Eastern Bristlebirds are camouflage masters in their habita tof low, dense vegetation and can be very hard to spot. These semi-flightless birds flee to a lookout perch one metre above ground when startled, before disappearing into the thick vegetation to hide. Sadly, unless Australia does something urgently, these gorgeous little birds could disappear forever.
Eastern Bristlebirds only live in habitats that meet their specific requirements in coastal, eastern Australia. Their numbers are becoming critically low, and there is a high chance that this species could become extinct. The northern Eastern Bristlebird Dasyornis brachypterus monides is listed as critically endangered nationally and in New South Wales.
Northern Eastern Bristlebird populations have decreased more than 80% over the last three generations (15 years). Less than 50 mature northern Eastern Bristlebirds are left in the wild, and their habitats are severely fragmented. Extinction could take place within the next 15 years.
These birds breed annually in the spring, laying two eggs, but usually only raise one fledgling each year. Interference from humans can also easily cause Bristlebirds to abandon their chicks and eggs.
Reasons for the decline include habitat loss to forestry, agriculture and settlement, as well as changed fire regimes. The Bristlebird relies on low, dense vegetation, but if fires are too frequent, the vegetation they need disappears.
Yet that is not the end of the story. If fires don’t happen often enough, Bristlebird habitats get overtaken by dense shrubberies and become unsuitable for nesting. Other threats include grazing, predation by cats and foxes, and weed invasion.
Foundation Projects to Save Eastern Bristlebirds
Rehabilitating the habitat of the Eastern Bristlebird
From May 2011 to April 2012, the Foundation is funding a much needed needed project to rehabilitate important Eastern Bristlebird habitat in northern New South Wales.
