Fourth Biennial AUSTRALASIAN ORNITHOLOGICAL CONFERENCE Ornithological Society of New Zealand December 3 – 5, 2007 The University of Western Australia Perth Welcome On behalf of Birds Australia Western Australia we are pleased to welcome you to Perth and the Fourth Biennial Australasian Ornithological Conference. We gratefully acknowledge the sponsorship, both financial and in kind, that has enabled us to bring plenary and keynote speakers to Perth. Our major sponsors are listed below. The overwhelming number of papers submitted for consideration has prompted the timetabling of concurrent sessions, four on Monday 3 rd and three on Tuesday and Wednesday. The program offers papers on a wide range of topics. We have attempted to group these in the appropriate symposia and sessions. The aims of this conference are to: • provide a forum for sharing current research in environmental policy and sustainable development as it relates to bird conservation and management • present current ornithological research to delegates at a local, national and international level • stimulate discussion and debate on world ornithological and conservation issues • showcase current Western Australian research in an international context • provide an avenue for post graduate students to present their research and develop professional networks • provide professional development for delegates employed in projects that have conservation issues. However, most of all, we hope that you will enjoy the fellowship of like-minded people. The Organising Committee AOC2007 AOC2007 SPONSORED BY The University of Western Australia Fortescue Metals Group Ltd The Royal Society of Western Australia Newcrest Mining Limited The Western Australian Museum Portman Limited The Department of Environment and Conservation Newmont Australia Limited Iluka Resources Limited Woodside Energy Ltd Dampier Salt Limited St Ives Gold Mine Pty Ltd Jane Brook Wines Chevron Australia Pty Ltd Organising Committee Allan Burbidge Claire Stevenson Department of Environment and Conservation Western Australian Museum Perth Perth John Blyth Kerry-Jayne Wilson Birds Australia Western Australia Group Lincoln University New Zealand Stephen Davies Perth Philip Withers The University of Western Australia Patricia Fleming Perth Murdoch University Perth Ron Wooller Murdoch University Andrew Ley Perth Birds Australia Northern NSW Group Suzanne Mather The committee thanks and is most grateful to the many Birds Australia Birds Australia Western Australia Group Western Australia members who have given voluntary assistance. Social functions The Opening Reception is on Sunday 2 nd , 5:00 – 7:00pm at The University of Western Australia Guild Refectory. This is free to all registered delegates. The conference dinner is to be held at Trinity College, Hampden Road, Crawley. Delegates who have registered for this will find a ticket for the dinner included in their satchel. The State of Australian Birds will be launched and the Serventy Medal will be presented at this dinner. The streets adjacent to The University of Western Australia, Broadway and Hampden Road, house a number of restaurants and eating facilities. Lunches, morning and afternoon teas Registration fees cover these that will be served in the covered areas outside the lecture room being used. Name tags Delegates are requested to wear their name badges so they can be admitted to the sessions and be provided with lunches or teas. Information for speakers The room available as a preparation facility for speakers is G201 . Please forward Powerpoint presentations prior to the conference preferably through the contact details on the website www.birdswa.com.au/aoc2007 or on Sunday 2 nd between 3-5pm when registering. However please still meet with the team in G201 in the break before your talk. Liz Fox is the person responsible for overseeing this. Messages These can be left on the notice board at the reception desk in the GUILD REFECTORY. Delegates need to take responsibility for checking on this board. Page 2 of 198 pages Australasian Ornithological Conference, Perth, Western Australia, 2007 TABLE OF CONTENTS Timetable .........................................................................................................................................4 Program overview ............................................................................................................................5 Presenting Author Index ................................................................................................................. 13 Symposia and Sessions ................................................................................................................. 14 Ecophysiology Plenary: Carlos Martinez del Rio ........................................................................................ 14 Surveying the landscape ................................................................................................................. 22 The challenges of nectarivory Keynote : Sue Nicolson .......................................................................................................... 28 General........................................................................................................................................... 35 Seabirds – Ecology ........................................................................................................................ 38 Seabirds – Conservation ................................................................................................................. 42 Evolution and behaviour ................................................................................................................ 48 Management of threatened species ................................................................................................. 56 Miners ........................................................................................................................................... 63 Bioacoustics .................................................................................................................................. 69 General........................................................................................................................................... 77 Waterbirds ..................................................................................................................................... 80 Health and Diet .............................................................................................................................. 84 Parrots ........................................................................................................................................... 90 Plenary : Ian Newton ..................................................................................................................... 98 The Effects of climate change on ecosystems Keynote: Bryson Bates ........................................................................................................ 99 Keynote: Stephen Williams ............................................................................................... 100 Keynote: George Divoky ................................................................................................... 101 Keynote: David Winkler ..................................................................................................... 102 Disturbance................................................................................................................................... 103 The interface between research and management in avian conservation ........................................ 109 Environmental impacts: understanding long-term trends ............................................................... 115 Neil Boucher ................................................................................................................................ 121 Poster papers................................................................................................................................. 121 Plenary: Leo Joseph .................................................................................................................... 137 Evolution ..................................................................................................................................... 138 Ecology and evolution of brood parasitism ................................................................................... 145 Brood parasites and predators ....................................................................................................... 151 Shorebirds I & II....................................................................................................................157, 165 Urban landscapes and resources ................................................................................................... 171 Habitat selection .......................................................................................................................... 177 Bird conservation in managed landscapes – approaches, challenges and insights I & II...........185, 191 Acknowledgment of sponsors ....................................................................................................... 199 List of Delegates........................................................................................................................... 200 Australasian Ornithological Conference, 2007, Perth, Western Australia Page 3 of 198 pages TIMETABLE