RAPTOR ABUNDANCE IN SOUTH-CENTRAL KENYA IN RELATION TO LAND-USE PATTERNS

We conducted nine road surveys for birds of prey from 12 January to 17 March 1990 in Nairobi National Park and in an adjacent area dominated by subsistence agriculture and livestock grazing in southern Kenya. W e observed an average of 4.27 raptors/km inside the park and 0.40 rapt ors/km outside the park (P<0.005). Excluding very abundant species [le sser kestrels (Falco naumanni) and vultures; 72.6% of all observations ] and species associated with human settlements [black kites (Milvus m igrans); 8.9% of all observations], raptors were observed more frequen tly in the park (0.47 raptors/km) than outside the park (0.23 raptors/ km) (P<0.01). Although species richness was similar inside (18 species ) and outside (22 species) the park, eagles, vultures, and lesser kest rels were seen more frequently inside the park and some infrequently o bserved species were only seen either inside or outside the park. Thes e results reflect the differences in land-use practices inside and out side of the park, and suggest significant changes in raptor community structure (species richness, density, and species identity) related to human land use.