Avifaunal use of an artificial waterpoint in the Strzelecki Desert during an extended dry period

Habitat associations of dryland avian communities during an extended dry period

“…We rarely detected grass seed specialists such as zebra finches ( Taeniopygia guttata ), while budgerigars ( Melopsittacus undulatus ) were not detected on our surveys or incidentally, compared with wet periods when grass seeds were more available and these species were abundant (Rees, Kingsford, et al, 2019; Appendix S3: Table A1). Persistence of larger, non‐grass seeds in the soil seed bank during the extended dry period (Moles et al, 2003), likely supported other granivores such as Bourke's parrots ( Neopsephotus bourkii ) and crested pigeons (Gorta et al, 2021; Meissner & Facelli, 1999; Morton & Davies, 1983). Despite the absence of dingo predators, emus were not detected in the National Park during our surveys, possibly due to mortality or emigration from the study site due to low resource availability, which reduced differences between treatments (Wijas & Letnic, 2021).…”

“…Aerial and terrestrial insectivores and omnivores, including white‐backed swallows, fairywrens, woodswallows, willie wagtails, red‐capped robins and others persisted in low abundances during the driest two‐year period on record. Granivores such as crested pigeons and Bourke's parrots also persisted, likely due to the provision of artificial water (Gorta et al, 2021). While land and conservation managers cannot control drying associated with climate change, habitat retention for species and groups of birds, which currently appear to be resilient in extended dry conditions should be a priority.…”