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IUCN 2008: T22704507A48004986
Dasyornis brachypterus, Eastern Bristlebird
Assessment by: BirdLife International
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Citation: BirdLife International. 2013. Dasyornis brachypterus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened
Species 2013: e.T22704507A48004986. http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.20132.RLTS.T22704507A48004986.en
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THE IUCN RED LIST OF THREATENED SPECIES™
Taxonomy
Kingdom
Phylum
Class
Order
Family
Animalia
Chordata
Aves
Passeriformes
Dasyornithidae
Taxon Name: Dasyornis brachypterus (Latham, 1801)
Common Name(s):
• English:
Eastern Bristlebird
Taxonomic Source(s):
Christidis, L. and Boles, W.E. 2008. Systematics and taxonomy of Australian birds. CSIRO Publishing,
Collingwood, Australia.
Identification Information:
18-22 cm. Medium-sized, sturdy, grey-brown passerine. Sexes similar, female slightly smaller. Dark
cinnamon-brown upperparts. Rufous-brown upperwing and uppertail. Grey-brown underparts, faintly
scalloped. Grey-brown sides of belly and flanks. Brown undertail-coverts. Dull rufous-brown undertail.
Red iris. Juvenile, pale brown iris. Similar spp. Similar in jizz and skulking behaviour to Rufous Scrub-bird
Atrichornis rufescens but lacks barring on upperparts. Voice Frequent, ringing contact call, loud,
melodious song and chattering, staccato, squeaky notes.
Assessment Information
Red List Category & Criteria:
Endangered B1ab(ii,iii,iv,v)+2ab(ii,iii,iv,v) ver 3.1
Year Published:
2013
Date Assessed:
November 1, 2013
Justification:
This species is considered Endangered because it has a very small range. Its population comprises small
and severely fragmented subpopulations. In the northern part of its distribution, the numbers of
locations and birds are rapidly decreasing, but this has little effect on overall population numbers.
Although numbers are presently stable, the threat of destructive fires in the majority of this species's
habitat means that an overall future decline is very likely.
Previously Published Red List Assessments
2012 – Endangered (EN)
2008 – Endangered (EN)
2004 – Endangered (EN)
2000 – Endangered (EN)
1996 – Vulnerable (VU)
1994 – Vulnerable (VU)
© The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Dasyornis brachypterus – published in 2013.
http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2013-2.RLTS.T22704507A48004986.en
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1988 – Threatened (T)
Geographic Range
Range Description:
Dasyornis brachypterus is endemic to Australia. There are two subspecies; a northern race (monoides) in
south-eastern Queensland and north-eastern New South Wales and the nominate southern race
(brachypterus) in eastern New South Wales and eastern Victoria. D. b. monoides is now Critically
Endangered, falling from c.206 pairs in 1988 to c.16 pairs in 1997-1998 and c.13 pairs in 2006-2007 (D.
Stewart in litt. 2007). There are currently thought to be fewer than 50 mature individuals in total
(Garnett et al. 2011). Populations of D. b. brachypterus are stable at c.2,500 mature individuals (Garnett
et al 2011). D. b. brachypterus subpopulations include about 1,250 mature individuals at Barren
Grounds, 1,200 at Jervis Bay and 300 at Nadgee/Howe Flat. There are newly established subpopulations
at Cataract of 50 individuals and about 10 at Red Rocks.
Country Occurrence:
Native: Australia
© The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Dasyornis brachypterus – published in 2013.
http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2013-2.RLTS.T22704507A48004986.en
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Distribution Map
© The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Dasyornis brachypterus – published in 2013.
http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2013-2.RLTS.T22704507A48004986.en
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Population
Garnett et al. (2011) estimate that the declining northern race (monoides) has a population of less than
50 mature individuals and the southern race (brachypterus) is stable at c. 2,500 mature individuals. The
overall population is therefore estimated at around 2,550 mature individuals, roughly equivalent to
3,800 individuals in total.
Trend Justification
The northern subspecies has decreased from c.206 pairs in 1988 to c.13 pairs in 2007 (D. Stewart in litt.
2007), and although the nominate subspecies is considered stable at present, it is projected to decline in
the future as it is likely to suffer declines in its area of occupancy, quality of habitat, and the number of
mature individuals and sub-populations owing to destructive fires (Garnett and Crowley 2000).
Current Population Trend: Decreasing
Habitat and Ecology (see Appendix for additional information)
The species is a ground-dwelling, semi-flightless passerine (Bain and McPhee 2005). The northern
population (D. b. monoides) usually inhabits grass tussocks in open forest-woodland, close to rainforest
which provides fire refuge. The southern population (D. b. brachypterus) lives in dense, low vegetation,
particularly heath, but also in surrounding woodlands. Surveys have noted birds in shrubland dominated
by Melaleuca spp. or Leptospermum grandifolium, heath dominated by Hakea teretifolia and Eucalyptus
woodland (Bain and McPhee 2005). It is eliminated for at least three years after fire, with density
increasing until at least 15 years post-fire (Bain and McPhee 2005). This increase is slower for sites with
a post-fire age of over 14 years, compared with sites less than 10 years post-fire, suggesting that after 14
years, sites are reaching their carrying capacity (Bain and McPhee 2005). Feeds near the ground, mainly
on small invertebrates with some seeds and small fruits (Gibson and Baker 2004). Breeds annually in
spring, laying two eggs (Higgins and Peter 2002). They breed readily in captivity and appear to have high
survival rates after translocation or captive breeding and release (Garnett et al. 2011).
Systems: Terrestrial, Freshwater
Threats (see Appendix for additional information)
The main threat to the northern population is an inappropriate fire regime resulting in unsuitable
habitat. If fires are too frequent they eliminate tussocks and enable the invasion by introduced woody
weeds. However, when fires are too infrequent the vegetation becomes too dense for nesting. Extensive
fire is the main threat to the southern population. Fire removes dense understorey vegetation, which is
the species's preferred habitat (Bain and McPhee 2005). The species was lost from 10 of 11 known
locations in Victoria from fire during 1978–1994 (Clarke and Bramwell 1998). In New South Wales, 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. in
Garnett et al. 2011). Habitat is also degraded by feral pigs Sus scrofa and domestic livestock. Other
threats to the species include overgrazing, invasion of habitat by exotic weeds and predation by foxes
Vulpes vulpes and feral cats Felis catus. Birdwatching may be a threat to the northern population, with
repeated playback of calls having the potential to disturb breeding birds.
Conservation Actions (see Appendix for additional information)
© The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Dasyornis brachypterus – published in 2013.
http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2013-2.RLTS.T22704507A48004986.en
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Conservation Actions Underway
The northern population has been the focus of extensive conservation actions. Fences and fire-breaks
have been constructed. Some pig and cat control is undertaken. Vegetation monitoring sites are being
established. Genetic samples have been analysed. All known territories in Queensland have been
mapped. This population is now the focus of an intense captive breeding programme with the aim of reestablishing the species at several sites. The three main southern populations in New South Wales
(Barren Ground-Budderoo, Jervis Bay-Booderee and Nadgee Nature Reserve) have undergone surveys
and initial ecological research. Habitat mapping has been conducted at Jervis Bay. Research has been
conducted over three years into the ecology and translocation of 50 birds from Bhewerre Peninsula to
Beecroft Peninsula in the Jervis Bay region, including habitat selection by the species after fire.
Currently, there is a study to look at a future translocation of approximately 50 birds from Barren
Grounds Nature Reserve to Sydney Catchment Authority (SCA) lands. Other fire ecology research has
been conducted. Research on the southern population has shown that not all habitat needs to be
constantly maintained as greater than 14 years unburnt, as long as large, adjacent and long unburnt (for
over 20 years) areas are protected for emigration from and recolonisation of more recently burnt areas
(Bain and McPhee 2005). Annual monitoring is carried out at Jervis Bay National Park, Barren Grounds
Nature Reserve and Nadgee Nature Reserve. At Nadgee, habitat monitoring is conducted every two
years. Fox control is carried out for the Jervis Bay-Booderee and Barren Grounds-Budderoo populations.
Weed control, particularly of Bitou Bush has been undertaken at Booderee National Park, though recent
studies have shown that the species can utilise Bitou Bush as post-fire refugia. Conservation Actions
Proposed
Northern population: Continue to survey for a new population in the vicinity where the species once
occurred. Release captive-bred birds into areas with small populations and where the species has been
recently recorded. Southern population: Monitor populations annually. Monitor habitat every two years.
Define and map suitable habitat on Sydney Catchment Authority lands as part of the proposed future
translocation from Barren Grounds Nature Reserve. Control foxes and weeds. Reduce the impacts of
traffic at Jervis Bay and Booderre National Parks on the Bhewerre Peninsula. Develop contingency plans
for fire and conduct ecologically sensitive hazard reduction burns at central populations (Barren
Grounds-Budderoo and Jervis Bay-Booderee National Parks) to reduce the impacts of large intense fires.
Encourage public participation and provide information. Minimise the loss of habitat on private land
from future residential and commercial developments in the Jervis Bay area. Retain and manage known
or potential habitat corridors between reserves (Bain and McPhee 2005). Continue to monitor the
density of the species in long unburnt habitat and study the relationship between the species and the
post-fire age of habitat (Bain and McPhee 2005). Both populations: Determine a suitable fire
management strategy. Continue studies on population genetics. Control weeds, foxes and cats.
Credits
Assessor(s):
BirdLife International
Reviewer(s):
Butchart, S.
Contributor(s):
Oliver, D. & Stewart, D.
Facilitators(s) and
Compiler(s):
Benstead, P., Garnett, S., McClellan, R., Taylor, J., Allinson, T, Symes, A.
© The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Dasyornis brachypterus – published in 2013.
http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2013-2.RLTS.T22704507A48004986.en
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Bibliography
Bain, D.; McPhee, N. 2005. Resurveys of the Eastern Bristlebird Dasyornis brachypterus in centraleastern New South Wales 1999-2001: their relationship with fire and observer competence. Corella 29:
1-6.
Baker, J. 1998. Eastern Bristlebird Recovery Plan 1997–2002. NSW NPWS, Sydney.
Clarke, R.; Bramwell, M. 1998. The eastern bristlebird Dasyornis brachypterus in East Gippsland, Victoria.
Australian Bird Watcher 17: 245+.
Collar, N. J.; Butchart, S. H. M. 2013. Conservation breeding and avian diversity: chances and challenges.
International Zoo Yearbook.
Garnett, S. T.; Crowley, G. M. 2000. The action plan for Australian birds 2000. Environment Australia,
Canberra.
Garnett, S. T.; Szabo, J. K.; Dutson, G. 2011. The Action Plan for Australian Birds 2010. CSIRO Publishing,
Collingwood.
Gibson, L. and Baker, J. 2004. Diet of the Eastern Bristlebird Dasyornis brachypterus in New South Wales.
Corella 28: 79-81.
Higgins, P. J.; Peter, J. M. 2002. Handbook of Australian, New Zealand and Antarctic Birds: pardalotes to
shrike-thrushes. Oxford University Press, Oxford.
IUCN. 2013. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (ver. 2013.2). Available at: http://www.iucnredlist.org.
(Accessed: 13 November 2013).
Citation
BirdLife International. 2013. Dasyornis brachypterus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2013:
e.T22704507A48004986. http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2013-2.RLTS.T22704507A48004986.en
Disclaimer
To make use of this information, please check the Terms of Use.
External Resources
For Images and External Links to Additional Information, please see the Red List website.
© The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Dasyornis brachypterus – published in 2013.
http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2013-2.RLTS.T22704507A48004986.en
6
Appendix
Habitats
(http://www.iucnredlist.org/technical-documents/classification-schemes)
Habitat
Season
Suitability
Major
Importance?
1. Forest -> 1.4. Forest - Temperate
Resident
Suitable
No
3. Shrubland -> 3.4. Shrubland - Temperate
Resident
Suitable
Yes
4. Grassland -> 4.4. Grassland - Temperate
Resident
Suitable
No
5. Wetlands (inland) -> 5.4. Wetlands (inland) - Bogs, Marshes, Swamps,
Fens, Peatlands
Resident
Suitable
No
Threats
(http://www.iucnredlist.org/technical-documents/classification-schemes)
Threat
Timing
Scope
Severity
Impact Score
2. Agriculture & aquaculture -> 2.3. Livestock farming
& ranching -> 2.3.3. Agro-industry grazing, ranching
or farming
Ongoing
Minority (50%)
Slow, significant
declines
Low impact: 5
Stresses:
1. Ecosystem stresses -> 1.1. Ecosystem conversion
1. Ecosystem stresses -> 1.2. Ecosystem degradation
Ongoing
Minority (50%)
Stresses:
2. Species Stresses -> 2.2. Species disturbance
2. Species Stresses -> 2.3. Indirect species effects ->
2.3.7. Reduced reproductive success
Ongoing
Majority (5090%)
Stresses:
1. Ecosystem stresses -> 1.1. Ecosystem conversion
1. Ecosystem stresses -> 1.2. Ecosystem degradation
Ongoing
Minority (50%)
Stresses:
1. Ecosystem stresses -> 1.2. Ecosystem degradation
Ongoing
Minority (50%)
Stresses:
2. Species Stresses -> 2.1. Species mortality
2. Species Stresses -> 2.3. Indirect species effects ->
2.3.7. Reduced reproductive success
Ongoing
Minority (50%)
Stresses:
2. Species Stresses -> 2.1. Species mortality
6. Human intrusions & disturbance -> 6.1.
Recreational activities
7. Natural system modifications -> 7.1. Fire & fire
suppression -> 7.1.3. Trend Unknown/Unrecorded
8. Invasive & other problematic species & genes ->
8.1. Invasive non-native/alien species -> 8.1.1.
Unspecified species
8. Invasive & other problematic species & genes ->
8.1. Invasive non-native/alien species -> 8.1.2.
Named species (Vulpes vulpes)
8. Invasive & other problematic species & genes ->
8.1. Invasive non-native/alien species -> 8.1.2.
Named species (Felis catus)
© The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Dasyornis brachypterus – published in 2013.
http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2013-2.RLTS.T22704507A48004986.en
Negligible declines
Slow, significant
declines
Slow, significant
declines
Slow, significant
declines
Slow, significant
declines
Low impact: 4
Medium
impact: 6
Low impact: 5
Low impact: 5
Low impact: 5
7
2. Species Stresses -> 2.3. Indirect species effects ->
2.3.7. Reduced reproductive success
8. Invasive & other problematic species & genes ->
8.1. Invasive non-native/alien species -> 8.1.2.
Named species (Sus scrofa)
Ongoing
Minority (50%)
Slow, significant
declines
Low impact: 5
Stresses:
1. Ecosystem stresses -> 1.2. Ecosystem degradation
2. Species Stresses -> 2.2. Species disturbance
Conservation Actions in Place
(http://www.iucnredlist.org/technical-documents/classification-schemes)
Conservation Actions in Place
In-Place Research, Monitoring and Planning
Action Recovery plan: Yes
Systematic monitoring scheme: Yes
In-Place Land/Water Protection and Management
Conservation sites identified: Yes, over entire range
Occur in at least one PA: Yes
Invasive species control or prevention: Yes
In-Place Species Management
Successfully reintroduced or introduced beningly: Yes
Subject to ex-situ conservation: Yes
In-Place Education
Subject to recent education and awareness programmes: No
Included in international legislation: No
Subject to any international management/trade controls: No
Conservation Actions Needed
(http://www.iucnredlist.org/technical-documents/classification-schemes)
Conservation Actions Needed
2. Land/water management -> 2.1. Site/area management
2. Land/water management -> 2.2. Invasive/problematic species control
3. Species management -> 3.3. Species re-introduction -> 3.3.2. Benign introduction
3. Species management -> 3.4. Ex-situ conservation -> 3.4.1. Captive breeding/artificial propagation
4. Education & awareness -> 4.3. Awareness & communications
© The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Dasyornis brachypterus – published in 2013.
http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2013-2.RLTS.T22704507A48004986.en
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Research Needed
(http://www.iucnredlist.org/technical-documents/classification-schemes)
Research Needed
1. Research -> 1.2. Population size, distribution & trends
1. Research -> 1.3. Life history & ecology
1. Research -> 1.6. Actions
3. Monitoring -> 3.1. Population trends
3. Monitoring -> 3.4. Habitat trends
Additional Data Fields
Distribution
Estimated area of occupancy (AOO) (km²): 29
Continuing decline in area of occupancy (AOO): Yes
Extreme fluctuations in area of occupancy (AOO): No
Estimated extent of occurrence (EOO) (km²): 2100
Continuing decline in extent of occurrence (EOO): Unknown
Extreme fluctuations in extent of occurrence (EOO): No
Number of Locations: 6-10
Continuing decline in number of locations: Yes
Extreme fluctuations in the number of locations: No
Lower elevation limit (m): 0
Upper elevation limit (m): 1160
Population
Number of mature individuals: 2550
Continuing decline of mature individuals: Yes
Extreme fluctuations: No
Population severely fragmented: Yes
No. of subpopulations: 5
Continuing decline in subpopulations: Yes
Extreme fluctuations in subpopulations: No
All individuals in one subpopulation: No
© The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Dasyornis brachypterus – published in 2013.
http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2013-2.RLTS.T22704507A48004986.en
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Habitats and Ecology
Continuing decline in area, extent and/or quality of habitat: Yes
Generation Length (years): 3.2
Movement patterns: Not a Migrant
© The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Dasyornis brachypterus – published in 2013.
http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2013-2.RLTS.T22704507A48004986.en
10
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The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™ is produced and managed by the IUCN Global Species
Programme, the IUCN Species Survival Commission (SSC) and The IUCN Red List Partnership. The IUCN
Red List Partners are: BirdLife International; Botanic Gardens Conservation International; Conservation
International; Microsoft; NatureServe; Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew; Sapienza University of Rome; Texas
A&M University; Wildscreen; and Zoological Society of London.
THE IUCN RED LIST OF THREATENED SPECIES™