This study focused on the avian species composition in Ayer Hitam Forest, Puchong, Selangor. The forest is an
isolated secondary lowland forest and was logged between 1936 to 1954. Two methods were used to examine the
composition of birds in the area namely by Mist-netting and Distance Sampling-Point Count. Results indicated
that a total of 38 families which comprised of 160 species of birds have been recorded. The three biggest families
that represent about 23.5 percent of the total species are Timaliidae, Cuculidae and Pycnonotidae. The most
common individuals recorded belong to the family Pycnonotidae. The forest is dominated by insectivore/frugivore
group which is represented by mainly colonising secondary species. Certain species of hornbills (e.g. Buceros
rhinoceros) and babblers (e.g. Pomatorhinus montanus) that are normally found in primary forest are absent.
These results suggested that the composition offamilies and trophic structures of birds in Ayer Hitam Forest Reserve
are comparable with those at other forest reserve areas. However, the absence of many primary forest species
suggested that the forest is still under recovering process. It is recommended that the major part of the forest is left
undisturbed to prevent the few remaining wild life habitats from further destruction and to allow the wildlife species
composition to return to the original condition
