Contribution a l'étude ornithologique de l'île de Socotra

Socotran avifauna has been studied during two expeditions in November 1993 and November 1997. Fifty four species have been listed : 12 species of sea birds, 18 migrating, over-wintering or occasional species (2 new species for the island) and 24 out of 27 known terrestrial breeding species. The composition of the breeding avifauna shows the predominance of large insectivores- omnivores and large granivores, the least represented guild is that of terrestrial insectivores (2 species). The sampling of the four main habitat types by mean of 74 point counts has shown that 1 1 species are found in every habitat and 7 in only one habitat. Among the endemic taxa Long billed Pipit, Socotra Warbler, Socotra Sunbird, Great Grey Shrike, Socotra Starling and Socotra Sparrow have a wide habitat range the most specialised are White browed Coucal and Socotra Bunting in montane habitat and Socotra Cisticola in coastal plain. Reproduction indices have been noted for 17 species. Most species, raptors included, have a breeding season starting with the main rainfalls in November-December.