Once common across northern Australia, in recent decades the Gouldian finch population has declined dramatically to an estimated few thousand mature individuals in the wild.
The species now predominately occurs in small flocks in several locations in the Kimberley and the Northern Territory, but a few sub-populations are also known from Queensland.
Gulf Savannah NRM’s Biodiversity Officer Ed Evans took part in a recent survey in the Northern Gulf region and spotted a range of finch species — Gouldian, double-barred, black-throated and masked.
The survey took place in the Einasleigh Uplands Bioregion supporting conservation scientist Ray Pierce as part of the ongoing Queensland Gouldian Finch Study. The study was established after a significant Gouldian finch population was found in Far North Queensland in 2018.
The project is designed to increase the understanding of Gouldian finch ecology and threats in northern Queensland — and is a partnership with Birdlife and the North Queensland Natural History Group.
Find out more and get the latest Gouldian update by visiting nqnhg.org/queenslandgouldianfinchstudy.
Gouldian Finch Facts
- Scientific name: Erythrura gouldiae
- Length: 12–15cm
- Weight: 14–15g
- Status: Endangered (under EPBC Act 1999)
Adult Gouldian finches are one of three different colour varieties: jet-black faces (70–80%); scarlet faces (20–30%); while gold-faced Gouldians are incredibly rare.
Read the article in the latest Gulf Croaker magazine: