Rufous Bristlebird (Otways)

RECOVERY OUTLINE Rufous Bristlebird (Otways)

1 Family Pardalotidae

2 Scientific name Dasyornis broadbenti caryochrous Schodde and Mason, 1999

3 Common name Rufous Bristlebird (Otways)

5 Reasons for listing Ash Eucalyptus regnans (Emison et al., 1987, The population of this subspecies contains about P. Menkhorst). Birds tolerate human settlement, 4,000 mature individuals and is probably decreasing in occurring in suitable habitat around several townships size (Vulnerable: C2). Arguably, all individuals belong and foraging in gardens near thick natural vegetation to a single sub-population (b). Although the extent of (Parker and Reid, 1978, Reilly, 1991). The Rufous occurrence is about 1,300 km2 and area of occupancy Bristlebird makes a nest near the ground in a grass about 200 km2, the subspecies is not considered tussock or dense bush. It lays 2 eggs (Beruldsen, 1980). Endangered: B, because the distribution is neither fragmented nor at fewer than six locations.

Estimate Reliability Extent of occurrence 1,300 km2 medium trend stable medium Area of occupancy 200 km2 low trend decreasing medium No. of breeding birds 4,000 low trend decreasing low No. of sub-populations 1 low Generation time 5 years low 6 Infraspecific taxa 10 Threats D. b. litoralis (south-western Western Australia; Historically, the subspecies’ range has contracted Schodde and Mason, 1999) is Extinct. D. b. broadbenti inland as a result of clearance for agriculture. (Port Fairy, Vic. - Coorong, S. A.) is Least Concern, Currently, the greatest threat is urban development although the species as a whole is Near Threatened. along the coast. The subspecies’ distribution is now 7 Past range and abundance essentially linear, so the population is particularly Endemic to Western Victoria, between Naringal East vulnerable to fragmentation and may already be and Torquay (and possibly as far east as Geelong; Hall, separated into sub-populations. The effects of 1926), and inland as far as Colac (Chapman, 1999, fragmentation are likely to be exacerbated by periodic Peter, 1999, Schodde and Mason, 1999). wildfire, after which habitat suitability does not recover for at least 6 years (Pescott, 1990, Mitchell et al., 1996, 8 Present range and abundance Peter, 1999). The species may also be vulnerable to fox Now largely confined to a 130 km stretch of coast and cat predation, though predation is not considered between Peterborough and Pt Addis. Also found along a major problem for other bristlebirds. Timber gullies within Otway Ra., up to 40 km inland (Emison extraction is unlikely to be a major threat, since the et al., 1987). Absent where habitat has been cleared on bristlebird occurs in all age classes of forest, provided the landward fringe. Near Peterborough, densities of there is a shrub layer (Brinkman, 1990, P. Menkhorst). 23 individuals/100 ha recorded (J. McLaughlin). 11 Information required 9 Ecology 11.1 Characterise elements of corridors that allow a Along the central Victorian coast, Rufous Bristlebirds free flow of birds between potentially isolated occur in dense thickets of coastal scrub and cliff-top sub-populations. heathland (Peter, 1999), preferring areas that have been unburnt for at least 25 years (Belcher, 1992). In 12 Recovery objectives the Otway Ra., they are also found in rainforest with a 12.1 Maintain existing distribution. dense understorey dominated by Myrtle Beech Nothofagus cunninghamii, or in tall open forests 12.2 Develop community pride in the subspecies. dominated by large eucalypts, particularly Mountain

451 13 Actions completed or under way 14.4 Run a local publicity campaign to generate 13.1 Local densities at isolated sites and recovery of local pride in the bird. habitat from fire have been determined. 14.5 Incorporate habitat requirements into local 13.2 Habitat fragments have been linked at Port government and forest planning. Campbell using direct seeding on private land. 15 Organisations responsible for 14 Management actions required conservation Victorian Department of Natural Resources and 14.1 Survey to determine distribution, breeding Environment. season density, degree of fragmentation, and extent of habitat protection. 16 Other organisations involved 14.2 Link habitat fragments with further corridors. Parks Victoria, Local government, bird-watching societies. 14.3 Develop and implement guidelines on fire management appropriate for the species.

17 Staff and financial resources required for recovery to be carried out Staff resources required 2001-2005 0.05 Technical Officer Financial resources required 2001-2005 Action Conservation Other funding Total agencies sources Surveys $5,000 $5,000 $10,000 Monitoring $2,000 $8,000 $10,000 Analysis of corridors $5,000 $15,000 $20,000 Fire management 1 $10,000 $0 $10,000 Revegetation $5,000 $20,000 $25,000 Community and local government education $4,000 $5,000 $9,000 Total $31,000 $53,000 $84,000 1 Costs additional to routine fire management 18 Bibliography Belcher, C. Rufous Bristlebird Survey and Habitat Mitchell, A., Peter, J. and McCarthy, G. 1996. Birds of Analysis, Port Campbell National Park, 1992. Report the Ironbark Basin. Geelong Bird Report 1995:17-19. to Department of Conservation and Environment, Parker, S. A. and Reid, N. 1978. Remarks on the status Melbourne. of some Australian passerines. Pp. 109-115 in The Beruldsen, G. R. 1980. A Field Guide to Nests and Eggs of Status of Endangered Australasian Wildlife. M. J. Tyler Australian Birds. Rigby, Adelaide. (ed.). Royal Zoological Society of South Australia, Adelaide. Brinkman, R. 1990. Wood, water and wildlife yields of the Otway forests. Otway Project Working Paper Pescott, T. 1990. 1989 bird report. Geelong Naturalist 1990/1. CRES, Aust. Nat. Uni., Canberra. 26:104-112. Chapman, G. 1999. Bristlebirds; see how they run. Peter, J. M. 1999. The Rufous Bristlebird Dasyornis Wingspan 9:8-15. broadbenti at the eastern edge of its range: Selected aspects of distribution, habitat and ecology. Emu Emison, W. B., Beardsell, C. M., Norman, F. I., Loyn, 99:9-14. R. H. and Bennett, S. C. 1987. Atlas of Victorian Birds. Department of Conservation Forests and Lands and Reilly, P. N. 1991. The effect of wildfire on bird RAOU, Melbourne. populations in a Victorian coastal habitat. Emu 91:100-106. Garnett, S. T. and Reilly, P. N. 1992. Rufous Bristlebird (Victorian subspecies). Pp. 144-145 in Schodde, R. and Mason, I. J. 1999. The Directory of Threatened and Extinct Birds of Australia. RAOU Report Australian Birds: Passerines. CSIRO, Collingwood, 82. S.T. Garnett (ed.). Royal Australasian Victoria. Ornithologists Union, Melbourne, and Australian National Parks and Wildlife Service, Canberra. Text adapted from Garnett and Reilly (1992). Hall, R. 1926. The birds of Port Phillip (part 1). Emu Comments received from 25:239-244. Richard Loyn, Steve Smith.

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