A Review of Studies of the Breeding Biology of Australian Birds from 1986-95: Biases and Consequences

Abstract

Results are presented of a review of papers published inEmu and Corella from 1986 to 1995 that provide information on the breeding biology of birds in Australia. Intensive studies were primarily carried out by institution-based ornithologists (rather than amateurs) working at sites predominantly located in the coastal areas of the temperate regions of Australia. The species chosen for study were significantly biased towards those that bred colonially or co-operatively, and that were sedentary, rather than migratory or nomadic. It is postulated that this bias reflects the comparative ease with which large, publishable data sets can be accumulated when studying sedentary and colonial species, and is in part due to the link between a researcher’s professional advancement and his/her ability to publish papers in refereed scientific journals. Such biases are likely to severely limit our ability to responsibly manage and conserve highly mobile and non-colonial species, despite many of them being recognised as vulnerable. Such biases will also continue to inhibit the development of a comprehensive understanding of the life history attributes of Australian birds.