Attachment

Download

The vertical and horizontal zonation and foraging habits of 17 Fijian forest passerines are described. Mist-netting showed that five species, Island Thrush, Fiji Shrikebill, Blue-crested Broadbill, Spotted Fantail and Orangebreasted Honeyeater, contributed to 60% of the captures. These were the five main lower-zone species on Viti Levu, but only two and three on Vanua Levu and Taveuni, respectively, where other species occupied this zone. The species foraging in the middle and upper zones were more similar between the islands with two species of White-eye, two or three species of honeyeater, Polynesian Starling and Vanikoro Broadbill predominating. Horizontal zonation showed that most species occupied the middle and outer zones, except for the Fiji Shrikebill. Foraging strategies revealed that the Spotted Fantail and the Vanikoro Broadbill were the main flycatchers, followed by the Golden Whistler and Slaty Flycatcher. The main gleaning species were the Fiji Shrikebill and the Silktail, most other species being foliage-searchers.