Lord Howe Island Board World Heritage and Environment manager Hank Bower said the birds aren’t scared of people because they have lived in isolation and never been threatened by humans. 

Mr Bower said people who visit the island are often astounded by the sheer number of birds on the island. 

“You can witness a fantastic display of sea birds where a vast array nest during the summer months,” he said. 

Bird species fall into the classifications of either bush, vagrants, sea and those which are introduced.

Mr Bower said rodents pose a big risk to the survival of many of the bird species and five varieties have been completely wiped out following the accidental introduction of rats in 1918. 

When people visit the island Mr Bower said it is important they don’t bring any plants, animals, soil or foreign material which could potentially wreak havoc to the survival of native floura and fauna. 

Mr Bower said visitors should wash their clothes, hats and clean their boots to ensure myrtle rust doesn’t spread through the environment. People are advised to always use the boot scrub stations situated on the island. 

Mr Bower said the rust is like a fungus and poses a threat to native plants in the Myrtle family which provide an important food source for birds through the provision of nectar, fruits and insects. 

“The rust poses a threat to that whole ecosystem cycle,” he said. 

Mr Bower said the island is currently investigating the implementation of a rodent eradication program which includes the captive management of the iconic Lord Howe woodhen and Lord Howe currawong.

The species are both listed as endangered and considered at risk of the proposed baiting if not held in captivity. 

The island’s board has been working closely with Taronga Zoo in Sydney to develop a captive breeding program. 

Mr Bower said there have been over 400 successful rodent eradication carried out on islands around the globe. These have delivered ecosystem recovery for many plant and animal species impacted by rodents.

Mr Bower said the rodent eradication program will help to restore the ecosystem to how it used to be before rodents posed a threat. 

He said while there is likely to be a short term impact on the bird population within two years the environment will bounce back and numbers will thrive. 

Mr Bower describes himself as a ‘mad birdo’. He is passionate about the conservation of birds and biodiversity. 

He said both the endemic woodhen and currawong species have a lot of character and are important species in the ecosystem.

The woodhen turns up leaf litter in search for food and currawongs spread fruit of plants such as the scaly bark lilly pilly and banyan fig.

Mr Bower said a big issue which is currently impacting sea birds is that of plastic. 

The flesh-footed shearwater Mr Bower said ingests plastic from the ocean and then feed their offspring the material. 

He said as a result the chick isn’t being provided with enough nutrients to ensure their energy levels are sufficient.

For more information about the types of birds on Lord Howe Island or to enquire about tours please visit  www.lordhoweislandbirds.com

To access the island's guide for information on numerous projects, walking track maps, quarantine and bird monitoring projects​ click here