Brazza's Martin Phedina brazzae: new information on range and vocalisations

Abstract

Brazza's Martin Phedina brazzae is classified by BirdLife International as Data Deficient, and so improving data on population size, distribution and threats is a priority for its proper conservation evaluation. We recorded Brazza's Martin, previously known only from the Congo Basin, in the central highlands of Angola and near Salonga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo, with range extensions of 750km southwards and 175km northwards, respectively. This results in a four-fold increase in the known range size of this species. Because it appears to utilise open habitats, is suspected to be tolerant of some human-induced alteration of habitat, and because there is no evidence that Brazza's Martin is declining, we recommend that this species be listed as Least Concern. Furthermore we describe, for the first time, the vocalisations of this species, which are more similar to those of Banded Martin Riparia cincta than to its presumed sister species, Mascarene Martin P. borbonica.

Ostrich 2007, 78(1): 51–54