Avifauna at Padang Chong Forest Reserve, Perak

Abstract

Avifauna are widely visible and can be found in a variety of habitats, including primary forests up to the urban gardens. Surveys on avifauna using the mist-netting technique were carried out at Padang Chong Forest Reserve (PCFR) in Perak for five sessions starting from June 2022 until November 2022. From these, a total of 176 individuals from 49 species were recorded. The main objective of these surveys was to document and update the avifauna diversity at this forest reserve. Grey-throated Babbler (Stachyris nigriceps) was the most abundant with 27 individuals captured throughout the surveys followed by Emerald Dove (Chalcophaps indica) and Oriental-dwarf Kingfisher (Ceyx erithaca) with 14 individuals and 11 individuals captured respectively. From the surveys, it is shown that a diverse array of avifauna, with the remaining individuals representing a variety of species, each with fewer than 10 individuals recorded. Out of 49 species of avifauna, only Brown-chested Jungle-flycatcher (Cyornis brunneatus) is listed as Vulnerable, and the remaining species are listed as Near Threatened and Least Concern. These brings the checklist of avifauna in PCFR a total of 85 species from 19 families. Understanding the species richness of avifauna in Padang Chong Forest Reserve (PCFR) is crucial for effective conservation management strategies since this forest reserve is identified as one of the ecological corridors in Central Forest Spine (CFS) initiative known as A-PL2.