Current view: Text account
Site description (2008 baseline):
Site location and context
The IBA is identical to Karroun Hill Nature Reserve. The IBA was identified from expert opinion that it supports a significant viable population of Malleefowl, as determined by records in relevant databases (notably the Malleefowl Preservation Group database of 1200 sightings over 15 years, WA Dept of Environment and Conservation, WA Museum and Birds Australia Atlas), and other literature and knowledge that population viability is greatest within large areas of contiguous mallee or Acacia shrubland. Adjacent pastoral stations also support Malleefowl in smaller numbers and could be added to the IBA if management is improved to conserve numbers and breeding success of this species. The IBA is situated in pastoral country adjacent to the Western Australian wheatbelt, about 310 km north-east of Perth. The Karroun Hill IBA possesses vast areas of intact woodland and shrubland largely lost from the Western Australian wheatbelt due to clearing for agriculture. The eucalypt-mulga line passes through the reserve and delineates the boundary between wattle-dominated (arid zone) and eucalypt-dominated (temperate south-west) botanical regions. Vegetation consists primarily of York and Salmon gum woodlands and dense Acacia thickets. It also possesses considerable floristic diversity and supports and an impressive array of fauna.
Other birds have not been documented for this IBA.
Pressure/threats to key biodiversity
Investigate the impact of fire regimes on Malleefowl persistence. Investigate the effect of fox control on Malleefowl, and meso-predators also (i.e. feral cats etc).
Karroun Hill Nature Reserve is the IBA.
Fully managed by Western Australian State government.
Site access / Land-owner requests
Permits are required for access to Karroun Hill Nature Reserve.
Thanks to Blair Parsons for writing the nomination.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Karroun Hill (Australia). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/karroun-hill-iba-australia on 22/11/2024.
