Avian diversity in Marudu Bay mangrove forest, Sabah, Malaysia

Abstract

Aim: Avian species diversity along the rivers of Sungai Bungon Mati (SBM), Sungai Supitan (SSU) and Sungai Sat (SSA) in the Marudu Bay Mangrove Forest, Sabah, Malaysia was investigated. Methodology: Transect survey method was used to study avian species diversity from March to May, 2009 and February, 2010. Results: From 800 bird observations, a total of 69 species belonging to 28 families were recorded. SBM was heavily crowded by 44 avian species from 25 families (41.0% of all detections). In SSU, 43 species from 25 families (29.3%) and in SSA32 species from 19 families (29.6%) were recorded. Interpretation: Diversity analysis indicated that SBM was more diverse and evenly distributed than the other two river systems. The occurrence of mudflats, shallow water, richness of food and dense vegetation were important factors affecting the richness and diversity of water birds as well as terrestrial or open country birds.