Justification This species is listed as Vulnerable because it has a small range that is severely fragmented within habitat that may well be declining in area and quality as a result of inappropriate fire management. An associated population decline is probably occurring.

Family/Sub-family Maluridae

Species name author Hartert, 1905

Taxonomic source(s) Christidis and Boles (1994), Sibley and Monroe (1990, 1993)

Identification 20-22 cm. Robust, long-tailed, black, white and chestnut ground bird. Black top and sides of head and neck to mantle, with bold white streaks. Chestnut back and rump. Black wings and tail with chestnut edges to feathers. White lores, throat and upper breast. Black gorget on lower breast streaked white. Black sub-moustachial stripe joins breast gorget. Orange-buff belly in male. Sexes similar, but female is darker chestnut, especially on belly and flanks. Juvenile duller, streaking less distinct. Voice Rich, liquid trill. Buzzing contact calls. Hints Hops or scuttles rat-like between rocks and clumps of vegetation.

Population estimate

Population trend

Range estimate (breeding/resident)

Country endemic?

8,000

decreasing

5,500 km²

Yes

Range & population Amytornis woodwardi is endemic to the Northern Territory, Australia. It is found in north-western Arnhem Land, on and around the Arnhem Land sandstone massif, between Katherine and Maningrida. The small amount of available habitat is severely fragmented and degradation is likely to continue, resulting in a continuing decrease in the number of individuals, currently estimated at c.8,000, in an indeterminate number of subpopulations¹.

Important Bird Areas Click here to view map showing IBAs where species is recorded and triggers any of the IBA criteria.

Ecology: It is found on bare, flat plateaux and stepped or terraced hillsides along broad valleys, with or without narrow rocky gullies. Its habitat is characterised by mature spinifex Triodia microstachya, which is used for nesting, and bare rock, with most sites surveyed containing bare pavement and/or boulders.

Threats Although the rocky plateau and escarpment habitat offers some protection from most fires, recent changes in fire regime, to a higher frequency of extensive hot fires at the end of the dry season, and, in some areas, the progressive replacement of T. microstachya by annual sorghum, means that this protection may not last.

Conservation measures underway Baseline surveys have been completed. About 35% of the species's range is contained within Kakadu and Nitmiluk National Parks¹.

Conservation measures proposed Repeat past surveys at known sites. At known sites, determine the fire history, and make recommendations on appropriate conservation management. Determine the extent of movement between populations, using banding and genetic analysis. Continue intensive fire management of Kakadu National Park. Promote and support traditional fire management throughout western Arnhem Land.

References Garnett and Crowley (2000). 1. J. Woinarski in litt. (2007).

Further web sources of information

Australian Govt - Action Plan for Australian Birds 2000 - Recovery Outline

Text account compilers Phil Benstead (BirdLife International), Stephen Garnett (Charles Darwin University), Stephen Garnett (Birds Australia), Rachel McClellan (BirdLife International), John Pilgrim (BirdLife International), Joe Taylor (BirdLife International)

Contributors John Woinarski (Conservation Committee of the Northern Territory)

IUCN Red List evaluators Stuart Butchart (BirdLife International), Guy Dutson (Birds Australia), Stephen Garnett (Charles Darwin University), Joe Taylor (BirdLife International)

Recommended citation BirdLife International (2009) Species factsheet: Amytornis woodwardi. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 9/2/2010

This information is based upon, and updates, the information published in BirdLife International (2000) Threatened birds of the world. Barcelona and Cambridge, UK: Lynx Edicions and BirdLife International, BirdLife International (2004) Threatened birds of the world 2004 CD-ROM and BirdLife International (2008) Threatened birds of the world 2008 CD-ROM. These sources provide the information for species accounts for the birds on the IUCN Red List.

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