A conservation Report About The Elusive Fox’s Weaver and Karamoja Apalis
A Conservation Report About the Elusive Fox’s Weaver and Karamoja Apalis: One of Uganda’s unique bird species, the Fox’s Weaver, is found exclusively in the country’s northeast and nowhere else globally. Despite the fact that this bird species is little known and has only been found in the wetlands in the Teso Subregion in the country’s northeast, it is a little studied species. The species preferred Papyrus swamps with surrounding trees; prior records came from the borders of L. Kyoga, L. Opeta, and L. Bisina. It nests on trees in marshes or above water. The species is thought to migrate further north to South Sudan during the dry season, however, it primarily breeds between May and August, when the primary rainy season occurs. Whistling-thorn acacia trees submerged in water are the preferred nesting sites for the elusive Fox’s Weaver.
Similar to the Fox’s Weaver, another infrequently observed species that lives in the same area is the Karamoja Apalis Apalis. There is insufficient information available on its population and ecology. Within the Cisticolidae family, the Karamoja Apalis is an uncommon and little-known indigenous species found in East Africa. Only northern Tanzania, southern Kenya, and northeastern Uganda are home to the species. Three specimens of this species were found by Van Someren at Mount Kamalinga in the then-Karamoja District of Uganda in 1919, marking the species’ initial discovery. The Karamoja Apalis’ current range in Uganda is restricted to the northeastern region of the country, specifically the region surrounding Kidepo, Mount Moroto, and Mount Napak. Although its exact numbers are unclear, it is anticipated that the Karamoja Apalis is becoming less common in many of its primary habitats as a result of the size and quality of its preferred environment being smaller.
In terms of knowledge and information gaps about the ecology and behaviour of the two species, Nature Uganda is setting the standard. In collaboration with partners like the Uganda Bird Guides Club (UBGC), the African Bird Club (ABC), and local bird guides, NU has conducted three expeditions in total to map the distribution of the species, identify and estimate its population, and record the habitat of the birds, particularly the breeding ecology.
The Elusive Fox’s Weaver and Karamoja Apalis
A team made up of four groups conducted the Fox’s Weaver and Karamoja Apalis study in August 2019. Staff members of Nature Uganda and volunteers from the Uganda Bird Guides Club (UBGC) comprised the team. The two species’ range in northeastern Uganda was mapped using line transects. Furthermore, detailed information about the nesting sites of the two bird species was documented, along with a description of the habitat parameters at each site. Prioritising places for conservation will depend heavily on knowledge about the range and preferred habitats of the Karamoja Apalis and Fox’s Weaver.
The survey was scheduled to take place at the recognised peak of the two species’ mating seasons. The elusive Fox’s Weaver and Karamoja Apalis were discovered in the districts of Magoro, Palam, and Ngarium in Katakwi, Ogongoja in Kapelebyong District, and Iriri in Napak District, thanks to the diligent work of all teams. An additional colony was previously noted in the Nakapiripit District’s Pian Upe. Despite previously reported observations at the Awoja bridge in Soroti District, no records were made at the visited sites in Kumi and Sororti Districts. The weaver was observed breeding in every observation, with the exception of Iriri sites.
The survey’s conclusions demonstrated that Vachelia drepanolobium, also known as the Whistling-thorn Acacia, is the predominant species in the seasonally flooded grasslands that are home to both Fox’s Weaver and Karamoja Apalis. On the other hand, the Fox’s Weaver breeding colony in Palam was near the still pools of water by the sides of the roadways, not in the damp areas. The Fox’s Weaver’s preferred nesting tree was this kind of acacia. Ngarium and Magoro had the greatest number of individuals that were observed. The nesting trees were located close to a road in every breeding record instance, and it was usual to witness birds in this region either perched a short distance off the road or flying across it. Conversely, during the survey, no breeding Karamoja Apalis were found.
Fox’s Weaver records from the survey included sixty-six (66) individuals in total. The majority were males (74%), females (23%), and juveniles (3%). Katakwi district registered the highest number of individuals (50), followed by Napak with seven, Amuria with six, and Soroti with three. Eight (8) sites in the Amuria and Katakwi Districts yielded a total of 168 nests that were recorded. The Karamoja Apalis study also yielded records for seventeen (17) individuals. Five (5) were female, and the remaining Twelve (12) were male. Eight bird records total—five in Katakwi, two in Amuria, and two in Soroti—were made, with the majority of the records occurring in Napak. At none of the sites, there were any documented Apalis nests.
The survey is a significant step towards solving the riddle surrounding the one and only indigenous bird species in Uganda. In the near future, further research will be necessary to comprehend the distribution and ecology of the bird species in order to reduce threats to its habitat and create species conservation strategies that will guarantee the survival of its population in Uganda.
Since 1996, the species’ existence in the nation has not been officially recorded for more than 20 years, with the exception of a few sporadic, unverified sightings. Nature Uganda’s 2015 investigation was fruitless; in spite of a thorough examination of the environment in northeastern Uganda, no individuals of the species were found (Nalwanga et al., 2015). More results came from a second study that Nature Uganda carried out in August 2018.
Although the species’ existence in northeastern Uganda has been established, its range within its occurrence region is unknown. Together with the Uganda Bird Guides Club (UBGC), Nature Uganda surveyed the Fox’s Weaver and Karamoja Apalis to record the species’ distribution and extent in northeastern Uganda.
The Karamoja-Apalis Karamojae
In the Cisticolidae family, the Karamoja Apalis (Apalis karamojae) is an uncommon and little understood endemic species from East Africa. According to studies by Nalwanga et al. (2016), Shaw (2007), and Urban et al. (1997), the species is only found in north-eastern Uganda, northern Tanzania, and southern Kenya. Three specimens were found by Van Someren at Mount Kamalinga in the Kamaramoja District of Uganda, where the species was initially found in 1919 (Collar and Stuart, 1985; Van Someren, 1921). The range of the Karamoja Apalis is restricted to the northeastern region of Uganda, including the vicinity of Kidepo, Mount Moroto, and Mount Napak.
Although the exact number of Karamoja Apalis is unclear, it is anticipated that the species is becoming less common in many of its primary habitats as a result of a decline in the quantity and quality of its preferred habitat, forested grasslands with Vachellia drepanolobium (Nalwanga et al., 2016).
This bird species (Karamoja Apalis) has brown eyes, black feet, and legs, in addition to a black beak. Ashy grey is the colour of the forehead, crown, nape, mantle, cheeks, and back to the upper tail covers; deeper grey is the colour of the ear-coverts. From the nares to the area above the eye, the species features a white stripe and a pre-orbital blackish loral mark. The wings have a characteristic wing flash, consisting of large white-edged outer webs outlined in blackish brown. The thighs and undersides are primarily white.
According to BirdLife (2017), the Karamoja Apalis is locally endangered (WCS, 2016), yet globally and regionally vulnerable. The species is under threat from wood-cutting, livestock farming, and cultivation, all of which have significantly reduced the species’ possible habitat in northeastern Uganda. After a recent decrease in coverage, particularly of V. drepanolobium in northeastern Uganda, its distribution presently seems to be shrinking (Nalwanga et al., 2016).
Previous records of the Karamoja Apalis were limited to the Karamoja region (Nalwanga et al., 2016); however, more recently, records from the species have been made as far south as Magoro, Katakwi (Fox’s Weaver Expedition Report, 2018). One Karamoja Apalis was found in Magoro, Katakwi, during the survey conducted to report the rediscovery of the Fox’s Weaver. According to the Fox’s Weaver, this bird species seems to be limited to woodland grasslands that flood seasonally and are primarily dominated by Vachellia drepanolobium, which is widespread and appears to be limited to northeastern Uganda.
Objectives of the Elusive Fox’s Weaver and Karamoja Apalis
The two main objectives of the study were to characterise the habitat preferences of the two species, Karamoja Apalis and Fox’s weaver, and to estimate the range of occurrence of these two species in northeastern Uganda.
Area of Study and methodology
The investigation was conducted between May and August, during the Fox’s Weaver breeding season (Keith and Fry, 2004). A total of roughly 13,000 square kilometres, or fourteen locations spread across six districts, were surveyed. The study covered the districts of Katakwi, Soroti, Kumi, Amuria, Ngora and Napak.
The research was conducted in four groups with volunteers from Uganda Bird Guides Club and employees of Nature Uganda. Based on prior records, it was determined that periodically flooded wooded grassland areas had a high probability of hosting the species; hence, line transects were methodically built there (Fox’s Weaver Expedition Report, 2018). Wetlands that are periodically flooded were among the other possible habitats that were examined.
Survey Methods
Several factors were noted along each transect, such as the quantity, gender, and activity of each individual of the two species; the GPS locations of every nesting tree and bird sightings; the number of nests; the characteristics of nesting trees, such as species name and tree height; the predominant vegetation; and the predominant human activity.
Findings of the elusive Fox’s Weaver and Karamoja Apalis
The two species, Karamoja Apalis and Fox’s Weaver, were found in four (4) of the six (6) districts that were surveyed: Soroti, Katakwi, Amuria, and Napak. There are no records of individuals of the species by Ngora or Kumi.
Fox’s Weaver Sightings
A total of sixty-six (66) respondents were registered for the survey. Of these, 74% were males, 23% were females, and 3% were juveniles. The majority of these, fifty, were found in Katakwi, seven in Napak, six in Amuria, and 3 in Soroti.
Breeding Records
A total of 168 nests were recorded from eight (8) locations in the districts of Amuria and Katakwi. The majority of the nests were dormant, with 51% of them being active. Every nest that has been documented has been built on Whistling-thorn Acacia Vachellia drepanolobium. The majority of the nests were built on trees that were submerged in water or close to it. It was noted in the field that although females search and select the best nests, males appear to construct the majority of nests.
Whistling-thorn Acacia
There were reports of active nests in Amuria and Katakwi, two significant districts. The sites in Magoro, Katakwi contained 42 active nests, the most of any place, indicating the locations’ significance for weaver breeding.
Active nests recorded in the sites
Nesting Materials
The major materials used by the Fox’s Weaver are Guinea grass (Megathyrsus maximus) twigs and African bristle grass (Setaria sphacelata). These bird species mainly use the stalks and inflorescences of these grasses to weave their nests.
Feeding and Diet of the elusive Fox’s Weaver
51% of the data showed that the majority of birds were seen feeding on insects, particularly Carpenter ants (Crematogaster mimosae) which are symbiotic with the Whistling-thorn Acacia. According to the findings, this is what the Fox’s Weaver was observed consuming.
Bird activities
These bird species were seen on the Whistling-Thorn Acacia trees and were closely related to other activities like perching, sitting, feeding, and nest building.
Individuals of Karamoja Apalis
From the previous survey, seventeen (17) individuals were noted. There were five (5) females and twelve (12) males among them. The survey indicates that the majority of the birds (8) were documented in Napak, five (5) in Katakwi, two (2) in Amuria, and two (2) in Soroti. At every location, there were no nests found.
Habitat Characteristics
Just 3% of Fox’s Weaver sightings were reported in arid regions, but the majority of sightings and nesting records (97%) were documented in seasonal wetlands. It is interesting to note that Karamoja Apalis and Fox’s weaver were frequently observed feeding at the same locations.
Assessment drivers for the distribution of Fox’s weaver and Karamoja Apalis.
Dominant Vegetation
In the regions where Fox’s Weaver and Karamoja Apalis were observed, whistling-thorn Acacia predominated. For the species, this Acacia is the preferred species of nesting tree. Both species have been observed coexisting with Whistling-thorn Acacia to feed on ants (Crematogaster mimosae). Hyparrhenia rufa was the predominant herbaceous species; it was frequently seen in mixed stands with sporobolus pyramidalis, Setaria sphacelate, and even Megathyrsus maximus.
Human Activities
According to the survey, 93% of the Fox’s Weaver and Karamoja Apalis sites were used for grazing as the primary human activity. The well-maintained grasslands encircled by trees provide a stable foundation for cattle rearing, the main source of income for the Iteso people in the area. Fishing and farming are frequently combined with cattle rearing.
Modelling distribution of Fox’s Weaver and Karamoja Apalis in the study sites
The essential habitat features based on three major parameters—soil, vegetation, and elevation—were found using the available GIS data on vegetation type, soil type, and elevation of the research region. These characteristics were then used to estimate the suitability of the other locations. Mapping the potential range and distribution of the two species depends heavily on this data.
The altitude data represents the 30 metre Digital Elevation Model (DEM) from the Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM), published on April 20, 2015, and retrieved from http://geoportal.rcmrd.org/layers/servir%3Auganda_srtm30metres.
Soil data obtained from the Soil Atlas of Africa and its associated Soil Map Data 2013, published by the EUROPEAN SOIL DATA CENTRE (ESDAC) on https://esdac.jrc.ec.europa.eu/content/soil-map-soil-atlas-africa. The vegetation data used is derived from a potential natural vegetation map of eastern Africa, retrieved from http://vegetationmap4africa.org/.
Altitudehttp://geoportal.rcmrd.org/layers/servir%3Auganda_srtm30metres
The elusive Fox’s Weaver
The altitude of Fox’s Weaver sightings (individual and nest records) at the seven sites ranged between 1044 m and 1262 m above sea level. Sites in Napak district had higher altitudes than other areas; Iriiri had the highest altitude (1262 m), while the altitude at Lorengecora averaged 1160 m above sea level. Gweri in Soroti District had the lowest altitude, at 1046 m above sea level. All Fox’s Weaver sightings except those in Napak District fall between 1022 and 1099 m below:
The average altitude at Major Fox’s Weaver habitats.
S/no Sites Average Altitude (m)
- Gweri 1046
- Wera 1053
- Magoro 1047
- Palam 1071
- Ongongoja 1074
- Iriiri 1262
- Lorengecora 1160
The average altitude at major fox’s weaver sites.
It is significant to note that there are no records of Fox’s Weaver nesting in Iriiri, Napak area; as a result, the elevations of Fox’s Weaver nest sites varied from 1046 to 1074 metres above sea level.
The Karamoja Apalis
The average altitude at major Sites of Karamoja Apalis
The six main Apalis sites in Karamoja were between 1048 and 1269 metres above sea level. Sites in the Napak district had the highest altitude, at 1048 metres, while Gweri in Soroti had the lowest.
Below is the average altitude of major Karamoja Apalis sites
S/no Sites Average Altitude (m)
- Gweri 1048
- Napak 1179
- Kapujan 1048
- Magoro 1048
- Ngarium 1051
- Wera 1052
Vegetation
The species was clearly identified as belonging to the Edaphic Wooded Grassland vegetation type on the vegetation map created for the research area. These woodland grasslands are found in soils with hindered drainage and are primarily composed of Acacias (Bruegel et al., 2015). Given that the Fox’s Weaver nests atop V. drepanolobium and feeds on ants that live there, this is hardly a coincidence. These results support the theory that bird species may be limited to grasslands that are periodically flooded and are mostly dominated by V. drepanolobium.
Karamoja Apalis
Similar to the Fox’s weaver, the Karamoja Apalis was observed in edaphic woodland grasslands with an abundance of Acacia trees. Additionally, the species has been observed grazing on Whistling-thorn Acacia insects.
Soil type
The elusive Fox’s Weaver
Sightings of Fox’s Weaver were discovered in the Vertisols soil type. While the distribution of birds is not directly influenced by the kind of soil, plant type greatly influences it. The fact that the majority of observations occurred in vertisols suggests that the vegetation in these soil types is essential to the survival of the species. Vachellia drepanolobium grows in soils that are black in colour, according to an ecological analysis and characterisation of acacia species in Kenya (Oginosako et al., 2005).
Karamoja Apalis
Most sightings of the Karamoja Apalis occurred on soil types classified as vertisols. Given the strong affinity of the Karamoja Apalis to the Whistling-thorn Acacia, soil may play a significant role in determining the kind of vegetation. A vertisol is a soil that has a high concentration of expanding clay minerals, which, during dry seasons or years, develop deep fractures. Vertisols usually grow from very basic rocks (basalt) in climates that are wet seasonally, prone to unpredictable droughts and floods, or that hinder drainage, like in the study region. They can range from grey or red to the more well-known deep black soils in East Africa, also referred to as “black cotton” soils, depending on the parent material and climate. This type of soil is prevalent in the country’s north and northeast and may play a major role in determining the distribution of V. drepanolobium and, by extension, the Fox’s Weaver.
Conclusion
Based on historical records, it was previously believed that just a smaller area of the country was home to the elusive Fox’s Weaver and Karamoja Apalis. However, the study has demonstrated otherwise. The ranges of the Apalis and Weaver currently overlap because the Weaver has expanded northward to Iriri in the Napak District, while the Apalis has expanded southward to Gweri and Soroti Districts. Four districts in the northeastern region of the nation have records for both of these species. To determine the true extent of species coverage, more research on the distribution of the species must be done in new, potentially productive areas with adequate habitat.
As most research, including this one, has been done during the mating season, it is also unknown where the species is found during the non-breeding season. In order to determine the distribution of Fox’s Weaver during the non-breeding season, surveys must be conducted during this time as well. The population of the species in the Whistling-Thorn Acacia grasslands of northeastern Uganda should be the subject of future research, as should our knowledge of the species’ breeding biology.