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Avifauna Checklist Dataset in the Western and Brong Ahafo Regions of Ghana

Citation

Osei-Owusu Y, Owusu-Achiaw R (2018). Avifauna Checklist Dataset in the Western and Brong Ahafo Regions of Ghana. Version 1.2. Conservation Alliance International. Checklist dataset https://doi.org/10.15468/ptpbyg accessed via GBIF.org on 2025-06-22.

Description

The study areas for the avifauna checklist data collection were the Western and Brong Ahafo regions in Ghana. Ecologically, these regions fall within the transitional, dry semi deciduous, dry deciduous, moist ever green and wet ever green forests zones of Ghana, with parts of the area falling within the wildfire prone areas. These areas are characterized by high diversity of fauna species. The sampling of the species were restricted to thirteen (13) selected forest reserves that were found between latitudes 7.906669 North and 5.317087 South and longitudes-3.006151 West and -1.854438 East and their adjoining corridors.

Purpose

The purpose of this dataset is make biodiversity information available to decision makers. The data was mobilized and published under the Africa Biodiversity Challenge 2018 coordinated by SANBI and funded by JRS Biodiversity Foundation.

Sampling Description

Study Extent

The study was carried out in thirteen forest reserves and their corridors in the Western and Brong Ahafo regions of Ghana. The sampled area falls within the high forest zone of Ghana and is characterized by high diversity and richness of species. All data were collected once on July 02, 2013. The data points were taken at some selected forest reserves that were found between latitudes 7.906669 North and 5.317087 South and longitudes-3.006151 West and -1.854438 East. The Bounding Coordinates were South West [5.31, -3.021], North East [7.994, -1.187]

Sampling

Line transects were selected based on existing paths and trails in the study sites. Transect counts begun from 5:30am till mid-day, and from 15:00 hrs till sunset. The team comprised an Expert in bird identification, a recorder and a field assistant (a community member). Team members walked about 500 m into the study sites before laying transect and began counting in order to capture the true species associated with the study sites. In some cases counting begun from the boundary line of the study sites (especially where there was a contrast in vegetation), to give an ideal representation of the level of bird species associated with the degraded areas as well as the areas of limited impact. Counts were done at random intervals but not less than 100 m apart to minimize the possibility of double counting. All members used binoculars to observe the birds and the Experts in the team identified them by sight and calls. Information on the species identified was recorded on the data sheet. Surveys were also carried out at night to gather data on owls and other species which are active in the night. Tape recordings of unknown calls and those of rare species were later analysed.

Quality Control

Only bird species were sampled and recorded. All recordings were made in uniform units. The sampling procedures and protocols were duly followed. Appropriate measuring and recording instruments were used (e.g.binoculars, tapes etc).

Method steps

  1. All data points were entered in excel worksheet using the Darwin Core standard template for Core Taxon (Checklist) data and cleaned from errors using the filter on the excel worksheet. All names were resolved and verified or validated using the Global Name Resolver. The taxonID for instance RMSC:FIP:AVES:0001 was created using the institution code (e.g. RMSC), the name of the project (FIP), the type of fauna recorded (AVES) and the sequence of the records (e.g 0001 for the first bird species recorded).
    The cleaned checklist datasets were then uploaded into the OpenRefine software for further cleaning and the cleaned dataset was then downloaded as text file and uploaded into the IPT for publishing by filling and completing all required metadata associated with the dataset Data for the purpose of the publication was darwin core formatted. Scientific names were crossed using the Global name resolver tool and verified using the GBIF backbone Taxonomy and Catalogue of Life. Further cleanings were also done using the OpenRefine.

Additional info

The purpose of the generated data sought to establish adequate and accurate baseline information, identify and define appropriate corridors linking Forest Reserves (FRs) and National Parks (NPs) within the Ankasa-Bia-Krokosua ecological landscape. The baseline is expected to provide data for needed landscape interventions to improve connectivity among these reserves, plantation development and trees on farms in cocoa landscapes

Taxonomic Coverages

The avifauna were identified to the species level.
  1. Accipiter tatchiro (Daudin, 1800)
  2. Urotriorchis macrourus(Hartlaub, 1855)
  3. Buteo auguralis Salvadori, 1865
  4. Spixaetus africanus (Cassin, 1865)
  5. Accipiter erythropus (Hartlaub, 1855)
  6. Milvus migrans subsp. parasitus (Daudin, 1800
  7. Elanus caeruleus (Desfontaines, 1789)
  8. Kaupifalco monogrammicus (Temminck, 1824)
  9. Cypsiurus parvus (Lichtenstein, 1823)
  10. Halcyon senegalensis (Linnaeus, 1766)
  11. Halcyon malimbica (Shaw, 1811)
  12. Tropicranus albocristatus (Cassin, 1848)
  13. Torkus fasciatus (Shaw, 1811)
  14. Tockus nasutus (Linnaeus, 1766)
  15. Tockus camurus Cassin, 1857
  16. Pogoniulus subsulphureus (Fraser, 1843)
  17. Gymnobucco calvus (Lafresnaye, 1841)
  18. Buccanodon duchaillui (Cassin, 1855)
  19. Pogoniulus scolopaceus (Bonaparte, 1850)
  20. Pogoniulus subsulphureus(Fraser, 1843)
  21. Trachilaemus purpuratus (Fraser, 1843)
  22. Pogoniulus atroflavus (J. Verreaux & E. Verreaux, 1851)
  23. Trachilaemus hirsuta (Sparrman, 1798)
  24. Lybius dubius (Gmelin, 1788)
  25. Gymnobucco peli Hartlaub, 1857
  26. Lybius vieilloti (Leach, 1815)
  27. Lybius bidentatus (Shaw, 1799)
  28. Turtur tympanistria (Temminck, 1809)
  29. Treron calvus (Temminck, 1808)
  30. Turtur brehmeri (Hartlaub, 1865)
  31. Streptopelia semitorquata (Ruppell, 1837)
  32. Columba iriditorques Cassin, 1856
  33. Turtur afer (Linnaeus, 1766)
  34. Streptopelia senegalensis (Linnaeus, 1766)
  35. Streptopelia vinacea (Gmelin, 1789)
  36. Columba guinea Linnaeus, 1758
  37. Eurystomus gularis Vieillot, 1819
  38. Coracias abyssinicus Hermann, 1783
  39. Coracias naevius Daudin, 1800
  40. Eurystomus gularis Vieillot, 1819
  41. Eurystomus glaucurus (Statius Muller, 1776)
  42. Corvus albus Muller, 1776
  43. Camaroptera chloronota Reichenow, 1895
  44. Camaroptera superciliaris (Fraser, 1843)
  45. Apalis sharpie Shelley, 1884
  46. Prinia subflava (Gmelin, 1789)
  47. Camaroptera brachyuran (Vieillot, 1821)
  48. Cisticola lateralis (Fraser, 1843)
  49. Cisticola brachypterus (Sharpe, 1870)
  50. Cisticola natalensis (A. Smith, 1843)
  51. Ceuthmochares aereus (Vieillot, 1817)
  52. Chrysococcyx cupreus (Shaw, 1792)
  53. Chrysococcyx klaas (Stephens, 1815)
  54. Cuculus solitarius Stephens, 1815
  55. Centropus leucogaster (Leach, 1814)
  56. Centropus senegalensis (Linnaeus, 1766)
  57. Cuculus gularis Stephens, 1815
  58. Chrysococcyx cupreus (Shaw, 1792)
  59. Clamator glandarius (Linnaeus, 1758)
  60. Chrysococcyx cuprius (Shaw, 1792)
  61. Dicrurus atripennis Swainson, 1837
  62. Dicrurus modestus Hartlaub, 1849
  63. Dicrurus adsimilis (Bechstein, 1794)
  64. Spermestes bicolor Fraser, 1843
  65. Nigrita bicolor (Hartlaub, 1844)
  66. Nigrita canicapillus (Strickland, 1841)
  67. Spermophaga haematina (Vieillot, 1807)
  68. Nigrita canicapillus (Strickland, 1841)
  69. Spermestes cucullatus Swainson, 1837
  70. Lagonosticta rufopicta (Fraser, 1843)
  71. Lagonosticta rara (Antinori, 1864)
  72. Estrilda melpoda (Vieillot, 1817)
  73. Nigrita canicapillus (Strickland, 1841)
  74. Lagonosticta senegala (Linnaeus, 1766)
  75. Smithornis rufolatoralis G. R. Gray, 1864
  76. Serinus mozambicus (P. L. Statius Muller, 1776)
  77. Indicator indicator (Sparrman, 1777)
  78. Indicator willcocksi Alexander, 1901
  79. Corvinella corvina (Shaw, 1809)
  80. Tchagra australis (A. Smith, 1836)
  81. Tchagra senegalus (Linnaeus, 1766)
  82. Dryoscopus gambensis (Lichtenstein, 1823)
  83. Merops gularis Shaw, 1798
  84. Terpsiphone rufiventer (Swainson, 1837)
  85. Terpsiphone viridis (Statius Muller, 1776)
  86. Trochocercus nitens Cassin, 1859
  87. Fraseria ocreata (Strickland, 1844)
  88. Muscicapa comitata (Cassin, 1857)
  89. Muscicapa ussheri (Sharpe, 1871)
  90. Melaenornis pallidus (von Muller, JW, 1851)
  91. Muscicapa striata (Pallas, 1764)
  92. Tauraco persa (Linnaeus, 1758)
  93. Corythaeola cristata (Vieillot, 1816)
  94. Musophaga violacea Isert, 1788
  95. Crinifer piscator (Boddaert, 1783)
  96. Tauraco macrorhynchus (Fraser, 1839)
  97. Chalcomitra adelberti (Gervais, 1834)
  98. Cyanomitra olivacea (A. Smith, 1840)
  99. Cinnyris venustus (Shaw, 1799)
  100. Cinnyris superbus (Shaw, 1812)
  101. Cinnyris pulchellus (Linnaeus, 1766)
  102. Cinnyris minullus Reichenow, 1899
  103. Hedydipna collaris (Vieillot, 1819)
  104. Cinnyris coccinigastrus (Latham, 1802)
  105. Oriolus brachyrhynchus Swainson, 1837
  106. Oriolus nigripennis J. Verreaux & E. Verreaux, 1855
  107. Oriolus brachyrhynchus Swainson, 1837
  108. Pholichornis rushiae (Cassin, 1855)
  109. Passer griseus (Vieillot, 1817)
  110. Francolinus ahantensis Temminck, 1854
  111. Francolinus lathami Hartlaub, 1854
  112. Ptilopachus petrosus (Gmelin, 1789)
  113. Francolinus bicalcaratus (Linnaeus, 1766)
  114. Phoeniculus bollei (Hartlaub, 1858)
  115. Phoeniculus castaneiceps (Sharpe, 1871)
  116. Dendropicus gabonensis Malherbe, 1849
  117. Bias musicus (Vieillot, 1818)
  118. Megabya flammulatus J. Verreaux & E. Verreaux, 1855
  119. Dyaphorophyia castanea Fraser, 1843
  120. Platysteira cyanea (Statius Muller, 1776)
  121. Ploceus albinucha (Bocage, 1876)
  122. Malimbus rubricollis (Swainson, 1838)
  123. Malimbus scutatus (Cassin, 1849)
  124. Ploceus tricolor (Hartlaub, 1854)
  125. Ploceus melanocephalus (Linnaeus, 1758)
  126. Ploceus cucullatus (Statius Muller, 1776)
  127. Euplettes macroura (Gmelin, 1789)
  128. Euplectes hordeaceus (Linnaeus, 1758)
  129. Ploceus nigricollis (Vieillot, 1805)
  130. Euplectes ardens (Boddaert, 1783)
  131. Ploceus nigerrimus Vieillot, 1819
  132. Euplectes franciscanus (Isert, 1789)
  133. Euplectes macroura (Gmelin, 1789)
  134. Quelea erythrops (Hartlaub, 1848)
  135. Malimbus nitens (J. E. Gray, 1831)
  136. Prionops caniceps (Bonaparte, 1850)
  137. Prionops plumatus (Shaw, 1809)
  138. Poicephalus gulielmi (Jardine, 1849)
  139. Poicephalus senegalus (Linnaeus, 1766)
  140. Psittacula krameri (Scopoli, 1769)
  141. Psittacus erithacus Linnaeus, 1758
  142. Baeopogon indicator (J. Verreaux & E. Verreaux, 1855)
  143. Phyllostrephus albigularis (Sharpe, 1882)
  144. Bleda syndactylus (Swainson, 1837) [
  145. Andropadus virens Cassin, 1857
  146. Chlorocichla simplex (Hartlaub, 1855)
  147. Andropadus gracilirostris Strickland, 1844 [
  148. Nicator chloris (Valenciennes, 1826)
  149. Andropadus latirostris Strickland, 1844
  150. Calyptocichla serina (Verreaux & Verreaux, 1855)
  151. Pycnonotus barbatus (Desfontaines, 1789)
  152. Andropadus ansorgei Hartert, 1907
  153. Crineger calurus (Cassin, 1856)
  154. Phyllastrephus albigularis (Sharpe, 1882)
  155. Bleda canicapillus (Hartlaub, 1854)
  156. Thescelocichla leucopleura (Cassin, 1855)
  157. Crineger barbatus (Temminck, 1821)
  158. Bleda eximius (Hartlaub, 1855)
  159. Andropadus curvirostris Cassin, 1859
  160. Pyrrhurus scandens (Swainson, 1837)
  161. Bleda syndactylus (Swainson, 1837)
  162. Ixonotus guttatus J. Verreaux & E. Verreaux, 1851
  163. Scrothrura pulchra (J. E. Gray, 1829
  164. Strix woodfordii (A. Smith, 1834)
  165. Bubo sinerascens Guerin-Meneville, 1843
  166. Lamprotormis cupreocauda (Hartlaub, 1857)
  167. Lamprotormis splendidus (Vieillot, 1822)
  168. Onychognathus fulgidus Hartlaub, 1849
  169. Lamprotormis purpureus (Statius Muller, 1776)
  170. Sylvietta virens Cassin, 1859
  171. Hylia prasina (Cassin, 1855)
  172. Macrosphermus concolor (Hartlaub, 1857)
  173. Eremomela bradiceps (Fraser, 1843)
  174. Sylvietta brachyura Lafresnaye, 1839
  175. Eremomela pusilla Hartlaub, 1857
  176. Macrosphermus kempi (Sharpe, 1905)
  177. Illadopsis fulvescens (Cassin, 1859)
  178. Illadopsis cleaveri (Shelley, 1874)
  179. Stiphrornis erythrothorax Hartlaub, 1855
  180. Alethe diademata (Bonaparte, 1850)
  181. Cossypha niveicapilla (Lafresnaye, 1838)
  182. Turdus pelios Bonaparte, 1850
  183. Stizorhina finschi (Sharpe, 1870)
  184. Vidua macroura (Pallas, 1764)
  185. Zosterops senegalensis Bonaparte, 1850
  186. Coracina azurea (Cassin, 1852)
  187. Campephaga quiscalina Finsch, 1869

Geographic Coverages

The study area lies within latitudes-7.906669 North and 5.317087 South; longitudes-3.006151 West and -1.854438 East

Bibliographic Citations

Contacts

Yaw Osei-Owusu
originator
position: Executive Director
Accra
NO 5 Odum Street, North Dworwulu
Accra
KA 30426
Greater Accra
GH
Telephone: +233244277795
email: yosei-owusu@conservealliance.org
homepage: http://www.conservealliance.org
userId: https://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=https://www.linkedin.com/in/yaw-osei-owusu-42844925/
Raymond Owusu-Achiaw
originator
position: Natural Resource Manager
Conservation Alliance International
NO 5 Odum Street, North Dworwulu, Post Office Box KA 30426, Kotoka International Airport
Accra
KA 30426
Greater Accra
GH
Telephone: +233246656083
email: rowusu-achiaw@conservealliance.org
homepage: http://www.conservealliance.org
userId: https://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=https://www.linkedin.com/in/raymond-owusu-achiaw-78926796/
Raymond Owusu-Achiaw
metadata author
position: Natural Resource Manager
Conservation Alliance International
NO 5 Odum Street, North Dworwulu, Post Office Box KA 30426, Kotoka International Airport
Accra
KA 30426
Greater Accra
GH
Telephone: +233246656083
email: rowusu-achiaw@conservealliance.org
homepage: http://www.conservealliance.org
userId: https://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=https://www.linkedin.com/in/raymond-owusu-achiaw-78926796/
Yaw Osei-Owusu
metadata author
position: Executive Director
Conservation Alliance International
NO 5 Odum Street, North Dworwulu
Accra
KA 30426
Greater Accra
GH
Telephone: +233244277795
email: yosei-owusu@conservealliance.org
homepage: http://www.conservealliance.org
userId: https://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=https://www.linkedin.com/in/yaw-osei-owusu-42844925/
Raymond Owusu-Achiaw
publisher
position: Natural Resource Manager
Conservation Alliance International
NO 5 Odum Street, North Dworwulu, Post Office Box KA 30426, Kotoka International Airport
Accra
KA 30426
Greater Accra
GH
Telephone: +233246656083
email: rowusu-achiaw@conservealliance.org
homepage: http://www.conservealliance.org
userId: https://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=https://www.linkedin.com/in/raymond-owusu-achiaw-78926796/
Yaw Osei-Owusu
point of contact
position: Executive Director
Conservation Alliance International
NO 5 Odum Street, North Dworwulu
Accra
KA 30426
Greater Accra
GH
Telephone: +233244277795
email: yosei-owusu@conservealliance.org
homepage: http://www.conservealliance.org
userId: https://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=https://www.linkedin.com/in/yaw-osei-owusu-42844925/
Kofi Affum Baffoe
administrative point of contact
position: Production Manager
Resource Management Support Centre
P.O Box 1457
Kumasi
Ashanti
GH
Telephone: +233246131548
email: kab64baf@hotmail.com
homepage: http://www.fcghana.org/page.php?section=41&page=293&typ=1
userId: https://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=https://www.linkedin.com/in/kofi-affum-baffoe-73861091/
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