Abstract
Fire is a frequent and important ecological event in eucalypt forests and woodlands throughout Australia. Through its effects on the structure and species composition of the vegetation, fire plays a major role in determining the distribution and abundance of forest birds. One year after a wildfire in forests managed for the production of pulpwood (woodchips) near Eden in southeastern New South Wales the numbers of birds and species richness was significantly lower in burnt than in unburnt forest. The difference occurred despite what appeared to be greater numbers of insects in the burnt forests. At Eden the combined effect of fire and logging was greater than either alone and such interactions must be taken into account when developing plans for management of fauna in forests managed principally for wood production.