Threatened Mallee Birds

Key points

• The Murray–Mallee region of Victoria, NSW and South Australia is prone to extensive fires that alter the structure of the habitat these species inhabit.
• In 2014, extensive fires wiped out key populations of the Black-eared Miner and Mallee Emu-wren, and affected other threatened species.
• The Mallee Birds Conservation Action Plan (CAP) was established to conserve eight nationally-listed species in the region.

The birds of the Mallee face many threats

There are several factors in the Mallee that threaten birds, such as:

• Fire: large-scale fires can drastically reduce the availability of suitable habitats, posing a serious threat to species that require long-unburnt habitats.
• Habitat destruction: extensive clearing of vegetation and changes in land use have significantly reduced the amount of available habitat, resulting in fragmented habitat supporting small, isolated populations.
• Overgrazing: grazing by kangaroos, rabbits, feral goats and livestock removes the understorey vegetation that many mallee birds need for shelter and food.
• Climate change: climate change is increasing the frequency and intensity of both fires and drought. In drought conditions, a burnt area takes longer to regenerate than during times of higher rainfall.

Finding solutions to save these birds

BirdLife Australia was instrumental in establishing the Threatened Mallee Birds Conservation Action Plan, which involves identifying and undertaking plans to save birds and their habitats in the Mallee. This includes:

• Mitigating the threats faced by these species
• Protecting existing populations from further decline
• Establishing new, viable populations across the Murray-Mallee where appropriate habitat is available

Conserving Mallee birds through our Threatened Mallee Birds Conservation Action Plan (CAP)

The Threatened Mallee Bird CAP outlines strategies and actions:

• Ensure the needs of threatened species are incorporated into fire-management planning
• Re-establish populations in reserves with suitable habitat in areas where the species previously occurred
• Work with land managers to strategically revegetate key areas that will help to reduce habitat fragmentation and, in time, increase available habitat
• Undertake research to address key gaps in knowledge about species’ ecology to improve management

Educating our children with the Mallee Birds Education Kit

BirdLife Australia has developed a Threatened Mallee Birds Education Kit. This Education Kit is based on the supporting resource, The Wing Thing: Threatened Mallee Birds, also published by BirdLife Australia.

The objective of the Education Kit is to improve students’ understanding of and appreciation for the eight nationally threatened birds in the Murray-Mallee region and their habitats, to encourage positive, student-led action.

Sign up to receive a copy of the Education Kit.