April & August. 1999 
25 
For a reference book, the 166 black and white 
illustrations are generally outstanding and well printed 
with some published for the first time However, there 
is not a credit for any photograph, which 1 find mildly 
irritating. 
Dr Rookmaaker writes in the introduction: "Of 
course, this book will fall far short of your (and my) 
expectations'* (p.4). I strongly disagree. I find the book 
a gold mine of fascinating and relevant information on 
all five species of the rhino. It is clearly written, 
skillfully organized, profusely illustrated and well 
printed. Anybody interested in rhinos must obtain a 
copy of this book. Unfortunately, it is expensive (over 
US$ 100). but the book is well worth it. 
Esmond Martin, PO. Box 15510 Mbagathi. Nairobi 
Kenva 
REQUEST FOR INFORMATION 
18 May 1999 
Dear Madam , 
The Greyheaded Parrot in East Africa: a plea for 
sighting records 
l am a student at the University of Natal, 
Pietermaritzburg, South Africa, and am conducting a 
Masters project on the "Conservation Status and Biology 
of the Greyheaded Parrot Poicephalus fuscicollis 
suahelicus Reichenow in Southern Africa Part of my 
study involves recording the historic and present 
distribution of the species in the wild. In doing so I am 
referring to museum collections worldwide, atlas data 
records and reports of ornithologists through the range 
of the species. The input of ornithologists in East Africa 
would be most valuable in this study. Please find 
attached an article for consideration in your quarterly 
Bulletin. 
Please feel free to contact me either \ia e-mail or 
post, should you wish to know more about my project. 
Yours sincerely 
Craig Symes 
Cape Parrot and Greyheaded Parrot (Brown- 
necked Parrot): valid separate species 
In 1992 a study of the nominate race of the Cape Parrot 
Poicephalus robustus robustus (Gmelin) was initiated 
by the late Olaf Wirminghaus. This forest-specific 
species is confined to the afromontane forests of eastern 
South Africa and this long term smdy is continuing 
under the supervision of Dr Colleen Downs (wife of 
the late Olaf Wirminghaus) and Prof. Mike Perrin 
(W.P.T. Africa; R.C.A.P.C). In that study the 
taxonomic status of this species was reviewed using 
morphometric analyses, plumage colouration, habitat 
requirements and distribution, and two separate species 
were proposed; P. robustus, the smaller of the three 
confined to the fragmented afromontane forests of South 
Africa, P. fuscicollis suahelicus, with a wider 
distribution inhabiting woodland, and P. fuscicollis 
fuscicollis. similar to P f suahelicus in appearance, 
yet discontinuous in distribution and inhabiting a reduced 
range of woodland and forest in West Africa 
(Wirminghaus & Perrin, 1994; Wirminghaus et al., in 
prep.). These findings support the proposal of Clancey 
(1997). 
The Greyheaded Parrot Poicephalus fuscicollis 
suahelicus, is found from the Northern Province'of South 
Africa south of the Limpopo River, north through 
Zimbabwe, Mozambique, the Caprivi of Namibia, 
eastern Angola, Zambia, to northern Tanzania, Burundi, 
Rwanda and southern Zaire (Fry, Keith & Urban. 1988; 
Forshaw 1989; Wirminghaus et al., in prep). In East 
Africa it is an uncommon resident of woodlands being 
patchily distributed in some regions (Forshaw, 1989) 
and in the highlands of eastern Zaire (now DRC) it 
occurs in montane forest up to 3750 m.a.s.l, (Chapin. 
1939; Britton, 1980; Forshaw, 1989). In Zambia, where 
it is widely distributed (48% of Atlas squares) 
(Aspinwall. pers. comm.) it is nowhere common 
(Leonard, pers. comm ). In Malawi and Zambia it is 
generally uncommon in woodlands up to about 2000 
m.a.s.l. where woodland tree species provide seeds for 
food and hole cavities for nesting (Fry et al., 1988). 
Zambia is reported as one of its strongholds and seasonal, 
movements are recorded (Aspinwall, pers. comm.). 
These movements are noted as being more nomadic 
than other Poicephalus species (Forshaw, 1989). In 
Zimbabwe it is widespread, yet uncommon, in 
woodlands along major river courses and scarce above 
1000 m.a.s.l, 
The Cape Parrot Poicephalus robustus is regarded 
as vulnerable in the Red Data Book— Birds (Brooke, 
1984). Fewer than 1000 are estimated to survive in the 
wild today, hence making it highly endangered (Downs 
& Symes, 1998). Population declines have resulted 
through capture for the wild bird trade and aviculture, 
shooting as pests and destruction of habitat from 
agriculture and expanding human populations. As a 
result recommendations have been made for its 
conservation (Downs & Symes, op. dt.). Similar factors 
may result in population declines of the Greyheaded 
Parrot Presently its conservation status is undetermined 
and very little is known of the biology of the Greyheaded 
Parrot in the wild. Although widely distributed, it faces 
similar threats as other parrots worldwide The IUCN/ 
CITES Significant Trade Review records a significantly 
high trade in P robustus from 1991-1995. It is therefore 
proposed, under the auspices of the RCA PC that a study 
concerning the status, biology and conservation of this 
species in the wild be conducted. 
As pan of the study of this species I am investigating 
