Bird species composition, density and feeding guilds in contrasting lowland dipterocarp forests of Terengganu, Peninsular Malaysia

Abstract

A study was conducted to determine the species composition, density and feeding guild of birds at Tasik Kenyir and Setiu, Terengganu between June and September 2017 using line transect method. Observations of birds at Tasik Kenyir and Setiu recorded a total of 297 individuals consisting of 26 families from 64 species. This study estimated that the diversity of birds at Tasik Kenyir (H’ = 3.6) was higher compared to Setiu (H’ = 2.9). However, the density of birds at Setiu (52.05 ± 9.09 SE individuals/ha) was higher than Tasik Kenyir (37.56 ± 10.28 SE individuals/ha). Ten feeding guilds of birds were identified in this study; insectivore, nectarivore, frugivore, omnivore, carnivore, granivore, insectivore-nectarivore, insectivore-frugivore, insectivore-granivore and frugivore-granivore. This study has provided valuable information on the bird assemblage and the understanding on the distribution of birds at Tasik Kenyir and Setiu. It is highly recommended that further studies to be conducted at both sites with more sampling efforts in order to gain a more comprehensive baseline datasets for monitoring bird population trends and turnover between habitats.

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