Wildbird abundance and richness in Forestry Research Institute Of Nigeria (FRIN), Jericho, Ibadan, Oyo State

Abstract

This study assessed avi-fauna species richness and abundance indices in environs of Forestry Research Institutes of Nigeria (FRIN).The study area,  FRIN, was divided based on landuse activities into three; residential, plantations (Teak (Tectona grandis), and Gmelina (Gmelina arborea)) and fallow  land. Ten (10) point counts were made in each of the land use areas at distance of 200m and visited between 06:00hrs- 10:00hrs and 0400hr-0600hr for a period of 10 minutes each. A pair of 8x42 binoculars, voice recorder and Helms field guide to the birds of Western Africa was used for species identification and confirmation. Species richness, sighting index, bird species diversity (Shannon and Simpson), and Sorenson index of similarity were deduced. Data were analyzed using frequency; PPMC, Percentage and correlation at α 0.05.A total 78 bird species belonging to 38 families were recorded. Yellow-billed kite (Milvus migrans parasitus) was the most abundant species with frequency (228) and sighting index (12.5%). The residential area had the highest mean bird species richness per point. The overall Shannon diversity index (3.52) and Simpson diversity index (0.95) indicated that the study site is highly diverse in bird species. Exotic trees species do not support bird abundance and richness in the  study area, therefore effort should be put in place to restore the depleted habitat planting of native tree species.

Keywords: Species richness, Abundance, Wild birds, Landuse, Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria.