Initial Changes in the Avian Communities of Remnant Eucalypt Woodlands following a Reduction in the Abundance of Noisy Miners, Manorina melanocephala

1997 ◽  
Vol 24 (6) ◽  
pp. 631 ◽  
Author(s):  
Merilyn J. Grey ◽  
Michael F. Clarke ◽  
Richard H. Loyn
Keyword(s):  
Bird Species ◽  
Avian Diversity ◽  
Insectivorous Birds ◽  
Noisy Miner ◽  
North Eastern ◽  
Eucalypt Woodlands ◽  
Paired Control ◽  
Manorina Melanocephala ◽  
Abundance And Diversity ◽  
A Site

It has been postulated that aggressive honeyeaters like the noisy miner, Manorina melanocephala, may contribute to rural tree decline by excluding small insectivorous birds from remnant patches of woodland, thereby reducing the level of predation upon defoliating insects. Previous studies provide correlational evidence that avian diversity and abundance is lower in remnant patches of woodland occupied by noisy miners than in those without noisy miners. Noisy miners were removed from three small remnant patches of woodland in north-eastern Victoria. The removal of the majority of noisy miners from a site, or even the removal of only part of a noisy miner colony from a site, resulted in a major influx of honeyeaters and other insectivorous birds to these sites in the following three months. Such major invasions were not observed on matching control sites. At two of the three removal sites, this led to an increase in both the abundance and diversity of birds on the site. At the third site, there was an increase in the diversity, but not the abundance of birds. These experiments are the first to demonstrate that noisy miners affect avian diversity and abundance by aggressive exclusion of small birds. They also showed that if domination by noisy miners is reduced, small, degraded woodland remnants can support significant populations of some small insectivorous birds and honeyeaters. Noisy miners did not reinvade the experimental sites during the following 16 months and avian diversity and abundance remained higher at the experimental sites than at the paired control sites. Long-term monitoring is needed to determine whether the small invading bird species have a lasting effect upon insect populations and tree health.

Influence of the Noisy Miner Manorina melanocephala on avian diversity and abundance in remnant Grey Box woodland

1998 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 55 ◽  
Author(s):  
Merilyn J. Grey ◽  
Michael F. Clarke ◽  
Richard H. Loyn
Keyword(s):  
Bird Species ◽  
The Other ◽  
Avian Diversity ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Experimental Removal ◽  
Noisy Miner ◽  
Insect Infestations ◽  
Eucalypt Woodlands ◽  
Manorina Melanocephala ◽  
The One

The abundance of an aggressive Australian honeyeater, the Noisy Miner Manorina melanocephala, was reduced at four small (<8 ha) Grey Box Eucalyptus microcarpa woodland remnants by experimental removal. The diversity and abundance of small insectivorous and nectarivorous birds increased at three of the four sites (relative to matching control sites) over the twelve months following the removal of the Noisy Miners. The one exception occurred at a pair of sites where eucalypts began flowering at one site and finished at the other during the Noisy Miner removal period. These results, taken together with those from three earlier experiments where the abundance of Noisy Miners was reduced in Mugga Ironbark E. Sideroxylon woodland remnants, demonstrate that Noisy Miners affect avian diversity and abundance by aggressive exclusion of other species. In five out of seven experiments, Noisy Miners did not reinvade the small woodland remnants during the ensuing twelve months. When Noisy Miner abundance was reduced, increased populations of small insectivorous and nectarivorous birds used small degraded woodland remnants. Colonizing populations of small birds have the potential to reduce insect infestations and may assist in the recovery of dieback-affected woodland remnants. Research is continuing to test this hypothesis. Reducing the abundance of Noisy Miners in remnant eucalypt woodlands may also be a useful, short-term measure, which could assist in the recovery of threatened or endangered bird species.

Penetration of remnant edges by noisy miners (Manorina melanocephala) and implications for habitat restoration

2007 ◽  
Vol 34 (4) ◽  
pp. 253 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael F. Clarke ◽  
Joanne M. Oldland
Keyword(s):  
Penetration Depth ◽  
Habitat Restoration ◽  
Habitat Type ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Habitat Characteristics ◽  
Noisy Miner ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
Negative Effect ◽  
Manorina Melanocephala ◽  
A Site

The noisy miner (Manorina melanocephala) is a large, communally breeding colonial native honeyeater renowned for aggressively excluding virtually all other bird species from areas they occupy. In the woodlands of southern and eastern Australia, numerous studies have identified the domination of remnants by noisy miners as having a profound negative effect on woodland bird communities. Despite this, very little is known about the habitat characteristics that make domination of a site by noisy miners more likely. This study investigated the depth from edges that noisy miners penetrated into large woodland remnants (>48 ha) within Victoria and attempted to identify habitat characteristics that influenced the depth to which they penetrated. Penetration depth differed significantly across four broad habitat types but commonly ranged from 150 m to more than 300 m from the remnant edge. If noisy miners colonise a site, their capacity to penetrate in from a remnant edge has implications for the size that remnants need to be (>36 ha) to contain any core ‘noisy-miner-free’ habitat and the width that habitat corridors need to be to avoid domination by noisy miners (>600 m). Broad differences in habitat type and the abundance of noisy miners at a site were the most powerful predictors of penetration distance. The density of canopy trees on a site was the only other habitat variable contributing to the most parsimonious model of penetration depth. Decreasing density of trees was associated with increasing penetration depth by noisy miners.

The Influence of Proximity of Plantation Edge on Diversity and Abundance of bird species in an exotic pine plantation in north-eastern New South Wales

1991 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 299 ◽  
Author(s):  
GN Curry
Keyword(s):  
New South ◽  
Structural Characteristics ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Native Forest ◽  
Feeding Guild ◽  
South Wales ◽  
North Eastern ◽  
Plantation Life ◽  
Abundance And Diversity

Data were collected in summer and winter in a 15-year-old plantation of Pinus taeda, at Clouds Creek, north-eastern New South Wales. In summer, diversity and abundance of bird species declined over a distance of 900 m into the plantation. However, in winter this progressive decline in bird densities was limited to within the first 200 m of the plantation periphery. At greater distances into the plantation, the floristic and structural characteristics of the vegetation (including windrows) were of more importance than the proximity of the plantation edge in accounting for variations in the abundance and diversity of birds. Food for insectivorous birds (the dominant feeding guild) is probably restricted in the plantation because few local species of invertebrates are likely to be adapted to living on exotic pines; invertebrate mobility as well as abundance is probably less in winter, so that fewer invertebrates enter the plantation from adjacent native forest. Windrows are an important habitat feature contributing to the diversity and abundance of birds within plantations, probably serving as 'corridors' through the alien habitat of exotic pines, thus enabling birds to range further into plantations. For approximately 40 per cent of the plantation life cycle, the influence of proximity of plantation edge on diversity and abundance of bird species is probably of limited importance, particularly in winter. Reducing plantation size in order to increase the diversity and abundance of bird species is not realistic, because plantations would have to be very small. Instead, emphasis should be placed on increasing the structural and floristic diversity of plantations by creating a broad range of successional stages throughout the plantation complex, by enhancing the habitat value of windrows, and by retaining native vegetation within and near plantations.

Fragmentation in eucalypt woodlands promotes nest-tree occupancy by a despotic species, the noisy miner (Manorina melanocephala)

2016 ◽  
Vol 41 (8) ◽  
pp. 897-905 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ahmad Barati ◽  
Farzaneh Etezadifar ◽  
Paul G. McDonald
Keyword(s):  
Noisy Miner ◽  
Eucalypt Woodlands ◽  
Manorina Melanocephala

scholarly journals Bird monitoring in a tropical savanna conservation reserve suggests Noisy Miners Manorina melanocephala and adaptive fire management should be a future management focus

2021 ◽  
Vol 38 ◽  
pp. 131-136
Author(s):  
A.S. Kutt ◽  
◽  
L. Hales ◽  
P. Hales ◽  
P. Young ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Prescribed Burning ◽  
Fire Management ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Environmental Data ◽  
Survey Method ◽  
Bird Conservation ◽  
Tropical Savanna ◽  
Noisy Miner ◽  
Manorina Melanocephala ◽  
Over Time

Long-term monitoring of bird communities over time can provide important data for management, and the adaptation of that management over time. We examined data from bird surveys across 37 sites sampled in five different years from 2009 to 2017 in a 56,000-ha tropical savanna conservation reserve, in northern Queensland. Because of the limitations of the survey method and the lack of environmental data for sites, we examined broad patterns in the abundance of small- and large-bodied birds, abundance of Noisy Miners Manorina melanocephala, land type, survey year, and time since last fire. There was some variation in bird species richness and abundance across the land types, years sampled and Noisy Miner abundance; however, the clearest pattern was decreasing numbers of small-bodied birds and increasing Noisy Miner abundance, and an association between time since fire (i.e. <3 years, >5 years), Noisy Miner abundance and diversity in other birds. The apparent and potentially compounding interaction of Noisy Miners and fire could be an emerging problem. Future fire management needs to be embedded in a program of targeted question-driven monitoring and adaptive management, to provide more assured approaches to prescribed burning that enhances bird conservation.

The distribution and frequency of detection of woodland birds after selective logging of a small woodland remnant in an agricultural landscape in inland southern Australia

2020 ◽  
Vol 40 (4) ◽  
pp. 529-547
Author(s):  
Michael J. Murphy
Keyword(s):  
Agricultural Landscape ◽  
Landscape Connectivity ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Selective Logging ◽  
Woodland Birds ◽  
Bird Populations ◽  
Noisy Miner ◽  
Manorina Melanocephala ◽  
Eucalypt Woodland ◽  
Surrounding Landscape

The majority of studies into the response of birds to logging in Australian forests has been done in forest-dominated landscapes or relatively large forest blocks, where the surrounding landscape can ameliorate impacts. This is the first study to examine the response of birds to logging of a small, relatively isolated woodland remnant in a landscape dominated by agriculture, with a focus on declining woodland birds. Approximately two thirds of a 120 ha cypress-eucalypt woodland remnant was selectively logged. Eighty bird species in total were recorded 2–3½ years after logging, including 18 recognised as declining woodland birds. Sixty-four species were recorded in the unlogged area and 72 in the logged area. Of the 31 species recorded sufficiently frequently for analysis, 19 showed no statistical difference in occurrence between logged and unlogged areas at the power of the study, nine were more prevalent in unlogged areas and three more prevalent in logged areas. Declining woodland birds comprised 22½% of overall species and 33% of those more prevalent in unlogged areas. Mapping of records enabled the response of a subset of species to be examined in greater detail. Four species illustrate the range of responses by declining woodland birds: Eastern Yellow Robin Eopsaltria australis was confined to unlogged areas, White-browed Babbler Pomatostomus superciliosus favoured unlogged areas, Varied Sittella Daphoenositta chrysoptera favoured proximity to unlogged areas and Red-capped Robin Petroica goodenovii was widely distributed in both logged and unlogged areas. The likelihood of recovery of local woodland bird populations is discussed in the context of limited landscape connectivity and the recent colonisation of the remnant by the hyper-aggressive Noisy Miner Manorina melanocephala. White-browed Babbler and Eastern Yellow Robin are considered to be at high risk of local extinction in the remnant.

Models of the distribution and abundance of ground-dwelling mammals in the eucalypt forests of north-eastern New South Wales in relation to environmental variables

2002 ◽  
Vol 29 (3) ◽  
pp. 313 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. C. Catling ◽  
R. J. Burt ◽  
R. I. Forrester
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Variables ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Slope Position ◽  
Slope Aspect ◽  
Significant Variable ◽  
South Wales ◽  
North Eastern ◽  
Eucalypt Forests ◽  
A Site

Statistical models are presented of the distribution and abundance of ground-dwelling mammals in eucalypt forests in relation to environmental variables within an area of approximately 24 000 km2 in north-eastern New South Wales. Environmental variables are defined as climatic or topographic variables that may be useful to map the distribution of fauna. The environmental variables examined were season, temperature, rainfall, elevation, lithology, steepness of slope, position on slope, aspect and landform profile. The probability of recording some species was higher in spring than autumn and many species were in highest abundance in areas of low temperature (high elevation). Although aspect was a significant variable in a number of models, no species was absent from any aspect category. Mid-slopes down to and including creeks and drainage lines were particularly important for many species, as were areas with flatter terrain. Although we have modelled environmental variables only there will no doubt be longer-term interactions between habitat and environmental variables. Fundamentally, environmental variables will determine the type of habitat present at a site, and the distribution of canopy communities, at least, can be predicted from environmental variables. However, other studies have shown for ground-dwelling mammals that environmental variables contribute little and it is the state of the habitat locally, and particularly the understorey, that determines their presence and abundance at a site. The results are discussed in relation to similar models using habitat variables and in relation to the use of such models in the management of ground-dwelling fauna in forests.

scholarly journals Are declines in insects and insectivorous birds related?

The Condor ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Douglas W Tallamy ◽  
W Gregory Shriver
Keyword(s):  
Plant Species ◽  
Invasive Plant ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Insect Herbivores ◽  
Native Plant ◽  
Insectivorous Birds ◽  
Population Declines ◽  
Native Plant Species ◽  
Host Plant Specialization ◽  
Scale Population

Abstract A flurry of recently published studies indicates that both insects and birds have experienced wide-scale population declines in the last several decades. Curiously, whether insect and bird declines are causally linked has received little empirical attention. Here, we hypothesize that insect declines are an important factor contributing to the decline of insectivorous birds. We further suggest that insect populations essential to insectivorous birds decline whenever non-native lumber, ornamental, or invasive plant species replace native plant communities. We support our hypothesis by reviewing studies that show (1) due to host plant specialization, insect herbivores typically do poorly on non-native plants; (2) birds are often food limited; (3) populations of insectivorous bird species fluctuate with the supply of essential insect prey; (4) not all arthropod prey support bird reproduction equally well; and (5) terrestrial birds for which insects are an essential source of food have declined by 2.9 billion individuals over the last 50 years, while terrestrial birds that do not depend on insects during their life history have gained by 26.2 million individuals, a 111-fold difference. Understanding the consequences of insect declines, particularly as they affect charismatic animals like birds, may motivate land managers, homeowners, and restoration ecologists to take actions that reverse these declines by favoring the native plant species that support insect herbivores most productively.

scholarly journals Avian diversity during rehabilitation stage of Chimdi Lake, Sunsari, Nepal

Our Nature ◽  
1970 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 75-80 ◽  
Author(s):  
R Surana ◽  
BR Subba ◽  
KP Limbu
Keyword(s):  
Key Words ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Lake Area ◽  
Avian Diversity ◽  
Key Words Avian

Avian diversity of Chimdi Lake during rehabilitation stage was studied. 109 species of birds belonging to 34 families were recorded. Maximum 64 species were recorded in March 200 4 and 20 species recorded in July 2004.Out of total; bird species 33.94%were migratory, 25.68% were resident, 24.77% were winter visitors and 15.96%were summer visitors. On the basis of abundance, 41.28%were scarce, 22.9 % were occasional, 21.1%were fairly common and 14.6%were common. The Lake area was found to be rich in avian diversity although the Lake was not fully rehabilitated. Key words: Avian diversity, Chimdi Lake, seasonal statusdoi:10.3126/on.v5i1.802Our Nature (2007)5:75-80

scholarly journals A Fixed-radius Point Count Method for Nonbreeding and Breeding Season Use

The Auk ◽  
1986 ◽  
Vol 103 (3) ◽  
pp. 593-602 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard L. Hutto ◽  
Sandra M. Pletschet ◽  
Paul Hendricks
Keyword(s):  
Bird Species ◽  
Common Species ◽  
Bird Abundance ◽  
Point Count ◽  
Bird Density ◽  
Count Method ◽  
Species Abundances ◽  
Fixed Radius ◽  
Point Count Method ◽  
A Site

Abstract We provide a detailed description of a fixed-radius point count method that carries fewer assumptions than most of the currently popular methods of estimating bird density and that can be used during both the nonbreeding and breeding seasons. The method results in three indices of bird abundance, any of which can be used to test for differences in community composition among sites, or for differences in the abundance of a given bird species among sites. These indices are (1) the mean number of detections within 25 m of the observer, (2) the frequency of detections within 25 m of the observer, and (3) the frequency of detections regardless of distance from the observer. The overall ranking of species abundances from a site is similar among the three indices, but discrepancies occur with either rare species that are highly detectable at great distances or common species that are repulsed by, or inconspicuous when near, the observer. We argue that differences in the behavior among species will preclude an accurate ranking of species by abundance through use of this or any other counting method in current use.

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