Assessment and Monitoring of Birds

Exercise 4
 Please read your FBS 101
Exercise 4 on measuring
biodiversity particularly on
birds. Perform the task
in page 10 using the Avian
hypothetical data.

Note: The information on the different methods regarding

avian diversity from slides 3-29 were from Dr. Juan Carlos T.
Gonzalez of UPLB Museum of Natural History. Dr. Gonzalez
is the MNH curator for birds.
 Introduction
• Birds can be readily studied through practical
means
• Easy to distinguish one species from the other
based on external characteristics:
• plumage patterns, color, shape of the tail,
feet type and bill shape
• familiarity w/ avian topography
• done with the aid of binoculars and spotting
scopes
Avian Topography
Materials Needed
• Binoculars (preferably 7--10X magnification; 35--50exit pupil)
• Spotting scope with 20--40X objectives and sturdy tripod (for wetlands)
• Water--resistant field notebook
• Plastic envelopes
• 12--meter Mist nets with standard 35 mm mesh size
• Straw string/Nylon ropes
• Bolo or machete
• GPS mobile field device (with baReries and SD card)
• Transect tape measure (50−100 m)
• Thick cloth “bird” bags with resealable twine opening
• Dissecting set (fine tissue and bone scissors, scalpel with blade, forceps)
• Headlamps (with baReries and spare bulb, unless LED)
• Waterproof Torch or Spotlight (with baReries and spare bulb, unless LED)
• Flagging tapes/Ribbon markers
• Printed taxonomic keys, photo--guides and field handbooks especially the Field
Guide to the Birds of the Philippines (Kennedy et al. 2000)
 A. Line Transect Count
• Primary method for bird survey
• Relatively straight 2--kmline (constant terrain,
habitat type & elevation)
• Traverses across eight central points marked every
250m (with GPS coordinates).
• Simple counts to more detailed records
• Three basic methods:
1. Random
2. Non--random scattered strips
3. Pre--selected established transect routes
Line Transect Count
Line Transect Count
1.Establish a 2--kmtransect route
2.Traverse this route: record bird species & no.
of indvs (S or H) w/in 50 m of either side
3.Travel period of ~ 1 kph (2 hrs/ 2--km transect
4.Use binoculars & field guides (Kennedy et al.
2000, Fisher & Hicks 2008) to aid species
identification
5.If available, use a Digital SLR camera w/
telephoto lens & Digital audio--recorder
 Line Transect Count
6.Species not validated on site can be
confirmed via online resources.
7.Photographs compared w/ on--line databases:
Internet Bird Collection for photos/videos
(www.ibc.lynxeds.com), Oriental Bird Club
(www.orientalbirdimages.org) & the Wild Bird Club of the
Philippines (www.birdwatch.ph)
8.Recordings of calls w/ on--line database:
Xeno Canto Asia (www.xento--canto.org)
Line Transect Count
9.Record type of encounter in terms of activity
(perched, foraging, flying), vertical stratum (canopy,
mid--canopy, and ground), & type of contact (heard,
seen or both) on the transect sheet

9.More observation time for mixed feeding flocks to

ascertain identities of individuals.

10.Each transect route is passed through twice,

early morning and late afernoon

11.Data arising from these counts can used estimate

indices of diversity
B. Perpendicular Distance Method
• Estimates population density of birds at the study site
• Additional info: perpendicular distance of each
encounter from the transect is recorded alongside no.
of individuals & species.
• In this method, the 2--km transect route is marked by
points set 250m apart
 B. Perpendicular Distance Method
1. Traverse this route & record the bird species, no. of indvs
seen & perpendicular distance of each encounter within
50m of either side. Estimate flushing distance and flushing
angle.

2. Continue walking towards the next point or until the end of

transect line, allowing brief stops to ensure proper counts &
identification as well as estimation of flushing distance and
angle. The observer’s ability to record may be hampered by
walking in rough terrain or thick vegetation.
B. Perpendicular Distance Method

3.To minimize bias, excluded are: birds in constant flight during

the observation period & birds heard but not seen due lack of
known flushing distance & angle.

4.However, they are still recorded for inclusion in the checklist,

but not included in the analysis for population density.

5.Counts can be done on all bird encounters or limited only to

selected species of interests, especially potential key indicator
species. Counts are also limited within 50m on either side of
transect
C. Modified Variable Circular Plot Method
• Done in study sites where transect lines are not available.
• Combine the variable circular plot method with line
transect: plots are distributed only along marked central
points set about 250 m apart.
• Each point is designated as the central point for the
variable circular plot with an effective visual radius of 50 m.
C. Modified Variable Circular Plot Method
1. Traverse the transect route & record all birds seen
within the plot (within the 50 m radius) for a period of
10 minutes, taking note of species, no. of indvs &
flushing distance (r)

2. The same conditions set for observing birds using the

perpendicular distance method applies for the circular
plot method. Afer 10 minutes, continue walking
towards the next point and next circular plot count.
C. Modified Variable Circular Plot Method
3. Counts can be done on every point (set every 250
m) or every other central point along the 2--km
transect line, which can extend further.

4. Method allows the observer to properly observe,

identify & record the birds seen within each plot
unhampered by challenges of observation when
walking in rough terrain or thick vegetation.
D. Distance Sampling
• The value of “x” is calculated through the formula x=r*sinθ.
Values of “x” and n=number of individuals of species are used to
calculate for density (D) using the open access sofware program
DISTANCE (www.distancesampling.org) trunctated through a
model-- based analysis using the Akaike Information Criterion
(AIC).

1. Depending on the area of the sampling site, establish several

transect routes (10--30) across the survey period.
2. A total of eight circular points per 2--kmtransect multiplied by
the number of transect counts, amounts to 80--240 point count
datasets per study site.
Distance Sampling
3.Ideally, transects should be traversed only once per sampling
period, but given the limitation of area, it can be traversed
more than once but at different sampling days.

4. Perpendicular distance method & variable circular plot

method are used: more accurate estimation of bird
populations, esp. those species within PAs designated as key
biological or ecological indicators that requires periodic
monitoring.
Sample fauna inventory data sheet

Transect Data
Compute for Diversity Indices
Compute for density/abundance
Plot Species Effort Curve
E. Netting
• To record cryptic, less vocal & nocturnal species 12--meter
mist nets set along possible flyways & feeding trees
1.Set nets individually or in a series depending on the sampling
site. Use a pulley system in the forest canopy or deploy the nets
near the ground using poles to catch understorey birds
2.Avoid unnecessary clearing of vegetation in the area although
trimming of branches of trees reaching the nets may be done.
E. Netting
3. Nets are tended for 24 hours for at least three
days and two nights but may vary
4. Check periodically for possible netted
individuals, ideally every hour from 0530 to
2200 h.
5. Carefully retrieve the birds & place individually
in cloth bags to minimize stress and injury.
6. Hang the cloth bags in cool shaded area prior to
processing.
Processing
1. Measure total length (TL), tail--vent length (TV), body
weight (WT), wing cord (WC), bill or culmen (B) length,
width of gape (G), and tarsus length (T)

2.Prior to release, additional data can be derived

3.Photogra ph representatives of species captured & then
release at site of capture.
Documentation
1.Properly document a rep of each captured species or
each captured specimen esp those with unknown identity,
potential new taxa or those that represent a new locality
record.
2.Take digital photographs in color, preferably using a
macro--lens to show details of morphological characters &
s of parts (skin iris, and tarsus color, etc.).
3.Properly label photographs w/ corresponding date &
place of capture & other supporting bioacoustic data of
bird calls, voucher specimens or tissue samples.
4.Apart from close--ups, take photographs of nests, eggs
and even photo--records taken whilst in natural env’t
Netting
Compute for netting success Plot
species effort curve
F. Indices of Presence
1. Record evidence such as remnants of
feathers, skeletal remains, eggs & egg shells,
nests, footprints on s o f mud/sand, feeding
forays (thrush’s anvil with smashed snails),
owl pellets and cavity nest middens.
2. Record the locality and GPS coordinates.
3. Species will add to the species list but not to
computational statistical data; provides
invaluable ecological & behavioural notes.
G. Ethnobiological Interview
1.Interview local residents or IPs, esp. knowledgeable locals w/
proven credibility
2.Show pictorial guides for verification of conspicuous & easily
identifiable species (e.g. raptors, hornbills, pigeons, parrots, etc).
3.Note other impt info: local names, personal observations of
feeding habits, habitat use & breeding info, wildlife utilization in
cultural practices or folklore, traditional medicine & as food and
raw materials (socio--economic uses).
4.Be sure to discriminate info; include only those w/ verifiable
descriptive info or other additional evidences (i.e. animal parts
used as jewellery, kept as decor, shown as hunting trophies, or
as written accounts and documented in personal photographs).
5.Note the names of the persons interviewed, date & time of
interview & locality with GPS coordinates
 Checklist

Pie charts on distribution status, habitat

association, population status
 ü Review and compute the
sample diversity
calculation for bird
assessment, and

ü Answer your Activity in

Exercise 3
Now, what to do?

Note: The information on the different methods regarding

avian diversity from slides 3-29 were from Dr. Juan Carlos T.
Gonzalez of UPLB Museum of Natural History. Dr. Gonzalez
is the MNH curator for birds.
Activity Instruction
Below are hypothetical data of bird‘s survey in two ecosystems, with the observed numbers
of individuals per species are given. Calculate the values for pi , pi ln pi , pi(lnpi)2 for each bird
species in the Ecosystem 1 and in the Ecosystem 2 in the tables below. (30 pts)
Provide answers to the following:
Ø On Shannon diversity
a. What is the Shannon diversity index (H‘) of the Ecosystem 1? (5 pt)
b. What is the Shannon diversity index (H‘) of the Ecosystem 2? (5 pt)
Ø On Evenness
The evenness of the two sites can now be calculated using the formula: (5 pts)
a. Ecosystem 1 evenness=
b. Ecosystem 2 evenness=

Ø On Species composition
a. Are there bird species common to both vegetation types? How many? (2 pts)
b. Which vegetation type has the highest bird species richness (S)? (1 pt)
c. Which vegetation type is most diverse in bird species? (1 pt)

When to submit?