La Tour du Valat

Institut de recherche pour la conservation des zones humides méditerranéennes

Titre :	Community structure and composition of birds in Acacia savanna in Swaziland
Auteurs :	A. Monadjem, Auteur
Type de document :	Article
Dans :	Ostrich (No number JUL 2001)
Article en page(s) :	132-135
Langues:	Anglais
Résumé :	The community structure of birds was studied at four sites in Acacia savanna in the lowveld of Swaziland. Birds were surveyed monthly between June 1998 and May 1999 using a standard point count technique. A total of 128 species of birds was recorded in Acacia savanna. Resident birds made up the bulk of the species richness and biomass. The density of Palaearctic migrants exceeded that of intra-African migrants, despite the fact that the latter group consisted of a greater number of species. Nomads and vagrants contributed little towards avian density or biomass. The three dominant dietary classes recorded in this study were insectivores, granivores and the mixed diet group. Frugivores and raptors contributed insignificantly to avian density and biomass. Smaller birds were more numerous, but larger birds contributed more to the total biomass. In general,the community structure of birds described in this study is similar to that reported in Acacia savannas from other parts of Africa. The trophic impact of birds in Acacia savanna is similar to that of rodents, but is insignificant compared with that of larger mammals.

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