DOCSLIB.ORG

The Birds of Africa, Comprising All the Species Which Occur in The

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
The Birds of Africa, Comprising All the Species Which Occur in The Q THE v BIRDS OF AFRICA, COMPRISING ALL THE SPECIES WHICH OCCUR ETHIOPIAN EEGION. BY G. E. SHELLEY, F.Z.S., F.R.G.S., &c. (LATE GRENADIER GUARDS), AUTHOR OF " A HANDBOOK TO THE BIRDS OP EGYPT," " A MONOGRAPH OF THE SUN-BIRDS," ETC. VOL. II. LONDON: PUBLISHED FOR THE ADTHOE BT R. H. PORTER, 7, PRINCES STREET, CAVENDISH SQUARE, W. 1900. ; PREFACE. When I published the first volume of " The Birds of Africa " I had sketched out the classification down to the " Keys of the Species," and intended to bring this out as the second volume ; but the number of known Ethiopian forms increases so rapidly that I recognised how imperfect these " keys " would be by the time I came to write the history of the species, so decided to work out each family in a monographic form. The Classification is compiled mostly from Seebohm's "Classification of Birds" (1890), and that proposed by Dr. R. B. Sharpe at the Ornithological Congress, Buda-Pest, 1891, and I have followed these authors in the use of the termination " formes " for the seventeen large divisions which I call Orders. I begin with the Passeriformes and follow on with the Piciformes. The two families of these separate orders which appear to me to be most nearly allied are the Swallows and the Swifts, so as I end the Passeriformes with the Hirundinidas it entails beginning the classification with the Oligomyodse. The Oligomyodse lead most naturally into the Oscinen through the Madagascar genera Philepitta and Neodrepanis therefore I commence the Oscines with the Nectariniidas. With regard to the synonymy of the species: I begin with what I consider to be the most correct name ; quote the ii. PREFACE. " Catalogue of the Birds of the British Museum," where full synonymy is given in detail, and add only such references which have not appeared in that great work. I follow on with a description of the plumage, taken, when possible, from the specimens in the British Museum, for these are the most available to the general public, and finish with all the details I can find regarding the distribution and habits of the species which I consider to be of interest, My thanks are therefore due to all the ornithologists whose works I quote. LIST OF PLATES. Plate I., fig. 1. Nectarinia kilimensis. „ 2. ,, melanogastra. Plate II., fig. 1. Artamia comorensis. 2 *i it ~* Cinnyris nesophilus. Plate III., fig. 1. ,, falkensteini. 9 ,, mediocris. Plate IV., fig. 1. ,, fuelleborni. !> >> 2. Anthothreptes orientalis. Plate V., fig. 1. Cyanomitra uewtoni. „ 2. Elasocerthia thomensis. Plate VI., fig. 1. Zosterops niodesta. M ii 2. semiflava. Plate VII., fig. 1. pallida, ii ii -21 * anderssoni. II ii o. virens. Plate VIII., fig. 1. fieedulina. i> ii 2. Speirops leucophsea. Plate IX., fig. 1. Zosterops comorensis. „ 2. Malacirops e-newtoni. Plate X., fig. 1. Parus xanthostomus. „ 2. ,, albiventris. Plate XL, fig. 1. Alcippe abyssinieus. n ii 2. iEgitbalus ruusculus. Plate XII., fig. 1. Motacilla vidua. ii ii 2-*• ,, nigricotis. Plate XIII., fig. 1. Anthus lineiventris. ii ii 2. ,, crenatus. Plate XIV., fig. 1. ,, calthorpse. ii ii 2. ,, brachyurus. CONTENTS. Preface List of Plates Key to the Orders . Order I. Passeriformes Suborder I. Oligomyod.e Family I. Pittid.£ ... 1. Pitta angolensis Family II. Philepittidje 2. Philepitta jala ... 3. „ schlegeli Suborder II. Oscines Section I. Pari Family I. NECTARraiiDa: Subfamily I. Neodrepanin^: 4. Neodrepanis coruscans Subfamily II. Nectariniinae ... Genus I. Hedydipna 5. Hedydipna metallica . 6. ,, platura Genus II. Nectarinia 7. Nectarinia famosa 8. ,, cupreonitens 9. .. CONTENTS. page PAGE Genus IV. Chalcomitka 88 Family III. Zosteropidsi ... 166 54. Chalcomitra senegalensis 89 Genus I. Zosterops 168 55. acik 90 93. Zosterops semiflava . (PI. vi 172 56. gutturalis 93 94. mayottensis 172 57. cruentatus 100 95. senegalensis 173 58. hunteri . 102 96. anderssoni (PI. vii 177 59. amethystina 103 97. kirki 178 60. deminuta 105 98. mouroniensis 179 61. kirki 107 99. virens 179 62. fnliginosa 109 100. stenocricota 181 63. angolensis 111 101. eurycricota 182 64. adelberti... 112 102. kikuyuensis 183 65. castaneiventris 114 103. jacksoni 184 Genus V. Eljeocerthia 114 104. ficedulina (PI. viii 185 66. Elseocerthia fusca 115 105. griseovirescens 186 67. ,, verreauxi 116 106. pallida 187 68. „ thomensis (PI. v 119 107. capensis 188 Genus VI. Cyanomitra . 120 108. poliogastra... 190 69. Cyanomitra balfouri ... 122 109. abyssinica ... 192 70. olivacea ... 123 110. madagascariensis 194 71. obscura . 125 111. anjuanensis 196 72. verticalis 127 112. comorensis (PI. ix 196 73. eyanolaBina 130 113. aldabrensis... 197 74. dussumieri 132 114. olivacea 198 75. humbloti 133 115. cbloronota . 198 76. newfconi ... 134 116. modesta 199 77. hartlaubi... 135 117. hovarum . 200 78. reichenbachi 137 Genus II. Speirops 201 Genus VII. Anthotheeptes 139 118. Speirops lugubris 201 79. Anthotbreptes fraseri... 141 119. ,, melanocephala 202 80. „ idia ... 142 120. ,, leucophasa ... 203 81. axillaris 143 Genus III. Malacirops 203 82. longuimarii 144 121. Malacirops borbonica... 204 83. orientalis 145 122. „ mauritiana 205 84. aurantia 147 123. „ e-newtoni... 206 85. collaris 149 Family IV. Parisomid.3E 206 86. hypodila 151 Genus I. Alcippe 208 87. rectirostris 155 124. Alcippe nigricapilla ... 209 88. tephrolaema 156 125. ,, abyssinica 210 89. anchietse 157 126. „ galinieri 211 90. gabonica 158 Genus II. Parisoma.. 212 Family II. Promeropid^: 161 127. Parisoma subceeruleum 213 91. Promerops cafer 161 128. ,, layardi 215 92. „ gurneyi 165 129. „ plumbeum ... 217 AYES. KEY TO THE ORDERS. a. Young born helpless, and not able to avail themselves of the instinct of self-preserva- tion for, at least, the first twenty-four hours. 1 o . Young do not pass through a downy stage before acquiring feathers, unless the species is nocturnal as in the Caprimulgidce. 2 a . Palate segithognathous, and the deep plantar tendons free 1. Passeeifoemes. b". Palate never aegithognathous when the deep plantar tendons are free. 3 a . Palate never schizognathous when the nasals are schizorhinal ... 2. Picifobmes. s b . Palate schizognathous, and the nasals schizorhinal 3. Columbifoemes. 1 b . Young pass through a downy stage before acquiring feather. 2 c . Not web-footed. 3 c . Dorsal vertebrae opistoccelous ; feet zygodactyle young born always ; naked 4. Psittacifoemes. 3 d . Dorsal vertebrae heteroccelous. a*. Feet generally zygodactyle young ; born covered with down ... 5. Accipiteifoemes. 4 6 . never zygodactyle young Feet ; born nearly naked 6. Aedeifoemes. 2 d . Web-footed. 3 e . Palate desmognathous ; all four toes connected by a web ; young born nearly naked 7. Pelecanifoemes. 3 . Palate f schizognathous ; hind toe not connected to the other toes by a web; young born covered with down. [Juue, 1SSJ9. i ; 2 PASSERIFORMES. 4 c . Wing with true feathers and adapted for powerful flight. 5 a . External nostrils ordinary . 8. Lariforjies. b r>. External nostrils produced into tubes 9. Procellariiforsies. d*. Wing with no true feathers and fin-like 10. Spheniciformes. b. Young not born helpless and able at once, or in a few hours, to avail themselves of the instinct of self-preservation. 1 c . Sternum with a keel. e". Palate desmognathous ; web-footed. 3 g . Basipterygoid processes absent ; end half of bill abruptly bent down- wards 11. PHO3NIC0PTERIF0RMES 3 h . Basipterygoid processes articulate with the pterygoids as near to the palatines as possible ; end half of bill never abruptly bent downwards. 12. Anseriformes. f". Palate schizognathous. 3 i . Posterior processes of the ilium ap- proximated to such an extent that the sacrum is almost entirely con- cealed. 4 e . Web-footed 13. Colymbiformes. /*. Toes lobed 14. Podicipedidiformes. 3 k . Posterior processes of the ilium never approximated to such an extent that the sacrum is almost entirely concealed. g*. Dorsal vertebrae heteroccelous. 15. Galliformes. 1 h . Dorsal vertebras opistoccelous . 16. Charadriiformes. 1 cl . Sternum with no keel 17. Struthioniformes. Order I. PASSERIFORMES. Young born helpless, and do not pass through a downy stage before acquiring feathers. Palate segithognathous. Deep plantar tendons free the flexor perforans digitorum serving the three front toes and the flexor long us hallusis the hind toe. Ambiens and accessory femoro-caudal muscles absent. Oil-glands present and nude. Spinal feather-tract well defined on the neck. Dorsal vertebras heteroccelous. Only a left carotid artery. This Order comprises about three-fifths of the known species of birds, and is represented in the Ethiopian Eegion by some 1500 of them. : OLIGOMYOD^. KEY TO THE SUBORDERS. a. Intrinsic muscles of the syrinx attached near * the middle of the bronchial semi-ring . 1. Oligomyod^;. b. Intrinsic muscles of the syrinx attached to the ends of the bronchial semi-rings ... 2. Oscines. * Tail remarkably short in all Ethiopian species. Suborder I. OLIGOMYODJS. The species belonging to this Suborder are mostly American, only the following three families being found in the Old World Xenicidce. Three species confined to New Zealand. Pittidce. Contains some 45 species, only represented in the Ethiopian Region by Pitta angolensis. Philepittidce. Two species confined to Madagascar. KEY. a. Terrestrial ; sexes similar ; no wattle on head ; rump and portion of upper wing-coverts Pitta angolensis. bright pale blue ; abdomen scarlet .... b. Arboreal ; sexes dissimilar ; adult males with bare wattles on the sides of the head ; some yellow and no blue or red on the feathers . Philepitta. 1 with a . General plumage velvety black yellow at the bend of the wing. 2 jala, ad. a . With no yellow margins to the feathers <j b". With yellow edges to many of the feathers jala, $ jiiv. 1 b . Wings, lower back and tail olive. 2 c . Above olive; beneath yellowish buff mottled with olive. 3 . jala, a . Above more uniform ; bill larger $. 3 schlegeli, b . Crown with yellow spots; bill smaller ?. 2 d . Upper back and entire under parts bright yellow schlegeli, <j ad. Family I. PITTID^J. Bill stout but somewhat Thrush-like.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Diversity, Abundance and Habitat Association of Avifauna in Menagesha Amba Mariam and Gara Medhanialem Forest, in Oromia Region, Ethiopia
    International Journal of Avian & Wildlife Biology Research Article Open Access Diversity, abundance and habitat association of avifauna in Menagesha Amba Mariam and Gara Medhanialem forest, in Oromia Region, Ethiopia Abstract Volume 6 Issue 1 - 2021 The study was conducted from August 2018 to March 2019 by considering the wet and Tamenut Desalegn,1 Shimelis Aynalem,2 Nega dry seasons. The aim of this study is to investigate diversity, abundance and habitat 3 association of bird species in Menagesha Amba Mariam and Gara Medhanialem forest. Tassie 1Bahir Dar University College of Agriculture and Environmental Stratified random sampling technique was employed. Point transect techniques was applied Sciences, School of Fisheries and Wildlife Management, Ethiopia in forest and woodland habitats and line transects technique was used in the farmland 2Dean of Bahir Dar University College of Agriculture and habitat. Shannon diversity index and chi-square test were employed for data analysis. A Environmental Sciences, Ethiopia total of 112 bird species that belong to 16 orders and 45 families were recorded. Three are 3Dean of Biology Department at Bahir Dar University, Ethiopia endemic to Ethiopia and Twelve species endemic to both Ethiopia and Eritrea. The highest species diversity (H’=3.60) was recorded from the forest habitat and the lowest (H’=2.95) Correspondence: Shimelis Aynalem, Dean of Bahir Dar in the farm land. The association of bird species with habitat was statistically significantly University College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, different in wet season (χ2= 1702.9, df=180, p<0.001) and in dry season (χ2=1497.5, Ethiopia, Tel 0918008194, Email df=172, p<0.001).
    [Show full text]
  • Sierra Leone Rockfowl and Upper Guinea Specials 21St February to 7Th March 2022 (15 Days)
    Sierra Leone Rockfowl and Upper Guinea Specials 21st February to 7th March 2022 (15 days) White-necked Rockfowl by Adam Riley RBL Sierra Leone Itinerary 2 Sierra Leone is a core West African destination, offering visitors a diverse range of exciting Upper Guinea forest birds and mammals. Rockjumper pioneered this tour during reconnaissance trips in 2005 and then led three successful tours in the course of 2006; these being the first-ever birding tours to the country. Sierra Leone’s biologically rich rainforests support no less than 15 of the 16 Upper Guinea endemic bird species, including the fabled White-necked Rockfowl that will form the basis of our tour. Forest specialties abound and we will focus on finding the rare Gola Malimbe, Sierra Leone Prinia, Black-headed Rufous Warbler, Hartlaub’s Duck, Brown-cheeked Hornbill, Sharpe’s Apalis, Kemp’s Longbill, White-breasted Guineafowl and Red-cheeked Wattle-eye; while the wooded savannas are home to the stunning Emerald Starling, Crimson Seedcracker and Turati’s Boubou, to name but a few. THE TOUR AT A GLANCE… THE ITINERARY Day 1 Arrival in Freetown Day 2 Freetown and Western Peninsula Forest Reserve Day 3 Regent Forest and transfer to Tiwai Island Day 4 Tiwai Island Day 5 Tiwai Island to Kenema Day 6 Kenema to Lalehun and walk in to Gola North (Tourist Camp) Day 7 Gola North (Tourist Camp) Day 8 Gola North to Lalehun and transfer to Kenema Day 9 Kenema to Koidu Day 10 Koidu to Loma Mountains and walk to camp 1 Day 11 Loma Mountains – camp 1 Day 12 Loma Mountains – camp 1 to Koidu Day 13 Koidu to Makeni via Bumbuna area Day 14 Bumbuna area Day 15 Makeni to Lungi International airport and departure RBL Sierra Leone Itinerary 3 TOUR MAP… THE TOUR IN DETAIL… Day 1: Arrival in Freetown.
    [Show full text]
  • Some Kinangop Sunbirds
    SOME KINANGOP SUNBIRDS. By SIR CHARLES F. BELCHER. Four species of Sunbird commonly occur in the valley of the gularis,Chania atSharpe,South Kinangop.the KenyaTheseMalachiteare NectariniaSunbird;famosaNectariniaaenei• tacazze (Stanley), the Tacazze Sunbird; Drepanorhynchus reiche• nowi, Fischer, the Golden-winged Sunbird; and Cinnyris medio• cris mediocris, Shelley,. the Kenya Double-collared Sunbird. The association of these four species was observed long ago by Sir Frederick Jackson (vide what is unquestionably an original note. of his in the recently-published "Birds of Kenya and Uganda," edited by W. L. Sclater, at page 1342 in the third volume). So far, during a residence of nearly twelve months on the Kinangop, I have not met with the Bronzy Sunbird (N. kili• mensis kilimensis, Shelley) which might be expected to occur and has been taken as near as Limoru at an altitude not more than 1,500 feet below us, but which I think must be regarded as definitely a: bird of, in these parts at least, lower altitudes than the Kinangop Plateau; and another species not yet noted is the Scarlet-tufted Malachite Sunbird (Nectarinia johnstoni johnstoni, Shelley) which though quoted by Sclater as occurring on Kilima• njaro and Kenya Mountains only, certainly is found as well on the higher parts of the Aberdares; and, as I am informed by Dr. van Someren, has once been noted on Major Ward's estate which is at much the same level as the main run of the Kinangop close in to the mountain, i.e. about 8,500 feet above the sea. It woold doubtless be an occasional visitor only from the higher levels.
    [Show full text]
  • Table of Contents
    Table of Contents Page LIST OF ACRONYMS a EXECUTIVE SUMMARY I 1.0 Introduction 1 1.1 Scope of Study 1 1.2 Background – Volta River Authority 2 1.3 Proposed Aboadze-Volta Transmission Line Project (AVTP) 3 1.4 Legal, Regulatory and Policy Considerations 5 1.5 Future developments by VRA 8 2.0 Description of proposed development 10 2.1 Pre-Construction Activities 11 2.2 Construction Phase Activities 12 2.3 Operational Phase Activities 17 2.3.1 Other Operational Considerations 20 3.0 Description of Existing Environments 21 3.1 Bio-Physical Environment 21 3.1.1 Climate 21 3.1.2 Flora 25 3.1.3 Fauna 35 3.1.4 Water Resources 43 3.1.5 Geology and Soils 44 3.1.6 General Land Use 51 3.2 Socio-Economic/Cultural Environment 51 3.2.1 Methodology 53 3.2.2 Profiles of the Districts in the Project Area 54 3.2.2(a) Shama - Ahanta East Metropolitan Area 54 3.2.2(b) Komenda - Edina - Eguafo - Abirem (KEEA) District 58 i 3.2.2(c) Mfantseman District 61 3.2.2(d) Awutu-Effutu-Senya District 63 3.2.2(e) Tema Municipal Area 65 3.2.2(f) Abura-Asebu-Kwamankese 68 3.2.2(g) Ga District 71 3.2.2(h) Gomoa District 74 3.3 Results of Socio-Economic Surveys 77 (Communities, Persons and Property) 3.3.1 Information on Affected Persons and Properties 78 3.3.1.1 Age Distribution of Affected Persons 78 3.3.1.2 Gender Distribution of Affected Persons 79 3.3.1.3 Marital Status of Affected Persons 80 3.3.1.4 Ethnic Composition of Afected Persons 81 3.3.1.5 Household Size/Dependents of Affected Persons 81 3.3.1.6 Religious backgrounds of Affected Persons 82 3.3.2 Economic Indicators
    [Show full text]
  • Comments on the Ornithology of Nigeria, Including Amendments to the National List
    Robert J. Dowsett 154 Bull. B.O.C. 2015 135(2) Comments on the ornithology of Nigeria, including amendments to the national list by Robert J. Dowsett Received 16 December 2014 Summary.—This paper reviews the distribution of birds in Nigeria that were not treated in detail in the most recent national avifauna (Elgood et al. 1994). It clarifies certain range limits, and recommends the addition to the Nigerian list of four species (African Piculet Verreauxia africana, White-tailed Lark Mirafra albicauda, Western Black-headed Batis Batis erlangeri and Velvet-mantled Drongo Dicrurus modestus) and the deletion (in the absence of satisfactory documentation) of six others (Olive Ibis Bostrychia olivacea, Lesser Short-toed Lark Calandrella rufescens, Richard’s Pipit Anthus richardi, Little Grey Flycatcher Muscicapa epulata, Ussher’s Flycatcher M. ussheri and Rufous-winged Illadopsis Illadopsis rufescens). Recent research in West Africa has demonstrated the need to clarify the distributions of several bird species in Nigeria. I have re-examined much of the literature relating to the country, analysed the (largely unpublished) collection made by Boyd Alexander there in 1904–05 (in the Natural History Museum, Tring; NHMUK), and have reviewed the data available in the light of our own field work in Ghana (Dowsett-Lemaire & Dowsett 2014), Togo (Dowsett-Lemaire & Dowsett 2011a) and neighbouring Benin (Dowsett & Dowsett- Lemaire 2011, Dowsett-Lemaire & Dowsett 2009, 2010, 2011b). The northern or southern localities of species with limited ranges in Nigeria were not always detailed by Elgood et al. (1994), although such information is essential for understanding distribution patterns and future changes. For many Guineo-Congolian forest species their northern limit in West Africa lies on the escarpment of the Jos Plateau, especially Nindam Forest Reserve, Kagoro.
    [Show full text]
  • Systematic Notes on Asian Birds. 28
    ZV-340 179-190 | 28 04-01-2007 08:56 Pagina 179 Systematic notes on Asian birds. 28. Taxonomic comments on some south and south-east Asian members of the family Nectariniidae C.F. Mann Mann, C.F. Systematic notes on Asian birds. 28. Taxonomic comments on some south and south-east Asian members of the family Nectariniidae. Zool. Verh. Leiden 340, 27.xii.2002: 179-189.— ISSN 0024-1652/ISBN 90-73239-84-2. Clive F. Mann, 53 Sutton Lane South, London W4 3JR, U.K. (e-mail: [email protected]). Keywords: Asia; Nectariniidae; taxonomy. Certain taxonomic changes made by Cheke & Mann (2001) are here explained and justified. Dicaeum haematostictum Sharpe, 1876, is split from D. australe (Hermann, 1783). D. aeruginosum Bourns & Worcester, 1894 is merged into D. agile (Tickell, 1833). The genus Chalcoparia Cabanis, 1851, is re-estab- lished for (Motacilla) singalensis Gmelin, 1788. The taxon Leptocoma sperata marinduquensis (duPont, 1971), is shown to be based on a specimen of Aethopyga siparaja magnifica Sharpe, 1876. Aethopyga vigor- sii (Sykes, 1832) is split from A. siparaja (Raffles, 1822). Cheke & Mann (op. cit.) mistakenly omitted two forms, Anthreptes malacensis erixanthus Oberholser, 1932 and Arachnothera longirostra zarhina Ober- holser, 1912. Five subspecies are removed from Aethopyga shelleyi Sharpe, 1876 to create the polytypic A. bella, Tweeddale, 1877. The Arachnothera affinis (Horsfield, 1822)/modesta (Eyton, 1839)/everetti (Sharpe, 1893) complex is re-evaluated in the light of the revision by Davison in Smythies (1999). Introduction In a recent publication (Cheke & Mann, 2001) some taxonomic changes were made to members of this family occurring in Asia.
    [Show full text]
  • The Birds (Aves) of Oromia, Ethiopia – an Annotated Checklist
    European Journal of Taxonomy 306: 1–69 ISSN 2118-9773 https://doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2017.306 www.europeanjournaloftaxonomy.eu 2017 · Gedeon K. et al. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License. Monograph urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:A32EAE51-9051-458A-81DD-8EA921901CDC The birds (Aves) of Oromia, Ethiopia – an annotated checklist Kai GEDEON 1,*, Chemere ZEWDIE 2 & Till TÖPFER 3 1 Saxon Ornithologists’ Society, P.O. Box 1129, 09331 Hohenstein-Ernstthal, Germany. 2 Oromia Forest and Wildlife Enterprise, P.O. Box 1075, Debre Zeit, Ethiopia. 3 Zoological Research Museum Alexander Koenig, Centre for Taxonomy and Evolutionary Research, Adenauerallee 160, 53113 Bonn, Germany. * Corresponding author: [email protected] 2 Email: [email protected] 3 Email: [email protected] 1 urn:lsid:zoobank.org:author:F46B3F50-41E2-4629-9951-778F69A5BBA2 2 urn:lsid:zoobank.org:author:F59FEDB3-627A-4D52-A6CB-4F26846C0FC5 3 urn:lsid:zoobank.org:author:A87BE9B4-8FC6-4E11-8DB4-BDBB3CFBBEAA Abstract. Oromia is the largest National Regional State of Ethiopia. Here we present the first comprehensive checklist of its birds. A total of 804 bird species has been recorded, 601 of them confirmed (443) or assumed (158) to be breeding birds. At least 561 are all-year residents (and 31 more potentially so), at least 73 are Afrotropical migrants and visitors (and 44 more potentially so), and 184 are Palaearctic migrants and visitors (and eight more potentially so). Three species are endemic to Oromia, 18 to Ethiopia and 43 to the Horn of Africa. 170 Oromia bird species are biome restricted: 57 to the Afrotropical Highlands biome, 95 to the Somali-Masai biome, and 18 to the Sudan-Guinea Savanna biome.
    [Show full text]
  • Podoces 2 2 Ecology of Purple Sunbirds-2
    Notes on feeding and breeding habits of Purple Sunbird Nectarinia asiatica … – T. Ghadirian et al. Notes on Feeding and Breeding Habits of the Purple Sunbird Nectarinia asiatica ( Cinnyris asiaticus ) in Bandar Abbas, Hormozgan, Southern Iran TAHER GHADIRIAN 1* , ALI T. QASHQAEI 2 & MOHSEN DADRAS 3 1. Biodiversity Group, Department of Environment, Islamic Azad University, Science and Research Campus, Tehran, Iran 2. Department of Environment, Islamic Azad University, Bandar Abbas Branch, Iran 3. GIS/RS, Department of Natural Resources of Hormozgan, Bandar Abbas, Iran * Correspondence Author. Email: [email protected] Received 9 July 2007; accepted 5 February 2008 Abstract: Some feeding and breeding activities of Purple Sunbird Nectarinia asiatica brevirostris have been studied in five localities in Bandar Abbas, southern Iran from June 2002 to June 2004 on monthly bases. According to 507 timed feeding observations, Purple Sunbirds feed on flowers’ nectar (97%) and on fruits’ nectar (3%). The nectar of the Chinese hibiscus Hibiscus rosa-chinensis flowers was the favorite food (56%). Red flowers seem to be attractive. The breeding season is late autumn and early winter, where flowers are abundant and temperate season has begun in the area. Nesting started in November, 2–3 eggs being laid in December and hatching occurring after 15–17 days of incubation. Only the females built nests and incubated eggs, while males assisted in feeding nestlings. Purple Sunbirds used 16 species of plants of which they fed and five species for nesting. The gum acacia tree Acacia nilotica is particularly suitable: it provides cover, is a source of food is ideal for nesting, and so it plays an important role in dispersion of this sunbird species in the area.
    [Show full text]
  • Island Biology Island Biology
    IIssllaanndd bbiioollooggyy Allan Sørensen Allan Timmermann, Ana Maria Martín González Camilla Hansen Camille Kruch Dorte Jensen Eva Grøndahl, Franziska Petra Popko, Grete Fogtmann Jensen, Gudny Asgeirsdottir, Hubertus Heinicke, Jan Nikkelborg, Janne Thirstrup, Karin T. Clausen, Karina Mikkelsen, Katrine Meisner, Kent Olsen, Kristina Boros, Linn Kathrin Øverland, Lucía de la Guardia, Marie S. Hoelgaard, Melissa Wetter Mikkel Sørensen, Morten Ravn Knudsen, Pedro Finamore, Petr Klimes, Rasmus Højer Jensen, Tenna Boye Tine Biedenweg AARHUS UNIVERSITY 2005/ESSAYS IN EVOLUTIONARY ECOLOGY Teachers: Bodil K. Ehlers, Tanja Ingversen, Dave Parker, MIchael Warrer Larsen, Yoko L. Dupont & Jens M. Olesen 1 C o n t e n t s Atlantic Ocean Islands Faroe Islands Kent Olsen 4 Shetland Islands Janne Thirstrup 10 Svalbard Linn Kathrin Øverland 14 Greenland Eva Grøndahl 18 Azores Tenna Boye 22 St. Helena Pedro Finamore 25 Falkland Islands Kristina Boros 29 Cape Verde Islands Allan Sørensen 32 Tristan da Cunha Rasmus Højer Jensen 36 Mediterranean Islands Corsica Camille Kruch 39 Cyprus Tine Biedenweg 42 Indian Ocean Islands Socotra Mikkel Sørensen 47 Zanzibar Karina Mikkelsen 50 Maldives Allan Timmermann 54 Krakatau Camilla Hansen 57 Bali and Lombok Grete Fogtmann Jensen 61 Pacific Islands New Guinea Lucía de la Guardia 66 2 Solomon Islands Karin T. Clausen 70 New Caledonia Franziska Petra Popko 74 Samoa Morten Ravn Knudsen 77 Tasmania Jan Nikkelborg 81 Fiji Melissa Wetter 84 New Zealand Marie S. Hoelgaard 87 Pitcairn Katrine Meisner 91 Juan Fernandéz Islands Gudny Asgeirsdottir 95 Hawaiian Islands Petr Klimes 97 Galápagos Islands Dorthe Jensen 102 Caribbean Islands Cuba Hubertus Heinicke 107 Dominica Ana Maria Martin Gonzalez 110 Essay localities 3 The Faroe Islands Kent Olsen Introduction The Faroe Islands is a treeless archipelago situated in the heart of the warm North Atlantic Current on the Wyville Thompson Ridge between 61°20’ and 62°24’ N and between 6°15’ and 7°41’ W.
    [Show full text]
  • The Gambia: a Taste of Africa, November 2017
    Tropical Birding - Trip Report The Gambia: A Taste of Africa, November 2017 A Tropical Birding “Chilled” SET DEPARTURE tour The Gambia A Taste of Africa Just Six Hours Away From The UK November 2017 TOUR LEADERS: Alan Davies and Iain Campbell Report by Alan Davies Photos by Iain Campbell Egyptian Plover. The main target for most people on the tour www.tropicalbirding.com +1-409-515-9110 [email protected] p.1 Tropical Birding - Trip Report The Gambia: A Taste of Africa, November 2017 Red-throated Bee-eaters We arrived in the capital of The Gambia, Banjul, early evening just as the light was fading. Our flight in from the UK was delayed so no time for any real birding on this first day of our “Chilled Birding Tour”. Our local guide Tijan and our ground crew met us at the airport. We piled into Tijan’s well used minibus as Little Swifts and Yellow-billed Kites flew above us. A short drive took us to our lovely small boutique hotel complete with pool and lovely private gardens, we were going to enjoy staying here. Having settled in we all met up for a pre-dinner drink in the warmth of an African evening. The food was delicious, and we chatted excitedly about the birds that lay ahead on this nine- day trip to The Gambia, the first time in West Africa for all our guests. At first light we were exploring the gardens of the hotel and enjoying the warmth after leaving the chilly UK behind. Both Red-eyed and Laughing Doves were easy to see and a flash of colour announced the arrival of our first Beautiful Sunbird, this tiny gem certainly lived up to its name! A bird flew in landing in a fig tree and again our jaws dropped, a Yellow-crowned Gonolek what a beauty! Shocking red below, black above with a daffodil yellow crown, we were loving Gambian birds already.
    [Show full text]
  • Ghana Nov 2013
    Wise Birding Holidays All tours donate to conservation projects worldwide! Trip Report GHANA: Picathartes to Plover Tour Monday 18th Nov. - Tuesday 3rd Dec. 2013 Tour Participants: John Archer, Bob Watts, Graeme Spinks, Peter Alfrey, Nigel & Kath Oram Leaders: Chris Townend & Robert Oteng-Appau HIGHLIGHTS OF TRIP Yellow-headed Picathartes: Whilst sitting quietly in the magical forest, we were wowed by at least 5 different birds as they returned to their roost site. Egyptian Plover: A minimum of 5 adults were seen very well on the White Volta River, along with a very young chick. Confirmed as the first breeding record for Ghana! Rufous-sided Broadbill: A smart male performed admirably as it carried out its acrobatic display flight with amazing mechanical whirring sound. Black Dwarf Hornbill: An amazing 4 different birds seen throughout the tour! Black Bee-Eater: A very understated name for such a fantastically stunning bird! This Yellow-headed Picathartes taken by tour participant Peter Alfrey was one of five birds seen and voted bird of the trip!! WISE BIRDING HOLIDAYS LTD – GHANA: Picathartes to Plover Tour, November 2013 Monday 18th November: Arrive Accra The whole group arrived on time into Accra’s Kotoka Airport. Here, we boarded our spacious air-conditioned coach which was to be our transport for the next 15 days. After about 30 minutes we arrived at our beach hotel and were all soon checked in to our rooms. Everyone was tired, but full of anticipation for our first full days’ birding in Ghana. It was straight to bed for some whereas others were in need of a cool beer before sleep! Tuesday 19th November: Sakumono Lagoon / Winneba Plains It was a relaxed start today with a brief look at the sea before breakfast where the highlights were a few Royal Terns and a Caspian Tern along with our first Copper Sunbird and Laughing Dove in the hotel gardens.
    [Show full text]
  • OUR TOURS Jan Pierson
    FG Sept 2016 News_FG December 2010 News 9/1/16 12:49 PM Page 1 SEPTEMBER 2016 fieldguides® B I R D I N G T O U R S W O R L D W I D E Mouth of the Amazon OUR TOURS Jan Pierson s we go to press with this issue, we’ve just wrapped up our annual Field Guides meeting in Arizona and are heading back to Kenya, Ecuador, Peru, Brazil, England, and numerous locations stateside. It wasn’t a birding tour A(though of course we went out birding!), yet there were Iceland many parallels with Field Guides tours. Several folks put in a lot of quiet and detailed logistical work behind the scenes to set it all up; destinations, and, of course, a fun and carefree holiday for you. On there was the great camaraderie of being on site; someone was tour or at our annual meeting, it’s who we are. always double-checking to be sure everyone who wanted to make an Combined, our guides and office are a tight-knit community of outing or see something in particular had a chance to do so; chairs professionals who know each other well, work together seamlessly, were shifted at a table to welcome one more person; each of us and care deeply about the success of your tour—we love what we do. touched base with every other person at the meeting; and there was Our community also includes myriad long-time clients who have a steady stream of smiles and laughter.
    [Show full text]