I think the answer Matt, is that it depends where you saw it. We
could offer a better answer if we knew what you'd seen, but one
example could be a rare species - say a honeyeater or a finch -
which is in low numbers overall, but which sometimes flocks when
resources (flowers or seeds respectively in their case) are
concentrated. For a while, in that one place, the bird would be
'locally common'. There is also the situtation of an overall rare
species which survives in good numbers in a few isolated sites. You
might drive for days without seeing one, then camp in a particular
forest site and have them all round you - but they might be the only
ones for 500km. There are doubtless other circumstances that others
might suggest too, but overall the concept isn't as daft as it first
sounds.
Now, what was it? (and where!)
cheers
Ian
On 13/10/2012 17:26, pardalote wrote:
Hi All
I have recently encountered a bird species which is described in
my Slater Field Guide as being "rare to locally common." I don't
understand what this means, and to me, seems to be a contradiction
of itself. My understanding of "rare" and "common" don't seem to
fit. Could someone please explain to me what this means? Is the
bird species I have seen rare, or common?
Matt.
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Ian Fraser, m("internode.on.net","calochilus51");">
Environment Tours; Vertego Environmental Consultancy
PO Box 4148, Weston Creek, ACT 2611
ph: 61 2 6287 4813
Blog: http://ianfrasertalkingnaturally.blogspot.com.au
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