DOCSLIB.ORG

A Guide to the Evolution and Classification of Australian Birds in 2017

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
A Guide to the Evolution and Classification of Australian Birds in 2017 Journal & Proceedings of the Royal Society of New South Wales, vol. 150, part 2, 2017, pp. 220–231. ISSN 0035-9173/17/020220-12 A guide to the evolution and classification of Australian birds in 2017 Leo Joseph Australian National Wildlife Collection, National Research Collections Australia, CSIRO GPO Box 1700 Canberra ACT 2601 Email: [email protected] Abstract This article was first published in ‘The Australian Bird Guide’ (CSIRO Publishing, 2017). It is reproduced here with minor updates and modifications. Scientific names of individual species are listed in an Appendix except where pertinent to points in the main text. he recently published Australian Bird related to each other that really animates their TGuide (Menkhorst et al., 2017) comes conversation. Chats are honeyeaters. “Well, at a time of tremendous and ongoing change yes, I suppose that’s nearly been suggested,” in our understanding of bird evolution and the 1975 worker says. Owlet-nightjars next how the classifications we adopt can best to swifts. “Surely, you modern people have summarize that understanding. been misled!” Falcons next to parrots and Imagine two Australian ornithologists, not with other diurnal birds of prey. “Now one from 1935 and one from 1975, find- you’re delirious!” Budgerigars close relatives ing themselves perusing the new field guide of lorikeets, the Scrub-tits of whitefaces? in 2017 when this is being written. Both “Madness!” Shrewder, well-informed orni- recognize most but not all of the birds in it. thologists of any era would wryly note that Neither recognizes the Eungella Honeyeater hints of these relationships were often seen (but that 1962 photograph in Emu of a sup- in behaviour, eggs, nests, anatomy, moults posed Bridled Honeyeater now makes more and plumage. sense to our 1975 friend). The Grey Grass- The point here is that a revolution in wren, officially described in 1968 and thus ornithology, especially in systematics (the unknown to our 1935 colleague, was found scientific study of relationships and how to in 1975 in South Australia beyond where it classify according to those relationships), was first discovered around the western parts began in the late 1960s and today shows of the New South Wales-Queensland border. little sign of stopping because of the produc- Western Whipbirds, thought in 1935 to be tion of new field guides, such as the 2017 heading to extinction in Western Australia, Bird Guide. Arguably, American ornitholo- had been confirmed in eastern Australia just gist Charles Sibley started it by studying bird two years earlier in 1933. systematics through molecules, first proteins Both our ornithologists can see how bird then DNA, and especially at the higher names have changed and find much to talk taxonomic levels of order and family. Since about in this book, but it’s the ways in which the 1980s, techniques to read and analyse we now understand groups of birds to be DNA sequences have improved such that 220 Journal & Proceedings of the Royal Society of New South Wales Joseph — A guide to the evolution and classification of Australian birds in 2017 we can now sample DNA from most of the At the tree’s trunk, living birds divide genome – the full complement of DNA in into Palæognathæ (ratites, tinamous) and a cell. DNA provides new frameworks with Neognathæ (all others). The palæognaths which to understand how species are related continue to surprise. The flighted tinamous to each other in the avian evolutionary tree of the Americas are more closely related to of life, or phylogeny. A well-supported phyl- the extinct New Zealand moas among the ogeny helps us assess how any aspect of bird flightless ratites (emus, cassowaries and so biology has changed during the various proc- on) than some of the latter are to each other. esses of evolution. Kiwis appear closer to the extinct elephant Charles Sibley placed the birds of Aus- birds of Madagascar (Mitchell et al., 2014). tralia front and centre in this global, orni- A corollary is that flight must have been lost thological revolution, along with those of multiple times in the evolution of palæog- New Guinea and New Zealand (Sibley and nathous birds. Ahlquist, 1985). In looking at why this The Neognathæ, in turn, branches into happened, I hope the reader of today, if not the Galloanseres (waterfowls and chicken- our imaginary 1935 and 1975 friends as like birds) and the Neoaves (all other birds). well, will embrace three ideas. First, science Research in the study of whole genomes constantly refines our understanding of the in 2015 challenged the view suggested by avian phylogenetic tree and how we use clas- similar research from 2014. It is fair to say sification from the Class ‘Aves’, right down that much of this debate centres on how, to the level of the species, to summarize that in the absence of a complete fossil record, understanding. There are mis-steps along the our genomic technologies can recover from way, for sure, but that is how science, and DNA any kind of signal of evolutionary people, work. Second, the 2017 Guide and events that happened a very long time ago. its successors should look very different from It is also fair to remind ourselves that while each other and from their predecessors in it is always tempting to think of a new study the species and groups they recognize. Third, of avian relationships as being the best or research in systematics can enliven the way final word on a topic to date (and maybe it one observes any bird. When observing a is), the next study will likely differ (and it bird, we are looking at the latest steps in did — see Burleigh et al. 2015!), however ongoing and open-ended evolution. That slightly, but, again, that is how science works. makes things far more interesting than if our So, while it is reassuring that the composi- understanding of the birds and the names tion of most of the major groups of birds we use all just stood still. seems to be settled, there is still uncertainty as to where some of them fit on the avian The Big Picture evolutionary tree relative to each other. For Observing a community of birds is also akin example, it is now not debated that swifts, to looking at different branches of the phy- nightjars, owlet-nightjars, frogmouths and logenetic tree of birds. A brief summary of hummingbirds form a natural evolutionary our current understanding of the avian tree grouping. Research published at the end of of life from the roots to the tips will be help- 2014 suggested that that group is embedded ful (see details in Jarvis et al., 2014; Prum in the Neoaves whereas Prum et al., (2015) et al., 2015). 221 Journal & Proceedings of the Royal Society of New South Wales Joseph — A guide to the evolution and classification of Australian birds in 2017 placed it as the closest living relative of all South America’s three species of screamers other Neoaves. Other differences are appar- being on another and then all other living ent among the two recent genomic studies anseriforms essentially making up a third but I am struck by the commonalities more and final “very bushy” branch. Next, Aus- than the differences. For example, Jarvis et tralia’s four smallest rails, the White-browed, al. (2014) recognized that most Neoaves are Spotted, Spotless and Baillon’s Crakes, far in what they called the Passerea, which has from being a cohesive evolutionary group, several main lineages, the two main ones apparently represent three different lineages being so-called “core” landbirds (Telluraves) (Garcia-R. et al., 2014). The White-browed and waterbirds (Aequornithia). The Tellu- appears to be most closely related to a simi- raves branches into Australaves (passerines, larly odd African bird, the Striped Crake, parrots, falcons, South American seriemas) and the bush-hens. The Spotted is closest to a and Afroaves (kingfishers and relatives, owls, handful of similar Porzana species worldwide, eagles, woodpeckers, hornbills, trogons). whereas Spotless and Baillon’s are on a differ- Prum et al. (2015) retained the composi- ent branch as their own closest relatives. This tion and structure of the Telluraves, for is why they have recently been assigned to a example, especially its two enormous com- different genus,Zapornia , which is not very ponent groups together in the same pattern closely related to Porzana. It also reminds us of relationships but differs from the earlier that a “body plan” like that of small crakes work in how the ever-mysterious South may not always be a good indicator of who American Hoatzin is related to them. I can is most closely related to whom. live with that kind of debate! Resolution of Parrots and passerines (the latter loosely these debates will depend on how well we termed ‘perching birds’), which turn out can analyse any signal of the deep evolu- to be each other’s closest relatives in a phy- tionary past of birds that is present in their logenetically surprising result, yielded still genomes. further phylogenetic surprises. In passerine evolution, the first branching point led to A closer look New Zealand wrens in one lineage and all Considering some neognathous birds can other passerines in the other. Similarly in deepen one’s appreciation of Australia’s role parrots, the first branching point led to New in bird evolution. Megapodes (mound- Zealand’s kakapo, kea and kakas in one line- builders, such as the familiar Australian age and to all other parrots in the other. Our Brush-turkey), Plains-wanderer and Magpie understanding of passerine evolution has Goose each have their closest living phylo- advanced steadily to the point where remem- genetic connections in South America, the bering the detail of what we have learned is first being most closely related to curassows a formidable task.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Current Perspectives on the Evolution of Birds
    Contributions to Zoology, 77 (2) 109-116 (2008) Current perspectives on the evolution of birds Per G.P. Ericson Department of Vertebrate Zoology, Swedish Museum of Natural History, P.O. Box 50007, SE-10405 Stockholm, Sweden, [email protected] Key words: Aves, phylogeny, systematics, fossils, DNA, genetics, biogeography Contents (cf. Göhlich and Chiappe, 2006), making feathers a plesiomorphy in birds. Indeed, only three synapo- Systematic relationships ........................................................ 109 morphies have been proposed for Aves (Chiappe, Genome characteristics ......................................................... 111 2002), although monophyly is never seriously ques- A comparison with previous classifications ...................... 112 Character evolution ............................................................... 113 tioned: 1) the caudal margin of naris nearly reaching Evolutionary trends ............................................................... 113 or overlapping the rostral border of the antorbital Biogeography and biodiversity ............................................ 113 fossa (in the primitive condition the caudal margin Differentiation and speciation ............................................. 114 of naris is farther rostral than the rostral border of Acknowledgements ................................................................ 115 the antorbital fossa), 2) scapula with a prominent References ................................................................................ 115 acromion,
    [Show full text]
  • Brooklyn, Cloudland, Melsonby (Gaarraay)
    BUSH BLITZ SPECIES DISCOVERY PROGRAM Brooklyn, Cloudland, Melsonby (Gaarraay) Nature Refuges Eubenangee Swamp, Hann Tableland, Melsonby (Gaarraay) National Parks Upper Bridge Creek Queensland 29 April–27 May · 26–27 July 2010 Australian Biological Resources Study What is Contents Bush Blitz? Bush Blitz is a four-year, What is Bush Blitz? 2 multi-million dollar Abbreviations 2 partnership between the Summary 3 Australian Government, Introduction 4 BHP Billiton and Earthwatch Reserves Overview 6 Australia to document plants Methods 11 and animals in selected properties across Australia’s Results 14 National Reserve System. Discussion 17 Appendix A: Species Lists 31 Fauna 32 This innovative partnership Vertebrates 32 harnesses the expertise of many Invertebrates 50 of Australia’s top scientists from Flora 62 museums, herbaria, universities, Appendix B: Threatened Species 107 and other institutions and Fauna 108 organisations across the country. Flora 111 Appendix C: Exotic and Pest Species 113 Fauna 114 Flora 115 Glossary 119 Abbreviations ANHAT Australian Natural Heritage Assessment Tool EPBC Act Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Commonwealth) NCA Nature Conservation Act 1992 (Queensland) NRS National Reserve System 2 Bush Blitz survey report Summary A Bush Blitz survey was conducted in the Cape Exotic vertebrate pests were not a focus York Peninsula, Einasleigh Uplands and Wet of this Bush Blitz, however the Cane Toad Tropics bioregions of Queensland during April, (Rhinella marina) was recorded in both Cloudland May and July 2010. Results include 1,186 species Nature Refuge and Hann Tableland National added to those known across the reserves. Of Park. Only one exotic invertebrate species was these, 36 are putative species new to science, recorded, the Spiked Awlsnail (Allopeas clavulinus) including 24 species of true bug, 9 species of in Cloudland Nature Refuge.
    [Show full text]
  • Disaggregation of Bird Families Listed on Cms Appendix Ii
    Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals 2nd Meeting of the Sessional Committee of the CMS Scientific Council (ScC-SC2) Bonn, Germany, 10 – 14 July 2017 UNEP/CMS/ScC-SC2/Inf.3 DISAGGREGATION OF BIRD FAMILIES LISTED ON CMS APPENDIX II (Prepared by the Appointed Councillors for Birds) Summary: The first meeting of the Sessional Committee of the Scientific Council identified the adoption of a new standard reference for avian taxonomy as an opportunity to disaggregate the higher-level taxa listed on Appendix II and to identify those that are considered to be migratory species and that have an unfavourable conservation status. The current paper presents an initial analysis of the higher-level disaggregation using the Handbook of the Birds of the World/BirdLife International Illustrated Checklist of the Birds of the World Volumes 1 and 2 taxonomy, and identifies the challenges in completing the analysis to identify all of the migratory species and the corresponding Range States. The document has been prepared by the COP Appointed Scientific Councilors for Birds. This is a supplementary paper to COP document UNEP/CMS/COP12/Doc.25.3 on Taxonomy and Nomenclature UNEP/CMS/ScC-Sc2/Inf.3 DISAGGREGATION OF BIRD FAMILIES LISTED ON CMS APPENDIX II 1. Through Resolution 11.19, the Conference of Parties adopted as the standard reference for bird taxonomy and nomenclature for Non-Passerine species the Handbook of the Birds of the World/BirdLife International Illustrated Checklist of the Birds of the World, Volume 1: Non-Passerines, by Josep del Hoyo and Nigel J. Collar (2014); 2.
    [Show full text]
  • Recommended Band Size List Page 1
    Jun 00 Australian Bird and Bat Banding Scheme - Recommended Band Size List Page 1 Australian Bird and Bat Banding Scheme Recommended Band Size List - Birds of Australia and its Territories Number 24 - May 2000 This list contains all extant bird species which have been recorded for Australia and its Territories, including Antarctica, Norfolk Island, Christmas Island and Cocos and Keeling Islands, with their respective RAOU numbers and band sizes as recommended by the Australian Bird and Bat Banding Scheme. The list is in two parts: Part 1 is in taxonomic order, based on information in "The Taxonomy and Species of Birds of Australia and its Territories" (1994) by Leslie Christidis and Walter E. Boles, RAOU Monograph 2, RAOU, Melbourne, for non-passerines; and “The Directory of Australian Birds: Passerines” (1999) by R. Schodde and I.J. Mason, CSIRO Publishing, Collingwood, for passerines. Part 2 is in alphabetic order of common names. The lists include sub-species where these are listed on the Census of Australian Vertebrate Species (CAVS version 8.1, 1994). CHOOSING THE CORRECT BAND Selecting the appropriate band to use combines several factors, including the species to be banded, variability within the species, growth characteristics of the species, and band design. The following list recommends band sizes and metals based on reports from banders, compiled over the life of the ABBBS. For most species, the recommended sizes have been used on substantial numbers of birds. For some species, relatively few individuals have been banded and the size is listed with a question mark. In still other species, too few birds have been banded to justify a size recommendation and none is made.
    [Show full text]
  • A 2010 Supplement to Ducks, Geese, and Swans of the World
    University of Nebraska - Lincoln DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln Ducks, Geese, and Swans of the World by Paul A. Johnsgard Papers in the Biological Sciences 2010 The World’s Waterfowl in the 21st Century: A 2010 Supplement to Ducks, Geese, and Swans of the World Paul A. Johnsgard University of Nebraska-Lincoln, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/biosciducksgeeseswans Part of the Ornithology Commons Johnsgard, Paul A., "The World’s Waterfowl in the 21st Century: A 2010 Supplement to Ducks, Geese, and Swans of the World" (2010). Ducks, Geese, and Swans of the World by Paul A. Johnsgard. 20. https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/biosciducksgeeseswans/20 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Papers in the Biological Sciences at DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln. It has been accepted for inclusion in Ducks, Geese, and Swans of the World by Paul A. Johnsgard by an authorized administrator of DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln. The World’s Waterfowl in the 21st Century: A 200 Supplement to Ducks, Geese, and Swans of the World Paul A. Johnsgard Pages xvii–xxiii: recent taxonomic changes, I have revised sev- Introduction to the Family Anatidae eral of the range maps to conform with more current information. For these updates I have Since the 978 publication of my Ducks, Geese relied largely on Kear (2005). and Swans of the World hundreds if not thou- Other important waterfowl books published sands of publications on the Anatidae have since 978 and covering the entire waterfowl appeared, making a comprehensive literature family include an identification guide to the supplement and text updating impossible.
    [Show full text]
  • Square Kilometre Array Ecological Assessment Commercial-In-Confidence
    AECOM SKA Ecological Assessment A Square Kilometre Array Ecological Assessment Commercial-in-Confidence Appendix A Conservation Categories G:\60327857 - SKA EcologicalSurvey\8. Issued Docs\8.1 Reports\Ecological Assessment\60327857-SKA Ecological Report_Rev0.docx Revision 0 – 28-Nov-2014 Prepared for – Department of Industry – ABN: 74 599 608 295 AECOM SKA Ecological Assessment A-1 Square Kilometre Array Ecological Assessment Commercial-in-Confidence Appendix A Conservation Categories G:\60327857 - SKA EcologicalSurvey\8. Issued Docs\8.1 Reports\Ecological Assessment\60327857-SKA Ecological Report_Rev0.docx Revision 0 – 28-Nov-2014 Prepared for – Department of Industry – ABN: 74 599 608 295 Definitions of Threatened and Priority Flora Species 1 Appendix A – Conservation Categories 1.1 Western Australia Plants and animals that are considered threatened and need to be specially protected because they are under identifiable threat of extinction are listed under the Wildlife Conservation Act (WC Act). These categories are defined in Table 1. Any species identified as Threatened under the WC Act is assigned a threat category using the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List categories and criteria. Species that have not yet been adequately surveyed to warrant being listed under Schedule 1 or 2 are added to the Priority Flora or Fauna Lists under Priority 1, 2 or 3. Species that are adequately known, are rare but not threatened, or meet criteria for Near Threatened, or that have been recently removed from the threatened list for other than taxonomic reasons, are placed in Priority 4 and require regular monitoring. Conservation Dependent species and ecological communities are placed in Priority 5.
    [Show full text]
  • Elan Margulies May 2007
    William J. Hamilton, Jr. of Cornell, The Man and the Myth Honors Thesis Presented to the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Department of Natural Resources of Cornell University in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Research Honors Program by Elan Margulies May 2007 Under the Supervision of Professor Charles R. Smith 1 We refer to a certain elusive quality, which doubtless will be explored and exploited many, many years hence by some future biographer in a privately circulated volume entitled; William J. Hamilton, Jr. of Cornell, The Man and the Myth (Robert W. Harrington, Jr., Dear Bill Book1) 1 The Dear Bill Book is a compilation of letters which was given to Professor Hamilton upon his retirement in 1963; it will be referred to from here on as DBB. 2 55Table of Contents 1. Preface......................................................................................................................... 5 2. Introduction:................................................................................................................ 6 3. Childhood.................................................................................................................. 10 4. Cornell Student ......................................................................................................... 13 5. Starting a Family....................................................................................................... 17 6. Cornell Professor .....................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • The Extent and Severity of the Mackay Highlands 2018 Wildfires and The
    THE EXTENT AND SEVERITY OF THE MACKAY HIGHLANDS 2018 WILDFIRES AND THE POTENTIAL IMPACT ON NATURAL VALUES, PARTICULARLY IN THE MESIC FORESTS OF THE EUNGELLA-CREDITON AREA HINES, H. B.1, BROOK, M.2, WILSON, J.3, McDONALD, W. J. F.4 & HARGREAVES, J.5 During an unprecedented fire season in Queensland in 2018, a complex of fires burnt in the Mackay Highlands region of Queensland. Some of these fires had been burning continuously since August, but an extreme heatwave in November caused the rapid expansion of intense fire, just prior to the wet season breaking. The fires affected 12 areas of Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) managed estate, with approximately 71,000 ha or 41% of this estate burnt. In this paper, we document the methods used to map the extent and severity of these fires and consider the potential impacts on natural values, within QPWS managed estate. Extensive areas (57,113 ha) of eucalypt woodlands and forests were burnt. Whilst fire adapted, the extent of fire and the high proportion burnt at very high to extreme severity in these ecosystems are likely to have affected a range of significant species. Of particular concern was the area (11,217 ha) of rainforest and scrub communities burnt, particularly cloud rainforests in the Eungella-Crediton area. These are highly fire-sensitive ecosystems and our observations suggest that, even at very low fire severity, impacts are likely highly significant and long lasting. This event provides an important opportunity to assess in detail the ecological effects of fire to inform conservation management of these fire-sensitive communities.
    [Show full text]
  • AOU Classification Committee – North and Middle America
    AOU Classification Committee – North and Middle America Proposal Set 2016-C No. Page Title 01 02 Change the English name of Alauda arvensis to Eurasian Skylark 02 06 Recognize Lilian’s Meadowlark Sturnella lilianae as a separate species from S. magna 03 20 Change the English name of Euplectes franciscanus to Northern Red Bishop 04 25 Transfer Sandhill Crane Grus canadensis to Antigone 05 29 Add Rufous-necked Wood-Rail Aramides axillaris to the U.S. list 06 31 Revise our higher-level linear sequence as follows: (a) Move Strigiformes to precede Trogoniformes; (b) Move Accipitriformes to precede Strigiformes; (c) Move Gaviiformes to precede Procellariiformes; (d) Move Eurypygiformes and Phaethontiformes to precede Gaviiformes; (e) Reverse the linear sequence of Podicipediformes and Phoenicopteriformes; (f) Move Pterocliformes and Columbiformes to follow Podicipediformes; (g) Move Cuculiformes, Caprimulgiformes, and Apodiformes to follow Columbiformes; and (h) Move Charadriiformes and Gruiformes to precede Eurypygiformes 07 45 Transfer Neocrex to Mustelirallus 08 48 (a) Split Ardenna from Puffinus, and (b) Revise the linear sequence of species of Ardenna 09 51 Separate Cathartiformes from Accipitriformes 10 58 Recognize Colibri cyanotus as a separate species from C. thalassinus 11 61 Change the English name “Brush-Finch” to “Brushfinch” 12 62 Change the English name of Ramphastos ambiguus 13 63 Split Plain Wren Cantorchilus modestus into three species 14 71 Recognize the genus Cercomacroides (Thamnophilidae) 15 74 Split Oceanodroma cheimomnestes and O. socorroensis from Leach’s Storm- Petrel O. leucorhoa 2016-C-1 N&MA Classification Committee p. 453 Change the English name of Alauda arvensis to Eurasian Skylark There are a dizzying number of larks (Alaudidae) worldwide and a first-time visitor to Africa or Mongolia might confront 10 or more species across several genera.
    [Show full text]
  • Leptosomiformes ~ Trogoniformes ~ Bucerotiformes ~ Piciformes
    Birds of the World part 6 Afroaves The core landbirds originating in Africa TELLURAVES: AFROAVES – core landbirds originating in Africa (8 orders) • ORDER ACCIPITRIFORMES – hawks and allies (4 families, 265 species) – Family Cathartidae – New World vultures (7 species) – Family Sagittariidae – secretarybird (1 species) – Family Pandionidae – ospreys (2 species) – Family Accipitridae – kites, hawks, and eagles (255 species) • ORDER STRIGIFORMES – owls (2 families, 241 species) – Family Tytonidae – barn owls (19 species) – Family Strigidae – owls (222 species) • ORDER COLIIFORMES (1 family, 6 species) – Family Coliidae – mousebirds (6 species) • ORDER LEPTOSOMIFORMES (1 family, 1 species) – Family Leptosomidae – cuckoo-roller (1 species) • ORDER TROGONIFORMES (1 family, 43 species) – Family Trogonidae – trogons (43 species) • ORDER BUCEROTIFORMES – hornbills and hoopoes (4 families, 74 species) – Family Upupidae – hoopoes (4 species) – Family Phoeniculidae – wood hoopoes (9 species) – Family Bucorvidae – ground hornbills (2 species) – Family Bucerotidae – hornbills (59 species) • ORDER PICIFORMES – woodpeckers and allies (9 families, 443 species) – Family Galbulidae – jacamars (18 species) – Family Bucconidae – puffbirds (37 species) – Family Capitonidae – New World barbets (15 species) – Family Semnornithidae – toucan barbets (2 species) – Family Ramphastidae – toucans (46 species) – Family Megalaimidae – Asian barbets (32 species) – Family Lybiidae – African barbets (42 species) – Family Indicatoridae – honeyguides (17 species) – Family
    [Show full text]
  • Tasmania 2018 Ian Merrill
    Tasmania 2018 Ian Merrill Tasmania: 22nd January to 6th February Introduction: Where Separated from the Australian mainland by the 250km of water which forms the Bass Strait, Tasmania not only possesses a unique avifauna, but also a climate, landscape and character which are far removed from the remainder of the island continent. Once pre-trip research began, it was soon apparent that a full two weeks were required to do justice to this unique environment, and our oriGinal plans of incorporatinG a portion of south east Australia into our trip were abandoned. The following report summarises a two-week circuit of Tasmania, which was made with the aim of seeinG all island endemic and speciality bird species, but with a siGnificant focus on mammal watchinG and also enjoyinG the many outstandinG open spaces which this unique island destination has to offer. It is not written as a purely ornitholoGical report as I was accompanied by my larGely non-birdinG wife, Victoria, and as such the trip also took in numerous lonG hikes throuGh some stunninG landscapes, several siGhtseeinG forays and devoted ample time to samplinG the outstandinG food and drink for which the island is riGhtly famed. It is quite feasible to see all of Tasmania's endemic birds in just a couple of days, however it would be sacrilegious not to spend time savourinG some of the finest natural settinGs in the Antipodes, and enjoyinG what is arguably some of the most excitinG mammal watchinG on the planet. Our trip was huGely successful in achievinG the above Goals, recordinG all endemic birds, of which personal hiGhliGhts included Tasmanian Nativehen, Green Rosella, Tasmanian Boobook, four endemic honeyeaters and Forty-spotted Pardalote.
    [Show full text]
  • Descriptions of Known Vocalisations of the Night Parrot Pezoporus Occidentalis
    Australian Field Ornithology 2019, 36, 79–88 http://dx.doi.org/10.20938/afo36079088 Descriptions of known vocalisations of the Night Parrot Pezoporus occidentalis Nicholas P. Leseberg1, 2*, Stephen A. Murphy1, 2, 3, Nigel A. Jackett4, Bruce R. Greatwich5, Jamie Brown6, Neil Hamilton7, Leo Joseph8 and James E.M. Watson1, 2 1School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Queensland, St Lucia QLD 4072, Australia 2Green Fire Science, University of Queensland, St Lucia QLD 4072, Australia 3 Adaptive NRM, P.O. Box 93, Malanda QLD 4885, Australia 4Environs Kimberley, P.O. Box 2281, Broome WA 6275, Australia 5Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, P.O. Box 65, Broome WA 6725, Australia 6Paruku Rangers, Land and Sea Management Unit, P.O. Box 8252, Broome WA 6275, Australia 7Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, Woodvale Research Centre, Locked Bag 104, Bentley Delivery Centre, Bentley WA 6983, Australia 8Australian National Wildlife Collection, National Research Collections Australia, CSIRO, Canberra ACT 2601, Australia *Corresponding author. Email: [email protected] Abstract. Until recently, the only descriptions of Night Parrot Pezoporus occidentalis vocalisations were anecdotal reports from observers in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The 2013 discovery of an extant population of Night Parrots in western Queensland led to the first contemporary descriptions, and further calls were described following the 2017 discovery of Night Parrots at a site in central Western Australia. Ongoing field studies have shown that the species has a complex repertoire and, although there are some similarities in vocalisations between sites, there is much spatial and temporal variation. It is likely that call recognition will be the primary means of detection for this cryptic species, underscoring the importance of cataloguing vocalisations across the species’ range.
    [Show full text]