Colony stability of cave-nesting Australian Swiftlets in Queensland: What are the impacts of severe weather events?

Abstract

A study of 31 Australian Swiftlet Aerodramus terraereginae colonies at Chillagoe, Queensland, over 28 years and a study of two colonies at Finch Hatton Gorge near Mackay, Qld, over 25 years have shown that some colonies are more vulnerable than others to extinction from severe weather events and climate change. Flooding and strong cyclones can also change breeding practices, forcing Swiftlets to use different chambers or caves, or even change the time of breeding. Extreme weather can cause the extinction of exposed colonies and severe reduction of protected colonies.