Determination of waterbird diversity in sungai Kinta, Ipoh, Perak

A field study on waterbird diversity was conducted in Sungai Kinta, Ipoh, Perak. Sungai Kinta is a major river in Perak, Malaysia where it flows through Ipoh and passes through the Kinta Valley, which is rich in tin mining. The study aims to determine the waterbird diversity in Sungai Kinta, Ipoh, Perak. 14 species from 7 families were recorded from 19 February 2024 to 10 March 2024 using the point count method and visual observation. The point count survey method is the simplest and most uniform way to count birds across the study area over a specified period. This method involved selecting 10 fixed points along the 8 km stretch of Sungai Kinta, where waterbird species and individuals within a 60 m radius were counted and recorded at 10-minute intervals at each point. The bird was identified using a field guidebook. 6 species were recorded as resident migrant, 3 species were migrant, 4 species were recorded as resident, and 1 species was vagrant. Asian Openbill Stork (Anastomus oscitans) was recorded as the highest frequency since its appearance is easy to be seen from afar, and the presence of aquatic habitat. Meanwhile, the highest frequency of the waterbird’s family was Ardeidae. All waterbird species were listed as Least Concern in the IUCN Red List. The data was recorded and analyzed using Simpson’s Index (D), Shannon-Weiner Index (H’), and Pielou’s Evenness Index (J). The value of D was 0.87, H’ was 2.35, and J was 0.85. The index values for waterbird diversity in Sungai Kinta represent the variety and richness of waterbird species in the area. These indexes contribute to determining the health of the ecosystem and the success of conservation initiatives. In addition, Sungai Kinta, Ipoh, Perak is home to a diverse range of waterbirds, making it valuable for biodiversity conservation and management.