Welcome to the fascinating world of birds in Paikoro! Home to an abundance of endemic and migratory species, Paikoro offers a unique opportunity to observe and study a variety of birds in their natural habitats.
From the largest of eagles to the smallest of warblers, the avian diversity of the area is genuinely captivating. Whether you’re a novice or an expert birder, you’ll find plenty of opportunities to enjoy the beauty of the local birds.
With various climates and habitats to explore, you can participate in an exciting array of bird-watching activities. So come and explore the vibrant and diverse birds of Paikoro.
9 Birds to Watch in Paikoro
Paikoro is a local government area in Niger state, Nigeria, with its headquarters in Paiko town. Paikoro has a diverse climate, ranging from hot and humid in the dry season to warm and oppressive in the wet season.
Here are nine birds you can watch in Paikoro, either in the wild or in bird sanctuaries.
1. Black-crowned Night Heron
The black-crowned night heron is medium-sized in many parts of the world. It is sometimes called the black-capped night-heron or simply night-heron in Eurasia.
This heron species is native to many places, including parts of Europe, Asia, North America, and South America. It is well-known for its distinctive black-colored crown and for its habit of foraging in the evening and night.
The black-crowned night heron is a stocky bird with short legs and a thick neck. Its body measures between 43 and 61 centimeters, and its w, wingspan can reach up to 1.2 meters.
It has a long, pointed bill and a dark, black crown contrasting with its grey-brown back and wings. Its neck and chest are white with grey-brown streaks, and its belly is white.
The black-crowned night heron is a highly adaptable species found in many habitats, including marshes, wet meadows, lakes, ponds, rivers, and coasts.
Its diet consists of fish, amphibians, reptiles, and invertebrates, which it catches by standing still and waiting for prey to come within reach. It is an active forager most commonly seen around dusk and dawn.
The black-crowned night heron is a wide-ranging species often seen in small flocks. During breeding, they typically form monogamous pairs and build nests in trees or shrubs. They lay between two and six eggs, which both parents help to incubate.
The young are born with grey-brown plumage and become more white and grey as they mature. The black-crowned night heron is a species of most minor concern, with a population that is believed to be stable.
However, they can be vulnerable to human disturbance and habitat destruction, so conservation efforts should be taken to ensure their continued survival.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Pelecaniformes |
| Family | Ardeidae |
| Genus | Nycticorax |
| Species | N. nycticorax |
2. Striated Heron
The Striated Heron is a small heron, measuring about 44 cm tall. It is also known as the Mangrove, Little Green, or Green-Backed Heron. This species is primarily sedentary and does not migrate or move around much.
It has some attractive behavioral traits, which makes it distinct from other heron species. For example, the Striated Heron has been observed catching fish using its wings to stir the water. It has also been seen hovering in mid-air while searching for prey.
The Striated Heron is unique due to its exciting behaviors, making it a great species to observe and study.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Pelecaniformes |
| Family | Ardeidae |
| Genus | Butorides |
| Species | B. striata |
3. Blue Quail
The blue quail, also known as the African blue quail, is a species of bird in the family Phasianidae. This bird can be found in sub-Saharan Africa, located south of the Sahara Desert.
It is a ground-dwelling bird typically found in open habitats such as grasslands or savannas. The blue quail is a small bird, measuring up to 12 inches in length, with a wingspan of about 7 inches. It is primarily blue-gray with a b, a black tail, and a white throat.
The blue quail feeds mainly on insects, seeds, and small fruits. It is a social species, typically seen in small flocks of up to 10 individuals.
The blue quail is not endangered, but its population is declining due to the destruction of its habitat, primarily driven by human activities such as agricultural expansion and illegal hunting.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Galliformes |
| Family | Phasianidae |
| Genus | Synoicus |
| Species | S. adansonii |
4. Great Cormorant
The great cormorant is a member of the cormorant family of seabirds that can be found worldwide.
Various names in different regions know it; for example, it is called the black shag or away in New Zealand, the great black cormorant in the Northern Hemisphere, the black cormorant in Australia, and the large cormorant in India.
The great cormorant is black and is easily recognizable by its long neck and tail feathers, which are slightly curved.
It has a wingspan of up to 1.5 meters and can reach a length of up to 85 cm. It is mainly found in coastal areas and is an excellent swimmer. It can even dive underwater for up to 30 seconds.
It feeds mainly on fish, which it catches by diving into the water. The great cormorant is also known for its social behavior. It nests in large colonies and usually builds its nests on cliffs, trees, and artificial structures.
The great cormorant is also essential for maintaining the local ecosystem’s health, as it helps keep the fish population in check.
Overall, the great cormorant is an essential and widespread member of the cormorant family of seabirds that can be found worldwide.
Various names in different regions know it, and it is an important species for maintaining the local ecosystem’s health.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Suliformes |
| Family | Phalacrocoracidae |
| Genus | Phalacrocorax |
| Species | P. carbo |
5. Namaqua Dove
The Namaqua dove is a small bird that belongs to the pigeon family. It is the only species in the genus Oena and can be found in many Sub-Saharan Africa, the Arabian peninsula, and Madagascar habitats.
This unique bird has a distinct color pattern: a slate gray head, white breast and wings, and a bright reddish-brown back. It has very short legs and a long tail, usually held up in a fan shape. It feeds mainly on seeds but will also eat insects and fruit.
The Namaqua Dove is a solitary bird, often seen sitting on a low branch or perched on the ground. During the breeding season, it builds a nest in a tree or bush and lays two white eggs. The chicks are born blind and helpless, and it takes around three weeks for them to fledge.
The Namaqua Dove is shared in its range, but its populations are declining due to habitat destruction and hunting.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Columbiformes |
| Family | Columbidae |
| Genus | Oena |
| Species | O. capensis |
6. Great Blue Turaco
The great blue turaco is an impressive bird species in the Musophagidae family. It is large, measuring around 70-76 cm in length, making it the largest turaco species.
Its plumage is a stunning combination of grey-blue feathers, with an upright crest that stands at about 10cm tall. The male and female great blue turacos have similar plumage, so it can be difficult to tell them apart.
The turaco’s feathers have evolved to help it blend in with its natural environment, providing excellent camouflage. This species is also known for its distinctive loud call that can be heard for miles.
The great blue turaco is an iconic bird species, and its beautiful plumage and distinctive call make it an unforgettable sight and sound in its natural habitat.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Musophagiformes |
| Family | Musophagidae |
| Genus | Corythaeola |
| Species | C. cristata |
7. Greater Painted-snipe
The greater painted-snipe is a species of wading bird from the family Rostratulidae. This type of bird is typically found in marshy environments, such as those in Africa, South Asia, and Southeast Asia.
These birds have a unique and eye-catching appearance, featuring a colorful and patterned head and breast. The greater painted-snipe prefers to live in shallow wetlands, such as marshes, swamps, and other slow-moving water bodies.
This bird species feeds on small insects and other aquatic animals, such as crustaceans, worms, and mollusks. During the breeding season, they form monogamous pairs and build nests on the ground, which can be lined with grasses or reeds.
The greater painted snipe is listed as a species of most minor concern by the IUCN, meaning it is not currently threatened by extinction. However, we still need to protect and care for these species, as they are essential to our global ecosystem.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Charadriiformes |
| Family | Rostratulidae |
| Genus | Rostratula |
| Species | R. benghalensis |
8. Harlequin Quail
The harlequin quail is an interesting species of bird found in sub-Saharan Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. It is a member of the family Phasianidae, which includes other birds such as pheasants and grouse.
The species is named after Adolphe Delegorgue, a collector who discovered the bird in the late 19th century. It has a unique and colorful plumage, with its feathers ranging from gray to black, white to yellow, and red to orange.
Its vibrant coloration makes it highly sought-after by birdwatchers. The harlequin quail is an omnivore, feeding on various small insects, seeds, grains, and fruits. It typically nests on the ground, though it has been known to roost in trees or bushes.
The species is considered Least Concern by the IUCN due to its wide range and stable population. Despite this, habitat loss, hunting, and the pet trade still threatens the harlequin quail.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Galliformes |
| Family | Phasianidae |
| Genus | Coturnix |
| Species | C. delegorguei |
9. White-throated Francolin
The white-throated francolin is a species of bird that belongs to the family Phasianidae.
Native to Africa, it is found in a wide range of countries on the continent, including Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Mali, Nigeria, Senegal, Togo, and Zambia.
This bird species is widespread and can be found in various habitats, from open wooded savannahs to grasslands and shrublands. It is a medium-sized bird, measuring up to 33cm in length.
It is easily identified by its distinctive white throat patch which contrasts sharply with its dark brown upperparts and pale underparts. It also has a long tail and a short, rounded bill.
It has a loud, distinctive call that is used to communicate with other members of its species. The white-throated francolin is generally found in small flocks and is known to feed on a variety of insects, seeds, and berries.
It also takes advantage of cultivated crops, such as maize, millet, and sorghum. While its population is currently stable and widespread, it is thought that its population is declining in some areas due to habitat loss and degradation.
Nevertheless, the white-throated francolin is currently listed as of least concern on the IUCN Red List.
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Galliformes |
| Family | Phasianidae |
| Genus | Campocolinus |
| Species | C. albogularis |
Conclusion
Birds are a vital part of the Paikoro landscape. They provide food for other animals, help control pests, and provide pollination services.
They also play an important role in the ecology of the region, providing a vital link in the food chain and a source of beauty and wonder.
Birds are an integral part of the local culture, and their presence is celebrated and appreciated by the people of Paikoro.