Species Composition, Relative Abundance and Habitat Association of Birds in Arbegona, Garemba Forest, Southern Ethiopia

The present study was carried out in Arbegona Garemba forest from August June 2017 to February 2018 during wet and dry seasons. The study area was stratified based on vegetation composition. Accordingly, Modified habitat, Alpine bamboo forest, and Sub-Afro alpine /Ericaceous belt/ were considered. A line transects count aided by binocular was employed to investigate avian species diversity, relative abundance and Habitat association. Thus10 transect lines of 0.75km lengths with a width of 0.15km or less wereused to cover 30% of the area. A total of 74 bird species consisting of 5 near endemics, 2 globally threatened and 3 Palearctic migrants were recorded.Average vegetation height was a good predictor for total bird abundance and bird species richness during dry season. Altitude accounted more in total species richness and bird species abundance during wet season. Though, slope was a good predictor for bird species abundance during dry season. It can be concluded that the patch of forest and its surrounding is an important bird area for migratory, endemic, and global threatened species. Therefore, it should be conservation priority area; hence, the study suggests that conservation together with ecotourism development is needed for its sustainability. Keywords/Phrases: Avian species, Habitat types, Habitat association, Species similarity DOI: 10.7176/ALST/75-03 Publication date:June 30th 201