International Journal of Zoology Studies

Authors
Handy Erwin Pier Leimena, Achmad Sjarmidi, Tati Suryati Syamsudin, Handy Erwin Pier Leimena

Abstract
Reliable estimates of bird population (density and size) are urgently needed in conservation efforts of numerous tropical species, including the Moluccan megapode (Eulipoa wallacei), mainly due to the lack of quantitative population data. Therefore, this study aims to estimate the density of the Moluccan megapode using a fixed-radius point counts distance sampling method. We used a total of 72 points marked with a distance of 200 m along 13 transects systematically positioned 300 m apart. The observation radius at each point was 30 m, with 15 minutes of observation time at each point. Distance v.7.4 Release 2 software calculates individual encounter rates and population density. A total of 1321 individuals were detected at five locations in the western part of Haruku Island (mean n = 164 individuals), and the number of samples generated by the model used (k) was 308 samples with an average detection probability of 93.6%. This study showed that the population density of the Moluccan megapode on Haruku Island is 487 individuals/km2, and most of the population was concentrated in forests near their nesting sites in Cape Maleo, such as Cape Maleo Forest, Marunimei Forest, and Lalean Forest. We recommend regular population surveys to monitor changes in the population density of the Moluccan megapode on Haruku Island.