Red-lored Whistler - profile

Indicative distribution

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Key:

known

predicted

The areas shown in pink and/purple are the sub-regions where the species or community is known or predicted to occur. They may not occur thoughout the sub-region but may be restricted to certain areas. ( click here to see geographic restrictions). The information presented in this map is only indicative and may contain errors and omissions.

Scientific name: Pachycephala rufogularis

Conservation status in NSW: Critically Endangered

Commonwealth status: Vulnerable

Gazetted date: 31 Jul 2009

Profile last updated: 29 Jun 2022

Description

The male is brownish-grey with orange lores and throat. The breast is grey with buff orange under parts. Some males are reported as having a buff rear collar. The female appears much paler, and has buffish lores and throat. The eyes in both sexes are red and the bill and legs are dark in colour. They weigh 30–38 g and have a total body length of 19–22 cm. Immature birds are brownish-grey with a rufous eyebrow, pale throat and a brown eye.

Distribution

Occurs in and around Round Hill and Nombinnie Nature Reserves in central NSW. There are a small number of relatively old records from the of the Scotia Mallee and Tarawi Nature Reserve in the far southwest corner of the state. The current status of the species in this area is unknown. A third population at Pulletop Nature Reserve is now considered extinct at that locality.

Habitat and ecology

Found in mallee woodland with a shrub layer, usually of Broombush and native pine such as Mallee Pine (Callitris verrucosa), with occasional patches of spinifex and emergent mallee, forming a relatively dispersed canopy.
Occupies vegetation with a post fire age of 4-40 years, but is most abundant in areas with a post fire age of 21-40 years.
Feeds mainly on the ground, eating invertebrates (airborne and ground-dwelling, including caterpillars, weevils, grasshoppers, beetles, larvae), and some berries and seeds.
A substantial cup nest is constructed by these birds, mainly of coarse bark and mallee leaves, neatly woven around the rim, located within low shrubs (e.g. Broombush).

Regional distribution and habitat

Click on a region below to view detailed distribution, habitat and vegetation information.

Threats

Loss of habitat as a result of clearing has led to a decline in species distribution and abundance
Population fragmentation, resulting from clearing or degradation of the habitat has reduced genetic variability and reproductive opportunities and has increased genetic isolation and the potential for significant impacts arising from stochastic events such as drought or fire.
Degradation of the habitat, as a result of inappropriate grazing or fire regimes, has resulted in changes to the physical nature of the habitat, for example change in diversity and structure of floristics or invertebrates. Changes to the habitat may result in it being unsuitable for the species or may increase other threatening processes such as predation.
Fire may cause the direct loss of individuals, and inappropriate fire regimes may cause long-term changes to physical features such as floristic structure or leaf litter, which is unfavourable to sustaining a viable population of the species and their prey.
Predation by foxes or cats may have an impact, particularly where populations have already declined.
Catastrophic events such as drought or extensive wildfire.
Anthropogenic climate change is a long term significant threat as it will alter physical characteristics of the habitat such that it is no longer able to sustain a viable population.
Interspecific competition, which is the displacement of one species by another usually as a result of a change in habitat features.
Little is known about the species' population or geographic extent throughout the region.
Goats change understorey structure via browsing, reducing habitat suitability.

Recovery strategies

A targeted strategy for managing this species has been developed under the Saving Our Species program; click here for details. For more information on the Saving Our Species program click here

Activities to assist this species

Control of vertebrate pest populations - in particular goats, but also foxes, cats and rabbits, which either prey on, or compete against this species for resources.
Instil appropriate fire regime so as to not burn all habitat and food sources within a region at one time, and to promote natural succession.
Reduce stock intensity of, or exclude grazing in, some areas to allow regeneration of vegetation for habitat, food sources or nest sites.
Restrict cultivation around suitable ground habitat.
Retention of stick and leaf litter for food and shelter.
Retention of understorey shrubs.
Retain fallen logs and other ground debris as food sources and shelter.
Maintain Triodia (spinifex or porcupine grass) in the area.
Prevent clearing of habitat such as nesting sites and food sources.

IBRA Bioregion	IBRA Subregion	Known or predicted	Geographic restrictions region

Cobar Peneplain	Barnato Downs	Predicted	None
Cobar Peneplain	Nymagee	Known	None
Murray Darling Depression	Darling Depression	Known	None
Murray Darling Depression	South Olary Plain	Known	None
Other State	SA	Known	None
Other State	VIC	Known	None