AVIS-IBIS

Birds of Indian Subcontinent

Autumn migration of raptors on Java, Indonesia: composition, direction and behaviour

Publication Type:Journal Article
Year of Publication:2001
Authors:Nijman, V
Journal:Ibis
Volume:143
Issue:1
Date Published:2001
ISBN Number:1474-919X
Keywords:Accipiter, Accipiter gularis, Accipiter nisus, Accipiter soloensis, Accipitridae, Asia, Buteo, Buteo buteo, Indonesia, Nisus, Pernis, Pernis apivorus, Pernis ptilorhynchus, Pernis ptilorhyncus, Pernis ptilorynchus, Ptilorhynchus, Tachyspiza, Tachyspiza gularis, Tachyspiza soloensis
Abstract:The migration of four northern migrant raptors (Oriental Honey-buzzard Pernis ptilorhyncus, Chinese Sparrowhawk Accipiter soloensis,Japanese Sparrowhawk A. gularis and Common Buzzard Buteo buteo) was studied in the Dieng mountains, Central Java, Indonesia during September-October 1998. Populations migrating through Central Java originate from northern Asia and most likely have passed over the Thai-Malay peninsula and Sumatra before reaching West and Central Java. An unknown proportion continues on to Bali and/or the Lesser Sunda Islands. In all, 68 groups totalling 885 individuals were counted passing by. Ninety-five percent of individuals identified were accipiters, two-thirds of which could be identified to the species level. Passage was directed from WSW-SW to E-ESE, following the alignment of volcanoes on the island. The number of groups was highest during late morning; single individuals were observed significantly more often during the early morning and large (> 25 individuals) groups during the afternoon. Single individuals and small (five or fewer individuals) groups spent significantly less time in the area than large groups. The forests of the Dieng mountains are also used as an overnight stopover and hunting site. Differences in the proportion of the two species of Accipiter identified at Javan and Bali study sites suggests an additional migration route to the one following the Javan mountains. This may follow the eastern edge of the Sunda Shelf. The Dieng mountains qualify as a globally Important Bird Area (IBA) on the grounds of the raptor congregations, as well as because of the presence of globally threatened and restricted range species.
URL:http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1474-919X.2001.tb04174.x
Short Title:Ibis
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