RAPTOR ABUNDANCE IN SOUTH-CENTRAL KENYA IN RELATION TO LAND-USE PATTERNS

We conducted nine road surveys for birds of prey from 12 January to 17 March 1990 in Nairobi National Park and in an adjacent area dominated by subsistence agriculture and livestock grazing in southern Kenya. We observed an average of 4.27 raptors/km inside the park and 0.40 raptors/km outside the park (P<0.005). Excluding very abundant species [lesser kestrels (Falco naumanni) and vultures; 72.6% of all observations] and species associated with human settlements [black kites (Milvus migrans); 8.9% of all observations], raptors were observed more frequently in the park (0.47 raptors/km) than outside the park (0.23 raptors/km) (P<0.01). Although species richness was similar inside (18 species) and outside (22 species) the park, eagles, vultures, and lesser kestrels were seen more frequently inside the park and some infrequently observed species were only seen either inside or outside the park. These results reflect the differences in land-use practices inside and outside of the park, and suggest significant changes in raptor community structure (species richness, density, and species identity) related to human land use.