Population Distribution of Birds of Prey in Hadejia- Nguru Wetlands, Nigeria

Abstract

Birds of prey are some of the most threatened vertebrate taxa, and in the last three decades, many species have experienced severe population declines or faced extinction. Raptor decline may also lead to loss of ecosystem services, sometimes acutely impacting human well-being. Therefore, the population distribution of birds of prey demands an investigation for potential conservation interventions. The study, which was conducted between March and August of 2021, sought to map the distribution of birds of prey in Hadejia Nguru wetlands, Nigeria, to provide baseline data for their conservation. This involved moving slowly along the transect line and recording all birds seen and detected in and around the transect line. The survey was carried out for a period of six (6) months using the transect line method, and each site was surveyed twice every month during the study period. Bird observation was carried out twice daily; morning between 6:00 to 10:00 a.m. and evening between 4:00 to 6:30p.m by walking slowly along the transect line. Birds were counted as birds seen or heard. The total number of birds was calculated as the number of birds seen plus the number of birds heard. The results showed a total of 1,562 individual birds of prey that belong to twenty-four (24) species of 2 families. Accipitridae with 20 species is the richest family in species number, and Falconidae with 4 species. Public awareness should be raised to inform the local populace about the importance of these species to the environment vis-à-vis protecting the man-made structures used by the bird species.