Seasonal and habitat variation of avian species in Baranda Forest Reserve, Northwest Nigeria

Abstract

Seasonality and habitat types are important factors influencing bird species community structure. This study assessed the abundance and species richness of avian species in Baranda forest reserve. Three habitats were assessed across dry and raining seasons from April to September, 2024. Data on bird species in Baranda Forest reserve, Northwest Nigeria were collected using point count method in the morning (6am-12pm) and in the evening (4pm-6pm). Shannon wiener diversity index was used to determine the Bird diversity in R programming language. A total of 13075 individuals of 100 bird species from 52 families were recorded. Of the recorded species, Chestnut-bellied Starling Lamprotornis pulcher, White-billed Buffalo Weaver Bubalornis albirostris and Laughing Dove Spilopelia senegalensis were the most abundant with a total of 1949, 892 and 634 individuals respectively. 3% of the recorded species in this study are breeding visitors, 4% non-breeding visitors, 17% residents but partially migratory and 76% were resident species. 54% of the recorded species showed a stable population trend, 24% decreasing, 14% increasing and 8% are unknown. Insectivorous birds had the highest number of species (32), followed by omnivorous, carnivorous, Granivorous birds with 26, 18, 14 respectively. There was statistically significant different in bird abundance and richness across seasons (p=0.01). Tukey post hoc showed that dry season had higher species richness and abundance (p<0.001). A Long-term study is recommended for proper conservation and management practice.