Volunteers make a difference for malleefowl

The Murraylands and Riverland Landscape Board is celebrating the dedicated volunteers who play a critical role in conserving of one of Australia’s most iconic threatened species: the malleefowl. 

With more active monitoring sites than anywhere else in the country, the Murraylands and Riverland is an important region for the nationally vulnerable species.

Malleefowl are about the size of a large chicken with mostly pale grey-brown plumage, barred upperparts and a black marking down the throat.

Males are a little larger than the females, but they are otherwise very similar.

While malleefowl are notoriously shy and difficult to spot, their distinctive nesting mounds provide an avenue to track their breeding activity. 

For more than 30 years, the landscape board has contributed to a national malleefowl monitoring program, collecting data that helps scientists understand population trends and guide conservation efforts.

Landscape board project officer Chris Fulton said it was the efforts of volunteers that made the program possible.

“Our volunteers are the backbone of the malleefowl monitoring program,” he said.

“Every mound they check and every piece of data they record contributes to a much bigger picture, helping protect this unique species for future generations.”

During the 2025-26 monitoring season, a dedicated team of 35 volunteers contributed more than 425 hours of their time, with 20 field trips completed across the region.

Approximately 780 mounds were monitored, with 18 recorded as active.

Mr Fulton said a standout moment this season was the first visit to Peebinga, where 19 mounds were assessed.

“There were three active mounds, and we even got a chance to see a malleefowl actively working a mound,” he said.

These achievements were celebrated at a volunteer event held on May 1, which was an opportunity to recognise the invaluable contribution of volunteers, share insights from the past season and look ahead to the next.

It was also a chance for new volunteers to learn about the malleefowl monitoring process. 

“You don’t need to be an expert – just willing to learn and keen to make a difference,” he said.

Volunteers of all experience levels are welcome, with training and support provided.

• More information: Visit flow.landscape.sa.gov.au/malleefowl-monitoring or email christopher.fulton@sa.gov.au.