LONGEVITY AND MOVEMENTS IN THE WHITE-FACED ROBIN (TREGELLESIA LEUCOPSALBIGULARIS) IN IRON RANGE NATIONAL PARK,CAPE YORK

摘要

The White-faced Robin (Tregellesia leucops albigulans) has been studied in Iron Range National Park since 1990, with regular visits to conduct banding studies in the area. This has provided an opportunity to provide data on survival and movements of this poorly studied species. Recaptures showed the species to be highly sedentary; almost all recaptures were either at the banding location or within 1 km of banding. Recaptures also suggested high longevity in the species, with birds recaptured up to 18 years after their initial banding date. Calculated survival for birds caught and banded in 1990 indicated a constant survival rate of 75.3% for these birds throughout the 18 -year study. The analysis also suggested that birds could potentially live beyond 18 years. Survival rates between visits were variable but did not differ significantly over the duration of the study. However, cohort survival rate and annual rainfall in the year of banding were correlated.