Free Standard AU & NZ Shipping For All Book Orders Over $80!
Register      Login
Emu Emu Society
Journal of BirdLife Australia
RESEARCH ARTICLE

Detection and habitat use of the Rufous Bristlebird (Dasyornis broadbenti) in coastal heathland, in south-western Victoria, Australia

Ellen Mitchell A C and Barbara A. Wilson B
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University, Geelong, Vic. 3217, Australia.

B Department of Environment and Conservation, 5 Dundebar Road, Wanneroo, WA 6065, Australia.

C Corresponding author. Email: ellen.mitchell@banyule.vic.gov.au

Emu 107(4) 327-334 https://doi.org/10.1071/MU06048
Submitted: 25 September 2006  Accepted: 8 November 2007   Published: 7 December 2007

Abstract

The Rufous Bristlebird (Dasyornis broadbenti) is a sedentary, ground-dwelling passerine of southern Australia, which is listed as nationally vulnerable, and as near-threatened (lower risk) in Victoria. The species inhabits a variety of vegetation, including shrub thickets in coastal gullies to heathlands on limestone cliffs. This study aimed to assess the size, distribution and habitat use of a population of the subspecies D. b. broadbenti at Portland in south-western Victoria. Monthly surveys (2002–03) were conducted on foot for 1 h after official sunrise and 1 h before official sunset, and presence of Bristlebirds recorded using vocalisations and sightings. Observations outside of the survey times were also recorded to estimate the size of territories and core area of occupancy. To quantify habitat preferences, vegetation composition and structure were measured in areas where Bristlebirds were present, as well as surrounding areas where they were not detected. The population in the survey areas was estimated at between 70 and 86 individuals in the 170-ha survey area. The estimated size of territories of eight selected pairs of Bristlebirds ranged from 0.5 to 3 ha, with core areas of occupancy ranging from 0.2 to 0.6 ha. During the nesting season (August–November) Bristlebirds were detected at greater frequencies in the core area of occupancy within each territory. Significant associations were found between the presence of Bristlebirds and floristic associations dominated by the native environmental weeds Acacia sophorae and Leptospermum laevigatum. Bristlebird presence was significantly positively correlated with increasing vegetation density in the mid-canopy level (80–120 cm) indicating that vegetation structure is a key factor in habitat use.

Additional keywords: territory size, vegetation preferences, weed invasion.


Acknowledgements

The authors wish to thank Grainne Maguire, Susie Schickmann and Robert Mitchell for field assistance and data collation, and John Hill (Portland Aluminium) and David Cahill (Deakin University) for support and guidance. The following organisations are land managers of the Portland Heathland and provided assistance and support for the project: the Port of Portland, Portland Coast Water, Incitec Pivot, Point Danger Committee of Management, Department of Sustainability and Environment (Victoria) and Portland Aluminium. We are grateful for the statistical advice and assistance given by Dr John Aberton. Dr Rohan Clarke, Matt Dell and Angie Haslem provided invaluable comments on earlier drafts of this paper. This project was carried out under approval of Deakin University’s Animal Welfare Committee (project approval number A14/2001). Research funding was provided by the Australian Research Council, Alcoa World Alumina, the Department of Natural Resources & Environment (Victoria), the Holsworth Wildlife Research Fund and the School of Ecology & Environment of Deakin University. Three anonymous referees provided useful criticisms on earlier versions of the paper.


References

Baker, J. (2001). Population density and home range estimates for the Eastern Bristlebird at Jervis Bay, south-eastern Australia. Corella 25, 62–67.
Belcher C. (1992). ‘Rufous Bristlebird survey and habitat analysis, Port Campbell National Park.’ (Department of Natural Resource & Environment: Melbourne.)

Brake L., Clark I., and Clay R. (1991). The Master Plan for the Smelter in the Park. Centre for Conservation and Recreation Resources. University of South Australia, Salisbury East, SA.

Bramwell, M. , Pyke, G. , Adams, C. , and Coontz, P. (1992). Habitat use by Eastern Bristlebirds in Barren Grounds Nature Reserve. Emu 92, 117–121.
Carr G. W. (1993). Exotic flora of Victoria and its impact on indigenous biota. In ‘Flora of Victoria: Introduction’. (Eds D. B. Foreman and N. G. Walsh.) pp. 256–297. (Inkata Press: Melbourne.)

Carr G. W., and Beauglehole A. C. (1980). ‘Alcoa Portland Aluminium Smelter Working Paper No. 11. Terrestrial Flora.’ (Kinhill Planners: Melbourne.)

Carr G. W., and Yugovic J. V. (1989). ‘Weeds of Native Vegetation in Victoria; Database.’ (Victorian Department of Conservation, Forests and Land, Land Protection Division: Melbourne.)

Clarke K. R., and Warwick R. M. (1994). ‘Changes in Marine Communities: An Approach to Statistical Analysis and Interpretation.’ (Natural Research Council, Plymouth Marine Laboratory: Plymouth, UK.)

Corrick M. G., and Fuhrer B. A. (2000). ‘Wildflowers of Victoria and Adjoining Areas.’ (Blooming Books: Hawthorn, Vic.)

Costello, D. A. , Lunt, I. D. , and Williams, J. E. (2000). Effects of invasion by the indigenous shrub Acacia sophorae on plant composition of coastal grasslands in south-eastern Australia. Biological Conservation 96, 113–121.
Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | Costermans L. (2000). ‘Native Trees and Shrubs of South-eastern Australia.’ (New Holland Publishers: Sydney.)

Coulson G., Hill R. J., McKenzie J., and Walters B. (1999). The smelter in the park: managing wildlife for biodiversity. In ‘Nature Conservation 5: Nature Conservation in Production Environments: Managing the Matrix’. (Eds J. L. Craig, N. Mitchell and D. A. Saunders.) pp. 360–371. (Surrey Beatty: Sydney.)

ESRI (2000). ‘ArcView GIS 3.2a.’ (Environmental Systems Research Institute Inc.: Redlands, CA.)

Fahy B. (2000). The distribution and ecology of the rufous bristlebird, Dasyornis broadbenti, at Airey’s Inlet, Victoria. B.Sc. (Honours) Thesis, Deakin University, Geelong, Vic.

Ferrier S. (1985). Habitat requirements of a rare species, the rufous scrub-bird. In ‘Birds of Eucalypt Forests and Woodlands: Ecology, Conservation and Management’. (Eds A. Keast, H. R. Recher, H. Ford and D. Saunders.) pp. 241–248. (RAOU and Surrey Beatty: Melbourne and Sydney.)

Garnett S. (1992). ‘Threatened and Extinct Birds of Australia. Report No. 82.’ (Royal Australasian Ornithologists Union: Melbourne.)

Garnett S. T., and Crowley G. M. (2000). ‘The Action Plan for Australian Birds 2000.’ (Environment Australia: Canberra.)

Gibson, L. A. , Wilson, B. A. , Cahill, D. M. , and Hill, J. (2004). Spatial prediction of rufous bristlebird habitat in a coastal heathland: a GIS-based approach. Journal of Applied Ecology 41, 213–223.
Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | Hill J. (2005). ‘Portland Heathland Management Plan.’ (Ecoplan Australia Pty Ltd: Portland, Vic.)

Kinhill Planners (1980). ‘Alcoa Portland Aluminium Smelter: Environmental Effects Statement.’ (Kinhill Planners Pty Ltd: Melbourne.)

Krebs C. J. (1999). Similarity coefficients and cluster analysis. In ‘Ecological Methodology’. (Ed. C. J. Krebs.) pp. 375–409. (Addison Wesley Longman: Menlo Park, CA.)

Lamb D., Turnball M. H., and Meyers N. (1993). ‘Eastern Bristlebird Habitat Assessment in Southern Queensland and Northern New South Wales.’ (Botany Department, University of Queensland: Brisbane, Qld.)

McMahon A. R. G., Carr G. W., Bedggood S. E., Hill R. J., and Pritchard A. M. (1996). Prescribed fire and control of coast wattle (Acacia sophorae (Labill) R.Br.) invasion in coastal heath south-west Victoria. In ‘Fire and Biodiversity: The Effect and Effectiveness of Fire Management’. (Ed. J. R. Merrick.) pp. 87–96. (Department of Environment, Sport and Territories: Canberra.)

Mueller-Dombois D., and Ellenburg H. (1974). ‘Aims and Methods of Plant Ecology.’ (Wiley: New York.)

Parker S. A., and Reid N. (1980). Remarks on the status of some Australian passerines. In ‘The Status of Endangered Australasian Wildlife’. (Ed. M. J. Tyler.) pp. 109–116. (Royal Zoological Society of South Australia: Adelaide.)

Peter, J. M. (1999). The Rufous Bristlebird Dasyornis broadbenti at the eastern edge of its range: selected aspects of distribution, habitat and ecology. Emu 99, 9–14.
Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | Ross J. H., and Walsh N. G. (2003). ‘A Census of Vascular Plants of Victoria.’ (National Herbarium of Victoria, Royal Botanic Gardens: Melbourne.)

Schodde R., and Mason I. J. (1999). ‘Directory of Australian Birds: Passerines.’ (CSIRO Publishing: Melbourne.)

Seymour J., and Paton D. C. (2000). ‘The ecology of Rufous Bristlebirds in the Coorong Region of South Australia.’ (National Estate Grant Program: Environment Australia, Adelaide.), as cited in Rogers (2004).

Seymour, J. , Paton, D. C. , and Rogers, D. J. (2003). The conservation status of the Rufous Bristlebird, Dasyornis broadbenti, in South Australia. Emu 103, 315–321.
Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | Smith S., and Baker-Gabb D. (1993). ‘Rufous Bristlebird.’ Flora and Fauna Guarantee Action Statement No. 49. (Flora and Fauna Branch, Department of Natural Resources and Environment: Melbourne.)

Specht R. L. (1970). Vegetation. In ‘The Australian Environment’. (Ed. G. W. Leeper.) pp. 43–67. (Melbourne University Press: Melbourne.)

SPSS Inc. (2004). ‘Statistical Package for the Social Sciences for Windows, v. 12.0.’ (SPSS Inc.: Chicago, IL.)

Wilson, B. A. , Aberton, J. G. , Reilly, P. , and McDonald, M. (2001). The distribution and ecology of the Rufous Bristlebird (Dasyornis broadbenti) at Airey’s Inlet, Victoria. Emu 101, 341–347.
Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |