A comparative study of sampling methods on bird species composition and feeding guilds at Gelam forest, Bachok, Kelantan

Gelam forest is one of the rarest sorts of wetland in Malaysia and is essentially covered with gelam tree (Melaleuca cajuputi). In freshwater wetlands, birds are ordinarily known to be extremely diverse and conspicuous. Due to a lack of data regarding birds in the area, a study of birds was conducted based on the point count and mist netting methods at Gelam Forest, Bachok, and Kelantan. A total of 127 individuals belonging to 16 families and 24 species were observed and recorded using the point count method over 30 points, and a total of 150 individuals belonging to 10 families and 31 species were captured using mist net over a course of 24 days from mid-July till early August 2017. Geopelia slriata (20 observations; 15.74%), Pycnonotus goaivier (16 observations; 12.00%), Riparia riparia (12 observations; 9.45%) were the three most abundant species recorded by the point count method whereas Meropsphilippinus (30 captures; 20.00%), Pycnonotus goaivier (27 captures; 18.00%) and Passer flaveolus (14 captures; 9.33%) were three most abundant species by mist netting method. These outcomes show that mist netting is more efficient with better outcomes than point count method. Additional diversity studies need to be done to gain information and knowledge regarding the biodiversity in wetland areas.