Food preference and foraging ecology of the black and white Casqued Hornbill (Bycanistes subeylindricus) in Okomu National Park, Nigeria

Abstract

This research study examined the diet and foraging ecology of the Black and White Casqued Hornbill (Bycanistes subeylindricus) in Okomu National Park. The Bycanistes subeylindricus is a flagship bird species, and studying the diet will help in the conservation thereby promoting ecotourism in the park. This study followed the Direct observation method, field observations were carried out with binoculars (Bushnell 75), and field surveys were conducted during the early morning or late evening when birds were actively feeding with the least disturbance. The result showed that Bycanistes subeylindricus consumed a variety of foods, including fruits, leaves, seeds, flowers, and insects. The results showed that six primary plant species account for most Bycanistes subcylindrical diet. Ficus exasperata had the highest frequency of 34%, followed by Elaesis guinneensis at 20%, and Dacryodes gullies at 16. The result of fruit type consumption indicates that fruit consumption was highest during the wet season 54, this is followed by dry season 41, and fruit type consumed in both seasons were the lowest 5. The Moraceae family has the most plant species with 7, and the Fabaceae family comes in second with 5 Figure 4.  The family Formicate has the second-highest number of 5 insects fed upon this followed by the family Scarabaeidae with 3 species.