Department of Statistical Sciences
University of Cape Town
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Avian Demography Unit Department of Statistical Sciences University of Cape Town |
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A diverse avifauna, with both marine and terrestrial
components, can be expected in the Moebase region of
coastal northern Mozambique. Although no formal review of
the birds of Mozambique has appeared recently, the
revision (Clancey 1996) of the earlier Handlist of the
birds of southern Mozambique (Clancey 1969-71) lists 568
species occurring in the southern half of the country.
This does not include all species likely to occur in the
north, and conversely includes many species unlikely to
be encountered in the north. The coastal region, although
possessing a wide range of bird habitats, lacks the rocky
outcrops and escarpment forest found along the western
border with Malawi; many birds associated with these
habitats are therefore unlikely to occur in the Moebase
region. Conversely, the extensive seasonal wetlands in
the dune swales can be expected to attract numerous
waterfowl and migratory waders.
In one of the few early studies of birds in northern
Mozambique, Vincent (1933-36) visited a number of coastal
sites including Mossuril (14°58’S, 40°40’E) and Lurio
Sul, near the mouth of the Lurio River (13°30’S,
40°30’E). These all lie to the north of Moebase. Stuart &
Adams (1990) noted that seabird colonies exist on the
offshore islands, but that there is no recent information
on the most important sites or the species concerned. It
is probable that food shortages during the protracted
civil war increased exploitation of seabird nesting
colonies on these offshore islands. (See article by
Kromer in this issue - Ed.)
A variety of habitats were present in the region,
including: a) mangroves and exposed estuarine mudflats;
b) open coastal dunes and adjacent Casuarina woodland; c)
grassland and wetland, including swamp, open and dense
dune scrub, wetland, striated wetland, pioneer grassland,
hygrophilous grassland, Phragmites swamp, and drainage
areas; d) Garcinia savanna, secondary savanna and
woodland; e) Garcinia thicket, Brachystegia forest, and
coastal evergreen forest; and f) disturbed forest,
cultivated lands, open disturbed vegetation, previously
cleared areas.
Birds were detected by visual observation in all of the
habitats that comprise the Moebase region. Surveys by
experienced birders were undertaken on 9-26 May (WRB and
TCB), 5-17 July (Justin Watson), and 19 November to 11
December, 1997 (TCB and WRB). Timing of these trips was
determined by accessibility; heavy summer rains, usually
starting in mid-December, cause extensive flooding of the
wetlands and inhibit travel. The May and July surveys
took place after the cessation of the summer rains, and
while the wetlands were still extensively flooded.
However, many summer migrants were absent. During the
December survey, which took place before the onset of the
main summer rains, many summer migrants were present,
although waders and waterfowl were mainly absent as the
wetlands were still mostly dry.
During the May and December surveys vocalizations of
forest bird parties were recorded on a number of
occasions; the tapes were forwarded to the Ornithology
Department, Transvaal Museum. Identification of species
was based on details in the standard southern African
identification guides, and on Van Perlo (1995) and
Zimmerman et al. (1996).
There is no detailed review, with distribution maps, of
the avifauna of northern Mozambique. Thus knowledge of
species’ ranges are restricted to the generalized
distributions shown in various monographs. A number of
our observations appear to represent extensions from
ranges shown in Birds of Africa, Vols 1-5.
Dabchick Tachybaptus ruficollis:
Common in the vleis in
hygrophilous grasslands and palm savanna, and also in
small ponds in Brachystegia savanna. The records fill an
extensive gap in the range for northern Mozambique (cf.
Brown et al. 1982).
Region, habitats and timing of surveys
Observations were made in the coastal regions of Zambezia
Province, northern Mozambique, approximately 340 km
northeast of the mouth of the Zambezi River, between the
Munela River (16°48’55”S, 38°31’44”E; 1638DC) and Ponta
da Macalonga (17°00’10”S, 39°03’55”E; 1739AA). The
authors were based around the villages of Moebase
(16°58’57.9”S, 38°43’43.1”E; 1638DC), Moleque
(17°02’58.2" S, 38°48’04.1”E; 1738BB), Nagonha
(17°01’05.4”S, 38°43’08.6”E; 1738BA), and Namagure
(16°58’12.5”S, 38°40’15”E; 1638DC).
Birds present in the Moebase region
134 species were observed in the May survey, 132 species
in July, and 183 species in the November-December survey.
These lists were largely complementary with a total of
230 species positively recorded within the region. (A
full list has been submitted to the Mozambique bird
atlas, and is available from the authors.) Considering
the timing of the surveys, these lists are satisfactory
and reflect a large proportion of the birds inhabiting
the area.
Blacknecked Grebe Podiceps nigricollis:
On two occasions
in May, single specimens in non-breeding plumage were
observed among Dabchick in temporary pans in dune swales.
The species is nomadic and may arrive and breed in
numbers in areas where it has rarely been recorded
(SABAP). SABAP records show it widely scattered over the
whole subcontinent, but rarer in eastern coastal regions.
Brown et al. (1982) showed a considerable disjunction
between the South African range and isolated populations
in Rift Valley lakes of central Kenya and Ethiopia. No
records for southern Mozambique were recorded by Clancey
(1996).
Madagascar Squacco Heron Ardeola idae: Several
individuals in May and July at temporary pans in Garcinia
savanna at Mala Mala, a permanent vlei in dune swales
(17°03’17.1”S, 38°46’29.8”E; 1738BB), and 10-15 birds in
May at ’Squacco Vlei’ (17°02’25”S, 38°51’27”E; 1738BB).
All specimens were in non-breeding condition, with
obvious dark brown backs and heavily speckled necks. The
birds were conspicuous, roosting egret-like on trees in
wetlands adjacent to the sea. They were absent from the
same pans in December 1997, presumably having returned to
Madagascar for breeding. (The status of the Madagascar
Squacco Heron in Mozambique requires confirmation. As in
this case, observers of this species should take care to
make detailed field notes on plumage, habitat and
behaviour so that records can be confirmed - Ed.)
Pygmy Goose Nettapus auritus: A pair with six young
goslings was observed on the permanent pool at Mala Mala
on 17 May 1997.
Cuckoo Hawk Aviceda cuculoides: Adult and juvenile
calling to each other at Moebase camp (17°03’51.6”S,
38°44’38.0”E; 1738BA), on 10 May, in coastal evergreen
forest at edge of dune swales.
Martial Eagle Polemaetus bellicosus: A pair were observed
hunting in Garcinia savanna near Moleque Village. The
record fills an extensive gap in the range for northern
Mozambique (cf. Brown et al. 1982).
Southern Banded Snake Eagle Circaetus fasciolatus: A
single adult observed on 13 May, roosting on the edge of
cleared Brachystegia woodland near Namagure village.
African Marsh Harrier Circus ranivorus: Clancey (1996)
noted that it is quite common along the littoral in
suitable habitat from Maputo to the Zambezi. The record
is a slight range extension into the coastal regions of
northern Mozambique (cf. Brown et al. 1982).
European Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus: On two
occasions a single adult female, with characteristic buff
chin, pale crown and dark brown, unpatterned chest and
underwing, was observed hawking over hygrophilous
grassland at Mala Mala on 20 November, and on 8 December
over burnt grassland alongside the Rio Mologodi, Momane
Swamp (16°59’30”S, 38°50’00”E; 1638DD). The sites are
approximately 5 km apart, and it was assumed to be the
same bird.
Lesser Jacana Microparra capensis: A single individual
observed at close range at Mala Mala. It appears to
represent a range extension in northern Mozambique.
Clancey (1996) noted that the species is not common in
the littoral region, and noted a single record from north
of the Save River.
Greyheaded Gull Larus cirrocephalus: A group of 12
individuals observed on 6 December at the mouth of the
Lipobane estuary at Ponta da Macalonga. The numbers
indicate a possible breeding colony and a range extension
into northern Mozambique. Clancey (1996) recorded the
species as far north as Beira and Chinde.
Lesser Blackbacked Gull Larus fuscus: A single sub-adult
foraging on the beach at Lipobane where large numbers of
fishermen were actively netting fish, on 6 December.
Caspian Tern Hydroprogne caspia: Clancey (1996) noted a
northern limit of the southern population 32 km north of
Beira. A large flock (60+) observed in December on the
beach at Moebase indicates that breeding may occur on the
off-shore islands.
Crested Guineafowl Guttera pucherani: Clancey (1996)
noted that in southern Mozambique it is distributed
locally, and is perhaps commonest along the littoral. A
small flock was observed on a single occasion in palm
savanna in the coastal dunes, in December. The record is
a slight range extension into the coastal regions of
northern Mozambique (BoA).
Black Coucal Centropus bengalensis: Observed in long
grassland habitat around Notocote airstrip in May. Intra-
African migrant.
Redfaced Mousebird Urocolius indicus: Small flocks of 4-8
birds observed in May, July and December in Garcinia
savanna, from Moebase to Lipobane. The records are a
slight range extension into the coastal regions of
northern Mozambique (BoA), filling the gap between the
southern main distribution and that of coastal Tanzania.
Clancey (1996) noted that it has been recorded
occasionally at Beira.
Carmine Bee eater Merops nubicoides: A flyover of three
birds on 23 May on the Moleque river (17°02’31.2”S,
38°50’15.8”E; 1738BB). The sighting is a significant
range extension into the coastal regions of northern
Mozambique (BoA).
Bohm’S Bee-eater Merops boehmi: In May a small group of
4-5 individual birds was seen feeding in mangrove habitat
near the mouth of the Moleque river. The record is a
significant range extension into the coastal regions of
northern Mozambique of this small and localized bee-eater
(BoA). Clancey (1996) noted that it is apparently scarce.
Whitefronted Bee-eater Merops bullockoides:
A single bird in December, hawking in hygrophilous grassland with large
numbers of Olive M. superciliosus and Bluecheeked M.
persicus Bee-eaters. The record fills the information gap
for this species in the coastal region of northern
Mozambique (BoA).
Silverycheeked Hornbill Bychanistes brevis: Single or
small groups observed in coastal evergreen forest during
all survey periods. The records fill an information gap
for this species in the coastal regions of northern
Mozambique (BoA). Clancey (1996) noted that it is
confined to evergreen coastal and montane forests.
Trumpeter Hornbill Bycanistes bucinator: Common in
Brachystegia and coastal evergreen forest in all survey
periods; a slight range extension into the coastal
regions of northern Mozambique (BoA).
Palebilled Hornbill Tockus pallidirostris: A small group
observed on several occasions in December in clearings in
open Brachystegia forest. They represent an eastern
extension into coastal regions of northern Mozambique.
Blackcollared Barbet Lybius torquatus zombae: This black-
faced race is known to intergrade with the southern race
L. t. lucidiventris along the Save River (Clancey 1996).
A young fledgling was held as a captive by a boy in
Namagure village (18 May).
Yellowfronted Tinker Barbet Pogoniulus chrysoconus:
Observed on the edge of mangrove forest and in coastal
evergreen forest and cleared Brachystegia forest. The
records represent a slight range extension into the
coastal regions of northern Mozambique (BoA).
Bearded Woodpecker Thripias namaquus: A single May record
in a large mixed bird party in partially cleared
Brachystegia savanna. The record fills the gap in the
species range in the coastal region of northern
Mozambique (BoA).
Black Cuckooshrike Campephaga flava: Observed on several
occasions in May in Garcinia and Brachystegia savanna and
coastal evergreen forest. The record fills the gap in the
species range in the coastal region of northern
Mozambique (BoA).
Cinnamonbreasted Tit Parus pallidiventris: Small flocks
observed on two occasions in May in open Brachystegia
savanna. This eastern sibling species has only recently
been separated from the Rufousbellied Tit Parus
rufiventris (Harrap & Quinn 1995). The latter is one of
the first species to disappear if woodlands become
degraded (SABAP); the Cinnamonbreasted Tit may therefore
be sensitive to bush clearance and deforestation. The
records appear to be the first for Mozambique. The
species is known in the west from Malawi, with an
isolated population in Zimbabwe (Harrap & Quinn, 1995).
Natal Robin Cossypha natalensis: Recorded only in
December in coastal evergreen forest, but possibly
present during other periods. The record fills a gap in
the species’ range in the coastal region of northern
Mozambique (BoA).
Bearded Robin Erythropygia quadrivirgata: Observed in all
survey periods in open Brachystegia and Garcinia savanna.
The records fill a gap in the species range in the
coastal region of northern Mozambique (BoA).
Greencapped Eremomela Eremomela scotops: A single
December record in palm savanna at Momane Swamp. A slight
range extension into the coastal regions of northern
Mozambique (BoA).
Yellowbreasted Apalis Apalis flavida: A single record in
May in Garcinia savanna near Lipobane. The record fills
the gap in the species range in the coastal region of
northern Mozambique (BoA).
Fantailed Cisticola Cisticola juncidis: Numbers present
in hygrophilous grassland surrounding temporary vleis
(e.g. Momane Swamp and Mala Mala). The records fill the
gap in the species’ range in the coastal region of
northern Mozambique (BoA).
Shortwinged Cisticola Cisticola brachyptera: Recorded in
December in hygrophilous grassland at Mala Mala and
Lipobane. The records are slight range extensions into
the coastal regions of northern Mozambique (BoA).
Blackbacked Cisticola Cisticola galactotes: Restricted to
marshy habitats alongside Momane Swamp. The record fills
a significant gap in the documented range in northern
Mozambique (as Winding cisticola; BoA).
Southern Black Flycatcher Melaenornis pammelaina: Three
records in May in Brachystegia savanna and forest. The
records fill a significant gap in the documented range in
northern Mozambique (BoA).
Pallid Flycatcher Melaenornis pallidus: Present in May
and December in Brachystegia and Garcinia savanna. The
records fill the gap in the species’ range in the coastal
region of northern Mozambique (BoA).
Bluemantled Flycatcher Trochocercus cyanomelas: A single
November record in Brachystegia woodland is a slight
range extension into the coastal regions of northern
Mozambique (BoA).
Woodwards’ Batis Batis fratrum: The record is a
significant extension, filling the gap between the
southern populations and the apparently isolated
population in northern Mozambique (BoA). It was regularly
found with Mozambique Batis in mixed bird parties in open
Brachystegia forest.
Livingstone’S Flycatcher Erythrocercus livingstonei: This
attractive species was common in both coastal evergreen
and Brachystegia forests. It was always associated with
mixed bird parties, usually with Squaretailed Drongo,
Blackbacked Puffback, Redfaced Crombec, Bluethroated
Sunbird and Woodwards’ Batis.
Threestreaked Tchagra Tchagra australis: A very young
chick was collected for food by a boy from Namagure
village on 24 May.
Bluethroated Sunbird Anthreptes reichenowi: This forest
species was common in coastal evergreen forest, and also
occurred in mangrove and Brachystegia forests.
Zanzibar Red Bishop Euplectes nigroventris: A single bird
was observed in grassland near Notocote airstrip in May
(17°00’12”S, 38°38’42”E; 1738BA). It appears to be the
second record for northern Mozambique, and an eastern
extension into the coastal areas for this East African
species. Vincent (1936) recorded a single specimen from
Mocuba (16°52’S, 36°37’E) in February 1932.
Discussion
The full avifauna of the Moebase region is unlikely to
have been sampled during the brief surveys summarized
here. The full spectrum of summer visitors to the
wetlands, particularly warblers, waders and waterfowl, is
probably under-sampled. For logistical reasons, the three
sampling periods could only be during periods when the
wetlands were not fully flooded. Offshore islands and
sand banks were not surveyed. Most additions to the
avifauna of the region involved filling in gaps in
species’ known ranges, especially in extending inland
ranges to the coast.
Acknowledgements
We thank John Twidale, Site Manager at Moebase, for his
observations on local birds. We thank Justin Watson,
Martin Whiting and other members of the survey team who
supplied us with observations, and who made the trip so
successful and enjoyable. Vincent Parker made valuable
comments an earlier draft of the manuscript. For
financial support and for organizing the trip we thank
Billiton SA and Coastal and
Environmental Services (Grahamstown).
References
Clancey, P. A. 1996. The Birds of Southern Mozambique.
African Book Publ., Westville, 329 p.
Harrap, S. & Quinn, D. 1995. Tits, nuthatches and
treecreepers. Christopher Helm Publ., United Kingdom, 464 p.
Stuart, S.N. & Adams, R.J. 1990. Biodiversity in Sub-
Saharan Africa and its Islands. Occ. Pap. IUCN SSC. No.
6, Gland, Switzerland, 242 pp.
Van Perlo, B. 1995. Birds of Eastern Africa. Harper
Collins Publ., London. 301 p.
Vincent, J. 1933-36. The birds of northern Portuguese
East Africa. Ibis 1933, pp 611-652; ibid., 1934, pp. 126-
160, 300-340, 495-527, 757-799; ibid., 1935, pp. 1-37,
355-397, 485-529, 707-762; ibid., 1936, pp. 48-125.
Zimmerman, D.A., Turner, D.A. & Pearson, D.J.
1996. Birds of Kenya and Northern Tanzania. Russel Friedman Books,
Halfway House. 40 p.
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