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�Pam Rooney



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Family
Genus
Species
Common Names
Distinguishing Features
Survey Techniques
Species Call
Similar Species
Distribution
Country of Origin
Conservation (Pet/Pest) Status - Regional
Conservation (Pet/Pest) Status - National
LSCCES Population
Associated vegetation community
Limiting Resources
Breeding
Behaviour
Functional Group
Food Species
Predators
Threats/Control Methods - Regional
Threats/Control Methods - Local
Local/Urban Actions
Interesting Fact
References

Family

Pachycephalidae

Genus

Falcunculus

Species

frontatus

Threats/Control Methods - Regional

Land clearing for urban development and agriculture poses the biggest threat for this species. Canberra's local woodlands are also decreasing in quality due to feral animals, weed infestations and grazing. Frequent and hot bushfires are particularly problematic for this bark-feeding species, as insects do not have time to build up colonies below the bark. The Fan-tailed Cuckoo (Cacomantis flabelliformis ) may use an active Shrike-tit nest for its own eggs, destroying the chances of a successful brood.

Threats/Control Methods - Local

In the suburbs close to woodland reserves, wandering domestic Cats (Felis Catus) may attack Crested Strike-tits.

Local/Urban Actions

The protection of local woodland reserves is critical for the survival of this species. Participating in tree planting or bush regeneration activities with local Landcare groups or with Greening Australia can be useful conservation action. Pet owners can encourage Sittellas safely into the suburbs by providing a stimulating indoor environment for their animals or by installing a cat enclosure.

Common Names

Crested Shrike-tit, Woodland Shrike-tit, Crested Tit, Eastern Shrike-tit

Distinguishing Features

This is a brightly coloured species, 15-19cm in size. The head appears especially large, due the tall, black crest on the top of the head and the massive bill. The head is black and white, with a black top crest, black stripe across the eye and a black throat. The underparts are bright yellow. The back, wings and tail are olive-green to brown. Females are distinguished by the olive-brown colour of their throat. Young birds have a small crest and have a brown back with very pale cream-yellow underparts.

Survey Techniques

Call and visual identification.

Species Call

A soft, downward whistle of 'whiert, whi-whit, wheeeir', a harsh chatter and some mimicry.

Similar Species

The Golden Whistler (Pachycephala pectoralis ) is similarly coloured, but lacks the crest and massive bill.

Distribution

Three subspecies of the Crested Shrike-tit are found across mainland Australia, one in the southern tip of WA, one in the north of WA and NT and the other around the east, from north QLD down to VIC and across to Adelaide.

Country of Origin

Australia

Conservation (Pet/Pest) Status - Regional

A small population number has been sustained over the past 25 years of bird survey (COG).

Conservation (Pet/Pest) Status - National

Secure, not listed under the EPBC Act 1999. It is generally rare across its range, unless in a particularly ideal habitat area. The northern population (Falcunculus frontatus whitei) is Endangered and declining due to habitat fragmentation. The western population (Falcunculus frontatus leucogaster) is Near Threatened in response to the loss of half its range to land clearing.

LSCCES Population

Six birds were sighted at Black Mountain Peninsula.

Associated vegetation community

The Crested Strike-tit inhabits eucalypt forest, woodland, pine forest and along watercourses through dry country.

Limiting Resources

Tree and food density and is very important to this species and is not sufficient within the suburbs. In the Canberra region, the health of the surounding woodlands are important to the local survival of the species.

Breeding

The breeding season of the Crested Shrike-tit runs from August to January.  The male bird chooses a nest site in a steep tree fork at the top of a eucalypt tree, from 5-20 metres off the ground.  The female builds a beautiful cup of bark shreds, bound by spider web and decorated with moss. A clutch of 2-3 eggs with grey-blue spots is incubated for about 16 days. Young birds are then ready to leave the nest after 14-17 days.

Behaviour

This species is usually fairly shy, spending time in high trees, foraging alone or in small family groups. The sound of tearing bark is a good indicator that the bird is nearby, using its strong bill to lever bark apart in search of insects. The bill can also be used to crack open seed cases or hard insect shells. During the breeding season, males attract females by quivering and waving his wings.

Functional Group

Omnivore

Food Species

The Crested Shrike-tit forages for insects under tree bark and will also occasionally eat fruits, berries and seeds.

Predators

Cats (Felis catus) may attack this species while it feeds on tree branches.

Interesting Fact

Some bird watchers describe the call of the Crested Shrike-tit as a stuttered 'knock-at-the-door' sound.

References - (reader suitability of references, P=Primary teachers, S=Secondary students, T=Tertiary students and researchers)

Books:
Morcombe, M. 2000. Field Guide to Australian Birds. Steve Parish Publishing. Archerfield. Australia P, S, T

Schodde, R. and Tideman, S. (eds) 1990. Reader's Digest Complete Book of Australian Birds (2nd Edition). Reader's Digest Services Pty Ltd. Sydney. P, S, T

Taws, N. et al. 2001. Bringing Birds Back: A Glovebox Guide for Bird Identification and Habitat Restoration in ACT and SE NSW. Greening Australia ACT and SE NSW Inc. P, S, T

Veerman, P. 2003. Canberra Birds: A report on the first 21 years of the garden bird survey. Philip Veerman and Canberra Ornithologists Group. Canberra. S, T

Internet:
Birds in Backyards. 2006. [online]. Available at:
http://www.birdsinbackyards.net P, S, T

Online Publications:
ACT Government. 2004. Woodlands for Wildlife: ACT Lowland Woodland Conservation Strategy. Action Plan No. 27. Environment ACT, Canberra. [online]. Available at: http://www.environment.act.gov.au/nativeplantsandanimals/threatecspec/woodlandsstrategy S, T

Garnett, S. and Crowley, M. 2000. The Action Plan for Australian Birds 2000. Department of Environment and Water Resources. [online]. Available at: http://www.deh.gov.au/biodiversity/threatened/publications/action/birds2000/index.html S, T

Nix, H. and Cunningham, R. 2006. Birds of the Lower Sullivans Creek Catchment, Canberra ACT. Prepared for the Life in the Suburbs project using data from the Lower Sullivans Creek Catchment Ecological Survey (LSCCES). Australian National University. Canberra. [online]. Available at: http://www.lifeinthesuburbs.com.au/category.php?id=65 S, T

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