Species Obsolute Population Density and Diversity of Water Birds in Wetland Areas of Yankari National Park, Bauchi State, Nigeria

This study was carried out to determine water bird species list, dry season absolute population density and seasonal diversity in the Wetland areas of Yankari National Park. The point count method was used for the inventory of individual species. Diversity was determined using Simpson s diversity index, while student t-test analysis of variance were used to compare water bird species diversity between seasons and sites. The results obtained indicated that a total of 49 water bird species belonging to 11 families occurred in the park. The dry season means density per hectare of water birds in the study area ranged from 43.43±5.12 for Ardeola ibis to 0.03±0.25 for Phalacrorax africana.There was no significant difference (p>0.05) in water birds diversity in Yankari National Park between dry and rainy seasons. Diversity of water birds by sites did not also vary (p>0.05). However, more water birds were observed in the dry season than in the rainy season. It is expected that the findings from this study will promote appropriate management strategies for conservation and maximum utilization of water birds in wetland areas of Yankari National Park.