Author: Kelvin Oluwatosin Adewale| kelvinkyle71@gmail.com
Department of Ecotourism and Wildlife Management,
Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria
ABSTRACT
Nigeria is blessed with a large biodiversity of which avian species are not an exemption. This study assessed the diversity and distribution of Avian Species in the Federal College of Agriculture, Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria. The survey was carried out using the point and line transect method twice a week in the mornings and evenings covering six months spanning both dry and rainy seasons. Collected data were analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. Analysis of the survey reveals that, a total abundance of 658 birds for 48 individual bird species, which cut across 21 families and 10 orders, at five habitat types. Family Accipitridae has the highest abundance of species with Little Swift (Apus affinis) having the highest abundance in both dry and rainy seasons. Forest habitats had the highest abundance and diversity in both seasons. The findings of this research underscore the significance of the study area as a vital habitat and seasons playing a significant role in the determination of species richness and diversity to establish a healthy ecosystem.
Keywords: Birds Species, Biodiversity, Habitats, Abundance.
1.0 INTRODUCTION
Birds have been considered useful biological indicators because they are ecologically versatile and inhabit all kinds of habitats (Odewunmi et al., 2017). The diversity of birds, and particularly the native species, is positively correlated with the increasing structural complexity of the vegetation and spatial distribution and abundance of bird species, breeding success, and survival are influenced by the availability of key resources, including habitat, food, water, vegetation cover, and weather condition (Galetti et al., 2013). Birds show different levels of interest in various stands depending on the age of the stands. (Okosodo et al., 2016). Weather patterns, habitat quality, and local landscape characteristics are also known to influence bird species richness and distribution, especially in urban areas (Skórka et al. 2016). Habitat fragmentation and degradation bring about significant loss in species richness by altering forest habitat structure (Muhammed et al., 2018).
The knowledge of the habitat and seasonal distribution of birds is important for the conservation in the areas where anthropogenic activities are significant factors, which can affect the bird species’ distribution and abundance due to habitat loss (Obateru et al., 2019). In Nigeria, habitat degradation, climate change, and anthropogenic activities such as farming and grazing are among the multiple threats faced by many bird species leading to the decline of bird species (BirdLife International 2016; Wilson & Cresswell 2010; Cresswell 2012). Understanding seasonal and spatial factors governing bird community dynamics would be valuable to guide local conservation and monitoring efforts, especially when resources and manpower are lacking (Muhammed et al., 2018). Therefore, the study seeks to investigate the contribution of The Federal College of Agriculture, Akure, Ondo State (FECA) to the abundance and diversity of bird species based on habitat type as a proxy for season, vegetation structure, locality, and anthropogenic activities.
2.0 METHODS
2.1 Study area
The Federal College of Agriculture, Akure is situated in the northern part of Akure in Ondo State between latitudes 07o15’53.20” N and longitudes 05013’5272”. It lies along Oba-ile expressway (Figure 1). The Federal College of Agriculture, Akure is made up of a wide range of vegetation types, which reflects a wide habitat of wildlife species. The Federal College of Agriculture, Akure, Nigeria (FECA) comprises of different habitats including Forest, Wetland, Human Habitations, Plantation, and Degraded vegetation (FECA, 2022 https://feccakure.edu.ng.com/).
Figure 1. Location map of the study area.
Point and line transect method between January and August 2022, which spans through rainy and dry seasons. A cumulative total of 24 systematic walk surveys were done for each season (Three months – January, February, and March 2022 were considered for the Dry season while June, July, and August 2022 were considered for the Rainy season). During each visit, transects were walked slowly along predetermined routes (already existing trails, tracts, and paths), sighting, listening, and recording bird species, and count information was recorded separately for each habitat. Surveys were conducted early mornings, between 06.00 hours and 10.00 hours, and in the evenings, between 16.00 hours and 18.30 hours. All birds observed or heard, including those in flight were identified and recorded. Bird identifications and counting of birds species were conducted by direct observation aided with binoculars with a magnification 7x 50. Photographs of the bird species were taken where necessary and possible with a 300m range camera (model, Canon EOS). The Global Position System (GPS) model was used to mark the beginning and end of the transect and take coordinates. The field guide to the Birds of West Africa (Birds of Western Africa, by Borrow and Demey, 2008) was used for the identification of the birds. For every bird species identified, the following parameters were recorded: The species name, family, order, activity, and time sighted.
2.3 Bird Data Analysis
To analyze bird abundance, data collected were analyzed both by descriptive (Frequency table, relative frequency, and bar chart) and inferential statistics using SPSS version 21. Significance in bird mean number between the two seasons (Dry and Rainy) and the habitats (Forest, Wetland, Residence, Plantation and Cultivated Area) was determined using T-test to compare the mean species richness and abundance per habitat types per plot between dry and rainy seasons. Species diversity indices were also analyzed using Paleontological Statistics (PAST) program software version 4.03/2020.
Shannon Species Diversity Index is given as: H’ , where; Pi = proportion of individual species, s = the Total number of species of the study area. (i.e. number of species sighted), i = the number of individual species, menhinick richness index = the ratio of the number of taxa to the square root of sample size, buzas, and Gibson’s evenness/Equitability: H/S, the relative abundance of bird species was expressed as RA = n/N x 100, where n = the number of individuals recorded per bird species, N = the total number of birds observed.
3.0 RESULTS
3.1 Birds Species Abundance
A total of 43 species of birds were sighted during the dry season while 27 species were sighted and recorded during the rainy season of the survey. Family Accipitridae has the highest number of species (8 Species) while Apodidae, Bucerotidae, Corvidae, Macrosphonidae, Monarchidae, Picidae, Meropidae, Dicruridae, Vidvidae, and Turdidae has the lowest (1 Specie each). A total of 21 species were sighted and recorded during both dry and rainy season surveys (Table 1). According to the IUCN 2012 status categorization, all birds recorded were in Least Concerned (LC) category.
Table 1. Bird Species Abundance in Federal College of Agriculture, FECA
| Order/ Family | Scientific Name | Common Name | CS | FG | MS | Dry Season | Rainy Season | F | W | R | P | C |
| Apodiformes/
Apodidae
|
Apus affinis
|
Little Swift | LC | I | R | + | + | + | + | + | + | + |
| Falconiformes/
Falconidae
|
Falco tinnunculus
|
Common Kestrel | LC | C | M | + | + | + | + | + | + | – |
| Passeriformes/
Lybiidae
|
Pogoniulus chrysoconus
|
Yellow fronted Tinkerbird
|
LC | F | R | + | + | + | – | + | – | – |
| Columbiformes/
Columbidae
|
Streptopelia semitorquata
|
Red-Eye Dove | LC
|
F | R | + | + | + | + | – | + | + |
| Accipitriformes/
Accipitridae
|
Milvus aegyptius
|
Yellow Billed Kite | LC | C | M | + | – | + | + | – | + | + |
| Passeriformes/
Cisticolidae
|
Prinia subflava
|
Tawnay Flanked Prinia
|
LC | O | M | + | + | + | – | – | – | – |
| Bucerotiformes/ Bucerotidae
|
Lophoceros fasciatus
|
African Pied Hornbill | LC | O | R | + | + | + | + | + | + | + |
| Piciformes/
Pycnonotidae
|
Pycnonotus xantholaemus
|
Yellow Throated Tinkerbird
|
LC | F | R | + | – | + | – | – | – | + |
| Passeriformes/
Pycnonotidae
|
Pycnonotus barbatus
|
Common Bulbul | LC
|
O | R | + | + | + | – | + | + | – |
| Passeriforme/
Corvidae
|
Corvus albus
|
Pied Crow | LC | O | R | + | + | + | + | + | + | + |
| Cuculiformes/
Cuculidae |
Cuculus clamosu
|
Black cuckoo | LC | I | M | + | – | + | + | – | – | – |
| Columbiforme/
Columbidae
|
Spilopelia senegalensis
|
Laughing Dove | LC | O | R | + | + | + | + | + | + | + |
| Ciconiiformes/
Ardeidae
|
Bubulcus ibis
|
Cattle Egret | LC | I | M | + | + | + | – | – | – | – |
| Passeriformes/
Pycnonotidae
|
Eurillas virens
|
Little Greenbul | LC | O | M | + | – | + | – | – | – | – |
| Passeriformes/
Hirundinidae
|
Hirundo rustica
|
Barn Swallow | LC | I | M | + | + | + | + | + | – | + |
| Passeriformes/
Macrosphenidae |
Sylvietta virens
|
Green Cormbec
|
LC | O | R | + | – | + | – | – | – | – |
| Cuculiformes/
Cuculidae
|
Centropus senegalensis
|
Senegal Coucal
|
LC | C | R | + | + | + | – | + | – | + |
| Cuculiformes/
Cuculidae
|
Centropus monachus
|
Blue-Headed Coucal
|
LC | C | R | + | + | + | – | – | – | – |
| Passeriformes/
Monarchidae
|
Terpsiphone rufiventer
|
Red Bellied Paradise Fly Catcher
|
LC | I | R | + | – | + | – | – | – | – |
| Ciconiiformes/
Ardeidae
|
Ardea cinerea
|
Grey Heron
|
LC | P | M | + | – | – | + | – | – | – |
| Passeriformes/
Estrildidae
|
Spermestes bicolor
|
Black And White Mannikin
|
LC | F | R | + | + | + | + | + | + | + |
| Passeriformes/
Nectariniidae
|
Anthreptes seimundi
|
Little Green Sunbird
|
LC | O | R | + | – | – | + | – | – | – |
| Passeriformes/
Nectariniidae
|
Cinnyris chloropygius
|
Olive Bellied Sunbird
|
LC | I/N | M | + | – | + | + | – | – | – |
| Passeriformes/
Nectariniidae
|
Cinnyris cupreus
|
Corper Sunbird
|
LC | N | R | + | – | – | + | – | – | – |
| Cuculiformes/
Cuculidae
|
Chrysococcyx klaas
|
Klass’s Cuckoo
|
LC | I | R/M | + | + | + | + | – | – | – |
| Piciformes/
Lybiidae
|
Pogoniulus bilineatus
|
Yellow Rumped Tinkerbird
|
LC | F/I | R | + | + | + | + | – | – | – |
| Accipitriformes/
Accipitridae
|
Kaupifalco monogrammicus
|
Lizzard Buzzard
|
LC | C | M/R | + | + | + | – | + | – | – |
Accipitriformes/ Accipitridae
|
Circaetus spectabilis
|
Congo Serpent Eagle
|
LC | C | R | + | – | – | – | – | + | – |
| Accipitriformes/
Accipitridae
|
Buteo auguralis
|
Red Necked Buzzard
|
LC | C | M/R | + | – | – | – | – | + | – |
| Passeriformes/
Pycnonotidae
|
Thescelocichla leucopleura
|
Swamp Palm Bulbul
|
LC | O | R | + | + | + | – | – | + | + |
| Passeriformes/
Cisticolidae
|
Camaroptera brevicaudata
|
Grey-Backed Camaroptera
|
LC | I | R | + | + | – | – | + | – | + |
| Piciformes/
Picidae
|
Campethera cailliautii
|
Green-Backed Woodpecker
|
LC | I | R | + | – | – | – | – | – | + |
| Accipitriforme/
Accipitridae
|
Milvus migrans
|
Black Kite
|
LC | C | R | + | + | + | – | – | – | + |
| Columbiformes/
Columbidae
|
Treron calvus | African Green Pigeon
|
LC | G/F | R | + | – | + | – | – | – | – |
| Falconiformes/
Falconidae
|
Falco biarmicus
|
Lanner Falcon
|
LC | C | R | + | – | + | – | – | – | – |
| Coraciiformes/
Meropidae
|
Merops pusillus
|
Little Bee-Eater
|
LC | I | M | + | – | – | – | + | – | – |
| Apodiformes/
Apodidae
|
Cypsiurus parvus
|
African Palm Swift
|
LC | I | M/R | + | + | – | – | + | + | + |
| Passeriformes/
Dicruridae
|
Dicrurus modestus
|
Velvet Mantled Drongo
|
LC | I | M | + | – | – | – | – | – | + |
| Passeriformes/
Hirundinidae
|
Hirundo aethiopica
|
Ethiopian Swallow
|
LC | I | R | + | – | – | + | – | – | – |
| Passeriformes/
Nectariniidae
|
Hedydipna collaris
|
Collared Sunbird
|
LC | N | R/M | + | – | – | – | – | – | + |
| Accipitriformes/
Accipitridae
|
Accipiter melanoleucus
|
Black Sparrow Hawk
|
LC | C | M | + | – | + | – | – | – | – |
| Passeriformes/
Viduidae
|
Vidua macroura
|
Pin-Tailed Whydah
|
LC | G | M | – | + | – | – | + | – | + |
| Accipitriforme/
Accipitridae
|
Gypohierax angolensis
|
Palm Nut Vulture
|
LC | O | R | – | + | – | – | – | + | – |
| Passeriformes/
Turdidae
|
Turdus pelios
|
African Thrush
|
LC | O | R | – | + | + | – | – | – | – |
| Piciformes/
Lybiidae
|
Pogoniulus atroflavus
|
Red Rumped Thinkerbird
|
LC | F | R | – | + | + | – | – | – | – |
| Passeriformes/
Estrildidae
|
Spermestes cucullatus
|
Bronze Mannikin
|
LC | G | R | – | + | – | – | – | – | + |
| Cuculiformes/
Cuculidae
|
Chrysococcyx cupreus
|
Emerald Cuckoo
|
LC | I | M/R | – | + | + | – | – | – | – |
| Cuculiformes/
Cuculidae
|
Cuculus canorus
|
Common Cuckoo | LC | I | M | + | – | – | – | – | + | – |
*R = Resident, M = Intra-African Migrant, CS = Conservation Status, FG = Feeding Guild, MS = Migratory Status, C = Carnivore, F = Frugivore, G = Granivore, I = Insectivore, O = Omnivore, N = Nectarivore, F = Forest, W = Wetland, R = Residence, P = Plantation, C = Cultivated Area.
[+] = Season Present,
[-] = Season Absent
[+] = Habitat Present,
[-] = Habitat Absent
3.2 Seasonal Relative Abundance
A total number of 685 individual bird species were recorded across both the dry and rainy seasons. The total mean number of bird species recorded in the dry season was 458 and the total mean number of bird species recorded in the rainy season was 227. However, this research shows that dry season has an abundance of Little Swift (Apus affinis) as its highest relative value (n = 126, RA = 27.94%) and Yellow Frontied Tinkerbird, Little Greenbul, Green Cormbec, Copper Sunbird, Yellow Rumped Tinkerbird, Congo Serpent Eagle, Red-Necked Buzzard, Lanner Falcon, Little Bee Eater, Velvet Mantled Drongo, Black Sparrow Hawk, and Common Cuckoo as its least values (n = 1, RA = 1.53%). During the rainy season, African Pied Hornbill (Lophoceros fasciatus) has the highest relative abundance (n = 47, RA = 20.70%), and Yellow Frontied Tinkerbird, Tawnay Flaked Prinia, Klass’s Cuckoo, Yellow-Rumped Tinkerbird, Black Kite, Palm-nut Vulture, African Thrush, Emerald Cuckoo as its least values (n = 1, RA = 0.44%).
This shows that the study area has an abundance of Little Swift in the Dry Season and an abundance of African Pied Hornbill in the Rainy Season (Table 2).
Table 2. Seasonal Abundance of Birds Species
| COMMON NAME | AB | DRY
MEAN ± S.E |
RA (%) |
AB | RAINY
MEAN ± S.E |
RA (%) |
| Little Swift | 126 | 25.20 ± 8.96 | 27.94% | 43 | 14.33 ± 6.89 | 18.94% |
| Common Kestrel | 7 | 1.75 ± 0.48 | 1.53% | 2 | 2.00 ± 0.00 | 0.88% |
| Yellow Frontied Tinkerbird | 1 | 1.00 ± 0.00 | 0.22% | 1 | 1.00 ± 0.00 | 0.44% |
| Red-Eye Dove | 14 | 4.67 ± 2.33 | 3.06% | 10 | 3.33 ± 0.88 | 4.41% |
| Yellow Billed Kite | 18 | 4.50 ± 0.87 | 3.93% | – | – | – |
| Tawnay Flaked Prinia | 3 | 3.00 ± 0.00 | 0.66% | 1 | 1.00 ± 0.00 | 0.44% |
| African Pied Hornbill | 85 | 21.25 ± 11.71 | 18.56% | 47 | 11.75 ± 7.49 | 20.70% |
| Yellow Throated Tinkerbird | 8 | 4.00 ± 1.00 | 1.75% | – | – | – |
| Common Bulbul | 25 | 12.5 ± 11.50 | 5.46% | 3 | 3.00 ± 0.00 | 1.32% |
| Pied Crow | 7 | 3.50 ± 1.50 | 1.53% | 14 | 2.80 ± 0.80 | 6.17% |
| Black Cuckoo | 3 | 1.50 ± 0.50 | 0.66% | – | – | – |
| Laughing Dove | 9 | 2.25 ± 0.48 | 1.97% | 15 | 3.75 ± 2.14 | 6.61% |
| Cattle Egret | 3 | 3.00 ± 0.00 | 0.66% | 12 | 12.00 ± 0.00 | 5.29% |
| Little Greenbul | 1 | 1.00 ± 0.00 | 0.22% | – | – | – |
| Barn Swallow | 19 | 4.75 ± 2.78 | 4.15% | 6 | 3.00 ± 2.00 | |
| Green Cormbec | 1 | 1.00 ± 0.00 | 0.22% | – | – | – |
| Senegal Coucal | 4 | 1.33 ± 0.33 | 0.87% | 3 | 3.00 ± 0.00 | 1.32% |
| Blue Headed Coucal | 4 | 4.00 ± 0.00 | 0.87% | 3 | 3.00 ± 0.00 | 1.32% |
| Red Bellied Paradise Fly-Catcher | 6 | 6.00 ± 0.00 | 1.31% | – | – | – |
| Grey Heron | 7 | 7.00 ± 0.00 | 1.53% | – | – | – |
| Black and White Mannikin | 27 | 9.00 ± 3.60 | 5.90% | 24 | 8.00 ± 2.08 | 10.57% |
| Little Green Sunbird | 9 | 9.00 ± 0.00 | 1.97% | – | – | – |
| Olive Bellied Sunbird | 4 | 2.00 ± 1.00 | 0.87% | – | – | – |
| Copper Sunbird | 1 | 1.00 ± 0.00 | 0.22% | – | – | – |
| Klass’s Cuckoo | 3 | 1.50 ± 0.50 | 0.66% | 1 | 1.00 ± 0.00 | 0.44% |
| Yellow Rumped Tinkerbird | 1 | 1.00 ± 0.00 | 0.22% | 1 | 1.00 ± 0.00 | 0.44% |
| Lizard Buzzard | 3 | 3.00 ± 0.00 | 0.66% | 6 | 3.00 ± 2.00 | 2.64% |
| Congo Serpent Eagle | 1 | 1.00 ± 0.00 | 0.22% | – | – | – |
| Red Necked Buzzard | 1 | 1.00 ± 0.00 | 0.22% | – | – | – |
| Swamp Palm Bulbul | 4 | 2.00 ± 0.00 | 0.87% | 5 | 2.50 ± 0.50 | 2.20% |
| Grey Backed Camaroptera | 3 | 3.00 ± 0.00 | 0.66% | 2 | 2.00 ± 0.00 | 0.88% |
| Grey Backed Woodpecker | 3 | 3.00 ± 0.00 | 0.66% | – | – | – |
| Black Kite | 9 | 4.50 ± 0.50 | 1.97% | 1 | 1.00 ± 0.00 | 0.44% |
| Grey Kestrel | 3 | 3.00 ± 0.00 | 0.66% | – | – | – |
| African Grey Pigeon | 4 | 4.00 ± 0.00 | 0.87% | – | – | – |
| Lanner Falcon | 1 | 1.00 ± 0.00 | 0.22% | – | – | – |
| Little Bee eater | 1 | 1.00 ± 0.00 | 0.22% | – | – | – |
| African palm Swift | 6 | 3.00 ± 1.00 | 1.31% | 10 | 10.00 ± 0.00 | 4.41% |
| Velvet Mantled Drongo | 1 | 1.00 ± 0.00 | 0.22% | – | – | – |
| Ethiopian Swallow | 15 | 15.00 ± 0.00 | 3.28% | – | – | – |
| Collared Sunbird | 5 | 1.09% | – | – | – | |
| Black Sparrow Hawk | 1 | 1.00 ± 0.00 | 0.22% | – | – | – |
| Common Cuckoo | 1 | 1.00 ± 0.00 | 0.22% | – | – | – |
| Pin-Tailed Whydah | – | – | – | 8 | 4.00 ± 2.00 | 3.52% |
| Palm-Nut Vulture | – | – | – | 1 | 1.00 ± 0.00 | 0.44% |
| African Thrush | – | – | – | 1 | 1.00 ± 0.00 | 0.44% |
| Red Rumped Tinkerbird | – | – | – | 2 | 2.00 ± 0.00 | 0.88% |
| Bronze Mannikin | – | – | – | 4 | 4.00 ± 0.00 | 1.76% |
| Emerald Cuckoo | – | – | – | 1 | 1.00 ± 0.00 | 0.44% |
| 458 | 100 % | 227 | 100 % |
3.3 Habitat Relative Abundance
A total number of 685 individual birds’ species were recorded in the habitats of the study area. However, this research shows that The Federal College of Agriculture, Akure (FECA) has abundance of birds species in Forest as its highest relative value (n = 325, RA = 47.45%), and Residence as its least value (n = 72, RA = 10.51%). This means that The Federal College of Agriculture, Akure (FECA) has abundance and diversity of birds’ species in its Forest Habitat as shown in Table 3.
Table 3. Habitat Relative Abundance
| HABITATS | AB | MEAN ± S.E | RA (%) |
| Forest | 325 | 10.09 ± 3.39 | 47.45%
|
| Wetland | 91 | 5.35 ± 1.21 | 13.28%
|
| Residence | 72 | 4.80 ± 1.99 | 10.51%
|
| Plantation | 114 | 7.47 ± 3.10 | 16.64%
|
| Cultivated Area
|
83 | 4.58 ± 1.46 | 12.12% |
| 685 | 100.00% |
The diversity index of bird species at The Federal College of Agriculture, Akure (FECA) is calculated and analyzed according to the seasonal variation and the different habitats. Forest has the highest diversity index (H=2.55) while Plantation has the least (1.97) (Table 4). Dry season has the highest diversity index (H=2.76) while rainy season has the lowest value (H=2.61) (Table 5).
Table 4. Habitats diversity index
| Variable | Individuals | Dominance_D | Simpson_1-D | Shannon_H | Eveness_e^H/S |
| Forest | 325 | 0.1394 | 0.8606 | 2.553 | 0.4016 |
| Wetland | 91 | 0.1066 | 0.8934 | 2.45 | 0.6819 |
| Residence | 72 | 0.2272 | 0.7728 | 2.013 | 0.499 |
| Plantation | 114 | 0.2207 | 0.7793 | 1.971 | 0.4787 |
| Cultivated Area | 83 | 0.1616 | 0.8384 | 2.373 | 0.596 |
Table 5. Seasonal Diversity Index
| Dry Season | Rainy Season | |||
| Diversity Variable | Habitats | Birds Species Abundance | Habitats | Birds Species Abundance |
| Individuals | 458 | 458 | 227 | 227 |
| Dominance_D | 0.2695 | 0.1253 | 0.3706 | 0.1091 |
| Simpson_1-D | 0.7305 | 0.8747 | 0.6294 | 0.8909 |
| Shannon_H | 1.463 | 2.759 | 1.259 | 2.614 |
| Eveness_e^H/S | 0.8641 | 0.3671 | 0.7042 | 0.5055 |
3.4 Birds Species Frequency
Figure 2. Frequency of Bird Species in each family in FECA.
Figure 4. Frequency of bird species in each habitats in Dry season in FECA.
Figure 5. Frequency of bird species in each habitats in Rainy season in FECA.
4.0 DISCUSSION
4.1 Species Diversity and Abundance
The bird survey across five different habitats – forest, plantation, residence, wetland and cultivated area revealed that a total of 48 bird species from 21 families and 10 orders were identified and recorded in two seasons (Dry season and Rainy season). Forest had a total of 32 bird species belonging to 9 families and 16 orders, Wetland had 17 bird species belonging to 9 families and 11 order, Residence had 15 bird species belonging to 8 families and 14 order, Plantation had 15 bird species belonging to 7 families and 9 order, and Cultivated area had a total of 19 bird species belonging to 7 families and 14 order. Zannu (2018) carried out similar research and discovered 36 bird species of bird from three different habitats. In the current research, birds were more sighted during the dry season compared to the rainy season, this agrees with the result of Sulaiman et al, (2018), who found that many bird species were discovered during the dry season.
This research also revealed that all birds recorded were in the least Concerned (LC) category in the IUCN Red Data List. This is in sync with the research of Zannu (2018) who also found out that all the birds recorded in his study were also in the least Concerned (LC) category in the IUCN Red Data List. More resident and migratory species were recorded in the dry season, and this is in agreement with the findings of Almazán-Núñez et al, (2018). Furthermore, the research found that the relative abundances of each species by feeding guilds also varied between seasons and this is also in sync with the findings of Almazán-Núñez et al, (2018). In addition, it was discovered that during the dry season, Little Swift was the relatively abundant bird but during the rainy season, the relatively abundant bird was the African Pied Hornbill. Shamsu and Safianu (2017) discovered in their research, which was conducted at Kano State in Nigeria that Stresptophelia senegalensis had the highest frequency during dry season.
This research further shows that the highest number of the bird species were found in the forest habitat and this is agreement with Almazán-Núñez et al, (2018) who found out that higher number of resident birds to be recorded, as have been found in others dry forest, it is also in line with the research of Renton et al, (2018).
4.2 Birds Densities
In addition, avian species diversity index was tested (i.e. individuals were randomly sampled from an independent large population and all species were represented in the sample) and it was discovered that the diversity of the avian species were higher during the dry season (H = 2.76) than it was during the wet season (H = 2.61). Shamsu and Safianu (2017) also discovered in their research which was carried out during the dry season that avian species were high during the dry season (H = 2.36, 2.59, 2.76 and 2.29).
The habitats of the Federal College of Agriculture, Akure hosts a significant number of birds species. From the findings of this research, it is clear that vegetation and season play important roles in the abundance and diversity of avian species. The habitats also play a significant role in the determination of species richness associated with different feeding guilds and migratory status. As shown in the study the highest number of species were recorded in the forest habitat and dry season respectively, it is evident that FECA has high avian species at the dry season favoured by its large land mass of natural habitat. There is a need to implement biodiversity protection regarding habitat degradation and deforestation of natural habitats of these bird species to sustain their abundance and diversity, species richness and breeding as well as a healthy ecosystem.
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