Independent fledglings of Forty-spotted Pardalotes Pardalotus quadragintus stay in their natal territory: Implications for translocations

Andrew B. Hingston


Abstract

The Endangered Forty-spotted Pardalote Pardalotus quadragintus is restricted to a small proportion of its former range, with the vast majority of birds occurring on two small Tasmanian islands. As such, the species is threatened by landscape-scale fires that could severely impact these populations. This has led to interest in reintroducing the species to parts of its former range that are now beyond its natural dispersal capabilities. One potential way of doing this is to transfer fledglings from their natal territories to unoccupied habitat. However, it is not known when fledglings are able to survive without their parents. This study found that fledglings first appeared independent of their parents for food 11 days after leaving the nest, and remained within the natal territory for several weeks thereafter. This finding could help guide options for future translocation planning.

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