Data Zone
Justification of Red List category
Although this species is confined to a relatively small area, the population is suspected to be stable in the absence of evidence for any declines or substantial threats, with its rocky habitat appearing to confer protection against most fires. For these reasons the species is assessed as Least Concern.
Population justification
The population of A. housei is estimated from the average size of two territories at Artesian Range (6.6 and 12.9 ha; Clarke 2014) and suspected AOO values (spanning extremes of 230 km2 and 3,000 km2) from Clarke et al. (2021). Elsewhere, they have also been reported to be moderately common to common (e.g. 16 pairs counted in a 2-km transect along a creek in sand-stone near Mertens Falls; Johnstone and Storr 2004).
Trend justification
Unlike other tropical grasswrens, and contrary to Garnett et al. (2011), a decline is not assumed after Clarke (2014) found no relationship between fire history and abundance and considered the species well-protected by its exceptionally rocky habitat. Territories studied in 2013 were still occupied in 2020 (J. Clarke unpublished). Consequently, the population is assumed to be stable, but may be subject to moderate fluctuations in response to fire.
Black Grasswrens are endemic to the northwest Kimberley region, Western Australia from the Admiralty Gulf (Crystal Head) through Mitchell Plateau south to the Isdell River (Garnett et al. 2011). They were also recorded at Manning Creek from 1968–1990s, from which they were possibly extirpated by fire (Johnstone and Storr 2004, Hadden 2007).
The species is found in hummock grassland habitat, being moderately common in dense porcupine-grass Triodia spp. in low open woodland, tall shrubland or tall open shrubland (Garnett et al. 2011). It is mainly found in dissected sandstone areas with massive boulders (Rowley and Russell 1997, Johnstone and Storr 2004), and feeds on insects, other invertebrates and seeds of grasses and sedges (Johnstone and Storr 2004).
The principal threat was considered to be fire (Garnett et al. 2011, Woinarski and Legge 2013), but more detailed research suggests that they are relatively insensitive to fire frequency. There are no other plausible threats.
Conservation Actions Underway
None are known. It occurs in several protected areas (including Mitchell River National Park and Prince Regent National Park).
Conservation Actions Proposed
Initiate regular monitoring at a selection of known sites.
Text account compilers
Berryman, A., Vine, J.
Contributors
Butchart, S., Ekstrom, J., Fisher, S., Harding, M., North, A., Symes, A. & Watson, C.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Black Grasswren Amytornis housei. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/black-grasswren-amytornis-housei on 23/11/2024.
Recommended citation for factsheets for more than one species: BirdLife International (2024) IUCN Red List for birds. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/search on 23/11/2024.