ISSN: 2578-4994
Authors: Ogunyemi OO*
The study was conducted in Ekiti State University, Ado- Ekiti from April to July 2018, with the objectives of identifying plant species preference to foraging birds and to investigate the factors that account for the preference. Sampling areas were stratified based on varying levels of disturbance in the area and transect count techniques was employed to collect data on bird diversity, abundance and distribution while Nested plots were used to collect data on habitat features. A total of 2,381 individual plants were identified belonging to 21 plant species of which five (5) species which include Parkia biglobossa (n=17), Delonix regia (n =14), Gmelina arborea (n =8), Cassia fistula (n =7) and Eleasi guineesis (n =7) were highly preferred, Six (6) species were sparsely preferred while only one (1) plant species, Treculia africana (n =0) were totally avoided by bird species inhabiting the area. The study found variations in bird and vegetation variables assessed for the area. Diversity indices ranged from 2.45 to 0.74 with highest value in location 3 and lowest in location 2 for plant species while species diversity among birds ranged from 2.85 to 2.44 with highest value in location 3 and lowest in location 2. The findings from this study provide evidence of variable use of different plant species by birds and that certain plant species presence may be an influencing factor on birds’ distribution and diversity.
Keywords: Abundance; Distribution; Diversity; Foraging birds; Habitat
