The first bird guide to be published in both Portuguese and English, Birds of Sao Tome & Principe describes 95 different species of birds, some of which are endemic to the island.
Others are representatives of important nonbreeding groups or straglers, and have been included to call attention to their occurrence or lack of studies.
The book is divided into six parts: Beaches, Volcanic hills, endemic birds, and a chapter on sea turtles.
What will I learn?
Endemic Species
There are several endemic species of birds on Sao Tome and Principe. These islands have not been connected to the mainland for hundreds of years, and have developed independently from each other, creating a high degree of endemism.
The endemic bird population includes the African Scops Owl sub-species, dwarf olive ibis, and the Sao Tome fiscal shrike.
In the 1950s, four of the five endemic bird species of Sao Tome and Principe were thought to be extinct. This resulted in many people believing that the bird population had vanished forever.
The Sao Tome Grosbeak, the Island Bronze-naped Pigeon, and the Sao Tome Short-tailed Parrot were all thought to be extinct until recent efforts by scientists and conservationists to document their numbers have helped the endemic bird population on the island.
Because Sao Tome and Principe are located on the crossroads of the Portuguese trade routes, a wide variety of exotic species has been introduced into the island’s forests.
Although the introduction of these species has received relatively little attention, they pose a long-term threat to the endemic species of Sao Tome and Principe by disrupting forest ecological networks.
The IICT collection of endemic birds includes 19 of the 27 endemic bird species, plus three additional endemic species shared with the Annobon Island.
This collection also includes 13 of the fourteen subspecies of Sao Tome & Principe birds, with the exception of one specimen that is missing any island information. A list of the endemic bird species in Sao Tome & Principe is available online.
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Beaches
If you’re looking for a getaway in Africa, consider the beautiful island nation of So Tome and Prncipe. This island nation sits close to the equator and is part of a volcanic chain.
The island features the Lagoa Azul lagoon, and is home to the bo Natural Park, a biodiverse rainforest preserve that is notable for the Pico Co Grande mountain.
For a change of pace from the beach, you can head up to the nearby towns of Santo Amaro, Bela Vista, and Neves.
You can also find a national park on the island that covers 230 square kilometers, featuring salt-washed mangroves on the coast and virgin Atlantic rainforests in the highlands. While these aren’t the only beaches in the area, they’re definitely worth a look.
Banana Beach is probably the most famous beach in Sao Tome and Principe, and it was featured in a Bacardi advert from the 90s.
If you’ve never visited the island, be sure to see it! Banana is accessible by foot or by car, and you can even take a tour to the beach. Just make sure to bring along your swimsuit, though.
The long, sandy beaches of Sao Tome & Principe are some of the most beautiful in the world. With leaning coconut palms, you’ll find plenty of sunbathing, and snorkeling.
You can even witness a turtle hatching in one of the islands. Beaches of Sao Tome & Principe, the Pacific islands of the West Indies, are a must-visit destination.
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Sea Turtles
There are many reasons to visit Sao Tome and Principe. For starters, there are many opportunities to observe sea turtles in their natural habitat.
A study published in Birdlife International’s Study Report Number 56 has documented more than 400 nesting reports of olive ridley sea turtles.
Other sea turtle populations are present in the surrounding area, and the conservation efforts are concentrated in Praia Micolo and Praia Melao.
However, Sao Tome & Principe has no national laws to protect sea turtles. As a result, the conservation efforts of the country have been limited.
The Sao Tomeans aren’t responsible for the endangered status of sea turtles, but they do have a vestige role in their cuisine. Fortunately, tourism is helping to change this. Listed below are some of the benefits of visiting Sao Tome & Principe:
The Democratic Republic of Sao Tome & Principe is comprised of two oceanic islands. The Sao Tome Island is located in the Gulf of Guinea, about two hundred kilometers off the coast of Central Africa.
The islands have a population of about 179,000. During the summer months, humpback whales migrate to the island’s Roca Belo Monte. The island is also the home of sea turtles, which have been visiting the area for millions of years.
Volcanic hills
The islands of Sao Tome & Princpe are the smallest countries in Africa and are located in the Atlantic Ocean, over 200km off the coast of Gabon. Their land mass and terrain are made up of volcanoes that were once part of a chain of ocean volcanoes.
The high points of Sao Tome include the Pico de Sao Tome at 6,640 feet (2,024 m) and Pico Kabumbe at 4,630 feet (1,403).
In fact, the islands are mountainous and contain 10 peaks with elevations over 3,500 feet (1,067 m). The highest point on Principe is Pico de Principe at 3,109 feet (948 m) – a small mountain in the midst of a tangle of rainforest.
To experience the Lost World atmosphere of Sao Tome, don’t miss the Boca de Inferno. This coastal blowhole, carved into the rock, is home to a salty sea.
The sultry white-caps of the beach are made all the more dramatic by the water flowing up from a subterranean cave. A short drive from the capital, Boca de Inferno is a must-see attraction. You can also take a ride to the top of a volcano, where lava flows into a crater.
While comparing these islands to Jurassic Park, they share many characteristics. They have tropical climates, but the climate varies according to altitude.
The tropical areas are 81degF while the mountain regions are slightly cooler, at 68degF. The climate is also distinguished by seasons.
The northern region gets 40 to 60 inches of rain per year while the southern region gets 150 to 200 inches. However, there are no dinosaurs on the islands, but the landscapes and wildlife in Sao Tome & Principe are very different.
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Endangered Species
The bird conservation fund in Sao Tome e Principe, Africa, is supporting an expedition by Barbara Freitas to survey the island’s rarest and most vulnerable bird species, the Principe Scops-owl.
The team will install passive acoustic monitoring equipment and train local park rangers and non-profits to use the equipment. They will also conduct two workshops in the region to provide information on bird population trends and management.
The avifauna of Sao Tome e Principe is an exceptional and globally important biodiversity hotspot. It has more than one hundred and fifty species, of which 25 are endemic and four were accidentally introduced.
Despite their great variety, the birds of Sao Tome & Principe are particularly vulnerable to human-caused habitat degradation and loss of vegetation.
These islands are oceanic. Their forests contain high concentrations of rare and unique species. They are often referred to as the Galapagos of Africa.
In fact, Sao Tome and Principe are home to twenty-seven endemic species, including seven vultures, which are also considered vulnerable. The islands are also home to a number of endemic plants and insects, including the golden-breasted tiger tortoise and the striped tiger.
The IICT has an impressive collection of bird specimens, which includes 19 of the country’s 27 endemic species, one shared with Annobon Island, and thirteen of fourteen endemic subspecies.
The collection of bird specimens in the region is comprehensive and follows the IOC Bird List v6.1. This collection of specimens has been collected between 1946 and 1973.
Here is the Video About: Birds of Sao Tome & Principe
Birding in Sao Tome & Principe
The Democratic Republic of Sao Tome & Principe is a series of oceanic islands and islets located about 200 km north-east of Gabon in the Gulf of Guinea in West Africa.
The islands are home to 25 species of endemic birds, while four species are introduced from other parts of the world. Some of the endemic species are extremely rare or accidental. You can combine a trip to this enchanting country with other birding excursions in the region.
A bird guide to the islands of Sao Tome & Principe provides the most current information about the country’s birds. The comprehensive and illustrative listings include scientific names and local names.
In addition to the scientific names, bird checklists also include information on breeding patterns, genetics, and other traits. This information can help you plan a successful trip to this beautiful, tropical island.
The island’s peak is also a popular destination for birders. From here, hikers can spot the endemic Ascension Frigatebird and other rare species.
From there, you can join a day tour from the Miramar Hotel. However, be sure to note that rain can halt your day. The country’s two flights from Equatorial Airlines operate only twice a week, which limits your options.
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