Avian Dynamics and Behavior during Different Phenological Phases of Cereal Crops in the City of Kisangani and its Surroundings (Tshopo province, DRC)
Bird Dynamics and Behavior on Cereal Fields
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47941/ijbs.3762Keywords:
Dynamic, Behaviour, Avian, Phenological Phases, Cereals, KisanganiAbstract
Purpose: This study was conducted in the city of Kisangani and its surrounding areas over a six-month period, from February to July 2025. Its objective was to understand avian dynamics and behaviour during the different phenological stages of cereal crops.
Methodology: A simple point sampling method based on direct and indirect bird observation from a fixed point (listening or observation point) was used. Birds were observed during the different phenological stages of crops (sowing, vegetative growth, reproduction or flowering, and maturation).
Findings: The results showed that 18 bird species out of the 54 recorded were more involved in crop damage in the city of Kisangani and its surroundings during two main phases (sowing and maturation). At each phase, a more or less specific diversity of species was observed. Shannon diversity indices showed an average value of 2.415 for the three types of crops, while equitability was equal to 1. Regarding behaviour, it was noted that most birds frequenting crop fields were more beneficial than harmful, as only 33.33% of cases, corresponding to18 species, were involved in crop damage, where as 66.66% (36 species) acted as crop auxiliaries.
Unique Contribution to Theory, Policy and Practice: This study provides a list of bird species that attack cereal crops in the city of Kisangani and its surroundings, while identifying the most sensitive periods of attack, with a view to developing strategies to reconcile avifauna conservation with agricultural production. It also provides information on bird behaviour during different phenological phases, there by contributing to a better understanding of the role of avifauna in cereal crop fields.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Jean BILAMA SADIKI, Dieudonné UPOKI, Elie BUGENTO, Bienvenue KAPITA, Julien ABANI, Krishna FATUMA, Robert ABANI
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