Star Finch - profile

Indicative distribution

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Key:

known

predicted

The areas shown in pink and/purple are the sub-regions where the species or community is known or predicted to occur. They may not occur thoughout the sub-region but may be restricted to certain areas. ( click here to see geographic restrictions). The information presented in this map is only indicative and may contain errors and omissions.

Scientific name: Neochmia ruficauda

Conservation status in NSW: Extinct

Commonwealth status: Endangered

Profile last updated: 11 Oct 2022

Description

The Star Finch is a 11.5 cm small, compact Finch with rounded head, slender bill, and moderately long tail with rounded tip. The Star Finch is a plain olive-brown with a pale belly. It has a red face and bill and is spotted white on the face, breast and flanks. The tail is reddish brown dotted white on the uppertail coverts. Juveniles are mostly plain brown with a rusty tail and dark bill.

Distribution

Neochmia ruficauda is endemic to Australia, and is listed in Commonwealth records as 'endagered'. The species is currently only found in cetral Queensland. The distribution of the Star Finch formerly extended from Bowen in central Queensland, south to the Namoi River in northern New South Wales, and west to the Blackall Range. Recent records have been obtained only from scattered sites in central Queensland and, consequently, the Star Finch now appears to be extinct in both south-eastern Queensland and northern New South Wales. The Star Finch is held in more than 20 zoos and institutions worldwide. In Australia, populations are maintained in Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary in Queensland, Melbourne Zoo in Victoria, Adelaide Zoo in South Australia and Territory Wildlife Park in the Northern Territory.

Habitat and ecology

The Star Finch occurs mainly in grasslands and grassy woodlands that are located close to bodies of fresh water. It also occurs in cleared or suburban areas such as along roadsides and in towns.
The Star Finch was observed in 1865 on the Namoi River in New South Wales, on sloping river banks covered with grass and herbs, and amongst beds of rushes growing along the side of the river.
The Star Finch feeds predominantly on ripe or half-ripe seeds. These are mainly taken from a range of grasses. The Star Finch also feeds on insects (including flies, ants, termites and moths) and on spiders.
The Star Finch forages on the ground, where it picks up fallen seed, and in vegetation (including grasses and shrubs), it takes seeds from seed-heads and Casuarina cones and insects from grasses and other foliage. It also captures insects while in flight.

Threats

The overgrazing of grasslands by livestock is considered the principal threat to this species as the livestock are removing essential cover, as well as sources of food.
The invasion of habitat by weeds, and the contamination of habitat by mining operations are other potential sources of habitat degradation and a threat to the species.
Prolonged drought is likely to have been a major factor in the decline of the Star Finch. This is because the Star Finch usually occurs in long grass close to bodies of water and, during drought conditions, the ongoing presence of stock around these waterbodies is likely to have severely degraded the grassland habitat.
Sea-level rise across northern Australia, as predicted for the next 30 years, will result in the inundation of coastal refuges used by some populations early in the wet season.

Recovery strategies

A Saving Our Species conservation project is currently being developed for this species and will be available soon. For information on how you can contribute to this species' recovery, see the Activities to assist this species section below.

Activities to assist this species

Monitor remaining populations in order to detect trends.
Manage key sites by maintaining natural fire regimes and preventing overgrazing, which together lead to invasion of grasslands by alien invasive plants and a loss of native seed diversity.