Yellow-backed duiker
Scientific name: Cephalophus silvicultor
- How weight is recorded: Carcass weight
Field notes
Appearance
Dark grey-brown to blackish coat with a distinctive yellow or whitish back and rump. Small, rounded ears and short tail; males larger than females with more prominent frontal glands.
Size and weight
Males typically 12–16 kg, females 10–13 kg; body length 65–80 cm.
Habitat
Dense forest vegetation in tropical and subtropical regions, from lowlands to approximately 2000 m elevation. Prefers moist, thick primary and secondary forest with substantial undergrowth.
Distribution
West and Central Africa from Sierra Leone to Gabon, primarily throughout rainforest belt and moist riverine forests.
Diet
Primarily fallen fruit from trees, supplemented with leaves, shoots, and occasionally small invertebrates; fruit consumption increases during dry seasons.
Behaviour
Nocturnal and crepuscular; usually solitary or in pairs; maintains small home ranges marked with secretions from frontal and anal glands. Moves rapidly and close to ground through dense cover.
Hunting tips
Look for small, distinct trails through heavy undergrowth and small round droppings with fresh spoor. Approach slowly along natural forest corridors at dawn or dusk, wind at your back. Small size demands precision; stillness and patience are critical.
Carcass weight
This species is logged by carcass weight — the animal weighed dressed, the way hunting teams normally report it.
Where it is hunted
Listed as huntable in 2 countries in Huntify.
Names in other languages
Current language: en
These field notes are general species knowledge, not legal advice. Always check the current seasons, quotas and firearm rules where you hunt.