Bird diversity in northern Myanmar and conservation implications

Ming-Xia Zhang; Myint Kyaw; Guo-Gang Li; Jiang-Bo Zhao; Xiang-Le Zeng; Kyaw Swa; Rui-Chang Quan

doi:10.24272/j.issn.2095-8137.2017.059

We conducted four bird biodiversity surveys in the Putao area of northern Myanmar from 2015 to 2017. Combined with anecdotal information collected between 2012 and 2015, we recorded 319 bird species, including two species (Arborophila mandellii and Lanius sphenocercus) previously unrecorded in Myanmar. Bulbuls (Pycnonotidae), babblers (Timaliidae), pigeons and doves (Columbidae), and pheasants and partridges (Phasianidae) were the most abundant groups of birds recorded. Species richness below 1 500 m a. s. l. was higher than species richness at higher elevations. Our results suggest that the current protected areas in this region should be expanded to lower elevations to cover critical conservation gaps.

Bird diversity in northern Myanmar and conservation implications

1 Southeast Asia Biodiversity Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yezin Nay Pyi Taw 05282, Myanmar;

2 Center for Integrative Conservation, Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Mengla Yunnan 666303, China;

3 Hponkan Razi Wildlife Sanctuary Offices, Putao Kachin 01051, Myanmar;

4 Science Communication and Training Department, Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Mengla Yunnan 666303, China;

5 Yingjiang Bird Watching Society, Yingjiang Yunnan 679300, China

Funds: This study was supported by the Southeast Asia Biodiversity Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences (2015CASEABRI005, Y4ZK111B01)

Corresponding author: Rui-Chang Quan, quanrc@xtbg.ac.cn

Received Date: 2017-08-11

Rev Recd Date: 2017-09-06

Publish Date: 2017-09-18

Key words:

Abstract: We conducted four bird biodiversity surveys in the Putao area of northern Myanmar from 2015 to 2017. Combined with anecdotal information collected between 2012 and 2015, we recorded 319 bird species, including two species (Arborophila mandellii and Lanius sphenocercus) previously unrecorded in Myanmar. Bulbuls (Pycnonotidae), babblers (Timaliidae), pigeons and doves (Columbidae), and pheasants and partridges (Phasianidae) were the most abundant groups of birds recorded. Species richness below 1 500 m a. s. l. was higher than species richness at higher elevations. Our results suggest that the current protected areas in this region should be expanded to lower elevations to cover critical conservation gaps.

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Reference (11)

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Bird diversity in northern Myanmar and conservation implications

doi: 10.24272/j.issn.2095-8137.2017.059

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