Guinea-Bissau
Guinea-Bissau is a low-lying tropical country characterized by broad estuaries, tidal creeks, mangroves, wetlands and wooded savannas. Offshore lies the Bijagós Archipelago, a remarkable group of dozens of islands and extensive intertidal flats shaped by powerful tides. The interior becomes progressively drier toward the east, while the coast supports some of West Africa’s largest mangrove systems.
Overview
Guinea-Bissau is particularly important for coastal and migratory waterbirds. The Bijagós Archipelago is one of the most significant shorebird areas on the West African coast, supporting huge numbers of wintering waders, terns, herons and other waterbirds along its mudflats and mangroves. Inland savannas add typical West African species, while remaining forests hold hornbills, turacos and other woodland birds. Birding tourism is small-scale and relatively undeveloped, but the Bijagós can be explored using local boats and lodges on some islands. Transport infrastructure is limited, roads can deteriorate badly during the rainy season, and reaching remote islands or inland sites requires additional logistical planning.
Top 10 target species
| Species | Annual frequency | January | February | March | April | May | June | July | August | September | October | November | December |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Common Bulbul Pycnonotus barbatus | 55.3% | 30.7% | 58.1% | 43.7% | 58.7% | 68.0% | 64.8% | 81.5% | 13.3% | 61.7% | 71.2% | 54.2% | 57.2% |
| Village Weaver Ploceus cucullatus | 49.8% | 26.1% | 48.8% | 44.6% | 48.5% | 58.4% | 59.7% | 71.0% | 14.2% | 55.3% | 69.4% | 47.8% | 54.4% |
| Red-eyed Dove Streptopelia semitorquata | 47.0% | 38.0% | 48.4% | 48.6% | 42.4% | 59.5% | 40.6% | 62.4% | 9.2% | 40.6% | 67.2% | 52.3% | 54.2% |
| Hooded Vulture Necrosyrtes monachus | 45.4% | 40.2% | 53.8% | 47.8% | 47.9% | 62.0% | 41.5% | 42.2% | 27.5% | 45.6% | 46.3% | 48.1% | 42.4% |
| Pied Crow Corvus albus | 39.0% | 36.0% | 43.7% | 47.6% | 50.2% | 53.7% | 26.4% | 29.7% | 24.2% | 39.8% | 31.5% | 38.9% | 45.9% |
| Blue-spotted Wood-Dove Turtur afer | 36.2% | 30.1% | 40.6% | 42.6% | 29.5% | 38.5% | 37.0% | 50.7% | 0.0% | 25.4% | 53.0% | 38.0% | 48.6% |
| Senegal Coucal Centropus senegalensis | 33.4% | 19.8% | 34.1% | 22.9% | 25.0% | 31.4% | 41.8% | 53.4% | 14.2% | 34.7% | 53.7% | 30.0% | 39.2% |
| Red-chested Swallow Hirundo lucida | 32.9% | 39.9% | 34.3% | 42.0% | 46.0% | 46.8% | 42.9% | 36.8% | 4.2% | 22.6% | 23.9% | 22.8% | 32.6% |
| Western Cattle-Egret Ardea ibis | 30.3% | 34.0% | 35.0% | 37.7% | 35.7% | 35.5% | 21.5% | 21.5% | 18.4% | 33.8% | 24.0% | 30.3% | 36.8% |
| Vinaceous Dove Streptopelia vinacea | 28.9% | 18.8% | 30.4% | 20.2% | 30.7% | 27.9% | 21.4% | 43.5% | 4.2% | 27.9% | 54.7% | 32.9% | 34.4% |