The Black-throated Finch (Poephila cincta) (southern subspecies) once occurred in our Armidale Regional Council districts. But, in 2016, the State declared it as “Presumed Extinct”. However, Sam Davis from The Australian Society for Avian Preservation, along with Steve Sass, Project Ecologist from EnviroKey, and their collegues are not convinced. They are seeking your assistance to support this citizen science project.

Image by: Harrison Warne Photography

The 'Help find the Black-throated Finch in NSW and surrounds' project is a collaboration between three organisations: the Australian Society for Avian Preservation (ASAP), EnviroKey, and the Finch Society of Australia. The organisers are eager to encourage citizen scientists' participation, to increase awareness of this species and potentially rediscover it in the region. With the excellent season, it is now time to search again.

The Black-throated Finch (Poephila cincta) was first described in NSW by John Gould in 1837. This bird was later known to be the southern subspecies (which a northern subspecies also known in north QLD), and it is sometimes referred to as the Parsons Finch. They were once known to occur from eastern central Queensland extending south into NSW. In the late 1980s and into the 90s, a large range contraction occurred for reasons unknown, and since the early 2000s, they have only been known only from the north of their range which includes the Gallilee Basin.

It is a small bird, about 10cm in length with a short black beak, lores and throat, pale grey head, and pale pinkish brown wings, chest and belly. The tail is short and black and they have a white rump.

In NSW, the last confirmed sighting was at Pindarri Dam, near Ashford in 1994, and after extensive searches by Birdlife Australia and others in 2000, it was declared “Presumed Extinct” by the NSW Government in 2016.

In recent years, there have been a number of unconfirmed sightings of Black-throated Finches in an area bounded by Tamworth in the south, Gunnedah and Moree in the west, Texas and Stanthorpe in the north, and Armidale, Glen Innes and Tenterfield in the east. With better than ever seasons for native grasses (a known key food resource for them in the Gallilee Basin) over the last few years, this project was conceived. Should the species still occur in NSW, albeit in very small numbers, now is our best chance to find them. Being listed as “Presumed Extinct”, there are no specific actions to help this species.

Should it actually still occur, it is very important to target funding towards areas where Black-throated Finch still occur, which can help landholders with ongoing future management. The project will have a 12-month initial timeframe, and we are encouraging members of the community to report any sightings to us.

Based on our general understanding of this species from past records, we encourage the community to be on the look out in open woodlands, along creeks and waterways, and any areas where there are lots of native grasses.

People should provide details about the location (eg, 3kms south of Tenterfield on the New England Highway), any photos of the birds, if possible (even using a phone camera will be ok), and a photo of the habitat if possible would be beneficial. This will allow the project managers to paint a better picture of the finches' current status, and hopefully enable them to target specific locations, with more detailed surveys by their project ecologists, pending COVID restrictions.

The project is also seeking donations to assist with project costs. ASAP would like to encourage any donations, small or large, to their crowdfunding page https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-find-the-blackthroated-finch-in-nsw.  

So, let’s not forget about the Black-throated Finch, 2019 Bird of the Year! Please report sighting either by email: btf@asapl.org.au or via their QR code. Click this link for a PDF copy of the flyer (with QR code) to share with others.

Wishing all landholders and volunteers the very best of luck in helping with the search for the Black-throated Finch, in NSW and surrounds.

Images supplied by: The Australian Society for Avian Preservation & Envirokey.