Assessment of bird diversity in Hadejia-Nguru wetlands, Yobe State, Nigeria

Abstract

The aim of this study was to assess the avian diversity in Hadejia-Nguru Wetlands. Point count method for bird census was used in the study. The number of birds found in the wetlands in the five years of study (1995-1999 census periods) were 254,964; 191,055; 194,280; 266,034; and 160,387, respectively. Also, the number of species of birds encountered were 57; 63; 63; 64; and 63. Calculated Simpson indices for bird species were 0.2661, 0.2753, 0.2666, 0.3628 and 0.2406 for 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998 and 1999 respectively. This indicates high diversity and heterogeneity of bird species in the wetlands. The information generated from this study can be used to develop appropriate conservation strategy for avifauna of Hadejia-Nguru wetlands.