The birds of the understorey of the montane forest of Burhinyi (Itombwe Massif, Democratic Republic of Congo) and the effect of human activities

The aim of this study was to investigate the bird population structure across an altitudinal gradient and assess the effects of human activities on bird diversity in the understorey of the Burhinyi forest, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Mist-netting and opportunistic observations were made at four selected sites in the intact and disturbed forest. Of the 16 most abundant species among the 121 species recorded, the Rwenzori Blue-headed Sunbird Cyanomitra alinae and the Mountain Greenbul Arizelocichla nigriceps stood out with high abundance at the Katasomwa site. Muscicapidae was the richest family with 13 species. Twenty-two Albertine Rift endemic species or subspecies were found, considered of importance for the conservation of this forest, among them Shelley's Crimsonwing Cryptospiza shelleyi (Endangered according to the IUCN Red List) and three genera, Pseudocalyptomena, Hemitesia and Graueria. The presence of Willard's Sooty Boubou Laniarius poensis willardi in the Itombwe Massif is confirmed above 2000 m, in sympatry with the Albertine Sooty Boubou L. holomelas, and the Abyssinian Ground-Thrush Geokichla piaggiae piaggiae in sympatry with the Kivu Ground-Thrush G. p. tanganjicae. Species richness varied between the two types of forest (intact and disturbed), with significantly fewer species in disturbed forests.