Species Checklist and Abundance of Birds in Salt Field Areas and Aquaculture Areas along the Coastal Land, Bang Kaew Sub-district, Muang District, Samut Songkhram Province

Abstract

The objectives of this research were to study species checklist, abundance, feeding behavior, status of birds and group of migratory birds in the research area. The data were carried out by field survey of species checklist and abundance of birds which foraged in land-use areas namely salt field areas, aquaculture areas, shrimp pond and cockle pond in Bang Kaew Sub-district, Muang District, Samut Songkhram Province from August 2015 - July 2016. The data were analyzed to find out abundance of birds. The results showed that 10 orders, 24 families and 51 bird species were found in salt field areas and aquaculture areas of coastal land. 9 orders, 17 families and 35 bird species were found in salt field. 10 orders, 22 families and 44 bird species were found in shrimp pond. 7 orders, 16 families and 32 bird species were found in cockle pond. According to bird abundance, 6 bird species were in level 5 of bird abundance. It was 11.76% of all bird species. According to feeding behavior, there were 12 insectivorous birds, 20 piscivorous birds, 12 aquatic, benthic invertebrate feeding birds, 4 granivorous birds, 1 frugivorous bird, 1 carnivorous bird, 1 omnivorous bird and 1 predator bird. According to bird seasonal status, there were 24 resident birds, 7 resident and migratory birds and 20 migratory birds. According to migratory bird group, there were 12 shore birds, 4 terrestrial birds and 3 sea birds. According to IUCN threatened Status, Painted Stork, Eastern Blacktailed Godwit, Red-necked Stint and Eurasian Curlew were near-threatened (NT). So the communities should give their hands to conserve salt field areas and aquaculture areas of coastal land and biodiversity continuously, because the birds are indicators of natural balance and plenty of food in local ecosystem.