Birds of the Torres Strait: An Annotated List and Biogeographical Analysis

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Abstract
SUMMARYDRAFFAN, R.D.W., S.T. GARNETT & G.J. MALONE. 1983. Birds of the Torres Strait: an annotated list and biogeographical analysis. Emu 83: 207–234.Two hundred and forty-three species of birds have been recorded from the Torres Strait. Of these 87 are resident and breed on the islands, 26 remain for the wet or dry season only, 73 cross the Strait on a regular or irregular basis and 57 are vagrant visitors or await confirmation.The number of land bird species found on islands is more a function of the area of forest or woodland than of the total area of the island. Both oceanic and land bridge islands are present in the Torres Strait. Some species found on land bridge islands appear to have been stranded there when sea levels rose. The ranges of some birds found only on land bridge islands are mutually exclusive of several wide ranging species found on most other islands., Evidence is presented that competition has determined the nature of the avifauna on some Torres Strait islands.The Torres Strait appa...