Priorities for Future Research

Almost all aspects of the life history of the Gray-bellied Comet are poorly-known or are not reported at all. The publication/documentation of any aspect of its natural history will be of great benefit to this species conservation. The species is described as being ‘Medium Research Priority’ by Parker et al. (1996) but this almost certainly requires uplisting to ‘High Research Priority’.

The most pressing requirements are for:

1) Surveys of suitable habitat between known sites for the species

2) Surveys to assess the population status at known sites and to identify preferred food sources (BirdLife International 2008).

Data are also required to:

1) Quantify existing montane scrub habitat cover

2) Examine patterns in variation of broad-scale environmental (climatic) variables throughout EBA's 048 and 051

3) Quantify current landscape-wide land-use practises.

These data could help assess potential impacts of conservation measures such as rotational grazing regimes that may involve livestock exclusion from suitable breeding or foraging habitat (existing vegetated gullies). This would enable biologists to predict or target priority areas for proactive restoration (replanting) of suitable food plants by farmers/local communities, and help improve local ecosystem resilience.