Status, Habitat and Social Organisation of the Hooded Robin Melanodryas cucullata in the New England Region of New South Wales

Abstract

Hooded Robins Melanodryas cucullata inhabit woodland across most of Australia, including eucalypt woodland in New England. Although Hooded Robins are still found in this habitat, they are apparently declining in southern Australia and disappearing from a number of sites. In New England, they are sparsely distributed west of the Great Dividing Range and occur locally east of it. On the eastern fringe of their distribution, populations consist of one or a few pairs or groups, and at least four of these have disappeared in recent years. We found 19 groups (12 pairs, six trios and a single male) at 12 sites in spring 1991, typically in eucalypt woodland alongside cleared farmland. Home ranges through the year were from 8. 3 to 25.5 ha (mean 18 ha) and breeding territories were from 4.5 to 9.5 ha (mean 6 ha). The Robins extended their foraging ranges in autumn and winter, often into cleared land.

Robins could not be found in 1996 at one site where they occurred in 1990 and 1991, indicating that the species' decline and contraction of range is continuing. The reasons for the species' apparent decline are unclear, but HAF intends to continue monitoring populations. Although such a widespread species cannot currently be regarded as threatened, the Hooded Robin is representative of many ground-feeding insectivorous birds that are declining in eucalypt woodland. It is important that scientific studies of these species be carried out now to understand why they are declining and to suggest management that can arrest any further decline.