How does climate change affect arid zone birds? Our study is focused on a wild population of Jacky Winters, Microeca fascinans, a small insectivorous passerine belonging to the Australian robins (family Petroicidae). The population inhabits semi-arid mallee woodland on Calperum Station in South Australia, a site owned by Australian Landscape Trust and managed for its biodiversity values. We are monitoring reproduction and survival for individuals in 40 breeding groups (birds are colour-banded to allow individual recognition). We have habituated a subset of birds to the presence of an observer so that we can collect detailed behavioural data with limited disturbance. These birds have been trained to perch on an electronic balance in exchange for a small food reward, so we can also monitor changes in their body condition. This allows us to quantify the impact of environmental conditions on survival and reproduction, within and between seasons, and how heat exposure and heat-avoidance behaviours impact on the birds’ ability to obtain food, maintain body condition, defend their territory, watch for predators and care for their offspring.
Photos: Belinda Cale, Meredith Cosgrove, Lynda Sharpe, Janet Gardner
Avian Ecology and Climate Change 