Avian diversity in rural and urbanized habitats in Lesotho. - G. Kopij. - Berkut. 20 (1-2). 2011. - P. 22-28.
During the years 1996–2002, a transect line method has been employed to study the relative abundance of breeding bird species in 14 villages and 4 towns in Lesotho. In total, 74 bird species were recorded as breeding there. The average number of resident bird species in towns was 38.8, while in rural areas – 13.4. The average number of bird species clearly increased with the increase in altitude. In rural areas, eight species were distinguished as dominants: two Streptopelia-species (Cape Turtle and Laughing Doves), three Passer-species (Cape, Grey-headed and House), Speckled Pigeon, Common Fiscal and Cape Canary. In the mountain urban areas, the number of dominant bird species was similar in each town (7–8 species) and the group included: Cape Sparrow, Cape Canary, Southern Bald Ibis, Speckled Pigeon, House Sparrow, Grey-headed Sparrow, Long-tailed Widow, Laughing Dove and Cape Turtle Dove. Species diversity in mountain towns has been shown as being higher than in neighboring grasslands, while that in the rural areas increased with the increase in altitude. [English].
Key words: fauna, southern Africa, urban ornithology, number, dominance.
Address: G. Kopij, Department of Integrated Environmental Sciences, University of Namibia, Ogongo Campus, Private Bag 5520, Oshakati, Namibia; e-mail: gkopij@unam.na.