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[1] " Advice to the Minister for the Environment and Heritage from the Threatened Species Scientific Committee (TSSC) on Amendments to the list of Threatened Species under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act)14 February 2005  1. Scientific name, common name (where appropriate), major taxon group.  Poephila cincta cincta (Southern Black-throated Finch)  Two subspecies of Black-throated Finch are recognised, the northern subspecies (Poephila cincta atropygialis) and the southern subspecies (Poephila cincta cincta). The southern subspecies of the Black-throated Finch currently occurs in coastal northern Queensland and inland central Queensland. The northern subspecies occurs in northern Queensland from the Atherton Tablelands in the south to the Cape York Peninsula in the north and to the Gulf of Carpentaria in the west. Historically there was a broad region of interbreeding and intergradation between the northern and southern subspecies along the Burdekin-Lynd Divide in a broad band west-southwest.  2. Description  The southern Black-throated Finch is a small stocky granivorous bird. With pink feet, dark grey bill, cinnamon breast, grey head, brown back, black tail, white rump and black throat, the southern Black-throated Finch or Parson's Finch, is a particularly striking looking bird popular with aviculturalists. The southern subspecies is distinguished from the northern subspecies by its colouring. The southern subspecies has a white rather than black rump and richer brown plumage. The female has a slightly smaller black throat patch than the male.  The southern Black-throated Finch occupies woodland savannah and riverine vegetation. Inland it prefers grassy woodland dominated by eucalypts, paperbacks or acacias, where there is access to seeding grasses and water (Zann 1976). On the coast, it occupies open grassy plains with Pandanus (Pizzey 1991).  The subspecies feeds mainly on half-ripe seeds of various grasses that have fallen to the ground, but will also eat insects such as flying insects, spiders and ants and their larvae (Zann 1976).  3. National context  The southern subspecies of the Black-throated Finch currently occurs in coastal northern Queensland and inland central Queensland. It occurs in the northern end of the Brigalow belt and west into the Einasleigh Uplands. It remains locally common at only a few sites near Townsville and Charters Towers (NSW and Queensland Governments 2004).  The range of the southern subspecies of the Black-throated Finch has contracted considerably. Historically, the southern subspecies of the Black-throated Finch had a wider distribution occurring further south in central and southeast Queensland through to northeast New South Wales.  There is some anecdotal evidence that the northern subspecies may have also declined in range and abundance but there is no scientific evidence to suggest that it has declined to any substantial degree (Franklin 1999).  Black-throated Finches are also popular with aviculturists and there are large numbers bred in captivity.  The southern Black-throated Finch (Poephila cincta cincta) is currently listed as Vulnerable under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. It is also currently listed as endangered under the NSW Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995 and as vulnerable under the Queensland Nature Conservation Act 1992. The southern Black-throated Finch is listed under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Fauna and Flora (CITES) Appendix II.  EPBC Act criteria.  TSSC judges Poephila cincta cincta to be eligible for listing as endangered under the EPBC Act. The justification against the criteria is as follows:  Criterion 1 - It has undergone, is suspected to have undergone or is likely to undergo in the immediate future a very severe, severe or substantial reduction in numbers.  The southern Black-throated Finch historically had a wide distribution occurring from Queensland's Atherton Tablelands in the north to northeast New South Wales in the south and to central Queensland in the west. The southern Black-throated Finch's range has considerably contracted and is now only found to occur in coastal northern Queensland and inland central Queensland. It is suspected to undergone a severe reduction in numbers as a result of this severe decline in range.  The southern Black-throated Finch has been reasonably well surveyed especially at the southern most end of its former range. The most recent confirmed sighting of the southern Black-throated Finch in the New England Tablelands area of NSW was in 1994. As it was suspected that the subspecies had become locally extinct since, in 2000 Birds Australia conducted a systematic survey of locations with suitable habitat and areas where it had previously been sighted. Despite an intensive search of their former range, no Black-throated Finches were sighted (Ley and Cook 2001).  The most recent confirmed sighting of the southern Black-throated Finch in southern Queensland was in Stanthorpe in 1995. While there has been some anecdotal evidence that the subspecies may continue to occur in this area, there is no scientific data to support this. Although there has been no species-specific survey for the southern Black-throated Finch in southern Queensland, the Australian Bird Atlas of 1998-2001 systematically surveyed this area for all bird species and no Black-throated Finches were sighted.  The comparative analysis of the two Bird Atlases also showed a marked decline in reporting rates for southern Black-throated Finches over the past 20 years for all IBRA bioregions in which the subspecies was formerly found. Although there is debate about the validity of such comparisons and the analysis is considered inconclusive, the indicative trend from the reporting rate combined with the distribution data infer that there is a corresponding reduction in population size of a similar magnitude to the decline in range.  The extent of occurrence of the southern Black-throated Finch has declined considerably in the last 50 years or more. The extent of occurrence in the 1977-1981 period using the first Bird Atlas data has been estimated as 112,000- 311,000 km2 depending on whether a single large polygon is drawn around the records to show the full historic range or two smaller polygons are drawn around the two remaining strongholds. The current extent of occurrence using the second Bird Atlas (1998-2003) has been estimated as 52,000 km2 from this latter data. In total the subspecies has undergone a severe decline of 53-83% over two decades. Assuming a steady rate of decline, this is equivalent to a 32-59% decline in the last 10 years.  There has been some debate about the estimated extent of occurrence. Although the current extent of occurrence has been calculated using Bird Atlas records only, it is considered to be reasonably accurate as other data from this time period including the Black-throated Finch Recovery Team's database and Queensland's Environmental Protection Agency records also fall within this area.  Historically, it has been observed that the two subspecies of Black-throated Finch cohabitate and interbreed over a broad band of intergradation (Ford 1986, Schodde and Masson 1999). One study (Zann 1976) however suggested that the zone of interbreeding had moved further south, that the northern subspecies was pushing into the southern subspecies range and that there was little actual interbreeding in this zone but more co-occurrence of the two subspecies. There have been no recent observations of the southern subspecies in the southern part of this zone and only the northern subspecies has been observed in the northern part of the zone (NSW and Queensland Governments 2004). This suggests there is now little overlap in the range of the northern and southern subspecies. Even if the southern subspecies does still occur within this band of intergradation, the major contraction in the extent of occurrence is at the southern end of the Black-throated Finch's range and including the zone of intergradation in the estimated extent of occurrence is unlikely to lessen the severity of the decline.  The decline of the southern Black-throated Finch and many other granivorous bird species appears to have begun with the introduction of pastoralism in the early 20th Century (Franklin 1999). The loss or degradation of its preferred riparian grassland habitat through inappropriate fire regimes, clearing for agriculture or development, spread of introduced grasses, and overgrazing particularly in combination with drought has had significant impacts on this subspecies.  A study of the bird fauna (including the Black-throated Finch) of the Coomooboolaroo property in central Queensland documented some of these threats and the resulting decline in avifauna (Woinarski and Caterrall 2004). A number of environmental changes appear to have occurred concurrently, the individual effects of which are unknown but together have caused significant change in the landscape. These include: fire exclusion/cessation of aboriginal fire management and resulting woody regrowth; increased stocking rates; drought; episodic mammal 'plagues' (dingoes, marsupials and feral cats) and subsequent baiting; ring-barking of trees; clearing of brigalow 'scrub' and the subsequent introduction of exotic pasture grasses; proliferation of the introduced prickly pear cactus and the cane toad; and the degradation of watercourses through trampling and subsequent sedimentation. 45% of the bird species found in 1873, including the Black-throated Finch, declined or became locally extinct by 1999. The study found that the negative effects of these changes were more likely to affect small-bodied birds, particularly those dependent on grassy forest/woodland habitats. The study also suggests that the same processes that occurred at Coomooboolaroo are likely to be widespread, occurring over the northern Australian savannas as a whole.  As this is a highly sought after species for aviculturalists, it is thought that illegal trapping may also have contributed to its decline causing the local extinction of some remnant populations (Garnett and Crowley 2000).  The southern subspecies of the Black-throated Finch is suspected to have undergone a severe reduction in numbers as there has been an observed decline in extent of occurrence of up to 59% over the last decade due mainly to the spread of pastoralism and associated changes in land management practices. Therefore, the species is eligible for listing as endangered under this criterion.  Criterion 2 - Its geographic distribution is precarious for the survival of the species and is very restricted, restricted or limited.  The current extent of occurrence of the southern Black-throated Finch species has been estimated as 52,000 km2. Although, the southern Black-throated Finch's range is declining, at this stage its geographic distribution is not considered limited or precarious for the survival of the species.  As the southern Black-throated Finch population has declined, a number of geographically separated, remnant subpopulations probably formed including an isolated subpopulation in northeast NSW and southeast Queensland. Despite recent survey efforts, these subpopulations appear to be locally extinct with the subspecies now occurring in northern Queensland only. It is not known at how many locations the subspecies remains.  The southern Black-throated Finch is thought to be sedentary, but erratic appearance at certain localities suggests there may be some local movement possibly in response to drought (Ley & Cook 2000). There does not however appear to be extreme fluctuations in the extent of occurrence or number of locations.  The greatest known threat to the southern Black-throated Finch appears to be loss or degradation of its preferred riparian grassland habitat due mainly to the spread of pastoralism and associated changes in land management practices (see Criterion 1). Illegal trapping may also be a threat.  Although the species has been subject to a decline and threats are continuing, the current extent of occurrence is not considered limited and precarious for the survival of the species and therefore, the species is not eligible for listing under this criterion.  Criterion 3 - The estimated total number of mature individuals is limited to a particular degree and: (a) evidence suggests that the number will continue to decline at a particular rate; or (b) the number is likely to continue to decline and its geographic distribution is precarious for its survival.  The only available population estimate is 20,000 (Garnett and Crowley 2000) but it is unknown how this figure was estimated and it is thought to be of low reliability. There is also no quantitative data on actual declines in population.  The comparative analysis of the reporting rates for southern Black-throated Finches between the two Bird Atlases indicates a pattern of population decline. There is a marked decline in reporting rates over the past 20 years for all IBRA bioregions in which the subspecies was formerly found. The use of reporting rates to estimate actual declines however is problematic as survey methods differed between the two Atlases and there were no allowances for seasonal differences. This analysis is considered inconclusive and mainly indicative.  As there is no quantitative data available against this criterion, therefore, the species is not eligible for listing under this criterion.  Criterion 4 - The estimated total number of mature individuals is extremely low, very low or low.  The estimated population is 20,000 (Garnett and Crowley 2000). Therefore, the species is not eligible for listing under this criterion.  Criterion 5 - Probability of extinction in the wild  There is no quantitative data available against this criterion. Therefore, the species is not eligible for listing under this criterion.  5. Conclusion  The southern Black-throated Finch is suspected to have undergone a severe reduction in numbers, as there has been an observed decline in extent of occurrence of up to 59% in the last 10 years. The subspecies historically had a wide distribution occurring from Queensland's Atherton Tablelands in the north to northeast New South Wales in the south and to central Queensland in the west. The southern Black-throated Finch is now only found to occur in coastal northern Queensland and inland central Queensland.  The greatest known threat to the southern Black-throated Finch appears to be loss or degradation of its preferred riparian grassland habitat due mainly to the spread of pastoralism and associated changes in land management practices.  The species is eligible for listing as endangered under criterion 1.  6. Recommendation  TSSC recommends that the list referred to in section 178 of the EPBC Act be amended by transferring from the vulnerable category to the endangered category:  Poephila cincta cincta (Southern Black-throated Finch)  Publications used to assess the nomination  Barrett G., A. Silcocks, S. Barry, R. Cunningham and R. Poulter (2003). The New Atlas of Australian Birds, CSIRO Publishing.  Blakers M., S.J.J.F. Davies & P.N. Reilly (1984). The Atlas of Australian Birds, Melbourne University Press.  Ford, J. (1986). Avian hybridisation and allopatry in the region of the Einasleigh Uplands and Burdekin-Lynd Divide, north-eastern Queensland in Emu 86: 87-110  Franklin D.C. (1999). Evidence of disarray amongst granivorous bird assemblages in the savannas of northern Australia, a region of sparse human settlement in Biological Conservation 90: 53-68  Garnett S.T. & G.M. Crowley (2000). The Action Plan for Australian Birds 2000  Ley A. & S. Cook (2001). The Black-throated Finch Poephila cincta in New South Wales in Australian Bird Watcher 19:115-120  NSW and Queensland Governments (2004). Draft Recovery Plan for the Black-throated Finch southern subspecies Poephila cincta cincta. NSW Department of Environment and Conservation, Queensland Environmental Protection Agency and Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service.  Pizzey G. (1991). A Field Guide to the Australian Birds. Revised Edition. Angus and Robertson, Sydney.  Schodde R. & I.J. Mason (1999). The Directory of Australian Birds: Passerines.  Woinarski J.C.Z. and C.P. Caterrall (2004). Historical changes in bird fauna at Coomooboolaroo, northeastern Australia, from the early years of pastoral settlements (1873) to 1999 in Biological Conservation. 116: 379-401.  Zann R. (1976). Distribution, status and breeding of Black-throated Finches Poephila cincta in northern Queensland in Emu 76: 201-206  Conservation Advice  The southern Black-throated Finch is a small, striking looking, granivorous bird which occupies woodland savannah and riverine vegetation in coastal northern Queensland and inland central Queensland ( NHT regions). The subspecies occurs predominantly on leasehold, freehold and council land. The key threat to this subspecies is the loss or degradation of habitat due to changes in land use management practices.  The priority recovery and threat abatement actions required for this species are:  Protecting and enhancing habitat where the species is know to occur including securing sites for conservation, involving land mangers in conservation, and monitoring management effectiveness. This list does not encompass all actions that may be of benefit to this species, but highlights those that are considered to be of the highest priority at the time of listing.  The Queensland and NSW Governments have developed a joint draft Recovery which sets out specific management actions and guidelines for the conservation of this subspecies.  Priority for the development of recovery plan: N/A"