Changes in status of South-east Queensland birds over 40 years – Part 6, bristlebird to bowerbirds

Eastern Bristlebird

Here is the sixth and final post discussing changes in the status and distribution of birds in South-East Queensland over 40 years between 1979 – when my booklet, The Birds of South-East Queensland, was published - and 2019. Some changes are doubtlessly influenced by an increased number of observers and technological advances (especially with playback) but many can not be explained by these factors. These posts cover only those species where a significant change has been noted over the intervening period. See here for Part 1 (emu to storm-petrels) and here for Part 2 (boobies to hawks); Part 3 (brush-turkey to terns) is here; Part 4 (pigeons to nightjars) can be found here; Part 5 (lyrebirds to emu-wren) is here.

Eastern Bristlebird. Listed as “rare” in 1979 and confined to montane heath and open forest glades adjacent to rainforest above 600m in the Border Ranges and at Cunningham's Gap. The bird was subsequently discovered in the mid-1980s in the Conondale Range, extending its range north. However, the Conondale Range population is now almost certainly extinct. It has also since disappeared from Cunningham's Gap and Spicer's Gap. Probably less than 20 bristlebirds survive in a couple of remote sites in the McPherson Range. Attempts to boost populations by releasing captive bred birds appear to have failed and the species is facing extinction in Queensland. Reasons for its demise include introduced predators and habitat mismanagement.

Western  Gerygone

Western Gerygone. In 1979 there was a single report from Esk which was unsubstantiated. There have since been a handful of confirmed sightings from the Lockyer Valley and the Murphys Creek area, and one bird turned up in Brisbane.

Fairy Gerygone

Fairy Gerygone. The species was considered “uncommon” in 1979 and restricted to northern parts of the region in areas such as Gin Gin and Round Hill Head. We know now that it occurs as far south as Bribie Island, with a single record from Brisbane. It is a not uncommon resident in suitable habitat around the Sunshine Coast and hinterland. This vocal gerygone would scarcely have been overlooked in these areas in the past, so it clearly has expanded its range southward.

Buff-rumped Thornbill. Thought to be “moderately common” in 1979, this is another species that likely has declined due to the destruction of its woodland habitat. It could best be regarded as uncommon and localised today.

Red-browed Treecreeper

Red-browed Treecreeper. In 1979 it was considered “moderately common” in wet sclerophyll forest at higher altitudes. Like several other birds at the northern end of their distribution in South-east Queensland, it has suffered a steep population decline; it may be the case that climate change is implicated in these declines. The treecreeper was once easy to find in the Blackall and Conondale ranges, for instance. It is now very rarely seen in that region and is gone from once reliable sites. The bird continues to frequent sites in the D'Aguilar and McPherson ranges where it has long been known but generally can be regarded today as scarce and localised.

Regent Honeyeater

Regent Honeyeater. The species was thought it to be “rare” in 1979 and that remains the case. However, while fair-sized flocks were once found occasionally in places like Storm King Dam, most records in recent years are individual vagrants in scattered sites including Ipswich, Rainbow Beach and Stanmore.

Black-throated Finch

Black-throated Finch. The race cincta was regarded as “rare” in 1979 in lightly wooded country, with records from the Gin Gin area. The bird is now almost certainly extinct in the region - another likely casualty of the clearing of woodland.

Nutmeg Mannikin

Nutmeg Mannikin. This introduced species was “common” in 1979 but it has declined significantly and is now uncommon and localised.

House Sparrow. An introduced bird that was “very common” in 1979. It remains moderately common locally these days but is much less numerous.

Common Starling. Another introduced species to have declined. It was “very common” in 1979 but is today much less numerous, being generally uncommon.

Common Mynah

Common Mynah. An introduced species that has increased substantially in numbers. It was thought to be “uncommon” in 1979, being largely restricted to northern parts of the region and the Lockyer Valley. It is today common and widespread throughout the region.

Satin Bowerbird. It was described as “common” in 1979. Although remaining moderately common at higher altitudes, today it is much less numerous in the foothills and lowlands, being scarce in many places where it was formerly common.

Satin Bowerbird