Philip Veerman wrote:
>Birds, because of their metabolism, find it difficult to
hibernate. Surely though you are asking about something more
than the obvious.
Hibernation isn't really the issue - there are alpine
specialist birds in most other alpine areas throughout the
world. Where serious mountains exist (3000-5000m), many bird
species are involved in altitudinal migration to varying
degrees, but some remain in true alpine and snowbound areas
year-round. Numerous species come up from the lowlands to
exploit resources in summer. The Australian alpine avifauna
shows relatively few examples of any of these adaptations.
Typical Australian alpine habitats (and to some extent sub-
alpine as well) have summer avifaunas of 3-10 species of
bird, which seems extraordinarily depauperate considering the
apparent abundant/ephemeral niches and food resources
available.
L.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++
Lawrie Conole
2/37 Myrnong Crescent, Ascot Vale Vic 3032
AH 03 9370 3928 Mob 0419 588 993
Senior Zoologist
Ecology Australia Pty Ltd
88 B Station Street, Fairfield Vic 3078
BH 03 9489 4191 Fax 03 948 7679
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