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Gouldian Finch
Erythrura gouldiae
Australia's Threatened Species Category
Endangered
Listed since: Mon Jul 11 2016 14:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)
IUCN's Threatened Species Category
Least Concern
Listed since: Thu Feb 11 2021 14:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)
Population trend: Stable
Other names: None
Priority Species? No
The Australian government's Threatened Species Action Plan 2022-2032 selected over 100 priority species derived from consultation with threatened species experts and the wider community. While all species are important, focusing on a limited number of species can help target effort and resources so that outcomes can be achieved, measured and shared.
Description
The Gouldian Finch are vividly multi-coloured with about 75% having black faces. They can be found from Cape York, the north of the Northern Territory to the Kimberley Region of Western Australia. Gouldian finches feed almost exclusively on grass seed and depend on a small number of grass species at different times of the year. They nest in tree hollows and produce 1-2 fledlings per season.
Threats
Vegetation change through altered fire regimes and grazing by introduced herbivores are the factors that have most likely caused the decline in this species and is preventing recovery. Heavy grazing by cattle is known to reduce seed yields in grasses which is an important food source for the Gouldian Finch.
Quollity Conservation Hub's Overall Priority Score
57
Average life span:
Number of young produced each year:
Number of breeding events each year:
> 2yrs and < 5yrs
Few (>3)
Minimum sexual maturity age:
< 1yr
Who is helping?
Useful links for more detailed information on this species
DCCEEW - Australian Government Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water
SPRAT - DCCEEW Species Profile and Threats Database
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