Recent survey of birds in Gishwati Forest, Rwanda

Abstract

We conducted a general avian survey in and around the Gishwati Forest of Rwanda’s Gishwati-Mukura National Park between 6 June and 7 August 2019, using stationary point counts and opportunistic observations along approximately 300 km of transects and trails. Of the 155 bird species recorded, one is Critically Endangered (Hooded Vulture Necrosyrtes monachus), two are Endangered (Gray Crowned-Crane Balearica regulorum and Grauer’s Swamp Warbler Bradypterus graueri), one is Vulnerable (Tawny Eagle Aquila rapax), and two are Near-Threatened (Mountain Buzzard Buteo oreophilus and Lagden’s Bushshrike Malaconotus lagdeni). We recorded three Afrotropical migrants and 20 species endemic to the Albertine Rift (though two of these are only recognized at the subspecies level). Within this avian community, 41 species are forest specialists, 55 are forest generalists, and 25 are forest visitors.

Keywords: conservation, Gishwati Forest, Gishawati-Mukura National Park, montane forest birds, Rwanda