Birds that are endemic to islands are especially vulnerable to extinction. There are 16 birds that only occur on Kangaroo Island. The 2019–20 bushfires severely impacted these birds’ populations and habitats, and thus their ability to survive.
Key points
- Almost 50% of Kangaroo Island was burned in the 2019–20 bushfires
- 2 of the 4 species for which Kangaroo Island was a stronghold are now endangered
- 9 of Kangaroo Island’s 16 endemic subspecies are listed as threatened
- Species recovery may take many years
Recovery of Kangaroo Island’s birds after the bushfires
Habitat loss on Kangaroo Island was assessed immediately after the fires, with bird surveys conducted in the fire scar to gain an understanding of its impacts and to guide on-ground recovery actions and planning.
Birdlife Australia’s Kangaroo Island Bushfire Recovery Project works with communities to help the island’s birds recover, especially endemic subspecies.
This has involved:
- Engaging communities about the impacts of the fires on the island’s special birds and training them to conduct long-term surveys
- Better understanding the ecology, distribution and conservation status of threatened birds on Kangaroo Island
- Advocating to protect threatened Kangaroo Island birds and their habitats
A White-browded (Spotted) Scrubwren Foraging in burn on Kangaroo Island. Photographed by: Tom Hunt
A White-browded (Spotted) Scrubwren Foraging in burn on Kangaroo Island. Photographed by: Tom HuntDriving birds’ recovery on Kangaroo Island
The Kangaroo Island Bushfire Recovery Project is driving the recovery of the island’s birds, raising their profile in the community by:
- Rapid Response – Immediately surveying the fire scar, identifying at-risk species
- Community bird surveys – Establishing c.100 survey sites across the island; surveys help monitor bird recovery, contributing data for conservation action
- Community engagement – Workshops, training and education material raise awareness and community involvement in bird surveys. Local students showcased endemic birds in a mosaic for the KI Sculpture Trail
- Research – A pilot radiotracking project helps us to better understand post-fire behaviour and ecology of the island’s key threatened birds
- Advocacy – Thanks to our species assessments, 8 more endemic subspecies were added to the Threatened Species list
This project is funded by donations from the Australian Communities Foundation, the Wood Foundation, the Letcombe Trust, the Suzanne Elliott Charitable Trust and through donations to BirdLife Australia’s bushfire appeal.