Edinburgh Napier University

  A preliminary assessment of the forest birds in four Tanzanian coastal forests (Kiono, Pande, Kisiju and Kiwengoma) is presented. Up to 51 species of forest bird were recorded from a single forest, with diversity declining in a sequence: Kiono; Kiwengoma, Pande; Kisiju. The threatened species, Sokoke Pipit Anthus sokokensis, was recorded in Kiono and the nearthreatened species, Southern Banded Snake Eagle Circaetus fasciolatus in Kiono, Kiwengoma and Pande, Plain-backed Sunbird Anthreptes reichenowi in Kiono and Pande, and Uluguru Violet-backed Sunbird Anthreptes neglectus in Kiono and Kiwengoma. Moreover, the candidate Red Data Book species Tiny Greenbul Phyllastrephus debilis and Chestnut-fronted Helmet-shrike Prionops scopifrons were recorded in Kiono, Pande and Kiwengoma, Kretschmer's Longbill Macrosphenus kretschmeri was recorded in Kiono and Kiwengoma, and Little Yellow Flycatcher Erythrocercus holochlorus and Green Tinkerbird Pogoniulus simplex were recorded in Kiono and Pande. On the basis of these preliminary data, Kiono appears to support the largest number of scarce species.
All four forests visited are relatively small and are suffering increasing damage from both agricultural clearance and logging. Attention is drawn to the need for urgent action to conserve these particular coastal forests and to identify all others remaining.