A survey of birds on Batu Caves, Selangor, Malaysia, with some observations on mammals.

Bird surveys were carried out over nine days, between December 2018 and August 2019, to assess the baseline avifauna diversity and to provide updated bird and mammal checklists for Batu Caves. The surveys were conducted through visual sightings using binoculars and identifying diagnostic calls of birds in various habitats on the limestone massif that is surrounded mainly by regenerating secondary growth and open park land. A total of 50 bird species from 27 families were recorded, comprising of 47 resident species and three migrant species. Three species, Brown Boobook Ninox scutulata, White-breasted Waterhen Amaurornis phoenicurus and Asian Koel Eudynamys scolopaceus were migrant/resident birds. Additions to the survey include the two limestone/karst specialist species, Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus and Blue Rock Thrush Monticola solitarius, as well as Great Myna Acridotheres grandis, from M.H.N. Chong's previous observations and five other nocturnal species, bringing the total recorded for Batu Caves to 50 species. Blue Whistling Thrush Myophonus caeruleus - another karst specialist species, was also recorded. Incidental observations of mammals recorded four species, including the globally threatened Dusky Leaf Monkey Trachypithecus obscurus. Diversity of avifauna was low-moderate and mammal diversity was low. Further surveys are needed to assess the full bird and mammal diversity and populations of birds, especially of karst specialist species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]