Amurum Forest Reserve Research Articles

Assessment of biometrics and stress indicators of the adult Village Weaver birds (Ploceus cucullatus) during breeding and post-breeding seasons in Jos, Nigeria

In this era of climate change, some biological conservationists' concerns are based on seasonal studies that highlight how wild birds' physiological fitness are interconnected with the immediate environment to avoid population decline. We investigated how seasonal biometrics correlated to stress parameters of the adult Village Weavers (Ploceus cucullatus) during breeding and post-breeding seasons of the Weaver birds in Amurum Forest Reserve. Specifically, we explored the following objectives: (i) the seasonal number of birds captured; (ii) whether seasonal baseline corticosterone (CORT), packed cell volume (PCV), and heterophil to lymphocytes ratio (H:L) were sex-dependent; (iii) whether H:L ratio varied with baseline (CORT); (iv) whether phenotypic condition (post-breeding moult) and brood patch varied with baseline (CORT) and H:L ratio; and (v) how body biometrics co-varied birds’ seasonal baseline (CORT), (PCV) and (H:L) ratio. Trapping of birds (May–November) coincided with breeding and post-breeding seasons. The birds (n = 53 males, 39 females) were ringed, morphologically assessed (body mass, wing length, moult, brood patch) and blood collected from their brachial vein was used to assess CORT, PCV and H:L ratio. Although our results indicated more male birds trapped during breeding, the multiple analyses of variance (MANOVA) indicated that the seasonal temperature of the trapping sites correlated (P < 0.05) significantly to baseline (CORT). The general linear mixed model analyses (GLMMs) indicated that the baseline (CORT) also correlated significantly to H:L ratio of the male and female birds. However, PCV correlated significantly to body size of the birds (wing length) and not body mass. Haematological parameters such as the baseline CORT and the H:L ratio as indicators of stress in wild birds. Hence, there is the possibility that the Village Weaver birds suffered from seasonally induced stress under the constrained effect of environmental temperature. Hence, future studies should investigate whether the effect observed is also attributable to other passerine species.

A comparison of the sampling effectiveness of acoustic recorder, camera trap and point count methods in sampling nocturnal birds in Afrotropical landscapes.

Conservation decisions for bird diversity in the Afrotropics are often based on ecological studies utilizing diurnal bird species likely owing to difficulties associated with sampling nocturnal birds. It is therefore important to compare the sampling effectiveness of some of the available techniques that can be used in nocturnal bird surveys to guide future long-term survey efforts. Thus, we compared the sampling effectiveness of point count, acoustic recorder and camera trap for estimating nocturnal bird species richness and also across habitat types. We surveyed 20 points that were spaced at least 500 m apart in November and December 2021 in the Amurum Forest Reserve and its surroundings in Jos-Nigeria. At each point, we used two camera traps, one at the ground and the other at 2.0 m. We also used one acoustic recorder as well as a 15-min point count during each survey at each point. We encountered 11 nocturnal bird species, primarily nightjars but also owls. While we did not encounter any species with the camera traps, all 11 species were recorded using the acoustic recorder. All species except for Ketupa lacteaus were recorded in point count. Eight species were recorded in the gallery, seven in rocky and nine in savannah. Species richness and estimation using the acoustic recorder and point count were similar across habitat types. We conclude that either point count or acoustic recorders are useful for nocturnal bird surveys in Afrotropical environments. However, the choice of methods should be based on the research questions as some questions may be better answered by a specific method or even a combination of both.

Citizen science mitigates the lack of distributional data on Nigerian birds.

Citizen science projects are expanding globally, with the African continent, particularly Nigeria, registering significant growth. Here, we document and analyse novel operations of the Nigerian Bird Atlas Project (NIBAP), 2015-2022. This project has employed the use of ornithologists, mainly trained at the A. P. Leventis Ornithological Research Institute (APLORI) located in Jos, Nigeria, and its 28 bird clubs established across Nigeria to enlist 827 bird enthusiasts that contribute regular and near real-time data about bird distribution and relative abundance in the country. Interestingly, NiBAP has recorded about 75% of the bird species known from Nigeria in only about 50% of Nigeria's total surface area, including 39 nationally threatened species. The Common Bulbul Pycnonotus barbatus, Laughing Dove Spilopelia senegalensis, and Grey-backed Camaroptera Camaroptera brevicaudata were the most commonly recorded species, while Amurum Forest Reserve, Rennajj Fish Farm, and Obudu Cattle Ranch were the most surveyed sites during the period. Thus, our approach reveals how to increase involvement of nature enthusiasts, ornithologists, and a regional research institute to build local capacity and contribute rich information necessary to alleviate the lack of distributional data about Afrotropical avifauna. We strongly recommend our approach to boost other citizen science projects across Africa and beyond to address the huge lack of biodiversity data, create public awareness, and foster conservation education.

Aspects of the nonbreeding ecology of the Tree Pipit Anthus trivialis in and around Amurum Forest Reserve, Jos Plateau, Nigeria

To advance our knowledge about the nonbreeding ecology of the Tree Pipit Anthus trivialis, this study investigated its population dynamics, habitat utilisation and foraging behaviour, from October to December 2018, in and around the Amurum Forest Reserve, located in the guinea savannah zone of Nigeria, West Africa. The study area comprises four main habitat types: gallery forest, rocky outcrop, savannah and farmland. Distance sampling along six transect lines (total length ∼14.2 km) were used to estimate Tree Pipit abundance and density, while habitat utilisation and foraging behaviour were determined from 222 focal observations. Tree Pipit density in the study area averaged about 1 ind. ha-1 and differed significantly between habitats, being highest in savannah, followed by rocky outcrop, farmland and gallery forest. The vegetation characteristics percentage of grass cover, fruiting and flowering plants, and shrubs, as well as insect abundance, significantly influenced the distribution of Tree Pipits in the reserve. Tree Pipits were seen capturing their prey using two foraging techniques, of which gleaning on the ground was the most frequently observed. Variation in Tree Pipit abundance across the three-month study period suggests that many may have been on passage, with relatively few individuals remaining in the area as winter residents.

Intra- and inter-annual variation in body mass of two species of weavers in an Afrotropical environment

ABSTRACT Capsule We describe the effects of sex, daily rainfall and temperature, seasonality, and breeding stage on body mass variation in two species of weaver in a tropical African environment. Aims To investigate the effects of sex, weather conditions, seasonality, and breeding stage on body mass of the Village Weaver Ploceus cucullatus and Northern Red Bishop Euplectes franciscanus in Amurum Forest Reserve, Central Nigeria. Methods Biometric data were extracted from a Constant Effort Sites database of over 15 years and daily rainfall and temperature data were obtained from Jos Metrological Center. We used a general linear mixed model to determine the effects of sex, rainfall, temperature, and season on body mass variation of the two species within and across years, and differences in body mass of females of the two species within and across years with daily rainfall and temperature, and season during the different incubation stages. Results The body mass of males was higher than that of females in both species. Daily rainfall and mean temperature were negatively related to body mass in Village Weavers, while in Northern Red Bishops rainfall was positively related to body mass. In both species, female body mass varied according to brood patch status: female Village Weavers were heavier during the egg-laying stage compared to the non-breeding season; female Northern Red Bishops weighed more at incubation or brooding stages and less during the chick rearing stage when compared to the non-breeding season. The body mass of females did not correlate with daily rainfall and temperature, or season. Conclusions Our results showed the effect of sex on body mass in both species of weaver. The variation in body mass of these species during breeding, and with local weather conditions, suggests how the species manage body mass within a tropical African environment.

Population trends of resident and migrant West African bird species monitored over an 18-year period in central Nigeria

Almost no systematic monitoring of bird population trends occurs in West Africa, despite rapid human population increase, habitat change, and climate change, making conservation planning problematic. We monitored bird population trends using constant-effort mist netting, in a newly protected area (Amurum Forest Reserve) on the outskirts of Jos, central Nigeria, from 2002 to 2019. We modelled the 18-year changes in trends of 10 Palearctic migrant and 41 common resident bird species and related this to any changes in annual environmental site quality using NDVI and rainfall data. The populations of most bird species were stable; 30% of migrants and 7% of residents increased, while 10% of migrants and 29% of residents declined moderately. Primary productivity, measured by NDVI, increased, and rainfall pattern was stable, suggesting that environmental conditions at the site improved slightly during the period. However, only a few species showed significant correlations of population trends with NDVI and rainfall. Overall, our results suggest that population changes were locally similar for both the Afro-Palearctic and resident bird species, being reasonably stable or increasing — although perhaps this reflected the fact that the monitoring was done within a newly protected area, which at present represents the best habitat in the wider locality. Those species that declined were mostly associated with open, grassland areas, which will have decreased as anthropogenic influences were reduced at the study site. Though we only monitored one site, the results are encouraging in that simple protection of a small habitat fragment (∼300 ha) in Nigeria yielded generally positive population benefits for both resident and Palearctic migrant species.

Abundance and Habitat Preference of the Genus Euplectes in Protected and Non protected Habitats of Jos East Plateau State, Nigeria

The knowledge on the factors influencing habitat selection is of uttermost importance because it guides the development of conservation action plan for species. Till date, there is no baseline study on the genus Euplectes in Northern Nigeria thus, an attempt to investigate the habitat preference of the genus was carried out in Amurum Forest Reserve and the nonprotected habitats of Fobur. Line transects of 200m were randomly laid across the study sites. The abundance of Bishop species was highest in farmland compared to grassland and rocky outcrop. Therefore, the number of the species was significantly different between habitats (F2, 573 = 5.454, P = 0.0015). There was a significant relationship between flock size and number of seeds across habitat types. Number of individual birds increased with increase in seed number (F1, 57 = 21687.786, P &lt; 0.001). With the exception of grass height, there was a highly significant difference in relation to vegetation variables taken between plots where Bishop species were sighted and the random points where they were not seen (P &lt; 0.001). The finding suggests that farmlands should be integrated into conservation plan in the nonprotected area based on the high population of the genus recorded.

Structure of Plants across Habitat Types in Amurum Forest Reserve, Plateau State Nigeria

The Amurum Forest Reserve is one of the nature reserves in Plateau State North central Nigeria. Strict Nature reserve is prominent among the methods for in situ conservation of biodiversity in Nigeria and also the world at large. A study was conducted in the Forest across three habitat types in order to measure tree height and diameter at breast height (dbh) of trees. 50m x 50m plots were marked across the habitat types by simple random sampling technique. Trees and shrubs were identified to species level. Measurement were limited to all woody plants with diameter at breast height (dbh) of ≥ 10cm. Data collected was analyzed in excel. A total of 397 woody species were identified during the study period. 87.7 of the plants were shrubs while 12.3% were trees. The gallery forest had the highest diameter class(30-35cm) followed by the savanna(25-30cm) and lastly the rocky outcrop with the diameter class of 20-25cm.The rocky outcrop had the highest number of trees with the lowest dbh (10-15cm) while the gallery forest had more trees in the highest diameter class (30-35) (Figure 2). The highest mean height distribution in the Gallery forest shows that the plant communities in this habitat type has grown over the years without disturbance since the place is a protected site. Therefore, other surrounding bushes should be protected in order to preserve species from local extinction.

Bird species use of Tapinanthus dodoneifolius mistletoes parasitising African locust bean trees Parkia biglobosa in Amurum Forest Reserve, Nigeria

The relationship between mistletoes and their host trees constitutes one of the unique host–parasite interactions in ecosystems. Most West African studies have reported on the parasitic nature of the relationship between Tapinanthus dodoneifolius mistletoes and Parkia biglobosa trees. However, there is little on bird species’ use and subsequent dispersal of the mistletoe on P. biglobosa, and consequently, we investigated aspects of this relationship in the present study. We conducted our study in Amurum Forest Reserve, located in the central part of Nigeria, from May to September 2017. The study area consists of a mosaic of savanna, gallery forest, and rocky outcrops. Of the bird community in this area, the yellow-fronted Tinkerbird Pogoniulus chrysoconus had the highest number of visits to T. dodoneifolius fruits, while the Senegal Eremomela Eremomela pusilla spent the most time foraging on the fruits. Four sunbird species were recorded feeding on T. dodoneifolius flowers for nectar; all but the Copper Sunbird Cinnyris cupreus were observed opening the flowers of T. dodoneifolius. Other bird species were recorded foraging on insects on T. dodoneifolius, and some simply perching on twigs or pecking on mistletoe fruits. This was a mutualistic relationship between the respective bird species and the mistletoe. This indirectly benefitted the parasitised host by attracting potential pollinators, seed dispersers, and insectivores for the host, hence, improving the rate of visitation to the host. These patterns of visitation behaviours highlighted the ecological importance of T. dodoneifolius within the reserve, particularly in enhancing the survival of other taxa within the reserve. Findings from this study contribute to developing more-nuanced conservation strategies for mixed high savannah habitat types across the tropics.

Variation in Avian Visits on Two Host Plants of the Mistletoe Tapinanthus sesselifolius Depended on Habitat Type and Presence of Matured Flowers

This study investigated avian foraging behaviour on the Mistletoe, Tapinanthus sesselifolius with a view to determine whether avian visits to the stem parasitic plant significantly differ between its two common host plant species in the Amurum Forest Reserve, Nigeria namely; Dichrostachys cinerea and Ochna afzelii. Also the study determined whether habitat type and abundnace of the three flower developmental stages of T. sesselifolius (i.e.closed unripe, closed ripe and open flowers) influenced avian visits to T. sesselifolius . Data was obtained using focal observations; 22 individuals of each of the two plant species hosting the Mistletoe T. sesselifolius were selected through stratified sampling. Focal observations to determine avian visits were conducted over a period of 1-hour per individual plant. Flower developmental stages were sampled through direct counts on three randomly selected branches of the parasitic plant. A significant difference was observed in avian visits to T. sesselifolius on the two study host plants with higher mean visits per hour to T. sesselifolius on D. Cinerea. While T. sesselifolius around the gallery forest habitat received significantly more avian visitors than those located in the savannah scrub and rocky outcrop. Also closed ripe flowers had significant effect on avian visits with avian visits increasing significantly to T. sesselifolius having higher numbers of closed ripe flowers. The complex structure of D. cinerea and the dense vegetation structure of the gallery forest could act as buffer against birds of prey and may have encouraged more visits to T. sesselifolius based on these factors. Also, the tamper proof nature of ripe flowers and its high nectar content as observed in previous studies is speculated as reasons for its significant positive effect on avian visits in the study. These observations may have implications on the reproductive potential of the stem parasitic plant since reduced pollinator visits is known to limit pollen deposition and eventual fruit set in plants. Keywords: avian visits, Tapinanthus sesselifolius , host plant, habitat type DOI: 10.7176/JNSR/12-8-01 Publication date: April 30 th 2021

Distribution of sunbird species within and around the Amurum Forest Reserve, Nigeria

Monitoring the distribution of bird species across a landscape provides information on habitat occupancy and utilization. This study determined the distribution of the five sunbird species (variable sunbird, scarlet-chested sunbird, green-headed sunbird, copper sunbird and pygmy sunbird) known to exist within the Amurum Forest Reserve. Distribution was determined both within and outside the Amurum Forest Reserve and across the habitat types in the area (gallery forest, savannah scrub and rocky outcrop) and anthropogenic scales (roads, houses and farmlands). The study was conducted between September to October 2014 using presence and absence data. A total of 60-sample points were selected using stratified random sampling. The presence or absence of the candidate bird species was determined across all points after two visits. The study revealed the variable sunbird, Cinnyris venustus as the most widely distributed of the five sunbird species this sunbird species also occurred across all habitat types equally as compared to the scarlet-chested sunbird, Chalcomitra senegalensis which was more skewed in distribution towards the rocky outcrop areas of the reserve. The sunbirds also appeared to utilise areas of anthropogenic disturbance when outside the reserve perhaps due to the presence of several green areas outside of the reserve. The uneven distribution of the birds across the landscape may as a result of niche partitioning to avoid competition. Also, lack of presence of the other sunbird species throughout the period of study was linked to their migratory behavior as reported in some literatures. The study re-emphasizes the importance of the Amurum Forest Reserve as a good refuge for birds in the area.

Ecology of Lantana camara: An invasive plant species in Amurum Forest Reserve, Jos Plateau, Central Nigeria

AbstractLantana camara (Lantana) is an invasive species of South American origin, and it is visibly widespread in Amurum Forest Reserve (AFR) Jos‐Plateau, central Nigeria. Presently, there is no baseline study on Lantana and its spread despite its conspicuous presence within AFR. This is the first study to investigate its abundance and interactions with native fauna and flora in AFR. Established study plots were used to estimate its relative abundance in three habitat types (gallery forest, savannah woodland and rocky outcrops) and to investigate its effect on plants. An experiment using cowpea‐tested allelopathic effects of Lantana and focal observation/beating tray method was used to collect data on vertebrate and invertebrate species utilising/interacting with Lantana. Lantana is widespread within AFR occupying 77% of plots with the gallery forest habitat having the highest abundance compared with the savannah woodland and rocky outcrop. Plots with Lantana had fewer woody plant species than plots without Lantana. Tests on soil samples from the reserve for basic properties revealed that Lantana‐infested sites had relatively poor soils compared with non‐Lantana‐infested sites. Birds and insects in AFR utilise Lantana and are probably responsible for its spread. Control measures are necessary to limit its spread and mitigate its likely negative effect on plant species.

Risk of predation: a critical force driving habitat quality perception and foraging behavior of granivorous birds in a Nigerian forest reserve

BackgroundUnderstanding the factors that influence the foraging behavior and perception of habitat quality by animals has long been the focus in ecology. Due to the direct effect resource acquisition has on an individual’s fitness and species’ survival, predation risk is considered widely to be a major driver of foraging decision. The objectives of this study were to investigate how predation risk is perceived by granivorous bird species with respect to different habitat and microhabitat types, time of day and food types in Amurum Forest Reserve, Nigeria, with a view to direct future conservation planning.MethodsFor 3 months, we conducted field experiments to measure giving-up densities (GUD, the amount of food left behind in artificial patches after birds cease to forage in it) and how it differs with habitat types, microhabitats, times of day, and food types. General linear mixed-effect models (GLMMs) were fitted to investigate the differences in GUD with respect to the aforementioned variables. Model selection was done based on the Akaike’s Information Criterion (AIC).ResultsThere was no significant difference in GUDs across habitats. However, there was a significant difference in GUDs between microhabitats. Higher food remnants were recorded in the open than in cover microhabitats, as birds exploited food patches in the cover more. Time of day influenced foraging behavior in the birds. They foraged more in the morning than afternoon across all three habitats except for the gallery forest where birds foraged less in the morning. Higher GUDs were recorded in open than cover microhabitats both in the morning and the afternoon. Birds had a preference for rice, millet, and groundnut respectively.ConclusionThe differences in GUDs were very indicative of differences in foraging behavior and perception of resource availability in response to perceived predation risk. Therefore, this study suggests that the understanding of foraging decisions can be a veritable method for assessing habitat quality as perceived by animals.

Survey of Hepatocystis parasites of fruit bats in the Amurum forest reserve, Nigeria, identifies first host record for Rousettus aegyptiacus.

Parasites of the genus Hepatocystis are close relatives of Plasmodium that frequently infect epauletted fruit bats across West and East Africa. Our understanding of susceptible hosts and prevalence of infection of Hepatocystis remains fragmented. Non-invasive sampling of bat assemblages in representative habitats critically contribute to haemosporidian parasite distribution maps. Here, we report on a survey of Hepatocystis parasite infections in bats undertaken over two consecutive years in a protected area in Nigeria, where prevalence and diversity of bat-infecting haemosporidian parasites have not been studied. Microscopic examination of blood films in combination with PCR detection and sequencing revealed Hepatocystis infections with prevalences of 25% and 42% in the closely related epauletted fruit bats Epomophorus sp. and Micropteropus pusillus. For the first time, mature Hepatocystis gametocytes were identified in one Egyptian fruit bat (Rousettus aegyptiacus). This novel host record was confirmed by parasite and host genotyping and suggests that Hepatocystis parasites have a broader host distribution in African fruit bats than currently known.

Effects of Tree Size and Bark Roughness of Parkia Biglobosa on Lichen Colonization in Amurum Forest Reserve: Implication for Conservation

Effects of Tree Size and Bark Roughness of Parkia Biglobosa on Lichen Colonization in Amurum Forest Reserve: Implication for Conservation

Managing human disturbance: factors influencing flight-initiation distance of birds in a West African nature reserve

Escape behaviour in response to perceived predators can be employed as a guide when designating protected areas around sensitive bird species to minimise the impact of human disturbance. A key measure of escape response is flight-initiation distance (FID), the distance at which a prey animal initiates its escape when approached by a potential predator. We tested the predictions of optimal escape theory by determining the factors that influence FID of bird species in a Nigerian reserved area and its surrounding habitats, and so the potential utility of FID in managing human disturbance on birds, for the first time within a West African context. We tested how FID varied with group size, proximity to vegetation acting as protective cover, levels of human use, and survival rate, and whether these relationships varied by species. We collected 504 FIDs for seven bird species in Amurum Forest Reserve and its surrounding habitats (Jos, Nigeria). The FID was lower in larger groups and when species were closer to protective cover. The FID was lower outside of the protected area because animals in sites with higher levels of human presence and use may become habituated. The FID was higher for species with higher survival, being consistent with predictions from life history theory. Overall, birds perceived humans as a potential threat and responded in accordance to the predictions of optimal escape theory, with FID increasing with increased cost of staying. Reserve managers in Africa could use species- and context-specific FIDs to designate buffer distances for the protection of wildlife from human disturbance.

Woody vegetation composition and diversity in woodlands inside and outside a Forest Reserve in Jos, Nigeria

AbstractProtected areas such as forest reserves are often assumed to be best ways to conserve biodiversity and maintain intact ecosystems. We examined woody plant composition and diversity in the gallery forest and savannah woodland habitats of Amurum Forest Reserve and areas immediately surrounding it in Jos, Nigeria. A total of 100 10 × 10 m sample plots were established inside and outside the reserve. All woody plants ≥1 cm diameter at breast height (dbh) were identified and measured. A total of 7,564 individual plants categorized as 134 species from 44 families were recorded. Overall species diversity was significantly higher in the Forest Reserve than outside the reserve, although more species were encountered outside the reserve. Our findings suggest that, protected areas and the areas surrounding them are important for the conservation of biodiversity as the areas outside protected areas also contain species of conservation value. The continuous degrading areas outside protected areas isolates them and poses a serious threat to the long‐term viability of wildlife populations, so it is important that biodiversity in protected areas and their surrounding areas be conserved.

Temporal Variation in the Activity of Echolocating Bat Community in Amurum Reserve North Central Nigeria

&lt;em&gt;The effect of temporal variation on activity of the echolocating bat community was determined in four habitat types in and around Amurum Forest Reserve: (i) gallery forest, (ii) savannah, (iii) rocky outcrop, and (iv) farmland. Using transect-based acoustic surveys in the various habitats, bat activity was estimated based on the recorded number of bat passes per minute of echolocation recordings from the field survey grouped into hours after dusk (19:00-23:00) and hours before dawn (02:00-06:00). Bat activity was significantly higher in hours after sunset than hours before sunrise. Activities did not vary significantly in the farmland between hours after sunset and hours before sunrise. In the gallery forest both times of the night had significant impact on bat activity, while in savannah and rocky outcrop habitats only hours after sunset did have significant effect on bat activity. The farmland showed a different trend by hours before sunset having a significant impact on bat activity. Echolocating bat communities in Amurum Reserve are more active during the hours after sunset than hours before sunrise. We recommend hours after sunset as more suitable period for surveying echolocating bat species through acoustic methods. The managements of reserves may do well in avoiding human activities in the protected areas during hours after sunset for maximum performance of the echolocating bat communities in the reserves. &lt;/em&gt;

The importance of anthropogenic effects in habitat use and territory size of Northern Anteater-chats Myrmecocichla aethiops near Amurum Forest Reserve, Jos-Plateau, Nigeria

Occurrence of animals in an area and the size of territories they occupy is a function of resource availability and the environmental conditions in that area. Territory location in birds is often determined by availability of nesting habitat and we investigate whether this is the case for the little-studied Northern Anteater-chat Myrmecocichla aethiops. Territory size and location were mapped over two months in 2012 at 25 different sites where the birds occurred in central Nigeria and compared to 25 random sites where they did not, 500 m away. Vegetation variables, invertebrate abundance indicators, anthropogenic variables (availability of nest sites) and bird community components were measured and compared with adjoining areas (500 m away) from which the birds were absent in order to determine important factors determining territory location and size. Territories were 1.23 ha (SE 0.14) in size and were widely separated and so non-contiguous. Increasing numbers of abandoned wells, ant nests and termite mounds increased the probability of territory occupation. Territory size increased with the number of anteater-chats but decreased with increasing number of ant nests and overall bird diversity that were probably proxies for habitat quality. Overall, choice of preferred areas for the Northern Anteater-chat was centred on nesting sites and then habitat quality and group size probably determined territory size.

A Comparison of Foraging Site Characteristics of Two African Resident Insectivorous Birds in a Burned Habitat

Detailed investigation of the foraging site utilised by avian species may reveal the habitat factors important in their conservation. This study compared the foraging sites of the Sunlark, Galerida modesta and Familiar Chart, Cercomela familiaris (both African resident insectivorous birds) a week after fire engulfed about one third of the 300 ha of the Amurum Forest Reserve, Nigeria. Foraging sites were compared based on proxies of food availability (ant, grasshopper and other insect abundance) and vegetation structure. Data on food availability and vegetation structures were obtained by quadrate sampling while foraging spots were determined from four stratified transects each surveyed four times during the study. Food availability was not a significant predictor of foraging site characteristics between the two bird species. However of the nine vegetation variables measured, grass height and proportion of burned grass cover per foraging site significantly distinguished the foraging sites of the two bird species; Sunlark foraged more at sites with shorter grasses and high proportion of burned grass cover as compared to the Familiar Chat. The characteristics of the foraging sites observed might have implications on the foraging success of the birds in line with literature on the Influences of vegetation structure on avian foraging behaviour. Key words: Foraging site, Insectivorous birds, Burn, Vegetation structure, Food availability