Nesting and Habitat Characteristics of White‐Browed Sparrow‐Weavers ( Plocepasser mahali , Smith) at Chemeron, Baringo South, Kenya

Arid and semi‐arid lands (ASALs) support tropical wooded shrublands and grasslands that sustain a diverse array of flora and fauna, including specialized avian communities. However, as the demand for food, fuel, and other natural resources intensifies, these inherently fragile ecosystems face mounting pressure, resulting in significant habitat degradation and a decline in biodiversity. The objective of this study was to assess and describe the habitat and nesting characteristics of the White‐browed Sparrow‐weavers ( Plocepasser mahali ) in the semi‐arid wooded shrublands of Baringo South. This landscape is now heavily modified by anthropogenic activities, including large‐scale charcoal production, harvesting wood fuel, and the spread of agriculture, and is at risk of losing its woody vegetation, which is crucial for birds to nest. To evaluate tree species preference, tree height, diameter at breast height (DBH), and nest height, five (5) ground survey transects were established, radiating from a central point within the study area. The length of these transects varied from 0.82 to 1.79 km, giving a good spatial coverage for evaluating habitat selection and nesting architecture of the White‐browed Sparrow‐weavers. Results indicated that the dominant woody species in order of percent cover were Acacia tortilis > Acacia nilotica > Balanites aegyptiaca > Acacia elatior. One‐way analysis of variance (ANOVA) indicated that there was no significant difference in DBH for nesting trees for the Plocepasser mahali across the five study transects ( F (4,47) = 0.63; p = 0.65). However, a significant difference in nest height among trees in the five transects was observed ( F (4,47) = 5.17; p = 0.002) suggesting that birds adjust nest placement based on localized vertical structure. Linear regression models showed that diameter at breast height (DBH) had a positive and significant effect on nest numbers ( r 2 = 0.0986; t = 2.58; p = 0.023). However, no significant relationship was found between basal area (BA) and the number of nests ( r 2 = 0.094; t = 0.69; p = 0.493). Acacia tortilis and Acacia elatior were their primary nesting hosts. This preference is driven by the trees' physical structure, with total basal area serving as a key habitat variable that significantly predicts the number of nests across the landscape. This study concludes that habitat characteristics play an important role in the selection of nesting sites by Plocepasser mahali . Owing to the overexploitation of A. tortilis and A. elatior for charcoal and construction, it is important for government agencies to put mechanisms in place to halt their extraction.