The effect of Noisy Miners on small bush birds: an unofficial cull and its outcome

Abstract

This paper documents the bird community in a small (~15 ha) patch of remnant woodland New South Wales sheep– wheat belt (i) before Noisy Miners 'Manorina melanocephala' were abundant in the patch (1972–79), (ii) after a dense miner colony became established (1980–1990), (iii) after the miners were removed (1991–92) and, subsequently, (iv) while extensive, dense plantings of native trees became established (1992–2006). Bird species richness in the patch was, respectively, 64, 18, 45 and 83 species in each time period. Totals for small (<120 g) bush birds, mostly insectivorous passerines, were 26, 0, 22 and 46 species in the respective time periods. Although this was an unofficial, unreplicated and uncontrolled activity, the results support those of previous similar studies that indicate that Noisy Miners are a major contributor to the local decline of many woodland birds. The results also affirm the value of a shrub layer to small birds.