SPECIES: Stipiturus malachurus intermedius — Mount Lofty Ranges Southern Emu-wren
CLASSIFICATION: Endangered
When it comes to birds, the Mount Lofty Southern Emu-wren is regarded as small and secretive, with a quite spectacular long wispy tail of six emu-like feathers. Unfortunately for this species of wren, it's terrible at flying and so scrambles along - dangerously I might add - through vegetation after insects and spiders to feed on. This particular species of Southern Emu-wren lives in the 'swamp' vegetation on the Fleurieu Peninsula in the southern Mt Lofty Ranges in SA.
It's thought that there are only around 500 adult Mount Lofty Ranges Southern Emu-wrens left. Habitat clearing and fragmentation, predation, fire and flooding have all taken a toll on the species and left it with quite a battle on its hands.
From 2006-2011 FAME provided funding to protect the habitat of the Mount Lofty Ranges Southern Emu-wren at Yookamurra Sanctuary in SA. Our work is critically important and we have shown that together we can make a difference. Visit www.fame.org.au to donate or find out more.
Photo: Alchetron