Occasional Occurrences and Distributions of Red Billed Quelea (Quelea quelea) Birds on Cultivating Crops during the Belg Season at Raya Azebo District of Tigray, Ethiopia

Abstract

The Belg season plays a crucial role in the agricultural calendar of the Raya District, particularly due to the shortage of rainfall during the summer season. This seasonal pattern of rainfall scarcity necessitates the significance of the Belg season for agricultural activities in this region. Aim of the study was to assess the Quelea bird incidence and its association agronomic practice and environmental factors. Field survey was conducted in Raya-azebo district during 2024 Belg season. A total of 49 farmers field were assessed for the incidence and prevalence of the quelea bird. Result indicated that out of the assessed fields, 69.39% was affected by Quelea birds the assessed fields. The damage level caused by birds was varied from 0% to 100%. On average, it was determined that approximately 32.37% of the cultivated crops were affected by birds. The mean percentage of crop damage across all kebelles was observed. Ewo had the highest mean damage at 61.45%, followed by Kara-Adishaho at 57.5%. On the other hand, Tsigea experienced a significantly lower damage rate of 1.67% followed by Genete with damage rat of 11%. Independent variables such as crop types, planting time, harvesting time, source of water, and coverage of trees play a significant (p<0.05) role in influencing bird damage in belg season crops. The lowest bird damage percentage were observed in crops planted in middle March, with 6.19% and late May harvesting, with a rate of 19.38%. Adopting practices such as cultivating crops in clusters and planting crops of similar maturity at the same time can be effective strategies for controlling Quelea birds’ damage in agricultural settings.