Contribution to the Bio-ecology of the Grey-necked Picathartes, Picathartes oreas
		Taku Awa Supervisor: Ken Norris, Roger Fotso The ground-dwelling Grey-necked Picathartes (Picathartes oreas), or Rock fowl, nests exclusively on rock-faces, cliffs, and in caves surrounded by dense vegetation. It is classified as “Vulnerable” in the IUCN Red List and Threatened Birds of the World (BirdLife International, 2000) It survives only in the Central African equatorial rain forest. Although its range covers 314,000km², its population is highly fragmented and still considered small (2,500 – 10,000 mature individuals) and may be in overall decline. All over its range, it remains seriously threatened by forest clearance and increasing human disturbance The lack of suitable breeding sites, particularly rocks, may partly account for its scarcity, whilst cannibalism and predation probably contribute to low breeding success Several Grey-necked Picathartes sites have been described, together with some behavioural observations and breeding biology, but many ecological aspects are yet to be covered This project attempts to extend knowledge of the species through a systematic study of the ecological requirements and conservation prospects of the Grey-necked Picathartes, and to provide appropriate recommendations for its conservation through sustainable human activities, habitat management and land use planning. OBJECTIVES To estimate population status and determine the distribution of Grey-necked Picathartes within the study area To determine the specific habitat requirements and describe suitable habitats for the Grey-necked Picathartes To identify and evaluate major threats to the species and its habitat To determine specific breeding requirements by monitoring clutch sizes, hatching rates, fledging rates, and details of breeding behaviour To formulate recommendations for conservation of the species through sustainable human activities, habitat management and land use planning. METHODS We carry out vegetation surveys around breeding sites, potential breeding sites and random sites to find out if vegetation species composition and structure influence the nest site choice. Bird diversity in general is surveyed at selected sites to find out if there are any ecological relations between the Grey-necked Picathartes and other bird species in the vicinity. As the Grey-necked Picathartes feeds on litter fauna and understorey insects, pitfall traps, malaise traps and quadrat sampling are employed to monitor the availability of potential prey at chosen sites based on altitudinal and seasonal variations. In order to monitor clutch size, hatching rates, fledging rates and details of breeding behaviour, hideouts will be constructed at selected breeding sites. Chicks and adults will be captured and ringed with colour bands for observation with the aid of binoculars and telescopes. The different activities and behaviour patterns of the birds will be described and noted. An essential aspect of the project will be to transfer the research results to the local communities for effective management of the site, through a reinforcement of the activities of the Site Support Groups (SSGs) that aim to integrate biodiversity conservation and community development. OUTPUTS Research results will be useful for the completion of the National and International Species Action Plan for Picathartes oreas The presence of the Grey-necked Picathartes at the research site forms the basis for this particular Important Bird Area, thus results obtained will contribute to the IBA monitoring database as well as the annual update of Cameroon’s National Biodiversity Strategy Action Plan (NBSAP) and the Forest, Environment and Sectoral Programme of MINEF Recommendations drawn from this work will be instrumental in the development of a simple management plan for a wider management project for the site. The study is funded by ...