International Journal of Molecular Evolution and Biodiversity 2016, Vol.6, No.3, 1-8
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The study was conducted in the vicinity of Makerere Biological Field Station. The altitude varies from 1 590 m in
the northern extreme of the forest to 1 110 m in the southern part. The terrain of Kibale Forest is characterized by
numerous hills, valleys, swamps and streams.
2.2 Data collection
Four different plants: African tulip tree or flame tree (
Spathodea campanulata
), Bottle brush (
Callistemon citrinus
),
Erythrina
sp
.
and Cana lily (
Lilium
sp.) from different locations around the park were selected. In our preliminary
observation, these plant species attracted the same group of birds (sunbirds) with the same flower colours (red)
which is the most attractive colour for birds (Pickens, 1951; Raven, 1972). For each plant species, 3 individuals
were randomly selected and 10 flowers or inflorescences from each individual plant were randomly selected in
order to assess the number of visit to flowers. For accuracy of data collection, one day of observation to a
particular plant and identification of sunbirds visiting these plants was undertaken by each project team member
alternatively. Actual data collection was conducted from 17
th
to 20
th
July 2014. For each plant species, the number
of visits made by different sunbird species and individuals was recorded for 18 hours on the 4 focal plants. The
time intervals for observation were 7:30-9:00 am, 9:30-11:00 am, 11:30-1:00 pm and 2:30-4:00 pm. Equal time
interval of observation in different times of the day was developed as indicated in the matrix below (Table 1).
Scan samples using binoculars were carried out every 10 minutes to record the behaviour of visiting sunbirds
across the same time periods. Activities recorded were legitimate visits, illegitimate visits, feeding and perching.
Table 1 Matrix observation for different time periods and plant species
Day 1 (time of observation)
7:30-9:00am
9:30-11:00am
11:30-1:00pm
2:30-4:00pm
L1
E1
S1
C1
L2
E2
S2
C2
L3
E3
S3
C3
Day 2 (time of observation)
7:30-9:00am
9:30-11:00am
11:30-1:00pm
2:30-4:00pm
E1
S1
C1
L1
E2
S2
C2
L2
E3
S3
C3
L3
Day 3 (time of observation)
7:30-9:00am
9:30-11:00am
11:30-1:00pm
2:30-4:00pm
S1
C1
L1
E1
S2
C2
L2
E2
S3
C3
L3
E3
Day 4 (time of observation)
9:30-11:00am
11:30-1:00pm
2:30-4:00pm
C1
L1
E1
S1
C2
L2
E2
S2
C3
L3
E3
S3
Note: S=
Spathodeacampanulata
; L=
Lilium
sp.; C=
Callistemon citrinus
; E=
Erythrina
sp.
The numbers (1, 2, and 3) represents individual plants of each species.
2.3 Data analysis
All data generated from the primary and secondary sources were entered and organized in Microsoft Excel 2010.
Descriptive statistics such as bar charts, tables and graphs were used to illustrate patterns and trends. Inferential
statistics (Chi-square and Kruskal-Wallis tests) were used to test aspects of behaviour and visitation respectively.
