Indonesia Adds 30 New Bird Species, Proof Of Nusantara's Biological Property

A fire King's bird (Ceyx erithaca) is perched on a tree branch at the West Bali National Park (TNBB), Jembrana, Bali. (ANTARA)

JAKARTA - Indonesia's biodiversity is one of the richest in the world, including in terms of the diversity of bird species spread across various regions of the archipelago.

The Ministry of Environment and Forestry (KLHK) revealed that the latest research on bird populations in Indonesia shows the addition of new species, indicating the potential for biodiversity to continue to grow.

Director General of Natural Resources and Ecosystem Conservation (KSDAE), Satyawan Pudyatmoko, explained that the report from the Indonesian Bird recorded a total of 1,835 bird species found in Indonesia. This figure represents about 17 percent of all bird species in the world, strengthening Indonesia's position as a megabiodiversity country.

"The input from this report will be a foothold for the government to increase efforts to protect and improve conservation strategies, especially for birds," Satyawan said in a statement in Jakarta, Tuesday.

In the last five years, 30 new species have been identified. Twelve of them are discovery of species that have never been described before, while the rest are the results of taxonomy reclassification. Of the total recorded species, 558 are included in the list of protected species, 542 are endemic in Indonesia, and 470 others have very limited distribution areas.

In a taxonomy, birds in Indonesia are classified into 24 ordos and 129 families. Most of them, namely 1,559 species, are penetap birds that live permanently in Indonesia, while 276 other species are migrant birds that pass or stop by during their journey.

Based on the updating of conservation status in the publication of Indonesian Birds, there are 30 species that have experienced a change in status. Twelve species have experienced an increase in the status of threat of majorityity, namely water birds and migrant birds which show pressure on their habitat or population.

However, there are also 18 species that have experienced a decline in the status of criticism, which can be an indication of population recovery, increasing habitat quality, or decreasing threats. Examples are pecuk-ular asia (Anhinga melanogaster) and ibis curuk-besi (Threskiornis melanoccephalus), which recorded positive developments.

As a further conservation effort, the Ministry of Environment and Forestry has initiated the formation of the National Migration and Habitat Conservation Partnership (KNKBBH). This initiative is a collaborative forum for researchers, observers, practitioners, and technical implementing units (UPT) under the Directorate General of KSDAE, including community involvement through citizen science (citizen science).

"This step demonstrates our commitment to maintaining the sustainability of migrant birds and other biodiversity that plays an important role in the balance of the ecosystem," Satyawan concluded.