Species Diversity and Abundance of Birds along Boat Touring Routes for Ecotourism in Tha-kha Sub-District, Amphawa District, Samut Songkram Province, Thailand

Abstract

Tha-kha Floating Market is a famous tourist attraction in Tha Kha sub-district, Amphawa district, Samut Songkram Province, Thailand. There are Thai paddle-boats for tourists to get close to nature and local people lifestyle along the canals. The objectives of this research were (1) to study species diversity, feeding behavior and status of birds in the research area. (2) to analyze abundance and similarity of birds in the research area. The data was carried out by field survey of species of birds and their behaviors sighted directly and from their calls by using line transect method then classify species, feeding behavior and status of birds, analyze their abundance and similarity in three routes. Three boat touring routes were surveyed; route 1 (Tha Kha floating market—homestay), route 2 (Tha Kha floating market—Thai traditional sugar making kiln), and route 3 (Thai traditional sugar making kiln—resort). The survey was conducted in the morning from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. and in the afternoon from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. One survey was made each month from April 2017–March 2018. The result of this research found that there were 15 orders, 37 families and 74 species of birds. The highest number of bird species in 3 routes was 49 species in December and 47 species in November accordingly because it was migratory season of migratory birds in the research area. According to bird feeding behavior, the maximum insectivorous bird species of 35 were found in 3 routes. According to status of birds, 52 resident birds, 9 migratory birds, 13 resident and migratory birds were found in 3 routes. According to bird abundance, 21 bird species were in level 5, 7 bird species in level 4, 20 bird species in level 3, 9 bird species in level 2 and 17 bird species in level 1. According to bird similarity index, the similarity index between route 1 and route 3 was 0.814. The community also organized eco-touring activities by using Thai paddle-boats. So the birds are as indicators of natural balance of local ecosystem.