Study Of The Bird Communities In Different Habitats At Laojunshan Nature Reserve, Sichuan Province

The bird community of Laojunshan Nature Reserve, Sichuan Province was surveyed during April-May 2006 using point transects survey method. Surveys were conducted in three broad habitat types: primary forest, secondary forest, and replanted forest. Results indicated that:(1) In total, 249 species were recorded (literature included), belonging to 43 families and 13 orders. Among the 249 species, 154 species were residents, 95 species were migrants which consists of 64 summer migrants, 18 winter migrants, 13 passing birds. Concerning their preciousness, 20 species were the nationally protected birds, 7 species were listed in RDB of China and 23 species were endemic to China. Generally, 4 dominant species and 27 common species had been observed in the reserve. According to the avifauna, most species belonged to the Oriental species. The estimate of bird density of the reserve was 3624.4±241.10 birds per km~2.(2) In the 3 habitat types, the bird diversity index list (from high to low) was as follow: primary forest (3.24), secondary forest (3.17) and replanted forest (3.08). According to the bird density, the list (from high to low) as follow: secondary forest (4241.8±467.18 birds per km~2), primary forest (3274.1±207.13 birds per km~2) and replanted forest (3234.4±493.69 birds per km~2). The bird communities of the primary and secondary forest habitats show similar pattern, while those of primary and replanted forests were not so similar. The total number of nationally protected species differed among primary forest (5 species), secondary forest (3 species) and replanted forest (4 species). Concerning the endemic species, the total number differed among primary forest (8 species), secondary forest (10 species) and replanted forest (7 species).(3) Factor Analysis on 12 habitat factors extracted 4 factors which can represent 4 habitat types. The Spearman Correlation Analysis was carried out between encounters of common species on each sample point and factor score of the 4 factors. It was indicated that: Red-billed leiothrix, Brownish-flanked bush warbler, Dusky fulvetta, Streak-breasted scimitar babbler and Hill blue flycatcher didn't prefer primary forest, Brownish-flanked bush warbler and Rufous-capped babbler didn't prefer replanted forest, Golden-breasted fulvetta didn't prefer secondary forest; while Blue-winged minla, Red-winged laughingthrush, Golden-breasted fulvetta, Emei shan liocichla and Stripe-throated yuhina preferred primary forest, Hill blue flycatcher preferred replanted forest, Golden-spectacled warbler, Blyth's leaf warbler and Mrs Gould's sunbird preferred secondary forest, Golden-spectacled warbler and Spot-breasted scimitar babbler preferred habitat type that near the logging trail.