Albertine rift endemics of Nyungwe (Rwanda) (1 Viewer)

[madpitta]

I visited Nyungwe NP as part of a longer trip to the tiny country of Rwanda. Nyungwe is the best (currently accessible) place to see Albertine Rift endemics (ARE), so basically the aim was to find as many AREs as possible. At the end, the trip was quite successful - I managed to see 23 of the 27 AREs possible there. Handsome Francolin (heard only) was the only regrettable miss. Note that out of the 27, three are extremely difficult (Rockefeller Sunbird, Shelly's Crimsonwing, Albertine Owlet). Here are the top 5 birds:

(1) Red-collared Mountain Babbler
(2) Dwarf Honeyguide
(3) African Crowned Eagle
(4) Dusky Crimsonwing
(5) Ruwenzori Turaco

The habitat is almost all montane cloudforest so the trip list is not large - only 115. But the list is full of highlights and range restricted species. Not possible to list all highligts here, but other gems include Grauer's Swamp Warbler, Grauer's Warbler, Neuman's Warbler, African Broadbill, Regal Sunbird, Grey-chested Illadopsis (Kakamega), Archer's & White-bellied Robin-Chat, Ruwenzori Nighjar, Kungwe & Ruwenzori Apalis, Doherty's & Many-colored Bushshrikes, Cassin's Hawk-Eagle.

Link below to trip report with annotated trip list, maps & photos:

http://www.cloudbirders.com/tripreport/repository/BARUAH_Rwanda_09_2014.pdf

Enjoy!
~Pritam.

 

[tapaculo]

Wow, that's a great accomplishment, a difficult habitat to explore that thoroughly.

 

[dcw]

I concure that this is a wonderful place to bird!!