PARENT SESSION
Poster Session #33: Rare, Threatened, and Endangered Species.
Wednesday, August 7. Presentation from 5:00 PM to 6:30 PM. Exhibit Hall B & C, TCC

Assessing the need for restoration of Fishers lovebird habitat.

MWANGOMO, E.^*,1, HARDESTY, L.¹, SINCLAIR, A.², SAYLER, R.¹, ¹ Washington State University, Pullman, WA² University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

ABSTRACT- Fishers lovebird (Agapornis fischeri) is listed as a threatened species in Tanzania. The bird is found in a variety of savannah habitats on Serengeti National Park, but it is not clear if habitat is limiting this little known species. We examined macro and micro habitat selection, food habits, and activity patterns during the dry season of 2001 in order to clarify the species' needs relative to other bird species more common in these habitats. Direct observation using road transects was used to measure daytime habitat use and availability. Results of macro habitat selection shows that Fischers lovebird selects open grassland among all available habitats (p<0.01). In addition, woody cover is needed for night-time roosting. Food selection was determined by catching birds in mist nets and stimulating regurgitation using apomorphine. Birds were then released and diet contents analyzed in the laboratory. Preliminary diet analysis suggests that Fischers lovebird is a more specialized feeder (seeds only v. seeds and insects) than most associated bird species. This means the species is more vulnerable to changes in seed crop (due to drought, fire or succession) than associated generalist feeders. These results indicate that maintaining sufficient quantity and distribution of grasslands for food production and Acacia tortilis, A. clavigera, A. senegal ,and A. drepanolobium habitats for roosting are important for sustaining Fischers lovebird populations.

KEY WORDS: habitat, selection, diet