Geoscience Reference
In-Depth Information
Figure 3.19 Tree kangaroos are the largest herbivores in the rainforests of Papua New
Guinea.
(Photo by Susan Flashman. Courtesy of Shutterstock.)
Birds
The distinction of West Malesia and East Malesia is useful in discussing birds, as
the birds in each subregion are quite different. The rainforest birds of Asia and
Africa are similar to each other at the family level. This is most likely due to disper-
sal during intermittent forested connections. Some of the important rainforest fami-
lies shared between the two regions include the hornbills, bulbuls, and sunbirds.
Hornbills are large birds with black, white, and yellow plumage and huge bills.
Many have developed a casque, an outgrowth that adorns the top mandible of the
