Abundance and Diversity of Birds in the Ogbese Forest Reserve, Ekiti State, Nigeria

A study was carried out to evaluate the species composition and relative abundance of bird species of the natural and plantation forest of Ogbese Forest Rserve, Ekiti State. The study was conducted from April, 2010 to February, 2011 covering both wet and dry seasons. Sample sites were stratified based on the vegetation types and transect count techniques was employed for the evaluation. A total of 52 bird species consisting of 47 resident and 5 immigrant species was recorded. The species composition of birds during the wet and dry seasons was not significantly different. The natural forest vegetation had the highest species diversity and evenness. The relative abundance score of species during the Wet and dry seasons was variable in both habitats. The result of this study has shown that the natural and plantation vegetation types of Ogbese Forest Reserve, Ekiti State. The heterogeneity of flora species in the natural forest compared to the plantation forest might be responsible for the variation. The management of birds in the reserve should take cognisance of the vegetation types for effective conservation of bird species which are resident in the reserve.