Integrating arborists and birds: Habitat management options for birds in the tropical urban green space

Abstract Tropical urban areas have been known as excellent habitats for birds. Trees in urban areas are essential in supporting birds’ lives; they must be managed appropriately. This paper aims to formulate habitat and tree maintenance management options that could benefit birds in tropical urban areas. Previous bird observations from three urban green spaces formulated management options. Managing urban birds’ habitat mainly involved managing trees producing food (fruits, seeds, insects, nectars) and providing bird cover (as resting, roosting, and breeding sites). Trees can be planted in clumps or rows, creating bird habitat patches and corridors. Trees producing small-sized seeds/fruits attract insects, and having nectars from flowers is preferred by birds. Tall trees with thick canopies are excellent as cover. As some birds nest in tree cavities, old-decayed trees must also be maintained, which might conflict with arborists’ intentions. Other conflicting matters are snags, parasitic/epiphytic plants, pests, and thick litter, which are excellent for birds but unwanted by arborists. Management options for arborists need to be integrated and synergized with avian ecologists to maintain/increase bird diversity and number in the tropical urban green space.