Abstract:
The diversity and habitat association of birds was studied in Bahir Dar Blue Nile River Millennium
Park during the wet and dry seasons. Based on topographic map and preliminary survey five habitat
types were identified. Point count and line transect methods was used for data collection. 100 point
stations and 130 line transect were used in five selected habitats relative to the proportional size of
each habitat type. Data were collected for 60 days (30 in wet and 30 in dry seasons). Observation
on birds was taken twice a day (morning and afternoon). Diversity and species similarity of birds
were determined using the Shannon Weiner diversity index and Simpson’s index of diversity and
statistical tests of chi-square and one way ANOVA were used for data analyses. A total of 152
bird species belonging to 20 orders and 56 families were recorded. The highest number of bird
diversity (H’) was recorded in forest (H’= 3.897) and the least was in Settlement areas (H’= 3.017)
during the wet season; and the highest diversity was in wetland (H’= 3.876) and the least was in
farmland (3.388) during the dry season. The maximum avian community similarity was obtained
between forest and grass land habitats during the wet season (0.57), whereas the minimum was
between forest and farmland (0.29) during dry season. The relative abundance of birds in five
habitat types and during both the dry and wet seasons showed a statistically significant difference
(F (4,634) = 5.70, P<0.05) and (F (1,637) = 10.06, P <0.05) respectively. Test of association between
season and habitat types as a function of birds abundance has also confirmed the presence of strong
association between season and habitat types (χ
2
(1, 4) =1376.0, P < 0.05). The result of the present
study had shown that the park is rich in avifauna. Long-term studies and assessment of the avian
communities in this area is recommended to properly manage the park for biodiversity
conservation.
Keywords/phrases: Avifauna, Blue Nile River Millennium Park, diversity, habitat