Register      Login
Emu Emu Society
Journal of BirdLife Australia
Shopping Cart: ( empty )
You are here: Home > Journals > MU > MU08005
RESEARCH ARTICLE
Contents Vol 108(3)

Where exactly do ground-foraging woodland birds forage? Foraging sites and microhabitat selection in temperate woodlands of southern Australia

Mark J. Antos A B , Andrew F. Bennett A and John G. White A
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Landscape Ecology Research Group, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University, 221 Burwood Highway, Burwood, Vic. 3125, Australia.

B Present address: Research Branch, Parks Victoria, Level 10, 535 Bourke Street, Melbourne, Vic. 3000, Australia. Email: mantos@parks.vic.gov.au

Emu 108(3) 201-211 https://doi.org/10.1071/MU08005
Submitted: 7 February 2008  Accepted: 28 May 2008   Published: 8 August 2008

Abstract

Bird assemblages in woodlands of southern Australia are characterised by a high proportion of ground-foraging species, many of which are experiencing population declines. We examined the foraging sites of 13 species of ground-foraging birds, including four common species and nine declining species, in four study areas representing different woodland types. Microhabitat features were recorded within a 3-m radius of observed foraging points and compared with random points. Significant differences between foraging and random plots were detected for all but one species, clearly indicating selection for foraging habitat. However, levels of dissimilarity between foraging and random plots were low, suggesting that much of the woodland study area is suitable for foraging. Microhabitat features of particular importance for multiple species were a low density of trees and shrubs, a high cover of native herbs, and fallen timber on the ground. Sites amidst dense trees tended not to be used. Several species had more particular requirements, such as the Diamond Firetail (Stagonopleura guttata) for grass cover and the White-winged Chough (Corcorax melanorhamphos) for litter cover. There was no evidence that declining species showed a greater degree of selection or were more restricted in the availability of foraging microhabitats than common species. Several of the key attributes of preferred foraging sites, such as tree density, can be actively managed at the local scale. A heterogeneous ground layer is needed to provide suitable foraging habitat for the full suite of ground-foraging birds. Achieving suitable heterogeneity in present-day woodlands will require careful and active management of various disturbance processes.


Acknowledgements

Logistical and financial support for this research were provided by the School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University. We are also grateful for financial support provided by the Holsworth Wildlife Research Endowment, the Birds Australia Stuart Leslie Research Fund and Birds Australia’s Vicgroup Research Fund. We thank several anonymous referees for comments that helped clarify aspects of the manuscript.


References

Andrew, N. , Rodgerson, L. , and York, A. (2000). Frequent fuel reduction burning: the role of logs and associated leaf litter in the conservation of ant biodiversity. Austral Ecology 25, 99–107.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | Bennett A., Brown G., Lumsden L., Hespe D., Krasna S., and Silins J. (1998). ‘Fragments for the Future: Wildlife in the Victorian Riverina (the Northern Plains).’ (Department of Natural Resources and Environment: Melbourne.)

Bromham, L. , Cardillo, M. , Bennett, A. F. , and Elgar, M. (1999). Effects of stock grazing on the ground invertebrate fauna of woodland remnants. Australian Journal of Ecology 24, 199–207.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | Clarke K. R., and Warwick R. M. (1994). ‘Change in Marine Communities: An Approach to Statistical Analysis and Interpretation.’’ (Plymouth Marine Laboratory: Plymouth, UK.)

Cousin J. A. (2003). Foraging ecology and habitat selection of the Western Yellow Robin (Eopsaltria griseogularis) in a Wandoo woodland, Western Australia: conservation ecology of a declining species. M.Sc.(Environmental Management) Thesis, Edith Cowan University, Perth, WA.

Cousin, J. A. (2004). Pounce site characteristics of the Western Yellow Robin Eopsaltria griseogularis: the importance of assessing foraging microhabitat. Pacific Conservation Biology 10, 21–27.
DNRE (2001). Mid-Murray Forest Management Area Proposed Forest Management Plan. Department of Natural Resources and Environment, Melbourne.

ECC (1997). Box–Ironbark forests and woodlands investigation resources and issues report. Environment Conservation Council, Melbourne.

Ford, H. A. , Noske, S. , and Bridges, L. (1986). Foraging of birds in eucalypt woodlands in north-eastern New South Wales. Emu 86, 168–179.
Higgins P. J., and Peter J. M. (Eds) (2002). ‘Handbook of Australian, New Zealand and Antarctic Birds. Vol. 6: Pardalotes to Shrike-thrushes.’ (Oxford University Press: Melbourne.)

Higgins P. J., Peter J. M., and Steele W. K. (Eds) (2001). ‘Handbook of Australian, New Zealand and Antarctic Birds. Vol. 5: Tyrant-flycatchers to Chats.’ (Oxford University Press: Melbourne.)

Imbeau, L. , and Desrochers, A. (2002). Foraging ecology and use of drumming trees by Three-toed Woodpeckers. Journal of Wildlife Management 66, 222–231.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | LCC (1983). Report on the Murray Valley Area. Land Conservation Council, Melbourne.

Luck, G. , Charmantier, A. , and Ezanno, P. (2001). Seasonal landscape differences in the foraging behaviour of the rufous treecreeper Climacteris rufa. Pacific Conservation Biology 7, 9–20.
McIntyre S., McIvor J. G., and Heard K. M. (Eds) (2002). ‘Managing and Conserving Grassy Woodlands.’ (CSIRO Publishing: Melbourne.)

Morcom L. (1990). Terrick Terrick State Park draft resources inventory and draft interim management guidelines. Department of Conservation, Forests and Lands, Bendigo.

Morris, A. J. , Whittingham, M. J. , Bradbury, R. B. , Wilson, J. D. , Kyrkos, A. , Buckingham, D. L. , and Evans, A. D. (2001). Foraging habitat selection by yellowhammers (Emberiza citrinella) nesting in agriculturally contrasting regions in lowland England. Biological Conservation 101, 197–210.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | Parks Victoria (2004). Terrick Terrick National Park management plan. Parks Victoria, Melbourne.

Read, J. L. (1994). The diet of three species of firetail finches in temperate South Australia. Emu 94, 1–8.
Recher H. F., and Holmes R. T. (1985). Foraging ecology and seasonal patterns of abundance in a forest avifauna. In ‘Birds of Eucalypt Forests and Woodlands: Ecology, Conservation, Management’. (Eds A. Keast, H. F. Recher, H. Ford and D. Saunders.) pp. 79–96. (Surrey Beatty: Sydney.)

Recher, H. F. , and Lim, L. (1990). A review of the current ideas of extinction, conservation and management of Australia’s terrestrial vertebrate fauna. Proceedings of the Ecological Society of Australia 16, 287–301.
Reid J. R. W. (1999). Threatened and declining birds in the New South Wales sheep-wheat belt: 1. Diagnosis, characteristics and management. Consultancy report to NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service. CSIRO Wildlife and Ecology, Canberra.

Robinson, D. (1992). Habitat use and foraging behaviour of the scarlet robin and the flame robin at a site of breeding-season sympatry. Wildlife Research 19, 377–395.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | Robinson D. (1994). Research plan for threatened woodland birds of southeastern Australia. Arthur Rylah Institute for Environmental Research Technical Report Series No. 133. Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Melbourne.

Robinson, D. , and Traill, B. J. (1996). Conserving woodland birds in the wheat and sheep belts of southern Australia. Wingspan 6, 1–16.Suppl.
Wiens J. A. (1994). ‘The Ecology of Bird Communities. Vol. 1: Foundations and Patterns.’ (Cambridge University Press: Cambridge, UK.)

Wooller, R. D. , and Calver, M. C. (1981). Feeding segregation within an assemblage of small birds in the Karri forest understorey. Australian Wildlife Research 8, 401–410.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Yates, C. J. , and Hobbs, R. J. (1997). Temperate eucalypt woodlands: a review of their status, processes threatening their persistence and techniques for restoration. Australian Journal of Botany 45, 949–973.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Yates, C. J. , Norton, D. A. , and Hobbs, R. J. (2000). Grazing effects on plant cover, soil and microclimate in fragmented woodlands in south-western Australia: implications for restoration. Austral Ecology 25, 36–47.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |