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Subspecies Conservation Summary Eastern Bristlebird (southern) Dasyornis brachypterus brachypterus (Latham, 1802) Dasyornithidae Conservation status Endangered B1ab(ii)+2ab(ii) Reasons for listing Extent of occurrence <5000 km2 and occupies <500 km2, occurs at 5 locations and there is a continuing decline in AOO Status 2000 Endangered B1ab(ii)+2ab(ii) Status 1990 Endangered B1ab(ii)+2ab(ii) Taxonomy D. b. monoides (north-eastern New South Wales and south-eastern Queensland) is Critically Endangered, and the species is Endangered Taxonomic uniqueness: high (1 genus/family, 3 species/ genus, 2 subspecies/species) Range Near-coastal distribution in New South Wales and east Gippsland, Victoria, historically from Myall Lakes to Gippsland Lakes (Schodde and Mason 1999). In central NSW, subpopulations persist around Barren Grounds Nature Reserve including Budderoo National Park, and Jervis Bay including Bherwerre and Beecroft Peninsulas, and remnants and/or recent colonists in some additional locations including Red Rock Nature Reserve (Baker 1997, 1998). Near NSW/Vic border, remains at Nadgee Nature Reserve and Howe Flat, Croajingolong National Park with small numbers elsewhere in this contiguous habitat (Baker 1997; Bramwell 2008). In 2003–2005, successfully reintroduced to Beecroft Peninsula (Bain and French 2009). In 2008, released at Cataract on the Woronora Plateau, where breeding (Baker 2009). However, AOO probably continuing to decline with relatively recent contraction in range in Vic. Abundance The total population is estimated as 2500 mature individuals. Potentially viable subpopulations at Barren Grounds (maximum c.1250 individuals), Jervis Bay (c.1100 individuals) and Nadgee/Howe Flat (300), newly established at Cataract (50) and very few individuals elsewhere including c.10 at Red Rocks (Bain and McPhee 2005; Bramwell 2008; J. Baker in litt.). Genetic analysis indicates 3 closed subpopulations (Roberts et al. 2011). The number of individuals is assessed here as stable, as increases in translocated subpopulations compensate for likely losses to fire. Ecology Inhabits dense, low vegetation, in a variety of habitat types. Often found in heath, including a variety of heath- land, sedgeland and swamp communities, but also in open sclerophyll woodland or forest with an understorey of shrubs and a dense ground layer of grasses or Bracken Pteridium esculentum. Occasionally in temperate rainforest (Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities 2011). Eliminated by intense fire but can recolonise recently burnt areas if there are adequate nearby unburned refuges (Bain et al. 2008). Population density increases until 10–20 years after fire, when 3–5 birds/10 ha, but individuals have overlapping home territories of c.10 ha (Baker 2001; Bain and McPhee 2005). Most remaining subpopulations are probably isolated as they are poor at long distance dispersal, however records 15 km west of Barren Grounds at Fitzroy Falls and Upper Kangaroo Valley indicate some dispersal through suitable corridor habitat. Feeds mainly on small invertebrates, also seeds and small fruits (Gibson and Baker 2004). Breeds annually in spring, laying 2 eggs, but rarely raises more than 1 fledgling (Higgins and Peter 2002). A generation time of 5.2 years (BirdLife International 2011) is derived from an average age at first breeding of 1.6 years, an annual survival of adults of 77.0%, and a maximum longevity in the wild of 7.3 years, all values elicited from an expert committee. Threats Extensive fire is the main current threat (Baker 2000). The species was lost from 10 of 11 known locations in Vic. from fire during 1978–1994 (Clarke and Bramwell 1998). In NSW, fires almost eliminated it from Barren Grounds in 1968 and from Nadgee in 1980 (Baker 1998). Single fires could be catastrophic across Howe Flat and Nadgee or Barren Grounds and Budderoo (J. Baker in litt.). Fire destroys cover, but too infrequent fire can cause the vegetation to become too dense for nesting (Bain et al. 2008). However, birds can avoid fire by moving to unburnt areas and returning later when conditions are more suitable, so patches of unburnt habitat and other refuges are of great importance (Bain et al. 2008). However, unlike the populations further north, the Nadgee population has not recovered from extensive fires in 1972 and 1980 (J. Baker in © Birds Australia 2011 Published by CSIRO Publishing, http://www.publish.csiro.au/ Citation: Garnett ST, Szabo JK, Dutson G (2011) The Action Plan for Australian Birds 2010. CSIRO Publishing, Melbourne. Current eligibility against IUCN Red List Criteria IUCN category A Criteria eligibility Not applicable: past, current or future population declines are thought unlikely to exceed 20% in any 3-generation period B Endangered: EOO <5000 km2, AOO <500 km2, at ≤5 locations with plausible future threat, inferred continuing decline in AOO C Not applicable: no continuing population decline or extreme fluctuations IUCN Red List assessment data Estimate Reliability 670 km2 stable high medium 205 km2 decreasing medium low 2500 stable high medium No. subpopulations 3 high No. locations 5 low Extent of occurrence trend Area of occupancy trend No. of mature individuals trend D Vulnerable: ≤5 locations with plausible future threat Largest subpopulation E Not applicable: no population viability analysis undertaken Generation time litt.) and the range has contracted substantially in Victoria. Predation by foxes Vulpes vulpes and feral cats Felis catus may be significant (Lindenmayer et al. 2009). Other possible threats include overgrazing, infestations of habitat by exotic plants and disturbance by humans (Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities 2011). Historically the range has been greatly reduced by clearing and degraded by fire. Conservation objectives 1. An increasing population 2. Viable populations at more than 5 locations Information required 1. Impacts of introduced predators, particularly in combination with fire 2. Reasons for the failure of the Nadgee subpopulation to recover Management actions required 1. Prepare and implement fire management plans for all subpopulations 2. Develop contingency plans in case of fire including emergency evacuation, assisted habitat recovery and translocation 3. Control foxes and cats where vulnerable to predation, particularly after large-scale fire 4. Control weeds that exclude bristlebirds 5. Investigate the need for further translocations Bibliography Bain D, French K (2009) Impacts on a threatened bird population of removals for translocation. Wildlife Research 36, 516–521. Bain D, McPhee N (2005) Resurveys of the Eastern Bristlebird Dasyornis brachypterus in central-eastern New South Wales 1999–2001: their relationship with fire and observer competence. Corella 29. Bain DW, Baker JR, French KO, Whelan RJ (2008) Post-fire recovery of eastern bristlebirds (Dasyornis brachypterus) is context-dependent. Wildlife Research 35, 44–49. Baker J (1997) The decline, response to fire, status and management of the Eastern Bristlebird. Pacific Conservation Biology 3, 235–243. Baker J (1998) ‘Eastern Bristlebird Recovery Plan 1997–2002’. NSW NPWS, Sydney. Baker J (2000) The Eastern Bristlebird: cover-dependent and fire-sensitive. Emu 100, 286–298. Global population share 1250 high 5.2 years low 100% medium Baker J (2001) Population density and home range estimates for the Eastern Bristlebird at Jervis Bay, south-eastern Australia. Corella 25, 62–67. Baker J (2009) Assessment of Eastern Bristlebird habitat: refining understanding of appropriate habitats for reintroductions. Ecological Management and Restoration 10, S136–S139. BirdLife International (2011) ‘Species factsheet: Dasyornis brachypterus’. Retrieved 17 January, 2011 from <http:// www.birdlife.org/>. Bramwell MD (2008) The Eastern Bristlebird Dasyornis brachypterus in East Gippsland, Victoria, 1997–2002. Australian Field Ornithology 25, 2–11. Clarke R, Bramwell MD (1998) The Eastern Bristlebird Dasyornis brachypterus in East Gippsland, Victoria. Australian Bird Watcher 17, 245–253. Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities (2011) Dasyornis brachypterus. In ‘Species Profile and Threats Database’. Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities, Canberra. Retrieved 24 February, 2011 from <http://www. environment.gov.au/sprat>. Gibson L, Baker J (2004) Diet of the Eastern Bristlebird Dasyornis brachypterus in New South Wales. Corella 28, 79–81. Higgins PJ, Peter JM (Eds) (2002) Handbook of Australian, New Zealand and Antarctic Birds. Volume 6: Pardalotes to Spangled Drongo. Oxford University Press, Melbourne. Lindenmayer DB, MacGregor CA, Wood JT, Cunningham RB, Crane M, Michael D, Montague-Drake R, Brown D, Fortescue M, Dexter N, Hudson M, Gill M (2009) What factors influence rapid post-fire site re-occupancy? A case study of the endangered Eastern Bristlebird in eastern Australia. International Journal of Wildland Fire 18, 84–95. Roberts DG, Baker J, Perrin C (2011) Population genetic structure of the endangered Eastern Bristlebird, Dasyornis brachypterus; implications for conservation. Conservation Genetics. Schodde R, Mason IJ (1999) The Directory of Australian Birds: Passerines. CSIRO Publishing, Melbourne. Comments received from Jack Baker, Allan Burbidge, Andrew Burbidge, Les Christidis, Hugh Ford, Tim Holmes, Richard Loyn, Peter Menkhorst, Charles Meredith, Damon Oliver, Penny Olsen, David Watson © Birds Australia 2011 Published by CSIRO Publishing, http://www.publish.csiro.au/ Citation: Garnett ST, Szabo JK, Dutson G (2011) The Action Plan for Australian Birds 2010. CSIRO Publishing, Melbourne.