Bird observations from south-east Sudan

2009·7.7 MB·

by  Marc De Bont

Bird observations from south-east Sudan
MarcdeBont
Observations ornithologiques dans le sud-est du Soudan. Les resultats d observations
ornithologiques realisees entre janvier 2004 et janvier 2006 dans Fextreme sud-est du Soudan
sontpresentesici.Au total, 310 especes d’oiseauxontete notees etdes complements auxdonnees
de Nikolaus (1987, 1989) sont presentees. Neufespeces dont la protection est d’interet mondial
des 34 connues du Soudan ont ete observees, parmi lesquelles une population du Percnoptere
d’Egypte Neophronpercnopterus, Menace d’extinction, ainsi que 47 especes confmees a un certain
biome, parmi lesquelles 37 des 49 especes du biome Somali-Masai recensees au Sudan. Le site
etudie se qualifie ainsi comme Zone d’Importance pour la Conservation des Oiseaux.
Summary. The results ofbird observations made between January 2004 and January 2006 in
extreme south-east Sudan are presented. In total, 310 species were found and additions to the
data found in Nikolaus (1987, 1989) are given. Nine ofthe 34 species ofconservation concern
for Sudan were observed, among them a population of the Endangered Egyptian Vulture
Neophronpercnopterus aswell as 47 biome-restrictedspecies. Ofthe latter 37 ofthe 49 species of
,
the Somali-Masai biome recorded in Sudanwere observed in the studyarea, which thus qualifies
as an Important BirdArea.
R
ecent information on the birds of Sudan is structed near Kuron in 2005. All ofthe observa-
veryscarceornon-existent, mostdatabeingat tions presented here were made within a
least 13yearsold (Robertson2001).Themajorref- triangular-shaped region bounded by Lotimor
erence remains Nikolaus (1987), followed by (05°3TN 35°08’E; 40 km east ofNanyangacor),
Nikolaus (1989). Records ofbirds species observed Kuron (05°43’N 34°34’E; 35 km north-westfrom
by B. Piot at Rumbek, southern Sudan (06°50’N Nanyagacor) and Naparalang (05°06’N 34°28’E;
29°42’E) during 21-28 October 2005, were 55 km south-west ofNanyangacor).
ABC
recentlypublished informally (Bull. 13: 108).
Habitat
From 19January 2004 until 5 January 2006 I
worked for a health care project in Nanyangacor, The area is variable in altitude, with most ofthe
Kauto Payam, Eastern Equatoria, south-east low-lying areas beingAcacia thornbush with char-
Sudan. In my spare time I made observations on acteristics ofthe Somali-Masai biome. Small areas
the birds ofthis remote area, which is rarelyvisit- on the hill slopes and the plateau have Sudan-
edbyforeigners. Here I presentan overviewofthe Guinea Savanna characteristics. There is little
species I recorded. surface water.
Nanyangacor (730 m) lies in a valley sur-
Study area rounded by the Kauto Plateau, which reaches
c.1,100 m (Fig. 5).TheNanyangacorRiver, which
Location dries up entirely at the peak of the dry season,
Iwas basedandmademostobservations atthevil- flows from the plateau towards Naparalang. High
lage ofNanyangacor (05°30’N 34°46’E), c.50 km trees along the river includeAcacia spp., tamarind
west ofthe Ethiopian border and 34 km north of spp., Terminalia spp., Sycamore Fig Ficus syco-
the Ilemi Triangle, which is officially part of morus and Sausage Tree Kigelia africana (Fig. 3).
Sudan, but is governed by Kenya (Fig. 1). For Parts ofthe areaare open, with cotton soil, anoth-
work purposes I regularly travelled up to 50 km er type ofclayor a sandysurface (Fig. 4). Most of
from Nanyangacor in various directions. The area the area is very stony. The vegetation consists of
is reachableonlybydirtroadfrom theborderwith lowgrasses and shrubs like SodomApple Solanum
KenyaattheLokichokio-Nadapal road. Roads are incanum. In the lower-lying areas there is low
more or less unpassable during or directly after thorn scrub, with Hookthorn Acacia Acacia mel-
rains. An airstrip for small aeroplanes was con- liflora one ofthe commonest small trees (Fig. 9).
Birdobservationsfromsouth-eastSudan:deBont BullABCVol16No 1 (2009)-37
Figure 1. Map ofthestudyarea (adaptedfromGoogleEarth)
Cartedelazoneetudiee (adapteede GoogleEarth)
The tree Balanites aegyptiaca, which produces fastjustafterrainfall.Thereareplaceswithstagnant
small edible fruits, is relatively common. On the water.Thishillycountryispartofthewesternslope
hill slopes the surface is also clay with many ofthe Ethiopianhighlands. NearNanyangacorand
stones. The main shrub here is Grewia Grewiasp., Lotimor, closetotheborderwithEthiopia, thelong
with Terminaliaspinosa DesertRoseAdeniumobc- ridge of Mt Mataraba reaches c.2,000 m and the
,
sum, Sickle Bush Dichrostachys cinerea and others peakofMtNaita is at2,231 m.
on morelevelground (Fig. 6). Inveryrockyplaces In this entire area there is hardly any surface
Strangler Fig Ficus thonningii and Euphorbia hete- water, except when Naparalang is inundated.
rochromaoccur. Myrr Commiphoraafricana is also However, there is a permanent lake, called Lake
present, but is rare and I have only seen it near Toposabylocal people, on the borderofthe Ilemi
Nachodokopele. Triangle (04°57’N 34°44’E), c.23 km from
On the Kauto Plateau the surface is variable Naparalang. Despite this short distance I was
with large areas ofcotton soil or another type of neverabletoreachitduetoinsecurityandthelack
clay, stands ofWhistlingThornAcacia drepanolo- ofroads.
bium some sandy tracts, and areas showing the
,
characteristics of Guinea savanna, with larger Climate
broad-leaved trees. Annual rainfall in 2000-03 varied between 423
mm
The environs of Lotimor consist mainly of and 1,197 (Fig. 2). Most rain falls in
thornbush. Larger trees, mainlyAcaciaspp., occur April-May and August-November. In 2004 and
mm
only along the river. The water in the study area 2005 the rains were good, with 841 and 641
drains into low-lying valleys or partly (like the respectively.
Kuron River) into the Nile drainage. Temperatures vary little. In 2005 mean maxi-
North-east of Naparalang the landscape ma varied between 32.1°C (May) and 39.9°C
becomes morehillyand rocky.This facilitateswater (February) and mean minima between 25.1°C
drainage through seasonal streams that flow very (July) and 28.7°C (February).
38-BullABCVol16No1(2009) Birdobservationsfromsouth-eastSudan:deBont
250.0 12004 >2005 Average
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Figure2. Monthlyrainfallin2004 and2005 (inmm) comparedto averagemonthlyrainfallin 2000-05, at
Nanyangacor, Sudan
Precipitationsmensuellesen2004et2005 (en mm) comparees auxprecipitations mensuellesmoyennes en2000-05,
Nanyangacor, Soudan
People andlanduse Methods
The area is inhabited bypastoralists oftheToposa I attempted to record as many bird species as
and Nyangatom tribes. In the last 20 years these possible per month by visiting various habitat
tribes have permanently occupied the area, result- types. The number ofindividuals ofeach species
ing in the land now being grazed year-round, was either counted or estimated. Most observa-
whereas previouslyitwas used during the drysea- tions were made while travelling by car. The
son only. Some agriculture is practised, with the surroundings of the following regularly visited
main crop, sorghum, being farmed along small sites were also searched for birds: Nanyangacor
riverbeds (Fig. 7). Some tobacco is produced on (427 days), Lotimor (16 visits, totalling 60 days),
the Kauto Plateau. Napwatasigiria (16 visits, 60 days), Parabuku (five
blunting pressure is constant. Local people visits, 14 days), Namorpus (four visits, 12 days)
used to hunt with spears, sticks and stones andNamasamor (foursingle-dayvisits). In total, I
(Gunther’s DikdikMadoquaguentheriis still regu- spent 572 days in the area.
larlykilledwithstones), butnowhavefirearms.As Evidenceofbreedingwasnoted, i.e. observations
aresult there are nowveryfewlarge animals (pers. ofbirdscarryingnestingmaterial, foodorfaecalsacs,
obs.). Elephants Loxodonta africana formerly and occupied nests or very recently fledged young
occurred until c.20 years ago, but they now only beingfedbyadults.Territorialsongorbehaviourwas
seem to move between the Ilemi Triangle and the also taken as indicative ofbreeding. Bird calls and
Boma Plateau (the only elephant droppings seen songs were recorded with an Olympus VN-240PC
during mystaywere on the road to Lotimor). digital voice recorder and a SonyECM-Z60 micro-
The recent arrival ofexpatriates has produced phone. The presence of mammals was noted
aregularsupplyofmanufacturedgoods, including opportunistically(Appendix4).
metal tools, such as axes and machetes, making it
easierto cutfirewoodfrom livetrees. Largersettle- Results
ments develop at locations where schools, I observed 310 species; these are listed in
hospitals and other services are provided, at Appendix 1 with their occurrence per month,
Nanyangachor and Kuron. based on 12,074 bird records. In total, 758 sound
recordings of 156 species were made, and were
Birdobservationsfromsouth-eastSudan:deBont BullABCVol16No 1(2009)-39
deposited in the British Library Sound Archive, 2001; highest number: 28 in Kidepo), or in adja-
London, UK, inJune 2006. cent south-west Ethiopia (EWNHS 2001).
Second come species restricted to the Sudan-
Comparison with earlierdata Guinea Savanna biome with six out of36 species:
Appendix 2 lists 50 species not mentioned by Fox KestrelFalcoalopex (not uncommon breeding
Nikolaus (1987) fortherelevantone-degree (120 x resident), Red-throated Bee-eater Merops bulocki
120 km) squares. Of these, 23-25 species were (breeding visitor), Green-backed Eremomela
observed duringmigration, fourwere bothwinter- Eremomelacanescens (breedingresident), Gambaga
ing and on passage, and 5-6 are residents. A few Flycatcher Muscicapa gambagae (uncommon in
specieswereonlypresentduringthenorthernsum- September-January, breeding unknown),
mer (2-3) or winter (four). Another seven are Chestnut-crowned Sparrow Weaver Plocepasser
breeding birds for the area. One (Mosque Swallow superciliosus (common breeding resident) and
Cecropissenegalensis)wasonlyobservedonce, on21 Black-faced Firefinch Lagonosticta larvata (one
December 2004; its status is therefore unknown. record). IBAs in southern Sudan have up to 25
Fifty-five species mentioned by Nikolaus species restricted to this biome (Robertson 2001).
(1987) were not observed by me (47 from square Two species of the Afrotropical Highlands
5/35 and ten from 5/34). Twenty-two are water- biome were encountered (White-cheeked Turaco
related,whichsuggests thesemighthavebeen seen Tauraco leucotis and Swainson’s Sparrow Passer
within Sudan or in neighbouring Ethiopia, where swainsonii). Least represented are species restricted
Omo
the River lies partly in this one-degree to the Sahara-Sindian biome (one of 17:
square. I am not aware ofany larger waterbodies Lichtenstein’s Sandgrouse Pterocles lichtensteinii)
within the Sudanian part of this square. I ques- and the Sahel biome (one of 15: Arabian Bustard
tioned many local people about the occurrence of Ardeotis arabs). Lichtenstein’s Sandgrouse was
the Somali Ostrich Struthio (camelus) molybdo- common and present in all months over a wide
phanes, mentioned by Nikolaus for both squares, area around Nayangacor, where it presumably
and was told that it no longer occurs in the area, breeds.Arabian Bustardwasobserved (andfilmed)
probably because the species has been locally once (asingle), near thevillage ofNamorpus on 8
hunted to extinction. December 2005.
Species ofconservation concern Migration
Sudan has 34 species of conservation concern Waterbirds migrated mainly east-west and
(IUCN2008). Ofthese, ninewereobservedin the west-east. Exceptions were Black Stork Ciconia
study area. One is Endangered (Egyptian Vulture nigra andWhite Stork C. ciconia which in March
,
Neophron percnopterus), four are Vulnerable 2005 were observed flying north. I suspect that
(Lappet-faced Vulture Torgos tracheliotus, White- storks, ibises and pelicans flyfrom the Omo River
headed Vulture Trigonoceps occipitalis, Greater system to theNile Riversystem, therebybypassing
Spotted Eagle Aquila clanga and Lesser Kestrel the mountains of Ethiopia and moving via the
Falco naumanni) and another four Near Nanyangacor Valley. From the Nile Valley they
Threatened (WTiite-backedVulture Gypsafricanus, can reach the Sudd further north. There might be
Riippell’s Griffon Vulture G. rueppellii Pallid migration through the Omo River system further
,
Harrier Circus macrourus and Denham’s Bustard north, following the RiftValleythrough Ethiopia.
Neotisdenhami). There was a well-marked north-south and
south-north migration of other migratory birds
Biome-restrictedspecies during autumn and spring. Particularly notewor-
Species restricted to five different biomes thy were raptors (Common Buzzard Buteo buteo
& ,
(Fishpool Evans 2001) were found. Best repre- Lesser Spotted EagleAquilapomarina), European
sented were those ofthe Somali-Masai biome, of Bee-eaterMeropsapiasterand hirundines.
which 37 of the 49 species recorded in Sudan
(Robertson 2001) were found.This numberis sig- Mammals
nificantly higher than in any of the Important Twenty-eight species were recorded (Appendix 3).
Bird Areas (IBA) in southern Sudan (Robertson Leopard Pantherapardus is the only mammal on
40-BullABCVol16No 1(2009) Birdobservationsfromsouth-eastSudan:deBont
the list not seen byme, but it definitelyoccurs, as Long-legged Buzzard Buteo rufinus (+)
twice a man who tried to shoot a Leopard was Fiveindividuals observedatNanyangacoron three
attacked and admitted to the local hospital. occasions in March 2005. Rare in the Sudd and
further south (Nikolaus 1989) and not mapped
Notes on selected species for southern Sudan (Nikolaus 1987).
VU
Additions to the relevant one-degree squares in Greater Spotted EagleAquila clanga (+)
Nikolaus (1987) (seeAppendix2) are marked (+). OneobservedatNanyangacorduringnorthbound
Species ofconservation concern are indicated by migration, on 1 May 2005. Mapped only for
EN = Endangered, VU = Vulnerable and NT = north-eastern Sudan in Nikolaus (1987) and not
NearThreatened. mentioned at all byNikolaus (1989).
European HoneyBuzzard Pernisapivorus (+) Verreaux’s EagleAquila verreauxii (+)
Twenty individuals observed, both during spring Recorded at Napwatasigiria and Nanyangacor.
(on five occasions) and autumn migration (on Possible breeder on the hills in the study area.
eight occasions, among which 14 November Likely to occur in the bordering area ofEthiopia.
2004, Nanyangacor). Mentioned as uncommon Nearest area mentioned by Nikolaus (1989) are
and migration ‘more pronounced in spring’ by the Imatong Mountains (03°55’N 32°55’E).
Nikolaus (1987). VU
Lesser Kestrel Falco naumanni (+)
EgyptianVulture Neophronpercnopterus EN Nine birds seen migrating south at Nanyangacor
Observed in small numbers (45 in total; both on 27 December 2004; one observed hunting at
adults and juveniles) in all months except April Lotimor on 21 April 2005 and eight along the
andJuly. Mostwere seen in March (11). I suspect Nanyangacor-Lotimor road on 22 April 2005.
that many birds were migrants from either nearby NT
Denham’s Bustard Neotisdenhami
(Ethiopianmassif) ormore distantareas. Breeding
might occurwithin 30-40 km ofNanyangacor. Only one observation, oftwo birds at Naparalang
on 9 April 2004, but dense vegetation in many
White-backedVulture GypsafricanusNT parts of the area hamper views from the road.
Common in the study area: observed in all Probably extirpated from most of the area by
months (>10 per month). Presumably breeds in hunting and grazing pressure.
the area.
White-cheeked Turaco Turaco leucotis (+)
RiippelPs GriffonVulture Gyps rueppelliiNT Observed in the Nanyangacor area in March
Fairlycommon; noted in all months and breeding (two), May (one), June (two), July (two) and
recorded in March. September (one); no indicationofbreedingfound.
VU This Afrotropical Highlands biome species was
LOabpspeertv-efdaciendalVlulmtounrtehsTowrgiotshtsrlaicghhetlliyothuisgher num- previouslyonlyrecorded in the Bomahills (square
6/34: Nikolaus 1987).
bers in November-January.
VU Mottled Swift Tachymarptisaequatorialis (+)
White-headedVulture Trigonoceps occipitalis
Observed twice inApril 2005 (>6 birds) and once
Observed in all months. in October 2005 (one). Possibly indicates move-
Pallid Harrier Circus macrourus NT ment between wintering and breeding areas, as
A regular visitor to the area in low numbers (20 suggested byNikolaus (1989). Might breed in the
individuals in total), especially in nearbyEthiopian highlands.
September-February. A female was seen near
Naparalang on 22 July 2008. The latter seems to HCooompmooen;Upuobpsaerevpoepds t(+h)roughout the year (sub-
be a rather unusual date, although in East Africa
species epops and / or senegalcnsis / waibeli not
this species has been recorded, albeit exceptional-
& distinguished in the field); singing noted in vari-
ly, inJuly(Britton 1980, Lewis Pomeroy 1989). ous months. Likelybreeder. One individual ofthe
race africana was seen at Nanyangacor on 13
Birdobservationsfromsouth-eastSudan:deBont BullABCVol16No 1 (2009)-41
February 2004. Nikolaus (1987) mentions only a White-billed BuffaloWeaver Bubalornis
single record, from Darfur, ofthis form. albirostris (+)
Observed on 51 occasions in all months and in
Hemprich’s Hornbill Tockushemprichii (+) good numbers. Mentioned by Nikolaus (1987,
Resident, although not observed in May; presum-
My 1989) only for the area around Kapoeta. Not
ably breeds along the cliffs in the study area.
recorded east of 34°E, where Red-billed Buffalo
trheicsorudnscfiollmtmhoensmsaplecliegsa,pwihnicthheoncactuirosnaolnlryanignethoef Weaver B. niger is reportedly common (Nikolaus
extreme south-east ofSudan (Nikolaus 1987). (1987, 1989). However, Iobservedthelatterspecies
only twice, in September 2005 (Nanyangacor; one
Scaly-throated HoneyguideIndicatorvariegatus (+) individual) and December2005 (Namorpus; one).
The observation ofsingingbirds suggests breeding
inApril-July, and constitutes a small range exten- Steel-blueWhydah Vidua hypocherina (+)
Three, one with long rectrices, were seen at
sion towards the Ethiopian border.
Lotimoron 20July2005.Thehostspecies, Black-
Gambaga FlycatcherMuscicapagambagae (+) faced Waxbill Estrilda erythronotos was observed
,
Found between September 2005 and January once (one bird) at the same locality on 17
2006.This species is known as an uncommon and December 2005. This constitutes a slight range
local migrant, with breeding records from around extension for both species.
11°N in eastern Sudan (Nikolaus 1987). My
records constitute a range extension south ofthe Discussion
known breeding areas. The studyareaqualifies as an Important BirdArea
&
for two reasons (for criteria see Fishpool Evans
Hunter’s Sunbird Nectarinia hunteri (+)
A species restricted to the Somali-Masai biome, 2001): it holds a population of the Endangered
EgyptianVultureandthereforequalifies undercri-
observed around Nanyangacor and Lotimor in all
terion Al, as well as under criterion A3 (A08)
months exceptJanuary, May,June and September.
Apossibleobservationwas made inApril. Possibly because the site holds 37 ofthe 49 species ofthe
Somali-Masai biome recorded in Sudan. Besides
present year-round. Not previously recorded in
the area, although a specimen was obtained from these two reasons it holds eight other species of
the IlemiTriangle in May (Nikolaus 1987, 1989). conservation concern.
The area proposed as an IBA could be seen as
Lesser GreyShrike Lanius minor (+) an extension ofBoma National Park, because the
Observed in April 2004 near Nanyangacor (one) northern border should be the Kuron River. As a
and April 2005 on the Kauto Plateau (nine birds western border I advise the area around the
in total). An uncommon to rare winter visitor to Lothagum Hills (around 05°19’N 34°19’E)
southern Sudan (Nikolaus 1987, 1989). south-east towards Lake Toposa at the border of
the Ilemi Triangle, and north-east towards the
Eurasian Golden Oriole Oriolus oriolus (+) Ethiopian border near Mt Naita. The eastern bor-
In total, 103 migrants were observed on various
der with Ethiopia would also form the eastern
dates in April 2005 (11 birds) and in September
boundary ofthe IBA.
2004 and 2005, October 2005, November 2004
and2005, andDecember2004. Previouslyrecord- Judging from satellite images, the Ilemi
Triangle mostly comprises Somali-Masai biome
ed in southern Sudan only during spring
migration and it has been suggested that the vegetation. It would be interesting to include it
species would ‘overfly [the country] on autumn within an IBA, but it is a disputed area between
Sudan and Kenya, which has created uncertainty
migration’ (Nikolaus 1987, 1989).
about presence of species within Sudan’s borders
Swainson’s SparrowPasserswainsonii (+) and has prevented research because ofuncertainty
Common resident; breeding noted April-July. In as to which countrythe area belongs, and because
southern Sudan, this Afrotropical Highlands the three main tribes (the Turkana in Kenya,
biome specieswas previouslyonlyrecorded in two Toposa of Sudan and Nyangatom of Sudan and
neighbouring squares (6/34 and 4/35: Nikolaus Ethiopia) regularlymakecattleraids.Thereissuch
1987). a degree ofinsecurity about the region that even
42-BullABCVol16No 1(2009) Birdobservationsfromsouth-eastSudan:deBont
Figure 3. HabitatneartheNanyangacorRiverwith
SausageTreeKigeliaafricana (M. de Bont)
Habitatauxenvirons dufleuveNanyangacoravec
SaucissonierKigeliaafricana (M. de Bont)
Figure4. HabitatnearLotimorwithMtNaitainthe
background (M. de Bont)
Habitatpres deLotimoravecleMontNaitaen arriere-
plan (M. de Bont)
Figure 3. HabitatnearNanyangacorwiththe Kauto
Plateauin the background (M. de Bont)
Habitatpres deNanyangacoravecle Plateaude Kauto en
arriere-plan (M. de Bont)
Figure6. Habitaton hill nearNanyangacor (M. de Bont)
Habitatsurunecollinepres deNanyangacor (M. de
Bont)
Figure7. SorghumfieldneartheNanyangacorRiver (M.
de Bont)
Champ desorgho auxenvironsdufleuveNanyangacor
(M. de Bont)
Figure 8. Rockfacewith theNanyangacorRiverinback-
groundleft (M. de Bont)
Paroi rocheuseaveclefleuveNanyangacorenarriere-plan
agauche (M. de Bont)
Figure 9. HabitatnearNapwatasigiria (M. de Bont)
HabitatauxenvironsdeNapwatasigiria (M. de Bont)
Birdobservationsfromsouth-eastSudan:deBont BullABCVol16No 1 (2009)-43
most Toposa would not enter the area, especially Ethiopian Wildlife and Natural History Society
for fear oftheTurkana. (EWNHS)2001.Ethiopia.InFishpool,L.D.C. &
Birds most at riskwithin the studyareaappear Evans, M. I. (eds.) Important BirdAreas in Africa
to be those restricted to the Sudan-Guinea andAssociatedIslands:PrioritySitesforConservation.
SavannaandAfrotropical Highlands biome.These Newbury: Pisces Publications & Cambridge, UK:
biomes indeed occur within a small area. Larger Birdlife International.
trees are being cut for firewood and construction Fishpool, L. D. C. & Evans, M. I. (eds.) 2001.
purposes by the Toposa and Nyangatom peoples, ImportantBirdAreasinAfricaandAssociatedIslands:
wHuhnotimnogveisdwiindteosptrheeaadreaanbdecmaoussteloafrgtehremcaivmilmawalrs. PPruibolriictyatiSointess fo&r CoCnasemrbvraitidogne., NeUwbKu:ry:BirPdilsicfees
International.
have already been extirpated. IUCN 2008. Red List of threatened species.
www.iucnredlist.org (accessed 5 September2008).
Acknowledgements
I thank Fr. T. Galvin and S. Cremin for offering me a KinMgadmommaJl.s.19L97o.ndTohne,KUiKn:gdAocnadFieemlidcGPuriedsse.toAfrican
job in south-east Sudan; HermaKlandermans, without Lewis, A. & Pomeroy, D. 1989. A BirdAtlas ofKenya.
whomIwouldnothavebeeninsouthernSudanfortwo Rotterdam, Netherlands & Brookfield, USA: A.A.
years; R. L.Vogel, R. NoordhuisandA. deWitforpro-
Balkema.
viding their observations while visiting me in
Nikolaus, G. 1987. Distribution atlas ofSudan’s birds
Nanyangacor; Gert Ottens, Vogelbescherming
with notes on habitat and status. Bonn. Zool.
Nederland, for help with literature; C. Tipp, British Monogr. 25: 1-322.
Library Sound Archive, for providing some recordings
Nikolaus,G. 1989. BirdsofSouthSudan.ScopusSuppl.
ofrange-restricted species; Ed Hall, Ruurd Noordhuis 3: 1-124.
and Ruud Foppen for reading drafts ofthis paper and Robertson, P. 2001. Sudan. In Fishpool, L. D. C. &
pirngovwiidtihngsommuechcalgcouoladtiaodnvsi;ceD;riHeesnOkoSmieerndsfoermaprfoodruhceilnpg- aEvnadnAss,soMc.iatIe.d(Iesdlsa.n)dsI:mPproirortiatnytSiBtiersfdoArreCoansseirnvaAtfiroinc.a
themap;LincolnFishpoolforliteratureandadvice;and Newbury: Pisces Publications & Cambridge, UK:
Ron Demeyforcontacts and readingthe drafts.
Birdlife International.
References Oude Graafseweg261, 6543 PPNijmegen, Netherlands.
de Bont, M. 2002. Avifauna of the Hwimo area, E-mail:[email protected]
Nigeria. Bull. ABC9: 101-106. Received 2August 2007; revision accepted 16 October
Britton, P. L. (ed.) 1980. Birds ofEast Africa: Their 2008.
Habitat, StatusandDistribution. Nairobi: EastAfr.
Nat. Hist. Soc.
Appendix1.BirdspeciesrecordedintheNanyangacorarea,EasternEquatoria,Sudan,19January2004-5January2006
Annexe1.Especesd’oiseauxobserveesdanslazonedeNanyangacor,EasternEquatoria,Soudan,19janvier2004-5janvier2006
Biome(Fishpool&Evans2001):
SS=RestrictedtotheSahara-Sindianbiome(1species)
SA=RestrictedtotheSahelbiome(1species)
SG=RestrictedtotheSudan-GuineaSavannabiome(6species)
SM=RestrictedtotheSomali-Masaibiome(37species)
AH=RestrictedtotheAfrotropicalHighlandsbiome(2species)
Birdnumbersrecordedinthefieldaregiveninprecisefiguresorasfollows/Lenombred’oiseauxrecensessurleterrainestincliqueparunchiffreprecisoucommesuit:
A=1,B=2-10,C=11-100,D=101-1,000,E=1,001-10,000.
Anasterisk*marksspeciesforwhichsound-recordingsweremade/Unasterique*indiquelesespecesdontdesvocalisationsonteteenregistrees.
=Evidenceofbreedingobserved/Preuvedereproductionobtenue
44-BullABCVol16No 1(2009) Birdobservationsfromsouth-eastSudan:deBont
Biome Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Pelecanidae
Pink-backedPelican Pelecanusrufescens 8 2
Ardeidae
SCtartitalteedEgHreetron BBuutbourlicduessisbtirsiata -- -- 1-0 >A48 AC? 6-5 >6-50 4-3 -3 1-02 1-00 ——
GreatEgret Egrettaalba - A A -
PurpleHeron Ardeapurpurea - - - - - - - - A - - -
GreyHeron Ardeacinerea - - - - - - A - - A A
Black-headedHeron Ardeamelanocephala - - - A A - 12 - 3 6 - -
Scopidae
Hamerkop* Scopusumbretta A A A B B B A B B B B B
Ciconiidae
Yellow-billedStork Mycteriaibis 3 24 A 77 9 12
AfricanOpenbillStork Anastomuslamelligerus - A 59 - - 15 - - 140 500 - A
BlackStork Ciconianigra - - 8 - - - - - - - - -
Abdim’sStork Ciconiaabdimii 6 3 421 2,918 >112 220 - - 150 - - —
Woolly-neckedStork Ciconiaepiscopus - 2 A - - - - - - - 2 9
WhiteStork Ciconiaciconia - - 48 19 3 - A - A 2 290
MarabouStork Leptoptiloscrumeniferus 2 C >50 14 A B B - 5 14 B 67
Threskiornithidae
SacredIbis Threskiornisaethiopicus 21 _ 21 20 A _ 12 46 _ 100 19 210
Anatidae
White-facedWhistlingDuck Dendrocygnaviduata C B 4 B
Knob-billedDuck Sarkidiornismelanotos - - - - - 15 - - - - - -
Accipitridae
EuropeanHoneyBuzzard Pernisapivorus - - 4 - 4 - - - 8 3 A -
Black-shoulderedKite Elanuscaeruleus - - - A A - - A - - A 7
AfricanSwallow-tailedKite Chelictiniariocourii - - - - - - A? 2 A - 2 2
BlackKite Milvusmigrans - - 25 - - - - - - - 1 -
Yellow-billedKite* Milvusmigransparasitus C D >80 >65 C C C B 31 C D C
EgyptianVulture Neophronpercnopterus 2 4 11 - A 3 - A 3 3 2 5
HoodedVulture Necrosyrtesmonachus C C C >25 C C >100 19 D C D •C
White-backedVulture Gypsafricanus C C C 26 c C >25 19 C C C C
Ruppell’sGriffonVulture Gypsrueppellii C C 19 7 4 B >10 7 C C C C
Lappet-facedVulture Torgostracheliotus C 8 7 4 9 4 8 4 8 B C C
White-headedVulture Trigonocepsoccipitalis B 8 8 3 5 4 B 3 5 11 B B
Short-toedSnakeEagle Circaetusgallicus - - - - - - - A? - - - —A
Black-chestedSnakeEagle Circaetuspectoralis A A A A 2 - - - A - -
BrownSnakeEagle Circaetuscinereus A A - - - 2 2 A - 2 - 3
Bateleur Terathopiusecaudatus B 3 9 5 C 6 9 B B C B B
AfricanHarrierHawk Polyboroidestypus A A A A A - 2 B - - - A
PallidHarrier Circusmacrourus 4 1 - - - - A - A A 2 9
Montagu’sHarrier Circuspygargus - 4 13 3 A - - - - - 4 4
WesternMarshHarrier Circusaeruginosus - - 3 - - - - - A 2 - 5
GabarGoshawk* Micronisusgabar A B B 4 B A 3 B B B B B
DarkChantingGoshawk* Melieraxmetabates B B B 21 2 7 15 3 B B C B
Shikra* Accipiterbadius B B B 6 B 7 C B B 3 C B
GLirttalsesShpoaprpreorwBhuazwzkard ABcuctiapsittuerrriunfmiuplelnunsis -- A- AA -- A- -- -8 A- A- -- -- --
CommonBuzzard Buteobuteo - 12 717 15 49 - - - 556 2,329 2 —2
Long-leggedBuzzard Buteorufinus - - 5 - - - - - - - -
AugurBuzzard Buteoaugur - - - - - A - - - - A -
LesserSpottedEagle Aquilapomarina - 4 202 4 - - - - A 2 4 5
GreaterSpottedEagle Aquilaclanga - * 9 - - A - - - - - - -
TawnyEagle* Aquilarapax B c 22 5 7 8 7 B 10 8 C C
SteppeEagle Aquilanipalensis A 2 10 A A - - - - 2 - -4
Verreaux’sEagle Aquilaverreauxii - 2 3 - - 2 A A 2 2 -
Wahlberg’sEagle Aquilawahlbergi - - A - - - - - - - 2 2
AfricanHawkEagle Hieraaetusspilogaster B A A B - - - B - B B -4
BootedEagle Hieraaetuspennatus - - - 2 - - - - - - 2
MartialEagle Polemaetusbellicosus - A A A 2 B - - A 2 B B
45-BullABCVol16No 1 (2009) Birdobservationsfromsouth-eastSudan:deBont BullABCVol16No 1 (2009)-45
Biome Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Sagittariidae
Secretarybird Sagittariusserpentarius - - - 2 - - _ _ _ 2 _ _
Falconidae
PygmyFalcon Polihieraxsemitorquatus B 3 2 A A B 2 3 A 2
LesserKestrel Falconaumanni - - - 9 - - - - - - - 9
CommonKestrel* Falcotinnunculus A 4 5 3 2 3 2 2 B A B 6
FoxKestrel* Falcoalopex SG B 5 4 5 C 14 >17 B B B C C
GreyKestrel Falcoardosiaceus A A - 2 B B - B A A - A
EurasianHobby Falcosubbuteo - - 2 10 3 - - - 6 3 2 -
LannerFalcon Falcobiarmicus - 2 2 2 A 4 - - 3 A B B
Numididae
HelmetedGuineafowl* Numidameleagris C C C D C C C C C C C C
Phasianidae
CommonQuail Coturnixcoturnix A
HarlequinQuail Coturnixdelegorguei - - - - - A 2 - - - - -
CrestedFrancolin* Francolinussephaena C C C D C D D c C C D D
Yellow-neckedSpurfowl Francolinusleucoscepus SM c c 2 B c C B c B B B C
Otididae
Denham'sBustard Neotisdenhami 2
ArabianBustard Ardeotisarabs SA A
—
KoriBustard Ardeotiskori 3 -
Buff-crestedBustard Eupodotisgindiana SM B B C B B B B B B B B B
White-belliedBustard Eupodotissenegalensis B B B B B B B - 10 B B B
Black-belliedBustard Lissotismelanogaster A 2 - - - - A - - - 2 --
Hartlaub’sBustard Lissotishartlaubii - - - A - - - - - - -
Recurvirostridae
Black-wingedStilt Himantopushimantopus _ _ 4 _ _ _ _ _ _ 15 _ _
Burhinidae
SpottedThick-knee* Burhinuscapensis B B B B B B C B B B B B
Glareolidae
Temminck'sCourser Cursoriustemminckii _ _ _ _ _ _ A _ 4 _ 8
Charadriidae
AfricanWattledLapwing Vanellussenegallus A 5
—
Black-headedLapwing Vanellustectus - 5 - A B B - 6 - - 4 -
Spur-wingedLapwing Vanellusspinosus - - A - A A - - 4 -
CrownedLapwing Vanelluscoronatus B 4 - - - - B - 3 - 4 3
Scolopacidae
_
MarshSandpiper Tringastagnatilis 2 _ —
CommonGreenshank Tringanebularia 3 -
GreenSandpiper Tringaochropus - - A A - - - A 8 7 A 7
WoodSandpiper Tringaglareola - - - A - - - - - 3 - --
CommonSandpiper Actitishypoleucos - - 7 5 - - 2 A A 4 -
Pteroclidae
Chestnut-belliedSandgrouse* Pteroclesexustus >30
Lichtenstein'sSandgrouse* Pterocleslichtensteinii ss C C C C B 40 >20 A B C C -C
Four-bandedSandgrouse* Pteroclesquadricinctus - - - - - - >25 - - - -
Columbidae
Bruce'sGreenPigeon* Treronwaalia c c C C C D C C D c c C
TambourineDove Turturtympanistria - - - - - A - - - - - -
Emerald-spottedWoodDove* Turturchalcospilos D D D D D D D D D D D D
NamaquaDove* Oenacapensis B C C 18 D D E D D C D C
SpeckledPigeon Columbaguinea - 3 7 >23 3 2 16 - 10 A A B
Red-eyedDove* Streptopeliasemitorquata C C D D D C D C C C D C
AfricanMourningDove* Streptopeliadecipiens C D D D D D E D D D D D
VmaceousDove* Streptopeliavinacea c C C C C C C C C C C C
LaughingDove’ Streptopeliasenegalensis D D D D D E E D D D D D
Psrttacidae
MeyersParrot* Poicephalusmeyeri B C B >9 C C C C C C C C
Musophagidae
White-cteekedTuraco* Tauracoleucotis AH 2 A 2 2 A
46-BullABCVol16No 1(2009) Birdobservationsfromsouth-eastSudan:deBont