Birding in the Eastern Forests of Zimbabwe
Peter J Ginn ARPS APSSA
Running along the eastern border of Zimbabwe are a series
of mountains which face the prevailing SE winds. These slopes create extra precipitation,
especially misty conditions, which are conducive to the formation of tall ever-green
sub-tropical & montane forests. These forests are probably remnants of much larger
tracts which developed under wetter conditions during the Pleistocene glaciation. They
contain the only true endemic & near endemic bird species found in Zimbabwe. They also
contain a large number of forest species found nowhere else in Zimbabwe. As such they are
a must for the visiting birder.
While some of the forests are inaccessible, many are readily accessible to the birder visiting Zimbabwe and provided the
right places are selected one can find most of the endemics, plus a good selection of the other forest species.
Some areas have been degraded through clearing or wood cutting, while
others such as the Rusito Forest seem to be dying as a result of climatic change or
siltation of the forest floor. This results in noticeable changes in the avifauna of these
forests.
Like all birding, local knowledge is the most valuable resource in
finding birds within a reasonable time. This is particularly true of these forests where
some species are territorial and may be found in the same area throughout the year while
others join bird parties when they are not breeding and move through the forest foraging
for food.
White-tailed Flycatcher
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On a recent 4 day photographic trip to the Bvumba forests
we were able to locate the nests of 11 different species of forest specials and were able
to put up blinds at 9 of these and at least one of us photographed each species. Probably
the easiest species in these forests to find and to photograph are the small White-tailed
Flycatcher Trochocercus albonotatus. This interesting bird feeds in the middle
& upper stories of the forest, hawking insects while moving rapidly around with much
fanning of the tail to expose the while outer feathers. However, when it comes to
breeding, the birds move down into the understorey and build a beautiful wine-glass shaped
nest some 2-4 feet (0.5-1.5m) above the ground. The birds readily accept a blind and the
photography, merely getting on with feeding the chicks. |
I have noticed that during the breeding season many
species can be found nesting along paths in the forest, often at no great height above the
ground. It appears that this is a result of predation by the Samango Monkeys which are
found in the forests. The monkeys tend to avoid the paths used by people walking through
the forest – it appears that we are less observant than the monkeys! However, this
works to the bird watchers advantage because the birds are more easily seen at this time.
Some of the species which have been recorded as doing this are:- Swynnerton’s &
Starred Robin, Cape Batis, Stripe-cheeked & Yellow-streaked Bulbuls, Red-faced
Crimsonwing, Orange Thrush, Bar-throated Apalis, Collared Sunbird, etc.
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One of the noisiest birds, and one of the most
difficult to photograph, is the Livingstone’s Lourie Tauraco livingstonei .
This is a high canopy feeder, but like the White-tailed Flycatcher comes much lower to
breed. Unfortunately they nest in the thickest parts of the lower storey and so placing a
hide at the nest is often impossible. One can sometimes find a perch they use on the way
to & from the nest and get photographs there. |
Livingstone’s Lourie
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Crowned Eagle |
The forests are home to one of
the most magnificent of all the African eagles, the Crowned Eagle Stephanoaetus
coronatus. This large heavily built eagle has comparatively short, but very broad,
wings which enables the bird to manoeuvre between the trees in the forest. They are
incredibly strong and eat both monkeys and small antelope. They catch the latter by
dropping on to the antelope as it feeds on the forest floor. The very powerful talons
usually break the animals back or neck instantly. They build a huge nest in the fork of a
very large tree, usually at a considerable height above the ground. The photograph was
taken at a "plucking perch" – a place to which the eagles bring their prey
so they have a flat surface where they dismember & devour it. |
| One of the problems facing the birder in forests is access
to the forests because the undergrowth is often so thick that moving quietly is
impossible. Fortunately a number of places in Zimbabwe have not had paths constructed to
make access practical. These forests are open to birders when prior reservations are made.
We have been able to locate a number of particularly good forest
patches where we can usually find the majority of forest species. Nevertheless there are
species which are very difficult to find.
While the total number of species which can be seen is not particularly
high by the levels shown in most Zimbabwean habitats, the quality of birding is
particularly high.
Like all forests one tends to get a stiff neck from craning up to see
birds way above the forest floor! |
Last Updated on: 12/03/05
