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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 < 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 < 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.

The study aimed at understanding the temporal effects of crude oil spill on bird richness and abundance because of its relevance to species and biodiversity management and conservation. Using the single time design, we visited 57 points across 8 sites of varying crude oil disturbance history and 44 random adjacent points as control points. Our result showed that the impact of crude oil spills is highest at the initial stage. However, bird species richness and abundance increased over time and showed no significant difference with control points after 24 months. This information suggest that crude oil spills are detrimental to birds and humans. This research, to the best of our knowledge, is the first that focuses on the effects of crude oil spills on terrestrial bird species in a tropical environment. Thus, we suggest longer monitoring assessments with special attention to the various feeding guilds to ensure proper ecological monitoring that informs better management and restoration plans. We also recommend clean ups of contaminated areas after spill events to ensure quick recovery of bird populations.

Unsustainable fuel wood utilisation and poorly articulated habitat reforestation strategy could pose serious threats to the survival of animal species. However, few areas have provided the opportunity to compare the twin effects of these factors on local biodiversity which may be useful for shaping conservation strategies at local levels. Thus, this study examined utilization patterns of plant species used for fuelwood in five Local Government Areas of Plateau State, Nigeria and the extent of avian and insect diversity that they support in natural habitats in comparison to the exotic Eucalyptus camaldulensis used in the reforestation of mined areas in the state. Pattern of fuel wood utilisation was obtained through direct survey of fuel wood markets. Biodiversity survey was also carried out to determine avian and insect visit rates, species richness and diversity on the three most utilised plant species (Parkia biglobosa, Syzygium guineense and Terminalia macroptera) and the exotic E. camaldulensis. Fuel wood utilisation appeared to involve a wide range of plant species. Most utilised plant species also supported higher local biodiversity as compared to the exotic E. camaldulensis suggesting that future reforestation in the area could achieve a wider ecological significance if some native plant species are considered. Keywords: Fuel wood, reforestation, biodiversity, birds, insects.

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.

This research surveyed some socio-economic activities of communities around Pandam Game Reserve (PGR) central Nigeria to determine their implications for biodiversity Conservation in PGR. Data were collected using structured questionnaires and field observations. Results showed a 100% response to questionnaires administered. Eighty three percent (83%) of the respondents were males while 17% were females. Eighty percent (80%) attended at least primary school level of education while 20% had no form of formal education. Prominent among occupation of respondents was farming with 40% and the occupation of respondents with list response was hunting with 1%. Field observations showed the presence of the following human activities: logging, firewood collection, fishing, farm encroachment, cattle grazing and poaching. The implication of these socio-economic activities in PGR if left uncontrolled could result to biodiversity lost. A multi-stakeholder approach and participatory management of the reserve which will consider the socio-economic concerns of locals have been suggested as a critical component for building cooperation. These if properly exploited is believed will contribute substantially to biodiversity sustainability in PGR. Keywords: Communities, Biodiversity, Conservation, Pandam Game Reserve

The phenomenon of fire and vegetation evolved long time ago. Due to man’s activity, fire has assumed even an important dimension compared with other environmental variables in shaping the composition, biomass, structure, function and distribution of plant communities, including animal populations that dependent on them, especially in the savanna woodland ecosystem. This study investigates fire and its implication on trees and tree species utilized by birds for nesting in the Yankari Game Reserve, Nigeria. The study was carried out in Yankari Game Reserve (9°45’N 10°30’E), 100 km south east of Bauchi town, Bauchi State, Nigeria. The reserve covers a total area of 2, 244 km², in the east-central part of Nigeria. Line transect was used to record densities of vegetation and bird nest variables. Ninety transects of 1000 m long were placed randomly in the Savanna woodlands. Tree species and bird nests were identified and recorded along each transect. Density estimate of these variables were carried out at 100 m section along the transect line. All the variables were measured within a 20 x 20 m plot. Our findings showed that fire generally had negative impact on woody plants in the Yankari Game Reserve. More woody plants were affected during the late burning regime compared to the early regime. Higher density of death and stunted trees were recorded in the burnt areas of the Reserve. Birds appear to adapt well to the fire regime practiced in the Reserve. The Combretum tree species was most adversely affected by fire compared with other woody plants. Late fire regime was implicated to cause direct death and stuntedness in most woody plants perhaps due to its intensity. Many studies have shown that late fire regimes are hotter and more detrimental to woody plants. We recommend a review in policy of the burning regime to fit in with the ecological reality of the game reserve.Keywords: Fire, Nest, Trees, Woody Plants, Savanna, Woodland, Seasons

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.

Dome shaped nests in birds is assumed to have evolved as a strategy to reduce predation pressure on offspring. Hence, this study postulates that bird species which lack the skill to weave such nests should adopt other strategies to conceal their young from predators as they are under more selective pressure due to the exposed nature of their nests. Thus, if this hypothesis is true, it was expected that species building such nests would place them at such sites having more dense vegetation cover as compared to species with dome shaped nests. Thus, using quadrates placed around each nests found in the study, the following vegetation variables were estimated at each nest site; shrub cover, grass cover, tree cover and bare ground. In addition, attributes of nest location on substrate such as distance of nest from ground level, distance from canopy top and to the edge of the canopy were also quantified. Cup shaped nests were observed to be placed more significantly around areas with high shrub cover, grass cover and areas with less bare ground suggestive of a strategy by birds building such nests to compensate for their exposed nature by concealing them around dense vegetation areas.

The success of foraging birds is attributed to a wide range of factors. For example, in the cattle egret Bulbulcus ibis, the presence of cattle, insects and other conspecifics is widely reported to enhance foraging success. However, few studies have considered the combined effect of insect abundance, herd and flock size on such commensalistic relationship particularly under the nomadic cattle management system practiced across West Africa. Thus, this study, compared cattle egret foraging success (prey capture rates and time interval between successive prey captures) between egrets foraging within cattle and those foraging solitary during the mid-wet season (June to July) 2013. Also, foraging success was related to insect abundance as well as herd and flock size. Study populations were randomly selected across 13-sites in Jos-east and north Local Government Areas of Plateau State, Nigeria. A total of 100 cattle egrets were studied using the focal observation technique. Abundance of insect prey per site was quantified using both sweep net and direct counts. Irrespective of the number of cattle at a site, cattle egrets foraging within cattle, significantly captured more prey and spent less time between successive prey captures than those feeding solitarily. Also prey capture rates increased significantly (P0.05) and insect abundance (P>0.05) for solitary feeding birds. These observations agree with previous studies that proximate benefits in terms of enhanced foraging success could be the reason for the strong association between the two organisms.Keywords: cattle egret, foraging success, herd size, flock size

Occasional screening of food and water quality available to organisms in protected areas could be beneficial to their successful conservation. This is important for areas receiving regular human visitors and exhibiting activities that may be detrimental to ecosystem health. This study determined the intestinal protozoan species harboured by insectivorous and granivorous birds within the Jos Wildlife Park, Nigeria and whether the two avian feeding guilds are more susceptible to protozoan infection through water or food (grass seeds and insects). Special boxes were used to collect faecal samples from trapped birds. Samples were later analysed in the laboratory for protozoans. Both food and water utilised by the birds in the area were microscopically screened. The composition and abundance of intestinal protozoans between the two feeding guilds did not show significant differences. However, considering parasite species individually, the degree of infection by protozoans such as Giardia lamblia was highly related to the range of infection sources that a feeding guild was exposed to. The composition of parasites observed in the two feeding guilds was strongly linked to both water bodies and avian diet obtainable in the Park. These observations showed that birds in the Park are orally susceptible to infection with protozoans, some of which have been reported to cause health implications in birds. Thus, any measure to curtail environmental contamination by the parasites may improve ecosystem health and survival of avian species in the Park.

Protected areas are constantly under anthropogenic threats especially those in close proximity to human settlements thus, it is highly important to regularly monitor human footprints (activities) within such areas in order to ensure the existence of the species they are meant to protect. Hence, this study identified and compared the anthropogenic footprints in the Jos Wildlife Park and Amurum Forest Reserve and sort linkages with some management strategies and challenges in the two reserves. Data was collected using a total of 40 quadrates of sizes 50 x 50 m placed systematically at a minimum distance of 50 m in each habitat. 20 of the quadrates were placed at the core and 20 at the edge of each study habitat. Anthropogenic activities were then examined in each habitat. Identified anthropogenic footprints include logging, firewood collection, mining, burning, residential encroachment, grazing, farmland, indiscriminate defeacation, waste dumping, road encroachment and play ground. Of these, mining, waste dumping and play ground were not recorded in the Amurum Forest Reserve. Anthropogenic footprints were significantly higher in terms of both type and level within the Jos Wildlife Park as compared to the Amurum Forest Reserve (P0.05). Inadequate management strategies, funding, poor staff strength, and bureaucratic challenges were some of the possible reasons for the high level of anthropogenic activities observed in the Jos Wildlife Park.Keywords: Anthropogenic footprints, Amurum Forest Reserve, Jos Wildlife Park, Management strategies

Thanks to the Leventis Conservation Foundation for providing full funding for this study. Escape behaviour in response to perceived predators can be employed as a guide when designating protected areas around sensitive bird species to minimize 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). FID was lower in larger groups and when species were closer to protective cover. FID was lower outside of the protected area because animals in sites with higher levels of human presence and use may become habituated. 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. Postprint

Flowering plants and insects dominate the flora and fauna of earth's land surface and interactions between them are dominant elements of the terrestrial ecosystems. This study, determined the insect fruit utilizers of the plants Carissa and Jasmine. The study further compared the two plant species in terms of the diversity of insect fruit utilizers and their frequency of visits. Data was collected in the Amurum Forest Reserve, north central Nigeria, between June and July 2011 through video recordings to identify the insect species and their frequency and duration of visits on the two plants. A total of 322 individual insects spread across 20 species were recorded during the study. C. edulis had the highest diversity and abundance of insect species as compared to J. dichotomum. Thirteen insect species were observed exclusively on C. edulis while 3 insect species were exclusive to J. dichotomum. Insect species diversity and frequency of visits differed significantly between the two study plants in favour of C. edulis. The insect family Formicidae was the most common on both plant species. 99.7% of individuals were observed foraging on the fruits of the two plants while only one individual insect (i.e. 0.31%) exhibited perching behaviour.

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

Includes bibliographical references., The underlying principles of territoriality propose that competition for resources compels individuals to defend areas (territories) that give them exclusive access to critical resources. The theory suggests that only high-quality individuals succeed in occupying areas rich in these resources with consequent benefits in terms of higher reproductive success and/or chances of survival. The main aims of this study were: i) to determine the ecological factors influencing variation in territory size and quality among Bar-throated Apalises Apalis thoracica; ii) to investigate the consequences of these factors for reproductive effort and reward, pair stability and survival; and iii) to investigate the signalling properties of the species' black breast band (a prominent 'badge' emblazoned across the white underparts) in relation to both male and territory quality.