Abstract: Fraser, Ian Review(s) of: A Photographic Field Guide to the Birds of the Australian High Country by Neil Hermes, John Beaufoy Publishing, London, 2017. Paperback, 650 illustrations, all colour, 360 pp. RRP AU$45.
Abstract: Fraser, Ian Review(s) of: A Naturalist's Guide to the Birds of Australia by Dean Ingwersen, John Beaufoy Publishing, London. 2017. Paperback, 300 illustrations, all colour, 176 pp. RRP AU$25.
Abstract: Bishop, KDavid Review(s) of: Birds of New Guinea: Including Bismarck Archipelago and Bougainville by Phil Gregory, Lynx Edicions, Barcelona, Spain, 2017. Hardcover, 464 pp., 1780 illustrations in 211 plates. RRP AU$110.
Abstract: Frith, Clifford B Review(s) of: Bird Minds: Cognition and Behaviour of Australian Native Birds by Gisela Kaplan, CSIRO Publishing, Melbourne, 2016 Reprint with corrections (first published 2015). Paperback, 72 black-and-white figures, ix + 268 pp. RRP AU$45.
Abstract: Hingston, Andrew B; Wardlaw, Timothy J; Baker, Susan C; Jordan, Gregory J Acoustic recording units (ARUs) have recently been used in place of field observers to survey birds. To test whether data obtained from ARUs and from point counts by a field observer are directly comparable, we surveyed Tasmanian forest birds using these two methods at exactly the same times and places. Data derived from ARUs were similar to those obtained by the field observer without distance constraints for (a) the total numbers of species detected at each of three points, and (b) both the number and composition of species within each of the 13 5-minute surveys at each point. However, data sets obtained by each method comprised more records of certain species, largely because of calls being detected by one method but not by the other. Additional differences between methods arose because ARUs could not detect birds seen by the field observer that were not calling, and ARUs sometimes led to false positive identifications when the person listening to recordings was unable to distinguish mimetic calls from those of the species being mimicked. Because ARUs appeared to detect many calls from beyond 100 m, their use to survey a particular patch of vegetation requires placement (within the vegetation patch) at distances greater than 100 m from the edge of the patch to prevent the inclusion of calls from non-target vegetation.
Abstract: Londei, Tiziano Olsen & Trost (2007, Australian Field Ornithology 24, 158-166) reported on a nest of Spotted Kestrels (Moluccan Kestrels) 'Falco moluccensis' purportedly found in the high-peaked, thatched roof of a traditional house on Sumba Island, Indonesia. Here I consider their report together with preceding and subsequent observations of mine to draw more attention to what might be a widespread habit of these birds, which are possibly at risk because of the current decline of the Sumbanese traditional house.
Abstract: Lyons, Mitchell; Brandis, Kate; Callaghan, Corey; McCann, Justin; Mills, Charlotte; Ryall, Sharon; Kingsford, Richard Drones are rapidly becoming a key part of the toolkit for a range of scientific disciplines, as well as a range of management and commercial applications. This presents challenges in the context of how drone use might impact on nearby wildlife, especially birds as they might share the airspace. This paper presents observations (from 97 flight hours) and offers preliminary guidance for drone-monitoring exercises and future research to develop guidelines for safe and effective monitoring with drones. Our study sites spanned a range of arid, semi-arid, dunefield, floodplain, wetland, woodland, forest, coastal heath and urban environments in south-eastern and central Australia. They included a nesting colony of >200 000 Straw-necked Ibis 'Threskiornis spinicollis', the largest drone-based bird-monitoring exercise to date. We particularly focused on behavioural changes towards drones during the breeding season, interactions with raptors, and effects on birds nesting in large colonies - three areas yet to be explored in published literature. Some aggressive behaviour was encountered from solitary breeding birds, but several large breeding bird colonies were surveyed without such issues. With multi-rotor drones, we observed no incidents that posed a threat to birds, but one raptor attacked and took down a fixed-wing drone. In addition to providing observations of interactions with specific bird species, we detail our procedures for flight planning, safe flying and avoidance of birds, and highlight the need for more research into bird-drone interactions, most notably with respect to territorial breeding birds, safety around large raptors, and the effects of drones on the behaviour of birds in large breeding colonies.
Abstract: Stuart, Alan; Newman, Mike An isolated population of Rufous Scrub-birds Atrichornis rufescens in a high-altitude area of the Gloucester Tops, New South Wales, was surveyed annually in spring in 2010-2016. The 5000-ha study area formed part of the Barrington Tops and Gloucester Tops Key Biodiversity Area (KBA). The Rufous Scrub-bird, which was the trigger species for the KBA nomination, was found to have a widespread distribution in the study area. Thirty-seven territories were identified; 20 of them had long-term occupancy, with records from at least three successive years and, in most cases, records from all or most years. The other territories were more transitory, occupied for 1-2 years but then with no further records or else a long gap between records. Rufous Scrub-birds were not detected in an area of their former habitat that had been burnt in a major fire until 6-7 years after the fire. Usually, the Scrub-bird territories were well-spaced, with separations of >=300-400 m between their centres. Under favourable conditions, territories were sometimes clustered more closely together, but this seemed not to be sustainable: in each case, one of the clustered territories eventually was abandoned. Rufous Scrub-bird territory densities in the Gloucester Tops survey area were in the range 3.3-4.0 territories km-2, similar to previously reported 1981 baseline levels, which suggests that there has been limited change to the species' status within an area of core high-altitude habitat over a 35-year period.
Abstract: Feeney, William E; Ryan, Thomas A; Kennerley, James A; Poje, Colleen; Clarke, Lacey; Scheuering, Miles; Webster, Michael S Accurate ageing of nestling birds is important for a variety of ecological, evolutionary and ornithological research. However, this can be difficult when nests are found after the eggs have hatched, especially for less-common species such as brood-parasitic cuckoos. Here we present a photographic guide for ageing nestlings of two species of Australian cuckoo: Horsfield's Bronze-Cuckoo 'Chalcites basalis' and the Fan-tailed Cuckoo 'Cacomantis flabelliformis'. Evidence of chick rejection by several hosts of bronze-cuckoos Chalcites spp. and counter-adaptations in cuckoo nestlings has prompted increased research attention in this subject. This guide will help facilitate these efforts as well as research into the ecologies of other unstudied cuckoos.
Abstract: Bauer, Alice L; McDonald, Paul G This study, near Tamworth, New South Wales, investigated the interactions within a diurnal raptor and Australian Raven Corvus coronoides community. The Australian Raven (hereafter 'Raven') is an abundant breeding resident here, is the only corvid that breeds in the area, and is known to have a close association with many raptor species. It is known to interfere with nests, provide frequent harassment and decrease the breeding productivity of several nesting raptor species, yet few studies have been completed on this issue, and its significance remains unknown. The abundance of raptors and Ravens and diversity of raptor species were determined from weekly surveys along a fixed 60-km transect in autumn to late spring 2016. A negative association was found between raptor species diversity and Raven abundance. The density and distribution of active or potential raptor and Raven nests were also recorded along the transect: active raptor nests had significantly more active stick nests of other species (raptors and Ravens) nearby (within 500 m), whereas active Raven nests had fewer such active nests within 500 m. Intruding Ravens and Wedge-tailed Eagles Aquila audax elicited significantly higher rates of defensive interactions from nesting Black Falcons Falco subniger than did other diurnal raptor species; Ravens triggered the highest rate of response. An increased understanding of the factors responsible for shaping community structure is useful for the management of threatened species. The raptor assemblage around Tamworth includes five threatened species, at least four of which are known to breed there, making competition for nest-sites here worthy of research.
Abstract: Stuart, Alan; Newman, Mike Annual spring surveys between 2010 and 2016 in a 5000-ha area in the Gloucester Tops in New South Wales recorded 71 bird species. All the study area was at altitudes > 1100 m. The monitoring program was carried out with involvement of a team of volunteers, who regularly surveyed 21 1-km transects, for a total of 289 surveys. The study area was within the Barrington Tops and Gloucester Tops Key Biodiversity Area (KBA). The trigger species for the KBA listing was the Rufous Scrub-bird Atrichornis rufescens, which was found to have a widespread distribution in the study area, with an average Reporting Rate (RR) of 56.5%. Another species cited in the KBA nomination, the Flame Robin 'Petroica phoenicea', had an average RR of 12.6% but with considerable annual variation. Although the Flame Robin had a widespread distribution, one-third of all records came from just two of the 21 survey transects. Thirty-seven bird species had RRs > 4% in the study area and were distributed across many transects. Of these, 20 species were relatively common, with RRs > 20%, and they occurred in all or nearly all of the survey transects.
Abstract: Hamilton, Neil; Burbidge, Allan H; Douglas, Tegan K; Gilbert, Lyle Characteristics of a Night Parrot nest in the East Murchison region of Western Australia are documented. This nest failed, most likely either due to predation or abandonment. Human disturbance is ruled out as a cause. However, we recommend that human activity near Night Parrot nests is minimised, to avoid unnecessary disturbance to breeding attempts in this Critically Endangered species.
Abstract: Ley, Andrew; Noske, Richard; Debus, Stephen Review(s) of: The Australian Bird Guide by Peter Menkhorst, Danny Rogers, Rohan Clarke, Jeff Davies, Peter Marsack and Kim Franklin CSIRO Publishing, Melbourne, 2017. Softcover, 566 pp. RRP $50.
Abstract: Jackett, Nigel A; Greatwich, Bruce R; Swann, George; Boyle, Adrian The Night Parrot 'Pezoporus occidentalis' is a poorly known, nationally endangered species that historically occurred throughout semi-arid and arid Australia, including Western Australia where the type specimen was collected during the 19th century. Despite recent sightings in Western Australia, no evidence has been provided to definitively prove the existence of an extant population in the state. In March 2017, we discovered living Night Parrots in the East Murchison biogeographic subregion of Western Australia, and documented an active nest, associated calling behaviour including previously undescribed duets, and roosting habitat of a pair of this species at the site.
Abstract: van Beirs, Mark Review(s) of: Birds of the Indonesian Archipelago: Greater Sundas and Wallacea by James A. Eaton, Bas van Balen, Nick W. Brickle and Frank E. Rheindt Lynx Edicions. Barcelona, Spain. 2016. Hardcover, more than 2500 colour illustrations, 496 pp. RRP AU$120.
Abstract: Garnett, Stephen Review(s) of: An Uncertain Future: Australian Birdlife in Danger by Geoffrey Maslen, Hardie Grant Books, Melbourne, 2017. Paperback, 54 colour images, 294 pp., RRP AU$39.99.
Abstract: McAllan, Ian; Cooper, Dick; Kenway, Pam; Moody, Michael; Martin, David This paper describes the first known records of the Eyrean Grasswren 'Amytornis goyderi' from New South Wales (NSW). These observations were made on 3 April 2016 just inside the border adjacent to South Australia and were clearly on the margins of the species' range. The habitats noted at the time of the observations were of plant species found throughout the Strzelecki Desert, but did not include Sandhill Canegrass 'Zygochloa paradoxa' (often quoted as a key habitat for the species), which was absent from the immediate vicinity. It is suggested that the low numbers of Eyrean Grasswrens in the Strzelecki Desert in NSW might be a consequence of overgrazing by livestock and Red Kangaroos 'Osphranter rufus', the latter influenced by the culling of Dingoes 'Canis dingo', as well as the increased predation on smaller birds and mammals by Red Foxes 'Vulpes vulpes'.
Abstract: Hollingsworth, Julie; Bilney, Rohan J The remains of a recently consumed Powerful Owl 'Ninox strenua' nestling were discovered in two locations near an active nest: at a feeding perch frequently used by the breeding pair of adults, and beneath the long-term roost of the adult male. Given the positioning of the nestling remains under two sites used by the adults, it appears likely that an adult consumed the nestling in a case of cannibalism. Powerful Owls rarely scavenge, meaning that infanticide was the most plausible cause of the nestling's death.
Abstract: Menkhorst, Peter; Morley, Craig In a review of knowledge about subspecies of the Pied Currawong in southern Victoria and far south-eastern South Australia, Menkhorst & Morley (2017) hypothesised that the type specimen of 'Strepera graculina ashbyi' Mathews 1913 might be an immature female of the population currently recognized as 'S. g. nebulosa' Schodde and Mason 1999. If this hypothesis is correct, there are nomenclatural consequences, which we detail here. We also retract the suggestion that neotypes should be defined for the subspecies concerned.
Abstract: Colombelli-Negrel, Diane; Tomo, Ikuko Identifying predators and determining their influence on bird population declines can be crucial in the implementation of appropriate conservation measures. In this study, we focus on the Little Penguin Eudyptula minor, a flightless seabird whose numbers have seriously declined in some populations across Australia and New Zealand, for a variety of reasons, some not fully understood. Using a combination of motion-camera monitoring at active burrows and postmortem examinations of carcasses, we present data on the identity, occurrence and impact of terrestrial predators at two colonies in South Australia: Granite Island and Emu Bay (Kangaroo Island). Terrestrial predation varied from 20% for carcasses found on Granite Island to 44% at Emu Bay. There was no evidence for predation at burrows on Granite Island but, at Emu Bay, we identified goannas (Heath Monitor Varanus rosenbergi) as predators of chicks (by using cameras), and Cats Felis catus as predators of chicks and juveniles (from postmortem examination of carcasses). In addition, 45% of the carcasses found at Emu Bay were categorised as chicks. We discuss potential biases in identifying causes of death from carcasses only and the importance of combining both direct and indirect evidence.
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