If you look in the Field Guide to Birds of Australia, or one of the many other publications, pictures of Australian birds are accompanied by a paragraph explaining other features.
Their song, habitat, description of juveniles, size, location, migratory or a local population and, most importantly, the status of the birds, which can be confusing as it varies from state to state.
The Federal Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Plan Act 1999 (EPBC) is almost 25 years old and provides a framework for protection of the Australian environment, including its biodiversity. In December, 2022 the Government commenced a review of this Plan.
The Tasmanian Threatened Species Protection Act 1995 (TSP) also applies to King Island and is outlined in the King Island Biodiversity Plan 2012-2022 publication. The status of all birds is continually being reassessed and, generally, there has been a worrying trend as more birds become threatened.
This is happening Australia-wide, including King Island. In other words, all birds are at risk for one or a variety of reasons through no fault of their own.
The TSP specifies birds in these categories: Vulnerable (v) – species likely to become endangered; Endangered (e) – long-term survival unlikely while factors causing it to be endangered continue; or Critically Endangered (cr) – species that face an extremely high risk of extinction. This is based on the criteria of having a very small population size, or restrictions in the range of their habitat, or human interference.
Among the endemic Tasmanian birds are six King Island subspecies. These birds are unique as they don’t live anywhere else and all come under the TSP Act.
The status of the Dusky Robin and Green Rosella is vulnerable (v). The Yellow Wattlebird is endangered (e) and the Black Currawong, King Island Scrubtit and King Island Brown Thornbill are critically endangered (cr).
As for other birds, the Hooded Plover, a resident shorebird is vulnerable and the population of many of the migratory waders is decreasing at an alarming rate. Many of these visit King Island in very small numbers. Fairy Tern (e) and Little Tern (cr) fly to King Island for their breeding event on sandy beaches and are exposed to the weather and tidal movements, as are the other beach-nesting birds on our coastline.
While we can’t change the weather or tidal movements, we can change our habits while visiting the coastline whether on foot or in vehicles.
Bush birds have other challenges, such as the loss of tall trees and smaller bushes as most birds thrive amongst a mixed range of vegetation.
You might think there are lots of Green Rosella about if you have a nest in the chimney and another on the haystack in the barn, especially if they like the fruit in your garden.
Outside your boundary, how far do you have to travel to see more Green Rosella and do you know the difference between a Black Currawong and a Raven?
This can result in a false impression of the true situation.
Remember, every bit of improvement to our environment and staying clear of nesting sites, such as on beaches, can lead to much better outcomes for our birds.