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Well I
think that is an excellent answer. We had a good example at the COG meeting this
week about the Bush Stone-curlew. The only other thing to add is that we are
dealing with a very big continent. One book trying to explain status of each
species across a big area is a big ask. Of course there is the issue that these
words ultimately are not well defined. Also that there is no word for
in-between, so we get even more intermediaries like moderately, very, etc.
Ultimately even the most abundant species are still rare in other
places.
Philip
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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Environment Tours; Vertego Environmental Consultancy
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