Striated Thornbill (Acanthiza lineata)

Conservation status

Commonwealth, EPBC Act 1999: Vulnerable.

Breeding season

The documents describe broad Australian seasons rather than exact months. The month pattern below translates spring to summer breeding and autumn to winter flocking into a typical Australian annual cycle.

Exact breeding dates, nest occupancy periods and regional differences were not provided. Survey and clearing controls should therefore account for breeding activity across the full spring to summer period.

• Breeding: Breeding occurs in spring and summer. Pairs or cooperative groups establish territories and nest in outer branches, shrubs, saplings or occasional tussocks.
• Young: Incubation is about two weeks, nestlings fledge after about 20 days, and young remain with the family group until the following breeding season.
• Movement and flocking: During autumn and winter, birds commonly form small clans or flocks of up to 20, moving and roosting together within established home range territories.
• Highest clearing risk: Clearing and vegetation disturbance are most likely to harm the species during spring and summer because nests, incubating females, nestlings and dependent young may be present. Active nests can occur in outer tree branches, shrubs, saplings and occasional grassy tussocks.

Identification

The Striated Thornbill is a very small, active thornbill that usually stays within eucalypt foliage. It is most often detected by movement and high-pitched contact calls rather than by remaining in the open.

Adults are about 9 to 10 cm long and weigh about 7 g. The crown is russet or orange-brown with pale streaking. The upperparts are dull yellow-olive, the flanks are olive-grey, and the cream underparts are strongly marked with black streaks.

The throat, chest and ear coverts are boldly streaked. The belly and vent are yellow. The bill, legs and feet are black, and the sexes are similar.

Key visual feature: White-streaked orange-brown crown combined with strongly streaked cream underparts.

Typical position: Moving through the middle and upper foliage of eucalypts, often at 2 to 20 m.

Identification: Similar species

The Brown Thornbill is the main similar species identified in the supplied material. The Striated Thornbill has a white-streaked orange-brown cap, while the Brown Thornbill lacks this cap and is more associated with shrub habitats.

Young Striated Thornbills resemble adults but have less streaking on the underside.

Identification: Field signs

Groups may give continual high-pitched, insect-like contact calls while moving through foliage. The species may also join mixed-species feeding flocks with other thornbills and Weebills.

The nest is an oval or pear-shaped dome suspended from a single slender twig, with an entrance in the side near the top. It is made from bark strips, fine grass, moss, lichen and spider web or egg sacs, and is thickly lined with feathers, fur, hair or silky plant down.

No species-specific information on tracks, scats, sloughs or eyeshine was provided. Direct observation, repeated contact calls and nests are the most useful field indicators during project surveys.

• Inspect outer branches, shrubs, saplings and occasional grassy tussocks for suspended domed nests.
• Record repeated high-pitched calls and movement within eucalypt foliage, especially where small groups are feeding or roosting.

Distribution: States and regional range

The Striated Thornbill is endemic to Australia and occurs across eastern and southern parts of the continent. The supplied documents describe four subspecies with different geographic ranges, but do not assign the species to named bioregions.

Acanthiza lineata alberti occurs from about the Tropic of Capricorn in Queensland south to the Manning River in New South Wales. Acanthiza lineata lineata occurs from the Manning River south to about Bairnsdale in Victoria and extends inland to the upper Murray River catchment.

Acanthiza lineata clelandi occurs west of Bairnsdale along the south coast to Adelaide in South Australia. Acanthiza lineata whitei is endemic to Kangaroo Island in South Australia.

The supplied documents do not provide a finer state by bioregion breakdown or identify mainland population strongholds.

Documented states: Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia.

Named island subpopulation: Kangaroo Island, South Australia, represented by A. l. whitei.

Distribution: Kangaroo Island population

The Kangaroo Island subspecies was estimated to have 44,000 mature individuals in the wild after the 2019 to 2020 bushfires. Its estimated extent of occurrence is 5,500 km2 and its estimated area of occupancy is 1,630 km2.

The population declined by an estimated 47%, with a reported range of 33% to 57%, over the previous three generations, equivalent to 12.6 years. The decline was attributed mainly to the 2019 to 2020 Kangaroo Island bushfires.

Population estimate: 44,000 mature individuals for A. l. whitei after the 2019 to 2020 fires.

Recent population change: Estimated decline of 47%, range 33% to 57%, over 12.6 years.

EPBC status: A. l. whitei is listed as Vulnerable under the EPBC Act.

Habitat: Habitat types

Striated Thornbills use wooded habitats with foliage at several levels, especially eucalypt vegetation with a developed understorey. Mature vegetation and structurally diverse remnants are important for both feeding and breeding.

Documented habitats include subtropical or tropical dry forest, open eucalypt forest and woodland, tall riparian forest, isolated Sugar Gum stands, stringybark scrub, mallee, roadside corridors, remnant farm paddocks and Swamp Paperbark stands.

The Kangaroo Island subspecies occurs in most medium to tall eucalypt formations and is usually more abundant in mature forests that have been undisturbed for more than 10 years. It tends to avoid coastal mallee heaths.

Important age structure: Mature or relatively undisturbed vegetation, with more than 10 years without major disturbance identified for the Kangaroo Island subspecies.

Documented vegetation: Eucalypt forest and woodland, riparian forest, mallee, stringybark, Sugar Gum and Swamp Paperbark.

Habitat: Structure and project context

Useful habitat commonly includes a continuous or connected canopy, outer foliage, saplings and a well-developed shrub understorey. Tussock grasses may also provide occasional nesting sites.

Remnant vegetation in farm paddocks and roadside corridors can support the species. Clearing these remnants may remove feeding trees, nesting substrates and movement connections even where the area is small.

No elevation limits or specific climatic thresholds were provided. The supplied material does not identify a hydrology requirement, although tall riparian forest is recognised as habitat for the Kangaroo Island subspecies.

• Retain mature eucalypts, outer branches, saplings, shrubs and connected riparian vegetation wherever practicable.
• Treat recently burnt habitat and unburnt patches within or beside burnt areas as potentially important during planning and impact assessment.

Foraging habitat: Diet

Striated Thornbills are primarily insectivorous and forage actively through foliage. They are mostly arboreal and may feed well above ground despite their small size.

The main prey are insects, including lerps, and spiders found in foliage. The species also sometimes takes seeds, fruit, nectar and manna, which is a sugary secretion produced by trees following insect attack.

The supplied documents do not identify particular insect taxa or quantify daily food requirements.

Primary food: Insects, including lerps, and spiders.

Occasional food: Seeds, fruit, nectar and manna.

Foraging habitat: Foraging method and height

Birds glean prey from leaves and other foliage, often using acrobatic movements and hanging upside down. The Kangaroo Island subspecies mainly forages in the middle to upper canopy at heights of 2 to 20 m.

It may forage lower down in saplings and understorey shrubs, and has been observed searching under bark in the subcanopy and canopy of eucalypts.

Typical foraging height: 2 to 20 m.

Social foraging: Autumn and winter groups may contain up to 20 birds and may join mixed-species feeding flocks.

• Inspect the full vertical profile of retained vegetation, including canopy, subcanopy, saplings and shrubs.
• Avoid assuming that low shrubs alone provide the main feeding habitat, because most foraging occurs in the middle to upper canopy.

Breeding habitat: Breeding biology

Breeding occurs in spring and summer, when non-breeding flocks break up into pairs or cooperative groups. Breeding territories may be reused in successive years.

Breeding pairs or cooperative groups establish territories. Helpers may assist with feeding nestlings, and young remain with the family group until the following breeding season.

Only the female develops a brood patch and incubates the eggs. All members of the breeding group feed the nestlings.

Breeding season: Spring to summer.

Clutch size: Two to four eggs, usually three.

Incubation: About two weeks.

Fledging: About 20 days after hatching.

Age at maturity: Not provided in the supplied documents.

Lifespan: Not provided in the supplied documents.

Generation length: Estimated at 4.2 years for the Kangaroo Island subspecies.

Breeding habitat: Nesting habitat

Nests are usually placed in mature or relatively undisturbed eucalypt forest, in the outer branches of trees. Nests may also occur in shrubs, sapling trees and, occasionally, grassy tussocks.

The nest is suspended from a single slender twig. Breeding habitat therefore includes suitable nesting vegetation as well as nearby canopy and understorey used for feeding and cover.

Nest form: Oval or pear-shaped dome with a side entrance near the top.

Nest support: Usually a single slender twig.

Territory reuse: Breeding groups are known to hold the same nesting territories each year.

• Search outer branches of mature eucalypts, shrubs, saplings and occasional tussocks before clearing or pruning.
• Consider breeding habitat to include the surrounding feeding vegetation, not only the tree or shrub containing a nest.

Sheltering habitat: Roosting and refuge

The species shelters and roosts in vegetation rather than in ground burrows or tree hollows. Small groups use established home range territories and move through dense foliage.

During autumn and winter, groups feed, move and roost together in well-defined home range territories. They are often seen moving through the outer foliage of eucalypts.

The supplied documents do not give a separate roost tree diameter, hollow size, nest height or measured refuge area. No use of burrows, dens or ground shelters is described.

Group size outside breeding: Small clans or flocks of up to 20 birds.

Roosting location: Vegetation within established home range territories, especially eucalypt foliage.

• Retain dense canopy and understorey within occupied or likely habitat, including vegetation adjoining clearing areas.
• Protect unburnt patches within or beside recently burnt areas because they may provide refuge and support recolonisation.

Threats: Clearing and fragmentation

For development projects, the main risks are removal or fragmentation of mature wooded habitat, disturbance or removal of active nests, and changes to fire and vegetation condition. Threat evidence is strongest for the Kangaroo Island subspecies, but the habitat risks are relevant to the species wherever it occurs.

Vegetation clearing removes canopy feeding habitat, nesting sites, understorey and movement connections. Historical clearance for agriculture is identified as a cause of habitat loss on Kangaroo Island.

Removal of roadside vegetation, isolated farm-paddock trees, riparian forest or mature eucalypt remnants may be significant because these habitats are documented as being used by the Kangaroo Island subspecies.

• Map mature eucalypts, connected canopy, understorey, riparian vegetation and potential nesting trees before clearing.
• Avoid removing unburnt habitat or refuge vegetation beside recently burnt areas.
• Assess cumulative loss and fragmentation across the project area rather than treating each tree or remnant in isolation.

Threats: Fire and vegetation condition

Frequent, large, high-severity wildfires can destroy or alter canopy structure and reduce habitat suitability. On Kangaroo Island, the 2019 to 2020 fires affected about half of the island, with approximately 51% of the subspecies distribution burnt at high to very high severity and a further 11% burnt at low to moderate severity.

Inappropriate prescribed burning, mechanical vegetation removal, asset protection works and backburning may reduce habitat, fragment remaining vegetation or remove refuge patches before burnt habitat has recovered.

Kangaroo Island fire impact: Approximately half of the island was burnt in 2019 to 2020.

High to very high severity fire: Approximately 51% of the Kangaroo Island subspecies distribution.

Additional low to moderate severity fire: A further 11% of the subspecies distribution.

• Keep fire management activities away from unburnt refuge patches within or beside recently burnt areas unless impacts have been assessed.
• Consider the time needed for mature canopy and understorey to recover when assessing fire or vegetation removal proposals.

Threats: Predators, disease and weeds

Feral cats are a potential minor threat. The risk is likely lower than for ground-foraging birds because Striated Thornbills spend most of their time in the canopy, but fire may increase cat activity in open burnt areas.

Feral pigs can graze, trample and dig, damage streams, spread weeds and transmit Phytophthora cinnamomi. Phytophthora dieback and invasive weeds can alter vegetation structure and reduce habitat quality.

The supplied documents do not identify road mortality as a specific threat. They also do not provide evidence of a species-specific hydrology impact, although disturbance to tall riparian forest should be assessed because it is documented habitat.

• Apply hygiene controls where soil, vehicles or machinery may spread Phytophthora cinnamomi.
• Control or avoid introducing invasive weeds, particularly where disturbance may alter fire risk or understorey structure.
• Manage feral pigs and cats where project works may increase access to habitat or expose birds after fire.

Survey methodology: 1. Habitat assessment and targeted searches

No species-specific survey guideline is provided in the supplied documents. Use habitat assessment and repeat bird searches suited to a small, canopy-foraging thornbill, and record the conditions and effort needed to interpret non-detections.

Map and inspect mature open eucalypt forest and woodland with a well-developed shrub understorey, tall riparian forest, stringybark scrub, mallee, roadside corridors, remnant farm paddocks and Swamp Paperbark stands.

Prioritise habitat that has been undisturbed for more than 10 years, because the species is usually more abundant in mature forest and woodland of this age.

Search the middle and upper canopy, especially 2 to 20 m above ground, where the species forages for insects, lerps and spiders in foliage.

Record nearby retained vegetation, canopy continuity, understorey condition, recent fire, weeds and any habitat fragmentation that could affect detection or movement.

Adult length: About 9 to 10 cm

Typical weight: About 7 g

Foraging height recorded for the Kangaroo Island subspecies: Usually 2 to 20 m

• Undertake searches during calm, dry weather with good visibility and avoid periods of heavy rain or strong wind that reduce visual and aural detection.
• Search the outer foliage of eucalypts and inspect saplings and understorey shrubs as well as the main canopy, because the species sometimes forages at lower levels.
• Look for small groups moving actively through foliage, including mixed-species feeding flocks with other thornbills or weebills.

Survey methodology: 2. Transect and fixed-point bird searches

Use repeat walked transects and fixed observation points through each habitat type that may be affected, with coverage of canopy, shrub understorey, riparian vegetation and retained refuge areas.

Record every visual and aural detection, including the number of birds, behaviour, height, flock composition, direction of movement and distance from the proposed disturbance footprint.

Repeat searches in both the breeding period, when flocks break up into pairs or cooperative groups, and the non-breeding period, when birds commonly form flocks of up to 20.

Breeding period described in the conservation advice: Spring to summer

Non-breeding period described in the conservation advice: Autumn to winter

Typical non-breeding group size: Up to 20 birds

• Keep transect routes and observation points consistent between visits so changes in detections can be compared.
• Allow time for birds to move through the canopy before leaving each observation point, and note when dense foliage, wind, rain or machinery noise limits detection.
• Do not treat a single non-detection as evidence that suitable habitat is unoccupied.

Survey methodology: 3. Breeding and habitat-feature inspection

During spring and summer searches, inspect mature eucalypts, shrubs, saplings and grassy tussocks for the species' small oval or pear-shaped domed nests.

Search outer branches and slender twigs first, because nests are usually suspended from a single slender twig, but also check shrubs, saplings and occasional grassy tussocks.

Do not disturb an active nest or breeding group, and record its location for the project fauna management plan and any required approval conditions.

Usual clutch size: Two to four eggs, usually three

Incubation period: About two weeks

Fledging period: About 20 days

• Use binoculars or other non-invasive observation methods to inspect potential nest sites from the ground.
• Record nest location, tree or vegetation type, height if it can be estimated without climbing, activity and the proposed disturbance distance.
• Maintain the required exclusion distance set by the approval, permit or fauna management plan, and obtain advice from the relevant wildlife authority where no distance is specified.

Survey methodology: Minimum effort and reporting

• Use a repeat-search design that covers all potentially suitable habitat and all proposed disturbance areas, because the supplied documents do not provide a prescribed number of transects, points, nights or hours for this species.
• Schedule survey visits in both spring to summer and autumn to winter where the program allows, and include additional checks during the breeding period if nests or dependent young are detected.
• Document survey dates, start and finish times, weather, wind, rainfall, visibility, observers, route or point locations, area searched, detection method, survey limitations and all records of the species.
• Submit confirmed records and important non-detections, where required, to the relevant state or territory wildlife database and provide records to the project approval authority.
• If the project may affect the EPBC-listed Kangaroo Island Striated Thornbill subspecies, check the current DCCEEW Species Profile and Threats Database and obtain project-specific regulatory advice before works begin.

Before habitat disturbance: Avoid and minimise habitat loss

Plan the work around retained mature and regenerating woodland, canopy continuity and known refuge areas. The Kangaroo Island subspecies is nationally listed as Vulnerable under the EPBC Act, and the supplied conservation advice identifies fire, habitat loss and degradation as important risks.

Retain mature open eucalypt forest and woodland with a well-developed shrub understorey, tall riparian forest, stringybark scrub, mallee corridors, Sugar Gum stands and Swamp Paperbark stands wherever practicable.

Retain habitat that has been undisturbed for more than 10 years, because it is identified as important habitat for the Kangaroo Island subspecies.

Maintain connected canopy and roadside or riparian vegetation between retained patches so birds can move between feeding, roosting and nesting areas.

Avoid clearing unburnt refuge patches within or beside recently burnt areas, particularly where they may support birds while surrounding habitat recovers.

Habitat recovery reference in the conservation advice: Habitat that has been undisturbed for more than 10 years

Key fire refuge principle: Protect unburnt areas within or adjacent to recently burnt ground

• Keep clearing footprints, access tracks, stockpiles, lighting and machinery laydown areas out of retained canopy and understorey habitat.
• Avoid removing roadside vegetation or isolated trees without assessing their role as movement and feeding habitat.
• Avoid planned burning, back burning and mechanical vegetation removal in or beside retained refuge habitat unless the activity has been assessed and approved.

Before habitat disturbance: Approvals and work planning

Check whether the project could affect the EPBC-listed Kangaroo Island Striated Thornbill subspecies and refer the action under the EPBC Act if a significant impact may occur.

Check state and territory threatened-species, wildlife handling, nest disturbance and clearing requirements before authorising works.

Prepare a fauna management plan that maps records, habitat, nest or breeding exclusions, clearing limits, fauna spotter catcher roles, stop-work triggers and incident reporting.

Stage clearing so retained habitat and unburnt refuge patches remain available while adjacent areas recover.

• Confirm the current conservation status, approved conservation advice, permit requirements and any project approval conditions before mobilisation.
• Schedule the main clearing outside the breeding period where practicable, noting that breeding is described as spring to summer and that no universal statutory breeding restriction is supplied here.
• Use a qualified ecologist to set project-specific exclusion distances for active nests, breeding groups and retained habitat where approval conditions do not already specify them.

Before habitat disturbance: Pre-clearance preparation

Complete a pre-clearance survey of the disturbance footprint and adjacent retained habitat using the approved survey design before machinery enters the area.

Mark retained mature trees, continuous canopy, dense understorey, riparian vegetation, known records, nests and refuge patches on plans and in the field.

Fence or otherwise clearly delineate no-go areas where exclusion fencing is suited to the site and will not damage retained vegetation or obstruct bird movement.

Brief the fauna spotter catcher, operators and supervisors on identification features, reporting channels, handling limits and stop-work requirements.

• Check the site again immediately before clearing for birds, active nests, dependent young and changed conditions such as fire, storm damage or new machinery access.
• Use the species' white-streaked orange-brown cap and strongly black-streaked cream underparts as identification cues, while checking carefully against the similar Brown Thornbill, which lacks that cap.
• Keep a current map and register of all fauna observations and habitat exclusions at the site office and in the supervisor's vehicle.

During habitat disturbance: Daily clearing controls

The species is small, canopy dwelling and easy to overlook during noisy clearing. Use a spotter catcher who can see the canopy and stop work before habitat or birds are affected.

Inspect the work area and exclusion zones each day before machinery starts, including the canopy, shrubs, saplings and retained refuge patches.

Use a fauna spotter catcher during clearing of suitable habitat and whenever machinery operates near retained trees or understorey.

Clear in a controlled direction towards retained habitat only where the ecologist confirms that this will not push birds into active machinery or unsuitable areas.

Keep machinery, personnel, spoil, fuels and access routes outside marked habitat exclusions.

• Stop work if a Striated Thornbill, active nest, dependent young or unassessed habitat feature is found in the immediate work area.
• Do not allow operators to resume until the fauna spotter catcher and environmental officer have inspected the area and recorded the control decision.
• Control noise and vehicle movement near active breeding areas as far as practicable, and avoid unnecessary idling beneath retained canopy.

During habitat disturbance: Fauna spotter catcher response

The fauna spotter catcher should observe the canopy and understorey ahead of each clearing step and communicate directly with the machine operator by an agreed stop signal.

Only a person authorised under the relevant state or territory permit and project approval should capture, handle or relocate the bird.

If a healthy bird is found, allow it to move to nearby retained habitat where practicable, and do not chase it through dense vegetation or expose it to additional stress.

Use a suitably ventilated container only when capture is necessary for immediate safety, and follow the handling, holding-time and release conditions of the relevant permit.

• Do not handle eggs, nestlings or dependent young unless the authorised wildlife handler and relevant authority approve the response.
• Release a displaced healthy bird into nearby retained habitat that provides continuous canopy and understorey, at a location selected by the ecologist and consistent with approval conditions.
• Take an injured bird promptly to an approved veterinarian or wildlife carer through the authorised fauna handler, and record the outcome.
• Do not relocate birds across unsuitable cleared land, roads, fire boundaries or habitat occupied by another managed group without ecological and approval advice.

During habitat disturbance: Habitat features, stop-work and records

Treat mature eucalypts, shrubs, saplings, grassy tussocks and continuous canopy as potential nesting or feeding habitat even when no nest is visible.

Protect unburnt patches and retained vegetation beside recently burnt areas from avoidable machinery entry, back burning and clearing.

Record each stop-work event, bird observation, nest, injury, capture, relocation, release point, permit decision, machine activity and corrective action.

• Stop work immediately for an active nest, dependent young, injured bird, bird trapped in the work zone, unexpected concentration of thornbills, or damage to a marked habitat exclusion.
• Stop work if smoke, fire, high wind or other conditions prevent effective canopy inspection and fauna spotting.
• Escalate any suspected EPBC matter, mortality, unauthorised handling or breach of an exclusion zone to the environmental officer and project approval holder.
• The supplied documents do not identify a specific relationship between this species and hollow-bearing trees, logs, rocks or burrows, so manage those features under the project's broader fauna procedure unless they form part of retained woodland or nesting habitat.

After habitat disturbance: Post-clearance checks

Confirm that clearing limits were respected, check retained habitat for displaced birds and keep controls in place while surrounding vegetation recovers. Recovery monitoring should measure both habitat condition and bird use.

Inspect the cleared area and adjacent retained habitat after each clearing stage for injured or trapped birds, active nests, dependent young, damaged exclusion fencing and unapproved vegetation removal.

Repeat targeted bird searches in retained canopy, riparian vegetation, unburnt refuge patches and regenerating edges after works, using the same routes or observation points where practicable.

Check whether retained habitat still provides connected canopy, shrub understorey and safe movement between feeding and refuge areas.

• Repair fencing and replace habitat markers as soon as damage is identified.
• Remove waste, spoil, temporary access materials and machinery from retained habitat and drainage lines.
• Keep recently burnt and unburnt refuge areas protected from follow-up clearing and unnecessary fire management.

After habitat disturbance: Monitoring and reporting

Monitor bird detections, group size, breeding activity, habitat condition, weed cover, fire effects and any predator or pest impacts at intervals set by the approval or fauna management plan.

Compare post-work results with pre-clearance records and explain changes caused by clearing, fire, drought, weeds, disease or survey conditions.

Report all deaths, injuries, nest impacts, unauthorised clearing, EPBC incidents and permit breaches to the relevant authority within the time required by the approval or permit.

Recommended recovery monitoring focus for the Kangaroo Island subspecies: Distribution, abundance, habitat recovery, breeding success, mature individuals and management effectiveness

• Submit confirmed records to the relevant state or territory wildlife database and update the project species register.
• Retain survey sheets, photographs, coordinates, weather data, machine logs, fauna handling records, release locations and corrective actions in the project environmental record.
• Review controls if birds are absent from retained habitat, if breeding activity declines, or if fire, weeds, disease or predators reduce habitat quality.

After habitat disturbance: Offsets and residual impacts

Assess residual impacts under the EPBC Act, relevant state legislation and project approval after avoidance, minimisation and rehabilitation measures have been applied.

Do not assume an offset replaces retention of known or likely habitat critical to survival, because the conservation advice states that habitat removal should be avoided or mitigated and that the net amount of habitat should be maintained or increased.

Where an offset or compensatory action is required, ensure it protects and improves habitat with mature eucalypts, a developed understorey, canopy continuity and long-term management.

• Document why impacts could not be avoided, the area and condition of affected habitat, the protection provided elsewhere and the management actions funded.
• Seek written approval from the relevant authority before relying on any offset or variation to an approved conservation measure.

Rehabilitation actions: Restore vegetation structure

Rehabilitation should rebuild mature woodland structure and a continuous understorey, while protecting refuges from fire, weeds, disease and introduced predators. Recovery will take time because the preferred habitat includes forest and woodland that has been undisturbed for more than 10 years.

Re-establish locally appropriate eucalypt woodland and open forest with a well-developed shrub understorey, using local provenance species selected for the site and approved by the project ecologist.

Restore tall riparian vegetation, stringybark vegetation, mallee corridors, Sugar Gum stands or Swamp Paperbark stands where those communities formed the original habitat.

Reconnect retained canopy across cleared gaps and protect roadside, riparian and remnant paddock corridors used for movement and feeding.

Retain natural saplings, shrubs and grassy tussocks where they are regenerating, because the species may nest in these features as well as in mature trees.

Habitat maturity reference: The Kangaroo Island subspecies is usually more abundant in mature forest that has been undisturbed for more than 10 years

Known habitat types: Open eucalypt forest and woodland, tall riparian forest, Sugar Gum forest, stringybark scrub, mallee and Swamp Paperbark stands

• Use site-suitable native plants rather than introducing non-endemic species that could alter vegetation structure or fire behaviour.
• Protect plantings from grazing, trampling, browsing and machinery until they are established.
• Do not count a planted area as equivalent to mature habitat until canopy and understorey structure have developed and the area is demonstrably used by the species.

Rehabilitation actions: Manage fire, weeds, disease and predators

Protect retained and rehabilitated habitat from frequent, large-area, high-severity fire and include the species' habitat needs in fire prevention, suppression and recovery planning.

Keep unburnt refuge patches within or beside recently burnt areas protected from planned burns, clearing and other disturbance until burnt habitat has recovered sufficiently.

Control invasive weeds that alter vegetation structure, fire regimes, hydrology or microclimate, including species identified as threats on Kangaroo Island where relevant to the project.

Apply hygiene measures to reduce the spread of Phytophthora cinnamomi and prevent machinery, soil and footwear from moving contaminated material into rehabilitated habitat.

Main fire risk identified for the Kangaroo Island subspecies: Frequent, large-extent, high-intensity wildfire

Disease identified in the conservation advice: Phytophthora cinnamomi induced dieback

• Manage feral pigs where they cause grazing, trampling, digging, weed spread or Phytophthora transmission, in accordance with the approved pest program.
• Assess feral cat control after fire and in open rehabilitated habitat, because cats may hunt more effectively where vegetation cover has been removed.
• Avoid fire management that fragments or removes retained canopy and shrub understorey without an ecological assessment.

Rehabilitation actions: Monitoring and success measures

Monitor survival and growth of planted eucalypts, shrubs and riparian vegetation, canopy connection, understorey development, weed cover, fire damage, disease symptoms and signs of pigs or cats.

Undertake repeat bird searches in rehabilitated and reference habitat during spring to summer and autumn to winter, recording detections, flock size, behaviour, breeding activity and use of canopy and understorey.

Set success measures in the rehabilitation plan for vegetation survival, structural development, weed and pest control, fire protection and confirmed use by Striated Thornbills.

• Use pre-clearance records and nearby retained habitat as reference conditions for interpreting recovery.
• Continue monitoring until the approval holder and ecologist agree that the habitat is stable and management risks are controlled.
• Investigate poor vegetation establishment or ongoing absence of birds before closing the rehabilitation area, rather than relying only on planting counts.
• Use nest boxes or artificial hollows only if a site-specific assessment identifies a shortage of suitable nesting structures and the relevant authority approves them, because the supplied documents describe open nests in twigs, shrubs, saplings and tussocks rather than hollow nesting.

Sources

• ABBBS Recommended Band Size List, Australian Government DCCEEW: https://www.dcceew.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/band-size-list-may-2018.pdf
• Striated Thornbill | Acanthiza lineata | Species Guide | Birda, app.birda.org: https://app.birda.org/species-guide/19556/Striated_Thornbill
• Conservation Advice for Acanthiza lineata whitei (Kangaroo Island Striated Thornbill), Australian Government DCCEEW: http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/threatened/species/pubs/80759-conservation-advice-08122021.pdf