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The monotypic Stone Partridge Ptilopachus petrosus (Galliformes: Phasianidae), restricted to arid rocky areas of the northern savanna belt including the Sahel on the southern border of the Sahara Desert, is a taxonomic enigma. Historically, it has been grouped with Asian forest partridges (Galloperdix and Bambusicola spp.). However, recent DNA‐based phylogenetic research has suggested that its closest relative is Nahan's Francolin Francolinus nahani, another taxonomically enigmatic African galliform, and a globally threatened, narrow endemic species associated with the interior of remnant primary forests of the eastern equatorial lowlands of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda. This hypothesis is investigated in greater detail using additional DNA evidence and information on behaviour and vocalizations. Phylogenetic analyses of the combined sequences from three nuclear and four mitochondrial markers (5554 bases for 84 galliform taxa) overwhelmingly support the sister relationship between F. nahani and P. petrosus. They, in turn, are the distantly related sister taxon of the New World quails (Odontophoridae), and are not related to any other Old World galliform.

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The western Angola Endemic Bird Area has 14 range-restricted species. Little is known about the conservation status of the region's birds due to the civil war that has raged in Angola for the last 27 years. The greatest diversity of restricted-range species is found in Cuanza Sul province, and given the uncertainty about their current status, many of these species are listed as Threatened. In this paper we report the first significant ornithological visits to the Gabela region since 1974. We visited an extensive scarp forest patch at Kumbira Primero, near Conda, as well as smaller forest areas along the Sumbe–Gabela and Sumbe–Seles roads. Most of the threatened species were relocated, including several species not seen since the 1970s. Gabela Bush-shrike Laniarius amboimensis was common and Monteiro's Bush-shrike Malaconotus monteiri was fairly common in degraded secondary forest, old coffee plantations and primary forest at Kumbira. Pulitzer's Longbill Macrosphenus pulitzeri was fairly common at higher elevations at Kumbira as well as in the dense understorey of secondary forest west of Seles. Gabela Akalat Sheppardia gabela was less common, with only three birds found at Kumbira and one near Seles, but may have been overlooked. Only one group of eight Gabela Helmet-shrike Prionops gabela was recorded, in open woodland at the base of the scarp between Kumbira and Seles. Angola Cave-chat Xenocopsychus ansorgei was found on the rocky slopes above the forest at Kumbira. We describe the first sound recordings for five threatened species, which will help future systematic surveys of the region's forests. Vocal evidence confirms the close relationship between Gabela Bush-shrike and Lühder's Bush-shrike L. luehderi. The most pressing need is to assess the extent of remaining forests, map the distribution of key species of conservation concern, and then draft a strategy to conserve key habitat blocks.

SummaryWe report the current status of birds at the Namuli Massif, northern Mozambique. Despite being the only known locality for the Namuli Apalis Apalis lynesi and the nominate race of the Dapplethroat Arcanator orostruthus, the mountain is very little known ornithologically. Prior to our survey it had only been visited by an ornithologist in 1932, when Jack Vincent collected in the area for three weeks. During our week-long survey in November-December 1998 we recorded 130 bird species from the Namuli area, including all three globally threatened species reported by Vincent (Thyolo Alethe Alethe choloensis, Dapplethroat and Namuli Apalis). The higher-elevation (>1,500 m) forests are still largely intact, but most of those at lower elevations have been cleared for agriculture. The alethe and apalis are common, occurring in remnant forest patches and secondary scrub as well as pristine forest from 1,160 to 2,000 m. The Dapplethroat is restricted to large, intact forests above 1,500 m, but also is fairly common (up to 2–3 singing males per hectare; greater densities than recorded elsewhere). Red-rumped Swallow Hirundo daurica was recorded for the first time in Mozambique, and was suspected of breeding at 1,400 m. We estimate that some 1,300 ha of pristine forest remains on the main massif between Gurue and Mount Namuli, but this area is being reduced by burning and “subsistence” logging. Approximately 7,000 people currently live in the area east of the main forest. Grazing by goats and pigs on the montane grasslands surrounding the forests is another problem, but the gravest threat is posed by improved road access to the area, which could open the forests to commercial logging. In addition to being the sole locality known for the Namuli Apalis and the nominate race of Dapplethroat, the Namuli forests probably support the largest single populations of Thyolo Alethe and the well-marked belcheri race of Green Barbet. These populations make Namuli arguably the most critical Important Bird Area for Mozambique, and the remaining forests have a high priority for conservation action.