There are many birds to see and learn about when traveling in the Central African Republic. In this article, I will focus on the Ostrich, Black-necked Weaver, Village Weaver, Little Grey Flycatcher, and Golden-rumped Warbler.
I also give a brief history of each. Then, you can choose from among the many birding activities available in the country. Read on to learn more about the birds you’ll see!
What will I learn?
Ostrich
The common ostrich’s adaptive thermoregulation is highly advanced. It regulates its body temperature by selectively raising its feathers to increase the air space near the skin.
The ostrich’s ophthalmic rete (along the side of the head, analogous to the carotid artery of mammals) facilitates heat transfer from the arterial blood to the venous blood through evaporative surfaces on the head.
Ostrich populations in the Rio de Oro region once separated into different subspecies, but their characteristics are quite similar. Both species possessed the teardrop-shaped pores on their eggshell, and both were considered separate subspecies.
Ostrich populations in these areas are thought to have become extinct by the end of the 20th century. The species is now managed in the Central African Republic under the name Levaillant’s ostrich.
The ostrich’s internal solutes consist of sodium, potassium, chloride, and total short-chain fatty acids. The caecum contains a large amount of water, and the GFR rate of the ostrich drops rapidly to 25% of its hydrated rate 48 hours after dehydration. The common ostrich secretes tiny amounts of urine, which is subsequently re-expelled through the blood.
The common ostrich’s lungs resemble those of other avian species, though their structure is still primitive. The trachea extends from the larynx to the syrinx.
The trachea divides into two primary bronchi, and ten air sacs attach to each of them separately. A common ostrich can withstand high levels of pressure without any difficulty.
Here is the Video About: Wildlife of the Central African Republic
Read More: Birds of Cameroon: The Beauty of Nature
Black-necked Weaver
The Black-necked Weaver is a species of bird native to tropical Africa. It measures about 16 cm in length and is distinguished by its strong conical bill.
Its plumage is olive-brown with a black eyemask and bib. The male is a shy bird that lives in forests and forms hanging nests. It is rarely caught. The bird’s calls are characteristic of a songbird of the region.
Both sexes of this bird are visually similar. The female is more colorful, with yellowish underparts and a black throat. The male is also similar to the female but is larger than the female.
The male is a black-headed weaver, which should be called Ploceus melanocephalus. It is often mistaken for the Baya Weaver, with a bright yellow crown and breast, a blackish-brown mask, and a cream buff belly.
The Sao Tome Weaver is an endemic species of Central Africa, and is found in moist montane forests and subtropical lowlands. It is also found in eastern Gabon, and in the Bateke Plateau in the Republic of the Congo. A similar species, the Brown-capped Weaver, is found in the countries of Burundi, Congo, Tanzania, and Zambia.
Village Weaver
The Village Weaver is a species of tree that nests along rivers. It is not found in arid habitats, and is therefore a good candidate for conservation in this region.
It has a strikingly black hood with a broad chestnut patch across the nape, and a striped hood, but otherwise is a rather unremarkable bird. The Village Weaver is one of the few birds that live throughout the entire Central African Republic.
The Village Weaver is the most common of these African birds, with a distribution of about 30 percent of its range. Its plumage varies widely, and it is distinguished by its long, pointed bill.
The male is brownish and streaked, with a yellow head and lower-belly. Females are olive-yellow with brown eyes.
Adam Riley’s photograph of the Village Weaver in Ghana captures the uniqueness of this bird, and the coloration of both the male and female is quite striking.
This species’ nesting and breeding behaviour is similar to the behaviour observed in Los Angeles and in the Central African Republic. Both fields and labs report similar patterns of behavior.
Observations in the field and in the laboratory were made from colour-banded birds. Motion-picture observations were collected at different times during breeding season to identify differences in egg rejection.
The results indicate that the Village Weaverbird has an excellent ability to adapt to its environment and is able to breed effectively.
Suggested Reading: Birds of Cabo Verde: A Stunning Natural History
Little Grey Flycatcher
The Little Grey Flycatcher, also called the Alseonax duskyianus, is a species of small flycatcher native to Africa.
It is a common resident of the forests of Cameroon, the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and the Ivory Coast. It can also be found in the forests of Ghana and Guinea.
Its habitat is subtropical or tropical lowland, and its breeding range is limited to the central African region.
The Bias musicus, a small bird found in forests throughout the country, is resident in the forested areas of Senegambia, Sierra Leone, and S Cameroon.
It is also found in nearby countries like Ghana, Benin, and Nigeria. The Little Grey Flycatcher of Central African Republic is a beautiful and colorful addition to any birdwatching trip.
It is the most commonly seen bird in the country, so don’t miss the opportunity to see one in person!
Other endemic species of the Central African Republic include the Cameroon Olive Pigeon and the Mountain Saw-wing. The Yellow-breasted Boubou and the Mountain Robin Chat are also found here.
If you have a chance to see them, take them for a walk! They make great gifts. A Little Grey Flycatcher can be your best friend! But remember – don’t forget to bring your camera, and you might even spot a little red-faced flycatcher!
Spotted Thick-knee
The Spotted Thick-kne, or Oedicnemus capensis, is a medium to large wader that is hard to spot because of its cryptic plumage.
It breeds in rivers and semi-arid grassland in central sub-Saharan Africa. Spotted Thick-knees are found in all seasons and both sexes look alike.
Listed as endangered by the IUCN Red List, this species is critically endangered in the Central African Republic. It is a medium-sized wading bird found in tropical habitats.
It is speckled sandy brown with white undersides and feeds mainly on invertebrates and insects. It breeds throughout the region. It can be found in both the dry and wet tropical regions of the region.
The spotted thick-knee bird is also known as a Cape Thick-knee, the Cape Thick-knee, and the spotted dikkop. They live in swamps and marshes and are excellent flyers. The Spotted Thick-knee is found throughout the country and is an important part of the local eco-system.
Trending Article: Birds of Burundi: A Rich & Diverse Birding Experience
Niam-Niam parrot
The Niam-Niam parrot of the Central African Republic is one of the most endangered birds in the world. Its range is mostly in the forests and plateau savanna of Central Africa.
Its morphology is similar to other Parrots of Poicephalus, which means that it prefers trees for nesting and resting. Niam-Niam parrots have a life span of twenty to thirty years in the wild, but are still very sought after by collectors.
The Niam-Niam parrot is endemic to Central Africa and is found in the forests and woodlands of eastern Cameroon, the CAR, Chad, and southwest Sudan.
It is not known to breed in captivity, but is an endemic bird in its native habitat. It has a range of about a thousand square kilometers, covering parts of the Central African Republic, Chad, and southwest Sudan.
Sharpe’s first record of the Niam-Niam parrot of the Central African Republic states that it was from “Niam-Niam Country” in the nineteenth century.
This term was offensive because it suggested certain habits among the local people, including cannibalism, and the parrot was given this name for the same reason.
In addition to being named after an offensive word, the Niam-Niam parrot was originally part of F. Bohndorff’s collection of African birds.
- Anjouan Sunbird and Other Birds of Comoros - July 23, 2022
- Check List For Birds of Iraq - June 29, 2022
- Birds of the Channel Islands: The Beauty of Nature - June 29, 2022