Activity Patterns and Foraging Habits of Sacred Ibis (Threskiorinis Aethiopicus Latham 1790) in Chelekeleka Wetland, Bishoftu, Ethiopia
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Date
2023-10
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
The African Sacred ibis (Threskiorinis aethiopicus Latham, 1790) is one of the 32 species of the family Threskiornitidea, 11 of which are found in Africa. It is the most widespread and most common of this family in Africa. A study on activity patterns and feeding behavior of Sacred ibis (Threskiornis aethiopicus Latham 1790) was carried out in Chelekeleka wetland. Data on Sacred ibis diurnal activity patterns and foraging behavior were gathered through repeated observations
followed scan sampling and focal sampling methods. Diurnal Activity patterns such as feeding, scanning, flying, preening, resting and other activities were recorded during both wet and dry seasons. Foraging habits of the birds were also recorded at the time when the birds were actively feeding. The results showed that Sacred ibises spent much of their time in feeding (39.8%) followed by resting (33.9%) and preening (16.9%) during the dry season. On the other hand,
during the wet season, resting activity was the highest (36.5%) followed by feeding (31.4%) and preening (24.2%). The percentage time spent for feeding activity by Sacred ibis was significantly different between wet and dry seasons (p < 0.043). However, the other activities showed no significant difference between wet and dry seasons. Among the three time slots, feeding was the most prominent activity in the morning hours during both dry (69.07%) and wet (59.34%) seasons. There was a statistically significant difference in the time spent for feeding among the three time slots during both seasons (p < 0.05). Sacred ibis spent more time resting during midday and late afternoon hours, making it their second most important activity. For foraging, Sacred ibises used muddy and marsh areas during both wet and dry seasons. The main food items of Sacred ibis during the study period were different insects and worms during both seasons. Sacred ibises mainly obtain their food by probing. Probing is inserting the bill into the sediment, allowing the capture of invertebrates that live below the sediment surface. A higher probing rate per minute was recorded during the dry season (5.8 times/ minute) than the wet season (4.9 times/ minute). However, the probing rate did not show a significant difference between the two seasons. Sacred ibis actively forage in the marsh and flat muddy habitat both during the wet and dry seasons. They feed highly during the morning hours resting during midday and late afternoon. . Chelekelaka wetland is one of the most highly disturbed ecosystems due to several anthropogenic activities. However, Sacred ibis are found throughout the year in this wetland despite such high disturbances. Further studies are required on their adaptation strategies in such disturbed habitat and conservation efforts are also required to protect this wetland from further threat in order to protect Sacred ibis and other bird species in the area.
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Keywords
Activity Patterns, Feeding Behavior, Sacred Ibis, Chelekelaka, Ethiopia