Birdsong loss would echo silence in the forests

9 March 2018

South-East Queensland is in danger of losing one of the last remaining populations of the Eastern bristlebird, one of Australia’s most melodic songbirds, a study has shown.

University of Queensland researchers working to save the critically endangered species said the isolated northern-most population had declined to fewer than 40 birds.

UQ School of Earth and Environmental Sciences PhD researcher Zoe Stone said most people were unaware the small brown birds were close to extinction.

“Only three Eastern bristlebird populations remain in eastern Australia, and the smallest by far is in the forests along the Border Ranges of south-east Queensland and adjacent northern New South Wales,” Ms Stone said.

Continued