Photos by tour participant John Hopkins John participant tour by Photos Text by tour leader Michael Mills Michael leader tour by Text 2017 Tour Report The specialists Africa The Birding Africa Swierstra's Francolin

ANGOLA - TOUR INFORMATION The second ever all-hotel-accommodated tour of Angola was an REPORT overwhelming success, and like our first hotel-based trip run last year We started with an introductory stroll around Broadbill, Piping Hornbill, African Pied Hornbill, brought a level of comfort that we could not imagine a few years ago. For downtown Luanda with Rufous-tailed Palm Naked-faced Barbet, Hairy-breasted Barbet, all 17 nights of the trip we enjoyed good accommodation and food. It was Thrush, Purple-banded Sunbird and the endemic Speckled Tinkerbird, Guinea Turaco, Yellow- a pleasure returning to clean, comfortable hotel rooms each night, with Red-backed Mousebird, the latter seen regularly mantled Weaver, Yellow-browed Camaroptera, running water and electricity (with the occasional exception); quite a change throughout the tour. We also took some time to Scrub Robin, Rufous-crowned Eremomela,

Birding Africa Tour Report Tour Africa Birding study the large dark brown swifts that breed in Blue-throated Roller, Banded Prinia, White- Report Tour Africa Birding from our earlier trips where camping in dusty and windy conditions was the seafront buildings of the Marginal, which I chinned Prinia, Velvet-mantled Drongo, the order of the day. And all this extra comfort came without compromising now believe are dark Mottled Swifts based on, in Black-winged Oriole, Black Bee-eater, Purple- addition to their size and shape, their calls heard for throated Cuckooshrike, Pink-footed Puffback, on the . Certainly, Angola can no longer be regarded as a 'hardcore' the first time which match those of Mottled Swift. Chestnut Wattle-eye, Buff-spotted Woodpecker, birding destination.

Monteiro's

Red-crested Turaco Besides the logistics running very smoothly, we Flufftail near Kalandula, some good looks at Braun’s fared exceptionally well on the birds, enjoying good Bushshrike along the northern escarpment and, Bocage's Bushshrike, Rufous-vented Paradise views of all of Angola’s endemic and a whole tied for ninth, a pair of rare Brazza’s Martin perched On the first full day of the trip we started birding in Flycatcher, Cassin's Honeybird, Blue Malkoha, host of other goodies. The charts were topped by near their nest, a striking Ross's Turaco and a very some dry near Caxito as we made our way Yellow-throated Nicator, Mackinnon's Fiscal and excellent views of a pair of Gabela Bushshrike showy Blue-headed Crested Flycatcher. north, where a fairly quiet walk ended with our first Lowland Masked . that took 14 hours of searching to track down; views of the endangered Gabela Helmetshrike and There were many other great birds seen too, and whew! A fantastic male Swierstra’s Francolin gave included Hartert's Camaroptera, Angola Batis, From the northernmost point of the trip, near Uíge, the impressive diversity of habitats on offer meant prolonged views right out in the open at Tundavala Pale-olive and Swamp Boubou. In the we turned south-eastwards to the Kalandula Falls that we logged over 525 species in the 18 days of and was voted number two, alongside Angola’s afternoon we laid eyes on the striking Braun's area with its broad-leafed woodlands and gallery birding. While most of the endemics and specials striking national bird, Red-crested Turaco. The Bushshrike near Quitexe for the first time, although forests. En route we did well to find Anchieta's are associated with the dry forests of the Angolan attractive White-headed Robin-Chat was seen some had to wait until the next morning to satisfy Barbet, Red-throated Cliff , Sooty escarpment and montane habitats of the western well near Kalandula and came in fourth, with a their bushshrike appetites. Other highlights along Flycatcher, Gorgeous/Perrin's Bushshrike and highlands, a good diversity of miombo specials is lovely male Bocage's Sunbird near Mount Moco the northern escarpment included Brown-backed our first Red-crested Turaco, before arriving at our on offer too, plus Congo Basin forest birds along the rounding out the top five. The minor places in Scrub Robin, Bubbling , Black-collared luxurious accommodation overlooking Kalandula northern escarpment, mesic birds in the the top ten contest were taken by an entertaining and Orange-tufted Sunbird in mesic Falls. The main birding area here is 40 km to the highlands, and desert and Namibian escarpment trio of Rüppell’s Korhaan in the coastal deserts of savannas and a good variety of forest species such north of the falls themselves, near Kinjila Village, species in the far south. Namibe, incredible views of a male White-spotted as all four negrofinches/nigritas, displaying African and we spent the better part of a day and half here.

2 | Angola 2017 Angola 2017 | 3 It was to the gallery forests that we first directed is also one of the most rapidly disappearing areas itself. Starting in these forests we first turned our our attention, and this year it wasn't long before thanks to slash-and-burn cultivation. Having attention to the small patch of forest and scrubby we all enjoyed good views of the striking White- struggled to find Gabela Bushshrike last year I knew habitat above the village of Kanjonde, which is the headed Robin-Chat. The supporting cast included we would be challenged, but never did I think that main focus of a forest rehabilitation project that I Black-backed Barbet (minor), a responsive male visiting more than 12 known territories would turn run at the mountain. It was pleasing to see several White-spotted Flufftail, Black-throated Wattle- up nothing but burnt fields, and it was only after 14 birds returning to this patch after several years of eye, Brown-headed Apalis, Grey-winged Robin- hours of searching that we managed to find a very absence, most notably Thick-billed Seedeater and Chat/Akalat, Bannerman’s Sunbird alongside the cooperative pair of Gabela at a backup Evergreen Forest Warbler. Swierstra's Francolin Birding Africa Tour Report Tour Africa Birding very similar Green-headed Sunbird, Cabanis’s site that I last visited in 2009. Hooray! Pulitzer’s was also present lower down the mountain than Report Tour Africa Birding Greenbul, Bates’s Sunbird, Square-tailed Drongo, Longbill was much more cooperative and Gabela usual, and we managed to persuade a male to cross and Narina Trogon. Akalat was not hard to see either. Other species a patch for everyone to see briefly. Also around Tall fringing the gallery forests held a of interest along the central escarpment included this forest patch we enjoyed excellent views of lovely male Marsh Tchagra, Red-headed Quelea Falkenstein’s Greenbul, more Red-crested a male Black-chinned Weaver and Huambo and party of Compact Weaver, whereas the Turacos, two lovely Yellow-bellied Wattle-eye, Cisticola (Angola’s newest endemic, and previously surrounding woodlands were home to Pale-billed Brown-eared Woodpecker, the curious local form erroneously treated as Rock-loving Cisticola), and Hornbill, Red-necked Spurfowl (cranchii) striking of Southern Hyliota (slatini), Lemon Dove (heard), other species of interest included Schalow's Turaco, Anchieta’s Sunbird, Retz's Helmetshrike, Rufous- Dusky Tit, Green Twinspot, Black-faced Canary, Grey Apalis, Bocage's Akalat, Red-throated bellied Tit, Sharp-tailed Starling, Bennett's Yellow-billed Barbet, Black-throated Apalis, Wryneck, Ludwig’s Double-collared Sunbird, Woodpecker, African Cuckoo-Hawk and Miombo Brown Illadopsis, Brown Twinspot, Landana Black-throated Wattle-eye and Spotted Creeper. Wren-Warbler. Firefinch and Grey Waxbill. On our second day at the mountain a brave few made the big hike to the largest forest patch on We broke our journey to Muxima with an overnight Dusky Twinspot the mountain. On the way up the mountain we stay at N'dalatando, findingRock Pratincole en paused to watch a large flock of swifts composed of route. The next morning we birded the northern six species, namely Horus Swift, White-rumped escarpment forests near N'dalatando, at Tombinga Swift, Common Swift, Mottled Swift, Bradfield's pass. The open forest was quite birdy and we notched Swift, and some black swift types which are thought up Yellow Longbill, Grey-throated Tit-Flycatcher, Angola Lark to be Fernando Po Swift (probably best treated as a Red-rumped Tinkerbird, Chestnut Wattle-eye, of African Black Swift); it was great to be Superb Sunbird, Cassin's Honeybird, African our first sighting of White-fronted Wattle-eye. The able to compare so many species side-by-side. On Shrike-Flycatcher and Bates's Paradise Flycatcher next morning we found our second flock of lovely top of the mountain we flushed Finsch’s Francolin before moving on to Muxima on the Kwanza River. Gabela Helmetshrike, two different Monteiro’s and saw the local races of Mountain Wheatear Here we wasted no time and headed out for some Bushshrike and another White-fronted Wattle- (nigricauda) and Long-billed Pipit (moco). Olive afternoon birding during which we managed to get eye. Non-endemics seen included Forest Scrub Woodpecker also put in an appearance, as did good views of the secretive Grey-striped Francolin Robin, Pale-olive Greenbul, Olive Bee-eater, Wing-snapping Cisticola, Striped Pipit and for everyone, close-up views of Golden-backed Mottled Spinetail, Böhm's Spinetail, African Miombo Rock Thrush. At our target destination we Bishop alongside White-winged Widowbird, and Barred Owlet (fantastic day-time views), Scaly- throated Honeyguide, Swamp Boubou, Black quickly heard Margaret’s Batis, which responded Scimitarbill, Long-billed Crombec (ansorgei), aggressively to playback but only showed briefly Purple-banded Sunbird and Angola Batis, among before losing interest. a diversity of other savanna and woodland species. The rest of our time was spent in the habitats around Along the river a pair of African Skimmer was the Moving on to the highlands of Huambo province, the base of the mountain, and further afield across most notable sighting. we were now headed for the Mount Moco region. the greater region. Grassland and scrubland species Leaving Muxima for the Kumbira area we first made The greater Mount Moco area holds a diverse array included Tinkling Cisticola, Oustalet’s Sunbird, a detour to the Kwanza River mouth for Mangrove/ of habitats; most of the area is blanketed in miombo Rufous-cheeked Nightjar (after dark) andAngola Brown Sunbird and Red-headed Finch, and a tern woodland, unfortunately quite degraded now by Lark. In damper areas of dambo grassland (dry at roost at the river mouth included Royal Tern. clearing for agriculture and charcoal production, this time of the year) we found several Fülleborn's but significant areas of montane grassland can also Longclaw, a pair of Locust Finch that showed very The Kumbira area and surrounding central be found, numerous rivers and associated dambo well in flight, Quail-finch on the ground (muelleri) escarpment near Conda village is arguably the grasslands criss-cross the area, and very small and the sought-after Black-and-rufous Swallow. highest priority for conservation in Angola, but Black-and-rufous Swallow patches of montane forest exist on Mount Moco Areas of rank growth, mostly around rivers, held

4 | Angola 2017 Angola 2017 | 5 calling from the top of one of the hills. White-tailed On our second full day around Lubango we Shrike was quite conspicuous and we also enjoyed descended the escarpment at Leba Pass, running a good views of Rüppell’s Parrot, Cape Penduline transect across the ever-drier landscape towards the Tit, Pririt Batis, Swallow-tailed Bee-eater, Bare- coast. Our first stop is some dry woodlands fairly cheeked Babbler, Rockrunner, Damara Red- quickly produced our main target, the localised billed Hornbill, Monteiro's Hornbill and Kalahari Cinderella Waxbill tracked down in a flowering Scrub Robin, before we made the uneventful drive tree and seen again later at point-blank range. In to Lubango. the same general area we found the benguellensis Birding Africa Tour Report Tour Africa Birding race of Meves’s Starling (now split by BirdLife as Report Tour Africa Birding In the Lubango area we birded two rather different Benguela Starling), some smart afer Red-necked habitats, separated by the spectacular southern Spurfowl and Bennett's Woodpecker. Further escarpment. At Tundavala at the top of the towards the coast the habitat became drier and escarpment, montane grasslands and shrublands, we found Crimson-breasted Shrike, Karoo Chat, and remnant patches of Afromontane forest Chat Flycatcher, Pale Chanting Goshawk, Pale- produced some of the best birding of the trip winged Starling, Chestnut-vented Tit-Babbler in impressive surrounds. Swierstra’s Francolin Black-collared Eremomela (Warbler), four Double-banded Sandgrouse and was certainly the most spectacular find, and Dusky Sunbird. In the sparser areas still we found Dusky Twinspot, Angola , Black- we all enjoyed incredible views of this, the least several confiding Benguela Long-billed Lark and collared Bulbul, Fan-tailed Grassbird, Brown numerous Angolan endemic, as we have done on a trio of Rüppell’s Korhaan. Lunch at the seafront Firefinch, Chirping Cisticola, Coppery-tailed every one of our previous comprehensive Angola in Namibe was accompanied by Cape Cormorant Coucal, Hartlaub's Babbler, Orange-breasted tours. Rocky areas were home to Rockrunner, and before we retraced our steps back across the coastal Waxbill, Fawn-breasted Waxbill, Broad-tailed striking Angola Cave Chat, alongside Miombo plain and up the spectacular Leba Pass, for the end Paradise Whydah, Marsh Widowbird, Stout Rock Thrush and Short-toed Rock Thrush, of the tour. Miombo Pied Barbet Cisticola, Chirping Cisticola and Bocage's Weaver Striped Pipit and, after dark, Freckled Nightjar. in full breeding plumage. The two best finds were a Other goodies included Angola Waxbill, Finsch's pair of Brazza's Martin, perched near their nest for Francolin (flushed), Western Green Tinkerbird, excellent views, and, after a long search and some Angola Slaty Flycatcher, Bradfield’s Swift, African initial excitement at seeing Bronzy Sunbird in the Black Duck, a surprise Ruddy Turnstone on a dam, 'wrong' habitat, a lovely male Bocage's Sunbird. Spotted Eagle-Owl, Fiery-necked Nightjar and a Finally, the miombo woodlands also turned up day-time Ruwenzori Nightjar. some good birds, including Anchieta's Barbet, Salvadori’s Eremomela, curious affinis form of Brubru, Red-capped Crombec, Miombo Scrub Robin, Wood Pipit, the snazzy Black-necked Eremomela, Miombo Pied Barbet, a perched pair of Ovambo Sparrowhawk, Ross's Turaco Huambo Cisticola Brazza's Martin and diminutive Grey (of the green ansorgei race). Heading back to the coast again, the Benguela area was our next major focus. The coastal wetlands here and at Lobito allowed us to do some list padding, with more interesting species including Cape Teal and Black Heron, and a skua (probably Arctic Skua) harassing some terns just offshore. However, most of our time was spent in an area of arid hills some 40 kilometres inland of Benguela, with several species characteristic of the Namibian escarpment found here. A male Hartlaub’s Spurfowl was persuaded to leave the safety of its rocks to investigate us closely, whereas Orange River Francolin was scoped Black-faced Canary Cinderella Waxbill Hartert's Camaroptara

6 | Angola 2017 Angola 2017 | 7 Cormorants, shags Family Phalacrocoracidae Gabar Goshawk Micronisus gabar – Good views ANNOTATED SPECIES LIST of a melanistic morph bird when leaving the Mt Reed Cormorant Microcarbo africanus – Seen Moco area (gabar) Ducks, Geese & Swans Family Anatidae Storks Family Ciconiidae several times, including along the coast (africanus) Dark Chanting Goshawk Melierax metabates – A White-faced Whistling Duck Dendrocygna Yellow-billed Stork Mycteria ibis – Seen at Lobito White-breasted Cormorant Phalacrocorax lucidus couple were seen in the Mt Moco area (mechowi) viduata – Seen along the Kwanza River – Seen at Lobito African Openbill Anastomus lamelligerus – Seen Pale Chanting Goshawk Melierax canorus – Cape Teal Anas capensis – Several seen at Lobito on the Kwanza River (lamelligerus) Cape Cormorant Phalacrocorax capensis – Seen at Several seen on the Namibe day trip

Birding Africa Tour Report Tour Africa Birding Namibe Report Tour Africa Birding African Black Duck Anas sparsa – One on a dam Ibises, Spoonbills Family Threskiornithidae African Goshawk Accipiter tachiro – A couple of near Tundavala Anhingas, darters Family Anhingidae African Sacred Ibis Threskiornis aethiopicus– sightings (sparsimfasciatus) Red-billed Teal Anas erythrorhyncha – Seen at Most conspicuous at Lobito African Darter Anhinga rufa – Seen at Lobito Shikra Accipiter badius – A couple of sightings Lobito (rufa) African Spoonbill Platalea alba – Good numbers (polyzonoides) Guineafowl Family Numididae at Lobito and also seen along the Kwanza River Kites, Hawks & Eagles Family Accipitridae Little Sparrowhawk Accipiter minullus – Seen Helmeted Guineafowl Numida meleagris – Seen Herons, Bitterns Family Ardeidae Black-winged Kite Elanus caeruleus – Seen twice in the Kalandula area by some of our group near Muxima (marungensis) regularly (caeruleus) Striated Heron Butorides striata – A few seen Ovambo Sparrowhawk Accipiter ovampensis – Pheasants, Fowl & Allies Family Phasianidae African Harrier-Hawk Polyboroides typus – Seen Two on the drive from Conda to Huambo, seen Squacco Heron Ardeola ralloides – Seen a few quite often (typus) perched and in flight Finsch's Francolin Scleroptila finschi – Flushed at times close range at Mt Moco and Tundavala Palm-nut Vulture Gypohierax angolensis – Seen Black Sparrowhawk Accipiter melanoleucus – Seen Western Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis – Seen often often in coastal areas briefly at Kalandula (temminckii) Orange River Francolin Scleroptila gutturalis – Grey Heron Ardea cinerea – Seen quite often Distant but good scope views of calling birds in the African Cuckoo-Hawk Aviceda cuculoides – A pair African Marsh Harrier Circus ranivorus – Seen in (cinerea) Benguela area at Kalandula (verreauxii) the Mt Moco region Black-headed Heron Ardea melanocephala – Seen Grey-striped Francolin Pternistis griseostriatus Black-chested Snake Eagle Circaetus pectoralis – Yellow-billed Kite Milvus aegyptius – Seen in a few times – A few good looks in the Muxima area, and seen Seen a few times small numbers (parasitus) very well on the central escarpment Goliath Heron Ardea goliath – Seen along the Brown Snake Eagle Circaetus cinereus – Seen twice African Fish Eagle Haliaeetus vocifer – Seen along Kwanza River Swierstra's Francolin Pternistis swierstrai – As on the Kwanza River Western Banded Snake Eagle Circaetus every of our previous comprehensive Angola tours, Purple Heron Ardea purpurea – Seen a few times cinerascens – One seen in the Mt Moco region Red-necked Buzzard Buteo auguralis – A few good everyone enjoyed excellent and prolonged views (purpurea) sightings of a male at Tundavala. Also seen briefly on the Bateleur Terathopius ecaudatus – One of the more Great Egret Ardea alba – Several seen in coastal ground and in flight at Mt Moco commonly-seen raptors Augur Buzzard Buteo augur – Seen at Mt Moco wetlands (melanorhynchos) and Tundavala Hartlaub's Spurfowl Pternistis hartlaubi – Good Crowned Eagle Stephanoaetus coronatus – Seen Intermediate Egret Ardea intermedia – Seen a few views in the Benguela area distantly, east of Lobito Bustards Family Otididae times (brachyrhyncha) Red-necked Spurfowl Pternistis afer – Seen well at Long-crested Eagle Lophaetus occipitalis – A few Rüppell's Korhaan Eupodotis rueppelii – Excellent Black Heron Egretta ardesiaca – Seen in good Muxima, Lubango and Leba (afer) and Kalandula sightings views of a trio in the coastal deserts (rueppelii) (cranchii). Two species may be involved. numbers at Lobito Wahlberg's Eagle Hieraaetus wahlbergi – Seen a Red-crested Korhaan Lophotis ruficrista – One in Little Egret Egretta garzetta – Seen several times Grebes Family Podicipedidae few times Mopane woodland at the bottom of Leba pass (garzetta) Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis – Seen a few Booted Eagle Hieraaetus pennatus – One pale Flufftails Family Sarothruridae Hamerkop Family Scopidae times morph bird at Tundavala White-spotted Flufftail Sarothrura pulchra – Hamerkop Scopus umbretta – Two at the bottom Flamingos Family Phoenicopteridae African Hawk-Eagle Aquila spilogaster – Two Incredible views of a male at Kalandula (centralis) of Leba Pass young birds seen Lesser Flamingo Phoeniconaias minor – Two Rails, Crakes & Coots Family Rallidae Pelicans Family Pelecanidae juveniles seen distantly at Lobito. They may have Lizard Buzzard Kaupifalco monogrammicus – Seen Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus – Seen by been Greater Flamingos. Great White Pelican Pelecanus onocrotalus – Good a few times (meridionalis) Peter at Lobito (meridionalis) numbers at Lobito

8 | Angola 2017 Angola 2017 | 9 Red-knobbed Coot Fulica cristata – Seen at Lobito Wood Sandpiper Tringa glareola – Seen a couple Pigeons, Doves Family Columbidae Cuckoos Family Cuculidae of times Buttonquail Family Turnicidae Feral Pigeon Columba livia – Feral Pigeons were Coucal Centropus anselli – Heard only Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos – Seen a common in the towns and villages Common Buttonquail Turnix sylvaticus – One Blue-headed Coucal Centropus monachus – Seen few times flushed at Mt Moco Western Bronze-naped Pigeon Columba near Quitexe Ruddy Turnstone Arenaria interpres – Seen at iriditorques – Heard and seen by some near Stone-curlews, Thick-knees Family Burhinidae Coppery-tailed Coucal Centropus cupreicaudus Mussulo, and a surprise sighting on the dam at Quitexe – Seen in good numbers in the Mt Moco region Water Thick-knee Burhinus vermiculatus – Seen at Tundavala (interpres) Birding Africa Tour Report Tour Africa Birding Lemon Dove Columba larvata – Heard at Kumbira (cupreicaudus) Report Tour Africa Birding Lobito (vermiculatus) Little Stint Calidris minuta – Seen along the coast African Mourning Dove Streptopelia decipiens – White-browed Coucal Centropus superciliosus – Stilts, Avocets Family Recurvirostridae Curlew Sandpiper Calidris ferruginea – Seen along Seen on the Namibe day trip Several were seen Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus – Seen the coast Red-eyed Dove Streptopelia semitorquata – Senegal Coucal Centropus senegalensis – Seen by a few times Ruff Philomachus pugnax – Seen along the coast Common Peter Pied Avocet Recurvirostra avosetta – Seen at Coursers, Pratincoles Family Glareolidae Ring-necked Dove Streptopelia capicola – Blue Malkoha Ceuthmochares aereus – Seen in the Lobito Common; damarensis in the south-west and northern forests (aereus) Collared Pratincole Glareola pratincola – Seen at Plovers Family Charadriidae tropica elsewhere the Kwanza River mouth () Klaas's Cuckoo Chrysococcyx klaas – Seen and Blacksmith Lapwing Vanellus armatus – Seen at Laughing Dove Spilopelia senegalensis – Seen heard on several dates Rock Pratincole Glareola nuchalis – Seen along the Lobito regularly (senegalensis) Lucala River African Emerald Cuckoo Chrysococcyx cupreus – African Wattled Lapwing Vanellus senegallus – Emerald-spotted Wood Dove Turtur chalcospilos Heard only Gulls, Terns & Skimmers Family Laridae Seen in the Mt Moco region (lateralis) – Common in the drier areas Red-chested Cuckoo Cuculus solitarius – Heard Grey-headed Gull Chroicocephalus cirrocephalus – Grey Plover Pluvialis squatarola – Seen along the Blue-spotted Wood Dove Turtur afer – Common only Seen at Benguela (poiocephalus) coast (squatarola) in the moister areas African Cuckoo Cuculus gularis – Seen in the Mt Kelp Gull Larus dominicanus – Seen along the Common Ringed Plover Charadrius hiaticula – Tambourine Dove Turtur tympanistria – Seen in Moco area coast (vetula) Seen along the coast (tundrae) the northern forests Barn Owls Family Tytonidae African Skimmer Rynchops flavirostris – Two seen Kittlitz's Plover Charadrius pecuarius – Seen along Namaqua Dove Oena capensis – Seen twice at Muxima Western Barn Owl Tyto alba – Seen near Mt Moco the coast (capensis) (affinis) Caspian Tern Hydroprogne caspia – Seen along the Three-banded Plover Charadrius tricollaris – Seen African Green Pigeon Treron calvus – Seen on coast Owls Family Strigidae at Lobito and Tundavala several dates (calvus) Royal Tern Thalasseus maximus – Seen along the African Scops Owl Otus senegalensis – Heard at White-fronted Plover Charadrius marginatus – Turacos Family Musophagidae coast in good numbers (albididorsalis) Muxima Seen along the coast (mechowi) Great Blue Turaco Corythaeola cristata – Seen by Sandwich Tern Thalasseus sandvicensis – Seen Spotted Eagle-Owl Bubo africanus – Fantastic day- Jacanas Family Jacanidae some in the northern scarp forests along the coast time views at Tundavala African Jacana Actophilornis africanus – Several Guinea Turaco Tauraco persa – Seen in the Common Tern Sterna – Seen along the Pearl-spotted Owlet Glaucidium perlatum – A few sightings northern scarp forests (zenkeri) coast good sightings during the day (licua) Sandpipers, Snipes Family Scolopacidae Schalow's Turaco Tauraco schalowi – Good views Skuas Family Stercorariidae African Barred Owlet Glaucidium capense – in the Mt Moco region Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus – Seen along the Fantastic day-time views at Muxima (ngamiense) Arctic Skua/Parasitic Jaeger Stercorarius coast (phaeopus) Red-crested Turaco Tauraco erythrolophus – A few parasiticus – Two distant skuas seen near Benguela Nightjars Family Caprimulgidae good sightings at Kumbira, Kalandula and south of Marsh Sandpiper Tringa stagnatilis – Seen along appeared to be of this species Benguela Rufous-cheeked Nightjar Caprimulgus rufigena– the coast Sandgrouse Family Pteroclidae Seen very well near Huambo (rufigena) Ross's Turaco Musophaga rossae – Seen well in the Common Greenshank Tringa nebularia – Seen Double-banded Sandgrouse Pterocles bicinctus – Mt Moco region Fiery-necked Nightjar Caprimulgus pectoralis – along the coast Four seen on the Namibe day trip (ansorgei) Very good views near Lubango (fervidus) Grey Go-away-bird Corythaixoides concolor – Seen along the coastal plain (pallidiceps)

10 | Angola 2017 Angola 2017 | 11 Ruwenzori Nightjar Caprimulgus ruwenzorii – Trogons Family Trogonidae Little Bee-eater Merops pusillus – Seen regularly African barbets Family Lybiidae Repeated flushed views of one in the day near (meridionalis) Narina Trogon Apaloderma narina – Seen well at Tundavala (koesteri) Bristle-nosed Barbet Gymnobucco peli – Seen well Kalandula (narina) White-fronted Bee-eater Merops bullockoides – in the northern scarp forests Freckled Nightjar Caprimulgus tristigma – Good Seen near Uíge and Tundavala Rollers Family Coraciidae views at Tundavala (lentiginosus) Naked-faced Barbet Gymnobucco calvus – Seen in Olive Bee-eater Merops superciliosus – Good the northern escarpment forests (congicus) Purple Roller Coracias naevius – Seen a couple of Square-tailed Nightjar Caprimulgus fossii – Heard views in the Muxima area and again at Benguela times (mosambicus) Anchieta's Barbet Stactolaema anchietae – Seen near Huambo (welwitschii) (alternans)

Birding Africa Tour Report Tour Africa Birding en route to Kalandula (rex) and in the Mt Moco Report Tour Africa Birding Lilac-breasted Roller Coracias caudatus – Seen Swifts Family Apodidae European Bee-eater Merops apiaster – Recorded region several times (caudatus) on two dates Mottled Spinetail Telacanthura ussheri – Some Speckled Tinkerbird Pogoniulus scolopaceus – Blue-throated Roller Eurystomus gularis – Seen good views along the coastal plain, especially at Hoopoes Family Upupidae Seen in the northern scarp forests (flavisquamatus) well in the northern scarp forests (neglectus) Muxima (benguellensis) African Hoopoe Upupa africana – Seen a few Western Tinkerbird Pogoniulus coryphaea – An Broad-billed Roller Eurystomus glaucurus – Seen Böhm's Spinetail Neafrapus boehmi – Some good times excellent sighting of the endemic subspecies at at Kalandula (suahelicus) views along the coastal plain, especially at Muxima Tundavala (angolensis) Wood Hoopoes Family Phoeniculidae (boehmi) Kingfishers Family Alcedinidae Red-rumped Tinkerbird Pogoniulus atroflavus – Green Phoeniculus purpureus – African Palm Swift Cypsiurus parvus – Common Grey-headed Kingfisher Halcyon leucocephala – Seen in the northern scarp forests Seen a few times (angolensis) (hyphaenes) Seen a few times (pallidiventris) Yellow-throated Tinkerbird Pogoniulus Rhinopomastus aterrimus – Alpine Swift Tachymarptis melba – Seen at Brown-hooded Kingfisher Halcyon albiventris – subsulphureus – Heard in the northern scarp Seen at Muxima (anchietae) Tundavala (africanus) Seen a few times (prentissgrayi) forests Rhinopomastus cyanomelas Mottled Swift Tachymarptis aequatorialis – Seen Striped Kingfisher Halcyon chelicuti – Seen a few Yellow-rumped Tinkerbird Pogoniulus bilineatus – Seen a couple of times in the south (cyanomelas) well in the highlands (aequatorialis) times (chelicuti) – Seen in the northern forests (leucolaimus) Hornbills Family Bucerotidae Common Swift Apus apus – Seen in the Mt Moco Blue-breasted Kingfisher Halcyon malimbica – Yellow-fronted Tinkerbird Pogoniulus chrysoconus region Heard only (malimbica) Damara Red-billed Hornbill Tockus damarensis – – Seen a few times (extoni) Seen well in the south-west Fernando Po Swift Apus sladeniae – African Black Woodland Kingfisher Halcyon senegalensis – Seen Hairy-breasted Barbet Tricholaema hirsuta – Swift-types were seen well at Mt Moco a few times (probably fuscopileus and cyanoleuca) Monteiro's Hornbill Tockus monteiri – Seen well The distinctive angolensis subspecies was seen at near Benguela Kumbira and in the northern scarp forests Bradfield's Swift Apus bradfieldi – Seen at African Pygmy Kingfisher Ispidina picta – Seen a Tundavala and Mt Moco (bradfieldi) few times Southern Yellow-billed Hornbill Tockus Miombo Pied Barbet Tricholaema frontata – leucomelas – Seen several times along the coastal Good views in the Mt Moco region Little Swift Apus affinis – Seen a few times Malachite Kingfisher Corythornis cristatus – Seen plain (elegans) (theresae) a few times (probably cristatus and galeritus) Acacia Pied Barbet Tricholaema leucomelas – Crowned Hornbill Lophoceros alboterminatus – Several sightings along the coastal plain (centralis) Horus Swift Apus horus – A couple of dark- Half-collared Kingfisher Alcedo semitorquata – Seen several times (alboterminatus) rumped birds (toulsoni) were seen among the Seen briefly near Mt Moco Black-collared Barbet Lybius torquatus – Seen a normal white-rumped birds at Mt Moco (horus) African Pied Hornbill Lophoceros fasciatus – Seen few times in the south Giant Kingfisher Megaceryle maxima – Heard in the northern scarp forests (fasciatus) White-rumped Swift Apus caffer – Seen at Mt near Mt Moco Black-backed Barbet Lybius minor – The nominate Moco Pale-billed Hornbill Lophoceros pallidirostris – subspecies was seen well at Kalandula Pied Kingfisher Ceryle rudis – Several sightings Excellent views at Kalandula (pallidirostris) and Mousebirds Family Coliidae (rudis) Yellow-billed Barbet Trachyphonus purpuratus – brief views near Mt Moco Seen well at Kumbira (purpuratus) Speckled Mousebird Colius striatus – Seen near Bee-eaters Family Meropidae Piping Hornbill Bycanistes fistulator – Seen in the Quitexe (nigricollis) Honeyguides Family Indicatoridae Black Bee-eater Merops gularis – Seen in the northern scarp forests (sharpii) Red-backed Mousebird Colius castanotus – Seen northern scarp forests (australis) Cassin's Honeybird Prodotiscus insignis – Trumpeter Hornbill Bycanistes bucinator – Seen often Displaying birds were seen briefly in the northern at Kumbira Swallow-tailed Bee-eater Merops hirundineus – scarp forests (insignis) Red-faced Mousebird Urocolius indicus – Seen Seen inland from Benguela (hirundineus) along the southern coastal plain (lacteifrons)

12 | Angola 2017 Angola 2017 | 13 Brown-backed Honeybird Prodotiscus regulus African & New World Parrots Family Psittacidae Gabela Helmetshrike Prionops gabela – Good Brubru Nilaus afer – Good views of the unusual – Seen a few times, including at Kalandula and views of this rare endemic in the Muxima and affinis subspecies in the Mt Moco area Red-fronted Parrot Poicephalus gulielmi – Seen in Tundavala Caxito areas the northern scarp forests (gulielmi) Cuckooshrikes Family Campephagidae Lesser Honeyguide Indicator minor – Seen briefly Bushshrikes Family Malaconotidae Meyer's Parrot Poicephalus meyeri – Seen at White-breasted Cuckooshrike Coracina pectoralis Scaly-throated Honeyguide Indicator variegatus – Kalandula (reichenowi) Monteiro's Bushshrike monteiri – – A couple of sightings in Miombo woodland Good views at Muxima Superb views in the Muxima area Rüppell's Parrot Poicephalus rueppellii – Good Black Cuckooshrike Campephaga flava – Seen at

Birding Africa Tour Report Tour Africa Birding Greater Honeyguide Indicator indicator – Seen a views in the Benguela area and again on the Grey-headed Bushshrike Malaconotus blanchoti – Kalandula Report Tour Africa Birding few times Namibe day trip Heard (interpositus) Petit's Cuckooshrike Campephaga petiti – Seen Woodpeckers Family Picidae Broadbills Family Eurylaimidae Many-coloured Bushshrike Chlorophoneus very briefly at Kumbira multicolor – Heard in the northern scarp forests Red-throated Wryneck Jynx ruficollis – Nice looks African Broadbill Smithornis capensis – Great Purple-throated Cuckooshrike Campephaga (batesi) at Mt Moco (ruficollis) views hear Uíge (albigularis) quiscalina – Seen in the northern scarp forests Bocage's Bushshrike Chlorophoneus bocagei (quiscalina) Bennett's Woodpecker Campethera bennettii Wattle-eyes, Batises Family Platysteiridae – Excellent views in the northern scarp forests – Seen well below Leba Pass (capricorni) and at Shrikes Family Laniidae African Shrike-flycatcher Megabyas flammulatus (bocagei) Kalandula – Seen in the northern scarp forests (aequatorialis) Southern White-crowned Shrike Eurocephalus Orange-breasted Bushshrike Chlorophoneus Golden-tailed Woodpecker Campethera abingoni anguitimens – Seen a couple of times along the Black-and-white Shrike-flycatcher Bias musicus – sulfureopectus – Seen a few times (similis) – See at Muxima and Kalandula (abingoni) coastal plain (anguitimens) Seen in the northern scarp forests Gorgeous Bushshrike Telophorus viridis – Nice Green-backed Woodpecker Campethera cailliautii Mackinnon’s Shrike Lanius mackinnoni – Seen Margaret's Batis Batis margaritae – Brief views of looks en route to Kalandula (viridis) – Seen at Kalandula (permista) along the northern escarpment a male at Mt Moco (margaritae) Marsh Tchagra Bocagia minuta – Nice views at Buff-spotted Woodpecker Campethera nivosa – Northern Fiscal Lanius humeralis – Seen regularly Chinspot Batis Batis molitor – Seen a few times Kalandula (anchietae) Seen in the northern scarp forests (nivosa) on the plateau (capelli) (pintoi) Brown-crowned Tchagra Tchagra australis – Seen Brown-eared Woodpecker Campethera caroli – Southern Fiscal Lanius collaris – Seen in the Pririt Batis Batis pririt – Good views along the a few times (ansorgei) Seen at Kumbira (caroli) south-west (aridicolus) arid southern coastal plain (affinis) Black-crowned Tchagra Tchagra senegalus – Seen Bearded Woodpecker Chloropicus namaquus – Orioles Family Oriolidae Angolan Batis Batis minulla – Good views at a few times Seen at Muxima and Kalandula Muxima and Kumbira African Golden Oriole Oriolus auratus – Seen in Pink-footed Puffback Dryoscopus angolensis – Yellow-crested Woodpecker Chloropicus the Mt Moco region (notatus) White-tailed Shrike Lanioturdus torquatus – Good Seen a few times in the scarp forests (angolensis) xantholophus – Seen well in the northern scarp looks in the Benguela area and at Leba areas Black-headed Oriole Oriolus larvatus – Seen forests Black-backed Puffback Dryoscopus cubla – Seen several times (angolensis) Chestnut Wattle-eye Platysteira castanea – Seen in regularly Cardinal Woodpecker Dendropicos fuscescens – the northern scarp forests Black-winged Oriole Oriolus nigripennis – Seen in Seen regularly Braun's Bushshrike brauni – Good the northern scarp forests Black-throated Wattle-eye Platysteira peltata – looks in the Uíge and Quitexe areas Olive Woodpecker Dendropicos griseocephalus – Seen at Mt Moco and Kalandula (mentalis) Drongos Family Dicruridae Seen at Mt Moco (ruwenzori) Gabela Bushshrike Laniarius amboimensis – Just White-fronted Wattle-eye Platysteira albifrons – one pair seen well along the central escarpment Falcons Family Falconidae Square-tailed Drongo Dicrurus ludwigii – Seen Good views at Muxima after 14 hours of searching at Kalandula and, surprisingly, south of Benguela Rock Kestrel Falco rupicolus – Seen a few times (saturnus) Yellow-bellied Wattle-eye Platysteira concreta – Tropical Boubou Laniarius major – Seen on the African Hobby Falco cuvierii – One at Kalandula Fantastic views at Kumbira (ansorgei) plateau (major) Fork-tailed Drongo Dicrurus adsimilis – Seen regularly (apivorus) Lanner Falcon Falco biarmicus – Seen several Helmetshrikes Family Prionopidae Swamp Boubou Laniarius bicolor – Seen along the times (biarmicus) coastal plain, often in rather dry habitat (guttatus) Velvet-mantled Drongo Dicrurus modestus – Seen White-crested Helmetshrike Prionops plumatus – along the northern escarpment (coracinus) Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus – A couple of Seen twice (poliocephalus) Crimson-breasted Shrike Laniarius atrococcineus sightings (minor) – A pair seen well on the Namibe day trip Retz's Helmetshrike Prionops retzii – Seen at Kalandula (nigricans)

14 | Angola 2017 Angola 2017 | 15 Monarchs Family Monarchidae Larks Family Alaudidae Red-tailed Bristlebill Bleda syndactylus – Heard Red-throated rufigula only – Seen mostly in the Kalandula area Blue-headed Crested Flycatcher Trochocercus Benguela Long-billed Lark Certhilauda nitens – Incredible views along the central benguelensis – Several good sightings in the coastal Black-collared Bulbul Neolestes torquatus – Crombecs, African warblers Family escarpment (nitens) deserts (benguelensis) Several good views in the Mt Moco and Uíge areas Macrosphenidae Rufous-vented Paradise Flycatcher Terpsiphone Rufous-naped Lark Mirafra africana – Seen at , martins Family Hirundinidae Moustached Grass Warbler Melocichla mentalis – rufocinerea – Seen near Quitexe Tundavala (occidentalis) A few sightings (mentalis) Black Saw-wing Psalidoprocne pristoptera – Several

Birding Africa Tour Report Tour Africa Birding Bates's Paradise Flycatcher Terpsiphone batesi – Flappet Lark Mirafra rufocinnamomea – Seen in sightings (reichenowi) Rockrunner Achaetops pycnopygius – Good views Report Tour Africa Birding Seen at Demilongo Forest (bannermani) the Mt Moco area (fischeri) near Benguela and at Tundavala (spadix) Grey-rumped Swallow Pseudhirundo griseopyga – African Paradise Flycatcher Terpsiphone viridis – Angolan Lark Mirafra angolensis – Great views at Several good views, especially in the Mt Moco area Yellow Longbill Macrosphenus flavicans – Seen at Seen regularly (plumbeiceps) Mt Moco (angolensis) Tombinga Pass (flavicans) Brazza's Martin brazzae – Excellent views Crows Family Corvidae Red-capped Lark Calandrella cinerea – Seen in the in the Mt Moco area of two perched birds Pulitzer's Longbill Macrosphenus pulitzeri – An Mt Moco region excellent sighting at Kumbira Pied Crow Corvus albus – Common Brown-throated Martin Riparia paludicola – Seen Family Pycnonotidae in the Mt Moco area (paludicola) Long-billed Crombec Sylvietta rufescens – Seen Fairy Flycatchers Family Stenostiridae near Muxima (ansorgei) and in the south-west African Red-eyed Bulbul Pycnonotus nigricans – Riparia cincta – Seen near Mt African Blue Flycatcher Elminia longicauda – (flecki) Seen in the south-west (nigricans) Moco and at the Kwanza River mouth (xerica) Seen along the central and northern scarp (teresita) Red-capped Crombec Sylvietta ruficapilla – Nice Dark-capped Bulbul Pycnonotus tricolor – Hirundo rustica – Just a couple of White-tailed Blue Flycatcher Elminia albicauda – looks in the Mt Moco region (ruficapilla) Common (tricolor) sightings Seen at Mt Moco and Tundavala Green Crombec Sylvietta virens – Common along Slender-billed Greenbul Stelgidillas gracilirostris – Angolan Swallow Hirundo angolensis – Common Tits Family Paridae the escarpment (tando) Seen in the northern scarp forests (gracilirostris) White-throated Swallow Hirundo albigularis – White-winged Black Tit Melaniparus leucomelas – Uncertain relationships Insertae cedis – Little Greenbul Eurillas virens – Seen in the north Seen in the highlands Seen by some of the group (insignis) (virens) Green Hylia Hylia prasina – Seen a few times Wire-tailed Swallow Hirundo smithii – Seen Carp's Tit Melaniparus carpi – Seen a few times (prasina) Plain Greenbul Eurillas curvirostris – Seen along mostly along the coast (smithii) along the coastal plain the northern scarp (curvirostris) Leaf warblers and allies Family Phylloscopidae Black-and-rufous Swallow Hirundo nigrorufa – Dusky Tit Melaniparus funereus – The endemic Yellow-whiskered Greenbul Eurillas latirostris – Some good views in the Mt Moco region Willow Warbler Phylloscopus trochilus – Seen at gabela subspecies was seen at Kumbira Seen in the scarp forests (latirostris) Lubango Pearl-breasted Swallow Hirundo dimidiata – Seen Rufous-bellied Tit Melaniparus rufiventris – Great Honeyguide Greenbul Baeopogon indicator – Seen in the Mt Moco area (marwitzi) Reed warblers and allies Family Acrocephalidae views at Kalandula (rufiventris) well at Kalandula (indicator) Ptyonoprogne fuligula – Seen at Mt Lesser Swamp Warbler Acrocephalus gracilirostris Penduline Tits Family Remizidae Yellow-bellied Greenbul Chlorocichla flaviventris Moco and Tundavala (anderssoni) – Seen near Kalandula (winterbottomi) Grey Penduline Tit caroli – Seen – Several widespread sightings (occidentalis) urbicum – Seen African Yellow Warbler Iduna natalensis – Seen superbly in the Mt Moco area (ansorgei) Falkenstein's Greenbul Chlorocichla falkensteini at Mt Moco along the northern escarpment (major) Anthoscopus minutus – Good – Seen at Kumbira and along the northern Greater Striped Swallow cucullata – Seen Grassbirds and allies Family Locustellidae views inland of Benguela and below Leba Pass escarpment at Mt Moco and Tundavala (minutus) Little Rush Warbler Bradypterus baboecala – Seen Chlorocichla simplex – Seen near Cecropis abyssinica – near Lubango (benguellensis) Nicators Family Nicatoridae Uíge Common (unitatis) Evergreen Forest Warbler Bradypterus lopezi – Yellow-throated Nicator Nicator vireo – Seen well Yellow-throated Leaflove Atimastillas flavicollis – Red-breasted Swallow Cecropis semirufa – Seen en Seen at Mt Moco (boultoni) along the northern escarpment Seen a few times (flavigula) route to Kalandula Fan-tailed Grassbird Schoenicola brevirostris – Pale-olive Greenbul Phyllastrephus fulviventris – Cecropis senegalensis – Seen a Seen in the Mt Moco region (alexinae) Seen well at Muxima and also near Caxito few times (monteiri) Cabanis's Greenbul Phyllastrephus cabanisi – Seen at Kalandula (cabanisi)

16 | Angola 2017 Angola 2017 | 17 and allies Family Banded Prinia Prinia bairdii – Good looks in the Ground-Babblers Family Pellorneidae Violet-backed Starling Cinnyricinclus leucogaster northern scarp forests (heinrichi) – Many seen (verreauxi) Red-faced Cisticola Cisticola erythrops – Seen en Brown Illadopsis Illadopsis fulvescens – Seen at route to Kalandula and at Mt Moco (lepe) White-chinned Prinia Schistolais leucopogon – Kumbira (dilutior) Chestnut-winged Starling Onychognathus Seen along the northern scarp (leucopogon) fulgidus – Seen along the northern escarpment Whistling Cisticola Cisticola lateralis – Seen at Typical Babblers Family Leiothrichidae (intermedius) Kalandula (modestus) Yellow-breasted Apalis Apalis flavida – Seen a Arrow-marked Babbler Turdoides jardineii – couple of times along the coastal plain (flavida) Pale-winged Starling Onychognathus nabouroup – Bubbling Cisticola Cisticola bulliens – Seen along Heard at Kalandula (hyposticta) Seen in the south-west

Birding Africa Tour Report Tour Africa Birding the coastal plain and escarpment (septentrionalis Lowland Masked Apalis Apalis binotata – Seen Report Tour Africa Birding Hartlaub's Babbler Turdoides hartlaubii – Seen in and bulliens) along the northern escarpment Oxpeckers Family Buphagidae the Mt Moco region and at Lubango (hartlaubii) Rock-loving Cisticola Cisticola emini – Huambo Black-throated Apalis Apalis jacksoni – Seen very Yellow-billed Oxpecker Buphagus africanus – A Bare-cheeked Babbler Turdoides gymnogenys Cisticola Cisticola bailunduensis was seen well at well along the central escarpment (jacksoni) few seen in the south-west (langi) – Great views near Leba Pass and Benguela Mt Moco. It is currently erroneously lumped with Buff-throated Apalis Apalis rufogularis – (gymnogenys) Rock-loving Cisticola. Thrushes Family Turdidae Seen along the central (brauni) and northern Sylviid Babblers Family Sylviidae White-tailed Ant Thrush Neocossyphus poensis – Rattling Cisticola Cisticola chiniana – Seen below escarpment (angolensis) Heard in the northern scarp forests (praepectoralis) Leba Pass (smithersi) African Hill Babbler Pseudoalcippe abyssinica – Grey Apalis Apalis cinerea – Seen at Tundavala Seen well at Mt Moco (abyssinica) Fraser's Rufous Thrush Stizorhina fraseri – Seen Tinkling Cisticola Cisticola rufilatus – Seen and Mt Moco (grandis) in the northern scarp forests (rubicunda) well near Lubango and in the Mt Moco region Chestnut-vented Tit-Babbler Sylvia subcoerulea – Brown-headed Apalis Apalis alticola – Seen at (ansorgei) Seen well on the day trip to Namibe (ansorgei) Groundscraper Thrush Turdus litsitsirupa – Seen Kalandula (alticola) in the south (paucigu) Wailing Cisticola Cisticola lais – Common at White-eyes Family Zosteropidae Grey-backed Camaroptera Camaroptera Tundavala and Mt Moco (namba) African Thrush Turdus pelios – Seen a few times brevicaudata – Seen in the south African Yellow White-eye Zosterops senegalensis – (bocagei) Chirping Cisticola Cisticola pipiens – Seen in the Many seen (subspecies not identified) Hartert's Camaroptera Camaroptera harterti – Mt Moco region (pipiens) Kurrichane Thrush Turdus libonyana – Seen near Seen several times Hyliotas Family Hyliotidae Stout Cisticola Cisticola robustus – Seen well in Mt Moco Yellow-browed Camaroptera Camaroptera Yellow-bellied Hyliota Hyliota flavigaster – Two the Mt Moco region (angolensis) Chats, Old World Flycatchers Family superciliaris – Seen well in the northern scarp sightings in miombo woodland (barbozae) Muscicapidae Croaking Cisticola Cisticola natalensis – Seen at forests Southern Hyliota Hyliota australis – Seen at Mt Moco (huambo) Forest Scrub Robin Cercotrichas leucosticta – Miombo Wren-Warbler Calamonastes undosus Kumbira (slatini). The forest forms may represent a Good views at Muxima and along the northern Short-winged Cisticola Cisticola brachypterus – – Seen at Kalandula and in the Mt Moco region distinct species escarpment Common on the plateau (loanda) (huilae) Treecreepers Family Certhiidae Miombo Scrub Robin Cercotrichas barbata – Nice Neddicky Cisticola fulvicapilla – Seen on the Yellow-bellied Eremomela Eremomela views in the Mt Moco region and at Kalandula plateau (dispar) icteropygialis – Heard near Lubango (puellula) African Spotted Creeper Salpornis salvadori – Seen at Mt Moco (salvadori) Kalahari Scrub Robin Cercotrichas paena – Seen Zitting Cisticola Cisticola juncidis – Seen near Mt Salvadori's Eremomela Eremomela salvadorii – near Benguela (benguellensis) Moco (terrestris) Seen in the Mt Moco region Starlings Family Sturnidae Brown-backed Scrub Robin Cercotrichas hartlaubi Desert Cisticola Cisticola aridulus – Seen along Green-capped Eremomela Eremomela scotops – Cape Starling Lamprotornis nitens – Common – Seen along the northern escarpment the coastal plain (lobito) Seen several times in miombo (pulchra) along the coastal plain (nitens) White-browed Scrub Robin Cercotrichas Wing-snapping Cisticola Cisticola ayresii – Seen Rufous-crowned Eremomela Eremomela badiceps Splendid Starling Lamprotornis splendidus – Seen leucophrys – Seen a few times at Tundavala and on top of Mt Moco (ayresii) – Seen in the northern scarp forests in the north (splendidus) Grey-throated Tit-Flycatcher Myioparus Tawny-flanked Prinia Prinia subflava – Black-necked Eremomela Eremomela atricollis – Meves's Starling Lamprotornis mevesii – Seen griseigularis – Good views at Tombinga Forest Widespread Good views of this smart species in the Mt Moco below Leba Pass (benguelensis) region Black-chested Prinia Prinia flavicans – Seen in the Sharp-tailed Starling Lamprotornis acuticaudus Grey Tit-Flycatcher Myioparus plumbeus – Seen at south-west (ansorgei) – Good sightings in the Kalandula and Mt Moco Muxima and Kalandula areas (acuticaudus)

18 | Angola 2017 Angola 2017 | 19 Angolan Slaty Flycatcher Melaenornis brunneus Sooty Chat Myrmecocichla nigra – Several seen in Scarlet-chested Sunbird Chalcomitra senegalensis Southern Grey-headed Sparrow Passer diffusus – – Good looks at Tundavala and seen briefly also at the highlands – Several seen (saturatior) Seen in the south (diffusus) Mt Moco (bailunduensis) Mountain Wheatear Myrmecocichla monticola – Bocage's Sunbird Nectarinia bocagii – Good views Yellow-throated Petronia Gymnoris superciliaris – Southern Black Flycatcher Melaenornis Seen along the coastal plain (albipileata) and at Mt in the Mt Moco area after a long search Seen in miombo (rufitergum) pammelaina – Seen a few times (pammelaina) Moco (nigricauda) Bronzy Sunbird Nectarinia kilimensis – Good Weavers, Widowbirds Family Ploceidae Pale Flycatcher Melaenornis pallidus – Seen a few Capped Wheatear Oenanthe pileata – Seen at Mt looks at the endemic gadowi subspecies at Mt Red-billed Buffalo Weaver Bubalornis niger – times (murinus) Moco (neseri) Moco

Birding Africa Tour Report Tour Africa Birding Seen briefly along the coastal plain (niger) Report Tour Africa Birding Chat Flycatcher Melaenornis infuscatus – Familiar Chat Oenanthe familiaris – Seen at Mt Olive-bellied Sunbird Cinnyris chloropygius – Thick-billed Weaver Amblyospiza albifrons – Seen Common in the south-west (benguellensis) Moco and Tundavala (angolensis) Seen along the escarpment (orphogaster) briefly near Quitexe (tandae) Ashy Flycatcher Muscicapa caerulescens – Seen at Sunbirds Family Nectariniidae Ludwig's Double-collared Sunbird Cinnyris Black-chinned Weaver Ploceus nigrimentus – Muxima (impavida) ludovicensis – Seen well at Tundavala and Mt Moco Anchieta's Sunbird Anthreptes anchietae – Seen Great views of a male at Mt Moco (ludovicensis) African Dusky Flycatcher Muscicapa adusta – well at Kalandula Spectacled Weaver Ploceus ocularis – Seen at Mt Seen in the Mt Moco region (subadusta) Purple-banded Sunbird Cinnyris bifasciatus – Mangrove Sunbird Anthreptes gabonicus – Good Moco (crocatus) Seen along the coastal plain (bifasciatus) Dusky-blue Flycatcher Muscicapa comitata – Seen views at the Kwanza River Black-necked Weaver Ploceus nigricollis – Most in the Quitexe area (comitata) Orange-tufted Sunbird Cinnyris bouvieri – Seen Western Violet-backed Sunbird Anthreptes common at Kumbira (nigricollis) along the northern escarpment Sooty Flycatcher Muscicapa infuscata – Seen en longuemarei – Seen a few times in miombo Bocage's Weaver Ploceus temporalis – Great views route to Kalandula (infuscata) (angolensis) Superb Sunbird Cinnyris superbus – Several seen of lovely males in the Mt Moco region along the escarpment (superbus) Angolan Cave Chat Cossypha ansorgei – Superb Little Green Sunbird Anthreptes seimundi – Seen Holub's Golden Weaver Ploceus xanthops – Quite views at Tundavala at Kumbira and in the northern escarpment Oustalet's Sunbird Cinnyris oustaleti – Nice looks common (minor) in the highlands, especially at Mt Moco (oustaleti) Grey-winged Robin-Chat Cossypha polioptera – Lesser Masked Weaver Ploceus intermedius – Seen well at Kalandula (polioptera) Grey-chinned Sunbird Anthreptes rectirostris – White-bellied Sunbird Cinnyris talatala – Seen in Breeding plumage birds seen near Namibe (beattyi) Seen in the northern scarp forests (tephrolaemus) the southern lowlands (talatala) White-browed Robin-Chat Cossypha heuglini – Southern Masked Weaver Ploceus velatus – Heard often and seen occasionally (subrufescens) Collared Sunbird Hedydipna collaris – Seen along Variable Sunbird Cinnyris venustus – Seen at Breeding plumage birds seen near Namibe the escarpment (somereni) Tundavala and Mt Moco (falkensteini) White-headed Robin-Chat Cossypha heinrichi – (velatus) Good views of this smart bird at Kalandula Green-headed Sunbird Cyanomitra verticalis Dusky Sunbird Cinnyris fuscus – Seen on the Village Weaver Ploceus cucullatus – Fairly – Seen along the escarpment and at Kalandula Namibe day trip (inclusus) Bocage's Akalat Sheppardia bocagei – Good views common (collaris) (cyanocephala) at Mt Moco (bocagei) Bates's Sunbird Cinnyris batesi – Seen at Vieillot's Black Weaver Ploceus nigerrimus – Seen Bannerman's Sunbird Cyanomitra bannermani Kalandula Gabela Akalat Sheppardia gabela – Good views at in the northern areas (nigerrimus) – A pair was seen well at Kalandula, alongside the Kumbira Copper Sunbird Cinnyris cupreus – A few seen previous species Yellow-mantled Weaver Ploceus tricolor – Seen in (chalceus) Rufous-tailed Palm Thrush Cichladusa ruficauda the northern scarp forests (interscapularis) Blue-throated Brown Sunbird Cyanomitra – A few good sightings along the coastal plain, the Old World Sparrows Family Passeridae cyanolaema – Seen in the northern scarp forests first in Luanda Compact Weaver Ploceus superciliosus – Good (octaviae) White-browed Sparrow-Weaver Plocepasser views at Kalandula Short-toed Rock Thrush Monticola brevipes – mahali – Seen in the south-west (ansorgei) Olive Sunbird Cyanomitra olivacea – Common in Seen well at Tundavala (brevipes) Dark-backed Weaver Ploceus bicolor – Seen in the forest (cephaelis) House Sparrow Passer domesticus – In many scarp forests (amaurocephalus) Miombo Rock Thrush Monticola angolensis – Nice towns and villages Carmelite Sunbird Chalcomitra fuliginosa – Seen Malimbus rubricollis – Seen views at Tundavala and Mt Moco (angolensis) Red-headed Malimbe near Uíge and at Kumbira (fuliginosa) Cape Sparrow Passer melanurus – Seen in the well in the scarp forests (praedi) African Stonechat Saxicola torquatus – Regular in south-west (damarensis) Green-throated Sunbird Chalcomitra rubescens – Crested Malimbe Malimbus malimbicus – Seen in the highlands (stonei) Seen in the northern scarp forests (rubescens) Northern Grey-headed Sparrow Passer griseus – the northern scarp forests (malimbicus) Karoo Chat Emarginata schlegelii – Seen in the Seen from Muxima northwards (ugandae) Amethyst Sunbird Chalcomitra amethystina – Red-headed Quelea Quelea erythrops – Seen in the south-west (benguellensis) Seen in miombo (deminuta) Kalandula area

20 | Angola 2017 Angola 2017 | 21 Red-billed Quelea Quelea quelea – Seen at Red-headed Bluebill Spermophaga ruficapilla – Black-and-white Mannikin Lonchura bicolor – Buffy Pipit Anthus vaalensis – Seen well at Muxima (lathamii) Seen briefly near Uíge (ruficapilla) Seen along the escarpment (woltersi) Tundavala (neumanni) Southern Red Bishop Euplectes orix – One male in Brown Twinspot Clytospiza monteiri – Seen at Indigobirds, Whydahs Family Viduidae Plain-backed Pipit Anthus leucophrys – Several partial plumage seen near Tundavala Quibaxe, Kalandula and near Conda, but you had sightings, mostly of bohndorffi Village Indigobird Vidua chalybeata – Non- to be quick Golden-backed Bishop Euplectes aureus – Non- breeding plumage birds seen at the bottom of Leba Striped Pipit Anthus lineiventris – Fantastic breeding birds seen well at Muxima and near Dusky Twinspot Euschistospiza cinereovinacea – Pass were probably of this species, since Red- sightings at Mt Moco and Tundavala Benguela Good views at Mt Moco (cinereovinacea) billed Firefinch was common here and no other

Birding Africa Tour Report Tour Africa Birding Finches Family Fringillidae Report Tour Africa Birding indigobird host species seen Yellow Bishop Euplectes capensis – Quite common Brown Firefinch Lagonosticta nitidula – Seen well Black-faced Canary Crithagra capistrata – Good in the highlands (angolensis) in the Mt Moco region Dusky Indigobird Vidua funerea – Non-breeding sightings on several occasions (mostly hildegardae), plumage birds seen at Mt Moco where heard to Fan-tailed Widowbird Euplectes axillaris – A few Red-billed Firefinch Lagonosticta senegala – Seen including at Kumbira and Tundavala mimic its host species Dusky Twinspot (nigerrima) seen in the highlands (bocagei) at the bottom of Leba Pass (rendalli) Black-throated Canary Crithagra atrogularis – Pin-tailed Whydah Vidua macroura – Only non- Yellow-mantled Widowbird Euplectes macroura Landana Firefinch Lagonosticta landanae – Our Seen at Tundavala and Mt Moco (subspecies not breeding plumage birds seen – Non-breeding males seen along the northern best views were at Kumbira identified) escarpment (macroura) Broad-tailed Paradise Whydah Vidua obtusa – Jameson's Firefinch Lagonosticta rhodopareia – Yellow-fronted Canary Crithagra mozambica – Seen in non-breeding plumage at Kalandula and Marsh Widowbird Euplectes hartlaubi – Several The distinctive near-endemic subspecies was seen Several sightings (subspecies not identified) Mt Moco non-breeding males seen well in the Mt Moco well at Tundavala (ansorgei) Yellow Canary Crithagra flaviventris – Seen at region (hartlaubi) Wagtails, Pipits Family Motacillidae Blue Waxbill Uraeginthus angolensis – Common Tundavala (damarensis) White-winged Widowbird Euplectes albonotatus along the coastal plain (angolensis) Cape Wagtail Motacilla capensis – Seen a couple of Brimstone Canary Crithagra sulphurata – Seen a – Non-breeding males were seen near Muxima times (simplicissima) Angolan Waxbill bocagei – Nice looks (asymmetrurus) few times (sharpii) at Tundavala and seen also at Mt Moco Mountain Wagtail Motacilla clara – Seen briefly White-throated Canary Crithagra albogularis – Red-collared Widowbird Euplectes ardens – Seen en route from Mt Moco to Lobito (torrentium) Grey Waxbill Estrilda perreini – Seen at Kumbira, in good numbers in the Mt Moco region Seen in the south-west (crocopygia) Mt Moco and near Lobito (perreini) African Pied Wagtail Motacilla aguimp – Seen Thick-billed Seedeater Crithagra burtoni – Seen Waxbills, Munias & Allies Family near Kalandula (vidua) Cinderella Waxbill Estrilda thomensis – Seen very well at Mt Moco (tanganjicae), where uncommon White-breasted Nigrita Nigrita fusconotus – well near Leba Pass Fülleborn's Longclaw Macronyx fuelleborni – Seen Yellow-crowned Canary Serinus flavivertex – Seen Common along the northern scarp (fusconotus) a few times in the Mt Moco area (ascensi) Fawn-breasted Waxbill Estrilda paludicola – Seen at Tundavala and Mt Moco (huillensis) Chestnut-breasted Nigrita Nigrita bicolor – Seen well in the Mt Moco region (benguellensis) African Pipit Anthus cinnamomeus – Seen a few Buntings Family Emberizidae along the northern escarpment times (subspecies not determined) Orange-cheeked Waxbill Estrilda melpoda – Seen Cinnamon-breasted Bunting Emberiza tahapisi – Pale-fronted Nigrita Nigrita luteifrons – A female a few times in the north (melpoda) Long-billed Pipit Anthus similis – Seen on top of Seen at Tundavala and Mt Moco (nivenorum) was scoped for some in the northern scarp forests Mt Moco (moco) Common Waxbill Estrilda astrild – Several (luteifrons) Golden-breasted Bunting Emberiza flaviventris – sightings (subspecies not identified) Wood Pipit Anthus nyassae – Seen in the Mt Moco Seen a few times Grey-headed Nigrita Nigrita canicapillus – Seen region (schoutedeni) Orange-breasted Waxbill Amandava subflava along the escarpment (angolensis) – A couple of sightings in the Mt Moco region Orange-winged Pytilia Pytilia afra – A couple of (niethammeri) poor sightings in the Mt Moco and Kalandula areas Quailfinch Ortygospiza atricollis – Seen well on the Green-winged Pytilia Pytilia melba – Seen along ground in the Mt Moco region (muelleri) the coastal plain (melba) Locust Finch Paludipasser locustella – Good flight Red-headed Finch Amadina erythrocephala – Nice view of a pair in the Mt Moco region (uelensis) views near the Kwanza River mouth Bronze Mannikin Lonchura cucullata – Seen Green Twinspot Mandingoa nitidula – Seen twice several times (scutata) along the central escarpment, but you had to be quick (schlegeli) Benguella Long-tailed Starling Angolan Swee Waxbill

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