tour report - birdquest rep 07.pdf · this year we began our grand tour of this panhandle of a...

1 Birdquest: Cameroon 2007

CAMEROON

4 – 21 MARCH 2007

TOUR REPORT

LEADER: NIK BORROW This year the normally grossly unreliable Cameroon Airlines had pulled their socks up and were operating a realistic timetable so we used their admittedly somewhat decrepit planes to get us to and from the north. The visit to Mount Cameroon has now become a standard feature of this comprehensive itinerary that now covers a superb and wide range of the varied habitats that this sprawling country has to offer. Indeed if one were to visit just one western African country then this must surely be the tour to choose and we amassed a very respectable total of 498 species or recognisable forms of which all but fifteen were seen. These included 19 of the regional endemics; Cameroon Olive Pigeon, Bannerman’s Turaco, Mountain Saw-wing, Cameroon Montane, Western Mountain and Cameroon Olive Greenbuls, Mountain Robin Chat, Cameroon and Bangwa Forest Warblers, Brown-backed Cisticola, Green Longtail, Bamenda Apalis, Banded Wattle-eye, Cameroon Sunbird, Mount Cameroon Speirops, Green-breasted Bush-shrike, Yellow-breasted Boubou, Bannerman’s Weaver and Shelley’s Oliveback. A male Savile’s Bustard seen in the Waza area constitutes at least the fourth record for the country and we also saw many other specialities including amazing and much-wanted species such as Hartlaub’s Duck, African Swallow-tailed Kite, Fox Kestrel, White-throated and Clapperton’s Francolins, Quail-plover, Arabian Bustard, Egyptian Plover, Grey Pratincole, Brown-chested Lapwing, Four-banded Sandgrouse, Adamawa Turtle Dove, Red-fronted Parrot, Violet Turaco, Black-shouldered and Standard-winged Nightjars, Western Green Tinkerbird, Bristle-nosed, Vieillot’s and Bearded Barbets, Tullberg’s and Elliot’s Woodpeckers, Sun Lark, Square-tailed and Petit’s Saw-wings, West African (split from Red-rumped) and Preuss’s Cliff Swallows, Cameroon, Bannerman’s (split from Long-billed) and Long-legged Pipits, Yellow-throated Nicator, Grey-winged and White-crowned Robin Chats, African Scrub Robin, Heuglin’s Wheatear, White-crowned Cliff Chat, Chattering, Red-pate, Dorst’s and Rufous Cisticolas, River Prinia, Cricket Warbler, Red-winged Grey Warbler, Black-collared Apalis, Oriole Warbler, Rufous-vented and Bates’s Paradise Flycatchers, West African Batis, Grey-chested Illadopsis, Spotted Thrush Babbler, Sennar Penduline Tit, Brown, Reichenbach’s, Carmelite and Orange-tufted Sunbirds, Forest White-eye, Yellow-crowned Gonolek, Neumann’s, Chestnut-bellied and White-collared Starlings, Heuglin’s Masked Weaver, Pale-fronted Negrofinch, White-cheeked Oliveback, Yellow-winged Pytilia, Brown and Dybowski’s Twinspots, Black-faced Firefinch and Sahel Paradise Whydah. We did well with mammals too with great looks at Giraffe, Topi and Roan Antelope in Waza National Park.


This year we began our grand tour of this panhandle of a country in Douala but paused there only briefly overnight and left swiftly the next morning on a plane that took us from the dripping humidity of the coastal forest zone to the searing heat of the north where it was so dry that any sweat that dared to break through the skin had little chance of remaining there long! We landed at Garoua with astonishingly little delay and were soon speeding along a reasonable paved road towards the town of Maroua and after a tasty lunch consumed there we got down to our first real birding. The air was full of sand and dust blown from the Sahara by the Harmattan winds that prevail at this time of year so the skies were perpetually grey and the visibility poor. Huge ghostly rocky inselbergs loomed out of the haze and we spent some time birding around these enormous piled heaps of giant boulders where we soon found some perky Rock-loving Cisticolas and handsome White-crowned Cliff Chats. Garrulous Stone Partridges scampered over the rocks like little bantams; African (split from Rufous) Scrub Robins cocked and fanned their tails in the same bushes that held Familiar Chat, Red-pate Cisticola, Chestnut-crowned Sparrow Weaver and Cinnamon-breasted Rock Bunting. Colourful Bruce’s Green Pigeons were admired and glorious Pygmy Sunbirds were popular additions to the list. Raptors included Brown Snake Eagle, the first of a number of Booted Eagles and the much-wanted Fox Kestrel. The next morning we briefly enjoyed some cooler air before the sun came up as we found ourselves on a quest in search of the strange and elusive Quail-plover. In order to see this highly desirable species we needed to cover much ground in the hope of ultimately flushing this tiny bird. We set off in an organised line through the bush and soon came across the delightful Cricket Warbler (a species first discovered in Cameroon by Birdquest in 1995). After enjoying some close and prolonged views of this Sahel specialist as elegant African Swallow-tailed Kites glided over we then trudged on under the hot African sun until we finally flushed the main prize, a pair of Quail-plover! Looking half lark and half quail the birds flapped away in opposite directions but by carefully following one we tried hard to manoeuvre it into a position where we could all see it on the ground. However each time it flushed the bird returned to thick cover leaving us in no doubt that it preferred the safety and comfort of shady bushes rather than the open plains! We left it in peace and began to gather up the other goodies scattered over these bushy wastes Chestnut-bellied Starlings were common and it seemed at times that there were Speckle-fronted Weavers, Red-cheeked Cordon-bleus, Green-winged Pytilias and Black Scrub Robins everywhere. A pair of White-bellied Bustards were flushed but landed again in full view, wide-eyed Black-headed Lapwings scurried away, Pallid and Montagu’s Harriers skimmed low over the bushes in search of tasty morsels, comical Blue-naped Mousebirds clung spread-eagled to the vegetation, Abyssinian Rollers and Little Bee-eaters shone out in glorious ‘Technicolor’, Vieillot’s Barbet was found along with Crested Lark, Chestnut-backed Sparrow Lark, Singing Bush Lark, Yellow-bellied Eremomela, Northern Crombec and Black-crowned Tchagra. After this long walk (the first of many) we returned to the van to guzzle litres of cold water and then continued northwards to the Campement de Waza where we enjoyed cool beers and lunch whilst feeding the Agama Lizards that scampered under the tables. After a siesta (a rare thing to be treasured on Birdquest tours these days!) we were out again hunting for the diminutive Sennar Penduline Tit but we drew a blank although Little Green Bee-eater and a smart Yellow-crowned Gonolek went some way to compensate. A male Sahel Paradise Whydah in breeding plumage was also impressive although the unassuming River Prinia was perhaps a rather less exciting lifer. Northern Red-billed and African Grey Hornbills were easy to see, a pair of Spotted Thick-knees and migrant Masked Shrikes were found, Ethiopian Swallows and Black-rumped Waxbills were numerous and the sight and sound of the evening flight of hundreds and hundreds of Black Crowned Cranes going to roost was absolutely enthralling. At night we had tremendous views of Four-banded Sandgrouse coming to drink precious water at a drying pool where marvellous Long-


tailed Nightjars swept back and forth whilst back at campement we were greeted by the resident Barn Owls. Waza National Park has a mean annual rainfall that varies from between 550 and 750 mm that usually only falls between June and September. Therefore we were here in one of the driest months when temperatures are normally expected to top 45°C and much animal activity occurs around the artificial waterholes. Travelling from one such oasis to the next, with Clapperton’s Francolins and Helmeted Guineafowl scurrying from the roadsides, was the order of the day, and at each thousands upon thousands of birds greeted us. The main target bird to find was the elusive and highly desirable Arabian Bustard but first we were overwhelmed by the swirling flocks of Red-billed Quelea, Bush Petronia and Northern Red Bishops that simply had to be seen to be believed. Namaqua, Vinaceous and African Collared Doves filled the trees eventually joining Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse to come down and drink. Large numbers of Black-headed Herons, Yellow-billed Storks and even an African Spoonbill loitered by pools where pretty Garganey dabbled in the shallows and White-faced Whistling Ducks, Spur-winged Geese and Knob-billed Ducks with beautifully iridescent plumage graced the banks. In such parched conditions the lure of water is strong and this year a number of the holes were dry. Mammals such as beautiful Giraffe (with attendant Yellow-billed Oxpeckers), Roan Antelope and Topi joined the birds and everywhere there was a sense of ebb and flow as species after species having rested or quenched their thirst then moved on thus presenting an ever-changing tableau. The day was heating up quickly and the pressure to find the bustard was on. A male Common Ostrich put in an appearance and then so did the bustard and we were at last treated to some excellent scope views before it finally flushed and vanished from sight. Raptors are always well represented in the park with Yellow-billed Kites abundant and this year good numbers of Swallow-tailed Kites were often seen floating overhead. Rüppell’s Griffon Vultures, African White-backed, Hooded, Egyptian and Lappet-faced Vultures loafed around the pools. A juvenile Steppe Eagle was a good find and other birds of prey included the strange Secretary Bird, Bateleur, African Harrier Hawk, Short-toed, Tawny, Long-crested and Martial Eagles, Grasshopper Buzzard, Gabar and Dark Chanting Goshawks and Lanner Falcon. This whole experience was surely as much about the overwhelming spectacle as it was about ticking off some memorable life birds! Having had a most successful morning in the park the rest of our time in the Waza area was spent hunting for the less common and hence more difficult birds of the area and much walking in ever increasing circles was undertaken in order to seek them out. We eventually connected with a pair of tiny Sennar Penduline Tits and enjoyed some prolonged close views. At another site a tiny bird making its way hurriedly and furtively away on the ground turned out to be one of another pair of Quail-plovers thus allowing us some fantastic views of the species on the ground. Its strange manner of moving was observed as it bobbed up and down and to and fro, behaving something like a cross between a Jack Snipe and a chameleon! However, perhaps our greatest success was the discovery of a male Savile’s Bustard that quickly flushed but allowed everyone some great flight views as it passed around us. The presence of this species here is perhaps another indication of the gradual move of Sahel species southwards. Other notable species seen included an enormous Saddle-billed Stork, African Open-billed Storks, Lesser Kestrel, Senegal Parrot, Black Wood-hoopoe, Brown-backed Woodpecker, Northern Anteater Chat, Southern Grey Shrike, Long-tailed Glossy Starling, African Silverbill, Cut-throat, White-rumped Seedeater and Golden-breasted Bunting. From Maroua we drove south to Bénoué National Park arriving there for lunchtime only to find the Campement in a sad and sorry state. Some of the bukurus had fallen into disrepair and lost their roofs but what was worse was that there was no supply of cold beer or even drinks of any kind! Our stay was ultimately spoiled by the fact that the food served induced chronic food poisoning for many group members. The Cameroonian Government should be ashamed of the poor management and


condition of what was once a flagship park and a wonderful camp because of negligence and lack (or perhaps misappropriation?) of funding. The continuing presence of hunters (presumably paying huge amounts of money for the pleasure of killing) in what is supposed to be a National Park is also most disturbing. Numbers of mammals seen this trip were as in Waza noticeably lower but fortunately the birds continued to oblige and it must be said that some very pleasant hours were spent walking the drying river bed amongst the company of sublime Egyptian Plovers and neurotic White-headed Lapwings. As the afternoon sun began to fall in the sky we sought the shelter of patches of shade in a tranquil riverine setting where we had some wonderful encounters with glorious Red-throated Bee-eaters, Three-banded Plovers, Senegal Thick-knee, Grey-rumped Swallow and the localised Adamawa Turtle Dove. The hysterical cries of noisy Hadada Ibises cut through the heat, Green-backed Herons moved from one shady bank to another where the dowdy Swamp Flycatcher sallied back and forth. Heuglin’s Masked Weavers were found, charming and excitable Red-winged Grey Warblers showed well and colourful Grey-headed, African Pygmy, Malachite and Giant Kingfishers, Black-headed Gonolek, White-crowned Robin Chat, African Blue Flycatcher and Violet Turacos were seen. As dusk fell numerous African Scops Owls hooted from the tangles but proved impossible to see and just as darkness descended Four-banded Sandgrouse came to drink. At night roaring lions reminded us that this was indeed really wild Africa. The next morning we were up early and whilst dodging Tsetse flies and sweat bees in the dry, dusty woodlands we located a pair of White-throated Francolins amongst the more numerous Double-spurred Francolins. However, the bush was frustratingly quiet and the temperatures rose uncomfortably quickly but we stuck at it as long as we could and with persistence we managed to find a few other goodies such as Black-faced Firefinch, the little-known Dorst’s Cisticola, Rufous Cisticola, African Moustached and Red-winged Warblers, Senegal Eremomela, Yellow-bellied Hyliota, White-shouldered Black Tit, Senegal Batis, White Helmet-shrike, Fine-spotted and Grey Woodpeckers and Swallow-tailed Bee-eaters as well as more widespread species such as Black-billed Wood Dove, Scarlet-chested, Western Violet-backed Sunbird, Variable and Beautiful Sunbirds. The skies were disappointingly but not unusually empty although we did see circling Red-necked Buzzard and African Hawk Eagle. A Western Banded Snake Eagle was seen by some of us on the river and during another afternoon session there we contemplated some happy hippos and reacquainted ourselves with many of the species from the previous day but also added some obliging White-crested Turacos to the tally. At night some heard a distant Pel’s Fishing Owl in the early hours before we went owling and finally connected with a tiny African Scops Owl and discovered a Freckled Nightjar before the day broke when large numbers of Preuss’s Cliff Swallows left their roost. In the ‘garden’ a Grey Kestrel stood sentinel, the magnificently grotesque Bearded Barbet was scoped and pretty Bar-breasted and Black-bellied Firefinches were seen well. Our final birds as we left the park were the prehistoric looking Abyssinian Ground Hornbill and a Heuglin’s Wheatear with its youngster. However by now the food poisoning had set in and it was a rather sickly bunch of birders that made their way further south up the twisting hairpin-bend road past the corpses of numerous trucks and lorries to the ‘cooler’ heights of the Adamawa Plateau and Ngaoundéré where we stopped at a lake that we scanned relentlessly for Lesser Jacana but without success. However, we did manage to find Yellow-billed Duck, African Swamphen and Marsh Widowbird. In the afternoon we arrived at the Ranch de Ngaoundaba ticking off a male Sooty Chat as we arrived. At this idyllic location the rooms of the ranch guesthouse overlook an attractive crater lake surrounded by rolling grassy hills and beautiful gallery forest where we were treated to more stunning birds. In the late afternoon we began our exploration of the area and wandered down to the lakeside. Normally each evening hundreds of egrets, cormorants, ibises, weavers and starlings come into roost


on an island in the middle of the lake and although numbers of egrets were most certainly down this year it was still a sight worth seeing. By the lakeside flocks of Yellow-mantled Widowbirds and the odd Greater Swamp Warbler buried themselves in the rushes and there were African Jacana, African Water Rail and Black Crakes scuttling over the lily pads as well as a female Greater Painted Snipe. A colourful Blue-breasted Kingfisher and Broad-billed Rollers also obliged. As the starlings rushed in with swishing wing beats we ticked off Purple and Bronze-tailed Glossy Starlings and the localised White-collared Starling before nightfall. The next few days were spent walking in various directions around the grounds in search of some very special birds. In the galleries we found Spotted Thrush Babblers and also heard their impressively loud gong-like song. Grey-winged and Snowy-headed Robin Chats were secretive but showed well. Leafloves were very noisy and thus much in evidence but as their name suggests weren’t easy to see amongst the dense foliage. In contrast the endemic Bamenda Apalis proved very easy to see this year and perched up well for all to see. Petit’s Saw-wings dipped to and fro over the canopy. Some stunning long-tailed black-and-white morph African Paradise Flycatchers were a joy to watch whilst the loud rhythmic cries of Oriole Warblers (or Moho) were there to break the silence of these woodlands. We managed to find a Willcocks’s Honeyguide that performed beautifully and nearby there was also Lesser Honeyguide for comparison. White-spotted Flufftails were heard calling and we managed to see several individuals as they sneaked back and forth. Also judged to be a highlight of our stay here were the fantastic White-crested and Ross’s Turacos that displayed their marvellous colours so well and whose raucous calls were a constant companion during our walks. In the damp thickets and gallery forests, we found noisy Blackcap Babblers, excitable White-chinned Prinias and Yellow-breasted Apalis, furtive Scaly Francolins, charming White-cheeked Olivebacks, Brown Twinspots and Black-crowned Waxbills, Yellow-rumped Tinkerbirds, Double-toothed Barbet and for some a secretive Yellowbill. The open bush around the ranch stretches for miles and during our convoluted, meandering forays cross-country we came upon a pair of the much sought-after Brown-chested Lapwing in full breeding plumage and also beautiful African Golden Orioles, Red-shouldered and White-breasted Cuckoo-shrikes, and an array of sunbirds that included Northern Double-collared, Copper and Splendid Sunbirds. Iridescent starlings gathered in the fruiting trees and we picked out shining examples of Lesser Blue-eared, Splendid Glossy and Violet-backed Starlings. Vinaceous Doves clattered up from the floor as we methodically worked through the bush stopping every so often to inspect the bird parties that eventually surrendered Yellow-winged Pytilia and Dybowski’s Twinspot. We found tail-waggling gangs of Yellow-billed Shrikes, bizarre Speckled Mousebirds and strikingly patterned White Helmet-shrikes moving from bush to bush. Noisy Western Grey Plantain-eaters and Grey-headed Bush-shrikes uttered their distinctive cries from these leafy retreats, as did the somewhat duller Whistling Cisticola. A pair of Sun Larks with young were much appreciated and there was also some migration going on with Pied Flycatchers, Whinchats and Tree Pipits very much in evidence. Just before dawn we found a Greyish Eagle Owl but a male Standard-winged Nightjar was discovered during the day when we were able to marvel at its spectacular but strange, feathered appendages. A Pennant-winged Nightjar was seen at dusk but most strictly nocturnal was a Black-shouldered Nightjar that took a while but finally showed well. A flock of Piapiacs bade us farewell from the ranch and then it was time for a long return drive to Garoua from where we caught the plane (again remarkably punctual) back south to Douala for an overnight stay. This wasn’t exactly what had been scheduled as we were supposed to return to Yaoundé but there was no flight available on that day so we planned to drive up to the capital the following morning taking in some bonus birds on the way.


We left early and soon found ourselves at what has become a rather well known ‘duck pond’ in Cameroon. This is a roadside pool that usually holds at least a couple of Hartlaub’s Ducks and our visit this morning came up to expectations and produced the desired birds along with Pied, Piping and White-thighed Hornbills! We then continued pausing at the Sanaga River where we were treated to the sight of pretty little Grey Pratincoles and African Skimmers assembled on the sand banks. A pair of dapper Black Bee-eaters on the roadside wires, Rufous-chested Swallows and some Great Blue Turacos were nice added bonuses. We arrived in Yaoundé in time for a late lunch. The ever-growing capital is set amongst rolling hills within the forest zone. There is not much to recommend the sprawling city to the birder but during that afternoon and the following morning we managed to find some exciting species in the rapidly disappearing forests on the city outskirts. Mottled Spinetails and Square-tailed Saw-wings fluttered overhead, an Ayres’s Hawk Eagle was spotted and both Grey and Red-fronted Parrots were watched as they hurtled by. Numbers of small estrildids grovelled in the grasses and at one site we were pleased to discover a small group of colourful Black-headed Waxbills. We had already seen similarly plumaged Black-crowned Waxbills for comparative purposes and there were also plenty of Orange-cheeked Waxbills and Bronze Mannikins around in the lush vegetation from which came the sonorous hoots of hulking Blue-headed Coucals and the cackles of Simple Leafloves and Yellow-necked Greenbuls. We had better luck with a splendid Yellow-throated Nicator and managed to lure one into view for some superb views of this skulker. Other greenbuls included Little, Ansorge’s and Slender-billed and some Swamp Palm Bulbuls. The farmbush also held Yellow-browed & Olive-green Camaropteras, Green-backed Woodpecker, Buff-throated Apalis, Rufous-crowned Eremomela, Dusky-blue Flycatcher, Bates’s Paradise Flycatcher, Black-shouldered Puffback and West African Batis. In the enormous trees up above us we found ridiculously ‘horned’ Bristle-nosed and Grey-throated Barbets. Speckled, Red-rumped and Yellow-throated Tinkerbirds ‘pooped’ and ‘trilled’ away in the canopy alongside glittering African Emerald and Klaas’s Cuckoos, Black-winged Oriole, Velvet-mantled Drongo and Narrow-tailed Starlings. A selection of sunbirds included Green, Western Olive, Green-throated, Olive-bellied and Superb and Forest White-eye and Grey-crowned, Chestnut-breasted and White-breasted Negrofinches were all recorded. We left the Yaoundé area heading for Bamenda in Anglophone Cameroon and at appropriate river crossings we found White-throated Blue Swallows and Rock Pratincoles and as we neared our destination a Brown-backed Scrub Robin, Baglafecht Weaver and an African Yellow Warbler were most welcome. Our arrival at Bamenda wasn’t quite as welcoming for the hotel was suffering from the water rationing problems in the area we were left with dry taps but thankfully big buckets of cold water. However such is Cameroon and nothing it seems is to be relied upon! Birdwise there were Neumann’s Starlings and Fox Kestrels to be seen from the garden so all was not too bad. Our first day in the Bamenda area was spent exploring a patch of remnant forest that has been protected for centuries by the local Fon and his community. The forest itself cloaks a steep hillside and although it is small it is still magnificent and in it cling for survival some of the avian jewels of the Cameroonian crown of endemism. Our walk led us through some birdy farmbush before entering the forest. Here the first regional endemic, a pair of bright yellow Bannerman’s Weavers presented no problems to see and we all had good views of Orange-tufted Sunbird. From deep inside the forest we could hear the raucous guttural cries of two species of turaco so we climbed onwards and upwards until with a flash of red and green through the treetops the endangered and glorious endemic Bannerman’s Turaco popped into view. We were doing well and then just a bit further on the mournful hoots of a Green-breasted Bush-shrike floated through the forest. To see this regional endemic would certainly be the icing on the cake so imagine the surprise and joy when in response to playback the bird came winging in right overhead. Not only that but instead of staying in the


canopy this individual came in low to an exposed perch and stayed there glowering angrily around at the supposed intruder. It seemed that we were on a roll as attractive Western Mountain Greenbuls and a Tullberg’s Woodpecker put in an appearance, Green Longtails and pretty Black-collared Apalises squeaked from the shrubbery and colourful Yellow-spotted Barbets ‘snored’ above our heads. Here we also saw several African Hill Babblers of the distinctive black-headed form (sometimes known as Ruwenzori Hill Babbler), chirpy Grey Apalises and a male Black-throated Apalis. Finally another endemic, a dapper male Banded Wattle-eye sporting intensely red wattles appeared briefly but was unfortunately missed by most of the group and never showed again. It was also interesting to find Common Wattle-eye here also - surely a pitfall for the unwary! By now it was almost mid day and with the birding activity at a lull we ate our picnic lunch (including those wonderful juicy pineapples) and moved on in the afternoon to the more open grasslands. The normally attractive vista of rolling grasslands, rocky escarpments and patches of gallery forest was shrouded in a haze of Harmattan dust and now also smoke produced by the burning fires made in preparation with the imminent onset of the rains for new pasture land and crop planting. In fact the area where we had planned to go birding had suffered badly from the fires that must have raged there. However at a rocky outcrop we quickly found one of our target birds, Bannerman’s (split from Long-billed) Pipit. A Green Turaco was lured briefly into view and there were also some excitable Brown-backed (split from Chubb’s) Cisticolas, Yellow Bishops and Mackinnon’s Shrike. A pair of Peregrine surveyed the scene but ultimately the charred landscape and the smoke filled skies felt rather empty and birdless. In contrast the following day produced a fine morning with the haze slightly less oppressive. We spent our time at a small crater lake that was surrounded by patches of relict woodland somewhat less ravaged by the season’s fires. We were greeted by the sound of the rhythmic song of the regionally endemic Bangwa Forest Warbler and we gradually persuaded a pair of these secretive warblers to show themselves along with a handsome Cameroon Sunbird. We were now on a search for the remaining endemic, the Banded Wattle-eye that had disappointed many the previous day. In a shady gully we renewed our acquaintance with the marvellous Bannerman’s Turaco, had our best looks at the totally stunning Yellow-breasted Boubou and found endemic skulking Cameroon Montane Greenbuls, Western Green Tinkerbird, Grey Cuckoo-shrikes and Elliot’s Woodpecker. However there was still no sign of the wattle-eye so we opted for the open grasslands where we easily found Cameroon (split from Grassland) Pipit and Pectoral-patch Cisticola and upon returning to the forest we happily connected with a pair of wattle-eyes that had obviously decided that it was finally the right time to show themselves to everybody and indeed the views that we obtained were certainly worth waiting for! After this most satisfying end to our stay in the Bamenda Highlands we settled into our seats and descended from the cooler highlands back down into the warmer forest zone and the high humidity of the coastal town of Limbe lying in the shadow of the ever-rising Mount Cameroon. We arrived at our hotel to be welcomed by the waves crashing on the shore and sea breezes. The true height of the mountain is argued to lie between 4,040 and 4,095 metres and is thought to be increasing every year. We set off at first light for the climb up the famous ‘Guinness track’ (the location of an annual race to and from the summit completed in something like four and a half hours!) to the tree line at about 2,000 metres where the endemic Mount Cameroon Speirops occurs. At the bottom of the trail (just under 1,000 metres), a Red-chested Flufftail was heard calling but we had a long way to go and therefore we wended our way through the fields, bracken and tall stands of Elephant Grass that sheltered Chattering Cisticolas, a few Red-headed Quelea and some rather skulking Little Rush Warblers. As we climbed slowly higher and higher the path finally entered the sadly degraded forest and new birds began to appear. Obliging Mountain Robin Chats put on a good


show, the handsome Cameroon Olive Pigeon was scoped and endearing Shelley’s Olivebacks and the brightly coloured Yellow-breasted Boubous were easy to see here. The Cameroon Scrub (split from Evergreen Forest) Warbler proved trickier to get to grips with but after persistent effort with various individuals everyone did well in the end. Surprisingly the often-invisible Grey-chested Illadopsis was ‘easy’ to see this year and one individual that virtually flaunted itself at us amazed us! Chunky Oriole Finches, Thick-billed Seedeaters, striking Black-billed Weavers and Yellow-billed Turacos were impressive finds. Naked-faced Barbets squealed from the fruiting trees, ‘normal’ African Hill Babblers were common and White-bellied Crested Flycatchers flitted through the lush undergrowth. However we had a problem with the weather as the thunder that had been growling ominously all morning was getting closer and closer. As fortune would have it we were almost at ‘hut one’ when the skies finally opened so we opted for an early lunch as sheets of water tumbled from the skies. Several hours ticked by as we waited for the storm to subside but as soon as we were able we set off up to the tree line and almost immediately came face to face with our quarry, the charming Mount Cameroon Speirops. What was even better was that the downpour had really cleared the air of all the dust and smoke that had been plaguing us throughout the trip. The dome of the volcano stood out crisp and clear in the fresh air and so with the prize in the bag we began our descent admiring the views as we went. Shortly after we encountered some graceful endemic Mountain Saw-wings and a fine Red-faced Crimsonwing before re-entering the forest. The wet path was very slippery so we went down slowly adding some showy and normally skulking Cameroon Olive Greenbuls to our lists before we reached the bottom weary and tired but very satisfied with our successful day that had at one point seemed so dismal! On our final morning we had the luxury of a lie-in and a few most profitable hours were spent in Limbe Botanical Gardens where we managed to see Cassin’s Flycatcher, Rufous-vented Paradise Flycatcher, Western Bluebills, Pale-fronted Negrofinch and Brown, Reichenbach’s and Carmelite Sunbirds. After lunch, we screeched to a halt for a roadside Long-legged Pipit (an absolutely splendid finale to the tour!) and then returned to Douala. Although perhaps not an ‘easy’ destination, Cameroon is probably the ‘ultimate’ western African country to visit and our seventeen days tour had taken us virtually the entire length of the country, through all the major habitats and had surrendered many of the best birds that the country has to offer. From the rare endemics of the Bamenda Highlands to the Sahel spectacle with some migration thrown in, we had surely sampled a wide range of habitats and some beautiful scenery as well!


SYSTEMATIC LIST Species which were heard but not seen are indicated by the symbol (H). Species which were not personally recorded by the leader are indicated by the symbol (NL). The most recent standard work on the country referred to in the Tour Report is “The birds of Cameroon; An annotated check-list” by M. Louette published in 1981 by Paleis der Acadamiën, Brussels but is now out of print and somewhat out of date. The birds of Waza are covered by an article “The birds of Waza-Logone area, Far North Province, Cameroon” by P. Scholte, S. de Kort and M. van Weerd published in ‘Malimbus 21 (1) March 1999’ STRUTHIONIDAE Common Ostrich Struthio camelus: Just one male was seen in Waza. It is thought that the population

remaining in the park numbers no more than 100 birds. PODICIPEDIDAE Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis: Just three on Lake Awing. PHALACROCORACIDAE Long-tailed Cormorant Phalacrocorax africanus: One in Bénoué National Park, more on Dang Lake

with small numbers watched coming into roost at Ngaoundaba in the evenings. Another was seen in Limbe Botanical Gardens.

ANHINGIDAE African Darter Anhinga rufa (NL): Ian saw one at a roadside pool en route to Yaoundé but the bird

disappeared too quickly for the rest of us to get onto it. ARDEIDAE Black-crowned Night Heron Nycticorax nycticorax: At least twenty were seen leaving their roost at

Ngaoundaba. Louette suggests that this is not a breeding bird in Cameroon and that these were Palearctic migrants.

Squacco Heron Ardeola ralloides: Small numbers were seen at widespread localities in appropriate habitat. Both Palearctic migrants and resident birds are known to occur. The name ‘squacco’ is derived from a purely local Italian name. In the absence of a native name, Willughby noted c. 1672 “Ardea quam Sguacco vocant in Vallibus dictis Malalbergi”; this he had from the Renaissance encyclopaedist Ulisse Androvandi (Ornithologia 1599-1603). Ray (The Ornithology of Francis Willughby Translated into English, and enlarged by J. Ray, 1678) and translated it as “the Heron which they call Sguacco in the Valleys of Malalbergo”. Hill (A General Natural History 1748-52) erroneously spelt the name ‘squacco’. Latham (General Synopsis of Birds 1781-5) took over this misspelling and added ‘Heron’. The original name ‘sguacco’ supposedly imitates the husky call.

Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis: A common and widespread species but numbers were surprisingly low at the Ngaoundaba roost this year.

Green-backed Heron Butorides striata: At least two in Bénoué National Park and another at the ‘duck pond’ were the only sightings.

Western Reef Egret Egretta gularis: Several dark morph birds were seen at Limbe. This species is sometimes lumped in Little Egret E. garzetta.

Little Egret Egretta garzetta: Small numbers were seen in Bénoué National Park.


Great Egret Egretta alba: Small numbers were seen in the Ngaoundaba roost. Recent DNA work suggests that this species shows a closer link with Ardea than Egretta. It is therefore sometimes placed in Ardea but more frequently in Casmerodius.

Purple Heron Ardea purpurea: Singletons were seen in widespread localities in appropriate habitat but at least six were on Dang Lake.

Grey Heron Ardea cinerea: Singletons in Bénoué National Park, Ngaoundaba and Limbe Botanic Gardens.

Black-headed Heron Ardea melanocephala: Very common in Waza with an estimated minimum count of 500 on one particular day.

Goliath Heron Ardea goliath: A pair of the world’s largest heron was seen in Bénoué National Park. SCOPIDAE Hamerkop Scopus umbretta: Small numbers were seen well in Bénoué National Park and at

Ngaoundaba and elsewhere. CICONIIDAE Yellow-billed Stork Mycteria ibis: At least 50 including many young birds were seen well in Waza

National Park. African Openbill Stork Anastomus lamelligerus: Just two were seen in Waza National Park. The

favourite food of this species is the apple snail (Pila). The curious shape bill is adapted not as once thought as a ‘nutcracker’. Instead, the upper mandible is used to hold the shell against the ground (usually underwater). The razor-sharp tip of the lower mandible is then eased under the snail’s operculum, cutting the strong columellar muscle as it does so and hence enabling the extraction of the nutritious meat.

Woolly-necked Stork Ciconia episcopus: One sighting of this mainly dry season visitor in the Waza area.

Saddle-billed Stork Ephippiorhynchus senegalensis: One of these enormous storks was seen flying over Waza National Park and a pair was in Bénoué NP.

Marabou Stork Leptoptilos crumeniferus: Good numbers were seen in the Waza National Park suggesting that they were once again breeding nearby. The name is early 19th century French derived from the Arabic murabit or holy man, the stork being regarded as holy.

THRESKIORNITHIDAE Hadada Ibis Bostrychia hagedash: This noisy bird was seen in Bénoué National Park and also at

Ngaoundaba. The name is an onomatopoeic rendering of the call. Sacred Ibis Threskiornis aethiopicus: Hundreds were seen in Waza National Park and at least thirty

were counted in the Ngaoundaba roost. This species was revered and even mummified by the ancient Egyptians as the incarnation of Thoth, the god of wisdom and knowledge.

African Spoonbill Platalea alba: One sleepy individual was seen in Waza National Park. ANATIDAE White-faced Whistling Duck Dendrocygna viduata: Easy to see in Waza National Park and also

small numbers on Dang Lake. Spur-winged Goose Plectropterus gambensis: Easy to see in Waza National Park and also small

numbers on Dang Lake. Hartlaub’s Duck Pteronetta hartlaubii: This forest duck is always a popular tick of the trip. We

managed to find a pair in a forest pool near Douala and all had good views. Gustav Hartlaub (1814-1900) was a German physician and collector with a specialist interest in East African Birds. He became Honorary Supervisor of the Zoological Collection of the Bremen Natural History Society Museum. The species is classified as ‘Near Threatened’


in Birdlife International’s Threatened Birds of the World. Hunting and pollution appear to be the major threats.

Knob-billed Duck Sarkidiornis melanotos: At least 70 birds were seen well in Waza National Park and the beautiful iridescence of their feathers was much admired.

Yellow-billed Duck Anas undulata: About 40 of these distinctive ducks were found on Dang Lake. The species is here at the most westernmost extent of its range.

Garganey Anas querquedula: About 200 of these Palearctic migrants were on pools in Waza National Park. The gorgeous males were in pristine breeding plumage!

PANDIONIDAE Osprey Pandion haliaetus: One of these Palearctic migrants was seen on the Sanaga River and

another at Limbe. The species is thought to be a passage migrant to Cameroon. ACCIPITRIDAE Black-shouldered Kite Elanus caeruleus: Widespread sightings of this familiar roadside species. African Swallow-tailed Kite Chelictinia riocourii: A good showing of these delightful raptors in the

Waza area. During our morning in the park it seemed that they were always overhead. The species breeds in the Sahel zone during the rains.

Yellow-billed Kite Milvus aegyptius: An abundant species seen throughout the tour. Most birds appeared to be of the race parasitus. This form is often lumped in Black Kite M. migrans however recent DNA analysis suggests that the African forms are actually more closely related to Red Kite M. milvus. To add to the complexity of the problem, northern and southern populations of Yellow-billed Kite may in turn prove to be specifically distinct from each other.

African Fish Eagle Haliaeetus vocifer (H): A poor year although its yodelling call must be one of the most evocative sounds of Africa. Heard only in Bénoué National Park and on the Sanaga River.

Palm-nut Vulture Gypohierax angolensis: Two on the Sanaga River, one en route to Limbe and two in Limbe Botanic Gardens. Also known as Vulturine Fish Eagle, this raptor, more closely related to the fish eagles than vultures is predominantly vegetarian!

Egyptian Vulture Neophron percnopterus: A poor showing with just two juveniles seen in Waza National Park, where the population was supposed to have been on the increase.

Hooded Vulture Necrosyrtes monachus: Small numbers were seen in the north. Eastern and southern African populations have been treated as a separate race N. m. pileatus but differences are clinal being small in west to large in south and the species is perhaps best considered monotypic.

African White-backed Vulture Gyps africanus: A very poor showing with only two sightings in Waza National Park. Surely alarm bells should now be sounding for the African vultures?

Rüppell’s Griffon Vulture Gyps rueppellii: Numbers were down this year in Waza National Park with at least 20 seen. This species is definitely far more common than the previous species contra Louette. Wilhelm Peter Eduard Simon Rüppell (1794-1884) was a German explorer, cartographer and zoologist, best known for ornithological discoveries in Ethiopia and the interior of northeast Africa.

Lappet-faced Vulture Torgos tracheliotus: At least five (down from last tour) of these huge vultures in Waza National Park. Sometimes placed in the genus Aegypius it is classed as ‘Vulnerable’ in Birdlife International’s Threatened Birds of the World with a total population of less than 8,500 birds. Populations of northern forms have been treated as a separate race, nubicus or else placed in the nominate race. However, variation appears to be simply individual and/or clinal and the forms are best merged together. The species is


often considered monotypic. A lappet is a little flap and refers to the folds of skin on the sides of the head and neck.

Short-toed Eagle Circaetus gallicus: Up to six of these Palearctic migrants were seen in Waza National Park.

Brown Snake Eagle Circaetus cinereus: Four widespread sightings in the north. Western Banded Snake Eagle Circaetus cinerascens: One was seen in Bénoué National Park. Bateleur Terathopius ecaudatus: Small numbers were seen in the Waza area and again in Bénoué

National Park. The name means ‘juggler’ in French and refers to the balancing mode of flight employed by this distinctive and spectacular birds! The Bateleur is also the magician or ‘wand-user’ of the Tarot Cards.

African Harrier Hawk Polyboroides typus: Widespread sightings of this common and distinctive raptor. Two races occur in the dry season. The nominate race is a migrant from east Africa. The smaller, darker resident race pectoralis is restricted to the forests and galleries.

Pallid Harrier Circus macrourus: Although some of the harriers seen had to go unidentified we saw a number of fine specimens of this handsome raptor in the far north. This Palearctic migrant is classed as ‘Near-threatened’ in Birdlife International’s Threatened Birds of the World. It is threatened by the destruction of its steppe grassland habitat of its breeding grounds. Pesticide use in Africa may also be a problem.

Montagu’s Harrier Circus pygargus: This Palearctic migrant was rather more common than the previous harrier in the far north. George Montagu (1735-1815) was a British soldier and Natural Historian who after being court-marshalled from the Wiltshire militia subsequently dedicated his life to his mistress and ornithology. He collected the harrier in 1803 near his Devonshire home.

Eurasian Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus: This Palearctic migrant was seen in Waza National Park, Dang Lake and Ngaoundaba.

Gabar Goshawk Micronisus gabar: With only three sightings, an extremely poor show of this fierce little raptor in Waza National Park where it is normally common. The species is sometimes placed in the genus Melierax.

Dark Chanting Goshawk Melierax metabates: This striking bird was easy to see in the Waza area but numbers seemed to be down.

Shikra Accipiter badius: A very poor showing with just one sighting en route to Limbe. Black Sparrowhawk Accipiter melanoleucus: One at the Sanaga River and another near Yaoundé. Grasshopper Buzzard Butastur rufipennis: Widespread sightings of this handsome raptor in north and

once again numbers seemed unusually low. Always worth seeing in flight when the rufous primaries are visible.

Lizard Buzzard Kaupifalco monogrammicus: Our best views of this distinctive raptor were probably of the family group found in Limbe Botanic Gardens.

Red-necked Buzzard Buteo auguralis: Widespread sightings of this attractive raptor with a red tail. Tawny Eagle Aquila rapax: This variable eagle was common in Waza National Park where we had

ample opportunities to see it well in a wide variety of plumages. Steppe Eagle Aquila nipalensis: An immature bird was seen well in Waza National Park on 7/3. This

seems to be a very uncommon visitor to the area. Wahlberg’s Eagle Aquila wahlbergi: Two at Ngaoundaba and another in the Bamenda area. Johan

August Wahlberg (1810-1856) was a Swedish collector who was unfortunately killed by a wounded African Elephant at Lake Ngami in Bechuanaland.

African Hawk Eagle Hieraaetus spilogaster: Two sightings and up to three birds in Bénoué National Park.

Booted Eagle Hieraaetus pennatus: No less than eight sightings of this Palearctic migrant in the far north this year suggested that the species was on the move.


Ayres’s Hawk Eagle Hieraaetus ayresii: One was seen in the Yaoundé area. Thomas Ayres (1828-1913) was a British naturalist who collected in South Africa in the 1850s. He also set up a highly thought of brewery until it was made illegal!

Long-crested Eagle Lophaetus occipitalis: Five very widespread sightings. Martial Eagle Polemaetus bellicosus: One was seen flying over Waza National Park. SAGITTARIIDAE Secretary Bird Sagittarius serpentarius: One was seen in Waza National Park but was wary and

moved off as soon as it saw us. Although the species is supposedly ‘frequent’ in the park it seems to be rarely seen.

FALCONIDAE Lesser Kestrel Falco naumanni: A male was seen well in the Waza area. This Palearctic migrant has

undergone a rapid decline since 1950 and is classed as ‘Vulnerable’ in Birdlife International’s Threatened Birds of the World.

Common Kestrel Falco tinnunculus: The distinctive smaller, dark resident race rufescens was seen well in the Bamenda area and small numbers of Palearctic migrants of the nominate race in the far north.

Fox Kestrel Falco alopex: This special falcon was first seen well near Maroua. Others were seen near Garoua and at Bamenda.

Grey Kestrel Falco ardosiaceus: Our best views were of one at the campement in Bénoué National Park.

Lanner Falcon Falco biarmicus: Widespread sightings. Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus: A pair of the smaller resident race minor in the Bamenda area. PHASIANIDAE Stone Partridge Ptilopachus petrosus: We had a number of opportunities to see these ‘rock chickens’

well in the north. White-throated Francolin Francolinus albogularis: We had absolutely superb views of a pair of these

wonderfully marked and somewhat localised francolins in Bénoué National Park. Scaly Francolin Francolinus squamatus: Some of us had brief views of this secretive but nocturnally

noisy francolin at Ngaoundaba and more were heard on Mount Cameroon. Double-spurred Francolin Francolinus bicalcaratus: This large francolin was easily seen at

Ngaoundaba and in Bénoué National Park. Clapperton’s Francolin Francolinus clappertoni: Very common and hence easy to see in the Waza

area where it replaces the previous species. Hugh Clapperton was a member of the 1823 expedition to chart the course of the Niger River. A “fiery, one-handed adventurer” he eventually died in Niger of fever and dysentery in 1827.

NUMIDIDAE [This family is sometimes lumped in Phasianidae] Helmeted Guineafowl Numida meleagris: Hundreds and hundreds of the distinctive West African

race galeata in Waza National Park. This form has historically been treated as a separate species (West African Guineafowl) by some taxonomists but it supposedly intergrades with the nominate race in Cameroon.

TURNICIDAE Quail-plover Ortyxelos meiffrenii: An absolute ‘must-see’ bird. The species is a unique and

notoriously elusive little bird that looks like a cross between a lark, a quail and a wader. During a bush-bash under the blistering African sun, we eventually found a likely bit of


habitat where a pair was flushed. Despite repeated attempts to manoeuvre the bird into an open area where we could see it on the ground this pair remained glued to the thickest cover! Therefore it was a great surprise when we found a far more obliging pair two days later that allowed some excellent looks at them on the ground.

RALLIDAE White-spotted Flufftail Sarothrura pulchra: This tiny little crake was very showy this year at

Ngaoundaba where we had some great views of three individuals. Red-chested Flufftail Sarothrura rufa (H): Only heard at Mount Cameroon this year where we never

really had enough time to spare in order to try to see them. African Water Rail Rallus caerulescens: Two were seen well this year at Ngaoundaba. First recorded

as recently as 1979 in the Bamenda area of Cameroon and then in 1994 at Ngaoundaba, this would appear to be an isolated population.

Black Crake Amaurornis flavirostris: A crake that is easy to see for a change and watched trotting about in the open at Ngaoundaba.

African Swamphen Porphyrio madagascariensis: An adult and a juvenile were seen on Dang Lake on 11/3. This seems to be a very regular site for the species now. The form concerned is often lumped in Purple Swamphen P. porphyrio.

Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus: A pair at the ‘duck pond’ and another pair on Lake Awing. GRUIDAE Black Crowned Crane Balearica pavonina: A real return to form with impressive numbers watched

going to roost in Waza National Park. These magnificent creatures create a particularly awesome sight and sound and a highlight of our visit were the flocks of this beautiful bird on the dry dusty plains of Waza. Now threatened and verging on extinction in many parts of its range, the population in Waza represents one of the species strongholds although there does seem to have been a constant and significant decline in numbers in recent years.

OTIDIDAE Arabian Bustard Ardeotis arabs: Just one individual was seen in Waza this year. However this stately

bird was watched at length and some excellent views were obtained. Savile’s Bustard Eupodotis savilei: A male was flushed but gave great flight views as it passed by us in

the Waza area. This appears to be the fourth record for the country. The first record was from a similar area in 1994. The last sighting was in 1996. Lieutenant-Colonel Robert Vesey Savile (1873 –1947) was a British soldier serving in Sudan from 1901 where he also became a provincial governor. Rear-Admiral Herbert Lynes (the ‘cisticola’ man) described the bird!

White-bellied Bustard Eupodotis senegalensis: A pair was flushed in the Mora area but the male settled in full view and was seen well on the ground.

JACANIDAE African Jacana Actophilornis africanus: Widespread sightings but particularly numerous on Dang

Lake. ROSTRATULIDAE Greater Painted-snipe Rostratula benghalensis: A female was seen well at Ngaoundaba. RECURVIROSTRIDAE Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus: Small numbers were seen in the Waza area.


BURHINIDAE Senegal Thick-knee Burhinus senegalensis: Small numbers were seen in Bénoué National Park and a

pair was at the ‘duck pond’. Spotted Thick-knee Burhinus capensis: A pair was seen in the Waza area and another pair near

Mora. GLAREOLIDAE Egyptian Plover Pluvianus aegyptius: A bird of the highest class and always a pleasure to watch! We

enjoyed superb and prolonged views of at least ten birds in Bénoué National Park. The species alternative name of ‘Crocodile Bird’ dates back to some misinformation given by Herodotus (the Dorian Greek historian) who claimed that the bird entered the open mouths of crocodiles in order to clean their teeth. However this claim has never been authenticated!

Rock Pratincole Glareola nuchalis: A pair of the white-collared nominate race was at the Sanaga River.

Grey Pratincole Glareola cinerea: Our rerouting to Yaoundé through Douala turned out to be a very worthwhile diversion as many of these delightful pratincoles were seen on the sandbanks of the Sanaga River.

CHARADRIIDAE Little Ringed Plover Charadrius dubius: Six of these Palearctic migrants were seen in Bénoué

National Park. Three-banded Plover Charadrius tricollaris: Good views in Bénoué National Park where this

attractive plover was easy to see along the river. Grey Plover Charadrius squatarola: One of these Palearctic migrants was seen at Limbe. African Wattled Lapwing Vanellus senegallus: Several were seen at Ngaoundaba. White-headed Lapwing Vanellus albiceps: These wonderful birds with their truly pendulous yellow

wattles and wicked spurs were much enjoyed in Bénoué National Park. Black-headed Lapwing Vanellus tectus: A striking species with its spiky crest and easy to see in the

far north. Spur-winged Lapwing Vanellus spinosus: Easily seen in Waza and Bénoué National Parks and at

Dang Lake. Brown-chested Lapwing Vanellus superciliosus: A pair in full breeding plumage was much enjoyed at

Ngaoundaba. SCOLOPACIDAE Little Stint Calidris minuta: Eight of these Palearctic migrants were seen on the Sanaga River. Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus: Two of these Palearctic migrants were seen at Limbe. Common Greenshank Tringa nebularia: Small numbers of these Palearctic migrants were seen in

Bénoué National Park and on the Sanaga River. Green Sandpiper Tringa ochropus: Small numbers of these Palearctic migrants were seen in the

Waza area and in Bénoué National Park. Wood Sandpiper Tringa glareola: Just one of these Palearctic migrants was seen in Bénoué National

Park. Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos: Small numbers of these Palearctic migrants were seen in

Bénoué National Park, on the Sanaga River and at Limbe.


STERNIDAE Royal Tern Sterna maxima (NL): Ian saw one as we crossed the Wouri River. This smaller African

race is surely a good candidate for a split! RYNCHOPIDAE African Skimmer Rynchops flavirostris: Small numbers were scoped on the Sanaga River. PTEROCLIDAE Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse Pterocles exustus: Numbers were much, much lower than usual in

Waza National Park however we still obtained some fabulous views. A nest containing two eggs was also found in the area.

Four-banded Sandgrouse Pterocles quadricinctus: We had good views of birds coming in to drink just after dark at Waza and more were in Bénoué National Park.

COLUMBIDAE African Green Pigeon Treron calvus: Widespread sightings throughout the tour except in the far

north. Bruce’s Green Pigeon Treron waalia: Great views near Maroua and odd sightings elsewhere in the

north. James Bruce was a Scottish explorer interested in birds. He had discovered the source of the Blue Nile at Lake Tana in Ethiopia.

Tambourine Dove Turtur tympanistria: Seen in the Yaoundé area and on Mt Cameroon. The name refers to the bouncing rhythm of its call.

Blue-spotted Wood Dove Turtur afer: Plenty of opportunities to get good views in the south. Black-billed Wood Dove Turtur abyssinicus: Replaces the previous species in the drier north with

some overlap in Bénoué National Park. Namaqua Dove Oena capensis: Hundreds in the far north. Namaqualand is part of southern

Namibia and coastal southwest South Africa. Cameroon Olive Pigeon Columba sjostedti: A good showing by this regional endemic on Mt

Cameroon this year with about a dozen birds seen. Speckled Pigeon Columba guinea: This colourful pigeon was easy to see in the north. Rock Dove Columba livia: Feral or ‘table’ birds only. Lemon Dove Aplopelia larvata: One was flushed and seen briefly by some on Mt Cameroon. The

species is sometimes placed in the genus Columba. Red-eyed Dove Streptopelia semitorquata: Widespread sightings but absent from the far north. This

bird sings, “I am a Red-eyed Dove”. African Mourning Dove Streptopelia decipiens: Small numbers were seen in Waza National Park. Vinaceous Dove Streptopelia vinacea: Abundant in Waza National Park and extremely common

throughout the north. African Collared Dove Streptopelia roseogrisea: This dove was very common in Waza National Park.

The alternative name of Rose-grey Dove is far more aesthetically pleasing. European Turtle Dove Streptopelia turtur: Numbers of this Palearctic migrant in and around Waza

National Park were way down this year. Adamawa Turtle Dove Streptopelia hypopyrrha: A poor showing this year with just two of these

handsome dove seen easily in Bénoué National Park. The Adamawa Plateau rises in Nigeria, cuts across Cameroon, and terminates in the Central African Republic.

Laughing Dove Streptopelia senegalensis: A common and widespread dove throughout the north and met with again at Limbe.


PSITTACIDAE Grey Parrot Psittacus erithacus: Flight views only of the red-tailed nominate race in the Yaoundé

area. Red-fronted Parrot Poicephalus gulielmi: Six of these uncommon parrots were seen flying over in the

Yaoundé area. Senegal Parrot Poicephalus senegalus: A poor showing this year but we had some good sightings of

this colourful parrot in the Waza area. Red-headed Lovebird Agapornis pullarius (NL): Despite being seen several times at Ngaoundaba they

managed to avoid being seen by the leader! Rose-ringed Parakeet Psittacula krameri: Small numbers were seen in the far north. This is the same

species that has become a common feral bird in England. MUSOPHAGIDAE Great Blue Turaco Corythaeola cristata: Three of these impressive birds were seen along the Sanaga

River. Green Turaco Tauraco persa: One was seen in the Bamenda area and another pair as we travelled to

Limbe. The feathers of turacos possess two copper pigments, red turacin and green turacoverdin that are unique in the avian world and are responsible for producing the bright red and green colours in their plumage. Contrary to popular belief these pigments are only soluble in alkali and not water.

Yellow-billed Turaco Tauraco macrorhynchus: Excellent looks at this colourful bird on the slopes of Mount Cameroon. The race concerned is verreauxii with its red-tipped crest.

White-crested Turaco Tauraco leucolophus: Fantastic looks at this stunning turaco in Bénoué National Park and again at Ngaoundaba.

Bannerman’s Turaco Tauraco bannermani: Without doubt the biggest rarity of the bunch, and we had some tremendous views of it in the Bamenda area. The species survival depends upon the protection of the remaining forest on Mt Oku, which only covers about 100 square kilometres. This Cameroon endemic is now severely threatened and is classed as ‘Endangered’ in Birdlife International’s Threatened Birds of the World. It is thought that there are only 1,000 - 1,500 pairs in the Kilum-Ijim forests and that the total population lies somewhere between 2,500 - 10,000 birds. David Armitage Bannerman (1886-1979) was a staff member of British Museum (Natural History) and author of the important work “Birds of Tropical West Africa”.

Violet Turaco Musophaga violacea: Small numbers were seen well this year in Bénoué National Park.

Ross’s Turaco Musophaga rossae: Another brightly coloured species that showed well at Ngaoundaba. Cameroon is the only country where this and the latter species meet. Lady Ann Ross (1817-57) was the wife of Rear-Admiral Sir James Clark Ross the discoverer of the Magnetic North Pole. She somehow came into possession of a live specimen of the bird from somewhere in West Africa whilst she was stationed on St Helena. She sent a drawing of it and some moulted feathers to John Gould who duly named the turaco after her.

Western Grey Plantain-eater Crinifer piscator: This rather dowdy, shaggy-crested cousin of the turacos was seen well in Bénoué National Park and at Ngaoundaba. Ironically, the species is not known to actually eat plantains in the wild!

CUCULIDAE Levaillant’s Cuckoo Oxylophus levaillantii: Two sightings at Ngaoundaba of this striking, crested

cuckoo that is known to parasitise babblers. This bird was described by the English naturalist William Swainson and named after François Levaillant (1753 -1824), a great


French taxidermist, collector and ornithologist who had a specialist interest in the birds of southern Africa. Levaillant’s reputation is somewhat marred as he was proved to be something of a ‘stringer’ inventing not only new species but even the journeys on which he claimed to have found them!

African Cuckoo Cuculus gularis (H): This intra-African migrant was only heard in Bénoué National Park, Ngaoundaba and the Bamenda area. It is known to parasitise Fork-tailed Drongo.

African Emerald Cuckoo Chrysococcyx cupreus: A fine male was scoped in the Yaoundé area. This is arguably the most beautiful cuckoo in the world. This species is known to parasitise bulbuls, illadopsises, flycatchers, sunbirds and weavers.

Klaas’s Cuckoo Chrysococcyx klaas: A few good sightings of this glittering cuckoo in Bénoué National Park , Ngaoundaba and in the Yaoundé area. Supposedly named by Levaillant after his servant whose wife, Narina (the name he dedicated to a most beautiful trogon), also just happened to be Levaillant’s mistress! This species is known to parasitise various small, insectivorous passerines, mainly warblers and sunbirds.

Didric Cuckoo Chrysococcyx caprius: One was seen on the outskirts of Yaoundé. This cuckoo mainly parasitises weavers. The name is an onomatopoeic rendering of the call.

Yellowbill Ceuthmochares aereus (NL): Sieghard and Gudrun saw one at Ngaoundaba. CENTROPIDIDAE [This family is often lumped in Cuculidae] Senegal Coucal Centropus senegalensis: Widespread sightings in the north. Blue-headed Coucal Centropus monachus (H): First heard near Yaoundé but we never did actually

manage to see this large coucal. TYTONIDAE Barn Owl Tyto alba: This worldwide species was easy to see in the camp at Waza where they were

rearing young. STRIGIDAE African Scops Owl Otus senegalensis: Great views early one morning in Bénoué National Park. Greyish Eagle Owl Bubo cinerascens: Excellent views of one just before dawn at Ngaoundaba. Verreaux’s Eagle Owl Bubo lacteus (H): Heard grunting in the early morning in Bénoué National

Park but too far away to be located. The Verreaux family was a French father and three sons who ran their own business. They were collectors who owned ‘Maison Verreaux’ the largest ever known ‘Natural History Emporium’! The owl is named after one of the sons, Jules Pierre Verreaux (1807-73) who was also married to Pierre Antoine Delalande’s sister.

Pel’s Fishing Owl Scotopelia peli (H,NL): Heard distantly by some during the night in Bénoué National Park. Hendrik Severinus Pel (1818-76) was a Dutch amateur naturalist and Governor of the Gold Coast. Bonaparte described the owl in 1850.

Pearl-spotted Owlet Glaucidium perlatum (H): A very strange miss as despite trying hard we never did manage to actually see this fierce-looking diurnal owl with eyes in the back of its head.

CAPRIMULGIDAE Long-tailed Nightjar Caprimulgus climacurus: A marvellously long-tailed male was seen well in the

Waza area fluttering above our heads and illuminated by the light of the torch beam. Black-shouldered Nightjar Caprimulgus nigriscapularis: Good looks at a male at Ngaoundaba. Freckled Nightjar Caprimulgus tristigma: Heard near Maroua and seen in Bénoué National Park.


Standard-winged Nightjar Macrodipteryx longipennis: We were treated to some wonderful views of a male complete with magnificent standards during daylight at Ngaoundaba.

Pennant-winged Nightjar Macrodipteryx vexillarius: A female was seen at dusk at Ngaoundaba. APODIDAE Mottled Spinetail Telacanthura ussheri: Two were seen flying over the outskirts of Yaoundé and at

least one more was seen over Limbe. African Palm Swift Cypsiurus parvus: Widespread sightings throughout the tour. European Swift Apus apus: Large numbers of these Palearctic migrants were seen in and around

Yaoundé. Little Swift Apus affinis: This familiar swift was very common and often associated with bridges or

concrete. Mottled Swift Tachymarptis aequatorialis: Four were seen at Lake Awing. COLIIDAE Blue-naped Mousebird Urocolius macrourus: A few sightings of this strange creature in the far north.

These unique birds are of ancient lineage and belong to the Coliiformes, the only order that is endemic to the Afrotropics.

Speckled Mousebird Colius striatus: All sightings were from the Adamawa Plateau south. ALCEDINIDAE [Sibley and Monroe place the Halcyon kingfishers in the family, Halcyonidae and the Megaceryle

and Ceryle kingfishers in the family, Cerylidae.] Grey-headed Kingfisher Halcyon leucocephala: This species retreats north with the onset of the rains.

All of our sightings of this attractive kingfisher were from the Adamawa Plateau to the south.

Blue-breasted Kingfisher Halcyon malimbica: Brightly coloured birds showed well at Ngaoundaba. Woodland Kingfisher Halcyon senegalensis: Just a few were seen between Douala and Limbe. Striped Kingfisher Halcyon chelicuti: Small numbers were seen in the north. African Pygmy Kingfisher Ceyx pictus: A number of good sightings from Bénoué National Park south.

The species is sometimes placed in the genus Ispidina. Malachite Kingfisher Alcedo cristata: Widespread sightings of this little jewel. The species is

sometimes placed in the genus Corythornis. The name derives (via Latin and French) from the Greek molochitis meaning “mallow-green stone”.

Giant Kingfisher Megaceryle maxima: Sightings of this heavyweight kingfisher in Bénoué National Park, Ngaoundaba and at Limbe.

Pied Kingfisher Ceryle rudis: Always a pleasure to see this striking kingfisher. Our widespread sightings were in the north and on the Sanaga River.

MEROPIDAE Black Bee-eater Merops gularis: A pair of these mouth-watering bee-eaters was much admired on the

Sanaga River. Little Bee-eater Merops pusillus: Widespread sightings throughout the tour. Swallow-tailed Bee-eater Merops hirundineus: Three individuals were seen in Bénoué National Park. Red-throated Bee-eater Merops bulocki: This stunning jewel of a bird was common, colourful and

very easy to see in Bénoué National Park. White-throated Bee-eater Merops albicollis: Small numbers of these intra-African migrants were a joy

to watch in the Yaoundé area and again at Limbe. Those ‘wintering’ in the rain forest move north in June to their breeding grounds in the Sahel.


Little Green Bee-eater Merops orientalis: The striking and intensely coloured race viridissimus was easily seen in Waza National Park and the surrounding countryside.

Northern Carmine Bee-eater Merops nubicus: Small numbers were seen in the far north of this bird with its superb and unique colour scheme.

CORACIIDAE Rufous-crowned Roller Coracias naevius: Several seen by the roadsides in the north. Abyssinian Roller Coracias abyssinicus: Very common in Waza and the far north. Some really

intensely gorgeous colours and wonderful tails adorn this beautiful bird. Broad-billed Roller Eurystomus glaucurus: This colourful roller was easy to see at Ngaoundaba. PHOENICULIDAE Green Wood-hoopoe Phoeniculus purpureus: Small numbers in the far north. Black Wood-hoopoe Rhinopomastus aterrimus: Two were seen in the Waza area and another at

Ngaoundaba. The species is alternatively placed either in the genus Phoeniculus or Scoptelus. Sibley and Monroe treat the genus Rhinopomastus as a separate family, Rhinopomastidae.

UPUPIDAE Eurasian Hoopoe Upupa epops: Hoopoe taxonomy is presently under debate with some authorities

splitting the complex into as many as four species. We recorded small numbers of the Palearctic migratory form in the far north.

Central African Hoopoe Upupa senegalensis: We recorded some of the more brightly coloured birds of the resident race senegalensis in the Waza area.

BUCEROTIDAE Abyssinian Ground Hornbill Bucorvus abyssinicus: One was seen in Bénoué National Park. Northern Red-billed Hornbill Tockus erythrorhynchus: This hornbill was commonly seen in the

Waza area. African Pied Hornbill Tockus fasciatus: Small numbers were seen in forested areas near Douala and

Yaoundé. African Grey Hornbill Tockus nasutus: A commonly encountered bird in small numbers throughout

the north. Piping Hornbill Bycanistes fistulator: A few sightings in the forested areas of the south. The species is

sometimes placed in the genus Ceratogymna. White-thighed Hornbill Bycanistes albotibialis: Two separate pairs were seen as we made our way to

Yaoundé. CAPITONIDAE [Sibley and Monroe place the African barbets in their own family, Lybiidae.] Grey-throated Barbet Gymnobucco bonapartei: A small number of the dark-eyed nominate race

were seen around Yaoundé. Bristle-nosed Barbet Gymnobucco peli: Good numbers of these bizarre ‘punkish’ birds were seen

feeding in fruiting trees near Yaoundé. Naked-faced Barbet Gymnobucco calvus: Small numbers were seen in Bamenda and as we climbed

Mount Cameroon. Speckled Tinkerbird Pogoniulus scolopaceus: The more yellow-speckled race flavisquamatus was

seen well near Yaoundé. Western Green Tinkerbird Pogoniulus coryphaeus: This pretty little tinkerbird was seen well in the

Bamenda Highlands and again on Mount Cameroon.


Red-rumped Tinkerbird Pogoniulus atroflavus: Incredible views of one that came down from the canopy to ground level in response to playback en route to Bamenda. A long series of regular ‘poops’ typify the voice of this bird.

Yellow-throated Tinkerbird Pogoniulus subsulphureus: This tinkerbird with the fast succession of ‘poops’ was often heard and also seen well in the Yaoundé area.

Yellow-rumped Tinkerbird Pogoniulus bilineatus: This look-alike tinkerbird with a slower paced rhythm allowed us some good views at Ngaoundaba, near Yaoundé, in the Bamenda area and on Mount Cameroon.

Yellow-fronted Tinkerbird Pogoniulus chrysoconus: A few sightings in the north. Yellow-spotted Barbet Buccanodon duchaillui: This strikingly patterned barbet with the ‘snoring’ cry

was seen well at the Sanaga River and in the Bamenda area. Streaky-throated Barbet Tricholaema flavipunctata (H): Heard on the outskirts of Yaoundé. Vieillot’s Barbet Lybius vieilloti: Small numbers of this attractive barbet were seen in the far north.

Louis Jean Pierre Vieillot (1748-1831) was a French businessman forced to take refuge in the United States during the French Revolution and because of slave rebellions on San Domingo where he had his business in the spice trade. He had a consuming passion for ornithology dedicating his life to it.

Double-toothed Barbet Lybius bidentatus: Just one at Ngaoundaba was our only sighting. Bearded Barbet Lybius dubius: This monstrous beast was scoped in Bénoué National Park. Yellow-billed Barbet Trachylaemus purpuratus: Heard in the forests around Yaoundé and Bamenda

and seen en route to Limbe. The species is sometimes placed in the genus Trachyphonus. However, those very social barbets both look, sound and act differently to the present species.

INDICATORIDAE Greater Honeyguide Indicator indicator: Two sightings in the Waza area and at Ngaoundaba. The

species is known to parasitise at least 39 different hole-nesting species. Lesser Honeyguide Indicator minor: Two singletons at Ngaoundaba. The species is known to

parasitise kingfishers, bee-eaters, barbets, woodpeckers, swallows, starlings and petronias.

Thick-billed Honeyguide Indicator conirostris: The forest counterpart of the previous species and perhaps conspecific with it. Plumage differences are noticeable but the calls are virtually identical. Both species are known to parasitise barbets. We saw two separate birds in the Yaoundé area and heard another on Mount Cameroon.

Willcocks’s Honeyguide Indicator willcocksi: We had some truly excellent looks at one individual at Ngaoundaba. The host species are still unknown but probably includes Speckled Tinkerbird. General Sir James Willcocks (1847-1926) commanded the expedition to suppress the Ashanti rebellion of 1900.

PICIDAE Eurasian Wryneck Jynx torquilla (NL): Sieghard saw one of these Palearctic migrants at Ngaoundaba. Fine-spotted Woodpecker Campethera punctuligera: This handsome woodpecker was seen Bénoué

National Park. Golden-tailed Woodpecker Campethera abingoni: A male was heard and seen briefly in Bénoué

National Park. Green-backed Woodpecker Campethera cailliautii: A male of the race permista with barred

underparts was seen well on the outskirts of Yaoundé. Tullberg’s Woodpecker Campethera tullbergi: A male was seen in the Bamenda area. The East

African form is sometimes split as Fine-banded Woodpecker C. taeniolaema leaving the present form a monotypic species. Tycho Fredrik Hugo Tullberg (1842-1920) was a Swedish Zoologist.


Gabon Woodpecker Dendropicos gabonensis: A male was seen by all en route to Yaoundé. Cardinal Woodpecker Dendropicos fuscescens: Sightings at Ngaoundaba, Bamenda area and Mt

Cameroon. Elliot’s Woodpecker Dendropicos elliotii: Excellent views of a pair of the montane form johnstoni at

Lake Awing and another individual on Mount Cameroon. This recognisable form has historically been treated as a separate species, Johnston’s Woodpecker. The species is sometimes placed in the genus Mesopicos. Daniel Giraud Elliot (1835-1915) was an American Curator of Zoology at the Field Museum in Chicago and one of the founders of the AOU. Sir Harry Hamilton Johnston (1858-1927) standing at five feet tall and known as the ‘Tiny Giant’ was an English explorer, artist and discoverer of the Okapi. He travelled widely in tropical Africa through many countries including Cameroon.

Grey Woodpecker Dendropicos goertae: Seen well in Bénoué National Park and at Ngaoundaba, in the Waza area. The species is sometimes placed in the genus Mesopicos.

Brown-backed Woodpecker Picoides obsoletus: A good showing and first seen in the Waza area with subsequent sightings in Bénoué National Park and also at Ngaoundaba.

ALAUDIDAE Singing Bush Lark Mirafra cantillans: One was seen in the Mora area. Sun Lark Galerida modesta: A pair with a youngster was seen well at Ngaoundaba. Crested Lark Galerida cristata: Easy to see during our Quail-plover bush-bash. Chestnut-backed Sparrow Lark Eremopterix leucotis: This handsome lark was very common in the

Waza area. HIRUNDINIDAE Square-tailed Saw-wing Psalidoprocne nitens: Two were seen in the Yaoundé area. Petit’s Saw-wing Psalidoprocne petiti: Common at Ngaoundaba, in the Yaoundé area and again in

the Bamenda area. Louis Petit (1856-1943) was a French naturalist collecting in Angola between 1876 and 1884.

Mountain Saw-wing Psalidoprocne fuliginosa: A small number were seen on Mount Cameroon. This species is endemic to the Cameroonian and Nigerian highlands.

Common Sand Martin Riparia riparia: Just a few Palearctic migrants were on the move through the Waza area.

Grey-rumped Swallow Pseudhirundo griseopyga: Easy to see in Bénoué National Park where they appeared to be prospecting for nest sites.

Rufous-chested Swallow Hirundo semirufa: Small numbers were seen at the Sanaga River and in the Yaoundé area.

Lesser Striped Swallow Hirundo abyssinica: The local race maxima is a handsome heavily streaked bird, common and easily seen throughout the south.

West African Swallow Hirundo domicella (NL): Sieghard saw one in Bénoué National Park. Preuss’s Cliff Swallow Hirundo preussi: First seen in Bénoué National Park then on the outskirts of

Yaoundé and at other localities in the south. Paul Preuss (1861-1926) was a Polish-born German naturalist who collected in West Africa between 1886-98. He was responsible for constructing the botanical gardens at Limbe (formerly Victoria) in 1901.

Rock Martin Hirundo fuligula: Small numbers were seen at Maroua and in the Bamenda highlands. Wire-tailed Swallow Hirundo smithii: Small numbers were seen in Bénoué National Park. White-throated Blue Swallow Hirundo nigrita: Three of these glossy swallows were seen on the

Sanaga River. Ethiopian Swallow Hirundo aethiopica: Common and easily seen in the far north. Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica: Palearctic migrants were seen throughout the country.


MOTACILLIDAE Blue-headed Wagtail Motacilla flava: The various forms that make up the ‘Yellow Wagtail complex’

have always been the subjects of much debate. Latest taxonomic decisions based on the phylogenetic species concept re-split some races into full species. In line with this, the most widespread species of this Palearctic migrant we saw was Blue-headed Wagtail M. (f.) flava.

Black-headed Wagtail Motacilla (flava) feldegg: A male was seen in Waza National Park. The form is usually considered a race of Yellow Wagtail M. flava.

African Pied Wagtail Motacilla aguimp: Good views were obtained in Bénoué National Park. Cameroon Pipit Motacilla camaroonensis: Two were seen in short grassland in the Bamenda

Highlands. Bannerman’s Pipit Anthus bannermani: Three of these large pipits were seen well in the Bamenda

Highlands. Long-legged Pipit Anthus pallidiventris: A conveniently placed roadside bird was seen as we

travelled back to Douala. Tree Pipit Anthus trivialis: These Palearctic migrants were common at Ngaoundaba, in the Bamenda

area and on Mt Cameroon. Red-throated Pipit Anthus cervinus: One of these Palearctic migrants was seen well in Waza

National Park. CAMPEPHAGIDAE Red-shouldered Cuckoo-shrike Campephaga phoenicea: At least three individuals including a superb

male were seen at Ngaoundaba. Grey Cuckoo-shrike Campephaga caesia: Small numbers were seen well in the Bamenda Highlands. White-breasted Cuckoo-shrike Coracina pectoralis: We had some great views of these silvery birds at

Ngaoundaba. PYCNONOTIDAE Cameroon Montane Greenbul Andropadus montanus: This rather secretive greenbul was seen in the

Bamenda Highlands and on Mount Cameroon. Endemic to the Cameroonian and Nigerian highlands, this species is classed as ‘Near-threatened’ in Birdlife International’s Threatened Birds of the World with habitat loss cited as the main threat.

Western Mountain Greenbul Andropadus tephrolaemus: A common and attractive montane greenbul. This is another Cameroonian and Nigerian highlands endemic.

Little Greenbul Andropadus virens: This nondescript but noisy bird was first seen well at Ngaoundaba.

Little Grey Greenbul Andropadus gracilis: Seen at the Sanaga River and in the forests on the outskirts of Yaoundé.

Ansorge’s Greenbul Andropadus ansorgei: Small numbers were seen well on the outskirts of Yaoundé. Dr William John Ansorge (1850-1913) was an English explorer who collected in Africa.

Slender-billed Greenbul Andropadus gracilirostris: Several were seen well on the outskirts of Yaoundé.

Honeyguide Greenbul Baeopogon indicator (H): Only heard in the Yaoundé area. Spotted Greenbul Ixonotus guttatus: A small flocks of these attractive greenbuls was seen on the

journey to Yaoundé. Their sharp staccato calls and wing raising behaviour were noted. Yellow-necked Greenbul Chlorocichla falkensteini (H): Sadly only heard in the Yaoundé area. Simple Leaflove Chlorocichla simplex (H): Sadly only heard on the outskirts of Yaoundé. Yellow-throated Leaflove Chlorocichla flavicollis: The white-throated races soror were seen well in

the Bamenda Highlands and simplicicolor (often merged with soror) at Ngaoundaba. In Bénoué National Park the yellow-throated nominate race was seen.


Swamp Palm Bulbul Thescelocichla leucopleura: Great looks at this showy species on the outskirts of Yaoundé.

Leaflove Pyrrhurus scandens: Very vocal at Ngaoundaba this year which meant that we had numerous opportunities to see this one despite them living very much up to their name.

Cameroon Olive Greenbul Phyllastrephus poensis: Great views of this unassuming regional endemic on Mount Cameroon.

Common Bulbul Pycnonotus barbatus: Work done on the bulbuls by Hall & Moreau has been inconclusive. Some authorities argue that the complex be split into several species. If we follow this then we saw two races of Common Bulbul P. barbatus, which were the white-vented birds at many localities involving the races inornatus in the north and gabonensis in the south as well as the following ‘species’.

Dark-capped Bulbul Pycnonotus tricolor: The yellow-vented birds seen well at Ngaoundaba then become Dark-capped Bulbul P. t. tricolor.

Yellow-throated Nicator Nicator vireo: Despite the unwanted attention of half the local village we still managed to get some excellent views of this skulking species as we left Yaoundé. The nicators have also been placed with the bush shrikes but DNA evidence suggests that they be more closely linked with the bulbuls. The name Nicator is a combination of Greek and Latin and can be interpreted as ‘conquest doer’.

TURDIDAE [Some taxonomists place all the following species, except for those in the genus Turdus in the family

Muscicapidae.] Mountain Robin Chat Cossypha isabellae: We had great views of the darker nominate race on Mount

Cameroon where the birds were confiding and easy to see. Grey-winged Robin Chat Cossypha polioptera: We had good looks at this pretty bird at Ngaoundaba.

Recent DNA analysis suggests that this species is better placed in the genus Sheppardia with the akalats.

Snowy-crowned Robin Chat Cossypha niveicapilla: This colourful species was easiest to see at Ngaoundaba.

White-crowned Robin Chat Cossypha albicapilla: The distinctive race giffardi has a predominantly dark crown. First seen in Bénoué National Park but more confiding and showy birds were seen well at Ngaoundaba.

Rufous Flycatcher Thrush Stizorhina fraseri: One was seen well by the Sanaga River. Brown-backed Scrub Robin Cercotrichas hartlaubi: One was seen well en route to Bamenda. African Scrub Robin Cercotrichas minor: A good showing this year with numerous sightings in the far

north. Black Scrub Robin Cercotrichas podobe: A very distinctive Sahelian species with a tremendous tail

and easy to see in the extreme north. Common Redstart Phoenicurus phoenicurus: A female of this Palearctic migrant was seen near

Maroua. African Stonechat Saxicola torquatus: The striking race salax was very common in the Bamenda area.

The African resident forms are now considered to be a separate species, African Stonechat S. torquatus (sometimes incorrectly named S. axillaris). The European Common Stonechat is then renamed S. rubicola because the type specimen described by Linnaeus in 1758 came from the Cape of Good Hope of all places! According to recent scientific studies, it has been found that the ‘African’ stonechats have a lower metabolic rate than their European relatives and therefore lead a slower, less hectic and more laid back life style more suited to the tropics!

Whinchat Saxicola rubetra: Good numbers of these Palearctic migrants were encountered from Ngaoundaba to the Bamenda Highlands.


Northern Wheatear Oenanthe oenanthe: Good numbers of this Palearctic migrant were seen in the far north.

Heuglin’s Wheatear Oenanthe heuglini: A very poor showing with just an adult with a single juvenile seen in Bénoué National Park. Theodor von Heuglin (1824-76) was a German explorer and ornithologist with a specialist interest in African birds.

Familiar Chat Cercomela familiaris: Also known as Red-tailed Chat, it was easy to see near Maroua and in Bénoué National Park.

Northern Anteater Chat Myrmecocichla aethiops: Five were seen in the Waza area. Sooty Chat Myrmecocichla nigra: A male was seen well at Ngaoundaba. White-crowned Cliff Chat Myrmecocichla coronata: A pair of these beautiful chats was seen well

near Maroua with another at Bamenda. African Thrush Turdus pelios: A common and widespread species only absent in the extreme north.

The widespread race is saturatus is replaced by nigrilorum above 500m on Mount Cameroon. We saw large numbers of this latter and less colourful form on Mt Cameroon. It has been considered by some authorities to represent a race of Olive Thrush T. olivaceus or even a separate species in itself.

SYLVIIDAE [Some taxonomists place the genera Cisticola, Prinia, Heliolais, Urolais, Spiloptila, Schistolais,

Drymocichla, Apalis and Camaroptera in a separate family, Cisticolidae.] Little Rush Warbler Bradypterus baboecala: On Mt Cameroon some of us saw one of these secretive

but very vocal warblers. It has recently been noticed that the western forms of this species have a noticeably different song to those in the east and the populations may represent separate species.

Cameroon Forest Warbler Bradypterus lopezi: Several were seen on Mt Cameroon and we stopped trying to see more once everyone had seen the bird well. There has long been much discussion concerning the montane Bradypterus warblers in Cameroon. Borrow & Demey and Birds of Africa include the form concerned in Evergreen Forest Warbler B. mariae using the name B. lopezi for the enlarged species. Other authorities take the extreme of lumping it with Barratt’s Warbler B. barratti. For example, Mackworth, Praed and Grant as recently as 1973 were of the opinion that two species occurred on Mount Cameroon, Barratt’s Scrub Warbler B. barratti youngi up to 1,800 metres and Cameroon Mountain Warbler B. camerunensis above this at the tree line around 2,000 metres. However this latter extreme taxonomy does not seem to have been widely accepted. When split then this form becomes a Cameroon and Bioko endemic.

Bangwa Forest Warbler Bradypterus bangwaensis: Although very few birds were singing this year in the Bamenda Highlands this skulking warbler was finally seen by all. There has been much long discussion concerning the montane Bradypterus warblers in Cameroon. Historically this form has been incorrectly classed as a race of Cinnamon Bracken Warbler B. cinnamomeus. However, its song is very similar, if not identical to the Evergreen Forest Warbler B. lopezi complex and not to cinnamomeus. Birds of Africa includes the form concerned in the present species; other authorities take the extremes of lumping it either with Barratt’s Warbler B. barratti or Evergreen Forest Warbler B. lopezi. The species is a Cameroonian and Nigerian highlands endemic that Birdlife International’s Threatened Birds of the World classifies as ‘Near-threatened’. The Bangwa people are part of the Bamileke group of tribes dwelling in the Bamenda Highlands.

African Moustached Warbler Melocichla mentalis: Great looks at this large and wild-eyed warbler in Bénoué National Park.

Sedge Warbler Acrocephalus schoenobaenus: Two of these Palearctic migrants were seen in Bénoué National Park.


Great Reed Warbler Acrocephalus arundinaceus: One of these Palearctic migrants was seen en route to Bamenda.

Greater Swamp Warbler Acrocephalus rufescens: Singletons were seen at Ngaoundaba and on Mt Cameroon.

African Yellow Warbler Chloropeta natalensis: One was seen well en route to Bamenda. Eastern Olivaceous Warbler Hippolais pallida: One was seen in Bénoué National Park. It was not

clear as to whether it was a Palearctic migrant or of the resident race. Red-faced Cisticola Cisticola erythrops: Its strident song was often heard and it was seen in Bénoué

National Park. Whistling Cisticola Cisticola lateralis: Good views at Ngaoundaba and again en route to Bamenda. Chattering Cisticola Cisticola anonymus: Easy to see on Mount Cameroon and in Limbe Botanical

Gardens. Brown-backed Cisticola Cisticola discolor: A montane species and a Cameroonian, and Nigerian

highlands endemic that has a comical and lively display. It was easy to see in the Bamenda area and on Mount Cameroon.

Rock-loving Cisticola Cisticola aberrans: Great views of this distinctive cisticola running around on the rocks near Maroua.

Winding Cisticola Cisticola marginatus (H): Just heard at Ngaoundaba. Croaking Cisticola Cisticola natalensis: Several were seen and heard in Bénoué National Park. Red-pate Cisticola Cisticola ruficeps: This well-marked cisticola was very common and easy to see in

the far north. Dorst’s Cisticola Cisticola dorsti: It was hard work but we finally tracked one down in Bénoué

National Park. This recently described form looks virtually identical to the preceding species in its breeding plumage but the songs are very different. It was only discovered in this particular locality five years ago and the true range of this species is not yet fully known. It may yet prove to be widespread throughout West Africa. It was first described in 1991 but it now appears that it is synonymous with the form already described as C. ruficeps guinea. The species should be now renamed Cisticola guinea as dorsti is a synonym. The species is classified as ‘Data Deficient’ in Birdlife International’s Threatened Birds of the World. Professor Dr Jean Dorst (1924-2001) was a French ornithologist and head of the Laboratoire de Zoologie of the French Natural History Museum.

Short-winged Cisticola Cisticola brachypterus: This unassuming cisticola was seen in Bénoué National Park.

Rufous Cisticola Cisticola rufus: Several good sightings in Bénoué National Park. Zitting Cisticola Cisticola juncidis: A few were seen in the Waza area. Pectoral-patch Cisticola Cisticola brunnescens: Remarkably scarce this year with just one sighting of

this tiny cisticola at Lake Awing. Tawny-flanked Prinia Prinia subflava: Widespread sightings throughout the tour. River Prinia Prinia fluviatilis: From the vocal evidence of singing birds, it would appear that this is in

fact the common prinia on the Waza floodplain. It is not clear how P. Scholte et al could have missed it during their survey.

Banded Prinia Prinia bairdii: Terrific looks at this smart prinia on Mount Cameroon. Red-winged Warbler Heliolais erythroptera: Seen well in Bénoué National Park. This species is

sometimes placed in the genus Prinia. Green Longtail Urolais epichlora: This montane species that is endemic to Bioko and the

Cameroonian and Nigerian highlands was seen well in the Bamenda Highlands and on Mount Cameroon.

Cricket Warbler Spiloptila clamans: Wonderful looks at this dainty little warbler in the Mora area at the same site where Birdquest found the first records for the country in December 1995.


The birds were singing and apparently territorial and it seems that the species is well established now in this area.

White-chinned Prinia Schistolais leucopogon: These attractive little prinia-like birds were first seen well at Ngaoundaba. In the past, it has been placed in the genus Prinia.

Red-winged Grey Warbler Drymocichla incana: A charming little, sociable warbler seen well in Bénoué National Park.

Black-collared Apalis Apalis pulchra: We had some fabulous views of these confiding warblers in the Bamenda area, holding their tails high and wiggling them about in comical clockwork movements.

Yellow-breasted Apalis Apalis flavida: Only discovered in Cameroon during the 1980’s, we heard it in Bénoué National Park and saw the species well at Ngaoundaba.

Black-throated Apalis Apalis jacksoni: Three individuals were seen well in the Bamenda area. Black-capped Apalis Apalis nigriceps (H): Heard calling high up in the canopy in the Yaoundé area. Buff-throated Apalis Apalis rufogularis: A grey-throated male was seen near Yaoundé. The bird is

named after the female plumage. Bamenda Apalis Apalis bamendae: This endemic was easy to see at Ngaoundaba, this year. Once

classified as ‘Vulnerable’ by Birdlife International it has now been found at several new sites and is more common than was once thought and has been officially removed from the threatened list.

Grey Apalis Apalis cinerea: Good views in the Bamenda highlands and on Mount Cameroon. Grey-backed Camaroptera Camaroptera brachyura: Widespread sightings throughout the tour. Yellow-browed Camaroptera Camaroptera superciliaris: Seen well near Yaoundé. Olive-green Camaroptera Camaroptera chloronota: We all saw this skulker en route to Bamenda. Yellow-bellied Eremomela Eremomela icteropygialis: A pair was seen well in the Mora area. Senegal Eremomela Eremomela pusilla: An attractive and colourful little warbler seen well

throughout the north. Rufous-crowned Eremomela Eremomela badiceps: This charming little warbler was seen very well

near Yaoundé. Northern Crombec Sylvietta brachyura: Sightings of this ‘nuthatch-warbler’ throughout the north. Green Crombec Sylvietta virens: Often heard in the south we actually saw and scoped one in Limbe

Botanic Gardens. Willow Warbler Phylloscopus trochilus: Sightings of this Palearctic migrant in Bénoué National Park

and at Ngaoundaba. Wood Warbler Phylloscopus sibilatrix: These Palearctic migrants were seen in the Yaoundé area, in

the Bamenda Highlands and on Mt Cameroon. Oriole Warbler Hypergerus atriceps: Also known as Moho, we had excellent views of this strange

and beautiful bird, at Ngaoundaba. This species is placed incertae sedis, as its affinities are unclear. It has a warbler song, a sunbird-like nest and a babbler-shaped body.

Garden Warbler Sylvia borin: This Palearctic migrant was heard at Ngaoundaba and seen in the Bamenda Highlands.

Common Whitethroat Sylvia communis: Good numbers of this Palearctic migrant in the north. Lesser Whitethroat Sylvia curruca: Three sightings of this Palearctic migrant in the Waza area. Yellow-bellied Hyliota Hyliota flavigaster: Great views of pairs of these attractive birds in Bénoué

National Park and at Ngaoundaba. Taxonomists are unsure as to whether these unusual birds are warblers, flycatchers or wattle-eyes!

Green Hylia Hylia prasina (H): Only heard in the Yaoundé area. MUSCICAPIDAE Northern Black Flycatcher Melaenornis edolioides: Easily seen in Bénoué National Park and at

Ngaoundaba.


Pale Flycatcher Melaenornis pallidus: Just one individual was seen at Ngaoundaba. The species is sometimes placed in the genus Bradornis.

Swamp Flycatcher Muscicapa aquatica: Just one pair of these rather nondescript flycatchers was seen in Bénoué National Park.

Cassin’s Flycatcher Muscicapa cassini: Super views of a pair in Limbe Botanical Gardens. John Cassin (1813-1869) was an American businessman and renowned systematic ornithologist. He was also curator of ornithology and Vice-President of the Philadelphia Academy of Natural Sciences.

African Dusky Flycatcher Muscicapa adusta: Singletons at Ngaoundaba were followed by more in the Bamenda area and on Mount Cameroon where there were a number of juveniles on show.

Dusky-blue Flycatcher Muscicapa comitata: One was seen on the outskirts of Yaoundé. Lead-coloured Flycatcher Myioparus plumbeus: This ‘tit-flycatcher’ was seen well in Bénoué

National Park. Pied Flycatcher Ficedula hypoleuca: A number of these Palearctic migrants were seen in Bénoué

National Park and at Ngaoundaba and in the Bamenda highlands. Most looked decidedly scruffy!

MONARCHIDAE Chestnut-capped Flycatcher Erythrocercus mccallii: A trio of these pretty little monarchs were seen in

the forests on the outskirts of Yaoundé. African Blue Flycatcher Elminia longicauda: A common and delightful bird seen well everywhere

except in the far north. White-bellied Crested Flycatcher Elminia albiventris: Another charming species seen well in the

Bamenda area and on Mount Cameroon. African Paradise Flycatcher Terpsiphone viridis: Widespread sightings with some beautiful black and

white males seen well. Rufous-vented Paradise Flycatcher Terpsiphone rufocinerea: A pair was seen well in Limbe Botanic

Gardens. Bates’s Paradise Flycatcher Terpsiphone batesi: Two males were seen well on the outskirts of

Yaoundé. PLATYSTEIRIDAE Chestnut Wattle-eye Dyaphorophyia castanea (H): Only heard in the forests on the outskirts of

Yaoundé. Common Wattle-eye Platysteira cyanea: We had a number of chances to get good views of this

attractive species. Banded Wattle-eye Platysteira laticincta: We had good views of a male and then later a pair of this

endangered species in the Bamenda area. Some authorities lump this species with Black-throated Wattle-eye P. peltata. If kept separate it becomes a Cameroon endemic. Classified as ‘Endangered’ in Birdlife International’s Threatened Birds of the World its habitat was reduced by half in the period between 1965-1985 and the species is now restricted to an area no bigger than 500 square kilometres. The total population is estimated to be between 2,500 - 10,000 birds.

Senegal Batis Batis senegalensis: Two pairs of these dapper little birds were seen in Bénoué National Park.

West African Batis Batis occulta: Two males were seen near Yaoundé.


TIMALIIDAE Grey-chested Illadopsis Kakamega poliothorax: This notorious skulker hadn’t read its instructions

properly as they flaunted themselves in front of us on Mount Cameroon. African Hill Babbler Pseudoalcippe abyssinica: The grey-headed race monachus was seen well on

Mt Cameroon. The species is sometimes placed in the genus Illadopsis. Ruwenzori Hill Babbler Pseudoalcippe atriceps: The attractive black-headed birds we saw with ease

in the Bamenda Highlands are usually lumped in African Hill Babbler P. abyssinica. Spotted Thrush Babbler Ptyrticus turdinus: A wonderful bird with an unforgettable song that gave us

little trouble this year and ultimately everyone had fantastic views at Ngaoundaba. Brown Babbler Turdoides plebejus: These garrulous birds were seen well throughout the north. Blackcap Babbler Turdoides reinwardtii: Noisy, albeit very skulking groups were seen in Bénoué

National Park and at Ngaoundaba. PARIDAE White-bellied Tit Parus albiventris: Good views of a pair in the Bamenda area. White-shouldered Black Tit Parus guineensis: Easy to see in Bénoué National Park and at

Ngaoundaba. REMIZIDAE Sennar Penduline Tit Anthoscopus punctifrons: After a long search a pair was finally seen well in the

Waza area. NECTARINIIDAE [There has been a recent revision of the taxonomy of sunbirds with the result that many species have

now been placed in a different genus.] Western Violet-backed Sunbird Anthreptes longuemarei: Small numbers of this warbler-like sunbird

in Bénoué National Park and at Ngaoundaba. Brown Sunbird Anthreptes gabonicus: One of these rather atypical looking sunbirds was seen well in

Limbe Botanical Gardens. Green Sunbird Anthreptes rectirostris: Several were seen in the forests on the outskirts of Yaoundé.

The form concerned is tephrolaema that has historically been treated as a separate species, Grey-chinned Sunbird.

Reichenbach’s Sunbird Anabathmis reichenbachii: At least four were seen in Limbe Botanical Gardens. The species was formerly placed in the genus Nectarinia. Heinrich Gottlieb Ludwig Reichenbach (1793-1879) was an important German systematist and Director of the Dresden Natural History Museum.

Green-headed Sunbird Cyanomitra verticalis: Sightings of the confusingly blue-headed race cyanocephala from Bénoué National Park to Limbe Botanical Gardens. The species was formerly placed in the genus Nectarinia.

Cameroon Sunbird Cyanomitra oritis: First seen at Lake Awing we then managed a few more on Mount Cameroon. The species was formerly placed in the genus Nectarinia and is endemic to Bioko and the Cameroonian and Nigerian highlands.

Western Olive Sunbird Cyanomitra obscura: A few were seen around Yaoundé. The species was formerly placed in the genus Nectarinia. It is more usually lumped with Eastern Olive Sunbird C. olivacea and the split no longer recognised.

Green-throated Sunbird Chalcomitra rubescens: This dark sunbird was seen around Yaoundé and in Limbe Botanical Gardens. The species was formerly placed in the genus Nectarinia.

Carmelite Sunbird Chalcomitra fuliginosa: Sieghard saw a male but the rest of us had to make do with a female in Limbe Botanical Gardens. The species is presumably named after the Carmelite friars whose costume was a brown cape with a white hood. The washed out


plumage of the females is unique. The species was formerly placed in the genus Nectarinia.

Scarlet-chested Sunbird Chalcomitra senegalensis: Some stunning males were seen near Maroua and in Bénoué National Park. The species was formerly placed in the genus Nectarinia.

Pygmy Sunbird Hedydipna platura: We had many chances to see this spectacular little bird (including some fine breeding plumage males) well in the north where it seemed to be very common. The species was formerly placed in the genus Anthreptes.

Olive-bellied Sunbird Cinnyris chloropygius: This colourful sunbird was easy to see around Yaoundé and in Limbe Botanical Gardens. The species was formerly placed in the genus Nectarinia.

Northern Double-collared Sunbird Cinnyris reichenowi: The highland forest counterpart of the previous species. It was seen well at Ngaoundaba but it was most common in the Bamenda Highlands and on Mount Cameroon. The species was formerly known as Nectarinia preussi.

Beautiful Sunbird Cinnyris pulchellus: Commonly encountered throughout the north where many males were in fine breeding plumage. The species was formerly placed in the genus Nectarinia.

Orange-tufted Sunbird Cinnyris bouvieri: Some excellent views in the Bamenda Highlands. The species was formerly placed in the genus Nectarinia.

Variable Sunbird Cinnyris venustus: Easy to see this year in Bénoué National Park, at Ngaoundaba and in the Bamenda Highlands. The species was formerly placed in the genus Nectarinia.

Superb Sunbird Cinnyris superbus: Some good looks at this stunning heavyweight sunbird in the forests on the outskirts of Yaoundé.

Splendid Sunbird Cinnyris coccinigaster: Colourful sightings at Ngaoundaba. The species was formerly placed in the genus Nectarinia.

Bates’s Sunbird Cinnyris batesi: This inconspicuous and easily overlooked sunbird was seen by most en route to Yaoundé. The species was formerly placed in the genus Nectarinia.

Copper Sunbird Cinnyris cupreus: Males were seen in Bénoué National Park and at Ngaoundaba. The species was formerly placed in the genus Nectarinia.

ZOSTEROPIDAE Yellow White-eye Zosterops senegalensis: Easy to see at Ngaoundaba and in Bénoué National Park. Forest White-eye Zosterops stenocricotus: The birds seen in the Bamenda highlands and on Mount

Cameroon were attributable to the form stenocricotus which has a noticeably different song to Yellow White-eye Z. senegalensis from which this cryptic form has been split.

Mount Cameroon Speirops Speirops melanocephalus: We had a long climb to the tree line and then it seemed as heavy rain was going to thwart all of our efforts. However all ended well and we were all rewarded with some excellent views of this interesting bird on top of Mt Cameroon. This Cameroon endemic is classed as ‘Vulnerable’ in Birdlife International’s Threatened Birds of the World. Habitat loss is one of the biggest threats and we were all witnesses to the burning and deforestation undertaken by hunters and farmers on the mountain.

LANIIDAE Common Fiscal Lanius collaris: Small numbers were seen on the Adamawa Plateau and Bamenda

highlands. Mackinnon’s Shrike Lanius mackinnoni: A highland bird here on the westernmost limit of its range.

Singletons were seen in the Bamenda Highlands. Archibald Donald Mackinnon (1864-1937) was a Scottish medical officer serving in Uganda and later director of Transport there. Sharpe described the bird from a specimen collected by Jackson in Kenya.


Masked Shrike Lanius nubicus: Four sightings of this attractive Palearctic migrant in the far north. Southern Grey Shrike Lanius meridionalis: Three birds were seen in the Mora area. This seems to be

an irruptive species, as numbers seem to fluctuate from year to year. Woodchat Shrike Lanius senator: Four sightings of this Palearctic migrant in the far north. Yellow-billed Shrike Corvinella corvina: This large shrike was seen well in Bénoué National Park and

at Ngaoundaba. It typically goes around in noisy tail-wagging gangs! MALACONOTIDAE Grey-headed Bush-shrike Malaconotus blanchoti: Excellent views of this beauty at Ngaoundaba. Green-breasted Bush-shrike Malaconotus gladiator: A highlight of our time in the Bamenda area was

the sighting of this large bush-shrike. This regional endemic was very responsive to playback and we all managed to get some incredible views.

Sulphur-breasted Bush-shrike Malaconotus sulfureopectus: Good views of a stunning male in Bénoué National Park.

Black-crowned Tchagra Tchagra senegala: Widespread sightings throughout the north. Black-shouldered Puffback Dryoscopus senegalensis: Two sightings in the forests on the outskirts of

Yaoundé. Northern Puffback Dryoscopus gambensis: Good views were obtained in Bénoué National Park and

at Ngaoundaba. Tropical Boubou Laniarius aethiopicus: More often heard than seen in Bénoué National Park and at

Ngaoundaba. The old name of Bell-shrike seemed most appropriate. Yellow-crowned Gonolek Laniarius barbarus: A stunning colour scheme. A showy bird was seen in

the Waza area. Black-headed Gonolek Laniarius erythrogaster: This intensely coloured shrike was seen well in

Bénoué National Park. Yellow-breasted Boubou Laniarius atroflavus: Yet another glorious, colourful bush-shrike endemic to

the Cameroonian and Nigerian highlands. After a slow start, we all had good views in the Bamenda highlands and on Mount Cameroon.

Brubru Nilaus afer: Just one bird was seen in Bénoué National Park. PRIONOPIDAE White Helmet-shrike Prionops plumatus: Great views of the short-crested form in Bénoué National

Park and at Ngaoundaba. ORIOLIDAE Black-winged Oriole Oriolus nigripennis: One was seen in the forests on the outskirts of Yaoundé. African Golden Oriole Oriolus auratus: Some fine sightings in Bénoué National Park and at

Ngaoundaba. DICRURIDAE Square-tailed Drongo Dicrurus ludwigii: Several individuals of the race sharpei were seen at

Ngaoundaba and another was found in the Bamenda Highlands. This form, known as Sharpe’s Drongo has an squarer tail and a duller, more violet gloss and may be well worthy of specific status. Richard Bowdler Sharpe (1847-1909) was an English ornithologist and curator of the British Museum bird collection. He conceived the idea of the British Ornithologists’ Club.

Fork-tailed Drongo Dicrurus adsimilis: A common savannah species seen in the north. Velvet-mantled Drongo Dicrurus coracinus: One was seen in the forests on the outskirts of Yaoundé.


CORVIDAE Pied Crow Corvus albus: Common and widespread. Piapiac Ptilostomus afer: This pugnacious-looking bird was seen well at Ngaoundaba. The name is

supposedly an onomatopoeic rendering of the call. STURNIDAE Narrow-tailed Starling Poeoptera lugubris: Three were seen in the forests on the outskirts of

Yaoundé. Waller’s Starling Onychognathus walleri: A flock of about six were scoped in the Bamenda

Highlands. Forest Chestnut-winged Starling Onychognathus hartlaubi: A female was seen in the forests on the

outskirts of Yaoundé. Neumann’s Starling Onychognathus neumanni: A pair was seen well in Bamenda. Oskar Rudolph

Neumann (1867-1946) was a German ornithologist who collected throughout Africa in the late 1800’s.

Purple Glossy Starling Lamprotornis purpureus: Very common in Bénoué National Park and at Ngaoundaba. This species was the one with a big eye and a short tail.

Bronze-tailed Glossy Starling Lamprotornis chalcurus: Good numbers were identified at Ngaoundaba. This species was the one with a good mask and a purple tail.

Greater Blue-eared Starling Lamprotornis chalybaeus: This large starling was very common in the north.

Lesser Blue-eared Starling Lamprotornis chloropterus: Small numbers were identified at Ngaoundaba but many were probably easily overlooked amongst the hoards of other starlings.

Splendid Glossy Starling Lamprotornis splendidus: This large starling was easy to identify and see at Ngaoundaba and in the Yaoundé area.

Long-tailed Glossy Starling Lamprotornis caudatus: Some splendid tails were much admired in the extreme north.

Chestnut-bellied Starling Lamprotornis pulcher: A common and very familiar starling of the far north. This species is sometimes placed in the genus Spreo.

White-collared Starling Grafisia torquata: We had some good looks at this localised starling that looks rather like a Ring Ouzel at Ngaoundaba!

Violet-backed Starling Cinnyricinclus leucogaster: Small numbers of this glittering starling at Ngaoundaba.

Wattled Starling Creatophora cinerea: Small numbers of this widespread starling here at the edge of its range were seen at Ngaoundaba.

BUPHAGIDAE Yellow-billed Oxpecker Buphagus africanus: Only small numbers were seen in Waza this year. Two

more were seen at Lake Awing. The oxpeckers are sometimes placed in the family Sturnidae.

PASSERIDAE Northern Grey-headed Sparrow Passer griseus: Widespread sightings throughout the tour. Bush Petronia Petronia dentata: A very common species throughout the north. The species is

sometimes placed in the genus Gymnoris. PLOCEIDAE White-billed Buffalo Weaver Bubalornis albirostris: The trees bearing the amazing structures of their

clumsy communal stick nests are a most characteristic part of the landscape in the extreme north. However only relatively small numbers of the actual birds were seen.


Speckle-fronted Weaver Sporopipes frontalis: A pretty little bird that was common and easy to see in the Waza area.

Chestnut-crowned Sparrow Weaver Plocepasser superciliosus: Small numbers were seen in widespread locations in the north.

Baglafecht Weaver Ploceus baglafecht: Small numbers were seen in the Bamenda highlands. Bannerman’s Weaver Ploceus bannermani: We had excellent views of this Cameroonian and

Nigerian highlands endemic in the Bamenda highlands. Classified as ‘Vulnerable’ in Birdlife International’s Threatened Birds of the World and understandably so as considering the pressures of the human population on the area. Its population is thought to number less than 10,000.

Little Weaver Ploceus luteolus: Just a few widespread sightings in the north. Black-necked Weaver Ploceus nigricollis: Two races occur with intergrades. The black-backed

nominate race was widespread with the green-backed brachypterus (sometimes known as Swainson’s Weaver) seen in Bénoué National Park and Limbe Botanical Gardens.

Spectacled Weaver Ploceus ocularis: This look-alike species was only seen at Ngaoundaba. Black-billed Weaver Ploceus melanogaster: A few of these striking weavers were seen in the

Bamenda Highlands and on Mount Cameroon. Vitelline Masked Weaver Ploceus vitellinus: Non-breeding birds were identified in the far north.

Vitelline pertains to the yolk of an egg and presumably refers to the yellow colour of the bird.

Heuglin’s Masked Weaver Ploceus heuglini: Small numbers including a few males just beginning to moult into breeding plumage were watched coming down to drink in Bénoué National Park.

Vieillot’s Black Weaver Ploceus nigerrimus: A commonly encountered bird usually seen in large colonies and flocks in the forest zone.

Village Weaver Ploceus cucullatus: An abundant species, often in large colonies, except in the Waza area where it was virtually absent.

Black-headed Weaver Ploceus melanocephalus: Birds in non-breeding plumage of the distinctive race capitalis also known as Yellow-collared Weaver were seen in Bénoué National Park.

Red-headed Malimbe Malimbus rubricollis (NL): Sieghard saw two in the Bamenda Highlands. Red-headed Weaver Anaplectes rubriceps: A female was seen in Bénoué National Park and a male

with a juvenile at Ngaoundaba. Red-headed Quelea Quelea erythrops: A flock of females and non-breeding plumaged males was

seen on Mount Cameroon. Red-billed Quelea Quelea quelea: Thousands upon thousands of non-breeding plumaged birds were

seen in swirling flocks in the far north all forming part of the great Sahelian spectacle. Yellow-crowned Bishop Euplectes capensis: Easily overlooked amongst the hoards of sparrow-like-

plumaged birds in Waza but this year a few were identified. Black-winged Red Bishop Euplectes hordeaceus: A flock of non-breeding birds were observed in

Bénoué National Park. Northern Red Bishop Euplectes franciscanus: Hundreds of non-breeding plumaged birds were seen

in Waza. Yellow Bishop Euplectes capensis: Small numbers of non-breeding plumaged birds were seen in the

Bamenda Highlands and on Mount Cameroon. Yellow-mantled Widowbird Euplectes macrourus: Flocks of non-breeding plumaged birds were seen

in Bénoué National Park and at Ngaoundaba. Red-collared Widowbird Euplectes ardens: Non-breeding plumaged birds were seen en route to

Bamenda. Marsh Widowbird Euplectes humeralis: A pair was seen at Dang Lake but the male was in non-

breeding plumage.


Grosbeak Weaver Amblyospiza albifrons: Two females were seen on the outskirts of Yaoundé. ESTRILDIDAE Grey-crowned Negrofinch Nigrita canicapilla: Some excellent views of this smart species were

obtained near Yaoundé and in Limbe Botanical Gardens. Pale-fronted Negrofinch Nigrita luteifrons: Great views of a male in Limbe Botanical Gardens. White-breasted Negrofinch Nigrita fusconota: Several were seen well near Yaoundé. Chestnut-breasted Negrofinch Nigrita bicolor: Two were seen in the forests on the outskirts of

Yaoundé. Shelley’s Oliveback Nesocharis shelleyi: First seen in the Bamenda Highlands but later everyone had

fantastic close views on Mount Cameroon of this most charming Cameroon and Bioko endemic. George Ernest Shelley (1840-1910) was an English ornithologist related to the famous poet and an authority on sunbirds. He traveled in Africa and had a specialist interest in the continent.

White-cheeked Oliveback Nesocharis capistrata: Several of these attractive little estrildids were seen at Ngaoundaba.

Green-winged Pytilia Pytilia melba: A pretty estrildid, also known as Melba Finch, with good numbers seen in the far north.

Yellow-winged Pytilia Pytilia hypogrammica: Small numbers including some colourful males were seen well at Ngaoundaba.

Red-faced Crimsonwing Cryptospiza reichenovii: A female was seen well by all on Mount Cameroon.

Western Bluebill Spermophaga haematina: Superb looks at a couple of males in Limbe Botanical Gardens.

Brown Twinspot Clytospiza monteiri: At Ngaoundaba some of us were treated to views of a group of three birds.

Dybowski’s Twinspot Euschistospiza dybowskii: In the end most people managed to get some good views of this stunning but elusive little estrildid at Ngaoundaba. Jan Dybowski (1856-1928) was a French botanist and African explorer leading expeditions to Congo and Chad.

Bar-breasted Firefinch Lagonosticta rufopicta: Small numbers were seen well in Bénoué National Park.

Red-billed Firefinch Lagonosticta senegala: Widespread sightings throughout the north. Black-bellied Firefinch Lagonosticta rara: Excellent views of this colourful firefinch in Bénoué

National Park and at Ngaoundaba. Blue-billed Firefinch Lagonosticta rubricata (NL): Sieghard and Gudrun saw one at Ngaoundaba. Black-faced Firefinch Lagonosticta larvata: A skulking pair was seen by most in Bénoué National

Park. Orange-cheeked Waxbill Estrilda melpoda: This attractive finch was seen well from Bénoué National

Park to Limbe. Black-rumped Waxbill Estrilda troglodytes: This super little finch was extremely common in the

Waza area. Black-crowned Waxbill Estrilda nonnula: A common and delightful species seen well around from

Ngaoundaba to Mount Cameroon. Black-headed Waxbill Estrilda atricapilla: Three of these more deeply coloured birds were seen

briefly on the outskirts of Yaoundé. Red-cheeked Cordon-bleu Uraeginthus bengalus: This familiar species was extremely common and

widespread throughout the north. African Silverbill Lonchura cantans: Common and easy to see in the Waza area.


Bronze Mannikin Spermestes cucullata: Widespread sightings throughout the tour. The species is sometimes placed in the genus Lonchura.

Black-and-white Mannikin Spermestes bicolor: Seen well at the Sanaga River and in Limbe Botanical Gardens. The species is sometimes placed in the genus Lonchura.

Cut-throat Amadina fasciata: Some good sightings in the Waza area of this real ‘Sweeney Todd’ of a bird!

VIDUIDAE [This family is sometimes lumped in Estrildidae.] Village Indigobird Vidua chalybeata (NL): Ian saw one in the Waza area. The species parasitises Red-

billed Firefinch. Pin-tailed Whydah Vidua macroura: One was seen in non-breeding plumage in Bénoué National

Park. The species parasitises mainly waxbills. Sahel Paradise Whydah Vidua orientalis: We saw several females and a small number of males in

varying stages of breeding dress in Waza National Park. The species parasitises Green-winged Pytilia.

FRINGILLIDAE White-rumped Seedeater Serinus leucopygius: Very few this year in the Waza area although it’s not

always so easy to see the white rumps! Yellow-fronted Canary Serinus mozambicus: Widespread sightings from Bénoué National Park in the

north to Mt Cameroon in the southwest. Thick-billed Seed-eater Serinus burtoni: Just three birds were seen on Mt Cameroon. Oriole Finch Linurgus olivaceus: Excellent views of this chunky finch in the Bamenda Highlands and

on Mount Cameroon. EMBERIZIDAE Cinnamon-breasted Rock Bunting Emberiza tahapisi: Several sightings near Maroua. African Golden-breasted Bunting Emberiza flaviventris: A singleton was seen well in the Waza area.. MAMMALS Guereza Colobus Colobus guereza: Small numbers were seen in Bénoué National Park. Olive Baboon Papio anubis: Small numbers in Bénoué National Park. Patas Monkey Cercopithecus patas: This handsome, terrestrial primate was common in the Waza

area. Tantalus Monkey Cercopithecus tantalus: Small numbers were seen in the north. Straw-coloured Fruit Bat Eidolon helvum: Hundreds were seen in Yaoundé, Bamenda and also en

route to Douala. Epauletted Fruit Bat Epomophorus sp.: The ‘clinking’ fruit bats seen and heard in the north were in

fact either E. gambianus or labiatus. Cape Hare Lepus capensis: One was seen in the Mora area. Scrub Hare Lepus saxatilis: A few were seen in the north. Striped Ground Squirrel Euxerus erythropus: Small numbers were seen in the north. Cooper’s Mountain Squirrel Paraxerus cooperi: A few were seen in the Bamenda Highlands and on

Mt Cameroon. Gambian Sun Squirrel Heliosciurus gambianus: A couple were seen at Ngaoundaba. African Giant Squirrel Protoxerus stangeri: One was seen on the outskirts of Yaoundé. Rusty-nosed Rat Oenomys hypoxanthus: Nik saw one at Ngaoundaba but we all had excellent views

of this attractive rat (!) on Mt Cameroon.


Peters’s Hump-nosed Mouse Hybomys univittatus: Seen foraging in the leaf litter during the day on Mt Cameroon.

Common Jackal Canis aureus: Small numbers were seen in Waza National Park. White-tailed Mongoose Ichneumia albicauda: Great views of this nocturnal creature in Bénoué

National Park. Common Genet Genetta genetta: One seen at night in Waza National Park. African Civet Civettictis civetta (NL): Sieghard saw one at the Campement de Waza. Wild Cat Felis sylvestris: One seen at night in Waza National Park. Lion Panthera leo (H): Heard at night in Bénoué National Park! Black-necked Rock Hyrax Procavia johnstoni: Small numbers were seen near Maroua. Hippopotamus Hippopotamus amphibius: A pod was seen as we crossed the River Bénoué and at

least thirteen were wallowing in the river in Bénoué National Park. Common Warthog Phacochoerus africanus: Seen easily in Waza National Park. Giraffe Giraffa camelopardalis: Small numbers of these elegant creatures in Waza National Park with

a maximum count of nine in one day. The race concerned is peralta. Bushbuck Tragelaphus scriptus: Small numbers were seen in Bénoué National Park. Red-flanked Duiker Cephalophus rufilatus (NL): Vince and Di saw one in Bénoué National Park. Waterbuck Kobus ellipsiprymnus (NL): Ian saw a few coming to drink in Bénoué National Park. Kob Kobus kob: Numbers were down this year in Waza and in Bénoué National Parks. Red-fronted Gazelle Gazella rufifrons: At least eight in Waza National Park. This is the same species

as the Thomson’s Gazelle of East Africa. Topi Damaliscus lunatus: Still fairly good numbers with at least 70 in Waza National Park. Roan Antelope Hippotragus equinus: Numbers were up again with some good sized family groups

numbering 150 or more in Waza National Park.

tour report - birdquest rep 07.pdf · this year we began our grand tour of this panhandle of a...

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