Indicative distribution
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.
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The information presented in this map is only indicative and may contain errors and omissions.
Scientific name: Dasyornis brachypterus
Gazetted date:
31 Jan 1997
Profile last updated:
12 Sep 2024
Description
Eastern Bristlebirds are medium-sized, long-tailed, brown and rufous birds. They are shy and cryptic and mostly occur in dense, coastal vegetation. Although secretive, they are occasionally seen scampering across open clearings and are easily located by their loud, melodic song and a harsh, sharp alarm-call. The plumage of the Eastern Bristlebird is dull brownish above and lighter grey below, with rufous wings. The tail comprises about half the bird’s total length of 21 cm and may appear to be distinctively frayed. The wings are very short and rounded. The legs are long and strong. The face is paler and the eye is bright red. The strong ‘bristles’ at the base of the bill can be seen at close range. Given good views, this species should be distinctive, though given their cryptic nature they may be confused with the Rufous Scrub-bird (Atrichornis rufescens), Pilotbird (Pycnoptilus floccosus) or even juvenile Eastern Whipbirds (Psophodes olivaceus).
Distribution
The distribution of the Eastern Bristlebird has contracted to three disjunct areas of south-eastern Australia. There are three main populations: Northern - southern Queensland/northern NSW, Central - Barren Ground NR, Budderoo NR, Woronora Plateau, Jervis Bay NP, Booderee NP and Beecroft Peninsula and Southern - Nadgee NR and Croajingalong NP in the vicinity of the NSW/Victorian border. The estimated population size is less than 2000 individuals occupying a total area of about 120 sq km. There are now only four populations in the southern Queensland/northern NSW area with a total of 35 birds, compared to 15 years ago when 14 populations and 154 birds were recorded. This population once extended as far south as at least Dorrigo and has recently been identified as a separate ultrataxon (monoides) but further research is being undertaken to determine the validity of this. The remaining populations are the nominate ultrataxon (brachypterus) and once extended at least to what is now the Sydney urban area. The central population comprises an estimated 1600 birds, mainly from Barren Grounds Nature Reserve, Budderoo National Park and the Jervis Bay area. The southern population in Nadgee Nature Reserve and Howe's Flat is around 200 birds. Further surveys are required in parts of Ben Boyd National Park and Sydney Catchment Authority lands to determine whether further populations of the Eastern Bristlebird occur in these areas.
Habitat and ecology
- Habitat for central and southern populations is characterised by dense, low vegetation including heath and open woodland with a heathy understorey. In northern NSW the habitat occurs in open forest with dense tussocky grass understorey and sparse mid-storey near rainforest ecotone; all of these vegetation types are fire prone.
- Age of habitat since fires (fire-age) is of paramount importance to this species. The Illawarra and southern populations reach maximum densities in habitat that has not been burnt for at least 15 years; however, habitat in northern NSW requires frequent fires to maintain habitat condition and suitability. The northern fire regimes is between 3-6 years and of variable intensity depending on the habitat condition.
- Shy and cryptic and rarely flies, although can be seen scampering over the ground; when approached, may move to a lookout perch 1 m or more above the ground, then retreat into dense vegetation.
- Feeds on a variety of insects, particularly ants.
- Nests are elliptical domes constructed on or near the ground amongst dense vegetation.
- Two eggs are laid during August to February; producing more than one clutch a year is rare, and recruitment into the population is low.
- Males are strongly territorial
Regional distribution and habitat
Click on a region below to view detailed distribution, habitat and vegetation information.
Threats
- Inappropriate fire regimes are a major threat to eastern bristlebird populations. A lack of frequent fires is the major threat to the northern population and too frequent fires are a threat to the central and southern populations.
- Invasion of habitat by weeds such as bitou bush in the central population habitat, and Lantana, crofton weed and mist flowers in the northern population habitat poses a significant threat.
- Eastern bristlebirds are prone to fox predation after wildfire events in the central and southern populations.
- Habitat loss and fragmentation from land being cleared for agricultural and residential developments is a threat in parts of the range of the species, particularly in the Jervis Bay area of the central population. The resultant fragmentation and isolation of populations may adversely affect the species because of their small size which makes them susceptible to catastrophic events and localised extinction.
- Individuals are killed on roads in the Jervis Bay area of the central population.
- Increase in encroachment of woody shrubs and trees into grassy ecosystems for northern population due to effect of enhanced levels of carbon dioxide. Increased carbon dioxide levels promote woody plants through C3 photosynthesis and increased rates of photosynthesis.
- Heavy and sustained grazing pressure by livestock and trampling of habitat can be a threat to the northern population through loss of structure and density of tussock grasses.
- The very restricted size and distribution of the northern population makes it susceptible to local extinction via stochastic processes.
- Extensive and intense fire is a major threat to the central and southern populations and a threat to the northern population. Eastern bristlebirds are semi-flightless and it is expected that few individuals would survive an intense fire event.
- Eastern bristlebirds may be prone to cat predation after wildfire events.
- Dieback disease due to Phytophthora fungus may pose a potential threat to the heathy habitats of the southern and central populations.
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
- Implement fire management strategies that enhance habitat for the Eastern Bristlebird. For the southern and central populations: if hazard reduction burning is necessary it should be carried out in a mosaic pattern at a frequency of no less than 10-15 years . Ecological asset protection burns may also be necessary to protect large amounts of habitat from too-frequent and intense fire events. Ensure that personnel planning and undertaking hazard reduction burns are able to identify the species and are aware of its habitat.
- Establish a captive breeding and release program for the northern population including the collection of eggs/chicks from the wild as per the recovery plan.
- Implement fire management strategies that enhance habitat for the Eastern Bristlebird.For the northern population a frequent fire regime of between 3-6 years is required and should include ecological and asset protection burns. Ensure that personnel planning and undertaking hazard reduction burns are able to identify the species and are aware of its habitat.
- For northern population, undertake control of Lantana, Crofton Weed and other invasive weeds and encroaching shrub species pre and post fire
- Support private landholders in the Border Ranges to protect, manage and enhance habitat and bristlebirds on their properties
- Prevent and suppress fire in southern and central population habitats. Conduct habitat management burns for nothern population at a frequency of every 3-6 years.
- Continue to control Bitou Bush, Lantana, Crofton Weed and other invasive weeds that pose a threat to Eastern Bristlebird habitats.
- In the event of a large-scale fire for southern and central populions: undertake fox control immediately after fire to reduce impact on Eastern Bristlebirds and other ground-dwelling fauna.
- Undertake research into the fire regimes required to maintain and enhance habitat in the grassy open forests in northern NSW/QLD
- For the northern population after an intense fire or wildfire more frequent ecological fires at less than 3 years may be required to control shrub/acacia recruitment triggered by the fire event.
- Ensure that full consideration is given in the assessment and mitigation of potential impacts to the Eastern Bristlebird from developments in or near known or potential habitat.
- Raise driver awareness through road signs about the presence of Eastern Bristlebirds.
- Liaise with landholders to encourage sustainable stock grazing pressure in Eastern Bristlebird habitat to maintain habitat structure and density.
- Continue the long-term population and vegetation monitoring for all three main NSW populations.
- Implement the national recovery plan
- Complete genetic studies to determine whether northern and southern populations are genetically similar or not.
- Determine locations of Eastern Bristlebird populations and prepare maps of known and potential habitats. Use this mapping to assign Environmental Protection Zones for important habitats and connective areas.
- Undertake translocation of birds from Bhewerre Peninsula to the Beecroft Peninsula. Consider further translocations of other populations in the future.
Information sources
- Bain, D. and McPhee, N. (1999) The Eastern Bristlebird – A survey for the endangered species in south-east NSW. Report to NSW NPWS.
- Baker, J. (1996) Strategy for conservation and management of the Ground Parrot and Eastern Bristlebird populations at Nadgee Nature Reserve, NSW Jervis Bay National Park and Beecroft Peninsula. Consultant's report to NSW NPWS & ANCA.
- Baker, J. (1997) The decline, response to fire, status and management of the Eastern Bristlebird. Pacific Conservation Biology 3: 235-243.
- Baker, J. (2000) The Eastern Bristlebird: cover-dependent and fire-sensitive. Emu 100: 286-298.
- Higgins, P.J. and Peter, J.M. (eds.) (2002) Handbook of Australian, New Zealand and Antarctic Birds. Volume 6: Pardalotes to shrike-thrushes. (Oxford University Press, Melbourne)
- NSW Scientific Committee (1997) Eastern Bristlebird - Endangered species determination - final. DEC (NSW), Sydney.
- Rohweder, D.A. (2000) Assessment of Eastern Bristlebird (Dasyornis brachypterus) habitat, northern New South Wales – vegetation structure and floristics. Report prepared by Sandpiper Ecological Surveys for NSW NPWS.
- Rohweder, D.A. (2000) Population census for Eastern Bristlebird (Dasyornis brachypterus) in northern New South Wales. Report prepared by Sandpiper Ecological Surveys for NSW NPWS.
- Rohweder, D.A. (2002) Population census for Eastern Bristlebird (Dasyornis brachypterus) in northern New South Wales - Spring 2001. Unpublished consultant's report for NSW NPWS.
- Rohweder, D.A. (2003) Population census for Eastern Bristlebird (Dasyornis brachypterus) in northern New South Wales - Spring 2002. Unpublished consultant's report for NSW NPWS.
- Schodde, R. and Mason, I.J. (1999) The Directory of Australian Birds. (CSIRO Publishing, Melbourne)
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