Bird communities in Southeast Asia are shaped by human pressure more than habitat features

Southeast Asia, including Laos, is considered a biodiversity hotspot. However, significant environmental changes caused by human activity have a huge impact on fauna, including bird populations. In 2024, we observed and recorded birds at 43 routes and 125 points in various places in Laos. We identified 99 bird species, the most frequently recorded being widespread species of open areas and shrubs, such as the Brown Shrike ( Lanius cristatus ), Common Tailorbird (Orthotomus sutorius ), and Greater Coucal ( Centropus sinensis ). However, species associated with old, mature forests, such as the Ground Cuckoo ( Carpococcyx renauldi ), Great Slaty Woodpecker ( Mulleripicus pulverulentus ), and Fire-breasted Flowerpecker ( Dicaeum ignipectus ), were significantly less frequently recorded. The habitats of the observation points were dominated by forests, woodlands, and open areas. However, statistical analyses showed that the only factor influencing bird species diversity was distance to the nearest buildings. This indicates that indirect and direct human pressure, both related to habitat changes (clearing and burning of forests, conversion to farmland) and hunting, have a significant impact on the avifauna of the Southeast Asian region.