Out of 170 identified bird species in NC, about 30 species are present in dry forests. Dry forest avian fauna is very similar to that of adjacent open degraded zones. As in this latter habitat, consisting of grazing land, niaoulis (Melaleuca quinquinerva) savannahs, mimosaceae (Leucaena leucocephala) wasteland, thickets, low ground forest and border forest, dry forest bird populations are composed of relatively commonplace species. A few species, common to all these environments, all indigenous, dominate in number and occurrence: green-backed white-eye, rufous whistler, dark-brown honeyeater, fan-tailed gerygone, grey fantail. Some introduced species (Indian Myna, common waxbill) common in all grazing land are also found.

Siffleur à ventre roux, photo N. Barré et R. Seitre

Some species are especially numerous at certain times of the year. When nectar producing plants are in flower they attract green-backed white-eye and dark-brown honeyeater, and groups of dozens of these birds can be observed on a single tree in flower.
When berry trees are in fruit, it is a period favourable for, amongst others, white-throated pigeon.

Rhipidure à collier (Petit lève queue), photo N. Barré

Temporary creeks and ponds promote biodiversity . On the one hand they attract water birds (herons and ducks), and on the other hand, they provide drinking sites for most land birds thus contributing to higher population density .

Proximity of different tree and bush formations lead to the presence of species closely associated with them : barred honeyeater and New Caledonian myzomela associated with schist maquis.

Miro à ventre jaune (Rossignol), photo N. Barré et R. Seitre

Even in the absence of forest corridors or nearby moist evergreen forest, some patches of dry forest can provide a home for moist evergreen forests species, provided these patches are not degraded and are of sufficient extent. Their presence is an indicator of the non degraded dry forest state (diversified plant species, uncleared forest cover, cool and shady understory).
While there are no complete surveys of avian fauna in dry forest, it appears that the presence of the 3 following species to a greater or lesser extent are characteristic of the best preserved areas : New Caledonian whistler, yellow-bellied robin, streaked fantail. Colonization or desertion of sites by these bird species could be used as a tool to assess biological quality state and evolution of a site and therefore measure the success of restoration measures.

Echenilleur pie, photo N. Barré

3000 years ago the west coast was mostly covered with dry forest. Birds species which lived there have adapted to the new ecosystems and landscapes created by humans. For some bird species, dry forest is probably their original ecological environment.