Resource constancy and diurnal population variances drive coexistence among avian scavengers at urban slaughterhouses in Nsukka region, Nigeria

Abstract

AbstractSpecies that share dietary resources can segregate into different spaces at time scales. It has, however, been proposed that species have to co‐evolve to achieve such segregation; otherwise, competition might result. We explored the strategies that support the coexistence among avian scavengers at urban slaughterhouses in Nsukka. A total of 41 field observations were conducted across five slaughterhouses at two diurnal time scales, and the avian scavengers utilising the butchery wastes therein were estimated using the point‐count method. In addition, interaction among the species was monitored. Hooded vultures [Necrosyrtes monachus (Temminck, 1823)] and pied crows [Corvus albus (Müller, 1776)] were common at the slaughterhouses with the abundance of the latter being significantly higher than the former. The two species relatively exhibit different active feeding times although not exclusively amidst the regular available resources. The two species coexist, and no antagonistic behaviour was recorded. Generalised linear mixed models showed that the number of animals slaughtered on daily basis and percentage vegetation cover positively influenced abundance of hooded vulture and vice versa for pied crow. Our results highlight that intraguild species can coexist if resources are in constant supply and the species involved maintain some sort of inverse diurnal population variance at the foraging sites.