Gouldian Finch, Erythrura gouldiae
Problem:
The Gouldian Finch was
once found across a vast area of north-western Queensland, the Northern
Territory and the Kimberleys. By 1981, its range was drastically reduced. In
Queensland today, the search continues for breeding populations with its numbers
falling over the last twenty years to less than 250 pairs. Although it is still
one of the most common birds in captivity, the exact reason for its decline in
the wild are unknown.
Background Information:
Gouldian Finches
inhabit seasonally wet/dry, grassy open woodlands that are grazed by cattle.
Survival of the Gouldian depends on year-round availability of the seeds of a
few species of annual and perennial grasses. The combination of fire during the
‘dry' and grazing by cattle is considered the probable reason for the decline of
this species.
Research:
Research by the
Gouldian Finch Recovery Team and the Parks and Wildlife Commission of the
Northern Territory suggests that changes in grass species due to fire or cattle
have greatly affected this bird. Additional suggestions for the decline include
burning of nest trees, exotic disease, effects of nasal parasites and past
trapping for the bird trade.
Solution:
Protect key finch
sites. Appropriate use of fire (frequent low-temperature fires) will provide
continuous food for the birds through out the year.
The next species is the Coxen Fig Parrot