Population Size, Nest Record and Assessment of Community Attitude Towards White Winged Flufftail ( Sarothrura Ayresi) at Barga Wetland in Adea Barga Woreda, West Showa, Oromia.
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Date
2024-02
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
The white winged flufftails was first identified in the Ethiopian highlands, 10- 15 pairs bred at Sululta in the late 1990s and later on new breeding sites were recognized with 200 pairs at Barga floodplain. The present study was carried out in the Barga wetland which is found in Adea Barga District, West Showa Zone, Oromia region, Ethiopia.The population size, habitat preference; breeding, diurnal activity patterns, feeding ecology and attitude of local people towards White Winged flufftail were studied. Total count method was employed to study population size. Breeding season was studied by locating and following active nests throughout the study area. Instantaneous scan sampling technique was used to study their daily activity patterns and foraging behaviour. Questionnaire was used to study the attitude of the local people towards the wetland and White Winged flufftail in Barga wetland, highest population (18-20 individuals) was estimated in August and lowest (8-9) individuals in May. White Winged flufftail were more abundant during the wet season than during the dry season. The active breeding season was from June to August with majority (55%) of the nests built on underground and 40% in Shallow water. Nest materials used by White Winged flufftail were grass leaf, grass and feather. The mean clutch size of White Winged flufftail was 4. White Winged flufftail spent most of their time resting (45.6%), followed by foraging (36.76%). They spent 7.67% in comfort movement (preening or stretching). The rest of their time was allocated for locomotion (4.88%), vigilance (2.75%), and social behavior (1.59%) and in other activities (2.33%). White Winged fluff tails in Barga wetland were observed feeding on a wide variety of food items, including Insects, crustaceans, and plant seeds. The most frequently used foraging habitat of White Winged flufftail was Sedges (72.7%), followed by forbis habitat (16.52%), shallow water (10.78%) during the dry season. During the wet season, the most frequently used habitat of foraging was shallow water (52.54%), followed by Sedges (35.64%), and forbis (11.82%). Out of 230, 68 (30%) of the respondents mentioned that population of white winged flufftails had increased. 108 (46.9%) of the respondents explained that the number of the species has decreased, and 54 (23.4%) of the participants said that population status of the white winged flufftails remained unchanged. Majority of the local farmers in Barga wetland had positive attitude towards the wetland habitats. However, few of them consider White Winged flufftail as a pest causing grass damage. Barga wetland is the main roosting and feeding site for White Winged flufftail and other birds. However, agricultural expansion, overgrazing and human population growth have negative impacts on the wetland habitats. Local communities are accustomed to cutting grass from the area during the breeding season for coffee ceremonies. Hence, conservation and intervention is required to mitigate these pressures on the habitat and the birdlife in this area. From the study it is recommended that, the Barga wetland habitat, grazing inside the wetland should be controlled.
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Keywords
Barga Wetland, Diet, Foraging White Winged Flufftail