Species Diversity, Relative Abundance and Distribution of Birds in and Around Lake Hayq Estifanos, South Wollo, Ethiopia

The diversity, relative abundance and distribution of the avian species in and around Lake Hyqe Estifanos were investigated from July 2016 to August 2017 during the wet and dry seasons. The study area was categorized as plantation habitat, modified habitat and water body based on vegetation and habitat type. Data were collected using point transect technique and analyzed using diversity index. Ch-square test was also used to compare species among habitats. A total of 62 species of birds belonging to 12 orders and 29 families were recorded during both dry and wet seasons in the study area. The seasonal variation in abundance of individuals of bird species was significantly different (χ2= 512.2, df = 1, P < 0.05). During the wet season higher diversity of bird species was observed in the plantation habitat (H = 3.7) but the diversity in the modified habitat (H = 3.4) and water body (H = 2.0) was lower during the same season. During the dry season higher diversity of bird species was observed in the plantation habitat (H = 3.5) but the diversity in the modified habitat (H’= 2.6) and water body (H = 2.1) was lower during the same season. Simpson similarity index (SI) showed 0.76 of bird species among two terrestrial habitats (plantation and modified habitat), but lower similarity (0.09) among the three habitats (plantation, modified habitat and water body). The highest Richness was registered in the plantation habitat (RI = 11.78) and modified habitat (RI = 9.57), but lower in water habitat (RI = 3.65) during the wet season and higher distribution in the plantation habitat (RI = 9.77) and modified habitat (RI = 7.25) and lower in water habitat (RI = 3.64) during the dry season. Livestock grazing, expansion of farmland and settlement contributed to the deterioration in the diversity and abundance of bird species in the area. Thus, serious action is needed to conserve the biological diversity of Lake Hyqe Estifanos..