Mammals diurnal

Ogilby's Duiker

Cephalophorus ogilbyi

A hidden gem of the African rainforest, the Ogilby's Duiker is a master of the undergrowth. With its striking mahogany coat and secretive nature, it is one of the most rewarding sightings for any trail camera enthusiast.

0 Sightings

0 Habitats

Quick Identification

straighten

Size

Shoulder height of 55 cm (22 in); weight ranges from 14–20 kg (31–44 lbs)

palette

Colors

Rich mahogany or bright orange-brown coat with a distinct black stripe running along the spine; pale buff or whitish underbelly

visibility

Key Features

Prominent black dorsal stripe from neck to tail
Small, straight horns present in both sexes
Arched back and shorter front legs for navigating thickets
Large preorbital scent glands visible as slits below the eyes

When You’ll See Them

schedule

Activity pattern diurnal

brightness_5

Peak hours 7-10 AM and 3-6 PM

calendar_month

Season Year-round

restaurant

Diet Primarily a frugivore, eating fallen fruits, seeds, and blossoms; they often follow monkeys through the canopy to scavenge dropped food.

park

Habitat Deep primary rainforests, moist lowland forests, and occasionally mature secondary forests.

bar_chart
Loading activity data...

Behavior

Ogilby's Duiker is a shy and elusive forest-dwelling antelope. Unlike many of its close relatives that prefer the cover of night, this species is primarily diurnal, meaning it is most active during the daylight hours. They are largely solitary animals, though they are occasionally spotted in pairs. They are highly territorial and use the large glands beneath their eyes to rub scent onto branches and trunks to mark their home range.

The name 'duiker' comes from the Afrikaans word for 'diver,' which perfectly describes their behavior when startled. Rather than running across open ground, they take a series of diving leaps into the densest nearby undergrowth to vanish from predators. Because they are so reliant on primary rainforest, they are rarely seen in open spaces and are considered an indicator species for the health of a forest ecosystem.

photo_camera EverydayEarth exclusive

Camera Tips

Capturing an Ogilby's Duiker on camera requires patience and strategic placement within old-growth forest environments. These animals are creatures of habit and utilize 'game trails'—narrow, cleared paths through the leaf litter. Position your camera along these trails at a height of about 18 to 24 inches. This 'knee-high' placement ensures you capture the profile of the animal, which is essential for identifying the characteristic dorsal stripe that distinguishes it from other duiker species.

Because they are fruit specialists, the best place to 'park' a camera for a long duration is near the base of large, fruit-bearing trees such as wild figs or Uapaca trees. If you notice freshly fallen fruit and small hoof prints in the soft earth, you have found a prime location. They are known to visit these sites shortly after sunrise when the forest floor is still quiet. Avoid placing cameras in direct sunlight, as the dappled light of the forest canopy can trigger false motion alerts and wash out the rich mahogany colors of their coat.

Since these animals are extremely wary, use a camera with a 'no-glow' or black infrared flash to avoid spooking them at dawn or dusk. A fast trigger speed (under 0.5 seconds) is vital because, despite their slow foraging pace, they can disappear into the brush in an instant if they catch a scent or sound. If your camera settings allow, record short 10-15 second video clips; this often captures their fascinating scent-marking behavior, where they press the glands on their face against low-hanging twigs.

Similar Species

Species that look similar or are commonly confused with Ogilby's Duiker.

Bay Duiker

Has a much broader black dorsal stripe that starts on the forehead rather than the shoulders.

White-legged Duiker

Very similar but features prominent white fur on its lower legs and throat.

Peters's Duiker

Lacks the distinct black dorsal stripe and generally has a more uniform, grizzled brownish-red coat.

Frequently Asked Questions

Ogilby's Duikers are primarily diurnal, meaning they are active during the day. Their peak activity occurs in the early morning hours after sunrise and again in the late afternoon before dusk.

This species is extremely shy and strictly forest-dependent, so they are rarely found in suburban backyards. To see them, you must be near primary rainforest. Maintaining natural corridors of thick undergrowth and native fruit trees is the best way to encourage them on large, forested properties.

Their diet consists almost entirely of fallen fruits, seeds, and flowers. They are known to hang around underneath trees where monkeys and birds are feeding, waiting for scraps to fall to the forest floor.

No, they are quite rare near human settlements. They require dense canopy cover and high-quality primary forest to survive and are very sensitive to habitat fragmentation and hunting.

While both are reddish, the Ogilby's Duiker has a dorsal stripe that is thinner and typically starts at the shoulders, whereas the Bay Duiker has a much broader black stripe that begins at the top of the head.

Record Ogilby's Duiker at your habitat

Connect a camera to start building your own species record — AI identifies every visitor automatically.

Join free Identify a photo