ECOLOGY OF A MANGROVE FOREST BIRD COMMUNITY IN SINGAPORE

Ecology of a bird community was studied in the Sungei Mandai mangrove forest in Singapore from May to July 1996. We found a total of 42 bird species in the forest. Based on the spot-mapping, the most abundant b ird species in the forest was the Black-naped Oriole (Oriolus chinensi s). With 168 mist-netting hours, we captured 15 bird species. The most common bird species mist-netted was the Asian Glossy Starling (Aploni s panayensis). We also recorded two locally-threatened bird species in the area, the White chested Babbler (Trichastoma rostratum) and Orien tal Magpie Robin (Copsychus saularis). The bird community composition of this area is comparable to a similar site in Singapore (the Sungei Buloh Nature Park). We recorded seven bird species possibly breeding i n the area. However, due to the limited survey time, this number most probably is an underestimation. Preliminary foraging observations of s ix bird species were made in the area. Based on a cluster analysis in which we used 20 foraging-related characteristics (e.g., frequency use of different plant species), we found that leaf-gleaners (the Dark-ne cked Tailorbird Orthotomus atrogularis, Common Iora Aegithina tiphia, and Pied Triller Lalage nigra) were similar in their overall foraging activities. These leaf-gleaners were different in overall foraging act ivities from the species that frequently foraged on aerial insects (Pi ed Fantail Rhipidura javanica), that predominantly found prey off the bark of trees (Common Goldenback Dinopium javanense), or that primaril y foraged from flowers (Olive-backed Sunbird Nectarinia jugularis).