THE MALAYSIAN FORESTER 2019, 82 (1): 217 - 226

CHECKLIST OF BIRDS IN PULAU PANGKOR,

PERAK, MALAYSIA

FARAH SHAFAWATI MOHD-TAIB1, G. DAVID2, ANDY LEE3,

LOW, K. H.3, LEE, K. S.3, MOHD FAIZ YUSOFF1
AND ABDUL RASHID YAACOB1
1School of Environmental Science and Natural Resources, Faculty of Science and
Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, UKM Bangi, 43600, Selangor
2Kenyir Research Institute, University Malaysia Terengganu, 21030 Kuala Nerus, Terengganu
3Wild Bird Club Malaysia, 9, Jalan SS14/5A, 47500 Subang Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia.

*Corresponding author
Email: farah_sh@ukm.edu.my

Abstract: A preliminary survey on birds has been carried out during Pangkor
Scientific Expedition in Pulau Pangkor from 16 th to 20th July 2017. The first
group surveyed the Pangkor Selatan and Sungai Pinang Forest Reserve, while
the second group surveyed Teluk Nipah and Pulau Pangkor Resort areas. The
first group used both mist-netting and point count observation in the forest
sites but only point count in urban sites. Group 2, on the other hand, did direct
observation in their selected study sites. Overall, a cumulative of 62 species
from 31 families were recorded throughout the survey. Sg. Pinang
encompassed higher species richness due to the varieties of microhabitat
types. One species was categorized as vulnerable according to IUCN red data
list which is the Great Slaty woodpecker, while three species were categorized
as Near-threatened, namely Great hornbill (Buceros bicornis), Buff-vented
bulbul (Iole olivacea) and White-chested babbler (Trichastoma rostratum).
Pulau Pangkor was particularly favoured by several raptors species namely
Brahminy kite (Haliastur indus), White-bellied sea-eagle (Haliaeetus
leucogaster) and Crested serpent eagle (Spilornis cheela), apart from the
gregarious Oriental pied hornbill (Anthracoceros albirostris) which were
widespread in the island. Great hornbills were also observed quite regularly in
several places. These species could be of attraction to the island. Hence, Pulau
Pangkor is proven to offer a diverse avifauna for tourist attraction. However,
local authorities need to ensure a sustainable nature activities implemented in
the island, to protect the habitat for the fauna inhabitants.

Key words: Birds, diversity, avitourism, Pangkor, Malaysia.

INTRODUCTION

Pulau Pangkor is situated in Manjung District, Perak, in the Straits of Malacca,

about 3.8 nautical miles from Lumut. Pulau Pangkor with an area of 2,274.78
hectares, is the biggest among the eight islands in its clusters, namely the Mentangor
Island, Pangkor Laut Island, Giam Island, Tukun Terindak Island, Pelandok Island,
Simpan Island and Dua Island. About 40 % of the island is covered by forest. More
than 50% of the population on the island are fishermen while the rest are retailers,
construction workers, transport operators, government servants and farmers.

The forest in Pangkor is special for its virgin jungle reserve (VJR) (Laidlaw
1999), which refers to undisturbed, sample of natural forest located in commercially
productive forest (Wyatt-Smith 1950). However, there are very limited published
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reports on birds in Pulau Pangkor. Ilyas and Tak (2010) recorded a total of 34
species of birds in Pangkor Utara, Pangkor Selatan and Sg. Pinang. A complete bird
checklist in essential to promote Pulau Pangkor as an important avitourism
destination. Thus, this survey aim to document the bird species in Pulau Pangkor
during a scientific expedition from 16th to 20th July 2017.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Sampling was conducted in Pangkor Selatan near Pasir Bogak, Sg. Pinang Forest
Reserve, as well as surrounding urban areas. These sites were surveyed by Group 1.
Additional survey was conducted by Group 2 in Teluk Nipah and Pangkar Island
resort. Table 1 below summarises the characteristics of Pangkor forests.

Table 1. Characteristics of Virgin Jungle Reaerves in Pulau Pangkor.

Forest Compartment Area Type of forest Total forest

reserve gazzeted area (ha)
(ha)
Pangkor 1 64 Strand, Hill 175
Utara dipterocarp forest
(coastal)
Pangkor 3 104 Strand, heath, Hill 311
Selatan dipterocarp forest
(coastal), heath
Sg. 5 42 Hill dipterocarp forest 987
Pinang and Low dipterocarp
forest

Group 1 used Point count observation and mist netting techniques at respective sites.
Ten mist nets (12 m x 2.6 m, 30 mm mesh) were deployed at each sites. They were
placed about 0.5 m above the ground, randomly along established trails. The nets
were ed at dawn and closed at dusk. The nets were inspected every 2 hours. The
captured individuals were put in a cloth bag, before taking the morphological
measurements. The birds were released back at the captured points.

At least 10 points were selected for point count survey in respective sites
and conducted from 0700–1200 hr and 1600–1900 hr. In contrast to point-count
survey, mist-netting usually captures the understorey birds, and not upperstorey
birds. The species and abundance of each species were recorded. Captured and
observed birds were identified based on Robson (2008). Group 2, on the other hand,
produced a checklist of birds observed during their survey. Data from both groups
were then combined to produce a checklist of birds in Pulau Pangkor.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

A total of 62 species from 31 families of birds was recorded throughout the study
period (Table 2). For Group 1, mist-netting successfully captured 35 individuals
from 18 species, whereby point-count technique recorded 122 individuals from 30

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species from all locations. Additional 18 species were recorded by Group 2. Family
Pyncnonotidae and Columbidae were the most commonly recorded species with
both techniques. In addition, Group 1 documented that Sg. Pinang forest
encompassed the highest number of bird species with 22 species from 67
individuals, followed by Pangkor Selatan with 19 species from 52 individuals and
urban areas with 14 species from 42 individuals.

Table 2. Abundance of birds recorded by Group 1.

Species Scientific name Observation Mist-netting

Pangkor Sungai Urban Pangkor Sungai
Selatan Pinang Selatan Pinang
Little Heron Butorides 1 0 0 0 0
striata
Brahminy Haliastur indus 2 0 0 0 0
Kite
White-bellied Haliaeetus 5 2 2 0 0
Sea-eagle leucogaster
Crested Spilornis cheela 0 0 1 0 0
Serpent-eagle
White- Amaurornis 0 1 0 0 0
breasted phoenicurus
Waterhen
Pink-necked Treron vernans 0 0 2 0 0
Green-pigeon
Spotted Dove Stigmatopelia 3 0 0 0 0
chinensis
Zebra Dove Geopelia striata 6 0 0 0 0
Rock Pigeon Columba livia 0 0 4 0 0
Thick-billed Treron 0 1 0 0 0
Green pigeon curvirostra
German's Aerodramus 0 0 0 0 1
Swiftlet germani
White- Halcyon 0 0 0 1 1
throated smyrnensis
Kingfisher
Blue-eared Alcedo 0 0 0 0 1
Kingfisher meninting
Blue-throated Merops viridis 0 3 15 0 0
Bee-eater
Great Buceros 0 3 2 0 0
Hornbill bicornis
Oriental Pied Anthracoceros 4 0 2 0 0
Hornbill albirostris
Common Iora Aegithina tiphia 2 0 0 0 0
Black-naped Hypothymis 0 0 0 1 1
Monarch azurea
House Crow Corvus 0 0 2 0 0
splendens
Large-billed Corvus 2 3 0 0 0
Crow macrorhynchos
Pacific Hirundo 3 8 0 0 1
Swallow tahitica
Barn swallow Hirundo rustica 0 1 0 0 0

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Table 2. (Continued).

Species Scientific name Observation Mist-netting

Pangkor Sungai Urban Pangkor Sungai
Selatan Pinang Selatan Pinang
Buff-vented Iole olivacea 0 0 0 0 1
Bulbul
Spectacled Pycnonotus 0 0 0 0 0
Bulbul erytropthalmos
Cream-vented Pycnonotus 1 6 0 3 2
Bulbul simplex
Hairy-backed Tricholestes 0 0 0 0 1
Bulbul criniger
Olive-winged Pycnonotus 5 0 0 0 2
Bulbul plumosus
Red-eyed Pycnonotus 0 0 0 0 5
Bulbul brunneus
Yellow- Pycnonotus 2 6 0 1 1
vented Bulbul goiavier
Common Orthotomus 0 0 0 0 1
Tailorbird sutorius
White- Trichastoma 0 0 0 1 2
chested rostratum
Babbler
Scaly- Malacopteron 0 0 0 1 0
crowned cinereum
Babbler
Asian Fairy Irena puella 0 0 0 0 1
Bluebird
Asian Glossy Aplonis 3 0 0 0 1
Starling panayensis
Common Acridotheres 0 0 3 0 0
Myna tristis
Hill Myna Gracula 0 0 1 0 0
religiosa
Oriental Copsychus 3 0 0 0 0
Magpie saularis
Robin
White- Copsychus 0 0 0 2 2
rumped malabaricus
Shama
Brown- Anthreptes 0 0 2 0 0
throated melacencis
Sunbird
House Passer 0 0 2 0 0
Sparrow montanus
White-bellied Erpornis 0 0 0 0 1
Erpornis zantholeuca
Scaly- Lonchura 0 0 3 0 0
breasted punctulata
Munia
Scarlet- Dicaeum 0 1 0 0 0
backed cruentatum
Flowerpecker
Orange- Dicaeum 0 4 0 0 0
bellied trigonostigma
Flowerpecker

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Figure 1 shows a rarefaction curve of each study sites from point-count

survey. Pangkor Selatan recorded the highest number of species with 14 species,
followed by urban areas with 13 species and least in Sg. Pinang FR with only 12
species. The higher abundance and richness of birds in Pangkor Selatan is due to the
physical characteristics of the forest which is located near the coastal areas, apart
from the hilly terrain. Therefore, many of the records were obtained from point-
count technique compared to mist-netting. The most common species recorded from
this technique were from the Accipitridae Family, for instance White-bellied Sea-
eagle (Haliaeetus leucogaster), and Family Bucerotidae e.g. Oriental Pied Hornbill
(Anthracoceros albirostris) and Great Hornbill (Buceros bicornis). Apart from that,
Blue-throated Bee-eater (Merops viridis), which is a migrant species, was observed
in abundance making Pulau Pangkor an important breeding sites for this species.
Species from Family Pyncnonotidae were also commonly recorded in Pangkor
Selatan, as most of these species inhabits forest edges and open areas.

Figure 1. Rarefraction curve of birds from different localities from point-count

survey.

Figure 2 shows a rarefraction curve of species in Pangkor Selatan and Sungai

Pinang FR from mist-netting technique. In contrast to point-count technique, Sungai
Pinang recorded a much higher species richness and abundance with 17 species,
compared to Pangkor Selatan with 7 species. Family Pyncnonotidae was very
commonly recorded especially in Sungai Pinang areas, with 6 species, compared to
Pangkor Selatan with only 2 species. Several species were shared in both study sites
namely the Black-naped Monarch (Hypothymis azurea), White-rumped Shama
(Copsychus malabaricus), White-throated Kingfisher (Halcyon smyrnensis) and
White-chested Babbler (Trichastoma rostratum).

Overall, Sungai Pinang shows the highest species diversity with Shannon
Index (H’) 2.962, followed by Pangkor Selatan with 2.798 and least in the urban
areas with 2.25. Simpson dominance index was highest in urban areas, due to the
high abundance of Blue-throated Bee-eaters found nesting in huge colonies. Table 2
summarises the diversity indices in each study sites. This shows that Sungai Pinang
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and Pangkor Selatan can be potentially developed for avitourism activities. From
this survey, there were 36 new records from the survey in 2009 by Ilya and Tak
(2010), for instance the Striated Heron, Blue-crowned Hanging-Parrot and Black-
naped Monarch. However, there were 8 species not recorded currently from the
previous survey namely, Great Argus (Argusianus argus ), White-bellied
Woodpecker (Dryocopus javensis), Pied Triller (Lalage nigra), Moustached Babbler
(Malacopteron magnirostre), Yellow-bellied Warbler (Abroscopus superciliaris),
Asian Paradise Flycatcher (Terpsiphone paradisi), Olive-backed Sunbird
(Nectarinia jugularis), and Yellow-breasted Flowepecker (Prionochilus maculatus).
These species could still be present in Pulau Pangkor, but not recorded during the
survey.
Species richness (95% confidence)

18
16 Sungai_Pinang
14
12
10
8
6 Pangkor_Selatan
4
2
0
2.5 5.0 7.5 10.012.515.0 17.520.022.5
No. of individuals

Figure 2. Rarefraction curve of birds from different localities from mist-netting

technique.

Table 2. Biodiversity indices of each study sites in Pulau Pangkor.

0 Pangkor Selatan Sg._Pinang Urban

Taxa_S 19 22 14
Individuals 52 67 42
Dominance_D 0.06805 0.0577 0.1644
Simpson_1-D 0.932 0.9423 0.8356
Shannon_H 2.798 2.962 2.25
Evenness_e^H/S 0.8639 0.8786 0.678
Berger-Parker 0.1154 0.1045 0.3571
Chao-1 21 22.38 14.38

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One species was categorized as vulnerable according to IUCN red data list
which is the Slaty-baced Woodpecker (IUCN 217), while three species were
categorized as Near-threatened, such as Great Hornbill (Buceros bicornis), Buff-
vented Bulbul (Iole olivacea) and White-chested Babbler (Trichastoma rostratum).
Pulau Pangkor is particularly favoured by several raptors species particularly White-
bellied Sea-eagle (Haliaeetus leucogaster) which were observed very commonly in
Pulau Pangkor, other than Brahminy Kite (Haliastur indus), and Crested Serpent
Eagle (Spilornis cheela). Oriental Pied Hornbill (Anthracoceros albirostris) were
very commonly found and has become a tourist attraction in resorts through the
hornbill feeding activities. Great Hornbill, on the other hand, was quite limited in
distribution, but could potentially become an icon to Pulau Pangkor. Hence, Pulau
Pangkor is proven to offer a diverse avifauna for tourist attraction. However, local
authorities need to ensure a sustainable nature activities implemented in the island,
to protect the habitat for the fauna inhabitants. We anticipate that there will be more
birds to be found in Pulau Pangkor through a more intensive surveys in the future.

ACKOWLEDGEMENTS

We would like to thank the committee members of Pulau Pangkor Scientific

Expedition 2017 for the opportunity to carry out the research as well as providing us
with conducive facilities. Gratitude also for the students from Wildlife Research
Group of UKM for the assistance during the field sampling.

REFERENCES

Ilias, R. & Tak, H. 2010. A checklist of birds at three forest reserves of Pulau
Pangkor, Perak. Journal of Wildlife and Parks (26) : 71–77.

IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2017-3. <www.iucnredlist.org>.

Downloaded on 27 December 2017.

Laidlaw, R. K. 1999. History of the Virgin Jungle Reserves (VJRs) of Peninsular

Malaysia (1947-1992). Journal of Tropical Forest Science. 11(1): 111–131.

Robson, C. 2008. A field guide to the birds of South-east Asia. UK: New Holland
Publishers.

Wyatt-Smith, J. 1950. Virgin Jungle Reserves. Malayan Foresters 13 : 92–94.

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APPENDIX

Checklist of birds in Pangkor forest reserves.

S = Status RDB(S) = RDB Status SP = Sungai Nipah

PS = Pangkor Selatan TN = Teluk Nipah PPR = Pulau Pangkor Resort

No Family Species Scientific name S RDB S P T P

(S) P S N P
R
1 Butorides R,M / /
Ardeidae Striated Heron striata
2 Brahminy Haliastur indus R / / /
Accipitridae Kite
3 White-bellied Haliaeetus R / / / /
Sea-eagle leucogaster
4 Crested Spilornis cheela R / /
Serpent-eagle
5 Blyth’s Hawk Nisaetus R
Eagle alboniger
6 Rufous- Lophotriorchis R,M /
bellied Eagle kienerii
7 White- Amaurornis R /
breasted phoenicurus
Rallidae Waterhen
8 Black-naped Sterna R /
Laridae
Tern sumatrana
9 Pink-necked Treron vernans R /
Columbidae Green-pigeon
10 Stigmatopelia R / / /
Spotted Dove chinensis
11 Zebra Dove Geopelia striata R / / /
12 Rock Pigeon Columba livia R / /
13 Thick-billed Treron R / /
Green pigeon curvirostra
14 Blue-crowned Loriculus R /
Psittacidae Hanging- galgulus
parrot
15 German's Aerodramus R / / /
Apodidae Swiftlet germani
16 White- Halcyon R / / /
throated smyrnensis
Alcedinidae Kingfisher
17 Blue-eared Alcedo R /
Kingfisher meninting
18 Meropidae Blue-throated Merops viridis R/M / / /
Bee-eater
19 Bucerotidae Great Hornbill Buceros R NT / / /
bicornis
20 Oriental Pied Anthracoceros R / / / /
Hornbill albirostris
21 Picidae Great Slaty Mulleripicus R VU /
Woodpecker pulverulentus
22 Artamidae White- Artamus R /
breasted leucorynchus
Woodswallow
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No Family Species Scientific name S RDB S P T P

(S) P S N P
R
23 Aegithinidae Common Iora Aegithina tiphia R / /
24 Green Iora Aegithina R NT
viridissima
25 Oriolidae Black-naped Oriolus R /
Oriole chinensis
26 Black-naped Hypothymis R / /
Monarchidae Monarch azurea
27 Corvus R /
Corvidae House Crow splendens
28 Slender-billed R / /
Corvus enca
Crow
29 Little Bronze Chrysococcyx R /
Cuculidae
Cuckoo minutillus
30 Pacific Hirundo R / / / /
Hirundinidae Swallow tahitica
31 Barn swallow Hirundo rustica M /
32 Yellow- Prinia R /
Cisticolidae
bellied Prinia flaviventris
33 Buff-vented R NT / /
Pycnonotidae Bulbul Iole olivacea
34 Spectacled Pycnonotus R /
Bulbul erytropthalmos
35 Cream-vented Pycnonotus R / / / /
Bulbul simplex
36 Hairy-backed Tricholestes R /
Bulbul criniger
37 Olive-winged Pycnonotus R / / / /
Bulbul plumosus
38 Red-eyed Pycnonotus R / / /
Bulbul brunneus
39 Yellow- Pycnonotus R / / / /
vented Bulbul goiavier
40 Common Orthotomus R / / /
Sylvidae Tailorbird sutorius
41 White-chested Trichastoma R NT /
Timaliidae Babbler rostratum
42 Scaly- R /
crowned Malacopteron
Babbler cinereum
43 Puff-throated Pellorneum R /
Babbler ruficeps
44 Asian Fairy R / /
Irenidae Bluebird Irena puella
45 Asian Glossy Aplonis R / / / /
Sturnidae Starling panayensis
46 Common Acridotheres R / / /
Myna tristis
47 Gracula R / / /
Hill Myna religiosa
48 Acridotheres R /
Jungle Myna
fuscus
49 Acridotheres R /
Javan Myna
javanicus
50 Oriental Copsychus R / /
Turdidae Magpie Robin saularis
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No Family Species Scientific name S RDB S P T P

(S) P S N P
R
White-rumped Copsychus R / / /
51
Shama malabaricus
Brown- R /
52 throated Anthreptes
Sunbird melacencis
Large-billed Corvus R /
53
Crow macrorhynchos
Scarlet- R
54 backed Dicaeum
Dicaeidae Flowerpecker cruentatum
Orange- R / /
55 bellied Dicaeum
Flowerpecker trigonostigma
Plain-throated Anthreptes R / /
56 Nectariniidae
Sunbird malacensis
Van Hasselt’s Leptocoma R / /
57
Sunbird brasiliana
Eurasian Passer R / / /
58 Passeridae
Tree-sparrow montanus
White-bellied Erpornis R /
59
Vireonidae Erpornis zantholeuca
Scaly- R /
60 breasted Lonchura
Estrildidae Munia punctulata
White-rumped Lonchura / /
61
Munia striata
Paddyfield / / / /
62 Motacillidae Anthus rufulus
Pipit

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