Aussie Backyard Bird Count 2014 Results:
Macedon Ranges Shire Council
Report prepared by: A.L. Adams
Contents
Introduction................................................................................................................. 1
2014 Aussie Backyard Bird Count Statistics ..................................................................... 1
Distribution Map ........................................................................................................... 4
Species List: Least Common .......................................................................................... 6
Species List: Most Common ........................................................................................... 6
Introduced Species ....................................................................................................... 6
Native Species of Management Concern .......................................................................... 9
Data Limitations ........................................................................................................... 10
What Birds in Backyards (BIBY) Can Offer ....................................................................... 10
References .................................................................................................................. 11
Policy Number: Aussie Backyard Bird Count 2014
Date: March 2015
Introduction
Aussie Backyard Bird Count (ABBC)
In 2014, as part of Birdlife Australia’s National Bird Week celebrations, Birdlife Australia ran
the first ever Aussie Backyard Bird Count. This citizen science endeavour enabled everyone
from school children, senior citizens, families and community groups to participate in
capturing a snapshot of Australia’s birds. In doing so, these citizen scientists played a vital
role in providing important information to Birdlife Australia to help increase our understanding
of the bird species that utilise backyards and gardens. The Backyard Bird Count also raises
the profile of bird species throughout Australia highlighting the importance of these species
and promoting a national passion for Australian birds.
Birds in Backyards (BIBY)
In 2000, 20 per cent of Australia’s bird species were assessed as being either Threatened or
Near Threatened in The Action Plan for Australian Birds. The 2006 World Wildlife Fund’s
report to the Nairobi conference on climate change predicted that 72 per cent of rainforest
bird species in north-east Australia could become extinct if global warming continues
unchecked. These are just two science-based messages that many of Australia’s bird species
are in danger. For those of us who love and value birds, these figures are appalling. However,
for many in the general community they have little meaning. The Birds in Backyards (BIBY)
program is a research, education and conservation initiative which was conceived and
designed primarily in an effort to make these potential bird losses meaningful to the 85 per
cent of Australians living in urban and regional areas, as well as gathering data to help clarify
the issues. By involving local communities and citizen scientists, the general public are
helping to undertake scientific research to determine trends in bird diversity and distribution
in backyards, gardens, parks and other public urban areas where the research outputs will
help contribute to developing and implementing conservation strategies.
2014 Aussie Backyard Bird Count Statistics
The following statistics relate to the Macedon Ranges Shire Council region during the Aussie
Backyard Bird Count that ran from the 20th to 26th October 2014:

120 observers registered and submitted 187 checklists ranging between 1 and 10
checklists submitted per observer (average of 1.5 per observer)

The combined duration that observers surveyed over was 56 hours and 50 minutes

Bird recordings ranged from 1 to 184 per observer, with an average of 45 birds recorded
per observer

A total of 5,405 individual birds were observed and recorded during the week

136 bird species were recorded (Table 1, Figure 1)
Policy Number: Aussie Backyard Bird Count 2014
Date: March 2015
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Table 1: The complete species list, number of individuals observed and reporting rate within
the Macedon Ranges Shire Council boundary during the 2014 Aussie Backyard Bird
Count.
Bird
Count
Reporting
Rate (%)
Bird
Count
Reporting
Rate (%)
Australian Magpie
595
71.66
Powerful Owl (Vul)
7
1.60
Sulphur-crested Cockatoo
436
48.13
White-eared Honeyeater
7
3.21
Crimson Rosella
House Sparrow*
389
60.43
Diamond Firetail (NT)
6
1.60
376
29.95
Fuscous Honeyeater
6
2.67
New Holland Honeyeater
223
30.48
Grey-crowned Babbler
6
1.07
Australian Wood Duck
220
24.60
Hardhead
6
1.07
Red Wattlebird
193
39.57
Olive Whistler
6
1.07
Australian Raven
191
37.43
Shining Bronze-cuckoo
6
3.21
Common Blackbird*
179
40.11
Short-tailed Shearwater
6
0.53
Superb Fairy-wren
178
31.02
Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike
5
2.67
Common Myna*
172
25.67
Brush Bronzewing
5
2.14
Common Starling*
138
15.51
Brush Cuckoo
5
2.14
Galah
128
20.32
Cockatiel
5
0.53
Straw-necked Ibis
124
5.35
Gang-gang Cockatoo
5
0.53
Welcome Swallow
Bird Species
Bird Species
120
18.72
Horsfield's Bronze-cuckoo
5
2.14
Little Raven
98
16.58
Masked Lapwing
5
1.60
White-browed Scrubwren
90
8.56
Banded Lapwing
4
1.07
Red-browed Finch
81
5.88
Bassian Thrush
4
1.07
Grey Fantail
74
20.32
Bell Miner
4
0.53
Laughing Kookaburra
68
23.53
Black-chinned Honeyeater (NT)
4
0.53
Grey Shrike-thrush
64
17.11
Black Duck-Mallard hybrid
4
2.14
Brown Thornbill
51
10.16
Flame Robin
4
2.14
White-winged Chough
47
4.28
Leaden Flycatcher
4
0.53
Silvereye
46
6.42
Satin Bowerbird
4
0.53
Crested Pigeon
45
12.83
Scarlet Robin
4
1.60
Long-billed Corella
44
10.16
Australasian Pipit
3
0.53
Australian White Ibis
39
6.95
Australian Owlet-nightjar
3
1.07
Willie Wagtail
39
11.23
Crescent Honeyeater
3
1.07
Eastern Rosella
38
8.02
Grey Teal
3
1.07
European Goldfinch*
38
6.42
Lewin's Honeyeater
3
1.07
Magpie-lark
38
8.56
Nankeen Kestrel
3
1.60
Pacific Black Duck
38
8.02
Pacific Golden Plover
3
0.53
Pied Currawong
37
10.16
Varied Sittella
3
0.53
Eastern Spinebill
32
10.70
Australasian Grebe
2
0.53
Yellow-rumped Thornbill
29
6.42
Australasian Shoveler
2
0.53
Yellow-tailed Black-cockatoo
29
3.74
Banded Stilt
2
0.53
Little Corella
28
4.28
Black-eared Cuckoo (NT)
2
0.53
Policy Number: Aussie Backyard Bird Count 2014
Date: March 2015
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Bird
Count
Reporting
rate (%)
Bird
Count
Reporting
rate (%)
Yellow-faced Honeyeater
28
8.02
Blue-winged Parrot
2
0.53
Little Wattlebird
24
6.95
Little Pied Cormorant
2
1.07
Australian King Parrot
22
6.95
Painted Honeyeater
2
0.53
Grey Currawong
22
6.42
Pallid Cuckoo
2
1.07
White-naped Honeyeater
20
4.28
Pied Cormorant (NT)
2
0.53
Rainbow Lorikeet
19
3.74
Rose Robin
2
0.53
Black Currawong
18
4.28
Sacred Kingfisher
2
1.07
Eastern Yellow Robin
18
4.81
Singing Honeyeater
2
0.53
Eurasian Tree Sparrow*
18
2.67
Southern Boobook
2
1.07
White-faced Heron
17
6.95
White-necked Heron
2
1.07
Purple Swamphen
16
3.21
Yellow-plumed Honeyeater
2
0.53
Fan-tailed Cuckoo
15
4.28
Australasian Darter
1
0.53
Noisy Miner
15
2.14
Azure Kingfisher (NT)
1
0.53
Spotted Pardalote
15
5.35
Black Swan
1
0.53
Striated Thornbill
15
5.35
Brown Falcon
1
0.53
Yellow Wattlebird†
15
3.74
Cattle Egret
1
0.53
Brown-headed Honeyeater
13
1.60
Eastern Barn Owl
1
0.53
Yellow Thornbill
13
1.07
Eastern Koel
1
0.53
Golden Whistler
12
4.28
Eurasian Skylark*
1
0.53
Striated Pardalote
12
5.35
Fairy Martin
1
0.53
Brown Treecreeper (NT)
11
4.28
Grey Butcherbird
1
0.53
Jacky Winter
11
2.67
Hooded Robin (NT)
1
0.53
Wedge-tailed Eagle
11
3.74
Little Grassbird
1
0.53
White-plumed Honeyeater
11
1.60
Red-capped Robin
1
0.53
Weebill
10
2.14
Red-rumped Parrot
1
0.53
White-throated Treecreeper
9
4.28
Rock Dove*
1
0.53
Buff-rumped Thornbill
8
2.14
Satin Flycatcher
1
0.53
Common Bronzewing
8
2.14
Song Thrush*
1
0.53
Eurasian Coot
8
2.14
Swamp Harrier
1
0.53
Rufous Whistler
8
3.21
Tawny Frogmouth
1
0.53
Australian Shelduck
7
0.53
Tree Martin
1
0.53
Bird species
Bird species
* Introduced species; NT = Near Threatened; Vul = Vulnerable; †Possible sighting: has been recorded in
Victoria before
Policy Number: Aussie Backyard Bird Count 2014
Date: March 2015
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Distribution Map
Distribution of the four most commonly recorded introduced bird
Figurespecies
1: Bird observations
recorded within
theShire
Macedon
Ranges
Shire Council
within the Macedon
Ranges
Council
boundaries
boundaries during the 2014 Aussie Backyard Bird Count.
during the 2014 Aussie Backyard Bird Count
¯
0 2.5 5
10
15
20
Kilometers
Legend
Macedon Ranges Shire Council Boundary
Bird Observation
Policy Number: Aussie Backyard Bird Count 2014
Date: March 2015
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Legend Expanded
Australasian Darter
Common Bronzewing
Laughing Kookaburra
Scarlet Robin
Australasian Grebe
Common Myna*
Leaden Flycatcher
Shining Bronze-Cuckoo
Australasian Pipit
Common Starling*
Lewin's Honeyeater
Short-tailed Shearwater
Australasian Shoveler
Crescent Honeyeater
Little Corella
Silvereye
Australian King-Parrot
Crested Pigeon
Little Grassbird
Singing Honeyeater
Australian Magpie
Crimson Rosella
Little Pied Cormorant
Song Thrush*
Australian Owlet-nightjar
Diamond Firetail (NT)
Little Raven
Southern Boobook
Australian Raven
Eastern Barn Owl
Little Wattlebird
Spotted Pardalote
Australian Shelduck
Eastern Koel
Long-billed Corella
Straw-necked Ibis
Australian White Ibis
Eastern Rosella
Magpie-lark
Striated Pardalote
Australian Wood Duck
Eastern Spinebill
Masked Lapwing
Striated Thornbill
Azure Kingfisher (NT)
Eastern Yellow Robin
Nankeen Kestrel
Sulphur-crested Cockatoo
Banded Lapwing
Eurasian Coot
New Holland Honeyeater
Superb Fairy-wren
Banded Stilt
Eurasian Skylark*
Noisy Miner
Swamp Harrier
Bassian Thrush
EurasianTree Sparrow*
Olive Whistler
Tawny Frogmouth
Beautiful Firetail
European Goldfinch*
Pacific Black Duck
Tree Martin
Bell Miner
Fairy Martin
Pacific Golden Plover
Varied Sittella
Black Currawong
Fan-tailed Cuckoo
Painted Honeyeater
Wedge-tailed Eagle
Black Duck-Mallard hybrid
Flame Robin
Pallid Cuckoo
Weebill
Black Swan
Fuscous Honeyeater
Pied Cormorant (NT)
Welcome Swallow
Black-chinned Honeyeater (NT)
Galah
Pied Currawong
White-browed Scrubwren
Black-eared Cuckoo (NT)
Gang-gang Cockatoo
Powerful Owl (Vul)
White-eared Honeyeater
Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike
Golden Whistler
Purple Swamphen
White-faced Heron
Blue-winged Parrot
Grey Butcherbird
Rainbow Lorikeet
White-naped Honeyeater
Brown Falcon
Grey Currawong
Red Wattlebird
White-necked Heron
Brown Thornbill
Grey Fantail
Red-browed Finch
White-plumed Honeyeater
Brown Treecreeper (NT)
Grey Shrike-thrush
Red-capped Robin
White-throated Treecreeper
Brown-headed Honeyeater
Grey Teal
Red-rumped Parrot
White-winged Chough
Brush Bronzewing
Grey-crowned Babbler
Rock Dove*
Willie Wagtail
Brush Cuckoo
Hardhead
Rose Robin
Yellow Thornbill
Buff-rumped Thornbill
Hooded Robin (NT)
Rufous Whistler
Yellow Wattlebird
Cattle Egret
Horsfield's Bronze-Cuckoo
Sacred Kingfisher
Yellow-faced Honeyeater
Cockatiel
House Sparrow*
Satin Bowerbird
Yellow-plumed Honeyeater
Common Blackbird*
Jacky Winter
Satin Flycatcher
Yellow-rumped Thornbill
Yellow-tailed Black-Cockatoo
* Introduced species; NT = Near Threatened; Vul = Vulnerable.
Please note that bird observations that were recorded in a single survey overlap due to having the same GPS co-ordinates.
Policy Number: Aussie Backyard Bird Count 2014
Date: March 2015
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Species List: Least Common
The 20 least commonly observed bird species recorded within the Macedon Ranges Shire
Council boundary all corresponded to one single observation and included:

Australian Darter

Hooded Robin (NT)

Azure Kingfisher (NT)

Little Grassbird

Black Swan

Red-capped Robin

Brown Falcon

Red-rumped Parrot

Cattle Egret

Rock Dove*

Eastern Barn Owl

Satin Flycatcher

Eastern Koel

Song Thrush*

Eurasian Skylark*

Swamp Harrier

Fairy Martin

Tawny Frogmouth

Grey Butcherbird

Tree Martin
Three species are introduced species (denoted by *), while two species, the Azure Kingfisher
and Hooded Robin, are listed as Near Threatened (NT) in Victoria (Department of
Sustainability and Environment, 2013). Two of the least commonly detected species are
nocturnal (the Eastern Barn Owl and the Tawny Frogmouth), while only one is a water bird
(Black Swan).
Species List: Most Common
The 20 most commonly observed bird species recorded within the Macedon Ranges Shire
Council boundary ranged from 68 to 595 observations and included both native and
introduced species (Figure 2). All 20 species are considered to have secure populations within
Victoria.
Introduced Species
The four most commonly observed introduced species within the Macedon Ranges Shire
Council boundaries during the 2014 Aussie Backyard Bird Count were the Common Blackbird,
the Common (Indian) Myna, the Common Starling and the House Sparrow (Table 2). All four
species overlap in their distribution and were observed all throughout the region, with the
southernmost area having the highest number of observations (Figure 3). The high bird count
relative to surveys conducted indicates that observers encounter multiple individuals either
throughout the duration of the survey period or all together (e.g. in a flock; Table 2).
Policy Number: Aussie Backyard Bird Count 2014
Date: March 2015
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Policy Number: Aussie Backyard Bird Count 2014
Date: March 2015
Laughing Kookaburra
Grey Fantail
Red-browed Finch
White-browed Scrubwren
Little Raven
Welcome Swallow
Straw-necked Ibis
Galah
Common Starling*
Common Myna*
Superb Fairy-wren
Common Blackbird*
Australian Raven
Red Wattlebird
Australian Wood Duck
New Holland Honeyeater
House Sparrow*
Crimson Rosella
Sulphur-crested Cockatoo
Australian Magpie
Count
600
500
400
300
200
100
0
Bird Species
Figure 2: The 20 most commonly observed bird species within the Macedon Ranges Shire
Council boundary during the 2014 Aussie Backyard Bird Count. * indicates
introduced species.
7
Table 2: Survey statistics for the four most commonly recorded introduced bird
species within the Macedon Ranges Shire Council boundary during the
2014 Aussie Backyard Bird Count.
Bird
Count
Proportion of total
count (%)
Number of surveys
detected in
Common Blackbird
179
3.3
76
Common Myna
172
3.2
48
Common Starling
138
2.5
29
House Sparrow
376
6.9
55
Species
Distribution of the four most commonly recorded introduced bird
species within the Macedon Ranges Shire Council boundaries
during the 2014 Aussie Backyard Bird Count
¯
0 2.5 5
10
15
20
Kilometers
Legend
Common Blackbird
Common Myna
Common Starling
House Sparrow
Macedon Ranges Shire Council Boundary
Figure 3: Distribution of the four most commonly recorded introduced bird
species within the Macedon Ranges Shire Council boundary
during the 2014 Aussie Backyard Bird Count.
Policy Number: Aussie Backyard Bird Count 2014
Date: March 2015
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Native Species of Management Concern
The Powerful Owl, which is listed as Vulnerable in Victoria (Department of Sustainability and
Environment, 2013), was detected in three surveys within the Macedon Ranges Shire Council
boundaries during the 2014 Aussie Backyard Bird Count (Figure 4). A total of seven
individuals were detected in these three surveys (Table 1). Two of the three surveys which
detected Powerful Owls were situated near the North eastern Council border.
Seven species with a listing of Near Threatened in Victoria were also recorded within the
Macedon Ranges Shire region during the 2014 Aussie Backyard Bird Count (Figure 4;
Department of Sustainability and Environment, 2013). Number of individuals sighted for
these species Distribution
ranged from
11 four
to one
1). Arecorded
degree introduced
of overlapbird
in distributions is
of the
most(Table
commonly
exhibited amongst
these
species,
with
the
highest
number
of
observations
species within the Macedon Ranges Shire Council boundariesbeing recorded in
the southernmost area (Figure
4). 2014 Aussie Backyard Bird Count
during the
¯
0 2.5 5
10
15
20
Kilometers
Legend
Powerful Owl (Vul)
Azure Kingfisher (NT)
Black-chinned Honeyeater (NT)
Black-eared Cuckoo (NT)
Brown Treecreeper (NT)
Diamond Firetail (NT)
Hooded Robin (NT)
Pied Cormorant (NT)
Macedon Ranges Shire Council Boundary
Figure 4: Distribution of Vulnerable (Vul) and Near Threatened (NT) bird
species within the Macedon Ranges Shire Council boundary during
the 2014 Aussie Backyard Bird Count.
Policy Number: Aussie Backyard Bird Count 2014
Date: March 2015
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Data Limitations
An annual backyard bird survey occurring in gardens across Australia has the potential to be
an extremely valuable monitoring tool for Australian bird species and communities. Over
years, data collected from regions can be used to detect population trends for target species
(both native and introduced), for different species guilds and for bird communities within
specific areas. For example, detection of regional and/or national changes in the abundance
and distribution of species especially those of management concern, such as downward
trends of native species, or upward trends of pest species. Subsequent management actions
can therefore be implemented in response to the survey results.
However, some caution must be taken when interpreting the results from such a survey. The
backyards that are surveyed will not constitute a random selection of backyards across
Australia. Previous analyses of surveys of a similar nature have suggested that participants
are more likely to be interested in birds and have more ‘bird-friendly’ gardens than the
country as a whole (Dunn et al., 2005; Spurr, 2012). If this is correct, the number of birds
reported from surveyed backyards could be higher than the average number present within a
typical Australian backyard. Furthermore, some regions may have small sample sizes, with
some areas being under-represented (or not represented at all) which will influence data
interpretation and population trends within an area and across the country. Additionally, bird
species that are more likely to utilise habitat associated with backyard gardens are more
likely to be recorded, thus represented, in the dataset than species that are specialised to
other habitat types such as forests or water bodies. The lack of presence of these species
within the dataset does not imply low abundance or scarce distribution but rather their
specific habitat was not represented in the survey. Survey results are also subject to
temporal biases as only provide information of bird communities within a one-week period
during Spring. Hence, the Aussie Backyard Bird Count survey can be said to monitor
population and distribution trends within the backyards of participants during the particular
time period but results may not necessarily be applicable to Australia as a whole, or the
entire region specifically being analysed.
The skill and experience of observers conducting backyard surveys in correctly identifying
birds will vary and also influence the validity of the survey results. There were some obvious
incorrect species identifications and while all efforts were undertaken to vet the data of
incorrect bird sightings in regions where species are unlikely to occur, it is still probable that
some mis-identifications of birds will be included in the dataset and caution is needed when
analysing the results. However, a previous study has implied that identification of species
occurring in participants backyards are more likely to be correct as these species are familiar
to the observer and are likely to be relatively common species (Cannon, 1999).
What Birds in Backyards (BIBY) Can Offer
We are fortunate in Australia to have such a diverse and colourful range of native birds that
live amongst us in the urban landscape. These birds provide an opportunity for people to
appreciate and connect with wildlife on a daily basis and increasingly, research is linking
biodiversity with a person’s quality of life. In Britain, bird life is so valued that the UK
government uses information about their wild bird as a measure of the health of the
environment as a whole. This environmental indicator is published alongside more familiar
economic and social indicators and reinforces the point that the maintenance of biodiversity is
a key part of sustainability.
Policy Number: Aussie Backyard Bird Count 2014
Date: March 2015
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But our urban bird communities in Australia are changing. Small birds, like Eastern Spinebills
and Superb Fairy-wrens, were once more common in parks or gardens are now disappearing
and being replaced by large and aggressive species like the Noisy Miner and Pied Currawong.
Changes in our gardening practices and increasing urbanisation seem to be largely
responsible for this – the simplification of our gardens and the loss of shrubs has removed
important food, shelter and nesting locations. If vegetation in gardens could be managed to
promote a diversity of native bird species, it will provide a valuable secondary habitat for
conserving native bird populations, particularly as natural habitat continues to be destroyed.
In the urban landscape, engaging with the wider community is necessary in order to turn
around this habitat loss and provides a unique opportunity to engage large numbers of the
general community actively in the conservation of biodiversity.
Birds in Backyards encourages people to learn in their own space in order to establish an
initial connection with the natural world in a somewhat unnatural setting. It is not simply
about providing people with information about birds in their local area but it is about building
on that initial interest and encouraging people to learn more and then take action for birds.
The Birds in Backyards Program can work with your council to provide resources or
collaborate on projects. For example:

Hard copy materials such as A4 Backyard Birds of... posters (that can be made available
in 6 languages), bookmarks, bird trading cards, gardening advice brochures

Train the trainer workshops and associated materials or direct public workshops

Ongoing monitoring programs for participants via our Backyard Bird surveys with
feedback provided

Regional plant lists

Children’s engagement activities and school resources

Evaluations
For more information, please contact Birds in Backyards Program Manager Dr. Holly Parsons
holly.parsons@birdlife.org.au
References
Cannon, A. (1999). The significance of private gardens for bird conservation. Bird
Conservation International, 9: 287-297.
Department of Sustainability and Environment (2013). Advisory list of threatened vertebrate
fauna in Victoria – 2013. Pages 10–13. Victorian Government Department of
Sustainability and Environment. East Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
Dunn, E.H., Francis, C.M., Blancher, P.J., Drennan, S.R., Howe, M.A., Lepage, D., Robbins,
C.S., Rosenberg, K.V., Sauer, JR., Smith, K.G. (2005). Enhancing the scientific value of
the Christmas bird count. The Auk, 122: 338-346.
Spurr, E.B. (2012). New Zealand garden bird survey – analysis of the first four years. The
New Zealand Journal of Ecology, 36: 1-13.
Policy Number: Aussie Backyard Bird Count 2014
Date: March 2015
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