Abstract

African grey parrot Psittacus erithacus and lovebird Agapornis pullaria are among the bird species benefiting from the hospitality offered by riparian forests in guinea savannah because riparian forests serve as home range to numerous forest birds. However, anthropogenic activities are currently affecting the proper functioning of riparian ecosystems. In this paper, hypothetical and investigated proof documented in literature were used to identify factors militating against survival of African grey parrot Psittacus erithacus and lovebird Agapornis pullaria in a riparian guinea savannah and its implication on conservation programmes and future studies in Africa. The prospect of lovebirds in riparian Guinea Savannah are basically affected by two major factors namely; habitat loss and reduced breeding performance, whereas in African grey parrots, high level of exploitation with respect to pet trade of the said species, in addition to habitat degradation as a result of anthropogenic activities such as mining, hunting, agriculture, urbanization and agroforestry are responsible for loss of nesting site and foraging items. Reduced breeding performance is equally stimulated by decline in reproduction due to age, clutch size, brood parasitism, food shortage, human influence and predation, and pet trade coupled with harvesting. From all indication, so many factors are responsible for decrease in population of African grey parrots and lovebirds. These factors are complicated and habitat based. Understanding the systems which stimulated habitat loss and poor breeding performance in both species are essential in avian conservation. The intervention of non-governmental organizations involves in avian conservation and wildlife conservation advocacy group coupled with government, may be needed, in order to protect the left over patches of any riparian vegetation, currently existing and serving as habitat to African grey parrots and lovebird in guinea savannah. This will help to prevent total destruction of the environment.

Keywords

African grey parrot (Psittacus erithacus); lovebird Agapornis pullaria; anthropogenic activities; riparian vegetation; habitat loss; breeding performance