Geography of Birds

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Geography of Birds
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Palearctic Region

• Largest region
• Site of origin of all birds
• Great diversity of habitats
• Poor bird variety (cold climate, sharply
  accentuated breeding season)

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Palearctic Region

• 1026 species (55 passerines)
• 69 families
• Only 1 endemic family
• Similarities with Nearctic, Ethiopian, Oriental

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Nearctic Region

• 750 species
• Dominant - Parulidae (warblers), Icteridae
  (blackbirds)
• 61 families (no endemic)
• Similarities with Palearctic, Neotropical

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Ethiopian Region

• 1556 species (62 passerines)
• 73 families
• 6 endemic families
• Similarities with Palearctic, Oriental

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Oriental Region

• 961 species
• 66 families
• Only 1 endemic family
• Most similar to Ethiopian, less to Palearctic,
  Australian

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Australian Region

• 906 species
• 64 families
• 13 endemic families

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Neotropical Region

• 3300 species (dominated by non-passerines)
• gt95 families
• 31 endemic families
• Similarities with Nearctic

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Active Dispersal

• Change in distribution of species
• Driven by
• Changing environment
• Interspecific competition
• Population pressure

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Active Dispersal

• Enhanced by mobility
• Irruption - rapid range expansion
• Withdrawal - loss of range

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Passive Dispersal

• Strong winds, storms - accidentals
• Humans - House Sparrow, European Starling, Rock
  Dove, Ring-necked Pheasant

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Monk Parakeet

• Crate of imported birds broke open in 1967 at JFK
  International Airport
• Now live in New York and 15 other states

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Monk Parakeet
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Barriers

• Mountain ranges
• Oceans - Cattle Egret
• Cold temperatures
• Food resources - e.g., hummingbirds