Diversity and abundance of avifauna in Kitubulu Central Forest Reserve, Central Uganda indicate opportunities for sustainable bird-based tourism

Birds play significant ecological roles supporting pollination, seed dispersal, pest control, and avitourism, which offers economic benefits for communities and supports conservation efforts. In Tropical Africa, data on avifauna diversity, distribution, and behavior remain limited, hindering effective conservation and development of avitourism. A survey of birds in Kitubulu Central Forest Reserve, Lake Victoria basin, Central Uganda, was conducted between April and May 2025 to document and determine the diversity and abundance of avifauna to support conservation efforts and promotion of avitourism. The survey involved point count and transect walks across habitat types (Lakeshore and Wetland, Forest Edge, and Forest Interior). Bird observations were done using field binoculars and confirmed using the East Africa field guide, MerlinBird ID software was used for acoustic detections. Data were analyzed using R statistical software (version 4.5.0). A total of 66 bird species belonging to 15 orders and 30 families were recorded in the study area. The most diverse orders were Pelecaniformes (Species = 14), Accipitriformes (12), and Passeriformes (8). The dominant feeding guilds were omnivorous (31.8%), piscivorous (25.8%), and carnivorous (22.7%). Lakeshore and wetland supported the highest species richness (37 species; Shannon index 2.89), followed by Forest edge (28; 2.49) and Forest Interior (21; 2.29). There was significant variation in species richness (p = 0.006), Total abundance (p = 0.003), and Shannon diversity (p = 0.0288) across habitat types. The findings show the forest’s high avifauna diversity and a strong potential for sustainable avitourism, highlighting the need to strengthen habitat protection and community engagement to support forest and bird conservation.