Diet and feeding ecology of Double-Spurred Francolin (Pternistis bicalcaratus) in Olabel farms, Ilaro, Southwest Nigeria for sustainable ecotourism development

Abstract

The study investigated the diet and feeding ecology of the Double-spurred Francolin (Pternistis bicalcaratus) at Olabel Farms, Ilaro, in southwestern Nigeria, with the aim of promoting sustainable ecotourism development. The primary objective was to gain a comprehensive understanding of the species' ecological role, behavior, and conservation needs within its natural habitat, thereby supporting ecotourism initiatives. The farm's land use was categorized into three blocks: arable farmlands, plantation fields, and fallow lands. The study was conducted over 12 months (October 2023 to October 2024), during which data were collected on 16 pairs of francolins, with group sizes ranging from one to four individuals. A direct observation method was employed for data collection. Field data were entered into an Excel spreadsheet (version 20) for subsequent analysis using descriptive frequency, percentage frequency, and graphical representations (including graphs, pie charts, and bar charts), as well as analytical statistical methods. The findings revealed that the omnivorous diet of Pternistis bicalcaratus enables them to thrive in diverse habitats with varying food availability, making them highly adaptable foragers. Plant species constituted 70% of their diet, insects accounted for 22%, and small vertebrates made up 8%. Among plant resources, tubers were the most consumed, with Colocasia esculenta contributing 10.6%, followed by Zea mays at 7.6%, and Elaeis guineensis at 6.6%. Insect consumption was dominated by Macrotermes natalensis (5.8%), followed by Anapha venata (2.6%) and members of the Termitidae family (1.7%).