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RESEARCH ARTICLE
Contents Vol 105(1)

Habitat and diet of the Star Finch (Neochmia ruficauda clarescens) in the early wet season at Princess Charlotte Bay, Cape York Peninsula, Australia

S. T. Garnett A B F , J. R. Clarkson A , A. Felton A C , G. N. Harrington D and A. N. D. Freeman A E
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service, PO Box 2066, Cairns, Qld 4870, Australia.

B School of Social and Policy Research, Charles Darwin University, Darwin, NT 0909, Australia.

C Centre for Resource and Environmental Studies, Australian National University, PO Box 4, Canberra, ACT 2600, Australia.

D PO Box 680, Malanda, Qld 4885, Australia.

E School for Rainforest Studies, PO Box 141, Yungaburra, Qld 4872 Australia.

F Corresponding author. Email: stephen.garnett@cdu.edu.au

Emu 105(1) 81-85 https://doi.org/10.1071/MU04020
Submitted: 29 March 2004  Accepted: 3 March 2005   Published: 31 March 2005

Abstract

Surveys for the endangered Star Finch (Neochmia ruficauda clarescens (Hartert)) were conducted in the early wet season on Cape York Peninsula. We found Star Finches in only two grassland vegetation types. Most sightings were on unburnt islands of grass and saltbush on tidal saltpans where the birds were feeding solely on the seeds of the annual grass Xerochloa imberbis R.Br. Some individuals were also found among tall perennial grasses further inland where they fed on the first seed production of the new wet season. Xerochloa imberbis is probably a critical food source and saltpans a critical habitat for survival of this population of Star Finches during the early wet season.


Acknowledgments

Special thanks go to the many people who contributed to the success of the expedition, including our Aboriginal collaborators Paddy and Lindsay Bassani and fellow birdwatchers Eda Addicott, John Allen, Alex Anderson, John Augustyn, Peter Bannink, Belinda Bannink, Michael Barnett, Phillip Brook, Greg Czechura, Russell Cumming, Helen Dawson, Kay Dorricott, Ian Fox, Alastair Freeman, Sue Gould, Rod Thorn, Trish Hammond, Laurie Knight, Petch Manopawitr, Geoff McLaughlin, Marty McLaughlin, Dan Murphy, Robert Powell, Phillip Rankin, Carol Schmidt, Suzanne Sellwood, Ian Sinclair, Rita Sinclair and Kelvin Williams. Funding for the work was provided by the Cape York Natural Heritage Trust and the Cooperative Research Centre for Tropical Savannas with logistic support from the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service. Birds Australia helped coordinate volunteers and Bob Smith flew us in his helicopter and also participated in counts. Thanks are also given to the Lama Lama people of Princess Charlotte Bay and the Rirrmerr Corporation for support of the research on their traditional lands. Geoff Mills created the first set of random points and Peter Horne’s patient GIS expertise was invaluable for producing maps and extracting vegetation data. Useful comments were received from four anonymous referees.


References

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1 One male from these four was sighted again near the banding site on 12 July 2004, over four years after the study period (M. Todd, personal communication).