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Observations on the use of native and exotic trees and shrubs by buds in winter were made in the suburbs of Brisbane (1985, 1986) and Melbourne (1975). Among buds using woody plants for purposes other than foraging, native buds were consistently associated with native plants. In the Brisbane winter of 1985 there was no significant difference in the use of native and exotic plants by foraging native and exotic birds. However, in the drier winter of 1986 and in Melbourne, native buds foraged proportionately more frequently on native plants than did exotic buds and, when not foraging, used artiticial structures (as opposed to woody plants) less frequently. Exotic buds foraged proportionately more on the ground than on plants relative to the native buds in Melbourne and in the Brisbane winter of 1985. Counts of foliagk invertebrates were also made in winter in both cities. There were far more invertebrates on foliage in Brisbane than in Melbourne. Insect resting stages (egg masses and pupae), lerps and scales occurred more frequently on native than on exotic plants. Invertebrate densities on native plants exceeded those on exotics in Melbourne but not in Brisbane, due to the higher proportion of insect resting stages in Melbourne. The association between native birds and plants was weaker in Brisbane than in Melbourne and this is partially explicable by the differences in invertebrate numbers.

Most male Australian Brush-turkeys at Mt. Tamborine in south-eastem Queensiand began to construct incubation mounds in winter (May-June) following falls of rain that thoroughly dampened the leaf-litter. Mounds were tended for up to nine months before being abandoned around January-February. Two distinct phases of activity were identified: the Construction Phase, characterised by accumulation of mound-materials by the males, and the Maintenance Phase when the amount of mound-work was greatly reduced. The mean temperatures of mounds was 33.3°C. Thermal stability was achieved without the direct manipulations of mounds by males. There was little indication of pair bonding between males and females, suggesting a non-monogamous mating system.

Twelve residential sites and one woodland site, all in Townsville, North Queensland (latitude 19°, longitude 146°) were censused to determine the composition of the urban bird community. Sites were surveyed by foot transect during December 1980-January 1981 (wet season) and May-June 1980 (dry season). Forty-eight species were detected, most of which were found in the suburbs. The bird community was dominated by four species, of which two, the House Sparrow Passer domesticus and Nutmeg Mannikin Lonchura punctulata were introduced. The House Sparrow was the dominant species in most residential sites and comprised 36.4% of the birds seen. A diverse group of nectar-feeding species was also an important component of the urban community. The average density was 45.8 birds per ha. There was little change in the diversity of species due to the urbanisation probably due to the relative richness of the structure and composition of tropical garden vegetation compared to the neighbouring woodland areas.

The suburban bird community of Wagga Wagga, N.S.W., was surveyed during December 1978-January 1979 and May 1979, at nine sites selected to cover all ages of residential areas from predevelopment to oldest suburbs and to demonstrate how the bird community will change with time in response to changing habitat. Non-residential sites were also sampled. Sites were censused by foot transect. House sparrows which were present in all sites, were the first species to colonize new residential areas and made up over 95% of the individual count of four sites Of native species, 40% were found in undeveloped sites only. The population density of undeveloped sites was only half that of developed sites, but the greatest species diversity was found in undeveloped sites and the lowest in the most altered sites. There was strong evidence for a steady linear increase in numbers of individuals, numbers of species, biomass and population density with increasing age of residential area, reaching a peak at about 30 years.

Although frequently reported from within the Brisbane city boundaries, the range of the Australian brush-turkey, Alectura lathami, was limited mainly to forested areas adjacent to suburban areas. Since the early 1970s, however, the species' presence in the suburbs has increased steadily and it is now common in many suburbs. Destruction and disruption of gardens during the construction of incubation mounds has led to a significant conflict with householders. This study found the species to be most abundant in suburbs adjacent to forest reserves and major watercourses. A number of extremely isolated populations were also identified. Although suburban mounds contained similar numbers of eggs as mounds from the wild, suburban mounds were more prone to failure, probably due to the use of inappropriate mound materials. Despite some evidence of increasing spread within the suburbs, the long-term survival of the species is seriously threatened by hatchling predation and continued loss of habitat.

Habitat use by birds in suburbs of Brisbane, Queensland was studied during winter, at sites with relatively similar habitat features near to (0.25-0.5km) and far from (2-3km) a eucalypt forest. Variation in other factors was restricted. Distance from native forest was found to have little influence on abundance of birds in suburban habitats. House sparrows and willie wagtails were relatively more abundant at the far sites. Most of the more common forest-dwelling species were not common in either near or far suburbs. There was little similarity in relative abundance of bird species between the forest and either the near or far suburbs. A similarity in species diversity and positive correlations in species abundance between near and far sites indicate that most species are either forest or suburb 'specialists'. Native birds were more selective in their choice of plant category than introduced birds, and had a high probability of using certain native and exotic plant species, and a lower probability of using others. Although generally more abundant, introduced birds did not have a high probability of using any plant genus or type. Birds in the area studied are probably altering their patterns of habitat use in response to changes in food availability.