Justification This species has a small population, which is thought to be stable, and in which all mature individuals are restricted to one subpopulation. It is therefore classed as Near Threatened. If the population was found to be in decline, it might qualify for uplisting to a higher threat category.

Family/Sub-family Acanthizidae

Species name author (Gould, 1871)

Taxonomic source(s) Christidis and Boles (1994), Sibley and Monroe (1990, 1993)

Identification

Population estimate

Population trend

Range estimate (breeding/resident)

Country endemic?

6,000

stable

226,000 km²

Yes

Range & population Aphelocephala pectoralis is widely but patchily distributed in central and northern South Australia, Australia. A survey in 1990 estimated a population of 6,000 mature individuals, and indicated a loss of suitable habitat and the associated extirpation of birds from a number of locations. Birds were recorded at 14 locations, including only 7 out of 33 historical sites. Despite evidence of these past declines, abundances on a repeat survey in 1999 showed no significant change. A survey of Mt Lyndhurst in March 2007 indicated that the population there remains stable¹.

Important Bird Areas Click here to view map showing IBAs where species is recorded and triggers any of the IBA criteria.

Ecology: The species's preferred habitat is open terrain in hilly areas such as tablelands, with a stony landscape and a patchy cover of perennial chenopod shrubs. The species is most frequently seen in areas where the topographic relief gives rise to creek lines, in which there tends to be denser shrubby vegetation. It feeds on the ground and takes seeds and arthropods.

Threats Grazing by livestock and rabbits is the primary long-term threat as it reduces the recruitment of perennial shrubs, particularly low bluebush Maireana astrotricha, upon which the species depends³. Heavy grazing of the chenopod shrubland has almost certainly caused the species to vacate previously used sites. Ironically, a recent reduction in rabbit numbers may have allowed a sufficient build up of fuel for fire to be a threat, particularly if occurring over a large area simultaneously. Some patches of habitat are threatened by opal mining. There has been a large increase in mining activity in South Australia in recent years, some of which is known to have directly impacted areas that have supported relatively high densities of the species³.

Conservation measures underway No targeted conservation action is known for this species.

Conservation measures proposed Determine trends in abundance, particularly in relation to land use. Monitor population every five years. Draw up a management agreement with pastoral managers and traditional owners to keep the habitat in good condition. Work with land managers to implement fire control measures.

References Garnett and Crowley (2000). 1. Pedler et al. (2007). 2. G. Carpenter in litt. (2007).

Further web sources of information

Australian Govt - Action Plan for Australian Birds 2000 - Recovery Outline

Text account compilers Phil Benstead (BirdLife International), Stephen Garnett (Charles Darwin University), Stephen Garnett (Birds Australia), Rachel McClellan (BirdLife International), Joe Taylor (BirdLife International)

Contributors Graham Carpenter (Government of South Australia), Lynn Pedler (Government of South Australia)

IUCN Red List evaluators Stuart Butchart (BirdLife International), Guy Dutson (Birds Australia), Stephen Garnett (Charles Darwin University), Joe Taylor (BirdLife International)

Recommended citation BirdLife International (2009) Species factsheet: Aphelocephala pectoralis. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 10/2/2010

This information is based upon, and updates, the information published in BirdLife International (2000) Threatened birds of the world. Barcelona and Cambridge, UK: Lynx Edicions and BirdLife International, BirdLife International (2004) Threatened birds of the world 2004 CD-ROM and BirdLife International (2008) Threatened birds of the world 2008 CD-ROM. These sources provide the information for species accounts for the birds on the IUCN Red List.

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