Diversity of bird species in Ebpanan Marsh, Maguindanao del Norte, Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), Philippines

Abstract

Wetland areas such as the marsh provide vital habitats for birds. However, marshes in the Philippines have been threatened by anthropogenic disturbances and may be further degraded. This study conducted a rapid bird assessment in Ebpanan Marsh located in Maguidanao del Norte within the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) on 06–12 March 2022. A total of 36 bird species belonging to 24 families were recorded during the rapid assessment. Among the bird species recorded, two species— Anas luzonica and Streptopelia dusumieri are considered as Vulnerable, while Padda oryzivora is considered ‘Endangered’ in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Eight of the bird species recorded are endemic and are observed in the remaining freshwater swamp forest of the Ebpanan Marsh. Despite habitat degradation and anthropogenic disturbance, the Ebpanan Marsh can still accommodate threatened and endemic bird species. Increasing the number of observation sites and extending the sampling duration of bird assessment will be required in order to complete the list of birds on the Marsh and understand the spatial and temporal variation in bird populations in the area.