Ornithology Section

The Ornithology Section is the centre for Ornithological research in Kenya.  The section's activities fall into three main areas: curation, research and training.
 
Collection and Curation

The section takes care of the regional reference collection of study skins (and other specimens such as nests and eggs). Some of the 35,000 or so specimens (20,000 study and flat skins + 10,000 mounted specimens for gallery display. Some  of these date back to the 19th century and still in good condition). There are also thousands of egg shells, tissue samples; feathers and slides, photographs. Making sure that they are properly catalogued is a major task. The collection is used extensively for reference purposes by scientists interested in bird taxonomy and distribution. Other users include artists and birdwatchers.The skin specimens data  is currently undergoing digitalization with 55% completion and 50% of these are already fully geo- referenced and dated.

Research.

The section focuses on research and monitoring geared towards bird conservation. Research focuses particularly on threatened species, the effects of changes in habitats and land -use change (e.g. Taita Hills forests and Kinangop Plateau grasslands) on various species. We collaborate wit and facilitate ornithological research for international researchers whose objectives are in line with our priorities. Ornithology section works in close collaboration wit Nature Kenya (the BirdLife Partner in Kenya) in monitoring of Kenya's 61 important Bird Area sites and sharing information on Avifauna status in Kenya. Nature Kenya translates research and monitoring findings into action (through community livelihood projects etc) and advocacy.

In addition, Ornithology also coordinates the African Waterfowl Census in Kenya in collaboration with Kenya Wildlife Service and Nature Kenya. The output of this monitoring project has resulted in the listing of the five Ramsar sites in Kenya. 

Main Research Themes

• Ecology and status of threatened birds in fragile habitats
• Habitat Restoration for birds
• Birds as indicators of Climate change
• Application of molecular techniques in taxonomy
• Bird ecosystem function services
• Bird response to anthropogenic impacts and habitat modification including bird communities in changing land- use and landscape mosaic
•  Promoting avitourism in Kenya
• Birds of economic importance(e.g. pest, game birds etc)

Research Projects

Completed

• Early detection and control of avian influenza (H5N1) (Peter Njoroge) Monitoring the population trends of the globally threatened Sokoke Scops Owl in Arabuko-sokoke forest and Dakatcha woodlands (Peter Njoroge)
• Ecological effects of an electric fence on the avifauna of Arabuko-Sokoke forest (Peter Njoroge).
• Relating anthropogenic activities to bird distribution around Sabaki River estuary (Nick Otieno)
• Effects of pesticide use on ecology of the Red-billed Ox- pecker in northern Kenya (Ronald Mulwa)
• Integrating agro- biodiversity in savanna ecosystems (Muchai Muchani)

Ongoing

• Habitat utilization by Aberdare Cisticola in Aberdare National Park (Philsta Malaki)
• Hindes babbler: Demography and the effects of competition for territories on reproductive success (Peter Njoroge)
• Game bird hunting as an alternative source of livelihood for masai communities living adjacent to Amboseli National Park (Peter Njoroge)
• Distribution and of Madacascar Pond Heron Ardeola idae in Kenya's wetlands (Henry Ndithia)
• Reproductive strategies of the Crested Lark in Kinangop grasslands and Naivasha (Henry Ndithia)
• Mobilizing local community towards conservation of Basra Reed Warbler in the Tana River Delta, Kenya (Joseph Mwangi)
• Effects of habitat modification on Tuners Eremomela in South Nandi forest (Nickson Otieno)
• Molecular systematic of House Sparrow across Kenya (Titus Imboma)
• Revision and update on Kenya Bird Atlas (John Musina)
• Survey of potential impacts of birds around proposed wind farm project sites in South Horr, Kenya (Philista Malaki and Henry Ndithia)
• Spatial temporal variations in bird community along a forest- farmland gradient in and around Kakamega forest, Western Kenya (Ronald Mulwa)
• Patterns of phenotypic variation and their effect on the extent of range overlap and magnitude of character displacement in Africa Tinkerbirds (Ronald Mulwa)
• Ecosystem fragmentation and global warming in montane forests of East Africa- a case study on two sibling  white -eye species (Ronald Mulwa)
• Effects of pesticide use on ecology of the Red- billed Ox-pecker in northern Kenya (Ronald Mulwa)
• Developing bird monitoring programme for forests (rumuruti, marmanet and mkogodo) and savannah in laikipia (Philista Malaki) 

Other projects

Completed

• Digitalization of specimen of birds indicative of climate change (NMK- ACC project)
• Digitalization of specimen of bird recognized as pollinators, pests and invasives in our skin collection (NMK- BioNet East Uvima)
• Preparation of catalogue for Ornithological type Specimens (NMK- Biota East 15 project)

Ongoing

The section's monitoring programs whose database also exist includes:

• Digitalization of specimen data for our bird collections

DEPARTMENT'S AFFILIATION POLICY, 2002
The Department of Ornithology operates under affiliation guidelines laid down by the National Museums of Kenya.   

    1.Purpose

The National Museums of Kenya benefits significantly from the collaborative efforts and expertise of individuals not regularly in full employment. This may come from students on attachment on professionals with a keen interest in the activities of the Museum. By their expertise they are able to benefit the departments by training departmental staff, acquiring specimens for the collections and research material, donor funding and others.

Their contribution is evaluated by the Head of Department. By making affiliate appointments, NMK demonstrates its recognition of the major contributions by individuals and establishes a basis for preferential use of NMK facilities as deemed appropriate and according to NMK rules and regulations. 
The categories of affiliate appointments are:
Research associate, Visiting research associate, Student attachment &Volunteer.  

    2. Policy

The criteria and procedures for appointments, the rights, responsibilities, policies and regulations applying to appointees are given below.
Appointments and Regulations for Affiliates

Affiliate appointments are honorary and are restricted to individuals who are not regularly employed by the NMK. Affiliate appointees may receive compensation from contractual agreements with the institution from which they receive financial return.
The categories of affiliate appointments  are as follows:

• Research associate
• An individual whose primary association with NMK is research-oriented, who is publishing in          established journals, who is prepared to take an active part in the NMK?s research program on a   professional level and whose material obtained in connection with this work should be contributed to the NMK?s collections. Research associates may work at the NMK or elsewhere. 
• Visiting research associate.
  A scholar or researcher, usually with the qualifications of a research associate, from another         institute spending a limited time utilizing the collections and facilities at the NMK may have the title visiting research associate conferred to the period of tenure. 
  
• Student on attachment.
  A student who is working closely with the NMK in the pursuit of their thesis/dissertation work and/or working on other NMK projects. A student fellow is expected to be supervised by a full‑time NMK staff member, who will provide the interface for the use of NMK resources.  Optimally, the supervisor should be a member of the student's graduate committee, often as major advisor. If the student is stationed at an institute outside the NMK (e.g. Mpala Ranch, KWS) he/she should follow the general objectives as set for the NMK. The specific objectives are to be worked out in collaboration with the HOD and the staff member following the student?s application. The objective of this procedure is to give a clear image of the NMK to collaborating institutes. If the student is donor funded, he/she may be required to set aside some funds/material for the department with whom he/she is working.For instance:  if a student will collect material for the collections, the necessary space for storage should be catered for in a budget line: ?collection development?. It is advisable that such budget lines are discussed in detail at departmental level before the start of the collaboration.  
• A volunteer is temporarily attached to a department where he/she receives training in specific      techniques and may, depending upon his/her qualifications, assist a research scientist /technician in their work. A volunteer works on a voluntarily basis and does not receive financial compensation when at the offices of NMK. 

    3. Selection

•  Appointment to any of the affiliation categories are initiated by staff of the department or other unit of the NMK that encompasses the relevant area of specialization.
• Associate appointments are subject to the approval of the head of Department and respective    Director who will forward their recommendations to the Director General, NMK.
  
• All proposals for affiliate appointment must be approved by the Director General before they become effective.
  
• Upon final approval, a letter will be sent by the Director General informing the person of the title  conferred and the head of Department responsible for the affiliation. The affiliate will sign the    affiliation forms and follow conditions set herein during the period of his affiliation.  

    4. Term

• Visiting research associates.
• The term of appointment for visiting research associates shall begin upon confirmation and shall be in line with particular needs of the associates.
• Research associate
  Appointments are valid for a period of one year renewable or according to the stipulations set out in the appointment letter following the various types of agreements, requests or MoU?s. They usually start with the calendar year. Affiliate reappointment is at the discretion of the NMK, and    appointments may be terminated at any time by the NMK. Affiliate appointments are reviewed     annually by the Head of the Department and Director for Research and Collections as part of their annual reports.
  
• Student attachment.
  The term is determined by the attachment letter provided by the administration after consultation with the Head of Department.
  
• Volunteers are attached for a period of three months. Head of Departments can request for a longer period following the needs of their department. Their term is stipulated in a letter by the   administration. 

       5. Affiliates benefits and privileges

• Affiliates accepting an appointment or reappointment will use the honorary title in the best
• interest of the NMK and its reputation.
• Affiliates may use their NMK titles in dissemination of research results; however, the NMK bears no responsibility for their action in so doing.
  
• Upon approval of the head of Department, affiliates may use NMK letterhead for Correspondence pertaining to their work for the NMK, provided copies of such correspondence are filed in the office of the responsible unit.     
• Affiliates may be given privileged access to collections, use of research facilities and equipment on a continuing basis, and other privileges normally reserved for staff. These privileges are granted only at the discretion of the responsible head of Department and may be revoked at any time at the request of the responsible person with whom the associate is working. 
• The Director of Research and Collections or Director General will be informed immediately.  The other requirements of the unit, the nature of material or facilities that an appointee may wish to use, and the performance of the affiliate are factors that may influence a decision relative to such privileges.
• Any privileged access is provided with the understanding that such access will not be used for any commercial purpose, including any form of paid consulting that is not administered by the NMK, without prior approval by the Head of Department (and other officials, as appropriate).
  
• Affiliates are not generally issued with keys to NMK buildings, but may be in special circumstances (e.g., their primary research office or laboratory is at the NMK).
  
• An Affiliate may not have authority over a member of the NMK staff.
  
• An Affiliate may loan material for scientific study following standard loan procedures and in collaboration with the appropriate person dealing with that part of the collection.
  
• Any publication following this affiliation will be acknowledged by citing the address of NMK as the associate address. At least two reprints or copies will be provided for  NMK (one for the general library, one for the Department)
  
• Affiliates will be provided with a NMK Identity Card valid for the period of their affiliation. The card states their title and department of affiliation.