Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2016L01082:reg:1:p7
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2016L01082
Segment Type: reg
Provision Reference: reg 1 (pt 7/30)
Character Range: 22605–25545

a decade.

3.4 Biology and ecology

3.4.1 Longevity
The life expectancy of plains-wanderers in the wild is unknown (Baker-Gabb, 2002a), but in captivity they are capable of surviving for at least eight years (Baker-Gabb, 1993b).

3.4.2 Diet
The plains-wanderer feeds on a mixture of seeds and leaves and invertebrates, with seeds and leaves accounting for nearly 60% of the annual diet. Seeds and leaves are taken from grasses (including native species of Austrostipa, Sporobolus, Panicum, Austrodanthonia, and Eragrostis and occasionally exotic species of Vulpia), chenopods (including species of Atriplex, Maireana, Chenopodium and Sclerolaena) and other plants (such as native species of Asperula, Galium, and Euphorbia and possibly exotic species of Spergularia and Carthamus). Native plants provide the majority of the seeds, while exotic species make only a minor contribution to the plains-wanderer's diet (Baker-Gabb, 1988). Invertebrates generally account for about 40% of the diet of plains-wanderers, except in spring, when the proportion of insects in their diet increases slightly (Baker-Gabb, 1988). The invertebrate food consists of insects (including beetles, ants, bugs, caterpillars and locusts) and spiders (Baker-Gabb, 1988; Bennett, 1983). Ants and beetles are the most common insect groups eaten throughout the year, while sucking bugs and caterpillars are taken mainly in spring and autumn. The plains-wanderer forages during the day and at dusk in areas of sparse grass (Baker-Gabb, 1988, 2002a).

3.4.3 Movement patterns and habitat use
The plains-wanderer is a sedentary species that may undertake some movements in response to changes in the suitability of habitat, although most birds that have been banded have been recaptured within 400 m of their original banding sites (Baker-Gabb, 2002a; Baker-Gabb et al., 1990; Harrington et al., 1988). In the Riverina region, the home range of individual plains-wanderers vary in size from 7-21 ha (average size is 12 ha) in suitable habitat (Baker-Gabb et al., 1990). As about half of a pairs' home range overlaps, a pair requires about 18 hectares to breed. Home ranges are almost certainly larger in more arid areas (Baker-Gabb, pers comm., 2006). The size of the home range also varies from year to year depending on seasonal conditions (Baker-Gabb, 2002a).

3.4.4 Breeding
Plains-wanderers breed in solitary pairs in a territory defended by the larger female, though they can be serially polyandrous. They are capable of breeding in their first year (Baker-Gabb et al., 1990). The nest is a hollow or 'scrape' that is scratched into the ground and lined with grass, with nests placed amongst native grasses and herbs, or rarely amongst crops (Harrington et al., 1988; Keartland, 1901; North, 1913-1914; Souter, 1938; Sutton, 1927). Clutch-size is usually four (Bennett, 1983; North, 1913-1914), but can range from two to five (Bennett, 1983). The male does most of