sign in sign up
<<
Home , Alethe (bird), Blackcap babbler, Blackcap illadopsis, Black coucal, Blue cuckooshrike, Brown babbler

: The Best of West

A Tropical Birding Set Departure

March 10 - 26, 2013 Guide: Ken Behrens

All photos taken during this trip by Ken Behrens

TOUR SUMMARY

Ghana has become a very popular birding destination in recent years, and for good reason. It is a friendly, easily accessible country with decent lodging, and an excellent set of savannah and West African rainforest . Even more importantly, this tour almost guarantees sightings of two of the world’s best birds: the prehistoric and almost mythical White-necked Rockfowl (Picathartes) and unique and beautiful Egyptian Plover. Ghana is easily accessible by direct flights from the US and , and this is a short tour that often works well for those who can’t take long vacations. In the past, we included the Atewa in this itinerary, but in recent years, the road to this forest has not been maintained, and visiting this site now requires a long day of walking. For this reason, we chose not to include Atewa on this year’s itinerary. In future years, we will offer Atewa as a short optional pre-tour for those who don’t mind a long hike.

Ghana: The Best of March 10-26, 2013 This tour continued in the tradition of Tropical Birding’s highly successful Ghana tours. We had fabulous experiences with Picathartes and Egyptian Plover, and racked up 445 and 23 . Perhaps most importantly, everybody on the tour thoroughly enjoyed themselves! From the southern coast to the dry northern savannahs, we enjoyed good company, surprisingly excellent Ghanain food, and wonderful birding. Things kicked off in the capital of Accra, where we made an excursion to Sakumono Lagoon on the first afternoon. This estuary is always birdy, and usually holds some unexpected species. A large flock of

African Pygmy-Geese certainly fell into the The superb Picathartes. unexpected category, as did a Black in the marsh. We enjoyed sightings of Garganey, Spotted Redshank, Collared Pratincole, Black Tern, Pomarine Jaeger, and Peregrine Falcon, plus an array of other shorebirds, herons and egrets, and common scrub birds. As the hazy West African sun set, we were well satisfied with our first afternoon of birding. Although the early part of our itinerary focuses on rainforest sites, our first full day was spent in a Guinea Savannah site, the Shai Hills. The Gap of Dehomey cuts down to the sea in this part of Ghana, meaning that dry conditions and savannah prevail in a narrow band, with rainforest to the east and the west. This slice of savanna set off by a

Vieillot’s Barbet on our first morning, towering cluster of inselbergs holds a totally at Shai Hills.

Ghana: The Best of West Africa March 10-26, 2013 different set of birds than those found just a little farther west in the rainforest zone. We were delighted by Bateleur, Levaillant’s , a flock of European -eaters, Violet Turaco, African Pygmy-Kingfisher, -tailed Bee-eater, Vieillot’s and Double-toothed barbets, Greater Honeyguide, Parrot, African Hobby, Senegal Eremomela, White-shouldered Black-, White-crowned (Mocking) Cliff-, Blackcap Babbler, Gray Tit-Flycatcher, Violet-backed , and Senegal . Unfortunately, Puvelʼs and Barred Owlet were their usual elusive selves, and were only heard. Traveling back through the busy capital, with a stop at a supermarket for some people to stock up on wine, we made our way to Rainforest Lodge, our base for exploration of Kakum National Park. Although Kakum is far from pristine rainforest, it offers some of the best forest birding in the region. In some cases, the degraded nature of its habitat seems to make the birding earlier, though one wonders how long rain forest birds can persist in such areas. The parkʼs canopy walkway is an excellent place to see birds of the upper levels of the forest, while hikes along roads and trails below are necessary to sight the understory birds whose songs float up to

the swaying ropes of the Crested Malimbe is just one of four beautiful malimbe species found in Kakum National Park. walkway. Some people

are intimidated by the prospect of the canopy walkway, but most find that it’s not too bad once they arrive. One good thing about this canopy walkway as opposed to some other walkways and

Ghana: The Best of West Africa March 10-26, 2013 towers, is that you start on the level, then the ground subsides under you. You don’t have a long climb up an intimidating staircase! Of the dozens of species of rainforest birds we saw, a few stood out as highlights. The group of Yellow-billed Turacos that showed off at close range was certainly one of them. Also ranking high was an amazing show from a couple of Black Dwarf- on the canopy tower. One of them even sat on the tower wire only a few meters away! Otherwise, hornbills were scarce, though we had great views of the Upper Guinea endemic Brown-cheeked . A big flock of swifts that included some of the rare Bates’s Swift was another highlight, at least for those who enjoy craning their necks to the sky to make challenging IDs! A Rufous-sided Broadbill showed off while doing its amazing display flight, and was definitely

Black Dwarf Hornbill on the famous canopy walkway of Kakum NP.

a crowd favorite. Excellent raptors included Congo Serpent-Eagle, African Cuckoo-Hawk, Black Goshawk, and Cassin’s Hawk-Eagle (two times). The shy Blue-headed Wood-Dove and Puvel’s Illadopsis showed well for most people. Although they never seem to land, it was still a great treat to see Rosy Bee- eaters circle overhead. A couple of scarce species graced our time in Kakum,

Ghana: The Best of West Africa March 10-26, 2013 most notably Cassin’s Honeyguide and Violet-backed . Another favorite sighting was of a group of three male Johanna’s engaged in some sort of sing-off, all perched up and glowing in the morning light. The birds’ fearless exuberance and glittering colors combined for an unforgettable and unexpected spectacle. Behind these highlights stood a diverse supporting cast of , , Hornbills, , Sunbirds, Malimbes, Negrofinches, and more. A green mamba that was superbly spotted at a comfortable distance by one of our local guides was certainly the reptilian highlight. The Pra River held Rock Pratincole and White-throated , while culverts elsewhere swarmed with Preussʼs .

Shining-blue Kingfisher on one of the beautiful ponds in Ankassa NP.

Heading east from Kakum, we next birded Ankassa Reserve, a more remote and pristine rainforest site near the border. Birding here is tough, and made us appreciate the ease of birding from Kakumʼs canopy walkway! Nonetheless, the rewards were great, and included a handsome pair of Hartlaubʼs Duck, a huge flock of Great Blue Turacos, massive monkey-eating Crowned Hawk-Eagle, Chocolate-backed, Shining-blue, Dwarf, and White-bellied

Ghana: The Best of West Africa March 10-26, 2013 Kingfishers, albeit only a glimpse of the latter, Brown-eared , Black Bee-eater, Buff- spotted Woodpecker, great views of Yellow-bearded , White-tailed -, Black- capped Apalis, Cassinʼs Flycatcher, Tiny , and Red-vented Malimbe. On our last morning, we bumped into a large feeding flock that contained a couple of Red-fronted Antpecker, a rare and elusive Upper Guinea endemic. Mammals are always hard to find in the rainforest, but we did enjoy a glimpse of bay duiker, and the thrilling sound of a forest elephant in the distance. Coastal scrub held Carmelite and Reichenbach’s Sunbirds and huge flocks of Splendid Glossy-. After Ankassa, we had another quick stop in Kakum, and managed to catch up with a few new species including Blue-headed Coucal, Yellow-billed Barbet, , Chestnut-bellied , Blue , Forest Penduline-Tit, , Narrow-tailed Starling, Western , and Black-billed Seedcracker. A White-spotted Flufftail showed itself to only one lucky person. Lengthy scope views of the epically skulky Kempʼs Longbill were much enjoyed. Before heading north, we had a final mission in the rainforest: to sight one of the world’s most magical birds, the White-necked Rockfowl, also known as Yellow-headed Picathartes. A short hike took us into the forest and up the hill that hosts a colony of picathartes. Along the way, we sighted a Gray-throated Tit-Flycatcher while taking a breather. Although the wait for picathartes is sometimes long, we were in luck on this trip, and the first bird appeared within 40 minutes. Despite having seen this bird many times, I am overwhelmed by every new experience of it. It is truly one of the most awesome birds in the world, and seeing it is an almost mystical experience. Ghanaʼs north is much more arid, and instead of forest, it holds savanna, and an accompanying set of different birds. Mole Western Green Mamba was the highlight reptile in the Kakum area.

Ghana: The Best of West Africa March 10-26, 2013 National Park is one of Ghanaʼs finest parks, offering great birds, good mammals, and sweeping views from the well-situated lodge. During our 3-night stay at this loge, we made excursions by bus and foot every morning and late afternoon, while the hot middays were spent in the cool of the lodge’s air-conditioning. Our outings turned up Stone Partridge, Banded -Eagle, Palm-nut Vulture, Ovambo Sparrowhawk (one individual several times), Forbes’s Plover, White-throated Francolin, Spotted Thick-Knee, Four-banded Sandgrouse, Bruceʼs Green-Pigeon, Red-headed Lovebird, Grayish Eagle-Owl, Red-throated and Northern Carmine Bee-eaters, Fine-spotted and rare Golden-tailed , lots of Bearded Barbets, Black Scimitar-bill, White-breasted Cuckooshrike, Sun , Spotted Creeper, Dorst’s , Moustached Grass-Warbler, surprisingly massive White-crowned Robin-Chat, White-fronted Black-Chat, African Blue- Flycatcher, many Pygmy Sunbirds, Brown-rumped and Cabanis’s Bunting, Chestnut-crowned Sparrow-Weaver, Lavender Waxbill, Black-bellied Firefinch, and Paradise-Whydah. The incredible Standard-winged Nightjar again featured as a highlight of Mole. This nightjar is a normal nightjar EXCEPT for two huge, blob- tipped feathers that grow out of the middle of its wing. First-time observers invariably think that the nightjar is being chased by bats or other birds due to the weird, bouncing rhythm of these bizarre ʻstandardsʼ! Another special sighting was

a Thick-billed Cuckoo that Red-throated is just one of several gorgeous bee-eaters that we saw on this tour, and expect to see on every Ghana tour.

Ghana: The Best of West Africa March 10-26, 2013 flew over calling loudly. This is a bird that is fairly widespread but very difficult to find anywhere in Africa. Mole is Ghana’s best site for mammals, and though it doesn’t compare with East African sites for mammals, there are still plenty of furred creatures around to liven up your time in Mole. The most notable is African savannah elephant, which we saw frequently from the balcony of our rooms. There are some huge old ‘tuskers’ in Mole that are wonderful to see. Smaller mammalian fare includes callithris and patas monkeys, common warthog, bushbuck, kob, and waterbuck. In some lush riparian woodland, we spotted the scarce Kintampo Rope , a new mammal for me!

Violet Turaco, one of the best birds in northern Ghana, in the Guinea Savannah.

Our last stop in the north was the town of Bolgatanga, near the border with . This area is even drier and more open than Mole, though it is amazing to think that as dry as northern Ghana is, itʼs the wettest place for 2000 miles, given the immensity of the to its north! Bolgatanga is a strongly Muslim town where motorbikes are the preferred method of transportation. It has a completely different feel from southern and central Ghana, and indeed it

Ghana: The Best of West Africa March 10-26, 2013 was a very different cultural and political entity until colonial times. Visiting the far north greatly enhances the diversity of a Ghana tour. We enjoyed excellent success encountering the specialty birds of this little-explored area. Foremost among these was Egyptian Plover, which was remarkably accommodating this year, allowing us to approach to just a few meters away. This dapper little wader is on a short list of the best birds on the African continent, and one of the best shorebirds in the world. It may even represent a monotypic family. Not just striking in appearance, their run-and-kick-the- sand feeding antics are great fun to watch. Other special sightings around “Bolga” included Little Bittern, nesting Gabar Goshawk, Fox Kestrel, Four- banded Sandgrouse, Giant Kingfisher, Red-rumped (West African) Swallow, Rock- loving Cisticola, Chestnut-bellied Starling, Yellow-billed Oxpecker, Vitelline and Heuglin’s Masked- Weavers, and Black-rumped Waxbill. Though we faced a long journey south, back to Accra, it was by no means devoid of birding stops. Roadside wetlands held Booted Eagle,

Grasshopper Buzzard is common in the north. Greater Painted-Snipe, African Quailfinch, Orange-breasted Waxbill, African Silverbill, and Black-headed Weaver. In Kumasi, we stopped for a night, then visited the Bobiri Forest the next morning. Here, we caught up with several rainforest birds that had eluded us to that point. Most notable were another African Cuckoo-Hawk, incredible and lengthy views of a Red-thighed Sparrowhawk that tried and failed to catch a Mannikin, Red-billed Dwarf-Hornbill, flyby Brown-necked Parrots, and Narina . Bobiri is a small forest remnant that is still being cut, but nonetheless it is always worth a visit.

Ghana: The Best of West Africa March 10-26, 2013 The last destination of the trip was the Kalakpa Reserve. This site lies near the border with Togo in the southeast of Ghana. It’s an interesting area of transition between the Guinea Savannah of Shai Hills and the Dehomey Gap in general, and the moister rainforest found farther to the east, outside the gap. As such it supports an interesting mix of species. Unfortunately, perhaps due to very dry recent weather, Kalakpa was very quiet on this visit. Though we did spot some excellent species, we had to work very hard for most of them. These hard-earned highlights included Guinea (Green) Turaco, Red-cheeked Wattle-eye, Pied-winged Swallow, Brown Illadopsis, and Forest Robin. Leaf-love and Capuchin Babbler are two of the special birds of Kalakpa, but they did not cooperate well despite lots of trying. The leaf-love was glimpsed, and the babbler was only heard. We headed back to Accra, where the participants caught their late evening flights. Thanks to everybody on this tour for their good company and good spirits throughout, even when the birding was hard work, as is sometimes the case in Ghana. Thanks also to our amazing local guides Francis and Emmanuel for their good company and birding expertise. And finally, thanks also to our driver Asari, who put up with the early mornings and long drives that are typical of a birding tour.

Blue-bellied Roller, perhaps the best-looking of all the African rollers.

Ghana: The Best of West Africa March 10-26, 2013 ITINERARY March 10 Arrival in Accra. Afternoon at Sakumono Lagoon. March 11 Shai Hills Reserve to Kakum. March 12 Kakum NP (Canopy Walkway). March 13 Kakum NP (Antiikwa, etc.). March 14 Kakum to Ankassa NP. March 15 Ankassa NP. March 16 Ankassa to Kakum. March 17 Kakum NP to Picathartes Site to Kumasi. March 18 Kumasi to Mole NP. March 19 Mole NP. March 20 Mole NP. March 21 Mole to Tongo Hills to Bolgatanga. March 22 Tono Dam and Egyptian Plover Site. March 23 Bolgatanga to Kumasi. March 24 Bobiri Forest to Ho. March 25 Kalakpa Reserve. March 26 Kalakpa to Accra. International Departures in evening.

Western Plantain-eater in the coastal village of Half Assini.

Ghana: The Best of West Africa March 10-26, 2013 PHOTO GALLERY Follows tour’s chronology

Black-winged Stilts, one of many shorebirds from our first afternoon at Sakumono Lagoon.

African Pygmy-Kingfisher. We saw all of Ghana’s kingfishers on this trip.

Ghana: The Best of West Africa March 10-26, 2013

Lemon-bellied (left) and Cassin’s Hawk-Eagle (right) were two prizes spotted from the canopy walkway at Kakum NP.

Red-headed Malimbe, the biggest and boldest of Ghana’s malimbes.

Ghana: The Best of West Africa March 10-26, 2013

White-throated Bee-eater, a real beauty.

Preuss’s Swallows at our normal stakeout. This is a scarce species, though common in the right spots.

Ghana: The Best of West Africa March 10-26, 2013

A White-necked Rockfowl or picathartes on its cave .

Gray-throated Tit-Flycatcher (left) and a beautiful butterfly at Aboabo (right).

Ghana: The Best of West Africa March 10-26, 2013

African Blue-Flycatcher is really, really blue.

A Standard-winged Nightjar, beautiful even without the standards.

Ghana: The Best of West Africa March 10-26, 2013

Little Swift at a nesting colony near Mole NP.

Ghana: The Best of West Africa March 10-26, 2013

Yellow-winged Bat (left) and Namaqua Dove (right) at Tono Dam, near Bolgatanga.

One of Africa’s top birds, the immaculate Egyptian Plover.

Ghana: The Best of West Africa March 10-26, 2013 BIRD LIST

Taxonomy and nomenclature follow The Clements Checklist of the Birds of the World 6.7 (including updates through October, 2012). In some cases, non-Clements names, including potential splits, are mentioned in parentheses.

WATERFOWL Anatidae White-faced Whistling-Duck Dendrocygna viduata Hartlaub's Duck Pteronetta hartlaubii Spur-winged Goose Plectropterus gambensis African Pygmy-Goose Nettapus auritus Garganey Anas querquedula GUINEAFOWL Numididae Helmeted Guineafowl Numida meleagris PHEASANTS, GROUSE, ETC. Phasianidae White-throated Francolin Francolinus albogularis Ahanta Francolin Francolinus ahantensis H Double-spurred Francolin Francolinus bicalcaratus Stone Partridge Ptilopachus petrosus GREBES Podicipedidae Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis STORKS Ciconiidae Abdim's Stork Ciconia abdimii Woolly-necked Stork Ciconia episcopus CORMORANTS Phalacrocoracidae Long-tailed Cormorant Phalacrocorax africanus HAMERKOP Scopidae Hamerkop Scopus umbretta HERONS & EGRETS Ardeidae Little Bittern Ixobrychus minutus Gray Heron Ardea cinerea Black-headed Heron Ardea melanocephala Purple Heron Ardea purpurea Great Egret Ardea alba Intermediate Egret Mesophoyx intermedia Little Egret Egretta garzetta Western Reef-Heron Egretta gularis Black Heron Egretta ardesiaca Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis Squacco Heron Ardeola ralloides Striated Heron Butorides striata IBISES & SPOONBILLS Threskiornithidae

Ghana: The Best of West Africa March 10-26, 2013 Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus Hadada Ibis Bostrychia hagedash HAWKS, EAGLES, & KITES Accipitridae Black-shouldered Kite Elanus caeruleus African Harrier-Hawk Polyboroides typus Palm-nut Vulture Gypohierax angolensis European Honey-buzzard Pernis apivorus African Cuckoo-Hawk Aviceda cuculoides Hooded Vulture Necrosyrtes monachus White-backed Vulture Gyps africanus Bateleur Terathopius ecaudatus Congo Serpent-Eagle Dryotriorchis spectabilis Beaudouin's Snake-Eagle Circaetus beaudouini Banded Snake-Eagle Circaetus cinerascens Crowned Hawk-Eagle Stephanoaetus coronatus Wahlberg's Eagle Hieraaetus wahlbergi Booted Eagle Hieraaetus pennatus Tawny Eagle Aquila rapax Cassin's Hawk-Eagle Aquila africana Lizard Buzzard Kaupifalco monogrammicus Dark Chanting-Goshawk Melierax metabates Gabar Goshawk Micronisus gabar Grasshopper Buzzard Butastur rufipennis Eurasian Marsh-Harrier Circus aeruginosus Red-chested (African) Goshawk Accipiter toussenelii G Shikra Accipiter badius Red-thighed Sparrowhawk Accipiter erythropus Ovampo Sparrowhawk Accipiter ovampensis Black Goshawk Accipiter melanoleucus Black Kite Milvus migrans Red-necked Buzzard Buteo auguralis RAILS & ALLIES Rallidae White-spotted Flufftail Sarothrura pulchra Black Crake Amaurornis flavirostra Purple Swamphen Porphyrio porphyrio Eurasian (Common) Moorhen Gallinula chloropus THICK-KNEES Burhinidae Senegal Thick-knee Burhinus senegalensis Spotted Thick-knee Burhinus capensis PLOVERS Charadriidae Spur-winged Plover Vanellus spinosus Wattled Lapwing Vanellus senegallus

Ghana: The Best of West Africa March 10-26, 2013 Black-bellied Plover Pluvialis squatarola Kittlitz's Plover Charadrius pecuarius Common Ringed Plover Charadrius hiaticula Forbes's Plover Charadrius forbesi AVOCETS & STILTS Recurvirostridae Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus Pied Avocet Recurvirostra avosetta JACANAS Jacanidae African Jacana Actophilornis africanus SANDPIPERS & ALLIES Scolopacidae Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos Spotted Redshank Tringa erythropus Common Greenshank Tringa nebularia Marsh Sandpiper Tringa stagnatilis Wood Sandpiper Tringa glareola Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa Little Stint Calidris minuta Curlew Sandpiper Calidris ferruginea Ruff Philomachus pugnax COURSERS Glareolidae Egyptian Plover Pluvianus aegyptius Collared Pratincole Glareola pratincola Rock Pratincole Glareola nuchalis TERNS Laridae Black Tern Chlidonias Common Tern Sterna Royal Tern Thalasseus maximus Sandwich Tern Thalasseus sandvicensis JAEGERS & SKUAS Stercorariidae Pomarine Jaeger Stercorarius pomarinus SANDGROUSE Pteroclidae Four-banded Sandgrouse Pterocles quadricinctus PIGEONS & DOVES Columbidae Rock (Feral) Pigeon Columba livia Speckled Pigeon Columba guinea European Turtle-Dove Streptopelia turtur Mourning Collared-Dove (African Mourning Dove) Streptopelia decipiens Red-eyed Dove Streptopelia semitorquata Vinaceous Dove Streptopelia vinacea Laughing Dove Streptopelia senegalensis Black-billed Wood-Dove Turtur abyssinicus

Ghana: The Best of West Africa March 10-26, 2013 Blue-spotted Wood-Dove Turtur afer Tambourine Dove Turtur tympanistria Blue-headed Wood-Dove Turtur brehmeri Namaqua Dove Oena capensis Bruce's Green-Pigeon Treron waalia African Green-Pigeon Treron calvus TURACOS Musophagidae Great Blue Turaco Corythaeola cristata Guinea Turaco Tauraco persa Yellow-billed Turaco Tauraco macrorhynchus Violet Turaco Musophaga violacea Western Plantain-eater Crinifer piscator CUCKOOS Cuculidae Levaillant's Cuckoo Clamator levaillantii Thick-billed Cuckoo Pachycoccyx audeberti Red-chested Cuckoo Cuculus solitarius H Black Cuckoo Cuculus clamosus African Cuckoo Cuculus gularis Olive Long-tailed Cuckoo Cercococcyx olivinus Klaas's Cuckoo Chrysococcyx klaas African Emerald Cuckoo Chrysococcyx cupreus Dideric Cuckoo Chrysococcyx caprius Yellowbill Ceuthmochares aereus Black-throated Coucal Centropus leucogaster H Black Coucal Centropus grillii Blue-headed Coucal Centropus monachus Senegal Coucal Centropus senegalensis OWLS Strigidae African Scops-Owl Otus senegalensis H Grayish Eagle-Owl Bubo cinerascens Pearl-spotted Owlet Glaucidium perlatum African Barred Owlet Glaucidium capense H African Wood-Owl Strix woodfordii H NIGHTJARS Caprimulgidae Standard-winged Nightjar Macrodipteryx longipennis Long-tailed Nightjar Caprimulgus climacurus SWIFTS Apodidae Mottled Spinetail Telacanthura ussheri Black Spinetail Telacanthura melanopygia Sabine's Spinetail Rhaphidura sabini Cassin's Spinetail Neafrapus cassini Common Swift Apus apus

Ghana: The Best of West Africa March 10-26, 2013 Little Swift Apus affinis White-rumped Swift Apus caffer Bates's Swift Apus batesi African Palm-Swift Cypsiurus parvus Trogonidae Narina Trogon Apaloderma narina KINGFISHERS Alcedinidae Shining-blue Kingfisher Alcedo quadribrachys Malachite Kingfisher Corythornis cristatus White-bellied Kingfisher Corythornis leucogaster African Pygmy-Kingfisher Ispidina picta Dwarf Kingfisher Ispidina lecontei Chocolate-backed Kingfisher Halcyon badia Gray-headed Kingfisher Halcyon leucocephala Woodland Kingfisher Halcyon senegalensis Blue-breasted Kingfisher Halcyon malimbica Striped Kingfisher Halcyon chelicuti Giant Kingfisher Megaceryle maximus Pied Kingfisher Ceryle rudis BEE-EATERS Meropidae Black Bee-eater Merops gularis Red-throated Bee-eater Merops bulocki Little Bee-eater Merops pusillus Swallow-tailed Bee-eater Merops hirundineus White-throated Bee-eater Merops albicollis European Bee-eater Merops apiaster Rosy Bee-eater Merops malimbicus Northern Carmine Bee-eater Merops nubicus ROLLERS Coraciidae European Roller Coracias garrulus Abyssinian Roller Coracias abyssinicus Rufous-crowned Roller Coracias naevius Blue-bellied Roller Coracias cyanogaster Broad-billed Roller Eurystomus glaucurus Blue-throated Roller Eurystomus gularis WOODHOOPOES Phoeniculidae Green Woodhoopoe Phoeniculus purpureus White-headed Woodhoopoe Phoeniculus bollei H Forest Woodhoopoe Phoeniculus castaneiceps Black Scimitar-bill Rhinopomastus aterrimus HORNBILLS Bucerotidae White-crested Hornbill Tockus albocristatus

Ghana: The Best of West Africa March 10-26, 2013 Black Dwarf Hornbill Tockus hartlaubi Red-billed Dwarf Hornbill Tockus camurus Western Red-billed Hornbill Tockus kempi African Pied Hornbill Tockus fasciatus African Gray Hornbill Tockus nasutus Piping Hornbill Ceratogymna fistulator Brown-cheeked Hornbill Ceratogymna cylindrica Black-casqued Hornbill Ceratogymna atrata H BARBETS Lybiidae Yellow-billed Barbet Trachyphonus purpuratus Naked-faced Barbet Gymnobucco calvus Speckled Pogoniulus scolopaceus Red-rumped Tinkerbird Pogoniulus atroflavus Yellow-throated Tinkerbird Pogoniulus subsulphureus Yellow-rumped Tinkerbird Pogoniulus bilineatus Yellow-fronted Tinkerbird Pogoniulus chrysoconus Yellow-spotted Barbet Buccanodon duchaillui Hairy-breasted Barbet Tricholaema hirsuta Vieillot's Barbet Lybius vieilloti Double-toothed Barbet Lybius bidentatus Lybius dubius HONEYGUIDES Indicatoridae Cassin's Honeyguide Prodotiscus insignis Thick-billed Honeyguide Indicator conirostris H Lesser Honeyguide Indicator minor Greater Honeyguide Indicator indicator WOODPECKERS Picidae Fine-spotted Woodpecker punctuligera Golden-tailed Woodpecker Campethera abingoni Campethera maculosa Buff-spotted Woodpecker Campethera nivosa Brown-eared Woodpecker Campethera caroli Cardinal Woodpecker fuscescens Melancholy () Woodpecker Dendropicos lugubris Fire-bellied Woodpecker Dendropicos pyrrhogaster Gray Woodpecker Dendropicos goertae FALCONS Falconidae Eurasian Kestrel Falco tinnunculus Fox Kestrel Falco alopex Gray Kestrel Falco ardosiaceus African Hobby Falco cuvierii Lanner Falcon Falco biarmicus

Ghana: The Best of West Africa March 10-26, 2013 Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus PARROTS Psittacidae Rose-ringed Parakeet Psittacula krameri Red-headed Lovebird Agapornis pullarius Gray Parrot Psittacus erithacus Brown-necked Parrot Poicephalus robustus Red-fronted Parrot Poicephalus gulielmi Senegal Parrot Poicephalus senegalus BROADBILLS Calyptomenidae Rufous-sided Broadbill rufolateralis WATTLE-EYES & BATISES Platysteiridae Black-and-white -flycatcher Bias musicus Brown-throated Wattle-eye Platysteira cyanea Chestnut Wattle-eye Platysteira castanea Red-cheeked Wattle-eye Platysteira blissetti Batis senegalensis West African (Bioko) Batis Batis occulta Prionopidae White Helmetshrike Prionops plumatus Chestnut-bellied (Red-billed) Helmetshrike Prionops caniceps Malaconotidae Nilaus afer Northern Puffback Dryoscopus gambensis Large-billed (Sabine's) Puffback Dryoscopus sabini Black-crowned Tchagra Tchagra senegalus Brown-crowned Tchagra Tchagra australis Common Gonolek Laniarius barbarus Sulphur-breasted Telophorus sulfureopectus Gray-headed Bushshrike Malaconotus blanchoti Campephagidae White-breasted Cuckooshrike pectoralis Red-shouldered Cuckooshrike Campephaga phoenicea Purple-throated Cuckooshrike Campephaga quiscalina H Blue Cuckooshrike Cyanograucalus azureus Laniidae Northern (Common) Fiscal Lanius humeralis Woodchat Shrike Lanius senator Yellow-billed Shrike Corvinella corvina ORIOLES Oriolidae African Golden Oriole Oriolus auratus Western Black-headed Oriole Oriolus brachyrhynchus Black-winged Oriole Oriolus nigripennis

Ghana: The Best of West Africa March 10-26, 2013 Dicruridae Square-tailed Dicrurus ludwigii H Shining Drongo Dicrurus atripennis Fork-tailed Drongo Dicrurus adsimilis Velvet-mantled Drongo Dicrurus modestus MONARCH FLYCATCHERS Monarchidae Blue-headed Crested-Flycatcher Trochocercus nitens H Black-headed (Red-bellied) Paradise-Flycatcher Terpsiphone rufiventer African Paradise-Flycatcher Terpsiphone viridis CROWS & JAYS Piapiac Ptilostomus afer Pied Crow Corvus albus ROCKFOWL Picathartidae White-necked Rockfowl (Picathartes) Picathartes gymnocephalus NICATORS Nicatoridae Yellow-spotted Nicator Nicator chloris Alaudidae rufocinnamomea Sun Lark modesta SWALLOWS Hirundinidae Ptyonoprogne fuligula Hirundo rustica Red-chested Swallow Hirundo lucida Hirundo aethiopica White-throated Blue Swallow Hirundo nigrita Wire-tailed Swallow Hirundo smithii Pied-winged Swallow Hirundo leucosoma Red-rumped (West African) Swallow daurica domicella Lesser Striped-Swallow Cecropis abyssinica Rufous-chested Swallow Cecropis semirufa Cecropis senegalensis NL Preuss's Swallow preussi Common House-Martin urbicum Square-tailed Sawwing Psalidoprocne nitens Fanti Sawwing Psalidoprocne obscura FAIRY FLYCATCHERS African Blue-Flycatcher longicauda TITS Paridae White-shouldered Black-Tit Melaniparus guineensis PENDULINE-TITS Remizidae Forest Penduline-Tit flavifrons Tit-hylia Pholidornis rushiae

Ghana: The Best of West Africa March 10-26, 2013 Pycnonotidae Slender-billed Greenbul Stelgidillas gracilirostris Golden Greenbul Calyptocichla serinus Common Bristlebill Bleda syndactylus Gray-headed Bristlebill Bleda canicapillus (Leaf-love) simplex Baeopogon indicator Yellow-throated Greenbul Atimastillas flavicollis Spotted Greenbul Ixonotus guttatus Swamp (Palm) Greenbul Thescelocichla leucopleura Red-tailed Greenbul calurus H Western Bearded-Greenbul Criniger barbatus Yellow-bearded Greenbul Criniger olivaceus Gray (Little Gray) Greenbul gracilis Plain ( Sombre) Greenbul Eurillas curvirostris Yellow-whiskered Greenbul Eurillas latirostris Eurillas virens Leaf-love scandens Phyllastrephus icterinus White-throated Greenbul Phyllastrephus albigularis Common barbatus AFRICAN WARBLERS Green Crombec Sylvietta virens Lemon-bellied Crombec Sylvietta denti Northern Crombec Sylvietta brachyura Moustached Grass-Warbler Melocichla mentalis Kemp's Longbill Macrosphenus kempi Gray Longbill Macrosphenus concolor BUSH-WARBLERS & ALLIES Cettiidae Chestnut-capped Flycatcher Erythrocercus mccallii LEAF-WARBLERS Phylloscopidae Willow Warbler Phylloscopus trochilus REED-WARBLERS & ALLIES Acrocephalidae Western Olivaceous Warbler Iduna opaca Melodious Warbler Hippolais polyglotta & ALLIES Black-capped Apalis Apalis nigriceps Yellow-breasted Apalis Apalis flavida Sharpe's Apalis Apalis sharpii Green-backed Camaroptera Camaroptera brachyura Yellow-browed Camaroptera Camaroptera superciliaris Olive-green Camaroptera Camaroptera chloronota

Ghana: The Best of West Africa March 10-26, 2013 Red-faced Cisticola Cisticola erythrops Singing Cisticola Cisticola cantans Whistling Cisticola Cisticola lateralis Rock-loving Cisticola Cisticola aberrans Dorst's Cisticola Cisticola dorsti Winding Cisticola Cisticola galactotes Croaking Cisticola Cisticola natalensis Siffling (Short-winged) Cisticola Cisticola brachypterus Rufous Cisticola Cisticola rufus H Zitting Cisticola Cisticola juncidis Oriole Warbler Hypergerus atriceps Tawny-flanked Prinia Prinia subflava Red-winged Prinia Prinia erythroptera Senegal Eremomela Eremomela pusilla Rufous-crowned Eremomela Eremomela badiceps SYLVIIDS, PARROTBILLS, & ALLIES Green Hylia Hylia prasina WHITE-EYES Zosteropidae African Yellow White-eye Zosterops senegalensis FULVETTAS & GROUND BABBLERS Blackcap Illadopsis Illadopsis cleaveri H Puvel's Illadopsis Illadopsis puveli Pale-breasted Illadopsis Illadopsis rufipennis H Brown Illadopsis Illadopsis fulvescens Leiothrichidae Blackcap Babbler reinwardtii Brown Babbler Turdoides plebejus Capuchin Babbler Phyllanthus atripennis H Hyliotidae Violet-backed Hyliota Hyliota violacea Muscicapidae Bradornis pallidus Northern Black-Flycatcher edolioides African Forest-Flycatcher (Fraser's) Fraseria ocreata striata Ussher's Flycatcher Muscicapa ussheri Muscicapa aquatica Little Flycatcher Muscicapa epulata Dusky-blue Flycatcher Muscicapa comitata Cassin's Flycatcher Muscicapa cassini Gray-throated Tit-Flycatcher griseigularis Gray Tit-Flycatcher Myioparus plumbeus

Ghana: The Best of West Africa March 10-26, 2013 Fire-crested Alethe diademata H Snowy-crowned Robin-Chat niveicapilla White-crowned Robin-Chat Cossypha albicapilla Forest Robin Stiphrornis erythrothorax hypoleuca rubetra White-fronted Black-Chat albifrons Mocking Cliff-Chat cinnamomeiventris Cercomela familiaris THRUSHES Turdidae Finsch's Flycatcher-Thrush Neocossyphus finschii H / G White-tailed Ant-Thrush Neocossyphus poensis African Thrush Turdus pelios STARLINGS Sturnidae Greater Blue-eared Glossy-Starling Lamprotornis chalybaeus Lesser Blue-eared Glossy-Starling Lamprotornis chloropterus Bronze-tailed Glossy-Starling Lamprotornis chalcurus Splendid Glossy-Starling Lamprotornis splendidus Purple Glossy-Starling Lamprotornis purpureus Long-tailed Glossy-Starling Lamprotornis caudatus Chestnut-bellied Starling Lamprotornis pulcher Copper-tailed Glossy-Starling Lamprotornis cupreocauda Violet-backed Starling Cinnyricinclus leucogaster Chestnut-winged Starling Onychognathus fulgidus Narrow-tailed Starling Poeoptera lugubris OXPECKERS Buphagidae Yellow-billed Oxpecker Buphagus africanus SUNBIRDS Nectariniidae Scarlet-tufted (Fraser's) Sunbird Deleornis fraseri Little Green Sunbird Anthreptes seimundi Green Sunbird Anthreptes rectirostris Collared Sunbird collaris Pygmy Sunbird Hedydipna platura Reichenbach's Sunbird Anabathmis reichenbachii Green-headed Sunbird Cyanomitra verticalis NL Blue-throated Brown Sunbird Cyanomitra cyanolaema Western Olive Sunbird Cyanomitra obscura Buff-throated Sunbird Chalcomitra adelberti Carmelite Sunbird Chalcomitra fuliginosa Scarlet-chested Sunbird Chalcomitra senegalensis Olive-bellied Sunbird chloropygius Tiny Sunbird Cinnyris minullus

Ghana: The Best of West Africa March 10-26, 2013 Beautiful Sunbird Cinnyris pulchellus Splendid Sunbird Cinnyris coccinigastrus Johanna's Sunbird Cinnyris johannae Superb Sunbird Cinnyris superbus Copper Sunbird Cinnyris cupreus WAGTAILS & PIPITS Motacillidae Western Yellow Wagtail Motacilla flava African Pied Wagtail Motacilla aguimp Tree Pipit Anthus trivialis Yellow-throated Longclaw Macronyx croceus BUNTINGS Emberizidae Cinnamon-breasted Bunting Emberiza tahapisi Brown-rumped Bunting Emberiza affinis Cabanis's Bunting Emberiza cabanisi SISKINS, CROSSBILLS, & ALLIES Fringillidae Yellow-fronted Canary Serinus mozambicus SPARROWS Passeridae Northern Gray-headed Sparrow Passer griseus Bush Petronia Petronia dentata WEAVERS Chestnut-crowned Sparrow-Weaver Plocepasser superciliosus Red-vented Malimbe scutatus Gray's (Blue-billed) Malimbe Malimbus nitens Crested Malimbe Malimbus malimbicus Red-headed Malimbe Malimbus rubricollis luteolus Black-necked Weaver Ploceus nigricollis Ploceus aurantius Vitelline Masked-Weaver Ploceus vitellinus Heuglin's Masked-Weaver Ploceus heuglini Vieillot's (Black) Weaver Ploceus nigerrimus Ploceus cucullatus Black-headed (Yellow-backed) Weaver Ploceus melanocephalus Yellow-mantled Weaver Ploceus tricolor Maxwell's Black Weaver Ploceus albinucha Preuss's Weaver Ploceus preussi Red-headed Quelea erythrops Red-billed Quelea Quelea quelea Orange (Northern Red) Bishop franciscanus Black-winged Bishop Euplectes hordeaceus Yellow-shouldered (-mantled) Widowbird Euplectes macroura WAXBILLS & ALLIES

Ghana: The Best of West Africa March 10-26, 2013 Gray-headed Nigrita Nigrita canicapillus Chestnut-breasted Nigrita Nigrita bicolor White-breasted Nigrita Nigrita fusconotus Red-fronted Antpecker Parmoptila rubrifrons Lavender Waxbill caerulescens Orange-cheeked Waxbill Estrilda melpoda Black-rumped Waxbill Estrilda troglodytes Western Bluebill Spermophaga haematina Black-bellied Seedcracker Pyrenestes ostrinus Red-cheeked Cordonbleu Uraeginthus bengalus Red-billed Firefinch Lagonosticta senegala Bar-breasted Firefinch Lagonosticta rufopicta Black-bellied Firefinch Lagonosticta rara African Firefinch Lagonosticta rubricata H Zebra Waxbill Sporaeginthus subflavus Black-faced Quailfinch Ortygospiza atricollis Bronze Mannikin Spermestes cucullatus Black-and-white Mannikin Spermestes bicolor Magpie Mannikin Spermestes fringilloides African Silverbill Euodice cantans NL INDIGOBIRDS Viduidae Pin-tailed Whydah Vidua macroura Village Indigobird Vidua chalybeata Pale-winged (Wilson's) Indigobird Vidua wilsoni NL

H = heard-only G = guide-only NL = not seen by guide

African Silverbills line up nicely in northern Ghana.

Ghana: The Best of West Africa March 10-26, 2013 MAMMAL LIST and nomenclature follow The Kingdon Field Guide to African Mammals (2003) by Jonathan Kingdon.

Olive Baboon Papio anubis Callithris Monkey Cercopithecus sabaeus Patas Monkey Cercopithecus patas Mona Monkey Cercopithecus (mona?) mona H Demidoff's Galago Galagoides demidoff Straw-coloured Fruit Bat Eidolon helvum Tomb Bat sp. Taphozous sp. Yellow-winged Bat Lavia frons Scrub Hare Lepus saxatilis Striped Euxerus erythropus Kintampo Rope Squirrel Funisciurus substriatus Gambian Heliosciurus gambianus Red-legged Sun Squirrel Heliosciurus rufobrachium Protoxerus stangeri Slender-tailed Squirrel Protoxerus aubinnii Greater Cane Rat Thryonomys swinderianus Western Tree Hyrax Dendrohyrax dorsalis H African Elephant Loxodonta africana Common Warthog Phacochoerus africanus Bushbuck Tragelaphus scriptus Bay Duiker Cephalophus dorsalis Kob Kobus kob Waterbuck Kobus ellipsiprymnus

H = heard-only

Standard-winged Nightjar… those wings are nothing but standard!

Ghana: The Best of West Africa March 10-26, 2013 REPTILE LIST

Marsh Terrapin (Helmeted Turtle) Pelomedusa subrufa Common Agama Agama agama Five-lined Skink (Mabuya) Mabuya quinquetaeniata Striped skink sp. Mabuya sp. Graceful (Slender) Chameleon Chamaeleo gracilis Forest Monitor Varanus ornatus Nile Crocodile Crocodylus niloticus Western Green Mamba Dendroaspis viridis African (Central African) Rock Python Python sebae

White-throated Francolin showed amazingly well, allowing us to enjoy its beautiful colors and intricate patterns.

Ghana: The Best of West Africa March 10-26, 2013