Resident Breeding Bird Survey

Resident Breeding Bird Survey

Tropical birds comprise a large portion of the world’s total biological diversity, yet knowledge of the reproductive behaviour and ecology of many species inhabiting this rainforest ecosystem is poorly understood.

 Goals:

•         Increase the knowledge of bird ecology, reproduction and population dynamics;

•         Record information of the location and habitat type of breeding sites;

•         Increase awareness of bird biodiversity and conservation amongst local people, and

•         Provide research opportunities and exchange information with national and international biologists.

 Approach:

•         Conduct area searches in several aquatic and terrestrial study sites;

•         Document location, species, clutch size, hatching and fledging success rates;

•         Mist-net, band and collect biometric information, and

•         Document spatial and temporal trends and habitat preference.

 Highlights:

•         Observations of over 200 active nests and descriptive life histories in progress;

•         Publication on the nesting behaviour of the rufescent tiger heron, and

•         Involvement of national and international students, volunteers and local residents.