Documentary Research: Common Activities of species of birds in a

Mango Tree

Francis Dave Meca Montesa

Adrianne Enore
Ma. Robe Grace Vallecer Marcelo
Iriz Angelica Tarrega Rapacon

In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements in Integrated Science 2

Philippine Science High School - MIMAROPA Region Campus

Sir. Numerico Lloyd Fabrigar

Subject Teacher

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 TABLE OF CONTENTS

Abstract………………………………………………………………………………………….3

I. Introduction………………………………………………………………………………..….3
A. Background of the Study…………………………………………………………..3 - 4
B. Statement of the Problem/Objectives………………………………………………..4
C. Significance of the Study…………………………………………………………....4-5
D. Scope and Delimitation………………………………………………………………. 5

II. Review of Related Literature…………………………………………………………….….5

A. Survey of Literature and Related Studies…………………….……....................5 - 7
B. Conceptual Framework………………………………..…………………...................8
C. Hypothesis………..……………………………………………………………...………8
D. Definition of Terms ………………………………..…………………...….........…......8

III. Methodology…………………………………………………………………………..……..9
A. Materials……………………………………………………………………………….…9
B. General Procedures……………………………………………………………….9 - 10

VI. Results and Discussion…………………………………………………………………...10

A. Presentation and Discussion……………………………………………………..10-16

V. Conclusion…………………………………………………………………………………..16
A. Conclusion……………………………………………………………………..………..16
B. Recommendation…………………………………………………………………..16-17

IV. Bibliography…………………………………………………………………………….18-19

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 ABSTARCT

This study was conducted to know the habitats of different species of birds
through observing its activities on one specific tree which was a Mango Tree. The
method of documentation was used by the researchers. It was done by setting up a
smartphone for video in front of the Mango tree for 7 days, and each day every 4:40 pm
– 4:50 pm. The videos were collected and compiled for viewing and recording of data
and results. It showed that 2 specific kind of birds were seen in the videos. 15 of them
were Pied Fantails and 2 of them were Asian Glossy Starlings. Each activity which
includes flying from branch to branch, scratching, and bird calling, were counted and
then evaluated to find the rate of activities or the average number of activities per bird
per day. The result was flying from branches to branches was the highest number of
rates.

I. INTRODUCTION

Trees are essential to birds for it is their habitat and breeding ground. One such
tree known as Mango tree is a habitat of many different species of birds. This tree is a
gathering area for birds thus becoming an area of interest for information gathering.
Learning about the behaviors of birds in mango trees through footages and pictures
would further develop the understanding about their relationship to the trees.

A. Background of the study

The researchers conducted this study to know the habitats of different species of
birds through observing its activities on one specific tree. A bird’s habitat includes its
needs for it to survive. They need food, water, shelter, and areas on where to build their
nest. These necessities of birds can mostly be provided by a tree. (Mayntz, 2017) Birds
inhabit areas where most trees are and where there is not much disturbances from
pollution, so birds inhabit forest areas. Some trees meet the bird’s needs, and some do
not since each bird has its own unique favorable necessities. That is why each specific

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kind of bird behaves differently on trees. Trees bear fruits that provide food for the birds.
And they provide areas on where birds can build their nest and lay their eggs. Trees
could also be a breeding place for birds. (Sawe, 2017)

Philippines has a biome of tropical rainforest. Many green trees are seen in this
biome. And since the Philippines is beside the Pacific Ocean, birds use to migrate from
other places, based on the climate of the place. The specific kind of tree that the
researchers studied, that can be seen in the Philippines, is a Mango tree located in
Barangay Ligaya, Odiongan Romblon. With this, the researchers wanted to know what
kinds of birds live or visit a Mango tree and what common activities do these birds do.
(Sawe, 2017)

A documentary research was conducted by the researchers since it is a helpful

method in doing this kind of investigation, because it included recording the behavior of
the birds on the trees and the researchers can study more about the birds through the
footages. There will be an application of technology that will make the research more
efficient, effective, and easier to accomplish.

B. Statement of the Problem/Objectives

The topic or problem that the researchers studied was; trees as habitats of birds in
Barangay Ligaya, Odiongan, Romblon. It answered the following questions:

• What species of birds can be seen in the Mango tree for each day in the
afternoon?
• What is the rate of activities do birds do on a Mango tree?
•

C. Significance of the Study

Other scientist and environment caretakers can benefit from the study by gaining
knowledge on what activities birds do in a Mango tree, which would lead to the
preservation of their habitat, to preserve their existence in this world. Birds are food for
other animals, they also help in pollination so that plants may reproduce, and they are

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part of the ecological system. This is the reason why it is necessary to preserve the
birds. Their habitat is one of the major factors to their survival; therefore, it is necessary
to preserve their habitat. (Driscoll, 2013) Another significance is that people can also be
aware and be informed about which birds can be seen in the area and the importance of
trees, specifically Mango trees, to the birds. This could also help scientists who study
birds understand the relationship of birds and the trees.

D. Scope and Delimitations

The topic covered in the researchers’ study were the habitats of birds, based on
the trees, through a documentary research. The researchers only studied one specific
kind of tree, specifically in a Mango tree. The research was conducted by setting up a
smartphone for video in front of the Mango tree for 7 days, and each day every 4:40 pm
– 4:50 pm. In order to be effective in doing this documentary research, the activities of
birds on the Mango tree was video recorded and this was the evidence for our data
collection. The technology or ICT used was limited since only 1 smartphone was
available for video. Time was also a limitation for the researchers.

II. REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

A. Survey of Literature and Related Studies

Mangifera indica, is a species of flowering plant known as Mango. It is part of

the family Anacardiaceae and it is native to the Indian subcontinent where it is
indigenous. (Shah, K.A; Patel, M.B.; Patel, R.J.; Parmar, P.K., 2010) The Mango Tree
produces delicious Mango fruit, while absorbing carbon dioxide, producing oxygen and
supporting the livelihoods of thousands of farmers, workers, businessmen. (Gepts,P,
2009 ) It can grow tall and reach a height of 100 feet or more with a canopy of 35 feet or
more. Its leaves are large with a leathery texture. It has the measurements of 5 to 16
inches in length and remain on the tree for a year or more. Flowers are produced in

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clusters 4 to 16 inches long. It produces flower which is small with white petals and a
mild sweet aroma. The flowers are pollinated by insects and less than 1 percent of the
flowers will mature to form a fruit. For a more manageable harvest, Mangos in
cultivation are generally pruned and kept much smaller. (Encyclopedia Britannica Inc.,
2018)

Taxonomic Hierarchy of Mangifera indica or Mango Tree:

Kingdom: Plantae Order: Sapindales

Clade: Angiosperms Family: Anacardiaceae

Clade: Eudicots Genus: Mangifera

Clade: Rosids Species: indica

The mango tree grows in countries with tropical climates such as the Philippines. In
the Philippines, Mango is the national fruit and are grown by around two and a half
million smallholder farmers on over 7 million Mango trees. Compared to other crops
grown in the Philippines like rice, corn, coconut and sugarcane, Mangoes are a high
value crop and provide a huge boost to the rural and national economy. (National
Mango Board, 2017)

Habitat

A habitat includes all four necessities for a bird's survival – food, water, shelter and
nesting areas – though these features can vary greatly between different types habitats.
(Mayntz, 2017) Food: Grains, seeds, fruits, nuts, nectar-producing flowers and prey
such as insects, fish, mammals, reptiles and other birds. Water: Any source available
for drinking or bathing, including rivers, swamps, lakes, streams, bays, estuaries and
oceans. Shelter: Coniferous or deciduous trees, shrubbery, caves or rock niches,
overhanging banks or snags. Nesting Sites: Hollow trees or snags, vegetation to

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support nests, burrows, nesting boxes, bird houses and suitable nesting material.
(Birdworld Holt Pound, Farnham, Surrey, 2014)

Birds in Mango Tree

Different species of birds are also known to chow down on Mangos. One is the fruit-
eating birds in Australia. Mango trees, where there are abundant, is habitat to birds like
parrots and lorikeets. They have been seen blending with the leaves of the trees, while
enjoying the sweet Mango fruit. On the other hand, Little Friarbirds build their nest on
Mango Trees and another species of birds, the Great Bowerbirds also consume Mango
fruit. (Clare M., 2013)

Many species of birds are seen in Romblon. One such bird is called an Asian
Glossy Starling. This species’ habitat includes frequent forest, mangroves, coastal
vegetations, and plantations. It is mainly a fruit eater, feeding on great variety of fruits,
species, and especially figs, papaya, banana, and mangos. (Bouglouan, n.d.) Asian
Glossy Starling is currently a residential bird of the Philippines. . (Kennedy, Gonzales,
Dickinson, Miranda, Fisher, 2000) Another kind of bird is the Pied Fantail. In birding
terminology, “pied” means black and white. The body of these birds are pied, and they
have their long black tail edged with white. Pied Fantails usually frequent the same
areas day in and day out. They are found in Mango trees and near garbage cans.
These Fantails are territorial, and they mostly nest in mango trees even one inside
manmade border, they all consider it as their territory. The bird also attack cats and
dogs and it always defends its territory. (Ramos, 2011) Additional information about
these birds, they respond aggressively to whistles and calls. They have a delightful and
metallic call pip pip chop siit chop why-su-weet which is repeated frequently. This bird is
also currently a resident of the Philippines. (Kennedy, Gonzales, Dickinson, Miranda,
Fisher, 2000)

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B. Conceptual Framework

INPUT PROCESS OUTPUT

Documentation, The record of the

Materials for the observation, different species of birds
research: recording data, found in the Mango tree
and evaluation and the count and rate of
Mango Tree using the different activities of birds per
J5 Prime ICTs on the hour.
Mango Tree.

C. Hypothesis

The most common observable activity that the birds do in the Mango tree is to visit
the tree for shelter.

There will be a less chance for the birds to eat the mango fruit since the tree bears
its fruit seasonally and recorded mango fruit-eating birds are uncommon in the biome
tropical rainforest in the Philippines. (Clare M., 2013)

D. Definition of Terms

• Mango Tree (noun) – It is a species of flowering plant that bears Mango fruit;
it is one of the birds’ habitat.
• Documentation (noun) – Using of different ICTs in capturing pictures and
recording videos on the activities of birds in the Mango Tree.
• Habitat (noun) – It is a place where animals such as the birds find their own
necessities such as food, shelter, and nesting area. One example of a habitat
is a Mango Tree.

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 • Biome (noun) – It is a type of ecological community. An example of this is the
tropical rainforest which the Philippines has wherein the Mango Tree to be
used in the research is located.

III. METHODOLOGY

A. Gathering of Materials

The tree that the researchers studied was a Mango tree located in Barangay Ligaya,
Odiongan, Romblon near Ligaya Barangay Hall. For the video, a phone, J5 Prime was
used for recording. A tripod was needed for better quality and stable recording.

B. General Procedures

These general procedures were conducted for 7 days, every 4:40 pm – 4:50 pm
every day of the research.

1. Documentation

The J5 Prime was set in front of the Mango tree with a tripod in the
afternoon each day of the research. The video lasted for 10 minutes recording
the activities of the birds. It was expected to have a 10-minute video each day.

2. Observing the activities of birds

The researchers observed the bird's activities after having the

documentation through the videos that had been recorded by the smartphone
each day.

3. Recording data

The following data was recorded:

a. Number of birds seen
b. Species of birds seen

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 c. The activities of the birds on the tree
d. Number of times the birds performed each activity

4. Evaluating the habitat of birds

The habitat of different kinds of birds on the mango tree was evaluated
through the following:

a. What was the most common activity of birds in a Mango tree by using a
tally sheet?
b. What was the rate of each activities of the birds?

Average number Total number of birds

of birds per day = 7

Average number Total number of each activity

of each activity per day = 7

Average number of Average number of activities per day

activities per bird per day = Average number of birds per day
(Rate of activities)

VI. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

A. Presentation and Discussion of Results

1. Recording data from documentation

Data gathered from the documentation was presented in Table 1.

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Table 1. Tally sheet of data from documentation

Activities
Number Species of Flying from Scratching Bird Calling
Day Time
of Birds Birds branch to
branch

1 Pied Fantail 12 0 8

Day 1
(April 28,
4 0 1
2019) Asian Glossy
2
Starling

2 0 0

Day 2 7 0 4
(April 29, 2 Pied Fantail
2019)
5 9 0

4:40 3 0 0
Day 3 pm –
5 0 1
(April 30, 4:50 4 Pied Fantail
2019) pm 1 0 4
8 0 0

Day 4 6 1 0
(May 1, 2 Pied Fantail
2019)
65 3 9

12 14 1
Day 5
(May 2, 2 Pied Fantail
2019)
48 4 11

Day 6 11 0 6
(May 3, 2 Pied Fantail
2019) 25 2 6

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 Day 7 5 0 1
(May 4, 2 Pied Fantail
2019) 13
11 1

For the 7 days of documentation, 2 species were seen in the mango tree which
were the Asian Glossy Starling and the Pied Fantail. Every day, number of Pied Fantails
were seen in the documentation while Asian Glossy Starling was seen only once at Day
1. On Day 3, the number of Fantail seen doubled from Day 2 then decreased again by 2
on Day 4. It was shown that starting from Day 4, the number of Pied Fantail seen was
constant and so as the sighting of the Asian Glossy starling that remained 0 staring from
Day 2. It also has shown that every day, the different species of birds perform different
activities such as flying from branch to branch, scratching, and bird calling. The
researchers had recorded the number of times each species of birds performed the
specific activity each day at the time being of 4:40 pm – 4:50 pm.

Graph 1. Number of Activities per day

80

70

60

50

40

30

20

10

0
Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Day 5 Day 6 Day 7
Flying from branch to branch Scratching Bird Calling

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 Since the area where the researchers conducted their study is residential, the birds,
specifically the Pied Fantail and Asian Glossy Starling were the only birds seen. They
summed up the total number of activities of the birds that resulted that the activity of
them flying from branch to branch has the greatest number of activities than scratching
and bird calling.

Graph 2. Number of Birds per day

4.5

3.5

2.5

1.5

0.5

0
Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Day 5 Day 6 Day 7

Pied Fantail Asian Glossy Starling

In the graph shown above, the bird that was mostly seen in the Mango Tree at
Barangay Ligaya, Odiongan, Romblon was the Pied Fantail. The Asian Glossy Starling
appeared only in Day 1 according to the graph that based in the video that the
researchers compiled.

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Graph 3. Number of Activities per Bird

250

200

150

100

50

0
Pied Fantail Asian Glossy Starling

Flying from branch to branch Scratching Bird Calling

Based on the graph, the researchers interpreted that the Pied Fantails’ activity of
flying from branch to branch has a total of more than 200 than the Asian Glossy
Starling. According to Graph 2, the Asian Glossy Starling was only seen in the first day
of conducting this research. And according to Graph 1, the activity of flying from branch
to branch is the activity that the Pied Fantail mostly do in the Mango Tree.

2. Evaluating the habitat of birds

Table 2, 3, and 4 shows the evaluation of the data from table 1.

Table 2. Evaluation of the Average of Birds per Day

Species of Birds Number of Birds

Asian Glossy Starling 2
Pied Fantail 15
Total 17

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Number of Days 7
Average Number of Birds per Day 2.43

Based on the table above, 17 birds were seen in the documentation. Pied fantail
has the greatest number of records seen in the mango tree. The number of Pied Fantail
seen was 15 which is greater than of the Asian Glossy Starling with only 2. In total, the
average of birds per day is 2.43.

Table 2. Evaluation of the Average of Activities per Day

Number of times Number of Days Average Number

Activities Activity is the Activities were of Activities per
Performed performed Day
Flying from branch to branch 230 7 32.86
Scratching 34 7 4.86
Bird calling 65 7 9.29

Flying from branches to branches has the highest record of average per day that
the bird performed. It has the average of 32.86, second has an average of 9.29 for bird
calling, and scratching came last with an average of 9.29 for bird calling.

Table 3. Evaluation of the Average Number of Activities per Bird per Day (Rate of
Activities)

Average Number
Average Number
Activities Average Number of Activities per
of Activities per
of Birds per Day Bird per Day (Rate
Day
of Activities)
Flying from branch to branch 2.43 32.86 13.52

Scratching 2.43 4.86 2

Bird calling 2.43 9.29 3.82

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 The rate of the activities of birds each day for flying from branch to branch was
13.52, 2 for scratching, and 3.28 for bird calling. This means that most birds performed
the activity of flying from branches to branches followed by bird calling then scratching.

V. CONCLUSION

A. Conclusion

Based on the gathered data, the researchers concluded that the most common
activity of the different kind of birds in a Mango tree was flying from branch to branch. It
has the greatest rate of activities of birds per day followed by bird calling, and
scratching. It has the average of 13.52, 3.28 for bird calling, and 2 for scratching.
Another conclusion is that 2 kinds of birds can be seen in a mango tree. These were the
Asian Glossy Starling and the Pied Fantail. Pied Fantail was the most common bird in a
mango tree. 15 Pied Fantails was seen doing different activities for seven day whereas
2 Asian Glossy Starlings were only seen on Day 1. Since, it was the most seen bird in
the Mango tree and every day it performs certain activities, the researchers concluded
that the mango tree was a territory of the Pied Fantails and a habitat of both Fantail and
Asian Glossy Starling. Flying from branches to branches was also a cycle of the Pied
Fantail as recorded that every day, this kind of birds performs this activity.

B. Recommendation

With all the findings and results, it is recommended for the residents of Barangay
Ligaya, Odiongan Romblon to preserve the Mango tree as it is needed for the survival
of birds. It is further recommended for future duplication and research of this topic to
perform the documentation in a more secluded and habitable place for birds such as in
forest areas. This is to record more variety of species of birds and its activities towards

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a Mango tree. The duration of the documentation is suggested to be lengthier to have
more data about the activities of the birds. Further research about why the most
common activity was flying from branch to branch is recommended to conclude what is
the main goal of the birds in the Mango Tree. It is also recommended to use more
suitable ICTs for documentation to have a high-quality video for better viewing,
observing, and recording data. Adding more cameras with different point of views and
perspectives can also help in having a more precise recording.

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 VI. BIBLIOGRAPHY

Books:

• Kennedy, R., Gonzales, P., Dickinson, E., Miranda, H., Fisher, T., (2000). [Book]
A Guide to the Birds of the Philippines

Other References:

• Mayntz, M. (2017, April 4). Birding Basics: Habitat. [Article]. Retrived from
https://www.thespruce.com/understanding-birds-habitats-385273.
• Driscoll, M. (2013, March 6). Why Do Birds Matter? [Article]. Retrieved from
www.audobon.org/news/why-do-birds-matter%3famp
• Shah, K.A., Patel, M.B., Patel, R.J. Parmar, P.K., (2010, July 10)
Pharmacognosy Reviews: Mangifera indica. [Article]. Retrieved from
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3249901
• Gepts, P. (2018, December 11). Crop of the Day: Mango, Mangifera indica.
[Article]. Retrieved from
www.plantsciences.ucdavis.edu/geps/pb143/crop/mango/mango.html
• Encyclopedia Britannica, Inc. (2018). Mango: Plant and Fruit. [Article]. Retrieved
from www.britannica.com/plant/mango-plant-fruit
• National Mango Board (2017). The Amazing mango Tree – Mangifera indica.
[Article]. Retrieved from www.mango.org/mango-tree/
• Farnham, S. (2014). Habiats. [Article]. Retrieved from
https://birdworld.co.uk/habitats/
• Clare M. (2013). Mango Loving Birds. [Article]. Retrieved from
www.10000birds.com/mango-loving-birds.html
• Sawe E. (April 25, 2017). Ecological Regions of the Philippines. [Article].
Retrieved from https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/ecological-regions-of-the-
philippines.html
• Ramos, S. (April 30, 2011). Nature Page: Pied Fantail. [Blog]. Retrieved from
https://www.sylviaramos.blogspot.com

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• Bouglouan, N. (n.d.). Asian Glossy Starling. [Article]. Retrieved from
https://www.oiseaux-birds.com

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