Gouldian finch
Common name: Gouldian finch
Scientific name: Erythrura gouldiae
Conservation status: The Gouldian finch is 'Endangered' in Queensland (Nature Conservation Act 1992) and 'Endangered' nationally (Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999).
Description: The Gouldian finch is very colourful. It is grass-green above with acobalt blue rump, lilac chest and yellow abdomen. It has an ivory-coloured bill with a red tip and its face is usually black but crimson or yellow-ochre variations occur in rare individuals. Its tail is black and drawn into a long thin wisp. The female is duller and tinged olive.
Habitat and distribution: The habitat in which the finch occurs is grassy tropical open woodlands, often bordering watercourses, and occasionally open grassy plains and spinifex areas.
The Gouldian Finch is found in northern Australia, from Derby (WA) east to Chillagoe and Coen (Qld), south to Daly Waters (NT) and Hughenden (Qld). The population nucleus is centred on the Katherine (NT) district. In recent times within Queensland it is known to occur regularly at a few sites, with a few incidental sightings in other areas.
Behaviour and life history: It is generally encountered in pairs or small flocks and is very fond of bathing and is often found close to water. A very inquisitive bird, particularly as juveniles; they will investigate tree hollows and strange objects. This finch is thought to be migratory or at least nomadic during the wet season when they disperse southward and return to northern areas during the dry months. They are often seen feeding and drinking in the company of other finches.
Threatening processes: The continued destruction and degradation of vital habitats through changes in fire regime and increased grazing intensity threatens this species. Illegal trapping and infestations of air-sac mite are also of concern.
Recovery actions:
The objective of the recovery actions is to stabilise or increase population size as a result of remedial management action at three key sites. Some of these actions include:
- Undertaking strategic surveys of suitable habitat;
- Characterising habitat at a regional scale using GIS analysis;
- Determining the relationship between burning pattern, grazing and Gouldian finch survival;
- Increasing the understanding of diet and foraging ecology in relation to patterns of resource availability and at a variety of sites;
- Analyse feeding and breeding habitat at a regional scale;
- Incorporating strategies for improved grazing, feral herbivore and fire management, and population monitoring into management plans;
- Undertaking Gouldian Finch habitat restoration at Mareeba Wetland Reserve;
- Developing reintroduction guidelines, and habitat suitability assessments and assess sites for potential reintroduction trials; and
- Develop and disseminate a broad range of stakeholder-targeted information on the Gouldian Finch recovery program.
Further information:
National recovery plan for the Gouldian Finch (Erythrura gouldiae)
Australian Museum Online, 2003: Gouldian Finch
Last updated: 19 June 2007