Assessment of Species Diversity and Relative Abundance of Raptors in North Western Region of Nigeria

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to find out the diversity, distribution and abundance of raptor species in North Western Region of Nigeria. The study was conducted between September 2022 and January 2023. Road transect line method was used to collect data on bird diversity, abundance and distribution and each site was surveyed twice every month during the study period. Bird observation was carried out twice daily; morning between 6:00 to 10:00 a.m. and evening between 4:00 to 6:30p.m. Birds were counted as birds seen and birds in-flight were also counted. The species relative abundance index was used to find the relative abundance in the region, whereas Shannon-Wiener diversity index (H′) was used to determine species diversity. A total of thirty two (32) species of 3 families were recorded including species of global conservation concern during this study, indicating that the North western region of Nigeria is an important breeding, roosting, and feeding habitat for several raptor species. The findings from this study provide evidence that the areas can serve as a refuge for birds. Therefore, conservation efforts should as well be directed towards making communities view human occupied areas as a habitat for birds, and not as a lost habitat.

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