The Southern Scrub-robin in the Great Victoria Desert: an outlying and declining desert population

<jats:p>Over a decade of monitoring (2015 – 2026) the size and survival of a geographically outlying population of the Southern Scrub-robin was assessed in the Great Victoria Desert. Banding, tracking and observational data revealed birds are highly sedentary, with distinct territories (approximately 8 ha in size) and are confined to fragmented and long-unburnt Acacia shrublands. Comparative mitochondrial analysis revealed unique genetic variation in the Great Victoria Desert population, consistent with longer-term isolation. The desert population has a restricted range, with suitable habitat comprising &lt; 5% of the regional landscape. Persistence appears to be supported by longevity, an ant-rich diet and reliance on dense structural cover which provides for foraging, nesting and protection from predation and climate extremes. However, suitable shrublands are declining due to the ongoing and extensive fire regime. Substantial habitat contraction over the past decade indicates that the isolated desert population is in decline, with minimal habitat predicted to remain in the coming decade. The unique desert population occurs in an area of high biological diversity with an exceptional concentration of desert taxa, warranting ongoing monitoring.</jats:p>