The Action Plan for Australian Birds 2010.

Abstract

THIS is the third Action Plan for Australian Birds produced since 1992 by Stephen Garnett and his colleagues. Each reviews the conservation (threatened) status of the 1266 indigenous bird taxa (species and distinct populations; excluding vagrants) found in Australia and its territories. Threats, important habitats, and gaps in information are given for each taxon listed. Twenty-seven taxa are extinct, with 20 critically endangered, 60 endangered, 68 vulnerable, and 63 near threatened. One-thousand and twenty-eight are taxa of “least concern” and are not listed. For each threatened taxon the reasons for listing are explained, the taxon’s past and present distribution and abundance given, and the threats the taxon faces summarized. There is also a brief account of each taxon’s ecology and a bibliography of relevant publications. Recommendations are made for conservation action, including research, with the aim of minimizing threats and ensuring the taxon’s survival. Status is assessed using the criteria of the International Union of Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List.