White-browed Treecreeper population in Carrathool local government area south of the Lachlan River and Griffith local government area - 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: Climacteris affinis - endangered population

Conservation status in NSW: Endangered Population

Commonwealth status: Not listed

Gazetted date: 06 Dec 2002

Profile last updated: 01 Dec 2017

Description

A small, dark treecreeper. It differs from the somewhat similar Brown Treecreeper in having boldly streaked ear-coverts and underparts. Call is also a useful way of distinguishing the two species, with the White-browed described as thin insect-like calls compared to the frequent loud 'spink' calls of the Brown.

Distribution

In NSW, occupies a broad area of western NSW, west from a line from Balranald to Lake Cargelligo then Lightning Ridge. The species appears absent in the far north west of the state with no records occurring west of a line from Broughams Gate, 100km northwest of Broken Hill to Hungerford. A small population, now recognised as isolated, occurs in Carrathool local government area south of the Lachlan River and Griffith local government areas.

Habitat and ecology

Occurs in a range of semi-arid and arid tall shrublands and woodlands across the southern half of Australia. In NSW, the species occupies a variety of habitats including Mulga, Brigalow, Gidgee, Belah, Buloke and White Cypress. The species may also occur in habitats adjacent to those detailed above, including Coolibah, River Red Gum and Black Box.
Occur singularly, in pairs and occasionally in small family groups numbering five or fewer.
Forage arboreally in shrubs and on tree trunks and branches. It will also feed on the ground through litter and fallen branches and across bare ground. The species has an insectivorous diet, which is dominated by ants. Other insects and spiders are also taken and the diet may include vegetation such as chenopod fruit.

Regional distribution and habitat

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

Threats

Past overclearing of habitat resulting in fragmentation of remnants, has been the main cause of decline of this population although ongoing decline in habitat quality is currently the major threatening process.
Grazing by stock, sheep and cattle preventing tree regeneration and modifying habitat structure through limiting understorey growth
Habitat loss due to the removal of habitat items that the species depends on for foraging, feeding and nesting including removal of fallen timber and dead trees for firewood.
Browsing by feral goats
Uncertainty of future land management practices (e.g. on farms, roadsides, travelling stock routes), which could limit access or on-ground conservation
Loss of habitat from clearing due to agricultural activities, including cropping.

Recovery strategies

A Saving Our Species conservation project is currently being developed for this species and will be available soon. For information on how you can contribute to this species' recovery, see the Activities to assist this species section below.

Activities to assist this species

Reduce stock intensity of, or exclude grazing in, some areas to allow regeneration of vegetation for habitat, such as food sources or nest sites, for this species.
Restrict cultivation around suitable ground habitat.
Retention of understorey shrubs continuing their complete life cycle.
Prevent clearing of habitat such as nesting sites and food sources.

Information sources

Higgins, P.J., Peter, J.M. and Steele, W.K. (eds) (2001) Handbook of Australian, New Zealand and Antarctic Birds. Volume 5: Tyrant-flycatchers to Chats. (Oxford University Press, Melbourne)
NSW Scientific Committee (2002) White-browed Treecreeper population, Carrathool - Endangered population determination - final.
Radford, J.Q. and Bennett, A.F. (2004) Thresholds in landscape parameters: occurrence of the white-browed treecreeper Climacteris affinis in Victoria, Australia. Biological Conservation 117(4): 375-391
Schodde, R. and Mason, I.J. (1999) The Directory of Australian Birds. (CSIRO Publishing, Melbourne)

IBRA Bioregion	IBRA Subregion	Known or predicted	Geographic restrictions region

Cobar Peneplain	Lachlan Plains	Known	None
Murray Darling Depression	Darling Depression	Predicted	None
NSW South Western Slopes	Lower Slopes	Known	None
Riverina	Lachlan	Known	None
Riverina	Murrumbidgee	Predicted	None