Leptoptilos Javanicus Research Articles

New photographic and distribution records of the Beautiful Nuthatch Sitta formosa (Blyth, 1843) and Lesser Adjutant Leptoptilos javanicus (Horsfield, 1821) from the Tsirang District landscape in Bhutan

The distribution records with photographic evidence of the Beautiful Nuthatch Sitta formosa (Blyth, 1843) and Lesser Adjutant Leptoptilos javanicus (Horsfield, 1821) from the Tsirang District landscape in Bhutan. S. formosa, under Sittidae family, was first described in 1843 and is native to the eastern Himalaya, northeastern India, and extending into southeastern Asia. L. javanicus being widely distributed is rare and faces threats from deforestation, leading to its vulnerable status. The largest wading bird in the Ciconiidae family, found mainly in southern and southeastern Asia, with a recent sighting in Tsirang District establishing new distribution records for Bhutan. The district’s ecological diversity, including broadleaved forests, and riverine landscapes, supports a rich avifauna, making it a hotspot for bird enthusiasts. Separate studies are required to ensure the long-term conservation of Beautiful Nuthatch, and to confirm whether Lesser Adjutant is a regular visitor in Tsirang.

A drastic decline in avian diversity in and around the Bordoibam-Bilmukh Bird Sanctuary, Lakhimpur, Assam, India

Bordoibam-Bilmukh is a small wetland located at the boundary of the Dhemaji and Lakhimpur districts of Assam, India that provides shelter and breeding ground to many resident and migratory birds. A survey was conducted between October 2022 and March 2024 on the avian diversity of Bordoibam-Bilmukh Bird Sanctuary. A total of 47 bird species under 16 orders and 29 families were recorded during the survey. Order Passeriformes, recorded with the highest number of avian species (15). Among the families, the highest number of species (5) was recorded under Ardeidae. Out of all the species recorded, three species, viz., Brown Shrike, Citrine Wagtail, and White Wagtail were winter migratory; one species, the Lesser Kestrel, was summer migratory, and the remaining 43 were resident species. Besides, two species, viz., Lesser Adjutant and Greater Adjutant are listed as ‘Near Threatened’ species on the IUCN Red List. Comparing the avian diversity from 1997 to 2024, a decline in the number of avian species from 167 (as per the 1997 record) to 47 (as per the present study) has been observed in the sanctuary. Various anthropogenic activities such as habitat destruction and disturbance, hunting of birds, are the major causes of the decline of avian diversity. For future species diversity restoration in the sanctuary, these negative anthropogenic activities should be addressed immediately for conservation strategies.

Diversity and species richness of avian fauna in varied habitats of Soraipung range and vicinity in Dehing Patkai National Park, India

Dehing Patkai National Park, nestled in Assam’s Upper Brahmaputra valley, features a distinctive lowland forest landscape dominated by Dipterocarpus trees, teeming with fauna encompassing reptiles, birds, and mammals. Avian surveys were conducted from October 2021 to September 2023 to document avifaunal diversity within and surrounding the park. Point-transect method was used. One-hundred-and-fifty-one species from 54 families were recorded, including 43 terrestrial and 11 aquatic bird families. One-hundred-and twenty-seven species were residents, 18 winter migrants, five summer migrants, and one was a local migrant. Habitat disturbance was assessed across five transects; undisturbed habitats in T1 and T2 showed the highest Shannon-Wiener diversity index, while moderately and highly disturbed habitats in T3, T4, and T5 exhibited lower diversity. The analysis revealed a significant positive correlation (p ≤ 0.05) among different transects. A total of seven species (Ashy-headed Green Pigeon, Lesser Adjutant, White-cheeked Partridge, Alexandrine Parakeet, Red-breasted Parakeet, Austen’s Brown Hornbill, and Oriental Darter) are classified as ‘Near Threatened’ in the IUCN Red List of Threatened species; 12 species are in Schedule 1 under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. This investigation underscores Dehing Patkai National Park’s significance as a sanctuary for diverse bird populations, including threatened and near-threatened species. The decline in bird populations in disturbed areas emphasizes the urgency of implementing effective conservation and management strategies within the park, alongside continued research and monitoring to support its unique avian ecosystem.

Knowledge, attitudes, and conservation challenges for the Lesser Adjutant in Nepal

The knowledge and attitudes of local communities are essential for understanding the distribution, ecology, and pertinent threats to bird species, particularly those existing beyond protected areas. Despite the reliance of large waterbirds like storks on human-dominated landscapes, research in this domain is limited across its range. To address this knowledge gap, we conducted semi-structured interviews with 546 local people across seven districts in the lowlands of Nepal from 2021 to 2022 to insights into people’s knowledge, attitudes, and the conservation challenges faced by the Lesser Adjutant (Leptoptilos javanicus). Our findings showed that people possessed substantial knowledge about the species name and ecology. A majority of the people (89%), agreed with the statement that the Lesser Adjutant contributes to ecosystem services in farmlands, whereas they disagreed with the notions that it is a pest, unattractive species, or possess medicinal values, with 84%, 82%, and 67% respectively holding these views. In addition, 65% of people reported a significant decline in its population, with 67% noting a decrease in distribution range and 49% observing a decline in nesting sites over the past decade, primarily due to food scarcity, habitat loss, the felling of nesting trees, wetland degradation, pesticide use, and hunting, among other factors. A striking knowledge gap was evident, with approximately two-thirds of people unaware of its conservation status, and over 80% highlighting the absence of local awareness initiatives. Nonetheless, majority of the people (95%) expressed strong support for its conservation, emphasizing the need for intensified awareness programs, habitat conservation and management, and the protection of large trees, among other measures, to ensure the well-being of this iconic species beyond the confines of protected areas. Our study provides essential baseline data for researchers and conservation managers to design effective plans and policies for the research and conservation of the Lesser Adjutant.

Population trend of Lesser Adjutant (Leptoptilos javanicus) in Muar, Johor using eBird data

The Lesser Adjutant (Leptoptilos javanicus) is a globally vulnerable stork species that is sporadically distributed in south and southeast Asia. In Malaysia, even though the population shows a gradual decline, the species population status in 2004-2006 is considered stable. However, the recent population status of the species is yet to be documented and is in question. Hence, we used data from the citizen science project, eBird to assess the population trend of Lesser Adjutants over 20 years in two selected sites in Muar, Johor. The population of Lesser Adjutants in Pantai Leka reduced over time while the population in Sungai Balang paddy field was likewise. The paddy field might become an alternate choice for the species due to developments and disturbances along the Pantai Leka shore. Most of the coastal mangrove forests in Muar have been degraded caused by the expansion of coconut and oil palm plantations; these remaining two valuable habitats need to be conserved. We discussed the population trends of Lesser Adjutant in two study sites and recommendations to conserve the species and its habitats.

Diversity of wintering avifauna throughout the heterogeneous aquatic habitats of Bankura District, West Bengal, India

Birds play various crucial roles in the ecosystem including pollination, seed dispersal, and pest control. Assemblages of bird species in a particular landscape are useful predictors in various ecosystem services, this is evident from studies of forest bird assemblages, aquatic bodies and agro ecosystems. For developing conservation strategies, information on bird species assemblages in a particular geographical area is important. Diversity in aquatic ecosystem support a diversity of water bird species. In the present study, around 45 bird species were recorded in 21 aquatic bodies in Bankura, West Bengal, India, in which two species, namely, Leptoptilos javanicus and Aythya ferina declared ‘Vulnerable’ and three species such as Mareca falcata, Threskiornis melanocephalus, and Limosa limosa considered as ‘Near Threatened’ according to the IUCN Red list. Dendrocygna javanica and Nettapus coromandelianus were found to be the most abundant. In those 21 study areas, site6 has the highest species richness and site2 has the lowest. The dominance index was highest for site2 and lowest for site6. Pielou’s index of evenness was highest for site20. The rarefaction curve showed species abundance was highest for site1. Classical cluster analysis for species abundance showsthat site20, site21, site3, site8, site4, site19, site5, site14, site12, site15, site7, site 10 site11, and site13 are closely related. This paper is aimed to generate interest among people to conserve aquatic birds and their habitats and to document baseline information for further study.

Spatio-Temporal Analysis of Threatened Bird Species in Perak Malaysia Using Citizen Science Data

Birds are recognized as important indicators of the current state of the environment, mainly as they are sensitive to habitat change. There is little research that spatially analyses the threatened bird hotspots and their relationship with land use and land cover changes, particularly in Malaysia. This study aims to spatially analyze the pattern of threatened birds in Perak, Malaysia using seven years of temporal data from the Citizen Science database. Spatial analysis tools, such as the Average Nearest neighbour analysis and high/low clustering (Getis-Ord General G), were used to analyze the distribution and spatial concentration of the data, followed by the Pearson correlation to determine the relationship between bird occurrence with land-use types. The results showed that the hotspot location of threatened birds for seven years was in Taiping City, while the coldspot was in the mangrove area of Kuala Gula. The study discovered a pattern of water birds commonly spotted in mangrove areas (i.e., Milky Stork and Lesser Adjutant) within the Taiping Lake Garden. The correlation analysis results indicated that shorter distances to green areas and longer distances to urban areas can influence the number of threatened birds spotted. Such findings can assist relevant authorities in the effort to protect and preserve threatened and endangered bird species by promoting a green landscape design and wildlife conservation within a city.

Diversity and conservation status of avifauna in the Surguja region, Chhattisgarh, India

This study is aimed at updating the avifauna status and to assess major threats in six districts of the Surguja region of northern Chhattisgarh. The avifauna of this region is less studied as compared to the central and southern regions of the state. Chhattisgarh has unique and important habitats for bird species. The geographical region has two major forest types which provide a suitable habitat for many terrestrial and numerous wetlands that support aquatic bird species. The northern region is a basin of rivers Hasdeo and Rihand, prominently forested and a major coal belt. In this study, planned and opportunistic surveys were done in different seasons, and data was collected from 1995 to 2019. In the northern Chhattisgarh region,we have compiled all-district data and a total of 361 bird species were recorded. The maximum number of bird species were recorded from Koriya 318, followed by Raigarh 262, Surguja 162, Balrampur 260, Surajpur 208, and Jashpur 254. Species recorded include three Critically Endangered (CR), two Endangered (EN), five Vulnerable (VU), and 13 Near Threatened (NT). Nesting of Lesser Adjutant, Indian Vulture, White-rumped Vulture, Egyptian Vulture, and sighting of Sarus Crane in Surguja region is reported. The study also revealed the presence of nine Himalayan and sub-Himalayan species. Comparing with previous studies 117 new species were found. Chhattisgarh has ample potential and opportunities for new records as many regions have not yet been adequately explored, it can be a key birding hub for bird lovers as well as the scientific community. The large-scale mining-oriented activities, hunting, and poaching are posing serious threats, which will have a direct or indirect, impact on the future of the avifauna of the region.

Evaluating The Waterbirds Diversity and Its Preys Under Different Mangrove Ecosystem in The Situbondo Coast, East Java

Mangroves are potential habitats for diverse waterbirds, and its preys, but mangroves conversion caused variations of mangrove forests area along the northern coast of Situbondo Regency. Therefore, it is important to analyze the interaction of mangrove area, diversity of waterbirds, and its prey along the coast of Situbondo Regency. The diversity and waterbirds density and its prey observed by points count method along the transect in six stations, namely Banyuputih, Mangaran, Panarukan, Kendit, Suboh, and Banyuglugur Districts. The area of mangrove forest was determined by satellite imagery. The results showed that the diversity and waterbirds density were influenced by its prey availability and mangrove area. Banyuputih showed the largest mangrove forest area with medium waterbirds (H′ 2.19) and prey diversity (H′ 2.15), similar with Kendit showed medium waterbirds diversity (H′ 1.39) and highest density of waterbirds, followed by highest prey density and medium prey diversity (H′ 2.43). On the other hand, in Banyuglugur with the largest industrial area, only one species of waterbird was found. Ciconia episcopus, and Leptoptilos javanicus as IUCN Redlist vulnerable and near threatened species were founded in the Banyuputih and Kendit. Conserving mangroves integrity as waterbirds habitat and its preys might support a better waterbird’s life.

The effects of climate and land use change on the potential distribution and nesting habitat of the Lesser Adjutant in Nepal

Climate change and land use change pose a threat to the world's biodiversity and have significant impacts on the geographic distribution and composition of many bird species, but little is known about how they affect threatened large-sized waterbird species that rely on agricultural landscapes. To address this gap, we investigated how climate and land use changes influence the distribution and nesting habitats of the globally vulnerable Lesser Adjutant (Leptoptilos javanicus) in Nepal. Between 2012 and 2023, we collected distribution data from 24 districts and nesting site information from 18 districts. In a nation-wide breeding survey conducted in 2020, we documented a total of 581 fledglings from 346 nests in 109 colonies. The ensemble model predicted a current potential distribution of 15% (21,637 ​km2) and a potential nesting habitat of 13% (19,651 ​km2) for the species in Nepal. The highest predicted current suitable distribution and nesting habitat was in Madhesh Province, while none was predicted in Karnali Province. The majority of this predicted distributional and nesting habitat falls on agricultural landscapes (>70%). Our model showed a likely range expansion of up to 15% (21,573 ​km2) for the distribution and up to 12% (17,482 ​km2) for the nesting habitat under SSP5–8.5 scenarios for the 2070s. The range expansion is expected to occur mainly within the current distribution and breeding range (Tarai and some regions of Siwalk), particularly in Lumbini and Sudurpashchim provinces, and extend to the northern portions (Siwalik and Mid-hill regions) in other provinces. However, the current Protected Areas and Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas are inadequate for providing optimal habitats for the species. Although the model suggests range expansion, the use of such novel habitats is primarily contingent on the availability and protection of large-sized trees (particularly Bombax ceiba, observed in 65% of colonies) in agricultural regions where nesting occurs. Therefore, our research suggests that agricultural landscapes should be prioritized in management plans for the conservation of the Lesser Adjutant in Nepal.

Vertebrates of Resak (Tambahan) Forest Reserve and Its Adjacent Area, Pahang

Southeast Pahang Peat Swamp Forest (SEPPSF) covers four forest reserves (FRs) namely Pekan FR, Nenasi FR, Kedondong FR and Resak FR. Previously, 204 species of birds, 56 species of mammals, and 47 species of herpetofauna have been recorded at SEPPSF. Recently, a rapid assessment using binoculars was carried out for two days from 18-19 May 2023 covering Resak (Tambahan) FR and its adjacent areas including oil palm plantations and Rompin town. A total of 52 species of birds from 25 families and one species of reptile were recorded. Of these, 36 species are classified as Totally Protected while eight species are Protected species according to Wildlife Conservation Act 2010. There are four Vulnerable (VU) species that were recorded namely Black Hornbill, Lesser Adjutant, Large Green-Pigeon, and Javan Myna. This result indicates a “snapshot” of vertebrates of the forest complex due to the short duration of the survey. Therefore, more intensive survey is needed to update the dynamics of the wildlife community in this area.

Spatio-temporal distribution & seasonality of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 & H5N8 outbreaks in India, 2006-2021.

The highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 and H5N8 viruses have been one of the leading causes of avian diseases worldwide, resulting in severe economic losses and posing potential zoonotic risk. There are no reports on the correlation of the seasonality of H5N1 and H5N8 viruses with the migratory bird season in India, along with the species affected. The present report describes the distribution and seasonality of HPAI outbreaks in India from 2006 to 2021. The data on the occurrence and locations of outbreaks in India and affected bird species were collated from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations database and grouped by month and year. The distribution and seasonality of HPAI H5N1 and H5N8 viruses were analyzed. A total of 284 H5N1 outbreaks were reported since 2006, with a surge in 2021. The initial outbreaks of H5N1 were predominantly in poultry. Since 2016, 57 outbreaks of H5N8 were also reported, predominantly in wild birds. Most of the outbreaks of HPAI were reported from post monsoon onwards till pre-summer season (i.e. between October and March) with their peak in winter, in January. Apart from poultry, the bird species such as owl, Indian peafowl, lesser adjutant, crows and wild migratory birds such as demoiselle crane, northern pintail and bar-headed goose were positive for HPAI. Such studies on the seasonality of HPAI outbreaks would help in the development of prevention and control strategies. The recent human infections of H5N1 and H9N2 viruses highlight the need to strengthen surveillance in wild, resident, migratory birds and in poultry along with One Health studies in India.

Keanekaragaman Jenis Burung Ekosistem Danau

This study aims to determine the diversity of bird species found in the Natural Tourism Park "Dendam Tak Sudah Lake" at Bengkulu City. The method used was direct survey in the field by exploring. The sampling was carried out by photographing and observing birds directly in the Natural Tourism Park "Dendam Tak Sudah Lake" at Bengkulu City. The data obtained were analyzed descriptively by looking at the morphology of the birds and identified based on reference books. The results showed that the birds found in the Natural Tourism Park "Dendam Tak Sudah Lake" were Collocalia esculanta, Halcyon smyrnensis, Streptopelia chinensis, Centropus bengalensis, Ardea cinerea, Ardea Purpurea, Ixobrychus cinnamomeus, Leptoptilos javanicus, Amaurphyrio procurornis, Procurornis. montanus, Pycnonotus goiavier, Lanius schach, Lonchura punculata and Lonchura maja. The index of bird species diversity at this location is H'= 2,413. In conclusion, the number of bird species found was 15 species from 11 families with a moderate diversity index.
 Keywords: Birds, Species Diversity, Natural Tourism Park "Dendam Tak Sudah Lake"

Firstever Breeding Record of Painted Stork along with Greater Adjutant Stork in the Flood Plains of Kosi River in Bhagalpur, Bihar, India

Painted stork (Mycteria leucocephela) is a large resident wetland bird of stork family- Ciconidae and has been categorized as near threatened. A new nesting colony of wild Painted stork, breeding along with Lesser (Leptoptilos javanicus) and Greater Adjutant stork (Leptoptilos dubius) have been observed on the same nesting tree (Kadamb- Anthocephalus cadamba) at Bagritola village of Kadwa panchayat located on the flood plains of the Kosi river in district of Bhagalpur, Bihar, India. In October, 2015, a single nest and three Painted storks were observed (of which one bird was seen incubating) on a Kadamb tree in the village Bagritola. This breeding site was studied from October, 2015 to March, 2020 to observe the detailed nesting and breeding behaviors. From October, 2015 onwards a significant increase in the number of nests of Painted storks was recorded at the same breeding site and the storks adopted 2-5 separate but closely situated kadamb trees for nesting. In the month of September, 2017, two adjacent Kadamb trees were adopted by the Lesser and Greater Adjutant storks for nesting and they built two nests (one on each) Kadamb tree. In October, 2017, Painted storks also started to build their nest on the same trees which were already occupied by the Adjutant storks. From 2018 onwards, no nests of Lesser adjutant stork were observed and the Painted storks were found to breed along with Greater adjutant storks only, till the end of the study period i.e. March, 2020. Similar to the other two stork species, both the male and female Painted storks were sharing the process of nest building, incubation, nursing and guarding the chicks by rotation. Fragments of old branches of nearby trees as well as from abandoned nests were used for building the nests which were cushioned with the leaves. The Painted storks were successfully breeding along with the Greater adjutant storks on the same nesting trees peacefully without any obvious disturbances. The breeding season of Painted storks was observed to continue between October to March and their incubation period was estimated to range between 27-30 days. The breeding season of Lesser adjutant stork was observed to continue between mid-August to Feb whereas of Greater adjutant stork was observed between September to March with slight variation of 6-10 days in Bihar, India.

Locating the unique biodiversity of Balikpapan Bay as an ecotourism attraction in East Kalimantan, Indonesia

Abstract. Willard K, Aipassa MI, Sardjono MA, Rujehan, Ruslim Y, Kristiningrum R. 2022. Locating the unique biodiversity of Balikpapan Bay as an ecotourism attraction in East Kalimantan, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 23: 2342-2357. Balikpapan Bay is rich in biodiversity and natural beauty that present unique opportunities for the developing ecotourism industry in East Kalimantan, Indonesia. This study aimed to identify biodiversity hotspots with potential as ecotourism attractions. Four field surveys by boat, each survey taking between 10 to 22 hours duration, tracked the river and tidal flow through the Bay, recording highlights of biodiversity at 19 defined observation points. The study results recorded observations on five species listed in the IUCN protected species classification, namely: Lesser Adjutant Stork (Leptoptilos javanicus) - classified as a Vulnerable species; Proboscis Monkey (Nasalis larvatus), Irrawaddy Dolphin (Orcaella brevirostris) and Green Turtle (Chelonia mydas) - classified as Endangered species; and the Hawksbill Turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) - classified as Critically Endangered. In addition, details were recorded of a unique variant of the mangrove species Rhizophora apiculata, with leaves that have a vibrant yellow color instead of the usual green. Combined with great views, including at night when there are enchanting displays of Fireflies (Lampyridae) on several riverbanks, the biodiversity of the waterways results in Balikpapan Bay having great potential as an ecotourism destination. Therefore, this study provides useful input to relevant agencies charged with responsibility for conserving and managing the natural resources of the Bay for the benefit of communities who stand to gain economically from developing this ecotourism potential.

Factors affecting the breeding ecology of the globally threatened Lesser Adjutant (Leptoptilos javanicus) in agricultural landscapes of Nepal

Many threatened birds use the mosaic of agricultural landscapes for foraging and breeding. Despite the reliance of many species on these habitats, few studies have investigated factors influencing the breeding ecology of storks in agricultural landscapes. We assessed site-level variables (tree height and location of nest tree; human habitation or non-human habitation), colony-level variables (colony size and chicks per nest), and landscape-level variables (area of human habitation, wetland area, and distance to the nearest wetland) to understand the factors influencing the breeding ecology of the globally threatened Lesser Adjutant (<em>Leptoptilos javanicus</em>) across multiple locations in the agricultural landscape of lowland Nepal during 2019–2020. We monitored 65 active colonies that had 206 active nests in five study sites. Two hundred eighty chicks fledged from these colonies, with 13% (n = 41) chick mortality. Most colonies were in agricultural land (51%) and human habitation (28%). Lesser Adjutant colonies located on tall trees such as <em>Bombax ceiba</em> (57%), <em>Haldina cordifolia</em> (11%), and <em>Ficus religiosa</em> (11%); however, these tree species were used much more than their availability on the landscape. Tree height had a significant positive influence on colony site selection and colony size, whereas colony size positively influenced fledgling success. Measured landscape variables did not have significant relationships with breeding success metrics. The agricultural landscapes of lowland Nepal provided important breeding habitat for Lesser Adjutants, and the suitability of sites with colonies related more to site-level and colony-level than landscape-level variables. Increasing urban development of agricultural landscapes is likely the greatest threat to breeding Lesser Adjutants, with the decline of suitable nesting trees being a potential additional threat. Lowland Nepal's agricultural landscapes support significant breeding populations of Lesser Adjutants that had considerable breeding success, underscoring the urgent need to support traditional agriculture that favors large waterbirds.

Factors influencing distribution and habitat utilisation of Leptoptilos javanicus in and around Barandabhar Corridor Forest, Chitwan, Nepal

The globally Vulnerable wetland-dependent bird species Leptoptilos javanicus was once thought to avoid farmlands, but recent studies in lowland Nepal showed that the species uses farmlands extensively for foraging and breeding. Identifying whether this preference of L. javanicus to these habitats is common throughout Nepal is essential to understanding the conservation needs of the species. This study aimed to explore the seasonal distribution and habitat utilisation by L. javanicus in and around the Barandabhar Corridor Forest by using 220 randomly selected squares within a 500 × 500 m2 grid. We visited centroids of each selected square to collect data on L. javanicus distribution, habitat types, and probable causes of disturbance in two seasons (rainy: August – September 2019 and winter: December – January 2019–2020). A total of 64 observations of L. javanicus (n = 29 in winter, n = 35 in rainy) were made. Leptoptilos javanicus were seen in more squares outside the Protected Area (65.2%) during the rainy season. Variables that negatively influenced L. javanicus sightings were distance to the road (few individuals seen close to the road), distance to the village (few individuals seen close to settlement), and areas under human disturbance (only few individuals seen in areas with more livestock and people) during both seasons. The farmlands around the Barandabhar Corridor Forest hosted many individuals of L. javanicus and are a new location in lowland Nepal with a resident population of this species. Past assumptions regarding L. javanicus conservation require revision, and including a focus on farmlands is an important requirement in Nepal's conservation planning.

Avifaunal Diversity of Barandabhar Corridor Forest, Chitwan, Nepal

The main aim of the study was to analyze the avifaunal diversity of Chitwan, Nepal. The avifaunal diversity at six transects of Barandabhar Corridor Forest in Chitwan district was carried out during two visits (autumn and spring) in 2020-2021. The line transect method was used to cover most of the study area. In total, 125 species of birds representing 18 orders and 59 families were recorded. The highest number of bird species i.e. (56) 44.8% were represented by order Passeriformes along with 34 families. The highest number of species was found in family Picidae (9) 7.2% followed by Cuculidae (8) 6.4% and least number (1) 0.8% in other 31 families. The seasonal status of species was Autumn (84) and Spring (116). The relative abundance of species was Very Common (60), Common (40), Uncommon (16), and Rare (9). According to the National Red List of Nepal’s Birds, 110 species were in the Least Concern category, eight species were in the Near Threatened category, six species were in the Vulnerable category and one species was in the Critically Endangered category. It was noted that major threats to the birds were illegal fishing, noise pollution, firewood collection, illegal cattle grazing, and invasive alien plant species. One Globally Threatened Bird Lesser Adjutant Leptoptilos javanicus was also noted.

Diversity of waterbirds in mudflat and fishpond habitats in coastal Wetlands of East Lampung, Indonesia

Coastal wetlands provide habitat for waterbirds. However, changes in land use in coastal wetlands in East Lampung, Lampung Province, might affect the use of habitats by waterbirds. The study objective was to identify waterbird species using wetland habitat in coastal areas of East Lampung. Field surveys were conducted in November 2020 in two habitat types, i.e., mudflats and fishponds, employing a concentration method from several vantage points, then calculating Shannon-Wienner diversity indices (H’). A total of 23 species from 9 families of waterbirds were recorded. Mudflat had a higher diversity (H’½2.21) than fishpond (H’=1.74). Sixteen species were found on mudflats, dominated by shorebirds from the families of Scolopacidae and Charadriidae, which are primarily migratory species. Fishponds were used by 12 species, dominated by the Little Egret (Egretta garzetta) and Glossy Ibis (Plegadis falcinellus). Two endangered species, i.e., Far Eastern Curlew (Numenius madagascariensis) and Milky Stork (Mycteria cinerea), and one vulnerable species, Lesser Adjutant (Leptoptilos javanicus), were observed using mudflats. This study showed that mudflat in coastal wetlands of East Lampung provides essential habitats for conserving threatened waterbirds and migratory shorebirds.

Mangrove potential and community characteristics for strengthening the utilization of environmental services based on ecotourism: A case study in Karangsong, Indramayu, West Java

Mangrove rehabilitation is often challenged by a lack of support from local communities. The success of mangrove rehabilitation can increase the chances of success by increasing the local economy, which will help increase public awareness. This study was conducted in the mangrove forest of Karangsong Village with the aim to identify the potential of mangroves and the characteristics of local communities as capital for the use of environmental services based on mangrove ecotourism. The interview method with semi-structured guidelines was applied to obtain social, economic and public perceptions data. Karangsong mangrove forest is dominated by three species of mangroves, namely Rhizophora mucronata, Rhizophora stylosa and Rhizophora apiculate. It has also become a habitat for various bird species such as javan pond heron, wandering whistling duck, lesser adjutant, imperial pied pigeon, and common sandpiper, which are potential ecotourism objects. The results showed that positive perceptions derived from the economic benefits obtained from mangroves, which have become feedback for mangrove conservation. The role of the driving group is also crucial to maintain the consistency of stakeholders’ enthusiasm to conserve mangroves. Sustainable ecotourism development needs to involve local communities in its management.