Myanmar houses larges number of bird species in South East Asia

Myanmar has 1,114 recorded bird species—the amount which is 36.4% of 2,900 bird species in South East Asia and 11% of 9,600 bird species worldwide, making the country topping the list of bird owners in South East Asia.

Possessing vast areas of forests and rich flora and fauna, Myanmar has been focusing on biodiversity conservation, taking such actions as establishing forest reserves, sanctuaries, national parks, enacting forest law and bylaws, wildlife and natural habitat law and bylaws. To ensure effective biodiversity conservation, bodies concerned also take such measures on a regular basis as patrolling around the sanctuaries, compiling the list of wildlife and flora and fauna and making researches.

Before 2009, there were only 2088 bird species in Myanmar. Then, Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) Myanmar, Biodiversity and Nature Conservation Association (BANCA), Flora and Fauna International (FFI), Myanmar Bird and Environmental Conservation Association, and birdwatchers found 26 more new species between 2009 and 2014.

Seven of those 26 species are never-recorded-before species not only in Myanmar but in South East Asia and 19 others were found for the first time in Myanmar.

Forest Department under Environmental Conservation and Forestry Ministry in collaboration with WCS and National University of Singapore made fi eld trips to Kanpetlet, Mindat and Matupi in Chin State to conduct research on local bird species.

The research team identified 251 species of birds during the research tour and could take the blood sample of 59 species. The team found most species belonging to Parakeet, Barbet and Hill Myna between Bagan and Kanpetlet and found horn bill species in forests between Saw and Kanpetlet. The team even discovered eight of Darkrumped Swift Apusacuticauda, one of only two rare species of swallow at Bongtala Waterfall in Matupi.

The team also discovered birds of rare species which are believed to be on the verge of extinction apart from collar doves and black falcons which only inhabit in tropical zone and a falcon species which make the hilly region their homes.

The team will examine the blood sample through DNA test if the bird species habiting in different in ecological environments in Rakhine and Chin State have genetic links. (447)

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