Abundance, movements and habitat use by African Grey Parrots (Psittacus erithacus) in Budongo and Mabira forest reserves, Uganda
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Date
2007
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Journal of African Ornithology
Abstract
Populations of African Grey Parrots are threatened by increased forest loss and the pet trade. Budongo forest reserve has,
for over 60 years, been subjected to selective logging. Mabira forest reserve faces human pressures characterised by
extractive disturbances, and agricultural activities with increased boundary settlements. We estimated parrot populations
using the ‘forest limiting circumference’ method, and ‘encounter rate approach’ for general abundance and forest type
associations, respectively. Counts were conducted on flyways in the morning and evening of one day, and observations on
food tree location and preference were made by forest type and time of day. Total parrot populations were estimated at 714
in Budongo and 342 in Mabira. Mean numbers of flocks observed per flyway were 4.18 ± 4.33 and 4.70 ± 2.71 for Budongo
and Mabira, respectively. Similarly, flock sizes varied from 2.59 ± 2.95 in Budongo to 2.87 ± 3.06 in Mabira forest. High
encounter rates were recorded in disturbed/secondary forests during foraging activities and these coincided with areas of
abundant fruiting trees. Movements into and out of main forests followed regular flyways and inter-forest movements
increased with forest fragmentation. However, the presence of forest strips seemed to enhance the stability of flyways. While
African Grey Parrots in Budongo may benefit from its large size, the Mabira population is likely to face a greater threat of
further decline. More protected areas are needed to maintain viable populations, and future research should focus on
breeding ecology, population monitoring and the impact of trade activities on this species.
Description
Keywords
Abundance, Habitat use, African Grey Parrots (Psittacus erithacus), Mabira forest reserves
Citation
John B Amuno , Renato Massa & Christine Dranzoa (2007) Abundance, movements and habitat use by African Grey Parrots (Psittacus erithacus) in Budongo and Mabira forest reserves, Uganda, Ostrich: Journal of African Ornithology, 78:2, 225-231, DOI: 10.2989/OSTRICH.2007.78.2.17.97