Black-throated Finch

The black throated finch Poephila cincta was once distributed from northern New South Wales to Cape York Peninsula. These finches live in grassy woodlands dominated by eucalypts, melaleucas or acacias near water. They mostly eat seeds of grasses, and now survive principally on grazing lands where they build grass nests on branches and in hollows of trees.

There are two sub-species: the northern (black-rumped) sub-species which occurs from Mareeba on the northern Atherton Tablelands and extends over Cape York, and the southern (white-rumped) form which ranged from the Atherton Tablelands to the south. The northern sub-species appear to be widespread and secure, but the southern sub-species has disappeared from most of its range.

The southern subspecies of the black-throated finch is currently listed as endangered under the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act). It is listed as 'Endangered' under the schedules of the NSW Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995 (TSC Act) and 'Vulnerable' under the Queensland Nature Conservation Act 1992 (NC Act). In Queensland it now occurs only as one reasonably large population around the Ross River Dam near Townsville, and as scattered small populations in the Townsville/Charters Towers region and south to Clermont.

A national recovery plan for the black-throated finch southern subspecies has been prepared which identifies a number of threatening processes and management actions to address them. The Queensland Recovery Team consists of a team of volunteers and representatives of relevant government agencies who work together to address issues related to the conservation of the finch. The Team collates information on the distribution and occurrence of the finch, and carries out annual counts at suitable waterholes near Townsville on a weekend in October each year. Sightings of the bird can be reported to Marnie McCullough, the sightings Coordinator, at marnie.mccullough@dpi.qld.gov.au

Because of their conservation status, it is illegal to collect black throated finches from the wild. Help the black throated finch by reporting any activities you see that are likely to harm them or their habitat to the Department of the Environment and Water Resources - Compliance and Enforcement Branch or freecall 1800 110 395 for more information.

Project Update

NQ Dry Tropics is the trustee of the Black Throated Finch Trust. The Trust was established by developers Stockland to provide for protection of black-throated finches and their habitat in the Townsville-Thuringowa area.

The Trust supports high priority on-ground works in collaboration with Stockland, state and federal government agencies, community groups and the Black Throated Finch Recovery Team. The Management Committee derives its membership from Stockland, the Commonwealth Department of Environment and Water Resources, the Recovery Team, the Queensland Environmental Protection Agency and Thuringowa City Council.