Abstract:
Urbanization is an important threat to biodiversity. Nevertheless, an important number of species
has been recorded to live, and even thrive, within urban centers. The study was conducted during
the period of August 2018 to March 2019 aiming at the study of the diversity, abundance and
habitat association of bird species in Bahir Dar city. Based on topographic map and preliminary
survey, four habitat types were identified: Semi-forest, wetland, waste dumping site and
residential area. A total of 100 point count stations within 10 plots of the semi forest habitat and
550 line transects within 55 blocks of open habitats (residential areas, waste dumping site and
wetland) were used to collect data. Diversity indices and statistical tests including chi-square and
ANOVA were employed for data analyses. A total of 186 bird species belonging to 21 orders
and 59 families were recorded. The highest diversity of bird species was observed in the
residential area during wet season (H’ = 3.78) and the lowest was observed in waste dumping
site during dry season (H’= 2.11). The highest evenness was recorded in semi-forest area
(E=0.89) and the least was in waste damping site (E=0.65). The highest bird community
similarity (SI = 0.54) was recorded between wetland and waste damping and the least was
between semi-forest and wetland area (SI =0.23) during wet season. Relative abundance of birds
showed a statistically significant difference (F
(3,472) =
9.61, P <0.05) among the four habitat
types and between dry and wet seasons (F
(1,474)
= 5.59, P <0.05). Total number of individual
birds in the four habitats showed a statistically significant difference (F
(3,472)
=9.05, P <0.05);
however, the test was not statistically significant between seasons (F
(1,474)
= 1.16, P >0.05). 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 birds abundance in different
habitat types (χ
2
(8)
=529.82, df = 1, P <0.005). Availability of food, water and nesting sites were
the major factors determining the diversity and abundance of birds. The study area supports large
number of bird species identified by suggesting the area’s potential for bird watching tourism.
Therefore, there must be a collaborative work with the city administration for protecting the
urban ecosystem to conserve the biodiversity therein.