Diurnal Activity Patterns and Foraging Habit of Abyssinian Blue-Winged Goose Cyanochen Cyanoptera in Menz-Guassa Community Conservation Area Ethiopia
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Date
2021-10-21
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
The Abyssinian blue-winged goose (Cyanochen cyanoptera), a waterfowl species is one of the endemic birds found in Ethiopia. Diurnal activity patterns and foraging habit of the Abyssinan blue-winged goose was studied in the Menz-Guassa Community Conservation Area. Data were collected during the wet season (August, 2020) and dry season (January, 2021). Scan sampling methods were used to collect data of the activity patterns and foraging habit of Abyssinian blue-winged goose. Data were presented using descriptive statistics and tables. Results were compared with ANOVA test. Abyssinian blue-winged gooses were observed in daily activities of foraging, scanning, flying, preening, resting, and showing other activities. Foraging activity comprised highest (50.5%) followed by other activities (18.6%), scanning (17.4%), resting (8.9%), preening (4.1 %) and flying (0.4 %) during the wet season. During the dry season, foraging activity (55%) was the highest again followed by resting (18.5%), preening (11.9%), scanning (9.1%), others (4.8%) and flying (0.5 %). There was a statistically significant variation in the diurnal activities of foraging, scanning and others between the wet and dry seasons. During both seasons activities such as preening, resting and others have showed statistically significant variation with seasons between different hours of the day, while the rest of the activities such as foraging, scanning and flying showed insignificant variation. The mean proportion of time spent to different activities by the Abyssinian blue-winged goose also varied insignificantly within the three time slots (morning, midday and late afternoon) of the day between the wet and dry seasons. Abyssinian blue-winged gooses were seen as grazers during both seasons. Plant species mostly from the families Asteraceae, Cyperaceae, Fabaceae, Lythraceae, Ranunculaceae, Rosaceae, Poaceae and Polygonaceae were recorded from the foraging area of the Abyssinian blue-winged goose. The species largely consumes grasses and feed by picking. The average picking rate of the Abyssinian blue-winged goose was 44.57 pick/minute and has shown insignificant variation between the two seasons. The study provided knowledge about the poorly known diurnal activities of the Abyssinian blue-winged goose between seasons and between different hours of the day, as well as their foraging habit. Lots of attention should be given for the conservation and maintenance of this endemic species
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Abyssinian Blue Winged Goose, Diurnal Activity Patterns, Foraging, Menz Guassa Community Conservation Area, Picking Rate