The Composition, Microhabitat Use and Response to Fire of the Avifauna of Subtropical Heathlands in Cooloola National Park, Queensland

Abstract

A total of 54 bird species was recorded in the subtropical heathlands of Cooloola National Park, Queensland.. The composition of the bird community and the numbers of birds present in any given heathland appeared to be dependent on the years since the last fire. Thirty-nine species were inconsistent users of the habitat. Some of these species were migrants while others were either irregular visitors occurring throughout the year or predictable visitors that take advantage of specific short-lived abundances of food (e.g. carrion after fires or the annual production of nectar or seeds). The longer a heathland was unburnt the smaller the number of inconsistent species recorded visiting that heathland. Of the 15 bird species consistently using the heathlands, 12 were breeding residents, including the Ground Parrot and Southern Emu-wren. The variable patterns of post-fire recolonisation exhibited by the consistent species was attributed to the changing structure of the preferred microhabitats and the availabilitv of food. A minimum seven to eight year fire-free interval is suggested if viable populations of most resident species are to be maintained.