Birds have been extensively documented and researched on in Asia for many years. They are generally abundant, highly visible and/or vocal and this makes them popular research subjects. In the recent years, birds have been used to reflect how the biodiversity in forests has changed as the habitat is being modified by humans.

The Asian Fairy Bluebird, Irena puella, a forest bird that declines with human disturbance

A secondary rainforest in Singapore

Research on bird diversity is conducted by the Conservation and Behavioural Ecology Laboratory in the National University of Singapore. The field-based research is carried out in Singapore and Sarawak (East Malaysia).

In Singapore, three different habitats are being surveyed for birds, the primary rainforest, secondary rainforest and woodlands. The twenty study sites of these three habitats vary in size, isolation (how far from each other) and in food abundances. The aim is to elucidate which and how such factors (alone or together) affect bird diversity.

In Sarawak, the laboratory is collaborating with the Sarawak Forestry Department and is making and inventory of birds within the Gunung Gading National Park and Matang Wildlife Sanctuary. The bird inventory is being made using mist-netting and general surveys in the above sites.

The Green Broadbill, Calyptomeana viridis, caught at Matang Wildlife Centre

The Black-throated Babbler, Stachyris erythroptera,caught at Gunung Gading National Park

Once the inventory is completed, comparative work will be done with human disturbed sites such as plantations and logged forests.

back to top