Some notes on herons and egrets at the Banjar Forest Reserve Kuala Selangor Selangor

Habsah Muda, . Some notes on herons and egrets at the Banjar Forest Reserve Kuala Selangor Selangor. pp. 26-38. ISSN 0121-8126

An area of approximately 10 hectares located around the drainage channels in the Banjar Forest was utilized by 2 species of herons and 3 species of egrets. The area seemed to be used as foraging site. The birds were observed to come to the area in the early morning and stay there to feed until late evening. In the late evening the greater part of this group of birds were generally observed flying away in the north-west direction while a smaller number flew in westerly direction. During the study period between October 1986 and August 1987 the most abundant species observed was the grey heron (Ardea cinerea rectirostis) with a maximum number of 58 birds on July 1987. This species averaged 2 birds per hectare at the feeding site. The Chinese egret (Egretta eulophotes) was the least abundant species observed with a maximum number of 10 birds and an average density of 0.8 birds per hectare. Seven species of prey from six families were found in the main feeding area. Tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus) was the most abundant prey species. The mean density of prey in Channel A B were 1.95m- sq. and 2.3m- sq. of the water surface respectively. The habitat around the main feeding area is a mixed mangrove forest of bakau minyak (Rhizophora apiculata) and other species of swamp forest. Elaeocarpus'spp. is the most dorminant species. Observations on the activity and behaviour of grey herons showed that the greatest frequency of autogrooming/preening occurred around 0700 hours -0800 hours. Two peak periods of feeding activity were observed i.e. about 1000 hours -1100 hours and 1600 hours -1700 hours. Short flights were frequent between 1400 hours and 1500 hours when there was a strong wind blowing just prior to high tide. About 59.7 of the birds in flock were observed to have a nearest neighbour distance between 0.2m -2.0m.

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Abstract

An area of approximately 10 hectares located around the drainage channels in the Banjar Forest was utilized by 2 species of herons and 3 species of egrets. The area seemed to be used as foraging site. The birds were observed to come to the area in the early morning and stay there to feed until late evening. In the late evening the greater part of this group of birds were generally observed flying away in the north-west direction while a smaller number flew in westerly direction. During the study period between October 1986 and August 1987 the most abundant species observed was the grey heron (Ardea cinerea rectirostis) with a maximum number of 58 birds on July 1987. This species averaged 2 birds per hectare at the feeding site. The Chinese egret (Egretta eulophotes) was the least abundant species observed with a maximum number of 10 birds and an average density of 0.8 birds per hectare. Seven species of prey from six families were found in the main feeding area. Tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus) was the most abundant prey species. The mean density of prey in Channel A B were 1.95m- sq. and 2.3m- sq. of the water surface respectively. The habitat around the main feeding area is a mixed mangrove forest of bakau minyak (Rhizophora apiculata) and other species of swamp forest. Elaeocarpus'spp. is the most dorminant species. Observations on the activity and behaviour of grey herons showed that the greatest frequency of autogrooming/preening occurred around 0700 hours -0800 hours. Two peak periods of feeding activity were observed i.e. about 1000 hours -1100 hours and 1600 hours -1700 hours. Short flights were frequent between 1400 hours and 1500 hours when there was a strong wind blowing just prior to high tide. About 59.7 of the birds in flock were observed to have a nearest neighbour distance between 0.2m -2.0m.

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Item Type:	Article
AGROVOC Term:	Herons
AGROVOC Term:	Birds
AGROVOC Term:	Population density
AGROVOC Term:	Foods for animals
AGROVOC Term:	Vegetation
AGROVOC Term:	Species diversity
Depositing User:	Mr. AFANDI ABDUL MALEK
Last Modified:	24 Apr 2025 00:54
URI:	http://webagris.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/8615

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