Determination of bird composition of Manisa (Spil) Mountain

Turkey, located in the western palearctic region, has a high diversity of species in terms of bird composition, especially due to the rich habitat diversity enabled by its topography and climatic conditions and the fact that it is home to three of the main bird migration routes. This thesis was conducted in Manisa (Spil) Mountain, which is located in the Aegean Region of Turkey and is recognized as an important natural area and important biodiversity area within the Lower Gediz Sub-basin. This thesis, which is the first study to determine the bird composition in the research area, aims to reveal the bird composition of Manisa (Spil) Mountain. The study area has an area of 27.435 ha. In the study area, 50 sample areas were randomly selected. The sample areas were classified as protected areas, unprotected areas and agricultural lands. Point count method was used in the observations made to reveal the bird composition of the area. Inventory research was conducted in these areas for 11 months. Field surveys were conducted in the morning (06:00-11:00) and afternoon (15:00-20:00) hours when bird species were active. Bird species were observed in their natural habitat and species identification was made from photographic documentation and identification books based on observations. Identified species, abundance data and presence-absence data were recorded on bird identification cards. The results of the observations made between September 2022 and July 2023 were evaluated and 83 taxa, including 81 species and 2 subspecies, were identified from 32 families belonging to 11 orders (ordo). According to IUCN criteria, 81 of the 83 bird taxa are in the LC, 1 species in the VU and 1 species in the NT category. The distribution of bird taxa according to the orders they belong to is Galliformes 1, Pelacaniformes 1, Ciconiiformes 2, Accipitriformes 6, Falconiformes 3, Columbiformes 4, Cuculiformes 1, Caprimulgiformes 2, Bucerotiformes 1, Piciformes 1, Passeriformes 61. Among the detected bird species, 42 species are native, 26 species are summer migrants, 13 species are winter migrants and 2 species are transit migrants. The regional status and protection status of the detected taxa are given in a table. All the data obtained were recorded as the outputs of the study.