The Garahan Forest Resort area (RPH Garahan), BKPH Sempolan, KPH Jember, has once again demonstrated its role as an important habitat for wild birds.
Using the point count method across 10 observation points, the study successfully recorded 29 bird species with a total of 863 individuals. These findings reflect that this production and protected forest area still possesses the capacity to support various bird species with diverse ecological roles.
Interestingly, each observation point showed different levels of diversity. Certain locations became biodiversity “hotspots” with high species richness, while others recorded lower numbers, indicating differences in habitat conditions such as food availability and vegetation structure.
Bird Groups Based on Feeding Types
The diversity of birds in Garahan can be observed through the variation in feeding guilds:
🍇 Frugivores (Fruit-Eating Birds)
Including species such as the Sooty-headed Bulbul, Wreathed Hornbill, Yellow-vented Bulbul, and several species of green pigeons and imperial pigeons.
➡️ These birds play important roles in seed dispersal within forest ecosystems.
🦅 Raptors (Birds of Prey)
Including species such as the Black-thighed Falconet and the Crested Serpent Eagle.
➡️ These predators function as population regulators within the food chain.
🐛 Insectivores (Insect-Eating Birds)
Including various bird species such as kingfishers, minivets, ioras, and the Javan Banded Pitta.
➡️ These birds help naturally control insect populations within the ecosystem.
Featured Species: Wreathed Hornbill (Rhyticeros undulatus)
One of the most significant species recorded in the study was the Wreathed Hornbill (Rhyticeros undulatus), a hornbill species with major ecological importance.
✨ Classified as Vulnerable (VU) according to the IUCN Red List
✨ Possesses a large bill with a distinctive casque structure
✨ Depends heavily on large forest trees for nesting
💡 Fun Fact:
The Wreathed Hornbill is often referred to as a “forest farmer” because of its ability to disperse seeds from the fruits it consumes across wide areas. Without birds like this, natural forest regeneration could be severely disrupted.
Wreathed Hornbill (Rhyticeros undulatus)
💡 Interesting Insight
The high bird diversity found in the Garahan area indicates that the ecosystem still possesses:
✔️ Complex vegetation structure
✔️ Diverse food resources
✔️ Relatively stable habitat conditions
The more diverse the bird community, the healthier the ecosystem quality tends to be.
Garahan Forest is not merely a production forest area, but also an important home for numerous bird species with essential ecological functions. Preserving this habitat means maintaining a much broader ecological balance.