TAXON SUMMARY Banded Fruit-Dove (Australian) · TAXON SUMMARY Banded Fruit-Dove (Australian) ......

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TAXON SUMMARY Banded Fruit-Dove (Australian)

1 Family Columbidae

2 Scientific name Ptilinopus cinctus alligator Collett, 1898

3 Common name Banded Fruit-Dove (Australian)

4 Conservation status Near Threatened: d

5 Reasons for listingThis subspecies has a small population size (NearThreatened: d), but there is no suggestion of a decline.

Estimate ReliabilityExtent of occurrence 2,000 km2 high

trend stable highArea of occupancy 800 km2 low

trend stable highNo. of breeding birds 3,000 low

trend stable highNo. of sub-populations 1 highGeneration time 5 years low

6 Infraspecific taxaThere are six other subspecies in Indonesia (Higginsand Davies, 1996). Globally, the species is LeastConcern.

7 Past range and abundanceEndemic to Northern Territory. Recorded alongwestern edge of Arnhem Land, probably breedingthroughout range (Higgins and Davies, 1996, Schoddeand Mason, 1997).

8 Present range and abundanceRecorded in 31 out of 88 rainforest patches in KakaduNational Park at a density of up to 0.75 birds/ha(Woinarski, 1993).

9 EcologyThe Banded Fruit-Dove is a resident of Allosyncarpiarainforests and allied vegetation communities onplateaux and escarpments (Woinarski, 1993, Schoddeand Mason, 1997). There it occurs at highest density inthe core of the forest away from the edges, although ithas been recorded in patches as small as 0.3 ha(Woinarski, 1993). It builds a flimsy nest in rainforesttrees and eats the fruits of figs and other rainforesttrees and shrubs (Frith, 1972, Higgins and Davies,1996).

10 ThreatsAlthough the Allosyncarpia-dominated rainforest issensitive to hot fires (Russell-Smith et al., 1993), it islargely protected by the rocky terrain. The pigeon may

also be less abundant where there are weeds in theunderstorey (Woinarski, 1993), although this isunlikely to be a threat in the short-term.

11 Recommended actions11.1 Ensure continued protection of rainforest

habitat from fire.

11.2 Use occasional records to monitor persistencein different rainforest patches.

12 BibliographyFrith, H. J. 1972. Nesting of the Black-banded Pigeonand the Australian rock pigeons. Emu 72:13-16.

Higgins, P. J. and Davies, S. J. J. F. (eds) 1996.Handbook of Australian, New Zealand and Antarctic Birds.Vol. 3. Snipe to Pigeons. Oxford University Press,Melbourne.

Russell-Smith, J., Lucas, D. E., Brock, J. and Bowman,D. M. J. S. Allosyncarpia-dominated rain forest inmonsoonal Australia. J. Veg. Sci. 4:67-82.

Schodde, R. and Mason, I. J. 1997. Aves (Columbidaeto Coraciidae). Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Vol.37.2. W. W. K. Houston and A. Wells (eds). CSIROPublishing, Melbourne.

Woinarski, J. C. Z. 1993. A cut-and-paste community:birds of monsoon rainforests in Kakadu NationalPark, Northern Territory. Emu 93:151-22.

Comments received fromJohn Woinarski.

363

TAXON SUMMARY Barking Owl (southern)

1 Family Strigidae

2 Scientific name Ninox connivens connivens (Latham, 1802)

3 Common name Barking Owl (southern)

4 Conservation status Near Threatened: a

5 Reasons for listingThe area of occupancy of this subspecies has declinedby more than 50% (Near Threatened: a). Thesubspecies is presumed to be abundant in Queensland,but even if the population is less than 10,000 anddeclining, it is not fragmented (so not Vulnerable: C2a)and birds in eastern and western Australia arepresumed to belong to separate sub-populations (sonot C2b).

Estimate ReliabilityExtent of occurrence 3,000,000 km2 high

trend stable mediumArea of occupancy 75,000 km2 low

trend decreasing highNo. of breeding birds 15,000 low

trend decreasing highNumber of populations: 2 mediumLargest population: 14,500 lowGeneration time 10 years low

6 Infraspecific taxaN. c. peninsularis (Pilbara, W. A., to Burdekin LyndDivide, Qld) is Least Concern, as is the species. Twoother subspecies occur in New Guinea and theMoluccas.

7 Past range and abundanceSparsely distributed through temperate and semi-aridregions from Cooktown, Qld, to Flinders Ra., S. A.,extending inland to the Lake Eyre, Bulloo and MurrayDarling Basins. Also, coastal and subcoastal WesternAustralia from Esperance to Greenough R. (Schoddeand Mason, 1997, Higgins, 1999, Johnstone and Storr,1998, Kavanagh et al., 1995a,b).

8 Present range and abundanceGeneral distribution as above, but local declines orextinctions recorded in Herbert R. district, Qld (Youngand De Lai, 1997), and then through much of NewSouth Wales (Debus, 1997), Victoria (Silveira, 1997)and South Australia (Parker, 1988, Higgins, 1999), aswell as in south-west Australia (Johnstone and Storr,1998). Population size in Victoria estimated at 50 pairs(Silveira et al., 1997). No birds located in recent surveyof 100 sites in south-western Western Australia(R. Kavanagh).

9 EcologyThe southern subspecies of Barking Owl occursprimarily in dry sclerophyll woodland, particularly thatassociated with riparian vegetation in the south-west(Johnstone and Storr, 1998) and on forest edges in thesouth-east (Taylor and Kirsten, 2000). Nesting is inlarge hollows in live eucalypts, often near opencountry. Clutch size is 1-3 (Higgins, 1999, NSWNPWS, 1999). Diet is primarily insects the in non-breeding season with birds and mammals, particularlysmall gliders and rabbits, taken when the owls arebreeding (Higgins, 1999).

10 ThreatsMuch of the habitat of the southern subspecies ofBarking Owl has been cleared (Silveira, 1997, Higgins,1999, NSW NPWS, 1999). Forestry practices,particularly those that include the felling of old-growthforests or over-mature trees, further threaten thespecies by reducing the availability of nesting androosting hollows and shelter for breeding season prey(Kavanagh et al., 1995b, Taylor and Kirsten, 2000). Onprivate land, much of the remaining habitat isfragmented and subject to further clearing, firewoodcollection and grazing, and there has been littleregeneration (Barrett et al., 1994, Robinson and Traill,1996, Debus, 1997, NSW NPWS, 1999). In northQueensland, a decline in the species was linked to useof Klerat as a rodenticide around cane farms (Youngand De Lai, 1997), though this remains unproven(P. Olsen).

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11 Recommended actions11.1 Undertake genetic comparisons between

populations in south-west and easternAustralia.

11.2 Clarify the distribution and obtain baselineestimates of abundance from sites throughoutsubspecies range, particularly WesternAustralia and Queensland.

11.3 Identify patch size necessary to sustain apopulation of subspecies.

11.4 Involve rural community in surveys andconservation efforts.

11.5 Protect all woodland from which subspecieshas regularly been recorded from clearing,monitoring compliance biennially.

11.6 Secure public land on which the subspeciesoccurs with conservation management,particularly in timber reserves, transportcorridors and local government land

11.7 Within the owl’s range, manage at least 15%of the pre-European area of all woodlandcommunities on public or private land fornature conservation, using incentives wherenecessary.

11.8 Using appropriate incentives, undertakeextension with land-holders that have suitablewoodland habitat to promote soundmanagement of remnants and encouragegreater connectivity between sub-populations.

11.9 Promote revegetation and land reclamationthat recreates woodland habitat with a fullcomplement of biodiversity, including the owl.

11.10 Control and reduce firewood collection fromareas occupied by the subspecies, promotingwood-lot development close to markets, andreduce grazing densities where necessary.

12 BibliographyBarrett, G. W., Ford, H. A. and Recher, H. F. 1994.Conservation of woodland birds in a fragmented rurallandscape. Pac. Conserv. Biol. 1:245-256.

Debus, S. J. S. 1997. The Barking Owl in New SouthWales. Aust. Birds 30:53-80.

Higgins, P. J. (ed.) 1999. Handbook of Australian, NewZealand and Antarctic Birds. Vol. 4. Parrots to Dollarbird.Oxford University Press, Melbourne.

Johnstone, R. E. and Storr, G. M. 1998. Handbook ofWestern Australian Birds. Vol. 1. Non-passerines (Emu toDollarbird). W. A. Museum, Perth.

Kavanagh, R. P., Debus, S. J. S., Rose, A. B. andTurner, R. J. 1995a. Notes on the diet and habitat ofthe Barking Owl Ninox connivens in New South Wales.Aust. Bird Watcher 16:137-144.

Kavanagh, R. P., Debus, S. J. S., Tweedie, T. andWebster, R. 1995b. Distribution of nocturnal forestbirds and mammals in north-eastern New SouthWales: relationships with environmental variables andmanagement history. Wildl. Res. 22:359-377.

NSW NPWS 1999. Draft Barking Owl Ninox connivensRecovery Plan. New South Wales National Parks andWildlife Service, Hurstville.

Parker, S. A. 1988. Records of the Barking Owl fromSouth Australia. S. Australian Ornithol. 27:204-206.

Robinson, D. and Traill, B. J. 1996. Conservingwoodland birds in the wheat and sheep belts ofsouthern Australia. RAOU Conservation Statement 10.

Schodde, R. and Mason, I. J. 1997. Aves (Columbidaeto Coraciidae). Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Vol. 37.2.W. W. K. Houston and A. Wells (eds). CSIROPublishing, Melbourne.

Silveira, C. E. 1997. Targeted assessments of keythreatened vertebrate fauna in relation to the North-east and Benalla-Mansfield Forest Management Area(NE FMA), Victoria: Barking Owl Ninox connivens.Report to Arthur Rylah Institute, Heidelberg.

Silveira, C. E., Yen, A. L., Bennett, A. F., Brown,G. W., Hinkley, S. D., Loyn, R. H., Lumsden, L. F. andSmith, W. 1997. Fauna of the Box-Ironbark study area.Report to the Land Conservation Council, Melbourne.

Taylor, I. R. and Kirsten, I. 1999. Woodland survivors.Wingspan 9(4):8-11.

Young, J. and De Lai, L. 1997. Population declines ofpredatory birds coincident with the introduction ofKlerat rodenticide in north Queensland. Aust. BirdWatcher 17:160-167.

Comments received fromJohn Blyth, Allan Burbidge, Stephen Debus, Rod Kavanagh,Richard Loyn, Penny Olsen, Paul Peake, Doug Robinson.

615

TAXON SUMMARY Bassian Thrush (South Australian)

1 Family Muscicapidae

2 Scientific name Zoothera lunulata halmaturina (A. G. Campbell, 1906)

3 Common name Bassian Thrush (South Australian)

4 Conservation status Near Threatened: ac

5 Reasons for listingThis subspecies has lost at least half of its original areaof occupancy (Near Threatened: a) and occurs at amuch lower density over the remainder of its mainlanddistribution (Near Threatened: c).

Estimate ReliabilityExtent of occurrence 9,000 km2 medium

trend stable highArea of occupancy 1,000 km2 medium

trend decreasing mediumNo. of breeding birds 12,000 low

trend decreasing mediumNo. of sub-populations 1 highGeneration time 4 years low

6 Infraspecific taxaZ. l. lunulata (subcoastal areas from south-easternSouth Australia to south-eastern Queensland andincluding Tasmania and Bass Strait islands) andZ. l. cuneata (north-east Queensland) are both LeastConcern.

7 Past range and abundanceKangaroo I., Mt Lofty Ra. and at Telowie GorgeConservation Park and Wittaburra Forest, S. A.(Schodde and Mason, 1999, L. Pedler).

8 Present range and abundanceAs above, but half its habitat has been cleared onKangaroo I. and a greater proportion on the mainland.Previously, population was probably underestimated(Garnett, 1992), particularly for Kangaroo I., andmovements of other subspecies suggest that KangarooI. birds are likely to be isolated from those on themainland. No decline evident from 1974/1975 to1984/1985 (Paton et al., 1994).

9 EcologyOn the mainland, White’s Thrush favours dampeucalypt forest or woodland (SAOA, 1991), and hasalso been recorded breeding in exotic pine Pinus radiataplantations (Edington, 1983). On Kangaroo I., itoccurs in the damp eucalypt forests, but also usesmature mallee eucalypt woodland (Baxter, 1995). Inmuch of its range, suitable habitat is confined to creek-lines or dune swales, the birds foraging for wormsamong damp leaf litter (SAOA, 1991). Damp habitats

seem particularly important in summer (Edington,1983). The thrush lays 2-3 eggs in a bulky, bowl-shaped nest (Beruldsen, 1980).

10 ThreatsMuch of the best habitat has been cleared foragriculture. That which remains on the mainland isthreatened by the damming of creeks, which results inthe desiccation of the litter layer downstream, andgrazing by cattle. In 1983, wildfire destroyed severalsites where the subspecies had been common (SAOA,1991), and prescribed burning in spring sometimesdestroys habitat along creek-lines (T. Dennis). Theremay also be competition with the introducedBlackbird Turdus merula (SAOA, 1991).

11 Recommended actions11.1 Monitor numbers on mainland by analysis of

bird atlas records.

11.2 Characterise favoured habitats and maintainthese habitat values in all mainland reserves.

12 BibliographyBaxter, C. 1995. An annotated list of birds of KangarooIsland. Department of Environment and NaturalResources, Kingscote.

Beruldsen, G. R. 1980. A Field Guide to Nests and Eggs ofAustralian Birds. Rigby, Adelaide.

Edington, J. S. L. 1983. White's Thrush: some aspectsof its ecology and feeding behaviour. S. Aust. Ornithol.29:57-59.

Garnett, S. T. (ed.) 1992. Threatened and Extinct Birds ofAustralia. RAOU Report 82. RAOU, Melbourne andANPWS, Canberra.

616

Paton, D. C., Carpenter, G. and Sinclair, R. G. 1994. Asecond bird atlas of the Adelaide region. Part 1:changes in the distribution of birds: 1974-75 vs1984-85. S. Aust. Ornithol. 31:151-193.

SAOA, 1991. Endangered birds in South Australia.Submission to the advisory committee on threatenedspecies in South Australia for Nature ConservationSociety of South Australia Inc., Adelaide.

Schodde, R. and Mason, I. J. 1999. The Directory ofAustralian Birds: Passerines. CSIRO, Collingwood,Victoria.

Comments received fromGraham Carpenter, Lynn Pedler.

299

TAXON SUMMARY Baudin’s Black-Cockatoo (Long-billed Black-Cockatoo)

1 Family Cacatuidae

2 Scientific name Calyptorhynchus baudinii Lear, 1832

3 Common name Baudin’s Black-Cockatoo

4 Conservation status Near Threatened: c

5 Reasons for listingThis species has disappeared from about 25% of itsrange and is assumed to have declined in density overat least another 25% that has been partially cleared.There has thus been a decline in density over half thespecies’ range (Near Threatened: c).


trend stable highArea of occupancy 2,000 km2 low

trend stable mediumNo. of breeding birds 12,000 low

trend decreasing lowNo. of sub-populations 1 highGeneration time 15 years low

6 Infraspecific taxaNone described.

7 Past range and abundanceEndemic to higher rainfall parts of the south-west ofWestern Australia, mostly between Perth, Albany andMargaret River (Saunders, 1974a, 1979, Saunders et al.,1985, Saunders and Ingram, 1995, Schodde andMason, 1997).

8 Present range and abundanceOverall extent of range probably stable sincesettlement (Saunders et al., 1985, Saunders and Ingram,1995), but, within the range, disappeared from about25%, and population thought to have declinedelsewhere since 1950s (Johnstone, 1997). Numbers ofmature birds estimated at 10,000 to 15,000 (Higgins,1999).

9 EcologyBaudin’s Black-Cockatoos are found in temperateforest and woodland dominated by the eucalyptsJarrah Eucalyptus marginata, Karri E. diversicolor andMarri E calophylla. They nest in hollows in matureeucalypts, particularly Marri, Karri and WandooE. wandoo (Saunders, 1974a), usually laying two eggs,although breeding success only estimated at 0.6 youngper pair (Johnstone and Storr, 1998). Nests are thinlydispersed through the available feeding habitat, withgreater densities perhaps being prevented by intense

competition between nesting females (Saunders et al.,1985). In forested areas, Baudin’s Black-Cockatoosmainly feed on the seeds and flowers of Marri(Saunders, 1974a,b). They also take seeds from applesand pears in orchards (Long, 1985, Halse, 1986).

10 ThreatsUp to a quarter of the habitat of Baudin’s Black-Cockatoo has been cleared for agriculture (Mawsonand Johnstone, 1997, Johnstone, 1997). In remaininghabitat, density appears to have declined as a result ofselective removal of large Marri, from which thespecies obtains most of its food (P. Mawson). Nestsites could have become limiting had past forestmanagement continued (Saunders et al., 1985, Mawsonand Long, 1994, Saunders and Ingram, 1995), but it isnow planned to stop all woodchipping by 2003.Cessation of woodchipping will also reduce thenumber of feeding trees that are removed. Althoughthe species has been fully protected since 1996 (Halse,1986, Mawson and Johnstone, 1997), illegal shootingby orchardists still occurs (P. Mawson), and it is notknown whether losses from shooting exceedproductivity.

11 Recommended actions11.1 Develop a repeatable population monitoring

technique.

11.2 Initiate monitoring in different parts of range.

11.3 Help orchardists develop a non-lethal damagemitigation technique and enforce morevigorously legislative provisions that makeshooting illegal.

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12 BibliographyHalse, S. A. 1986. Parrot damage in apple orchards insouth-western Australia - a review. Department ofConservation and Land Management Tech. Rep. 8.


Johnstone, R. E. 1997. Current studies on threeendemic Western Australian Cockatoos. Eclectus3:34-35.


Long, J. 1985. Damage to cultivated fruit by parrots inthe south of Western Australia. Aust. Wildl. Res.12:75-80.

Mawson, P. and Johnstone, R. E. 1997. Conservationstatus of parrots and cockatoos in Western Australia.Eclectus 2:4-9.

Mawson, P. R. and Long, J. L. 1994. Size and ageparameters of nest trees used by four species of parrotand one species of cockatoo in south-west Australia.Emu 94:149-155.

Saunders, D. A. 1979. Distribution and taxonomy ofthe White-tailed and Yellow-tailed Black CockatooCalyptorhynchus spp. Emu 79:215-27.

Saunders, D. A. 1992. Baudin’s Black-Cockatoo.Pp. 105-106 in Threatened and Extinct Birds of Australia.RAOU Report 82. S.T. Garnett (ed.). Royal AustralasianOrnithologists Union, Melbourne, and AustralianNational Parks and Wildlife Service, Canberra.

Saunders, D. A. and Ingram, J. A. 1995. Birds ofSouthwestern Australia: An Atlas of Changes in theDistribution and Abundance of the Wheatbelt Avifauna.Surrey Beatty and Sons, Chipping Norton.

Saunders, D. A. 1974a. Subspeciation in the White-tailed Black Cockatoo, Calyptorhynchus baudinii, inWestern Australia. Aust. Wildl. Res. 1:55-69.

Saunders, D. A. 1974b. The occurrence of the White-tailed Black Cockatoo, Calyptorhynchus baudinii, in Pinusplantations in Western Australia. Aust. Wildl. Res.1:45-54.

Saunders, D. A., Rowley, I. and Smith, G. T. 1985.The effects of clearing for agriculture on thedistribution of cockatoos in the southwest of WesternAustralia. Pp. 309-321 in Birds of Eucalypt Forests andWoodlands: Ecology, Conservation, Management. A. Keast,H. F. Recher, H. Ford and D. Saunders (eds). RAOU,Melbourne and Surrey Beatty and Sons, ChippingNorton.

Schodde, R. and Mason, I. J. 1997. Aves (Columbidaeto Coraciidae). Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Vol. 37.2.W. W. K. Houston and A. Wells (eds). CSIROPublishing, Melbourne.

Text adapted fromSaunders (1992).

Comments received fromAllan Burbidge, Andrew Burbidge, Ron Johnstone, Tony Jupp,Peter Mawson, Ian Rowley.

232

TAXON SUMMARY Beach Stone-curlew

1 Family Burhinidae

2 Scientific name Esacus neglectus Mathews, 1912

3 Common name Beach Stone-curlew

4 Conservation status Least Concern

5 Reasons for listingInitial fears of declines of this species have not beenborn out by monitoring and much of the habitat,particularly on islands, is secure. The global status isNear Threatened on the basis of extralimital threatsbut there is unlikely to be much genetic interchangebetween Australian and global populations. TheAustralian population is therefore assessedindependently (as per Gärdenfors et al., 1999).



trend stable mediumPopulation size 5,000 low

trend stable mediumNo. of sub-populations 1 highGeneration time 5 years lowGlobal population share 25 % lowLevel of genetic exchange low medium


7 Past range and abundanceDisjunct distribution around the coast and on offshoreislands in northern and eastern Australia (Draffan et al.,1983, Blakers et al., 1984, Balmford, 1990, McLean,1996, Marchant and Higgins, 1993, Johnstone andStorr, 1998, Milton, 1998). Breeding recorded betweenSandy Point, W. A., and north-eastern New SouthWales. Vagrants found as far south as Carnarvon,W. A., and Mallacoota, Vic. (Blakers et al., 1984,Marchant and Higgins, 1993, Johnstone and Storr,1998). Extralimital populations in south-east Asia andon islands of south-west Pacific Ocean.

8 Present range and abundanceDensity may have declined locally on islands or inareas of the mainland where there are high levels ofhuman disturbance, particularly around inhabitedislands of the Great Barrier Reef and Torres Strait.However, from 1920s to 1970s range appears to haveextended south in the east from Great Keppel I., Qld.to Ballina, N. S. W. (Marchant and Higgins, 1993,Clancy and Christensen, 1980). Population estimate ofat least 1,000 individuals (Draffan et al. 1983,

Cornelius, 1987, 1988, Watkins, 1993), with a further50-70 birds on northern Great Barrier Reef, and anunknown, but probably substantial, number along thecoasts of Northern Territory and Western Australia(Milton, 1998, A. A. Burbidge, J. Woinarski).

9 EcologyPairs of Beach Stone-curlews may be found on mostbeaches within the species’ range, including shortstretches of muddy sand among mangroves, corallinesands on atolls and prime surf beaches. However, notall apparently suitable beaches support the birds. Birdsdo not occupy long stretches of continuous mangrovesor cliffs (Clancy, 1986, Marchant and Higgins, 1993),though beaches associated with estuaries or nearmangroves are particularly favoured. Though vagrantsare recorded far from their usual range, adults appearsedentary. The species lays a single egg in a scrape inthe sand at the landward edge of the beach, oftenusing the same small area repeatedly. It mainly foragesin the intertidal zone, feeding on crabs and othermarine invertebrates (Clancy, 1986, Marchant andHiggins, 1993).

10 ThreatsBeach Stone-curlews are thought to be sensitive tohuman disturbance, and predation by cats, dogs andferal pigs may reduce breeding success (Roberts, 1957,Garnett, 1992). Uninhabited islands of the GreatBarrier Reef (Milton, 1998) and elsewhere aroundnorthern Australia are largely free of suchdisturbances, so provide an important refuge. As thespecies occurs at a low density in an essentially linearhabitat, local extinctions could easily become regionalones, although the historical expansion of range south

233

suggests that such extinctions do not represent geneticbarriers.

11 Recommended actions11.1 Maintain a register of beaches on which

species is recorded as a means of monitoringtrends, particularly in parts of range with highhuman usage.

11.2 If necessary, control use of beaches by humansand their dogs, particularly when Beach Stone-curlew are breeding.

11.3 Determine relationship between humandisturbance and breeding success.

12 BibliographyBalmford, R. 1990. Beach Thick-knee in north-westQueensland. Aust. Bird Watcher 13:203-204.

Blakers, M., Davies, S. J. J. F. and Reilly, P. N. 1984.The Atlas of Australian Birds. RAOU and MelbourneUniversity Press, Melbourne.

Clancy, G. P. 1986. Observations of nesting BeachThick-knees Burhinus neglectus at Red Rock, New SouthWales. Corella 10:114-118.

Clancy, G. P. and Christiansen, M. 1980. A breedingrecord of the Beach Stone-curlew at Red Rock NewSouth Wales. Aust. Birds 15:5.

Cornelius, J. 1987. Waders along a section of the GreatBarrier Reef. Stilt 10:36.

Cornelius, J. 1988. Waders in the Far Northern GreatBarrier Reef. Stilt 12:54-55.

Draffan, R. D. W., Garnett, S. T. and Malone, G. J.1983. Bird of the Torres Strait: An annotated list andbiogeographic analysis. Emu 83:207-234.

Gärdenfors, U., Rodríguez, J.P., Hilton-Taylor, C.,Hyslop, C., Mace, G., Molur, S. and Poss, S. 1999.Draft guidelines for the Application of IUCN Red ListCriteria at National and Regional Levels. Species31-32:58-70.

Garnett, S. T. (ed.) 1992. Threatened and Extinct Birds ofAustralia. RAOU Report 82. Royal AustralasianOrnithologists Union, Melbourne, and AustralianNational Parks and Wildlife Service, Canberra.


Marchant, S. and Higgins, P. J. (eds) 1993. Handbook ofAustralian, New Zealand and Antarctic Birds. Vol. 2.Raptors to Lapwings. Oxford University Press,Melbourne.

McLean, J. A. 1996. The birds of the Hope islands,north Queensland. Sunbird 26:66-75.

Milton, D. 1998. Distribution and abundance of BeachStone-Curlews on northern Great Barrier Reef islands.Sunbird 28:31-38.

Roberts, P. E. 1957. Notes on birds of theCumberland Islands. Emu 57:303-310.

Watkins, D. 1993. A National Plan for ShorebirdConservation in Australia. RAOU Report 90. RoyalAustralasian Ornithologists Union, Melbourne.

Comments received fromAllan Burbidge, Andrew Burbidge, Peter Menkhorst, JohnWoinarski.

180

TAXON SUMMARY Black Bittern (Australasian)

1 Family Ardeidae

2 Scientific name Ixobrychus flavicolllis australis (Lesson, 1831)

3 Common name Black Bittern (Australasian)

4 Conservation status

Australian population Least Concern

5 Reasons for listingThe subspecies’ extensive range in northern Australiais intact, despite declines along the southern margins.The global status is Least Concern and, given the likelyextent of genetic interchange, corroborates nationallisting (as per Gärdenfors et al., 1999).

Australian population Estimate ReliabilityExtent of occurrence 3,000,000 km2 medium

trend decreasing mediumArea of occupancy 500,000 km2 low


trend decreasing mediumNo. of sub-populations 3 mediumLargest sub-population 19,500 lowGeneration time 5 years lowGlobal population share 50 % lowLevel of genetic exchange medium medium

6 Infraspecific taxaThe two other subspecies do not occur in Australia.Globally, the species is Least Concern.

7 Past range and abundanceIn Australia, found in near-coastal northern andeastern Australia, with an isolated sub-population insouth-western Australia. It was also recorded inwestern New South Wales (Smith et al., 1995).Extralimitally in New Guinea and nearby islands(Marchant and Higgins, 1990).

8 Present range and abundanceAs above, though disappeared from western NewSouth Wales (Smith et al., 1995) and parts of centralQueensland (Barnard and Barnard, 1925), and is nowvery scarce in south-west Western Australia (Johnsonand Storr, 1998).

9 EcologyBlack Bitterns occupy vegetated wetlands, breeding intrees, and feeding on aquatic fauna along streams, inthe upper reaches of estuaries, and beside billabongsand pools (Marchant and Higgins, 1990).

10 ThreatsSalinisation of waterways, wetland drainage andclearance of creek-side vegetation have probably beenresponsible for the decline in south-western Australia.Clearance is also likely to be affecting the species alongthe south-east coast (Marchant and Higgins, 1990).

11 Recommended actions11.1 Retain and manage riparian vegetation.

12 BibliographyBarnard, C. A. and Barnard, H. G. 1925. A review ofthe bird life on Coomooboolaroo Station, Duaringa,Queensland, during the past fifty years. Emu24:252-265.



Marchant, S. and Higgins, P. J. (eds) 1990. TheHandbook of Australian, New Zealand and Antarctic Birds.Oxford University Press, Melbourne.

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Smith, P. J., Smith, J. E , Pressey, R. L. and. Whish,G. L. 1995. Birds of Particular Conservation Concernin the Western Division of New South WalesDistributions, Habitats and Threats. National Parks and

Wildlife Service Occasional Paper 20. New South WalesNational Parks and Wildlife Service, Hurstville.

Comments received fromJohn Woinarski.

573

TAXON SUMMARY Black Butcherbird (Torres Strait)

1 Family Artamidae

2 Scientific name Cracticus quoyi alecto Schodde and Mason, 1999

3 Common name Black Butcherbird (Torres Strait)

4 Conservation status Near Threatened: e

5 Reasons for listingThe Australian population of this subspecies isconfined to two small islands with a combined area ofabout 100 km2 (Vulnerable: D2). The global status,however, is Least Concern and genetic interchange islikely to be substantial. The Australian status hastherefore been downgraded (as per Gärdenfors et al.,1999) to Near Threatened: e (genetic interchangebeyond borders).

Australian population Estimate ReliabilityExtent of occurrence 300 km2 high

trend stable highArea of occupancy 100 km2 high


trend stable highNo. of sub-populations 2 highLargest sub-population 500 lowGeneration time 5 years lowGlobal population share < 1 % highLevel of genetic exchange high high

6 Infraspecific taxaThe three subspecies confined to Australian territoryare all Least Concern. They are C. q. spaldingi (near-coastal Northern Territory and adjacent WesternAustralia), C. q. jardini (near-coastal Cape YorkPeninsula) and C. q. rufescens (near-coastal north andcentral Queensland). The nominate subspecies isfound throughout New Guinea (Schodde and Mason,1999)

7 Past range and abundanceSouthern New Guinea and Aru Is, extending toAustralian territory on Saibai and Boigu Is, TorresStrait (Draffan et al., 1983, Schodde and Mason, 1999).

8 Present range and abundanceAs above.

9 EcologyIn Torres Strait, Black Butcherbirds are confined tomangroves. They feed on nestling birds and othersmall vertebrates, crabs, insects and fruits (Blakers etal., 1984). They build open stick nests, in which theylay 2-3 eggs (Beruldsen, 1980).

10 ThreatsThere are no immediate threats except, perhaps, thoseposed to low islands by rising sea levels.

11 Recommended actions11.1 Initiate community-based ecotourism business

promoting the islands’ unique avifauna.Monitoring of sub-populations and habitatcould then be undertaken by visiting bird-watchers and local rangers.

12 BibliographyBeruldsen, G. R. 1980. A Field Guide to Nests and Eggs ofAustralian Birds. Rigby, Adelaide.


Draffan, R. D. W., Garnett, S. T. and Malone, G. J.1983. Bird of the Torres Strait: An annotated list andbiogeographic analysis. Emu 83:207-234.



Comments received fromGeoff Dews, Stan Wright.

578

RECOVERY OUTLINE Black Currawong (King Island)

1 Family Artamidae

2 Scientific name Strepera fuliginosa colei Mathews, 1916

3 Common name Black Currawong (King Island)

4 Conservation status Vulnerable: D1

5 Reasons for listingThe population of this subspecies probably containsabout 500 mature individuals (Vulnerable: D1).

Estimate ReliabilityExtent of occurrence 800 km2 high


trend stable mediumNo. of breeding birds 500 low

trend stable mediumNo. of sub-populations 1 highGeneration time 5 years low

6 Infraspecific taxaS. f. fuliginosa (Tasmania) and S. f. parvior (Flinders I.)are Least Concern.

7 Past range and abundanceEndemic to King I. Tas. (Schodde and Mason, 1999).

8 Present range and abundanceOccurs sporadically in all parts of the island (Greenand McGarvie, 1971).

9 EcologyBlack Currawongs are omnivorous, having a diet ofinsects, carrion, fruit and small vertebrates (Blakers etal., 1984). On King I., Black Currawongs live in wetsclerophyll forest, woodland and heath, and feed onbeaches amongst seaweed and in pasture (Green andMcGarvie, 1971). They build their open stick nests intrees, laying 2-3 eggs, like the Tasmanian subspecies(Beruldsen, 1980).

10 ThreatsThe scarcity of the Black Currawong on King I. hasbeen attributed to a lack of forested habitat in which

to breed (Schodde and Mason, 1999), but may be theresult of a longer-term decline.

11 Information required11.1 Measurement of population size and trends.

12 Recovery objectives12.1 To ensure the population is stable over an

extended period.

13 Actions completed or under wayNone.

14 Management actions required14.1 Initiate monitoring of population size.

14.2 If trends negative, determine necessaryconservation management.

15 Organisations responsible forconservationTasmanian Parks and Wildlife Service.

16 Other organisations involvedLocal government, Tasmanian Forestry Commission,bird-watching societies.

17 Staff and financial resources required for recovery to be carried outStaff resources required 2001-2005 0.2 Project Officer 1

Financial resources required 2001-2005

Action Conservationagencies

Other fundingsources

Total

Determine population size and management requirements 1 $10,000 $1,500 $11,500Monitoring 1 $500 $1,500 $2,000

Total $10,500 $3,000 $13,5001 Costs shared among all six threatened King I. taxa: Green Rosella, Orange-bellied Parrot, Scrubtit, Brown Thornbill, Yellow

Wattlebird and Black Currawong

579



Green, R. and McGarvie, A. M. 1971. The birds ofKing Island. Rec. Queen Vic. Museum 40:1- 42.

Schodde, R. and Mason, I. J. 1999. The Directory ofAustralian Birds: Passerines. CSIRO Wildlife andEcology, Canberra.

Comments received fromSally Bryant, Mark Holdsworth, Nick Mooney.

427

TAXON SUMMARY Black Grasswren

1 Family Maluridae

2 Scientific name Amytornis housei (Milligan, 1902)

3 Common name Black Grasswren


5 Reasons for listingThis species is abundant within its limited area ofoccupancy, and there has been no evidence of change.




trend stable highNo. of sub-populations 1 highGeneration time 4 years low


7 Past range and abundanceWestern Kimberley, W. A. (Rowley and Russell, 1997).


9 EcologyBlack Grasswrens are found in extremely rugged,rocky terrain, notably along escarpments vegetated byTriodia spinifex (Rowley and Russell, 1997, Johnstoneand Kolichis, 1999). They take insects and seeds fromthe ground, usually near shelter of spinifex tussocks(Rowley and Russell, 1997). They build a domed nestin the spinifex, in which they lay 1-2 eggs (Johnstoneand Kolichis, 1999).

10 ThreatsThe species could be adversely affected if fires are toofrequent (Rowley and Russell, 1997) but is generallyprotected by the rocky terrain (Johnstone andKolichis, 1999).

11 Recommended actions11.1 Initiate regular monitoring of persistence at a

selection of known sites.

11.2 Determine fire histories for occupied andunoccupied habitats.

11.3 Develop and encourage adoption of firemanagement that favours the grasswren.

12 BibliographyJohnstone, R. E. and Kolichis, N. 1999. Firstdescription of the nest and eggs of the BlackGrasswren Amytornis housei (Milligan) with notes onbreeding. Rec. W. A. Mus. 19:259-265.

Rowley, I. and Russell, E. 1997. Fairy-wrens andGrasswrens. Oxford University Press, Oxford.

Comments received fromAllan Burbidge, Andrew Burbidge, Ian Rowley, Eleanor Russell.

217

RECOVERY OUTLINE Black-breasted Button-quail

1 Family Turnicidae

2 Scientific name Turnix melanogaster (Gould, 1837)

3 Common name Black-breasted Button-quail

4 Conservation status Vulnerable: B1+2bcde

5 Reasons for listingThe area occupied by this species is lessthan 2,000 km2 and fragmented (Vulnerable: B1).Declines have occurred in area of occupancy (b),extent of habitat (c), number of locations (d) and thusnumber of mature individuals (e), and are expected tocontinue.


trend decreasing highArea of occupancy 750 km2 low


trend decreasing highNo. of sub-populations 25 mediumLargest sub-population 2,000 mediumGeneration time 3 years low


7 Past range and abundanceMarlborough and Fraser I., Qld, possibly occurred asfar south as the Walcha-Yarrowitch area, N. S. W.,extending 400 km inland, including the entire Dawsonand Fitzroy R. valleys, as far west as Palm GroveNational Park (Bennett, 1985, Holmes, 1987, Smythand Young, 1996, Hamley et al., 1997, Milledge andMcKinley, 1998).

8 Present range and abundanceStill occurs within the limits of the historical range inQueensland, but at much reduced density, particularlyin the Dawson and Fitzroy River catchments (Bennett,1985, Hamley et al., 1997). Most sub-populationsprobably isolated in fragments. A survey in 1992/3 insouth-east Qld found evidence of birds at 75 sites,with incidental observations having been made atanother 50. These were clustered into 14 discrete,areas although there was also fragmentation withinareas (Hamley et al., 1997). Largest known sub-population occurs in a 3 km x 100 km strip along theeastern edge of Fraser Island National Park(R. Hobson). In New South Wales, only 10 reliablerecords in last two decades, from six areas, mostly inthe far north-east of the state (Milledge and McKinley,1998).

9 EcologyIn Queensland, Black-breasted Button-quail are mostfrequently reported in vine thicket rainforest thatreceives 800-1200 mm annual average rainfall, andhave a largely closed canopy and deep litter layer. Theyalso occur in softwood scrubs in the brigalow belt,vine scrub regrowth, mature Hoop Pine Araucariacunninghamii plantations, especially where there isLantana camara, dry sclerophyll forest adjacent torainforest and Acacia and Austromyrtus scrubs on sandycoastal soils (Bennett 1985, Hughes and Hughes, 1991,Marchant and Higgins, 1993, Hamley et al., 1997,Smyth, 1997, Smith et al., 1998, R. Hobson). In NewSouth Wales, they are believed to occur in wettersubtropical rainforest, often in association with moisteucalypt forest, but possibly only during drought(J. Martindale). Their principal food is invertebratesfrom the litter on the forest floor (Marchant andHiggins, 1993, McConnell and Hobson, 1995) andpossibly seeds (Smyth, 1997). Adults appear to besedentary, and the extent of movement betweenisolated patches of habitat is unknown (Bennett, 1985,N. Lees and G. C. Smith).

10 ThreatsAt least 90% of Black-breasted Button-quail habitathas been cleared for agriculture or plantations of HoopPine, the area of bottletree scrubs being reduced fromseveral hundred thousand to only a few thousandhectare by the 1960s (Hamley et al., 1997). Thisundoubtedly caused the local extinction from theDawson River valley. Surviving sub-populations invine thickets are affected by grazing and otherdisturbance by cattle, horses, feral pigs and wallabies,which have increased as a result of partial clearing, as

218

well as by timber harvesting. Such disturbance hasgreatest effect during droughts when the habitat,particularly the leaf litter, is also vulnerable to fire.Habitat is also being affected by urban development(G. C. Smith). As a ground-dweller that becomesimmobilised in the face of danger (Marchant andHiggins, 1993), the species may be vulnerable tointroduced predators and is known to be killed by feralcats (G. C. Smith).

11 Information required11.1 Develop a standard monitoring technique to

determine presence and trends in abundance.

11.2 Determine whether cat and fox predation has asignificant impact on population trends,particularly in small fragments.

11.3 Determine the extent of movement betweenhabitat patches.

11.4 Validate predictive models for the south-eastQueensland biogeographic area.

11.5 Map suitable habitat at 150,000 to assessdegree of connectivity.

12 Recovery objectives12.1 To retain all remaining sub-populations.

12.2 To restore and consolidate habitat fragmentswithin sub-populations.

13 Actions completed or under way13.1 Detailed surveys have been conducted in Qld,

excluding Fraser I., and N. S. W.

13.2 Research has been undertaken to determinehabitat use, particularly of hoop pineplantations.

14 Management actions required14.1 Confirm size and distribution of sub-

population on Fraser I.

14.2 Determine status of remaining sub-populationsin N. S. W.

14.3 If legislative power exists, survey likely habitatfor Black-breasted Button-quail beforelicensing clearing, burning, logging, roadingand grazing

14.4 Ensure appropriate conservation managementof all remaining breeding habitat, includingprotection from clearing, burning, logging,roading and grazing.

14.5 Rehabilitate and consolidate habitat fragments.

14.6 Prepare a management plan for remaining vinethickets.

15 Organisations responsible forconservationNew South Wales National Parks and Wildlife Service,Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service.

16 Other organisations involvedState Forests of New South Wales, QueenslandDepartment of Natural Resources, QueenslandOrnithological Society, Birds Australia, Australian BirdStudy Association, other bird-watching societies, localgovernment, Landcare groups, private land-holders.

17 Staff and financial resources required for recovery to be carried outStaff resources required 2001-2005 0.5 Project Officer

1.0 Technical Officer0.5 Extension Officer




Total

Develop standard monitoring technique $5,000 $15,000 $20,000Test effects of fox and cat control $5,000 $15,000 $20,000Determine the extent of movements $5,000 $30,000 $35,000Validate predictive models $2,000 $15,000 $17,000Map habitat $3,000 $7,000 $10,000Survey Fraser I. $10,000 $0 $10,000Surveys in N. S. W. $15,000 $0 $15,000Instigate appropriate habitat protection $330,000 $0 $330,000Environmental Impact Assessment surveys $0 $50,000 $50,000Habitat rehabilitation $300,000 $200,000 $500,000Manage the recovery process $12,000 $2,000 $14,000

Total $687,000 $334,000 $1,021,000

219

18 BibliographyBennett, S. 1985. The distribution and status of theBlack-breasted Button-quail Turnix melanogaster. Emu85:157-162.

Hamley, T., Flower, P. and Smith, G. C. 1997. Presentand past distribution of the Black-breasted Button-quail Turnix melanogaster (Gould) in Queensland.Sunbird 27:1-21.

Holmes, G. 1987. Status of Rare Birds in the TweedVolcano Region. Report to NSW National Parks andWildlife Service, Sydney.

Hughes, P. and Hughes, B. 1991. Notes on the Black-breasted Button-quail at Widgee, Queensland. Aust.Bird Watcher 14:113-118.


McConnell, P. and Hobson, R. 1995. The diet andbehaviour of the Black-breasted Button-quail Turnixmelanogaster. Sunbird 25:18-23.

Milledge, D. R. and McKinley, A. L. 1998. Thedistribution, status and habitat of the Black-breastedButton-quail Turnix melanogaster in north-eastern NSW.Stage 1. Collation of habitat data from surveys ofknown and potential habitat in Queensland andrecords in New South Wales. Report to NSW NationalParks and Wildlife Service, Coffs Harbour.

Smith, G. C., Aridis, J. and Lees, N. 1998. Radio-tracking revealed home ranges of Black-breastedButton-quail Turnix melanogaster in remnant vine scrubbetween hoop pine plantation and agriculture. Emu98:171-177.

Smyth, A. 1997. Draft Recovery Plan for Black-breasted Button-quail Turnix melanogaster. Unpublishedreport to Queensland Department of Environmentand Heritage, Brisbane.

Smyth, A. K. and Young, J. 1996. Observations on theendangered Black-breasted Button-quail Turnixmelanogaster breeding in the wild. Emu 96:202-207.

Comments received fromStephen Debus, Rod Hobson, Glen Ingram, John Martindale,David Milledge, Geoff Smith.

112

RECOVERY OUTLINE Black-browed Albatross

1 Family Diomedeidae

2 Scientific name Thalassarche melanophrys (Temminck, 1828)

3 Common name Black-browed Albatross

4 Conservation statusAustralian breeding population Endangered: C1

Population visiting Australian territory Near Threatened: c

5 Reasons for listingThe Australian breeding population contains fewerthan 2,500 mature individuals and is likely to decreasein size by 20% over the next two generations (30 years;Endangered: C1) as a result of long-line fishing.Globally, the species has probably declined in densityover half its range (Near Threatened: c). Because thereis thought to be little genetic interchange betweenpopulations, the status of the Australian breedingpopulation is assessed independently of the globalstatus (as per Gärdenfors et al., 1999).

Australian breedingcolonies

Estimate Reliability

Extent of occurrence 5,000,000 km2 mediumtrend contracting medium

Area of occupancy 6 km2 hightrend stable high

No. of breeding birds 2,000 mediumtrend decreasing medium

No. of sub-populations 4 highLargest sub-population 1,300 mediumGeneration time 15 years mediumGlobal population share < 1 % highLevel of genetic exchange low medium

6 Infraspecific taxaNone described, but formerly considered conspecificwith T. impavida.

7 Past range and abundanceBreeding on Heard, McDonald, Macquarie and Bishopand Clerk Is. in Australian territory, and on manyother subantarctic islands outside Australian waters(Marchant and Higgins, 1990). Foraging in breedingseason in Antarctic and subantarctic waters adjacent tobreeding area, moving northwards in non-breedingseason, sometimes as far as the northern hemisphere(Marchant and Higgins, 1990). The waters offsouthern Australia between Brisbane and Perth are theprincipal feeding area of birds from Macquarie andKerguelen Is, but are also visited by birds from mostother breeding areas.

8 Present range and abundanceCurrent global population estimated at 3,000,000individuals, with 680,000 breeding pairs, 80% of themon Falkland Is (Gales, 1998). Falkland Is breedingcolonies stable or increasing but all measures of othernon-Australian colonies indicate population decreases(Gales, 1998). Australian colonies are among thesmallest, with approximately 40 pairs breeding onMacquarie I., 85 pairs on McDonald Is., 140 pairs onBishop and Clerk Islets and 600-700 pairs on Heard I.(Woehler, 1991, Kirkwood and Mitchell, 1992, Gales,1998, Terauds and Hume, 1997). Not known ifMacquarie I. breeding sub-population was ever morenumerous, but one colony site, North Head, is nolonger occupied (Terauds and Hume, 1997). Heard I.sub-population subject to rapid fluctuations(Kirkwood and Mitchell, 1992). Recruitment ofMacquarie I. birds to the breeding sub-population islow at 3.3% (Copson, 1988). Recruitment rates atother colonies has decreased since the advent oflongline fisheries (Prince et al., 1994).

9 EcologyThe Black-browed Albatross nests in colonies intussock-grasslands and feeds over continental shelves,oceanic upwellings and boundaries of currents, inharbours, bays and near fishing vessels. Breeding isannual even if the single nestling is fledgedsuccessfully. The main foods are crustaceans and fish,supplemented by cephalopods, salps, jellyfish andscavenged penguin flesh (Marchant and Higgins,1990).

113

10 ThreatsAlthough the species is still numerous and widespread,the decrease in Black-browed Albatross numbers, lowrecruitment and close association with fishing boatsare all a cause for concern. The Black-browedAlbatross is one of the species most frequently killedwhile attempting to take bait from the hooks onlonglines (Brothers 1991, Gales, 1993, EABG, 1999).Decreases recorded in numbers and/or recruitmentrates at many breeding colonies indicate that currentmortality rates cannot be sustained (Weimerskirch etal., 1989, Prince et al., 1994, EABG, 1999). Breedingsuccess and/or nest-site selection have probably beenadversely affected by cats and an inflated number ofSubantarctic Skua Catharacta lonnbergi on Macquarie I.(EABG, 1999).

11 Information required11.1 Determine diet and foraging areas of breeding

sub-populations.

11.2 Develop genetic profiles for breeding sub-populations.

11.3 Determine acceptable levels of at-sea threats.

12 Recovery objectives12.1 Reduce at-sea threats to acceptable levels.

12.2 Reduce land-based threats to acceptable levels.

12.3 Obtain global agreement on conservationmeasures required.

12.4 Promote public awareness of the conservationneeds of albatrosses.

13 Actions completed or under way13.1 A Threat Abatement Plan (TAP) to minimise

fishing bycatch has been prepared (EABG,1998).

13.2 Effective mitigation techniques have beendeveloped and are being improved.

13.3 Bycatch rates in the AFZ and the success ofmitigation measures are monitored and theresults quickly analysed.

13.4 Measures known to be effective in mitigatingseabird bycatch within the AFZ are promotedby legislation, a code of practice and educationprograms.

13.5 Continued monitoring of breeding populationsize and success.

13.6 Ongoing feral animal control on Macquarie I.

13.7 Tourists on breeding islands are managed toprevent disturbance.

13.8 A Recovery Plan has been written and aRecovery Team is in place.

14 Management actions required14.1 Limit further construction on breeding islands.

15 Organisations responsible forconservationAustralian Antarctic Division, Environment AustraliaTasmanian Parks and Wildlife Service.

16 Other organisations involvedAntarctic Science Advisory Committee, AustralianDepartment of Foreign Affairs and Trade, AustralianAgriculture, Fisheries and Forestry - Australia,Australian Fisheries Management Authority,Convention for Conservation of Migratory Species ofWild Animals, Ecologically Related Species WorkingGroup of the Commission for the Conservation ofSouthern Bluefin Tuna, Food and AgriculturalOrganization of the United Nations and its Committeeon Fisheries, Incidental Mortality Arising fromLongline Fishing – ad hoc Working Group of theWorking Group on Fish Stock Assessment ofConvention for the Conservation of Antarctic MarineLiving Resources, Tasmanian Fisheries Service,professional fishing industry groups.

17 Staff and financial resources required for recovery to be carried outStaff resources required 2001-2005 1.0 Project Officer (international liaison) 1

2.0 Project Officer (diet, foraging range) 2

3.0 Technical Officers (fisheries observers)1

1.0 Technical Officer (monitoring) 2

1.0 Technical Officer (ferals) 3

1.0 Technical Officer (monitoring) 3

1.0 Extension Officer 1




Total

Develop improved fishing bycatch mitigation 1 $10,500 $10,500 $21,000Monitor bycatch rates in the AFZ and success of mitigation

measures 1$3,600 $8,600 $12,200

Analysis of annual bycatch data 1 $8,300 $0 $8,300Educate fishers in the AFZ in mitigation techniques 1 $6,300 $5,400 $11,700

114

Inform national fora about the TAP 1 $2,300 $0 $2,300Inform international fora about the TAP and pursue

international threat abatement 1$3,900 $0 $3,900

Maintain currency of TAP and report annually 1 $2,100 $0 $2,100Demographic and foraging studies 2 $64,000 $28,300 $92,300Monitoring breeding sub-populations 3 $21,900 $0 $21,900Feral animal control on Macquarie I. 3 $277,900 $0 $277,900Research on plastic pollution, parasites and disease 4 $6,500 $6,500 $13,000Research on genetics 5 $500 $500 $1,000Managing recovery process 5 $4,600 $1,800 $6,400

Total $412,400 $61,600 $474,0001 Costs for TAP actions divided amongst all 20 albatrosses, 2 giant-petrels, White-chinned Petrel and Grey Petrel; costs to fishing

industry assumed to be offset by improved catch of fish2 Costs for diet and foraging range studies on Macquarie I divided among Rockhopper Penguin, four breeding albatrosses and two

giant-petrels; Heard I. divided among Rockhopper Penguin, three albatrosses and Southern Giant-Petrel3 Costs of Macquarie I. monitoring and feral animal control shared among 19 threatened taxa; Heard I. monitoring divided among

17 taxa4 Costs shared among 2 penguins, 2 giant-petrels, Wandering, Black-browed, Grey-headed, Shy and Light-mantled Albatrosses5 Costs shared among 20 albatrosses and 2 giant-petrels

18 BibliographyBrothers, N. P. 1991. Approaches to reducing alba-tross mortality and associated bait loss in the Japaneselong-line fishery. Biol. Conserv. 55:255-268.

Copson, G. R. 1988. The status of Black-browed andGrey-headed Albatrosses on Macquarie Island. Papersand Proceedings of the Royal Society of Tasmania 122:137-141.

EABG 1998. Threat Abatement Plan for the incidentalcatch (or by-catch) of seabirds during oceanic longline fishingoperations. Environment Australia Biodiversity Group,Canberra.

EABG 1999. Draft Recovery Plan for Albatrosses andGiant Petrels. Environment Australia BiodiversityGroup, Canberra.

Gales, R. 1993. Co-operative mechanisms for the conservationof Albatrosses. ANCA. Tasmanian Government Printer,Hobart.

Gales, R. 1998. Albatross populations: status andthreats. Pp. 20-45 in The Albatross: Biology andConservation. G. Robertson and R. Gales (eds). SurreyBeatty and Sons, Chipping Norton.


Kirkwood, R. J. and Mitchell, P. J. 1992. The status ofBlack-browed Albatross Diomedea melanophrys breedingat Heard Island. Emu 92:111-114.


Prince, P. A., Rothery, P., Croxall, J. P. and Wood,A. G. 1994. Population dynamics of Black-browedand Grey-headed Albatrosses Diomedea melanophris andD. chrysostoma at Bird Island, South Georgia. Ibis136:50-71.

Terauds, A. and Hume, F. 1997. Status and Conservationof Albatrosses in Macquarie Island, August 1996 to April1997. Tasmanian Parks and Wildlife Service.

Weimerskirch, H., Zotier, R. and Jouventin, J. 1989.The avifauna of the Kerguelen Islands. Emu 89:15-29.

Woehler, E. J. 1991. The status and conservation ofseabirds of Heard Island and the McDonald Islands.Pp. 263-277 in Seabird Status and Conservation. ICBPTech. Publ. No 11. Croxall, J.P. (ed.). ICBP,Cambridge, U.K.

Comments received from:Barry Baker, Nigel Brothers, Rosemary Gales, Tim Reid.

503

TAXON SUMMARY Black-chinned Honeyeater (eastern)

1 Family Meliphagidae

2 Scientific name Melithreptus gularis gularis (Gould, 1837)

3 Common name Black-chinned Honeyeater (eastern)


5 Reasons for listingThis subspecies has declined over most of its range(Near Threatened: c), though not at a rate or scale thatwarrants listing as Vulnerable.


trend decreasing highArea of occupancy 40,000 km2 medium


trend decreasing highNo. of sub-populations 20 mediumLargest sub-population 30,000 lowGeneration time 5 years low

6 Infraspecific taxaM. g. laetior (northern Australia) is Least Concern.

7 Past range and abundanceEastern Australia, along inland slopes of GreatDividing Ra., extending to coast between Sydney andNewcastle, N. S. W., and again between Brisbane andRockhampton, Qld, as well as westward into south-eastern South Australia (Blakers et al., 1984, Schoddeand Mason, 1999). From Dubbo, N. S. W., toRockhampton, Qld, intergrades with M. g. laetior in abroad band stretching west to southern Cape YorkPeninsula, and again around Mt Isa. A sub-populationin Mt Lofty Ra. may have been isolated historically(Schodde and Mason, 1999).

8 Present range and abundanceAs above, but has contracted in the Mt Lofty Ra.during the course of the 20th century to 11 sites by themid 1990s (Paton et al., 1994, Chapman, 1995) and isstill declining. Identified as a declining species inwestern New South Wales (Smith et al., 1995) and inwheat-sheep belt where it is apparently absent fromlarge areas that would once have contained suitablehabitat (Reid, 1999, Traill and Duncan, 2000).

9 EcologyBlack-chinned Honeyeaters occupy the dry eucalyptwoodland within an annual rainfall range of 400-700mm, particularly associations containing ironbark andbox (Blakers et al., 1984, Emison et al., 1987). Therethey feed on insects, nectar and lerp (Blakers et al.,

1984), and build suspended nests in which 2 eggs areusually laid (Beruldsen, 1980).

10 ThreatsThe Black-chinned Honeyeater is one of the group ofspecies that have declined from woodlands in south-eastern Australia (Robinson and Traill, 1996, Reid,1999). Most habitat has been cleared and theremainder is fragmented. Though their relativemobility should make the species better able thansome to cope with fragmentation, it is neverthelessabsent from many small fragments for unknownreasons.

11 Recommended actions11.1 Determine characteristics of biology that make

species susceptible to fragmentation.11.2 Within the honeyeater’s range, manage at

least 15% of the pre-European area of allwoodland communities on public or privateland for nature conservation, using incentiveswhere necessary.

11.3 Undertake extension, with appropriateincentives, to land-holders with suitablewoodland habitat to promote soundmanagement of remnants, encouraging greaterconnectivity between sub-populations.

11.4 Promote revegetation and land reclamationthat recreates woodland habitat with a fullcomplement of biodiversity, including thehoneyeater.

11.5 Control and reduce firewood collection fromareas occupied by Black-chinned Honeyeaters,promoting wood-lot development close tomarkets, and reduce grazing densities wherenecessary.

504

11.6 Undertake long-term monitoring of remnantsub-populations.



Chapman, T. F. 1995. The ecology and management of theBlack-chinned Honeyeater in the Mount Lofty Ranges. MScthesis, University of Adelaide.

Emison, W. B., Beardsell, C. M., Norman, F. I., Loyn,R. H. and Bennett, S. C. 1987. Atlas of Victorian Birds.Department of Conservation, Forests and Lands andRAOU, Melbourne.


Reid, J. W. 1999. Threatened and declining birds in theNew South Wales sheep-wheat belt: diagnosis,characteristics and management. Report to NSWNPWS, Sydney.



Smith, P. J., Smith, J. E , Pressey, R. L. and. Whish,G. L. 1995. Birds of Particular Conservation Concernin the Western Division of New South Wales:Distributions, Habitats and Threats. National Parks andWildlife Service Occasional Paper 20. New South WalesNational Parks and Wildlife Service, Hurstville.

Traill, B. J. and Duncan, S. 2000. Status of Birds in theNew South Wales Temperate Woodlands Region.Report to New South Wales National Parks andWildlife Service, Dubbo.

Comments received fromRichard Loyn, Doug Robinson.

495

RECOVERY OUTLINE Black-eared Miner

1 Family Meliphagidae

2 Scientific name Manorina melanotis Wilson, 1911

3 Common name Black-eared Miner

4 Conservation status Endangered: B1+2bde, C2a, D

5 Reasons for listingThe subspecies occupies less than 500 km2 at fewerthan 5 location (B1) and a decline is likely in area ofoccupancy (2b), number of subpopulations (c) andnumber of mature individuals (e). No sub-populationof phenotypically pure Black-eared Miners exceeds 250mature individuals, and the population is decreasing(Endangered: C2a). The total population is no morethan 250 (D). The species cannot be listed as CriticallyEndangered: C2b, unless current efforts to prevent thedisappearance of all three sub-populations outside theBookmark Biosphere Reserve fail.

Phenotypically pure birds Estimate ReliabilityExtent of occurrence 1,750 km2 medium

trend decreasing mediumArea of occupancy 450 km2 medium

trend decreasing highNo. of breeding birds 250 medium

trend decreasing highNo. of sub-populations 4 mediumLargest sub-population 240 mediumGeneration time 1.5 years medium

6 Infraspecific taxaNone described, although relationship with the easternsubspecies of Yellow-throated Miner M. f. flavigula,with which it interbreeds to produce fertile hybrids, isstill debated (Christidis, 1995, Schodde and Mason,1999).

7 Past range and abundanceEndemic to Murray Mallee region of Victoria, SouthAustralia and New South Wales, including Canegrass,Gluepot, Calperum and Canopus stations in SouthAustralia, extending east to the western anabranch ofthe Darling R., N. S. W., and Hattah, Vic., and southto the northern Big Desert, Vic. and Ninety MileDesert, S. A. and west to Murray Bridge, S. A.(Backhouse et al., 1997).

8 Present range and abundancePhenotypically pure birds are thought to persist only inBookmark Biosphere Reserve, north-west of Renmark,S. A. (Backhouse et al., 1997), where 120phenotypically pure birds have been banded as part ofthe research phase of the recovery effort (Clarke andClarke 1999). Elsewhere in South Australia, 1-2 birds

may persist at Chapman Bore near Murray Bridge, butsubspecies is otherwise regionally extinct (Joseph,1986, G. Backhouse, R. Clarke). In north-westernVictoria five pure birds were recorded in 1986 andeight in 1987, but only one was present at the samesites in 1990, although 11 additional birds were foundat other sites. In 1992, only two of these remained andin 1995 only three colonies, all hybrids, could befound. One colony was captured to establish a captivepopulation (McLaughlin, 1990, 1992, Backhouse et al.,1997). Currently 1-2 birds are known from each ofBronzewing Flora and Fauna Reserve and HattahLakes, Vic. (G. Backhouse, R. Clarke). In south-western New South Wales, there are eight acceptedrecords, the last in 1985 (Franklin, 1996). Extensivesurveys in December 1999 located three hybridcolonies in south-western New South Wales, but nophenotypically pure individuals (R. Boulton perR. Clarke).

9 EcologyLarge blocks of long unburnt (more than 50 years),uncleared, 5-8 m tall mallee, principally White MalleeEucalyptus gracilis, Grey Mallee E. socialis, DumosaMallee E. dumosa and Oil Mallee E. oleosa, usually withan understorey of small shrubs including Acacia,Melaleuca, various chenopods and Spinifex Triodiascariosa. Occurrence in Victoria is associated with stabledune-fields that have a relatively high loam level, theamount of decorticating bark, in which the minersobtain much of their insect food, tree density, stemdensity, canopy cover and litter cover, and negativelycorrelated with diameter of tree stems (McLaughlin,1992, Backhouse et al., 1997).

496

10 ThreatsThe fundamental reason for decline of the Black-earedMiner is that most favourable habitat on fertile soilshas been cleared (Starks, 1987). Clearing of theremaining habitat for mineral exploration is stillpossible under existing legislation (Backhouse et al.,1997), though currently unlikely. The result of theclearing has been replacement of the subspecies inhabitat remnants by Yellow-throated Miners.Interbreeding with Yellow-throated Miners is now thegreatest threat to the Black-eared Miner. It haseffectively swamped most remaining sub-populationsand, if unchecked, will also swamp those at BookmarkBiosphere Reserve (Starks, 1987, McLaughlin, 1990,Backhouse et al., 1997). The other major threat isfire. Much of the remaining habitat in Victoria andNew South Wales has been burnt within the last 25years, although the miners can use habitats that havebeen burnt patchily if some long-unburnt vegetationremains (McLaughlin, 1992, Backhouse et al., 1997).Isolated colonies also seem to have a low rate ofrecruitment, either as a result of elevated rates of nestpredation or high rates of loss of females as a result ofemigration from the natal colony (Backhouse et al.,1997).

11 Information required11.1 Study rate and mechanisms for genetic

introgression

11.2 Develop and test a population viability model.

12 Recovery objectives12.1 Maintain existing colonies or habitat.

12.2 Maintain the captive colony.

13 Actions completed or under way13.1 Genetic and phenotypic definition of species

has been completed.

13.2 Surveys have been conducted throughoutrange and monitoring occurs regularly.

13.3 Habitat preferences have been studied inVictoria.

13.4 Leases within Bookmark Biosphere Reserve,including Gluepot and Calperum Stations,have been purchased for conservationpurposes.

13.5 A policy of rapid fire suppression has beenadopted within mallee in Vic. and S. A.

13.6 Research into the reproductive biology andecology has been undertaken.

13.7 Captive populations have been established atthree separate locations and are beingmaintained.

13.8 Community support for the project has beengenerated successfully.

13.9 A translocation proposal has been prepared.

13.10 Recovery is being managed by a RecoveryTeam

14 Management actions required14.1 Increase number and quality of Black-eared

Miner colonies in Victoria throughtranslocation.

15 Organisations responsible forconservationNew South Wales National Parks and Wildlife Service,South Australian Department of Environment andHeritage, Victorian Department of Natural Resourcesand Environment.

16 Other organisations involvedBirds Australia, Museum of Victoria, AustralianHeritage Commission, Bookmark Biosphere Reserve,Bookmark Biosphere Trust, Parks Victoria, LatrobeUniversity, Australian Regional Association ofZoological Parks and Aquaria, Australian PasserineTaxon Advisory Group, Adelaide Zoo, Monarto Zoo,Healesville Sanctuary, Parks Victoria.

17 Staff and financial resources required for recovery to be carried out 1

Staff resources required 2001-2005 1.0 Project Officer (translocation)0.2 Project Officer (population modelling)0.6 Technical Officer (control introgression)1.0 Technical Officer (bird keeping)0.3 Recovery Team coordinator




Total

Study and control genetic introgression $85,000 $27,000 $112,000Habitat protection $65,000 $200,000 $265,000Determine and monitor colony quality $127,000 $102,000 $229,000Captive breeding $0 $272,500 $272,500Reintroduction in Victoria $456,000 $38,000 $494,000Population Viability Analysis $40,000 $0 $40,000

497

Community awareness $5,000 $43,000 $48,000Manage the recovery process through a Recovery Team $125,000 $102,000 $227,000

Total $903,000 $784,500 $1,687,5001 Costs extrapolated from Backhouse et al. (1997)

18 BibliographyBackhouse, G., McLaughlin, J., Clarke, M. and Copley,P. 1997. Recovery Plan for the Black-eared MinerManorina melanotis 1997-2001. Environment Australia,Canberra.

Christidis, L. 1995. Molecular assessment of thetaxonomic and genetic status of the Black-eared Miner(Manorina melanotis). Final report to ANCA and CNR,Melbourne.

Clarke R. H. and Clarke M. F. 1999. Field Managementof the Black-eared Miner. Final Report to the Black-earedMiner Recovery Team, August 1999.

Franklin, D. 1996. The status of the Black-earedMiner Manorina melanotis in New South Wales. RAOUReport 99.

Joseph, L. 1986. The decline and present status of theBlack-eared Miner in South Australia. S. Aust. Ornithol.30:5-13.

McLaughlin, J. 1990. Surveys and observations of theBlack-eared Miner Manorina melanotis in Victoria.RAOU Report 71.

McLaughlin, J. 1992. The floristic and structuralfeatures of Black-eared Miner Manorina melanotishabitat. RAOU Report 84.


Starks, J. 1987. The status and distribution of theBlack-eared Miner (Manorina melanotis) in Victoria.Arthur Rylah Institute Tech. Report Series 49.

Comments received fromGeoffrey Allen, Gary Backhouse, Rohan Clarke, Peter Copley,Adrian Stokes.

228

RECOVERY OUTLINE Black-faced Sheathbill (Heard Island)

1 Family Chionididae

2 Scientific name Chionis minor nasicornis Reichenow, 1904

3 Common name Black-faced Sheathbill (Heard Island)

4 Conservation status Vulnerable: D1+2

5 Reasons for listingThe subspecies has a single, small population(Vulnerable: D1) at a single location (D2).


trend stable highArea of occupancy 50 km2 medium

trend stable highNo. of breeding birds 500 medium

trend stable mediumNo. of sub-populations 1 highGeneration time 10 years low

6 Infraspecific taxaThe three other subspecies, C. m. minor (Kerguelen Is),C. m. crozettensis (Crozet Is) and C m. marionensis (PrinceEdward I.) are not found in Australian territory.Species status is Least Concern.

7 Past range and abundanceEndemic to Heard I., foraging along the shoreline,probably staying near the island at all times (Marchantand Higgins, 1993). Population estimated at 100-1,000(Woehler, 1991).


9 EcologyBlack-faced Sheathbills are omnivorous scavengersfound on subantarctic islands (Marchant and Higgins,1993, Jouventin et al., 1996). In the warmer months,they mainly scavenge from seals and birds, takingmeat, blood, eggs, excreta and/or milk. During winter,when few other vertebrates remain on the islands,algae taken from rocks. They also take a range ofinvertebrates and, on other islands, scavenge amonghuman refuse. Breeding pairs are highly territorial, andmake their nests under rocks on scree slopes(Marchant and Higgins, 1993, E. Woehler). Their

breeding coincides with that of other seabirds,especially penguins, on which they prey to providefood for nestlings (Marchant and Higgins, 1993,Jouventin et al., 1996).

10 ThreatsAny taxa represented only by a small, isolatedpopulation is vulnerable to catastrophe. Decreases inthe number of either seabirds or seals could have anadverse impact on the Black-billed Sheathbill.

11 Information requiredNone.

12 Recovery objectives12.1 Maintenance of the existing population.

13 Actions completed or under way13.1 Population is surveyed opportunistically.

14 Management actions requiredNone.

15 Organisations responsible forconservationAustralian Antarctic Division.

16 Other organisations involvedNone.

229

17 Staff and financial resources required for recovery to be carried outStaff resources required 2001-2005 0.1 Technical Officer (monitoring) 1




Total

Monitoring breeding population 1 $6,100 $0 $6,100

Total $6,100 $0,000 $6,1001 Costs of monitoring shared among 17 threatened taxa

18 BibliographyJouventin, P., Bried, J. and Ausilio, E. 1996. Life-history variations of the Lesser Sheathbill Chionis minorin contrasting situations. Ibis 138:732-741.


Woehler, E. J. 1991. The status and conservation ofseabirds of Heard Island and the McDonald Islands.Pp. 263-277 in Seabird Status and Conservation. ICBPTech. Publ. No 11. Croxall, J.P. (ed.). ICBP,Cambridge, U.K.

Comments received fromTim Reid, Eric Woehler.

572

TAXON SUMMARY Black-faced Woodswallow (Cape York Peninsula)

1 Family Artamidae

2 Scientific name Artamus cinereus normani Mathews, 1923

3 Common name Black-faced Woodswallow (Cape York Peninsula)


5 Reasons for listingScant data suggests that the density of this subspecieshas decreased by at least 50% (Near Threatened: c).




trend decreasing lowNo. of sub-populations 1 highGeneration time 5 years medium

6 Infraspecific taxaA. c. melanops (north-west and inland Australia),A. c. albiventris (east-central Queensland), andA. c. cinereus (south-west Australia) are Least Concern,as is the species.

7 Past range and abundanceCentral and south-western Cape York Peninsula,intergrading with A. c. melanops and A. c. albiventrisalong Burdekin-Lynd divide and Flinders-Burdekinnexus, north of a line between Townsville andKarumba (Schodde and Mason, 1999). Commonaround Coen in the 1920s (White, 1922).

8 Present range and abundanceSimilar range, but now rarely recorded around Coen.Further south at Artemis Station, number of flocksdeclined steadily between 1992 and 1999 (S. Garnett,S. Shephard).

9 EcologyBlack-faced Woodswallows occur in a wide range ofwoodland types on Cape York Peninsula, are the focalspecies in mixed-species flocks (S. Garnett). Smallflocks are nomadic over a large home range, exceptwhen resident at traditional breeding sites. The birdslay 2-3 eggs in cupped nests that are suspended insmall trees (S. Garnett and S. Shephard).

10 ThreatsA change in fire regime associated with the pastoralindustry (Crowley and Garnett, 2000), which leads to

an increase in density of woodlands and loss ofgrasslands (Neldner et al., 1997, Crowley and Garnett,1998), is the most likely cause of decline.

11 Recommended actions11.1 Using analysis of fire histories produced for

Golden-shouldered Parrots, Star and CrimsonFinches, manage the habitat in central CapeYork Peninsula in a way that will reverse thetrend towards thickening of the vegetation.

12 BibliographyCrowley, G. M. and Garnett, S. T. 1998. Vegetationchange in the grasslands and grassy woodlands ofcentral Cape York Peninsula. Pac. Conserv. Biol.4:132-148.

Crowley, G. M. and Garnett, S. T. 2000. Changing firemanagement in the pastoral lands of Cape YorkPeninsula: 1623 to 1996. Aust. Geogr. Studies. 38:10-26.

Neldner, V. J., Fensham, R. J., Clarkson, J. R. andStanton, J. P. 1997. The natural grasslands of CapeYork Peninsula, Australia: Description, distributionand conservation status. Biol. Conserv. 81:121-136.


White, H. L. 1922. A collecting trip to Cape YorkPeninsula. Emu 22:99-116.

184

TAXON SUMMARY Black-necked Stork

1 Family Ciconiidae

2 Scientific name Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus australis (Latham, 1790)

3 Common name Black-necked Stork


5 Reasons for listingAlthough the subspecies is scarce in the south-eastextremity of its range, it remains widespread andcommon throughout the north. Most of thepopulation occurs in Australia, so global status ofsubspecies is also Least Concern.

Australian population Estimate ReliabilityExtent of occurrence 2,500,000 km2 medium



trend stable mediumNo. of sub-populations 1 highGeneration time 20 years lowGlobal population share 95 % lowLevel of genetic exchange medium low

6 Infraspecific taxaThe nominate subspecies from southern Asia does notoccur in Australian territory. On the basis of its rapidrate of decline, global status of the species is NearThreatened.

7 Past range and abundanceAcross northern Australia from Pilbara, W. A., toeastern Queensland and south along a narrow coastalstrip in New South Wales as far as Hunter R. Alsopresent in southern New Guinea (Marchant andHiggins, 1990).

8 Present range and abundanceAs above, although few records from New SouthWales. Population size estimated at 1,800 individuals atKakadu (Morton et al., 1993).

9 EcologyBlack-necked Storks feed in shallow water up to 0.5 mdeep and take fish, reptiles and frogs. They build large

stick nests in trees nearby where they lay 2-4 eggs(Marchant and Higgins, 1990).

10 ThreatsThis subspecies has been thought to be threatened bydisturbance and loss of habitat, but has provedremarkably resilient to the intensification of land use ineastern Australia.

11 Recommended actions11.1 Continue monitoring species in New South

Wales.

12 BibliographyMarchant, S. and Higgins, P. J. (eds) 1990. TheHandbook of Australian, New Zealand and Antarctic Birds.Oxford University Press, Melbourne.

Morton, S. R., Brennan, K. G. and Armstrong, M. D.1993. Distribution and abundance of Brolgas andBlack-necked Storks in the Alligator Rivers Region,Northern Territory. Emu. 93:88-92.

Comments received fromAndrew Burbidge.

585

RECOVERY OUTLINE Black-throated Finch (southern)

1 Family Estrildidae

2 Scientific name Poephila cincta cincta (Gould, 1837)

3 Common name Black-throated Finch (southern)

4 Conservation status Vulnerable: A1c+2c

5 Reasons for listingContinuation of this species’ decline (previouslyestimated to be at a rate of 20% every ten years;Vulnerable: A1c+2c) is assumed, but needsconfirmation.

Estimate ReliabilityExtent of occurrence 800,000 km2 low

trend decreasing lowArea of occupancy 5,000 km2 low

trend decreasing lowNo. of breeding birds 20,000 low

trend decreasing lowNo. of sub-populations 1 lowLargest sub-population 20,000 lowGeneration time 2 years low

6 Infraspecific taxaP. c. atropygialis (northern Queensland) is LeastConcern.

7 Past range and abundanceFrom Inverell, north-eastern N. S. W., through easternQueensland to the Burdekin-Lynd Divide, where itintergrades over abroad zone with P. c. atropygialis(Schodde and Mason, 1999).

8 Present range and abundanceNew South Wales: few recent records, all from thesouthern New England Tableland (Baldwin, 1975,1976, McCutcheon, 1976, Rogers and Lindsey, 1977,Morris et al., 1981, G. Holmes, A. Morris), and norecords of unequivocally wild birds in the last decade;Queensland: throughout previous range but, at least insouth, at a lower density, with very few south of 23°Ssince late 1970s (Blakers et al., 1984). Apparentlydisappeared from the Rockhampton region betweenthe early 1970s and 1977 (Longmore, 1978, Blakers etal., 1984). The zone of intergradation had previouslybeen interpreted as indicating a contraction in thenorth of the subspecies’ range (Zann, 1976, Ford,1986, Schodde and Mason, 1999). Analysis ofhistorical records suggests decline continuing(Franklin, 1999), although sub-species remains locallycommon near Townsville (M. Lewis).

9 EcologyThe southern subspecies of the Black-throated Finchoccupies grassy woodland dominated by eucalypts,

paperbarks or acacias, where there is access to seedinggrasses and water (Zann, 1975). It appears to berelatively sedentary, with birds present throughout theyear near Townsville, but probably needs a mosaic ofdifferent habitats in which to find seed during the wetseason (Mitchell, 1996). It builds domed nests in trees,sometimes in tree hollows, laying 5-9 eggs(Immelmann, 1982).

10 ThreatsDecline of Black-throated Finches in easternQueensland began early in the 20th century underpastoralism (Franklin, 1999), and continuing clearanceof woodland must be increasing pressure on thespecies. The decline began in the southern part of thesubspecies’ range, where sheep grazing dominatesland-use, and feral rabbits are prevalent, and has beenless extreme further north because clearing has beenless extensive, and sheep have been replaced by cattle(Frith, 1982). Clearing, however, is continuing in thenorth, either for agriculture or for rural subdivision.Although well-established in captivity, trapping for thebird trade, in which this subspecies has the name‘Chocolate Parson’, may have cause a local extinctions.

11 Information required11.1 Determine characteristics of habitat and land

management where subspecies persisting,ideally as a PhD project.

11.2 Document locations of remaining wild birds.

12 Recovery objectives12.1 To secure remaining population, especially in

sites where birds are present throughout theyear.

586

13 Actions completed or under way13.1 Diet has been studied near Townsville.

13.2 Searches for remnant sub-populations arebeing undertaken in N. S. W.

14 Management actions required14.1 Monitor remaining population, if nothing else,

recording persistence from year to year.

14.2 Determine tenure of remaining population anddiscuss management options with landowners.

14.3 Pending ecological studies, secure a bufferfrom clearing of at least a kilometre around

known occupied habitat, ensuring the buffercontains a full range of local regionalecosystems.

15 Organisations responsible forconservationNew South Wales National Parks and Wildlife Service,Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service.

16 Other organisations involvedBirds Australia, other bird-watching societies, localgovernment, land-holders, Landcare groups.


0.2 Extension OfficerFinancial resources required 2001-2005



Total

Ecological studies $30,000 $45,000 $75,000Survey $5,000 $45,000 $50,000Monitor $5,000 $10,000 $15,000Negotiate appropriate land management $50,000 $0 $50,000

Total $90,000 $100,000 $190,000

18 BibliographyBaldwin, M. 1975. Birds of the Inverell District,N. S. W. Emu 75:113-120.

Baldwin, M. 1976. Distribution of the Black-throatedFinch Aust. Birds 11:13-14.


Ford, J. 1986. Avian hybridisation and allopatry in theregion of the Einasleigh uplands and Burdekin-LyndDivide, north-eastern Queensland. Emu 86:87-110.

Franklin, D. C. 1999. Evidence of disarray amongstgranivorous bird assemblages in the savannas ofnorthern Australia, a region of sparse humansettlement. Biol. Conserv. 90:53-68

Frith, H. J. 1982. Pigeons and Doves of Australia. Rigby,Sydney.

Immelmann, K. 1982. Australian Finches. Angus andRobertson, Sydney.

Longmore, N. W. 1978. Avifauna of the RockhamptonArea, Queensland. Sunbird 9:25-53.

McCutcheon, A. O. 1976. A record of the Black-throated Finch at "Berida", Gilgandra. Aust. Birds11:12.

Mitchell, D. F. 1996. Foraging ecology of the Black-throated Finch Poephila cincta cincta. MSc thesis, JamesCook University of North Queensland, Townsville.

Morris, A. K., McGill, A. R. and Holmes, G. 1981.Handlist of Birds in New South Wales. NSW FOC,Sydney.

Rogers, A. E. F. and Lindsey, T. R. 1977. NSW BirdReport for 1977. Aust. Birds 13:1-24.


Zann, R. 1976. Distribution, status and breeding ofBlack-throated Finches Poephila cincta in northernQueensland. Emu 76:201-206.

Comments received fromMick Todd.

74

TAXON SUMMARY Black-winged Petrel

1 Family Procellariidae

2 Scientific name Pterodroma nigripennis (Rothschild, 1893)

3 Common name Black-winged Petrel

4 Conservation statusAustralian breeding population Least Concern

Population visiting Australian territory Least Concern

5 Reasons for listingThere are at least three breeding colonies of theexpanding Australian population (so not Vulnerable:D2). Although the population probably numbers nomore than 3,000 mature individuals (Near Threatened:d), the current expansion in range means, of necessity,that there is genetic exchange with the extralimitalpopulation. This has a status of Least Concern, so thestatus of the Australian population is down-gradedaccordingly (as per Gärdenfors et al., 1999).



Extent of occurrence 1,000,000 km2 hightrend stable high

Area of occupancy 4 km2 hightrend stable high

No. of breeding birds 3,000 lowtrend stable low

No. of sub-populations 5 lowLargest sub-population 2,000 lowGeneration time 10 years lowGlobal population share <1 % highLevel of genetic exchange high high


7 Past range and abundanceWithin Australian territory, nesting recorded Norfolk,Nepean, Phillip and Lord Howe Is and Balls Pyramid.Has possibly bred Heron I. and Australian mainland.Extralimitally, nests Kermadec, Chatham and ThreeKings Is (Marchant and Higgins, 1990). Believed tohave colonised Lord Howe I. only after 1940 (Hutton,1991). The species’ range is generally restricted to theTasman Sea and the south-west Pacific Ocean duringthe breeding season, after which it expands eastward,with birds being recorded off Japan, Hawaii,California and Central America (Marchant andHiggins, 1990).

8 Present range and abundanceAs above. Although nests on Norfolk I., it is neversuccessful. Breeding range apparently expanding

south-westward with behaviour typical of breedingobserved intermittently at several sites off easternAustralian mainland (Marchant and Higgins, 1990).Most recent population estimates: Phillip I., severalhundred birds (Hermes et al., 1986), Lord Howe I.: upto 1,000 pairs (Fullagar and Disney, 1975), Ball’sPyramid ‘in some strength’ (Fullagar et al., 1975).

9 EcologyBlack-winged Petrels nest in burrows or crevicesamidst vegetation and mostly eat cephalopods andcrustaceans taken from the open ocean (Marchant andHiggins, 1990).

10 ThreatsThe main threat is predation by feral cats (Marchantand Higgins, 1990). Over 40 birds attempting to breedat the coastal end of the Bird Rock Track in NorfolkIsland National Park were predated by cats in the early1990s (O. Evans). On Lord Howe I., removal of feralcats has improved breeding success (Hutton, 1991).Brown Rats Rattus norvegicus have been linked to adecline in the Kermadec Is (Marchant and Higgins,1990).

11 Recommended actions11.1 Census sub-population on Lord Howe I. and

Ball’s Pyramid every five years.

11.2 Census sub-population on Phillip and NepeanIs every three years.

11.3 Continue to impose strict quarantine on anyvessels visiting Ball’s Pyramid or Phillip I.

75

11.4 Establish cooperative rodent control programsthroughout Norfolk I, with a view to rateradication.

11.5 Eradicate rats from Lord Howe Is.

11.6 Continue to encourage responsible catownership, and the eradication of feral catsfrom Norfolk Island.

12 BibliographyFullagar, P. J. and Disney, H. J. de S. 1975. The birdsof Lord Howe Island: a report on the rare andendangered species. ICBP Bull. 12:187-202.

Fullagar, P. J., McKean, J. L. and van Tets, G. F. 1975.Report on the birds. Appendix F. Pp. 55-72 inEnvironmental Survey of Lord Howe Island. A report to theLord Howe Island Board. H. F. Recher and S. S. Clark(eds) Australian Museum, Sydney.

Gärdenfors, U., Rodríguez, J.P., Hilton-Taylor, C.,Hyslop, C., Mace, G., Molur, S. and Poss, S. 1999.Draft guidelines for the Application of IUCN RedList Criteria at National and Regional Levels. Species31-32:58-70.

Hermes, N., Evans, O. and Evans, B. 1986. NorfolkIsland Birds: a review 1985. Notornis 33:141-149.

Hutton, I. 1991. Birds of Lord Howe Island, Past andPresent. The Author, Coffs Harbour.


Comments received fromBarry Baker, Margaret Christian, Owen Evans, Honey McCoy,David Priddel.

326

TAXON SUMMARY Blue Bonnet (Naretha)

1 Family Psittacidae

2 Scientific Name Northiella haematogaster narethae (White, 1921)

3 Common Name Blue Bonnet (Naretha)


5 Reasons for listingThe subspecies is common in the remote habitat inwhich it occurs, and there is no sign of decline (LeastConcern).




trend stable mediumNo. of sub-populations 1 mediumGeneration time 3 years low

6 Infraspecific taxaN. h. haematogaster (Murray), N. h. pallescens (Cooper)and N. h. haematorrhous (Balonne-Warrego) are all LeastConcern, as is the species.

7 Past range and abundanceWestern side of the Nullarbor Plain, W. A. (Higgins,1999).

8 Present range and abundanceAs above. Recent records of birds on the eastern sideof the Nullarbor Plain were probably the result of adeliberate release of captive birds (Blakers et al., 1984).

9 EcologyNaretha Blue Bonnets are usually found in or withinsight of casuarina and acacia woodland, and usuallynear chenopod shrubland. They are often far fromwater. They nest in tree hollows, usually laying about5 eggs. They eat the seeds of both native and exoticplants (Higgins, 1999).

10 ThreatsNaretha Blue Bonnets are thought to have beentrapped in substantial numbers in the past (Higgins,1999), but this is no longer a threat after a breedingpopulation was established in captivity (Neesham,1996, P. Mawson).

11 Recommended actionsNone.

12 BibliographyBlakers, M., Davies, S. J. J. F. and Reilly, P. N. 1984.The Atlas of Australian Birds. RAOU and MelbourneUniversity Press, Melbourne.


Neesham, H. 1996. Naretha Bluebonnets - Captivebreeding program initiated by CALM. AgriculturalFederation of Australia Eighth National Convention,Perth, Western Australia.

Comments received fromAllan Burbidge, Peter Mawson.

80

RECOVERY OUTLINE Blue Petrel

1 Family Procellariidae

2 Scientific name Halobaena caerulea (Gmelin, 1789)

3 Common name Blue Petrel

4 Conservation statusAustralian breeding population Critically Endangered: B1+2e

Population visiting Australian territory Least Concern

5 Reasons for listingThe Australian population occupies a tiny area at asingle location (Critically Endangered: B1) and acontinuing decline is inferred in the number of matureindividuals (2e). The global population is LeastConcern, but it is assumed there is little geneticexchange with other populations. The national statusof the breeding population is therefore independent ofthe global status (as per Gärdenfors et al., 1999).



Extent of occurrence 5,000,000 km2 hightrend stable medium

Area of occupancy 2 km2 hightrend stable medium

No. of breeding birds 1,000 mediumtrend stable medium

No. of sub-populations 1 highGeneration time 10 years lowGlobal population share < 1 % highLevel of genetic exchange low low


7 Past range and abundanceWithin Australian territory, breeding on offshorestacks around Macquarie I. (500-600 pairs in 1979;Brothers, 1984), possibly on all lowland areas aroundmain island, particularly along eastern coast (Campbell,1900, but see Jones, 1980). Also breeding onnumerous other subantarctic islands in Indian andAtlantic Oceans. Probably foraging around breedingcolonies throughout year, but also found throughoutSouthern Ocean (Marchant and Higgins, 1990).

8 Present range and abundanceWithin Australian territory, a small population breedson stacks offshore from Macquarie I. (Brothers, 1984),but appears to be increasingly uncommon(N. Brothers).

9 EcologyBlue Petrels nest in colonies, laying a single egg in rockcrevices or burrows dug among rocks or tussock grass

Poa foliosa. They forage in subantarctic waters forpelagic crustacea, fish, cephalopods and insects(Marchant and Higgins, 1990).

10 ThreatsAll nests found in the vicinity of Macquarie I. havefailed because of nest destruction or predation. Nestsare frequently deserted because of trampling ofburrows by Imperial Shags Leucocarbo atriceps, floodingof burrows or exceptionally high waves that washedpart of one colony away. Many adults are taken bySubantarctic Skuas Catharacta skua lonnbergi, Black RatsRattus rattus or, occasionally, feral cats. Presence duringwinter, when many other species are absent, makesBlue Petrels particularly vulnerable to predators(Brothers, 1984). Extinction from Macquarie I. itselfmay have been hastened by introduced WekasGallirallus australis, cats and rats. The latter two speciesare either resident on, or occasionally visit, all but oneof the breeding stacks (Brothers, 1984) and, on themain island, rats are most common in the tussockgrassland where the petrels were reported to breed(N. Brothers). Their persistence over several decades isthe only evidence that some successful breeding mustoccur.

11 Information requiredNone.

12 Recovery objectives12.1 Re-establish successful breeding on

Macquarie I.

81

13 Actions completed or under way13.1 Sustained feral animal control has eliminated

Wekas, reduced cat and rabbit numbers and iscontinuing.

13.2 Population on stacks is monitored irregularly.

13.3 Bishop and Clerk Is were unsuccessfullysearched for Blue Petrels in 1993.

14 Management actions required14.1 Systematic monitoring of breeding stacks and

adjacent mainland to determine whether feralanimal control is being successful.



17 Staff and financial resources required for recovery to be carried outStaff resources required 2001-2005 1.0 Technical Officer (monitoring) 1

1.0 Technical Officer (ferals) 1




Total

Monitoring breeding population 1 $15,800 $0 $15,800Control feral animals on Macquarie I. 1 $277,900 $0 $277,900

Total $293,700 $0 $293,7001 Costs of Macquarie I. monitoring and feral animal control shared among 19 threatened taxa

18 BibliographyBrothers, N. P. 1984. Breeding distribution and statusof burrow-nesting petrels at Macquarie Island. Aust.Wildl. Res. 11:113-131.

Campbell, A. J. 1900. Nests and Eggs of Australian Birds.The Author, Melbourne.


Jones, E. 1980. A survey of burrow-nesting petrels atMacquarie Island based upon remains left bypredators. Notornis 27:11-20.


Comments received fromBarry Baker, Nigel Brothers, Peter Brown, Rosemary Gales.

30

TAXON SUMMARY Blue-billed Duck

1 Family Anatidae

2 Scientific name Oxyura australis Gould, 1836

3 Common name Blue-billed Duck


5 Reasons for listingAlthough Blue-billed Ducks are relatively sparsethrough much of the species’ range, the substantialflocks present on artificial wetlands in Victoria takethe species out of threatened categories.




trend stable mediumNo. of sub-populations 2 highLargest sub-population 12,000 mediumGeneration time 5 years low


7 Past range and abundanceSouth-western and south-eastern Australia, particularlyMurray-Darling basin and southern Victoria. Alsoregularly found, occasionally breeding, in south-eastQueensland, north-east South Australia andthroughout New South Wales (Frith, 1982, Blakers etal., 1984, Marchant & Higgins, 1990, Chapman andLane, 1997).

8 Present range and abundanceAs above, although possibly at lower densities and onfewer wetlands (Frith, 1982). However, occupiesartificial wetlands, including at the Western TreatmentPlant (P. Menkhorst), where flocks of up to 7,000recorded.

9 EcologyBlue-billed Ducks are found on temperate, fresh tosaline, terrestrial wetlands, including sewerage pondsrivers, salt lakes and saltpans (Marchant and Higgins,1990). They prefer deep, permanent open water,within or near dense vegetation (Frith, 1982). Theynest in rushes, sedges, Lignum Muehlenbeckiacunninghamii and paperbark Melaleuca, laying 5-6 eggs inspring. They eat aquatic insect larvae, and seeds andleaves of freshwater plants (Frith et al., 1969; Marchantand Higgins, 1990). In autumn and winter, they formflocks and may move to permanent waters (Marchantand Higgins, 1990).

10 ThreatsDrainage of deep permanent wetlands, or theirdegradation as a result of introduced fish or cattle,salinisation and lowering of ground water havereduced the area of suitable habitat, particularlybreeding habitat (Marchant and Higgins, 1990), butnot to the extent that the species is threatened. A smallnumber are probably shot by accident during the duckhunting season (Loyn, 1991).

11 Recommended actions11.1 Identification of major perennial wetlands used

by the Blue-billed Duck for breeding andmoulting and their protection against furtherdegradation.


Chapman, A. and Lane, J. A. K. 1997. Waterfowlusage in wetlands in the south-east arid interior ofWestern Australia 1992-93. Emu 97:51-59.

Frith, H. J., Braithwaite, L. W. and McKean, J. L.1969. Waterfowl in an inland swamp in New SouthWales. II. Food. CSIRO Wildl. Res. 14:17-64.

Frith, H. J. 1982. Waterfowl in Australia. Angus andRobertson, Sydney.

Loyn, R. H. 1991. Assessing and managing the impactof duck hunting in Victoria – a new approach. Wildfowl42:155-161.

31


Comments received fromStewart Blackhall, Allan Burbidge, Kim Lowe, Richard Loyn,Peter Menkhorst, Adrian Stokes.

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RECOVERY OUTLINE Brown Goshawk (Christmas Island)

1 Family Accipitridae

2 Scientific name Accipiter fasciatus natalis (Lister, 1889)

3 Common name Brown Goshawk (Christmas Island)

4 Conservation status Critically Endangered: A2ce, C2b

5 Reasons for listingA decrease in population size of over 80% in the nextthree generations (30 years) is predicted (CriticallyEndangered: A2) on the basis of a decline in habitatquality (c) and the current rate of spread of introducedants (e). Any decrease in the tiny population would besignificant (C2b).



trend decreasing lowNo. of breeding birds 150 low

trend decreasing lowNo. of sub-populations 1 highGeneration time 10 years low

6 Infraspecific taxaA. f. fasciatus (southern Australia, Tasmania) andA. f. didimus (northern Australia) are Least Concern.There are nine other subspecies in South-east Asia andthe Pacific. Globally, species is Least Concern.However, the Christmas Island subspecies may bemore closely related to Grey GoshawkA. novaehollandiae or be distinct at species level (Carter,1994, Debus, 1994, Hill, 1997).

7 Past range and abundanceRestricted to Christmas I. in the Indian Ocean.Numbers decreased between 1938 and the early 1970s,but increased again by 1977 (Nelson, 1977, Stokes,1988).

8 Present range and abundanceAs above. However, forest clearance for phosphatemining has reduced the area of habitat suitable fornesting by about one third (Stokes, 1988).

9 EcologyThe Christmas Island subspecies of the BrownGoshawk occurs in all forest types on the island, but isuncommonly seen in secondary forest, settlements orrehabilitated habitat (Hill, 1997). Insects, centipedes,birds and introduced Black Rats Rattus rattus have beenrecorded in its diet. The birds are ‘remarkablyapproachable’ and are attracted to walkers as theydisturb prey (Marchant and Higgins, 1993, Hill, 1997).

10 ThreatsThe greatest current threat is from the rapidlyspreading, introduced Yellow Crazy Ant Anoplolepisgracilipes, which is now thought to occupy 15-18% ofthe island (D. Slip), and may still be spreading rapidly.These ants are not only likely to prey directly onnestlings, but may alter the whole ecology of the islandby killing the dominant life-form, the Red CrabGecaroidea natalis, and by farming scale insects, whichdamage the trees (O’Dowd et al., 1999). The goshawksare wholly dependent on forest vertebrates andinvertebrates for food and the densities of these arelikely to be markedly reduced in areas affected byYellow Crazy Ants (F. A. R. Hill). Forest clearance (nolonger permitted) has already destroyed 25% of thehabitat, and active hunting previously reduced thepopulation around settlements (Stokes, 1988), andthere is a constant risk of introduced disease (Hill,1997).

11 Information required11.1 Monitor nesting success and diet.

11.2 Refine techniques for controlling Yellow CrazyAnts.

11.3 Resolve taxonomic status.

12 Recovery objectives12.1 Involvement of all stakeholders in recovery.

12.2 A stable or increasing population as verified bymonitoring.

12.3 Protection of all breeding habitat of thisspecies from clearing and degradation.

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12.4 Control of the Yellow Crazy Ant.

12.5 Production of a timetable for rehabilitatingpriority minefields and commencement ofrehabilitation using that timetable.

13 Actions completed or under way13.1 A Draft Recovery Plan has been prepared

(Hill, 1997).

13.2 A three year research program has beeninitiated and staff have been dedicated to antcontrol.

13.3 Contingency plans are being developed toestablish a captive population on mainlandAustralia.

14 Management actions required14.1 Control the abundance and spread of the

Yellow Crazy Ant.

14.2 Pending control, establish a captive populationwith the aim of reintroduction once antcontrol has been achieved.

14.3 Review of Christmas Island QuarantineService.

14.4 Conduct a community education program.

14.5 Undertake a detailed population survey.

14.6 Negotiate with all landowners to ensureprotection of primary forests outside theNational Park.

14.7 Rehabilitate rainforest on priority minefields.

14.8 Form a Recovery Team and implement theRecovery Plan.

15 Organisations responsible forconservationEnvironment Australia (including Wildlife AustraliaBranch; Parks Australia North; Christmas IslandRainforest Rehabilitation Program).

16 Other organisations involvedAustralasian Raptor Association of Birds Australia,Christmas Island Phosphates Pty. Ltd., ChristmasIsland Shire Council, Museum of Victoria, Australianzoos.

17 Staff and financial resources required for recovery to be carried out 1

Staff resources required 2001-2005 1.0 Project Officer (Crazy Ants) 2

0.1 Technical Officer (monitoring)4.0 Technical Officer (Crazy Ants) 2

0.6 PhD student (population size)0.1 Education officer 3




Total

Negotiate habitat protection $12,500 $0 $12,500Institute education program 3 $10,000 $0 $10,000Determine population size $33,800 $80,000 $113,800Monitor nesting success and diet $23,200 $0 $23,200Determine genetic status $27,000 $3,000 $30,000Rehabilitation of vegetation 3,4 $81,400 $940,000 $1,021,400Control Crazy Ants 2 $250,000 $12,000 $262,000Establish captive population 5 $10,000 $50,000 $60,000Recovery Team operation 3 $3,500 $0 $3,500

Total $451,400 $1,085,000 $1,536,4001 Based largely on Hill (1997)2 Costs shared with all ten threatened Christmas I. taxa3 Costs shared among Abbott’s Booby, Christmas Island Frigatebird, Christmas Island Owl and Christmas Island Goshawk4 Major funding derived from levy which varies from year to year depending on amount of phosphate exported5 Costs shared among Brown Goshawk (Christmas I.), Christmas Island Imperial-Pigeon, Emerald Dove (Christmas I.), Christmas

Island Owl, Island Thrush (Christmas I.), Christmas Island White-eye

18 BibliographyCarter, M. 1994. Christmas Island Birds. Wingspan13 (Autumn):18-21.

Debus, S. J. S. A. 1994. What is the Christmas IslandGoshawk? Aust. Bird Watcher 15:377-379.

Hill, F. A. R. 1997. The Christmas Island GoshawkAccipiter fasciatus natalis Recovery Plan. Birds Australia,Melbourne.


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Nelson, J. B. 1977. Report and recommendations onthe status and prospects of Abbott's Booby in relationto the British Phosphate Commissioner's mining andconservation policy. Unpublished report, BritishPhosphate Commission.

O’Dowd, D. J., Green, P. T. and Lake, P. S. A. 1999.Status, impact and recommendations for research andmanagement of exotic invasive ants in ChristmasIsland National Park. Report to EnvironmentAustralia.

Stokes, T. 1988. A review of the birds of ChristmasIsland, Indian Ocean. Australian National Parks andWildlife Service Occasional Paper 16.

Comments received fromTom Aumann, Stephen Debus, Richard Hill, Dennis O’Dowd,Penny Olsen.

479

RECOVERY OUTLINE Brown Thornbill (King Island)

1 Family Pardalotidae

2 Scientific name Acanthiza pusilla archibaldi Mathews, 1910

3 Common name Brown Thornbill (King Island)

4 Conservation status Critically Endangered: D

5 Reasons for listingIf this subspecies is still extant, it is desperately scarce(Critically Endangered: D). The only reason that itdoes not fit categories A, B or C is that, if its pastdecline has not stabilised, it would have to be extinct.

Estimate ReliabilityExtent of occurrence 5 km2 low

trend stable lowArea of occupancy 5 km2 low

trend stable lowNo. of breeding birds 50 low

trend stable lowNo. of sub-populations 1 lowGeneration time 4 years low

6 Infraspecific taxaA. p. dawsonensis (eastern Queensland), A. p. pusilla(south-eastern Australia), A. p. diemenensis (Tasmania)and A. p. zietzi (Kangaroo I.) are all Least Concern.

7 Past range and abundanceEndemic to King I., Tas. (Boles, 1983, Schodde andMason, 1999).

8 Present range and abundanceLast records are from Pegarah Forestry Reserve in1968 (Green and McGarvie, 1971) and at Looranaabout 20 km away in 1971 (McGarvie and Templeton,1974). Not recorded since, despite searches(P. Brown).

9 EcologyThe King I. subspecies of the Brown Thornbill is awoodland bird. It evidently persisted in the oneremaining forest fragment on the island until 1968(Green and McGarvie, 1971) and was netted in agarden among open farmland in 1971 (McGarvie andTempleton, 1974). Otherwise, the subspecies’ ecologyis unknown.

10 ThreatsIt has been suggested that the Brown Thornbill onKing I. is suffering from competition with theTasmanian Thornbill Acanthiza ewingii rufifrons (Greenand McGarvie, 1971). Though in Tasmania theTasmanian Thornbill usually favours rainforest, onKing I., it appears to have flourished despite extensiveclearance, which is undoubtedly the primary cause ofthe Brown Thornbill’s decline. Uncontrolled fire is athreat to remaining pockets of natural habitat, thoughboth species have been recorded in remnants of tallervegetation within the open farmland that nowpredominates on the island (McGarvie and Templeton,1974). The abundance of ticks on King I. specimens ofScrubtit Acanthornis magnus and White-browedScrubwren Sericornis frontalis tregellasi (Schodde andMason, 1999) suggests that ticks may be an additionalthreat to remaining Brown Thornbills.

11 Information required11.1 Determine causes of rarity.

12 Recovery objectives12.1 Secure remaining population, if extant.

13 Actions completed or under way13.1 A survey was undertaken in Pegarah Forestry

Reserve, but failed to locate any birds.

14 Management actions required14.1 Search for subspecies during surveys for

Scrubtit.

14.2 If population discovered, attemptmanagement, possibly including treatment forectoparasites or localised removal ofcompetitors.

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16 Other organisations involvedLocal Government, Tasmanian Forestry Commission,bird-watching societies.

17 Staff and financial resources required for recovery to be carried outStaff resources required 2001-2005 0.2 Project Officer 1




Total

Determine population size and management requirements 1 $10,000 $1,500 $11,500Undertake active management as appropriate 2 $50,000 $50,000 $100,000Monitoring 1 $500 $1,500 $2,000

Total $60,500 $53,000 $113,5001 Costs shared among all six threatened King I. taxa: Green Rosella, Orange-bellied Parrot, Scrubtit, Brown Thornbill, Yellow

Wattlebird and Black Currawong2 Costs only incurred if subspecies rediscovered

18 BibliographyBoles, W. E. 1983. A taxonomic revision of the BrownThornbill Acanthiza pusilla (Shaw) 1790 withdescription of a new subspecies. Emu 83:51-58.

Green, R. and McGarvie, A. M. 1971. The birds ofKing Island. Rec. Queen Vic. Museum 40:1-42.

McGarvie, A. M. and Templeton, M. T. 1974.Additions to the birds of King Island, Bass Strait. Emu74:91-96.


Comments received fromPeter Brown, Sally Bryant, Mark Holdsworth.

405

TAXON SUMMARY Brown Treecreeper (Cape York Peninsula)

1 Family Climacteridae

2 Scientific name Climacteris picumnus melanotus Gould, 1847

3 Common name Brown Treecreeper (Cape York Peninsula)


5 Reasons for listingThis subspecies’ relatively large and widely distributedpopulation appears to have declined in density overmore than half its historical range (NearThreatened: c).




trend decreasing mediumNo. of sub-populations 1 mediumGeneration time 5 years medium

6 Infraspecific taxaC. p. victoriae (subcoastal eastern Australia) is also NearThreatened. C. p. picumnus (inland eastern Australia,eastern Queensland) is Least Concern.

7 Past range and abundanceCape York Peninsula, with a broad zone ofintergradation with C. p. picumnus as far south as theBurdekin-Lynd Divide (Ford, 1986, Schodde andMason, 1999). Historically, reported as numerous,particularly “between Coen and Ebagoola, and alongthe length of the Archer River” (Thomson, 1935,p. 64).

8 Present range and abundanceStill relatively common north of Archer R. and insouthern part of range (Blakers et al., 1984, Garnettand Crowley, 1995). Now very scarce in the centre ofCape York Peninsula, reported from 3 out of 15possible degree squares between 1977 and 1981, andin 1999, not found near Hann R., where present in1993, but still present near Lukin R. (S. Garnett).

9 EcologyFound in open eucalypt woodland, primarily in areasdominated by Darwin Stringybark Eucalyptus tetrodonta(Garnett and Crowley, 1995a). The birds often nest inassociation with Black-faced Woodswallows (White,1922). They nest in tree hollows, and lay with 2-3 eggs.

10 ThreatsThe decline of the Cape York Peninsula subspecies ofBrown Treecreeper is probably a result of an alteredfire regime. It has been linked to homogenisation ofthe habitat by occasional widespread fires (Garnettand Crowley, 1995a), but the increasing stem densitythrough grassy woodlands on Cape York Peninsulamay be equally threatening (Stanton, 1992, Crowleyand Garnett, 1998). Both processes result from a shiftin fire regime (Crowley and Garnett, 2000), with areduction in mosaic burning that is needed to break uplarge fires and to leave fuel for storm-burns in theearly wet season (Crowley, 1995, Garnett and Crowley,1995b).

11 Recommended actions11.1 Encourage mosaic burning, including storm-

burning, to provide unburnt refuges from latedry season fires.


Crowley, G. M. 1995. Fire on Cape York Peninsula. CapeYork Land Use Strategy, Office of the CoordinatorGeneral of Queensland, Brisbane and Department ofEnvironment, Sport and Territories, Canberra.

Crowley, G. M. and Garnett, S. T. 1998. Vegetationchange in the grasslands and grassy woodlands ofcentral Cape York Peninsula. Pac. Conserv. Biol.4:132-148.

406

Crowley, G. M. and Garnett, S. T. 2000. Changing firemanagement in the pastoral lands of Cape YorkPeninsula: 1623 to 1996. Aust. Geogr. Studies. 38:10-26.

Ford, J. 1986. Avian hybridisation and allopatry in theregion of the Einasleigh Uplands and Burdekin-LyndDivide, north-eastern Queensland, Emu 86:87-110.

Garnett, S. T. and Crowley, G. M. 1995a. The declineof the Black Treecreeper Climacteris picumnus melanotaon Cape York Peninsula. Emu 95:66-68.

Garnett, S. T. and Crowley, G. M. 1995b. Ecology andConservation of the Golden-shouldered Parrot. Cape YorkLand Use Strategy, Office of the Coordinator Generalof Queensland, Brisbane, Department ofEnvironment, Sport and Territories, Canberra andDepartment of Environment and Heritage.


Stanton, J. P. 1992. Fire management on nationalparks in a range of tropical environments - a manager'sperspective. Pp. 412-415 in Fire Research in RuralQueensland. ed B. R. Roberts. University of SouthernQueensland, Toowoomba.

Thomson, D. 1935. Birds of Cape York Peninsula.Government Printer, Melbourne.

White, H. L. 1922. A collecting trip to Cape YorkPeninsula. Emu 22:99-116.

407

TAXON SUMMARY Brown Treecreeper (south-eastern)

1 Family Climacteridae

2 Scientific name Climacteris picumnus victoriae Mathews, 1912

3 Common name Brown Treecreeper (south-eastern)


5 Reasons for listingThough the subspecies is widely distributed with arelatively large distribution, declines in abundancehave been reported over most of its range (NearThreatened: c).



trend decreasing mediumNo. of breeding birds 1,000,000 low

trend decreasing mediumNo. of sub-populations 100 lowLargest sub-population 10,000 lowGeneration time 5 years high

6 Infraspecific taxaC. p. melanotus (Cape York Peninsula, Qld) is also NearThreatened. C. p. picumnus (inland Eastern Australia,eastern Queensland) is Least Concern.

7 Past range and abundanceSouth-eastern Australia: subcoastal environments andslopes of Great Dividing Ra. between the Grampiansin western Victoria, through central New South Wales(Wagga Wagga, Temora, Forbes, Dubbo, Inverell), toQueensland border and northward to the BunyaMountains (Schodde and Mason, 1999). Recordeddensities range from 0.04 – 0.50 birds/ha (Blakers etal., 1984).

8 Present range and abundanceRange as above but greatly reduced in density overmost parts of its range (Taylor and COG, 1992,Robinson, 1993, Paton et al., 1994, Reid, 1999, Trailland Duncan, 2000), with a decline of 70% recorded inthe last decade in central New South Wales(N. Schrader in Traill, 2000).

9 EcologyOccupying eucalypt woodland and adjoiningvegetation, the Brown Treecreeper eats ants, beetlesand larvae, which it takes from the trunks of live anddead trees as well as from fallen branches and amongleaf litter. Nests are often in hollows, and usual clutchsize is 2-3 (Noske, 1979, Blakers et al., 1984).

10 ThreatsBrown Treecreepers are one of a suite of species thathave declined from woodlands in south-easternAustralia as a result of habitat clearance (Robinson andTraill, 1996, Reid, 1999). Apart from actual clearanceof trees, the subspecies has also declined ordisappeared from most remaining fragments that aresmaller than 300 ha, at least partly because femalesdisperse from these areas or die preferentially and arenot replaced (Walters et al., 1999). Once the subspeciesis lost from a fragment, recolonisation is unlikelywithout assistance (Walters et al., 1999). Localextinctions occur 50 years after the habitat wascleared. With clearing continuing and over 90% of theremaining vegetation in some regions being in patchesthat are smaller than 500 ha, local extinctions are likelyto continue for many decades to come (Traill andDuncan, 2000). The readiness with which treecreepersuse artificial hollows for nesting suggests that a lack ofhollows may limit reproduction in some habitats(B. Quin).

11 Recommended actions11.1 Protect from clearing all woodland in which

Brown Treecreepers are known to be resident,monitoring compliance biennially.

11.2 Place all Brown Treecreeper sub-populationson public land under secure conservationmanagement, particularly those in timberreserves, transport corridors and localgovernment land.

11.3 Within the treecreeper’s range, manage at least15% of the pre-European area of allwoodland communities on public or private

408

land for nature conservation, using incentiveswhere necessary.

11.4 Using appropriate incentives, undertakeextension with land-holders that have suitablewoodland habitat to promote soundmanagement of remnants and encouragegreater connectivity between sub-populations.

11.5 Promote revegetation and land reclamationthat recreates woodland habitat with a fullcomplement of biodiversity, including thetreecreeper.

11.6 Control and reduce firewood collection fromareas occupied by Brown Treecreepers,promoting wood-lot development close tomarkets, and reduce grazing densities wherenecessary.

11.7 Undertake long-term monitoring of remnantsub-populations.


Noske, R. A. 1979. Co-existence of three species ofTreecreepers in north-eastern New South Wales. Emu79:120-128.


Reid, J. W. 1999. Threatened and declining birds in theNew South Wales sheep-wheat belt: diagnosis,characteristics and management. Report to NSWNPWS, Sydney.

Robinson, D. 1993. Vale Toolern Vale: the loss of ourwoodland birds. Wingspan (March):1-4.



Taylor, M. and COG 1992. Birds of the AustralianCapital Territory: an atlas. Canberra Ornithologists Cluband National Capital Planning Authority, Canberra.

Traill, B. J. and Duncan, S. 2000. Status of birds in theNew South Wales temperate woodlands region.Report to New South Wales National Parks andWildlife Service, Dubbo.

Walters, J., Ford, H. A. and Cooper, C. 1999. Theecological basis of sensitivity to habitat fragmentation:a preliminary assessment. Biol. Conserv. 90:13-20.

Comments received fromRichard Loyn, Peter Ormay, Bruce Quin, Doug Robinson, BarryTraill.

199

RECOVERY OUTLINE Buff-banded Rail (Cocos-Keeling Islands)

1 Family Rallidae

2 Scientific name Gallirallus philippensis andrewsi (Mathews, 1911)

3 Common name Buff-banded Rail (Cocos-Keeling Islands)

4 Conservation status Vulnerable: D1+2

5 Reasons for listingThe population of this subspecies contains fewer than1000 mature individuals (Vulnerable: D1) on a tinyisland (D2).


trend stable highArea of occupancy 1.3 km2 high

trend stable highNo. of breeding birds 500 medium

trend stable lowNo. of sub-populations 1 highGeneration time 3 years low

6 Infraspecific taxaG. p. mellori (Tasmania and mainland Australia) is LeastConcern. G. p. dieffenbachi (Chatham Islands, N. Z.) andG. p. macquariensis (Macquarie I.) are Extinct. There areat least ten other subspecies through south-east Asiaand the Pacific. The species’ global status is LeastConcern.

7 Past range and abundanceWidespread and common until early 1900s on allislands of Cocos-Keeling Is (Wood Jones 1909, Stokeset al., 1984). Suggestion that presence on islands is aresult of introduction (Gibson-Hill 1948, 1949)considered unlikely, based on distinctive morphology(Reid, 2000).

8 Present range and abundanceNow confined to North Keeling I., but persisted onSouth I. (Pulu Atas) and West I. (Pulu Panjang) of themain atoll; Marchant and Higgins, 1993), until early1980s (Stokes et al., 1984), with a single record fromWest I. in August 1991 (P. Stevenson in Garnett,1992). Population on North Keeling I. estimated at750-800 individuals (Reid, 2000).

9 EcologyOn North Keeling I., Buff-banded Rails occupy allhabitats, foraging along the lagoon shore and nestingin Pisonia grandis debris, grass tussocks or similarground layer vegetation, the forks of Pisonia grandistrees, and the bases of coconut palms. On West I.,they were seen feeding on the airstrip and sheltering inScaevola taccada thickets. Buff-banded Rails areomnivorous, taking mostly crustaceans, molluscs,

worms and insects, but also plants, seeds, fruits, frogs,eggs, carrion and refuse. The clutch size of mainlandbirds is 5-8 (Stokes et al., 1984, Marchant and Higgins,1993, Reid 2000).

10 ThreatsConversion of Pisonia forest to Coconut plantation,and predation by feral cats, Black Rats Rattus rattusand, perhaps, people have probably caused theextinction of the subspecies on the main atoll. Thegreatest threat is now the possible, accidentalintroduction of predators to North Keeling I. (Stokeset al., 1984, Reid, 2000).

11 Information required11.1 None.

12 Recovery objectives12.1 Maintain sub-population on North Keeling I.

12.2 Reintroduce sub-population to Horsburgh I.(Pulu Luar).

13 Actions completed or under way13.1 A pilot population study has been completed

and a monitoring program devised.

13.2 A revegetation program is being undertaken onHorsburgh I.

14 Management actions required14.1 Through education and other means ensure

strict quarantine on North Keeling I.

14.2 Monitor sub-population on North Keeling I.

14.3 Secure Horsburgh I. as a safe reintroductionsite by eradicating cats, rats and feral chickens.

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14.4 Reintroduce to Horsburgh I directly fromNorth Keeling I., once 14.3 complete.

15 Organisations responsible forconservationEnvironment Australia.


17 Staff and financial resources required for recovery to be carried outStaff resources required 2001-2005 0.05 Technical Officer 1




Total

Monitor North Keeling I. 1 $3,800 $0 $3,800Ensure quarantine for North Keeling I. 1 $5,000 $0 $5,000Remove cats, rats and feral chickens from Horsburgh I. $30,000 $0 $30,000Reintroduce to Horsburgh I. $20,000 $0 $20,000

Total $58,800 $0 $58,8001 Costs shared among Round Island Petrel, Masked Booby, White-tailed Tropicbird and Buff-banded Rail

18 BibliographyGarnett, S. T. (ed.) 1992 Threatened and Extinct Birds ofAustralia. RAOU/ANPWS, Melbourne.

Gibson-Hill, C. A. 1948. The island of North Keeling.J. Malay Br. Roy. Asiat. Soc. 21:88-103.

Gibson-Hill, C. A. 1949. The birds of the Cocos-Keeling Islands. Ibis 91:221-243.


Reid, J. R. W. 2000. Survey of the Buff-banded Rail(Rallus philippensis andrewsi) in Pulu Keeling NationalPark, Cocos Islands, Indian Ocean. Report to ParksAustralia North.

Stokes, A. S., Shiels, W. and Dunn, K. 1984. Birds ofthe Cocos (Keeling) Islands, Indian Ocean. Emu84:23-28.

Wood Jones, F. 1909. Fauna of the Cocos-KeelingAtoll. Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond. 1909:132-159.

Comments received fromJulian Reid.

201

TAXON SUMMARY Buff-banded Rail (Macquarie Island)

1 Family Rallidae

2 Scientific name Gallirallus philippensis macquariensis (Hutton, 1879)

3 Common name Buff-banded Rail (Macquarie Island)

4 Conservation status Extinct

5 Reasons for listingThis subspecies apparently died out before 1894.

6 Infraspecific taxaG. p. andrewsi (Cocos-Keeling Is) is Endangered.G. p. mellori (Tasmania and mainland Australia) is LeastConcern. There are at least eleven other subspeciesthrough south-east Asia and the Pacific. Of these,G. p. dieffenbachi (Chatham Is) is Extinct. Most othersubspecies are secure, and global status of species isLeast Concern. Given the mobility of the Buff-bandedRail and its ability to colonise islands, the taxonomicstatus of this subspecies deserves reconsideration.

7 Past range and abundanceThis subspecies of Buff-banded Rail was endemic toMacquarie Island. Though common when last seen in1879 (Scott, 1882), it could not be found in 1894(Hamilton, 1894).

8 EcologyThe subspecies occupied tussock grassland (Hamilton,1894), but nothing else is known of its ecology.

9 Reasons for extinctionThis rail co-existed with feral cats on Macquarie I. forat least 70 years, but Wekas Gallirallus australis scotti,were introduced in 1872, and may have preyed on eggsand young. The decline of the rails was particularlyrapid after 1878, when rabbits became established. It isthought the rabbits reduced the area of suitable habitatby grazing tussocks and enabled the population of catsto increase. Rabbits are scarce in winter (Jones, 1977),and the cats may then have hunted rails (Hamilton,1894).

10 BibliographyHamilton, A. 1894. Notes on a visit to MacquarieIsland. Trans. Proc. N. Z. Inst. 27:559-579.

Jones, E. 1977. Ecology of the Feral Cat Felis catus (L.),(Carnivora: Felidae) on Macquarie Island. Aust. Wildl.Res. 4:249-262.

Scott, J. H. 1882. Macquarie Island. Trans. Proc. N. Z.Inst. 15:484-493.

Comments received fromNigel Brother, Peter Brown, Peter Fullagar.

213

RECOVERY OUTLINE Buff-breasted Button-quail

1 Family Turnicidae

2 Scientific name Turnix olivii Robinson, 1900

3 Common name Buff-breasted Button-quail

4 Conservation status Endangered: B1+2bcde, C2b

5 Reasons for listingRecords of this species are very few, despiteconsiderable search effort, and suggest that the area ofoccupancy is only 50 km2 (Endangered B1). There isalso some evidence of decline in area of occupancy(2b), quality of known habitat (c), number of locations(d) and possibly number of mature individuals (e).Within the known range, there are perhaps 500 matureindividuals, a number that is probably decreasing (C2).High mobility of the species suggests that all recordscome from a single sub-population (b).


trend decreasing lowArea of occupancy 50 km2 low

trend decreasing lowNo. of breeding birds 500 low

trend decreasing lowNo. of sub-populations 1 mediumGeneration time 3 years low


7 Past range and abundanceEndemic to north-eastern Queensland. Recorded nearCooktown, Coen, Musgrave, Iron Range, Mareeba,Mount Molloy, Chillagoe and Ingham (White, 1922a,b, Squire, 1990, Nielsen, 1996, S. Garnett, R. Hobson,L. Nielsen, J. Young).

8 Present range and abundancePossibly as above. No recent records from near Coenor Cooktown, and progressively fewer birds each wetseason near Mt Molloy over the last decade. Sporadicdry season records from a tiny area of grassland nearIron Range need confirmation. Records near Musgraveand Chillagoe in 1984 coincided with peak inabundance at Mt Molloy (L. Nielsen).

9 EcologyThe Buff-breasted Button-quail is one of the leastknown Australian birds. The few records are mostlyfrom patches of sparse grassland, on ridge-tops orstony rises, within rainforest or eucalypt woodland thatotherwise has dense grass cover (White, 1922a,b,Squire, 1990, L. Nielsen). The birds appear to feed onseeds and insects (Marchant and Higgins, 1993). They

may be favoured by early wet season fires that keepgrassland structure open during breeding season(R. Hobson, L. Nielsen). They build dome nests on theground and lay 4 eggs that are tended by the male(White, 1922a).

10 ThreatsThe birds may have been eliminated from much oftheir range by grazing and inappropriate burningregimes that encourage extensive fires, but promotewoody weed invasion (Harrington and Sanderson,1994, Crowley and Garnett, 1998). Sites near MtMolloy become overgrown during the wet season, sothe birds leave when the grass gets to long, rather thanremaining there to breed (L. Nielsen). Some sites inthe southern part of the range are in danger of beingcleared for agriculture.

11 Information required11.1 Develop a technique for finding species

reliably.

11.2 Determine habitat requirements.

12 Recovery objectives12.1 To understand and manage factors controlling

population.

12.2 To establish a population in captivity.

12.3 To locate reliably and effectively manage atleast one population or sub-population.

13 Actions completed or under way13.1 Searches have been undertaken and the habitat

analysed in the Mt Molloy area.

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14 Management actions required14.1 Search northern Atherton Tablelands for

breeding birds.

14.2 Catch at least 10 birds and establish captivepopulation, after determining husbandry usingChestnut-backed Button-quail Turnixcastaneothorax.

14.3 Use captive population to determine optimumhabitat structure.

14.4 Use early wet season fire on a trial basis to testits suitability as breeding habitat.

14.5 Use radiotelemetry to determine habitat useand movements of individuals in wildpopulation.

14.6 Record calls and use to locate other sub-populations.

14.7 Determine effective conservation managementstrategy for known population.

15 Organisations responsible forconservationQueensland Parks and Wildlife Service.

16 Other organisations involvedQueensland Department of Natural Resources, CookShire Council, Lockhart River Community Council,Mareeba Shire Council, lease-holders, bird-watchingsocieties, Mareeba Wetlands Trust.


0.5 Technical OfficerFinancial resources required 2001-2005



Total

Locate population $60,000 $20,000 $80,000Record calls and locate other sub-populations $5,000 $10,000 $15,000Establish captive population $10,000 $30,000 $40,000Experimentally determine optimum habitat structure $25,000 $10,000 $35,000Experimental burning and monitoring $60,000 $15,000 $75,000Determine habitat use $60,000 $10,000 $70,000Determine conservation management strategy $12,000 $0 $12,000

Total $232,000 $95,000 $327,000

18 BibliographyCrowley, G. M. and Garnett, S. T. 1998. Vegetationchange in the grasslands and grassy woodlands of east-central Cape York Peninsula, Australia. Pac. Conserv.Biol. 4:132-148.

Harrington, G. N. and Sanderson, K. D. 1994. Recentcontraction of wet sclerophyll forest boundary in thewet tropics of Queensland due to invasion byrainforest. Pacific Cons. Biol. 1:319-327.


Nielsen, L. 1996. Birds of Queensland’s Wet Tropics andGreat Barrier Reef. Gerard Industries, Adelaide.

Squire, J. E. 1990. Some southern records and otherobservations of the Buff-breasted Button-quail Turnixolivii. Aust. Bird Watcher 13:149-152.

White, H. L. 1922a. Description of nest and eggs ofTurnix olivii (Robinson). Emu 22:2-3.

White, H. L. 1922b. A collecting trip to Cape YorkPeninsula. Emu 22:99-116.

Comments received fromLloyd Nielsen.

136

RECOVERY OUTLINE Buller's Albatross

1 Family Diomedeidae

2 Scientific name Thalassarche bulleri (Rothschild, 1893)

3 Common name Buller's Albatross

4 Conservation statusPopulation visiting Australian territory Vulnerable: A2d

5 Reasons for listingThe size of the population visiting Australian waters islikely to decrease by more than 20% over the nextthree generations (45 years: Vulnerable: A2) as a resultof fishing bycatch (d). Globally, the species breeds atfewer than five locations (Vulnerable: D2).

Australian Fishing Zone Estimate ReliabilityExtent of occurrence 5,000,000 km2 medium


trend stable highNo. of breeding birds 22,000 medium

trend decreasing lowNo. of sub-populations 1 mediumGeneration time 15 years medium

6 Infraspecific taxaSeparation of T. bulleri from T. sp. nov., formerlyknown as T. bulleri “platei” (Robertson and Nunn,1998) is controversial, but adopted here pendingpublication of genetic analysis.

7 Past range and abundanceBreeding on Snares and Solander Is, New Zealand.Generally remains near breeding sites, but, even whenbreeding, may cross Tasman Sea. Recorded off thecoast of south-eastern Australia, between CoffsHarbour and Eyre Peninsula (Marchant and Higgins,1990, Gales, 1998). At Snares I., population apparentlyincreased from 4,750 pairs in 1969 to 8,460 pairs in1992 (Sagar et al., 1994) but on Solander I. decreasedfrom 4,300 pairs in 1986 to 2,500 pairs in 1996(Croxall and Gales, 1998).

8 Present range and abundanceCurrent global population estimated at 50,000-55,000individuals, with 11,000 pairs breeding annually (Gales,1998, EABG, 1999).

9 EcologyBuller’s Albatrosses nest in colonies. They attendfishing vessels and, though their natural food source isnot recorded, they are likely to take squid, fish andcephalopods (Marchant and Higgins, 1990, Murray etal., 1993).

10 ThreatsDespite an apparent increase in the breedingpopulation at one colony, drowning in longline fishinggear kills an unsustainable 600 breeding adults annuallyin Japanese operations off New Zealand alone (Murrayet al., 1993). Some birds are also killed in the AustralianFishing Zone (Gales et al., 1998) from longlining andas a result of collision with cables and warps used onfishing trawlers (EABG, 1999).

11 Information required11.1 Develop genetic profiles to determine

provenance of birds caught as bycatch.

12 Recovery objectives12.1 Reduce at-sea threats to acceptable levels.

12.2 Obtain global agreement on conservationmeasures required.

12.3 Promote public awareness of the conservationneeds of albatrosses.

13 Actions completed or under way13.1 A Threat Abatement Plan (TAP) to minimise

fishing bycatch has been prepared (EABG,1998).

13.2 Effective mitigation techniques have beendeveloped and are being improved.

13.3 Bycatch rates in the AFZ and the success ofmitigation measures are monitored and theresults quickly analysed.

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13.4 Measures known to be effective in mitigatingseabird bycatch within the AFZ are promotedby legislation, a code of practice and educationprograms.

13.5 A Recovery Plan has been written and aRecovery Team is in place.

14 Management actions requiredNone.

15 Organisations responsible forconservationEnvironment Australia.

16 Other organisations involvedAntarctic Science Advisory Committee, Australian

Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, AustralianAgriculture, Fisheries and Forestry - Australia,Australian Fisheries Management Authority,Convention for Conservation of Migratory Species ofWild Animals, Ecologically Related Species WorkingGroup of the Commission for the Conservation ofSouthern Bluefin Tuna, Food and AgriculturalOrganization of the United Nations and its Committeeon Fisheries, Incidental Mortality Arising fromLongline Fishing – ad hoc Working Group of theWorking Group on Fish Stock Assessment ofConvention for the Conservation of Antarctic MarineLiving Resources, Tasmanian Fisheries Service,professional fishing industry groups.

17 Staff and financial resources required for recovery to be carried outStaff resources required 2001-2005 1.0 Project Officer (international liaison) 1

1.0 Extension Officer 1

3.0 Technical Officers (fisheries observers) 1




Total

Develop improved fishing bycatch mitigation 1 $10,500 $10,500 $21,000Monitor bycatch rates in the AFZ and success of mitigation

measures 1$3,600 $8,600 $12,200

Analysis of annual bycatch data 1 $8,300 $0 $8,300Educate fishers in the AFZ in mitigation techniques 1 $6,300 $5,400 $11,700Inform national fora about the TAP 1 $2,300 $0 $2,300Inform international fora about the TAP and pursue

international threat abatement 1$3,900 $0 $3,900

Maintain currency of TAP and report annually 1 $2,100 $0 $2,100Research on genetics 2 $500 $500 $1,000Managing recovery process 2 $4,600 $1,800 $6,400

Total $42,100 $26,800 $68,9001 Costs for TAP actions divided amongst all 20 albatrosses, 2 giant-petrels, White-chinned Petrel and Grey Petrel2 Costs shared among 20 albatrosses and 2 giant-petrels

18 BibliographyCroxall, J. P. and Gales, R. 1998. An assessment of theconservation status of albatrosses. Pp. 46-65 in TheAlbatross: Biology and Conservation. G. Robertson andR. Gales (eds). Surrey Beatty and Sons, ChippingNorton.

EABG 1998. Threat Abatement Plan for the incidental catch(or by-catch) of seabirds during oceanic longline fishingoperations. Environment Australia Biodiversity Group,Canberra.

EABG 1999. Draft Recovery Plan for Albatrosses andGiant Petrels. Environment Australia BiodiversityGroup, Canberra.

Gales, R. 1998. Albatross populations: status andthreats. Pp. 20-45 in The Albatross: Biology andConservation. G. Robertson and R. Gales (eds). SurreyBeatty and Sons, Chipping Norton.

Gales, R., Brothers, N. and Reid, T. 1998. Seabirdmortality in the Japanese tuna longline fishery aroundAustralia, 1988-1995. Biol. Conserv. 86:37-56.


Murray, T. E., Bartle, J. A., Kalish, S. R. and Taylor,P. R. 1993. Incidental capture of seabirds by Japanesesouthern bluefin tuna longline vessels in New Zealandwaters, 1988-1992. Bird Conserv. International 3:181-210.

Robertson, C. J. R. and Nunn, G. B. 1998. Towards anew taxonomy for albatrosses. Pp. 13-19 in TheAlbatross: Biology and Conservation. G. Robertson andR. Gales (eds). Surrey Beatty and Sons, ChippingNorton.

138

Sagar, P. M., Molly, J., Tennyson, A. J. D. and Butler,D. 1994. Numbers of Buller’s Albatrosses breeding atthe Snares Islands. Notornis 41:85-92.

Comments received fromBarry Baker, Nigel Brothers, Rosemary Gales, Tim Reid.

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TAXON SUMMARY Bush Stone-curlew

1 Family Burhinidae

2 Scientific name Burhinus grallarius (Latham, 1801)

3 Common name Bush Stone-curlew


5 Reasons for listingAlthough the species is still relatively common in thenorth and on islands, the population occurs at afraction of its former density in southern mainlandAustralia (Near Threatened: c). Because most of thepopulation occurs in Australia, global status is alsoNear Threatened.

Australian population Estimate ReliabilityExtent of occurrence 6,000,000 km2 high



trend decreasing lowNo. of sub-populations 1 lowGeneration time 5 years lowGlobal population share 99 % highLevel of genetic exchange low high


7 Past range and abundanceRecorded from all but the most arid parts of mainlandAustralia, as well as on many offshore islands,although not in Bass Strait and only accidental inTasmania (Blakers et al., 1984, Marchant and Higgins,1993). A breeding population also occurs in southernNew Guinea (Marchant and Higgins, 1993).

8 Present range and abundanceAlmost absent south and east of Great DividingRange between Port Fairy, Vic., and Brisbane (Blakerset al., 1984). Scarce elsewhere in southern Australia.Numbers in northern Victorian apparently decreasing,with counts of 328 birds in 1985 and 141 birds in1991 (Johnson and Baker-Gabb, 1994, Webster andBaker-Gabb, 1993). Recent records from SouthAustralia mostly from islands (Blakers et al., 1984).Decreasing in south-western Australia from 1920s(Johnstone and Storr, 1998). In northern Australia andon many continental islands, species remainscommon, even within towns (Garnett, 1992).However, decreased near Rockhampton (Wilson,1993) and in south-east Queensland (R. Johnson),largely absent south and east of the Great Dividing R.(A. Applemann). Genetic status of island birds is

unknown; possibly isolated sub-populations as noevidence of movement across major water. CurrentAustralian population estimated at 15,000 individuals(Watkins, 1993).

9 EcologyBush Stone-curlews require sparsely grassed, lightly-timbered, open forest or woodland. In southernAustralia, they persist most often where there is oftenwith a well-structured litter layer and fallen timberdebris (Blakers et al., 1984, Marchant and Higgins,1993, Johnson and Baker-Gabb, 1994), but in parts ofnorthern Australia, seem able to persist where theground cover is more open (A. Applemann) They arethought to be sedentary, but abundance in centralAustralia appears to vary with rainfall (K. Johnson).They lay one or two eggs on the ground in open areas,usually well away from trees (Johnson and Baker-Gabb, 1994), and feed on a range of invertebrates andsmall vertebrates, as well as seeds and shoots(Marchant and Higgins, 1993).

10 ThreatsThe rarity and continuing decline of Bush Stone-Curlews in the southern part of the species’ range hasbeen attributed to predation by introduced foxes,habitat clearance for agriculture, habitat degradationby pastoralism, and removal of leaf litter and fallentimber debris from habitat remnants (Johnson andBaker-Gabb, 1994). At one site in Western Australia,the species re-appeared five years after intensive fox-baiting was undertaken (S. McNee). The species wasformerly hunted legally, and continues to be soillegally (Marchant and Higgins, 1993, G. Graham).

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11 Recommended actions11.1 Develop effective techniques for monitoring

abundance.

11.2 Determine the minimum area of woodlandneeded to maintain sub-populations andincorporate where necessary into land-clearingguidelines.

11.3 Develop agreements with land-holders tomaintain litter layer and fallen timber debriswithin wooded remnants.

11.4 Improve fox control around remnant sub-populations.

11.5 Compare abundance in areas with and withoutrabbit baiting and, if appropriate, promotebaits that are unattractive to stone-curlews.


Garnett, S. T. (ed.) 1992. Threatened and Extinct Birds ofAustralia. RAOU Report 82. RAOU, Melbourne andANPWS, Canberra.

Johnson, G. and Baker-Gabb, D. J. 1994. Bush Thick-knee in Northern Victoria (Part 1): Conservation andManagement. Arthur Rylah Inst. Environ. Res. Tech.Report 129(A).



Watkins, D. 1993. A National Plan for shorebirdconservation in Australia. RAOU Report 90:1-162.

Webster, R. and Baker-Gabb, D. J. 1993. Bush Thick-knee in Northern Victoria (Part 1): populationmonitoring between 1985 and 1991. Arthur Rylah Inst.Environ. Res. Tech. Report 129(B).

Wilson, G. 1993. Notes on the Bush Thick-knee onthe Capricornia Institute Campus. Stilt 15:27-28.

Comments received from:Alex Applemann, Allan Burbidge, Andrew Burbidge, SusanDavis, Gordon Graham, Richard Johnson, Richard Loyn,Shapelle McNee.

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