Rapid assessment of avifauna and mammals in and near eight waterfalls in Agusan del Sur, Philippines

To assess the species richness and endemism of birds and mammals, this study was conducted in and near eight waterfalls in Agusan del Sur, Philippines. A combination of mist netting, transect walk, and McKinnon’s List methods were employed to document birds while mammals were documented through mist netting and key informant interviews. Fifty-nine species of birds and 13 mammalian species (nine bats and four non-Volant mammals) were recorded. Among the sampling sites, Siete Andanas Falls in Bunawan, Agusan del Sur had the highest species richness of birds (S=45) and mammals (S=7). The bird species, Phapitreron leucotis and Todiramphus chloris were present in all sampling sites. Out of the recorded bird species, 22 are endemic of which one is endangered (Nisaetus pinskeri) while two (Buceros mindanensis and Lonchura oryzivora) are vulnerable. The bat species, Cynopterus brachyotis and the endemic Ptenochirus jagori were present in seven sampling sites but absent in Suyak Falls in Esperanza, Agusan del Sur. Of the mammalian species recorded, five are endemic and two are threatened species. Conversion of land for agricultural farming and habitat loss due to slash and burn farming were the observed threats to the birds and mammals in the eight waterfalls in Agusan del Sur. The presence of the endemic and threatened species in the sampling sites indicates the need to take into consideration fauna and habitat conservation vis-à-vis ecotourism