Abstract
We conducted four bird biodiversity surveys in the Putao area of northern Myanmar from 2015 to 2017. Combined with anecdotal information collected between 2012 and 2015, we recorded 319 bird species, including two species (Arborophila mandellii and Lanius sphenocercus) previously unrecorded in Myanmar. Bulbuls (Pycnonotidae), babblers (Timaliidae), pigeons and doves (Columbidae), and pheasants and partridges (Phasianidae) were the most abundant groups of birds recorded. Species richness below 1 500 m a. s. l. was higher than species richness at higher elevations. Our results suggest that the current protected areas in this region should be expanded to lower elevations to cover critical conservation gaps.
Highlights
The northern part of Myanmar’s Kachin State borders both China and India and lies in the Indo-Burma conservation hotspot (Myers et al, 2000)
Because our data came from direct observations and camera trap photos, some species could be under sampled, those living in shrub and canopy habitats
Our sampling effort was more intensive in lower elevations, partly because a larger proportion of the survey area occurred at lower elevations and partly because of easier transportation in the lowland plain
Summary
The northern part of Myanmar’s Kachin State borders both China and India and lies in the Indo-Burma conservation hotspot (Myers et al, 2000). This area harbors rich biodiversity, conservation-related research in this region is lacking due to its steep topology, difficult transportation, and variable climate (Rao et al, 2010; Rappole et al, 2011). Since 1990, one new species of mammal (Muntiacus putaoensis) (Rabinowitz et al, 1999) and several new subspecies of birds, such as Tesia olivea chiangmaiensis (Renner et al, 2008), have been described in this region. Under the leadership of the Nature and Wildlife Conservation Division (NWCD) of the Myanmar Forestry Ministry, two expeditions were launched in 1997–1998 (Aung & Oo, 1999) and 2001–2009 (Rappole et al, 2011), providing the most detailed inventory of local avian diversity far. 1
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