Designing Bird-Friendly Urban Spaces: The Role of Trees and Flowers in Indonesia

Bogor botanical Garden birds friendly image source istockphoto.com

*Heri Tarmizi

By selecting appropriate tree and flower species, and implementing bird-friendly maintenance practices, these green spaces can support diverse and thriving bird communities.

Urban parks serve as critical green spaces that provide refuge for various bird species amidst bustling cities. In Indonesia, with its rich biodiversity, urban parks can play a significant role in conserving bird populations. This essay explores the types of trees and flowers that attract birds and how to maintain urban parks to be bird-friendly, drawing on relevant journal publications, citations, and references.

Types of Trees for Bird Habitats

Selecting appropriate tree species is vital for creating a bird-friendly urban park. Trees provide food, nesting sites, and shelter for birds. Here are some recommended tree species that thrive in Indonesian urban parks and attract a variety of bird species:

1. Ficus benjamina (Weeping Fig / Beringin)

• Description: A large evergreen tree with dense foliage.
• Benefits: Produces small fruits that are a food source for frugivorous birds such as the Pink-necked Green Pigeon (Treron vernans).

2. Samanea saman (Rain Tree / Trembesi)

• Description: A large tree with a broad canopy and compound leaves.
• Benefits: Provides ample shade and nesting opportunities for birds like the Oriental Magpie-Robin (Copsychus saularis).

3. Albizia saman (Monkey Pod Tree / Pohon Tanjung)

• Description: Known for its umbrella-shaped canopy.
• Benefits: Offers shelter and nesting sites for birds such as the Common Myna (Acridotheres tristis).

4. Terminalia catappa (Indian Almond / Ketapang)

• Description: A large tree with horizontal branches and broad leaves.
• Benefits: The fruits attract fruit-eating birds, and its branches provide nesting sites.

5. Mangifera indica (Mango Tree / Pohon Mangga)

• Description: A medium to large fruit-bearing tree.
• Benefits: The fruit attracts various bird species, including the Asian Koel (Eudynamys scolopaceus).

Types of Flowers for Bird Attraction

Flowers play a crucial role in attracting birds, especially nectar-feeding species. Here are some recommended flowering plants for Indonesian urban parks:

1. Hibiscus rosa-sinensis (Chinese Hibiscus / Kembang Sepatu)

• Description: A shrub with large, colorful flowers.
• Benefits: Attracts nectar-feeding birds such as sunbirds and hummingbirds.

2. Ixora coccinea (Jungle Geranium / Soka)

• Description: A shrub with clusters of small, tubular flowers.
• Benefits: Attracts nectar-feeding birds like the Olive-backed Sunbird (Cinnyris jugularis).

3. Callistemon citrinus (Bottlebrush / Bunga Sikat Botol)

• Description: A shrub or small tree with brush-like red flowers.
• Benefits: Its flowers are a magnet for nectar-feeding birds.

4. Heliconia rostrata (Lobster Claw / Pisang-pisangan)

• Description: A plant with striking red and yellow flowers.
• Benefits: Provides nectar for birds such as the Crimson Sunbird (Aethopyga siparaja).

5. Strelitzia reginae (Bird of Paradise / Bunga Cendrawasih)

• Description: Known for its exotic orange and blue flowers.
• Benefits: Attracts nectar-feeding birds with its bright and accessible flowers.

Native Flowers for Bird Attraction

1. Spathodea campanulata (African Tulip Tree / Pohon Kupu-Kupu)

• Description: A tree with large, bright orange-red flowers.
• Benefits: Attracts nectar-feeding birds such as sunbirds.

2. Erythrina variegata (Coral Tree / Dadap)

• Description: A tree with striking red flowers.
• Benefits: Its flowers attract nectar-feeding birds and provide nesting sites.

3. Bougainvillea glabra (Paper Flower / Bunga Kertas)

• Description: A climbing plant with vibrant pink, purple, red, or orange bracts.
• Benefits: Attracts birds with its dense foliage and colorful bracts.

4. Melastoma malabathricum (Indian Rhododendron / Senduduk)

• Description: A shrub with purple flowers.
• Benefits: Attracts birds with its flowers and provides berries as a food source.

5. Clerodendrum thomsoniae (Bleeding Heart Vine / Nona Makan Sirih)

• Description: A vine with red and white flowers.
• Benefits: Attracts nectar-feeding birds and provides cover.

Maintenance Strategies for Bird-Friendly Urban Parks

Creating and maintaining bird-friendly urban parks involves several strategies to ensure the habitat remains attractive and safe for birds. These strategies include:

1. Native Plant Species

• Importance: Native plants are adapted to the local climate and soil conditions, requiring less maintenance and providing a natural food source for birds.
• Implementation: Incorporate a mix of native trees, shrubs, and flowering plants to support a diverse bird population.

2. Layered Vegetation Structure

• Importance: A variety of plant heights creates different habitat layers, from ground cover to canopy, supporting diverse bird species.
• Implementation: Plant a combination of ground cover, shrubs, and trees to create a multi-layered habitat.

3. Water Features

• Importance: Water sources such as ponds, bird baths, and fountains provide drinking and bathing opportunities for birds.
• Implementation: Ensure water features are clean and regularly maintained to prevent mosquito breeding and contamination.

4. Avoid Pesticides and Chemicals

• Importance: Chemicals can harm birds directly or indirectly by reducing insect populations, a vital food source for many birds.
• Implementation: Use organic gardening practices and natural pest control methods.

5. Nesting Sites and Birdhouses

• Importance: Providing safe nesting sites encourages birds to breed and raise their young in the park.
• Implementation: Install birdhouses and leave dead trees standing if they do not pose a safety risk, as they can provide natural nesting cavities.

6. Education and Community Involvement

• Importance: Engaging the local community fosters a sense of ownership and responsibility for the park's upkeep.
• Implementation: Organize workshops, guided bird-watching tours, and volunteer planting days to educate and involve residents.

7. Monitoring and Research

• Importance: Regular monitoring helps assess the effectiveness of conservation efforts and adapt strategies as needed.
• Implementation: Collaborate with local universities and conservation organizations to conduct bird surveys and ecological studies.

Case Studies and Research

Several studies highlight the importance of urban parks for bird conservation and the effectiveness of different strategies:

Bird Diversity in Urban Parks: A study in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, found that urban parks with a high diversity of plant species supported a greater diversity of bird species. The presence of fruit-bearing trees and flowering plants was particularly beneficial for attracting frugivorous and nectarivorous birds.

Impact of Green Spaces on Bird Populations: Research in Jakarta demonstrated that green spaces with native vegetation had higher bird species richness compared to areas dominated by exotic plants. The study emphasized the need for urban planners to prioritize native species in park design.

Community Involvement in Conservation: A project in Bali involved local communities in the creation and maintenance of bird-friendly gardens. The initiative not only improved bird habitats but also raised awareness about bird conservation and fostered community pride.

Conclusion

Urban parks in Indonesia have the potential to become vital refuges for bird populations. By selecting appropriate tree and flower species, and implementing bird-friendly maintenance practices, these green spaces can support diverse and thriving bird communities. Native plant species, layered vegetation, water features, and community involvement are key strategies for creating and maintaining bird-friendly urban parks. Continued research and monitoring will ensure these efforts are effective and adaptive to changing environmental conditions.

References

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