An isolated population of the Eastern Bristlebird occurred in the Conondale Range in the Sunshine Coast hinterland - the northern limit of its distribution. Discovered as recently as the 1980s, the population appears now likely to be extinct as there have been no confirmed records for several years - see here for more.
What these species have in common is that they are close to or at the northern end of their distribution in south-eastern Australia, although the rosella, bowerbird and quail-thrush have isolated populations in north Queensland. Observers have noted steep, parallel declines in populations of several formerly common mammal species in the region such as Boebuck, Red-legged Pademelon and Greater Glider.
Warmer temperatures and drier conditions may be related to the decline in populations of these mammals and birds. In the case of the bristlebird, inappropriate vegetation management by state authorities and predation by feral cats and foxes are likely to have been additional factors in its demise.
The Dusky Honeyeater, another tropical species, is also more widespread today around the Sunshine Coast than it was in the 1970s. While it was formerly restricted essentially to lowland vine scrubs in and about the Conondale Range, the honeyeater is today seen in a variety of habitats across the region. It is a regular visitor to my garden at Ninderry.
Shining Flycatcher, another tropical bird, was once regarded as a very rare vagrant in south-east Queensland. I have found it to be not uncommon on the Sunshine Coast, where it is resident and breeds. It occurs in the Noosa, Maroochy and Mooloolah Rivers, and in the Pumicestone Passage, where I have seen as many as 10 or 11 birds in a day. It bred for the first recorded time this season south of Pumicestone Passage - at the Tinchi Tamba Wetlands on the Pine River.