An assessment of avifauna in a recovering lowland forest at Kinabalu National Park, Malaysian Borneo

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Well-known for its high elevation areas, Kinabalu National Park in Sabah, Malaysia, also protects lowland areas that have received little ornithological attention. Here we describe the avian community at Serinsim Substation, an area of mixed lowland rainforest habitats within the park. We present observations from Serinsim, including an annotated list of the 202 species recorded, and measurements of mist-netted individuals. These observations derive from two expeditions: one in 2004 and one in 2014. Although parts of Serinsim’s forests are recovering from forest fires and historic, low-intensity logging, they are a valuable habitat for many lowland rainforest bird species, including uncommon species such as chestnut-necklaced partridge, fulvous-chested jungle-flycatcher, and chestnut-capped thrush. The diversity of birds at Serinsim highlights the importance of preserving degraded tropical forest for conservation. Our observations serve as a valuable baseline assessment of the avifauna in this region, which is particularly important in this era of rapid environmental destruction and land-use change. © National University of Singapore.
Year

2018

Secondary Title

Raffles Bulletin of Zoology

Publisher

National University of Singapore

Volume

66

Pages

110-131

Language

Keyword(s)

Birds, Conservation, Disturbed forest, Serinsim

Classification
Form: Journal Article
Geographical Area: Malaysia

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