Display Site Constancy of Bowerbirds and the Effects of Logging on Mt Windsor Tableland, North Queensland

Abstract

The localities of display sites of Tooth-billed Catbirds, Golden and Satin Bowerbirds were mapped for four successive years in two adjoining areas of upland rainforest on the Mt. Windsor Tableland, north Queensland. One of the areas was logged halfway through this period. Most display sites were located along ridges and logging reduced the number of courts of Tooth- billed Catbirds on the logged area by 33% but the same number of courts were built concomitantly on the adjoining unlogged area. The latter resulted in no extra crowding as measured by distance to nearest neighbour. Most sites for courts were used from season to season and recaptures of banded birds showed that some were caught in the same site from year to year. Management of road and track construction and maintenance in rainforests is discussed in relation to bowerbird conservation, It is recommended that clearing of roadside vegetation be kept to a minimum where roads follow ridges.