Abstract:
“Ethiopian highlands are center of endemism for fauna including birds. However due to increasing human population, habitats of animals have been encroached from time to time. The main objective of this study was to assess the diversity, abundance and distribution of birds in Guna Mountains Community Conservation Area. The study conducted from August 2019 to April 2020, including both wet and dry seasons. Stratified random sampling approach was used to classify habitats based on vegetation type. The habitat types are: Erica moorland, Guassa grassland habitat, and Rocky with lobelia. Different data collection methods, such as point count method for Erica moorland, and line transect method for both Guassa grasslands and Rocky with lobelia habitats were employed. Data were collected in the morning (6:00-10:00 A.M.) and late afternoon (4:00-6:00 P.M.). Chi square test was used to test distribution of birds among the three habitats and abundance differences of birds between dry and wet seasons. A total of 76 species belonging to 12 orders and 35 families, including the four endemic to Ethiopia, nine are endemic to Ethiopia and Eritrea. Five are Inter African Migrate, 18 Highland Biome bird species and two are Palearctic Migrate bird species were identified. Order Passeriformes was numerically the most dominant order represented with 44 species which accounts 58% of the identified species, and Galliformes, Cuculiformes, Apodiformes, and Strigiformes were the least represented orders having one species each. Relatively high diversity of bird species was observed in grassland (H’ =3.67) and low species diversity was observed in the Rocky with lobelia (H’=2.6). In spite of its low diversity, the highest distribution evenness was recorded in the rocky with lobelia (E = 0.88), whereas the lowest evenness was recorded in Erica moorland (E = 0.79). The species abundance of birds during the wet and dry seasons has significant differences (χ2= 904.541a, df=1, p<0.001). There was significant differences in distribution of birds species among the three habitats (χ 2=3315.965c, df =75, p<0.001). The area supported variety of avian species with high endemics and habitat specifics. Conservation of the area is vital for habitat