Myanmar is home to nine rare bird species—White-throated babbler, Burmese Shrike, White-bellied Minivet, Ayeyawady Bulbul, Burmese Collared Dove, Hooded treepie, Burmese Prinia, White-browed Nuthatch and Burmese Tit that can be found only in Myanmar among the world. The bird lovers and zoological students can study the nature of seven species out of nine in Bagan-NyaungU ancient cultural zone, said U Shwe Htay Aung, warden of Lawkananda Wildlife Sanctuary.
Among these nine bird species, the seven species such as White-throated babbler, Burmese Shrike, White-bellied Minivet, Ayeyawady Bulbul, Burmese Collared Dove, Hooded treepie and Burmese Prinia can be found in Lawkananda garden and Bagan ancient cultural zone, and the remaining two species like White-browed Nuthatch and Burmese Tit can be found only in Natma Hill National Park of Southern Chin State, he added.
There has been a significant increase in bird populations in Lawkananda Wildlife Sanctuary and Bagan ancient cultural zone.
Burmese Shrike
They live in Lawkananda Wildlife Sanctuary and it can be seen the increase in their numbers due to sufficient food and proper security. They are mostly found in an open field with plenty of bushes and they lay their eggs there. They live far from the houses and sit out on the power lines and trees. When it rains, they are just happy in the breeze according to their nature. The locals call them Moe Khaw Hnget. A faculty member of Yangon University conducted a field study since 2016 in Lawkananda Wildlife Sanctuary and Bagan and completed her PhD course. According to her study, the numbers of White-throated babblers are between 900 and 1,000 outside the sanctuary area and between 30 and 50 in the sanctuary area.
White-throated babbler
They live in Lawkananda Wildlife Sanctuary and it can be seen the increase in their numbers due to sufficient food and proper security, and they also can be found near the homes as they are tame. According to the study of U Shwe Htay Aung and department staff, there are about 500 White-throated babblers. A faculty member of Yangon University conducted a study for the thesis of PhD course. It is absolutely essential to conserve the birds.
White-bellied Minivet
They are mostly found in Lawkananda Wildlife Sanctuary and Bagan ancient cultural zone especially in the open field. They live far from their homes. They can be seen in small groups of six to eight birds, said U Shwe Htay Aung.
Burmese Collared Dove
They are found at every place of the sanctuary and in Bagan ancient cultural zone. They search for food near thehomes and most are found in pairs. They also live together with other same bird species of Doves of Columbidae.
Ayeyawady Bulbul
They are found everywhere in Bagan-NyaungU ancient cultural zone. They make their nests near the houses. There are about 300 Ayeyawady Bulbuls just in Lawkananda garden. They live together with Burmese Red-vented and Blanford’s olive bulbul. The teachers also conduct field studies there.
Hooded treepie
They do not inhabit just one place and only a few numbers of them have been found in Lawkananda wildlife sanctuary and Bagan ancient cultural zone for about five years. The two hooded treepies were recorded on the top of the tree in the early days and a small group of six birds were put in the record in 2018.
Burmese Prinia
They do not always in Lawkananda wildlife sanctuary but mostly in fields near the Bagan-NyaungU area. They live in flocks with not more than 10 birds. A PhD degree holder said she recorded only four or five birds out of all birds (from 2017-2020) during the period of the thesis, U Shwe Htay Aung said.
If the bird lovers pay a visit to Bagan-NyaungU cultural zone, it can create many job opportunities for the locals and preserve the endangered bird species. Currently, the officials of Lawkananda wildlife sanctuary and the Directorate of Hotels and Tourism (Bagan Branch) jointly conduct bird watching tours. The tour to Lakananda garden offer the star-tortoises, Asian brown Tortoise and rare seven bird species and the travellers will also see the huge trees grown in a 100-acre wide wildlife sanctuary.— Ko Htein (KPD)/GNLM
