Study of the Milky Stork Bird (Mycteria cinerea) Population in Rawa Pacing, Kibang Pacing Village, Menggala Timur Sub-District, Menggala Timur Regency, Lampung Province

Abstract

Kibang Pacing Village with an area of 83.55 km2 had converted that lead to a change of the vegetation structure from multistrata into monostrata that could threaten the wildlife such as the milky stork bird (Mycteria cinerea) that classified as a threatened species. The objectives of this study were to determine the number of individual and distribution patterns of milky stork in Rawa Pacing at Kibang Pacing Village, Menggala Timur Sub-District, Tulang Bawang Regency. Data collection was conducted through direct observation using point count method at 3 (three) point counts. The results observed 513 encounters of the milky stork, showing the most encounter at Point Count 3. The higher encounter occurred in the morning than in the afternoon which because diurnal bird species generally started their daily activities to find foods in the morning. The abundance of milky stork population in Kibang Pacing Village was 126 individuals, showing the highest number at Point Count 3. Illegal hunting and other human activities in Rawa Pacing could potentially cause disruption on natural habitat that may threaten the existence and sustainability of the milky stork bird. Keywords: milky stork, Mycteria cinerea, pacing swamp, population.