Breeding Biology of the Gouldian Finch Erythrura gouldiae, an Endangered Finch of Northern Australia

1999 ◽  
Vol 99 (3) ◽  
pp. 191-199 ◽  
Author(s):  
S.C. Tidemann ◽  
C. Lawson ◽  
R. Elvish ◽  
J. Boyden ◽  
J. Elvish
Keyword(s):  
Breeding Biology ◽  
Northern Australia ◽  
Gouldian Finch

Comparison of the breeding sites and habitat of two hole-nesting estrildid finches, one endangered, in northern Australia

1992 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 373-388 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sonia C. Tidemann ◽  
James Boyden ◽  
Robert Elvish ◽  
Jennifer Elvish ◽  
Brian O'Gorman
Keyword(s):  
Discriminant Analysis ◽  
Breeding Habitat ◽  
Northern Australia ◽  
Termite Mounds ◽  
Short Supply ◽  
Breeding Sites ◽  
Nest Sites ◽  
Tree Hollows ◽  
Feeding Habitat ◽  
Gouldian Finch

ABSTRACTThe endangered Gouldian Finch Erythrura gouldiae is the only Australian finch to nest exclusively in tree hollows or, more rarely, in termite mounds. It is sympatric with the abundant Long-tailed Finch Poephila aculicauda which nests frequently in tree hollows. The aim of this study was to define the characteristics of nest sites and breeding areas of Gouldian and Long-tailed Finches to determine whether nest hollows were in short supply, and where finches fed relative to their nest sites. The Gouldian Finch chose hollows with smaller, more northerly entrances than Long-tailed, or randomly chosen hollows, nested deeper down the hollow and on steeper hill-slopes. Both species preferred single to multi-trunked trees of larger diameter than trees with randomly chosen hollows. Discriminant analysis classified 22–25% of the randomly chosen hollows and 28–38% of Long-tailed nesting hollows as Gouldian hollows. Gouldian Finches were more specific in their choice of nest sites than Long-tailed Finches. The vegetation at the two sites differed floristically, but within each site there was no floristic distinction between feeding or breeding sites or sites chosen at random. Gouldian Finches chose feeding habitat where trees were more spaced, on less rocky, barer ground than around breeding sites.On the basis of the criteria measured, there was no shortage of suitable hollows available to the Gouldian Finch for nesting. The overlap between feeding and breeding sites indicates the importance of managing breeding habitat for conservation.

scholarly journals Landscapes without boundaries: wildlife and their environments in northern Australia

2005 ◽  
Vol 32 (5) ◽  
pp. 377 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. C. Z. Woinarski ◽  
R. J. Williams ◽  
O. Price ◽  
B. Rankmore
Keyword(s):  
Species Composition ◽  
Resource Availability ◽  
Northern Australia ◽  
Geographic Ranges ◽  
Topographic Features ◽  
Spatial Turnover ◽  
Landscape Variation ◽  
Gouldian Finch

This paper provides an introduction to the ecological fabric of northern Australia, described here as being a land characterised by extreme climatic seasonality and largely devoid of marked topographic features. Largely as a result of the latter trait, many species have extensive geographic ranges, and the spatial turnover in species composition is extremely limited. Somewhat counter-intuitively, these two traits can be accommodated by organisms only through reliance on critical, but often subtle, landscape variation. We present some preliminary models for Gouldian finch (Erythrura gouldiae) and black-footed tree-rat (Mesembriomys gouldii) to illustrate patterns of variation in their resource availability, and the consequences of such variation. We discuss briefly some studies that have attempted to integrate, or at least consider, these elements.

Frequent fires reduce the nutritional quality of Sorghum stipoideum seed, a keystone food resource for the Gouldian finch (Erythrura gouldiae)

2017 ◽  
Vol 39 (2) ◽  
pp. 105 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Weier ◽  
Ian J. Radford ◽  
Alan Manson ◽  
Lesley J. Durrans ◽  
Michael J. Lawes
Keyword(s):  
Soil Nutrients ◽  
Nutritional Quality ◽  
Seed Quality ◽  
Inorganic Nitrogen ◽  
Food Resource ◽  
Grass Species ◽  
Northern Australia ◽  
Tropical Savannas ◽  
Breeding Sites ◽  
Gouldian Finch

Fire is a pervasive feature of the tropical savannas of northern Australia. Increasingly extensive and intensive fires have had an adverse effect on grass layer diversity. Reduced grass species diversity and abundance are important correlates of the decline of granivores in these tropical savannas. The Gouldian finch (Erythrura gouldiae), an endangered species that is endemic to northern Australia, is particularly vulnerable to changes to the grass layer as its diet comprises only grass seed, and it relies mostly on Sorghum stipoideum during the breeding season. Although this annual grass species is abundant at breeding sites, the finches do not always choose to breed at these sites, raising the possibility that seed quality may vary from year to year. This study examines the effect of fire (time since last fire; fire frequency) on soil fertility and seed nutritional quality. We hypothesise that recently burnt sites produce a flush of soil nutrients and Sorghum stipoideum seed at these sites is of higher nutritional quality. Furthermore, we posit that frequently burnt sites become depleted of soil nutrients and their seeds are of lower nutritional quality. There was a significant increase in inorganic nitrogen in soils following a fire, but no notable change in other soil nutrients. Contingent on this increase in soil inorganic nitrogen, seed nutrient levels, particularly essential proteins, were greater at sites that were recently, but infrequently burnt. Fires appear to affect soil nitrogen and in turn seed nutrition, providing a plausible explanation for why Gouldian finches choose recently, but infrequently burnt breeding sites.

scholarly journals Causes of the decline of the Gouldian Finch Erythrura gouldiae

1996 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 49-61 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sonia C. Tidemann
Keyword(s):  
Clutch Size ◽  
Nest Site ◽  
Northern Territory ◽  
Dry Season ◽  
Northern Australia ◽  
Wet Season ◽  
Breeding Sites ◽  
Low Intensity ◽  
Tree Hollows ◽  
Gouldian Finch

SummaryPopulations of Gouldian Finch Erythrura gouldiae, an estrildid endemic to northern Australia, declined markedly during the last two or three decades. A survey revealed the species in two areas of Northern Territory, with an estimated 2,000 individuals, including juveniles. Recaptures were low either because of mortality or dispersal. Gouldian Finches eat predominantly Sorghum spp. seeds, but consume other seeds before Sorghum ripens. Other finches declined as cattle increased. Gouldian Finches breed in tree hollows of predominantly two species of eucalypts that grow on rocky slopes. They require water within about 4 km of the nest site. There was no shortage of nesting hollows at the known breeding sites. Fires in the early to mid-dry season allow birds access to seed without damaging trees, but later fires can destroy trees with nest hollows and remove shade. Average clutch-size is 5.2. About 72% of eggs laid, and 63% of nests, fledged young. Pairs lay up to three clutches in a season (February-August), the length of which may depend on rainfall during the preceding wet season. Air-sac mite (Sternostoma tracheacolum), found in 62% of Gouldian Finches sampled, may be preventing the species recovering to former numbers. New colonies of Gouldian Finches should be identified, populations monitored, and habitat managed by effecting patchy burns by low-intensity fires early in the dry season.

Observation on the breeding biology of Polypedates teraiensis (Dubois, 1987) (Amphibia: Rhacophoridae)

2017 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 25-32
Author(s):  
Jacinta Lalchhanhimi ◽  
Lalremsanga H.T.
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Dimorphism ◽  
Breeding Season ◽  
Sound Production ◽  
Reproductive Function ◽  
Breeding Biology ◽  
Tree Frog ◽  
University Campus ◽  
Morphometric Measurements ◽  
Advertisement Calls ◽  
Males And Females

The breeding biology of tree frog, Polypedates teraiensis was studied during the breeding season at Mizoram University Campus. It was found that sound production by male during the breeding season was primarily a reproductive function and advertisement calls attract females to the breeding areas and announce other males that a given territory is occupied. The aim of this study was to provide the detailed information on the breeding behaviour and the advertisement calls of Polypedates teraiensis. The morphometric measurements of the amplecting pairs (males and females) for sexual dimorphism along with clutch sizes were also studied.

Distribution, seasonal movements and habitat utilisation of an endangered shark, Glyphis glyphis, from northern Australia

2017 ◽  
Vol 573 ◽  
pp. 203-213 ◽  
Author(s):  
BJ Lyon ◽  
RG Dwyer ◽  
RD Pillans ◽  
HA Campbell ◽  
CE Franklin
Keyword(s):  
Northern Australia ◽  
Seasonal Movements

Discriminatory Taxation in Light of Fortescue: Its Implications for the Development of Northern Australia

2014 ◽  
Vol 42 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-23
Author(s):  
Anthony Gray
Keyword(s):  
Federal Government ◽  
Court Decision ◽  
Northern Australia ◽  
High Court ◽  
The North ◽  
Northern Regions ◽  
Word Discrimination ◽  
Taxation System

In the recent Fortescue decision, the High Court made some interesting observations regarding interpretation of the word ‘discrimination’ in the context of the Federal Government's power with respect to taxation in s 51(2) of the Australian Constitution. Coincidentally, the Federal Government has commenced consideration of options for the development of northern regions of Australia. Of course, one option would be to introduce a variable taxation system to encourage businesses and individuals to be based, and/or invest, in northern Australia. This article considers possible constitutional issues associated with variable taxation schemes overtly favouring businesses and individuals based in the ‘north’, given the recent High Court decision.

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