Photos with this report (click to enlarge) | |||
 Egyptian Plover |
 Schleggel's Francolin |
||
Images kindly supplied and copyrighted Ian Fulton
Click here to see the fully formatted and illustrated trip report.
Itinerary
March 4th Douala – Sanaga River
March 5th Douala – Maroua – Mora –Quail Plover Plains- Waza NP
March 6th Waza NP
March 7th Waza NP and Quail Plover Plains
March 8th Waza – Mora - Garoua
March 9th Garoua – Benoue NP
March 10th Benoue NP – Ngaoundere – Ngaoundaba Ranch
March 11th Ngaoundaba Ranch
March 12th Ngaoundaba Ranch
March 13th Ngaoundaba - Ngaoundere - Yaounde - Bamenda
March 14th Bafut-Nguemba
March 15th Bamenda – Loum – Nyasoso
March 16th Nyasoso – Kodmin and Bakossi
March 17th Nyasoso
March 18th Nyasoso - Kumba
March 19th Kumba – Mundemba
March 20th Mundemba and Korup
March 21st Mundemba and Korup
March 22nd Mundemba
March 23rd Mundemba
March 24th Mundemba – Kumba- Douala
Trip Highlights:
March 3rd – Upon arrival in Nairobi at 12h00, I bumped into John and Judy Geeson, both joining the tour, full of beans and high spirits. After an uneventful flight, Douala and its usual humidity welcomed us. After a painless wade through the idiosyncrasies of Douala´s airport, including rescuing John’s fleece from the aeroplane, we manage to fight the hordes, keep our wallets, personals and cool, and make it to the peace and comfort of a taxi that took us to the Ibis Hotel in Douala. Several dips in the pool made acclimatisation easier and allowed us to start racking up some well known specials in the neighbourhood such as Reichenbach’s Sunbird, Black-and-White Mannikin, Brown-throated Wattle-eye, African Thrush and hundreds of Straw-coloured Fruit Bat. At the hotel we join Clyde Carter, a seasoned African traveller joining the Cameroon tour having just finished Tropical Birding’s Ethiopia: Birding the roof of Africa tour.
March 4th –Sanaga River. After an early breakfast, George our driver meets us late after two punctures, but despite the slight delay we still manage to dodge morning traffic and be on our merry way heading towards the Sanaga River. Our first birding stop starts with a BANG!!! as we hit a Hartlaub’s Duck convention and soak up crippling views of seven individuals, males and females, bathing, frolicking, flying and chasing each other in a roadside pond. Peripheral titbits included Splendid Sunbird, Grey Parrots, Pied Hornbills, a perched Black Sparrowhawk and noisy Purple Glossy Starlings.
Further down the road we tried another good Hartlaub’s Duck stake out, and the goods are delivered “pronto” with yet another pair of ducks merrily complying and the added entertainment of a nest building Blue-billed Malimbe, a curious flock of Spotted Greenbuls, several “impis” of Piping Hornbills and a taped in White-thighed Hornbill. The scrub around us provided the first sightings of Green Crombec, Olive-bellied Sunbird and Yellow-fronted Tinkerbird. Somewhat unexpected in these “not-so-prime” woodlands was cottoning on to a Blue-throated Roller, a bird that was thoroughly enjoyed by all, especially Judy who spotted it. European Common Swifts and the striking Sabine’s Spinetail tore through the skies overhead. A wealth of raptors was spotted throughout the morning, namely Cassin´s Hawk Eagle, Lizard Buzzard, Booted Eagle and Gymnogene.
.
We eventually reached and flanked the Sanaga River, where each and every sandbank was scoped and scrutinized, yielding several sightings of Grey Pratincoles, White-crowned Lapwings and several White-throated Blue Swallow. A massive flock of 150+ African Skimmers was a sight to behold and a welcome surprise. Openbill and Woolly-necked Storks, a smattering of Grey-headed Kingfishers, White-headed Bee-eaters, industrious mud gathering Preuss’s Cliff Swallows and the good looking Viellot’s Weaver spiced up the morning.
After some time searching for a break in the vegetated road verge we eventually managed to track down the trail that leads to “George’s Lake” named after our resourceful and knowledgeable driver. This lake turned out to be an interesting inland pan that requires crossing a patch of semi-flooded secondary forest which held Pygmy Kingfisher, Simple Leaflove, Red-tailed Greenbul, Buff-throated Apalis, Forest Robin, White-browed Forest Flycatcher, African Shrike Flycatcher and several Wood Warblers.
As the heat started to get the better of us, we returned to Douala for a late lunch, several more swims, some last minute shopping and to fetch the remaining participants arriving from Nairobi and Paris. Ian Fulton and Tim Fitzpatrick arrived without much delay, unlike Wes and Susan Brown who were delayed and also divorced from their bags. Arrangements with the airline were made to recover them and we swiftly made our way to bed.
March 5th: After an early breakfast and brisk check-in procedures at the airport we all got down to some birding with our scopes, scanning the tarmacs’ grassy edges and grasslands adjacent the runway. Long-legged Pipit, Yellow-throated Longclaw and Orange-cheeked Waxbills were bagged “no probs”. Our NACAM flight – a replacement charter flight agency that came to the rescue of Cameroon Air’s broad incompetence left an hour later than we had hoped for. To add to our misery it included a passenger drop off en route, at Garoua. We eventually reached Maroua at 13h30 where some juice and sandwiches put us in a happier mood en route to Mora. The cool gardens of the restaurant in Maroua town produced our first Viellot’s Barbet, Grey Woodpecker, Lesser Honeyguide, Senegal Coucal, Western Olivaceous Warbler and Common Whitethroat.
En route to Mora several Montagu’s Harriers, Grey-backed Fiscals and stunning Abyssinian Rollers spiced the drive before our first pair of Scissor-tailed Kites made a starring appearance, and we got all sundry ooh-ing and aah-ing at the skies. Bundu bashing at the Quail Plover site failed to produce the main quarry (this time!!), but instead loaded us up with cracking views of Clapperton’s Francolin, Chestnut-bellied Starling, Northern Ant-eating Chat, Black and Rufous Scrub-Robins, Cricket Warbler, Speckle-fronted Weaver, Black-crowned Tchagra, Desert Cisticola and several immaculate Black-headed Lapwings.
A few Golden Jackals and smaller buck flitted across the headlights on our approach to Waza. On arrival at Encampment du Waza we settled without delay for a welcome shower and dinner. Barn Owls were as ubiquitous and vociferous as always.
March 6th: The magic of Waza unfolded during breakfast when we were treated to our first flocks of Black-crowned Cranes plus a Giraffe in the distance. African Silverbills flitted in the reed roof above the restaurant. Our first walk along some roadside acacia scrubland was promptly rewarded. A Eurasian Hobby, several good-looking Grasshopper Buzzards, an immature Martial Eagle and a Lanner which got Judy and John’s raptorphile juices going. Shortly after, we had grand views of Sand Fox with frolicking cubs warming up in the feeble morning light, as well as a troop of the entertaining Patas Monkeys. LUCK!! greeted us arms outstretched on arrival at the scrublands with a male Little Grey Woodpecker lazily pecking away on the first acacia we trained our bins on. A mixed flock of Sennar Penduline Tits, Yellow-vented Eremomelas and Northern Crombecs foraged on alien flowering vegetation at the roads edge. Meters away we enjoyed our first sightings of Pygmy Sunbird, a gorgeous male. The walk through this scrub yielded River Prinia, which was enjoyed thoroughly and was the first of many sightings during this year’s trip. Good-looking Sahel Paradise Whydahs were spotted feeding and perching on vegetation and trees surrounding the waterholes, with many flocks of Heuglin’s Masked Weavers were moving through the area. An unexpected Lavender Waxbill sighting caught Tim and Christian off guard, flying off before we could alert the rest of the group and we were unable to re-sight it. A pair of delicate Little Green Bee-eaters sallied and delighted everyone with their acrobatics. Before we left the area we came across a pair of Spotted Dikkops, an uncommon sighting for the area but not so on TB tours run thus far.
From here we headed straight for the Waza NP main gate, collected our track finder, plonked it on the roof on bustard spotting duty and set off to the first waterhole. As always the banks were dizzy with Black-crowned Cranes and Marabou, Openbill, Yellow-billed and Common Storks. The grunts of Garganey drakes filled the air, while Comb Ducks, Spurwing Geese and White-faced Whistling Ducks crowded the banks. The water’s edge and scrub around the waterhole supported massive flocks of skittish Red-billed Queleas which were thoroughly scanned fruitlessly for Sudan Golden Sparrows. Nonetheless, Bush Petronia, Black-rumped Waxbill, Cut-throat Finch, Red cheeked Cordon-bleu and Green-winged Pytilia were abundant. A stunning Red-throated Pipit stole the show for a while. Thick dove traffic allowed everyone to test their skills at distinguishing Vinaceous from African Collared Dove and Mourning Dove in flight and perched. A herd of Topi swarmed about weary of our presence. With time in hand and the heat still bearable, we pressed on to the next waterhole.
Thermals started rising and decorating the skies with raptors, and soon got us enjoying several sightings of Montagu’s Harrier as well as Eurasian Marsh Harrier. A column of mixed White-backed and Lappet-faced Vultures included a White-headed Vulture, its white secondaries visible from afar. A pair of Lesser Spotted Eagles was seen soaring as well as several Steppe Eagles and a single Short-toed Eagle. The next waterhole had managed to attract a different bag of raptor species, namely Gabar Goshawks (incl. several melanistic individuals), Dark Chanting Goshawks, adult male Pallid Harriers, a perched Long-crested Eagle, Bateleur and a roosting Barn Owl. A herd of Roan Antelope bearing Yellow-billed Oxpeckers on their backs and a flock of Northern Carmine Bee-eaters rounded off the show.
With the heat wearing on us we retired to camp where we all met at the pool, drinks in hand. The pool had to be shared with a large flock of drinking Ethiopian Swallows and Little Green Bee-eaters. After lunch, most caught up with some sleep and others enjoyed the birding activity around the camp’s dripping taps.
The main target for the afternoon was Arabian Bustard, so we headed off to open plain country where bird densities were lower. En route we flushed several Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse and Chestnut-backed Sparrowlarks, while Desert Cisticolas hovered up to check us out as we drove past. Another snake eagle circling ahead of us turned out to be the trip’s first Bedouin Snake Eagle, which soared and hovered above us for an extended and most enjoyable period of time. Later, an active waterhole produced Saddle-billed Stork and a pair of really good-looking Spotted Redshanks. Several Red-fronted Gazelles were sighted, but we found no sign of the bustards. Eventually, as we reached scrubbier areas around town with time running down, Christian picked up the unmistakeable shape of a large bustard strutting in the distance. Quick scope views certified the find--Arabian Bustard at last!! (see photo) but the bird had noticed us and veered for shrub cover. The group remained poised as Christian set off in a wide arc chase to bar it from disappearing into the woodlands; the bird however chose not to enter the woodlands and instead took off and flapped sluggishly in front of the group much to everyone’s delight and enjoyment.
Our slow drive back allowed us to enjoy the first hours of darkness inside the park. This night drive started memorably with a herd of Elephants crossing the planes in haste for a drink. It continued brilliantly with several Common and Large Spotted Genets, a point-blank Serval, more Sand Fox, a Golden Jackal, an unexpected Grass Owl gliding in front of the car, hordes of Barn Owl, a single Plain Nightjar, hundreds of long tailed Gerbils bouncing off the tracks ahead of the car, Marsh Mongoose, a fleeting glimpse of African Wild Cat, and to cap the day magnificent scope views of a Civet Cat drinking on a hillside. The gods had been generous– 107 species of birds and 16 species of mammals for the day. We all celebrated at the pool before dinner!
March 7th: After a cruel early breakfast and a sleep walk to the car, we set off for the Quail Plover site. Northern White-bellied Korhaan calls greeted us on arrival, and the search for Quail Plover started in earnest. The morning was spent at a steady and determined pace, with stamina and countless transects combing the area back and forth on each imaginable cardinal direction. Two hours later efforts had turned up a male Pallid Harrier, a Lanner, Eurasian Wryneck, a good-looking Flappet Lark, Tawny Pipit, Chestnut-crowned Sparrow-Weaver and several Scrub Hares. Christian called excitedly as he came across a scurrying pair of quail like birds, which turned out to be Small Buttonquails (a first for him in the area, and a welcome lifer for most in the group) but not quite what we were searching for. Thankfully all our efforts paid off as Victor’s cry summoned us up near an old millet plot, where the bird was finally flushed and we all enjoyed several flush views, watching in disbelief its bizarre flitty wader-like flight and uncanny ability to meld into its surroundings. Efforts rewarded, we retired with soaring spirits.
Several brief stops en route secured a smattering of other species such as Long-tailed Glossy Starling, Yellow-fronted Tinker Barbet, Lesser Kestrel, White-billed Buffalo Weaver and, most celebrated of all, a pair of Yellow-crowned or Barbary Gonoleks.
By now the heat was unbearable and everyone pined for a beer at the pool, so we returned to Waza and had lunch before setting off again in the afternoon.
In the afternoon we birded Waza NP again, starting with a good-looking Southern Grey Shrike and later a Woodchat. We concentrated our birding at the furthest waterhole where a Golden-breasted Bunting was sighted en route. At the waterhole itself we enjoyed grand views of an adult male Pallid Harrier, Montagu’s Harrier, Great Spotted Cuckoo, the arrival of a flock of Four-banded Sandgrouse at dusk, followed by a fine display of nearly 10-15 Barn Owls and countless Long-tailed Nightjars after dark. Spotlighting back out of the park added Black-shouldered Nightjar to the list, as well as better views of Wild Cat, White-tailed Mongoose, more Spotted Dikkops and several shy Senegal Galago.
March 8th: Today we woke up enveloped by a dust-laden “harmattan” sky. The cooler temperatures were hardly a blessing considering the sudden loss of visibility. Having carefully assessed our needs in the area we returned to the acacia scrublands where we cleaned up on a few stragglers, namely Masked Shrike, Lesser Whitethroat, Common Redstart, White-rumped Seedeaters, and added a bonus Banded Mongoose. Further down the road we birded a section of parched open woodland where Orange-bellied Parrots were only heard, a pair of Rose-ringed Parakeets was spotted and our first flock of Brown Babblers located. A weird unfamiliar atmosphere hung in the air; even Victor our local guide got disoriented and had it not been for GPS assistance we would have spent the afternoon birding in Nigeria.
Near Maroua we stopped at some granite outcrops where we literally CPR’d back to life a Rock-loving Cisticola that refused to co-operate, and later managed to scope a covey of Stone Partridges before heading off for lunch. Most of the afternoon was spent driving towards Garoua, nothing much of interest popped up other than Rufous-crowned Rollers. Visibility worsened and seriously impaired our chances of spotting any potential Fox Kestrels that may have flown about. We reached Garoua with enough time to visit the Benoue River for about an hour before dark, our brief visit produced Egyptian Plovers, Senegal Thick-knee, Dorst’s Cisticola and Hippopotamus.
We retired to the local motel, where we enjoyed the swimming pool, supper and a deserved rest.
March 9th: Still under the grip of Harmattan skies, we enjoyed a sedate and slow breakfast at our hotel, with a Shikra joining us for breakfast. Straight afterwards we flocked back to the Benoue River banks to enjoy Egyptian Plovers in better light. On arrival we flushed a Red-necked Falcon, while hordes of Crested Larks and African Quailfinches darted back and forth as we walked towards the river. At the river itself Sedge Warblers and Winding Cisticola were spished out, a few more Egyptian Plovers in great light were photographed, large flocks of Ruff flew back and forth, skittish and poor views of Collared Pratincoles were had and a single Village Indigobird came in briefly, Red-rumped Swallow and Black Crakes darted about …But NO Fox Kestrels anywhere…panic was relentlessly setting in!!
As we drove further south the Harmattan lost none of its haze, creating distinctly poor conditions for spotting a soaring Fox Kestrel. Just as hopes were waning, we stopped near a grass fire and scanned the smoke column. In front of us was a fine spectacle of no less than six Fox Kestrels, one Lanner, several Montagu’s Harrier and many Grasshopper Buzzards having gathered to hawk fleeing insects from the fire’s flames. The feeding behaviour of Fox Kestrels that we witnessed in this fire event has subsequently been gathered, written up and submitted to Gabar- Raptor Biology Journal. Four more Fox Kestrels as well as another Martial Eagle, a few Red necked Buzzards and a Brown Snake-Eagle were spotted perched next to the road en route to Benoue NP.
Before reaching Benoue, a pair of Heuglin’s Wheatears feeding in burnt woodland was enjoyed. On our arrival at the Benoue NP gates the group opted for a leg stretching walk along the entrance road where we racked up Grey Kestrel, a very responsive and confiding pair of Bearded Barbets, Croaking Cisticola, Black-billed Wood-Dove, a flock of Bruce’s Green Pigeons, Orange-bellied Parrots, more Stone Partridges, White-shouldered Tit, Northern Puffback and Senegal Batis.
We reached Encampment du Buffle Noir well past mid day, and managed to organise a bite for lunch and whilst we waited, did some rather productive birding at a nearby grove of large fruiting trees. Here, we gazed at the sublime beauty of White-crested and Violet Turacos, noisy Western Grey Plantain-Eaters, Bronze-tailed Glossy Starlings and Violet backed Starlings, an elegant Red-shouldered Cuckoo-shrike, Tropical Boubou, Leafloves, the sought after Red-winged Grey Warbler, Scarlet-chested Sunbird, Beautiful Sunbird and a surprise before lunch…. Wilcocks’s Honeyguide!!!
After lunch, in the camp’s driveway, a single Pied Flycatcher was spotted. Later, on our way to Hippo Pools, we latched on to a bird party that was moving through a patch of open woodland. Here we swiftly secured grand views of Spotted Creeper, Red-winged Warbler, Yellow Penduline Tits, Northern Black Flycatcher, Whinchat, Tree Pipits plus some good mammals - Kob, Oribi, Red-flanked Duiker and Waterbuck. The remainder of the afternoon was spent around Hippo Pools, where we hoped to track down Adamawa Turtle Dove, but this one was to get away, as visibility was so poor one could hardly see treetops across the river, and these birds are generally sighted there on their way down to drink. Nonetheless, we thoroughly enjoyed White-crowned Lapwings, a few more Egyptian Plovers, a fine flock of Red-throated Bee-eaters, several White-chinned Prinias, the first of many African Blue Flycatchers and a stunning pair of very responsive White-crowned Robin Chats.
Before climbing back into the car, Christian called in an African Scops Owl. Spotlighting on the way back to camp produced several Senegal Galago and Scrub Hares. And for those who joined the extended night drive after supper a solitary Standard-winged Nightjar without its standards was spotlighted.
March 10th: The dreaded haze had not yet dissipated, nor did it show signs of clearing. We decided to bird upstream combining open woodland, riverine woodland and river bed scrub. The morning could not have started better as we stumbled upon a moving flock of Black-capped Babblers within meters of leaving camp. Shortly after, flocks of Bar-breasted Firefinches were had along the road, a nearby African Moustached Warbler, several Oriole Warblers (Moho), as well as an Orange-breasted Bush-Shrike and some Green Woodhoopoes were lured in to playback. At the river, those in front were lucky to watch a Snowy-crowned Robin Chat hopping on the deck before darting for cover. Black-headed Gonolek popped out from every bank and shrub when the first notes of playback sounded. Flocks of Yellow-shouldered Widowbird cruised up and down the riverbed. Along the water’s edge a Green Sandpiper and a shy male Painted Snipe were flushed. Swamp Flycatchers were cause of much debate but eventually agreed on. A troop of Guereza Colobus Monkeys spiced up the morning mammal list.
After this matinee walk we retreated for breakfast. A second longer walk began in camp at the fruiting fig grove, where a leaking water tower had created the ultimate drinking spot, where we enjoyed point-blank views of more Red-winged Grey Warblers, several Grey-headed Olivebacks, Blue-billed Firefinches and Black-necked and Slender billed Weavers. From here we headed downstream along the river banks where we scored some more excellent views of Egyptian Plover, White-crowned Lapwings, Giant Kingfisher, Red-headed Weaver, Cinnamon-breasted Bunting, Copper Sunbird, Red-faced Cisticola and Grey-rumped Swallows. Cutting across some mature burnt woodland we returned to camp finding along the way Fine-spotted Woodpecker, Greater Honeyguide, Gray-tit Flycatcher, Western Violet-backed Sunbird, Brubru and a pair of Pearl-spotted Owlets.
After a shower and some lunch we packed the vehicle and drove out of the park via Ngaoundere, reaching Ngaoundaba Ranch at dusk, just in time to catch sight of a single Pennant-winged and several Standard-winged Nightjars along the main road. We checked into our comfortable rooms and enjoyed an excellent dinner.
March 11th: Birding started in earnest after a cup of coffee along the ranch’s access road. The latest reports and accounts from fellow guides and birders spelled doom for our finding our main quarry, Schlegel´s Francolin. The ranch managers had not seen it, the ranch herders had not heard it …and to make things worse, both its usual territories looked sinisterly charred. After an unsuccessful sweep through two of its previous territories, Christian opted to walk the immediate periphery of the territories. Some goodies like White-breasted Cuckoo-Shrike, African Golden Oriole, Yellow-billed Shrike, Black-headed Batis, White-shouldered Black Tits, Senegal Eremomelas, Yellow bellied Hyliota, Pale Flycatcher, and Purple-backed Starlings spiced up the walk. It became quite tense and nerve racking to experience the silence after each and every playback for the francolin, until Tim called out, “I GOT IT!!”. Crawling and hunkering down in front of us, having noticed it had been sighted, barely 5m away in a hollow surrounded by grass tussocks, a male Schlegel´s Francolin stood motionless. One by one we did the scope rounds, soaking in its intricate pattern and delicate facial beauty, and then Ian’s chance to immortalise the day with its digital camera arrived, and giving credit where it’s due, he undoubtedly did…judge for yourself. On our way back to camp we stumbled upon the remainder of the covey, with three more Schlegel´s exploding under our feet.
We returned for a more solid breakfast and continued birding below the ranch, close to the lake, concentrating on the surrounding gallery forest. Views of White-spotted Flufftail were had by some as a female took a bath along a stream. Activity was good and we soon found ourselves enjoying great views of Green-backed Woodpecker, Double-toothed Barbet, Speckled and Yellow-fronted Tinkerbird, Yellow-winged Pytilias, Shari Saw-wings, more Grey-headed Olivebacks, Grey-winged Robin-Chat, Leafloves, White-collared Starling, a surprisingly co-operative Blue Malkoha, and finally the ghost-like Spotted Thrush Babbler extracted from a deep tangled gully.
After lunch and a siesta, we walked the craters track, the idea being to sift through as much Dybowski’s Twinspot habitat as possible, but they were playing hard to get. We did not see much of note other than Blue-headed Coucal, Broad-billed Roller, Yellow-throated Greenbul and Splendid Sunbird.
After a shower and a few drinks we enjoyed supper and set off on a night-drive/walk back along the main access track. Diversity was traded for density and we enjoyed a most magnificent display of Standard-winged Nightjars throughout the drive, plus a very welcome surprise--Brown-chested Lapwing (which for the past two years had been decidedly thin on the ground and among Clyde’s most wanted birds). A Grey Duiker rounded off an excellent day.
Throughout supper a Black-shouldered Nightjar teased us with its call from the nearby paddocks. Those with energy to spare joined Christian on a final quest for this bird and within seconds of reaching the source of the calls we had the bird flying over our heads, in the light beam, showing all its key features to those persistent and present.
March 12th. An early start in the gallery forest below the bungalows was rewarded by our first pair of Ross’s Turacos which today responded to playback like a bullet. Shortly thereafer, Yellow-rumped Tinkerbird and African Pygmy Kingfisher cooperated nicely, and a Blue-breasted Kingfisher gave us a great look as it passed overhead. The morning proceeded with good views of White-crowned Robin-Chat and a selection of sunbirds – Green-headed, Splendid and Olive-bellied. Breakfast was interrupted by a dash to snatch a feeding flock of Red-headed Lovebirds in a fruiting fig below the ranch. Bamenda Apalis would only give brief belly views, but was heard a number of times.
After breakfast we set off on a long walk in search of Blue-bellied Roller and a few other needs. The walk was arduous to say the least but we were rewarded with some great sightings of Yellow-billed Shrike, Standard-winged Nightjar, Black-bellied Firefinch, Grey-winged Robin Chat, Red-billed Wood-Hoopoe, Black Scimitarbill, and eventually the highly prized and well-deserved Blue-bellied Roller.
After lunch we returned to the gallery forest where we enjoyed views of Klaas’s Cuckoo, White-chinned Prinia and several Brown-throated Wattle-eyes, Greater Swamp Warbler, Singing and Whistling Cisticolas, Great Reed and Great Swamp Warblers, an assortment of Yellow-shouldered and Marsh Widowbirds. Brief views of a flock of Dybowski’s Twinspots on the deck were had, but the flock lifted and took cover on dense creepers up in the canopy. Distant calls of Puvel´s Illadopsis were heard too, but there was no hopeful reply to any of the playback attempts.
On arrival back to the ranch Christian’s persistence paid off with a large flock of Brown Twinspots feeding on short grass alongside a larger flock of dapper Black-capped Waxbills. Smiles crept among the group as everyone started to relax and felt the lure of a beer, supper and a nice long sleep.
March 13th: Today was an unexpectedly long travel day. With Air Cameroon’s cancellation of all domestic flights, TB managed to organize a charter company to fly us to Yaounde from Ngaoundere. However, only once we took off were we informed that the company was running a taxi service and was now heading to Maroua, via Garoua before flying down to Yaounde. What was meant to be a simple flight transfer that would have only lasted a few hours, turned onto a full day flying through Cameroonian airspace aboard a Russian aircraft…all things considered still better than spending the day and night on a train…which has happened before to other bird tour companies. Fortunately, on arrival in Yaounde, our driver George was ready and eager as always to get going and drove us bravely to the Skyline Hotel in Bamenda. We were now ready to tackle Bafut-Nguemba at the crack of dawn. Another great piece of news hit us….we had left the Harmattan behind…WOO-HOO!!!
Bird sightings worth mentioning were a flock of Piapiac outside Ngaoundere and Bates’s, Horus and Little Swift overflying the Yaounde Airport parking lot.
March 14th: Straight after breakfast and without delay we climbed the tracks up to Bafut-Nguemba. On the way up we encountered a few goodies like African Cuckoo, Mackinnon’s Shrike, Bannerman’s Weavers and Cabanis’s Bunting.
As soon as we reached the first fragments of montane forest we started birding, and it did not take long before Christian got a Bangwa Scrub Warbler enthralled and showing well. The next lifer came in the form of a stunning Yellow-breasted Boubou from the depths of a Eucalyptus gulley, and with patience and determination the goods were delivered in an amazingly steady succession, including species such as Forest Swallow, Mountain Robin-Chat, Black-collared Apalis, Grey Apalis, African Yellow Warbler, Blue-throated Brown, Cameroon, Green-throated and Northern Double-collared Sunbirds, Western Mountain and Cameroon Montane Greenbuls, Mountain Wagtail, Brown-capped Weaver, African Hill Babbler, Chubb’s Cisticola, Elliot’s Woodpecker, Banded Wattle-eye, Thick-billed Seedeater, Cassin´s Hawk Eagle, Little Grey Flycatcher, and the crowning glory of Bannerman’s Turaco, which after incessant attempts to get a location finally graced us with a visit and performed beautifully overhead. A small flock of three Fernando Po Olivebacks took off from one of the trails and were not re-sighted; unfortunately only glimpses were had by those fortunate enough to see them scurry away.
After a scrumptious picnic next to Lake Awing, we continued birding in similar habitats. While the afternoon birding was slower, we still managed to add Scaly Francolin, Forest White-eye, Oriole Finch, Blue-breasted Bee-eater, White-bellied Tit, Bates’s Swift and Plain-backed Pipit, whilst Cassin´s Hawk-Eagle, Red-necked Buzzard and Lanner soared overhead. Before leaving Bafut-Nguemba we devoted a fair amount of effort and time to walking the higher grasslands where we managed to locate Cameroon Pipit and got several decent views of Mottled Swift, Blue-breasted Bee-eater and Pectoral-patch Cisticola.
The drive down was uneventful, and everyone was eager for a warm shower and early supper…which is exactly what we got.
March 15th: We enjoyed a superb start to the day straight after breakfast, scoring several good species along the cliff’s edge and gardens near the Skyline Hotel. Lured in by a flock of Neumann’s Starling, we bumped into two nest building pairs of White-crowned Cliff-Chats, an unexpected Snowy-crowned Robin-Chat, several Cinnamon-breasted Rock Buntings, Streaky-headed Seed-eaters, and out in the open barely 7m away from the group two Dybowski’s Twinspots perched on a twig.
The remainder of the day was spent driving down towards Nyasoso; a few stops en route provided the best views thus far of Bamenda Apalis. Near Loum we tried to bird some forest but a downpour thwarted the attempt. Nonetheless we managed to sight our first Congo Serpent Eagle flying away, Palm-nut Vulture, Pied Hornbills, Yellow-spotted Barbet, Green Hylia, Bates’s Sunbird, Mottled Spinetail, a glimpse of African Piculet and Tambourine Dove. Alate emergences caused a flurry of Fan-tailed Widowbirds and set off a colorful show of Yellow-crowned and Yellow Bishops. Before reaching Nyasoso we stopped and birded along the road which turned out to be fairly productive, with Yellow-rumped Tinkerbird, Black-throated Apalis, Narrow-tailed Starlings, Green-throated Sunbird, and both Grey-headed and Chestnut-breasted Negrofinches perched in the open. We arrived at the Women Co-operative Centre at Nyasoso to a warm welcome, loads of smiles, the usual good stash of drinks and excellent food in the pot. Here we settled in for the following three days.
March 16th: With two vehicles we left Nyasoso at the crack of dawn, armed with tons of hope and eagerness to reach the famed Bakossi’s- realm of the quasi mythical Mt. Kupe Bush-shrike. Due to recent rains both our cars managed to get horribly stuck a few times, but perseverance and brute force got us back on our merry way. We arrived late at our forest access point and after a brief chat with the village chief managed to take a rain check on the libation ceremony and defer it till later. With a porter and a tracker assigned to our group we marched on through a patchwork of magnificent views of montane forest and lush grasslands – along the trail we spotted Guinea Turaco, Forest White-eye, Green Longtail and Speckle-breasted Woodpecker.
Once inside the forest we headed steadily for the newly located stakeouts for the bush-shrike, bumping into Bocage’s Akalat, White-bellied Crested Flycatcher and a White-tailed Warbler scurrying for cover on the first part of the trail. The trail became steep and slippery as we split off the main track towards the first stake-out. At this point, John and Judy opted to stay behind and forfeit the viewing, a safe choice…in retrospect. Clyde walked on to a nearby viewing point and awaited our news before attempting the “drop”. Wes, Susan, Tim, Ian, myself and our tracker slipped and slid down the hill until we reached a convenient set of emerging roots to anchor ourselves. It took remarkably little effort to get our first response from the bush-shrikes, and within seconds we could feel their presence, see the branches twitching and started hearing their unmistakable gratings. As the birds started to show, so started a frantic, comical and rather touchy-feely scramble to help each other steady themselves in the right spot, point and instruct the whereabouts of the bird. It took all of our energy and strength to shift and steady each other from sliding off the trail into the bowels of this valley until eventually everyone present got their sighting and soaked up this unarguably handsome species. Full of excitement we scurried back up the hill and set Clyde down the hill to hook up with the birds, which he did, whilst we walked on in search of Green-breasted Bush-shrike. By now it was hot and the Green-breasted did not call back. Nonetheless on our way there we did score Velvet-mantled Drongo, Western Mountain and Little Greenbul, and several calling pairs of Olive Long-tailed Cuckoo.
Just before lunch Clyde taped in a Green-breasted Bush-shrike and we all had great views of it, and not far from here we locked onto a male Black-winged Oriole calling away.
After lunch we set off birding with a vengeance honing in on a Grey-headed Broadbill calling deep in the valley. It took a fair bit of physical effort and clambering skills, but we were duly rewarded with glorious views of this cracker-jack species. Once done with him we spent a good hour playing hide-and-seek with a Crossley´s Ground Thrush, of which we just saw a silhouette moving through the shadows.
Our slow return back to base was rewarded with several views of Black-billed Weaver, Luhder’s Bush-shrike, Olive-green Camaroptera, Yellow Longbill, Black-capped Woodland Warbler, Waller’s Starling, Petit’s Saw-wing and Western Black-headed Oriole.
Back at the base we met back with John and Judy who shared the tally of their productive day scoring Broad-tailed Warbler, Black-and-White Shrike Flycatcher, Banded Prinia, Pale-fronted Negrofinch, Jacobin Cuckoo, Slender-billed Greenbul and White-throated Greenbul. We drove back on a rather less bumpy road feeling quite happy to have nabbed the biggie. We were welcomed on arrival by Mara’s delicious cooking.
March 17th: The day started with a hefty breakfast and a displaying Red-chested Goshawk calling above our heads as we were leaving the Women’s Centre. We headed out towards the lower slopes of Mt. Kupe along Max’s Trail where we spent the entire day at different altitudes. The pace was slow and the score characteristically good, with a steady flow of good species such as Yellow-billed and Guinea Turaco, Tullberg' s, Buff-spotted and Gabon Woodpecker, Sabine’s Puffback, Pink-footed Puffback and Bocage’s Bush-Shrike, Yellow-billed, Naked-faced and Grey-throated Barbet, Emerald and African Cuckoo, Purple-throated and Petit’s Cuckoo-Shrike, Purple-headed Glossy Starling, Red-vented Paradise Flycatcher, Vanga Flycatcher, Yellow-bellied Hyliota, Buff-throated and Black capped Apalis, Green Crombec, Green, Tiny and Grey-chinned Sunbird and Dusky Tit.
As we reached the steeper gradients of the trail, some opted to return whilst the rest enjoyed a walk up to Zenker's Camp. Lunch was busy with good birds flitting above us, namely Dusky Blue Flycatcher, Black-faced Rufous Warbler, Honeyguide and Plain Greenbul and Forest Weaver. The walk up to Zenker’s was very quiet with only Yellow-footed Flycatcher to get excited about.
In the waning daylight we gently strolled back to Nyasoso and visited a small patch of farm bush near Nature’s Trail where we lucked onto Red-eyed Puffback, Black Bee-eater, Dusky Tit and Forest Penduline Tit before calling it a day.
March 18th: - After an early breakfast we headed back to Nature’s Trail, on the way there we enjoyed a flock of saw-wings that allowed good comparisons of Square-tailed and Petit’s Saw-wings, a perched Lizard Buzzard, a welcome Ursula’s Sunbird and another Dusky Blue Flycatcher. We left the farm bush and headed for “The Rock” where a steel ladder provides access to a good canopy viewpoint. Perched atop this impressive boulder and scanning mostly one huge bare tree in front of us we managed to find Sooty Flycatcher, African Emerald Cuckoo, more Black Bee-eaters, Speckle-breasted Woodpecker, Cassin´s Honeybird, Zenker's Honeyguide (only heard though!!), Honeyguide Greenbul, Black-headed Weaver and Rufous-crowned Eremomela. On our way back we bumped into a understory party that yielded Fraser’s Sunbird and pairs of Yellow-bellied and Chestnut Wattle-eyes with a single Dusky Crested Flycatcher. Most exciting was to flush a Fraser’s Eagle Owl that glided gently in front of us and disappeared amidst tangles and foliage. Judy’s vigil at the forest edge yielded Black and Klaas’s Cuckoos, Grey-headed and Chestnut-breasted Negrofinches.
Finally, we visited the famous “Barbet Snag” in cultivation near the village, but only Narrow-tailed Starlings were in residence . We returned to the Women’s’ Co-op, packed our bags and headed south towards Kumba. Here we bid a sad farewell to Clyde and Tim who were not joining us on the Korup extension. The group had a free afternoon gathering their kit and doing some shopping, whilst Christian and George scoured the streets of Kumba in a Sunday afternoon to ready ourselves with some supplies for the excursion into Korup NP.
March 19th: – A lie-in and leisurely start whilst George and Christian gathered the remaining supplies. Spent all day driving along the dusty and bumpy road to Mundemba. Stopping at secondary forest patches to score a few good birds – a close Tambourine Dove, Cassin´s and Sabine’s Spinetails, majestic and vocal Great Blue Turacos, Yellow-browed Camaroptera in full display, a single European Honey Buzzard, Blue-headed Wood Dove, Mosque Swallow, Chattering Cisticola, Black-headed Waxbill and an all too poor glimpse of a Black throated Coucal which was replying to playback but never materialized well enough.
We spent the day’s end at a patch of forest near Mundemba, where we enjoyed a splendid gathering of Pied, Piping and a Yellow-casqued Hornbills flying and perching and the quaint Cassin´s Flycatcher perched on rocks at a nearby stream.
At Mundemba, we checked into our basic hotel, enjoyed a welcome shower and enjoyed a scrumptious and very local meal at the Women’s’ Co-op. Having lined up porters, trackers, guides and cooks and paid our dues at the Korup NP offices, we then rested peacefully in anticipation of the following day.
March 20th: – WHAT A NIGHT!! A torrential and thunderous downpour belted our hotel throughout the night, only clearing up at 09h00. The prospects of getting wet on our way to Rengo Camp were all too real, causing John and Judy to bail out. Nonetheless, they joined us at the Mana Bridge where bird activity over the palm plantations and rivers edge was fabulous, as alates emerged after the shower. It was impressive to view Yellow-casqued, Pied and Piping Hornbills sallying for termites. A Black Casqued Hornbill flew in front of us showing beautifully, and Black Spinetails, Rock Pratincoles, White throated and Eurasian Bee-eaters, flocks of Green Pigeons and Grey Parrots, White-thighed Hornbills, Giant Kingfisher, Ashy Flycatcher and Red-headed Malimbe all showed well. When the porters arrived we headed into Korup leaving John and Judy birding behind, a tough choice but one they saw rewarded with good views of Golden Greenbul, Yellow Longbill, Red-vented Malimbe and best-of-all Chocolate-backed Kingfisher.
The walk in was pretty fast, as neither did we want to be caught on a downpour, nor did we want to miss the chance of trying for Grey-necked Picathartes. As we walked in we unavoidably met a few ant swarms containing Red-tailed and Eastern Bearded Greenbul, Fire-crested Alethe and Forest Robin.
At a river crossing along the trail we had our best views thus far of Chestnut-breasted Negrofinch and a Crested Malimbe nest-building over a stream.
Prior to leaving Rengo Camp, a Black-throated Coucal made its presence known but we were engaged on a greater quest as we headed off to Picathartes Knoll. As we reached the knoll everyone got briefed on proceedings and tactic, and nearly two hours later it all came to fruition as a pair of rockfowl waltzed into the cave, foraging its periphery, checking us out, assessing our intentions and eventually relaxing and making themselves comfortable at some of the mud nests that cling to the main wall. As soon as everyone had “maxed” out on their expectations for the bird we slinked out of the cave, leaving the birds to rest, and rejoicing quietly on our way back to camp.
Supper was delicious and the dip in the river was blissful. A Wood Owl serenaded us as well fell asleep.
March 21st: – The morning could not have started any better as our first foray turned out a mint Bare-cheeked Trogon in the scope, which was utterly enjoyed by all. At breakfast we were joined by a mob of Red-billed Dwarf Hornbills. The walk to Rengo was duly rewarded with two coveys both of the highly desired Forest Francolin and Black Guineafowl which literally burst in front of us. It was uncanny to notice how unresponsive these birds are in Korup, whilst in Gabon they can literally be whistled in to peck your shoelaces. A group of Mona Monkeys and Red Colobus was heard rustling in the canopy and as we approached we heard the soft wails of White-crested Hornbill. Although we had great views of several individuals feeding and moving through the canopy, it was heart-wrenching to watch the troop explode in panic once they caught sight of us, testimony of their endured persecution even within the confines of this great park. The hornbills vanished into thin air inexplicably. On our last approach to the rock a small party of noisy Brown-chested Alethes carrying out a territorial tiff performed in front of us.
From the rock we scored Black-and-White Casqued Hornbill and Blue-throated Roller as well as Little Green Sunbird. Soon the radiated heat from the black rock had us ducking for cover back into the forest. The return was enjoyable as we stumbled upon a few bird parties, which added Yellow-throated Greenbul, White-throated Greenbul, Green-backed Woodpecker and Rufous Flycatcher Thrush to mention a few. The calls of distant Chocolate-backed Kingfishers taunted us, but not as much as those of a Black-eared Ground Thrush, whose incredible camouflaged plumage got the better of us and only showed itself on a very brief occasion between tangles. Back at camp we made a most enjoyable discovery…a pair of Black Bee-eaters had taken residence in the stream and were feeding chicks right next to our bathing pool. Supper had to be taken under cover as a storm set in…a barrage of lightning started around camp just as we were falling asleep-- quite nerve racking!! As it turned out, our tropical storm was nothing in comparison to what Mundemba was experiencing, where the eye of the storm reeked havoc on buildings, roofs, trees and communication poles.
March 22nd: – Today we walked a long loop to visit several active new rockfowl colonies discovered recently as part of Tropical Birding’s sponsorship with KREOGAN (the park’s tourist guide association) and Korup NP authorities themselves. We counted a total of nine active nests, and an additional five inactive or destroyed ones by what we can only assume are curious forest galagos. During the walk we bumped into several ant swarms but by now we had all learned how to step carefully around a swarm and enjoyed a few hours teasing out and getting superb views of species such as Woodlouse’s Antpecker, White-bearded Greenbul, Lesser Bristlebill, Yellow Spotted Nicator, White-tailed Ant Thrush, Lemon-bellied Crombec, White-bellied Robin Chat, Blue-headed Crested Flycatcher, scores of Fire-crested Alethe, Black headed Paradise Flycatcher, and finally our first White-crowned Hornbill.
Returning to camp we picked up a few other goodies such as Blue Cuckoo-shrike, Brown Illadopsis and Maxwell’s Black Weaver. Near camp at a fruiting tree we had the best views of White-crowned Hornbill thus far, as well as great views of Rufous-sided Broadbill and a large troop of feeding Mona Monkeys near camp.
In the afternoon we tried for a second viewing of rockfowl but this night the birds never came close, having shifted to a nearby outcrop. We were amused by a large (20+) flock of Forest Swallows that huddled together roosting inside a rockfowl nest.
On our way back to camp we heard once again Wood Owl, the distant calls of a Sjostedt´s Owlet and got or first replies of Vermiculated Owl. However since not everyone was keen to chase it, we returned to camp and after dinner those most eager gave it a try. For two solid hours we tracked the bird very carefully making sure we could retrace our way back to camp. Our tracking was spot on and ended up parked below a magnificent emergent with the bird calling above us. The only problem was we were unable to see it through the dense foliage, as the young bird was comfortably perched high and deep inside the canopy--pretty frustrating.
Back in Mundemba John and Judy had an equally superb day as they scored by themselves Black-bellied Seedcrackers, Red-vented Malimbes, Spotted Bulbuls, Wilcocks’s Honeyguide, Red-vented Paradise Flycatcher, Fraser’s Sunbird and a fine pair of Preuss’s Golden-backed Weavers foraging in a tall tree.
March 23rd: – This morning Ian wasn’t feeling well and bailed out on the morning walk, so Susie and I left early in hot pursuit of Sjostedt´s Owlet which are great morning risers. Pinpointing the area where it was heard the night before we let rip a few bursts of playback and within minutes we had this delicate species above our heads calling back. Superb views of this smart looking owlet were had. We proceeded past camp to Ekpe Boulder; we were quite keen to test the newly cleared path and constructed bridge that Tropical Birding had recently sponsored. On the way to the boulder we caught sight of a pair of Pale-breasted Illadopsis as well as more views of Rufous-sided Broadbill. The boulder was mightily impressive, almost cathedral-like, and in its own right a feature not to miss if visiting the area. We did a count of 13 nests, 6 possibly active ones, and chose the placement of Tropical Birding´s future hide.
By mid-morning we had returned to camp, picked up Wes and Ian and commenced the slow walk back to Mundemba. We did it in very good time and by 17h00 we joined John and Judy who had just caught sight of the trip’s only Carmelite Sunbird. We were pretty shell-shocked to witness the mayhem and destruction in the path of the cyclone that ravaged Mundemba whilst we were in the forest. Whilst sharing the past day’s sightings, a Bat Hawk tore past the veranda much to our amusement. After supper and a hot shower we all crashed, albeit slightly gripped by the fact that John and Judy had managed to find a group of Forbes’s Plovers nearby.
March 24th: Straight after breakfast we visited the spot where John had found the pair of Forbes’s Plovers, and fortunately they were still there and we ended up scoring five of these beauties. Pale-fronted Negrofinches, Superb Sunbirds and Red-headed Malimbes were also found in a flowering tree nearby. On our way out of Kumba we stopped and birded around the bridge and some tall secondary forest. No hornbills were flying about, but instead we managed to secure Red-rumped Tinkerbird, a stunning Yellow-mantled Weaver and had great views of Red-eared Monkeys. The rest of the day was spent travelling back to Kumba on bumpy, dusty roads till we reached the Hotel Azi for lunch. The afternoon and final approach to Douala felt worse, merely because the pot holes were now on tar roads and traffic became thicker. We eventually reached the Ibis hotel at 19h00 checked ourselves into our rooms, showered of layers of dust and sweat, enjoyed the unbeatable feel of a clean and fresh towel, had many cool beers and eventually hit the salad bar with a vengeance before George took us all back to the airport where we bid farewell to each other, Cameroon and another successful trip in West Africa.
Nomenclature and taxonomy follows: Birds of Africa South of the Sahara - Sinclair & Ryan (2003) and Birds of West Africa - Borrow & Demey (2004).
1 Ostrich Struthio camelus
2 Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis
3 Long-tailed Cormorant P. africanus
4 Darter Anhinga melanogaster
5 Gray Heron Ardea cinerea
6 Black-headed Heron Ardea melanocephala
7 Purple Heron Ardea purpurea
8 Great Egret Ardea alba
9 Intermediate Egret Egretta intermedia
10 Little Egret Egretta garzetta
11 Squacco Heron Ardeola ralloides
12 Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis
13 Striated Heron Butorides striatus
14 Black-crowned Night-Heron Nycticorax nycticorax
15 Hamerkop Scopus umbretta
16 Yellow-billed Stork Mycteria ibis
17 African Openbill Anastomus lamelligerus
18 Woolly-necked Stork Ciconia episcopus
19 White Stork Ciconia ciconia
20 Saddle-billed Stork Ephippiorhynchus senegalensis
21 Marabou Stork Leptoptilos crumeniferus
22 Sacred Ibis Threskiornis aethiopicus
23 Hadada Ibis Bostrychia hagedash
24 White-faced Whistling-Duck Dendrocygna viduata
25 Egyptian Goose Alopochen aegyptiacus
26 Spur-winged Goose Plectropterus gambensis
27 Comb Duck Sarkidiornis melanotos
28 Hartlaub's Duck Pteronetta hartlaubii
29 Hottentot Teal Anas hottentota
30 Garganey Anas querquedula
31 European Honey-buzzard Pernis apivorus
32 Black-shouldered Kite Elanus caeruleus
33 Scissor-tailed Kite Chelictinia riocourii
34 Black Kite Milvus migrans
35 African Fish-Eagle Haliaeetus vocifer
36 Palm-nut Vulture Gypohierax angolensis
37 Hooded Vulture Necrosyrtes monachus
38 White-backed Vulture Gyps africanus
39 Lappet-faced Vulture Torgos tracheliotus
40 White-headed Vulture Trigonoceps occipitalis
41 Short-toed Eagle Circaetus gallicus
42 Beaudouin's Snake-Eagle Circaetus beaudouini
43 Brown Snake-Eagle Circaetus cinereus
44 Bateleur Terathopius ecaudatus
45 Congo Serpent-Eagle Dryotriorchis spectabilis
46 Western Marsh-Harrier Circus aeruginosus
47 Pallid Harrier Circus macrourus
48 Montagu's Harrier Circus pygargus
49 African Harrier-Hawk Polyboroides typus
50 Lizard Buzzard Kaupifalco monogrammicus
51 Dark Chanting-Goshawk Melierax metabates
52 Gabar Goshawk Micronisus gabar
53 Red-chested Goshawk Accipiter toussenelii
54 Shikra Accipiter badius
55 Red-thighed Sparrowhawk Accipiter erythropus
56 Black Goshawk Accipiter melanoleucus
57 Grasshopper Buzzard Butastur rufipennis
58 Red-necked Buzzard Buteo auguralis
59 Lesser Spotted Eagle Aquila pomarina
60 Tawny Eagle Aquila rapax
61 Steppe Eagle Aquila nipalensis
62 Booted Eagle Hieraaetus pennatus
63 Martial Eagle Polemaetus bellicosus
64 Long-crested Eagle Lophaetus occipitalis
65 Cassin's Hawk-Eagle Spizaetus africanus
66 Lesser Kestrel Falco naumanni
67 Eurasian Kestrel Falco tinnunculus
68 Fox Kestrel Falco alopex
69 Gray Kestrel Falco ardosiaceus
70 Red-necked Falcon Falco chicquera
71 Eurasian Hobby Falco subbuteo
72 Lanner Falcon Falco biarmicus
73 Little Sparrowhawk Accipiter minullus
74 Schlegel's Francolin Francolinus schlegelii
75 Forest Francolin Francolinus lathami
76 Scaly Francolin Francolinus squamatus
77 Double-spurred Francolin Francolinus bicalcaratus
78 Clapperton's Francolin Francolinus clappertoni
79 Stone Partridge Ptilopachus petrosus
80 Black Guineafowl Agelastes niger
81 Helmeted Guineafowl Numida meleagris
82 Kurrichane Buttonquail Turnyx sylvatica
83 Quail-plover Ortyxelos meiffrenii
84 Black Crowned-Crane Balearica pavonina
85 White-spotted Flufftail Sarothrura pulchra
86 Buff-spotted Flufftail Sarothrura elegans
87 African Rail Rallus caerulescens
88 Black Crake Amaurornis flavirostris
89 Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus
90 Arabian Bustard Ardeotis arabs
91 White-bellied Bustard Eupodotis senegalensis
92 African Jacana Actophilornis africanus
93 Greater Painted-snipe Rostratula benghalensis
94 Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus
95 Spotted Thick-knee Burhinus capensis
96 Egyptian Plover Pluvianus aegyptius
97 Collared Pratincole Glareola pratincola
98 Rock Pratincole Glareola nuchalis
99 Gray Pratincole Glareola cinerea
100 Spur-winged Plover Vanellus spinosus
101 Black-headed Lapwing Vanellus tectus
102 White-headed Lapwing Vanellus albiceps
103 Wattled Lapwing Vanellus senegallus
104 Brown-chested Lapwing Vanellus superciliosus
105 Three-banded Plover Charadrius tricollaris
106 Forbes' Plover Charadrius forbesi
107 White-fronted Plover Charadrius marginatus
108 Spotted Redshank Tringa erythropus
109 Common Greenshank Tringa nebularia
110 Green Sandpiper Tringa ochropus
111 Wood Sandpiper Tringa glareola
112 Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos
113 Sanderling Calidris alba
114 Little Stint Calidris minuta
115 Ruff Philomachus pugnax
116 African Skimmer Rynchops flavirostris
117 Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse Pterocles exustus
118 Four-banded Sandgrouse Pterocles quadricinctus
119 Speckled Pigeon Columba guinea
120 Lemon Dove Columba larvata
121 Eurasian Turtle-Dove Streptopelia turtur
122 African Collared-Dove Streptopelia roseogrisea
123 African Mourning Dove Streptopelia decipiens
124 Red-eyed Dove Streptopelia semitorquata
125 Vinaceous Dove Streptopelia vinacea
126 Laughing Dove Streptopelia senegalensis
127 Black-billed Wood-Dove Turtur abyssinicus
128 Blue-spotted Wood-Dove Turtur afer
129 Tambourine Dove Turtur tympanistria
130 Blue-headed Wood-Dove Turtur brehmeri
131 Namaqua Dove Oena capensis
132 Bruce's Green-Pigeon Treron waalia
133 African Green-Pigeon Treron calva
134 Rose-ringed Parakeet Psittacula krameri
135 Red-headed Lovebird Agapornis pullarius
136 Gray Parrot Psittacus erithacus
137 Senegal Parrot Poicephalus senegalus
138 Great Blue Turaco Corythaeola cristata
139 Guinea Turaco Tauraco persa
140 White-crested Turaco Tauraco leucolophus
141 Yellow-billed Turaco Tauraco macrorhynchus
142 E Bannerman's Turaco Tauraco bannermani
143 Violet Turaco Musophaga violacea
144 Ross' Turaco Musophaga rossae
145 Western Plantain-eater Crinifer piscator
146 Pied Cuckoo Clamator jacobinus
147 Great Spotted Cuckoo Clamator glandarius
148 Red-chested Cuckoo Cuculus solitarius
149 Black Cuckoo Cuculus clamosus
150 African Cuckoo Cuculus gularis
151 Olive Long-tailed Cuckoo Cercococcyx olivinus
152 Klaas' Cuckoo Chrysococcyx klaas
153 African Emerald Cuckoo Chrysococcyx cupreus
154 Dideric Cuckoo Chrysococcyx caprius
155 Yellowbill Ceuthmochares aereus
156 Black-throated Coucal Centropus leucogaster
157 Blue-headed Coucal Centropus monachus
158 Senegal Coucal Centropus senegalensis
159 African Grass-Owl Tyto capensis
160 Barn Owl Tyto alba
161 African Scops-Owl Otus senegalensis
162 Fraser's Eagle-Owl Bubo poensis
163 Vermiculated Fishing-Owl Scotopelia bouvieri
164 African Wood-Owl Strix woodfordii
165 Pearl-spotted Owlet Glaucidium perlatum
166 Red-chested Owlet Glaucidium tephronotum
167 Sjostedt's Owlet Glaucidium sjostedti
168 Grass Owl Tyto capensis
169 Black-shouldered Nightjar Caprimulgus nigriscapularis
170 Plain Nightjar Caprimulgus inornatus
171 Long-tailed Nightjar Caprimulgus climacurus
172 Pennant-winged Nightjar Macrodipteryx vexillarius
173 Standard-winged Nightjar Macrodipteryx longipennis
174 Mottled Spinetail Telacanthura ussheri
175 Black Spinetail Telacanthura melanopygia
176 Sabine's Spinetail Rhaphidura sabini
177 Cassin's Spinetail Neafrapus cassini
178 African Palm-Swift Cypsiurus parvus
179 Mottled Swift Tachymarptis aequatorialis
180 Common Swift Apus apus
181 Little Swift Apus affinis
182 Horus Swift Apus horus
183 White-rumped Swift Apus caffer
184 Bates' Swift Apus batesi
185 Speckled Mousebird Colius striatus
186 Blue-naped Mousebird Urocolius macrourus
187 Bare-cheeked Trogon Apaloderma aequatoriale
188 Shining-blue Kingfisher Alcedo quadribrachys
189 Malachite Kingfisher Alcedo cristata
190 African Pygmy-Kingfisher Ispidina picta
191 Chocolate-backed Kingfisher Halcyon badia
192 Gray-headed Kingfisher Halcyon leucocephala
193 Woodland Kingfisher Halcyon senegalensis
194 Blue-breasted Kingfisher Halcyon malimbica
195 Giant Kingfisher Megaceryle maxima
196 Pied Kingfisher Ceryle rudis
197 Black Bee-eater Merops gularis
198 Blue-headed Bee-eater Merops muelleri
199 Red-throated Bee-eater Merops bulocki
200 Little Bee-eater Merops pusillus
201 Blue-breasted Bee-eater Merops variegatus
202 White-throated Bee-eater Merops albicollis
203 Green Bee-eater Merops orientalis
204 Northern Carmine Bee-eater Merops nubicus
205 European Bee-eater Merops apiaster
206 Abyssinian Roller Coracias abyssinica
207 Rufous-crowned Roller Coracias naevia
208 Blue-bellied Roller Coracias cyanogaster
209 Broad-billed Roller Eurystomus glaucurus
210 Blue-throated Roller Eurystomus gularis
211 Eurasian Hoopoe Upupa epops
212 Green Woodhoopoe Phoeniculus purpureus
213 Black Scimitar-bill Rhinopomastus aterrimus
214 White-crested Hornbill Tockus albocristatus
215 Red-billed Dwarf Hornbill Tockus camurus
216 Red-billed Hornbill Tockus erythrorhynchus
217 African Pied Hornbill Tockus fasciatus
218 African Gray Hornbill Tockus nasutus
219 Piping Hornbill Ceratogymna fistulator
220 Black-and-white-casqued Hornbill Ceratogymna subcylindricus
221 White-thighed Hornbill Ceratogymna albotibialis
222 Black-casqued Hornbill Ceratogymna atrata
223 Yellow-casqued Hornbill Ceratogymna elata
224 Naked-faced Barbet Gymnobucco calvus
225 Gray-throated Barbet Gymnobucco bonapartei
226 Speckled Tinkerbird Pogoniulus scolopaceus
227 Western Tinkerbird Pogoniulus coryphaeus
228 Red-rumped Tinkerbird Pogoniulus atroflavus
229 Yellow-throated Tinkerbird Pogoniulus subsulphureus
230 Yellow-rumped Tinkerbird Pogoniulus bilineatus
231 Yellow-fronted Tinkerbird Pogoniulus chrysoconus
232 Yellow-spotted Barbet Buccanodon duchaillui
233 Vieillot's Barbet Lybius vieilloti
234 Double-toothed Barbet Lybius bidentatus
235 Bearded Barbet Lybius dubius
236 Yellow-billed Barbet Trachyphonus purpuratus
237 Greater Honeyguide Indicator indicator
238 Lesser Honeyguide Indicator minor
239 Willcock's Honeyguide Indicator willcocksi
240 Zenker's Honeyguide Melignomon zenkeri
241 Cassin's Honeyguide Prodotiscus insignis
242 Eurasian Wryneck Jynx torquilla
243 African Piculet Sasia africana
244 Fine-spotted Woodpecker Campethera punctuligera
245 Green-backed Woodpecker Campethera cailliautii
246 Tullberg's Woodpecker Campethera tullbergi
247 Buff-spotted Woodpecker Campethera nivosa
248 Little Gray Woodpecker Dendropicus elachus
249 Speckle-breasted Woodpecker Dendropicos poecilolaemus
250 Cardinal Woodpecker Dendropicos fuscescens
251 Gabon Woodpecker Dendropicos gabonensis
252 Elliot's Woodpecker Dendropicos elliotii
253 Gray Woodpecker Dendropicos goertae
254 Gray-headed Broadbill Smithornis sharpei
255 Rufous-sided Broadbill Smithornis rufolateralis
256 Flappet Lark Mirafra rufocinnamomea
257 Chestnut-backed Sparrow-Lark Eremopterix leucotis
258 Crested Lark Galerida cristata
259 Bank Swallow Riparia riparia
260 Gray-rumped Swallow Hirundo griseopyga
261 Rock Martin Hirundo fuligula
262 Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica
263 Ethiopian Swallow Hirundo aethiopica
264 Wire-tailed Swallow Hirundo smithii
265 White-throated Blue Swallow Hirundo nigrita
266 Lesser Striped-Swallow Hirundo abyssinica
267 Rufous-chested Swallow Hirundo semirufa
268 Mosque Swallow Hirundo senegalensis
269 Red-rumped Swallow Hirundo daurica
270 Preuss' Swallow Hirundo preussi
271 Forest Swallow Hirundo fuliginosa
272 Square-tailed Sawwing Psalidoprocne nitens
273 Petit´s Sawwing Psalidoprocne petiti
274 Shari Sawwing Psalidoprocne chalybea
275 Fanti Sawwing Psalidoprocne obscura
276 African Pied Wagtail Motacilla aguimp
277 Yellow Wagtail Motacilla flava
278 Mountain Wagtail Motacilla clara
279 Yellow-throated Longclaw Macronyx croceus
280 Plain-backed Pipit Anthus leucophrys
281 Long-legged Pipit Anthus pallidiventris
282 Tawny Pipit Anthus campestris
283 Tree Pipit Anthus trivialis
284 Red-throated Pipit Anthus cervinus
285 Cameroon Pipit Anthus cameroonensis
286 White-breasted Cuckoo-shrike Coracina pectoralis
287 Blue Cuckoo-shrike Coracina azurea
288 Petit's Cuckoo-shrike Campephaga petiti
289 Red-shouldered Cuckoo-shrike Campephaga phoenicea
290 Purple-throated Cuckoo-shrike Campephaga quiscalina
291 Common Bulbul Pycnonotus barbatus
292 Cameroon Mountain Greenbul Andropadus montanus
293 Little Greenbul Andropadus virens
294 Gray Greenbul Andropadus gracilis
295 Plain Greenbul Andropadus curvirostris
296 Slender-billed Greenbul Andropadus gracilirostris
297 Yellow-whiskered Bulbul Andropadus latirostris
298 Western Mountain-Greenbul Andropadus tephrolaemus
299 Golden Greenbul Calyptocichla serina
300 Honeyguide Greenbul Baeopogon indicator
301 Spotted Greenbul Ixonotus guttatus
302 Simple Greenbul Chlorocichla simplex
303 Yellow-throated Greenbul Chlorocichla flavicollis
304 Leaf-love Phyllastrephus scandens
305 Cameroon Olive-Greenbul Phyllastrephus poensis
306 White-throated Greenbul Phyllastrephus albigularis
307 Icterine Greenbul Phyllastrephus icterinus
308 Xavier's Greenbul Phyllastrephus xavieri
309 Common Bristlebill Bleda syndactyla
310 Green-tailed/Lesser Bristlebill Bleda eximia
311 Western Nicator Nicator chloris
312 Red-tailed Greenbul Criniger calurus
313 Eastern Bearded-Greenbul Criniger chloronotus
314 White-bearded Greenbul Criniger ndussumensis
315 Rufous Flycatcher-Thrush Neocossyphus fraseri
316 White-tailed Ant-Thrush Neocossyphus poensis
317 Crossley's Ground-Thrush Zoothera crossleyi
318 Black-eared Ground-Thrush Zoothera cameronensis
319 African Thrush Turdus pelios
320 Brown-chested Alethe Alethe poliocephala
321 Fire-crested Alethe Alethe diademata
322 Red-faced Cisticola Cisticola erythrops
323 Singing Cisticola Cisticola cantans
324 Whistling Cisticola Cisticola lateralis
325 Chattering Cisticola Cisticola anonymus
326 Chubb's Cisticola Cisticola chubbi
327 Rock-loving Cisticola Cisticola aberrans
328 Red-pate Cisticola Cisticola ruficeps
329 Winding Cisticola Cisticola galactotes
330 Croaking Cisticola Cisticola natalensis
331 Zitting Cisticola Cisticola juncidis
332 Desert Cisticola Cisticola aridulus
333 Pectoral-patch Cisticola Cisticola brunnescens
334 Tawny-flanked Prinia Prinia subflava
335 River Prinia Prinia fluviatilis
336 White-chinned Prinia Prinia leucopogon
337 Banded Prinia Prinia bairdii
338 Red-winged Warbler Prinia erythroptera
339 Red-winged Gray Warbler Drymocichla incana
340 Green Longtail Urolais epichlora
341 Cricket Longtail Spiloptila clamans
342 Black-collared Apalis Apalis pulchra
343 Black-capped Apalis Apalis nigriceps
344 Black-throated Apalis Apalis jacksoni
345 Buff-throated Apalis Apalis rufogularis
346 E Bamenda Apalis Apalis bamendae
347 Gray Apalis Apalis cinerea
348 Yellowbreasted Apalis Apalis flavida
349 Oriole Warbler Hypergerus atriceps
350 Grey-backed Camaroptera Camaroptera brachyura
351 Green-backed Camaroptera Camaroptera brachyura
352 Yellow-browed Camaroptera Camaroptera superciliaris
353 Olive-green Camaroptera Camaroptera chloronota
354 Bangwa Scrub-Warbler Bradypterus bangwaensis
355 Black-faced Rufous-Warbler Bathmocercus rufus
356 Moustached Grass-Warbler Melocichla mentalis
357 Sedge Warbler Acrocephalus schoenobaenus
358 Great Reed-Warbler Acrocephalus arundinaceus
359 Greater Swamp-Warbler Acrocephalus rufescens
360 Western Olivaceous Warbler Hippolais pallida
361 Icterine Warbler Hippolais icterina
362 African Yellow Warbler Chloropeta natalensis
363 White-tailed Warbler Poliolais lopezi
364 Yellow-bellied Eremomela Eremomela icteropygialis
365 Senegal Eremomela Eremomela pusilla
366 Rufous-crowned Eremomela Eremomela badiceps
367 Green Crombec Sylvietta virens
368 Lemon-bellied Crombec Sylvietta denti
369 Northern Crombec Sylvietta brachyura
370 Yellow Longbill Macrosphenus flavicans
371 Green Hylia Hylia prasina
372 Black-capped Woodland-Warbler Phylloscopus herberti
373 Willow Warbler Phylloscopus trochilus
374 Wood Warbler Phylloscopus sibilatrix
375 Yellow-bellied Hyliota Hyliota flavigaster
376 Fan-tailed Grassbird Schoenicola brevirostris
377 Common Whitethroat Sylvia communis
378 Lesser Whitethroat Sylvia curruca
379 Pale Flycatcher Bradornis pallidus
380 Northern Black-Flycatcher Melaenornis edolioides
381 White-browed Forest-Flycatcher Fraseria cinerascens
382 Spotted Flycatcher Muscicapa striata
383 Sooty Flycatcher Muscicapa infuscata
384 Swamp Flycatcher Muscicapa aquatica
385 African Dusky Flycatcher Muscicapa adusta
386 Little Gray Flycatcher Muscicapa epulata
387 Yellow-footed Flycatcher Muscicapa sethsmithi
388 Dusky-blue Flycatcher Muscicapa comitata
389 Cassin's Flycatcher Muscicapa cassini
390 Ashy Flycatcher Muscicapa caerulescens
391 Gray-throated Tit-Flycatcher Myioparus griseigularis
392 Gray Tit-Flycatcher Myioparus plumbeus
393 European Pied Flycatcher Ficedula hypoleuca
394 Forest Robin Stiphrornis erythrothorax
395 Bocage's Akalat Sheppardia bocagei
396 White-bellied Robin-Chat Cossyphicula roberti
397 Mountain Robin-Chat Cossypha isabellae
398 Gray-winged Robin-Chat Cossypha polioptera
399 Snowy-crowned Robin-Chat Cossypha niveicapilla
400 White-crowned Robin-Chat Cossypha albicapilla
401 Rufous Bush Chat Cercotrichas galactotes
402 Common Redstart Phoenicurus phoenicurus
403 Whinchat Saxicola rubetra
404 African Stonechat Saxicola torquata
405 Northern Wheatear Oenanthe oenanthe
406 Heuglin's Wheatear Oenanthe heuglini
407 Familiar Chat Cercomela familiaris
408 Northern Anteater-Chat Myrmecocichla aethiops
409 White-crowned Cliff-Chat Thamnolaea coronata
410 Black-and-white Shrike-flycatcher Bias musicus
411 Brown-throated Wattle-eye Platysteira cyanea
412 E Banded Wattle-eye Platysteira laticincta
413 Chestnut Wattle-eye Platysteira castanea
414 Yellow-bellied Wattle-eye Platysteira concreta
415 Senegal Batis Batis senegalensis
416 Black-headed Batis Batis minor
417 African Blue-Flycatcher Elminia longicauda
418 Dusky Crested-Flycatcher Elminia nigromitrata
419 White-bellied Crested-Flycatcher Elminia albiventris
420 Blue-headed Crested-Flycatcher Trochocercus nitens
421 Black-headed Paradise-Flycatcher Terpsiphone rufiventer
422 Rufous-vented Paradise-Flycatcher Terpsiphone rufocinerea
423 African Paradise-Flycatcher Terpsiphone viridis
424 Gray-necked Rockfowl Picathartes oreas
425 Puvel's Illadopsis Illadopsis puveli
426 Brown Illadopsis Illadopsis fulvescens
427 African Hill Babbler Illadopsis abyssinica
428 Thrush Babbler Ptyrticus turdinus
429 Blackcap Babbler Turdoides reinwardtii
430 Brown Babbler Turdoides plebejus
431 White-bellied Tit Melaniparus albiventris
432 Whiteshouldered Black Tit Melaniparus guineensis
433 Dusky Tit Melaniparus funereus
434 Spotted Creeper Salpornis spilonotus
435 Sennar Penduline-Tit Anthoscopus punctifrons
436 Yellow Penduline-Tit Anthoscopus parvulus
437 Forest Penduline-Tit Anthoscopus flavifrons
438 Tit-hylia Pholidornis rushiae
439 Scarlet-tufted Sunbird Deleornis fraseri
440 Western Violet-backed Sunbird Anthreptes longuemarei
441 Violet-tailed Sunbird Anthreptes aurantium
442 Little Green Sunbird Anthreptes seimundi
443 Green Sunbird Anthreptes rectirostris
444 Collared Sunbird Hedydipna collaris
445 Pygmy Sunbird Hedydipna platura
446 Reichenbach's Sunbird Anabathmis reichenbachii
447 Green-headed Sunbird Cyanomitra verticalis
448 Blue-throated Brown Sunbird Cyanomitra cyanolaema
449 Cameroon Sunbird Cyanomitra oritis
450 Western Olive-Sunbird Cyanomitra obscura
451 Carmelite Sunbird Chalcomitra fuliginosa
452 Green-throated Sunbird Chalcomitra rubescens
453 Scarlet-chested Sunbird Chalcomitra senegalensis
454 Olive-bellied Sunbird Cinnyris chloropygius
455 Tiny Sunbird Cinnyris minullus
456 Northern Double-collared Sunbird Cinnyris preussi
457 Beautiful Sunbird Cinnyris pulchellus
458 Splendid Sunbird Cinnyris coccinigaster
459 Variable Sunbird Cinnyris venustus
460 E Ursula's Sunbird Cinnyris ursulae
461 Bates' Sunbird Cinnyris batesi
462 Copper Sunbird Cinnyris cupreus
463 Forest White-eye Zosterops stenocricotus
464 African Yellow White-eye Zosterops senegalensis
465 African Golden Oriole Oriolus auratus
466 Western Black-headed Oriole Oriolus brachyrhynchus
467 Black-winged Oriole Oriolus nigripennis
468 Southern Gray Shrike Lanius meridionalis
469 Gray-backed Fiscal Lanius excubitoroides
470 Mackinnon's Shrike Lanius mackinnoni
471 Common Fiscal Lanius collaris
472 Masked Shrike Lanius nubicus
473 Woodchat Shrike Lanius senator
474 Yellow-billed Shrike Corvinella corvina
475 Brubru Nilaus afer
476 Northern Puffback Dryoscopus gambensis
477 Red-eyed Puffback Dryoscopus senegalensis
478 Pink-footed Puffback Dryoscopus angolensis
479 Large-billed Puffback Dryoscopus sabini
480 Black-crowned Tchagra Tchagra senegala
481 Luehder's Bushshrike Laniarius luehderi
482 Tropical Boubou Laniarius aethiopicus
483 Common Gonolek Laniarius barbarus
484 Black-headed Gonolek Laniarius erythrogaster
485 Yellow-breasted Boubou Laniarius atroflavus
486 Mountain Sooty Boubou Laniarius poensis
487 Gray-green Bushshrike Telophorus bocagei
488 Sulphur-breasted Bushshrike Telophorus sulfureopectus
489 E Mt. Kupe Bushshrike Telophorus kupeensis
490 Green-breasted Bushshrike Malaconotus gladiator
491 Chestnut-bellied Helmetshrike Prionops caniceps
492 Square-tailed Drongo Dicrurus ludwigii
493 Shining Drongo Dicrurus atripennis
494 Velvet-mantled Drongo Dicrurus modestus
495 Fork-tailed Drongo Dicrurus adsimilis
496 Piapiac Ptilostomus afer
497 Pied Crow Corvus albus
498 Greater Blue-eared Glossy-Starling Lamprotornis chalybaeus
499 Bronze-tailed Glossy-Starling Lamprotornis chalcurus
500 Splendid Glossy-Starling Lamprotornis splendidus
501 Purple Glossy-Starling Lamprotornis purpureus
502 Long-tailed Glossy-Starling Lamprotornis caudatus
503 Chestnut-bellied Starling Lamprotornis pulcher
504 Purple-headed Glossy-Starling Lamprotornis purpureiceps
505 Violet-backed Starling Cinnyricinclus leucogaster
506 Redwing Starling Onychognathus morio
507 Waller's Starling Onychognathus walleri
508 Neumann's Starling Onychognathus neumanni
509 Narrow-tailed Starling Poeoptera lugubris
510 White-collared Starling Grafisia torquata
511 Yellow-billed Oxpecker Buphagus africanus
512 Gray-headed Sparrow Passer griseus
513 Bush Petronia Petronia dentata
514 White-billed Buffalo-Weaver Bubalornis albirostris
515 Speckle-fronted Weaver Sporopipes frontalis
516 Chestnut-crowned Sparrow-Weaver Plocepasser superciliosus
517 Bannerman's Weaver Ploceus bannermani
518 Baglafecht Weaver Ploceus baglafecht
519 Slender-billed Weaver Ploceus pelzelni
520 Little Weaver Ploceus luteolus
521 Spectacled Weaver Ploceus ocularis
522 Black-necked Weaver Ploceus nigricollis
523 Black-billed Weaver Ploceus melanogaster
524 Heuglin's Masked-Weaver Ploceus heuglini
525 African Masked-Weaver Ploceus velatus
526 Village Weaver Ploceus cucullatus
527 Vieillot's Weaver Ploceus nigerrimus
528 Black-headed Weaver Ploceus melanocephalus
529 Maxwell's Black Weaver Ploceus albinucha
530 Forest Weaver Ploceus bicolor
531 Brown-capped Weaver Ploceus insignis
532 Crested Malimbe Malimbus malimbicus
533 Red-headed Malimbe Malimbus rubricollis
534 Red-headed Weaver Anaplectes rubriceps
535 Red-billed Quelea Quelea quelea
536 Yellow-crowned Bishop Euplectes afer
537 Yellow Bishop Euplectes capensis
538 Fan-tailed Widowbird Euplectes axillaris
539 Yellow-shouldered Widowbird Euplectes macrourus
540 Marsh Widowbird Euplectes hartlaubi
541 Woodhouse's Antpecker Parmoptila woodhousei
542 Chestnut-breasted Negrofinch Nigrita bicolor
543 Pale-fronted Negrofinch Nigrita luteifrons
544 Gray-headed Negrofinch Nigrita canicapilla
545 Fernando Po Oliveback Nesocharis shelleyi
546 Gray-headed Oliveback Nesocharis capistrata
547 Red-winged Pytilia Pytilia phoenicoptera
548 Green-winged Pytilia Pytilia melba
549 Red-faced Pytilia Pytilia hypogrammica
550 Black-bellied Seedcracker Pyrenestes ostrinus
551 Brown Twinspot Clytospiza monteiri
552 Dybowski's Twinspot Euschistospiza dybowskii
553 Bar-breasted Firefinch Lagonosticta rufopicta
554 Red-billed Firefinch Lagonosticta senegala
555 Black-bellied Firefinch Lagonosticta rara
556 African Firefinch Lagonosticta rubricata
557 Red-cheeked Cordonbleu Uraeginthus bengalus
558 Lavender Waxbill Estrilda caerulescens
559 Orange-cheeked Waxbill Estrilda melpoda
560 Common Waxbill Estrilda astrild
561 Black-crowned Waxbill Estrilda nonnula
562 Black-headed Waxbill Estrilda atricapilla
563 Zebra Waxbill Amandava subflava
564 African Quailfinch Ortygospiza atricollis
565 African Silverbill Lonchura cantans
566 Bronze Mannikin Lonchura cucullata
567 Black-and-white Mannikin Lonchura bicolor
568 Cut-throat Amadina fasciata
569 Village Indigobird Vidua chalybeata
570 Pin-tailed Whydah Vidua macroura
571 Sahel Paradise Whydah Vidua
572 Oriole Finch Linurgus olivaceus
573 White-rumped Seedeater Serinus leucopygius
574 Yellow-fronted Canary Serinus mozambicus
575 Streaky-headed Seedeater Serinus gularis
576 Thick-billed Seedeater Serinus burtoni
577 Cinnamon-breasted Bunting Emberiza tahapisi
578 Goldenbreasted Bunting Emberiza flaviventris
579 Cabanis' Bunting Emberiza cabanisi
MAMMAL CHECKLIST
Nomenclature follows -The Kingdon Field Guide to African Mammals. Kingdon (1997). Taxonomic/nomenclature differences between the latter and the more recent – Checklist of the Mammals of the World. Andrew Duff & Ann Lawson (2004), have been included.
Abbreviations for some of the sites :-
QPs – Quail Plover site between Mora and Waza; WaNP – Waza NP;
BeNP – Benoue NP; NgR – Ngaoundaba Ranch; Ba-Ng – Bafut-Nguemba;
Nya – Nyasosa; Mt.K – Mt.Kupe; Kod – Kodmin; Mun – Mundemba.
Guereza Colobus Colobus guereza – 5 in riverside trees BeNP 10/3.
Olive Baboon Papio anubis – small numbers around BeNP 9 & 10/3.
Red-eared Monkey Cercopithecus erythrotis – 3 Guenon-type monkeys in
roadside forest on the Kumba road out of Mun 24/3 most consistent with this form.
Red Patas Monkey Cercopithecus patas – common (<40 daily) WaNP 6-8/3.
Tantalus Monkey Cercopithecus (aethiops) tantalus – 2 NgR 12/3.
[both Kingdon and Duff & Lawson consider the forms of the aethiops group of
Savannah Monkeys to be distinct spp.]
Senegal Galago Galago senegalensis – 3+ on night drive BeNP 9/3.
Straw-coloured Fruit Bat Eidolon helvum – the thousands roosting in trees beside
Hotel Ibis, Douala were an impressive sight as they departed at dusk.
Scrub Hare Lepus saxatilis – 3-4 QPs 5 & 7/3; 1 BeNP 9/3.
Green Sqirrel Paraxerus poensis – the unmarked olive-coloured squirrels seen at
NgR, and at some other lowland forest sites were assumed to be this sp.
Golden Jackal Canis aureus – singles WaNP 6 & 7/3.
Sand Fox Vulpes pallida – 2-4 daily WaNP 6-8/3; seen in daylight, including a
family around its den beside the main road, and at night.
Banded Mongoose Mungos mungo – a boisterous group of 12 WaNP 8/3.
Marsh Mongoose Atilax paludinosus – 1 WaNP 6/3.
White-tailed Mongoose Ichneumia albicauda – 1 on night drive WaNP 7/3.
Common Genet Genetta genetta – 2 WaNP 6/4 and 4 on 7/4; all spotlit on night
drives.
Large Spotted (Blotched) Genet Genetta tigrina – singles on WaNP night drives
6 & 7/3. [Duff & Lawson separate this sp. into several distinct species forms].
African Civet Civettictis civetta – 1 spotlit and watched well WaNP 6/3.
African Wild Cat Felis sylvestris – 1 on night drive WaNP 7/3.
Serval Felis serval – 1 on night drive WaNP 6/3.
(Black-necked) Rock Hyrax Procavia ? johnstoni/capensis – 2 on an outcrop WaNP
6/3, and 2 on similar outcrop between WaNP and Mora 8/3. [Duff & Lawson treat
all Rock Hyraxes of Africa as P.capensis].
Elephant Loxodonta africana – group of 4 females plus one young WaNP 6/3.
Hippopotamus Hippopotamus amphibius – c.6 in Benoue R., Garoua 8-9/3;
15+ in various residual pools in river at BeNP 9 & 10/3.
Wart Hog Phacochoerus africanus – 10 WaNP 6/3 and 3 there 7/3; 4 BeNP 9/3.
Giraffe Giraffa camelopardalis – max. 15 WaNP 6-8/3, most seen around the first
large waterhole.
Bushbuck Tragelaphus scriptus – 1 BeNP 9/3.
Grey/Bush Duiker Sylvicapra grimmia – 1 on night drive NgR 11/3.
Red-flanked Duiker Cephalophus rufilatus – 1-3 BeNP 9 & 10/3.
Oribi Ourebia ourebi – 3 BeNP 9/3 and 1 there 10/3.
Kob Kobus kob – common around BeNP, with <20 daily.
Waterbuck Kobus ellipsiprymus – 3 BeNP 9/3.
Red-fronted Gazelle Gazella rufifrons – 1 WaNP 6/3.
Topi Damaliscus lunatus - < 70 WaNP 6-7/3, with several groups of 20+.
Roan Antelope Hippotragus equinus – 5 WaNP 6/3.