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Malleefowl Scientific name: Leipoa ocellata Image: Andrew Silcocks Description The Malleefowl is a large bird with strong feet that lives on the ground. Males and females are similar. Distribution The Malleefowl lives in semi-arid parts of mainland Australia, in New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia and Western Australia. Habitat Malleefowl live in mallee eucalypt woodlands with a shrubby understorey. Malleefowl prefer to live in areas that have not been burnt for 40-60 years. Feeding Malleefowl eat seeds, flowers and buds, and sometimes bugs. Malleefowl scratch around for food on the ground or low shrubs. Breeding The Malleefowl uses its strong feet to scrape leaves and sand into a large pile. The female bird lays her eggs into a hole in the mound and covers them up. As the leaf litter rots it gets hot, which keeps the eggs warm. The male Malleefowl checks the temperature of the mound, and scrapes leaves onto or off the mound to keep the temperature just right. When they hatch, the chicks dig out of the hole and can look after themselves straight away. Conservation Status Nationally Vulnerable Mallee Emu-wren Scientific name: Stipiturus mallee Image: BirdLife Australia Description The Mallee Emu-wren is a tiny bird, about 15 centimetres long including its tail, which is 1.5 times the length of its body. The male has a blue face and blue bib but the female does not. Distribution The Mallee Emu-wren is now found only in Victoria, where it lives in Murray– Sunset, Hattah-Kulkyne and Wyperfeld National Parks. Habitat Mallee Emu-wrens live in dense Spinifex grass in old mallee woodland that has not been burnt for at least 15 years. Feeding Mallee Emu-wrens mostly feed in clumps of Spinifex and low shrubs, as well as occasionally on the ground, where they eat small insects, mainly beetles. Breeding Mallee Emu-wrens usually lay three eggs in a nest made of grass, strips of bark and Spinifex leaves, and lined with soft material. The female sits on the eggs and the male and female feed the babies when they hatch. Conservation Status Nationally Endangered Regent Parrot Scientific name: Polytelis anthopeplus Image: Andrew Silcocks Description The Regent Parrot is a slim parrot with a long tail. The Regent Parrot's call is often heard long before the birds appear. Distribution The Regent Parrot has two separate populations, one in the Murray Mallee region and the other in Western Australia. Habitat The Regent Parrot is found in River Red Gum, floodplain and woodland habitats where it breeds in old-growth tree hollows. The Regent Parrot will travel large distances to mallee habitat to feed. Feeding The Regent Parrot eats seeds of grasses and plants and cereal crops, especially wheat. It also eats buds and flowers, and insects. It feeds in pairs or small groups, usually on the ground, but also in trees. Conservation Status Nationally Vulnerable Red-lored Whistler Scientific name: Pachycephala rufogularis Image: Chris Tzaros Description The Red-lored Whistler grows to 20cm long and has a conspicuous whistle followed by a ‘see-saw breath-like sound. Distribution Red-lored Whistlers are found in the Riverland Biosphere Reserve, and in the Big Desert, Wyperfeld, Murray-Sunset and Nombinnie areas. Recent large fires in Ngarkat and Billiatt Conservation Parks have greatly reduced or eliminated the species from these reserves. Habitat Red-lored Whistlers live in mallee eucalypt woodlands, with a shrubby understorey, especially mallee that has been unburned for 21-44 years. Feeding Red-lored Whistlers eat insects and other invertebrates and forages on or close to the ground. Breeding Red-lored Whistlers breed in mallee eucalypts from 5-8m tall. Conservation Status Nationally Vulnerable Black-eared Miner Scientific name: Manorina melanotis Image: Chris Tzaros Description The Black-eared Miner is a stockily built honeyeater, about 20cm long, with a black face mask. Distribution Black-eared Miners live in the Murray Mallee region of South Australia, Victoria and New South Wales. Recent surveys have found them in the Riverland Biosphere Reserve and Murray Sunset National Park. Their status in Scotia Sanctuary and Tarawi Nature Reserve (NSW) is less well known. In January 2014 fire wiped out an important population in Bronzewing Flora and Fauna Reserve (Vic). Habitat Black-eared Miners live in mallee eucalypt woodlands, with a shrubby understorey, and like mallee that has not been burnt for more than 40 years. Feeding Black-eared Miners eat invertebrates and nectar. Breeding The Black-eared Miners form small family groups that work together to raise chicks. They can interbreed with Yellow-throated Miners, resulting in hybrid birds. These hybrid offspring are not true Black-eared Miners. Conservation Status Nationally Endangered Western Whipbird Scientific name: Psophodes nigrogularis Image: BirdLife Australia Description The Western Whipbird is a stockily built bird that is about 25cm long. It has a short triangular crest on top of its head. It is a shy bird that spends most of its time on the ground or in bushes. It is usually heard rather than seen, making a sound like a squeaky gate. Distribution The eastern subspecies of the Western Whipbird is largely found on the Yorke and Eyre Peninsulas in South Australia. Scientists believe there may also be a very small population in the Murray Mallee in the Ngarkat/Beg Desert area. Habitat Western Whipbirds live in mallee eucalypt woodlands, with a dense shrubby understorey, especially mallee that has been unburned for 10-25 years. Feeding Western Whipbirds search for invertebrates on the ground. Breeding The female makes a nest of sticks and bark, which is lined with grasses, in shrubs near the ground. The female also sits on the eggs. Both parents feed the young birds. Conservation Status Nationally Vulnerable (Endangered in Victoria)