Abstract

Sanitjan, S. (2001)

Species Composition of Birds at Tham Nam Lod Wildlife Conservation Development and Extension Center, Mae Hong Son Province

A study of the species composition of the bird community was carried out at Tham Nam Lod Wildlife Conservation Development and Extension Center, Mae Hong Son province from September 1999 to August 2000. The types of forest in this limestone area were mixed deciduous forest, dry dipterocarp forest and hill evergreen forest; altitude 620 meters above sea level; coordinates 19° 34' N and 98° 17' E. The three areas selected represented different degrees of disturbances: office station, Nam Lod cave and wet lick. Line Transects and Fix Radius Counts were used to determine the abundance and distribution of bird species. 163 species of birds were recorded from 39 families; 131 residents and 32 species of migratory birds. At the office station, 74 species of birds were observed, 110 species at Nam Lod cave and 129 species at the wet lick. There were 51 species from 17 families of frugivorous birds. Black-crested bulbul (Pycnonotus melanicterus) was the dominant species at the office station and Nam Lod cave, but thick-billed pigeon (Treron curvirostra) was the dominant at the wet lick. In addition hundreds thousands of pacific swift (Apus pacificus) nested in Nam Lod cave.

Fifty-five species of food plants from 27 families were recorded. The birds fed on fruits, flowers and nectar. Small and soft fruits were readily consumed, especially the genus Ficus. Forest type and distribution of food plants, season and human disturbance had effects on the distribution of birds.