I.J.A.B.R., VOL. 2(3) 2012: 506-514 ISSN 2250 - 3579 SURVEY OF ABUNDANCE AND DIVERSITY OF AVIAN SPECIES IN ASSOP FOREST RESERVE AND SURROUNDING FARMLANDS IN JOS, NIGERIA a Akogwu, S. A., bIhuma, J. O. and aManu. S a A.P Leventis ornithological Research Institute, P.M.B 13404 Laminga, Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria. Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science and Technology, Bingham University, P.M.B. 005, Karu, Nasarawa State, Nigeria. b ABSTRACT A survey of avian species abundance and diversity was carried out in Assop Forest Reserve and surrounding farmlands in Plateau State, Central Nigeria. A total of 57.6 kilometers transect used to survey birds and vegetation in the forest reserve and farmlands between the wet season of May to August 2007. A total of 175 bird species belonging to 49 families were recorded during the study. Avian species number and total count were higher in the farmlands (290.52 ± 14.122) than Assop Forest Reserve (135.52 ± 10.557). This is only an indication that many bird species especially grainvores and ominivores exploit landscapes transformed by human activities to expand their home ranges and therefore become dominant in numbers. The Shannon diversity indices showed a high avian diversity in Assop Forest Reserve (3.8) and low avian diversity in surrounding farmlands (2.4). This resulted from intensive farming activities and agricultural encroachment as most tree species have been cut down during farming. Similarly, tree density (F 1,22=4.528, P=0.041) , percentage canopy cover (F1,22 =4.632, P=0.043) and density of tree sapling (F1,22=4.903, P=0.037) positively affected avian species richness and composition recorded in Assop Forest Reserve, our findings suggest that any activity that leads to the reduction or clearing of vegetation will ultimately affect bird community structure of any given habitat. KEY WORDS: Home range, Agricultural encroachment, avian species, Silvilculture practice and Habitat Fragmentation. Crowe, 2003; Ratcliffe and Crowe 2001). The problem of forest fragmentation is extremely severe in West Africa due to rapid population growth and land use (Manu et al., 2007). The vegetation of West Africa is typically described as consisting of forest and savanna, nearly all of the forest vegetation within populated areas in Nigeria has now been largely converted in to savanna through cultivation and burning (Hopkins, 1962). NEST, 1991 reported that over 350,000 ha of forest and natural vegetation are being lost annually due to farming. The implication of these activities is the loss of biodiversity. Most Nigerians are not aware that many of our birds and other life forms are threatened by intense pressures from various human related activities such as farming, logging and wild fires. For example, the Bannerman s weaver (Ploceus bannermani) and the White-throated Mountain Babbler (Kupeoruis gilberti) are threatened by the loss of important forest patches in their highland forest habitat on the Obudu Plateau (Ezealor, 2002). Presently, about 37 of the bird species that occur in Nigeria are among the biological resources the world may lose as a result of threat from these activities (Ezealor, 2002). The study examines farming as a land use type around Assop Forest Reserve, its impact on the abundance and diversity of avian species. The objectives of this study were to determine the effect of habitat structure on avian community, to obtain a checklist of avian species in the INTRODUCTION Many countries in the developing world are experiencing rapid population growth, with associated pressure on natural habitat and their native flora and fauna (Sodersrom et al., 2003). Habitat loss, destruction and degradation are the major threat to avian species richness and diversity (Birdlife International, 2000). This loss of habitats can be as a result of human or natural causes. Human activities contribute more to habitat destruction. Newton, 1988 acknowledged the fact that, in the last 400 years, human actions alone has eliminated about 127 of approximate 9672 modern species of birds. Activities like fire wood collection, logging, agriculture, farming, drainage and fillin of wetlands, human settlement, building of infrastructures and industries among others have altered lots of habitats (Birdlife International, 2000). Myer (1996) reported that, the loss of tropical ecosystem is of particular concern because the biome contains over half of the world species. Agricultural encroachment and unsustainable silvicultural practices has been implicated for these losses (Blockhus et al., 1992). Many studies have examined the impact of habitat loss and fragmentation due to agriculture on tropical bird communities (Hughes et al., 2002, Naidoo, 2004, Marsden et al., 2006, Wang and Young 2003). Relatively few have focused on bird communities in Africa (E.g Soderstrom et al., 2003; Mangnall and 506 Diversity of avian species in ASSOP forest reserve and surrounding farmlands in JOS, Nigeria twice, in the morning between 06:30 and 10:30 hours and 16:00 to 18:00 hours in the evenings. A total 57.6 kilometers was surveyed in the entire study sites. Transects were walked slowly along predetermined routes, that is, already existing forest trail, tracts and farm paths. Bird counts and vegetation data (below) were recorded separately for each 200 meter section of each transect. Vegetation Measurement Vegetation variables were measured within every 200m section of each transects. A 10x10 m quadrat was chosen randomly within each 200 m section and the following vegetation parameters were recorded in each location. 1. Number of large trees 2. Number of trees with circumference <1cm (Sapling) 3. Percentage canopy cover estimated( to the nearest 5%) by viewing through the wrong side of the canopy (Vickery et al., 2006) Data analysis SPSS (version 11.0) software packages were used for statistical analyses. The total number of all bird species for each site was calculated as: The number of birds seen + The number of birds heard. Bird species diversity was computed using the Shannon- Weaner diversity index ( H) , and was calculated for each site as: H= - (Total bird species)/ (total birds) *[In (total bird species)/ (total birds) Which indicate that the higher the index, the higher the bird species diversity. Analyses of Co-variance (ANCOVA) were used to determine the effect of vegetation variables on avian species diversity and abundance. Kruskal-Wallis One-way ANOVA was used to analyze rank abundance between sites. study site and to generate data that will provide baseline information necessary for conservation action. Description of the Study Site The study was conducted in Assop falls and Hills Forest Reserve, 70km Southwest of Jos, Nigeria, located at 09 32 N and 08 32 E. The forest comprises of Guinea savanna vegetation, interspersed with gallery forest and surrounded by grasslands. The forest covers a total area of about 3,000 hectares on the slope and top of a mid-altitude ridge with elevation ranging from about 600-1,100 meters above sea level. The area is characterized by Assop River, which feeds the picturesque rapids and falls, drains part of the Jos Plateau (Ezealor, 2002). The forest is an Important Bird Area (IBA, Category A3), it holds a significant component of group of avian species whose distribution are largely confined to the area (Fishpool & Evans, 2001). The area still holds some of the best natural vegetation of the Jos Plateau and also a habitat to two out of four bird species endemic to Nigeria. These species include, the rock Firefinch (Lagonosticta sanguinodorsalis) and its brood parasite, Jos Plateau indigo bird (Vidua maryae), other important species that occur in the area are, Gambaga flycatcher (Muscicapa gambagae), apparently a common breeder, Dybowski s twinspot (Euschistospiza dybowski), double toothed barbet (Lybius bidentatus), Wilson indigo bird (Vidua wilsoni). Some of the common tree species found in the area includes, Danielia olivera, Parkia biglobosa, Lophira lanceolata, Khaya senegalensis, Vitex doniana, Piliostigma thonningii and ficus spp. The waterfall and its immediate environment are legally protected and managed by Plateau State Tourism Corporation. The river also provides the domestic water-supply for villagers in the surrounding area. Wood cutting and livestock grazing are major threats to the forest. The area immediately behind the waterfall is being farmed. RESULTS A total of 175 bird species of 49 families were recorded during the study. One hundred and seventy two of 175 (98.3%) bird species were recorded on transect, while three of 175 species (1.7%) were recorded outside the transect (Appendix 1). Mean number of birds were higher in the farmland 190.52(± 14.122) compared to the forest 175.52 (± 10.557) Table 1. In terms of species richness, Assop Forest Reserve have higher diversity index than the farmland Table1 MATERIALS AND METHODS Bird survey Assop Forest Reserve and surrounding farmlands were surveyed between May to August 2007, using line transects method (Bibby et al., 2001). All birds sighted or heard, including those in flight were counted and recorded. 2000m to 1,600m length of line transect were randomly placed and in each study site, each transect was visited TABLE 1: Mean number of birds species, total number and diversity of birds species recorded in the sites s/no Study sites 1 2 Assop Forest Reserve Farmland Mean number of species 135.52 (± 10.557) 290.52 (± 14.122) Analysis of covariance between avian diversity and vegetation variable showed that bird community diversity at Assop Forest Reserve was strongly affected by tree bird Total number birds observed 3813 6461 of Diversity index 3.8 2.4 density (F1,22=4.528, P=0.041), sapling density (F1,22=4.903, P=0.037) and canopy cover (F1,22 =4.632, P=0.043). 507 I.J.A.B.R., VOL. 2(3) 2012: 506-514 ISSN 2250 - 3579 TABLE 2: Effect of vegetation variables on avian species diversity Dependent Variable: Species diversity Source Intercept Density of trees Canopy cover (%) Density saplings Total Error Type III Sum Of Squares 6.44 0.11 Df 1 1 F 50.4 4.5 P 0.000 0.369 B 0.014 0.59 1 4.6 0.043 0.009 0.63 1 4.9 0.037 -1.718 483.96 27 2.81 22 Adjusted R2 = .325 Similarly, Analysis of covariance between avian abundance and vegetation variables showed that tree density (F 1,22=0.024, P=0.878), density of sapling ( F1,22=0.284, P=0.284 ) and canopy cover (F1,22=3.34, P=0.080 ) were not significant in determining species abundance in Assop Forest Reserve. TABLE 3: Effect of vegetation variables on avian species abundance Dependent Variable: Species abundance Source Intercept Density of trees Canopy cover (%) Density saplings Total Error Type III Sum Of Squares 73.07 0.98 0.18 0.91 349.51 2.42 Adjusted R2 = .454 F 50.4 0.0 P 0.000 0.878 B 0.039 1 1 27 22 3.3 0.2 0.080 0.284 0.024 0.043 df=1,P=0.252; Figure 6 ). However, Assop Forest Reserve had a higher mean value (N=149,139.34±0.1009) than farmlands (N=119,128.44±0.2180), though this only indicates that Assop Forest Reserve had more species than the farmland. Relative Abundance of Bird Species in Study sites The distribution of bird species based on relative abundance in studied sites showed that, there was no significant difference in rank abundances of species in the Assop Forest Reserve and surrounding farmlands (Kruskal-Wallis 1-way ANOVA, 2 =1.314, ln ( r e la tiv e a b u n d a n c e ) Df 1 1 = fa r m la n d = fo re s t -1 -2 -3 -4 -5 -6 -7 -8 -9 0 20 40 60 80 S p e c ie s r a n k 100 120 140 FIGURE1: Rank abundance of species in the study sites Reserve and surrounding farmlands. The farmlands were intensively cultivated, thus accounting for high number of generalist species encountered, which are known to thrive in most human disturbed landscape but not of any particular conservation concern.(Soderstrom et al., 2003) (See table 1). Field observation showed that high population of granivores and omnivores were mostly recorded on transects in the farmlands. This is in line with DISCUSSION Avian species abundance Many bird species have expanded their home ranges because of their ability to exploit landscape transformed by humans and thus have become more widespread and abundant (Ratliffe and Crow, 2001). This pattern of avian community distribution was observed in this study by the difference in species abundance between assop Forest 508 Diversity of avian species in ASSOP forest reserve and surrounding farmlands in JOS, Nigeria Rufous-crowned roller (Coracias naevius), African grey hornbill (Tockus nasutus) and Red-billed Hornbill (Tockus erythrorhynchus), were commonly observed in the farmlands during this study. This suggests that the availability of nesting site is one of the principal factors that determine the structure of bird community in agricultural landscape (Soderstrom et al., 2003). Effects of vegetation structure on bird abundance and diversity The number and diversity of bird s species are strongly positively correlated with aspects of vegetation structure (MacArthur and MacArthur, 1961; Karr and Roth, 1971) that is, the more complex the structure or composition of the vegetation, the more likely that habitat will contain more bird species. In this study, tree density, percentage canopy cover and sapling density were important vegetation characteristics responsible for the high bird species richness recorded in assop Forest Reserve compared to the surrounding farmlands, this implies that any activity that leads to the reduction or clearing of vegetation will ultimately impact on avian species evenness and diversity( see table 2 and 3) the findings of (Usher, 1997), who reported that under an intensive agricultural system, granivores and omnivores persist, while specialist tend to decline in abundance and range. Similarly, several number of African thrush, Village weaver, Flocks of bishop species and Cattle egret were the predominant bird species encountered in farmlands. This may be as a result of the growth of secondary species, such as succession plants which are known to provide insects and other food and shelter for a variety of vertebrates. Thus, great abundance of farmland species may be attributed to these well vegetated edges and contours providing additional resources such as food and cover (Soule, 1989). It is known that bird community structure in the farmlands varies with yearly change in crop type and production, and also with seasonal cropcycle succession (Mangnal and Crowe, 2002). Although, crop type cultivated at surrounding farmlands in Assop Forest reserve was not taken in to account in this study, however, would have played a role in large number of bird species recorded in the farmlands compared to the Forest Reserve. Avian species diversity This study showed that the value of Shannon-Weaner diversity indices for avian species was higher in the Assop Forest Reserve (3.8) when compared to the surrounding farmlands (2.4). This varying value may attribute to the intensive farming around the reserve. Continuous clearing of vegetation for food and cash crop production may lead to loss of biodiversity. This agrees with the findings of (Fishpool and Evans, 2001), who reported that agricultural encroachment or habitat clearance is the major threat to important bird areas (IBA). Also, avian behavioural pattern was found to play a big role in bird diversity in the reserve, African paradise flycatcher (Terpsiphone viridis), African blue flycatcher (Elminia longicauda) and Lead coloured flycatcher (Myioparus plumbeus) were more or less restricted to the Assop Forest, and forest edges despite the availability of food resources in the surrounding farmlands. Habitat selection probably was not based on food alone but also on behavioural functioning (Cody, 1985) Similarly, the distribution of nectarivorous species was positively correlated with habitat of complex vegetation, particularly in the Assop Forest that had higher plant diversity. Whereas Variable sunbird (Cinnyris venustus), Scarlet-chested sunbird (Chalcomitra senegalensis), Copper sunbird (Cinnyris cupreus) and splendid sunbirds (Cinnyris coccinigastrus) were observed in both habitats, Green headed sunbird (Cyanomitra verticalis), Collared sunbirds (Hedydipna collaris) and Western violet-backed sunbirds (Anthreptes longuemarei) were exclusively recorded in the forest reserve. This level of distribution could be as a result of a synchrony of plant species that support their population. It could also be due to variation in species-specific requirements in the choice of habitat. nectarivorous birds have close association with habitats in terms of the sorts of nectar resources and plant species that habitat provides (Cody 1985). Also, higher diversity of starlings and Green wood hoopoe were observed in farmlands compared to forest. Similarly, other hole nesting species such as Broad-billed roller (Eurystomus glaucurus), Blue-bellied roller (Coracias cyanogaster), CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION Avian species diversity was higher in the Forest Reserve compared to the surrounding farmlands. Difference in vegetation characteristics between these two habitats was responsible for the observed pattern. Forest clearing as a result of pressure from farming activities was observed to have influenced the difference in vegetation structure of the studied sites. However, higher species abundance in the farmland is a product of disturbance. The following recommendations are hereby made to improve avian species richness and evenness in Assop Forest Reserve and to further sustain its IBA status. 1. Conservation site support groups should be constituted as a matter of priority to check indiscriminate clearing and farming around the forest reserve. Also, other activities such livestock grazing, poaching, logging and firewood collection should be minimized. 2. Existing laws in the reserve should be strengthened to regulate the use of forest resources by the locals 3. The Plateau State government should as a matter of urgency initiate poverty alleviation programmes and should as well inculcate good farming methods that will make farmers less dependent on extensive farming practices. In fact, integrated farming system should be adopted where by farming practices are incorporated in tree planting. 4. Other stakeholders in conservation such as the Nigeria Conservation Foundation, research institutes, universities and conservation agencies should put more concerted effort on biodiversity monitoring studies in reserve and should come up with technical assistance that will further impact on the management of the reserve. REFERENCES BirdLife International (2000) Threatened birds of the world. Lynx Edicions and BirdLife International, Barcelona and Cambridge, UK. 509 I.J.A.B.R., VOL. 2(3) 2012: 506-514 ISSN 2250 - 3579 Manu S. , Peach W. & Cresswell W. (2007) The effects of edge, fragment size and degree of isolation on avian species richness in highly fragmented forest in West Africa . Ibis 149, 287-297. Blockhus J. M., Dillenbeck M., Sayer J. A., & Wegge A. (1992) Conserving Biological Diversity in managed Tropical forests. IUCN/ITTD, Perth, Australia. Mangnall M.J. & Crowe T.M. (2003) The effecte of agriculture on farmland bird assemblage on the Agulhas plain, Western Cape, South Africa. African journal of Ecology 41, 266-276. Cody M. L. (1985) Habitat Selection in Birds. In: pp. 43. Academic press inc.(London) Ltd. Ezealor A. U. ed. (2002) Critical sites for conservation in Nigeria. Nigerian Conservation Foundation, Lagos, Nigeria. Myers N. (1996) Tropical deforestation and a megaextinction spasm. In: Conservation biology: the science of scarcity and diversity (ed M. E. Soulé) pp. 394-409. Sinauer Associates, Sunderland, Massachusetts Fishpool L. D. C. & and Evans M. I. eds. (2001) Important Bird Area and Associated Islands: priority sites for conservation. In: (ed.) pp. 673-696. Pisces Publications and Birdlife International, Newbury and Cambridge, UK. Naidoo R. (2004) Species richness and community composition of songbirds in a tropical forest-agricultural landscape. Animal conservation 7, 93-105. Hughes J.B. Daily G.C. & Ehrlich P.R. (2002) Conservation of tropical forest birds in Countyside habitats. Ecology letters 5, 121-129. Nigeria environmental study/ action team (NEST) (1991) The challenges of sustainable development in Nigeria. NESTIbadan,1, 6-12 Hopskins S.B. (1972) The Olomeji Forest Reserve 2. The local history of the reserve, The Nigeria field, 34, 171 Soderstrom B., Kiena S., & Reid R. S. (2003) Intensifield agricultural land-use and bird conservation in Burkina Faso, Agricultural Ecosystems and Environment 99, 113124. Karr J. R. & Roth R. R. (1971) Vegetation structure and avian diversity in several new world areas. American Naturalist 105: 423-435. Vickery J., Rowcliffe J. M., Cresswell W., Jones P., & Holt S. (1996) Habitat Selection by Whitethroats Sylvia communis during spring passage in the Sahel zone of Northern Nigeria. Bird Study 46, 355. MacArthur R. H. & MacArthur J. W. (1961) on bird s species diversity. Ecology 42: 594-598. Marsden S.J. , Symes C.T & Mark A.L. (2006) The response of a New Guinean avifauna to conversion of forest to small-scale agriculture. Ibis 148, 629-640. SPECIES PHALACROCORACIDAE Long-Tailed Comorant ARDEIDAE Cattle Egret Intermediate Egret Green-backed Heron Hamerkop Little Egret Black-Headed Heron ACCIPITRIDAE Hooded Vulture Black kite Black-Shouldered Kite Shikra Lizzard Buzzard Red-Necked Buzzard Martial Eagle Black Sparrow Hawk Pallid Harrier FALCONIDAE Lanner Falcon Common Kestrel Wang Z.J. & Young S.S. (2003) Difference in bird diversity between two swidden agricultural sites in mountainous terrain, Xishaungbanna, Yunnan, China. Biological conservation 110, 231-243. APPENDIX1: Bird species list of study sites Scientific Name Number Observed Phalacrocorax africanus 2 Bubulcus ibis Egreta intermedia Butorides striata Scopus umbretta Egreta garzetta Ardea cinerea 1207 2 2 14 8 1 Necrosyrtes monachus Milvus migrans Elanus caeruleus Accipiter badius Kaupifalco monogrammicus Buteo auguralis Polemaetus bellicosus Accipiter melanoleucus Circus macrourus 2 17 11 44 12 2 1 1 7 Falco biarmicus Falco tinnunculus 6 1 510 Diversity of avian species in ASSOP forest reserve and surrounding farmlands in JOS, Nigeria Grey Kestrel African Hobby NUMIDIDAE Helmeted Guineafowl PHASIANIDAE Double-Spurred Francolin Stone Partridge BURHINIDAE Spotted Thick-Knee COLUMBIDAE Bruce's Green Pigeon African Green Pigeon Tambourine Dove African Mourning Dove Red-Eyed Dove Vinaceous Dove Laughing Dove Blue-Spotted Wood Dove Black-Billed Wood Dove PSITTACIDAE Senegal Parrot Red-Headed Lovebird MUSOPHAGIDAE Green Turaco Violet Turaco Western Grey Plaintain-Eater CUCULIDAE Red-Chested Cuckoo African Cuckoo Senegal Coucal Didric Cuckoo Jacobin Cuckoo TYTONIDAE Barm Owl APOGIDAE African Palm Swift Little Swift COLIIDAE Specked Mousebird TROGONIDAE Narina's Trogon ALCEDINIDAE African Pygmy Kingfisher Grey-Headed Kingfisher Giant Kingfisher Blue-Breasted Kingfisher MEROPIDAE Red-Throated Bee-Eater CORACIIDAE Broad-Billed Roller Rufous-Crowned Roller Blue-Bellied Roller European Roller Abyssinian Roller UPAPIDAE Green Wood-Hoopoe Black Wood-Hoopoe BUCEROTIDAE African Pied Hornbill African Grey Hornbill Red-Billed Hornbill CAPITONIDAE Falco ardosiaceus Falco cuvierii 1 1 Numida meleagris 8 Francolin francolinus Ptilopachus petrosus 73 135 Burhinus capensis 1 Treron waalia Treron calvus Turtur tympanistria Streptopelia decipiens Streptopelia semitorquata Streptopelia vinacea Streptopelia Senegalensis Turtur afer Turtur abyssinicus 41 125 1 1 200 10 46 16 18 Poicephalus senegalus Agapornis pullarius 185 2 Tauraco persa Musophaga violacea Crinifer piscator 194 36 261 Cuculus solitaries Cuculus gularis Centropus senegalensis Chrysococcyx caprius Oxylophus jacobinus 1 47 254 1 7 Tyto alba 1 Cypsiurus parvus Apus affinis 36 23 Colius striatus 33 Apaloderma narina 1 Ceyx pictus Halcyon leucocephala Megaceryle maxima Halcyon malimbica 9 2 1 7 Merops bulocki 8 Eurystomus glaucurus Coracias naevius Coracias cyanogaster Coracias garrulous Coracias abyssinicus 290 19 240 1 1 Phoeniculus purpureus Rhinopomastus aterrimus 88 3 Tockus fasciatus Tockus nasutus Tockus erythrorhynchus 1 251 14 511 I.J.A.B.R., VOL. 2(3) 2012: 506-514 Yellow-Fronted Tinkerbird Yellow-Rumped Tinkerbird Bearded Barbet Double-Toothed Barbet Vieillot Barbet INDICATORIDAE Greater Honeyguide PICIDAE Grey Woodpecker Cardinal Woodpecker Fine-Spotted Woodpecker HIRUNDINIDAE Rock Martin Ethiopean Swallow Red-Rumped Swallow Preuss's Cliff Swallow Fanti Saw-Wing MOTACILLIDAE Yellow Wagtail Yellow-Throated Longclaw Red-Throated Pipit Plain-Blacked Pipit Long-Billed Pipit CAMPEPHAGIDAE White-Breasted Cuckoo-Shrike Red-Shouldered Cuckoo-Shrike PYCNONOTIDAE Common Bulbul Little Greenbul Yellow-Throated Leaflove TURDIDAE African Thrush Snowy-Crowned Robin Chat White-Crowned Robin Chat Whinchat Familiar Chat Northern Anteater Chat Cliff Chat White-Fronted Black Chat SYLVIIDAE African Moutached Warbler Common Whitethroat Senegal Eremomela Yellow-Bellied Hyliota Northern Crombec Grey-Backed Camaroptera Red-Winged Warbler Short-Winged Cisticola Croaking Cisticola Singing Cisticola Tawny-Flanked Prinia MUSCICAPIDAE Northern Black Flycatcher Gambaga Flycatcher Pale Flycatcher Swamp Flycatcher Lead-Coloured Flycatcher MONARCHIDAE African Blue Flycatcher African Paradise Flycatcher PLATYSTEIRIDAE Senegal Batis ISSN 2250 - 3579 Pogoniulus chrysoconus Pogoniulus bilineatus Lybius dubius Lybius bidentatus Lybius vieilloti 212 69 83 1 22 Indicator indicator 15 Dendropilos goertae Dendropilos fuscescens Campethera abingoni 15 18 5 Hirundo fuligula Hirundo angolensis Hirundo daurica Hirundo preussi Psalidoprocne obscura 3 3 10 4 289 Motacilla flava Macronyx croceus Anthus cervinus Anthus leucophrys Anthus similis 3 7 12 4 2 Coracina pectoralis Campephaga phoenicea 1 16 Pycononotus barbatus Andropadus virens Chlorocichla flavicolli 646 3 51 Turdus pelios Cossypha niveicapilla Cossypha albicapilla Saxicola rubetra Cercomela familiaris Myrmecocichla aethiops Myrmecocichla cinnamomeiventris Myrmecocichla albifrons 397 53 3 2 158 2 3 2 Melocichla mentalis Sylvia communis Eremomela pusilla Hyliota brachyuran Sylvietta brachyuran Camaroptera brachyura Heliolais erythropterus Cisticola branchypterus Cisticola natalensis Cisticola cantans Prinia subflava 2 1 88 4 13 146 13 1 2 19 180 Melaenornis edolioides Muscicapa gambagae Melaenornis pallidus Muscicapa aquatic Myioparus plumbeus 74 1 2 1 1 Elminia longicauda Terpsiphone viridis 114 85 Batis senegalensis 41 512 Diversity of avian species in ASSOP forest reserve and surrounding farmlands in JOS, Nigeria Common Wattle-Eye TAMALIIDAE Brown Babbler PARIDAE White-Shouldered Black Tit NECTARINIDAE Western Violet-Backed Sunbird Green-Headed Sunbird Scarlet-Chested Sunbird Variable Sunbird Copper Sunbird Splendid Sunbird Olive Sunbird Collared Sunbird ZOSTEROPIDAE Yellow White-Eye LANIDAE Yellow-Billed Shrike MALACONOTIDAE Sulphur-Breasted Bush-Shrike Grey-Headed Bush-Shrike Northern Puffback Tropical Boubou Yellow-Crowned Gonolek Brubru Black-Crowned Tchagra PRIONOPIDAE White Helmet-Shrike ORIOLIDAE African Golden Oriole DICRURIDAE Forked-Tailed Drongo Square-Tailed Drongo CORVIDAE Piapiac Pied Crow STURNIDAE Neumann's Starling Splendid Glossy Starling Purple Glossy Starling Violet-Backed Starling Bronze-Tailed Glossy Starling Lesser Blue-Eared Starling Greater Blue-Eared Starling PASSERRIDAE Northern Grey-Headed Sparrow PLOCEIDAE Little Weaver Vitelline Masked Weaver Heuglin's Masked Weaver Village Weaver Black-Necked Weaver Red-Headed Weaver Red-Headed Quelea Northern Red Bishop ESTRILDIDAE Grey-Headed Oliveback Orange-Cheeked Waxbill Lavender Waxbill Black-Rumped Waxbill Red-Cheecked Cordon-Blue Zebra Waxbill Platysteira cyanea 72 Turdiodes reinwardtii 290 Parus guineensis 7 Anthreptes longuemarei Cyanomitra verticalis Chalcomitra senegalensis Cinnyris venustus Cinnyris cupreus Cinnyris coccinigastrus Cyanomitra olivaceus Hedydiphna collaris 4 78 224 42 7 47 5 4 Zosterops senegalensis 16 Corvinella corvine 134 Malaconotus sulfureopectus Malaconotus blanchoti Dryoscopus gambensis Laniarius aethiopicus Laniarius barbarous Nilaus afer Tchagra senegalus 34 16 68 188 15 1 202 Prionops plumatus 37 Oriolus auratus 14 Dicrurus adsimilis Dicrurus ludwigii 92 2 Ptilostomus afer Corvus albus 234 3 Onychognathus neumanni Lamprotornis splendidus Lamprotornis purpureus Cinnyricinclus leucogaster Lamprotornis chalcurus Lamprotornis chloropterus Lamprotornis chalybaeus 22 74 610 121 9 33 7 Passer griseus 2 Ploceus luteolus Ploceus vitellinus Ploceus heuglini Ploceus cucullatus Ploceus nigricollis Anaplectes rubriceps Quelea erythrops Euplectes franciscanus 16 5 4 522 3 10 4 100 Nesocharis capistrata Estrilda melpoda Estrilda nonnula Estrilda troglodytes Uraeginthus bengalus Sporaeginthus subflavus 4 36 6 2 79 2 513 I.J.A.B.R., VOL. 2(3) 2012: 506-514 Bar-Breasted Firefinch Red-Billed Firefinch Rock Firefinch Blue-Billed Firefinch Black-Faced Firefinch Black-Bellied Firefinch Bronze Mannikin VIDUIDAE Pin-Tailed Whydah Village Indigobird FRINGILLIDAE Yellow-Fronted canary EMBERIZIDAE Cabanis's Bunting Cinnanmon-Breasted Rock Bunting ISSN 2250 - 3579 Lagonosticta rufopicta Lagonosticta senegala Lagonosticta sanguinodorsalis Lagonosticta rubricata Lagonosticta larvata Lagonosticta rara Spermestes cucullata 7 79 10 2 4 36 109 Vidua macroura Vidua chalybeata 10 2 Serinus mozambicus 41 Emberiza Cabanisi Emberiza tahapisi 1 2 514