Philippine Journal of Science

151 (5): 1943-1952, October 2022

ISSN 0031 - 7683
Date Received: 09 Feb 2022

Diversity of Bird Species in Urban Green Spaces

of Davao City, Mindanao, Philippines

John Paul M. Banzon1, 2, Benito Anthony Pingoy2,3, Virgilio de la Rosa4,

Maria Catherine B. Otero5, Treaseur B. Susulan6, Marian Dara T. Tagoon1,7,
Elsa May Delima-Baron7, and Jayson C. Ibanez8

1Department of Biology, Davao Medical School Foundation, Davao City, Philippines

2Graduate School, Ateneo De Davao University, Davao City, Philippines
3Holy Cross College of Calinan, Davao City, Philippines
4Natural Sciences Department, Ateneo De Davao University, Davao City, Philippines
5College of Medicine Research Center, Davao Medical School Foundation,
Davao City, Philippines
6Environmental Studies Department, College of Arts and Science Education,
University of Mindanao, Davao City, Philippines
7Arts and Sciences Department, San Pedro College, Davao City, Philippines
8Philippine Eagle Center, Davao City, Philippines

The value of urban green spaces as important habitats for the maintenance of diverse wildlife
species is not well explored in the Philippines. Data on bird diversity in urban areas like
Davao City is very scant. Thus, the study documented bird species diversity in 15 urban green
spaces of Davao City. These areas were previously not surveyed based on published literature.
This study is also the first attempt to determine the correlation between green space size and
Shannon diversity values. Green spaces were pre-selected, and bird censuses following a zigzag
walk across each green space were conducted from October–December 2019. Coordinates of
surveyed areas plotted on a digital map were used to estimate green space size. Diversity values
were calculated using Shannon and Simpson indices. Pearson r correlation was employed to
calculate the correlation between green space size and Shannon diversity values. Fifty-three (53)
species (32 families) were accounted for, with 28 species added to the current list of birds from
Davao City’s urban green spaces. Endemism was relatively low across all sites (17%). Only four
species were common in all sites – namely, Passer montanus, Lanius cristatus, Cinnyris jugularis,
and Pycnonotus goiavier. Shannon diversity values varied across sites (highest H' = 3.128, lowest
H' = 1.688) and showed a positive correlation (r = 0.54) with green space size. Despite positive
correlation, larger green spaces do not necessarily have the highest Shannon diversity values,
suggesting that bird diversity in urban green spaces may be influenced by other factors. This
warrants verification in the future to include studies on green space vegetation and complexity,
noise level, and impact of anthropogenic activities.

Keywords: biodiversity, bird species, ecological sustenance, green spaces, urban planning

*Corresponding author: [email protected]

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INTRODUCTION MATERIALS AND METHODS

Urban green spaces are vegetated areas (Bastian et al. Mapping and Estimation of Green Spaces Surveyed
2012) that could be composed of different vegetation
(Taylor and Hochuli 2017). These urban green spaces Urban green spaces surveyed for this study were broadly
are also synonymously referred to as public open spaces classified into sites near the city center and sites outside
with vegetation, parks, or green spaces within or close the city center all within Davao City (Figure 1). Vegetation
to anthropogenic build-up (Irvine et al. 2010; Taylor from each site varies from either man-made, secondary,
and Hochuli 2017). Urban green spaces are known to be or primary growth. Sites surveyed with man-made
beneficial, as revealed in several studies. Improved quality vegetation included People’s Park, Magsaysay, Marfori
of air, noise pollution reduction, and improved soil quality Botanical Garden, Osmeña Park, Roxas Freedom Park,
were also associated in areas with urban green spaces SPMC, Dacudao, DMSF, and GAP. Deca Homes-Mintal,
(Sanesi and Chiarello 2006; Kendal et al. 2016). Lagbas Northcrest, Insular, and NHA Bangkal have secondary
(2019) reported that vegetation of urban green spaces growth vegetation, whereas Royal Pines and Cleanergy
can be utilized as a sustainable mechanism to address Park possess primary growth vegetation. All surveyed sites
environmental issues such as climate change effects in were in close proximity to infrastructures, particularly
developed areas with dense populations. Ecological niches residential buildings. The main selection criteria for sites
are also reported to be established in many green spaces, include accessibility, obtained consent for the survey, and
providing habitat for many organisms (Wolch et al. 2014). the absence of published data on birds. The coordinates,
elevation, and size of the surveyed urban green spaces are
Reports of a few studies in the Philippines reveal that provided in Table 1. Elevation and GPS coordinates of the
bird species benefit from available habitats provided by perimeter of the surveyed green spaces were obtained on
urban green spaces (Ong et al. 1999; Vallejo et al. 2008, the days when the bird census was conducted. Perimeter
2009; Vallejo and Aloy 2014; Serrano et al. 2019; Yurong coordinates of surveyed green spaces were plotted on a
et al. 2020). Vallejo and colleagues (2009) reported that digital map to estimate green space size.
urban green spaces in Metropolitan Manila served as
a refuge for migrant birds. Endemic species were also
Documentation of Bird Species
recorded in several urban green spaces of the country
Bird censuses were done from October–December 2019
(Vallejo et al. 2008, 2009; Yurong et al. 2020). Although
by the same set of observers across all green spaces
the species richness of birds has been noted to decline
surveyed. All bird species in each green space were
significantly with the surge in urbanization in other
accounted for, following the bird census technique by
countries (Sandström et al. 2006; Melles et al. 2003),
Jokimäki and Jokimäki (2003). The plot size referred to
this assumption is not fully established in the Philippines
the green space surveyed, and no subplots were created.
due to limited published studies. Bravo (2017), however,
Zigzag walks along the perimeter of the green space and in
reported that the tempo of urbanization in the country
the interior were done with fast-paced movement to avoid
surged between 1980–1990 at 4% but marked a decline
double or multiple counts of an individual. Bird censuses
(0.5%) between 1990–2000.
were done from 05:00–09:00 AM. Bird species were
In metropolitan Davao, only two published studies of identified following the books written by Kennedy and
birds in urban spaces are accessible [see Medina and colleagues (2000) and Hutchinson and colleagues (2015).
Cabras (2018) and Yurong et al. (2020)]. Each study
surveyed only a few locations: the main road of Mintal and Statistical Analysis
surrounding environs of the University of the Philippines Pertinent analysis was performed using PAST
Mindanao campus for Yurong and colleagues (2020) (Paleontological Statistics) Software Package version
and Matina Centro within the University of Mindanao 4.03. For diversity, Shannon and Simpson's index values
campus for Medina and Cabras (2018). Given the limited were calculated. To determine the correlation between
information available on bird species thriving in urban urban green space size and Shannon diversity calculated
green spaces of Davao City, this present study provides values, Pearson r values were computed.
significant data addressing this limitation. Moreover, this
research surveyed 15 different sites within Davao City,
none of which were areas covered by previous accounts.
This is also the first attempt to correlate bird species
diversity with the size of surveyed urban green spaces
of Davao City.

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Vol. 151 No. 5, October 2022 of Davao City, Philippines

Figure 1. Urban green spaces surveyed in Davao City, Philippines. Dots within the green border were sites near the city center, while
those outside were the sites outside the city center.

RESULTS species [Aplonis panayensis (893 individuals) and Passer

montanus (818 individuals)] were most represented.
Bird Species Diversity in Urban Green Spaces of All species are currently listed under the Least Concern
Davao City category of IUCN (2021). Only 16% of the species were
A total of 49 bird species (31 families) were recorded endemic, including the Mindanao endemic Phapitreron
from the urban green spaces surveyed, with Columbidae brevirostris (Figure 2).
as the most represented family (Table 2). Among all the
species documented in all green spaces surveyed, two

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Vol. 151 No. 5, October 2022 of Davao City, Philippines

Table 1. Characterization of the urban green spaces surveyed (legend: o – location near the city center, * – location outside the city center).
Urban green space site Coordinates Elevation Area (m2 ) Species Simpson's Shannon Evenness
richness dominance diversity
People’s Parko 7004’17”N, 26 36,036.52 15 0.1708 2.052 0.5191
125036’30”E
Magsaysay Parko 7004’28”N, 13 33,151.16 12 0.1994 1.967 0.596
125037’33”E
Marfori Botanical Gardeno 7004’52”N, 43 8,636.76 15 0.1992 2.084 0.5357
125036’05”E
Osmeña Parko 7003’47”N, 20 5,616.48 9 0.2378 1.688 0.6012
125036’35”E
Roxas Freedom Parko 7004’16”N, 23 5,489.64 12 0.2122 1.86 0.5356
125036’41”E
SPMCo 7005’54”N, 56 25,403.68 12 0.1926 1.985 0.6065
125037’06”E
Dacudaoo 7004’42” N, 16 21,905.56 18 0.1776 2.172 0.4873
125036’55” E
DMSFo 7005’11”N, 62 11,060.81 17 0.1654 2.254 0.5603
125036’33”E
Deca Homes-Mintal* 7009’10”N, 328 185,132.70 22 0.1925 2.194 0.4076
125035’58”E
Northcrest* 7007’09”N, 266 117,296.92 32 0.0773 3.018 0.639
125036’40”E
Royal Pines* 7003’43”N, 177 86,600.72 32 0.101 2.841 0.5354
125035’50”E
Insular* 7006’26”N, 36 18,958.34 18 0.1562 2.284 0.5455
125038’43”E
NHA-Bangkal* 7002’58”N, 36 13,125.78 29 0.1067 2.758 0.5436
125033’12”E
Cleanergy Park* 7001’45”N, 16 104,844.14 36 0.0709 3.08 0.6042
125034’23”E
GAP* 7005’45”N, 141 96,111.71 29 0.0548 3.128 0.7875
125034’28”E
Total area 769370.9

Table 2. Comparison of bird species observed for each site (Code: 1 – People’s Park, 2 – Magsaysay Park, 3 – Marfori Botanical Garden, 4 –
Osmeña Park, 5 – Roxas Freedom Park, 6 – SPMC, 7 – Dacudao, 8 – DMSF, 9 – Deca Homes-Mintal, 10 – Northcrest, 11 – Royal
Pines, 12 – Insular, 13 – NHA-Bangkal, 14 – Cleanergy Park, 15 – GAP) with notes on endemicity and IUCN status (legend: [*]
Non-endemic, [+] Endemic, LC – Least Concern, and NT – Near Threatened).
Family Scientific name Common name 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
Acanthizidae Gerygone sulphurea Golden-bellied gerygone 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 12 5 0 6 7 9
LC*

Accipitridae Haliastur indus Brahminy kite LC* 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 6 3 0 3 3 4

Accipitridae Accipiter soloensis Chinese sparrowhawk LC* 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 0 0 0 5 0
Acrocephalidae Megalurus palustris Striated grassbird LC* 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 9 0 0 0 60 43
Alcedinidae Todiramphus chloris Collared kingfisher LC* 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 3 3 12 8 9 4 13 9
Apodidae Aerodramus vaniko- Ameline swiftletLC+ 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 3 15 8 4 5 0 0
rensis amelis
Apodidae Cypsiurus balasiensis Asian palm swift LC* 4 0 5 6 3 9 5 9 9 0 12 5 9 4 5

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Apodidae Collocalia troglodytes Pygmy swiftlet LC* 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 0

Apodidae Collocalia isonota Ridgetop swiftlet LC+ 4 0 5 0 3 13 6 8 3 20 41 8 3 0 0
Ardeidae Bubulcus ibis Cattle egret LC* 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 3 4 3
Ardeidae Egretta garzetta Little egret LC* 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 4 4 0 3 0 0
Ardeidae Butorides striata Straited heron LC* 0 3 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 3 20 14
Artamidae Artamus leucorynchus White-breasted woodswal- 0 0 3 0 0 0 8 5 22 110 16 7 6 0 12
low LC*
Campephagidae Lalage nigra Pied triller LC* 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 8 7 0 4 0 0
Columbidae Macropygia tenuiros- Philippine cuckoo-dove LC+ 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 0 0 30 13
tris
Columbidae Chalcophaps indica Common emerald dove LC* 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 0 0 0 0
Columbidae Phapitreron brevirostis Short-billed brown dove 3 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 8 4 0 3 17 11
LC+

Columbidae Geopelia striata Zebra dove LC* 5 15 4 6 7 8 10 11 6 16 21 5 10 3 0

Columbidae Columba livia Rock dove LC* 52 17 0 41 38 42 0 18 6 11 0 16 18 3 8
Corvidae Corvus macrorhynchos Large-billed crow LC* 6 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 7 15 13 9 9 3 0

Cuculidae Eudynamys scolopa- Asian coel LC* 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 7 0

ceus
Cuculidae Cacomantis merulinus Plaintive cuckoo LC* 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 7
Cuculidae Chrysococcyx minutil- Little bronze cuckoo LC* 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 87 13
lus
Cuculidae Centropus viridis Philippine coucal LC+ 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 0
Dicaeidae Dicaeum trigonostigma Orange-bellied flowerpeck- 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 12 10 0 0 7 8
er LC*
Dicaeidae Dicaeum austral Red-keeled flowerpecker 4 4 5 0 3 8 7 5 8 34 10 3 3 6 0
LC+

Estrildidae Lonchura atricapilla Chestnut munia LC* 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 5 18 11 20 0 12 4 0

Hirundinidae Hirundo rustica Barn swallow LC* 4 5 6 5 5 10 7 3 7 11 12 0 8 0 3
Hirundinidae Hirundo tahitica Pacific swallow LC* 3 4 6 0 5 0 7 6 24 34 71 4 6 3 0
Laniidae Lanius cristatus Brown shrike LC* 5 5 8 3 6 15 8 6 6 16 14 5 6 12 0
Laridae Chlidonias hybrida Whiskered tern LC* 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 7 0
Meropidae Merops americanus Rufous-crowned bee-eater 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 19 27 0 15 0 0
LC*

Motacillidae Motacilla cinerea Grey wagtail LC* 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 8 0 0 0 17 20

Muscicapidae Monticola solitarius Blue rock trush LC* 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 6 11

Muscicapidae Copsychus mindan- Philippine magpie robin LC+ 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 6 9 0 0 9 12

ensis
Nectariniidae Anthreptes malacensis Brown-throated sunbird LC* 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 10 11

Nectariniidae Cinnyris jugularis Olive-backed sunbird LC* 7 5 4 4 5 11 9 23 6 22 19 5 11 18 39

Oriolidae Oriolus chinensis Black-naped oriole LC* 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 4 4 3 8 7

Passeridae Passer montanus Eurasian tree sparrow LC* 48 66 29 32 52 98 70 81 132 26 19 55 83 10 17

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Phylloscopidae Phylloscopus borealis Arctic warbler LC* 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 4 0 0 15 15

Phylloscopidae Phylloscopus xantho- Japanese leaf warbler LC* 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 13 13

dryas
Pycnonotidae Pycnonotus goiavier Yellow-vented bulbul LC* 40 8 28 7 10 16 48 12 15 104 150 31 26 5 9

Rallidae Hypotaenidia torquata Barred rail LC* 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 6 5 0 17 0 0

Ramphastidae Psilopogon hae- Coppersmith barbet LC* 3 0 11 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 4 3 3 5 0

macephalus
Rhipiduridae Rhipidura nigritorquis Philippine pied fantail LC+ 0 0 0 0 0 12 9 3 6 17 13 8 10 0 26

Scolopacidae Actitis hypoleucos Common sand piper LC* 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 8 8

Sternidae Sterna hirundo Common tern LC* 0 13 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 54 47

Sturnidae Aplonis panayensis Asian glossy starling LC* 62 41 76 58 65 99 91 39 109 24 49 73 65 23 19

Figure 2. Distribution of endemic and non-endemic bird species documented in the select urban green spaces
of Davao City, Philippines.

Species richness across the sites varies significantly, with (Deca Homes Mintal) does not have the highest Shannon
Cleanergy Park having the highest number of species (36 diversity index value nor does the smallest green space
species). Species diversity values were noted to be high in (Freedom Park) have the least diversity value (Table 1).
green spaces situated outside the city center as opposed to However, the Pearson r calculation reveals a positive
sites near the city center. Across the sites, Osmeña Park correlation (r = 0.54) between green space size and
had the highest dominance value, but the highest evenness Shannon diversity values (Figure 3).
value was noted from GAP (Table 1).

Correlation of Shannon Diversity Values with Green

Space Size
DISCUSSION
No pattern was found between the computed Shannon Bird surveys conducted in the 15 selected urban green
diversity values of each site with the size of each green spaces of Davao City revealed the presence of bird species
space surveyed. The green space with the largest size of various compositions and added 26 more species to the

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Vol. 151 No. 5, October 2022 of Davao City, Philippines

Figure 3. Correlation between green space size and Shannon diversity values (r = 0.54312).

previous accounts [see Medina and Cabras (2018) and colleagues (2019) mentioned that intact native forests are
Yurong et al. (2020)]. Similar results were reported in valuable habitats for endemic birds. Endemic birds are also
urban green spaces situated in other countries (Caula et al. reported to prefer foraging on native trees (Paker et al.
2008; Evans et al. 2009; Boruah et al. 2021). Recreation 2014; Tanalgo et al. 2019). Since green spaces surveyed
spaces such as parks also harbor diverse bird species over were minimally composed of native plant species at the
urban natural wetlands in Valaya Alongkorn Rajabhat time of sampling; thus, low endemism was noted.
University in Thailand (Boruah et al. 2021). Data of the
present study also supports previous reports of presence The diversity of birds across surveyed urban green spaces
of different bird species in urban green spaces: Metro also varied, as reflected in the different diversity index
Manila (Ong et al. 1999; Vallejo et al. 2008, 2009; Vallejo values calculated. Sites situated outside the city center
and Aloy 2014; Villa Juan and Paningbatan 2021), South showed higher diversity values than those near the city
Luzon (Serrano et al. 2019), and Metro Davao (Medina center. Green spaces with bigger sizes and situated
and Cabras 2018; Yurong et al. 2020). The composition farther from the city center were previously reported to
of bird species in the green spaces surveyed, however, is have higher diversity values as well (Chamberlain et al.
limited because the sites were surveyed only once and bird 2007; Evans et al. 2009; Vallejo et al. 2009). Caula and
censuses were also done only between 05:00–09:00 AM. colleagues (2008) also reported that species richness
This is likely to restrict the observation of species, which is reduced in downtown areas compared to suburban
during a single visit with a limited observation period, green spaces of Mediterranean France. Areas with more
may contribute to the non-detection of some species and buildings also have reduced bird diversity (Shochat 2004;
eventually can affect the occurrence of species in sites Mckinney 2008; Vallejo et al. 2008; Evans et al. 2009).
surveyed. These factors were also identified by the groups Simpson’s dominance and evenness values varied
of Kéry and Schmidt (2008) and Zamora-Marin (2021). primarily due to the difference in the number of species
Endemism was also noted to be low across all urban green and representative individuals accounted per species in the
spaces surveyed. This conformed to earlier reports of surveyed sites. Among the species documented, ​​Aplonis
avifaunal composition in other urban green spaces of the panayensis (n = 893), and Passer montanus (n = 818)
country (Ong et al. 1999; Posa and Sodhi 2006; Vallejo were the most abundant. Both species were also reported
et al. 2008, 2009; Medina and Cabras 2018; Serrano et al. to be dominant in urban landscapes in Peninsular Malaysia
2019; Yurong et al. 2020). The degree of bird endemism (Aida et al. 2016). Shazali and colleagues (2016) also
in a landscape is attributed to vegetation type. Tanalgo and reported the dominance of A. panayensis in urban sites in
Kuching City, Malaysia. Its abundance was attributed to

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Vol. 151 No. 5, October 2022 of Davao City, Philippines

its ability to utilize and exploit available food resources endemicity. Although Pearson r values reveal a positive
and possible nesting sites resulting from urbanization. correlation between green space size and Shannon
Fernández-Juricic and Jokimäki (2001) also reported diversity, the larger green spaces do not necessarily have
that, along with the rock pigeon (Columba livia) and the the highest Shannon diversity values. This suggests that
common myna (Acridotheres tristis), the Asian glossy bird diversity in urban green spaces may be influenced by
starling (A. panayensis) in urban landscapes shows high other factors apart from green space size. This assumption
tolerance to humans and also takes advantage of human- needs to be verified with data from future studies to
generated wastes for survival. P. montanus – as reported include – but is not limited to – the identification of green
by Vallejo Jr. and colleagues (2008), being an urban space vegetation and complexity, noise pollution level,
exploiting species – is expected to be persistently common and impact of anthropogenic activities.
in urban green spaces.
The positive correlation (r = 0.54) between green space ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
size and Shannon diversity values reflected in the data The researchers would like to thank the people and
of the present study emphasized the influence of green institutes who contributed to the accomplishment of the
space size on bird diversity. The value of green space size study. To the Davao Medical School Foundation, Inc.
as an important parameter in maintaining bird diversity and the Commission on Higher Education K-12 program
in cities via maintenance of urban green spaces has been for the resources provided for the data gathering process.
reported (Strohbach et al. 2013; Schütz and Schulze 2015). Special thanks are attributed to Mr. Pete Simpson for the
Studies also show that a larger habitat size may promote aid in the identification of the bird species during the data
higher bird diversity (Chamberlain et al. 2007; Evans et al. gathering process.
2009). Data of the current study however do not reflect that
green spaces with bigger sizes also have higher diversity
values. This somehow suggests that other factors may
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