Positive range–abundance relationships in Indo‐Pacific bird communities

Reeve et al. (2016, Ecography, 39 , 990–997) recently reported negative range–abundance relationships in Indo‐Pacific bird communities and speculated that geographical isolation facilitates the evolution of broad‐niched, small‐ranged and abundant species. We tested this relationship using a large independent data set on range and abundance of birds across New Caledonia (over 4,000 bird census points for 17,300 km²). In contradiction to Reeve et al. (2016, Ecography, 39 , 990–997), we found clear evidence that range–abundance relationships are positive and endemic species have narrower habitat niches than wide‐range species. Our findings are likely valid also for other islands in the Indo‐Pacific.