Structural Analysis of Bird Communities in Tieshan Temple National Forest Park and Its Vicinity within Jiangsu Province

To investigate the current status and seasonal dynamics of the bird community in the Tieshan Temple National Forest Park and its surrounding areas in Xuyi County, Jiangsu Province, this study conducted a survey of bird composition and diversity using the fixed transect method from May 2023 to January 2024. A total of 1 830 birds were recorded, belonging to 71 species, 31 families and 11 orders, including three species under national second-class protection. In terms of fauna, widespread species predominated, with a mix of Oriental and Palearctic species. Migratory and passage birds accounted for more than half of the total recorded species, indicating the park's significant role in bird migration routes. Seasonal variations revealed higher species richness and diversity in spring and summer, while bird abundance was higher in autumn and winter. Additionally, significant differences in bird community composition were observed across seasons. From the perspective of dietary guilds, the proportion of insectivorous birds significantly increased in summer, herbivorous birds were primarily observed in spring, and omnivorous birds dominated throughout the year. These findings highlight the impact of seasonal fluctuations in food resources on bird distribution and reflect differences in ecological adaptability among different functional groups of birds. Based on the results, optimizing vegetation structure, promoting sustainable agricultural practices and establishing a long-term monitoring system are recommended to enhance the quality of bird habitats in and around the Tieshan Temple National Forest Park, thereby effectively conserving local bird resources and biodiversity.