Harrier species and counts at a paddyland roost in Seberang Perak Malaysia

Lim Kim Chye, . and Lim Aun Tiah, . and Khoo Swee Seng, . Harrier species and counts at a paddyland roost in Seberang Perak Malaysia. pp. 93-104. ISSN 0121-8126

Peninsular Malaysia lies on the East Asian-Australasian Flyway a major migration pathway for many species of migratory birds including raptors which commute between northern breeding grounds and southern wintering areas. Every year thousands of migratory raptors arrive in Peninsular Malaysia either as passage migrants or winter visitors and at least 26 species including harriers have been recorded here. Harriers are unique among raptors in that they habitually roost on the ground and are thus good subjects for detailed field observation. Although harriers are known to winter here in paddylands hardly any study has been carried out on the species particularly their abundance and behavior at roosting sites in Peninsular Malaysia. From 10 December 2011 to 8 April 2012 we carried out observations of harriers at a roost in the Changkat Lada paddylands in FELCRA agricultural estate in Seberang Perak south-western Perak state. Eastern Marsh-harrier Circus spilonotus and Pied Harrier C. melanoleucos were initially found roosting communally in one main roost in tall standing paddy in the fields. The location of the roost was not permanent and was dependent on the paddy planting cycle. Harriers chose to roost in unharvested paddy fields also open ground and an oil palm plantation when affected by disturbance from harvesting burning ploughing and flooding of the fields. Counts of all harriers at the roost recorded a maximum of 178 harriers establishing Changkat Lada as the largest currently known harrier roost in Peninsular Malaysia. Harriers perform a biological control service for paddy farmers by removing rodent pests and therefore should be protected in their wintering grounds.

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Abstract

Peninsular Malaysia lies on the East Asian-Australasian Flyway a major migration pathway for many species of migratory birds including raptors which commute between northern breeding grounds and southern wintering areas. Every year thousands of migratory raptors arrive in Peninsular Malaysia either as passage migrants or winter visitors and at least 26 species including harriers have been recorded here. Harriers are unique among raptors in that they habitually roost on the ground and are thus good subjects for detailed field observation. Although harriers are known to winter here in paddylands hardly any study has been carried out on the species particularly their abundance and behavior at roosting sites in Peninsular Malaysia. From 10 December 2011 to 8 April 2012 we carried out observations of harriers at a roost in the Changkat Lada paddylands in FELCRA agricultural estate in Seberang Perak south-western Perak state. Eastern Marsh-harrier Circus spilonotus and Pied Harrier C. melanoleucos were initially found roosting communally in one main roost in tall standing paddy in the fields. The location of the roost was not permanent and was dependent on the paddy planting cycle. Harriers chose to roost in unharvested paddy fields also open ground and an oil palm plantation when affected by disturbance from harvesting burning ploughing and flooding of the fields. Counts of all harriers at the roost recorded a maximum of 178 harriers establishing Changkat Lada as the largest currently known harrier roost in Peninsular Malaysia. Harriers perform a biological control service for paddy farmers by removing rodent pests and therefore should be protected in their wintering grounds.

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Item Type:	Article
AGROVOC Term:	Birds
AGROVOC Term:	Birds of prey
AGROVOC Term:	Migration
AGROVOC Term:	Animal behaviour
AGROVOC Term:	Plantations
AGROVOC Term:	Rice fields
AGROVOC Term:	Oil palms
AGROVOC Term:	Winter
AGROVOC Term:	Habitats
AGROVOC Term:	Population distribution
Depositing User:	Mr. AFANDI ABDUL MALEK
Last Modified:	24 Apr 2025 00:54
URI:	http://webagris.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/8323

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