The diversity and abundance of birds at Gua Setir Complex using mist net and visual observation

A field study on bird diversity and abundance was conducted at Gua Setir, Jeli, Kelantan. This area was surrounding with secondary forest, rubber plantation, fruit orchard and river that contributes to the variety of bird species. The aim of the study was to identify birds’ species diversity and abundance in the proposed site. A total of 60 species from 28 family were recorded from July 2018 to August 2018 using line transect method. The mist-netting and visual observation techniques were applied to record bird species. Of this, 50 species were recorded as resident, eight species were migration and two were recorded as altitudinal migration and Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica) was recorded as the highest frequency in the study area because of the presence of lime stone area. In term of conservation status, seven species are classified as Near Threatened by the IUCN Red List include Buff-vented Bulbul (Iole crypta), Grey-bellied Bulbul (Pycnonotus cyaniventris), Chestnutbellied Malkoha (Phaenicophaeus sumatranus), Black-bellied Malkoha (Phaenicophaeus diardi), Fluffy-backed Tit-babbler (Macronus ptilosus), Green Iora (Aegithina viridissima) and Black Hornbill (Anthracoceros malayanus). The data recorded was analysed by using Shannon-Wienner Index and Pielou’s Evenness Index. The analysis of the bird study area illustrated that the bird community in term of species diversity was 2.36, and the evenness of bird’s species 0.58 indicated that the bird’s diversity in the study area is highly disturbed. Generally, Gua Setir district possess a wide variety of birds and can contribute significantly towards biodiversity management and conservation.