Hierarchical analysis of Swainson’s Spurfowl Pternistis swainsonii habitat use on Highveld maize and livestock farms

Abstract

This paper explains habitat use by Swainson’s Spurfowl Pternistis swainsonii on maize Zea mays and livestock farms on the Highveld south-east of Johannesburg, South Africa. The purpose is to describe habitat modification methods to manipulate the abundance of Swainson’s Spurfowl on Highveld farms where maize is produced. Field observations were conducted along a 100 km road transect during June 2014–May 2015. A hierarchical habitat analysis with three spatial levels was applied. The location of adult male Swainson’s Spurfowl was used as an indicator of habitat use. Females breed and rear broods in male territories. The micro (2.5-m-radius plot around the birds) and macro (>2.5-m-radius plot) habitats and landscape features were recorded for each sighting. Spurfowl moved within landscapes on a seasonal basis. A micro/macro combination linked with landscape features was a reliable indicator of spurfowl habitat preferences. Micro- and macro-habitats within landscapes can potentially be modified at a single spatial level, or a combination of levels, to manipulate spurfowl abundance on Highveld farms with maize production and livestock.

Keywords: hierarchical habitat use, livestock farms, maize fields, Pternistis swainsonii, Swainson’s Spurfowl