Review of the management of feral animals and their impact on ...

3.4 Birds
Thirteen (or 14) species <strong>of</strong> <strong>feral</strong> bird occupy <strong>the</strong> Rangel<strong>and</strong>s today, although very few
<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>m use natural or semi-natural areas. Six are confined to towns <strong>and</strong> homesteads,
<strong>and</strong> two barely occur within <strong>the</strong> Rangel<strong>and</strong>s (Table 2). The o<strong>the</strong>r five make some use
<strong>of</strong> semi-natural or natural habitats but only on a limited scale <strong>and</strong> within limited areas
(Table 2). As well, ostriches may occur in scattered locations. Western Australia <strong>and</strong>
<strong>the</strong> Nor<strong>the</strong>rn Territory are almost free <strong>of</strong> <strong>feral</strong> birds.
Table 2 Distribution <strong>and</strong> habitat status <strong>of</strong> <strong>feral</strong> birds
Confined to towns <strong>and</strong> homesteads <strong>and</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir vicinity
Helmeted Guinea-fowl
Rock Dove
Laughing Turtle-dove
Spotted Turtle-Dove
Barbary Dove
House Sparrow
Only marginally present within <strong>the</strong> Rangel<strong>and</strong>s (on <strong>the</strong> south-eastern edge)
Skylark
European Goldfinch
Widespread <strong>and</strong> found at least occasionally in semi-natural habitats
Nutmeg Mannikin – Uses disturbed woodl<strong>and</strong>s <strong>and</strong> grassl<strong>and</strong>s in coastal Queensl<strong>and</strong>
Blackbird - In towns, homesteads <strong>and</strong> disturbed riparian forest in New South Wales
Common Myna – Nests in woodl<strong>and</strong>s along <strong>the</strong> eastern edges <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Rangel<strong>and</strong>s zone
Common Starling – Widespread in <strong>the</strong> eastern half <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Rangel<strong>and</strong>s, <strong>and</strong> sometimes
nesting in woodl<strong>and</strong> remnants
Woodl<strong>and</strong>s, rainforests, <strong>and</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r natural habitats within <strong>the</strong> Rangel<strong>and</strong>s are, almost
without exception, completely free <strong>of</strong> <strong>feral</strong> birds. Feral mammals, by contrast, have
invaded almost every habitat. Because <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir very limited presence within natural
<strong>and</strong> semi-natural areas, <strong>feral</strong> birds do not appear to be having a major <strong>impact</strong> upon
biodiversity. Hybridisation between Mallards <strong>and</strong> Black Ducks is one concern, <strong>and</strong>
competition between Starlings <strong>and</strong> Mynas for tree holes used by native birds is
ano<strong>the</strong>r, although no threats to any listed species were recorded. (Starlings pose a
threat to vulnerable Superb Parrots, but outside <strong>the</strong> Rangel<strong>and</strong>s.)
Table 3 Biodiversity Impacts <strong>of</strong> <strong>feral</strong> birds (listed in approximate order <strong>of</strong> severity)
Common Starling Competes with declining birds for nest holes
Mallard Hybridises with native Black Duck
Common Blackbird Probably spreads <strong>the</strong> seeds <strong>of</strong> some serious shrubby weeds
such as Boxthorn <strong>and</strong> Blackberry
Common Myna Competes with birds for nest holes, but not known to
compete with any rare species
Nutmeg Mannikin Apparently competes with <strong>the</strong> Chestnut-breasted Mannikin
(a common bird) in disturbed habitats close to towns
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