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).
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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.
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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
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Karr J. R. & Roth R. R. (1971) Vegetation structure and
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Vickery J., Rowcliffe J. M., Cresswell W., Jones P., &
Holt S. (1996) Habitat Selection by Whitethroats Sylvia
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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
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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