Habitat structure determines the abundance of the Endangered Sharpe’s Longclaw Macronyx sharpei (Aves: Passeriformes: Motacillidae) at Timau montane grasslands in central Kenya

Abstract

Understanding the habitat selecton and structure of a species is critcal for developing evidence-centered conservaton actons. Sharpe’s Longclaw Macronyx sharpei, a passerine bird endemic to Kenya, is threatened by reductons in habitat size and quality that have lef it inhabitng a small and highly fragmented range. From January to June 2016 we investgated the abundance and density of Sharpe’s Longclaw in Marania farm located in Meru county in the northern sector of Mt. Kenya, where no previous study had been done. Populaton abundance and density were determined using the fush and count method. We observed that these birds were exclusively found in grasslands, being most abundant in habitats of short grass with tussocks, and less so in areas with tall grass. This habitat specifcity indicates a key requirement for survival of Sharpe’s Longclaw populatons in this area. We recommend surveys in and around Marania farm to determine the distributon of suitable habitats for this species, and that the farm be designated an Important Bird Area. Further studies should also focus on determining the intensity of grazing that is compatble with conservaton of Sharpe’s Longclaw populatons