As São Tomé and Príncipe is a series of islands, its avifauna grows whenever a "new" species arrives or is recorded for the first time; the list comprises 176 species, of which 25 are endemic, 4 have been introduced by humans, and several are rare or accidental (often termed "vagrants").
This list’s taxonomic treatment (designation and sequence of orders, families and species) and nomenclature (common and scientific names) for the most part follow the conventions of The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World, 2022 edition. The family accounts at the beginning of each heading reflect this taxonomy, as do the species counts found in each family account. Introduced and accidental species are included in the total counts for São Tomé and Príncipe.
The following tags have been used to highlight several categories, but not all species fall into one of these categories. Those that do not are commonly occurring native species.
(A) Accidental– a species that rarely or accidentally occurs in São Tomé and Príncipe
(E) Endemic– a species endemic to São Tomé and Príncipe
(I) Introduced– a species introduced to São Tomé and Príncipe as a consequence, direct or indirect, of human actions
Source: Wikipedia- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_birds_of_S%C3%A3o_Tom%C3%A9_and_Pr%C3%ADncipe
The islands of São Tomé and Príncipe (STP) off the coast of Central Africa are home remarkable high number of endemic species of fauna and flora, making this archipelago extremely important for biodiversity conservation in the Gulf of Guinea.
Almost one-third of the islands are made of protected areas (PAs), and over 12,000 hectares consist of the newly created Special Reserves (SRs), that encompass forests, savannahs, and a mangrove. Within these islands other than the endemic seven mammals, eight amphibians, 17 reptiles and hundreds of plants, there are 28 endemic bird species, some of which are critically endangered of extinction, like the Sao Tome Green Pigeon (Treron sanctithomae).
“The biodiversity of Sao Tome and Principe is very rich in species of fauna and flora. We have a very favourable climate. We have many species, especially endemic species [and] we know today, that endemism is very inviting” notes Atanásio Bandeira, STP Forest and Biodiversity Directorate Officer.
Beth Flint
One of the team members of our Dxpedition is Elizabeth (Beth) Flint who is a Wildlife Biologist who has a vast experience working with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service at the Pacific Remote Islands National Wildlife Refuge Complex, and the Seabird Coordinator for the Pacific Islands Refuges, a position she has held for the past 28 years.
Beth received her Ph.D. in Biology from UCLA in 1985 and has authored dozens of scientific publications. But most importantly, she has served as a role model and mentor for hundreds of nascent seabird biologists.
You would be hard-pressed to find a seabird biologist in the Pacific who has not worked with, or benefited from, Beth’s knowledge. She is a passionate advocate for habitat restoration and protection, and has led the charge on multiple, complex eradication projects that collectively benefit millions of seabirds. Beth is a life member of the Pacific Seabird Group and has dedicated her life and career to seabird conservation.
Our Dxpedition is proud to have Beth as part of our team and we are looking to explore the possibility of creating a photographs chronicle to testify the bird diversity in Sao Tome while we are in the Island.
Photograph Chronicle
