Habitat associations of birds at Mara Naboisho Conservancy, Kenya

Abstract

Habitat associations of birds were quantified through fixed-radius timed bird counts at Mara Naboisho Conservancy within the Greater Mara Region, Kenya. We conducted 73 timed counts in four distinct habitats (riparian, woodland, rocky outcrop and plains) in both dry and wet seasons. During this survey, we observed 188 species of birds of which 140 were recorded during the timed counts. The riparian zone had the highest species richness, more than three times that of the plains. The woodlands and rocky outcrops had similar species richness. The mean number of species seen per count was higher in the riparian zone compared with the other three habitats. Bird species composition in the riparian zone and the plains were distinct from each other and from the woodlands and rocky outcrops, although they overlapped significantly in the last two mentioned habitats. The possible conservation implication of an increasing and/or immigrant elephant population and its likely effect on the vegetation is discussed in relation bird community composition.

Effect of disturbance on bird feeding guilds in a West African dry forest

“…However, species richness of the carnivores and granivores increased from the undisturbed habitat to the adjacent disturbed edges, while the insectivores increased from the disturbed to the undisturbed habitat, suggesting affinities for these habitat scenarios. A similar response previously reported by Monadjem and Virani (2016), suggests that at the scale of timed count, mean species richness of the bird feeding guilds is similar between the disturbed and undisturbed habitats. However, the higher species richness of the insectivores in the undisturbed habitat and that of the carnivores and granivores in the disturbed habitat can therefore be explained by the addition of new species with increase in sample efforts in each habitat.…”

Monitoring spatiotemporal dynamics of large herbivores across an African rangeland using hierarchical multi‐species distance sampling

“…gerrardii), fever tree (Vachellia (A.) xanthophloea), sicklebush (Dichrostachys cinerea), and white raisin (Grewia bicolor) are encountered (Monadjem & Virani, 2016). total of 240 transects sampled.…”

Nesting success of Sharpe’s Longclaw (Macronyx sharpei Jackson, 1904) around the grasslands of lake Ol’bolossat Nyandarua, Kenya

“…The preferred habitat for Sharpe's Longclaw is the high-altitude grasslands of the central Kenyan highlands. The population of Sharpe's Longclaw in the grasslands of Ol'Bolossat has been on the decline due to the loss of feeding and nesting habitats caused by the conversion of grasslands into crop fields, afforestation, uncontrolled bird shooting, mining activities and constant use of insecticides (Monadjem & Virani 2016).…”