The Status of Estrildid Finches in North-western Australia

Abstract

There is concern that populations of some estrildid finches have declined in northern Australia. The object of the present study was to investigate the current status of estrildid species in the Kimberley region. This was done by counting numbers of finches drinking at waterholes in 1996, 1997 and 1999. Additional counts were made during timed walks in areas adjacent to 10 waterholes and in the Ord River Irrigation Area in 1999. Three species of grassfinch (Double-barred Finch Taeniopygia bichenovii, Long-tailed Finch Poephila acuticauda, and Masked Finch P. personata) were abundant and widely distributed throughout the study area but other estrildids were seen less frequently. Nevertheless, the Gouldian Finch Erythrura gouldiae was observed at sites in eastern, central and northern parts of the study area, sometimes in large flocks (50 to > 100 individuals). The Star Finch Neochmia ruficauda was recorded at relatively few sites but was abundant at places in the eastern Kimberley, including the Irrigation Area. Two other species, the Yellow-rumped Mannikin Lonchura flaviprymna and the Chestnut-breasted Mannikin L. castaneothorax, were present in large numbers in the Irrigation Area but were not recorded elsewhere. The Pictorella Mannikin Heteromunia pectoralis was recorded in large numbers drinking at one waterhole site in 1996 and at two sites in 1997 but was sighted infrequently in 1999.