Survey of Avian Diversity in Urban and Peri-Urban Environments of Kano Metropolis, North West Nigeria

This study surveys the diversity and abundance of bird species across urban and peri-urban habitats in Kano metropolis, Kano State, located in Nigeria's North West geopolitical zone. Rapid urbanisation in Kano is transforming natural habitats, and understanding how bird communities respond to varying levels of urban intensity is important for biodiversity conservation in expanding cities. A systematic point count method was used to record birds at 40 stations representing three habitat categories: dense urban core, residential urban fringe, and peri-urban farmland and green spaces. Counts were conducted at dawn over four months. A total of 64 bird species from 28 families were recorded. Species richness was lowest in the dense urban core (24 species) and highest in peri-urban areas (52 species). Passer domesticus, Columba livia, and Corvus albus dominated the urban core assemblage, while migrant Palearctic species including Hirundo rustica and Motacilla flava were encountered almost exclusively in peri-urban zones. Resident seed-eating species showed higher urban tolerance than insectivores and raptors, which were restricted to less-disturbed peripheral zones. Fruiting trees in residential compounds significantly increased local species richness. The study highlights the conservation importance of peri-urban green spaces as refugia for avian diversity in Kano and recommends the planting of native fruiting trees in urban parks and street landscaping as a low-cost urban biodiversity enhancement strategy. Keywords: avian diversity, urban ecology, Kano metropolis, bird survey, urbanisation.