Increased lyrebird presence in a post-fire landscape
Anna Doty A B , Clare Stawski A , Julia Nowack A , Artiom Bondarenco A and Fritz Geiser A
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A Centre for Behavioural and Physiological Ecology, Zoology, University of New England, Armidale, NSW 2351, Australia.
B Corresponding author. Email: adoty@une.edu.au
Australian Journal of Zoology 63(1) 9-11 https://doi.org/10.1071/ZO14053
Submitted: 9 July 2014 Accepted: 25 November 2014 Published: 24 December 2014
Abstract
Prescribed fires for fuel reduction affect wildlife in several ways. We observed a marked increase in superb lyrebird (Menura novaehollandiae) numbers after a controlled burn in Guy Fawkes River National Park, New South Wales, in April and May 2014. The fire occurred during the winter breeding season; however, congregations of males were often seen together in the burnt landscape, indicating an opportunistic prioritisation of foraging. The low-intensity fire cleared brush and low-level vegetation, thus decreasing foraging effort and potentially attracting the species despite the need to seek mating partners. Controlled burns therefore have the potential to attract superb lyrebirds immediately after fire due to ease of movement and foraging effort.
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