Ursula Munro | University of Technology Sydney (original) (raw)

Papers by Ursula Munro

The Australian White Ibis Threskiornis molucca is very successful in adapting to and surviving in... more The Australian White Ibis Threskiornis molucca is very successful in adapting to and surviving in urban environments. Overabundant and/or large, permanent populations have established in many urban areas of coastal eastern Australia. In urban areas, the Australian White Ibis is currently regarded as a major pest and many agencies aim to reduce its numbers, however, the lack of knowledge on this species has made management difficult. In this study clutch size and fledgling success of Australian White Ibis breeding in Centennial Park, a large urban park in Sydney, were measured. Mean clutch size was 2.70, with a modal clutch size of three. Mean number of fledglings per successful (nestlings hatched) nest was 2.64. While clutch sizes were similar to those reported for ibis in natural and non-urban environments, fledgling success was considerably higher in Centennial Park. This is most likely due to high food availability in urban areas. Management of artificial food sources (e.g. landf...

Australian Mammalogy, 2007

Activity patterns of 4 koalas from 2 zoos were observed for 6 weeks. Actograms show that koalas w... more Activity patterns of 4 koalas from 2 zoos were observed for 6 weeks. Actograms show that koalas were mainly, but not exclusively, nocturnal.

The Australian White Ibis Threskiornis molucca has increased dramatically in the urban environmen... more The Australian White Ibis Threskiornis molucca has increased dramatically in the urban environment since the 1970s and requires management. Currently information on its breeding, a prerequisite for appropriate management, is scarce. We studied the reproduction of Australian White Ibises at two urban sites in the wider Sydney area over an entire year. In comparison to non-urban ibises, urban ibises had a longer breeding period, smaller egg volumes and clutch sizes, but a larger range in clutch sizes. The growth rate of ibis chicks is also described. Urban ibises also had a lower hatching success, but a higher mean number of fl edglings/clutch and a higher reproductive success.

Little is known about the movements of Australian birds. Information is particularly scarce on la... more Little is known about the movements of Australian birds. Information is particularly scarce on large, aquatic birds, which are usually diffi cult to access and handle. Their movements are also often complex, and therefore diffi cult to identify. Here we present data on the local and long distance movements of the Australian White Ibis Threskiornis molucca, a highly mobile bird, which as many other waterbirds, continues to decline in its traditional ranges in inland Australia. At the same time it has invaded coastal urban environments, where its high abundances cause many problems and require management. Our analysis of past and present banding studies reveals that Australian White Ibis travel throughout the urban environment and visit landfi lls, where they forage in large numbers. They also conduct long distance movements, which lead birds from breeding sites in south-eastern Australia along the eastern coast to regions further north (Queensland and Papua New Guinea). Young birds r...

The Australian White Ibis Threskiornis molucca has established large, permanent populations in ma... more The Australian White Ibis Threskiornis molucca has established large, permanent populations in many urbanised areas of coastal eastern Australia, and many agencies aim to reduce its numbers. This study investigates daily and seasonal trends in the abundance and movements of ibis in Centennial Park (a large inner-city park of Sydney, NSW) from autumn to mid-winter (non-breeding to breeding season). Abundances fluctuated daily and seasonally. Highest numbers of ibis were observed during early mornings and evenings, while numbers were lowest during late morning and midday. Most ibis travel daily to a feeding site and only used the park for roosting. Ibis movements into and out of the study area were significantly orientated toward the same main direction throughout the study. Key temporal trends in ibis movements to and from the roost were identified, with approximately 50 per cent of all morning departures occurring within 40 minutes of first light and over 50 per cent of all evening ...

Journal of Experimental Biology

The behaviour of an Australian day migrant, the yellow-faced honeyeater Lichenostomus chrysops, w... more The behaviour of an Australian day migrant, the yellow-faced honeyeater Lichenostomus chrysops, was studied in order to assess the role of the sun in migratory orientation. During autumn migration, all tests took place under a sunny sky; birds were tested while living in the natural photoperiod (control) and with their internal clock shifted 4 h fast and 4 h slow. In spring, all birds were shifted 3 h fast; tests in overcast conditions, with the birds relying on their magnetic compass, served as controls. In control tests in both seasons, the birds preferred directions corresponding to those observed in the wild. When tested under sunny conditions with their internal clock shifted, the birds changed their directional tendencies. However, their preferred directions were different from those expected if a time-compensating sun compass was being used. After about 6 days, the shifted birds' directions were no longer different from the control direction. This behaviour argues against...

Naturwissenschaften, 1997

Http Dx Doi Org 10 1080 09291010903018164, Jun 27, 2009

and-conditions-of-access.pdf This article may be used for research, teaching and private study pu... more and-conditions-of-access.pdf This article may be used for research, teaching and private study purposes. Any substantial or systematic reproduction, redistribution , reselling , loan or sub-licensing, systematic supply or distribution in any form to anyone is expressly forbidden. The publisher does not give any warranty express or implied or make any representation that the contents will be complete or accurate or up to date. The accuracy of any instructions, formulae and drug doses should be independently verified with primary sources. The publisher shall not be liable for any loss, actions, claims, proceedings, demand or costs or damages whatsoever or howsoever caused arising directly or indirectly in connection with or arising out of the use of this material.

Avian Migration, 2003

... edu. au. P. Berthold, E. Gwinner, E. Sonnenschein (Eds.) Avian Migration © Springer-Verlag Be... more ... edu. au. P. Berthold, E. Gwinner, E. Sonnenschein (Eds.) Avian Migration © Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2003 Page 160. ... 0.6-1 i> 0.5-a> ra P " ro o 0.4-0.3-0.2-0.1-0.0 3 individuals activity Jan Feb Mar Apr May ~\ Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan 1990 Month 1991 Fig. ...

The Wilson Journal of Ornithology, 2012

Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 2003

Migratory Australian silvereyes (Zosterops lateralis) were tested under monochromatic light at wa... more Migratory Australian silvereyes (Zosterops lateralis) were tested under monochromatic light at wavelengths of 424 nm blue and 565 nm green. At a low light level of 7´10 1 5 quanta m 22 s 21 in the local geomagnetic field, the birds preferred their seasonally appropriate southern migratory direction under both wavelengths. Their reversal of headings when the vertical component of the magnetic field was inverted indicated normal use of the avian inclination compass. A higher light intensity of 43´10 1 5 quanta m 22 s 2 1 , however, caused a fundamental change in behaviour: under bright blue, the silvereyes showed an axial tendency along the east-west axis; under bright green, they showed a unimodal preference of a west-northwesterly direction that followed a shift in magnetic north, but was not reversed by inverting the vertical component of the magnetic field. Hence it is not based on the inclination compass. The change in behaviour at higher light intensities suggests a complex interaction between at least two receptors. The polar nature of the response under bright green cannot be explained by the current models of light-dependent magnetoreception and will lead to new considerations on these receptive processes.

Population Ecology, 2013

ABSTRACT Since the 1970s, populations of the Australian White Ibis (Threskiornis molucca) have dr... more ABSTRACT Since the 1970s, populations of the Australian White Ibis (Threskiornis molucca) have dramatically increased in many Australian urban centres. Managers of ibis are currently focusing on limiting this bird’s reproductive success in order to reduce population sizes or at least halt further increases in urban areas. Here we use data on nesting success and survival for three populations of ibis around greater Sydney to develop an age-structured population model. The estimated growth rate for all populations combined was about 1.5 % per year and for individual sites were more variable at −1, −7, and 9 %. For all populations, growth rates were most sensitive (based on elasticity analyses) to the survival of adults and least sensitive to fecundity, especially of 3 year olds. Further exploration of the importance of fecundity rates, which are relatively poorly known for these populations, suggests that rates of <0.4 fledglings per nest per year is very likely to lead to a population decline (λ less than lower bound of 95 % CI). Conversely, positive population growth is nearly assured (λ greater than upper bound of 95 % CI) for fecundities of >0.7 fledgling per nest per year. The results suggest that ibis from other locations (probably their traditional breeding areas in inland Australia) have immigrated into urban environments as estimated growth rates cannot account for current population sizes. Management strategies must take these findings into account and also consider that ibis are declining in their traditional habitats to avoid exacerbating their decline at a regional scale.

Naturwissenschaften, 2000

In a previous study, Australian silvereyes tested in autumn under monochromatic 565-nm green ligh... more In a previous study, Australian silvereyes tested in autumn under monochromatic 565-nm green light at intensities of 2.1 and 7.5 mW m-2 preferred their normal northerly migratory direction, whereas they showed a significantly different tendency towards northwest at 15.0 mW m-2. Repeating these experiments in spring with silvereyes migrating southward, we again observed well-oriented tendencies in the migratory direction at 2.1 and 7.5 mW m-2. At 15.0 mW m-2 , however, the birds once more preferred northwesterly directions, i.e. their response under this condition proved to be independent of the migratory direction. This contradicts the interpretation that monochromatic green light of this high intensity leads to a rotation of compass information; instead, it appears to produce sensory input that causes birds to give up their migratory direction in favor of a fixed direction of as yet unknown origin.

Journal of Ornithology, 2006

In this study, we describe and compare the duration and timing of post-breeding moult of primary ... more In this study, we describe and compare the duration and timing of post-breeding moult of primary and secondary wing feathers, tail feathers, wing coverts and body feathers in captive partially migratory and non-migratory Australian silvereyes (Zosterops lateralis). This study allowed us to follow individual birds through the course of their moult and record the progression of moult in two populations.

Journal of Ornithology, 2005

The regent honeyeater (Xanthomyza phrygia) is a large endangered honeyeater from eastern and sout... more The regent honeyeater (Xanthomyza phrygia) is a large endangered honeyeater from eastern and southeastern Australia. Little is known about the ecology of this bird during the autumn-winter period, when it is absent from its breeding areas. In this study, food consumption and body condition of captive regent honeyeaters were studied during this period. Nectar was the dominant component of the regent honeyeaters' diet and varied significantly throughout the study, peaking in early July. Fruit and mealworm consumption also showed significant seasonal shifts with maxima in late June and early March, respectively. In general, immature birds consumed significantly more protein-rich food than adults. The average body mass of the male birds varied significantly with season. Female birds did not show a significant seasonal change in body mass but, similarly to males, attained their highest mass in late April. Fat deposition changed significantly over months, with highest levels of fat recorded from late April until late June. These seasonal trends, independent of food abundance, may suggest that body condition within this species is controlled endogenously. Keywords Australia AE Body condition AE Food consumption AE Meliphagidae AE Regent honeyeater Communicated by F. Bairlein

Journal of Ethology, 2010

We recorded the locomotor activity of the partially migratory Tasmanian silvereye, Zosterops l. l... more We recorded the locomotor activity of the partially migratory Tasmanian silvereye, Zosterops l. lateralis, and the nonmigratory mainland silvereye, Z. l. familiaris, continuously over 17 and 15 months, respectively, to identify daily and seasonal patterns. While graphing the data showed several trends, statistical analysis did not reveal a significant difference between subspecies, making this study mainly descriptive in nature. The lack of statistical differentiation was possibly due to the low number of study animals and similarities between them. During the first year in captivity, the Tasmanian birds displayed heightened activity during the migratory periods, which was most likely migratory restlessness. The Tasmanian birds did not show any nocturnal activity as in previous laboratory and field studies, rather their activity patterns were similar to those of diurnal migrants, possibly reflecting the temporally variable nature of their migration. Although the Tasmanian birds displayed higher overall activity levels than the mainland birds during the first year in captivity, the activity patterns were similar between the subspecies. Captivity appeared to influence the activity of both subspecies in the second year of the study; following the onset of molt, neither subspecies regained the activity levels of the previous year, nor did activity follow the same pattern. Possible reasons (e.g., prevention of breeding) for this are discussed. This is the most detailed study to date on the daily and seasonal activity patterns of an Australian bird in captivity.

Journal of Comparative Physiology A, 1995

To assess the role of skylight polarization in the orientation system of a day-migrating bird, Ye... more To assess the role of skylight polarization in the orientation system of a day-migrating bird, Yellow-faced Honeyeaters (Lichenostomus chrysops, Meliphagidae) were tested in funnel cages for their directional preferences. In control tests in the natural local geomagnetic field under the clear natural sky, they preferred their normal migratory course. Manipulations of the e-vector by depolarizing the skylight or rotating the

Ibis, 2008

The Yellow-faced Honeyeater Lichenostomus chrysops is a diurnal migrant which covers short to mod... more The Yellow-faced Honeyeater Lichenostomus chrysops is a diurnal migrant which covers short to moderate distances in eastern Australia. Recordings of locomotor activity of nine wild-caught Yellow-faced Honeyeaters kept under a simulated natural photoperiod in the laboratory over a period of 13 months showed that these birds exhibit a distinct seasonal pattern in hopping activity. Two major seasonal peaks of enhanced activity were observed. The first occurred during the time of autumn migration in March to July, while a second peak from September to December coincided roughly with spring migration. Daily activity patterns of Yellow-faced Honeyeaters showed two major peaks. The first peak ranged from the early morning hours to approximately early afternoon, while a second smaller peak was observed in the late afternoon. During their migratory periods in spring and autumn, the morning as well as the afternoon peaks were considerably higher than in months when Yellow-faced Honeyeaters do not migrate.