Species Diversity and Habitat of Birds in Order Strigiformes in KhonKaen University.
Penprapa Phetcharaburanin1 Thawatchai Vised2
1
Faculty of Science, Department of Environmental Science KhonKaen University
Tel: 089-6222446 E-mail: penprapa@kku.ac.th
2
Faculty of Science majoring in Environmental Science KhonKaen University
Abstract
The study on species diversity and habitat of birds in order Strigiformes in KhonKaen University during
August to November 2007 found a total of 5 species which included 2 families and 4 genera. The results showed
that family Titonidae found the Barn Owl (Tyto alba) which is in genus TytoBillberg while 3 genera and 4 speices
in family Strigidae were found; the Collared Scops-Owl (Otus lempiji) and the Oriental Scops-Owl (Otus sunia) in
genus Otus Pennant were also found. In addition, the Asian Barred Owlet (Glaucidium cuculoides) in Genus
GlaucidiumBoie and the Spotted Owlet (Athene brama) belonged to Genus AtheneBoie were revealed. The results
also showed that the areas containing the highest numbers of species are agricultural areas and 4 species were found
followed by residential areas in which there are a number of trees and 3 species were found. While the lowest
numbers of species are found in residential areas with a high population density and buildings such as the
dormitories and 2 species were found.
The study of birds in Order Strigiformes can be used to indicate the balance and disturbance of the
ecosystem since the bird is the top carnivore in the food chain.
Keyword : Species Diversity, Habitat, Birds in KhonKaen University
Introduction
Birds in family Tytonidae and in Family Strigidae categorized in order Strigifomes are birds of prey as
well as hawk, but there is a difference since this type of bird flies out to find food at night. The main features of the
birds are big head, short neck, and eyes, which are located in front of their head. Also, there is a fragile body
covered with feature, strong beak and curved tip, and strong feet nails. Previous studies showed that 19 species of
the birds have been found in Thailand (11) and all of them are considered protected wildlife birds, according to The
Wildlife Conservation and Protection Act of B.E. 2535.
Since owls are classified as birds of prey that are top consumers of food chain, they are the first living
organisms that may be affected from toxic environment that may lead to the decrease of population in food chain.
Therefore, finding the birds could be the index species that indicates good environment and balanced ecology.
From the study of species diversity of birds in Khon Kaen University in 2000 (5), it was found that there
were 94 species of the birds. Then Swangkaew (7) had a survey and found that there were 62 species of birds.
However, there was no bird in order Strigiformes found in the previous studies. It may be because of improper time:
the birds fly out to seek for food at night, so it is difficult to see them in the daytime.
From these reasons, it is crucial that the study of a relationship between species diversity and habitat of
barn owl in family Tytonidae and owl in family Strigidae could lead to a preservation of food source and habitat of
the birds. Besides, the study will protect the birds of prey that can save biological diversity and ecological system as
well. Moreover, the study can be an important database in studying a change of ecological system in Khon Kaen
University in the future.
2. The objectives of the study
2.1 To study species diversity of family Tytonidae and family Strigidaein KhonKaen University
2.2 To study food sources and habitat of family Tytonidae and family Strigidae in order to explore
alternative ways of preserving in the future
3. Theory,conceptual framework, and related research
3.1Birds of the order Strigiformes in Thailand
Birds in order Strigiformeshad was originated since Eocene Epochin Tertiary Periodor about 23-58 million
years ago. In present, there are nine families of birds around the world and specifically five families in Thailand (2).
Sixteen genus (29 species) include:
1) Family Tytonidae (found two species in two genus)
2) Family Strigidae (found eight species in seventeengenus)
3) Family Batrachostomidae (found four species in one genus)
4) Family Eurostopodidaewas (only one family found in the world)
5) Family Caprimulgidae(found four species in one genus)
3.2Factors affecting the discovery of birds at night (1)
1) Food source of birds such as garbage dump, roof of temples, open farm, edge of forest, and border of a
river: most night birds hunt animals such as rats, flogs, small toad and insects.
2) Proper time such as at sunset, at night, at dawn, at dark night or moonlit night: the most proper time
for seeing the birds is at dark night more than at moonlit night.
2
3) Territory: night birds will sing around their territory especially in pairing season. Each bird has
different voice, so if knowing their voice, it is easy to find them even when pairing season.
4) Positions that birds like to catch on such as top of the trees, tree stump in farm, creeping plant that
droops to the ground.
5) Trail: walking out at night and using flashlight to light up and down the trees can help to see birds as
well.
3.3Fauna Survey Methods for birds as wild animals that modified from Young,B.G. et all (14) (Table 1)
Table1 Fauna Survey Methods for birds as wild animals
Technique
specification
Good point
Weakness point
consideration
Point
count
Counted all of the birds
that were found in a
certain period of time
(3-10minutes) and each
point far from another
one from100-200 m.
-Find many
birds
-Able to assess
density of
population
-Need the one
who can
classify birds
in the survey
area
Transect
survey
Count all of the birds
that found in the border
of survey area (usually
use forest lanes)
-Can count all
of the birds
that found in
walking survey
-calculate
density and
width of the
border
Able to leave
birds’
information
during point
survey only in
the morning
because of a
large amount of
birds
if specifying
statistics, taking
a random should
put spaces for
time period and
distance in order
to analyze
Mist net
Trap birds and let them
go after classifying
them
-Classify birds
is believable
-Can measure
the length,
width and bird
leg rings for
other studies
-take a long time
and get only
information
-birds that fly
out to find food
cannot calculate
density of
population
-get information
in a small area
-Need the one
who can
classify birds
in the survey
area
- fix the time
and distance
for walking
-can walk out
to survey
night birds
-need an
experienced
person who
can pull birds
from a net
Must-have
tools
Binocular
and
recorder
Binocular
and
recorder
Net, pillar,
bag, and
other tools
Related literature
Wattana, A. (2000) surveyed birds in Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen and the results of the study
showed that 94 species of birds were found. There were 52 species of resident birds, 32 species of migratory birds,
and 10 species that were both resident and migratory birds. However, there was no bird in order Strigiformes found
in the study.
Mongkoltham, W. (1997) studied on species of birds in “The study of a comparison between biological
diversity of birds before and during constructing KhonKaen University’s convention.” The results of the study
demonstrated that there were 37 species and 23 families of birds, and also there were 18 migratory birds and 22
resident birds. When comparing between biological diversity of birds before and during constructing Khon Kaen
University’s convention by using similarity index, it was found that similarity index was 0.65, accounting for 65%.
Also, there was no bird in order Strigiformes found in the study.
Swangkaew, H. (2002) surveyed birds in Khon Kaen University and the study periods were in the rainy
cold seasons. The results of the study showed that there were 62 species of birds and 46% of all the birds were
migratory birds. Besides, there was no bird in order Strigiformes found in the study.
Khusakseekul, P.(2002) surveyed birds’ nest in Khon Kaen University and found that there were 136 bird’s
nests with 15 species of the birds. The birds were Passer montanus with 64 nests (47.06% of all the nests), and
Scaly-breasted Munia with 26 nests (19.12% of all the nests). Moreover, the birds that had the least number of nests
3
were Elanuscaeruleus, Dicrurusmacrocercus, and Ploceushypoxanthu with a nest (0.74% of all the nests).
Furthermore, it was found that Passer montanushad built nests all the time of the study. However, there was no nest
or hallow of birds in order Strigiformes.
Niyomsang, S. &Laohajinda, W.(1982) analyzed food of Barn Owl (Tytoalba) and it was found that the
foods were rat with 94.73% and most of the rat were big vole (Rattusargentiventer) that attacks and destroys rice
crops.
4. Materials and methods
4.1 Content of the study
This study focused on the species and biology of birds in Barn Owl and Owl Family in Khon Kaen
University and the main objective of the study were species diversity of owls, areas that each type of birds
influenced for taking advantages and abundance of the birds.
4.2 Study Areas
The areas for the study were in Khon Kaen University and the classification of the areas by using satellite
pictures that had been taken in 2004 and a map of the route and important places that were created by the Building
and Facility Division Office of Khon Kaen University. Areas were divided into 5 categories including:
- Urban area that most of them were housing and building for 3 marks
- Urban area that had a large amount of trees for 4 marks
-Open area that used for raising animals and planting for 4 marks
- Forest area for 3 marks
- Wet or moist area for 2 marks
4.3 To study species diversity, the researchers used point count survey that can be classified by looking at
the birds and listening to their voice.
4.4 Study Period:July 2007– April 2008
4.5 Survey Fieldwork
The study used point count surveys by surveying 5 points a day (each point for 15 minutes) and starting up
at 5 a.m. – 6.30 a.m. and classifying species diversity by
-if the researchers saw birds’ figure, classifying them by using A guide to the Birds of Thailand written by
Boonsong Lekagul and PhilipD.Round (11).
- if the researchers did not see birds’ figure but still heard their voice, classifying by recording their voice
and compared their voice with voice database program Birds of Tropical Asia 2.0 created byJelleScharringa.
Recorded species, an amount of bird population, survey points, and found locations by categorizing the
locations according to the study’s positions
5. Results and discussion
5.1 The species diversity
From the study of species diversity of birds in Family Tytonidae and Family Strigidaein KhonKaen
Universityby point count survey(research period is 10 months: starting date on July 2007 to April 2008), there were
5 species (4 genus) of the birds (Table 2) and all of this species specify as night hunting birds.Their habit and
ecological characteristics are similar that some taxonomists used to classify these birds into the same family in the
past (Laojinday 1985). For the present, these birds are classified into 2 families because they have many different
characteristics. Birds in Owl family have curved primary feature and short legswhile birds in Barn Owl family have
non-curved primary feature and long legs, for example. Another example is that
Birds in Owl family have no oil grandwithfur tassel and have smooth inside lip of fingernails while birds in Barn
Own family have oil grand with 2 – 3 fur tassel and have curl inside lip of the 3rd fingernail (2).
5.2 Habitat of birds in order strigiformes in KhonKaen University
From the study of habitat and food source of birds in order srtgoformes in KhonKaen University by
classifying areas into 5 types (picture 2), it was showed that there were the birds in all 5 areas (Table 3) as follows.
1) Urban area that most of them were housing and building that had a little amount of trees. Those
trees that were found in the areas were Cassia grandis, Alstonia scholaris, Terminalia catappa,
Lagerstroemia speciosa, Acacia auriculaeformis, Roystonea regia, Xylia xylocarpa and Samanea
saman. Also, there would be activities in the areas all day.
2) Urban area that had a large amount of trees. Samanea saman, Dipterocarpus tuberculatus, Shorea
obtuse, Erythrophleum teysmanii, Lagerstroemia tomentosa, Xylia xylocarpa, Canarium kerrii,
Ficus racemosa, Tamarin dusindica, Caesalpinia pulcherrima, Lagerstroemia cuspidate, Cassia
bakeriana and Terminalia catappa were some of the trees found in the area.
3) Open area that used for raising animals and planting. There would be plants or grass or annual
crops cover on the area. The planting may be corn or soybean or vegetable, and also there would be
3 – 7 big trees scattering in the area. Moreover, it was found that the area for raising animals would
have 2 – 5 dying trees that had hollow (height from the ground for 2 – 2.5 m.)
4
4) Forest area that had trees and shrubs plentifully. Those trees and shrubs may be original ones or
just planting such as Erythrophleum teysmanii, Bombax ceiba, Dipterocarpus tuberculatus, Shorea
obtusa, Shorea siamensis, Canariums abulatum, Xylia xylocarpa, Canarium kerrii and Morinda
elliptica.
5) Moist area that were the east and the west sides of Sri Than Lake, well for wastewater treatment of
Faculty of Medicine and well for fishery of Faculty of Agriculture. Typha angustifolia, Scirpous
Lacustris, Ipomoea aquatic and Eichlornia crassipes were found there and surrounding to the areas
were both clear and covered with perennial plants.
From the study, it was found that the different residents led to discover the difference of bird diversity in
each area as well.
- Open area for agriculture was found 4species of the birds:barn owl (Tyto alba) , Asian Barred Owlet
(Glaucidium cucloides), Spotted Owlet (Athene brama) and Oriental Scope-Owl (Otus sunia).
- Urban area that had a large amount of trees was found 3 species of the birds: Asian Barred Owlet
(Glaucidium cucloides),Spotted Owlet(Athene brama) and Callared Scope-Owl (Otus lempiji).
- Moist area was found 3 species of birds: Asian Barred Owlet (Glaucidium cucloides), Spotted Owlet
(Athene brama) and Barn Owl (Tyto alba).
- Forest area and urban area that most of them were housing and building were found 2 species of birds:
Asian Barred Owlet (Glaucidium cucloides) and Barn Owl (Athene brama). Additionally, it was found the two
species of bird in the forest area more than human area.
Table 2 Species of Birds in Order Strigiformes in KhonKaen University
No.
Thai Name
Family
Genus
1
Nok-Sak
Tytonidae
2
Nok-Hook /
Nok-Kow-Ku
Nok-KowHoo-Yao-Lek
Nok-kowmong/ NokKow-Maew
Nok-Kow-Jud
Strigidae
Strigidae
Tyto
Billberg
Otus
Pennant
Otus
Pennant
Asio Brisson
Strigidae
Athene Boie
3
4
5
Strigidae
Common
Name
Barn Owl
Scientific Name
Status
Tyto alba
Callared
Scope-Owl
Oriental
Scope-Owl
Asian Barred
Owlet
Otus lempiji
Endemic
species
Endemic
species
Endemic
species
Endemic
species
Spotted Owlet
Athene brama
Otus sunia
Glaucidium
cuculoides
Endemic
species
Remark: Family of birds refers to the classifying of Opad Kobked (1999)
Status refers to the classifying of Lekaguland Round (1991,2005)
Table 3 Species and founded habitat of Birds in Order Strigiformes
No.
Thai Name
Common Name)
Scientific Name
Habitat
1
2
3
4
Nok-Sak
Nok-Hook / Nok-Kow-Ku
Nok-Kow-Hoo-Yao-Lek
Nok-kow-mong/ Nok-KowMaew
Nok-Kow-Jud
Barn Owl
Callared Scope-Owl
Oriental Scope-Owl
Asian Barred Owlet
Tyto alba
Otus lempiji
Otus sunia
Glaucidium cucloides
O,W
U2
O*
U1 , U2 , F , O , W
Spotted Owlet
Athene brama
U1 , U2 , F , O , W
5
* Remark: Oriental Scope-Owl(Otus sunia) cannot identify its residential area because the owl which was classified
was found in the net trap besides Jaturamuk building. Also, nobody knows who traps it.
U1=Urban area that most of them were housing and building
U2=Urban area that there were a large amount of trees
F=forest area
O=open area for raising animals or planting
W= wet or moist area or the area the human construct
5
6. Summary and Discussion
The study of species diversity and habitat of birds in Family Tytonidae and Family Sttrigidae in Khon
Kaen University during July 2007 to April 2008, the results showed as follow
There were 5 species of birds found in Khon Kaen University that can be classified into 2 families and 4
genuses. They are 17% of all birds in order Strigiformes in Thailand and all the types of birds found in the
university were birds of prey (26% of birds of prey in order Strigiformes) that are top consumers of food chain.
It can be summarized that Khon Kaen University is a place that has balanced ecological system with
various types of animals that preys on the birds for food. Main food sources of the birds are open farm that is full of
preys on the birds for food for raising animals and farming. The birds’ preys that are primary consumers (herbivore)
are rodents, beetles, small snacks and other insects. As the birds always find food in open area, the area is very
important for them to find something to eat and live on. The birds’ habitat can be divided into 2 groups: those are
forest area and urban area that is full of trees. The birds live in hallow of big trees that have thick bushes or even in
a corner of the roof. From this reason, the above areas insisting of food sources and habitat are crucial factors for
survival. Also, there are many human factors affected their living such as trapping the birds and cutting off trees that
they are living. Human activities lead to threaten to the birds in order Strigiformes and other order preys.
Threatening to top carnivores in food chain makes the ecological system unbalance: it will make preys of the top
carnivores increase and lead to destroy agriculture or even make epidemic happen as Animals as carriers of disease
are increasing. Moreover, it affected directly to biological diversity of living things. Therefore, human should give
priority to biological factors and ecological system in any developing because inestimable damage will occur if
there is unbalanced ecological system.
7. Recommendation
1) Birds in Family Tytonidae and Family Sttrigidaejustify as hunting birds. They have so much
usefulness for human and ecology. Those are they can control amount of preys that may be animals
as carriers of disease such as rats. Also, the group of birds can indicate to good surrounding and a
balanced ecology. From there reason, it is crucial that human support conservation of food source
and the study of other birds in order strigiformes.
2) Traps for birds are still found in some areas, so the direct effect that an amount of birds is
decreasing happens. From this reason, KhonKaen University should have management measure.
3) In order to study about population section to describe an amount and density of the bird population,
the researcher should take more time than this study and should have about 2 – 3 assistants in
fieldwork.
8. References
(1) Pimathai, R. and et al. 2000. A bird watching guide .Bird Conservation Society of Thailand.Bangkok. p.7475.
(2) Kobked, O. 1999.Bird Series in ThailandVolume2 .Sarakadee Press. Bankok.p. 113-149.
(3) Jukmongkol, R.1993.Bird watching.Sarakadee Press.Bankok.P.219.
(4) Jukmongkol, R.2006. Thailand BIRD GUIDE .Sarakadee Press.Bankok.P.482.
(5) Wattana, A. 2000.Birds in KhonKaen University.Journal of University Academic Services Center.Vol.2
issue no.2. p.46-53.
(6) Mongkoltham, W. 1997.The study of a comparison between biological diversity of birds before and during
constructing KhonKaen University’s convention.KhonKaen University.
(7) Swangkaew, H. 2002. KKU research .Vol. 4 issue no. 1. p.11-13.
(8) Khusakseekul, P. 2002. The study of bird’s nest in KhonKaen University.KhonKaen University.
(9) Niyomsang, S. &Laohajinda, W. 1982.Food Habit of Barn Owl (Tytoalba (Scopoli)). Refer
toWeerayuthLaohajinda. 1985. OrnithologyVol. 2.
(10) Program for voices of birds. Birds of Tropical Asia 2.0 byJelleScharringa.
(11) Lekagul ,B. and P.D.Round .1991,2005 .A guide to the bird of Thailand. SahakarnBhaet Co., Bangkok.457
p.
(12) Christopher m.perrins .1990 .The encyclopedia of Birds.Herclio Fournier S.A.,Vitoria .445 p.
(13) MartinWalters and Jinny Johnson. 1999. Animals of the World. Parragon, Italy. 255 p.
(14) Young,B.G. Sedaghatkish ,and R. Roca. 2000. Fuana surveys. Pages 7-23 inPattanavibool,A.,T.
Nakornchai, S. Vinitpornsawan and N. Khewwan. 2002. Wildlife Rapid Ecological Assessment Technique
Manual. Western Forest Complex Ecosystem Management Project, Royal Forest Department