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Crested Bellbird (Oreoica gutturalis)

The Crested Bellbird is a medium-sized, mostly sedentary or locally nomadic bird of dry inland and semi-arid Australia. It uses acacia shrublands, eucalypt woodlands, spinifex and chenopod plains, and dunes, so clearing can remove feeding cover and low nesting sites, while fragmentation can reduce habitat continuity. It is listed as threatened in Victoria, although it is not listed under the EPBC Act.

Conservation status

Victoria, Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988: Endangered.

Breeding season

The species is generally sedentary or locally nomadic in drier regions. Breeding is reported from August to December, with nesting and young present during that period.

Month order is January to December. Seasonal timing may vary between regions because the species is locally nomadic and occurs across a large area.

  • Breeding: Pairs form and breed from August to December. No peak month is specified.
  • Young: Eggs are incubated for about 16 days and nestlings remain in the nest for about 12 days. The sources do not provide a separate fledgling dependency period.
  • Movement or dispersal: The species is generally sedentary or locally nomadic in drier regions. No seasonal movement window is specified.
  • Highest clearing risk: Clearing and disturbance are most likely to harm the species from August to December because pairs, eggs, nestlings and recently fledged birds may be associated with low nests and nearby feeding cover.

Identification

The Crested Bellbird is a medium-sized passerine with a distinctive bell-like call. Males are more strongly marked than females and immature birds.

Adult males have a grey head, raised black crest, white forehead and throat, and prominent black breast. The remaining upperparts and body are grey to brown, and the eyes are orange-red.

Females and immature birds are duller. They lack the prominent black breast and have a smaller, less raised crest.

Body length: 19 to 23 cm

Eye colour: Orange-red

Identification: Calls and field signs

The call is loud, liquid and bell-like, described as 'did-did did-did-dit'. Male and female call exchanges are common, and the sound can be ventriloquial, making the bird difficult to locate from the call alone.

The nest is a deep cup made from twigs, bark or leaves. It is usually placed in a tree fork or other low vegetation, generally within 2 m of the ground. Live, hairy caterpillars may be placed around the nest rim.

Typical nest height: Within 2 m of the ground

Nest materials: Small twigs, bark or leaves, with finer lining materials

  • Use the call to locate likely habitat, then confirm the bird visually because the call may appear to come from a different direction.
  • Search low shrubs, tree forks and ground beneath dense vegetation when checking habitat for nesting activity.

Identification: Similar species

The Australian Museum identifies Wedge-bill and Western Whipbird as similar species. The supplied sources do not provide a detailed comparison of their plumage or calls, so identification should rely on the Crested Bellbird's combination of male crest, white forehead and throat, black breast, orange-red eyes, habitat and distinctive bell-like call.

  • Treat an unconfirmed call record cautiously where Wedge-bills or Western Whipbirds are also present.
  • Record sex where possible, because females and immature birds are less conspicuous than adult males.

Distribution: National range

The Crested Bellbird is endemic to mainland Australia and has a broad distribution through the drier interior and western parts of the continent. The supplied sources do not provide a population estimate, mapped strongholds or a state by state abundance assessment.

The species occurs west of the Great Dividing Range, through the southern tropics of northern Australia, across South Australia and to the west coast of Western Australia. It is absent or uncommon in the far north, humid eastern areas and the extreme south-west according to the supplied species guide.

  • Relevant broad regions include inland Queensland and New South Wales west of the Great Dividing Range, the southern tropical interior, South Australia and much of inland and western Western Australia.
  • Confirm local occurrence against current state atlases and project records before clearing, because broad national distribution does not demonstrate presence at a particular site.

Distribution: Population information

The supplied documents do not give a national population size, local density, generation length, mapped stronghold or quantified population trend. They report a contraction of the species' range in Victoria associated with habitat destruction and fragmentation.

National population size: Not reported in the supplied documents

Known range trend: Range contraction reported in Victoria

National EPBC status: Not listed

State status supplied: Endangered in Victoria

Habitat: Habitat types

Crested Bellbirds use dry and semi-arid vegetation with shrubs, low trees and open ground suitable for movement and foraging. They occur from semi-arid coastlines to the arid Australian interior.

Recorded habitat types include acacia shrublands, eucalypt woodlands, spinifex grasslands, chenopod or saltbush plains, and dunes. The species is associated with the drier parts of Australia rather than humid eastern habitats.

Climate range: Semi-arid to arid

Elevation range: Not reported in the supplied documents

  • Retain connected patches of mature and regenerating acacia shrubland, eucalypt woodland, spinifex and chenopod vegetation.
  • Treat apparently open areas as potential habitat where low shrubs, scattered trees or ground foraging cover remain.

Habitat: Structure to retain

The species needs low vegetation for movement, foraging and nest placement, together with tree forks or dense shrubs near the ground. Habitat fragmentation is identified as a particular concern.

  • Avoid removing all low shrubs beneath or between retained trees.
  • Retain linked patches of shrub and woodland cover rather than isolated trees surrounded by cleared ground.
  • Inspect vegetation within 2 m of the ground for nests before clearing or trimming.

Foraging habitat: Diet and feeding method

Crested Bellbirds eat invertebrates and some seeds. They forage mainly on the ground and in low shrubs, usually alone, in pairs during the breeding season or occasionally in mixed feeding flocks.

The documented diet consists of small invertebrates and seeds. The birds move by rapid hopping on the ground and make short flights between low shrubs or tree branches.

They may join mixed feeding flocks with Chestnut-rumped Thornbills and Red-capped Robins. The supplied documents do not identify particular food plant species or quantify the area used by an individual bird.

Main food: Invertebrates and some seeds

Foraging height: Ground level to low shrubs and tree branches

Foraging range: Not quantified in the supplied documents

  • Retain leaf litter, low shrubs and patchy ground cover that support invertebrate prey and provide access for ground foraging.
  • Avoid treating cleared strips between shrub patches as low value, because the species uses ground and low vegetation while moving and feeding.
  • Record feeding birds, prey, flock associations and the vegetation being used during site inspections.

Breeding habitat: Breeding biology

Pairs form during the breeding season and build a cup-shaped nest low in vegetation or in a tree fork. Both sexes incubate the eggs.

Breeding generally occurs from August to December. Nests are made from twigs, bark or leaves, lined with finer material, and placed within 2 m of the ground. Eggs are white or bluish with light brown and grey blotching.

Breeding season: August to December

Clutch size: 1 to 4 eggs

Incubation: 16 days

Time in nest: About 12 days

Age at maturity: Not reported in the supplied documents

Lifespan: Not reported in the supplied documents

  • Search low tree forks, shrubs and dense vegetation before clearing during the August to December breeding period.
  • Where a nest is found, establish an appropriate no disturbance area in accordance with the applicable state approval and fauna handling requirements.

Breeding habitat: Breeding habitat features

Breeding habitat combines low nesting sites with nearby shrubland or woodland used for feeding. A nest may be in a tree fork, but the species guide also describes nests as being placed within 2 m of the ground, so low shrubs and understorey require inspection.

  • Retain low shrubs, tree forks and connected feeding cover around potential nest sites.
  • Do not assume that a tree is unsuitable because it is small or that a nest is absent because no large hollow is present.
  • Check retained vegetation after clearing for displaced adults, eggs or nestlings.

Sheltering habitat: Cover and refuge

The supplied documents describe low nests and cover used during feeding, but do not describe specific roosts, hollows, burrows or den structures.

Crested Bellbirds move through low shrubs and tree branches and use acacia shrublands, eucalypt woodland, spinifex, chenopod vegetation and dunes. These vegetation layers are likely to provide concealment and resting cover, but the documents do not quantify refuge dimensions.

Documented nest height: Within 2 m of the ground

Hollows, burrows and roosts: Not described in the supplied documents

  • Retain dense low vegetation and connected shrub patches during site establishment and construction.
  • Avoid unnecessary removal of vegetation beneath retained trees and along patch edges.
  • Inspect low vegetation for birds, nests and recently fledged young before machinery access.

Threats: Clearing and fragmentation

The main documented pressures are habitat destruction, fragmentation and cats. Clearing programs can remove both low nesting sites and the shrub and woodland structure used for feeding.

Land clearance has contributed to contraction of the species' range in Victoria. Fragmentation is identified as a particular susceptibility, which is relevant where roads, easements, pads, quarries or other works divide shrubland and woodland.

  • Avoid clearing connected habitat where practicable, especially acacia shrubland, eucalypt woodland, spinifex, chenopod plains and dunes.
  • Keep retained patches connected with native vegetation rather than narrow or isolated remnants.
  • Stage clearing so fauna spotters can inspect low vegetation and tree forks immediately before disturbance.
  • Control vehicle access and construction activity outside approved work areas to limit additional edge loss.

Threats: Predators and other pressures

Cats are identified as a threat throughout the species' range. The supplied documents do not quantify the effect of roads, fire, disease or hydrology change on Crested Bellbirds specifically.

Documented predator: Cats

Road, fire, disease and hydrology effects: Species-specific effects not reported in the supplied documents

  • Manage domestic and feral cats around work camps, accommodation areas and waste facilities in accordance with project and state requirements.
  • Keep food waste and other attractants secured so they do not increase predator activity near retained habitat.
  • Assess fire, road, hydrology and disease risks on a site by site basis because species-specific evidence for these pressures is not provided in the supplied documents.
  • Record sightings and breeding evidence before and after major clearing so changes in local use can be detected.

Survey methodology: 1. Diurnal habitat and bird searches

Survey the Crested Bellbird in the vegetation types it uses, including acacia shrublands, eucalypt woodlands, spinifex and chenopod plains, dunes and other semi-arid habitats. The supplied documents do not provide a species-specific survey effort, so set effort using the applicable state fauna survey guideline and the project risk.

Search retained and proposed-clearing habitat during daylight, when birds may be detected on the ground, in low shrubs or in tree branches.

Record all Crested Bellbirds seen or heard, including sex where possible, the location, habitat type, behaviour, flock association and direction of movement.

Give particular attention to low shrubs, open ground and the edges of acacia or eucalypt vegetation, because the species forages on the ground and in low vegetation and may occur alone, in pairs or in mixed feeding flocks.

Survey methodology: 2. Call-based searches

Include quiet listening periods during diurnal searches because the species has a loud, bell-like call that can carry over long distances.

Use the call to locate birds, but do not rely on sound alone because the call can be ventriloquial and the bird may be difficult to locate by ear.

Do not use unapproved call playback, particularly during the breeding season, unless it is allowed by the relevant state guideline, permit and project fauna management plan.

Survey methodology: 3. Breeding habitat inspection

Inspect suitable vegetation for cup-shaped nests during the August to December breeding period before clearing or disturbance.

Search forks and low branches carefully because nests are usually placed in a tree fork and may be within 2 metres of the ground.

Treat a nest with live, hairy caterpillars around the rim as a possible Crested Bellbird nest feature, and have the fauna spotter catcher or ecologist assess it before works continue.

Breeding season: August to December

Typical clutch size: 1 to 4 eggs

Nest position reported in the supplied material: Usually in a tree fork, often within 2 metres of the ground

Survey methodology: Minimum effort and reporting

  • Apply the current survey effort, seasonal timing and detection requirements in the relevant state fauna survey guideline, because no species-specific effort is provided in the supplied documents.
  • Survey all habitat proposed for clearing and any retained habitat likely to be affected by access, noise, lighting, vibration, dust or altered drainage.
  • Map records and potential breeding sites using project coordinates and retain the survey track, dates, observers, weather, start and finish times, methods and limitations.
  • Submit verified records to the relevant state wildlife database and provide records and survey results to the project environmental officer and approval authority where required.
  • Use the accepted scientific name, Oreoica gutturalis, in field records and reports.

Before habitat disturbance: Avoid and minimise

Plan works around the species' use of dry shrubland, woodland, grassland, saltbush plains and dunes. The main controls are retaining connected habitat, avoiding active nests and completing a documented pre-clearance process.

  • Avoid clearing acacia shrublands, eucalypt woodland, spinifex, chenopod and saltbush vegetation, dunes and other suitable dry-country habitat where practicable.
  • Retain continuous patches and linkages between retained vegetation so sedentary or locally nomadic birds can continue to move between feeding and breeding areas.
  • Retain low shrubs, ground-foraging areas, tree forks and other vegetation used for feeding or nesting.
  • Keep the disturbance footprint, vehicle movements, lighting and access tracks within the approved area.

Before habitat disturbance: Approvals and work planning

Breeding period to consider in scheduling: August to December

Listing information supplied for the species: EPBC Act not listed; Victoria, Endangered

  • Check the current EPBC Act status and state or territory listing before works commence, and refer the action if required by the current legislation or approval conditions.
  • Obtain any state fauna permits, wildlife handling authorities and clearing approvals required for the site.
  • Schedule the highest-risk clearing outside August to December where practicable, and require an additional breeding inspection if clearing must occur in that period.
  • Stage clearing so retained habitat and movement routes remain available until the active work area has been checked and cleared.

Before habitat disturbance: Site preparation

  • Complete a pre-clearance survey immediately before works, with the timing and repeat checks set by the approval and fauna management plan.
  • Mark the approved clearing boundary, retained vegetation, nests, habitat trees and other no-go areas before machinery enters the site.
  • Install and maintain exclusion fencing where it can keep machinery and people away from retained habitat or an active nest.
  • Brief machinery operators on the exclusion areas, stop-work triggers, spotter catcher signals and the requirement to stop when fauna is detected.

During habitat disturbance: Daily controls and machinery coordination

Use a controlled clearing sequence with a fauna spotter catcher present for relevant activities. The spotter catcher must have authority to stop work and must work within the limits of their licence, permit and project fauna management plan.

  • Inspect the work area each day before clearing, including the ground, low shrubs, tree forks and the edge of retained habitat.
  • Maintain a fauna spotter catcher in the active clearing area and position machinery so the operator can respond immediately to the spotter catcher's direction.
  • Clear slowly in stages towards retained habitat only where that direction is safe and approved, allowing fauna to move away from machinery.
  • Stop machinery when the spotter catcher identifies a bird, nest, injured animal or other fauna hazard, and do not resume until the spotter catcher gives clearance.

During habitat disturbance: Habitat feature handling

  • Inspect low vegetation and tree forks before removal because nests may be low and are reported within 2 metres of the ground.
  • Do not remove or disturb an active nest unless the relevant authority has approved the action and the authorised fauna professional has specified the controls.
  • Treat logs, rocks, dense shrubs, tree forks and other retained cover as fauna habitat and relocate or remove them only under the fauna management plan.
  • Do not place felled material, spoil, vehicles or equipment in retained habitat or movement linkages.

During habitat disturbance: Animal encounters and stop-work triggers

  • If a Crested Bellbird is found, stop the immediate activity and allow the bird to leave naturally where safe.
  • Do not chase, catch, handle or relocate the bird unless the person is authorised under the relevant state law and project approval.
  • If relocation is authorised and necessary, move the bird only to nearby retained habitat that matches the species' acacia, eucalypt, spinifex or chenopod habitat and is outside the work area.
  • Take an injured bird promptly to an appropriately qualified veterinarian or authorised wildlife carer, following the relevant state wildlife requirements.
  • Stop work for an active nest, a bird unable to move away safely, an injured or trapped bird, an unapproved impact to retained habitat, or any breach of the approved clearing boundary.
  • Record every encounter, including location, time, habitat, condition, action taken, handler, destination and release outcome.

After habitat disturbance: Post-clearance checks

Complete a documented inspection after clearing and keep the site controls in place while construction continues. Post-clearance checks should confirm that no bird, nest or retained habitat feature has been left within the disturbance area.

  • Inspect the cleared area, retained vegetation edge, access routes and any staged clearing area after machinery has finished.
  • Check low shrubs, tree forks and ground cover for birds, nests, injured fauna and animals sheltering in disturbed material.
  • Confirm that exclusion fencing, no-go markers and retained habitat have not been damaged or encroached upon.
  • Record the cleared area, inspection time, observers, findings, photographs and any corrective action.

After habitat disturbance: Monitoring and reporting

  • Monitor retained habitat during construction for Crested Bellbird detections, nest activity, vegetation damage, excessive dust, noise, lighting or altered drainage.
  • Repeat monitoring during August to December where works continue through the breeding period and where the risk assessment or approval requires it.
  • Report unexpected impacts, active nests, injured fauna, unauthorised clearing and any failure of the fauna management plan to the project environmental officer and regulator where required.
  • Update the project fauna register and submit verified sightings to the relevant state wildlife database.

After habitat disturbance: Ongoing controls and offsets

  • Maintain movement linkages, retained vegetation and exclusion areas until construction and site rehabilitation are complete.
  • Repair damaged fencing and markers immediately, and control access through retained habitat.
  • Apply any approved offset, habitat protection or restoration requirement where residual impacts remain after avoidance and minimisation.

Rehabilitation actions: Habitat reconstruction

Rehabilitation should recreate connected dry-country habitat that supports ground and low-shrub foraging and provides suitable tree and shrub structure for breeding. Use local ecological information to select species and structure for the site.

  • Re-establish locally native acacia shrubland, eucalypt woodland, spinifex and chenopod or saltbush communities where those communities occur naturally at the site.
  • Create connected vegetation rather than isolated planting blocks, and link rehabilitation with retained habitat and movement routes.
  • Restore a layered structure with ground cover, low shrubs and suitable trees or tree forks for foraging and nesting.
  • Reinstate suitable natural logs, rocks and other cover removed during works where this can be done safely and without spreading weeds or disease.

Rehabilitation actions: Breeding and threat management

  • Retain existing mature trees and shrubs wherever practicable because established structure is more useful for breeding than new plantings.
  • Use nest boxes only where a site assessment shows they are appropriate and a qualified ecologist confirms that natural nesting structure is insufficient; the supplied documents do not specify a Crested Bellbird nest-box design.
  • Control weeds so native acacia, eucalypt, spinifex and chenopod vegetation can regenerate and retain low foraging cover.
  • Manage feral cats and other introduced predators in accordance with the relevant approval, control programme and animal welfare requirements, because cats are identified as a threat to the species.

Rehabilitation actions: Fire, monitoring and success measures

Breeding period for monitoring: August to December

  • Use the site's approved fire management plan to protect regenerating shrubland, woodland, spinifex and chenopod habitat from inappropriate fire frequency, intensity or season.
  • Inspect rehabilitation during and after the August to December breeding period for Crested Bellbird detections, nesting activity and use of restored habitat.
  • Measure rehabilitation against approved targets for plant establishment, weed control, connectivity, retained ground and low-shrub cover, and protection from predator or fire impacts.
  • Record Crested Bellbird observations using Oreoica gutturalis and submit verified records to the relevant state wildlife database.
  • Investigate and correct failed plant establishment, weed invasion, erosion, broken fencing or loss of habitat connectivity.

Sources