The plains-wanderer bird was rediscovered roaming in Melbourne’s west after AI used by Zoos Victoria picked up its distinct calls in the state’s Volcanic Plains.
After siphoning through tens of thousands of hours of recordings, conservationists detected plains-wanderer calls on one private and one public-owned site, for the first time since 1989.
The AI call recognisers were developed by the Museums Victoria Research Institute and the Queensland University of Technology, and will remain in the area until the end of 2026.
Museums Victoria Research Institute curator of birds Dr Karen Rowe said the technology had “revolutionised” efforts to relocate the rare bird.
“We still have lots to learn about where these birds make their home and how to best protect them,” Rowe said.
The plains-wanderer species is known as the “Goldilocks” of the animal kingdom as they require very specific habitat conditions to survive.
The bird is characterised by a distinctive yellow legs and bill and tan and speckled feathers.
It’s estimated there are less than 1000 of the species left in the wild, putting them at the top of the Zoological Society of London’s Evolutionary Distinct and Globally endanger bird list.
Habitat destruction, extreme weather events and poor vegetation management has caused the species’ numbers plummet more than 85 per cent over the last few decades.
Once widespread throughout grasslands in the eastern states of Australia as well as SA, the bird is now primarily found in Victoria’s Northern Plains and the NSW Riverina.
Zoos Victoria Threatened Species program coordinator Chris Hartnett said the finding will help save the species from extinction.
“This is a monumental discovery that provides great hope for the future of this special species,” Hartnett said.
“We’re excited to work with landowners and managers across Victoria’s Volcanic Plains to protect this precious bird and its native grassland habitat.”
Conservationists are collaborating with government and wildlife organisations across the country to establish a thriving population for the species.
A national zoo breeding program has been set up at Victoria’s Werribee Open Range zoo to help replenish wild populations of the bird.
