Survey of Avian Diversity in Hadejia-Nguru Wetlands, Jigawa State

The Hadejia-Nguru Wetlands in Jigawa State, within Nigeria's North West geopolitical zone, constitute one of West Africa's most ecologically significant Ramsar sites, supporting millions of migratory and resident waterbirds annually. Despite their international conservation status, recent surveys of avian diversity in this wetland system have been limited, with existing literature relying heavily on older datasets. This study presents updated field-based data on avian species composition, abundance, and seasonal distribution within three wetland zones of the Hadejia-Nguru complex. Point count surveys were conducted during the wet and dry seasons over a four-month period, complemented by mist-netting for confirmation of cryptic species. A total of 87 bird species were recorded, representing 14 families, including globally threatened species such as the Ferruginous Duck and the Black-tailed Godwit. Waterbird abundance was significantly higher during the dry season, coinciding with the arrival of Palearctic migrants. Land-use change, including fadama agriculture expansion, was identified as the primary threat to nesting and foraging habitats within the wetland. The study proposes targeted habitat restoration interventions and the establishment of seasonal no-disturbance zones around critical roosting areas. Community-based bird monitoring programs are recommended as a cost-effective strategy for long-term data collection. These findings provide a current species inventory for conservation planning and contribute to the management review of the site's Ramsar designation. Keywords: avian diversity, Hadejia-Nguru Wetlands, migratory birds, North West Nigeria, waterbird conservation