Fig visitor's behaviour in Ungaran mountain, Indonesia

Abstract

Figs (Ficus spp.) has important roles in an ecosystem, for instance as food source for frugivorous, especially birds. The aims of this study were to determine species richness of bird that commonly visited Ficus trees in Ungaran mountain area and analyze their behaviour in dietary among fig visitors. This study used observatory method. Based on preliminary observation, we determined eight species of Ficus tree as samples to be observed according to fruit size and its availability during study. Observations were conducted at 6-10 am and 3-5 pm. Based on the results, we found 29 species of birds from 16 families and one mammal species who visited Fig trees. The observations showed four different bird activities: only perched, eating fig, eating insects, and eating fruit and insects. Ordination analysis resulted that inter-specific interactions among figs frugivorous tend to use niche partitioning mechanism based on different arrival time and canopy position. This mechanism minimizes the occurrence of competition in obtaining similar resources.