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AO017
Maiombe
Location Angola, Cabinda
Central coordinates 12o 30.00' East  4o 40.00' South
IBA criteria A1, A2, A3
Area 40,000 ha
Altitude 400 m
Year of IBA assessment 2001





Ornithological information See Box and Table 3 for key species. The site has the highest number of species in Angola that are restricted to the Guinea–Congo Forests biome but, apart from 301 specimens collected in the general area during the late 1800s (Sharpe and Bouvier 1876a, 1876b, 1877, 1878) and during the late 1960s by the IICA (Pinto 1972), the avifauna is virtually unstudied. Despite this, the bird fauna is clearly species-rich, and significantly more species probably await discovery. Three species characteristic of the Zambezian biome, and one of the Afrotropical Highlands biome, also occur.

None of the Angolan endemic bird species have as yet been recorded from the area. Rare species that are likely to occur include Accipiter castanilius, Urotriorchis macrourus, Himantornis haematopus (recorded widely in dry-land rainforest in the adjacent Mayombe region in Congo by Dowsett-Lemaire et al. 1993), Bubo poensis, Bubo leucostictus, Scotopelia bouvieri, Caprimulgus nigroscapularis, Rhaphidura sabini, Neafrapus cassini, Tockus hartlaubi, Ceratogymna cylindricus, Nectarinia johannae and Anthreptes gabonicus. Ploceus subpersonatus (a globally threatened species) and Ploceus aurantius probably occur in lowland swamps along the rivers.

The Maiombe is one of the few collecting localities in Angola for Accipiter tachiro toussenelii and Anthreptes fraseri, and several of the lesser-known forest bulbuls (Calyptocichla serina, Ixonotus guttatus, Phyllastrephus icterinus, Criniger calurus, C. chloronotus and C. ndussumensis) and barbets (Gymnobucco peli and Buccanodon duchaillui) are known from the general area (Pinto 1972). Other poorly known species that have been collected in the region include Hieraaetus ayresii, Agelastes niger, Poicephalus gulielmi, Agapornis pullaria, Centropus monachus, Nectarinia bouvieri, Ploceus pelzelni, Pyrenestes ostrinus and Clytospiza monteiri.

Site description The site lies north and north-east of the town of Buco-Zau, in the Maiombe forest on the watershed of the Chiloango and Loémé rivers (Congo). No specific climatic data are available for the site, but it lies within the 1,200 mm isohyet. The moist forests in the area have a rich and robust flora, with a very high canopy (c.50 m) and poor undergrowth with very few grasses. Dominant trees are Gilletiodendron, Librevillea, Tetraberlinia and Julbernardia. There is an abundance of flowers and fruit throughout the year and frugivorous mammals and birds are common. The undergrowth has been replaced with coffee in the southern parts of the region, but current coffee production is likely to be low, and the forests are probably relatively undisturbed by people.

Populations of IBA trigger species

Species Season Period Population estimate Quality of estimate IBA Criteria IUCN Category
Hartlaub's Duck Pteronetta hartlaubii resident  1998  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
White-crested Tiger-heron Tigriornis leucolopha resident  1998  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Nkulengu Rail Himantornis haematopus resident  1998  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Blue-headed Wood-dove Turtur brehmeri resident  1998  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Grey Parrot Psittacus erithacus resident  1998  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Not Recognised 
Guinea Turaco Tauraco persa resident  1998  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Yellow-billed Turaco Tauraco macrorhynchus resident  1998  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Gabon Coucal Centropus anselli resident  1998  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Blue-throated Roller Eurystomus gularis resident  1998  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Chocolate-backed Kingfisher Halcyon badia resident  1998  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Black Bee-eater Merops gularis resident  1998  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Black-headed Bee-eater Merops breweri resident  1998  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Rosy Bee-eater Merops malimbicus breeding  1998  unknown [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Red-billed Dwarf Hornbill Tockus camurus resident  1998  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
African Pied Hornbill Tockus fasciatus resident  1998  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
White-crested Hornbill Tropicranus albocristatus resident  1998  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Piping Hornbill Bycanistes fistulator resident  1998  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Black-casqued Hornbill Ceratogymna atrata resident  1998  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Naked-faced Barbet Gymnobucco calvus resident  1998  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Bristle-nosed Barbet Gymnobucco peli resident  1998  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Speckled Tinkerbird Pogoniulus scolopaceus resident  1998  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Red-rumped Tinkerbird Pogoniulus atroflavus resident  1998  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Yellow-throated Tinkerbird Pogoniulus subsulphureus resident  1998  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Yellow-spotted Barbet Buccanodon duchaillui resident  1998  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Hairy-breasted Barbet Tricholaema hirsuta resident  1998  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Black-backed Barbet Lybius minor resident  1998  unknown [units unknown]  -    Least Concern 
Yellow-billed Barbet Trachyphonus purpuratus resident  1998  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Spotted Honeyguide Indicator maculatus resident  1998  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Lyre-tailed Honeyguide Melichneutes robustus resident  1998  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Buff-spotted Woodpecker Campethera nivosa resident  1998  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Brown-eared Woodpecker Campethera caroli resident  1998  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Gabon Woodpecker Dendropicos gabonensis resident  1998  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Golden-crowned Woodpecker Thripias xantholophus resident  1998  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Chestnut Wattle-eye Platysteira castanea resident  1998  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Large-billed Puffback Dryoscopus sabini resident  1998  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Sooty Boubou Laniarius leucorhynchus resident  1998  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Blue Cuckooshrike Coracina azurea resident  1998  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Petit's Cuckooshrike Campephaga petiti resident  1998  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Black-winged Oriole Oriolus nigripennis resident  1998  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Blue-headed Crested-flycatcher Trochocercus nitens resident  1998  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Black-headed Paradise-flycatcher Terpsiphone rufiventer resident  1998  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Rufous-vented Paradise-flycatcher Terpsiphone rufocinerea resident  1998  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Chestnut-capped Flycatcher Erythrocercus mccallii resident  1998  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Square-tailed Saw-wing Psalidoprocne nitens resident  1998  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
White-throated Blue Swallow Hirundo nigrita resident  1998  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Red-throated Swallow Hirundo rufigula resident  1998  unknown [units unknown]  -    Least Concern 
Chattering Cisticola Cisticola anonymus resident  1998  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Bubbling Cisticola Cisticola bulliens resident  1998  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Yellow-browed Camaroptera Camaroptera superciliaris resident  1998  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Grey Greenbul Andropadus gracilis resident  1998  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Plain Greenbul Andropadus curvirostris resident  1998  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Golden Greenbul Calyptocichla serina resident  1998  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Honeyguide Greenbul Baeopogon indicator resident  1998  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Simple Greenbul Chlorocichla simplex resident  1998  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Yellow-necked Greenbul Chlorocichla falkensteini resident  1998  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Swamp Greenbul Thescelocichla leucopleura resident  1998  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Pale-olive Greenbul Phyllastrephus fulviventris resident  1998  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Icterine Greenbul Phyllastrephus icterinus resident  1998  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Common Bristlebill Bleda syndactylus resident  1998  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Lesser Bristlebill Bleda notatus resident  1998  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Red-tailed Bulbul Criniger calurus resident  1998  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Yellow-spotted Nicator Nicator chloris resident  1998  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Yellow-throated Nicator Nicator vireo resident  1998  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Yellow Longbill Macrosphenus flavicans resident  1998  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Green Hylia Hylia prasina resident  1998  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Rufous-crowned Eremomela Eremomela badiceps resident  1998  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Green Crombec Sylvietta virens resident  1998  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Red-capped Crombec Sylvietta ruficapilla resident  1998  unknown [units unknown]  -    Least Concern 
Brown Illadopsis Illadopsis fulvescens resident  1998  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Purple-headed Glossy-starling Lamprotornis purpureiceps resident  1998  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Chestnut-winged Starling Onychognathus fulgidus resident  1998  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Narrow-tailed Starling Poeoptera lugubris resident  1998  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Rufous Flycatcher-thrush Stizorhina fraseri resident  1998  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
African Forest Flycatcher Fraseria ocreata resident  1998  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
White-browed Forest Flycatcher Fraseria cinerascens resident  1998  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Sooty Flycatcher Muscicapa infuscata resident  1998  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Dusky-blue Flycatcher Muscicapa comitata resident  1998  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Cassin's Grey Flycatcher Muscicapa cassini resident  1998  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Scarlet-tufted Sunbird Anthreptes fraseri resident  1998  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Green Sunbird Anthreptes rectirostris resident  1998  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Little Green Sunbird Nectarinia seimundi resident  1998  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Bates's Sunbird Nectarinia batesi resident  1998  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Reichenbach's Sunbird Nectarinia reichenbachii resident  1998  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Blue-throated Brown Sunbird Nectarinia cyanolaema resident  1998  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Carmelite Sunbird Nectarinia fuliginosa resident  1998  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Green-throated Sunbird Nectarinia rubescens resident  1998  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Superb Sunbird Nectarinia superba resident  1998  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Loango Weaver Ploceus subpersonatus resident  1998  unknown [units unknown]  -  A1, A2, A3  Vulnerable 
Orange Weaver Ploceus aurantius resident  1998  unknown [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Vieillot's Black Weaver Ploceus nigerrimus resident  1998  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Gray's Malimbe Malimbus nitens resident  1998  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Crested Malimbe Malimbus malimbicus resident  1998  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Red-headed Malimbe Malimbus rubricollis resident  1998  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
White-breasted Negrofinch Nigrita fusconotus resident  1998  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Chestnut-breasted Negrofinch Nigrita bicolor resident  1998  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Pale-fronted Negrofinch Nigrita luteifrons resident  1998  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Western Bluebill Spermophaga haematina resident  1998  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Pale-billed Firefinch Lagonosticta landanae resident  1998  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Swee Waxbill Estrilda melanotis resident  1998  -  -    Least Concern 
Long-legged Pipit Anthus pallidiventris resident  1998  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 

Land use

Land-use Extent (% of site)
agriculture -
forestry -
hunting -
other -
Notes: Collection of young parrots Psittacus erithacus for trade.

Other biodiversity The forest generally lacks grazing antelope, but browsers such as Hyemoschus aquaticus (DD), Cephalophus sylvicultor (LR/nt), C. nigrifrons (LR/nt) and C. dorsalis (LR/nt) occur. The primates include Gorilla gorilla (EN) and Pan troglodytes (EN).

Management considerations A protected area was proposed by Huntley (1974b), but was not established (Huntley and Matos 1994). Selective logging of timber trees (Entandophragma, Chlorocelsa) and clearing of forest patches for subsistence agriculture seem to be the major threats to the habitat at present. Threats to the birds include hunting with dogs and the collection of youngPsittacus erithacus for the pet trade.

References Huntley (1974b), Huntley and Matos (1994), Pinto (1972).

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Recommended citation  BirdLife International (2013) Important Bird Areas factsheet: Maiombe. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 25/05/2013

To provide new information to update this factsheet or to correct any errors, please email BirdLife