Comparison of avifauna diversity between forested area and different plots of oil palm plantation area in Bau, Sarawak

Avifauna surveys were carried out in the forest within the SALCRA Jagoi oil palm estate, Bau, Sarawak in April 2015. The main objective of the study was to compare the species diversity between the forested area with the 5-year and 15-year plots in oil palm plantation area. Ten mist nets were deployed within the forest starting from 0600 hours to 1800 hours daily. A total of 25 individuals of birds representing seven species from five families were recorded in the forested area; while there were 30 individuals of birds representing 12 species from nine families documented in the different plots of oil palm plantation area. The most dominant species netted in the forested area was Little Spiderhunter or Arachnothera longirostra with 44% relative abundance. The result showed that there was a significant difference between the diversity of birds in forested area and the 5-year plot, but not between forested area and the 15-year plot. The diversity in the forested area was higher than the 15-year plot, however was lower than the 5-year plot