ANGOLA TOUR REPORT 2022

19 October - 5 November 2022

by Pete Morris

This was our fourth visit to Angola in recent years, and wow, things are still changing rapidly! I’d like to say all for the better, and from a travel comfort point of view, it does continue to get better. The visa was easy to get and we did not experience a single police checkpoint delay. On top of that, we stayed in comfortable air-conditioned hotels throughout, and were expertly driven round in a converted Landcruiser on largely good roads! So, what was not to like? Well sadly, the only downside was the environmental devastation which we continued to witness throughout the trip. So many fires, so many new charred clearings, so much land clearance. A depressing but all-to-common theme throughout much of the planet, and one has to wonder how much longer the unique wildlife of Angola will survive for. Fortunately, enough of it had survived for our visit, and we had an extremely successful trip. We managed to get great views of nearly all of the currently recognized endemic species and forms, as well as most of the other specialities that we had a chance of, in an impressive total of nearly 540 species! Of course, the star birds were the hoped for specials such as Angola Cave Chat, Monteiro’s, Braun’s and Gabela Bushshrikes, Gabela Helmetshrike, Grey-striped Francolin, the strange Pulitzer’s Longbill, the delightful White-headed Robin-Chat and the rare Bocage’s Sunbird. We were also delighted to see a number of other special species, with pride of place going to an unexpected displaying African Pitta. The poorly-known Brazza’s Martin was seen well again, and other goodies included a potential new species of swallow (!!), the localized Hartlaub’s Duck, Egyptian Plover and the disjunct population of White-collared Oliveback, whilst two rare and endemic forms, both likely endangered and likely splits, were seen for the first time on our tour, namely White-bellied Barbet (an isolated form of White-headed Barbet) and Angolan Greenbul (an isolated and vocally and visually distinct form of White-throated Greenbul). But this summary really barely scratches the surface! Overall, it was a highly successful and enjoyable tour with many more birding highlights than we really could have hoped for!

We began the tour in Lubango in the south of the country, where on the first day we just had a couple of hours to relax around our comfortable lodge and familiarize ourselves with some of the more widespread species of the area.

The following morning, we had our first run out to the Tundavala Escarpment. We targeted a few specialities, with one of our main targets being the rare White-bellied Barbet, which we found successfully! As is often the case here, birding was generally quite tough, but with perseverance through the day, we found a number of other interesting species. These included our first pair of Angolan Cave Chats, an undoubted highlight of the tour, smart Short-toed and Miombo Rock Thrushes, smart Fülleborn’s Longclaws, a brief Salvadori’s Eremomela, and numerous Oustalet’s and Ludwig’s Double-collared Sunbirds. Endemic Angolan Waxbills and Red-backed Mousebirds were also found, similar Tinkling and Wailing Cisticolas were watched, a Rockrunner was seen singing, and other more widespread species included Sooty and Familiar Chats, Violet-eared Waxbills, Jameson’s Firefinches and Buffy Pipit, whilst overhead were swirling Alpine and Bradfield’s Swifts. In the evening we found our only Freckled Nightjar of the tour.

The following day we had our long day out to the Namibe desert, and this proved to be an extremely interesting and birdy day, despite the very dry conditions. We passed over the impressive Lebe Pass shortly after dawn and were soon birding a patch of dry forest. Here we found a good range of species including the Benguelan form of Meves’s Starling and the local Capricorn form of Bennett’s Woodpecker. Other goodies here included Rosy-faced Lovebirds, Swallow-tailed and Olive Bee-eaters, Damara Red-billed and Monteiro’s Hornbills, Golden-tailed Woodpeckers, Red-backed and speedy Red-faced Mousebirds, Groundscraper Thrushes, vocal Swamp Boubous, the colourful Orange-breasted Bushshrike, the impressive White-tailed Shrikes (a.k.a. Ground Batis) and our first smart Kalahari Scrub Robins, and here and nearby we added other species such as Southern Yellow White-eye, White-bellied Sunbird, the smart Pririt Batis, African Red-eyed Bulbul, Yellow-bellied Greenbul, the smart Yellow-breasted Apalis, confiding Rufous-tailed Palm Thrushes, White-browed Sparrow-Weaver, Green-winged Pytilia and Blue Waxbill.

We then continued west towards the coast, encountering more and more arid situations. Southern Fiscals and Pale-winged Starlings were noted by the roadside and we also found Mountain Wheatear, Sabota Lark and Pale Chanting Goshawk. Chat Flycatchers and flocks of Cape Sparrows were found and surprisingly pallid Karoo Chats were seen. After some searching, we found a fantastic pair of Rüppell’s Korhaans, and in the same areas we noted delicate Double-banded Coursers, Spike-heeled Larks and localized Benguela Long-billed Larks. In increasingly arid situations we went on to find some very pale Tractrac Chats and White-throated Canaries, before we headed back towards Lubango. An extended stop in an irrigated watercourse failed to yield the hoped-for waxbill, but it had been a good day, and we headed back for dinner and beer!

The following day we returned to the Tundavala Escarpment and spent much of our time skulking around looking for rare francolins. They called well, but for some reason we were unable to set eyes on this elusive species. We did see more swifts, Striped Pipit, a Black-chested Prinia in full plumage, Lanners and a few other birds, but we had a long way to go and needed to begin the rather long drive to the Benguela area. We arrived late in the afternoon in time to explore a couple of areas. At the first, we found a Pearl-spotted Owlet and Acacia Pied Barbets, and Brubru, whilst nearby were some smart Rüppell’s Parrots, Carp’s Tits, Bare-cheeked Babblers and the often-tricky Hartlaub’s Francolin, scoped on one of the rocky kopjes. Nearby, an area of degraded desert held more lovely Double-banded Coursers and a group of smart Caspian Plovers.

We left our base in Benguela early the following morning and explored some nearby scrubby areas. It was generally pretty dry and quiet, though we did find Yellow-bellied Eremomela, more Kalahari Scrub Robins and our second encounter with Chestnut-vented Warblers. We then set about exploring a series of saltpans and wetlands between Benguela and Lobito. Now this really was list padding at its best! Star of the show was a pair of delicate Chestnut-banded Plovers, but the supporting cast was long and varied! West African Crested, Caspian and Sandwich Terns were joined by a Gull-billed Tern, whilst a good variety of waders included a few smart Marsh Sandpipers, groups of Pied Avocets, delightful Water Thick-knees, Kittlitz’s, White-fronted and Three-banded Plovers, Wood and Curlew Sandpipers and Little Stint. Greater and Lesser Flamingos were both present in good numbers and Great White Pelicans showed well. A variety of other waterbirds included Blue-billed Teal, and Black and Squacco Herons, African Darter, African Spoonbill, Red-knobbed Coot and our first Yellow-billed Stork. All in all, it was very birdy, providing a significant boost to our already growing bird list! As we left the coast, we were surprised to find a flock of Red-headed Finches. We spent the rest of the day driving to our base near to Huambo. A few stops along the way yielded a few new birds, such as Red-faced (Lepe) Cisticola and Hartlaub’s Babbler, but not too much to get excited about.

We had two and a half days to explore from our base near to Huambo. The first day we explored extensive areas of dambo and miombo woodland which yielded a great number of target species. Pride of place perhaps went to the stunning and showy male Bocage’s Sunbird which showed so very well after plenty of searching out in the dambo! As always, the miombo woodland could be slow, and hard going, but through the day we added some great birds! Highlights included some smart groups of gaudy Black-necked Eremomelas, looking for all the world like some excitable North American wood warbler, a pair of Souza’s Shrikes was a good bonus and other good species included a fine Miombo Pied Barbet, distinctive Anchieta’s Barbets, smart Miombo Scrub Robins, subtle Wood Pipits, and a small group of the scarce Bohm’s Flycatcher. More widespread species found in the various woodlands included African Penduline Tit, Miombo Wren-Warbler, flocks of Green-capped Eremomelas, Yellow-bellied Hyliota, Pale Flycatcher, Bronze, Copper, Variable, Western Violet-backed and Amethyst Sunbirds, and attractive Golden-breasted Buntings. Out in the dambo we found smart Black-and-rufous Swallow and Pearl-breasted Swallows, singing Angola Larks, Moustached Grass Warbler, more Fülleborn’s Longclaws, distinctive Marsh Widowbirds, Fawn-breasted and Orange-breasted Waxbills, African Wattled Lapwing, and an unexpected juvenile Temminck’s Courser. We stopped on the way back to look from a river bridge where we were surprised to find quite literally 100s of Bocage’s Weavers. A group of Lesser Grey Shrikes were unexpected, Brown Firefinches appreciated, and, at dusk, we were chuffed to see a fine African Marsh Owl hunting over the marshes as well as a few Coppery-tailed Coucals.

Mt Moco and its remnant fragments of Afro-montane forests were our destination the following day, though the birds began with a Pennant-winged Nightjar as we were leaving the hotel! Sadly, cutting and constant burning has led to the destruction of nearly all of the native forest, and consequently, just a few fragments remain. We explored the lower slopes of the mountain and the small forest patches above Kanjonde village. Heading through the grasslands we soon found smart Black-collared Bulbuls, and Black-backed Barbets, whilst Horus Swifts circled distantly. Reaching the lower forest fragments, we soon found a number of montane forest species. Grey Apalis and White-tailed Blue Flycatchers were conspicuous and we also found our first Black-throated Wattle-eyes and Northern Yellow White-eye and we were entertained by the clearly very different Rock-loving (Huambo) Cisticolas – a species in waiting! Sadly though, although we could hear Swierstra’s Francolins, they refused to budge from the dense undergrowth. We then walked higher, admiring displaying Fan-tailed Grassbirds as we went. As we reached some higher forest, we got some great looks at Bocage’s Akalats, as well as Thick-billed Seedeater and our first Schalow’s Turacos and endemic Angolan Slaty Flycatchers. The heavens then opened, encouraging us to get back once the downpour stopped. We saw Finsch’s Francolin in flight on our way back, and later we returned to the area above the village and found Western Green Tinkerbird, fabulous Dusky Twinspots and gaudy black and gold Black-chinned Weavers attending their nests, though sadly the singing Finsch’s Francolins and Swierstra’s Spurfowls proved to be tough to pin down!

We then headed north to the Conda area, our next base, but there was plenty for us to do on the way! Our first stop was a big one, as we spent time watching the superb and seldom-seen Brazza’s Martin. Also, in the area were singing Little Rush Warblers, distinctive Chirping Cisticola and a Red-chested Flufftail that refused to show. Nearby we found some great flocks in the miombo woodland, which included both Miombo and Rufous-bellied Tits, the gorgeous Anchieta’s Sunbird, Green-backed Honeybird, White-breasted Cuckooshrike and a number of other widespread species. We also found a fabulous daytime Fiery-necked Nightjar. Nearby we also had an excellent encounter with African Spotted Creeper, another Anchieta’s Sunbird and some African Cuckoo-Hawks.

From our base near to Conda, we had a full day to explore the remnant forest patches in the Kumbira Forest area. Sadly, these central scarp forests have suffered worse habitat destruction than most of the country, and areas that were forest just a few years ago have been reduced to smouldering piles of ash in what is now a desperately depressing landscape! Fortunately, we found just enough trees to find the birds we wanted, but it’s desperately worrying that there will be nothing left before too long. Fortunately we still found the key endemics! We found a single superb Gabela Bushshrike, a really stunning endemic, almost reminiscent of a stocky Woodchat Shrike. The rather interesting Pulitzer’s Longbill gave superb views on a number of occasions and we also found a few rather drab but confiding Gabela Akalats, which snook around in the undergrowth like Ficedula flycatchers! The supporting cast in this area was pretty good too and pride of place went to the stunning Red-crested Turaco. Indeed, remarkably, all four of these species were visible from the same spot in a degraded clearing! Despite the habitat, it was a birdy morning, and other species found included Hartert’s Camaroptera, Angolan Batises, a sweet-singing Forest Scrub Robin that showed well, a wing-lifting and confiding Brown-chested Alethe, noisy Yellow-throated Nicators, Falkenstein’s Greenbuls, endemic and distinctive Pale-olive Greenbuls, Southern Hyliotas (distinctive form), numerous buff-faced Green Crombecs, a few Green Hylias, lovely Grey Waxbills, Black-faced Canaries, Black-and-white Mannikins, Collared, Green-headed, Superb, Carmelite, Purple-banded and Olive-bellied Sunbirds, and Black-necked Weavers. In the afternoon we explored more of the remnant forest. This time we found the endemic form of Naked-faced Barbet (sometimes split as Pale-throated Barbet), Red-capped Robin-Chat, some lovely Bates’s and Rufous-vented Paradise Flycatchers, a stunning displaying African Broadbill, and, perhaps best of all, some gorgeous and confiding Yellow-bellied Wattle-eyes.

The following day we rose early and made a visit to Mt Namba, to the north of us. This remote mountain is deserving of more attention as it houses the largest patches of Afro-montane forest remaining in Angola. Sadly, it’s a long way from any base, and the habitat is difficult to access, but we did our best and managed to find the localized Margaret’s Batis and the local form of Laura’s Woodland Warbler. We also saw more of the endemic form of Naked-faced Barbet, Olive Woodpecker, African Hill Babbler, a shy pair of Cabanis’s Greenbuls, and a number of other montane species we were already familiar with. It had been a tough day and we headed back, pausing in some miombo woodland, where we found the smart Western Miombo Sunbird.

The following day we explored another forest patch which had been considerably reduced in size since our last visit sadly! Pulitzer’s Longbills were still common, and fairly soon we found a fabulous male Gorgeous Bushshrike followed by an extremely impressive Monteiro’s Bushshrike. An Angolan Slaty Flycatcher here was a surprise, some Brown Illadopsises gave surprisingly good views, and we also saw Lowland Masked Apalis and our first (Eastern) Yellow-billed Barbet. Nearby open areas held several endemic Landana Firefinches (now sadly lumped!!), Orange-cheeked Waxbills and, for some, Brown Twinspots, whilst a smart African Emerald Cuckoo posed nearby.

After what had been a relatively successful, if somewhat depressing visit to the Conda area, we were once again on our way, this time heading towards the metropolis of N’dalatando. A couple of stops along the way yielded a few waterbirds, our first Red-throated Cliff Swallows and, most impressively, a group of four lovely Spotted-necked Otters! We arrived in some surprisingly tall roadside forest in the late afternoon and paused for a while, adding a few new species, though with the giant size of the trees, seeing the birds was a struggle! Nevertheless, we added a number of species such as sneaky Blue Malkohas, Purple-throated Cuckooshrikes, attractive Red-headed Malimbes and Yellow-backed Weaver, and a lovely group of Rufous-crowned Eremomelas.

We spent the following morning exploring remnant forest patches in Tombingo Forest, close to N’dalatando. This proved to be reasonably productive, with a pair of hulking but skulking Gabon Coucals perhaps being the pick of the sightings. Other interesting species included our first Guinea Turaco, Red-necked Buzzard, numerous African Pied Hornbills (many flycatching on the wing), our first of many (Eastern) Piping Hornbills, some smart Blue-throated Rollers, Blue-breasted Kingfisher, Speckled Tinkerbirds, a perched Cassin’s Honeybird, a group of Yellow-crested Woodpeckers, our first Red-fronted Parrots (fly overs), Chestnut-winged Starlings and Fraser’s Rufous Thrushes (a sound we were to become familiar with).

After a buffet breakfast, we were on our way again, though the weather was not too good, with leaden skies and, at times, pretty heavy rain! We paused long enough to enjoy some Rock Pratincoles, swifts and hirundines, before continuing on to Calandula. We made a brief stop or two along the way including at the mighty Calandula Falls which were looking particularly impressive following the heavy rain! Having checked in, and as the rain eased, we made our first explorations north of Calandula. Things were largely quiet, though we did find Retz’s Helmetshrike. The colonies of cliff swallows were impressive, and the wet weather had encouraged several Blue-headed and Black Coucals to sit up in the long grass! A roadside Spotted Eagle Owl was also noted.

The following day we spent searching the gallery forests, miombo woodlands and open grasslands north of Calandula, and specifically around the small village of Kinjila. We began with numerous Meyer’s Parrots, good numbers of localized Sharp-tailed Starlings, and a feisty African Barred Owlet in the miombo, but it was the gallery forests that held our main target, and it did not take too long to track down the gorgeous White-headed Robin-Chat. Although shy at times, the chats serenaded us from the canopy, and we ended up getting multiple great looks, including seeing fledged juveniles. Also, in these dark forests we found some super confiding Grey-winged Robin-Chats. A pair of Black-backed Barbets perched up, one with pale cheeks, one dark, and we also saw several of the local blue-headed Green-headed Sunbirds, including the distinctive females. Other species seen during the day included Scaly-throated Honeyguide, Petit’s Cuckooshrike, Green-throated Sunbird, and Dark-backed Weaver, as well as some fine Marsh (Anchieta’s) Tchagras and a Ross’s Turaco perched up.

The following morning, we made one last visit to the Kinjila area. More spectacular Gorgeous Bushshrikes were on show, we managed to see a male White-spotted Flufftail and we also played hide and seek with a Dusky Long-tailed Cuckoo, which did offer some good views in the end. In the miombo we failed to find much new, though did come across a surprise hepatic morph (and therefore presumed) Common Cuckoo, and on the way back, found some singing Whistling Cisticolas. It was then a relatively long drive to Uige, and although we made a few roadside stops, there was not too much of note, other than a Brown-headed Apalis.

We then had the following day and a half to explore the northern scarp forests from our base in Uige. We spent both mornings in some forest patches south of Quitexe, known as Damengola Forest where our main target was the delightful Braun’s Bushshrike. Fortunately, it did not take us too long to find this wonderful species, and we enjoyed great views of a few of this stunner! We also found, for the first time, the local form of White-throated Greenbul, which gave good views. Vocally distinct, it is another likely split, in which case it would become the rare and local Angolan or Green-crowned Greenbul. We also got great looks at the localized and disjunct population of White-collared Oliveback. The degraded forest was pretty birdy, and during the two mornings we added a great number of new species. Colossal Great Blue Turacos showed well, more Gabon Coucals obliged, a smart gabonensis Black Cuckoo perched up, and other species noted included Afep Pigeon, gorgeous Black Bee-eaters, regular Naked-faced Barbets, a smart Bocage’s Bushshrike, Pink-footed Puffback, Black-and-white Shrike Flycatchers, Black-winged Oriole, Velvet-mantled Drongo, Blue-headed Crested Flycatcher, a fabulous Yellow Longbill, some lovely Banded and White-chinned Prinias, Yellow-browed Camaroptera, smart Splendid Starlings, a few Narrow-tailed Starlings, Dusky-blue Flycatcher, a smart Snowy-crowned Robin-Chat, Little Green, Grey-chinned and Blue-throated Brown Sunbirds and colourful Crested Malimbes. Out in the more open areas we flushed a flock of the West African subspecies of Helmeted Guineafowl which were the only ones of the tour, and also found a fine male Orange-tufted Sunbird, as well as a Black Cuckooshrike, Brown-backed Scrub-Robin and numerous smart Black-collared Bulbuls. We visited another patch of forest which was being rapidly cleared nearer to Uige on the intervening afternoon. Here we found a few good birds including Bristle-nosed and Hairy-breasted Barbets, a really fine Red-rumped Tinkerbird, Lesser Honeyguide, several Red-fronted Parrots (including perched views), Chestnut Wattle-eye, tree top Sooty Flycatchers, numerous Thick-billed Weavers and a surprise Black-bellied Seedcracker.

It had been a very productive stay in the northern scarp forests, despite the wet and dreary weather. As we left, we made a nostalgic visit to a wetland where I had seen a few interesting things in the past, and it paid dividends. The rain had forced down a few Grey-rumped Swallows, and as the group sheltered, it suddenly dawned on me that the two lumps on the water were a pair of Hartlaub’s Ducks! An excellent surprise for us all!!

Heading on south, we made a few roadside stops, including an extended stop at a bridge to watch the hirundines. This was an extremely interesting stop as we were soon watching some ‘Forest’ Swallows that were clearly different from actual Forest Swallows from further north in West Africa. Indeed, with their pale cinnamon throats and deeply-forked tails, I strongly suspect that these birds are actually an undescribed taxon, quite likely a new species for science!

We continued through the severe thunderstorms and made a stop in some (wet) dry forest, where we added the much-wanted Gabela Helmetshrike, a flock of which showed very well indeed. We also found the smart endemic White-fronted Wattle-eye and a Red-chested Cuckoo. A good afternoon! We then skirted around Luanda and headed down towards Kissama National Park, to our very accommodating lodge.

The following day we set off into the dry forests of Kissama National park with a relatively small hit list! We set off just before dawn and battled through the mud! As the sun came up, we were watching our main target, the tricky Grey-striped Francolin feeding by the roadside. Smiles all round! We also found a pair of Western Crested Guineafowl feeding on the road. A Golden-backed Bishop was soon found too, and although in non-breeding dress, it was at least distinctive with its pale yellow supercilia and almost chestnut crown. The woodlands also yielded some obliging Jacobin Cuckoos, Little Sparrowhawks, a colourful male Narina Trogon, Brown-backed Honeybird (giving its weird metallic calls!) and a couple of Long-tailed Paradise-Wydahs. We then explored the river and wetlands. Mottled Swifts were very much in evidence, though water levels were way to high for Egyptian Plovers, or so we thought, until three immediately ‘appeared’ on the riverbank next to us!!

In the afternoon we conducted some serious list padding in the wetlands. It was largely quiet, though we did add a fabulous pair of Allen’s Gallinules, as well as Spur-winged Goose, African Pygmy Goose, several Little Bitterns, Squacco Herons, African Fish Eagles, Red-backed Shrike and Slender-billed Weavers, and had great fun with the local villagers. Square-tailed Nightjars were also seen well on the way in and out of the lodge.

With one final day to enjoy ourselves, we decided to see how many species we could add on the final day of the tour. We made our way slowly through Kissama National Park, looking at more Golden-backed Bishops as we went. We passed two roadside Grey-striped Francolins which, for some reason after the event, I decided to turn round and go back to see if we could see them whilst eating breakfast. We didn’t of course, but this turned out to be the best decision of the tour, when one of the group calmly mentioned that there was an African Pitta in a tree. Of course, it ducked down before we had all seen it, but the seed had been sown. After the initial panic had been overcome, we formed a plan, and although it involved some serious scrambling and feeding of the local red ant populations, it turned out to be the right plan! We all admired a fantastic African Pitta at close range, even displaying on its perch. No real need for a bird of the trip vote!! Somewhat elated and in a kind of surreal mood we headed through the park and on to the Kwanza River. Here we soon found a flock of the local cinnamon-breasted form of Lesser Masked Weaver, Diederik Cuckoo, Long-legged Pipits, and, in the nearby mangroves we found the subtle Mangrove Sunbird. With the birding going well, we retired for a fine lobster lunch!

After lunch we headed up towards Luanda and the end of the tour, but stopped to explore, Mussulo Bay, south of Luanda. The area was full of flamingos, waders, gulls and terns including a few trip ticks, whilst out on the ocean we added Sooty Shearwater and Arctic Skua, bringing the total number of species seen to nearly 540, a highly respectable total for this tour. After one final bit of drama (being pulled out of the mud) for poor Henry, our excellent driver, we made our way back to Luanda and to the airport and our flights home. It really had been a brilliant couple of weeks, one where the birds never stopped and where luck was on our side, with just about all of the hoped for special birds obliging. For how many more years enough habitat will exist remains to be seen, and that sad and ongoing habitat destruction was perhaps the only blot on an otherwise superb visit.

TOP BIRDS OF THE TOUR AS VOTED BY THE GROUP

1^st        African Pitta (59 out of a possible 60 points!!)

2^nd        Monteiro’s Bushshrike

3^rd        White-headed Robin-Chat

4^th        Bocage’s Sunbird

5^th        ‘Forest’ Swallow (new spp??!!)

6^th        Braun’s Bushshrike

7^th        Yellow-bellied Wattle-eye

8^th        White-tailed Shrike

9^th        White-headed (White-bellied) Barbet

10^th      Laura’s Woodland Warbler

SYSTEMATIC LIST OF SPECIES RECORDED

BIRDS

White-faced Whistling Duck  Dendrocygna viduata  First seen at the dam near to Lucala, on the way to N’dalatando. Also, hundreds flying over Cabala at dawn.

Spur-winged Goose  Plectropterus gambensis  Just one in the wetlands south of Muxima in Kissama NP [nominate].

Hartlaub’s Duck ◊  Pteronetta hartlaubii  A pair seen brilliantly at the crater lake south of Quitexe. Quite a surprise!

African Pygmy Goose  Nettapus auritus  At least four seen in the wetlands south of Muxima in Kissama NP.

Blue-billed Teal  Spatula hottentota  c6 in the wetlands near to Lobito.

Yellow-billed Duck  Anas undulata  Non-leader – a couple for some.

Cape Teal  Anas capensis  c50 in the wetlands near to Lobito.

Red-billed Teal  Anas erythrorhyncha  First seen near to Lubango. Also, in the wetlands near to Lobito etc.

Helmeted Guineafowl (West African H G)  Numida [meleagris] galeatus  A flock flushed along the Damengola Forest track were the only ones.

Western Crested Guineafowl ◊  Guttera verreauxi  A pair seen well along the dirt road c15km SSE of Muxima [nominate].

Finsch’s Francolin ◊  Scleroptila finschi  Heard at Mt Moco and in the Namba Mountains and seen in flight at Mt Moco.

Common Quail  Coturnix coturnix  One flushed from the roadside on the drive out of Mount Moco.

Hartlaub’s Spurfowl ◊  Pternistis hartlaubi  Good views of a male and a female in the rocky area c55km southeast of Benguela.

Swierstra’s Spurfowl ◊  Pternistis swierstrai  Endemic. Heard well at the Tundavala Escarpment and again at Mount Moco, but only seen in flight by one of the group.

Grey-striped Spurfowl ◊  Pternistis griseostriatus  Endemic. Seven seen well along the dirt road near Muxima. Another seen by the Mingunje River in Kissama NP the following day.

Red-necked Spurfowl  Pternistis afer  A pair seen crossing the track on the journey back from Mount Moco, and a few others later [cranchii]. The nominate was heard in Benguela.

Fiery-necked Nightjar  Caprimulgus pectoralis  A couple flushed off the road on the drive to the Tundavala Escarpment [fervidus]. One seen well in the daytime in the miombo near Cassongue [shelleyi].

Freckled Nightjar  Caprimulgus tristigma  A male seen at the Tundavala Escarpment [lentiginosus].

Square-tailed Nightjar  Caprimulgus fossii  Seen well around our hotel in Cabala [welwitschii].

Pennant-winged Nightjar  Caprimulgus vexillarius  A female seen well on the track at the lodge near Huambo.

Mottled Spinetail  Telacanthura ussheri  Good views of a few, the first at the side road on the day trip from Lubango to Namibe [benguellensis].

Böhm’s Spinetail  Neafrapus boehmi  Good views of a few, the first on the side road on the day trip from Lubango to Namibe. Also, plenty in Kissama NP [nominate].

African Palm Swift  Cypsiurus parvus  Fairly common and widespread [brachypterus].

Alpine Swift  Tachymarptis melba  Impressive numbers at the Tundavala Escarpment [africanus].

Mottled Swift  Tachymarptis aequatorialis  A few seen around Cumbira Forest and best views around Muxima [nominate].

Common Swift  Apus apus  Seen several times including 1000s seen as we drove north from Lubango.

Bradfield’s Swift ◊  Apus bradfieldi  Great views at the Tundavala Escarpment [nominate].

Little Swift  Apus affinis  Fairly common and widespread [theresae].

Horus Swift  Apus horus  A small group at Mt Moco [nominate].

White-rumped Swift  Apus caffer  Seen at a number of sites. First seen at the Tundavala Escarpment.

Great Blue Turaco  Corythaeola cristata  A few seen well in Damengola Forest, south of Quitexe.

Grey Go-away-bird  Crinifer concolor  First seen on the day trip from Lubango to Namibe [pallidiceps].

Ross’s Turaco  Tauraco rossae  A couple scoped around Kinjila, near Calandula.

Red-crested Turaco ◊  Tauraco erythrolophus  Endemic. First seen well in what remains of Kumbira Forest, and a few later in the trip.

Guinea Turaco (Green T)  Tauraco persa  First seen well in Tombingo Forest, N’dalatando. Also seen in Damengola Forest, south of Quitexe [zenkeri].

Schalow’s Turaco  Tauraco schalowi  A few seen well, the first at Mount Moco [nominate].

Rüppell’s Korhaan ◊  Eupodotis rueppelii  Great views of a pair in some rocky desert at ckm36 on the day trip from Lubango to Namibe [nominate].

Red-crested Korhaan  Lophotis ruficrista  Heard only along the entrance road to Kapembawe Lodge, southeast of Benguela.

Black-bellied Bustard  Lissotis melanogaster  Great views of one as we were driving through Kissama NP [nominate].

Gabon Coucal ◊  Centropus anselli  First seen quite well in Tombingo Forest, N’dalatando, then several seen well in Damengola Forest, south of Quitexe.

Blue-headed Coucal  Centropus monachus  Several seen well, especially from the bridge between Calandula and Kilinjila [occidentalis].

Coppery-tailed Coucal  Centropus cupreicaudus  Several seen well, the first at the Calongue River bridge, north of Huambo [nominate].

White-browed Coucal  Centropus superciliosus  Particularly common in Kissama NP [loandae].

Black Coucal  Centropus grillii  Several seen well from the bridge between Calandula and Kilinjila and another, almost in full plumage, at the wetland beyond the village.

Blue Malkoha  Ceuthmochares aereus  Plenty in the forests in the north, the first at Tombingo Forest, N’dalatando [nominate].

Jacobin Cuckoo  Clamator jacobinus  Best were the stunning views in Kissama NP.

Diederik Cuckoo  Chrysococcyx caprius  One seen well at the Kwanza River, and others heard there.

Klaas’s Cuckoo  Chrysococcyx klaas  Frequently heard, first seen well in Kumbira Forest.

African Emerald Cuckoo  Chrysococcyx cupreus  A few, the first seen well at the forest patch south of Gabela.

Dusky Long-tailed Cuckoo  Cercococcyx mechowi  Great views of an elusive singing bird around Kinjila, near Calandula.

Black Cuckoo  Cuculus clamosus  Great views of a ‘gabonensis’ type in Damengola Forest, south of Quitexe [nominate].

Red-chested Cuckoo  Cuculus solitarius  Seen well in the baobab forest east of Caixito. Others heard.

African Cuckoo  Cuculus gularis  One seen well around Kinjila, near Calandula. Others heard there.

Common Cuckoo  Cuculus canorus  A hepatic morph, with a really reddish rump, seen around Kinjila, near Calandula. Other similar spp are not supposed to have a hepatic morph.

Rock Dove (Feral)  Columba livia ‘feral’ 

Afep Pigeon  Columba unicincta  A few, with best looks in Damengola Forest, south of Quitexe.

African Olive Pigeon  Columba arquatrix  First seen at the Tundavala Escarpment. Also seen on Mount Moco.

Red-eyed Dove  Streptopelia semitorquata  First seen in Lubango.

Ring-necked Dove  Streptopelia capicola  Fairly common and widespread. First seen in Lubango. Two forms: in the south [onguati]; in the north [tropica].

Laughing Dove  Spilopelia senegalensis  First seen on the day trip from Lubango to Namibe [nominate].

Emerald-spotted Wood Dove  Turtur chalcospilos  First seen on the day trip from Lubango to Namibe.

Blue-spotted Wood Dove  Turtur afer  A few seen well in the north, the first in Tombingo Forest, N’dalatando.

Tambourine Dove  Turtur tympanistria  A few seen, the first in Tombingo Forest, N’dalatando.

Namaqua Dove  Oena capensis  Just one seen on the day trip from Lubango to Namibe [nominate].

African Green Pigeon  Treron calvus  Three forms seen: good number seen on the day trip from Lubango to Namibe [ansorgei]; seen around Kumbira Forest etc [nominate] and seen around Kinjila, near Calandula [schalowi].

White-spotted Flufftail  Sarothrura pulchra  Decent views of a male around Kinjila, near Calandula. Others heard [centralis].

Red-chested Flufftail  Sarothrura rufa  Heard only at the river c8kms west of Cassongue [nominate].

Common Moorhen  Gallinula chloropus  A few, the first in the wetlands near to Lobito [meridionalis].

Red-knobbed Coot  Fulica cristata  Two seen in the wetlands near to Lobito.

Allen’s Gallinule  Porphyrio alleni  Great views of a pair in the wetlands south of Muxima in Kissama NP.

Black Crake  Zapornia flavirostra  A few, the first from the bridge between Calandula and Kilinjila

Little Grebe  Tachybaptus ruficollis  First seen near to Lubango [capensis].

Greater Flamingo  Phoenicopterus roseus  c50 seen in the wetlands near to Lobito. Also, at Mussolo Bay.

Lesser Flamingo  Phoeniconaias minor  c1000 seen at the saltpans just south of Benguela and in the wetlands near to Lobito.

Common Buttonquail  Turnix sylvaticus  Some great looks, especially one on the road in the Namba Mountains [lepurana].

Water Thick-knee  Burhinus vermiculatus  At least six seen in the wetlands near to Lobito [nominate].

Spotted Thick-knee  Burhinus capensis  Heard only. A few heard, the first at Tundavala [nominate].

Black-winged Stilt  Himantopus himantopus  Common at the saltpans just south of Benguela and in the wetlands near to Lobito. A few elsewhere.

Pied Avocet  Recurvirostra avosetta  c100 seen in the wetlands near to Lobito were the first. Also, plenty at Mussolo Bay.

Crowned Lapwing  Vanellus coronatus  A pair seen on the day trip from Lubango to Namibe [nominate].

African Wattled Lapwing  Vanellus senegallus  Just a pair seen in the dambo near to Carpacata, north of Londuimbali [lateralis].

Grey Plover (Black-bellied P)  Pluvialis squatarola  Small numbers seen at the saltpans just south of Benguela and in the wetlands near to Lobito and at Mussolo Bay [nominate].

Common Ringed Plover  Charadrius hiaticula  Small numbers seen at the saltpans just south of Benguela and in the wetlands near to Lobito. Also, at the Kwanza River and Mussolo Bay [tundrae].

Kittlitz’s Plover  Charadrius pecuarius  A couple seen at the saltpans just south of Benguela. Also, at the Kwanza River and Mussolo Bay.

Three-banded Plover  Charadrius tricollaris  Small numbers seen in the wetlands near to Lobito. Also, on the pool at the Kwanza River [nominate].

White-fronted Plover  Charadrius marginatus  One seen at the saltpans just south of Benguela. Also, at the Kwanza River and Mussolo Bay [nominate].

Chestnut-banded Plover  Charadrius pallidus  A pair seen well at the saltpans just south of Benguela [nominate].

Caspian Plover  Charadrius asiaticus  Brilliant views of 4+ along the entrance road to Kapembawe Lodge, southeast of Benguela.

Egyptian Plover ◊  Pluvianus aegyptius  Brilliant views of three at Muxima.

African Jacana  Actophilornis africanus  Plenty seen, the first at the dam near to Lucala, on the way to N’dalatando.

Eurasian Whimbrel  Numenius phaeopus  Small numbers seen at the saltpans just south of Benguela and in the wetlands near to Lobito, Kwanza, and Mussolo Bay [nominate].

Eurasian Curlew  Numenius arquata  A few seen at Mussolo Bay.

Bar-tailed Godwit  Limosa lapponica  A few seen at Mussolo Bay [taymyrensis].

Ruddy Turnstone  Arenaria interpres  A few seen at Mussolo Bay [nominate].

Red Knot  Calidris canutus  A few seen at Mussolo Bay [nominate].

Ruff  Calidris pugnax  Small numbers seen at the saltpans just south of Benguela and in the wetlands near to Lobito and Kwanza.

Curlew Sandpiper  Calidris ferruginea  Good numbers seen at the saltpans just south of Benguela and in the wetlands near to Lobito and elsewhere.

Sanderling  Calidris alba  Four seen at the saltpans just south of Benguela. A few others later [nominate].

Little Stint  Calidris minuta  Good numbers seen at the saltpans just south of Benguela and in the wetlands near to Lobito and elsewhere.

Common Sandpiper  Actitis hypoleucos  A few seen in the wetlands near to Lobito.

Marsh Sandpiper  Tringa stagnatilis  Small numbers, first seen at the saltpans just south of Benguela and in the wetlands near to Lobito.

Wood Sandpiper  Tringa glareola  Just one, on a pool by the Kwanza River.

Common Greenshank  Tringa nebularia  Small numbers seen, the first  at the saltpans just south of Benguela and in the wetlands near to Lobito.

Temminck’s Courser  Cursorius temminckii  A juv seen in the dambo near to Carpacata, north of Londuimbali, and an adult in Kissama NP [ruvanensis].

Double-banded Courser  Rhinoptilus africanus  A pair seen on the day trip from Lubango to Namibe and great views of several along the entrance road to Kapembawe Lodge, southeast of Benguela [bisignatus].

Rock Pratincole  Glareola nuchalis  Brilliant views of 4+ at the Lucala River crossing [nominate].

Grey-headed Gull  Chroicocephalus cirrocephalus  A couple seen at the saltpans just south of Benguela and one at Mussolo Bay [poiocephalus].

Kelp Gull (Cape G)  Larus [dominicanus] vetula  Just a couple at Mussolo Bay.

Gull-billed Tern  Gelochelidon nilotica  A non-breeding plumaged bird seen well in the wetlands near to Lobito [nominate].

Caspian Tern  Hydroprogne caspia  Good numbers seen, the first at the saltpans just south of Benguela and particularly in the wetlands near to Lobito.

West African Crested Tern (African Royal T)  Thalasseus albididorsalis  Excellent views of 30+ at the saltpans just south of Benguela. Also, many at the Kwanza River and Mussolo Bay.

Sandwich Tern  Thalasseus sandvicensis  Common along the coast, the first at the saltpans just south of Benguela.

Common Tern  Sterna hirundo  At least 3 at the saltpans just south of Benguela and a few at the Kwanza and more in Mussolo Bay [nominate].

Parasitic Jaeger (Arctic Skua) Stercorarius parasiticus  Two seen well from the beach at Mussolo Bay.

Sooty Shearwater  Ardenna grisea  At least 20, some close in, from the beach at Mussolo Bay.

Yellow-billed Stork  Mycteria ibis  One seen in the wetlands near to Lobito. Also 1 at Mussolo Bay.

African Openbill  Anastomus lamelligerus  Good numbers in the wetlands at Kissama NP [nominate].

African Darter  Anhinga rufa  Good numbers seen in the wetlands near to Lobito [nominate].

Reed Cormorant (Long-tailed C)  Microcarbo africanus  Common. First seen at the saltpans just south of Benguela and in the wetlands near to Lobito [nominate].

White-breasted Cormorant  Phalacrocorax lucidus  A few seen in the wetlands near to Lobito, and plenty around Mussolo Bay.

African Sacred Ibis  Threskiornis aethiopicus  Small numbers seen at the saltpans just south of Benguela and in the wetlands near to Lobito.

Hadada Ibis  Bostrychia hagedash  Two seen flying along the Lucala river near to N’dalatando [nominate].

African Spoonbill  Platalea alba  Small numbers seen at the saltpans just south of Benguela and in the wetlands near to Lobito.

Little Bittern  Ixobrychus minutus  A few seen, especially in Kissama NP [payesii]. 

Black-crowned Night Heron  Nycticorax nycticorax  A few seen.

Squacco Heron  Ardeola ralloides  First seen in the wetlands near to Lobito.

Western Cattle Egret  Bubulcus ibis  Fairly common and widespread.

Grey Heron  Ardea cinerea  First seen in Lubango [nominate].

Black-headed Heron  Ardea melanocephala  First seen near to Lubango.

Purple Heron  Ardea purpurea  First seen in the wetlands near to Lobito [nominate].

Great Egret  Ardea alba  Good numbers seen at the saltpans just south of Benguela and in the wetlands near to Lobito [melanorhynchos].

Black Heron  Egretta ardesiaca  At least four seen in the wetlands near to Lobito.

Little Egret  Egretta garzetta  Good numbers seen at the saltpans just south of Benguela and in the wetlands near to Lobito [nominate].

Hamerkop  Scopus umbretta  One seen in the wetlands near to Lobito [nominate].

Great White Pelican  Pelecanus onocrotalus  A few seen at the saltpans just south of Benguela and plenty in the wetlands near to Lobito.

Osprey  Pandion haliaetus  First seen in the wetlands near to Lobito [nominate].

Black-winged Kite  Elanus caeruleus  [nominate].

African Harrier-Hawk (Gymnogene)  Polyboroides typus  First seen on the day trip from Lubango to Namibe.

Palm-nut Vulture  Gypohierax angolensis 

European Honey Buzzard  Pernis apivorus 

African Cuckoo-Hawk  Aviceda cuculoides  Best was the displaying birds in the miombo along the road to Fazenda Vavelo [batesi].

Black-chested Snake Eagle  Circaetus pectoralis 

Brown Snake Eagle  Circaetus cinereus 

Bateleur  Terathopius ecaudatus 

Long-crested Eagle  Lophaetus occipitalis  First seen on the drive north from Lubango.

Wahlberg’s Eagle  Hieraaetus wahlbergi  A few. First seen on the drive north from Lubango.

Booted Eagle  Hieraaetus pennatus  Non leader photographed record.

Verreaux’s Eagle  Aquila verreauxii  A pair seen in the rocky area c55km southeast of Benguela.

Lizard Buzzard  Kaupifalco monogrammicus  First seen on the day trip from Lubango to Namibe  [meridionalis].

Gabar Goshawk  Micronisus gabar  [nominate].

Dark Chanting Goshawk ◊  Melierax metabates  Non leader.

Pale Chanting Goshawk ◊  Melierax canorus  Two seen on the day trip from Lubango to Namibe [argentior].

African Goshawk  Accipiter tachiro  [sparsimfasciatus]. 

Shikra  Accipiter badius  [polyzonoides].

Little Sparrowhawk  Accipiter minullus  A couple seen very well on the day trip from Lubango to Namibe. Others later [polyzonoides].

African Marsh Harrier  Circus ranivorus 

Yellow-billed Kite  Milvus aegyptius  First seen on the drive north from Lubango [parasitus].

African Fish Eagle  Haliaeetus vocifer 

Common Buzzard (Steppe B)  Buteo [buteo] vulpinus 

Red-necked Buzzard  Buteo auguralis

Augur Buzzard  Buteo augur [nominate].

Pearl-spotted Owlet  Glaucidium perlatum  Seen at the scrappy area c60km southeast of Benguela [licua].

African Barred Owlet (Ngami O)  Glaucidium [capense] ngamiense  Excellent views of one at Kinjila.

African Scops Owl  Otus senegalensis  Heard only, non-leader.

Marsh Owl  Asio capensis  Nice views of one at the Calongue River bridge, north of Huambo [nominate].

Spotted Eagle-Owl  Bubo africanus  Three sightings.

Speckled Mousebird  Colius striatus  Two forms seen, nigricollis and congicus.

Red-backed Mousebird ◊  Colius castanotus  First seen well in Lubango.

Red-faced Mousebird  Urocolius indicus  First seen on the day trip from Lubango to Namibe [lacteifrons].

Narina Trogon  Apaloderma narina  Seen well in Kissama NP [nominate].

African Hoopoe  Upupa africana 

Green Wood Hoopoe  Phoeniculus purpureus [angolensis].

Black Scimitarbill  Rhinopomastus aterrimus [anchietae].

Common Scimitarbill  Rhinopomastus cyanomelas  A couple seen on the day trip from Lubango to Namibe [nominate].

Damara Red-billed Hornbill ◊  Tockus damarensis  First seen on the day trip from Lubango to Namibe. Also seen southeast of Benguela.

Monteiro’s Hornbill ◊  Tockus monteiri  First seen on the day trip from Lubango to Namibe. Also seen southeast of Benguela.

Southern Yellow-billed Hornbill  Tockus leucomelas  First seen on the day trip from Lubango to Namibe. Also seen southeast of Benguela [elegans].

Crowned Hornbill  Lophoceros alboterminatus 

African Pied Hornbill (Congo P H)  Lophoceros [fasciatus] fasciatus 

Piping Hornbill (Eastern P H)  Bycanistes [fistulator] sharpii 

Purple Roller  Coracias naevius  One seen near to the scrappy area c60km southeast of Benguela [mosambicus].

Lilac-breasted Roller  Coracias caudatus  Nominate.

Blue-throated Roller  Eurystomus gularis  A few seen well [neglectus].

Broad-billed Roller  Eurystomus glaucurus  [suahelicus].

Grey-headed Kingfisher  Halcyon leucocephala [pallidiventris].

Brown-hooded Kingfisher  Halcyon albiventris  First seen at the scrappy area c60km southeast of Benguela [prentissgrayi].

Striped Kingfisher  Halcyon chelicuti  First heard on the day trip from Lubango to Namibe a few seen later [nominate].

Blue-breasted Kingfisher  Halcyon malimbica  [nominate]

Woodland Kingfisher  Halcyon senegalensis [fuscopileus].

African Pygmy Kingfisher  Ispidina picta [ferrugina]. 

Malachite Kingfisher  Corythornis cristatus [galeritus].

Pied Kingfisher  Ceryle rudis  First seen in the wetlands near to Lobito [nominate].

Black Bee-eater  Merops gularis  Some good looks in Damengola Forest, south of Quitexe [australis].

Swallow-tailed Bee-eater  Merops hirundineus  First seen well on the day trip from Lubango to Namibe [nominate].

Little Bee-eater  Merops pusillus  First seen well around Tundavala and on the day trip from Lubango to Namibe [argutus].

Blue-breasted Bee-eater  Merops variegatus  One in the dambo near to Carpacata, north of Londuimbali [nominate].

White-fronted Bee-eater  Merops bullockoides  First seen well at the Tundavala Escarpment.

Olive Bee-eater  Merops superciliosus  A few seen well on the day trip from Lubango to Namibe [alternans].

European Bee-eater  Merops apiaster  Some decent sized flocks of presumed migrants seen on the journey north from Lubango.

Bristle-nosed Barbet ◊  Gymnobucco peli  Just a pair in the forest patch near to Uige.

Naked-faced Barbet  Gymnobucco calvus  Plenty in Damengola Forest, south of Quitexe, some with noticeable bristles [congicus]!

Naked-faced Barbet ◊ (Pale-throated B)  Gymnobucco [calvus] vernayi  Endemic. Seen in Kumbira Forest and in the Namba Mountains.

Anchieta’s Barbet ◊  Stactolaema anchietae  Two forms seen, katangae and rex.

Speckled Tinkerbird  Pogoniulus scolopaceus  [flavisquamatus].

Western Tinkerbird ◊  Pogoniulus coryphaea  One seen well on Mt Moco [angolensis].

Red-rumped Tinkerbird ◊  Pogoniulus atroflavus  Seen well in the forest patch near to Uige.

Yellow-rumped Tinkerbird  Pogoniulus bilineatus  [leucolaimus]. 

Yellow-fronted Tinkerbird  Pogoniulus chrysoconus  First seen on the day trip from Lubango to Namibe [extoni].

Hairy-breasted Barbet (Brown-streaked B)  Tricholaema [hirsuta] angolensis  A male seen in the miombo near to Carpacata, north of Londuimbali.

Miombo Pied Barbet ◊  Tricholaema frontata  One seen well near Mt Moco.

Acacia Pied Barbet  Tricholaema leucomelas  First seen at the scrappy area c60km southeast of Benguela [centralis].

White-headed Barbet ◊ (White-bellied B)  Lybius [leucocephalus] leucogaster  Endemic. Excellent views on a couple of occasions near to the Tundavala Escarpment.

Black-collared Barbet  Lybius torquatus  First seen on the day trip from Lubango to Namibe [bocagei].

Black-backed Barbet (Brown-faced B)  Lybius [minor] minor  Including an apparent mixed pair at Kinjila.

Black-backed Barbet  Lybius [minor] macclounii  The characters and validities of these forms as potential species is somewhat questionable and some believe they may actually simply be colour variants.

Yellow-billed Barbet ◊ (Eastern Y-b B)  Trachyphonus [purpuratus] purpuratus 

Cassin’s Honeybird  Prodotiscus insignis  One scoped in Tombingo Forest, N’dalatando [nominate].

Green-backed Honeybird  Prodotiscus zambesiae  Seen well in the miombo near Cassongue [lathburyi].

Brown-backed Honeybird  Prodotiscus regulus  Great views of one in Kissama NP [nominate].

Lesser Honeyguide  Indicator minor  Two forms noted, teitensis and one of the forms (not sure which) from the minor-group.

Scaly-throated Honeyguide  Indicator variegatus  One seen well at Kinjila.

Greater Honeyguide  Indicator indicator 

Red-throated Wryneck  Jynx ruficollis  Non leader.

Bennett’s Woodpecker (Light-spotted or Capricorn W)  Campethera [bennettii] capricorni  Brilliant views of a stunning male on the day trip from Lubango to Namibe.

Golden-tailed Woodpecker  Campethera abingoni  First seen at from Lubango to Namibe [anderssoni]. Nominate seen elsewhere.

Little Green Woodpecker (Plain-backed W)  Campethera [maculosa] permista  Seen in Tombingo Forest, N’dalatando, and in Damengola Forest, south of Quitexe.

Yellow-crested Woodpecker  Chloropicus xantholophus  Seen well in Tombingo Forest, N’dalatando.

Cardinal Woodpecker  Dendropicos fuscescens  First heard at the Tundavala Escarpment [loandae].

Olive Woodpecker  Dendropicos griseocephalus  One seen in the Namba Mountains [ruwenzori].

Rock Kestrel  Falco rupicolus  First seen at the Tundavala Escarpment.

Grey Kestrel  Falco ardosiaceus 

African Hobby  Falco cuvierii  A few seen well.

Lanner Falcon  Falco biarmicus  First seen at the Tundavala Escarpment [nominate].

Peregrine Falcon  Falco peregrinus  [minor]. 

Red-fronted Parrot ◊  Poicephalus gulielmi  [nominate].

Meyer’s Parrot (Brown P)  Poicephalus meyeri  [matschiei]. 

Rüppell’s Parrot ◊  Poicephalus rueppellii  Good views of several in the rocky area c55km southeast of Benguela.

Rosy-faced Lovebird ◊  Agapornis roseicollis  Many seen well, the first on the day trip from Lubango to Namibe [catumbella].

African Broadbill  Smithornis capensis  Brilliant views in Kumbira Forest [albigularis].

African Pitta ◊  Pitta angolensis  The highlight of the trip! A stunning singing/displaying bird seen at in Kissama NP, and another heard there. Involved a real scramble but fantastic close-range views and we watched the bird displaying for a couple of minutes. Mega!! [nominate].

Margaret’s Batis ◊ (Angolan M B)  Batis [margaritae] margaritae  Excellent views of a male in the Namba Mountains.

Chinspot Batis  Batis molitor  [pintoi].

Pririt Batis ◊  Batis pririt  A few seen well on the day trip from Lubango to Namibe [affinis].

Angola Batis ◊  Batis minulla  Several seen and more heard!

White-tailed Shrike ◊  Lanioturdus torquatus  Brilliant bird, first seen on the day trip from Lubango to Namibe.

Chestnut Wattle-eye  Platysteira castanea 

Black-throated Wattle-eye  Platysteira peltata  [mentalis].

White-fronted Wattle-eye ◊  Platysteira albifrons  Endemic. Seen very well near to Caixito and in Kissama NP.

Yellow-bellied Wattle-eye  Platysteira concreta  Brilliant views in Kumbira Forest [ansorgei].

Monteiro’s Bushshrike ◊  Malaconotus monteiri  Stunning views at the forest patch south of Gabela [nominate].

Grey-headed Bushshrike  Malaconotus blanchoti  [interpositus].

Bocage’s Bushshrike (Grey-green B)  Chlorophoneus bocagei  [nominate].

Orange-breasted Bushshrike (Sulphur-breasted B)  Chlorophoneus sulfureopectus  Seen well on the Tundavala Escarpment and on the day trip from Lubango to Namibe [similis].

Gorgeous Bushshrike  Telophorus viridis  Some great views. Aptly named [nominate].

Marsh Tchagra ◊ (Anchieta’s T)  Bocagia [minuta] anchietae  Seen well in the north.

Brown-crowned Tchagra  Tchagra australis  First seen on the day trip from Lubango to Namibe [damarensis].The form souzae also seen.

Black-crowned Tchagra  Tchagra senegalus  A few seen, the first on the day trip from Lubango to Namibe [kalahari]. The form armenus also seen.

Pink-footed Puffback  Dryoscopus angolensis  [nominate].

Black-backed Puffback  Dryoscopus cubla  First seen at the Tundavala Escarpment [okavangensis]. The form hamatus also seen.

Braun’s Bushshrike ◊  Laniarius brauni  Endemic. Brilliant views of at least 3 in Damengola Forest, south of Quitexe.

Gabela Bushshrike ◊  Laniarius amboimensis  Endemic. Great views of one in Kumbira Forest. The only one recorded!!

Tropical Boubou  Laniarius major  [nominate].

Swamp Boubou ◊  Laniarius bicolor  First seen well on the day trip from Lubango to Namibe [sticturus]. The form guttatus also seen.

Brubru  Nilaus afer  First seen at the scrappy area c60km southeast of Benguela [brubru].

White-crested Helmetshrike (White H)  Prionops plumatus  Several, the first on the day trip from Lubango to Namibe [talacoma].

Retz’s Helmetshrike  Prionops retzii  Seen well at Kinjila [nigricans].

Gabela Helmetshrike ◊  Prionops gabela  Endemic. Brilliant views of 3 near to Caixito.

Black-and-white Shrike-flycatcher (Vanga F)  Bias musicus  [nominate].

White-breasted Cuckooshrike  Ceblepyris pectoralis 

Black Cuckooshrike  Campephaga flava 

Petit’s Cuckooshrike  Campephaga petiti 

Purple-throated Cuckooshrike  Campephaga quiscalina  [nominate].

Southern White-crowned Shrike  Eurocephalus anguitimens  Good views of several in the rocky area c55km southeast of Benguela [nominate].

Souza’s Shrike ◊  Lanius souzae  Great views of a pair in the miombo near to Carpacata, north of Londuimbali [nominate].

Red-backed Shrike  Lanius collurio  A single 1cy seen in Kissama NP.

Lesser Grey Shrike  Lanius minor  A group of c6 seen at the Calongue River bridge, north of Huambo.

Northern Fiscal  Lanius humeralis  Common, first seen in Lubango [capelli].

Southern Fiscal  Lanius collaris  A few seen on the day trip from Lubango to Namibe [aridicolus].

Black-headed Oriole  Oriolus larvatus  A few seen, the first on the day trip from Lubango to Namibe [angolensis].

Black-winged Oriole  Oriolus nigripennis 

Velvet-mantled Drongo  Dicrurus modestus  [coracinus]. 

Fork-tailed Drongo  Dicrurus adsimilis  Fairly common, first seen on the day trip from Lubango to Namibe [apivorus].

Common Square-tailed Drongo  Dicrurus ludwigii  [saturnus].

Blue-headed Crested Flycatcher  Trochocercus nitens  [nitens]. 

Rufous-vented Paradise Flycatcher ◊  Terpsiphone rufocinerea  Seen well at Kumbira Forest.

Bates’s Paradise Flycatcher ◊  Terpsiphone batesi  Good views of one in Kumbira Forest [bannermani].

African Paradise Flycatcher  Terpsiphone viridis  [plumbeiceps].

Pied Crow  Corvus albus  Common and widespread.

African Blue Flycatcher  Elminia longicauda  [teresita].

White-tailed Blue Flycatcher  Elminia albicauda 

Carp’s Tit ◊  Melaniparus carpi  Good views of one, and a pair briefly in the rocky area c55km southeast of Benguela.

Rufous-bellied Tit ◊  Melaniparus rufiventris  A few in an excellent mixed flock in the miombo near Cassongue [nominate].

Miombo Tit ◊  Melaniparus griseiventris  Great view of three or four in an excellent mixed flock in the miombo near Cassongue.

Grey Penduline Tit  Anthoscopus caroli  [ansorgei]. 

Yellow-throated Nicator ◊  Nicator vireo  A few seen well. More heard.

Spike-heeled Lark  Chersomanes albofasciata  A few seen well on the day trip from Lubango to Namibe [obscurata].

Benguela Long-billed Lark ◊  Certhilauda benguelensis  Lots of great views in the desert on the day trip from Lubango to Namibe [nominate].

Grey-backed Sparrow-Lark  Eremopterix verticalis  A flock of c30 seen on the day trip from Lubango to Namibe [damarensis].

Sabota Lark ◊  Calendulauda sabota  A few seen, the first on the day trip from Lubango to Namibe [ansorgei].

Rufous-naped Lark  Mirafra africana  Common around the Tundavala Escarpment [pallida].

Angola Lark ◊  Mirafra angolensis  Endemic. Several seen well, especially in the dambo near Mt Moco.

Red-capped Lark  Calandrella cinerea  [spleniata]. 

Slender-billed Greenbul  Stelgidillas gracilirostris  [nominate].

Black-collared Bulbul ◊  Neolestes torquatus  Many great views.

Red-tailed Bristlebill  Bleda syndactylus  Seen briefly in Damengola Forest, south of Quitexe [woosnami].

Yellow-throated Leaflove  Atimastillas flavicollis  [flavigula]. 

Falkenstein’s Greenbul ◊ (Yellow-necked G)  Chlorocichla falkensteini  Many great views.

Yellow-bellied Greenbul  Chlorocichla flaviventris  Particularly common on the day trip from Lubango to Namibe [occidentalis].

Simple Greenbul  Chlorocichla simplex  Just a couple seen.

Honeyguide Greenbul  Baeopogon indicator [nominate].

Little Greenbul  Eurillas virens  [nominate].

Yellow-whiskered Greenbul  Eurillas latirostris  [nominate].

Plain Greenbul (Cameroon Sombre G)  Eurillas curvirostris  Non leader.

White-throated Greenbul ◊ (Green-crowned or Angolan G)  Phyllastrephus [albigularis] viridiceps  Endemic. Excellent views of at least one in Damengola Forest. Found by voice with Brown Illadopsis. Shy at first but eventually we got good views.

Cabanis’s Greenbul  Phyllastrephus cabanisi  [nominate].

Pale-olive Greenbul ◊  Phyllastrephus fulviventris  Endemic. Many seen well.

African Red-eyed Bulbul  Pycnonotus nigricans  First seen at the Tundavala Escarpment. and plenty on the day trip from Lubango to Namibe [nominate].

Dark-capped Bulbul  Pycnonotus tricolor  [nominate].

Black Saw-wing  Psalidoprocne pristoptera  [reichenowi].

Banded Martin  Neophedina cincta  [xerica].

Brazza’s Martin ◊  Phedinopsis brazzae  Superb views of at least three at the river near Cassongue.

Grey-rumped Swallow  Pseudhirundo griseopyga  [nominate].

Rock Martin  Ptyonoprogne fuligula  [anderssoni].

Black-and-rufous Swallow ◊  Hirundo nigrorufa  Many seen well. Stunner.

Pearl-breasted Swallow  Hirundo dimidiata  [marwitzi].

White-throated Swallow  Hirundo albigularis 

Wire-tailed Swallow  Hirundo smithii  [nominate].

Barn Swallow  Hirundo rustica  [nominate].

Angola Swallow  Hirundo angolensis 

Common House Martin  Delichon urbicum 

Red-breasted Swallow  Cecropis semirufa  [gordoni].

Mosque Swallow  Cecropis senegalensis  [monteiri].

Lesser Striped Swallow  Cecropis abyssinica  Two forms noted: unitatis and ampliformis.

Greater Striped Swallow  Cecropis cucullata 

[‘Forest Swallow type’ – sp. nov?  Petrochelidon? sp nov?  Endemic?? At least three birds seen from the Dande River bridge on the drive south from Uige. These birds appear to be a potential new taxon. Compared to Forest Swallow they are longer tailed, with fairly deeply-forked tails with notably rounded corners, and more importantly, an extensive, well-demarcated cinnamon throat which contrasts with a glossy cap. Time will tell what’s going on, and surely someone will get to work on them??]

Red-throated Cliff Swallow ◊  Petrochelidon rufigula  Many great views of this smart and distinctive swallow.

South African Cliff Swallow ◊  Petrochelidon spilodera  Non leader.

Moustached Grass Warbler (African M W)  Melocichla mentalis  [nominate].

Rockrunner ◊  Achaetops pycnopygius  Generally elusive but some decent views at Tundavala [spadix].

Yellow Longbill  Macrosphenus flavicans  Great views of one in Damengola Forest, south of Quitexe [nominate].

Pulitzer’s Longbill ◊  Macrosphenus pulitzeri  Endemic. Many seen well in Kumbira Forest and south of Gabela.

Long-billed Crombec  Sylvietta rufescens  [flecki].

Green Crombec  Sylvietta virens   Two forms noted: baraka and tando.

Green Hylia  Hylia prasina  [nominate].

Willow Warbler  Phylloscopus trochilus  [acredula].

Laura’s Woodland Warbler ◊  Phylloscopus laurae  Great views of a singing bird in the Namba Mountains [nominate].

Lesser Swamp Warbler  Acrocephalus gracilirostris 

African Yellow Warbler (Dark-capped Y W)  Iduna natalensis  [major]. 

Fan-tailed Grassbird  Catriscus brevirostris  Some fantastic views of displaying birds [alexinae]. 

Evergreen Forest Warbler  Bradypterus lopezi  Heard only [boultoni]. 

Little Rush Warbler  Bradypterus baboecala  [benguellensis]. 

Red-faced Cisticola ◊ (Lepe C)  Cisticola [erythrops] lepe  A few seen well, many more heard.

Whistling Cisticola  Cisticola lateralis  [modestus]. 

Bubbling Cisticola ◊  Cisticola bulliens  Plenty of this localized speciality seen well [nominate].

Rock-loving Cisticola ◊ (Huambo C)  Cisticola [emini] bailunduensis  Many great looks at Mt Moco and in the Namba Mountains. Excellent song!

Tinkling Cisticola ◊  Cisticola rufilatus  A few seen well [nominate].

Grey-backed Cisticola  Cisticola subruficapilla  Seen well on the day trip from Lubango to Namibe [newtoni].

Wailing Cisticola ◊  Cisticola lais  First seen well at Tundavala [namba].

Chirping Cisticola ◊  Cisticola pipiens  A few at wetlands in the north of the country [nominate].

Stout Cisticola  Cisticola robustus  Several seen well in the dambo near to Mt Moco [angolensis].

Croaking Cisticola  Cisticola natalensis  [Huambo]. 

Short-winged Cisticola  Cisticola brachypterus  Small and plain [loanda].

Neddicky  Cisticola fulvicapilla  [dispar].

Zitting Cisticola  Cisticola juncidis  [terrestris]. 

Wing-snapping Cisticola (Ayres’s C)  Cisticola ayresii  [nominate].

Tawny-flanked Prinia  Prinia subflava  Two forms seen: graueri and bechuanae.

Black-chested Prinia ◊  Prinia flavicans  Including a breeding plumaged bird at the Tundavala Escarpment [ansorgei].

Banded Prinia  Prinia bairdii  Several of these smart birds seen well [heinrichi].

White-chinned Prinia  Schistolais leucopogon  Seen well in Damengola Forest [nominate].

Yellow-breasted Apalis  Apalis flavida  [nominate].

Lowland Masked Apalis  Apalis binotata 

Buff-throated Apalis  Apalis rufogularis  [angolensis]. 

Grey Apalis  Apalis cinerea  [grandis]. 

Brown-headed Apalis ◊  Apalis alticola  One seen in a riparian forest patch on the drive from Calandula to Uige [ansorgei].

Grey-backed Camaroptera  Camaroptera brevicaudata  Two forms seen: intercalate and sharpei. 

Hartert’s Camaroptera ◊ (Green-tailed C)  Camaroptera harterti  Several of this rather subtle species seen well.

Yellow-browed Camaroptera  Camaroptera superciliaris  Seen well in Damengola Forest, south of Quitexe.

Miombo Wren-Warbler ◊ (Pale W-W)  Calamonastes undosus  A few seen in the miombo woodlands [huilae]. 

Yellow-bellied Eremomela  Eremomela icteropygialis  Just one seen near to Benguela [puellula]. 

Salvadori’s Eremomela ◊  Eremomela salvadorii  Seen at the Tundavala Escarpment and in the miombo near Cassongue.

Green-capped Eremomela  Eremomela scotops  A smart little miombo inhabitant [pulchra].

Rufous-crowned Eremomela  Eremomela badiceps  Seen stunningly well in Tombingo Forest and in Damengola Forest, south of Quitexe [nominate].

Black-necked Eremomela ◊  Eremomela atricollis  Excellent views in the miombo near to Mt Moco.

African Hill Babbler  Sylvia abyssinica  A few seen in the mountains! [ansorgei].

Chestnut-vented Warbler ◊  Curruca subcoerulea  Seen well on the way to Namibe and near to Benguela [ansorgei].

Northern Yellow White-eye  Zosterops senegalensis  The classification of white-eye forms in Angola seems somewhat contested. Some authors claim that all forms we saw belong in Southern Yellow White-eyes. The IOC on the other hand, place two of the forms we saw, kasaicus and quanzae in this species.

Southern Yellow White-eye  Zosterops anderssoni  See above. The nominate form was seen on the day trip to Namibe.

Brown Illadopsis  Illadopsis fulvescens  Particularly good views in the forest patch south of Gabela [dilutior]. The form ugandae seen in the north.

Arrow-marked Babbler  Turdoides jardineii  Heard only [tamalakanei].

Bare-cheeked Babbler ◊  Turdoides gymnogenys  Seen in the hills inland from Namibe [nominate]. 

Hartlaub’s Babbler ◊  Turdoides hartlaubii  A few seen well [nominate].

Yellow-bellied Hyliota Hyliota flavigaster  Several seen well in various miombo patches [barbozae].

Southern Hyliota  Hyliota australis  Seen well in Kumbira Forest [inornata].

African Spotted Creeper  Salpornis salvadori  Only seen in the miombo along the road to Fazenda Vavelo [nominate].

Cape Starling (C Glossy S)  Lamprotornis nitens 

Splendid Starling (S Glossy S)  Lamprotornis splendidus  [nominate].

Meves’s Starling ◊ (Benguela S)  Lamprotornis [mevesii] benguelensis  Seen well on the way to Namibe and near to Benguela.

Sharp-tailed Starling ◊  Lamprotornis acuticaudus  Common in the miombo at Kinjila [nominate].

Violet-backed Starling  Cinnyricinclus leucogaster  Incredible colours! [verreauxi].

Chestnut-winged Starling  Onychognathus fulgidus  A few seen in the north [intermedius].

Pale-winged Starling ◊  Onychognathus nabouroup  A few seen around the southern coastal areas.

Narrow-tailed Starling  Poeoptera lugubris  Good views near to Uige and in Damengola Forest, south of Quitexe.

Yellow-billed Oxpecker  Buphagus africanus  [langi]. 

Fraser’s Rufous Thrush (R Flycatcher T) Stizorhina fraseri  Easier to hear than see [rubicunda].

Groundscraper Thrush  Turdus litsitsirupa  Seen well on the way to Namibe [pauciguttatus].

African Thrush  Turdus pelios  [bocagei]. 

Forest Scrub Robin ◊  Cercotrichas leucosticta  Many heard, best views were in what remains of Kumbira Forest [reichenowi].

Miombo Scrub Robin ◊  Cercotrichas barbata  Many great views, especially in the miombo near to Carpacata, north of Londuimbali.

Kalahari Scrub Robin ◊  Cercotrichas paena  Many seen well towards Namibe [benguellensis].

Brown-backed Scrub Robin  Cercotrichas hartlaubi  A couple seen in the open areas in Damengola Forest, south of Quitexe.

White-browed Scrub Robin (Red-backed S R)  Cercotrichas leucophrys  Two forms recorded, ovamboensis and munda.

Grey Tit-flycatcher (Lead-coloured F)  Myioparus plumbeus  [catoleucus].

Angola Slaty Flycatcher ◊  Melaenornis brunneus  Just a few seen well at Mt Moco [bailunduensis] and, surprisingly, one in the forest south of Gabela [nominate].

Southern Black Flycatcher  Melaenornis pammelaina  [diabolicus].

Pale Flycatcher  Melaenornis pallidus  [murinus].

Chat Flycatcher  Melaenornis infuscatus  Common in the southern deserts [benguellensis].

Spotted Flycatcher  Muscicapa striata  A few migrants seen.

Ashy Flycatcher  Muscicapa caerulescens  Two forms noted, brevicauda and impavida.

Dusky-blue Flycatcher  Muscicapa comitata  [nominate].

Sooty Flycatcher  Muscicapa infuscata  Very hirundine-like! [nominate].

Böhm’s Flycatcher ◊  Muscicapa boehmi  Brilliant views of three or four individuals in the miombo near to Mt Moco.

Brown-chested Alethe  Chamaetylas poliocephala  An amazingly confiding bird showed superbly in Kumbira Forest. Flicked its wings up several times in some kind of a threat display! [hallae].

White-browed Robin-Chat Cossypha heuglini  Two forms recorded, subrufescens and nominate.

Red-capped Robin-Chat  Cossypha natalensis  Two forms recorded, larischi and intensa.

White-headed Robin-Chat ◊  Cossypha heinrichi  Up to 10 of these stunners, including fledged juvs, seen well around Kinjila.

Snowy-crowned Robin-Chat  Cossypha niveicapilla  One seen in Damengola Forest, south of Quitexe[melanonota].

Angola Cave Chat ◊  Xenocopsychus ansorgei  Great views at the Tundavala Escarpment and a surprise pair at Mt Moco.

Grey-winged Robin-Chat  Sheppardia polioptera  Brilliant views of a couple at Kinjila [nominate].

Bocage’s Akalat ◊  Sheppardia bocagei  Some great looks at Mt Moco. Also, one in the Namba Mountains [nominate].

Gabela Akalat ◊  Sheppardia gabela  Endemic. Several seen brilliantly at Kumbira Forest.

Rufous-tailed Palm Thrush ◊  Cichladusa ruficauda  Many seen well.

Short-toed Rock Thrush  Monticola brevipes  Many good views around Tundavala. The white-crowned nominate form.

Miombo Rock Thrush ◊  Monticola angolensis  Seen very well around Tundavala. Smart birds [nominate].

African Stonechat  Saxicola torquatus  [stonei]. 

Karoo Chat ◊  Emarginata schlegelii  Plenty of white-rumped birds seen in the Namib Desert [benguellensis].

Tractrac Chat ◊  Emarginata tractrac  Great views of several in the Namib Desert [hoeschi].

Sooty Chat  Myrmecocichla nigra  A few seen, the first at Tundavala.

Mountain Wheatear  Myrmecocichla monticola  A few seen well in the south [albipileata]. 

Familiar Chat  Oenanthe familiaris  [angolensis].

Anchieta’s Sunbird ◊  Anthreptes anchietae  Great views of a couple of males, one in the miombo in the Cassongue area.

Mangrove Sunbird ◊  Anthreptes gabonicus  Great views of one or two in the mangroves along the Kwanza River.

Western Violet-backed Sunbird  Anthreptes longuemarei  A few in the Miombo [angolensis].

Little Green Sunbird  Anthreptes seimundi  [minor].

Grey-chinned Sunbird (Green S)  Anthreptes tephrolaemus  Several seen well in Damengola Forest, south of Quitexe.

Collared Sunbird  Hedydipna collaris  [somereni].

Green-headed Sunbird  Cyanomitra verticalis  The confusing blue-headed form, bohndorffi was seen on several occasions.

Blue-throated Brown Sunbird  Cyanomitra cyanolaema  [octaviae].

Olive Sunbird  Cyanomitra olivacea  [cephaelis].

Carmelite Sunbird ◊  Chalcomitra fuliginosa  A few seen, the first in Kumbira Forest.

Green-throated Sunbird  Chalcomitra rubescens  [nominate].

Amethyst Sunbird  Chalcomitra amethystina  [deminuta].

Scarlet-chested Sunbird  Chalcomitra senegalensis  [saturatior]. 

Bocage’s Sunbird ◊  Nectarinia bocagii  Brilliant views of a fabulous male, and a female more briefly, in the dambo near to Mt Moco.

Bronzy Sunbird (Bronze S)  Nectarinia kilimensis  The distinctive local form showed well [gadowi].

Olive-bellied Sunbird  Cinnyris chloropygius  [nominate].

Western Miombo Sunbird ◊  Cinnyris gertrudis  Great views of a couple of males in the miombo near Cassongue.

Ludwig’s Double-collared Sunbird ◊  Cinnyris ludovicensis  Plenty seen well.

Purple-banded Sunbird  Cinnyris bifasciatus  [nominate].

Orange-tufted Sunbird ◊  Cinnyris bouvieri  Great views of a lovely male, complete with purple forehead, in the open country in Damengola Forest, south of Quitexe.

Superb Sunbird  Cinnyris superbus  [nominate].

Oustalet’s Sunbird ◊  Cinnyris oustaleti  Many seen well.

White-bellied Sunbird  Cinnyris talatala 

Variable Sunbird  Cinnyris venustus  [falkensteini]. 

Copper Sunbird  Cinnyris cupreus [chalceus]. 

Yellow-throated Bush Sparrow  Gymnoris superciliaris [rufitergum]. 

Cape Sparrow ◊  Passer melanurus  Plenty seen well in the Namibe Desert [damarensis].

Northern Grey-headed Sparrow  Passer griseus  [ugandae]. 

Southern Grey-headed Sparrow  Passer diffusus [nominate].

House Sparrow  Passer domesticus  Introduced!

Red-billed Buffalo Weaver  Bubalornis niger  [nominate].

White-browed Sparrow-Weaver  Plocepasser mahali  [ansorgei]. 

Thick-billed Weaver (Grosbeak W)  Amblyospiza albifrons  [tandae]. 

Black-chinned Weaver ◊  Ploceus nigrimentus  Good views of birds attending nests at Mt Moco.

Slender-billed Weaver  Ploceus pelzelni  Three seen in Kissama National Park [monacha].

Spectacled Weaver  Ploceus ocularis  [crocatus]. 

Black-necked Weaver  Ploceus nigricollis  [nigricollis]. 

Bocage’s Weaver ◊  Ploceus temporalis  100s seen coming into roost at the bridge, north of Huambo. A surprise to see such big flocks!

Holub’s Golden Weaver  Ploceus xanthops 

Lesser Masked Weaver  Ploceus intermedius  Distinctive cinnamon-breasted birds seen around the Kwanza River [beattyi].

Southern Masked Weaver  Ploceus velatus 

Village Weaver  Ploceus cucullatus  [collaris]. 

Vieillot’s Black Weaver  Ploceus nigerrimus 

Yellow-mantled Weaver  Ploceus tricolor  Seen well in Tombingo Forest, N’dalatando and in Damengola Forest, south of Quitexe [nominate].

Dark-backed Weaver  Ploceus bicolor  [amaurocephalus]. 

Red-headed Malimbe  Malimbus rubricollis  [praedi]. 

Crested Malimbe  Malimbus malimbicus  [nominate]. 

Red-billed Quelea  Quelea quelea  [lathamii]. 

Black-winged Red Bishop  Euplectes hordeaceus  [nominate].

Golden-backed Bishop ◊  Euplectes aureus  Great views of non-breeding plumaged birds in Kissama NP. A near endemic which also occurs on Sao Tome where it was almost certainly introduced.

Yellow Bishop  Euplectes capensis  [angolensis]. 

Fan-tailed Widowbird  Euplectes axillaris  [bocagei]. 

Yellow-mantled Widowbird (Yellow-mantled W)  Euplectes [macroura] macroura 

Marsh Widowbird  Euplectes hartlaubi  Several seen in the dambos [nominate].

White-winged Widowbird  Euplectes albonotatus  [asymmetrurus]. 

Bronze Mannikin  Spermestes cucullata  [scutata]. 

Black-and-white Mannikin  Spermestes bicolor  [poensis].

White-collared Oliveback ◊  Nesocharis ansorgei  Great views of at least three along the track in Damengola Forest, south of Quitexe.

Angola Waxbill ◊  Coccopygia bocagei  Endemic. A few seen at Tundavala and at Mt Moco.

Woodhouse’s Antpecker  Parmoptila woodhousei  Non leader.

White-breasted Nigrita (W-b Negrofinch)  Nigrita fusconotus  [nominate].

Grey-headed Nigrita  Nigrita canicapillus  [angolensis].

Grey Waxbill ◊ (Black-tailed W)  Glaucestrilda perreini  Plenty seen well, especially in Kumbira Forest [nominate].

Orange-cheeked Waxbill  Estrilda melpoda 

Fawn-breasted Waxbill  Estrilda paludicola  [benguellensis]. 

Common Waxbill  Estrilda astrild 

Red-headed Finch ◊  Amadina erythrocephala  A few seen at a petrol station near to Lobito.

Orange-breasted Waxbill (Zebra W)  Amandava subflava  [clarkei]. 

Violet-eared Waxbill  Granatina granatina 

Blue Waxbill  Uraeginthus angolensis  [cyanopleurus]. 

Red-headed Bluebill ◊  Spermophaga ruficapilla  Non leader.

Black-bellied Seedcracker ◊  Pyrenestes ostrinus  One seen well in the forest patch near to Uige.

Green-winged Pytilia  Pytilia melba  [nominate].

Dusky Twinspot ◊  Euschistospiza cinereovinacea  A couple seen well at Mt Moco [nominate].

Brown Twinspot ◊  Clytospiza monteiri  Non leader.

Red-billed Firefinch  Lagonosticta senegala  Non leader.

African Firefinch (Pale-billed F, Landana F)  Lagonosticta [rubricata] landanae  A few seen well, but sadly lumped since we got back!

Jameson’s Firefinch  Lagonosticta rhodopareia  A few at Tundavala [ansorgei].

Brown Firefinch  Lagonosticta nitidula  Great views of a few at the Calongue River, north of Huambo.

Pin-tailed Whydah  Vidua macroura 

Long-tailed Paradise Whydah  Vidua paradisaea  Two non-breeding plumaged birds seen well in Kissama NP. Assumed to be this species based on the presence of Green-winged Pytilias.

Cape Wagtail  Motacilla capensis  [simplicissima]. 

African Pied Wagtail  Motacilla aguimp  [vidua]. 

Fülleborn’s Longclaw ◊  Macronyx fuelleborni  Several seen well, the first at Tundavala [ascensi].

African Pipit  Anthus cinnamomeus  [bocagii]. 

Wood Pipit ◊  Anthus nyassae  Seen well in the miombo near to Mt Moco [schoutedeni].

Buffy Pipit  Anthus vaalensis  [neumanni]. 

Plain-backed Pipit  Anthus leucophrys  [bohndorffii]. 

Long-legged Pipit ◊  Anthus pallidiventris  Seen well around the Kwanza River [nominate].

Tree Pipit  Anthus trivialis  Two at the Tundavala were a surprise [nominate].

Striped Pipit  Anthus lineiventris  Seen at Tundavala and Mt Moco.

Black-faced Canary ◊  Crithagra capistrata  Many great views. Two forms seen, nominate and hildegardae.

Black-throated Canary  Crithagra atrogularis  Two forms seen, deserti and lwenarum.

Yellow-fronted Canary  Crithagra mozambica  [tando]. 

Brimstone Canary  Crithagra sulphurata  [sharpii]. 

White-throated Canary  Crithagra albogularis  A few seen well in the deserts [crocopygia]. 

Thick-billed Seedeater  Crithagra burtoni  A couple seen on Mt Moco [tanganjicae].

Yellow-crowned Canary  Serinus flavivertex  [huillensis]. 

Lark-like Bunting ◊  Emberiza impetuani  Just a couple seen in the Namibe Desert [nominate].

Cinnamon-breasted Bunting  Emberiza tahapisi  [nivenorum]. 

Golden-breasted Bunting  Emberiza flaviventris  Just a few in the miombo.

MAMMALS

Yellow-spotted Hyrax  Heterohyrax brucei  A few seen.

Bushveld Sengi  Elephantulus intufi  I think this is the elephant shrew that we saw near to Namibe.

Common Dwarf Mongoose  Helogale parvula  Seen a couple of times.

Spotted-necked Otter (Spot-n O)  Hydrictis maculicollis  Great scope views. Quite a surprise!

Lesser Angolan Epauletted Fruit Bat  Epomophorus grandis  Non leader.

Southern Lesser Galago  Galago moholi  Seen at Kinjila.

Blue Monkey  Cercopithecus mitis  Non leader.

Malbrouck Monkey  Chlorocebus cynosures  Seen a few times.

Kinda Baboon  Papio kindae  Seen in the Namba Mountains.

African Savanna Hare  Lepus victoriae

Congo Rope Squirrel  Funisciurus congicus

Gambian Sun Squirrel  Heliosciurus gambianus

Giant Forest Squirrel  Protoxerus stangeri