A REVISION OF THE DISTRIBUTION, STATUS AND MANAGEMENT OF THE PLAINS-WANDERER PEDIONOMUS-TORQUATUS

On 310 nights during mid- 1982-86, 420 Plains-wanderers were banded, mainly on two Riverina grazing properties. Approximately 3% of 750 km2 ground-searched was sparse grassland suitable for Plains-wanderers, as was 1% of an aerially-searched area ten times larger. Home range size was 12 ha. It was calculated that 830 Plains-wanderers occur in 7500 km2 of the Riverina and estimated that fewer than 5500 birds occur in the whole of the region. Thirty-eight breeding events were recorded in spring or in summer if rains fell. Regular production of broods of 2-4 chicks and the Plains-wanderer's ability to breed in its first year indicate a capacity to recover quickly from low population numbers. In the Riverina and southwest Queensland overgrazing is now the main factor limiting the distribution and abundance of Plains-wanderers. Elsewhere, cultivation replaces overgrazing as the main limiting factor. Two options for management to improve the conservation status of the species are suggested: the acquisition of reserves ideally containing at least 450 ha of suitable native grassland, or the negotiation of covenants with landowners that prevent burning, cultivation or overgrazing of areas suitable for Plains-wanderers.