EFFECT OF THE WEED CHRYSANTHEMOIDES MONILIFERA (BITOU BUSH) ON BIRD COMMUNITIES

Bird communities in native coastal woodland were compared with those i n woodland infested with Chrysanthemoides monilifera rotundata (bitou bush) in order to determine the impact of infestations of this weed on birds. Little evidence was found to suggest that bitou bush negativel y affected the bird communities as a whole. Overall, the total number of birds in each type of habitat did not differ while numbers of speci es differed only at one area. Weed infestations have a differential im pact on foraging groups. Canopy-feeding generalists and understorey in sectivores showed differences in abundance and species richness in a f ew areas, with greater numbers in weed sites than in native sites. Tem poral variation in weed-site use was also evident for canopy foragers. For these groups, weed infestations are providing at least some resou rces, although the details of resource use need to be investigated fur ther. Species richness and abundance of birds relying almost exclusive ly on plant material were negatively affected by weed infestations, in dicating that this foraging guild may not be provided with adequate re sources in weed-infested habitats. Similarly, although numbers were lo w, scavengers and raptors also showed lower abundances and species ric hness in weed-infested habitats. For these foraging groups, management programmes to rehabilitate weed-infested habitats are likely to have a positive effect on numbers.