Habitat Utilization and Niche Partitioning in Starling Birds at Federal University Dutse, Nigeria

Abstract

The micro habitat or niche which a species occupies at a particular time in an ecosystem may give some clue to niche partitioning with regards to such species in that ecosystem. This study aimed to assess habitat utilization patterns as cue to niche partitioning in starling birds of Federal University Dutse. Point count bird census technique was used to survey starling bird at sixteen (16), randomly selected points, across various habitat types within the study location. All starling birds seen or heard were identified, counted and recorded. The habitat or niche where they were sited was also noted. The R Statistical software, version 3.3 was used for data analysis. The result showed that starling birds species diversity differed significantly by study area points (p < 0.001), habitat types (p < 0.05) and marginally by occurring niche (p = 0.06). Point 13 had the highest species diversity, habitat types consisting farmlands and buildings had the highest species diversity and the highest starling diversity was observed on trees. Starling bird abundance on the other hand, differed significantly across study points (p = 0.05) and marginally across occurring niches (p = 0.06). Starling bird abundance was highest at study area point 5 and on trees.