The role of conservation translocations in the recovery of the endangered Djimaalap/noisy scrub-bird (Atrichornis clamosus): from Two Peoples Bay Nature Reserve and back

Sarah Comer; Alan Danks; Abby Berryman; Saul Cowen; Allan H. Burbidge; Graeme T. Smith

doi:10.1071/PC25017

RESEARCH ARTICLE (Open Access)

Next Contents Vol 31(3)

The role of conservation translocations in the recovery of the endangered Djimaalap/noisy scrub-bird (Atrichornis clamosus): from Two Peoples Bay Nature Reserve and back

Sarah Comer

^A ^* , Alan Danks

^A ^B , Abby Berryman ^A , Saul Cowen

^C , Allan H. Burbidge

^C and Graeme T. Smith ^D ^†

+ Author Affiliations

- Author Affiliations

^A Western Australian Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, Parks and Wildlife Service, 120 Albany Highway, Albany, WA 6330, Australia.

^B Albany, WA 6330, Australia.

^C Western Australian Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, Biodiversity and Conservation Science, Locked Bag 104, Bentley Delivery Centre, Perth, WA 6983, Australia.

^D Formerly of CSIRO Division of Wildlife and Ecology, LMB No. 4, PO, Midland, WA 6056, Australia.

^* Correspondence to: sarah.comer@dbca.wa.gov.au

^† Graeme T. Smith, deceased June 1999. G. T. Smith joined the CSIRO in 1970 to continue research into the ecology of Djimaalap/noisy scrub-bird, and was an active member of the recovery team. Graeme made a significant contribution to literature on scrub-birds, and was a coauthor on an unpublished manuscript examining the removal of scrub-birds from Two Peoples Bay between 1983 and 1987.

Handling Editor: Mike Calver

Pacific Conservation Biology 31, PC25017 https://doi.org/10.1071/PC25017

Submitted: 11 March 2025 Accepted: 13 March 2025 Published: 22 April 2025

© 2025 The Author(s) (or their employer(s)). Published by CSIRO Publishing. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License (CC BY-NC-ND)

Abstract

Context

Djimaalap/noisy scrub-bird (Atrichornis clamosus) translocations between 1983 and 2018 have been a major management strategy for this cryptic semi-flightless songbird, which was once considered extinct.

Aims

We review 40 years of translocations, assessing the importance of Two Peoples Bay Nature Reserve, Western Australia as a source of founders, and the role of translocations in Djimaalap/noisy scrub-bird recovery.

Methods

An evaluation of translocation successes and failures and the impact of removing birds from the Two Peoples Bay population when it was the only possible source. Research into territorial song to explain the social structure of scrub-birds, population genetics, habitat suitability, and the implications of learnings for future translocations.

Key results

Translocation has been the major contributor to an increase in the population index and Area of Occupancy, although removal of birds from Two Peoples Bay may have contributed to scrub-bird declines in this area. A more conservative approach to translocations was developed using small initial numbers of founders. Impacts of the translocation program on the genetic diversity of the metapopulation appear not to be significant.

Conclusions

Conservation translocations have been instrumental in securing and conserving the Djimaalap/noisy scrub-bird, with considerable spatial expansion of the species range, in spite of significant bushfires impacting habitat.

Implications

With the likelihood of unplanned fire increasing, and climate change likely to modify habitat, maximising the number of geographically distinct populations remains a priority for the conservation of the Djimaalap/noisy scrub-bird.

Keywords: conservation translocation, Djimaalap, endangered, genetic bottlenecks, noisy scrub-bird, reintroductions, song groups, Two Peoples Bay.

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