Australian Brush-turkeys in a Suburban Environment: Implications for Conflict and Conservation

Abstract

Although frequently reported from within the Brisbane city boundaries, the range of the Australian brush-turkey, Alectura lathami, was limited mainly to forested areas adjacent to suburban areas. Since the early 1970s, however, the species' presence in the suburbs has increased steadily and it is now common in many suburbs. Destruction and disruption of gardens during the construction of incubation mounds has led to a significant conflict with householders. This study found the species to be most abundant in suburbs adjacent to forest reserves and major watercourses. A number of extremely isolated populations were also identified. Although suburban mounds contained similar numbers of eggs as mounds from the wild, suburban mounds were more prone to failure, probably due to the use of inappropriate mound materials. Despite some evidence of increasing spread within the suburbs, the long-term survival of the species is seriously threatened by hatchling predation and continued loss of habitat.