The Conservation Status of Malleefowl in New South Wales

Abstract

The breeding behaviour of Malleefowl is well known, but the conservation status and ecology of the species are poorly understood. Malleefowl populations have declined because of habitat loss, competition from domestic stock and possibly because of the effects of introduced predators. The distribution, both past and present, of Malleefowl in NSW was investigated by sending a questionnaire to property holders. The current distribution is separated in eight zones; sub-groups are further isolated within habitat remnants in two of those zones. The distribution is closely tied to remaining areas of dry mallee, ironbark-red gum forest and ironbark-pine forest. The population density was estimated by surveys on foot and by aerial surveys. The unit of population used was active nests. The population size in the state, estimated by multiplying the density estimates by the area of distribution in the respective habitat types, was 745 active nests. Insufficient data prevented any estimate of the non-breeding population, or of errors in the population size.