s BENIN - BirdLife International

■ BENIN 

R. A. CHEKE 

GENERAL INTRODUCTION 

The Republic of Benin is a narrow country of 112,620 km², bounded 

to the west by Togo, to the north by Burkina Faso and Niger and 

to the east by Nigeria. The territory stretches 700 km northwards 

inland from the Bight of Benin on the Atlantic coast of West Africa 

at 06°15’N, to the Niger river, which forms Benin’s border with the 

Republic of Niger from 11°40’ to 12°23’N. The country’s maximum 

width is 330 km, between 00°45’ and 03°50’E, while the coastline 

between Togo and Nigeria is only 125 km. 

Despite its small size Benin has a diversity of habitats. There is 

a coconut-palm-lined coastal strip and a coastal plain of sandy soils 

with marshes, lagoons, mangroves and freshwater lakes. These 

include the important Lake Nokoué lying to the north of the 

economic capital, Cotonou, and to the west of the administrative 

capital, Porto-Novo. Inland from the coast, the land gradually 

increases in elevation to about 250 m, forming a plateau which 

stretches over much of the country, with a few scattered hills and 

rocky outcrops. The main topographical feature is the ridge 

known as the Atacora Chain which runs through the north-west of 

the country starting, at its south-western end, at the border 

with Togo, near Natitingou. Elevations here reach 640 m but 

descend to 150 m along the Pendjari river in the north-west which, 

for part of its length, forms the border with Burkina Faso, and 

down to about 170 m along the edge of the Niger river in the northeast. 

Forest is restricted to a few isolated patches in the southern part 

of the country, mainly in the south-east close to Nigeria, apart from 

some isolates elsewhere such as the Lama forest and gallery strips 

along riverbanks. Only 410 km² of forest remained in 1985, with a 

further 77.5 km² of industrial plantation forest. The lack of forest 

throughout most of Benin and central and northern Togo accounts 

for the zoogeographically interesting Togo-Benin (or Dahomey) 

Gap. This gap of mostly savanna vegetation lies between the forest 

block stretching eastwards from Nigeria and the Upper Guinea 

forests found from Ghana westwards. Thus, Togo and Benin have 

Important Bird Areas in Africa and associated islands – Benin 

Brown-rumped Bunting Emberiza affinis. (ILLUSTRATION: NIK BORROW) 

an impoverished forest fauna, including birds, compared with 

Ghana and Nigeria. However, the extensive savanna vegetation 

remaining in Benin is probably in better condition for conservation 

purposes than savanna in either of these countries or in Togo. There 

is some Sudan savanna in the north and there are extensive tracts 

of both Northern and Southern Guinea savanna; cultivation is 

intense but, nevertheless, substantial areas (24.2% of the country) 

have been set aside in reserves. 

One major river, the Ouémé, flows through the country from 

about 10°N to drain into Lake Nokoué. The Ouémé system includes 

many substantial rivers, including the Okpara river which forms 

the border with Nigeria for part of its length. In addition, the Mono 

system, which forms the border with Togo in the south-western 

corner of Benin, drains through southern Guinea savanna and 

derived savanna to reach the sea, creating a number of important 

wetlands as it does so. 

The pattern of the seasons is typical for West Africa and is 

determined by the movements of the Inter-tropical Convergence 

Zone (ITCZ), bringing rain between April and October. During 

Table 1. Summary of Important Bird Areas 6 IBAs covering 

in Benin. 14,900 km 2 

Criteria (see p.11; 

for A3 codes, 

see Table 2) 

IBA Administrative A1 A3 A4i 

code Site name region A04 A05 

BJ001 W du Bénin National Park Borgou ✔ 

BJ002 Pendjari National Park Atacora ✔ 

BJ003 Ouémé river basin Borgou ✔ ✔ 

BJ004 Lake Nokoué Atlantique, Ouémé ✔ ✔ 

BJ005 Lake Ahémé and Aho complex Atlantique, Mono ✔ ✔ 

BJ006 Lama forest Zou ✔ 

Total number of IBAs qualifying: 1 3 3 2 

93

94 

Map 1. Location and size of Important Bird Areas in Benin. 

BURKINA FASO 

0 75 

150 

TOGO 

km 

2 

the dry months, the Harmattan wind blows from the north, bringing 

hot, dry air almost to the coast. 

Much of the country, especially the coastal area, is densely 

populated (400 people/km² in parts of the south) but the north is 

only sparsely inhabited (up to 12 people/km²), with the country as 

a whole having 51 people/km². Administratively, the country is 

divided into 12 Départements and 77 Sous-préfectures. The 

population is increasing at 3% per annum and in 1992 numbered 

4,915,555, increasing to 5,786,000 by 1997. Staple foods include 

yams, cassava, beans, groundnuts, maize, sorghum, millet and rice. 

Much cotton is grown and there are some sugar plantations while 

coconuts and oil palms are cultivated on the coastal plain. Small 

quantities of coffee, cocoa and tobacco are also grown. Small 

ruminants and pigs are plentiful and there is some pastoralism with 

nomadic livestock in the north. 

ORNITHOLOGICAL IMPORTANCE 

5 

6 

There is, as yet, no definitive list of the birds of Benin, although a 

provisional one was published by Dowsett (1993) and another is in 

preparation by P. M. Claffey. Dowsett’s list rejected some 

apparently legitimate records and has been supplemented by more 

recent publications and unpublished data for the compilation of 

this account. Although it is a small country, and poorly studied 

ornithologically, at least 527 species of birds have been recorded. 

Four species of global conservation concern have been recorded, 

none of which is resident. Three, Circus macrourus (NT), Falco 

naumanni (VU) and Gallinago media (NT), are rare to uncommon 


4 

3 

BIGHT OF BENIN 

1 

NIGER 

NIGERIA 

Area of IBA (ha) 

100,000 to 999,999 

50,000 to 99,999 

10,000 to 49,999 

migrants from the Palearctic, while the fourth, Sterna balaenarum 

(NT), is a non-breeding visitor to the Benin coast from southern 

Africa. No species of restricted range have been recorded. 

Parts of two biomes occur in Benin. Almost all the country falls 

within the Sudan–Guinea Savanna biome (A04) and 34 species 

restricted to it have been recorded nationally. Small outliers, 

however, of the Guinea–Congo Forests biome (A05) are found in 

places, and 59 species of this biome are, so far, known to occur in 

the country. There are several wetlands important for waterbirds, 

mainly in coastal areas where several lakes are of significance for, 

in particular, migrant terns, e.g. Chlidonias niger. 

CONSERVATION INFRASTRUCTURE AND 

PROTECTED-AREA SYSTEM 

The first legislation covering protected zones was a French colonial 

decree of 1925, followed by forestry regulations defined by Decree 

no. 1704 AP of 1935 and Decree no. 1107/EFC of 1943, which 

provided for the establishment of classified forests and faunal 

reserves. These decrees were followed by Law no. 87-012 of 1987 

and Decree no. 89-385 of 1989. The bodies responsible for the 

administration of wildlife and environmental protection are the 

Direction des Forêts et des Ressources Naturelles (DFRN) 

(Department of Forests and Natural Resources), established in 1992 

by Decree no. 0020/MDR/DC/CC/CP, and the Centre National de 

Gestion des Réserves de Faune (CENAGREF) (National Centre 

for Wildlife Reserves Management), created in 1996 by Decree 

no. 96-73. The national legislative framework currently recognizes 

the following categories of protected area: 

• 

• 

• 

• 

Parc national—There are two National Parks covering 

843,500 ha, both well protected by legislation. The parks were 

created by Decree no. 009/SET of 1954 and supported by 

Ordinance no. 710141 of 1971, superseded by Law no. 87-014 

of 1987. 

Forêt classée—There are or were 45 Forest Reserves covering a 

total of 1,373,707 ha. Few Forest Reserves receive adequate 

protection and, currently, only 31 are believed extant. 

Zone de reboisement—There are seven Reforestation Zones, 

covering 2,567 ha. 

Zone cynégétique—Three Hunting Zones are currently 

recognized, totalling 510,00 ha. The regulation of hunting in 

sport hunting zones is covered by Decree no. 90-366, relating to 

the application of Law no. 87-014 concerning nature protection 

and hunting. 

INTERNATIONAL MEASURES RELEVANT TO THE 

CONSERVATION OF SITES 

Benin has ratified the Convention on Biological Diversity, the 

Ramsar Convention, the Convention on Migratory Species 

(including the African–Eurasian Waterbird Agreement), CITES, 

the World Heritage Convention, the Convention to Combat 

Desertification and the Convention on Climate Change. Benin also 

participates in UNESCO’s Man and Biosphere (MAB) programme, 

under which one site, the Boucle de la Pendjari National Park 

(275,500 ha), together with the Pendjari (200,000 ha) and Atakora 

(175,000 ha) Hunting Zones, has been declared a Biosphere Reserve. 

Regionally, Benin has also ratified the African Convention on the 

Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources. 

OVERVIEW OF THE INVENTORY 

This inventory identifies six Important Bird Areas (IBAs), covering 

14,900 km² or 13.2% of the land area of the country (Map 1, 

Table 1); all are protected to some degree. Most of the important 

habitat-types in Benin are included. All species of global 

conservation concern that are known from the country have been 

recorded at one or more of the sites, but only Sterna balaenarum is 

thought to occur in numbers sufficient to justify selection under 

the A1 criterion (Table 1). 

The sites include 29 of the 34 species of the Sudan–Guinea 

Savanna biome (A04) that are known from Benin and 47 of the

59 species of the Guinea–Congo Forests biome (A05) (Table 2). 

Most of Benin’s Guinea–Congo Forests biome species that are not 

included in the IBAs designated here were recorded by Brunel (1958) 

from Pobè forest, near the Nigerian border at 07°00’N 02°42’E; 

these records are supplemented by unpublished data from M. van 

den Akker. Pobè is a small forest remnant (150 ha) that includes 

35 ha reforested in 2000. It descends from a dry plateau to a lower 

more humid valley with its own water source forming a small stream. 

The forest belongs to an agricultural research station specializing 

in oil palms. Its vegetation includes Terminalia superba, Triplochiton 

scleroxylon, Chlorophora excelsa, Antiaris africana, Holoptelea 


grandis and Piptadeniastrum africanum. This is an unprotected site, 

which has been recommended for reserve status. It is known to 

have suffered from poaching, timber clearance and conversion to 

exotic plantations, so further work is needed to determine whether 

it merits IBA status. 

The same applies to the equally small Niaouli forest (06°44’N 

02°09’E), which is in two distinct parts, the dry Plateau (90 ha plus 

20 ha reforestation) and the lower-lying Bas-fonds (25 ha plus 10 ha 

reforestation), where several springs form a small stream. Trees 

there include Musanga cecropioides, Ceiba pentandra, Antiaris 

toxicaria and Triplochiton scleroxylon, and Niaouli is one of the 

Table 2. The occurrence of biome-restricted species at Important Bird Areas in Benin. Sites that meet the A3 criterion are highlighted 

in bold. 

A04 – Sudan–Guinea Savanna biome (34 species in Benin; three sites meet the A3 criterion) 

IBA code: 001 002 003 004 005 006 

Falco alopex ✔ 

Poicephalus senegalus ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ 

Musophaga violacea ✔ ✔ ✔ 

Merops bulocki ✔ ✔ ✔ 

Coracias cyanogaster ✔ ✔ ✔ 

Lybius dubius ✔ ✔ ✔ 

Galerida modesta 

Hirundo leucosoma ✔ ✔ 

Corvinella corvina ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ 

Cossypha albicapilla ✔ ✔ 

Myrmecocichla albifrons ✔ 

Turdoides reinwardtii ✔ ✔ 

Cisticola ruficeps 

Hypergerus atriceps ✔ 

Eremomela pusilla ✔ ✔ 

Anthoscopus parvulus ✔ 

Nectarinia coccinigaster ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ 

Emberiza affinis 

A05 – Guinea–Congo Forests biome (59 species in Benin; three sites meet the A3 criterion) 

IBA code: 002 003 004 006 IBA No: 002 003 004 006 

Tigriornis leucolophus ✔ 

Accipiter erythropus ✔ ✔ 

Urotriorchis macrourus 

Francolinus ahantensis ✔ ✔ 

Sarothrura pulchra ✔ 

Columba iriditorques ✔ 

Psittacus erithacus 

Tauraco persa ✔ ✔ 

Merops malimbicus ✔ ✔ 

Eurystomus gularis ✔ 

Tockus albocristatus ✔ 

Tockus fasciatus ✔ ✔ ✔ 

Tockus camurus ✔ 

Ceratogymna fistulator ✔ 

Ceratogymna subcylindricus ✔ 

Ceratogymna albotibialis ✔ 

Pogoniulus scolopaceus 

Dendropicos pyrrhogaster ✔ 

Hirundo nigrita 

Psalidoprocne obscura ✔ ✔ 

Andropadus curvirostris ✔ 

Chlorocichla simplex ✔ 

Thescelocichla leucopleura 

Criniger calurus 

Phyllastrephus scandens ✔ 

Phyllastrephus albigularis ✔ ✔ 

Bleda syndactyla ✔ 

Bleda canicapilla ✔ 

Nicator chloris ✔ ✔ 

Dryoscopus sabini 

IBA code: 001 002 003 004 005 006 

Nesocharis capistrata ✔ 

Pytilia phoenicoptera ✔ ✔ ✔ 

Pytilia hypogrammica ✔ 

Lagonosticta rufopicta ✔ ✔ 

Lagonosticta rara 

Lagonosticta larvata ✔ 

Estrilda caerulescens ✔ ✔ ✔ 

Estrilda troglodytes ✔ ✔ 

Vidua interjecta ✔ 

Vidua togoensis ✔ 

Petronia dentata ✔ ✔ 

Plocepasser superciliosus 

Ploceus heuglini ✔ ✔ 

Lamprotornis purpureus ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ 

Lamprotornis chalcurus ✔ 

Ptilostomus afer ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ 

Number of species recorded: 16 20 20 5 3 2 

Prionops caniceps ✔ 

Stiphrornis erythrothorax ✔ 

Illadopsis puveli ✔ 

Illadopsis fulvescens ✔ 

Phyllanthus atripennis ✔ 

Apalis rufogularis ✔ 

Camaroptera chloronota ✔ 

Sylvietta virens ✔ 

Macrosphenus concolor 

Hylia prasina ✔ 

Fraseria ocreata ✔ 

Muscicapa cassini ✔ 

Bias flammulatus ✔ 

Platysteira castanea ✔ 

Terpsiphone rufiventer ✔ ✔ 

Nectarinia fuliginosa 

Nectarinia adelberti 

Nigrita fusconota ✔ 

Nigrita bicolor 

Spermophaga haematina ✔ 

Ploceus nigerrimus ✔ ✔ 

Ploceus tricolor ✔ 

Malimbus scutatus ✔ 

Malimbus nitens ✔ 

Malimbus rubricollis ✔ ✔ 

Onychognathus fulgidus ✔ 

Lamprotornis purpureiceps ✔ 

Oriolus brachyrhynchus ✔ 

Oriolus nigripennis 

Number of species recorded: 2 16 7 34 

95

few remaining sites in Benin with Entandrophragma angolense. The 

forest is an ecological island surrounded by an intensively used 

agricultural landscape, posing threats given its high population 

density (274 people/km²). It retains many forest-biome species (van 

den Akker 2000, M. van den Akker in litt.). Other areas which may 

also deserve to become IBAs include Lokoli forest, the delta of the 

Mono river, which has sandbanks and mangrove habitats 

downstream of an extensive wetland area bordering the river, and 

the Forêt des Trois Rivières Classified Forest (10°31’N 03°15’E; 

259,500 ha). More detailed surveys of existing IBAs are also required. 

96 

■ SITE ACCOUNTS 

W du Bénin National Park BJ001 

Admin region Borgou 

Coordinates 11°55’N 02°45’E A3 (A04) 

Area 598,000 ha Altitude 160–320 m National Park 

■ Site description 

The W du Bénin National Park, in the extreme north of the country, 

is part of an extensive network of contiguous transboundary protected 

areas, including the W National Park in Niger (IBA NE001) and the 

Arli–W–Singou complex in Burkina Faso (BF008). The park includes 

extensive areas of Sudan savanna vegetation, and important riparian 

habitats along stretches of the Mékrou and Alibori rivers, both major 

tributaries of the Niger river, which form, respectively, the western 

and eastern boundaries of the park. There is a narrow neck of land 

outside the park separating its north-eastern boundary from the Niger 

river itself. This area is, however, included within the IBA, thereby 

capturing the perennial marshy areas that fringe the Niger. Both the 

Alibori and Mékrou rivers are seasonal, although some pools of 

stagnant water usually remain within the beds of both in the dry season. 

The Mékrou river, which also marks the international frontier with 

Burkina Faso for much of its length, is 10–20 m wide and 2–3 m deep 

at the height of the wet season, September, and usually dries up by 

December. 

Habitat includes riverine forest with a dense understorey and a nearly 

closed canopy, with patches of shrubland and woodland. Trees present 

include Diospyros mespiliformis, Ficus sp., Daniella sp., Cola sp. and 

scattered Borassus aethiopum palms. Mimosa pigra is common in the 

riverine scrub. The Sudan savanna includes Acacia spp., Terminalia sp. 

and Combretum spp. and grasslands of Hyparrhenia involucrata and 

Andropogon gayanus. There is a spectacular gorge through which the 

Mékrou runs near its confluence with the River Niger. The terrain of 

the northern part of the park is more broken with numerous outcrops, 

but the highest point of 320 m is in the south of the park. 

■ Birds 

See Box and Table 2 for key species. Falco naumanni has been recorded 

occasionally between January and March. The reserve harbours a 

representative community of Northern Guinea savanna and Sudan 

savanna species, while the course of the Niger river is important for 

wetland birds such as Ardea goliath, A. cinerea, Ciconia abdimii, 

Plegadis falcinellus and Balearica pavonina. Other species of note are 

Trigonoceps occipitalis (breeding), Terathopius ecaudatus, Scotopelia 

peli and, along the banks of the Mékrou, several large colonies of 

Merops nubicus, occupied during January and February. 

Key species 

A3 (A04) Sudan–Guinea Savanna biome: 16 of the 34 species of this biome that occur 

in Benin have been recorded at this site; see Table 2. 

■ Other threatened/endemic wildlife 

Among mammals, the park is host to the most important savanna 

population of Loxodonta africana (EN) in West Africa, as well as 

populations of Panthera leo (VU) and Acinonyx jubatus (VU). Damaliscus 

lunatus korrigum (LR/cd) has been seen in the park and Trichechus 

senegalensis (VU) may occur in the Niger close to or within the IBA. 

■ Conservation issues 

The park was established in 1936 and notified in 1954. Legitimate 

insecticide use (spraying with Endosulphan to control tsetse) was tested 


ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 

Patrick Claffey, Ward Hagemeijer and Dr J. Frank Walsh each supplied 

valuable information relevant to more than one of the proposed IBAs, and the 

Lama forest account is based on the work of M. Waltert and M. Muhlenberg. 

Maarten and Elizabeth van den Akker commented on early drafts and provided 

additional material, especially on the southern forest sites. M. Jacques Boco 

Adjakpa of the Centre de Recherche Ornithologique et de l’Environnement 

also commented on an early draft and provided extra data. I am also grateful 

to Dr L. D. C. Fishpool for his comments. 

in the late 1970s, with adverse effects on the fauna of the Mékrou 

river, which probably also affected birds. Poaching occurs. Plans for 

the possible construction of dams on the Niger and Mékrou rivers 

and for phosphate mining could, if implemented, have severe 

environmental consequences. There is continuous encroachment by 

subsistence farmers and nomadic pastoralists leading to vegetation 

degradation and competition for grazing between livestock and wild 

herbivores. 

■ Further reading 

Koster and Grettenberger (1983), Sayer and Green (1984), WCMC (1993). 

Pendjari National Park BJ002 

Admin region Atacora 


Area 275,500 ha National Park, 

Altitude 160–423 m Biosphere Reserve 


The Boucle de Pendjari National Park is situated in the north-west of 

the country, against the international frontier with Burkina Faso, 

where it is contiguous with the Arli–W–Singou protected area complex 

(IBA BF008). The south-eastern boundary of the park is formed by 

the quartzite cliffs of the Atacora Hills. The park itself is flat (c.175 m), 

apart from the Buém hills in the east, which reach 423 m, and a second 

group of hills to the south-west. The park is bounded on three sides 

by the perennial Pendjari river, which rises in the Atacora Hills south 

of the park, before draining into the Oti river which flows into Togo 

and Ghana. The course of the Pendjari along the northern edge of the 

park forms the international border with Burkina Faso. The main 

habitats include Sudan and Northern Guinea savannas. There are 

extensive areas of open grasslands dominated by Acacia sieberiana 

and Mitragyna inermis or by Terminalia macroptera. There is good 

gallery forest, the Bondjago forest, beside the Pendjari river at the 

base of the Atacora Hills, and the river is fringed elsewhere by Parinari 

congensis, Cola laurifolia, Syzygium guineense and Pterocarpus 

santalinoides. Marshy areas occur next to the river where there are 

also stands of Borassus aethiopum, Daniella oliveri, Anogeissus 

leiocarpus and Terminalia spp. Average annual rainfall is c.1,100 mm. 

■ Birds 

See Box and Table 2 for key species. Circus macrourus and Falco 

naumanni are occasionally recorded and two species of the Guinea– 

Congo Forests biome (A05) also occur (see Table 2). Pendjari is 

notable for large, conspicuous species such as Anastomus lamelligerus, 

Ephippiorhynchus senegalensis, Ciconia abdimii, Neotis denhami and, 

seasonally, flocks of up to 60 Ciconia ciconia. In addition, Terathopius 

ecaudatus and Haliaeetus vocifer breed in trees along the Pendjari river, 

where Scotopelia peli has also been seen. 

Key species 




Mammals of global conservation concern include Panthera leo (VU), 

Acinonyx jubatus (VU), Loxodonta africana (EN), Damaliscus lunatus 

korrigum (LR/cd) and Cephalophus rufilatus (LR/cd).


The Boucle de Pendjari National Park, created in 1961, is part of the 

Pendjari Biosphere Reserve (880,000 ha), which also includes the Pendjari 

and Atacora hunting zones, and Arli National Park in Burkina Faso. 

Although the terrestrial parts of the park are well protected, poachers 

have been known to poison waters with insecticides, such as Endrin, to 

obtain fish illegally. Fires and climatic desiccation have depleted animal 

populations in the past, as have hunting by poachers and encroachment 

by cattle-grazing, but park management has improved. 


Green and Sayer (1979), Sayer and Green (1984), Thonnerieux (1985), WCMC 

(1993). 

Ouémé river basin BJ003 

Admin region Borgou 

Coordinates 09º09’N 02º25’E A3 (A04, A05) 

Area 465,342 ha Altitude 150–620 m Forest Reserves 


This site is a diverse area in the centre of the country, comprising the 

three contiguous forest reserves of the Forêt Classée de l’Ouémé 

Supérieur (09º35’N 02º30’E; 177,542 ha), the Forêt Classée de Ouari- 

Maro (09º09’N 02º25’E; 107,500 ha) and the Forêt Classée des Monts 

Kouffé (08º45’N 02º06’E; 180,300 ha). The former two straddle the 

Ouémé river west and south-west of the town of Parakou, and are 

separated from each other by the Parakou–Natitingou road, while the 

latter is to the south of these, with the Ouémé river forming its eastern 

boundary and the Adjiro river its southern and western borders. 

The area is within the Northern Guinea savanna zone and the main 

vegetation-types include savanna woodland up to 20 m high, with a 

dense understorey dominated by Afzelia africana, Daniella oliveri and 

Khaya senegalensis, and dense semi-deciduous forest, occurring in small 

patches in the western part of Monts Kouffé Forest Reserve towards 

the border with Togo and in the Monts Kouffé themselves in the centre 

of the reserve, and consisting of tall trees up to 40 m high (Antiaris 

africana, Ceiba pentandra, Cola cordifolia, Milicia excelsa and 

Ricinodendron heudelotii) over a subcanopy layer dominated by Dialium 

guineensis, Mimusops andongensis, Holarrhena floribunda, Drypetes 

floribunda and Malacantha alnifolia. Similar vegetation forms gallery 

forest along rivers and thinner riverine forest also occurs. In addition, 

the IBA encompasses rocky outcrops, small ponds and marshes next to 

the Ouémé river. Average annual rainfall is 1,200 mm, mostly falling 

between May and October. 

■ Birds 

See Box and Table 2 for key species. The area is important due to its 

large size and relatively undisturbed habitat. It is one of the few places 

in the country where Ceratogymna albotibialis occurs and is a refuge 

for many of the rarer birds of prey (e.g. Haliaeetus vocifer) and 

passerines. Circus macrourus has been recorded occasionally in January 

and November. The area has yet to be surveyed comprehensively. 

Key species 



A3 (A05) Guinea–Congo Forests biome: 16 of the 59 species of this biome that occur 



Mammals of global conservation concern include Cephalophus 

maxwelli (LR/nt), C. silvicultor (LR/nt) and C. rufilatus (LR/cd). The 

IBA includes the type-locality, and the only one known in Benin, for 

the grasshopper Truxaloides chekei. 


A recent influx of people is leading to encroachment by slash and 

burn farmers who are cutting savanna woodland; small logging 

companies are also working in the area. Agricultural intensification 

and use of fertilizers and pesticides are increasing. 


Claffey (1995, 1999a,b). 


Lake Nokoué BJ004 

Admin region Atlantiqu, Ouémé 

Coordinates 06°45’N 02°23’E A3 (A05), A4i 

Area c.90,000 ha Altitude 0–10 m Ramsar Site (Unprotected) 


Lake Nokoué is an extensive lagoon of c.16,000 ha extent, 20 km wide 

by 11 km long (north to south), immediately north of Cotonou. Its 

northern shore is formed by the deltas of the So and Ouémé rivers. It 

is connected to the sea not only via a channel through Cotonou, but 

also by another to the Lagune de Porto-Novo to the east and thence 

to the coast in Nigeria. On the western edge is the remarkable aquatic 

town of Ganvié, built on stilts made of bamboo or tree-trunks 

sunk into the water. The southern edge of the lake has the highest 

salinity, and is fringed with Typha australis as well as the ubiquitous 

grass Paspalum vaginatum. The proposed IBA includes not only 

the lake itself but also the seasonally inundated forest (Berlinia 

grandiflora and Dalium guineense), swamp-forest (Mitragyna inermis 

and Raphia hookeri), marshes and flood-plains of rivers north of it, 

up the Ouémé river as far as the village of Sagon, 10 km south-east of 

Zangnanado. 

■ Birds 

See Box and Table 2 for key species. Large populations of waterbirds 

use the lake and surrounding areas. These include, in addition to those 

listed below, Egretta ardesiaca, E. garzetta, Tringa glareola, T. 

stagnatilis, T. nebularia, T. erythropus and Chlidonias hybridus. There 

is also a record of Gallinago media. It is expected that more species of 

the Guinea–Congo Forests biome will be found to occur. In addition, 

five species of the Sudan–Guinea Savanna biome (A04) have been 

recorded; see Table 2. 

Key species 

A3 (A05) Guinea–Congo Forests biome: Seven of the 59 species of this biome that 

occur in Benin have been recorded at this site; see Table 2. 

A4i Breeding (pairs) Non-breeding 

Anastomus lamelligerus — 1,020 (1996) 

Chlidonias niger — 2,451 (1997) 


Small numbers of Tragelaphus spekii (LR/nt) are thought to persist 

but hunting pressure is intense. There are also records of Cercopithecus 

erythrogaster (VU) and Trichechus senegalensis (VU). 


Much of the area was declared a Ramsar Site, known as Basse Vallée 

de l’Ouémé, Lagune de Porto-Novo, Lac Nokoué and covering 

91,600 ha, in January 2000. Threats include hunting, poaching, 

pollution, mangrove destruction and deforestation. Traditional fishing 

methods may, however, benefit birds. Fishermen plant branches in 

the muddy lagoon bottom, surrounded by platforms of bamboo sticks 

and palm-leaves. When the leaves on the branches start to decompose, 

fish congregate to feed at these sites, known as acadja, before boatmen 

(and birds) return to catch them. 


Brunel (1958), Hagemeijer et al. (2000a,b), Wetlands International (1997, 1998). 

Lake Ahémé and Aho complex BJ005 

Admin region Atlantiqu, Mono 

Coordinates 06°30’N 01°57’E A1, A4i 

Area 45,000 ha Altitude 0–10 m Ramsar Site (Unprotected) 


This triangular area, in the south-west of the country, comprises the 

marshes of the lower Kouffo river, Lake Ahémé, into which the river 

drains, and the ‘Aho complex’ consisting of marshes beside the Aho 

river, which carries water from the lake to the sea, and the coastal 

strip between the towns of Grand-Popo to the west and Ouidah to the 

east. The south of Lake Ahémé is fringed with Typha australis and 

the Aho supports mangroves (Rhizophora sp. and Avicennia sp.), 

maintained by seasonal influxes of brackish water. 

97

■ Birds 

See Box for key species. The records of Sterna balaenarum come from 

the Bouche du Roi, part of the Aho delta where there is a channel to 

the sea. Large flocks of Chlidonias niger forage on the lake. In addition, 

three species of the Sudan–Guinea Savanna biome (A04) have also 

been recorded; see Table 2. 

Key species 

A1 Sterna balaenarum 

A4i Breeding (pairs) Non-breeding 

Sterna maxima — 502 (1996) 

Sterna balaenarum — 200 


The fish Trichechus senegalensis (VU) was reported from Lake Ahémé 

in the mid-1970s. 


The area was declared a Ramsar Site in January 2000. Threats include 

hunting, pollution, mangrove destruction and deforestation but some 

human activities, particularly the building of platforms for fishing, 

are beneficial to many piscivorous birds. 


Hagemeijer et al. (2000a,b), Wetlands International (1998). 

Lama forest BJ006 

Admin region Zou 


Area 16,250 ha Altitude 50–60 m Forest Reserve 


The Forêt Classée de la Lama (also known as the Forêt de Ko), in the 

centre-south of the country, south of the city of Abomey, used to 

BIBLIOGRAPHY 

BRUNEL, J. (1958) Observations sur les oiseaux du Bas-Dahomey. L’Oiseaux 

et R.F.O. 28: 1–38. 

CLAFFEY, P. M. (1995) Notes on the avifauna of the Bétérou area, Borgou 

Province, Republic of Benin. Malimbus 17: 63–84. 

CLAFFEY, P. M. (1999a) Crowned Eagle Stephanoaetus coronatus and Whitebreasted 

Negro-Finch Nigrita fusconota, new to the Benin list. Malimbus 

21: 51–53. 

CLAFFEY, P. M. (1999b) Occurrence of Red-billed Dwarf Hornbill Tockus 

camurus in the Republic of Benin. Bull. African Bird Club 6: 107–108. 

DOWSETT, R. J. (1993) Afrotropical avifaunas: annotated country checklists. 

Pp. 1–322 in R. J. Dowsett and F. Dowsett-Lemaire, eds. A contribution to 

the distribution and taxonomy of Afrotropical and Malagasy birds. Liège, 

Belgium: Tauraco (Research Report No. 5). 

GREEN, A. A. AND SAYER, J. (1979) The birds of Pendjari and Arli National 

Parks (Benin and Upper Volta). Malimbus 1: 14–28. 

HAGEMEIJER, E. J. M, POOT, M. J. M. AND ADJAKPA, J. B. (2000a) Waterbird 

survey of wetlands in south Benin, 1996, 1997 and 1998. SOVONonderzoeksrapport 

2000/03. Beek-Ubbergen, The Netherlands: SOVON 

Vogelonderzoek. 

HAGEMEIJER, E. J. M, VAN DER WINDEN, J., ADJAKPA, J. B. AND BOKO, G. 

(2000b) Black Terns Chlidonias niger in Benin: Mission in the framework 

of the support of SOVON for CEROE. SOVON-onderzoeksrapport 

2000/07. Beek-Ubbergen, The Netherlands: SOVON Vogelonderzoek. 

98 


comprise 16,000 ha of natural forest but by 1986, when a core area 

was designated for special protection, the amount of intact forest had 

been reduced to 2,400 ha. This core area of 4,500 ha, known as the 

Noyau Central, includes within it the remaining dense forest (now 

only 1,800 ha) with Afzelia africana, Bombax buonopozense, Ceiba 

pentandra and Parinari excelsa. Lama forest lies in an east–west 

oriented depression, the clay soils of which permit flooding of extensive 

areas in the wet season. This flooding is inimical to some tree species 

and their absence may account for a scarcity of frugivorous bird species 

in the forest. The Noyau Central is an ecological island surrounded 

by degraded forest, plantations of teak (Tectonia grandis), tree-less 

bush dominated by Chromolaena odorata and farmland. 

■ Birds 

See Box and Table 2 for key species. To date, 106 species have been 

recorded, many of which are species of the Guinea–Congo Forests 

biome, such as Sarothrura pulchra, Phyllastrephus albigularis, Bleda 

syndactyla, B. canicapilla, Illadopsis puveli, Apalis rufogularis and 

Fraseria ocreata. The forest also supports a population of Guttera 

pucherani. Further surveys will undoubtedly lead to the discovery of 

more forest species. In addition, two species of the Sudan–Guinea 

Savanna biome (A04) have also been recorded; see Table 2. 

Key species 

A3 (A05) Guinea–Congo Forests biome: 34 of the 59 species of this biome that occur 



Cephalophus silvicultor (LR/cd) has been recorded. 


Threats include continuing degradation of the surrounding forest, 

encroaching farmland and, probably, poaching, burning and logging. 


Waltert and Mühlenberg (1999). 

IUCN (1991) Protected areas of the world. A review of national systems. 

Volume 3: Afrotropical. Gland, Switzerland: IUCN. 

KOSTER, S. H. AND GRETTENBERGER, J. F. (1983) A preliminary survey of 

birds in Park W, Niger. Malimbus 5: 62–72. 

MARTIN, C. (1991) The Rainforests of West Africa. Ecology—Threats— 

Conservation. Basle, Switzerland: Birkhäuser Verlag. 

SAYER, J. AND GREEN, A. A. (1984) The distribution and status of large 

mammals in Benin. Mammal Review 14: 37–50. 

THONNERIEUX, Y. (1985) Notes complémentaires sur l’avifaune des 

Parcs Nationaux de l’Arli (Burkina) et de la Pendjari (Benin). Malimbus 7: 

137–139. 

VAN DEN AKKER, M. (2000) Red-tailed Greenbul Criniger calurus and Chestnutbreasted 

Negrofinch Nigrita bicolor, new to Benin. Bull. African Bird Club 7: 

133. 

WALTERT, M. AND MUHLENBERG, M. (1999) Notes on the avifauna of the Noyau 

Central, Forêt Classée de la Lama, Republic of Benin. Malimbus 21: 82–92. 

WETLANDS INTERNATIONAL (1997) African Waterfowl Census 1996. Dakar, 

Senegal: Wetlands International. 

WETLANDS INTERNATIONAL (1998) African Waterfowl Census 1997. Dakar, 

Senegal: Wetlands International. 

WCMC [WORLD CONSERVATION MONITORING CENTRE] (1993) Ecologically 

sensitive sites in Africa. Vol. 1. Occidental and Central Africa. 

Washington, D.C.: The World Bank.

s BENIN - BirdLife International

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