Land bird abundances on Ngazidja, Comoro Islands, obtained by point counts in September 1985 and November–December 1989 are compared. The overall abundance of most species did not differ significantly. Most differences can be interpreted as normal within-year fluctuations. Some important changes are identified and attributed to shortterm vegetation changes: increase of Columba polleni, Coracopsis vasa, Zoonavena grandidieri, Coracina cinerea in Nioumbadjou after abandonment of forest exploitation; decrease of Coracina cinerea at M'Lima Mani North after replacement of the natural shrub layer by bananas. Genuine long-term population changes occur in Coracopsis nigra (increase) and Corvus albus (decrease).

The São Tomè Grosbeak Neospiza concolor, previously known from three nineteenth century specimens from the southern part of São Tomè, was rediscovered in August 1991, when two birds were seen in a small clearing above the Rio Xufexufe in the remote forests in the south-west of the island.