Factors for the presence of avian scavengers in Accra and Kumasi, Ghana

Abstract

Avian scavengers are common and active in the social life of southern Ghana, yet few studies consider both the ecological factors for avian presence and the avian-human interactions from human gender and age perspectives, and compare avian behaviour in both human-dominated and natural landscapes. This paper examines interactions between people, hooded vultures and pied crows in Accra and Kumasi, Ghana using both ecological and social research methods. Land use was classified for species presence into meat and waste production, vegetable marketing, non-food production, residential and central business areas, green spaces and rural areas. One hundred and eighty-four people were interviewed, classified according to age and gender. Hooded vultures and pied crows were more common in urban than rural areas, and their presence was positively correlated with human numbers. Birds were most common in meat and waste production areas, but also foraged for street discards in non-food production and residential areas, and were most rare in rural areas. Bird consumption of waste was viewed positively, while eating of other foods, close proximity and unusual behaviours were viewed negatively. Both species, especially the larger vultures, were feared as spiritual agents, this measured by odd behaviours. Women and older people had stronger beliefs, due to cultural conditioning. These human perspectives and reactions influenced avian presence. This study contributes to urban avian ecology, socio-cultural studies and urban planning.

Some Important Observations on the Populations of Hooded VulturesNecrosyrtes monachusin Urban Ghana

“…Over the past decade, noticeable increases in Hooded Vulture populations have been reported in Accra [5,6,8,9]. In recent times, however, there is a growing concern that vulture numbers are rapidly decreasing in Ghana even though scientific data to support this is practically nonexisting.…”

“…Closely associated with Hooded Vultures in the urban West African environment are Pied Crows although the later did not attract as many published works as vultures [6,9]. Contrary to the number of Hooded Vultures that increased to a peak in 2010/11 on the Legon Campus and decreased thereafter (Figure 1), Pied Crow population on the Campus has gradually been increasing from about 93 ± 31 to an estimated present population of 453 ± 52 in 2014/15 ( Figure 1).…”

“…Hooded Vultures in West Africa are primarily known to be associated with human settlements foraging on meat, vegetables, and rubbish [3,5,6,9] and therefore there was the possibility that the vultures might have redistributed from the Campus to other urban areas as a result of developmental changes. However, in a count of Hooded Vultures in the entire city of Accra in the year 2012 [15], only 257 Hooded Vultures were recorded including 55 individuals on the Legon Campus (Table 1).…”

“…We reviewed published peer-reviewed papers including [3,5,6,8,9,16]. In addition, reports from fieldbased studies of Hooded Vultures and Pied Crows in Ghana were reviewed including [15,[17][18][19][20][21][22].…”

“…Indeed, the Hooded Vulture had been so common in Ghana that it occurred in 59 out of 93 atlas squares [3] and commonly makes use of open food markets, landfill sites, open dumpsters, and slaughterhouses [4][5][6].…”