Introduction

Togo has a bird list of 625 species but there has been little ornithological activity in the last fifteen years. In the 1980s tourism was encouraged and excellent hotel facilities were available at Lomé, Fazao and Kara. Political upheavals in the 1990s hindered these developments but the country is recovering.

There is much of interest for the birder to see in Togo. Non-endemic specialities and spectacular species include Saddle-billed Stork Ephippiorhynchus senegalensis, Crowned Eagle Stephanoaetus coronatus, Black Crowned Crane Balearica pavonina, Denham's Bustard Neotis denhami, Egyptian Plover Pluvianus aegyptius and Damara Tern Sterna balaenarum.

The purpose of this document is to provide a summary of Togo and its birds for birders interested in the country and potentially planning a visit. The information has been put together from a number of sources and it is intended to add new information as it becomes available. As such, readers are welcome to submit contributions by e-mail to info@africanbirdclub.org. You should note that the names of birds used in this document are those of the African Bird Club checklist.