Important Bird Areas

Black-headed Heron Ardea melanocephala

Malanville, north Benin
Sudan-Guinea Savanna

Photo: Agnès Gianotti

BirdLife International has identified six Important Bird Areas (IBAs) in Benin.

Lake Ahémé and the Aho complex is an extensive area of marsh covering 45,000 ha in the lower Kouffo river and Lake Ahémé. It runs from Ouidah to Grand Popo, where the Mono River also drains into the sea. Royal Tern Sterna maxima is not uncommon here while Damara Tern S. balaenarum has been recorded at Bouche du Roi. Little Egret Egretta garzetta, Great White Egret E. alba, Purple Heron Ardea purpurea and Goliath Heron A. goliath, Black Crake Amaurornis flavirostris, Greater Painted-snipe Rostratula benghalensis and Pied Kingfisher Ceryl rudis are all more or less common features of the marshes. White-fronted Plover Charadrius marginatus is not uncommon on the beach at Grand Popo and probably breeds along the shoreline here. Osprey Pandion haliaetus and Western Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus are frequent visitors. Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus is seasonally abundant here while Pied Avocet Recurvirostra avosetta has been recorded in small numbers at Guézin at the southern end of Lake Ahémé. Common Ringed Plover Charadrius hiaticula, Spotted Redshank Tringa erythropus, Common Redshank T. totanus, Marsh Sandpiper T. stagnatilis, Green Sandpiper T. ochropus and Wood Sandpiper T. glareola are not uncommon in the same area. Forbes's Plover Charadrius forbesi is not uncommon. White-throated Bee-eater Merops albicollis is very common during the dry season, while the less common Rosy Bee-eater M. malimbicus has been recorded near the Mono River. There is a recent record for Parasitic Weaver Anomalospiza imberbis in this area.

This is one of the most interesting and accessible birding areas in the country. Many savanna species can be found in the hinterland. The Auberge de Grand Popo (hotel and restaurant on the beach is very reasonable but booking is necessary) is a particuarly pleasant place to stay. Access to the mangroves, as well as to the Bouche du Roi, is possible from here. Boats are best negotiated with the assistance of the staff of the Auberge.

Lake Nokoué, an extensive lagoon of c16,000 ha, lies to the north of Cotonou with an opening to the sea in the middle of the city. It is accessible by boat from either Cotonou or Calavi but access is difficult by land. BirdLife notes the presence of White-crested Tiger Heron Tigriornis leucolopha, thought to be "uncommon to rare" in its African range. There is also a record of this species from the lagoon at Porto Novo (Waterfowl Census 1996). Purple Swamphen Porphyrio porphyrio has been recorded at Porto Novo.There is an important population of wintering Black Tern Chlidonias niger and Whiskered Tern C. hybrida is present in small numbers. Other species noted by BirdLife include Black Egret Egretta ardesiaca, Little Egret E. garzetta, African Openbill Stork Anastomus lamelligerus, Spotted Redshank Tringa erythropus, Common Redshank T. totanus, Marsh Sandpiper T. stagnatilis, Wood Sandpiper T. glareola. There is also a record of Great Snipe Gallinago media and other sources indicate the presence of Marsh Owl Asio capensis.

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The Lama Forest is situated 70 km north of Cotonou. Although said to cover 16,250 ha, the original habitat has effectively been reduced to 2,400 ha which is in an area of 4,500 ha known as le Noyau Central, an ecological island at the core of the forest for conservation purposes. BirdLife notes the presence of 106 species "many of which are species of the Guinea-Congo biome." These include Crested Guineafowl Guttera pucherani, White-spotted Flufftail Sarothrura pulchra, White-throated Greenbul Phyllastrephus albigularis, Red-tailed Bristlebill Bleda syndactylus, Grey-headed Bristlebill B. canicapilla, Forest Robin Stiphrornis erythrothorax, Buff-throated Apalis Apalis rufogularis, Fraser's Forest-Flycatcher Fraseria ocreata and Puvel's Illadopsis Illadopsis puveli.

This forest and other forest islets in the area have been the subject of some investigation in recent years and that has allowed the identification of many species for which there had been no previous records. These include Red-thighed Sparrowhawk Accipiter erythropus, Thick-billed Cuckoo Pachycoccyx audeberti, Black-shouldered Nightjar Caprimulgus nigriscapularis, White-bellied Kingfisher Alcedo leucogaster, Yellow-whiskered Greenbul Andropadus latirostris, Western Bearded Greenbul Criniger barbatus, White-browed Forest-Flycatcher Fraseria cinerascens, Tit-hylia Pholidornis rushiae and Sooty Boubou Laniarius leucorhynchus.

The Ouémé River Basin is a vast and very diverse site of 465,343 ha covering three contiguous forest reserves of the Forêt Classée de l'Ouémé Supérieur, which lies north of the Forêt Clasée de Ouari-Maro along the main Parakou-Natitingou road. Both are accessible at several points and the area around Ouari Maro itself is of interest. The Forêt Classée des Mont Kouffés lies to the south and has not been seriously investigated. The area is within the Northern Guinea savanna zone with vegetation typical of that area. There is an interesting gallery along the river. Much of the savanna stretching out from this area is also of interest. Described by Birldlife as a "refuge for many of the rarer birds of prey", African Fish Eagle Haliaeetus vocifer occurs on the river while Egyptian Vulture Neophron percnopterus has been recorded. Bateleur Terathopius ecaudatus is not uncommon and almost certainly breeds here. Montagu's Harrier Circus pygarus is not uncommon while Pallid Harrier C. macrourus also occurs. Long-crested Eagle Lophaetus occipitalis is not uncommon along the river where Crowned Eagle Stephanoaetus coronatus also occurs. Martial Eagle Polemaetus bellicosus has been recorded nesting in the rocky hills of the Ouémé Supérieur. Crested Guineafowl Guttera pucherani and Ahanta Francolin Francolinus ahantensis still occur in small numbers. Allen's Gallinule Porphyrio alleni probably breeds here while Lesser Moorhen Gallinula angulata is an uncommon wet season visitor. Grey Pratincole Glareola cinerea has been recorded at Bétérou. There is a single record for Lesser Jacana Microparra capensis on a reservoir near Bétérou where African Pygmy Goose Nettapus auritus was also recorded. Red-headed Lovebird Agapornis pullarius is an uncommon resident of riverine forest and remote areas of savanna woodland. Thick-billed Cuckoo Pachycoccyx audeberti has been recorded in the Ouémé Supérieur near Bétérou as has Black Cuckoo Cuculus clamosus. Verreaux's Eagle Owl Bubo lacteus is a not uncommon breeding resident in quiet areas, while Pel's Fishing-owl Scotopelia peli occurs on the river where it is said by fishermen to be not uncommon. Pearl-spotted Owlet Glaucidium perlatum is not uncommon, while the sound of Northern White-faced Owl Otus leucotis is one of the nocturnal features of the area. Shining-blue Kingfisher Alcedo quadribrachys has been recorded on small streams in the area. Swallow-tailed Bee-eater Merops hirundineus is not uncommon in undisturbed areas of savanna woodland. Abysinnian Ground Hornbill Bucorvus abyssinicus is still present in the Ouémé Supérieur, while it is one of the few areas where Brown-cheeked Hornbill Bycanistes cylindricus still occurs. Red-billed Dwarf Hornbill Tockus camurus "an endemic resident" (see Birds of Africa ref 1) of West African lowland forest has been recorded near Bétérou. Both Red-shouldered Cuckoo-Shrike Campephaga phoenicea and White-breasted Cuckoo-Shrike Coracina pectoralis are not uncommon in quiet woodlands. Oriole Warbler Hypergerus atriceps occurs in the gallery forest. Yellow-bellied Hyliota Hyliota flavigaster occurs in the Ouari-Maro Forest. African Blue Flycatcher Elminia longicauda is not uncommon in all the savanna woodlands. The rare Emin's Shrike Lanius gubernator has been recorded in the dry season in the bush between Ouari Maro and Bassila in an area where Rock-loving Cisticola Cisticola aberrans also occurs. Blue-billed Malimbe Malimbus nitens has been recorded in forest islets near Bassila. Exclamatory Paradise-Whydah Vidua interjecta has been recorded here though its exact status remains uncertain as Sahel Paradise-Whydah V. orientalis has been recorded in the far north and Togo Paradise-Whydah V. togoensis remains a possibility.

This area can be visited easily from the attractive town of Parakou (population c150,000). There are excellent roads from Cotonou to Parakou and from Parakou to Malanville in the far north from where one can visit parts of the W National Park and the river Niger, and Natigingou from where one can visit the Pendjari National Park.

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The Pendjari National Park is an area of 275,500 ha in the far north-west of Benin. The park is contiguous with the Arli-W-Singou complex which is a vast protected area in Benin-Burkina-Niger. The hills and cliffs of the Atakora range make the north-west one the most scenic areas of Benin. They provide a wonderful backdrop to the Pendjari National Park, which, in its isolation, remains one of the most interesting in West Africa. The rocky cliffs of the area are sparsely wooded with Burkea africana, Detarium microcarpum, Lannea acida, Sterculia setigera and Combretum ghasalense. On the deep soils of some of the summits and the Atakora escarpment one finds a greater variety of plant species with Isoberlina doka and Afzelia africana. The Pendjari River has an impressive gallery forest. The park includes both Sudan and Northern Guinea savannas, with areas of grassland dominated by Acacia sieberiana and Mitragyna inermis or Terminalia macropter. There are also large stocks of game including Elephant, Lion, Leopard, Buffalo, Roan Antelope, Hippopotamus etc. There is a high annual rainfall of c1,100 mm and the Park is closed from May-December during which time it is flooded.

Almost all of the species found in the Ouémé Valley are also to be found here. The park was studied in the 1970s when a list of 225 species was established. This was not exhaustive, however, and it has now extended to some 300 species. Pallid Harrier Circus macrourus and Lesser Kestrel Falco naumanni are occasionally recorded and there are a few isolated records for Lappet-faced Vulture Torgos tracheliotus. Fox Kestrel Falco alopex is not uncommon, while African Swallow-tailed Kite Chelictinia riocourii is a not uncommon dry season visitor. Booted Eagle Hieraaetus pennatus has also been recorded here. BirdLife notes that "the Pendjari is notable for large conspicuous species such as African Openbill Stork Anastomus lamelligerus, Abdim's Stork Ciconia abdimii, Saddle-billed Stork Ephippiorhynchus senegalensis, and seasonally, flocks of up to 60 European White Stork Ciconia ciconia. African Fish Eagle Haliaeetus vocifer and Pel's Fishing-owl Scotopelia peli can also be found."

Among the more interesting species recorded are Pied-winged Swallow Hirundo leucosoma, White-crowned Robin-Chat Cossypha albicapillus, Red-breasted Wheatear Oenanthe bottae, Familiar Chat Cercomela familiaris, White-fronted Black Chat Myrmecocichla albifrons, Cliff Chat Thamnolaea cinnamomeiventris, Common Rock Thrush Monticola saxitilis, Senegal Eremomela Eremomela pusilla, Blackcap Babbler Turdoides reinwardtii, Red-winged Pytilia Pytilia phoenicoptera, Black-rumped Waxbill Estrilda troglodytes, Bush Petronia Petronia dentata and Togo Paradise-Whydah Vidua togoensis.

The Pendjari is very remote and a 4WD which can be arranged from Natitingou, is essential. There is a hotel in the park and another small hotel at the Batia Gate. The hotel at the Batia Gate is situated at the Tanougou Falls and here there is a very interesting gallery where Grey Tit-Flycatcher Myioparus plumbeus has been recorded as well as several other species of the undergrowth. White-throated Greenbul Phyllastrephus albigularis has been recorded at Tanguiéta. White-throated Francolin Francolinus albogularis, a rare resident, has been recorded in farmland south of Natitingou. South of the park there is a large semi-protected zone know as La zone cygnetique de la Pendjari. This area is accessible from Natitingou and has much that is of interest.

W du Bénin National Park covers a vast area of 598,000 ha in the far north of the country. It is perhaps the least well investigated area of the country. It will obviously have all that is found in the Pendjari but there are almost certainly several additions of Sudan Savanna species to be made to the Benin list from here. It joins another park of the same name in Niger and is contiguous with the Pendjari and Arli National Parks thus forming a vast protected area. The habitat changes dramatically north of 10° as one descends into the Niger Valley and the Sudan Savanna zone. The area is drained by several seasonal rivers northward into the Niger, notably the Mekrou and the Alibori. There is a rich riparian forest and the river is important for wetland birds such as Grey Heron Ardea cinerea, Goliath Heron A. goliath, Abdim's Stork Ciconia abdimii, Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus and Black Crowned Crane Balearica pavonina. Arabian Bustard Ardeotis arabs has been recorded on several occasions. There are a few records for African Skimmer Rynchops flavirostris on the Niger. Lesser Kestrel Falco naumanni has been recorded in the dry season. Red-Footed Falcon F. vespertinus has been recorded in large migratory groups of up to 70 birds both here and near Bétérou. Long-crested Eagle Lophaetus occipitalis breeds here, Bateleur Terathopius ecaudatus is not uncommon. Pel's Fishing-owl Scotopelia peli occurs on the rivers. Grasshopper Buzzard Butastur rufipennis is an abundant dry season intra-African migrant and a feature of road trees. Secretary Bird Sagittarius serpentarius occurs in the park. Red-billed Hornbill Tockus erythrorhynchus only occurs in this area and the Sudan Savanna parts of the Pendjari. Yellow-crowned Gonolek Laniarius barbarus is not uncommon here. Bronze-tailed Glossy Starling Lamprotornis chalcurus has been recorded near Kandi. Greater blue-eared Starling L. chalybaeus, Long-tailed Glossy Starling L. caudatus, Chestnut-bellied Starling L. pulcher, Speckle-fronted Weaver Sporopipes frontalis, White-billed Buffalo Weaver Bubalornis albirostris and African Silverbill Euodice cantans all occur.

While the W Park is undoubtedly of great interest and a thorough investigation would add much to the Benin list, it is very difficult to access. Any investigation will probably have to take place in the context of an internationally funded project with local logistical support. However, much of the area outside the park can be visited quite easily and there are some very interesting sites including l'Ile aux Oiseaux along the Niger. There are a number of small hotels in Kandi and one or two in Malanville.

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