Ardea
Official journal of the Netherlands Ornithologists' Union

login


[close window] [previous abstract] [next abstract]

Altenburg W. & Van Spanje T. (1989) Utilization of mangroves by birds in Guinea-Bissau. ARDEA 77 (1): 57-74
According to observations in Guinea-Bissau (Dec. 1986 - Feb. 1987) and elsewhere in the tropics, bird life in mangrove swamps is largely restricted to insectivorous, piscivorous and crab-eating species. In the mangroves of Guinea-Bissau few species occurred in significant numbers. For a small number of palearctic migrants the West African mangroves may be very important as a wintering area, in particular for the Whimbrel, Reed warbler and Melodious warbler. Mangroves are much less affected by drought than other Sahelian habitats. This may explain why both the Reed warbler and the Melodious warbler show no decline in West European breeding areas. Mangrove swamps are essential for the productivity of mudflats and shallow coastal waters and thus for birds depending on these habitats. In the coastal zone of Guinea-Bissau at least palearctic waders, Gull-billed Tern and Osprey occur in internationally important numbers. These swamps have an imortant function as relatively safe high tide roost for hundreds of thousands of waders and for important numbers of large wading birds it is a breeding place, night roost and high tide roost.


[close window] [previous abstract] [next abstract]