A preliminary survey of landbirds on Lakeba, Leu Group, Fiji

We report the results of 42 point-counts of landbirds in five types of habi tat on Lakeba, Lau Group, Fiji, during 9-15 May 1999. The relative abundanc e and species richness were greatest in mid-/late-successional limestone fo rest, the habitat type least modified by humans. This was due mainly to an increased presence of four columbids (Gallicolumba stairi, Ptilinopus perou sii, FI porphyraceus and Ducula pacifica) and two passerine insectivores (M ayrornis lessoni and Myiagra vanikorensis). By contrast, the relative abund ance of two passerine nectarivores (Myzomela jugularis and Foulehaio carunc ulata) was greatest in disturbed habitats with many coconut trees. Most spe cies of landbirds on Lakeba also occur in Tonga and/or Samoa, where methodo logically similar surveys have taken place. The combined data indicate that the relative abundance and habitat association of some widespread West Pol ynesian species, such as Lalage maculosa, Aplonis tabuensis and Foulehaio c arunculata, vary dramatically from island to island, both between and withi n island groups. Other species, such as Ducula pacifica, Ptilinopus parphyr aceus and Halcyon chloris, occur across West Polynesia in much more predict able patterns.