Species

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Justification
This species is listed as Endangered as it has a single, very small population which has rapidly declined and is continuing to decline owing to the destruction of its wetland habitats.

Taxonomic source(s)
Christidis, L.; Boles, W. E. 2008. Systematics and taxonomy of Australian birds. CSIRO Publishing, Collingwood, Australia.

Taxonomic note
Rostratula benghalensis (Sibley and Monroe 1990, 1993) has been split into R. benghalensis and R. australis following Christidis and Boles (2008).

Distribution and population
Rostratula australis has been recorded in wetlands in all states of Australia. It is more common in eastern Australia, where it has been recorded at scattered locations throughout much of Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and south-eastern South Australia (C. Jones in litt. 2009). The Murray-Darling Basin appears to be a particular stronghold (Thomas et al. 2010). It has been recorded less frequently at a smaller number of more scattered locations farther west in South Australia, the Northern Territory and Western Australia (C. Jones in litt. 2009). However, the relevant importance of northern and southern habitats are still subject to debate (S. Garnett in litt. 2009). The population was previously thought to number 5,000 individuals, though it is now believed highly unlikely that the population exceeds 2,500 and it may number between 1,000 and 1,500 individuals (S. Garnett in litt. 2009). Analysis of data from Birds Australia confirms that the species has been in decline. Although the precise rate is difficult to establish due to different survey methods, the cryptic nature of the species, and the lack of extensive surveys in the arid zone of northern Australia, a population decline of >30% is estimated for the past 26 years (3 generations) (Garnett et al. 2011).


Population justification
Based on results of surveys between 2001 and 2009 conducted by Birds Australia, it is thought that the population is highly unlikely to exceed 2,500 individuals and is more likely to be between 1,000 and 1,500 individuals (S. Garnett in litt. 2009), hence the population is placed in the band 1,000-2,499 individuals. This equates to 667-1,666 mature individuals, rounded here to 600-1,700 mature individuals.

Trend justification
The population was previously estimated at 5,000 individuals in 2000, and more recently at 1,000 to 1,500 individuals. Although this indicates a decline of greater than 50%, and is supported by presence/absence survey data, the population size in 2000 may have been an over-estimate, and the lack of reason or evidence for a decline in northern Australia makes it unlikely that such a rapid decline has occurred across the entire population (S. Garnett in litt. 2009). Therefore, a population decline of 20-49% is estimated for the past 26 years (three generations), a trend which is likely to continue into the future (C. Jones in litt. 2009).

Ecology
Behaviour Occasional records from remote places indicate that the species can move long distances and may be dispersive or migratory, and a north-south migration has been postulated (S. Garnett in litt. 2009, R. Jaensch in litt. 2009). It is generally thought to be crepuscular, but may be nocturnal. Individuals are usually seen singly, but it may be seen in pairs and also occasionally in flocks. It breeds between August and February in southern Australia, and breeding occurs earlier in northern Australia. The female may be polyandrous, with the male incubating the clutch of 3-4 eggs and rearing chicks (Marchant and Higgins 1993). Habitat This species occupies terrestrial shallow freshwater wetlands, and occasionally brackish wetlands, including lakes, swamps, saltmarsh and claypans. Ephemeral, recently flooded wetlands appear to be especially important (Thomas et al. 2010). It will also occupy modified habitats including sewage farms, dams, bores and irrigation schemes. It constructs nests among tall vegetation, frequently on small muddy islands, but also sometimes on the shore of wetlands (Marchant and Higgins 1993). Diet It feeds on vegetation, seeds, insects, worms, molluscs, crustaceans and other invertebrates (Marchant and Higgins 1993).


Threats
The primary reason for the decline of this species is the loss of its wetland habitats. The two major causes of this loss have been the drainage of wetlands and the diversion of water to agriculture and reservoirs. It is estimated that since European settlement, approximately 50% of wetlands in Australia have been converted for other uses, with losses being even greater in some regions of the country (C. Jones in litt. 2009). Substantial declines in the reporting rate of the species in the Murray-Darling Basin coincided with major changes in the management of water resources, including the diversion of large volumes of water to irrigated agriculture (Lane and Rogers 2000). The replacement of endemic wetland vegetation by invasive weeds may also render habitats less suitable or even totally unsuitable for the species (Rogers et al. 2005). Grazing and associated trampling of wetland vegetation by cattle may also be a threat to the snipe in certain regions, particularly where grazing tends to become concentrated around wetlands in the dry season (Rogers et al. 2005). Predation by feral animals has been suggested as a threat, though there is no evidence that it is a cause of recent declines (C. Jones in litt. 2009).

Conservation actions underway
In 2001 a project was initiated by the Threatened Bird Network and Australasian Wader Studies Group to improve knowledge of the species (Rogers et al. 2005). Recovery actions implemented as part of this study include the development of a database of records and an assessment of habitat preferences (Rogers et al. 2005, C. Jones in litt. 2009). Birds Australia has been conducting annual surveys of the species since 2001 (S. Garnett in litt. 2009).

Conservation actions proposed
Protect and manage principal breeding and wintering sites and, as a precautionary measure, identify and protect any additional habitat used by the species in the last 10 years. Develop guidelines, in consultation with landholders, for the management of suitable wetlands. Initiate control programs for feral animals, and erect fencing to prevent grazing and trampling of wetlands by cattle, at suitable wetlands. Rehabilitate selected wetlands that were formerly used for breeding. Undertake further research to determine movements and improve knowledge of habitat preferences. Monitor the population at the landscape scale using, to begin with, the Atlas of Australian Birds, and determine the breeding range. Encourage participation of community groups and other relevant bodies in the recovery effort.

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References
Marchant, S.; Higgins, P. J. 1993. Handbook of Australian, New Zealand and Antarctic birds, 2: raptors to lapwings. Oxford University Press, Melbourne.

Lane, B. A.; Rogers, D. I. 2000. The Australian Painted Snipe Rostratula (benghalensis) australis: an Endangered species? Stilt: 26-34.

Rogers, D.; Hance, I.; Paton, S.; Tzaros, C.; Griffioen, P.; Herring, M.; Jaensch, R..; Oring, L..; Silcocks, A.; Weston, M. 2005. The breeding bottleneck: breeding habitat and population decline in the Australian Painted Snipe. In: Straw, P. (ed.), Status and Conservation of Seabirds in the East Asian-Australasian Flyway., pp. 15-23.

Thomas, J.; Purnell, C.; Ingwersen, D.; Tzaros, C.; Rogers, D. 2010. Meet Australia's newest species. Wingspan 20(1): 20-25.

Garnett, S.T., Szabo, J.K. and Dutson, G. 2011. The Action Plan for Australian Birds 2010. CSIRO Publishing, Collingwood.

Text account compilers
Allinson, T, Calvert, R., Symes, A.

Contributors
Garnett, S., Jaensch, R., Jones, C.

IUCN Red List evaluators
Butchart, S., Taylor, J.

Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2013) Species factsheet: Rostratula australis. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 25/05/2013. Recommended citation for factsheets for more than one species: BirdLife International (2013) IUCN Red List for birds. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 25/05/2013.

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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Additional resources for this species

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