FACTORS INFLUENCING D’ARNAUD’S BARBET (Trachyphonus Darnaudii) POPULATION AROUND MAASAI MARA UNIVERSITY, 2017

Abstract

Population distribution of wild birds may be as a result of factors such as anthropogenic activities, food abundance and natural factors. These factors determine the population of a given species in a given area. The objectives of this study is 1) to determine the abundance of the D’Arnaud’s Barbet in three habitat patches, 2) to determine whether tree abundance influence D’Arnaud’s Barbet population and, 3) to understand how food abundance especially insects influences D’Arnaud’s Barbet population. The study was conducted at transect method was to determine bird’s abundance and tree density were counted using transect, while food blocks methods were used to determine insect’s abundance. In addition, point count methods were also applied for determining species abundance and regressions was used to for finding relationship between bird species abundance, tree density, food abundance and habitat variables. Birds were monitored during March to May, 2017 and mean was calculated as follows, undisturbed habitat has the highest mean density of (48.33±8.37) of D’Arnaud’s Barbet followed by medium disturbed habitat with a mean of (22.33±4.63) and disturbed habitat with (3.00±1.53). The mean of Tarchonanthus camphoratus was higher in undisturbed habitat (793.33±78.81) compared to medium disturbed habitat mean (183.35±120.31) and disturbed habitat with a mean of (60.00±40.41), while Acacia xanthophloea in undisturbed habitat has the highest mean (30.00±25.17) followed by medium disturbed habitat mean of (6.67±6.67) and disturbed habitat with a mean of (0.00±0.00), Manilcara sulcata has the highest mean of (836.67±113.48) in undisturbed habitat compared to medium disturbed (266.72±134.40) and disturbed habitat with a mean of (20.00±5.77). Locust in undisturbed habitat has highest mean of (470.00±134.54) compared to medium disturbed mean of (156.67±18.56) and disturbed mean (36.67±8,82), Moth also had the highest mean of (73.33±14.53) in undisturbed habitat compared to medium disturbed mean of (23.33±6.67) and disturbed mean of (6.67±3.33). The results from this study revealed that human activities and food variation were the key factors that influenced the distribution and density of the D’Arnaud’s Barbet species around Maasai Mara University.