Data for: Waterbird abundance in aquaculture ponds: the significance of day and night and pond type

The loss of coastal wetlands represents a grave threat to waterbirds, prompting the use of artificial wetlands, such as aquaculture ponds, as a means of conservation. Aquaculture ponds are common in coastal areas and provide production value and ecological function as waterbird habitats. However, certain piscivorous birds may cause economic losses to the aquaculture industry. Different types of ponds provide habitat for various bird assemblages, and waterbirds exhibit nocturnal feeding behavior and utilize habitats distinct from those used during the day. Most waterbird surveys were conducted during the daytime, limiting our understanding of their nocturnal habitat utilization. This study conducted diurnal and nocturnal surveys on shorebirds, waterfowl, and Black-crowned Night Heron (Nycticorax nycticorax) ten times in three aquaculture ponds situated in the Cigu District of Tainan, namely fish/shrimp, hard clam, and abandoned ponds between October 2021 and November 2022. The results sh...