BIRDS OF WASAI RESERVOIR, MINJIBIR, KANO - NIGERIA

Abstract

Birds are invaluable indicator species owing to their sensitivity to environmental changes. This survey was conducted to provide baseline information on the avifaunal diversity of Wasai reservoir, Minjibir, Kano, Nigeria (N12⁰ 53’, E 8⁰ 32’), an inland wetland habitat designated for irrigation, recreation, and other uses. We recorded 110 bird species belonging to 48 families, comprising of 87 resident species, three intra-African migrants, and 20 Palearctic migrants. The three most common families were Ardeidae, Accipitridae, and Ploceidae. Similarly, majority of these species belong to the insectivore and carnivore feeding guilds. Thus, Wasai reservoir is of significant ecological value as a home to many water-birds and terrestrial bird species, and also serves as a staging and wintering ground for a number of Palaerctic migrants. It is recommended that the Kano State Government should put in place necessary mechanisms towards the conservation and sustainable use of this important bird habitat.