white wedge from back to tail. Adult Head white or with variable amount of black. Juvenile Duller; upperparts brownish with narrow buff fringes. HH Locally common to uncommon resident and Palearctic visitor. Local breeder, x x x Cape Verde (Sal). In various aquatic habitats, incl. coastal lagoons, shallow lakes, pools, inland reservoirs, rice fields, swamps and ephemeral wetlands. Seasonal dispersal and nomadic movements reported. Feeds on land and in shallow water, picking food from mud, surface of water or floating vegetation; also probes and occasionally immerses head in water. Voice Vocal in breeding season, otherwise rather silent. Calls varied, incl. sharp, fast kyik kyik kyik ... grating kreet kreet..., more drawn-out krrrrrt and high-pitched kip-kip-kip-... x

Pied Avocet Recurvirostra avosetta Avocette élégante

42–46 cm; WS 67–77 cm

Elegant, white-and-black shorebird with slender, upturned black bill (diagnostic) and x grey-blue legs. In flight, distinctive black-and-white pattern. Female has slightly shorter x x and more upturned bill. Immature has black areas replaced by brownish. HH Widespread x Palearctic visitor. Major concentrations, Mauritania–Guinea (mainly Aug–Apr; some x x x x present all year). Regular, C Mali (central Niger delta) and N Nigeria (Hadejia-Nguru); x x x elsewhere uncommon to rare. Usually in small groups, on mudflats, estuaries, saltpans x and lake margins. Typically feeds by sweeping bill from side to side through water or soft mud; also pecks items from mud. Frequently swims and up-ends like a duck. Voice Loud, clear klup klup...

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Eurasian Oystercatcher African Black Oystercatcher

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Pied Avocet

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PLATE 61: THICK-KNEES THICK-KNEES Cryptically patterned, with large heads, large yellow eyes and longish, yellow or greenish legs. Lack hind toe. Prominent tarsal joint is origin of name ‘thick-knee’. Sexes similar. Juveniles similar to adults. Crepuscular and nocturnal, often encountered on roads at night. Vocal at night; calls melodious and far carrying. Note wing pattern.

Stone-curlew Burhinus oedicnemus Œdicnème criard

38–45 cm; WS 76–88 cm

Adult male oedicnemus Closed wing has horizontal white bar bordered above and below by black, with broad greyish panel below. Bill yellow tipped black. In flight, x x white patches on outer and innermost primaries, pale wing panel bordered above by x x x narrow black-bordered white bar. N African saharae slightly paler, more rufescent, but x differences clinal, and much individual variation. Senegal Thick-knee has relatively longer bill with more extensive black tip, and single black horizontal bar bordering more distinct, pale grey wing panel. Adult female Very similar, but white covert bar less strongly bordered with black (noticeable when pair seen together). HH Uncommon to rare Palearctic visitor (mainly Sep–Apr; both races). B. o. saharae also rare resident, coastal Mauritania. In arid, stony areas. On migration, singly or in small groups. Voice Varied, incl. loud, melodious kur-LEE, reminiscent of Eurasian Curlew, and plaintive tlueeEE. Migrants mostly silent in W Africa.

Senegal Thick-knee Burhinus senegalensis Œdicnème du Sénégal x

x x

x

32–39 cm; WS 75–80 cm

Closed wing has broad, pale greyish panel bordered above by single horizontal black bar. Upperpart feathers with dark shafts. In flight, prominent white patches in black primaries, pale wing panel. HH Widespread and locally fairly common on river banks, sandbanks and lake shores, and in mangroves. Singly, in pairs or small groups. Local movements in response to changes in water levels reported. Voice A series of clear, piping notes, accelerating and increasing in volume, with last few notes fading away pi pi pi-pi-pi-pi-pi-PII-PII-PII-pii-pii-pii-pii-piu.

Water Thick-knee Burhinus vermiculatus Œdicnème vermiculé

38–41 cm

Closed wing has broad, pale greyish panel bordered above by narrow horizontal white bar highlighted by black above. Upperpart feathers with dark shafts and finely vermiculated (only visible at close range). In flight, white patches in black primaries, pale wing panel; feet project slightly beyond tail. Nominate (Congo) similar to buettikoferi but paler and greyer above. HH Locally common to rare resident. Singly, in pairs or small x groups, frequenting riverbanks, lake shores, estuaries, mangroves, lagoons and beaches. Rests by day in light woodland or scrub near water. Local movements in response to changing water levels likely. Voice A series of plaintive, piping, whistled notes, first accelerating and rising in pitch and volume, then dying away with slower, drawn-out, plaintive notes, pi-pi-pi-pi-pee-pee-PEE-PEE-PEE-PEE-PEE-PEE-PEE-peeu-peeeu-peeeupeeeu-peeeu. Also very rapid pipipipipipipipipipi.

Spotted Thick-knee Burhinus capensis Œdicnème tachard

c.43 cm

B. c. maculosus. Largest and tallest African thick-knee, readily separated from others by lack of any bars or panel on wing. Adult Upperparts, incl. wing-coverts, warm tawny-brown densely spotted blackish. Head pattern less distinct than other thick-knees, with white x x areas smaller. In flight, small white primary patches. Juvenile Slightly duller; upperparts streaked. HH Widespread and fairly common to locally rare resident and partial intraAfrican migrant. In various types of woodland and semi-arid scrub; also farmland. Mainly x singly or in pairs. Rests by day on stony ground in the open or under shrub. Voice A series of loud piping notes, rising in pitch and volume, then dying away, pi-pi-pi-pi-plee-plee-PLEEW-PLEEW-WHEEW-WHEEW-wheewwheew-... and an accelerating, slightly rising series of similar notes piu-piu-piu-piupiupiupiu...; lower-pitched than calls of other two thick-knees. Also harsh notes and rapid pi-pi-pi-... in alarm.

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Spotted Thick-knee

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PLATE 62: EGYPTIAN PLOVER AND COURSERS EGYPTIAN PLOVER Uniquely patterned, chunky, riverine wader, now placed in its own monotypic family Pluvianidae. Endemic to the Afrotropical region. Sexes similar.

Egyptian Plover Pluvianus aegyptius Pluvian fluviatile x

x x

x

x

20 cm; WS 42 cm

Adult Distinctive pattern of black, white, blue-grey and creamy-buff. Legs blue-grey. In flight, striking wing pattern with diagonal black band on white. Juvenile Some rusty on crown, mantle and wing-coverts. HH Locally fairly common. Singly, in pairs or small groups on sandbars in large rivers, where breeding. In various other aquatic habitats when not breeding. Undertakes irregular local movements in response to changes in water levels. Voice Harsh chreek-chreek-chreek.

COURSERS Terrestrial, ground-feeding species with long legs and cryptically coloured plumage, occurring in dry habitats. Sexes similar. Prefer to run when disturbed.

Cream-coloured Courser Cursorius cursor Courvite isabelle

21–24 cm; WS 51–57 cm

Pale desert courser. Adult cursor Pale sandy-cream. White supercilium and black stripe from behind eye form V on nape and delimit grey hindcrown. In flight, has black x outer wing and black underwing; white tips to secondaries form narrow trailing edge. Island race exsul (Cape Verde) slightly darker. Juvenile Duller; head plainer; upperparts x faintly scaled. HH Uncommon Palearctic visitor (Aug–May) and resident. Also Cape Verde (several islands), where fairly common resident. Singly, in pairs or small groups in arid plains, stony and sandy desert and semi-desert; occasionally on bare farmland and saltpans. Forages by running fast, then stopping briefly to pick insects from ground or look around. Bobs head. Flight jerky. Voice Mostly silent. A short, sharp kwit or krit usually given in flight.

Temminck’s Courser Cursorius temminckii Courvite de Temminck

19–21 cm

Small courser with blackish patch on centre of chestnut belly. Adult Crown rufous bordered by white supercilium and broader black stripe back from eye, forming V on nape. In flight, black outer wing and secondaries contrast with grey-brown upperparts; underwing black. Juvenile Duller; head plainer; upperparts faintly scaled; belly patch x x more diffuse. HH Uncommon to locally fairly common in open and burnt grassland, x x dry farmland, semi-arid savanna and similar open habitats. Nomadic, with seasonal x movements in response to rainfall and burning of grasslands. Voice Mostly silent. Nasal, metallic het-het-het-herr... like toy trumpet or squeaking hinge, in high, circular display flight. x

x

Bronze-winged Courser Rhinoptilus chalcopterus Courvite à ailes bronzées x

x

x x x x

25–29 cm

Large, long-legged courser with relatively big, distinctively patterned head, black breast-band and pinkish-red legs. In flight, black flight feathers contrast with brown coverts, white uppertail-coverts and black tail band; underwing-coverts buffish-white. Violet primary tips usually not visible in field. HH Uncommon to scarce (but easily overlooked). Singly or in pairs in wooded savanna. Partial to recently burnt ground. Active at dusk and at night. Rests in shade by day. Nomadic. Voice Short series of 3–4 ringing syllables (difficult to transcribe) hu thu-WHEH-hep, often rhythmically repeated. Also a harsh sound in flight.

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Egyptian Plover

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Cream-coloured Courser

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Bronze-winged Courser Temminck’s Courser

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PLATE 63: PRATINCOLES PRATINCOLES Principally aerial-feeding, gregarious and water-dependent species with short legs, long, pointed wings, forked tails and graceful flight, reminiscent of terns. Sexes similar.

Grey Pratincole Glareola cinerea Glaréole grise x

x ?

18–20 cm

Beautiful, small and pale pratincole with striking flight pattern. Adult Pale grey above; pale chestnut nuchal collar. In flight, white patch on black outer wing. Juvenile Duller; head plainer. HH Locally common to uncommon intra-African migrant on large rivers; vagrant elsewhere. Singly or in groups on sand banks. Moves in response to changes in water levels; migrations inadequately known. Voice Hoarse zri or kree, frequently in series.

x

x

Rock Pratincole Glareola nuchalis Glaréole auréolée

18–20 cm

Small, dark pratincole, associated with emergent rocks in rivers. Adult liberiae Mainly dark grey-brown with white stripe behind eye continuing as chestnut collar across nape. Belly white. Narrow white crescent below eye. Bill red tipped black. Legs bright x red. In flight, has contrasting white uppertail-coverts, shallowly forked, blackish tail with white outer feathers, and blackish flight feathers. Nominate has white nuchal collar. Juvenile Duller; upperparts scaly; no nuchal collar. HH Common to uncommon resident and intra-African migrant. In pairs or small groups on exposed rocks in rivers. Irregular movements in response to changes in water levels. Western race liberiae meets nominate in W Cameroon (where intermediates occur). Voice Sharp kip, clear kweee, shrill krrreep krrrree, etc.

Collared Pratincole Glareola pratincola Glaréole à collier

24–28 cm; WS 60–70 cm

G. p. pratincola and fuelleborni. Relatively large pratincole with, in flight, chestnut underwing-coverts and axillaries, white rump, blackish flight feathers, narrow white x trailing edge to inner wing (which may wear off), and strongly forked tail. Adult breeding x x Creamy-yellow throat bordered by black line. Adult non-breeding Duller, throat outline x x x indistinct, breast mottled. Juvenile Scaly upperparts; throat pattern indistinct; breast x x blotched. HH Widespread, fairly common to uncommon and local resident, intra-African x migrant (fuelleborni) and Palearctic visitor (nominate); races indistinguishable in the field. Breeding areas inadequately known; nesting reported on coast from Senegal to Ghana, along Niger R. in Mali and Niger, and along major rivers in Nigeria and N Cameroon. Vagrant, Cape Verde. Nomadic; movements unclear. Frequents variety of dry and wet, open habitats, incl. short grass plains and saltpans. Catches insects on the wing. Most active at dawn and dusk. Voice Sharp kik and kirrik; also piercing, rattling krrrrrrret. x

Black-winged Pratincole Glareola nordmanni Glaréole à ailes noires x x

x

xx

x x

x

x x

x

x

xx x x

x x x

x

x

x

24–28 cm; WS 60–68 cm

Similar to Collared Pratincole and difficult to separate at rest. In flight, darker and more uniform above, with less contrasting flight feathers; underwing all dark; no white trailing edge to inner wing. At rest, usually shorter tail. Bill with less red at base. HH Rare Palearctic migrant/vagrant (Sep–Apr). Status possibly obscured by similarity to Collared Pratincole. Winters mainly in S Africa. Frequents same habitats as Collared Pratincole and often associates with it. Voice As Collared Pratincole but slightly lower pitched and drier. NT

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Grey Pratincole

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nuchalis ad liberiae

Rock Pratincole

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Collared Pratincole

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Black-winged Pratincole

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PLATE 64: SMALL PLOVERS CHARADRIUS PLOVERS Small waders with large, rounded heads, relatively short bills, pointed wings and long legs. Underparts largely white; head and breast markings are important field marks. Feeding action typically consists of short, swift runs interrupted by abrupt stops followed by a pause or a dip.

Little Ringed Plover Charadrius dubius Petit Gravelot

x

x xx

x x

Common Ringed Plover Charadrius hiaticula Grand Gravelot

x x x

x

x

16–18 cm; WS 32–35 cm

C. d. curonicus. Resembles corresponding plumages of Common Ringed Plover, but slightly smaller and slimmer, with narrower bill and more tapering rear end; call different. In flight, no wingbar. Adult breeding Black bill; distinct yellow orbital ring; dull-coloured legs. Adult non-breeding Duller; head plainer than Common Ringed. HH Uncommon to locally common Palearctic visitor (mainly Sep–Apr). In various open habitats, incl. edges of lakes, ponds and rivers, farmland and airfields; less frequently on coast. Voice Piping, rather plaintive PEE-uu.

x

18–20 cm; WS 35–41 cm

C. h. tundrae and psammodromus. Resembles Little Ringed Plover, but more compact, with stubby bill and orange legs; call different. In flight, prominent white wingbar. Adult breeding Black-tipped, orange bill; orange legs. Adult non-breeding Duller, with head markings and breast-band brownish; forehead and supercilium remain white; bill dark. HH Fairly common to common Palearctic visitor (mainly Sep–May; records in all months). On mudflats and inland shores; also other open habitats, incl. farmland and areas with short grass. Voice Mellow too-EE rising at end.

Kentish Plover Charadrius alexandrinus Gravelot à collier interrompu

15–17 cm; WS 34 cm

C. a. alexandrinus. Small, pale plover with narrow dark patch at breast-sides and x x blackish legs. Rather rounded with relatively large head and short rear end. In flight, white x wingbar and broad white sides to rump and tail. Resembles White-fronted Plover but has x x distinct lateral breast patches, lacks rusty tinge above and below, and has shorter tail. Male breeding White forehead and supercilium, black bar across forecrown, variable x amount of rufous on crown and black mask. Male non-breeding/adult female Duller, x head markings and breast patches grey-brown, little or no rufous on crown. HH Scarce x to rare resident, coastal Mauritania and Senegal; common, Cape Verde. Locally common Palearctic visitor (mainly Sep–Apr), Mauritania–Senegambia; uncommon to rare elsewhere. On coastal shores; occasionally inland. Voice Short kip. Alarm a hard pirrrrr.

Kittlitz’s Plover Charadrius pecuarius Gravelot pâtre

13–16 cm; WS 33 cm

Small, rather long-legged plover with warm buff breast. In flight, white patch on dark x outer wing extends as narrow white line on inner wing. Adult breeding Distinctive x head pattern with white forehead, broad white supercilium meeting on nape, and black band across forecrown extending through eye to neck-sides. Adult non-breeding Duller; x x supercilium orange-buff. Juvenile Similar but upperparts scaly. HH Locally fairly common to scarce resident and intra-African migrant. In various open habitats, incl. areas with short grass, edges of reservoirs and lakes, mudflats, beaches and saltpans; not always near water. Voice Mostly silent. Calls include tuweet or pipeep, hard trip and dry rattling trrrrr.

White-fronted Plover Charadrius marginatus Gravelot à front blanc

c.18 cm

C. m. mechowi. Small plover with large white forehead and supercilium. In flight, white x x wingbar and broad white sides to rump and tail. Adult male breeding Black bar across forecrown; rusty grey-brown crown and hindneck; black eye-stripe; variable creamy-buff to orange wash on breast. Female has less black on forecrown. Adult non-breeding x Duller, with small, diffuse lateral breast patches. Juvenile Similar but upperparts scaled x x x sandy-buff. Resembles Kentish Plover but breast patches less distinct; tail longer, extending beyond folded wings. HH Scarce or rare to locally fairly common resident. Mainly sedentary, but seasonal movements recorded. On sandy beaches and along lagoons and rivers. Voice Low wit or twirit. Alarm a dry trrrr.

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Little Ringed Plover

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Common Ringed Plover

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Kentish Plover

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Kittlitz’s Plover

 br White-fronted Plover

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PLATE 65: SMALL PLOVERS AND LAPWINGS Forbes’s Plover Charadrius forbesi Gravelot de Forbes x x

x

x

Three-banded Plover Charadrius tricollaris Gravelot à triple collier

x x

x x x

c.20 cm

Rather long-tailed plover with two blackish breast-bands and red orbital ring. In flight, appears dark, without white wingbar. Adult White band from eye across nape. Upper breast-band merges with brown of throat. Juvenile Duller; band across nape buffish. HH Locally fairly common to rare intra-African migrant and resident. Frequents wet grassy plains, recently burnt ground, farmland, rice fields and edges of muddy pools, lakes and rivers; also rocky outcrops and gravel plains. Breeds during rains. Voice Plaintive pee-oo, sometimes repeated, and sharp pee-pee-pee-...

17–18 cm; WS 34 cm

C. t. tricollaris. As Forbes’s Plover but smaller, with shorter legs and white forehead. Throat becomes pale grey towards well defined upper breast-band; band across nape and lower breast-band narrower. In flight, narrow white line across wings. Also more attached to water. HH Uncommon and local resident. Along rivers, muddy pools, lakes and reservoirs; more rarely in coastal habitats. Local movements reported. Voice Piercing peeweet, more rasping kreep and shrill wik-wik.

LAPWINGS Mostly well marked and easily identified. Several have wattles at base of bill or carpal spurs. Distinctive black-and-white wing pattern in flight. Flight rather slow and heavy. Sexes similar. Juveniles are duller versions of adults. Occur singly, in pairs or small groups.

White-headed Lapwing Vanellus albiceps Vanneau à tête blanche x x

x

Spur-winged Lapwing Vanellus spinosus Vanneau éperonné x

x

x x

28–32 cm

Distinctive waterside lapwing with white band on wing, large yellow wattles hanging from base of yellow, black-tipped bill, and long greenish-yellow legs. Head and neck grey with white band from forehead to nape. In flight, mainly white wings with black outer three primaries and squarish black area on coverts. HH Common to uncommon resident and intra-African migrant. On sand banks, mud or rocks in rivers; also forages in grassy areas near water. Seasonal movements related to water levels. Voice Sharp, high-pitched kip, kip, kip,... and kwip, kwip, kwip,... [Alt: White-crowned Lapwing]

x

Long-toed Lapwing Vanellus crassirostris Vanneau à ailes blanches x

25–28 cm; WS 64 cm

V. t. tectus. Distinctively patterned waterside lapwing. Top of head black; head-sides and neck white; underparts mainly black. In flight, diagonal white band from carpal joint to inner secondaries contrasts with black of flight feathers and brown coverts. HH Common to uncommon resident. In various wetlands, incl. marshes, rivers, lakes, reservoirs, estuaries, coastal saltpans and irrigated farmland. Local seasonal movements recorded. . Voice Sharp, metallic kit, often rapidly repeated. Territorial call a harsh

c.31 cm

V. c. crassirostris. Distinctively patterned waterside lapwing with white face and foreneck contrasting with black hindcrown, hindneck, neck-sides and breast. Legs red. In flight, mainly white wing-coverts contrasting with black flight feathers diagnostic. HH Locally fairly common resident. Frequents lakes, ponds, river edges, swampy areas and short grass near water. Relatively long toes enable foraging on floating vegetation. Voice Metallic kik-k-k-k and plaintive wheet.

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Forbes’s Plover Three-banded Plover

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White-headed Lapwing

Spur-winged Lapwing

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Long-toed Lapwing

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PLATE 66: LAPWINGS African Wattled Lapwing Vanellus senegallus Vanneau du Sénégal

c.34 cm

Adult senegallus Large, mainly pale brown lapwing with conspicuous yellow wattles, yellow bill and long yellow legs. Forehead and forecrown white bordered blackish, neck streaked, throat black. In flight, broad, diagonal white band on inner wing contrasts with black flight feathers. Southern lateralis (S Congo) has belly darkening to blackish between legs, and bill with black tip. Juvenile Head pattern duller, with white forecrown reduced, x throat streaked and wattles very small. HH Common to fairly common. Largely resident, x x but local movements occur (generally north with rains). In damp grassland, grassy edges of lakes and rivers, marshes, open and lightly wooded grassland, usually (but not always) near water; also mangrove fringes. Voice Shrill kwip-kwip-kwip-... and more nasal ke-weep ke-weep...

Black-headed Lapwing Vanellus tectus Vanneau à tête noire

xx

x

c.25 cm; WS 59 cm

V. t. tectus. Adult Rather small dry-country lapwing with distinctive black-and-white head pattern, wispy black crest, black-tipped red bill, and red legs. White forehead mostly obscured by small reddish wattles at base of bill. In flight, large white area on forewing extends as diagonal band on inner wing. Juvenile Duller; crest shorter; feathers of head and upperparts fringed buff; wattles very small. HH Common to uncommon. Largely resident, but local movements occur. In open woodland, dry grassland with scattered bushes and patches of bare ground. Mostly active in early morning, in evening and at night, spending most of day resting in shade. Voice Short, piercing kir and shrill kwairr.

Brown-chested Lapwing Vanellus superciliosus Vanneau à poitrine châtaine

c.23 cm

Small and beautifully patterned lapwing. In flight, diagonal white band across wing separates black flight feathers from brown coverts. Adult Chestnut forehead and forecrown mostly hidden by bright yellow wattle extending from base of bill to eye; x x rest of crown black bordered by narrow black line; head-sides, neck and upper breast x pale grey merging into broad, dark chestnut breast-band (diagnostic); rest of underparts x x white. Juvenile Duller; head and breast dull brownish-grey with pale rusty forehead and x supercilium, and no black cap; upperparts scaled rusty; wattles very small. HH Uncommon and local intra-African migrant. Present in known and presumed breeding range late Nov–early Jun. Favours short grassland, bare and recently burned ground near rivers and lakes, and other open areas in or near lightly wooded grassland. Voice Harsh and shrill calls, easily identifiable as being from a lapwing.

Senegal Lapwing Vanellus lugubris Vanneau terne

22–26 cm

Small, slim and rather plain-looking with white forehead. In flight, white secondaries form broad, contrasting trailing edge to wing (diagnostic). Adult Head and neck x x x x brownish-grey; upperparts grey-brown. Breast brownish-grey becoming blackish on x x x lower border; rest of underparts white. Legs dark brownish. Juvenile Head pattern duller; x wing feathers and scapulars fringed buff. HH Patchily distributed intra-African migrant; perhaps resident in some areas. Generally uncommon to locally fairly common; rare, Senegambia. In coastal savannas and lightly wooded grassland. Voice Melodious thiHUwit, shorter thu-WIT or thi-whoo, and longer tihi-hooee. [Alt: Lesser Black-winged Lapwing]

Northern Lapwing Vanellus vanellus Vanneau huppé xx

x

x

28–31 cm; WS 67–72 cm

Rather thickset, relatively short-legged lapwing with wispy black crest. In flight, strikingly broad, rounded wings; wings all dark above, tipped white on outer 3–4 primaries. Characteristic, flappy flight action. Adult non-breeding Upperparts dark glossy green (appearing black at distance), feathers tipped buff. Tail white with broad black subterminal band. Underparts white with broad black breast-band; undertail-coverts cinnamon. HH Scarce to rare Palearctic visitor, Mauritania and N Senegal (mainly Nov–Feb). Vagrant, Gambia and Cape Verde (Sal & Boavista). In various open habitats, incl. beaches, mudflats and rice fields. Voice Hoarse, shrill cheew-ep or pee-witt.

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African Wattled Lapwing

Black-headed Lapwing

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Brown-chested Lapwing

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Northern Lapwing Senegal Lapwing

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PLATE 67: GREY PLOVER, GODWITS AND CURLEWS Grey Plover Pluvialis squatarola Pluvier argenté

27–30 cm; WS 56–63 cm

Rather large, chunky, coastal wader with relatively large head, large dark eye, and x stout blunt bill. In flight, bold white wingbar, square white rump and uppertail-coverts, x x x x x x and whitish underwing with contrasting black axillaries (‘armpits’). Adult non-breeding x x x x Mainly dull greyish; upperparts mottled darker; lower underparts white; diffuse x x x x supercilium. Adult breeding Head-sides to belly black bordered with white; upperparts x x x spangled black and white. Immature As adult non-breeding but plumage tinged pale x x yellowish-buff; neatly chequered above, finely streaked below. HH Common to fairly common Palearctic visitor (mainly Oct–Apr; records in all months). Singly or in loose groups; mostly on tidal mudflats. Rare inland. Voice Far-carrying, clear, rather plaintive, drawn-out tlueeee.

Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa Barge à queue noire

37–44 cm; WS 63–74 cm

L. l. limosa. Large, slender wader with very long, straight bill, long neck, and long dark x legs. In flight, distinctive pattern of broad white wingbar and square white uppertail xx x x contrasting with broad black terminal band. Underwing white with dusky trailing edge. x x x x Legs project well beyond tail. Adult non-breeding Plain grey above. Bill pinkish with black x x x tip. Longer-necked and -legged than Bar-tailed Godwit. Adult breeding Rufous-orange x head and neck; breast and flanks variably barred. Upperparts dark brown mixed with x rufous and grey. Juvenile Neck and breast variably washed pale rusty-orange; rustyorange fringes to feathers above. HH Common to scarce Palearctic visitor (mainly Aug–Apr; records in all months). Singly or in groups in open, fresh to marine wetlands, esp. rice fields, floodplains and tidal mudflats. Forages by probing deep in mud; often wades up to belly, even submerging head. Voice Short kip or kip-kip-kip and sharp weeka-weeka. NT

Bar-tailed Godwit Limosa lapponica Barge rousse

33–41 cm; WS 62–72 cm

L. l. taymyrensis. Resembles Black-tailed Godwit but more stocky, with somewhat xx x shorter, slightly upturned bill and shorter legs. In flight, plain brown upperwing, white x wedge onto back and barred tail. Underwing white. Feet project only slightly beyond x x tail. Adult non-breeding Pale brownish-grey above, appearing streaked. Long white supercilium. Adult breeding Underparts dark rufous. Female much paler than male. x x Juvenile Head and breast washed buffish; upperpart feathers notched buff. HH Common to uncommon Palearctic visitor (mainly Sep–Apr; records in all months). In small groups or singly on tidal mudflats and sandy shores; occasionally inland. Voice Generally silent. Flight call a low, nasal kirruk or kvip, and sharper, also nasal, keweep.

Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus Courlis corlieu

37–46 cm; WS 78–88 cm

Smaller and darker than Eurasian Curlew, with shorter bill (more abruptly decurved at tip), shorter legs and boldly striped head pattern (dark brown crown with pale stripe on centre; x x x x pale supercilium bordered below by dusky eye-stripe). N. p. phaeopus and islandicus x x show white wedge on back and barred tail in flight; upperwing rather dark and uniform; underwing-coverts whitish. N. p. hudsonicus (Hudsonian Whimbrel) generally warmer x x brown above and buffier below. In flight, upperparts wholly buffish-brown lacking x x white wedge on back; underwing-coverts strongly barred brown and buff. HH Common Palearctic visitor (mainly Aug–Apr; records in all months) to entire coast. N American hudsonicus is vagrant, Gambia (Sep 2007, Dec 2013–Feb 2014), Sierra Leone (Apr–May 1972) and Cape Verde (São Nicolau, Feb 1991). Singly or in small, loose groups on tidal mudflats, sandy shores, mangrove creeks, estuaries and lagoons; occasionally on dry ground inland. Voice Clear, loud, rapid bi-bi-bi-bi-bi-bi-bi. Occasionally kurrlee (like Eurasian Curlew) and hard, rasping krrreep.

Eurasian Curlew Numenius arquata Courlis cendré x x xx

x

x

x x x

x x

48–57 cm; WS 89–106 cm

N. a. arquata and orientalis. Largest wader, streaky brown, with very long, evenly decurved bill (longest in orientalis). In flight, white wedge on back and barred tail; dark outer wing contrasts with paler inner wing. Larger and paler than Whimbrel, bill longer, no bold stripes on head. HH Fairly common to scarce Palearctic visitor (mainly Aug–Apr; records in all months) to entire coast; rare to uncommon inland. Singly or in small groups on tidal mudflats and estuaries. Voice Clear, liquid, bubbling kur-lee and kwurrrr-lee; also shorter kwee-kwee. NT

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PLATE 68: SMALL SANDPIPERS CALIDRIS SANDPIPERS Feed by pecking busily. Their identification can be problematic and may require careful observation. Important features include wing, rump and tail patterns, bill shape and length, and call. Juveniles (Aug–Oct) are neatly patterned with upperpart feathers having crisp pale fringes. First-winter plumage (Oct–Mar) is very similar to adult non-breeding.

Red Knot Calidris canutus Bécasseau maubèche

23–26 cm; WS 47–53 cm

C. c. canutus. Stocky, rounded, coastal wader with straight, relatively short and thick bill. In flight, narrow white wingbar, whitish-grey rump and grey tail. Adult non-breeding Plain, pale grey above; breast and flanks streaked grey. Adult breeding Deep rufous face and underparts; rufous and black upperparts. Juvenile Upperparts scaly. HH Common (south to Guinea) to uncommon or scarce Palearctic visitor (mainly Oct–May). On tidal mudflats and estuaries. Vagrant inland. Voice Low, hoarse nut, nut, ...

x x

Little Stint Calidris minuta Bécasseau minute

14–15 cm; WS 27–30 cm

Very small wader with rather short, straight bill and black legs. In flight, narrow white wingbar and grey outer tail. Adult non-breeding Grey above; breast-sides grey (sometimes forming breast-band). Adult breeding Head, breast and upperparts variably tinged rusty-orange; creamy-buff V on mantle. Juvenile Crisp plumage, usually tinged rusty-orange above with whitish Vs on mantle and scapulars. HH Common to fairly common Palearctic visitor (mainly Sep–May; records in all months). On coastal and inland mudflats and in wetlands. Voice Sharp, high-pitched kip or chit.

Sanderling Calidris alba Bécasseau sanderling x x x

x

x x

x

x

x

x x

x

x x

x

xx

Temminck’s Stint Calidris temminckii Bécasseau de Temminck

x

x

x x

x

x

x x

x

x

x x

x x

x

x x

x

x

x

x

x x

x x

x

18–23 cm; WS 41 cm

Rather elegant with longish, evenly decurved black bill and longish black legs. In flight, broad white band on uppertail-coverts. Adult non-breeding Grey above with prominent supercilium. Below white with breast-sides washed grey. Adult breeding Head and underparts rusty-red. Juvenile Upperparts scaly. HH Common to fairly common Palearctic visitor (mainly Aug–Apr). In groups on tidal mudflats, estuaries, lagoons and saltpans. Small numbers at inland waters. Voice Rather pleasing, rippling chirrup, less grating than Dunlin.

Dunlin Calidris alpina Bécasseau variable x

13–15 cm; WS 31 cm

More elongated and much plainer than Little Stint, with (typically) complete grey-brown breast-band and shorter, brownish to olive-yellow legs. Recalls miniature Common Sandpiper. In flight, narrow white wingbar and white outer tail. When flushed, flies high and erratically. Adult non-breeding Dull grey-brown above. Adult breeding Grey-brown above, some feathers dark-centred and fringed rusty and greyish. Juvenile Buffish fringes above. HH Uncommon to rare Palearctic visitor (mainly Sep–May). Singly, occasionally in small groups, at muddy edges of pools, lakes, rivers, marshes and rice fields. Voice High-pitched, dry trill tirrr.

Curlew Sandpiper Calidris ferruginea Bécasseau cocorli x xx

18–21 cm; WS 39 cm

C. a. alba. Active, rounded wader with relatively short, straight black bill and black legs. Lacks hind toe. Runs very fast at edge of surf. In flight, bold white wingbar on blackish upperwing. Adult non-breeding Palest wader. Very pale grey above, white below. Adult breeding Head and breast rufous marked black; upperparts black fringed rufous and grey. Juvenile Chequered black and white above. HH Common to fairly common Holarctic visitor (mainly Sep–Apr; records in all months). Usually in small groups on sandy beaches; also on sandy river banks, lagoons, saltpans, rarely inland. Voice Sharp twik or krit; sometimes accelerating into trill.

16–22 cm; WS 32–36 cm

C. a. schinzii, arctica and alpina. Rather dumpy with variably longish bill (shortest in arctica), slightly decurved at tip. In flight, dark-centred rump. Adult non-breeding Less elegant than Curlew Sandpiper with less evenly decurved bill, shorter legs and indistinct supercilium. Adult breeding Black belly patch (diagnostic). Juvenile Scaly upperparts, streaked breast, variably spotted belly. HH Holarctic visitor (mainly Sep–Apr). Mainly Mauritania; fairly common to uncommon, Senegambia–Guinea; scarce or rare along rest of coast. Small numbers inland. Voice Shrill, rasping krrreet or treerrp.

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Little Stint

Red Knot

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Temminck’s Stint juv

Sanderling

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Curlew Sandpiper

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PLATE 69: RUFF AND LARGE SANDPIPERS Ruff Calidris pugnax Combattant varié

 26–32 cm, WS 54–61 cm;  20–25 cm, WS 46–49 cm Distinctly shaped wader with relatively small head, longish neck and slightly curved, medium-long bill. Plumage pattern, bare-part coloration and size variable; males considerably larger. Feathers of mantle appear loose and are often fluffed giving x x x hunch-backed appearance. In flight, narrow white wingbar and white oval patches x x x x on uppertail-sides. Flying flocks often identifiable by marked size difference between x sexes. Adult non-breeding Grey-brown and scaly above; legs orange-red to yellowish. Head and neck white in some males. Moulting males often have white on head and black x blotches on breast. Juvenile Head, neck and breast warm buff; upperparts neatly patterned. HH Common Palearctic visitor from Mauritania–Guinea east to Chad/N CAR (mainly Sep–Apr; some year-round); uncommon to rare elsewhere. Frequents floodplains, marshes, muddy edges of pools, lakes, reservoirs and lagoons, rice fields and estuaries. Voice Usually silent. Note Formerly placed in monotypic genus Philomachus. TRINGA SANDPIPERS Medium-sized waders with relatively long bills and legs. Note bill shape, leg colour, upperpart pattern in flight, and call.

Spotted Redshank Tringa erythropus Chevalier arlequin

29–33 cm; WS 52 cm

Elegant wader with long red legs and long fine bill with reddish base to lower mandible x and slight but distinct downward kink at tip. In flight, white wedge on back and plain wings. x x Adult non-breeding Pale grey above, white supercilium highlighted by dusky eye-stripe; x x x x x grey wash to breast. Legs and bill longer than Common Redshank. Adult breeding (from x x Mar/Apr) Black; white spotting on upperparts. Legs dusky red to blackish. In moult has blackx blotched plumage. Juvenile Closely streaked and barred grey below. HH Fairly common to scarce Palearctic visitor (mainly Sep–Apr; some year-round). Frequents estuaries, lagoons, mangroves and freshwater wetlands. Often wades deeply; frequently swims and up-ends. Voice Loud, abrupt chu-wit!

Common Redshank Tringa totanus Chevalier gambette x

x

x

x

x

x x

x x

x

x

26–29 cm; WS 47–53 cm

T. t. totanus. Medium-sized wader with orange-red legs and red-based bill. In flight, distinctive broad white trailing edge to wing and white wedge on back. Adult nonbreeding Plain grey-brown above; white eye-ring; greyish breast. Adult breeding Densely streaked brown below. Juvenile Brown above with buff spots and notches. HH Common (south to Guinea) to uncommon or scarce Palearctic visitor (mainly Aug–Apr; some yearround). Frequents tidal mudflats, estuaries, lagoons, mangroves and freshwater habitats. Voice Mournful, drawn-out tiuuu and clear, ringing tiu-lu tiu-lu-lu, recalling Common Greenshank but higher-pitched.

Common Greenshank Tringa nebularia Chevalier aboyeur

30–34 cm; WS 55–62 cm

Largest Tringa, with dull greenish legs and long, stout, slightly upturned, greyish bill. In flight, as non-breeding Spotted Redshank but wings darker, more contrasting; rump and tail whiter. Adult non-breeding Pale grey above; white below; crown, hindneck and breast-sides finely streaked grey. Adult breeding Head, neck and breast heavily streaked. Juvenile Darker, with streaky head and breast, and white-fringed upperparts. x x x HH Common Palearctic visitor (mainly Aug–Apr; some year-round). Frequents tidal mudflats, estuaries, lagoons, mangroves and freshwater habitats. Voice Loud, ringing tiu-tiu-tiu. Occasionally a rasping kruip-kruip-kruip when flushed, and rapid chip-chip-chip.

Marsh Sandpiper Tringa stagnatilis Chevalier stagnatile

22–25 cm; WS 42 cm

Recalls Common Greenshank, but distinctly smaller and more delicate, with straight, x x very fine, needle-like dark bill and relatively longer legs. In flight, plain dark upperwing and long white wedge on back; feet project well beyond tail. Often has dark carpal x xx x area (shoulder). Legs dull greenish. Adult non-breeding Plain pale grey above with white forehead and supercilium; white below. Adult breeding Crown and neck finely x x streaked brown-grey; upperparts brown-grey blotched black; breast spotted; flanks with x some V-shaped markings. Legs often tinged yellowish. Juvenile Finely streaked crown and hindneck; white-fringed upperparts. HH Uncommon Palearctic visitor (mainly Aug–Apr; some year-round). Frequents tidal mudflats, estuaries, lagoons and freshwater habitats. Voice Clear keeuw, singly or repeated up to 3–4 times, reminiscent of Common Greenshank, but less ringing. Alarm a sharp, rapidly repeated chip. x

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PLATE 70: SMALL SANDPIPERS AND TURNSTONE Green Sandpiper Tringa ochropus Chevalier culblanc

20–24 cm; WS 39–44 cm

Medium-sized wader with contrasting, black-and-white-looking plumage. Resembles Wood Sandpiper but rounder, with darker, rather plain-looking upperparts, darker breast sharply contrasting with white belly, shorter white supercilium (only extending to eye) and more distinct white eye-ring; bill slightly longer, legs shorter, greyish-green. In flight, plain blackish upper- and underwings contrast strongly with pure white belly and rump, tail x broadly barred blackish, feet barely project beyond tail. Adult non-breeding Rather plain, x ? dark grey-brown above. Adult breeding Darker above, with more distinct streaking on head and breast and more contrasting speckling. HH Uncommon to common Palearctic visitor (mainly Oct–Apr; some year-round). Usually singly, occasionally in small loose flocks, in various freshwater habitats, foraging inconspicuously at muddy edges. Bobs rear as Common Sandpiper. Voice Clear, ringing tlooeet weet-weet! x

Wood Sandpiper Tringa glareola Chevalier sylvain

x x

x

19–21 cm; WS 35–39 cm

Smallish, slender wader with long, prominent supercilium and grey-brown, densely speckled upperparts. Bill medium-long, straight, dark. Legs greenish to dull yellowish. In flight, plain dark upperwings, square white rump and pale grey underwing; feet clearly project beyond tail. Breeding plumage darker and more distinctly speckled above than non-breeding. HH Common Palearctic visitor (mainly Sep–Apr; some year-round). In small groups or singly, frequenting freshwater habitats, incl. rice fields, muddy edges of ditches, pools and lakes, marshes, flooded grassland and sewage outlets. Bobs rear when agitated. Voice Loud, ringing chiff-iff-iff or chipipip.

Terek Sandpiper Xenus cinereus Chevalier bargette

22–25 cm; WS 42 cm

Rather stocky wader, readily identified by long, gently upturned bill and shortish, xx reddish-pink to orange-yellow legs. In flight, distinctive wing pattern with dark leading x x edge and outer wing and whitish trailing edge; rump and tail grey. Adult non-breeding x x Rather plain pale grey above with dark carpal area; white below with pale grey breastx x xx sides. Bill black with dull yellow or orange base. HH Palearctic vagrant or locally scarce x x visitor (Aug–May). Winters mainly on E & S African coasts. Frequents tidal mudflats, estuaries and muddy edges of lakes and rivers. Often forages fast and actively, running in low horizontal posture, but also walks slowly. Voice Loud, melodious, ringing eeb-eeb-eeb. x

Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos Chevalier guignette

18–21 cm; WS 32–35 cm

Smallish, rather compact wader, readily identified by horizontal posture and constant nervous bobbing of rear body. Flight action distinctive: low over water with rapid, fluttering wingbeats interspersed by short glides on stiff, bowed wings, revealing white wingbar; rump and central tail dark, sides of tail white. Feet do not project beyond tail. Adult non-breeding Plain brown above with narrow white eye-ring and indistinct x x pale supercilium; white below with sharply demarcated brown breast; white extends onto x breast-sides and forms wedge in front of closed wing. Adult breeding Dark markings above. HH Common Palearctic visitor (mainly Aug–Apr; some year-round). Usually singly, except at roost, frequenting muddy edges of pools, lakes, rivers, streams, rice fields, marshes, lagoons, mangroves and beaches. Voice Rapid, clear, very highpitched, piercing tsee-wee-wee in flight. Alarm a drawn-out sweeeee-eet.

Ruddy Turnstone Arenaria interpres Tournepierre à collier

21–25 cm; WS 43–49 cm

A. i. interpres. Stocky, coastal wader with stubby, wedge-shaped, black bill and short orange legs. In flight, striking pied pattern with white wingbar, white stripe at x x base of wing and another on back, and white, black-banded tail. Adult non-breeding x x Mottled blackish-brown above and on breast; underparts white. Adult breeding Head and underparts white streaked black on crown with complex black pattern on face and x x breast. Upperparts a mix of bright rufous-chestnut and black. Juvenile Scaly upperparts. x First-summer has variable mix of breeding and non-breeding plumages. HH Common to uncommon Palearctic visitor (mainly Aug–Apr; records in all months). Frequents rocky coasts, shorelines, mangroves and muddy edges of lagoons, rarely inland waters. Voice Low, nasal tuk and rattling tukatukatuk.

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PLATE 71: PAINTED-SNIPE, SNIPES AND PHALAROPES PAINTED-SNIPE Resembles true snipes, but brighter coloured, with shorter, slightly decurved bill and entirely different flight action. Sex roles reversed. Female is larger, polyandrous and leaves parental care to duller male.

Greater Painted-snipe Rostratula benghalensis Rhynchée peinte

x x

23–26 cm; WS 43 cm

Unobtrusive, rather plump, rail-like wader. In flight, rounded wings, slow wingbeats and dangling legs characteristic. Adult male Golden-buff ‘spectacles’, V on mantle, crown-stripe and spots on wing-coverts. Adult female Head and neck chestnut; white ‘spectacles’; upperparts dark green. Juvenile As male but plumage less neatly patterned. HH Uncommon to locally common resident. In wetlands, incl. overgrown rice fields, edges of lakes, pools and streams, and swamps. Mostly active at dawn and dusk. Voice Usually silent. Breeding female utters low, sonorous hooOOoo.

x x

SNIPES Small to medium-sized waders with long, straight bills and cryptic plumage. Feed by probing rapidly into soft ground.

Jack Snipe Lymnocryptes minimus Bécassine sourde x x x

x x

x x x x

x x

x

x

17–19 cm; WS 33–36 cm

Small and skulking with shortish bill and legs, buff, split supercilium, dusky crescent around ear-coverts, no median crown-stripe and two yellowish stripes on upperparts. Breast and flanks streaked (not barred) dark brown. In flight, note small size, shortish bill and dark, wedge-shaped tail. HH Rare to scarce Palearctic visitor (Nov–Apr). In marshy areas and at muddy edges of pools, rice fields and small streams. Flushes silently from underfoot; does not usually fly far before dropping into cover. Voice Usually silent; quiet, hoarse gatch when flushed.

x

Common Snipe Gallinago gallinago Bécassine des marais

23–28 cm; WS 39–45 cm

G. g. gallinago. Head boldly striped; buff median crown-stripe; bill very long. Buff stripes on upperparts. Breast densely marked with lines of dark brown spots; flanks barred dark brown; belly white. Flight fast and zigzagging, revealing narrow white trailing edge to inner wing and white edges to tail. HH Common to uncommon Palearctic visitor (mainly Oct–mid Apr). At muddy edges of pools, lakes and watercourses, and in marshes. Flushes explosively at c.10 m distance, climbing rapidly in frantic, tilting flight and usually flying far before dropping again. Voice Hoarse rretch when flushed and in flight.

x

x

Great Snipe Gallinago media Bécassine double 26–30 cm; WS 43–50 cm x

x x

x x x xx

x

x

xx

x x

Somewhat bulkier than Common Snipe with slightly shorter bill, white wingbars formed by bold tips to coverts, and entirely barred flanks, belly and underwings. Flight low and straight, distinctly slower and heavier than Common Snipe, with two narrow white lines delimiting dark midwing panel; broad white tail-corners conspicuous on take-off or landing. HH Rare to uncommon Palearctic visitor (mainly Oct–Mar). In various wetlands. Flushes silently but with audible sound of wings at c.5 m distance; usually dropping quickly into cover. Voice Hoarse, gruff shrt or krrrt, occasionally given in flight. NT

PHALAROPES Graceful waders that swim buoyantly and forage on water with spinning action. Sex roles reversed.

Red-necked Phalarope Phalaropus lobatus Phalarope à bec étroit xx xx x

x

xx x

Red Phalarope Phalaropus fulicarius Phalarope à bec large

x

x

x x

xx x

x x x x x

17–19 cm; WS 30–34 cm

Resembles Red Phalarope in shape and behaviour, but more dainty, with needle-thin, allblack bill. In flight, more contrasting white wingbar. Adult non-breeding Slightly darker and less plain above than Red Phalarope. Adult breeding Head, neck and breast grey with rufous neck-sides and white throat; upperparts grey with two rusty-yellow Vs. Male duller than female. Juvenile Rusty-yellow V on dark brown upperparts. HH Holarctic vagrant. Pelagic; on land in various wetlands. Voice Usually silent.

x

x

xx x

20–22 cm; WS 36–41 cm

Small and active with shortish, blunt-tipped, straight bill. In flight, long white wingbar (broadest on inner wing). Adult non-breeding Plain, pale grey above with black eye patch. Adult breeding (rarely seen away from breeding areas) Crown black; head-sides white; neck and underparts rufous. Male duller than female. HH Rare Holarctic visitor. Pelagic; wintering mainly at sea off W & SW Africa. On land in various aquatic habitats. Voice Sharp, high-pitched kip. [Alt: Grey Phalarope]

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PLATE 72: VAGRANT WADERS I Semipalmated Plover Charadrius semipalmatus Gravelot semipalmé 16–17 cm; WS 37 cm Very similar to corresponding plumages of Common Ringed Plover (Plate 64) but slightly slimmer, with rather stubbier bill and small webs between all three front toes (not only between middle and outer). Adult breeding Black breast-band usually narrower and often of more even width; supercilium behind eye indistinct or lacking. Adult non-breeding Duller pattern as Common Ringed Plover; white post-ocular streak sometimes joins white forehead. HH N American vagrant, Cape Verde (Santiago, Apr 2003, Oct 2005 & 2006; Santo Antão, Mar 2010; São Vicente, Feb 1999, Nov 2005, Mar & Dec 2012; Sal, Mar 1999, Feb 2010). Voice Different from Common Ringed. A short, rising chewit, almost monosyllabic and with stress at end, recalling subdued Spotted Redshank; also a more drawn-out chewee. xx x x

Lesser Sand Plover Charadrius mongolus Gravelot mongol 17–19 cm; WS 41 cm C. m. pamirensis. In all plumages very similar to Greater Sand Plover but slightly smaller, with shorter, blunter-tipped bill, more rounded head (with steeper forehead) and shorter legs (esp. tibiae). Legs dark grey to dull blackish. Feet do not project beyond tail in flight. HH Palearctic vagrant, Gabon (Aug–Sep). Winters mainly on E & S African coasts (Aug– early May). On intertidal mudflats. Voice Clear, hard krip or tirrip.

x

Greater Sand Plover Charadrius leschenaultii Gravelot de Leschenault

20–23 cm; WS 44 cm

Long-legged, medium-sized plover with relatively long and heavy bill. In flight, white wingbar and white sides to tail; feet project beyond tail. Adult non-breeding Long x x x x greenish-grey legs; no white nuchal collar. C. l. columbinus has shorter, straighter and more slender bill than scythicus (formerly crassirostris); nominate intermediate. x x HH Palearctic vagrant (race unknown), Senegal (Nov 1986, Dec 2000, Feb 2006), Liberia x (Jan 1985), Ivory Coast (Feb 1990), NE Nigeria (Aug 1968, two), Gabon (Feb 1988). Probably also Gambia (Jan 1991 & 1996, Dec 2005). On intertidal mudflats; also grassland. Associates with other waders. Part of nominate population winters on E & S African coasts (Aug–early May); columbinus winters Red Sea, Gulf of Aden and SE Mediterranean; scythicus overlaps in Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, also in E Africa. Voice Trilling trrr and tirrirrilip, frequently repeated.

Caspian Plover Charadrius asiaticus Pluvier asiatique x

x x

x x x x

Eurasian Dotterel Eudromias morinellus Pluvier guignard x x

x

19–21 cm; WS 46 cm

Long-legged, elegant plover. At rest, wings project beyond tail. In flight, only faint white wingbar and no white on sides of tail; feet project beyond tail. Adult non-breeding Greybrown above with white forehead, lores and supercilium; grey-brown area behind eye. Underparts white with broad grey-brown breast-band. Bill black, slim. Legs greyish to yellowish. HH Palearctic vagrant from C Asia (Nov–Apr), Nigeria, Cameroon, Gabon and Congo. Winters mainly in E & S Africa. Normally in grassland. Often far from water. Voice Short, sharp chip or kwit; also soft, repeated tik.

20–23 cm; WS 46 cm

Adult non-breeding Rather plump and compact, recalling golden plovers, but has broad pale supercilia meeting in V on nape, narrow pale breast-band and yellowish legs. In flight, plain upperwing; white shaft to outer primary forms narrow pale leading edge. HH Palearctic vagrant, Mauritania (Nouakchott, Oct 1980; Nouadhibou, Nov 1983) and Gambia (Cape St Mary, Mar 1985). Voice Mostly silent. A rattling call in flight, rather reminiscent of Ruddy Turnstone. Note Formerly included in Charadrius.

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PLATE 73: VAGRANT WADERS II Sociable Lapwing Vanellus gregarius Vanneau sociable

27–30 cm; WS 64 cm

In all plumages, distinctive combination of prominent white supercilia meeting on nape and blackish legs. In flight, tricoloured, triangular-patterned upperwing (recalling Sabine’s Gull) diagnostic. Adult non-breeding Crown dark greyish-brown speckled rufous-buff; head-sides buffish. Upperparts grey-brown, feathers narrowly fringed rufous-buff; uppertail-coverts white; tail white with black subterminal band. Breast pale grey-brown mottled with darker V-shaped marks; rest of underparts white. Adult male breeding (from Feb/Mar) Crown black; black streak from bill through eye. Breast greybrown becoming black on belly; lower belly chestnut. HH Palearctic vagrant, N Cameroon (Logone floodplains, Jan 2001). Winters mainly in Sudan (Oct–Mar), where rare. Voice Usually silent. Call a harsh, rasping kretch or rapid kretch-etch-etch-... in flight. CR x

White-tailed Lapwing Vanellus leucurus Vanneau à queue blanche x

xx

26–29 cm; WS 55 cm

Long-legged and slender with rather plain, greyish-brown plumage, pale face, and allwhite tail. Lower breast to undertail-coverts white. Bill black. Eye dark brownish. Legs yellow. In flight, broad diagonal white band across wing. HH Palearctic vagrant, SE Niger (Jan 1979, two), NE Nigeria (Jan 1969, six; Feb 1987, three) and Chad (L. Chad area, Oct 1970, one). Winters mainly in Sudan, where scarce. In damp grassland, marshes, lakes. Voice Usually silent. Calls include a high-pitched pet-ee-wit and shorter pee-wik, recalling Northern Lapwing but quieter, less strident.

American Golden Plover Pluvialis dominica Pluvier bronzé

24–28 cm; WS 54 cm

Noticeably smaller and slimmer than Grey Plover (Plate 67), with finer bill. In flight, x indistinct wingbar and grey underwing. At rest, 4–5 primary tips project beyond relatively x xx short tertials (exposed primaries approximately equal in length to tertials; tips of latter fall well short of tail tip); wings project clearly beyond tail. Legs slightly shorter than ? xx x x ? ? x Pacific Golden Plover; toes do not project beyond tail in flight or do so only slightly. Has x x cold grey tones to non-breeding plumage. In breeding plumage has white ‘shawl’ from ? x forehead to breast-sides, where bulging; no white along flanks. HH N American vagrant (Sep–May), S Mauritania, Senegal, Gambia, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Togo, Benin, Nigeria, Cameroon, Gabon, Cape Verde (Santiago, Santo Antão, São Vicente, Raso, Sal, Boavista) and São Tomé. ‘Golden plovers’ recorded as probable P. dominica reported from Sierra Leone, Liberia and Gabon. In various wetlands and farmland. Voice Rather mellow tlu-ee, with stress on first syllable, and tlu-ee-uh.

Pacific Golden Plover Pluvialis fulva Pluvier fauve

22–26 cm; WS 49 cm

Similar to American Golden Plover, with same wing pattern in flight, but has warmbuff tones to non-breeding plumage. Primaries shorter with, at rest, only 3 (rarely 4) x tips projecting beyond tertials; tertials longer with tips approximately level with tail tip. Wings project slightly beyond tail. Legs slightly longer than American; toes project x x beyond tail in flight. In breeding plumage white ‘shawl’ extends to flanks, where barred with black. HH Rare visitor from N Siberia, coastal Gabon (late Sep–mid May). Vagrant, x Senegal (May 2012), Ivory Coast (Dec 1987, Oct–Nov 1989, Jan 2014) and Ghana (Feb 2014). ‘Golden plovers’ recorded as probable P. fulva reported from Togo and Nigeria. Voice Clear, rapid chu-it, reminiscent of Spotted Redshank (and unlike American Golden Plover), and more drawn-out chu-wee; also klu-wee-up.

Eurasian Golden Plover Pluvialis apricaria Pluvier doré x

x

26–29 cm; WS 53–59 cm

Similar to American and Pacific Golden Plovers but white underwing visible in flight. Also slightly larger and more chunky, with shorter legs. At rest, wings project only just beyond tail; 3–4 primary tips project beyond tertials; tertial tips almost level with tail tip. In non-breeding plumage, has yellowish tones above, yellow-buff below. In breeding plumage white band extends to white undertail-coverts. HH Palearctic vagrant (mid Oct–early May), Mauritania, Senegal and Gambia; also Cape Verde (Santiago, Mar 2006; São Vicente, Dec 2012). Winters mainly in N Africa; occurrence south of Senegambia unproven. On tidal mudflats. Voice Soft, melodious tluuee.

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PLATE 74: VAGRANT WADERS III Semipalmated Sandpiper Calidris pusilla Bécasseau semipalmé

13–15 cm; WS 30 cm

Adult non-breeding Similar to Little Stint (Plate 68) but has half-webbed toes (visible under good conditions) and different call. Also slightly paler and dumpier, with slightly heavier, thick-tipped bill. Juvenile Plumage more uniform than Little Stint and usually lacking rufous tones; no distinct white Vs on mantle (sometimes faint pale V); wing-coverts and tertials with paler centres; lower two rows of scapulars pale grey with dark anchor-shaped mark at tips. HH N American vagrant, Mauritania (Banc d’Arguin, Jan 1994) and Cape Verde (São Vicente, Mar 2000; Boavista, Mar 1999). Voice Short, low chrup or krrit; also slightly higher pitched, more Little Stint-like tip or kit.

Long-toed Stint Calidris subminuta Bécasseau à longs doigts

14–15 cm; WS 29 cm

Small stint with yellowish to greenish legs. Very similar to Least Sandpiper, but slightly larger, with longer neck and longer legs and toes; fine-tipped bill usually has pale base to lower mandible. Forehead dusky, usually extending to base of bill (on Least pale supercilia normally join on forehead); dark streaks on breast narrower and extending onto flanks. Often in upright posture. In flight, narrower white wingbar than Little Stint and darker underwing than Least Sandpiper; feet project slightly beyond tail (unlike other stints). Adult non-breeding Above as Least but has more distinct dark centres to scapulars and more contrasting, broad pale fringes (giving scalloped appearance when fresh). Juvenile As juvenile Least Sandpiper but brown-grey coverts fringed whitish (not rufous). HH E Palearctic vagrant, coastal Congo (Nov 1990). Voice Soft chrrrp.

Least Sandpiper Calidris minutilla Bécasseau minuscule

13–14 cm; WS 28 cm

Small stint with greenish to yellowish legs and streaks on breast usually forming complete band. Tip of tail falls approximately level with wingtips. Supercilium reaches x xx base of all-black bill and is bordered below by dusky loral stripe. In flight, narrow white wingbar and white outer tail feathers. Adult non-breeding Dull brown-grey above with diffuse dark feather centres. Underparts white diffusely streaked brown-grey on breast. Juvenile Recalls Little Stint (Plate 68) but whitish V on mantle narrower and less distinct, primary projection shorter; legs greenish. HH N American vagrant, Cape Verde (São Vicente, Mar 1996 & 2000; Sal, Apr 2009; Boavista, Apr 2009). Voice High-pitched, rising krreeep.

White-rumped Sandpiper Calidris fuscicollis Bécasseau de Bonaparte

x

xx

Baird’s Sandpiper Calidris bairdii Bécasseau de Baird x x

x x

15–18 cm; WS 38 cm

In size between Little Stint and Curlew Sandpiper (Plate 68), with relatively short legs, long primary projection and wingtips extending clearly beyond tail. Prominent white supercilium. In flight, faint white wingbar and white uppertail-coverts contrasting strongly with dark tail. Adult non-breeding Greyish above; breast finely streaked greyish. HH N American vagrant, Ivory Coast (Oct–Nov 1988), Ghana (Dec 1985 & 2012) and Cape Verde (Santiago, São Vicente, Sal, Boavista; several, Oct–Jan). Voice High-pitched, insect-like tzreet, often rapidly repeated.

14–17 cm; WS 39 cm

Small, long bodied Calidris with long primary projection, wingtips extending clearly beyond tail, relatively short blackish legs and all-black, straight bill. In flight, faint white bar on long wings and dark-centred rump and uppertail-coverts. Adult non-breeding Grey-brown above with indistinct supercilium; breast washed buffish-brown and indistinctly streaked. HH N American vagrant, Cape Verde (Sal, Oct 2007); also reported from S Mauritania (Nov 1987), N Senegal (Dec 1965) and Gambia (Nov 1976). Voice Soft, rolling prrreet or kirrrp, softer than Curlew Sandpiper.

Pectoral Sandpiper Calidris melanotos Bécasseau tacheté

19–23 cm; WS 38–44 cm

Slightly larger than Curlew Sandpiper and somewhat smaller than female Ruff, with x relatively long neck and small head, densely streaked neck and upper breast sharply x demarcated from white lower breast and belly, bill slightly decurved and pale-based, x legs greenish-yellow to yellowish-brown. In flight, indistinct narrow pale wingbar and x xx x x white sides to dark-centred rump and uppertail-coverts. HH N American/E Palearctic x x vagrant (Oct–Apr), NW Senegal (Apr 1993), Sierra Leone (undated), Liberia (Nov–Dec 1981), x x Ivory Coast (Feb 1988 & 1989, Jan 1995), Ghana (several, from Feb 2002), Burkina Faso (Mar 2012), Nigeria (Oct 2006), Cameroon (Mar 2009), Gabon (Nov 1988), Cape Verde (Santiago, Oct 2001 & 2003) and Príncipe (Nov 1954). Frequents muddy edges of pools, marshy places, wet grasslands, lagoons and mudflats. Voice Rolling, hoarse krrrt.

Purple Sandpiper Calidris maritima Bécasseau violet 19–22 cm; WS 37–42 cm Stocky, darkish wader with short, yellowish legs. In flight, mainly dark above with narrow white wingbar and white sides to rump and uppertail. Adult non-breeding Head, upperparts and breast slaty brown-grey. Bill slightly decurved with variable yellowish base. HH Palearctic vagrant, Mauritania (Banc d’Arguin, Apr 1985).

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PLATE 75: VAGRANT WADERS IV Broad-billed Sandpiper Calidris falcinellus Bécasseau falcinelle x

x

x

xx

x

16–17 cm; WS 33 cm

C. f. falcinellus. Slightly smaller than Dunlin, with slightly shorter, greyish legs and longish, black bill with downward kink at tip. In flight, narrow white wingbar and white sides to rump and uppertail. Adult non-breeding Traces of breeding plumage crown pattern (with ‘split supercilium’) usually visible. Adult breeding ‘Split’ supercilium; boldly streaked breast. HH Palearctic vagrant or locally scarce visitor (Aug–Apr). Favours mudflats and muddy edges of pools and lakes. Voice Dry trrreet or krr-r-r-r-r-p. Also a short, Little Stint-like trett. Note Formerly placed in monotypic genus Limicola.

Buff-breasted Sandpiper Calidris subruficollis Bécasseau rousset

18–20 cm; WS 41 cm

Slightly smaller than female Ruff (Plate 69), with distinctly small, round head, shorter, fine black bill and yellowish legs. Head and underparts sandy-buff with dark beady eye in x x plain face and finely spotted breast-sides; upperparts scaly, dark fringed sandy-buff. In x flight, shows no white above and white underwing has conspicuous dusky half crescent x x on greater primary-coverts; feet do not project beyond tail. HH N American vagrant, Senegal (Apr 1985), Gambia (Nov 1998 & 2006), Sierra Leone (Nov 1973), Ghana (Jan 2008, x Dec 2011), Benin (Oct 2011, two) and Gabon (Dec 1987). Favours grassy areas, mudflats, and edges of pools, lagoons and marshes. Rather deliberate, plover-like in its movements, often foraging in short vegetation. Often tame. Voice Usually silent. Note Formerly placed in monotypic genus Tryngites. NT

Spotted Sandpiper Actitis macularius Chevalier grivelé x

x

Solitary Sandpiper Tringa solitaria Chevalier solitaire

18–21 cm; WS 42 cm

Adult non-breeding As Green Sandpiper (Plate 70) but lacks white rump and is slightly smaller and slimmer. Best distinguished in flight, when dark band on centre of rump and tail is visible; tail-sides barred. HH N American vagrant, Gambia (Jan 1999 & 2005, Sep 2007) and Cape Verde (São Vicente, Dec 2004–Jan 2005, Apr 2005; Boavista, Mar 1997). Voice High-pitched tewit-weet or pleet-weet-weet, resembling call of Green Sandpiper, but softer.

x x xx

Greater Yellowlegs Tringa melanoleuca Chevalier criard x

18–20 cm; WS 33 cm

Adult non-breeding Very similar to Common Sandpiper (Plate 70) but with shorter tail, which projects noticeably less beyond wingtips, and paler, yellowish legs. In flight, shorter wingbar, not extending onto inner secondaries (in Common, wingbar extends across all secondaries), and usually less white on tail-sides. Adult breeding Underparts boldly spotted black, bill pinkish with black tip, legs pinkish. HH N American vagrant, Senegal (Feb 2001), Cameroon (Apr 2000) and Cape Verde (São Vicente, Santo Antão & São Vicente, Oct–Mar). Voice A piping peet! or tweet-weet-weet, reminiscent of Green Sandpiper and lower-pitched than Common Sandpiper.

29–33 cm; WS 60 cm

Adult non-breeding Resembles Common Greenshank (Plate 69) but legs bright yellow; plumage generally browner (less grey). In flight, shows square white rump (not extending as wedge up back). Lesser Yellowlegs is smaller, with finer, shorter and straight (not slightly upturned) bill. HH N American vagrant, Cape Verde (Santiago, Oct 2001 & 2003; São Vicente, Nov 2006). Voice Loud, ringing tiu-tiu-tiu, very similar to Common Greenshank, but slightly higher-pitched and typically with third syllable lower-pitched.

x

Lesser Yellowlegs Tringa flavipes Chevalier à pattes jaunes x x x x

xx

x

23–25 cm; WS 49 cm

Resembles Common Redshank (Plate 69) but distinctly slimmer, with finer, black bill and longer, yellow legs. In flight, dark upperwing and square white rump; feet project well beyond tail. HH N American vagrant (Sep–Apr), Mauritania, Senegal, Gambia, Ghana, Nigeria and Cape Verde (Santiago, São Vicente, Sal, Boavista, Maio). Frequents tidal mudflats, lagoons and various freshwater habitats. Voice Clear tew or tew-tew, reminiscent of Common Greenshank but more subdued and higher-pitched.

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Lesser Yellowlegs

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PLATE 76: VAGRANT WADERS V Wilson’s Phalarope Steganopus tricolor Phalarope de Wilson

22–24 cm; WS 40 cm

Medium-sized, with relatively small head and long, needle-thin, black bill. In flight, plain upperparts and wings and white rump and uppertail-coverts. Adult non-breeding Plain, very pale grey above with white supercilium, small grey smudge in front of eye and grey line behind eye curving onto neck; white below. Legs medium-long and yellowish. HH N American vagrant, Ivory Coast (Mar–Apr 1989) and Gabon (Oct 2009). Forages actively by running in crouched posture on muddy margins or sand bars, stabbing at small prey; swims less than other phalaropes. Voice Usually silent. Note Formerly included in Phalaropus.

x x

Upland Sandpiper Bartramia longicauda Bartramie des champs

28–32 cm; WS 50–55 cm

Distinctively shaped wader with small head, long thin neck, shortish straight bill with yellowish base to lower mandible and long tail extending well beyond wingtips. Darkstreaked crown with narrow pale median stripe; plain face with contrasting dark beady eye. Throat and upper breast streaked brown; flanks with arrow-shaped markings. Legs yellowish. In flight, uniformly dark above; feet do not project beyond long tail. HH N American vagrant, NW Mauritania (May 1986) and Gabon (Oct–Nov 1988). Voice A liquid kwee-lip and a clear, bubbly kwip-ip-ip-ip.

x

x

Wilson’s Snipe Gallinago delicata Bécassine de Wilson

27 cm; WS 42 cm

Similar to Common Snipe (Plate 71), of which it was formerly considered a race, but darker, with breast and underwing more extensively barred. In flight, little or no white on trailing edge of inner wing; underwing much darker. HH N American vagrant, Cape Verde (Santiago, Mar 2007).

x

Short-billed Dowitcher Limnodromus griseus Bécassin à bec court

25–29 cm; WS 45 cm

Medium-sized with very long, straight, blunt-tipped bill, prominent supercilium and x moderately long, greenish legs. In flight, whitish trailing edge to wing, white oval on x back and barred tail; feet barely project beyond tail. Adult non-breeding Grey above with whitish supercilium and dusky eye-stripe; white below with grey upper breast and x grey barring on flanks. Black bars in tail narrower than white bars. Juvenile Breast and upperparts tinged rusty-buff; upperpart feathers neatly fringed; centres of tertials, greater coverts and scapulars irregularly striped and barred buff. HH N American vagrant, N Senegal (Oct 2012) and Ghana (Sep 2010–May 2011). Previously claimed from Ghana (Oct 1976), but record best treated as Limnodromus sp. A dowitcher observed in Gambia (Dec 1978) was not specifically identified. Voice Soft, fast, rattling tiu-tuk-tuk or chu-tu, reminiscent of Ruddy Turnstone. For comparison:

Long-billed Dowitcher Limnodromus scolopaceus Bécassin à long bec

27–30 cm; WS 42–49 cm

As Short-billed Dowitcher and best distinguished by call: a short, sharp, rather high-pitched keek or kyip, often quickly doubled or trebled when alarmed. Black bars in tail broader (not narrower) than white bars. Juvenile/first-winter has plain (not ‘marbled’) dark centres to tertials, greater coverts and scapulars. HH N American species; potential vagrant.

Slender-billed Curlew Numenius tenuirostris Courlis à bec grêle ?

36–41 cm; WS 77–88 cm

Small curlew, differing from Eurasian Curlew and Whimbrel by shorter, straighter, thinner, all-black bill and whiter underparts with clearly defined streaks and spots. Breast and flanks have rounded spots (diagnostic). Head has darker crown and indistinct median crown-stripe, pale supercilium and dusky loral stripe. Juvenile Underparts streaked; spots acquired during first winter. HH Extremely rare Palearctic species; probably now extinct. Doubtful claim, L. Chad (Sep 1968, nine). Voice A short kur-lee, higher pitched than Eurasian Curlew. Alarm a sharp kwee. CR

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Upland Sandpiper Wilson’s Phalarope

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Slender-billed Curlew

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PLATE 77: SKUAS SKUAS (Plates 77–78) Gull-like seabirds with powerful, steady and fast flight. Wings long and pointed in smaller species (this plate), broader and blunter in larger species (next plate). Sexes similar; female slightly larger. Predatory and piratical. Feed mainly by harassing other seabirds, especially gulls and terns, to force them to disgorge or drop their catch. Generally silent away from breeding grounds. In W Africa, pelagic visitors. High numbers pass unseen offshore. Plumages variable and identification often problematic; with experience jizz distinctive. Important features include structure, proportions and flight action; also note presence or absence of tail projection and of prominent pale areas in plumage.

Pomarine Skua Stercorarius pomarinus Labbe pomarin

42–50 cm; WS 115–125 cm

Largest and most powerful of the skuas on this plate (slightly smaller than Lesser Blackbacked Gull). In flight, noticeably heavier than Arctic Skua, with broader based wings and more rounded breast. Bill slightly heavier and distinctly two-toned. Pale primary x patch as Arctic but much smaller than in Great. Adult breeding Readily identified by elongated, spoon-shaped central tail feathers (projecting 5.5–11 cm). Pale morph has mottled breast-band. Rare dark morph entirely blackish-brown except pale primary x x patches. Adult non-breeding Variable. Most have head-sides darkish and upper- and undertail-coverts barred; tail streamers shorter and often lacking. Juvenile Blackish-brown to mid-brown with paler barring on underwings, uppertail-coverts and vent, which are typically paler than, and contrast with, rest of plumage. Pale crescent at base of primary-coverts visible at fairly close range, creating distinctive double pale patch on underwing. HH Locally common to rare Holarctic visitor (mainly Aug–May; records in all months). The commonest skua off Senegal. Winters mainly at sea between 20° and 8°N.

Arctic Skua Stercorarius parasiticus Labbe parasite

37–44 cm; WS 108–118 cm

Agile and rather elegant with fast, falcon-like flight. Noticeably slimmer than Pomarine Skua, with more slender wings (narrower at base), smaller head and slimmer bill. Pale primary patch as Pomarine, but typically lacks pale crescent at base of primary-coverts. Adult breeding Distinguished by elongated, narrow, pointed central tail feathers (projecting up to 10 cm). Plumage variation as Pomarine. Pale morph has grey breastband. Dark morph entirely blackish-brown to grey-brown except pale primary patches. Adult non-breeding Variable. Mostly with head-sides darkish and upper- and undertailcoverts barred; elongated tail feathers often absent. Juvenile Very variable. Blackish-brown to warm rufous-brown. Barring on underwings, uppertail-coverts and vent more irregular and wavy than in Pomarine. Head narrowly streaked dark and often has warm rufous nuchal band (diagnostic); upperparts scaly, frequently tinged rusty; primary tips usually edged buffish (visible on closed wing). Central tail feathers pointed and only slightly projecting beyond rest of tail. HH Locally common to rare Holarctic visitor (mainly Aug–Apr; records in all months). Winters mainly off Namibia and W South Africa.

Long-tailed Skua Stercorarius longicaudus Labbe à longue queue

35–41 cm; WS 105–115 cm

Small and slim (about size of Black-headed Gull but often appearing larger) with buoyant, almost tern-like flight. Head smaller than Arctic Skua, bill shorter, body and tail more elongated. Upperwing has two pale shafts on dark primaries, forming pale line on leading edge. Adult breeding Central tail feathers greatly elongated, very narrow and pointed x x (projecting up to 24 cm beyond rest of tail). Well-defined, neat black cap; head-sides and x x x breast pale creamy becoming grey on belly; upperparts greyish with contrasting black x flight feathers. No dark morph. Two races, pallescens whiter below than nominate. Adult non-breeding Variable. Most have darkish head-sides and dark barring or spotting on breast (creating band), flanks, and upperand undertail-coverts; tail streamers much shorter and often absent. Juvenile Very variable. Palest have whitish head and belly, darkest mainly sooty-black. Typically cold brownish-grey, always lacking warm rufous-brown tones often shown by juvenile Arctic. Dark and pale barring on underwings, uppertail-coverts and vent. Upperparts scaly; fringes whitish (more contrasting and straighter than in Arctic). Central tail feathers narrow but rather blunt-tipped and clearly projecting (projection up to 4 cm). HH Locally fairly common to rare Holarctic visitor (mainly Aug–Apr). Highly pelagic. Winters mainly off Namibia and W South Africa.

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PLATE 78: LARGE SKUAS AND AUKS Great Skua Stercorarius skua Grand Labbe

x x

50–58 cm; WS 125–140 cm

Largest skua. Heavy, compact and entirely dark with relatively short tail and broad wings with conspicuous white patches at base of primaries above and below. All plumages similar. Adult Coarsely streaked yellowish-buff. Sometimes has dark cap slightly contrasting with rest of head. Bill heavy, blackish. Juvenile Separable at close range. Darker and more uniform, less streaky than adult, generally more chestnutbrown below; white wing crescent often slightly narrower and less conspicuous above. HH Uncommon to rare Palearctic visitor (mainly Aug–Apr). Main wintering area in Atlantic south to W Africa.

South Polar Skua Stercorarius maccormicki Labbe de McCormick

50–54 cm; WS 125–135 cm

Very similar to Great Skua but slightly smaller and more slender, with relatively smaller head and slightly slimmer bill. Plumage variable but unstreaked, and typically with paler nape (often hard to discern at sea) and lacking dark cap of Great. Occasionally has indistinct, small pale area at base of bill. Adult dark morph Wholly cold greyishbrown with paler nape. Darkest birds virtually impossible to separate from some juvenile Great Skuas. Adult intermediate morph Head and underparts pale brown; upperparts blackish-brown. Adult pale morph Distinctive. Head, mantle and underparts plain, pale buff-brown. Juvenile Similar to adult of respective morph. HH Breeds Antarctica. Immatures migrate to northern hemisphere in southern winter, performing clockwise migration. Southwestward migrants (presumably this species) observed in numbers off Senegal. Probably regular passage migrant; status unclear due to confusion with Great Skua. AUKS Small to medium-sized seabirds with elongated bodies and strong bills. Wings short and narrow, used for both flight and swimming underwater; tail short. Feed by diving. Flight direct and low with rapid, whirring wingbeats. Generally silent away from breeding grounds.

Common Guillemot Uria aalge Guillemot de Troïl x

Razorbill Alca torda Pingouin torda x

38–43 cm; WS 60–69 cm

Medium-sized auk with heavy, blunt bill and pointed, often raised tail. Adult nonbreeding Head-sides and foreneck white (lacking dark line on ear-coverts, unlike Common Guillemot). Black above, pure white below; short white wingbar. Bill has white vertical line. Adult breeding (unlikely in W Africa) Head and neck all-black; white line from bill to eye. Immature As adult non-breeding but with smaller bill and dusky head-sides. HH Palearctic vagrant, NW Mauritania (Mar 1983, immature; Apr 1983, adult; Nov 1987, one; Dec 1987, one). Spends non-breeding season at sea; not usually seen from shore.

Black Guillemot Cepphus grylle Guillemot à miroir x

38–46 cm; WS 61–73 cm

Medium-sized auk with slender, pointed, black bill. In flight, has narrow white rumpsides; feet project beyond short, rounded tail. Adult non-breeding Head-sides and foreneck white with dark line from eye across ear-coverts. Upperparts dark grey-brown; short white wingbar. Underparts white with variable dark streaking on flanks. Adult breeding (unlikely in W Africa) Head and neck dark brownish-black. Immature As adult non-breeding but with smaller bill and little or no streaking on flanks. HH Palearctic vagrant, NW Mauritania (Cape Blanc, Jan 1983, three; late Feb 1987, one). Spends nonbreeding season at sea, when rarely seen from shore. [Alt: Common Murre]

32–38 cm; WS 49–59 cm

Adult non-breeding Variably barred above, rump and underparts pure white. Upperwing black with large, oval white panel. Bill pointed, black. Feet bright red. Adult breeding (unlikely in W Africa) All black with large, oval white upperwing panel. HH Palearctic vagrant, Senegal (one off Dakar, Oct 2008). Breeds N Atlantic. Mostly pelagic in nonbreeding season; previous southernmost vagrants recorded in Spain and Madeira.

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PLATE 79: LARGE GULLS GULLS (Plates 79–82) Robust, medium-sized to large birds of coast, oceans and inland waters. Distinct breeding, non-breeding and immature plumages. Adult plumage reached in 2nd–4th year; period of immaturity generally related to size. Tail white in adults; dark tail band indicative of immature. Sexes similar, male slightly larger. Flight strong and buoyant with slow wingbeats and much gliding and soaring. To identify gulls, note wing and head patterns, and bare-part coloration. Understanding moult greatly facilitates identification. First moult is post-juvenile: a partial moult, replacing head and body feathers and resulting in first-winter plumage. Subsequently, there are two moults per year: a partial one from winter to summer plumage, mainly replacing head and body feathers (flight feathers and all or most tail feathers thus still juvenile and much abraded in first-summer plumage), and a complete one after the breeding season, resulting in adult or immature winter plumages. The only exception to this rule is Sabine’s Gull (Plate 81).

Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus Goéland brun

49–57 cm; WS 118–135 cm

Large but rather elegant with slightly narrower, longer-looking wings than other large gulls. Adult plumage acquired in 4th year. Adult breeding Diagnostic combination of x slate-grey (graellsii), blackish-grey (intermedius) or blackish (nominate) upperparts and yellow legs. Black wingtips with 1–2 small white mirrors. In flight from below, dusky-grey x x x x band across flight feathers (darker than in Yellow-legged Gull). Adult non-breeding Head xx and breast-sides with extensive grey-brown streaking (graellsii) or little or no streaking (intermedius and fuscus). First-winter Dark grey-brown; bill black, legs pink. In flight, x outer wing and secondaries blackish, greater coverts dark. First-year Yellow-legged Gull has more contrasting upperwing pattern and less clear-cut tail band. Second-winter Acquires adult mantle colour and white head and body. Third-year As adult, but retaining some traces of immaturity on wings and tail; bare-part colours paler, bill with darkish spot on gonys. HH Common to uncommon Palearctic visitor (mainly graelsii/intermedius, which breed in W & NW Europe) to entire coast and inland (e.g. along Niger R.); also Cape Verde. Mainly Oct–Mar; some oversummer. Nominate (breeds Baltic Sea) winters mainly in E Africa; some, mainly immatures, reach W Africa. x

Kelp Gull Larus dominicanus Goéland dominicain

55–65 cm; WS 128–142 cm

L. d. vetula (Cape Gull). Large, heavy-looking gull, with massive head, stout bill and dark eye. Adult plumage acquired in 4th year. Adult More robust than Lesser Black-backed Gull, bill heavier, eye dark, legs olive. First-year Mainly dark brown; bill black; legs pinkishx brown. In flight, very dark-looking, with blackish outer wing and secondaries. Secondyear Head largely white; dark brown ‘saddle’; white tail base. Third-year As adult, x but retaining some traces of immaturity, esp. on wings. Immature Lesser Black-backed x Gull very similar and best separated by structure. HH Scarce migrant from southern hemisphere, recorded from Gabon, Guinea, Senegambia and Mauritania. Bred Senegal (first record Saloum,1983) and Mauritania (Banc d’Arguin; first record 1997, when paired with Yellow-legged Gull), where possibly now resident. x

Great Black-backed Gull Larus marinus Goéland marin

64–78 cm; WS 150–165 cm

x

Very large, powerful gull, recalling Lesser Black-backed but markedly larger and bulkier, with massive bill and pink legs. In flight appears heavier and more lumbering. Plumage sequence as Lesser Black-backed; adult plumage acquired in 4th year. Adult Diagnostic combination of blackish upperparts and pink (not yellow) legs. Large white mirrors on outer two primaries. Eye yellow with red orbital ring. Bill pale yellow with orange-red spot on gonys. Head remains white in non-breeding. First-year Differs from first-winter Lesser Black-backed by whiter head and upper breast contrasting with more coarsely marked grey-brown plumage. In flight from above, dark flight feathers contrast with coverts. Bill black. Legs dull pink. Second-year Head and body gradually become white; adult-like mantle colour appears. Eye gradually turns pale. Bill with pale base and black tip. Third-year As adult, but some traces of immaturity on wings and tail; bill with darkish spot on gonys. HH Palearctic vagrant, Mauritania (south to Nouakchott; records in Jul, Oct, Jan, Apr).

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PLATE 80: LARGE AND MEDIUM-SIZED GULLS Slender-billed Gull Chroicocephalus genei Goéland railleur

40–44 cm; WS 100–110 cm

Medium-sized, white-headed and long-necked gull with distinctive elongated head, x x x produced by gently sloping forehead and longish bill. In flight, white leading edge to x outer wing. Adult plumage acquired in 2nd winter. Compare Black-headed Gull. Adult breeding White head; pink flush to underparts. Eye pale (variable; sometimes looking xxx x dark depending on light). Dark reddish bill (looking black at distance) and legs. Adult nonbreeding Faint dusky ear-spot. First-winter Brownish wing-coverts; pale bill and legs. x In flight, pale brown carpal bar; blackish secondary bar and tail band. HH Locally fairly common resident and intra-African migrant, breeding in Mauritania (mainly Banc d’Arguin) and Senegal (colonies Saloum delta, Langue de Barbarie). Also Palearctic winter visitor. Note Formerly included in Larus.

Audouin’s Gull Ichthyaetus audouinii Goéland d’Audouin

44–52 cm; WS 115–140 cm

Smallest, palest and most elegant of the large gulls in W Africa. Adult plumage acquired in 4th year. Adult Very pale with sharply contrasting black wingtips. In flight, obviously x x paler than Yellow-legged Gull (lacking prominent white leading and trailing edges to wing and white mirrors on wingtips), with dark eye and dark-looking bill (red, with black subterminal band and yellow tip) imparting less fierce expression. Legs olive-grey. Firstyear Whitish head contrasts with grey-brown upperparts; legs dark grey (diagnostic). In x flight, blackish primaries and secondary bar, dark greater coverts, black tail, U-shaped band across rump. Second-year Upperparts obviously paler than corresponding Yellow-legged, with narrower tail band, dark legs and usually reddish-based bill. Third-year Much like adult, but black of wingtips extends onto greater primary-coverts and mirror on outer primary smaller or lacking. HH Rare to not uncommon visitor from Mediterranean to coastal Mauritania, Senegal and Gambia (Sep–May); vagrant, Ghana (Jan 2014). Note Formerly included in Larus. NT

Common Gull Larus canus Goéland cendré

40–45 cm; WS 100–130 cm

L. c. canus. Medium-sized, fairly elegant gull with rounded head, slim bill and dark eye. Adult plumage acquired in 3rd winter. Adult breeding Upperparts dark blue-grey; bill and x legs yellow-green. Adult non-breeding Head has dusky markings; bill pale with dark band. In flight, black wingtips with relatively large white ‘mirrors’. First-winter Head and breast dusky; bill pinkish with dusky tip; legs greyish-pink. In flight, blackish leading edge to outer wing, secondary bar and tail band. Second-winter Wings uniformly grey; black leading edge to outer wing; small white ‘mirrors’. HH Palearctic vagrant, coastal Mauritania (Banc d’Arguin, Jan–Apr) and Senegambia (Sep, Dec–Jan, Jul). Possibly under-recorded.

Yellow-legged Gull Larus michahellis Goéland leucophée

52–58 cm; WS 120–140 cm

Large, powerful gull. Adult plumage acquired in 4th year. Adult atlantis Fierce-looking, with ashy-grey upperparts, yellow bill with orange spot, and yellow legs. In flight, black x wingtips with small white ‘mirrors’. In non-breeding plumage, head streaked, creating hooded appearance (streaking lost from Dec/Jan onwards); legs sometimes yellowishpink. Nominate is slightly paler grey above; black on wingtips usually less extensive; white ‘mirrors’ slightly larger. Non-breeding only very faintly streaked on head and neck. Firstwinter atlantis Mainly brownish, with head and underparts densely streaked or spotted, often rather uniform brownish; bill black; legs brownish-pink (often with darker spotting on upper tarsus and feet, a feature unique to this taxon and Kelp Gull). Many retain juvenile plumage through first winter moulting directly into second-winter plumage in late summer. Wings heavily worn from Feb/Mar. In flight, blackish-brown flight feathers contrast with rest of upperparts; broad dark tail band. Nominate has indistinct paler area on inner primaries, but in atlantis all primaries dark (thus resembling Lesser Black-backed Gull). Second-winter Acquires ashy-grey mantle and white head and body. Third-winter As adult, but traces of immaturity on wings and tail. HH Uncommon Palearctic visitor (mainly Oct–May; records in all months) to coastal Mauritania and Senegambia, and Cape Verde. Rare or vagrant further south; possibly under-recorded. Birds in Senegambia presumed to be L. m. atlantis (breeding on Atlantic islands) but nominate (mainly Mediterranean) also possible; more research needed on distribution of respective races outside breeding season.

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PLATE 81: SMALL AND MEDIUM-SIZED GULLS Little Gull Hydrocoloeus minutus Mouette pygmée

24–28 cm; WS 75–80 cm

Tiny gull with rounded-looking wings and buoyant, surface-picking feeding flight, recalling marsh tern. Adult plumage acquired in 3rd year. Adult breeding The only black-hooded gull lacking white eye-crescents; upperparts pale grey. Adult non-breeding Dusky cap and ear-spot; pale grey upperparts. In flight, no black on upperwing; underwings x x x blackish with white trailing edge. First-winter Dusky cap and ear-spot; black primaries x and wingbar. In flight, blackish W on upperwings, underwings white, black tail band. x First-summer Variably developed hood. Second-winter/-summer As adult breeding/ non-breeding, but variable blackish markings on tips of outer primaries; summer plumage with hood often flecked white. HH Rare or scarce Palearctic visitor, coastal Mauritania and Senegambia (Nov–Apr; rarely May–Jun). Vagrant elsewhere. Note Formerly included in Larus.

Sabine’s Gull Xema sabini Mouette de Sabine

27–35 cm; WS 90–100 cm

Rather small with tricoloured, triangular-patterned upperwing, slightly forked tail (often hard to see), and elegant, tern-like flight. Unique among gulls in having a partial moult in Nov–Dec (in wintering areas) and a complete one in Feb–Apr (before northward migration). Adult plumage acquired in 2nd winter. Adult breeding Dark grey hood; yellowtipped black bill. Adult non-breeding Head largely white with blackish nape patch of x variable extent. First-winter Wing-coverts brownish; bill all black. Juvenile Same x pattern in flight as adult, but grey areas browner; black tail band. HH Highly pelagic Arctic visitor to W African seas (mainly Aug–Nov and Mar–Jun). Regularly recorded off Dakar in autumn. Winters mainly off Namibia and South Africa.

Grey-headed Gull Chroicocephalus cirrocephalus Mouette à tête grise

39–43 cm; WS 100–115 cm

C. c. poiocephalus. Medium-sized gull with diagnostic upperwing pattern in adult and all-dusky underwing at all ages. Adult plumage usually acquired in 3rd winter. Adult breeding Pale grey hood; red bill and legs. In flight, extensive black wingtips with white x x x x mirrors, bordered by broad white diagonal bar. Adult non-breeding Head white, often x x x with some greyish; faint dusky ear-spot. First-winter Head white with dusky markings; x x brownish wing-coverts. In flight, black outer primaries, secondary bar and tail band, x brown carpal bar. Second-winter As adult non-breeding but black on wingtip more extensive, white mirrors small or lacking; dusky trailing edge. HH Common to rare resident and wanderer along coast, and inland along major rivers (from Mali to L. Chad). Colonies in Mauritania (Banc d’Arguin), Senegal, Guinea-Bissau, Guinea. Voice Harsh kaarr and short kok-kok. Note Formerly included in Larus.

Black-headed Gull Chroicocephalus ridibundus Mouette rieuse

34–37 cm; WS 90–100 cm

Rather small and slender. In flight, slim pointed wings with white leading edge to outer x x x wing (most extensive on adults). Adult plumage acquired in 2nd winter. Adult breeding Dark brown hood; dark red bill, legs and feet. Adult non-breeding Head white with dusky xx x x ear-spot and two faint dusky bands over crown (‘headphones’). First-winter Brownish x x x wing-coverts; dusky head markings. In flight, brown carpal bar, blackish secondary bar x x x and tail band. HH Fairly common to rare Palearctic visitor to coast (mainly Mauritania– Ghana) and inland along Niger R. and other aquatic habitats (mainly Oct–Apr; records in all months); also Cape Verde. Voice Harsh krreeah and kwarr, and short kak, kok-kok-kok. Note Formerly included in Larus.

Mediterranean Gull Ichthyaetus melanocephalus Mouette mélanocéphale

36–40 cm; WS 92–102 cm

Slightly larger and heavier than Black-headed Gull, with stouter bill and longer legs. Adult plumage acquired in 3rd winter. Adult breeding Very white-looking with black hood extending on nape, white crescents above and below eye, blood-red bill (with black x x band near tip) and red legs. In flight striking: the only gull with all-white primaries and underwing. Adult non-breeding White wingtips; dark wedge behind eye, extending diffusely over crown. First-winter Dusky patch on ear-coverts; blunt, blackish bill. In flight, pale saddle, contrasting upperwing pattern. Second-winter As adult non-breeding, but variable amount of black in tips of outer primaries. Bill colour variable. HH Scarce to rare Palearctic visitor, coastal Mauritania (Sep–Apr) and Senegambia (Nov–Feb; also May); mainly immatures. Note Formerly included in Larus.

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PLATE 82: VAGRANT GULLS Black-legged Kittiwake Rissa tridactyla Mouette tridactyle

38–42 cm; WS 95–120 cm

R. t. tridactyla. Medium-sized, slender gull with rather pointed wings and a square or slightly notched tail. Adult plumage acquired in 2nd winter. Adult breeding Darkish grey x x and white, with diagnostic clear-cut black wingtips. Bill greenish-yellow. Legs black and x rather short. Adult non-breeding Back of head and neck smudged grey; blackish ear-spot. x First-winter Neatly defined, broad black W on wings (formed by black outer primaries and carpal bar); clear-cut black terminal tail band; blackish ear-spot; blackish collar (or traces of it) on hindneck. Bill black. Compare first-winter Little and Sabine’s Gulls (Plate 81). HH Palearctic visitor just reaching offshore waters Mauritania/Senegambia (mainly Nov–Apr), where probably regular. Pelagic; rarely observed from coast. Scarce, Cape Verde.

Bonaparte’s Gull Chroicocephalus philadelphia Mouette de Bonaparte x

28–31 cm; WS 80–90 cm

Small, elegant version of Black-headed Gull (Plate 81), with white underwing and mainly black bill. Plumage sequence as Black-headed; adult plumage acquired in 2nd winter. Adult non-breeding As Black-headed Gull but smaller; ear-spot more distinct. In flight, neat black edge to primaries. First-winter Bill all dark; legs pinkish. In flight, pattern of primary coverts different from Black-headed Gull, black trailing edge more distinct. HH N American vagrant, N Senegal (Jan 1986). Note Formerly included in Larus.

Franklin’s Gull Leucophaeus pipixcan Mouette de Franklin

32–36 cm; WS 85–92 cm

Small and rather dumpy, with shortish wings, tail, bill and legs, and conspicuous white eye-crescents in all plumages. In winter, darker-headed than any other similar-sized gull x xx (but beware transitional stages of moult). The only gull to have two complete moults per x year (only post-juvenile moult is partial); adult plumage normally acquired in 2nd summer. Adult breeding Differs from Laughing Gull in more rounded head, shorter bill, broader eye-crescents. In flight, black on wingtips surrounded by white. Adult non-breeding Blackish ‘half-hood’ and broad white eye-crescents diagnostic. First-winter Differs from first-winter Laughing Gull in dark half-hood, white neck and underparts, paler inner primaries, and narrower tail band, which does not extend to outermost tail feathers. HH N American vagrant, coastal Mauritania (Banc d’Arguin, Jan 2006) and Senegambia (Oct–Apr). One paired with Grey-headed Gull (Saloum delta, Senegal, May 1983). Note Formerly included in Larus. x

Laughing Gull Leucophaeus atricilla Mouette atricille x

38–41 cm; WS 100–120 cm

Rather small and slim (only slightly larger than Black-headed Gull) with relatively long wings, legs and bill, the latter often appearing drooping. Adult plumage acquired in 3rd x x winter. Adult breeding Black hood; white eye-crescents; dull red bill and legs. In flight, xx ashy-grey upperparts (darker than Common Gull); black wingtips (lacking mirrors). Adult non-breeding Dusky-marked head; longish, blackish bill. First-winter Rear of head to breast and flanks dusky brownish-grey; blackish primaries, secondary bar and tail band. First-summer Variably developed hood; wing markings faded. Second-winter/-summer As adult breeding/non-breeding, but black on wing more extensive, and often have traces of secondary bar and/or tail band. HH American vagrant, coastal Mauritania (Jan 2004, Feb 1980, Apr [undated]), Senegambia (at least 9 records, Oct–Feb, May) and Cape Verde (São Vicente, Jul 2009). One may have paired with Grey-headed Gull (Saloum delta, Senegal, Mar 1985). Note Formerly included in Larus.

Ring-billed Gull Larus delawarensis Goéland à bec cerclé

41–49 cm; WS 115–135 cm

Intermediate in size and structure between Common and Yellow-legged Gulls (Plate 80), with rather flat head and stout, ‘parallel’, blunt-looking bill. Adult plumage acquired in x x 3rd winter. Plumage sequence and patterns similar to Common. Adult non-breeding x Yellow bill with black subterminal band. In flight, white mirrors smaller than in Common Gull. First-winter Typically heavily spotted on head, neck and breast-sides; pinkish, darktipped bill. In flight, grey on upperparts paler than in Common Gull ; tail band not clear-cut. Second-winter Single small white mirror (or none); tail often with traces of subterminal band. Eye usually pale. HH N American vagrant, Senegal (Oct 1985), Gambia (Dec 2008) and Cape Verde (Boavista, Apr 2001).

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PLATE 83: LARGE TERNS TERNS (Plates 83–86) Slender, small to medium-sized marine and freshwater birds with long, pointed wings, usually long, forked tails and slender, pointed bills. Distinct breeding and non-breeding plumages. Sexes similar. Flight graceful and buoyant. Gregarious; many species often in mixed groups with other terns. Most immatures of Palearctic species spend first, sometimes also second, summer in winter quarters. Adult plumage usually acquired during 2nd or 3rd winter. Main identification features include size, wing pattern, bill shape and colour, and call.

Caspian Tern Hydroprogne caspia Sterne caspienne

47–54 cm; WS 130–145 cm

Largest tern (about size of large gull) with massive red bill, thick neck, conspicuous dark wedge on tip of underwing (formed by blackish outer primaries) and short, shallowly forked tail. Flight gull-like with slow, heavy wingbeats. Adult breeding Large black cap x ending in short rough crest; bill blood-red with yellow tip and black subterminal band; legs x black. Adult non-breeding Dark cap densely streaked white (appearing greyish). Juvenile Scaly pattern on upperparts; bill dull reddish tipped dusky. Immature In flight has dusky leading edge and secondary bar on upper wing. HH Resident and Palearctic visitor. Breeds Mauritania–Guinea; also Eq. Guinea–Gabon. Common to fairly common migrant along entire coast south to Gulf of Guinea and locally inland (e.g. central Niger delta), uncommon further south to Congo. Mainly on coast, lagoons, large rivers and lakes. Often with other terns. Flies high, occasionally soars. Catches prey by plunge-diving, submerging completely. Voice Deep, hoarse kraahap or rrha-ak. Note Formerly included in Sterna.

Royal Tern Thalasseus maximus Sterne royale

45–50 cm; WS 125–135 cm

T. m. albididorsalis. Second largest tern. Adult breeding Black cap ending in short, shaggy crest, deep orange bill, black legs. In flight from below, dark trailing edge to outer primaries. Black cap retained for only short period, in early breeding season. Adult non-breeding Black on head reduced to ‘shawl’ from eyes across hindcrown (sometimes abrading to leave head almost white); bill pale orange. Juvenile Head pattern similar to adult non-breeding, upperparts indistinctly scaled, prominent carpal and secondary x bars, dull yellowish legs. In flight, boldly patterned upperwing with dark outer wing and pale grey inner wing marked with three contrasting dark bars (on leading edge, greater coverts and secondaries); tail tipped dark. Immature Initially as juvenile but with uniformly grey upperparts; gradually more like adult non-breeding. HH Resident and intra-African migrant; common along entire coast. Also recorded in Gulf of Guinea waters. Breeds Mauritania (Banc d’Arguin), Senegal (Langue de Barbarie, Saloum delta, Kalissaye) and Gambia (Bijol Is). Marine; mainly on shores, lagoons and in harbours. Voice High-pitched, shrill kee-err and a loud, sharp krryuk, resembling Sandwich Tern but deeper. Note Formerly included in Sterna.

Lesser Crested Tern Thalasseus bengalensis Sterne voyageuse

35–37 cm; WS 92–105 cm

T. b. emigratus. Fairly large, elegant crested tern with slender orange bill. Legs black. Royal Tern is larger, with stouter bill. Similar-sized Sandwich Tern (Plate 84) has yellowtipped black bill. Both have slightly paler upperparts and white rump and tail. Adult breeding Black cap ending in shaggy crest, silvery-white primaries contrasting with rest of grey upperparts, underwing white with narrow dark trailing edge to outer primaries, x rump and tail grey. Bill orange-red. Adult non-breeding Forehead and most of crown x xx white; bill paler orange. Immature Similar to adult non-breeding but with dark outer primaries and dusky secondary bar. Bill dusky-orange. HH Generally scarce to uncommon Mediterranean visitor (mainly Sep–Apr) to coastal Mauritania–Sierra Leone; vagrant, Ghana and Benin. Marine; mainly occurring inshore. Gregarious, often foraging with other terns. Catches prey by plunge-diving, usually submerging completely. Voice Rasping errik and krrr-eep, resembling Sandwich Tern but higher-pitched. Note Formerly included in Sterna.

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PLATE 84: MEDIUM-SIZED TERNS Gull-billed Tern Gelochelidon nilotica Sterne hansel

35–43 cm; WS 86–103 cm

G. n. nilotica. Fairly large, comparatively thickset and white-looking tern with stout, allx x black bill, no crest, short shallowly forked tail and longish black legs. Adult breeding x Black cap (from Mar). Upperparts and tail very pale grey; upper- and underwing with x x x x dark trailing edge to primaries. Adult non-breeding Head white with black streak behind x x eye. Outer primaries gradually darken through wear. Juvenile Faint brownish tinge and x indistinct V-shaped markings above. Immature In flight, primaries worn and darker than in adult. HH Locally common to uncommon resident breeder, Mauritania (Banc d’Arguin; irregular elsewhere) and Senegal (Langue de Barbarie). Locally common to rare Palearctic visitor (mainly Sep–Apr), inland and on coast. Frequents larger lagoons and saltpans; also lakes and rivers. Not on open sea. Attracted to bush fires. Does not habitually plunge-dive (unlike Sandwich Tern). Voice Harsh, raucous ger-vik and khaak. Juvenile utters high-pitched pe-eep or fast pe-pe-eep.

Sandwich Tern Thalasseus sandvicensis Sterne caugek

x

36–41 cm; WS 95–105 cm

T. s. sandvicensis. Fairly large, white-looking tern with long, slender black bill (yellowtipped in adult), long wings and short, forked tail. Adult breeding Black cap with shaggy crest; bill black with yellow tip. In flight, very white looking, with outer primaries forming darkish wedge. Adult non-breeding Head white with black ‘shawl’. Immature Initially differs from adult non-breeding in darkish carpal bar, secondaries and outer tail feathers; these lost by late winter. HH Common Palearctic visitor (Aug–Apr). Marine; mainly occurring inshore. Typically plunge-dives from great heights (5–10 m), but also from lower. Voice Loud, rasping kerrik or keerr-wit. Note Formerly included in Sterna.

Roseate Tern Sterna dougallii Sterne de Dougall

33–38 cm; WS 72–80 cm

S. d. dougallii. Medium-sized, slender sea tern. Underwing lacks dark trailing edge to primaries in all plumages. Adult breeding Very pale grey, appearing almost white at distance (recalling Sandwich Tern), with black cap, extremely long tail streamers (moulted Aug–Sep) and black bill with red base. Underparts white tinged pink. On upperwing, 2–4 x outer primaries gradually darken to form narrow dark wedge; underwing all white. Legs bright red. Adult non-breeding Much paler overall than Common and Arctic Terns; no tail x streamers; legs dusky-red. First-winter In flight, dusky carpal bar, whitish secondaries. HH Fairly common to rare Palearctic visitor. Marine; more pelagic than Common Tern. Plunge-dives; also dips to surface. Voice A shrill cher-vrik (reminiscent of Sandwich Tern). Also a guttural, rasping rrraakh.

Common Tern Sterna hirundo Sterne pierregarin

31–35 cm; WS 77–98 cm

S. h. hirundo. Medium-sized, elegant sea tern with, in all plumages, diagnostic underwing pattern of dusky-tipped outer primaries forming diffuse trailing edge. Adult breeding x x Bill red with black tip; tail not projecting beyond wingtips. White line between cap and gape broader than in Arctic Tern. In flight, upperwing never uniformly grey, but with dusky wedge on outer wing. Adult non-breeding Bill dark with reddish base; forehead white; no tail streamers. Inner wing with dusky carpal and fainter secondary bar; outer wing more uniformly pale once worn outer primaries moulted early winter. Juvenile Gingery tinge to forehead and scaly upperparts; blackish carpal bar. Immature As adult non-breeding. HH Common resident, intra-African migrant and Palearctic visitor. Rare, Cape Verde and Gulf of Guinea Is. Breeds annually Mauritania (Banc d’Arguin); occasionally Senegal, Guinea-Bissau, Nigeria and Gabon. Feeds along coast and offshore. Forages by hovering and plunge-diving from low height. Voice Shrill, drawn-out KEEEarrh and sharp kip.

Arctic Tern Sterna paradisaea Sterne arctique

33–35 cm; WS 75–85 cm

Medium-sized, very elegant sea tern with, at all ages, diagnostic well-defined narrow black trailing edge to primaries on underwing. Adult breeding Bill all red; underparts pale grey; tail projecting beyond wingtips. In flight, uniform upperwings, underwings pure white (looking wholly translucent against light) with tip bordered by neat black x line. Adult non-breeding Bill blackish (shorter than Common Tern); forehead white; no x tail streamers. First-winter In flight, dusky carpal bar (less obvious than in first-winter Common Tern); very pale hindwing with broad white trailing edge. HH Fairly common to rare Holarctic visitor (mainly Aug–Oct & Mar–May). Both inshore and offshore; more pelagic than Common Tern. Hovers and plunge-dives from low height. Voice Strident keeAARRGH resembling call of Common Tern, but harsher and with stress on second syllable; rapid ki-ki-ki-ki.

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PLATE 85: SMALL AND MARSH TERNS Damara Tern Sternula balaenarum Sterne des baleiniers

x

x

23 cm; WS 51 cm

Small and compact with slightly decurved black bill, pale grey upperparts, rump and uppertail, and darkish legs. Adult breeding Combination of small size and all-black cap diagnostic. In flight, dumpy with dusky leading edge to outer wing. Adult non-breeding Similar, but forehead white. Juvenile Upperparts with pale fringes. Immature As adult non-breeding but with dusky carpal bar. HH Rare to uncommon S African migrant, Apr– Jan (mainly Jul–Sep). Coastal. Forages by hovering and plunge-diving. Voice High-pitched rrrrik and rrreekikik. Note Formerly included in Sterna. NT

Little Tern Sternula albifrons Sterne naine

22–24 cm; WS 48–55 cm

Small with white forehead in all plumages. Flight fluttering. Adult guineae breeding Bill yellow with little or no black; legs yellow; rump white. In flight, dark outer primaries x x form narrow wedge on leading edge of wing. Nominate Bill yellow with clear black x tip; rump grey. Adult non-breeding Bill black; black on head recedes to form ‘shawl’ x x from eyes across nape; crown streaked grey; legs brownish. In flight, dark carpal bar x and leading edge to outer wing. Juvenile Upperparts with buffish fringes. In flight, upperwing has dusky leading edge contrasting with pale grey mid-wing panel and almost white secondaries and inner primaries. Immature Much as adult non-breeding. HH S. a. guineae is local resident and common to uncommon partial intra-African migrant, breeding patchily on coast and, inland, along Niger R. and major tributaries, L. Chad, and Ogooué R. (Gabon). Nominate is common to uncommon Palearctic winter visitor (mainly Nov–Apr). Forages by hovering and plunge-diving from moderate height, also by surface-picking. Voice Short, shrill kitik and kree-ik. Note Formerly included in Sterna. MARSH TERNS Small and compact, with shallowly forked tails. Adult plumage usually acquired during 2nd summer. Do not plunge for food but forage low over water or aquatic vegetation, hovering and surface-picking; also catch insects in flight.

Whiskered Tern Chlidonias hybrida Guifette moustac

23–25 cm; WS 74–78 cm

C. h. hybrida. Largest marsh tern, with distinctive Sterna jizz. Adult breeding (mainly x early Apr–Jun/Jul) Black cap; contrasting white streak on head-sides. Underparts dark grey becoming blackish-grey on belly. Bill blood-red. Adult non-breeding Very pale. Black x x x on head reduced to U-shaped band from eyes across nape and some streaking on rear x x of crown. Upperparts and tail uniformly pale grey; underparts white. Bill black. Juvenile x Dark brown ‘saddle’ (soon replaced), dark bill and legs. Immature Gradually more like x adult non-breeding (much individual variation; post-juvenile moult usually completed Oct– Jan). HH Uncommon to fairly common Palearctic visitor (Aug–May; records in all months). Frequents coastal areas and inland reservoirs. Voice Low grating and rattling sounds, incl. harsh kirrk and nasal airkh.

Black Tern Chlidonias niger Guifette noire

22–24 cm; WS 64–68 cm

C. n. niger. Unmistakable in breeding plumage; in other plumages small dark breast x patches diagnostic. Adult breeding Head and underparts black; upperparts slate-grey; x x x bill black; legs darkish red. In flight, contrasting pale grey wings and white undertailx x coverts. Adult non-breeding Black cap with large ‘headphones’; rest of head and x x underparts white. In flight, dark patch on breast-sides; grey rump and tail. Moulting birds blotched below. Juvenile As adult non-breeding but with faintly contrasting, dark x grey-brown ‘saddle’ and broad, dark carpal bar. Immature Post-juvenile moult generally started in winter quarters. Gradually more like adult non-breeding. HH Common Palearctic visitor (mainly Jun–Feb; records in all months) along coast and offshore. Some inland records. Voice Nasal kyay or kleeah and kyek, grating kerr and short kik.

White-winged Tern Chlidonias leucopterus Guifette leucoptère

20–23 cm; WS 63–67 cm

Unmistakable in breeding plumage; no breast patches in other plumages. Adult breeding Black with contrasting pale grey wings and white rump, vent and tail. Black underwingcoverts contrast with pale grey remiges. Adult non-breeding Black confined to head, x x x x x x where reduced to small patch behind eye and streaking over rear crown (forming x x ‘headphones’). Upperparts pale grey (paler than Black) with contrasting white rump. x x Often retains traces of breeding plumage late into moult (esp. on wing-coverts). Juvenile x x Dark brown ‘saddle’ contrasts strongly with pale grey wings (paler than juvenile Black) x and white rump. Carpal bar narrower and less conspicuous than Black. Head as adult non-breeding. Immature Post-juvenile moult generally started in winter quarters. Gradually more like adult non-breeding (much individual variation). HH Fairly common to common Palearctic visitor (mainly late Oct–early May). Frequents coastal areas and inland reservoirs. Occasionally far from water. Voice Various squealing and grating sounds, incl. khee-ep, harsh krrek and softer kverr-kek; also fast kikikik.

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PLATE 86: PELAGIC TERNS, NODDIES AND AFRICAN SKIMMER Bridled Tern Onychoprion anaethetus Sterne bridée

30–32 cm; WS 77–81 cm

O. a. melanopterus. Medium-sized sea tern with dark upperparts and very buoyant, graceful flight. Long, slender black bill. Legs black. Adult Black cap and white forehead extending beyond eye as narrow supercilium. Upperparts and tail dark grey-brown; tail long and deeply forked with white outer feathers; underparts white washed greyish x xx x x xx on breast and belly. White underwing-coverts contrast with dark flight feathers; grey x collar usually separates black crown from dark upperparts. Juvenile Paler and browner x above; upperparts scalloped; underparts white with grey wash on breast-sides and flanks; forehead dusky. Immature Mostly as adult. HH Uncommon, local resident and intra-African migrant/vagrant along coast. Breeds Mauritania (Banc d’Arguin), São Tomé & Príncipe and Annobón; also Senegal (a few pairs, Îles de la Madeleine and Langue de Barbarie). Disperses offshore after breeding. Pelagic. Flies low over sea, hovering frequently and surface-picking; also plungedives. Voice Various harsh, grating calls. Note Formerly included in Sterna.

Sooty Tern Onychoprion fuscatus Sterne fuligineuse

33–36 cm; WS 82–94 cm

O. f. fuscatus. Medium-sized slender sea tern with blackish upperparts and long forked tail. Legs and feet black. Adult Highly contrasting pattern of blackish upperparts and tail, and pure white underparts. Forehead white, not extending as supercilium. Underwing white with contrasting blackish flight feathers, upperparts all black without neck collar. Juvenile x x Blackish-brown with whitish lower belly and undertail-coverts; upperparts have white x x fringes. Immature Gradually becomes paler on head and underparts. HH Local resident and Afrotropical and Nearctic migrant. Breeds Tinhosas Is (Príncipe; up to 200,000 pairs) and, erratically, in isolated pairs, Senegal. Disperses widely after breeding. Pelagic. Does not plunge-dive but flies low over water and snatches prey from or just below surface. Voice Nasal wekawek and kwèè-eh; also a low krrrr. Note Formerly included in Sterna. x x

NODDIES Distinctive pelagic terns with wholly dark brown plumage, contrasting pale caps, and spatulate, slightly forked tails. Bill and legs black. Rarely soar high above ocean or plunge-dive; normally fly c.3 m above sea.

Black Noddy Anous minutus Noddi noir x x

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35–39 cm; WS 66–72 cm

A. m. atlanticus. Adult Blacker than Brown Noddy, bill longer and more slender, cap whiter, more extensive and more sharply defined. In flight, uniformly blackish-brown. More graceful, with faster wingbeats than Brown Noddy. Juvenile White restricted to forehead and sharply demarcated; upperparts and coverts fringed buffish. HH Locally common resident at breeding grounds in Gulf of Guinea. Breeds Tinhosas Is (Príncipe; 5000 pairs) and Annobón (70,000 pairs). Vagrant elsewhere. Pelagic. Voice Mainly silent.

Brown Noddy Anous stolidus Noddi brun

38–40 cm; WS 77–85 cm

A. s. stolidus. Adult Contrasting greyish-white forehead and forecrown becoming ashgrey on rear crown and nape. White crescent below eye. Underwing greyish-brown x bordered by contrasting dark brown band, narrow on leading edge, broad on trailing x edge. Upperwing-coverts contrast slightly with darker flight feathers (visible only in good x x x xx x light). Juvenile Almost entirely dark; upperparts and coverts with pale fringes. Immature Grey restricted to forehead. HH Locally common resident at breeding grounds in Gulf of x Guinea. Breeds Tinhosas Is (Príncipe; 10,000s), São Tomé (100s) and Annobón (1000s). Vagrant elsewhere. Highly pelagic, occurring mainly offshore. Voice Low grating krrrah. Mainly silent. SKIMMER Tern-like bird with unique bill shape and feeding technique. Fishes by flying close to surface with tip of much longer lower mandible slicing through water. Wings long and narrow, tail short and forked. Sexes similar, male slightly larger. Flight fast and agile. Breeds colonially.

African Skimmer Rynchops flavirostris Bec-en-ciseaux d’Afrique

36–42 cm; WS 125–135 cm

Adult breeding Black above, white below; scissor-like bill and legs orange-red. In flight, has white trailing edge to inner primaries and secondaries on both surfaces; underwing greyish-white with blackish primaries. Adult non-breeding Browner above; whitish x xx x collar on lower hindneck. Juvenile Upperparts browner, fringed buffish; bill has dusky x x x tip. HH Uncommon to rare. Curious feeding action requires large expanses of quiet water; breeding dependent on large sandbars in broad rivers and lakes. Disperses when not breeding, then also on estuaries, coastal lagoons, dams and saltpans. Spends much of day resting on sandbars. Has decreased cinsiderably in W Africa. Voice Loud, shrill kik and kree, often repeated. NT

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Bridled Tern

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Sooty Tern

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Black Noddy

Brown Noddy

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African Skimmer

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PLATE 87: SANDGROUSE SANDGROUSE Cryptically plumaged, terrestrial birds of arid habitats. Wings and tail pointed, bill and legs short. Sexually dimorphic, females less distinctly marked. Flight swift and direct, reminiscent of pigeons. Gregarious, esp. at favourite water holes. Feed mostly on seeds. Calls are a good identification clue.

Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse Pterocles exustus Ganga à ventre brun

x

29–33 cm

P. e. exustus. Long-tailed, pale yellow-buff with dark underwing and dark belly. Above, blackish remiges contrast with pale upperwing-coverts. Adult male Head and throat plain; belly dark chestnut. Adult female Densely barred dark brown above. HH Common to fairly common resident and partially migratory/nomadic. Southward movements in dry season. In bare semi-desert and sandy arid scrub. Visits waterholes in early morning and before sunset in small or large flocks. Voice In flight, a guttural kwit-gurut, kwit kwit-gurut...

x xx

Spotted Sandgrouse Pterocles senegallus Ganga tacheté

29–35 cm

Long-tailed, pale yellow-buff with pale underwing-coverts and pale belly with dark streak on centre (only visible at close range). In flight, from below, dark flight x x x feathers (primaries greyish, secondaries black) contrast with pale underwing-coverts; upperwing largely pale with dusky trailing edge. Adult male Face deep yellow-orange bordered by pale blue-grey supercilium, neck and breast. Crown pale rufous-buff. Upperparts mainly pale yellow-buff; scapulars and wing-coverts greyish with large sandy tips. Adult female Crown, upperparts and upper breast spotted black; cheeks, neck-sides and throat orange-yellow. HH Uncommon resident. In open, flat, patchily vegetated stony desert. Visits waterholes in early morning, where may congregate in large flocks. Voice In flight, a frequently repeated, distinctive, staccato wikow wik wikow..., in chorus wikowikowikowikowikow...

Crowned Sandgrouse Pterocles coronatus Ganga couronné

25–29 cm

P. c. coronatus. Short-tailed, pale yellow-buff with, in flight, blackish flight feathers x x contrasting with pale coverts on both surfaces. Adult male Black vertical mark from forecrown to upper throat; crown pale rufous bordered pale blue-grey. Cheeks, necksides and lower throat orange-yellow. Upperparts pale yellow-buff washed grey with well-defined sandy spots to feather tips, from mantle to coverts. Adult female Densely and finely spotted and barred with black both above and below. Cheeks, neck-sides and throat pale orange-yellow. HH Uncommon resident. In desert, esp. in stony areas. Gathers at waterholes in early morning. Voice In flight, a fast guttural chatter klak-klagarrarra klak-klak-klak-klagarra... (or chaga-chagarra...). x

Lichtenstein’s Sandgrouse Pterocles lichtensteinii Ganga de Lichtenstein

22–26 cm

P. l. targius. Stocky, smallish, finely and densely barred sandgrouse. In flight, blackish ? ? x x flight feathers contrast with paler upperwing-coverts; underwing dark grey-brown, with ? little or no contrast; tail short. Adult male Forehead white traversed by black band; white supercilium with black spot above eye. Breast unbarred, traversed by two narrow black bands; bill orange. Adult female Finely and densely barred. HH Uncommon and patchily distributed resident; locally nomadic. Frequents rocky and scrubby desert with scattered bushes. Gathers at freshwater source at dusk. Voice Clear, liquid, sharp k-kwio k-kwio.... or kliuw kliuw... (also transcribed as KWEtal or kuitl). Alarm a dry croaking krre-krre-krre-krre-... ?

?

Four-banded Sandgrouse Pterocles quadricinctus Ganga quadribande

25–28 cm

Short-tailed. In flight, blackish flight feathers contrast with yellowish-buff upperwingcoverts and grey underwing-coverts. Adult male Black-and-white forehead; chestnut, white and black breast-bands. Adult female Plain face, throat and upper breast. x HH Locally common to not uncommon resident and partial migrant. Dry-season breeding x visitor in south of range. In dry wooded grassland, cultivation and open sandy scrub. Flocks gather at dusk and fly to waterholes. Apparently largely nocturnal. Voice In flight, a far-carrying whistled twittering kik-krrr-reee. Also an aerial song whup whip twhu turuptuwrree, at night. Note Name ‘Four-banded’ is a misnomer, as male has only three breast-bands.

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Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse 

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 

Spotted Sandgrouse     Crowned Sandgrouse

    Lichtenstein’s Sandgrouse

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

Four-banded Sandgrouse

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PLATE 88: GREEN AND LARGE PIGEONS PIGEONS AND DOVES (Plates 88–92) Arboreal and terrestrial species with compact bodies, small heads and strong, fast flight. Feed on fruit or seeds. Calls distinctive and an excellent identification clue.

African Green Pigeon Treron calvus Colombar à front nu

25–28 cm

Plump, heavily built green pigeon with bicoloured bill. Adult Head and underparts green; purplish patch on shoulder; bill pale with large red base. Greater coverts and secondaries tipped and edged yellow; undertail-coverts chestnut edged buff. Races differ in shade of green and extent of red cere. T. c. sharpei (Sierra Leone–N Cameroon) slightly greyer, less yellow-olive than nudirostris (Senegambia–Guinea), with cere larger, extending well onto forehead; nominate (SE Nigeria–Congo) darker and greener than sharpei; uellensis (SE CAR) slightly larger than sharpei, with larger cere. Island race poensis (Bioko) brighter green than nominate; virescens (Príncipe) deeper and duller green than nominate, with more slender bill. Juvenile Duller and lacking purplish shoulder patch. HH Fairly common to locally common resident. In forest, farmbush and wooded savanna. Usually in flocks. Feeds on figs and other fruit, clambering among branches like a parrot, occasionally hanging upside-down. Rarely on ground, but may locally visit saltpans. Easily overlooked when perching quietly in thick foliage. Voice Curious and not pigeonlike, starting with a rather soft, fluty trill, suddenly rising, then descending, hru-hru-wrih-hu-hrruu hrruuu and ending in throaty chuckling, creaking, barking and growling notes.

Bruce’s Green Pigeon Treron waalia Colombar waalia

28–30 cm

Adult Plump green pigeon with pale grey head and breast, bright yellow belly, purplish patch on shoulder, and whitish bill with bluish cere. Vent mainly whitish streaked olivegrey; undertail-coverts chestnut edged buff. Juvenile Duller with no or smaller purplish shoulder patch. HH Common to fairly common resident. In small flocks in woodland, riparian forest, thickets and thorn scrub. Partial to figs. Easily overlooked when perched in leafy canopy. Local movements, related to rains or ripening of figs. Voice Curious and not pigeon-like, starting with a rapid series of hard, cracking notes (resembling slow opening of a creaking door), followed by fluty whistles, suddenly rising, then descending and ending in some abrupt yapping grunts k k k-k-k-kkkkkkrrrrrrr whuuuuu-wiwhuwheeew errrr whrreh errrr whrreh whrreh whrreh.

Wood Pigeon Columba palumbus Pigeon ramier 40–45 cm x

Very large and heavy-looking. Mainly grey above with large white patch on neck-sides. Breast vinous-pink becoming pale grey on belly. In flight, broad white transverse band on wing and broad black terminal tail band. HH Single record, Mauritania (Apr 1981, Nouakchott, one); possibility of escape cannot be ruled out.

Speckled Pigeon Columba guinea Pigeon roussard

35–40 cm

C. g. guinea. Large grey-and-chestnut pigeon with triangular white spots on wingcoverts. In flight, pale grey rump and uppertail-coverts contrast with dark upperparts; tail grey with broad black terminal band. Adult Head and neck grey with conspicuous bare red patch around yellow eye, and vinous-chestnut streaking on neck. Upperparts x vinous-chestnut; underparts grey. Juvenile Duller and browner; bare eye patch brownish. HH Common to fairly common. In pairs or small groups in woodland, cultivation and gardens; also villages and towns, where often perches on buildings. May congregate in larger flocks after breeding. Local seasonal movements reported. Feeds on ground. Voice A fast, rising series of oo notes, increasing in pace and volume oo-oo-oo-oo-oo-oo-oo-OOH-OOH-OOH-.... Also rroh rroh rroh.

Rock Dove Columba livia Pigeon biset

31–34 cm

Adult gymnocycla Dark slate-grey with pure white rump, two broad black wingbars and white underwings. Neck and upper mantle glossed metallic green and purple. Eye ? ? yellowish with narrow red orbital ring. Bill dark grey with white cere. Feet dark red. x Central Sahara race targia much paler; mainly soft grey (incl. rump) with contrasting black wingbars and black terminal tail band. Juvenile Duller. Ancestor of domestic pigeon; feral population of latter highly variable, some very similar to genuine Rock Dove. HH Locally common to rare resident on rock ledges, escarpments, bare rocky hills and coastal cliffs. Situation in some areas unclear due to interbreeding with feral birds. Feeds on ground. Voice Low, drawn-out, emphatic rrooh repeated several times. x

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PLATE 89: LARGE PIGEONS Western Bronze-naped Pigeon Columba iriditorques Pigeon à nuque bronzée

28 cm

Medium-sized, mainly dark forest pigeon with bright crimson feet. Broad pale terminal tail band conspicuous on landing. Gloss on hindcrown to mantle usually hard to see. Adult male Head dark blue-grey; breast and belly dark vinous. Adult female Crown cinnamonrufous; underparts greyish-chestnut. HH Locally fairly common to scarce forest resident. Usually high in trees or at mid-level; occasionally lower. Unobtrusive; mainly noticed by voice. Voice One or two soft, barely audible, hesitating notes abruptly followed, after short pause, by 5–6 clear coos, last 2 descending ehuu ehuu KOOOW KOOOW KOOW koo-koo.

Cameroon Olive Pigeon Columba sjostedti Pigeon du Cameroun

36–40 cm

Large, very dark pigeon with yellow eye and bill. Adult Head dark blue-grey. Upper- and underparts mainly vinous-maroon; mantle, breast and belly profusely speckled white; some white speckles on wing-coverts and scapulars. Tail blue-black. Bill yellow with red base. Feet dark purple. Juvenile Much duller. Not speckled but feathers of lower breast and belly fringed white; upperparts and upper breast feathers fringed pale grey and rufous. Bill dusky. HH Common resident. In montane forest and forested gullies, thickets and forest patches in highland areas, at 1000–2500 m. Mainly in canopy. Endemic. Voice Deep, drawn-out growl, followed by a quavering series of low, muffled coos; also a bleating sound in display flight.

White-naped Pigeon Columba albinucha Pigeon à nuque blanche

36 cm

Large, very dark pigeon resembling Cameroon Olive Pigeon but with large white or whitish nuchal patch. Tail with broad pale grey terminal band; central rectrices dark. Eye yellow with orange-red outer ring. Bill brownish-red tipped dirty yellowish or bright red. Feet bright red. Adult male Nuchal patch (from eye to hindcrown and nape) white. Throat pale grey. White speckles confined to lower breast and belly. Adult female Nuchal patch pale greyish. Juvenile Much duller. Head grey; nuchal patch absent or indistinct. Not speckled but feathers of lower breast fringed white, those of mantle and upper breast narrowly fringed rusty. Bill dusky; eye brownish. HH Rare and very local resident. In canopy of transitional and montane forest, at 1000–2100 m. Visits farmbush with coffee plantations near primary transitional forest. Occasionally at mid-level or lower. Spends long periods perched motionless. Hard to see when sitting quietly in foliage. Voice Resembles Cameroon Olive Pigeon. NT

Afep Pigeon Columba unicincta Pigeon gris

36–40 cm

Adult Large, pale forest pigeon with conspicuous red eye and orbital ring. In flight, blackish wings and pale grey tail band contrast with broad black terminal band. Juvenile Upperparts darker; breast brownish-vinous. HH Fairly common to scarce resident. Singly or in small groups of 3–5 in canopy of rain forest, preferring semi-evergreen types. Rather unobtrusive, but occasionally perches conspicuously on bare branch atop large tree. Voice Deep, drawn-out hoooo, uttered in series of up to 20, preceded by soft and barely audible vibrant guttural oooorrr.

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Western Bronze-naped Pigeon 

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Cameroon Olive Pigeon

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White-naped Pigeon

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PLATE 90: SMALL DOVES AND TURTLE DOVES Lemon Dove Aplopelia larvata Pigeon à masque blanc 24–25 cm Rather small, dark forest pigeon with whitish face. Adult male inornata Forehead, forecrown and throat whitish; rest of crown to upper mantle greyish glossed green and violet; upperparts blackish-brown. Tail feathers blackish-brown with broad grey terminal band except on central pair. Underparts grey, paler on lower belly. Red orbital ring. Bill black. Adult female inornata Similar but upperparts browner and underparts cinnamon x x becoming buff or whitish on lower belly and vent. Juvenile Duller and browner with blackand-rufous barring. HH Rare to locally uncommon resident; this race also on Bioko (fairly common) and Annobón (uncommon). In lowland and montane forest. Largely terrestrial. Usually elusive and easily overlooked. Voice A monotonous series of 10–50 similar, low hoots; also slower series of lower ooorr, and faster, slightly higher-pitched whoopwhoopwhoopwhoopwhoop... Island forms simplex (São Tomé) and principalis (Príncipe): see Plate 262.

Namaqua Dove Oena capensis Tourterelle masquée

x x

x

x

x xxx x x x x x x xx x

Laughing Dove Streptopelia senegalensis Tourterelle maillée x

x

x x

22–26 cm

O. c. capensis. Small and slim with long, steeply graduated, pointed tail. In flight, conspicuous rufous primaries and two black bands on lower back. Adult male Black mask; bill dark red broadly tipped yellow. Adult female Face greyish; bill dusky. Juvenile Upperparts scalloped. HH Mainly common resident in Sahel; common to uncommon dry-season visitor to savanna zone. In thornbush, dry grassland, cultivation and near habitation. Forages on bare ground; often on roads and tracks. Voice Short, soft note, followed by plaintive, drawn-out, emphatic and slightly rising syllable: oh-whooooah...

23–25 cm

S. s. senegalensis. Slender and small with mainly rufous-brown upperparts, blue-grey outer wing-coverts, and black-speckled rufous necklace. In flight, blackish flight feathers separated from rufous shoulders by blue-grey panel; tail has white corners; undertail white. Adult male Head and breast vinous-pink. Adult female Paler head and breast; necklace less prominent. Juvenile Duller and browner, without necklace. HH Common resident. In villages and towns, farmland and open woodland. Feeds on ground. Not shy. Voice A single, emphatic note followed by a series of 5–7 hurried notes, first rising, then falling hoo koHUHUhu-hoo, likened to gentle laugh.

European Turtle Dove Streptopelia turtur Tourterelle des bois

26–28 cm

Slender, medium-sized dove with blue-grey top of head and hindneck, black-and-white streaked patch on neck-sides and chequered upperparts. In flight, blackish flight feathers separated from rufous shoulders by blue-grey band; tail has contrasting white x x terminal band. N African arenicola paler and slightly smaller than European nominate; x x x Saharan race hoggara sandier, with crown buffier and wing-coverts more broadly x x fringed orange-buff. HH S. t. turtur/arenicola common to fairly common Palearctic visitor (Aug–May). Frequents woodland, rice fields, riparian vegetation near grass plains, and farmland. Feeds on ground. Has seriously decreased since 1970s (when probably several millions in Senegal delta). S. t. hoggara resident in mountains of Niger and Chad (Hoggar, Aïr, Tibesti, Ennedi). Voice Deep purring rrrurrr rrrurrr... Not recorded on migration.

Adamawa Turtle Dove Streptopelia hypopyrrha Tourterelle de l’Adamaoua

30–31 cm

Adult Fairly large and dark with blue-grey head to upper breast, broad black patch on neck-sides and chequered upperparts. Lower underparts dark cinnamon-pink becoming grey on vent. In flight, dark overall; pale grey terminal tail band. Juvenile Paler and duller. HH Locally common to uncommon resident. Mainly in riparian woodland and adjacent grassland, cultivation and gardens. Local seasonal movements reported. Endemic. Voice Low, hard purring rrrurrr rr-rrurr, resembling European Turtle Dove, but sharper and deeper.

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inornata

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Lemon Dove 

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Namaqua Dove

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European Turtle Dove

Adamawa Turtle Dove

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PLATE 91: COLLARED DOVES ‘COLLARED’ DOVES Medium-sized grey-brown and pinkish-grey doves with black half-collar on hindneck. Juveniles as adults but duller and with pale-fringed upperpart feathers. Feed mainly on the ground. Note in particular eye-colour, tail pattern and voice.

Red-eyed Dove Streptopelia semitorquata Tourterelle à collier

30–34 cm

Adult Large and dark with grey crown, dark grey-brown upperparts and vinous-pink underparts. In flight, dark band across central tail. Eye dark red with narrow dark red orbital ring (visible at close range). Juvenile Upperparts with rufous-buff fringes; halfcollar indistinct. HH Common resident. In various habitats, incl. woodland, gardens, patches of dry forest, farmbush with some trees, forest edge, thickets, riparian vegetation and mangroves. Feeds mainly on ground, sometimes in trees. Voice Rapid series of six short, rather nasal coos, with stress on 5th, ho-hu ho-hu HOO-ho. Also rroorr-huhu rroorrhuhuhu ... and rroorr-rrhuh rroorr-rrhuh... Occasionally a nasal ehèèh on landing.

? x

African Mourning Dove Streptopelia decipiens Tourterelle pleureuse

28–30 cm

Dry-country ‘collared’ dove. In flight, tail shows white corners. S. d. shelleyi Face and crown grey with yellow to pale orange eyes and narrow but conspicuous red orbital ring. Breast soft vinous-pink. In logonensis (from N Cameroon east) breast slightly greyer. HH Common resident. In riparian vegetation and arid wooded grasslands near water. Voice Emphatic note followed by quavering coo, whoh! kho-o-o-o-o-o and rapidly repeated whoh whoh-hoo. Quavering gargle arh-r-r-r-r-rw on landing.

x

Vinaceous Dove Streptopelia vinacea Tourterelle vineuse

xx x

Ring-necked Dove Streptopelia capicola Tourterelle du Cap

x

25 cm

Smallest ‘collared’ dove. Head and underparts pale vinous-pink; eye dark. In flight, white tail corners; pale grey underwing. HH Common resident. In various types of woodland, wooded grassland and cultivation. Seasonal movements recorded, north with rains, south in dry season. Voice Rather high-pitched, far-carrying, fast, 3-syllable wheh heh-ho wheh heh-ho ... , throughout the day and even at night. Also fast series of rolling horrrh-horrrhhorrrh-horrrh-... Nasal call on landing.

25 cm

S. c. tropica. Pale ‘collared’ dove with dark eye. In flight, tail has white corners; underwing grey. Head bluish-grey washed pink; underparts pale pinkish-grey. HH Locally scarce to fairly common resident. In open wooded grassland. Feeds mainly on ground; often on tracks and roads. Voice Rhythmic, monotonous and far-carrying ku-KOORRRR-ku (‘work harder’).

African Collared Dove Streptopelia roseogrisea Tourterelle rieuse

27–29 cm

S. r. roseogrisea. Pale, fairly uniform, medium-sized ‘collared’ dove with grey-pink head and underparts, and dark wine-red eye. In flight, pale wing-coverts contrast with dark primaries; tail has white corners; underwings white. HH Common to uncommon resident. Local seasonal movements recorded at northern and southern edges of range, south in dry season, north with rains. In open wooded grassland, thornbush and arid farmland. Feeds on ground, often with other doves. Congregates in large numbers at water and roosts. Voice Single, emphatic note followed, after a brief pause, by rolling purr whooh rrrwhrrrooh or ooh krrruuuuu.

Eurasian Collared Dove Streptopelia decaocto Tourterelle turque x xx x

30–33 cm

S. d. decaocto. Very similar to African Collared Dove but slightly larger; undertail-coverts grey (not white); tail slightly longer. Best distinguished by voice. HH Palearctic species extending range south from Morocco to Mauritania, where first recorded in 1999. Also Cape Verde (first recorded Sal, 2006; subsequently São Nicolau, 2009; Santiago, 2010; Boavista, 2012). Generally associated with man, in towns and villages. Voice Trisyllabic cu-cOOO-cu. Nasal kwèhr on landing.

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Red-eyed Dove

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Ring-necked Dove

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PLATE 92: WOOD DOVES WOOD DOVES Mostly small terrestrial doves. Have rufous primaries (conspicuous in flight) and metallic spots on inner greater coverts and tertials.

Blue-spotted Wood Dove Turtur afer Tourtelette améthystine x

20 cm

Small with dusky red, yellow-tipped bill. In flight, conspicuous rufous primaries, two blackish bands on lower back and broad dark subterminal tail band. Adult Top of head blue-grey; 5–6 dark metallic blue wing spots. Juvenile Duller and browner, with scaly upperparts and dusky bill. HH Common resident. At forest edges and in clearings, gardens, cultivation, rich woodland, thickets and dense riparian forest. Often foraging on ground in open situations and near habitation. Voice Two muffled, plaintive syllables followed by a series of hoos, initially rather hesitant and irregular, then accelerating, finally fading oh-wuh oh-wuh oh-ho-ho-ho-hohohohoho.

x

Black-billed Wood Dove Turtur abyssinicus Tourtelette d’Abyssinie

20 cm

Adult Very similar to Blue-spotted Wood Dove but slightly paler and greyer (strongly contrasting with rufous primaries) with black bill. Top of head blue-grey becoming whitish on forehead. Juvenile Very similar to juvenile Blue-spotted, but overall paler, with greyer head. HH Common resident. In various woodland types, wooded grassland, riparian vegetation, open scrub, cultivation, thickets and second growth; locally also mangroves. Voice A series of soft, plaintive hoos, similar to Blue-spotted Wood Dove, but initial notes more hesitant and drawn out, and with diagnostic oh-u-oh oh-u-oh before final series.

x

Emerald-spotted Wood Dove Turtur chalcospilos Tourtelette émeraudine

20 cm

Adult Similar to Blue-spotted Wood Dove but bill dusky and wing spots brilliant green and slightly larger. Juvenile Similar to juvenile Blue-spotted but with whitish tips to greater and median coverts HH Uncommon resident. In open wooded habitats and cultivation. Voice A series of soft, plaintive hoos, very similar to Blue-spotted Wood Dove, but slightly longer and higher-pitched.

x x

Tambourine Dove Turtur tympanistria Tourtelette tambourette

20–22 cm

Small with contrastingly white underparts. In flight, rufous flight feathers and two blackish bands on lower back. Adult male White face; dark brown upperparts; c.6 dark metallic blue wing spots. Adult female Face and breast greyish. Juvenile Duller and browner, with scaly upperparts. HH Common resident. In various types of forest, dense woodland, thickets and plantations. Regularly ventures onto tracks. Voice A series of hoos, starting rather slowly, then accelerating ho, ho, ho ho hohoho hohohohohohohohoho; similar to Blue-headed Wood Dove, but ‘flatter’ (not modulated), less ‘bouncing’.

Blue-headed Wood Dove Turtur brehmeri Tourtelette demoiselle

?

25 cm

Adult infelix Dark, rufous-chestnut forest dove with blue-grey head and 2–6 brilliant metallic green wing spots. In nominate (from S Cameroon east and south) wing spots are iridescent golden-copper. Juvenile Duller; indistinctly barred upperparts; no metallic wing spots. HH Fairly common to uncommon resident. On or near rain forest floor. Shy and unobtrusive, usually in forest interior, but occasionally venturing onto paths and tracks. Voice A series of plaintive hoos, starting rather hesitantly, accelerating, then fading; very similar to Tambourine Dove, but notes slightly modulated, more ‘bouncing’, esp. at end.

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Tambourine Dove Blue-headed Wood Dove

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PLATE 93: PARROTS I PARROTS (Plates 93–94) Mostly arboreal species with compact bodies and stout, strongly hooked and powerful bills, also used in climbing. Legs short, feet strong and zygodactyl, used like hands in feeding. Flight strong, fast and direct. Noisy, especially in flight. Calls include high-pitched screeches. Rather gregarious. Feed mostly on fruits and seeds. Nest in tree holes. Several species sold as pets.

Senegal Parrot Poicephalus senegalus Perroquet youyou

xx

x x

23 cm

Adult senegalus (Senegal/Guinea–N Cameroon) Rather small, noisy, green parrot with grey head and conspicuous yellow belly. Breast and thighs green; underwing-coverts yellow. Eye yellow. P. s. versteri (Ivory Coast–SW Nigeria) has central underparts deep orange to scarlet. Juvenile Mostly greenish below; eye dark brown. HH Common to uncommon resident. In pairs or small groups in open woodland, patches of dry forest, orchard bush and farmland with scattered trees. Feral populations occur in and around some cities (e.g. Abidjan, Ivory Coast; birds around Accra, Ghana, probably also largely of feral origin). Voice Various harsh shrieks.

Meyer’s Parrot Poicephalus meyeri Perroquet de Meyer

21–23 cm

P. m. meyeri. Adult Medium-sized parrot with ash-brown head, upperparts and tail, conspicuous yellow patch on crown and leading edge of wing, and green to blue-green rump and underparts. Underwing-coverts and thighs yellow. Bill black. Juvenile Duller; yellow lacking on crown and thighs, reduced or lacking on upper- and underwing; feathers of upperparts and wings fringed green. HH Common resident. In open woodland and riparian habitats. Voice Harsh, high-pitched shrieks. [Alt: Brown Parrot]

Niam-Niam Parrot Poicephalus crassus Perroquet des niam-niam 25 cm Adult Little-known, largely grass-green parrot with greyish-brown head and upper breast. Flight feathers blackish-brown with dark green outer webs; underwing-coverts green. Tail blackish-brown edged dark green. Bill dusky-horn above, yellowish-horn below. Eye yellow. Juvenile Grey-brown areas suffused with yellowish; belly paler; innermost secondaries edged yellow. Unaccompanied juvenile may be difficult to distinguish from slightly smaller Meyer’s and Senegal Parrots. HH Local resident; status inadequately known. In open woodland and forest–savanna mosaic, often near water. Voice Short, sharp screech.

Red-fronted Parrot Poicephalus gulielmi Perroquet à calotte rouge

26–30 cm

Adult fantiensis (from Ghana west) Large, green parrot with green head and variable amount of orange on forehead, leading edge to wing and thighs. Upperparts and wings black fringed dusky-green; rump and uppertail-coverts yellowish-green, flight feathers and tail black. Bill mostly horn-coloured, with variable amount of black. Cere and orbital ring pale buffish-yellow. In nominate (SE Nigeria–S CAR/Congo) orange replaced by orange-red. Juvenile Head dusky; no orange in plumage. Brown-necked Parrot is duller with greyish head and heavier bill. Ranges overlap in C Ivory Coast and Ghana, but habitat normally different. Timneh Parrot, seen from distance or against light, distinguished by more raucous and louder calls, including whistles. HH Rare to locally fairly common resident. In pairs or small groups in rain forest and clearings with large trees. Voice High-pitched screeches.

Brown-necked Parrot Poicephalus robustus Perroquet robuste

28–33 cm

P. r. fuscicollis. Adult male Large, green parrot with brownish-grey head and conspicuously large, horn-coloured bill. Leading edge of wing and thighs red. Flight and tail feathers blackish. Adult female Forehead and forecrown red. Juvenile Duller; x head brownish-olive; no red on wings and thighs. HH Patchily distributed, scarce to locally x x x uncommon resident. Singly, in pairs or small groups in woodland and drier forest types in savanna and forest–savanna mosaic; also mangroves. Undertakes regular daily flights from favoured roosts to feeding areas, as other parrots. Voice Strident, harsh zzkeek. Note Sometimes treated as a separate species, P. fuscicollis (with P. robustus split off as Cape Parrot).

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Senegal Parrot

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Meyer’s Parrot

Niam-Niam Parrot

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PLATE 94: PARROTS II Timneh Parrot Psittacus (erithacus) timneh Perroquet gris du Timneh

28–33 cm

Resembles Grey Parrot (of which usually considered a race) but smaller and distinctly darker, slate-grey with dark maroon tail edged brownish. Rump contrastingly paler; uppertail-coverts dark grey tinged reddish. Upper mandible pinkish-ivory tipped black. HH Locally fairly common to scarce resident (west of Comoé R., Ivory Coast). In rain forest, edges, clearings, riparian forest, mangroves and cultivation. Feral population occurs alongside feral Grey Parrots at Abidjan, Ivory Coast. Habits as Grey Parrot. Suffers heavy trapping for bird trade. Endemic. Voice Similar to Grey Parrot. VU

x

Grey Parrot Psittacus erithacus Perroquet jaco

33–39 cm

Large, stocky, all-grey parrot with contrasting paler grey rump and bright scarlet tail (both esp. conspicuous in flight). Bare facial area white. Pale fringes to feathers give scaly appearance. Eye yellow in adult, grey in juvenile. HH Locally common to scarce resident (east of Comoé R., Ivory Coast). In pairs or small flocks. Mainly in rain forest; also riparian forest, mangroves and cultivation. Congregates in numbers at regular roosts. Partial to oil-palm fruits; may travel long distances in search of fruiting trees or minerals in saltpans. Feral populations occur in several cities. Suffers heavy trapping for bird trade. Voice Vocal. The only parrot in its range to utter loud clear whistles, besides variety of high-pitched screeches, harsh and grating calls, and imitations. VU

Red-headed Lovebird Agapornis pullarius Inséparable à tête rouge

15 cm

A. p. pullarius. Very small, bright green parrot with orange-red to yellow face and bill. Short tail with green central feathers; others mainly red with subterminal black bar and green tip. In flight, cobalt-blue rump, triangular wings and short tail. Adult male Face orange-red; underwing-coverts black. Adult female Face orange-yellow; underwingcoverts green. Juvenile Face yellow. HH Locally common to uncommon resident. In pairs or small groups in various woodland types, thickets and riparian forest; also farmbush on edge of forest zone. Flight fast and direct. Voice Clear, loud kl-eee.

x x

Black-collared Lovebird Agapornis swindernianus Inséparable à collier noir

13 cm

Adult swindernianus Tiny, bright green forest parrot with narrow black collar on nape, yellowish band on mantle and black bill. Rump and uppertail-coverts purplish-blue. Tail very short; lateral feathers mainly red with subterminal black bar and green tip. In zenkeri (S Cameroon–SW CAR/Congo) band from mantle to throat-sides is deep orange to orangered. Juvenile Head all-green; bill horn-coloured. HH Nominate is scarce to rare resident; zenkeri locally more common. In small flocks in canopy of rain forest. Blends remarkably well with foliage. Voice Distinctive shrill chirruping srleeee or tchirrrlu, in flight.

Rose-ringed Parakeet Psittacula krameri Perruche à collier x

38–42 cm

P. k. krameri. Distinctive, slender, all-green parrot with long pointed tail and red bill. Adult male Chin and malar area black extending as narrow black line on neck-sides, where bordered below by narrow rosy-pink line that continues as inconspicuous collar over nape. Bluish wash on nape. Adult female Head all-green; tail shorter. Juvenile As adult female, with even shorter tail and paler, pinkish bill. Most males acquire head markings at c.3 years. HH Fairly common to common resident. In small flocks in wooded grassland, thickets, riparian forest, farmland and gardens. Voice Vocal. Loud, screeching calls, incl. shrill kee-ak.

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Red-headed Lovebird

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Rose-ringed Parakeet

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PLATE 95: TURACOS I TURACOS (Plates 95–96) Arboreal birds with crested heads and long tails. Flight weak, over short distances only and consisting of several flaps followed by a glide. Agile in trees, characteristically running and bounding along branches (except Crinifer). Usually in pairs or family groups. Feed principally on fruit. Vocal. Endemic to Africa. Tauraco species on this plate are all mainly green and blackish-violet. The flashing crimson flight feathers are a very conspicuous feature in flight. Colour pattern and shape of crest and bill colour are important field marks. Their loud, raucous calls are a characteristic sound of the African forest; although overall very similar, they are, with practice, separable in most cases.

Green Turaco Tauraco persa Touraco vert

40–43 cm

Adult Head, mantle and breast bright green; back, wing-coverts and tail glossy violetblack. Crest entirely green. Small white patch in front of eye. Bill dusky orange-red; red orbital ring. Flashing crimson flight feathers striking in flight. Western buffoni (Senegambia–W Ivory Coast) has black line running from lores to below eye. Nominate (E Ivory Coast–W Cameroon) has thinner black line bordered below by longer and broader white line; zenkeri (S Cameroon–S CAR/Congo) similar, but white line shorter and narrower. Juvenile As adult but crimson on wing more limited. HH Locally common to fairly common resident. In rain forest (but avoids primary types and usually more at edge of forest zone) and forest–savanna transition zone; locally in dense riparian forest in southern savannas. In areas of overlap with Yellow-billed Turaco always in more secondary habitat (incl. degraded forest patches, thickets in clearings, plantations, etc.). Voice Two or three rising notes woop-woop followed by a regular series of loud, raucous khaw notes; emitted throughout the day by both sexes, often in duet. Also a repeated rroooh followed by keh in duet: rroooh-keh rroooh-keh... A calling bird often incites all others within earshot to join a rapidly swelling chorus. [Alt: Guinea Turaco]

Yellow-billed Turaco Tauraco macrorhynchus Touraco à gros bec

x

40–43 cm

Adult macrorhynchus Similar to Green Turaco, but crest tipped black with white subterminal line, no white patch in front of eye, and upperparts more glossy dark blue. Bill mainly yellow, appearing larger than darker, orange-red bill of Green Turaco. Eastern verreauxii (Nigeria–Congo) has crest tipped red. Juvenile Duller, with all-green crest. HH Uncommon to locally common resident. Habits as Green Turaco, but more exclusively forest-based. Voice Different from Green Turaco: starts abruptly with single loud, harsh, barking note, followed by a series of raucous khaw notes, starting rather fast, then progressively slowing down. Readily responds to Green Turaco in areas of overlap.

Black-billed Turaco Tauraco schuetti Touraco à bec noir

c.40 cm

T. s. schuetti. Very similar to Green Turaco, but has black (not orange-red) bill and shorter, white-tipped crest. HH Locally common resident, S CAR. In canopy of rain forest. Voice As Green Turaco, but slightly slower.

White-crested Turaco Tauraco leucolophus Touraco à huppe blanche

x

c.40 cm

Adult Differs from all other turacos in conspicuous pure-white head and crest. Lores, forehead, forecrown and area behind eye blue-black; mantle and breast bright green; back, wings and tail dark violet-blue. HH Locally common resident in woodland, thickets and riparian forest. Voice Drawn-out whooap followed by a regular series of raucous khaw notes.

Bannerman’s Turaco Tauraco bannermani Touraco doré

c.43 cm

Adult Highly localised turaco with brilliant crimson crest. Head-sides grey; upperparts and breast green; tail dark violet-blue. Belly and undertail-coverts dark grey washed greenish. HH Fairly common endemic resident in remaining montane forest patches in Bamenda Highlands, W Cameroon, at 1700–2950 m. Endemic. Voice Single whoop followed by a regular series of raucous khaw notes. Softer and higher-pitched than Green Turaco. EN

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Green Turaco

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Bannerman’s Turaco

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PLATE 96: TURACOS II The two following Tauraco species are mainly glossy violet and used to be placed in a separate genus Musophaga. Have a frontal shield and vividly coloured bare skin around eye. In flight, the flashing crimson wings are conspicuous. Utter pleasant, rolling sounds.

Violet Turaco Tauraco violaceus Touraco violet

45–50 cm

Adult All-purple and blue-black turaco with heavy, deep yellow and reddish-tipped bill. Crown crimson; bare orbital skin scarlet. White line over ear-coverts, bordering orbital skin and crown. Juvenile Much duller, with all-dark head and blackish bill. HH Locally fairly common resident. In riparian forest and thickets; also in thickets in woodland away from streams, and mangroves; not in rain forest. Voice A melodious rolling series of farcarrying koorroo notes; often joined by second bird in asynchronous duet and eliciting response from others.

Ross’s Turaco Tauraco rossae Touraco de Lady Ross

x

51–54 cm

Adult Similar to Violet Turaco, but distinguished by crimson crest, and conspicuous allyellow bill and orbital skin. Juvenile Duller. Bill and orbital skin blackish, culmen yellow. Crown black with red patch in centre. HH Locally fairly common resident. In riparian forest and thickets; locally in secondary formations and forest edges. Voice Similar to Violet Turaco.

Crinifer species (plantain-eaters) are conspicuous, though mainly grey and white, lacking any green or red. Despite their name, they do not feed on plantains or cultivated bananas. Have various cackling and yapping calls.

Western Grey Plantain-eater Crinifer piscator Touraco gris

c.50 cm

Adult Mainly grey, long-tailed turaco with lemon-yellow bill and spiky nuchal crest. Lower breast to undertail-coverts white, streaked blackish. In flight has striking white wing patch. Juvenile As adult but crest shorter. HH Common resident. In pairs or small groups, frequenting treetops in riparian forest, savanna woodland and cultivated areas; locally also gardens in towns. Conspicuous and not shy. Voice A series of loud, highpitched and rolling kow-kow-kow-... ending in chatter; cackling kak-kak-kak-kalak-kalak...

Eastern Grey Plantain-eater Crinifer zonurus Touraco à queue barrée

c.50 cm

Adult Very similar to Western Grey Plantain-eater, but distinguished by white on outer tail feathers, smaller white wing patch, scalloped (rather than spotted) mantle and wingcoverts, and paler yellow bill. Juvenile As adult but crest shorter. HH Common resident in open wooded savanna and cultivation. Voice A variety of cackling and yapping notes, similar to Western Grey Plantain-eater but slower and lower-pitched.

Corythaeola consists of a single, huge and quite unmistakable forest species, which has a series of impressive calls.

Great Blue Turaco Corythaeola cristata Touraco géant

70–75 cm

Adult Very large and spectacular, mainly greyish turquoise-blue with large, erect, black crest and bright yellow, reddish-tipped bill. Tail long and strikingly patterned with broad subterminal black band and yellowish-green outer feathers. Lower belly and undertailxx coverts chestnut. No red in wings. Juvenile Duller, with smaller crest. HH Fairly common to common resident where not persecuted; has decreased seriously elsewhere due to hunting. In rain forest and forest–savanna mosaic. Rather more gregarious than other turacos, usually occurring in small groups in canopy. Poor flyer but agile climber, hopping and running along branches. Voice Impressive and unmistakable. Fast series of explosive kok notes and deep guttural krraou; when one starts calling, other group members join in, producing roaring sound.

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PLATE 97: CUCKOOS I TYPICAL CUCKOOS (Plates 97–99) Arboreal with long, pointed wings and long tails, reminiscent of a small raptor in flight. Feed on insects and hairy caterpillars. Brood parasites. Soon after hatching, young cuckoos usually throw host’s eggs or young out of nest. Many rather inconspicuous and some quite difficult to observe, but all have distinctive calls.

Jacobin Cuckoo Clamator jacobinus Coucou jacobin

33 cm

Adult pica Pied, crested cuckoo, black above and white below. Long graduated tail black, broadly tipped white. White wing patch conspicuous in flight. Southern serratus has some fine streaking on throat and breast; melanistic birds have black or grey x underparts and all-black tail. Juvenile Duller, with shorter crest and buffish underparts. x HH Widespread but patchy; scarce to locally common intra-African migrant. C. j. pica breeds in Sahel in rains; moves south in dry season. S African serratus winters in E Africa x and has been reported from Gabon and Chad. In off-season in various habitats, incl. open woodland, farmbush and semi-evergreen forest. Parasitises mainly Common Bulbul, also babblers. Voice A series of clear keeuw notes (as Levaillant’s Cuckoo but slightly higher pitched) and keeeuw kweep-ip-ip.

Levaillant’s Cuckoo Clamator levaillantii Coucou de Levaillant

38–40 cm

Adult As Jacobin Cuckoo, but larger and with heavily streaked throat and breast. White wing patch conspicuous in flight. Juvenile Duskier, with shorter crest, finer streaks and buffish underparts. HH Fairly common to uncommon intra-African migrant. Frequents dense savanna woodland, riparian forest, rain forest edge, second growth and adjacent cultivated areas in forest zone. Wet-season breeder, moving south in dry season. Perhaps resident in some areas. Unobtrusive, foraging within cover. Parasitises babblers; also Chestnut-bellied Starling. Voice A series of clear, loud KEEow notes, ending in staccato chatter (like machine gun burst).

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Great Spotted Cuckoo Clamator glandarius Coucou geai

35–40 cm

Large, elongated cuckoo, boldly spotted white above. Adult Pale grey crest; upperparts grey-brown boldly spotted white. Long graduated tail blackish, all feathers except central pair broadly tipped white. Throat and breast creamy-buff; rest of underparts white. Juvenile Black cap with small crest; upperparts darker brown; primaries x x rufous (conspicuous in flight); underparts richer coloured. HH Scarce to fairly common xxx x x resident (local movements reported) and Palearctic winter visitor. In various types of xx x x x open woodland, from thorn scrub to farmbush at edge of forest zone. Easily overlooked when not calling, despite size and open savanna-type habitat. Breeds during rains, moving south in dry season, when Palearctic migrants winter south of Sahara (south to 10°N). Parasitises mostly Pied Crow, also starlings. Voice Vocal in breeding season. Loud kweeow kweeow kweeow, excited kiu-ku-ku-ker and variety of harsh and chattering calls. x

Dusky Long-tailed Cuckoo Cercococcyx mechowi Coucou de Mechow

33 cm

Slender, small-bodied cuckoo with very long, broad tail. Adult Blackish-grey above with wings finely barred rufous; below buffish-white boldly barred blackish; rich buff undertail-coverts. Juvenile Dark brownish-grey above with dark rufous fringes to feathers; underparts boldly barred; throat often blackish. HH Uncommon or rare to locally x common forest resident. Shy and seldom seen; ventures lower down than Olive Longtailed Cuckoo. Hosts unknown; Forest Robin and Brown Illadopsis suspected. Voice Two song types, each with distinct western and eastern versions. In Upper Guinea (east to W Cameroon), first type consists of three rising notes, hu hee wheeu; second, a less frequently uttered whinnying series of rather plaintive notes, first accelerating, then slowing and descending tiutiutiutiutiutiui-tiu-tiu-tiu-..., reminiscent of Halcyon kingfisher. In Lower Guinea, first type is faster, with three similar, less melodious notes wheet-wheet-wheet; second, a fast, descending wheewheewheewheewhee..., almost twice as fast as equivalent in Upper Guinea. Calls also at night.

Olive Long-tailed Cuckoo Cercococcyx olivinus Coucou olivâtre

x

33 cm

Adult Resembles Dusky Long-tailed Cuckoo but has dark greyish-brown upperparts, paler undertail-coverts and different song. Underparts buffish-white boldly barred blackishbrown (finer on throat). Juvenile Underparts initially streaked, progressively replaced by barring (last on throat). HH Rare to locally common forest resident. In or below canopy. Shy and seldom seen, although vocal. Hosts unknown; Forest Robin and Pale-breasted Illadopsis suspected. Voice A series of three notes whit tiuw-tiuw (first note inaudible at distance, unlike in similar song of Red-chested Cuckoo). Also a long, rising series teeruteeru-teeru-teeru-..., appearing ever more impatient, ceasing abruptly. Often calls at night.

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PLATE 98: CUCKOOS II Thick-billed Cuckoo Pachycoccyx audeberti Coucou d’Audebert

36 cm

P. a. brazzae. Adult Large and rather bulky cuckoo with dark, slate-grey upperparts (becoming slate-brown with age) and all-white underparts. Bill slightly heavier than other cuckoos, hook-tipped, dark above, yellowish below. Juvenile Mainly dark brown above with large buffish-white spots on feather tips; white below slightly washed buff. HH Patchily distributed, rare to locally fairly common resident. In wooded savanna, riparian forest, thickets, dry open-canopy forest and forest edge. Restless, often flying from treetop to treetop. Undertakes noisy, buoyant display flight. Parasitises helmetshrikes. Some seasonal movements recorded. Voice A series of clear, far-carrying whuee-di or hwee-wik. Also rather soft weedidi weedidi weedidi in flight.

Common Cuckoo Cuculus canorus Coucou gris

32–36 cm

Very similar to African Cuckoo, but bill mainly dusky with yellowish base; outer tail feathers with incomplete white bars (visible from below). Female has rusty-brown tinge. Rare female hepatic form is entirely rufous barred black above. Nominate (breeds Europe–E Asia) has slightly longer wings than bangsi (Iberia & NW Africa). Immature As young African Cuckoo but has crown partially (not entirely) barred; rump and uppertailcoverts plain (not barred). HH Scarce to uncommon Palearctic visitor (most records Aug– Jan; few on return migration Feb–Apr). C. c. bangsi presumed to winter in W Africa (east to DR Congo); nominate recorded on passage, winters south of equator in E & SE Africa. In woodland, derived savanna, riparian forest and forest edges. Voice Silent in Africa.

African Cuckoo Cuculus gularis Coucou africain

31–33 cm

Slender, grey-backed cuckoo with long pointed wings and long, graduated tail. Adult Bill mainly orange-yellow with black tip, upperparts and breast grey; rest underparts white barred grey; outer tail feathers with complete white bars (visible from below). Female may be more buffish below, esp. on throat and breast. Juvenile/immature Appears x very barred; throat and breast dirty buff. HH Fairly common to uncommon intra-African migrant. In woodland, cultivation and riparian forest. Unobtrusive, like congeners, except x when breeding. Often calls from bare branch, perching upright; occasionally at night. Flies with rapid shallow wingbeats, wings mostly held below horizontal. May recall small hawk. Parasitises mainly Fork-tailed Drongo; also Yellow-billed Shrike. Breeds from Jan till rains (depending on latitude), thereafter moving south. Voice Frequently repeated, far-carrying oo-OO, with stress on second, slightly higher-pitched syllable (as flat, inverted song of Common Cuckoo). Female utters rapid bubbling bibibibibibi.

Red-chested Cuckoo Cuculus solitarius Coucou solitaire x

28–31 cm

Adult Mainly slate-grey with chestnut breast (occasionally barred), and whitish lower underparts boldly barred blackish. Female often has chestnut of breast paler, less extensive and barred. Juvenile Blackish-brown above, feathers narrowly fringed white; white spot on nape; below boldly barred on buffish-white. HH Uncommon to common resident in forest zone; movements recorded elsewhere. In rain forest, riparian forest and thickets; also open woodland. Highly vocal when breeding (in rains), usually calling from hidden perch. Parasitises thrushes, robin chats, etc. Voice Loud and descending threenote WHIT-whit-teew (‘LET-it-rain’), frequently uttered. Also calls at night.

Black Cuckoo Cuculus clamosus Coucou criard

28–31 cm

Two races, with intermediates. Adult Forest race gabonensis variable, but always very dark; glossy blue-black above; throat and breast dark chestnut with or without dark x x barring; rest of underparts buffish-white heavily barred blackish-brown. Tail narrowly tipped white. Typical adult woodland race clamosus all black with narrowly white-tipped tail. Underparts may be partially or wholly barred with white to pale rufous and have some chestnut on throat and breast. Juvenile (both races) Entirely dull sooty-black. HH Uncommon to locally fairly common. In forest, riparian vegetation, open woodland and thickets, remaining in dense cover, often high. C. c. gabonensis strictly forest based, probably non-migratory; nominate is Afrotropical visitor (mainly Feb–Oct); status unclear. Hosts in W Africa unknown; elsewhere parasitises mostly Laniarius bushshrikes and orioles. Voice A series of three hesitant notes, each with more emphasis and higher pitched than the preceding, final note sometimes repeated after short pause: who whuu whee, wheee. Also a wild, bubbling trill, rising and falling and gradually dying away lululululululuWHIRlulululuWHIRluluWHIRlu... Calls also at night.

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PLATE 99: SMALL CUCKOOS AND YELLOWBILL CHRYSOCOCCYX CUCKOOS Small, slender cuckoos with, in adult males, glossy upperparts. Males readily identified, but females and juveniles may be confusing. Calls distinctive.

Klaas’s Cuckoo Chrysococcyx klaas Coucou de Klaas

18 cm

In all plumages, white outer tail conspicuous in flight (poorly seen Klaas’s may thus recall small honeyguide). Adult male Bright metallic green above with small white streak behind eye. Below clean white with green patch on breast-sides. Adult female Variable, but typically more bronzy above and flanks finely barred olive-brown. Post-ocular patch buffy, sometimes indistinct. Some females similar to males. Juvenile Barred green and x russet above; finely barred olive-brown below; slight post-ocular patch. HH Fairly common x resident; northward movement with rains in north. In various wooded habitats, incl. forest edges and clearings, riparian forest, woodland and cultivated areas. Unobtrusive; female rarely seen. Parasitises insectivorous passerines, incl. cisticolas, sunbirds, flycatchers, white-eyes, etc. Voice Plaintive huee-ti huee-ti or whee-ee chew whee-ee chew.

Didric Cuckoo Chrysococcyx caprius Coucou didric

19 cm

Adult male Head and upperparts metallic green with bronze reflections. White streak in front and behind eye; short green malar stripe; white spots on wings and outer tail feathers. Underparts white barred bronzy-green on flanks and thighs. Orbital ring and eye red. Adult female Variable, with upperparts more bronzy than male and white areas sometimes tinged buff. Juvenile Highly variable, with coral-red bill. Upperparts dull x green (some with rusty barring) or russet. Underparts white with streaked throat and breast and lightly barred flanks, or spotted from breast to belly. HH Common in various open and wooded habitats (not closed forest). In forest zone mainly resident; some migrate north in rainy season to breed. Conspicuous (unusual for a cuckoo). Parasitises mainly weavers. Voice Plaintive deea deea deedrik (name is onomatopoeic). Also rapid di-di-di-di-di. Female a deea-deea-deea. x

African Emerald Cuckoo Chrysococcyx cupreus Coucou foliotocol

23 cm

Adult male Unmistakable. Strikingly beautiful, bright glossy green with deep goldenyellow belly. Bill bluish; blue-green orbital ring. Adult female Barred russet and green above; boldly barred bronzy-green below. Juvenile As adult female, but crown and x nape feathers green (not bronzy-brown) fringed white. HH Common to scarce rain forest resident. Possibly wet-season migrant in transition zone. Often heard, but much less seen, as usually well hidden in canopy. Occasionally forages lower. Known hosts include bulbuls, illadopsises, flycatchers, sunbirds and weavers. Voice Far-carrying, clear and melodious ptiu, tiu-ut; a characteristic sound of African rain forest. Also an explosive, stuttering tiuw tu-tu-tu... Female utters clear tiuw and huu tu-tu.

Yellow-throated Cuckoo Chrysococcyx flavigularis Coucou à gorge jaune

18 cm

Seldom seen, darkish forest cuckoo. White outer tail conspicuous in flight. Adult male Golden-yellow stripe on throat; lower breast and belly buffy narrowly barred and vermiculated dark greenish-brown. Head, upperparts and breast-sides dark metallic x green (sometimes appearing brown). Adult female Face and underparts buffish narrowly x barred darkish. Juvenile As adult female but upperpart feathers fringed russet; head and underparts more tawny. HH Rare to uncommon resident. In canopy of rain forest. Unobtrusive and little known. Calls year-round. Hosts unknown. Voice A rapid series of c.10 pure whistled notes on same pitch tiu tee-tee-tee-tee-tee-... Also a distinctive, loud, clear, double whistle hee-huu. YELLOWBILL Arboreal and mainly insectivorous, non-parasitic cuckoo related to Asian malkohas. Sexes similar. Endemic to Africa.

Yellowbill Ceuthmochares aereus Malcoha à bec jaune

33 cm

Adult flavirostris Wholly slate-grey with long, graduated tail and conspicuous yellow bill. Upperparts have purplish gloss. Orbital ring yellowish. Nominate (east of Niger x R.) has more greenish-blue gloss above. Juvenile Duller; bill darkish. HH Common to locally uncommon resident. In forest (even where heavily degraded) and thickets. At all levels, mostly mid-stratum and lower canopy, unobtrusively creeping through dense x vegetation with creepers. Frequently joins mixed-species flocks. Voice A series of loud, explosive kuk notes, first uttered slowly, but rapidly gathering speed kuk, kuk, kuk kuk kukkukkukkukukukkkkkkkrrrrrr. Single kuk notes resemble those of Western Nicator. Also soft, plaintive mweeeew.

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PLATE 100: COUCALS COUCALS Semi-terrestrial, stoutly built non-parasitic cuckoos with rounded wings and long, broad tails. Flight clumsy and not sustained. Sexes similar; females larger than males. Mainly insectivorous, but also take small vertebrates. Utter rapid series of deep, hollow hoots and liquid bubbling notes (like water poured from a bottle).

Black Coucal Centropus grillii Coucal noir

30–35 cm

Adult breeding Rather small, all-black coucal with contrasting chestnut wings. Adult non-breeding Pale, with top of head to mantle dusky streaked buffish; rest of xx x upperparts and tail tawny-chestnut barred blackish; rump buff narrowly barred black. x x Below buffish; flanks and undertail-coverts with some dusky barring. Juvenile Similar to x adult non-breeding but more heavily barred. HH Uncommon to locally common. Irregularly distributed. Resident in permanently moist places in and near forest zone; savanna population mainly migratory, moving north to breed during rains. In moist, rank grasslands and marshy areas; occasionally scrub and cultivation. Voice In breeding season, a long series of variable speed wok-wok, wokwok, wok-wok, ... or po-op po-op po-op... and faster popopopopopopop..., from exposed perch. Also ‘water-bottle’ song, similar to Senegal Coucal but higher pitched, faster and not rising at end.

Senegal Coucal Centropus senegalensis Coucal du Sénégal

36–40 cm; WS c.50 cm

C. s. senegalensis. Commonest coucal. Adult Head and tail glossy black; upperparts rufous-brown; underparts whitish washed buff. Dark morph (‘epomidis’), restricted to humid zone of Upper Guinea, has head and throat entirely black, breast and belly rufousbrown as upperparts, and lower back and rump black. Juvenile Strongly barred above; head dark and streaky; tawny below. HH Common resident. In farmland, roadsides, gardens, thickets and variety of open habitats with tall grass and bushes. Clambers in low vegetation, often in thick cover, runs and hops on ground, or flies clumsily for short distance, crash-landing into bush. Voice A characteristic, accelerating series of hollow hoots, first rising in pitch, then dying away. Often in duet, both songs delivered in similar rhythm but different pitch. Speed and pitch variable, slowest and deepest resembling song of Black-throated Coucal. Calls include nasal gook (alarm) and fast, dry k-t-k-t-k-t-k-t-k-t-k-... x

Blue-headed Coucal Centropus monachus Coucal à nuque bleue

45 cm

C. m. occidentalis. Adult Very similar to Senegal Coucal, but head and mantle strongly glossed dark blue, and rest of upperparts darker, more chestnut, contrasting with more rufous primaries. Also slightly larger, heavier looking and generally more skulking. Juvenile Similar to juvenile Senegal Coucal, but with black tail and faint buff barring on uppertail-coverts. HH Scarce to common resident. In swampy places, densely vegetated river banks, moist farmbush and forest edge. Distribution obscured due to resemblance to Senegal Coucal. Voice Very similar to Senegal Coucal, but song usually slower and starts with two notes of similar pitch, distinct from rest of phrase. Songs of duetting pair have different pitch but same rhythm.

Black-throated Coucal Centropus leucogaster Coucal à ventre blanc

48–58 cm

Adult leucogaster Large, with blue-black head, mantle, throat and upper breast; rest of underparts white. Wings deep chestnut; back to uppertail-coverts black barred buff. C. l. efulensis (Cameroon–Gabon) has head and mantle glossed green. Juvenile Duskier, with barred upperparts and tail. HH Locally common to scarce resident. In dense lower strata of rain forest, esp. at edges. Voice A series of 10–20 deep, resonant hoots; similar to Senegal Coucal’s in structure, but lower and slower, never accelerating at end. Songs of duetting pair have similar pitch but different rhythm. Call a fast dookdookdookdook...

Gabon Coucal Centropus anselli Coucal du Gabon

48–58 cm

Adult Very dark, large coucal with tawny underparts. Juvenile The only juvenile coucal with barred throat. HH Common resident. In undergrowth and edges of rain forest. Rather shy and retiring (as Black-throated Coucal). Voice A series of deep, resonant hoots, similar to those of Black-throated Coucal. Songs of duetting pair have different pitch and rhythm. Vocalisations often higher pitched and more varied than other coucals, including more drawn-out syllables and series of rapid notes with ‘yelping’ quality.

White-browed Coucal Centropus superciliosus Coucal à sourcils blancs

40 cm

C. s. loandae. The only coucal with a pale supercilium. Nape, neck-sides and mantle streaked black and cream. HH Mainly S & E African species, recorded once in extreme SW Congo (Djéno, Jul 1991). Local status unknown. In tall grass and shrubbery. Voice An accelerating series of hollow hoots, similar to, but normally faster than Senegal Coucal’s.

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juv juv

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Black Coucal

Senegal Coucal

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juv

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Gabon Coucal juv

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Blue-headed Coucal

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Black-throated Coucal

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PLATE 101: OWLS I BARN OWLS Medium-sized nocturnal birds of prey with a distinctive heart-shaped, pale facial disc. Flight buoyant and silent. Perch upright.

African Grass Owl Tyto capensis Effraie du Cap

36–40 cm

Two toned owl with heart-shaped face and no ear-tufts. Adult Dark brown above finely speckled white; facial disc white; below whitish to pale rufous, speckled brown. In flight, pale patch at base of primaries. Juvenile Facial disc dusky-russet to pale tawny-buff; upperparts lack white specks; underparts rufous-buff. HH Rare to uncommon resident. In dambos, dense montane and open grassland, often near water. Mainly nocturnal. When flushed, flies short distance with dangling legs before dropping into cover of high grass. Takes mainly rodents; also small birds, frogs and insects. Voice Usually silent. Hoarse, drawn-out screech, recalling Barn Owl but softer.

Barn Owl Tyto alba Effraie des clochers

33–36 cm; WS 80–95 cm

Pale owl with conspicuously whitish, heart-shaped face, black beady eye and no eartufts. Adult poensis Upperparts pale grey mixed with golden-buff and speckled white and black. Underparts white sparsely speckled black and variably washed pale golden-buff. Flight feathers and tail barred dark grey. Nominate (Niger: Aïr) slightly paler overall. Island races detorta (Cape Verde) and thomensis (São Tomé) darker; dark greyish above, goldenbrown below; face cinnamon (detorta) or pale brownish (thomensis). Juvenile Darker grey above; below washed golden-buff. HH Uncommon to fairly common resident. In various habitats (not in closed forest); often associated with man. Nocturnal and crepuscular. Takes mainly rodents and shrews; locally also birds, bats, reptiles and insects. Voice Hoarse, drawn-out screech shreeeeeeeee, in flight. TYPICAL OWLS (Plates 101–105) Small to large, mainly nocturnal birds of prey with characteristic large, rounded heads and large, forward-facing eyes within flat facial disc. Plumage mostly cryptic, many species with ear-tufts. Calls distinctive; usually most vocal just after dark and before dawn.

Short-eared Owl Asio flammeus Hibou des marais

35–40 cm; WS 95–110 cm

A. f. flammeus. Sandy-buff marked dark brown and tawny above; whitish face narrowly x x edged dark; yellow eyes. Small, short ear-tufts in centre of forehead usually hard to see. xx xx x x In flight, long wings with dark carpal patch and contrasting sandy-buff patch at base of x primaries; underwing pale with black tips and dark carpal patch. HH Rare to uncommon x x Palearctic visitor (Oct–Apr) in various open habitats. Crepuscular, nocturnal and often diurnal. Hunts low; buoyant flight with rigid wingbeats alternating with gliding and banking, and wings held in shallow V, recalling harrier. Roosts on ground. Takes mainly small mammals; also birds and insects. Voice Usually silent in Africa. A high-pitched yelp and a hooting note, often repeated.

Marsh Owl Asio capensis Hibou du Cap

30–35 cm; WS 80–95 cm

A. c. capensis. Adult Rather plain, dark brown owl with round head and large dark eyes emphasised by blackish surround. Small, short ear-tufts in centre of forehead rarely visible. In flight, contrasting large pale patch at base of primaries; underwing pale with x x dark carpal patch and black tips to primaries. Juvenile Face darker and bordered black. HH x x Local resident and partial intra-African migrant. Generally uncommon to rare, but locally fairly common in open grassland. Mainly crepuscular and nocturnal, occasionally diurnal. Hunts from low perch or in low, buoyant flight with wings held in shallow V and sudden banking, recalling harrier. Roosts on ground. Inquisitive, often circling around intruder when flushed. Takes mainly rodents; also other small mammals, birds, lizards, frogs, scorpions and insects. Voice Various harsh croaks and rasping calls, uttered in flight and on ground. x

Little Owl Athene noctua Chevêche d’Athéna

21–25 cm; WS 50–55 cm

A. n. saharae. The only small owl without ear-tufts in its range. Flat-headed, with ‘frowning’ face. Sandy-brown above dappled white. HH Uncommon and local resident in stony desert, esp. in montane areas. Partially diurnal. Flight low and undulating. Bobs head when excited. Takes wide range of prey, incl. insects, small rodents, birds, reptiles and snails. Voice A sharp keeow and woow. Male advertising call a rather low, mellow ko-ooep. Female call higher-pitched and more nasal. Alarm, a sharp kyip kyip.

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Barn Owl

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Marsh Owl

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PLATE 102: OWLS II Greyish Eagle Owl Bubo (africanus) cinerascens Grand-duc du Sahel

43–48 cm

Adult Large, greyish owl with prominent, two-toned ear-tufts, finely barred underparts x and dark brown eyes. Face darkish bordered black; breast with dark blotches. Juvenile x Browner, with shorter ear-tufts. HH Fairly common to uncommon resident in various habitats, from rocky outcrops in desert to wooded grassland and cultivated areas; often x near villages and towns. Frequently on dirt roads at night. Calls mainly at dawn and dusk. Takes wide variety of prey, incl. insects, spiders, scorpions, small mammals, birds and reptiles. Voice Male utters short, abrupt hoot, followed after short pause by second, lower and drawn-out hoot HO!, hoooo. Female has trisyllabic ho, hohooo, middle note higher. Often duets.

Spotted Eagle Owl Bubo africanus Grand-duc africain 43–48 cm B. a. africanus. As Greyish Eagle Owl (which is often considered conspecific) but somewhat greyer overall and with yellow eyes. HH Fairly common to uncommon resident. Habits as Greyish Eagle Owl. Voice As Greyish Eagle Owl.

Desert Eagle Owl Bubo ascalaphus Grand-duc ascalaphe

46–50 cm

Large owl with distinct ear-tufts and orange or deep yellow eyes. Adult Mainly tawny? rufous to sandy-ochre above with dark and pale blotches and streaks. Juvenile More x barred than blotched above and on breast; ear-tufts shorter. HH Uncommon resident in desert and sub-desert, esp. with rocky outcrops and in oases. Mainly nocturnal. Calls at dusk. Takes mainly smaller mammals; also birds, reptiles, larger insects and scorpions. Voice Far-carrying, deep, sonorous hooting WHO-oo, second syllable lower-pitched; repeated at intervals of 10–15 seconds. During courtship, trisyllabic WHOO-hoo-hoo. Duets; female higher-pitched. Note Possibly conspecific with Eurasian Eagle Owl B. bubo. Colour morph occurring in our region sometimes recognised as race desertorum. [Alt: Pharaoh Eagle Owl] ?

Shelley’s Eagle Owl Bubo shelleyi Grand-duc de Shelley

x

x

x x

? x

Verreaux’s Eagle Owl Bubo lacteus Grand-duc de Verreaux

x

54–61 cm

Adult Very large, dark forest owl with boldly barred underparts, dark eyes and prominent ear-tufts. Dark brown above; face dirty white barred blackish-brown and bordered black. Juvenile Mainly white barred brown; flight and tail feathers as adult. HH Very rare and poorly known resident. In rain forest, incl. edges and clearings. Reported to call mainly at and just after dusk and before dawn. Nocturnal. Prey presumably consists of mammals and birds. Voice Vocalisations of adult unknown. Single, loud, high-pitched, plaintive scream KEEEEOOOOUW! presumably given by immature. NT

58–65 cm

Adult Very large, greyish owl with pink eyelids. Face whitish bordered black at sides; broad, bushy ear-tufts seldom raised; eyes dark. Juvenile Browner, with ear-tufts limited to small bumps. HH Locally fairly common to rare resident. In wooded savanna and riverine woodland with large trees; also in dry forest in transition zone. Calls mainly at dusk; also not infrequently during day, particularly in early morning. Takes wide range of prey, but mainly mammals and birds. Voice A far-reaching, short, irregular series of low, discontented grunts.

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Greyish Eagle Owl Spotted Eagle Owl

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Desert Eagle Owl

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Verreaux’s Eagle Owl

Shelley’s Eagle Owl

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PLATE 103: OWLS III Fraser’s Eagle Owl Bubo poensis Grand-duc à aigrettes

38–45 cm

B. p. poensis. Adult Large, dark rufous forest owl with prominent ear-tufts, dark eyes and narrowly barred upper- and underparts. Face rufous bordered black; underparts pale rufous becoming white on belly and undertail-coverts; entirely and finely barred x blackish-brown, with dusky blotches on breast. Juvenile Very pale rufous, almost white, with narrow dark bars. HH Uncommon to fairly common resident. In rain forest, incl. edges and clearings. Nocturnal. Calls mainly at and just after dusk and before dawn. Takes small mammals, birds, reptiles, frogs, insects and other arthropods. Voice An often long, low purring or grunting trill, rising and falling in tempo and volume, ceasing abruptly, recalling sound of small engine kudakudakudakudakdkdkdkdkdkdrdrdrdrd...; given singly or in duet; occasionally by day. Also a plaintive, powerful, drawn-out whuah or whooaah.

Akun Eagle Owl Bubo leucostictus Grand-duc tacheté

40–46 cm

Adult Large, dark forest owl with prominent two-toned ear-tufts and yellow eyes. Dark brown above with indistinct paler bars. Face dusky bordered black; ear-tufts dark brown at front, white at back; conspicuous white V from bill to ear-tufts. Underparts whitish with long, rather narrow bars and large dark blotches, esp. on breast and upper belly. Juvenile Almost entirely white, with narrow, widely spaced rufous-brown bars. HH Rare to locally fairly common resident. In rain forest, incl. edges and clearings. Calls mainly just after dusk and before dawn. Nocturnal. Feeds (exclusively?) on insects. Voice Series of low, short grunts roh, roh, roh,... and a low grunting trill very similar to, and sometimes indistinguishable from, that of Fraser’s Eagle Owl, but never as long and usually slightly slower; given singly or in duet. Also utters a kind of bark and a drawn-out wail wheeaah!, even more plaintive than that of Fraser’s.

Rufous Fishing Owl Scotopelia ussheri Chouette-pêcheuse rousse

43–51 cm

Adult Large, cinnamon-rufous owl with plain upperparts and finely streaked underparts. Round head flattened at sides, without ear-tufts nor distinct facial disk. Flight feathers and tail rufous barred dusky. Eyes large, dark brown, strongly contrasting with pale face. Juvenile Paler. Entire head, mantle, wing-coverts and underparts very pale buff; flight feathers similar to adult, strongly contrasting with rest of plumage. Downy young wholly white. HH Rare to scarce resident. Along rivers and streams in rain forest; also mangroves. Normally nocturnal, but occasionally active during day. Catches fish from low perch. Endemic. Voice Captive bird gave single, deep, drawn-out wailing hoot, repeated at one-minute intervals. VU

Vermiculated Fishing Owl Scotopelia bouvieri Chouette-pêcheuse de Bouvier

43–51 cm

Adult Above, typically dusky-brown mixed with rufous, marked with dark streaks on top of head and fine vermiculations on upperparts. Face pale dusky-brown; underparts buffishwhite to pale rufous with long, bold, dark brown streaks. Flight feathers and tail broadly barred dusky. Plumage coloration variable; some individuals pale rufous. Eyes dark brown. Bill yellow tipped dusky. Bare legs and feet yellowish. Juvenile Mainly white washed pale rufous; underparts white with indistinct narrow brown streaks; flight feathers more rufous than adult. HH Rare to locally fairly common or common resident. Frequents swamp forest, pools in seasonally flooded forest, and water-logged areas near large forested rivers; occasionally in dryland forest. Nocturnal. Feeds on fish; also frogs, crustaceans, small birds and mammals. Voice A series of short, abrupt notes kroh! woh!-woh! woh!-woh! woh!-woh! and a deep, drawn-out, croaking wail krooOOoah.

Pel’s Fishing Owl Scotopelia peli Chouette-pêcheuse de Pel

55–63 cm

Adult Very large, strikingly orange-rufous owl with large round head, plain face and no ear-tufts. Upperparts and tail narrowly barred blackish; underparts paler, variably marked with dark brown drop-shaped spots, streaks and bars. Eyes large, dark brown. xx Juvenile Paler. Initially covered in whitish to pale buffish down, with pale rufous wing and tail feathers narrowly barred blackish. Retains pale yellowish head until attaining adult plumage at c.15 months. HH Scarce and local resident, frequenting large forested rivers. Largely nocturnal. Roosts by day in shady spot in large tree near water. Flushes with noisy wingbeats. Feeds mainly on fish, caught from low perch. Voice Far-carrying, deep sonorous hoot, sometimes preceded and often followed by low grunt hooommm-hut. Pair may duet, male starting with low grunting uh-uh-uhu... reaching higher hoommm, answered by deeper hoot of female. Young utter single, initially rising, then falling scream weeeeaaow; when hungry, may continue to call throughout the day.

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Fraser’s Eagle Owl Akun Eagle Owl

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Rufous Fishing Owl

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Vermiculated Fishing Owl

Pel’s Fishing Owl

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PLATE 104: OWLS IV Maned Owl Jubula lettii Duc à crinière

x

34–37 cm

Adult Rufous-brown forest owl with bushy ear-tufts and elongated crown and nape feathers. Rufous face rimmed with black; eyes deep yellow to crimson; bill and feet yellow. Underparts rufous becoming paler with long blackish-brown streaks from lower breast down. Juvenile Almost unmarked pale rufous; head and neck almost white; upperpart feathers finely barred rufous and tipped white. HH Rare and poorly known resident. In closed-canopy forest, esp. favouring sites with dense lianas. Takes mainly insects; also small birds. Voice Song unknown. Probably consists of single hoot followed by a series. DD

African Wood Owl Strix woodfordii Chouette africaine

33–35 cm

S. w. nuchalis. Commonest forest owl. Adult Medium-sized, with round head and barred underparts. Face pale brownish, with large dark eyes emphasised by dark brown surround and broad whitish eyebrows. Dark brown above, speckled white; scapulars and wing-coverts spotted white. Underparts barred rufous-brown and white. Bill yellowish. Juvenile White facial markings less distinct. HH Fairly common to scarce resident in rain forest and dense riparian forest. Often in pairs. Nocturnal. Takes mainly insects; also rodents, birds, reptiles and frogs. Voice Characteristic, single, drawn-out whoOOow or oowhEEoo and rhythmic hu-hoo, hu-hoo hoo-hu-hoo. Duets; female higher-pitched. Male may answer female’s whoOOow by low hooo.

Sjöstedt’s Owlet Glaucidium sjostedti Chevêchette à queue barrée

24–28 cm

Forest owl with large rounded head and finely barred head and underparts. Adult Head and mantle dusky-brown finely and densely barred white; white eyebrows. Rest of upperparts deep chestnut. Flight feathers and rather long tail dusky-brown narrowly barred white; greater upperwing-coverts irregularly tipped white. Throat whitish; rest of underparts cinnamon-rufous, paler on belly and undertail-coverts, finely barred dark brown. Bill pale yellow. Eyes yellow. Juvenile Underparts paler, with indistinct barring restricted to breast. HH Rare to common resident. In forest interior. Nocturnal and partially diurnal. Calls mainly at dawn and dusk, but may commence up to one hour before dusk (esp. on overcast days) and continue after dawn. Takes mainly insects; also small mammals, small birds, reptiles and spiders. Voice A descending and accelerating series of vibrant notes krroow krroow krroow-rroo-rroo-rroo and a short, rapid series of similar hoots ho-ho-ho-ho.

Northern White-faced Owl Ptilopsis leucotis Petit-duc à face blanche

23–28 cm

Adult Smallish owl with contrasting white face boldly outlined with black, large orange eyes, and distinct ear-tufts. Mainly soft grey to greyish-brown, with long, narrow blackish streaks and fine vermiculations; underparts paler, with more obvious blackish streaks. Juvenile Paler and browner; eyes yellow. HH Locally fairly common to uncommon x resident. In wide range of wooded habitats, incl. riparian forest, thickets, wooded grassland, dry areas with scattered thorn trees, etc. Nocturnal and crepuscular. Roosts by day in trees and bushes, often in rather open situations. Takes small rodents, shrews, birds, insects, scorpions and spiders. Voice Two rather low, melodious, fluting syllables whoh whoow, repeated at intervals of 4–8 seconds. Also a lower and slightly faster whoh thohoow.

Southern White-faced Owl Ptilopsis granti Petit-duc de Grant 23–28 cm As Northern White-faced Owl (with which it is often treated as conspecific) but greyer and generally somewhat darker with more distinct black markings, and has different vocalisations. HH Fairly common resident. In riparian forest, thickets and wooded grassland. Habits as Northern White-faced Owl. Voice Rapid, muffled bubbling followed by a clear, melodious hoot kdkdkdkdkdkd-whOOw.

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Maned Owl

African Wood Owl ad

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Sjöstedt’s Owlet

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Northern White-faced Owl

Southern White-faced Owl

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PLATE 105: OWLS V Eurasian Scops Owl Otus scops Petit-duc scops ? x

x

x x

18–20 cm; WS 47–54 cm

As African Scops Owl; tends to be browner. In hand: outermost (10th) primary longer than 5th. HH Rare to locally scarce but regular Palearctic visitor (Sep–Apr; nominate, possibly also slightly smaller mallorcae). In various woodland types and open areas with scattered trees. Takes mainly insects; occasionally small mammals, small birds, lizards and frogs. Status inadequately known due to identification issue. Voice Pure, whistled pyuu, rarely uttered in Africa.

x

?

African Scops Owl Otus senegalensis Petit-duc africain

16–18 cm

Cryptically coloured small owl with prominent ear-tufts (occasionally flattened). Short tail does not project beyond wingtips at rest. Adult senegalensis Mainly grey, with fine x blackish streaks and vermiculations; row of bold white spots on shoulder. Variable amount of buff or rufous in plumage. Island race feae (Annobón) darker and more broadly streaked below. Juvenile As adult. HH Locally fairly common to uncommon resident. In woodland and riparian formations. Nocturnal and crepuscular. Generally starts calling at dusk, occasionally up to one hour before. Takes mainly insects; occasionally rodents, small birds, lizards, frogs, scorpions and spiders. Voice Single, short, vibrant prr-u-u-p, often repeated, with pauses of 5–10 seconds.

Sandy Scops Owl Otus icterorhynchus Petit-duc à bec jaune

18–22 cm

Adult icterorhynchus Mainly cinnamon-brown, speckled white; underparts paler, with heavier markings. Scapulars with bold white spots, forming row on shoulder. Plumage variable; some birds more rufous. Eyes pale yellow. O. i. holerythrus (Cameroon–SW CAR/Congo) more rufous, with fewer markings on breast and no white spots on wingcoverts. Juvenile Paler and almost unmarked. HH Uncommon to rare resident. In rain forest and forest edge. Nocturnal. Feeds on insects. Very rarely seen. Voice Single, drawn-out, descending whistle wheeoo, repeated with pauses of a few seconds.

Pearl-spotted Owlet Glaucidium perlatum Chevêchette perlée x

x

x

19–21 cm

G. p. perlatum. Small owl with rounded head, no ear-tufts and rather long tail. Two dark ‘eye-spots’ on nape. Adult Brown spotted white above; row of bold white spots on shoulder; underparts white heavily streaked rufous-brown. Eyes yellow. Juvenile Lacks white pearly spots on crown and mantle. HH Locally common to uncommon resident in riparian forest, thickets and wooded savanna. Partially diurnal; regularly calls by day. Takes wide range of prey, incl. insects, reptiles, snails, small birds and small mammals. Voice A distinctive, rhythmically rising series of short notes followed by loud whistling climax hu-hu-hu-hu-HU-HU-HU TEEEUW TEEEUW TEEEUW... Also a high-pitched siiiu.

Red-chested Owlet Glaucidium tephronotum Chevêchette à pieds jaunes

20–24 cm

Small forest owl with rounded head, no ear-tufts and rather long tail. Adult tephronotum (Sierra Leone–Ghana) Head dark grey with greyish face, short white eyebrows and yellow eyes. Dark slate-grey above; white below with large dark spots; breast-sides and flanks rufous-chestnut. Tail with three bold white spots on centre. G. t. pycrafti (S Cameroon– SW CAR/Congo) more heavily spotted and less rufous below; medje (Congo Basin) similar but slightly larger. Juvenile Underparts lack rufous-chestnut and have smaller or no streak-like spots. HH Rare to uncommon resident. In rain forest and forest edge. Nocturnal and partially diurnal; sometimes calls by day. Takes small mammals, small birds and insects. Voice A rhythmic, rather slow series of whistles huut huut huut huut ... (repeated at intervals of c.1 sec); length and speed of series variable.

African Barred Owlet Glaucidium capense Chevêchette du Cap

20–23 cm

Small, dumpy owl with rounded head. Adult etchecopari (Liberia–Ghana) Dark brown above barred tawny with white spots on scapulars forming row on shoulder; white below barred and spotted dark brown. G. c. castaneum (S Cameroon–SW CAR/Congo) has mantle and back plain chestnut. Juvenile As adult. HH Rare to locally fairly common resident. Mainly in dry forest and thickets in transition zone and open-canopy rain forest. Nocturnal and partially diurnal; sometimes calls by day. Takes small mammals, birds, reptiles, frogs, insects and scorpions. Voice A fairly rapid, rhythmic series of 6–18 plain whistled hoots hoot-hoot-hoot-hoot-hoot-.... Also similar, but slightly accelerating series with more vibrant notes. Note Both races (or castaneum only) sometimes split from extralimital forms as Chestnut Owlet G. castaneum.

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Eurasian Scops Owl African Scops Owl

holerythrus

icterorhynchus

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Pearl-spotted Owlet

Sandy Scops Owl

tephronotum

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pycrafti

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Red-chested Owlet

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etchecopari

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African Barred Owlet

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PLATE 106: NIGHTJARS I NIGHTJARS (Plates 106–108) Crepuscular and nocturnal with very cryptic plumage, long wings, moderately long tails, tiny bills and huge gapes for catching insects on the wing. Normally not seen during the day, except when flushed from underfoot. Identification of many species problematic; important features include overall coloration, markings on scapulars and wing-coverts, presence of nuchal collar, and amount of white (male) or buff (female) in wings and tail, but best identified by voice. Typically sing at or just after dusk and just before dawn; often also throughout moonlit nights. Often on dirt roads at night; orange reflection of eyes in headlights of car visible at considerable distance.

Brown Nightjar Veles binotatus Engoulevent à deux taches

21–23 cm

Smallish, very dark forest nightjar without white spots on wings or tail. Very dark brown above with row of contrasting buff spots on scapulars and small white patch on throatsides. Small ‘ear-tufts’ at rear of crown (not visible in field). Underparts dark brown finely mottled and barred tawny or rufous. Tail rather stiff and ‘tent-shaped’. HH Rare resident, frequenting forest interior and edge. Roosts by day on lianas or high branches. Hawks insects from perch, in or above canopy. Voice Song a long series of kyup or kliou notes, from high perch or in flight.

Plain Nightjar Caprimulgus inornatus Engoulevent terne

22–23 cm

Rather slender nightjar with fairly uniform plumage lacking distinctive markings. Plumage coloration varies from cinnamon-rufous or sandy-buff to grey-brown, grey or dark brown x x x x (matching soil colour). Row of small black spots on scapulars. In flight, male has small white patch towards wingtip and white corners to tail; female has buff wing patch and tail corners. HH Common to uncommon resident and intra-African migrant. Breeding x visitor to Sahel; dry-season visitor to south. In various open and wooded habitats, incl. x arid scrub, wooded grassland, derived savanna and large forest clearings. Voice Song a monotonous, sustained, hard reeling rrorrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr... rrerrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr... similar to but noticeably lower-pitched and slower than that of Long-tailed Nightjar. In flight, chuckling kwakow. On ground, low chuk.

Fiery-necked Nightjar Caprimulgus pectoralis Engoulevent musicien 23–25 cm C. p. fervidus. As Black-shouldered Nightjar but paler, greyer brown; wing-coverts more uniform. In flight, male has small white patch towards wingtip (slightly larger than in Black-shouldered) and white corners to tail; female has buff wing patch and tail corners. HH Locally common resident. In woodland, riparian forest and forest edge. Voice Song a clear, melodious drawn-out note followed by tremulous whistling kyoo-yiup kyuiurrrr, very similar to Black-shouldered Nightjar but first note more modulated, often preceded by fast whoa-whoa-whoa-whoa-...

Black-shouldered Nightjar Caprimulgus (pectoralis) nigriscapularis Engoulevent à épaulettes noires 23–25 cm Rufous-brown with contrasting blackish shoulder; rusty-buff line on scapulars. Headsides and hindneck collar dark rufous; throat with white patch on either side or single triangular patch, bordered below by black; breast dark rufous-brown mixed with grey and blackish. In flight, obvious small white patch towards wingtip and white corners to tail. Female Has slightly smaller white wing patch and tail corners. HH Fairly common to rare resident and intra-African migrant. Frequents woodland, riparian forest and forest edge. Voice Song a clear, melodious drawn-out note followed by tremulous whistling kyuu-iup kyiurrrr, sometimes preceded by fast whoap-whoap-whoap-whoap-... Flight call a low chuk often repeated rapidly 2–3 times. x

Long-tailed Nightjar Caprimulgus climacurus Engoulevent à longue queue

28–43 cm

Slim, small nightjar with long, graduated tail and variable, relatively contrasting plumage. Above, mainly grey-brown to pale buff-brown with clear white bar on wing-coverts. Head-sides dark rufous bordered by narrow white moustachial stripe and, usually, pale supercilium; white triangular throat patch. Broad tawny or buffish collar on hindneck. C. c. sclateri (north to forest–savanna transition zone) more rufous than nominate, but variable (limits between races unclear). In flight, male has white patch towards wingtip and white trailing edge to wing. Female Has shorter tail and buffish wing patch. HH Locally common to fairly common in wide variety of open and lightly wooded habitats, from arid grassland to derived savanna in forest zone and forest clearings. Entirely or partially migratory. Movements poorly understood. Voice Song a monotonously sustained, hard reeling with single, fast rhythm rrerrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr... Female has similar, slightly lower pitched rrorrrrrrrr... In flight, a repeated chiong-chiong ...

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Brown Nightjar

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Plain Nightjar ad rufous morph

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 Fiery-necked Nightjar

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Black-shouldered Nightjar 

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Long-tailed Nightjar

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PLATE 107: NIGHTJARS II Golden Nightjar Caprimulgus eximius Engoulevent doré x ? x

?

Egyptian Nightjar Caprimulgus aegyptius Engoulevent du désert x

x x

x x

x

24–27 cm; WS 53–58 cm

Adult saharae Rather uniform, pale greyish desert nightjar. May resemble greyish forms of Plain Nightjar, but has white on throat and, in flight, no white in wings and tail; dark brownish outer wing. Nominate darker, less sandy and greyer. HH Uncommon to fairly common Palearctic visitor (mainly Nov–Feb). Favours dry, open sandy habitats. Voice Mostly silent in W Africa. Song, given on ground, a long, very rapid, regular series of krow notes, krowkrowkrowkrowkrowkrowkrowkrow..., resembling sound of running engine.

Freckled Nightjar Caprimulgus tristigma Engoulevent pointillé x

23–25 cm

Unique, golden-buff nightjar of arid country. Entirely cinnamon-buff covered with irregular white spots, each bordered and speckled black. Nominate (NE Chad: Ennedi) slightly darker than simplicior. In flight, male has conspicuous large white patch towards wingtip and white tail corners; in female these are smaller and buffish. HH Rare to uncommon resident in Sahel. Favours sparsely vegetated, rocky and sandy soils. Voice Song a series of rapid, rhythmic, mechanical-sounding kotok-kotok-kotok-... or kodu-kodukodu-… resembling Red-necked Nightjar’s.

26–28 cm

Adult male sharpei Distinctive, large, dark nightjar of rocky habitats. Entirely greyishblack, dark brownish-grey or blackish-brown finely speckled white or pale buff, blending with bare rock on which it generally rests, making detection difficult. In flight, small white patch towards wingtip and white corners to tail (often difficult to see). C. t. pallidogriseus (C Nigeria) paler overall. Adult female Wing patch smaller, no white in tail. HH Uncommon to locally fairly common resident on rocky outcrops. Voice Song a series of yelping notes whaow! whaow! whaow! ... and aow-whaow! aow-whaow! aow-whaow! ..., also a more barking wah!-wah!-wah!-... Flight call wok.

Swamp Nightjar Caprimulgus natalensis Engoulevent du Natal

20–24 cm

Adult natalensis Mainly grey-brown to buff-brown, heavily marked and spotted nightjar of wet grasslands. Tail rather short. Head-sides dark brown bordered by long, pale x x x supercilium and moustachial stripe. Large blackish markings on scapulars and wingx x x x coverts; white, triangular throat-patch; round buff spots on breast. Coastal accrae (Sierra x x x Leone–W Cameroon) more uniformly grey-brown; blackish markings above larger. In flight, male has white patch towards wingtip and white-edged tail; in female, white replaced by buff. HH Patchily distributed, rare to fairly common resident. Favours damp or locally dry grasslands, and edges of swamps and coastal lagoons. Voice Song a long, regular series of rapid notes chuk-chukchuk-chuk-chuk-chuk-... or tuk-tuk-tuk-tuk-tuk-..., resembling knocking on dry wood, and faster chukukukukukukukuk. Also sharp kip kip-kip-kip; a highly distinctive, variable series of melodious, tremulous notes whoa-whululululu whoa-whuwhu whoa-whulululu whoa! in flight, and fast rrrrukukukukukukuk-whoalululululu.

Square-tailed Nightjar Caprimulgus fossii Engoulevent du Mozambique

23–24 cm

C. f. fossii. Adult male Mainly brownish-grey or grey-brown above with white bar on wing-coverts and buffish line on scapulars. Small white patch on throat-sides. In flight, white wing patch, white trailing edge to wing, and white-edged tail. Adult female Wingbar, wing patch, trailing edge and tail edge buffish. HH Common resident. In grassland, open woodland, forest edge and farmland. Voice Song a far-carrying, sustained reel alternating with a more sputtering rattle rrerrrrrrrr-rreheheheheh-rrerrrrrrrrrreheheheheh-... Flight call a yelping whaoop! or wowaw! [Alt: Mozambique Nightjar]

Bates’s Nightjar Caprimulgus batesi Engoulevent de Bates

29–31 cm

Large, very dark nightjar with relatively long tail. Upperparts dark brown blotched, streaked and spotted tawny and buff. Throat with white patch. In flight, male has small white wing patch and white tail corners; female lacks wing patch, tail corners buff. HH Uncommon to locally fairly common resident, in forest (esp. swamp forest) and forest edge. Voice Song an initial clear, yelping note, followed after a short pause by a rapid series of 2–12 similar notes, whow! whow-whow-whow-whow whow! whow-whow... resembling Freckled Nightjar but more monotonous. Flight call a low, guttural ugh-ughugh.

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Golden Nightjar

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Egyptian Nightjar

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Freckled Nightjar

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Square-tailed Nightjar

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Bates’s Nightjar

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PLATE 108: NIGHTJARS III Prigogine’s Nightjar Caprimulgus prigoginei Engoulevent de Prigogine

?

? ?

?

Red-necked Nightjar Caprimulgus ruficollis Engoulevent à collier roux x x x

x

x x

x

x

xx

x

x

x x

x

x

x

x x

x

xx x x

24–28 cm; WS 52–60 cm

Rather large and dark greyish nightjar. Broad pale upperwing-covert bar, pale line on scapulars; whitish moustachial stripe. In flight, male has white patch towards wingtip and white corners to tail; female has no white in wings and tail. N African meridionalis overall smaller, paler and greyer than nominate. HH Uncommon to rare Palearctic visitor (mainly Oct–Apr). In various open and lightly wooded habitats. Voice Normally silent in W Africa. Flight call a short kweek.

Rufous-cheeked Nightjar Caprimulgus rufigena Engoulevent à joues rousses x x x

30–34 cm; WS 60–65 cm

Large, grey-brown nightjar with broad rufous collar on hindneck. Head-sides duskyrufous, bordered below by white moustachial stripe; throat rufous with white patch on either side or single triangular patch. C. r. desertorum overall paler than nominate. In flight, male has white patch towards wingtip and white tail corners; in female these are buffish. HH Rare to uncommon Palearctic visitor (Sep–May) in various open and wooded habitats. Voice Song a series of rapid, mechanical-sounding kotok-kotok-kotok-kotokkotok-kotok-... accelerating in long kotokotokotokotokotokoto... then slowing down again.

European Nightjar Caprimulgus europaeus Engoulevent d’Europe x

19 cm

Small, rather dark nightjar with relatively short tail. Known only from single female specimen (collected Itombwe forest, E DR Congo, Aug 1955). Brown above, blotched and speckled blackish and mixed with rufous, tawny and buff. Small buffish-white patch on throat-sides. In flight, no white patch in wings; narrow white tail corners. HH Forest, SE Cameroon, N Congo, NE Gabon? Voice A long, regular series of rapid notes chuk-chukchuk-chuk-chuk-chuk-, similar to song of Swamp Nightjar, and short rek, rek call notes, are possibly from this species. EN

23–24 cm

C. r. rufigena. Medium-sized, grey-brown to pale grey nightjar with narrow rufous to buffish nuchal collar. Pale line on scapulars; upperwing-coverts tipped buff, forming variably distinct pale bars. In flight, male has white wing patch and white tail corners; female has smaller, usually buffy wing patch and no white in tail. HH Uncommon to rare non-breeding visitor from southern Africa (Apr–Aug). In wooded grasslands. Voice Probably silent in W Africa. Song a monotonous, dry reeling rrerrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr... sometimes preceded by coughing k-hoop k-hoop.

Standard-winged Nightjar Caprimulgus longipennis Engoulevent à balanciers

21–22 cm

Smallish, richly coloured nightjar with broad rufous nuchal collar and no white in wings and tail. Buffish line on scapulars; buffish throat. Male breeding Unmistakable. In flight, extremely elongated 2nd innermost primaries with bare shaft and blackish vane at tip (‘standards’), gives impression of bird being closely pursued by two small fluttering bats. Male non-breeding/adult female Similar, but without ‘standards’. HH Fairly common to locally common in various open, wooded habitats, incl. wooded grassland, coastal plains, farmland, dry scrub, and open bush in and around villages and towns. Moves north in rains after breeding. Voice Song a fast, high-pitched, shrill, insect-like tsikitsikitsikitsikitsiki... and slower tseepetseepetseep etseepetseepe... Flight call a low kuk. Note Formerly placed in Macrodipteryx.

Pennant-winged Nightjar Caprimulgus vexillarius Engoulevent porte-étendard

24–28 cm

Medium-large, brownish nightjar with broad rufous nuchal collar. At rest, appears distinctively small-headed. Male breeding Unmistakable. In flight, uniquely shaped x x ? x x wings with black remiges, broad white band on primaries and extremely elongated x whitish 2nd innermost primary (‘pennant’). Inner primaries and secondaries tipped x x whitish forming contrasting trailing edge. Male non-breeding Similar, but pennants x broken or short. Adult female Very similar to adult female/male non-breeding Standardwinged Nightjar but upperparts slightly darker, nuchal collar broader and darker rufous, throat patch white, lower underparts paler buff and more heavily barred, primaries with larger rufous bars; also larger. In flight, no white in wings and tail. HH Uncommon non-breeding trans-equatorial migrant (mainly in rainy season; records in all months). In various types of wooded grasslands and bush. May start foraging well before dusk. Voice Probably silent in W Africa. Song recalls Standard-winged Nightjar’s. Flight calls wheeeo and chup. Note Formerly placed in Macrodipteryx.

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Prigogine’s Nightjar   

Red-necked Nightjar

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European Nightjar

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Rufous-cheeked Nightjar  non-br / 

 Standard-winged Nightjar

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Pennant-winged Nightjar

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PLATE 109: SWIFTS I SWIFTS (Plates 109–111) Highly aerial, anchor-shaped birds with mostly dark plumage. Flight swift and effortless on long, stiff wings. Sexes similar; juveniles similar to adults or duller. Catch insects on the wing; never perch. Often gregarious and vocal. Some difficult to identify; useful features include size, silhouette, rump pattern, tail shape, habitat and locality. SPINETAILS have distinctively shaped, notched wings, with curved wingtips, bulging midwings and shorter secondaries pinched in at body, and square tails (with bare shafts extending beyond feather tips, hence name, but invisible in the field).

Sabine’s Spinetail Rhaphidura sabini Martinet de Sabine

10.5–11.5 cm

Easily identified by small size and extensive white on upper- and underparts. Black above with white rump and uppertail-coverts. White belly and undertail-coverts sharply demarcated from black breast. Upper- and undertail-coverts very long and almost x ? completely obscuring tail (of which only black corners occasionally visible). Secondaries x shorter than primaries, producing slightly notched wing. HH Locally common to uncommon resident. Singly, in pairs or small groups over clearings and edges of rain forest; often near water. Flight fluttering. Associates with other spinetails, esp. Cassin’s. Voice Series of weak, high-pitched notes pit ptrrrit pit-pit-pit-pit prrritt… somewhat reminiscent of African Palm Swift.

Mottled Spinetail Telacanthura ussheri Martinet d’Ussher

13–14 cm

Blackish with broad white rump patch and narrow white band of variable extent on lower belly (usually difficult to see in field). Throat pale mottled brownish. Tail square xx x and relatively long (imparting Apus-like appearance). T. u. sharpei (Cameroon–SW CAR/ Congo) blacker than nominate (west of range), with darker throat. Superficially similar to Little Swift (Plate 110), but has different jizz, with more protruding head, longer wings and x different, more powerful flight; also greyer throat, some white on vent and different call. HH Irregularly distributed, fairly common to scarce resident in wooded savanna (esp. with Borassus palms and baobabs) and open areas (even towns) in rain forest zone. Usually in pairs or small groups. Associates with other swifts. Voice Rasping twittering, chrwit chrwitt-itit chrrr-r-r-r-ititittt and variations.

Cassin’s Spinetail Neafrapus cassini Martinet de Cassin

12–13 cm

Characteristic silhouette with long, distinctly notched wings (innermost secondaries shorter than rest of flight feathers) and very short tail. Upperparts and wings black; tail slightly rounded with narrow white band at base. White belly and undertail-coverts sharply demarcated from greyish throat and upper breast. Flight fluttering, loose-jointed and bat-like. HH Irregularly distributed, fairly common to scarce resident. Singly, in pairs or small groups, above clearings and canopy of rain forest. Associates with other spinetails, esp. noticeably smaller Sabine’s. Voice Usually silent. Various harsh and rasping (‘teeth-gnashing’) calls.

x

Böhm’s Spinetail Neafrapus boehmi Martinet de Böhm

9–10 cm

N. b. boehmi (?). Highly distinctive, tiny swift with extremely short tail (appears tailless) and very fluttering, bat-like flight. Plumage pattern as Cassin’s Spinetail, but white rump patch larger; greyish throat and upper breast paler and less sharply demarcated from white belly. HH Recorded over rain forest, NE Gabon (Makokou, Mar, Jul/Aug, Nov; status?). Normal range extralimital, nearest population in W Angola. Voice Rather silent. A high-pitched rippling twitter CHIRRrritititititrew; also single chit or tit notes.

Black Spinetail Telacanthura melanopygia Martinet de Chapin

x

15–17 cm

Large, all-blackish spinetail with dusky mottled throat and upper breast (only visible at close range and in favourable light). Wings with slight notch, imparting typical spinetail shape. Tail relatively long and square, often spread in circling flight, when appearing rounded. Silhouette resembles large, slender Mottled Spinetail. HH Rare to locally uncommon resident. Singly, in pairs or small groups above clearings and canopy of rain forest. Flight fast and powerful. Associates loosely with other swifts, esp. spinetails. Suspected to wander widely over suitable habitat. Nest unknown. Voice Usually silent. Various harsh and rasping (‘teeth-gnashing’) calls e.g. chrtt or kritt, and chrewitit chreo.

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Mottled Spinetail

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Sabine’s Spinetail

Cassin’s Spinetail

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Böhm’s Spinetail

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Black Spinetail

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PLATE 110: SWIFTS II TYPICAL SWIFTS (all species on this and the following plate) have sickle-shaped wings and generally forked tails.

African Palm Swift Cypsiurus parvus Martinet des palmes x x

16 cm, incl. tail of up to 9 cm

Adult parvus (S Mauritania/Guinea–Chad) Distinctive, very slender, all-greyish swift (sometimes appearing brownish) with very long and narrow wings and tail. Deeply forked tail often held closed, appearing thin and pointed. C. p. brachypterus (Sierra Leone–CAR/Congo) darker. Juvenile Has shorter tail. HH Common resident. In pairs or small groups, typically foraging low around palm trees. Frequently in towns. Flight fast and graceful, with quick wingbeats and sudden twists and turns. Occasionally in mixed flocks with other swifts. Voice Vocal. Rapid, high-pitched, sibilant twittering srrit-itititititit, frequently uttered.

x

Scarce Swift Schoutedenapus myoptilus Martinet de Shoa

16.5 cm

S. m. poensis. Small, dark brown swift with pale throat, sharply tapering wings, longish tail and diagnostic voice. Tail deeply forked but usually held closed and appearing pointed. In favourable light, contrast between dark head and broad pale throat patch may be noticeable at long range and create slightly capped appearance. HH Rare to scarce and local resident (or short-distance migrant/wanderer?), W Cameroon and Bioko. Typically over montane forest, but on Bioko observed below 100 m, near habitation. Probably under-recorded. Voice Rapid series of high-pitched nasal twitterings kri-kri-kri trihihihihi, interspersed by characteristic metallic clicks tik-tik-tik-...

Bates’s Swift Apus batesi Martinet de Bates

14 cm

Rather small, slender, all-black glossy swift with fairly deeply forked tail (often held closed to a point). Indistinct grey-brown throat patch. Blacker and noticeably smaller than African Black and Common Swifts. HH Rare to locally fairly common resident. Singly or in small flocks above canopy or clearings of rain forest, and adjacent areas. Distinctive foraging flight fluttering with shallow, rapid wingbeats occasionally interspersed by short glides. Associates loosely with other swifts and hirundines. Voice Usually silent. A highpitched trill trrrriiiiirrr near nest.

White-rumped Swift Apus caffer Martinet cafre x x

xx

x xx xx

Horus Swift Apus horus Martinet horus x x

x x

x

14–15.5 cm; WS 33–37 cm

Rather small, slender black swift with long outer tail feathers forming deeply forked tail (usually held closed, tapering to thin point), relatively narrow U-shaped white rump patch extending to rear flanks, and white throat. HH Scarce to fairly common. Principally resident, but also partially migratory and probably dispersive. Singly, in pairs or small flocks in savanna and farmland. Flight fast and graceful; also fluttering. Associates with other swifts and swallows. Typically breeds in nests of hirundines (esp. under culverts) and Little Swifts, ousting original occupants. Voice Rather silent. Low, harsh, twittering notes.

x x

x x x

15 cm

A. h. horus. Rather small, black swift with forked tail, broad white rump patch extending onto rear flanks and white throat. Tail may appear rather square when banking. Rump patch much broader than in White-rumped Swift and tail much shorter; also less elegant, more like Little Swift in jizz. Dark morph Has smaller, greyer throat patch and dark brown rump. HH Intra-African migrant (and resident?). Rare to scarce and local, possibly overlooked. Locally fairly common, Congo. Dark morph recorded in Gabon and Congo. Forages low over grassland and in wooded savanna. Flight fluttering. Associates with other swifts and swallows. Voice Rather silent. Remarkable trill krrweepeeo … or przweew...

Little Swift Apus affinis Martinet des maisons

12–13.5 cm; WS 32–34 cm

A. a. aerobates. Small, rather stocky, blackish swift with square tail (sometimes appearing slightly notched) and broad white rump patch extending onto rear flanks; throat white. Island race bannermani (Bioko, São Tomé & Príncipe) darker, with lightly streaked throat (usually not visible in field). Compare Mottled Spinetail (Plate 109). HH Common resident. Highly gregarious; mainly in towns, but also forages over adjacent open areas. Very partial to bridges and other man-made structures for nesting. Associates with other swifts. Voice Rapid, high-pitched twittering, frequently uttered.

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African Palm Swift

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Bates’s Swift

Scarce Swift White-rumped Swift

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Horus Swift Little Swift

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PLATE 111: SWIFTS III African Black Swift Apus barbatus Martinet du Cap

16 cm

Dark blackish-brown with small greyish throat patch. Very difficult to separate from Common Swift and, with experience, best distinguished by voice. In good light, best x separated from above, where paler area on inner wing (secondaries and greater x coverts) contrasts with rest of plumage. A. b. glanvillei (Sierra Leone) has some blue gloss x x x on mantle, lacking in serlei (W Cameroon); race of birds elsewhere uncertain. HH Local and uncommon to rare resident. Mainly over wet highlands with cliffs and gorges, but may also range over any lowland habitat. Singly or in flocks. Flight strong and fast. Associates with other swifts. Voice As Common Swift but more toneless (due to higher frequency), sounding like harsh, buzzing trill szrirrrzr. x

Fernando Po Swift Apus (barbatus) sladeniae Martinet de Fernando Po

16 cm

Very similar to African Black Swift (of which it is usually considered a race) but even darker with little or no whitish-grey on throat. HH Very rare and local; status uncertain. Probably mainly in highlands. DD

? ? x xx ? ? ? ? ? ?

Common Swift Apus apus Martinet noir

17–18.5 cm; WS 40–44 cm

A. a. apus. Medium-sized, mainly uniformly blackish-brown swift with narrow pointed wings, forked tail and small, ill-defined whitish throat patch. HH Common Palearctic visitor (mid-July–late May). Highly gregarious, occurring over all habitats, often at great height. Flight strong and fast. Very mobile, covering long distances in search of good feeding areas and to escape adverse weather. Attracted to centres of low atmospheric pressure. Often in mixed groups with other swifts and hirundines. Voice High-pitched, shrill, screaming srreeee.

x

Pallid Swift Apus pallidus Martinet pâle

16–18 cm; WS 39–44 cm

Strongly resembles Common Swift but paler, more greyish-brown; paler inner wing contrasts with darker mantle, forewing and outer wing; whitish throat patch larger and extending over lores to forehead, making dark eye patch stand out. Slightly broader and blunter wings, slightly shallower tail fork and less agile flight with slower wingbeats impart subtly different jizz. Nominate Slightly paler and greyer, with more extensive white x xx throat, than Palearctic brehmorum. HH Nominate is local breeder on rocky escarpments x x x and migrant; brehmorum locally common to rare Palearctic visitor (Aug–Apr). Over various habitats, often at great height. Associates with other swifts. Voice As Common Swift but often slightly deeper and disyllabic.

Plain Swift Apus unicolor Martinet unicolore

14–15.5 cm; WS 35–39 cm

Very similar to Common and Pallid Swifts but slightly smaller and slimmer, throat darker, wingbeats faster and flight more erratic. From below, semi-translucent flight feathers an important field mark. HH Rare Palearctic visitor, coastal Mauritania (Oct–Nov, Mar–Jun); also Cape Verde (Boavista, Feb 1999, four; Mar 2000, one). Voice Similar to Common Swift.

Mottled Swift Tachymarptis aequatorialis Martinet marbré x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

xx xx x x

Alpine Swift Tachymarptis melba Martinet à ventre blanc x

x

x

x x x

23 cm

Very large, robust, dark swift with forked tail. T. a. lowei (Sierra Leone–Nigeria) Upperparts dark brownish; throat greyish-white to white; rest of underparts scalloped whitish, appearing greyish in field. T. a. bamendae (Cameroon) Darker, with smaller, greyer throat patch. HH Rare to uncommon and local, patchily distributed resident or intra-African migrant. Frequents crags, rocky outcrops and escarpments but disperses widely over variety of habitats. Gregarious, but also occurring singly. Associates with other swifts, esp. Alpine Swift. Voice High-pitched titititititititi, rising and falling in patch; similar to Alpine Swift but delivered more slowly.

20–23 cm; WS 51–58 cm

Very large, mainly brown swift with white throat and belly separated by dark brown breast-band; tail shallowly forked. Size and powerful flight may recall small falcon. Nominate dark grey-brown above; NW African tuneti paler. HH Rare to locally fairly common Palearctic visitor (late Aug–early May). Over a variety of habitats. Gregarious. Flight more powerful than Common Swift, with slower wingbeats. Associates with other swifts, esp. Mottled Swift. Claimed to breed in C Mali (Bandiagara escarpment), but no recent records. Voice Rapid, rolling, twittering chit ritititititititit chetetet … rising and falling in pitch.

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Pallid Swift

African Black Swift

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Fernando Po Swift

Common Swift

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Plain Swift

Alpine Swift Mottled Swift

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PLATE 112: MOUSEBIRDS AND TROGONS MOUSEBIRDS Buffish-brown or greyish with long, stiff, graduated tails and short, erectile crests. Always in small groups. Flight on short, whirring wings, fast and direct with long glides. Climb well. Feed mainly on fruit and leaves. Endemic to Africa.

Blue-naped Mousebird Urocolius macrourus Coliou huppé x x

x

x

33–38 cm

Adult macrourus Greyish with conspicuous azure-blue nape, very long, slender tail (of up to 28 cm), red on bill and bare red patch around eye. U. m. laeneni (Niger: Aïr) paler. Juvenile Paler, without blue on nape, crest shorter, bare parts dull-coloured. HH Common to uncommon resident. In small, vocal parties in arid open country with scrub, thorn trees and cultivated areas. Sedentary or locally nomadic. Voice Far-carrying, long, clear whistle pwheeeeeee; also shorter notes incl. kwee, pwee-u and kruw.

Speckled Mousebird Colius striatus Coliou rayé

30–36 cm

Adult nigricollis Wholly brown with very long tail, short, bushy crest, black face and bare bluish-white patch behind eye. C. s. leucophthalmus (SE CAR) has crest yellowish-white, hindneck and back lightly barred dark brown, eye white. Juvenile Tail and crest shorter; pale brown stripe down back; feet dusky. HH Common to locally fairly common resident. In a variety of habitats, incl. forest edges, clearings, farmbush, open woodland and gardens. Not in forest. In small, vocal parties, actively foraging by clambering mouse-like through bushes, often hanging vertically on branches. Sedentary, but some local movements reported. Voice Sibilant twittering calls tsiu, whseet-whut, tsi-ui etc, constantly uttered at rest and in flight. Alarm a buzzing tzik-tzik. TROGONS Arboreal forest birds with brightly coloured plumage and long, broad tails. Feed on insects, caught on vegetation in swift, swooping flight, reminiscent of drongos. Nest in tree-holes. Easily overlooked despite their brilliant coloration as they perch motionlessly for long periods at mid-level in forest shade.

Narina’s Trogon Apaloderma narina Trogon narina

29–34 cm

Adult male constantia (from Nigeria west) Upperparts, throat and breast bright green; rest of underparts crimson. Tail white below, mainly blackish-blue above. Wing-coverts finely barred grey and white. Bill yellow. Patches of vivid yellow bare skin at gape, below x eye and above eye. In brachyurum (S Cameroon–CAR/Congo) patches of bare skin greenish; in arcanum (from L. Chad east) blue. Adult female Duller, with forehead, throat and breast grey washed green; lower underparts pink. Juvenile Resembles adult female, but secondaries and wing-coverts tipped with large white and buff spots. HH Generally uncommon or scarce, but locally fairly common resident. In rain forest, thickets and riparian forest. When singing, throat swells, revealing blue skin, while tail pumps rhythmically down. Voice A series of paired, moaning, soft and dove-like hoots, with stress on second syllable and repeated up to 14 times, starting hesitantly, then slightly rising in volume and giving impression of being forced out who-ot-WHO poe-WHO poe-WHO poe-WHO...; easily passing unnoticed.

Bar-tailed Trogon Apaloderma vittatum Trogon à queue barrée

28 cm

Darker than the other two trogons and with outer tail feathers closely barred black and white. Adult male Head and throat glossy black; upperparts dark green. Bare patches at gape and below eye orange-yellow. Adult female Head and throat dark brown washed green, merging through cinnamon on lower breast into pink on belly and undertail-coverts. Juvenile As adult female, but with white or buff spots on wing. HH Uncommon to locally fairly common resident in moist montane forest (at c.900–2100 m). Voice A series of 7–14 high-pitched, yelping kew or kiup notes, starting softly and increasing in volume. Also a clear, drawn-out whistle, descending in scale whueeeeuw (easily imitated).

Bare-cheeked Trogon Apaloderma aequatoriale Trogon à joues jaunes

28 cm

Adult male Very similar to Narina’s Trogon, but has larger, yellow and more conspicuous patches of bare skin on head-sides. No overlap with race constantia of Narina’s Trogon. Adult female Forehead, throat and breast dull to rusty brown merging through grey and pinkish into red on lower underparts. Juvenile As adult female, but duller, with white or buff spots on wing. HH Uncommon or scarce to locally fairly common resident in rain forest. Voice A series of 6–8 plaintive hoo notes, with first note longer and stressed, the following being shorter and gradually dying away; reminiscent of Blue-spotted Wood Dove.

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PLATE 113: KINGFISHERS I KINGFISHERS (Plates 113–115) Characterised by compact silhouette with large head, long dagger-shaped bill, short body and very short legs. Most species brightly coloured. Occur in a variety of habitats. Aquatic species feed mainly on fish captured by plunge-diving; terrestrial species subsist on insects and reptiles on which they swoop from a perch. Flight fast and direct. Nest in tree or earth holes.

African Dwarf Kingfisher Ispidina lecontei Martin-pêcheur à tête rousse

x

10 cm

Tiny and secretive. Adult ruficeps Distinguished from other small kingfishers by wholly orange-rufous crown and black forehead (difficult to see from below). Coral-red bill has horizontally flattened, square tip (sometimes visible in field). Nominate (SW Nigeria– CAR/Congo) has tiny blue tips to crown feathers. Juvenile Duller, crown and upperparts blackish with blue-tipped feathers, bill blackish tipped white. HH Rare to uncommon resident. In dense rain forest and its edge. Perches at all levels, mainly low. Unobtrusive. Occasionally in mixed-species flocks and attending ant swarms. Voice High-pitched tseep. Mainly silent. Note Formerly placed in Ceyx.

African Pygmy Kingfisher Ispidina picta Martin-pêcheur pygmée

12 cm

Adult picta Very small with brilliant violet-blue upperparts, orange-rufous underparts and coral-red bill and feet. Head mainly orange-rufous with blue-black crown, broad orange-rufous supercilium, ear-coverts strongly washed violet and white patch on necksides. Throat white. Forest-zone race ferrugina (Guinea-Bissau–Congo) slightly darker. S African natalensis (recorded Congo) has small blue streak above white patch on necksides. Juvenile Duller, with black, white-tipped bill, blackish moustachial stripe and lores, and mottled upperparts. HH Fairly common resident and partial migrant. In various habitats, incl. woodland, thickets, cultivation, gardens, forest edge and clearings; not usually near water. Hunts for insects from low perch. Voice Single sharp, high-pitched tseet, in flight. Note Formerly placed in Ceyx.

White-bellied Kingfisher Corythornis leucogaster Martin-pêcheur à ventre blanc

13 cm

Adult leucogaster (Nigeria–CAR/Gabon, Bioko) Small and unobtrusive with clear white underparts and chestnut head-sides, breast patches and flanks. Western bowdleri has rufous area above lores more extensive; southern leopoldi (intergrades with nominate x x x in Congo R. basin) has superciliary area blue, not rufous. Juvenile Duller, with black, x white-tipped bill and dusky-mottled moustachial area, ear-coverts, breast and mantle. HH Uncommon to scarce resident. At small forest streams and pools. Shy and elusive. Usually seen flying low and fast over water or perching low. Voice High-pitched, vigorous (t)seee, in flight; reminiscent of African Pygmy Kingfisher but louder, more piercing. Note Formerly included in Alcedo.

Malachite Kingfisher Corythornis cristatus Martin-pêcheur huppé

13 cm

Adult galeritus (from Ghana west) Small, aquatic kingfisher. Violet-blue above, orange? rufous below; bill and feet coral-red. Crown feathers long and violet-blue barred black, occasionally raised and forming crest; no supercilium. Nominate (east of range) has paler underparts. Juvenile Duller and duskier, esp. on ear-coverts and breast, with black bill (red from c.3 months). HH Common resident; local movements recorded. At lakes, pools, marshes, lagoons and slow-running rivers. Dives for fish, shrimps and insects from low perch. Not shy. Voice Shrill pseek, in flight. Song in duet tsrrr-tsrrrr tsip-tsip tsrr tsip t-t-t... Note Formerly included in Alcedo. São Tomé Kingfisher C. (c.) thomensis and Príncipe Kingfisher C. (c.) nais See Plate 262.

Shining-blue Kingfisher Alcedo quadribrachys Martin-pêcheur azuré x x

x

16 cm

Unobtrusive aquatic forest kingfisher with black bill. Adult quadribrachys Head, upperparts and patch at breast-sides brilliant, deep ultramarine-blue with white patch on neck-sides and rufous loral spot. Deep orange-rufous below; throat white. Female has dark red on base of lower mandible. A. q. guentheri (SE Nigeria–CAR/Congo) has mantle to uppertail-coverts paler, bright azure-blue, contrasting with rest of upperparts. Juvenile Duller, with dusky mottling on breast; bill tipped whitish. HH Rare to uncommon resident along forested rivers, lakes, lagoons and mangroves. Mostly seen in low, fast flight over water. Voice Shrill, high-pitched tseep, in flight.

Common Kingfisher Alcedo atthis Martin-pêcheur d’Europe

15–16 cm

A. a. atthis. Aquatic kingfisher. Brilliant blue above; orange-rufous below; broad green-blue malar stripe. HH Palearctic vagrant, NW Mauritania (Nouadhibou, Aug 1982). Voice High-pitched, shrill tzeee, in flight.

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PLATE 114: KINGFISHERS II Grey-headed Kingfisher Halcyon leucocephala Martin-chasseur à tête grise

22 cm

Adult leucocephala Diagnostic combination of pale grey head and breast, bright x x chestnut belly and undertail-coverts and black mantle, scapulars and wing-coverts. Bill and feet bright red. Southern pallidiventris (non-breeding migrant S Congo) has paler grey head and pale chestnut belly. Island race acteon (Cape Verde) has head even paler, greyish-white. Juvenile Duller, with dusky bill and buff or pale chestnut belly. HH Fairly common resident and intra-African migrant. In woodland, riparian trees, thickets and cultivated areas. On migration in wider range of open habitats; not in dense forest and very arid areas. Perches quietly for long periods. Displaying pairs circle above trees, calling. Migrates north in rains, south in dry season. Voice Call a loud, scolding and explosive CHeK! or KHE!, frequently uttered in short series. Song a weak descending trill chichichichi-chi-chiu, usually given in flight.

Woodland Kingfisher Halcyon senegalensis Martin-chasseur du Sénégal

22 cm

Adult senegalensis Widespread, medium-sized kingfisher with grey head and mantle, and rest of upperparts bright azure-blue with contrasting black upperwing-coverts, and greyish-white underparts. Feet black. Forest zone fuscopileus has darker crown and greyer breast and mantle. Juvenile Duller, with dusky bill. HH Fairly common resident and partial intra-African migrant. H. s. fuscopileus sedentary; nominate partially migratory, northern savanna populations moving north with rains. Races intergrade in forest– savanna contact zone. In open woodland, derived savanna, farmland, mangroves, gardens and forest clearings. Perches on high branch or other, often exposed, vantage point, hunting insects and small vertebrates. Conspicuous, attracting attention by loud song. In display flicks wings open while singing, revealing contrasting underwing pattern, and turns around repeatedly. Often interacts aggressively with other birds. Voice Distinctive and easily learnt song vigorous and explosive, consisting of single sharp initial note, followed after short pause by hard descending trill PTIK TIRRRRrrrrrrr; uttered throughout the day (mostly in mid-morning; occasionally after dark). Alarm a fast kee-kee-kee-kee-...

Blue-breasted Kingfisher Halcyon malimbica Martin-chasseur à poitrine bleue

25 cm

Adult malimbica (Cameroon–CAR/Congo) Large, mainly bright azure-blue kingfisher with black back, scapulars and upperwing-coverts and pale azure-blue breast becoming grey or whitish on rest of underparts. Crown grey. Black streak through eye produces stern appearance. Bill heavy, red above, black below. Feet red. H. m. torquata (S Senegambia–W Mali) has blue areas paler and greener; forbesi (Sierra Leone–E Nigeria) intermediate. Juvenile Duller, with head and underparts tinged buff. HH Fairly common in mangroves and rain forest; in savanna zone mainly in riparian forest. Mostly keeps in deep shade below canopy. Feeds primarily on insects, also small vertebrates, hunted from perch. Voice Song starts with single, abrupt chiup!, followed after short pause by a series of piping pu notes, initially accelerating and ascending slightly, then descending and slowing down: chiup! pu-pupupuPUPUUpuu-puu puu puu; uttered throughout the day, mostly from perch, but also in display flight. Both sexes sing. Alarm a raucous chup, chup-chup-chup or KIAH, KIAH-KIAH. Príncipe form dryas: see Plate 262.

Brown-hooded Kingfisher Halcyon albiventris Martin-chasseur à tête brune

22 cm

H. a. prentissgrayi. Adult male Head dirty brown lightly streaked blackish or unstreaked and separated by buffish collar from blackish-brown mantle, scapulars and wing-coverts; azure-blue wing panel, back, rump and tail. Underparts dirty buffish, lightly streaked grey-brown. Bill heavy, bright red tipped dusky. Feet red. Adult female Mantle browner. Juvenile Duller; bill dusky, tipped whitish. HH Locally fairly common resident. In open woodland, thickets and cultivation; may occur far from water. Perches quietly for long periods, occasionally pouncing on prey on ground or tree-trunk. Pairs display by facing each other and rapidly flicking wings open and shut, calling excitedly. Voice A series of 3–5 weak, descending notes kweep eep eep eep. Alarm a loud, harsh chatter chrrrit-chrrit-chrrit-... Displaying birds utter loud, excited kik-kik-kik-kik-...

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PLATE 115: KINGFISHERS III Chocolate-backed Kingfisher Halcyon badia Martin-chasseur marron

21 cm

Retiring forest kingfisher; often heard, but rarely seen. Adult obscuridorsalis Head and upperparts dark chocolate-brown with bright azure rump and wing panel; tail dull azure with dusky tip. Underparts clean white. Bill bright red. Nominate (east of Dahomey x x Gap) Slightly paler. Juvenile Bill black, tipped whitish. HH Uncommon to locally fairly common resident. In rain forest. Perches quietly at mid-height. Not associated with water. Habitually uses semi-suspended earthen termitaria for nesting. Voice Song distinctive, starting with single, weak wheet (only audible at close range) followed after short pause by a series of 12–17 fluty hu notes, initially slightly increasing in volume and speed, then slowing down, becoming more plaintive and trailing off wheet, huhuhuhuHuHuHUhuhu-hu-hu-hu... Harsh alarm call similar to Blue-breasted Kingfisher’s.

Striped Kingfisher Halcyon chelicuti Martin-chasseur strié

17 cm

Small, rather drab savanna kingfisher with distinctive song. Adult chelicuti Crown and x underparts streaked; black streak through eye; head-sides and throat whitish. Bill dusky above, reddish below. Underwing white with dark carpal patch, broad grey trailing edge and broad black subterminal band. In female, underwing has smaller carpal patch and lacks subterminal black band on remiges. H. c. eremogiton (arid zone from C Mali east) Has underparts almost unstreaked. Juvenile Bill blackish tipped whitish, underparts more buffy, blue areas of wings and tail paler and more limited, or lacking. HH Fairly common to common resident. In woodland, wooded grassland and thornbush. Perches unobtrusively on branch at mid-height. Feeds on insects (mainly grasshoppers) and, occasionally, small vertebrates, nearly all taken on ground. Returns to perch to consume prey. Displaying birds face each other perching upright, flicking wings open and shut, and calling excitedly. Local movements reported. Voice Song a series of loud, far-carrying KEE-RRRUU KEE-RRRUU KEE-RRRUU...

Pied Kingfisher Ceryle rudis Martin-pêcheur pie

25–27 cm

C. r. rudis. Conspicuous and unmistakable black-and-white aquatic kingfisher. Adult male Has double breast-band. Adult female A single incomplete breast-band (limited to patch on breast-sides). Juvenile As adult female but feathers of lores, throat and breast fringed brown; breast patches greyish-black; gape pink. HH Common resident. In pairs or small parties in open areas on rivers, lagoons, mangroves, lakes and creeks. Feeds x x almost exclusively on fish, caught by plunge-diving from low perch or hovering flight. Local x movements in response to food availability suspected. Voice Vocal. Calls include highpitched, chattering kwik-kwik uttered in flight or on perch, chikrr-chekrr... (threat call) and kittle-te-ker (when flying from perch). x

Giant Kingfisher Megaceryle maxima Martin-pêcheur géant

42–46 cm

Largest kingfisher, with massive, black bill, bushy crest, and white-speckled, slate-grey upperparts. Unmistakable, but beware of confusing flying bird with Green-backed Heron (Plate 11), which has similar size, upperpart coloration and call. Adult male maxima Breast chestnut; belly white barred black. Forest race gigantea (from Liberia east) darker, upperparts less heavily speckled; belly more heavily barred. Adult female Breast white very densely spotted black; belly chestnut. Juvenile male As adult male, but breastsides speckled black; flanks with some chestnut feathers. Juvenile female As adult female, but breast less densely spotted; spots crescentic and mainly at sides. HH Generally uncommon but locally fairly common resident. Frequents wooded rivers, lagoons and lakes, mangroves; also rocky and sandy seashores. Perches quietly and often concealed over water, searching for fish and crabs. Rather shy. Flies low over water when disturbed. Local movements may involve dispersing juveniles, or birds exploiting ephemeral food sources. Ranges of races poorly defined, intergrading in forest–savanna contact zone. Voice Loud KEK! uttered singly or in series.

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PLATE 116: BEE-EATERS I BEE-EATERS (Plates 116–118) Slender, mostly brightly coloured species with long, pointed, slightly decurved bills and triangular wings. Feed mainly on wasps and bees, either caught in short sallies from perch or in lengthy hawking flights. Some migratory and gregarious, others sedentary and occurring in pairs or family parties. Nest in burrows excavated in banks or level ground. Most species in this distinctive and beautiful family are easy to identify.

Blue-moustached Bee-eater Merops mentalis Guêpier à moustaches bleues

19 cm

Small, dark, unobtrusive forest bee-eater. Mainly deep purplish-blue with rich chestnut mantle, back and wings and small scarlet throat patch. In flight appears all dark with russet wings. Adult Short, blunt tail streamers. Juvenile Duskier, without streamers. HH Uncommon to rare and local resident. Along shady tracks or in small openings within primary and old secondary forest. In pairs or trios. Perches on lianas and thin bare branches, usually in mid-strata, but occasionally very low. Wags tail in short arc. Endemic. Voice Contact call a discreet slip or sip, frequently uttered. Infrequently a high-pitched kee-klip or ptii-wit. Also bill-snapping and soft, muffled, hoarse little sounds. Note Formerly considered a race of Blue-headed Bee-eater. NT

Blue-headed Bee-eater Merops muelleri Guêpier à tête bleue

19 cm

Adult Unobtrusive forest bee-eater, similar to Blue-moustached Bee-eater but differs in having white forehead, pale blue crown and no tail streamers. Juvenile Duskier. HH Rare to uncommon and local resident. Habits as Blue-moustached Bee-eater. Voice As Bluemoustached Bee-eater.

Black Bee-eater Merops gularis Guêpier noir

20 cm

Adult gularis Small and square tailed with mainly jet-black upperparts, azure rump, belly and undertail-coverts, scarlet throat and black azure-streaked breast. Blue forehead and supercilium. Eye dark red. In flight, conspicuous brilliant azure rump. Scarlet x throat can be surprisingly hard to see in bad light. M. g. australis (Cameroon–SW CAR/ Congo) has head entirely black with only a few blue feathers on forehead; blue streaks on underparts sometimes tipped scarlet (virtually impossible to see in field). Juvenile Duskier, without red throat. HH Scarce to locally fairly common resident and partial migrant. In forest clearings and edges. Mostly in pairs, occasionally in trios. Perches conspicuously and usually quite high on dead branches, from where short flycatching sallies are made. Returns to same or nearby perch to consume catch. Voice Rather loud and distinctive klip or wik, not infrequently uttered.

Black-headed Bee-eater Merops breweri Guêpier à tête noire x

x

x

x x

x

x

Rosy Bee-eater Merops malimbicus Guêpier gris-rose

x x

25–28 cm

Large and robust bee-eater. Adult male The only bee-eater with dull black head, grassgreen upperparts and cinnamon-buff underparts. Tail cinnamon edged green, mostly covered by elongated, green, central tail feathers. Adult female Tail streamers shorter. Juvenile Duskier, without tail streamers. HH Scarce to rare resident. In thickets, riparian and swamp forest, and second growth. Mostly solitary or in pairs, foraging in canopy, at mid-levels and at forest edge. Flight slow and ‘sailing’. Rather inconspicuous. Mainly sedentary, but local movements reported. Voice Mostly silent. Calls include churuk churuk and a melodious chiuk or chiok in flight; alarm call wik.

22–25 cm

Adult Fairly large bee-eater with slate-grey upperparts, vivid reddish-pink underparts and short tail streamers. Black mask bordered below by white line. Underwing dark grey. Juvenile Duskier, without streamers. HH Locally fairly common to rare intra-African migrant. Forages mainly over rain forest, often near water; also transition woodland. Gregarious. Very local breeder in Nigeria, S Gabon and Congo, nesting on sandbars in large rivers, often in huge colonies; disperses as far west as E Ivory Coast. Voice Rather hoarse pru or krrp, shorter, more abrupt, less melodious than call of European Bee-eater. Alarm wik.

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PLATE 117: BEE-EATERS II Little Bee-eater Merops pusillus Guêpier nain

15–17 cm

Smallest bee-eater. Adult pusillus Top of head and upperparts grass-green. Throat rich yellow bordered by black mask and gorget; breast chestnut becoming cinnamon to buff on belly and vent. In flight, wings mainly cinnamon with broad black trailing edge; square or slightly notched tail cinnamon with black tips and green central feathers. M. p. meridionalis (S Gabon–Congo) has short, narrow blue supercilium (usually lacking in nominate). Juvenile Paler, with pale greenish breast, no gorget. HH Common resident. In pairs or family parties in various grassy habitats; fond of moist areas. Perches on long grass stem or low shrub, occasionally higher. Voice Quiet slip or sip and hard, clipped tsip or klip, uttered singly or in series. Also high-pitched, sibilant siddle-iddle-ip, d’ jee in high-intensity greeting display.

Blue-breasted Bee-eater Merops variegatus Guêpier à collier bleu

17 cm

Adult variegatus Very similar to Little Bee-eater but has purple-blue (not black) gorget (visible in good light) and white spot on neck-sides, at corner of yellow throat. Although latter is only visible at short range, it usually makes yellow throat appear larger and x brighter; from behind it stands out clearly against black mask and green neck. In flight, remiges cinnamon with black trailing edge; primaries tinged green. M. v. loringi (highlands of E Nigeria–W Cameroon) has blue supercilium. Juvenile Lacks gorget and has pale greenish breast. HH Local and uncommon resident. Prefers more upland or moister areas than Little Bee-eater, but behaviour similar. Voice Quiet prru or tup, uttered singly or in series, prru-tup prru-tup-tup ptup prru...

Swallow-tailed Bee-eater Merops hirundineus Guêpier à queue d’aronde

20–22 cm

M. h. chrysolaemus. Medium-sized greenish bee-eater easily distinguished by strongly forked, pale blue tail. In flight appears mainly green with forked, white-tipped tail; wings have some rufous and black trailing edge. Adult Throat yellow bordered by black mask and narrow blue gorget. Juvenile Throat greenish-white; no gorget. HH Rather scarce to x locally fairly common resident. In pairs or small parties in open savanna woodland. Rather silent and unobtrusive. Feeds in short sallies from perch. Often moves from one spot to another when foraging. May roost in tightly packed ranks of 6–10 (rarely up to 30) when not breeding. Local movements reported. Voice Subdued weeerp-weeerp, tip-tip, or diddle-diddle-ip, typically bee-eater-like in quality.

Red-throated Bee-eater Merops bulocki Guêpier à gorge rouge

x

x

x

x

White-fronted Bee-eater Merops bullockoides Guêpier à front blanc

x

20–22 cm

M. b. bulocki. Adult The only bee-eater in its range with green upperparts, bright red throat (rarely yellow) and deep blue undertail-coverts. In flight, wings green above and buff below with black trailing edge; square tail green with some buff. Juvenile Duller. HH Locally common resident. In small to large groups in open savanna woodland, edges of riparian forest and bushy pastures. Breeds colonially in stream banks, erosion gullies and quarries. Voice Vocal. Calls include wip, querulous kirrup, kwirrup or krrip, delivered in trilling series in greeting, and nasal kweep, uttered in flight and from perch.

22–24 cm

M. b. bullockoides. Adult Forehead white; crown and hindneck buff; upperparts and square tail green. Black mask bordered below by white chin and malar stripe; throat scarlet; breast and belly cinnamon-buff; vent, upper- and undertail-coverts deep blue. In flight, has black trailing edge to wing (like many congeners). Juvenile Duller. HH Locally common resident. In groups in lightly wooded grassland. Breeds colonially. Habits as Redthroated Bee-eater. Voice Vocal. Call a distinctive nasal wèèh or wèèh-up, very different from other bee-eaters. Alarm a sharp waark.

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PLATE 118: BEE-EATERS III White-throated Bee-eater Merops albicollis Guêpier à gorge blanche

19–21 cm

Adult Graceful, conspicuous bee-eater with largely pale green upperparts, long tail streamers (projecting up to 12 cm) and striking black-and-white head pattern. Black crown (unique among bee-eaters), mask and gorget contrast with white forehead, supercilium and throat. In flight, green and pale rufous wings (buffish below) have black trailing edge. Juvenile Duller, with yellowish-tinged throat and no streamers. HH Fairly common to common intra-African migrant. Breeds during rains in narrow band in Sahel, moving south in dry season. Migration and non-breeding range include moist savanna and rain forest zones. Highly gregarious. Usually hunts from medium-high to high perch in non-breeding zone. Voice Vocal. Pleasing, melodious and far-carrying pruuee, trooee or pruik, reminiscent of European Bee-eater but distinctly higher-pitched and delivered in longer series; sometimes interspersed with shorter notes (e.g. kwik kwik kwik kearrlup kearrlup...). Frequently uttered in flight and on perch.

Little Green Bee-eater Merops orientalis Guêpier d’Orient

16–18 cm

M. o. viridissimus. Adult male Small, all-green bee-eater with very long tail streamers (projecting up to 9.5 cm), black mask and thin black gorget. In flight, shows rufous flight feathers above and below, and black trailing edge (like many bee-eaters). Adult female xx x x Gorget usually even narrower and tail streamers shorter. Juvenile Duller, lacking gorget ? and streamers. HH Fairly common to uncommon resident and partial migrant, dispersing mostly through south of range in dry season, after breeding. Singly, in pairs or small parties in thornbush and woodland. Makes short flycatching sallies from low perch. Voice Hard, rapid and slightly buzzing trill trrri-trrri-trrri or kree-kree-kree-... Alarm a staccato ti-ti-ti or ti-ik.

Blue-cheeked Bee-eater Merops persicus Guêpier de Perse

24–28 cm; WS 35–39 cm

Adult chrysocercus Large, slender, bright green bee-eater with very long tail streamers (projecting up to 11 cm). Black mask bordered with blue, and yellow chin merging into chestnut of throat and upper breast. In flight, golden-green above, underwing rufous with narrow dusky trailing edge. In worn plumage appears paler, more bluish. Nominate has shorter tail streamers, extending 4.5–6.7 cm; upperparts grass-green. Juvenile Duller, x lacking streamers. HH M. p. chrysocercus is common visitor from NW Africa (mid Aug– x early May; records in all months); very local breeder at desert edge. Winters in various open habitats. Nominate is winter visitor (mainly from Asia) to E & S Africa, reaching our region in Congo and Gabon. Gregarious. Perches on power lines and low bushes. Voice Far-carrying prri-ip, dirrip or pririk, very similar to European Bee-eater but harder, less liquid and shorter. Alarm kuk.

European Bee-eater Merops apiaster Guêpier d’Europe

23–25 cm; WS 36–40 cm

Large, vocal, uniquely coloured bee-eater with chestnut crown and mantle, golden scapulars, yellow throat, bluish underparts and short tail streamers. In flight, scapulars and rump form golden V; wings chestnut and green with broad black trailing edge. Plumage usually worn and washed out on arrival in Africa. HH Locally fairly common to scarce Palearctic visitor (mainly Sep–May) in various open habitats; avoids forest zone. Gregarious. Flight graceful, wheeling; rapid wingbeats alternating with gliding. Voice Melodious, liquid, remarkably far-carrying prruuip, pru-ik or kwirip (calls of Blue-cheeked and Rosy Bee-eaters very similar and only separable with practice). Also pik-pik.

Northern Carmine Bee-eater Merops nubicus Guêpier écarlate

24–27 cm

Adult Large, conspicuous, carmine-and-pink bee-eater with green-blue head and long tail streamers. Rump, upper- and undertail-coverts pale blue, strongly contrasting with rest of plumage. Underwing buffy. Tail grey below. Juvenile Duskier, with mainly brownish upperparts and short streamers. HH Fairly common to locally common, in dry x x xx and open savanna. Often near water. Gregarious. Breeds in large, dense colonies in sandy cliffs by rivers. Disperses south in dry season, after breeding, almost reaching northern edge of rain forest zone. Forages in ‘sailing’, twisting flight. Also feeds from perch. Partial to grasshoppers and locusts and therefore attracted to bush fires. Voice Rather unmusical klienk, klunk or terk, often repeated and sometimes followed by ki-ki-ki-ki-...

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White-throated Bee-eater

juv

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Little Green Bee-eater

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European Bee-eater

Blue-cheeked Bee-eater juv

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Northern Carmine Bee-eater

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PLATE 119: ROLLERS ROLLERS Robust, conspicuous birds with colourful plumage, large heads and stout bills, slightly hooked at tip. Vocal and pugnacious. Voice harsh. Have spectacular display flights. Breed in tree holes. Species on this plate (of genus Coracias) hunt from perch, swooping to ground to catch large insects or small vertebrates.

Rufous-crowned Roller Coracias naevius Rollier varié

35–40 cm

C. n. naevius. Adult Large, stocky and comparatively dull roller with conspicuous white forehead and supercilium, dull brownish-pink underparts heavily streaked white and square tail. Upperparts mainly olive-brown; rump pale purple; upperwing-coverts pinkish-brown; flight feathers purplish. Tail dark purple-blue with brownish-green central x x x feathers. Juvenile Duller, more olive. HH Generally uncommon resident and partial migrant, in various woodland types. Usually singly, perching on high vantage point. Less vocal than other rollers. Seasonal movements recorded (north with rains). Voice Various cackling, muffled and nasal notes, uttered singly or in rapid series, less harsh than other rollers and sometimes reminiscent of Green Wood-hoopoe. [Alt: Purple Roller]

Blue-bellied Roller Coracias cyanogaster Rollier à ventre bleu ?

x

x x

28–30 cm

Adult Strikingly coloured roller, with pale buffish head and breast, black back, purplishblue wings, rump and belly, and azure-blue, forked tail with streamers. In flight, shows broad azure-blue wing bar. Juvenile Duller, lacking streamers. HH Uncommon to locally common resident in wooded savanna, edges of riparian forest, derived savanna and cultivation, esp. with scattered Borassus palms. Usually in pairs. Perches conspicuously atop trees, electricity poles, etc. Voice Vocal. Fast, sharp keh-keh-keh-keh-k-r-r-r-r-r-r and an accelerating, descending, scolding ‘laugh’ HEheheheheh..., in flight and from perch.

Abyssinian Roller Coracias abyssinicus Rollier d’Abyssinie

28–30 cm

Adult Slender and brightly coloured roller with very long outer tail feathers (projecting up to 12 cm). Mainly bright turquoise-blue with chestnut mantle, scapulars and tertials, deep violet-blue rump and uppertail-coverts. Forewing violet-blue, forming shoulder patch (sometimes concealed) when perched; flight feathers deep violet-blue. Juvenile Duller, x without tail streamers. HH Fairly common to common in various woodland types, incl. Acacia savanna, wooded grassland and farmland. Noisy and conspicuous, perching on exposed vantage point. Singly or in pairs, gathering in small groups at bush fires. Moves south during dry season and north at beginning of rains. Voice Harsh, explosive, scolding screech kwrèèèèh or kèèèèèhh uttered from perch; sharp kek, mainly in flight. In display flight a rapid series of similar harsh notes. x x

European Roller Coracias garrulus Rollier d’Europe

29–32 cm; WS 52–57 cm

C. g. garrulus. Adult Mainly turquoise-blue with chestnut mantle, scapulars and tertials, blackish flight feathers (deep violet below) and square tail. Back to uppertail-coverts and forewing purplish-blue. Adults usually appear very washed out and worn on arrival x x x in Africa. Juvenile Paler and duller until moult (Nov–Dec). Juvenile and moulting adult x Abyssinian Roller differ in having more extensive white or pale buff on forehead and x face, uniformly pale blue wing-coverts and upperside of flight feathers dark blue (not x x blackish); they appear bluer and more slender, are noisier and have a more agile flight. HH Uncommon to rare Palearctic visitor (mainly Jul–Oct and Feb–Jun; records in all months), in various open woodland types. Singly or in groups. Perches on bare branches, power lines and poles. Flight strong and direct. Voice Mostly silent in W Africa. A harsh, short wrek, often developing into wrek-kekekek-erek... Also a drawn-out wrèèèèèèh. NT x

Lilac-breasted Roller Coracias caudatus Rollier à longs brins

28–30 cm

C. c. caudatus. Adult Distinctive combination of white-streaked lilac throat and breast and long tail streamers (projecting up to 8 cm). Forewing violet-blue, forming shoulder patch when perched; flight feathers deep violet-blue. Juvenile Duller, more buffish, lacking streamers. HH An E & S African species reaching SC Congo/SE Gabon, where fairly common and presumably resident. In wooded grassland. Voice Loud, harsh rattling notes wrek, wrek... or sharp keh! keh!..., in display flight.

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Rufous-crowned Roller

Blue-bellied Roller ad

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juv

Abyssinian Roller

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European Roller Lilac-breasted Roller

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PLATE 120: ROLLERS AND HOOPOE EURYSTOMUS ROLLERS Hunt from perch, pursuing insects in the air.

Broad-billed Roller Eurystomus glaucurus Rolle violet

29–30 cm

Relatively small, thickset and dark roller with bright yellow, triangular bill. Adult afer Chestnut above; deep lilac below; tail and undertail mainly azure-blue. Flight feathers and greater coverts dark blue. Southern suahelicus brighter, with uppertail-coverts all blue and undertail-coverts pale blue. Juvenile Duskier; underparts mottled brown and bluish; bill partly dusky. HH Common resident and partial migrant, some moving north during rains. S African suahelicus intergrades with afer between 5°N and equator. Widespread, x from forest to savanna, occurring in large clearings in rain forest zone, riparian forest, woodland, derived savanna, farmland with scattered large trees, etc. Perches on tall treetops, occasionally hawking insects high in the air. Singly or in pairs, but assembles in wheeling feeding parties in late afternoon and at dusk. Pointed wings combined with powerful and aerobatic flight may recall falcon. Voice Vocal. Sharp, nasal kek, sometimes developing into harsh ‘laughing’ kekekekekek-k-k-k-k-r-r-r-r; also variety of other guttural, grating and growling notes, uttered in series.

Blue-throated Roller Eurystomus gularis Rolle à gorge bleue

25 cm

Adult gularis Resembles Broad-billed Roller but slightly darker and with diffuse blue throat patch (sometimes hard to see). Head and upperparts, incl. greater coverts, dark chestnut; uppertail-coverts blackish. Tail azure-blue and black. Entire underparts (incl. x vent and undertail-coverts) dark rufous-brown. E. g. neglectus (SE Nigeria– CAR/Congo) x More richly coloured; underparts washed lilac. Broad-billed Roller lacks throat patch and has deep lilac (not dark chestnut) underparts with azure-blue vent and undertail-coverts; more difficult to see are dark blue (not dark chestnut) greater coverts and greyish-blue uppertail-coverts. Blue-throated is also more exclusively associated with forest and has different, shrieking voice. Juvenile Duskier, with lower breast and belly greyish-blue mottled dusky. HH Uncommon to fairly common resident. In rain forest, clearings with tall trees and forest edge. Perches conspicuously on bare branch from canopy, now and then hawking for insects. Singly or in pairs, but may gather in feeding flocks in late afternoon, occasionally with Broad-billed Roller. Voice Various strident notes, e.g. khlee and grwree, sometimes developing into a series, khleep-khleep-khleep-... or kikikikikik... HOOPOE Very distinctive, cinnamon-buff and black-and-white bird with slender decurved bill, broad rounded wings and erectile, fan-shaped crest. Feeds on ground. Highly conspicuous in flight when pattern and irregular flapping of broad wings suggest huge butterfly. Surprisingly easily overlooked when on the ground. Crest not often raised, except on landing and when alarmed. Nests in holes.

Hoopoe Upupa epops Huppe fasciée

25–29 cm; WS 44–48 cm

Five races occur in our region, best distinguished by wing pattern and tone of body plumage. Palearctic nominate is palest (cinnamon-buff or sandy) with grey-brown mantle, broad white band across primaries and four relatively neat white bands across coverts and secondaries; crest tipped black, longest feathers with subterminally white x band. U. e. senegalensis (Mauritania/Sierra Leone–Chad; also Liberia, where rare) is xx xx x x slightly darker, more cinnamon-rufous, and has more white on secondaries, forming large x white patch; mantle concolorous with head or nearly so; no white bands in crest. More deeply coloured africana (Gabon–Congo) is rich cinnamon and lacks white in primaries; secondaries largely white (resembling senegalensis). Poorly defined waibeli (south of breeding range of senegalensis, C Cameroon–S Chad/CAR) has colour and wing pattern intermediate between senegalensis and africana (but still has white across primaries). U. e. major (NE Chad: Ennedi) as nominate but slightly duller, with less white in secondaries, narrower tail band and more streaked belly; bill longer and thicker at base. Females Slightly duller and smaller; wing pattern of senegalensis and africana as nominate, but without white in primaries in africana. Juveniles Duller still, with shorter crest and bill. HH Fairly common to scarce, in wooded savanna and dry scrub. Forages by walking briskly about, vigorously probing ground with long bill. Nominate is Palearctic visitor throughout (mid Aug–mid Apr); vagrant, Cape Verde (Santo Antão, São Vicente, Sal, Boavista). Afrotropical races mainly resident, but senegalensis moves to southern limit of range in dry season. Local status and distribution of races inadequately known. Voice Low and soft, but far-carrying hoop-oop-oop (sometimes 2 or 4 notes). Note African breeding races (or ssp. africana only) occasionally treated as separate species (African Hoopoe), but morphological, behavioural and vocal similarities do not suggest specific distinctness.

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juv

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Broad-billed Roller

Blue-throated Roller

Hoopoe

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senegalensis

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africana

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PLATE 121: WOOD-HOOPOES AND SCIMITARBILLS WOOD-HOOPOES Slender birds with mainly dark glossy plumage, slender, decurved bills and long graduated tails. Sexes similar; juvenile duller. Arboreal and agile, often hanging upside-down while probing bark for insects. Larger species conspicuous, noisy and usually gregarious; smaller ones quieter, mostly solitary or in pairs. Nest and (probably all species) roost in tree holes. Endemic to Africa.

Forest Wood-hoopoe Rhinopomastus castaneiceps Irrisor à tête brune

26–28 cm

Adult castaneiceps Small and slender wood-hoopoe with chestnut head, all-dark, iridescent green plumage, and pale, horn-coloured bill. Feet black. Head occasionally white. Eastern brunneiceps (S Cameroon–SW CAR/Congo) has head bottle green, pale brownish or buffish-white with feathers narrowly fringed darker. Juvenile Duller and smaller; in brunneiceps head is pale brownish or whitish. HH Scarce to uncommon and local resident. In rain forest and forest edge. Singly, in pairs or small family groups, foraging high up, occasionally in mixed-species flocks. Breeding habits virtually unknown. Voice A series of up to 20 plaintive notes kweep-wheep-wheep-wheep-....-wheew (similar to Black Scimitarbill and recalling raptor). Note Traditionally included in Phoeniculus, but size, bill shape, voice and social behaviour suggest close relationship with Black Scimitarbill.

White-headed Wood-hoopoe Phoeniculus bollei Irrisor à tête blanche

30–35 cm

Adult bollei Medium-large forest wood-hoopoe with black plumage glossed violet-green, conspicuous buffish-white head (sometimes appearing pale brownish), long and graduated tail without spots, and bright red bill and feet. P. b. okuensis (montane forest around Mt Oku, W Cameroon) has buffish-white on head much reduced. Juvenile Duller, with dusky bill and legs, and variable head colour: buffish-white mottled dusky or all dark gradually whitening with age. HH Uncommon resident. In rain forest, edges and clearings. Gregarious, foraging high up in groups of 2–10. Noisy, but less so than Green Woodhoopoe. Breeds cooperatively. Voice Fast, rippling, chattering twitter, often by several birds together. Also a frequent, highpitched kuk, uttered singly or in rapid series.

Green Wood-hoopoe Phoeniculus purpureus Irrisor moqueur

35–40 cm

P. p. guineensis and senegalensis. Adult Large savanna wood-hoopoe with all-black plumage glossed violet-green and long, graduated tail with white subterminal spots on outer 2–3 rectrices. Double white wingbar conspicuous in flight. Bill bright red or black with red tip. Feet red. Juvenile Smaller and duller, with black bill and feet. HH Uncommon x to locally common resident in open wooded habitats. Noisy and gregarious, typically in groups of 3–12 (or more), flying in single file between trees. Striking group display, with flock members perching close together, rocking back and forth, wings partly extended, raising and depressing tail, calling loudly. Breeds cooperatively. Voice Single, loud, cracked whak or kuk (male) and higher-pitched keek (female), usually in alarm, and loud, high-pitched cackling, usually started by one and soon accelerating and developing into resonant ‘laughter’ when other group members join in.

Black Scimitarbill Rhinopomastus aterrimus Irrisor noir

23 cm

R. a. aterrimus. Adult Small, violet-black savanna wood-hoopoe with black bill and feet. Double white wingbar obvious in flight. Juvenile Duller, with shorter bill and tail. HH Locally fairly common to scarce resident in open woodland; also dense woodland and edge of dry forest in transition zone. Singly or in pairs in trees and bushes, occasionally low, even on ground. Joins mixed-species flocks. Voice A series of plaintive, fairly loud or subdued notes kwheep-kwheep-kwheep-... recalling raptor.

Common Scimitarbill Rhinopomastus cyanomelas Irrisor namaquois

23 cm

R. c. anchietae. As Black Scimitarbill, but lacks white on primary-coverts and has white subterminal spots on outer two tail feathers. HH Locally fairly common resident in woodland. Singly or in pairs. Joins mixed-species flocks. Voice A series of fairly loud kwheep-kwheep-kwheep-...notes, virtually identical to Black Scimitarbill’s. Note R. c. anchietae formerly treated as race of Black Scimitarbill.

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brunneiceps

bollei ad

 juv castaneiceps juv juv variant

Forest Wood-hoopoe

White-headed Wood-hoopoe

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Black Scimitarbill

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Common Scimitarbill

Green Wood-hoopoe

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PLATE 122: HORNBILLS I HORNBILLS (Plates 122–124) Medium-sized to very large, with large decurved bills surmounted by horny casque of variable size. Tail long. Sexes separable by shape and pattern of casque, coloration of bare parts and/or plumage. Juveniles as adults but with smaller bills and no or much reduced casque. Most species arboreal, frugivorous and insectivorous. Usually singly, in pairs or small family parties. Many may make long daily and/or seasonal movements in response to fruit availability. Fly with neck outstretched. Nest in tree holes; entrance sealed from within by female (except in ground hornbills), leaving a narrow slit through which she is fed by her mate throughout incubation and until the young are partially grown. Most species vocal, with distinctive calls.

Western Red-billed Hornbill Tockus (erythrorhynchus) kempi Calao occidental

40–48 cm

Adult male Medium-small, black-and-white savanna hornbill with slender red bill. Upperparts blackish-brown with white streak on central back and white spots on wingcoverts. Orbital ring and bare facial skin black. Adult female Bill smaller. Juvenile Bill duller and smaller still. HH Common to fairly common resident in open woodland, riparian x forest and thorn scrub. May congregate in large feeding flocks outside breeding season. x Local movements in search of food reported. Forages mostly on ground. Endemic. Voice A very common sound in dry savanna and Sahel: a long series of clucking notes, increasing in tempo and volume (as if getting more excited) uk uk uk uk-uk-uk-UK-UK-UK-UK-UK-uhWUK uhWUK UK-UK-uhWUK... Several birds may join in excited clucking chorus.

Northern Red-billed Hornbill Tockus (erythrorhynchus) erythrorhynchus Calao à bec rouge

40–48 cm

Similar to Western Red-billed Hornbill (which is usually treated as conspecific) but with yellowish to pink orbital ring and no black bare facial skin. HH Common to fairly common resident. Habits and Voice As Western Red-billed Hornbill. x

x

African Grey Hornbill Tockus nasutus Calao à bec noir

45–51 cm

T. n. nasutus. Medium-sized, dull greyish savanna hornbill with prominent white supercilium. In flight, dull brownish-grey, with outer tail feathers broadly tipped white. Adult male Bill black with triangular creamy patch at base of upper mandible. Adult female Bill smaller and tipped dark red; rest of upper mandible pale yellow. Juvenile Bill x small, entirely dusky-grey. HH Common resident and partial migrant. Moves north with rains, south in dry season. In open woodland and grassland, from sub-desert margins to forest zone edges. Arboreal. Flight undulating and flapping with glides on broad, rounded wings. Voice Rather melancholy pee-o, often uttered in series, and a series of far-carrying, rhythmic, piping notes pee-pee-peepee-PEE-PEE PEE-pyew PEE-pyew PEE-PEE-pyew-pee... GROUND HORNBILLS Unmistakable, huge, ground-dwelling hornbills, sometimes placed in a separate family (Bucorvidae).

Abyssinian Ground Hornbill Bucorvus abyssinicus Bucorve d’Abyssinie

90–110 cm

Huge, black, terrestrial hornbill, with long, black bill and stout black legs. Reveals allwhite primaries in flight. Adult male Bill large with short, high, open-ended casque and reddish patch at base of upper mandible; eye surrounded by blue skin; inflatable red and blue skin on throat. Adult female Smaller, with bare skin entirely dark blue. Juvenile Dark x x sooty-brown with smaller bill, undeveloped casque and grey-blue bare skin. Immature Gradually as adult. In male, bare skin, incl. around eye, becomes dull pinkish. Adult coloration acquired in c.3 years. HH Uncommon and probably declining resident in wooded grassland, grassy plains and riparian forest. Usually in pairs or small family groups. Walks in search of prey; occasionally flies and perches in trees. Voice Deep, far-carrying, booming uu-uh, uh-uh-uh, from ground or perch, esp. at dawn.

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 Northern Red-billed Hornbill Western Red-billed Hornbill

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PLATE 123: HORNBILLS II Red-billed Dwarf Hornbill Tockus camurus Calao pygmée

34–39 cm

Small forest hornbill with red bill. Mainly rufous-brown with white lower underparts. Wing-coverts tipped white, forming two bars. Tail feathers tipped white except central pair. Adult male Bill entirely red. Adult female Bill tipped black. Juvenile Bill paler, more orange. HH Uncommon to fairly common resident. In rain forest and riparian forest. In pairs or small, vocal groups, at mid-levels and lower canopy. Gleans insects from leaves and branches. Often joins mixed-species flocks. Unobtrusive when not calling. Voice Vocal. A distinctive, far-carrying series of slightly mournful, melancholy calls, first rising, then falling, koo-kio-kio-kio-kio-kio-kio-kio.

Black Dwarf Hornbill Horizocerus hartlaubi Calao de Hartlaub

35–39 cm

Adult male hartlaubi. Small, somewhat scruffy-looking, black forest hornbill with broad greyish-white supercilium from bill to nape. Tail graduated; all feathers tipped white except central pair. Underparts grey, becoming whitish on belly. Bill black tipped dark red. H. h. granti (CAR, probably N Congo) has white tips to wing-coverts and inner x secondaries; red on bill more extensive. Adult female Bill entirely black. Juvenile Similar to adult female. HH Uncommon resident. In rain forest and edges. Favours liana-rich areas at mid-level and lower canopy. Unobtrusive. Often perches silently for long periods. Makes short sallies to take insects from leaves or in mid-air. Voice Rather silent. Fairly loud ee-ep ee-ep, frequently repeated. Also a series of rather soft notes kwu-wu-wu-wu-... ending in rising kwee-kukwee-kukWEE. Note Formerly included in Tockus.

White-crested Hornbill Horizocerus albocristatus Calao à huppe blanche

70–80 cm

Adult male albocristatus (from W Ivory Coast west) Slender, black forest hornbill with diagnostic white head and crest and very long, strongly graduated, white-tipped tail. H. a. macrourus (E Ivory Coast–Benin) similar but white of head extends to throat and neck; cassini (Nigeria–S CAR/Congo) has white restricted to crown and white tips to flight feathers, greater wing-coverts and scapulars. Adult female Smaller, with shorter casque. Juvenile Smaller, with darkish bill and no casque. Beware confusion with fleetingly glimpsed Long-tailed Hawk (Plate 36). HH Locally common to uncommon resident. In rain forest, edges, farmbush and relict forest patches. Forages in dense foliage. Joins mixed-species flocks and associates with monkeys for the small animals they disturb. Voice Unlike other hornbills. A series of rather soft, plaintive sounds culminating in a distinctive, drawn-out wail ooooooooaah!. Note Formerly placed in monotypic Tropicranus.

African Pied Hornbill Tockus fasciatus Calao longibande

48–55 cm

Adult male semifasciatus Medium-sized, slender hornbill with cream-yellow bill tipped black. Black, with lower breast to undertail-coverts white. Outer tail feathers 3 and 4 broadly tipped white. Flight flapping and buoyant on broad, rounded wings. Nominate x (E Nigeria–CAR/Congo) has white in tail much more extensive, forming two white lines; bill has dark red tip extending on underside of lower mandible. Adult female Smaller, with slightly smaller bill. Nominate has bill often darker tipped. Juvenile Bill smaller and entirely creamy. HH Locally common resident. In forest and various adjacent wooded habitats. May congregate in large feeding flocks outside breeding season. Voice Vocal. A series of high-pitched, scolding whistles varying in pitch and tempo pyi-pyi-pyi-pyi-PYI-PYI-PYI-...; in display ending with drawn-out pieeu.

Piping Hornbill Bycanistes fistulator Calao siffleur

50–60 cm

Adult male fistulator (from W Nigeria west) Medium-sized, compact forest hornbill. Wings black with broad white tips to secondaries; outer tail feathers broadly tipped xx white. Upper breast black; rest of underparts white. Flight slightly undulating with fast, x shallow wingbeats interspersed by glides. Grooved bill dusky with pale base and tip. B. f. sharpii (E Nigeria–Congo) has white in wings extending onto inner primaries, outer tail feathers all white, bill with raised casque ridge; duboisi (SC Cameroon–CAR) has white in wings extending even further, onto outer primaries, central tail feathers narrowly tipped white (often abraded), casque well developed. Adult female Bill smaller. Juvenile Bill entirely dusky and smaller still. Other Bycanistes hornbills (next plate) much larger, with larger casque, more white in wings (and in some also in tail), and less white on underparts. HH Locally common resident. In pairs or family trios in canopy of rain forest and forest patches in transition zone. May congregate in feeding flocks outside breeding season. Wings make rushing sound in flight. Voice Vocal. Distinctive, loud, harsh, nasal laughing. Also shrill piping peep-peep-peep.

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Red-billed Dwarf Hornbill

granti

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Black Dwarf Hornbill  hartlaubi fasciatus

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cassini

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semifasciatus

White-crested Hornbill

African Pied Hornbill

semifasciatus

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Piping Hornbill

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PLATE 124: HORNBILLS III Species on this plate are very large, with large decurved bills surmounted by high horny casques. Their wingbeats make a distinctive loud swishing noise. Usually in pairs or small family parties in forest canopy. Seasonal movements related to search of fruiting trees recorded.

Black-and-white-casqued Hornbill Bycanistes subcylindricus Calao à joues grises

65–78 cm

Adult male subcylindricus (west of Niger R.) Large black-and-white hornbill with blackish bill and two-toned casque. Central tail feathers black, rest white with broad ? black band on centre. Wings black with secondaries and inner primaries white with ? x x black base (outer primaries all black); greater coverts broadly tipped white. Underparts x to upper belly black; lower belly, thighs and undertail-coverts white. B. s. subquadratus has horn-coloured area extending to about middle of casque; much individual variation. Adult female Smaller, with smaller bill and casque. Juvenile Smaller, entirely dusky bill without casque. HH Uncommon to scarce resident. Favours secondary forest, edges, large clearings and forests at edge of forest zone; also in adjacent woodland. Several may gather at fruiting trees, often with other large hornbills. Flight strong and direct, with loud, swishing wingbeats interspersed by glides. Voice Calls loud and nasal, incl. abrupt keh! or heh! and a slow series of sarcastic laughing hah-hah-hah-hah-hah-...

Brown-cheeked Hornbill Bycanistes cylindricus Calao à joues brunes

65–77 cm

Large, stout black-and-white hornbill with broad black band on white tail and pale yellowish bill and casque. Wings black with outer half of flight feathers white. Underparts to upper belly and upper thighs black; lower belly and undertail-coverts white. Dark brownish head-sides and upper throat hard to see in field. Adult male High, grooved casque. Adult female Bill and casque smaller. Juvenile Bill smaller still, without casque. HH Locally common to rare forest resident. May gather in small groups at fruiting trees, often with other hornbills. Flight strong and direct, with loud, swishing wingbeats interspersed by glides. Endemic. Voice Calls include high-pitched pfeet! or khlee!, sounding like squeaky hinge or rusty water pump, and harsh notes, uttered singly or in series at variable speed. VU

White-thighed Hornbill Bycanistes albotibialis Calao à cuisses blanches ?

65–77 cm

Adult male Differs from Brown-cheeked Hornbill in all-white thighs and narrower black band on tail. No brown on head-sides. Bill largely dusky with differently shaped, longer, horn-coloured casque ending in point. Orbital ring pale yellow. Adult female Smaller, with smaller bill and casque. Orbital ring pinkish. Juvenile Bill smaller still, lacking casque. HH Uncommon to locally common forest resident. Voice Loud, harsh, barking gak! or rrhoak! uttered singly or in slow, descending series. Also an abrupt kekh!

Black-casqued Hornbill Ceratogymna atrata Calao à casque noir

70–90 cm

Yellow-casqued Hornbill Ceratogymna elata Calao à casque jaune

70–90 cm

Very large, black hornbill with black bill and casque and broad white tips to outer tail feathers. Bare skin around eye and inflatable bare throat wattles light blue. Adult male Massive cylindrical, forward-pointing casque. Adult female Smaller, with dark rufousbrown head and smaller bill and casque. Juvenile As female but lacks wattles and has x ? x smaller bill, without casque. Young male acquires all-black head at end of first year. HH Uncommon or rare to locally common forest resident. Several may gather at fruiting trees, often with other large hornbills. Flight strong and direct, with loud, swishing wingbeats interspersed by glides. Voice Far-carrying, resonant, strikingly plaintive trumpeting (sounding like wailing child), often given in flight. Female calls are more high-pitched than male’s. More raucous and plaintive than calls of Yellow-casqued Hornbill.

Very large, black hornbill resembling Black-casqued Hornbill but with differently shaped and coloured casque and different tail pattern. Neck feathers have white bases and brown tips. Adult male Upper part of casque cream-coloured. Adult female Also distinguished from female Black-casqued by creamy-horn bill, shorter casque, paler rufous head and white bases to neck feathers. Yellow-casqueds weigh distinctly more than Blackcasqueds; wingbeats consequently heavier. HH Locally fairly common to scarce resident. In canopy of mature forest; often at edges. Penetrates riparian forest and forest patches in savanna. Several may gather at fruiting trees, often with other large hornbills. Voice Far-carrying, resonant, nasal trumpeting. Less raucous and plaintive, more fluting and slower than calls of Black-casqued Hornbill. VU

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subquadratus





Brown-cheeked Hornbill  subcylindricus

juv



 juv



Black-and-white-casqued Hornbill

   White-thighed Hornbill

 

 

Black-casqued Hornbill

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Yellow-casqued Hornbill

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PLATE 125: BARBETS I BARBETS (Plates 125–128) Stocky birds with large heads and heavy bills. Zygodactyl. Sexes generally similar. Flight usually direct. Mostly arboreal and frugivorous, nesting in self-excavated tree holes. Also roost in holes and visit them when not nesting. Their songs are a characteristic sound in forest and savanna. All are resident and endemic to Africa.

Naked-faced Barbet Gymnobucco calvus Barbican chauve

17–18 cm

Adult calvus Noisy, dusky-brown barbet with bare, blackish face, brownish feather tufts on chin and sparse short bristles at gape and nostrils. Bill dull yellowish, reddish-horn or dusky-brown. G. c. congicus (W Congo) has throat slightly paler grey. Juvenile Has head more feathered, shorter tufts and darkish-tipped bill. HH Locally common resident. In forest, forest edges and clearings. Gregarious. Nests and roosts colonially in large dead trees, sometimes with Bristle-nosed Barbet. Voice Sharp, explosive KYEW!, singly or in loose series. Rattling and rasping kirrrrrrr... and kreepipipipppp... in social interaction.

Bristle-nosed Barbet Gymnobucco peli Barbican à narines emplumées

17–18 cm

Very similar to Naked-faced Barbet but has conspicuous pale nasal tufts, slightly smaller, paler bill, underparts suffused with yellowish-green and secondaries narrowly edged yellowish. HH Uncommon to locally fairly common resident. In forest, forest edges and clearings. Less common than sympatric Naked-faced Barbet; habits similar. Voice Hard KYEW!, shorter, higher-pitched than Naked-faced Barbet. Noisy, rattling kreepipippppp... in social interaction.

Grey-throated Barbet Gymnobucco bonapartei Barbican à gorge grise

16.5–17.5 cm

G. b. bonapartei. Adult Dark, brown barbet with dark greyish head and throat and short but conspicuous brush-like brownish nasal tufts. Bill black. Eye brown to red. Juvenile More uniform chocolate-brown; nasal tufts absent or very short; bill yellowish with dusky tip; eye dark. HH Locally common resident. Mostly in pairs or small parties in various types of lowland and lower montane forest and their edges. Less noisy than other Gymnobucco species. Often perches quietly in canopy. Voice Hoarse whewp, rattling kripipipipppp..., nasal nyaaa and buzzy spszsz.

Sladen’s Barbet Gymnobucco sladeni Barbican de Sladen

17–18 cm

Adult Dark brown with bare blackish face, blackish bill, conspicuous buff to brownishbuff nasal tufts, and grey throat and neck-sides. Underpart feathers indistinctly fringed yellowish. Eye reddish. Juvenile Face feathered; nasal tufts small and dark; bill yellowishhorn at base; underpart feathers with more yellowish fringes. HH Rare and local forest resident (main range in Congo basin). Habits poorly known. Nest and eggs undescribed. Voice Similar to Naked-faced and Bristle-nosed Barbets.

Yellow-billed Barbet Trachylaemus purpuratus Barbican pourpré

24 cm

Large, long-tailed barbet with glossy blue-black upperparts, yellow lower underparts, conspicuous yellow bill and bare orbital patch. White line on scapulars (often concealed). Adult goffinii (from Ghana west) has forehead to mid-crown dark reddish (extending above eye and onto ear-coverts); black throat and upper breast speckled silvery-pink, bordered by reddish band. Orbital patch dark greyish-blue. T. p. togoensis (E Ghana–SW Nigeria) has red on head brighter; throat and upper breast streaked white. Nominate (SE Nigeria–S CAR/Congo) has red on head duller; throat and upper breast more narrowly streaked than speckled white; yellow on underparts blotched black; orbital patch yellow. Juvenile Duller, with all-dark throat and upper breast. HH Fairly common to locally common resident. In forest, second growth and adjacent cultivated areas. Singly or in pairs; occasionally in mixed-species flocks. Excavates nest in large dead tree, sometimes in association with Gymnobucco barbets. Voice Long series of low-pitched hoops, resembling those of Hairy-breasted Barbet but louder, more popping and usually delivered slower (c.1/sec) ; goffinii slower than nominate. Duet may start with curious mewing call.

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juv

juv

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Bristle-nosed Barbet

Naked-faced Barbet

juv ad

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Sladen’s Barbet Grey-throated Barbet togoensis

goffinii ad

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Yellow-billed Barbet

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PLATE 126: BARBETS II TINKERBIRDS Small barbets of forest, woodland and scrub. Sexes similar. Feed on fruit and insects; particularly attracted to mistletoe berries. Their songs typically consist of a monotonously repeated single note.

Speckled Tinkerbird Pogoniulus scolopaceus Barbion grivelé

13 cm

Plump and rather cryptically coloured with contrasting pale eye. Adult scolopaceus Dark brown above with yellow fringes producing scaly appearance. P. s. flavisquamatus (S Cameroon–CAR/Congo) has more yellow speckling on head and stronger marked underparts; stellatus (Bioko) more olive-green above with duller markings, paler below. Juvenile Base to lower mandible yellowish. HH Common resident. In forest, forest edge, clearings and farmbush. Usually quite tame and foraging lower than most other barbets. Voice A series of kwip notes, first a single note, repeated a few times, then a doubled kwip-ip, also repeated, then tripled, gradually 4–5 rapid notes. Also various other sounds, always delivered in rhythmic series: an insect- or toad-like kwibibibbbbbt; trills kukkrrrrr..., hoarse, high-pitched hyep, and poop-poop-poop-... resembling other tinkerbirds.

Yellow-fronted Tinkerbird Pogoniulus chrysoconus Barbion à front jaune

11.5 cm

P. c. chrysoconus. Adult Small barbet with golden-yellow forecrown, black-and-white streaked upperparts and head-sides, and lemon-yellow underparts. Rump pale yellow. Juvenile Forecrown black. HH Common resident in woodland, wooded grassland and riparian forest. Often in mixed-species flocks. Voice One of the most characteristic savanna sounds: a monotonous series of poops repeated for long periods without pause. Also series of hoarse kwèp notes and kwrrrr kwrrrr ... trills in variable series.

Yellow-rumped Tinkerbird Pogoniulus bilineatus Barbion à croupion jaune

10 cm

Adult leucolaimus Small barbet with black upperparts, lemon-yellow rump, two conspicuous white facial stripes and white throat. P. b. poensis (Bioko) has slightly paler rump and underparts. Juvenile Duller; bill with pale base. HH Common resident. In various types of open forest, esp. at edges and in clearings, and woodland in transition zone. Voice A monotonous, far-carrying, rhythmic series of 3–6 (sometimes more) kok or poop notes, uttered with short pause between each series and endlessly repeated, even during the heat of the day. Also series of krrw notes and rattling kkkkkk.

Yellow-throated Tinkerbird Pogoniulus subsulphureus Barbion à gorge jaune

10 cm

Adult chrysopygus Very similar to Yellow-rumped Tinkerbird (this westernmost race has throat whitish, not yellow!) and best distinguished by faster calls in longer series; also occurs in heavier forest. P. s. flavimentum (from Togo east) has pale yellow facial stripes and yellow throat; nominate (Bioko) as flavimentum but greyer below. HH Common resident. In rain forest, edges and clearings. Voice Rhythmic series of poop notes similar to Yellow-rumped Tinkerbird, but higher-pitched, noticeably faster (5/sec versus 3/sec) and usually in longer series. Also an even series of krrrw notes and accelerating kwip kwip-kwipkwipkwipipip.

Western Green Tinkerbird Pogoniulus coryphaea Barbion montagnard

9 cm

P. c. coryphaea. Adult Very small barbet with conspicuous yellow stripe from crown to rump contrasting with black upperparts; underparts wholly dusky-grey. Juvenile Duller. HH Locally common resident in montane forest and edges, above 900 m. Usually forages in middle and higher strata of fruiting trees, hanging tit-like on branches. Voice Rather metallic kwip or pwip in descending series at varying speed. Also a trill kirrrrik.

Red-rumped Tinkerbird Pogoniulus atroflavus Barbion à croupion rouge

13 cm

Adult The only tinkerbird with bright red rump. Has three yellow facial stripes. Underparts yellow, washed olive-grey from breast down. Juvenile Duller, with olivetipped crown and back feathers, paler underparts and pale base to bill. HH Fairly common to uncommon resident. In rain forest, edges and clearings (up to 1800 m). At all levels, but usually high. Voice Rhythmic series of poop calls (occasionally distorted into a nasal klunk), resembling those of Yellow-rumped Tinkerbird, but slower (c.1/sec), lower-pitched and in much longer series. Also series of trills kirrr kirrr kirrr... or krukukkk...

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Speckled Tinkerbird

Yellow-fronted Tinkerbird

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Yellow-rumped Tinkerbird

chrysopygus

flavimentum

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Yellow-throated Tinkerbird ad

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Western Green Tinkerbird

Red-rumped Tinkerbird

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PLATE 127: BARBETS III Yellow-spotted Barbet Buccanodon duchaillui Barbican à taches jaunes

16 cm

Adult Distinctive barbet with bright red forehead to central crown and yellow stripe from eye to neck-sides. Upperparts black spotted yellow; underparts black barred yellow from lower breast to undertail-coverts and with yellow stripe on centre of belly. Juvenile Has black forehead and yellowish bill tipped black. HH Fairly common to common resident. In rain forest, edges and clearings. Usually in canopy. Several may gather in fruiting tree. Occasionally joins mixed-species flocks. Voice In west of range, a series of 7–10 accelerating oop notes. In east of range, a characteristic purring rrurrrrrr... (lasting 1–3 sec), unique among barbets.

Hairy-breasted Barbet Tricholaema hirsuta Barbican hérissé

17–18 cm

Adult hirsuta (from Ghana west) Stout barbet with black head and throat, and bold white supercilium and moustachial stripe. Upperparts black spotted yellow; underparts greenish-yellow, streaked black on breast, spotted on belly. T. h. ansorgii (E Cameroon– CAR) has throat whitish streaked black, nape spotted yellow; in flavipunctata (S Nigeria–N & C Gabon) head freckled without facial stripes, plumage browner; angolensis (S Gabon, W & C Congo) similar but browner, esp. on belly. Juvenile Bill pale with black base. HH Fairly common to uncommon resident, frequenting forest and forest edge. Occasionally gathers in numbers at fruiting trees or in mixed-species flocks. Voice Deep hoops, uttered in continuous, rhythmic series at variable speed (most often c.1–2/sec, but also much faster). Also accelerating hoop hoop-hoophoopoopoopoopop.

Miombo Pied Barbet Tricholaema frontata Barbican du miombo

16 cm

Adult Distinctive head pattern with red forehead, long supercilium white washed lemon-yellow, white malar area with blackish scalloping. Upperparts blackish streaked and spotted lemon-yellow; underparts white washed lemon-yellow on throat and breast, speckled blackish on breast, belly and flanks. Juvenile Lacks red on forehead. HH SC African species, recorded in open wooded grassland in Congo (Lesio-Louna Reserve). Voice A series of 6–30 deep poop notes (c.2/sec; slightly accelerating). Also a series of nasal nyeh notes.

Vieillot’s Barbet Lybius vieilloti Barbican de Vieillot

x

White-headed Barbet Lybius leucocephalus Barbican à tête blanche x

x

16 cm

Adult rubescens (south of range) Diagnostic combination of red face, pale yellow underparts and rump, and largely drab greyish-brown upperparts and tail. Red spots from throat to central belly. Juvenile Duller, with less red; bill paler at base and tip. L. v. buchanani (north of range) somewhat paler, but races poorly defined. HH Common resident in woodland and thorn scrub; also cleared areas at edge of forest zone. Usually in pairs or small groups. Voice Duet a distinctive rhythmic series of far-carrying, melodious poop calls, preceded by chattering or purring notes kekkekkekkkk-urrrrr poop poop poop-ehpoop epoop poop-eh... Lone bird may utter single poop note; also single krwèh.

17–19 cm

L. l. adamauae. Adult The only barbet with all-white head and breast. Upperparts, flanks and belly brownish-black; wing-coverts spotted white; rump and uppertail-coverts white. Bill black. Juvenile Head and underparts blotched dusky-brown; bill brownish-horn. HH Locally common to scarce resident. In riverine woodland with fig trees, open woodland and cultivated areas; also gardens. Often perches quietly atop tree. Voice High-pitched pyup or kyip, singly or in series. Duet may end in ki-ki-ki-ki-ki-...

Black-backed Barbet Pogonornis minor Barbican de Levaillant

18–20 cm

Easily identified by unique coloration. Adult minor Head and mantle typically greybrown; forehead to central crown red; rest of upperparts and relatively long tail blackish. Underparts white with thighs to flanks black and central lower breast to belly pinkish. Bill whitish-horn. Some intergrade with southern macclounii and have white V on blackish upperparts and white head-sides. HH Scarce to locally common resident. In open woodland and riparian forest. Forages at all levels. Rather inconspicuous. Often perches quietly and for long periods in top of tree. Voice Calls kyek, singly or in series, kik-ik-ik-ik, drrrrr and grating notes. Song a buzzy trill krrrrriiiii. Note Formerly included in Lybius.

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hirsuta

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ansorgii

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Yellow-spotted Barbet

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Hairy-breasted Barbet

flavipunctata

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Vieillot’s Barbet Miombo Pied Barbet minor

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White-headed Barbet

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Black-backed Barbet

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PLATE 128: BARBETS IV Black-billed Barbet Lybius guifsobalito Barbican quifsobalito x

16 cm

Adult Black with red face, throat and upper breast. Flight feathers edged yellowish; wing-coverts edged white. Bill black. Juvenile Duller, with red areas more orange and less extensive. HH Reported from N Cameroon (Waza, Feb 1993, two). Main range in E Africa. In open woodland. Noisy and conspicuous, often perching atop trees. Voice Duet a series of hik-kup-oot, sometimes introduced by harsh ch-ch-ch, cha-cha-cha. Calls include kek, nasal kaw and grating notes.

Double-toothed Barbet Pogonornis bidentatus Barbican bidenté

23 cm

Adult male bidentatus Large black-and-red barbet with heavy, whitish bill and bare yellow orbital skin. Blue-black above with small white patch on lower back (conspicuous in flight) and dark red wingbar. Bright red below with elongated white patch bordering black of flanks and undertail-coverts and no breast-band. Legs darkish. Eastern x x aequatorialis (CAR) has wingbar narrower and whitish or pinkish. Adult female Similar but has some thin black streaks just above white side patch (virtually impossible to see in field). Juvenile Duller, with blackish-grey throat to breast. HH Fairly common resident. In thickets, dry forest edge, riparian vegetation, woodland and cleared areas; locally also mangrove edges. Attracted to fruiting fig trees; catches insects on the wing and by clinging to tree trunks, inspecting bark. Voice Loud KEK! or KZEK! Song a long purring, frog-like errrrrrrrrr. Note Formerly included in Lybius.

Bearded Barbet Pogonornis dubius Barbican à poitrine rouge x

25 cm

Adult male Large black-and-red barbet resembling Double-toothed Barbet, but has yellowish bill and legs, distinctive ‘beard’, black breast-band, and no wingbar. White patch on lower back conspicuous in flight. Adult female Similar but has small black spots on white flanks. Juvenile Duller, with dull black breast and dusky base to bill. HH Locally fairly common resident in any woodland and riparian forest. Attracted to fruiting fig trees. Endemic. Voice Harsh, low, grating notes (such as khroaa), uttered singly or in series. Note Formerly included in Lybius.

Black-breasted Barbet Pogonornis rolleti Barbican à poitrine noire

26.5 cm

Largest barbet in the region. Adult male Mainly black with massive ivory bill. White patch on lower back. Centre of lower breast and belly bright red; flanks white. Orbital skin bluish; legs greyish. Adult female Similar but has fine black streaks on white flanks. Juvenile Duller, with smaller and smoother bill. HH Uncommon to locally common resident. In wooded grassland and cultivated areas. Social and conspicuous. Attracted to fruiting fig trees. Voice Low rasping and growling notes, and sharp kak! Note Formerly included in Lybius.

Yellow-breasted Barbet Trachyphonus margaritatus Barbican perlé

21 cm

T. m. margaritatus. Large, slender and distinctive terrestrial barbet with long, unnotched, pinkish to red-brown bill. Adult male Head yellow with black cap forming short crest; upperparts and tail mainly brown spotted white; rump lemon-yellow; uppertail-coverts red. Underparts yellow, paler on flanks and belly; breast has black patch in centre bordered by variably developed band of brown spots; undertail-coverts red. Adult female Lacks breast patch. Juvenile Duller; no white spots on back. HH Locally common resident. Conspicuous, occurring in pairs or small parties near dry watercourses in Acacia woodland, dry wooded grassland, thorn bush and desert edge. Forages on ground. The only barbet in our region to nest in selfexcavated hole in earth bank. Voice Vocal. Duet starts with clear pwewp notes and evolves in buoyant, rolling pwewp-up kwewpup tew-kwip-to...

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Black-billed Barbet Double-toothed Barbet

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Bearded Barbet Black-breasted Barbet

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Yellow-breasted Barbet

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PLATE 129: HONEYGUIDES I HONEYGUIDES (Plates 129–130) Drab coloured and generally inconspicuous birds. Outer tail feathers white and generally dark tipped, often conspicuous in flight. Sexes similar, except in Greater Honeyguide. Feed on wax, insects and fruit and are brood parasites. Hatchlings possess bill hooks with which they pierce the eggs or kill the young of hosts. Hosts and eggs of some species unknown. All are resident and endemic to Africa.

Cassin’s Honeybird Prodotiscus insignis Indicateur pygmée

11–12 cm

Flycatcher- or warbler-like with all-white outer tail and fine pointed bill. Tail frequently spread in undulating flight, with white outer feathers conspicuous. Adult flavodorsalis Yellowish-green above with rump feathers tipped bright yellow; grey below; narrow white eye-ring. White feathers from flanks to rump-sides fluffed out in display, but normally concealed. Nominate (east of Niger R.) more olive above, lacking golden-yellow wash; darker below. Juvenile Duller, more dusky above, with pale bill and legs. HH Scarce to uncommon resident. In canopy or mid-strata of rain forest, frequenting edges, clearings and second growth. Active and restless, gleaning insects from leaves like warbler and hawking them from perch like flycatcher. Occasionally joins mixed-species flocks. Parasitises flycatchers, warblers, sunbirds and probably white-eyes. Voice Distinctive buzzy tsrrr-tsrrr-..., uttered in flight.

Wahlberg’s Honeybird Prodotiscus regulus Indicateur de Wahlberg xx x

x

x x

12–13 cm

Resembles Cassin’s Honeybird but browner, with outer tail feathers broadly tipped dark (all white in juvenile). Grey-brown above; grey below becoming whitish on belly. Tail frequently spread in undulating flight, revealing inverted T pattern. Juvenile Has outer tail feathers entirely white; also paler above and yellower below; gape orangey. HH Rare resident with patchy, poorly known distribution. Habits as Cassin’s Honeyguide, but occurs in woodland and bush (not rain forest) and forages lower and in smaller trees. Parasitises warblers and cisticolas. Voice Buzzy tsrrr-tsrrr-..., uttered in flight; also highpitched tsip notes. Song a long, buzzy tsrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr...

Yellow-footed Honeyguide Melignomon eisentrauti Indicateur d’Eisentraut

14–15 cm

Rather bulbul-like with slender yellowish bill and yellowish legs and feet. Top of head olive, head-sides greyish; upperparts yellowish-olive. Tail graduated but square-tipped, dark in centre, outer four feather pairs white tipped blackish. Underparts grey slightly washed olive on breast becoming off-white on vent and undertail-coverts. Juvenile Paler; tail whiter with smaller and duller dark tips. Honeyguide Greenbul has white in tail but is larger and has longer, ungraduated tail. HH Rare to scarce resident. Probably under-recorded. Frequents mid-strata and canopy of rain forest, incl. degraded and logged forms. Searches leaves and branches, occasionally hanging upside-down. Hosts unknown. Endemic. Voice A series of c.13 clear, emphatic notes, slightly descending and slowing down at end, tuu-i tuu-i tuu-i tuu-i ... tuu tuu tuu, given mainly in early afternoon. DD

Zenker’s Honeyguide Melignomon zenkeri Indicateur de Zenker

14–15 cm

Darkish and bulbul-like with dull yellowish legs. Adult Wholly greyish-olive below; tail graduated, mainly dark, inner webs of outer feathers greyish-white (often difficult to see); bill bicoloured (dark above, yellow below). Juvenile Dark greenish above; dusky greygreen below; tail whiter. HH Rare to uncommon forest resident, frequenting edges and secondary situations. Hosts unknown, possibly barbets. Voice Far-carrying, deliberate, rhythmic series of identical, short, whistled notes wEEu wEEu wEEu wEEu ... , first rising, then gradually fading.

Lyre-tailed Honeyguide Melichneutes robustus Indicateur à queue-en-lyre

16.5–17.5 cm

Adult Rarely seen honeyguide with diagnostic sound and graduated lyre-shaped tail. Dark olive-brown above, olivaceous below paling to creamy-white on belly; flanks variably streaked blackish. Juvenile Entirely sooty blackish-brown washed olive. Tail similar to adult but much shorter. HH Rare to uncommon resident. In rain forest and riparian forest. Usually in canopy, sometimes lower, even near ground. Spectacular and unique display high above forest consists of undulating flight followed by fast descent in zigzags or spirals while making remarkable sound. Hosts unknown, Gymnobucco barbets suspected. Voice In display flight a highly distinctive, far-carrying, accelerating series of 10–30 nasal sounds, first rising in pitch with increasing resonance, then fading heyih heyih heyih-heyih-heiheiheihei...; extremely difficult to locate.

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Cassin’s Honeybird

Wahlberg’s Honeybird ad ad

Yellow-footed Honeyguide Zenker’s Honeyguide

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Lyre-tailed Honeyguide

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PLATE 130: HONEYGUIDES II Least Honeyguide Indicator exilis Indicateur menu

x x

11–13 cm

I. e. exilis. Small dark forest honeyguide, with distinctly streaked upperparts and flanks, dark submoustachial stripe, and narrow white line on lores. Juvenile Darker; no loral mark; dark tail tips reduced. HH Uncommon to rare resident. In rain forest, old clearings and edges, and riparian forest. Mostly high in canopy, inspecting foliage and clinging to tree trunks. Hosts unknown. Voice Far-carrying, deliberate, rhythmic series of 10–30 identical notes wrEEu wrEEu wrEEu wrEEu ... resembling that of Lesser Honeyguide but less abrupt and less snapping. Also an aggressive kwiew kwiew kwiew.

Willcocks’s Honeyguide Indicator willcocksi Indicateur de Willcocks

11–13 cm

Small honeyguide with bland face, grey breast with olive wash, no submoustachial stripe, and dusky streaks on flanks. I. w. hutsoni (C Nigeria–S Chad/CAR) slightly paler and greyer, intergrading with nominate; ansorgei (Guinea-Bissau) paler and greyer still. Juvenile Greener above, with reduced dark tail tips and pale legs. HH Rare to uncommon resident. In various rain forest types, frequenting open canopy and edges; also in farmbush with some tall trees, riparian forest or thickets in savanna areas. Only known host: Speckled Tinkerbird. Voice Long rhythmic series of identical notes, resembling that of other small Indicator species in structure but interspersed with a distinctive snapping note, and lacking soft introductory syllable p-wEEw-Pk p-wEEw-Pk p-wEEw-Pk... or huwEEw-TK huwEEw-TK huwEEw-TK (Pk and TK = snapping note).

Lesser Honeyguide Indicator minor Petit Indicateur

14–15 cm

Adult senegalensis Head grey, usually with dusky submoustachial stripe and sometimes white on lores. Olive-green above indistinctly streaked dark. Grey below; flanks have some dusky streaks. I. m. riggenbachi (C Cameroon–CAR) slightly greener above, darker grey below. Juvenile Greener above and greyer below; loral and submoustachial marks faint or lacking; throat streaked dusky. HH Uncommon and local in various types of woodland. Gleans foliage and branches; catches insects in flight. Frequents beehives. Displays include bounding, circling flight often with fanned tail and ‘drumming’ sound. Parasitises hole-nesters or species with deep nests, incl. bee-eaters, kingfishers, woodpeckers, starlings, etc. Voice Song, uttered from traditional perches, a far-carrying, deliberate, rhythmic series of 10–30 identical notes wrip wrip wrip wrip ... introduced by faint pee-yew or tyeew; rhythm variable.

Thick-billed Honeyguide Indicator (minor) conirostris Indicateur à gros bec

14–15 cm

Extremely similar to, and probably conspecific with, Lesser Honeyguide and not safely distinguishable in field where they meet, but a forest resident, with darker grey underparts, brighter greenish-yellow fringes to upperparts and slightly stouter bill. Nominate (S Nigeria–S CAR/Congo) slightly greyer above and darker below than western ussheri. HH Uncommon resident. In rain forest (and dense riparian forest?). Parasitises Gymnobucco barbets. Voice Identical to Lesser Honeyguide’s.

Spotted Honeyguide Indicator maculatus Indicateur tacheté xx

16.5–17.5 cm

Adult maculatus Olive underparts spotted creamy-green on breast and upper belly, paler and streaked on throat. I. m. stictithorax (SE Nigeria–Congo, CAR) has head-sides finely streaked yellowish-green; spots on underparts paler and more distinct. Juvenile Forehead speckled; spotting below more extensive and distinct. HH Scarce to uncommon resident. In rain forest, edges and dense riparian forest. At all levels, up to canopy, but mainly in undergrowth and middle strata. Hosts unknown. Voice Purring brrrrrrrr.... Also an extended raptor-like mewing peeeoo-peeeoo uttered at dawn.

Greater Honeyguide Indicator indicator Grand Indicateur

18–19.5 cm

Adult male Distinctive head pattern with whitish ear patch, black throat and pink bill. Adult female Duller than male and lacking its head pattern; rather bulbul-like. Bill dark. Juvenile Top of head and upperparts brown with darker mask; throat and breast pale lemon to orange-yellow; bill dark. HH Fairly common to uncommon in various wooded habitats. May guide humans to bee’s nests by fluttering from tree to tree, uttering chattering call (the only honeyguide to do so). Flight undulating, conspicuously revealing white outer tail feathers. Parasitises hole-nesters or species with deep nests. Voice Distinctive, far-carrying series of WHIT-birr WHIT-birr... ending with single WHIT. ‘Guiding’ call a loud, fast chattering.

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Least Honeyguide

Willcocks’s Honeyguide

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Lesser Honeyguide

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Thick-billed Honeyguide

juv

Spotted Honeyguide





juv

Greater Honeyguide

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PLATE 131: WOODPECKERS I WRYNECKS Woodpecker relatives with cryptic plumage, elongated shape and soft tails. Sexes similar. Feed mainly on ants.

Eurasian Wryneck Jynx torquilla Torcol fourmilier

x

x

x

x xx

16–18 cm

J. t. torquilla. Plumage bark-like. Dark stripes from eye onto neck-sides, from centre of crown onto back and on edge of scapulars. Densely barred underparts buffish-cream on throat, becoming whitish on lower breast and belly. HH Uncommon to rare Palearctic visitor (Sep–Apr). In open habitats. Unobtrusive and easily overlooked. Often feeds on ground. Perches on branches; also clings to tree like woodpecker. Shallow bounding flight, with short series of wingbeats interspersed by glides on closed wings. Voice A series of loud kièh-kièh-kièh-..., recalling small falcon. Usually silent in winter quarters.

Red-throated Wryneck Jynx ruficollis Torcol à gorge rousse

18–19 cm

Adult pulchricollis (SE Nigeria–CAR) Mottled brown and barred above; distinctive chestnut breast patch extending onto lower throat. In nominate (SE Gabon–Congo) chestnut patch larger, extending onto chin. HH Uncommon to locally common resident. In scrub, open woodland, clearings and forest edges. Forages mainly on ground. Clings to trees like woodpecker, but also perches on branches and in exposed positions. Voice A series of 2–12 hard kweeh notes, uttered atop bushes or trees; delivery slower than Eurasian Wryneck. PICULETS Tiny woodpecker-like birds with short bills and very short tails, which are not used as brace when clinging to bark. Nest in self-excavated holes in trees and vines. Only one, endemic, species in Africa.

African Piculet Verreauxia africana Picumne de Verreaux

8–9 cm

Tiny and unobtrusive with short, pointed bill, very short tail, yellowish-olive upperparts and grey underparts. Short white streak behind eye and duller one below grey ear-coverts. Red orbital ring and feet. Adult male Forehead reddish. Adult female Forehead olive, as crown. Juvenile Underparts mixed with dull rufous; sexes as adults. HH Rare to scarce ? and local resident, Liberia–Ghana; uncommon to locally common in Lower Guinea forest block. Difficult to observe as it usually keeps to dense undergrowth in disturbed forest, forest edge and farmbush. Often feeds on very thin twigs. Moves constantly and taps often; tapping rapid and relatively loud. Occasionally in mixed-species flocks. Best located by voice. Voice Very fast, high-pitched, piercing little trill tsiririririri, reminiscent of bat or insect. Note Formerly placed in Sasia. WOODPECKERS (Plates 131–134) Small to large birds with strong, straight, pointed bills. Characteristically cling to trees, using stiff tail as prop. Largely insectivorous. Often in pairs. Sexes differ in head pattern, males usually with (more) red on head. Nest in selfexcavated holes in trees or termitaria. Flight strong and bounding, with brief bursts of flapping interspersed by glides on completely folded wings. All species described here are endemic to Africa.

Buff-spotted Woodpecker Campethera nivosa Pic tacheté

14–16 cm

Adult male nivosa Small, dark olive woodpecker, with underparts densely spotted yellowish-white. Head-sides and throat densely streaked olive-brown on dirty white. Red patch on nape. C. n. poensis (Bioko) has more bar-like breast markings and whiter belly; herberti (CAR) greener above, yellower below with more bar-like markings on breast and broader bars on belly. Adult female No red nape patch. Juvenile Similar to adult female, with browner, more barred breast and greyer top of head. HH Common to fairly common resident. Searches branches and vines at lower levels of rain forest and dense riparian forest at edge of savanna zone. Frequently joins mixed-species flocks. Nest usually excavated in ant nests and termitaria. Voice Occasionally a soft peeer.

Brown-eared Woodpecker Campethera caroli Pic à oreillons bruns

18–19 cm

Adult male arizela (from Ghana west) Medium-sized, dark olive woodpecker with diagnostic brown ear patch. Head-sides and throat densely spotted buff-white; rest of underparts dark olive densely spotted yellowish-green. Hindcrown and nape have some ? red feathers. Nominate more bronzy-green above, more heavily spotted below. Adult female Entire crown and nape olive. Juvenile Similar to adult female, with paler, whiter spots becoming more bar-like on belly. HH Scarce to locally fairly common resident. Unobtrusive inhabitant of primary and secondary forest, occurring mainly at mid-levels and frequently joining mixed-species flocks. Voice Distinctive, single huuwEEEEuu, plaintive and remarkably prolonged.

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Eurasian Wryneck

pulchricollis

ruficollis ad

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Red-throated Wryneck





African Piculet









Buff-spotted Woodpecker

Brown-eared Woodpecker

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PLATE 132: WOODPECKERS II Little Green Woodpecker Campethera maculosa Pic barré

c.16 cm

Medium-sized forest woodpecker with pale yellowish-green underparts boldly barred dark. Head-sides and throat buffish with fine dark specks. Upperparts plain dark goldenolive. Tail black. Adult male Forehead and crown dusky-red; nape red. Adult female xx Crown black finely barred white. Juvenile As adult female but upperparts greener, underparts paler and more irregularly barred. HH Uncommon to locally common resident. Frequents rain forest edges, clearings and farmbush. Endemic. Voice Drawn-out, plaintive huweeeeh, very similar to Green-backed Woodpecker’s; shorter, harsh whee; hard kewik. Note May be conspecific with Green-backed Woodpecker, with which it hybridises in E Ghana.

Green-backed Woodpecker Campethera cailliautii Pic de Cailliaut

x

c.16 cm

C. c. permista. Adult male Resembles Little Green Woodpecker, but has greener upperparts, green tail, and head-sides and throat more densely spotted on less buff background. Adult female Forecrown black speckled buffish; nape red. Juvenile Similar to adult female. HH Uncommon to common resident. In various forest types, forest edge and adjacent woodland. Forages inconspicuously on trees, often high. Voice Drawn-out, plaintive huweeeeh or wheeeee, often in series of 3–5.

Fine-spotted Woodpecker Campethera punctuligera Pic à taches noires

21 cm

C. p. punctuligera. Medium-sized woodpecker with pale yellow underparts finely x spotted black, most densely on breast (tiny spots may be hard to see in field). Tail goldenyellow barred brown. Adult male Forehead to nape bright red; red moustachial stripe. Adult female Forecrown black speckled white; indistinct, speckled moustachial stripe. Juvenile Forecrown plain black; moustachial stripe blacker than in adult female. HH Locally common to fairly common resident. In open woodland, foraging on trunks and branches, regularly descending to base of tree or ground. Joins mixed-species flocks. Voice A ringing series, often starting with a few kip calls: kip-kip-kip-kieeh-kieeh-kieeh, often uttered simultaneously by pair. ?

Golden-tailed Woodpecker Campethera abingoni Pic à queue dorée

20 cm

C. a. chrysura. Medium-sized woodpecker with dull green upperparts finely spotted and barred yellowish-white, and pale yellowish underparts boldly streaked blackish, most ? densely on breast. Tail deep yellow with broad brownish bars and golden-yellow shafts. x Adult male Crown and moustachial stripe dusky-red; nape red. Adult female Forecrown x and moustachial stripe black speckled white. Juvenile As adult female but duller and more heavily streaked below. HH Scarce to uncommon resident (probably under-recorded). Mainly in riparian forest; also in transition woodland with patches of dry forest. Rather unobtrusive. Sometimes joins mixed-species flocks. Voice Single, drawn-out k-heeeeew. Drums softly and infrequently.

Tullberg’s Woodpecker Campethera tullbergi Pic de Tullberg

18–20 cm

C. t. tullbergi. Upperparts and tail plain bright green with red on ‘shoulder’; head-sides and throat pale greyish-yellow finely speckled dusky; rest of underparts pale greenishyellow with fine spots on breast and bolder spots and bars on flanks and undertail-coverts. Adult male Forecrown red. Adult female Forecrown black speckled white. Juvenile Similar to adult female, with crown olive-black speckled white. Young male soon acquires red on crown. HH Uncommon resident. In moist montane forest (up to 3000 m). Forages mostly high in trees. Occasionally joins mixed-species flocks. Voice Single kreeer or kweeh.

Elliot’s Woodpecker Mesopicos elliotii Pic d’Elliot

19–21 cm

Medium-sized woodpecker with diagnostic combination of plain green upperparts, black forehead and forecrown, and unmarked buffish-green head-sides. Nominate (lowland Cameroon–Gabon/NW Congo) has pale yellowish underparts heavily streaked blackish. In johnstoni (montane areas SE Nigeria–W Cameroon, Bioko) underparts mainly unmarked x except for some faint streaking on breast. Adult male Hindcrown and nape red. Adult female Forehead to nape black, lacking red. Juvenile As adult but duller, with both sexes x having some red on hindcrown and nape. HH Uncommon to locally common resident. In dense forest (up to 2300 m). Forages at all levels; joins mixed-species flocks. Voice Shrill kree-kree-kree and softer kiwik-kiwikkiwik. Rather silent. Drumming similar to Yellow-crested Woodpecker’s but softer. Note Formerly included in Dendropicos.

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Little Green Woodpecker

Green-backed Woodpecker

 

 

juv

Fine-spotted Woodpecker

Golden-tailed Woodpecker

johnstoni

 



 

elliotii

Tullberg’s Woodpecker Elliot’s Woodpecker

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PLATE 133: WOODPECKERS III Brown-backed Woodpecker Ipophilus obsoletus Pic à dos brun x

x

Little Grey Woodpecker Dendropicos elachus Pic gris x x x xx

13–14 cm

I. o. obsoletus. Small, mainly greyish-brown woodpecker with plain back and whitespotted wings and tail. Grey-brown ear-coverts surrounded by white. Underparts faintly streaked brownish. Adult male Hindcrown bright red. Adult female Entire crown greybrown. Juvenile As adult; both sexes have some red on nape. HH Uncommon to fairly common resident. In open woodland. Often joins mixed-species flocks. Voice Rapid ki-kikeeew-keeew-keeew and krreet-krreet-krreet. Note Formerly placed in Picoides.

11–13 cm

Very small, rather ‘scruffy’ looking, pale greyish-brown woodpecker with conspicuous red rump and white-barred back and wings. Greyish-brown ear-coverts surrounded by white line. Underparts whitish with pale brown spotting and barring. Head markings fade. Adult male Has red hindcrown and nape. Adult female Lacks red. Juvenile As adult female, but even duller. HH Uncommon to scarce resident. Relatively little known. In arid areas with small, scattered trees. Voice Sharp, very rapid rattling kree-kree-kree-kree-... similar to Cardinal Woodpecker, but harder and faster.

Cardinal Woodpecker Dendropicos fuscescens Pic cardinal

14–15 cm

D. f. lafresnayi (from Nigeria west) Small woodpecker with green upperparts, faintly barred mantle and lightly streaked underparts. Head-sides and throat whitish with some x x faint dark streaking and narrow malar stripe; rest of underparts pale yellowish lightly streaked blackish; some orange on uppertail-coverts. D. f. sharpii (from Cameroon east and south) has more heavily streaked underparts. Adult male Forehead and forecrown brownish; hindcrown and nape red. Adult female Forehead to nape brownish-black. Juvenile Dull version of adult, with red crown (brighter in male) and black nape. HH Locally fairly common to scarce resident. In various types of woodland and riparian formations; also farmbush at edge of rain forest zone. Occasionally in mixed-species flocks. Voice Rapid series of harsh, rattling notes kree-kree-kree-kree... Other rapidly uttered notes include kwik-ik-ik-ik...

Speckle-breasted Woodpecker Dendropicos poecilolaemus Pic à poitrine tachetée

14–15 cm

Small woodpecker with distinctive fine spotting on breast. Head-sides and throat whitish with some indistinct dark streaking and speckling, and faint malar stripe. Upperparts yellowish-green with pale barring on back and wings; reddish-tipped feathers give uppertail-coverts and rump orange cast. Underparts pale dirty yellowish. Some have fine bars on breast, broad pale grey bars on sides and indistinct streaks on belly. Adult male Forehead and forecrown brown, hindcrown and nape red. Adult female Has crown and nape black, becoming brown on forehead. Juvenile Similar to adult but greyer, lacking red on rump and with red crown in both sexes. HH Rare to locally common resident. At forest edges, in clearings and open woodland, foraging at all heights, often low. Voice Hard, rapid series of k-ret notes.

Grey Woodpecker Mesopicos goertae Pic goertan

c.20 cm

M. g. goertae. Fairly large woodpecker with diagnostic grey head and underparts, golden-olive upperparts, red rump, and orangey patch on central belly. M. g. koenigi (Sahel zone, E Mali–Chad) noticeably paler; belly patch yellow and much reduced, or lacking. Adult male Hindcrown and nape red. Adult female Head plain grey, lacking any red. Juvenile As adult but duller; both sexes have some red on crown. HH Fairly common to common resident. In various types of woodland, riparian forest and edges of dry forest. Forages mainly at mid-levels. Voice Shrill, loud krreet-krreet-krreet, descending in volume and sometimes preceded by kik-kik-kik- ; fast and hard kwik-wik-wik-wik; kee-krrirrt-krrirrt... and variations. Note Formerly included in Dendropicos.

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Brown-backed Woodpecker Little Grey Woodpecker









Cardinal Woodpecker

Speckle-breasted Woodpecker

 

Grey Woodpecker

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PLATE 134: WOODPECKERS IV Gabon Woodpecker Dendropicos gabonensis Pic du Gabon

c.15 cm

D. g. gabonensis (S Cameroon–Congo) Small, plain-backed woodpecker with greenishyellow underparts boldly spotted olive-brown. Head-sides and throat whitish with dark streaks. Upperparts green; tail olive tipped black. D. g. reichenowi (S Nigeria–SW Cameroon) has streaked underparts as Melancholy Woodpecker and head markings like gabonensis but malar streak narrow and rather indistinct. Adult male Hindcrown and nape red. Adult female Forehead to nape blackish. Juvenile Similar to adult but duller and with red crown patch and black nape (both sexes). HH Fairly common to uncommon resident. At forest edges, in clearings and tall second growth (up to 1400 m). Forages at all heights. Voice Diagnostic, rapid, high-pitched trill, krititititititti or trrreeeeeee, reminiscent of police whistle. Also series of loud kree notes, resembling Cardinal Woodpecker’s, kwik-ik-ik... and kreek-rrek-rrek-rrek...

Melancholy Woodpecker Dendropicos (gabonensis) lugubris Pic à raies noires

c.15 cm

Small and plain-backed as Gabon Woodpecker (of which it is usually considered a race), but underparts heavily streaked olive-brown and head pattern more distinct: cheeks plain olive-brown surrounded by broad pale stripe, malar stripe broad and olive-brown. Upperparts more olive-green; tail blacker. Adult male Hindcrown and nape red. Adult female Nape concolorous with dark olive crown. HH Fairly common to uncommon resident. At forest edges, in clearings and second growth. Forages at all heights. Endemic. Voice As Gabon Woodpecker.

Fire-bellied Woodpecker Chloropicus pyrrhogaster Pic à ventre de feu

c.24 cm

Readily identified, strikingly marked, large woodpecker. Combination of bright red rump and central underparts and pure white head-sides with broad black eye-stripe and black malar stripe diagnostic. Upperparts plain golden olive-green; breast-sides and flanks spotted and barred black and white. Tail blackish. Adult male Crown and nape red. Adult female Crown and nape black. Juvenile As adult but duller, with red crown in both sexes (more extensive in male). HH Fairly common resident. In various types of forest, second growth with some tall trees and edges. Frequent loud drumming betrays presence. Endemic. Voice Hard, short kweep or kwip, accelerating into rattling kwipibibibibib. Drumming loud, in rather fast and short bursts. Note Formerly included in Dendropicos.

Yellow-crested Woodpecker Chloropicus xantholophus Pic à couronne d’or

?

20–23 cm

Large and mainly dark olive with boldly marked black-and-white head. Upperparts generally plain, except for some white spotting on upper mantle; underparts densely spotted and barred white. Tail black. Adult male Hindcrown yellow (often hard to see). Adult female Forehead and crown all black. Juvenile As adult but duller; both sexes have some yellow on hindcrown (more extensive in male). HH Rare to locally common resident. In forest, edges and tall second growth. Taps frequently and loudly. Voice Calls include kreeerr, kreeerr, kreeerr followed by short, descending series of kweek notes. Drumming, by both sexes, loud and rather slow. Note Formerly included in Dendropicos.

Bearded Woodpecker Chloropicus namaquus Pic barbu

23–25 cm

C. n. namaquus. Large, dark woodpecker with bold head markings. Adult male Forehead x black finely speckled white; hindcrown red; nape black; head-sides white with broad black eye-stripe reaching malar stripe. Upper- and underparts mainly dark greyish-olive with narrow whitish bars; rump and uppertail-coverts tinged yellowish. Tail grey-brown barred yellowish. Adult female Similar, but hindcrown black. Juvenile As adult, with both sexes having red on crown mixed with black and spotted white. HH Fairly common resident. In various types of woodland provided some large trees are present. Voice Loud and rapid wik-wik-wik-wik... Drumming, by both sexes, loud and rather slow (single taps clearly noticeable). Note Formerly included in Dendropicos.

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reichenowi

gabonensis



Melancholy Woodpecker

Gabon Woodpecker 



 

Yellow-crested Woodpecker



Fire-bellied Woodpecker



Bearded Woodpecker

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PLATE 135: BROADBILLS AND PITTAS BROADBILLS Small, flycatcher-like forest birds with broad gapes, large heads and short tails. Possess unique short elliptical display flight from favoured branches, accompanied by distinctive rattling; mainly given in early morning, starting before dawn, in late afternoon and at dusk. Otherwise very inconspicuous.

African Broadbill Smithornis capensis Eurylaime du Cap

13 cm

Adult male delacouri Crown black; head-sides greyish. Upperparts dark rusty-brown streaked black. White patch on back conspicuous in display flight. Eastern camarunensis (from E Nigeria east) slightly darker. Adult female Crown greyish-brown. HH Generally scarce to rare resident. In a variety of wooded habitats, incl. undergrowth of secondary forest, riparian forest, dense thickets, forest edges and plantations. Voice Weak plaintive hweee. Fast, strident rattle, similar to Rufous-sided Broadbill’s but lower pitched, in display.

x

Rufous-sided Broadbill Smithornis rufolateralis Eurylaime à flancs roux

11.5 cm

S. r. rufolateralis. Small, with rufous-orange patch on breast-sides. Below white streaked black. Double wingbar formed by white spots on wing-coverts. Adult male Head black. White patch on back conspicuous in display flight. Adult female Breast patches duller; head brown. HH Uncommon to locally fairly common resident. In lower and middle storey of primary and old secondary forest interior. Voice Thin, plaintive theew or huiiii often followed by display flight. Fast, strident rattling tttt-trrrrrrrrrree in display.

Grey-headed Broadbill Smithornis sharpei Eurylaime à tête grise

15 cm

Adult male zenkeri Largest broadbill. Dark grey head with rufous loral spot and malar stripe and broad orange-rufous breast-band (usually divided by white in centre). White patch on back conspicuous in display flight. Nominate (Bioko) typically has paler, bluegrey head and less heavy streaking below. Adult female Head pale grey; rufous on breast paler. HH Locally fairly common to rare resident. In lower and middle strata of lowland and montane forest, up to 1500 m. Voice Thin, plaintive theew or huiiii. Fast, strident rattle in display resembles that of congeners, but is rather shorter and noticeably lower-pitched than Rufous-sided Broadbill’s. PITTAS Brilliantly coloured but very secretive terrestrial forest species with long, strong legs and short tails.

African Pitta Pitta angolensis Brève de l’Angola

17–22 cm

Brightly coloured but seldom seen, robust, thrush-like forest bird. Adult pulih (Sierra Leone– Cameroon) Head black with long broad golden-buff supercilium. Upperparts dark green; rump and uppertail-coverts azure-blue. Wings blackish with azure-blue tips to coverts and white patch at base of primaries (conspicuous in flight). Throat white washed x pink; breast cinnamon-buff; lower underparts red. Nominate similar but tips to outer greater coverts usually tinged violet; also slightly larger. Eastern longipennis has azureblue of median wing-coverts and rump tinged violet; red on underparts less extensive; also much larger and heavier. Juvenile Much duller and darker, initially without wing markings. HH Distribution and status inadequately known. P. a. pulih and nominate are probably rare residents. Nominate breeds N Angola and breeding suspected S Congo (display observed, Nov), but northern limits of range unclear; also recorded from Gabon, S Cameroon, SW CAR. E African migrant longipennis (which may constitute a separate species) reaches SE CAR. In dense understorey of rain forest and adjacent thickets. When disturbed, flies onto low branch and remains motionless, or disappears in low fast flight. Display, from horizontal branch 3–8 m above ground, consists of a vertical jump with rapid wingbeats, accompanied by call. Voice Low frog-like croak. In display a loud, abrupt, rising and rather melodious whistle introduced by wing noise prrruueep! or krrooit!. Mechanical-sounding wingbeats prrt audible at long range.

Green-breasted Pitta Pitta reichenowii Brève à poitrine verte

x

19–21 cm

Adult Similar to African Pitta (and probably conspecific with ssp. pulih and angolensis) but differs mainly in pure white throat and green (not cinnamon-buff) breast. HH Rare resident, recorded from S Cameroon and NE Gabon. Voice Similar to African Pitta. Short prrrt in flight. Immature utters pure, rather plaintive whistle huu ... huu ... huu ...

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 African Broadbill

 

Rufous-sided Broadbill



Grey-headed Broadbill

longipennis

ad

angolensis

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African Pitta

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juv pulih

Green-breasted Pitta

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PLATE 136: LARKS I LARKS (Plates 136–139) Terrestrial birds with cryptic plumage patterns and coloration, often varying within a species to match dominant shade of soil. Fresh and worn plumage often quite different: with wear, pale feather tips and fringes abrade, leaving only dark centres, resulting in more uniform plumage. Walk or run on the ground.

Singing Bush Lark Mirafra cantillans Alouette chanteuse

13 cm

M. c. chadensis. Small, sandy-coloured lark with pale, stubby bill and white outer tail feathers (conspicuous on landing). Flappet Lark is darker above, with rufous on tail and darker, less stubby bill. HH Locally fairly common to common resident and partial migrant, some moving south in dry season. In dry open grassland with scattered bushes and semiarid thornbush. Voice Rapid medley of short phrases with varied notes; same phrase often repeated several times, from ground or low perch, or in fluttering display flight.

White-tailed Lark Mirafra albicauda Alouette à queue blanche xx

13 cm

Small lark with blackish, scaly-looking upperparts. In flight, rufous wing panel and short tail with conspicuous white outer feathers. HH Rare and local resident, restricted to L. Chad area. In dense grassland. Flushes silently from short distance and drops back into grass after hovering. Unobtrusive, but not particularly shy, often permitting close approach. Voice Series of harsh notes and some whistles, lacking Singing Bush Lark’s trills, in high display flight.

Kordofan Lark Mirafra cordofanica Alouette du Kordofan

14 cm

Small, pale sandy-rufous lark with stout whitish bill and distinctive tricoloured tail pattern (rufous, black and white). When fresh, upperpart feathers fringed buff with narrow blackish subterminal crescents. HH Uncommon to rare and local resident and partial migrant, some moving south in dry season. In open arid areas with red sandy soil and low, scattered scrub. Voice Series of short, varied phrases with trills, chirps, whistled notes and imitations (phrases not repeated, unlike e.g. Singing Bush Lark); from ground, bush tops or in high display flight.

? x

Rusty Bush Lark Mirafra rufa Alouette rousse

13–14 cm

Small, rufous lark with relatively long tail lacking any white. Plumage variable; all forms have rufous wing patch. Rufous-brown above, variably streaked black and buff (sometimes almost plain). Creamy-buff below, variably washed rufous and streaked blackish on breast. Bill bicoloured. M. r. nigriticola (NE Mali–W Niger) darker above and deeper buff below than nominate (SC Chad), with heavier streaking on breast. HH Locally fairly common resident. In dry open bush country with rocks. Voice Song, in cruising display flight, described as ‘pleasing’.

x x

Flappet Lark Mirafra rufocinnamomea Alouette bourdonnante x

x x

x

13–14 cm

Small lark with diagnostic wing-clapping display flight. Plumage variable; all forms have rufous wing patch. M. r. buckleyi (from N Cameroon/W Chad west) cinnamon-brown streaked blackish above; serlei (SE Nigeria) deeper rufous above and below; tigrina (E Cameroon–E CAR) slightly less reddish above than serlei; schoutedeni (SW CAR, Gabon/ Congo) rather pale brown, lightly marked above. HH Uncommon to locally common resident. In various grassy habitats. Voice Dry, rattling prrrrrrp, produced by rapid wingflaps during undulating display flight.

Rufous-naped Lark Mirafra africana Alouette à nuque rousse

16–18 cm

Large, chunky lark with short crest. In flight, conspicuous rufous wing patch and relatively short tail. Plumage variable. M. a. henrici (Sierra Leone, SE Guinea, Mt Nimba) Upperpart feathers blackish fringed rusty, breast boldly streaked; batesi (Nigeria) slightly paler; stresemanni (C Cameroon) rufous-brown lightly streaked black above, rich cinnamon below; bamendae (W Cameroon) similar below; more like henrici above; malbranti (Malbrant’s Lark; SE Gabon–Congo) dull brown above, almost unstreaked, ochre, below. HH Uncommon to locally common resident. Mainly in grassland in montane and lowland areas; also in open scrub and fallow fields. Voice From low perch, 2–3 clear whistles, endlessly repeated. Song flight with whistles, chirps and trills, also imitations.

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Singing Bush Lark White-tailed Lark ad

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Kordofan Lark Rusty Bush Lark tigrina

buckleyi

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Flappet Lark malbranti

henrici ad

stresemanni ad

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Rufous-naped Lark

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PLATE 137: LARKS II Desert Lark Ammomanes deserti Ammomane isabelline

15–16 cm

Plain grey-brown to sandy-coloured lark. Spread tail has dull rufous base and broad, x ill-defined, blackish terminal band. Greyer than Bar-tailed Lark; bill stouter and darker. Plumage variation complex, with clinal intergradation and variation within populations according to local soil types. A. d. geyri (Mauritania–W & S Niger) pale sandy grey-brown above, sandy-buff below; algeriensis (NW Chad: Tibesti?) tinged cinnamon-pink above, buff below; mya (N Niger: Aïr) larger, with heavier bill; whitakeri (NW Chad: Tibesti?) darker than geyri; kollmanspergeri (NE Chad: Ennedi) even darker and more reddishbrown above, more rufous below; erythrochroa (W Chad: from Ndjamena east) similar but darker rufous below. Unknown race in Burkina Faso dark slate-grey above. HH Locally common resident. In arid areas with sparsely vegetated, rocky and sloping terrain. Voice Call a weak chup. Song a repeated, simple series of trilling syllables trreewrrurrip, trreewrrurrip, ... , wrulp-whrrreew, wrulpwhrrreew, ..., trreewrrurrip..., from perch or in short, undulating display flight.

Bar-tailed Lark Ammomanes cinctura Ammomane élégante x x

14 cm

Plain, warm sandy-coloured lark. In flight, pale orange-rufous in wings and well-defined black terminal bar to pale orange-rufous tail conspicuous. Bill pale. Nominate (Cape Verde) slightly deeper coloured than mainland arenicolor. HH Uncommon to common but local resident; some erratic movements recorded. In sand or stone deserts with very sparse vegetation. Voice Calls include trrlup and wreelup, often repeated in series; on take-off trup trup trup... Song a monotonously repeated, clear, high-pitched whistle tsu-wheeh, tsu-wheeh,... slightly reminiscent of creaking iron gate; mostly in undulating display flight.

Dunn’s Lark Eremalauda dunni Alouette de Dunn

14–15 cm

E. d. dunni. Warm sandy-coloured lark with wholly pale, thick, stubby bill. In flight, black outer tail contrasts with pale centre. Diffusely streaked above when fresh; narrow moustachial and malar stripes; tertials long, almost completely covering primaries. HH Uncommon to rare resident; some nomadic movements occur. In desert and semidesert with sparse grass. In small flocks when not breeding, often with other lark species, esp. sparrow larks. Voice Calls include chiup and chruip or prrip. Song, from ground or low perch, a fast, regularly repeated wit-wit-wtrrreedridridridrree; in display flight variable, with whistling and rattling notes.

Temminck’s Lark Eremophila bilopha Alouette bilophe

x

Greater Hoopoe Lark Alaemon alaudipes Sirli du désert x

14–15 cm

Pale sandy-coloured lark with distinctive, contrasting head pattern. Narrow black band on forecrown ends in delicate ‘horns’ on sides; forehead, head-sides and underparts white with black patch from lores to cheeks and black breast-band. Tail blackish with white edges and pale orange-sandy centre. Female has black areas often duller and slightly reduced; horns shorter. HH N African vagrant, Mauritania (Oct–Apr) and Gambia (Feb 2002). Voice Calls tsip, seeuu and sweeeup. [Alt: Temminck’s Horned Lark]

19–22 cm

Large, slim, pale sandy lark with long, decurved bill and long legs. In flight, conspicuous black-and-white wing pattern diagnostic. A. a. boavistae (Cape Verde) slightly darker and smaller than mainland nominate. HH Common to uncommon resident; erratic movements recorded. In sandy desert and semi-desert. Not easily flushed; prefers to run, often over long distances. Voice Call a buzzy zrrruee. Song, in spectacular display flight, piping, accelerating and ascending series of pure drawn-out whistles, occasionally with short buzzy trill.

x

Thick-billed Lark Rhamphocoris clotbey Alouette de Clotbey x

17 cm

Unmistakable. Medium-sized, sandy-coloured lark with conspicuous large, stubby bill and heavily spotted underparts. In flight, large head, rather long wings with bold black-and-white pattern above, and relatively short tail. HH Rare N African wanderer, Mauritania; recorded breeding in north (Bir Mogreïn, Feb 1947). In desert, mainly on stony soils. Voice Call in flight prit or blit-blit. Song a short jingle of clear, sweet and tinkling notes.

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PLATE 138: LARKS III Greater Short-toed Lark Calandrella brachydactyla Alouette calandrelle

14–16 cm

Pale lark with streaked upperparts, broad pale supercilium and long tertials almost completely covering primaries. Underparts whitish and unstreaked, with variable x x x narrow, dark crescent-shaped patch on breast-sides; breast variably washed pale buff and occasionally with some faint streaks. Tail feathers blackish, broadly edged cinnamon on central pair, mainly white on outer pair. Races differ mainly in tone of upperparts ? and are very difficult to separate; their distribution in our region is very poorly known. x Nominate (breeds Europe), presumably the most widespread race, is warm brown and prominently streaked above; rubiginosa (NW Africa) is more rufous with finer streaking. Other races may occur. HH Uncommon to locally common Palearctic visitor (Sep–Apr). In open arid and semi-arid country. Often in flocks. Voice Hard, dry prrt, prrt-trrt. Song in wintering grounds a weak jumble of harsh and buzzy notes.

Lesser Short-toed Lark Calandrella rufescens Alouette pispolette

13–14 cm

C. r. minor. Similar to Greater Short-toed Lark, but with distinct primary projection (three tips exposed), variably streaked breast without black patches, shorter, more stubby bill, and more indistinct head pattern with less pronounced supercilium. Plumage coloration variable. Above pale sandy-grey to sandy rufous-buff streaked darker; below mainly whitish washed pale buff on breast. HH Rare Palearctic visitor, coastal Mauritania (Nov– Apr). Also claimed from Nigeria (Jos Plateau). Voice Rippling prrrrt...

Red-capped Lark Calandrella cinerea Alouette cendrille

x

x

xx xx x

Rufous-rumped Lark Pinarocorys erythropygia Alouette à queue rousse x x x

x xx

x

18 cm

Distinctive, large, slender lark with well-marked head pattern, rufous rump contrasting with dark upperparts, long rufous-edged tail and heavily marked breast. HH Uncommon to locally fairly common intra-African migrant. Moves south in dry season to breed in open woodland; also in farmland. Attracted to recently burnt areas and rocky ground. In nonbreeding period in more arid areas; then also in small groups. Frequently perches in trees. Voice Flight call wree. Song a short, often repeated series of clear, far-carrying whistles with some variation, in high display flight with dangling legs.

Eurasian Skylark Alauda arvensis Alouette des champs x

14–15 cm

C. c. saturatior. The only lark in the region with rufous crown bordered by white supercilium and rufous patch on breast-sides. In flight, dark tail with white margins contrasts with rufous rump. Crown feathers may be erected to form short crest. HH Uncommon and very local resident, C Nigeria (Jos Plateau). In grassland, fields and recently burnt areas. Voice Calls include sparrow-like chirrup, hard pit and sharp tsreee. Song a short, varied jumble of high-pitched notes and trills, including imitations of other birds, in high display flight.

16–18 cm

Robust, streaked lark with short crest. In flight, white trailing edge to wing and white outer tail feathers. Brown, heavily streaked above; whitish below; breast buff and streaked. HH Palearctic vagrant, NW Mauritania (Dec 2007, Jan 1980, Mar 1961, 1980 & 1982; race unknown). Geographical variation slight and coloration variable, race of majority of non-breeding visitors to N Africa unknown. Flight over short distance low and fluttering. Voice Rippling trruwee or chirrup in flight.

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PLATE 139: LARKS IV Sun Lark Galerida modesta Cochevis modeste

14 cm

G. m. modesta (almost throughout) Small, sandy-rufous lark with prominent supercilium surrounding streaked cap, and heavily streaked upperparts and breast. Tail blackish x edged pale rufous. Crown feathers may be raised to form short crest. Plumage coloration varies geographically and with wear. G. m. bucolica (SE CAR ) darker; struempelli (C xx Cameroon) even darker, with pale brownish underparts more heavily streaked on breast; nigrita (Guinea–Sierra Leone ) darker still. HH Locally common to uncommon resident. In various open grassy habitats, often with rocky areas or lateritic soils. In small flocks outside breeding season. Voice Song a short, fast, grating warble; from ground, bush or even dead treetop, or in flight. Song given in hovering display flight much more varied and sustained, with whistling, grating and buzzy notes, and imitations of other species. Also a lisping, trisyllabic thli-thli thli.

Crested Lark Galerida cristata Cochevis huppé

17 cm

Rather stocky with distinct spiky crest, relatively short tail, and slightly decurved, longish bill. Plumage coloration and markings vary geographically and with wear. G. c. senegallensis (from Niger west) pale grey-brown above variably streaked dusky, offx x white below with buff wash and dark streaks on breast; balsaci (coastal Mauritania) and alexanderi (N Nigeria–NE CAR) very similar but balsaci whiter below, alexanderi more cinnamon-brown above with faint streaks; isabellina (NE Chad?) like alexanderi but more cinnamon, less streaked above; jordansi (N Niger: Aïr) more rufous and less marked than other races, plain rufous-brown above, rufous-buff below with indistinct small spots on breast. HH Fairly common to locally common resident. In various open habitats, incl. sandy plains, farmland, roadsides, areas with low scrub and bare soil, and sea shores. Voice Liquid doo-leeoo and diui. Song varied and sustained, with clear whistles and throaty twitters. Also fast and clear tee-titee-titiu. From perch or ground and in flight.

Thekla Lark Galerida theklae Cochevis de Thékla x

17 cm

G. t. theresae. Very similar to Crested Lark and field identification usually hard (sometimes impossible). Differences include shorter, fuller and triangular crest, slightly shorter bill, better marked head pattern with broad whitish eye-ring, bolder streaking on whiter breast, contrasting cinnamon-tinged uppertail-coverts. Often perches atop bushes. HH Palearctic vagrant, Mauritania. Breeding range includes SW Morocco. Voice Commonest call a fluting too-tee-tweeeu or too-tee-tu-teeu. Song similar to Crested Lark’s but softer and lower-pitched.

Chestnut-backed Sparrow Lark Eremopterix leucotis Moinelette à oreillons blancs

12 cm

E. l. melanocephalus. Small dark lark. Adult male Black head with large white patch on ear-coverts and small white half-collar on nape. Upperparts rich chestnut. Underparts and underwing black with whitish flanks. Adult female Much duller and variable, with dusky mottled head and pale buff underparts, mottled brownish on breast. Juvenile As adult female, but feathers of head and upperparts broadly tipped white. HH Common resident and intra-African migrant. Moves north with rains. Erratic; often in fluctuating numbers. In various open areas with bare soil and short grass or bushes; partial to recently burnt ground. Often in small flocks when not breeding. Voice Rapid phrase with harsh, grating notes, from ground or low perch and in flight.

Black-crowned Sparrow Lark Eremopterix nigriceps Moinelette à front blanc

11–12 cm

Small, compact lark with, in both sexes, black underwing-coverts and black outer tailfeathers. Adult male Bold pied head pattern with white forehead. Pale grey-brown above; black below. Adult female Pale sandy-cinnamon above; patch around eye and neck-sides whitish. Below whitish with pale cinnamon breast-band. Female nominate (Cape Verde) usually slightly more rufous than mainland albifrons. Juvenile Similar to adult female, but feathers of head and upperparts broadly tipped pale buff with faint narrow dark subterminal bar; breast diffusely spotted dusky. HH Uncommon to locally common resident in dry open areas with sparse vegetation. Subject to local movements and appears to be spreading southwards in some areas. In small flocks when not breeding. Voice Abrupt, buzzing eezp or jeep; also a quiet djib. Song, usually given in flight, a pleasant, simple, rapid phrase of high, clear whistles chiWEE-chreep or chichiWEE-chireep, and variations.

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Black-crowned Sparrow Lark

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PLATE 140: SWALLOWS I SWALLOWS (Plates 140–144) Distinctive, highly specialised aerial insectivores. Sexes similar; in long-tailed species, females have shorter outer tail feathers. Juveniles similar but duller. Regularly perch on wires and bare branches. Most gregarious when not breeding (some also social when breeding), often forming mixed groups with other hirundines. Many are migratory.

African River Martin Pseudochelidon eurystomina Pseudolangrayen d’Afrique

14 cm

Robust, all-black large-headed swallow with bright reddish bare parts. In flight, broadbased wings and shortish tail produce characteristic compact, triangular silhouette. HH Highly local and seasonal. Breeds coastal Gabon–Congo (Sep–Nov), middle Congo R. and lower Ubangi R. (Jan–May) in large colonies in burrows excavated in sand banks and in grassland with sandy soil. Migrates high over forest, sometimes in huge numbers. Forages over large rivers, forest, grassland and human habitation. Perches on wires, roofs, branches or ground. Voice Distinctive. Hard, grating dzreh dzreh ... or chèrr chèrr... DD SAW-WINGS Entirely or largely black hirundines, deriving their name from the serrated outer edge of the outer primary (in males only). Flight slow and fluttering. Occur in pairs or small flocks.

Square-tailed Saw-wing Psalidoprocne nitens Hirondelle à queue courte

x

11 cm

P. n. nitens. Adult Small, entirely blackish swallow with notched tail. Pale greenish gloss only visible under favourable conditions. Juvenile Duller. HH Common to scarce resident in rain forest. Forages above canopy, in clearings and along tracks and edges. Pairs breed solitarily, in burrow excavated in earth bank. Voice Calls include soft, rather hoarse pzzuit, pseeru, pruruit and psit.

Fanti Saw-wing Psalidoprocne obscura Hirondelle fanti

17 cm

Adult All black with very long, deeply forked tail (tail fork male 5–7.5 cm, female 3–6.5 cm). Greenish gloss visible in favourable circumstances. Juvenile Browner; tail shorter (beware confusion with Square-tailed Saw-wing). HH Common resident and partial intraAfrican migrant (some moving north before rains, to breed). In woodland, grassland and farmbush; also in forest clearings, along tracks and edges. Pairs breed solitarily, in burrow excavated in earth bank or similar site. Endemic. Voice Mainly silent. Call a soft sheep.

x

Black Saw-wing Psalidoprocne pristoptera Hirondelle hérissée

13 cm

Adult petiti (Petit’s Saw-wing; E Nigeria–Congo) Wholly black with long, deeply forked tail (tail fork male 2.5–3.5 cm) and whitish underwing-coverts. Plumage has bronzebrown gloss. P. p. chalybea (Shari Saw-wing; N CAR, possibly N & C Cameroon) has grey underwing-coverts and greenish gloss; tail fork male 3.8–5.4 cm. Juvenile Browner; underwing-coverts dusky whitish; tail shorter. HH Common to uncommon resident and intra-African migrant. In woodland, montane grassland, edges of riparian forest and farmbush. Pairs breed solitarily, in burrow. Voice Mainly silent. Soft, nasal sheeu.

Mountain Saw-wing Psalidoprocne fuliginosa Hirondelle brune

12 cm

Drabbest saw-wing. Adult Small, entirely dull dark brown swallow with moderately forked tail (depth of fork 1.5–2.5 cm). Underwing-coverts paler, more grey-brown. Juvenile Paler brown. HH Locally common resident, Mt Cameroon and Bioko; possibly E Nigeria. Local seasonal movements recorded. In forest clearings and edges, farmbush and montane grassland, up to 3000 m. Pairs usually breed solitarily; moss nest placed on ledge of cliff or cave. Endemic. Voice Soft see-su.

? ?

Brazza’s Martin Phedina brazzae Hirondelle de Brazza

?

12 cm

Small, brown-and-white martin with streaked underparts and square tail. HH Rarely recorded, local resident (migrant?), Congo. Probable sightings, SE Gabon. In small groups along or near rivers in forest and savanna. Sometimes forages with other hirundines. Nests in burrows excavated in vertical river banks or cliffs, usually in small colonies. Voice Song a series of single chips, increasing in speed, ending in more complex buzz and sometimes followed by a series of clicks. DD

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PLATE 141: SWALLOWS II MARTINS Mostly small to medium-sized hirundines with square or slightly forked tails.

Plain Martin Riparia paludicola Hirondelle paludicole x x x x

x

x

x

x

x

x

xx x

x

11–12 cm

Small martin with brownish throat and breast becoming white on belly. Tail notched, almost square. R. p. newtoni (E Nigeria–W Cameroon highlands) darker above, white below more extensive than in widespread minor. HH Locally fairly common to rare resident. Local movements recorded. Usually in small flocks, over or near rivers and lakes; outside breeding season also away from water. Associates with other hirundines. Dryseason breeder, nesting in burrows dug in sand banks, generally in small colonies. Voice Calls include rasping chtrrr and harsh steeh. Song a soft twitter.

Congo Sand Martin Riparia congica Hirondelle du Congo

11–12 cm

Resembles Common Sand Martin, but brown breast-band much more diffuse; tail almost square. HH Locally common resident, Congo (Congo R., lower Ubangi R., Sangha R.). In flocks, foraging low over rivers and riverine vegetation. Sometimes with other hirundines. Nests colonially in burrows excavated in river banks, usually in small colonies. Voice No information.

Common Sand Martin Riparia riparia Hirondelle de rivage

12–13 cm

R. r. riparia. Small martin with pure white underparts and well-defined brown breastband. Tail slightly forked. HH Uncommon or rare to locally common Palearctic visitor (late Aug–May/Jun). Over various open habitats, often near water. Gregarious; often in large flocks and associating with other hirundines. Voice Dry, rasping chrrp. x x x x

Banded Martin Neophedina cincta Hirondelle à collier xx

x

x

x

x

Rock Martin Ptyonoprogne fuligula Hirondelle isabelline Pale Crag Rock

x

17 cm

Conspicuously large martin with well-defined breast-band and square tail. Underwingcoverts white; short white supercilium. HH Resident, S Gabon and Congo (N. c. parvula). Uncommon to rare intra-African migrant elsewhere. N. c. parvula known to migrate north to (at least) Cameroon; other races possibly reach our region but are indistinguishable in field. Singly or in small flocks. Forages low over grassland, with slow and erratic, tern-like flight. Associates with other hirundines. Voice Mostly silent. Call chrip. Note Formerly included in Riparia.

12–14 cm

Compact, all-brown hirundine with two small white patches in almost square tail (conspicuous when tail spread). Races, from darkest to palest: bansoensis (Cameroon– Sierra Leone, probably lower Gambia R.), fusciventris (S Chad, CAR), pusilla (S Mali–S Niger, C Chad). HH Locally fairly common to common resident. Frequents inselbergs, rocky outcrops and gorges, also villages and towns. Flight slow, with much gliding. Breeds in pairs or small colonies; nest a mud cup attached to rocky surface, bridge, building or similar place. Voice Calls include wik and a high-pitched sree. Song a soft twitter.

Pale Crag Martin Ptyonoprogne obsoleta Hirondelle du désert

12–14 cm

As Rock Martin, with which it is often lumped, but noticeably paler. Races, from darkest to palest: buchanani (Niger: Aïr), arabica (NE Chad: Ennedi), spatzi (Mali?, NW Chad), presaharica (N Mauritania). HH Locally fairly common to uncommon resident. Possible scarce N African visitor. Frequents rocky outcrops, cliffs and gorges, also villages and towns. Voice Calls include wik and a high-pitched sree. Song a soft twitter.

Eurasian Crag Martin Ptyonoprogne rupestris Hirondelle de rochers x

x

x

14–15 cm

Stocky, brown hirundine with white patches in slightly notched tail and blackish-brown underwing-coverts contrasting strongly with grey-brown flight feathers. Grey-brown above; pale buffish below, brownish on lower abdomen. Rock Martin has similar tail pattern, but less contrasting underwing-coverts. HH Rare Palearctic visitor (Oct–Apr). Normally associated with cliffs and gorges, but on migration also over low, open areas. Flight slow, with frequent gliding. Voice Mostly silent. Calls include a soft chrp or prrt.

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PLATE 142: SWALLOWS III Swallows of the genus Cecropis have glossy blue upperparts, contrastingly rufous rumps, and long tail streamers. Sexes similar; females have shorter tail streamers. Juveniles duller, with even shorter tails. Occur singly, in pairs or small flocks. Build bowl-shaped mud nests with tunnel entrance, plastered against variety of natural or artificial sites.

Lesser Striped Swallow Cecropis abyssinica Hirondelle striée

15–19 cm

The only rufous-rumped swallow with rufous head and heavily streaked underparts. x C. a. maxima (SE Nigeria–SW CAR) has broader and blacker streaks than puella x x (Senegambia–N Cameroon); in unitatis (Gabon–Congo) streaking intermediate; in bannermani (NE CAR) streaking much finer, rufous areas paler. HH Fairly common to locally common resident and partial intra-African migrant. Wet-season breeding visitor x to north of range. In various open wooded habitats; also forest edges, occasionally mangroves. Forages low or at mid-height, often over water. Pairs usually breed solitarily; nest plastered to rock, building, bridge or similar site. Voice Wheezy cheeew. Song varied and nasal, including liquid, squeaky, buzzy and gurgling notes.

Greater Striped Swallow Cecropis cucullata Hirondelle à tête rousse

18–20 cm

Resembles Lesser Striped Swallow, but noticeably larger, streaking much finer (only visible at close range), cap darker rufous, ear-coverts buffish (not rufous) and rump paler. HH S African vagrant, S Congo (Mpindé, Nov 1990, two). Voice Short chrrp and plaintive wheep.

Red-rumped Swallow Cecropis daurica Hirondelle rousseline

16–17 cm

C. d. rufula. Medium-sized, with dark blue cap, rufous collar, long, often inwardly curving tail streamers, and diagnostic clear-cut black undertail-coverts. No white in tail. Forehead pale (dark blue of crown not reaching bill), rump two-toned (lower rump paler), underparts pale creamy-buff with faint dark streaks. Rufous and buff parts pale with wear. HH Generally uncommon Palearctic visitor (late Jul–May). Over open habitats, incl. floodplains and various types of woodland. Voice Soft djuit or chreet.

West African Swallow Cecropis domicella Hirondelle ouest-africaine

16–17 cm

As Red-rumped Swallow, with which it is usually lumped, but with plain orange-rufous rump, and glossy dark blue crown (blue reaching bill), bordered by narrow rufous supercilium. Widespread domicella is creamy-white below; kumboensis (highlands Sierra Leone, W Ivory Coast, Cameroon) pale rufous. HH Scarce to locally common x resident and partial intra-African migrant. Frequents rocky escarpments, floodplains and x various types of woodland. Pairs breed solitarily or in small, loose colonies; nest plastered to rock face, culvert, building or similar site. Voice Soft djuit or chreet. Song a varied, quiet twittering with nasal notes and rasping trills. Note Ssp. kumboensis usually treated as race of C. daurica.

Rufous-chested Swallow Cecropis semirufa Hirondelle à ventre roux

18–21 cm

C. s. gordoni. Large, with dark blue hood, orange-rufous underparts with incomplete collar and very long tail streamers. Top of head to below eye and onto ear-coverts glossy x dark blue connecting, on hindneck, with dark blue upperparts. Underwing- and undertailcoverts rufous; white patches in tail. HH Uncommon to locally common resident; wetseason breeding visitor in some areas. In farmbush, open woodland, degraded savanna and grassland. Flight slow and buoyant on broad wings, with much gliding. Forages at all heights. Pairs breed solitarily; nest plastered to rock, culvert, hollow tree or similar site. Voice Gurgling trlrrrrr or chip-chip-chleeeeurrrr; also soft dee-uuuh, short chip and high-pitched weet-weet.

Mosque Swallow Cecropis senegalensis Hirondelle des mosquées

21–23 cm

Even larger and heavier than Rufous-chested Swallow, with pale head-sides and rufous nuchal collar surrounding dark blue cap, shorter tail streamers, no white in tail and usually whiter underwing-coverts. C. s. saturatior (S Ghana–CAR/Congo) deeper rufous below x x than nominate (S Mauritania/Senegambia–S Chad). HH Uncommon to locally common resident; wet-season breeding visitor in some areas. In various open habitats; mostly in broad savanna belt but also open areas in forest zone; often around villages and towns. Flight slow, with much gliding; sometimes recalling small falcon. Typically forages high over treetops. Pairs breed solitarily; nest plastered to hollow tree (esp. baobab), building, culvert or similar site. Voice Nasal nyaa; a distinctive, piping, reedy note, recalling sound of tiny trumpet, and various guttural notes. Song consists of various rather slow, short series of nasal, whining and creaking sounds.

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PLATE 143: SWALLOWS IV Swallows of the genus Hirundo have entirely glossy blue upperparts and most have long tail streamers. Build open-cup mud nests, plastered under overhanging surface or on ledge.

Wire-tailed Swallow Hirundo smithii Hirondelle à longs brins x

x

x x x

Ethiopian Swallow Hirundo aethiopica Hirondelle d’Ethiopie

13 cm

H. a. aethiopica. Small, with rufous forehead, buff-white throat and no breast-band. HH Uncommon to locally common resident and partial intra-African migrant. Spreading westwards in W Africa. In pairs or small flocks over various open habitats, often near water; also in villages and towns. Forages low or at mid-height. Occasionally with other hirundines. Pairs breed solitarily; nest plastered to bridge, building, house, hut or similar site. Voice Soft chit or cheep. Song a melodious twittering.

x

x x

14 cm

H. s. smithii. Slender, with rufous cap bordered by black lores and blue-black ear-coverts, and very thin, wire-like, tail streamers. Below pure white with blue-black patch on breast-sides and lower flanks. HH Uncommon resident and partial intra-African migrant. In pairs or small flocks in open habitats, usually near water. Forages low or at mid-height. Occasionally with other hirundines. Pairs breed solitarily; nest plastered to rock in river, culvert, bridge or similar site. Voice Mostly silent. Call a quiet chit. Song a soft twittering.

x

White-throated Swallow Hirundo albigularis Hirondelle à gorge blanche

14–17 cm

Blue-and-white swallow with rufous forehead, white throat and dark blue breast-band (sometimes broken). HH Vagrant from southern Africa, N Congo (Odzala, Aug 1994, one). In open habitats. Voice Sharp chit and various nasal and squeaky notes. x

Angola Swallow Hirundo angolensis Hirondelle de l’Angola

14–15 cm

Similar to Red-chested Swallow, but with ash-grey underparts. HH Uncommon resident (and partial local migrant?), W & S Gabon and S Congo. Singly or in pairs; occasionally small flocks. In various open habitats; also villages. Flight rather slow. Forages low or at mid-height. Pairs usually breed solitarily; occasionally in small colonies. Nest attached to bank, bridge, building or similar site. Voice Song a soft twittering.

Red-chested Swallow Hirundo lucida Hirondelle de Guinée

15 cm

Adult lucida Very similar to Barn Swallow but has shorter outer tail feathers, more white x in tail, dark rufous of throat extending to upper breast, narrower breast-band (narrowest in centre; often broken), and whiter underparts. In flight, more compact silhouette with x x broad-based, more triangular wings. H. l. subalaris (N Gabon, Congo R.) has rufous areas ? darker; rufous on forehead more extensive. Juvenile Separated from juvenile Barn Swallow by narrower breast-band and more white in tail. HH Uncommon to locally common resident and partial intra-African migrant; movements inadequately known. Singly, in pairs or small flocks over open habitats and in villages and towns. Flight fast and agile. Forages low or at mid-height. Often with other hirundines. Pairs breed solitarily or in small loose colonies. Nest attached to bridge, building or similar site. Voice Similar to Barn Swallow.

Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica Hirondelle rustique

15–19 cm

H. r. rustica. Adult breeding Glossy dark blue above (duller when worn); forehead and throat dark rufous bordered by dark blue breast-band. Tail with small white patches on inner webs and very long outer feathers. Lower breast to undertail-coverts whitish to creamy-buff. Adult non-breeding Duller; rufous on throat may become very pale (even whitish); no tail streamers. Immature Duller and browner; forehead and throat x paler; tail streamers shorter. HH Common Palearctic visitor (mainly Sep–May). In small x or large flocks in all habitats, also in villages and towns. Flight fast and agile with much banking and turning. Forages low or at mid-height. Often with other hirundines. Voice Vigorous whit-whit; also a sharp siflit. Song, occasionally uttered in winter quarters, a fast, varied twitter including clear notes, rasping sounds and gurgling rattles.

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Wire-tailed Swallow Ethiopian Swallow

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White-throated Swallow

Angola Swallow

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PLATE 144: SWALLOWS V White-throated Blue Swallow Hirundo nigrita Hirondelle à bavette

12 cm

Unmistakable. Beautiful, dark glossy purple-blue swallow with contrasting white throat and white patches in tail. Tail slightly notched (almost square), with white conspicuous when tail spread in flight. May appear black at distance or against light. HH Locally fairly common resident. Usually in pairs, over rivers, lakes and lagoons with forested banks; also mangroves. Flies low and fast over water; perches on branches in water, snags and rocks. Mud nest an open cup, plastered to surface overhanging water, on rock, hollow log or (occasionally) artificial site such as bridge, pier, or similar. Voice Vigorous weetch, hard vwhit and soft whit. Song a soft, dry trill prl-trrrrrr mixed with disharmonic notes.

x x xx

Pied-winged Swallow Hirundo leucosoma Hirondelle à ailes tachetées

x

12 cm

The only hirundine with long white patches on upper wing. Glossy steel-blue above, pure white below; forked tail with white patches. HH Irregularly distributed, scarce to locally fairly common resident; seasonal movements in some areas. Singly or in pairs, occasionally in small flocks, over wooded grassland and farmbush. Flight fast with much banking and turning. Forages low, often flying between trees and bushes, like saw-wings. Associates with other hirundines. Pairs breed solitarily. Mud nest an open cup, in hollow tree (e.g. baobab) or on building or other artificial site. Endemic. Voice Mostly silent. Call a low chut.

Common House Martin Delichon urbicum Hirondelle de fenêtre

13–15 cm

D. u. urbicum. Small and rather compact with conspicuous white rump. Adult breeding (from Apr) Head, upperparts and tail glossy blue-black; rump and entire underparts white; underwing with pale buff-grey underwing-coverts and dark silvery flight feathers. Tail forked. Adult non-breeding (from Aug) White of rump, throat and flanks often mottled pale buff-brown. Immature Duller and browner. Preuss’s Cliff Swallow has similar plumage x pattern, but duller, with pale areas buffish (not white); tail less forked. HH Uncommon to locally common Palearctic visitor (mainly Aug/Sep–Mar/May, rarely oversummering). Bred Cape Verde (Boavista, Jul 1997, two pairs). In small or large flocks over various open habitats. Flight fluttering with much gliding. Forages at all heights, often very high. Often associates with swifts and other hirundines. Voice Hard prrt prrpt.

Grey-rumped Swallow Pseudhirundo griseopyga Hirondelle à croupion gris

14 cm

Small, slim swallow with deeply forked tail and greyish rump contrasting with dark blue upperparts. Top of head to nape brown-grey; underparts white. Nominate (Mali–CAR) x x x x has rump paler than melbina (Gambia–SW Ivory Coast & S Nigeria–Congo). HH Patchily distributed resident and intra-African migrant. Generally rare or scarce to uncommon, x but sometimes locally fairly common. Movements inadequately known. Singly, in pairs x or small flocks in grassland, open woodland and similar open areas. Usually forages x low. Pairs breed solitarily; sometimes in small loose colonies. Nests in rodent burrow (occasionally in old kingfisher or bee-eater burrow) in sandy ground. Voice Mostly silent. Soft, nasal chwèèp.

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White-throated Blue Swallow

Pied-winged Swallow

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Common House Martin

Grey-rumped Swallow

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PLATE 145: SWALLOWS VI Preuss’s Cliff Swallow Petrochelidon preussi Hirondelle de Preuss

12 cm

The only swallow in its range with pale buff rump and underparts contrasting with blueblack upperparts. Adult Pale buff below; small white patches in slightly forked tail. Small rufous patch behind eye and greyish-white streaks on nape and mantle (forming small, ? irregular patch) only visible in favourable circumstances. Resembles dull or dirty version of Common House Martin. Juvenile Duller, with dark brown upperparts. HH Irregularly x x distributed, rare to locally common resident and intra-African migrant. Movements inadequately known. In small or large flocks in wooded grassland, often near rocky outcrops and rivers. Flight slow with much gliding. Forages at all heights, often very high. Breeds in dense colonies. Mud nest bowl-shaped with downward-angled entrance tunnel plastered under variety of natural or artificial surfaces, esp. bridges; nests closely packed and stuck together, typical of cliff swallows. Voice Call prrp-prrp, in flight.

Forest Swallow Petrochelidon fuliginosa Hirondelle de forêt

11 cm

Small and entirely dull blackish-brown, with rusty tinge on throat. Tail slightly notched (almost square). Looks wholly blackish against sky. Square-tailed Saw-wing is very similar but voice different and flight noticeably slower, with back more hunched. Mountain Sawwing is slightly larger, with grey underwing-coverts. HH Locally fairly common resident x or intra-African migrant. Usually in pairs, occasionally up to five, along forest tracks and x clearings. Flight fluttering and fast, with much gliding. Pairs breed solitarily. Mud nest bowl-shaped with long tunnel entrance, plastered to overhanging rocks in forest, often near those of Red-headed Picathartes; occasionally on artificial surfaces. Endemic. Voice Mostly silent. Clear, sharp whit, whit and double, ‘sucking’ pritchi or pitchri.

Red-throated Cliff Swallow Petrochelidon rufigula Hirondelle à gorge fauve

12 cm

Small swallow with rufous rump and throat. Adult Top of head and upperparts glossy blue-black; ear-coverts streaky. Tail slightly forked, blackish with small white patches on inner webs. Throat and upper breast rufous becoming orange-buff on rest of underparts. In field, greyish-white streaks on mantle only visible in favourable circumstances. Juvenile Duller; dark brown above; rufous areas paler. HH Locally fairly common resident and intra-African migrant. Colonised Gabon in late 1970s; northward range expansion ongoing. Seasonal movements inadequately known. Usually in flocks over various open habitats, often near rocky outcrops and rivers; also in forest at bridges over large rivers. Flight slow with much gliding. Breeds in dense colonies. Nest resembles Preuss’s Cliff Swallow’s; placed mainly under bridge or other artificial structure. Voice Rasping prrp-prrp, in flight. Song a rapid twittering.

South African Cliff Swallow Petrochelidon spilodera Hirondelle sud-africaine

14 cm

Medium-sized swallow with rufous rump and square or slightly notched, unmarked tail. Adult Head sooty-brown with narrow rufous forehead and lores; upperparts glossy blueblack. Underparts pale rufous to buffish-white and variably speckled and mottled black on throat and breast. In field, often appears dark-throated or having ill-defined darkish breast-band; greyish-white streaks on mantle only visible under favourable conditions. Rufous areas pale with wear. Juvenile Duller; dark brown above; rufous areas paler. HH Scarce intra-African migrant, C & SE Gabon and Congo. Breeds in S Africa (Aug–Apr); winters mainly in lower Congo basin (May–Aug). Usually in flocks over various open habitats. Flight slow with much gliding. Usually forages low. Associates with other hirundines. Voice Call prrp-prrp, in flight.

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PLATE 146: WAGTAILS I WAGTAILS (Plates 146–147) Small, slender, terrestrial insectivores with long, frequently pumped tails.

African Pied Wagtail Motacilla aguimp Bergeronnette pie x

x

xx

x

x

x

19 cm

M. a. vidua. Male breeding Black-and-white wagtail with large white wing patch and broad black breast-band. Head and upperparts black with long, broad white supercilium and white patch on neck-sides. Male non-breeding/adult female Similar, but black less intense. Juvenile Much duller, with black replaced by dark grey-brown. HH Locally common to uncommon resident occurring near water and habitations. Tame. Voice Clear, whistled tluwsee. Song a varied series of quite melodious, short phrases of clear piping and whistling notes.

Mountain Wagtail Motacilla clara Bergeronnette à longue queue

18–19 cm

M. c. chapini. Slender wagtail of fast-flowing, rocky streams. Adult Mainly grey above with long white supercilium, blackish wing feathers fringed white, and white underparts with narrow blackish breast-band. Juvenile Browner above, with underparts tinged pale x buffy and breast-band reduced or absent. HH Patchily distributed, scarce to uncommon ? resident along fast-flowing, boulder-strewn forest streams. May be subject to seasonal movements. Voice Loud, hard, ringing trill tsrrrrup and drawn-out, high-pitched tseeeet. Song a sustained medley of vigorous, rather melodious phrases with high-pitched, sibilant notes and ringing trills, e.g. tsu-tseeee-seeeuu, tsrrrup-tsrrrup-tsrrrup, tseeeee, tsrrrrreeeuw, tsee-tsu-tsee-uw, trrrip-trrrip, tsweutswee-tsee-uw...

White Wagtail Motacilla alba Bergeronnette grise

18 cm

M. a. alba. Grey, black and white wagtail with white face. Male breeding (from Feb) Forehead, forecrown and head-sides white; hindcrown and nape black, sharply contrasting with grey upperparts; wing feathers black broadly fringed white. Tail black x with white outer feathers. Throat to upper breast black; rest of underparts white. Female x x x x breeding Similar, but black on rear of head diffusely merging into grey upperparts. Male x x non-breeding Throat white (sometimes tinged cream) bordered by black breast-band; black of crown duller, mixed with grey. Female non-breeding/immature Usually has entire top of head (incl. forehead) grey; head-sides variably tinged greyish and cream. HH Common to uncommon Palearctic visitor (Sep–Apr). In variety of habitats, incl. fields, gardens, villages, edges of lakes and rivers, dams. Roosts communally in trees and reedbeds. Voice Sharp chissik; alarm chik.

Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea Bergeronnette des ruisseaux

18–19 cm

M. c. cinerea. Slimmer, longer-tailed than Yellow Wagtail with grey upperparts, contrasting blackish wings and, in all plumages, yellow on rump and vent. Very long tail x x and broad white band on upper- and underwing conspicuous in deeply undulating flight. x x Legs brownish-pink. Yellow Wagtail has olive-tinged upperparts and relatively longer, blackish legs. Male breeding (from Feb) Throat black bordered by white moustachial x x stripe; rest of underparts yellow. Female breeding Similar, but throat whitish variably mottled black. Male non-breeding Similar, but throat white (sometimes slightly washed buff); breast usually tinged rufous-buff. Female non-breeding Similar to male non-breeding, but supercilium, throat and breast often more prominently tinged buff; lower underparts usually paler. Immature As adult female non-breeding and virtually indistinguishable in field, but breast generally more distinctly rufous-buff. HH Generally rare Palearctic visitor (Oct–Apr). In various open habitats, normally near water. Constantly pumps whole rear body and tail. Voice Disyllabic chzizik, similar to White Wagtail’s but shorter, more metallic.

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PLATE 147: WAGTAILS II Yellow Wagtail Motacilla flava Bergeronnette printanière

16–17 cm

Commonest and most widespread wagtail, with comparatively short tail and, in all plumages, generally some yellow on underparts. Several races occur (some of which are sometimes treated as separate species), differing mainly in head pattern of males in breeding plumage. Non-breeding plumages (worn on arrival in our region) usually indistinguishable and similar to female flava but duller; immatures are even more washed x out. Illustrated forms are all males in breeding plumage. Moult to breeding plumage starts Jan–Feb, completed Mar–Apr. Male flava breeding (Blue-headed Wagtail) Blue-grey head, white supercilium and wholly yellow underparts. Female flava breeding Duller, with less distinct head pattern and paler underparts, often becoming whitish on throat and breast. (Breeds W & C Europe.) Males of other races are as follows: M. f. iberiae (Spanish Wagtail) Head darker grey, supercilium narrower, sometimes absent in front of eye; throat white; breastsides tinged olive. (Breeds Iberia and NW Africa.) M. f. cinereocapilla (Ashy-headed Wagtail) Similar to iberiae but supercilium absent or restricted to streak behind the eye. (Breeds Italy, Sicily, Sardinia.) M. f. thunbergi (Grey-headed Wagtail) Top of head slate-grey, head-sides blackish, supercilium indistinct, often absent. (Breeds N Europe–N Siberia.) M. f. feldegg (Black-headed Wagtail) Head black; breast-sides olive. (Breeds SE Europe–C Asia.) M. f. melanogrisea (Turkestan Black-headed Wagtail) Similar to feldegg (and sometimes merged with it), but usually with white line bordering black head-sides. (Breeds Volga delta–Afghanistan.) M. f. beema (Sykes’s Wagtail) Similar to flava but head paler, pale blue-grey; distinct white supercilium and streak below eye; throat sometimes white. (Breeds Kazakhstan and SW Siberia.) M. f. flavissima (Yellow Wagtail) Head yellow-olive; supercilium yellow, often extending to forehead. (Breeds Great Britain and adjacent coastal W Europe.) M. f. lutea (Yellow-headed Wagtail) As flavissima; both races easily distinguished from others, but inseparable from each other due to pronounced individual variation. (Breeds NW Kazakhstan and SW Siberia, west of beema.) HH Common Palearctic visitor (mainly Sep–May); iberiae also rare resident NW Mauritania (Banc d’Arguin). Vagrant, Cape Verde (Oct–Nov, Mar–Apr). M. f. flava, thunbergi and iberiae throughout, incl. Bioko; flavissima mainly from Mali west, also recorded from Liberia and (probably) Ivory Coast, with claims from NE Gabon and N Congo probably referring to misidentified lutea; cinereocapilla Mauritania–Nigeria; feldegg Nigeria–Chad, also N Congo; melanogrisea NE Nigeria (L. Chad; vagrant); beema Chad–NE Nigeria (L. Chad; scarce). Singly or in small to large flocks in variety of habitats, generally open areas, incl. short grassland, lawns, airfields, marshes, dams, rice fields and farmland, but also forest clearings and tracks. Frequently associates with domestic stock, esp. cattle. Roosts communally, locally in huge numbers. Voice Rather loud pseew or shorter pseet; also more raspy pzrree (feldegg). Song, on breeding grounds, very short and consisting of two (occasionally three) rasping notes shrree-shrreep.

Citrine Wagtail Motacilla citreola Bergeronnette citrine

17–18 cm

M. c. citreola/werae. Resembles Yellow Wagtail but has, in all plumages, grey upperparts and two conspicuous white or whitish wingbars (narrowing with wear). Tail and legs xx x slightly longer. Male breeding Bright lemon-yellow head bordered by black nuchal band. Female breeding/adult non-breeding Crown greyish washed yellow; broad yellow supercilium extending around greyish ear-coverts; no black on nape. Yellow coloration duller; undertail-coverts whitish. First-winter Characteristic head pattern with broad whitish ear-covert surround, pale lores (often tinged buff) and narrow, weak, dusky malar stripe. Yellowish tinge to head gradually appears in Dec–Jan. HH Palearctic vagrant, Senegal (Jan 1999) and Cape Verde (Sal, Oct 2007, Jan 2008 & Mar 2008; Boavista, Apr 2007). Voice Sharp, rasping tsrreep.

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beema



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melanogrisea iberiae



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Citrine Wagtail

1st-winter

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PLATE 148: PIPITS I PIPITS (Plates 148–150) Terrestrial insectivores with rather cryptic, variably streaked brown plumage. Slightly resemble larks, but slimmer. Large species conspicuously long-legged. Non-breeding plumage usually similar to breeding; pale tips and fringes to wing feathers broader when fresh. Forage on ground. For identification, note extent of streaking on upper- and underparts, colour and pattern of outer tail feathers, and calls.

Tree Pipit Anthus trivialis Pipit des arbres x

x

x x

15 cm

A. t. trivialis. Slim, small pipit with olive-brown, streaked upperparts, warm buff supercilium and plain rump. Below whitish washed creamy-buff on throat, breast and flanks, with blackish malar stripe and coarse streaking on breast extending thinly on flanks. Outer tail feathers white. HH Common to uncommon Palearctic visitor (Sep–Apr). Singly, in twos or small flocks in various open wooded habitats. Often moves stealthily and slowly wags tail when pausing. Frequently perches in trees or on bushes. Voice Call a single tzeep in flight.

Meadow Pipit Anthus pratensis Pipit farlouse

15 cm

A. p. pratensis. Small pipit with rather featureless face, coarse streaking on breast extending onto flanks, and distinctive call. Upperparts brown heavily streaked (and tinged greenish when fresh); rump plain; outer tail feathers white. Below strongly washed buff when fresh. Head pattern less distinct than Tree and Red-throated Pipits, with more subdued supercilium and eye-stripe (imparting more plain-faced look). Tree Pipit also has streaking on flanks much narrower (sometimes hard to see in field). Red-throated Pipit in non-breeding and first-winter plumages much more boldly streaked, with streaked (not plain) rump and creamy stripes on upperparts. HH Uncommon to rare Palearctic visitor (Oct–Mar). In various open habitats. Forages with mouse-like, creeping gait. Flight hesitant, jerky. Voice Call a sharp eest-eest-eest.

Red-throated Pipit Anthus cervinus Pipit à gorge rousse

15 cm

Small pipit with boldly streaked upper- and underparts. In non-breeding and firstwinter plumages always separable from Tree Pipit by heavy blackish streaking on breast extending in two broad lines along entire flanks and streaked (not plain) rump; voice also different. Male breeding Diagnostic rusty-red face, throat and often also breast. x x x x Female breeding Face and throat usually less bright. Adult non-breeding Colour of face x and throat variable but always duller. Some birds like first-winter. First-winter Lacks any x rufous; blackish malar stripe usually distinct and ending in ill-defined, wedge-shaped patch on lower throat-sides. HH Locally common to scarce Palearctic visitor (Sep–May). In various types of short, moist grassland and cultivation. Often in small, loose groups. Voice Call a distinctive, drawn-out, high-pitched, thin pseeeeh, slightly trailing off towards end and usually uttered singly; longer, less rasping and more piercing than call of Tree Pipit. x

Water Pipit Anthus spinoletta Pipit spioncelle

16–17 cm

A. s. spinoletta. Adult non-breeding Grey-brown, faintly streaked above with, usually, distinct whitish supercilium; outer tail feathers white. Below uniformly white streaked dark brownish on breast and flanks. Legs typically dark (sometimes brownish). Meadow and Tree Pipits are slightly smaller, warmer coloured and boldly streaked above, and always have pale legs. HH Palearctic migrant (normally wintering south to N Africa), claimed from NW Mauritania (Baie de l’Etoile, Dec 2007, one; also Dec 1979, four at three different sites). No description given, thus not separated from closely related Rock Pipit A. petrosus, some of which reach N Moroccan coast in winter (darker overall, with indistinct supercilium and dirty-looking underparts). Voice Call a sharp weest. x x

Tawny Pipit Anthus campestris Pipit rousseline

x

x

x

x

x

x

xx

x

16–18 cm

A. c. campestris. Easily identified by pale sandy-brown upperparts with contrasting dark centres to median wing-coverts. Head sandy with creamy supercilium, dark lores and narrow dark malar stripe. Wing feathers blackish-brown, broadly tipped and edged sandy-buff when fresh; outer tail feathers white. Underparts plain cream-white. Firstwinter Similar; but sometimes with traces of streaked juvenile plumage on upperparts and breast. HH Rare to locally fairly common Palearctic visitor (Oct–Apr). In open habitats, incl. short dry grassland and fields. Walks rather horizontally and creeps through short grass like wagtail; also pumps tail. Voice Sparrow-like chlip and cheeup.

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Meadow Pipit

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PLATE 149: PIPITS II Plain-backed Pipit Anthus leucophrys Pipit à dos uni

17 cm

Large pipit with plain, unstreaked upperparts. Adult zenkeri (S Mali–Ghana east) Dark brown above with prominent whitish supercilium, rather indistinct dark moustachial and x x x malar stripes, and dark brown wing feathers broadly fringed buffish. Tail blackish with buff outer feathers. Underparts warm cinnamon-buff, paler on throat and indistinctly streaked dark on breast. A. l. gouldii (west of zenkeri) darker above, with less cinnamon x on wings; underparts much paler, with distinct breast streaking; ansorgei (S Mauritania– Guinea-Bissau) as gouldii but paler and greyer above; bohndorffi (SE Gabon/Congo?) as zenkeri but paler below. Juvenile Browner, with heavier breast streaking and narrow whitish fringes to upperpart feathers. Very similar to juvenile Long-legged Pipit. HH Uncommon to locally common resident; local movements recorded in some areas. Inhabits short grassland, cultivation, rice fields and burnt ground. Walks rather upright; wags tail. Occasionally perches on low vantage point. Voice Soft chee-chee on take-off. Song a rather slow and monotonous series of single or alternating swree and chirrup notes, given from ground or low perch.

Long-billed Pipit Anthus similis Pipit à long bec

17–19 cm

Large pipit with two quite distinct races. Adult bannermani (Bannerman’s Pipit; highlands Sierra Leone–W Cameroon) Top of head and upperparts dark brown streaked blackish; x x x prominent buffish supercilium; narrow dark malar stripe; wing feathers blackish-brown, broadly tipped and edged cinnamon-buff when fresh. Tail blackish with buffish-white outer feathers. Underparts warm buff (paler on throat and belly), boldly streaked dark on breast and flanks. A. s. asbenaicus (C & E Mali, C Niger) much paler, more sandy buff with almost unstreaked, somewhat mottled breast. Juvenile Darker; upperpart feathers pale tipped; breast more spotted than streaked. African Pipit best distinguished by voice; face pattern usually bolder, streaks on underparts form rather neat gorget (in bannermani streaking less neat and extending onto flanks). HH Rare to locally common resident with disjunct range. Wanderers recorded N Senegal (Djoudj, Nov–Mar, asbenaicus). Inhabits rocky hillsides with sparse vegetation, bare plateaux and inselbergs. Voice Rather soft chee or djeep. Song a simple series of 2–3 detached, sparrow-like notes repeated at intervals chriu shree chewee or tsreep shree shruw; from ground, tree or large rock, or in slow, fluttering display flight. Plain-backed Pipit has similar vocalisations, but sings much less often and song usually consists of only 1–2 notes repeated at intervals.

Long-legged Pipit Anthus pallidiventris Pipit à longues pattes

18 cm

A. p. pallidiventris. Large, rather plain pipit, with prominent supercilium, pale underparts and relatively short tail emphasizing conspicuously long, pale yellowishpink legs. Adult Plain greyish-brown above; tail blackish-brown with buffish outer x x ? feathers. Underparts mainly whitish, distinctly tinged buff on breast, paler buff on flanks; breast with variably distinct, diffuse dark streaking. Bill appears long and largely yellowish, with dark culmen and tip. Juvenile Darker; crown streaked; supercilium buff; feathers of upperparts and wings dark brown tipped and fringed tawny; breast streaked black. HH Locally common resident in various grassy habitats, incl. forest clearings. Forages with upright posture and constantly wagging tail. Perches on poles, wires, etc; only occasionally in trees. Not shy. Voice Flight call psee-ip or ch-seep. Song, frequently repeated chirrupy notes.

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PLATE 150: PIPITS AND LONGCLAW Short-tailed Pipit Anthus brachyurus Pipit à queue courte

12–13 cm

A. b. leggei. Small, dark, heavily streaked pipit with short narrow tail (conspicuous in flight) and distinctive voice. Adult Head and upperparts olive-brown streaked or blotched blackish, rump plain. Tail blackish-brown with whitish outer feathers. Underparts whitish, breast and flanks washed buff and boldly streaked black. Wing feathers tipped and edged buff. Juvenile Similar, but feather tips and fringes more tawny. HH Uncommon and local in short, moist open grassland. Local movements recorded. Skulking; flushes when almost trodden upon. Flight low, jerky and not sustained; soon drops into cover of grass. Voice Nasal tseep. Song, nasal chirrup notes with buzzing wing-snaps in cruising display flight.

Woodland Pipit Anthus nyassae Pipit forestier

17–18 cm

A. n. schoutedeni. Adult Resembles Long-legged and Plain-backed Pipits (esp. juveniles) in area of overlap, but breast streaking finer and upperparts uniformly streaked. Juvenile Darker; upperpart feathers pale-tipped; breast more heavily marked with spots rather than streaks. HH Locally common resident in rocky grassland. Often perches on bushes or low trees, bill pointing upwards. Voice Song a simple, sustained series of detached chirruping notes, e.g. tswee twuree shree srwee chruee...

Richard’s Pipit Anthus richardi Pipit de Richard x

? ?

?

?

x

17–20 cm

Very similar to African Pipit but larger, with longer legs and hind claw, more sandy-buff wing-feather edgings, whiter underparts and pure white outer tail feathers. HH Rare to scarce and local Palearctic visitor (late Sep–Apr/May). Identity of birds in Chad/N Cameroon unknown (undescribed race or different species?). In various open habitats. Flight strong, undulating; often hovers briefly before landing. Voice Rather loud, abrupt, grating pshreep or pshriu.

African Pipit Anthus cinnamomeus Pipit africain

16–18 cm

Large pipit with streaked upperparts and breast, and buff-white outer tail. Bold face pattern, with prominent buffish supercilium, pale buff lores, buff ear-coverts streaked dark, and narrow but distinct blackish moustachial and malar stripes. Adult lynesi (highlands SE Nigeria–W Cameroon) Dark brown above streaked blackish; hindneck paler; rump almost plain; wing feathers blackish-brown, broadly tipped and edged cinnamonbuff when fresh. Underparts warm cinnamon-buff with short dark streaking confined to upper breast. Bill dark with yellowish base to lower mandible. A. c. camaroonensis (Mt Cameroon, Mt Manenguba) similar, but underparts paler; wings feathers tipped and edged pale buff. Race of those in Congo unknown. Juvenile Streaking heavier; wing-coverts and tertials fringed whitish. HH Locally common resident. In various open habitats in highlands, incl. grassland and cultivation. Attracted to recently burnt areas. Voice Hard chip when flushed. Song a rapid series of 3–5 identical notes shree-shree-shree-shree-..., from low perch or in display flight. [Alt: Grassland Pipit] LONGCLAWS Robust ground-dwellers, with relatively short tails, strong legs and long claw on hind toe. Only one, quite distinctive, species in our region.

Yellow-throated Longclaw Macronyx croceus Sentinelle à gorge jaune

20–22 cm

M. c. croceus. Adult male Brown above streaked blackish, with broad yellow supercilium; bright yellow below with black necklace. White tail corners conspicuous in flight. x x x Adult female Often somewhat duller. Immature Duller still, washed buff below, with ill-defined necklace. Juvenile Dull buff below with only a trace of yellow on breast and belly; necklace of small dark spots. HH Locally common to scarce resident in variety of moist, grassy habitats, incl. open, cultivated areas. Forages on ground, but often perches on vantage point. Flight distinctive: low and slow, bursts of stiff fluttering alternated with glides, with spread tail. Voice Far-carrying, melodious and repeated whistle teeuwheee or twee-eu, uttered by both sexes and by male in display flight, sometimes followed by tiri-tiri-ti or variation.

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Short-tailed Pipit Woodland Pipit

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Richard’s Pipit

African Pipit

Yellow-throated Longclaw

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PLATE 151: CUCKOOSHRIKES I CUCKOOSHRIKES (Plates 151–152) Unobtrusive arboreal birds. Sexually dimorphic. Juveniles resemble adult females. Mainly singly or in pairs, quietly gleaning foliage in search of insects, especially caterpillars, usually in canopy.

Red-shouldered Cuckooshrike Campephaga phoenicea Échenilleur à épaulettes rouges

20 cm

Adult male Entirely glossy blue-black with large, conspicuous scarlet shoulder patch (sometimes orange or golden-yellow). Bill black with swollen yellow or pinkish gape x wattles. Adult female Greyish olive-brown above, white barred black below. Wing feathers and outer tail feathers edged yellow; rump and uppertail-coverts barred black. Juvenile Similar to adult female but upperparts barred black; underparts more heavily x barred, bars spade-shaped on belly; underside of tail feathers only narrowly tipped yellow. HH Uncommon to locally fairly common resident and intra-African migrant. Wetseason breeder, moving north with rains. In forest patches, riparian forest, woodland and thickets in savanna. Usually in upper and mid-storeys, occasionally lower, quietly foraging in foliage. Occasionally in mixed-species flocks. Voice Commonest call a short tsuk; also a single clear loud whistle heeew and a double huu-tseew. Song a jumble of high-pitched and scratchy notes, somewhat reminiscent of sunbird and often uttered in duet.

Purple-throated Cuckooshrike Campephaga quiscalina Échenilleur pourpré

20 cm

C. q. quiscalina. Adult male Entirely black with top of head and upperparts glossed blue-green and head-sides, throat and breast glossed purple. Bill black; gape yellow to reddish (often inconspicuous). Adult female Head mainly grey; upperparts plain olive; tail green-brown edged and tipped yellow. Throat white; rest of underparts bright yellow. x Juvenile Similar to adult female but with variable amount of barring above and below; head browner; wing-coverts tipped black and yellow. HH Generally uncommon to scarce resident. In rain forest, riparian forest and forest patches in savanna. Occasionally in mixed-species flocks. Voice Vigorous, far-carrying tsee-up; female has shorter tseeu. Song a rather fast and vigorous series of melodious syllables slueet-slueet-swit-wit slueet-slueet-swit-wit tluw-tluweew ...

Petit’s Cuckooshrike Campephaga petiti Échenilleur de Petit

20 cm

Adult male Entirely glossy blue-black with yellow or orange gape wattles usually conspicuous. Adult female Mainly yellow; heavily barred blackish above; usually some bars on breast (barring variable: sometimes almost entirely lacking, rarely more extensive). Juvenile Similar to adult female but darker, more olive above; underparts with variable number of spade-shaped spots on breast, flanks and undertail-coverts. HH Uncommon resident. In lowland and montane forest, riparian forest and forest patches in savanna. Voice Short whistled seep. Song a high-pitched psiuu, tsi-tsi; also a high, scratchy warbling sueet-sueet, siueet-seet-seet-sireet.

Blue Cuckooshrike Coracina azurea Échenilleur bleu

21 cm

Uniquely coloured forest bird. Unmistakable if seen well, but may appear all black in poor light. Adult male Entirely rich blue with black on face and upper throat; eye reddish. Adult female Slightly duller, with less black on face. Juvenile Similar to adult female but has white edges to secondaries and belly feathers; tail tipped white. HH Uncommon to x common resident. In primary and secondary rain forest. Regularly in mixed bird parties. Often located by far-carrying voice. Voice Rather vocal. Hoarse, nasal chwee-ep or chuee, short chup, and series of tuk notes, first accelerating, then slowing down. Song a variable series of loud and clear whistling notes, e.g. pooeet-pooi-pooeet-peeoo, a repeated chup-peeeo or peeeoo, often interspersed with call notes.

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variant

Red-shouldered Cuckooshrike

Purple-throated Cuckooshrike

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Petit’s Cuckooshrike Blue Cuckooshrike

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PLATE 152: CUCKOOSHRIKES II Western Wattled Cuckooshrike Lobotos lobatus Échenilleur à barbillons

19 cm

Adult male Head glossy blue-black with large yellow-orange to orange gape wattles. Upperparts olive becoming orange-chestnut on rump; flight feathers black with yellow edges to secondaries and tertials. Tail feathers black tipped and edged yellow except dark green central pair. Underparts orange-yellow to orange-chestnut suffused with yellow, paler on belly. May superficially recall adult forest orioles, but these have stout red bills x and lack gape wattles. Adult female Duller; underparts yellow; gape wattles smaller. x Juvenile Similar to adult female but slightly barred above and below; flight feathers and greater coverts tipped white. HH Rare and local resident. In canopy of primary and tall secondary rain forest. Joins mixed-species flocks. Silent and unobtrusive, therefore easily overlooked. Endemic. Voice Short tsik, in flight. VU

Eastern Wattled Cuckooshrike Lobotos oriolinus Échenilleur loriot

19 cm

Adult male As Western Wattled Cuckooshrike, but has paler underparts (yellow tinged orange) and yellow-green rump. Adult female Duller; no orange tinge below; virtually indistinguishable from female Western Wattled Cuckooshrike. HH Rare resident. In canopy of primary and tall secondary rain forest. Joins mixed-species flocks. Voice Mainly silent. DD

White-breasted Cuckooshrike Coracina pectoralis Échenilleur à ventre blanc

25 cm

Large, silvery grey-and-white cuckooshrike with relatively stout bill. Adult male Head, upperparts, throat and upper breast pale grey, sharply delimited from pure white rest of underparts. Lores black; white eye-ring. Adult female Lores paler and upper throat whitish bordered paler grey. Juvenile Similar but barred black-and-white above; spotted blackish below. HH Generally uncommon to locally scarce resident in well-wooded savanna. Regularly joins mixed-species flocks. Voice Rather thin, high-pitched seeeu, easily passing unnoticed. Various other calls, incl. weak tsip-tsip and tsitsitsi, louder wreewree-tiuptiup, vigorous and abrupt tsiu, and rolling wrrllu-wrrllu-....

Grey Cuckooshrike Coracina caesia Échenilleur gris

23 cm

C. c. pura. Fairly large grey cuckooshrike of highland forests. Adult male Entirely slategrey with black lores and paler grey eye-ring. Wings and tail darker, blackish-grey. Adult female Lores concolorous with rest of head; underparts paler. Juvenile Similar to adult but barred dusky and whitish above and below. HH Fairly common resident; rare on Bioko. Some altitudinal movements. In canopy of mature montane forest, old second growth and stands of tall trees in forest clearings. Mainly at 1000–2100 m, but also lower. Quiet and unobtrusive as other members of family, often perching motionless for long periods. Gleans insects from foliage and branches and pursues them in the air. Voice Thin, sharp, high-pitched seeeeeu. Song a jumble of high-pitched notes interspersed with call note.

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Western Wattled Cuckooshrike Eastern Wattled Cuckooshrike

 

White-breasted Cuckooshrike





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Grey Cuckooshrike

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PLATE 153: BULBULS I BULBULS (Plates 153–160) Small to medium-sized, mostly arboreal birds. Sexes similar, males usually slightly larger; juveniles/ immatures similar to, but generally duller than, adults. Most are inconspicuously coloured in various shades and combinations of dull green, grey, brown and yellow, and are associated with forest habitat. Frugivorous and insectivorous; occasionally flycatch. EURILLAS BULBULS (formerly subsumed in Andropadus) are small to medium-sized forest inhabitants with mainly featureless olive-green plumage. Essentially frugivorous (but also take insects and other arthropods), hence rarely with mixed-species flocks. Vocalisations an important aid to identification.

Little Grey Greenbul Eurillas gracilis Bulbul gracile

16 cm

Small bulbul with olive-grey head and throat, narrow but usually obvious white eyering, olive-green upperparts and yellowish-olive underparts, brightest in centre. Tail and uppertail-coverts washed chestnut. Nominate (SE Nigeria–SW CAR/Congo) duller and greyer below than extrema (west of Niger R.), with little green or yellow. HH Fairly common to common resident. In upper mid-level of forest, preferring edges; also abandoned farmland and overgrown plantations. Not shy; easily seen. Voice Song consists of 4–5 rapid, jaunty notes wheet wu-wheet-wu-wheet; also a quieter tehu-teheetee. Call a short tyuk.

Ansorge’s Greenbul Eurillas ansorgei Bulbul d’Ansorge

x ?

16 cm

E. a. ansorgei. Very similar to Little Grey Greenbul, but underparts lack any yellow: lower breast and belly mainly olive-greyish, becoming ginger on flanks and around vent. HH Uncommon to locally common resident. In mature forest, usually at upper mid-level. Less often in secondary habitats than Little Grey Greenbul. Voice Three-note song wheet-whuut-whit or tiu-wheet-tweet, resembles that of Little Grey Greenbul, but lacks its sprightliness; last syllable may be dropped. Also a distinctive, harsh, flat trill ritititititit.

Little Greenbul Eurillas virens Bulbul verdâtre

16.5 cm

Skulking, wholly dull olive-green bulbul with distinctive, easily learnt song. Absence of any contrast in plumage is a distinguishing feature. No eye-ring. Western erythroptera (from Nigeria west) darker and greyer above than nominate, with browner flight feathers; amadoni (Bioko) similar to nominate, but greener above and slightly brighter yellow on belly. Juvenile Similar to juvenile Yellow-whiskered Greenbul, but has darker legs and rusty wash to wings. HH Common resident. In variety of habitats, incl. forest edge, rank scrub, abandoned cultivation, thickets, etc. Sings all day and nearly year-round, from deep cover, usually 1–3 m above ground. Voice Song a few subdued chuckling notes followed by a rapidly ascending, pleasant bubbling warble, increasing in volume and abruptly ending on a clear, high, rising note. Call a dry kuk-kuk-kuk...

Cameroon Sombre Greenbul Eurillas curvirostris Bulbul curvirostre

17 cm

Very similar to Little Greenbul; voice best distinction. Usually with narrow, broken, white eye-ring. E. c. leonina (from C Ghana west) is mainly olivaceous-brown, with slightly paler underparts, ginger-tinged flanks and reddish-brown tail. Nominate (from C Ghana east) overall somewhat paler, with olivaceous-grey throat contrasting slightly with darker head and olive-brown breast: a field mark in good light. HH Fairly common to common resident. At lower mid-level of forest, esp. edges. Usually skulking. Voice Song of leonina unarresting but distinctive tiuwhee-tiu trriiiiii, with stress on final harsh trill, often given separately. Also a hard wrrrrit and longer wrrrrrititit. Nominate has quite different, three-note wheet-tiuwhee-tuu and wheet-tutwhee; also harsh trill trriiii. [Alt: Plain Greenbul]

Yellow-whiskered Greenbul Eurillas latirostris Bulbul à moustaches jaunes

17 cm

Adult congener (west of Niger R.) Olive-green with bright yellow malar stripe and distinctive orange-brown or yellow-brown legs. Tail dark grey-brown. Yellow ‘whiskers’ often puffed out. Nominate paler and greener above; tail more rusty. Immature No or only rudimentary whiskers, but pinkish legs key to identity. Bill has dark orange-yellow gape and base. HH Common resident. In various forest types; mainly in interior, also at edges and in overgrown plantations. Rather shy. Voice Song a monotonous series of c.12 chruk notes, slightly increasing in speed and volume, uttered all day and a characteristic sound of many forests. Call a repeated chuk and rapid rattling ditditditdit... (alarm).

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Little Grey Greenbul Ansorge’s Greenbul

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Little Greenbul

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imm

Cameroon Sombre Greenbul

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Yellow-whiskered Greenbul

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PLATE 154: BULBULS II Cameroon Montane Greenbul Arizelocichla montana Bulbul concolore

17–18 cm

The only uniformly olive-green bulbul within its restricted range. Rump slightly brighter than rest of upperparts. Underparts slightly paler, rather more yellowish, esp. on belly and undertail-coverts. HH Scarce to locally common resident. In mid-altitude and, especially, montane forest, particularly at edges, in clearings and second growth. Mainly at 1000– 2500 m. Some evidence of seasonal movements to lower altitudes in non-breeding season. Forages low, but occasionally up to 10 m. Endemic. Voice Song a rather subdued, nasal, husky babble ending with faster, rather cheerful, chuckling phrase churp-churpchurp-chipurchipurcherr. Call a low kerr, easily passing unnoticed, and rapidly repeated, nasal chup. Note Formerly included in Andropadus. NT

Western Mountain Greenbul Arizelocichla tephrolaema Bulbul à gorge grise

18 cm

Adult tephrolaema (Mt Cameroon, Bioko) Head slate-grey with narrow white eyering; throat paler grey; upperparts and tail bright olive-green. Underparts yellowisholive becoming yellow on belly. A. t. bamendae (SE Nigeria–W Cameroon) duller, less yellow below, with dark olive wash on breast; variation clinal. HH Common resident. In mid-altitude and, especially, montane forest, incl. small relict patches, mainly at 1000– 2850 m, uncommon down to 400 m. Vocal. Forages at all levels, catching insects in the air or by gleaning foliage or bark, occasionally clinging to tree trunks like woodpecker. Congregates at certain fruiting trees; attends ant swarms. Endemic. Voice Song a monotonous, steady series of notes, same form repeated continuously, e.g. whup-wheep-whip-whupchipup and whup-wheep-whup-wheep-whup-wheep-...; also faster series of nasal, chirruping notes. Call a nasal, scolding whee-up or dzut-dzuwi. Note Formerly included in Andropadus.

Slender-billed Greenbul Stelgidillas gracilirostris Bulbul à bec grêle

18 cm

S. g. gracilirostris. A conspicuously two-toned, rather slim, canopy-dwelling bulbul. Olivebrown above, brownish-grey below. HH Common resident. Largely restricted to canopy of various forest types, esp. at edges, and large trees in farmland. Mainly frugivorous; also takes seeds, insects and spiders. Often perches conspicuously. Occasionally joins mixedspecies flocks. Voice Clear, drawn-out whistle tseeeeu, frequently uttered. Also a seasonal song of 4–5 whistled notes whee-ti-twheew-ti-twhee or whuut-hEET whuut-hEET..., with slight variations. Note Formerly included in Andropadus.

Honeyguide Greenbul Baeopogon indicator Bulbul à queue blanche

19 cm

Adult leucurus Dark and stocky with conspicuously white outer tail feathers tipped blackish, recalling honeyguide (Plates 129–130). Brownish-olive above with whitish eye, mainly dark olive-grey below, becoming creamy-white on lower belly. Nominate (Nigeria– CAR/Congo) more washed with olive below; lower underparts slightly darker, buffish. Immature Duller, outer tail feathers all white; eye dark. HH Fairly common to common resident. In forest canopy and upper mid-level, esp. at edges. Mainly frugivorous; also takes insects. Vocal; sings throughout day. Flight direct, not undulating like honeyguide. Voice Varied and distinctive, unlike any other bulbul. Clear, vigorous, melodious whistles, often abbreviated as a hurried vik-vikview or tiu-liuuw. Also a mewing note.

Sjöstedt’s Honeyguide Greenbul Baeopogon clamans Bulbul bruyant

19 cm

Resembles Honeyguide Greenbul but underparts paler and buffier; white outer tail feathers lack darkish tips. Lores and ear-coverts grey; centre of throat greyish. Eye dark. HH Locally common resident. In mid-levels and lower canopy (sometimes lower) in forest interior, often near streams. Mainly frugivorous; also takes insects. Occasionally joins mixed-species flocks. Calls frequently, spreading tail to display white feathers. Voice Loud, hard, nasal whEw!, often running into short, rapid, nasal babble teeturuteetutwhee.

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Cameroon Montane Greenbul Western Mountain Greenbul ad

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Slender-billed Greenbul

Honeyguide Greenbul

Sjöstedt’s Honeyguide Greenbul

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PLATE 155: BULBULS III Yellow-necked Greenbul Chlorocichla falkensteini Bulbul de Falkenstein

18 cm

Bright olive-green above, very pale grey below with contrasting bright yellow throat. Eye dark red. HH Locally common to rare resident. In dense vegetation within a variety of shrubbery habitats, incl. small forest patches, dense secondary growth, farmbush and fallow fields. Not in forest proper. Occasionally joins mixed-species flocks. Usually skulking, but occasionally ventures onto exposed perch. Sometimes raises wings alternately like Spotted Greenbul, thereby revealing bright yellow underwing-coverts. Voice Song a string of nasal notes kik-kuk-ku-KWEE-uk-wik-e-wik-kup, with slight variations. Song and chattering calls similar in quality to those of Simple Leaflove.

Simple Leaflove Chlorocichla simplex Bulbul modeste x

x

Yellow-throated Leaflove Atimastillas flavicollis Bulbul à gorge claire x

22.5 cm

Adult flavicollis (Senegambia–N Cameroon/NW CAR) Large bulbul with bright yellow throat contrasting with dark olive-brown head and olive-grey underparts. Upperparts and tail dark olive-brown. A. f. soror (NC Cameroon–S CAR/Congo) has whitish throat. HH Fairly common to scarce resident. Singly, in pairs or noisy family parties, mainly in lower and mid-levels of dense riparian forest, woodland and thickets; also low swamp forest. Fairly shy, but vocal. Voice Call a loud, nasal chow and kyip. Song a string of chows interspersed with shorter notes; in quality reminiscent of Swamp Palm Bulbul. Note Formerly included in Chlorocichla.

Swamp Palm Bulbul Thescelocichla leucopleura Bulbul des raphias x

21 cm

Large bulbul with white throat and broken eye-ring contrasting with rest of plumage. Dark brown above, olive-brown below, becoming whitish on centre of belly. Superficially similar in general colour as Common Bulbul, but latter lacks white throat and white crescents around eye. HH Locally common resident. In farmbush, forest regrowth and thickets. Rather shy and skulking, but often emerges in the open. Voice Song a frequently uttered, subdued nasal chattering. Call a scolding wherr and short, clipped kwit! [Alt: Simple Greenbul]

23 cm

Easily identified, large and vocal bulbul with dark olive-brown upperparts, broad white tips to outer tail feathers, and creamy-white underparts washed grey-buff on upper breast. Unlikely to be confused, but beware Leaflove and Yellow-throated Leaflove when attempting to identify this species on call alone. HH Fairly common to locally common resident. Associated with palm trees, particularly Raphia, in swampy places within forest, also near clearings and cultivation; penetrates forest–savanna mosaic and riparian forest. In small, mobile and noisy groups. Voice Raucous nasal cackling like tape-recorded conversation being played too fast. Also other loud, nasal, scolding calls.

Leaflove Phyllastrephus scandens Bulbul à queue rousse

22 cm

Adult scandens (from Cameroon west) Large, handsome, distinctively coloured bulbul with pale grey head, rufous-edged flight feathers, and pale chestnut tail. Throat white; breast and flanks greyish-buff becoming creamy-buff on lower breast and belly. x Eastern orientalis (from Cameroon east) is rather greyer above and slightly paler below. HH Locally common to scarce resident. In small, noisy groups in forest fringing rivers; also forest patches in savanna. At all levels, though mainly in canopy and middle stratum, working its way through dense liana tangles. Joins mixed-species flocks. Easily located by its incessant call. Voice Song starts with some subdued, nasal notes, then bursts into loud, resonant, pleasant conversational cackling, incl. kyop-kee-kyop-kyop-ke-kyop--..., uttered for long periods by family groups. (Caution is needed when attempting to identify this species on voice alone: Swamp Palm Bulbul and Yellow-throated Leaflove sound quite similar.) Note Formerly included in monotypic genus Pyrrhurus. [Alt: Red-tailed Leaflove]

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Yellow-necked Greenbul

Simple Leaflove

flavicollis

soror ad

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Yellow-throated Leaflove

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Swamp Palm Bulbul

Leaflove

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PLATE 156: BULBULS IV Golden Greenbul Calyptocichla serinus Bulbul doré

x x

18 cm

Distinctive, medium-sized bulbul with olive-green upperparts, mainly yellow underparts and pale pinkish bill. HH Scarce to locally fairly common resident. In forest canopy, esp. at edges. Occasionally lower at fruiting bushes. Mainly frugivorous; also takes insects. Sometimes joins mixed-species flocks. Voice Short tsip or tyip and, in flight, thin see. Song a clear, short tiup-chiweew, with stress on last syllable; many variations, e.g. whit-tu-tiup, tiu-tu-tip, whit-tuti-tiheew, whu-whit whu-hu-wheet, etc.

PHYLLASTREPHUS BULBULS Generally small to medium-sized, with long, slender bills and russet tails. In pairs or family parties in forest, mostly in lower and mid-strata. Insectivorous; frequent members of mixed-species flocks. No arresting vocalisations.

Icterine Greenbul Phyllastrephus icterinus Bulbul ictérin

x

15–16 cm

Small, slender bulbul with olive-green upperparts, drab yellow underparts washed olive on breast and flanks (brighter yellow on throat and belly) and dull rufous tail. Yellowbearded Greenbul distinguished by tufted yellow throat feathers clearly demarcated from olive upper breast, bare skin around eye, larger size and woodpecker-like behaviour. HH Fairly common to common resident. Gregarious and almost always in mixed-species flocks, gleaning insects from leaves, shoots and tangles at lower and mid-levels of forest interior. Voice Rather fast nasal chatter, slowing at end, easily passing unnoticed. Alarm a nasal trill.

Liberian Greenbul Phyllastrephus leucolepis Bulbul du Libéria

c.16 cm

Similar to Icterine Greenbul (of which it may be an aberrant plumage form) but with whitish subterminal spots on flight feathers and row of whitish spots on greater wingcoverts, greater and median primary coverts and alula. HH Status unclear. Known only from a single specimen collected in Cavalla Forest near Zwedru, E Liberia, in Jan 1984, and nine observations by the collector of at least four individuals at the same site, in 1981–84. Voice Unknown. CR

Xavier’s Greenbul Phyllastrephus xavieri Bulbul de Xavier

16–18 cm

Extremely similar to Icterine Greenbul but voice diagnostic. HH Uncommon to locally common resident in forest interior; occasionally at edges. Regularly in mixed-species flocks, often with Icterine Greenbul, foraging at all levels. Voice Short, nasal kwah, kwah, kwah,... kwahkwah and more drawn-out, squeaky kwèèèh, uttered in shorter or longer series of similar or combined notes (kwah-kèèh). Note Birds from Cameroon (N & W of Mt Cameroon) described as race serlei, but minor variation in the species does not support recognition of races.

White-throated Greenbul Phyllastrephus albigularis Bulbul à gorge blanche

17 cm

P. a. albigularis. Rather small bulbul. White throat contrasts with grey head and olivegrey breast; belly pale yellow. Upperparts dark olive-green; uppertail-coverts and tail olive-rufous. Eye whitish to dark brown. HH In pairs or family groups in primary and secondary forest and riparian forest. Prefers edges with dense undergrowth and lianas. Usually forages very low, but also in middle and upper levels. Joins mixed-species flocks, but less frequently than Icterine Greenbul; often in small monospecific groups. Rather unobtrusive. Voice Song a variable, rapid series of clear, scolding notes, usually rising, then dying away, often preceded by loud, rolled turrr. More often heard contact call a low, soft trrr-trrr, trrr-trrr.

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Golden Greenbul

Icterine Greenbul

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Liberian Greenbul

Xavier’s Greenbul

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White-throated Greenbul

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PLATE 157: BULBULS V Baumann’s Greenbul Phyllastrephus baumanni Bulbul de Baumann

18 cm

Skulking, medium-sized bulbul, lacking diagnostic plumage features and best identified by unarresting, but distinctive vocalisations. Olive-brown above, pale olive-grey below; tail rusty. HH Locally fairly common to scarce resident. Low down in thick secondary growth, farmbush, dense shrubbery at forest edge and thickets in forest–savanna transition zone x and (sub)montane forest-grassland mosaic (up to 1500 m). In rain forest zone mainly at its margins. Not in forest interior. Partial to invasive shrub Chromolaena odorata. Endemic. Voice Calls include series of loud week and wik notes, and scolding chèrrr. Song consists of 2–4 slightly nasal, rising notes whu whee wheew followed by some scolding wik or chewik notes.

Cameroon Olive Greenbul Phyllastrephus poensis Bulbul olivâtre

18 cm

Rather nondescript. Olive-brown above with greyish head-sides; tail relatively long and washed rufous. Underparts pale dirty olive-grey with whitish throat, becoming pale rufous-brown on undertail-coverts. HH Locally common resident. In montane forest and forested ravines on plateaux at 750–2200 m. Forages in dense cover, mainly low down, systematically gleaning branches and leaves. Frequently flicks wings and depresses tail. Shy and unobtrusive. Joins mixed-species flocks. Endemic. Voice Low, grating chrrr-chrrrchrrr-.... Song a series of unmusical notes chewp chop chop chip chip chewp chip cher... and loud, scolding kweep-kwep-kwerr-kweep-krrr-kweep-kerrr... with variations.

Pale Olive Greenbul Phyllastrephus fulviventris Bulbul à ventre roux

?

?

19 cm

Dark olive-brown above; rump and tail dull rufous. Throat creamy-white, not contrasting with rest of underparts, which are pale tawny-yellow washed pale olive-brown on breast and flanks. Broken eye-ring white, merging with pale streak from lores to just behind eye; ear-coverts pale olive-brown with narrow whitish streaks. HH Inadequately known. Claimed from coastal SW Gabon and S Congo. Locally common resident in extralimital Cabinda and along lower Congo R. in DR Congo. Occurs in riparian forest, dense bush and forest patches in savanna. Forages at all levels, but principally in undergrowth, occasionally on ground. Voice Short, low, nasal chattering.

Grey-headed Greenbul Phyllastrephus poliocephalus Bulbul à ventre jaune

20–23 cm

Largest and brightest highland bulbul, easily distinguished by combination of grey head, olive-green upperparts and tail, white throat and bright yellow underparts. Narrow white eye-ring. HH Locally common resident. Usually in small, noisy groups within tall, mature mid-altitude forest, mainly at 500–1800 m, rarely to 2000 m. A characteristic member of mixed-species flocks where often the predominant species. Forages at all levels, but mainly in middle and upper strata. Frequently flicks wings and slowly pumps tail up and down. Endemic. Voice Loud, rather harsh churp, often repeated, and fast churp-p-p. NT

Spotted Greenbul Ixonotus guttatus Bulbul tacheté

17 cm

Small bulbul with diagnostic white-spotted wings and rump and white underparts and outer tail feathers. Spots on upperparts may be difficult to see as usually high in trees, but white underparts, gregarious behaviour and voice render identification easy. HH Locally common to scarce resident. In noisy, mobile monospecific groups of 7–15 birds (occasionally more) in forest canopy, also at edges. Restlessly gleans insects from leaves and branches. Frequently raises one wing alternately. Breeds co-operatively. Voice Dry chirping or ‘ticking’ call, like noise made by electrical spark, constantly uttered.

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Baumann’s Greenbul

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Pale Olive Greenbul

Grey-headed Greenbul

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Spotted Greenbul

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PLATE 158: BULBULS VI BRISTLEBILLS Large skulkers of forest undergrowth, with olive-green upperparts, yellow underparts, and stout bills and legs. Mainly insectivorous; also take small frogs and some fruit. Often join mixed-species flocks and attend ant swarms.

Green-tailed Bristlebill Bleda eximius Bulbul à queue verte

21.5–23 cm

Skulking and very unobtrusive bulbul with similar tail pattern as Grey-headed Bristlebill (though yellow tips are narrower and broaden outwardly), but head is olive-green, concolorous with rest of upperparts (not always easy to see in forest undergrowth) with bare blue skin above eye, dull olive-yellow loral spot and long, stout bill. Also occurs less frequently at edges and in second growth. HH Rare to locally fairly common resident. In undergrowth of primary and old secondary forest. The most unobtrusive and least vocal bristlebill; therefore often overlooked. Endemic. Voice Song a series of pure, whistled notes hee-huu-huu-hu-heeu and hu-hu-heeuu-heeuu, often slightly vibrating and rather similar in tone to notes of Red-tailed Bristlebill. Calls include abrupt, nasal kyop, sometimes followed by fast kiuwkiuwkiuwkiuwkiuw... NT

Lesser Bristlebill Bleda notatus Bulbul jaunelore

19.5–21 cm

Adult notatus (extreme SE Nigeria–Congo, Bioko) as Green-tailed Bristlebill, but with bright yellow spot in front of eye and broader yellow tips to four outer tail feathers. B. n. ugandae (Yellow-eyed Bristlebill; east of line on map) has duller loral spot and yellow eye. Juvenile Mostly dark russet but very soon like adult. HH Common resident in undergrowth of primary forest and old second growth. Skulking but vocal. Voice Song tremulous and descending, slightly resembling that of Red-tailed Bristlebill but lacking its melancholic quality. Calls include hard, oft-repeated chup and chiup, sometimes followed by rattle trrrrrtttttt, and wheew. [Alt: Yellow-lored Bristlebill]

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Grey-headed Bristlebill Bleda canicapillus Bulbul fourmilier

20.5–22 cm

Shy and skulking, but large and vocal bulbul with slate-grey head, pale grey loral spot, olive-green upperparts and tail, and three outer tail feathers broadly tipped yellow (conspicuous in flight). HH Locally fairly common resident in forest undergrowth (mostly at edges and clearings), riparian forest and thickets in farmbush. Endemic. Voice Varied. Song far-carrying with cheerful, ringing quality, typically a loud initial note, a brief pause, then a series on descending scale. Other notes include loud CHEEup and kyuw, often in long series. Note Birds from W Gambia–SW Senegal described as race morelorum, but extensive local variation in the species does not support recognition of races.

Red-tailed Bristlebill Bleda syndactylus Bulbul moustac

x

21.5–23 cm

B. s. syndactylus. Adult Handsome and robust bulbul, distinguished from other bristlebills by bright rufous tail. Sulphur-yellow underparts with olivaceous wash to breast and flanks contrast with olive-green head and upperparts. Half crescent of bare blue skin above eye. Long, stout bill blue-black above, blue or grey below. Juvenile Wholly russet but swiftly assumes adult-like plumage. HH Rare or uncommon to common resident. Shy and secretive, occurring in dense undergrowth of rain forest, riparian forest and thickets in forest–savanna mosaic. Voice Song ends with a series of pure, vibrant syllables on same pitch turrruuu turrruuu turrruuu. Calls include nasal kyow or pyeeuw and hard chup.

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Green-tailed Bristlebill

notatus

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Red-tailed Bristlebill

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PLATE 159: BULBULS VII ‘BEARDED’ BULBULS Medium-sized to large forest bulbuls, distinguished by long white or yellow throat feathers, which are frequently puffed out, forming a ‘beard’. Mainly insectivorous. Usually in pairs or small groups, frequently joining mixed-species flocks. Vocal.

Red-tailed Greenbul Criniger calurus Bulbul à barbe blanche

19–20 cm

C. c. verreauxi (SW Senegal–SW Nigeria) Fairly large, with pure puffy white ‘beard’ contrasting strongly with grey head and bright yellow breast and belly. Upperparts and flanks dull olive-green. Tail olive-green (not red in this race!) slightly tinged brownish. Blue-grey orbital ring. Nominate (S Nigeria–SW CAR/Congo, Bioko) has dull rufous tail. HH Fairly common to common resident. In lower and mid-levels of closed forest; also in riparian thickets in deforested areas and similar secondary situations. Frequently found in mixed-species flocks, often with other Criniger species. Voice Song a cheerful rising chup-chup-chwirulup, somewhat reminiscent of Common Bulbul. Also a three-note tsik-tyu-tyip and rapid series tyu-tyutyutyu-tyiptyip-tyip... Alarm tsik.

White-bearded Greenbul Criniger ndussumensis Bulbul de Reichenow

18–19 cm

Very similar to sympatric Red-tailed Greenbul and probably not safely distinguishable in the field on plumage characters alone, but voice as Yellow-bearded Greenbul and shares the latter’s distinctive habit of clinging to tree trunks while foraging. HH Uncommon to locally fairly common resident. In lower and mid-levels of forest. Often in mixed-species flocks, almost always with other Criniger species, esp. calurus. Voice Song identical to allopatric Yellow-bearded Greenbul’s. Alarm tsik.

Yellow-bearded Greenbul Criniger olivaceus Bulbul à barbe jaune

18–19 cm

Rather small bearded bulbul with olive-green head and upperparts, bright yellow throat and warm olive-green breast and belly (lacking grey tones) becoming more yellowish in centre. Tail has slight rufous wash. Narrow blue orbital ring. Throat feathers less often puffed out than in sympatric Criniger and appear slightly shorter. Also compare Icterine Greenbul (Plate 156). HH Generally rare to uncommon, but locally fairly common resident. Quiet and unobtrusive, in lower and mid-levels of closed forest, often in mixedspecies flocks with sympatric Criniger species. Often clings to tree trunks while foraging (distinctive). Endemic. Voice Three short, harsh, relatively low syllables whut-chruw-chruw, similar in structure to song of Redtailed Greenbul, but lower-pitched and lacking its cheerfulness. VU

Western Bearded Greenbul Criniger barbatus Bulbul crinon

22 cm

Adult barbatus (Guinea–W Togo) Large, mainly olive-green bulbul with conspicuous yellow, spiky ‘beard’, which contrasts with mottled grey and olive breast and belly; centre of belly olive-yellow. Tail tinged slightly browner than upperparts, but not contrasting. Crown feathers raised when excited. C. b. ansorgeanus (S Nigeria) has throat much paler yellow and rufous tail contrasting with back. HH Fairly common to common resident. In lower and mid-levels of closed forest, incl. larger forest patches in forest–savanna mosaic. Usually in small, noisy groups and frequently joins mixed-species flocks. Attends ant swarms. Endemic. Voice Clear, slightly quavering whistle introduced by lower note teruu twEEEur. Aggressive song more rapid, ‘impatient’ chiwee-chiWEE-WEEur. Calls include hard tsyuk and loud KYUW.

Eastern Bearded Greenbul Criniger chloronotus Bulbul à dos vert

22 cm

Large bulbul with grey head, conspicuous white, spiky ‘beard’ and bright rufous tail; yellow on underparts pale, confined to belly. Slightly smaller Red-tailed Greenbul also has white throat, but ‘beard’ puffy, tail dull rufous, underparts bright yellow with olivaceous breast; voice different. HH Fairly common resident. Usually in small noisy groups in lower and mid-levels of rain forest, gleaning insects from leaves and from cracks in bark. Shy. Occasionally joins mixed-species flocks and follows ant swarms. Voice Rather soft, mournful, quavering two-note song, quite different from Western Bearded Greenbul’s. Alarm a weak chatter.

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calurus

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Yellow-bearded Greenbul

White-bearded Greenbul ansorgeanus

barbatus

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Western Bearded Greenbul

Eastern Bearded Greenbul

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PLATE 160: BULBULS AND NICATORS Common Bulbul Pycnonotus barbatus Bulbul des jardins

18–20 cm

One of Africa’s most conspicuous and familiar birds. Mainly earth-brown, with blackishbrown head and throat, pale brown breast and whitish belly. Peaked crown gives head distinctive shape. Races vary principally in degree of darkness of head and throat, and colour of undertail-coverts. In inornatus (almost entire region) brown of breast merges gradually with dirty white belly; in arsinoe (E Chad) dark breast more demarcated from and contrasting with pale belly. Undertail-coverts vary from white (inornatus and arsinoe), white tinged with variable amount of yellow (gabonensis, C Nigeria/C Cameroon–Gabon/S Congo; intergrades with inornatus in Nigeria) to bright yellow (tricolor, E Cameroon, SE Gabon–Congo). HH Common to very common resident. In almost all wooded habitats, incl. gardens and other man-made environments, but absent from closed forest (though penetrates edges), grassland without bushes and treeless desert (though in oases and palm groves). Pugnacious and noisy. Usually in pairs or small (family) groups or in larger groups with other frugivores. Feeds mainly on fruit; also insects, nectar, flowers and some seeds. Voice Song a cheerful phrase of 3–6 notes, e.g. chuk chuk twirulup or chuk twee tu twuri or kwik kweek kwuyu, etc.; most adequately rendered by popular quick quick, doctor, quick! Calls include a variety of chattering and ringing notes. Note Race tricolor (with two extralimital races) sometimes treated as separate species, Dark-capped Bulbul P. tricolor.

Black-collared Bulbul Neolestes torquatus Bulbul à collier noir

16 cm

Distinctive, handsome, rather shrike-like species. Adult Top of head grey; upperparts and tail olive-green with some yellow on bend of wing; throat whitish bordered by black band (broadening on breast); rest of underparts whitish-grey. Juvenile Dull version of adult, with crown and hindneck olive-green, concolorous with rest of upperparts, and wingcoverts fringed buff. HH Local and uncommon to fairly common resident. In lightly wooded grassland. Rather unobtrusive, usually foraging low in dense herbaceous vegetation, but sings from top of low trees and bushes. Mainly insectivorous; also some fruit. Voice Rapid subdued babble, somewhat reminiscent of Common Bulbul. Also a quavering twee-dududu. NICATORS Rather shrike-like birds with bold yellow spots on wings and relatively heavy, hooked bills. Vocalisations distinctive. Formerly placed with bulbuls (Pycnonotidae) or bush-shrikes (Malaconotidae), but recent molecular studies suggest that they are not closely related to these. Now placed in a separate, monogeneric family, Nicatoridae.

Western Nicator Nicator chloris Nicator à gorge grise

21–24 cm

Large. Olive-green above with bold yellow spots on wings. Underparts pale grey becoming greyish-white on upper throat and centre of belly; undertail-coverts yellow. x White supraloral spot; head-sides (‘cheeks’) olive-yellow; narrow but distinct yellow eye-ring. Outer tail feathers tipped yellow. Bill black, heavy and hooked, recalling bushshrike. HH Generally common resident. Skulking but inquisitive species of tangles, dense foliage and thick cover in rain forest, riparian forest and areas of dense shrubbery in savanna. Sometimes joins mixed-species flocks. Mostly at mid-level at 5–25 m, but occasionally lower, even on ground (like a thrush). Mainly insectivorous; also takes small vertebrates and some fruit and seeds. Voice Distinctive. Song powerful, melodious and very varied comprising an explosive crescendo of notes, clear whistles, guttural rattles, etc. Occasionally mimics other species. Calls include a loud, abrupt tok!, often in long, accelerating series; may recall kuk of Yellowbill, but latter ‘drier’ and less powerful.

Yellow-throated Nicator Nicator vireo Nicator à gorge jaune

17–19 cm

Small version of Western Nicator, with yellow throat (sometimes neither conspicuous or extensive), small but conspicuous yellow supraloral streak and grey head-sides. HH Fairly common resident. In middle and lower levels of rain forest; also in relict forest patches in wooded grassland and abandoned cultivation. Skulking; forages in dense vegetation, taking mainly insects. Voice Song a loud series of resonant, explosive notes e.g. ko-kwee-ko-ko-ko-kwee-kuk-kuk, with variations. Calls include angry gwrrrrrrrr.

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arsinoe inornatus

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tricolor

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Common Bulbul

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Black-collared Bulbul

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Western Nicator

Yellow-throated Nicator

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PLATE 161: GROUND THRUSHES AND THRUSHES THRUSHES AND ALLIES (Plates 161–163) Medium-sized songbirds with usually strong legs and feet, mostly square tails, and a broad range of vocalisations.

Grey Ground Thrush Geokichla princei Grive olivâtre

21 cm

Adult princei (from Ghana west) Compact thrush with grey-brown upperparts, two black vertical patches on whitish head-sides, and two irregular white wingbars. Eastern batesi (S Nigeria–NE Gabon) more olive-brown above. Juvenile Above with rusty-buff shaft streaks, below initially rufous, breast mottled dusky. HH Rare forest resident. Forages on ground, hopping on forest floor, searching leaf litter. Joins mixed-species flocks. Extremely shy and rarely observed. Voice Sharp, high-pitched ssrrii or sssirrr and thin seeep (alarm). Song unknown. Note Formerly placed in Zoothera.

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Black-eared Ground Thrush Geokichla camaronensis Grive du Cameroun

17–18 cm

G. c. camaronensis. Adult Small and rather short-tailed; russet-brown above with two white wingbars; head-sides orange-rufous with two black streaks; underparts orangerufous. Juvenile Above with pale buff shaft streaks; below slightly mottled dusky. HH Rare resident. In lowland rain forest. Very shy and rarely observed. Voice Thin, high-pitched ssreee (probably alarm) and tssrrr. Song unknown. Note Formerly placed in Zoothera.

Crossley’s Ground Thrush Geokichla crossleyi Grive de Crossley

21.5 cm

G. c. crossleyi. Adult Mainly rufous-chestnut above and orange below with blackish mask, bright orange-rufous collar and two white wingbars. Juvenile Head-sides and breast mottled dusky. HH Rare to locally fairly common resident. In montane and submontane forest (1000–2300 m), often in ravines. Shy. Voice Alarm a thin, high-pitched seeep. Song, from ground or high, hidden perch, varied and far-carrying, consisting of short, melodious phrases, repeated several times at regular intervals, until a new motif is introduced. Note Formerly placed in Zoothera. NT

African Thrush Turdus pelios Merle africain

22 cm

Typical thrush, ashy-brown above, paler below, with conspicuous yellow bill. Throat x variably streaked dusky; underparts pale ashy-brown on breast becoming whitish on belly x x x and washed pale orange-buff on flanks. Races differ more or less in depth of plumage coloration. Adult chiguancoides (Senegal–N Ghana) Palest race; above more olivebrown, below pale brown and white, flanks washed pale orange-buff. T. p. saturatus (W Ghana–Congo), nominate (E Cameroon–Chad/N CAR) and centralis (S CAR–Congo) somewhat deeper coloured below, with more distinct streaks on throat; nigrilorum (Mt Cameroon) darkest, without orange on flanks; poensis (Bioko) similar, but slightly paler. Juvenile has rufous wash over face and breast, pale tips to coverts, and crescentic markings on breast and flanks. HH Fairly common to locally common resident. Some seasonal movements recorded. In variety of wooded habitats, incl. cultivation with some trees, gardens and riparian forest. Not in rain forest, except on Mt Cameroon. Forages on ground. Voice Song far-carrying, melodious and variable, with series of short repetitions of simple motifs, e.g. toolee toolee toolee weetyuuwee weetyuuwee teewit teewit teewit swrreep swrreep leepoo leepoo leepoo churp churp churp... etc. Call a hard chuk, often repeated in dry series chukukukukuk...

Song Thrush Turdus philomelos Grive musicienne x x x

x

x

x

22 cm

T. p. philomelos. Upperparts warm brown; boldly spotted underparts cream-white washed buff on breast and flanks. Legs pinkish. In flight has orange-buff underwingcoverts. Flight fast and direct. HH Palearctic vagrant (Nov–Feb). Voice Short, dry tsik in flight.

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Ring Ouzel Turdus torquatus Merle à plastron

26 cm

T. t. torquatus. Adult male Black with white crescent-shaped breast-band and whitish edges to wing feathers. Bill mainly yellow with blackish tip. Adult female Browner with, typically, less distinct, brownish-white breast-band (absent in first year). Bill less yellow. In fresh plumage (autumn) both sexes have pale fringes to underparts feathers, producing scaly effect. HH Palearctic vagrant, Mauritania (Nouakchott, Jan 1974 & Feb 1978). Voice Call a hard tuk or tuktuktuk.

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Black-eared Ground Thrush Grey Ground Thrush

nigrilorum

Crossley’s Ground Thrush

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Song Thrush

chiguancoides

 

Ring Ouzel

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PLATE 162: ANT THRUSHES, FLYCATCHER THRUSHES AND PALM THRUSH White-tailed Ant Thrush Neocossyphus poensis Néocossyphe à queue blanche

20 cm

Dark, secretive forest species with conspicuous white tail corners and typical thrushlike jizz. Pumps tail like chat. Dark chestnut bases to flight feathers form indistinct panel on closed wing and broad bar in flight. Adult poensis Slate-brown above; praepectoralis (CAR) slightly browner above. Juvenile Unknown. HH Scarce to locally common resident. Mainly on forest floor or just above it. Frequently attends ant swarms; occasionally in mixed-species flocks. Voice Clear huweeeeet and sibilant tseeeuw. Common call around ant swarms, on take-off and in flight, a characteristic sharp, dry prrt prrt.

Red-tailed Ant Thrush Neocossyphus rufus Néocossyphe à queue rousse

22 cm

N. r. gabunensis. Shy, rufous terrestrial forest species with typical thrush-like jizz. Adult Olive-brown above and rufous below, washed grey on head and throat, becoming more rufous on wings, rump and tail. Tail relatively long with rufous outer feathers. Juvenile Duller; unspotted. HH Fairly common to rare resident. Mainly on forest floor or just above it. Regularly attends ant swarms; occasionally in mixed-species flocks. Voice Sibilant whistle pseeeuuw. Dry prrt prrt around ant swarms and on take-off. Song, two clear whistles followed by descending and accelerating trill tseee wheh tsisisisisisisrrru.

Finsch’s Flycatcher Thrush Stizorhina finschi Stizorhin de Finsch

18 cm

Adult Dark, rufous forest species with conspicuous white tail corners. Somewhat resembles large flycatcher in jizz and foraging behaviour. More conspicuous than Whitetailed Ant Thrush and mainly arboreal, with more upright stance, different tail movement (flicks outer tail feathers sideways, in scissor-like fashion) and voice, and browner upperparts with more rufous rump. Juvenile Duller; unspotted. HH Fairly common to scarce resident. In mid-strata of rain forest. Catches insects on the wing or snatches them from foliage; often perches motionless. Joins mixed-species flocks; occasionally attends ant swarms. Endemic. Voice Harsh croaking truwee-trueet. Song a rather slow, slightly rising series of four melodious, whistled notes hooee, hooee hooee-huEE.

Rufous Flycatcher Thrush Stizorhina fraseri Stizorhin de Fraser

18 cm

Resembles Finsch’s Flycatcher Thrush in jizz and actions, but outer tail feathers rufous. Adult rubicunda Olive-brown above; rump rufous; underparts rich rufous. Rufous bases to secondaries produce diagonal bar on underwing. Nominate (Bioko) only very slightly darker. Juvenile Duller; unspotted. HH Fairly common to common resident. In middle and lower strata of primary forest and old second growth. Habits as Finsch’s Flycatcher Thrush. Voice Whistling tsweetweetweetweet, rapid trrwit-rrwit-rrwit, and various hoarse notes. Song a rather slow, slightly rising series of 4 whistled notes, trwee tu-trwee-twee.

Rufous-tailed Palm Thrush Cichladusa ruficauda Cichladuse à queue rousse

x x

18 cm

Adult Rufous-brown above with bright rufous rump and tail; supercilium and headsides pale greyish; dark eye-stripe. Underparts dirty white washed pale creamy-buff with greyish breast and flanks. Juvenile Crown indistinctly streaked dusky; underparts mottled dusky, esp. on breast; bill horn. HH Uncommon to locally common resident. In palm savanna, thickets, plantations and gardens. Vocal. Voice Loud melodious whistled song, including imitations; often in duet. Alarm a harsh chrrr.

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PLATE 163: ALETHES, AKALAT AND ROBIN CHAT White-tailed Alethe Alethe diademata Alèthe à huppe rousse

18 cm

Adult Dark olive-chestnut above with rusty-orange central crown-stripe; head-sides grey. Tail blackish with outer three feathers broadly tipped white. Underparts white washed grey on breast-sides and flanks. Crown feathers can be raised when excited, forming short crest. Juvenile Spotted orange-rufous above; underparts orange-rufous scalloped blackish on throat and breast; whitish tail corners. With age, spots gradually disappear from upperparts, lower underparts become whitish, white feathers appear on throat and breast. HH Locally common resident in forest; enters forest–savanna transition zone. Mainly on or near forest floor. Frequently attends ant swarms. Voice Three sweet ascending whistles, huu hee hueee; third note sometimes absent. Also a subdued song with mixture of whistles and imitations. Calls: whistled huu, often in long series; also harsh notes.

Fire-crested Alethe Alethe (diademata) castanea Alèthe à couronne orangée

18 cm

Adult castanea As White-tailed Alethe but brighter above; no white in tail. Eastern woosnami (S CAR) slightly less bright above. Juvenile As White-tailed Alethe but without white tail corners (younger bird illustrated). HH Fairly common to locally common resident. Habits and Voice As White-tailed Alethe.

Brown-chested Alethe Chamaetylas poliocephala Alèthe à poitrine brune

16 cm

Secretive terrestrial forest species. Adult poliocephala (W Guinea–Ghana) Greyblack crown separated from brown head-sides by long white supercilium. Upperparts chestnut; tail blackish-brown. Underparts white washed brownish-buff on breast and flanks; flanks tinged grey. Legs long, pale. C. p. compsonota (SW Nigeria–SW CAR/ Congo; Bioko) has dark grey head-sides; carruthersi (SE CAR) has crown browner; headsides brownish. Blackcap Illadopsis (Plate 205) rather similar in size and movements but principally distinguished by less white supercilium; ear-coverts dusky grey. Juvenile Upperparts with large orange-rufous spots; dirty white underparts with orange-rufous breast scalloped blackish. With age, spots gradually disappear from upperparts; underparts become whiter. HH Scarce to fairly common resident. In primary and old secondary forest. Mainly on or near forest floor. Frequently attends ant swarms; joins mixed-species flocks. Quiet and difficult to detect; much shyer than previous two species. Voice Soft karr-karr. Generally silent. Note Formerly included in Alethe. Recently used Pseudalethe pre-dated by Chamaetylas.

Grey-winged Akalat Sheppardia polioptera Cossyphe à sourcils blancs

15 cm

Small and unobtrusive with uniformly rufous tail. Adult nigriceps Crown black; long white supercilium underlined by black eye-stripe and reaching rufous neck; hindneck rufous, forming collar; head-sides and underparts bright orange-rufous. S. p. tessmanni (E Cameroon) reportedly darker, esp. on cheeks. Juvenile Duller; no supercilium; rufous spots on head and wing-coverts. HH Patchily distributed, rare to locally common resident. Inhabits edges and clearings of mid-elevation forest, dense riparian forest and forest patches in savanna (down to 400 m). Mainly on or near ground, but also higher. Flicks wings and tail when perched. White supercilium can be erected when alarmed or in display. Voice Song varied and melodious, including imitations. Higher-pitched than song of robin chats that include imitations. Note Formerly included in Cossypha and named Grey-winged Robin Chat.

Mountain Robin Chat Cossypha isabellae Cossyphe d’Isabelle

15 cm

Smallish Cossypha of montane forest. Adult batesi Olive-brown above becoming rufousbrown on rump; narrow white supercilium. Tail orange-rufous with dark brown central rectrices. Underparts orange-rufous becoming off-white on lower belly. Nominate (Mt Cameroon) darker above with contrasting orange-rufous rump; entire underparts orangerufous. Juvenile Mainly dark brown spotted rufous above and below. HH Fairly common resident in undergrowth of montane and submontane forest (800–2700 m). Commonest at higher elevations. Generally replaces marginally sympatric Bocage’s Akalat at higher altitudes. On or near ground. Attends ant swarms. Quiet and unobtrusive but not shy. Endemic. Voice Song a fairly loud, rather tuneless two-note trill tsri-tsrrrrr repeated in rapid succession. Call a guttural grrr.

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White-tailed Alethe

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Brown-chested Alethe

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Grey-winged Akalat

batesi

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Mountain Robin Chat

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PLATE 164: ROBIN CHATS ROBIN CHATS Colourful thrush-like birds with orange-rufous underparts and orange-rufous tails with, typically, black central feathers. Forage mainly on or near ground. Skulking. Have loud, very melodious and varied songs with mimicry.

Blue-shouldered Robin Chat Cossypha cyanocampter Cossyphe à ailes bleues

x

16 cm

Adult cyanocampter Very skulking robin chat with black head, long white supercilium and blue shoulder patch (sometimes largely concealed). C. c. bartteloti (CAR) darker above; marginally paler below. Juvenile Duller, with head and wing-coverts spotted rufous and no supercilium. HH Uncommon to locally fairly common resident. In dense secondary growth, derived thickets, thick vegetation along streams, at edges of swamps or under broken canopy, and in farmbush. Voice Song very varied, melodious and sustained, including perfect imitations of other birds and human whistles. Lower-pitched and slower than songs of Snowy-crowned Robin Chat. Call a loud trurr.

White-browed Robin Chat Cossypha heuglini Cossyphe de Heuglin

20 cm

Retiring but highly vocal robin chat with distinctive melodious song. Adult heuglini (N Cameroon– S Chad/CAR) Head black with long white supercilium; upperparts dark olive-brown to slate-grey separated from head by narrow orange-rufous collar; central rectrices brownish. C. h. subrufescens (Gabon–Congo) has central rectrices black. Juvenile Dark brown spotted rufous above; rufous-buff scalloped dark brown below. HH Patchily distributed, uncommon or rare to locally fairly common resident in riverine forest and thickets in savanna. Voice Song loud, varied and melodious, with simple, whistled phrases characteristically starting quietly, then increasing in volume. Does not usually include imitations. Members of pair duet or sing antiphonally, female uttering high-pitched tseeeee. Alarm a harsh, rattling tsrek-tsrek.

Red-capped Robin Chat Cossypha natalensis Cossyphe à calotte rousse

17 cm

Only robin chat with orange-rufous head; beady eye conspicuous. Wings blue-grey. Adult larischi (Nigeria–Congo) slightly darker above than intensa (E CAR). Juvenile Dark brown spotted rufous above; rufous-brown scalloped dark brown below. HH Patchily distributed, rare to locally uncommon resident. In various wooded habitats. Forages mainly on or near ground, as congeners, but occasionally also in mid-strata and canopy. Attends ant swarms. When perched typically flicks wings and tail, then slowly lowers tail, often fanning it briefly. Difficult to detect when not singing. Voice Song rich and melodious, consisting of whistled phrases and often including many imitations. Calls include a rather plaintive whuh ti-eh (second syllable nasal) and slightly trilled prree prrup, monotonously repeated; alarm a guttural grrr.

Snowy-crowned Robin Chat Cossypha niveicapilla Cossyphe à calotte neigeuse

20.5–22 cm

Adult Relatively large with white crown and slate-grey upperparts separated from head by narrow rufous hind-collar. Forehead and head-sides black. Juvenile Blackish spotted rufous above; rusty-buff scalloped blackish below. HH Locally fairly common to uncommon resident, inhabiting thickets in savanna, forest edges and clearings, overgrown farmland, riparian forest and gardens. Voice Vocal. Song rich, melodious and sustained, with characteristic fast delivery and including many imitations; some motifs repeated a few times, often with slight variations and thus somewhat reminiscent of African Thrush. Calls include heeee (contact) and guttural krrr (alarm).

White-crowned Robin Chat Cossypha albicapillus Cossyphe à calotte blanche

26 cm

Largest robin chat. Adult albicapillus (Senegambia–N Ivory Coast) Very large and longtailed with white crown (black scaling to crown disappears with wear; blackish feather bases give crown a somewhat greyish appearance). Head-sides (to chin) and upperparts black without rufous hind-collar. C. a. giffardi (S Burkina Faso–NW CAR) Crown more x strongly marked with black. Immature Paler; some rufous spots on wing coverts. HH Locally fairly common to common resident in dense riparian forest, thickets in savanna, and large overgrown gardens. Forages mainly on ground. Skulking but not shy. Voice Song varied, sustained and very fast, including scratchy notes and trills, without imitations. Call a penetrating sweeuee.

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juv ad juv ad

Blue-shouldered Robin Chat

White-browed Robin Chat

juv

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juv

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Red-capped Robin Chat

Snowy-crowned Robin Chat

juv

giffardi

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albicapillus

White-crowned Robin Chat

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PLATE 165: FOREST ROBIN AND AKALATS Forest Robin Stiphrornis erythrothorax Rougegorge de forêt

13 cm

Small, inconspicuous, short-tailed forest species with white spot in front of eye. Adult erythrothorax (Sierra Leone–extreme SW Cameroon) Dark olive-brown above, breast bright orange, rest of underparts white washed grey on breast-sides and flanks. S. e. gabonensis (SW Cameroon–SW Congo; Bioko) similar, but sooty-grey above; xanthogaster (Cameroon–N Congo) similar to gabonensis but orange area distinctly paler (esp. on throat) and less well demarcated from rest of underparts, which have pale cream tinge; pyrrholaemus (SW Gabon) similar to sanghensis but bright orange restricted to throat, underparts more yellow; sanghensis (SW CAR) has throat and breast yellow-orange; rest of underparts pale yellow. Juvenile Rufous-spotted above, throat pale buffish, breast blackish mottled rufous. Immature Spots on upperparts gradually lost, those on wing-coverts last. Breast becomes orange but throat remains whitish until full adult plumage assumed. HH Fairly common to locally common resident. In rain forest, thickets and relict forest patches in forest–savanna transition zone. Unobtrusive, quietly hopping on forest floor or in undergrowth. Occasionally joins mixed-species flocks at ant swarms. Easily overlooked, but song attracts attention. Voice Song fast, sweet and melodious, consisting of variable, high-pitched whistled motifs. Varies between races (and/or populations?): in nominate and gabonensis motifs typically short (gabonensis similar to Bocage’s Akalat), in xanthogaster semi-continuous (rather similar to White-bellied Robin Chat). Calls: low karrrr and whistled whi-whiuuu.

Lowland Akalat Sheppardia cyornithopsis Rougegorge merle

?

13 cm

Unobtrusive robin-like forest species. Adult houghtoni Olive-brown above (more rufous on tail), orange-rufous below with white belly. Nominate (S Cameroon–SW CAR/Congo) very similar; slightly browner above, flanks washed olive. Juvenile Dark brown spotted rufous above and below; belly whitish with some dusky scalloping. HH Rare or scarce to locally fairly common resident within undergrowth of mature forest (up to 1500 m) and closed-canopy swamp forest. Occasionally joins mixed-species flocks. Voice Song: two soft whistles in alternation whee, whiu, whee, whiu, or series of whiu. When more excited, whistles may be slightly purred. Call a short whistle tiee; alarm a low krrr.

Bocage’s Akalat Sheppardia bocagei Rougegorge de Bocage

13 cm

Unobtrusive robin-like forest species. Adult granti Olive-brown above; orange-rufous below, incl. head-sides. S. b. poensis (Bioko) has top of head darker; underparts deeper orange-rufous. Juvenile Dark brown spotted rufous above and below; central belly dirty white. HH Fairly common to locally rare resident in undergrowth of montane and submontane forest (600–1700 m in Cameroon; 800–2500 m on Bioko); commonest at lower elevations. Occurs at lower altitudes than Mountain Robin Chat. On or near ground. Attends ant swarms. Observed in small mixed-species flocks on Bioko. Voice Song a quiet, rather mournful series of 7–10 sweet whistles, hu-hee-hu-hluwee-hu hlu-whee-hu-hee ... Calls a soft twittering and sibilant ratchet note.

White-bellied Robin Chat Cossyphicula roberti Cossyphe à ventre blanc

13 cm

C. r. roberti. Smallest robin chat. Akalat-like in size and plumage but with black-andred tail. Adult Olive-brown above with short, narrow white supercilium bordered by black lores. Throat, breast and flanks orange-rufous; belly and undertail-coverts white. Bocage’s Akalat lacks supercilium (but shows white supraloral stripe when excited!) and has orange-rufous extending onto head-sides and almost covering entire underparts, and rusty-brown tail. Mountain Robin Chat is noticeably larger and has underparts entirely, or almost entirely, orange-rufous. Juvenile Dark brown spotted rufous above; rufous-buff scalloped black below. HH Uncommon to locally common resident in montane and submontane forest (650–2400 m). From ground to mid-storey; mainly at 2–4 m. Catches insects on the wing or gleans them from foliage. Quiet and unobtrusive. Voice Song a fast series of 6 rather high-pitched whistled notes tsu-ti-tu-ti-tu-tu, frequently repeated without pause. Alarm a fast ti-ti-ti-ti-ti-...

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gabonensis

xanthogaster

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imm

juv

erythrothorax

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pyrrholaemus

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Forest Robin

sanghensis juv

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juv ad

Lowland Akalat

juv ad

Bocage’s Akalat

White-bellied Robin Chat

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PLATE 166: SCRUB ROBINS SCRUB ROBINS Largely terrestrial birds with relatively long, broad, graduated and white-tipped tails, typically held cocked above back and frequently flicked up and down. Sexes similar. Juveniles like adult; some scaled dark above and below. Forage mainly on ground.

Forest Scrub Robin Cercotrichas leucosticta Agrobate du Ghana

15–16.5 cm

The only scrub robin in our region occurring in forest. C. l. colstoni Mainly dark brown above with long white supercilium and moustachial stripe, black malar stripe, 3–5 white spots on bend of wing, and rufous-brown rump. Fairly long, broad, graduated tail blackishbrown tipped white on 2–3 outer feathers. Throat whitish contrasting with broad brownish-grey breast-band; rest of underparts whitish with flanks washed rufous-buff. Nominate (Ghana) is paler below, with poorly defined narrow greyish-buff breast-band and rest of underparts strongly washed rufous-buff; collsi (SE CAR) is more olive above and has clean white underparts with pure grey breast-band and olive-grey flanks. HH Scarce resident. Very shy and difficult to observe, inhabiting thick forest undergrowth. Attends ant swarms. Voice Song very melodious and sweet, consisting of variable, high-pitched, whistled phrases. No imitations. Calls chuk and fast, high-pitched chit-chit-chit.

Brown-backed Scrub Robin Cercotrichas hartlaubi Agrobate à dos brun

15 cm

Cold dark grey-brown above with long white supercilium, two white wingbars and bright rufous rump and tail, the latter with clear-cut broad blackish subterminal band and white tips to all feathers except central pair. Underparts white with grey wash or smudges and some variable fine streaking on breast forming indistinct band; flanks washed tawny. HH Scarce to fairly common resident in woodland with elephant grass, bushes, banana trees and cultivation. Song attracts attention. Voice Song loud and clear, with repeated short whistled phrases, from perch and in short flight.

x

White-browed Scrub Robin Cercotrichas leucophrys Agrobate à dos roux

15 cm

C. l. munda. Warm brown above becoming rufous on rump and tail; long white supercilium, two white wingbars. Underparts whitish with buffish-brown wash and distinct dark brown streaking on breast. HH Locally common resident in open woodland and thicket edges. Voice Song loud and clear, with short whistled phrases constantly repeated. Alarm a hard chrrrr.

Rufous Scrub Robin Cercotrichas galactotes Agrobate roux

15 cm

Distinctive. Adult minor Sandy rufous-brown above with rufous rump and fan-shaped rufous tail boldly tipped black and white. Creamy-white supercilium bordered below by x narrow blackish eye-stripe. Underparts sandy-white. Nominate has broader subterminal x black band to tail. HH C. g. minor (African Scrub Robin) is a locally common resident in semi-arid belt. Nominate is an uncommon to locally common Palearctic visitor (Sep–May; southern limits of wintering range inadequately known). Dry-country species, occurring in open grassland with shrubs, degraded savanna, farmland, thickets, etc. Voice Song loud and sustained, with short whistled phrases, regularly repeated; from perch or in butterfly-like display flight. Calls a hard tek tek, a hoarse tseeeip, a low chrrr and deeu.

Black Scrub Robin Cercotrichas podobe Agrobate podobé x x x

x

18 cm

C. p. podobe. Unmistakable. Adult Slender, long-legged and black with white-tipped undertail-coverts and long fan-shaped tail boldly tipped white. Rufous in wing visible in flight. Juvenile Duller, more sooty-brown; undertail-coverts have indistinct pale tips. HH Fairly common resident in arid savanna, thorn scrub with clumps of palm trees and dry brush. Mainly on ground or in low bushes, fanning and cocking tail. Sings frequently and almost year-round. Not shy. Voice Song far-carrying with fairly short, varied phrases, resembling Rufous Scrub Robin’s. Also a sustained babble of sweet, fluty and scratchy notes.

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Forest Scrub Robin

Brown-backed Scrub Robin

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galactotes minor

White-browed Scrub Robin

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Rufous Scrub Robin ad

Black Scrub Robin

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PLATE 167: REDSTARTS, BLUETHROAT AND EUROPEAN ROBIN Common Redstart Phoenicurus phoenicurus Rougequeue à front blanc

14 cm

P. p. phoenicurus. Dainty, slim chat with upright stance and, in all plumages, bright rufous tail, which is almost constantly shivering (giving impression that it is about to fall off). Male breeding (from Jan) Blue-grey above with black face bordered above by white streak, and orange-rufous below. Male non-breeding (Sep–Dec) Pale feather tips x x x x x x x x partially obscure bright colours, which are gradually revealed through wear. Adult female x xx Pale grey-brown above with narrow pale eye-ring; mainly buffish below, often tinged pale x orange on breast and flanks. HH Fairly common to uncommon Palearctic visitor (Sep–May) to various wooded habitats, mainly Acacia savanna and woodland, esp. in small thickets. Catches insects in the air or on ground, sallying from concealed perch. Voice Call huweet (tuk-tuk).

Black Redstart Phoenicurus ochruros Rougequeue noir x

x

x

14 cm

P. o. gibraltariensis. Male breeding Dark grey above; white wing panel; bright rufous tail; black face and breast. Male non-breeding Black face and breast partially obscured by grey feather tips. Breeding plumage revealed with wear. Adult female Entirely slate-grey (greyer than female Common Redstart); tail as male. HH Rare Palearctic visitor or vagrant (late Aug–Apr). Forages mainly on ground. Voice Call tsip, often followed by tak-tak-tak.

x

Moussier’s Redstart Phoenicurus moussieri Rougequeue de Moussier x

12–13 cm

Small, rather compact chat. Has upright stance and, in all plumages, bright rufous tail as other redstarts. Male non-breeding Unmistakable. Dull black above with conspicuous white band from forehead over eye down neck-side, and large white wing-patch; rustyred below. Adult female Resembles female Common Redstart, but has more orangey underparts, relatively shorter tail and shorter wings, and very faint pale wing panel. HH NW African endemic resident; dispersive and perhaps migratory over short distances. One record, Mauritania (Sep 2001, male). Often perches on top of vegetation (like Whinchat). Voice Call a thin hit followed by rasping tzrrr.

Bluethroat Luscinia svecica Gorgebleue à miroir

14 cm

Unobtrusive with, in all plumages, dark brown upperparts, whitish supercilium and diagnostic rufous sides to basal half of tail (conspicuous in flight). Male breeding (from x Feb) Unmistakable. Throat and upper breast bright blue with white (cyanecula) or rufous x (nominate) central spot. Male non-breeding Throat buff-white bordered by dappled x x x black breast-band, the latter variably suffused blue. Adult female As non-breeding male, but usually lacks blue suffusion in band surrounding throat or rufous on breast. HH Rare or uncommon to locally fairly common Palearctic visitor (mainly mid Sep–Apr). Usually in scrub near water, rank grass, rice fields and other damp places. Forages on or near ground, occasionally leaving cover. Hops or runs; stands upright on long legs with cocked tail. Voice Hard tak and hueet.

European Robin Erithacus rubecula Rougegorge familier x

x

14 cm

E. r. rubecula/witherbyi. Adult Small, compact and rounded with orange-red face and breast. Olive-brown above; lower underparts dirty buffish becoming whitish in centre of belly. HH Palearctic vagrant, coastal Mauritania (Nov 1973 & 1985, Dec 1978, Mar 1987), coastal Gambia (Mar 2008; ship-assisted?) and Cape Verde (Santiago, Feb 2007). Forages on ground, hopping with upright posture. Voice Calls include a dry tik, often in fast series tik-tikikikikkk and a thin, high-pitched seeeeh.

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 br 

 non-br

Common Redstart

 

 non-br

Black Redstart cyanecula

Moussier’s Redstart

svecica



 

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Bluethroat

European Robin

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PLATE 168: NIGHTINGALES AND CHATS Common Nightingale Luscinia megarhynchos Rossignol philomèle x

x

x

x x

16.5 cm

L. m. megarhynchos. Plain, warm brown above with open face and rufous tail, pale greybrown below becoming whitish on throat and belly. Whitish eye-ring. HH Uncommon to common Palearctic visitor (late Aug–early May) in scrub, farmbush, overgrown clearings, gardens, etc. Usually in dense cover. Voice High hueet, hard tak, low karrr. Song loud, rich and melodious, including a variety of clear whistles, vigorous chuckles and piping notes, which are often repeated; characteristic are a rapid, accelerating series of full tchiok notes and in-drawn whistles heeeet-heeeet-heeeet-...; often uttered in winter quarters.

Thrush Nightingale Luscinia luscinia Rossignol progné

16.5 cm

Very similar to Common Nightingale but typically overall less brightly coloured; upperparts duller and slightly darker brown; tail darker, less rufous, usually less contrasting with upperparts; breast and flanks variably marked with indistinct dark brown mottling; white throat often more contrasting with head-sides due to ill-defined, dusky-brown malar stripe; eye-ring usually less distinct. HH Palearctic vagrant, N Nigeria (Kano, mist-netted, Sep & Oct). Winters in E & SE Africa. Voice Low krrrr, high-pitched heet, short tak.

x

African Stonechat Saxicola torquatus Tarier pâtre d’Afrique

12.5 cm

Small chat with relatively large, round head and short tail. Adult male salax (highlands of SE Nigeria–W Cameroon; Bioko; Gabon–Congo). Head, throat, upperparts and tail black; neck-sides, rump and uppertail-coverts white; long white wing panel mainly formed by inner coverts; underparts white with centre of breast chestnut. In flight, white wing patch and rump conspicuous. S. t. moptanus (Senegal and inner Niger deltas) has chestnut on breast paler and more restricted; in nebularum (highlands of Sierra Leone; Mt Nimba) chestnut more extensive; jebelmarrae (E Chad) has chestnut almost as extensive as nebularum, but paler. Adult female Head and upperparts dusky brown streaked buff and with indistinct pale supercilium; rump white; breast orange-buff becoming buff and whitish on rest of underparts. Compare Whinchat. Juvenile Above mottled dark brown and buff; throat greyish; rest of underparts warm buff mottled dusky. HH Patchily distributed, uncommon to locally common resident in various open habitats with scattered bushes, incl. high-altitude grasslands, grassy hillsides, floodplains, marshy areas and farmland. Sits upright on prominent, often low perch, frequently flicking wings and tail. Voice Call (wheet) trek-trek. Song: short clear, twittering and scratchy phrases.

European Stonechat Saxicola rubicola Tarier pâtre ?

12.5 cm

S. r. rubicola. Male non-breeding Browner above than African Stonechat; black areas with pale brown fringes produce streaked appearance (fringes progressively lost by wear, revealing breeding plumage); rump and uppertail-coverts whitish variably mottled rustybrown; breast orange-rufous, fading to buff-white on lower underparts. Adult female Dull brown above with faint or no supercilium; rump rusty-brown; underparts darker than African Stonechat. HH Rare Palearctic visitor, Mauritania (Oct–Feb, Apr). Normally winters south to northern edge of Sahara. Voice Similar to African Stonechat.

Whinchat Saxicola rubetra Tarier des prés

12.5 cm

Small, streaky buffish-brown chat with upright stance and broad buff or white supercilium. Male breeding (from Jan/Feb) White supercilium, blackish head-sides, small white patch on edge of wing, and white sides to base of tail (conspicuous in flight). Underparts orange-buff becoming buffish-white on belly. Female breeding Similar but paler. Adult non-breeding Very buffish overall; head-sides brownish. HH Uncommon to x locally fairly common Palearctic visitor (Sep–May). Uses prominent, low perches in open x x areas, incl. farmland, degraded savanna, wooded grassland, etc. Defends winter territory. Voice Call (whu) tek-tek. Song a short, pleasant and varied warble, including whistles, burring sounds and mimicry.

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Common Nightingale Thrush Nightingale nebularum



 br

non-br

 

 moptanus salax

African Stonechat







ad non-br

 br

European Stonechat

Whinchat

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PLATE 169: WHEATEARS I WHEATEARS (Plates 169–170) Small, ground-dwelling insectivores. Black-and-white tail pattern an important identification mark. First-winter plumage of Palearctic species similar to female non-breeding. Forage mainly by running short distances, then pecking at prey. Bob head, flick wings and tail. Most common call a hard chak.

Northern Wheatear Oenanthe oenanthe Traquet motteux

14.5–16.5 cm

In all plumages, identified by white lower rump and tail with characteristic black inverted T (terminal band of even width on distal third). Male oenanthe breeding (from Feb/Mar) Top of head to back blue-grey (diagnostic), black mask bordered by white supercilium; underparts sandy-buff (richer on breast, whitish on belly). O. o. libanotica xx x x x x x very similar, but typically paler. Greenland race leucorhoa larger and richer buff below. x xx Male non-breeding Dull grey-brown above with variable darkish mask (sometimes x indistinct); wing feathers broadly fringed buff. Female non-breeding Duller and browner above than male, with variably distinct mask (sometimes lacking). HH Common to scarce Palearctic visitor (Sep–Apr). Senegambia main wintering area for leucorhoa. In various open habitats. Defends winter territory. Voice Hard chak (alarm), less often wheetchak. Song consists of variable short phrases including whistles, scratchy notes and imitations.

Seebohm’s Wheatear Oenanthe (oenanthe) seebohmi Traquet de Seebohm

14.5–16 cm

Male breeding As Northern Wheatear but with face and throat black (often connected to black wing at shoulder); underwingcoverts black. Male non-breeding Black throat partially or wholly obscured by pale grey feather fringes. Adult female Throat variably mottled blackish (some plain throated). HH Locally fairly common to scarce NW African visitor (Sep–Apr), mainly to SW Mauritania, N Senegal, Mali. Voice Song lower-pitched and more melodious than Northern Wheatear’s.

Isabelline Wheatear Oenanthe isabellina Traquet isabelle x x x

x

x

15–16.5 cm

Robust, long-legged, plain sandy-coloured wheatear. Tail T-patterned with broad black terminal band of even width covering c. half of tail. Wing feathers brown broadly fringed sandy-brown (thus barely contrasting with upperparts when fresh), with contrasting blackish alula. Some adult female/first-winter Northern very similar, but distinguished by darker centres to wing-coverts. HH Locally common to uncommon Palearctic visitor (mid Sep–Apr). In open country with scattered bushes. Voice Hard chak (alarm) and wheew. Song similar to Northern Wheatear’s.

Black-eared Wheatear Oenanthe hispanica Traquet oreillard

14.5 cm

Rather slim and long-tailed wheatear. Tail T-patterned with uneven, sometimes broken, terminal bar. Two races, both with white-throated and black-throated forms in both xx sexes. Male hispanica breeding (from Mali west) Rich sandy-buff above; black mask x x not connected to black wings. Breast warm sandy-buff; lower underparts whitish. O. h. melanoleuca (from Mali east) more black and white, with black-throated form commoner than white-throated. Male non-breeding Similar, but basic pattern overlaid by buffish feather tips; pale wing panel formed by broad, rich buff fringes; melanoleuca has upperparts washed grey. Female non-breeding Much less strongly marked than male. Sandy-brown; mask indistinct; wings dark brown broadly fringed buffish; melanoleuca generally browner. HH Uncommon to rare Palearctic visitor (Sep–Apr). In semi-desert, Acacia savanna and dry farmland. Perches more on shrubs than Northern and Isabelline Wheatears. Voice Hard chak. Song, sometimes given in winter quarters, a rapid jumble of scratchy notes and whistles.

Desert Wheatear Oenanthe deserti Traquet du désert

15 cm

Sandy-coloured wheatear with diagnostic black tail in all plumages. Male homochroa breeding Black face and throat connected to black wings at shoulder. Nominate x x virtually inseparable in field, but slightly browner above. Male non-breeding Slightly greyer above; black areas fringed white or pale sandy. Female non-breeding Deep sandy-buff, sometimes with greyish tinge; no black on face. HH Locally common to rare N African visitor (Sep–Apr). Breeding suspected, N Mauritania. Nominate vagrant Niger, Chad. In arid habitats with some vegetation. Voice Calls include hweee and hard tuk. Song, often given in winter quarters, a characteristic, plaintive, descending swee-you or deedjrruu, frequently repeated.

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ite-thro form

 non-br  br  br Seebohm’s Wheatear



  non-br Northern Wheatear ad

 non-br

black-throated form

 non-br

Isabelline Wheatear

 non-br hispanica

 br

 br

 non-br

white-throated form melanoleuca

 non-br

Black-eared Wheatear

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 non-br  non-br Desert Wheatear

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PLATE 170: WHEATEARS II Heuglin’s Wheatear Oenanthe heuglini Traquet de Heuglin xx

x

x

x x x

Mourning Wheatear Oenanthe lugens Traquet deuil

x

x

14–15 cm

Adult Long-legged wheatear with dark brown upperparts and rufous-buff underparts. Tail T-patterned with broad black terminal band (about half of tail). Narrow white supercilium bordered by dark eye-stripe. Sexes similar. Juvenile Similar, but spotted dark rufous-buff above and scalloped dusky below. HH Uncommon or rare to locally fairly common intraAfrican migrant between Sahel and savanna zones; possibly partial resident in some areas. Frequents degraded grassland, dry farmland, recently burnt ground, rocky hillsides, inselbergs, extensive grass plains and montane grassland. Often wags rear body. Voice Sharp chak. Song consists of varied phrases, including imitations.

15 cm

O. l. halophila. Tail T-patterned with broad black terminal band of even width. In flight, whitish inner webs to primaries and outer secondaries produce pale panel. Male breeding Mainly black and white; undertail-coverts orange-buff. Male non-breeding Duller, with some white tips to wing and tail feathers. Adult female Dull grey version of male. HH N African vagrant, Mauritania (Sep, Nov, Dec, Jan), Niger (Aïr; Nov). Voice Call a hard chak. Song, sometimes given in winter, resembles that of other wheatears.

Cyprus Wheatear Oenanthe cypriaca Traquet de Chypre

14 cm

Tail T-patterned with uneven terminal bar, black increasing on outer feathers. Male breeding Crown and nape white mottled grey-brown (paler with wear); face, throat and upperparts black. Female breeding Similar but crown dark grey-brown, bordered by white supercilium; black areas initially tinged brown; with wear becomes much as male. Adult non-breeding Similar to female breeding, but face and throat variably mottled by buffish feather tips; feathers of upperparts and wings tipped and fringed buffish. Underparts warm buff, more rusty on breast (rapidly bleaching in winter quarters). HH Uncommon Palearctic visitor, EC Chad (Nov–Mar). In dry, open country. Voice Call a hard chak.

Red-rumped Wheatear Oenanthe moesta Traquet à tête grise

15 cm

x

O. m. moesta. Adult male Crown and nape pale grey bordered by broad white supercilium; face and throat black; upperparts dark grey, blackening with wear; wingcoverts fringed white. Rump cinnamon-buff; tail mainly black with rufous base (not T-patterned). Underparts whitish; undertail-coverts cinnamon-buff. Adult female Head rufous; upperparts grey-brown tinged rufous; tail more rufous on outer feathers than in male (producing short T). HH N African vagrant, NW Mauritania (Apr 1997). Often flies with spread tail and flicks tail downwards. Voice Calls include chak and tlik; also whistles. Distinctive song includes tlik notes followed by ascending whirring trills tlik tlik truuuuii truuuuii truuuuii...

White-crowned Black Wheatear Oenanthe leucopyga Traquet à tête blanche

17 cm

O. l. aegra. Adult Large, black wheatear with white crown and vent, and white tail xx lacking T-pattern but having broad black central line. White tail feathers often with small x x dark smudge near tip. Juvenile Duller, dark brown; crown all dark. HH Locally common resident; some local movements recorded. In rocky areas within desert; also oases and near habitation. At all altitudes in central Saharan massifs. Perches on rocks and bushes. Tame and inquisitive. Voice Calls include a hard chak and whistled notes. Song rich and x variable, consisting of short phrases with clear whistles, slurred notes and, occasionally, imitations and a few scratchy sounds. Also a quieter, more continuous song, including more harsh notes. xx x

Black Wheatear Oenanthe leucura Traquet rieur x x

18 cm

O. l. riggenbachi. Adult male Large and all black except for T-patterned tail and white vent. Adult female As male, but browner. Juvenile/first-winter Duller. HH Breeding range of N African population suspected to reach northernmost coastal Mauritania; vagrant further south. Inhabits desert. Voice Call a loud pee-pee-pee (alarm); also chak. Song a rich and melodious warble.

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 non-br  non-br

Heuglin’s Wheatear

Mourning Wheatear

 non-br

 non-br  non-br

Cyprus Wheatear  non-br Red-rumped Wheatear ad variant /juv

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juv

juv ad

White-crowned Black Wheatear

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Black Wheatear

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PLATE 171: CHATS Familiar Chat Oenanthe familiaris Traquet familier ?

x

14 cm

O. f. falkensteini. Adult Rather nondescript, plain brown chat with rufous rump and outer tail. Blackish centre of tail and terminal band form inverted T. Narrow pale eyering; ear-coverts tinged rusty. Underparts pale greyish becoming whitish on central belly. Juvenile Spotted buff above, barred dusky below, giving scaly appearance. HH Uncommon to locally common resident. In open, wooded habitats, esp. around rocky outcrops, inselbergs, bare stony ground and erosion gullies. On landing, often raises and lowers tail and flicks wings. Voice Song a soft series of whistled and chattering notes. Call a high whee (chak-chak); also cher-cher. Note Formerly placed in Cercomela.

Brown-tailed Rock Chat Oenanthe scotocerca Traquet à queue brune

13 cm

O. s. furensis. Small, nondescript and very localised chat. Adult Plain grey-brown above, more rufous on rump; tail dark brown; underparts pale buffish, becoming off-white on lower belly. Narrow pale eye-ring. Juvenile Similar, with some buffish tips to wingcoverts. HH Locally fairly common resident, E Chad. In dry rocky country with low shrubs. Flicks wings and tail. Voice Song a rapid, chirruping phrase, frequently repeated with slight variations. Note Formerly placed in Cercomela.

Blackstart Oenanthe melanura Traquet à queue noire

14 cm

Adult ultima (E Mali–W Niger) Plain sandy-brown above with black uppertail-coverts and tail. Underparts paler, becoming whitish on belly and vent. Flight feathers dark brown. x x ? O. m. airensis (NE Niger, N Chad) reportedly paler, with cinnamon tinge, but coloration variable; races doubtfully distinct. Juvenile Similar; unspotted; wing-coverts and tertials tipped and fringed paler. HH Uncommon to locally common resident. Vagrant, Gambia (3–4 photographed near Fatoto, Feb 1974). Frequents rocky areas in arid country. Constantly flicks tail open, often simultaneously drooping and flicking wings half-open. Voice Call a harsh note; alarm a high-pitched hiih. Song, delivered from prominent perch, a short, rather pleasant warble, frequently repeated after a short pause, with only slight variations; includes cherlu, which is also uttered singly. Note Formerly placed in Cercomela.

Mocking Cliff Chat Thamnolaea cinnamomeiventris Traquet à ventre roux

20 cm

Fairly large chat with characteristic coloration. Adult male bambarae (mainly from SW Mali west) Black above with small white shoulder patch and rufous rump. Breast black, lower underparts rufous. T. c. cavernicola (C Mali) has distinct shoulder patch and narrow pale line below black breast; coronata (mainly in east of range) similar, but crown white (sometimes only a few white feathers); pale area below breast. Adult female cavernicola/bambarae Duller and lacking white on shoulder; black areas more sooty; rufous areas browner, less bright. Female coronata paler, head rufous-grey, underparts dull rufous. Juvenile male/female Like respective adults but duller; male has less white on shoulder. HH Patchily distributed, rare to locally fairly common resident. On rocky outcrops, inselbergs, escarpments and cliffs in savanna. Often slowly raises and lowers tail, fanning it on upswing. Voice Song (by both sexes) melodious, rich and far carrying, with clear, vigorous and varied whistles or rapid imitations. Call a penetrating seeeo and seeu-seeu. Note The three forms in our region are sometimes split from extralimital races as a separate species, White-crowned Cliff Chat T. coronata; alternatively only ssp. coronata is treated as a distinct species.

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Brown-tailed Rock Chat

cavernicola

Blackstart 



bambarae





coronata

Mocking Cliff Chat

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PLATE 172: CHATS AND ROCK THRUSHES White-fronted Black Chat Myrmecocichla albifrons Traquet à front blanc x

x

x

15 cm

Small, slim chat. Adult male frontalis Entirely black with white patch on forehead. Flight feathers whitish below. M. a. limbata (from E Cameroon east) has some white on shoulder. Adult female Similar, but lacks white forehead. Juvenile Browner and slightly mottled. HH Uncommon to locally fairly common resident in open woodland; also in cultivated areas and clearings. Partial to recently burnt ground. Mostly perches in small trees and bushes, from where it pounces on prey on ground. Frequently flicks tail. Voice Song: short phrases with sharp and rolling notes, incl. frequently repeated uwheetirr; sometimes with mimicry. Call a high-pitched, penetrating heet.

Northern Anteater Chat Myrmecocichla aethiops Traquet brun

19 cm

M. a. aethiops. Adult Long-legged, blackish-brown chat with large white wing patches visible in flight. Juvenile is warmer brown; throat and breast feathers edged buff; gape yellow during first 3 months. HH Locally common to uncommon resident. In open grassland and farmland with scattered bushes, trees and, usually, termitaria. Mainly on ground, but readily uses perches. Tame and conspicuous. Voice Song, from perch, a varied mixture of clear whistles and short, hard trills. Call a penetrating tseeu and heeh.

Sooty Chat Myrmecocichla nigra Traquet commandeur x x x

x

x

x

16 cm

Adult male Entirely glossy black with conspicuous white shoulder patches. Adult female Entirely blackish-brown. Juvenile Similar to adult female. HH Uncommon to common and local resident. A few records from SE Senegal (two near Kédougou, Mar 1972; a few pairs with males singing c.70 km NNE of Tambacounda, Feb 1983) and Guinea. In open grassland with termitaria and few or no bushes; also farmland, by roads and on recently burnt areas. Slowly moves tail up and down. Fairly tame. Voice Song consists of clear whistles occasionally interspersed with short, low, hard trill; from perch or in short flight. Sometimes with imitations. Call: various whistles.

x

x

x

Congo Moor Chat Myrmecocichla tholloni Traquet du Congo

18–19 cm

Robust, dark chat with contrasting white wing patch and white rump. Adult Dark brown-grey above (appearing blackish in poor light); head-sides and throat mainly dirty white; underparts dirty brown-grey scalloped paler. Juvenile Crown plain brown-grey (no scallops); no white wing patch; wing-coverts and secondaries tipped dirty white; underparts plain soft brown-grey except dirty white throat. HH Locally fairly common resident. In open grassland with few or no bushes and trees. Mainly on ground, but readily uses perches. Characteristic low display flight with vibrating wings. Wary. Voice Song consists of short, clear, melodious whistles interspersed with rolled chiurrr. Alarm a sharp peep.

Blue Rock Thrush Monticola solitarius Monticole bleu

20 cm

Larger, with longer bill and tail than Common Rock Thrush. Adult male solitarius Wholly x dark blue (appearing blackish at distance). In fresh plumage (Sep–Dec) blue colour x x x x x x obscured by pale brownish feather tips. Male longirostris (east of c.20°E) duller. Adult x x x female solitarius Upperparts and tail dark brown; underparts buff-brown, throat and x x breast scaled, rest barred blackish-brown. In longirostris underparts paler, greyer and less barred. Immature As adult female, but slightly paler brown; upperparts spotted buffish; underparts appear more spotted; barring on lower underparts paler and less sharply defined. HH Patchily distributed, rare to scarce Palearctic visitor (Oct–early Apr). Year-round at Cap de Naze, S Senegal; breeding suspected. Mainly in rocky habitats. Voice Mainly silent. Calls include tak-tak (contact), chuk-chuk (alarm) and highpitched tsee. Song (occasionally given in winter quarters): far-carrying, melodious, oft-repeated, short phrases.

Common Rock Thrush Monticola saxatilis Monticole de roche

x

x x x

x

18.5 cm

Chat-like, rather long-billed thrush with short, dark-centred, rufous-orange tail in all plumages. Male breeding (from Apr) Head and upperparts greyish-blue with white patch on back, underparts orange-rufous. Male non-breeding Upperparts dark brown and mottled; underparts rufous and crescent-marked. Adult female As non-breeding male but paler, without white on back. HH Rare to scarce Palearctic visitor (Nov–Mar). In various habitats, incl. rocky plateaux, degraded wooded grassland, recently burnt bush, cultivated areas. Voice Short chak. Mostly silent in winter quarters.

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Northern Anteater Chat 

limbata



 

Sooty Chat

frontalis

White-fronted Black Chat

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 Congo Moor Chat Blue Rock Thrush

  br

Common Rock Thrush  non-br

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PLATE 173: CISTICOLAS I CISTICOLAS (Plates 173–176) Large genus of similar-looking species. Tails strongly graduated. Males usually larger than females. Juveniles more rufous and often with yellow on underparts. Some have distinct breeding and non-breeding plumages, latter often warmer-coloured, more russet; female usually as male non-breeding. Generally breed during rains, which is best season to observe them, as males are singing and displaying. Singly or in pairs, after breeding in small family groups. In dry season some may form small parties, sometimes with other cisticolas. Among the hardest species to identify on plumage characters alone, but vocalisations and aerial displays, if any, diagnostic. Note size (small, medium or large), upperpart pattern (streaked or plain), head pattern (colour of crown and head-sides, presence or absence of streaking and supercilium), tail colour and pattern. Then check against known range. Medium-sized. Plain upperparts (plumage warmer-coloured in non-breeding):

Red-faced Cisticola Cisticola erythrops Cisticole à face rousse

12–14 cm

C. e. erythrops. Forehead and head-sides rufous; crown and upperparts dark olivaceousbrown, without contrasting rufous wing panel. HH Locally common to uncommon resident. In various grassy and bushy habitats; often associated with swamps, watercourses and drainage ditches. Forages low, skulking in rank herbage. Voice Rhythmic succession of loud, varied notes, e.g. ch-ch-ch trweet-trweet-trweet WEET-WEET-WEET plik-up plik-up plik-up WEET WEET WEET ...; from low perch and usually in duet. Alarm cheap cheap cheap.

Singing Cisticola Cisticola cantans Cisticole chanteuse

x

x

12–14 cm

Chestnut crown and wing panel contrast with brown upperparts; head-sides pale brown washed rufous. C. c. concolor (N Nigeria–Chad/N CAR) paler above, rather brighter below than swanzii (from S Nigeria west); in belli (S CAR) crown is richer rufous; adamauae (Cameroon–W CAR) intermediate between swanzii and belli. HH Common to fairly common resident. In thick bushes and rank undergrowth; generally in drier areas than Red-faced Cisticola. Voice Single, repeated, variable note, krwleep krwleep krwleep... or p-lip p-lip ... and kwiplip kwiplip... etc. Occasionally duets, female uttering low grating notes. Calls, thin tsit tsit and drawn-out cheerr cheerr.

Whistling Cisticola Cisticola lateralis Cisticole siffleuse

12.5–14 cm

Adult breeding Greyish-brown to dull rufous-brown above; flight feathers edged rufous. Below whitish washed greyish on breast-sides, becoming buff or grey-buff on flanks and undertail-coverts. Eastern antinorii (CAR) browner, less sooty above than nominate; southern modestus (Gabon–Congo) similar to antinorii but with greyer crown. Adult nonbreeding Rufous-brown above; rich buff below becoming whitish on throat and belly. HH Common to fairly common resident. In woodland, overgrown farmland with scattered trees, bushy forest edge and large clearings with low scrub and trees. Voice Short, vigorous and melodious whistled phrase, from prominent perch. Call thup, often repeated. Alarm harsh and rasping.

Chattering Cisticola Cisticola anonymus Cisticole babillarde

12–15 cm

Forehead to nape dull chestnut slightly contrasting with uniformly dark brown upperparts. Head-sides, incl. lores, rusty-buff. HH Locally common resident in lowland forest zone. In grassy patches with scattered bushes in clearings, low second growth, and near farmland and rivers; also in wet grassland bordered with thickets. Noisy and easily observed. Voice Loud phrase of 2–3 harsh notes followed by bubbling trill ch-ch-twurrrrlp, and (fast, abrupt) tetete-tchrr, with variations. Similar to song of Rattling Cisticola. Various harsh call notes.

Rattling Cisticola Cisticola chiniana Cisticole grinçante

12–15 cm

C. c. fortis. Forehead to nape dark rusty-brown; lores dusky; upperparts dark brown; flight feathers edged rufous-brown. Chattering Cisticola similar but occurs in lowland forest belt, has rusty-tinged face and lacks rufous-brown edgings to flight feathers. HH Scarce and local resident. In dry woodland and scrub. Voice Loud repeated phrase of 1–4 harsh notes followed by trill chi-chi-chrrrr, with variations; from low perch. x

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Red-faced Cisticola Singing Cisticola

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Whistling Cisticola foxy form

sooty form

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Chattering Cisticola

Rattling Cisticola

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PLATE 174: CISTICOLAS II Medium-sized. Plain upperparts:

Chubb’s Cisticola Cisticola chubbi Cisticole de Chubb

14 cm

Distinctive, vocal highland cisticola with rusty cap and black lores. C. c. discolor (Mt Cameroon) distinguished from adametzi (SE Nigeria–SW Cameroon) by almost plain tail, with dark spots reduced. HH Locally common to fairly common resident. In dense herbage of forest clearings and edges, grassy areas of abandoned cultivation with scattered bushes and trees, and bracken. At 850–3000 m. Voice Loud, explosive duet of rapidly repeated phrases, e.g switch-a-bee switch-a-bee... in energetic display. Note Population in our region sometimes treated as separate species, C. discolor (Brown-backed Cisticola).

Rock-loving Cisticola Cisticola aberrans Cisticole paresseuse

13–15 cm

Forehead to nape dull rufous becoming pale rusty on head-sides and contrasting with cold grey-brown upperparts; supercilium rusty-buff; tail longish. C. a. admiralis (from Ghana west) more deeply coloured overall than petrophilus (from Togo east). HH Uncommon to locally fairly common resident. On rocky outcrops in wooded grassland, and in open x woodland with scattered boulders and low bushes. Longish tail, often flicked and held cocked, give prinia-like impression. Low in herbage or on ground, running mouse-like. Voice Slow series of squeaky, metallic notes resembling squeezing of rubber toy (kwee-et or tu-whee-a and variations), interspersed with short dry trills or rapid series of clicking, sucking notes. Alarm a sharp krrrt or prrrip. Note Species sometimes split in C. aberrans (Lazy Cisticola; southern Africa) and C. emini (Rock-loving Cisticola). Medium-sized and large. Streaked upperparts:

Winding Cisticola Cisticola galactotes Cisticole roussâtre

12–15 cm

Streaked cisticola of moist habitats. Adult amphilectus breeding Forehead dull rustbrown; russet-edged flight feathers. Eastern zalingei (N Nigeria–N CAR) rather grey above, sparsely streaked dusky. Adult non-breeding (rarely assumed in amphilectus) Warmer coloured; tail longer. HH Fairly common resident in rank grass and sedges of marshes, rice fields, temporary water pans and similar wet places. Voice Monotonously repeated, drawn-out rasping note zrrrreeeeeee, from low perch in herbage. Note C. galactotes complex sometimes split into five species, the species in our region then named C. marginatus.

Stout Cisticola Cisticola robustus Cisticole robuste

14–16 cm

Forehead and crown rufous streaked black strongly contrasting with unstreaked rufous nape; buff supercilium and head-sides; upperparts heavily streaked black. C. r. nuchalis (Congo) paler, less richly coloured above than santae (highlands of SE Nigeria–SW Cameroon). HH Locally common resident. In rank grass with shrubs. In highlands up to 2300 m. Voice Short, piping ripple tsri tsri tsrrrrrrr, usually from low perch; occasionally in low display flight.

Croaking Cisticola Cisticola natalensis Cisticole striée x

x

13–17 cm

C. n. strangei. Large and bulky with stout bill. Adult breeding Dark earth-brown above streaked dusky; almost plain when worn. Tail tipped white. Bill black. Female noticeably smaller. Adult non-breeding Buffish-brown above boldly streaked black. Tail longer, tipped buff. Bill more horn-coloured. HH Common to uncommon resident. In moist rank grass with scattered low bushes, edges of cultivation, seasonally water-logged grassland and floodplains. Voice Loud klink klunk in display flight at medium height; slower kluuu klink! and kzeee klunk! when perched. Croaking alarm call.

Tinkling Cisticola Cisticola rufilatus Cisticole grise

13–14.5 cm

C. r. ansorgei. Distinguished in all plumages by plain rufous crown and ear-coverts, buff supercilium and rufous tail. HH Scarce to locally common resident. In open grassland with scattered trees and bushes. Voice A short series of clear piping whistles hweee-hweeehweee-... often followed by bill-snapping and trill tzk-tzk-tzk chirrrrrr , from perch atop tree or bush; also snaps wings.

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Chubb’s Cisticola Rock-loving Cisticola ad non-br

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Winding Cisticola

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Stout Cisticola

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Tinkling Cisticola Croaking Cisticola

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PLATE 175: CISTICOLAS III Medium-sized and small. Plain or streaked upperparts contrast with rufous top of head:

Dorst’s Cisticola Cisticola guinea Cisticole de Dorst x

x

x

Red-pate Cisticola Cisticola ruficeps Cisticole à tête rousse ? ?

13 cm

Plain reddish cap contrasts with grey-brown upperparts. Plain above in breeding, diffusely streaked in non-breeding plumage. Below mainly whitish faintly washed buff, esp. on flanks and thighs, with buff vent. HH Locally fairly common resident. In open grassy areas with scattered trees or bushes. Endemic. Voice Drawn-out trill of variable speed, often preceded by short vibrant note and followed by simple motif, repeated several times, e.g. chirrrrrrr tsu-wheet tsu-wheet tsu wheet ...., from atop stem, bush or small tree.

13 cm

C. r. ruficeps. Adult breeding Very similar to Dorst’s Cisticola, but rufous cap more sharply defined from plain dark brown upperparts, lores slightly more contrasting, below whiter with white (not buff) vent; best distinguished by voice. Adult non-breeding Heavily streaked above. HH Uncommon to locally common resident. In grassy thorn scrub and open grassy areas with scattered trees or bushes. Voice Drawn-out, high-pitched note followed by short trill tweee-tsurrulu or shorter twee-tsrrr, from atop small tree; also a short warble (reminiscent of Whistling Cisticola).

Piping Cisticola Cisticola fulvicapilla Cisticole à couronne rousse

11 cm

C. f. dispar. Small, with longish tail. Rufous cap contrasts with plain earth-brown upperparts. Indistinct supercilium and head-sides buff. Below whitish tinged grey on flanks. HH Uncommon to locally common resident. In shrubs and rank grass in woodland, second growth at forest edge and along fields. Voice Monotonously repeated single, penetrating, but not very loud note whee whee whee... or whip-whip-whip-... from top of tree or tall bush. Alarm a rapid tikitikitikitiki-... or krrrrrrrr.

Small. Plain upperparts do not contrast with top of head; typically sing from treetop or other high perch:

Short-winged Cisticola Cisticola brachypterus Cisticole à ailes courtes

c.10 cm

C. b. brachypterus. Adult breeding Upperparts dull brown. Rufous fringes to wing feathers contrast slightly with duller mantle. Adult non-breeding Upperparts warmer brown with faint dusky streaks. HH Fairly common to locally common resident. In various x types of wooded grassland, incl. grassy edges of farmland with scattered trees, scrub at forest edge, second growth and grassy clearings in woodland. Voice Continuously repeated short, rapid series of 2–3 high-pitched notes descending in pitch e.g. see-se-swu see-su-swu ... ; also a fast tsuw-tsuw-tsuw-tsuw..., tsurup-tsee tsurup-tsee... and variations. Also has rarely observed aerial display. Note An undescribed small cisticola occurs on Bateke Plateau, SE Gabon–Congo, where common in lightly bushed and open grassland. Above plain rusty-brown; below white with rufous-washed flanks. Song a rhythmic, continuously repeated hee-wrup hee-wrup ... from exposed perch.

Rufous Cisticola Cisticola rufus Cisticole rousse x

10 cm

Upperparts plain rusty-brown, more rufous on rump. Underparts white washed pale rusty-brown. HH Uncommon to fairly common resident. In tall, mature or more open, degraded woodland and wooded grassland. Endemic. Voice Song 2–3 thin descending notes e.g. see see hu, see see hu, .... Also rapid, hesitant series tsutitititsutititu.... in flight or from high perch, and tzrrr tzrrr tzrrr ....

Foxy Cisticola Cisticola troglodytes Cisticole russule

10 cm

C. t. troglodytes. Upperparts bright russet. Underparts rusty-buff becoming whitish on central belly. No non-breeding plumage. HH Local. Status and distribution inadequately known. In dry wooded grassland and semi-arid savanna. Voice Rapid series of similar tsit or tsee notes, from low treetop and in display flight.

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Dorst’s Cisticola

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Red-pate Cisticola ad

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Piping Cisticola

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Short-winged Cisticola ad

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Rufous Cisticola

undescribed cisticola (Bateke Plateau)

Foxy Cisticola

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PLATE 176: CISTICOLAS IV Small. Streaked upperparts (warmer-coloured in non-breeding); aerial displays; open grassy areas:

Zitting Cisticola Cisticola juncidis Cisticole des joncs

10 cm

Male uropygialis breeding Top of head brownish-buff heavily streaked black; head-sides buffish; nape pale, vaguely streaked; rump dull, mostly plain rufous-brown. Below mainly buffish, becoming whitish on throat and central belly. Southern terrestris (Eq. Guinea– Congo) is slightly darker and browner. Male non-breeding/female More buff; streaking x less heavy. Overall less rufous than Black-backed Cisticola, with brownish-buff (not rufousbrown) crown, which is always streaked, buffish supercilium, rather dull rufous-brown (not orange-rufous) rump and no orange-rufous on lower flanks. HH Locally common to uncommon resident. In wet and dry grassy areas without trees in savanna, edges of farmland and similar habitats. Unobtrusive outside breeding season, foraging mostly low in rank grass or on ground. Voice Monotonous repetition of single harsh tsip, zit or tslik, from perch or, more often, in high, undulating display flight, one note at each dip; without wing-snapping. Alarm call a rapid tik-tik-tik.-...

Desert Cisticola Cisticola aridulus Cisticole du désert

10 cm

C. a. aridulus. In all plumages very similar to Zitting Cisticola but noticeably paler, more sandy coloured. HH Uncommon to fairly common resident. In short dry grass and fallow farmland in semi-arid areas. Voice Rapid repetition of clear, high-pitched note teehu, interspersed with dry clicking bill-snaps (only audible at short range) and occasional wingsnaps: teehu (tk)-teehu (tk)-teehu (tk)-tktktktk-teehu (tk)-.....

Black-backed Cisticola Cisticola eximius Cisticole à dos noir

10 cm

Male occidens breeding Top of head pale rufous-brown; head-sides pale greyish-buff; pale supraloral spot. Upperparts brown boldly streaked black; conspicuous orangerufous rump. Underparts whitish tinged buff on breast-sides and orange-rufous on lower flanks. Local race winneba (coastal Ghana) paler; nominate (N CAR) darker. Male non-breeding/female Crown streaked black; upperparts more rufous; flanks orangey. Compare Zitting Cisticola. HH Locally fairly common to rare resident. In moist open grassland, grassy valleys and floodplains. Voice Rather sharp, vibrant tsree-tsree-tsree-..., from perch or in undulating display flight high above territory, sometimes accompanied by rhythmic noise, sounding like wingsnapping, and occasionally including a distinctive, sharp, dissonant chereet-chereet; latter also used in alarm.

Dambo Cisticola Cisticola dambo Cisticole dambo

10–12 cm

Male breeding Resembles Zitting Cisticola, but more colourful, with better defined, neater black markings, and unusually long tail plain black above and below. Male nonbreeding/female Deeper rusty-buff above and below; tail blackish edged rusty-buff. HH Locally fairly common resident (race unknown). In open grassy plains and damp meadows (dambos). Voice Rasping, rather piercing hree-ep, hree-ep,... with wing-snapping, in display flight at great height.

Pectoral-patch Cisticola Cisticola brunnescens Cisticole brune

10 cm

Male lynesi breeding (Bamenda Highlands) Top of head russet-brown; black lores; tail blackish above and below. C. b. mbangensis (Adamawa Plateau) slightly paler, less streaky above; gabun (Gabon–Congo; usually treated as ssp. of Ayres’s Cisticola C. ayresii) more streaky on rump. Male non-breeding Top of head tawny broadly streaked black; faint loral mark. HH Locally fairly common to common resident. In open plains with short or burnt grass, dry dambos and, in highlands, areas with short grass and scattered low bushes on stony ground. Voice Rhythmic repetition of buzzing note, accelerating when diving to ground tzit-tzit-tzit-tzit-... -tzitzitzitzitzit...; accompanied by barely audible dry clicks.

Pale-crowned Cisticola Cisticola cinnamomeus Cisticole châtain

10 cm

C. c. midcongo. Top of head plain rusty buff-brown; large blackish loral patch extending slightly above and below eye; back heavily streaked. HH Local and uncommon resident. In short, dry or moist grassland. Voice Short series of thin, high-pitched eeeyip followed by series of lower, slightly vibrating rreee... as bird dives; finally returns to ground silently, without dry clicks.

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Desert Cisticola

Zitting Cisticola  br

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 /  non-br Black-backed Cisticola

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Dambo Cisticola  br

 /  non-br

gabun

Pectoral-patch Cisticola

 br Pale-crowned Cisticola

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PLATE 177: PRINIAS AND ALLIES I PRINIAS AND ALLIES (Plates 177–178) Rather slender, active warblers with long, graduated tails, occurring in pairs or small groups in grassy and bushy habitats.

Tawny-flanked Prinia Prinia subflava Prinia modeste

11–12 cm

Adult Very common warbler with brownish upperparts, distinct buffish supercilium, x creamy underparts tinged pale tawny on breast-sides and flanks, and rather long, graduated tail. In savanna zone, plumage assumed in dry season is paler, rusty-brown above, with longer tail and horn-coloured bill. Plumage variation, with palest birds in driest zones, strongly clinal; three races occur: pallescens (northern Sahel), nominate (southern Sahel and northern savannas) and melanorhyncha (southern savannas and forest zone). Juvenile Underparts tinged pale yellow; bill yellowish. HH Common resident. In wide variety of grassy and bushy habitats, incl. overgrown plantations, gardens, road edges and scrub at forest edges. Active and vocal, foraging low in rank herbage and shrubbery, with frequent jerky movements of cocked tail. Not shy. Voice Song a monotonous, rhythmic series of a single note, from prominent perch; speed of delivery and tone variable, e.g. sharp tzreep tzreep tzreep... and fast plip-plip-plip-plip-... Alarm a harsh zbeee.

River Prinia Prinia fluviatilis Prinia aquatique x

11–12 cm

Adult As Tawny-flanked Prinia, but somewhat greyer above and whiter below; best distinguished by voice. Juvenile Undescribed. HH Locally common resident; distribution inadequately known. Inhabits waterside vegetation, such as reedbeds, rank herbage and bushes. Very active. Sings very low, near ground or in top of bushes. Voice Song a rapid, rhythmic series of a single, high-pitched note heeup-heeup-heeup-... or tsiup-tsiuptsiup-.... Not reminiscent of Tawny-flanked Prinia; notes more drawn-out, rhythm much less variable.

Banded Prinia Prinia bairdii Prinia rayée

11.5 cm

P. b. bairdii. Adult Distinctive dark prinia with boldly and densely barred black-and-white underparts. Blackish-brown above (darkest on head); wing-coverts, tertials and strongly graduated tail tipped white. Juvenile Duller, with no or only slight barring below. HH Uncommon to locally common resident. In tangled undergrowth at forest edges, old clearings and wet grassland in forest/marsh ecotone in highlands and lowlands. Restless and vocal; moving with much wing-flicking and cocking of tail. Often forages on or just above ground. Voice Song a loud, shrill, fast series of single notes plee-plee-plee-plee-... and more rapid plipliplipliplipli..., given from cover; also wheet-wheet-trlrrrr.

Sierra Leone Prinia Schistolais leontica Prinia du Sierra Leone

13 cm

Adult Dark ash-grey with contrasting whitish eye; lower underparts deep buff; rather long, graduated tail. Juvenile Similar, but eye dark. HH Highly local, endemic resident; rare to fairly common at known sites. Inhabits dense vegetation in transition zone between submontane forest and submontane grassland, in more or less open areas within submontane forest, along streams and in gorges and gullies within hilly areas, at 700–1600 m. Behaviour much as other prinias: active, occurring singly, in pairs or small groups. Usually low down, within cover, occasionally emerging and perching in the open. Raises tail over back and swivels it from side to side when agitated. Voice Call psit or pit. Song, given in unsynchronised duet, a rapid, high-pitched sipsipsipsipsip... with second bird uttering lower, nasal bur-bur-bur-bur-... VU

White-chinned Prinia Schistolais leucopogon Prinia à gorge blanche

14 cm

S. l. leucopogon. Adult All grey with black mask and conspicuous creamy-white throat. Forecrown feathers have black centres, giving scaly appearance (only visible at very close range). Juvenile Similar; bill with horn-coloured tip. HH Uncommon to fairly common resident. In thick shrubbery at forest edge and overgrown cultivation. Restless and vocal; not easily seen in dense vegetation, but occasionally emerging and perching in the open. Voice Rather harsh chi-chik, constantly uttered but easily passing unnoticed. Also djuweet. Song, always in duet or group, a jumble of chi-chik calls.

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Tawny-flanked Prinia

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River Prinia

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Banded Prinia

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Sierra Leone Prinia

White-chinned Prinia

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PLATE 178: PRINIAS AND ALLIES II Red-winged Warbler Heliolais erythropterus Prinia à ailes rousses

12 cm

Adult erythropterus breeding Diagnostic combination of grey head and upperparts, bright rufous wings, long, graduated tail, and white throat merging into buff on rest x of underparts. Adult non-breeding Upperparts pale vinous-rufous; bill horn-coloured. x x H. e. jodopterus (C & S Cameroon east) tawnier above. Juvenile Similar to adult nonx breeding, but paler or duller. HH Uncommon to locally fairly common resident. In wooded x grasslands, restlessly foraging low in rank herbage. May perch conspicuously on bushes and fly to treetops. Voice Song a rapid, monotonous series of high pseep or thu-weet notes; in duet second bird utters dry chatter. Calls include thin tseek notes and a little dry churring trill.

Green Longtail Urolais epichlorus Prinia verte

14–15 cm

Adult epichlorus Easily identified by bright green upperparts, long, strongly graduated and usually heavily worn tail, and restricted range. Yellowish supraloral streak; underparts buffish becoming whitish on belly; undertail-coverts and thighs yellow. U. e. cinderella (northern part of SW Cameroon highlands) slightly larger; mariae (Bioko) has head-sides yellower, mantle greener, tail longer. Juvenile Similar; bill paler. HH Locally common resident. In pairs, family groups and mixed-species flocks in montane and submontane forest (above 800 m); also in second growth and isolated patches in savanna or farmland. Very active, foraging mainly at middle and upper levels, but also lower. Endemic. Voice Song an ascending peeeeppeep-peep-peep-pip-pip-pip; also a long rhythmic series of a single sharp note tsip-tsip-tsip-....

Red-winged Grey Warbler Drymocichla incana Prinia grise

14 cm

Adult Easily identified by pale grey plumage (darker on wings and tail; paler, becoming whitish, on underparts and supraloral area) and conspicuous rufous wing panel. Bill black. Juvenile Wing panel paler; flanks washed rufous; bill pale horn below. HH Local and uncommon to rare resident in riparian forest and thickets. Voice Song includes series of loud, clear kweeup kweeup kweeup... and repeated kwup ending in chatter. Duets.

Cricket Warbler Spiloptila clamans Prinia à front écailleux

11.5 cm

Distinctive, delicately coloured, pale and long-tailed dry-country warbler with black-andwhite pattern on wing-coverts. Adult male Hindcrown and nape pale grey. Adult female Hindcrown and nape cinnamon. Juvenile Browner; crown streaked dark brown. HH Uncommon to locally fairly common resident in sparsely vegetated thorn scrub. Usually in small, restless parties, constantly jerking tail in all directions. Not shy, often perching in the open or foraging on ground. Voice Song consists of dry, rhythmic, insect-like trills and series of single, high-pitched notes, both delivered in fast or slower tempo. Duets.

Buff-bellied Warbler Phyllolais pulchella Phyllolaïs à ventre fauve x

x

Red-fronted Warbler Urorhipis rufifrons Apalis à front roux x

10 cm

Nondescript small warbler with longish, graduated tail. Adult Upperparts pale olivebrown; lores, head-sides and underparts pale yellowish-buff. Dark, graduated tail with white outer feathers and tip. Juvenile Slightly darker above, yellower below. HH Uncommon to locally common resident. In pairs or small parties in dry Acacia woodland. Frequents treetops. Joins mixed-species flocks. Inconspicuous. Voice Song a dry, ascending, insect-like rattling zrrrrrt zrrrrrt. Calls cht-cht-cht-cht and tzr tzr chit.

11 cm

U. r. rufifrons. Adult Small dry-country warbler with contrasting rufous forehead, pale mouse-brown upperparts, and long, graduated tail black broadly tipped white. Underparts creamy-white. Juvenile Duller, with less white in tail. HH Uncommon resident (main range in E Africa). Inhabits arid scrub. Usually in pairs actively foraging in low bushes, with tail often cocked and constantly moving in all directions. Not shy. Voice Song a simple series of chirping notes tik tik tik tik ... and rhythmic tsyep-tsyep-tsyep-tsyep-... Alarm a sharp seep-seep or tzii and trill spispihehehe.

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Red-winged Warbler

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Green Longtail Red-winged Grey Warbler

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Cricket Warbler

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Red-fronted Warbler

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PLATE 179: APALISES I APALISES (Plates 179–180) Slender warblers with rather long, graduated tails. Singly, in pairs or small family groups; often in mixed-species flocks of small insectivores. Active. Song typically consists of rhythmic repetitions of a single note.

Yellow-breasted Apalis Apalis flavida Apalis à gorge jaune

11.5 cm

A. f. caniceps. Adult Head grey; upperparts green; underparts white with yellow breastband. Juvenile Head green; throat yellow; bill pale. HH Patchily distributed, generally uncommon and local resident. In riparian forest, thickets in wooded savanna, dry forest patches, bush and mangroves, from low down to treetops. Often in mixed-species flocks. Voice Male song a dry, rhythmic churup-churup-churup-churup-... very similar to one of the songs of Grey-backed Camaroptera. In duet, female utters sharp kep-kep-kep-kep-....

Black-capped Apalis Apalis nigriceps Apalis à calotte noire

11.5 cm

A. n. nigriceps. Adult male Head black; mantle golden-yellow becoming yellowishgreen on rest of upperparts. Tail slate-grey tipped white. Throat pure white bordered by black crescent-shaped breast-band; rest of underparts greyish-white. Adult female Pattern as male but head and breast-band grey, throat creamy-white. Juvenile As adult female but head tinged green, breast-band lacking, underparts tinged yellow. HH Locally common to rare resident. In canopy of rain forest. Usually in mixed flocks of small insectivores. Voice Monotonous, rhythmic series of single note tzrrrrr tzrrrr tzrrrr or turrrirrrp turrrirrrp turrrirrrp.... Sings persistently throughout the day. Duets.

Black-throated Apalis Apalis jacksoni Apalis à gorge noire

12 cm

Colourful apalis. Adult male bambuluensis (SE Nigeria–SW Cameroon highlands) Easily identified by mainly black head and throat with conspicuous white moustachial streak, and bright yellow underparts. Upperparts olive-green; flight feathers blackish, edged white on secondaries and tertials; tail dark grey, tipped and edged white. A. j. minor (S Cameroon–SW CAR/Congo) has top of head sooty-grey; upperparts paler, brighter green. Adult female Duller, with grey head. Juvenile As adult female, but even duller, with head yellowish-green (greyer in young male); moustachial streak tinged yellow; bill paler. HH Scarce to locally common and local resident. In canopy of montane forest, incl. edges (bambuluensis); also in lowland forest (minor). Sometimes with other small insectivores. Voice Rapid ku-kree ku-kree ku-kree..., very different from other apalises and difficult to transcribe. Duets.

Masked Apalis Apalis binotata Apalis masquée

10 cm

Adult male Head dark slate-grey; upperparts and tail green. Throat to centre of upper breast black bordered by white malar stripe (often reduced to short streak at base of neck) and yellowish-green breast-sides. Rest of underparts white with yellowish flanks and undertail-coverts. Adult female As male, but always has a complete white malar stripe. Juvenile Head grey-green; throat greyish; rest of underparts tinged yellow. HH Uncommon to locally fairly common resident. In old clearings and second growth in lowland and submontane forest (up to 1000 m). Voice Fast series of sharp, dry notes tireetiree-tiree-... or trièk-trièk-trièk...; with variations. Female often joins with fast tatatatatata...

Black-collared Apalis Oreolais pulcher Apalis à col noir

13 cm

O. p. pulcher. Distinctive highland apalis. Adult Combination of black breast-band and rufous flanks on white underparts diagnostic. Slate-grey above; outer tail feathers mainly white. Juvenile Breast-band dusky grey. HH Locally common resident. Usually in small groups, in thick undergrowth of montane forest and its edges (mainly at 1550–2900 m). Restless; forages low in dense tangles, flicking tail up and down, and sideways, and often holding it cocked at an acute angle. Occasionally moves higher. Not shy. Voice Broad repertoire includes rhythmic series of mewing pew-pew-pew-pew-... ., rapid kewkewkewkewkew... and slower pweet pweet pweet... Note Formerly included in Apalis.

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Yellow-breasted Apalis

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Black-throated Apalis juv

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Masked Apalis

Black-collared Apalis

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PLATE 180: APALISES II Sharpe’s Apalis Apalis sharpii Apalis de Sharpe

x

11.5 cm

Adult male Very dark with wholly sooty-grey plumage, underparts becoming soft grey from breast down. Adult female Dark grey above; throat deep buff; rest of underparts pale grey becoming white on central belly. Juvenile Greyish-olive above; pale lemon below with greyish breast-sides and flanks. HH Fairly common to locally common resident. Usually in pairs, foraging actively in forest canopy, sometimes lower near edges. Often with mixed flocks of small insectivores. Endemic. Voice Monotonous, fast, rhythmic cherit-cherit-cherit-... or tirrit-tirrit-tirrit-... given throughout the day. Duets.

Buff-throated Apalis Apalis rufogularis Apalis à gorge rousse

11.5 cm

Adult male rufogularis Entire head, upperparts, throat and upper breast dark slategrey; outer tail feathers white (conspicuous in flight); rest of underparts white, washed greyish on flanks. A. r. sanderi (S Benin–SW Nigeria) has head darker; throat black. Adult female Similar, but throat and upper breast cinnamon-rufous. Juvenile Olive-green above; pale yellow below. HH Fairly common to locally common resident. In pairs within canopy of lowland forest. Regularly joins mixed flocks of small insectivores. Active and restless, like congeners. Voice Fast, monotonous, rhythmic truit-truit-truit-... or cheerkcheerk-... with variations.

Grey Apalis Apalis cinerea Apalis cendrée

13 cm

Adult funebris Dark ashy-grey above, outer tail feathers mainly white; whitish below, flanks washed pale grey. A. c. sclateri (Mt Cameroon, Bioko) somewhat buffier below. Juvenile Tinged olive above and yellow below. HH Locally common resident. In canopy and mid-levels of montane and mid-altitude forest (850–2900 m), occasionally descending to undergrowth. Singly, in pairs or most commonly in small parties, or with mixed flocks x of small insectivores. Frequently fans and flicks tail, like congeners. Voice Monotonous ? series of single, rather croaking note kwek-kwek-kwek-kwek-...; often preceded by sweet, descending trill pirrrrrrrr (reminiscent of ringing telephone) or trrrr-tik-tik. Also duets, male (presumably) uttering kwek notes, female series of pirrrrr trills.

Bamenda Apalis Apalis bamendae Apalis du Bamenda

11.5 cm

Adult Greyish with rufous forehead, head-sides and throat. Crown and upperparts dark grey tinged brownish. Rest of underparts grey, paler on central belly. Juvenile Duller, with crown and upperparts more olive-brown, rufous on face and throat paler, and underparts dirty cream. HH Fairly common to locally common resident. In canopy of (even small) forest patches in savanna within montane and submontane areas (680–2050 m). Endemic. Voice Simple short note, monotonously repeated in relatively slow rhythm, resembling song of Gosling’s Apalis. Also a 3-note tswee-tit-tit tswee-tit-tit ... or tsu-twit-twit tsu-twit-twit ... and fast tsutititititititititit.

Gosling’s Apalis Apalis goslingi Apalis de Gosling

11 cm

Adult Slate-grey above, pale grey below; throat creamy-white. Juvenile Upperparts tinged greenish; throat and centre of underparts pale yellow. HH Uncommon to locally common resident. In lowland forest along rivers. Mostly forages at mid-level. Voice Short, fast, rhythmic series of single note twit-twit-twit-twit-... and faster twititititititititit, slightly reminiscent of Banded Prinia.

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Sharpe’s Apalis

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Bamenda Apalis Gosling’s Apalis

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PLATE 181: CAMAROPTERAS AND ORIOLE WARBLER CAMAROPTERAS Small, with rather long and straight bills; colour of thighs contrasting with belly. Skulk in dense vegetation, mostly low down, but are vocal. Singly or in pairs. Pouch-like nest sewn into leaves of a shrub.

Grey-backed Camaroptera Camaroptera brachyura Camaroptère à tête grise

11.5 cm

Adult Small grey warbler with contrasting yellowish-green wings. Central belly whitish; x thighs orange-buff. Savanna race brevicaudata paler than forest zone race tincta and assumes non-breeding plumage in dry season (Oct–May) when upperparts become ashybrown and underparts paler. Juvenile Dull olive-green above; pale lemon-yellow below. HH Common resident. Frequents dense shrubbery in various habitats. Tail often held cocked at sharp angle over back. One of the most widespread and common warblers. Voice Call a distinctive mewing note. Song variable, but always a rhythmic repetition (variable in speed) of a single note, e.g. churrup-churrup-churrup-..., churp-churp-churp-..., chrup chrup chrup ..., kechup-kechup-..., etc. Note The many races of this species form two complexes, the extralimital green-backed ‘nominate group’ and the greybacked ‘brevicaudata group’; these sometimes treated as two separate species, Green-backed Camaroptera C. brachyura and Grey-backed Camaroptera C. brevicaudata.

Olive-green Camaroptera Camaroptera chloronota Camaroptère à dos vert

11 cm

Very skulking and usually difficult to see, but song loud and distinctive. Dark olive-green above; uniformly slate-grey below. Thighs cinnamon. Adult kelsalli (Guinea–Ghana) has x lores and ear-coverts tinged rufous, and uniform grey underparts; in nominate (Togo– CAR/Congo) ear-coverts greyish, underparts become greyish-white on undertail-coverts and washed dusky-greenish on breast. Island race granti (Bioko) deeper grey below; toroensis (SE CAR) has forehead, head-sides and throat pale brownish or rufous-buff. Juvenile More yellowish-green above; pale lemon-yellow below washed grey on flanks. HH Locally fairly common resident. Occurs within dense undergrowth at forest edges. Voice Song a remarkable, loud and sustained series of a single note uttered at same pitch and without interruption for up to several minutes before ceasing abruptly.

Yellow-browed Camaroptera Camaroptera superciliaris Camaroptère à sourcils jaunes

11 cm

Short-tailed and rather long-billed with distinctive colour pattern. Adult Bright green above with bright yellow supercilium and ear-coverts, and black lores. Greyish-white below becoming whiter on belly; thighs and undertail-coverts bright yellow. When singing, throat of male swells and reveals bare blue patch at sides. Juvenile Throat and breast yellow. HH Uncommon to common resident. In dense shrubbery and tangles at forest edges and in overgrown farmland. Wing-snapping often heard. Voice Song a distinctive double nasal note, sounding like koa-koa or kweh-kweh. Female may respond with nasal maaaah.

Oriole Warbler Hypergerus atriceps Noircap loriot

20 cm

Large, slender warbler, with unique plumage pattern, long, graduated tail and distinctive song. Adult Head, throat and upper breast black, feathers of crown and head-sides fringed silvery white (giving scaly appearance); upperparts and tail yellowish-olive; rest of underparts yellow. Slender, black bill. Eye reddish. Juvenile Duller, with black of head x x x and throat washed green; eye grey. HH Scarce to locally fairly common resident. Singly or in pairs in undergrowth of riparian thickets with stands of palms and bamboo; also away from water in thicket clumps in savanna, and on coast, in mangroves and dense bush. Often difficult to see, but emerges in the open to inspect palm fronds. Voice Song a short, rapid and frequently repeated series of loud, melodious whistles hu-hee-tee-teehu and longer hu-hee-tee-tu-hwu-hwuu or hu-heehee-heehu, sometimes ending with descending whee-whuu-whuu-whuu; with variations. Female utters a rikitikitikitik thuwthuwthuw in duet. Note Affinities uncertain; currently placed in Cisticolidae. [Alt: Moho]

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tincta

br brevicaudata

Grey-backed Camaroptera

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Yellow-browed Camaroptera chloronota

Olive-green Camaroptera

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Oriole Warbler

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PLATE 182: EREMOMELAS EREMOMELAS Small and active warblers, occurring in pairs or small parties and often joining mixed-species flocks.

Rufous-crowned Eremomela Eremomela badiceps Érémomèle à tête brune

11 cm

Adult fantiensis Grey above with bright rufous-chestnut cap bordered by blackish streak and creamy-white throat bordered by black band; rest of underparts pale grey, becoming creamy in centre. Nominate (from Nigeria east) has whiter belly. Juvenile Olive-grey above, yellowish below; no cap nor gorget (or just a hint of these). HH Fairly common to uncommon resident. In canopy of lowland forest; occasionally lower down, at edges and in clearings. Often joins mixed-species flocks of small insectivores. Voice Frequently uttered contact call a dry tik or tsik; also a soft ti-ti-tu ti-ti-tu and short dry trills trr trr trr trr ....

Senegal Eremomela Eremomela pusilla Érémomèle à dos vert

x

10 cm

Adult Common savanna species with greyish head, green upperparts, white throat and upper breast, and bright lemon-yellow lower underparts. Juvenile Duller. HH Common resident in various woodlands. In small parties, actively foraging and flitting between trees. Frequently in mixed-species flocks. Breeds co-operatively. Endemic. Voice Cheerful little trill, constantly uttered when foraging. Dawn song a rhythmic, monotonous whirpwhirp-whirp-... , delivered from perch, prior to and during breeding season; may be uttered continuously for up to 30 minutes.

Green-backed Eremomela Eremomela canescens Érémomèle grisonnante

11 cm

E. c. canescens. Adult Similar to Senegal Eremomela but better marked and brighter, with well-defined, whiter supercilium, black eye-stripe and clear grey head sharply demarcated from yellowish-green upperparts. Juvenile Duller. HH Common resident. In open wooded grassland. Behaviour as Senegal Eremomela. Voice Continuous, cheerful chittering, less melodious and more complex than Senegal Eremomela’s. Call a harsh, double note.

Yellow-bellied Eremomela Eremomela icteropygialis Érémomèle à croupion jaune x

x

10 cm

E. i. alexanderi. Adult Head and upperparts pale brownish-grey; faint supercilium; throat and breast greyish-white; rest of underparts lemon-yellow. Juvenile Duller; wing-coverts and tertials tipped and edged buff. HH Fairly common to uncommon resident. In arid Acacia scrub. Voice Short, clear, rather cheerful song cheri-chu-chit-chu-ruchwee, similar to Northern Crombec’s.

Salvadori’s Eremomela Eremomela (icteropygialis) salvadorii Érémomèle de Salvadori

11 cm

Adult Similar to Yellow-bellied Eremomela but darker and more colourful, with olive-green upperparts, browner wings, whitish throat becoming pale grey on breast, and brighter yellow on rest of underparts. Also slightly larger. HH Locally common resident. In wooded grassland. Voice Short, clear song, similar to Yellow-bellied Eremomela’s.

Green-capped Eremomela Eremomela scotops Érémomèle à calotte verte

11 cm

E. s. congensis. Adult Grey-green above strongly washed yellow on head, with narrow yellow line on forehead extending as faint supercilium, and dusky lores accentuating pale yellow eye (eye colour not always easy to see in field). Lemon-yellow below, becoming whitish on throat and belly. Juvenile Paler and duller. HH Uncommon to locally common resident. In wooded grassland. Voice Twittering trill and low chattering, uttered when foraging. Also harsh churring calls. Dawn song a rhythmic, monotonous twurp-twurptwurp-... or tlip-tlip-tlip-...

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Rufous-crowned Eremomela

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Senegal Eremomela

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Green-backed Eremomela

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Yellow-bellied Eremomela

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Salvadori’s Eremomela

Green-capped Eremomela

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PLATE 183: GREEN HYLIA, WHITE-TAILED WARBLER AND RUFOUS WARBLERS Green Hylia Hylia prasina Hylia verte

11.5 cm

Adult prasina Dark olive-green above with creamy supercilium emphasised by blackish eye-stripe. Throat greenish-white becoming olivaceous-grey on rest of underparts. Bill short and black; legs olivaceous. Races poorly differentiated; poensis (Bioko) has whiter throat. Juvenile Greener overall; bill pale; legs pale pinkish. HH Common resident. In forest and relict forest patches. Forages at all levels, mostly in mid-stratum. Often in mixed-species flocks. Betrays presence by characteristic, easily memorised, disyllabic whistle. Voice One of the most typical forest sounds: a loud, clear, double whistle heehee. Also a short dry rattle. Note Affinities uncertain.

? ?

White-tailed Warbler Poliolais lopezi Poliolaïs à queue blanche

10 cm

Small, short-tailed and rather long-billed warbler with marked sexual dimorphism. In all forms tail feathers mainly white except two central pairs, which are dark brown (tail thus appears dark above, white below). Adult male alexanderi (Mt Cameroon) Blackish-grey with olive wash; throat slate-grey; undertail-coverts tinged rufous. P. l. manengubae (SE Nigeria–SW Cameroon) wholly sooty-grey; lopezi (Bioko) similar. Adult female (all races very similar) Forehead and head-sides rufous-chestnut merging into dark greyish-brown crown and upperparts. Underparts dusky-grey washed rufous on throat and upper breast; flanks, thighs and undertail-coverts rusty-brown. Juvenile Olive-brown above; olive-green below becoming yellower on central breast and belly. HH Locally fairly common resident. Frequents dense undergrowth in montane forest, incl. edges (800–2200 m). Behaviour similar to camaroptera, restlessly moving within dense vegetation, where difficult to observe. Usually in pairs or small family parties. Not shy. Flicks outer tail feathers sideways, in scissor-like fashion. Endemic. Voice Song a regular series of clear, high-pitched, single notes, each repeated several times. Call a clear hee-huuw hee-huuw... Alarm a plaintive, high-pitched peep. NT BATHMOCERCUS WARBLERS Rather thickset species with distinctive coloration and graduated, often cocked tails. Secretive, keeping low in thick undergrowth, but presence revealed by distinctive songs.

Black-headed Rufous Warbler Bathmocercus cerviniventris Bathmocerque à capuchon

x

xx

Black-faced Rufous Warbler Bathmocercus rufus Bathmocerque à face noire

x

13 cm

Adult male Head and throat to central breast black; upperparts and breast-sides rufousbrown; flanks and belly cinnamon. Adult female Generally paler with white chin and ‘whiskers’. HH Rare to uncommon and local resident. Usually in pairs in dense, moist vegetation in open areas within various forest types, often near small streams and creeks, and in swampy areas. Difficult to observe as it keeps low to ground in thickest undergrowth. Endemic. Voice Song simple but variable, consisting of endlessly repeated series of 2–3 clear, vigorous whistles, e.g. pee-pee hwu, pee-pee hwu, pee-pee hwu... and peet-whuu whut, ...; tiuuu-tiuu whu, ...; pwhee-whu, ... ; piuu-thee, ... etc.. NT

13 cm

B. r. rufus. Adult male Face to central breast black; upperparts, tail and breast-sides rufous-chestnut; flanks and belly grey. Adult female Rufous-chestnut replaced by grey; breast-sides with some creamy-buff. Juvenile Mainly dark olive-grey. HH Locally fairly common resident. In dense undergrowth of forest and old abandoned cultivation (up to 1700 m). Voice Song: monotonous series of penetrating, high-pitched whistles (hard to locate), e.g. HEEEEET, HEEEEET, ... ; HEET-HEET-...; HEE-HEE hu-EE.... (duet; sounding like unoiled wheelbarrow); in another duet male whistles while female utters dry rattling chrrk notes. Male also sings alone. Call chip.

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manengubae / lopezi

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White-tailed Warbler

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Black-headed Rufous Warbler

Black-faced Rufous Warbler

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PLATE 184: WARBLERS I – BRADYPTERUS, MELOCICHLA AND SCHOENICOLA WARBLERS (Plates 184–193) Large, varied group of mostly small songbirds. Sexes similar, except in Sylvia; juveniles unspotted. Mainly insectivorous. Broad range of vocalisations. Occur in all habitats. Identification should usually be based on a combination of plumage characters, habitat, behaviour, voice and distribution. BRADYPTERUS WARBLERS Drab-coloured skulkers with long, graduated tails. Hard to see but songs distinctive.

Little Rush Warbler Bradypterus baboecala Bouscarle caqueteuse

15 cm

Adult centralis Dark brown with broad, steeply graduated tail (often worn and appearing tatty), narrow buffish supercilium and rufous-tinged rump. Faintly streaked dusky on throat and upper breast. B. b. chadensis (L. Chad) lacks streaks on throat. Juvenile Underparts tinged yellowish. HH Rare and local resident. In reedbeds, dense aquatic vegetation, rank herbage. Secretive, but may perch in the open, esp. in early morning. Display flight low and bouncing on whirring wings, with tail spread and pointing downwards, only over short distances before diving into cover. Voice Song a distinctive, loud series of identical, dry, single notes, accelerating at end and ceasing abruptly kruk, kruk kruk kruk-krukukukukukuk. Alarm a nasal meew.

Dja River Warbler Bradypterus grandis Bouscarle géante

x

18.5 cm

Resembles Little Rush Warbler, but much larger and more distinctly streaked on throat and upper breast. HH Rare and local resident in Rhynchospora marshes within forest zone. Near or on ground, creeping mouse-like through dense rank herbage. Endemic. Voice Song consists of four introductory notes, increasing in speed, followed by drawn-out trill sweep-sweep-sweepswip-rrrrrurrrr. NT

Evergreen Forest Warbler Bradypterus lopezi Bouscarle de Lopes

13–14.5 cm

Sombre-coloured with buff supercilium and long, strongly graduated, usually heavily worn tail. Adult camerunensis (Mt Cameroon) Dark chestnut-brown above; paler below. Nominate (Bioko) more cinnamon below, esp. on throat and belly. HH Fairly common but highly local resident. In undergrowth of montane forest (800–2150 m). Voice Song a vigorous, rapid, rhythmic series of 3–9 identical notes. Speed and notes variable. Call a hard chrrk, vibrant pirr and loud klik (alarm).

Bangwa Forest Warbler Bradypterus (lopezi) bangwaensis Bouscarle de Bangwa

14–15 cm

Rather brightly coloured. Russet-brown above; bright rufous-cinnamon below with white throat and belly. HH Locally fairly common to common resident in highlands (1600–2950 m). In shrubbery along forest tracks and clearings, edges of riparian forest, rank herbage in forest plantations, tall thick grass, scrub, bracken and brambles. Endemic. Voice Song a rhythmic series of identical notes, increasing in volume; speed variable. Female sometimes forms duet with high-pitched whistles. Call a rattling krrr. NT

African Moustached Warbler Melocichla mentalis Mélocichle à moustaches x

19–20 cm

M. m. mentalis. Large, bulky warbler with fairly long, broad, rounded tail. Plain earth-brown above with rufous-brown forehead and yellowish eye. Black malar stripe contrasts with white throat. Juvenile Lacks rufous on forehead; wing-coverts tipped buff; eye dark. HH Fairly common resident. In rank herbage in savanna. Usually hidden in tall grass or scrub but song attracts attention. Sometimes quite confiding, singing in the open. Voice Song a distinctive, cheerful and vigorous tup-tup-twiddle-diddle-dee. Call a hoarse, querulous pièh-pièh-pièh-...

Broad-tailed Warbler Schoenicola brevirostris Graminicole à queue large

17 cm

S. b. alexinae. Brown with long, broad, blackish-brown tail. HH Uncommon and local resident in rank vegetation and tall grass in highlands. Locally common in dambos (Congo). Usually hidden but occasionally atop grass stem. Flushes with difficulty. Song flight up to 15 m above ground in broad circles, tail fanned and jerking up and down, wings snapping. Voice Slow, deliberate series of similar, high-pitched whistles heeet, heeet, heeet, ... In song flight a dry tzit...tzit...tzit...

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Little Rush Warbler

Dja River Warbler

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Evergreen Forest Warbler Bangwa Forest Warbler

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African Moustached Warbler Broad-tailed Warbler

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PLATE 185: WARBLERS II – ACROCEPHALUS ACROCEPHALUS WARBLERS Dull-coloured species with mainly brown upperparts, paler underparts, rounded tails and prominent bills. Occur in reedbeds, marshes and rank vegetation; Palearctic migrants also in less typical habitats, far from water.

European Reed Warbler Acrocephalus scirpaceus Rousserolle effarvatte

12.5–13 cm

A. s. scirpaceus. Plain brown above with contrasting rusty-tinged rump. Rather flat forehead and crown in combination with long thin bill produce tapering profile. Pale supercilium faint and short; narrow whitish eye-ring. Underparts whitish with rustybrown wash on breast-sides and flanks. Note primary projection. HH Scarce to common Palearctic visitor (Sep–May). In dense dry herbage, riverside thickets with tall grass, scrub, cassava plantations and gardens. Skulking but not shy; attracted to imitations of its call. Voice Song a series of slow, grating and nasal syllables repeated 2–5 times e.g. kerr-kerr-kerr kirrik-kirrik-kirrik peet-peet-peet trer-trer-trer tjetje-tjetje..., occasionally including imitations. In winter quarters song is usually more subdued. Call krrrr and chrrrt. Alarm a sharp tek, tek and krrrt.

African Reed Warbler Acrocephalus (scirpaceus) baeticatus Rousserolle africaine

12–12.5 cm

Very similar to European Reed Warbler and virtually indistinguishable in field but slightly smaller with shorter, rounder wings not extending beyond rump. Plumage slightly brighter coloured (cinnamomeus; throughout), or a shade darker with slight grey tinge (guiersi; N Senegal). Juvenile As adult. HH Patchily distributed, locally fairly common to scarce resident. In reedbeds, rank grass on lakeshores and similar moist habitats; may occur alongside European Reed Warbler. Status inadequately known through similarity with European Reed Warbler. Voice As European Reed Warbler.

Marsh Warbler Acrocephalus palustris Rousserolle verderolle x

x x

12.5–13 cm

Very similar to European Reed Warbler and extremely difficult to separate when not singing. Typically more uniform olive grey-brown above (lacking warm brown tones), rump distinctly less rusty, wings slightly longer with narrow pale tips to 7–8 primaries visible, legs usually paler. HH Palearctic vagrant, recorded from Sierra Leone (Nov 2010) and NE Nigeria (Sep & Oct 2000); also claimed NW Senegal (Jan 1994). Winters mainly in SE Africa. Habits as European Reed Warbler. Voice Calls: sharp tek, low tuk, grating krrr (alarm). Song extremely rich and varied, including many imitations and liquid trills.

Greater Swamp Warbler Acrocephalus rufescens Rousserolle des cannes

18 cm

Adult rufescens Robust, recalling Lesser Swamp Warbler but larger and heavier, with darker, cold brown upperparts, faint and greyish supercilium, and longer bill. Underparts x x greyish-white washed tawny on flanks. A. r. senegalensis (S Mauritania, NW Senegal, Gambia) and chadensis (L. Chad area) slightly paler above, whiter below; former greyer on head. Juvenile Has warmer plumage tones. Great Reed Warbler is heavier and has warmer brown upperparts, obvious and pale supercilium, stouter bill and longer primary projection. HH Patchily distributed resident. Uncommon to locally fairly common but local in west of range, more common and widespread in east. In reedbeds, marshes, moist herbage and sugarcane plantations. Solitary and secretive but inquisitive. Voice Song: loud croaking, churring and gurgling notes, very similar to song of Lesser Swamp Warbler, but slightly lower-pitched and more guttural. Call a harsh chrr, low kreeok and chok!

Lesser Swamp Warbler Acrocephalus gracilirostris Rousserolle à bec fin x

14–15 cm

A. g. neglectus. Adult Noticeably larger than European and African Reed Warblers, with darker brown upperparts, distinct whitish supercilium and whiter underparts; breastsides and flanks dull rusty. Juvenile Upperparts warmer, more tawny. HH Rare resident. In reedbeds and similar vegetation along lakes, pools, marshes, etc. Forages low. Inquisitive and highly vocal in breeding season. Voice Song: a few notes followed by a fast trilling or bubbling series, e.g. chok chok djujujujujuju or klok klik djidji gligligligligligli and twip prr-titititititti trrr chroorreee and variations; similar to song of Greater Swamp Warbler but more melodious. Call a hard chuk! and low cheruk.

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European Reed Warbler

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guiersi

cinnamomeus

African Reed Warbler ad

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Marsh Warbler

Greater Swamp Warbler ad

Lesser Swamp Warbler

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PLATE 186: WARBLERS III – ACROCEPHALUS AND LOCUSTELLA Sedge Warbler Acrocephalus schoenobaenus Phragmite des joncs

13 cm

Easily distinguished from other small Acrocephalus, except Aquatic Warbler, by conspicuous creamy-buff supercilium bordered by dark eye-stripe, and streaked upperparts. Rump unstreaked rusty-brown contrasting with dark brown upperparts and tail. Legs brownish. First-winter may have ill-defined creamy crown-stripe and faintly speckled breast. HH Fairly common Palearctic visitor (Sep–May) in reedbeds, rank x vegetation by rivers and lakes, inundated grassland and similar habitats. Inquisitive and x attracted to imitation of call. Voice Song a fast series of extremely varied rasping and musical notes, most repeated several times, including clear trills and imitations. Call tuk. Alarm trrr. x

Aquatic Warbler Acrocephalus paludicola Phragmite aquatique

13 cm

Boldly marked Acrocephalus with creamy-buff supercilium and sharply defined crownstripe; lores usually pale. Upperparts (incl. rump) yellowish-buff heavily streaked x blackish-brown (becoming greyish-brown with wear), mantle bordered by two broad buffish longitudinal stripes (‘tramlines’); tail spiky. Underparts buffish-white; breast-sides and flanks washed buff and finely streaked. Legs pale pinkish. First-winter Bright strawcoloured with no or very little streaking on underparts. HH Scarce to uncommon and local Palearctic visitor (Sep–Apr). Winters in extensive, waterlogged open marshes with high grasses and very few or no bushes or trees, and similar habitats. Flight low and jerky. Secretive. Voice Song (regularly uttered from Jan–Feb) includes call alternated with short series of rapidly repeated notes e.g. krrr hweeweeweeweewee, krrr diidiidiidiidii, krrr dudududududu kirrr....etc. Call a sharp krrr krrr. VU x

Great Reed Warbler Acrocephalus arundinaceus Rousserolle turdoïde x

x

19–20 cm

A. a. arundinaceus. Like very large and bulky European Reed Warbler, with much stouter bill, angular head and more prominent supercilium. HH Uncommon to scarce Palearctic visitor (Sep–May; more common from Ivory Coast east) in variety of habitats, incl. scrub, wooded grassland, dense herbage, cassava plantations, thickets, second growth and swamps. Solitary, territorial and not shy. Voice Song a rather slow series of far-carrying, low, raucous, grating notes interspersed with high squeaks, repeated 2–3 times e.g. krrkrr karra-karra-karra-keet-keet, kruruk-kruruk kreek-kreek... In winter quarters utters both subdued and full song. Call a hard krek.

x

LOCUSTELLA WARBLERS Dull-coloured Palearctic migrants, with rounded tails and very long undertail-coverts. Skulk low in dense vegetation.

Grasshopper Warbler Locustella naevia Locustelle tachetée

12.5 cm

L. n. naevia. Secretive, darkish warbler with diffusely streaked olive-brown upperparts, faint supercilium and graduated, rounded tail. Dirty whitish below, often washed brownish x x x x on breast with some diffuse streaking on breast, rear flanks and undertail-coverts. HH Scarce or rare to uncommon Palearctic visitor (Sep–May). In dense rank herbage and x x regrowth. Unobtrusive, keeping low to ground, walking or running mouse-like through dense vegetation. Flight flitting, low and only over short distances. Bobs tail, thereby x showing streaky undertail-coverts. Probably overlooked due to skulking behaviour. Voice Call a short twit or pit. Song (exceptionally heard in winter quarters) a monotonous, insect-like reeling, uttered on constant high pitch.

Savi’s Warbler Locustella luscinioides Locustelle luscinioïde x

x

x

x

14 cm

L. l. luscinioides. Resembles European Reed Warbler (Plate 185), but larger and with broad, rounded tail and curved primaries (straight in all Acrocephalus). Plain warm brown above; narrow pale supercilium. Whitish throat and belly becoming buffish-brown on breast and flanks; undertail-coverts very long, cinnamon-buff, often with paler tips. HH Rare to scarce and patchily recorded Palearctic visitor (Oct–Apr). In dense scrub and herbage near or in water. Voice Call a sharp tswik. Song (exceptionally uttered in winter quarters) an insect-like reel similar to Grasshopper Warbler’s but faster, lower-pitched and more buzzing.

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Sedge Warbler Aquatic Warbler

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Great Reed Warbler

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Grasshopper Warbler

Savi’s Warbler

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PLATE 187: WARBLERS IV – IDUNA AND HIPPOLAIS IDUNA AND HIPPOLAIS WARBLERS Mostly plain-coloured and arboreal, with prominent, rather broad, flattened bills and square tails.

Western Olivaceous Warbler Iduna opaca Hypolaïs obscure

13–14 cm

Strikingly pale and rather elongated with long bill and flat crown. Above dull pale grey to greyish-brown; rump slightly warmer coloured; short pale supercilium faint and typically not extending behind dark eye. Below whitish washed pale buff on breast-sides and flanks. x Bill strong with convex (‘bulging’) sides. HH Fairly common to rare Palearctic visitor (late x x x xx xx x Aug–May; records in all months). In riparian forest, wooded grassland, scrub, overgrown plantations and gardens. Solitary and restless. Voice Song a rapid, rather hoarse warble, x including harsh, often repeated notes; somewhat reminiscent of European and African Reed Warblers. Calls chek! and churr-churr, similar to I. pallida. Note Formerly included in Hippolais.

Eastern Olivaceous Warbler Iduna pallida Hypolaïs pâle

12–13.5 cm

Similar to Western Olivaceous Warbler and often impossible to distinguish in field on plumage features alone, but frequently pumps tail downwards (I. opaca holds tail still). Often has pale wing panel (formed by paler fringes to secondaries and tertials; lacking in I. opaca). Bill finer with straight or slightly concave sides. Races vary slightly in plumage tones and size: elaeica (from SE Europe) colder grey-brown above than I. opaca, whiter x below; N African reiseri slightly paler and sandier; also smaller. Resident laeneni (Niger/N Nigeria– Chad/N Cameroon) even paler than reiseri and greyer, esp. on rump. HH I. p. reiseri is scarce visitor (mainly Sep–Apr), possibly breeds N Mauritania; wintering range inadequately known. I. p. elaeica is Palearctic visitor in east (fairly common S Chad, rare NE Nigeria); laeneni fairly common resident in Acacia woodland and partial migrant. Voice Song a rapid, harsh warble, with short motifs being repeated before moving on. Calls a hard chek! or tak! and churr-churr. Note Formerly included in Hippolais.

African Yellow Warbler Iduna natalensis Chloropète jaune x

Melodious Warbler Hippolais polyglotta Hypolaïs polyglotte

? ?

x

13 cm

Adult batesi Yellowish-brown above; bright yellow below. I. n. major (Gabon–Congo) slightly paler and greener above. Juvenile Duller and more buffy. HH Patchily distributed, uncommon to fairly common resident. In rank herbage, reeds, dense forest edge, up to 2150 m. Secretive, foraging low in vegetation, but may clamber up vertical stem to sing from exposed perch. Voice Song: a few dry notes followed by a fast series of throaty and varied notes. Alarm tsk! or chrr! Note Formerly placed in Chloropeta.

13 cm

Olive-green above; yellow below. Pale lores and faint supercilium confer open-faced expression. In autumn, prior to moult, may appear very washed out with pale greygreen upperparts and creamy underparts. Very similar to Icterine Warbler but wings shorter (primary projection c. half of tertial length), wing panel lacking or indistinct, crown rounder. Bill mainly orange-pink. Legs brownish (grey in Icterine). HH Common to uncommon Palearctic visitor (Sep–early May) in various wooded and scrubby habitats. Voice Song a rapid, sustained and varied babble, sometimes including imitations. Call a chattering, sparrow-like tchèèèrr or tret-tret-...

Icterine Warbler Hippolais icterina Hypolaïs ictérine

13.5 cm

Very similar to Melodious Warbler but has peaked (not rounded) crown, longer wings (primary projection almost equal tertial length) and, following moult in winter quarters, x x pale wing panel (formed by yellow fringes to inner secondaries and tertials). Best x x distinguished by voice. First-winter Duller; greyish-green above; pale underparts washed x x x x ? xx yellow. HH Palearctic visitor (late Aug–mid-May), mainly in east of region. Winters mainly south of equator. In open woodland and scrub. Raises crown feathers when excited. Voice Song a varied and sustained jumble of harsh, melodious and discordant, often repeated notes, including a distinctive nasal and creaky GEE-a (recalling sound made by squeezing rubber toy) and imitations. In winter quarters often a quieter, less varied subsong. Call tek and deedeweet.

Olive-tree Warbler Hippolais olivetorum Hypolaïs des oliviers

17 cm

Large, greyish warbler with long, heavy bill, rather flat, sloping crown, pale supraloral streak and pale wing panel. HH Palearctic vagrant, Niger (N Aïr, Aug, year unknown); and Nigeria (Kano, Oct 1971). Main wintering grounds in E & S Africa. In dry bush country. Unobtrusive. Regularly waves and dips tail. Voice Call a hard tsek or tuk.

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Icterine Warbler

Olive-tree Warbler

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PLATE 188: WARBLERS V – PHYLLOSCOPUS PHYLLOSCOPUS WARBLERS Very active, arboreal birds with largely greenish upperparts, pale underparts, a pale supercilium and a dusky eye-stripe.

Willow Warbler Phylloscopus trochilus Pouillot fitis

11–12.5 cm

Olive-green above; yellowish supercilium; throat and breast pale yellowish; belly whitish; legs pale brownish. Adults in fresh plumage (after moult Jul–Aug) and first-winters are yellower overall, with greener upperparts and evenly yellow underparts. Races vary slightly in plumage tones: acredula usually paler and greyer than nominate. HH Common Palearctic visitor (mainly Sep–May) to various wooded habitats; rarely at edges of rain x x forest. Singly or in small groups; sometimes in mixed-species flocks. Restless, flicking wings and tail. Voice Soft, plaintive hooeet. Song sweet, short and slightly melancholic, starting with a few faint notes, growing louder, then fading and ending in short flourish se-se-see-see-swee-swee-sweet-sweetsweeut-sweetoo; occasionally uttered in winter quarters, esp. before northward migration.

Common Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita Pouillot véloce

x x

x

x

x x

x

x

x

10–12 cm

Resembles Willow Warbler, but is less yellow and has more uniform, darker plumage, dark legs, shorter primary projection (about half of tertial length), and more compact shape. Races vary slightly in plumage tones: nominate mainly brownish-olive above and dull buffishyellow below; abietinus (from N Europe) colder, greyer above, whiter, less yellow, below. HH Common Palearctic visitor (Sep–May) to open, dry and wooded habitats. Often pumps tail up and down when foraging. Voice Call hweet, more monosyllabic than Willow Warbler’s. Song a rhythmic chiff-chaff-chiff-chiff-chaff-... introduced with low krr-krr; uttered mainly from Dec.

Iberian Chiffchaff Phylloscopus ibericus Pouillot ibérique

10–12 cm

Extremely similar to Common Chiffchaff (differences very slight and variable) and not safely separable unless voice heard. Upperparts greener with faint or no brownish x tinge; head-sides washed yellow and usually lacking buff-brown tinge (rather dusky x x buff in Common Chiffchaff); supercilium usually more distinct and more lemon-yellow; underparts on average cleaner lemon-yellow and white with, typically, vivid lemonyellow (occasionally pale yellow) undertail-coverts. Bill and legs paler. HH Palearctic visitor. Distribution inadequately known. Voice Slightly nasal, downslurred fiuu or peeuw. Immatures also utter high-pitched heep. Song rhythmic and ending in short trill tup-tup-tup-weet-weet-tsu-tchutututu.

Wood Warbler Phylloscopus sibilatrix Pouillot siffleur

11–12.5 cm

Yellow-green above with well-defined yellow supercilium; head-sides to upper breast lemon-yellow; rest of underparts pure white. Long wings (reaching beyond tail base) xx may produce short-tailed appearance (primary projection ≥ tertial length). Adults in fresh plumage (following moult Jun–Sep) and first-winters less bright above and paler yellow below. HH Common to rare Palearctic visitor (Aug–May). Winters in forest and adjacent x savanna, frequenting canopy at edges, often in mixed flocks of small insectivores. Does not flick wings and tail. Voice Call piu. Song an accelerating series of sip notes ending in shivering trill, often preceded by clear, piping piu-piu-piu-piu. Sings irregularly in winter quarters, but increasingly prior to migration. x x

x

x

Western Bonelli’s Warbler Phylloscopus bonelli Pouillot de Bonelli x x x x x

Yellow-browed Warbler Phylloscopus inornatus Pouillot à grands sourcils x

x x

10.5–12 cm

Pale. Upperparts pale greyish-brown with narrow yellowish-green edges to wing and tail feathers (forming green panel on closed wing, contrasting with dark-centred tertials), and yellowish-green rump (often obscured by wings). Below whitish suffused with buffish. Dark eye obvious within bland face; faint pale supercilium. HH Fairly common to uncommon Palearctic visitor (Aug–Apr) to open woodland (esp. with Acacia) and dry scrub. Voice Call hoo-eet. Song a short, shivering trill, reminiscent of Wood Warbler’s, but slower, lower-pitched and lacking acceleration.

9–10.5 cm

Greyish-green above with long, prominent, pale yellow supercilium and double yellowish wingbar. Tertials edged whitish or pale yellow. Underparts off-white; legs pinkish-brown. HH Palearctic vagrant, N Senegal (Dec 2003), Gambia (Dec 2005), Cape Verde (Santiago, Mar 2013). Restless and often flicking wings. Voice Sharp sweest, frequently uttered.

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Common Chiffchaff

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Wood Warbler

Iberian Chiffchaff

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Western Bonelli’s Warbler

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Yellow-browed Warbler

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PLATE 189: WARBLERS VI – PHYLLOSCOPU