Department of Statistical Sciences
University of Cape Town
| Avian Demography Unit
Department of Statistical Sciences University of Cape Town |
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Atlas and Red Data Book of the Frogs of South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland
Edited by L.R. Minter, M. Burger, J.A. Harrison, H.H. Brack, P.J. Bishop & D. Kloepfer Published 2004 Published by the Smithsonian Institution and the Avian Demography Unit The book has species accounts and distribution maps for all 115 known frog species of the region as well as colour photos of the threatened species and their habitats and threats. The four introductory chapters cover project methods, conservation issues, biogeography of the region’s frogs, and causes of declines. The distribution maps reflect data collected during seven years of fieldwork (1996–2003) and earlier data compiled from museum records, private collections, the literature and conservation agencies. Soft cover, 418 pages with maps and line drawings, 32 pages in full colour. ISBN: 1-893912-15-9 |
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The Adventures of Peter the Penguin
Phil Whittington Published 2001 Cape Town: Avian Demography Unit The Adventures of Peter the Penguin tells the story of Peter, the penguin immortalised by being satellite-tracked from Port Elizabeth to Robben Island during the aftermath of the Treasure oil spill in June 2000. This story was written by Phil Whittington, one of the PhD students within the Avian Demography Unit. The book is illustrated with cartoons by Fred Mouton, the cartoonist for Die Burger, one of Cape Town's morning newspapers. 96 A5 pages. Contains cartoons and colour photographs. ISBN: 0-7992-2070-1 Moby Dick:"A classic take of the sea I just couldn't put down. (But then I couldn't pick it up either!)" Johathan Livingston Seagull: "Calamity in the colonies! Am I glad I wasn't in this one!" Albert Ross: "Something to read during those long days of incubation." |
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TOTAL CWAC Report:
Coordinated Waterbird Counts in South Africa, 1992–97
P.B.Taylor, R.A. Navarro, J.A. Harrison, M. Wren-Sargent & S.L. Kieswetter Published 1999 Cape Town: Avian Demography Unit The TOTAL CWAC Report summarises the results of six years of wetland surveys at 180 South African wetlands. The report contains synthesis chapters that provide important overviews of the status of and threats to South African wetlands. These are followed by the bulk of the report in two sections, one devoted to the wetlands, and one to the species which occurred at the wetlands. 251 A4 pages. Contains tables, maps and diagrams ISBN: 0-620-24713-4 From the review: David Allan (Durban Museum Novitates (2000) 25: 64-65) "This volume reflects the collaboration between amateur and professional ornithologist at its finest. It presents the results of a mammoth and ongoing nationwide survey of wetlands and waterbirds, planned and managed by a core academic team and implemented by an army of hands-on enthusiasts. ... Progress to date has been impressive. ... With this report, CWAC comes of age. The longer this monitoring effort is maintained, the more exponentially valuable the data will become." Read a full review by David Stroud, published in the Wader Study Group Bulletin. |
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Review of Ring Recoveries of Waterbirds in
Southern Africa
L.G. Underhill, A.J. Tree, H.D. Oschadleus & V. Parker Published 1999 Cape Town: Avian Demography Unit. This book reviews the waterbird component of the database at SAFRING (South African Bird Ringing Unit). The definition of waterbirds follows that of Wetlands International, and information is provided for 101 species, including pelicans, cormorants, herons, storks, ibises, flamingoes, ducks, cranes, waders, gulls and terns. The data for each species are summarized by texts, maps and tables showing full details of the most significant and interesting recoveries. Much of the information presented in this book has never been available previously. 119 A4 pages. Contains maps, tables, illustrations ISBN: 0-620-24884-X |
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The Atlas of the Birds of Sul do Save,
Southern Mozambique
Vincent Parker Published 1999 Cape Town & Johannesburg: Avian Demography Unit & Endangered Wildlife Trust. This atlas describes the geographical distribution, abundance and seasonality of all bird species which were observed in the 180 000 km 2 of Mozambique south of the Save River during the period 1980 to 1998. It complements The Atlas of Southern African Birds, and uses the same quarter-degree-grid scale. The atlas fills one of Africa's ornithological black holes, providing the essential information on which initiatives to conserve the avifauna of the region should be based. It is intended furthermore to serve as a prototype for an adequate description of the status of an African state with few experienced observers and minimal infrastructure in a short space of time. 276 A4 pages. Contains maps and illustrations Also available in Portuguese as O Atlas das Aves do Sul do Save, Mozambique ISBN: 0-620-24266-3 (English); ISBN: 0-620-25686-9 (Portuguese) From the reviews: Peter Mundy (Ibis (2000) 142: 509) "By any standard this atlas is a phenomenal achievement, not least because of anxiety over the presence of land-mines left over from the civil war. ... Parker is to be congratulated on his Herculean effort - almost a one-man road show - in putting our knowledge of the avifauna onto such a good and reliable basis. The book should be on the shelf of anyone interested in the birds of Africa." Peter Ryan (Africa - Birds & Birding (2000) 5(5): 23) "This supplement to the indispensable The Atlas of Southern African Birds represents the first phase of Vincent Parker's epic effort to atlas Mozambique virtually singe-handedly, and covers the southern third of this vast country. ... The excellent coverage achieved is testament to Vincent Parker's dedication. If you haven't already got a copy, don't delay any longer." |
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Review of Ring Recoveries of Birds of Prey in Southern Africa:
1948-1998
T.B. Oatley, H.D. Oschadleus, R.A. Navarro & L.G. Underhill Published 1998 Johannesburg: Endangered Wildlife Trust. This report summarizes results from the ringing of birds of prey (raptors, Falconiformes, and owls, Strigiformes) in southern Africa. It was compiled from data recorded during the first 50 years of operation of SAFRING, the South African Bird Ringing Unit. The report covers 41 species with text, maps, tables and graphics, as appropriate for the volume of data available for each species. The species with the largest numbers of recoveries are the Cape Griffon (631 recoveries), Steppe Buzzard (80), Pale Chanting Goshawk (84), Barn Owl (73) and Spotted Eagle Owl (97). A key resource for all interested in birds of prey. 64 A4 pages. Contains maps, tables, graphs, illustrations ISBN: 0-620-22971-3 From the review: Andrew Jenkins (Journal of African Raptor Biology (1997) 12: 39) "This slim volume summarizes the results of 50 years of raptor ringing in southern Africa, and in combination with data contained in The Atlas of Southern African Birds, largely represents our best estimate of the nature and extent of raptor movements on the subcontinent. The design of the book is simple and efficient. ... This is a thorough and well-compiled review (on a species-by-species level) of the SAFRING raptor database, and an essential and competitively priced addition to the library of all southern African ornithologists or raptorphiles." |
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The Bright Continent Guide series
Published by the Avian Demography Unit of the University of Cape Town, this series aims to provide scientists with an opportunity of making their knowledge and research accessible to a wider audience. Written by experts, and critically reviewed, Bright Continent Guides provide authoritative and reliable information. |
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Birds of the Niassa Reserve, Mozambique
Vincent Parker Published 2005 Bright Continent Guide 4 Cape Town: Avian Demography Unit Cape Town: Avian Demography Unit The Niassa Reserve is situated in the north of Mozambique, on the border with Tanzania. The huge reserve (4.2 million ha) is one of the largest protected areas of Miombo worldwide and is managed by a partnership of the public and private sectors. This booklet is the result of an initial survey of the reserve, carried out mainly during the dry season. Four species designated as globally threatened (BirdLife 2000) have significant populations in the Niassa Reserve, namely the Taita Falcon, Southern Banded Snake-Eagle, African Skimmer and Stierling's Woodpecker. The booklet presents an overview of the history of the reserve, threats to the birdlife, the types of vegetation and associated bird species and density estimates, followed by accounts of the 299 species. 34 A5 pages include colour photographs and maps. ISBN: Series: 0-620-25207-3. This booklet: 0-620-33277-8. |
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Birds of the Malolotja Nature Reserve, Swaziland
Richard Boycott & Vincent Parker Published 2003 Bright Continent Guide 3 Cape Town & Johannesburg: Avian Demography Unit & Conservation Trust of Swaziland. Malolotja Nature Reserve is situated in the north-west of Swaziland in the Drakensberg and is a popular wilderness area. The Swaziland National Trust Commision administers and conserves this protected area, which includes the Hawana Dam Nature Reserve. A total of 326 bird species have been recorded in this reserve complex, including 33 southern African endemics. This is due to the surviving pristine grassland and Afromontane mistbelt forest, both threatened habitats. The Malolotja Nature Reserve, covering some 18 000 ha, is one of southern Africa's Important Bird Areas. 60 A5 pages. Contains colour photographs, line drawings and maps ISBN: Series: 0-620-25207-3; Book: 0-620-281-51-0 |
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Birds of the Maputo Special Reserve, Mozambique
Vincent Parker & Fred de Boer Published 2000 Bright Continent Guide 2 Cape Town & Johannesburg: Avian Demography Unit & Endangered Wildlife Trust. The Maputo Special Reserve is one of the most beautiful and, at the same time, poorly known conservation areas in southern Africa. The large variety of habitats, ranging from mangrove forest, tidal wetlands, large treeless grassplains to dense sandforest, support an impressive diversity of bird species. The Maputo Special Reserve, 800 000 ha in area, lies in the southern corner of Mozambique; the tourism infrastructure is being steadily improved through the Lubombo Spatial Development Initiative. The booklet provides information on the 331 species already recorded in the reserve, and guidance on the best birding areas within the reserve. 52 A5 pages. Contains colour photographs, line drawings, tables and maps ISBN: Series: 0-620-25207-3; Book: 0-620-26479-9 |
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Wildlife of Robben Island
Rob Crawford & Bruce Dyer Published 2000 Bright Continent Guide 1 Cape Town: Avian Demography Unit. In the past decade it has often seemed that the only feature of South Africa's Robben Island not to be examined in minute detail is its wildlife. This imbalance has been redressed by the publication of this slender volume which looks at the environment of an island best known for its prisoners. The island supports 23 species of mammals (including European fallow deer, more than 250 steenbok, as well as bontebok, eland and springbok) 21 species of reptiles, and an impressive 144 bird species. Robben Island is one of the best places to see the endemic African Penguin. If you've never visited the island, don't go without this guide; if you've been before, go again and discover life beyond the prison walls. 32 A5 pages. Contains colour photographs, figures and maps ISBN: Series: 0-620-25207-3; Book: 0-620-25208-1 From the review: Endangered Wildlife (2000) 35: 47. "If you are bored with Kruger, visit Robben Island and take this useful little book along as a field guide." |
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Last updated: 1-August-2006