A historical review of translocations of native bird species in Australia: the good, the bad and the perverse

The Australian bird fauna has undergone many changes since European colonisation in 1788. This review focuses on the role of translocations in these changes. Translocations began in the 1830s and have been undertaken for reasons that have varied over time. Many early translocations were done for utilitarian reasons, as foibles, or were the result of aviary escapes or release of captive birds. However, there is also a long history (dating back at least to 1908) of translocations undertaken to reduce extinction risks of potentially threatened birds, and the frequency of conservation translocations is increasing. Due to translocations, at least 22 Australian bird species have established free-living populations in Australia beyond their range in 1788. Sixteen threatened Australian bird taxa (representing about 10% of bird taxa listed as threatened under Australian legislation) have benefited from translocations, through reinforcement of existing populations, reintroductions to parts of their formerly occupied range or introductions beyond the original range. In contrast, some historical translocated populations are now considered to be pests and efforts made to eradicate them. Translocations are increasingly regulated and informed by guidelines including consideration of risks, genetics and population viability analysis. Translocations are likely to become an increasingly important component of conservation strategies, as threats escalate and existing populations dwindle. Human-mediated establishment of Australian bird species in Australia elsewhere than in their original range presents some definitional, management and ethical challenges. The extent of conservation translocations of Australian birds is appreciably less than those of New Zealand birds and of Australian mammals.