White-throated grasswren

The white-throated grasswren (Amytornis woodwardi), also known as Yirlinkirrkirr in the local language, is a species of bird in the family Maluridae. It is endemic to northern Australia, found only in West Arnhem Land, in the Northern Territory (NT).

White-throated grasswren
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Clade: Dinosauria
Class: Aves
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Maluridae
Genus: Amytornis
Species:
A. woodwardi
Binomial name
Amytornis woodwardi
Hartert, 1905
Distribution of the white-throated grasswren

Habitat

The white-throated grasswren is only found on and around the Arnhem Land sandstone massif, between Katherine and Maningrida,[1] covering an area of 6,200 km2 (2,400 sq mi)[2]

Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry lowland grassland and rocky areas.[1]

Conservation status

Its status is endangered on the IUCN Red List, last assessed in 2022, and in Australia under the federal Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999, effective November 2014, and in the NT under the Territory Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act 2000.[3]

It is threatened by habitat loss, as it depends on Triodia microstachya (spinifex grass) untouched by fire for at least five years.[3] It is therefore threatened by more frequent bushfires (over 50 in 2021, with climate change playing a role in the increase[4]), leading to inadequate habitat quality and lack of reproductive success.[1] As the bird hops around rather than flies, it is vulnerable to predation by feral cats.[3]

Its total population was estimated at between 5,000 and 10,000 individuals in 1992; no more than 10,000 mature birds in 2011, with numbers continuing to decline through loss of habitat.[1] As of 2022 it has disappeared from many of the locations where it used to be spotted frequently, such as near Gunlom Falls in Kakadu National Park, Plum Tree Creek, the large population near the East Alligator River.[4]

Conservation strategies

The white-throated grasswren is one of 20 species targeted in the Australian Government's 20 birds by 2020 document, produced as part of its Threatened Species Strategy in 2015.[5]

As of 2022 Wardekken Indigenous rangers have been working on a project to help conserve the species with non-profit organisation Territory Natural Resource Management, funded by the federal government. One of the strategies used is Indigenous "patchwork" burning methods, which reduces the fuel load that helps to drive bushfires. They managed to spot some in June 2022, by using pre-recorded bird calls to attract the birds.[4]

Taxonomy

The species was identified by Ernst Hartert in 1905. It is in the family Maluridae.[3]

Cultural importance

The bird, known as Yirlinkirrkirr in the local Bininj Kunwok language, is of cultural significance to the Nawarddeken people.[4]

References
  1. BirdLife International (2022). "Amytornis woodwardi". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2022: e.T22703783A211092297. Retrieved 22 July 2022.
  2. "White-throated Grasswren (Amytornis woodwardi)". BirdLife species factsheet. Retrieved 21 June 2022.
  3. "Amytornis woodwardi - White-throated Grasswren, Yirlinkirrkirr". SPRAT database. Australian Government. Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment. Retrieved 21 June 2022.
  4. Bardon, Jane (21 June 2022). "Indigenous rangers and scientists working to conserve endangered white-throated grasswren in Arnhem Land". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 21 June 2022.
  5. "Threatened Species Strategy Action Plan 2015-16 - 20 birds by 2020". Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment. 3 October 2021. Retrieved 21 June 2022. PDF
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