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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click here to see geographic restrictions).
The information presented in this map is only indicative and may contain errors and omissions.
Scientific name: Drymodes brunneopygia
Profile last updated:
01 Dec 2017
Description
The Southern Scrub-robin is a medium-sized (19 - 22 centimetres) ground-dwelling thrush-like bird. The head and upperparts are dull grey-brown, and the throat and underparts pale brown with a paler belly. The base of the long tail, which is sometimes held cocked or irregularly flicked, is bright rufous becoming darker along its length and ending with a white tip. The wing coverts are white tipped forming a double bar on the wing. The head is distinctively marked with a pale rear eye-ring and a vertical black eye mark surround the large dark eye. The beak and long legs (reflecting the terrestrial lifestyle) are black. Sexes are alike although the female is distinctly smaller. The only other species that it possibly could be confused with, the Chestnut Quail-thrush, is larger, has a different posture (mainly due to much shorter legs) and very different plumage and head patterns. Usually encountered singly or in pairs, it is often very shy and difficult to observe. However, it can often be detected by its loud calls, and during the breeding season it regularly calls from an elevated perch.
Distribution
This species is restricted to mallees and shrublands across southern Australia and in NSW is confined to two main areas. The first is in central NSW and is centred on Round Hill and Nombinnie Nature Reserves, though suitable habitat probably exists on adjoining leasehold lands. This population once extended south and east to near Griffith and West Wyalong, but clearing appears to have led to its local extinction in most of this region. The final record from The Charcoal Tank NR was in 1993, while in Pulletop NR it has not been observed since 1982. The other population occurs in the far south west of NSW, mainly within the Scotia mallee centred on Tarawi NR and Scotia Sanctuary. Records east of the Darling River are more scattered, with recent confirmation in Mallee Cliffs NP, and a new population recently detected on leasehold land to the north of Euston. Other populations may still occur in other areas of mallee, particularly those with a well developed shrub layer in the south west corner of the state.
Habitat and ecology
- Inhabits mallee and acacia scrub, particularly with dense sub-shrubs in the understorey, including Broombush and other dry shrubs.
- Occupies vegetation with a post fire age of 4-80 years, but is most abundant in areas with a post fire age of 26-40 years as dependent on a well-developed shrub layer.
- Forages around the base of mallee trees and on the ground beneath shrubs for ground- and litter-dwelling invertebrates, with certain ant species dominating.
- Constructs a shallow cup-shaped nest of twigs, bark and grass, which is normally located on the ground and usually concealed in the shelter of a tree, shrub or fallen branch. This species usually has a clutch of only one egg.
Regional distribution and habitat
Click on a region below to view detailed distribution, habitat and vegetation information.
Threats
- Loss of habitat due to clearing has led to a decline in distribution and abundance.
- Loss of habitat and fragmentation from land clearing on western leasehold lands.
- Degradation of the habitat, a result of inappropriate grazing or fire regimes, may result in changes to the physical and biological nature of the habitat (e.g., changes in the structure and floristics of vegetation, diversity and abundance of invertebrates). These changes may render habitat unsuitable or increase the risk posed by other threatening processes (e.g., predation).
- Risk of large-scale intensive wildlife burning significant areas of habitat, particularly during prolonged drought periods; as well as too infrequent fire impacting habitat suitability.
- Likely predation of individuals and nests by cats and foxes, particularly if shelter is limited after fire.
- Anthropogenic climate change is a long term threat as it may alter habitat characteristics (e.g., change in physical structure or productivity) such that its capacity to support viable populations is reduced.
- Overgrazing and browsing from both domestic stock (e.g. Dorper and Merino sheep) and goats (both feral and commercial) impacting habitat structure, condition, and resources for foraging and breeding. This threat is exacerbated after fire and during drought periods.
- Overgrazing and browsing from feral goats impacting habitat structure, condition, and resources for foraging and breeding. This threat is exacerbated after fire and during drought periods.
- Lack of knowledge of abundance, distribution and densities.
- Lack of knowledge of threats such as grazing and fire.
- Mallee and Broombush harvesting degrading Southern Scrub-robin habitat
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
- Control vertebrate pest populations (e.g., foxes, cats and rabbits) which prey on the species, degrade habitat, or compete for resources.
- Implement appropriate fire regime so as to not burn all habitat and food resources within a locality at one time and to promote natural succession.
- Reduce stocking intensity or exclude grazing in some areas to allow regeneration of vegetation and improve habitat quality (e.g. shelter, food and nest resources).
- Retention of stick and leaf litter.
- Retain understorey shrubs and allow them to complete their life cycle (i.e., seed set, germination, establishment, growth to maturity).
- Retain fallen logs and ground debris.
Information sources
- 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)
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