Onyenweaku, Erondu, & Obiajunwa Proceedings of 6th NSCB Biodiversity Conference; Uniuyo 2018 (65-70 pp)

A Provisional Checklist of the Avifauna of Umudike and Environs, South-East Nigeria

*ONYENWEAKU, Levi N., ERONDU, Kelechi E., & OBIAJUNWA, Udoka P. Department of Forestry and Environmental Management, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Nigeria *Correspondent Author: [email protected]; +234 806 337 4943

Abstract: Field surveys were done to record the bird species found within Umudike and environs. The entire study area was surveyed in four batches over a 4-year period covering all the seasons: August/September 2014, June/July 2015, April/May 2016 and February/March 2017. Bird species were recorded by sightings or calls and local abundance status of the species were determined using defined criteria. A total of 64 bird species belonging to 32 Families were recorded. Ploceidae and Cuculidae had the highest records of 5 species each. Five families had records of 4 species each, while one family, six families and nineteen families had records of 3, 2 and 1 species respectively. One ‘Critically Endangered’ species was recorded within the area. Almost half of the species recorded were classified to be locally rare. The results of this survey suggest that a relatively good number of bird species still exist in the area, though increase in human population which has led to poorly planned urban development may be impacting on the biological diversity within the area. The importance of maintaining up-to- date records of the biodiversity within local communities is highlighted.

Keywords: Avifauna, Biodiversity, Records, Species, Umudike.

INTRODUCTION their ever-green vegetative makeups and favourable Assessment of the faunal diversity in an ecosystem is climatic conditions (Gentry, 1992; Smith, et al. 1997; very vital to the management of the ecosystem (Stork Naidoo & Adamowicz, 2005) but deforestation, 1988, Richardson 1999; Verma et al. 2004). Having pollution and over-exploitation have reduced their been accepted as a good ecological practice all over potentials to serve as biodiversity reservoirs and as the world, many species and habitats have been under well as, support species sensitive to environmental constant monitoring. This assessment ensures degradation (Collar & Stuart, 1988; Geist & Lambin, recording of species which could reveal the biotic 2002). integrity of the ecosystem (Wikum & Shanholtzer, 1978; Karr, 1981). More so, the nature of endemism Ornithological stock-taking is the simplest and most as well as species richness in the ecosystem could also common practice used to describe where birds occur be determined (Caldecott et al. 1996; Lovett, 1998; (Bibby & Burgess, 1992; Lees, et al. 2008; Roy et al. Williams et al. 2003). The threatening effects of 2012). This practice is important because birds play environmental changes and anthropogenic activities various essential ecological roles in the ecosystem, on wild fauna require a good documentation such as plant pollination, scavenging and bio- (Caldecott et al. 1996; Williams et al. 2003; Sodhi et monitoring (Kumbar & Ghadage, 2014). They are also al. 2004). a reference point for biodiversity conservation (Nigeria Conservation Foundation, 2002). The pattern Most tropical rainforests which support most of the of avifaunal diversity in a locality may be an indicator terrestrial fauna are becoming increasingly threatened to the potentials of such area in supporting other forms (Brooks et al. 2005). Interestingly, a high percentage of life (Ezealor, 2002b; Roy et al. 2012). Research of our forest fauna inhabit the tropical rainforests has shown that most tropical forest habitats serve as (Raven, 1988; Dunn, 2004). Species’ decline in stopover or destination points for most tropical rainforests and other ecosystems has become intercontinental migratory birds (Jones, 1995; Moore one of the most serious environmental concerns of the et al. 1995; Sanderson et al. 2006). Where these 21st Century (Pereira et al. 2010). Whereas researchers migratory species are known to appear and then have been attempting to find solutions to the disappear after a while, efforts ought to be made environmental and climatic challenges, the species towards ensuring that the structures that may be the most hit by these problems may not have received points of attraction for them are not destroyed. More adequate attention. Tropical rainforests are very rich so, there is need to unravel the ecologic-economic in soil fertility, vegetation and species diversity due to importance of the presence of most bird species within

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Onyenweaku, Erondu, & Obiajunwa Proceedings of 6th NSCB Biodiversity Conference; Uniuyo 2018 (65-70 pp) our environment. However, that cannot be achieved if various habitats and forming riparian zones in some the geographical coverage of such species is not well parts of the area. documented. The ecosystems in Nigeria are known to support a large diversity of bird species. Over 904 Data collection species have been documented within the country, Field surveys were conducted in four batches: with more than 430 breeding and resident species and August/September 2014 (late rainy season), June/July 300 migrant species (Ezealor, 2002b). Over 30 critical 2015 (Peak rainy season), February/March 2016 sites for conservation of the nation’s biodiversity have (Peak dry season) and October/November 2017 (Early also been documented (Ezealor, 2002a). Researchers dry season). The entire area was thoroughly surveyed are increasingly channelling efforts towards in the early hours (6am-10am) at least once a week producing a reliable bird atlas across Africa (Lewis within the period of study. Sightings were done using and Pomeroy, 1989; Harrison & Cherry, 1997). This 8x42 RSPB Puffin Binoculars and a telescope study aimed at making a provisional inventory of bird mounted on a tripod stand. Species were identified species within Umudike, a prominent agricultural using Birds of Western Africa Field Guide (Borrow & research base in the tropical forest zone of Eastern Demey, 2008). Species which could not be sighted Nigeria. were identified by their calls. Species’ list was compiled and arranged in their families following MATERIALS AND METHODS Kumbar and Ghadage (2014). The local abundance status (that is, the level of abundance of bird species Study Area within the study area) was determined as follows: The study was conducted in the humid rainforest of Common (CO=where species was found as a flock or Umudike, Abia State of Nigeria, located between group of up to 20 individuals in one survey or Latitudes 5° 28' and 5° 30' N and Longitudes 7° 31′ encountered frequently in all surveys); Abundant and 7° 33′ E (Igboekwe, Akankpo, & Umenwa, 2012). (AB=where species was encountered in almost all The area receives rainfall all year round: ranging from surveys or up to 10 individuals seen in one survey); 1800 mm to 2200 mm annually, temperature range of Occasional (OC=where species was encountered at 22°C and 32°C with a relative humidity of 51% to 87% least 5 times in all surveys); Rare (RA=where species and average sunshine of 2.69 to 7.86 hours per day was sighted at least once in all surveys). Species’ (Njoku & Muoneke, 2008). The area hosts two major names were checked using International Union for agricultural research institutions which has turned it to Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources an increasingly developing semi-urban settlement. (IUCN) Red list of threatened species Version 2017-3 Within the heart of one of the institutions is a relict (www.iucnredlist.org) to ascertain if any of the forest estimated to occupy a landmass of about one species is listed as being threatened. acre, which has retained some of its natural features. Farmlands and a few secondary forests and RESULTS AND DISCUSSION plantations, most of which are vegetated with During the periods of survey, a total of 64 bird species abundant native and exotic tree species currently exist belonging to 32 Families were recorded. Ploceidae in the area. Avenue and plantation trees common in and Cuculidae had the highest record of 5 species the area include Anthonotha macrophylla, Dialium each. Five Families: Accipitridae, Alcedinidae, guineense, Elaeis guineensis, Pentaclethra Estrildidae, Nectariniidae and Sylviidae had a record macrophylla, Gmelina arborea, Tectona grandis of 4 species each, while Hirundinidae had a record of among others (Dike & Ezeigbo, 2011). The ‘Anya 3 species. Six and nineteen Families had records of 2 River’ (Dike & Ezeigbo, 2011) with its tributaries and 1 species respectively (Table 1). runs through some parts of the area, connecting

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Onyenweaku, Erondu, & Obiajunwa Proceedings of 6th NSCB Biodiversity Conference; Uniuyo 2018 (65-70 pp)

Table 1: Bird species recorded within Umudike and environs. Local abundanc Family Common name of Bird Scientific name e status Accipitridae Hooded Vulture Necrosyrtes monachus Occasional Yellow-billed Kite Milvus parasitus Rare Lizard Buzzard Kaupifalco monogrammicus Rare Palm-nut Vulture Gypohierax angolensis Rare Alcedinidae Blue-breasted Kingfisher Halcyon malimbica Rare Giant Kingfisher Megaceryle maxima Rare Woodland Kingfisher Halcyon senegalensis Abundant Grey-headed Kingfisher Halcyon leucocephala Rare Anatidae White-faced Whistling Duck Dendrocygna viduata Rare Apodidae African Palm Swift Cypsiurus parvus Rare Little Swift Apus affinis Common Ardeidae Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis Common Grey Heron Ardea cinerea Occasional Bucerotidae African pied Hornbill Tockus fasciatus Abundant Piping Hornbill Bycanistes fistulator Rare Caprimulgidae Standard-winged Nightjar Macrodipteryx longipennis Rare Columbidae Red-eyed Dove Streptopelia semitorquata Abundant Corvidae Pied Crow Corvus albus Abundant Cuculidae Didric Cuckoo Chrysococcyx caprius Rare Klaas’s Cuckoo Chrysococcyx klaas Occasional Senegal Coucal Centropus senegalensis Occasional African emerald Cuckoo Chrysococcyx cupreus Rare Blue-headed Coucal Centropus monachus Rare Estrildidae Grey-headed Negrofinch Nigrita canicapillus Occasional Black-and-white Mannikin Spermestes bicolor Common Bronze Mannikin Spermestes cucullatus Abundant Orange-cheeked Waxbill Estrilda melpoda Occasional Hirundinidae Red-rumped Swallow Hirundo daurica Rare Ethiopian Swallow Hirundo aethiopica Abundant Rufous-chested Swallow Hirundo semirufa Rare Jacanidae African Jacana Actophilornis african Rare Laniidae Common Fiscal Lanius collaris Rare Lybiidae (syn.Capitonidae) Yellow-rumped Tinkerbird Pogoniulus bilineatus Abundant Malacondidae Black-crowned Tchagra Tchagra senegalus Occasional Meropidae Little Bee-eater Merops pusillus Abundant Motacillidae Yellow-throated Longclaw Macronyx croceus Rare Plain-backed Pipit Anthus leucophrys Rare Nectariniidae Copper Sunbird Cinnyris cupreus Occasional Superb Sunbird Cinnyris superbus Rare Splendid Sunbird Cinnyris coccinigastrus Rare Olive bellied Sunbird Cinnyris chloropygius Occasional Numididae Helmeted Guineafowl Numida meleagris Occasional Passeridae Northern Grey-headed Sparrow Passer griseus Common

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Onyenweaku, Erondu, & Obiajunwa Proceedings of 6th NSCB Biodiversity Conference; Uniuyo 2018 (65-70 pp)

Phalacrocoracida e Long tailed Cormorant Phalacrocorax africanus Rare Phasiandae Scaly Francolin Francolinus squamatus Occasional Platysteiridae Common Wattle-eye Platysteira cyanea Occasional Ploceidae Village Weaver Ploceus cucullatus Common Red-bellied Malimbe Malimbus erythrogaster Rare Vieillot's black Weaver Ploceus nigerrimus Occasional Spectacled Weaver Ploceus ocularis Rare Yellow-mantled Widowbird Euplectes macroura Occasional Pycnonotidae Little Greenbul Andropadus virens Abundant Common Bulbul Pycnonotus barbatus Common Simple Leaflove Chlorocichla simplex Abundant Scolopacidae Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos Rare Scopidae Hamerkop Scopus umbretta Rare Sylviidae Winding Cisticola Cisticola galactotes Abundant Chattering Cisticola Cisticola anonymus Occasional Yellow-browed Camaroptera Camaroptera superciliaris Occasional Grey-backed Camaroptera Camaroptera brachyura Abundant Turdidae African Thrush Turdus pelios Rare Snowy-crowned Robin chat Cossypha niveicapilla Rare Tytonidae Barn Owl Tyto alba Rare Viduidae Pin-tailed Whydah Vidua macroura Occasional

The Hooded vulture which is listed as ‘Critically significantly affect biodiversity globally (Bibby & Endangered’ in the IUCN Red List of threatened Burgess, 1992; Brooks et al. 1999a, 1999b), thus, the species was sighted predominantly within the high rate of deforestation occurring within the area canopy trees of the relict forest and the roof structures potentially suggests that the area may experience of an existing poultry house where they scavenged for continual loss of biodiversity. However, the presence food. Prior to the commencement of this study, a huge of a good mix of bird species from different families Iroko tree (Milicia excelsa) located within the area also suggests that in spite of the deleterious human was a nesting site for hooded vultures, however, the impact, the area may still have retained some of its tree was cut down due to a road construction that forest potentials. passed through the spot where the tree was (Ezealor, Pers. comm.). Although 63 species recorded are listed as ‘Least Concern’ with varying population trends in the IUCN Red List, almost a half of them were considered to be locally rare (Fig. 1). This is an indication that the environmental disturbances by humans may be threatening the continued habitation of previously abundant bird species in the area. Although there seem to be no records currently existing on bird diversity in Umudike and environs, the topography of the area as well as its suitability to host two zonal agricultural research institutions in Nigeria show that the area may have possessed good agricultural land mass as well as potential habitats for wildlife. Over the past two Fig. 1: Local abundance status of avifauna in decades, the area has experienced huge urbanization Umudike and Environs. 45% of the species recorded due to increasing human population leading to were encountered at least once in all the surveys and changes in land-use. Land-use changes tend to so were considered to be locally rare.

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Onyenweaku, Erondu, & Obiajunwa Proceedings of 6th NSCB Biodiversity Conference; Uniuyo 2018 (65-70 pp)

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