A Pantropical Comparison of Bird Community Structure on Six Lowland Forest Sites

Abstract

Preliminary patterns in tropical lowland forest bird communities were investigated by comparing the avifaunas of 3 New World (Amazonia) and 7 Old World (Borneo, New Guinea, Gabon) plots. The factors emphasized were: historical and island or island-like effects, seasonality of climate and base resources (insects and fruits), habitat heterogeneity, and the influence of avian and non-avian competitors. Historical effects of species numbers were examined by comparing uniform plots of a limited area (15 ha). Species richness was correlated with number of common and rare species, amount of specialization, and the overall habitat use by the bird community. Similarities and differences in foliage complexity explained similarities and differences in the number of individuals using specific foraging techniques on each plot. The potential effects of non-avian competitors ranging from damselflies and spiders to mammals were indicated.