New research has found that habitat loss is a major concern for hundreds of Australian bird species, and south eastern Australia has been the worst affected.
New research has found that habitat loss is a major concern for hundreds of Australian bird species, and south eastern Australia has been the worst affected.
The Threatened Species Recovery Hub study, featuring University of Queensland scientists, found that half of all native bird species have each lost almost two-thirds of their natural habitat across Victoria, parts of South Australia and New South Wales.
Lead researcher, Dr Jeremy Simmonds, said the team looked at both threatened and non-threatened birds, including common species.
“While more attention is usually paid to threatened species, common species, like many of our familiar fairy-wrens, pigeons and honeyeaters, are crucially important,” Dr Simmonds said.
Read more at University of Queensland
Image: More than 60% of the birds of south-east mainland Australia have lost over half of their natural habitat. Beyond high profile endangered species like the regent honeyeater, the extensive loss of Eucalyptus woodland and forest has affected numerous birds including flycatchers, whistlers and robins. (Credit: Graham Winterflood)
