Black-chinned Honeyeater (Melithreptus gularis)

Conservation status

New South Wales, Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016: Vulnerable.

South Australia, National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972: Vulnerable.

Breeding season

The species is resident or locally nomadic rather than a long-distance migrant. Breeding timing varies across its range, with the greatest overlap in the cooler and warmer months from June to December, and later breeding recorded in the Adelaide and Mount Lofty Ranges.

Check regional timing before works. Breeding records extend beyond the main June to December period, and the South Australian timing differs from the general pattern.

• Breeding: Breeding can occur year round but is most common from June or July to December. In the Adelaide and Mount Lofty Ranges, breeding is approximately September to February.
• Young: Nests contain usually two to three eggs. Incubation is about 14 days, and both parents, with occasional helpers, feed the young. The documents do not give a fledging or dependence period.
• Local movement: The species is resident or locally nomadic and may cross open country to reach isolated woodland patches. No fixed migration period is described.
• Highest clearing risk: Clearing and canopy disturbance are most likely to harm the species during the main breeding period from July to December, when nests and dependent young may be present. The risk may extend into January and February in the Adelaide and Mount Lofty Ranges.

Identification

This is a fast-moving canopy honeyeater that can be missed during site inspections. Identification is most reliable when size, head pattern, eye colour, call and behaviour are considered together.

Adults have an olive-green back and wings, greyish-brown tail, white underparts with a greyish-buff breast, a black cap, a white nape band extending to the eye, and a small crescent of bright blue bare skin above the eye.

The black chin extends below the bill and into the upper throat, although it can be difficult to see in the field. The bill is short, black and slightly downcurved.

Body length: About 15.5 to 17 cm

Body weight: About 20 g

Sexes: Adult males and females are alike in appearance

Identification: Similar species and age

The combination of relatively large size, black chin, white nape reaching the eye, blue eye crescent and short downcurved bill separates it from White-naped Honeyeater and other smaller Melithreptus honeyeaters.

Juveniles are duller, with a browner head, less obvious blue skin above the eye and an orange bill that darkens during the first year.

Identification: Calls and field signs

The species moves quickly through the outer canopy and may be detected before it is seen. Its call is described as a clear, high-pitched, ringing or bubbling trill, with additional grating or croaking notes.

Pairs or small groups moving rapidly between outer twigs, branch undersides and trunks are consistent with this species, particularly in box or ironbark woodland. The species builds a compact, suspended, cup-shaped nest high in the canopy, usually in outer or upper lateral foliage.

• Record the call direction and the highest tree layer used by the birds.
• Search upper eucalypt crowns and drooping outer foliage for a suspended cup-shaped nest during the breeding period.
• Do not rely on tracks, scats, burrows or sloughs for detection. These sources describe no distinctive ground sign or specialised non-breeding refuge for this bird.

Distribution: National range

The eastern subspecies occurs across a broad but fragmented part of eastern Australia. It is uncommon in many areas and is most closely associated with larger woodland patches and mature eucalypts.

The eastern subspecies extends from south-eastern South Australia through Victoria and New South Wales to central Queensland and the Rockhampton area. In Queensland it intergrades with the northern subspecies, Melithreptus gularis laetior.

In New South Wales, records extend from the tablelands and western slopes of the Great Dividing Range to the north-western and central-western plains, the Riverina, the Hunter, the Central Coast, the Illawarra and parts of the north coast. It is rarely recorded east of the Great Dividing Range, although it occurs in the Richmond and Clarence River areas.

In Victoria it is mainly recorded on the northern slopes of the Great Dividing Range, including areas around Bendigo, Central Goldfields, Indigo, Loddon, Wangaratta, Horsham, Strathbogie and other inland woodland districts. In South Australia it is concentrated in south-eastern South Australia, including the Adelaide and Mount Lofty Ranges.

Distribution: Bioregions and strongholds

NSW records and predicted distribution include the Brigalow Belt South, Cobar Peneplain, Darling Riverine Plains, Mulga Lands, Murray Darling Depression, Nandewar, New England Tablelands, NSW North Coast, NSW South Western Slopes, Riverina, South Eastern Highlands, South Eastern Queensland and Sydney Basin bioregions.

The NSW profile identifies the largest woodland patches as preferred habitat. The species has also been recorded in the Hunter, including the Warkworth area, where it is listed among fauna associated with Warkworth Sands Woodland.

In the Adelaide and Mount Lofty Ranges, the distribution contracted to about 11 sites by the mid 1990s, with later records from sites including Strathalbyn, Morphett Vale, Victor Harbor and Port Elliot. Some subpopulations appear to have been historically isolated.

Distribution: Population estimates and trend

The species is described as declining across much of its range. The available South Australian profile gives older estimates and should not be treated as a current census.

For project assessment, a single detection should not be treated as evidence that habitat use is limited to the immediate observation point. Large feeding areas and local nomadism mean birds may move between separated woodland patches.

Estimated extent of occurrence: About 420,000 km² in the South Australian profile, decreasing

Estimated area of occupancy: About 40,000 km² in the South Australian profile, decreasing

Estimated breeding population: About 50,000 birds in the South Australian profile, decreasing

Estimated subpopulations: About 20 in the South Australian profile

AMLR density: About 0.1 birds per hectare in areas where the species occurred during a field survey

Habitat: Vegetation types

The Black-chinned Honeyeater is associated with dry, open eucalypt woodland and forest where mature trees provide canopy food resources and nesting sites. It generally needs large areas of suitable vegetation, although scattered paddock trees can also be used.

Preferred vegetation includes box and ironbark woodland, dry open forest, open forest of smooth-barked gums and stringybarks, River Red Gum woodland, river sheoak communities and some tea-tree habitats.

Important eucalypts include Mugga Ironbark, White Box, Inland Grey Box, Yellow Box, Blakely's Red Gum, Forest Red Gum and River Red Gum. The species also uses grassy, heathy and riparian woodland in the Adelaide and Mount Lofty Ranges.

Habitat: Structure and site features

Suitable sites usually contain mature and regenerating eucalypts, a connected or relatively large woodland patch, and productive outer canopy foliage. Scattered paddock trees may provide food and stepping stones through cleared areas.

The species is most likely to be relevant where clearing would remove mature eucalypts, reduce the size of a woodland patch, isolate trees from nearby woodland or remove regenerating trees needed to replace the mature canopy.

Rainfall range: About 400 to 700 mm annual rainfall

Preferred patch context: Large woodland patches, with use of isolated paddock trees in fragmented areas

• Map mature and regenerating eucalypts, including isolated paddock trees, before clearing.
• Treat adjoining woodland patches and intervening tree lines as potential parts of the same feeding area.
• Retain native understorey and ground cover where practicable, particularly around woodland remnants and revegetation areas.

Foraging habitat: Food and feeding method

The species forages mainly in the upper canopy but also uses trunks, branches, understorey shrubs and occasionally the ground. Its specialised foliage-foraging behaviour makes intact outer canopy foliage particularly important.

The main food is invertebrate prey, especially Lepidoptera larvae. Birds prise apart bound leaves with both mandibles and search the outer foliage, underside of branches and trunks.

Nectar, lerps and honeydew are also taken. Nectar and other carbohydrate resources can affect honeyeater abundance, breeding and time spent foraging when resources are scarce.

Foraging habitat: Foraging areas and behaviour

Birds usually forage in pairs or tightly associated groups of up to 12. They move rapidly from tree to tree and may travel across open country to reach isolated habitat patches.

The species is resident or locally nomadic. Its specialised diet and large feeding area mean that a remnant can remain important even when birds are not present during a single inspection.

Reported home range: About 140 ha in the Adelaide and Mount Lofty Ranges, with a core area of about 20 ha

NSW feeding area: At least 5 ha in recent studies

Typical group size: Pairs and small groups, sometimes up to 12 birds

• Inspect the outer canopy of mature box, ironbark, gum and river sheoak trees, not only the ground layer.
• Record flowering eucalypts, lerp-bearing foliage, mistletoe and visible insect activity as potential food resources.
• Consider nearby woodland and scattered paddock trees when assessing the effect of clearing on a detected bird or group.

Breeding habitat: Breeding biology

Breeding occurs in eucalypt woodland and is often cooperative. Nests are placed high in the canopy, so clearing, canopy disturbance and noisy work near mature trees can affect breeding birds even when the nest is difficult to see.

Pairs build a compact suspended cup-shaped nest in upper lateral branches or drooping outer foliage of eucalypts. Nests may also be placed in mistletoe and occasionally other plant species.

Breeding may be solitary or cooperative. Up to five or six adults may be involved, and helpers can feed the young.

Breeding period: Year round in some accounts, most common from June or July to December; September to February in the Adelaide and Mount Lofty Ranges

Clutch size: Usually two to three eggs

Incubation: About 14 days

Nest location: High in the crown, usually in upper lateral branches or drooping outer foliage

Age at maturity: Not stated in the supplied documents

Lifespan: Not stated in the supplied documents

Breeding habitat: Breeding habitat and site controls

Breeding habitat consists of mature eucalypts with suitable upper canopy foliage, often within larger woodland patches containing regenerating trees. River sheoaks, mistletoe and other plants may also support nests.

A nest may be concealed in foliage and difficult to locate from the ground. Where clearing or major canopy disturbance is proposed, inspect mature trees during the breeding period and establish site controls based on the presence of active nests and dependent young.

• Retain mature eucalypts and regenerating replacement trees wherever practicable.
• Avoid felling or heavy canopy disturbance to trees containing an active nest or dependent young.
• Use a suitably qualified fauna ecologist or spotter catcher to check suspected nests before work starts and after significant disturbance or delay.

Sheltering habitat: Known shelter and nesting features

The supplied documents describe canopy nesting and feeding habitat but do not identify a separate den, burrow, hollow or roost requirement for this species. Protection should therefore focus on mature and regenerating woodland trees, canopy foliage and nearby connected feeding habitat.

The documented structure used for breeding is a suspended cup-shaped nest placed high in the crown, usually in upper lateral branches or drooping outer foliage. Mistletoe and occasionally other plant species may also support nests.

The sources do not give a nest height, nest diameter, hollow size, roost size or specific night refuge. They also do not describe distinctive tracks, scats, burrows or other ground shelter signs.

Nest type: Compact, suspended, cup-shaped nest

Nest substrate: Upper eucalypt branches and outer foliage, sometimes mistletoe or other plants

Known hollow or burrow dependence: Not identified in the supplied documents

Sheltering habitat: Practical site interpretation

Do not clear mature canopy trees solely because no nest is visible. Birds can use a large feeding area and may move between trees or woodland patches.

Retaining connected woodland, mature trees, regenerating eucalypts and native understorey will preserve more shelter and feeding opportunities than retaining isolated nest trees alone.

• Search the outer and upper canopy of mature eucalypts for suspended nests before clearing.
• Keep machinery, stockpiles and access tracks away from retained woodland edges where this can be achieved.
• Reinspect retained trees if clearing is delayed into the breeding period.

Threats: Clearing and fragmentation

The main project risks are removal and fragmentation of dry eucalypt woodland, loss of mature food and nesting trees, and disturbance during breeding. The species can cross open country, but its large feeding areas and specialised food requirements make small or degraded remnants less suitable.

Clearing for agriculture, mining, forestry, residential development and infrastructure removes woodland and breaks larger feeding areas into smaller remnants. Loss of productive woodland on fertile soils is a major concern.

Removing mature eucalypts, isolated paddock trees, regenerating trees or connecting vegetation can reduce food availability and breeding opportunities. Small remnants may be occupied less often and may be more exposed to aggressive honeyeaters.

• Avoid clearing mature box, ironbark, gum and river sheoak woodland where practicable.
• Assess the retained patch, nearby remnants and scattered paddock trees together rather than treating the work area as an isolated unit.
• Protect woodland buffers and revegetate gaps with suitable eucalypts and native understorey where loss cannot be avoided.

Threats: Fire, grazing and weeds

Inappropriate fire regimes can alter woodland structure and reduce regenerating eucalypts. Intense grazing can prevent regeneration and simplify the native ground layer.

Woody weeds and other invasive plants reduce habitat value and can alter the abundance of competing honeyeaters. The Warkworth Sands Woodland advice also identifies vegetation clearing, weed invasion and altered fire regimes as major pressures on woodland fauna.

• Avoid fire or vegetation treatment that removes the mature and regenerating tree structure used by the species.
• Control weeds without removing native shrubs or flowering plants that provide food or nest sites.
• Manage grazing so that native regeneration and ground cover are retained around woodland remnants.

Threats: Competition, drought and climate

Noisy Miners, New Holland Honeyeaters and Red Wattlebirds may compete with or exclude Black-chinned Honeyeaters, particularly in small remnants. Noisy Miners are aggressive and can dominate simplified woodland edges.

Drought and climate change may reduce nectar, honeydew, lerp and insect resources, alter breeding conditions and reduce the quality of remaining habitat.

• Retain or restore a structurally varied native understorey around woodland remnants to reduce simplified edges.
• Record flowering, lerp and insect resources when assessing habitat condition and potential food shortages.
• Avoid creating additional narrow, highly disturbed woodland edges where a wider retained native vegetation zone is practicable.

Threats: Roads and hydrology

The supplied documents do not identify a species-specific road mortality rate, disease or hydrology threshold. Roads and access tracks can nevertheless remove or divide woodland, increase edge disturbance and facilitate clearing, weeds and fire.

Changes to water availability may affect flowering and invertebrate resources, particularly in riparian and River Red Gum habitats. Assess these effects where a project alters drainage, groundwater, flooding or riparian vegetation.

• Keep new roads, drainage works and construction compounds out of mature woodland and riparian tree patches where practicable.
• Maintain existing drainage and water availability for retained River Red Gum and riparian woodland unless a qualified assessment supports another approach.
• Record injured or dead birds during construction and investigate repeated incidents, even though a species-specific road mortality rate is not provided.

Survey methodology: 1. Habitat assessment and survey design

The Black-chinned Honeyeater is an uncommon, canopy-foraging woodland bird that can be difficult to detect. Surveys should focus on large, connected patches of dry eucalypt woodland, mature trees and scattered paddock trees, and should cover the breeding and activity periods relevant to the project.

Map all dry open forest and woodland dominated by box, ironbark, River Red Gum and other mature eucalypts within and near the proposed disturbance area.

Include connected woodland, isolated paddock trees, riparian vegetation and nearby retained patches because the species can cross open country to reach isolated habitat and uses large feeding areas.

Prioritise the largest woodland patches and areas with mature eucalypts, intact native ground cover and flowering or honeydew-producing trees.

Record the vegetation type, canopy condition, mature tree locations, hollows, nests, adjoining woodland and breaks in connectivity before selecting survey points.

Survey methodology: 2. Diurnal searches and observation

Search during daylight when birds are active in the upper canopy, outer twigs, branch undersides and trunks.

Use quiet, slow searches from fixed vantage points and walked transects through suitable woodland, scanning the canopy and listening for the ringing, bubbling or gurgling call.

Search in pairs and small groups of trees, because the species is commonly seen in pairs or groups of up to 12 birds.

Allow sufficient coverage of each suitable patch to detect birds that move rapidly between trees and may use a large home range.

Typical group size: Pairs and small groups, up to 12 birds

Foraging position: Upper canopy, outer twigs, branch undersides, trunks and, occasionally, understorey or ground

Detection issue: The species is cryptic, moves quickly through the canopy and may call infrequently

• Record every detection, including the number of birds, location, behaviour, direction of travel, habitat used, associated species and whether birds are carrying nesting material or feeding young.

Survey methodology: 3. Timing and breeding checks

Schedule repeat searches during the species' known breeding period, generally June to December in NSW and commonly July to December elsewhere, with September to February reported for the Adelaide and Mount Lofty Ranges.

Where works may affect mature eucalypts, inspect the upper canopy for compact suspended cup-shaped nests and observe adults for repeated movements to a nest or feeding activity.

Avoid relying on a single negative search, particularly where foliage is dense, birds are quiet or suitable habitat extends beyond the disturbance footprint.

Undertake searches in suitable weather and visibility, and record conditions because wind, rain and poor visibility can reduce canopy detection.

Breeding period: June to December in NSW; July to December commonly; September to February reported in the Adelaide and Mount Lofty Ranges

Nest location: High in the crown or uppermost lateral branches, usually hidden by foliage

Usual clutch: Two or three eggs

• Treat a nest, repeated adult activity at one tree, dependent young or a group defending an area as a reason to obtain ecological advice before proceeding with disturbance.

Survey methodology: Minimum effort and reporting

The supplied documents do not provide a species-specific survey guideline with a fixed number of transects, hours, nights or trap nights for the Black-chinned Honeyeater.

Use a documented, targeted diurnal survey design that covers all suitable habitat, mature eucalypts, connected patches and adjoining paddock trees, and repeat the search during the relevant breeding period where the first search is negative.

Do not use spotlighting or small mammal trapping as a substitute for canopy searches, because the species is a diurnal bird and the supplied documents specify no such effort for this species.

Report survey dates, start and finish times, observers, weather, search area, method, effort, detection results, photographs or sound recordings where available, habitat condition and all negative results.

Submit confirmed records and suitable photographs or recordings to the relevant state wildlife database, and provide records to the project approval authority where required.

Retain maps showing the disturbance footprint, survey coverage, detections, nests, mature trees and retained habitat.

Before habitat disturbance: Avoid and minimise habitat loss

Plan works around the species' dependence on mature eucalypt woodland, large feeding areas and connected habitat. Avoid removing occupied or high-quality habitat where practicable, and confirm the approval pathway before any clearing or construction begins.

Retain large patches of dry box, ironbark, River Red Gum and other suitable eucalypt woodland, particularly patches containing mature trees.

Retain scattered paddock trees and riparian trees that provide food, movement links or nesting sites.

Keep retained patches connected to adjoining woodland and avoid creating narrow isolated remnants or unnecessary gaps between habitat patches.

Retain native ground cover and unimproved pasture around woodland remnants where practicable, as these features are identified as supporting habitat management for the species.

Avoid clearing during the main breeding period where practicable, particularly from June to December in NSW and July to December in other parts of the range.

Before habitat disturbance: Approvals and fauna management planning

Confirm the current Commonwealth and state status for the relevant population and project location before works commence.

The supplied records identify the species as not listed under the EPBC Act, vulnerable in NSW and vulnerable in South Australia; confirm whether the project affects another listed population, subspecies or protected habitat before relying on this status.

Obtain any required state wildlife, vegetation clearing, planning or construction approvals and include the species in the fauna management plan where suitable habitat will be disturbed.

Seek an EPBC Act referral only if the project triggers a Commonwealth matter, approval requirement or listed species or community provision identified during the project assessment.

Set out survey findings, no-go areas, clearing limits, fauna spotter catcher authority, stop-work triggers, handling arrangements, release sites, incident reporting and rehabilitation requirements in the fauna management plan.

Before habitat disturbance: Pre-clearance preparation

Complete a pre-clearance inspection of all vegetation and habitat within the disturbance footprint and the machinery access area.

Mark retained trees, woodland patches, nests, active breeding sites, exclusion zones, access routes and no-go areas before machinery enters the site.

Use exclusion fencing where it can protect retained woodland, mature trees, nests or ground cover from machinery, vehicle movement and material storage.

Brief all workers on the species' appearance, call, canopy behaviour, habitat, reporting chain and stop-work requirements.

Plan staged clearing so the fauna spotter catcher can inspect each work area immediately before disturbance and so birds can move towards nearby retained habitat.

During habitat disturbance: Daily controls and machinery coordination

The fauna spotter catcher should control the sequence of clearing, maintain a clear view of the work area and have authority to pause machinery. Particular care is needed around mature eucalypts, canopy nests and retained woodland edges.

Conduct a daily pre-start inspection of the active work area, retained habitat, access tracks and exclusion fencing.

The fauna spotter catcher should inspect vegetation immediately before clearing and remain in direct communication with the machinery operator.

Clear in stages towards retained habitat, where safe and appropriate, while preventing machinery from entering marked no-go areas.

Keep machinery, spoil, vehicles and workers outside retained woodland and mature trees unless the approved work method requires otherwise.

Pause work if visibility is poor, an animal is detected, a nest or breeding site is found, exclusion fencing fails or the approved clearing limits cannot be maintained.

• The fauna spotter catcher must have authority to stop work and must not be assigned another task that prevents continuous observation during active clearing.
• Keep a daily record of the work area, machinery, personnel, weather, inspections, fauna detections, incidents, releases, injuries and periods of stopped work.

During habitat disturbance: Habitat features and nests

Inspect mature eucalypts and the upper canopy for suspended cup-shaped nests before felling or major branch removal.

Do not disturb an active nest, dependent young or a tree with repeated adult feeding activity until the fauna spotter catcher and project ecologist have assessed the risk and applied the approved control.

Retain standing mature trees and hollow-bearing trees wherever possible, even though the supplied species documents identify canopy nesting rather than a specific dependence on hollows.

Retain logs, rocks, ground cover and native understorey where they can be kept safely, because they support woodland condition and insect resources.

Prevent weed spread and avoid stockpiling cleared vegetation against retained trees or within retained woodland.

During habitat disturbance: Animal found, injury and stop-work response

If a Black-chinned Honeyeater is found, stop nearby disturbance long enough for the fauna spotter catcher to identify the bird, assess its condition and check for a nest or dependent young.

Do not chase, catch or handle a healthy flying bird unless handling is necessary under the approved fauna management plan and can be performed by an appropriately authorised person.

Where relocation is necessary and authorised, release the bird into nearby retained woodland with suitable mature eucalypts, away from machinery, workers and active disturbance.

Do not move a bird that is injured, stunned or unable to fly without following the project wildlife procedure; place it in an appropriate secure container only if authorised and safe to do so.

Arrange prompt assessment by a veterinarian or licensed wildlife carer for an injured bird, and record the outcome.

Stop work and notify the project ecologist if a nest, dependent young, repeated breeding activity, injured bird, mortality or unexpected concentration of birds is found.

After habitat disturbance: Post-clearance inspection

Post-clearance work should confirm that the approved footprint was not exceeded, that retained habitat remains functional and that any fauna incident has been resolved and reported.

Inspect the cleared area and its edges after each staged clearing activity for injured, dead, displaced or trapped birds.

Check retained mature eucalypts, nests, exclusion fencing, access routes and adjoining woodland for damage caused by machinery or falling vegetation.

Confirm that no unapproved trees, paddock trees, woodland links or retained habitat were removed or damaged.

If a nest or breeding site was identified, undertake follow-up observation as directed by the project ecologist and approval conditions.

After habitat disturbance: Monitoring and controls

Maintain exclusion fencing, no-go markers and machinery controls until construction risks to retained habitat have ended.

Monitor retained woodland and revegetation for weed invasion, loss of native ground cover, canopy damage and new breaks in connectivity.

Where the project has removed or fragmented suitable habitat, establish a monitoring program that records Black-chinned Honeyeater presence, group size, breeding activity and use of retained or rehabilitated trees.

Use the same mapped sites and repeatable observation method for follow-up surveys so changes can be compared over time.

Monitoring indicators: Presence, number of birds, group size, breeding activity, habitat condition, mature tree retention and connectivity

Relevant habitat concern: Loss and fragmentation of dry eucalypt woodland and decline in mature trees

After habitat disturbance: Reporting and approval compliance

Provide the site supervisor, project ecologist and approval authority with a final fauna report covering survey effort, clearing dates, habitat removed and retained, detections, incidents, releases, injuries, mortality and rehabilitation actions.

Submit confirmed species records to the relevant state wildlife database and retain the record reference with the project file.

Report any breach of clearing limits, unauthorised habitat removal, nest disturbance, injury or mortality under the project approval and fauna management plan.

Complete any required offset, restoration or compensation action identified by the approval authority.

Rehabilitation actions: Restore suitable woodland structure

Rehabilitation should restore the dry eucalypt woodland structure and food resources used by the Black-chinned Honeyeater. Priority should be given to mature tree retention, connected woodland and native plant recovery rather than isolated plantings alone.

Protect retained mature eucalypts and establish new River Red Gum, box and ironbark plantings that match the local vegetation community.

Use locally appropriate species such as River Red Gum, White Box, Yellow Box, Inland Grey Box, Blakely's Red Gum and Mugga Ironbark where they are suitable for the local site and approved rehabilitation community.

Plant in groups and links that enlarge existing remnants and improve movement between retained woodland patches, rather than creating isolated rows of trees.

Retain or reinstate native understorey and ground cover, including shrubby vegetation that can provide insect resources and reduce dominance by aggressive honeyeaters such as Noisy Miners.

Do not assume that young plantings replace mature canopy habitat; protect existing mature trees throughout rehabilitation.

Rehabilitation actions: Habitat features, weeds and fire

Retain fallen timber, logs and native ground cover where safe, and avoid unnecessary removal during site preparation.

Install nest boxes only where a project ecologist identifies a local need and an appropriate design and placement; the supplied documents describe natural canopy nests and do not specify a nest box design for this species.

Control invasive weeds that reduce woodland habitat value and compete with native regeneration.

Manage grazing so regenerating eucalypts and native ground cover can establish, because intense grazing can prevent regeneration.

Develop fire management that protects regenerating woodland eucalypts and avoids repeated or poorly timed burning that removes habitat structure.

Rehabilitation actions: Monitoring and success measures

Inspect plant survival, natural regeneration, canopy development, native ground cover, weed cover, mature tree retention and connectivity at agreed intervals.

Use diurnal canopy searches during the breeding period to check whether Black-chinned Honeyeaters return to retained or rehabilitated woodland.

Record presence, group size, feeding activity, breeding activity and use of planted or retained trees, while recognising that the species can be locally nomadic and may use large feeding areas.

Treat successful rehabilitation as retention of mature trees, establishment of connected native woodland, recovery of native ground cover and documented use by the species, not planting numbers alone.

Adapt weed, grazing, fire and watering controls when monitoring shows poor regeneration or declining habitat condition.

Known habitat scale: Feeding territories are large; published sources report home ranges of at least 5 hectares, approximately 20 hectares of core activity in one South Australian source, and approximately 140 hectares in an Adelaide and Mount Lofty Ranges study

Food resources: Insects, nectar, lerps and honeydew, especially in mature eucalypt canopy foliage

Long-term objective: Protect, restore and expand habitat to stabilise local populations

Sources

• Conservation Advice approved: 3 May 2016, Australian Government DCCEEW: http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/threatened/species/pubs/143-conservation-advice-05052016.pdf
• Approved Conservation Advice for the Buloke Woodlands of the Riverina and Murray-Darling Depression Bioregions, Australian Government DCCEEW: http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/threatened/communities/pubs/3-conservation-advice.pdf
• Black-chinned Honeyeater, swifft.net.au: https://www.swifft.net.au/cb_pages/sp_black-chinned_honeyeater.php
• [PDF] Melithreptus gularis gularis Black-chinned Honeyeater, South Australian Government: https://cdn.environment.sa.gov.au/landscape/docs/hf/pa-fact-blackchinnedhoneyeater.pdf
• Black-chinned Honeyeater (eastern subspecies) - profile, NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water: https://threatenedspecies.bionet.nsw.gov.au/profile?id=10523