SPECIES COMPOSTION, DIVERSITY AND HABITAT ASSOCIATION OF BIRDS IN ALEMSAGA FOREST IN FARTA DISTRICT, SOUTH GONDAR ZONE, AMAHARA REGIONAL STATE, ETHIOPIA

<strong>Abstract</strong>: Ethiopia is one of the most prominent countries in Africa, in terms of its avifauna. The country's diverse habitat types contribute for the tremendously diverse avifauna; over 926 species are recorded from Ethiopia of which 21 species are endemic to Ethiopia. Study on species composition, distribution and relative abundance of birds in Alemsaga Forest of Farta district was carried out from December, 2019 to July, 2020. The study area was stratified in to four habitat type including montane forest, farmland, bush land and grassland based on their vegetation cover. Avifaunal data were collected using 27 transect lines (5 transects in grassland, bush land, and farmland habitats) of about 1km long was spaced out at 500 m interval in each selected habitat type of the study area to avoid double counting. However, 12 transects were used in Montane forest which were spaced out at 200 m. Five points were established at an interval of 200 m along each transects, and each point in this study was visited a day. As result, 67 avian species belonging to 13 orders and 30 families were recorded during dry and wet season surveys. During the dry season, the montane forest supported the highest avian diversity (H’= 4.02) which was followed by grassland habitat (H'= 3.82), and then followed by farmland (H’= 3.67), however, the lowest diversity of birds was observed in bush land (H'=, 3.59) . On the other hand, during wet season the highest avian diversity was observed in grass land (H'= 3.61) and then followed by montane forest and bush land (H'= 3.59), but the least avian diversity was seen in farmland (H'= 3.25). The total number of birds belonging to the different species recorded during the dry season was 1361 while the number of individual birds in wet season was 891. The habitats are important for birds by providing the necessary requirements like food, water and nesting and breeding sites. Alemsaga forest supports a variety of bird species in different vegetation types of the area and it is fragmented. Therefore special attention should be given by the local governments to conserve and manage the forest properly and consequently the avian fauna and wildlife of the area.