Species composition, relative abundance and distribution of bird fauna of riverine and wetland habitats of Infranz and Yiganda at southern tip of Lake Tana, Ethiopia

摘要

This study was carried out in the southern tip of Lake Tana, Bahir Dar, covering both wet and dry seasons, from August 2006 to March 2007, with the objective to evaluate species composition, relative abundance and distribution of the bird fauna of wetlands and riverine habitat at Infranz, Lake Tana, Ethiopia. Sampling sites were stratified based on the vegetation type and area cover, and transect count technique was employed. A total of 129 bird species consisting of three endemics, two globally threatened, and 21 Palaearctic migrants were identified. The species composition of birds during the wet and dry seasons was not significantly different; but there was a significant difference among the habitats. The Yiganda wetland had the highest species diversity and evenness. The relative abundance score of species during the wet and dry seasons was variable in all the habitats. Expansion of farmlands and irrigation schemes are the main threats to the survival of birds.