DOCSLIB.ORG

Coevolutionary Patterns and Diversification of Avian Malaria Parasites in African Sunbirds (Family Nectariniidae)

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Coevolutionary Patterns and Diversification of Avian Malaria Parasites in African Sunbirds (Family Nectariniidae) 1 Coevolutionary patterns and diversification of avian malaria parasites in African sunbirds (Family Nectariniidae) ELVIN J. LAURON1*, CLAIRE LOISEAU1, RAURI C. K. BOWIE2, GREG S. SPICER1, THOMAS B. SMITH3,MARTIMMELO4 and RAVINDER N. M. SEHGAL1 1 Department of Biology, San Francisco State University, San Francisco, California 94132, USA 2 Museum of Vertebrate Zoology and Department of Integrative Biology, University of California at Berkeley, Berkeley, California 94720, USA 3 Center for Tropical Research, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90095, USA 4 CIBIO, Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, InBio, Universidade do Porto, Campus Agrário de Vairão, 4485-661 Vairão, Portugal (Received 14 July 2014; revised 15 September 2014; accepted 2 October 2014) SUMMARY The coevolutionary relationships between avian malaria parasites and their hosts influence the host specificity, geographical distribution and pathogenicity of these parasites. However, to understand fine scale coevolutionary host–parasite relation- ships, robust and widespread sampling from closely related hosts is needed. We thus sought to explore the coevolutionary history of avian Plasmodium and the widespread African sunbirds, family Nectariniidae. These birds are distributed throughout Africa and occupy a variety of habitats. Considering the role that habitat plays in influencing host-specificity and the role that host-specificity plays in coevolutionary relationships, African sunbirds provide an exceptional model system to study the processes that govern the distribution and diversity of avian malaria. Here we evaluated the coevolutionary histories using a multi-gene phylogeny for Nectariniidae and avian Plasmodium found in Nectariniidae. We then assessed the host–parasite biogeography and the structuring of parasite assemblages. We recovered Plasmodium lineages concurrently in East, West, South and Island regions of Africa. However, several Plasmodium lineages were recovered exclusively within one respective region, despite being found in widely distributed hosts. In addition, we inferred the biogeographic history of these parasites and provide evidence supporting a model of biotic diversification in avian Plasmodium of African sunbirds. Key words: Plasmodium, nectariniidae, cospeciation, African sunbird, avian malaria, host switching. INTRODUCTION molecular approaches allows researchers to elucidate the phenomena of cospeciation, the hallmark of co- Coevolution and natural selection may shape the evolution (Demastes and Hafner, 1993; Clark et al. interactions among species by presenting an evol- 2000). For example, studies of mites and their utionary trade-off between specializing to perform a avian hosts show significant evidence of cospeciation few activities well, and generalizing to perform many (Ehrnsberger, 2001; Morelli and Spicer, 2007; activities fairly (Levins, 1968; Brodie et al. 1999). Hendricks et al. 2013). In addition, mammalian and Thus, the ability for parasites to specialize or gen- avian hosts also show evidence of cospeciation with eralize and to infect hosts with varying efficacy poses haemosporidian blood parasites, including the causa- compelling questions: what factors determine para- tive agents of leucocytozoonosis and malaria (Ricklefs site host-specificity, and how does the degree of and Fallon, 2002; Garamszegi, 2009; Hughes and host-specificity impact parasite distribution and di- Verra, 2010; Jenkins and Owens, 2011). versification? These factors may ultimately influence Infections of malaria occur in multiple vertebrate the virulence, the geographical distributions, and the hosts including reptiles, mammals and birds (Levine, potential for parasites to emerge into novel hosts 1988). Malaria parasites of birds are found on all con- (Garamszegi, 2006; Hellgren et al. 2009; Cooper et al. tinents of the world, except Antarctica (Valkiunas, 2012). 2005), and have been studied intensively for over 100 The host range of parasites primarily depends years. Avian malaria has therefore proven to be an on their compatibility with the host, which is limited important model system for pursuing evolutionary by a coevolutionary arms race between hosts and and ecological issues such as speciation (Ricklefs parasites (Kawecki, 1998). In fact, the study of and Fallon, 2002; Ricklefs et al. 2004; Pérez-Tris host–parasite coevolutionary relationships through et al. 2007), life-history trade-offs (Garamszegi, 2006; Hellgren et al. 2009), and competition and com- * Corresponding author. Department of Biology San Francisco State University, 1600 Holloway Avenue, munity structure in a changing environment (Read San Francisco, California 94132, USA. E-mail: elauron@ and Taylor, 2001; Mideo et al. 2008; Mideo, 2009; mail.sfsu.edu Palinauskas et al. 2011; Loiseau et al. 2012; Parasitology, Page 1 of 13. © Cambridge University Press 2014 doi:10.1017/S0031182014001681 Elvin J. Lauron and others 2 Svensson-Coelho et al. 2013). Extensive host switch- Plasmodium vector distribution, which may conse- ing of some avian Plasmodium lineages has been quently affect the transmission and prevalence of shown in birds belonging to different families avian malaria (Kamdem et al. 2012; Pavlacky et al. (Ricklefs and Fallon, 2002; Waldenström et al. 2012). Because avian Plasmodium are globally dis- 2002; Fallon et al. 2003, 2005; Szymanski and tributed among many bird species, the coevolution of Lovette, 2005) and the potential for these widely avian Plasmodium parasites are likely driven at the distributed avian Plasmodium parasites to switch into global-scale by environmental changes with periodic new hosts can have calamitous effects, as was seen in cycling of geographic expansion and isolation, a the endemic bird populations of Hawaii (van Riper, process described as taxon pulses (Hoberg and 1986). Thus, it is crucial to understand the factors Brooks, 2008; Agosta et al. 2010). Here we assess that influence parasite host specificity and the the cross-continental patterns and coevolutionary longstanding host relationships among parasites. histories of a host–parasite system in Africa and Considering host–parasite relationships, Ricklefs provide empirical evidence that supports a model for and Fallon (2002) used tree-based methods to assess biotic diversification in avian Plasmodium. cospeciation and host switching between the avian haemosporidian genera Plasmodium and Haemo- MATERIALS AND METHODS proteus and their hosts. Their study included 20 avian families distributed throughout six countries, Sample collection in which they reported significant cospeciation and Blood samples from birds were collected in 12 host switching. In addition, Ricklefs et al.(2004) countries of Africa and in three island countries conducted a more focused analysis by re-examining covering five biogeographic regions: West Africa cospeciation of avian malaria parasites and forest (Gabon, Ghana, and Cameroon; N = 935), East dwelling songbirds within North America and the Africa (Burundi, Kenya, Democratic Republic of West Indies. Consistent with their previous findings, the Congo, Malawi, Mozambique, Rwanda, Uganda, cospeciation and host switching were prominent Tanzania and Zambia; N = 392), Southern Africa events recovered in their study. Here, we assessed (The Republic of South Africa; N = 252), the coevolutionary host–parasite relationships of Madagascar (N = 18) and two small oceanic archipe- avian Plasmodium found in the Old-World bird lagos (São Tomé and Principe; N = 21, and the family Nectariniidae. We sought to increase the sen- Comoros; N = 18) during the period 1999 to 2009. sitivity for the detection of coevolutionary relation- All birds were caught with mist-nets and blood ships by focusing on the large assemblage of Africa samples were collected from the brachial vein. Blood sunbirds. This assemblage comprises 95 species that samples were stored in lysis buffer (10 mM Tris-HCL are primarily restricted to continental Africa and its pH 8·0, 100 mM EDTA, 2% SDS) or in absolute neighbouring islands including Madagascar, but ethanol at −80 °C or in liquid Nitrogen cryo-tanks. which includes five Asian species that represent a recent back-colonization from Africa (Bowie, 2003, PCR amplification and DNA sequencing Bowie et al. unpublished data). Sunbirds utilize virtually all forms of habitat, In total, 1636 individual sunbirds (N species = 32) including moist forests, swamps, grasslands, primary were screened for Plasmodium parasites (see Table 1). rainforests, open woodlands, and semi-arid regions DNA was extracted from whole blood following a (Cheke et al. 2001). Most species are sedentary or DNeasy kit protocol (Qiagen, Valencia, California). short-distance seasonal migrants, and can be either Success of each DNA extraction was verified with ecological generalists or specialists (i.e. restricted primers that amplify the brain-derived neurotrophic to a very small area, e.g. highlands in East Africa; factor (BDNF) (Sehgal and Lovette, 2003). Bowie et al. 2004). A recent study established that Since mitochondrial lineages have been shown to be Nectariniidae and other bird families in Africa reproductively isolated (Bensch et al. 2004), Plasmo- (Muscicapidae, Pycnonotidae, Timaliidae and dium spp. mitochondrial haplotypes are often defined Turdidae) also harbour both generalist and specialist as unique cytochrome b lineages (Hellgren et al. 2004; Plasmodium parasites (Loiseau et al. 2012). The Waldenström et al. 2004; Bensch et al. 2009). There- detection of
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Podoces 2 2 Ecology of Purple Sunbirds-2
    Notes on feeding and breeding habits of Purple Sunbird Nectarinia asiatica … – T. Ghadirian et al. Notes on Feeding and Breeding Habits of the Purple Sunbird Nectarinia asiatica ( Cinnyris asiaticus ) in Bandar Abbas, Hormozgan, Southern Iran TAHER GHADIRIAN 1* , ALI T. QASHQAEI 2 & MOHSEN DADRAS 3 1. Biodiversity Group, Department of Environment, Islamic Azad University, Science and Research Campus, Tehran, Iran 2. Department of Environment, Islamic Azad University, Bandar Abbas Branch, Iran 3. GIS/RS, Department of Natural Resources of Hormozgan, Bandar Abbas, Iran * Correspondence Author. Email: [email protected] Received 9 July 2007; accepted 5 February 2008 Abstract: Some feeding and breeding activities of Purple Sunbird Nectarinia asiatica brevirostris have been studied in five localities in Bandar Abbas, southern Iran from June 2002 to June 2004 on monthly bases. According to 507 timed feeding observations, Purple Sunbirds feed on flowers’ nectar (97%) and on fruits’ nectar (3%). The nectar of the Chinese hibiscus Hibiscus rosa-chinensis flowers was the favorite food (56%). Red flowers seem to be attractive. The breeding season is late autumn and early winter, where flowers are abundant and temperate season has begun in the area. Nesting started in November, 2–3 eggs being laid in December and hatching occurring after 15–17 days of incubation. Only the females built nests and incubated eggs, while males assisted in feeding nestlings. Purple Sunbirds used 16 species of plants of which they fed and five species for nesting. The gum acacia tree Acacia nilotica is particularly suitable: it provides cover, is a source of food is ideal for nesting, and so it plays an important role in dispersion of this sunbird species in the area.
    [Show full text]
  • Malawi Trip Report 12Th to 28Th September 2014
    Malawi Trip Report 12th to 28th September 2014 Bohm’s Bee-eater by Keith Valentine Trip Report compiled by Tour Leader: Keith Valentine RBT Malawi Trip Report September 2014 2 Top 10 Birds: 1. Scarlet-tufted Sunbird 2. Pel’s Fishing Owl 3. Lesser Seedcracker 4. Thyolo Alethe 5. White-winged Apalis 6. Racket-tailed Roller 7. Blue Swallow 8. Bohm’s Flycatcher 9. Babbling Starling 10. Bohm’s Bee-eater/Yellow-throated Apalis Top 5 Mammals: 1. African Civet 2. Four-toed Elephant Shrew 3. Sable Antelope 4. Bush Pig 5. Side-striped Jackal/Greater Galago/Roan Antelope/Blotched Genet Trip Summary This was our first ever fully comprehensive tour to Malawi and was quite simply a fantastic experience in all respects. For starters, many of the accommodations are of excellent quality and are also situated in prime birding locations with a large number of the area’s major birding targets found in close proximity. The food is generally very good and the stores and lodges are for the most part stocked with decent beer and a fair selection of South African wine. However, it is the habitat diversity that is largely what makes Malawi so good from a birding point of view. Even though it is a small country, this good variety of habitat, and infrastructure that allows access to these key zones, insures that the list of specials is long and attractive. Our tour was extremely successful in locating the vast majority of the region’s most wanted birds and highlights included Red-winged Francolin, White-backed Night Heron, African Cuckoo-Hawk, Western Banded Snake
    [Show full text]
  • The Avifauna of Two Woodlands in Southeast Tanzania
    Scopus 25: 2336, December 2005 The avifauna of two woodlands in southeast Tanzania Anders P. Tøttrup, Flemming P. Jensen and Kim D. Christensen In Tanzania Brachystegia or miombo woodland occupies about two-thirds of the country including the central plateau to the north and the south eastern plateau (Lind & Morrison 1974). Along the coast more luxuriant woodlands are found in what White (1983) terms the Zanzibar-Inhambane regional mosaic floristic region. This highly complex vegetation comprises unique types of forest, thicket, woodland, bushland and grassland, interspersed with areas presently under cultivation and fallow (Hawthorne 1993). The coastal woodlands are usually deciduous or semi-deciduous but contain some evergreen species and often merge with coastal thickets, scrub forest and coastal forest (Hawthorne 1993, Vollesen 1994). The avifauna of miombo woodlands has been described for Zambia (e.g. Benson & Irwin 1966) and Zimbabwe (e.g. Vernon 1968, 1984, 1985), while little has been published on the birds of the coastal woodlands. An exception is Stjernstedt (1970) who reported on the birds in lush and dense Brachystegia microphylla vegetation in a sea of miombo in southeast Tanzania. Here we report our observations of birds in two woodlands in coastal southeast Tanzania, one of which harboured miombo trees. We present information on the number of species encountered during the fieldwork, and compare the avifauna of the two sites. We discuss possible causes for the differences observed and provide new information on habitat preferences for some of the species we recorded at these sites. Study sites Field work was carried out in two coastal woodlands in the Lindi Region, southeast Tanzania in September and October 2001.
    [Show full text]
  • P0249-P0262.Pdf
    THE CONDOR VOLUME 57 SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER. 19.55 NUMBER 5 A SYSTEMATIC REVISION AND NATURAL HISTORY OF THE SHINING SUNBIRD OF AFRICA By JOHN G. WILLIAMS The ,Shining Sunbird (Cinnyris habessinicus Hemprich and Ehrenberg) has a com- paratively restricted distribution in the northeastern part of the Ethiopian region. It occurs sporadically from the northern districts of Kenya Colony and northeastern Uganda northward to Saudi Arabia, but it apparently is absent from the highlands of Ethiopia (Abyssinia) above 5000 feet. The adult male is one of the most brightly col- ored African sunbirds, the upper parts and throat being brilliant metallic green, often with a golden sheen on the mantle, and the crown violet or blue. Across the breast is a bright red band, varying in width, depth of color, and brilliance in the various races, bordered on each side by yellow pectoral tufts; the abdomen is black. The female is drab gray or brown and exhibits a well-marked color cline, the most southerly birds being pale and those to the northward becoming gradually darker and terminating with the blackish-brown female of the most northerly subspecies. In the present study I am retaining, with some reluctance, the genus Cinnyris for the speciesunder review. I agree in the main with Delacour’s treatment of the group in his paper ( 1944) “A Review of the Family Nectariniidae (Sunbirds) ” and admit that the genus Nectarinia, in its old, restricted sense, based upon the length of the central pair of rectrices in the adult male, is derived from a number of different stocks and is ur+ sound.
    [Show full text]
  • Systematic and Taxonomic Issues Concerning Some East African Bird Species, Notably Those Where Treatment Varies Between Authors
    Scopus 34: 1–23, January 2015 Systematic and taxonomic issues concerning some East African bird species, notably those where treatment varies between authors Donald A. Turner and David J. Pearson Summary The taxonomy of various East African bird species is discussed. Fourteen of the non- passerines and forty-eight of the passerines listed in Britton (1980) are considered, with reference to treatments by various subsequent authors. Twenty-three species splits are recommended from the treatment in Britton (op. cit.), and one lump, the inclusion of Jackson’s Hornbill Tockus jacksoni as a race of T. deckeni. Introduction With a revision of Britton (1980) now nearing completion, this is the first of two pa- pers highlighting the complexities that surround some East African bird species. All appear in Britton in one form or another, but since that landmark publication our knowledge of East African birds has increased considerably, and with the advances in DNA sequencing, our understanding of avian systematics and taxonomy is con- tinually moving forward. A tidal wave of phylogenetic studies in the last decade has revolutionized our understanding of the higher-level relationships of birds. Taxa pre- viously regarded as quite distantly related have been brought together in new clas- sifications and some major groups have been split asunder (Knox 2014). As a result we are seeing the familiar order of families and species in field guides and checklists plunged into turmoil. The speed at which molecular papers are being published continues at an unprec- edented rate. We must remember, however, that while many molecular results may indicate a relationship, they do not necessarily prove one.
    [Show full text]
  • Bocage's Sunbird Nectarinia Bocagii—An Angolan Near-Endemic
    Little-known African bird: Bocage’s Sunbird Nectarinia bocagii—an Angolan near-endemic Michael S. L. Millsa,b O pouco conhecido beija-flor de Bocage Nectarinia bocagii: uma espécie quase endémica de Angola. O beija-flor de Bocage Nectarinia bocagii é uma espécie pouco conhecida e praticamente endémica da cintura de matas de Brachystegia do planalto angolano. Com base em 42 especímenes angolanas que consegui localizar, a sua distribuição em Angola está mais ou menos restrita ao planalto ocidental entre os 1.420 e os 1.770 m de altitude. No entanto existem três registos de localidades afastadas desta faixa, a norte e a este, e a mais baixas altitudes (1.150–1.260 m), que sugerem que a sua distribuição possa ser muito mais ampla. A espécie não está bem representada nos guias de campo e outros livros; é preciso cuidado especial para a não confundir com a sub-espécie gadowi do beija-flor-bronzeado N. kilimensis com que co-ocorre. O beija-flor de Bocage apresenta um brilho azul-púrpura conspícuo sobre a sua cabeça e costas, distinto do brilho verde-bronzeado do beija-flor-bronzeado. Em certas condições de luz, ambas as espécies parecem pretas. O beija-flor de Bocage tem preferência por zonas abertas ao longo dos rios que atravessam matas de Brachystegia e alimenta-se de néctar e invertebrados. Tanto o beija-flor-bronzeado como o beija-flor- acobreado Cinnyris cupreus podem ocorrer no mesmo habitat dentro da área de distribuição do beija-flor de Bocage. Summary. The little-known Bocage’s Sunbird Nectarinia bocagii is near-endemic to the Brachystegia woodland belt of the Angolan plateau.
    [Show full text]
  • LIST July 29 – August 7, 2016
    Sunrise Birding LLC www.sunrisebirding.com UGANDA Leader: Julian Hough & local guides SPECIES LIST July 29 – August 7, 2016 BIRDS Scientific Name 1 White-faced Whistling Duck Dendrocygna viduata 2 Spur-winged Goose Plectropterus gambensis 3 Egyptian Goose Alopochen aegyptiaca 4 African Black Duck Anas sparsa 5 Yellow-billed Duck Anas undulata 6 Helmeted Guineafowl Numida meleagris 7 Crested Guineafowl Guttera pucherani 8 Crested Francolin Dendroperdix sephaena 9 Handsome Francolin Pternistis nobilis 10 Red-necked Spurfowl Pternistis afer 11 Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis 12 Yellow-billed Stork Mycteria ibis 13 African Openbill Anastomus lamelligerus 14 Woolly-necked Stork Ciconia episcopus 15 Marabou Stork Leptoptilos crumenifer 16 African Sacred Ibis Threskiornis aethiopicus 17 Hadada Ibis Bostrychia hagedash 18 White-backed Night Heron Gorsachius leuconotus 19 Striated Heron Butorides striata 20 Squacco Heron Ardeola ralloides 21 Rufous-bellied Heron Ardeola rufiventris 22 Western Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis 23 Gray Heron Ardea cinerea 24 Black-headed Heron Ardea melanocephala 25 Purple Heron Ardea purpurea 26 Great Egret Ardea alba 27 Intermediate Egret Egretta intermedia 28 Little Egret Egretta garzetta 29 Hamerkop Scopus umbretta 30 Shoebill Balaeniceps rex 31 Pink-backed Pelican Pelecanus rufescens 32 Reed Cormorant Microcarbo africanus 33 White-breasted Cormorant Phalacrocorax lucidus 34 Black-winged Kite Elanus caeruleus 35 African Harrier-Hawk Polyboroides typus 36 Palm-nut Vulture Gypohierax angolensis 37 Hooded Vulture
    [Show full text]
  • The Ecology of the Usambara Double-Collared Sunbird (Cinnyris Usambaricus)
    SIT Graduate Institute/SIT Study Abroad SIT Digital Collections Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection SIT Study Abroad Summer 2018 The cologE y of the Usambara Double-collared Sunbird (Cinnyris usambaricus) Sarah Lueder SIT Study Abroad Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcollections.sit.edu/isp_collection Part of the Environmental Sciences Commons, Forest Biology Commons, and the Ornithology Commons Recommended Citation Lueder, Sarah, "The cE ology of the Usambara Double-collared Sunbird (Cinnyris usambaricus)" (2018). Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection. 2920. https://digitalcollections.sit.edu/isp_collection/2920 This Unpublished Paper is brought to you for free and open access by the SIT Study Abroad at SIT Digital Collections. It has been accepted for inclusion in Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection by an authorized administrator of SIT Digital Collections. For more information, please contact [email protected]. The Ecology of the Usambara Double-collared Sunbird (Cinnyris usambaricus) Sarah Lueder Academic Director: Felicity Kitchin Advisor: Anthony Raphael Tulane University Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Africa, Tanzania, Lushoto, Mazumbai Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for Tanzania: Wildlife Conservation and Political Ecology, SIT Study Abroad, Fall 2018 Table of Contents Acknowledgements ................................................................................................................1 Abstract ..................................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Southern Tanzania: Endemic Birds & Spectacular Mammals
    SOUTHERN TANZANIA: ENDEMIC BIRDS & SPECTACULAR MAMMALS SEPTEMBER 18–OCTOBER 6, 2018 Tanzanian Red-billed Hornbill © Kevin J. Zimmer LEADERS: KEVIN ZIMMER & ANTHONY RAFAEL LIST COMPILED BY: KEVIN ZIMMER VICTOR EMANUEL NATURE TOURS, INC. 2525 WALLINGWOOD DRIVE, SUITE 1003 AUSTIN, TEXAS 78746 WWW.VENTBIRD.COM SOUTHERN TANZANIA: ENDEMIC BIRDS & SPECTACULAR MAMMALS September 18–October 6, 2018 By Kevin Zimmer After meeting in Dar es Salaam, we kicked off our inaugural Southern Tanzania tour by taking a small charter flight to Ruaha National Park, at 7,800 square miles, the largest national park in all of east Africa. The scenery from the air was spectacular, particularly on our approach to the park’s airstrip. Our tour was deliberately timed to coincide with the dry season, a time when many of the trees have dropped their leaves, heightening visibility and leaving the landscapes starkly beautiful. This is also a time when the Great Ruaha River and its many smaller tributaries dwindle to shallow, often intermittent “sand rivers,” which, nonetheless, provide natural game corridors and concentration points for birds during a time in which water is at a premium. Bateleur, Ruaha National Park, Sept 2018 (© Kevin J. Zimmer) After touching down at the airstrip, we disembarked to find our trusty drivers, Geitan Ndunguru and Roger Mwengi, each of them longtime friends from our Northern Tanzania tours, waiting for us with their safari vehicles ready for action. The first order of business was to head to the lodge for lunch, but a large, mixed-species coven of Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 2 Southern Tanzania, 2018 vultures could not be ignored, particularly once we discovered the reason for the assemblage—a dead Hippo, no doubt taken down the previous night as it attempted to cross from one river to another, and, the sated Lion that had been gorging itself ever since.
    [Show full text]
  • 16-DAY SUBTROPICAL SOUTH AFRICA TRIP REPORT, 10 – 25 March 2017
    SOUTH AFRICA: 16‐DAY SUBTROPICAL SOUTH AFRICA TRIP REPORT, 10 – 25 March 2017 By Jason Boyce Drakensberg Rockjumper – One of the birds of the trip! www.birdingecotours.com [email protected] 2 | T R I P R E P O R T Subtropical South Africa Trip Report March 2017 TOUR ITINERARY Overnight Day 1 – Arrival and birding Umhlanga Gateway Country Lodge, Umhlanga Day 2 – Umhlanga to Underberg KarMichael Guest Farm, Himeville Day 3 – Sani Pass KarMichael Guest Farm, Himeville Day 4 – Southern Drakensberg to Eshowe Birds of Paradise B&B, Eshowe Day 5 – Ongoye, Mtunzini and Amatikulu Birds of Paradise B&B, Eshowe Day 6 – Eshowe, Dlinza to St Lucia Ndiza Lodge, St Lucia Day 7 – St Lucia Wetland Park Ndiza Lodge, St Lucia Day 8 – St Lucia to Mkhuze Game Reserve Mantuma Camp, Mkhuze Day 9 – Mkhuze Game Reserve Mantuma Camp, Mkhuze Day 10 – Mkhuze to Wakkerstroom Wetlands Country House, Wakkerstroom Day 11 – Wakkerstroom birding Wetlands Country House, Wakkerstroom Day 12 – Wakkerstroom to Skukuza, KNP Kruger National Park, Skukuza Day 13 – Southern Kruger National Park Kruger National Park, Skukuza Day 14 – Kruger National Park to Dullstroom Linger Longer, Dullstroom Day 15 – Dullstroom to Dinokeng Game Reserve Leopardsong Game Lodge, Dinokeng Day 16 – Rust de Winter to Johannesburg airport Flight home OVERVIEW This was a tour with incredible diversity, varying habitats, enjoyable company, and a host of endemic South African bird species. Our 16-day ‘Subtropical South Africa’ tour gave us 397 species of birds, with an additional 15 species being heard only. We also saw 37 mammal species, interesting reptiles, and a few rare South African butterflies.
    [Show full text]
  • Rwanda Trip Report
    Rwanda Trip Report 22 nd to 28 th June 2007 Trip report compiled by Keith Valentine Tour Highlights Our action packed one week tour to this fabulous landlocked country produced numerous highlights from the magnificent Mountain Gorillas in the splendid Volcanoes National Park to chasing down the various Albertine Rift Endemics in the seemingly endless montane forests of Nyungwe. Our adventure began in the capital Kigali where we spent the morning visiting the Genocide Memorial, a sobering reminder of this tiny country’s horrific past. The memorial has been excellently set out and provides the visitor with outstanding information and facts regarding not only Rwanda’s genocide but also a history of the many other mass atrocities that have taken place around the world. Our first destination was the vast lakes and savannas of Akagera National Park. Our progress to Akagera was quickly put on hold however as a roadside stop produced a stunning pair of scarce White- collared Oliveback. Other goodies included Bronze Sunbird, Western Citril, Yellow-throated Greenbul, Black-lored Babbler, Black-crowned Waxbill and Thick-billed Seed-eater. Akagera is home to a wide variety of game and birds and provided an excellent introduction to the many widespread species found in Rwanda. Cruising around the network of roads provided excellent views of a number of specials that included Madagascar Pond-Heron, African and Black Goshawk, splendid Ross’ Turaco, Spot-flanked RBT Rwanda Trip Report 2007 Barbet, Tabora Cisticola, Buff-bellied and Pale Wren-Warbler, Greencap Eremomela, Red-faced Crombec, White-winged Black-Tit and African Penduline-Tit, while a short night excursion produced the impressive Verreaux’s Eagle-Owl and Freckled Nightjar.
    [Show full text]
  • Kenya November 2019
    Tropical Birding Trip Report KENYA NOVEMBER 2019 Kenya: The Coolest Trip in Africa 10th – 26th November, 2019 TOUR LEADER: Charley Hesse. Report & photos by Charley Hesse. All photos were taken on this tour. Kenya offers a wide variety of landscapes and habitats with a corresponding long list of bird and mammal species. We started this tour in Kenya’s capital Nairobi, and the Nairobi National Park where we saw dancing Grey Crowned Cranes and an amazing 9 species of cisticola in a day, with the bizarre backdrop of the city’s skyline. We dipped down the Magadi road into very dry scrub with a totally different set of species like Fischer’s Sparrow-Larks & Cut- throats. From Nairobi we drove to the foothills of Mt Kenya and in the lush montane forest saw the huge Crowned Eagle and verdant Hartlaub’s Turaco. Next, we visited the Aberdares NP and explored the alpine moorland where we saw the huge Jackson’s Francolin and endemic Aberdare Cisticola. At the bizarre Ark Lodge, we saw Giant Forest Hog, plus genets and galago at night. We dropped down from the highlands into the great rift valley and explored Lake Nakuru and Lake Naivasha with their myriad of water birds. The boat ride at Lake Naivasha was particularly good for photography. On to Lake Baringo with its amazing local guides who have many great birds staked out including owls, nightjars and coursers. Another boat ride produced White-backed Night-Heron and Northern Carmine Bee-eater. At Kakamega we explored the lush forest and found specialties like turacos, robin- chats, batises and the African Broadbill.
    [Show full text]