Conservation implication and traditional ecological knowledge on trading bird: A case study in Depok bird market in Surakarta, Central Java, Indonesia

Abstract

Bird species have been the most popular animals in Indonesia for such a long time. Therefore, the demand for birds has been rising in urban area. The bird species are usually traded, including selling and buying activities in urban bird markets. The increase of bird trading in Indonesia also increased the economic and social benefits for Indonesian people. Consequently, there is a chance that many bird trading in bird market s are not managed carefully, without preventing the bird species extinction in rural ecosystems. This paper aimed to assess the conservation status of birds sold and the Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) of bird traders in Depok bird market in Surakarta (Solo), Central Java, Indonesia. The study used a qualitative method with the ethnoornithological approach. The results showed that the diversity of birds encountered in the bird market of Depok was considered high, 55 species were recorded, representing 29 families. Seven bird species are protected by Indonesian law while 12 species are considered endemic. Moreover, 8 birds are included in IUCN Red List. The bird naming is based on particular categories that are agreed on in local community. Furthermore, social involvement through education and local wisdom might have profound impact on conservation efforts to preserve the bird population.