Section 1 - Introduction, logistics, itinerary and general information.
Section 2 - Birding sites (part 1).
Section 3 - Birding sites (part 2).
Section 4 - Birding sites (part 3).
Section 5 - Annotated checklist with identification notes (non-passerines).
Section 6 - Annotated checklist with identification notes (passerines).

Annotated Checklist with Identification Notes (Passerines)

This following lists all species observed in Gabon during the period 1988-1992.
Abbreviations: Gba - Gamba, Pog - Port Gentil, Rab - Rabi, Mak - Makokou, Lek - Lekoni, Oym - Oyem, Lam - Lambaréné, Mou - Moukalaba, Mla - Mouila, Tch - Tchibanga, Oli - Olindi, Oko - Okondja, Lbv - Libreville, Kou - Koumounabwali.

African Broadbill Smithornis capensis
Lek: At least 3 singing males in gallery forest, Edjangoulou track (25/9/92).

Rufous-sided Broadbill Smithornis rufolateralis
Primary forest. Only found by voice. Gba: Pont Brulé; 2 countersinging males (22/6/91). Bouda; 1 displaying _ (14/9/91). Vera; 1 (23/2/92). Mak: Bokaboka; 3+ (30/10/92). Sin River; 1 (5/10/92). M'Passa; 2 (7/10/92). Mou: Two heard (18/4/92).

Chestnut-capped Flycatcher Erythrocercus mccallii
Generally uncommon in primary and old secondary forest. Gba: A total of 15 records from several areas. Most often recorded Tondou. Rab: Several groups (7-8/6/92). Mak: M'Passa; 10+ (6-7/10/92). Mou: 4 (20/4/92). Oym: 2+ Abaméba track (4/12/89), and 6+ in two groups Bitam road (20/5/91).

African Blue-Flycatcher Elminia longicauda
Pog: One Cap Lopez (2/4-1/5/89).

Dusky Crested Flycatcher Trochocercus nigromitratus
Uncommon in primary forest where it keeps near the floor (0-2 metres) in heavy vine tangles. Gba: Mossomala; Same pair on several occasions (3-24/2/91), and another pair (21/4/91), and (8/9/91). Mak: Sin River; 3 (4-5/10/92). M'Passa; Pair (12/3/90).

Blue-headed Crested Flycatcher Trochocercus nitens
Scarce in primary forest along rivers. Gba: Rembo N'Dogo; 1 (14/7/91). N'Dogo lagoon; 1 (13/9/92).

Red-bellied Paradise-Flycatcher Terpsiphone rufiventer
Common in primary forest. Recorded Gba, Rab, Mak, and Kou.

Rufous-vented Paradise-Flycatcher Terpsiphone rufocinerea
Local in coastal gallery forest, usually over water. Pog: Fairly common in savanna woodland and swamp forest further in the south of the island.

Bates' Paradise-Flycatcher Terpsiphone batesi
Common in primary forest of the north and east. Recorded Mak, Oym, Oli.

African Paradise-Flycatcher Terpsiphone viridis
Common in secondary growth. It is interesting to note that, despite suitable habitat, the species is absent from Port Gentil, where T. rufocinerea occurs. The reverse is true in Gamba, where rufocinerea does not occur. Recorded from all localities except Pog.

Square-tailed Drongo Dicrurus ludwigii
Occasional in wet primary forest. Recorded Gba, Rab, Mak, Lek, and Oym.

Shining Drongo Dicrurus atripennis
Fairly common. Occurs strictly in primary forest. Has a proportionally longer tail than either of the other drongos. Recorded Gba, Rab, Mak, Oym, Lbv, and Oli.

Fork-tailed Drongo Dicrurus adsimilis
Uncommon in dryer scrub habitats. Best distinguished from modestus by habitat, and pale grey inner webs of flight feathers, noticeable on spread wing. Lek: A single en-route to Lekoni (28/4/89). Edjangoulou track; 1 (29/4/89). Sayé track; 1 (26/9/92).

Velvet-mantled Drongo Dicrurus modestus
Occurs in an intermediate habitat to D. atripennis and modestus, in plantations, secondary growth and open forest edges. Locally common in the north. The 'velvet mantle' is not particularly easy to see. Identified by habitat, shorter tail, and lack of pale grey edgings to flight feathers. Gba; One to two pairs in the LYW area. Mak and Oym: Occasional in open areas and around plantations.

Pied Crow Corvus albus
Small numbers recorded from Gba, Pog, Lek, Lam, Mla, and Tch.

Eurasian Golden Oriole Oriolus oriolus
Uncommon migrant. Gba: Mayonami road; _ (5/11/88), LYW; 1 (1/11/89), and _,2_ (1/4/90).

Western Black-headed Oriole Oriolus brachyrhynchus
Primary forest. Gba: Uncommon. Seen and heard occasionally at Tondou, Pont Brulé, and Rembo N'Dogo. Mak, Rab, Lek, Mou, and Oym: Fairly common.

Black-winged Oriole Oriolus nigripennis
Less common than O. brachyrhynchus. Mainly secondary growth. Recorded Mak, Oym, Oko, and Oli.

Blue Cuckooshrike Coracina azurea
Occasional in canopy of primary forest. Often in loose feeding flocks with Malimbus sp. Gba: Widespread but nowhere common. Most common at Tondou. Rab: Lake Divangui; 2 (8/6/92), and 2 near the eastern gate (13/12/92).

Petit's Cuckooshrike Campephaga petiti
Lek: Old canyons track; _ (2/5/92), 3_,_ (27/9/92). Sayé track; _ (26/9/92).

Purple-throated Cuckooshrike Campephaga quiscalina
Gba: LYW; Rare, one pair resident, and seen on five occasions between (1/4/90) and (29/2/92). Rembo N'Dogo; 1_ (1/9/91).

Red-backed Shrike Lanius collurio
Uncommon migrant. Gba; Sette Cama; 4 (26/11/89). Yenzi; 2 (14/12/89). Kéléba; 1 (21/4/91). Mossomala; (14/11/92).

Souza's Shrike Lanius souzae
Lek; One pair studied at length near the canyons lake (26/9/92).

Lesser Grey Shrike Lanius minor
Uncommon migrant. Gba: Ten records, between 28 October and 23 November.

Mackinnon's Shrike Lanius mackinnoni
Highly localised in Gabon. Oym: Two in a recent plantation clearing along the Abaméba track (18/5/91). Oko: A pair around the Mission (28/10/92).

Common Fiscal Lanius collaris
Common in open savanna. Recorded Lek, Mou, Tch, and Oko.

Woodchat Shrike Lanius senator
Rare migrant. Gba: Yenzi; 1 (19/11/88), and (19/12/88-02/01/89). Golf course; 1 (19/2/89).

Northern Puffback Dryoscopus gambensis
Lek: Pair en-route near Lekoni (28/4/89), and a single Edjangoulou track (25/9/92).

Red-eyed Puffback Dryoscopus senegalensis
Locally common in open forest. Gba: Rembo N'Dogo; Singles at the embarcadère (30/6/91), (14/7/91), and (1/1/92). Mak: A few around town and M'Passa. Lek: A few daily. Mou: 1 (19/4/92). Oym: A few along the Bitam road (19-20/5/91). Lam: 2 (15/8/92). Oko: 2 near the Mission (28/10/92). Oli: 4 (29/10/92).

Sabine's Puffback Dryoscopus sabini
Occasional in primary forest, but only readily found by voice, a series of four or five descending whistles. Recorded Gba, Rab, Mak, and Oli.

Marsh Tchagra Tchagra minuta
Mou: Two singles in long elephant grass near gallery forest (18/4/92).

Black-crowned Tchagra Tchagra senegala
Lek: A few daily. Mou: Two displaying males (19/4/92).

Brown-crowned Tchagra Tchagra australis
Mak: Two singles around town (12/3/92) and (5/10/92). Lek: A few daily. Oym: Fairly common in roadside scrub and around the lake at the hotel. Tch: 2 (17/8/92).

Lühder's Bushshrike Laniarius luehderi
Fairly common in dense scrub. Recorded Lek, Mak, Oym, Oko, Oli.

Gabon Boubou Laniarius bicolor
Common in coastal scrub at Gba, and Pog. Mla: Mouila ponds; 2 (15/8/92).

Sooty Boubou Laniarius leucorhynchus
Scare, but difficult to see, in thick scrub. Gba: Bouda; 2 (7/8/88), and 1 (18/9/88). LYW; 2 (13/12/88), and 2 (7/1/89), Rembo N'Dogo: 1+ (30/6/91), and 2 (1/9/91), Nyanga; 1 (20/10/91). Mou; One heard (20/4/92).

Grey-green Bushshrike Telophorus bocagei
Uncommon in tree tops. Mak: A single around the hotel (1/10/92). M'Passa; Two along the track to the headquarters (7/10/92).

Fiery-breasted Bushshrike Malaconotus cruentus
Uncommon in canopy of swamp forest. Mou; At least two birds calling along the river (18/4/92). Could not be lured into view with a tape.

Gabon Helmetshrike Prionops rufiventris
Split from Red-billed Helmetshrike P. caniceps. Occasional in primary forest. Recorded Gba, Rab, Mak, and Mou.

African Shrike-Flycatcher Bias flammulatus
Scarce in primary forest. Has a distinctive habit of swaying its tail from side-to-side. Gba: Tondou; 1 (20/5/89). Pont Brulé; 1 (15/10/89), pair feeding young (6/5/90), 2 (30/9/90), pair (16/10/91), and 1 (12/7/92). Mossomala; 1 (10/3/91). Bouda; 1 (6/7/91), pair (14/9/91), and 1 (8/3/92). Airport beacon; pair (8/9/91). Kéléba; 1 (12/9/92). Mou: Pair (20/4/92).

Black-and-white Flycatcher Bias musicus
Locally common in forest and tall scrub. Gba: Colas; Pair (22/10/88), pair (31/10/88), 1 (26/11/88). Lek: Edjangoulou track; Pair (25/9/92). Oym: A few daily. Lam: 1 en-route (14/8/88). Mla: Mouila ponds 2 (15/8/92). Oko: 1 near the Mission (28/9/92). Oli: 1 (29/12/92).

Identification of the genus Batis Speaking from personal experience - the identification of the Gabon Batis Flycatchers is tricky. Not until I had field experience of all three savanna species, could I be confident of correct identification. The literature is extremely misleading. Five species occur in Gabon, and most are rare. Three species: Chinspot, Black-headed and Angola occur together in the south-east (Lekoni). The other two - Verreaux's and West African - occur in the east and north. Specific identification is mostly based on the head patterns of the males. Chinspot and Black-headed Batis. These are the two 'large' species. Males of both Chinspot and the Black-headed differ from other species in having a thin white line behind the eye, separating the black mask and the pale grey crown. Male Black-headed differs from male Chinspot in having a sizable white patch on the nape, which is very noticeable when viewed from behind. Female Black-headed differs from female Chinspot in lacking the spot on the chin. The two species occur alongside each other in low bushes of open savanna. Black-headed tends to be shy, so obtaining a good view is often frustrating. Angola Batis. Occurs alongside both Chinspot and Black-headed, but usually in low trees adjacent to gallery forest. Smaller than both the above, and males lack the white line behind the eye. The narrow white line between lores and forecrown, in front of the eye, is difficult to see. Differs from West African and Verreaux's Batis (with which it is unlikely to occur), by lacking white spot in front of eye. Active, but not shy. Verreaux's Batis. A small, poorly known species, found only in the north and north-east of Gabon. Probably occurs in both primary and secondary growth. Males differ from all other species by continuous black mask and forecrown, small white spot on lores, and lack of any white line on face. There is a small white spot on nape. The diagnostic feature of females is the grey breast band. West African Batis. A small species of forest edge. Certainly occurs down the east side of Gabon, so could in theory overlap with several other species near Lekoni. Prominent white line and spot on lores make confusion with other species unlikely if seen well.

Chinspot Batis Batis molitor
Local in bushy savanna. Lek: A female near the canyons lake (26/9/92).

Black-headed Batis Batis minor
Local in bushy savanna. Lek: A total of 6 in 2 groups along the old canyons track (25-27/9/92).

West African Batis Batis occulta
Scarce in forest edge. Mak: M'Passa; 1 around the chalets (12/3/92). Oym: A male in plantation edge, Abaméba track (3/12/89).

Angola Batis Batis minulla
Local in small trees near gallery forest: Lek: Old canyons track; pair (2/5/92). Edjangoulou track; 2 pair (3/5/92), and pair (25/9/92).

Common Wattle-eye Platysteira cyanea
Locally common in scrub and gardens throughout.

Chestnut Wattle-eye Platysteira castanea
Common in forest throughout.

White-spotted Wattle-eye Platysteira tonsa
Occasional in primary forest. Smaller than P. castanea, and tends to be higher-up in canopy. Female White-spotted differs in having a black crown and a thin white line between grey head and rufous throat. Gba; Bouda; 1 male (2/9/92). Mak: Sin River; 6 (3-4/10/92). M'Passa; 4 (6-7/10/92). Oym: 3 in a mixed feeding party in cocoa shade forest along the Bitam road (20/5/91).

Yellow-bellied Wattle-eye Platysteira concreta
Uncommon in primary forest. Gba: Mossomala; 1 (4/11/90). Rembo N'Dogo; Pair (1/9/91) taped. Kéléba; 1+ (1/3/92), and 2+ (12/9/92). Mak: M'Passa; 2 (12/3/90), and 2 (6/10/92).

Rufous Flycatcher-Thrush Neocossyphus fraseri
Common in primary forest throughout.

Red-tailed Ant-Thrush Neocossyphus rufus
Beware strong similarity to common N. fraseri. Red-tailed Ant-Thrush is larger, more robust, and has a rufous-red, not dull chestnut-red, tail. Habits and jizz different. Rusty Flycatcher-Thrush has more upright stance, and will perch in the open for long periods. Red-tailed Ant-Thrush is difficult to see well - always moving - and much shyer. Usually low down, but does ascend to the canopy. Voice very different. All three Neocossyphus species commonly occur alongside each other. Occasional in primary forest. Attracted to ant swarms. Recorded Gba (most easily found Bibonga and Pont Brulé), Rab, Mak, Mou, and Kou.

White-tailed Ant-Thrush Neocossyphus poensis
Occasional in primary forest. Attracted to ant swarms. Slightly less common that N. rufus. Recorded Gba; Rab, and Mak.

African Thrush Turdus pelios
Locally common throughout. Most common in towns. Is spreading with deforestation.

Brown-chested Alethe Alethe poliocephala
Uncommon in primary forest. Most often found attending ant swarms. Gba: Tondou; 2 (1/6/91). Pont Brulé; 2+ (22/6/91), 2+ (23/6/91), 1 (29/6/91), 2 (21/9/91), and (5/12/92). Mayonami road; 1 (7/7/91). Mossomala 1 (1/3/92). Rab: 2+ Rembo Echira (12/12/92). Mak: Sin River; 3 (3/10/92). M'Passa; 2+ (6/10/92).

Fire-crested Alethe Alethe castanea
Common in primary forest. Rare in dense scrub. Recorded Gba, Rab, Pog, Mak, and Mou.

Narrow-tailed Starling Poeoptera lugubris
Rare in forested areas. Gba: One small colony of 10+ pairs in LYW area. Rab: One group of 6 flying over (12/12/92).

Chestnut-winged Starling Onychognathus fulgidus
Occasional in forest. Recorded Gba, Rab, Mou, Oym, Lam, and Lbv.

Purple-headed Glossy Starling Lamprotornis purpureiceps
Common in forest throughout.

Splendid Glossy Starling Lamprotornis splendidus
Common throughout. Moves away from coastal areas during the dry season.

Plum-coloured Starling Cinnyricinclus leucogaster
Lek: A few daily in wooded areas.

Wattled Starling Creatophora cinerea
Rare migrant. Gba: Yenzi; 10+ (5/4/89) including 1 still in breeding plumage, 2 (11/4/89), 6 (15/4/89), 2 (3/5/89), 1 (3/6/89), and 1 (3/6/92). LYW; 1 (12/5/90).

Yellow-billed Oxpecker Buphagus africanus
Found almost exclusively on Buffalo Syncerus caffer. About ten records from all areas. Mou: A single on a Buffalo (20/4/92).

Pale Flycatcher Agricola pallidus
Gba: Colas; 1 (16/7/88) was presumably a local dry-season movement. Lek: Common in open woodland.

African Forest-Flycatcher Fraseria ocreata
Fairly common in primary forest. Recorded Gba, Pog, Mak, Oym, and Oko.

Identification of Small Grey Flycatchers Ten "small grey" Flycatchers are found in Gabon. Although none are particularly difficult to identify, poor availability of good descriptions and, for some species, lack of illustrations, can lead to confusion. Habitat considerations are important, and as might be expected, most are forest edge birds - though three are confined strictly to primary forest. Spotted Flycatcher. Well known by European birders. Occurring in open habitat, it is only likely to be confused with Ashy or Pale Flycatcher, from both of which it is distinguished by the lightly streaked breast. See also Little Grey Flycatcher. Pale Flycatcher. See Spotted Flycatcher. Little Grey Flycatcher. A small Flycatcher, of open canopy, plantations and forest edge. Decidedly uncommon. Only likely to be confused with Spotted Flycatcher. However it is smaller, darker, with a prominently streaked upper breast. Yellow-footed Flycatcher. A bird of primary forest, particularly attracted to areas of recently fallen trees. The rotund appearance, enormous yellow feet and bill make this bird unmistakable. Dusky-blue Flycatcher. A very dark grey (almost deep blue) bird of open areas, towns, secondary growth etc. Easily distinguished by very dark plumage and prominent white eyelid(s). Cassin's Flycatcher. A drab, nondescript, medium sized, average, boring grey, Flycatcher. However, habit and habitat are diagnostic. Found exclusively perched within one metre of the water on dead twigs along rivers and streams, where it is usually common. Olivaceous Flycatcher. Occurs exclusively within closed-canopy primary forest, where it could be confused with Ashy Flycatcher or Grey-throated Tit-Flycatcher. Keeps to the lower canopy between 12 and 20 metres up. Upperparts uniformly greyish-brown, though the central tail feathers, from above, are blackish brown. The underparts are uniformly dull cream with a slightly darker wash on the flanks and across the chest, though this can only be seen in good light. Legs dull brown, eye dark, upper mandible blackish, lower horn-coloured. The diagnostic identification feature is the horn-coloured lower mandible, contrasting with the dark upper mandible. The call, unrecorded by Mackworth-Praed and Grant (1973), is a very thin, high pitched 'tseeep' similar in pitch to the Goldcrest Regulus regulus. Ashy Flycatcher. Occurs in both open and closed forest. In open areas most likely to be confused with Spotted, Pale or Little Grey Flycatchers, but lacks streaking of both Spotted and Little Grey. Although unlikely to be seen in same habitat as Pale Flycatcher, is smaller in size, with a more "chunky" jizz. Bill appears rather short and thick. Pale lores, and a faint supercilium are often present. Also see Olivaceous Flycatcher. Grey-throated Tit-Flycatcher. Probably the rarest of the Gabon Flycatchers, and a bird of true primary forest. Perches in the lower levels of the forest between 2 and 10 metres high. Often inactive. The call, uttered frequently is a very thin, high pitched wheeze, which draws attention to the bird. Dull grey plumage makes it somewhat similar to Ashy Flycatcher. Best identified by diagnostic habit of slowly wagging tail downward. Grey Tit-Flycatcher. A larger grey Flycatcher of open areas. Best distinguished by fairly long tail with prominent white undertail feathers.

White-browed Forest-Flycatcher Fraseria cinerascens
Uncommon in understorey of wet or humid forest and, more rarely, scrub. The local race cinerascens does not have a white eyebrow, but two large white spots on forehead in front of eye. The call a soft, high-pitched, drawn out 'pseuuu see-eee'. Immature is brown with pale primary coverts, and pale mottling on the chest. Gba: About 15 records from Kéléba, Nyanga, Bouda, Colas, Vera, Pont Brulé, and Rembo N'Dogo. Rab: Lake Divangui; 3 (7/6/92). Rembo Echira; 4+ (12/12/92). Pog; 2 near the airport (30/5/91). Mak: Sin River; 2 (2/10/92), and 2 (5/10/92).

Spotted Flycatcher Muscicapa striata
Common migrant October to April throughout. In Gamba occurs October to December, with only one other record, on (16/4/89).

Sooty Flycatcher Bradornis fuliginosus
Fairly common in primary and secondary forest throughout.

Olivaceous Flycatcher Fraseria olivascens
Very uncommon in primary forest. Gba: Kéléba; 1 (25-26/5/91), and (12/9/92). Tondou; 2 (26/10/91), and 1 (27/10/91). Mossomala; 1 (11/1/92). Rab: Rabi-78; 2 (14/12/92). Mak: M'Passa; 1 (13/3/92).

Little Grey Flycatcher Muscicapa epulata
Rare. Oym: 2 singles in plantations along the Bitam road (18-20/5/91).

Yellow-footed Flycatcher Muscicapa sethsmithi
Scarce. Gba: Dikoundo (west of Tondou); 1 (6/5/90), and 2 (2/6/91). Pont Brulé; 2 (29/6/91). Rembo N'Dogo; 2 feeding young (1/9/91). Bouda; 1 (14/9/91). Mak: M'Passa; 2 (13/3/90). Sin River; 5 (2-4/10/92).

Dusky-blue Flycatcher Bradornis comitatus
Mak: A single in scrub at the Mission (11-12/3/90).

Cassin's Flycatcher Muscicapa cassini
Common along forested rivers. Recorded Gba, Rab, Mak, and Lek (a single at canyons lake (2/5/92).

Ashy Flycatcher Fraseria caerulescens
Uncommon in open and primary forest. Pog: Tchengue; 1 (1/4/89). Oym: A single along the Bitam road (20/5/91). Oli: 1 (29/9/92).

Grey-throated Tit-Flycatcher Fraseria griseigularis
Rare in primary forest. Gba: A single near N'Dogo wharf (13/9/92). Rab: Rabi-78; 1 (13/12/92).

Grey Tit-Flycatcher Fraseria plumbea
Uncommon in open forest. Gba: LYW; 1 (20/1/91), and 2+ (11/5/91). Pog: Animba; 1 (8/10/89). Mak: 2 around the Mission (12/3/92). Lek: 1 Edjangoulou track (25/9/92). Oym: 2 in plantations along the Bitam road (20/5/91).

European Pied Flycatcher Ficedula hypoleuca
Lek: 2 singles, Edjangoulou (25/9/92) and Sayé tracks (26/9/92). The first record for Gabon.

Collared Flycatcher Ficedula albicollis
Record requires confirmation. Gba: A female bird, matching description and behaviour of this species seen Kéléba (19/9/92).

Forest Robin Stiphrornis erythrothorax
Uncommon and local in primary forest. Keeps low. Very responsive to tape playback. Gba: Commonest at Pont Brulé, where a few pairs resident. Also recorded Bouda, Bibonga, Mossomala and Lac Namba. Mak: Bokaboka; 2 heard (30/9/92). Sin River; 1 (3/10/92). M'Passa; 2 heard (7/10/92).

Equatorial Akalat Sheppardia aequatorialis
Rare in primary forest of the north-east. Extremely skulking. Sin River; 2 heard (3/10/92). M'Passa; 2 (7/10/92). Neither pair could be lured into view, despite tape playback.

Blue-shouldered Robin-Chat Cossypha cyanocampter
Uncommon in dense scrub, particularly Aframomum. Tch: At least 2 singing males in the hotel grounds. One seen well, hopping along the wall of the tennis court(!) early morning. Oko; One male singing in scrub behind the new church at the Mission (28/12/92).

White-browed Robin-Chat Cossypha heuglini
Lek: Three along the Sayé track (26/9/92).

Red-capped Robin-Chat Cossypha natalensis
Rare in coastal swamp-forest only. Gba; Maambi River; 1 (19/10/91).

Snowy-crowned Robin-Chat Cossypha niveicapilla
Fairly common in coastal scrub at Gba and Pog. Mou: 3 heard (18-19/4/92). An excellent mimic. I have heard almost perfect renditions of African Fish-Eagle, Emerald Cuckoo, and Fire-crested Alethe.

Rufous-tailed Palm-Thrush Cichladusa ruficauda
Gba: Only known locality for this bird in Gabon. Local in beach scrub with adjacent palms between Sette Cama (most common) and Matsiegui (rare). A few individuals, infrequently seen in older parts of the Yenzi camp. The most usual view is of a strongly rufous tail disappearing into cover. Feeds mainly on, or near, the ground, but sings from ten metres up in palms. Will initially respond to tape, but then rapidly skulks away.

White-browed Scrub-Robin Cercotrichas leucophrys
Fairly common in open scrub. Recorded Lek and Mou.

Common Stonechat Saxicola torquata
Gba: Yenzi, 1 (8/6/89). Pog: Common in grassland. Lek: A few daily. Mou: Two singles (18/4/92).

Northern Wheatear Oenanthe oenanthe
Rare migrant. Gba; Nyanga; 1 (19/11/88).

Congo Moorchat Myrmecocichla tholloni
Note that the illustration of this species in Mackworth-Praed and Grant (1973) is terrible - one of the worst in the book. See BoA. Lek; Fairly common in open grassland, with well scattered bushes. Commonest in the canyons area.

Sooty Chat Myrmecocichla nigra
Lek: Common in open grasslands.

African River-Martin Pseudochelidon eurystomina
The bird to see in Gabon. Occurs, in good numbers, as a breeding visitor to coastal savannas in the south of the country. Rare on passage elsewhere. In size and form strongly resembles a Wood-Swallow Artamus sp. Despite their number, can be overlooked, as they are usually very high overhead in swirling feeding flocks. Calls constantly (a medium pitched 'kreek'), which once learned makes finding them easy. Nests in colonies of up to a few hundred birds in grassy savannas. Gba: Common from mid September to mid November, with extreme dates 14 July and 7 December. Rab: Two birds over north-east (13/12/92). Pog: One colony found 1991, otherwise unrecorded. Mak: Two pair (12/3/92).

Sand Martin Riparia riparia
Rare migrant. Mak: A single bird over the river (13/3/92).

Banded Martin Neophedina cincta
Locally fairly common. Recorded Gba, Pog, Lek, Mou, and Mla.

Grey-rumped Swallow Hirundo griseopyga
Common in savanna grasslands. The local race has a very brownish-grey rump, which appears almost brown in the field, not contrasting well with the dark grey mantle. Recorded Gba, Pog, Mou, and Lam.

Rock Martin Hirundo fuligula
Lek: A single bird along the Edjangoulou track, feeding with a group of H. spilodera (29/4/89). The first Gabon record.

Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica
Common migrant throughout.

Angola Swallow Hirundo angolensis
Uncommon, but easily overlooked due to similarity with H. rustica. Gba: A few pairs in the Yenzi and terminal areas. Occasionally seen over grassy savannas. Lek: A few daily. Tch: A pair around the hotel (17/8/92).

White-throated Blue Swallow Hirundo nigrita
Common along forested rivers throughout.

Lesser Striped-Swallow Hirundo abyssinica
Common throughout.

Rufous-chested Swallow Hirundo semirufa
Fairly common throughout. Beware similarity with Mosque Swallow H. senegalensis known from only a few records in Gabon.

Red-throated Swallow Hirundo rufigula
Common throughout. Unknown in Gabon ten years ago, it has spread rapidly, and is now locally the most numerous hirundine.

South African Swallow Hirundo spilodera
Lek: One group of 50+, Edjangoulou track (29/4/89). The first Gabon record.

House Martin Delichon urbica
Rare migrant. Lek: Two near Franceville (1/5/89), and 1 Lekoni (26/9/92).

Square-tailed Saw-wing Psalidoprocne nitens
Occurs throughout, commonest in the north. Gba: Igotchi; 4 (19/11/89). Can easily be confused with the, rather rare, Forest Swallow H. fuliginosa. (See BoA).

Petit's Saw-wing Psalidoprocne petiti
Common Mak, Lek, Mou, Oym, Mla, and Tch.

 

Greenbul and Bulbul Identification Until recently, identification of most West African greenbuls was, at best, difficult. Observers relied primarily on Mackworth-Praed and Grant (1973), which lacks good plates for this group, has occasional errors and sometimes poor descriptions. The situation has been dramatically improved with the publication of the Birds of Africa Volume IV (Keith et al. 1992). However, experienced observers will note that some illustrations do not portray birds exactly as they appear in the field, and in places are misleading. The following aid to identification is intended to complement BoA. It concentrates on field identification, highlighting discrepancies with BoA, and where possible adding important field points. It is based solely on personal observations of these species in Gabon. Little Greenbul Andropadus virens By far the commonest and most widespread of the greenbuls, and as such one of the first to be encountered outside towns. A small species, occurring in practically all wooded habitats. Readily identified by its song and habit of singing throughout the heat of the day. Often skulking and difficult to see. Most common in dense scrub and secondary growth. Uncommon in true primary forest. A drably-plumaged species, with no particularly distinguishing features. The chestnut wash on the tail is mostly not discernible, but can appear quite rufous if viewed in sunlight. Similar sp. Confusion is most likely with Plain Greenbul or immature Yellow-whiskered Greenbul. Little Greenbul is smaller than Plain, with a browner, shorter, stubbier bill. The only habitat overlap is likely to be edge or interior of primary forest. Within this habitat, Plain is more likely to be on or near the forest floor, with Little higher up. Immature Yellow-whiskered always looks 'immature', and has a prominent orange gape and tarsi. Could also be confused with Grey or Ansorge's Greenbul, but both these species have pale, but prominent, grey eye-rings and much greyer plumage. Several European birders have remarked that the song of the Little Greenbul is reminiscent of Garden Warbler, and alarm calls that of European Blackbird Turdus merula. Grey Greenbul Andropadus gracilis Another small greenbul, common in older secondary growth and disturbed forest. Usually in the lower canopy at the forest edge. The greyish plumage and pale, but prominent, eye-ring serve as the best distinguishing features. Similar sp. Very like the much rarer Ansorge's Greenbul, but lacks the rufous tinge on the flanks and undertail coverts prominent in that species. However this may not be readily discernible, as both species frequently ascend into the canopy where the back -light makes colour differentiation difficult. Call can be used to distinguish them (see under Ansorge's Greenbul). In my experience the call of Grey Greenbul is always a series of 5-6 quick, thin whistles. Ansorge's Greenbul Andropadus ansorgei An uncommon, small, grey greenbul of primary forest, occurring from the canopy to within a few metres of the ground. The greyish plumage and pale but prominent eye-ring serve as the best distinguishing features. Similar sp. Similar to the Grey Greenbul, but has a strong rufous tinge on flanks, and both under and upper tail coverts. (Also see under Grey Greenbul). The calls given in Chappuis (1974) and BoA refer to a series of 3-4 slurred whistles. However, the only call I have ever heard is a double whistle, exactly the first two notes of the three note call on Chappuis. Once learned I found this call diagnostic. Plain Greenbul Andropadus curvirostris Another drably-plumaged, small to medium size greenbul of primary forest. Appears to be uncommon, but probably overlooked. Similar sp. The nondescript dull olive plumage most easily leads to confusion with Little Greenbul. The best distinction between the two is call, and the longer, thinner, black bill of Plain Greenbul. (Also see under Little Greenbul). The grey eye-ring mentioned in BoA is not a good field point, and is impossible to see except at very close range. Slender-billed Greenbul Andropadus gracilirostris This is a true canopy species, which makes obtaining good views of it very difficult. Occasionally found in the tops of shorter trees, where with a scope, the brown plumage and red eye should be visible. Similar sp. Given the usually poor views, the species could be confused with any other smaller greenbul likely to be found in the canopy. However, this is the only greenbul species with a distinctly brown plumage, which combined with the deep red eye - fairly easily seen - is diagnostic. The thin, all black bill is also readily apparent once the observer is familiar with other greenbul species. The call is distinctive. Yellow-whiskered Greenbul Andropadus latirostris A common greenbul of forest understorey, though tends to be shy, and consequently overlooked if voice not known. Generally the most numerous greenbul within primary forest. Similar sp. The prominent yellow whiskers of the adult bird are diagnostic. Immatures, which lack the yellow whiskers, superficially resemble Little Greenbul, though can be readily separated by their 'immature' appearance, resulting from the prominent orange gape and tarsi. Golden Greenbul Calyptocichla serina This is a canopy species. With its bright yellow plumage it cannot be confused with any other Greenbul. Similar sp. For the unwary, confusion is possible with the female Purple-throated Cuckooshrike, which occurs in the same habitat. Golden Greenbul differs in having a pale bill, and the crown and sides of the face bright yellow, not grey. The plate in Birds of Africa is particularly misleading. In the field, this species appears bright yellow all over. Honeyguide Greenbul Baeopogon indicator This is a lower canopy bird, of forest and forest edge, the call of which is heard far more often than the bird is seen. Similar sp. The olive plumage with pure white under tail feathers is shared only with Sjöstedt's Greenbul. Males differ in having the eyes bright white, not dark brown, as in Sjöstedt's. Females, with dark eyes, are very difficult to differentiate from Sjöstedt's (see under that species). Sjöstedt's Greenbul Baeopogon clamans This uncommon species appears restricted to primary forest, where it is found in the upper understorey and lower canopy. Usually encountered in small noisy groups of between four and ten. The call is quite similar to the much commoner Swamp Greenbul which has the same habit of moving around in small noisy groups. Similar sp. In adults, the olive plumage with pure white undertail is shared only with Honeyguide Greenbul. Sjöstedt's is very difficult to distinguish from female Honeyguide Greenbul, as both have dark brown eyes. With experience, Sjöstedt's has a 'tatty' and 'ruffled' appearance, not observed in Honeyguide. However, it is best differentiated by its habit of moving through the forest in small noisy groups, a habit never noted in Honeyguide Greenbul, which is solitary or paired. [On two occasions, I have seen birds of this species (identified by call), assumed to be immatures, with very dull cream undertail feathers. As such they strongly resemble any other nondescript greenbul]. Spotted Greenbul Ixonotus guttatus A common greenbul of the forest canopy - always in groups of up to 50 birds. The pure white underparts and twittering flight calls, distinctive in the forest, cannot be confused with any other greenbul. A large group flying across the canopy is somewhat like a tropical snow shower. Simple Greenbul Chlorocichla simplex This large, brown greenbul is a somewhat skulking, though common, species of secondary growth and village plantations. Its cackling call is most often heard at dawn and dusk. The large size, brown plumage, and small, but bright, white eye lids are diagnostic. Yellow-throated Greenbul Chlorocichla flavicollis Confusingly named, as the Gabon race soror has a creamy-white throat. Not a bird of true forest, and usually found in bushy habitats over, or near, water. A skulker, but quite vocal. All the individuals I have encountered in Gabon have had pale eyes. Similar sp. Within its habitat confusion is only possible with Simple Greenbul, from which it differs in lacking the white eye-lids. All other white-throated Greenbuls are forest birds. Yellow-necked Greenbul Chlorocichla falkensteini Another skulking species of dense secondary growth and thickets. Particularly fond of manioc (cassava) plantations. The yellow throat and red eye are diagnostic. Swamp Greenbul Thescelocichla leucopleura A large, noisy, greenbul mostly confined to swamps of Raphia and Elaeis palms, though can occasionally be seen in the canopy of dryer primary forest. Its large size, pale belly, large white tips to the tail, and its habit of travelling in large noisy groups, make identification easy. African Leaf-love Phyllastrephus scandens A forest greenbul with a distinct preference for water. Occurs in all types of damp forest, including gallery, and rarely in open areas with scattered bushes. Usually keeps within ten metres of the ground. Difficult to see, and has an ability to hide in the most open habitat. Often seen in flight, where the general appearance is of a pale grey bird with a bright rufous tail. Similar sp The combination of the pale grey head and sides of face, combined with the rufous tail, are distinctive. Pale-olive Greenbul Phyllastrephus fulviventris One of Africa's least known greenbuls, and in Gabon known only from two records. The habitat preference is unclear, but Gabon records are from forest edge, where the bird, somewhat unusually for a forest greenbul, feeds on the floor. Similar sp This small forest greenbul could be confused with other small greenbuls when not seen well. The most distinctive plumage feature is the appearance of a dark line through the eye, resulting from a pale, but prominent supercilium. The bill is noticeably thin (and long?). Its habit of turning leaves over on the forest floor is distinctive. White-throated Greenbul Phyllastrephus albigularis A small greenbul of primary forest interior and edge, inhabiting the understorey from a few metres to the lower canopy. Similar sp The reddish tail and pale throat could cause confusion with White-bearded, Red-tailed, or Eastern Bearded greenbuls, or African Leaf-love. Both White-bearded and Red-tailed differ in having the white throat strongly contrasting with bright yellow underparts. African Leaf-love has no yellow on the underparts. Eastern Bearded Greenbul in much larger, with the red tail more prominent. Icterine Greenbul Phyllastrephus icterinus A common, small yellow greenbul of forest understorey. Usually in small groups within mixed feeding parties, where it frequently utters a nasal chatter. Similar sp Very similar to Xavier's Greenbul, and the two occur together. Icterine is smaller, and has a distinctive voice (though the voice of Xavier's is not really known - see Dowsett-Lemaire and Dowsett (1991)). Best distinction in plumage is the throat/breast colour and gradation. In Icterine, the bright yellow throat continues onto the breast and forms a wide bright yellow streak down the centre of the underparts, which contrasts with more olive flanks. (This is not shown in BoA). On Xavier's the throat is paler yellow, and contrasts (though not strongly) with the more yellow upper breast. (Not as strongly as shown in BoA). Icterine usually forages lower down between 1-8 metres, Xavier's higher up. Xavier's Greenbul Phyllastrephus xavieri An uncommon, medium-sized greenbul of forest understorey and lower canopy. Similar sp See Icterine Greenbul above. Common Bristlebill Bleda syndactyla A large, skulking greenbul, occurring low down in denser forest understorey. Fairly common, but easily overlooked. If seen at rest (unlikely), the combination of the large blue eye-ring and contrasting pale yellow throat are diagnostic. Similar sp Often only glimpsed in flight, when the bright rufous tail is very evident. Could be confused with any of the red-tailed Criniger greenbuls. Differs from all in having the conspicuous blue eye-ring. Responds well to tape, but always tries to keep out of view. Green-tailed Bristlebill Bleda eximia A common and noisy greenbul of any forest understorey, usually within a metre of the floor. Scolds when alarmed, but can still be difficult to see. The bright yellow spot in front of the eye contrasting with the dark, almost black, face is diagnostic. This is usually the first feature seen as the bird peers from the foliage. Western Nicator Nicator chloris A common, vocal bird of any forest or thickly wooded habitat, including secondary growth. Always heard before seen. Similar sp Superficially like Yellow-throated Nicator, but larger, with the throat grey, not yellow. Yellow-throated Nicator Nicator vireo A locally common bird of dense tangles at edges of plantations and secondary forest. Another skulker, but quite vocal, with a distinctive call, and responds to tape. Similar sp. See Western Nicator above. Eastern Bearded Greenbul Criniger chloronotus This is the first of a trio of similar, red-tailed, forest greenbuls which prominently display puffed-out, bright white throats. All three can occur together in the under-storey of primary forest. Generally keeps within 4 metres of the floor. The quavering two note call is diagnostic. Similar sp. Differs from both White-throated and Red-tailed greenbuls in having a grey upper breast, with the yellow restricted to lower breast and belly. The plate in BoA does not correctly depict this and is very misleading. Red-tailed Greenbul Criniger calurus Almost always encountered as a member of a mixed feeding party, where it appears to be one of the flock leaders. Probably the commonest of the three red-tailed Criniger greenbuls, but confusion with White-bearded Greenbul is acute. Has a habit of probing trunks and branches reminiscent of a nuthatch Sitta. Similar sp. For difference from Eastern Bearded Greenbul see under that species. Almost identical to White-bearded Greenbul, with which it has been thoroughly confused. On plumage, only distinguishable with comparative experience, and then not always. The white spot in-front of the eye mentioned in BoA is, in my experience, not reliably present. [I have not seen any birds, of either species, with such a prominent spot as depicted in BoA]. With experience the thinner, slightly shorter bill of White-bearded can be noticed. It is possible that foraging heights and techniques differ. Undoubtedly best, but still with difficultly, distinguished by voice. The call of Red-tailed is more varied and includes whistles. The most common (only?) call of White-bearded is a monotonously repeated three notes (as described in BoA), of different tone and pitch. Tape recording the bird and making comparisons to reference tapes is the only absolute method of differentiating them. The calls on Chappuis (1974) appear to be correctly assigned. White-bearded Greenbul Criniger ndussumensis A bird of forest understorey. Probably less common than Red-tailed Greenbul. Similar sp. The red tail and puffed white throat can cause confusion with Red-tailed and Eastern Bearded greenbuls, which see under. Black-collared Bulbul Neolestes torquatus Recent data questions the placement of this monotypic genus with greenbuls. A very local bird of dry bush country. The grey head and black collar are diagnostic.

Common Bulbul Pycnonotus barbatus
Common throughout.

Little Greenbul Andropadus virens
Common throughout.

Grey Greenbul Andropadus gracilis
Fairly common throughout.

Ansorge's Greenbul Andropadus ansorgei
Scarce. Gba: Mossomala; 1 (7/9/91), and (22/3/92). Rab: Two (8/6/92). Mak: M'Passa; 2 (6/10/92).

Plain Greenbul Andropadus curvirostris
Uncommon, though probably overlooked in primary forest. Gba: A total of six records from Kéléba, Tondou, Pont Brulé and Bibonga. Rab: One possible heard (12/12/92). Mak: M'Passa; 3 (6/10/92). Mou: 6 (18-20/4/92).

Slender-billed Greenbul Andropadus gracilirostris
A canopy bird. Fairly common. Recorded Gba, Rab, Lek, Mou, Oym, Lbv, Oli.

Yellow-whiskered Greenbul Andropadus latirostris
Common in primary forest. Recorded Gba, Rab, Lek, Mak, Oym, Lbv, and Oli.

Golden Greenbul Calyptocichla serina
Fairly common in canopy of any forest. Recorded Gba, Rab, Mak, Mou, Oym, Lam, and Oli.

Honeyguide Greenbul Baeopogon indicator
Fairly common in primary and secondary forest. Recorded Gba, Rab, Mak, Lek, Mou, Oym, Lbv, and Oli.

Sjöstedt's Greenbul Baeopogon clamans
Uncommon in primary forest. Gba: About 15 records from scattered localities. Rab: Lake Divangui; Two groups (6-8/6/92). Mou: Up to 10 heard (18-20/4/92). Oym: A single along the Abaméba loop road (3/12/89).

Spotted Greenbul Ixonotus guttatus
Common in forest throughout.

Simple Greenbul Chlorocichla simplex
Common throughout in scrub, abandoned plantations, and secondary growth. Gba; Fairly common LYW and around Kéléba village. Otherwise only one record from Colas; 1 (5/12/88).

Yellow-throated Greenbul Chlorocichla flavicollis
Locally common in swampy wooded areas throughout. Gba; Rare. Three birds along track to Nyanga (15/2/92).

Yellow-necked Greenbul Chlorocichla falkensteini
Mak; Locally common in manioc (cassava) plantations around Makokou town. Lek: One bird in scrub at the Intercontinental Hotel in Franceville (27/9/92). Oko: Several calling from scrub behind the Mission (28/9/92).

Swamp Greenbul Thescelocichla leucopleura
Common in swamp palm forest. Recorded all areas except Lekoni.

African Leaf-love Phyllastrephus scandens
Gba: Maambi River; 2 (29/7/90), 1 (19/10/91). Rembo N'Dogo 2 (30/6/91), (13/7/91), and (31/8/91). Gamba terminal; 1 (15/3/92). Kéléba; 1 (30/11/92). Rab: Lake Divangui; 1 (7/6/92). Mou; Fairly common in gallery forest, with at least 6 (18/4/92).

Pale-Olive Greenbul Phyllastrephus fulviventris
A rare and little known greenbul, previously unrecorded in Gabon. Gba: Bouda; 1 (27/7/91). A further record from Pont Brulé, August 91 (Turner et. al.).

White-throated Greenbul Phyllastrephus albigularis
Mak: Sin River; 2 (3/10/92). M'Passa; 2 (6/10/91).

Icterine Greenbul Phyllastrephus icterinus
Common in primary forest. Recorded Gba, Rab, Pog, and Mak.

Xavier's Greenbul Phyllastrephus xavieri
Mak: M'Passa. 2 (13/3/90), and 2+ (6-7/10/92).

Common Bristlebill Bleda syndactyla
Fairly common in primary forest. Recorded Gba, Rab, and Mak.

Green-tailed Bristlebill Bleda eximia
Common in forest throughout.

Western Nicator Nicator chloris
Common throughout

Yellow-throated Nicator Nicator vireo
Occasional in dense scrub and secondary growth around towns and villages. Recorded Mak, Oym, Oko, and Oli.

Eastern Bearded Greenbul Criniger chloronotus
Occasional in primary forest. Recorded Gba, Rab, and Mak.

Red-tailed Greenbul Criniger calurus
Common in primary forest, but status confused with almost identical C. ndussumensis (see identification section). Recorded Gba, Rab, Mak, and Oym.

White-bearded Greenbul Criniger ndussumensis
Common in primary forest, but status confused with almost identical C. calurus (see identification section). Recorded Gba, Rab, Mak, and Oli.

Black-collared Bulbul Neolestes torquatus
Lek: Fairly common in areas of low scattered bushes. Commonest along the Edjangoulou track, with 20+ (3/5/92).

African Yellow White-eye Zosterops senegalensis
Rare in Gabon. Mak: M'Passa; A single around the chalets (12/3/90). Oym: Fairly common along the Abaméba track (3-4/12/89), but only a single along the Bitam road (20/5/91).

Red-faced Cisticola Cisticola erythrops
Lek: A single in Intercontinental Hotel grounds (1/5/92). Mou: 2 in grassland near the headquarters (19-20/4/92). Oym: Fairly common around the lake at the hotel. Tch: 1 (17/8/92).

Whistling Cisticola Cisticola lateralis
Fairly common in open bushy areas of Lek, Mou, Tch.

Chattering Cisticola Cisticola anonymus
Fairly common in tall rank grass near forest throughout.

Bubbling Cisticola Cisticola bulliens
This record requires confirmation. Previously known from one old record. Lek: A single male (seen with P.D. Alexander-Marrack), thought to be this species seen en-route between Souba and Lekoni (29/4/89). A written description of plumage and song (no recording available) appeared to match that it Mackworth-Praed and Grant (1973).

Grey Cisticola Cisticola rufilatus
Previously unrecorded in Gabon. Lek: Two birds en-route to Lekoni (29/4/92). Edjangoulou track; 1 (29/4/92), and 2 (26/9/92).

Winding Cisticola Cisticola galactotes
Gba: Locally common in swampy areas with tall grass. Recorded Gba, Pog, and Lek (nearer Franceville only).

Croaking Cisticola Cisticola natalensis
Lek: A few daily. Mou: Up to 10 daily (18-20/4/92). Tch: 1 (17/8/92).

Neddicky Cisticola Cisticola fulvicapillus
Uncommon, only recently confirmed as occurring in Gabon. Lek: A total of 6 birds below the canyons (1-2/5/89) and (26/9/92).

Teke Cisticola Cisticola sp. Nov.
Taxonomy confused between this and Short-winged. Known around Lekoni only. Lek: A few en-route (28/4/89). Edjangoulou track; 4+ (29/4/89), 2+ (3/5/92).

Short-winged Cisticola Cisticola brachypterus
Mou: A few daily (18-19/4/92).

Zitting Cisticola Cisticola juncidis
Common. Recorded Gba, Pog, Lek, and Lam.

Cloud-scraping Cisticola Cisticola dambo
In Gabon, known only from this pair, discovered by P. Christy in 1991. Lek: One displaying male along the old canyons track, about one to two kilometres from the canyons. The long black tail is distinctive.

Pectoral-patch Cisticola Cisticola brunnescens
Locally common in open grasslands. Literature describes Ayres' Cisticola C. ayresii, not brunnescens, as occurring in Gabon. This has been based on Lynes (1931). However, years of field work, have failed to discovered further evidence of ayresii, which raises the possibility of an error having been made. Reexamination of the original specimens would be useful.
Recorded Gba (mainly grassy plains near Lac Namba and Vera), Pog, Lek, and Mou.

Tawny-flanked Prinia Prinia subflava
Common in open bush. Recorded Lek, and Mou.

White-chinned Prinia Prinia leucopogon
Locally, fairly common in open areas with trees. Occurs throughout the interior, but not Gamba, Port Gentil or Libreville (all coastal).

Banded Prinia Prinia bairdii
Occasional in dense vegetation near water in forested areas. Gba: Recorded Tondou stream, Bouda and Pont Brulé. Rab: 2+ (8/6/92). Mak: Sin River; 2 (3/10/92). M'Passa; 2 (6/10/92). Oym: Abaméba loop; 1 (3/12/89).

Masked Apalis Apalis binotata
Uncommon. Oym: A pair along the Abaméba loop (3/12/89). Mak: 1+ (13/3/92), in scrub along the road by the airport.

Yellow-breasted Apalis Apalis flavida
Uncommon in coastal scrub. Gba: Colas; 3+ (31/10/88), 6 (5/12/88), and 1 (17/8/91). Terminal beach; 4+ (13/3/89). Sette Cama; 1 (22/7/90), and 3+ (16/2/92) included young begging food. Pog: CAp Lopez 1 (2/4/89).

Buff-throated Apalis Apalis rufogularis
Occasional in canopy of primary and old secondary forest. males of the local race rufogularis, have the throat and upper breast blackish-grey which contrasts with the white belly and under tail. The most distinctive feature is the tail which is frequently flicked and which, when closed, is black above and white below. Gba: Tondou; 2 (5/5/91), (11/4/92), (27/6/92), and (5/12/92). Rab: 2 (7/6/92). Mak: Sin River; 2 (4/10/92). Mou: 2 (20/4/92). Oym: Abaméba loop; 1 (3/12/89). Bitam road; 1 (20/5/91).

Gosling's Apalis Apalis goslingi
Highly localised, in the north-east only. Occurs in dense vegetation along rivers. Mak: Two (13/12/90) seen from the bridge over the Epassendjé road near the airport in the early morning.

Grey-backed Camaroptera Camaroptera brevicaudata
Common throughout.

Yellow-browed Camaroptera Camaroptera superciliaris
Locally common in open forest and scrub. Gba Lac Vera; 2 (2/7/90). Rembo N'Dogo; 2+ (1/9/91). Fairly common Rab, Mak, Lek, Mou, Oym, and Oli.

Olive-green Camaroptera Camaroptera chloronota
Local in primary forest. Impossible to see without a tape. Gba: Pitonga; 1 (22/7/90), and 3 (30/9/90). Igotchi; 1 (12/1/91). Rembo N'Dogo; 1 (14/7/91), and (1/9/91). Rab: Lake Divangui; 1 (7/6/91). Pog: 2 (14/11/88), and 2+ (8/10/89). Mak; Heard daily. Mou: 2 (20/4/92) in forest along Moabi road. Oym: A few heard daily. Oli: 2 (29/9/92).

Black-faced Rufous Warbler Bathmocercus rufus
Uncommon along rivers and streams in primary forest. Keeps very low. Difficult to see. Mak: Sin River; 1 (4/10/92), and 1 heard (5/10/92).

Moustached Grass-Warbler Melocichla mentalis
Localised. Mou: At least 5 birds in long grass along the road running north from the reserve (19-20/4/92). One bird in grassland 55 km east of Moabi (15/8/92).

Sedge Warbler Acrocephalus schoenobaenus
Migrant. Gba: Yenzi; 1 (20/11/90), (10/1/92), (15/11/92), and (7/12/92). Nyanga River; 2+ (13/1/91). Pog: Fairly common November to April.

Common Reed-Warbler Acrocephalus scirpaceus
Rare migrant. Gba: Kéléba; 1+ (7/12/92).

Great Reed-Warbler Acrocephalus arundinaceus
Gba: One dead, having flown into a window, Yenzi (28/12/89). Pog: Tchengue; 2 (25/2/89).

Greater Swamp-Warbler Acrocephalus rufescens
Rare. Pog: Tchengue; Pair, with nest (1/4/89).

Icterine Warbler Hippolais icterina
Uncommon migrant. Gba: Colas; 1 (15/3/92). Yenzi; 1 (15/3/92). Pog: 1 (2/4/89), and 1 (28/10/89).

Salvadori's Eremomela Eremomela salvadorii
Previously unrecorded in Gabon. Lek: Fairly common in open woodland.

Greencap Eremomela Eremomela scotops
Previously unrecorded in Gabon. Lek: A few daily in open woodland.

Rufous-crowned Eremomela Eremomela badiceps
Uncommon in tree tops of forest edge. Gba: LYW; 3+ (28/3/92), 2+ (28/3/92), and 2+ (22/4/92) refer to the same group. Mak: M'Passa; 3+ (12/3/90), and 2 (7/10/92). Oym: 10+ (3-5/12/89). Lam: 4+ (14/8/88), along the Tchibanga road.

Green Crombec Sylvietta virens
Fairly common in scrub and secondary growth. Recorded Gba, Rab, Pog, Mak, Lek, Mou, and Kou.

Lemon-bellied Crombec Sylvietta denti
Uncommon in canopy of forest. Gba: Kéléba; 2+ (5/11/89). Rembo N'Dogo; 4+ (14/7/91). Mak: M'Passa; 1 (7/10/92). Mou: 1 heard (19/4/92).

Yellow Longbill Macrosphenus flavicans
Scarce in primary forest. Gba: Tondou; 1 (16/9/89). Bibonga; 1 (28/1/90), 2 (27/1/91), and 2 (3/3/91). Rab: 1 (7/6/92).

Grey Longbill Macrosphenus concolor
Commonly heard in canopy of primary forest. Difficult to see, as rarely descends. Recorded Gba, Rab, Mak, Mou, and Oym.

Green Hylia Hylia prasina
Fairly common in forest throughout.

Willow Warbler Phylloscopus trochilus
Common migrant September to March. Recorded Gba, Pog, Lek, Oko.

Wood Warbler Phylloscopus sibilatrix
Uncommon migrant. Gba: LYW; 1 (7/1/89), (25/2/92), and (15/3/92). Pog: 2 (4/1/89, and 1 (1/5/89). Mak: M'Passa; 2 (13/3/90). Oym: 15+ daily (2-4/12/89).

Yellow-bellied Hyliota Hyliota flavigaster
Lek: A few seen daily in Miombo woodland.

Violet-backed Hyliota Hyliota violacea
Scarce in primary forest edge. Gba: LYW; 2 seen regularly between (27/1/89) and (8/2/92). Oym: 1 Abaméba track (3/12/89).

Fan-tailed Grassbird Schoenicola brevirostris
Localised. Mou: One singing male in elephant grassland (19/4/92). One bird in grassland 55 km east of Moabi (15/8/92).

Garden Warbler Sylvia borin
Fairly common migrant October to February. Recorded Gba, and Pog.

Greater Whitethroat Sylvia communis
Very scarce. Few previous records. Gba; Yenzi; 1 in my garden (16/2/92).

Identification of the genus Illadopsis The three species occur together low in the understorey of primary forest. Black-capped Illadopsis is easy to identify as it has a prominent black cap and pale grey eyebrow. However, Brown and Pale-breasted are difficult to separate unless seen very well or the distinctive voice of Brown is heard. Pale-breasted Illadopsis has russet brown upperparts, dull brown cap, and grey sides to the face. The pale throat contrasts only slightly (if at all) with the underparts, which are pale, washed brownish, the centre sometimes paler than flanks. The call is a quiet, low, short 'chuurr' repeated at intervals of a few seconds. Tends to keep lower than Brown Illadopsis - within two metres of the forest floor. Brown Illadopsis. Upperparts brown, with the grey sides to the face more prominent than Pale-breasted. Slightly paler grey eyebrow, not very distinct. Top of head brown. Throat off-white, fairly well demarcated from warm brown underparts. Undertail coverts much browner - almost chestnut - not shown by Pale-breasted. Eye brown. Contact call is a fairly loud, harsh, 'tchuk', Other call, which is diagnostic, is a semi nasal 'dic-ta-phone'. Also occurs low down on forest floor, but frequently found higher up, where it inhabits thick tangles.

Blackcap Illadopsis Illadopsis cleaveri
Common in primary forest. Recorded Gba, Rab, and Mak.

Pale-breasted Illadopsis Illadopsis rufipennis
Appears to be rare in primary forest, but probably overlooked.
Gba: Tondou; 1 (1/5/91). Rembo N'Dogo; 2 (1/9/91). Pont Brulé; 2 (21/9/91), 2 (22/9/91). Mossomala; 2 (11/1/92). Rab: Lake Divangui; 1 (7/6/92). Mak: Sin River; 2 (3/10/92).

Brown Illadopsis Illadopsis fulvescens
Occasional in primary forest; Recorded Gba, Pog, Mak, Mou, and Oym.

Arrow-marked Babbler Turdoides jardineii
Very local. Mou: Up to 10 birds in small groups (17-19/4/92).

Grey-necked Rockfowl Picathartes oreas
Rare in caves in primary forest of the north-east. Mak: A single bird seen after much searching near the caves above Bokaboka village (30/10/92).

White-winged Black Tit Parus leucomelas
Lek: A total of 10 birds along the Edjangoulou and old canyons tracks.

Dusky Tit Parus funereus
Uncommon in primary forest. Mak: M'Passa; 2+ (7/10/92). Oli: 2 (29/12/92).

Forest Penduline-Tit Anthoscopus flavifrons
Uncommon in forest edge. Gba: Bouda; 1 (30/10/88). LYW; 3 (11/11/89, and 1 (28/3/92). Rab: 4 (8/6/92). Mak: M'Passa; 4 around the chalets (7/10/92). Oym: Abaméba loop; 4 (3/12/89).

Tit-hylia Pholidornis rushiae
Rare in primary forest. Gba: Bouda pond; 2 (19/2/89). Oym: Two adults feeding two young, Abaméba loop (3/12/89).

Rufous-naped Lark Mirafra africana
Lek: Small numbers daily along the Sayé and Edjangoulou tracks.

Flappet Lark Mirafra rufocinnamomea
Common Lek, Mou, and Tch.

Red-capped Lark Calandrella cinerea
Scarce. Gba: A single, presumably a migrant, near the airport, (16/5/92). Oym: A few resident around the airport buildings.

Grey-headed Sparrow Passer griseus
Common in towns and villages throughout.

Yellow-throated Bush Sparrow Petronia superciliaris
Previously unrecorded in Gabon. Edjangoulou track; 1 (29/4/89), 1 (3/5/92). Canyons track; 1 (3/5/92), 3 (26/9/92).

Woodhouse's Antpecker Parmoptila woodhousei
Uncommon in primary forest. Gba: Dikoundo; 2 (6/5/90). Bibonga; 1 (3/3/91). Tondou; 2 (17/3/91), (1/5/91), 2 (26/10/91), 2 (11/4/92), and 4 (12/4/92). Rembo N'Dogo; 2 (31/8/91). Pont Brulé; 2 (12/7/92), 2 (6/12/92). Mak: 1 near the Mission (13/3/92). Sin River; 5 (2-4/10/92). M'Passa; 2 (6/10/92).

White-breasted Negrofinch Nigrita fusconota
Locally common in forest. Gba: Mossomala; 1 (3/12/88). Tondou; 1 (15/2/91), and 3+ (8/2/92). Pont Brulé; 3 (21/9/91), and 1 (6/12/92). Mak: 1 by airport (13/3/90). M'Passa; 2 (7/0/92). Lek: Sayé track; 1 (30/4/89). Oym: A total of 8 in all areas. Oko: 1 at the Mission (28/9/92).

Chestnut-breasted Negrofinch Nigrita bicolor
Occasional in forest. Gba: Twenty records from various forest localities. Best place is Tondou. Rab: Lake Divangui; 3 (7/6/92), and 2+ (13/12/92). Mak; M'Passa; 1 (13/3/92). Oym: Bitam road; 4+ (19-20/5/91).

Pale-fronted Negrofinch Nigrita luteifrons
Occasional in forest. Recorded Gba, Mak, Oym, and Lam.

Grey-headed Negrofinch Nigrita canicapilla
Occasional in forest. Recorded Gba, Rab, Mak, Mou, and Oym.

Black-bellied Seedcracker Pyrenestes ostrinus
The exact taxonomic status of the three "black-bellied" Pyrenestes in Gabon needs further work. P. ostrinus is by far the commonest. For further reference see Brosset and Erard (1986). Common in rank grass throughout.

Large-billed Seedcracker Pyrenestes frommi
Certainly rare in Gabon. Song unknown. Gba: Two birds with massive bills (size of Eurasian Hawfinch Coccothraustes coccothraustes, seen in same area as large numbers of P. ostrinus at Kéléba (10/2/92), (12/3/92), and (18/9/92).

Rothschild's Seedcracker Pyrenestes rothschildi
Smaller than P. ostrinus. Best identified by different song. Gba: One singing male Kéléba (22/3/92).

Western Bluebill Spermophaga haematina
Fairly common, though skulking, in rank grass and densely vegetated forest edges. Recorded Gba, Pog, Mak, Oym, and Oko.

Brown Twinspot Clytospiza monteiri
Very local in grassy savanna. Mou: At least 10 feeding along the roadside, early morning (19-20/4/92).

Blue-billed Firefinch Lagonosticta rubricata
Local in grassy savanna. Mou: Two pair in roadside scrub (19/4/92). Two in savanna 55 km east of Moabi (15/8/92).

Grey Waxbill Glaucestrilda perreini
Very local in dry scrub. Tch: 2 in scrub around the hotel (16-17/8/92).

Fawn-breasted Waxbill Estrilda paludicola
Previously unknown in Gabon. Lek: Small groups daily along all tracks.

Orange-cheeked Waxbill Estrilda melpoda
Common in scrub and roadside edges throughout.

Common Waxbill Estrilda astrild
Occasional in scrub, forest edge. Recorded Gba, Pog, Mak, Mou, Oym, Lam.

Black-crowned Waxbill Estrilda nonnula
Only known from this area in Gabon. Oym: A few around the hotel (2-4/12/89) and (19-20/5/90).

Black-headed Waxbill Estrilda atricapilla
Common in grassland, around towns and roadside scrub in Mak and Oym

Orange-breasted Waxbill Amandava subflava
Locally common migrant in open areas with grass. Gba: Common November to February. Occurs October to April. Mou: 30 (19/4/92). Tch: 4+ (17/8/92).

Red-billed Quailfinch Ortygospiza gabonensis
Locally common in grasslands of Gba: (track to Sette Cama especially), Pog, and Lek.

Locustfinch Ortygospiza locustella
Record requires confirmation. Gba/Tch: Very small Ortygospiza type finch seen flying over, calling half way between Gamba and Tchibanga (17/8/92).

Bronze Mannikin Spermestes cucullata
Common throughout.

Black-and-white Mannikin Spermestes bicolor
Locally common throughout, though not recorded at Port Gentil, and scarce Gamba. Gba: LYW; 4 (6/5/89), 20+ (23/9/90), 3 (11/5/91). Rembo N'Dogo; 6 (13/7/91). Kéléba; 2 (12/3/92).

Magpie Mannikin Spermestes fringilloides
Local in scrub and forest edge. Gba: LYW; 6 (21/1/90), 2 (3/2/90), 6 (5/8/90). Vera; 5+ (16/7/91). Kéléba; 2 (20/3/92). Yenzi; 2 (30/5/92). Mou: 1 (19/4/92). Oym: A few daily. Lbv: 10+ in abandoned plantation along the Cap Esterias road (2/12/89).

Pin-tailed Whydah Vidua macroura
Common in open areas, and gardens. Recorded Gba, Pog, Mak, Lek, Mou, Oym, and Lam.

African Pied Wagtail Motacilla aguimp
Fairly common in cleared areas along the larger rivers. Recorded Gba, Mak, Lam, Tch. Gba: Igotchi; A few resident around the rapids.

Yellow Wagtail Motacilla flava
Common migrant November to April. Recorded Gba, Pog, Mak, and Oym.

Long-tailed Wagtail Motacilla clara
Rare in lowland forest. Gba: Pont Brulé; One bird seen along the forest track on four occasions between (14/10/89) and (2/7/90).

Yellow-throated Longclaw Macronyx croceus
Fairly common in open grassland and savanna. Recorded Gba, Pog, Lek, Mou, and Mla.

Plain-backed Pipit Anthus leucophrys
Previously unrecorded in Gabon. Lek: Sayé track; 2 (30/4/89). Edjangoulou track; 1 (1/5/92 and 2 (2/5/92).

Long-legged Pipit Anthus pallidiventris
Adults easily recognised by long, gaudy orange legs and bill. Beware young birds which are very different, with dark bills and heavily streaked mantle and breast. Common in any grassy habitat throughout, except north, and not recorded Oyem. Will penetrate forest if grassy track exists. Mak: Only one record. Two (6/12/92) in the hotel garden. Probably spreading with deforestation. Gba: Abundant - the commonest bird.

Wood Pipit Anthus nyassae
Lek: A few daily.

Short-tailed Pipit Anthus brachyurus
Lek: A few daily (1-3/5/92), and 2 (26/9/92), along old and new canyons tracks.

Red-throated Pipit Anthus cervinus
Pog: Pig Farm; 1 (28/10/89).

Black-chinned Weaver Ploceus nigrimentum
Red Data Book species, discovered breeding at Lekoni in 1991 by P.Christy. Lek: Old canyons track; 1 (2/5/92), and 2 (27/9/92). Edjangoulou track; 8 (3/5/92), 1 (25/9/92). Sayé track; 6 (26/9/92).

Slender-billed Weaver Ploceus pelzelni
Common in town at Pog, and Lam.

Loango Weaver Ploceus subpersonatus
Red Data Book Species. Local from Port Gentil to Gamba. The plate in Mackworth-Praed and Grant (evidently drawn from a museum specimen) is far too brown. Resembles, and forms a superspecies with, Ploceus pelzelni though larger and yellow coloration duller. The male has an golden-orange collar around the nape. Bill black, eyes black, legs pink. A skulking, shy, species inhabiting thick, spiny palms and beach scrub. Song is a typical, but quiet, Ploceus 'squizzle'. Gba: Uncommon from Sette Cama to Nyanga. Best areas are the beach side of the Lagoons at Nyanga, the hut at Colas, and scrub along the point at Sette Cama.

Spectacled Weaver Ploceus ocularis
Mou: 1 near the headquarters (20/4/92).

Black-necked Weaver Ploceus nigricollis
Occasional in scrub and forest edge. Recorded Gba, Pog, Mak, Lek, Mou, Oym, Mla, and Oko.

Orange Weaver Ploceus aurantius
Uncommon in scrub and around towns. Gba: Terminal beach; 5 pair (2/10/88), 4+ (16/10/88), 6+ (30/10/88). M'Bissi; 20+ (19/11/89). Sette Cama 6+ (16/2/92). Mak: A single in town (30/9/92). Lam: A single in scrub south of town (14/8/88).

Village Weaver Ploceus cucullatus
Common in towns and villages throughout.

Vieillot's Black Weaver Ploceus nigerrimus
Common in towns and villages throughout, except Gamba where scarce. Gba: Nyanga River; 20+ (19/11/89). Sette Cama; 4+ (26/11/89). Yenzi; 1 (27/1/90), and 2 (22/7/90). Terminal offices; 2 pairs in with P. Cucullatus (sev dates).

Yellow-mantled Weaver Ploceus tricolor
Uncommon in primary forest. Gba: LYW; 2 (27/1/90), (12/5/90). Mossomala; 2 (20/1/91), 1 (9/3/91). Tondou; 2 (12/10/91), 1 (9/2/92). 2 (29/3/92), 1 (27/6/92), 1 (5/12/92). Bouda; 1 (8/3/92).

White-naped Weaver Ploceus albinucha
Previously unknown in Gabon. This record represents about a 400 km southerly extension to known range. Gba: Tondou; Small colony of 50+ birds discovered (9/2/91) in tall emergent tree in primary forest. An all black bird with a prominent white eye. Bill, legs and feet black. Bill glossed blue-grey in sunlight. Upperparts sooty-black, only glossing in strong sunlight. Underparts on most birds, presumably adults, same as upperparts, but a few (presumably not quite fully plumaged adults) with small grey blotches. On preening birds the grey bases to the nape feathers could be clearly seen. One bird with completely smoky grey underparts presumably a juvenile. Call a soft chattering twitter. Nests constructed of thin rough creepers, a rough hemisphere with entrance directly below, on one side, with almost no funnel. Mossomala; 6+ (24/2/91) birds in small mixed feeding flock. Moukalaba; 4+ (15/9/91). Tondou 4+ (22/9/91), 20+ pair (12/10/91), and 1 (11/4/92). Pont Brulé; 1 (9/2/92). Bouda pond; 1 (8/3/92).

Forest Weaver Ploceus bicolor
Uncommon in forest. Lek: Sayé track; 1 (26/9/92). Oli: 1 (29/9/92).

Preuss' Weaver Ploceus preussi
Scarce in open forest of the north. Mak: 2 in trees at the Mission (12/3/90). Oym: Pair in trees around plantation along the Bitam road (19/5/91), and a pair along the roadside just south of the police checkpoint (20/5/91).

Compact Weaver Pachyphantes superciliosus
Lek: Intercontinental Hotel; 10+ (1/5/92). Mou: A few daily (18-19/4/92) in savanna. Tch: Common between Maobi and Tchibanga (16-17/9/92).

Red-crowned Malimbe Malimbus coronatus
Local in primary forest. Mak: Sin River; A total of 11 (2-5/10/92)

Black-throated Malimbe Malimbus cassini
Fairly common in forest and open areas with large trees. Recorded Gba, Pog, Mak, Lek, Mou, and Oli.

Rachel's Malimbe Malimbus racheliae
Local in primary forest. Mak: Sin River; 3 (4/10/92). Oli: 2 (29/9/92).

Red-bellied Malimbe Malimbus erythrogaster
Beware of immature M. rubricollis, which has a strong scarlet wash on underparts. M. rubricollis and erythrogaster can be found in mixed feeding flocks. Scarce in forest. Gba: Mossomala; 3 adults and 2 immatures (18/12/88), and 2 (20/1/91). LYW; 2 (7/1/89), 1 (23/1/89), 3 adult, 1 immature (28/1/89). Bouda; 1 (12/2/89). Tondou; 1 (11/4/92). Mak: M'Passa; Pair on access road (12/3/90).

Gray's Malimbe Malimbus nitens
Common in primary forest. Recorded Gba, Pog, Mak, Mou, and Kou.

Crested Malimbe Malimbus malimbicus
Uncommon in forest. Gba: Rembo N'Dogo; 2 (14/7/91). Oko: 2 in scrub behind the new church at the Mission (27-28/12/92).

Red-headed Malimbe Malimbus rubricollis
Local in primary forest. Gba: Regularly recorded LYW, Pont Brulé, Tondou, Mossomala, Bouda, Rembo N'Dogo, and Bibonga. Rab: Lake Divangui; 2 (8/6/92). Oli: 2 (29/10/92).

Red-headed Quelea Quelea erythrops
Common in open grassland in wet-season, less so in dry. Recorded Gba, Pog, Lek, Mou, Oym, and Lam.

Red-billed Quelea Quelea quelea
Uncommon. Occasionally mixed in with Q. erythrops. Small numbers recorded Gba, and Pog.

Yellow-crowned Bishop Euplectes afer
Very local in Gabon. Pog: Fairly common in swampy areas of the Cap Lopez road.

Black-winged Bishop Euplectes hordeaceus
Lek Common in rank grass nearer Franceville. Mou: Common.

Yellow-shouldered Widowbird Euplectes macrourus
Occasional in open grassland. Recorded Pog, Lek, Mou, and Tch.

Red-collared Widowbird Euplectes ardens
Mou: Common in grasslands. The majority (90%) of birds are completely black. The others have red, yellow or orange collars.

Marsh Widowbird Euplectes hartlaubi
Very local in wet grassland. Lek: One male displaying to two females at the canyons lake (26/9/92).

Scarlet-tufted Sunbird Anthreptes fraseri
A confusing species, looking more like a warbler than a sunbird, as it has a straight bill, warbler-like size and jizz. Easily misidentified as Yellow Longbill Macrosphenus flavicans. Most striking feature is the prominent yellow eye-ring, which is not found on any other Gabon forest bird. Common in primary forest, and usually found as member of a feeding party. Recorded Gba, Rab, Mak, and Oym.

Mouse-brown Sunbird Anthreptes gabonicus
Local along the coast. A mangrove specialist. Gba: Matsiegui; 1 (7/5/89), (21/5/89), and 2 (9/6/91). Lac Yenzi; 1 (25/11/89). Maambi River; 3+ (15/10/91).

Western Violet-backed Sunbird Anthreptes longuemarei
Previously unrecorded in Gabon Lek: Edjangoulou track; 3 (28-29/4/89). Old canyons track; 4 (1-2/5/92), and 2 (27/9/92). Sayé track; 1 ( 26/0/92).

Violet-tailed Sunbird Anthreptes aurantium
One of Africa's most beautiful sunbirds. Uncommon in forest adjacent to river or lakes. Gba: Small numbers from Colas, Nyanga, Sette Cama, Igotchi, Rembo N'Dogo and Maambi River. Pog: A few near Ozouri (9/10/88), (14/11/88), and (8/10/89). Mak: Sin River; 6 (2-4/10/92). Lam: 2 south of town (15/8/92).

Green Sunbird Anthreptes rectirostris
Uncommon in forest, and usually in the canopy. Males most easily identified by thin orange band (viewable with a scope) between green throat and pale belly. Gba: Mossomala; 2 (11/11/90). Kéléba; 1 (20/1/91). Pont Brulé: 1 (9/2/91) Rembo N'Dogo; 1 (1/9/91). Tondou; 1 (18/1/92), 2 (9/2/92), and (29/3/92). LYW 1 (22/2/92). Bouda; 4+ (14/3/92). Bibonga; 2 (24/5/92). Rab: 3 along the Echira road (12/12/92). Lek: 1 near the canyons (28/4/89), and 2 males (25-26/9/92). Mou: 1 (20/4/92). Oym: Fairly common with up to 8 daily.

Identification of small green Sunbirds Three species of uniformly green sunbird occur together - Olive, Little Green, and Bates'. All occur at all heights from canopy to ground level, but only Olive and Bates' are found within closed-canopy rain forest. Olive Sunbird. This is the easiest to identify, and being widespread in Africa, is fairly well known by birders. Distinguished from the other two species by its fairly large size, and orange/flesh coloured bill, which is fairly long and decurved. Little Green and Bates' Sunbird. These are both considerably smaller than Olive. Bates' resembles a small Olive in structure, and stance, but the very small size and black bill serve to distinguish it. Bates' tends to be quite dark, with a short, almost black tail. Little Green differs in its horizontal stance, and short, almost straight bill.

Collared Sunbird Anthreptes collaris
Common throughout.

Little Green Sunbird Nectarinia seimundi
Common in forest throughout.

Bates' Sunbird Nectarinia batesi
Uncommon in forest. Almost certainly overlooked, as a small green bird in the canopy. Gba: Mossomala; 1 (12/4/91). N'Dogo wharf; 1 (13/9/92). Mak: M'Passa; 1 (6/10/92). Oym: Several in the hotel garden, secondary forest and plantations. Lbv: 2 (2/12/89). Oli: 2 (29/10/92).

Olive Sunbird Nectarinia olivacea
Common in forest and secondary growth throughout.

Reichenbach's Sunbird Nectarinia reichenbachii
Very common in coastal scrub and gardens in Gba and Pog. Rab: Lake Divangui; 1 (8/6/92). Mak: Hotel; 1 (1/10/92). Sin River; 1 (2/10/92). Tch: 3+ daily (16-17/8/92).

Green-headed Sunbird Nectarinia verticalis
Fairly common in forest and scrub. Recorded Gba, Pog, Lek, Oym, Lam, Tch, and Oli.

Blue-throated Brown Sunbird Nectarinia cyanolaema
Common in forest canopy throughout.

Carmelite Sunbird Nectarinia fuliginosa
Common in scrub and gardens in Gba, Pog, Lam, and Tch.

Green-throated Sunbird Nectarinia rubescens
Uncommon in forest edge. Gba: Bouda; 1 (7/8/88). LYW; 10+ (28-29/1/89), and 1 (12/10/89). Mayonami road; 1 (7/7/91). Lac Kivoro; 10+ (1/9/91). Tondou; 2 (18/1/92). Tondou; 1 (11/4/92). Lek: 1 at canyons (28/4/89). Mou: 2 (19-20/4/92). Tch; 4+ (17/8/92). Oko; 2 (29/10/92).

Amethyst Sunbird Nectarinia amethystina
Replaces N. fuliginosa inland. Lek: Common in bushy savanna.

Variable Sunbird Nectarinia venusta
Only known site in Gabon for this species. Tch: 2+ in hotel garden (17/8/92).

Olive-bellied Sunbird Nectarinia chloropygia
Common in scrub and gardens throughout.

Tiny Sunbird Nectarinia minulla
A miniature version of N. chloropygia. Males differs in smaller size, in having blue flecks in red breast band (impossible to see), and cream, not greyish-white, belly. Scarce in forest edge. Gba; A single Dec 92 (P.Christy). Mak: M'Passa; 2 (7/10/92).

Copper Sunbird Nectarinia cuprea
Locally common in dry scrub. Gba: Uncommon dry season visitor July to September, when seen in Yenzi gardens. Pog: Tchengue; 3 (7/10/89). Fairly common in savanna at Lek, Mou, Mla, and Tch.

Johanna's Sunbird Nectarinia johannae
Similar to N. superba, but both sexes of johannae differ in having a very strongly decurved bill. Male Johanna's differs in having the lower breast and belly deep scarlet, not chocolate-brown. Female and immature Johanna's differ in having heavily streaked underparts. Local in forest edge and taller scrub. Gba: Twenty records from Tondou stream, Bouda pond, Colas, Pont Brulé, Kéléba and LYW. Good recordings made. Rab: 1 Rabi camp (6/6/92). Rembo Echira; 2 (12/12/92). Lek: 1 (25/9/92). Kou: 1 (15/8/92).

Superb Sunbird Nectarinia superba
Occasional in forest edge and tall scrub. For identification see N. johannae above. Beware Splendid Sunbird N. coccingaster, very rare in Gabon. Female Superb has diagnostic, orange-coloured undertail coverts. Recorded Gba, Mak, Lek, Mou, Oym, Lbv.

Black-faced Canary Serinus capistratus
Uncommon in forest edge in savanna. Lek: 2 in the garden of the Intercontinental Hotel (25/9/92).

Southern Yellow-rumped Seedeater Serinus atrogularis
Lek: Fairly common in open woodland.

Yellow-fronted Canary Serinus mozambicus
Pog: Pig Farm; 1 (10/3/90). Common in savanna at Lek, Mou, and Tch.

Cinnamon-breasted Bunting Emberiza tahapisi
Occasional on bare areas in grassland. Gba: One group of at least 12 birds resident around the airport. A few others in rocky areas on grassy plains at Vera, Bouda, and Pont Brulé. Lek: Up to 8 around Lekoni village (3/5/92). Mou: Several en-route from Tchibanga (17-21/4/92). Tch: 1 in hotel grounds (17/8/92).

Cabanis' Bunting Emberiza cabanisi
Lek: Edjangoulou track; 2 (29/4/89). Canyons track; 2 (28/4/89), 8+ (2/5/92), and 6+ (26-27/9/92).

Section 1 - Introduction, logistics, itinerary and general information.
Section 2 - Birding sites (part 1).
Section 3 - Birding sites (part 2).
Section 4 - Birding sites (part 3).
Section 5 - Annotated checklist with identification notes (non-passerines).