Section 1 - Introduction, logistics, itinerary and general information.
Section 2 - Birding sites.
Section 3 - Systematic list.
Systematic List
The following annotated species list, lists all species known to-date to have been recorded in Cape Verde. Taxonomy and nomenclature follow Clements (1991), with additions and corrections as published since. However, this is at odds with the most important work on Cape Verde birds, the BOU checklist (Hazevoet, 1995), which has adopted the pylogenetic species concept (PSC). I have therefore adopted a terminology to make the reader aware of both these approaches. As an example, the distinctive Cape Verde form bournei of Purple Heron is here listed as "Cape Verde Heron" Ardea (pupurea) bournei to show that it is treated as a phylogenetic species Ardea bournei by Hazevoet, but conspecific with purpurea in Clements. Species carry a simple description concerning their status and abundance in Cape Verde, which have been largely taken from Hazevoet (1995). Observations are added or all species recorded during my trip.
Cape Verde Islands Petrel Pterodroma (mollis) feae
This, the nominate form, treated as a phylogenetic species of the P. mollis group-complex (Soft-plumaged Petrel). The taxonomy of this group is very complex, comprising the south Atlantic Soft-plumaged Petrel mollis, and the two north Atlantic forms madeira and deserta. Uncommon breeding resident and visitor around Santiago, Fogo, Santo Antão and São Nicolau. Breeds January to May. Trip: Santo Antão: Villa Ribeira Grande; 6+ (6/3/97) off the beach. Ponto do Sol; 20+ (7/3/97), some passing fairly close to shore. Raso: 2 (10/3/97) on the boat crossing from São Nicolau.
Bulwer's Petrel Bulweria bulwerii
Uncommon breeding resident on Ilhéu de Cima and Raso. Breeds February to September.
Cory's Shearwater Calonectris diomedea
Visitor. Probably widely overlooked.
Cape Verde Shearwater Calonectris (diomedia) edwardsii
Treated as a phylogenetic species, distinct from Cory's Shearwater. Locally common breeding visitor. Breeds late Feb to October. Widespread. Trip: Santiago: Praia; 1 (5/3/97) offshore. Santo Antão; Villa Ribeira Grande; 100s (6/3/97) offshore. Ponto do Sol 20+ (7/3/97). São Nicolau: 150+ (10/3/97) on boat crossing to/from Raso. Boa Vista: Pássaros; 1 (13/3/97).
Great Shearwater Puffinus gravis
Visitor.
Sooty Shearwater Puffinus griseus
Vagrant.
Manx Shearwater Puffinus puffinus
Uncommon visitor.
Cape Verde Little Shearwater Puffinus (lherminieri) boydi
Treated as a phylogenetic species of the P. lherminieri group. Widespread, but uncommon endemic. Breeds January to June. Trip: Raso; 2 (10/3/97) both seen from the boat near Raso.
Wilson's Storm-Petrel Oceanites oceanicus
Visitor.
White-faced Storm-Petrel Pelagodroma marina
Locally common breeding visitor to Branco, Boa Vista and Maio. Breeds January to July. Trip: Boa Vista; Pássaros; 30+ (13-14/3/97) seen post-dusk and pre-dawn on the small islet of Ilhéu de Pássaros about 1 km offshore. Birds arrived about 1 hour after dark and departed an hour before light.
Band-rumped Storm-Petrel Hydrobates castro
Resident on Boa Vista, Raso, Branco and Ilhéu de Rombo. Breeds between October and June.
Leach's Storm-Petrel Hydrobates leucorhous
Visitor.
Red-billed Tropicbird Phaethon aethereus
Common resident on Santiago, Brava and Raso. Breeds mainly January to May. Trip: Santiago: Praia; 1 (4/3/97) on the cliffs east of town, with 5 (15/3/97). Raso: 20 (10/3/97) at the breeding colony along the south of the island.
Magnificent Frigatebird Fregata magnificens
Rare resident on Boa Vista, with only a few pairs remaining. Breeds probably throughout year, but most breeding records February and March. Trip: Boa Vista: Curral Velha; a single male (14/3/97) seen floating above and landing on the offshore islet. Presumably dependent on the 50+ pair of Brown Booby also still found there.
Northern Gannet Morus bassanus
Vagrant.
Red-footed Booby Sula sula
Vagrant.
Brown Booby Sula leucogaster
Locally common resident. Breeds throughout the year. Trip: Santiago: Praia; 2 (4/3/97). Raso: 70+ prs. (10/3/97) at the breeding colonies along the south of the island. Sal; Santa Maria; 2 (12/3/97). Boa Vista: Pássaros; 2 (13/3/97). Curral Velha; 50 prs. (14/3/97).
White-breasted Cormorant Phalacrocorax lucidus
Vagrant.
Common Teal Anas crecca
Vagrant.
Marbled Teal Marmaronetta angustirostris
Vagrant. May formerly have bred.
Common Pochard Aythya ferina
Vagrant.
Ferruginous Duck Aythya nyroca
Vagrant.
Tufted Duck Aythya fuligula
Vagrant.
Greater Flamingo Phoenicopterus roseus
Rare visitor. Formerly bred.
Black Egret Egretta ardesiaca
Vagrant.
Little Egret Egretta garzetta
Widespread resident. Trip: Santiago: Praia; 1 (5-6/3/97), 4 (14/3/97). Santo Antão: Villa de Ribeira Grande; 2 (6-7/3/97). São Vicente; Mindelo; 30+ (8-9/3/97) along the shore around town, but mostly at the sewage ponds. São Nicolau: Tarrafal; 1 (9/3/97). Raso: 2 (10/3/97). Sal: Santa Maria; 1 (12/3/97). Boa Vista: Rabil lagoon; 10+ (13-15/3/97).
Western Reef-Egret Egretta gularis
Rare visitor. Few records. Trip: Santiago: Praia; 1 (15-16/3/97) dark phase bird feeding and roosting around the small sewage farm near the river outlet.
Yellow-billed Egret Ardea brachyrhyncha
Vagrant. Trip: Boa Vista: Rabil lagoon; 2 (13-14/3/97) usually seen resting (roost site) in low trees over the water on north side of lagoon about half way between the bridge and the sea. These two birds are possibly the same two as were present in March '96 (Bakker and van Dijk, 1996).
Grey Heron Ardea cinerea
Palaearctic winter visitor. Trip: São Vicente; Mindelo; 4 (8/3/97) at the sewage ponds, and 13 (9/3/97). Boa Vista; Rabil lagoon; 6+ (13-15/3/97). Pássaros; 2 (13/3/97). Santiago: Praia; 3 (15/3/97).
Purple Heron Ardea purpurea
Vagrant.
Cape Verde Heron Ardea (purpurea) bournei
Treated as a phylogenetic species, distinct from Purple Heron. Critically endangered. Two small colonies remain on Santiago at Boa Entrada and Banana de Ribeira Montanha. Breeds from August to December (or sometimes to March). Trip: Santiago: Boa Entrada visited (4/3/97), but no birds present despite waiting till dark. Also Banana visited (5/3/97) but no birds either. On this particular winter the rains had not been very heavy nor prolonged, presumably resulting in only one brood with birds deserting the colonies soon after December.
Cattle Egret Ardea ibis
Common. Trip: Recorded in small numbers on most days from all islands visited except Raso. Commonest on Boa Vista: Rabil Lagoon; 30+ (14/3/97).
Squacco Heron Ardeola ralloides
Vagrant.
Black-crowned Night-Heron Nycticorax nycticorax
Vagrant. Trip: Boa Vista: Rabil Lagoon; 2 imm. (13-15/3/97) seen daily, either roosting or feeding along lagoon edges at dusk. Third Cape Verde record.
Little Bittern Botaurus minutus
Vagrant.
Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus
Vagrant.
Northern Bald Ibis Geronticus eremita
Vagrant.
Eurasian Spoonbill Platalea leucorodia
Rare winter visitor. Trip: São Vincente: Mindelo; 4 (8-9/3/97) at the sewage ponds. One individual was colour-ringed, on the tarsus, with a black ring bearing the letter 'E'. The other tarsus had two colour rings - green above white. This bird was the same as that reported by Bakker and van Dijk (1996), and was ringed as a chick in The Netherlands in May 1994.
Osprey Pandion haliaetus
Widespread resident. Trip: Santo Antão; Porto Novo; 1 (7/3/97). São Vincente: Mindelo; 2 (8/3/97). São Nicolau: Tarrafal 2 (9/3/97). Raso; 4+ (10/3/97), with two active nests containing recently hatched young. Sal: Santa Maria; 1 (12/3/97). Boa Vista: Pássaros; 1 (13/3/97). Sal-Rei; 1 (14/3/97).
Cape Verde Kite Milvus (milvus) fasciicauda
Critically endangered. Treated as a phylogenetic species, distinct from Red Kite Milvus milvus. This form appears intermediate between M. milvus and Black Kite M. migrans (which also occurs on Cape Verde) and has a confused taxonomic history, with birds fasciicauda assigned to both in earlier accounts. See Hazevoet (1995) for a complete discussion. This bird is probably extinct on Santiago (due to poisoning and changing land use practises), and only a few birds remain on Santo Antão. It will almost certainly be extinct within five to ten years. A survey on Santo Antão in 1996 found only five birds -a pair around Tarrafal and another around Ribeira Grande area. However, much of southwestern Santo Antão is terrain difficult to access, where some birds may survive. Trip: Santo Antão: Vila de Ribeira Grande; 1 (7/3/97) flew across the ridge between Ribeira de Torre and Ribeira Grande at 13h00, about 4 kilometres south of town.
Black Kite Milvus migrans
Uncommon resident on Santiago, Santo Antão and Maio. Trip: Boa Vista; 1 imm. (14/3/97) a few kilometres inland from the airport en route to Curral Velha.
Egyptian Vulture Neophron percnopterus
Resident on all islands in varying numbers. Numbers declining. Trip: Santo Antão: 5 (7/3/97) along the ridge road between Cova and Vila de Ribeira Grande. Boa Vista: 2 (14/3/97) en route to Curral Velha. Sal-Rei; 1 (15/3/97).
Western Marsh-Harrier Circus aeruginosus
Rare winter visitor.
Montagu's Harrier Circus pygargus
Vagrant. Three previous Circus spp. records. Trip: Boa Vista: Sal-Rei; 1 'ring-tail' (14/3/97) above the airport, drifting north was though to be this species. The possibly of Pallid Harrier macrourus remains.
Cape Verde Buzzard Buteo (buteo) bannermani
Treated as a phylogenetic species, distinct from Common Buzzard Buteo buteo. Rare on Santiago and Santo Antão. Trip: Santo Antão: Ribeira de Torre; 3 (6/3/97) seen fairly low down in the valley, with a pair about 2 km from Vila de Ribeira Grande, and a single toward to end of the valley. A further two birds (7/3/97) flying over the ridge between Ribeira de Torre and Ribeira Grande 6 km out along the road to Porto Novo from Vila de Ribeira Grande.
Eurasian Kestrel Falco tinnunculus
Vagrant.
Neglected Kestrel Falco (tinnunculus) neglectus
Treated as a phylogenetic species, distinct from Eurasian Kestrel F. tinnunculus. Common on the more northerly islands of Santo Antão, São Nicolau, São Vicente and Raso. Trip: Santo Antão: Vila de Ribeira grande; 5+ (6-7/3/97) in both Ribeira Grande and Ribeira de Torre, as well as along the road to Porto Novo. São Vicente; Mindelo; 2 (8-9/3/97) around the sewage ponds. São Nicolau: 2 (9/3/97) en route. Fajã Valley; 5 (11/3/97). Raso: 1 (10/3/97) on northern side of island.
Alexander's Kestrel Falco (tinnunculus) alexandri
Treated as a phylogenetic species, distinct from Eurasian Kestrel F. tinnunculus. Common on Santiago, Fogo, Sal, Boa Vista and Maio. Trip: Santiago: Praia; 2 (4-6/3/97), 4 (16/3/97). Boa Entrada; 3 (4/3/97). Banana; 4 (5/3/97). Lagoa de São Pedro Badejo; 2 (5/3/97). Cidade Velha; 2 (16/3/97). Boa Vista: Curral Velha; 2 (14/3/97). Rabil Lagoon; 4+ (14-15/3/97).
Cape Verde Peregrine Falco (peregrinus) madens
Treated as a phylogenetic species, distinct from Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus. Widespread but very rare. Trip: None seen despite extensive searching in likely areas. The rarity of this species is surprising given the abundance of suitable nesting areas and large numbers of feral pigeons.
Helmeted Guineafowl Numida meleagris
Introduced since the 1600's. Common on Santiago, Fogo, São Nicolau and Maio. Trip: Santiago: 20+ (5/3/97) by the roadside along the Praia-Pedra Badejo road, c2 km north of the turning to Praia Baixo. This valley appears to be a good place to see this species as also seen there in March '96 (Bakker and van Dijk, 1996). São Nicolau: Fajã Valley; 9 (11/3/97) in fields above Cachaço, and a further 32 (11/3/97) just above Cabeçalinho. It should be noted that although guineafowl are easily found in many areas (eg. Boa Entrada and Banana on Santiago), most cannot be considered 'wild'. All 'domesticated' individuals seen by myself, had a white neck and upper breast.
Common Quail Coturnix coturnix
Widespread and common resident.
Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus
No longer extant on Cape Verde. Formerly bred on Santiago and Boa Vista.
Common Snipe Gallinago gallinago
Vagrant. São Vicente: Mindelo; 2 (8/3/97) increasing to 3 (9/3/97) at the sewage farm. Second record for Cape Verde.
Jack Snipe Lymnocryptes minimus
Vagrant.
Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa
Vagrant.
Bar-tailed Godwit Limosa lapponica
Uncommon visitor. Trip: Boa Vista: Rabil Lagoon; 1 (13/3/97).
Eurasian Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus
Common visitor. Trip: Santiago: Praia; 1 (4/3/97), 2 (16/3/97). Pedra Badejo Lagoons; 2 (5/3/97). São Vicente: Mindelo; 10+ (8-9/3/97) at the sewage ponds and along the coastline. San Pedro lagoon; 2 (9/3/97). Raso: 1 (10/3/97). Sal: Santa Maria; 1 (12/3/97). Boa Vista: Rabil Lagoon; 1 (13,15/3/97), 4 (14/3/97).
Eurasian Curlew Numenius arquata
Vagrant.
Spotted Redshank Tringa erythropus
Vagrant. Trip: São Vicente: Mindelo; 3 (8-9/3/97) at the sewage ponds. Third record for Cape Verde.
Common Redshank Tringa totanus
Uncommon visitor. Trip: São Vicente: Mindelo; 2 (8/3/97) and 1 (9/3/97) at the sewage ponds.
Marsh Sandpiper Tringa stagnatilis
Vagrant.
Common Greenshank Tringa nebularia
Visitor. Trip: Santiago: Pedra Badejo Lagoons; 3 (5/3/97). São Vicente: Mindelo; 35 (8/3/97) and 30 (9/3/97) at the sewage ponds. Sal: Santa Maria; 1 (12/3/97). Boa Vista; Rabil Lagoon; 1 (13/3/97). Pássaros; 1 (13/3/97)
Solitary Sandpiper Tringa solitaria
Vagrant.
Green Sandpiper Tringa ochropus
Vagrant. Santiago: Praia; 2 (15/3/97) feeding in a litter-strewn gully on the beach just in front of the Praia power station. The fifth Cape Verde record.
Wood Sandpiper Tringa glareola
Uncommon visitor. Trip: Santiago: Pedra Badejo Lagoons; 1 (5/3/97).
Common Sandpiper Tringa hypoleucos
Visitor. Trip: Santiago: Pedra Badejo Lagoons; 4 (5/3/97). Praia; 2 (15/3/97). Santo Antão: Vila de Ribeira Grande; 2 (7/3/97). São Vicente: Mindelo; 10 (8-9/3/97) at the sewage ponds. São Nicolau: Tarrafal; 1 (9/3/97). Boa Vista: Rabil Lagoon; 2 (13/3/97), 4 (14/3/97), 2 (15/3/97).
Ruddy Turnstone Arenaria interpres
Visitor. Trip: Santiago: Pedra Badejo Lagoons; 8 (5/3/97). Praia; 10 (15/3/97). Santo Antão: Porto Novo; 2 (7/3/97). São Vicente: Mindelo; 60 (8/3/97), 170 (9/3/97) mainly at the sewage ponds but many also commuting back and forth to the coast. São Nicolau: Tarrafal; 7 (9/3/97). Sal: Pedro de Lume saltpans; 20 (11/3/97). Santa Maria; 20 (12/3/97). Boa Vista: Rabil Lagoon; 15 (13/3/97), 4 (14/3/97). Sal-Rei; 20 (15/3/97).
Red Knot Calidris canutus
Vagrant.
Sanderling Calidris alba
Visitor. Trip: Santiago: Pedra Badejo Lagoons; 17 (5/3/97). São Vicente: Mindelo; 80 (8/3/97), 60 (9/3/97) mainly at the sewage ponds but many also commuting back and forth to the coast. São Pedro Lagoon; 20 (9/3/97). Sal: Pedro de Lume saltpans; 30 (11/3/97). Santa Maria; 50 (12/3/97). Boa Vista: Rabil Lagoon; 50 (13/3/97), 20 (14/3/97), 10 (15/3/97). Pássaros; 10 (13/3/97).
Little Stint Calidris minuta
Visitor. Trip: Santiago: Pedra Badejo Lagoons; 10 (5/3/97). São Vicente: Mindelo; 30 (8/3/97), 10 (9/3/97) mainly at the sewage ponds but many also commuting back and forth to the coast. Sal: Pedro de Lume saltpans; 23 (11/3/97). Santa Maria; 20 (12/3/97). Boa Vista: Rabil Lagoon; 10 (13-14/3/97), 4 (15/3/97).
Temminck's Stint Calidris temminckii
Vagrant.
Least Sandpiper Calidris minutilla
Vagrant.
Dunlin Calidris alpina
Rare visitor.
Curlew Sandpiper Calidris ferruginea
Visitor. Trip: Santiago: Pedra Badejo Lagoons; 6 (5/3/97). São Vicente: Mindelo; 2+ (8/3/97), 2 (9/3/97) at the sewage ponds. Sal: Pedro de Lume saltpans; 18 (11/3/97). Santa Maria; 108 (12/3/97). Boa Vista: Rabil Lagoon; 4 (13-14/3/97), 2 (15/3/97).
Ruff Calidris pugnax
Uncommon visitor.
Red Phalarope Phalaropus fulicaria
Uncommon visitor. São Nicolau: 2 (!0/3/97) on the crossing to Raso.
Eurasian Oystercatcher Haematopus ostralegus
Vagrant.
Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus
Visitor. Trip: Santiago: Pedra Badejo Lagoons; 1 (5/3/97). São Vicente: Mindelo; 1 (8-9/3/97) at the sewage ponds. Sal: Pedro de Lume saltpans; 42 (11/3/97). Santa Maria; 3 (12/3/97). Boa Vista: Rabil Lagoon; 1 (15/3/97).
Pied Avocet Recurvirostra avosetta
Vagrant.
Cream-coloured Courser Cursorius cursor
Resident. Santiago: Praia; 2 (4/3/97). Santo Antão: 1 (6/3/97) at the airport. São Vicente: 2 (6/3/97) at the airport. Sal: Pedro de Lume; 3 (11/3/97). Santa Maria; 8 (12/3/97). Boa Vista: Rabil Lagoon; 3 (13/3/97), 20 (14/3/97), 7 (15/3/97). Pássaros; 10 (13/3/97).
Collared Pratincole Glareola pratincola
Vagrant. Trip: São Vicente: Mindelo; 1 (8-9/3/97) at the sewage ponds.
American Golden Plover Pluvialis dominicus
Vagrant. Trip: Santiago: Pedra Badejo Lagoons; 1 (5/3/97).
Grey Plover Pluvialis squatarola
Visitor. Trip: São Vicente: Mindelo; 12 (8/3/97), 3 (9/3/97) at the sewage ponds. San Pedro Lagoon; 2 (9/3/97). Sal: Santa Maria; 5 (12/3/97). Boa Vista: Rabil Lagoon; 10 (13/3/97), 6 (14/3/97), 2 (15/3/97). Pássaros; 2 (13/3/97).
Common Ringed Plover Charadrius hiaticula
Visitor. Trip: Santiago: Pedra Badejo Lagoons; 2 (5/3/97). São Vicente: Mindelo; 12 (8/3/97), 10 (9/3/97) at the sewage ponds. San Pedro Lagoon; 4 (9/3/97). Sal: Pedro de Lume saltpans; 8 (11/3/97). Santa Maria; 10 (12/3/97). Boa Vista: Rabil Lagoon; 6 (13/3/97), 4 (14/3/97), 2 (15/3/97).
Little Ringed Plover Charadrius dubius
Uncommon visitor.
Kentish Plover Anarhynchus alexandrinus
Common resident. Trip: Santiago: Pedra Badejo Lagoons; 11 (5/3/97). São Vicente: Mindelo; 40 (8/3/97), 30 (9/3/97) at the sewage ponds. San Pedro Lagoon; 20 (9/3/97). Sal: Pedro de Lume saltpans; 6 (11/3/97). Santa Maria; 30+ (12/3/97). Boa Vista: Rabil Lagoon; 20 (13/3/97), 30 (14/3/97), 10 (15/3/97). Curral Velha; 2 (14/3/97).
Northern Lapwing Vanellus vanellus
Vagrant.
Yellow-legged Gull Larus cachinnans
Rare visitor. Trip: São Vicente: Mindelo; 3 imm. (8-9/3/97). Initially two seen circling in the harbour, but quickly disappeared. Later three birds at the sewage ponds, where they remained largely, other than for a few short trips in the direction of the coast.
Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus
Uncommon visitor.
Common Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus
Uncommon visitor. Trip; São Vicente: Mindelo; 1 ad. (8-9/3/97) at the sewage ponds.
Slender-billed Gull Larus genei
Vagrant.
Sabine's Gull Xema sabini
Vagrant.
Black-legged Kittiwake Rissa tridactyla
Uncommon visitor.
Gull-billed Tern Sterna nilotica
Vagrant.
Caspian Tern Sterna caspia
Vagrant.
West African Crested Tern Thalasseus albididorsalis
Vagrant.
Sandwich Tern Sterna sandvicensis
Rare visitor.
Common Tern Sterna hirundo
Rare visitor.
Arctic Tern Sterna paradisaea
Rare visitor.
Little Tern Sterna albifrons
Vagrant. Trip: São Vicente: Rabil Lagoon; 3 (12-13/3/97). About the seventh Cape Verde record.
Great Skua Catharacta skua
Rare visitor.
Pomarine Skua Stercorarius pomarinus
Uncommon visitor.
Arctic Skua Stercorarius parasiticus
Rare visitor.
Long-tailed Skua Stercorarius longicaudus
Vagrant.
Rock Dove (Feral Pigeon) Columba livia
Probably introduced. Common resident. Trip: Seen daily in varying numbers. Rarest on Raso (only a single 10/3/97). Can be abundant in cultivated valleys and around villages of Santiago and Santo Antão. The 'wilder' looking birds are rather dark and have a pale underwing. No groups seen were ever comprised of pure individuals - many have white wings, mottled heads etc.
European Turtle-Dove Streptopelia turtur
Rare visitor.
Common Cuckoo Cuculus canorus
Vagrant.
Ring-necked Parakeet Poicephalus senegalus
Has been breeding ferally in Praia for some years. Trip: Santiago: Praia; 2 (4/3/97) flew in off the sea over the cliffs east of town.
Cape Verde Barn-Owl Tyto (alba) detorta
Treated as a phylogenetic species, distinct from Barn Owl T. alba. Resident on Santiago, Brava, Santo Antão and São Nicolau. Trip: Santiago: Boa Entrada; 1 (4/3/97) discovered roosting in a small tree on a cultivated slope about 50 m uphill from the large Kapok tree of the Cape Verde Heron colony. Observed closely for 30 minutes.
Short-eared Owl Asio flammeus
Vagrant.
Alpine Swift Tachymarptis melba
Vagrant.
Cape Verde Swift Apus alexandri
Common resident. Trip: Santiago: Praia; 3 (4,6,16/3/97), 10+ (5/3/97), 6 (15/3/97). Pedra Badejo; 2+ (5/3/97). Cidade Velha; 3 (16/3/97). Santo Antão: Vila de Ribeira Grande; 2 (7/3/97). São Vicente: Mindelo; 15+ (8/3/97), 10 (9/3/97) at the sewage ponds. São Nicolau: Tarrafal; 10+ (9-11/3/97). Fajã Valley; 5+ (11/3/97). Although distinctly smaller than Common Swift when seen together, size is difficult to estimate without direct comparison. Most easily identified by its 'buzzy' rather than screeching call.
Common Swift Apus apus
Uncommon visitor.
Pallid Swift Apus pallidus
Vagrant.
Grey-headed Kingfisher Halcyon leucocephala
Common resident on Santiago, Fogo and Brava. Trip: Santiago: Praia; 2 (4/3/97), 4 (16/3/97), 2 (5/3/97). Boa Entrada; 4+ (4/3/97). Banana; 6 (5/3/97). Pedra Badejo; 10+ (5/3/97) en route from Santiago and São Jorge. Cidade Velha; 2 (16/3/97).
Blue-cheeked Bee-eater Merops persicus
Vagrant.
European Bee-eater Merops apiaster
Vagrant.
European Roller Coracias garrulus
Vagrant.
Broad-billed Roller Eurystomus glaucurus
Vagrant.
Eurasian Hoopoe Upupa epops
Vagrant.
Brown-necked Raven Corvus ruficollis
Common resident. Trip: Santiago: Praia; 2 (4,16/3/97). Banana; 2 (5/3/97) en route. Santo Antão: Vila de Ribeira Grande; up to 15+ daily (6-8/3/97) in all areas. São Vicente: San Pedro; 2 (9/3/97). São Nicolau: Tarrafal; 28 (9/3/97). Fajã Valley; 4 (11/3/97). Raso: 4 (10/3/97). Sal: Pedro de Lume saltpans; 2 (11/3/97). Boa Vista: Rabil Lagoon; 3 (13/3/97), 4 (14-15/3/97). Curral Velha; 20+ (14/3/97) en route.
Common Starling Sturnus vulgaris
Vagrant. Trip: São Vicente: Mindelo; 1 (8-9/3/97) at the sewage ponds, feeding on the grassy bunds with many of the waders. The second Cape Verde record.
Spotted Flycatcher Muscicapa striata
Vagrant.
European Pied Flycatcher Ficedula hypoleuca
Vagrant.
Common Nightingale Luscinia megarhynchos
Vagrant.
Common Redstart Phoenicurus phoenicurus
Vagrant.
Northern Wheatear Oenanthe oenanthe
Rare visitor.
Sand Martin Riparia riparia
Vagrant. Trip: São Vicente: Mindelo; 1 (8/3/97), 2 (9/3/97) feeding over the sewage ponds and resting on the banks. The fourth Cape Verde record.
Plain Martin Riparia paludicola
Vagrant.
Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica
Visitor. Trip: Santiago: Praia; 1 (6/3/97), 2 (16/3/97). São Vicente: Mindelo; 12 (8/3/97), 10 (9/3/97) at the sewage ponds. São Nicolau: Tarrafal; 3 (9/3/97), 1 (10/3/97), 2 (11/3/97). Sal: Santa Maria; 6 (12/3/97). Boa Vista: Rabil Lagoon; 2 (13/3/97), 6 ( 14/3/97), 2 (15/3/97). Curral Velha; 10 (14/3/97).
European Red-rumped Swallow Cecropis rufula
Vagrant. Trip: Santiago: Praia; 1 (6/3/97). Cidade Velha; 1 (16/3/97). São Vicente; 1 (8-9/3/97) at the sewage ponds. São Nicolau: Tarrafal; 4 (9-10/3/97). Other than a record in 1996 (T.Bakker pers. comm.) these are the first Cape Verde records. This influx is presumably the result of strong Saharan winds which had been blowing in early March.
House Martin Delichon urbica
Visitor. Trip: Santiago: Praia; 1 (16/3/97) Cidade Velha; 2 (16/3/97). São Vicente: Mindelo; 5 (8/3/97), 3 (9/3/97) at the sewage ponds. San Pedro; 1 (9/3/97). São Nicolau: Tarrafal; 2 (9/3/97), 1 (10/3/97), 2 (11/3/97). Sal: Santa Maria; 4 (12/3/97).
Common Grasshopper-Warbler Locustella naevia
Vagrant.
Cape Verde Swamp-Warbler Acrocephalus brevipennis
Local on Santiago. Trip: Santiago: Boa Entrada; 4 (4/3/97). Banana; 1 (5/3/97).
Olivaceous Warbler Hippolais pallida
Vagrant.
Willow Warbler Phylloscopus trochilus
Rare visitor. Boa Vista: Rabil Lagoon; 1 (14-15/3/97).
Eurasian Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita
Vagrant.
Blackcap Sylvia atricapilla
Common resident on Santiago, Fogo, Brava, Santo Antão and São Nicolau. Trip: Santiago: Praia; 6+ (4,6,16/3/97). Boa Entrada; 50+ (4/3/97). Banana; 20+ (5/3/97). Santo Antão: Vila de Ribeira Grande; 6+ (6-7/3/97) along the Ribeira de Torre. São Nicolau; Fajã Valley; 10+ (11/3/97).
Desert Warbler Sylvia nana
Vagrant.
Subalpine Warbler Sylvia cantillans
Vagrant.
Spectacled Warbler Sylvia conspicillata
Common resident on Santiago, Fogo, Brava, Santo Antão, São Nicolau, São Vicente, Boa Vista and Maio. Trip: Santiago: Praia; 10+ (4,6,16/3/97). Boa Entrada; 20+ (4/3/97). Banana; 20+ (5/3/97). Pedra Badejo Lagoons; 6+ (5/3/97). Santo Antão: Vila de Ribeira Grande; 20+ (6-7/3/97). São Vicente: Mindelo; 3+ (9/3/97) in scrub at the sewage ponds. São Nicolau: Fajã Valley; 10+ (11/3/97). Boa Vista: Rabil Lagoon; 20+ (13-15/3/97) and common in scrub all over the island (13-15/3/97).
Black-crowned Finch-Lark Eremopterix nigriceps
Resident on Santiago, Fogo, Boa Vista, Maio, Brava and São Nicolau. Trip: Santiago: Praia; 1 (4-5/3/97) on cliffs east of town. Boa Vista: Rabil Lagoon; 2 (13/3/97). Common en route to Pássaros; 20+ (13/3/97) and Curral Velha; 70+ (14/3/97).
Bar-tailed Lark Ammomanes cincturus
Widespread resident. Trip: Santiago: Praia; 4 (4,16/3/97), 1 (5/3/97) on cliffs east of town. Sal: Santa Maria; 6 (12/3/97). Boa Vista: Rabil Lagoon; 20 (14/3/97), 2 (15/3/97). Common en route to Pássaros; 30+ (13/3/97) and Curral Velha; 40+ (14/3/97).
Greater Hoopoe-Lark Alaemon alaudipes
Common resident Boa Vista and Maio. Trip: Boa Vista: Common en route to Pássaros; 30+ (13/3/97) and Curral Velha; 40+ (14/3/97).
Raso Lark Alauda razae
Endangered. Restricted to Raso, where relatively common but vulnerable. Trip: Raso: 30+ (10/3/97) seen/heard within c3 hours walk around flatter parts of island. Some small feeding parties of 8-10 birds, but mostly pairs.
House Sparrow Passer domesticus
Introduced. Common on São Vicente. Trip: São Vicente: Mindelo; abundant (8-9/3/97) around town and the sewage ponds.
Spanish Sparrow Passer hispaniolensis
Widespread resident. Trip: Santiago: Boa Entrada; 20+ (4/3/97). Banana; 10+ (5/3/97). Praia; 6+ (6/3/97), 10 (15/3/97), 20+ (16/3/97). São Vicente: Mindelo; 1 (8/3/97) hybrid bird around the gate of the sewage ponds. After the introduction of House Sparrow, this species has disappeared from São Vicente. According to Hazevoet (1995) no pure birds or hybrids have been seen on São Vicente since 1985.
Cape Verde Sparrow Passer iagoensis
Common resident. Trip: Abundant almost everywhere, and seen on every island. Even on Raso, where the lack of water makes the birds very tame, and they will come to take water right next to you.
Common Waxbill Estrilda astrild
Introduced to Santiago. Trip: Santiago: Boa Entrada; 20+ (4/3/97). Praia; 20+ (6/3/97).
White Wagtail Motacilla alba
Vagrant.
Blue-headed Wagtail Motacilla flava
Vagrant. Trip: Santiago: Praia; _ (5-14/3/97) of the form flava at the small sewage pond. Originally discovered there (4/3/97) by W. & I. Mylemans. The third Cape Verde record.
Tawny Pipit Anthus campestris
Vagrant.
Tree Pipit Anthus trivialis
Vagrant. Trip: Boa Vista: Rabil Lagoon; 1 (14-15/3/97) on the dry side of the bridge. The third Cape Verde record.
Red-throated Pipit Anthus cervinus
Vagrant. Trip: São Vicente: Mindelo; 2 (9/3/97) feeding on the bunds of the sewage ponds. Eventually flew off north. A new species for Cape Verde.
Trumpeter Finch Rhodopechys githaginea
Vagrant.
Escapes
The following observed species were presumed escapes.
[Budgerigar Melopsittacus undulatus]
Trip: São Vicente: Mindelo; 1 (8-9/3/97). A single bird came to drink at the sewage ponds morning and evening. The bird flew off inland.
[Senegal Parrot Psittacula krameri]
Trip: Santiago: Praia; 1 (4/3/97) wary individual seen flying around the greener area of town below the plateau. Seen several days later (W. Mylemans. pers. comm.).
Section 1 - Introduction, logistics, itinerary and general information.
Section 2 - Birding sites.