Birds of Iwokrama Forest

Abstract

This paper is an abridged version of an earlier report describing field work on birds of Iwokrama Forest (IF) between March 1996 and September 1997. The avifauna of IF is discussed in terms of habitat heterogeneity, seasonailty and ongoing monitoring. Avian species richness in IF is similar to other tropical forest localities that have been studied with similar intensity with 476 species having been recorded furing the work reported here. Distinctive habitats such as Humiria-dominated low woodland and scrub with little or no grass cover that grows on areas with nutrient-poor sandy surface soil (Muri scrub) and pre-montane (foothill) forests are also found within IF and both of these habitats contribute significantly to total diversity of IF. IF has relatively high densities of larger frugivorous birds such as cracids, cotingas, and parrots.