STATUS SURVEY OF AFRICAN GREEN PIGEON (Treroncalvus, Temminck, 1808) IN EKITI STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

The study focused on assessment and survey of the status survey of African Green Pigeon in EkitiState,Nigeria. Following the reconnaissance survey of the state, five sites were purposively selected, which represented areas where African Green Pigeon were commonly sighted. These areas were Counting station A (Aramoko/IjeroEkiti), Counting station B (IsanEkiti), Counting station C (IkogosiEkiti), Counting station D (Awo/IgedeEkiti) and Counting station E (IyemeroEkiti). The study area represents a typical rain forest ecosystem. Three methods were used for collecting data for the study (Point count method, direct observation and vegetation assessment technique). A mean total of 97 birds were counted during the wet and dry season of the study, 46during the dry season and 51 counted during the wet season. Total mean number of bird in Counting Station A in the dry period was 10 and 9 in the wet season, accounting for a standard error of 3 ± 2.186birds sighted in the dry season and 3 ± 2.646in the wet season. Counting Station B forest patches, had a total of 29 birds, 9 sighted in the dry and 14 in the wet period, 3 ± 1.201 as standard error of birds sighted in the wet season and 3 ± 1.527 foe the dry season while counting Station C forest patches with 8 birds sighted in the dry and 12 birds recorded in the wet season, having a standard error of 3 ± 2.603 birds sighted in the dry and 3 ± 0.577 in the wet season. Counting Station D forest patches produces a total of 10 birds sighted in the dry and 8 birds seen in the wet season accounting for a 3 ± 0.882birds sighted during the dry period and 3 ± 1.201 in the wet period. A total of 9 birds in the dry and 8 birds in the wet season in station E were seen with standard mean of 3 ± 2.309in the dry and 3 ± 1.527in the wet season. Five (5) tree species were used by the African Green Pigeon for feeding during the research while others were used for other activities. The result of the 100% enumeration sampling of trees above 10 meters in quadrant of 25 x 25 meters in the five counting stations revealed a total of 130 tree stands, 44 species and 29 families. Station A has103 trees species from 38 genus and