Seasonal abundance and habitat use of bird species in and around Wondo Genet Forest, south‐central Ethiopia

Abstract

The habitat use and seasonal migratory pattern of birds in Ethiopia is less explored as compared to diversity studies. To this end, this study aimed at investigating the patterns of distribution related to seasonality and the effect of habitat characteristics (elevation, slope, and average vegetation height) on habitat use of birds of Wondo Genet Forest Patch. A stratified random sampling design was used to assess the avian fauna across the four dominant habitat types found in the study area: natural forest, wooded grassland, grassland, and agroforestry land. A point transect count was employed to investigate avian species richness and abundance per habitat type per season. Ancillary data, such as elevation above sea level, latitude and longitude, average vegetation height, and percent slope inclination, were recorded with a GPS and clinometers per plot. A total of 33 migratory bird species were recorded from the area, of which 20 species were northern (Palearctic) migrants while 13 were inter-African migrants. There was a significant difference in the mean abundance of migratory bird species between dry and wet seasons (t = 2.13, p = .038, df = 44). The variation in mean abundance per plot between the dry and wet seasons in the grassland habitat was significant (t = 2.35, p = .051, df = 7). In most habitat types during both dry and wet seasons, omnivore birds were the most abundant. While slope was a good predictor for bird species abundance in the dry season, altitude and average vegetation height accounted more in the wet season. The patch of forest and its surrounding is an important bird area for migratory, endemic, and global threatened species. Hence, it is conservation priority area, and the study suggests that conservation coupled with ecotourism development is needed for its sustainability. K E Y W O R D Saltitude, average vegetation height, distribution, feeding guilds, migratory, slope

A preliminary study on bird diversity and abundance from Wabe fragmented forests around Gubre subcity and Wolkite town, Southwestern Ethiopia

“…The present study in Wabe fragmented forest, showed that bushland/shrub land support a considerable number of bird species (72%) and bird abundance (59.25%) as compared to riverine forest and human plantation habitats. This is in line with result of Desalgn & Subramanian, 4 Girma et al, 8 Aynalem & Bekele., 16 Bergner et al, 17 and Mengesha et al, 18 where high species diversity, richness and abundance of birds was observed in bushland habitat that might be associated with the vegetation composition that could create variations in food sources, nesting and protection opportunities based up on the bird's habitat preference and feeding habits.…”

“…Moreover, the presence of low species richness and abundance in the riverine forest might be associated with presence of homogeneous plant species which are selected only by few bird species. According to Girma et al, 8 a natural forest which is dominated by few tree species is not suitable to different bird species, because it does not fulfilled the feeding or nest building preferences of most species coupled with risk of predation and thus, it is preferred by few forest specialist bird species alone as they obtained sufficient cover and food requirements. In contrast, Mengesha & Bekele., 2 has reported highest avian species diversity was found in riverine woodland habitat in Alatish National Park, this variation might be associated with type of plant species found and feeding habit of the presented bird species.…”

“…Moreover, identifying the existing threats in a particular area is also essential for developing effective conservation efforts and management actions. 8,11 Although, birds are among the key components of the earth's biodiversity, information on birds check list is still far from complete for most species in many countries including Ethiopia, and this might be an obstacle in the development effective conservation planning at the local/regional, national and global scales. 6,7,12 In Ethiopia, some studies are conducted on the diversity, distribution and abundance of birds predominantly in protected areas such as National parks.…”

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“…Moreover, the variation in species dominance among different habitats could also be attributed to the presence food availability, suitable cover and nesting sites, adaptation or tolerance level of the species and the degree of the threats presented in the habitats. 8 But based on the relative abundance score, most of the occurred bird species were grouped under locally rare and uncommon species. Similar result is reported by Mengesha & Bekele 2 from Alatish National Park, North Gondar, Ethiopia, thus the occurrence of such species indicates there is a need of wildlife conservation prioritization in those habitats.…”

“…[4][5][6] Therefore, the temporal and spatial species composition and abundance of birds in Ethiopia are mainly determined by vegetation structures used as food source, breeding sites and protection (shelter) resulting from climatic variations such as rainfall and temperature related to the topographical nature of a particular area. 7,8 Physical environments such elevation, slope and aspect determine the composition, structure and productivity of vegetation which influences the diversity, abundance and habitat use of many birds. 4 Birds are well known bio-indicators and they have a significant role in ecosystem functioning and balancing.…”