Diversity, habitat utilization and relative abundance of rainy season bird species in different land use types of Katsina Metropolis, Katsina State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study assessed bird species diversity and relative abundance across land use types in Katsina metropolis. The point count method  was adopted for bird count. Data were analyzed using the Shannon-Weiner diversity index. Simpson Index of Diversity, and descriptively.  A total of 5803 individual birds belonging to 50 species in 30 families were recorded during the study period. Whitebilled buffalo weaver  was the most abundant species with 696 individuals, followed by Laughing dove (686) and Chestnut-bellied starling (602) while the least  species recorded was Yellow-crowned Gonolek and Tiny sunbird with one (1) individual each. The Shannon Weiner index ranged between  1.169- 2.761 with the highest being in industrial area (2.761), recreational area (2.687), and golf course (2.647) and the lowest being road  (1.16), business district (1.211) and road (1.436). The species like the laughing dove, chestnut-bellied starling and African silver bill were  widely distributed across the study area, other species were restricted. The result of the study found that bird abundance and diversity  was influenced by the level of anthropogenic activities of the various land uses. Efforts should be put towards creating an urban  environment with green spaces to sustain birds and making urban populace realize the importance of avian species.