Abundance and distribution of woodland kingfisher (Halcyon senegalensis) in the University Of Ibadan, Southwest, Nigeria

Abstract

This study was carried out to assess the abundance and distribution of the woodland kingfisher (Halcyon senegalensis) in the University of Ibadan. Point Count Method was used in the survey. Three landuse types namely, Residential, Aquatic and Forest area were selected, and 15 points were marked with 100 m apart on each area with the aid of GPS. Calls, sightings of bird and the position sited (tree, shrub and grass) were recorded within a 30 m radius for five minutes on each point between (08: 00hrs) and (19:00hrs) for 3weeks using standard procedure. Data was analysed using descriptive statistics and ANOVA at α< 0.05. A total of 265 individuals were encountered. Residential area had the highest population of 120 (45.3%), followed by aquatic area 105 (36.6%) and 40 (15.1%) at the forest area. The mean frequency is highest in residential area (7.67), followed by aquatic area (7.00), but least in forest area (2.67). There was significant difference (P<0.01) in the distribution of the Woodland Kingfisher across the different sites. The abundance of Woodland Kingfisher is significantly different from the aquatic landuse type and forest landuse type. However, there was no significant difference between the aquatic area and forest area.