The impact of Tropical Cyclone Larry on bird communities in fragments of the endangered rainforest Type 5b

Abstract

Abstract Bird surveys were conducted to assess the impact of a severe cyclone on bird communities in three fragments of the endangered rainforest Type 5b on the Atherton Tablelands of far north Queensland. Bird communities were surveyed using timed area searches in three sites in each of the three fragments and were undertaken prior to and following Tropical Cyclone Larry. Cyclone Larry caused short‐term changes in the abundance of some species of birds in Type 5b rainforest fragments. Two weeks after the storm, in two of three fragments surveyed, abundance of the frugivorous wompoo fruit‐dove ( Ptilinopus magnificus ) and figbird ( Sphecotheres viridis ) had decreased while the omnivorous Macleay's honeyeater ( Xanthotis macleayana ) and Lewin's honeyeater ( Meliphaga lewinii ) decreased in abundance in all three locations. Most insectivorous species increased in some sites and decreased in others following Cyclone Larry. Rapid recovery of bird communities to approximately their pre‐cyclone state after only 7 months appeared to reflect the capacity of species to either modify their foraging behaviour, switch foods, or to move within or between fragments or to other food sources in the landscape.