Birds of the man and biosphere Reserve of Luki, Bas-Congo province, Democratic Republic of Congo

Abstract

The Democratic Republic of Congo holds the most diverse assemblage of birds in Africa. However, ornithological surveys in its network of reserves are rare. In this paper we present the first detailed list of birds from the Man and Biosphere Reserve of Luki in the country’s southwestern tip based on collected specimens, photographs, audio recordings, and direct observations from two surveys conducted in 2012- 2013. We document a total of 136 species, including the threatened Psittacus erithacus. Range extensions of four species and breeding records for 19 species are also reported. Further surveys in the reserve, which covers the largest remaining forest patch along the Lower Congo River, are highly recommended.