Okosodo, E.F. and Orimaye, J.O. and Aladelusi, O. and Kolawole, O.O. (2017) Diet and Foraging Ecology of African Harrier Hawk (Polyboroides typus) in Ehor Forest Reserve, Edo State, Nigeria. Journal of Researches in Agricultural Sciences, 5 (2).
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Diet and Foraging Ecology of African Harrier Hawk (Polyboroides typus) in Ehor Forest.pdf Download (467kB) |
Abstract
Feeding is an indispensable activity in the life of birds. It is crucial for their survival but the demands of food acquisition impose significant challenges to both the physiology and behavior of birds. Thus, this study on the feeding ecology of African harrier hawk is imperative for understanding the species adaptation to environments and also a crucial factor to be considered while examining their economic status. This research study investigated the diet and foraging ecology of the African harrier-hawk (Polyboroides typus) in Ehor Forest Reserve, Edo State, Nigeria. Direct field observation method was used to collect data for 12 months on the diet and foraging ecology of the bird species. The study area was divided into three compartments according to land use types, (mature forest, logged area, and farmlands). The results show that the African harrier-hawk consumed a variety of small animals, insects and fruits of some plant species. The frogs, lizards, adults, eggs of bird species and insects constituted 87.25% of the diets while plant resources made up 12.75%. The major diet resources were bird species belonging to the family Ploceidae and frogs; and the fruits of oil palm (Elaeis guineensis) and African pear (Dacryodes edulis). African harrier-hawk utilized the three compartments within the study area but with the percentage of utilization of habitat type highest in the logged area (48.9 %), mature forest compartment (32.2 %) and farmland compartment (18.9 %).
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Subjects: | Q Science > Q Science (General) |
| Divisions: | Faculty of Medicine, Health and Life Sciences > School of Biological Sciences |
| Depositing User: | Mr Taiwo Egbeyemi |
| Date Deposited: | 09 Jun 2020 16:34 |
| Last Modified: | 09 Jun 2020 16:34 |
| URI: | http://eprints.federalpolyilaro.edu.ng/id/eprint/432 |
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