Yellow-backed Duiker

The Yellow-backed Duiker (Cephalophus silvicultor) is one of the largest duiker species in Africa and is found across the tropical forests of West and Central Africa. It is recognized by its heavy build, dark brown coat and the distinctive yellow-orange patch across the lower back and rump.

Adult males and females are similar in size, although males usually carry more developed horns. Both sexes have short, straight horns, a broad head and a compact body adapted to moving through dense forest vegetation.

Habitat & Range

The Yellow-backed Duiker occurs across a broad area of West and Central Africa, including countries such as Sierra Leone, Liberia, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Nigeria, Cameroon, Gabon, the Republic of the Congo and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

It inhabits primary and secondary rainforest, forest clearings, riverine forest and dense woodland. It is strongly associated with areas that provide heavy cover and abundant fallen fruit.

Behavior

Yellow-backed Duikers are generally solitary or found in pairs and are highly secretive.

They are most active during the early morning, late afternoon and night, spending much of the day concealed in dense vegetation.

When disturbed, they rely on short, powerful bursts of speed to escape through thick forest cover.

Diet

The Yellow-backed Duiker is primarily a browser and frugivore, feeding heavily on fallen fruit, leaves, shoots, flowers and other plant material.

It may also consume insects, eggs, carrion and small vertebrates when available, making its diet more varied than that of many larger antelope.

Hunting & Identification

Yellow-backed Duikers are typically hunted by slow walk-and-stalk, still-hunting and careful observation along forest trails, clearings and feeding areas.

Shots are generally taken at short range because visibility is limited and the animal rarely remains in the open for long. Light to medium plains-game rifles in the .243, 6.5 mm and .270 classes are suitable when paired with appropriate expanding ammunition.

Mature animals are identified by their large body size, dark coloration and the prominent yellow patch over the rump. Males generally show heavier horn development, although both sexes may carry horns.

Trophy evaluation focuses primarily on horn length, basal mass and symmetry.

Because several forest duiker species can occur in the same habitat, body size, coloration and the distinctive yellow back patch are important for correct identification.

Conservation Status

The Yellow-backed Duiker is classified as Near Threatened by the IUCN (2016).

Although the species remains widespread, populations are declining in many areas due to commercial bushmeat hunting, habitat loss and increasing human access to remote forest regions.

Sources

Mammal Diversity Database — Cephalophus silvicultor

https://www.mammaldiversity.org/

IUCN Red List — Yellow-backed Duiker

https://www.iucnredlist.org/

Animal Diversity Web — Cephalophus silvicultor

https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Cephalophus_silvicultor/